Read it Again: Week of Dec. 12, 2002

80 years ago this week. Early no-till? Information gathered by Ohio State economists found that farmers in the “cornstalk” wheat section of Ohio, where they sow wheat following corn without plowing, made money on their wheat least year. The sections where farmers plow wheat ground lost money. In Greene County, where wheat is usually sown without plowing, the cost of a bushel of wheat ranged from 90 cents to $1.80, averaging $1.17. Of this, 53 cents per bushel was charged for the use of the land. Figuring the average selling price at $1.15 per bushel, 45 percent of the Greene County farmers received at least 6 percent on their investment.

In Medina County, where most farmers plow for wheat, the lowest cost of a bushel of wheat was $1.15 and the average was $1.52. The Medina farmers expended 15 man-hours and 26 horse-hours on each acre of wheat, as compared to 9 1/2 man-hours and 13 horse-hours in Greene County.

50 years ago this week. Realization of the dream of an agricultural center for the farmers of Ohio may be in the making with a plan now on the governor’s desk. The billion-dollar farm industry is seeking a focal point for Ohio agriculture research and education at Ohio State University on the west bank of the Olangrutangy. The hopes are that it would be fashioned after the university medical center.

It was pointed out that the present agricultural college buildings were designed for half the number of agriculture and home economics students now enrolled. The veterinary college can accept only one-third of those who apply.

25 years ago this week. The Highlight Jersey Sale sponsored by Mykrantz Bros. at Wooster was a “hot sale” with the animals going fast and for good prices in spite of a crowd not too large. There were animals at the sale from Michigan, Illinois and California. Top price paid was $6,350.

Recently an American livestock producer visiting a Japanese supermarket found a cantaloupe priced for $30 and beef at $40 a pound. The high prices were linked to the country having no wide open spaces to raise beef or produce. The Japanese eat only about eight pounds of beef per person per year, compared to our 120 pounds per person in the United States.