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An Ohio farmer is looking back to plan for 2023

As the New Year approaches, many farmers are looking back at the 2022 growing season.

North Central Ohio farmer Kyle Brown says yields were good despite some vomitoxin in his area.  

“Some farmers in the area had it worse than we did, but it wasn’t anything we couldn’t handle. I think elevators this year were more prepared than they were two years ago when it was a big problem. (Elevators) could segregate it and manage it a little better this year,” he says. “There wasn’t much rejection in our area, but there were some discounts. As long as you can still get rid of it, it’s not a huge deal. Overall, we’re happy with how it turned out given the weather and some of the quality issues.” 

Brown says weather poised some challenges with a wet start to the planting season, a dry stretch at the beginning of the growing season, followed by a cold end to the season.

For 2023, he says ag input costs are top of mind.  

“Our operating line of credit doesn’t seem like it’s going to stretch as far as it has (in the past), but we have high hopes and open minds going into it. We keep doing what we’re doing, listening to the people around us including agronomists and chemical suppliers, and hope for the best,” he says. “We’ll get through the inputs. I’m glad commodity prices are staying up some to help balance that out a little bit.”

Brownfield spoke to Brown during the 104^th Ohio Farm Bureau Annual Meeting. He’s encouraging other people to get involved in the organization that advocates strongly for agriculture and its members.

“All the things behind the scenes that Ohio Farm Bureau does for anybody in agriculture or rural areas— fighting for them at the statehouse and such—that goes a long way. That’s where I find a lot of value in the membership,” he says. “The work OFBF does behind the scenes that we don’t have to worry about ourselves, that’s a high priority for me and makes it worth the value.”

He says the annual meeting was an opportunity to enjoy the camaraderie of fellow members and a reminder of OFBF’s dedication to farmers and the future of the industry.

Audio: Kyle Brown