What is forest management? If you were to ask a forester to define forest management, they would probably say, "Forest management is the application of technical forestry principles, practices, and business techniques such as accounting, cost/benefit analysis, etc., to manage a woodland in a manner that achieves the owner's objectives." Simply stated, forest management is giving a woodland the care it needs to be healthy, vigorous, and provides the products and amenities the landowner desires.
Despite their intimidating appearance, earwigs are harmless to people and, contrary to their eye-catching name, they do not seek to hide inside your ears. However, these insects can cause serious damage to seedlings and chew large holes into specialty crops, flowers, and grain. Earwigs belong to the Order (taxonomic ranking) Dermaptera which derives from Greek origins meaning leather and wings. One could find earwigs during the night or during the day in dark, moist, and cool places such as inside vegetables, weeds, home corners, or mulch.
Striped cucumber beetles (Acalymma vittatum, StCB; Figure 1A) and spotted cucumber beetles (Diabrotica undecimpunctata, SpCB; Figure 1B) are common North American pests that feed on cucurbit crops, including cucumber, watermelon, squash, and pumpkin. Both cucumber beetle species feed on plant foliage, which puts young seedlings at risk. In addition to feeding, they also spread plant pathogens such as bacterial wilt of cucurbits caused by Erwinia tracheiphila.
“White grub” is the common name for root-damaging turf pests in the family Scarabaeidae, or scarab beetles. Scarabs, like all beetles, undergo complete metamorphosis, transitioning through egg, larva, pupa, and adult stages. All white grubs appear as plump, pale, typically C-shaped larvae that feed in the thatch layer of grass stands. White grubs have six true legs and no abdominal leg-like structures (prolegs) like caterpillars. Late instars have highly developed chewing mouthparts.
Squash vine borer (SVB), Melittia cucurbitae, is a destructive insect pest of cucurbits in Ohio and across the eastern and central United States. In some cases, growers report nearly complete crop loss as a result of SVB damage. Larvae bore into the stems of cucurbit plants, disrupting xylem and phloem transport resulting in plant collapse (Fig. 3) (Middleton, 2018).
Communities of all sizes face the challenge of brownfields, including properties that are abandoned, derelict, or underutilized as a result of their prior use. These sites contribute limited economic or community value and often impede redevelopment efforts. Without coordinated planning, community engagement, and stakeholder collaboration for reuse, remediation, or redevelopment, brownfields typically remain underutilized.
The type of baler selected for haymaking is important in the success of the operation. First, operational goals must be set to determine the best baler for the job. These goals are determined by multiple questions:
Callery pear (Pyrus calleryana), often referred to by the cultivar name “Bradford pear,” is native to Asia. Its seed was initially brought to the United States in the early 20th century to serve as genetic material for breeding fire blight resistance in native pears in the Pacific Northwest. By 1950, Callery pear was recognized for its horticultural potential, especially its production of showy white flowers in early spring (Figure 1).
You have heard of horse sense. Well, to get cattle to do what you want takes knowledge of animal behavior, access to good facilities, and proper handling techniques. Collectively, these items add up to “cow sense”. Animal-related injuries to employees can be due to the preoccupation, impatience, or anger of the animal or its handler. During these moments, a livestock handler needs to understand animal behavior. Well-designed facilities do not make up for a lack of cow sense.
Cressleaf groundsel (Packera glabella, formerly Senecio glabellus) has spread in Ohio since the early 1900s. With the adoption of no-till or reduced tillage, cressleaf groundsel has become more prevalent in Ohio across a variety of cropping fields, pastures, and other landscapes. Also called butterweed, this plant can spread aggressively. It has poisonous characteristics, making it a potentially toxic weed for livestock.
