The use of cover crops in Ohio has been an important focus of existing and newly created conservation efforts to improve water quality in both the Lake Erie and Ohio River watersheds. One of the more popular cover crop species is cereal rye. This fact sheet reviews cereal rye characteristics, such as the growth habit of the species, differences between cereal rye and other small grains, ideal growing conditions and tolerance for poor conditions, and how to identify the species and avoid its potential negative consequences.
Consuming the toxin of the bacteria Clostridium botulinum (C. bot) can cause botulism. The toxin is lethal in minuscule amounts. Botulism is a rare but serious foodborne disease that can be fatal. Two types of botulism poisoning are associated with foods—adult and infant botulism.
Jerusalem artichoke (Helianthus tuberosus L.) is a perennial crop native to North America and closely related to sunflower (Helianthus annuus). This species originates from the Great Lakes region, Ohio River, and the Mississippi River Valleys (Swanton et al., 1992) and was cultivated by Native Americans. Jerusalem artichoke, also named sunchoke (used hereafter) or topinambour, possesses low agronomic requirements and is currently cultivated for its diverse industrial applications.
The European hornet (Vespa crabro) is the largest wasp species found in Ohio. Their size often leads to fear and misidentification. However, these hornets are beneficial predators found across Ohio.
Warm-season grasses are generally thought to be of lower quality than cool-season grasses. However, tropical or subtropical climate regions have highly productive grazing systems based primarily or solely on warm-season grasses. This brings up the question—can targeted grazing management increase the quality of warm-season grasses in temperate regions?
The behavior and actions of stockmen have a direct effect on the behavior and welfare of livestock (Zulkifli, 2013). In simple terms, this means an animal’s action, or inaction, is the result of the actions or inactions of the stockperson. Behavioral research in beef cattle (Probst et al., 2013; Petherick et al., 2009a), has shown that an animal’s response is dependent on the quality of treatment received from their human handlers.
According to the World Health Organization, anxiety disorders are the most common, worldwide, mental health disorders, with 301 million people in the world experiencing anxiety disorder as of 2019. One of the core characteristics of anxiety disorders is an unrealistic and extreme worry about daily occurrences.
Teff, Eragrostis tef, is an annual grass that has been gaining popularity for forage production. This warm-season grass originated in Ethiopia and has gained acceptance in many parts of the world for both its grain and forage qualities, with forage use receiving attention in the United States. Baling, ensiling, and grazing are potential options for this forage. Its hay typically has good palatability, which is likely due to its fine stem structure and soft leaf tissue.
According to a 2023 national survey, 29% of adults in the United States have been diagnosed with depression at some point in their lives and 17.8% are currently being treated for depression. Women are reported to have the highest risk for depression, with 36.7% being diagnosed with depression at some point in their lives and 23.8% being treated for depression at the time of the survey (Witters, 2024).
It is human nature to gravitate toward the path of least resistance. While many of us work hard, sustained focus on significant challenges often feels daunting. These are the "big, hard things" that require stepping out of the familiar into uncharted territory.
