Corn, soybeans and hogs are important to farmers in the western part
of Ohio and so are the research and development projects arising from OARDC¹s Western
Branch. The branch is located southeast of Springfield, Ohio, in Clark County.
Agronomic crops are a major area of research here. Experiments include variety
evaluations, fertility studies, crop rotations and tillage methods for corn and soybeans.
Variety evaluations are also conducted on wheat, oats and alfalfa. A number of studies
have been conducted on the effects of soil compaction. Weed control studies have long been
a part of the research at this branch. Recently, this program has intensified to look at
several aspects of herbicide and weed management. Reduced rate technology, split
applications, herbicide combinations as well as herbicide-resistant crops are all
under evaluation.
The effects of insecticide compounds on corn and alfalfa are analyzed
at the branch. Newly released Bt corn hybrids and commercially available insecticides are
evaluated by entomologists to reduce insect damage. In addition, alfalfa varieties with
potato leafhopper resistance are tested. Preliminary results are quite promising.
Extensive efforts are given to productivity and profitability of the
pork industry. The primary focus is centered on the genetic improvement of swine.
Yorkshires and Large Whites are used to evaluate differences in these two breeds for sow
productivity. Hampshire boars are also used to measure maternal traits in crosses with
Yorkshires and Large Whites. Microsatellite markers are used for detecting genotypic
differences identifying the genes that contribute to economically important traits.
These also determine the potential for genetic improvement. The research is designed to
meet the immediate needs of the pork industry.
Additional focus areas include space requirements for optimum
performance in grower-finisher swine units; evaluation of nursery diets for early weaned
pigs; farrowing crate designs and subsequent pig mortality rates; and multiple weighing of
pigs from birth to 28 days of age. This establishes appropriate weight adjustment factors
in early weaned pigs.
In 1997, a livestock waste lagoon was constructed as a research and
demonstration project. This lagoon is lined with fly ash a byproduct of the flue gas
desulfurization process used in coal-burning electric power plants. This product is being
tested for its effectiveness and could be a replacement for clay or polyethylene liners
currently used as impervious linings for livestock waste lagoons.
Extensive facility renovation in all phases of production has allowed
the swine research conducted at this branch to provide current answers to industry
questions. Application of research from the branch stretches across the boundaries of the
state and into the nation.