Ohio's Appalachian Plateau is a region of rolling hills, steep
valleys and unique soils. OARDC established the Eastern Ohio Resource and Development
Center in Noble County because of those characteristics. Farmers in this part of the state
face challenges uncommon to other areas of Ohio.
In 1965, 728 acres of land were purchased near Belle Valley, Ohio. This
initial block of hilly land, along with a 40-acre tract that was purchased several years
later, is known as EORDC Unit I. The land was originally used for general crop and
livestock farming. In 1966, the Union Carbide Corporation and the Baker-Noon Coal Company
donated an additional 1,325 acres of land that had been extensively stripmined for coal.
This area is known as EORDC Unit II.
EORDC was created to increase the agricultural income from the hills of
eastern Ohio. To do so, scientists are making use of the region's vast natural resources.
Much of the land in this area not covered with timber is best suited for production of
forage grasses and legumes. Production of quality forages at low costs is a key factor for
profitability in the areašs livestock enterprises.
Currently, the beef and sheep industries are top priorities of EORDC
research. Scientists are studying forage management schemes that will extend the grazing
season reducing the need for mechanically harvested forages. One group of 40 beef cows
on an extended grazing rotation is under evaluation for nutrition and growth rates.
Alternative forages such as grazing corn are also analyzed.
The beef cattle research program examines technologies to improve
production efficiency through selective breeding based on blood plasma differences in
the insulin-like growth factor (IGF). Changes in growth, carcass traits and reproductive
performance resulting from higher or lower blood levels of IGF are evaluated. Sheep
research including management system studies and improved animal health will also
take place.
Each year, 200 bulls are fed under uniform conditions to help assess
characteristics like growth rate and sire potential. The purpose of this test is to
provide commercial beef producers with quality herd sires resulting in increased
profitability in the beef industry. At the conclusion of the test, the animals are sold to
producers for use in cattle herds. EORDCšs annual Performance Tested Bull Sale is held
every April. Spoil stabilization and land reclamation studies are conducted on the
stripmined areas of Unit II. Over the years, various soil amendments have been used as a
method of returning the acidic soils to productivity. A new project is evaluating the use
of fly ash a byproduct from coal-burning electric power plants as a soil amendment.
If this is successful, it will reduce waste, reduce movement of the ash to landfills, and
give producers a new, less-costly lining material to use on their farms.
The East District Office of Ohio State University Extension is also
located at EORDC and provides leadership for Ohio Statešs educational programs in
agriculture for southeast Ohioans. Experiments are conducted by extension specialists at
EORDC and on local farms within the district. The EORDC Branch Liaison Committee also
provides guidance and insight on current challenges in the agriculture industry. The
Committee is composed of growers, producers and agribusiness professionals in the eastern
Ohio region.