John Yost
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Articles by John Yost
Cooler temps slow plant growth
There are a lot of things I am not; one of them is a weatherman. Looking at the extended forecast, there is a trend toward cooler weather persisting. We know this changes from day to day and depends on the source of your weather forecast. Given that a portion of our crops still need to mature, even for silage harvest, we do need to consider how this can impact the quality of the corn silage we will produce.
Proper nutrition key as livestock enter breeding season Original
Technology, weather, and management capabilities have all contributed to allowing us to expand beyond traditional production practices occur. September and October have always been the time when producers would be weaning beef calves and breeding our sheep flocks. Cows with spring-born calves will be at the end of their lactation window, making the fall an obvious opportunity to wean.
Proper nutrition key as livestock enter breeding season
Technology, weather, and management capabilities have all contributed to allowing us to expand beyond traditional production practices occur. September and October have always been the time when producers would be weaning beef calves and breeding our sheep flocks. Cows with spring-born calves will be at the end of their lactation window, making the fall an obvious opportunity to wean.
Learn how planting dates impact small grain yields Original
John Yost, Wayne County Extension Wooster Daily Record Sept. 7, 2026, 5:10 a.m. ET As we move into fall, most of our attention and thought is toward the upcoming harvest. While that certainly takes a lot of time and energy, many producers will also need to find opportunities for winter annual small grain planting.
Rethinking fall small grain planting dates in northeast Ohio
In northeast Ohio, spring rains delayed small grain forage harvest and corn planting. Most producers adjusted to plant earlier-maturing corn hybrids, and while there will still be a delay in corn harvest, it doesn’t appear that it will be too extreme. As we are still a few weeks from harvest, the weather can still squeeze us for time as we prepare to plant our next forage crop, and you may have questions about when the optimal time is to plant small grains.
Scales: When close isn’t good enough Original
We have all had that odd carpentry or welding job where we left ourselves a little short or long in length. You aren’t off by enough to start over, but a little more precision would have made the project easier to finish and possibly made it look a little nicer. When I catch friends in this predicament, I often say, “Must be a government job; close is good enough”. For livestock producers, everything we do is driven by weight. We are paid by weight.
Get back to the basics when restoring weed-infested hay fields
Over the last few weeks, the pasture and hay questions I have been asked have all had a common theme: heavily weed-infested hay fields. In each case, there were different events that led to the problem, but they were dealing with the same issue. I am sure that at some point every producer has had that field that has gotten away from them, and they are not really sure what to do to get it back to being productive.
When close isn’t good enough
Illustration by Philip Warren. We have all had that odd carpentry or welding job where we left ourselves a little short (or long) in length. You aren’t off enough to start over, but a little more precision would have made the project easier to finish and possibly looked a little nicer. When I catch friends in this predicament, I often say, “Must be a government job – close is good enough.” For beef producers, everything we do is driven by weight. We are paid by weight.
Livestock biosecurity basics for small farms Original
John Yost/Wayne County Extension Wooster Daily Record Aug. 9, 2026, 5:08 a.m. ET The last two years have provided us with several examples of why it is important for livestock producers of all sizes to implement basic biosecurity practices into their management programs. We started 2024 with Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza in poultry, and then in March of the same year the virus was found in dairy cattle.
Find the 'why' in farming Original
Every producer has a picture in their mind of what they want their farm to look like. It could be a farm that feeds their family, a profitable side business, or simply a place for them to unwind and escape the stress that comes with life. For many who are just getting started, they come to a point where they look at what they have and see it is not matching what they envisioned. This is a frustrating situation, and it can feel like everything is against you.
Watering Cattle: Quantity and Quality
By Dr. John Yost The last two summers have made it very clear how important water is to our beef cattle operations. The severe drought left many with dead pastures and compounded the problem with creeks and wells running dry, which required some producers to purchase and transport water for the herd. The lack of drinking water hasn’t been normal concern in our part of the world and historically we may have taken water availability for granted.
The heat may be taking its toll on livestock
I made a pledge this winter that I would not complain when temperatures approached triple digits this summer. Unfortunately, I broke that pledge. I lived for a while in the South and quickly decided that the heat was not for me. We may all be a little spoiled by the moderate temperatures that spring and early summer have brought. However, these higher temperatures have been expected, and now we will deal with them like we always do.
The heat may be taking its toll on livestock
I made a pledge this winter that I would not complain when temperatures approached triple digits this summer. Unfortunately, I broke that pledge. I lived for a while in the South and quickly decided that the heat was not for me. We may all be a little spoiled by the moderate temperatures that spring and early summer have brought. However, these higher temperatures have been expected, and now we will deal with them like we always do.
Grazer's paradise could turn dry this summer; be prepared Original
John Yost/Wayne County Extension Wooster Daily Record June 29, 2026, 5:04 a.m. ET The spring of 2026 has been a grazer’s paradise. We have had ample rain and moderate temperatures that have allowed our pastures to thrive. They say that every year is average, and if we take this philosophy, we might expect it to get dry and hot as we progress through the summer months.
Water quality can be key in raising livestock Original
John Yost/Wayne County Extension Wooster Daily Record June 22, 2026, 5:01 a.m. ET Before I get into this week’s topic, I want to add some clarification to last week’s article concerning the infestation of New World Screwworm (NWSW) in the US. The one key point that I didn’t mention is that NWSW is not a food safety concern. This is an insect pest, not a disease or a food contaminant. This is why the USDA is referring to the current situation as an “infestation” and not an “infection”.
Tips for keeping humans, livestock safe from ticks
It seems like ticks have become a year-round problem, but this is the time of year that they usually come to mind as an issue. Ticks are a concern to humans and livestock alike. This concern is slightly elevated with the migration of the Asian Longhorn Tick (ALHT) into southern Ohio a few years ago. The tick’s range is gradually expanded, from first being identified in Virginia, to now being found in almost all of eastern Ohio.
New world screwworm is on the rise in the US
If you have been following livestock-related national news over the last week, you have seen the reports that the new world screwworm has officially crossed the Mexico-Texas border, and a calf was identified in south Texas that has been affected by the pest. The larvae were found on the umbilical area of a three-week-old calf in Zavala County, Texas. The last reported new world screwworm infestation in the US was reported back in the 1960s.
How to select cows for better feed efficiency and lower costs
Image by Kev from Pixabay I assume that you have seen the graphs documenting how the United States cattle population is the smallest it has been since 1951. Although the total numbers have reduced, producers have compensated by selecting for greater beef yield per head. This increase in steer carcass weight has brought along with it an increase in mature cow size and an increase in feed requirements.
Understanding and managing flies Original
As the weather tries to decide if we are still coming out of winter or approaching summer, most of our field activities have been delayed due to the excessive rain. Some of our insect pests have also been delayed, while others are progressing as normal. If you think you are late to the game, there is still time to get ahead of flies by implementing a few management strategies. They require season-long management, which may require a variety of approaches to seasonally address.
Spring is here, and so is the work Original
John Yost/Wayne County Extension Wooster Daily Record April 20, 2026, 5:03 a.m. ET I think it is safe to say that everyone’s workload has dramatically increased with the change to springtime temperatures. Most producers have begun field operations in preparation for spring planting. Our pastures have initiated their early-season growth, and the gates have been opened to begin the grazing season.
Producing high-quality haylage and baleage Original
John Yost/Wayne County Extension Wooster Daily Record April 4, 2026, 4:50 a.m. ET As we enter the spring harvest season for small grain forages and hay crops, many of these first cuttings will be ensiled as haylage or baleage. Producing the highest quality storage forage begins when the first piece of equipment enters the field. Timing your forage mowing is the first critical step in producing quality forage. Each forage species has a window to maximize yield and quality.
Conflict in Middle East impacting U.S. Farmers
United States agriculture has always been tied to international markets for the sale of our commodities and the inputs it takes to grow them. We are always watching to see how many tons of soybeans are purchased by China and how much corn is sent south of the border to Mexico. On the input side, much of the seed we plant is grown in South America, which is harvested during our fall season and made available for spring planting.
How to repair mud and hay feeding damage after winter feeding
The affected around around one round bale of hay can be nearly 2,800 square feet. Let’s do some mud math. Your typical 8-foot hay ring covers 50 square feet of ground. Adding in the space where the cows are standing to eat expands this to 452 square feet. The residue area of manure and waste hay around the feeder can etend to 50 feet beyond the edge of the bale ring.
Spring to-do list packed with soil needs after summer's drought Original
This winter’s snowfall has helped us forget about last summer’s drought conditions. Although we can assume sufficient moisture to help get our forage crops off and running in a few weeks, we still need to think about babying the new growth to help plants fully recover. Adequate soil fertility is always our starting point, and the Tri-State Fertilizer Recommendation Guide (OSU Extension Bulletin 974) provides soil fertility recommendations for our forage crops.
As winter comes to close, seeding is on farmers' minds
I think it is safe to say that we have had a winter. Not just a turning of the calendar, but an actual extended period of time with single-digit temperatures and snow-covered ground. As we have moved into mid-February, we are seeing the expected large temperature swings. While there may be a question every day of how thick a coat to wear, the temperature swings are creating opportunities to improve our pastures in advance of spring green-up.
Love is the air — skunk mating season can be risky for pets Original
John Yost/Wayne County Extension Wooster Daily Record Feb. 10, 2026, 5:02 a.m. ET I may be showing my age, but I grew up in the Looney Toons-era of children’s cartoons. I still find it enjoyable when they show up on one of the streaming services at home and watching them brings a smile to my face. One of the characters has a little relevance to this time of year. You may remember the skunk that was always in search of love, Pepe Le Pew.
Producers heed warnings as Avian Influenza is on the rise
John Yost/Wayne County Extension Wooster Daily Record Feb. 3, 2026, 5:02 a.m. ET Reports of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) virus have been increasing over the last two weeks, and this shouldn’t be a huge surprise to most producers. Wisconsin had its first reported case in dairy cattle the first week of January. West Virginia has had two reported cases in backyard poultry flocks. One was in the southern end of the state, and the other was in the north.
Producers heed warnings as Avian Influenza is on the rise
Reports of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) virus have been increasing over the last two weeks, and this shouldn’t be a huge surprise to most producers. Wisconsin had its first reported case in dairy cattle the first week of January. West Virginia has had two reported cases in backyard poultry flocks. One was in the southern end of the state, and the other was in the north.
What’s your marketing plan?
By John Yost As a beef producer, you put a lot of effort into managing your production risk. Think of all the time you spend researching which bulls to use, developing and implementing your nutrition and herd health programs, shopping around for minerals, the time spent making hay or growing crops to feed in the winter. When you add all this up, it is probably a big number. All of this was done to produce the best product possible, at the lowest cost.
Nick Kocher of MKB Farms talks cattle and monoslope barn experience
VIDEO Nick Kocher of MKB Farms talks cattle and monoslope barn experience January 19, 2026 Livestock, Top Headlines, Videos Nick Kocher of MKB Farms near Galion, Ohio, talks with Brianna Smith of Ohio’s Country Journal about their grain and feedlot operation. The farm takes advantage of a monoslope barn design, which Nick says brings airflow as one of its biggest advantages. Learn more in this video, and read the whole story about the Kocher family at the link below.
You Bought Livestock at the Local Auction Barn. Now What?
By John Yost and Greg Habing et.al Livestock auctions are a cornerstone of local agricultural commerce. They are not just a place to buy and sell livestock but also serve as a point of access to the larger national marketplace for the local producer. Collectively, livestock auctions provide legal security for financial transactions. They also become the point of price discovery to determine the real value of the livestock marketed.
Good stockmanship begins with understanding cattle behavior
How cattle react to a handler’s presence is governed by three principles: instincts, past treatment, and what is happening in the moment. Instincts are behaviors that an animal is born with. They have a natural instinct to either flee from or fight a predator. A mother with a newborn calf and intact males may choose fight over flight, when their natural instinct is to flee from what they perceive as danger.
Winter Readiness: a Guide to Protecting Your Farm, Workers and Livestock
By John Yost Winter has arrived in northeast Ohio and brought with it all of the unique challenges associated with low temperatures. I know that you are all too familiar with what to expect and have dealt with these challenges all your lives. It can be helpful to be reminded of these concerns to prevent complacency. This is especially true for those larger weather events that always seem to catch us off guard.
Whole milk back on the menu
VIDEO Whole milk back on the menu January 13, 2026 Livestock, Top Headlines, Videos Whole milk has been getting the spotlight in recent policy changes through the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act and updates to the Dietary Guidelines for Americans. Scott Higgins, CEO of the Ohio Dairy Producers Association, joins Ohio Ag Net’s Joel Penhorwood to talk about the developments and their impact to dairy producers and consumers alike, as well as the road ahead for implementation.
Good stockmanship begins with understanding cattle behavior
By John Yost, Ohio State Extension, Wayne County How cattle react to a handler’s presence is governed by three principles: instincts, past treatment, and what is happening in the moment. Instincts are behaviors that an animal is born with. They have a natural instinct to either flee from or fight a predator. A mother with a newborn calf and intact males may choose fight over flight, when their natural instinct is to flee from what they perceive as danger.
Avoid these common balance sheet mistakes on your dairy farm
In early November, I had the pleasure of writing an article for this column, which I hope was a useful discussion on using your production data to create benchmarks that could lead to productive management decisions. Now that we have turned the page on a new year, I would like to continue that thought with a shift in focus to a financial analysis of your family business. The logical starting point is the completion of your annual balance sheet.
2026 packed with agricultural learning opportunities Original
John Yost/Wayne County Extension Wooster Daily Record Jan. 13, 2026, 5:02 a.m. ET I hope that everyone has had a great holiday season. We took the time to travel back to West Virginia to spend Christmas with all the family, and everyone did their own thing during New Year's. I enjoy seeing the family despite all the travel; even though it is only a four-hour drive, we are happy to be home. I am excited to kick off the OSU Extension – Wayne County program season.
Winter Readiness: A Guide to Protecting your Farm, Workers, and Livestock
By John Yost Winter has arrived in northeast Ohio and brought with it all of the unique challenges associated with low temperatures. I know that you are all too familiar with what to expect and have dealt with these challenges all your lives. It can be helpful to be reminded of these concerns to prevent complacency. This is especially true for those larger weather events that always see to catch us off guard.
It's time for livestock farmers to prepare for baby season Original
I hope that each of you had a wonderful Christmas. With the holiday being in the middle of the week, our “big kids” chose to meet us in West Virginia to spend time with the rest of our families. They did come to get Baylee early, so we were empty nesters for a few days. The holiday season doesn’t just ring in the new year but also signals the arrival of new residents on our farms.
Winter readiness: A guide to protecting your farm, workers and livestock
Winter has arrived in northeast Ohio and brought with it all of the unique challenges associated with low temperatures. I know that you are all too familiar with what to expect and have dealt with these challenges all your lives. It can be helpful to be reminded of these concerns to prevent complacency. This is especially true for those larger weather events that always see to catch us off guard. Winter weather always reminds us of the dangers of slips, trips and falls around the farm.
Poor weather conditions resulted in low-quality hay for producers Original
John Yost/ Wayne County Extension Wooster Daily Record Dec. 17, 2025, 4:48 a.m. ET In October of this year, I wrote a Daily Record column reporting the results from our statewide forage testing program. If you recall that discussion, we found that weather conditions prevent most producers from making hay at the optimum time, and the resulting quality left producers with a main forage supply that would struggle to meet the nutritional needs of their livestock.
Precautions for how to handle Equine Herpes Virus
The equine community is dealing with the emergence of Equine Herpesvirus Myeloencephalopathy (EHM), which is also known more simply as Equine Herpes Virus (EHV). EHV is like other herpes viruses in that there are multiple forms of the virus that present clinical symptoms. One variant produces respiratory symptoms, while others can be neurologic, and some forms can cause abortions.
How to use a Pearson Square
The transition from mild autumn temperatures to winter’s chill has signaled the start of the forage dormancy period and hay feeding season is upon us. A few weeks ago, my colleague Ted Wiseman authored an “All About Grazing” article detailing the findings of a statewide hay testing program conducted by The Ohio State University Extension.
Winter parasites should also be addressed this time of year
John Yost/Wayne County Extension Wooster Daily Record For many livestock producers, the next two months are a time when some of their animal-related workload is reduced. Beef calves have been weaned, and ewes/does have been bred. Producers may be taking advantage of the opportunity to get some other jobs accomplished before calving and lambing/kidding season rolls around after the first of the year.
Using technology and data to drive herd health and progress
Isn’t it amazing how far technology has come in animal agriculture? We are way past the days of being forced to make management decisions based on group performance. Although you are feeding and milking them in a group, you have the tools to measure and evaluate the individual animal. Heifers can be genetically tested to determine what specific traits they inherited from their parents and if those traits give them a better chance of excelling in your herd.
When to end the grazing season is determined by your needs and management plans
As we finish up the month of October, producers need to be looking toward next spring as they plan to finish up this year’s grazing plan. By now, you should have finished your last hay harvests and made any soil fertility applications in anticipation of fall dormancy. Our cool-season grass species have passed the peak of the late summer/early fall growth period and are slowing down their vegetative growth rates.
Do you have a grazing exit plan?
As we progress through October, producers need to be thinking about their grazing exit strategy. By now, you should have finished your last hay harvests and made any soil fertility applications in anticipation of fall dormancy. Our cool-season grass species have passed the peak of the late summer/early fall growth period and are slowing down their vegetative growth rates.
Statewide forage testing results, implications for producers
You may recall that several months ago, I had been encouraging everyone to participate in the statewide forage testing program being conducted by the OSU Extension Beef Team. While we only had a couple of samples submitted by producers in Wayne County, we collected 180 samples from around the state. A summary of total digestible nutrients (TDN) and crude protein (CP) values from those samples was published in the Sept. 10 edition of the OSU Beef Team Newsletter (https://beef.osu.edu).
Good start on spring harvest begins with weed control
The fall harvest season is well underway throughout the county. For many, this is also the time when you will be planting small grains for harvest next spring as a forage crop or in early summer for grain. Regardless of the crop's final use, it is essential to help it get off to a good start. The key to a good start is weed control.
Drought conditions lead to early harvest, fire risk in Wayne County
John Yost/Wayne County Extension Wooster Daily Record Wayne County, along with many areas to our north, was spared the full impact of the 2024 drought. This year, we have been approaching two months with little to no rain. This has caused our crops to mature rapidly, and harvest has begun sooner than some may have expected. With no relief in sight, the lack of rain may contribute to depressed crop yield.
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