Rain and snow are now in the current Ohio forecast. So, how have your crops fared in this recent shift in weather? Good or bad, resilience is a common factor in maintaining a natural crop with (and from) the elements. With corn as a primary source for food, fuel, and various other domestic products and exports, is it time farmers adopted the hybrid breeding trend as a whole? Weather shifts may guide the future of farming down a common hybrid path.

Hybrid growth is nothing new. The method has linked back more than 150 years, but not until the Depression began in the 1930′s did it catch on; popularly by Charles Darwin and Gregor Mendal. Hybridization is the crossing of the best produce with another of the best produce. This process continues in a growth line for generations until the end result is defined as the “perfect specimen.” Maintaining genetic diversity is the key to a successful hybrid crop line.

These hybrids are stronger and much more controllable among breeders. Dependable, really. The insight is invaluable when determining the survival rate of a crop to both farmer and buyer.

If you are in need of assistance in sustaining your crops, need equipment to simplify the process, or have land to rent for crop planting, let Movers and Shuckers help.

- Claudia Reinhardt and Bill Ganzel. “The Science of Hybrids.” Wessels Living History Farm. 2003. Web. 20 Dec. 2012. http://www.livinghistoryfarm.org/farminginthe30s/crops_03.html

Nationwide, millions of Americans are experiencing higher than average temperatures in the month of December. Normally, the population of Ohio is bracing for the harsh winter months by preparing for snow and getting through a hectic holiday season. This year, due to changing climate patterns and unusually high temperatures for the winter season, many Ohioans have replaced a day on the slopes with a round of golf.

The Arctic Oscillation changes the winds that redirect cold and snow that is being trapped up in the north. This phenomenon is believed by climatologists to have a direct affect on winter weather and therefore sets predictive patterns for our coldest season. A large part of the Midwest is experiencing one of the driest winters in terms of lack of snowfall. For the week ending 12/7, average temperatures in Ohio were 44 degrees, an average of 11 degrees higher than the seasonal norm. ((make sure to attribute where you got this))

Alpine Valley, a popular ski destination in Northern Ohio, currently has a projected opening date of December 15th yet currently has a 0” base. In 2011, the resort opened on December 8th with over 3 feet of snow. Many winter sports fanatics are preparing for a dry season as the Arctic Oscillation indicated there may not be enough snow in the early season to facilitate a mountain opening.

If your holiday had everything- lights, Santa, a holiday meal- the only piece missing from the puzzle would be the winter snow. Many citizens of Ohio that are used to a “Winter Wonderland” are experiencing an early spring. With 14 days until Christmas, Ohio has little time to begin gathering the kind of snowfall typical for the big holiday.

Long, tiring hours go into providing high quality foods, which is one reason why farmers and ranchers landed the 7th spot on CNN’s most dangerous jobs in America list. From operating heavy equipment to hard, physical labor in rural conditions, farmers everywhere are embracing the risks that are involved with the nature of their work. The National Safety Council has offered some safety recommendations.

• Develop a safety-first attitude – follow safe work practices at all times and set a good example for others.
• Be physically and mentally fit when operating a tractor. Fatigue, stress, medication, alcohol and drugs can impair your ability to operate a tractor safely.
• Equip the tractor with a rollover protective structure, and always wear your safety belt.
• Inspect the tractor for any possible hazards or maintenance issues before operating.
• Make sure everyone who uses the tractor has received safety training in proper operation.
• Shut down the tractor, turn off the engine, remove the keys and wait for all moving parts to stop before dismounting.
• Keep bystanders and others away from the tractor operating area.

The holiday season is a time to set aside worries and to give thanks for the things, big and small. This holiday season, let us be thankful for the American farmer.

Although the true cause remains uncertain, the most prevalent form of diabetes, type 2, is believed to be directly influenced by the obesity rates and high sugar/fat consumption often found in Western-style societies. As sugar builds up in the bloodstream, so does resistance to insulin. Type 2 diabetes occurs when blood glucose concentrations reach overwhelming concentrations.

Research has shown that with regular physical exercise and healthy diets we can lower our chances of developing the disease later in life. Thankfully for farmers, regular and strenuous exercise is a part of daily life. Every hay bale lifted, field plowed and barn fixed amounts to decreased blood glucose levels, lower blood pressure and increased ability to use insulin. Farm work directly relates to diabetes prevention!

Vegetables of all shapes and sizes are outstanding sources of calcium, potassium, magnesium iron and many other vitamins. Mostly all vegetables are brimming with antioxidants and sometimes even have antibacterial and antifungal properties.

Guidelines set by the United States Department of Agriculture recommend the consumption of between three and five servings of vegetables daily. One serving size for most vegetables is equivalent to about ½ cup. Bell peppers, artichoke, asparagus, beets, carrots, cucumber, onions, green beans, lettuce, pumpkin, tomatoes and potatoes are just a few of the many vegetables produced on farms across the world.

Farmers are responsible for providing these important food staples, and many others, to residents of the globe so people can live healthy, happy and active lives. Movers & Shuckers encourages you to eat up and appreciate the hard work and devotion that goes into each and every bite of savory food!

On November 11, 2012, people around the nation celebrated the men and women who voluntarily risk it all to safeguard the integrity and freedoms of the United States of America. From all corners of the nation, they answered the call of our armed forces. Protecting freedom and democracy across the world, these heroes are the few and the proud. Movers & Shuckers is honored to live in a country where there are brave citizens like those who protect us.

In rain or snow, desert or jungle—our armed forces are there, protecting the freedoms of everyone around the world. What many take for granted is only possible through the commitment of these few. Since July 4, 1776, when the United States of America declared independence, hundreds of thousands of soldiers have died defending the rights we hold dear. They protect freedoms such as speech and religion and give us the freedom to dictate our own life paths. From owning our own farm to serving in the armed forces, our soldiers protect the fundamental rights that make our society great.

The Movers & Shuckers team is forever appreciative of the commitment and sacrifices of our armed forces. It is our honor to live in a nation with such heroic individuals and it is our commitment to give back, with the best custom farming services available.

Pollution of our water sources can have many serious consequences. Water pollution damages natural habitats and wildlife. It can increase heavy metal and chemical concentrations in land. Animals die, people fall ill and crops degrade.

Surface water and groundwater are both separate sources of water pollution. Surface water pollution is the major contributor to contamination and includes two types, point sources and nonpoint sources. Point source water pollution is pollution of water from a single source. This could include storm drains, pipes, ditches and factories or sewage treatment plants.

Nonpoint source pollution occurs overtime when contaminants accrue, increasingly becoming more and more concentrated.  This type of water pollution is most commonly related to the fertilization of agricultural lands. It is up to farmers and residents to limit runoff and control the causes of nonpoint source pollution.

Methods of control include: the treatment of animal slurries with anerobic lagoons (systems used to treat refuse from cattle), erosion control to reduce runoff flows, crop mulching, contour plowing and nutrient management plans.

Healthy, fertile and nutrient-rich land is vital to local farming and agriculture operations. Water pollution puts our crops and soil at risk of long-lasting contamination. As Ohio’s premier custom farming service, Movers & Shuckers strives to maintain healthy lands and help farmers produce bountiful crops for years to come. By working together we can grow healthy farms and protect our lands from preventable harm.

Farming one’s own land can be a tiring and burdensome process. Uncertain agricultural environments, expensive agriculture machinery and aging equipment are all realities of modern day farming operations. Custom farming is a means by which farmers can hire outside farmers with years of experience to help them manage their land and produce bountiful crops.

Custom farming is an agreement whereby an outside farmer agrees to perform all of the machine operations on the property owner’s land in exchange for a fee or rate. If this reciprocal exchange is acceptable to a farmer, they then need not worry about the high upkeep and maintenance that goes hand-in-hand with private farming operations.

Industry-leading farming equipment and resources are brought to the property where trained operators use them to service the land. These outside farmers work hand-in-hand with landowners to ensure the soil, crops and land resources are being used to greatest degree possible.

Movers & Shuckers offers custom farming services and advanced agricultural equipment to Ohio farmers. Whether the jobs demand seeding, tillage, planting or harvesting; the Movers & Shuckers team will help get it done.

For a full catalog of services and equipment, please visit the Movers & Shuckers website at www.moversandshuckers.com or call 1-855-SHUCKER.

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On farms throughout Ohio, farmers handle the demanding task of planting seeds and ensuring the healthy growth of their crops. Although outside these well-maintained plots of land, plants are not receiving the same level of care. The success of these plants out in nature depends on a variety of factors with one of the most important being seed dispersal.

As one of the few immobile living organisms on our planet, plants are limited in their ability to move and seek out habitable conditions in which to survive and thrive. To overcome this limitation they have evolved methods by which they disperse their seeds and promote the continuity of their offspring.

The three methods of seed dispersal used by plants the world over are anemochory, hydrochory and zoochory. Anemochory is seed dispersal by the way of wind; hydochory is seed dispersal via water; and zoochory is seed dispersal by animals. Therefore, regardless of where a plant finds itself when it blossoms into mature adulthood, certain adaptations allow its seeds to travel and find their own fertile soil.

Not all plants enjoy the luxury of having the tending hands of Movers & Shuckers farmers. With wings to ride the air or barbs to hook onto the fur of animals; the evolution of seeds has given them the ability to find natural growing areas where they can germinate and continue the process of growth on their own.

Movers & Shuckers knows the importance of proper growing conditions and environments. Nothing is taken by chance.  Our farmers use advanced equipment and techniques to help Ohioans get the most from their land and crops.

Election Day is finally here after more than a year of political ads, speeches and promises. November 6, 2012, is a time when Americans across the United States will file into polling stations to cast their vote and elect the next president of our great nation. In no other state are the sides as contested and as important as they are in Ohio.

Once every four years the nation watches-on as our hardworking swing state of Ohio counts votes and plays a vital role in the election verdict. This year, the votes of Ohioans are more important than ever, as the headline of an October 22, 2012, New York Times article declares, “Ohio Has 50-50 Chance of Deciding Election!”

All throughout the year Ohioans work day-in and day-out to give back to the people of our great nation. They are on the farms and in the fields farming and producing the vital food consumed by citizens across the United States. When Election Day comes around, it is only sensible that these rough handed, worn-in, experienced and knowledgeable people contribute their insight to the future of our great nation.

Movers & Shuckers encourages fellow Ohioans to take the time today, to cast their votes. The freedom of our nation allows us to own our own farms, equipment and produce. With our hard work on farms and fields we give back to the citizens of our nation. On this day, we can do one better and help give a strong and promising leader. Whoever you vote for, make it count!