I cannot believe that February is already half over. I know local farmers are working hard to finish up their farm taxes and are attending many of the great OSU Extension workshops being held across the region.

Today, I would like to provide information on a bovine calving management workshop and about the financial and tax implications of oil and gas leases/royalties meetings we are offering across the region this winter.

Clinic

OSU Extension, the Ashtabula County Dairy Service Unit and the Ashtabula County Cattlemen’s Association are pleased to be teaming up to offer a Bovine Calving Management Clinic Feb. 29 at the Expo Building at the Ashtabula County Fairgrounds in Jefferson, Ohio, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.

Calving issues cause stress and economic loss for many northeast Ohio dairy and beef operations each year. To help producers increase their calving management skills, we have invited Dr. Gustavo Schuenemann (OSU Extension dairy veterinarian) to share his calving expertise.

This intensive clinic will offer dairy and beef producers calving management knowledge in a face-to-face and hands-on environment.

Topics will include: what is normal and what is abnormal in calving, techniques for assisting delivery, trouble shooting delivery problems, factors causing calving difficulties, post delivery problems, when to call for professional help and the management of the newborn calf. The clinic includes about one hour of classroom instruction followed by one hour of hands-on demonstration.

Participants will practice delivery techniques and newborn care management practices using a calving simulator developed by Schuenemann.

Participants should bring coveralls and boots for the hands-on portion. This hands-on course is free and open to all dairy and beef producers in northeast Ohio. 4-H and FFA youth will also gain valuable experience from this workshop.

No registration is required. More information about this program can be obtained by calling the Ashtabula County Extension office at 440-576-9008 or at http://www.ashtabula.osu.edu.

Do not miss this chance to increase your ability to handle the problem calving situations which challenge us during calving season.

Oil and gas meetings

Financial and Tax Implications of Oil & Gas Leases/Royalties in Northeast Ohio meetings continue to sell out. Thus far, we have sold out the first four sessions, so I have added three more sessions for the beginning of March.

During this meeting, I will be discussing the financial and tax implications of Marcellus shale leases. The goal of this meeting is to help participants become more aware of the potential tax implications of leases and royalty payments.

Some of the topics to be presented include: which payments are subject to ordinary income taxes versus capital gain; taking the percentage depletion deduction; how signing a lease may affect your CAUV status; and strategies to reduce your potential income liability.

The available meetings are March 8 at the Ashtabula County Extension office from 9:30 to 11:00 a.m.; March 13 at the Trumbull County Extension office from 9:30 to 11 a.m.; and March 14 at the Geauga County Extension office from 6:30 to 8 p.m.

The registration fee for this program is $1 per person. Fee is payable at the door. However, due to space limitations (50 per site), reservations are required.

More information can be obtained by calling 440-576-9008 or can be found at http://www.ashtabula.osu.edu.

To close, in honor of Valentine’s Day, I would like to offer the following quote from Franklin P. Jones who stated, “Love doesn’t make the world go ’round. Love is what makes the ride worthwhile.”

Have a good and safe day.