OARDC Outlying Agricultural Research Stations

Western Agricultural Research Station

Corn, soybeans and hogs are important to farmers in the western part of Ohio and so are the research and development projects arising from OARDC's Western Station. The station 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 station. 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 station. 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 station to provide current answers to industry questions. Application of research from the station stretches across the boundaries of the state and into the nation.

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