Williams County Extension
A Little Bit Country
Weekly newspaper articles addressing agriculture, horticulture, and youth issues.
Cover Crops "Hot Button" Issue for Bovine Connection
Once again I find the need to write about the Bovine Connection to Profit scheduled December 2 and 3 at the Airport International Inn, Williston. This is a two-day seminar packed with many speakers addressing what I believe to be some “hot button” issues of the beef cattle industry.
Reclaiming Our Legacy
One of the speakers I am anxiously waiting to hear is Burton Eller. He is the Senior Vice President for Government Affairs with the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association. His office is located in Washington, D.C. Burton’s topic is “Reclaiming Our Legacy”. His message will focus on the onslaught of recent news attacking the cattle industry for its care of animals and the negative impact animals supposedly have on the environment.
Cow Feed Efficiency One of Many Topics During Bovine Connection
Feed consumed by the cowherd is a major cost of beef cattle production. Most budgets I have seen show feed costs to represent somewhere between 60 and 70 percent of total cost for Upper Great Plains producers.
Winter Injury Feared by Alfalfa Growers
Once a newly planted field has successfully established one of the biggest fears of growers is injury to the plants caused by cold weather. Winter injury or winterkill will periodically occur even with the best management practices.
Forage Manager Highlights Bovine Connection
Fifteen presenters including industry experts, leading producers and university specialists will be sharing information on key beef production and industry issues at the upcoming Bovine Connection in Williston. The two day premier educational program will be held December 2 and 3 at the Airport International Inn for the region’s beef producers.
Freezing Temperatures and Apples & More Weeds
It seems like almost everyone’s apple tree produced an abundance of fruit this year, and like field crops, the cooler than normal summer temperatures delayed maturity. When is an apple ripe? I frequently receive plants for identification. A couple recently submitted were cutleaf nightshade and houndstongue, both potentially toxic to animals.
Tree Selection Made Easier With Publication & Pruning Overgrown Shrubs
Homeowners who want to learn more about ornamental plants should consider a relatively new publication “Trees and Shrubs for Northern Great Plains”. This publication contains many of the major species of trees and shrubs to consider planting in the northern Great Plains. Tall, overgrown non-evergreen shrubs may be given a new lease on life through proper pruning. Renewal pruning involves selective removal of the oldest, heaviest canes as close to the ground as possible.
Farm Costs Rise
The past two years have seen a notable uptick in economic activity tied to agriculture. The reason is higher crop prices, which have resulted in greater profit for crop producers, but also increased production costs.
Nuisance Animals Around the Home & Mulching Young Trees Recommended
Occasionally I receive requests for information regarding snake control in and around homes. Most household snake problems are the results of non-poisonous snakes seeking a place to hibernate. Mulching the soil around new trees or shrubs is a practice which helps conserve plant moisture, prolonging the period of new root development and moderate extreme soil temperature changes during winter.
Fall Lawn Care
As the cooler temperatures of fall approach it is time to consider applying lawn fertilizer again to control weeds. Lawn fertilizer can be applied any time from early September to the early part of October.
Early Weaning Improves Body Condition & Reduce Disease Carryover with Fall Cleanup in Yard and Garden
It is very tempting to leave calves on pasture with their dams until market time or the approach of winter weather. Research data has shown this may not be the best management practice. Removing plant refuse reduces the disease carryover because many disease organisms survive the winter in the plant refuse from this year’s crop.
Cool Wet Weather Cause for Quality Concerns
“There are no two summers alike”. I have heard this statement many times. This year’s cold temperatures are a huge contrast to the 2008 growing season. As kernels mature, they are resistant to sprouting until they reach physiological maturity. Much of the wheat in this area, though too wet to harvest, is physiologically mature and is susceptible to pre-harvest sprouting.
Prickly Lettuce Abundant, Winter Survival Key to Winter Wheat Harvest & Soil Sampling
Prickly lettuce reproduces by seed only, but it has a large taproot. The stems have an erect growth which can vary in height from 18 inches to six feet depending on moisture availability. Our late harvest may “cool” intentions of planting winter wheat this fall. Soil testing for plant nutrients is becoming a common economic management practice.
Wheat Contest Supports World Trade
The North Dakota Wheat Commission (NDWC) is once again looking for this year’s top performing hard red spring wheat and durum. The contest not only recognizes producers who grew the top wheat quality samples in 2009 but also brings attention of quality wheat to those who purchase North Dakota wheat.
Grain Storage Sanitation Basic But Often Overlooked
Based on conversations with producers, it appears to me that treating the grain with a protectant at harvest time is a common practice. However, it is even more important to make sure the bins are free of insect-infested grain which remains from previous storage.
Pre-Harvest Herbicide Affects Germination & Increasing Incidence of Leaf Yellowing
At physiological maturity, you should see an indentation in the kernel after running your thumb nail across the kernel. Since not all kernels arrive at physiological maturity at the same time, growers should check kernels in the tillers to decide if the crop is ready for swathing or a pre-harvest application of glyphosate. Several people have asked about the yellowing of tree leaves. Submitted samples and on-site inspections are almost always those from maple and birch trees.
Extension Specialist Offers Harvest Tips & Lentil Harvest
Flowering of most fields of peas has ceased and the pods are beginning to fill. I can't recall a pea crop looking as good as this one. Lentils can be swathed when one-third to two-thirds of the field is golden in color. The lower pods on the plants should be fully mature and drying.
More Tours & Pea Aphid Alert
Just in case you missed the annual field day of the Williston Research Center, you may want to mark July 28th and 30th on your calendar to catch up on new research information. Some economic levels of aphids in peas have been found in north central and central regions of North Dakota.
Water Makes a Difference
When it comes to weather in North Dakota, I have often heard people say "Stick around 15 minutes, it will change." We all know this statement isn't always true.
ND Farm Profits Remain Strong in 2008
The 2008 state average report of the North Dakota Farm Business Management program showed net farm income averaged $180,746. The median was substantially less at $114,520. The median is the midpoint, which means one-half of the farms had a higher number and one half had a lower number.
Boot Camp & Predicting Wheat Stem Maggot Emergence
A boot camp - BBQ Boot Camp is coming; Emergency of Wheat Stem Maggot and other information is available in the June 18 NDSU Crop & Pest Report. See the Crops Folder for updates.
Ants and Sick Trees & Birch Tree Decline
Ant problem in homes and lawns. "My birch tree looks sick. What is wrong with it?
Dry Conditions Hamper Cutworm Control & Flea Beetles on Canola
Field scouting for cutworms and flea beetles is encouraged.
Dandelion Becoming an Ag Problem & Nitrogen Application After Seeding
Dandelion "weed of the year" and applying nitrogen as urea or UAN.
Bovine Connection
Outstanding 4-H'ers Honored
