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As the time to harvest your cereal grain crops for forage approaches, it’s time to consider testing them for nitrates prior to cutting. Nitrates can accumulate not only in cereal grains, but also in sorghum, sudangrass, millet, corn, and many weed species. Any forages containing these species should be tested for nitrates. Nitrate is a form of nitrogen which is essential for the growth and development of plants, and it is the form that is taken up by the roots of the plant. When growing conditions are normal, plants convert this nitrate into a...
Blister beetles are here once again, and it is a good idea to scout for them in your fields, particularly alfalfa, prior to cutting. Blister beetle larvae feed on grasshopper eggs, which is why we’ve seen such large populations the last few years. Adult blister beetles contain a cantharidin toxin in their body fluids which is released when the beetle is crushed. This can blister people’s skin and can also be deadly to livestock and horses. There are a few species of blister beetles that are common in this area: ash-gray, black, and gray wit...
Stripe rust has been observed in winter wheat at the Eastern Agricultural Research Center here in Sidney. The cooler weather and moisture recently have been ideal conditions for the disease. This article will review some information on stripe rust disease and management options at this point in the growing season. Stripe rust is a fungal disease that is appropriately named, as the disease forms in a linear pattern of yellow-orange powdery pustules along the leaf blade. This disease is polycyclic, meaning that it will continue to produce spores...
The Montana State University Eastern Agricultural Research Center (MSU EARC) is preparing to host their annual Field Day on Thursday, June 27 at the center, located north of Sidney, 1501 N Central Ave. The day will include information on variety selection, cropping systems, fertility, disease management, weed management, and more, all of which will be beneficial for producers in the region. Plan to come from 8 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. for coffee and donuts before the field day begins at 8:30 a.m. During the field tours, Dr. Chengci Chen, EARC...
Stripe rust has been observed in winter wheat at the Eastern Agricultural Research Center here in Sidney. The cooler weather and moisture recently have been ideal conditions for the disease. This article will review some information on stripe rust disease and management options at this point in the growing season. Stripe rust is a fungal disease that is appropriately named, as the disease forms in a linear pattern of yellow-orange powdery pustules along the leaf blade. This disease is...
Blister beetles are here once again, and it is a good idea to scout for them in your fields, particularly alfalfa, prior to cutting. Blister beetle larvae feed on grasshopper eggs, which is why we've seen such large populations the last few years. Adult blister beetles contain a cantharidin toxin in their body fluids which is released when the beetle is crushed. This can blister people's skin and can also be deadly to livestock and horses. There are a few species of blister beetles that are...
The Montana State University Eastern Agricultural Research Center (MSU EARC) is preparing to host their annual Field Day on Thursday, June 27 at the center, located north of Sidney, 1501 N Central Ave. The day will include information on variety selection, cropping systems, fertility, disease management, weed management, and more, all of which will be beneficial for producers in the region. Plan to come from 8 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. for coffee and donuts before the field day begins at 8:30 a.m....
The Montana State University Eastern Agricultural Research Center (MSU EARC) is preparing to host their annual Field Day on Thursday, June 27 at the center, located north of Sidney, 1501 N Central Ave. The day will include information on variety selection, cropping systems, fertility, disease management, weed management, and more, all of which will be beneficial for producers in the region. Plan to come from 8 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. for coffee and donuts before the field day begins at 8:30 a.m. During the field tours, Dr. Chengci Chen, EARC...
The Montana State University Eastern Agricultural Research Center (MSU EARC) is preparing to host their annual Field Day on Thursday, June 27 at the center, located north of Sidney, 1501 N Central Ave. The day will include information on variety selection, cropping systems, fertility, disease management, weed management, and more, all of which will be beneficial for producers in the region. Plan to come from 8 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. for coffee and donuts before the field day begins at 8:30 a.m....
With the relatively warm spring that we have had, it is important to start scouting for grasshoppers hatching. Typically, scouting begins around Memorial Day, but it may be a good idea to be on the lookout even earlier this year. USDA-APHIS has predicted Richland County and the surrounding area will again be experiencing high grasshopper populations this year. Review of the Life Cycle Grasshoppers deposit eggs in the soil in the fall. These eggs overwinter there and begin to hatch from May through July. Grasshoppers develop through 5 nymphal...
Emergence and establishment of your pulse crops can be negatively affected by dampening off and root rot pathogens. To avoid these issues, consider using a seed treatment. Dampening off occurs when a fungus or oomycete causes banding and restriction of the developing plant. Examples of these fungus and oomycete include Pythium, Rhizoctonia and Fusarium. Dampening off can be worse when the soil is cool and moist around the time the crop is planted. Symptoms of dampening off include a reduced stand, girdling, seedling yellowing, reduced...
MSU Richland County Extension will be hosting an organizational meeting for this year’s Richland County Farmer’s Market on Tuesday, May 14, at 5:30 p.m. at the MSU Richland County Extension Office, Sidney. If you are a past vendor or are interested in becoming a vendor, you are encouraged to attend this open meeting. Market vendors can sell a variety of products; ranging from handmade items to produce, baked goods, and more. The organizational details, applications, and safety regulations of food sales at the Richland County Farmer’s Marke...
Montana State University has released their 2023 Montana Spring Wheat Performance Evaluations. These trials are based on wheat variety performance in multiple locations across the state through multiple years. This performance summary compares agronomic characteristics of spring wheat varieties evaluated by Montana Agricultural Experiment Stations and other varieties commonly grown in the state. The trials take place in 11 locations across the state and region, which locally include Sidney (irrigated and dryland) and just across the border in...
Emergence and establishment of your pulse crops can be negatively affected by dampening off and root rot pathogens. To avoid these issues, consider using a seed treatment. Dampening off occurs when a fungus or oomycete causes banding and restriction of the developing plant. Examples of these fungus and oomycete include Pythium, Rhizoctonia and Fusarium. Dampening off can be worse when the soil is cool and moist around the time the crop is planted. Symptoms of dampening off include a reduced stand, girdling, seedling yellowing, reduced...
MSU Richland County Extension will be hosting an organizational meeting for this year’s Richland County Farmer’s Market on Tuesday, May 14, at 5:30 p.m. at the MSU Richland County Extension Office, Sidney. If you are a past vendor or are interested in becoming a vendor, you are encouraged to attend this open meeting. Market vendors can sell a variety of products; ranging from handmade items to produce, baked goods, and more. The organizational details, applications, and safety regulations of food sales at the Richland County Farmer’s Marke...
Montana State University has released their 2023 Montana Spring Wheat Performance Evaluations. These trials are based on wheat variety performance in multiple locations across the state through multiple years. This performance summary compares agronomic characteristics of spring wheat varieties evaluated by Montana Agricultural Experiment Stations and other varieties commonly grown in the state. The trials take place in 11 locations across the state and region, which locally include Sidney (irrigated and dryland) and just across the border in...
Although some are finishing up calving and others are still yet to begin, it is always necessary to remember the importance of colostrum. This is the first milk produced by a cow after she has given birth. Colostrum contains immunoglobulins, IgG in particular, as well as white blood cells, milk fat, and vitamins A and E. All of these components are important to the newborn calf. A calf is born without immunoglobulins, because the placenta prevents immunoglobulins from being transferred from the cow to the calf in utero. Immunoglobulins are...
Although some are finishing up calving and others are still yet to begin, it is always necessary to remember the importance of colostrum. This is the first milk produced by a cow after she has given birth. Colostrum contains immunoglobulins, IgG in particular, as well as white blood cells, milk fat, and vitamins A and E. All of these components are important to the newborn calf. A calf is born without immunoglobulins, because the placenta prevents immunoglobulins from being transferred from the...
Montana State University has released their 2023 Montana Spring Wheat Performance Evaluations. These trials are based on wheat variety performance in multiple locations across the state through multiple years. This performance summary compares agronomic characteristics of spring wheat varieties evaluated by Montana Agricultural Experiment Stations and other varieties commonly grown in the state. The trials take place in 11 locations across the state and region, which locally include Sidney (irrigated and dryland) and just across the border in...
Lice are most abundant in livestock during the cold months of the winter and early spring. They typically infest animals that are stressed due to cold weather, inadequate nutrition, suppressed immune system, or that are impacted with internal parasites. These issues compounded by moderate to heavy infestations of lice can cause lower weigh gains, lower milk production, reduced feed efficiency, a slower recovery time from disease, anemia, and general unthriftiness. Livestock infested with lice can become very agitated and will relentlessly rub,...
Many experienced the widespread issues with breed back this fall. Hannah Speer, Northern Ag Research Center Animal Science assistant professor, Havre, MT, will be in Sidney on Tuesday, Jan. 30 at 5:30 p.m. upstairs at the Meadowlark Public House to discuss Feeding Fertility: Understanding the Relationship Between Nutrition and Reproduction. Speer will be discussing body conditioning scoring (BCS) and how it relates to postpartum interval, pregnancy rates, and important times to think about evaluating BCS throughout the year and when/how to add...
Many experienced the widespread issues with breed back this fall. Hannah Speer, Northern Ag Research Center Animal Science assistant professor, Havre, MT, will be in Sidney on Tuesday, Jan. 30 at 5:30 p.m. upstairs at the Meadowlark Public House to discuss Feeding Fertility: Understanding the Relationship Between Nutrition and Reproduction. Speer will be discussing body conditioning scoring (BCS) and how it relates to postpartum interval, pregnancy rates, and important times to think about evaluating BCS throughout the year and when/how to add...
Many experienced the widespread issues with breed back this fall. Hannah Speer, Northern Ag Research Center Animal Science assistant professor, Havre, MT, will be in Sidney on Tuesday, Jan. 30 at 5:30 p.m. upstairs at the Meadowlark Public House to discuss Feeding Fertility: Understanding the Relationship Between Nutrition and Reproduction. Speer will be discussing body conditioning scoring (BCS) and how it relates to postpartum interval, pregnancy rates, and important times to think about evaluating BCS throughout the year and when/how to add...
The area has been experiencing dry winter weather without much snow cover, and moderate daily temperatures, making it beneficial to continue watering your evergreen trees and shrubs. Evergreens lose moisture all winter long and watering them can reduce the chance of winter injury and desiccation. Water the trees mid-day to ensure the water will soak into the ground and when daytime temperatures are about 40°F. Younger and newly planted trees experience more water-stress compared to established trees, making it even more important to water...
The last few years have been extremely tough on our cows; extreme low temperatures during the past winter (2022-2023), continued drought and grasshoppers resulting in limited quantity and quality of forages, and high populations of flies caused additional stress to our cattle this past summer. These factors, and others, may result in cows not being in proper condition and in turn having negative implications on breed up. Beef cows prioritize and partition the nutrients and energy that they consume in a specific way: 1. Basal metabolism 2....
