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  • Ag Producers Income Tax Filing Deadline Draws Near

    NDSU Agriculture Communication|Mar 5, 2014

    Ron Haugen, NDSU Extension Service farm economist, has some items to note for your 2013 income tax preparation. Agricultural producers have until March 3, 2014, to file their 2013 income tax returns without penalty if they have not made estimates. “Producers have until April 15 to file without penalty if they have paid their estimated tax by Jan. 15,” says Ron Haugen, North Dakota State University Extension Service farm economist. Items to note for 2013 income tax preparation: New for 2013 is an additional Medicare tax of 0.9 percent on wag...

  • Look for Ways to Reduce Heating Costs

    NDSU Agriculture Communication|Feb 12, 2014

    This winter’s frigid temperatures and high heating costs are putting a big dent in North Dakotans’ budgets. For example, the cost of filling a 500-gallon propane tank jumped from about $750 to $2,250. “Families struggling to pay for heating bills and keep up with other expenses shouldn’t panic, but they should take steps to manage the hit their family budget is taking this winter,” says Lori Scharmer, North Dakota State University Extension Service family economics specialist. Scharmer recommends sitting down with a calculator to get a real pic...

  • Ag Producers Income Tax Filing Deadline Draws Near

    NDSU Agriculture Communication|Feb 12, 2014

    Ron Haugen, NDSU Extension Service farm economist, has some items to note for your 2013 income tax preparation. Agricultural producers have until March 3, 2014, to file their 2013 income tax returns without penalty if they have not made estimates. “Producers have until April 15 to file without penalty if they have paid their estimated tax by Jan. 15,” says Ron Haugen, North Dakota State University Extension Service farm economist. Items to note for 2013 income tax preparation: New for 2013 is an additional Medicare tax of 0.9 percent on wag...

  • Positive Returns Projected in 2014 for Most Crops

    NDSU Agriculture Communication|Jan 1, 2014

    Projected crop budgets generally show some return to labor and management for 2014, although the price of most crops declined significantly in 2013 and are not expected to improve, according to Andy Swenson, North Dakota State University Extension Service farm management specialist. A reduction in total costs per acre provides a slight cushion to the impact of lower crop prices. “The overall decline in costs was accomplished because of a 20 to 25 percent decrease in nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizer prices and lower fuel prices,” Swenson says....

  • NDSU Offers Updated Crop Compare Program for 2014

    NDSU Agriculture Communication|Jan 1, 2014

    The North Dakota State University Extension Services has updated the Crop Compare program, which is a spreadsheet designed to compare cropping alternatives. The program uses the direct costs and yields from the 2014 projected crop budgets for nine regions of North Dakota, but producers are encouraged to enter the expected yields and input costs for their farm. The user designates a reference crop and enters its expected market price. Depending on the region, a broad selection of nine to 18 crops are compared. The program provides the prices...

  • Biologically Effective Grazing Management Workshop Set for Jan. 7-9

    NDSU Agriculture Communication|Dec 4, 2013

    Ranchers and land managers will be shown how to manage grasslands with biologically effective grazing strategies that increase available soil mineral nitrogen and generate greater wealth from grazing land’s natural resources without depleting future production. A biologically effective pasture and harvested forage management workshop will be held Tuesday through Thursday, Jan. 7-9, 2014, at the North Dakota State University Dickinson Research Extension Center. Traditionally managed grazing land pastures are chronically deficient in available m...

  • NDSU Releases Elgin-ND Hard Red Spring Wheat

    NDSU Agriculture Communication|Dec 4, 2013

    7 marks the first year that Elgin-ND, a hard red spring wheat variety from North Dakota State University, will be available for general distribution to commodity growers. Elgin-ND's attributes are yield, quality and disease protection. Elgin-ND has high yield potential. According to North Dakota variety trial results for 2012, Elgin-ND's yield beat five of the top six most popular varieties for the year in eastern North Dakota. The average yield in 2012 for Elgin-ND across eastern North...

  • NDSU to Hold New Shepherds Clinic

    NDSU Agriculture Communication|Sep 4, 2013

    New shepherds will receive educational material on managing a sheep flock. Anyone interested in starting a sheep-production operation will be able to learn more about it at a workshop the North Dakota State University Extension Service is hosting Sept. 21 at NDSU’s Hettinger Research Extension Center. The New Shepherds Clinic will start at 10 a.m. Mountain time. “Sheep are a good livestock enterprise for youth, families with off-the-farm jobs or existing livestock enterprises seeking diversification,” says Reid Redden, NDSU Extension sheep...

  • Producers Should Document Adverse Weather-related Livestock Losses

    NDSU Agriculture Communication|May 1, 2013

    Producers should keep records of weather-related livestock deaths, North Dakota State University Extension Service specialists say. Those producers have experienced a variety of adverse weather conditions. “Late-spring snow, cold rain and sleet storms have moved across parts of the northern Plains, and have coincided with peak calving and lambing seasons,” says Karl Hoppe, North Dakota State University Extension Service area livestock specialist at the Carrington Extension Research Center. “Now flooding is occurring along many streams and r...

  • Ranchers Work to Keep Calves Alive

    NDSU Agriculture Communication|May 1, 2013

    Heavy spring snowstorms have created hardships for North Dakota cattle herds and caretakers. Most ranchers have moved away from cow herds and calving during the winter to avoid the cold and snow. However, this year’s late-winter weather has ranchers working day and night to keep newborn calves alive. Calves move more slowly and will take longer to first nursing when suffering from cold weather stress. It also leads to reduced nursing times and increased sickness. Acute cold weather stress brought on by cold, wet snow and wind can lead to a q...

  • Time to Check Your Sump Pump

    NDSU|May 1, 2013

    Weather conditions have been dry for more than a year in parts of North Dakota, and sump pumps may not have run in a while. However, with the heavy amount of snow still on the ground, the threat of flooding this spring means homeowners should check their sump pump now to make sure it works properly, North Dakota State University Extension Service agricultural engineer Tom Scherer says. Sump pumps are available in two basic models: upright (commonly called a pedestal) and submersible. Either works well with proper maintenance, according to...

  • Swine Seminar Set for April 12

    NDSU Agriculture Communication|Apr 3, 2013

    Pork production and waste management are among the topics that will be discussed. The North Dakota State University Extension Service and North Dakota Pork Council are sponsoring a swine education seminar Friday, April 12, at the NDSU Carrington Research Extension Center. The seminar is for pork producers, Extension personnel, NDSU faculty and staff and anyone else with an interest in the swine industry. The event runs from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Topics that will be covered and the presenters are: Update of the Pork Quality Assurance Plus program...

  • Poster Contest Helps Promote Heart Health

    NDSU Agriculture Communication|Mar 6, 2013

    North Dakota youth will have a chance to demonstrate their creativity and knowledge of heart health in this spring’s “Eat Smart. Play Hard.” poster contest. The contest is open to North Dakota youth ages 8 to 19 as of Sept. 1, 2012. Posters will be judged in two age divisions: preteen (ages 8 to 12) and teen (ages 13 to 19). The North Dakota State University Extension Service, NDSU Extension’s Center for 4-H Youth Development and the North Dakota Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics are sponsoring the contest. The posters should educate and pro...

  • NDSU Develops Farm Fuel Budget App

    NDSU Agriculture Communication|Mar 6, 2013

    Producers can compare projected fuel costs and use based on alternate crop acreages, tillage systems and crop rotations. Farmers can use a new Farm Fuel Budget cellphone app to plan their farm fuel budget and use for the next year or more. John Nowatzki, North Dakota State University Extension Service agricultural machine systems specialist, developed the Android cellphone app for crop producers to compare projected fuel costs and use for their farming operation based on alternate crop acreages, tillage systems and crop rotations. The app can...

  • Poster Contest Helps Promote Heart Health

    NDSU Agriculture Communication|Mar 6, 2013

    North Dakota youth will have a chance to demonstrate their creativity and knowledge of heart health in this spring’s “Eat Smart. Play Hard.” poster contest. The contest is open to North Dakota youth ages 8 to 19 as of Sept. 1, 2012. Posters will be judged in two age divisions: preteen (ages 8 to 12) and teen (ages 13 to 19). The North Dakota State University Extension Service, NDSU Extension’s Center for 4-H Youth Development and the North Dakota Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics are sponsoring the contest. The posters should educate and pro...

  • Poster Contest Helps Promote Heart Health

    NDSU Agriculture Communication|Jan 30, 2013

    The entry deadline for this year’s Eat Smart. Play Hard. poster contest is March 15. North Dakota youth will have a chance to demonstrate their creativity and knowledge of heart health in this spring’s “Eat Smart. Play Hard.” poster contest. The contest is open to North Dakota youth ages 8 to 19 as of Sept. 1, 2012. Posters will be judged in two age divisions: preteen (ages 8 to 12) and teen (ages 13 to 19). The North Dakota State University Extension Service, NDSU Extension’s Center for 4-H Youth Development and the North Dakota Academy of Nut...

  • Farm/Ranch Transition Planning Classes Set

    NDSU Agriculture Communication|Jan 30, 2013

    The three-session estate planning workshop is set for Feb. 7, 14 and 21. The North Dakota State University Extension Service is hosting a farm and ranch transition planning workshop at five locations Feb. 7, 14 and 21. The workshop will help farmers and ranchers: - Design an orderly and successful transition plan for their farm/ranch business - Choose the successor(s) best suited to continue the business into the future - Understand the transition plan’s financial impacts and tax consequences - Learn about the best tools and strategies to c...

  • Farm/Ranch Transition Planning Classes Set

    NDSU Agriculture Communication|Jan 23, 2013

    The North Dakota State University Extension Service is hosting a farm and ranch transition planning workshop at five locations Feb. 7, 14 and 21. The workshop will help farmers and ranchers: - Design an orderly and successful transition plan for their farm/ranch business - Choose the successor(s) best suited to continue the business into the future - Understand the transition plan’s financial impacts and tax consequences - Learn about the best tools and strategies to create a plan The sessions will run from 6:15 to 9:30 p.m. CST and 5:15 to 8...

  • NDSU Develops Farm Fuel Budget App

    NDSU Agriculture Communication|Jan 23, 2013

    Producers can compare projected fuel costs and use based on alternate crop acreages, tillage systems and crop rotations. Farmers can use a new Farm Fuel Budget cellphone app to plan their farm fuel budget and use for the next year or more. John Nowatzki, North Dakota State University Extension Service agricultural machine systems specialist, developed the Android cellphone app for crop producers to compare projected fuel costs and use for their farming operation based on alternate crop...

  • Fall is Time to Plant Hardy Spring-flowering Bulbs

    NDSU Agriculture Communication|Oct 3, 2012

    Fall is the time to plant daffodils and other narcissus bulbs, according to Ron Smith, North Dakota State University Extension Service horticulturist. "For gardeners, the joy starts early by selecting what to buy and plant," Smith says. "Choose different types for a variety of looks and to create a staggered spring-season bloom schedule. When picking out daffodils, the classic trumpet types are a good place to start. They're the must- haves for that archetypal 'big yellow' appeal. Trumpet daffodils come in crisp solids or mixed colors,...

  • NDSU Holding Clinic for New Shepherds

    NDSU Agriculture Communication|Sep 5, 2012

    New shepherds will have an opportunity to learn about sheep production and nutrition during a clinic at North Dakota State University’s Hettinger Research Extension Center on Sept. 22. “We are hosting an educational field day for individuals with new sheep flocks,” NDSU Extension Service sheep specialist Reid Redden says. “This program was designed to support the North Dakota Lamb and Wool Producers Association’s starter flock program; however, it is open to anyone interested in the basics of sheep production. “Sheep are a good livestock e...

  • Canola Possible Forage Crop for Livestock

    NDSU Extension Service|Aug 1, 2012

    Canola can be an alternative feed for livestock, but producers need to be aware of the challenges. Drought-challenged dairy producers facing forage shortages may be able to feed their cows canola and related crops, provided they take certain precautions. “Recent rains were spotty, and encroaching drought in North Dakota has livestock producers scrambling for much-needed forage,” says J.W. Schroeder, North Dakota State University Extension Service dairy specialist. “Dairy managers are particularly concerned about feed shortages because they...