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Farmers across the region have experienced significant losses due to the sky-rocketing grasshopper population. "The population levels this summer have met the USDA-APHIS projection and, in some areas, have greatly exceeded it. The late snowstorms and cool and wet weather this spring helped combat grasshoppers early on by 1) delaying their hatching, and 2) allowing the grass to grow and get a head start before the grasshoppers had finished hatching," explained MSU Richland County Extension Agent...
Bozeman, MT, Aug. 10 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced it will invest $15 million this year for the Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) Classic program. Through CIG, grantees work to address our nation’s water quality, water quantity, air quality, soil health and wildlife habitat challenges, all while supporting agricultural production. This year’s funding priorities are climate-smart agriculture, addressing invasive species and conservation in community agricultural systems. “The challenges that Montana farmers...
Bozeman, MT – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced it will invest $25 million this year for the Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) On-Farm Conservation Innovation Trials program. Through CIG, partners work to address our nation’s water quality, water quantity, air quality, soil health and wildlife habitat challenges, all while improving agricultural operations. The On-Farm Trials component of CIG supports widespread adoption and evaluation of innovative conservation approaches in partnership with agricultural producers. Thi...
Washington, July 27 - The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced that it will indefinitely extend the deadline for producers to return the pre-filled applications for Phase One of the Emergency Relief Program (ERP). A new deadline will be announced after the last Phase One applications are mailed and provide at least 30 days following the mailing. Continuing to build on the initial mailing of pre-filled applications in May, the Department will continue using existing information in USDA and crop insurance files to send additional p...
As the heat of summer continues and harvest is just around the corner; canning, pickling, and preserving season is here too. The number one priority when preserving your harvest is the safety of the finished product by destroying any bacteria, and molds that might cause foodborne illnesses. One of them being botulism, caused by a toxin in bacteria. The bacteria can grow, especially in improperly processed home-canned foods. Have no fear home-canning foods is still a great way to preserve your harvest. It is recommended to use recipes that have...
Helena, MT – On Monday, July 24, the Montana Department of Livestock (MDOL) announced confirmation of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) in a Flathead County backyard poultry flock. This is the 10th HPAI affected Montana flock linked to a 2022 wave of HPAI infections in the United States traced to seasonal migrations of wild birds. Nationally, nearly 400 poultry flocks have been diagnosed with HPAI. “With over 2 months since our last case of HPAI in the state, we had hoped that avian influenza was behind us,” said Marty Zaluski, Monta...
Dr. Frankie Crutcher, MSU-EARC's plant pathologist will discuss fusarium head blight (FHB) resistant variety development and fungicide treatments for disease management at the EARC Field Day, July 12 at 9 a.m. According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), FHB is one of the most devastating plant diseases in the world. The USDA ranks FHB as the worst plant disease to hit the U.S. since the rust epidemics in the 1950s. Since 1990, U.S. barley and wheat growers have lost over $3...
Extreme temperatures are expected to hit many parts of North Dakota this week, increasing the potential for heat stress in cattle, warns Karl Hoppe, North Dakota State University livestock systems specialist. "One day of heat stress is uncomfortable, but two or more days back to back without night cooling can be deadly for livestock," says Hoppe. "Signs that animals are trying to regulate their internal body temperature include an increased respiration rate, increased heart rate and increased...
FARGO, N.D., July 6, 2022 – Agricultural producers in North Dakota who have not yet completed their crop acreage reports after planting should make an appointment with their U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) service center before the applicable deadline. “Many USDA programs require producers to file an accurate crop acreage report by the applicable deadline,” said Marcy Svenningsen, State Executive Director in North Dakota. “Once planting is complete, call your local FSA office to make an appointment to report...
Physical loss loans can help producers repair or replace damaged or destroyed physical property essential to the success of the agricultural operation, including livestock losses. Examples of property commonly affected include essential farm buildings, fixtures to real estate, equipment, livestock, perennial crops, fruit and nut bearing trees and harvested or stored crops and hay. State: Montana Triggering Disaster Event 1: Blizzard, Excessive Snow, and High Winds that occurred during April 11–April 25, 2022. Application Deadline: Jan. 25, 2...
USDA Farm Service Agency Washington, May 16 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced that commodity and specialty crop producers impacted by natural disaster events in 2020 and 2021 will soon begin receiving emergency relief payments totaling approximately $6 billion through the Farm Service Agency’s (FSA) new Emergency Relief Program (ERP) to offset crop yield and value losses. “For over two years, farmers and ranchers across the country have been hard hit by an ongoing pandemic coupled with more frequent and catastrophic natur...
April blizzards may bring May flowers, but blizzards can also cause newborn calves and other livestock to become smothered, trampled and die due to the conditions created by adverse weather. These death losses can create an emotional and financial burden for livestock producers. North Dakota State University (NDSU) Extension specialists encourage ranchers to inquire about the Livestock Indemnity Program provided by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA). "The...
The grasshopper outlook for 2022 again looks troubling for much of Montana, and especially Richland County. The USDA-ARS Great Plains Laboratory and MSU Extension Richland County hosted a Grasshopper Workshop. The recording of that workshop is now available at: https://richland.msuextension.org/AG.html Dr. Dave Branson, USDA-ARS in Sidney explained the importance of grasshopper biology and proper identification. The majority of grasshopper species lay their eggs in the soil in late summer and fall, and they hatch in spring and early summer....
Helena, MT - In an effort to provide support for Montana’s agricultural community, Frontier Psychiatry has partnered with the Montana Department of Agriculture to provide free access to counseling. Funded through a grant from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), this partnership will offer a variety of services, including individual counseling and medication management, at no cost to the participant. Telehealth services ensure broad access to care and maximum privacy to the individuals in the program. Farmers and ranchers in M...
The grasshopper outlook for 2022 again looks troubling for much of Montana, and especially Richland County. The USDA-ARS Great Plains Laboratory and MSU Extension Richland County hosted a Grasshopper Workshop. The recording of that workshop is now available at: https://richland.msuextension.org/AG.html Dr. Dave Branson, USDA-ARS in Sidney explained the importance of grasshopper biology and proper identification. The majority of grasshopper species lay their eggs in the soil in late summer and...
Helena, MT - In an effort to provide support for Montana's agricultural community, Frontier Psychiatry has partnered with the Montana Department of Agriculture to provide free access to counseling. Funded through a grant from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), this partnership will offer a variety of services, including individual counseling and medication management, at no cost to the participant. Telehealth services ensure broad access to care and maximum privacy to the...
Helena, MT – On Friday, April 8, the Montana Department of Livestock (MDOL) announced the confirmation of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) in two Montana flocks. These are the first cases of HPAI reported in domestic poultry in Montana since 2015. Montana is the 25th state to report cases of HPAI in domestic poultry in 2022. Avian influenza is an infectious viral disease of birds that can cause high mortality rates in domestic flocks. Migratory waterfowl are the primary source for avian influenza (AI). Wild birds can be infected and a...
Bozeman - An emerging energy storage technology could soon have an unexpected ally thanks to research at Montana State University: the pulp left over from processing sugar beets into sugar. Backed by a $1.7 million grant from the U.S. Department of Energy, a team of scientists will study how the byproduct of the starchy root crop can be refined into cellulose nanocrystals that shows promise for improving how heat is captured and recycled in a variety of industrial settings. The project also...
Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) was confirmed in a wild snow goose in North Dakota on March 24 and in a non-commercial, backyard chicken flock in Kidder County. The North Dakota Game and Fish Department sampled a wild bird mortality in Burleigh County that was confirmed positive by the National Veterinary Services Laboratory in Ames, IA. Samples from the North Dakota flock were tested at the North Dakota State University (NDSU) Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory and confirmed by the...
Helena, MT – The Department of Livestock (DOL) is asking Montanans to be aware that highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) has been diagnosed in domestic poultry and wild birds in 18 states to date in 2022. HPAI spreads rapidly and is associated with severe disease and high death loss. Migratory waterfowl are the primary source for avian influenza (AI). The virus is shed in the feces, saliva, and other respiratory secretions of infected birds. Wild birds can carry the virus and appear healthy. Domestic poultry become infected through d...
Bozeman - March 30 - The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) encourages producers and landowners to enroll in the Grassland Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) starting next week through May 13. Grassland CRP provides a unique opportunity for farmers, ranchers, and agricultural landowners to keep land in agricultural production and supplement their income while improving their soils and permanent grass cover. The program had its highest enrollment in history in 2021 and is part of the Biden-Harris Administration’s broader effort to equip p...
Helena, MT – On Friday, April 8, The Montana Department of Livestock (MDOL) announced the confirmation of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) in two Montana flocks. These are the first cases of HPAI reported in domestic poultry in Montana since 2015. Montana is the 25th state to report cases of HPAI in domestic poultry in 2022. Avian influenza is an infectious viral disease of birds that can cause high mortality rates in domestic flocks. Migratory waterfowl are the primary source for avian influenza (AI). Wild birds can be infected and a...
Bozeman - Montana State University Extension and USDA Agricultural Research Service will host a free, two-hour workshop, "Grasshopper Outbreaks and Management Options in 2022," at 10 a.m. Tuesday, March 29. The event will be held in-person at the Richland County MSU Extension conference room in Sidney and will also be viewable online. ]Over the last year, eastern Montana and western North Dakota farmers and ranchers endured the second-largest grasshopper outbreak in the last 35 years. Annual...
Each month, Montana WIC provides healthy food, nutrition education, breastfeeding support, and a community of support from both experts and peers to more than 16,000 moms and children. Nationwide, WIC serves more than 7 million people. Montana WIC participants say they would recommend WIC to their friends, and when asked what they value most about WIC, more than 75% say they value the nutrition information and appreciate the support from WIC staff. As the nation’s most successful and cost-effective public health nutrition program, WIC is d...
Oh no! Here we go again! After eastern Montana and western North Dakota farmers and ranchers endured the second largest grasshopper outbreak of the last 35 years in 2021, they're naturally nervous about what may be coming next, particularly given persistent drought in the region. And it appears everyone is rightfully on edge. Annual grasshopper surveys taken last fall by the USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) indicate another bad year for grasshoppers, with more than 20...
