Sorted by date Results 1469 - 1493 of 2265
Four students from the Department of Animal and Range Sciences at Montana State University tied for second place in the National Academic Quadrathlon, held July 20-21 in Kansas City, Mo., and Manhattan, Kan. Anna Downen of Columbia Falls, Preston Kiehl of Winnett, Jessica Roloff of Bozeman, and Ben Stokes of Pflugerville, Texas, competed in a four-part contest that consisted of a comprehensive written exam, impromptu oral presentation, hands-on lab practicum, and a double-elimination quiz bowl t...
The recent heavy rains, and a breakdown temporarily stopped the critical rocking process of the Intake diversion dam by Lower Yellowstone Irrigation. By August 14,the river level over the dam was approximately 2.9 feet and rising due to both the rocking and the rain. In 2012, the last year when rocking was permitted, 15,000 cubic yards of sandstone boulders were used to bring the height up to 2.5' above the dam. The 2012 rocking was extensive after the flooding of 2011. This year, the ice jams...
The Northern International Livestock Exposition (NILE) is now taking applications for participants in the 2014 NILE Internship Program. The Internship program provides the opportunity to gain training and work experience in the livestock and equine industries as well as events based business through The NILE Stock Show and Rodeo, a non-profit organization. During the program duration, interns will have the opportunity to assist in all aspects of event planning and execution for The NILE Stock Show and Rodeo. “Being an intern with NILE helped m...
The days of going to the local elevator and buying common oats or barley to spread as a cover crop are gone. Increasing interest in cover crops, especially mixtures of crop varieties, is generating questions from producers, seed retailers and seed variety owners. All seed sold for use as a cover crop must be labeled according to state seed laws. “Most varieties of cereals and legumes utilized in cover crops are protected by intellectual property laws,” says Ken Bertsch, North Dakota’s state seed commissioner. “Plant variety protection (PVP) a...
All storage options should keep the grain dry and provide adequate aeration. With a considerable amount of last year’s grain crop still in storage, and a bumper crop and low prices this year, the demand for grain storage is high. “Grain can be stored in many types of facilities,” North Dakota State University Extension Service agricultural engineer Ken Hellevang says. “But all storage options should keep the grain dry and provide adequate aeration to control grain temperature.” Grain must be dry and cool (near the average outdoor temperatu...
U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) Administrator Juan M. Garcia announced today that farmers should start receiving notices updating them on their current base acres, yields and 2009-2012 planting history. The written updates are an important part of preparing agricultural producers for the new safety net programs established by the 2014 Farm Bill. “We’re sending these reports to make sure that farmers and ranchers have key information as they make critical decisions about programs that impact their liv...
4-H Livestock Sale to Start at 5:00 p.m. on Friday August 1st The 4-H program in Richland County has been growing. This year Richland County 4-H has 12 active and amazing clubs that have been participating all year in many different 4-H events. With all the growth in the 4-H program, the livestock barns at the fair will be full of exciting exhibits for people of all ages. This year we will have market and breeding beef, dairy, horses, dairy, market and breeding sheep, hogs, and goats, as well as alpacas. 4-H members will also be exhibiting thei...
As was feared, the Orange Wheat Blossom Midge has been found in Richland County. Pheromone traps that were placed in fields by staff at the EARC have been capturing an increasing number of this potentially serious wheat pest. The photograph below shows a trap taken from a field in Richland County. If you are a wheat producer, it is imperative that you scout your fields for the pest. A recommended method for scouting is to go into your field at dusk as the midge adults (if there are any present)...
If there’s one thing you can count on, it’s the fact the Richland County Fair and Rodeo will be an action packed, exciting event for all ages. This annual event is known as the show window of agricultural achievement in eastern Montana and western North Dakota. It officially began as a fair in 1920, evolving from a community street fair to a fair and rodeo that entertains over 30,000 people each year. The event kicks off on Wednesday, July 30th with the Agricultural Building opening to acc...
Born in November, 1977, Josh Turner was raised by his parents near Lake City, South Carolina. He grew up as a devout Christian and sang bass in a gospel quartet called Thankful Hearts. Turner made his debut on Grand Ole Opry in December 2001 with “Long Black Train,” where he received a standing ovation for an encore. His debut album was released in 2003, followed by his second album in 2006, his third in 2007, fourth in 2010 and the fifth album was released in 2012. Turners’ wife, Jenni...
The Sidney Chamber of Commerce and Agriculture held its annual Ag Appreciation Golf Tournament on July 14 at the Sidney Country Club. 1st place winners of Montana Silver Belt Buckles commemorating the 15th Annual Ag Appreciation Golf Tournament are Brett Hilde, Harold Schlothauer, Luke Mahlen, and Trent Panasuk sponsored by Horizon Resources. 2nd place winners of a Richland County Centennial Gift package are Kelly Keysor, Stacy Brown, Della Pewonka and Greg Breuer sponsored by Upper Missouri...
R-CALF USA may be defined as a non-profit producer organization, but our work benefits anyone who eats meat and lives in an economy that includes agriculture. We’re more than a producer organization; we’re your organization! USDA Approves Checkoff Advertisements Featuring “North American Beef” Last February R-CALF USA submitted a complaint to U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack alleging unlawful use of U.S. beef checkoff program dollars in advertisements that improperly encouraged consumption of “North American Beef.” In response, U...
Americans expect straight talk from their government. If our government says something, you ought to be able to take it to the bank, as the saying goes. The Environmental Protection Agency is not meeting that expectation. Instead of making things clear when it comes to how the proposed “Waters of the U.S.” rule would affect farmers and other landowners, the EPA is muddying the waters. It’s Complicated Two Supreme Court rulings have limited EPA’s and the Corps of Engineers’ authority under the Clean Water Act to waters that are navigable or have...
A guide to help Montanans detect, monitor and control Japanese beetles is now available from Montana State University Extension. Prior to 2013, the Japanese beetle was established in a small area of Billings, but had not spread. In 2013, it was introduced into seven municipalities through shipments of infested nursery stock, said insect diagnostician Laurie Kerzicnik. The larvae are pests of turf grass. Lawns with yellow patches might indicate an infestation. The adults feed on more than 300 plants, but they prefer roses, apple, grape, cherry,...
It’s one of the most iconic scenes from America’s Heartland, combines sweeping slowly over golden fields of wheat, sun peaking from behind puffy white clouds, trucks on the edge of fields hauling wheat to silos that look like prairie castles from afar. But every now and then the sky darkens and a thunderstorm rolls through and that’s what is happening to wheat with the gluten-free diet craze. Wheat has become a victim of food ingredient fears. There is a medical basis for certain people to avoid bread and other foods made from wheat. These...
U.S Department of Agriculture (USDA) North Dakota Farm Service Agency (FSA) Executive Director Aaron Krauter announced today that a public meeting will be held on August 6th at the Courtyard by Marriot in Moorhead, Minnesota to solicit comments on a recently completed draft analysis that examines the potential environmental impacts of changes to the Conversation Reserve Program (CRP) enacted by the 2014 Farm Bill. CRP encourages farmers and ranchers to establish long-term vegetative species, such as grasses or trees, on environmentally...
U. S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) Administrator Juan Garcia reminds farmers, ranchers and other agricultural producers that Aug. 1, 2014, is the deadline for local FSA county committee nominations. County committees are an important link between the farm community and the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Farmers and ranchers elected to local committees share their opinions and ideas on federal farm programs. “There’s still time for eligible farmers and ranchers to get involved in this year’s county committee elect...
Work is beginning this summer to establish a regional laboratory at Montana State University for diagnosing insects, diseases and weeds in pulse crops. Chickpea, dry pea and lentil growers should be able to send samples to the lab this fall, said MSU Extension Plant Pathologist Mary Burrows, who is directing the project. Space previously occupied by the MSU Extension Water Quality program will be remodeled and turned into a "clean" laboratory this summer. Burrows hopes to hire a lab supervisor/s...
Nearly 100 years after the U.S. Congress established Farm Credit www.farmcredit.com to serve as a reliable source of credit for the nation’s farmers and ranchers, Farm Credit Services of North Dakota and the entire Farm Credit System remain a sound and vital financial resource for rural America. Today marks the cooperatives networks’ 98th anniversary. “For 98 years, the Farm Credit System has served agriculture and rural America as a dedicated, reliable, competitive, customer-owned source of credit,” said Claude Sem, CEO. “Americ...
The first Extension Agent in Richland County, A.D. Anderson, began in 1917. He held the post of Richland County Extension Agent until 1920. A.D. did get some help, in the form of a home demonstration agent (which is what they were referred to then), in 1919 when Gladys Kyte joined him. Since those first two agents blazed the trail for Extension in Richland County, there have been 42 others who have held the title of Extension Agent as either an agent for 4-H, Agriculture, or Family and Consumer...
As we begin to see the summer wind down there are still many activities planned in our community. Following the Richland County Fair & Rodeo is the Lone Tree Gun Show and the Sidney Jaycees Demolition Derby. And we mustn't forget the 7th Annual MonDak Harvest Fest Tractor & Pickup Pull, scheduled for August 23rd at the Richland County Fairgrounds. Hosted by the Sidney Area Chamber of Commerce and Agriculture, this event continues to grow as we see more competitors wanting to test their "metal"....
With some much needed rain falling across most of Montana, now is the time to evaluate your crop insurance needs. Montana farmers and ranchers can still purchase state hail insurance through August 15 by contacting the toll free number at (844) 515-1571 or visiting the website at http://agr.mt.gov/agr/Programs/Commodities/HailInsurance/ to obtain forms. With last year’s record hail insurance claims, the Hail Board purchased reinsurance to ensure that any and all claims made by Montana producers covered by the state hail insurance program will b...
The MonDak Area Stockgrowers Association, along with the Rockin’ Your Heart Out/Cattlemen’s Ball committee is honored to announce the recipients of the 2014 MonDak Area Stockgrowers Scholarships. Rachael Oliver, a 2014 graduate of Savage High School received a $1,000 scholarship. Ms. Oliver plans to attend Oklahoma State University in the fall, majoring in Animal Science. Layton Hrubes, a 2013 graduate of Dawson County High school and current student at Montana State University, Bozeman also received a $1,000 scholarship. Ms. Hrubes is maj...
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced today that the nomination period for local Farm Service Agency (FSA) county committees begins Sunday, June 15, 2014. “County committees are a vital link between the farm community and the U.S. Department of Agriculture,” said Vilsack. “I hope that every eligible farmer and rancher will participate in this year’s county committee elections. Through the county committees, farmers and ranchers have a voice; their opinions and ideas get to be heard on federal farm programs.” Vilsack added, “We’ve se...