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Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this year's North Dakota State University (NDSU) Williston Research Extension Center (WREC) Dryland and Irrigated Field Days will be conducted online. NDSU WREC staff members have prepared short pre-recorded videos that include information on dryland and irrigation research being performed at the research center. These videos will be available for viewers to watch on July 8 at www.ag.ndsu.edu/willistonrec. Researchers will be discussing a variety of topics during th...
Billings, MT - USDA’s Risk Management Agency (RMA) reminds producers in Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wyoming that for the 2021 crop year a Fall Seeded Practice has been added for: 1) Irrigated Alfalfa Forage Seeding in all Montana and Wyoming counties; and 2) for Irrigated and Non-Irrigated Alfalfa Forage Seeding in all North Dakota and South Dakota counties. The Forage Seeding crop insurance policy insures newly established forage stands during the initial crop year of establishment. The final date to purchase or make changes to F...
The COVID-19 pandemic has caused severe disruptions throughout the U.S. red meat and poultry industry. As a result, consumers may find limited availability of some meat items at grocery stores, while meat and poultry producers may not be able to find a market for livestock and poultry ready to harvest. Plus, consumers may see higher prices for preferred meat products. "The function of the price system is to prevent shortages and surpluses," says Tim Petry, North Dakota State University Extension...
This year, Safflower Technologies International, LLC (STI) will be conducting a local safflower refinery feasibility study. This study will determine whether or not an area safflower refinery would be profitable in the McKenzie County area. The McKenzie County Job Development Authority (JDA) and the McKenzie County Commissioners have both granted $8,000 each in funds to financially support the study. The McKenzie County JDA fosters primary sector economic growth for McKenzie County They expresse...
Helena, MT- At a hearing on June 24, Senator Steve Daines presented his Montana Water Rights Protection Act to the members of the Senate Indian Affairs Committee. The legislation, which is co-sponsored by Senator Jon Tester, will define the federally reserved water rights of the Confederated Salish & Kootenai Tribes and settle the legal claims of the Tribes against the federal government. The Montana Water Rights Protection Act marks a historic move towards settling the century-long dispute by providing protections for existing water users...
Thanks to the generosity of Tri County Implement, the Sidney Area Chamber of Commerce and Agriculture is excited to announce the "Agriculture is Everywhere Promotion." The promotion starts the week of June 29 and runs for five straight weeks at participating stores. When the first shopper finds the matchbox size Case International tractor at a store, that week's lucky shopper will receive $100 in Chamber Bucks. The store where the tractor will be located changes each week. Tri County Implement...
Several hundred thousand head of cattle are on U.S. roadways every day, and given the volume of cattle being transported, the likelihood of a truck being involved in an accident is high. However, first responders and law enforcement officers aren't always trained in how to handle an incident with cattle. As a result, North Dakota State University Extension specialists joined university and Extension faculty from across the country in developing the Bovine Emergency Response Plan (BERP) and...
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has released regulations for direct payments under the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP). "CFAP provides vital financial assistance to producers of agricultural commodities who have suffered a 5% or greater price decline due to COVID-19 and face additional significant marketing costs as a result of lower demand, surplus production and disruptions to shipping patterns and the orderly marketing of commodities," says Ron Haugen, North Dakota State...
Yellow patches of leafy spurge are beginning to pop up in road ditches across North Dakota. "Leafy spurge is the most recognized noxious weed in the state, infesting approximately 750,000 acres," says Miranda Meehan, North Dakota State University Extension's livestock environmental stewardship specialist. "Canada thistle tops the state at over 800,000 acres, with absinth wormwood the third most common at over 600,000 acres," she adds. "These species are the most common noxious weeds found on...
Providing adequate water to livestock is critical for animal health and production. "Good-quality water can have a major impact on your cattle's intake and weight gain," says Miranda Meehan, North Dakota State University Extension livestock environmental stewardship specialist. Canadian studies have shown the quality of water accessible to livestock is directly tied to the amount of forage they consume. Studies report improved gains by as much as 0.24 pound per day in yearlings and 0.33 pound...
In the midst of the Coronavirus pandemic, staying active as an organization is difficult, but the McKenzie County Extension Office has implemented ways to keep the 4-H fair time experience alive. By implementing a virtual 4-H market animal sale and hoping for a 4-H Achievement Day at a later date, the McKenzie County Extension staff believe this will help provide a fun 4-H experience for 4-H members while still following CDC guidelines. Due to the 2020 McKenzie County Fair being canceled, there...
Great Falls, MT- Montana Farmers Union and Farmers Union Enterprise donated 30,000 pounds of pork ribs to the Montana Food Bank Network in Missoula Monday. The pork ribs are from Redwood Farms, one of the entities in the Farmers Union family of businesses owned by Farmers Union Enterprises. "COVID-19 has impacted all of us, said Walter Schweitzer, President of Montana Farmers Union. "It has affected our livelihoods and our food systems. Farmers Union is all about helping a neighbor in need....
Spring turnout to the pasture is a good time for producers to review their cow-calf health management plans, according to North Dakota State University Extension livestock experts. They note that a number of factors can impact cow-calf health, including slow grass growth and moisture conditions that may delay grazing readiness and result in prolonged feeding. Other factors are cooler, wet conditions that create a variety of challenges for young livestock, particularly for those in dry lots or areas with high concentrations of livestock. “The p...
COVID-19 continues to impact activity around the world, with the agriculture industry being no exception. The pandemic has hampered exports of American agricultural products, disrupted processing and marketing channels by shutting down restaurant sales, and many meatpackers have slowed production at meat plants, and some have even temporarily closed. Prices of agricultural commodities are dropping, and low prices are expected to persist for months. According to an updated economics report...
The first step in dealing with stress is to recognize the early symptoms. Poor growing and harvesting conditions, low commodity prices, trade wars and a shortage of livestock feed for winter all have been stressful for North Dakota farmers and ranchers. North Dakota State University Extension has developed a number of resources to help farmers and ranchers cope with the stress resulting from the uncertainties in their profession. The first step is to recognize the early symptoms of stress,...
The beef supply chain in the United States typically starts on a ranch like Marty Malone's, in Paradise Valley, with the birth of calves. After a summer of grazing, a cow reaches about 500 to 700 pounds. Then the cow is sold to a feedlot in the Midwest or Great Plains, where it eats feed like corn and barley to fatten up. At about 1,200 pounds and 18 months of age, it's slaughtered at a nearby packing plant. Then it's shipped to a wholesaler, who sells the meat to a restaurant or grocery store,...
Field peas may be an alternative to distillers grains as a protein source in cattle feed if the field peas are at a low enough cost, according to a North Dakota State University Extension livestock systems specialist. Distillers grains are a coproduct of producing ethanol from corn. "Distillers grains are a very palatable feed that usually has a feed test of 30% crude protein dry-matter (DM) basis," says Karl Hoppe, who is based at NDSU's Carrington Research Extension Center. "Typically, dried...
Sheep producers need to keep their marketing options open during the COVID-19 outbreak, says Travis Hoffman, North Dakota State University Extension sheep specialist. "We are undoubtedly in a different time than expected for livestock producers in today's COVID-19 situation," he says. "Breeding decisions were made, we put in the effort to get calves, piglets, lambs and/or kids on the ground and growing well. However, we are facing an unprecedented challenge for harvesting the fruition of our...
Monday, April 27 - Montana - Governor Steve Bullock sent a letter to U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue to allow some local processing in order to avoid food waste and get local meat to Montana food banks for Montanans hardest hit by the impacts of COVID-19. The USDA recently denied a request by the Montana Department of Livestock to consider modified protocols that would allow selected processors to process some local demand from Montana producers and farmers, instead of continuing to require that product be processed at...
Bozeman, MT - April 29 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced today a $15 million investment to help support the adoption of innovative conservation approaches on agricultural lands. USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is accepting proposals through June 29, 2020, for national Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG). CIG projects inspire creative problem-solving solutions that boost production on farms, ranches and private forests and improve natural resources. This year’s priorities are water reuse, water quali...
The Senate has passed by unanimous consent H.R. 266, the Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enhancement Act. The House is scheduled to vote Thursday, April 23 and President Trump announced he would sign the bill into law. The American Farm Bureau, along with the Montana Farm Bureau, supports passage of H.R. 266 and has sent a letter to the House. This bill expands farmer and rancher eligibility for the Small Business Administration (SBA) Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program, providing additional funding for the Paycheck...
"Providing the correct mineral supplement is necessary to ensure optimal health, performance and reproduction," says Janna Block, Extension livestock systems specialist at North Dakota State University's Hettinger Research Extension Center. The costs of mineral supplementation vary widely, but most estimates are from $20 to $50 per cow per year. "Due to the importance of minerals and the investment required, it is imperative for producers to develop a good understanding of mineral supplement...
Montana Pork Producers Council (MPPC) recognizes the importance of evoking the Defense Production Act for Meat and Poultry. Providing federal guidance to packing plants to ensure they can remain open, the Executive Order signed by President Trump on Tuesday evening is an unprecedented action for unprecedented times in the agricultural industry. MPPC looks forward to seeing additional details of a plan to ensure workers remain in a safe environment while providing these essential food processing services. “We expect our processors to continue f...
After four decades of breeding and testing, The Land Institute, Salina, KS, has introduced its first commercial grain, a trademarked variety called Kernza. Kernza is in the early stages of commercialization and has been bred intensively for increased seed yield and size for the past 15 years. Dr. Clair Keene, NDSU Williston Research Extension Center Area Extension Specialist/Cropping System, has been conducting research on Kernza for the past two years. "I currently have a variety trial at the...
Bozeman – USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) county offices are open in Montana by phone appointment only until further notice, and FSA staff are available to continue helping agricultural producers with program signups, loan servicing and other important actions. Additionally, FSA is relaxing the loan-making process and adding flexibilities for servicing direct and guaranteed loans to provide credit to producers in need. FSA Service Centers are open for business by phone appointment only. While our program delivery staff will continue to com...
