Sorted by date Results 241 - 265 of 1213
As your crops and gardens begin to grow, please keep in mind that the MSU Richland County Extension Office is here to assist you with plant and weed identification, insect identification, and plant disease diagnostics. If we are unable to identify or diagnosis your sample in house, we seek the help of the MSU Schutter Diagnostic Lab. This lab processes plant diseases, insects, weeds and plants, and herbicide injury, all free of charge. If you have any samples that need identified or a plant disease that needs diagnosed, please contact the MSU...
As grass begins to grow following the much-needed moisture, there is a potential for grass tetany to occur. Grass tetany is a serious metabolic disorder in cattle that is a result of two issues occurring simultaneously: 1) lactating animals have high magnesium requirements, and 2) lush, green grass is low in magnesium and unable to meet such requirements. Grass tetany is caused by low levels of magnesium in the blood and affects lactating cows grazing lush, green grass. Magnesium requirements are high in lactating animals and increase as their...
Hoping everyone faired the spring storm. As you begin to prepare to turn livestock out on rangelands, it is important to monitor both rangeland conditions and livestock water sources. Monitoring the quantity of water in your reservoirs, stock ponds, and wells is necessary, however, monitoring the quality of that is also imperative. There are two main concerns with livestock water quality: elevated total dissolved solids (TDS) and cyanobacteria (blue-green algae). Cyanobacteria, also known as blue-green algae, can be problematic in stagnant...
Hoping everyone faired the spring storm. As you begin to prepare to turn livestock out on rangelands, is it important to monitor both rangeland conditions and livestock water sources. Monitoring the quantity of water in your reservoirs, stock ponds, and wells is necessary, however, monitoring the quality of that is also imperative. There are two main concerns with livestock water quality: elevated total dissolved solids (TDS) and cyanobacteria (blue-green algae). Cyanobacteria, also known as blue-green algae, can be problematic in stagnant...
As producers are preparing to start seeding, there are many factors to consider, and pure live seed (PLS) is one of them. Recommended seeding rates for crops are given in pounds of PLS per acre. Using these seeding rates would assume that every seed is viable and able to establish a plant, when in reality not every seed that is planted will result in a plant. Therefore, you must adjust the seeding rate based on the given germination and purity percentages. On a seed tag, there should be a germination percentage, which is an estimate of how...
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...
MALTA, MT – The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has issued a proposed decision on a bison grazing proposal involving seven allotments in Phillips County, held by American Prairie (AP). In conjunction with the proposed decision, the BLM released an associated Environmental Assessment (EA) and Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI). The Telegraph Creek, Box Elder, Flat Creek, White Rock, French Coulee, Garey Coulee and East Dry Fork allotments – a total of approximately 63,500 acres of BLM-administered lands – currently provide 7,969 anima...
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...
National Ag Day 2022 was Tuesday, March 22, making it appropriate to highlight the important agriculture commodities in Richland County. The 2017 Census of Agriculture shows there is 898 agriculture producers on 527 farms in Richland County that account for 1,270,080 acres. Based on the most recent Montana Agriculture Statistics, the county produces approximately 169,000 acres of spring wheat, 35,000 acres of alfalfa, 13,700 acres of sugar beets, 13,700 acres of barley, 9,700 acres of spring durum, 9,684 acres of corn, 8,400 acres of winter...
Currently 36% of North Dakota is experiencing some level of drought as drought conditions continue to persist in the western part of the state. “Drought impacts are at the forefront of many rancher’s minds as we head into the 2022 grazing season,” says Miranda Meehan, North Dakota State University (NDSU) Extension livestock environmental stewardship specialist. “Concerns linger about long-term impacts of the drought on forage production as well as the risk of a continued drought throughout the year.” NDSU specialists will be hosting live webi...
Helena, MT - With support from the governor’s office and executive branch feedback, the Department of Natural Resources and Conservation is leading a comprehensive review of water management and administration as part of the Governor Greg Gianforte’s Montana Comeback Plan and Red Tape Relief initiative. “After almost 50 years of piecemeal adjustments to the Water Use Act, we believe it is time to review our current water administration and management so we can meet the water needs of the 21st Century,” said Anna Pakenham Stevenson, DNRC Wa...
Access to adequate, good quality water will continue to be a challenge for ranchers in North Dakota this spring, according to North Dakota State University (NDSU) Extension livestock environmental stewardship specialist, Miranda Meehan. Many ranchers in the region still depend on surface water sources, such as dugouts and stock dams to provide water to grazing livestock. Due to drought conditions in both 2020 and 2021, many livestock sources either dried up or were potentially toxic to livestock...
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...
MonDak Ag Days closed out their annual event with a banquet held Friday, March 4 at the Richland County Event Center. A prime rib dinner was served. Assisting with the banquet were the Sidney FFA chapter members shown (L to R): Advisor Kelly Alvstad, Allison Thiel, Corey Christensen, Rhett Rossol, Beau Rindahl, Victor Hoolsema, and Rafe Fulgham....
The 2022 MonDak Ag Days and Trade Show will be held Tuesday and Friday, March 3-4 at the Richland County Event Center, Sidney. Events begin on Thursday, March 3 with the opening of the Trade Show at 8 a.m. MT. Tyler Tjelde will present “Soybean Production in the MonDak” at 9 a.m. followed by Patrick Gilchrist’s “Water Outlook in 2022”. From 11 a.m.-12 noon, “Options for Burndown Not Named Glyphosate and Problematic Weeds that are emerging in and around Richland County” by Brian Jenks. Also from 11 a.m.,-2 p.m., 3 Pesticide Points will be avail...
BOZEMAN, Montana – Sharing resources that will help farmers and ranchers keep safety top-of-mind through the Agricultural Safety Awareness Program is a priority of county and state Farm Bureau leaders across the nation. As part of this year’s ASAP commemoration, March 7-11 has been designated as Agricultural Safety Awareness Week. U.S. Agricultural Safety and Health Centers will join Farm Bureau in promoting the week with its theme “Prepare. Prevent. Protect.” A different safety focus will be highlighted by Montana Farm Bureau and U.S. Ag Cent...
This year, Mondak Ag Days is back to an all in-person format, to be held at the Richland County Event Center on March 3-4. "The 2022 MonDak Ag Days will follow its traditional footprint and we are adding some pretty sweet door prizes to the banquet," Sidney Area Chamber of Commerce & Agriculture Executive Director Kali Godfrey said. The event features a trade show with several vendors showcasing the latest in agriculture related equipment and technology and provides educational opportunities...
The National Hard Spring Wheat Show was Feb. 9 at the ARC in Williston. Banquet speaker Jolene Brown shared hilarious anecdotes in educating the attendees about the complexities of working with family and passing property to next generation....
Bozeman, MT - Feb. 16 - The U.S. Department of Agriculture is delivering on its promise to expand markets by investing $1 billion in partnerships to support America’s climate-smart farmers, ranchers and forest landowners. The new Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities opportunity will finance pilot projects that create market opportunities for U.S. agricultural and forestry products that use climate-smart practices and include innovative, cost-effective ways to measure and verify greenhouse gas benefits. USDA is now accepting project a...
GREAT FALLS – Montana producers head to Denver, Colo., Sunday to the 120th National Farmers Union Convention, where they will share state priorities as the organization forms policy for the year ahead. The group of delegates is: Eric Bergman from Fort Shaw; Joellyn Clark and Tom Clark from Fort Benton; Chad Doheny from Dutton; Gwyneth Givens and John Wicks from Ledger; Paul Neubauer from Havre; Cindy Palmer and Walter Schweitzer from Geyser; Phillip Prewett from Park City; Sarah Rachor from Sidney; and Erik Somerfeld from Power. “Our del...
Great Falls, MT – With support from the Montana Wheat and Barley Committee (MWBC), four wheat and barley varieties developed by Montana State University (MSU) Department of Plant Sciences and Plant Pathology were approved for public release during the annual stakeholders meeting held at the beginning of the year. Montana wheat and barley producers see their crop check-off investments come to fruition at this highly anticipated meeting when the Varietal Release Committee decides to release Montana cultivars. This year, the committee voted to i...
Bozeman, MT - The American Farm Bureau Federation has sent a letter to Attorney General Merrick Garland, asking the Department of Justice to provide an update on its investigation into the meatpacking industry. The Department of Justice began an investigation after excessive volatility in the live and fed cattle markets caused by the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. “With over 80% of the fed cattle market controlled by only four major packing companies, we are concerned about the control these firms have,” AFBF President Zippy Duvall wrote. “We...
The 69th Annual National Hard Spring Wheat Show is scheduled for Wednesday, Feb. 9 at Williston Area Recreation Center, 822 18th St. E., Williston. The event includes a vendor show, breakfast, agriculture specialist speakers, an awards lunch, and an evening banquet. At 7:30 a.m. the show will kick off with a free ag appreciation breakfast, followed by words from Williston Mayor Howard Klug, Wheat Show President Dusty Berwick, and Wheat Show Board. Throughout the day, several speakers will be...
Helena, MT – On Saturday, Jan. 1, the Montana Department of Livestock (MDOL) Brand Rerecord period ended. Brand Rerecord is a one-year period in which Montana brand owners renew their brands with the state to ensure an accurate record of livestock brands that are still in use. Brand Rerecord began in 1921 and occurs every ten years. As of Jan. 1, there were 55,567 brands recorded with the Department of Livestock. By Dec. 31, 2021, 47,663 brands were rerecorded. During the rerecord year, the Department of Livestock also recorded 1,000 new b...
