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Minnesota Farm Guide

Remember SAFER principles on the farm this spring
Safety on the farm is always the top priority, but as human beings, it's difficult to maintain a high level of safety awareness all the time.

Northwest Research & Outreach Center dairy facilities likely to close
Farm animal attendants at the Northwest Research & Outreach Center were told the Crookston-based dairy facility - and possibly the beef facility - will close.

Grant apps available for specialty crop growers
Specialty crop growers in Minnesota can now apply for the 2010 Specialty Crop Block Grant program through the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA).

Minnesota farm land values continue to increase slightly
Farm land values continued to rise last year and are once again reaching all time record levels, according to a survey I conduct annually on bare farm land sales. However, the recent increase across the 14 Minnesota counties surveyed was only 0.8 percent.

Sign up now for season-long CSA produce
Minnesotans looking for the freshest food available from local growers will want to sign-up now with a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) farm for the 2010 season.

Farm Rescue accepting applications for another season
JAMESTOWN, N.D. - Farm Rescue is currently accepting applications from farm families that are in need of crop planting assistance this spring, according to Pam Musland, the non-profit organization's director of operations.

U of M Extension announces flood-related web, phone resources
University of Minnesota Extension announced today its coordinated system of online and phone answer resources available for those with flood-related questions, both during a flood emergency and while recovery efforts are underway.

Tri-State Neighbor

4-H youth participate at county fairs, achievement days
Youth from across the region participated in county fairs or 4-H achievement days throughout July and August.

FFA crowns state champions in career development events
PIERRE, S.D. - Four hundred eighty-two FFA members from across South Dakota met Dec. 6-7 in Pierre, S.D., for the state FFA leadership career development events.

Ag on the Reservation: Ranchers persist despite challenges
William Kougl, 26, pours buckets of corn into the feed bunks as the young Angus bulls crowd around. They line up like soldiers at the bunks and chew their ration while Kougl discusses their genetics, disposition and hardiness.

Nebraska youth looks forward to future in ag
Being a leader is more than a resume-builder for 22-year-old Kasey Wagner – it’s a way to help ensure the future of agriculture.

Producers have tools available to help monitor spring flood threats
A combination of climate features – including a wet fall season and heavy, wet snowfalls all winter – have elevated the risk of spring flooding on many Minnesota watersheds.

South Dakota fifth-grade classes will celebrate National Ag Week
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – American agriculture provides the necessities of everyday life: food, fiber, clothing and now fuel.

Researchers seek landowner feedback for supplemental farm real estate survey
BROOKINGS, S.D. – Researchers are seeking input from South Dakota landowners and crop producers for a new survey on agricultural leases and their structures.

Nursery is new tool in fight against Ug99 wheat stem rust
The first Winter Wheat Stem Rust Resistance Nursery, a key tool in the fight against the rust strain Ug99, has been established by the Agricultural Research Service (ARS) and international cooperators.

Gov. Rounds requests disaster declarations for two winter storms
PIERRE, S.D. – South Dakota Gov. Mike Rounds has requested two federal disaster declarations to help South Dakota recover from a Christmas blizzard and a January ice storm.

Animal rabies cases were up in 2009
PIERRE, S.D. – After five straight years of decline, animal rabies cases in South Dakota jumped to 53 in 2009, up from 24 the year before.

Failed blender credit renewal threatens biodiesel industry
ALEXANDRIA, S.D. – More than 23,000 jobs in the biodiesel industry are threatened with the U.S. Senate’s failure to renew the blenders credit which Senate Majority Leader, Harry Reid, D-Nev., removed from the jobs package.

Alumnus gives $20 million to support UNL agribusiness
LINCOLN, Neb. – University of Nebraska alumnus and cattleman Paul F. Engler of Amarillo, Texas, announced March 1 a $20 million gift to support programs in agribusiness at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

Miss South Dakota attributes her success to 4-H
BROOKINGS, S.D. – Judges picked Clay County native Emily Miller as the 2010 Miss South Dakota USA.

Midstates Conference will be held March 31 in South Sioux City, Neb.
The 10th annual Midstates Community and Economic Development Conference will be held March 31 at the Marina Inn, Fourth and B Streets in South Sioux City, Neb.

McCrossan event will be April 29 in Sioux Falls
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – McCrossan Boys Ranch, along with their sponsors, is pleased to present South Dakota world champion bullfighter Jerry Norton as the McCrossan Banquet Auction speaker.

Renewable Energy Group tests oil-based feedstocks
Soy oil is used in about 60 percent of the biodiesel made in the United States today, but that is expected to change in the near future.

Extension Web site offers information on potential flooding issues
BROOKINGS, S.D. – The South Dakota Cooperative Extension Service’s new flooding Web site offers a wealth of information to help landowners, agricultural producers and the public as potential spring flooding conditions approach.

Successful spring planting will take patience, planning
ANKENY, Iowa – With memories of last fall’s difficult harvest still all too vivid for farmers, this winter has presented its own challenges.

UNL will host tractor operators contest April 10
LINCOLN, Neb. – The Nebraska Tractor Test Laboratory at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln east campus will host two competitions in April designed to evaluate young people’s ability to safely maneuver tractors and build and drive electric-powered cars.

Panel: Broadband boost is needed, will not come easy
As telecommunications has spread around the world, its coverage in rural areas has been spotty.

Get a University of Minnesota Extension Farm Resource Guide
The Farm Resource Guide for 2010 is now available to those seeking information on agricultural business management.

S.D. honey production was down from 2008
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – South Dakota’s 2009 honey production totaled 17.82 million pounds, down 17 percent from last year, according to the South Dakota Office of USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service.

Genuity Roundup Ready 2 Yield soybeans are coming to Minnesota
Soybean producers across all of Minnesota and into the Dakotas are gaining access to the newest soybean genetics and traits.

NDA seeks specialty crop grant proposals
LINCOLN, Neb. – The Nebraska Department of Agriculture (NDA) is again seeking grant proposals from organizations or groups of individuals interested in enhancing the competitiveness of the state’s specialty crop industry.

ARS scientists assess antibiotic breakdown in manure
Agricultural Research Service (ARS) scientist Scott Yates is studying how oxytetracycline (OTC), an antibiotic that is administered to animals, breaks down in cattle manure.

Bison how-to book is available online
WESTMINSTER, Colo. – The Bison Producers’ Handbook, released in January by the National Bison Association, is now available on www.Amazon.com.

Nebraska Extension seeks to protect waterways from stormwater runoff
LINCOLN, Neb. – Water, even stormwater, is taking center stage in Nebraska.

Ihnen leads National Corn Growers Association as president
When Darrin Ihnen was an FFA member in high school, he had no idea that someday he would lead a national organization.

Leaves in reach mean cows need less pasture
Lots of leaves growing in easy reach of a cow’s tongue means less time and less land needed to raise beef cattle, according to Agricultural Research Service (ARS) and DairyNZ (New Zealand) scientists.

Extension calving workshops set for March 16 in Huron, Miller, Gann Valley
BROOKINGS, S.D. – The South Dakota Cooperative Extension Service will host calving workshops in three towns March 16.

Farm & Ranch Guide

Agri-tourism could add to producer's farm income
JAMESTOWN, N.D. - Merging agriculture and tourism, two of the top three industries in North Dakota along with oil, could be a good source of income for the ag sector, according to Sara Otte Coleman, director of the State Tourism Office.

Issue of NAFTA labels for chemicals heating up again
BISMARCK, N.D. - Being able to buy farm chemicals freely on either side of the U.S.-Canada border could be a win-win situation for both farmers and manufacturers.

Head of CHS looks to expand global marketing efforts
GRAND FORKS, N.D. - The expansion of CHS export markets has been one of the main focuses of the Minneapolis-based farm cooperative for the past five or six years, according to CHS president John Johnson.

Farmers being asked to share what they love about farming
“What do you love about farming?” That's the question Bayer CropScience is posing to cereal grain growers in the region in their unique grower engagement campaign called ‘Love Farming, Even More.'

Grain prices continue downward trend while livestock prices show some strength
The farm prices paid to North Dakota farmers in February were slightly lower for grains, but livestock prices were up slightly when compared to the previous month, according to the latest price report issued by the North Dakota Field Office of the USDA's National Ag Statistics Service.

Sustainability and public image: Two common themes at Commodity Classic
ANAHEIM, Calif. - Two things were often mentioned by delegates and presenters during the just completed Commodity Classic - sustainability and improving the public's image of agriculture.

North Dakota needs precipitation measurers
North Dakotans can become part of the state's climatological history.

Presidential Disaster Declaration approved
North Dakota Governor John Hoeven recently announced that the President has approved his request for a Presidential Disaster Declaration and has declared a federal disaster for 25 North Dakota counties and one Indian reservation in response to January’s severe winter weather.

President Obama signs ND emergency declaration
The President today declared an emergency exists in the State of North Dakota and ordered federal aid to supplement state and local response efforts in the area threatened by flooding beginning on Feb. 26, 2010, and continuing.

DOJ holds workshop on ag concentration
The Department of Justice (DOJ) and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) held the first-ever joint public workshop on competition and regulatory issues in the agriculture industry last week.

NDSU Can Help Cope With Flooding
If floodwater is threatening you, the North Dakota State University Extension Service can help.

Coping with floods disasters before they happen
Many areas of the country are gearing up for a very wet spring, according to national weather forecasts.

Guardsmen Install Flood Barrier Never Before Used in Fargo
FARGO, N.D. — North Dakota Air National Guard <http://www.119ang.af.ml/> members became the first to install a new tool in the flood fight today when they placed a section of AquaFence <http://www.aquafence.com/> in Fargo.

Small Crew of Soldiers Keeps Traffic Moving as Lisbon Prepares for Flooding
LISBON, N.D. — It’s nonstop hauling in Lisbon this week as dump trucks bump through town with load after load of mud and clay. The city is quickly building a dike to hold back the rising Sheyenne River. As of today, it was at 14.53 feet with flood stage listed at 15 feet and a crest expected around 17.5 feet in a few days, according to the National Weather Service.

Midwest Producer

Nebraska businesses receive funding assistance to promote job creation and economic development
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced that utilities in six states have been selected to receive funds that will create jobs and new business opportunities in rural America.

March 27 Weather Symposium Marks Decade of Severe Weather Preparedness Education
LINCOLN, Neb. - If you're out driving and you see a tornado, do you stop the car and jump in a ditch? Or do you just stay in the car? For the latest advice, attend the Central Plains Severe Weather Symposium and Family Weatherfest on Saturday, March 27, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., in Hardin Hall, 3310 Holdrege St..

Events calendar
MARCH

Cliff Morrow: The thrill of survival
I've been watching the Olympics in Canada. Watching the curling events to be a bit more precise. I felt like I needed to sit down and type a while and let my nerves unwind from the excitement. I've never understood why I am not a big fan of these Winter Games but I suspect that it has partly to do with the fact that I'm from Nebraska - where the greatest winter opportunities are to brag about how far south you went on your winter vacation or how you survived that fall on the ice last week. But it hasn't fazed your thinking a bit. You still want to live here.

Terry Anderson: Do you feel the castle crumbling?
The animal rights activists continue to make noise, but animal agriculture producers may be louder, but in a quiet way.

Conference celebrates women farmers
In an industry traditionally dominated by men, women have a strong and growing presence in U.S. agriculture. At the 2010 Women Managing the Farm Conference in Wichita, Kan., the ultimate goal was to provide women with the tools they need to remain sustainable.

Research focuses on Mycobacterial diseases in both humans, animals
LINCOLN, Neb. - Tuberculosis kills humans at the rate of one every 15-20 seconds, while bovine tuberculosis and Johne's disease can cause economic losses in the range of billions to the beef and dairy cattle industries.

Agribusiness Briefs: Aurora Coop announces $11 million expansion
AURORA, Neb. - The Aurora Cooperative announced its plan to expand grain storage, drying and handling capabilities at its three railroad terminals located at Sedan, Grand Island, and Aurora. The total cost of the facility expansions is estimated at $11 million.

NU alumnus gives university $20 million
A University of Nebraska alumnus and Texas cattleman has donated $20 million to support agri-business programs at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, the university announced March 1.

Regional Briefs: K-State wins $12 million grant for animal borne diseases
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has awarded Kansas State University $12 million for The Center of Excellence for Emerging and Zoonotic Animal Diseases (CEEZAD).

Salina farm show draws more than 300 exhibitors
SALINA, Kan. - The 45th annual Mid-America Farm Exposition will be March 23-25 at the Salina Bicentennial Center and the Saline County Livestock and Expo Center.

Youth rodeo school to be held in Curtis
CURTIS, Neb. - The North Platte, Neb., rodeo committee will host a one-day rodeo instructional school on Saturday, March 20, in Curtis.

Rural Jobs, Rural Opportunities Conference March 29 in Kearney
LINCOLN, Neb. - Residents, business owners, youth and community leaders will be interested in the Rural Jobs, Rural Opportunities Conference on March 29 in Kearney. The conference will be at the Holiday Inn Convention Center from 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m.

Annual Nebraska LEAD recognition banquet March 12 in Lincoln
LINCOLN, Neb. - Steve Waller, dean of the College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, will be the keynote speaker at the annual LEAD (Leadership Education/Action Development) Program recognition banquet March 12.

Now that's rural: Bruce McMillan - Tri-County Congress
"Let's go visit the Congress." If that comment gets you thinking about a plane flight to Washington, D.C., please save your ticket money. I'm referring to a special type of Congress which was held right here in the Flint Hills region of Kansas.

USDA crop and weather report for March 1
Weekly crop and weather condition report for Kansas and Nebraska:

USDA undersecretary to address ethanol forum in Omaha
OMAHA, Neb. - Ethanol 2010: Emerging Issues Forum returns to Omaha on April 8-9 at the Magnolia Hotel, 1615 Howard St., on the west end of the Old Market.

Prescribed Burning Workshops are scheduled in Kansas
Fire safety is a priority topic of the Prescribed Burning Workshops scheduled to be held in central and eastern Kansas in March.

Partnership aims to benefit Nebraska FFA Foundation
LINCOLN, Neb. - The Nebraska FFA Foundation has announced the inaugural "I Believe in the Future of Ag" campaign to raise funds to support FFA.

Terry Anderson: Thrill of victory, agony of threats
The Olympic Games are designed to create top competitions and national pride. Politics and egos are to be left at home. Unfortunately, we know politics exist at the games, with a history of national boycotts and slanted scoring.

Cliff Morrow: Let's make a deal
If I were to walk into any auto dealership in Kansas or Nebraska and attempt to buy a new truck, I would need to carefully decide which options I needed or at least thought I needed. My idea of a loaded pickup would not be the same as anyone else's. I might be willing to accept a trim package that wasn't to my liking, if everything else with the deal was deemed to be okay. However, I would not accept a large diesel engine if what I wanted was a small gas motor. Hang on to this thought.

Agriculture community in need of 'winter therapy'
Winter can be a beautiful time of rest, rejuvenation, and relaxation - unless you're in agriculture. In that case, winter can be a time of exhaustion, cold, endless mud, and constantly broken equipment. Am I getting "warmer?"

Chemigation training schedule announced
Anyone in Nebraska needing to be certified or re-certified to "chemigate" this year will need to attend a training session and pass a test. Requirements for initial and recertification are the same.

The Prairie Star

U.S. welcomes increased beef exports to South Korea
An agreement has been reached with South Korea that allows for greater importation of U.S. beef.

MFBF focuses on children for Ag Safety Awareness week
BOZEMAN, Mont. - The Farm Bureau Safety and Health Network's Agricultural Safety Awareness Week, dedicated to farm safety education with a particular emphasis on children, is slated for March 2-8.

Packing industry consolidation concerns Montana cattlemen
BILLINGS, Mont. - Montana Cattlemen's Association is concerned with the proposed purchase of National Beef Packing Co., Smithfield Beef Group and Five Rivers Ranch Cattle Feeding LLC by the Brazilian group JBS.

Scientists turn beet pulp into plastic
Scientists Turn Cheap Beet Pulp into Value-Added Plastics Ingredient

NRCS to conduct strip-till demonstration
BILLINGS, Mont. - -The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) will be conducting a Strip Till Equipment demonstration and seminar on March 19 at the Bruce Markegard Farm four miles west of Laurel off of Old Highway 10.

Rehberg invites Montanans to listening sessions
BILLINGS, Mont. - Montana's Congressman, Denny Rehberg, is inviting area residents to share their comments during a series of public listening sessions to be held in four counties on March 19-20.

Montana climate change dialogue set for March 19 in Billings
BILLINGS, Mont. - The Montana Chamber is conducting a "Montana Climate Change Dialogue" from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on March 19 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Billings, Mont.

CRP hearing set for March 20 in Great Falls
BOZEMAN, Mont. - Please be reminded, the USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) will host a public meeting beginning at 1 p.m. on March 20, at the Hampton Inn in Great Falls, Mont.

Strip tillage demonstration set for March 20 in Powell
POWELL, Wyo. - Growers are invited to a demonstration of strip tillage equipment at the University of Wyoming Powell Research and Extension (R&E) Center on Thursday, March 20.

Celebrated National Agriculture Week this week
BOZEMAN, Mont. - This week, March 16-22, marks National Agriculture Week, a time to recognize farmers and ranchers for their hard work and bountiful, safe and affordable food supply.

Agriculture appreciation day is every day
GREAT FALLS, Mont. - March is National Ag Appreciation month, and this week is National Ag Week.

MFU conducts carbon credit sign-up workshops
GREAT FALLS, Mont. - The spring deadline for carbon credit sign-up is April 15.

CSP signup begins April 18
Sign Up for Conservation Security Program Announced

Speakers to address irrigation issues on April 9 in Forsyth
FORSYTH, Mont. - The Rosebud Watershed Group will meet at 7 p.m. on April 9 in the Rosebud School in Forsyth, Mont..

UW Extension offers honey bee seminar on April 16 in Cody
CODY, Wyo. - Honey bee biology, honey production and crop pollination are subjects of a presentation on Wednesday, April 16, in Cody, Wyo.

Women's financial seminar set for April 21 in Conrad
GREAT FALLS, Mont. - At some point in their lives, 80 percent of women will be the sole financial decision maker.

Montana rancher testifies against federal water jurisdiction
HELENA, Mont. - Randy Smith, a cattle producer from Glen, Mont., testified today on behalf of the Montana Stockgrowers Association (MSGA) and the National Cattlemen's Beef Association before a impassioned U.S. Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works.

Carbon credit workshop set for April 21 in Conrad
CONRAD, Mont. - Join the Montana Farm Bureau for a free carbon credit workshop at 7 p.m. on April 21 at the Conrad Community Center.

Market volatility creates uncertainty for farmers, ranchers
BOZEMAN, Mont. - Sky-high futures prices might sound like farmers are harvesting plenty of money, but that's not really the case.

Farm bill deal reached
Key House and Senate farm bill negotiators reached agreement this evening on the main elements of the farm bill, with details to be presented to all conferees Monday.

Pollinators as preservationists
AMES, Iowa - At the North Central Regional Plant Introduction Station (NCRPIS) in Ames, Iowa, the scientists constantly fine-tune the professional relationships they have with their pollinating colleagues.

Farm bill heads to President
WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Senate today overwhelmingly passed the Farm Bill conference report by a vote of 81 to 15.

Court ruling forces release of FSA databases
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Producers may have reason to be concerned about confidentiality after a court ruling recently forced the Farm Service Agency to release its databases to a national publishing company.

R-CALF: New price reporting law an improvement
BILLINGS, Mont. - The final revision of the Livestock Mandatory Reporting regulation goes into effect on July 15, facilitating market information for U.S. livestock.

Center for Rural Affairs urges farm bill veto
LYONS, Neb. - Today, the Center for Rural Affairs announced its opposition to passage of the farm bill conference report and encouraged President Bush to veto the bill if it passes.

GrainGenes Web site speeds gene discovery
ALBANY, Calif. - Even though there's much about wheat that's familiar and ordinary, one feature of this ancient crop - its genetic makeup - remains relatively unknown.

Tester: Farm bill veto 'reckless and wrong"
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Jon Tester, a Montana farmer, today responded to President Bush's veto of the farm bill, and Congress' expected override.

Board of Livestock adds cattle origin to sale bill
HELENA, Mont. - The Montana Cattlemen's Association (MCA) has been successful in requesting the Board of Livestock add language to their Bill of Sale form to allow producers to identify the origin of their cattle.

UW Extension horse clinics set in Cody, Powell
CODY, Wyo. - Nutritional needs of horses and various feed values will be discussed by a University of Wyoming professor on Wednesday, June 4, in Cody, Wyo., and Powell, Wyo.

Rehberg strongly opposes Schweitzer-backed water legislation
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Montana's Congressman, Denny Rehberg, in a letter to Governor Brian Schweitzer, announced his strong opposition to legislation Schweitzer is pushing that would expand federal control over Montana's water.

Agri-View

A Perfect Storm is Brewing For Agriculture
This will be an anxious spring for farmersnnot only are many of them worried about getting unharvested corn off the fields so they can start this spring’s plantingn-they’re also worried about measures lawmakers are working on that could make their lives and livelihoods even more complicated.

Jelinski: Agriculture’s Success Deserves to Be Celebrated
After 30 years in state government Dave Jelinski has begun a new career as a lobbyist with the Dairy Business Association (DBA).

Fish is Always in Season
Aquaculture is a unique industry in Wisconsin. Growing up along the Mississippi River, it was a form of recreation.

DATCP Board Will Meet March 24
A full day of business will occupy members of the citizen board of the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) when it meets on March 24 at the department headquarters, 2811 Agriculture Drive, Madison.

Who Makes the Cheese? Book Sheer Enjoyment
If you want to know who the people are that are making cheese in Wisconsin, then the book for you is The Master Cheesemakers of Wisconsin, published by the UW Press, with assistance from the Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board (WMMB).

WAC Sets Annual Meeting Date
The annual meeting of the Wisconsin Agribusiness Council (WAC) and Foundation will take place on March 31 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Merrigan Spreading the Word on ‘Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food’
Deputy Secretary of Agriculture Kathleen Merrigan visited the UW-Madison campus last week to draw attention to the USDA’s ‘Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food’ initiative.

Legislative Action Alert: Groundwater Legislation Proposed
Last week Senator Mark Miller (D-Monona) and Representative Spencer Black (D-Madison) released a draft of a fundamental revision to Wisconsin’s groundwater law, which they titled “The Groundwater Protection Act.”

Ag-Related Stories

Correction: Cheese championships story
March 20

In a story March 18 about the World Championship Cheese Contest, The Associated Press, relying on in. . .More »

Food experts: TV, travel have made cheese trendy
March 19

MADISON — Americans who grew up on grilled cheese and macaroni have developed more adventuresome t. . .More »

Food experts: TV, travel have made cheese trendy
March 19

MADISON — Americans who grew up on grilled cheese and macaroni have developed more adventuresome t. . .More »

Report: USDA lax in watching organics market
March 19

WASHINGTON — The Agriculture Department has failed to enforce penalties against some who falsely m. . .More »

Big dairy planned northeast of Edgeley
March 19

EDGELEY, N.D. (AP) — A proposed $80 million dairy operation could start construction later this su. . .More »

Bankers' rural economic index weak but showing improvement
March 19

OMAHA, Neb. - A new survey of rural bankers in 11 Midwest and Plains states shows continued weakness. . .More »

Willing Servants gets Able, others
March 17

There were whoops, hugs and tears on Wednesday morning in the county administration building, but mo. . .More »

Snowpack may affect water monitoring
March 14

The county’s current low snowpack is affecting not only skiers, boaters, fishers and irrigators, b. . .More »

Ag college tries to bring soldiers home
March 13

More »