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‘You just can’t shut down agriculture’ Ag Commissioner: Virus adds to 2020 farm challenges By JILL SCHRAMM
Senior Staff Writer jschramm@minotdailynews.com For agriculture producers who are already in a tough position with some fall crops still in the field and low market prices, a coronavirus outbreak has exacerbated their position. Farmers are starting the 2020 crop year in a bind, said North Dakota Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goehring. “This year out of all years, we’re probably in the worst situation we’ve ever been because a lot of that work wasn’t done last fall. A lot of the harvesting wasn’t done. A lot of inputs weren’t purchased or fertilizer applied,” Goehring said. Even seed dealers were getting nervous in March as many farmers hadn’t made their purchases yet, he said. Although that has been picking up, there remain challenges in moving the quantity of products that will need to move this spring, both farm inputs and livestock, he said. The state driver’s license division had shut down commercial driver’s license testing due to coronavirus precautions. About 312 people were waiting for testing by the time the state developed a structure for resuming operations, Goehring said. The hope is to get the backlog of applicants licensed by August, he said.
‘This
spring so far has been wonderful in the sense that we’ve been dry. We’ve had moderate temperatures. In fact, it’s reduced the flood threat. Product is coming off the field and actually the quality is not too bad.’ – N.D. Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goehring
Another issue relates to the visas necessary to bring in foreign agricultural workers, particularly from South Africa. So many embassies have shut down and the international processing in this country also has been affected by the virus, Goehring said. “So there’s large impacts across the nation with H2A workers coming in for our farmers,” he said. Yet another issue has been the expiration on April 1 of restricted pesticide certifications held by
more than 3,000 individuals. The governor was expected to address an extension or exemption in state law regarding that expiration date to avoid the need for training sessions. The state Pesticide Control Board has requested the Environmental Protection Agency grant a year’s extension. North Dakota’s certification is good for three years, while some other states certify for four or five years, Goehring said. So extending North Dakota’s existing certification for a year would not be out of line, he said. Goehring said the ability to continue running background checks for farmers who want to have a hemp license was a concern initially, but it appears it will not be a problem. However, there may need to be an executive order on livestock licenses, Goehring said in late March, because more time will be needed, given the March 31 deadline in law for license applications. The licenses affect livestock auction barns, dealers and agents involved in purchases of livestock. “The other areas that we’ve been working with the industry on have been with auction companies and livestock auction barns. We worked with the industry to develop protocols based on what CDC has put out. We understand that at times you may have larger groups there. You need to make sure that you have adequate space, so that people can recognize and respect the social distancing. Also, only bidders and buyers allowed at any of these auctions. The public is is not to attend,” Goehring said.
Auction companies conducting estate sales for liquidation or equipment sales are urged to have only serious bidders and buyers attend “We can resume things as other public activities are allowed, but for the time being, you just can’t shut down agriculture. I think what’s missed in so many situations – where the public forgets – is that if you’re calving in February, March and April, it doesn’t matter. Calves are coming. Seed has to go on the ground. Everything about our business is seasonal,” he said. “That also means that there’s certain activities and things that take place that have to happen. If you shut down a livestock auction barn, you really do disrupt the food chain. You disrupt people’s ability to to pay their bills. In many cases, you have farmers and ranchers out there that have limited feed supplies. “So you can really disrupt someone’s bottom line and their ability to borrow and renew their operating notes when you start shutting down and affecting that economic activity,” Goehring said. “If we’re going to do some things, let’s mitigate, and let’s manage this in a responsible manner.” In some of the smaller communities, banks have just shut the door, he added. People with operating notes in shuttered banks faced a dilemma, although many of those banks eventually sent loan officers back to work. The State Agriculture Commission has assisted in working with banks to ensure that farmers have opportunity to move forward with operating loans because
they need the funds to make purchases necessary for this crop season, Goehring said. The hope is for a normal spring in which planting begins in the south and slowly moves north to avoid a situation like last year, he said. In 2019, rain delayed seeding in some areas and everyone went to the fields at once, stressing the infrastructure for moving products when needed, he said. He noted about a million acres of corn remained to be harvested in late March, but he said farmers have been taking advantage of favorable weather to get standing crops off the fields. “They are slowly working on it,” he said. “This spring so far has been wonderful in the sense that we’ve been dry. We’ve had moderate temperatures. In fact, it’s reduced the flood threat. Product is coming off the field and actually the quality is not too bad.” Farmers are able to get the crops to market. However, the collapse in commodity prices in response to the coronavirus crisis has been challenging for farmers who hoped to haul straight to market and take advantage of prices expected to be higher in the spring than in the fall, Goehring said. “We’re probably, I would say on an average, maybe 10 or 15% less in price than we were last fall, and no one appreciated the prices we had last fall. They were barely getting you to break even, and in many cases weren’t,” he said. “That’s just causing more heartache, more stress in their lives, but they know they have to get
it done because they also want to try to do the best job they can to prepare that ground and get it ready to plant this spring. So it’s been a godsend that we haven’t been getting much moisture at all,” he said. A strong export market could help in the longer term as well. Goehring said a concern is the high value of the U.S. dollar, which puts American farmers in an uncompetitive position on world market. On a positive note, with the signing of the first phase of the U.S.-China trade agreement, there’s hope that China will eventually purchase an extra $19.6 billion in agricultural goods, Goehring said. Price benefit from that trade deal isn’t likely to become apparent until summer or fall, though, he said. China’s agreed-upon purchase will include soybeans, wheat, some pulse crops and a small amount of corn. The specifics of those purchases aren’t certain enough to say how individual commodity prices might be affected, Goehring said. “We really want to try and secure the ethanol business there because if we can get that ethanol trade up that does a lot to support corn prices back home here in our communities. But there’s a lot of moving parts, and it’s a bit fluid, and we don’t know exactly what was identified. We just know in general what China will be purchasing. We just don’t know to what degree,” he said. “We going to have to plan accordingly, and probably for the most part, farmers are going to have to stick to the plan that they were developing throughout the winter.”
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Livestock producers should prepare for some challenges By ELOISE OGDEN
Regional Editor eogden@minotdailynews.com With fallen market prices, Tim Petry, North Dakota State University Extension livestock marketing economist, said livestock producers should prepare for the worst and hope for the best. “One thing about calves being born now and looking ahead to fall, we have time to apply there what’s going to happen between now and then because it’s anybody’s guess,” Petry said, adding, “I think what we have to do for fall is prepare for the worst and hope for the best. Petry was among NDSU experts giving presentations during an ag economics webinar on March 23. The 550-660 pound steer calves in North Dakota were at $180 in the last three years. Market prices have fallen and if you sell now, obviously it will be at lower prices, he said during the presentation. He said there’s really no good marketing strategies to use now and livestock producers will probably have to switch financial strategies in working with a lender. See LIVESTOCK — Page 6
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Body condition important at calving
COVID-19 (coronavirus) and its long-term impact on agriculture and other industries is on the minds of many people, but this is also calving season for livestock producers. NDSU-Extension provides some calving season tips for producers: The last 60 days before calving and the first 60 days after calving are critical periods in the production cycle of the beef cow herd, according to NDSU Agriculture Communication information. Energy and protein requirements of the cow increase by 15% to 20% from mid to late gestation to support fetal growth and prepare the cow for lactation. Requirements increase again by 20% to 30% during peak lactation (about eight weeks post-calving). “Failing to meet nutrient requirements prior to and after calving can have major impacts on reproductive performance, particularly for young cows,” said Janna Block, the Extension livestock systems specialist based at NDSU’s Hettinger Research Extension Center. “Reproductive failure is the most common reason for culling cows from the herd, and open cows are a financial drain on an operation due to lost revenue potential and high replacement costs.” Body condition scores (BCS) at calving are a useful indicator of the cows’ energy reserves and the overall success of the nutrition program. It is a more reliable indicator than weight alone because weight is affected by factors such as gut fill, age, frame size, stage of gestation and milk production, according to Block. The BCS scale, which goes
Submitted Photo
Body condition scores at calving are a useful indicator of the cows’ energy reserves and the overall success of the nutrition program. Photo from NDSU. from 1 to 9, is an indicator of the percentage of body fat. Body condition scores are assessed visually or by touching the ribs, spine, tail head, and hooks and pins. BCS can be used to determine performance and whether changes should be made to nutritional management several key times of the year, including 90 days prior to calving, and at calving, weaning and breeding. Research has established that a certain amount of body fat is required for the reproductive system to function appropriately. A strong relationship exists between BCS at calving and the number of days for cows to return to estrus. Ideally, BCS at calving should be 5 for mature cows and 6 for firstcalf heifers, with condition maintained through breeding. Block recommends including BCS of the cow with calving records. This will allow producers to assess the herd’s nutritional status on a large scale and will be useful when evaluating overall pregnancy rates after the next breeding season. Consequences of calving in low body condition include smaller or weak calves, lower quality and quantity of colostrum, decreased milk production and reduced weaning weights. Colostrum
is a form of milk that mammals produce in late pregnancy. It contains energy, protein, fat and vitamins, plus antibodies to protect newborns against disease until their own immune system is totally functional. In addition, calving in BCS 4 or lower results in more cows being bred later in the breeding season and a reduction in overall pregnancy rates by up to 30%. “Resuming estrous cycles and initiation of pregnancy are low on the biological priority list for nutrient use; therefore, these functions are likely to be compromised when energy stores are inadequate at calving,” Block said. In late gestation, cows need to gain at least 100 pounds to support fetal growth and uterine development. If a cow simply is maintaining her weight during late gestation, she actually is losing body condition. Late-gestation diets should be designed so cows gain at least 1 pound per day to maintain condition, and more if an increase in condition is desired. One body condition score represents about 80 to 100 pounds of live weight. If a 1,200-pound cow has a BCS of 4 at the beginning of the third trimester, she would need to gain at least 80 pounds to gain a condition
score and at least another 100 pounds to support fetal development. Therefore, she should weigh 1,380 pounds at calving. In this example, the cow would have to gain about 2 pounds per day, which may not be possible, depending on weather and access to highquality feedstuffs. The ideal situation is to increase weight when requirements are lowest at weaning, but attempting to increase condition late is better than not doing it at all. In situations where cows have calved in less than ideal body condition, weight gain must be increased rapidly following calving to achieve acceptable pregnancy rates. “This is extremely challenging because large amounts of dietary energy are already required during early lactation just to maintain body tissues and support milk production,” Block said. “Cows usually utilize a portion of their own energy (fat) stores for the first several months after calving to help overcome deficiencies, which can lead to weight and condition losses.” Some research indicates mature cows that calve in slightly lower condition (BCS 4) still may have acceptable reproductive performance if they are fed to reach BCS 5 by breeding. However, producers still run a risk of increasing the calving interval. First-calf heifers are less likely to respond to supplementation due to increased requirements, and negative impacts on reproduction are likely. In one study, heifers that calved with BCS of less than 5 had subsequent pregnancy rates of 67%, despite the fact that they were fed to gain nearly 2 pounds per day from calving to breeding. “Producers should evaluate body condition at calving and act immediately if they want to salvage the breeding season for thin cows,” Block advises. “It will require enhanced management, access to extremely nutrient-dense feedstuffs and potentially the
APRIL 2020 use of strategies such as early weaning calves to reduce requirements and induce estrus.” Producers should contact their county’s NDSU Extension agent or an Extension specialist for more information about body condition scoring and ration evaluation. Visit ag.ndsu.edu/extension/directory/counties to locate an agent in area.
Diarrhea can be deadly for calves
Cattle producers need to be on the lookout for calf diarrhea, according to North Dakota State University Extension livestock experts in information provided by NDSU Agriculture Communication. The majority of scours, or diarrhea, cases occur when calves are 3 to 16 days old. Untreated calves essentially die of shock from a loss of fluids and electrolyte imbalances. “Calf scours is most often associated with infectious, environmental and nutritional stresses,” said NDSU Extension veterinarian Gerald Stokka. A number of infections can cause viral and bacterial calf scours. Viral infections associated with calf diarrhea include rotavirus and coronavirus. Rotavirus causes the calves’ intestinal tract to secrete fluid into the intestinal tract, resulting in severe dehydration and electrolyte imbalances. The coronavirus destroys the cells lining the intestinal tract and causes malabsorption, resulting in severe diarrhea and lack of nutrient absorption. Neither of these viruses is associated with infections in people. E. coli and salmonella species are bacterial pathogens associated with calf diarrhea and can be associated with infections in people.
A different infectious organism called cryptosporidium is a protozoan parasite that causes scours. Cryptosporidia usually are found in conjunction with other scours-causing bacteria or viruses and may cause infections in people as well. “Unfortunately, this organism presents management problems as there is no vaccine or licensed therapeutic agent available,” Stokka said.
Conditions leading to scours
“Inadequate nutrition for the pregnant dam, particularly during the last third of gestation, as well as the calf’s exposure to poor environmental conditions, insufficient attention to the newborn calf or a combination of these often result in scours outbreaks,” said Karl Hoppe, Extension livestock systems specialist based at NDSU’s Carrington Research Extension Center. Not meeting the pregnant dam’s energy and protein requirements will decrease the quality and quantity of the cow’s colostrum. Colostrum is a form of milk that mammals produce in late pregnancy. It contains energy, protein, fat and vitamins, plus antibodies to protect newborns against disease until their own immune system is totally functional. Deficiencies in vitamins A and E, and trace minerals have been associated with greater incidence of calf scours. “Inadequate environment conditions, such as mud, overcrowding, contaminated lots, calving heifers and cows together, wintering and calving in the same area, storms, heavy snow, cold temperatures and rainfall are all stressful to the newborn calf and increase its exposure to infectious agents,” said Janna Block, Extension livestock systems specialist based at NDSU’s Hettinger Research Extension Center. “Attention to the newborn calf is essential, particularly See LIVESTOCK — Page 8
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during difficult births or adverse weather conditions,” Stokka advised. “The calf is born without most antibodies, including those that fight the infectious agents that cause scours. The calf will acquire these antibodies only from colostrum. Because of this, any effort to prevent scours by vaccinating cows is wasted unless the calf actually receives colostrum, preferably before it is 2 to 6 hours old. “As the calf grows older, it rapidly loses its ability to absorb colostral antibodies,” he added. “Colostrum given to calves that are more than 24 to 36 hours old will be less than ideal as antibodies are seldom absorbed this late in life.” Under range conditions, a calf adapts a pattern of nursing that fills its needs. Calf scours can be the result of anything that disrupts this normal habit, such as a storm, strong wind or the dam going off in search of new grass. When the calf eventually nurses,
it is overly hungry and the cow has more milk than normal. This inconsistent nursing may lead to a condition known as enterotoxemia. The organism most often involved with this is clostridium perfringens, which has several types. The disease has a sudden onset. Affected calves become listless and strain or kick at their abdomen. Bloody diarrhea may or may not occur. In some cases, calves may die without any signs being observed.
Treating Scours
“The key to successful treatment is identifying and successfully treating a dehydrated animal early,” Stokka said. Calves that have lost significant amounts of fluid will have skin that “tents” (stays up for more than 3 seconds when you pull it away from the body), a dry mouth, cold ears and sunken eyeballs. They often have low blood sugar, low body temperature and low urine output, and decreased blood electrolyte (sodium, potassium, bicarbonate, chloride) levels that adversely affect organ function, particularly the heart.
They are visibly depressed. The critical first step in treating cases of calf scours is correcting dehydration and electrolyte loss. Antibiotics can be administered if your veterinarian deems it to be appropriate. Stokka recommends using a nipple bottle to replace the calf’s fluids if scours is detected early, when the calf still is standing and relatively bright. “In these situations, it is best to leave the calf on milk and add several 2-quart electrolyte feedings a day to replace the fluid that is being lost through diarrhea,” he said. Calves that are down but alert probably need to have fluids administered with a stomach tube. They will need 2 quarts of a high-energy electrolyte solution containing glucose several times a day. Producers may need to provide a heat source as well. Calves that are comatose or lying down must be administered fluids intravenously. Producers need to be thorough when replacing fluids in a scouring animal, according to Stokka. “First of all, the amount of fluid
APRIL 2020 lost must be replaced,” he said. “It is a common mistake to give the animal too little fluids. A 100-pound calf that is 10% dehydrated will need about 10 liters of fluid a day just to replace fluid loss.” Diagnosing scours – Consult your veterinarian about collecting appropriate samples. – Send samples to a laboratory as early as possible. – If your veterinarian is not available, collect a fresh fecal sample from an untreated calf. Place this sample in a sterile plastic container and submit it to the lab chilled for analysis. – If you have a dead animal, submit it to the lab within 24 hours of death.
Prevention Strategies
– Maximize the calves’ ingestion of colostrum immediately after birth. When necessary, use colostrum from cows in the same herd or colostrum replacement products. – Maintain the cows’ proper nutrition and body condition. – Minimize the dose of an infec-
tious agent to which the calf is exposed through sanitation. – Minimize the density of susceptible calves. Spread them out if possible. – Keep calving premises clean and dry. – Isolate sick animals. Quarantine them and don’t comingle them with uninfected calves. – Do not bring in 1- to 5-day-old calves from neighbors or that were purchased at an auction market. – Sanitize equipment. – Avoid traveling to operations experiencing calf diarrhea problems. “Also remember that many infectious agents that cause calf scours can cause disease in people as well,” Stokka said. “Wear gloves and wash your hands. When working with sick animals, treat them last, and wear dedicated coveralls and boots that can be washed. “Individuals with any disorder of the immune system and pregnant women should not work with sick calves in any way as they are more susceptible to zoonotic disease,” he noted.
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Looking ahead By ELOISE OGDEN
Regional Editor eogden@minotdailynews.com Concerns over COVID-19 has resulted in uncertainty about its long-term impacts on the grain and livestock markets and energy prices. Frayne Olson, North Dakota State University Extension crops economist and marketing specialist, was among experts from NDSU Extension to address these concerns recently during a webinar for agricultural producers, agribusinesses and those in the energy industry. “This really becomes a psychological battle at this point.
We’re unsure what the underlying demand conditions are,” said Olson. He said they really have no reference points in history to look at to say what is similar to use as a reference point. “We don’t have anything and as a result, what’s happening is the market traders, in particular in the grain markets but also in the equity markets in the stock markets, in the energy markets, are really trying to figure out what is the worst possible scenario?” he said. He said these markets are preparing for the worst case scenario “because we don’t have any reference points so psychologi-
cally this gets to be the big challenge for us.” “In my view and in my opinion, it will continue to be some downward pressure on prices, and I’m looking at prices broadly, until it looks like the number of new cases (of COVID-19) begin to drop off,” Olson said. He said once the number of new cases of COVID-19 has dropped off, then people will say, “Well, now we know what the worst looks like. It looks like we’re over the hump, it looks like we’re in this rebuilding mode and can start planning for the future.” But when it gets into high levels of uncertainty, he said planning levels get very short.
Some uncertainty about long-term impacts of COVID-19 on ag
“I’m looking at this downturn in the number of new cases in the U.S. as being kind of that tipping point, that trigger point where psychologically the market is going to start looking at things differently,” Olson said.
Global market
Olson explained in the March 23 presentation that as the dollar strenthens, it becomes more difficult to export products in the global market. “It makes it easier as a consumer to buy things but it makes it more difficult and more expensive to sell things,” he said. He said China has bought some U.S. soybeans recently and
on March 20, that country also bought some U.S. winter wheat. “We’re starting to see this demand based on building which is a good thing because these are valued opportunities,” Olson said. Olson noted that part of the rally seen in U.S. spring wheat is because of the purchase China has made in U.S. hard red winter wheat. “China has not purchased U.S. wheat since about 2017 – at least not in significant amounts,” he said. “So we can see some rebuilding – we’re starting to see a little bit of that with some value purchases,” he said.
Producers should not change their spring planting plans
Producers should not change their spring planting intentions because of the coronavirus outbreak, according to Frayne Olson, North Dakota State University Extension crops economist and marketing specialist, in NDSU Agriculture Communication information released March 20. “Don’t change your plans based on what you see in the markets today because it’s not going to be a good reference point,” he said. Livestock, grain and energy, mainly oil, prices and the stock market have dropped so dramatically because of the uncertainty surrounding the COVID-19 outbreak, and not because of a supply and demand issue, he noted. This situation is unprecedented, so people don’t know what to expect and tend to think of the worstcase scenario. He said the market volatility likely will continue until the number of new cases of COVID-19 in the U.S. starts to decline then people will feel that the worst is over. But, he said, producers shouldn’t expect conditions to improve quickly. “It’s still going to be a slow process,” Olson cautioned. Energy and grain prices probably will recover more quickly than livestock prices, he said. Livestock prices likely will rebound more slowly than the other two because of consumer behavior, such as how quickly they are willing to return to eating at restaurants. The stock market will be the last to recover. In the meantime, despite the low prices, some producers may need to sell grain they have in storage because they need the money or the quality of the grain is deteriorating. “For those who have to sell, go ahead and sell,” Olson advised. The lowest risk strategy is to buy a call option if producers want to take advantage when prices start to rebound, he said. However, producers will need to select a broker to work with and set up an account if they don’t already have one. He also recommended producers do a bit of research so they understand call options.
May 2020 corn and soybean futures prices. Image from NDSU.
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APRIL 2020
Proper spring grain drying and storage critical
Stored grain needs attention as outdoor temps rise
As outdoor temperatures increase, stored grain requires attention to prevent losses, said Ken Hellevang, North Dakota State University Extension agricultural engineer and grain drying expert, in information provided by NDSU Agriculture Communication. The stored grain temperature increases in the spring not only due to an increase in outdoor temperatures but also due to solar heat gain on the bin. Solar energy produces more than twice as much heat gain on the south wall of a bin in spring as it does during the summer. Hellevang recommends periodically running aeration fans to keep the grain temperature near or below 30 degrees until the grain is dried if it exceeds recommended storage moisture contents, and below 40 degrees as long as possible during spring and early summer if the grain is dry. Night air temperatures are near or below 30 degrees in April and 40 degrees in May. Soybean oil quality may be affected in less than
Stored grain should be monitored closely to detect any storage problems early. Photo from NDSU. Submitted Photo
four months if even 12% moisture soybeans are stored at 70 degrees. Cover the fan when it is not operating to prevent warm air from blowing into the bin and heating the stored grain. Hellevang also recommends ventilating
the top of the bin to remove the solar heat gain that warms the grain. Provide air inlets near the eaves and exhausts near the peak or use a roof exhaust fan. Bin vents can become blocked with frost and ice when the fan is operated at
during the spring and sumtemperatures near or below Monitor Grain mer. Grain also should be freezing, which may lead to Moisture, examined for insect infestadamage to the roof. Leave Temperature tions. the fill and access door Stored grain should be Check the moisture conopen as a pressure relief monitored closely to detect tent of stored grain to detervalve when operating the fan at temperatures near or any storage problems early, mine if it needs to be dried. Hellevang advised. Grain Remember to verify that the below freezing. temperature should be checked every two weeks See GRAIN â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Page 13
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moisture content measured by the meter has been adjusted for grain temperature. In addition, remember that moisture measurements of grain at temperatures below about 40 degrees may not be accurate. Verify the accuracy of the measurement by warming the grain sample to room temperature in a sealed plastic bag before measuring the moisture content. Corn needs to be dried to 13% to 14% moisture for summer storage to prevent spoilage. Soybeans should be dried to 11% to 12%, wheat to 13%, barley to 12% and oil sunflowers to 8%. The allowable storage time for 13% moisture soybeans is less than 100 days at 70 degrees.
Corn at moisture contents exceeding 21% and soybeans exceeding 15% should be dried in a hightemperature dryer because deterioration is rapid at warmer temperatures. For example, the allowable storage time of 22% moisture corn is about 190 days at 30 degrees but only 30 days at 50 degrees.
Recommended Airflow Rates and Maximum Air Drying Moisture Contents Here are some drying recommendations: Corn – For natural airdrying, assure that the fan’s airflow rate is at least 1 cubic foot per minute per bushel (cfm/bu) and the initial corn moisture does not exceed 21%. Start the fan when the outdoor temperature averages about 40 degrees. Soybeans – Use an air-
flow rate of at least 1 cfm/bu to natural air-dry up to 15% to 16% moisture soybeans. Start the fan when the outdoor temperature averages about 40 degrees. Follow the manufacturer’s recommendation for high-temperature drying soybeans. Monitor the soybean quality and reduce the drying temperature if excessive cracking or splitting occurs. Reduce the fire hazard by keeping the soybeans flowing in the dryer. Pods and trash can become lodged and combustible. Frequently clean the dryer to remove anything that may impede flow. Constantly monitor the dryer when drying soybeans. Sunflowers – Natural airdrying for oil sunflowers requires an airflow rate of 0.75 cfm/bu for up to 15% moisture. The drying should start when outdoor temperatures average about
40 degrees. Wheat – Use an airflow rate of at least 0.75 cfm/bu to natural air-dry up to 17% moisture wheat. Start drying when the outside air temperature averages about 50 degrees. Barley – Use an airflow rate of at least 0.75 cfm/bu to natural air-dry up to 16% moisture barley. “Remember that some of the allowable storage life was used during the fall before the grain was cooled to near or below freezing, so there is less time for spring drying before deterioration occurs,” Hellevang said. “This is particularly important for malting barley, where germination can be lost, so using a higher airflow rate to reduce the drying time is encouraged.”
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grow and grain spoilage will occur in grain bags unless the grain is dry. Grain in the bags will be at average outdoor temperatures, so grain will deteriorate rapidly as outdoor temperatures increase unless it is at recommended summer storage moisture contents. Grain bags that run eastwest will have solar heating on the south side, which creates a temperature variation across the bag that will move moisture to the north side of the bag. Continue to monitor grain stored in bags frequently.
Work Safely
“Also, everyone needs to become aware of safety hazards associated with handling grain and to apply recommended safety practices,” Hellevang stressed. Grain Stored in “More grain deaths occur Grain Bags during years with challengGrain storage molds will ing conditions.”
Send your historical farm or ranch stories, photos
Is your farm or ranch in northwest or north central North Dakota 50 years old or more? If so, please send us a story about your farm or ranch along with photos (not less than 200 resolution). Email is preferred. Please send your information and photos to eogden@minotdailynews.com as soon as possible. Be sure to include your name, city and a daytime phone number. Your farm or ranch may be selected for the next edition of Historic Homesteads magazine. The magazine includes Centennial Farms & Ranches of North Dakota. Suggestions for stories on historic homesteads in northwest and north central are also accepted.
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Get to know your grass Knowing the predominant grass species on a livestock operation is important for ranchers because not all grass is created equally North Dakota producers depend on forage as their primary source of nutrients for livestock, whether it is rangeland, pasture or hay, according to NDSU Agriculture Communication information. While producers carefully select species to be used as cover crops or part of a total mixed ration, many ranchers do not know the primary grass species their livestock is consuming, according to North Dakota State University Extension livestock specialists. “Knowing the predominant grass species on their operation is important for ranchers because not all grass is created equally,” said Miranda Meehan, Extension livestock environmental stewardship specialist. “Different species have different growth patterns and nutritional content, which can influence livestock performance. In addition, grass composition is a good indicator of ecosystem health within rangelands.” In the northern Great Plains, native grasslands consist of a mixture of cooland warm-season grasses. Native cool-season grasses begin growing once the average temperature is 32 degrees or greater for five consecutive days (typically mid-March) and reach grazing readiness in mid to late May, whereas warmseason grasses start growing once the average temperature is 40 degrees or greater for five consecu-
tive days (typically early April) and reach grazing readiness in mid to late June. Pasture, on the other hand, typically consists of cool-season species that exhibit rapid growth in the spring, permitting grazing in late April to early May. This extends the grazing season by enabling ranchers to head to pasture earlier in the spring. “Timing and intensity of grazing influences species composition within a pasture,” Meehan said “For example, grazing the same pasture every year in July will result in increased consumption of warm-season grasses and an increase in cool-season grasses. Rotating the season of use of pastures helps maintain the balance of warm- and cool-season grasses, whereas long-term overgrazing favors short-growing natives and Kentucky bluegrass, which are better adapted to heavy grazing pressure.” Grazing before grass plants reach the appropriate stage of growth for grazing readiness causes a reduction in herbage production by as much as 60%, which can reduce the recommended stocking rate and/or animal performance. Grazing readiness for most domesticated pasture is at the three-leaf stage, whereas grazing readiness for most native range grasses is the 3 1/2leaf stage. “The advantage of hav-
ing grasslands consisting of cool- and warm-season species is that the nutritional plane is more even,” said Janna Block, Extension livestock systems specialist based at NDSU’s Hettinger Research Extension Center. “Thus, the grasslands are able to meet the nutritional needs of cow herds without supplementation for a larger portion of the grazing season.” Meehan noted: “Unfortunately, many grasslands in the northern Great Plains are becoming coolseason dominant due to changes in composition. More specifically, this is due to the invasion of the cool-season introduced grasses Kentucky bluegrass and smooth brome.” Typically, pasture turnout takes place in midMay to early June, when grasses are growing actively. At this time, crude protein and total digestible nutrient (TDN) levels are
high (greater than 15% and 60%, respectively). By the end of the growing season, standing forage is low in crude protein, with cool-season species being about 5% and warmseason species being between 4% and 8%, depending on the species. Energy also will be low for these forages, with coolseason species falling below 50% TDN and warm-season species at about 52% TDN. Understanding the relationship between forage quality and the nutrient requirements of livestock is important, Block said. Peak lactation occurs about 60 days after calving and represents the most nutritionally demanding period in the production cycle. While forages typically meet requirements for lactating cows during late May and early June, cows that are calving prior to the first part of April will reach
peak milk production prior to that point. “In addition, turning cows out on pasture too early will have negative impacts on forage health and production,” Block added. “Alternative forage sources and/or supplements should be provided in early spring to meet increased requirements during lactation.” Knowledge of your grasses can be used to make management decisions that improve forage composition, quality and production, the specialists said. This information can be used to guide grazing management. “Enhanced knowledge
of your grass species can improve pasture and herd health,” Meehan said. “Knowing your grasses enables you to make sure that the nutritional needs of your herd are being met, improving growth and reproduction. It also can be used to make management decisions that will improve species composition, which in turn can benefit livestock performance.” For assistance in learning about and monitoring grasses in your native and tame pastures, contact your local NDSU Extension agent or Natural Resources Conservation Service office.
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dŚĞ ŶĂŵĞ ͞ĚƵƌƵŵ͟ ĐŽŵĞƐ ĨƌŽŵ ƚŚĞ >ĂƟŶ ǁŽƌĚ ĨŽƌ ŚĂƌĚ͕ ĂŶĚ ĚƵƌƵŵ ŝƐ ŝŶĚĞĞĚ ƚŚĞ ŚĂƌĚĞƐƚ ŽĨ ǁŚĞĂƚƐ͘ dŚŝƐ ǀĂƌŝĞƚLJ͕ ǁŝƚŚ ŝƚƐ ůĂƌŐĞ͕ ĂŵďĞƌ ŬĞƌŶĞůƐ͕ ŝƐ ƚŚĞ ĐŚŽŝĐĞ ĨŽƌ ŵĂŬŝŶŐ ƐƉĂŐŚĞƫ͕ ůĂƐĂŐŶĂ ĂŶĚ ŚƵŶĚƌĞĚƐ ŽĨ ŽƚŚĞƌ ƉĂƐƚĂ ƐŚĂƉĞƐ͘ KŶĞ ďƵƐŚĞů ŽĨ ĚƵƌƵŵ ŵĂŬĞƐ ĂďŽƵƚ ϮϭϬ ƐĞƌǀŝŶŐƐ ŽĨ ƉĂƐƚĂ͘
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WƵůƐĞ ĐƌŽƉƐ ʹ ĚƌLJ ƉĞĂƐ͕ ůĞŶƟůƐ ĂŶĚ ĐŚŝĐŬƉĞĂƐ ʹ ĂƌĞ ĂŵŽŶŐ ƚŚĞ ŽůĚĞƐƚ ĐƵůƟǀĂƚĞĚ ƉůĂŶƚƐ͕ ŐŽŝŶŐ ďĂĐŬ ƐŽŵĞ ϭϬ͕ϬϬϬ LJĞĂƌƐ͘ WƵůƐĞƐ ĂƌĞ Ă ĨŽŽĚ ƐƚĂƉůĞ ŝŶ ŵĂŶLJ ƉĂƌƚƐ ŽĨ ƚŚĞ ǁŽƌůĚ͘ ZŝĐŚ ŝŶ ƉƌŽƚĞŝŶ͕ ĨŽůĂƚĞ ĂŶĚ ĚŝĞƚĂƌLJ ĮďĞƌ͕ ƉƵůƐĞƐ ĂƌĞ ĂůƐŽ ĞdžĐĞůůĞŶƚ ĂŶŝŵĂů ĨĞĞĚ͖ ƉƌŽǀŝĚŝŶŐ ĞŶĞƌŐLJ ĂŶĚ ƉƌŽƚĞŝŶ͘ DĞŵďĞƌƐ ŽĨ ƚŚĞ ůĞŐƵŵĞ ĨĂŵŝůLJ͕ ƉƵůƐĞƐ ĂƌĞ ĂŶ ĞdžĐĞůůĞŶƚ ƌŽƚĂƟŽŶĂů ĐƌŽƉ ƐŝŶĐĞ ƚŚĞLJ Įdž ŶŝƚƌŽŐĞŶ ŝŶ ƚŚĞ ƐŽŝů ĨŽƌ ĨƵƚƵƌĞ ƉůĂŶƟŶŐƐ͘ dŚĞ ŵŽƐƚ ĞĂƐŝůLJ ƌĞĐŽŐŶŝnjĂďůĞ EŽƌƚŚ ĂŬŽƚĂ ĐƌŽƉ͕ ƐƵŶŇŽǁĞƌƐ ǁĞƌĞ ƌĂŝƐĞĚ ŚĞƌĞ ďLJ ŵĞƌŝĐĂŶ /ŶĚŝĂŶƐ͘ /Ŷ ƚŚĞ ϭϴƚŚ ĐĞŶƚƵƌLJ͕ ƚŚĞ ƉůĂŶƚ ǁĂƐ ƚĂŬĞŶ ƚŽ ZƵƐƐŝĂ ǁŚĞƌĞ ŵŽĚĞƌŶ ĐŽŵŵĞƌĐŝĂů ǀĂƌŝĞƟĞƐ ǁĞƌĞ ĚĞǀĞůŽƉĞĚ͘ EŽƌƚŚ ĂŬŽƚĂ ĨĂƌŵĞƌƐ ŐƌŽǁ ƚǁŽ ƚLJƉĞƐ ŽĨ ƐƵŶŇŽǁĞƌƐ͗ ƚŚĞ ůĂƌŐĞ ƐƚƌŝƉĞĚͲƐŚĞůůĞĚ ǀĂƌŝĞƟĞƐ ƵƐĞĚ ĨŽƌ ƐŶĂĐŬƐ ĂŶĚ ĨŽŽĚ ŝŶŐƌĞĚŝĞŶƚƐ͕ ĂŶĚ ƚŚĞ ƐŵĂůůĞƌ͕ ďůĂĐŬͲƐŚĞůůĞĚ ǀĂƌŝĞƟĞƐ ƵƐĞĚ ƚŽ ŵĂŬĞ Žŝů ĂŶĚ ĨŽƌ ďŝƌĚƐĞĞĚ͘ ^ƵŶŇŽǁĞƌ Žŝů ŝƐ ƵƐĞĚ ĨŽƌ ĐŽŽŬŝŶŐ ĂƌŽƵŶĚ ƚŚĞ ǁŽƌůĚ͘ DŽƐƚ ƐƵŶŇŽǁĞƌ Žŝů ƉƌŽĚƵĐĞĚ ŝŶ ƚŚĞ h͘^͘ ŝƐ ƚŚĞ EƵ^ƵŶ ǀĂƌŝĞƚLJ͕ ǁŚŝĐŚ ƉƌŽǀŝĚĞƐ ŽƉƟŵĂů ŚĞĂůƚŚ ďĞŶĞĮƚƐ͕ ďĞƩĞƌ ƚĂƐƚĞ ĂŶĚ ƐƵƉĞƌŝŽƌ ƉĞƌĨŽƌŵĂŶĐĞ͕ ĂŶĚ ŝƐ ƚƌĂŶƐͲĨĂƚ ĨƌĞĞ͘ EŽƌƚŚ ĂŬŽƚĂ ƚƌĂĚŝƟŽŶĂůůLJ ůĞĂĚƐ ƚŚĞ ŶĂƟŽŶ ŝŶ ƐƵŶŇŽǁĞƌ ƉƌŽĚƵĐƟŽŶ͘ Source: www.nd.gov/ndda
nsccu.com
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Planting season ahead By KIM FUNDINGSLAND
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Conditions vary throughout region
Staff Writer kfundingsland@ minotdailynews.com
The upcoming planting season is very much on the minds of area farmers, but it remains several days or weeks away. Both soil moisture condition and temperatures will determine how soon planting will actually get underway. Some areas are quite wet and several days of drying out is needed before heavy equipment can get into the fields. In other places moisture conditions are much better. Dan Sem, general manager of Dakota Agronomy Partners in Minot, says the Minot area is somewhat wet and warmer weather is needed in the days ahead to dry the ground and warm the soil. “We’re a ways out from planting. We need those soil temperatures up,” said Sem. “Moisture keeps those soil temps down.” To the east of Minot, in the Harvey area, the amount of moisture in the ground is being closely monitored as well. “We’re very wet here,” said Joel Schimke, manager
Kim Fundingsland/MDN
Wet soil conditions may delay planting in some areas around Minot. However, much drying out could yet occur in April as soil temperatures begin to warm. Harvey Farmers Elevator. “To the west of us it is a little better and south of us it continues to get worse. We need some hot, dry weather to get the soil temperatures warmed up.” Schmike said the surface
appeared to be muddy and wet in many areas but the ground underneath was “pretty well froze.” To the west of Minot the early line on planting conditions is pretty favorable. Dan Mostad, manager of Berthold
Farmers Elevators, called the moisture in area fields “better than most places in the state.” “Maybe we’re three to four weeks out if we continue to have dry weather in April,” said Mostad. “The top
is still pretty wet around Berthold but it gets more dry near Mohall.” The Tolley area entered last fall with very wet soils. While some drying occurred during the early spring there was also a recent set-back.
“It was looking pretty good then we got six or seven inches of April snow and it soaked everything up,” said Carl Zeltinger, manager, Renville Elevator Company. “And the frost isn’t even out of the ground yet.”
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APRIL 2020
New podcast focuses on growing pulse crops Series follows pulse crop farmers through the growing season and provides information on pulse crop research Anyone interested in growing pulse crops (chickpeas, peas and lentils) will have an opportunity to learn more through a podcast series that North Dakota State University plant pathologist Audrey Kalil initiated in collaboration with Future of Ag, Soil Sense podcaster Tim Hammerich. The first podcast in the Growing Pulse Crops series is available at https://www.growingpulsecrops.com/ or through cellphone podcast apps. New episodes will be released biweekly. Thirteen episodes will be released this season. The series will follow pulse crop farmers through the growing season and dive into the research that’s helping them through some of the challenges they face. They also
Williston Research Extension Center. Presenters will include Brian Jenks, weed scientist at NDSU’s North Central Research Extension Center near Minot; Michael Wunsch, plant pathologist at NDSU’s Carrington Research Extension Center; Mary Burrows, professor of plant science and plant pathology at Montana State University; and Lyndon Porter, research plant pathologist at the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Research Service in Pullman, Wash. “This series was developed by members by of the Pulse Crop Working Group in response to stakeholder interest in this format,” Kalil said. “The goal of the Pulse Crop Working Group is to foster collaborative relationships among researchers, Extension professionals and stakeholders through face-to-face meetings and virtual interaction to address integrated pest management priorities in pulse crops.” The group is funded by the North Central IPM Center. Visit https://www.ncipmc.org/projects/working-groupprojects/ to learn more about the group. To receive the podcast on a cellphone, subscribe to the series through Apple podcasts (iPhone), Google podcasts (Android) or any other pod catcher app. Once subscribed, the podcast will download to your phone automatically when each new episode is released. will feature other industry stakeholders along the way. For more information about the podcast, contact Kalil at “Topics include weed, disease and pest management, as well as market updates.” said Kalil, who is based at NDSU’s 774-4315 or audrey.kalil@ndsu.edu.
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