Benton Ag Plus - December 3, 2022

End of year records

BY ERIC SONNEK AND UPDATED BY DANA ADAMS University of Minnesota Extension

The end of the year usually means a time for the holidays with family and friends.

For a dairy operation, the end of the year is a good time to look over records and see if some changes can be made to strengthen the operation.

It is also a time to re ect on recent changes, such as what has worked well on the farm and what has not.

The following is a list of tasks that can be done at the end or beginning of the year.

Take an accurate feed inventory. Feed is the largest single expense on any dairy operation, especially considering current commodity prices. By taking an accurate feed inventory at the beginning of each year, a decision can be made regarding what is needed to buy in the future. This kind of preparation gives a good benchmark to compare against from year to year. An example of how this could help is if corn silage is already half gone. Producers have a long way to go until the next corn silage harvest and may have to start thinking about future ration changes and how to source quality forages if low.

Collect an accurate animal inventory Both banks and farmers appreciate accurate numbers for what animals are on the farm. This is a great tool to evaluate stocking density and farm facilities. You can also look at the calf program and the number of calves that may have died this year. If the number is larger than expected, work with the veterinarian to determine why and look for ways to improve.

Review cull cow records. There are a few things that can be evaluated with cull cow records. A good place to start is determining why cows left the herd. These records can also show the stage of lactation when cows are leaving the herd. If most of the cows are leaving about 30 days after calving, evaluate the dry cow or transition program for ways to improve.

Growing Success

New farm instructor comes to area

BY MAURA WENNER STAFF WRITER

Two months ago, Central Lakes College in Brainerd welcomed the addition of Buckman resident Nicole Brixius to its farm business management team for the Milaca area.

“When I found out about this position and what they were doing for the farm community and feedback from farmers themselves, I was excited,” Brixius said. “I love sharing information and teaching. It drew me in; I thought this could be something for me.”

The college instructor position is special in the way that Brixius rarely teaches in a classroom setting. Rather her instruction is done on site; she travels to agricultural operations and teaches to others in the same place where their day-to-day tasks happen.

PHOTO SUBMITTED

Nicole Brixius is a new farm business management instructor for Central Lakes College in Brainerd. Brixius will serve the Milaca region for Central Lakes College, which includes producers who reside in Benton, Isanti, Mille Lacs, eastern Morrison and Pine counties.

Crimson clover is a warm season legume that originated in southeastern Europe and was brought to the United States in the early 19th century. Crimson clover is now one of the most popular annual legumes grown worldwide.

Crimson clover is an excellent cover crop for interseeding into corn. This clover should be planted from V4 to V8 for the most optimal growth. As corn matures, it will shade the crimson clover causing little growth until after the corn is removed.

In soybean, crimson clover should be planted at leaf drop. Clover is used as a cover crop for a variety of reasons such as weed control, rapid growth, nitrogen credit and increased organic matter.

Crimson clover is also a great forage but not for hay. Dry hay can be a struggle with crimson clover due to high moisture content. The high moisture makes it a great choice for ensiling.

Crimson clover has little to no bloat potential, but for the best quality forage, crimson should be added into a forage mix with a grass such as annual ryegrass.

Yields will vary greatly based on growing conditions but can be expected to be significantly less than red clover.

This cover crop has a short planting window across Minnesota and should be done between May and September. Depending on the intended use and seeding method, crimson clover should be planted around 10-15 pounds an acre. When planting, consider a shallow depth of a quarter of an inch.

Information provided by the Morrison County Soil and Water Conservation District.

4-H hosts 63rd annual

adult volunteer, leaders banquet

Over 550 volunteer years recognized in Benton County program

BY ANN OLSON University of Minnesota Extension

The 63rd annual Benton County 4-H Adult Volunteers and Leaders Banquet Nov. 20 at Jack & Jim’s in Duelm signi ed the end of the 4-H year as well as an appreciation dinner and awards program for 4-H adult volunteers and leaders.

Banquet page 5B Quality low-moisture tub that will maintain integrity in all weather conditions providing consistent nutrition from top to the bottom.

Omega Breeder Lic Breeder • Omega 3 Fatty Acids – provide an anti-inflammatory response which can improve the fertility of bulls, heifers and cows. • Amaferm® - a precision prebiotic containing Aspergillus oryzae to maximize fiber digestion and improve gut health.

PREPARE FOR BREEDING SEASON Introduce to breeding females 45-60 days prior to the breeding season to aid in reproduction success. WEATHER RESISTANT

PHOTOS SUBMITTED

Benton County adult volunteer plaque recipients – Jodi Henry (front, from left), Katrina Dolezal-Mersinger, Brenda Kaschmitter and Michelle Peacock; (back, from left) Ed Popp, Cheryl Scapanski, Jill Nielsen, Alyssa Stewart, Kevin Kuklok and Stacie Morris – hold their awards at the 63rd annual Benton County 4-H Adult Volunteers and Leaders Banquet Nov. 20 at Jack & Jim’s in Duelm. The individuals won awards for their outstanding dedication to Benton County 4-H.

AG BENTON Plus

We want to hear from you!

Wow! 2022 is coming to an close, and its quick passage has me wondering where the last 11 months have gone.

Choosing not to spend too much time dwelling on the past, I’m looking to the future and hoping to improve the Benton Ag Plus publication in the new year.

Many agricultural stories have gone untold this past year which leaves twice as many to tell in

2023. I would love your feedback on how we can improve this section of the paper and am looking for a hand up in doing so.

Any and all thoughts are appreciated and can be sent to natasha@saukherald.com or 2 Second Ave. S. Suite 135, Sauk Rapids, MN 56379. If a phone call is more your style, feel free to reach out to me at 320-223-3618.

– Natasha Barber, editor

What types of articles do you read most in Benton Ag Plus? (Check all that apply)

Stories about agricultural best practices and being good stewards of the land.

Benton County 4-H events and activities.

Releases from the Minnesota Department of Agriculture and other federal and state agencies.

Who from the agricultural business community would you like to read about? _________________________________________________________ What family should we feature in 2023 and why? ____________________ What type of livestock stories are you most interested in reading? Other (please explain) _____________________________________________ Other (please explain) _____________________________________________ What non-livestock topics would you like to know more about? Water quality Farm succession planning Regulatory changes Crop disease Grant opportunities Other (below) Please send comments to: Sauk Rapids Herald, 2 Second Ave. S. Suite 135 Sauk Rapids, MN 56379 Or, email them to natasha@saukherald.com

Join for Strategic Farming: Let’s Talk Crops 2023

WORTHINGTON – Minnesota farmers can discuss key issues around crop production when joining Strategic Farming: Let’s Talk Crops in 2023.

This live webinar series will provide current research-based information on crop management strategies. Sessions will take place using the online platform Zoom, which can be accessed via computer, phone or other mobile device. Sessions are 9-10 a.m. Wednesdays from Jan. 11, 2023, through March 29, 2023.

Each session will start with a brief presentation by the discussion leaders followed by discussion framed around participant questions on the topic.

For more details and to register, visit https://z.umn.edu/strategic-farming.

There is no charge to participate thanks to generous sponsorship from the Minnesota Soybean Research and Promotion Council.

Not able to attend a day? No problem. Sessions will be recorded and posted for later viewing.

Strategic Farming: Let’s Talk Crops topics:

– Jan. 18: "What’s bugging my corn? An outlook on corn rootworm and more" hosted by Anthony Hanson, extension educator and other integrated pest management specialists.

– Jan. 25: "Climate factors and nitrogen management" hosted by Dan Kaiser, extension nutrient management specialist, and Brad Carlson, extension educator.

– Feb. 1: "Semi-dwarf corn and soybean cyst nematode breeding efforts" hosted by Rex Bernardo, professor and endowed chair of corn breeding and genetics, and Aaron Lorentz, associate professor of soybean breeding and genetics.

– Feb. 8: "Are biologicals in corn and soybean logical?" hosted by Seth Naeve, extension soybean agronomist, and Dan Kaiser, extension nutrient management specialist.

– Feb. 15: "Weed management in the era of increasing herbicide resistance" hosted by Debalin Sarangi, extension weed management specialist.

– Feb. 22: "Can I take an nitrogen credit? and other cover crop FAQs" hosted by Anna Cates, state soil health specialist, and Matt Ruark, extension soil scientist.

– March 1: "Expanding your rotation with small grains" hosted by Jochum Wiersma, extension small grains specialist.

– March 8: "Corn tar spot: distribution, development and management" hosted by Dean Malvick, extension plant pathologist, and Darcy Telenko, extension field crop pathologist.

– March 15: "Alfalfa weevil and other alfalfa management challenges" hosted by Craig Shaeffer, extension forage agronomist, and Anthony Hanson, extension educator.

– March 22: "Soybean pests-What’s up with the new and old and are they a big deal?" hosted by Bob Koch, extension entomologist.

– March 29: "Get your planters ready" hosted by extension researchers, educators and agronomists.

Swine Poultry Goat ON

Horse Specialty Other (below)

– Jan. 11: "Forecast for the season: weather, economics and supply chains" hosted by Ed Usset, extension grain marketing economist, and Pete Boulay, assistant state climatologist.

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are pictured