U.S. Targhee Sheep Association 2023

National Show and Sale results

Production, performance, lamb and wool. These are the fundamental characteristics of Targhee sheep. The Targhee breed excelled in exhibiting all of these core qualities at the 2023 National Show and Sale in Little Falls, Minnesota. As producers of high quality lamb and wool, we concern ourselves with the value of our product. As an association for 72 years, we have focused on our bottom line and yours.

The Grand Champion ram shown by Von Krosigk Family Targhees of Riverton, Wyoming. It was also the high selling ram for $2,900 to Jon Beastrom Family of Pierre, South Dakota. Holtz Family of Little Falls, Minnesota had the Reserve Champion. The Grand and Reserve Champion ewes were shown by Jon Beastrom Family of Pierre, South Dakota. The high selling ewe was the Grand Champion ewe for $3,400 to Carissa Scheel of Alpena, South Dakota.

On 56 head of registered Targhee sheep the sale average was $889. Yearling rams averaged $973, ram lambs averaged $683 yearling ewes averaged $1063 and ewe lambs averaged $802.

Champion Fleece was shown by the Von Krosigk Family Targhees Livestock of Ri- verton, Wyoming and Reserve Fleece was shown by Clover Meadows of Sheridan, Montana.

Receiving the annual designation of USTSA Premier Exhibitors Jon Beastrom Family of Pierre, South Dakota. The Junior Premier Exhibitor was Alicia Holtz of Little Falls, Minnesota. They were awarded traveling USTSA trophies for their efforts.

Our Association and Members are dedicated to the juniors in our organization. A&J Nevens with their very last consignment, donated proceeds from their ram sale to the Youth Futurity and Starter Flock programs. The Holtz Family donated a ewe lamb to the Junior Association for a roll over auction. Almost $4000 in funds were raised!

USTSA also inducted Clee and Paula Brakke of Millbank, South Dakota into the Hall of Fame. They have been members since 1985 and was described as the plug in the oil pan of the tractor. Nothing would run with out that important piece keeping everything else running. They have always been a great promotor of the Targhee breed and always more than prepared to help where they can, especially at every National Show and Sale they’ve attended.

Important dates August 13

August 13, 1961 - The Berlin Wall came into existence after the East German government closed the border between east and west sectors of Berlin with barbed wire to discourage emigration to the West. The barbed wire was replaced by a 12 foot-high concrete wall eventually extending 103 miles (166 km) around the perimeter of West Berlin. The wall included electrified fences, fortifications, and guard posts. It became a notorious symbol of the Cold War. Presidents Kennedy and Reagan made notable appearances at the wall accompanied by speeches denouncing Communism. The wall was finally opened by an East German governmental decree in November 1989 and torn down by the end of 1990.

Montana Department of Agriculture 2023 Pesticide Disposal Program

If you have any old pesticides - insecticides, herbicides, rodent poison or fungicides - laying around unused, the Montana Department of Agriculture will take them off your hands. The agency will hold waste pesticide collections in Western Montana in September. The collections are scheduled in Kalispell on September 19; Hamilton on September 20; Helena on September 21; and Three Forks on September 22. The disposal program is a non-regulatory, service progam that offers pesticide users the opportunity to dispose of unwanted and unusable pesticides in a safe and legal way that is economical and convenient. Disposal costs are free for the first 200 pounds and $1.00/lb. per pound for additional amounts over 200 pounds. Disposal by other services can cost 5 to 10 times more. Additional information and the required pre-registration forms are available by contacting Carli Davis in Richland at (406) 465-0531; mail to Dept. of Agriculture, Pesticide Disposal Program, 508 Prairie Dell Rd, Richland, MT 59260; email Carli.Davis@mt.gov; website http://agr.mt.gov/pesticidewaste-disposal-program

Crew cab, 4x4, long box, only 61,000 miles, 6.2 liter gas, XLT trim with FX4

PREEC $1000 scholarship to Nebraska graduate

By Chabella

Guzman, communications specialist, UNL

The University of Nebraska-Lincoln Panhandle Research, Extension and Education Center is pleased to present a scholarship for $1000 to high school seniors in the Panhandle of Nebraska to further their education at the Nebraska University Campuses, including the Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture.

Scholarship winner Stella Wegner, a Gordon-Rushville High School graduate, is planning to attend the College of Technical Agriculture in the spring, where she plans on majoring in Applied Animal Science.

While in High School, Wegner was a member of clubs such as FFA and Journalism and was the editor for the yearbook.

“The PREEC Scholarship is important to me because of the opportunities it will give me to further my education in the agricultural field of Animal Science,” she said. Wegner hopes to return to her family’s ranch to expand her cattle herd.

The UNL Panhandle Research, Extension and Education Center Annual Student Scholarship is awarded to graduating high school seniors majoring in Agronomy, Ag Economics, Animal Science, Vet Science, Agriculture Technology, or a related degree emphasizing agriculture.

2018

2500 HD Crew cab LT 4x4 with 8-ft. long bed, bed liner, running boards, 81,000 miles, remote start, new tires, aluminum wheels, power windows,

Storing silage

By Ben Beckman, UNL

2015

1-Ton Supercab, 4x4 cab and chassis, ready to install your bale bed on, 6.2 liter gas, automatic transmission, limited slip differential, vinyl seats and floor, only 55,000 miles $26,999

Corn silage harvest may seem like a long way off, but preparation for a successful harvest begins now. Improper silage storage and fermentation can result in losses up to 20% prior to feeding. Plan your storage now to keep excessive storage losses from happening to you.

2018

2500 HD crew cab 4x4 work truck, 6.0 liter gas engine, vinyl floor, power windows, locks and mirrors, grill guard, trailer tow, 8-ft, long bed, 88,000 miles $34,999 less than 77,000 miles, ready to go. $31,999

Preventing oxygen from entering your silage should be a top priority when considering silage storage. Bagged silage is a versatile option that allows the storage location to move year to year and comes with a build in oxygen barrier but can carry a high price tag and may not be appropriate for large harvest amounts. Placing the silage in a bunker is another that can increase oxygen exclusion, but make sure to check these structures for cracks and repair any that are found to maintain their integrity. If silage is a feedstuff on your operation, the reduction in losses that a permanent structure paired with covering the pile provides can offset the costs when spread out over several years.

Silage piles are the more traditional approach and can allow for greater volumes of silage to be stored in a smaller area without the cost and permanent nature of bunkers. Oxygen exclusion in piles that lack a permanent structure can be enhanced with some planning. Before harvesting, line the sides with bales and place oxygen-limiting plastic down the sides and for several feet under the bottom to seal the sides of the pile. At a minimum, placing plastic on top of the pile is an investment worth the time, labor, and money. By covering the pile, we can reduce oxygen from moving into the pile from the top and reduce precipitation exposure.

Corn silage is a valuable feed resource and keeping oxygen out of your silage requires planning now. Pick an appropriate location for harvest and feed out success and store correctly to minimize feed losses.

Grazing summer annual forages

By Jerry Volesky, UNL

Summer annual forages such as sudangrass, sorghumsudan hybrids and pearl millet planted this spring soon could be ready to graze. There are some grazing guidelines to help avoid potential hazards.

The first guideline is to never turn hungry animals into sudangrass or sorghum-type pastures. The reason why is because they may eat so rapidly that they could get a quick overdose of prussic acid and die. All sudangrass and sorghum-type hybrids can produce a compound called prussic acid that is potentially poisonous. Prussic acid, which also is called cyanide, is nothing to fear, though, as long as you use a few precautions to avoid problems.

The highest concentration of prussic acid is in new young shoots, so let your grass get a little growth on it before grazing to help dilute out the prussic acid. Let sudangrass get 15 to 18 inches in height before grazing. Sorghum-sudan hybrids usually have a little more prussic acid risk, so wait until they are 18 to 24 inches tall.

Pearl millet does not contain prussic acid so if you planted millet these grazing precautions aren’t needed. Pearl millet can be grazed when it reaches 12 to 15 inches tall.

Nitrates also can accumulate in these grasses, particularly when there are droughty conditions and/or excess nitrogen fertilization. Avoid grazing these grasses too short, since nitrate concentration is highest in the lower parts of the stems.

Summer annual grasses respond best to a simple, rotational grazing system. Divide fields into three or more smaller paddocks of a size that your animals can graze down to about eight or so inches of leafy stubble within 7 to 10 days. Repeat this procedure with all paddocks. If grass in some paddocks gets too tall, it could be cut for hay.

A well-planned start, a good rotation, and a little rain can give you good pasture from these grasses all the rest of the summer.

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Q: What did the beaver say to the tree?

A: “It’s been nice gnawing you!”

Nearly 2.7 million acres in Grassland CRP signup

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is accepting offers for nearly 2.7 million acres from agricultural producers and private landowners through this year’s Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) Grassland signup. This program allows producers and landowners to continue grazing and haying practices while protecting grasslands and further CRP conservation efforts. Grassland CRP is part of the BidenHarris administration’s broader effort to address climate change and conserve natural resources. This year’s signup results include 180,690 acres in Montana.

“This year’s Grassland CRP signup demonstrates the continued success and value of investments in voluntary, producer-led, working lands conservation programs,” said Maureen Wicks, State Executive Director for USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) in Montana. “Grassland CRP clearly demonstrates that conservation priorities and agricultural productivity not only have the capacity to coexist but also complement and enhance one another. Through all our working land conservation programs, farmers and ranchers play a critical role in helping secure the future of both our food production and our natural resources.”

Additionally, USDA has accepted more than 1 million acres through the General CRP signup nationwide, and more than 465,800 acres have been submitted through the Continuous CRP signup so far this year.

Grassland CRP leverages working lands practices to improve biodiversity and conserve environmentally sensitive land. To target conservation in key geographies, USDA prioritizes land within two National Priority Zones: the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, and the Dust Bowl area. FSA accepted more than 911,000 acres in these two zones. Land enrolled in these zones will contribute to broader USDA conservation efforts through Working Lands for Wildlife by conserving working grasslands and other lands that underpin iconic big game migrations.

Grasslands enrolled in CRP help sequester carbon in vegetation and soil, while enhancing resilience to drought and wildfire. Meanwhile, producers can still conduct common grazing practices, such as haying, mowing or harvesting seed from the enrolled land, which supports agricultural production.

Broadening Reach of Program

As part of the Agency’s Justice40 efforts, producers and landowners who are historically underserved, including beginning farmers, limited-resource producers, and military veterans, received 20 additional ranking points to enhance their offers. From more than 6,400 underserved producers, USDA accepted offers of more than 1.8 million acres, about 74% of those who submitted applications.

Additionally, USDA is working to broaden the scope and reach of Grassland CRP by leveraging the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP) to engage underserved communities. CREP is a partnership program that enables states, Tribal governments, and non-profit entities to partner with FSA to implement CRP practices and address high priority conservation and environmental objectives. Interested entities are encouraged to contact FSA.

More Information

Producers can still make an offer to participate in CRP through the Continuous CRP signup, which is ongoing, by contacting FSA at their local USDA Service Center.

Rosemary, sage, tarragon

Rosemary is an evergreen bush with leaves like long, oval pine needles. It should be timed frequently or renewed every few years or it will become straggly. Since it is a tender plant, it should be brought indoors during the winter. The plant can be started from seed or propagated from a cutting. Purchased plants should be about 12” tall. It is highly aromatic and used to give added flavor to lamb, poultry, and roasted vegetables.

Sage is a woody perennial growing to about 2 feet in height. It has gray-green soft, furry leaves and blue flowers. Cut the plant back after the flowers are gone. It can be started from seed or propagated from cutting, layering, or root division.

Tarragon has delicate upright shoots with soft, narrow, willow-like leaves. It is excellent for flavoring salad dressing, chicken, and fish. It is best starting with a plant but can be propagated by cutting or root division. Should be brought indoors during the winter or else well covered outdoors.