Big Sky Equipment Co.

Phone 406-278-3277

Toll-free 1-800-332-7541

Conrad, Montana website: www.bigskyequip.com

Used Sprayers

2011 Apache AS1020 self-propelled sprayer, 100-ft. steel boom, 1000 gallon poly tank, Smartrax autosteer, AutoBoom UltraGlide, Envizio Pro monitor. JUST TRADED

Used Combines

USED Grain Cart

2007 Apache 1010 self-propelled sprayer, 1000 gallon poly tank, 60/90-ft. steel boom, autorate, autoboom. PRICE REDUCED $69,900

Miscellaneous Equipment

Degelman 4100 bale processor $10,995

2010X 78” snow blower skid steer attachment, CNH and Bobcat electric harness, hydraulic spout turn/tilt $6500

2022 New Holland CR8.90 combine, full automation, duals, variable speed rock drum, full guidance, electric folding hopper, Sunnybrook concaves

Holland TR96, straw chopper, hopper top extensions, moisture sensor, 30-ft. New Holland 971 header with pickup reel, New Holland 970 pickup header, and Rake-Up attachment

Case IH 2188 combine with MacDon 960 header and 1010 15-ft pickup

8570

LET’S DEAL

Used Air Drills

header, 13-ft. pickup

Used Tractor

2023 Highline Bale

• Increased early season vigor

• Phosphorus and Zinc to drive rooting & cold start the crop.

• Zinc to help with early season hormone production, ie. Auxin for root and shoot growth.

• Convey Technology to help with early season stresses, such as cool soils and excess moisture. It also improves nutrient use efficiency.

• Other essential nutrients target at each specific crop, ie. Boron for cell wall strength; Manganese for efficient photosynthesis.

• Second chance for a starter fertilizer

• Formulations are targeted at early season root growth (more root = more efficient moisture and nutrient uptake).

• Proactive way of managing the crops nutritional requirement.

• Convey Technology helps with early season stresses such as cool soils, excess moisture, and drought. Also improves nutrient use efficiency.

• Speeds up recovery from herbicide hangover - the correct supply of nutrients helps the crop metabolize the herbicide more quickly.

• Contains novel Phosphorus nutrition, providing increased nutrient uptake and movement within the plant.

• Targeted at the reproductive phse of the plant.

• Proactive way of managing the crops utritional requirement

• Contains other essential nutrients targeted for each specific crop, ie. Boron to aid pollen tube growth, Zinc to help produce Auxin, to ensure healthy pollen tube growth.

Consider annual forages and cover crops when hay production is down

North Dakota State University

Another challenging year for spring moisture has created a deficit in hay production across much of the Dakotas and Minnesota, leaving ranchers to consider options to increase their forage supply. Lack of rainfall from mid-May to midJune impacted forage production of perennial grass hay fields such as brome grass, crested wheatgrass, timothy and orchardgrass. State-wide reports have indicated as much as a 40% decline in hay production compared to the previous year.

“Recent precipitation may make annual forages and cover crops viable forage options for hay production or grazing,” says Miranda Meehan, North Dakota State University Extension livestock environmental stewardship specialist.

Despite recent rains, available soil moisture and recommended planting dates will limit options. Forage species selected will vary based on primary planned use: hay, fall grazing, or next spring haying or grazing.

Recommended forage species for hay production

“The best options this late in the growing season will be warm-season forages,” says Kevin Sedivec, NDSU Extension rangeland management specialist. “Foxtail millets have the shortest growing period (seed germination to heading). With droughty conditions, Siberian millet may be the best option; however, under better moisture conditions, German millet could be a better option to maximize production potential. Other options include sudangrass and sorghumsudangrass hybrids.”

These warm-season crops should be planted by no later than late July or early August. Harvest before a hard frost or directly following the hard frost to retain forage quality and palatability. Sudangrass and the sorghum-sudangrass hybrids have higher yield potential, but because of the shorter daylength and cooler temperatures in late summer and early fall, sufficient dry down to put up hay can be difficult when using a sorghum-sudangrass hybrid. A dry stalk trait is available in some sorghum-sudangrass hybrids that speeds drying time due to stalks containing a lower moisture content.

Recommendation for fall/winter grazing

Many forage options can be planted now and grazed late summer through early winter. Foxtail millet, sudangrass and sorghum-sudangrass can also be used as pasture. However, once they freeze, livestock tend to be more selective and increase waste through trampling. Following a killing freeze, allow sorghum species to completely dry down before grazing to minimize prussic acid potential.

Cool-season cover crop mixtures make excellent pasture well into the early winter period. However, cool-season plants are less efficient at using water and will be more prone to fail if dry conditions persist. Make sure ample topsoil moisture is available for plant establishment.

A good option for a fall and winter grazing mix is a seed mixture with a combination of cool and warm-season crops. The cool-season crops will retain nutritional quality after a freeze while the warm-season crop provides fiber for energy and proper rumen function. Cool-season cover crop options may include a mixture of oats, barley, turnips or radish.

Recommendation for spring grazing or haying in 2024

Winter annuals can be a great option for spring grazing or late spring hay, helping to reduce pressure on already stressed rangeland and pastures while providing cover on the soils. September is the optimal planting date for winter annuals; however, they can be seeded in August if moisture conditions are good. Options include winter wheat, winter rye and winter triticale. Winter annuals can be utilized for early season grazing or harvested for hay in June.

Winter rye and triticale will be the best option for grazing in May through early June. Both winter rye and triticale can be harvested for hay by early June Winter wheat produces less foliage in May and will provide a better option for high quality hay in late June.

When to Purchase Hay

“If you plan to purchase hay to offset a shortage, we recommend sourcing hay early this year,” says James Rogers, NDSU Extension forage crops production specialist.

Severe to extreme drought persists throughout much of the Central Plains states and Corn Belt. Demand for hay is expected to be high in these regions, with producers sourcing hay from the Dakotas and Minnesota. With a depleted hay inventory projected throughout much of the Great Plains, hay prices are likely to increase from their current levels.

Consider annual forages

Precautions

Many annual forages have toxic risks when growing under stress. Cereal grains, turnips, sorghum species and millet can by high in nitrates when grown in droughty conditions. Do not add any additional nitrogen fertilizers when planting these forage crops this summer. Test for nitrate levels, especially if plant growth occurs under drought stress. Sorghum, sudangrass and sorghum-sudangrass hybrids are susceptible to prussic acid toxicity when immature, under stress or directly after a frost.

“We realize that producers are taking a risk in establishing an annual crop, given the dry conditions, and cost may be a factor,” Meehan says. “NDSU Extension has developed a cover crop cost calculator that provides the ability to estimate and compare the cost of different mixes.” The tool is available at: tinyurl.com/NDSUCoverCropCalculator

“Farmers may be reluctant to plant annual forages because of fear of soil moisture depletion and desire to recharge the soil,” say Sedivec. “If the cover crop develops enough structure, it will protect the soil from erosion while providing aid in trapping snow and reducing evaporation for moisture conservation, potentially improving soil moisture for spring planting, while providing forage for livestock.”

Important dates August 18-19

August 18, 1920 - The 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution was ratified, granting women the right to vote.

August 19, 1934 - In Germany, a plebiscite was held in which 89.9 percent of German voters approved granting Chancellor Adolf Hitler additional powers, including the office of president.

August 19, 1991 - Soviet hard-line Communists staged a coup, temporarily removing Mikhail Gorbachev from power. The coup failed within 72 hours as democratic reformer Boris Yeltsin rallied the Russian people. Yeltsin then became the leading power in the country. The Communist Party was soon banned and by December the Soviet Union itself disintegrated.

pricing contact: Chris Hafer 406-490-4418

ALL I WANT IS MELTON ALFALFA!

Also available: Shaw, Wrangler, Ladak Ernie Johnson 406-357-4182

1997 Ford LT9522 Tractor 435 hp 3406E, 13 spd, Jake, AC, PS, 184” W.B., 70% tires and brakes, air ride, 541K miles, runs and drives great $26,500

1991 International 8300 Water Truck 3406B, 9 spd, Klein 3000 gallon tank, AC, PS, 60% 11r22.5’s, pto pump, front and rear spray, runs and drives good. $23,500

2000 Ford F650 5-yard Dump 26K GVW, 210 hp 3126 Cat diesel, Allison AT. PS, AB, 90% 22.5 tires, 10-ft. dump, air and electric trailer hookups, under CDL $26,500

1991 Autocar 12-yard Dump 425 hp Cat 3406B, 18 spd., Jake, lift axle, full lockers, 15.5ft. box, 60% 11R24.5’s, 700K miles, pintle hitch, air gate, runs and drives great $41,500

1998 Gehl DL6h40 Telehandler

4x4, 7,000 lb lift capacity, 40ft. lift height, enclosed cab w/ heat, 3 way steering, 5200 hrs, 4.5 John Deere diesel, 80% 13.00x24 tires, 60” forks, runs and works great $42,500

1998 Freightliner FL70 4x4 lube service truck, 126K miles, 26K GVW, Reman 275 hp 3126 Cat diesel, MD3060 Allison AT, AC, PS, AB, cruise, 14-ft. enclosed body, 4 product tanks, hydraulic compressor, workbench, air greaser, 6 hose reels, 90% brakes, runs and drive great $39,500

1995 Ford F800 Compressor Truck 89K Miles, 5.9 Cummins, 5 spd. manual, AC, PS, PB, 24K gvw, hyd. reel handler, 375 cm JD diesel compressor, new 245/19.5 tires. $16,500

1997 Ford F800 Water Truck Reman 210 hp 5.9 Cummins, 6 spd., AB, AC, PS, 26K gvw, 2000 gallon tank, PTO pump, front, side and rear spray, 75% 22.5’s on aluminum wheels. $29,500

1997 Gradall 534c-10 Telehandler 4x4, 40’ lift height, 4BT Cummins, 7100 hrs, outriggers, 10K capacity, 60% 14.00x24 tires, runs and works great $41,500

1980 International Service Truck 210 hp DT466, 5&2 spd., AB, PS, IMT 425AT knuckle boom with remote, hydraulic outriggers, 13 hp Curtis 25CFM compressor, 70% 11r22.5 tires, 12-ft. service body. $19,500

1998 Caterpillar TH103 Telehandler 10,000 lb capacity, 44-ft lift height, outriggers, 4x4, 3 way steering, 48” forks, 75% 14.00x24 tires, 9100 hrs, runs and works excellent. $43,500

2001 Chevrolet C6500 210 hp 3126 Cat diesel, 6 spd manual AC, PS, PB, 95K miles, 90% 245/75-19.5 tires, 15-ft. flatbed, PTO hydraulic winch, 26K GVW $19,500

Wyoming researchers question value of sagebrush control in conserving sage-grouse

Efforts to improve sage-grouse habitat through conventional management practices may be ineffective—and even counterproductive—according to research by Wyoming scientists.

Sagebrush reduction strategies, including mowing and herbicide application, are often employed to enhance habitat for the greater sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus) and other sagebrush-dependent species.

The theory is that clearing large sagebrush shrubs improves food sources in sagegrouse nesting and brood-rearing habitats by allowing other, more nutritious vegetation to grow with less competition. This in turn should increase invertebrate populations, another food source for sage-grouse.

But a new paper published in the journal Wildlife Monographs suggests these methods may be misguided.

In a nine-year experimental study, researchers examined how greater sagegrouse populations in central Wyoming responded to mowing and applying the herbicide tebuthiuron to Wyoming big sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata wyomingensis). According to their data, these treatments did not benefit the birds.

“Some managers think, ‘Treating sagebrush for wildlife is how it’s supposed to work, and we’ll keep doing it,’” says Jeff Beck, UW professor of ecosystem science and management and principal investigator for the study. “Hopefully this will get people to start thinking, ‘If we’re going to spend money to improve habitat, we’ve got to find some other ideas.’”

Beck’s co-authors include Kurt Smith, a former UW Ph.D. student who is now an ecologist with Western EcoSystems Technology; Jason LeVan, a former UW M.S. student who is now a range and wildlife conservationist for Pheasants Forever; Anna Chalfoun, UW associate professor and assistant unit leader of the U.S. Geological Survey Wyoming Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit; Stanley Harter, a wildlife biologist with the Wyoming Game and Fish Department; Thomas Christiansen, a retired Wyoming Game and Fish Department sage-grouse program coordinator; and Sue Oberlie, a retired Bureau of Land Management wildlife biologist.

The researchers tracked behaviors and survival rates of more than 600 female greater sage-grouse in response to mowing and tebuthiuron application. They also monitored effects on invertebrate populations, sagebrush and herbaceous vegeta- tion. Throughout the study, responses were compared to untreated plots near the treated areas as well as off-site control plots.

Pre-treatment data were collected 2011 through 2013; mowing and tebuthiuron applications were implemented in winter and spring 2014.

After six years (2014-2019) of post-treatment monitoring, Beck and his colleagues determined that sage-grouse responses to treatment were neutral at best. “Neither mowing nor tebuthiuron treatments influenced nest success, brood success, or female survival,” they reported.

Furthermore, treatments used to reduce Wyoming big sagebrush coverage resulted in slight avoidance by sage-grouse.

Invertebrates and herbaceous vegetation also did not respond positively to reduction of Wyoming big sagebrush, indicating treatments did not improve the quantity and quality of sage-grouse food sources.

Instead, reduction of Wyoming big sagebrush cover may negatively impact sagegrouse and other species that use sagebrush shrubs to nest and seek refuge from predators, the researchers suggest.

They predict that expanding experimental treatments to larger areas may reveal greater negative effects of Wyoming big sagebrush reduction on sage-grouse populations.

“Management practices that focus on the maintenance of large, undisturbed tracts of sagebrush will best facilitate the persistence of sage-grouse populations and other species reliant on the sagebrush steppe,” they wrote.

Their results are consistent with many other studies suggesting that controlling Wyoming big sagebrush negatively impacts wildlife. However, they caution, their findings should not be generalized to other sagebrush species and subspecies, such as mountain big sagebrush.

Rather than removing Wyoming big sagebrush, says Beck, conservation strategies should focus on removing encroaching pinyon and juniper and invasive species such as cheatgrass. These types of vegetation alter the sagebrush ecosystem and influence fire cycles, potentially damaging sage-grouse habitat.

Enhancing wet areas in sagebrush habitats is another promising strategy for improving the quality of sage-grouse broodrearing habitat, he notes.

To learn more about the study and its implications, contact Beck at jlbeck@uwyo. edu or (307) 766-6683.