Trader's Dispatch - November 2024

Sheep shearing and wool classing schools

New and experienced sheep shearers and wool classers will receive an interactive, hands-on learning experience.

Registration is now open for the 2024 North Dakota Sheep Shearing School and the 2024 North Dakota Certified Wool Classing School, both held at the Hettinger Research Extension Center (HREC) on November 23-25, 2024.

New and experienced sheep shearers and wool classers will receive an interactive, hands-on learning experience designed to expand the professional sheep shearer and certified wool classer workforce.

The 2024 NDSU Sheep Shearing School will offer oneon-one training and cover the professional sheep shearing pattern, how to tag and eye equipment maintenance and repair, and wool handling techniques.

“Participants will not only have the opportunity to learn from several nationally-recognized professional sheep shearers but also gain access to an incredible network of sheep industry professionals,” says Dr. Rachel Gibbs, NDSU Extension ruminant systems management specialist at the HREC. “The sheep shearing school will be held at the newlyconstructed HREC Livestock Lab, and participants will be provided with a digital handbook of the educational material covered during the three-day school.

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Cattle Academy for beef producers

From the MSU News Service

Montana State University Extension will host the Cattle Academy on November 19-20 at the Custer County Event Center, 72 Garryowen Road in Miles City. The new, biennial regional conference is focused on providing beef cattle producers with information on timely topics, current research and innovative technologies related to beef cattle production and management.

Taylor Brown, owner of Northern Broadcasting System, will be the keynote speaker. The conference will also feature expert speakers addressing the beef market outlook, a Beef

MFB Convention to feature national speakers, workshops

The Montana Farm Bureau Federation’s Annual Convention offers workshops, speakers and voting on new policy during the essential delegate session. It will take place November 18-21, 2024, at the DoubleTree and Northern Hotels in downtown Billings.

Speakers include Vance Crowe, a professional communicator and founder of Legacy Interviews, a service that video records life stories to be shared as family history, and Dr. Frank Mitloehner of UC Davis, a nationally acclaimed expert on the misunderstandings about livestock and their effect on climate change. Austin O’Brien

from Dakota State University will discuss Artificial Intelligence, what it can and cannot do, and its impact on agriculture. The convention begins Monday with the Promotion & Education and the Women’s

23rd annual Cattlemen’s Day in Great Falls

Montana Cattlemen’s Association will host their 23rd annual Cattlemen’s Day on Saturday, December 7, at the Holiday Inn in Great Falls beginning at 9:00 am. The event is open to the public and there is no registration fee.

Starting off the program is “Montana Counties and Federal Agencies”, a review of Federal agencies and incorporation of local plans. Valley County Commissioner John Fahlgren and Lake County Attorney Wally Congdon will host the discussion.

A two-hour panel will follow, “The Future of Independent Agriculture – The Next Generation”. This panel will discuss estate and generational transition planning as well as future opportunities in agriculture. Panelists include Attorney John Wagner, CONTINUED ON PAGE A2

Along

of Three Forks, Montana stands this cement structure. It is the remains of Moncrete a brick- and block-making facility from 1910. These silots were used to store raw materials.

Sheep shearing

CONTINUED FROM FRONT PAGE

Concurrently, the 2024 NDSU Certified Wool Classing School will be held in the same facility and provide fundamental instruction from an industry-leading wool classing and handling expert. Larry Prager, CEO of Center of the Nation Wool, will provide hands-on training and testing for level 1 certification with the American Sheep Industry Association.

Topics include wool fiber growth, development and production, objective wool measurement, genetic selection programs, hands-on wool grading, proper wool handling techniques to avoid contamination, and wool classing, packaging, labeling and marking.

Schools run concurrently; thus, participants can attend only one school per year. The cost is $250 and includes a digital handbook and lunch.

If you have any questions regarding registration and availability, contact Chris Schauer, HREC director, at 701567-4323.

To register for the 2024 NDSU Sheep Shearing School visit ndsu.ag/shearingschool24. To register for the 2024 NDSU Certified Wool Classing School visit ndsu.ag/woolclassing24.

The schools are sponsored by the North Dakota Lamb and Wool Producers Association, the South Dakota Sheep Growers, NDSU Extension, NDSU Hettinger Research Extension Center and the American Sheep Industry Association.

Cattle Academy

CONTINUED FROM FRONT PAGE

Quality Assurance certification course, calving challenges and successes, beef nutrition and grazing strategies, water quality, heifer development and bull fertility, and estate planning.

MSU Extension beef cattle specialists currently host an annual Montana Nutrition Conference and Livestock Forum in Bozeman, and they created the Cattle Academy to better serve producers, stakeholders and industry representatives in the eastern region of the state, according to Megan Van Emon, MSU Extension beef cattle specialist and conference chair.

“The new Cattle Academy was developed to bring knowledge to livestock producers throughout the entire region,” Van Emon said. “This conference was developed with regional Extension faculty to provide a broad range of topics encompassing beef cattle and ranch management.”

The Cattle Academy will begin at noon on Tuesday, November 19, and at 9 a.m. on Wednesday, November 20. Registration is required by November 15. Registration has multiple options, including student pricing and the opportunity to include some meals. For more information or to register, visit the Cattle Academy website at https://animalrangeextension.montana.edu/beef/cattleacademy.html or the registration website at https://ecommerce.montana.edu/ animal_range_beef/ or call 406-874-8286.

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MFB Convention

CONTINUED FROM FRONT PAGE

Leadership Committee meetings. The MFBF leadership program, Advocate. Communicate. Educate (ACE), will hold its final class seminar and a graduation luncheon. The convention will kick off with a social allowing members to reconnect with each other and explore the trade show.

Workshops fill the day Tuesday, November 19 with O’Brien covering more about Artificial Intelligence in agriculture, Meat Myth Busters with Sierra Jepsen and navigating the family business transition with Ethan Smith from Pinon Global. Other workshops include water issues, federal lands legal action updates, Alzheimer’s and Dementia Support for farm and ranch families, and creative ways to invite people to join Farm Bureau.

The heart of the convention is bringing together voting delegates from county Farm Bureaus to debate and discuss policy for 2025. Each county meets in September to develop policy based on issues of concern; that policy is brought to the state convention for a vote. Some policies will then progress to the American Farm Bureau Convention. The Delegate Session, slated for November 20-21, includes the election of MFBF officers who will lead the organization in the coming year.

The Young Farmer & Rancher Committee offers two rounds of the YF&R Discussion Meet—the preliminary round and the Final Four—November 19. The Discussion Meet brings together voting members ages 18-35 to discuss agricultural challenges and develop solutions. Thanks to participating Montana Polaris dealers, the 2024 MFBF YF&R Discussion Meet winner will receive the keys to a 2024 Polaris Ranger as well as an expenses-paid trip to compete during the American Farm Bureau Discussion Meet in January in San Antonio, TX. In addition, the Collegiate YF&R Discussion Meet Final Four will take place Wednesday afternoon, November 20.

The convention allows plenty of time to visit the trade show, enjoy socials and attend the Celebration Dinner November 20 at The Depot.

23rd annual Cattlemen’s Day in Great Falls

CONTINUED FROM FRONT PAGE

Joe Goggins, Taylor Bown, Marsha Goetting, and Walt Schweitzer.

A hot roast beef lunch will be offered for $20. After the lunch break, a panel of speakers from Montana State University College of Agriculture and MSU Extension Service will present “Strategies to Improve Profitability Through Improved Cattle Efficiency”, including feed, environmental, rangeland, genetic, reproductive, and performance efficiency strategies that can impact and improve overall profitability. The panelists are Dr. Sam Wyffels, Dr. Tim DelCurto, Dr. Megan Van Emon, and Dr. Sarah McCoski. Aimee Hachigian-Gould, MCA Director, will moderate a round table discussion after the individual presentations.

The afternoon program will include updates from Department of Livestock representatives Mike Honeycutt, Executive Officer; Jay Bodner, Brands Enforcement Administrator; and Dr. Tahnee Szymanski, Montana State Veterinarian.

MCA will have its annual business around 4:00 pm. Members are encouraged to present their concerns and help establish directives for the upcoming year. During the meeting, MCA policy and resolutions will be discussed as well as nominations for district directors and officers.

Please RSVP for lunch reservations by calling (406) 4672251 by November 30.

Those unable to attend in person can join via ZOOM. The complete agenda and ZOOM login can be found at www. montanacattlemen.org.

Absurd Inventions

Invention: Lavakan

What it does: It’s a washing machine...for cats and dogs. This industrial-strength machine soaps, rinses, and dries you pet in less than 30 minutes. One of the inventors, Andres Diaz, claims that the 5-by-5-foot, $20,000 machines can actually reduce pet stress. “One of the dogs actually fell asleep during the wash,” he said. Cats weren’t quite as happy about being Lavakanned. “But it’s better than having a cat attach itself to your face, which is what can happen when you try to wash one by hand.”

Scientists seek a balance between crop production and protecting the environment

Scientists at the USDA’s Agricultural Research Service (ARS), Northern Plains Agricultural Research Laboratory (NPARL), in Sidney, Montana, completed a study that shows the use of continuous cropping systems can better sustain crop yields while reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in semi-arid regions.

NPARL research scientists Upendra M. Sainju, Brett L. Allen, and Jalal D. Jabro evaluated the effect of three long-term (34year project) dryland cropping systems on GHG emissions and crop yields in the U.S. northern Great Plains. The objective was to evaluate improved cropping systems like continuous cropping, which involves growing crops annually and eliminating the summer fallow (unplanted field) period, for GHG emissions and sustainable crop yields in dryland conditions.

“The study revealed that long-term notill continuous cropping systems can reduce GHG emissions while sustaining crop yields compared to the conventional till crop-fallow system, which is the traditional two-year crop rotation of dryland farming in the Northern Great Plains,” explained Sainju.

As the demand for agricultural production increases, it is becoming more important to mitigate GHG emissions from croplands. Certain cropping systems, management practices, and use of nitrogen-based fertilizers add to the total emissions of N2O (nitrous oxide) and CH4 (methane) that contribute to the approximate 10 percent of the total GHG emissions coming from the agricultural

sector.

Implementing innovative agricultural strategies that can maintain or increase crop yields while reducing GHG emissions has become critical. This is especially important in arid and semiarid regions, which make up one-third of the global arable land and account for a significant portion of GHG emissions coming from crop production.

Scientists conducted the study on three different dryland cropping systems that had been producing crop yields and affecting soil health for 34 years. The three systems included no-till continuous spring wheat, no-till spring wheat-pea, and conventional till spring wheatfallow. The study tested N2O and CH4 gas emissions twice a week to once a month throughout the year and analyzed carbon sequestration rates from 2012 to 2019 and crop yields, GHG balance, and yield-scaled GHG balance from 2016 to 2018.

Overall, the no-till continuous cropping systems reduced net GHG balance by 66-149% compared to the conventional till crop-fallow system.

In looking at the two notill continuous cropping systems studied, Sainju noted, “Although the no-till continuous nonlegume cropping increased carbon sequestration rate and reduced GHG balance and yield-scaled GHG balance, it reduced crop yield

due to increased weed and pest pressure and enhanced soil acidity compared to the no-till legume-nonlegume rotation. Therefore, notill legume-nonlegume rotation is an ideal cropping system to enhance crop yield and reduce GHG emissions compared to no-till continuous nonlegume cropping system in dryland cropping systems of the U.S. northern Great Plains.”

The study is part of USDA-ARS ongoing long-term research on dryland cropping systems. Details about the latest study can be found in the Journal of Environmental Quality.

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Different foods are known to bring good or bad luck on New Year’s Eve. An example of food traditionally eaten today is noodles, as it’s known to elongate your life. Meanwhile, chickens are considered unlucky due to their wings, implying your good luck could fly away.

A scientist is sampling gas to evaluate the effect of long-term dryland cropping systems on GHG emissions and crop yields in the U.S. northern Great Plains. (Image courtesy of Upendra Sainju).

Simple synchronization of cows

By Bethany Johnston, Nebraska Extension Educator | Aaron Berger, Nebraska Extension Beef Educator

Have you wanted to have more calves born earlier in your calving season, but did not want to deal with the increase in labor, cost and facilities to utilize estrus synchronization and artificial insemination? The protocol shown (Figure 1.) can increase the number of cows coming into estrus early in the breeding season, with one time through the chute, one injection, and breeding using only natural service.

This protocol calls for bulls to be turned out with the cows on Day 0. On Day 5, cows are given a shot of prostaglandin (PGF2α) which synchronizes a majority of the cows to be in heat/estrus from Day 6 through Day 10. The injection of prostaglandin causes any cows with a corpus luteum present on one of their ovaries to regress, ceasing progesterone production. This then triggers the cows to come into heat/estrus.

If the cow conceives during Day 1 to 5, she will not abort when given the prostaglandin injection on Day 5 because the developing corpus luteum at the site of ovulation on the ovary has not yet reached maturity and will not respond to prostaglandin.

Research conducted at the Fort Keogh Research Center near Miles City, Montana utilized this protocol over a three year period, achieving pregnancy rates over 85% in a 32-day breeding season. Research from the University of Nebraska showed 75% of cows calved in the first 21 days of the calving season utilizing this estrus synchronization protocol as compared to only 63% of cows from non-synchronized natural service breeding.

Utilizing natural service with this method of estrus synchronization will require adequate bull power. A bull to cow ratio of 1:15 with yearling bulls or 1:25 with mature bulls should be sufficient. Because early breeding and the synchronized estrus is occurring over a 10 day period, fertile and active bulls with adequate libido should be able to handle the number of cows that will be coming into heat. Breeding bulls should undergo a breeding soundness exam prior to the breeding season.

Producers considering the use of this synchronization tool should remember that a number of factors affect pregnancy rate including cow body condition score, plane of nutrition, cattle health, and bull fertility.

Estrus synchronization can shorten the calving season. The article “Use of Natural Service Sires with Synchronized Estrus” highlights other advantages of estrus synchronization and natural service.

Note: A relatively new prostaglandin product, which is in a high-concentration formula, allows for a 2-mL dose to be injected subcutaneously (under the skin). Other prostaglandin products have an intramuscular injection (IM) label requirement, which requires a longer needle for deep muscle penetration. IM injections have a greater risk to develop lesions in the muscle that affects meat quality. The 2018 Nebraska Beef Report article “Comparison of Two Alternate Prostaglandin Products in Yearling Beef Heifers” showed beef heifers performed similarly to either the IM injection of prostaglandin or the subcutaneous injection of high-concentration prostaglandin.

Death Customs

In India, custom calls for a body to be burned on a funeral pyre near a riverbank and a temple; the ashes are thrown into the river. Some adherents to Zoroastrianism place bodies atop towers; after the flesh is eaten by vultures, the bones are thrown into a pit at the center of the tower.

Mixed-up Geography

11th grade student: “Egypt really exists? I thought it was just some place from Jimmy Neutron (a cartoon series).” Another student: “What do you mean place? I thought Egypt was a religion.”

New online food preservation course offered

North Dakota State University Extension and Cankdeska Cikana Community College (CCCC) have partnered to create a free online course about home food preservation. Food Preservation 101 is an educational course featuring safe food preservation methods for freezing, water-bath canning, pressure canning, drying and fermenting.

“This course is the next piece of the CCCC Land Grant Extension’s overall goal of enhancing food sovereignty and security for residents on the Spirit Lake Reservation,” said CCCC land grant director Jessica Fish. “But knowing how to preserve food is universally helpful.”

Food Preservation 101 connects with CCCC’s other programming, which includes a community garden, seed and seedling distribution, garden tilling, Spirit Lake Mobile Farmers Market, and cooking classes.

Participants are invited to join this self-paced course with pre-recorded lessons, activities and a variety of resources. The curriculum covers how to preserve different types of food safely including salsa, jelly, sauerkraut, meats and vegetables.

The course is offered online. Participants can participate in the self-paced modules beginning October 22 and complete them by early 2025. Certificates and prize drawing opportunities will be provided for those completing the modules.

In addition to the new online class modules, CCCC is offering weekly hands-on food preservation workshops as fruits and vegetables come into season.

“We are pleased to partner with Candeska Cikana Community College. We especially enjoyed offering an in-person workshop at the college with community members. We made a lot of salsa and apple butter from home-grown produce,” says Julie GardenRobinson, food and nutrition specialist and project director for the NDSU Extension portion of the grant.

“The narrated online modules can be accessed by anyone who wants to learn more about preserving food safely. There is no cost for the program,” Garden-Robinson adds.

To register for this course, visit ndsu.ag/fp101. Once registered, participants will receive enrollment instructions to access the course.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture Food Safety Outreach Program sponsored the program.

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Our Advertising Deadline for the December 2024 issue of the Trader's Dispatch will be November 20th. Phone us at (406) 271-5533

McMURRY CATTLE

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Montana Hereford Breeders

Anchor Polled Herefords 406-467-2880, Vaughn, MT

Beery’s Land & Livestock Co

406-979-5720, Vida, MT www.beeryherefords.com

Brownell Polled Herefords 406-788-3242, Pendroy, MT dave.brownell51@gmail.com

Double Bit Herefords 406-293-8185, Libby, MT www.doublebitherefords.com

J Bar E Ranch 406-765-7068, Plentywood, MT

Feddes Herefords

Dan 406-570-1602, Manhattan, MT www.feddes.com

Sparks Herefords 406-778-2320, Plevna, MT www.sparksherefords.com

Montana producers selected to national program

Three Montana farmers have been selected to National Farmers Union’s Beginning Farmer Institute.

Montana Farmers Union members Zach Didier, from Laurel, Beau Milton, from Ovando, and Kimberly Robinson, from Kila, will participate in the yearlong intensive program intended to improve the health of participants’ farm or ranch businesses.

“The level of commitment and willingness to challenge themselves to improve speaks for itself as to Zach, Beau, and Kimberley as farmers. Montana Farmers Union is proud to have three members selected for Beginning Farmers Institute, where they will build business and personal skills for their farms to thrive,” MFU President Walter Schweitzer said.

Each cohort is selected through a competitive application process. Once selected, cohort members attend online seminars, network with peers, pursue independent learning activities, and receive one-on-one technical assistance.

BFI will give her the tools to grow her small business, Run Dorper Run, which was started with the goal of providing high quality lamb meat and rental sheep for pasture and weed management, as well as selling hides for tanning education, Robinson said.

“Participating in the BFI program will help give me a leg up from a floundering small farmer to a thriving small farmer, from the beginning. The learning opportunities and collaboration with others will help me to learn from experts and others so as not to repeat the same mistakes and to become the prosperous small rancher I seek to be. I also want to be a voice to help others gain the confidence to follow their own dreams of becoming a small successful farmer,” said Robinson, who also works full-time as a Master Scheduler in the Semiconductor Industry.

For Milton, who works as a licensed commercial herbicide applicator and general contractor in addition to starting a regenerative farm and assisting with his family ranch in Joliet, the program provides an opportunity to become a better steward of his land, as well as gain business skills.

“I am participating in this program to make myself be the best land steward I can. I hope to gain necessary skills to successfully start and demonstrate profit in both a new regenerative farm and a heritage family operation while increasing soil health, local food sources, and community enthusiasm for Montana agriculture,” said Milton, who was raised in Joliet and now lives in Ovando.

Ehlke Herefords 406-439-4311, Townsend, MT www.ehlkeherefords.com

K & C Herefords

406-240-9301, Deer Lodge, MT

K.L. Slagsvold Herefords 406-584-7571, Lindsay, MT

Thomas Herefords 406-544-1536, Gold Creek, MT

L Bar W Cattle Company

406-425-2484, Absarokee, MT www.lbarw.com

McMurry Cattle 406-254-1247, Billings, MT www.mcmurrycattle.com

Wichman Herefords 406-350-3123, Moore, MT www.wichmanherefords.com

Didier said he hopes to gain business skills from the BFI program. Together with his wife, Carah Ronan, he manages the family farm and started Rodi Farm, an 8-acre commercial cut flower growing operation. As someone who has a passion for farming and agricultural engineering, Didier said he looks forward to meeting other beginning farmers who bring different perspectives and backgrounds.

“I hope specifically to gain more information on the hiring options for agricultural labor and how to be a responsible employer. NFU and the BFI has given me the great opportunity to explore huge amounts of information and utilize the expertise of many qualified hosts on the Farmers Campus,” Didier said.

Zach Didier and his wife, Carah Ronan, manage the family farm and started Rodi Farm, an 8-acre commercial cut flower growing operation near Laurel. Didier has been selected to participate in National Farmers Union’s Beginning Farmer Institute.

Kimberly Robinson operates Run Dorper Run, as well as working as a Master Scheduler in the Semiconductor Industry. Robinson, from Kila, will participate in National Farmers Union’s Beginning Farmers Institute.

Beau Milton works as a licensed commercial herbicide applicator and general contractor in addition to starting a regenerative farm and assisting with his family ranch in Joliet. He has been selected to participate in National Farmers Union’s Beginning Farmer Institute.

How grazing corn residue

affects the soil

By Mary Drewnoski, Nebraska Extension Beef Systems Specialist

One of the most common concerns about grazing corn residue is that cattle will cause soil compaction. A long term grazing data (16 years) conducted at the University of Nebraska has shown no compaction when grazing in the fall or the early spring. In this longterm study, grazing did not impact soil nutrient content. Which fits well with expected impacts given that cows in mid-pregnancy retain very little nitrogen, phosphorus or potassium. Thus, they excrete in manure and urine most of what they consume resulting in very little nutrients being removed from the land. With long term grazing there was an improvement in subsequent soybean and corn yields. This could have been due to the nutrient cycling being sped up as there is an increase in microbial biomass in the soil in the grazed areas.

More recently, a study was designed to test an extreme scenario for spring grazing. The thought was that if grazing was to cause compaction, it was most likely to happen when the soil is wet and thawed and when a high stocking density was used. The field was grazed at the recommended rate by starting in mid-February with 3 hd/ac for 45 days (normal stocking) or starting in early March with 9 hd/ ac for 15 days (high stocking). Turn out of the higher stocking density groups was delayed until it rained to have the worst-case scenario. All groups were removed mid-March. There were some minor increases in bulk density (measure of compaction). The penetration resistance was also higher, and thus more down pressure had to be applied to get the soybeans planted. Down pressure applied at planting was 265 lbs in the non-grazed and 290 lbs in the grazed treatments. Much of the increase in penetration resistance is due to the soil having less cover and thus less surface soil moisture. The planting speed was also reduced due to the surface roughness. However, the subsequent soybean yields were still improved by grazing. While it is not recommended to graze late into the spring as this does have some downsides when it comes to planting, if cattle happen to be left out when a warm-wet spell occurs, there is no longterm damage to the land.

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Have you ever heard of a music group call Cellopane? They mostly wrap.

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How do you make a bandstand?

Take away their chairs.

#####

What kind of music do balloons hate?

Pop.

Animal education through 4-H program

By Melissa Mracek, Box Butte County 4-H Extension Educator

This fall, the Nebraska Extension 4-H staff will engage fourth-grade students from across the Panhandle in Animal Education. The educators will host several events across the region entitled “Animals Inside and Out.”

Traveling across the panhandle, Nebraska Extension 4-H staff will teach the program with the goal of students gaining a better understanding of where their food comes from, by-products, different careers working with animals, and learning about the body systems.

Throughout the day, youth engage in hands-on activities ranging from creating a ration, seeing an animal’s heart and how it works, making a joint, and so much more. This year, the team plans to interact with students from all eleven counties in the panhandle, reaching approximately 650 students.

The first events are being held in Chadron for all the North Panhandle students, Deuel County for Cheyenne and Deuel participants, and in Box Butte County. Last year, over 90 percent of the students stated they had done something they had never done before and that they better understand where our food comes from.

Grazing

Bt corn residue

By Ben Beckman, UNL

Corn residue is a valuable resource for grazing, but some producers believe cattle performance has declined with the rise of Bt corn hybrids. While Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis) traits protect corn against pests like corn borer, it has led some to question whether these hybrids affect the nutritional quality of corn residue. Today, let’s take a look and see.

In short, research indicates no significant difference in the digestibility of residue between Bt and non-Bt corn. Studies conducted by the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL) from 2001 to 2011 compared calf gains on Bt and non-Bt residue and found no variation in performance. Similar findings were reported in Iowa State studies with beef animals and UNL studies with dairy cattle.

So why do some producers feel otherwise? One possible explanation is increased cattle size. Larger animals require more feed than smaller animals of the past, and if stocking rates have not been adjusted accordingly, cattle may not be getting enough feed.

A second impact may be the reduced plant damage Bt corn from pests. Paired with more efficient harvesting methods, less grain may be left behind in the field for cattle to forage. This could lead to the perception of lower performance.

Finally, another factor is yield. As corn yields have increased, the quality of the residue, particularly leaves and husks, may have decreased. More energy is directed toward grain production, with less for the plant itself. Since leaves and husks are the main dietary components for grazing cattle, any decline in their quality can make it harder for cattle to meet their nutritional needs.

While Bt traits do not directly affect corn residue’s quality for grazing, secondary factors like animal size, less grain on the ground, and the impact of higher yields on residue quality must be considered. Effective grazing management is critical, especially for high-yielding fields, to ensure cattle are adequately fed.

Sarah Paisley, Garden and Morrill County 4-H educator, talks with children at a recent 4-H event. Photo by Chabella Guzman.

Vaccination limits

By Lisa Moser, K-State Research and Extension news service

In the fall, many folks get a series of annual vaccinations to help prevent severe sickness from a cadre of illnesses. Often, they turn to a medical professional to find out which vaccines may be given at the same time to limit their trips to the immunization clinic.

As with people, there are times in the year when cattle are given a series of shots to prevent illnesses, and that leads one to ask if there is a limit to the number of vaccinations that cattle can receive at one time.

That is the question Kansas State University Beef Cattle Institute veterinarians Brian Lubbers and Brad White answered on a recent Cattle Chat podcast episode.

“We need to be careful when administering bacterial vaccines that contain a lot of endotoxins because if the animal is exposed to too much endotoxin, it could go into shock,” Lubbers said. “Some believe giving multiple shots -- let’s say five -- at once can overwhelm the animal’s immune system, (thus) causing a lesser immune response than if those were given at different times.”

To keep the animal’s body from getting overwhelmed, Lubbers recommends spacing out the vaccinations.

“Timing of vaccinations matters, so maybe you give three in the spring and three in the fall instead of giving six at once,” Lubbers said.

The length of the immunity the vaccine provides is also variable, White said..

“There are some antigens or individual pathogens that we would expect a short-term immunity of six months to one year, and there are others that will provide a longer immunity,” White said. “Also, the protocol for cows and our ability to space out these shots is different than it is in calves.”

White advised producers to talk with their local veterinarian to make a plan. Ask the following questions: What is being administered in the current vaccination protocol?

Is there something missing that we should add?

What diseases have we seen in our herd?

What diseases are in the area?

What biosecurity practices should we be following when cattle are moved in and out of the herd?

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“He who is born with a silver spoon in his mouth is generally considered a fortunate person but his good fortune is small compared to that of the happy mortal who enters this world with a passion for flowers in his soul.”

Soybean tentiform leafminer found in Nebraska

By Wayne Ohnesorg - Extension Educator

Even though soybean fields are drying down and nearing harvest, the first case of a soybean field infested with soybean tentiform leafminer (STL) (Macrosaccus morrisella) in Nebraska was confirmed on Sept. 27, 2024. This is a native leaf miner that was known from two native plants: American hog peanut and slickseed fuzzybean. In recent years, STL has been observed infesting soybean.

*1989 Bourgault 600 Series Cultivator, FH 48 52 floating hitch, depth control, heavy duty shanks, quick change system; packers & harrows.

*1996 Bourgault 4350H Air Seed Cart, very low acres, tow behind and very clean. Kept inside.

*Grizzly 200 Air cart, 200bu/2 tank.

*Melroe 284 Drill Seeders (3).

*Melroe Gysler 70-ft loose hitch plow.

*Melroe Gysler 505 chisel plow GMH-28-31 with drag harrows.

*Victory Equipt Limited, V-Blade plow.

* International TD18 crawler 182.

*International model 32B Disc, 2 gang (3 sections).

*Grain bucket, homemade 4-ft. deep x 4-ft. ht x 10-ft. wide

*1983 Lux model #8X20X54 Grain Box, 20-ft. with roll over tarp, 500 bushel.

*’80s Degelman rock picker, needs tires.

*Broyhill pickup sprayer, 400 gallon, 36-ft. wide.

*Anhydrous trailer tanks, (used for fuel or propane).

*Sprayer with 110-ft. boom, has 5th wheel.

Miscellaneous

*HDG 9000E gas generator, 16HP OHV.

*HDD7999E diesel generator.

*Weather Guard Box, model #115-3 crossbox.

*Crossbox (2).

*Bridge beams (S24x100 & S20x66).

*Metal shipping container 12-ft. x 8.5-ft., no lid.

*Hydraulic hose crimpers.

*Remline Pro Series tool box on wheels, 18 drawer.

* Miscellaneous tanks, liquid tight (20K gal & 10K gal), $1/gal

* Guardrail, used, $1.75 per lineal foot Trailers

*1960 Martin Hyster mechanical neck, 34-ft. oal, king pin to axle 33-ft., belly 17-ft., air/5th wheel on back.

*1981 King oil field float trailer, model #4SW-DD-TB, 32-ft. with roll tail, king pin to back axle 27-ft.

*1968 Timpte dolly, single axle duals.

*Dolly, tandem axle duals, long boom.

*1991 Transcraft double drop trailer 44-ft., king pin to rear axle 40-ft., belly 23-ft.

*Willock trailer, 9-ft. wide x 42-ft. with roll tail, hitch & air /glad hands to back.

*1986 Fruehauf full trailer 32-ft. oal, 286/75R24.5 front and 11R24.5 rear, this is a 2+2, pintle book in front, storage box anc good decking.

Pete Air Track rear ends.

*2003 RiteWay Phoenix rotary harrow, model P-45, low acres, great for preparing seed bed, leveling ground, dry wet spots, rejuvenate hay fields, leaves trash on surface and fills in cracks to conserve moisture, down weeds chem free, good for no-till, 8-ft. gangs (4).

Vehicles

*1950-60s GMC truck cab & frame, Spicer gear box.

*1968 Dodge CT700 bridge/snooper/M137556, 6x4, no crane, 413 engine, air, tandem axle.

*1992 Cadillac Deville, 4dr sedan, V8 PFI engine.

*1976 Chrysler Cordoba

*1977 Dodge Daytona Charger

*1987 GMC bus, 36-ft. oal, 23-ft. from front axle to rear axle.

*1968 Chevrolet C20 pickup 3/4 ton, 283 engine, manual transmission, 2WD, 6 cylinder, 8-ft. box.

*1962-64 Dodge 330 sedan, blue, no engine.

Construction Equipment

*1960s Adams scarifier motor grader, 220 Cummins, manual.

*1968 CAT DW21C Scraper, cable, engine #58C315 Series C, electric start.

*International 175 Drott Skid Shovel track loader with canopy, 6 cylinder diesel.

*1952/3 Lorain Moto-Crane truck with boom.

The first reports of STL in U.S. soybean fields came from two counties near the Twin Cities Metro Area in Minnesota in 2021. During 2022, an additional 10 counties in Minnesota and three counties in South Dakota reported infested fields. North Dakota was added to the list of states with five counties reporting infestations in 2023. So far, Nebraska is the only state to be added this year. A single infested field has been found in Madison County.

3. Soybean tentiform leafminer

The adult STL is a very small moth (~1/8 inch). Wings are marked with orange, white and gray-black markings (Figure 1). Eggs are laid on the underside of leaves. Larvae hatch and burrow into the leaf, where they feed on leaf tissue. Feeding at first forms a serpentine-like mine. The mines later grow

CONTINUED ON PAGE A13

Figure 1. An adult soybean tentiform leafminer. While STL has infested fields in Minnesota, North and South Dakota since 2021, the soybean pest has now been discovered in Nebraska.

Figure 2. STL larvae feeding on soybean causes trademark white blotches on the leaf.

Figure

larva.

Soybean tentiform leafminer found in Nebraska

into patches or blotches (Figure 2). Multiple mines can be on the same leaflet. Mines don’t cross the midrib or major leaf veins. Larvae are pale green to white (Figure 3 and 4). Multiple larvae can be in the same mine. Larvae will spin a silk retreat in the mine to pupate.

At present, there are no known management methods for this insect. As fields in Nebraska are rapidly approaching harvest, there is little to be concerned with at this time. The next step will be to conduct growing season surveys of soybean fields to determine the prevalence of STL in Nebraska soybean fields.

Homemade Bread Day

This holiday is always observed on November 17th Bread has been made for thousands of years. Estimates date its origin back to 5000-10,000 B.C. Modern-day lifestyles have relegated homemade bread to the world of specialty baking and holiday baking. People just don’t have time to bake homemade bread. We turn to a quick “run” to bakeries and grocery stores, for our bread needs. The arrival of automatic bread makers has created a small resurgence of homemade breads, especially specialty breads. The purpose of this day is easy to make homemade bread, so, take a little time out of your busy day, and bake some bread. Your nose, your taste buds, and your whole family will be glad you did.

Although we often think of pumpkins as vegetables, they’re actually fruits! Pumpkins, along with cucumbers, tomatoes, and avocados, come from the flowers of their plants. That makes them all fruits.

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Figure 4. Soybean tentiform leafminer larvae.

MFB Foundation establishes Disaster Relief Fund

The Remington Fire that blasted up from northern Wyoming into southeastern Montana in late August burned 196,000 acres of grass, trees, hay, barns and most devastatingly, livestock. With erratic high winds and hot temperatures, ranchers had scant time to evacuate their animals. Livestock losses will not be entirely known until cattle are gathered this fall, but the loss is predicted to be substantial. Hearing about those losses caused ranchers across the state to step up to help.

During their annual meeting September 5, Big Horn County Farm Bureau members discussed ways to help ranchers who suffered huge livestock losses in the Remington Fire. Knowing that current donations were going for hay and fencing and realizing it would take time for the affected ranchers to grow grass again, the county Farm Bureau decided it would be best to help ranchers rebuild their herd next fall.

After extensive discussions and suggestions, the group determined that the simplest idea was for other ranchers to sell a cull cow, then donate the money from the bovine to the Montana Farm Bureau Foundation’s

newly formed Disaster Relief Fund. The Disaster Relief Fund will take general donations for any disaster relief. Ranchers can apply for that money to purchase livestock or for other ranch needs.

“It is a win-win working through the Foundation, as ranchers who donate money from their cull cows (or money in general) receive a tax deduction and ranchers who apply for funding can begin rebuilding their herds,” said Big Horn County Farm Bureau Secretary Gina Stevens. “It’s wonderful to see how generous everyone has been in helping ranchers rebuild following natural disasters such as the Remington Fire. We’re thrilled we were able to work with the MFB Foundation to establish general disaster relief fund.”

The Foundation began taking donations at http://mfbf.org/Foundation/Donate-Today. Mail checks to Montana Farm Bureau Foundation, 100 Red Mountain Drive, Suite 101, Bozeman, MT 59718. Please note in the memo that the check is for the Disaster Relief Fund. Questions? Call the Montana Farm Bureau at 406-587-3153.

Hold the net wrap and twine

By Erin Laborie, Nebraska Extension Educator

Net wrap is an efficient forage binding method and significantly reduces harvest and storage losses compared to twine. According to a forage binding survey conducted by South Dakota State University (SDSU), net wrap was the most preferred method of forage binding (67%) compared to twine (26%) or both (6%) depending on the crop harvested or livestock being fed.

Oftentimes, to save time and labor, net wrap or twine is not removed prior to feeding hay to cattle. The SDSU forage binding survey reported 54% of producers removed net wrap or twine when feeding bales whole, but only 11% of producers removed it when grinding bales.

Whether it occurs by accident or simply out of boredom, cattle can consume some of this net wrap or twine, which then accumulates in the rumen. The buildup of forage binding material in the rumen can result in cattle weight loss, diarrhea, and other symptoms similar to hardware or Johne’s disease.

Research by North Dakota State University (NDSU) has shown that the rumen microbes do not digest plastic net wrap or biodegradable twine. Sisal twine does get digested but at a much slower rate compared to hay. In another NDSU study, steers were fed net wrap in a ration until 14 days prior to harvest to determine if the material would pass through the digestive system. However, there was still a significant amount of net wrap remaining in the rumen after 14 days. In non-related livestock mortality cases, 26% of SDSU survey respondents had postmortem exams conducted by a veterinarian and 30% of those recovered net wrap from the animal.

Cows fed ground, net wrapped hay for 140 days in an SDSU study accumulated a softball-sized mass in the rumen consisting of 0.8 to 1.1 pounds of net wrap. The entangled mass of net wrap and feed measured around 3 feet in length when stretched out. Based on the amount of net wrap offered through the diet, about 53% of the net wrap was recovered through rumen evacuations. Research by Montana State University has shown similar results where 47% of the net wrap offered to cows was recovered from the digestive tract. While grinding net wrapped bales may reduce the particle size compared to feeding intact net wrap, health issues can still occur. It is important to consider how failing to remove forage binding materials may affect rumen function and capacity of the cattle being fed long-term. Due to differences in diet and the amount of baled forages consumed, cows are likely to be more at risk than feedlot cattle. There is no treatment available for the buildup of forage binding materials in the rumen, so prevention is key to avoiding any health issues.

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VEHICLES/TRAILERS

2006 Eclipse Attitude 33AKS 33 FT

3-Axle Toy Hauler

2015 Chevrolet 2500HD Silverado

Z71 Crew Cab 4X4 Pickup

2009 Chevrolet C4500 4X2 Service

Truck Mechanic w/Welder, Compres-

sor & 10,000lb Crane

Ford L9000 Water Truck, Front & Rear Sprayers and Hose

1972 Chevy Nova, w/ Pallets of Parts, Project Car

350 Chevy Long Block, Rebuilt, Never

Started

2014 PJ Trailers T6222 14000 LB 22

FT X 6 FT T/A Tilt Deck

2015 PJ Trailers DL142 14 FT X 7 FT

14000 LB Dump Trailer

Big Tex 14 GN 24’ w/ Overneck deck

2014 Chevy 1/2 T Reg Cab, 8’ Box

159K Miles

Jet Ski Trailers (2) 2 Place

Hummer H3 Golf Cart

2008 Mirage Enclosed Snowmobile

Trailer 26’

Ski-Doo MXZ Renegade Rotax 800R

Rev XP w/ Reverse

Ski-Doo Summit 144” w/ Reverse

Ski-Doo Summit Rotax 800 H.O. w/ Reverse 151”

Arctic Cat Firecat F5 500 Sno Pro

2005 Charmac Horse Trailer w/ Living Quarters

1996 Sundowner 4 Horse Trailer

NO RESERVES

CONTRUCTION EQUIPMENT

2010 Volvo L120F Wheel Loader

2006 Volvo L90E Wheel Loader

2010 Komatsu PC400LC-8 Tracked Excavator

2006 Kobelco SK160LC Tracked Excavator

1976 Caterpiller 120G Motor Grader

2006 John Deere 210LE 4X4 Landscape Loader

Asphalt Zipper AZ480S with trailer

American Compaction Excavator Wheel

Excavator Banana Bucket 7 yd

Excavator Bucket 6 yd

Excavator V Bucket 24” X 80” 4 yd

Excavator Bucket 30” 1 yd

Excavator Bucket Entex 2 yd

Excavator Finish Bucket 9’ 40’ Shipping Container/Connex

Bedding Tub 10-12 yd

Trailer Dolly

Volvo Bale Spears

Signs & Stands

Bulk Fuel Tanks up to 3000 Gallons

Shoring Box Sch. 80 Pipe, 4-10’, 8-12’

Double Coin REM2 Loader Tires, 20.5R25

MISCELLANEOUS

Harvest Right Dehydrator-Like New Husqvarna YTH 23V48 Riding Mower

Companion 5th Wheel Hitch

Loading Ramps 12’, 5000 lb.

Quonset Style Building Kit, Smaller Size

Commercial Retail Entry Door- New in Box Ratchet Chain Binders

AG RELATED

1991 Willmar 750 75 FT 4X4X4

Self-Propelled Sprayer 75 ft Boom

2017 John Deere 6120M 4WD Tractor 1223 +/- Hours

John Deere 3520 Utility Tractor w/ 300CX Loader- 1109 +/- hrs.

John Deere 348 SM Square Baler

Godwin Dri-Prime Irrigation Pump/ Dewatering Pump or Bypass

John Deere 375 Round Baler

John Deere 705 Rake

John Deere 74 Rake

TD3418 Tedder NEW , Never USED

New Holland 1079 Bale Wagon

International 18 FT FIELD Cultivator

Gheen Wheel Line 7’ Wheel, 5” Pipe (4) Like New

3” Hand Line Over 600 Pieces

5” Mainline w/ 4” Risers

John Deere 681 Tiller 3pt

T-Posts

Barbed Wire- Pallet

John Deere Gannon Box-Hydralic

John Deere MX10 Brush Hog

John Deere Auto Connect 72D Mower Deck

John Deere 681 Tiller 3pt

John Deere Brush Hog 6’ Sprinkler Parts- Valves, 90’s, Hoses Pipe Trailers (2)

Spreader 3pt

Fuel Tanks- Saddle & Bulk 50-3000 Gallon

MoCo Parts

Stock Panels

Life insurance backed buy-sell agreement

By Jessica Groskopf and Cindy Bojanski, CFP®,RICP®

Life insurance can be a key tool for farm and ranch businesses to provide tax-free death benefits at the death of the insured if the policy is structured correctly. This article will discuss using life insurance to fund a buy-sell agreement. Sometimes farms and ranches want to limit who inherits farm or ranch assets at the death of an owner. Coming up with cash at the death of an owner can be difficult for the surviving parties. One solution to this issue could be the use of a life insurance policy to fund a buy-sell agreement.

To illustrate how this tool could work, we have two people. A parent and an on-farm child. The parent is the insured, and the on-farm child will be the owner and beneficiary of the policy.

The parent owns the majority of the farm assets. The onfarm child has siblings who are not involved in the operation. According to the parent’s estate plan, the on-farm child will have to “buy out” their siblings at the death of their parent.

To ensure the on-farm child has enough cash at their parent’s death, the on-farm child will do two things. First, they will enter a formal buy-sell agreement with their parent, stating that at their parent’s death, they would buy any farm/ ranch asset from the estate, that they do not inherit, for a specific price. Second, the on-farm child will purchase a life insurance policy on the parent. The on-farm child will be the owner and beneficiary of the policy. At the parent’s death, the on-farm child would receive the death benefit, tax-free (if the policy is structured correctly), and purchase the farm from the estate.

Things to consider:

Know exactly what is being included in the buy-sell agreement. In the scenario above, the on-farm child is only purchasing farm/ranch assets that they do not inherit. Is it legal? Get a properly written buy-sell agreement. Make sure the agreement clearly outlines who has the right to purchase, what assets that are included, any conditions of the sale, when the sale can be made (at death), and how the purchase price is determined. Make sure the agreement is dated, signed, notarized, and placed with the other estate documents.

Is it affordable? The crucial question is if this tool is even feasible. The cost of a life insurance premium is based on the age and health of the insured, the amount of the death benefit, and the type of policy. For many families, the owner generation is an advanced age by the time they set up or share their estate plan. Sometimes the owner generation is simply not insurable. In other cases, the cost of the insurance is so high, this is an unusable tool. It should also be noted that some policies require the payment of the premium for the life of the policy. This is a long-term expense to the policy owner.

What is the purchase price? One of the biggest struggles families face when using this tool is determining the purchase price in the buy-sell agreement. This is difficult because it is difficult to determine the true value of the assets at the time of the insured’s death, which could be decades from now. Often, we will use a future appraised value, or tax assessed value.

What type of policy? There are many different types of life insurance policies. Work with a professional who understands the purpose of the agreement. They will help you select the right product for your needs. Term policies often don’t work in this scenario, because they expire after a certain amount of time either at a specific age or after a number of years.

Are there more than two people involved? Life insurance backed buy-sell agreement as illustrated in this article works well when there is an owner and on-farm heir or two partners in business together. However, if there are more people involved in the ownership of the farm or ranch assets, these buy-sell agreements can get significantly more complex.

How will the life insurance be owned? Recently, buy-sell agreements became more complicated with Supreme Court case Connelly v. US. Ownership of the policy for the purpose of buy sell agreements can be included in the estate if not structured properly.

Life insurance backed buy-sell agreements can be a useful tool. As always, work with a trusted attorney and insurance agent to develop these agreements.

To learn more about using life insurance in estate planning for farmers and ranchers, visit cap.unl.edu #####

Since pennies were introduced in 1787, more than 300 billion pennies have been produced. Today, there are about 150 billion pennies in circulation, enough to circle the earth 137 times.

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Jerad Jaborek, Michigan State University Extension

When interacting with livestock, especially in stressful situations such as transportation accidents, being aware of an animal’s behavior and body language is important for everyone’s safety.

Accidents are undesirable or unfortunate events that occur unintentionally and can possibly result in injury, damage or loss. Accidents involving livestock are not planned and represent a stressful environment for the animals. Farmers and truck drivers transporting livestock do their best to provide the livestock a low stress trip to their next destination. However, accidents involving livestock can occur due to unforeseen consequences. As a result, the Michigan State University Extension Emergency Response to Accidents Involving Livestock (ERAIL) team aims to prepare emergency first responders, law enforcement officials and others who may be the first to the scene of an accident.

Like humans, livestock species have behaviors and their own body language that can be interpreted by the handler interacting with them to maneuver the animal safely and effectively. Livestock are considered prey animals, and for this reason, they may interpret some of our behaviors as a threat and react by defending themselves or trying to escape from such threats. This is the case of the natural “fight or flight” response.

For many prey species, the location of the eyes are on the side of the head as compared to the front of the head for predator species. The advantage of eyes located on the side of the head allows for a greater field of sight, approximately 300 degrees, with a blind spot directly behind the animal (Figure 1). Additionally, much of the field of sight is monocular, with only a small portion being binocular vision in front of the animal, and another blind spot immediately in front of the animal. Due to the position of the eyes on the head of livestock (prey) species, there are a few animal behaviors and responses to be aware of when handling livestock.

When maneuvering livestock, you want to avoid standing in blind spots where the animal cannot see you. Standing in the blind spots of cattle and horses can startle them and provoke kicking as a defense mechanism. Standing slightly off to the side and out of kicking range is more ideal. Livestock handling tools that can act as an extension of your arm can help keep handlers safe from being kicked.

Since many livestock (prey) species also

have a blind spot located directly below and in front of them, changes in elevation or flooring can present challenges when moving livestock. Often livestock may need time for leaders to drop their head and inspect the flooring/ground elevation change before proceeding. Additionally, light and shadow contrasts can prevent livestock from moving in the desired direction. Keep this in mind as livestock are moved into blinding light outside of trailers or into trailers that may be dark or poorly lit inside.

Using solid siding gates or panels can limit or obstruct the view of livestock and prevent them from being deterred by nearby distractions that they may be able to see (e.g., flashing lights, other people walking by, etc.).

Cattle, goats and especially sheep have a strong herd instinct. As prey animals, they find safety within the numbers of their herd and being isolated presents vulnerability that can be perceived as dangerous. Whenever possible, maneuver these animals in a group to help keep them calm. Keep in mind, if or when single animals need to be separated from the group, they may try to rejoin the group. In an attempt to rejoin the group, the separated animal may be willing to run through or past livestock handlers with force to regain safety within the group.

Much like people have a personal space that surrounds them, livestock also have a personal space that they prefer people do not enter called the flight zone (Figure 2). The size of the flight zone can differ for different livestock species due to their different past experiences and management. It is important to keep in mind during stressful situations like traffic accidents that the flight zone of livestock animals can increase. Applying pressure or entering the flight zone of an animal will cause them to move away from you. As animal handlers, we can couple this concept with the point of balance of an animal to get them to move in the desired direction.

The point of balance is around the point of the front shoulder of the animal (Figure 2). Standing in front of the point of balance will cause the animal to turn away and go in the opposite direction when the livestock handler applies pressure by stepping into the animal’s flight zone. When attempting

Pumpkins are grown all over the world on six of the seven continents, with Antarctica being the sole exception. They are even grown in Alaska.

to get the animal to walk away from you, stand off to one side and behind the animal, where the animal can still see you. Talking to them quietly also lets them know where you are in case they lose sight of you. These animal behavior concepts affect the way we need to approach so we can handle animals safely and effectively at all times. #####

A hot water heater. Who heats hot water? This is similar to garbage disposal. Actually, the stuff isn’t garbage until after you dispose of it.

Figure 1. Field of view for many prey species of livestock, such as cattle. Illustration of field of view by Consortium of the Animal Transport Guides Project (2017a), cow graphic by Vecta.

Figure 2. Depiction of the flight zone and point of balance for livestock species. Photo by New Zealand WorkSafe Cattle Handling Guide.

Stress and parasite connection

By Lisa Moser, K-State Research and Extension news service

As many people know, stress can impact the body in many ways, from headaches to upset stomachs to making them more susceptible to picking up sickness.

Similarly, newly weaned calves that have been moved to a different location from their mothers and now have a grain-based diet offered to them can experience stress as a result of these changes. In some cases, that will make them more prone to disease, said Kansas State University veterinarians speaking on the Beef Cattle Institute’s recent Cattle Chat podcast.

One disease found in calves post-weaning is coccidiosis, K-State veterinarian Bob Larson said.

“Coccidiosis is caused by an internal parasite that is a single-cell organism that burrows into the intestinal wall and causes damage,” he said. “The coccidia organisms are commonly found in the environment, but they can cause a problem with calves that are experiencing stress.”

Larson said the telltale sign of this parasite is when calves are producing bloody diarrhea.

K-State beef cattle nutritionist Phillip Lancaster said that is quite different from the stool changes that happen when the calves are exposed to a different feed formulation.

“When calves are put on a new diet, their stool may be looser than normal, but it will have a consistency to it,” Lancaster said. “Calves with coccidiosis will have watery and dark stools, which come from the blood in the intestine. You won’t see that with healthy calves transitioning to a grain-type diet.”

For beef producers who think this is happening in their herd, K-State veterinarian Brian Lubbers said “the first step is to get the disease diagnosed, and that can be made from a fecal sample.”

He added: “There are several treatment options available, so just work with your local veterinarian to find the best one for your herd and then look at ways you can adjust your management to reduce the risk of a future outbreak.”

English is funny: Hey guys let’s get this hay baled so we can go home. I am tired and ready to hit the hay!

JIM NIELSEN INC.

Prevent wildfires while operating ATVs and UTVs

NDSU Extension, the North Dakota Parks and Recreation Department and the North Dakota Game and Fish Department remind all ATV and UTV drivers to help prevent wildfires when operating ATVs and UTVs.

All-terrain vehicles (ATVs) and utility-terrain vehicles (UTVs) can be a great resource for work or play for many user groups across North Dakota. However, due to the high fire risk in many locations across the state, they can also be a cause of concern if precautions are not followed while operating.

To protect people and property, NDSU Extension, the North Dakota Parks and Recreation Department, and the North Dakota Game and Fish Department are encouraging ATV and UTV owners to practice fire prevention techniques to prevent injuries and fire risks.

“All it takes is one spark to start a fire, whether that occurs while driving an ATV or UTV in a crop field, riding a fence line with tall, dead grass, or from simply parking the vehicle in an area with tall grass,” says Angie Johnson, North Dakota State University Extension farm and ranch safety coordinator. “Focusing on personal safety, such as always wearing a helmet during every ATV ride, and always wearing your seatbelt when driving and riding as a passenger in a UTV is incredibly important, but we must also be diligent in protecting property by practicing fire prevention techniques with our vehicles.”

Since ATVs and UTVs are used in agricultural, recreational and hunting settings, all ATV and UTV operators are asked to place personal and fire safety first during every ride – no matter the purpose of your ATV/UTV ride.

“We all play a role in preventing wildfires, especially under current conditions,” says Tony Hillig, North Dakota Parks and Recreation Department division chief. “To stay vigilant, we ask all riders to stay on designated trails, respect fire restrictions and keep your vehicle well-maintained to reduce the risk of starting a wildfire.”

North Dakota Game and Fish Department communications supervisor, Greg Freeman, agrees that all ATV and UTV operators must work together to protect our resources.

“Always know what the fire danger index and county burn restrictions are in your area before venturing out into the field,” says Freeman. “If you see something, report the situation immediately to law enforcement authorities.”

To identify the burn restrictions in your area, visit https:// ndresponse.gov/burn-restrictions-fire-danger-maps.

Fire prevention recommendations when using ATVs and UTVs:

Be sure chains and other metal parts are not dragging from your vehicle, as they can they throw sparks.

Check your tire pressure. Driving on an exposed wheel rim can cause sparks.

Stay on trails and avoid riding or parking in tall grass. Hot exhaust pipes can start the grass on fire. You may not even notice the fire until it is too late.

Never let your brake pads wear too thin as metal-on-metal causes sparks.

Make sure your spark arrester is installed and free of carbon build up.

Riders should carry a shovel and a water source or fire extinguisher when operating in high- or extremely-high fire conditions.

Johnson also encourages ATV and UTV owners to keep their vehicles clean to ensure rider safety and fire prevention.

“Take the time to clean your ATVs and UTVs, as plant seeds, leaves and stems can accumulate in certain areas of the machine, such as the undercarriage, frame and even the exhaust system, leading to an increased risk of fire,” says Johnson.

Review the owner’s manual for the machine to determine the best steps for cleaning the machine, being mindful of electrical components that may be sensitive to moisture.

“Heavy use of an ATV or UTV often leads to accumulation of debris, which can mask mechanical problems that could be easily identified on clean vehicles,” states Johnson. “Cleaning the vehicle to perform a regular check-up for maintenance and to reduce risk of fire hazards is a good practice. It also helps the operator ensure that the machine is in good condition for a safe riding experience.”

While geared towards preventing the spread of crop pests, such as noxious and invasive weed seeds, NDSU Extension’s fact sheet on ATV cleanup and sanitation at ndsu. ag/ATVcleaning, contains helpful guidance on cleaning procedures for all ATV and UTV owners, which can also help prevent fires.

Record 458 FFA jackets

To its owner, the FFA jacket is a physical reminder of the personal accomplishments achieved through the organization - a symbol of commitment and dedication for all who wear the corduroy. This fall, a record number 458 South Dakota FFA members from 88 chapters, will receive their own FFA jackets - carrying forward that long-standing tradition of pride, dignity and honor. Jackets were sponsored by various individuals through the SD FFA Foundation program, welcoming new members into the fabric of FFA. FFA members filled out the Blue Jackets Bright Futures FFA Jacket Program application, answering short essay questions about their FFA experience and goals, competing to earn their own FFA jacket instead of purchasing one.

When students join the FFA, they typically purchase or borrow jackets to compete in the many Career Development Events offered through FFA. The jacket is their team “uniform” to be worn at all official FFA events. The blue corduroy FFA jacket has been the status symbol of the national FFA organization since 1933, when delegates to the national convention voted to make the jacket part of the organization’s official attire, thus creating the long-standing tradition. Individuals and businesses interested in sponsoring an FFA jacket for a SD FFA member should contact Gerri Ann Eide, SD FFA Foundation Executive Director at 605-765-4865 or gerri@sdffafoundation.org. Sponsorships are $90 per jacket.

The SD FFA Foundation is proud to support Agricultural Education and the FFA’s mission to make a difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural education. For more information about the South Dakota FFA Foundation and South Dakota’s FFA programs, visit www.sdffafoundation.org or like us on facebook.

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FARM EQUIPMENT FOR SALE

2012 John Deere 4940 sprayer, 3695 hours, direct injection system, wet and dry system, 2 sets of tires.

$105,000

2011 Case Steiger 535 tractor, 10,347 hours, new hydraulic valves, articulating bearings, with GPS.

Wildfires can damage water systems and contaminate water resources

$110,000

2014 New Holland CR8090 combine, 2486 engine hours/ 1607 separator hours, new engine at 2216 hours with 40-ft. MacDon header

$175,000

2000 John Deere 9750 STS combine, 5051 engine hours/3765 separator hours, used engine at 4852 hours, 36-ft. header with pea auger, come with GPS and monitor.

$37,000

1999 Flexi-Coil drills, 45-ft with 12” spacing, 230 bushel cart with new stainless steel meter boxes and in tank cameras.

$20,000

1995 Wilson spray tender, 6400 gallon storage with Chemhandler, 3” piping, chemical pump. Comes with 2nd unused chemical pump and unused 2” pump.

$25,000 Parker 739 grain cart with hydraulic or PTO drive, 750 bushels, tarp, stored inside.

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ALIGNMENT SERVICE

Cut Bank Tire

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After a wildfire, chemicals, microorganisms, ash, sediments and other contaminants can enter a water system through damaged infrastructure and contaminate water sources. Exposure to contaminated water could have adverse effects to humans and animals, warns Laxmi Prasad, North Dakota State University Extension water engineer. Prasad encourages homeowners, ranchers, and others to conduct a visual inspection of their water system, repair damaged infrastructure, and test water before use. Owners can use the Rapid Assessment Form for Wells After Fires from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to assess risks to drinking water post-wildfire.

Private well and drinking water systems

For private well and drinking systems, Prasad recommends performing a visual inspection of the well and water system, including the piping and connections that supply water throughout the home or the facility. Here is a checklist of components to be inspected:

Check for electrical wires and connectors that supply power to the well.

Check well casing, above-ground piping, storage tanks, and overflow piping for damage.

Check for loss of water pressure.

Check for damage to water treatment equipment and electronics.

Check areas near the home for spills and contamination from household fuels, use of fire fighting chemicals and industrial chemicals.

If the water has a different color or odor and smells earthy, smoky or burnt, it may not be safe for consumption, according to Karl Rockeman, director of the Division of Water Quality at the North Dakota Department of Environmental Quality. He advises residents to thoroughly flush the well and water system and then test before consumption. Residents should not drink water until tested.

The Department of Environmental Quality (701-3285210) provides specific testing recommendations for suspected contamination. Before submitting a sample to a water testing laboratory, residents should contact the lab to determine what tests they offer, sampling procedures, the sample size required and the cost of the tests. A list of labs in North Dakota that test drinking water can be found at: ndsu.ag/watertest.

Livestock water

After a wildfire, ponds and streams may be at risk of contamination from sediment, ash, fire retardant, nutrients, and other pollutants. Unburned material and ash floating on water surface may indicate that water quality is impacted. NDSU Extension livestock stewardship specialist Miranda Meehan recommends ranchers test the water before allowing livestock to drink from it.

“Use an alternative water source or haul water until water has been tested,” Meehan says. “Watch for signs that your livestock may have ingested poor-quality water, such as reduced appetite, decreased water intake, or changes in behavior and performance. Contact your veterinarian immediately if you observe any changes in behavior or performance.”

Wastewater systems

Fire and heat can damage above ground septic water system components such as PVC piping and connections. Inspecting the system is key to detecting issues.

“If you notice any damage or malfunctioning, immediately stop using your wastewater system, and contact your city or county health department for guidance on repairing it,” Prasad says.

Electrical safety

Prasad also cautions owners to be aware of the risk for damage to electrical components and the wellhead. It can be dangerous to turn on the pump and water system if components have been damaged. In the case of power outages, a generator can be used to run the well. A licensed well contractor and electrician can determine correct capacity generator to suit the pump. Using an inappropriate generator could damage the pumping system. Practicing generator safety can help prevent electrical shock or damage to pumping system.

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Double cropping wheat behind grain sorghum

By Brent Bean, Sorghum Checkoff Director of Agronomy

Double cropping wheat after corn is a common practice in some regions, though it’s less frequently done after sorghum. This discrepancy can be attributed to two main factors: first, corn is often grown in areas with more irrigation or higher rainfall compared to sorghum; second, corn is typically harvested earlier, providing a longer window for wheat planting. Despite these challenges, with proper management and planning, wheat can be successfully grown after sorghum.

Timing is crucial for a successful winter wheat crop. The ideal planting date varies by region and environmental conditions. In semiarid areas, planting too early can deplete valuable soil moisture in the fall, leaving less water available for spring growth. Conversely, planting too late may restrict the wheat’s rooting depth before it goes dormant in winter, which can limit its ability to access deeper soil moisture in the spring. Late planting can also reduce tillering, directly impacting yield.

To optimize wheat planting time, an early harvest of sorghum is essential. Two main factors affect the timing of the sorghum harvest: the planting date and the maturity duration of the sorghum hybrid. Planting sorghum early and selecting a hybrid with a shorter maturity period are crucial for an early harvest. Additionally, once sorghum reaches physiological maturity and the grain moisture drops below 20%, applying glyphosate to terminate the sorghum plants is advisable. This practice prevents sorghum from using soil water that would benefit the wheat crop.

A misconception among some growers is that wheat cannot be planted after sorghum due to toxic substances produced by sorghum that can harm wheat. This is known as an allelopathic effect. While sorghum does produce compounds that can be toxic to other plants, the impact on wheat is greatly overstated. Many growers routinely plant wheat after sorghum without significant problems. To minimize potential allelopathic effects, consider the following management practices:

If soil erosion is not a concern, tillage of sorghum stover soon after harvest can speed up the degradation of any toxic compounds.

Delay wheat planting a few days to allow further degradation of any toxic materials.

Increase the wheat seeding rate by 25% to compensate for any potential reduction in seed germination and seedling vigor.

For no-till systems, use glyphosate to kill sorghum plants once they are physiologically mature. This approach provides more time for allelopathic compounds to break down. This also allows for wheat to be planted with a more optimal planting window.

When planting into sorghum stubble, add 30 pounds of nitrogen per acre above the normal rate. This additional nitrogen helps decompose sorghum residue and supports wheat tillering, ensuring a robust stand.

By following these guidelines, growers can effectively manage a wheat crop following sorghum, ensuring both optimal growth and yield.

Roosters for Recruitment Program

This fall, Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks will release nearly 18,000 birds on wildlife management areas, fishing access sites and some school trust lands around the state as part of its Roosters for Recruitment Program.

This is the third year of the annual Roosters for Recruitment pheasant release program. In 2022, the Fish and Wildlife Commission approved the release of up to 50,000 pheasants annually on state lands through 2026. In 2021, the Legislature authorized spending up to $1 million each year for the program. The program’s purpose is to get youth and new hunters out in the field and have success early to encourage future hunting and participation in conservation around the state. In Montana, like other states, fish and wildlife conservation is funded primarily through license dollars. Hunting and fishing are active ways to support wildlife management, habitat protection and conservation efforts. Montana is responding to the nationwide initiative to retain, recruit and reactivate hunters by implementing programs that offer increased opportunity and participation.

A map of the release sites is available at fwp.mt.gov/hunt/ roosters-for-recruitment.

FARM EQUIPMENT FOR SALE

K-State, USDA scientists awarded grant to battle invasive stored grain pests

By Pat Melgares, K-State Research and Extension news service

Scientists from Kansas State University and the U.S. Department of Agriculture have launched a project to improve biosecurity against a pair of insects that have battered America’s food supply for decades.

K-State professor of entomology Tom Phillips said the university will lead a $799,976 project funded by USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture to find ways to mitigate the spread of khapra beetle and the larger grain borer.

The two pests are known as stored product insects, or those that infest grain after harvest, as well as value added foods from grain.

America’s battle against the khapra beetle dates to the early 1950s when the government spent $125 million to eradicate the pest in three southwestern states. The larger grain borer has been found crossing the southern border from its normal distribution in south and central America.

“There are very few invasive or quarantine stored product insects,” said Rob Morrison, a research entomologist with the USDA’s Agriculture Research Service Center for Grain and Animal Health Research in Manhattan.

“However, khapra beetle and larger grain borer are two species that are considered quarantined, or species-ofconcern. They are both highly destructive; larger grain borer feeds mostly on corn and cassava, while khapra beetle is much less discriminate.”

Morrison noted that as trade increases globally, the number of khapra beetle discoveries also increases. The World Conservation Union lists khapra beetle as one of the world’s 100 worst invasive species.

The project being led by K-State aims to upgrade monitoring devices by using automated, remote trapping devices. Researchers also will test novel fumigants for their effectiveness against these two pests, one result of the phase-out of methyl bromide that begin in the late 1980s.

“Methyl bromide was characterized as an ozone-depleting substance (as a result of the 1980s Montreal Protocol),” Phillips said. “The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has already removed methyl bromide for general use, and it cannot be bought except for quarantine protection.”

He adds: “Because methyl bromide is such an effective, fast-acting fumigant, there is no current alternative that has replaced it. Quarantine is imperative for agricultural biosecurity; these key stored grain pests would greatly hurt our trade of grain and our economy.”

The five-year project began this summer and will continue through 2029. In addition to Phillips and Morrison, key collaborators on the project include Alison Gerken and Deanna Scheff from the USDA lab in Manhattan; and Christos Athanassiou, a professor at the University of Thessaly (Greece).

“We are working on stopping two highly destructive pests from getting into the food supply,” said Morrison, noting that bread, cereals and many foods common to the kitchen pantry could be affected.

“If these pests get into the food supply, it would not only raise our food costs, but would also likely bring hardship to the grain industry by limiting exports, and the resulting devaluation on infested, bulk-stored grains.”

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Khapra beetle and larger grain borer threaten U.S. food supply

ALFALFA HAY & CLEAN

WHEAT STRAW FOR SALE

1st and 2nd cutting alfalfa hay, tarped 3x4 bales. Also clean wheat straw. Phone (406) 600-4146, Bozeman, MT

DISCS FOR SALE

Krause 2165 Rockflex 45-ft. tandem disc, Serial # 1827, front spacing @ 8 and rear spacing @ 8 with 19” front blades and 21” rears, no scrapers.

Krause 1529 (not Rockflex) 19-ft. offset folding disc, Serial #1105, front spacing @ 8 and rear spacing @ 9 with 20” front blades and 18” rears, scrapers.

Both located 5 miles south of Terry, Montana If interested phone Andy Pehl, (406) 853-2327

Scott Schmiedeke (406) 240-2572

Victor, MT

Henry Kallis (605) 639-1904

Spearfish, SD

See us on the web: www.tte-inc.com

2012 Skytrak 10054 telehandler, 3785+- hours, 72” carriage, 60” forks, 3-way steering, stabilizers, frame tilt, foam filled tires, 10,000 pound lift capacity, 54-ft. reach, recent service, excellent condition, job site ready. Located in Spearfish, SD $62,900

2009 Cat D9T C18 Engine, 12,894 hours, current service records on hand, single tilt blade and single shank ripper. This is a clean machine with service records and undercarriage measurements available. Call for details. Located in Spearfish, SD $394,900

2022 Kubota KX040-4R3, 400 hours, manual coupler, 24” bucket, thumb, auxiliary hydraulics, cab heat and air, AM/FM radio. WARRANTY until April 2025 and emissions warranty until April 2028 if under 3,000 hours. Located in Spearfish, SD $53,500

2022 Kubota KX080-4S2 650+ hours, enclosed cab, heat and air, manual coupler, 30” tooth bucket with thumb and blade, auxiliary hydraulics. Located in Spearfish, SD $84,900

2014 SkyTrak 6036 3150 hours, OROPS, 3-way steering, all wheel drive, 4-ft. fork carriage with 4-ft. forks, 6,000 lb. lift capacity, 36-ft. reach, 21,000 lb. operating weight. Machine is in nice overall condition, serviced and job site ready. Located in Victor, MT . $42,900

Disaster assistance to ag producers in Montana impacted by drought and wildfire

Agricultural operations in Montana have been significantly impacted by drought and recent wildfires. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has technical and financial assistance available to help farmers and livestock producers recover from these adverse weather events. Impacted producers should contact their local USDA Service Center to report losses and learn more about program options available to assist in their recovery from crop, land, infrastructure, and livestock losses and damages.

USDA Disaster Assistance

Producers who experience livestock deaths in excess of normal mortality or sell injured livestock at a reduced price may be eligible for the Livestock Indemnity Program (LIP). To participate in LIP, producers will have to provide acceptable documentation of death losses or evidence of reduced sales resulting from an eligible adverse weather event and must submit a notice of loss to the USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) no later than the annual program payment application date, which is 60 calendar days following the calendar year in which the loss occurred. The LIP payment application and notice of loss deadline is March 3, 2025, for 2024 calendar year losses. Livestock producers who experience losses related to wildfire should check with their local FSA office for LIP eligibility criteria.

Also, the Livestock Forage Disaster Program (LFP) offers compensation to eligible livestock producers who have suffered grazing losses for covered livestock and who are also producers of grazed forage crop acreage of native and improved pastureland with permanent vegetative cover or acreage planted specifically for grazing. Grazing losses must occur on land physically located in a county experiencing a qualifying drought during the normal grazing period for the county. A list of qualifying counties with drought can be found here.

LFP provides compensation to eligible livestock producers who have covered livestock and who are also producers of grazed forage crop acreage on rangeland managed by a federal agency if the eligible livestock producer is prohibited by the federal agency from grazing the normal permitted livestock on the managed rangeland due to a qualifying fire.

The qualifying drought and qualifying grazing losses, and notification of prohibition to graze federal land due to fire, must have occurred in the grazing period and crop year. For grazing losses on rangeland managed by a federal agency, an eligible livestock producer may elect to receive assistance for losses due to drought conditions or fire conditions, if applicable, but not both.

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2005 Cat TH210 1955 hours, preemission machine, enclosed cab with heat and A/C, auxiliary hydraulics, joystick controls, skid steer quick attach, weighs approximately 12,500 lbs, 5000 lb lift, 18-ft. reach, has been through the shop, just serviced, excellent condition. Located in Spearfish, SD.. $59,900

Meanwhile, the Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honeybees, and Farm-Raised Fish Program (ELAP) provides eligible producers with compensation for feed and grazing losses. Livestock producers may be eligible for compensation for above normal costs of hauling water and feed/forage to livestock as well as transporting livestock to forage or other grazing acres. For ELAP, producers are required to complete a notice of loss and a payment application to their local FSA office no later than the annual program application deadline, January 30, 2025, for 2024 calendar year losses.

Additionally, eligible orchardists and nursery tree growers may be eligible for cost-share assistance through the Tree Assistance Program (TAP) to replant or rehabilitate eligible trees, bushes or vines. TAP complements the Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP) or crop

insurance coverage, which covers the crop but not the plants or trees in all cases. For TAP, a program application must be filed within 90 days of the disaster event or the date when the loss of the trees, bushes or vines is apparent.

“Based on your reported losses or damages, our local Farm Service Agency county office staff are ready to help connect you with the programs best suited to meet your wildfire and drought recovery needs” said Maureen Wicks, State Executive Director for FSA in Montana. “Our staff will do our best to work with the loss documentation you have available. We understand that these are trying times, and you’re pulled in many directions, so when you’re able, please get in touch with us to begin the reporting process. The sooner we have the information, the sooner we can get county committee action on your requests for assistance. Examples of loss documentation include but are not limited to farm records, herd inventory, receipts and pictures of damages or losses.”

FSA also offers a variety of direct and guaranteed farm loans, including operating and emergency farm loans, to producers unable to secure commercial financing. Producers in counties with a primary or contiguous disaster designation may be eligible for low interest emergency loans to help them recover from production and physical losses. Loans can help producers replace essential property, purchase inputs like livestock, equipment, feed and seed, cover family living expenses or refinance farm-related debts and other needs.

Additionally, FSA offers several loan servicing options available for borrowers who are unable to make scheduled payments on their farm loan programs debt to the agency because of reasons beyond their control.

The Farm Storage Facility Loan Program (FSFL) provides low-interest financing so producers can build, repair, replace or upgrade facilities to store commodities. Loan terms vary from three to 12 years. Producers who incurred damage to or loss of their equipment or infrastructure funded by the FSFL program should contact their insurance agent and their local USDA Service Center. Producers in need of on-farm storage should also contact USDA.

Risk Management

Producers who have risk protection through Federal Crop Insurance or FSA’s NAP should report crop damage to their crop insurance agent or FSA office, respectively. If they have crop insurance, producers should provide a notice of loss to their agent within 72 hours of initial discovery of damage and follow up in writing within 15 days.

For NAP covered crops, a Notice of Loss (CCC-576) must be filed within 15 days of the loss becoming apparent, except for hand-harvested crops, which should be reported within 72 hours.

“Crop insurance and other USDA risk management options are offered to help producers manage risk because we never know what nature has in store for the future,” said Eric Bashore, Director of USDA’s Risk Management Agency (RMA) Regional Office that covers Montana. “Times of disaster can be a trying time for producers, and they should stay in close contact with their crop insurance agent. Producers can be assured that the Approved Insurance Providers, loss adjusters and agents are experienced and well-trained in handling these types of events.”

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Disaster assistance to ag producers in Montana impacted by drought and wildfire

CONTINUED FROM PAGE A28

Conservation

Outside of the primary nesting season, emergency and non-emergency haying and grazing of Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) acres may be authorized to provide relief to livestock producers in areas affected by a severe drought or similar natural disasters. Producers interested in haying or grazing of CRP acres should contact their county FSA office to determine eligibility.

FSA’s Emergency Conservation Program (ECP) can assist landowners with financial and technical assistance to remove debris from farmland such as woody material, sand, rock and materials from collapsed hoop houses/high tunnels on cropland or pastureland. Through the program, FSA can provide assistance toward the restoration or replacement of fences including livestock cross fences, boundary fences, cattle gates or wildlife exclusion fences on agricultural land.

Additionally, the Emergency Forest Restoration Program (EFRP) can assist eligible owners of nonindustrial private forestland to also restore the land by removing debris, repairing forestland roads, and replacing fence. For both programs, farmers and ranchers should check with their local FSA office to find out about sign-up periods, which are set by the FSA County Committee.

The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is always available to provide technical assistance during the recovery process by assisting producers to plan conservation practices on farms, ranches and working forests impacted by natural disasters. The Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) may help producers implement conservation practices to make land more resilient in times of drought and fire.

“At USDA, we serve as a partner to help landowners with their resiliency efforts,” said Tom Watson, NRCS State Conservationist in Montana. “Our staff will work one-onone with landowners to assess the condition of their land, develop a conservation plan, and understand options that provide financial support for implementation.”

Assistance for Communities

NRCS’s Emergency Watershed Protection (EWP) program, assists local government sponsors with the cost of addressing watershed impairments or hazards such as debris removal and streambank stabilization.

The EWP program is a recovery effort aimed at relieving imminent hazards to life and property caused by floods, fires, windstorms and other natural disasters. All projects must have an eligible project sponsor.

Eligible sponsors include cities, counties, conservation districts, federally recognized Tribal nations, and others. Sponsors must submit a formal request (by mail or email) to the NRCS state conservationist for assistance within 60 days of the natural disaster occurrence or 60 days from the date when access to the sites become available. For more information, please contact your local NRCS office.

More Information

Additional USDA disaster assistance information can be found on farmers.gov, including USDA resources specifically for producers impacted by drought and wildfires. Those resources include the Disaster Assistance Discovery Tool, Disaster-at-a-Glance fact sheet, Loan Assistance Tool, and Natural Disasters and Crop Insurance fact sheet. Additionally, FarmRaise offers an FSA educational hub with LIP and ELAP decision tools as well as farm loan resource videos. For FSA and NRCS programs, producers should contact their local USDA Service Center. For assistance with a crop insurance claim, producers and landowners should contact their crop insurance agent.

A Sad Day in November

Many people in the US can recall what they were doing at 12:30 pm on November 22, 1963. It was on this day that President John F. Kennedy, known as JFK, was fatally shot while riding along with his wife in a procession of cars. He was rushed to a hospital all too late and was pronounced dead at 1 pm that day. Kennedy was the fourth US president to be assassinated, after Abraham Lincoln, James Garfield, and William McKinley.

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Bull management in the fall

By Lisa Moser, K-State Research and Extension news service

No matter the sport or age of an athlete, it is often recommended that at the end of the season, the body should be given time to rest. That body management strategy can apply to bulls after they’ve completed the breeding season, according to the experts at Kansas State University’s Beef Cattle Institute.

Speaking on a recent Cattle Chat podcast, K-State veterinarians Bob Larson and Brian Lubbers talked about bull longevity in the herd. In this case, it was bulls coming off of summer breeding pastures in spring calving herds.

“In single-sire herds in which replacement heifers are retained, the bull will need to be replaced more frequently (than with multiple sire herds) to avoid breeding sires to their daughters,” Larson said. “In a larger herd where the mating can be controlled, bulls may be able to stay in the herd 4-6 years or even longer.”

He said regardless of the bull’s age, breeding soundness exams need to be done annually near the start of the breeding season.

“As bulls get past middle age, their fertility starts to decrease,” Larson said. “They also start to have more musculoskeletal issues because of their size, and that can lead to foot and leg problems.”

Lubbers said fall is a good time to evaluate the hooves of the bulls because hoof growth slows in the winter weather.

“Fall is a good time to do some routine hoof trimming not only from the slowed hoof growth but also if they experience an injury in the process, there is time for them to heal,” Lubbers said. “And while it isn’t common, if there is a severe injury that happens when the bull is put on the trimming table, there is time to replace him ahead of the breeding season.”

Nutrition tips

Regarding nutrition management, K-State beef cattle nutritionist Phillip Lancaster offered some recommendations.

“Yearling and two-year-old bulls are still growing, so they will need a higher quality diet than mature bulls outside of the breeding season,” Lancaster said. “But they probably don’t need supplements unless they lost a lot of weight during the breeding season, and they need to regain body condition.”

He said producers should offer good quality hay to the younger bulls. Once he is mature, his nutritional needs are less so the quality of hay can also be decreased.

“A mature bull has the lowest nutritional requirements of any animal in the herd, so he can be fed the lowest quality hay due to his maintenance needs,” Lancaster said. Because of the different nutritional needs of cattle in the herds, Lancaster advised that producers separate the bulls from the cows when not in the breeding season.

“By leaving the bulls with the cows outside of the breeding season, nutritionally speaking, there is a risk that the bulls will get over-conditioned from eating the supplements that the cows need,” Lancaster said.

Fall grazing of alfalfa

By Jerry Volesky, UNL

Every fall, there can be some situations where there can be the potential to graze alfalfa. In some cases, the alfalfa may not have been big enough to warrant haying or maybe you have an alfalfa field that is adjacent to some cornstalks. A side benefit is that grazing alfalfa in late fall or winter can reduce alfalfa weevil infestations by removing stems and plant parts that serve as a wintering site or a spring laying site for weevil eggs.

Even through late October and into November, alfalfa is still quite green, despite several nights with low temperatures in the twenties. There may be some wilting and yellowing, especially on the top, but most leaves still are attached to the plant stems.

The real question often being asked is “Can I be sure my cows won’t bloat if they graze my alfalfa?”. To be quite honest, you can never be 100 percent certain that alfalfa won’t cause bloat. Bloat occurs in ruminant livestock when gas produced during fermentation becomes trapped inside the rumen.

Bloat risk is much lower a week after a hard freeze that causes wilting. But always use good management methods to reduce the risk further. Have cows full before turning out to alfalfa. Wait until mid-day, after frost or dew is gone, before turning out. Provide other dry, palatable feeds or even bloat retardants. And keep a close eye on them for the first couple days.

Alfalfa can be grazed safely. Just be careful and realistic.

Canola Production: A New Record

The first USDA production forecast for canola for 2024 is a record high 4.93 billion pounds, up 14 percent from 2023. Production in North Dakota will be the highest on record. Production in Washington will be the second highest on record. Area planted for the Nation, at a record high 2.76 million acres, is up 4 percent from the June estimate and up 14 percent from last year’s area. Canola growers expect to harvest a record high 2.72 million acres, up 4 percent from June and up 13 percent from 2023. Acreage updates were made in several States based on a thorough review of all available data. The October yield forecast, at 1,811 pounds per acre, is 18 pounds above last year’s revised yield in comparable States and will be the fifth highest yield on record.

The average yield forecast in Kansas and Oklahoma is up 600 pounds per acre and 1,000 pounds per acre from last year’s average yield in those States, respectively. Meanwhile, the average yield forecast in Montana is down 520 pounds per acre from 2023. Record high yields are forecast in Minnesota and Oklahoma.

The yield in North Dakota, the largest canola-producing State, is forecast at 1,880 pounds per acre, up 70 pounds from last year’s yield. Planted area in North Dakota is estimated at a record high of 2.15 million acres, up 11 percent from last year. #####

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USDA expands access to renewable energy in rural Montana

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced new investments in clean energy initiatives that will directly benefit rural communities in Montana. As part of a nationwide effort to combat climate change and lower energy costs, the USDA is partnering with farmers, small business owners, and electric cooperatives through the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) and the Empowering Rural America (New ERA) program.

“Farmers, rural business owners and electric cooperatives are the backbone of our economy, and we are partnering with them to expand their operations while creating jobs and lowering energy costs,” said Secretary Tom Vilsack. “The investments the Biden-Harris Administration are announcing today will support rural communities as they transition to clean energy and drive economic prosperity here in Montana and across this nation.”

In Montana, these investments include funding for projects such as energy efficiency upgrades at Umbrella LLC in Fromberg, MT and Patricia Alice Compton’s commercial office building in Cutbank, MT. Both projects will see significant reductions in energy costs through new equipment and energy-saving improvements. Umbrella LLC will replace aging HVAC and refrigeration systems, saving over $2,800 annually and reducing energy use by 16%. Patricia Alice Compton’s building will benefit from insulation and structural upgrades that will save nearly $2,000 each year, cutting 27% off energy bills.

Nationally, USDA announced the availability of $600 million in additional REAP funding made possible by President Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act. The funding will support agricultural producers and small businesses in lowering their energy costs while transitioning to clean energy sources. Additionally, the New ERA program will help rural electric cooperatives meet growing demand with reliable, low-cost clean energy solutions.

“These investments in Montana’s rural communities are key to ensuring that our farmers and small businesses can thrive while also moving toward a more sustainable and energy-efficient future,” said Kathleen Williams, USDA Rural Development Montana State Director. “Through these programs, we’re lowering costs, increasing energy independence, and creating local jobs.”

Applications for the next round of REAP funding are now being accepted, with deadlines of December 31, 2024, and March 31, 2025.

For more information about USDA’s renewable energy programs, contact Kathy Archer kathy.archer@usda.gov or visit https://www.rd.usda.gov/mt

Dry fall

By Ben Beckman, UNL

With dry conditions this fall, Nebraska livestock producers face several challenges, particularly regarding pasture health, alfalfa harvest timing, and late-seeded annual forages.

Drought reduces forage growth and quality, making pastures more vulnerable to overgrazing. This causes long-term damage to plant health and slows regrowth. To avoid this, adjust grazing rotations to allow pastures more recovery time and consider reducing herd size or pulling animals to prevent overgrazing. While dormant plants can handle more grazing pressure than those actively growing, the impact will still be felt next spring and care needs to be taken to adjust management as moisture patterns shift. Finally, keep an eye out for invasive species, which tend to thrive in stressed pastures.

Timing the final alfalfa harvest is another key concern in dry conditions. Without sufficient moisture, alfalfa regrowth slows, and harvesting too late can weaken the stand as it heads into winter dormancy. Producers must balance the need for forage with the plant’s ability to recover, ensuring that alfalfa has time to store energy reserves for the winter. Missing this window could result in weaker stands and reduced yields next spring.

One last consideration. Late summer or fall-seeded annual forages may struggle to establish due to dry soil, which limits their growth and grazing potential. Producers depending on these forages should consider irrigation, if available, or consider back-up forage sources.

By managing pastures carefully, timing alfalfa harvests strategically, and planning for potential forage shortfalls, we can better navigate the challenges of dry conditions this fall.

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Recipe Patch by Geri

Slow-Cooked Swiss Steak

1-1/2 pounds beef top round steak

1/2 tsp seasoned salt

1/4 tsp ground pepper

1 Tbls canola oil

3 medium potatoes

1-1/2 cups sliced carrots

1 medium onion, sliced

1 can (14-1/2 oz.) Italian diced tomatoes

1 jar (12 ounces) beef gravy

1 Tbls minced fresh parsley

Cut steak into 6 serving-size pieces; flatten to 1/4-in. thickness. Rub with seasoned salt and pepper. In a large skillet, brown beef in oil on both sides; drain.

Cut potatos into 8 wedges and slice carrots. In a 5-qt. slow cooker, layer the potatoes, carrots, beef and onion. Combine tomatoes and gravy; pour over the top.

Cook, covered, on low 5-6 hours or until meat and vegetables are tender. Sprinkle with parsley.

Slow-Cooker White Cheese Lasagna

1 pound ground beef

2 tsp canola oil

1-3/4 cups sliced fresh mushrooms

1 medium onion, chopped

2 medium carrots, chopped

2 garlic cloves, minced

2 tsp Italian seasoning

3/4 tsp salt

1/2 tsp pepper

1/2 cup chicken broth

1 cup half-and-half cream

4 ounces cream cheese, softened

1 cup shredded white cheddar cheese

1 cup shredded Gouda cheese

1 large egg, beaten

1-1/2 cups 2% cottage cheese

4 teaspoons dried basil

9 no-cook lasagna noodles

4 cups shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese

Fold two 18-in. square pieces of heavy-duty foil into thirds. Crisscross strips and place on bottom and up sides of a 6-qt. slow cooker. Coat strips with cooking spray.

In a 6-qt. stockpot, cook beef over medium heat until no longer pink, 6-8 minutes, breaking into crumbles; drain. Remove beef from pot and set aside.

In the same pot, heat oil over medium-high heat. Add mushrooms, onion and carrots; cook and stir just until tender, 6-8 minutes. Add garlic, Italian seasoning, salt and pepper; cook 1 minute longer. Stir in broth. Bring to a boil; cook until liquid is reduced by half, 4-5 minutes. Stir in cream, cream cheese, cheddar and Gouda cheeses. Return beef to pot. In a large bowl, combine egg, cottage cheese and basil.

Spread 1 cup beef mixture into slow cooker. Layer with 3 noodles (breaking noodles as necessary to fit), 1 cup beef mixture, 1/2 cup cottage cheese mixture and 1 cup mozzarella cheese. Repeat layers twice. Top with remaining beef mixture and mozzarella. Cook, covered, on low until noodles are tender, 3-4 hours. Remove slow cooker insert and let stand 30 minutes. If desired, sprinkle with additional basil. Using foil strips as handles, remove lasagna to a cutting board or platter.

Slow-Cooked French Onion Soup

2 Tbls butter, cubed

2 large sweet onions, halved and thinly sliced

1 large red onion, halved and thinly sliced

1/2 tsp coarsely ground pepper

3 cans (10-1/2 ounces each) beef broth, undiluted

3 cups water

1 tsp thyme

½ tsp parsley, optional

1 bay leaf

2 tsp Worcestershire sauce

16 slices French bread (1/4 inch thick)

3/4 cup shredded Swiss cheese

Place butter in a 5-qt. slow cooker. Top with sweet and red onions; sprinkle with pepper. Cook, covered, on low until onions are tender, 5-6 hours.

Stir in broth, water, herbs and Worcestershire sauce. Cook, covered, on low until flavors are blended, 2-3 hours. Remove bay leaf.

To serve, preheat broiler. Place bread on a baking sheet; broil 4 in. from heat until lightly toasted, 1-2 minutes per side. Top bread with cheese; broil until cheese is melted, 1-2 minutes. Top with cheese toasts and serve immediately.

New weed treatment guide from UW Extension

The University of Wyoming Extension has released a new, user-friendly resource to help gardeners, landowners and agricultural producers identify effective weed control options.

The digital guide, which is presented in an easy-to-read table format, offers treatment suggestions for specific Wyoming state-designated noxious weeds, county-declared weeds and common garden weeds. Potential control methods for each weed are ranked as effective, somewhat effective and ineffective.

In addition to the table, which lists treatment options for more than 50 weed species, the guide also provides general weed control tips and recommendations for further reading.

“I wanted to create a ‘one-stop shop’ for people trying to treat weed problems,” says Abby Perry, UW Extension educator and author of the new publication. “I also wanted to create something that gave people options for success but also options to avoid and I think this table lets them do that at a glance.”

While the guide was compiled with Wyoming residents in mind, many of the species listed also affect gardeners and producers on a larger regional scale.

Depending on the target species, control options may include hand pulling, tilling, mowing, revegetation or outcompeting, smothering, grazing, herbicide treatments, or biological control. If more than one option is listed as effective, Perry suggests experimenting with a combination of strategies, an approach that often improves overall control.

She also emphasizes that while the peer-reviewed, researchbased guide is a handy tool, each person’s situation is unique. “Treatment methods can behave differently in different ecosystems across the state and within different landscape settings,” she advises.

To download a free copy of the new publication, titled “Weed Treatment Options,” visit https://bit.ly/weed-treatment. Contact Perry at ajacks12@uwyo.edu or (307) 328-2642 with questions. For assistance with weed identification, contact a local extension or weed and pest district office. For advice on creating a comprehensive management plan, contact a local weed and pest office.

Have you used artificial intelligence?

By Julie Garden-Robinson, NDSU Extension food and nutrition specialist

“Write an article in the style of Prairie Fare about dogs and green beans,” I told an artificial intelligence (AI) program called ChatGPT.

The person sitting next to me during a session about AI suggested the topic.

I learned that ChatGPT somehow “knows” me. It described my Prairie Fare column when I gave it the command. By the way, GPT is short for “Generative Pre-trained Transformer.”

I thought it knew too much about me. I have “Siri” and “Alexa” devices on my phone and in my home. Are these devices listening to me and reporting the information to the digital universe?

After the dog and food suggestion, I noted a disclaimer that the information provided might be inaccurate. That certainly did not fill me with confidence about the mystical powers of AI.

An article appeared on my screen. It told the story about “my” dog, Buddy the retriever, who was advised by his veterinarian to eat green beans to lose weight.

I do not have a retriever named Buddy. I highly doubt that a veterinarian would advise a green bean diet.

Maybe the devices are not tuning into my life. I think I will disconnect some of these electronic listening ears, though.

We all leave a virtual trail if we shop online or explore various websites. These digital bits of information are called “cookies.”

You may have noted that products are suggested on social media if you shop online or explore websites. As a result of my purchases, I am constantly being shown new cookbooks and dog supplies on social media.

Nearly every conference I have attended in recent years has a session on AI and its uses. Being on a university campus, our faculty are figuring out how to use this new technology in education.

The technology will continue to evolve, and experts predict it will make us more efficient.

If you search online for a topic, you probably will encounter the “AI Overview” at the start of the message back to you. How can you tell if information is trustworthy? We often use a system developed by librarians at California State University – Chico called the CRAAP test. That’s quite memorable, isn’t it? You may pronounce the acronym however you would like.

It stands for currency, relevance, authority, accuracy and purpose

Let’s dig deeper. When looking for information, you want it to be recent (current) and to answer your questions at the appropriate level. Is it relevant to you? Are you the intended audience

You also want to know whether the author has any authority on the topic, and whether the information is accurate (based on recent research). You also want to know the purpose of the information. Is it trying to sell you something or simply be informative and helpful?

You can use this simple test to “sniff out” false information about nutrition, health, food preservation and other topics. Well, I need to go check on my dog Buddy. Oops, I do not have a dog by that name.

I am keeping an open mind, but I do not plan to ask AI to write my Prairie Fare column. That’s where you can help me. For the last few years, I have done random drawings for Field to Fork calendars with 12 new recipes and lots of tips. I ask you to suggest a potential topic for a future Prairie Fare column by November 15. Simply visit www.surveymonkey.com/r/2025NDSUCalendar or email me at julie. garden-robinson@ndsu.edu using the subject line “Calendar Drawing.” Please let me know a topic idea, along with your name and mailing address. You may be a lucky winner of one of 50 calendars.

I promise not to use your information for anything but the drawing. Your topic idea may appear in a future Prairie Fare column, so I thank you.

Here’s a colorful recipe featuring fiber- and protein-rich lentils and vegetables with feta cheese, olives and a light dressing. The Mediterranean Diet has been linked to hearthealth benefits through years of research. See www.ag.ndsu. edu/food and check out our many recipes and videos.

CONTINUED ON PAGE A41 ##### What do you get when you drop a pumpkin? Squash.

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2023 John Deere 6R 175 (PH), Stk #83972, 271 Hours, Loaded with IVT, Triple Link Suspension, Gen 4 4600 Command Center, Loader with Grapple

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2023 Case IH Magnum 400 AFS (PI), Stk #85810, 30 Hours, Suspended Front Axle, 6 SCV’s, Dual Pump, Luxury Leather Cab, Dual Tires All Around, Cab Suspension

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2023 John Deere 8R 410 (PH), Stk #85437, 255 Hours, Signature Edition, ILS Suspension, 4600 Command Center, 50K Transmission E23, MFWD with Suspension, Guidance Ready, Duals All Around

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2022 John Deere 9RX 640 (WA), Stk #84952, 502 Hours, Signature Edition, Heavy 36” Tracks, PTO, Premium 4.0 Automation Activation, 8 SCV’s, PowerGard Warranty 10-25 OR 1500 Hours

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2022 John Deere 7R 210 (WI), Stk #82853, 1,522 Hours, 40K IVT Transmission, 4600 Command Center & AT Activation, 4 SCV’s, Mid SCV with 3 Function Joystick & Foot Throttle Speed Control

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2024 NDSU Extension Farm Safety Camp participants recognized

Participants of the 2024 North Dakota State University Extension Farm Safety Camps are being recognized for their efforts to implement farm and ranch safety practices.

“In honor of National Farm Safety and Health Week, the North Dakota State University Extension farm and ranch safety team is celebrating the work of 16 youths who participated in the Slow-Moving Vehicle Challenge,” says Angie Johnson, farm and ranch safety coordinator for NDSU Extension.

National Farm Safety and Health Week is celebrated each year the third week in September.

Youths who participated in the 2024 NDSU Extension farm safety camps received a new slow-moving vehicle sign from Bobcat, Extension’s farm safety camp partner. Camp leaders challenged the young people to identify an unmarked piece of farm or ranch equipment that travels on public roadways and install the new sign.

Many slow-moving vehicle signs on farm equipment are faded, broken or missing. As part of the challenge, participants took a photo of equipment in need of a new slowmoving vehicle sign. Then, they installed the slow-moving vehicle sign and took a photo of its placement.

Bobcat’s product safety team, comprised of engineers and safety professionals from across the U.S., reviewed the before and after photos. These safety professionals then selected three winners based on the slow-moving vehicle sign standards set by the American Society of Agricultural Biological Engineers.

The top three winners for the 2024 Slow-Moving Vehicle

First place – Ashley Steger of Richland County, North Dakota, for installing a slow-moving vehicle sign on a John Deere double plow.

Second place – Aaron Ward of Custer County, Montana, for installing a slow-moving vehicle sign and building a new sign holder for an International Cub tractor.

Mediterranean-style Greek Lentil Salad

1 cup dry lentils

1½ cups water

½ cup Kalamata olives, cut in half

½ cup onion, chopped

1½ cups grape tomatoes, halved

½ cup green peppers, chopped

1 cup cucumber, diced

¼ cup feta cheese, crumbled

¼ cup fresh parsley, chopped

¼ cup olive oil

¼ cup lemon juice

1 tablespoon dried oregano

Combine lentils and water in a pot, bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer until tender (about 15-20 minutes), then drain and cool. In a large bowl, combine lentils, olives, onion, tomatoes, green peppers, cucumber, feta cheese and parsley. Whisk oil, lemon juice and oregano together. Toss salad with dressing to coat.

Makes eight servings. Each serving has 220 calories, 9 grams (g) fat, 4 g protein, 13 g carbohydrate, 3 g fiber and 90 milligrams sodium.

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#####

A lady was picking through the frozen turkeys at the grocery store for Thanksgiving Day, but couldn’t find one big enough for her family. She asked a stock boy, “Do these turkeys get any bigger?”

“No, ma’am. They’re dead.”

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2024 NDSU Extension Farm Safety Camp

Third place – Bella Wimer of McLean County, North Dakota, for installing a slow-moving vehicle sign on her horse-pulled cart.

“We know that habits start early in life,” says Amelia Doll, product safety communication specialist for Bobcat. “Partnering with NDSU Extension to help build safe habits when operating equipment has been a great opportunity for Bobcat. We know youth initiate change on and off their farms. These positive and safe habit changes transfer to others on the farm. The partnership between Bobcat and NDSU Extension has been a great opportunity to instill safe operating practices for these operators to use and teach others around them.”

Slow-moving vehicle signs are triangle-shaped emblems with a fluorescent orange center and a reflective red border. When equipment operators are moving equipment on public roadways, a slow-moving vehicle sign is required by law to be placed on the equipment. These signs help alert rear-approaching traffic of a slow-moving vehicle, so motorists can slow down to avoid a rear-end collision with the equipment.

“If a car is traveling 60 mph and is approaching a tractor ahead of them that is driving 20 mph, it only takes the car 6.5 seconds to travel 400 feet to reach the tractor – this is a common way that motorists can get caught in a rear-end collision with farm equipment on the roadway, especially if motorists are distracted while driving,” Johnson says.

Slow-moving vehicle signs are only allowed on equipment that travels less than 25 mph and are not to be used on stationary items, such as mailboxes, fence posts or gates.

“The challenge was a great opportunity for youth to put their new knowledge into practice by drawing attention to slow-moving vehicles across the state,” Doll says. “Often, roadway crashes involving farm equipment happen when drivers misjudge the distance between themselves and farm equipment.”

“This contest helped to connect our future drivers with farm equipment roadway safety,” Johnson says. “Whether you are driving farm equipment or a car, it is always your responsibility to be a defensive driver and share the road. We cannot thank Bobcat enough for partnering with us to provide each farm safety camp participant with a slow-moving vehicle sign to install on their own farm equipment. Farm safety is a team sport – requiring everyone to play and be committed to practicing safety first.”

During National Farm Safety and Health Week, the NDSU Extension farm and ranch safety team challenges all farmers and ranchers to review and replace any worn or missing slow-moving vehicle signs from slow-moving equipment. For more information on slow-moving vehicle laws and sign placement, visit: ndsu.ag/roadsafety and click on the “ND Agriculture Transportation Handbook” for more details.

guess - sampling and testing hay

By Aaron Berger, Nebraska Extension Beef Educator

Accurately sampling and testing hay is the only way to get a real understanding of the nutritive value of feed. Using values from previous years or a “book value” can be costly since a producer may incorrectly develop a ration using values that aren’t representative.

Guidelines for sampling

When sampling hay, getting a representative sample is a critical first step. Samples must accurately represent the entire lot of hay. The UNL NebGuide “Sampling Feeds for Analyses” (PDF version, 655KB) states that a “lot” of hay should be harvested from the same field consisting of similar types of plants, cutting dates, maturity, variety, weed contamination, type of harvest equipment, curing methods and storage conditions.

Hay samples should be taken using a hay probe or a core sampler. The hay probe should penetrate at least 12-18 inches into the bale and have an internal diameter of at least 3/8 of an inch. Avoid getting hay probes hot when using a drill to drive the probe into the bale since friction from high speeds can heat the probe to a point where it damages the hay sample. To get a representative hay sample from a “lot” of hay, select 15-20 bales in the lot. Once all of the samples for a “lot” have been collected, the samples may need to be sub-sampled to get the feed down to a size that can be sent in for analysis. The UNL NebGuide “Sampling Feeds for Analyses” walks through a step-by-step process to do this.

Once hay samples have been taken, store in a plastic sealed bag in a cool, dry place until the sample is ready to be submitted. Samples that contain over 15 percent moisture should be frozen. Most commercial labs provide an information submittal form that allows producers to select a standard feed test for forages.

Analyze for moisture, protein, and energy

Cattle feeds should be analyzed for moisture, protein, and energy. Producers may also want to have forages tested for key minerals. When developing a ration for cattle or comparing feeds to one another, always utilize the nutrient analysis on a dry-matter basis. After formulating a ration on a dry-matter basis, the values can then be converted to an as-is basis using the moisture content of the feed to determine the actual amount of feed that should be fed to the cattle on an as-is basis.

Analyze forages for nitrates

In addition to moisture, protein, and energy, annual forages harvested for hay, such as foxtail millet, oats, sudan grass, and sorghumsudan hybrids, should be analyzed for nitrates. The only way to know if high levels of nitrate accumulation have occurred is to test for it. See the UNL NebGuide “Nitrates in Livestock Feeding” (PDF version, 319KB) for additional information.

Conclusion

Accurately testing hay takes time and money. However, the value of this information is critical in accurately and cost-effectively formulating rations. Don’t let the small investment of time and money discourage you. It may be some of the best time and money you can invest in your operation.

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Varying in-field moisture makes corn harvest, drying, storage a challenge

Due to a challenging spring planting season, corn has varying moisture levels between fields and even within fields. This may be due to replanted portions of fields, with the initial planted acres at about 15% while the replanted acres are still in the upper 20% moisture range.

“One option is to segregate harvest as much as possible,” says Ken Hellevang, professor emeritus and retired North Dakota State University Extension agricultural engineer. “Harvest the initial planted acres now, then come back to harvest the replant acres once they’ve dried down near or below 20% grain moisture.”

The NOAA Climate Prediction Center Outlook through the latter part of October is for continued drier- and warmer-thanaverage conditions. The Iowa State University corn dry-down calculator estimates that 28% moisture corn in Ransom County will dry down to about 20% by the end of October. Typically, little drying occurs during November, so late October is normally when harvest and drying is recommended. If all the corn is left standing until the replant areas dry down, the corn that is at 15% moisture now is not expected to dry

below about 13-14%, due to that being the corn equilibrium moisture content for late October weather conditions. However, there is a risk of preharvest losses due to ear drop or stalk breakdown.

“Scout the corn to check for stalk integrity. Push the plant sideways about 8 to 12 inches at ear level. If the stalk crimps near the base or fails to return to the vertical position, stalk rot is indicated. Also, look for ear drop and ear shank weakness. Most corn hybrids today have good stalk and ear shank strength,” Hellevang says.

Corn with a large moisture variation dried in a high temperature dryer will have a large moisture variation after drying. The high moisture corn will dry some and the 15% corn will dry to a very low moisture content. Some of the newer dryers mix the corn in the drying column, which is beneficial. However, a moisture variation will continue in storage. If 20% moisture corn kernels are mixed with 10% moisture kernels, the 20% may come down to 17% and the 10% increase to 13%, but the corn moisture content does not equalize. Extended aeration will help with some moisture equalizing, but it will not reach the average moisture content. Also, kernels segregate as they flow into a grain bin, so if there is a variation in kernel size or density, pockets of wet corn may occur. Even corn harvested with moisture variations of 14% to 20% will have a moisture variation after drying, and aeration for longer than typical is recommended along with more care in storage management. Corn at moisture contents exceeding about 20% cannot be dried using natural air drying.

The two preferred options for large corn moisture content variations in a field are to wait for the highmoisture corn to dry before harvesting the field, or to harvest the dry portion now and wait for the rest to dry. Drying and storage concerns will arise if the corn is dried with large moisture content variations, warns Hellevang. Corn should be aerated immediately after being placed into storage to ensure the corn has been cooled to below 70 degrees Fahrenheit and cooled as outdoor temperatures cool until it is 20 to 30 degrees for winter storage.

#####

The ones who feel the most thankful during Thanksgiving are usually the ones who don’t have to do any cooking.

#####

Vegetables are a must on a diet. I suggest carrot cake, zucchini bread, and pumpkin pie.

#####

NASA astronauts John Young and Gus Grissom onboard the Gemini 3 mission were the first to make a sandwich from bread while in space.

18

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2 W Spreading, Choteau MT B20

3V Distributing, Conrad MT C40

5 Gen, Great Falls, MT A16

7 W Enterprises, Inverness MT B5

A-Plus Auto, Great Falls MT A30

Abilene Machine Inc, Abilene KS A24

Accelerated Metal Solutions, Glendive MT C22

Action Toys, Billings MT A41

Affordable Construction Equipment, Billings & Bozeman MT C27

Ag Trucks & Equipment, Great Falls MT C43

Ag Wise, Kremlin MT C23

Albaugh, LLC, Seed Start C8

Badland Truck Sales, Glendive MT A7

Beartooth Mahindra, Billings MT A19

Belle Pulses USA, Hingham MT A5

Ben Taylor, Valier & Shelby MT B23

Big Sky Equipment, Conrad MT B12

Big Sky Pipe, Great Falls MT C26

Big Sky Sawmill & Wood Products, Vaughn MT B10

Billings Farm & Ranch Supply, Billings MT A24

Bjorn Johnson Construction, Missoula MT C36

Bouma Truck Sales, Choteau, Great Falls MT INSERT

BTI Feeds, Cut Bank MT B23

Bull Mountain Fencing, Yoder, Dan, Roundup MT B18

C & B Operations, LLC, Billings, Culbertson & Plentywood, MT, Sheridan, WY, Powell, WY C32, C33

Cascade Machine & Supply, Great Falls MT B20

Central Heating & Air Conditioning, Billings, MT B15

Central Montana Distributing, Great Falls MT C14

Centrol Crop Consulting LLC, Brady & Conrad MT C35

Churchill Equipment, Manhattan & Belgrade MT A11

Clearview Seed, Denton MT B2

Cut Bank Tire, Cut Bank MT A22

Dakota Truck & Farm, Minot ND C42

David Steed Company, Idaho Falls, ID C44

DBL Sales & Service, Coffee Creek MT A43, C28

Doane Western of Montana, Bozeman MT C22

Double Diamond Truck & Equipment Sales, Missoula MT A38

Dry Fork Ag, Ledger MT C31

Equipment Share, Billings, MT C2

Evergreen Wood Products, Moore MT C20

Express Feed & Grain Parts, Norfolk NE B9

Fire Pro Extinguishers, Pavillion WY A36

First State Bank, Shelby, MT A36

Fisher Metal Products, Fort Benton, MT B7

Flaman Rentals, Power MT A44, B10

Fox Ford, Wolf Point MT A40

Fraser’s Oil Inc., Inverness MT C4

Frieling’s Agricultural Equipment, Great Falls MT A31, A37, C1, C19, C37

Frontier Precision (formally Triangle Ag), Fort Benton MT C35

Frontline Ag Solutions Dillon, Dillon MT C13

Frontline Ag Solutions, Multiple locations MT C8, C9

Glass Trucking, Denton MT C20

Golden Harvest Seeds, Big Sandy MT A34

Gordon Repair, LLC, Miles City MT A32, B17

Great Plains, Dealers C5

Greenway Seeds, Caldwell ID A22

Greyn Fertilizer, Choteau, Dutton, Valier MT A3

Grossenburg Equipment, Multiple Locations SD, Multiple Locations NE, Sundance WY A39

Hamilton Systems, Inc. Hamilton ND A42

Heartland Ag Systems - Titan Applications, ID, KS, MT, ND, NE, SD, WA A43

Hedman, Inc, Grass Range MT B13

Helfert’s Helena Farm Supply, East Helena MT C34

Henke Enterprises, SprayFlex & Big Dog Mowers, Chester MT C11

Holst Truck Parts, Ucon, ID C25

Hotsy Wy-Mont, Great Falls & Billings MT A21

Hoven Equipment Co., Great Falls & Lewistown MT C40, C41

Hwy 12 Equipment & Repair, Baker MT B17

J & T Equipment Sales, Stevensville MT C6

J Bar T Bins & Steel Buildings, Chester MT C20

Jamieson Motors, Inc., Chinook MT C10, C38

Jim Nielsen Trucks & Parts, Butte MT A20

JNJ Contracting & Machinery Sales, Helena MT A32

Johnsen Trailer Sales, Inc., Bismarck & Fargo ND C37

Kois Brothers, Great Falls & Billings MT A36

Krogmann Mfg. C12

Lakeland Feed & Supply, Dillon & Hamilton MT C12

Lattin & Sons, Power MT A44, B10

Laurel Trading Post, Laurel MT A38

M & M Auto, Trailers, & Welding, Stevensville MT A16

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M & W Machine, Three Forks MT B8

Mahindra, Beartooth Harley Davidson, Billings

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Marks Lumber, Clancy MT B2

Mineral Tub Lifter, Malta MT C18

Missouri River Realty, Glasgow, Malta, MT B5

Montana Ag Safety Program B16

Montana Airguns, Great Falls, MT C14

Montana Fiberglass Inc, Lewistown MT A20

Montana Holster & Shoulder Rig, Great Falls MT B10

Montana Metal Fabrications, Great Falls MT C42

Montana Shed Center, Great Falls MT A21

Mountain View Canvas, Fairfield MT B18

Mountain View Metalworks, Wilsall MT C11

MQS, Montana Quality Structures, Stevensville MT C30

MT Tractors, Matt Pendergast, Stevensville MT B20

Muddy Creek Truss, Fairfield, MT C42

Muggli Bros, Inc., Miles City, MT C31

Musselshell Valley Equipment, Roundup MT A41, B11, B21, B22

Neal Hay Sales, Augusta MT C30

New Homes of the Future, Billings MT B16

North Star Equipment, Great Falls MT C17

Northern Ford, Cut Bank MT A25

Northern Prairie Auto Sales, Wolf Point MT....B19

Nuseed, Breckenridge, MN C39

Oxbow Engineering LLC, Randy Pierce PE Three Forks MT B6

Pedigree Truck & Trailer Sales, New Salem, ND C14

Pete’s Auto Sales, Great Falls MT A27

Poteet Construction, Missoula MT A2

Precision Truck & Trailer, Havre MT C29

Price Truck & Equipment Sales, Missoula MT B7

Quality Custom Sheds, Moore MT C16

Quality Sales, Great Falls MT C31

R & L Seed & Machine LLC, Geyser MT B17

R & M Exterminators, Cheney WA A37

RDO Equipment, Kalispell, MT A20

RDO Equipment, Missoula MT A20

Reddig Equipment & Repair, Kalispell MT C24

Redhead Equipment, Regina SK Canada C15

Reinke, RPH Irrigation Services, Choteau MT A44

Rockwell Scales, Simms MT C23

Rocky Mountain Radiator, Helena MT C18

Roger Rader, Inc, Sun River MT A12

RPH Irrigation Services, Reinke, Choteau MT A44

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Severinsen Irrigation, Zimmatic & RMB Bins, Fairfield MT C28

Shortline Ag, Scobey MT A9

Signature Auto & Equipment, Spearfish & Belle Fourche SD C3

Smith Truck Service, Great Falls, MT A18

Snowy Mountain Motors, Lewistown MT A18

Sod Buster Sales, Polson MT B8, B18

Sullivan Brothers Construction, Conrad MT A33 Sunrise Hoppers, Bow Island AB Canada C26

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T & T Farm Supply, LLC, Chester MT A9

Taylor Farm Store, Shelby MT B23

Taylor Transportation, Great Falls, MT B6

TCB Transport LLC, Geyser MT C2

The Gear House, Helena MT B4

Three Forks Lumber & Ready Mix, Three Forks MT C24

Tiber Tractor Co., Chester MT A33

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Pipe replacement delivered for St. Mary Siphon

Happy Thanksgiving & Thank

you For making our year a success. We really appreciate your patronage and we’re looking forward to assisting you with your fall & springneeds!seeding

It’s not too early to think about your spring seed needs

Reclamation received the first sections of the 90-inch replacement pipe for the St. Mary Siphon, marking a major milestone of the extensive project to restore the damaged siphon. This milestone sets the stage for replacing the critical infrastructure that delivers water to the Milk River Project, a lifeline for north-central Montana ranchers, farmers, and communities.

The St. Mary Siphon is an essential component of the Milk River Project, one of Montana’s most significant irrigation systems, which serves over 120,000 acres of farmland. For the agricultural community and surrounding residents, the siphon’s repair is crucial to maintaining water supplies necessary for crops, livestock, and daily living.

“This delivery of the replacement pipe is an important step in restoring a critical piece of Montana’s water infrastructure,” said Ryan Newman, Reclamation’s Montana Area Office Manager. “The St. Mary Siphon plays a vital role in delivering much-needed water to the Milk River Project. By beginning the process of full replacement, we are ensuring the continued viability of the region’s agriculture and the livelihood of thousands of Montanans.”

The St. Mary Canal Siphon suffered a catastrophic failure on Monday, June 17, 2024, requiring Reclamation to stop water diversion to the St. Mary Canal. The St. Mary Canal is a vital component of the Milk River Project. It provides 60% to 80% of the water for irrigation and potable uses in northern Montana through a trans-basin diversion from the Hudson Bay watershed to the Missouri River basin.

The St. Mary Canal Siphon consisted of two 90-inch riveted steel barrels that traverse the valley from the inlet, transition to an 84-inch diameter pipe at the river crossing, and then back to a 90-inch diameter pipe as they ascend the valley slope to the outlet. It was constructed in two phases, with the downstream barrel completed between 1912 and 1915 and the upstream barrel after 1925.

The siphon has undergone extensive repairs over time due to seepage, corrosion, and buckling. However, unstable valley sidewalls have caused further movement of the steel barrels and concrete supports, leading to additional damage.

Reclamation previously awarded a contract for $88 million from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law for the repair of the St. Mary Diversion Dam, another feature of the Milk River Project.

For more information on the St. Mary Siphon replacement project, please visit St. Mary Siphon Updates (usbr.gov).

Stuart was a terrible golfer. No matter how hard he tried, he simply couldn’t improve his game. However, like many of us, he loved the sport and was unwilling to give up. One fine day, Stuart was out playing on the 5th hole, which was adjacent to a country road. Stuart stood over his shot, took a mighty swing, and missed completely. He addressed his shot again, swung, and found only air once again. Finally on his third attempt, he barely made contact, and the ball rolled five feet forward. A man from the road had wandered onto the course to witness Stuart’s futility and couldn’t help but chuckle. The incensed golfer yelled at the bystander. “You’ll have to leave! Only golfers are allowed on the golf course!” To which the man responded, “I won’t say anything if your won’t.”

• Rebuilt oR New SpiceR/ eatoN/MeRitoR DiffeReNtialS

• GeNuiNe oeM paRtS

• Rebuilt fulleR tR aNSMiSSioNS

• Ratio chaNGeS aND cuStoM builDiNG

By Julie Garden-Robinson, Food and Nutrition Specialist, NDSU Extension

“We are underdressed for this restaurant,” our older daughter said.

She was wearing shorts and a t-shirt on the warm day. Our younger daughter was dressed similarly.

“There is no dress code. They are all students in this culinary school,” I commented.

An attentive instructor was watching from the sidelines. We were on a family vacation, and I had heard about the culinary school from a friend. We took a chance and parked nearby. Fortunately, they had seats available for lunch.

The students made room for us to have a five-course meal with a tea service. We were seated at a table with white tablecloths and cloth napkins folded elaborately.

The culinary students were scurrying about the dining area. I think we had five students helping us, and the attention greatly entertained our daughters.

This was quite a fancy experience for my kids, and they remember it 10 years later.

I remember the perfectly cut vegetables and artistically arranged plates by the soon-to-graduate students. I am sure the students spent a lot of time perfecting their knife skills.

I have taken some courses on culinary skills and assembling a “knife kit” is among the costs of the course. Learning various knife cuts is a key to mastering recipe creation.

How much do you know about the terminology related to cutting? Many of these words come from French cuisine, by the way. I have added a few of the phonetic pronunciations.

Here’s your word bank: A. bias, B. batonnet (“baw-towNAY), C. brunoise (“bru-NWAZ”), D. chiffonade (“shifuh-NAYD”, E. dice, F. julienne (“joo-lee-EN”), G. mince.

1. What is name of the ribbonlike cuts typically used to slice herbs? Stack the herb leaves (such as basil), roll the stack, slice into thin ribbons and unroll.

2. This is the name of the cut when you finely chop garlic or ginger. These are not as precise sizes as other cuts.

3. This style of cut results in the formation of even matchstick-sized pieces. Ideally, these cuts are 1/8 inch wide by 2 1/2 inches long.

4. These are cubes of evenly cut vegetables. These cuts are classified as small, medium or large.

5. This is the name for vegetables cut into somewhat thick sticks (such as carrot sticks).

6. This is a type of cutting where you cut vegetables diagonally, instead of into round “coins” or “rondelle.”

7. These are tiny pieces of vegetables cut into perfect 1/8-inch cubes.

Impress your family with any of the new terms you learned. Here are the answers: 1. D; 2. G; 3. F; 4. E; 5. B; 6. A.; 7. C

Before practicing these cuts, keep these knife safety tips in mind.

• Sharpen your knives. Sharp knives are essential for cutting and chopping. You can have them professionally sharpened periodically in addition to using home-sharpening equipment.

• Choose the right knife for the task.

• Be sure to pick up knives by the handle and not the blade.

• When carrying a knife from one place to another, carry it with the blade by your side. Do not carry a knife with the knife blade pointing ahead of you.

• Use an appropriate cutting board made from plastic or wood. Ideally, your cutting board will have “gripping feet.” Try placing a damp cloth under the board if needed. Glass or marble cutting boards are not recommended because they can dull your knife.

• When cutting, hold the knife properly and protect your fingers of the hand holding the carrot or apple by curling your fingers.

• If your knife falls, do not try to catch it.

• Do not put knives in soapy water for unsuspecting people to accidentally cut themselves.

CONTINUED ON PAGE B5

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A 1975 naming contest for the new Seattle NFL franchise brought in 20,365 entries with 1,741 suggestions. Among them: the Lumberjacks, the Soggies, the Running Salmon, the Washington Georges, the Abominable Snowmen...and the D.B. Coopers, after the mysterious hijacker who jumped out of a plane over Washington in 1971. The winning name submitted by 150 people: the Seahawks (a rarely used nickname for the osprey).

Are

CONTINUED FROM PAGE B4

Here’s a summery recipe to enjoy with fresh vegetables. Try cutting into different-sized dice cuts. Cucumber Salsa

3 cups diced cucumbers

1/2 to 1 cup diced red onion

1/2 cup diced tomatoes

1/2 cup feta cheese, reduced fat

Dressing: 2 lemons

1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil

1/2 teaspoon salt

Chop cucumbers, onions, tomatoes and olives, then add to a large bowl. Mix in feta cheese. Make dressing with the juice of lemons, olive oil and salt. Toss together mixture with dressing. Serve with pita chips.

Makes six (3/4 cup) servings. Each serving of salsa has 125 calories, 10 grams (g) fat, 3 g protein, 8 g carbohydrates, 2 g fiber and 290 milligrams sodium. #####

The English language is funny: A hot cup of coffee. Here again the English language gets us in hot water. Who cares if the cup is hot? Surely we mean a cup of hot coffee.

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Win a Polaris, hone ag issue knowledge in Farm Bureau competition

The Montana Farm Bureau Young Farmer and Rancher Committee encourages any voting Farm Bureau member ages 18-35 to compete in the Young Farmer and Rancher Discussion Meet, which takes place Tuesday, November 19 during the MFBF Annual Convention in downtown Billings. The winner of the Discussion Meet will receive the keys to a new Polaris Ranger 570, and an expense-paid trip to participate in the national Discussion Meet held during the American Farm Bureau Annual Convention January 2025 in San Antonio TX. In addition to the YF&R Discussion Meet, the Collegiate Young Farmer & Rancher Discussion Meet Final Four will take place late afternoon Wednesday, November 20

The Discussion Meet contest is designed to simulate a committee meeting where discussion and active participation are expected from each competitor. It is evaluated on an exchange of ideas and information on a pre-determined topic and is an excellent way for young people to learn more about agricultural issues.

Last November, Todd Lackman, a Worden High School agriculture teacher, was the thrilled winner of a Polaris Ranger, donated by participating Polaris dealers in Montana.

and we certainly appreciate their continued generous support of the program. Getting started as a young farmer or rancher is seldom inexpensive or simple, so earning a Polaris Ranger can make a real difference on a farm or ranch.”

For Discussion Meet questions, visit www.mfbf.org/Programs/Young-FarmersRanchers. For questions and information about the Young Farmers & Ranchers program, contact Sue Ann Streufert, 406587-3153, sueanns@mfbf.org. Be sure to follow Montana Farm Bureau on Facebook and Instagram.

Thanks to these participating Polaris dealers for supporting our Young Farmers and Ranchers: Beaverhead Motors – Dillon; Pure Bliss – Conrad; Basecamp Gallatin – Bozeman; Basecamp Billings – Billings; Helena Cycle Center – Helena; Kurt’s Polaris – Seeley Lake; Lewistown Honda & Polaris, Lewistown; Redline Sports, Inc – Butte; Riverside Marine & Cycle – Miles City; Russell Motorsports – Missoula; Sports City Cyclery – Great Falls. 2024/2025 AFBF YF&R Discussion Meet Questions

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“In addition to giving competitors realistic practice for leadership roles, the Discussion Meet offers a fun opportunity to toss around ideas and learn from other young farmers that may face similar challenges as you do, but have a different background and perspective to add,” said the teacher. “The Discussion Meet is not necessarily about who can be the best public speaker, it is who can bring thought-provoking ideas to the table and bring out collaborative solutions from the group. I know I really enjoyed discussing the topics not only during the competition, but also with my family and friends while preparing for the competition. The winning competitor also receives a trip to compete at the American Farm Bureau Convention. I would highly recommend the experience of attending the national convention and interacting with farmers and ranchers across the country.”

Lackman, who is not only a teacher but a fourth-generation farmer, added that the Polaris Ranger will be right at home on the family farm in Hysham where they raise sugar beets, barley, corn, canola and alfalfa seed. He noted that the Polaris keeps busy.

“The Ranger has been put to good use with irrigating and checking on crops,” Lackman said. “It is a handy machine to have on the farm. My dad has probably put more miles on it this year than I have, but I hope to use it even more next year when scouting fields as part of my drone spraying business.”

1. Young farmers and ranchers are finding they need to diversify their farm portfolio. What are some ways that young farmers and ranchers can utilize diversification to explore new revenue sources? How can Farm Bureau support YF&R members as they strengthen their farm and ranch businesses?

2. Increases in the price of agricultural land make access and ownership of land one of the biggest hurdles for young farmers and ranchers looking to start or expand farms and ranches. How can young farmers and ranchers position themselves to react to competition for agricultural land?

3. The landscape of American agriculture and the picture of the “typical” American farm continues to change. Meanwhile, Farm Bureau will need to continue to recruit and retain members in order to be a vibrant and effective organization into the future. How can Farm Bureau continue to provide value and opportunity to welcome members from across the broad diversity of modern agriculture and American farmers and ranchers?

4. Succession planning is often a tough subject not only for individual farms and ranches but also within county Farm Bureaus. Some younger members may find it challenging to become involved in their county Farm Bureau beyond the YF&R committee. What are some ways that county Farm Bureaus can encourage involvement from young members and how can actively engaged young board members help their county Farm Bureaus plan for the future?

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He added that having a Polaris as a prize is a great incentive for competitors. “I competed in the Discussion Meet in college, and I knew that I wanted to compete again as a Young Farmer and Rancher in part because of the Polaris Ranger as the prize for the winner. The Polaris dealers of Montana recognize the value of discussing current issues as a group of young agriculturalists,

#####

Abraham Lincoln was the only president to earn a patent. In 1949 Lincoln inventer a type of buoy. Lincoln is also the only U.S. president to have worked as a bartender.

#####

The English language is funny: A waiter. Why do they call those food servers waiters, when it’s the customers who do the waiting?

5. Farmers and ranchers are reliant on multiple energy sources to run equipment, heat livestock barns and power storage and maintenance facilities. How can Farm Bureau work with energy companies, local governments and rural communities to increase domestic energy production, minimize loss of agricultural land and protect private property rights?

#####

Richard Nixon was the only president to have been a carny. When he was a teenager, Richard Nixon was a midway barker at the Slippery Gulch Rodeo in Arizona.

#####

The English language is funny: Daylight saving time. Not a single second of daylight is saved by this ploy.

You Call We Haul

Pistachios, walnuts and pecans: Are nuts healthful?

By Julie Garden-Robinson, NDSU Extension food and nutrition specialist

“Do you want a brownie with or without nuts?” the server asked as she brought a tray of treats to our table.

I observed my companions to see who liked nuts in their brownies.

I think about half wanted the added crunch. This was not a scientific experiment. I was just curious.

I was happy to get a nut-free brownie.

Although I like various types of nuts, I do not like walnuts in cakes, cookies or muffins.

Am I finicky or what? In my defense, I will eat baked goods with nuts if I have no choice.

We all are different in our preferences. I just had a pile of pecans sprinkled on a salad, and I keep single-serving packets of cashews at my desk.

People who have nut allergies must be very cautious when selecting foods. Fortunately, the nine major food allergens, which include nuts, must be listed on food labels.

Nuts of all types are a nutritious and convenient snack food. They add crunch to main courses, salads and desserts. Nuts are included in the protein foods group.

Nuts provide protein, fiber, healthful fats, and minerals such as magnesium, zinc, selenium, manganese and iron. These minerals are “trace elements.” They are needed in tiny amounts compared to other nutrients such as protein and carbohydrates. They play major roles in our body, though.

Iron, for example, is part of hemoglobin, which helps carry oxygen around our body. Iron is found in meats, seafood, vegetables such as spinach, fortified grains and nuts.

Trace elements play a role in the action of enzymes, repairing tissues and many other functions. As another example, Zinc plays a role in the functioning of the immune system, taste and wound healing. It can be found in meat, shellfish, poultry, eggs, milk, yogurt, dry beans and nuts.

In other words, eating a variety of foods is important to get the nutrients your body needs.

Those who follow a vegan (all-plant) diet must take special precautions to get the nutrition they need.

Read the nutrition facts on labels to learn about your choices. For example, an ounce of cashews has about 160 calories, 4 grams of protein, 13 grams of fat and no cholesterol. If you choose “lightly salted,” your snack has only 10% of the daily value for sodium.

If you choose nuts in the shell, such as pistachios, removing the shells from the nuts will slow your snacking.

Nuts contain unsaturated fat, which is healthy for our hearts. Unfortunately, unsaturated fat is the type of fat that may become rancid during storage. Rancid nuts develop off odors or flavors if they are stored in a warm cupboard for too long

That’s a good reason to use by the “best by” date on the package. Freeze the nuts if you have too many to consume within that amount of time.

Even though they are called “nuts,” peanuts technically are legumes. If you like trivia, remember that peanuts sometimes are referred to as “ground nuts” or “goobers.”

Have you ever tried making homemade nut butter without any extra ingredients such as added sweeteners? If you have a food processor, this easy activity takes about 10 minutes. To make peanut butter, add two to three cups of lightly salted or unsalted peanuts to your food processor and pulse for 30 seconds to one minute at a time. Give your food processor “relaxation breaks” because this activity can be challenging for the motor.

Keep processing and scraping down the bowl until you have a smooth spread. Place in a sealed container. You can use this same process to make other types of spreads, such as almond butter. Store your homemade peanut butter in the refrigerator for several weeks.

#####

CONTINUED ON PAGE B9

Gerald Ford was was the only president to survive two assassination attempts in the same month. In September 1975, former Charles Manson follower Lynett “Squeaky” Fromme tried to shoot Ford when he reached out to shake her hand in a public meet-and-greet. She pulled the trigger, but the gun’s chamber was empty. Just three weeks later another woman, Sara Jane Moore, fired on Ford in a similar crowd situation, but a bystander knocked her arm away.

#####

Nicolas Copola always admired a comic book character named “Luke Cage, Power Man.” So he changed his name to Nicolas Cage.

Document livestock losses due to wildfire before disposal

“Livestock losses are often an unfortunate part of wildfires. Prior to any carcass disposal action documentation of loss is critical,” says Mary Keena, North Dakota State University Extension livestock environmental management specialist at the Carrington Research Extension Center.

To support recovery efforts due to the recent wildfires in western North Dakota, the Farm Service Agency (FSA) has current information detailing the disaster assistance programs available to ranchers specific to livestock death. The full overview can be found at https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/USDAFARMERS/ bulletins/3ba80c9.

The Livestock Indemnity Program (LIP) offers payments to eligible producers for livestock death losses in excess of normal mortality due to adverse weather such as wildfires. To participate in LIP, producers will be required to provide acceptable documentation of beginning inventory and of death losses resulting from an eligible adverse weather event such as wildfire, and you must submit a notice of loss to your local FSA by the application deadline, March 1, 2025. Producers should record all pertinent information regarding livestock losses due to the eligible adverse weather or loss condition. Examples of documentation can include:

Verifiable or contemporaneous documentation of the number, kind, type, and weight range of livestock that have died, supplemented, if possible, by photographs or video, records of ownership and records of losses

Quantity of normal mortality losses for those losses not associated with disaster

Rendering truck receipts by kind, type and weight - important to document prior to disposal

Beginning inventory supported by birth recordings, purchase receipts, or contemporaneous records

Documentation from Animal Plant Health Inspection Service, Department of Agricultural, Veterinarian, or other sources to substantiate eligible death losses due to an eligible loss condition

Contract grower’s contracts and grazing land leases

Documentation that livestock were removed from grazing pastures due to an eligible adverse weather or loss condition

Costs of transporting livestock feed to eligible livestock, such as receipts for equipment rental fees for hay lifts and snow removed

Feed purchase receipts if feed supplies or grazing pastures are destroyed

Harvest records or feed purchase records, along with documented loss quantities.

Number of gallons of water transported to livestock due to water shortages.

“LIP permits the use of contemporaneous records for proof of producer’s inventory and death losses which is a great opportunity for those producers who keep a running record, journal or cattle book on hand throughout the year,” says Beau Peterson, Agricultural Program Director and State Environmental Coordinator with USDA FSA. “FSA offices and farm lenders throughout the state provide example cattle record books that are useful and can be used as evidence for your LIP applications.”

“If you experienced livestock deaths due to the recent wildfires, disposing of those carcasses will be one of your top priorities in the coming days,” says Keena. “In North Dakota, animals that die for any reason must be disposed of in an approved

method within 36 hours of death. Burial, composting, landfilling, incineration and rendering are all approved methods of carcass disposal. Burning is also an approved method in certain situations but should be used as a method of last resort.”

Burying, composting or landfilling may be the easiest options for carcass disposal.

“If you are going to bury, be sure carcasses are placed 4 feet above the water table with 4 feet of cover, and avoid surface water such as streams or wetlands,” says Keena. “If possible, bury livestock in clay soils.”

If the disposal of carcasses exceeds the producer’s typical carcass management resources, or for large numbers of carcasses, contact the Department of Environmental Quality for technical assistance selecting an appropriate disposal site.

Dispose of carcasses at an approved municipal solid waste landfill. Search “DEQ ND municipal solid waste landfills” to find an approved landfill visit https://deq. nd.gov/foia/SolidWaste/ActiveSWLandfillsMSWLF.aspx. Contact the landfill to determine if they will accept the carcasses and what their specific disposal protocols are.

Composting is an above ground burial process that uses resources already on your operation.

The materials you will need include:

Base material: straw, old hay, coarse crop residues (corn stalks), sunflower hulls

Bulking material: manure or spoiled fermented feedstuffs

Cover material: straw, old hay, sawdust

To compost:

Place 2 feet of base material in pile or long row, depending on number of dead livestock to be composted.

Lay dead livestock on top of base. Have at least 1 foot of base material between perimeter of dead livestock and edge of base. Cover dead livestock with 8 to 10 inches of bulking material.

Cover the entire pile or long row with 2 feet of cover material.

Things to remember:

Small-sized dead livestock (livestock you can lift by hand) can be layered next to or stacked on top of one another, given there is bulking material between them so they are not touching.

If composting ruminants, puncture the rumen to prevent it from exploding. Make sure the pile always has sufficient cover material to keep bulking material and dead livestock covered.

Aerate the compost every six months from early spring to late fall. To accelerate composting, aerate it every two months from early spring to late fall.

Existing compost can be used to cover new piles or long rows.

A video containing livestock disposal information can be found on the NDSU Extension YouTube channel by searching “livestock disaster mortality disposal methods.” If there are questions about site selection for carcass disposal, please contact North Dakota Department of Environmental Quality at https://deq.nd.gov/ Contactus.aspx.

“Adverse events like a devastating wildfire increase stress levels, which can have a negative effect on your physical and mental health,” says Sean Brotherson, NDSU Extension family science specialist. “Your health is your most important asset as a farmer and rancher. We encourage you to seek help if recent events are taking a toll on your outlook. If you are struggling and CONTIUNUED ON PAGE B9

Document livestock losses due to wildfire before disposal

CONTINUED FROM PAGE B8

need immediate emotional support, text or call 9-8-8 to connect with a caring counselor that is ready to help.”

NDSU Extension has farm stress resources available at ndsu.ag/farm-stress.

For more information about disposing of dead livestock and managing stress, contact your county NDSU Extension agent at ndsu.ag/countyoffice. You can find your closest FSA office at https://offices.sc.egov.usda.gov/locator/ app?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery. For more information visit fsa.usda.gov/disaster.

Pistachios, walnuts and pecans: Are nuts healthful?

Here’s a way to tempt the taste buds for a morning meal. It features both peanut butter and chopped almonds. You could adjust this for people who cannot have peanuts or almonds due to allergies by using sunflower butter and sunflower seeds.

Peanut Butter Granola Breakfast Pizza

3 cups granola cereal of choice

1 teaspoon cinnamon

¼ cup almonds, chopped

1 cup peanut butter

1 cup Greek yogurt, any flavor

Toppings: Fresh or dried fruit, nuts, granola, chocolate chips

In a large bowl mix granola, cinnamon, almonds and peanut butter until combined. Press peanut butter granola mixture evenly into a lined (parchment or foil), 8-inch round pan. Refrigerate overnight or freeze for one hour until firm. Transfer crust to a serving plate. Top with yogurt and desired toppings. Cut into small wedges.

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Targeted grazing, a successful & low-cost method to manage cheatgrass when timed properly

By: Maribel Alonso, USDA

Targeted livestock grazing is a successful and cost-efficient method to manage cheatgrass in the U.S. western Great Plains when timed to coincide with cheatgrass growth rather than based solely on the time of year, according to a recent study published by USDA’s Agricultural Research Service (ARS) and the University of Nebraska–Lincoln (UNL).

Findings show the targeted grazing window lasts approximately 38 days in the spring, with some variation depending on the year and location.

Cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum) is an annual grass native to Eurasia that has become one of the most problematic invasive species in the western U.S. This invasive species outcompetes native vegetation in the spring, and after completing its growth, it dries into fine fuels during the summer, leading to more frequent, widespread wildfires.

One low-cost method is known to help manage this problem. Early spring targeted grazing, where cattle are allowed to graze cheatgrass early in the season at the right time, can help limit seed production and reduce the competitiveness of cheatgrass. However, what is the right timing for this grazing method to be successful?

ARS Research Ecologist Dana Blumenthal, one of the co-authors of the recently published paper, explains a key finding of the study, “Cattle are very predictable in when they like to eat cheatgrass. Producers can effectively graze it from when it’s four inches tall until it’s done flowering, and the seeds are hardening up. That is a window of about a month to a month and a half. The window moves around from year to year, so it’s important to use cheatgrass growth as a guide for when to graze rather than calendar dates.”

sion Center collected data from mixed-grass prairie sites in the western Great Plains, including Nebraska and Wyoming, over a period of four years. The scientists identified pastures with areas of cheatgrass intermixed with native plant communities and grazed them with yearling cattle from April through June. Samples of fecal material from the grazing cattle were collected twice a week and analyzed to determine the proportion of different grass species in their diets.

Researchers measured vegetation phenology (height and flowering stage), forage quality, and biomass of cheatgrass and coexisting native plant species. These measurements helped them compare the differences in cattle selection for plant species and forage quality over the four years.

“We were surprised by how late in the season the cattle kept using cheatgrass. That’s really helpful because it gives producers more time to get cattle out into cheatgrass areas and have an impact,” said Blumenthal.

Results of this four-year study showed that grazing can be timed effectively by keeping track of two easily observable cheatgrass characteristics – height at the beginning of the grazing window and seed maturity later on. The resulting grazing windows, on average across the years of this study, were seven days longer in the western Nebraska site compared to the southeastern Wyoming site. In terms of impact, results showed that targeted grazing in the early spring can reduce seed production of cheatgrass by as much as 77 percent when compared to summer grazing. Furthermore, spring targeted grazing can lead to favorable cattle weight gains due to higher crude protein and energy in cattle diets during this period.

Havre, MT 59501 406-265-6387 jim@vaughntrucksales.com Website: www.vaughntrucksales.com

Researchers at the ARS’ Rangeland Resources & Systems Research facility (with locations in Colorado and Wyoming) and the UNL’s Panhandle Research and Exten-

“Moving forward, we’d like to learn in which years grazing has the largest effect on cheatgrass seed production. Is it when cattle eat more cheatgrass because the plants are larger, or when cheatgrass is already struggling to grow, for example, in a drought?” said Julie Kray, an Agricultural Science Research Technician with the Rangeland Resources & Systems Research facility. “We know that multiple years of targeted grazing will be needed to control cheatgrass, but there may be certain years in which it is more important to prioritize grazing it.”

Visit “Targeted grazing to control cheatgrass in mixed-grass rangeland” for more details about this study.

Cowboy Logic

A cowboy drove his truck and horse trailer to town to pick up some vaccines and wormer the day he was planning to work his cows. As he slowed down to turn off of the highway, he was struck from behind by a semi-truck. Unfortunately, the cowboy, his horse, and his trusty cowdog were all seriously injured from the accident.

Some months later, the cowboy sued the truck driver’s insurance company for damages in addition to the vehicle and trailer. The lawyer for the Defense questioned the cowboy on the witness stand.

“At the scene of the accident, is it true that you told the police officer that you had never felt better in your life?” “Yes, That’s correct,” the cowboy replied. So the lawyer quickly turned on his heels with fire in his eyes and demanded, “Well then, how is it that you are now claiming you were seri-

ously injured when my client’s truck hit your trailer?”

The cowboy shared a recap of what took place at the scene of the accident. He explained, “When the police office arrived at the scene, he saw my horse laying in the ditch in real bad shape. It’s right front and back legs were broken, so he shot him. Then he went over to Sooner, my dog, which had 3 broken legs, and put him out of his misery as well!” Then the lawyer interrupted, “Sir I was not referring to your animals. Did you or did you not tell the police officer at the scene that you never felt better in your life?”

The cowboy would not be rattled. He said, “I had a broken pelvis, a broken arm, and a ruptured disc in my back. But after watching what that officer had done to my poor horse and dog, I thought that was the wisest thing for me to say at the time.”

Three cows grazing on cheatgrass.Spring heifer grazing on cheatgrass. (Photo courtesy of Julie Kray, ARS.)

1600s - First modern cakes are baked With advances in technology of ovens, and the use of whipped eggs (instead of yeast) for leavening, the predecessor to modern versions of cakes began. These cakes are typically round and topped with icing, often containing dried fruits and nuts.

Cake Trivia

1700s - Cakes become part of birthday celebrations In Germany, the “Kinderfest” is the celebration of a child’s birthday. Though no gifts are given, there is a cake that is decorated with the number of candles corresponding to the child’s age. Later, the industrial revolution makes the tradition even more accessible and popular.

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Belgian Blue Cattle

Written by Christina Pichler, cowcaretracker.com

The Belgian Blue is a cattle specimen to behold with distinctive double-muscling reminiscent of a body-builder. This unique conformation is just one of the many attributes that make Belgian Blue cattle worthy of consideration as an addition to any farming operation.

Belgian Blue cattle are a dual-purpose breed of beef cattle that can be used for crossbreeding programs and milk production.

Where Does The Belgian Blue Come From?

Belgian Blue cattle are originally from upper Belgium, and it wasn’t until the 19th century that Shorthorn cattle were imported from the United Kingdom alongside Charolais cattle from France to improve the native dairy type of cattle.

From 1920 through 1950, breeders were actively selecting for animals that had heavier muscling and were trying to improve the dairy breed into a dual-purpose breed.

Professor R. Hanset was working in the Liege Province in the 1960’s at an artificial insemination plant, and was pivotal in the discovery and subsequent success of linebreeding the myostatin gene for double muscling into Belgian Blue cattle. This meant that Belgian Blue cattle develop differently when creating muscle fibers, doubling the amount of fibers rather than the size.

Today, these muscled cattle are known for carcass quality and yields, ease of fattening and high birth weights.

They have become popular cattle in several countries throughout the world, with an estimated population of 100,000+.

Belgian blue cattle have a body-builder like appearance

The Belgian Blue Herd Book was built from 16 international herd books from different associations around the world and exists as a testament to the popularity, profitability, and usefulness of this breed.

Other names for Belgian Blue are Blue, Belgian White Blue, Race de la Moyenne et Haute Belgique, Blue Pied, Blanc-Bleu Belge, Belgian White, Belgian Blue White, and British Blue Belgian Blue cattle originated in Belgium. They have a large, distinctive conformation with double muscling and blue-grey hair color with body colors that can be white, blue, blue roan and black.

The Belgian Blue calf weighs between 97 and 103 pounds. The mature cow weighs 1700 pounds and stands 4.5 feet tall. The bull weighs 2700 pounds and stands 4.7 feet tall.

These cattle are ready to breed at 13 to 15 months with a gestation period of between 279 and 287 days.

The best time for slaughter is 8 to 9 months with a carcass weight of 1000 to 1100 pounds.

Their expected lifespan is 20 years with a productive lifespan of 5+ years.

Belgium Blue are known for their muscle growth, tender meat, maternal aptitude and carcass composition.

They are known to perform in both warm and cold climates.

Young Belgian blue cattle before they develop their infamous ‘bodybuilder’ appearance

While the Belgian Blue breed is highly regarded, it also suffers some setbacks:

Some cows may have difficulty calving and dystocia leading to a small number of calves born by caesarean because of their large size relative to a small birth canal. This typically occurs on stud farms in Belgium during pedigree breeding.

They require a high protein rather than a high fiber diet when finishing due to increased muscle yield.

Several genetic defects may also be present in small percentages of Belgian Blues including Congenital Muscular Dystonia 1 and 2, Crooked Tail Syndrome, Prolonged Gestation, Dwarfism, Hamartoma, Arthrogryposis, NNAPC4

What Is So Special About Belgian Blue Cattle?

Besides its looks, this dual-purpose breed from Belgium has a lot to offer farmers.

Belgian Blues are a breed with an inheritable recessive phenotype trait called double muscling.

Only one other bovine breed has this trait – Piedmontese cattle.

This trait produces double the amount of fine muscle fibers and results in incredibly tender lean meat. Belgian Blue beef has high amounts of marbling in the meat itself, offering delicious flavor. Belgian Blues are able to convert feed into large amounts of muscle mass that ultimately yields a highly desirable carcass. It has one of the highest carcass yields of any bovine, with crossbred specimens providing 70 percent carcass yield, while purebred Belgian Blue offers up to a 77 percent yield.

Belgian Blues have roughly half the fat cover that Hereford-Angus cattle have, and 14.2 percent more ribeye area.

Originally a milk production breed, Belgian Blue cows produce 1050 to 1600 liters per day with 3.48 percent fat content and 3.23 percent protein. The milk quality is considered average for a milking breed and this milk is good for human consumption, though it is rarely used in producing other milk products.

Belgian Blue bulls can be used as terminal sires for crossbreeding programs and have been shown to help with calving ease in other Continental beef breeds including Simmental and Friesian. Their high cutability and meat is sought after by packers and is proven profitable.

According to the British Blue Cattle Society, feed conversion is 13% better than other continental breeds. Conformity is high in Belgian Blue cattle

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Young Belgian blue cattle before they develop their infamous ‘body builder’ appearance.

Arthropod abundance in industrial hemp in Westcentral Nebraska

By Andrea Rilakovic - Graduate Research Assistant, Department of Entomology | Ruby Collins - Extension Educator | Milos Zaric - Department of Agronomy and Horticulture Assistant Professor | Julie PetersonExtension Entomologist

Industrial hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) has a complex history in the United States. However, the introduction of the 2018 Farm Bill legalized industrial hemp (hereafter hemp) cultivation in the United States. Since then, growing hemp for grain, fiber and pharmaceuticals has been legal in at least 48 states, including Nebraska. To legally grow hemp in Nebraska after the introduction of LB262, LB657, and LB1152, interested entities must receive a cultivator license from the Nebraska Department of Agriculture (NDA), regardless of the cultivation size or purpose (including grain, fiber and flower).

Hemp is different from other cannabis plants based on delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) levels, the chemical responsible for the plant’s psychoactive effects. To be classified as hemp in Nebraska, the plant’s flowers must have less than 0.3% total THC. If the total THC level in the flowers exceeds 0.3%, the individual plant or fields (as listed with NDA) must be destroyed following the established rules and regulations.

Study Rationale and Importance

With the legalization of industrial hemp for cultivation, the acreage in Nebraska has increased significantly over recent years. Available reports indicate only 10 cultivator licenses in 2019, growing to 62 licenses and 250 acres in 2021 and 280 acres in 2022. This new crop, coupled with limited knowledge about arthropod diversity at the local and state levels, was the motive for conducting a study at the West Central Research, Extension and Education Center (WCREEC) in North Platte, Nebraska.

Understanding arthropod abundance and diversity in industrial hemp in west-central Nebraska will allow us to lay the groundwork for an integrated pest management strategy. Understanding arthropod communities in hemp cultivation areas — both open and indoor — is crucial, as insects from the field can invade controlled environments if proper measures are not taken. Identifying the arthropods associated with industrial hemp provides valuable insights that give growers the tools to develop and implement effective pest management strategies, reducing crop damage and improving yields. Additionally, it supports sustainable practices by promoting more integrated pest control methods, leading to healthier crops, higher quality yields, and ultimately increased profitability.

Materials and Methods

The study was conducted in 2020 at WCREEC in a hemp dual-purpose cultivar grown for grain and fiber. Hemp was planted at 30-inch row spacing at 130,000 plants/acre. Arthropod sampling was performed bi-weekly using pitfall traps, yellow sticky cards, sweep netting and visual observations (Figure 1). The height of yellow sticky cards was adjusted based on the hemp canopy over the growing season.

The collection started in the first week of July and ended at the beginning of September. Collecting was performed at six sampling points across a 0.2-acre field. The results are shown as a combination of all four sampling methods (pooled).

Results

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Two old friends were mediocre golfers, but they played religiously. Rain or shine, in good and bad weather, they rarely missed their daily game. However, on one particularly frustrating day, when they were both having terrible rounds, one friend turned to the other and said, “Remind me why we put ourselves through this agony.” “Isn’t it obvious?” the second friend said, “We’ve both got spouses at home.”

Figure 1. Yellow sticky card and pitfall trap (left) and sweep net (right) for sampling arthropods in hemp. (Photo by A. Rilakovic)

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Annual event engages fifth graders in learning about water

By Chabella Guzman, PREEC Communications partment of

Around 300 fifth graders from 10 elementary schools in the Panhandle of Nebraska attended the annual Water Education for Tomorrow (W.E.T.) held on Oct. 8-9 at the North Platte Natural Resources District (NPNRD) in Scottsbluff. The event had nine stations where students learned more about water and its importance.

“It’s an opportunity to get kids out of the classroom and extend on some of the things they’re learning in the classroom,” said David Griess, Education Services Unit 13 (ESU13) professional learning coordinator. “With W.E.T., we try to teach mostly some science standards and some of the health and safety standards that our country has, and it’s a good opportunity to get them out and learn from some of our area experts.”

ESU13 has partnered with the North Platte NRD for several years to host the event. The building and surrounding grounds are ideal for nine stations inside and outside, where the fifth graders engage in learning with games, hands-on activities, and animals.

“One of the favorites (according to students) is the Riverside Discovery Center. They bring out live animals, and that’s always a favorite,” said Kyle Ann Hopkins, NPNRD data management and outreach coordinator. She added that another favorite was setting irrigation tubes, as most of the students have never set tubes.

While most stations were staffed by local representatives, station five, the “Floodplain Model,” had members of the Nebraska De-

Natural Resources from Lincoln staffing the booth.

“We’re excited to teach kids how everything in a watershed connects,” said Jared Ashton, Nebraska DNR engineer. “When you have rain come down, depending on what kind of development, soils, and everything you have going on in the watershed can have different impacts on the houses.” The watershed in the model is made up of sponges, and as the sponges are removed, flooding becomes a problem for the homes. Ashton said the fifth graders placed their homes in the valley, near lakes, and on higher ground. Each time the watershed changed by levees or damns being built, homes were in trouble of flooding. “We then go in and replace the watershed with a parking lot, and the kids say, ‘oh no, don’t do that.’ They know right away there’s going to be flooding.”

Other stations included stormwater, aquatic wildlife, erosion, water safety, and more. “Fifth-grade science standards have changed some, so it (W.E.T.) doesn’t fit them 100 percent, like water safety that’s something that’s in the science standards, but it’s super important for students to learn,” Griess said. He added the event wouldn’t be possible without volunteers, Nebraska Extension, Nebraska Game and Parks, Scotts Bluff National Monument, the City of Scottsbluff, Riverside Discovery Center, the Bird Conservancy of the Rockies, North Platte NRD, and the Nebraska Department Natural Resources.

Gabriel Castillo, a Minatare Elementary student, reaches for his home after the model community is flooded. His classmates watch in the front row from the left Paislee Purviance, Isaias Calihua-Gonzales, Isabella Main, and Rowyn Ozuna. Photo by Chabella Guzman.

Nebraska Extension Educator Gary Stone, right, helps Chaniel LaVante in setting an irrigation tube at the W.E.T. event. Trying their own luck at setting the tubes are Maddison Downer, left, and Brooklyn Flores all are students at Lincoln Elementary in Gering. Photo by Chabella Guzman

Arthropod abundance in industrial hemp in Westcentral Nebraska

Parasitoid wasps are diverse in appearance but typically are very small (0.1–1.5 inches long) and can be brown, black, yellow or even metallic (Figures 2 and 3). Females use their ovipositor (egg-laying organ, which can be longer than their body) to insert eggs into or place eggs onto the body of their hosts. Typical hosts include the eggs and larvae of other insects, including agricultural pests such as aphids and caterpillars.

Ground

Adults are shiny black or brown, but some species have bright metallic colors such as blue, green and red. Ground beetles generally have flattened bodies and big mandibles (jaws) that are used for catching and chewing their prey (Figure 4). Adults and larvae of ground beetles feed on a variety of other insects such as caterpillars, as well as other invertebrate animals (millipedes, slugs and snails).

Minute Pirate Bug (Orius insidiosus) — 2.8%

The adults are approximately 0.1-inch long. Minute pirate bugs have mouthparts like a long, sharp straw, used for consuming prey or sucking plant juices (mostly pollen and nectar) when the availability of the prey is scarce (Figure 5). Nymphs and adults are general predators. Their prey is a wide variety of small, soft-bodied arthropods such as thrips, mites, aphids, whiteflies, scale insects, small caterpillars, and eggs of various insects.

aphids.

Predatory Thrips (family Aeolothripidae) — 2.4%

Predatory thrips are black or dark brown-bodied insects around 0.06- to 0.1-inch long. Some species might have white to yellow bands on their wings. Overall, predatory thrips are considered predaceous on small arthropods, such as plant-feeding thrips and spider mites. However, some species of this family might feed on pollen and other arthropods, such as aphids and whiteflies.

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Figure 2. Ichneumon wasp. (Photo by J. Kalisch)

Figure 3. Chalcid wasp. (Photo by J. Kalisch)

Beetles (family Carabidae) — 3.4 %

Figure 4. Ground beetles. (Photo by J. Kalisch)

Figure 5. Minute pirate bug feeding on

(Photo by J. Freed)

Culling Ewes: Planning for the Future

By McKenna Julian, UW Extension Educator, Lincoln County

As the last of the hay is put up, and signs of fall are in the air, many sheep producers across the Western range will begin thinking about the next season in the sheep industry: culling ewes. Often referred to as mouthing and bagging, culling is a management tool producers use to determine the age and soundness of ewes, and thus, their viability for the ranch’s production system.

Culling involves identifying individual animals that no longer benefit the operation and removing them from the flock. Ewes identified to be culled may have failed to produce a lamb, or have other underlying issues, limiting their ability to perform to their greatest potential.

With feed accounting for approximately 50% of the cost to raise and maintain ewes, removing unproductive females from the flock may be in the best interest for producers and their resources. Lamb crop at weaning is arguably the most important factor affecting the profitability of a sheep operation; increasing the lamb crop and maintaining productive ewes is a key goal for sheep producers looking to make a profit.

For most western range operations, culling is an ongoing process throughout the year. Ewes are typically identified to be culled after lambing, after weaning, and throughout the year when an issue arises with an individual. Any time issues with structure, reproduction, or health arise, ewes should be identified for culling.

Any ewes that failed to become pregnant and lamb during the lambing season likely have reproductive issues and are not suitable for the operation. These ewes are often marked and separated off into a group of “drys,” indicating they are not raising lambs. Older dry ewes may be difficult to spot but are typically in better body condition, with smaller udders, than their counterparts.

As ewes in large range operations begin to come off summer grazing grounds, producers typically evaluate the entire flock and cull more deeply. Sheep in a Western range operation need to be able to cover a lot of ground throughout the year while raising productive lambs; thus, skeletal structure and udder quality are of high importance. After weaning lambs, producers should evaluate the age, structural soundness, and udder quality of ewes to determine their productive potential prior to breeding.

Producers may choose to cull an individual for any number of reasons, including age, health and disease, genetics, or behavior and disposition. Factors influencing the decision to cull can be grouped into two main categories: voluntary and involuntary culling. Involuntary culling factors comprise those that negatively impact the bottom line regardless of market conditions, and typically include reproductive issues and severe health challenges.

Most other reasons for culling are considered voluntary. Typically, voluntary culling is based on factors that prevent females from performing at their highest potential but could be overlooked in a favorable market with high profit margins. Voluntary culling factors may include poor structure, assistance at lambing, mothering ability, udder quality, number of lambs weaned, lamb weaning weight, body condition score, genetics, disposition, or age.

According to the National Animal Health Monitoring System, 14 percent of ewes were culled from the national flock in 2011, citing age as the primary reason for removing females. Ewes are most productive between 3-6 years of age, with ewes in Western range operations averaging 5-6 years of age at culling.

While ewes in range flocks are typically culled by 6 years of age, these females may be able to remain productive under alternative management strategies, such as in a farm flock.

When evaluating females based on age, producers should inspect the ewe’s teeth for signs of wear and tear, which limits the ability to graze.

The National Animal Health Monitoring System has also identified hard bag and mastitis as primary reasons for culling ewes. Hard bag, which affects both halves of the udder, may be caused by ovine progressive pneumonia or mastitis, an infection of the udder. Both conditions lead to minimal or no milk production in the affected gland, potentially resulting in lambs starving or not receiving adequate nutrition for growth.

In 2011, hard bag and mastitis resulted in 7.1 and 6.7 percent of ewes being culled from the national flock respectively. When evaluating for these conditions, udders should be palpated to ensure the lack of lumps or hardness, and teats should be functional and of normal size. Only ewes with sound udders should be retained within the flock.

It is advised to restrict the breeding season to two or three heat cycles, ideally just two. Mature ewes that do not conceive and sustain a pregnancy should be culled. Pregnancy scanning is useful for identifying open ewes, particularly valuable for ewe lambs, as they can be sold at higher prices than yearling ewes that fail to lamb.

Ewes that lamb late in the season are also candidates for culling since those that lamb early are typically more productive. While dystocia, or difficult birthing, is a complex issue, research shows that culling ewes requiring assistance during lambing can reduce its occurrence. Some producers may even cull lambs from assisted deliveries. Ewes whose lambs are small, weak, or slow to suckle should be noted as potential culls as well.

Ewes that reject or harm their lambs should be culled for disposition. Similarly, ewes that fail to raise a lamb should also be culled, as no ewe can be profitable without producing a lamb. Exceptions can be made for ewes that fail to raise a lamb or twin lambs due to factors beyond their control, such as predation or accidental death. However, if too many excuses are made for a ewe, it might indicate that she belongs in the cull pen.

Once producers identify which animals should be culled from the operation, they need to consider whether to cull immediately or keep them on the operation for a time to maximize market opportunities. When making this decision, it’s important to contemplate two questions: 1) What are the expected feed costs to add weight to the cull pen before marketing? and 2) Will the expected return on investment from feeding outweigh the additional input costs?

Evaluating seasonal prices for cull ewes and considering the environmental conditions for the operation will help producers make the decision of when to market their culls. Ultimately, removing ewes that are not producing to their greatest potential will benefit your flock and operation in the long run.

McKenna Julian is the University of Wyoming Extension agriculture and natural resources educator serving Lincoln County. She can be reached at mbrinton@uwyo.edu or (307) 828-4093.

Arthropod abundance in industrial hemp in Westcentral Nebraska

Long-legged Flies (family Dolichopodidae) — 1.7%

These flies are small (<0.3-inch), usually metallic blue, green, or coppery in color (Figure 6). The legs are long, ornamented, and brightly colored in males. This fly’s larval and adult stages are beneficial, and they are predators of other small insects and mites. Adults are predacious, which means that they actively hunt their prey. However, they are only short-distance flyers (from leaf to leaf).

Lady Beetles (Ladybugs) Larvae and Adults (family Coccinellidae) — <1%

The most common species in Nebraska are convergent and pink lady beetles. The larvae and adults of ladybeetles (Figure 7 and 8) are well-known as biological control agents. They feed on soft-bodied insects such as aphids, mites and eggs of other insect pests. Larger larvae may consume 30 to 50 aphids per day, which could greatly reduce aphid populations in hemp.

Araneae)

0.6%

Spiders can be important predators of insect pests such as beetles, caterpillars, leafhoppers, and aphids.

Jumping spiders are relatively small, measuring about 0.14-inch to 0.5-inch long, and have abundant body hairs (Figure 9). Wolf spiders vary in size, from 0.5-2 inches long. Jumping spiders and wolf spiders do not build webs to catch their prey but are active hunters —they either ambush or freely hunt their prey.

#####

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Doughnut holes. Aren’t those little treats really doughnut balls? The holes are what’s left in the original doughnut. (And if a candy cane is shaped like a cane, why isn’t a doughnut shaped like a nut?)

Figure 6. Long-legged fly. (Photo by J. Kalisch)

Figure 7. Lady beetle larva. (Photo by A.P.S. Lima)

Figure 8. Adult lady beetle. (Photo by R. Collins) Spiders (Order:

—

Figure 9. Jumping spider with its pray on hemp plant. (Photo by R. Collins)

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Arthropod abundance in industrial hemp in Westcentral Nebraska

CONTINUED FROM PAGE B19

Pests: 24% of the total number collected Thrips (Order: Thysanoptera) — 16.1%

The major pest found on yellow sticky cards were western flower thrips and onion thrips.

They feed by piercing the surface cells of leaves and sucking out the cell contents. This results in a small, light area at the feeding site that causes silver scars or white flecks on hemp leaves. This small insect pest can transmit viruses in some types of plants, which might lead to discoloration, deformation and stunted plant growth. For now, there are no cases confirmed in Nebraska of thrips transmitting viruses to hemp in Nebraska.

Western flower thrips, Frankliniella occidentalis, are a commonly seen insect in a variety of plants. They are small, typically less than 0.07-inch, with an elongated body (Figure 10). Under normal field conditions, their life cycle can be completed in two to three weeks, which results in multiple generations per year. Fast reproduction makes this pest challenging to control.

Onion thrips, Thrips tabaci, are cosmopolitan insects — they are pests on a wide variety of plants such as onion, leek, garlic, cabbage, tomatoes, cucumber, alfalfa, small grain, and many more. Adult onion thrips are about 0.06-inch to 0.08inch long, thin, and pale yellow to brown color. However, their lifecycle is estimated to take 20 to 40 days, depending on temperatures and seasonal conditions.

Aphids (family Aphididae) — 2.4 %

The Cannabis aphid, Phorodon cannabis, is an aphid that only feeds on hemp plants. Cannabis aphids (Figure 11) are small insects about 0.07-inch to 0.1-inch long, and they can vary in shades of green to brown.

These aphids cause injury by feeding on the hemp plants. However, other damage can occur from the transmission of disease during the feeding. Additionally, aphids secrete honeydew, which can become a target for things like sooty mold, further deteriorating the health of the plant.

CONTINUED ON PAGE B24

God and Moses are playing golf. God has a particulaly long shot over the water when Moses says, “I’d lay up, God. That’s a pretty long shot” To which God replied, “If Tiger Woods can do it, then so can I.” God proceeds to hit his shot right into the middle of the lake to which he says, “No worries, I’ll get it.” God then walks to the lake, walks on top of the water, and retrieves his ball. A group of golfers behind them who witness the event come up to Moses and say, “Who does that guy think he is, Jesus Christ?” “No,” Moses responds. “He thinks he’s Tiger Woods.”

Figure 10. Western flower thrips. (Photo by J. Kalisch)

Figure 11. Cannabis aphid. (Photo by Whitney Cranshaw)

#####

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Arthropod abundance in industrial hemp in West-central Nebraska

Potato Leafhopper (family Cicadellidae) — 2.2 %

The potato leafhopper adult, Empoasca fabae, is bright lime green with an elongated body and it is about 0.12-inch long (Figure 12). Adults and nymphs feed with piercing-sucking mouthparts that result in white-flecked injury (stippling) on the foliage. Leaf tips become yellow and scorched. This pest also feeds on a wide host range, such as soybean, clovers, alfalfa, potato, apples, beans, and weeds (pigweed and shepherd’s purse).

Tarnished Plant Bug (family Miridae) — 1.9%

The tarnished plant bug, Lygus lineolaris, was the most encountered species within this family. They have a large host plant range in the U.S., including hemp. This insect is about 0.2-inch long and has variable markings that vary from pale yellow, brown, green, and reddish hues. However, all have a light “V” shape on the back (Figure 13).

The adults lay eggs directly on vegetation. They feed with their sucking/ piercing mouthparts and extract fluids from the plant. Their feeding can cause direct injury to the plant, including yellowing of terminal growth, necrosis near the feeding site, plant growth disruption, and deformed seeds. Also, they can transmit diseases to the hemp plant during feeding.

Eurasian Hemp Borer (family Tortricidae)

The Eurasian hemp borer, Grapholita delineana, a known invasive pest of hemp, was observed for the first time in Nebraska in 2020 at the WCREEC field. During the summer of 2020, the peak of the adult flight in our field was recorded in early July, while larvae were found one month later in August (Figure 14).

The Eurasian hemp borer is a moth with a wingspan of around 0.5-inch wide. The moths have white lines on brown and gray wings (Figure 15). Older caterpillars have a reddish-orange coloration (Figure 16).

(Figure 17) are the damaging stage of this pest. Young larvae bore into the buds and plant stem and branches, which can cause wilting, swelling, and eventually death of the hemp plant. Additionally, plants can be stunted or even split due to the damage to the stem. Time to scout plants is from spring until harvest. This pest can also reproduce in feral cannabis (“ditch weed”). Therefore, monitoring and management of feral cannabis patches surrounding the cultivated hemp should be considered.

Conclusions

A diversity of both beneficial and potentially harmful arthropods has been found in industrial hemp grown in west-central Nebraska. Of particular interest is the presence of potential pests, such as Eurasian hemp borer, thrips, aphids, leafhoppers and tarnished plant bugs. However, an abundant community of beneficial natural enemies is also present in hemp fields and is contributing to the biological control of these pests. We encourage hemp growers across the state to regularly scout their fields and any nearby patches of feral cannabis, mainly looking for the presence and crop damage from Eurasian hemp borers. Please reach out to your local extension office with any questions.

Figure 12. Potato leafhopper. (Photo by J. Kalisch)

Figure 13. Tarnished plant bug. (Photo from UNL Entomology Department photo library)

Larvae

Figure 14. Visually observed seasonal distribution of Eurasian hemp borer in west-central Nebraska in hemp during the summer of 2020.

Figure 15. Adult of Eurasian hemp borer. (Photo by Whitney Cranshaw; Bugwood.org)

Figure 16. Larva of Eurasian hemp borer in hemp seed. (Photo by R. Collins)

Figure 17. Larva of Eurasian hemp borer tunneling through hemp stem. (Photo by M. Zaric)

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Use caution when grazing frost-damaged forage crops

As frost begins to appear across parts of the Northern Plains, temperatures have been low enough to cause leaf burning and plant stress in many frost-sensitive annual and perennial forage plants. James Rogers, North Dakota State University Extension forage crops production specialist, highlights three main frost effects: prussic acid production, nitrate accumulations and bloat.

“The most concerning of these frost effects is prussic acid which can develop in the sorghum family of plants,” Rogers says. “If cattle are grazing sorghum forages and frost warnings are in the forecast, remove cattle until after a killing frost has completely killed the plant and residual growth has fully dried down.”

Prussic acid can be released in the sorghum family when the plant undergoes a form of stress, such as frost, drought, grazing or chemical applications. When prussic acid develops, concentrations are highest in new, rapidly-growing leaf tissue and higher in leaves than stems, creating a hazard for grazing cattle. Once ingested by the animal, prussic acid blocks body cells from receiving oxygen.

A light frost can stop plant growth but will not kill the plant crown. The root crown then can still produce new shoots that can contain high levels of prussic acid. Cattle can detoxify a high percentage of low-level prussic acid exposure, but the high concentrations found in fresh regrowth following a stress period greatly increase the risk.

Fortunately, prussic acid levels drop as the sorghums dry. Complete dry down will usually take a week or more, depending on drying conditions. After the plants have completely dried down, it is safe for cattle to graze out the sorghum as a standing hay crop.

Frost can also cause conditions for nitrate accumulation. Forage crops such as annual cereals (oats, barley, rye), brassicas (turnips, radish), sorghums and millets can accumulate nitrates, leading to nitrate poisoning in ruminant animals. High nitrate levels may occur in hay containing these crops or late-planted crops that are targeted for late-season grazing or hay production.

Unlike prussic acid, drying of the forage for hay will not eliminate high levels of nitrate. Ensiling reduces levels by up to 50%, but if the initial nitrate level is high, even a 50% reduction might not be enough to reduce the concentrations to a safe feeding level for all livestock. Testing for nitrate levels is crucial to develop management strategies for feeding. Nitrate testing may be available at no cost to producers through NDSU Extension. Contact your local NDSU Extension agent for information about testing.

Frost damage can also increase the risk of bloat, particularly in legumes. In ruminants, bloat occurs when froth builds up in the rumen, preventing the animal from expelling gas. The gas builds, putting pressure on internal organs.

Frost damage in legumes or other plants with high levels of soluble proteins, such as alfalfa, clovers and vegetative cereal crops, causes a rupturing of plant cells, which then releases soluble proteins. Plant cell damage can also lead to increased levels of potassium, calcium and magnesium. These combined effects lead to increased risk of bloat in ruminants. This risk is highest one to seven days after frost occurs.

To mitigate risk during periods of plant stress, Rogers suggests several management steps based on the issue of concern:

Prussic acid

Avoid grazing sorghums following a period of light frost. Wait seven to 10 days or more before releasing cattle to graze. If new shoot growth begins following a light frost, avoid grazing until regrowth is 18 to 24 inches tall or after a killing frost.

Wait seven to 10 days or more following a killing frost to allow time for prussic acid dissipation. Once the plants have completely dried, grazing can resume.

Never turn hungry cattle out on sorghums.

Harvest as hay or silage to reduce prussic acid concentrations.

Nitrate accumulation

Test forages for nitrate levels.

Dilute high-nitrate forages with low-nitrate forages to bring the overall nitrate level down to an acceptable level for feeding.

Allow cattle a period of adjustment for higher levels of nitrate in the diet.

Ensure nitrate levels in stock water do not increase risk. Monitor cattle health during the feeding period.

CONTINUED ON PAGE C4

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WSU professor helps expand 4H curriculum abroad

By Joe Roberts, College of Agricultural, Human, and Natural Resource Sciences

Washington State University Professor Brian Brandt returned to the country of Georgia over the summer to support the expansion of WSU 4-H’s Know Your Government (KYG) curriculum into three new cities.

4-H KYG is an experiential learning curriculum designed to educate youth on democratic governance and separation of powers, important in the current context of Georgia, which is experiencing ongoing democratic development.

• 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.

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“KYG empowers people to engage with their democracy through interactive education,” Brandt said. “This is an important time politically in Georgia, and people there are motived to learn more about their relatively new democratic system of governance.”

Brian Brandt

Brandt made his first trip to Georgia in summer 2023 to support the inaugural KYG course in Tbilisi. The program was well-received by participants, who felt enriched by the active approach to learning. Personnel at the city’s U.S. Embassy then invited Brandt to return and oversee the curriculum’s expansion this year.

“Georgians appreciated KYG’s interactive and practical approach, which contrasts with more traditional, lecture-based learning methods,” said Giorgi Gabunia, a public diplomacy specialist at the U.S. Embassy in Tbilisi.

“The hands-on engagement promotes deeper understanding of democratic principles and encourages participants to apply what they’ve learned in tangible ways within their communities.”

The KYG curriculum was originally developed by WSU 4-H volunteer Melissa Beard in the late 1990s and has since been adapted by 4-H chapters throughout Washington. Beard currently serves as director of legislative affairs on the Council of Presidents.

In Washington state, each yearly offering of the KYG curriculum explores a different branch of government and culminates in a trip to the state’s capitol building. Last year, mock jury trials were part of the interactive portion that teaches about the U.S. judicial system. Mock jury trials were also held in Georgia during Brandt’s inaugural trip.

Brandt and other Washington state KYG educators notice youth participants have a higher engagement in community civics and volunteerism, a result that’s also been evident in Georgian participants.

“Feedback suggests that the curriculum enhances participants’ knowledge of governance and boosts their confidence when participating in civic activities,” Gabunia said. “This enthusiastic reception is indicative of the curriculum’s effectiveness in meeting the educational and social needs of Georgian youth.”

For Brandt, work with KYG in Georgia underscores the curriculum’s importance on the world stage.

“How do you hold a civil discussion with people who have differing viewpoints? Why is it important in politics to have different views? These are questions that KYG is very good at answering and exploring,” he said.

Use caution when grazing frost-damaged forage crops

Prevent bloat

If a pure stand of alfalfa has received a light frost, avoid grazing for at least three days or more to allow the bloat risk to decrease. For frost-damaged legumes, the biggest risk will be one to five days following frost damage.

If a killing frost has occurred, give plants time to dry down before. This may take a week or more depending on conditions.

Avoid turning hungry cattle onto a frost-damaged pasture of pure legumes or high percentage of legumes, and limit the amount of time spent grazing.

Provide some type of supplementation, such as poloxalene blocks.

Monitor cattle health. Some individuals seem to be more prone to bloat than others. If bloat occurs, be prepared to treat animals quickly.

“Fall is a great time of year with the changing of the seasons, but it can also cause negative changes in our forages that can impact livestock health,” Rogers says. “Be aware of these concerns and be prepared to deal with them.”

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2023 John Deere X9 1000 with Ulimate cab package, Active Yield plus moisture and yield sensors, Ultimate suspension and visibility packages, Signature Edition, ProDrive XL transmission, DynaFlow cleaning shoe, regular wear grain handling, 750/65R26 rear and 710/70R42 rear w/duals, fine cut chopper. Stock #87676 $679,000 (12)

2023 John Deere S790 with premium cab package, Active Yield with moisture sensor, Pro Drive transmission with HarvestSmart, TriStream rotor, power folding GT extensions, 28.5-ft. unloading auger, VF750/60R30 rear tires, LSW1100/4546 front single tires. Stock #87673 $610,000 (1)

2020 John Deere S790 with Combine Advisor, Active Yield, Advanced PowerCast tailboard, premium cab with leather, ProDrive transmission, extended wear package, power folding covers, 28.5-ft. unloading auger, FULL guidance, LSW 1100/45R46 front tires and 750/60R30 rear tires. Stock #88139 $489,000 (1)

2006 John Deere 9860STS level land, fixed speed feeder house, chopper, high capacity

Short-term supplementation strategy

By Lisa Moser, K-State Research and Extension news service

Many people start their day by taking a vitamin to help fill the gaps in their diet. Similarly, when forage quality declines in the fall, beef producers turn to protein supplements for the cow herd to help optimize performance, said the experts at Kansas State University’s Beef Cattle Institute.

Speaking on a recent Cattle Chat podcast, K-State veterinarian Bob Larson and K-State beef cattle nutritionist Phillip Lancaster addressed a listener question about how to best manage native grass pastures for the next six weeks when the ability to deliver protein is limited to once per week.

“When forage quality declines, the recommendation is to offer a protein supplement to the herd a few times a week. That allows the cow to recycle the protein through the rumen for overall health,” Larson said.

Recycling, he said, refers to how cattle use nitrogen in protein sources, which means they get more than one day’s benefit from the supplementation.

The producer who submitted the question said he was offering the herd four pounds of distiller’s grains once a week and wanted to know if that was enough to get cattle by for six weeks.

“Research has shown that there is a little bit of a drop off in forage digestibility for cattle that are offered protein supplementation once a week compared to every other day or every few days, but it is still better than giving them no supplementation,” Lancaster said.

For this scenario, Lancaster recommended the producer increase the protein supplementation to eight pounds per week for six weeks.

“From a protein perspective, you’ve got to give the animal excess protein that they can recycle,” Lancaster said. If cattle don’t have enough protein in their diet and are eating lower quality forages, it can cause them to lose body condition, he added.

Another way to monitor the health of the cattle is to look at the feces, Larson said.

“If the cow piles (feces) are tall and dry, then you probably need to increase either the amount or frequency of the protein supplementation,” he said.

COMBINES

Check out our line up of after season combines to get ready for next season.

2023 John Deere S780 with premium cab package, ProDrive transmission with HarvestSmart, Kondex extra wear, TriStream rotor, extended wear grain handling, power folding GT covers, 28.5-ft. unloading auger, 750/65R26 rear tires, 580/85R43 front tires with duals, side hill performance package. Stock #88922

$505,000 (11)

~ ~ ~

2021 John Deere S780 with premium cab, Active Yield, Combine Advisor, guidance, ProDrive transmission, regular wear grain handling, power folding GT covers, 28.5-ft. unloading auger, fine cut chopper, 750/65R26 rear tires, 520/85R42 front tires with duals, side hill performance package handling. Stock #88013

2020 John Deere S780 with 520/85R42 duals, 750/65R26 rear, TriStream Rotor, Contour Master with fore/aft. Combine Advisor, Active Yield, Advanced PowerCast tailboard, power folding grain tank, 28.5-ft. auger, 4600 display with premium 3.0 activation, receiver, sidehill performance kit, regular wear grain handling, standard lights, with extremity, premium radio. Stock #90724

$415,000 (14)

2023 John Deere S770 with Command Touch feederhouse (5 speed), TriStream rotor, ProDrive transmission, Premium Visibility Select cab (non-leather), Active Yield, Combine Advisor (parts in Great Falls), 28.5-ft. unloading auger, power folding tops, premium fine cut advanced tailboard, 520/85R42 duals, 600/70R28 rear, general purpose shoe, side hill performance kit, small wire concaves. Stock #87942 $512,500 (14)

$470,000 (2)

2021 John Deere S780 with TriStream (bullet) rotor, Contour Master with fore & aft, Combine Advisor, Active Yield, 6000 receiver (SF1), 4600 with extended monitor (premium 3.0 activation) standard lighting with extremity, 28.5-ft. unloading auger, power folding grain tank covers, Advanced PowerCast tailboard, 580/85R 42 duals, 750/65R26 rears,. Stock #90966

$437,500 (14)

2020 John Deere S780 with premium cab, LED lights and extremity lights, SF6000, Combine Advisor, Active Yield and moisture sensor, ProDrive with HarvestSmart, TriStream Rotor with extended wear package, power folding grain tank covers, 28.5-ft. unloading auger, fine cut chopper with PowerCast tailboard. Stock #84957. $419,000 (1)

2020 John Deere S780 with premium cab, leather, Combiine Advisor, Active Yield with moisture and yield sensors, ProDrive with HarvestSmart, TriStream rotor, power folding cover, 28.5-ft. unloading auger, fine cut chopper with PowerCast tailboard, 520/85R42 front tires with duals, 750/65R26 rear tires, side hill performance package. Stock #89740

2018 Case IH 7240, small grain, 2WD, singles, chopper, yield monitor, Contour Master (lateral tilt feederhouse) header: Case IH/MacDon D60 40-ft. draper with transport, no GPS. Stock #90342 $225,000 (16)

$370,000 (3)

2013 John Deere S670 with ProDrive transmissiion, heavy duty hi torque fixed speed drive, TriStream Rotor, 26ft. unload auger, Advanced PowerCast tailboard, fine cut chopper, premium cab and radio, HID lights..$137,000 (12)

22.5-ft. unloading auger,

4WD, ROW CROP AND UTILITY TRACTORS

2023 John Deere 9RX640 with E18 transmission, 36” Camso track, fixed 87” spacing, engine brake, 110 GPM dual hydraulic pump, 1000 PTO, standard Mid rollers, tow cable, Ultimate Comfort, air seat plus cab suspension, Ultimate visibility package, Signature Edition, Intelligent power management. Stock #88307

$672,000 (2)

2023 John Deere 9RX 640 with E18 transmission, Signature Edition with cab suspension, 36 inch track, 1000 PTO, less 3-point, 8 SCVs, Intelligent Power management, front and rear weights, extended warranty. Stock #90817

$747,500 (1)

2021 John Deere 9620RX with 760 mm/30” track, narrow spacing, PTO, display, large hydraulic pump, Performance Package, E18 transmission, 18F/6 R speeds with efficiency manager, 4600 command center with extended monitor, StarFire 6000 receiver, SF1 command center premium activation, 3.04600 processor Premium Command View III cab with cab suspension, premium radio package, Cummins X15 14.9L (912 cu. in.) 6 cylinder tier 4/ Stage V compliant diesel engine. Stock #91049 $595,000 (12)

2018 John Deere 9520RX with 520/362 hp, 4WD, cab, 18/6 PowerShift, 30” DuraBuilt 6500 (with poly mid rollers), 5 SCVs, no 3-point, 1000 PTO, premium radio, premium CVIII cab with suspension, no ACS, Hi-Flo hydraulics, Cat 5 drawbar, electric mirrors, premium lighting, 4600 command center with activation, no SF6000. Stock #89082 $440,000 (1)

2018 Versatile 610 DT with 605 hp, 16 speed power shift transmission, 36” track, deluxe cab, LED lights, guidance ready with receiver and 10” display, differential lock, 6 SCVs, 2 set of low pressure couplers. Stock #91193

$405,000 (12)

2014 John Deere 9560R with premium hiflow, 18 speed PowerShift, 18 forward/6 rear speeds with Efficiency Manager, premium Command View II cab, premium radio package with XM radio, hi-flow hydraulic system, 295 lpm (78 gpm), five deluxe electro-hydraulic rear remote selective control valves, Cat 5 drawbar (2 positions) with heavy duty drawbar support, 520/85R36 triples, weights. Stock #91816

$237,500 (12)

2014 John Deere 9510R very nice, one owner tractor, 4630 hours, high low hydraulics, PTO, full weight package, comes with 2630 display with AutoTrac, tires are 70%, 5 SCVs, Active seat. Stock #91714

$239,900 (15)

2023 John Deere 8R250 Signature Edition, IVT transmission, AutoTrac ready less receiver, Ultimate Comfort cab with air seat and cab suspension, 5 SCVs, 540/1000 PTO, Cat 3 3-point hitch, dual 480/80R50 rear tires, single 420/85R34 front tires, MFWD, independent link suspension, front and rear weights. Stock #91694 $388,000 (4)

2009 John Deere 8330 AutoTrac ready, IVT, full GPS, 4 SCVs, 3-point hitch, PTO, weights front and rear, 380 tires, front and rear wheel extensions. Stock #90100 $165,000 (15)

2023 John Deere 8R310 with 40K IVT with Command Pro, Ultimate cab, Active Seat II, Signature edition, Ultimate visibility, 4600 with Automation 4.0 activation, 6000 receiver, 84 GPM hydraulics with 6 remotes, Intelligent power management (IPM), 13/4” 1000 PTO, ILS suspension, 380/90R54 R1 rear duals (rear fender extensions), 380/80R38 R1W front duals (pivoting front fenders), 22 front weights, 1600# rear inner dual weight, 1/2” power beyond. Stock #90468

2023 John Deere 6R 215 with IVT (40K), 680R MSL, with grapple, Triple Link suspension (TLS), 620/70R42 rear singles (1800 lbs. rear weights), 480/70R30 single front, 540E/1000/1000E PTO, Ulitmate cab with suspension, premium Panorama lights (LED), 4600 display with AutoTrac activation, no receiver, heated rear window, Panorama glass roof, rear quick cooupler, Cold Start II, fuel heating. Stock #91655

$282,500 (14)

2015 John Deere 6150 with IVT transmission, Premium cab, 4 SCVs, 540/540/1000 PTO, 3-point hitch, Cat 3/3N, 480/80R46 rear and 420/90R30 front tires, GreenStar ready, 3 function mid hydraulics, loader and rear weights. Stock #90687 $115,000 (3)

$412,000 (2)

2023 John Deere 8R 310 hp row crop tractor with IVT transmission with RH reverser, guidance less receiver, air seat/cab suspension, 6 SCVs, 1000 RPM PTO, 3-point hitch, 480/80R50 rear tires with duals, 420/85R34 front tires with duals, front suspension-ILS, cold weather package, front and rear weights. Stock #90257 $397,500 (16)

2022 John Deere 8RT370 track tractor with 16-ft. track spacing with 16.5” 6500 series belts, poly mid rollers, 6000 receiver with RTK activation (no radio), 4600 display with automation 3.0, Signature edition, Ultimate cab, Ultimate lighting, 40K IVT with RHR, IPM, 6 remotes with high flow pump, 22 front weights, 12 side mount weights, radar, 1/2” PowerBeyond, 20,000 lb. 3-point hitch, Cat 4 swinging drawbar. Stock #87612

2023 John Deere 6R 230 with Command Pro (40K), front suspension, AutoTrac ready, 4600 display with AutoTrac Activation, no receiver, Ultimate cab, heated rear window, Ultimate seat, cab suspension, Panorama glass roof with premium lights, 5 rear E-SCVs, 540E/1000/1000E PTO, loader ready, (no loader), Cold Start II, fuel heater, front weight bracket with 18 weights, 380/90R50 duals, (1200 lbs. weights), 380/85R34 front singles with turntable fenders. Stock #88845 $317,500 (14)

2023 John Deere 6R 145 with 20 speed AQ, front suspension, 4200 display with AutoTrac activation, no receiver, AutoTrac ready, 640 R loader with grapple and lights, cab suspension, Panorama glass roof with premium light package, heated rear window, 3 rear E-SCV 540E/1000/1000E PTO, dual 480/80R42 rear with fender extension (1800 lbs wheel weights) 420/85R28 front with turntable fenders, Cold Start II fuel heater, 3 pt quick coupler. Stock #88833 $205,000 (14)

2021 John Deere 6130R tractor with premium cab, 620R loader, bucket, grapple, 24 speed AutoQuad, MFWD with TLS, 3 electric SCV’s, 540/1000 PTO, 4200 display, front fenders, 460/85R38 rear tires, 340/85R28 front tires, rear wheel weights. Stock #88926 $170,000 (11)

$450,000 (15)

1998 New Holland 8970 row crop tractor, 240/210 hp, MFWD, cab, 16/8 PowerShift, 4 SCVs, 3-point, 1000 PTO, front weights, dual rear 520/85R42, 16 front weights. Stock #91395.........$54,000 (2)

2013 Case IH Magnum 315 with 315 hp, suspended cab, 4 SCVs, 3-point, Quick hitch, 13/4” 1000 PTO, PowerShift transmission, LH reverser, front fenders, 380/80R38 front singles (10%),. 480/80R50 duals (20%), 18 front weights, outside mirrors, cast rear wheel weights. Stock #90144

$175,000 (16)

2023 John Deere 6155M with PowerQuad+ 20/20 transmission, AutoTrac ready, display less receiver, 3 SCVs, MFWD, 2 speed PTO, 480/80R42 rear and 420/85R28 front tires, beacon light, work lights, Panorama roof, JD 6450 loader with bucket and grapple. Stock #89994 $182,500 (15)

2022 John Deere 5090E with PowerGard warranty through October 2028 or 3500 hours, 24 speed power reverser transmission, 3 SCVs, 3-point, loader ready package with 2 mid mount hydraulics, air suspension seat, cab, 18.4R30 rear tires, 12.4R24 front tires. Stock #88004 $73,000 (16)

BALE FEEDERS

Winter is right around the corner. Make sure you are ready for feeding this winter. We have a large selection of bale feeders ready to go.

2010 Vermeer BPX9000 bale processor and feeder with right hand discharge, 1000 PTO. Stock #88786 $15,000 (15)

2008 Vermeer BP8000 with right hand discharge, 1000 PTO, center rotor, hydraulic deflector, carries 2 round bales. Stock #91078 $12,000 (16)

2014 Haybuster 2650 carries 2 round bales, 1000 RPM PTO, right hand discharge, hydraulic deflector. Stock #91120 $16,000 (16)

$89,000 (12)

2008 John Deere 7630 with cab, MFWD, IVT, guidance ready, 540/1000 PTO, singles, deluxe Command View cab and Command ARM with John Deere Active seat, AutoTrac ready, left hand reverser, control and field cruise, deluxe comfort package, 3 deluxe rear remote cylinder control valves with electro-hydraulic controls, 480/80R46 rear tires, JD loader with bucket and grapple. Stock #90104

2022 John Deere 7R 290 Signature Edition, IVT, AT ready less receiver, Ultimate Comfort cab with air seat and cab suspension, 6 SCVs, 1000 PTO, 3 point, dual 520/85R46 rear and single 480/70R34 front tires, front fenders, Triple Link front suspension, cold weather package, 24 front weights, rear weights. Stock #91693

$345,000 (4)

2023 John Deere 6155 M with PowerQuad+ 20/20 transmission, AutoTrac ready, less display and receiver, 3 SCVCs, MFWD, 540/1000 PTO, 480/80R42 rear and 420/85R28 front tires, beacon light, work lights, JD 640 loader with bucket and grapple. Stock #89997 $180,000 (15)

2014 Haybuster 2650 with hydraulic deflector and right hand delivery. Stock #82464

$16,500 (4)

2014 Haybuster 2650 with scale kit, right hand discharge, hydraulic deflector, flotation tires. Stock #90177 $17,000 (4)

2016 Haybuster 2650 with 2 bale carrier, hydraulic deflector, right hand discharge, flotation tires. Stock #83710 $18,500 (4)

2015 Haybuster 2660 2-bale processor, flotation tires, left hand discharge. Stock #87924 $20,000 (4)

2022 Bale King 6200 with round bale processor, 6 bale capacity, self loading, 1000 PTO, tandem 14Lx16.1 tires, requires 3 SCVs to function, used one season. Stock #89403 $39,000 (3)

2021 Haybuster 2800 2-bale processor for round and large square bales, right hand discharge, 2 stage hydraulic deflector, 1000 PTO, fixed chamber. Never been used. Stock #78651..$46,000 (14)

2019 Highline CFR651 with right hand discharge, hydraulic deflector, 1000 RPM PTO, large flotation tires. Stock #90738

$19,000 (16)

2021 Highline BP661-300 with 1000 RPM PTO, hydraulic deflector, fine chop kit, only a couple hundred bales run through it, like new. Stock #90265 $31,000 (16)

2012 Bale King 5100 bale processor with RH discharge, hydraulic deflector, 1000 PTO, round bales only. Stock #87387

$11,000 (11)

2020 Jiffy 928 bale feeder, like new bale feeder, RH discharge, 16.1 tires, 1000 PTO. Stock #85863 $23,000 (15)

#78651

IN STOCK

Hunters urged to practice biosecurity during fall season

Many hunters are preparing for fall goose and duck season in North Dakota. As hunters prepare, they are encouraged to review biosecurity practices to protect domestic birds and livestock from highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI). Positive cases of HPAI continue to be reported in wild birds, domestic birds and dairy cattle.

This risk of transmission increases during hunting season, due to increased interactions with wild birds that may be carrying HPAI. Hunters who have contact with domestic poultry and livestock should be aware of what steps to take if they see sick or deceased wildlife, advise North Dakota State University Extension specialists.

“If you hunt game or wild birds and own domestic poultry or livestock, do not wear hunting clothes or footwear while you are interacting with your poultry or livestock,” says Miranda Meehan, NDSU Extension livestock environmental stewardship specialist. “Infected birds shed bird flu viruses in their saliva, mucous and feces.”

The primary carriers of avian influenza A are waterfowl, gulls, terns and shorebirds. H5N1 HPAI has been detected in wild birds throughout all U.S. migratory flyways. Wild birds can be infected without showing symptoms of the infection. While waterfowl are the primary carriers, positive cases are documented in predatory birds and mammals.

All poultry or livestock owners, no matter the size, should practice good biosecurity to protect their animals from HPAI.

“The best defense against HPAI is having a biosecurity plan in place,” says Mary Keena, NDSU Extension livestock environmental management specialist. “It is your job as an animal owner to create a line of separation between your clean animals and the potential unclean issues that wildlife or visitors may bring.”

The biosecurity practices to consider implementing to reduce the risk to domestic birds are:

Do not haul disease home. If you’ve been out walking in fields or wetlands while hunting be sure to change clothing and footwear before crossing the clean/dirty line to care for your animals.

Do not walk or drive trucks, tractors or equipment through areas where waterfowl or other wildlife feces may be. If you cannot avoid this, clean your shoes, vehicles and equipment thoroughly to prevent transferring disease.

Field dress game birds when possible to reduce the potential for disease transfer.

Dogs are not at high risk to contract the virus. However, there have been documented cases of dogs transmitting HPAI to domestic flocks. If your dog has interacted with wildlife, take measures to keep them away from poultry or livestock.

If visitors will be interacting with your poultry or livestock, make sure you know where they have been, require them to wash their hands, and ensure their clothes and footwear are clean and disinfected.

Reduce the attractiveness for wild birds to stop at your place by cleaning up litter and spilled feed around animal housing areas.

If you have free-range guinea fowl and waterfowl, consider bringing them into coops or flight pens under nets to prevent interaction of domesticated poultry with wild birds and their droppings.

Non-lethal methods to deter wildlife are available on the USDA Wildlife Damage webpage: https://www.aphis.usda. gov/wildlifr-services/publications/technical

Avian influenza surveillance and testing in wild birds is being done by the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service and the North Dakota Game and Fish Department. Report sick and dead wildlife at https://bit.ly/mortalityreport. Direct wild bird avian influenza questions to the North Dakota Game and Fish Department at 701-204-2161.

Avian influenza is a zoonotic disease, meaning there is a chance it can be transferred to humans.

“While this risk is low, hunters of wild birds are more likely to have increased exposure to the virus, which may increase risk of infection,” says Mary Keena, NDSU Extension livestock environmental management specialist.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, if you must handle wild birds or sick or dead poultry, minimize direct contact by wearing gloves and washing your hands with soap and water after touching birds. If available, wear respiratory protection such as a medical facemask. After handling wild birds, discard the gloves and facemask, change your clothing, disinfect footwear, and then wash your hands with soap and water.

The North Dakota Game and Fish Department suggests CONTINUED ON PAGE C11

First year Marias Fair

member Ryatt

judge

Hunters urged to practice biosecurity during fall season

CONTINUED FROM PAGE C10

10-ft. & 12-ft. dirt box

the following practices to reduce risk of infection: Do not handle game that is found dead or appears to be sick.

Do not eat, drink or smoke while cleaning game, and avoid contamination of your eyes, mouth, nose, or any open cuts or sores with blood or other fluids from game that you are cleaning.

Wash hands, cleaning utensils and other surfaces with soap and hot water immediately after cleaning game.

IN STOCK

There is no evidence that anyone has contracted the virus from eating properly cooked bird, either domestic or wild. It is always a safe practice to fully cook wild game to 165 degrees Fahrenheit, regardless of whether there is a threat of HPAI.

swine

Reeverts visited with

Jodi Pauley during the swine show. Ryatt’s 281 pound pig sold to Wahl Farms of Cut Bank. Photo by Kari Lewis.

Dakota Food Rx and high tunnel research support local producers

SDSU Extension has supported the growing local foods movement for more than 20 years. This year, those efforts have included a pilot produce prescription program and expanded high tunnel research.

Dakota Food Rx launched in January 2024 and is funded through a South Dakota Community Foundation grant. In its pilot phase, the program serves Spearfish and Sturgis with capacity for up to 50 patients.

Geb Bastian, assistant professor and SDSU Extension Nutrition and Health Specialist, said the program connects patients who are food insecure and have diet-related chronic disease with locally grown fruits and vegetables.

Health care providers screen patients and issue a “prescription” to receive free produce from a participating community supported agriculture (CSA) producer. Budding Moon Farm and Cycle Farm by Spearfish and Bear Butte Gardens by Sturgis are the participating CSAs, who Bastian said have been integral partners.

Bastian and others are also working to develop a set of Dakota Food Rx recipes to feature the produce people receive from the CSAs. Some of his favorite recipes so far have been an eggplant lasagna, and a new spin on stuffed peppers.

“Maybe you’ve never used kohlrabi, but you’ve had coleslaw so we can show you how to make coleslaw with a kohlrabi,” Bastian said.

Giving people better access to fresh produce can help them manage, or possibly even prevent, chronic diseases related to diet. In addition, Bastian hopes participants feel a stronger sense of community through involvement in Dakota Food Rx.

“We think about health as holistic; it’s not just about nutrition,” Bastian said. “The

programs we create in SDSU Extension try to touch on as many aspects of health as possible.”

Based on the positive response so far, Bastian hopes to implement the program statewide in the future.

For producers, high tunnels continue to garner interest. There is not a centralized database tracking high tunnel construction, but there are about 100 high tunnels in South Dakota that were constructed with financial assistance through the U.S. Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service. Kristine Lang, assistant professor and SDSU Extension Consumer Horticulture Specialist, estimates there are 100-200 more that have been constructed by individuals or groups without NRCS funding.

“We know people are still building high tunnels,” she said.

A high tunnel is a protective structure that is an increasingly popular option for vegetable and flower growers. It is plasticcovered, solar-heated and passively ventilated. Unlike a greenhouse, plants in a high tunnel are still grown directly in the soil and are less expensive to construct.

South Dakota growers contend with extreme temperatures, winds, and short growing seasons. Lang said high tunnels can extend growing seasons by several weeks and improve the quality of produce and reduce plant diseases. Overall, she said that can improve produce yields and strengthen profit for growers.

“High tunnels are an important tool for diversification of farms, which is huge for the local foods story,” Lang said.

Thanks to funding from a USDA Specialty Crop Block Grant administered by South Dakota Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources, there are two new high tunnels at the SDSU Specialty Crop Research Field-South in Brookings for continued research and education.

Lang hosts high tunnel tours and is tracking seasonal changes in air and soil temperatures. Her other upcoming research projects include cut flower rotations and heat tolerance in high tunnel systems.

For more information on Dakota Food Rx, visit the Dakota Food Rx program page or email Geb Bastian. For more information on high tunnels and to schedule a tour, email Kristine Lang.

SDSU builds the second of its two on-campus high tunnels that will be used for research and public education. (Kira Moorse, SDSU Extension)

SDSU has constructed two high tunnels on its Brookings campus that will be used for research and public education.

TRACTORS

2023 John Deere 8R 340 Signature Edition, IVT with RHR, ILS, full GPS, 6 SCVs, 480/80R50 rear tires with duals, 420/85R34 front tires with duals, 675 hours. 6 year/4000 hour extended PowrGard Warranty. Stock #90253 $422,500

2023 John Deere 8R 340 Signature Edition, IVT with RHR, ILS, full GPS, 6 SCVs, 380/90R54 rear tires with duals, 380/80R38 front tires with duals, 270 hours. 6 year/4000 hour extended PowrGard Warranty. Stock #90254 $442,500

2022 John Deere 8R 340 IVT with RHR, ILS, 6 SCVs, 480/80R50 dual rears, 480/70R34 front duals, full GPS, 439 hours. Extended warranty til 8-2028 Stock #90437 $402,500

2023 John Deere 8R 310 MFWD, IVT, air seat, cab suspension, right hand reverser, 60 gallon per minute hydraulic pump, 6 SCVs, 480/80R 50 rear duals, 420/85R 34 front duals, 22 front weights, 1500 lb. rear weights, 590 hours. PowrQuad Warranty till 3-2029 or 4000 hours. Stock #89857. $417,500

$377,500

2022 John Deere 8R 310 IVT with RHR, ILS, full GPS, 6 SCVs, 480/80R50 rear tires with duals, 420/85R34 front tire with duals, 897 hours. 6 year/4000 hour extended PowrGard Warranty. Stock #90255.

2021 John Deere 8R 230 Signature Edition, IVT with RHR, ILS, 6 SCVs, 380/90R54 duals, 320/80R42 front singles, full GPS, 1023 hours. Extended warranty till 7-2027. Stock #90440...$290,000

2017 John Deere 8245R IVT with RHR, ILS, 6 SCVs, 480/80R50 dual rears, 420/85R34 front dual, full GPS, 3200 hours. Stock #90799........ $210,000

2014 John Deere 8245R IVT with RHR, ILS, 5 SCVs, 480/80R50 dual rears, 420/85R34 front singles, full GPS, 5000 hours. Stock #90439.......... $175,000

2012 John Deere 8235R IVT with RHR, ILS, 6 SCVs, 480/80R50 dual rears, 420/85R34 front singles, full GPS, 4500 hours. Stock #90801. $172,500

2023 John Deere 6155M cab tractor with 640R loader/grapple, 20 PowrQuad with left hand reverser, AutoTrac ready, less receiver, 3 SCVs, MFWD, beacon and work lights, triple link suspension. Factory Warranty good till August 2025 or 2000 hours. PowrGard Warranty good till August 2029 or 4000 hours. 2- 450# weights each side & ballast, 535 hours. Stock #91151. $187,500

2023 John Deere 6155M cab tractor with 640R loader/grapple, 20 speed PowrQuad with left hand receiver, AutoTrac ready, less receiver, 3 SCVs, MFWD, beacon & work lights, triple link suspension. Factory Warranty good till August 2025 or 2000 hours. PowrGard Warranty good till August 2029 or 4000 hours. 2-450# weights each side & ballast, 1122 hours. Stock #91177. $177,500

2023 John Deere 6155M cab tractor with 640R loader/grapple, 20 speed PowrQuad with left hand reverser, AutoTrac ready less receiver, 3 SCVs, MFWD, beacon & work lights, triple link suspension. Factory Warranty good till August 2025 or 2000 hours. PowrGard Warranty till August 2029 or 4000 hours. 2-450# weights each side & ballast. Stock #91178. $177,500

SQUARE BALERS

2018 Massey-Ferguson 2290 4x4 square baler, 31,024 bales. Stock #88736. $129,900

2017 John Deere L340 3x4 baler, tandem axle,

2017 New Holland L340 3x4 baler, tandem axle, moisture sensor, Maxi sweep pickup with gauge wheels, 1000 PTO, bale chute, 25,185 bales. Stock #91262. $59,000

2023 John Deere 6155M cab tractor with 640R loader/grapple, 20 speed PowrQuad with left hand reverser, AutoTrac ready, less display and receiver, 3 SCVs, MFWD, beacon and work lights. 1029 hours. Factory Warranty good till June 2025 or 2000 hours. PowrGard Warranty good till June 2029 or 4000 hours. Stock #89998.

$172,500

2022 Johh Deere 6110M MFWD cab tractor, PowerQuad 24 speed transmission with left hand reverser, 3 SCVs, 540/1000 PTO, Pandramna roof and mechanical cab suspension, loader ready, 588 hours. Stock #90439.

$110,000

2022 John Deere 5090E cab, MFWD, 24/12 transmission with left hand reverser, air seat, 3 rear SCVs, 520M mechanical self leveling loader. Stock #88004. PowerGard Warranty till 10-2028 or 3500 hours

$81,900

2022 John Deere 5090E cab, MFWD, 24/12 transmission with left hand reverser, loader ready, air seat, 3 rear SCVs, approximately 400 hours. Stock #88003. PowerGard Warranty till 10-2028 or 3500 hours

$73,000

2019 John Deere 5090E cab tractor, MFWD, 12/12 transmission, 3 SCVs, 540M loader, 955 hours. Stock #90685.

$62,000

2019 John Deere 8345R 2000 hours, IVT transmission, ILS, full GPS, 6 SCVs, front duals 480/70R34, rear duals 480/80R50. Stock #88843

$315,000

2018 New Holland T6.170 cab, MFD, 16 speed, Dual Command transmission, 845TL loader & grapple, 888 hours. Stock #86681.

$126,000

2009 John Deere 8330 cab tractor, MFWD, IVT with right hand reverser, 3 SCVs, deluxe cab with Instructional seat, 480/80/46 rear duals, front & rear weights, 7384 hours. Stock #90320.

$112,500

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2014 Morris 900 Hay Hiker, 8 bale retriever. Stock #91605.$25,000

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Prevent a disaster by boosting safety habits

In the rush of the harvest season, shortcuts concerning truck safety are a detour to disaster, according to farm safety and transportation experts at North Dakota State University.

“Harvest season always feels too short for the amount of work that has to be done. There is an urge to go faster, work longer and push harder, but a few minutes invested in safety is time well-spent,” notes Angie Johnson, NDSU Extension farm and ranch safety coordinator. “That’s especially true on rural roads where heavy trucks may frequently mingle with other typical traffic.”

North Dakota ranks near the top nationally for truckinvolved crash fatality rates, says Kim Vachal, a senior researcher and expert in rural road safety with NDSU’s Upper Great Plains Transportation Institute. State crash records show that 66.7% of serious crashes (those with fatalities and disabling injuries) occurred on rural roads between 2016 and 2020. During that period, 16% of those crashes occurred on gravel roads, more than twice the rate for non-truck crashes.

The NDSU experts recommend several steps for boosting farm truck safety:

Inspect the truck. Walk around the truck when starting the day, refueling or changing shifts. Check tires and lights. Wash windshields, mirrors, headlights and taillights to make sure you can see and other drivers can see you.

Wear your seatbelt. In a crash, your seatbelt is your best protection.

Fight fatigue. Take short breaks to get out of the truck and stretch your muscles. Use those breaks to check your truck’s lights and tires and other equipment. Stay hydrated.

Maintain safe speeds. A typical 5-axle semi loaded with corn weighs more than 75,000 pounds and takes about 40% longer to bring to a stop than the typical passenger vehicle. Loose gravel road surfaces and rough fields can make controlling trucks a challenge at any speed.

Ditch distractions. Don’t multi-task. Make driving your singular focus. Eating, drinking, talking on the phone, texting, even adjusting the radio can be a distraction.

Prevent fires. Park in areas with minimal vegetation. Repair fuel leaks and damaged wiring. Never refuel with the engine running. Clean chaff and debris from exhaust and other hot vehicle components. Carry a fire extinguisher. Account for visibility. Darkness, glaring sun and dusty conditions all limit visibility. Adjust your speed accordingly. Don’t overdrive your headlights – if you can’t stop within the area illuminated by your headlights, you will not see hazards until it is too late.

Use caution when entering and leaving fields. Field approaches may be narrow or soft. Go slow and make sure that the tractor and trailer have enough room to maneuver. Watch for traffic. Other trucks may be using the same field approach. Remember that a fully loaded truck takes a long time to come up to speed.

Track your trailer in turns. Make wide turns to ensure your trailer stays out of the ditch and clears any obstacles like road signs, trees or lights. Use your turn signal and your mirrors. Keep mud off the road. Mud on roads is hazardous to the traveling public. Clean off excessive mud or contact the road authority for help. Your county may have a policy spelling out responsibilities and penalties for dealing with mud on roads.

At the same time, motorists in rural areas need to be cautious at this time of year as well.

Share the road. Large trucks need room to operate, avoid crowding them. On narrow or gravel roads, slow down and pull over as far as you safely can. Watch for wide turns. Pass with care. Trucks may be moving slowly for a reason. Make absolutely sure it is safe to pass.

Be aware of your surroundings. Trucks may enter traffic from unexpected areas.

Wear your seatbelt. In the event of a crash, a seatbelt is your best protection.

Avoid no zones. Semi-trucks have large blind spots referred to as “no zones” where other vehicles are invisible to the driver. If you cannot see the driver in the truck’s side mirror, it is likely the driver cannot see you. When passing or being passed, do not linger in those blind spots. Cutting in front of a semi-truck or following too closely can also put you in a blind spot and dramatically increase your chances of being involved in a crash.

“The bottom line is that all drivers in farm country need to be extra cautious during harvest,” Johnson says. “A few minutes dedicated to safety can prevent a crash that at best results in

to vehicles and that at worst could result in a serious injury or loss of life.”

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#####

Pumpkins originated in Central America. They are a winter squash and a member of the Cucurbitacae family. This includes cucumbers, melons, and watermelons. And it includes gourds, too.

#####

A pumpkin is a fruit. Most people think of it as a vegetable.

After the hunt: Food safety begins in the field

By Pat Melgares, K-State Research and Extension news service

October signals a key month for hunters in Kansas and the surrounding region. As of October. 1, the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks lists open season for elk, antelope, deer, Greater Prairie Chicken, snipe, dove, rail, squirrel, rabbit, coyote and even bullfrogs.

By the end of the October, you can add antelope, duck, woodcock, geese, pheasant and quail to the list of options.

While some hunt for trophies, much of the harvest will make its way to the family dinner table. Kansas State University food scientist Karen Blakeslee said bringing home safe food begins in the field.

“Once the animal is killed, dress it out as soon as possible and chill the carcass promptly,” said Blakeslee, who also is coordinator of the university’s Rapid Response Center for Food Science.

“The goal is to ensure rapid loss of body heat and prevent fermentation of the guts. Keep your hands and equipment as clean as possible to reduce contamination. Quickly and efficiently dressing the animal in the field can also provide better meat quality.”

Blakeslee urged deer and elk hunters to be particularly aware of signs of Chronic Wasting Disease, which the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks reports has been found in 1,075 deer and elk, as of June 30.

“While no humans have contracted CWD from infected animals to date, the risk is still present,” Blakeslee said. “Cooking temperature will not denature or deactivate CWD prions that cause illness.

Once home, meat should be prepared or stored appropriately to maintain safety, according to Blakeslee. Dehydrated meat – jerky – is a popular option.

“Because jerky is a meat product, the temperature that the meat reaches is important,” Blakeslee said. “Improperly prepared and heated jerky can support the growth of Salmonella and E. coli O157:H7.”

“The optimal dehydrating temperature is 130-140 degrees Fahrenheit to efficiently remove moisture from the meat. But the meat must also reach 160 F to kill harmful bacteria. This temperature can be achieved before or after the dehydration process.”

More guidance also is available online in the K-State Research and Extension publication, Preserve it Fresh, Preserve it Safe: Dry Meat Safely at Home.

“Always was your hands and clean equipment,” Blakeslee said. “Slice meat no thicker than ¼ inch for optimal dehydration. Remove as much fat as possible to reduce rancidity. Add flavor with marinade and store in the refrigerator until it is ready to dehydrate.”

Dried jerky can be packed in glass jars or heavy plastic food storage bags. Blakeslee said vacuum packaging also is a good option. Homemade jerky is best used within 1 to 2 months; refrigerate or freeze homemade jerky for longer storage.

Meat can also be canned, but since it is a low acid food, “it must be pressure canned,” according to Blakeslee. “Use lean meat, and remove as much fat as possible because excess fat can interfere with the lid sealing onto the jar and could become rancid over storage time.”

A how-to guide on pressure canning is available online from the K-State Research and Extension’s bookstore.

Blakeslee said freezing meat is “easy, convenient and the least time consuming food preservation method.

“For meat, package or wrap the meat tightly to remove oxygen and prevent freezer burn,” she said. “Use freezer safe packaging for best results. Freezing does not kill bacteria, so always wash your hands before and after handling meat. Freeze food in batches so the freezer can work efficiently. Keep the freezer temperature at 0 degrees F for optimal freezer storage.”

When ready to use the meat, Blakeslee says it should first be thawed in the refrigerator. Other options are a cold water bath or in the microwave, then continue preparing the meat. Avoid thawing meat on the counter at room temperature as this can allow any bacteria present to grow and multiply.

Approximate refrigerator and freezer storage times for meat and other foods can be found in an online publication also available from K-State Research and Extension.

More food safety tips are available online from K-State’s Rapid Response Center for Food Science. Blakeslee publishes a monthly newsletter, called You Asked It!, with timely tips for safe food in and out of the home.

#####

Father in heaven, thank you for having the neighbor check on us. We left the garage door open two nights this week, feeling sure we’d locked up tight. Thank you for having her call us.

##### Pumpkins are 90% water. The largest pumpkin ever grown is well over one ton.

#####

An estimated 50 million pumpkin pies are consumed on Thanksgiving.

#####

I’ll follow you to the ends of the earth. Let the word go out to the four corners of the earth that ever since Columbus we have known that the earth doesn’t have any ends.

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To Implant, or Not to Implant?

By Dagan Montgomery, UW Extension Educator, Sublette County

For ranchers looking to increase output from their herds, several modern means to improve efficiency and profit are available. Whether running a cow-calf, stocker, or feeder operation, these opportunities often involve increasing weight gain in market cattle with as little extra feed and other resources as possible. In the feeder sector of the beef industry, the use of growth implants is one common method for improving gain and feed efficiency.

“Implants” refer to growth stimulants inserted into a growing animal. These stimulants contain compounds that cause a physiological response that leads to greater muscle accumulation. Growth implants work by slowly releasing a pelletized compound that replicates the effects of the natural hormones estrogen, testosterone, or progesterone. These lead to an increase in growth hormone in the body, which contributes to muscle development. Implants have been used to great effect in feedlots, where a calf’s ability to grow efficiently and in a timely manner is critical.

Implants are not restricted to feedlot operations. They are also available for cow-calf and stocker programs for the same purpose: to increase growth without major increases in feed quantity and quality. However, implants have not become nearly as popular in the stages of production leading up to the feedlot. Even though implants have been in production for more than 60 years, it’s estimated that less than half of cow-calf operations nationwide utilize growth implants.

Growth implants are available for use in all three sectors of the beef industry: nursing calves, stocker calves, and feedlot calves. As per FDA regulation, a specific implant may only be approved for use in specific stages of production or sexes, so always read the product label and follow recommendations.

Consumers have expressed concerns regarding the use of implants in beef cattle. To those who don’t understand the process or how it affects the end product, this is understandable. As beef producers, it is important to know the facts so we can reassure customers and the general public that we produce a safe and nutritious product despite the use of modern innovations.

Most consumer concern stems from the assumption that implanted beef will have higher hormone levels than non-implanted beef, and that these hormones could go on to have negative impacts on human health. However, this is not the case. Both the FDA and the World Health Organization, among other groups, have concluded that implanted beef poses no health risk to people.

The increase in hormone activity between implanted and non-implanted calves is minimal. Beef from implanted cattle has about 2.5 nanograms (ng) of estrogenic activity per 4-oz. serving, compared to 1.8 ng from non-implanted beef. To put this into perspective, in a 4-oz. serving, eggs have about 3,968 ng of estrogen, peas have 453 ng, cabbage has 2,721 ng, and soybean oil contains

226,757 ng. This is not to suggest that any of these other foods are dangerous, simply that the hormones introduced by implanted beef are negligible. Non-pregnant adult women produce naturally about 5,000,000 nanograms of estrogen/day, and even adult men produce about 100,000 ng/day. Several implants are available for use in nursing calves and are typically administered between two and four months old. No implants are approved for calves less than 30 to 45 days old. Nursing calf implants typically have a lower dose of active ingredient compared to those meant for older calves.Several black cattle in a field with a hose and plastic trough. In the background a number of people are standing together.

Research shows that one implant given to nursing steer calves increases average daily gain by about 0.10 lbs./day and can increase weaning weights by 15 to 30 pounds. It is worth noting that implants do not make up for poor quality feed. Implanted calves must receive adequate nutrition to make use of the added growth potential. Most research that shows a significant increase in gain on implants assumes all calves are well supplemented with high-quality feed.

Implants are only effective for about 120 days, and since many calves aren’t weaned until seven to eight months old, reimplanting can help increase gains to 0.13 lbs./day during this period.

If implanting all calves, note that only certain implant recommendations are approved for heifers without hurting reproductive performance. If replacement heifers are identified early on, it is generally recommended to not implant them. No implant regiment is approved for bull calves that will be used for breeding.

For those who buy and background stocker calves, as well as those who market yearlings or maintain ownership through to the slaughterhouse, implanting can be even more effective at this stage of production. Not only are more implants available to stockers than to nursing calves, but implanting stocker calves has shown to improve daily gains by 10 to 20% over those that have not been implanted. Improved gains from implants can be maximized with the use of ionophores.

More aggressive implants are typically used as animals progress through the stages of production. Depending on the implant, stocker calves can be reimplanted every 90 to 100 days as the initial effects wear off from the first implant. When calves are stocked or backgrounded for longer than 130 to 140 days, reimplanting can be an economical way to further improve gain.

Research conducted at UW’s James C. Hageman Sustainable Agriculture Research and Extension Center (SAREC) near Lingle has shown that implanting weaned calves in the winter can lead to a $12 to $22 increase in calf value on a per head basis. This was an 80-day study from a few years back, conducted on a dry lot feed program before calves went back onto grass in the spring.

Diagram by Dagan Montgomery.

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Herbicide to control Palmer Amaranth in sugar beet acres

By Chabella Guzman, PREEC Communications / Dr. Nevin Lawrence, Nebraska Extension Weed Management Specialist

In 2019, Western Sugar Cooperative knew it had a problem when the herbicide-resistant weed Palmer amaranth became more common within its 135,000-acre sugar beet crop.

“Palmer amaranth can seed and begin to grow in under two weeks and grow two inches a day,” said Rebecca Larsen, Western Sugar’s chief scientist. “It’s competitive and can crowd out the sugar beet plant before it can get established.”

Palmer Amaranth is a veritable weed powerhouse producing thousands of seeds per plant. It grows in cropland where the ground is often disturbed, can emerge throughout the entire growing season, is more competitive than other pigweed species, and is resistant to several herbicide modes-of-action across the US. While Palmer amaranth was spreading across the Nebraska and Colorado sugar beet acres, Dr. Nevin Lawrence, Nebraska Extension Weed Management Specialist located at the Panhandle Research, Extension, and Education Center in Scottsbluff, had been working on the management of Palmer for several years. Fortunately Lawrence had begun research into a novel herbicide for Palmer control in sugar beet in 2018 when ADAMA, a crop protection company, sent Lawrence and other weed scientists samples of their herbicide Goltix.

“At the time, I was the only sugar beet weed scientist in the United States who was actively doing a lot of research in the management of Palmer amaranth, and the herbicide was really, really good when applied pre-crop emergence for management of Palmer in sugar beets,” Lawrence said. Lawrence saw the product as a clear breakthrough for sugar beet growers. He approached Western Sugar Cooperative, and the two collaborated with funding and research to begin the process of bringing Goltix to sugar beet growers. “There was a lot of work needed to figure out an optimal rate that was high enough to control Palmer but

also economical for the growers. We also had to figure out how to integrate Goltix with current sugar beet production practices like irrigation, tillage, and the use of other herbicides”, said Lawrence. After six years of field trials, the only thing needed was an herbicide label to allow commercial use in the U.S.

While it has been used for decades in Europe Goltix, and its active ingredient, had never been registered in the U.S. The normal process for creating a pesticide label is time consuming and expensive, however in emergency situations, where farmers are facing significant economic loss and there is no other available pesticide to manage a pest, an emergency use label can by granted by the EPA.

Western Sugar was beginning to look at substantial yield loss without the herbicide. “This is really the only herbicide that was an option,” Lawrence said. “So, they decided to go for what’s called a Section 18 or an emergency use label. This was the first time. As far as I’m aware, they’ve granted an emergency use label for an herbicide that had never been labeled in the U.S.”

A section 18 Label for Goltix was granted for sugar beet growers in Colorado and Nebraska for use in the spring of 2024. “This year was a rush as we received the use label just in time for use from March 31 to May 31 (when sugar beets are planted),” Larsen said.

“I probably had over 40 or 45 phone calls from agronomists and growers asking how to use the product in April and May,” Lawrence said. “So that was a really crazy spring for me, but it went out in 2024, and so far, the results from growers and Western Cooperative have been just outstanding.”

The Emergency Use Label will need to be renewed each year until the EPA releases a normal label.

To Implant, or Not to Implant?

CONTINUED FROM PAGE C18

Feed efficiency and average daily gain was significantly better in implanted weaned calves, which required 5.41 lbs. of feed per pound of gain versus 5.89 pounds of feed per pound of gain needed for calves that weren’t implanted.

There are two parallel lines from the base of the ear to the tip of the ear which are about a third of the ear apart. These are labeled “cartilage ribs”. The implant location is in the middle of the ear vertically and horizontally, between the cartilage ribs.

When implanting calves at any phase of production, it is essential to follow Beef Quality Assurance and FDA guidelines. Proper technique will also ensure the implant is working effectively and not simply a waste of time and expense. The first step should be reading the label to ensure you are using the correct dosage and that you are applying it to the right class of animals.

The only approved location for all implants is subcutaneously in the middle of the back of the ear. This placement allows a steady release of the product. The calf should be properly restrained so the area of implant can be properly sterilized and to avoid injury to yourself or the animal. The needles on implant guns are very large and sharp, and it is easy to accidentally jab oneself, especially with a thrashing calf. Remove any dirt or manure and scrub with

disinfectant as needed before injecting. Be sure the needle is sharp and not crooked or barbed.

The needle should go in at the back of the ear, in the middle third between the skin and cartilage, staying between the two cartilage “ribs” that run the length of the ear. As the trigger is pulled and the implant is pushed out, gently withdraw the gun. You should be able to feel the capsule under the skin at this location. If possible, clean the needle between calves with a solution such as chlorohexidine.

Implanting calves is a very underutilized but proven method to increase weight gain in beef production systems. If properly used, implants can increase weaning weights in nursing calves, and enable yearlings in stocker programs to reach the feedlot with higher average daily gains on the same amount of feed as non-implanted calves. This consumer-safe strategy can greatly improve profit on growing cattle with relatively little cost to the producer. If you are interested in implanting your herd and have any questions, contact a local University of Wyoming Extension office.

Dagan Montgomery is the University of Wyoming Extension agriculture and natural resources educator serving Sublette County. He can be reached at dmontgo8@uwyo.edu or (307) 367-4380.

Soybean residue for forage

By Ben Beckman, UNL

Bean fields are opening up after harvest and cows may be moving in to get them off pasture when other forage options are unavailable. Soybean residue or stubble can occasionally be baled and used in rations. Before we use it however, we need to set expectations. Is soybean residue a quality forage?

Soybeans themselves are very high in protein and fat. They are about 40% Crude Protein and about 20% fat which is why soybean residue can be perceived as great feed. With such a high fat content, too may beans can cause issues with the rumen, so any spilled piles should be cleaned up before animals are sent out to graze.

Soybean residue itself however has a much different feed composition. The empty pods and stems contain only 4 to 6% CP and the TDN is only 35 to 45%. The leaves are slightly higher in protein at 12%, but break

down quickly after plants reach maturity and harvest has taken place.

These feed values will not begin to support the nutritional requirements of a dry cow even if there is some grain left in the field. So, while soybean residue can be grazed and can be used to move animals from overused pasture, supplemental feed is required.

When baled, soybean residue can be worked into a ration as a roughage source if other sources are less available. Just like grazing, baled soybean residue does not even come close to providing the feed value of corn stalk bales. Producers should also consider if removing litter from already lightly covered bean fields is worth the effort and potential erosion risks.

Soybean residue may not be the quality we often think. Residue alone will not even meet a dry cow’s nutrient requirements, so supplementation will be need.

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development Under Secretary Dr. Basil Gooden announced nearly $173 million in funding to connect rural residents, farmers, and business owners in Montana and eight other states to reliable high-speed internet. Among the projects funded is 3 Rivers Telephone Cooperative Inc. in Montana, which will receive a $5,575,520 loan as part of the Re-Connect Program to expand high-speed internet access in Madison and Teton counties. This project will benefit 594 people, 27 businesses, 47 farms, and two educational facilities.

The investments are part of the fifth round of the Re-Connect Program, a cornerstone of the current administration’s Investing in America agenda to rebuild the economy. The Re-Connect Program aims to provide high-speed internet to some of the most rural and remote areas of the nation, helping bridge the digital divide that has long affected rural communities.

“Keeping the people of rural America connected with reliable, high-speed internet brings new and innovative ideas to the rest of our country and creates good-paying jobs,” said Under Secretary Gooden. “Thanks to USDA’s Re-Connect Program, we are connecting the most rural and remote communities to a global marketplace. The investments we are announcing today will drive economic security and rural prosperity for generations to come.”

In Montana, the 3 Rivers Telephone Cooperative project will deploy a fiber-to-the-premises network, ensuring that residents, farmers, and businesses in Madison and Teton counties can participate in the modern economy with the same high-speed internet access as urban areas. This investment aligns with the USDA’s mission to improve the quality of life in rural communities.

Kathleen Williams, Montana State Director for USDA Rural Development, emphasized the importance of this funding for rural Montanans. “In Montana, reliable internet is not a luxury, it’s a necessity,” said Williams. “This investment by USDA Rural Development will connect families, businesses, agriculture, and schools to the high-speed internet they need to survive and thrive. It’s a game-changer for rural communities in Madison and Teton counties, helping them compete, innovate, and grow.”

USDA’s Re-Connect Program is a key element of the Administration’s Internet for All initiative, which seeks to connect every American to reliable, high-speed internet by 2030. Without programs like Re-Connect, many rural areas would continue to lack access to this critical infrastructure.

For more information on the Re-Connect Program and how it benefits rural Montana, visit USDA Rural Development MT.

Hunting rights and land leases

By Shannon Sand, UNL

Amid market volatility, some producers may be exploring additional income opportunities. One potential option they’re considering is hunting. A common question for those leasing land is: who holds the hunting rights?

In a written cropland or pasture lease, it’s possible to specify who has hunting rights. If the lease doesn’t explicitly reserve hunting rights for the landlord, those rights typically belong to the tenant for the lease term.

In Nebraska, property owners have the right to inspect their properties to ensure compliance with the terms of the lease. This includes checking for proper maintenance of fencing, adherence to environmental guidelines, and any other lease-specific conditions. However, these inspections typically require prior notice to tenants and should be conducted at reasonable times.

In cases where the lease is unwritten, hunting rights usually default to the tenant, unless otherwise agreed upon by both parties. This principle is based on the idea that, without specific restrictions, the tenant has the full right to use the land—excluding others, including the landlord—during the lease period. This may come as a surprise to some landowners, who might assume they automatically retain certain property rights that, in reality, pass to the tenant.

Ideas for estate and transition planning: Life Insurance

By Jessica Groskopf and Cindy Bojanski, CFP®,RICP®

For many farm and ranch families, bringing children or grandchildren into the operation is the ultimate goal. Successfully bringing additional family members into the operation may require some creativity, as all parties need to maintain a viable standard of living. This article is part of a series that will highlight ideas and tactics for bringing another family member into the operation. If this is the first article you are seeing in this series, I encourage you to go back to the previous articles for background and additional guidance.

Life insurance can be a key tool for farm and ranch businesses to provide tax-free death benefits at the death of the insured if the policy is structured correctly. This article will discuss how life insurance should be structured and the different types of life insurance.

Policy Structure

Life insurance policies have three parties: (1) the owner, (2) the insured, and (3) the beneficiary. The owner of the policy is responsible for paying the premium and has the authority to change the beneficiaries, adjust the coverage amount, or surrender the policy. The insured is the person whose life is covered by the policy. If the owner and insured are different parties, the owner must have an insurable interest in the life of the insured at the start of the policy. The beneficiary is the person who receives the death benefit (money) at the death of the insured.

In general, for death benefits to be tax-free to the beneficiary, at least two of these parties need to be the same person. The table below shows a situation with three people: Person A, Person B, and Person C. Each scenario shows if the death benefits are taxable based on the structure of the policy.

Types of Policies

There are two main types of life insurance: permanent and term.

Permanent life insurance can last for the life of the insured, as long as the policy premium is/has been paid. There are several types of permanent life insurance, including whole life insurance, universal life insurance, variable life insurance, and second to die policies. Usually, permanent life insurance policies are more expensive than term policies. They can be used for estate equalization, funding buy-sell agreements, and paying estate taxes. The owner of a permanent life insurance policy may also have the ability to borrow

from the cash value, use the cash as collateral for a loan, or receive the policy dividends.

Term life insurance lasts for a specified period of time, as long as the policy premium is paid. Term life insurance policies are often used for debt coverage and income replacement. Typically, term life insurance policies are more affordable than permanent life insurance policies.

Additionally, some term policies can be converted to permanent policies without the insured needing to go through medical testing, but only during the conversion period of the policy.

The type of policy that you select will depend on the purpose of the policy. Future articles will discuss what types of policies should be used in agricultural businesses for debt coverage, inheritance equalization, funding buy-sell agreements, and income replacement.

#####

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Ideas for estate and transition planning: Life Insurance

Life insurance may be a valuable tool to provide liquidity for a farm or ranch business. However, depending on your situation, policies may be cost prohibitive or unavailable. The amount of the death benefit, the insured’s age, health status, occupation, lifestyle, and other factors can influence the cost of the insurance premiums. Some people are simply uninsurable.

Jessica Groskopf is a Regional Extension Economist with the Center for Agricultural Profitability at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln. Cindy Bojanski, CFP®,RICP® is a Financial Advisor at Coordinated Planning.

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Farmers should monitor soil temperature when planning fall nitrogen application

With above-average and record-breaking fall temperatures and dry soil conditions, harvest has progressed rapidly across the state of North Dakota. As harvest begins to conclude for several major crops, attention is being turned to post-harvest field management and fertilizer applications. Although field conditions and weather have been conducive to harvest operations, the warm and dry conditions pose a risk for nitrogen (N) losses if applied in the fall, says Brady Goettl, North Dakota State University Extension soil specialist.

Based on university research, the rule of thumb for fall N application is to wait until the 4-inch depth soil temperature falls below 50 degrees Fahrenheit during the morning hours (6 to 8 a.m.). These temperatures can be found on the North Dakota Agricultural Weather Network (NDAWN) website at https://ndawn.info/soil.html, or more accurately collected from your field using a simple probe thermometer.

Soil temperatures below 50 degrees Fahrenheit decrease the risk of nitrification of the fertilizer. If fertilizer is applied above this temperature, microbial processes will begin

From Michigan State University to transform the ammonia and urea products into nitrate, which is susceptible to leaching or denitrification, reducing overall fertilizer efficiency and economic returns.

In some parts of the state, soil temperatures have fallen below the 50-degree Fahrenheit threshold, but only for a short time. With warm temperatures forecasted for Oct. 17-22, soil temperatures will rise again, increasing the risk for fall N applications.

NDSU guidelines recommend delaying fertilizer application based on the product being applied and application method: anhydrous ammonia, banded urea or broadcast urea. Due to an inherent delay in nitrification of banded ammonia, anhydrous ammonia can be applied soon after soil temperatures fall below 50 degrees Fahrenheit consistently. One week after the threshold soil temperature is reached, applications of banded urea (two inches or deeper) can begin with reduced risk of nitrification. Broadcast urea, given the proper conditions, is rapidly converted to nitrate. Applications of broadcast urea should be delayed at least two weeks after the 50-degree Fahrenheit soil temperature is reached, says Goettl.

The use of nitrification inhibitors is a tool available to farmers to help reduce risk of nitrification and subsequent loss by protecting against delayed soil freezing, which effectively stops N transformations in the soil; however, nitrification inhibitors should not be used to compensate for warm soil temperatures in an attempt to apply fertilizer earlier.

Research has shown the most effective nitrification

inhibitors are nitrapyrin when applied to anhydrous ammonia and dicyandiamide (DCD) when applied to urea products. Further, surface-broadcast or shallow incorporated (less than two inches) urea is highly susceptible to ammonia volatilization. Urease inhibitors such as NBPT have been shown to reduce volatilization when applied to surface and shallow-incorporated urea. The NDSU Extension publication Nitrogen Extenders and Additives for Field Crops provides more information at ndsu.ag/nitrogen.

“Delaying the application of N fertilizers later into the fall will be the best and most effective approach for reducing nitrification and nitrate losses,” advises Goettl. “Splitting the application of N between fall and spring/ in-season will also help to decrease the risk of N losses and increase fertilizer efficiency.”

Goettl concludes, “Although fall N application is less efficient overall than spring application, following science-based recommendations for fall N application can help maximize efficiency and create an effective tool for spreading out the workload of fertilizer application as compared to applying N entirely in the spring.”

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How did your garden grow?

By Emily How, NDSU Extension agent, Ward County

How did your garden season go? This summer I participated in three different NDSU Home Garden Variety Trials, and planted nine tomato plants, potatoes, beans, melons, cucumber, different squashes and much more. As I start to pull out plants and clean up my garden area, I cannot help but compare this season to the previous and how it helped prepare me for this year.

Now it may seem early for planning next year’s garden, but while the garden season is fresh in my memory, I jotted down some notes for next year’s garden. For example, nine tomato plåants is way too many tomatoes for my house. I also want to try growing some other varieties of beans and squash that I discovered later in the season. Writing down these notes now gives me an advantage. When spring arrives, I will be able to remember thoughts of six months ago.

Garden journals are a great way to keep track of the random notes and ideas that might come up while you are gardening. They can help you keep track of what your soil test results were and what amendments were made. Or they can help you remember where you planted your tomatoes for crop rotation. These journals do not have to be pretty, or on paper. Keeping a list of things on your phone is a way of keeping a garden journal. Composition notebooks are also handy if you prefer a pen and paper approach.

Journaling can be an artistic expression of the garden as well as a scientific one. Instead of recording the insects that visit your garden and the height of plants, try taking leaf rubbings of plants with interesting leaves, or looking at the blooms and recording all the colors that can be found in the garden. Look at the layout and design of your current garden and see what changes would be beneficial and sketch them out.

The joy of a garden journal is it can be anything you want it to be. My journal is a folder covered in mud smears with lists of flower varieties to try, thoughts on designs and germination times. It’s where I play with different design ideas and sit and record the things I see and hear in my garden. It leads to discoveries such as native bee species I have not seen before and discovering that I do not love zucchini enough to grow two plants.

As this garden season ends, consider starting a garden journal for next year.

For more information about gardening, contact your local NDSU Extension agent. Find the Extension office for your county at ndsu.ag/countyoffice.

Frosted sorghum and prussic acid

By Ben Beckman, UNL

As fall progresses, temperatures continue to drop, and chances of a freeze grows. When frosts hit the Great Plains and Midwest, do you know the impact on forages and how can livestock be kept safe?

Short-term freezing temperatures may cause sorghum species such as sorghum-sudangrass or any grain (milo) or forage sorghum to become lethal to livestock. Prussic acid forms when plant cell membranes are broken due to freezing and allows the chemicals in the cells to mix. This forms a cyanide compound that can be deadly to livestock if consumed. Sudangrasses have the lowest risk while forage and grain sorghum have the highest. The millet species do not have prussic acid issues.

The good news is that after five days, the toxic chemicals dissipate into the air. Every time there is a freeze (without temperatures low enough to completely kill the plants), that five-day clock resets, just like the 30 minute lightening delay at football games. The new growth on sorghums that have had frost damage are very dangerous as they have the highest concentrations of prussic acid.

If there is a chance of freezing temperatures, remove livestock from the pasture and wait five days before grazing once again. The hours immediately after a frost have the highest level of toxic compounds. If there is regrowth in the days after a freeze, wait to begin grazing until those shoots are 15-18 inches tall or five days after the plant has been completely killed by the frost. If sorghum family plants have had extra nitrogen applied or are growing in high nitrogen soils, the risk of prussic acid is even higher.

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Life insurance for debt coverage

By Jessica Groskopf, UNL ag economist and Cindy Bojanski, CFP®,RICP®

For many farm and ranch families, bringing children or grandchildren into the operation is the ultimate goal. Successfully bringing additional family members into the operation may require some creativity as all parties need to maintain a viable standard of living. This article is part of a series that will highlight ideas and tactics for bringing another family member into the operation. If this is the first article you are seeing in this series, I would encourage you to go back to the previous articles for background and additional guidance. A previous article discussed how life insurance should be structured, and the different types of life insurance.

Life insurance can be a key tool for farm and ranch businesses to provide tax-free death benefits at the death of the insured if the policy is structured correctly. This article discusses how agricultural businesses can use life insurance policies to protect against debt. Future articles will discuss how life insurance can be used for inheritance equalization and funding buy-sell agreements.

Leaving one’s family with a large amount of debt at their death can be a concern for farmers and ranchers. When someone dies, the debt does not disappear, it must be paid out of the estate. One way to mitigate this risk is to purchase term life insurance policies at the start of accruing debt.

Let’s look at an example. A Nebraska Rancher purchased a $1 million parcel of ground using a 30-year mortgage. When the rancher purchases the land, they also purchase a $1 million 30-year term life insurance policy on themselves and name themselves as the beneficiary of the policy. If the rancher dies before the end of the 30-year period, their estate would receive a $1 million death benefit, tax-free. The estate would use this money to pay off the debt on the ranch. Depending on the policy, term life insurance values can be adjusted. As the debt is paid down, the death benefit could also be reduced.

Life insurance may be a valuable tool to provide liquidity for a farm or ranch business. However, depending on your situation, policies may be cost prohibitive or unavailable. The amount of the death benefit, the insured’s age, health status, occupation, lifestyle, and other factors can influence the cost of the insurance premiums. Some people are simply uninsurable.

Jessica Groskopf is a Regional Extension Economist with the Center for Agricultural Profitability at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln. Cindy Bojanski, CFP®,RICP® is a Financial Advisor at Coordinated Planning.

The material in this article is intended for educational purposes and is not intended to provide specific advice or recommendations for any individual, nor does it consider the particular investment objectives, financial situation or needs of individual investors. The authors of this article do not offer tax or legal advice. Any tax or legal related information is provided as general education and is incidental to the topic of financial planning. You should seek specific tax or legal advice from your tax or legal professional before pursuing any idea contemplated herein.

Securities offered through Valmark Securities, Inc. (“VSI”) Member FINRA, SIPC. Investment Advisory services offered through Valmark Advisers, Inc. (“VAI”) a SEC Registered Investment Adviser. Coordinated Planning is a separate entity from VSI and VAI. Jessica Groskopf is not affiliated with VSI and VAI. Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc. (CFP Board) owns the certification marks CFP® in the United States, which it authorizes use of by individuals who successfully complete CFP Board’s initial and ongoing certification requirements.

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Controlling weeds with cover crops

University of Idaho graduate student Adam Kennedy sees promise in using volunteer wheat as a cover crop to rid sugarbeet fields of herbicide-resistant weeds.

Similarly, U of I graduate student Prayusha Bhattarai has had success with planting three different cereal species as cover crops for weed control in dry beans.

Cover crops are a cornerstone of sustainable agriculture — planted primarily to improve soil health, prevent erosion and boost organic matter in soil, among a host of other agronomic benefits, rather than for commercial sale. Through their separate research trials, Kennedy, of Washington, and Bhattarai, of Nepal, aim to demonstrate yet another economically important benefit of raising cover crops — outcompeting troublesome weeds.

Some staple crops in Idaho such as sugarbeets, alfalfa and corn have been bred using biotechnology to withstand applications of glyphosate herbicide, sold under the trade name Roundup. Heavy use of glyphosate has led to the onset of herbicide resistance in kochia and other common weeds, making weed control far more challenging in Roundup-ready crops. Idaho sugarbeet farmers are especially concerned about the recent arrival of two pigweeds — Palmer amaranth and water hemp — that resist glyphosate and several other herbicides. The weeds were likely imported into Idaho from the South and Midwest in birdfeed and cottonseed meal used in livestock rations.

“We are very worried about controlling these resistant weeds. Relying solely on chemicals won’t be a sustainable way of managing these weeds,” Bhattarai said. “It is advisable to combine chemical management with other weedcontrol measures, and cover crops could be one of those measures because there are many benefits that farmers can get when they are using cover crops.”

Both students are working under advisor Albert Adjesiwor, a UI Extension specialist and assistant professor of weed science.

Bhattarai’s master’s thesis was funded with a $101,583 Idaho State Department of Agriculture specialty crop block grant through the Idaho Bean Commission, in addition to a $30,000 student grant through Western Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education. She conducted trials in 2023 and 2024 at both the U of I’s Kimberly Research and Extension Center and Parma Research and Extension Center, planting cover crops of barley, triticale or wheat in the fall and terminating them in the spring.

Her cereal cover crops were either harvested as forage, which would provide another commercial crop for farmers, or terminated with glyphosate herbicide. At the Parma site, the first forage cutting yielded 2,793 pounds per acre of triticale, 2,320 pounds per acre of wheat and 2,402 pounds per acres of barley. Bhattarai cut regrowth two weeks later just before she planted dry beans, harvesting another 528 pounds per acre of triticale, 778 pounds per acre of wheat and 1,019 pounds per acre of barley.

In plots in Parma where cover crops were planted without any supplemental herbicide applications, Bhattarai had up to 79% control of weeds and effectively suppressed glyphosateresistant kochia. A cold spring disrupted cover crop growth in Kimberly during 2023.

Results from 2024 are not yet available, but Adjesiwor anticipates this season’s forage yields in Kimberly will be triple last year’s totals. In fact, this season’s Kimberly trials have yielded so much forage biomass, growth of the following bean crop was stymied, leading Adjesiwor to recommend that strip tillage be used in the future after swathing forage and before planting beans to improve bean seed contact with soil.

In other treatments in the experiment, Bhattarai used a combination of cover crops and herbicide applications to provide additional weed control. She’s also taken soil samples to evaluate how cover crops affected soil microorganisms and organic matter, and UI Extension economist Patrick Hatzenbuehler will help her conduct an economic analysis of cover crop use in her trials.

“This combination of cover crops and herbicides could be an amazing strategy for managing resistant weeds in dry beans,” Bhattarai said.

For his master’s thesis, Kennedy watered plots within a fall wheat field in Kimberly following harvest to raise a cover crop from the seeds that fell to the ground. The goal of his project is to help farmers cut costs of seed, fuel and other inputs by raising a volunteer cover crop. Watering volunteer wheat also saves time that would otherwise be spent preparing ground and planting cover crops.

CONTINUED ON PAGE C31

Controlling weeds with cover crops

“You don’t spend any money with volunteer wheat, but you get the same stand density as planting cover crops, and you also have much better biomass just because you get a head start,” Adjesiwor said.

Adjesiwor plans to use data from Kennedy’s experiment to apply for a USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture grant next year.

In some treatments, Kennedy added collard greens and peas to the volunteer wheat to lend additional biomass. He plans to terminate his cover crops with herbicide in April and plant sugarbeets into the standing biomass. He intends to evaluate various combinations of cover crops with volunteer wheat and herbicide rates for weed control.

“The main problem is a lot of these weeds are Roundup resistant, and since sugarbeets are Roundup ready, that’s the go-to herbicide for weed control. You can’t blame anyone for doing that because Roundup is about the only effective herbicide option, but we all know that spraying more Roundup is going to create more resistance,” Kennedy said. “So are there alternative ways to reduce weeds?”

Though Kennedy has no official data yet, he’s been impressed by the blanket of thick foliage resulting from volunteer wheat alone, which he anticipates will result in effective weed control.

“Visually, it is a carpet of green grass out there,” Kennedy said. “I was surprised at how thick it was. It looks like the weeds are suppressed by the wheat and cover crop mixture, but it also looks like the wheat alone suppressed the weeds very well.”

Using cover crops to outcompete weeds, thereby reducing reliance on herbicides, would also help farmers comply with a new Endangered Species Act strategy the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency approved seeking to reduce herbicide use for the protection of more than 900 federally endangered and threatened species.

Adjesiwor said, “We know herbicide resistance is a numbers game. The fewer weeds you expose to an herbicide, the less likely you are to select for resistance.”

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Get to know this stunning, fragrant flower

By Tom Kalb, Horticulturist, NDSU Extension

Would you like to grow a special flower in your garden? Something that is eye-catching? Something that is unforgettable?

A team of gardeners and I have tested hundreds of annual flower varieties across North Dakota over the last 15 years. This included trials at the Dragonfly Garden in Bismarck. Whenever I provided visitors a tour of the Dragonfly Garden, someone would inevitably walk over to a stunning group of plants that towered like statues above the rest. They would ask, “What is that?”

It was Only the Lonely nicotiana, a rare and remarkable flower.

A member of the tobacco family, Only the Lonely grows a full five feet tall and serves as a striking background to any flower garden. A cluster of pure white blooms adorns the top of each plant.

The foliage itself is fascinating as the 12-inch-long, broad leaves are rich green with contrasting light-green veins.

Woodland tobacco (Nicotiana sylvestris) was brought to New England from Argentina in 1899. It quickly became a favorite flower in Victorian and cottage gardens.

Nicotiana has a reputation for being one of the most fragrant annuals. The blooms of Only the Lonely have a lovely, jasmine-like scent at night. This makes it a wonderful plant to grow near a doorway, along a walkway or under a bedroom window.

Only the Lonely is much more fragrant than the dwarf nicotiana varieties sold at garden centers today. Anyone who says modern dwarf nicotianas are fragrant is sniffing with their imaginations more than their noses.

The biggest shortcoming of Only the Lonely nicotiana is that it may lean if exposed to high winds. Situating your plants in a sheltered place or staking the plants will remedy this. Another possible concern is the plant is toxic to children and pets.

The only major pest to this plant is tobacco hornworm, a most fascinating pest. Hornworms are giant, green caterpillars with scary eyeball-looking markings and a distinct horn on their ends. I easily control these pests by picking them off the plants and stepping on them.

Only the Lonely seeds are available from numerous seed companies. Go online and search for your seeds on Google. Start the seeds indoors just as you do with tomatoes. Set your transplants in a sunny spot after the danger of frost is over. The easy-to-grow plants are attractive to pollinators and resistant to rabbits and deer.

I invite you to add Only the Lonely to your garden next spring. You will be delighted.

Lastly, be prepared for everyone in your neighborhood to ask you, “What is that?”

For more information about gardening, contact your local NDSU Extension agent. Find the Extension office for your county at www.ndsu.edu/agriculture/extension/countyextension-offices.

Thousands of farmers could unknowingly face federal fines or jail time

Time is running out for thousands of farmers who may face steep fines and possible jail time for failing to file their businesses with the federal government. Jan. 1, 2025, is the deadline to file Beneficial Ownership Information (BOI) with the U.S. Department of Treasury’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN). New analysis in a Market Intel by American Farm Bureau Federation economists shows more than 230,000 farms are required to file, but government data indicates less than 11% of all eligible businesses nationwide have done so.

The Corporate Transparency Act of 2021 required businesses to register any “beneficial owner” of a company to combat money laundering. Many farms are structured as either a c-corporation, s-corporation or limited liability company (LLC), which are now required to be registered if they employ fewer than 20 employees or receive under $5 million in cash receipts – which covers the vast majority of farms.

“The use of LLCs is an important tool for

many farms to keep personal and business assets separated, but small businesses often lack the staff to track and stay in compliance with changing rules and regulations,” said AFBF President Zippy Duvall. “It’s clear that many farmers aren’t aware of the new filing requirement. Unclear guidance and lack of public outreach are now putting thousands of America’s farmers at risk of violating federal law.”

Businesses that fail to file, or do not update records when needed, could face criminal fines up to $10,000 and additional civil penalties of up to $591 per day. Failure to file could also lead to felony charges and up to two years in prison.

supply chains.”

According to Gina Stevens, MFBF Taxation Committee Chair, if your entity is set up with a lawyer, contact that lawyer to see if the BOI has already been filed. If you must file a BOI, it needs to be completed either by yourself or by a legal person such as a tax attorney. Your accountant cannot do this for you.

Stevens, a Hardin accountant, added that if you formed a reporting entity in 2024 you only have 60 days to file this form.

“We’ve been telling people that if they file with the Montana Secretary of State, chances are they need to file a BOI. If you are unsure whether you are required to file your business’s BOI with FinCEN, contact your accountant or tax attorney immediately,” noted Stevens. “It is wiser to inquire and find out you don’t need to file a BOI than face high fines and even jail time if you needed to file but didn’t.”

Read the Market Intel Report at https:// www.fb.org/market-intel/corporate-transparency-act-deadline-looming.

“The greater farm economy will also be impacted by CTA requirements,” AFBF economists write. “Many feed and supply stores, crop marketers like grain elevators and the greater rural business community are also likely required to file their BOI and subject to penalties if they do not comply. The regulatory burdens and potential enforcement crackdowns could have ripple effects throughout the entire food, fiber and fuel

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180 4-H members, parents and leaders attended the 79th annual Dawson County 4-H Achievement Barbecue held Sunday night, October 13, 2024 at the Lexington Middle School Cafeteria. Pinnacle Bank provided the beef which was prepared by Jolene Block of the Around the Block Catering and the Dawson County 4-H Foundation provided the trimmings for the annual event. The Pony Express Association served the group in their usual efficient manner.

A Retirement Appreciation speech was given by Pam Ackerman in recognition of Andrea Nisley’s 45 years as an Extension Educator and Mike Wolff’s 12 years as an Extension Assistant. Barb Rohde, Dawson County Ag Society office manager, presented Corky Anderson with a thank you from the Ag Society as she retires from managing the Open Class exhibits. She helped with the exhibits for many years prior to the six years she was the manager.

Winners of the “I Dare You” Leadership Award were Trina Pearson (B) and Wesley Thompson (L). The Outstanding 4-H Member Service Award sponsored by Nebraska Farm Bureau was presented to Parker Walahoski, Overton.

Medals for excellence in several project areas were awarded to Preston Beattie, Sumner, Plant Science; London Costanza, Cozad, Goats. Lizzie David, Brady, Beef. Neala McCall , Overton., Poultry. Karsyn Nichols, Elm Creek, Wildlife. Maya Soria, Kearney, Clothing & Textiles; Greta Rickertsen, Lexington. Rocketry; Lorelai Rickertsen, Lexington. Wood Science. Rieker Spradlin, Cozad, Dog. Wesley Thompson, Lexington, Public Speaking, Entomology, & Shooting Sports. Grant Wahlgren, Gothenburg. Food & Nutrition. Reid Wahlgren, Gothenburg. Photography and Veterinary Science. Paige Walahoski. Overton. Sheep. And Parker Walahoski, Overton. Home Environment & Swine.

Winners of the Jack Reed Memorial Judging trophy were Greta Rickertsen, Lexington, Top Senior Meats Judge; Paige Walahoski, Overton, Top Junior Meats Judge; Samual Winter, Cozad, Top Senior Livestock Judge; and Paige Walahoski, Overton, Top Junior Livestock Judge.

Nebraska 4-H Diamond Clover Pins and Certificates were presented to Gabrielle Caraway, Lexington; Barrett Hunke, Lexington; Taylor Kramer, Elm Creek; Michelle McArdle, Cozad; Bristol McConville, Lexington; and Riggs McConville, Lexington; Klayton Ahlenstorf, Cozad; Owen Fairley, Brady; Barrett Hunke, Lexington; and Riggs McConville, Lexington received the 4-H Good Start Awards. Gabrielle Caraway, Lexington; Seth Wahlgren, Gothenburg; Grant Walahoski and Megan Walahoski both of Overton received the 4-H Great Job Awards.

State 4-H Camp/Conference Trip winners were Lizzie David, Brady; Matthew Rhoades, Cozad; Maya Soria, Kearney; Paige Walahoski, Overton; and Jaelin Wolfinger, Lexington.

National 4-H Congress $25 cash awards sponsored by Dawson County Farm Bureau were awarded to: Maya Soria, Kearney; Greta Rickertsen, Lexington; Grant Wahlgren, Gothenburg; and Paige Walahoski, Overton.

National 4-H Congress nominees included: Greta Rickertsen, Lexington; Maya Soria, Kearney; Grant Wahlgren, Gothenburg; and Paige Walahoski, Overton.

National 4-H Conference nominees who received Achievement Application medals were: Preston Beattie, Sumner; Taylor Kramer, Elm Creek; Greta Rickertsen, Lexington; Wesley Thompson, Lexington; and Paige Walahoski, Overton.

There were a couple other recognitions that night including the restarting of the Antelope Livestock 4-H Club. Malloree Barnes, Gothenburg, the club’s leader, was presented with the charter. Blair Caraway, Cozad was presented with an award for being chosen as one of the 2024 Nebraska 4-H Emerging Volunteers.

Three, five and 10 year 4-H members were recognized. Eighteen (18) 4-H members received their 3-year pins and 16 members received their 5-year pins. Earning 10-year pins were: Sophia Burns, Cozad; Lizzie David. Brady; Addison Howerter, Cozad; Emma Howerter, Cozad; and Lexi Johnson, Gothenburg.

Lengths of service awards were presented to 4-H leaders. The 4-H leaders receiving special recognition this year were: Don Batie, Lexington and Kristine Walahoski, Overton for five years.

In the 4-H Council election, Malloree Barnes, Gothenburg; Amanda Spradlin, Cozad; and Suzie Wahlgren, Gothenburg, decided to stay on the council for a second three-year term. Preston Beatti, Sumner; Sophia Burns, Cozad; Taylor Kramer, Elm Creek; Casey Wahlgren. Gothenburg; and Jaelin Wolfinger, Lexington; will serve on the 4-H Council as youth

79th annual 4-H Achievement Barbecue

CONTINUED FROM PAGE C36 representatives for a one-year term. A Service Certificate to Jaden Hunk, Lexington; as an outgoing 4-H Youth Council member was presented in appreciation for her contribution to the 4-H program.

National Day of Giving

Celebrated on: First Tuesday after Cyber Monday

National Day of Giving takes place on Tuesday directly after American Thanksgiving, which in turn takes place on the 4th Thursday of November. National Day of Giving was created to help the “giving season” get started, reminding people that there is more to holidays than consumerism and commercialization.

History of National Day of Giving

National Day of Giving was created when two organizations, the 92nd Street Y and the United Nations Foundation came together in 2012, about a month before that year’s Thanksgiving. Their intention was to set aside a day that was all about celebrating the generosity of giving, a great American tradition.

Many thought leaders in the areas of social media, philanthropy and grassroots quickly joined in, and together they created a group of founding partners including United Nations Foundation, Cisco, Mashable, Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA), Sony, Aldo, Groupon, UNICEF, Google, Skype, Microsoft and Unilever. The first announcement about National Day of Giving was made through Mashable, a technology website. The first National Day of Giving was covered extensively by the Washington Post, the Huffington Post, ABC News, Deseret News, and the White House official blog, causing the scheme to gain an enormous amount of popularity in a short period of time. A year later, in 2013, even more organizations joined in, including eBay (which gives a percentage of all its sales proceeds from a week in December to National Day of Giving) and fashion designer Kevin Cole, who both designed and promoted awareness ID bracelets, giving 100% of the proceeds to National Day of Giving.

4-H PARENTS & LEADERS

We are always looking for pictures of 4-H kids and their projects. E-mail them to info@ tradersdispatch.com along with captions and we will print what we have room for.

rear axle lift.

2018 Wilson Black 50x102x78 triple axle with rear lift, 2 hoppers, electric tarp and traps.

2014 Wilson 48x120x78 triple axle, pewter metalic, ag hoppers.

2000 Wilson 34x96x72 ag hoppers.

2024 Manac beavertail, 53x102, all steel, wood floor.

Two ramps and 12 winches.

2009 Merritt quad axle livestock trailer.

2008 Side Dump Industries side dump, triple axle, air ride.

2000 Utility, 38-ft. van with 2 side doors, (4) 1600 gal-

2018 Wilson 50x96x72 triple axle, ag hoppers, reverse traps, rear axle lift. View our website for more photos and information. 2016 Wilson livestock 53x102, nose 11-ft., rear 14-ft., belly 28-ft.,

tri axle air ride, stainless steel front.

2021 Wilson 29-ft. lead trailer, 25-ft. 6” pup with air operated expandable draw bar. Disc brakes on the set!

2018 Wilson lead and pup, 38x96x78 lead trailer and 21x96x78 pup trailer. Great condition.

Pitting good versus bad fungi on sweet corn

By Jan Suszkiw,

ARS

The same defenses that help some varieties of sweet corn resist fungal diseases can also stymie the potency of a beneficial fungus used to kill hungry caterpillar pests, studies by Agricultural Research Service (ARS) scientists suggest. Entomologist Pat Dowd and Molecular Biologist Eric Johnson—both at the ARS National Center for Agricultural Utilization Research in Peoria, Illinois—conducted the study as a follow up to one they did in 2022 with field (dent) corn, which is grown for livestock consumption and other uses. Results from the 2022 study indicated resistance to fungi that cause Fusarium disease in some lines of field corn can diminish the effectiveness of the beneficial fungus Beauveria bassiana, which can be sprayed onto the crop as a biopesticide that kills caterpillar pests such as European corn borers and fall armyworms.

However, not all of the Fusarium-resistant dent corn lines tested had a corresponding decline in the Beauveria fungus’s caterpillar-killing performance. Some corn lines also withstood the insect pests’ feeding damage, leaving open the possibility these lines carried the right combination of genes for benefiting from both disease resistance and compatibility with Beauveria.

Follow-up studies with sweet corn reflect a similar possibility with respect to the genes they possess, according to Dowd and Johnson. In those studies, biopesticide applications of Beauveria killed 12 to 58 percent of European corn borer and fall armyworm caterpillars. However, as with dent corn, the level of insecticidal activity depended on which of 14 lines of Fusarium-resistant hybrid or inbred sweet corn had been treated. In some sweet corn lines, for example, signs of high levels of disease resistance in the form of smaller dead spots

lar stage

European

on Fusarium-infected leaves were associated with increases in the percentage of caterpillars killed by the fungus two days after application. In other types of sweet corn that were less resistant, larger dead spots corresponded to lower levels of caterpillar control.

Caterpillar control also varied depending on which of two Beauveria strains were used, an observation that underscores the need for continued study on how these subtleties can translate to practical data growers can use in choosing sweet corn lines offering both Fusarium resistance and high levels of insecticidal activity using the beneficial fungus.

Finding that “sweet spot” in sweet corn would be especially important to organic growers, who cannot use synthetic pesticides and have fewer options for disease and insect control than in conventional production systems.

“The results of gene expression studies comparing sweet corn hybrids with more and less desirable combinations of Fusarium resistance and Beauveria efficacy were recently received,” said Dowd. “These results will help identify favorable combinations of genes that will help guide the breeding of sweet corn varieties to produce ones that have good resistance to Fusarium and are more compatible with the use of Beauveria.”

A European corn borer.Caterpil -

of

corn borer infected with the beneficial fungus Beauveria bassiana. (Photo by Keith Weller)

A hand holding a culture of Beauveria bassiana.Culture of the beneficial fungus Beauveria bassiana. (Photo by Keith Weller)

DANR announces millions for SD environmental projects

The South Dakota Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources (DANR) announced the Board of Water and Natural Resources has approved $24,416,257 in loans and grants for drinking water, wastewater, and solid waste projects in South Dakota.

The $24,416,257 total consists of $24,286,257 in lowinterest loans and $130,000 in grants to be administered by the Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources.

“I am pleased to announce this financial assistance is available,” said DANR Secretary Hunter Roberts. “Safe and reliable water, wastewater, and solid waste infrastructure help protect our environment and strengthen communities for our kids and grandkids.”

Funds were awarded from DANR’s Drinking Water State Revolving Fund Program, Clean Water State Revolving Fund Program, and Solid Waste Management Program to the following:

Box Elder received a $2,000,000 Clean Water State Revolving Fund loan to replace sewer mains within the Highway 14/16 corridor and add additional water lines to accommodate recent growth. The project also includes upsizing lines on the west side of town for areas of new development. The terms of the loan are 3.75 percent for 30 years. Previous funding for this project was awarded in May 2022.

Fort Pierre received a $2,470,434 Drinking Water State Revolving Fund loan for drinking water system improvements including construction of a water storage tank, water mains booster station, and other necessary appurtenances. The terms of the loan are 3.75 percent for 30 years. Previous funding for this project was awarded in September 2022.

Lincoln County Rural Water System received a $1,740,000 Drinking Water State Revolving Fund loan to relocate its existing water main to accommodate a connection from Highway 11 to Interstate 29. The improvements are necessary due to the growth of Sioux Falls, Harrisburg, and Tea. The terms of the loan are 4.75 percent for 30 years.

Mitchell received a $13,000,000 Clean Water State Revolving Fund loan for improvements at its wastewater treatment facility. Improvements at the south plant include equalization installation of a new generator and extension of the sewer force main. Improvements at the north plant include the construction of an additional equalization basin. Previous funding was awarded in April 2022. The terms of the loan are 3.75 percent for 30 years.

Pierre received a $5,075,823 Drinking Water State Revolving Fund loan to replace the existing force main under Euclid Avenue due to the existing infrastructure’s age and condition. The terms of the loan are 3.75 percent for 30 years.

South Eastern Council of Governments received a $100,000 Solid Waste Management Program grant to recapitalize its Economic Revolving Loan Fund to originate loans for eligible purchases. This funding allows the Council to provide low-interest loans for solid waste management and recycling projects in the region.

Walworth County received a $30,000 Solid Waste Management Program grant to construct a cold storage facility at the landfill to store and perform maintenance on landfill equipment.

The Solid Waste Management Program provides loans and grants for solid waste disposal, recycling, and waste tire projects. The Legislature annually appropriates dedicated funding for the Solid Waste Management Program through the Omnibus Water Funding Bill.

The State of South Dakota and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency fund the Clean Water and Drinking Water State Revolving Fund Programs, which provide low-interest loans for wastewater, stormwater, water conservation, nonpoint source projects, and public drinking water system projects. The programs are funded through a combination of federal appropriations, loan repayments, and bonds.

Don’t Drink the Koolaid

On November 19, 1978, the largest group suicide in history took place in Jonestown, Guyana. The group who took their lives were instructed so by Reverend Jim Jones, who led the suicide cult called the “People’s Temple.” Over 900 of the cult members drank a cyanide-laced drink, with those who refused being forced to consume it.

4181

SPRAYERS

2005 New Holland SF115 sprayer. stk# 28655.

CONSTRUCTION

2022 Bobcat E42 Mini Excavator, 359 engine hours. stk# 29370. $69,900 (L)

2022 Bobcat E35 Mini Excavator, 33 hp, 408 engine hours. stk# 29371. $59,900 (G)

2022 Bobcat E35 Mini Excavator, 25 hp, 375 engine hours. stk# 29373. $55,900 (G)

Great Falls Sales: James – (406) 868-2570; Will – (406) 590-0372;

Brad – (406) 403-5987; Tucker - (406) 440-5813

Lewistown Sales:

Anna – (406) 231-4251; Xavier – (406) 707-0138

WEEDit

Let us show you what we can do for your bottom line with this NH 310 sprayer fully equipped with the latest Weed-It Technology.

2019 New Holland SP310F sprayer, 1200 gallon, Weed-It System, Mono Boom, 120-ft., 5-way nozzles, auto rinse, ISO, Full GPS. stk# 24818. $479,900 (G)

$12,000 (G)

SWATHERS

2020 New Holland 260 swather, 411 engine hours, full GPS, DLX cab, suspended axle/ cab, single caster, LED lights, DLX mirrors, 419 header. stk# 25673. (L)

2021 New Holland 260 swather, 371 engine hours, GPS complete, high speed, 600# weight, 419 header attached. stk# 27182.(L)

TRACTORS

2024 Kubota LX3310HSD tractor, new 2024 model with VERY low hours! stk# 32065.(G)

2007 John Deere 9520 tractor, new tires, 4 remotes, buddy seat, Trimble GPS, hydraulic steering, 6219 engine hours. stk# 31467. $163,400 (L)

Steiger PT225 tractor. stk# 20554.$25,000 (G)

2006 New Holland TS130A tractor with loader/ grapple, Semi powershift, cab, 3 remotes, rear wheel weight, 540/1000 PTO, 4529 engine hours. stk# 31403. (L)

1988 Case 2096 tractor, DuAl 310 loader, 130 hp., 3 rear remotes, 10,827 engine hours. stk# 31858. $31,250 (L)

2022 Bobcat CT2025 HST tractor, 56 engine hours. stk# 29350. $24,000 (L)

SNOW REMOVAL

MTD 31A-611D000 22”, 2 stage snowblower. stk# 26304. $400 (G)

2022 Bobcat 10-ft. snowpush. stk# 29653. $4100 (L)

Toro 38473 snowblower. stk# 30234. $299 (G)

BALE PROCESSORS

2004 Haybuster 2650 processor. stk# 30759. $15,300 (G)

2023 Vermeer BPX9010 R&S processor, 1000 PTO, right hand discharge. stk# 29565.

$29,900 (L)

2023 Vermeer BPX9010R processor. stk# 29561. $36,000 (L)

2009 Vermeer BPX8000 processor, round only. stk# 11189. $17,000 (G)

2014 Bale King 5100 processor, round only, right hand discharge. stk# 29070

$14,900 (G)

2010 Bobcat 325 excavator, open station, thumb on boom, good tracks, 3470 engine hours. stk#32024

$19,500 (G)

2023 Bobcat T76 Compact Track Loader, 184 engine hours. stk# 29377. $79,900 (G)

2022 Bobcat T740 Compact Track Loader, 430 engine hours, Power Bobtach, 7 pin, dual direction bucket positioning, ride control, reverse fan. stk# 29376. $69,900 (G)

2023 Bobcat S740 Skidsteer, 128 engine hours. stk# 29380. $60,500 (G)

1994 Bobcat 773 Skidsteer. stk# 31453. $16,500 (G)

2017 MacDon M1240 swather with 16-ft. R85 header, No GPS, draper ready, cap & rear axle suspension, LED lights, Bluetooth radio, steel conditioner, shear protection. Excellent condition. 749 engine hours. stk# 21654 (G)

2022 Vermeer TM1410 swing tongue with floats, 2 remotes, electric, hydraulic kits, 1000 PTO. stk# 29072. $59,900 (G)

Hiniker 68” snow blade, skidsteer mount, hydraulic angle and tilt, has back drag blade. stk# 32039. $2800 (G)

Ignite 68” snow blade, skidsteer mount, back drag optional attachment. stk# 32040. $2800 (G)

1998 Toro 38170 snowblower. Like new, previous customer did not use. stk# 5810. $225 (G)

2003 Buhler YC1080D snowblower. stk# 6771. $8900 (G)

ROUND BALERS

SQUARE BALERS

2014 New Holland 340 big square baler, density control, tandem axle, ISO intellview, large 1000 PTO, roller chute, roller windguard. With a free one-season warranty. stk# 30935. $89,900 (G)

COMBINE

2007 John Deere 9760STS combine, 2953 engine hours, 635D header attached with 2121 hours. stk#32127. $38,900 (L)

TILLAGE

2012 Case SR250 Skidsteer, joysticks, AC/heat, power attachment, 3210 engine hours. stk# 31622.

2006 Case IH WDX1202S swather with 16-ft. sickle and HDX162 header, single speed, cab & axle suspension, excellent condition, 1632 engine hours. stk# 32080. (G)

2018 Gates 84-ft. Magnum 5 bar harrow, 26x9/16 teeth with carbides, hyd tine adjust., excellent condition. stk# 31435.$59,900 (G) McFarLane HD30 harrow, 30-ft. charted chain drag harrows. stk# 31634. $7500 (L) 2023 NEW Kirchner 8-ft plow, Cat II, 3-pt. unit with 16” sweeps. stk# 30802. (L) 9-ft. V-plow. stk# 26357. $700 (G) John Deere 18-ft. planer, 14 pin control, carbide teeth, high flow. stk# 31623. (G)

$27,900 (G)

2017 New Holland LM7.42 Elite telehandler, reverse fan, rear hyd couple, ext. tool box, continuous flow aux hyd, Bluetooth & aux radio, bucket/grapple, engine hours 3621. stk# 22833

RAKES

$95,000 (L)

2012 Bobcat 5600 Toolcat with 62” bucket, 2931 engine hours. stk# 14953. (G)

Quick Attach Sledge Pounder skidsteer mount. stk# 29228 $3600 (G)

2018 JCB 48” pallet fork. stk# 31522.$850 (G)

2011 Bobcat 80 dozer blade. stk# 31340. $5965 (G)

Quick Attach 68” angle blade. stk# 32129.(G) Bobcat 68” angle broom. Good bristles. stk# 32128. (G)

2019 Bobcat 8B wood chipper, lightly used, skidsteer attachment, two side attachment, hydraulic drive. stk# 31613 (G) High Volume 66” bucket, skid steer attachment. stk# 29035. $650 (G)

2018 Bobcat 68” bucket. Includes blot on cutting edge. stk# 23986. (G)

2023 Morris 9650 air cart, Loup Elite monitors, 17” dual fan, 10” hydraulic assist auger with extension

seed plates. stk# 30154. $227,000 (L)

2022 NEW New Holland 1631 rake, 16 wheel high capacity, single side opening, 60”, rear tandems, rear hydraulic opening. stk# 28671. Payments as low as $5530/oac (G)

2022 New Holland 230 7 bar, hydraulic rake. stk# 28667. $49,900 (L)

2009 New Holland HT154 12 wheel rake, needs 2 new tires. stk# 31739. $9500 (G)

2008 Vermeer 2300 hydraulic basket rake. stk# 31803. $19,000 (L)

2006 Vermeer R2300 rake. stk# 8029. $12,900 (G)

Hesston 12 wheel rake. stk# 30919.$13,000 (L)

HEADERS

2019 MacDon FD140D header. stk# 31005 $99,500 (G)

2015 MacDon PW8 pickup header, 16-ft. wide. stk# 31025. $27,900 (G)

2018 New Holland RB560 laced belts, ISO monitor, net only, hydraulic ramp, 1000 PTO with cut out clutch. stk# 22242. $39,900 (L)

2018 New Holland RB560 ISO with monitor, endless belts, net/twine, 1000 PTO, 13,184 bales. stk# 22245. (L)

2014 Case IH RB565 baler, ISO, laced belts, x-wide pickup, casters, roller windguard, large flotation tires, net/twine, 15,958 bales. stk# 22476. $39,900 (L)

2010 John Deere 568 baler, twine, 1000 PTO, roller windguard, large float tires, 19,886 bales. stk# 31510. $15,500 (G)

2004 Hesston 956A baler, twine only. stk# 9821. $5900 (G)

Hesston 856A baler, 15,050 bales. stk# 22105 $4900 (G)

MISCELLANEOUS

Land Pride FDR1548 mower, 3-pt. finish, 48” mower. stk# 25354. $990 (G)

2022 NEW Massey Ferguson 66” grapple. Grapple kit for 82” bucket. stk# 29284. (G)

2018 Manitou 96” grapple bucket. Mount for New Holland/Gehl/Manitou. stk# 22839.$5888 (G) 72” bucket. stk# 26358. $700 (G)

2014 Danuser F8 heavy duty digger with 12” bit. stk# 18366. $1200 (G)

2019 Danuser 200173 18” rock auger bit with 2” hex head. stk# 29016 $1800 (G)

2018 Woods BS3044E balespear. stk# 23716. $600 (G)

2019 Toro 34225 stand on spreader. stk# 25200. $5000 (G)

hopper, full bin, LED lights, 4 course, 4 medium, 1 fine

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By remembering to have a glass of water, around thirty minutes before eating a meal, the body will be hydrated, and therefore the fat cells will be easier to break down.

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Our bodies are made up of around 75% water and our brains even more at 85%!

Ag practices and air quality

A University of Idaho researcher is leading a multiinstitutional study evaluating how the adoption of farming practices aimed at conserving water, reducing erosion and improving sustainability is affecting air quality.

Alex Maas, a U of I associate professor in the Agricultural Economics and Rural Sociology Department, was inspired to study the issue while wiping away dust from the front porch of his Moscow home, which made him think about the large, dusty plumes that trail harvesters working on the Palouse.

Maas will be analyzing hundreds of thousands of daily readings dating back more than two decades from networks of air-quality sensors west of the Mississippi River to determine how weather, farming practices, harvest timing and land-use factors unrelated to agriculture align to affect air quality and human health. He’ll be working with Jim Crooks, an associate professor and climate epidemiologist at National Jewish Health, and Colorado State University researchers Jude Bayham, an assistant professor of natural resource and environmental economics specializing in air quality and wildfires, and Jeffrey Pierce, a professor of atmospheric science.

Results of the study could guide future land-use decisions, help water managers prioritize methods for conserving dwindling irrigation supplies and justify program incentives for agricultural sustainability practices. Maas proved the concept of the project with a $200,000 seed grant from USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) and received a four-year, $800,000 USDA-NIFA grant in July to broaden his research.

In states such as Colorado and California, irrigators have faced broad curtailments due to drought-related water shortages. As a result, many farmers have left more land fallow and shifted toward low-water crops. Irrigated farmland is also rapidly being lost to development.

“The goal is to see the unintended consequences of our land-use decisions broadly, and this does have a lot of implications as we’re trying to deal with this water-scarcity crisis out West,” Maas said. “We’re looking at all land because you need to control for highways and cities and places that create a lot of air pollution on their own, but we’re only trying to investigate changes in agricultural land.”

Farmers are increasingly taking a long-term approach to management and implementing sustainable farming practices to stretch their inputs and minimize their environmental impacts, such as no-till and reduced tillage, conversion to more efficient irrigation technologies and the planting of cover crops. Cover crops are planted primarily to reduce erosion and improve soil health rather than for commercial sale.

The continuing shift toward low-water crops driven by water shortages is also significant. For example, potatoes have different fertility and input requirements than dryland wheat, which could affect nutrients and chemicals entering the air.

Maas’ project will use sensor data from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s air-quality network, as well as a private network called Purple Air. He and his colleagues have developed a creative method for analyzing the data. They’ll note the agronomic practices and land-use decisions occurring within a pie-shaped area upwind of each sensor associated with each daily reading. In aggregate, the data should inform them how air quality is affected by specific farming practices, as well as what to expect when farmers change those practices.

“These choices are all connected, and as we’re trying to conserve water and potentially changing these choices, how can we incentivize and disincentivize activities that have implications far beyond the borders of your operation?” Maas asked. “If we suddenly see no-till is having this big impact on what we’re picking up with these air-quality sensors, now let’s go and try to figure out what the actual mechanism is and how we can encourage that, or maybe come up with new technologies.”

The project, “Partnership: Evaluating Risks from Agriculturally Sourced Emissions of Particulate Matter,” is funded with a four-year, $800,000 grant from USDA-NIFA, of which 100% is the federal share, under award No. 202467024-42698.

Death Customs

A Viking funeral: At sunset, the dead man was placed on a small boat. As it drifted out to sea, it was lit on fire. If the color of the sunset was the same as that of fire, it meant the deceased was bound for Valhall (Viking heaven).