EXTENSION TRENDS: BANNOCK COUNTY University of Idaho Extension, Bannock County • www.uidaho.edu/bannock
2019 Impact UI Extension Educator Reed Findlay worked with a group of field men, growers, specialists and educators to study thrips in alfalfa in Blackfoot and Mud Lake. This is a new pest and is a growing concern with clients. Initial survey results were presented at the Idaho Hay and Forage Conference. A regression equation was developed that will assist growers in determining the economic threshold of this pest and when to initiate control measures. An additional year of monitoring will be needed due to the late spring and unusual growing season this year.
2019 By the Numbers • 6,133 direct contacts • 3,715 youth participants • 46 volunteers • 6,675 volunteer hours • $65,647 extramural funding
Our Advisory Council Special thanks to our volunteers who help shape programming and inform the work we do for UI Extension in Bannock County: Lisa Hargraves, Curtis Austin, John McNabb, Ernie Moser, Teresa Von Busch and Karl Petit.
UI Extension Educators Reed Findlay 208-236-7310 rfindlay@uidaho.edu
Laura Foist 208-236-7307 laurafoist@uidaho.edu
Nikola Dalton 208-236-7312 nmdalton@uidaho.edu
Findlay also assisted UI Extension beef specialist Jim Sprinkle with water quality monitoring at the Mink Creek grazing allotments—work that is vital to ranchers. This study is designed to cast additional light on the source (cattle as well as wildlife, dogs and humans) of fecal coliform in the area. Past government studies did not use genetic markers to identify species contributions and thus cattle were assumed to be the primary contributors. This study has shown human contributions to be the main factor in fecal coliform contamination.
4-H in Bannock County The 4-H program continues to grow in Bannock County. The number of beef projects at the 2019 fair more than doubled and all projects were similar or higher. In 2019, nearly 100 youth from Oneida, Bannock, Butte and Teton counties attended 4-H Alpine Camp. Over 60 were youth from Bannock County. Faculty and staff provide a three-day training for camp counselors and counselors in training, which gives teens the tools they need to improve their leadership, conflict management and organization skills. A partnership through the 21st Century Afterschool program in the Pocatello/Chubbuck school district provided robotics programming to three elementary and one middle school program. UI Extension, Bannock County hosts the regional 4-H FIRST LEGO League competition in the fall with more than 12 teams competing. The Build Your Future program was brought to Marsh Valley High School, teaching students about career development and financial skills.
On the Horizon Findlay is studying the viability and agronomics of teff grass in Idaho. With new grant monies, the effects of planting date and harvest cutting height on teff grass production will be studied. This is a c-4 grass that has not been used as a pasture grass in Idaho. This year’s results show that even a late planting of teff can match yields of traditional grass forage crops. UI Extension Educator Nikola Dalton is bringing the Dabble in Dissection program to the county. The class has been taught to 37 youth through the homeschool community and a program has started at Marsh Valley High School. Dalton is leading the Idaho 4-H Rangeland Skill-a-thon team and hosting the competition in fall 2020 and is working with teams across the state on teen program evaluation, Leadership NOW! And the Volunteer Learning Network.