EXTENSION TRENDS: CARIBOU COUNTY University of Idaho Extension, Caribou County • www.uidaho.edu/caribou
2019 Impact UI Extension, Caribou County held the Caribou County Grain Seminar in 2019, attended by nearly 70 participants. Many of the grain growers in Caribou County attend University of Idaho cereal schools but this type of programming had never been offered in Caribou County. Holding a cereal school in Caribou County was suggested by a stakeholder at an advisory meeting and UI Extension Educator Justin Hatch helped make the school a reality.
2019 By the Numbers • 1,135 direct contacts • 220 youth participants • 19 volunteers • 484 volunteer hours • $4,039 extramural funding
Our Advisory Council Special thanks to our volunteers who help shape programming and inform the work we do for UI Extension in Caribou County: Dale Simons, Dan Lakey, Brett Torgeson, Jake Osbourn, Cameron Williams, Scott Brown, Kyle Wangemann, Eric Simonson and Blair Rindlisbaker.
UI Extension Educator Justin Hatch 208-547-3205 jlhatch@uidaho.edu
With stakeholder input research was conducted in Caribou County to identify the best nitrogen source and rate to be applied on irrigated pastures. Many producers have been using the same nitrogen products for years. While new products are emerging it is important to identify which products will help producers be the most profitable. In addition to conducting research, workshops were also offered across eastern Idaho. Topics discussed included pasture renovation, grazing management, weed management, and developing a grazing plan. Participants included male and female producers who collectively managed 24,311 acres. They reported that they gained new knowledge and tools by attending.
4-H in Caribou County Caribou County 4-H offered an array of programs for youth to develop life skills. One of the most exciting programs offered in 2019, that has not been offered for years, was the working ranch horse program. Participants really enjoyed this program and participation is anticipated to increase in years to come. Many day camps were offered, including a new plant identification hike in 2019. While hiking, participants learned to identify 6-7 plants. Standard activities like 4-H camp, livestock day camp and youth activities at the Caribou County Fair were also offered.
On the Horizon Several research projects are continuing in Caribou County. The nitrogen trials on irrigated pasture project is trying to identify the most economical nitrogen source for irrigated pasture. Last year’s results indicated that Urea applied at 60 units/acre provided the highest yield per dollar spent on nitrogen. Urea must be watered in shortly after application or the nitrogen can be lost to the atmosphere. A trial on dry land to help understand the effects of growing cover crops on soil moisture for subsequent crops was conducted in 2019. Results implied that growing a cover crop can actually increase the amount of moisture in the top 6 inches of the soil as compared to fallow. When subsequent crops are planted soil moisture in the top 6 inches is extremely important to facilitate seed germination. This trial will be conducted again. UI Extension, Caribou County will also assist UI researchers with an extensive aphid monitoring network for eastern Idaho and wheat and barley variety trials in the county.