EXTENSION TRENDS: FORT HALL RESERVATION University of Idaho Extension, Fort Hall Reservation • www.uidaho.edu/forthall
2019 Impact The Federally Recognized Tribal Extension program on the Fort Hall Reservation utilizes five advisory boards to determine stakeholder needs and programming in livestock management, natural resource management, horticulture, farm business management and youth development/4-H. Highlights for 2019 included a calving ease expected progeny difference (EPD) program to decrease the incidence of difficult calving births. Producers were educated on how to interpret and use EPDs to select bulls and parameters for selecting bulls based on EPD use were set. The program resulted in fewer case of dystocia and subsequent cow and calf death. Calf survival rates were improved by a minimum of 5%. For a 150 head herd size, this increases producer income by saving approximately eight calves per year at a minimum value of $690 per calf.
2019 By the Numbers • 3,173 direct contacts • 2,116 youth participants • 33 volunteers • 750 volunteer hours • $127,000 extramural funding
Our Advisory Council Special thanks to our volunteers who help develop programming and disseminate the work we do for UI Extension, Fort Hall Reservation through our five advisory boards in beef, range, general agriculture, horticulture and 4-H/youth development.
UI Extension Educator Danielle Gunn 208-236-1046 dgunn@uidaho.edu
The Gay Mine selenium project has resulted in the decreased incidence of cattle deaths due to the consumption of certain range plants that contain toxic levels of selenium. Two new biological control projects were initiated for Russian knapweed, a significant, problematic noxious weed found on the Reservation. Previous biological control releases have resulted in a 10-15% weed reduction. Over 1,300 acres were treated with to control other noxious weeds identified on the Reservation. A minimum of 400 acres have been completely eradicated of Russian knapweed and planted to alfalfa or native forages. These practices improved land use and value by at least 30%.
Fort Hall Reservation 4-H The Tribal 4-H Program Director coordinates year-round 4-H and afterschool programs to tribal youth. Outreach is also conducted at local schools and Reservation districts. The 4-H program focuses on agriculture, science, nutrition, gardening and life skills. Tribal leadership wanted to see more tribal members, particularly youth, develop an interest and assume a more active role in agricultural opportunities available on the Reservation. In response, the Tribal Youth in Ag Program was developed. Each month an agricultural commodity is selected, and a science-based lesson and handson activity is taught. A healthy snack is also prepared with the selected product. Over 100 students were reached through this program. Youth participants can now knowledgeably discuss agricultural commodities; know how food is produced, harvested, and transported; and have developed personal connections. Total programming efforts reached over 1,500 youth, approximately 150 classes were offered, 690 projects, in addition to five market lamb projects, were submitted to the Bingham County Fair, and 31 youth, nine teen counselors and two adults participated in 4-H camp.
On the Horizon New programming includes the development of a livestock collar tracking program. This program will utilize GPS technology to determine cattle grazing and reproductive behaviors on rangeland as well as which cattle travel the most to utilize difficult terrain for foraging. Additionally, work is being done to control the Russian olive infestations on the Fort Hall Reservation. Several control projects have been developed and a comprehensive management publication regarding this invasive tree is forthcoming.