14-15 Winter Agriculture News

Greetings!
2014 is almost history! Looking back it was a year of ups and downs. The spring
started off cool and wet which delayed planting, pushed plant development back, and
made us play catch up throughout the growing season. The cool/wet weather stayed
into June and July which caused fungi diseases in our small grains and row crops.
Overall, the small grains had excellent yields with average protein levels. Small grain
markets were down compared to 2013 but hopefully the extra bushels will provide
some profit. The row crops made it to maturity with excellent weather in September
and October. However, the row crops didn’t dry down so harvest was delayed with
about one third of the crop still left to be harvested.
Livestock producers had an excellent year. There were a few challenges with calving
due to wet conditions which caused some scours. Cool weather with timely rains in May
and June provided an excellent yielding hay/alfalfa crop with many producers getting
second and even third cuttings. Cattle prices hit record highs many times in 2014 and
current prices are not far below the record highs. With the market price of corn
presently being very reasonable and an abundance of hay, things look bright for the
livestock industry going into the new year.
Looking toward 2015, producers will have some new challenges and opportunities.
The main one will be the new Farm Bill. You will see upcoming informational meetings
in this newsletter that will help you make the best choices for your operation. The new
Farm Bill is nothing like the past Farm Bill. It provides many options and opportunities
for producers and landowners. This will not be a one size fits all bill. Producers/
landowners will have to look at each individual farm number to determine the best
option to sign-up for.
Craig Askim, Extension Agent
Agriculture and Natural Resources
1400 Hwy 49 N #103
Beulah, ND 58523
Phone: (701) 873-5195
Email: [email protected]
Inside this issue:
Crops Educational Day
2
Pesticide Trainings
3
Publications
3
West Central Livestock Day
4
Upcoming Meetings
4
Soil and Forage Probes
4
Please take note of the educational workshop and pesticide dates listed in this
newsletter. If your pesticide license expires in 2015 you will be receiving a notice from
our office in January 2015. If you have questions regarding any of these events please
call me at 701-873-5195 or email [email protected]. Here’s to a successful 2015!
Craig Askim, Extension Agent
Agriculture and Natural Resources
County commissions, North Dakota State University and U.S. Department of Agriculture cooperating. North Dakota State University does not discriminate on
the basis of age, color, disability, gender expression/identity, genetic information, marital status, national origin, public assistance status, sex, sexual
orientation, status as a U.S. veteran, race or religion. Direct inquiries to the Vice President for Equity, Diversity and Global Outreach, 205 Old Main, (701) 2317708. This publication will be made available in alternative formats for people with disabilities upon request, (701) 873-5195.
AGRICULTURE NEWS
PAGE 2
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AGRICULTURE
NEWS
Pesticide Training Opportunities
Private General Certification
Date
February 16
February 18
February 18
February 19
February 19
February 20
February 26
February 27
March 10
March 11
March 12
March 16
April 6
Place
City Hall
Legion Hall
North Shore Inn
City Hall
City Hall
Civic Center
ARS Station
Morton Co. Fairgrounds
Civic Center
City Hall
City Hall
Civic Center
Morton Co. Courthouse
Town
Ryder
Turtle Lake
Garrison
Hazen
Wilton
Center
Mandan
New Salem
Beulah
Underwood
Hebron
Beulah
Mandan
Time
9 a.m.
9 a.m.
6 p.m.
1 p.m.
9 a.m.
1 p.m.
1 p.m.
1 p.m.
9 a.m.
9 a.m.
1 p.m.
6 p.m.
7 p.m.
Beulah
Mandan
9 a.m.
1 p.m.
Fumigation Certification
February 23
March 9
Extension Office
Extension Office
Publications
The Mercer County Extension office has numerous publications available, many of them free of charge.
Some that may be of interest are:

2014 Weed Control Guide

2014 Insecticide Guide

2014 Fumigation Guide

2014 ND Field Inspection Seed Guide

2014 NDSU Research Extension Center’s Annual Research and Field Trials Report

2014 Crop/Livestock Budget Guides
Stop by the office or visit our website at: www.ag.ndsu.edu/mercercountyextension for these and other
publications.
We st C e n t ra l L i ve st o c k D ay
January 13, 2015
Center Civic Center
1:00 p.m.
Storing Vaccines – Lisa Pederson, NDSU Beef Quality Assurance Specialist
1:30 p.m.
Mortality Composting – Rick Schmidt, Oliver County Extension Agent
2:00 p.m.
Feeding with Net-Wrap
2:20 p.m.
Putting EPD’s to work – Rick Schmidt – Oliver County Extension Agent
3:00 p.m.
Stump the Vet – Dr. Jerry Stokka – NDSU Extension Veterinarian and Animal Stewardship.
Dr. Stokka will address - Veterinary Feed Directive, Sweet Clover and Pinkeye followed by
producer questions.
4:00 p.m.
Commodity Elections
4:30 p.m.
FSA report on Farm Bill – Linda Urlacher
Upcoming Meetings
December 11
Farm Bill Informational Meeting, Dakota Farms, Washburn, 10 a.m.
December 16
Central Dakota AG DAY, CREC, Carrington, 9:30 a.m.
December 16
Farm Bill Informational Meeting, ARS Station, Mandan, 1 p.m.
December 18
Crops Educational Day, Beulah Civic Center, Beulah, 9:30 a.m.
January 6
ARC/PLC Information Meeting, ARS Station, Mandan, 1 p.m.
January 13
West Central Livestock Day, Civic Center, Center, 1 p.m.
January 20-21
Feedlot School, CREC, Carrington
February 10-11
KFYR Agri-International, Civic Center, Bismarck
Soil and Forage Probes
The Mercer County Extension
office purchased a soil
probe (soil analysis) and
a forage probe (hay
quality analysis) for
anyone to check out with
a security deposit.
Take advantage of this
opportunity. For
more information or
to reserve a probe
stop in or call the
Extension office at
873-5195.
If you no longer wish to receive this newsletter or if you have an address change,
please call our office at 873-5195, or email: [email protected].