Sorted by date Results 76 - 100 of 114
The 2012 North Dakota Weed Control Guide lists several new herbicides for weed control in small grains. One of them is Axial Star. Like Axial XL and Axial TBC, it contains pinoxaden and a safener in addition to fluroxypyr (Starane). As a post emergent herbicide it will give good weed control on several grassy weeds, some broadleaf weeds and kochia. The Axial line of herbicides is marketed by Syngenta. Bayer Crop Science has released a new product called Huskie Complete. It contains the same herb...
Herbicides have become a very important tool in almost every corner of raw food production. Without them, weeds would grow out of control, production would be severely impaired, precious top soil would be lost to wind and or water erosion and the cost to feed a family would be higher than it is today. Years ago when there were less than a handful of herbicides available to wheat producers crop diversity was almost non-existent. Now that we have many more herbicides available, farm producers of...
The North Dakota Field Office of USDA’s National Agriculture Statistics Service conducts an annual survey of farmers and ranchers to obtain average rental rates and the value of rental land in their localities. Approximately 4,600 North Dakota agricultural producers were sampled for this survey conducted Jan. 17-Feb. 2, 2012. More than 2,950 reports were collected with almost 2,150 containing positive data. We recently received a copy of the survey report and will share it upon request. It a...
Over the years I often have heard people my senior say “When it is time to make hay one must make hay.” Such is the case with this spring’s crop seeding. Although mid-April is a bit early for this area, soil temperatures and soil moisture conditions tell us we should be planting. Although not always the case, most farmers bet on the early seeded crops to produce better yields. Early seeded cool season crops can take advantage of the moderate temperatures of late May, June and early July when...
Keeping trees alive and healthy involves a lot of knowledge and effort – knowledge of what to do (or not to do) and the effort of following through with proper tree-care techniques. One of the most important things involved in tree health is ensuring that trees are planted properly. Incorrect planting will doom a tree to a short life or a very difficult one. Keeping trees healthy begins before they are even planted. Tree selection is critical to ensure planting success. Foremost, trees must be h...
Our weed control researchers at NDSU keep reminding county extension agents of the growing threats of weed resistance to commonly used herbicides. Those of us in the western part of North Dakota commonly think of weed resistance as a problem for crop growers in the eastern part of our fair state and producers of adjoining states. However, it was in 2009 when resistance of green foxtail to some ACCASE (Group 1) herbicides was first documented in the Minot area. Since then, green foxtail resistanc...
Last spring, the North Dakota State University Foundation Seedstocks (NDFSS) and Busch Agricultural Resources, Inc. (BAR) cooperated in releasing a new malting barley named Innovation. The release was made through the North Dakota Crop Improvement Associates and county associations. An allocation was awarded to Hal Hickel, Ray. Despite a very, very late planting Hal was able to harvest 1100 bushels of seed which has met the standard of registered grade, the highest possible. Hal reports the...
Joe Victor, Minneapolis Grain Exchange (MGEX) business development specialist, recently informed me that MGEX and DTN have partnered in an effort to conduct two informative webinars that will address market outlook for spring wheat and durum along with weather forecasts for the spring wheat growing areas of the U.S. and Canada. The webinars are scheduled for March 29 and April 4. On March 29, Victor will address both spring wheat and durum wheat markets, their similarities, proteinbasis spreads...
In the last ten years, beef and cattle trade between the United States and foreign countries has become increasingly complex with respect to economic and political factors. The U.S. exports not just meat, but also many non-meat items as well as live animals. Understanding all of the export/import numbers of many reports is often difficult, for me anyway. However, Jim Robb, Livestock Marketing Information Center director, based in Denver, recently sent a report which analyzes U.S. beef trade. I...
The 59th National Hard Spring Wheat Show is history. Being heavily involved, along with over 20 other farm producers, agri-businesses and NDSU co-workers, I may be a bit biased in proclaiming the event a total success starting with the Bread Fair which focused on teaching area 5th grade students how to make bread. The instruction started by showing the students where the flour comes from and some of the steps in processing wheat into white and whole wheat flours. At first, it appeared a...
The 59th National Hard Spring Wheat Show is history. Being heavily involved, along with over 20 other farm producers, agri-businesses and NDSU co-workers, I may be a bit biased in proclaiming the event a total success starting with the Bread Fair which focused on teaching area 5th grade students how to make bread. The instruction started by showing the students where the flour comes from and some of the steps in processing wheat into white and whole wheat flours. At first, it appeared a...
In one of my columns early last summer I mentioned there was an effort by some parents to organize a 4-H youth group which would focus its studies and activities around horses. I am happy to report such a group has been formally organized. Currently, it involves approximately a dozen young, enthusiastic boys and girls who reside in areas from Ray to Williston. Judging from the first two meetings, the young members are very eager to learn about the care and training of horses. As with any youth...
For as long as I can remember, livestock producers have recognized that not all forages are equal in their ability to produce animals. For decades the feedlot, dairy and swine industries have used laboratory analysis of available feeds to balance rations to obtain maximum economic returns. Beef cow-calf producers have been slow to incorporate this technology. However, I sense there is a growing trend among ranchers to analyze forages to be fed during the winter months. Getting a representative...
In its 2010-2011 Annual Report to Producers, the North Dakota Wheat Commission states that wheat producers can take pride in knowing the wheat industry continues to be one of the largest economic contributors to the North Dakota economy, agricultural or otherwise, accounting for nearly one third of all farm and ranch marketings. The direct cash value of the North Dakota wheat and durum crop is nearly $2.4 billion, which generates an additional $4.8 billion in commercial activity for a total...
With cattle prices at record levels, producers question the market’s longevity. Prior to the BSE, (Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy, commonly known as mad-cow disease), scare in 2003 or even the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attack, cattlemen could establish their production and marketing decisions based on a 10-year cycle. As prices peaked, cattle inventories increased to levels when supplies exceeded demand. When this occurred, producers then reduced herd inventory and converted land to other u...
In its 2010-2011 Annual Report to Producers, the North Dakota Wheat Commission states that wheat producers can take pride in knowing the wheat industry continues to be one of the largest economic contributors to the North Dakota economy, agricultural or otherwise, accounting for nearly one third of all farm and ranch marketings. The direct cash value of the North Dakota wheat and durum crop is nearly $2.4 billion, which generates an additional $4.8 billion in commercial activity for a total...
The cost of feed is the highest line item of all costs incurred to produce a beef calf. Some say it is around 50% of the total cost while others report it can get as high as 70%. We do not know what next spring will be like but the weather so far this winter sure points to lower feed dollars which will be applied to the 2012 calf crop. Although daily temperatures and lack of snow, so far, can be described as “beautiful” by North Dakota standards, cattle managers realize these conditions can cha...
Except for housing, most families spend more on transportation than on any other expense category. Consumers prefer the latest technologies and multi-year warranties of new cars, but the vast majority does not buy new cars. The reason is simple. Used cars are considerably cheaper to own and operate than new cars. According to a new publication of the North Dakota State University, the cost of owning and operating a new medium sized car such as Chevrolet Impala, Ford Fusion, Honda Accord, Nissan...
Recently I received several copies of the 2012 North Dakota Field Inspected Seed publication which lists fields of various crops and varieties that were inspected this past summer. Field inspection is a prerequisite for final seed certification. This year’s publication is smaller than usual, very likely due to the poor growing conditions experienced statewide. Because fewer acres were inspected in 2011 and most seed varieties may only be sold as a class of certified seed, I suspect there will b...
Farm management practices, commodity markets, and soil health are key issues to be discussed during the 59th National Hard Spring Wheat Show scheduled Feb. 6-8 in Williston. One of the keynote speakers for the event will be Dr. Danny Klinefelter, Texas A&M University Extension economist. Klinefelter was scheduled to speak last year but a Denver-based storm prevented his flight to Williston. Klinefelter is a specialist in ag finance and is the man behind 'The Executive Program for Agricultural...
According to Adnan Akyuz and Barbara Mullins, both of the NDSU Department of Soil Science, the 2011 growing season (the period from April-September) for North Dakota can simply be characterized as “wetter” than normal compared to the 30-year average from 1981-2010. No one will argue that statement, even those retired farm producers who have lived a lifetime in this area. I have yet to come upon a farmer who remembers so many prevent-plant acres as we had this year. Here are some of the numbers w...
Producers looking for information regarding the 2012 cropping season and a review of 2011 are invited to attend a special interactive video meeting on Monday, Dec. 5, at 1:30 p.m. in the 2nd floor Conference Room of the Williams County Courthouse. Staff of the North Dakota State University Extension Service will present a crop market outlook, information on maximizing winter wheat yields and an update on farm program legislation. In addition to these topics there will be discussion about...
With the potential of the Emerald Ash Borer coming westward to North Dakota and possibly devastating our Green Ash trees, homeowners ask for alternatives. This is a very difficult question to answer as I feel there is no tree equal to the hardiness and drought resistance possessed by Green Ash. As an alternative deciduous tree to Green Ash I have suggested Hackberry, Linden, Bur Oak and Buckeye. In doing so, I must emphasize the limitations of each. After all, none of these trees, except Bur...
An interactive video program to assist agriculture producers and tax preparers with year-end farm business decisions and retirement planning is scheduled Friday, Nov. 18, from 9 a.m.-12 noon CST at the 2nd Floor Conference Room of the Williams County Courthouse. The three-hour program will address the following tax issues: when to accelerate or defer income in conjunction with expense timing and income averaging; updates on tax rates; 1099s and IRS programs such as electronic accounting and...
Although I have not been overwhelmed with callers asking for information about water quality tests, there is a growing trend of requests regarding testing services and interpretation of test results. I suspect much of this is being driven by the desire to document the quality and safety of ground water sources. When someone inquires about testing water I usually ask if an analysis is desired for bacterial or mineral content. The reason for this question is because a bacterial analysis requires...
