Opportunities to incorporate winter cover crops, forages and perennials into various cropping systems will be the focus of a North Dakota State University field day on September 16, led by Marisol Berti, NDSU Department of Plant Sciences professor of forage, cover crops and biomass production and Clair Keene, NDSU Extension small grains agronomist.
Presenters will demonstrate and discuss the benefits of cover crops and perennials, and how to establish alfalfa in an annual cash crop like sorghum.
The field day will start with registration at 8:30 a.m. at the research plots just west of the intersection of 15th Avenue North and 18th Street North on the NDSU main campus. The afternoon program will include a tour around the campus research plots and will conclude at 2:45 p.m.
AUCTIONS
Late Sept, Musser Bros Auctions & Real Estate, Consignment, Billings MT .. A16
Returning to the Ranch, a workshop series for families who are in the process of transition planning and bringing family members back to the ranch or farm, will be held September 12 and 13 in North Platte, at the West Central Research, Extension and Education Center, 402 W. State Farm Road.
The workshop is presented by the University of NebraskaLincoln’s Center for Agricultural Profitability and Nebraska Extension to help families improve transition and estate plans, enhance their communication and build their knowledge of the legal and financial considerations associated with transition planning.
Soil health workshop to highlight practices for healthy farms and ecosystems
This educational event will showcase how healthy soil supports healthy food, resilient farms and thriving ecosystems.
Farmers, ranchers, agronomists and community members are invited to attend the 2025 Soil Health Workshop on September 17, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. MDT at the Biesiot Activities Center, 398 State Avenue, Dickinson, North Dakota.
The event is hosted by the NDSU Dickinson Research Extension Center, Dickinson State University and the U.S. Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service.
This free event will showcase how healthy soil supports healthy food, resilient farms and thriving ecosystems. Attendees will benefit from expert presentations, hands-on field demonstrations and networking with regional specialists. Certified Crop Advisers can earn continuing education units (CEUs) and a complimentary lunch will be provided by the Bravera Bank & Trust Grill Team.
The workshop agenda includes sessions on soil health principles, practical management strategies and the latest research
findings. Participants will also have the opportunity to explore on-site demonstrations that bring soil health concepts to life.
For detailed event information and to RSVP for lunch, visit ndsu.ag/SoilHealthWS25, or contact Sheryl Schneider at 701456-1120 or sheryl.schneider@ndsu.edu
Sponsors include Agassiz Seed and Supply, Badlands Genetics, Bravera Bank & Trust, Brooks Chalky Butte Angus Ranch, Butler Machinery Company, ConocoPhillips, Dacotah Bank, DSU Department of Agriculture and Technical Studies, Heart River Genetics, Helena Agri-Enterprises, LLC, Sackman Electric, Southwest Grain, Stark/Billings County SCD, Stockman’s Livestock Exchange, West Plains, Inc. and Western Cooperative Credit Union.
These Dawson County 4-H’ers recently participated in the Premier Animal Science Event at UNL:(front row, left to right) Lillee Voss, Lexington; Cadey Wolf, Cozad; Nora Reiman, Cozad; and Maddy Anderson, Gothenburg; (second row, left to right) Anna Dillon, Cozad; Clay Terrell, Gothenburg; Grant Walahoski, Overton; Owen Lassen, Overton; Megan Walahoski, Overton; Cassidy Reiman, Cozad; Kadie Anderson, Gothenburg; Mollie Spradlin, Cozad; Hailey Jensen, Cozad; and Gabrielle Caraway, Lexington; (back row, left to right) Kamrynn Rhoades, Cozad; Lorelai Rickertsen, Lexington; Greta Rickertsen, Lexington; Samual Winter, Cozad; Matthew Rhoades, Cozad; Carson Reiman, Cozad; Brooklyn Reiman, Cozad; Bristol McConville, Lexington; Paige
and Meagan Lassen, Overton.
HAY FOR SALE
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Storm rule of thumb: If it has wind speeds greater than 73 mph, it’s a hurricane.
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Song played by the Titanic band while the ship sank: “Nearer My God to Thee.”
MONTANA BRANDS FOR SALE
Cover crops field day
CONTINUED FROM FRONT PAGE
Morning field tour topics are:
Forage sorghum, sainfoin and alfalfa intercropping
Pollinator strips establishment and biodiversity
Perennial wheat and Kernza™ research in North Dakota
Cover crops and soil health research in North Dakota
Alfalfa winter hardiness, root morphology and plant growth enhancers research
Alfalfa Rhizobium research
Afternoon field tour topics are:
Winter camelina research and crop contracts
Perennial wheat and Kernza™ research in North Dakota Pollinator plants and perennial sunflower biodiversity “I have researched various cover crops within many North Dakota cropping systems,” shares Berti. “Establishing alfalfa by intercropping with cash crops has great potential to increase the profitability of forages.”
Field day participants will have the opportunity to learn about cover crops and new perennial grain crops such as KernzaTM. Attendees will be able to connect with other participants who have experience in incorporating cover crops and forages into their farming systems.
A free lunch will be provided to all who register. Registration and more event information is available at ndsu.ag/ covercropsday25.
This field day is part of the outreach efforts associated with several National Institute of Food and Agriculture grants from the U.S. Department of Agriculture awarded to North Dakota Agricultural Experiment Station scientists and USDA-ARS researchers. If you have any questions about this event, please contact the NDSU Department of Plant Sciences at 701-231-7971.
Returning to the ranch
CONTINUED FROM FRONT PAGE
The two-day in-person event will include presentations and guided work time for families, led by Nebraska Extension experts, as well as planning time and group activities. Registration also includes two follow-up virtual sessions, to be held from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Central time on November 12 and January 7.
Jessica Groskopf, an extension agricultural economist with the Center for Agricultural Profitability, said families are encouraged to invite off-farm or off-ranch children, inlaws, or others who may play a role in the transition process.
“We’ve designed Returning to the Ranch with families in mind,” Groskopf said. “It will provide a unique opportunity for multiple family members to get away from the hustle and bustle of their work to focus on meaningful discussions about key topics like transitioning estate plans and improving family communication.”
Registration is $85 per person on or after September 5. Hotel accommodations are not included and should be booked independently if needed.
Questions may be emailed to cap@unl.edu.
Expanding Markets Conference
Join producers, buyers, and ag professionals at Western Sustainability Exchange’s annual Expanding Markets Conference, now in Helena! This hands-on event features ranch tours, innovative workshops, and new market opportunities for Montana ranchers and food businesses. Registration is now open, with limited vendor spots available.
For more information visit https://westernsustainabilityexchange.org/expanding-markets-conference/
The 4th Annual Expanding Markets Conference, hosted by the Western Sustainability Exchange, will take place September 30–October 2, 2025, at the Delta Hotel in Helena, Montana
Ranch Tour Kickoff
On September 30, attendees will gather at Mulvey Gulch Ranch for an immersive tour guided by Brian Dawson, one of Montana’s leading advocates for regenerative ranching. Joining him is Ray Archuleta, known fondly as “Ray the Soil Guy,” along with innovators from High Country Ag and Redmond. This hands-on experience concludes downtown at The Union for dinner and storytelling with Old Salt Co op, featuring their origin story and locally sourced cuisine.
Conference Highlights
Over two full days of sessions and exhibits, the conference will deliver:
Real-world insights from regenerative ranchers
Market strategies with aggregators and brand leaders
Financial, ecosystem services, and nutrient-density opportunities
Hands-on breakout sessions designed to shift theory into practice
Explore the full speaker lineup on our website westernsustainabilityexchange.org/expanding-markets-conference/ New for 2025
One year after widespread feedback, this year’s conference emphasizes action-oriented sessions, more vibrant trade-show experiences, and local food integration. Expect more live networking, skill-building, and market development opportunities than in past years.
Themes and topics:
Direct-to-consumer channels and value-added marketing
Pet food and regenerative ingredient sourcing
Ecosystem services and Natural Asset Capital (NAC) Emerging opportunities in tallow, bone broth, and protein markets
Rancher-led mentoring and cooperative programs
Pricing & Support
Thanks to generous sponsors, registration is affordably priced with $50 off for up to three additional participants from the same operation. Financial assistance is available through NCBA scholarships and WWF’s RSVP reimbursement program.
Why Attend?
The regenerative agriculture market is booming! This conference is your front-row seat to capitalize on emerging market demand and elevate your ranch’s profitability, resilience, and ecological stewardship. Find out how you fit into the regenerative agriculture market!
Register and Get Involved
The 2025 Expanding Markets Conference is more than an event; it’s a platform for regenerative ranchers and market innovators to connect and thrive together. From the opening ranch tour to interactive sessions and marketplace connections, WSE’s conference is your gateway to higher-value, sustainable agriculture practices.
Don’t miss this opportunity to build new markets, forge relationships with buyers, and join a movement that’s transforming ranching from the ground up. Visit the markets conference page on WSE’s website for registration details, speaker updates, and sponsorship opportunities. If you’re interested in speaking, tabling, or sponsoring, reach out to Holly Stoltz at hstoltz@wsestaff.org
Michael John Douglas
When this young comedian left Pittsburgh in the early 1970s (after a brief stint as one of the Flying Zookeeni Brothers” on Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood), he had trouble making a name for himself in Hollywood because there were already two famous Michael Douglases (an actor and a talkshow host). Legend has it that he chose his new surname because of a crush on actress Diane Keaton, but Michael Keaton actually got it from one of his all-time favorite funnymen, silent-film star Buster Keaton.
Atlantic salmon
Grow faster and larger than ever before. According to the watchdog group GreenAmerica, the fish are “engineered with a growth-hormone-regulating gene from a Pacific Chinook salmon and a growth promoter from an ocean pout (an eellike fish) to make it grow to a larger size at a faster rate.”
Maurice
Joseph Micklewhite
Born in London in 1933. Micklewhite got his first job in theater at age 20. Disliking both his first and last names, he billed himself as Michael Scott. But in 1954, while standing in a London phone booth talking to his agent, he was informed there already was an English actor named Michael Scott. Pressured to choose a new name right there, Micklewhite looked down the street and saw a movie marquee sign advertising The Caine Mutiny. So he said to his agent, “Michel Caine.
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In 2011 flight engineer Satoshi Furukawa represented Japan on the International Space Station. The item he took with him was a box of LEGO bricks. He used them to make a replica of the ISS.
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Ornithologists (bird experts) say birds do not sleep in their nests.
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A red blood cell is about 8 microns wide - less than half the width of a human hair.
Wyoming Wool Initiative launches fourth annual Lamb-a-Year program
The Wyoming Wool Initiative, in partnership with the University of Wyoming College of Agriculture, Life Sciences and Natural Resources, is now accepting applications for its 2025-2026 Lamb-a-Year program.
This flagship program, now in its fourth year, offers UW students valuable industry experience and provides regional sheep producers with individualized lamb quality data.
“Lamb-a-Year is a value discovery program where producers donate lambs, we feed out those lambs here at the Laramie Research and Extension Center, collect performance and meat quality information, and give that information back to producers,” says Whit Stewart, UW Extension sheep specialist. “Lamb-a-Year is an investment in the sheep industry in the state of Wyoming.”
Participating producers are asked to donate feeder lambs of 70-90 pounds. The Wyoming Wool Initiative will coordinate with donors to arrange drop-off and pick-up locations this fall, with all lambs delivered to the Laramie Research and Extension Center at the beginning of October.
In order to receive meaningful results, donors are encouraged to enter at least two lambs into the test, which begins in midOctober and runs through February 2026.
In 2024, 26 producers donated a total of 125 lambs to the program.
“Some producers have shared data from Lamb-a-Year with potential buyers as a means of marketing the genetic potential of
their lambs,” Stewart notes. “Others have used the lamb quality information to better understand the optimal finishing weight of their lambs.”
Lamb sales help support educational programming for students and producers, workshops at the annual Wyoming Sheep and Wool Festival, UW meat science curriculum, lamb quality research, and more. Producers receive a tax-deductible charitable gift receipt based on the market value of their lambs.
A total of more than 150 youth and university students from UW and other institutions benefited from educational opportunities related to the 2024-2025 Lamb-a-Year program, the Wyoming Wool Initiative reports.
“Lamb-a-Year funds enhance our ability to deliver curriculum in a unique way,” says Stewart. “I think that’s when we’re doing things right, [when] we’re getting students out of the classroom.”
To learn more about the Lamb-a-Year program and its impact on students, visit https://bit.ly/lay-impact.
For those interested in donating lambs, visit https://bit.ly/lay-2025 and fill out the online form by September 30, 2025.
The Wool Initiative also accepts financial contributions and in-kind donations, such as feed, to support the Lamb-a-Year program. Visit https://bit.ly/lay-2025 to make a donation.
Contact the Wyoming Wool Initiative at lstewar9@uwyo.edu with questions.
Applications open for Nebraska Youth Beef Leadership Symposium
High school students interested in exploring careers in the beef industry are invited to apply for the 21st annual Nebraska Youth Beef Leadership Symposium, set for November 21-23 on the University of Nebraska–Lincoln’s East Campus.
Since its start in 2004, the symposium has welcomed more than 800 participants from across the United States, including Nebraska, Colorado, Kansas, Kentucky and Pennsylvania. The event introduces students to a wide range of career opportunities and current issues in the beef industry, while helping them develop leadership skills.
Speakers from the university and industry representatives will share expertise
on all aspects of the beef industry, from pasture to plate. The event concludes with participants working in teams alongside a professional chef to create a beef dish and marketing plan.
The symposium is open to high school sophomores, juniors and seniors. If selected, participants will pay a $75 registration fee, which covers hotel accommodations, meals and materials. Attendees will also have the opportunity to earn scholarships from the College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources.
The application deadline is October 1. To apply or learn more, visit https://go.unl. edu/nybls.
Auction 2025 State of Montana Surplus Property
HEAVY EQUIPMENT
John Deere 672A Motor Grader
Ferguson SP-912 Roller Compactor
Rosco Tru-Pac 915 Roller Compactor
New Holland L175 Skid Steer
Harlan GHTKJ40 Tug
Daimler Benz AG 419.10 Unimog
Bobcat 5600 Toolcat
Zoom Boom 8040 Telehandler
(2) Case W14B Loaders
Komatsu GD530A Motor Grader
Champion Series 6 Motor Grader
Crafco Magnum Spray Injection Patcher
Champion Series 3 710A Motor Grader
Champion 710A Motor Grader (Wrecked)
(2) CAT 130G Motor Graders
Champion Series 6 716AVHP Motor Grader
Bobcat X320 Mini Excavator
TRACTORS & FARM EQUIPMENT
Kubota B7100 716AVHP 4WD Tractor
John Deere 2440 Tractor
Ford Tractor
Kinkaid 2045 Combine
DUMP TRUCKS AND TRUCKS
2009 Freightliner Columbia
2002 International 4300 Bus
1996 Ford 8000 Dump Truck
1988 Ford 8000 Paint Truck
1996 Ford 8000 Plow Truck
1997 Freightliner FL70 Refer Truck
1998 International F2574 Plow Truck
1992 International F2574 Tar Truck
2005 Mack Granite CV713 Dump Truck
2008 International 5900i Truck
2002 Ford F-650 Crew Cab Flat Bed 4x2
ONE TON PICKUPS (4WD & 2WD)
(2) GMC Sierra 3500HD 2WD (2009, 2012)
(3) Ford F-350 2WD (2006 Thru 2014)
1998 Dodge Ram 3500 4WD
(4) Ford F-350 4WD (2002 Thru 2014)
2005 Ford F-450 4WD
1990 Dodge W350 4WD
1/2-TON PICKUPS (4WD & 2WD)
(9) Ford F-150 2WD (2004 Thru 2014)
1985 GMC C1500 2WD
(3) GMC Sierra 2WD (2006, 2007, 2015)
(10) Ford F-150 4WD (2004 Thru 2017)
(3) Dodge Ram 4WD (1996, 2001, 2009)
2007 Chevrolet Colorado 4WD
(2) Ford Ranger 4WD (2005, 2009)
(4) Chevrolet Silverado 4WD (2002, 2007)
(2) GMC Canyon 4WD (2004, 2006)
(6) GMC Sierra 4WD (1995 Thru 2012)
2009 Dodge Dakota 4WD
3/4-TON PICKUPS (4WD & 2WD)
(4) GMC Sierra 2500HD 2WD (2006 Thru 2012)
(10) Ford F-250 2WD (2006 Thru 2015)
2012 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD
(5) GMC Sierra 2500 4WD (1992, 2003, 2006)
1992 Dodge W250 4WD
(6) Ford F-250 4WD (2004 Thru 2016)
2011 GMC 2500HD 4WD
(2) Chevrolet Silverado 2500 4WD (2007, 2009)
2009 Dodge Ram 2500 2WD
SUVS & MPVS
(7) Ford Explorer (2009 Thru 2020)
(2) Nissan Rogue (2017, 2018)
2006 Ford Expedition (6) Ford Escape (2006, 2009, 2015)
(4) Dodge Charger (2016, 2019, 2020) (12) Chevrolet Impala (2007 - 2010) (20) Ford Fusion (2010 Thru 2016)
1998 Buick LeSabre
2007 Chevrolet Malibu
2014 Chevrolet Cruze
(9) Ford Taurus (2004 Thru 2017)
(3) Dodge Avenger (2009)
2015 Ford Focus
(2) Buick Century (2003)
2006 Dodge Stratus
2008 Toyota Corolla
2009 Toyota Camry
VANS & MINI VANS
(5) GMC Savana (2008, 2014)
2012 Ford Econoline
2008 Chevrolet Uplander
Download The Pate Auction App To Your Mobile Device Or Go Online To www.pateauction.com To Bid Your Price On This Line Of Vehicles & Equipment
This Is Only A HIGHLIGHTED Listing THE omplete Detailed Listing WILL BE On THE mobile App A D Website MORE ITEMS WILL BE ADDED
online Only Auction Viewing Will Be Held Thursday, Sept. 25 and Friday, Sept. 26 from 8am to 5pm Each Day. Removal: Monday, Sept. 29 Thru Thursday, Oct. 2 from 8am to 5pm Each Day. Online Registration Available On Our Mobile App or On The Website
ATVS & UTVS
(9) ATVS (Polaris, Yamaha, Arctic Cat & Suzuki)
(5) UTVS (Polaris, Kawasaki)
BOATS
(2) Drift Boats with Trailer
Crestliner Canadian with Trailer (2) Hudson Jet Boat w/Trailer (One Has No Drive Unit)
Crestliner 1700 Mirage with Trailer
Crestliner Sportsman with Trailer
WRECKED & NON RUNNING
Over 60 Trucks, Cars, SUVs, Pickups and UTVs
FORKLIFTS
(2) Hyster Models: 50 and H40XLM Toyota 7FBCU20
Approximately (6) Assorted Trailers, Lawn Equipment, Snow Blowers, Shop Equipment, Office Equipment & Furniture, Air Compressors, Commercial Kitchen Equipment, Plow Blades, Motorcycles, Boat Motors, Dirt Bikes, Sander Boxes AND SO MUCH MORE!
LOOKING TO LEASE OUT CRP ACRES
Approximately
WESTERN TRIANGLE AG RESEARCH CENTER NOW HIRING!
Two full-time Montana State University positions are currently available at Western Triangle Agricultural Research Center (WTARC) near Conrad, MT. Western Triangle Ag Research Center consists of 75 acres and serves agricultural producers by conducting relevant dryland and irrigated research in cereals, oilseeds, pulses and forage crops and disseminates the garnered information to the general public and scientific community.
Farm Operations Manager (FOM)
This person is expected to work independently and is responsible for all dryland and irrigated farm operations, facility and grounds maintenance, and being the primary liaison for all crop-related activities and projects; will work closely with the Superintendent, onand off-site faculty, as well as professionals in executing research and education efforts at the Research Center. Supervision of employees is expected. For complete job announcement and application procedures: https://jobs.montana.edu/postings/46349
Program Lead Variety Testing & Agronomy
This person will run the WTARC crop variety testing program both on- and off-station in the surrounding seven-county area; work closely with MSU plant breeding programs; operate research equipment; collect and report agronomic data; and collaborate with the Farm Operations Manager and all programs at WTARC. Supervision of employees is expected. For complete job announcement and application procedures: https://jobs.montana.edu/postings/45547
U.S. southern border ports shut down to livestock trade
Mexico’s National Service of Agro-Alimentary Health, Safety, and Quality (SENASICA) reported a new case of New World Screwworm (NWS) in Ixhuatlan de Madero, Veracruz in Mexico, which is approximately 160 miles northward of the current sterile fly dispersal grid, on the eastern side of the country and 370 miles south of the U.S./Mexico border. This new northward detection comes approximately two months after northern detections were reported in Oaxaca and Veracruz, less than 700 miles away from the U.S. border, which triggered the closure of our ports to Mexican cattle, bison, and horses on May 11, 2025.
While USDA announced a risk-based phased port reopening strategy for cattle, bison, and equine from Mexico beginning as early as July 7, 2025, this newly reported NWS case raises significant concern about the previously reported information shared by Mexican officials and severely compromises the outlined port reopening schedule of five ports from July 7-September 15. Therefore, in order to protect American livestock and our nation’s food supply, Secretary Rollins has ordered the closure of livestock trade through southern ports of entry effective immediately.
es
“The United States has promised to be vigilant — and after detecting this new NWS case, we are pausing the planned port reopening’s to further quarantine and target this deadly pest in Mexico. We must see additional progress combatting NWS in Veracruz and other nearby Mexican states in order to reopen livestock ports along the Southern border,” said U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins. “Thanks to the aggressive monitoring by USDA staff in the U.S. and in Mexico, we have been able to take quick and decisive action to respond to the spread of this deadly pest.”
To ensure the protection of U.S. livestock herds, USDA is holding Mexico accountable by ensuring proactive measures are being taken to maintain a NWS free barrier. This is maintained with stringent animal movement controls, surveillance, trapping, and following the proven science to push the NWS barrier south in phases as quickly as possible.
In June, Secretary Rollins launched a Bold Plan to combat New World Screwworm (PDF, 434 KB) by protecting our border at all costs, increasing eradication efforts in Mexico, and increasing readiness. USDA also announced the groundbreaking of a sterile fly dispersal facility in South Texas. This facility will provide a critical contingency capability to disperse sterile flies should a NWS detection be made in the southern United States. Simultaneously, USDA is moving forward with the design process to build a domestic sterile fly production facility to ensure it has the resources to push NWS back to the Darien Gap. USDA is working on these efforts in lockstep with border states – Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas – as it will take a coordinated approach with federal, state, and local partners to keep this pest at bay and out of the U.S.
USDA will continue to have personnel perform site visits throughout Mexico to ensure the Mexican government has adequate protocols and surveillance in place to combat this pest effectively and efficiently.
(Front row, from left to right) Paige Walahoski, Overton; Matthew Rhoades, Cozad; Lorelai Rickertsen, Lexington; Greta Rickertsen, Lexington; and Bristol McConville, Lexington; were members of the Senior and Intermediate Meats teams. The senior team, made up of Matthew Rhoades, Greta Rickertsen, Lorelai Rickertsen and Paige Walahoski, was the champion team in their division.
Late summer pasture weeds
By Jerry Volesky, UNL
August always seems to be a time when certain weeds can become quite noticeable in pastures. That is especially true this summer where many parts of Nebraska have had abundant summer rains. There can be a variety of common annual weeds like sunflowers, lambs quarters, or kochia.
Perennial weeds like western ragweed, ironweed, and verbena can be plentiful in some pastures as well. In areas of pastures that have relatively thin grass stands, in areas where animals congregate, or if some overgrazing has occurred, they can be very visible.
Spraying weeds now does little good. Many weeds are too large to kill. On both annual and perennial species that produce seed, herbicides might only reduce some seed production. If the goal is to improve appearance, shredding areas that have an abundance of weeds might be the best option, and may reduce some seed production too, if it’s not already too late.
Two other approaches are better for long-term weed control. First, focus on the grazing management of your pastures. This includes using the proper stocking rate and developing a good rotational grazing plan. An important objective is to increase the health, vigor, and density of your grass. Healthy, competitive grass stands are essential to reduce weed populations economically over time.
Second, target herbicide applications for when they will do the most good. Both perennial and annual species can be better targeted with a spring application when plants are smaller and able to be controlled. For perennials, if a second application is needed, waiting closer to a killing frost is best. These fall applications can be more effective as more product is translocated down to the roots of the weeds.
Pasture weeds may look unsightly now; but hold off on spraying. Improve grazing management and time herbicides for the best window of control so herbicides won’t be needed as often in the future. On the bright side, for areas that have had good rains this summer, it is likely that annual weeds will be less abundant next year as pasture grasses had a chance for buildup vigor and reproduce.
Seed pellets for rangeland restoration
Bidding Opens Sept. 15th, 2025
Preview in person on Tues., Sept. 23rd from 10am-5pm or by appointment. First item closes at 6pm (MST)
AUCTION YARD LOCATED AT: 5663 Yellowstone Trail, Huntley, Montana, 59037
Pay & Pick Up will be 2 days only, Wed., Sept 24th and Thurs., Sept. 25th from 10am to 5pm.
Accepting Additions that can stay outside in any weather, through Sept 15th, 2025 For more details, call Shauna at 406-579-4262 to confirm your consignments. Please make arrangements with the auctioneer if you
another day for pick up.
By Erin Teichroew, Graduate Research Assistant, Montana State University Rangelands across the western United States that are infested with invasive plants may need active restoration. Drill seeding native species can be successful but is not an option on steep or rocky terrain
Intact seed pellets in the field.
Photo: Erin Teichroew, MSU where the most accessible revegetation method is broadcasting seed. However, broadcast seeding with native species is often unsuccessful due to low precipitation and seed predation in these semi-arid environments. One restoration technology that may increase seeding success is seed pellets, grouping seeds into protective pellets to reduce seed predation and promote establishment. The pellets we tested contained native perennial grass seed, a binding material (clay), and a nutrient source (cattle manure). We conducted studies testing variations of these seed pellets, to improve restoration success in controlled and field environments.
Methods
In a greenhouse we tested the impacts of clay content, pellet size, and watering rate on seedling establishment and pellet disintegration. Understanding the influence of these factors helps us to make field recommendations. We compared different amounts of clay (55%, 35%, 20%, 10%), size of pellets (0.5-1.0-inch diameter), and watering rates (zero to high) to see which combinations performed best; the lower water rates most closely resembled our rangelands. The number of seeds per pellet varied by size and clay content but ranged from 10-60 seeds. In the field we tracked seedling establishment monthly over the spring and summer, seedling survival and disintegration of seed pellets (made with 10% and 55% clay at our different sizes). We compared these results to broadcast seed (the same rate as pellets; 8.25 pounds pure live seed (PLS)/acre) and non-seeded control plots.
Results and Management Implications
In the greenhouse, clay content did not impact seedling emergence, but the largest pellets were more likely to produce seedlings. In the field, clay content did impact seedling emergence; emergence was higher for both the 10% (1.4 seed - Seedlings
lings/5.4 ft2) and 55% clay pellets (1.0 seedling/5.4 ft2) than the non-seeded control treatment (0.5 seedlings/5.4 ft2), and the 10% clay pellets were also higher than broadcast treatments (0.8 seedlings/5.4 ft2). Additionally, pellet disintegration did not affect seedling establishment. End-of-season survival was higher in 10% clay pellets (2.6 seedlings/5.4 ft2) than in 55% clay pellets (1.2 seedlings/5.4 ft2) and non-seeded control treatments (1.0 seedling/5.4 ft2). We also found that the largest pellets produced more seedlings than smaller sizes. Overall, our study suggests that using larger pellets with low levels of clay may be more successful for seedling survival in semiarid environments. This study reinforces that seed pellets can be a useful technology to aid in restoring semi-arid and arid rangelands where drill seeding is not available. While not commercially available, seed pellets can easily be made by hand or with the use of a rotary drum.
See more results and read the entire article at onlinelibrary. wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1111/rec.14349.
growing from seed pellets in the greenhouse at Montana State University. Photo: Erin Teichroew, MSU.
Montana Department of Agriculture 2025 Pesticide Disposal Program
If you have any old pesticides - insecticides, herbicides, rodent poison or fungicides - laying around unused, the Montana Department of Agriculture will take them off your hands. The agency will hold waste pesticide collections in Eastern montana in September. The collections are scheduled in Plentywood on September 23; Glasgow on September 24; Glendive on September 25; and Hardin on September 26. The disposal program is a non-regulatory, service progam that offers pesticide users the opportunity to dispose of unwanted and unusable pesticides in a safe and legal way that is economical and convenient. Disposal costs are free for the first 200 pounds and $1.00/lb. per pound for additional amounts over 200 pounds. Disposal by other services can cost 5 to 10 times more. Additional information and the required pre-registration forms are available by contacting Carli Davis in Richland at (406) 465-0531; mail to Dept. of Agriculture, Pesticide Disposal Program, 508 Prairie Dell Rd, Richland, MT 59260; email Carli.Davis@mt.gov; website http://agr.mt.gov/pesticidewaste-disposal-program
Fall management of wheat streak mosaic: Understanding and disrupting the green bridge
Recent late-season rains across much of Montana have created conditions that may delay harvest, trigger pre-harvest sprouting in wheat and barley, and promote mold development in mature crops. These conditions also encourage the emergence of volunteer wheat and grassy weeds--key contributors to the “green bridge” that allows wheat streak mosaic (WSM) disease to persist and spread in the landscape. WSM risk is especially elevated in areas where the disease was observed in this year’s crop, mainly the Golden Triangle area between Pontera and Phillips counties. In these regions, proactive management will be critical to protect the 2026 winter wheat crop. This AgAlert is the first in a two-part series focused on fall WSM disease risk management. Part one reviews WSM disease and the role of the green bridge in the disease cycle, with practical guidance on how to disrupt it. Part two will cover planting date strategies and host plant resistance to further reduce disease risk.
Quick Summary for Busy People
WSM disease is caused by three viruses, which are spread by the wheat curl mite. The disease affects cereal crops and grass species.
The green bridge--living host plants during the crop-free period--allows the mites and viruses to persist after crop harvest and infect fall-planted winter wheat.
Pre-harvest volunteer wheat and cheatgrass are the most important green bridge hosts in Montana and must be managed to break the disease cycle.
If mites are allowed to survive on the green bridge until the fall-established wheat crop is planted, there is a high likelihood of another outbreak in 2026.
Establishing a green-free period of at least two weeks before planting is the most effective strategy; paraquat, swathing, and tillage can kill plants quickly within days, while glyphosate can take up to 2 weeks; grazing provides incomplete green bridge control.
Wheat Streak Mosaic Disease Overview
The Pathogen
dry down. At this time in the season, mite populations can be extremely high--up to 500 mites per healthy wheat head, translating to over a billion mites per acre. Wind dispersal can carry mites more than 10 miles across the landscape.
The Host
Wheat curl mites and WSM viruses share a wide range of host plants. Small grains-including winter and spring wheat, barley, oats, triticale, and rye--are important crop hosts. Corn, sorghum, and millet also serve as hosts, though their relevance in Montana is limited. Numerous grass species found in pastures and ditches can harbor both mites and viruses. Among these, cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum) is particularly important due to its timing, density, and persistence (see green bridge section).
Wheat streak mosaic disease is caused by a complex of three viruses: Wheat streak mosaic virus, Triticum mosaic virus, and High Plains wheat mosaic virus. These viruses can infect plants individually or in combination. When multiple viruses are present, yield losses are often synergistic-meaning the combined impact is greater than the sum of individual infections.
The Vector
All three viruses are transmitted by the wheat curl mite (Aceria tosichella), a microscopic eriophyid mite approximately 1/100th of an inch long (Figure 1). Mites acquire the virus by feeding on infected plants and transmit it to new hosts through subsequent feeding. Wheat curl mites lack wings and have limited mobility, relying primarily on wind currents for dispersal. This passive movement typically occurs in late summer when host plants mature and
Symptoms and Yield Impact WSM symptoms typically include yellow to light-green streaking and mottling across all leaves (Figure 2). Symptoms may be subtle early in the season but become more pronounced during boot and heading stages. Early infections, before jointing, can lead to stunted growth. In plants with high mite populations, leaf curling may trap emerging leaves and heads, further reducing yield. Yield losses from WSM can range from negligible to complete crop failure. Severity depends on several factors, including timing of infection relative to crop growth stage, number of viruses present, and host plant susceptibility.
Wheat Streak Mosaic Disease Cycle and the Role of the Green Bridge WSM viruses are obligate pathogens, meaning they require living host plants to survive. Their vector, the wheat curl mite, is highly vulnerable to desiccation and can
Figure 1. The wheat curl mite is a small, cigarshaped mite that vectors the viruses causing wheat streak mosaic disease. (Picture credit: Dai Ito, Montana State University, MT)
Figure 2. Characteristic symptoms of wheat streak mosaic infection in wheat include yellow streaking and mottling of all leaves. Plants are often stunted. (Picture credit: Mary Burrows, Montana State University, MT)
Figure 3. Wheat streak mosaic disease cycle in winter wheat production. (Graphic from UNL Extension publication EC3063)
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Fall management of wheat streak mosaic:
CONTINUED
only survive for about four days without a host. As infected wheat fields mature and dry down, mites and viruses must migrate to new hosts to persist (Figure 3). Volunteer wheat present at harvest poses the greatest risk for sustaining mite and virus populations through the crop-free period in late summer (green bridge). In the fall, mites and viruses may move from volunteer wheat into the emerging winter wheat crop. Alternatively, they may overwinter on unmanaged volunteer wheat and spread into crop fields the following spring. Fall infections typically result in the most severe yield losses.
Who Makes for a Good Green Bridge Host?
More than 80 crop and grass species can host wheat curl mites and WSM viruses, but only a few play a significant role in disease persistence. Effective green bridge hosts meet four criteria:
critical in areas where hail after mid-milk stage or late-season rains have promoted heavy emergence of volunteer wheat and grassy weeds. The goal is to establish a green-free period of at least two weeks before planting winter wheat. Wheat curl mites cannot survive long without a living host, so this window significantly reduces their populations and the risk of virus transmission. Because mites and viruses move freely across field boundaries, effective green bridge management requires coordination among neighboring operations--a challenge, but one that can make a big difference in local disease pressure.
When choosing a termination strategy, consider how quickly the method eliminates green tissue (Figure 5). Wheat curl mites can survive and disperse from dying plants as long as green tissue remains.
Glyphosate acts slowly. Plants may remain green for up to two weeks. This
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Support high wheat curl mite populations.
Be susceptible to one or more WSM viruses.
Occur in high densities across the landscape.
Persist from wheat maturity through the emergence of the next crop.
Pre-harvest volunteer wheat meets all these criteria, making it the most important host to manage. It supports rapid mite reproduction, hosts all known WSM viruses, and often remains in the landscape through fall if not controlled. For this reason, the most important and most effective management strategy to break the WSM disease cycle will always be volunteer wheat management.
Spring-sown cereal crops, e.g. spring wheat, barley, durum, triticale, oats, rye, may act as temporary hosts for the mites and viruses in the summer, but they typically don’t persist into the fall. Corn and other warm-season grass crops can host the mites and viruses during early crop growth stages, but their acreage is limited in Montana and most commercial corn hybrids are resistant to WSMV and High Plains wheat mosaic virus. Broadleaf crops, such as pulse crops, canola, and mustard, are not known to host wheat curl mites or the WSM viruses.
Among grass species, cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum) is likely the most important green bridge host in Montana. It germinates around wheat harvest, persists into fall, and can reach high densities. A study in southwestern Montana (Ranabhat et al. 2018) found that cheatgrass, as well as pre-harvest volunteer wheat, significantly increased mite populations and WSMV infection in nearby wheat plants, especially during warm, extended falls (Figure 4).
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Green Bridge Management: Timing and Termination Strategies
Green bridge management is the most effective strategy to reduce WSM risk and disrupt the disease cycle. It is especially
Figure 5. Number of wheat curl mites (WCM) on susceptible wheat cultivar over time in response to herbicide treatments under greenhouse conditions. Here, wheat was either not sprayed with an herbicide (control), sprayed with glyphosate (Roundup Ultra Max + ammonium sulfate), or paraquat (Gramoxone Max + NIS). (This figure was published in Jiang et al. 2005)
allows the mites time to migrate to the top of plants and disperse via wind. Studies show glyphosate-treated wheat can remain a source of mites for up to 14 days postapplication, with peak dispersal occurring 3-9 days after treatment (Jiang et al. 2005; Thomas & Hein 2004).
Paraquat causes rapid desiccation. Mite survival is reduced to 2-5 days post-application, making it a more effective option for quick green bridge termination (Jiang et al. 2005).
Tillage or swathing mechanically removes green tissue and rapidly kills host plants. Under hot, dry conditions, these methods can eliminate mite populations within days (Jiang et al. 2005; Thomas & Hein 2004).
Grazing offers incomplete green bridge control. Unless grazing is intensive and sustained, green tissue may persist, allowing the mites to survive and disperse. Grazing alone is not recommended as a primary termination strategy.
More Information on Wheat Streak Mosaic Disease
Use the AWare: Assessment of Wheat Streak Mosaic Risk Tool to understand which factors promote wheat streak mosaic risk in your area.
A short two-page fact sheet on Wheat streak mosaic disease FAQ’s available at the MSU Extension store (print and PDF)
A Montguide on Cereal Viruses of Importance in Montana is available free of charge at the MSU Extension Publication Store.
A collaborative publication on Mitetransmitted virus disease complex of wheat in the Great Plains of the United States available at University of Nebraska-Lincoln (PDF)
The Crop Protection Network is a great resource for information on small grain diseases, including Wheat streak mosaic.
Figure 4. Wheat infestation with wheat curl mites (left column) and infection with wheat streak mosaic virus (right column) in response to the presence of specific green bridge hosts in 2013 to 2015 (top to bottom). (From Ranabhat et al. 2018)
NH Bale Wagons & Retrievers
Challenges of the beef calf born in July, August, and September
By Karla Wilke, Nebraska Extension Cow/Calf Systems and Stocker Management Specialist
Heat and the Baby Calf
While summer/fall calving can be less labor intensive than winter/spring calving at times, calving out cows in the heat can be just as challenging as calving in a snowstorm. The body weight of a baby calf is about 75% water, similar to a human baby. Therefore, dehydration is a serious concern. A two-day old baby calf enduring the second day of 100-degree ambient temperature is likely experiencing some dehydration. These calves often cannot reach the water tank and may need to be administered electrolytes. A stressed calf can quickly become an ill calf who then experiences an elevated body temperature from a fever in addition to stressful ambient temperatures. An 85-degree day with 30 percent relative humidity may seem nice to humans, but it starts to cause heat stress in cattle.
A shady area with some air flow specifically for the calves can reduce heat stress potential in a young calf. A very young calf struggling with the heat may need to be manually moved to a cooler area. Just as a calf born in the cold may have to be moved to a house or barn to recover from the cold,
GOT GEAR YOU’RE NOT USING?
a calf suffering heat stress will also benefit from a few hours in a cooler environment and fluids.
Cattle Work vs. Farm Work
Just like spring born calves, summer/fall born calves also need to be on a proper vaccination schedule. This typically happens at 2 months of age and at 5 or 6 months of age. If the operation is an integrated operation with crops and livestock, or both a spring and fall born herd, this can also be a very busy time for other farming and ranching operations. Planning out a schedule and prioritizing calfhood vaccinations can alleviate a lot of issues later in the calf’s life and increase the market value of the calves when sold.
Nutrition Quality and the Growing Calf
There are many reasons producers decide to have a summer/fall calving herd and many positive outcomes to those decisions. However, depending on the region of the country the cowherd resides in, fall and winter feed resources may be very low in quality. The young nursing calf will generally eat approximately 1.5% BW on a dry matter basis of feed in addition to milk consumption. When forage quality is low, passage rate is slow, and intake is reduced. This reduces the nutrients available to the calf and can result in lower average daily gain than would be expected in a spring born herd grazing summer grass. Additionally, the poorer quality forage can impact milk production in the cow, also reducing the nutrients available to the calf. A supplementation program for the cows can help meet their nutrient needs. Accounting for the intake of the calf and providing that with the dam’s feed or providing a creep area for calves to access feed independently of the cow can improve the nutrient intake of the calf.
From Summer’s Heat to Winter’s Arctic Blast
The fall born calf may only be three months old when the snow starts to fly, and the windchills hit subzero temperatures. Windbreaks and bedding for the pairs can keep the calves from being extremely stressed during these winter events. Increasing the feed provided during cold snaps can increase the heat of fermentation in the rumen, and an increase in energy density in the diet can help combat the colder temperatures. Summer/fall calving herds can be advantageous for producers with the right resources and marketing strategies. However, as with all agricultural endeavors, there are pros and cons. Evaluating what issues might arise and developing risk mitigation strategies ahead of time can head off many problems before they arise.
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That spot on your back that you can’t scratch is called the acnestis.
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The guillotine was used as a method of execution in France until 1977.
Dakota Gardener: Too much of a good thing
By Joe Zeleznik, Forester, NDSU Extension
My friends in western North Dakota are breathing a sigh of relief this year.
After several years of drought, some timely rains are happening, and in decent amounts. Well, mostly timely, and mostly in decent amounts. There are still some droughty spots out there.
Nevertheless, conditions have improved substantially across a large region. There’s more forage production for livestock and crop yields should be good. The trees are doing better, too.
On the eastern and central side of the state, it’s a different story. Total rainfall for the year is slightly above average, and there have been some real soakers over the past few months. That can cause some problems.
One of the biggest issues we’re seeing this year is foliar fungal problems. Ash anthracnose was more common this spring, apple scab and frogeye leaf spot are hitting the ornamental crabapples, and oak trees have problems like oak leaf blister and their own anthracnose disease.
Lilacs are taking it extra hard. There’s a fungal problem called Pseudocercospora that’s defoliated large numbers of these shrubs in this region and into Minnesota. This is the second year in a row that the conditions are perfect for this disease, and the lilacs are hurting.
Individual shrubs in my neighborhood are nearly defoliated, with only a few leaves left to produce energy through photosynthesis. Some shelterbelts are suffering as well.
Last year, infected lilacs went dormant a bit early, and many of them had a second flush of flowers in September. Even my own lilacs did that. They were pretty, but I was worried that using that extra energy would cause dieback over the winter.
Fortunately, my lilacs flushed out their leaves this past spring like they always do, and they were ready for another year.
But Nature had different plans for our trees and shrubs. Most trees and shrubs can take one year of defoliation. If they were otherwise healthy going into the stress, they’re likely to weather it – no pun intended – just fine.
But two years of defoliation is a bit stressful on any perennial. And a third year is even worse.
How do we deal with foliar diseases?
First, good sanitation is critical. Rake up and destroy dead leaves this fall. That helps to reduce the fungal load for next year.
Second, preventative fungicides can be applied in the spring, as the leaves are beginning to expand. While fungicides can help prevent new infections, they won’t cure trees that are already infected. Additional fungicide treatments might be needed further into the spring and summer, depending on the weather.
People often think that adding fertilizer can help a tree recover. Getting proper nutrition will help the tree mount its best defenses, right?
It’s complicated.
The science on this is really mixed. Nutrients usually help a tree rebuild green tissue – leaves – but nutrients won’t give trees the energy they need to grow those leaves. And sometimes, greener leaves can be great food for insect pests. Fertilizers are best applied in the spring and early summer.
Too much of a good thing – water, fertilizer, sunlight – can be tough on trees. The right balance, with the right timing, is the best for the trees in the long run.
Sounds like good advice for people, too.
National Mud Pack Day
National Mud Pack Day is always observed on September 30th
Slop on the facial. Ladies, this is your day. Guys, you can get a mud-pack facial, too. Just don’t let your buddies know that you did!!
Mud packs were once the rage for facial treatments. It is still popular. However, the mud in facials has been replaced with a variety of other ingredients. It is supposed to keep the skin young, soft and supple. Does it work? Girls who use it, swear by it.
Did you know? A mud pack is a quick treatment for bee stings. Use it, if needed, when you are out on a hike, or until you can get to a place to be treated for bee and wasp stings.
COMBINE AND AUGER FOR SALE
Heat stress sets back weed control efforts
By Chevy-Lynn Vaske,K-State Extension news service
Kansas producers are facing weed management challenges in grain sorghum, wheat stubble and soybean fields, according to Kansas State University weed management specialist Sarah Lancaster.
Lancaster said there aren’t many post-emergence herbicide options for grain sorghum currently on the market.
“Aim is labeled for post-emergence use in grain sorghum, but it’s only effective on very small pigweeds,” Lancaster said. “2,4-D and dicamba are probably the most effective on Palmer amaranth, but they can also cause injury to grain sorghum, such as lodging and brittle stems.”
According to Lancaster, Aim and Huskie have a better chance at being effective if the weeds are small.
“By small, I mean four inches or less,” she said. “The Huskie label specifically states four inches, and coverage is important. The smaller the weed, the better your chances of success.”
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Humid conditions can improve herbicide performance significantly, according to Lancaster.
“If the plants are not growing well, the herbicides are not going to work as well,” Lancaster said. “We’ve seen temperatures into the upper 80s, which can reduce herbicide effectiveness, but we’ve also had high humidity across much of the state which generally increases efficacy – especially for contact herbicides like glufosinate (Liberty).”
Lancaster expressed particular concern about wheat stubble fields, where Palmer amaranth, kochia and volunteer wheat are rapidly emerging. She said timely herbicide applications are essential to prevent weeds from going to seed.
“I’ve seen fields that are just green with palmer amaranth, kochia and volunteer wheat,” she said. “Timely applications are crucial.”
While newer tools like drones are gaining interest, Lancaster cautions that they may not be as effective or reliable as some producers hope.
“Drone applications are not as straightforward as some may think,” she said. “There are very few products actually labeled for this type of application.”
For more guidance, Lancaster recommends the K-State Agronomy eUpdate and the Chemical Weed Control Guide as essential resources for producers navigating this challenging season.
Brand names mentioned in this article are for identification purposes only and are not intended to represent an endorsement of any specific product.
Storing silage
By Ben Beckman, UNL
Corn silage harvest may seem like a long way off, but preparation for a successful harvest begins now. Improper silage storage and fermentation can result in losses up to 20% prior to feeding. Plan your storage now to keep excessive storage losses from happening to you.
Preventing oxygen from entering your silage should be a top priority when considering silage storage. Bagged silage is a versatile option that allows the storage location to move year to year and comes with a build in oxygen barrier but can carry a high price tag and may not be appropriate for large harvest amounts. Placing the silage in a bunker is another that can increase oxygen exclusion, but make sure to check these structures for cracks and repair any that are found to maintain their integrity. If silage is a feedstuff on your operation, the reduction in losses that a permanent structure paired with covering the pile provides can offset the costs when spread out over several years.
Silage piles are the more traditional approach and can allow for greater volumes of silage to be stored in a smaller area without the cost and permanent nature of bunkers. Oxygen exclusion in piles that lack a permanent structure can be enhanced with some planning. Before harvesting, line the sides with bales and place oxygen-limiting plastic down the sides and for several feet under the bottom to seal the sides of the pile. At a minimum, placing plastic on top of the pile is an investment worth the time, labor, and money. By covering the pile, we can reduce oxygen from moving into the pile from the top and reduce precipitation exposure.
Corn silage is a valuable feed resource and keeping oxygen out of your silage requires planning now. Pick an appropriate location for harvest and feed out success and store correctly to minimize feed losses.
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Scout wet meadow areas for spotted water hemlock before cutting hay
Spotted water hemlock, a plant native to North Dakota, has recently been identified in several counties across the state. The plant is highly poisonous to humans and all livestock, especially cows and horses. The toxin in the plant is cicutoxin and is most harmful in the spring. The roots contain the greatest toxicity levels.
Spotted water hemlock is a short-lived perennial plant that spreads by seed and roots, and thrives in moist soils, so overland water flow and birds are of concern in aiding the spread of spotted water hemlock. The reported locations have been in wet and subirrigated meadows, along the edge of cattail sloughs, and adjacent roadside ditches, water drains and creek bottoms.
Due to this year’s above-normal precipitation, greater densities of the plant have been seen this year compared to the drier years of the past, says Jeff Stachler, NDSU Extension cropping systems specialist at the Carrington Research Extension Center.
“Most cases of concern are when spotted water hemlock ends up in hay bales,” says Joe Ikley, NDSU Extension weed specialist. “Awareness and prevention are key. Avoid baling any plants you can’t confidently identify.”
Spotted water hemlock is often confused with water parsnip, a non-toxic native plant. Both grow in similar moist environments and can reach 2 to 6 feet tall. However, they have some distinguishing characteristics:
Stem: Spotted water hemlock has smooth, reddish to purple streaked hollow stems, with chambered roots. Water parsnip has green, often finely hairy stems.
Leaves: Spotted water hemlock leaves are sharply toothed and usually have subdivided leaflets; water parsnip leaves are slightly serrated and usually not sub-divided.
Flowers: Spotted water hemlock flower heads may be more dome-shaped and about 6 inches across, while water parsnip flower heads are flatter and smaller (2–5 inches).
“The root of spotted water hemlock is the most toxic part, and even handling it can cause skin irritation in some people,” says Ikley. “Use caution and wear gloves when investigating unknown plants.”
Kevin Sedivec, NDSU Extension range specialist, notes that although toxicity is a concern, livestock typically avoid the plant unless other forage is limited. “Problems usually arise when the plant is unknowingly cut and included in hay,” Sedivec says. “If you know the plant is in your meadow or road ditch, it’s safest to mow around it.” If hay containing spotted water hemlock has already been harvested, Extension specialists advise feeding it in a way that allows livestock to pick through it, such as in bale feeders or as rollout hay, rather than mixing it into ground rations, which prevents animals from avoiding the toxic material. Livestock should not be forced to clean up uneaten hay.
“Management of spotted water hemlock includes timely chemical control,” says Stachler. “Herbicides such as glyphosate and 2,4-D approved to be applied in water provide the best control. For plants growing near water, use herbicide products labeled for aquatic use.”
When using a herbicide to control spotted water hemlock, always be cautious to not spray desirable wildflowers in the meadows. Always read and follow label directions. Because spotted water hemlock thrives in moist soils and spreads by seed, past flooding and high-water levels contribute to its natural spread. Regular scouting and long-term management will help reduce establishment in unwanted fields and pastures.
For assistance with identification of spotted water hemlock, contact your county NDSU Extension office at ndsu.ag/countyoffice.
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Wind Injury in Corn
By: David Karki, Assistant Professor & SDSU Extension Crop Production Specialist
Symptoms
Strong wind can cause considerable damage in corn. The wind affected plants usually show the following two types of symptoms.
Leaning
Leaning or ‘goose-necking’ corn is the better of the scenarios that strong winds can cause to the crop. If corn is seeded deep enough and soil is fairly moist with well anchored roots, young leaning plants will often reorient to vertical position and produce normal ear. Sometimes leaning corn may also exhibit signs of crushed tissues on one side of the stalk in which case recovery could be slow and less uniform.
Greensnap
A sudden breakage of corn stalks by strong winds is called ‘greensnap’ or ‘brittle snap’ injury. This injury is more serious than leaning. Susceptibility of greensnap injury in corn is high when plant is vegetative phase of rapid stem elongation. Stages when the growing point is emerging from the soil surface (V5 to V8) and two weeks prior to tasseling through silking (V12 to R1) are the two most common phases for greensnap injury. Effects of greensnap injury at V5 to V8 on grain yield will be lesser than the tassel stage. This may be due to increased recovery time (and resources) when the injury occurs early in the growing season.
Management Considerations
Levels of wind damage may vary greatly between field to field and farm to farm. This variability is largely due to varying wind gusts or bursts across small geographies. In addition, growing conditions, soil moisture content, crop management practices, hybrid genetics and herbicides may also impact the severity of wind damage in corn. One example of management factors that will increase susceptibility to wind breakage is applying nitrogen in the spring for rapid early season crop growth.
Some of the considerations for managing wind injury in corn are to plant hybrids with varying maturity groups which will have different corn fields at different growth stages, choosing hybrids with better snap scores, applying growth regulators at early stage if the hybrid has low snap scores, and to plant seed at proper depth which will help avoid shallow nodal root development. Also, evaluating crop insurance options for elevated risk of wind injury is a viable consideration in managing high wind risks in corn.
National Ampersand Day
Always observed on September 8th
Try hard to contain your excitement, as today is National Ampersand Day. As you know, it is a special character that represents and is an abbreviation for the word “and”. Every once in a while, a holiday comes along, and you say… What!? This holiday certainly causes one to stop and ask why and what for. Unfortunately, we can offer no logical explanation for the existence of this holiday. Regardless of why this day exists, it is here for your enjoyment. So we hope you take full advantage and use the ampersand character as often as you can, and in creative ways. Did You Know? The ampersand was once the last character in the alphabet. However, today you will not find any words with the ampersand character in it
Wind-injured corn near Beresford, South Dakota. (Credit: Heather Gessner, SDSU Extension)
STRAW
Watch for Blister Beetles in later alfalfa cuttings
By: Patrick Wagner, SDSU Extension Entomology Field Specialist
Additional Authors: Adam Varenhorst, Philip Rozeboom, Sara Bauder
Written collaboratively by Patrick Wagner, Adam Varenhorst, Philip Rozeboom, Sara Bauder, and Bradley McManus.
Ashgray blister beetle (Epicauta fabricii). (Credit: Patrick Wagner, SDSU Extension)
The frequent rain events experienced across much of South Dakota this summer has helped boost forage production. That means alfalfa growers are harvesting second and later cuttings, even in areas that often get only one cutting per season. Although this is great for production, the possibility of encountering blister beetles at harvest increases later in the summer. Adult blister beetles feed on leaves and blossoms and contain a toxic chemical called cantharidin. This chemical poses a health threat to livestock that consume alfalfa bales containing whole or partial blister beetle bodies. Due to increasing blister beetle activity, alfalfa fields should be monitored prior to harvest for the remainder of the growing season.
Identification
Blister beetles have one generation per year. Adults can be up to 1-inch long; have a soft, elongate body; and vary in color and size based on species. The most-common species that is found in early summer is the ashgray blister beetle (Figure 1). Other common species in South Dakota that show up later in the season include the black (Figure 2), immaculate (Figure 3), striped (Figure 4), margined (Figure 5), and spotted blister beetles (Figures 6). A unique characteristic of blister beetles is that their thorax (middle body segment) is narrower than both the head and abdomen.
Toxicity
Blister beetles get their name because their blood contains cantharidin, which
causes blisters if it comes in contact with skin. The beetles release this toxic chemical through “reactive bleeding” to defend themselves from predators. Cantharidin is also released if the beetles are crushed, which is a problem when feeding infested hay to livestock. If an animal ingests enough blister beetles, it can lead to mouth sores, digestive issues, kidney damage, and, in severe cases, death.
Management
It is important to scout alfalfa fields for blister beetles prior to each cutting. Second and later cuttings are at higher risk of infestation because blister beetles are more abundant by mid-summer. Due to their predation on grasshopper eggs as larvae, blister beetles are more likely to be present in areas where large grasshopper populations were observed during the previous year.
Insecticide applications are not recommended, as it kills the beetles but does not remove them from the hay. Dead blister beetles remain toxic, and spraying may increase the number of beetles per bale.
The alternative is to cut alfalfa prior to peak bloom, as blister beetles are attracted to the blossoms. The cut alfalfa should be allowed to dry fully before raking, so that the beetles have time to vacate the plants prior to baling. If alfalfa is infested, it is also important to mow or windrow the hay and not crimp it. Crimping increases the likelihood of crushed beetles remaining in the hay. From personal observations, many blister beetles will escape from mowed alfalfa within the first 3 to 6 hours.
When selling hay, ensure that blister beetles aren’t present, or notify the buyer of any infested bales. Horses have a particularly high sensitivity to cantharidin, so it is important that they don’t consume infested hay. In addition, avoid feeding hay from field edges to horses, because blister beetle numbers are typically highest in those areas.
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Using herbicide for cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum) management
By Mitch Stephenson, University of Nebraska-Lincoln Range Management Specialist, Aaron Berger, Nebraska Extension Educator
Nebraska’s grasslands cover approximately 50% of the state’s land area. Grasslands are vital as a livestock forage base but also provide numerous other ecosystem services like wildlife habitat, water infiltration, and carbon cycling. Nebraska’s grasslands have multiple challenges including woody plant encroachment, cropland conversion, and the invasion of annual invasive grasses (primarily cheatgrass, Bromus tectorum) in the western part of the state.
Cheatgrass is an invasive winter annual grass that typically germinates in the fall when adequate precipitation is present. However, cheatgrass is highly flexible in its germination date and can also germinate early in the spring, even with minimal precipitation. As a result of early germination and prolific seed production, cheatgrass is highly competitive and often out-competes native vegetation for limited resources. Cheatgrass presence on rangelands is most prevalent in the Panhandle with Banner, Scotts Bluff, and Dawes counties having the highest percent cover of annual forbs
and grasses (See Fig. 1)
Cheatgrass invasion into grazing lands is challenging because of the short growth window of cheatgrass. Early in the growing season, cheatgrass nutritive value often exceeds native perennial grass species, and cattle will graze and consume cheatgrass along with other cool-season native species growing at that time. However, later in the growing season, after cheatgrass has set seed, cattle will avoid consuming cheatgrass. Recent research in the Panhandle has shown that areas where cheatgrass was removed with herbicide had crude protein levels 21 to 62% higher than untreated areas in mid-July, highlighting the negative influence of cheatgrass on cattle forage nutritive value in the mid-summer.
Herbicide options for rangelands include application of imapzipic (tradename: Plateau), indaziflam (tradename: Rejuvra), or a combination of both herbicides. The combination of both herbicides has generally provided better control over longer time periods than herbicides applied alone. For example, an analysis of 5 locations in the Nebraska Panhandle where a combination of Rejuvra (5 oz) and Plateau (4 oz) were applied to rangelands in the fall of 2022 showed greater than 98% control of cheatgrass three years after the herbicides were applied. In this study, native perennial grass biomass averaged 2 to 3 times greater in areas where cheatgrass had been removed compared to annual grass invaded sites. If you are considering using herbicide to manage annual invasive grasses, there are a number of things to consider. First, determining the location of the treatment that will lead to the most opportunities for native perennial grasses to succeed. This includes actively monitoring pastures and selecting those that have a strong (several plants per square meter) presence of perennial grasses and forbs. Second, herbicide is typically applied in the fall and because germination of cheatgrass may have already occurred depending on the amount of precipitation, the combination of Rejuvra and Plateau is recommended to provide better cheatgrass control. Lastly, developing a grazing plan following herbicide will provide better opportunities for success. Adaptively managing grazing following herbicide application on rangelands by setting appropriate stocking rates and allowing growing season recovery based on variable growing season precipitation can be used to enhance rangeland opportunity to build resistance to re-invasion.
Irrigating forages
By Todd Whitney, UNL
Forages vary greatly in water-use efficiency defined as pounds of forage produced per inch of water applied. In general, warm-season (C-4) forage crops are more wateruse efficient than cool-season (C-3) crops. Further, annual forages use water more efficiently than perennial forages. So, legumes, like alfalfa, tend to be less water efficient than grasses.
When moisture is plentiful, water-use use efficiency for warm-season annual sudangrass and sorghum-sudangrass hybrids ranges from 2.5 to 3.5 inches of water per ton of yield. Efficiency of cool-season oats is estimated at 4.5 to 5.5 inches of water required per ton of production. Comparatively, alfalfa needs 5 to 6 inches of water per ton or cutting.
Switching from harvesting corn as dried grain to corn silage can also increase overall irrigation water use efficiency; since the silage corn can be harvested at the R4 dough stage; or 30-40 days earlier than traditional grain harvest. Silage yields can peg 28 tons per acre while lowering overall total water usage by 7 inches per acre.
Where water supplies may be restricted, millet may be the preferred forage option for improving water use efficiency. Although potential total biomass production of millet will likely be less than other drought-tolerant forage options. In UNL forage research at North Platte, millet produced 2 tons per acre with 2.22 inches of irrigation water; while applying more than 4.62 inches of irrigation water did not increase millet forage yields above 3.5 tons per acre.
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More information including NebGuide G2012 “Forage Production with Limited Irrigation” is available at: https:// cropswatch.unl.edu or https://beef.unl.edu
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By Vipin Kumar - Graduate Research Assistant, Department of Agronomy and Horticulture, Mandeep Singh - Post-Doctoral Research Associate, Department of Agronomy and Horticulture, Resham Thapa - Assistant Research Professor of Climate Smart Agronomy, Tennessee State University, Ankit Yadav - Graduate Research Assistant, Department of Agronomy and Horticulture, Humberto BlancoProfessor of Soil Science, Sam Wortman - Assistant Professor of Agronomy, Saleh Taghvaeian - Biological Systems Engineering Associate Professor, Amit Jhala - Professor and Associate Department Head, Department
With pigweed resistance spreading fast, growers need more than herbicides. New UNL research reveals when and how cover crops can step in.
Cereal rye terminated two weeks after soybean planting provided excellent suppression of Palmer amaranth (left), compared to heavy infestation of Palmer amaranth in soybean without cereal rye cover crop (right). | Nebraska
Extension photos
Research Highlights
Cover crops cut pigweed pressure by 44–58%, but success depends on timing, species and termination strategy.
High biomass is key — aim for over 5,000–6,000 lb/ac for the best suppression.
Cereal rye works best in Nebraska, especially when fallplanted and terminated late.
Smart herbicide integration with cover crops improves consistency and may reduce pre-emergence use.
Match species and strategy to your rotation and equipment for effective implementation.
Pigweeds are among the most difficult weeds to manage in row crop systems due to their rapid growth, high seed production and widespread herbicide resistance. Over the past two decades, reliance on herbicides for weed management has led to the evolution of resistance in Palmer amaranth populations to several herbicides, particularly ALS, glyphosate and PPO-inhibitors. This reality has intensified the need for integrated weed management strategies, including non-chemical practices such as cover crops.
Recent research from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln sheds light on how cover crop management decisions such as planting time, species selection and termination timing influence pigweed (Palmer amaranth, waterhemp, redroot pigweed and smooth pigweed) suppression. In a comprehensive meta-analysis of 41 field studies conducted across the U.S. and Canada from 1994 to 2024, we evaluated how various cover crop strategies affected the density and biomass of pigweed species, with an emphasis on Palmer amaranth, waterhemp, redroot pigweed and smooth pigweed.
What the Data Show: Cover Crops Work — But Management Decision Matters
The meta-analysis, which included more than 100 siteyears of data from across the U.S. and Canada, found that cover crops significantly reduce pigweed emergence and growth. However, their effectiveness depends on how and when they are managed.
Key findings include:
Cover crops reduced the pigweed density by 58% in the early season (0 to four weeks after crop planting [WAP]), by 48% in the midseason (5 to 8 WAP), and by 44% in the late season (>8 WAP).
Cover crops reduced pigweed biomass by 59% in the early, 55% in the midseason, and 37% in the late season.
Among cover crop types, grasses and mixtures reduced pigweed density by 60% and 77% in early season, 53% and 59% in midseason, and 44% and 47% in late season. Legume cover crops were effective only during the early season (47% reduction), while brassicas did not affect pigweed density. Cover crop residues remaining on the soil surface were more effective for pigweed suppression than incorporation. Cover crop biomass was a critical factor. Treatments producing higher biomass provided higher pigweed suppression.
Why Cover Crop Biomass Matters
One of the strongest correlations observed in the metaanalysis was between cover crop biomass and pigweed suppression. Higher biomass creates a thicker mulch layer on the soil surface, which can reduce sunlight penetration, interfere with seedling emergence and delay pigweed growth. Moreover, some cover crop species (especially cereal rye) release allelopathic compounds that further inhibit smallseeded weeds like pigweed. The results suggests that growers should aim for more than 5,000-6,000 lb ac–1 biomass to CONTINUED ON PAGE A32
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The color of a hen’s eggs is determined by their breed–and most can be predicted by their earlobes. Chickens with brown lobes will lay brown eggs and those with white lobes will lay white eggs. One certain type of chicken (Ameraucana) produces blue eggs.
Managing pigweeds with cover crops
get better pigweed suppression.
As such, management practices that promote robust cover crop growth — such as early fall planting, delaying spring termination and choosing high-biomass species like cereal rye — are critical for maximizing weed suppression benefits. Two scatterplots show that as cover crop dry biomass increases, Amaranthus (pigweed) weed density and biomass decrease. Data points represent different cover crop types. A red marker highlights the biomass threshold where pigweed suppression reaches 50% — about 4,079 kg/ha for weed density and 5,352 kg/ha for weed biomass.
Figure 1. Declining slope of solid black line indicating that higher cover crop biomass resulting in lower pigweed infestation.
Practical Takeaways for Nebraska Farmers
In Nebraska, cover crops are already gaining traction for improving soil health, reducing erosion and enhancing nutrient cycling. This new research reinforces their role in herbicide-resistant weed management.
Five Key Takeaways for Nebraska Growers
Fall-plant cereal rye for best results. Cereal rye, when planted by late September or early October, consistently produces enough biomass by spring to suppress pigweeds. It’s winter-hardy and can be easily terminated with standard herbicides.
Terminate late, if possible. Delaying cover crop termination until corn or soybean planting (or slightly after) allows for more biomass accumulation. Our meta-analysis showed the best suppression occurred when cover crops were terminated at or after planting (a practice commonly referred to as “planting green”).
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Integrate herbicides smartly. While cover crops alone can reduce Palmer amaranth, combining them with herbicides provides the most consistent control. In high-biomass scenarios, growers may be able to reduce or skip the pre-emergence herbicide, which reduces expenses and selection pressure, but this should be evaluated on a field-by-field basis. Monitor residue and soil coverage. Dense cover crop stands can sometimes interfere with herbicide placement. Ensure good seed-to-soil contact and adjust sprayer settings to account for residue interception, especially with soil-applied herbicides.
Match cover crops to your rotation and equipment. While cereal rye is a top choice for soybean systems, other species like oats, barley or multi-species blends can also contribute to weed suppression. Termination timing, equipment compatibility and planting conditions should all guide your choice.
What This Means for Herbicide-Resistant Weed Management
Incorporating cover crops into weed management plans is not just about reducing weed density — it’s a long-term investment in slowing the evolution of herbicide resistance. Every weed that doesn’t emerge because of cover crop residue is one less exposed to herbicide selection pressure.
With pigweeds evolving resistance to multiple herbicide sites of action across Nebraska and surrounding states, the need for non-chemical suppression strategies has never been greater. This study provides strong evidence that cover crops can reduce weed pressure and herbicide dependence, especially when combined with strategic herbicide programs.
Looking Ahead
As climate variability increases and weed populations become more difficult to manage, resilient systems will rely on multiple layers of defense, and cover crops are a foundational tool in that strategy. Continued research at the University of Nebraska is focused on optimizing cover crop integration in real-world cropping systems, including ongoing trials on spring-seeded oats and barley, cereal rye termination timing, and the impacts of cover crops on soil health and water retention.
For growers considering cover crops for weed management, now is the time to act. Early planning, seed sourcing, and seeding logistics can make the difference between a successful stand and one that provides little benefit.
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EPA’s final insecticide strategy to offer farmers more flexibility
By EPA
EPA’s new insecticide plan aims to give farmers more breathing room with added flexibility and credit for conservation practices.
On April 29, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released its final Insecticide Strategy that identifies practical protections for federally endangered and threatened species from the use of insecticides, while providing flexibility for pesticide users and growers. The strategy identifies mitigations aimed at protecting more than 900 species listed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) that EPA considers when it registers a new insecticide or reevaluates an existing one.
“Today’s action is another example of how protecting our environment and safeguarding our economy can go hand in hand,” said EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin. “We have found commonsense ways to keep endangered species safe that won’t place unneeded burden on the growers who rely on these tools for their livelihood, and which are necessary to ensure a safe and plentiful food supply. We are committed to ensuring the agriculture community has the tools they need to protect our country, especially our food supply, from pests and diseases.”
Earlier this year, Administrator Zeldin announced his Powering the Great American Comeback Initiative to advance the agency’s core mission of protecting human health and the environment while energizing the American economy. Specifically, this strategy advances Pillar Three: “permitting reform, cooperative federalism and cross-agency partnership.” The final strategy is the culmination of continued communication between EPA, its federal partners including the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and FWS, and other stakeholders.
EPA will continue to work with stakeholders to modify and update these documents as additional information becomes available. In addition, EPA anticipates continued engagement with stakeholders, including our federal and state partners, to ensure effective implementation of the strategy.
Read the final Insecticide Strategy. The Insecticide Strategy and accompanying support documents, including a response to comments document and an updated Ecological Mitigation Support Document describing mitigations and supporting data that inform implementation of both the herbicide and insecticide strategies, will be available on Regulations.gov in docket EPA-HQ-OPP-2024-0299.
Background
The draft Insecticide Strategy was released in July 2024 and was followed by a 60-day public comment period during which more than 26,000 comments were received, with over 230 unique comments. In response to information provided through the public comments, EPA made several changes in the final strategy, supported by scientific analyses, to provide greater flexibility and options for the agricultural community, while ensuring that endangered species are protected. Some of the science-based modifications include:
Reducing buffer distances across all application methods; Providing credit for any reduction in the proportion of a treated field for ground applications;
Developing a process to qualify conservation programs that will give growers more credit for being part of a conservation program than initially proposed;
Developing a process to qualify external parties that would assess a grower’s farms and determine the existing mitigation points that could be achieved by practices a grower already has in place;
Updating key data sources and identification of invertebrate species that may occur on agricultural fields; and Adding a Pesticide Use Limitation Area (PULA) group for generalist species that reside in wetlands to reduce mitigations applied outside of wetland habitats.
Industry Leadership Comments
“American agriculture demonstrates that production and stewardship go hand in hand,” said U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins. “Thank you to Administrator Zeldin for working towards unleashing regulatory burdens for American farmers and ranchers with the release of this final insecticide strategy today. This strategy provides much needed improvements that will undoubtedly better protect U.S. homegrown crops from pests and diseases. We look forward to continued partnership with EPA to ensure our growers continue to have the crop protection tools and flexibility
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EPA’s final insecticide strategy to offer farmers more flexibility
needed to feed, fuel, and clothe our nation and the world.”
“EPA’s numerous pragmatic improvements to the draft Insecticide Strategy have created a final strategy that can be better implemented by applicators while also protecting threatened and endangered species. We are grateful EPA has crafted this strategy by listening to, among others, constructive feedback from state agriculture departments, as they are the lead agency tasked with implementing and enforcing pesticide regulations in 43 states as well as the territory of Puerto Rico. The National Association of State Departments of Agriculture is eager to continue to work with EPA to ensure state lead agencies have the resources and clarity to meaningfully enforce this strategy,” said National Association of State Departments of Agriculture CEO Ted McKinney.
“Farmers are dedicated to responsibly using pesticides, and frequent updates to the pesticide strategies are important to ensure the health and safety of America’s families. EPA understands there cannot be an effective conservation strategy as a nation without a meaningful partnership with farmers and ranchers. As we evaluate the final strategy in full, we urge EPA to continue to refine and improve upon the plan to enable farmers to grow healthy food for the nation while caring for, and improving, the natural resources they’ve been
entrusted with,” said American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall.
“The American Soybean Association appreciates EPA for incorporating common sense improvements into its Insecticide Strategy, especially with little time to do so before its court deadline. These enhancements will help make Endangered Species Act implementation easier for U.S. farmers; however, more work remains to be done, including reforming how EPA assesses risks to species to ensure the process is using the best available science. ASA thanks EPA for its progress to date and looks forward to working with the agency to advance additional improvements in the days ahead,” said American Soybean Association President and Kentucky Soybean Farmer Caleb Ragland.
“We are appreciative of the EPA’s efforts to identify commonsense ways of protecting endangered species from insecticides,” said National Corn Growers Association President and Illinois Farmer Kenneth Hartman Jr. “Our growers support the agency’s approach to providing mitigation relief through enhanced conservation processes that give growers more credit for their participation than was initially proposed. We look forward to continued dialogue with the EPA as we move forward on the path to protect species as well as the food, feed and fuel supply.” #####
Bacon is popular around the world. The only notable exception is Israel, as the Jewish religion prohibits pork consumption.
Webinar series to focus on range and pasture management
Nebraska Extension will host a six-part webinar series this fall to help landowners and livestock producers better understand how to identify, grow and manage grasses in pastures and rangelands. From the comfort of your computer, interact with participants and presenters and gather information specific to your pasture’s location.The Knowing, Growing and Grazing Grass webinar series will run Monday and Thursday evenings, October 13 through October 30, from 6:30 to 7:45 p.m. MT (7:30 to 8:45 p.m. CT). Two optional sessions will also be held on October 21 and 28. The course is limited to 30 participants.
“This series will give producers a solid foundation in range and pasture management,” said Aaron Berger, Nebraska Extension educator and program coordinator. “Whether it’s plant identification, understanding stocking rates or using drought insurance tools, participants will leave with practical, usable information.”
Topics covered in the series will include:
Plant identification and learning to recognize desirable grass species
Management practices to improve forage production and plant vigor
Understanding and calculating stocking rates
Using tools like USDA Web Soil Survey and Rangeland Analysis Platform to estimate forage production
Developing grazing plans and managing drought risk through Pasture, Rangeland and Forage (PRF) insurance
Participants are invited to submit their plant photos for identification. All webinars will be interactive and recorded for later viewing.
The registration fee is $100 per person and includes a copy of Grassland Plants of South Dakota and the Northern Great Plains and a printed resource notebook featuring Nebraska Extension NebGuides and Circulars. Materials will be mailed ahead of the course.
Registration is due by October 1 to ensure materials arrive in time. To register, visit: https://go.unl.edu/ Knowing_Grass
A computer and internet connection are required to participate.
For more information, contact Aaron Berger at 308-235-3122 or aberger2@ unl.edu.
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When it comes to food, there are two types of sugar: added sugar and naturally occurring sugar. The body can’t tell the difference between the two because they have the same chemical composition.
#####
Berries are simple fruits stemming from one flower. This means that pineapples, bananas, watermelons, pumpkins, and avocados are berries.
#####
The United States Department of Agriculture says the official definition of a sandwich is: “at least 35% cooked meat and no more than 50 percent bread”
##### Chickens are believed to have originated in jungles of Southeast Asia, where they lived in the wild and probably laid only 10-15 eggs per year due to a lack of access to food and water.
Five simple ways to prioritize nutrition this school year
As students sharpen pencils and dust off backpacks, families across the region are adjusting to the hustle and bustle that comes with the return to school. Between busy mornings, homework, and extracurricular activities, planning nutritious meals often gets pushed to the bottom of the to-do list. But with a bit of preparation, it’s possible to bring healthy, balanced meals back to the table - without the added stress.
Here are five helpful strategies from Nebraska Extension to help your family fall into a healthy, sustainable routine this school year:
1. Plan Ahead
Before the week begins, review your family calendar and note any busy evenings or events. Use this time to plan a weekly menu, taking stock of what foods you already have on hand. Having staples like whole grains, canned beans, and frozen vegetables makes planning easier and reduces the need for frequent shopping trips.
2. Prep the Night Before
Tight turnaround between school pickup and sports practice? Try prepping meals the night before. Sandwiches or wraps made with whole grains, lean proteins, and colorful veggies can be packed with fruit, veggies, and snacks for an easy meal on the go. Even if it’s dinner in the car, it’s still family time!
3. Cook in Batches and Freeze
Use the weekend to get ahead. Prepare a few freezerfriendly meals, such as soups, enchiladas, or casseroles. That way, on a hectic weekday, dinner just needs to be heated and served. Find tips for freezing meals safely and effectively at https://food.unl.edu/article/freezing-cooked-food-futuremeals-freezer-bag-tips/.
4. Keep Meals Simple
Healthy doesn’t mean complicated. Many kids prefer simple meals. Try mix-and-match dinners like hard-boiled eggs, cheese sticks, baby carrots, fruit, and whole-grain crackers. It’s quick, kid-friendly, and checks off all five food groups.
5. Get Kids Involved
Children are more likely to enjoy healthy meals when they help plan and prepare them. Let kids brainstorm ideas for meals and snacks and give them age-appropriate tasks during grocery shopping. Whether they’re choosing the vegetables or adding ingredients to the cart, their involvement can lead to healthier choices and fewer mealtime battles.
For more meal planning ideas, recipes, and back-to-school nutrition tips, visit Nebraska Extension’s Recipe Central at food.unl.edu.
Corn silage harvest
By Ben Beckman, UNL
Silage harvest for fully irrigated full-season corn usually begins 45 days or 800 GDD’s after the tassel / silking growth stage. However, growing conditions and the season length of the plant itself can make predictions based on the calendar fuzzy at best.
Accurately assessing whole plant moisture is key to proper silage pile fermentation and tight packing. If silage is too dry; then, packing is difficult and may allow oxygen into the pile causing overheating, mold/yeast/bad microbe growth, and spoilage. When the silage moisture content is too high, piles can weep with valuable energy and nutrients flowing out as a loss from the pile. Also, damaging clostridia bacteria colonies can grow when silage is too wet. So, target silage storage moisture content should be 65-70% moisture.
Another factor to consider for silage chopping is milk line (a corn kernel starch content indicator). Starch is one of the most energy dense feed components; so silage that contains higher amounts of starch will be higher energy overall. The further down the kernel milk line is established; the more starch content has been stored in the kernel.
Plant moisture and milk line may not be directly correlated and may vary among hybrids. While these development factors trend in the same direction, the moisture content may vary from field to field, even if milk line is the same.
Corn silage is a great feed resource that can benefit from moisture content monitoring at harvest. Target harvesting silage at 65-70% moisture content for best results. Use the ear kernel milk line (closer to the cob means more starch and higher energy silage) to find your ideal harvest window based on your hybrids.
Harvest weed challenges
Amid winter grain harvest, southern and eastern Idaho farmers are reporting strong yields but also big problems with herbicideresistant weeds, according to experts with University of Idaho Extension.
Growers have had an especially tough time controlling resistant wild oats. Wild oats compete with crops for limited resources and can reduce wheat yields by more than 24% and barley yields by 18% at a density of 10 plants per square foot, according to a weed management Extension publication authored by a team of U of I, Oregon State University and Washington State University weed scientists.
Weed challenges aside, most winter wheat and barley yields in the region should be outstanding.
Juliet Marshall, UI Extension cereals pathologist and associate director of the Idaho Agricultural Experiment Station, has confirmed Magic Valley feed barley yields exceeding 220 bushels per acre, and she’s optimistic those numbers aren’t outliers.
The region’s growers began harvesting winter grains in mid-July. Marshall believes a long fall following winter grain planting, the combination of warm days and cool nights throughout the current season and favorable growing conditions — aside from weed pressure and limited foot-rot challenges — have combined to boost yields.
“We’ve had some really good, consistently cool nights,” Marshall said. “Even though temperatures have been hot overall, consistently cool nights is good for grain fill.”
Marshall anticipates spring grain crops will be average yielding, as growth of many spring-planted fields has been set back by late-season frosts. A short water supply could also curb spring grain yields, as some growers are opting to shift water allocated for small grains to potatoes and other higher-value crops.
Marshall also advises growers to be careful in their weed management to avoid even greater problems next season. She’s received reports of wild oats gaining a foothold in fields from Idaho Falls north to Ashton and throughout southeast Idaho.
Albert Adjesiwor, a UI Extension weed scientist, has also been inundated with calls from growers unable to
NOVONESIS BIOLOGICAL SOLUTIONS FOR MONTANA FARMERS
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Harvest weed challenges
control wild oats.
“I’ve gotten so many wild oats calls this year, more than I’ve ever gotten in my entire time here, because they just can’t kill it,” Adjesiwor said. “There are some fields where it’s a thick stand of wild oats, and at those high densities you’d expect to see 20-30% yield losses.”
Pinoxaden, which is the active ingredient in Axial herbicide, has been a primary tool for controlling wild oats in the region. Adjesiwor noticed some pinoxaden resistance in wild oats when he first arrived at the university in 2021, and resistance has progressively grown stronger. He recently screened wild oats sampled from 75 farm fields throughout the region to assess herbicide resistance, confirming the greatest pinoxaden problems in southeast Idaho east of American Falls.
“Farmers are throwing different things at it, and it doesn’t seem to be working. Not only are you getting a yield loss, but then you spend a lot of money on herbicides that don’t provide adequate control,” Adjesiwor said. If possible, Adjesiwor recommends that farmers with high densities of wild oats this season rotate next season to broadleaf crops such as potatoes or sugarbeets, expanding their herbicide options.
Another approach would be to plant CoAXium wheat, which is bred to resist applications of quizalofop herbicide. However, the weed has also shown resistance to quizalofop, though the resistance is not as pronounced as with pinoxaden. Growers in tilled systems can also apply triallate (Far-GO/Avadex) as this herbicide still appears effective on most wild oats collected from southern Idaho, Adjesiwor said. Triallate must be mechanically incorporated into soil to provide effective wild oat control.
Growers may also wish to plant Clearfield wheat, which is bred to resist applications of imazamox-based herbicides, such as Beyond. The downside of using Clearfield is plant-back restrictions against following wheat crops with potatoes, sugarbeets or barley, which may be harmed by imazamox.
Marshall plans to include the pros and cons of using Clearfield wheat varieties to control wild oats as a topic of the
Extension cereal school scheduled for Feb. 4 in Fort Hall.
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Sterile Peat
“Bin Buster Peas” Sunburst Montana
September is Whole Grains Month
Grains are amazingly versatile plants that act as building blocks for the diets of most people all over the world. Rice and wheat are especially common and, when served as whole grains, they offer a load of nutritional value as well as being tasty.
History of Whole Grains Month
Whole Grains Month was established in 2007 with the backing of the Whole Grains Council in the USA. The idea is that taking 30 days at the beginning of autumn dedicated to eating more servings of whole grains each day is a perfect way to create new and healthier eating habits.
Many whole grains come from the same plants that most people normally eat, but they are not as processed. This way, all of the parts of the grain are included and the products made from it are much healthier. Whole wheat flour, brown rice, oatmeal and even popcorn are all whole grain foods. Others that are perhaps becoming more popular are quinoa, barley, and cracked wheat. How to Celebrate Whole Grains Month
Learn Some Benefits of Whole Grains
Those who are interested in learning more about this important food can talk to a dietician or other medical professional and also do some online research.
• Whole grains can help lower bad cholesterol
• Oatmeal, quinoa, brown rice and many others can help to keep the heart healthy by fighting off bad cholesterol, and also raising the levels of good cholesterol.
• Whole grains can lower insulin levels
• Those who struggle with diabetes or pre-diabetes can benefit from these grains to keep blood sugar levels in check.
• Whole grains can help with weight control
• Instead of eating a lot of empty calories, starting with whole grains first can help a person to feel full and minimize snacking.
• Whole grains are high in fiber
• Those who eat high fiber diets have been shown to have reduced risk of heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes and even certain types of cancer.
Do you enjoy reading
White Thistle Disease: Biological management at work
By: Eric Jones, Assistant Professor and SDSU Extension Weed Management Specialist
Additional Authors: Philip Rozeboom, Graig Reicks
Written collaboratively by Eric Jones, Graig Reicks, Philip Rozeboom, Jill Alms, and David Vos.
Disease Overview
White or bleached plants can be seen among Canada thistle growing across South Dakota (Figure 1). These thistle are infected with Pseudomonas syringae pv. Tagetis (commonly referred to as white thistle disease). White thistle disease is caused by bacteria that produce a toxin, which prevents the production of chloroplasts (green pigment), leading to the white, bleached look (Figure 2). White thistle disease needs relatively high humidity and temperatures to
persist (Xin et al. 2018). Therefore, infected plants may not be present every year nor be evident in the same field.
Management Implications
Canada thistle plants infected with white thistle disease exhibit significant reductions in both growth and seed head compared with non-infected plants. Efforts have been made to extract bacteria from plants infected with white thistle disease for use as a biological control tactic (Gronwald et al. 2002; Tichich and Doll 2006). These extracts did what was expected and reduced both the height and seedhead production of treated plants. However, the extractions and applications are costly, and the shelf life is short due to the living nature of bacteria. While white thistle disease provides “free” management of Canada thistle, this bacteria is unlikely to appear every year or in significant quantities for consistent management. In return, Canada thistle plants should still be managed with tactics from all sectors (biological, cultural, chemical, and mechanical) to ensure effective management is achieved.
References
Gronwald JW, Plaisance KL, Ide DA, Wyse DL (2002) Assessment of Pseudomonas syringae pv. tagetis as a biocontrol agent for Canada thistle. Weed Sci 50:397–400 Tichich R, Doll JD (2006) Field-based evaluation of a novel approach for infecting Canada thistle (Cirsium arvense) with Pseudomonas syringae pv. tagetis. Weed Sci 54:166–1714
Xin XF, Kvitko B, He SY (2018) Pseudomonas syringae: what it takes to be a pathogen. Nature Reviews Microbiology 16:316–328
Understanding calf digestive development in beef and dairy systems
By Chevy-Lynn Vaske, K-State Research and Extension news service
A calf’s digestive system is shaped by more than time. Diet, milk intake and early environmental exposure all influence rumen development.
On a recent episode of the Kansas State University Beef Cattle Institute’s Cattle Chat podcast, specialists discussed how differences in calf nutrition between beef and dairy systems affect herd performance.
Billy Brown, K-State dairy cattle nutritionist, said dairy calves are introduced to grain from day one, even though they consume very little early on.
“We’re trying to get fermentable carbohydrates into the rumen early,” Brown said. “Fermentation produces volatile fatty acids, which stimulate the growth of rumen papillae, which is essential for nutrient absorption.”
Since dairy calves are weaned at 6 to 8 weeks, their rumen must develop quickly. These calves often eat 5 to 8 pounds of grain daily by two months of age.
In contrast, beef calves develop slower due to different management strategies, according to Phillip Lancaster, K-State beef cattle nutritionist.
“Beef calves are on pasture, learning by watching their dams,” he said. “They might nibble grass and hay, but usually only eat about a pound of forage per day at two months.”
Microbial colonization in the rumen be-
gins within days of birth in both systems. Calves pick up microbes through their environment and dams, which jump-starts rumen activity. However, diet dictates how quickly the rumen matures.
K-State veterinarian Bob Larson said milk production also affects solid feed intake.
“A high-milking cow may delay the calf’s interest in solids, while a lower-producing dam may encourage earlier forage intake,” he said.
In dairy systems, early grain intake is essential to prepare calves for weaning. Without proper rumen development, a postweaning slump can occur, Brown said.
“Accelerated milk programs grow calves fast, but they may not eat enough grain before weaning, which can slow adjustment (from milk to grain),” he said.
Though beef calves are typically weaned later — often at 5 to 7 months — producers should monitor signs of rumen development, including behavior and pasture consumption.
“Beef cows generally peak in milk between 30 and 90 days post-calving,” Larson said. “That’s when calves get the most milk and may limit solid intake.”
Regardless of the production system, early digestive development is key to future performance.
“Whether a calf is on pasture or in a hutch, getting the rumen working early supports better health and productivity,” Brown said.
Figure 1. White thistle disease-infected Canada thistle (white, bleached plants) interspersed with non-infected plants
Figure 2. Close-up of white thistle disease-infected Canada thistle plant. Infected plants exhibit stunted growth and decreased seedhead production.
Kernel processing for quality corn silage
By Ben Beckman, UNL
High value silage depends on maintaining chop quality throughout harvest. Do you know how to reliably monitor your silage quality?
Energy from corn silage comes in a large part from starch in the grain itself. After consuming however, the outer seed coat impedes starch digestion. To counter act this, many modern choppers are fitted with a kernel processor, that physically crushes or damages the grain and stalks, improving digestibility. Correctly setting these rollers is critical. Too close and machine ware increases, too far apart and they kernels aren’t broken and digestibility is decreased.
To achieve high quality silage, catching any problems with the processor as soon as possible is critical. To do this, grab a 32 oz. cup and at least once an hour during harvest, grab a sample from the pile.
Next spread the sample out on a flat surface like a card table near the pile and go through the kernels. Count all the kernels that are ½ or greater in size. You can also put the sample into a bucket of water. The kernels will sink to the bottom and stalks and leaves will float. Skim/drain off the top layer and again count any kernels that are ½ or greater in size.
For both methods, the goal is to have 2 or fewer whole or ½ size kernels in your count. Anything over that and word can be passed to the chopper to adjust the processing.
For those who don’t have access to a kernel processer, keeping chop length short can help accomplish similar results. Shortening chop length to 3/8 inch for machines without a processor will do more kernel damage and maintain similar fiber particle size. For those who’s priority is not particle size, mostly beef producers, dropping down to ½ inch chop length will damage even more kernels and provide the additional benefit of helping get a better pack.
Properly stored, bacon has a long shelf life.
Recipe Patch by Geri
Some “different salad recipes” from 1970.
Hot Potato Salad
2 medium onions, minced
2/3 cup beer
1 tsp. brown sugar
1/3 cup salad oil
Chopped parsley
1 egg, slightly beaten
6 cups sliced cooked potatoes
1/3 cup tarragon vinegar
Salt and pepper to taste
4 strips crisp bacon, crumbled
Combine onions and potatoes in bowl. In a saucepan heat vinegar and beer to the boiling point; add sugar. Gradually stir a little hot mixture into beaten egg; return egg mixture to saucepan and cook until slightly thickened. Add salad oil, beat thoroughly. Add salt and pepper. Pour hot mixture over potatoes and onions, mix thoroughly. If necessary, beat gently. Sprinkle with parsley and crumbled bacon; serve hot.
Tomato Aspic
Bring to a boil 1 cup tomato juice. Add 1 package lemon jello and stir until dissolved. Then add:
1/2 cup catsup
1/2 cup cold water
When jello begins to set, add:
1/2 cup shrimp
1/2 cup green pepper (chopped)
1 can flaked tuna
Pinch of salt
1 tsp. Worcestershire sauce
1/2 cup celery (chopped)
1/2 cup stuffed green olives (sliced)
Chill and serve.
Chinese Noodle Salad
1/2 cup onion, chopped
3 Tblsp. green pepper, chopped
Blend:
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1 Tblsp. garlic vinegar
1 Tblsp. cream
3 Tblsp. black olives, chopped
2 Tbslp. pimento, chopped
1 cup celery, chopped
Mix mayonnaise, vinegar and cream with other ingredients and chill. Just before serving, add one 3 oz. can Chinese noodles.
Shrimp Salad
1 1/2 cup tomato soup
1 pkg. cream cheese
1 Tblsp. butter
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 cup cold water
1 envelope gelatin
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1/2 cup cream whipped
1/2 cup black olives
1/2 cup diced celery
1/2 cup chopped green pepper
1/2 cup shrimp
Put tomato soup and cream cheese in double boiler, melt and mix. Soften gelatin in cold water. Mix rest of ingredients and pour in mold until firm.
Crab Salad
1 cup cottage cheese
1 cup catsup
1 cup mayonnaise
1 cup crab meat (canned or fresh)
1 pkg. lemon jello
Dissolve jello in 1 cup warm water. When it starts to set add rest of ingredients. Serve.
Sauerkraut Salad
1 lb. can sauerkraut, rinsed and drained. 4 oz. can pimento, diced 1 cup chopped onion 1 diced green pepper
1/2 cup vinegar
1/2 cup sugar
Combine all and refrigerate overnight.
Sunshine Salad
1 pkg. lemon jello dissolved in 1 cup hot water
Beat in 1 jar pimento cheese. Chill.
Add:1 small can crushed pineapple, undrained
1/2 cup finely shredded carrots
1/2 cup finely diced celery
1/2 tsp. grated onion
2/3 cup Miracle Whip Put in mold and refrigerate.
Macaroni Salad
Cook 2 cups macaroni (wash with cold water).
Add:
1 large can pineapple chunks or tidbits
1 large bottle maraschino cherries
6 Delicious apples, diced (do not peel)
Cook in double boiler until thick:
4 eggs
2 cups sugar 1/2 cup lemon juice.
Cool then pour over macaroni/pineapple/apples. Refrigerate up to 24 hours. Just before serving, fold in 1 pint Dream Whip.
Success in de feet
A key to athletic success is hooking up the right athlete to the right sport, and even small structural differences in feet can determine whether someone can be a star at the 100-meter hurdles or a powerhouse on the tennis court. Talent scouts searching for speedy quarterbacks, sprinters, or base-stealing ballplayers might do well to examine a candidate’s big toe. For most of us, the big toe isn’t as long as the next one, but some people have big toes that protrude out beyond the second toe. These fortunate few have an advantage over the rest of us when they need speed. They can lean their weight onto their big toe to push off and get a fast start. The second toe is not as strong and can only exert about half as much force.
Others have a unique advantage in the first metatarsal bone, which is attached to their big toe. If the first metatarsal bone hangs lower than the other metatarsals (the bones to the other toes), then the big toe will also hang lower than their other toes. Athletes with a low first metatarsal can also put weight on their big toe, pushing off for a fast start. If your feet tend to roll outward and make your arch more stiff and rigid, you might want to try out for track or volleyball. Rigid feet are good levers that make running and jumping easier. If your feet tend to roll inward and your arches are extremely flexible, that could give you an advantage at tennis or aerobic dancing. Flexible feet are better at handling constant changes in direction with quick, short pivots.
People with flat feet and lower arches have their own advantages. They usually fall in the category of flexible feet with good range of motion. Even just plain big feet can be an advantage in swimming (think flippers).
Engaging in physical activity for the whole family
By Ashley Fenning, Nebraska Extension Instructor
• Increased early season vigor
• Phosphorus and Zinc to drive rooting & cold start the crop.
• Zinc to help with early season hormone production, ie. Auxin for root and shoot growth.
• Convey Technology to help with early season stresses, such as cool soils and excess moisture. It also improves nutrient use efficiency.
• Other essential nutrients target at each specific crop, ie. Boron for cell wall strength; Manganese for efficient photosynthesis.
• Second chance for a starter fertilizer
• Formulations are targeted at early season root growth (more root = more efficient moisture and nutrient uptake).
• Proactive way of managing the crops nutritional requirement.
• Convey Technology helps with early season stresses such as cool soils, excess moisture, and drought. Also improves nutrient use efficiency.
• Speeds up recovery from herbicide hangover - the correct supply of nutrients helps the crop metabolize the herbicide more quickly.
• Contains novel Phosphorus nutrition, providing increased nutrient uptake and movement within the plant.
• Targeted at the reproductive phse of the plant.
• Proactive way of managing the crops utritional requirement
• Contains other essential nutrients targeted for each specific crop, ie. Boron to aid pollen tube growth, Zinc to help produce Auxin, to ensure healthy pollen tube growth.
Are your kids getting enough physical activity? Are you, as an adult or older adult, getting enough? Movement isn’t just about exercise; it’s a way for children to learn, grow, and connect with their families. For adults, it’s also about reducing stress, improving mental health, enhancing mobility, and lowering the risk of chronic disease. Whether it’s hopping through the living room, playing catch outside, dancing to a favorite song, enjoying an evening walk, or tackling a 5K, every moment of activity matters.
According to the Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans, children ages 6 to 17 should engage in at least 60 minutes of physical activity daily. Most of that time should be spent in moderate-intensity activity that gets the heart pumping faster. At least three days a week, kids should also include vigorous-intensity activity, along with musclestrengthening and bone-strengthening exercises. These don’t have to be complicated—muscle strengthening can be climbing monkey bars, while bone strengthening might be as simple as jumping rope.
Tips to Encourage Family Movement
Try out fun movements together like stomping, skipping, crab-walking, or leaping. Turn them into a playful race. Older youth may prefer playing catch, shooting hoops, or going for a walk.
Arrange active play dates with friends to promote both movement and social interaction.
Reward active chores such as vacuuming, raking leaves, or walking the dog.
Enroll children in activity-based classes like sports, dance, gymnastics, or martial arts.
For children under the age of 6, aim for approximately 3 hours of active play per day and limit sedentary screen time. Narrating their movements helps strengthen brain-body connections—for example, saying: “Your feet are gliding so quickly across the floor!” Singing movement songs like “Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes” creates a playful environment that supports early learning.
Regardless of age, caregiver participation is key. Parents, grandparents, and older siblings can all transform everyday moments into movement-filled memories.
Physical Activity for Adults and Older Adults
It’s not just kids who need movement. Adults should aim for 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity per week (or 75 minutes of vigorous activity). Additionally, adults benefit from engaging in at least two days of muscle-strengthening exercises. Starting small and building consistency helps make physical activity a sustainable lifestyle habit.
Older adults benefit tremendously from regular physical activity, which supports balance, cognition, bone strength, and independence. Staying active reduces the risk of falls, injuries, and chronic conditions such as type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis, and some cancers. When incorporating movement into your daily routine, always listen to how your body feels. Gradually increase movement to build your stamina and strength, rather than jumping into an activity without a gradual build-up, to minimize the risk of injury or strain. Consult with your physician if you are concerned about starting a new exercise routine with existing health conditions.
Benefits of Physical Activity Across All Ages
For kids: better sleep, improved mood, and even better academic performance.
For adults: Improved mental health, stress relief, and reduced risk of chronic disease.
For older adults: Preserved mobility, reduced fall risk, and stronger bones and muscles.
With 74 percent of U.S. adults living with overweight or obesity, making physical activity a family priority can help reduce the risk of chronic diseases and improve overall quality of life.
So, hop, skip, wiggle, and play—because active time is quality time for every generation.
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A man and his soon-to-be wife are about be get married. They are standing at the church with the glowing bride dressed in white and the groom-to-be in his finest suit. As the ceremony is about to begin, the bride notices the groom’s golf clubs in the corner of the church. “Why are your clubs here?” the perplaxed woman asks. The man, somewhat stunned, replies, “This isn’t going to take all day, is it?”
Adding grass to thinning alfalfa
By Jerry Volesky, UNL
Do you have a thinning and low producing alfalfa stand; but are not quite ready to do a complete reseeding? These stands can be rejuvenated by interseeding grasses to increase hay production in subsequent years or to convert them to pasture.
Most alfalfa fields start to lose stand and production potential after cutting hay for several years. Orchardgrass is the grass most commonly interseeded into alfalfa, but other grasses like endophyte-free tall fescue, smooth or meadow brome, festulolium, and wheatgrasses also can be used. If the field will be used as pasture, a mixture of several grasses may be best since it adds diversity to your animals’ diet.
Whether irrigated or dryland, interseeding after a mid-August to early September hay harvest can be excellent timing. There is always some risk for dryland fields because several rains will be needed to start the new grass seedlings. The seeding should be done as soon as that August or early September harvest Is complete. If your alfalfa is relatively thick, you probably will need to take another cutting in about four weeks, or as soon as the alfalfa starts to form a full canopy. This allows sunlight to continue to reach new grass seedlings below the alfalfa.
The seeding rate of the grasses will vary depending on the species that is used and how thick the existing alfalfa is. With orchardgrass for example, as little as 3 lb/ acre might be adequate in a relatively thick alfalfa stand or up to 6 lb/acre in a very thin alfalfa stand.
Next spring you will need to judge how well established the new grasses have become. If they seem a little weak, cut hay early to open the canopy for better light penetration.
#####
Since 1497, the United Kingdom has printed its laws on vellum, made from calf or goat skin. They continue to do this in order to uphold the tradition.
#####
30 of the first 31 popes were murdered. Most of them were martyred, but not all causes of their deaths are known.
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Herbicide-resistant weeds: Understanding the challenge and a path forward
By Vipin Kumar - Graduate Research Assistant, Department of Agronomy and Horticulture, Mandeep Singh - Post-Doctoral Research Associate, Department of Agronomy and Horticulture, Ramandeep Kaur - Ph.D. Candidate, Department of Agronomy and Horticulture, Amit Jhala - Professor and Associate Department Head, Department of Agronomy and Horticulture
Herbicide resistance is spreading — and fast. From Palmer amaranth to waterhemp, Nebraska growers are facing tougher weeds, higher costs and fewer chemical options. Learn how integrated strategies can help protect your fields.
Key Takeaways
Herbicide-resistant weeds are escalating in Nebraska, threatening the profitability and sustainability of corn, soybean and sugarbeet systems.
Multiple herbicide-resistant weed species are becoming more common, significantly limiting post-emergence control options and driving up management costs.
While stacked-trait crops (e.g., dicamba-, glufosinate-, or 2,4-D-resistant) can offer short-term control, over-reliance without diversification increases the risk of resistance. Integrated Weed Management (IWM) is essential for long-term control. With resistance outpacing herbicide innovation, growers must combine chemical, cultural, mechanical, and biological tactics to stay ahead.
Ten key IWM strategies include: diversifying herbicide modes of action, using overlapping residuals, rotating crops, incorporating cover crops, increasing crop competitiveness, using occasional tillage, scouting frequently, tailoring tactics by weed species, consulting experts, and cleaning equipment between fields.
Herbicide-resistant weeds are a growing threat to the sustainability and profitability of agronomic cropping systems in Nebraska, from corn and soybean production fields in eastern Nebraska to sugarbeet in Nebraska Panhandle. With increased herbicide use — particularly in simplified weed control programs — more weed species are evolving resistance to herbicides, creating challenges for farmers.
Herbicide-Resistant Weeds in Nebraska and in the Midwest
In Nebraska and across the Midwest, herbicide-resistant Palmer amaranth, waterhemp, kochia, common ragweed and marestail are common. Many of these species are resistant to widely used herbicides, including atrazine (Group 5), glyphosate (Group 9), protoporphyrinogen oxidase (PPO)-inhibitors (Group 14), and acetolactate synthase (ALS)-inhibitors (Group 2). In fact, nine weed species in Nebraska have confirmed resistance to one or more herbicides: common ragweed, giant ragweed, Johnsongrass, kochia, marestail, Palmer
amaranth, redroot pigweed, shattercane, and waterhemp (Jhala 2017). Some populations, particularly Palmer amaranth and waterhemp are resistant to five or more herbicides with varying mode of action (MOA), including groups 2, 5, 6, 9, 14 and 27. This significantly reduces post-emergence herbicide options and forces farmers to rely on alternate herbicide programs.
The evolution of resistance is accelerated by repeated use of the same herbicide(s) with the same mode of action, especially when they are used without incorporating cultural or mechanical weed control tactics. The overuse of glyphosate in glyphosateresistant crops has been a major driver of the evolution of glyphosate-resistant weeds. For example, six glyphosate-resistant weeds — including common ragweed, giant ragweed, kochia, marestail, Palmer amaranth and waterhemp — have been confirmed in Nebraska (Jhala 2017).
The evolution of multiple herbicideresistant weeds has become one of the most pressing concerns. Certain weeds survive herbicides belonging to two or more MOAs, making chemical control alone ineffective in many cases.
Moreover, stacked herbicide-resistant traits (e.g., dicamba, 2,4-D, glufosinate) offer temporary control benefits but can also drive resistance if not integrated with diverse weed management strategies. For example, 2-4-D resistant Palmer amaranth has been confirmed in Kansas (Shyam et al. 2022) and glufosinate-resistant Palmer amaranth has been confirmed in Arkansas (Priess et al. 2022).
Why Herbicide Resistant Weeds Matter?
The consequences of the evolution and widespread occurrence of herbicide-resistant weeds are both economic and agronomic. Farmers face increased production costs due to the need for more complex and expensive herbicide programs, additional passes across the field, and potential yield losses from early-season weed competition. Uncontrolled weeds can create problem with harvest operation.
Moreover, resistance is narrowing the window for effective weed control. Palmer amaranth, for instance, can grow about 2 inches per day under ideal conditions and quickly become unmanageable if not controlled early (before they reach 6 inches tall). Even small populations left uncon-
Figure 1. Soybean field infested with herbicide-resistant Palmer amaranth in south-central Nebraska. Amit Jhala | Nebraska Extension
Agricultural waste can become the clothes of the future
From Chalmers University of Technology, Gothenburg, Sweden
Cellulose-based textile materials can make the clothing sector more sustainable. Currently, cellulose-based textiles are mainly made from wood, but a study headed by researchers from Chalmers University of Technology in Sweden points to the possibility of using agricultural waste from wheat and oat. The method is easier and requires fewer chemicals than manufacturing forest-based cellulose, and can enhance the value of waste products from agriculture. Making clothing from water-intensive cotton has a major impact on the climate. That’s why cellulose from other raw materials has come into focus in recent years as a more resource-smart method of textile production. Up to now, the efforts have concentrated on wood-based cellulose. But in a recently published study, researchers investigated a different path for cellulose fibre manufacture, by using waste products from agriculture, which Sweden has a lot of.
The researchers tested oat husks, wheat straw, potato pulp and sugar beet pulp. Oat husks and wheat straw turned out to work best to develop a pulp, called dissolving pulp, which is used to make clothing.
“With this method, which we further developed in this study, we show that you can make textile pulp from certain agricultural waste products,” says Diana Bernin, Assistant Professor at the Department of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering at Chalmers and senior researcher in the study. “This is an important step towards being able to create textiles from waste products instead of using cotton, which isn’t climatefriendly, or wood, a material that we want to use for so many things while also needing to preserve it for the benefit of the climate.”
More sustainable manufacturing with lye
The team used soda pulping as one part of the process. This means that the raw material is boiled in lye, which makes manufacturing more sustainable.
“Lye doesn’t contain any toxins or substances that impact nature,” she explains. “Soda pulping doesn’t work for wood fibres, so making textile pulp from wheat straw and oat husks requires fewer chemicals than making forest-based cellulose. It’s also a simpler procedure, in part because it doesn’t require processing such as chipping and debarking. In addition, it increases the economic value of oats and wheat, when leftovers from their production can be used as raw materials for cellulose extraction.”
Bernin says it is likely that several other agricultural waste products can be used for textile manufacture using the method her team developed. She is currently involved in an international project that has found, using the method in this study, that press-cake from grass from fields works very well to create dissolving pulp.
In continued studies that have yet to be published, the researchers have also
##### In 2016, Pronto Pup placed the world’s largest corn dog on display. They placed a 30-foot fiberglass corn dog atop the original Pronto Pup store in Rockaway Beach, Oregon.
Herbicide-resistant weeds: Understanding the challenge and a path forward
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trolled can contribute hundreds of thousands of seeds to the seed bank, setting the stage for worse infestations in the following years. Thus, herbicide resistance is a double threat: it reduces herbicide efficacy and increases management costs.
Building a Strong Weed Management System
One of the key messages from literature, echoed by research at UNL, is that diversity is essential in weed control. Sole reliance on chemical is not sustainable. Instead, farmers are encouraged to adopt integrated weed management (IWM) systems that combine chemical, cultural, mechanical and biological tactics.
10 Key IWM Strategies for Nebraska Farmers
Diversify Herbicide Modes of Action
Rotate and tank mix herbicides with different modes of action. Always refer to herbicide labels to identify mode of action and avoid repeated use of the same group of herbicides in the same field year after year.
Use overlapping residuals
Apply soil-applied (residual) herbicides at planting and follow-up with additional residual herbicide to extend control. Using overlapping residuals early in the season can also reduce late-emerging weeds, especially weeds which have season-long emergence like Palmer amaranth and waterhemp.
Rotate Crops and Traits
Crop rotation provides more flexibility in herbicide choice. For example, corn–soybean rotation allows the use of Group 1 herbicides post-emergence in soybean to control volunteer corn. Avoid rotating between different corn traits (e.g., Roundup Ready to LibertyLink or Enlist) without changing the weed control strategy. Always double-check that your crop carries the appropriate herbicide-resistant trait before making any post-emergence herbicide application.
Incorporate Cover Crops
Research from Nebraska and other states shows that cereal rye and other winter cover crops can suppress weed emergence through shading, allelopathy and residue cover. Planting green, terminating the cover crop after crop planting, can further enhance biomass and weed suppression potential.
Increase Crop Competitiveness
Increasing crop competitiveness by narrowing rows or using vigorous hybrids can reduce weed establishment through competition for light, nutrients and space.
Mechanical Control and Timely Tillage
In some systems, occasional tillage — also known as strategic tillage — may help reset the weed seedbank. Harvest weed seed control and inter-row cultivation are also valuable tools in select systems.
Scout Frequently and Adjust Accordingly
Monitoring fields for escapes is critical. Early identification of resistance can prevent widespread seedbank replenishment and help adjust the management plan in real time. Document herbicide failures and adjust management plans accordingly.
#####
During the Great Depression, people made clothes out of food sacks. People used flour bags, potato sacks, and anything made out of burlap. Because of this, food distributors started to make their sacks more colorful to help people remain a little bit fashionable
Tailored Approaches Based on Weed Species
Not all weed species behave the same. For instance, small-seeded weed species like Palmer amaranth are sensitive to light interception, while larger-seeded weeds (e.g., velvetleaf or morning glory) may still emerge through mulch or residue.
Consult with Extension and Industry Experts
Consult with agronomists and extension specialists to design customized integrated weed management programs. Also participate in resistance surveys and send suspicious samples for testing to help researchers and extension better understand resistance dynamics in the region.
Clean Equipment Between Fields
Herbicide-resistant weed seeds can easily hitch a ride on farm machinery, including combines, tillage tools and planters. Failing to clean equipment between fields may unintentionally spread resistant weeds from infested areas to clean fields. Taking time to blow off or wash down equipment can significantly reduce the risk of crosscontamination and protect fields from new infestations.
Looking Ahead: A Systems Approach
While industry continues to develop new herbicides and stacked-trait crop technologies, the pace of herbicide discovery has slowed. Resistance is outpacing chemical innovation, making agronomic strategy the cornerstone of long-term weed management.
Nebraska research continues to explore integrated systems that delay or prevent resistance, reduce seedbank inputs and keep control costs manageable. Adoption of these IWM strategies is vital to preserving herbicide utility and ensuring crop production remains sustainable in the years to come.
Final Thoughts
Herbicide resistance is not just a chemical problem, it’s an agroecological challenge that requires a system-level response. By embracing diverse, integrated approaches to weed control, farmers can maintain the sustainability and profitability of their cropping systems.
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Shrapnel is named after its inventor. British Army Officer Henry Shrapnel was the first person to invent an anti-personnel shell that could transport a large number of bullets to its target before releasing them. This was all at a far greater distance than the current rifle fire at the time.
Figure 2: Cereal rye cover crop residue mulch providing early season weed suppression in corn in south-central Nebraska. (Photo by Vipin Kumar | Department of Agronomy and Horticulture)
Agricultural waste can become the clothes of the future
CONTINUED FROM PAGE B3
taken another step towards practical application of the dissolving pulps, creating textile fibres based on pulp from wheat and the press-cake from grass.
Hope of using existing industries
In the long run, Bernin sees good opportunities to use the pulp-and-paper industry, which already has technology and processes in place, to make dissolving pulp from agricultural waste.
“If we can make use of our existing industry and adjust their processes instead of building new production facilities, we’ve already come a long way,” she says.
The lead author of the study is Joanna Wojtasz, former postdoc at Chalmers and now a researcher at the innovation company Tree To Textile, which is one of the partners in the project.
Happy Cat Month
They’re fuzzy, they’re adorable, they invade our lives and take complete command of it and we are their willing slaves. Of course we’re talking about that most amazing house pet, the cat.
These animals have lived alongside humans for almost as long as dogs, and have served purposes as important. From companionship to pest control, they’ve been a wonderful addition to our lives.
History of Happy Cat Month
This holiday is brought to us by the CATalyst Council to help spread education and awareness about the health, welfare, and importance of companion cats. There’s a misconception that cats are incredibly self-reliant, and just don’t need the kind of molly-coddling you find with dogs. The truth is that cats are incredibly social animals, and they require the same level of care and attention that we lavish on our dogs.
How to celebrate Happy Cat Month
Think about the last time you took your cat to the vet. If your cat hasn’t had a check-up in the last 6 months, it’s time to get one scheduled. It is also a great opportunity to take some time thinking what you’re feeding your cat and making sure the ingredients are wholesome and not just filler, and then spending some quality time with your furry friend.
Carbohydrates can be obtained from three different sources: sugar, fiber, and starch. Carbohydrates are necessary for human and animal survival as the building blocks of cells.
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“The study shows that there is a lot of potential in agricultural waste,” Wojtasz says. “We really shouldn’t disregard the opportunity to use this type of cellulose streams for our future clothing.” #####
Flour tortillas have more calories, fat, and carbs.
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Torgerson’s Equipment is excited to announce that we now carry Carbon Bee! Did you know that with Carbon Bee on your sprayer you can save up to 95% of chemical inputs? By adding Carbon Bee’s SmartStriker X technology to your sprayer, you will be able to generate a real time map of weeds and crops in your field, showing you where chemicals were applied and how much was used.
Farmers all over the world trust this industry leading precision ag solution to help them save money and protect their crops. The best part of this technology is that it can be added directly to your current sprayer. Want to learn more about how you can benefit from using Carbon Bee? Contact your local Torgerson’s Equipment dealership or scan the QR code to visit our website.
Swine bring energy and personality to the Scotts Bluff County Fair arena
By Chabella Guzman, PREEC Communications
Swine, some with snouts in the air, others looking to run, paraded around the arena on Monday, July 28, at the Scotts Bluff County Fairgrounds in Mitchell.
Waiting for her chance in the arena, Katelyn Walker, a member of the FFA Morrill group, was keeping an eye on her pigs so they didn’t get dirty, stayed cool, and rested before their time in the ring. She said it’s been fun to watch them grow. “Our family raises hogs, so we just go out and pick some, and I start working with them. It’s fun to watch them grow, but also challenging, as each has a distinct personality. I’ve learned a lot of patience with them.”
Walker has been showing swine since she was 8 years old. “I’ve learned a lot of the ins and outs of money, taking care of an animal, and, in the end, getting a check. So, life lessons.”
Brothers Joaquin and Rico Ramirez are in the Rounders group of Lyman, Wyo. They had two sets of pigs, one set at the Scotts Bluff County Fair and another group at the Goshen County Fair in Torrington, Wyo. “Both fairs are going on at the same time, but Goshen has their swine show on Thursday,” said Joaquin. He has also been taking swine to the fair since he was 8 years old, and in the past took sheep and steers. Both brothers agree they prefer the pigs.
“Pigs are more fun and have energy. They are also smart,” Rico said. “Pink (pig), he’s like a dog and smart.”
The Ramirez brothers will sell their pigs at the Scotts Bluff County Fair. The Goshen County pigs will attend a Montana show and one in Rapid City, S.D., before they are sold or returned to the breeder. “I’m proud of all my pigs’ performance, I’m looking forward to showing Betty in Showmanship, I think she’ll do well,” said Joaquin.
In the steel building across from the livestock pens, the static 4-H exhibits were being entered. “We’ve had a good turnout. It’s been steady this morning,” said Renee Ford, superintendent of home arts. “We have everything from welded arts to quilts and canning, along with tons of photos.”
While the 4-H static exhibit entries include many photos, Ford said, canning and baking have been down. “Cakes
Rico, left, and Joaquin Ramirez with their pigs after the morning market swine show at the Scotts Bluff County Fair. Photos by Chabella Guzman.
Katelyn Walker with her pigs waits to go into the arena at the Scotts Bluff County Fair in Mitchell.
Swine bring energy and personality to the Scotts Bluff County Fair arena
CONTINUED FROM PAGE B6 are popular, while we don’t get many, they are really neat and creative.”
A quilt donated by Wanda Mowry will be on display at the static exhibits building. Raffle tickets will be available during the week of the fair and then at quilt shops before a winner is chosen. Funds will be used for a scholarship.
Where Farming Meets Excellence
FX 1001TRITICALE
every season ensures the best stewardship, end use functionality, and opportunity to maximize yield potential of the variety. Resale of this seed, or supply of saved seed derived from this seed, to anyone including purchaser for planting is prohibited.
Rico Ramirez, with the Rounders 4-H group, keeps his pig’s snout up while in the arena.
By Brock Ortner, Nebraska Extension Livestock System Educator
The record-high calf prices experienced in 2024 and 2025 have left many cow-calf producers with a welcome challenge: determining how to reinvest profits in their operations. While strong cattle markets offer an opportunity to improve long-term profitability, they also bring the temptation to spend pre-tax earnings on items that may not enhance operational efficiency or performance in future years.
This cattle cycle is unique in many respects. Contributing factors include sustained drought in key production regions, historically high calf and cull cow prices, an aging producer base, and a severely reduced national cowherd inventory. As history reminds us—such as the sharp drop in feeder calf prices in 2016—periods of high income require careful, strategic decision-making to ensure long-term business success.
One common driver of decision-making during profitable years is tax planning. Many producers consult with accountants to reduce taxable income before the year ends. While this strategy can be valid, decisions based solely on minimizing tax liability may not support the long-term financial health of the ranch. For example, purchasing a new pickup or piece of equipment before year-end may reduce tax exposure, but these investments should be evaluated on whether they contribute meaningfully to the business’s efficiency or profitability.
To evaluate potential investments more effectively, it’s important to distinguish between tax accounting and economic (business) profitability. Tax accounting focuses on cash income and deductible expenses, often using accelerated depreciation and excluding unpaid labor or owned asset costs. In contrast, an economic profit statement includes the fair market value of owned inputs such as raised feed, land use, and unpaid family labor. It also accounts for depreciation or replacement cost of breeding animals and applies an opportunity cost to
owned assets—recognizing that capital tied up in equipment or land could otherwise be earning a return through low-risk investments. From an economic perspective, investments in capital assets like pickups or tractors should be evaluated by their ability to increase gross margin (revenue minus direct costs) relative to the overhead they add. A new pickup may not improve revenue or reduce direct costs, but it does increase fixed costs through depreciation and maintenance. On the other hand, investments like cross-fencing, improved water infrastructure, or rotational grazing systems can improve forage utilization, enabling greater production without increasing land base—ultimately improving gross margin.
Another valuable use of pre-tax earnings is to improve the ranch’s current asset position—liquid assets that can be easily converted to cash. This could include backgrounding calves, purchasing stockers for grazing, or simply retaining cash in savings or a lowrisk investment account. While income taxes will still be owed on retained cash, having a strong liquidity position can help service existing debt, buffer against future volatility, or enable the operation to seize opportunities down the road. In many cases, paying taxes is a sign of profitability, and retaining earnings for strategic flexibility can be more valuable than chasing deductions.
Conclusion
Reinvesting pre-tax earnings during a strong market can either strengthen or strain the operation depending on how the funds are used. Evaluating decisions through an economic lens—not just a tax lens—can reveal opportunities to enhance efficiency, productivity, and long-term profitability. The current cattle market provides a rare opportunity to build resilience in cow-calf operations, but doing so requires strategic planning and disciplined evaluation of where and how dollars are invested.
Master Gardener: Enjoying your tomatoes after the growing season
By Katie Markheim, Nebraska Extension Master Gardener
Harvest time is here for gardeners, especially those with tomatoes. Here are some challenges you may find in your garden with tomatoes.
Blossom end rot is a very common problem on green and ripe tomatoes caused by a calcium deficiency. It first appears as a sunken, brownish black spot 1⁄2 to 1 inch in diameter on the blossom end of the fruit. It occurs in rapidly developing fruit during periods of hot, dry weather. To prevent, maintain a steady rate of plant growth without stress. This includes watering consistently, mulching to conserve soil moisture, monitoring nitrogen fertilizer applications, properly staking plants, and sanitizing pruning equipment after each use. If blossom end rot occurs, remove the affected fruit. Two types of cracks may develop on tomato fruit. Radial growth cracks radiate from the stem and concentric cracks encircle the fruit, usually on the shoulders. Cracking is associated with rapid fruit development and wide fluctuations in water availability to the plant. Fruit that has reached the ripening stage during dry weather may show considerable cracking if the dry period is followed by heavy rains and high temperatures. Tomato varieties differ considerably in the amount and severity of cracking under climatic conditions. Mulching and avoiding heavy applications of nitrogen fertilizer should help reduce fruit cracking. When harvesting, harvest fully ripe to -
matoes to get the best flavor and color. Pink tomatoes may be harvested and allowed to ripen indoors at room temperature (65 to 70 degrees). Ripe tomatoes should be stored at room temperature to retain their best flavor. Fully ripe tomatoes may be refrigerated for several weeks, although storage temperatures below 50 degrees will cause flavor loss. Green tomatoes should be picked in the fall just before frost or a light freeze. Refrigeration is not recommended for green tomatoes. Instead, leave at room temperature to promote ripening and flavor development unless used for pickling in their ‘green’ condition.
When frost is imminent, mature green tomatoes can be harvested and ripened indoors. The fruit should be solid, firm, free of defects, full-sized, and have a greenish white skin color. Remove the stems, then clean and dry the fruit. Individually wrap each fruit in a piece of newspaper and place in single layers in boxes or shelves. Store the tomatoes in a dark, cool (55-60°F) location, such as a basement or cellar. Inspect the tomatoes periodically during storage. Discard any soft or decaying fruit. When the tomatoes begin to color, remove the newspaper, and place them at room temperature. To ripen tomatoes quickly, put them in a brown paper bag with or without an apple. As apples and tomatoes ripen, they give off ethylene gas. Ethylene speeds up the fruit ripening process when confined in a closed bag.
In 1879 passengers on trains traveling from New York to Philadelphia were in for an incredible sight. On those December nights, all of the towns the trains passed were bathed in darkness…except one. Menlo Park, New Jersey–home to Thomas Edison and his “invention factory”–sparkled with light. It was all part of Edison’s plan to draw attention to himself and his inventions. “The Wizard of Menlo Park,” as the press had dubbed him, worked on the stunt for months. He bragged that he intended to light whole cities with his electrical system and that it was only a matter of time until gaslight, which he call dirty and unsafe, became obsolete.
Edison laid eight miles of underground wire across half a square mile of his Menlo Park laboratory property. His workmen planted rows of white, wired posts to hold the thousands of lightbulbs his factory had mass-produced. Glass globes covered the bulbs. The old library annex was converted into a central power station containing 11 generators. When the trains passed by, Edison turned a wheel in the power station and flooded the barren fields with a brilliant array of twinkling streetlights. In addition to the impressive outdoor display, hundreds of lamps installed in his New Jersey research facility sprang to life. It was the most incredible display of artificial light that the world had ever seen.
That winter, Edison was the toast of two cities. Congressmen, dignitaries, bankers, stockbrokers, and celebrities traveled to see his “Fairy-land of Lights.” The publicity stunt worked. He got to go-ahead to bring electricity to Manhattan.
Less than three years later, in 1882, Edison had installed a central generating station that was humming away on New York’s Pearl Street. And as one last treat for the city’s residents, Edward H. Johnson, a longtime associate of Edison’s, put a Christmas tree in the window of his New York City home and decorated it with 80 red, white and blue lights. The electric age had begun.
##### Genius: the faculty of perceiving in an unhabitual way. – William James
#####
Hero: one of the shortestlived professions on Earth. – Will Rogers
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Preparing for the fall run
By Taylor Grussing, SDSU Extension Cow/Calf Field Specialist
In the Upper Midwest, nearly 75% of calves are born in the spring calving season (January to May) according to USDA Beef Cow/calf management survey in 2017. This means that a majority of operations are getting ready for the fall run of selling calves or giving preconditioning shots before weaning. With calves ranging from 4 to 8 months of age in some groups, there are differences that may need to be considered depending on vaccinations, sale plans, and feed availability.
Preconditioning Shots
In order to set the immune system up for shipping or weaning stress, preconditioning shots can be given to calves alongside cows while still on grass. These vaccinations are geared towards prevention of respiratory diseases and clostridial infections. A combination of vaccine types (5-way viral and 7-way vaccines) are available to stimulate the immune system to fight off these diseases. Best management practices recommend revaccination or “booster” of these shots three to four weeks following initial administration for improved immune response. Consult with a Veterinarian on the best vaccination program for different age calves, as well as other processing stressors (castration or dehorning) that may need to be planned before or after weaning. Even if calves are going to be sold straight off the cow, preconditioning shots help sellers deliver healthy calves that benefit both the seller and buyer.
Sale Plans
Make it a priority to talk to the auction market about your fall run marketing plans early rather than late. This communication is key to not only let the auction know what you have to sell this year, but also the timing, to ensure buyers have time to plan. Even if you sell at the same place and time every year, the processing history should accompany the cattle so buyers can determine if the cattle fit into a special program or group when making buying decisions. Small operations are less likely to give this information to the barn and if they do it is done orally, but this should not be the case. On or before sale day, make a written list of processing shots from birth, spring turnout and summer/fall. Other items to provide include: implants, parasite treatment, castration method and feed exposure (creep feed or bunk broke). If operations are working with a Veterinarian, the clinic can often provide you with a vaccine and processing form specific to your herd and send it directly to the auction market.
Having these items written down is critical in today’s auction setting so it can be announced for both attendees in person as well as those watching online. The more information provided increases the confidence a buyer has in the calves and likelihood of them buying from the operation annually. Keep in mind, market shifts may change producer plans this year. Contract dates and weaning plans need to be happening now to hit the desired market, forage availability or cash flow needs.
Feed Availability
When forage quality and quantity decrease in August, calf growth is accelerating. Weaning calves will preserve the forage for cows and can be a good way to add value to calves before marketing depending on feed costs. Feed inventory should be evaluated to compare the amount of feed available and how much will be needed to feed calves. Moreover, additional concentrates (corn or distillers) and supplements should be purchased and delivered before calves enter the weaning pen. Also, younger calves require additional nutrients than calves that are closer to 210 days of age. Work with a nutritionist to test your feeds and design rations for different weaning age groups.
In Summary
Having a plan in place for weaning and marketing will reduce stress for both the operation and calves when the grazing season comes to an end and movement of calves begins. Contact the SDSU Extension Beef Team with questions or take a listen to the Cattle HQ podcast for episodes covering these topics as well.
Jerome Silberman
One of the biggest names in comedy started out as a serious dramatic actor. But he couldn’t imagine seeing ”Jerry Silberman as Hamlet” on a playbill, so in 1959, when he was 26 years old, he chose a new name by combining Eugene Gant, a character in Thomas Wolfe’s novel Look Homeward, Angel, with playwright Thornton Wilder. Later in his life, the Willy Wonka actor joked, “I can’t imagine Gene Wilder playing Hamlet, either.”
New tasks for gardeners
By Jeanne Yeoman, Nebraska Extension Master Gardener.
After a long summer, August and September can be tough for gardens and gardeners alike. Heat, pests, and even hail may have taken a toll, and it can be tempting to just give up until next year. But your landscape (and you) will be happier if you don’t. Key tasks include watering, deadheading, weeding, mulching, harvesting produce, saving seeds, and starting cool-season crops.
During hot weather, it’s essential to water your garden and landscape wisely. Instead of following a schedule, check the soil first – if it’s dry an inch or two below the surface, it’s time to water. Focus on the root zone rather than the leaves and water deeply enough to moisten the soil five to six inches down. Morning is the best time to water, since it allows foliage time to dry quickly and helps the plants stay hydrated through the hottest part of the day. Mulch can be used in all garden settings, including vegetable gardens and containers. Additionally, soil can be built over time with compost and other organic matter, which improves its structure and its ability to hold water.
After watering, check for your common garden weeds, including bindweed, crabgrass, and thistle. While some, like dandelions and purslane, are edible and nutritious. Weeds
compete with vegetables and ornamentals for water, sunlight, and nutrients. They can also harbor pests and diseases or reproduce so prolifically that they return year after year. Weeds thrive where there’s opportunity, especially in open soil with little competition. A few key strategies can make managing them easier and more effective:
Mulching: Apply a layer of mulch to block sunlight and reduce weed growth.
Strategic Watering: Direct water to the plants you want, using drip irrigation or soaker hoses, to avoid encouraging weed germination in open areas.
Garden Bed Design: Plant densely to shade the soil and reduce open gaps. Fast-growing crops like lettuce, arugula, bush beans, or radishes can fill bare spots. The goal is to keep the soil covered so weeds have nowhere to establish.
Excessive soil disturbance can bring dormant weed seeds to the surface. By using these strategies, you can reduce competition for your desirable plants and cultivate a healthier, more productive garden.
Deadheading is an important garden task that keeps plants healthy, encourages new blooms, and keeps your garden looking tidy. Removing spent flowers redirects the plant’s energy from seed production to root and vegetative growth, supporting stronger, longer-lasting plants. To deadhead, simply pinch or cut off faded blooms just above the first set of healthy leaves. Some plants may also produce ornamental seed heads, fruit, or hips that provide winter interest and food for birds and wildlife, so consider leaving those in place.
You may want to save some seeds to carry your best plants into the next season. One key to success is knowing the difference between hybrids and open-pollinated plants. Hybrids are created by crossing two different parent plants, so their seeds won’t reliably reproduce the parents’ qualities. Open-pollinated varieties, including many heirlooms, grow true to type and are the best choice for seed saving. Harvesting seed methods depend on the plant. Wet seeds such as tomatoes, cucumbers, melons, squash, and pumpkins should be collected from fully ripe fruit, fermented in water to remove pulp, then dried. Dry seeds like peas and beans should remain on the plant until pods are brown and seeds rattle inside, then dried indoors before shelling. Many flowers and herbs can also be harvested once seed heads turn brown, though it’s worth checking species-specific guidelines.
After harvest, store seeds properly to keep them viable. They should be kept cool and dry—sealed glass containers in the refrigerator work well. Always label seeds with their name, variety, and collection date. For best results, use them within a year, since older seeds lose vigor and germinate less reliably. Learn more about saving seeds at https://seedsavers. org/learn/#gardening-seed-saving-guides
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Rattlesnakes versus livestock
By Sara Fleenor
Snakes are out and that means interaction with livestock is bound to happen. For the most part, rattlesnake bites are not very common in livestock and are rarely fatal for large animals.
In Crook county, prairie rattlesnakes are our lone venomous snake, which is fortunate. Their bite is painful at the very least and deadly at worst, but it only injects a cytotoxin which is toxic to cells. Snakes like water moccasins, coral snakes, or copperheads have a neurotoxin that affects the nervous system, and their bites are more life-threatening in animals.
Rattlesnake bites vary in degree of seriousness. A dry bite contains no venom but may still involve puncture wounds. Next most severe is the defensive bite, most commonly seen in large dogs and livestock. Venom is released, but most likely a smaller dose than in an aggressive bite. The aggressive bite is intended to kill prey the snake can eat, mostly seen in rodents and the occasional small dog.
Most large livestock will be bitten on the legs or face. The toxins of a rattlesnake bite don’t often kill livestock, but infection at the bite site from bacteria in the snake’s mouth can cause severe complications. Signs of a rattlesnake bite include swelling, discoloration, or blood oozing from the bite. The animal may become lethargic or have black or sloughing skin at the point of penetration. Another complication of snakebite on the face, especially in horses, is swelling of the nostrils, blocking air passages.
If you see an animal get bitten, or suspect snakebite, it is best to get the animal to the vet for treatment. However, in rural areas, the distance to town often hampers getting immediate or even timely help for livestock. If you observe a horse with extreme swelling in the face and nostrils and don’t think you can get to a veterinarian before more damage is done, it is recommended to use a short piece of garden hose or a large syringe center and carefully insert it into the nostrils to keep the airways open. Administering an antiinflammatory is also recommended.
Cattle that experience snakebite are much more resilient than horses. However, venom can trigger abortion depending on the cow’s reaction to the venom and how much is injected. Nothing can be done to stop or prevent the abortion from happening if it is induced.
With all livestock, it is best to check with your veterinarian and get an antibiotic to help prevent infection at the bite. Dexamethasone had been a popular treatment of snakebite previously, but has now been found to slow healing time. A non-steroid medicine is preferred to help with swelling. Sheep and swine are also the occasional victim of snakebites. Like the larger animals, infection at the bite site is the most worrying part. An interesting fact is that sheep blood, along with horse, is often used in anti-venom manufacturing as it produces antibodies to the venom. This factor does not make them immune to snakebite, but it does offer a level of protection against severe reactions. Pigs have a layer of fat and hard skin that protects them from deep punctures for the most part.
Anti-venom is available for severe rattlesnake bites. However, the treatment comes with a hefty price tag. The vials are stored in the freezer and labeled for cats, dogs, and horses. A dose runs close to $500, and large animals may require more than one dose. Previously, a vaccine was available for dogs and horses that helped minimize symptoms if a bite did occur. However, the vaccine is no longer available.
While snake and livestock encounters are bound to happen, they don’t necessarily result in death and can be managed. It is important for producers and owners to be watchful of indications of snake bite and know how to respond appropriately if a bite is suspected.
Sara fleenor is the agriculture and natural resources educator with university of wyoming extension serving crook county. She can be reached at sfleenor@uwyo.edu or (307) 283-1192.
A decimal point
In 1870 the government published a table of nutritional values for different foods. According to the charts, spinach had 10 times as much iron as other vegetables. Actually a decimal point had been misplaced; spinach has about the same amount as other veggies. But a popular misconception had already taken hold that spinach promotes strength. Long-term benefit: It ultimately gave us Popeye the Sailor, who’s “strong to the finish, ‘cause I eats my spinach.”
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First-Calf Heifers: The Post-Calving Nutrition Mistake You Can’t Afford to Make
By: Dagan Montgomery, UW Extension Educator, Sublette County
Heifers are the future of the cow herd. These young females represent genetic progress, years of investment, and the foundation of the herd’s long-term productivity. But as most ranchers know, despite their potential, they’re also the most demanding to manage. During and after their first pregnancy, proper nutritional management is critical to ensure heifers recover in time to be rebred and remain productive members of the herd.
After delivering their first calf, heifers face a unique set of challenges. The postcalving period is the most nutritionally demanding time in a beef cow’s production cycle—and even more so for a first-calf heifer. They’re both nursing a calf, which demands large amounts of energy, as well as recovering from calving, which at this point is the most stressful event they’ve likely yet experienced. It is important to remember that they are also still growing themselves and must prepare for rebreeding—all while competing with mature cows for resources if they’re run in the same herd.
Because energy is prioritized by the body for basic maintenance first, followed by lactation, growth, and finally reproduction, any shortfall in energy intake can delay or prevent a return to heat. If their nutritional needs aren’t met during this critical window, their likelihood of successfully being rebred that summer will be diminished, and the consequences can ripple through your herd’s reproductive success and bottom line for years.
Heifers vs. mature cows: comparing nutritional needs
On a total pounds of energy and protein basis, the requirements of heifers and mature cows are similar at the same stage of lactation. But the difference lies in intake capacity (Table 1).
Simply put, mature cows can eat more. They have larger rumens and better feed efficiency, which gives them an edge when forage quality is marginal. First-calf heifers, on the other hand, have limited intake— especially around the time of calving. Research from the University of Nebraska shows that intake drops by about 17% in the three weeks leading up to calving, only rebounding to more normal levels roughly a week after calving. That means the diet needs to be more nutrient-dense to meet their energy and protein needs in a smaller volume of feed. In other words, the overall percentage of the diet made up of protein and energy needs to be higher for first-calf heifers than with mature cows. This is why it is a good idea to separate heifers from
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First-Calf Heifers: The Post-Calving Nutrition Mistake You Can’t
Afford to Make
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mature cows leading up to calving, if possible, to manage them on a more nutrient dense feed regimen to avoid underfeeding heifers or overfeeding mature cows.
Assessing body condition to monitor nutrition
Keeping first-calf heifers in adequate body condition is critical. Ideally, they should calve in a body condition score (BCS) of 5 or 6 and maintain that through the breeding season. Lower BCS animals will have a longer postpartum interval (PPI), or the time between calving and coming back into heat. The longer her PPI, the less chance she will have to be bred by the desired time frame. If she is to continue calving year to year, she needs to be rebred within a window of 60 to 85 days.
Unfortunately, many producers see heifers lose weight and fall below this BCS threshold between calving and breeding, reducing their chances of conceiving early—and pushing them into a late calving cycle or out of the herd altogether.
Note: A common misconception is that a first-calf heifer at a lower BCS (below a 5) will lead to a lower birthweight calf and, therefore, fewer calving difficulties. This is not true. Birth weight is influenced more by genetics than BCS and will only decrease slightly if a heifer is kept underweight. Not only can a low BCS worsen calving difficulty and weaken the heifer, but it can also jeopardize her ability to breed back.
(For a better look at how to monitor BCS, refer to the University of Wyoming Extension’s “3-Step Body Condition Scoring (BCS) Guide for Range Cattle: Implications for Grazing and Reproduction” found at wyoextension.org/publications.)
Supplementing a higher nutritional demand
Providing high-quality forage is important, but forage alone often won’t meet minimum nutritional needs—especially in Wyoming herds calving in late winter or early spring. For instance, hay with 58% total digestible nutrients (TDN) and 11% crude protein (CP) might look decent on paper due to the relatively high CP, but it falls short of the 62% TDN required to support lactation and reproduction in first-calf heifers.
That’s why strategic supplementation is critical on Wyoming ranches, where harsh winters and late springs often prevent sufficient forage production from lining up with calving. Energy and protein dense feeds such as distillers’ grains, gluten feed, 20% protein cubes, or alfalfa hay can be used to
bridge the gap. Depending on hay quality and supplement type, it may take two to three pounds per head per day of additional energy and protein to meet requirements. Feeding loose by-product supplements can be a challenge in a pasture setting, but studies show that supplement processed into cubes or “cake” shows little wastage. Alfalfa is a very common supplemental feed in Wyoming. Alfalfa can be a sufficient source of protein and energy when fed with grass hay or pasture. However, it is important to note that alfalfa can still fall below requirements for both TDN and CP. Therefore, it is critical to test each lot of alfalfa hay for nutritive value before relying on it to fill in for what grass hay lacks. For more information on testing hay, refer to “Hay Testing for Cattle: Understanding the Results” available at wyoextension.org/ publications. It is also worth noting that much of the CP in alfalfa hay is made up of rumen degradable protein (RDP), rather than rumen undegradable protein (RUP), as is found in higher quantities in by-product feeds. RUP is more efficiently converted to muscle and structural growth and therefore feeds like distillers’ grains or beet pulp may be more beneficial to the first-calf heifer. Minerals, while often overlooked, are also key components of a balanced diet. With a solid base diet, a good mineral program is essential for reproductive perfor mance and milk production. For a growing heifer that is now producing milk for her calf, mineral supplementation can be critical, especially if forage is lacking.
The payoff is getting it right First-calf heifers that are fed and managed correctly after calving are far more likely to rebreed on time while providing for the calf, stay on the right calving schedule, and become long-term, productive members of the herd. Those that don’t get the nutrition they need are more likely to fall behind or drop out entirely.
Heifers require more labor and feed inputs than their mature counterparts. But when managed correctly, the investment pays off and heifers turn into dependable cows that will raise heavy calves and calve on schedule for years to come. Understand the increased nutritional requirements of the heifer herd, monitor BCS throughout the production cycle immediately before and after calving, and develop a supplement program to meet the heifer’s needs. This will optimize their ability to get rebred and remain a productive part of the beef herd in years to come.
*Average milk production **based on the 2016 NRC
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*Cow *Heifer
**Table 1. Comparison of feed requirements of mature cow and first-calf heifer
Master Gardener: Choosing the best tulips and daffodils for your landscape
By Kathy Tando, Nebraska Extension Master Gardener
Nothing quite announces spring in the same way as Tulips and Daffodils do. Bulbs are a great addition to any yard, but to see them in your landscape, you have to think now. Spring flowering bulbs need to go in the ground in late September through October to give them sufficient time to establish roots to produce sturdy flowers next year.
Some considerations when deciding on whether to plant tulips or daffodils. Tulips will survive our winds best if planted with some protection. Daffodils tolerate our winds better. If you have a vole or mole problem, they love tulip bulbs, but don’t bother daffodil bulbs. With that in mind, you might build an artificial fence around tulip bulbs with daffodils - some plant tulips in sturdy wire cages to outsmart the rodents.
Once you decide on tulips, daffodils, or both, be sure to read all the details when purchasing bulbs. Some will be listed as early spring, blooming in March or April. Mid-spring produce flowers in late April or early May, those labeled late spring bloom toward the end of May, and very late spring generally bloom in June. A mixture of all could give your yard color from March through June.
Maybe not the Charmin, but certainly squeeze the bulbs before purchasing. When purchasing bulbs, make sure they are healthy and firm without blemishes on the surface. Select the largest bulbs for the best blooms. Bulbs that are small for the variety may not even bloom the first year. If you buy early for the best selections, keep them in a cool, dry area until planting time.
Bulbs prefer a well-drained soil to flour-
ish. Dig the hole to the proper depth required, depending upon the bulb size. After digging the hole, add one part organic matter to every four parts of soil. Preparing a bed that will hold several bulbs spaced appropriately will provide a showier mass of blooms. Loosen the soil below the bed to encourage good root penetration. Properly preparing the bed for your new bulbs will pay dividends in years to come.
Another bulb to consider is the allium, a member of the onion family. Alliums grow on a stock that can reach 4-5 feet tall, normally with a big globe-shaped flower. The flower is made up of hundreds of florets that radiate from a central core. More colors and shorter varieties are now becoming available. Plant some this fall and be amazed come this spring, early summer.
Without a good foundation, no amount of TLC or money will produce great results. Healthy soil equals healthy plants. When you build and maintain fertile soil rich in organic matter, you literally lay the groundwork for thriving plants that can develop quickly, resist pests and diseases, and yield a bountiful crop. Organic soil amendments such as compost, aged manure, or cover crops can improve soil quality while providing a source of nutrients that last through the growing season.
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Welcome new SD FFA membersprovide a corduroy jacket
The SD FFA Foundation’s Blue Jackets program is carrying forward a long-standing tradition of pride, dignity and honor, by providing FFA jackets for members to earn. Help the Blue Jackets program welcome youth into the FFA family, providing SD FFA member their very own jacket!
The FFA corduroy jacket is more than part of Official Dress. To its owner, the FFA jacket is a physical reminder of the personal accomplishments achieved through the organization - a symbol of hope and belonging for all who wear the corduroy. An FFA jacket has the power to fill members with confidence, a sense of hope for their future and provide them with a physical piece of belonging to a community they love, FFA. It unifies members in a long-standing tradition. Let’s give every member the chance to be part of the tradition.
“Putting on that blue corduroy jacket with your name on for the first time is something you never forget,” says Sandy Osterday, SD FFA Foundation president. “Whether it’s zipping up your jacket for the first time, seeing a mob of 60,000 blue jackets wandering the streets at National FFA Convention, or proudly hanging your jacket in the closet after an event, each FFA jacket holds a lifetime of memories and accomplishments. We want every SD FFA member to have that experience, if your FFA jacket still holds fond memories for you, we invite you to sponsor a jacket.”
This school year South Dakota will have 114 FFA chapters, more chapters than ever. When students join the FFA, they typically purchase or borrow jackets to compete in the many Leadership and Career Development Events offered through FFA. The jacket is their team “uniform” to be worn at all official FFA events. In 2024 more than 600 members applied for a jacket through the Blue Jackets program, which was able to award 458 jackets. With the continued growth of agriculture education and FFA programs, the need this fall will be greater than ever.
Help us award members their very own jacket by supporting the Blue Jackets campaign. Your donation of $90 provides a jacket, an FFA tie or scarf + shipping to the chapter. Donate by September 15th online at: http://sdffafoundation.org/, mail sponsorship to: SD FFA Foundation, PO Box 1500, Rapid City, SD 57709 or, for more information contact Gerri Ann Eide, SD FFA Foundation Executive Director at 605-765-4865 or gerri@sdffafoundation.org.
The SD FFA Foundation is proud to support Agricultural Education and the FFA’s mission to make a difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural education. For more information about the South Dakota FFA Foundation and South Dakota’s FFA programs, visit www.sdffafoundation. org or like us on Facebook.
Dakota Gardener: The worst weeds have superpowers
By Esther E. McGinnis, Horticulturist, NDSU Extension
After battling garden weeds all summer, I have a begrudging respect for them. Some of them seem to have superpowers that enable them to thrive in gardens. These weeds evolved unique traits that make them almost invincible in the garden
I am currently battling yellow wood sorrel in one of my neglected shade garden beds. The tiny plants look rather innocent with their three heart-shaped leaflets that resemble clover and small yellow flowers. However, I know their secret to conquer the world. Yellow wood sorrel produces a banana-shaped seed pod. When ripe, the pod explodes and flings the seeds more than ten feet away, thus enabling their spread. Fortunately, the plants are easy to pull, and wood mulch can also be effective in minimizing germination.
Common mullein is frequently seen in ditches and pastures but can make its way into gardens. Many gardeners mistake it for lamb’s ear because it produces a cluster of woolly, silvery-green leaves. The weed is a biennial, which means that it has a two-year life cycle. In its second year, it will send up a five-foot flowering stalk with yellow flowers. Although the flowers are pretty, don’t let them go to seed. A single plant can produce well over 200,000 seeds. Doesn’t that sound like an attempt at world domination?
Purslane flies under the radar as a matforming weed in sunny gardens. The plants are recognized by the fleshy, teardropshaped leaves that grow on red stems. These succulent leaves give the plant the ability to
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tolerate drought. The weed’s superpower is its ability to regenerate from plant pieces. Many gardeners have discovered the plant’s regenerative powers while hoeing. If pieces are left in the garden, the plant will root and produce new plants. One of my friends extracts her revenge on this weed by pickling and eating it.
No list of problem garden weeds is complete without the dandelion. The lowly dandelion has two superpowers. Its regenerative powers are legendary. The dandelion produces a long, fleshy taproot similar to a carrot. When extracting the taproot from the soil, it is essential to get most of it. If a large enough portion of the taproot is left in the soil, it will regrow. Dandelion’s second superpower is its distribution properties, consisting of a cottony parachute to carry away the seeds.
Last but not least, Canada thistle strikes fear in the hearts of gardeners. This noxious weed and garden thug features a massive and aggressive root system. Over time, the root system can spread horizontally up to 15 feet or more. You don’t need to be a superhero to eradicate Canada thistle. However, you do need to be persistent. If you are trying to remove the spiny plants by hand, wear gloves and remove as much of the root as possible. Some people have been successful in using a thick, opaque tarp to deprive the plants of necessary sunlight. If all else fails, carefully spot-spraying in spring and fall with an approved herbicide is the most effective method for managing this pesky weed.
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USDA reminds Montana producers to file crop acreage reports
After spring planting is complete, agricultural producers in Montana should make an appointment with their local Farm Service Agency (FSA) county office to complete crop acreage reports before the applicable deadline.
“In order to receive many USDA program benefits, producers should file an accurate crop acreage report by the applicable deadline,” said Mike Foster, State Executive Director in Montana. “Call your local FSA office to make an appointment after planting is complete to report your acreage and take care of any other FSA-related business.”
How to File a Report
A crop acreage report documents a crop grown on a farm or ranch, its intended use and location. Producers should file an accurate crop acreage report for all crops and land uses, including failed acreage and prevented planted acreage before the applicable deadline.
The following acreage reporting dates are applicable in Montana:
November 17, 2025: Apiculture, Fall Wheat (Hard Red Winter), and all other Fall Seeded Small Grains. Please note this is the last date to late file 2025 crop year for these crops.
January 2, 2026: Honeybee colony inventory reporting for 2026. Please note this is the last date to late file 2025 colony inventory.
January 15, 2026: Established stand alfalfa seed, fall alfalfa seed (NAP= spring & fall Alf SD), and cherries for acreage reporting
To file a crop acreage report, producers need to provide:
Crop and crop type or variety
Intended crop use
Number of crop acres
Map with approximate crop boundaries
Planting date(s)
Planting pattern, when applicable
Producer share(s)
Irrigation practice(s)
Acreage prevented from planting, when applicable
Other required information
Acreage Reporting Details
The following exceptions apply to acreage reporting dates:
If the crop has not been planted by the acreage reporting deadline, then the acreage must be reported no later than 15 calendar days after planting is completed.
If a producer acquires additional acreage after the acreage reporting deadline, then the
acreage must be reported no later than 30 calendar days after purchase or acquiring the lease. Appropriate documentation must be provided to the county office.
Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP) policy holders should note that the acreage reporting date for NAPcovered crops is the acreage reporting date or 15 calendar days before grazing or crop harvesting begins, whichever is earlier.
Producers with perennial forage crops should check with their local FSA office to see if their crops are eligible for continuous certification, which rolls the certified acreage forward each year until a change is made.
Prevented Planted Acreage
Producers should also report the crop acreage they intended to plant but were unable to because of a natural disaster, including drought. Prevented planted acreage must be reported on form CCC-576, Notice of Loss, no later than 15 calendar days after the final planting date as established by FSA and USDA’s Risk Management Agency (RMA).
Farmers.gov Portal
Producers can access their FSA farm records, maps, and common land units through the farmers.gov customer portal. The portal allows producers to export field boundaries as shapefiles and import and view other shapefiles, such as precision agriculture boundaries within farm records mapping. Producers can view, print and label their maps for acreage reporting purposes. A login.gov account that is linked to a USDA customer record is required to use the portal.
Producers can visit farmers.gov/account to learn more about creating an account. Producers who have the authority to act on behalf of another customer as a grantee via an FSA-211 Power of Attorney form, Business Partner Signature Authority or as a member of a business can now access information for the business in the farmers. gov portal.
Geospatial Acreage Reporting
Acreage reports using precision agriculture planting boundaries can be filed electronically with an approved insurance provider or an authorized third-party provider, who will then share the file with FSA staff. Producers should notify their local FSA office if they submitted an electronic geospatial acreage report containing precision planting boundaries that they want to use as part of their FSA acreage report.
MFU Convention Day Camp offers activities for Convention’s youth attendees
Family members of all ages can enjoy Montana Farmers Union’s 110th Annual State Convention with a free kids Day Camp to be offered from 8 a.m. to noon and from 1 to 5 p.m. on both October 31 and November 1 for kids ages 5-12.
The days will be full of fun harvest festival themed activities geared to teach kids more about agriculture, including apple growing, scarecrow making, pool time, a costume contest, pumpkin carving, and the pumpkin lifecycle.
“The kids camp at MFU annual convention is intended to provide a safe, fun learn-
ing environment for the younger family members at convention. The youth are our future, and this will provide them with a memorable convention experience tailored to their youthful needs and interests,” said Jodi Koterba, MFU’s education director. Register for the Day Camp when you register for Convention to be held October 31-November 1, with preconvention farm tours offered October 30 and a Family Farm Succession Planning Institute planned November 2, all based at the Yogo Inn in Lewistown. Register at www.montanafarmersunion.com.
low boy service
Breakfast in Bed Day
This holiday is observed on the fourth Saturday in September (September 27, 2025)
Start the day off right and don’t get up for breakfast. The object today’s holiday is to begin it in a casual and leisurely manner. It sets the tone for how you go about the entire day.
Americans lead fast and hectic lives. And Saturdays are often the busiest of them all as we get the kids to and from sports programs, do grocery shopping, and attend to a myriad of chores at home. We are so busy most days that we might not even take the time for breakfast. We grab a cup of coffee and are on our way. This holiday is designed to slow it down for just one day to stop and smell the bacon.
On Mother’s Day and Father’s Day, children often serve their parents breakfast in bed. Today everybody gets in the act. We suggest you begin by sleeping in a little. First, don’t set the alarm clock. Next, get someone to bring into your room a tray of pancakes and sausage or your favorite morning fare on a silver platter. If you live alone, quickly hop out of bed, grab a cup of coffee and some bagels or a donut. Then, hop back into bed and chow down.
Breakfast in Bed is Fun and Enjoyable
The object of this holiday is for everyone to wake up to a fun and relaxing breakfast before they get up to start the day. Ideally, there is someone in the house to make breakfast for you today and serve it on a tray as you arise. Won’t the kids be surprised when you enter their bedroom carrying a tray with their favorite cereal and some juice. Kids can bring their parents toast and jelly just like they do on Mother’s and Father’s Day. For couples, the one who wakes up first can make breakfast, and then hop back into bed with two trays containing coffee and “the works”. Or, they both can get up and make breakfast together, and then return to bed to eat it. You never know what kind of frolicking and fun activity that can lead to.
Now that you’ve enjoyed a relaxing, stress-free Breakfast in Bed Day, you still have the whole day left as you arise in a happier, more relaxed manner. You are better prepared to face the hectic day. Or better still, continue to relax and enjoy a beautiful early fall day.
History and Origin of Breakfast in Bed Day
In 2023, Bob Matthews from Rochester, NY, and owner of HolidayInsights.com created this pleasant and relaxing day. Matthews says we lead busy lives, normally hopping out of bed and on the go all day long. This holiday encourages us to take a break by starting with a leisurely breakfast in bed. This will set the tone for the day and it will be a far more pleasurable day.
A late September Saturday morning was selected as summer is over and people are “moving indoors”. The hectic holidays are still months away. So, Matthews says it just seems like a good time to have a leisurely Saturday and what better way to start it off, than breakfast in bed?
Constitution Day
Date When Celebrated: Always observed on September 17th
Chianina Cattle
Written by Christina Pichler in Cattle Breeds
Chianina cattle are an Italian breed and one of the oldest breeds of cattle in Europe. Chianina oxen are well known for their use as draft animals, but the Chianina cattle of today are primarily used for meat production.
Where Does Chianina Cattle Come From?
Chianina cattle are originally from Valdichiana in central Italy and date back to the days of the Romans, nearly 2000 years ago. Statues from this time depict Chianina cattle being used in the fields, and slaughtered as sacrifices.
The highest amount of purebred Chianina cattle in the 21st century reside in Siena and Arezzo. They weren’t exported to other countries until after the conclusion of WWII.
Chianina semen was first introduced to America in the late 1960’s and the first live calves were imported from Canada following the standard livestock quarantine period in the early 1970’s.
In 1972, the American Chianina Association was founded to maintain a herd book. The association was interested in using Chianina in composite programs and had successful results when they crossbred Chianina with Angus to produce the ChiAngus breed.
They subsequently went on to produce the Chi-Ford, which is a cross between Hereford and Chianina as well as the ChiMaine, which is a cross between Chianina and Maine Anjou.
Their weaknesses include small udders limiting milk production and reach puberty at a later age. They have a high heat tolerance but are not suited for cold climates.
What Is So Special About Chianina Cattle?
Chianina cattle are both the tallest and heaviest cattle in the world, with the world record for weight being held by a Chianina bull named Donetto who clocked in at 3,840lbs in 1955.
The weight and strength of these cattle make them ideal for both draft and beef production purposes.
Beef Production
Chianina cattle are known for highquality lean meat with heavy musculature yielding a higher than average dressing percentage (65%) than many other beef cattle.
Chianina beef is more expensive than similar products of other beef breeds, and has a reputation for quality. It is the only beef used in Tuscany to make a proper beefsteak Florentine style (bistecca alla fiorentina), with the meat coming as a T-Bone cut from a Chianina calf.
Chianina has a high lean meat-to-fat ratio when compared to Continental breeds and have excellent genes that reduce fat waste in calves.
Draught Cattle
When used as draught cattle, they are non-aggressive, submissive to people and have the ability to take direction well.
The Continental Congress of the United States of America was tasked by representatives of the 13 colonies with coming up with a constitution for our fledging, newly formed country. The congress held its final meeting on September 17, 1787. Do you have any idea why? That’s right! It was to sign the Constitution of the United States of America, a document for which they so painstakingly labored to create and perfect. In the first early years of the republic, it was recognized that more laws and a series of declared rights were needed in addition to the original constitution. Subsequently, the Bill of Rights and the first ten Amendments were adopted on December 15, 1791.
After the meeting, there was still much to do. Individual states then had to meet and vote on it. The U.S. Constitution did not go into effect until two years later on March 4, 1789. How to Celebrate Constitution Day
• Fly the Flag.
• Read the U.S. Constitution.
• Hold your own Constitution party.
Today’s Quote
“Our constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is in adequate to the government of any other.”
– – President John Adams
Today, over 300,000 head of cattle are registered in America alone. The Chianina breed continues to have a strong presence in the beef industry throughout the world and are highly regarded for their excellent genetics and conformation.
Chianina Cattle are large, well-muscled, short hair white and grey cattle with black pigmented skin, and short horns.
The average calf weight is 110 lbs. A mature cow weighs an average of 1740 to 2200 lbs and average a height of 5.5”
A mature bull weighs an average of 2500 to 3800 lbs and average a height of 5’11” to 6’7” tall.
They have a gestation period of 10 months and calve first at 2.6 years.
Best time to slaughter is 19 to 20 months with a carcass weight of 1025 lbs.
Chianina cattle have an expected lifespan of 20 years and have a productive livespan of 5+ years.
They are known for well-defined muscling and beef production and are the largest bovine in the world in terms of height and weight.
They have high endurance with extremely strong legs which enables them to perform a number of farm-related purposes.
Why Should I Raise Chianina Cattle On My Farm?
Chianina cattle are an easy to handle breed with excellent temperament. Are adaptable to hot climates, and able to withstand humidity. They are in high demand as terminal sires and used extensively in crossbreeding programs due to their size. They are able to forage and thrive on lowquality grass and vegetation.
Chianina cows have excellent mothering instincts and are likely to calve multiples and don’t typically have difficulty calving. They rarely suffer from genetic disorders and disease and are resistant to parasites.
Chianina have a short, smooth coat with white hair.
Crossing Chianina with British breeds increases growth rates and increases hybrid vigor.
Chianina are resistant to both pinkeye and eye cancer due to pigmentation around eyes. They are great for both small-scale and large-scale farming operations
2024
370 tractor with cab, MFWD, IVT transmission, right hand reverser, ILS suspension, 84 gpm pump, 22 front weights, 1500# rear weights per side. 787 hours. Stock #93637 $505,000
2024 John Deere 8R 370 tractor, IVT transmission, ILS, dual hydraulic pump 85 gallon per minute, 6 selective control valves, autonomy prep package, cab suspension, 480/95/50 rear tires with duals, 480/70/34 front tires with duals, 1800# rear weights, 22 front weights, 604 hours. Stock #94392
2024 John Deere 6155M cab tractor MFWD with 640R loader and grapple, 20 speed PowrQuad with left hand reverser, AutoTrac ready less receiver, 3 SCV, beacon and work lights, triple link front suspension, mechanical cab suspension, Panorama roof, 2-450# weights each side and liquid ballast. Factory Warranty good till 7-25-2026 or 2000 hours, PowrGard Warranty good till 7-23-2030 or 4000 hours. Stock #93780, 403 hours.
$215,000
$462,500
(2) 2024 John Deere 8R 340 tractor with IVT transmission, right hand reverser, air seat, cab suspension, autonomy prep package, six selective control valves, 84 gallon per minute hydraulic pump, 420/85/34 front tires with duals, 480/80/50 rear tires with duals, 1500# each side rear, 22 front weights, 1300 hours. Stock #94390 & 94391. Each
$429,000
2023 John Deere 8R 340 Signature Edition, IVT with RHR, ILS, full GPS, 6 SCVs, 380/90R54 rear tires with duals, 380/80R38 front tires with duals, 291 hours. 6 year/4000 hour extended PowrGard Warranty. Stock #90254
$433,000
2022 John Deere 8R 310 IVT with RHR, ILS, full GPS, 6 SCVs, 480/80R50 rear tires with duals, 420/85R34 front tire with duals, 1257 hours. 6 year/4000 hour extended PowrGard Warranty. Stock #90255.
$373,000
2022 John Deere 7R 290 cab tractor, MFWD, IVT transmission, Command Pro, air seat & cab suspension, triple link suspension, front & rear fenders, Ultimate Visibility package. PowrGard Warranty good till 10-23-2029 or 5000 hours. Which ever comes first. 603 hours. Stock #91693
$328,000
2024 John Deere 6155M cab tractor MFWD with 640R loader & grapple, 20 speed PowrQuad with left hand reverser, AutoTrac ready less receiver, 3 SCV, beacon and work lights, triple link front suspension, mechanical cab suspension, Panorama roof, 2-450# weights each side, liquid ballast. Factory Warranty good till 7-25-2026 or 2000 hours, PowrGard Warranty good till 7-23-2030 or 4000 hours. Stock #93779, 233 hours. $215,000
2024 John Deere 6155M cab tractor, MFWD, 20 speed PowrQuad with left hand reverser, 3 SCVs, 640R loader and grapple, triple link suspension, cab suspension, Panorama roof, 2-450# weights each side, ballast rear tires, 125 hours, extended warranty good until 10/2030 or 4000 hours. Stock #94327
$212,500
2023 John Deere 6110M cab tractor, MFWD, 24 speed PowrQuad with reverser, 3 SCVs, 30 gpm hydraulic pump, rack & pinion rear axle, cast wheels, 3 function loader ready, mechanical cab suspension & Panorama roof. Factory Warranty good till 4-182026, Powertrain Warranty good till 4-17-2030 or 4000 hours. Stock #93207.
$142,500
2023 John Deere 6110M cab tractor, MFWD, 24 speed PowrQuad with reverser, 3 SCVs, 30 gpm hydraulic pump, rack & pinion rear axle, cast wheels, 3 function loader ready, mechanical cab suspension & Panoram roof. Factory Warranty good till 4-182026, Powertrain Warranty good will 4-17-2030 or 4000 hours. 502 hours. Stock #93208.
$140,000
2018 New Holland T6.170 cab, MFD, 16 speed, Dual Command transmission, 845TL loader & grapple, 888 hours. Stock #86681.
$126,000
New Holland T6.165 cab tractor, MFD, 16 speed Powershift transmission, 3 SCVs, 855LA 2 function loader 1220 hours. Stock #92103.
$110,000
2015 New Holland T7.210 T4A MFD, 165 hp, Powershift, 3 SCVs, 2380 hours. Stock #91852.
$120,000
2023 John Deere 5090E cab tractor, MFWD, 12/12 transmission with left hand reverser, loader ready, air seat, 3 SCVs, approximately 700 hours. Factory warranty good till 10-2025, Powertrain good till 10-2028 or 3500 hours. Stock #91752. $68,500
Behind the buzz
By Chevy-Lynn Vaske, K-State Research and Extension news service
While wasps often get a bad reputation during summer picnics and yard work, not all are out to sting. In fact, many wasps are considered beneficial insects, helping to manage pest populations in gardens, fields and around the home, according to Kansas State University entomologist Jeff Whitworth.
“There are many different types of wasps in Kansas, but generally we group them into four main categories,” Whitworth said. “Two are social species that live in colonies, and two are solitary. All of them have their place in our ecosystem.”
Whitworth explained that the two species, often called paper wasps, build nests that resemble gray paper. Some species nest above ground, while others build their homes in the soil. These wasps often become noticeable during yardwork or when lifting hay bales or rocks.
“These wasps are usually non-aggressive,” Whitworth said. “If you disturb the nest, especially the underground kind, they’ll defend it just like a honeybee colony would.”
Unlike honeybees, which can sting only once, wasps can sting multiple times. Whitworth said that’s because female wasps don’t lose their stinger after using it.
“The female wasps are the hunters,” he said. “They sting caterpillars, grasshoppers or crickets to paralyze them and bring them back to their nest to feed their young. That’s why we consider them beneficial; they’re natural predators of many garden pests.”
Solitary wasps, like mud daubers, also help manage insect populations.
“They build, fill and seal the nest, then move on. They don’t come back to check on it and they rarely bother people.”
Whitworth said most wasps are harmless when left alone. However, there are times when you may need to remove a nest.
“Whether it’s a paper nest under an eave or a burrow in the ground, you’ll have better success treating the site at night,” he said. “Many common household insecticides are labeled for wasps, and the goal is to eliminate the nest when the wasps are home.”
Even outdoor events can draw a wasp’s attention, especially those attracted to sugar.
“They’re drawn to anything with sugar,” Whitworth said. “If you’re having a picnic, keep those things (containing sugar) covered or contained. “ Ultimately, Whitworth emphasized that most of the time wasps are more misunderstood than menacing.
“They’re not out to get you,” he said. “They’re just doing their jobs. Unless disturbed, most of them won’t bother you. They’re doing a service by helping control other pests.”
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If you ate nothing but rabbit meat, you would die from protein poisoning. This would be a mixture of too much protein and an absence of fat in the diet.
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In the 1980s, the founder of Pringles, Fredric Baur, requested to be buried in a Pringles can. His children honored the request.
Kioti DK4720SEHC tractor with KL5521 loader, cab, heat, A/C, HST transmission, Cat I 3-point, 540 PTO, 47 hp. 1 in stock
Kioti DK5320SEHC tractor with KL5521 loader, cab, heat, A/C, HST transmission, 4WD, 3-point, PTO. 1 in stock
Kioti DK4720SEH tractor, KL5521 loader, 4WD, HST transmission, Cat I 3-point, 540 PTO. 1 in stock
Kioti CK3520H tractor with KL4030 loader, 4WD, HST transmission, Cat I 3-point, 540 PTO. 1 in stock
Kioti CK2620H tractor with KL4030 loader, 25 hp, tier 3 diesel engine, HST transmission 1 in stock
Kioti CX2510H tractor with KL5510 loader, 25 hp, 4WD, Cat I 3-point, 540 PTO, HST transmission 1 in stock
Kioti CS2210H tractor with SL2410 loader 2 in stock
Kioti CS2210H with SL2410 loader, 50” SSQA bucket, 4WD, 540 PTO, Cat I 3-point, 22 hp, 42 hours and 5 year warranty Comes with 50” back blade.
$12,000
Farmall 504 tractor with Ford HD post pounder. $5500 Oliver 88 project tractor. $1000
Necessary steps to take for private drinking water
wells impacted by flooding
Floodwater and runoff from the recent heavy rains throughout some areas Nebraska may potentially carry multiple pollutants with it. During floods water comes in contact with many things it normally would not, including but not limited to untreated septic waste, animal waste, gasoline, chemical and fuel storage facilities, and more. If your private drinking water well has been impacted by floodwater, your water supply may have been contaminated with pollutants carried in the floodwater, thus making it unsafe for consumption.
Nebraska Extension’s Disaster Education team has put together water treatment options, including shock chlorination, for contaminated (or potentially-contaminated) water.
Wells at greatest risk of contamination from floodwater or surface water runoff include:
Wells that were submerged with flood water or surface water runoff
Wells located in a pit (where a wellhead, and possibly other well equipment, are located in a below-ground enclosure)
Dug wells or any wells that do not have a watertight casing
Wells that do not have watertight, secure cover or cap
Wells constructed prior to 1986. (Prior to water well construction regulations in Nebraska, construction practices did not have a mandatory grout seal in the annular space around the well casing, making it less resistant to having surface runoff or floodwaters enter the well.)
Managing Wells after a Flooding Event
If you know or think your private drinking water well has been impacted by floodwater, follow the steps below. (Only follow steps 4-8 if you feel comfortable doing so.)
DO NOT USE well water for cooking, drinking or brushing teeth until laboratory analysis confirms it is safe
TURN OFF the power to all well equipment at the breaker panel
Wear waterproof, rubber-soled shoes or boots when inspecting around your wellhead and property — electricity and water can create a dangerous situation
Determine whether the wellhead was flooded
Inspect your wellhead for floodwater or signs of flooding disturbance. Debris and mud around the property, or water or mud stains on the wellhead, may indicate that the well was flooded.
5. Inspect the ground surface around the wellhead for erosion or instability
a. Inspect the area around your wellhead for erosion or breaks in the ground that may lead to unsafe conditions, or a pathway for floodwater and contaminants to get in the well
6. Inspect the sanitary well cover/cap/seal and vent
a. Note if the cover/cap and seal are securely fastened to the well casing. Look to see if the vent is still intact. Sediment and debris may enter the well through a loose well cap or vent and contaminate it if the wellhead was submerged.
7. Inspect the well casing
a. Note if the exposed well casing appears to be bent, shifted, or cracked. Damages such as these may allow water, sediment, and debris to enter the well, thus increasing the risk of contamination.
8. Inspect electrical components, wiring, and conduit
a. Make sure that power has been shut off to the well.
Note if there are any exposed/damaged wiring or electrical components, or any signs the system has been submerged. Did water enter any of the electrical components?
9. If there are any signs of the above-mentioned conditions, no matter how slight, contact a Nebraska licensed water well contractor
Why it is important to contact a Nebraska licensed water well contractor for further inspection and repairs, and next steps to take:
1. Nebraska licensed water well contractors know Nebraska Regulations Governing Water Well Construction, Pump Installation, and Water Well Decommissioning Standards. They have gone through the examination process to become licensed to be a water well contractor in Nebraska.
2. An experienced Nebraska licensed contractor can identify problems that may not be apparent to the well owner
3. Clean out any debris or sediment that entered the well
4. Make repairs as necessary in accordance with state regulations
5. Disinfect the well with shock chlorination. Allow the disinfectant to remain undisturbed in the well distribution system for at least 3 hours, preferably overnight. The system CONTINUED ON PAGE C5
Necessary steps to take for private drinking water wells impacted by flooding
must be flushed after the disinfection process to remove any debris and flush contaminates from the water system before testing for drinkability.
6. One to two weeks following shock chlorination, either the water well contractor or you must contact a certified testing laboratory and tell them you want to have your private water supply tested for bacteria due to flooding. They will provide a test kit with detailed instructions for collecting a sample and sample submission.
7. Do not use the water from your well until the laboratory has informed you it is safe and free of bacterial contamination. It may be necessary to repeat the disinfection and testing process several times before the well is free of contamination.
It is important to note that if floodwater came close to your well (100 feet or less) but did not reach the well, you should have your water tested as a precaution to protect the health of you, your family and your animals.
For more information on testing and treating water from a well that may have been contaminated by floodwater, see these UNL Extension NebGuides: Drinking Water Treatment
Emergency Disinfection of Drinking Water
Drinking Water: Testing for Quality
Drinking Water: Bacteria
Drinking Water Treatment: Shock Chlorination.
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During the pandemic, my two granddaughters—six and eight years old—were being home-schooled by their mom. One day, the eight-year-old had a spelling bee with her sister. “Spell ‘elephant,’” the older one said. “Let her spell small animals, not big ones,” said her mom. The older sister paused, then said, “Spell ‘mosquito.’”
HYDRAULIC SQUEEZE CHUTE FOR SALE
8-ft. alley, 16-ft. round tub and portable loading chute (406) 531-1036
Saint Ignatius, Montana --- Delivery available
Scott Schmiedeke (406) 240-2572 Victor, MT
Henry Kallis (605) 639-1904
Spearfish, SD
See us on the web: www.tte-inc.com
2013 Gehl RS6-42, 2760 hours, OROPS, work light package, 3-way steering, frame tilt, 60” fork carriage, 54” forks, new tires, 6600 pound lift capacity, 42-ft. reach, job site ready. Located in Victor, MT $46,900
2013 Kaufman AP-22.5-25 equipment trailer, 20-ft. deck with 5-ft. beaver tail, 101” wide, 45K GVWR, 22.5 tires at 80%. Very nice trailer with very little use since new. Located in Victor, MT $15,900
2008 John Deere 310SJ 6245+/hours, enclosed cab with heat and air conditioning, cloth air ride seat, Power Shift transmission, 4x4, Extend-A-Hoe, switchable pilot controls, new rear tires, 24” backhoe bucket, diff lock, has been very well maintained, has been through the shop, recent service, excellent condition. Located in Spearfish, SD $52,500
2014 SkyTrak 6042 3225 hours, enclosed cab with heat, auxiliary hydraulics, manual coupler, 48” forks, 74” carriage, nice foam filled tires, 3-way steering, hydraulic frame tilt, 6000 lb lift, 42-ft. reach, has been through the shop all repairs have been made, just serviced, telehandler is in excellent condition. Located in Spearfish, SD $44,500
2019 Kubota SVL75-2, 995 hours, enclosed cab heat and AC, hydraulic coupler, 78” bucket with bolt on edge, 75 hp, 6570 pound tip load. Very nice condition. Located in Spearfish, SD $61,000
Elite Showmanship Contestants jpg. Cutline:
their spots in the Elite Showmanship Contest at the 2025 Dawson County Fair.
Jaelin Wolfinger wins Elite Showmanship
The Dawson County Elite Showmanship Contest took place following the completion of the 2025 County Fair livestock shows. Winning first place and a belt buckle was Jaelin Wolfinger, daughter of Jake and Janice Wolfinger of Lexington. She also earned other prizes donated from the Elite Showmanship Contest sponsors.
Finishing in second place was Trina Pearson, daughter of Rich and Sharon Pearson of Brady. Trina also received a belt buckle and some other prizes.
The top Senior Showmanship contestants from the feeder calf, beef, goat, sheep, and swine shows along with 3 wild card showmen came together to determine an elite showman. All eight contestants took a livestock knowledge test and then had their showmanship skills with swine, sheep, goat, and beef, evaluated by judge Cal Schultz, UNL Livestock Judging coach. The contestants were: Parker Walahoski, Paige Walahoski, Overton; Emma Howerter, Cozad; Abby Negley, Aleigha Negley, Gothenburg; Greta Rickertsen, Lexington; Trina Pearson, Brady; and Jaelin Wolfinger, Lexington. All eight contestants received prizes donated by the Elite Showmanship Contest sponsors.
The 4-H’ers who participated on the Meats and Livestock Judging teams at the Premier Animal Science Event held in June
were recognized. Schultz commented on the quality of the competition and the depth of knowledge they have about livestock and the livestock industry. Elite Showman Committee members were Taryn Vonderschmidt, Farnam; Paul and Shannon Peterson, of Gothenburg, and Derek McConville, Lexington. Sponsors included: Maline Seed & Fence, Gothenburg; Beattie Family Farms, Sumner; Peak Performance Nutrition Plus, LLC, Lexington; Andersen Ag Services, Inc., K Farms, Gothenburg; Eastside Animal Center, Gothenburg; Tyson, Lexington; Paulsen Inc., Cozad; Caraway Red Angus Ranch, Lexington; Dayspring Bank, Gothenburg; Farm Credit Services of America; Laird Feed, Gothenburg; 4+ Feeders, Lexington; Homestead Bank, Lexington; Overton Veterinary Services, Lexington; Bill’s Volume Sales & Service, Lexington; Busy Bones Butcher, LLC, Cozad; Platte Valley Auto, Lexington; Roberts Cattle Company, Lexington; Country Partners, Gothenburg; Darr Feedlot, Cozad; HAR, Lexington; The Home Agency, Gothenburg; Black Hills Energy; Animal Health International, Lexington; and Waypoint Bank, Cozad. Shannon Peterson, Elite Showman committee member, wanted to give a big thank you to all the sponsors.
Managing cows with limited perennial pasture – A producer perspective
By Karla Wilke, Nebraska Extension Cow/Calf and Stocker Management specialist
By interseeding annual grass into established alfalfa fields and applying water with a K-line irrigation system, Jerry Weekes has developed a system for maintaining cows on limited perennial acres. Jerry Weekes has spent a lifetime in the cattle industry. Most recently, Jerry sold the local sale barn he owned for 27 years, in the Nebraska Panhandle, but continues to develop innovative approaches to the cattle industry. Intensive grazing management is not a new concept and is certainly not new to Jerry Weekes who was first introduced to the Allan Savory school of grazing management many years ago in South Dakota.
Today Jerry Weekes buys bred cows in January and February, winters them on dormant grass with protein supplementation, then grazes the pairs on the triticale interseeded alfalfa mix using an intense rotation system. By purchasing short term cows, weaning the calves, and selling the cows in July and August, he avoids dealing with bulls, and takes advantage of the seasonal peak in the cull cow market. He can then use the regrowth from the intensive grazing
system to grow the weaned calves. By using the water from the irrigation ditch, which comes from the North Platte River, he increases the regrowth in the forages previously grazed. Dividing up the 110 acres into 10-acre tracts, he is able to maintain about 150 cow-calf pairs during the growing season. Because the forage is lush and vegetative much of the time, Jerry is adamant about feeding a mineral package with an ionophore in it to the cows. This helps control digestive issues that might be an issue with high-quality forage. Additionally, he makes sure the calves all get vaccinated against clostridial diseases before being moved to the high-quality pastures. This intensive grazing rotational system on irrigated pasture allows him to capture more value per taxable acre of land than perennial pasture land would. Additionally, the cost of procuring enough perennial pasture to support the same number of pairs is not currently economically feasible for many producers. Being creative in the face of limited perennial acres has paid off for Jerry Weekes.
(From left to right) Trina Pearson, Brady; Paige Walahoski, Overton; Jaelin Wolfinger, Lexington; Parker Walahoski, Overton; Greta Rickertsen, Lexington; Emma Howerter, Cozad; Aleigha and Abby Negley, Gothenburg; earned
The Waving Flag
Today taps were sounded, the chaplain said Some words, and the rifles fired into the sky
The small group of people tried not to show
Any emotions, cause they thought vets aren’t supposed to cry
The gathering at the old soldiers home was for A man listed on the Black Wall as MIA
The old man laid to rest today ended his wish to Have things done with his life this way
He was to proud to put his family through what The nurses and aides had to do
The lonely soldier lay there waiting for death for years
From day to day it was the same with nothing new
He would lay there in the big room listening to all The family members of his new found friends
The only thing that moved was his eyes, as he Listened for taps at the old soldiers home, saying another day ends
The flag was folded and given to a grade school with The story of the soldier and how long it took for the bells to toll
It waves now for him and all he stood for in front
Of the school on the newly painted white flag pole
The flag is raised and lowered each day with meticulous Precision by the kids and placed in a case folded neat and tight
It’s the same school the old soldier went to before being
Contrary to what many people believe, there are only 15 calories in a teaspoon of sugar, which can be burned off in 15 minutes simply by socializing with other people.
COMBINES
2024 John Deere X9 1100 with Ultimate cab package, Ultimate technology package, suspension package, Signature Edition, Active Yield/Advisor package, Pro Drive XL transmission, 31-ft. power folding auger, extra fine cut chopper, VF750/65R26 rear end 650/85R38 dualed rear tires, sidehill package. Stock #92313
$812,500 (1)
2023 John Deere S780 with singles, chopper, Yield Monitor, Contour Master (lateral tilt feeder house), power folding bin extension, Premium technology package, StarFire 6000 SF1, premium residue, Advanced PowerCast tailboard, 28.5-ft. unloading auger. Stock #94025
$560,000 (12)
2023 John Deere S780 with regular wear package, Select cab package, Active Yield with sensors, premium technology, ProDrive transmission with Harvest Smart, power folding covers, 28.5-ft. unloading auger, VF750/60R30 front tires, PowerCast tailboard. Stock #94081
$495,000 (3)
2015 John Deere S680 with single IF 900/60R32, lateral tilt, fixed speed with reverser, ProDrive, TriStream extented wear rotor, power fold grain tank, 26-ft. auger, premium residue, premium cab/ radio, HID lights, small wire concaves, armrest 2630, SF1 AT activation, SF 3000 receiver.
2021 John Deere S780 with premium cab, Active Yield, Combine Advisor, guidance, ProDrive transmission, regular wear grain handling, power folding GT covers, 28.5-ft. unloading auger, fine cut chopper, 750/65R26 rear tires, 520/85R42 front tires with duals, side hill performance package handling. Stock #88013
$412,500 (2)
2022 John Deere S780 with Combine Advisor, Contour Master with fore & aft, TriStream (Bullet) Rotor, Active Yield, premium LED lights, power folding grain tank, 26-ft. auger, Advanced PowerCast tailboard, 4600 display with ext. monitor, premium 3.0 activation, 580/85E42 duals, 750/65R26 rear, sidehill performance kit, camera ready (unloading auger and back up cameras not included). Stock #93898 $410,000 (14)
2021 John Deere S780 with TriStream (bullet) rotor, IF520/85R42 duals, 750/65R26 rear, Gen 4 Command Center with Premium 3.0 Activation and extended monitor, 6000 receiver with SF1, Combine Advisor, Active Yield, Advanced PowerCast tailboard, premium cab with leather seat, premium radio, premium LED lights with extremity, 28.8-ft. unloading auger, power folding grain tank covers, side hill performance kit.
Stock #94253
$365,000 (14)
2021 John Deere S780 with premium cab, Active Yield with moisture and yield sensors, Combine Advisor, guidance, TriStream rotor, regular wear grain handling, power folding covers, 28.5-ft. unloading auger, fine cut chopper with Advanced PowerCast, 12” axle spacers. Stock #92421
2022 John Deere S780 with premium cab, Active Yield with sensors, guidance ready, TriStream rotor, power folding covers, 28.5-ft. unloading auger, 750/65R26 rear and 520/85R42 front with duals, side hill performance kit, PowerCast tailboards, Advisor. Stock #92420 $430,000 (1)
$335,000 (1)
2023 John Deere X9 1100 Signature Edition, fixed speed, FH w/CM and fore & aft, extra fine chopper with Advanced Tailboard, 31-ft. auger with adjustable spout, regular wear grain handling, IF1100/50R42 duals and VF750/65R26 rear tires, Active Yield, Combine Advisor, 4600 command arm, integrated SF7000, extended warranty until 8-12026 or 750 hours. Stock #94313
$649,000 (14)
2020 John Deere S780 with premium cab, singles, chopper, Yield Monitor, Contour Master (lateral tilt feederhouse) fore/ aft, Active Yield, Advisor package, fine cut chopper with PowerCast tailboard, 28.5-ft. unload auger, power folding bin extension. Stock #94352..$315,000 (12)
DRILLS & SEEDERS
Fall seeding is upon us. See our lineup of good used seeders to get that crop seeded quickly
Many others in stock - please call.
4WD, ROW CROP AND UTILITY TRACTORS
$698,000 (1)
2024 John Deere N560F 60-ft. width, 10” spacing, double shoot, All Run Blockage, cast serrated closing wheel, spoked narrow gauge wheels, dry fertilizer delivery tube, tow behind C850 cart with section command, (4) IF850/75R42 tires, (2) IF900/75R32 tires, tank scales C850. SN1A8C850HCRK805198. Stock #92736
Check our great selection of tractors for fall seeding. Also, call for many loader tractor and large row crop models available.
2023 John Deere 9RX640 with E18 transmission, 30” tracks, 120” track spacing, Ultimate Comfort cab with air seat plus cab suspension, 110 GPM dual hydraulics, 8 SCVs, auxilary hydraulic connections, PTO, 20 front weights with bracket, hydraulic trailer brakes, poly mid rollers, tow cable, complete GPS (SF7000, Gen 4 with ext. monitor, JD Link). Stock #92150 $789,000 (2)
2023 John Deere N560F 60-ft. 10” spacing, single shoot, All Run Blockage, 90 Series opener with narrow spoked gauge wheel, 650 bushel tow between cart, 12” conveyor with KSI, tank scales, hydraulic drive with section command. Stock #89143
$562,500 (14)
2022 John Deere N560 no till drill, 60-ft., 7.5” spacing, Pro Series openers, Truset down pressure, narrow spoked gauge wheels, crumbler closing wheels, JD All Run Blockage, 430 tow between cart with 12” conveyor (KSI flip over hopper), no section control. Stock #90471
$383,000 (4)
2015 John Deere 1890 60-ft. with 10” spacing, 90 Series openers, mix of spoked and unspoked gauge wheels, mix of smooth and serrated closing wheels, All Run Blockage (JD), 430 tow between cart with Intelligent Ag section control, 12” conveyor with standard hopper. Stock #88790
$198,000 (14)
2014 John Deere 1890 42-ft. air drill, 7.5” spacing, single shoot, All Run Blockage, dual 31x13.5-15 hi float tires, spoked gauge wheels, has 1910 tow behind cart, non section command. Stock #92797
$184,000 (1)
2012 John Deere 1890 60-ft. no till drill, 10” spacing, single shoot air package for tow between cart, All Run Blockage system for seed, 430 bushel cart, Uniforce down pressure system. Stock #86592
2018 John Deere 9620RX with E18 transmission, premium Command View III cab with suspension, premium lighting, 4600 with extended monitor with premium activation, 6000 receiver w/SF1, premium radio, hi flow pump with 6 remotes, 1000 PTO, 36” 3500 DuraDrive tracks, 87” spacing, Power Beyond 1/2” couplers. Stock #94255 $427,500 (14)
$150,000 (12)
2015 John Deere 1890 60-ft. no-till drill, 7.5” spacing, SS, All Run Blockage, solid gauge wheel, 430 bushel tow behind cart, 3 tank, 8 run, hydraulic drive (section command), 10” fill auger. Stock #90868 $178,000 (12)
2006 John Deere 1890 36-ft. drill with 7.5” spacing, single shoot, All Run Blockage, solid gauge wheels, 270 bushel tow between cart, 8” fill auger. Stock #85261
$140,000 (11)
2018 John Deere 9520RX with cab, 18/6 PowerShift, 30” DuraBuilt 6500 (with poly mid rollers), 5 SCVs, no 3-point, 1000 PTO, premium radio, premium CVIII cab with suspension, hi-flo hydraulics, Cat 5 drawbar, electric mirrors, premium lighting, 4600 command center with activation, no SF6000. Stock #89083 $373,000 (12)
2000 John Deere 9400 with differential lock front and rear, 12/2 PowerShift, 710/70R38 with dual tires, radar, 4 SCVs, weights. Stock #93831
$67,500 (11)
2004 John Deere 9420 4WD with 425/302 hp, cab, 18/6 Powershift, 5 SCVs, no PTO, no 3-point, premium cab, standard flow hyd (48 gpm), 480/80R50 triples (90%), big weight package. Stock #93194 $115,000 (1)
2010 John Deere 1830 hoe drill, 60-ft. 10” spacing single shoot, steel packers, mechanical depth control, primary blockage, 1910 tow behind air cart, 1910 air car, SN1A81910HVAG740107. Stock #90380
2012 Case IH Steiger 500 quadtrac with 30” track, 1000 PTO, 16/2 speed Power Shift, guidance ready with receiver and display, luxury cab, 6 SCVs. Stock #91610
$190,000 (15)
2018 Versatile 610DT with 605 hp, 16 speed Power Shift transmission, 36” track, deluxe cab, LED lights, guidance ready with receiver and 10” display, differential lock, 6 SCVs, 2 sets of low pressure couplers. Stock #91193
$400,000 (12)
1997 John Deere 9200 4WD with 310 hp, 24/6 manual shift transmission, no PTO, no 3-point, 520/85R42 dual tires, 4 SCVs, differential lock. Stock #93329 $80,000 (3)
2011 Versatile 535 with 16 speed Powershift, deluxe cab, high flow hydraulics (dual pumps), 6—1/2” EH couplers, 3— 3/4” couplers, 900/50R42 tires, TopCon GPS, front and rear weights. Stock #93003 $195,000 (14)
SELF PROPELLED SPREADERS & SPRAYERS
Several used John Deere and competitive self-propelled sprayers and applicators in stock! Variety of boom and widths available. Several units are ready to roll with turnkey GPS!
2024 John Deere 616R with 120-ft. steel, 20” Exact Apply, auto solution control, hi-flow pump, front fill, 5 sensor boom level, boom air purge, Ultimate vis lights, eductor, Ultimate Comfort Package, Cat 1 cab filtration, pressure recirc and reclaim, fence row nozzles, VF380/105R50 Gen 4 4600 and extended monitor with 4.0 activation, integrated receiver with SF-RTK capable. Stock #91441
$575,000 (12)
2015 John Deere R4045 with Command View II Plus cab, guidance, section control, 120-ft. boom with auto boom leveling, stainless steel tank, foam markers, RH and LH fence row nozzles, no eductor, 420/95R50 tires. Stock #86591
$169,000 (12)
2023 John Deere 616R with 132-ft. carbon fiber, 20” spacing, CVIII cab, Exact Apply, premiun radio, auto solution control, hi-flow pump, 5 sensor boom level, boom air purge, Ultimate vision lights, eductor, Ultimate comfort package, Cat 1 cab filtration, fence row nozzles, skinny tires, includes 4.0 AT activation, 4600 arm rest display, section control, SF6000. Stock #89331
2013 John Deere 4940 with 120-ft. SS boom on 20” spacing (5 way nozzle body), chemical eductor, Boom Trac Pro, 5 sensor, HID light package, 620/70R46 float tires, 3000 receiver (SF1), 2630 display (autotrac and section control activations). Stock #91116 $160,000 (14)
$555,000 (12)
2024 John Deere 412R with 120-ft. SS boom on 20” spacing with Exact Apply automatic solution control with recirculation and reclaim, Ultimate cab, Ultimate lighting, 380R46 tires, stainless chemical eductor, integrated receiver (SF1) 4600 display with extended monitor, premium 3.0 activation, boom trac Pro 2, boom air purge, fence row nozzles. Stock #91115 $530,000 (14)
2022 John Deere 412R 120-ft. 20”, CVIII cab, premium radio, high flow solution pump, AutoSolution control, no Exact Apply, eductor, boom level, boom air purge, ultimate visibility lights, fence row nozzles, 380/90R46, Includes 4600 with AT activation, SF6000. Stock #89332
$433,000 (15)
2018 Case IH 4440 with 120-ft. booms, 20” nozzle spacing, AccuBoom section control, AutoBoom height control, 620/70R38 tires, luxury cab, AccuGuide NavII controller, AFS 372 receiver, AFS Pro 700 display, stainless tank, hyd. tread adjust. Stock #93280 $222,500 (12)
2006 John Deere 4920 with 100-ft. boom, poly pipe on 20” spacing, 1200 gallon SS tank, 380/105R50 tires, fenders, wheel slip, hydraulic tread adj. Auto Trac ready, 2630 screen with receiver. Stock #93874
$37,500 (12)
2014 Case IH Patriot 4430 with AIM Command and Weed-It, 120-ft. 20” spacing, 1200 gallon SS, autoboom height control, AccuBoom section control, active hydraulic suspension, front fill, leather seat, 620/70R38 float tires. Stock #92157 $270,000 (1)
#92727
#94255
#93003
#91116
With prestigious fellowship, Katie Delker pursues dream
By Reagan Cotton, MSU News Service
In her four years at Montana State University, giving campus tours to prospective students and their families made Katie Delker very good at walking backwards. She also learned more MSU trivia than most students ever do.
Delker participated in numerous extracurricular activities while pursuing her degree in microbiology, which she completed in May. Along with country dancing and club Nordic skiing, she was a threeyear senator with the Associated Students of MSU and worked with prospective MSU students through the Office of Admissions.
Her deep commitment to being involved in the campus community, Delker said, was borne from her own experience as a prospective student. Originally from Soldotna, Alaska, near Anchorage, she said that half a dozen members of her 130-person graduating high school class continued their studies at MSU thanks to outstanding recruitment.
“They did a great job coming to our college fair, and then I visited and saw how beautiful it was in Bozeman and was like, ‘Yeah, I can go to school here,’” she recalled.
Delker arrived in 2021 as a recipient of MSU’s provost scholarship and undecided as to what she would study. The daughter of two veterinarians, she carried a deep love for animals and for rural communities like the one she grew up in. She initially declared a major in University Studies, a program that allows students to explore fields that interest them and make general academic progress before committing to an area of study.
All it took was one biology class to solidify her plans.
“It ended up being my favorite class of the entire semester,” Delker said. “So, then I knew that I wanted to declare microbiology and pre-vet. I always take every opportunity I can to hype up the University Studies program at MSU. Their support is incredible.”
Delker, who was also a student in the MSU Honors College, built communities around the university immediately. She conducted undergraduate research with MSU’s Center for Biofilm Engineering, a cross-disciplinary lab that studies crucial microorganisms in medicine, engineering and the natural world. From club sports and musical ensembles to ASMSU, she said one of the most special groups was in the College of Agriculture, which houses the pre-veterinary program and the Department of Microbiology and Cell Biology.
“The community is wonderful and the advisers, everyone in the department were fantastic,” she said. “I honestly love being part of the first college that was at Montana State.”
Vice Provost Durward Sobek, who served as interim dean of the Honors College for the 2024-25 academic year, said that Delker exemplified what the college’s mission is all about.
“Katie is one of those students who, when they see a need in their community, pursues solutions to that need with passion and perseverance,” Sobek said. “She brings people along with her enthusiasm and communication abilities. It’s wonderful to see a person apply their intellect and talents to the betterment of their community.”
Now that she has graduated, Delker will continue her studies at the University of Minnesota, pursuing her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree. She will be supported by an $8,500 fellowship from the Phi Kappa Phi honor society, one of 40 students across the U.S. to receive the award.
She will spend four years in Minnesota, and after the first two will pick a track on which to focus. She anticipates selecting mixed animal medicine — the better to provide care for a broad range of animals in a rural community.
Delker feels confident in her ability to succeed in graduate school, thanks in large part to the support she received from every corner of MSU’s campus. In addition to the faculty in the College of Agriculture and the Honors College, she said the tangential support from the Allen Yarnell Center for Student Success, which helped her with mock interviews as CONTINUED ON PAGE C11
she applied to veterinary school, was invaluable.
“There are many ways that MSU prepares you academically, but I also feel very prepared in terms of communication skills and accountability and individual determination to get things done,” she said. “MSU really helps you build up those skills and make you feel empowered to drive your own education.”
Because of her longtime involvement with the Office of Admissions, Delker has a soft spot in her heart for prospective students exploring their options for higher education. When it comes to advice for those coming after her, she recalls something her own orientation leader said four years ago as she prepared to begin her college journey.
“You can be a mentor without knowing it, so lead with your best foot forward,” she said. “I always tell people that there’s no wrong way to get involved. You can join as many groups as you want and you can find what you’re passionate about, and once you do, just stick with it. Do what you need to do to feel happy and fulfilled, and you’re going to meet some amazing people along the way.” #####
A husband and wife were talking about their son when the wife said, “Honey, Junior’s getting older. I think it’s time to have the important talk with him.” “Enough said,” the man replied. “I was thinking the same thing.” So the father sat his son down and said, “Young man, there are going to be times in your life when you have strange feelings that you’ve never had before. You might notice that your palms are getting sweaty and that your heart seems to be pounding out of your chest.” As the boy listened intently, he finally asked, “Is it anything to worry about?” “Not at all,” his father assured him. “It’s all perfectly normal. It’s simply called golf.”
WSU scientist recognized for research that keeps viruses out of crops, fights those already in
By Scott Weybright, College of Agricultural, Human, and Natural Resource Sciences
Studying viruses means always facing new challenges. That’s part of what drew Scott Harper to the field of virology and plant pathology.
“Viruses are very simple, but complex at the same time,” said the Washington State University associate professor and director of the Clean Plant Center Northwest (CPCNW). “I like big challenges and would probably get bored studying anything else. I want to push the frontiers and solve complex problems.”
For his work fighting and preventing viruses, Harper will receive the Excellence in Regulatory Affairs & Crop Security Award from the American Phytopathological Society (APS) in August.
The award recognizes outstanding contributions to regulatory plant pathology, crop security, and trade enhancement efforts.
“Scott has done invaluable work, especially in helping fight little cherry/X disease (LCD) and in revamping the Center extensively to prevent introduction of diseases on hop, tree fruit, and grapevine planting materials entering the U.S.,” said Lindsey du Toit, chair of WSU’s Department of Plant Pathology. “This award is well deserved for the significant impact he’s had on agriculture in Washington and the nation.”
Harper always had an interest in science, dating back to his boyhood in New Zealand. However, he didn’t learn about virology until he “lucked into” a graduate program and discovered his passion.
After earning a doctorate in his homeland, he moved to the University of Florida, where he worked on citrus diseases for six years. Harper came to WSU in 2017 to run the CPCNW, which is based at the WSU Ir-
rigated Agriculture Research and Extension Center in Prosser, Washington.
The Center works closely with the agriculture industry to propagate, maintain, and distribute virus-tested fruit trees, grapevines, and hop plants from WSU facilities.
“The Clean Plant Center can be hard for growers to understand because our main goal is preventing problems before they happen,” Harper said. “We test plants from all around the world to make sure they are virus-free and don’t spread diseases. If there are no issues, then we’re doing our job.”
Harper plans to step down from his director’s role later this year so he can focus more on his research program. Since his arrival at WSU, that has mostly involved battling LCD, which results in small, unripe, unmarketable cherries.
The APS award is for the combined work he’s done at the Center and on LCD. The latter is ongoing but moving to the next phase.
“We found the cause, which was the first priority,” Harper said. “Now we’re focusing on how the disease works, so that hopefully we can learn how to disrupt the process and block LCD’s expression of causing unripe cherries.”
In addition to his work on LCD (which includes the successful ‘detecta-dog’ project), Harper plans to focus on other virus issues, specifically determining where they exist in the wild and how they come into new regions or crops. One area he wants to investigate more thoroughly is the impact of viruses on product quality, for example on hop cones. With Washington producing nearly 75% of U.S. hops, it’s research that would be especially relevant to the Pacific Northwest.
“I’m looking forward to expanding my research focus as we bring in a new Clean Plant Center director,” Harper said. “The APS award is meaningful because it’s a cumulative recognition for my work at WSU, kind of like a highlight reel. I hope to keep building upon my research and helping agriculture in Washington.”
Cover crops following corn silage
By Jerry Volesky, UNL
Following corn silage harvest, your ground can lay bare for seven to nine months. Instead, let’s plant some crops to grow and cover it until next season.
After silage harvest, bare ground has three things working against it. One is exposure to wind and water erosion. Secondly, bare soils lack growing roots which are needed to feed the living soil building microbes. Finally, bare soils represent a missed opportunity to grow cover crops that might help you overcome all these problems.
But what should you plant? If you are hoping for some feed this fall, then oats, spring triticale and barley, annual ryegrass, and turnips might be a good choice because these plants have the greatest forage yield potential yet this fall. Spring oats, triticale, and barleys also will die over winter so they won’t interfere with next year’s crop. How-
#####
The saying “fly off the handle” originates from the 1800s. It’s a saying that refers to cheap axe heads flying off their handles when swung backward before a chop.
ever, getting these non-winter hardy annuals seeded as early as possible in September is needed to have time to grow an adequate amount of fall forage.
Winter rye is the most common choice among the cereals. And cereal rye can provide abundant grazable growth early next spring to get cows off of hay sooner. Wheat and triticale also can be good cover crops. Of course, wheat then can be harvested later for grain while triticale makes very good late spring forage. The seeding date window for the winter cereals can extend well into October, but earlier seeding will allow for more fall growth. Legumes like hairy vetch or winter peas could also be planted as part of a mixture with the winter annual cereals. Cover crops can preserve or even improve your soil and can be useful forages as well. Consider them following your early harvests.
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Sugar does not make a person gain weight. Consuming too many calories is what causes a person to gain weight, regardless of where the calories are found.
hrs. Runs good, great for ranch or collectors. $5500
Scott Harper
K-State study reveals insights into ground beef spoilage
By Madeline Drake, K-State Research and Extension news service
Kansas State University meat scientist Travis O’Quinn and his research team have uncovered surprising results that challenge consumer’s long-held beliefs on what qualifies as ‘spoiled’ ground beef.
Many people have sensory cues on what would cause them to throw a product away, including brown bananas, odor in milk, and slimy deli meats.
“Within meat products, (spoilage) has been intimately tied with bacterial growth, a belief that if we reach a magical level of bacterial growth that the product is spoiled,” O’Quinn said. “When we look back at the literature, it is pretty shaky on where that idea of a certain bacteria level came from.”
With this information in mind, O’Quinn and his research team set out to learn more about what factors lead to considering ground beef to be spoiled.”
In their study, retail ground beef packages were stored in a display case for 14 days. Throughout the display time, researchers asked a consumer panel if they would purchase the sample and whether or not they considered the sample spoiled.
While visually the ground beef followed the spoilage pattern that researchers thought it would -- that is, it turned brown after 4-6 days -- other traits told a different story.
“The challenge was when we looked at the other traits (related to spoilage), we didn’t really fail, ever,” O’Quinn said. “You would think that the meat would start smelling bad or tasting bad, but even at the very end of the trial we a had low percentage of our samples that tasted bad to consumers.”
In other words, O’Quinn said, the meat may look spoiled, but color is not a true determinant of a spoiled food product.
“Some of the key takeaways from this study is the idea that using microorganism growth or bacteria growth to reflect spoilage is not really as closely tied together as we have previously thought,” he said.
The findings may have implications in grocery stores and other retail settings where consumers are making purchasing decisions based on such factors as appearance, color and discoloration traits. O’Quinn said that efforts to prevent spoilage in ground beef should focus on limiting and reducing color changes, since color changes in the first 4-6 days isn’t a true indicator that the product is spoiled.
“There are obviously next steps for us to continue to investigate, but this idea that bacterial growth alone drives spoilage of ground beef is not what our study showed.
#####
Brown sugars contain more vitamins and minerals than granulated sugars (white table sugars), according to nutritional information listed in the USDA Nutrient Database.
ALIGNMENT
##### According to TotalHealth, men and women should consume different amounts of sugar. Women should limit their sugar consumption to 6 tsp. per day, while men may eat as many as 9 tsp. of sugar per day.
Tetanus: A storm aftermath problem for animals
By Russ Daly, Professor and SDSU Extension Veterinarian
Debris blown about by storms poses an injury threat to confined animals, as well as those in pastures and lots. These storms can also spook animals into running through fences and damaged buildings. A wide variety of animal injuries can result, ranging from minor scratches to debilitating injuries that require intensive treatment or euthanasia. When deep wounds result, Tetanus is a potential problem.
What causes Tetanus?
Tetanus is caused by a bacteria, Clostridium tetani, that only creates disease under very specific conditions. Farms can’t avoid this bacteria. It’s very common in soil and animal manure in spore forms that are very resistant to time and weather conditions.
Sitting out in the barnyard, these bacterial spores are harmless. It’s when they find their way into wounds that they cause disease. In damaged muscle and connective tissue that’s deep enough that oxygen can’t penetrate, the spores activate into rapidly reproducing bacteria that produce toxins. One of these toxins, called tetanospasmin, attaches to nerve endings in the area. The toxin blocks the nerve’s ability to release inhibitors that “switch off” muscle fiber contraction. As a result, muscles can’t stop contracting.
As more toxin is produced, it migrates up to involve more of the nervous system. Uncontrolled muscle contractions create clinical signs of stiffness, muscle tremors, a “sawhorse” stance and “flicking” of the third eyelid. Eventually the animal is beset with generalized tremors and an inability to stand; death or euthanasia is the outcome.
Because animal environments are commonly populated with Clostridium tetani, any wound can easily become contaminated. But not every wound provides the right conditions for Tetanus. Deep puncture wounds that introduce the bacteria into damaged, oxygen-poor body tissue are most often associated with Tetanus. The time from the wound occurrence to the onset of disease can vary from several days to several weeks, but is typically 10-14 days.
Additionally, animal species differ in how vulnerable they are to Tetanus infections. Horses are by far the most susceptible species, followed by cattle, sheep and pigs.
How do you treat and prevent it?
Tetanus is a preventable disease, with vaccines widely available for use in livestock species. Tetanus vaccine is considered a “core” vaccine for all horses, meaning that all horses should have annual Tetanus vaccinations. Routine Tetanus vaccination is less commonly recommended for cattle and older sheep, and generally focuses on calves and lambs being band castrated.
Once a wound occurs, the potential for Tetanus to develop can be dramatically reduced by prompt intervention. Following a storm, animal caretakers should closely examine their animals, as puncture wounds might not be obvious externally. Administering Tetanus antitoxin, proper wound care, and antibiotic treatment can reduce the chance that Clostridium tetani infections and their subsequent problems will occur. Because horses are highly susceptible, they should be administered antitoxin and have their Tetanus vaccination boostered when any kind of wound, however minor, is detected. While cattle and sheep are less susceptible, those interventions may be appropriate for them too.
Wound care methods vary according to their severity and location, so a veterinarian should be consulted about how to deal with them, as well as appropriate antibiotics to use. Once signs of Tetanus set in, progression can be very hard to stop, so prompt action is important.
In Summary
Animal care can be challenging following destructive storms, with Tetanus just one of the many considerations for animal caretakers. If you are one of these people, contact your local veterinarian for guidance; SDSU Extension can provide information as well.
Pesticide-resistant wheat
Developed by Monsanto and Bayer, also has GreenAmerica concerned because “GMOs focused on pest- and weed-resistance have started to fail, as the pests are adapting to GMOs and related chemicals, evolving into superbugs and superweeds.”
##### Turkey bacon is kosher.
Top sheep, swine & goat carcasses prove well for 4-H’ers
Kori Wolfe of Cozad took top honors in the Market Lamb Evaluation Contest as she was awarded the champion trophy. The reserve champion trophy went to Taylor Kramer of Elm Creek for her market lamb.
In the Swine Muscle Evaluation Contest, Riggs McConville of Lexington grabbed the champion title at the 2025 Dawson County Fair. As Owen Fairley of Brady received the reserve champion spot.
For the 2nd Annual Goat Muscle Evaluation Contest, Keeley Nichols of Eddyville won the champion trophy and Kamrynn Rhoades of Cozad brought home the reserve champion honors.
The 118-pound Champion 4-H market lamb owned by Kori Wolfe, daughter of Derek and Brooke Wolfe, had a .12 back fat with 3.63 square inches of loin eye area and a 49.896 percent lean reading. Taylor Kramer, daughter of Dave Kramer, had a 49.527 percent lean reading. There were 13 lambs entered in this ultrasound contest. This is the 38th annual Dawson County 4-H Market Lamb Muscle Evaluation Contest.
The Champion 4-H market hog yielding the highest percent muscle was owned by Riggs McConville, son of Derek and Paige McConville. Rigg’s pig had 63.84 percent lean reading, a back fat of 0.78 and 8.91 square inches of loin eye area. Owen Fairley, son of Jake and Erin Fairley, owned the Reserve Champion market hog with 63.60 percent lean reading. There were 17 hogs entered in the contest. This is the 48th year for the hog carcass contest.
The 58-pound Champion 4-H market goat owned by Keeley Nichols, daughter of Brandyn and Sara Nichols, had a .07 back
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Jack Daniel (the founder of the whiskey) died from kicking a safe. When he kicked it, he broke his toe, which got infected. He eventually died from blood poisoning.
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Researchers have found that flossing your teeth can help your memory. Flossing prevents gum disease, which prevents stiff blood vessels, which cause memory issues.
Dave Kramer of Elm Creek holds the Reserve Champion banner his daughter, Taylor, won in the sheep carcass contest at the 2025 Dawson County Fair.
Super Fenceline Concrete Feed Bunks
Concrete Stock
Top sheep, swine and goat carcasses prove well
CONTINUED FROM PAGE C15
fat with 2.21 square inches of loin eye area and a 49.614 percent lean reading. Kamrynn Rhoades, daughter of Kaye Dean and Krystle Rhoades, had a .07 back fat with 2.55 square inches of loin eye area and 49.514 percent lean reading. There were 13 goats entered in the contest. This is the second year for the goat carcass contest. Goat carcasses were evaluated two years ago for only educational purposes.
2025 Market Lamb Percent Muscle Contest Ribbon Placings Purples: Kori Wolfe (Cozad); Taylor Kramer (Elm Creek) x 2; Trina Pearson (Brady); Jackson Armstead (Cozad); and Gus Barnes (Gothenburg).
Blue ribbons: Samual Winter (Cozad) x 2; and Cadey Wolf (Cozad).
Red ribbons (lightweight lambs): Kori Wolfe (Cozad); Grant Walahoski (Overton); Paige Walahoski (Overton); and Bodee Klemm (Lexington).
Blue ribbons: Greta Rickertsen (Lexington) x 2, Riggs McConville (Lexington); Alex Rickertsen (Lexington); Paige Walahoski (Overton); Bristol McConville (Lexington); and Grant Walahoski (Overton).
Red ribbons (lightweight hogs): Megan Walahoski (Overton); Bristol McConville (Lexington); Parker Walahoski (Overton); and Gus Barnes (Gothenburg) x 3.
Purples: Keeley Nichols (Eddyville); Kamrynn Rhoades (Cozad) x 2; Matthew Rhoades (Cozad); and Natalee Rhoades (Cozad).
Blue ribbons: Matthew Rhoades (Cozad); Keaton Bebensee (Gothenburg); Aleigha Negley (Gothenburg); Lucille Cool (Gothenburg); Halleigh (Kai) Bebensee (Gothenburg); and Karsyn Nichols (Eddyville).
Red ribbons: Daniel Dailey (Gothenburg) and Kollyn Nichols (Eddyville).
The carcass data was collected by Allen Hines with Nebraska SPF of Lincoln using ultrasonic equipment. The 4-H members could view the backfat and loin eye on the TV monitor as the data was collected. Special premiums will be awarded by donors to the 4-H Livestock Premium Fund. Expenses were sponsored by Dawson County Agricultural Society.
Keri Smith, Lexington; displays the Grand Champion banner Kori Wolfe, of Cozad; won in the sheep carcass contest at the 2025 Dawson County Fair.
(From left to right) Riggs McConville, of Lexington; earned the Grand Champion swine carcass contest banner for his 236 lb. animal and Owen Fairley, Brady, won the Reserve Champion honors with his 231 lb. pig.
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Cropland acres versus base acres in Nebraska
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In the landscape of U.S. agriculture farm policy, two key terms are often misunderstood or overlooked: cropland acres and base acres. While cropland and base acres may sound similar, each has distinct meanings and implications, particularly in how farm level payments are determined. Understanding the difference between cropland acres and base acres is critical for farmers and policymakers alike. This article will compare the 2024 Farm Bill Enrollment data to the 2022 Census of Agriculture and highlight the differences of cropland acres and base acres by county in Nebraska.
According to the USDA Census of Agriculture, cropland is defined as land that is used for growing crops, as well as land that could be used for crops but is lying fallow.
Base acres, by contrast, are a fixed number determined by historical planting data, typically tied to specific commodity programs managed by the USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA). Base acres do not reflect what the farm is currently producing. Base acres are used to determine the farm payment. More base acres result in a larger farm payment. No base acres result in no payment.
How did base acres come about?
In 1995, the World Trade Organization (WTO) was established, setting the rules for global trade. In order to comply with WTO standards, subsidies provided to farmers must be “decoupled” from current prices and production in an effort to keep subsidies from distorting international trade. In the 2002 Farm Bill, base acres were established by referencing acreage planted between 1998 and 2001. Base acres were “assigned” to a covered commodity. Covered commodities are corn, soybeans, wheat, cotton (upland cotton), rice (both long and medium grain), grain sorghum, barley, oats, peanuts, canola, sunflower seed, flaxseed, safflower, sesame seed, dry peas, lentils and chickpeas (small and large).
Farm owners were able to update the commodities associated with the farms base acres during the 2014 Farm Bill enrollment to more accurately reflect the planting history from 2009 to 2012. However, in the 2014 update, farm owners were not able to update the number of base acres per farm.
Where is Nebraska today?
The inability to update the base acres has created disparities in the number of cropland acres reported by the Census of Agriculture, and base acres used to provide program payments.
According to the 2022 Census of Agri-
culture, Nebraska boasts 21 million acres of cropland. However, 2024 Farm Bill enrollment data shows that the state has 15.89 million acres of base. In other words, approximately 75% of Nebraska’s cropland is supported by Farm Bill program payments. Why the statewide shortfall? The reason for more cropland acres than base acres statewide is straightforward. Farm Bill program payments only support covered commodities. When base acres were established, base acres could not be assigned to acres planted with unsupported crops such as sugar beets, dry beans and potatoes. This heavily impacted the ratio of cropland to base acres, especially in western Nebraska. Wheat-fallow rotations also impacted base acre allocation, as only half of wheat ground during that time period would have been assigned as base acres. Again, heavily impacting western counties. Another possible cause of fewer base acre acres to cropland acres would acres converted to cropland since 2001.
A look at the County Level
The data becomes more interesting when brought down to the county level. Figure 1 shows the percentage of base acres to cropland acres per county.
* Dawes-North Sioux, and South Sioux Counties are reported separately in the USDA Data. Combined, Dawes and Sioux County have 37 percent Base Acres. Grant and Hooker County have no Base Acres.
The map in Figure 1 shows that the difference at the county level in available base acres to cropland acres varies greatly between counties, ranging from 0 percent in Grant and Hooker Counties, to 149 percent in Nance County. To view an interactive map online visit: https://go.unl.edu/xzq2 . This view provides another interesting question; how can a county have more base acres than cropland? Since 2001, cropland has been returned to pasture, or native grasses, causing certain areas to have more base acres than cropland.
Unfortunately, we do not have access to farm level data. Nevertheless, we do know that it is rare for a farm to have an equal number of cropland and base acres. At the farm level, the difference in base acres vs. planted acres makes a significant difference in amount of support provided by Farm Bill Commodity Programs. Base acres must be taken into account to accurately identify the level of support from Farm Bill Commodity Programs. As it stands now, Farm Bill Commodity Programs support decreases as you move from east to west.
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Figure 1 - Percentage of 2024 Base Acres to 2022 Cropland Acres by County. Courtesy Photo
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Soybean iron deficiency chlorosis scores
Similar to last year, cool and wet conditions caused prolonged iron deficiency chlorosis (IDC) symptoms in North Dakota soybean fields, says Ana Carcedo, North Dakota State University Extension broadleaf crops agronomist.
NDSU conducts annual research on soybean varieties to determine their tolerance to IDC. This information is crucial for farmers who deal with IDC in their fields annually. Choosing soybean varieties less susceptible to IDC is the first line of action to deal with IDC, advises Carcedo.
According to Carrie Dottey, NDSU soybean breeder, “Soybean varieties exhibit genetic differences in their tolerance to IDC symptoms. Producers can use the NDSU data to choose an appropriate IDC-tolerant soybean variety for fields known to have IDC issues in the 2026 season. Selecting a soybean variety with IDC tolerance is an important management decision that can help producers minimize the negative impact of chlorosis on yield.”
In the summer of 2025, NDSU’s soybean breeding program evaluated 131 Enlist, GT27, Roundup Ready, Xtend, and conventional soybean varieties for IDC tolerance.
IDC symptoms include yellowing of plant leaves with green veins, as well as yellowing, browning, and stunted growth during the early stages, leading to reduced soybean yields. The test results are based on replicated trials conducted in a location with a history of IDC. Visual ratings were made on a 1 to 5 scale, with 1 indicating no chlorosis and 5 indicating the most severe chlorosis. Ratings were recorded at three different soybean growth stages.
The test results are available at https://vt.ag.ndsu.edu/ list/soy. NDSU soybean variety trial yield data will also be published at this link.
While IDC tolerance is important, producers are advised to consider the yield potential and other important traits of soybean varieties. Varieties with similar IDC tolerance can differ significantly in their yield potential.
The North Dakota Soybean Council provided funding for the iron deficiency rating studies.
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Managing corn harvest loss
By Trey Stephens - Former Graduate Student, Department of Agronomy and Horticulture, Vipin Kumar - Graduate Research Assistant, Department of Agronomy and Horticulture, Jenny Brhel - Extension Educator, Amit Jhala - Professor and Associate Department Head, Department of Agronomy and Horticulture
Volunteer corn plants scattered across a harvested field, illustrating a widespread post-harvest infestation with uneven growth and weed pressure.
Even a few missed kernels at harvest can set the stage for big problems next season — from lost yield to pest pressure and herbicide headaches. A new Nebraska study shows just how costly corn harvest losses can be.
Harvest losses in Nebraska corn fields are more common — and costly — than many realize.
Lost kernels often result in volunteer corn infestations the following season, impacting yield and weed control. Even small losses can limit crop rotation options and drive up herbicide costs.
Checking harvest efficiency and planning for volunteer management can protect both yield and input investment. Corn is one of Nebraska’s most important crops, with more than 10 million acres planted each year. Despite advances in hybrid performance and harvesting technology, harvest loss remains an unavoidable reality. While a few scattered kernels may not seem consequential at first glance, these lost seeds often lead to significant volunteer corn infestations the following year, posing serious agronomic and economic challenges in corn-soybean and other rotational systems (Figure 2). Nebraska has about 3.5 million acres under corn after corn rotation. Management of volunteer corn in corn is a challenge (Figure 3).
Our recent multi-county study in Nebraska highlights the extent of corn harvest losses and how these losses directly relate to volunteer corn infestation in subsequent seasons. The findings not only provide a benchmark for expected harvest loss in Nebraska conditions, but also serve as a call to action for growers to proactively manage both their harvesting operations and post-harvest control strategies.
Figure 1. Volunteer corn growing in a soybean field in south-central Nebraska. Amit Jhala | Nebraska Extension
Figure 2: Volunteer corn growing in a soybean field in south-central Nebraska. (Amit Jhala | Nebraska Extension)
Figure 3. Volunteer corn is a problem weed in corn field. (Amit Jhala | Nebraska Extension)
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Managing corn harvest loss
Why Harvest Loss Matters
Corn harvest loss can be categorized into pre-harvest and mechanical losses. Pre-harvest loss results from extreme weather events like hailstorm and high winds, green snap or stalk rot causing ears to drop before harvest. Mechanical loss typically occurs at the combine due to improper settings or operator error, with kernels lost at the header, threshing unit or during grain separation.
Corn field with uneven early-season growth showing variable plant height and stand density, likely due to poor emergence or environmental stress.
Even relatively minor harvest losses translate to significant seedbanks of viable corn. If not effectively controlled, these volunteer corn plants compete with the following crop for light, water, space and nutrients, ultimately reducing yield. In soybean, for example, as little as one volunteer corn plant per 10 ft2 has been shown to reduce yield by up to 22%.
Moreover, volunteer corn can complicate insect resistance management. It may serve as a host for pests such as corn rootworm or fall armyworm, undermining the value of Bt traits and increasing insecticide reliance.
Nebraska Study: Scope and Methods
To understand real-world harvest loss and its implications, we conducted a two-year study (2020 and 2021) across 47 commercial corn fields in south-central and southeastern Nebraska. Commerical corn fields were located in six counties: Clay, Fillmore, Hamilton, Lancaster, Seward and York.
From each field, 16 post-harvest samples were collected in a “W” pattern using a 20x20-inch quadrat to count lost kernels. Additional data such as yield, hybrid, irrigation status and nitrogen use were recorded from growers. Collected kernels were dried, weighed and tested in laboratory conditions for germination after mimicking winter storage.
Key Results
Average harvest loss was 8.3 bu ac–1 (1.5% of average yield) in 2020, and 4.4 bu ac–1 (0.7% of average yield) in 2021.
There was no correlation between harvest loss and yield, hybrid, irrigation status or nitrogen rate.
While average loss in both years remained below 2%, some fields experienced losses exceeding 1,350 bu ac–1, especially where green snap or wind damage occurred prior to harvest.
In 2020, the average corn harvest loss was approximately 6.3 kernels ft–2. Whereas in 2021, the loss averaged 3.1 kernels ft–2.
The laboratory germination rate of the collected corn kernels was 51%, indicating that about half of the lost kernels had the potential to emerge as volunteer corn in the following season. This means potential volunteer corn densities of 3.1 plants ft–2 in 2020 and 1.5 plants ft–2 in 2021.
Real-World Implications for Growers
Corn harvest loss represents a “double hit” — economic loss from reduced yield and future crop yield drag due to volunteer corn. In addition to yield impact, managing volunteer corn increases herbicide costs and narrows crop protection options, especially as stacked herbicide-resistant hybrids become more common.
The study underscores three actionable areas for growers:
Monitor Corn Harvest Efficiency
Conduct loss checks behind the combine to quantify dropped kernels. Adjustments to header height, rotor speed, sieve clearance and forward speed can substantially reduce harvest loss. Even experienced operators can benefit from periodic recalibration and field-specific adjustments.
Plan for Volunteer Corn Management
Knowing the number of lost kernels per square feet helps predict volunteer pressure. In fields with high corn harvest loss, integrating cultural, mechanical and chemical control — including tillage or herbicides — become essential.
Crop Rotation for Volunteer Corn Management
Incorporating crop rotation offers greater flexibility in managing volunteer corn. Continuously planting corn limits herbicide choices for volunteer control, but rotating to a different crop, such as soybean, opens opportunities to use alternative herbicide modes of action. For example, in a cornsoybean rotation, grass killing herbicides such as Assure II, Fusilade, Fusion, Poast, Select Max, can be applied postemergence in soybean to effectively control volunteer corn.
Scout Early
Volunteer corn in soybean, dry beans or sugarbeet may harbor corn pests or interfere with Bt insect resistance management plans. Scout early and tailor your herbicide programs to ensure timely and effective control. Early-season control can reduce competition of volunteer corn with crop.
Managing corn harvest loss
CONTINUED FROM PAGE C22
Looking Ahead
This is the first study from Nebraska that quantifies corn harvest loss and its link to volunteer corn emergence in commercial production systems. While average losses might seem manageable, individual fields can vary widely depending on hybrid, weather, harvest timing and machinery setup.
Volunteer corn infestations of 1.5–3 plants ft–2 are enough to compromise yield and pest control plans in soybean, sugarbeet, dry bean, and even corn-on-corn rotations. Producers can use these benchmarks to evaluate their own operations and take
steps to reduce corn kernel loss and its long-term impacts. Reducing harvest losses not only improves economic returns but also contributes to more sustainable weed management in Nebraska cropping systems.
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Harmonic radar on tiny travelers means smarter crop protection
By Todd Silver, ARS/USDA
With their insatiable hunger for succulent fruits and vegetables, fruit flies from the Tephritidae family are the bane of farmers and consumers alike. But recent ARS findings suggest that wind could play a major factor in surveillance, containment, and eradication of this destructive pest. Advanced technology in tracking the effects of wind dispersal on tiny, winged creatures in the wild promises to refine fruit fly management strategies, identify outbreak sources, and help scientists anticipate their movement, feeding, and mating patterns.
Several fruit flies from the Tephritidae fruit fly family are invasive to the U.S. and combine to cause millions, and during some seasons billions, in crop losses to American farmers. Beyond direct damage and control costs, if these pests were to become established on the U.S. mainland, they would become major barriers to international trade and prevent U.S. farmers from exporting to many of our trading partners.
The key to managing these pests is to understand their flying behaviors. Matthew Siderhurst recognized and addressed the complexity of tracing flies and deciphering wind-based patterns and now leads a team of scientists at the Daniel K. Inouye U.S. Pacific Basin Agricultural Research Center in Hilo, HI, where their research will empower American farmers to protect their crops and reduce food waste. Groundbreaking research published in Environmental Entomology explains that harmonic radar tagging, initially developed for locating avalanche victims, can be used to study these fly pests. The method uses reflector tags that require no energy source of their own to bounce a signal back to a transceiver to map movement data. Though attaching harmonic radar tags to the fruit flies requires painstaking precision, the mechanism is relatively simplistic: a superelastic 4-centimeter wire is connected to a diode, or one-way current semi-conductor, with an ultraviolet-activated adhesive. Next, electrical connections between the wires and diode contacts are secured with conductive silver paint. Check out the radar tags in this video.
Siderhurst said the study’s identification of outbreak patterns could predict environmental fluctuations influencing fruit fly behavior and enable farmers to adapt pest control methods. Contrary to historic consensus, this ARS-led research documented that fruit flies control their flight paths in response to wind cues as opposed to passive wind-driven movement.
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“Most of us have seen a housefly buzz around a room and that movement appears random, but when we look at fruit flies, we see they show a fairly high degree of directional persistence,” Siderhurst said. “That is, they move in much straighter lines than expected, and individual flies appear to hold to a general heading when moving between trees.”
Further field testing with wild flies is warranted because the wind influenced the flies’ flight directionality, especially in movements between trees using lab-reared flies to avoid underestimating the flies’ natural movement abilities and overstate wind’s role in their flight.
Siderhurst acknowledged that most of the research thus far has proven the technique’s effectiveness, but work remains to answer further biological questions with the new
CONTINUED ON PAGE C25
Tephritid fruit fly with harmonic radar tag attached, marked with yellow fingernail polish.
Harmonic radar on tiny travelers means smarter crop protection
CONTINUED FROM PAGE C24
tool. Further research, he said, will ideally reveal how habitat, vegetation density, and factors such as age, diet, and time of day affect insect flight patterns, with consideration of environmental influences like wind and open landscapes.
“Our approach is accessible and cost-effective,” Siderhurst said.
“While you need good eyes and a steady hand, this technique is cost-effective and transceivers are available off the shelf, so there’s no need to build anything.”
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Tephritid fruit flies are about the size of a housefly and damage a wide variety of fruits and vegetables.
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Heat calculator
A University of Idaho Extension scientist has developed an online tool to help farmers track how accumulated heat throughout the growing season affects the development of crops and important pests, helping them better time management decisions.
Several Treasure Valley farmers are already using the beta version of the Growing Degree Day Calculator and have consulted its creator, Jemilla Chellappa, an Extension area educator specializing in cropping systems, for guidance on how to apply it.
The calculator is linked to the Pacific Northwest Pest Alert Network website, operated by UI Extension, Idaho Master Gardeners, Oregon State University and the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture to provide alerts to users about pest and disease threats affecting crops.
Chellappa is working to incorporate the state’s major crops into the calculator and has already added potatoes, sugarbeets, alfalfa, barley and wheat. The software uses site-specific calculations to pinpoint the growth stages of key pests and diseases affecting those commodities, including wireworms, alfalfa weevil, apple codling moth, cereal leaf beetle, onion thrips, potato psyllids, two-spotted spider mites and cercospora.
“With the successful launch of the Growing Degree Calculator on pnwpestalert.net, we now have a user-friendly, real-time tool to help farmers, researchers and advisors across the Pacific Northwest track crop development and pest stages based on temperature, not just the calendar,” Chellappa said. “For generations, farmers have turned to the calendar, but the calendar can’t tell you what the weather has or hasn’t done.”
The calculator draws localized data from the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation’s AgriMet network of automated weather stations.
Growers may adjust the date on the calculator to tally degree days from the date of planting or the start of the calendar year. Data from the calculator helps farmers avoid unnecessary chemical applications, while preventing them from missing ideal windows for spraying. Based on this season’s growing degree days, for example, the optimal timing for a wheat farmer in the Pocatello area to spray insecticide to control cereal leaf beetle would have been from June 5 through June 9 during the insect’s peak larval stage.
A growing degree day is calculated by averaging each day’s high and low temperatures and subtracting a specified base temperature, which is the lowest temperature at which a chosen crop will grow. For most of Idaho’s major crops the base temperature is about 50 degrees. For example, the growing degree calculation for a potato crop on a day with a high temperature of 95 degrees and a low temperature of 45 degrees would be the average of the two, 70 degrees, minus a base temperature of 50 degrees, equaling 20 degrees.
Chellappa plans to add additional crops, pests and diseases to the calculator, as well as features informing growers of the ideal timing for scheduling irrigation and applying fertilizer. The software incorporates Extension publications on pest and crop development and links to relevant Extension information. As new Extension bulletins and publications are published, Chellappa will use the data to further refine the calculator’s recommendations.
Chellappa realized the need for the calculator shortly after joining Extension in 2023. Growers who responded to a survey she administered said they wanted more specific guidance on spray scheduling. She couldn’t find much information to offer them, however. She considered the tools that were available to be complicated, and they didn’t clearly explain the concept of a growing degree day.
By enabling farmers to eliminate unnecessary chemical applications, this calculator also protects beneficial insects or biocontrol agents that predate on pests.
Furthermore, farmers can use the calculator to track whether their crops are progressing on schedule and to identify likely causes if crop development falls behind where the calculator indicates it should be.
Chellappa is seeking additional funding and collaborators to further develop the calculator.
“The calculator turns weather data into biological insight, helping you track growth stages and insect pest development using daily temperatures and known thresholds,” Chellappa said.
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NDSU veterinarian advises cattle producers to be on the lookout for anthrax
Anthrax is a concern for cattle producers in North Dakota, as weather conditions in some areas once again have been favorable for this disease. Recently, an anthrax case has been identified in Stark County, North Dakota.
Anthrax is a disease in cattle caused by the bacteria Bacillus anthracis. This bacteria is able to form spores that are highly resistant to heat, cold and disinfection, and can survive in soil for years until conditions are favorable. When these spores come into contact with susceptible cattle, they can “hatch” and cause infection, leading to disease and death.
“Cattle producers should be aware that the threat of anthrax is increased when areas receive high amounts of rainfall as well as prolonged, dry conditions,” says Dr. Jake Galbreath, North Dakota State University Extension veterinarian.
Dry conditions cause the anthrax bacteria to form spores. High rainfall can disturb soil, releasing anthrax spores which can stick to plant material. These spores can be inhaled when soil is disturbed or in grazing areas with previously high water levels.
In most cases, the only sign of anthrax is finding dead cattle, often with blood coming from the nose, mouth and anus. Sudden death in cattle can occur for a number of reasons, including lightning strike, clostridial infection and toxicities. However, anthrax should always be considered in any such case. If anthrax is suspected, it is important that the carcass not be moved or cut into to avoid further contamination of the area. When anthrax bacteria within the carcass are exposed to oxygen, large numbers of spores are produced, which can enter the soil or infect other animals.
A veterinarian should obtain a blood sample and submit it to the NDSU Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory for testing. Veterinarians should contact the lab when sending in samples from a suspected anthrax case so lab staff can be prepared to receive them.
If anthrax is confirmed, all cattle should be vaccinated immediately. A commercial vaccine is available for cattle, sheep, goats, swine and horses. It is a 1cc dose that is administered subcutaneously (under the skin) in
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the neck for cattle. A booster vaccination in two to three weeks may be recommended when anthrax is present. The vaccine is then boostered annually.
Treatment with antibiotics at the time of vaccination can interfere with immune response, but in an outbreak situation, antibiotic administration may help prevent further deaths. Cattle producers should contact their local veterinarian to determine the best response for their herd.
“Cattle should be moved from the affected pasture if possible to prevent further infections, as it will take at least a week for protective antibodies to form after vaccination,” says Galbreath.
Anthrax has the potential to infect humans, so take care not to disturb the carcass. The recommended method of disposal is to burn the carcass and the soil on which the carcass was found after placing them in a trench dug in the immediate area of the death.
For more information, visit the NDSU Extension publication “Naturally Occurring Anthrax in the Environment” at ndsu. ag/anthrax25.
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Exploring the challenges in the garden
By Kirstee Schutte, Nebraska Extension Master Gardener
A garden is not just a collection of plants. It’s an ecosystem, a dynamic community of living organisms interacting with their environment. In a garden ecosystem, plants, insects, soil microbes, birds, fungi, and even humans form relationships that influence each other’s health and function. Begin with your plant selection, which should be guided by environmental compatibility. Each species has specific requirements for sunlight, soil texture, moisture, and pH. Installing a full-sun plant in shade, or a drought-tolerant species in saturated soil, leads to stress, poor performance, and increased susceptibility to disease and pests. Use hardiness zone maps and extension-recommended cultivar lists to guide your choices.
Choosing the correct plants can help maintain a healthy, biodiverse, resilient, and self-regulating ecosystem. Incorporating native plants, reducing chemical inputs, and encouraging predators of pests helps maintain ecological balance. Soil health, organic matter, and proper plant spacing also support this balance. When gardeners understand their role as ecosystem stewards, the garden becomes more sustainable, productive, and beautiful.
Once your plants are settled. Proper irrigation is crucial for maintaining plant health and preventing disease. Heavy infrequent waterings encourage roots to grow deeper, while light frequent waterings encourage roots to remain near the soil surface. Watering in the early morning reduces evaporative loss, ensures water reaches the root zone, and allows foliage to dry quickly, thereby limiting conditions favorable to pathogens such as Botrytis cinerea or powdery mildew. In contrast, evening watering leaves foliage wet overnight, promoting fungal growth and root diseases such as Pythium and Phytophthora. Consider using drip irrigation or soaker hoses to target the root zone efficiently, thereby reducing water waste. Overwatering leads to anaerobic conditions, which inhibit root respiration and promote decay.
Another part of your garden’s ecosystem includes insects. Some are harmful to your garden but many are vital components of natural pest control. Beneficial insects, such as lady beetles (Coccinellidae) and green lacewings (Chrysopidae), prey on soft-bodied pests like aphids, caterpillars, and whiteflies. Spraying broad-spectrum insecticides can eliminate both pests and beneficials, disrupting biological control and leading to population rebounds of resistant pests. Instead, consider supporting beneficial insects by planting native flowers or nectar-rich flowers, minimizing pesticide use. Moving into the yard, conventional turf grass lawns often require high inputs of water, fertilizer, and mowing, especially in arid or nutrient-poor regions. Consider replacing portions of your lawn with warm-season buffalograss (Bouteloua dactyloides), which needs less water and fertilizer. For a more natural aesthetic, consider incorporating native plants and flowers, or opt for xeriscaping with drought-tolerant species. These options reduce irrigation needs, support pollinators, and lower your carbon footprint. A green lawn doesn’t have to be resource-intensive. Grow smarter, not harder.
(From left to right) Megan Walahoski, Overton; Gabrielle Caraway, Lexington; Anna Dillon, Cozad; Clay Terrell, Gothenburg; and Grant Walahoski, Overton; made up the Intermediate Quiz Bowl team 2 who were the champions at PASE.
The Great Steppe
A steppe is a grassy plain that can be flat or hilly. The Great Steppe in Europe and Asia is a vast expanse bordered by the Black Sea that extends over Russia, eastern Europe, and former Soviet republics Turkmenistan and Kazakhstan. Historically, it was home to nomadic tribes and conquering hordes on horseback.
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Cow management and limited forage resources may have producers considering options for early weaning and utilizing early pregnancy detection to help make culling and management decisions this year. Cull cow prices are currently at some of the highest levels we’ve seen in recent years, making this an ideal time to evaluate and market underperforming animals. With live and dressed prices trending upward, identifying cull cows now can significantly boost your operation’s income potential.
Early Weaning Considerations
As we think about limited forage resources and cow productivity, considering ways to reduce the nutritional demand of lactation can significantly help first-calf heifers and cows. Weaning calves earlier can significantly reduce cow nutrient requirements and decrease dry matter intake, as well as allow available forage to match cow nutrient requirements more closely. Two-year old cows still have a growth requirement which results in additional nutritional demands during lactation. By weaning early, nutritional demands are decreased and allows heifers and cows a chance to regain or maintain body condition in late summer and fall. The difference in forage intake between lactating and non-lactating cows is about 5 pounds of forage per head per day. Additionally, about 10 pounds of forage is conserved for each day a calf is weaned. Early weaning is typically defined as weaning calves before 150 days of age. In extreme cases, such as drought, calves may be weaned at 45 days of age, but more commonly are over the age of 90 days.
If you are considering early weaning, feeding, management, and marketing options should be considered prior to weaning day.
A past CAP webinar discusses options for early weaning calves and tips on planning and preparing for the process.
For more information on weaning calves, producers can access the following NebGuides:
NebGuide G2047 Management of Early Weaned Calves or NebGuide G2057 Management, Health, and Nutritional Considerations for Weaned Calves.
ducting pregnancy diagnosis before 40–50 days post-breeding carries a higher risk of pregnancy loss, as the stress of handling and examination during this early, fragile stage can negatively impact embryo survival. To learn more about advantages and disadvantages, please visit the past article to better understand how to approach early pregnancy detection with your herd this summer and fall.
Utilizing pregnancy detection as early as 35 days allows producers to target different markets and conserve forage resources. If producers need to cull cows, some criteria to consider may include physical impairments, older mature cows, cows with low production records or weaning weights, and non-pregnant cows. Learn more about how implementing timely pregnancy detection as a tool can help make decisions in a past webinar: https://youtu.be/OU__mDl8Ty4.
Selecting the Right Pregnancy Diagnosis
Method for Your Herd
Previous research has shown that pregnancy diagnosis is a valuable management tool that can significantly enhance a producer’s bottom line. With current feed and supplement costs, keeping one cow over winter can range from $175 to $400, making the early identification and removal of open cows a practical way to reduce expenses. Despite these clear economic benefits, pregnancy diagnosis remains significantly underutilized in the beef industry. According to the 2017 NAHMS survey, only 19.3% of producers used transrectal palpation, 8.8% used ultrasound, and just 3.5% used blood testing —highlighting a major opportunity for broader adoption. All three methods require the cow to be restrained in a chute or alley for examination or sample collection. While palpation and ultrasound provide immediate results, blood tests involve a short waiting period as samples must be shipped and processed at a lab.
In addition to early weaning, confined feeding may also be an option if resources need to be conserved. Learn more about confined feeding options from a past webinar: https://youtu.be/PBFA-F6sc7k. Value of Pregnancy Detection and Culling Considerations
Early pregnancy diagnosis allows managers to make decisions on keeping, selling or even re-breeding females. Pregnancy detection via rectal palpation can be determined as early as 35-45 days whereas ultrasonography can determine pregnancy as early as 30 days. One alternative could be the implementation of blood tests, which have been proven to accurately detect pregnancy as early as 28-32 days. For blood-based pregnancy tests to be accurate, calving must have occurred at least 75 days prior to ensure that hormones from the previous pregnancy have cleared the cow’s system. It’s also important to recognize that con-
Costs vary depending on the method and provider. Processed blood tests typically range from $2.40–$3.75 per cow, influenced by herd size and material costs. While the initial test cost is affordable, shipping and lab scheduling can significantly increase cost and turnaround time. IDEXX Laboratories offers a rapid blood-based pregnancy test that delivers chute-side results in just 21 minutes, using the same principles as labbased tests. However, it may not be practical for all producers, as it requires a holding pen or separate sort. Current market costs vary from $10-15 per cow, depending on volume and materials.
Palpation and ultrasound are comparably priced, with costs varying based on the veterinarian’s hourly rate and the number of cows evaluated per hour. Compared to blood tests, these methods offer added value by allowing the veterinarian to feel and/or visualize ovarian structures and estimate fetal age and sex. Ultrasound can also detect early fetal loss, which may guide management decisions. Consulting your veterinarian about cost, time, and their preferred method can help you choose the most cost-effective and accurate approach for determining pregnancy status in your beef herd.
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The risks involved with carbon monoxide
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By Olivia Wright, K-State Extension news service
Carbon monoxide – an odorless, colorless gas – usually offers no warning signs.
When carbon monoxide levels are high enough to cause harm, you may not even know. The gas interferes with the body’s ability to use oxygen.
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“High levels of carbon monoxide are dangerous for everyone. Severe exposure may cause death or lasting damage to organs,” said Mitch Ricketts, an agriculture safety and health professor at Kansas State University.
Ricketts said that even low levels of the gas can be hazardous for children, the elderly, unborn babies and people with heart conditions.
“A common source of carbon monoxide comes from internal combustion engines and fuel-burning appliances,” Ricketts said.
This includes small equipment such as lawn mowers, power washers and generators, but also automobiles, tractors, combines, skid-steer loaders and forklifts.
“Carbon monoxide levels are dangerous even if they are low enough to not displace oxygen,” Ricketts said. “A carbon monoxide detector is the only way to know when levels are dangerous.”
Early warning signs of carbon monoxide poisoning may include:
Dizziness.
Nausea.
Sleepiness.
Headache.
Tightness or pain in the chest.
Ricketts said those exposed to high levels of carbon monoxide should see a doctor immediately. If a person collapses and carbon monoxide is suspected, call 911.
He adds that to protect yourself and others, proper maintenance of equipment and providing outdoor venting can reduce risk. Carbon monoxide detectors should be installed if fuel-burning equipment is used indoors to prevent hazardous exposure.
“Carbon monoxide detectors should be installed in everyone’s home,” Rickets said. “If equipment that produces carbon monoxide is used in the garage or a shop, then a detector should be installed in there.”
Cover crops grazing
By Todd Whitney, UNL
Cover crops can provide dual purpose benefits of soil health improvement and livestock forage production. For some crop producers, cover crops value is based on the plants protecting soil from water & wind erosion along with improving soil structure, increasing organic matter and enhanced field water infiltration. Bonus values may focus on potential nutrient recycling from cover crops to lower commercial fertilizer costs.
Based on forage production, livestock producers may assign their highest cover crops values to potential alternative pastures or haying. This becomes even more important when their perennial grass ranges have delayed Spring growth; or grazed rangeland need extended rest periods due to summer drought.
In Nebraska, cereal rye is the most common fall planted cool-season grass species cover crop.
The highest biomass usually occurs when rye is seeded in August or early September; then grazed in Spring prior to soft dough head development. However, rye can be late seeded after Thanksgiving and still provide good spring forage.
Other fall seeded cool-season grass cover crops might include: winter wheat, triticale, barley and oats. Although the oats are preferred for building beneficial fungi soil health, these plants will likely winter kill.
Brassicas like turnips, canola and radishes along with small seeded legumes will provide good extended grazing when warm-season plants are grazed off in late summer or early fall. Turnips are often overlooked as a lower cost tuber crop which can maintain their nutritive value longer after a killing frost than radishes. Canola can provide fall and winter grazing and re-grazed in the spring if winter cold conditions are not too severe. Radish tubers can provide good winter grazing and possibly improve soil tilth, but they typically will not overwinter.
More information regarding cover crops and grazing is available at: https://cropswatch.unl.edu or https://beef.unl. edu
Date When Celebrated: Always observed on September 12
This day is an opportunity for chocoholics to savor and enjoy a thick and frothy shake. In midSeptember, the weather may have cooled off. But, our appetite for chocolate, specifically chocolate shakes, hasn’t cooled off one iota.
Chocolate is the most popular milkshake flavor. For those of you who prefer other flavors, only a chocolate milkshake will do today.
Did You Know? On August 1, 2000, Ira Freehof, made the Guinness World Book of Records by making the world’s largest milkshake. This milkshake was 6,000 gallons, the equivalent of 50,000 regular-sized shakes.
To participate in this day is easy; you already know what to do. Make this day even more fun, by making the milkshake yourself.
Origin of Milkshakes
The first milkshake was made in 1885. They were originally sold in bars and saloons. The original milkshake was made of whiskey, eggs, and cream. Then in the early 1900s, chocolate, vanilla, or strawberry syrup replaced the whiskey. In 1922, a Walgreen employee added malted milk powder to the recipe. That same year, Steven Poplawski invented the electric blender. This made milkshakes more smooth and frothy. By the 1930s, malt ships popped up around the country, selling malted milkshakes and other ice creams.
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Rickertsen takes home Beef Carcass Champion, Jensen garnered Reserve
Showing cattle is not all there is to the 4-H Beef Project. At the point where all the fair’s livestock show leaves off, the Carcass Contest picks up. The 4-H’ers get to see firsthand how their 4-H project stacks up to what the industry wants when it comes to meat grades. The quality grades measure the eating quality of the meat. Alexandra Rickertsen, daughter of Curt and Holly Rickertsen of Lexington, entered the top beef animal in the 2025 Dawson County Beef Carcass 4-H Contest.
Rickertsen’s champion carcass steer had the top yield grade of 3.4 and high choice. The animal’s carcass had a 14.072 square inch rib eye and 0.61 backfat. Hailey Jensen, of Cozad received the reserve champion title with a steer that had a yield grade of 3.5 and low choice with a 15.068 square inch ribeye area and 0.732 backfat. There were no prime grades in this year’s contest.
Five market beef were entered into the contest.
Blue ribbons went to Alexandra Rickertsen (Lexington), Hailey Jensen (Cozad); and Trina Pearson (Brady) third. (Lexington) A red ribbon went to Dallee Barnes (Gothenburg) fourth; and a white ribbon to Greta Rickertsen (Lexington).
Carcass contest placings are configured with the cooperation of Tyson’s meat staff, and the 4-H Beef Carcass Superintendents, Paul and Shannon Peterson of Gothenburg, and Scott Aden also of Gothenburg.
Special premiums are provided to all 4-H owners by donors to the 4-H Livestock Premium Fund.
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Hailey Jensen of Cozad proudly holds the Beef Carcass Contest Reserve Champion banner she earned with her steer with a live weight of 1544 pounds as part of the 2025 Dawson County Fair.
Alexandra Rickertsen of Lexington took home the Beef Carcass Contest Grand Champion banner she won with her 1468 pound steer at the conclusion of the Dawson County Fair.
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The Montana Make It With Wool program is gearing up for another fantastic year of creativity through our traditional garment making contest, and the Quilt, Appliqué Project, and Afghan contest. There has been some new and renewed interest in the MIWW program over the past few weeks which is always invigorating.
With the excitement running through Montana’s MIWW program, we want to remind every one of the three new contests connected with the National Make It With Wool portion of the program. There is the Sweater contest which was in its maiden year last year, the Producer to Crafter Partnership contest, and the Recycle - Upcycle contest. These three additions to the National MIWW program are being sponsored by RE Synergy and being promoted by Back Yard Green Films and Make It With Wool. The specifics of these contests along with entry forms can be found on the National Make It With Wool website at makeitwithwool.com, and are also included on our Montana MIWW Facebook page Montana Make It With Wool.
It is never too early to start preparing for the District Make It With Wool contests to be held this Fall in Montana. We encourage all sewists to grab your favorite pattern and start searching for that perfect wool fabric or yarn.
Montana District MIWW contests will be held in October 2025. Specific dates can be found in the 2025 Montana MIWW brochure which is available on the Montana Woolgrowers Association website at mtsheep.org/make-it-withwool/, the Montana Make It With Wool Facebook page, at your local MSU Extension office, from our District Directors, and from our Montana MIWW Director Amanda Powell (aspowell11@hotmail.com).
Please note: All MIWW garment and quilt, appliqué project, and afghan entries are due by October 1, 2025. Please no late entries.
The Montana Entry Form has specific instructions on what size samples and fees need to be sent to the appropriate directors. The MIWW Entry Form can be found on the Montana Woolgrowers Association website at mtsheep. org/make-it-with-wool/, the Montana Make It With Wool Facebook page, at your local MSU Extension office, and from our Montana MIWW Director and District Directors.
To compete in the Montana MIWW program, the fabric and/or yarn needs to be a minimum of 60% wool to qualify for the MIWW contest. There is a $7 testing fee for each piece of fabric or yarn used in your entry. We encourage sewists to send in their samples early to assure the testing results are completed before the District contest. All samples are to be sent to the Montana MIWW Director (4187 Old Post Road, Havre MT 59501) for testing.
The MIWW competition is open to all who sew, knit, crochet or felt garments with wool fabric or wool yarn. The categories are Preteen (12 and under); Junior (13-16); Senior (17-24); Adult (age 25 and older); and Made for Others. Ages are determined as of January 1, 2025.
All participants compete in person at the District contests. Winners at the District level in the Junior, Senior, and Adult categories advance to the Montana State MIWW competition held in conjunction with the Montana Woolgrowers Convention on December 5th and 6th, 2025, in Billings. PreTeen and Made for Others category participants compete at the District level only.
The Montana MIWW Quilt / Appliqué Project / Afghan contest continues this year, so get your creative juices flowing and complete your one-of-a-kind creation. We want to see it!! Specific entry information can be found in the 2025 Montana Make It With Wool Quilt / Appliqué Project / Afghan Contest brochure which can be found on the Montana Woolgrowers Association website at mtsheep. org/make-it-with-wool/, the Montana Make It With Wool Facebook page, and at your local MSU Extension office. Our quilt competition is directed by Jean Harrison who can be reached at 406-799-1331 or lois.jean.harrison@gmail. com for questions.
I am looking forward to seeing the creations that our contestants will bring to the program this year. It is always refreshing to see the younger sewists get involved in the MIWW program, and so inspiring as we view the outstanding outfits of some of our more accomplished contestants. If you have not liked our Facebook page, we ask that you go and like it – Montana Make It With Wool.
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Hail damaged sorghum –now what?
Brent Bean, Sorghum Checkoff Director of Agronomy
Few things are more discouraging for a grower than watching a healthy sorghum crop get devastated by a hailstorm in a matter of minutes. The extent of the yield loss depends on both the growth stage of the sorghum at the time of the storm and the severity of the hail. While small hailstones may cause minimal leaf shredding, larger stones can bruise stalks or severely damage panicles. Damage is rarely uniform across a field, making it essential to evaluate multiple areas when assessing the impact.
Immediately after a hailstorm, the crop may appear heavily damaged—and this often looks even worse 48 to 72 hours later as injured tissue dies. Fortunately, grain sorghum is remarkably resilient, especially when damage occurs early in the growing season. With favorable conditions, plants may begin showing new growth within 72 hours, and much of the crop’s original yield potential can still be realized. Ideally, wait at least seven days before conducting a full damage assessment to allow for both visible tissue death and the emergence of new growth.
The crop’s ability to recover is largely tied to its growth stage. Until about the sixth or seventh leaf stage (roughly the first 28 days), the growing point of sorghum remains below or just above the soil surface. At this early stage, even severe above-ground damage can be overcome as the primary stem produces new growth. If the stalk is severely damaged below the growing point, to the point that it will not recover, new tillers will be produced, largely compensating for the loss of the main stalk. Potential yield loss gradually increases as the plant approaches the heading stage.
When evaluating hail damage, consider three key factors:
Leaf Defoliation
Leaf damage is often visually overestimated. Even partially shredded leaves can still photosynthesize if the tissue is green. Yield loss from defoliation varies based on the crop’s stage. For instance, 50% leaf loss at the 10-leaf stage may reduce yield by less than 5%, while the same damage at the boot stage could cause up to 30% yield loss.
Stand Loss from Stalk Damage
Assess stalk bruising based on both its location and severity. Deep bruises reaching the stalk’s center usually lead to plant death, while minor bruises may not affect the plant initially, but may increase lodging or stalk rot infection. Although it looks bad, superficial scars on the leaf sheath that surround the stalk have little effect on the health of the plant. When evaluating stand loss, consider all plants with deep bruises as lost, and count half of the plants with minor bruises as potentially non-viable. If stand loss occurs early, sorghum’s ability to tiller and adjust kernel count can help compensate.
Panicle Damage
Panicle injury can occur from the boot stage through grain fill. Estimate what portion of the panicle is damaged—this loss is typically a direct 1:1 impact on yield. Before making any decision to terminate the crop, always consult your crop insurance agent.
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Five teachers at a Windsor, Ontario, middle school announced in early 2013 that the eighth grade’s annual class trip would be to Disney World! They told the students in an assembly, and prepared a video and PowerPoint presentation to detail the trip. It was such a happy moment that the teachers made sure to videotape the kids’ priceless reactions They also got their reactions on tape when they informed the kids that it was all a prank – they were really going bowling. When the school principal found out, he came up with a trip that he felt was less expensive than Disney World but more exciting than bowling, and sent the kids to Niagara Falls.
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By Emily How, Horticulture agent, NDSU Extension – Ward County
One of my favorite spots at home is in my front yard. Between my driveway and the front walk there is a two-footwide patch of soil where I grow wildflowers. This is a test of my own plant identification skills, but also of my patience. Every year I anxiously await the sprouting of flowers and hope that my neighbors don’t call the city for what looks like a weed patch. But come July, those unruly sprouts have burst into bloom and are filled with all sorts of beautiful colors, from purple and pink bachelor buttons to yellow sunflowers and white baby’s breath.
These wildflowers do more than bring interest and color to the front of my house, they provide a buffet of pollen and habitat space for many different pollinators. Almost 40% of the native bumblebees in the United States are native to North Dakota. These fuzzy little pollinators cannot fly as far as other bees can and providing them with food and habitat is essential to bumble bee survival in an urban area.
Speaking of native bees, did you know that there are over 4,000 native bee species in the U.S? Most of which are solitary bees, meaning they do not live together in hives or social colonies like honeybees or bumble bees. In fact, many solitary bees, such as the sweat bee, live in the ground. These bees need flat, untilled soil to build their nests. By having a patch of wildflowers, I have an untilled, undisturbed place for the bees to live during the winter months. It also provides an essential food source for the native solitary and social bees.
Creating your own wildflower patch is easy. The most important part is finding a spot in your yard that you can leave unmown and untilled. Remove any existing plant matter and scratch the soil up with a rake. Plant wildflower seeds, then water. Try to use wildflower seeds that are native to North Dakota, such as yarrow, sunflowers, coneflowers, blanket flowers and wild bergamot. You can also include other popular wildflowers that will reseed themselves every year, like bachelor’s buttons, poppies and cosmos. Make sure to have a mix of annuals and perennials. Finally, sit back and watch as your wildflowers take off!
You can create the same environment on your patio using pots and planters of assorted sizes. Using larger pots (at least 12 inches in diameter and depth) and mulching can provide more insulation for the plants to survive the winter. Plants such as coneflower, sage, columbine and chives grow well in pots and are great pollen sources.
I forgot to mention the best part about a wildflower patch, I don’t have to weed out all the dandelions! Honestly, I rarely weed this patch at all. The foxtail grass fills in spaces where wildflowers are not growing and helps increase the drainage and limit erosion. The black medic fixes nitrogen in the soil, which means I don’t have to fertilize and provides another food source for the bees. Every plant that is growing in this space provides some sort of benefit.
This year, try growing something wild.
PRF as risk management tool
By Shannon Sand, UNL
Pasture and forage are the foundation of many Nebraska livestock operations, but they’re also one of the most vulnerable resources. Drought can quickly reduce forage production, forcing ranchers to buy expensive feed or reduce herd numbers.
One tool producers can use to manage this risk is USDA’s Pasture, Rangeland, and Forage, or PRF, Insurance. Unlike traditional crop insurance, PRF doesn’t ensure the actual forage you grow. Instead, it’s based on a rainfall index for your area. If rainfall falls below the long-term average during the months you select, you may receive an indemnity payment. These indemnities are designed to help offset the added costs of purchasing hay, feed, or other supplements when pasture growth is limited. In other words, PRF helps stabilize cash flow in dry years, giving ranchers more flexibility to maintain their herd and avoid making short-term decisions that can have long-term consequences.
Enrollment for PRF happens annually before December 1, with coverage based on your county and your chosen grazing or haying months. While it doesn’t guarantee a profit, it is a valuable tool to include in your risk management plan, especially as weather patterns remain unpredictable. For more information visit cap.unl.edu or talk with your local crop insurance agent.
Making decisions with hail-damaged row crops
By: Sara Bauder, SDSU Extension Forage Field Specialist
A recent hail event that swept across the eastern part of South Dakota left a severe hail path length of about 225 miles stretching from Lake Oahe to west-central Minnesota (weather.gov). Late-season hail damage leaves growers wondering what to do next.
Where to Start
Before making any drastic decisions about your fields, be sure to consider the following:
• Allow seven to 10 days for plants to recover to assess injury as long as some pods or ears are still in-tact.
• Check with your crop insurance agent before making any decisions regarding haildamaged fields.
• Think twice before applying any fungicides to protect hail-damaged crops. Fungicides are designed to protect against fungal plant diseases. Wounds in growing plants are prone to bacterial infection, which fungicides do not protect against.
• Check your previously used pesticide labels. Before determining alternative uses for hail-damaged fields, harvest and forage utilization intervals must be checked on all applied pesticides. In addition, check rotation intervals before planting another crop; for a quick look-up on herbicide rotation restrictions, view our publication, Herbicide Rotation Restrictions.
Depending on the level of defoliation and plant moisture, row crops left standing may still provide a grain crop and, if not, a viable grazing or green chopping option. Iowa Extension has two excellent publications on decision making after hail for corn and soybean that may be helpful. If the grain crop is determined to be a loss, there are several options to consider.
Forage Production Grazing
Keep in mind that there are many considerations to make regarding cattle health and feed utilization before grazing a corn or soybean crop. See our Grazing Corn or the Using Soybeans as Forage videos on our YouTube channel for more information on grazing corn and soybean.
Green Chopping
If you’re interested in chopping haildamaged corn or soybean to ensile, be sure to check the plant moisture first and consider using one of the annual forage options listed in this article following chopping to keep soils covered and potentially provide additional forage. Keep in mind that feed nutrient values may be lower than expected after hail events, especially in the case of soybean if plants are mostly defoliated.
Planting Cool-Season Annuals
Annuals can extend the grazing season or provide haying/chopping materials to help get your livestock through the winter. Crops, like oats, barley and spring wheat, can provide fall grazing, haying or chopping opportunities if planted now. These are ideal for growers seeking a crop that will winter-kill. Although it is relatively late in the season, there is still a good chance of developing a reasonable amount of biomass to help extend your forage resources with cool-season annuals. Winter annuals, like winter rye, winter
wheat or winter triticale, will provide both fall and spring forage when conditions allow if planted mid-to-late September. Keep in mind that spring termination will be necessary with winter annuals if the crop is not intended to reach maturity.
If grazing is on the table, many coolseason cover crops (such as legumes or brassicas) should also be considered (ie: clover, peas, radish, turnip, etc.). Regardless of crops selected for fall planting, strip grazing is typically the best way to utilize feedstuffs and reduce waste. It does require some fence-moving every few days, but often takes less fuel and time than haying/ chopping and feeding. Should you choose to hay, remember that feeding livestock back on the field it was cut from or spreading manure are good ways to recycle nutrients and work towards maintaining soil health.
For the Good of the Soil
If you do not require additional forage, this is a prime opportunity to dabble with cover crops. If you have a desire to meet specific needs (such as keeping your soils protected from erosion, recycling nutrients, reducing compaction, suppressing weeds, etc.), cover crops may be for you. Choose a couple main purposes, and then work towards creating a mix that is right for you! Keep in mind that cover crops will need spring termination if winter annuals are used.
Other Thoughts
Consider all the options for your haildamaged crop before calling it quits on this year’s growing season. Before utilizing any new feeds or feeding methods, be sure to consult with an animal nutritionist or veterinarian. If you choose to plant coolseason annuals for forage or cover, consult the NRCS Cover Crop Spreadsheet for ideas on annual cover crop mixes that might work best for you, or contact SDSU Extension or USDA NRCS personnel for further assistance. There are many cool-season grass and broadleaf species to choose from that can still be successfully planted this fall if growing conditions allow.
Joan Alexandra Molinsky
While attending college in the mid1980s, the comedienne called herself “J. Sondra Meredith,” mostly to distance herself from the surname of her disapproving parents, who thought that female comics were “as bad as showgirls.” The owner of
the first comedy club didn’t like “Meredith” and called her “Pepper January,” but she hated that. When she finally got an agent, Tony Rivers, he told her, “I can’t send you out with that name.” So she chose his, and became Joan Rivers.
Soybeans were defoliated near Ipswich, South Dakota in a late-August hailstorm. Photo taken Aug. 28, 2021. (Courtesy: Bonnie Hoffman)
Cattle Chat: Managing bulls between breeding seasons
By Chevy-Lynn Vaske, K-State Research and Extension news service
Breeding season might be over for some, but bulls still need some attention. Kansas State University veterinarians Brad White and Todd Gunderson, and beef cattle nutritionist Phillip Lancaster say rest and proper nutrition are essential for helping bulls recover and prepare for the next cycle.
“A bull may lose anywhere from 100-200 pounds of bodyweight during a breeding season,” Gunderson said. “He’s going to need at least a couple of months to recover body condition and complete spermatogenesis (a process of sperm cell development).”
The experts, speaking on a recent episode of the K-State Beef Cattle Institute’s Cattle Chat podcast, recommend a comprehensive approach to bull management, including a breeding soundness exam before the next breeding season, and targeted nutritional supplementation.
“We typically want bulls in a body condition score of 6 when turning them out for breeding,” Lancaster said. “If he’s losing 100 to 200 pounds, he’ll likely drop to a body condition score of 5, (so) producers need to plan
supplement strategies based on their forage resources.”
The veterinarians emphasized that bulls require strategic nutritional support, whether on warm- or cool-season grasses, to ensure optimal fertility and performance in subsequent breeding seasons.
They added each operation looks different based on forage resources and other regional conditions, but it’s important to care for bulls even when they are not covering cows.
To learn more about bull management practices, pre-weaning calf management and preparing for fall processing, listen to the full episode of Cattle Chat online.
The hidden cost of silage spoilage—and how to stop it
By Ben Beckman, Nebraska Extension Educator
When it comes to silage, we often focus on yield and harvest timing—but one of the biggest losses can happen after the crop is already chopped and piled. Silage spoilage and the resulting dry matter loss is an invisible thief, quietly robbing feed quality and quantity. Adding it up can result in major economic losses over time. The good news? Small changes in storage can have a big impact.
While this information applies to silages, it is worth pointing out that dry hay stored outside (and many other feeds) lose material over time (i.e., shrink) as well.
Spoilage Adds Up—Fast
Spoilage in silage piles usually occurs in the top and shoulder zones where oxygen penetrates. Oxygen is the enemy for ensiling, so uniform packing density is critical for stable storage. Once properly packed, covering with oxygen limiting barriers has shown to further reduce dry matter losses. Dry matter (DM) loss from the shoulders of drive over piles can easily reach 15–30%2, depending on how well the pile is packed, sealed, and protected from air and water. Even in well-managed piles, average shrink across the entire pile is typically 10–20%2.
it a feed you should not use. Once shrink increases above 15-20% of DM, then you should consider not using silage. Simply packing it some and not covering or not feeding out sufficiently from the face will cost you more than if you had used other alternative forages.
Why Covering Pays
Research has consistently shown that covering piles can cut DM losses nearly in half. Research trials comparing uncovered vs. plastic-covered silage piles report: Uncovered piles: 20–30% DM loss,2 Plastic-covered piles: 10–15% DM loss2
Oxygen-barrier + plastic: as low as 8-9% DM loss6
An oxygen-barrier film under traditional plastic sheeting reduces oxygen infiltration and surface spoilage, especially in the top 1–3 feet where air exposure is highest1. Covering with oxygen-barrier film may cost $0.20–$0.40 per square foot, but the reduction in spoilage typically pays for itself within a single season.
Choosing the Right Storage: Pads, Bunkers, or Uprights?
Long-term, evaluating your storage structure can yield some of the biggest returns. Drive-over piles are flexible and costeffective up front but tend to have higher spoilage losses—especially along the shoulders and top if not carefully packed and sealed4.
If you want to determine the actual amount of shrink for your operation, then you need to accurately account for weights put into storage (and sample for moisture/ DM) and then accurately account for all material fed out (and sample for moisture/ DM). Sampling at both the time of ensiling and during feed-out is critical as moisture/ DM content changes some during ensiling (usually gaining 1 percentage in moisture while ensiling in the first 28 days).
Let’s break that down:
A 1,000-ton pile with 15% DM shrink loses 150 tons of feed.
At $60 per ton (as-fed)3, that’s $9,000 in lost feed—enough to cover the cost of a cover and then some.
Bunker silos (with concrete walls) can allow for better compaction, safer feed-out, and reduced oxygen infiltration at the edges over drive over piles but need more complicated management and covering techniques to show these improvements.
Upright silos and ag bags often show the lowest DM losses but come with higher capital or operating costs and less flexibility.
If you’re feeding high-value livestock or depend heavily on silage for your ration, reducing shrink by 5–10% year over year can easily justify infrastructure improvements.
A Simple Rule of Thumb
At a minimum, shrink is costing you dollars in lost feed. Additionally, it may result in needing to purchase additional feed as the estimated amount available was actually less. Lastly, the feed quality with spoilage may make the feed less nutritive (lower in energy) resulting in poorer performance or requiring more to meet the same nutrient value of higher quality silage.
Best way to calculate needs is to divide by 1-% shrink. For example, if you need 1000 tons to feed, and you plan for 15% shrink, then you need to put up 1176.5 ton of silage (1000/(1-.15)) = 1176.5 ton of DM. Your shrink loss is 176.5 ton of DM.
For every 1% reduction in shrink, you save $0.60/ton (assuming $60/ton as-fed silage)3. Over 1,000 tons, that’s $600 in feed savings for just 1% reduced. If we improve loss by 5%, we are up to $3,000. So even a modest improvement—like better covering or improved pad drainage—can pay for itself within a single season.
Bottom Line
These aren’t just numbers. This is feed you paid to grow, harvest, haul, and pack—and now can’t feed. Managing the harvesting process, packing sufficiently, and covering can make silage a profitable feed choice, while not managing silage can make
Spoilage may be out of sight, but it shouldn’t be out of mind. Covering piles with plastic—especially with an oxygen barrier—pays. Investing in good pad drainage, proper slope, and possibly permanent structures like bunkers can dramatically reduce losses and improve long-term feed quality.
Don’t just measure your pile by tons harvested—measure by tons fed.
Caterpillar Management
Adam Varenhorst, Associate Professor & SDSU Extension Field Crop Entomologist
Additional Authors: Philip Rozeboom, Patrick Wagner
Written collaboratively by Adam Varenhorst, Philip Rozeboom, Patrick Wagner, and Brad McManus.
True armyworm caterpillars reached threshold in oats and wheat crops in many areas of South Dakota during the last few weeks. Management efforts to reduce these populations had varying levels of success, with SDSU Extension receiving numerous reports of pyrethroid insecticide failures. Entomologists in Minnesota and North Dakota have also observed issues with managing true armyworm caterpillars with pyrethroid insecticides in the past. To date, no evaluations of the susceptibility of these populations to pyrethroids have been conducted. There is the potential that insecticide applications made during hot conditions could result in reduced efficacy of the insecticides. In addition, true armyworm caterpillars can be difficult to treat with adequate coverage. There is also the possibility that these caterpillars are resistant to pyrethroid insecticides. If true armyworm caterpillars show up in large numbers in 2026, management with products other than pyrethroids should be considered. Most insecticide treatments for true armyworm also occur on late-stage caterpillars that are more difficult to manage. The caterpillars often go unnoticed in small grains until they reach approximately one inch in length, which indicates that the infestation has been present for approximately 15-20 days. Weekly scouting of small grains for true armyworm caterpillars should start during the first week of July and continue through harvest to ensure that caterpillar populations are not missed.
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in great shape-newer rollers $29,500
2026 Neville Ground Load 53-ft. x 102”, air ride, 4 compartments, full opening rear with half slide, heavy duty duct floor $63,900 1999 Wilson tandem pot, air ride, tall 24.5 tires on all aluminum wheels, 9-ft. nose, 9-ft. rear, 12” tuck, grain traps, complete nose decking, laydown doghouse, 90% brakes, 90% virgin rubber, 30% floors-no cleats, crowd gate @ counterbalance, extra wide belly gate, roll up door
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True armyworm (Mythimna unipuncta) caterpillar. (Courtesy: Roger Schmidt, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Bugwood.org)
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Succession planning during daylong institute offered by Montana Farmers Union
Hear from expert speakers and get the tools to do a deep dive into your farm’s succession plan during the Succession Planning Institute offered Nov. 2 by Montana Farmers Union for multi-generational farm and ranch families.
The institute is free to MFU members or $50 for nonmembers and will be held from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., Sunday, November 2, at the Yogo Inn in Lewistown following MFU’s 110th Annual State Convention to be held October 31-November 1, with preconvention tours planned October 30.
“The issue of succession planning is a topic of great concern to our Montana Farmers Union members and therefore is a priority to our staff. It is a topic that can create an unnecessary rift in families if not properly addressed. We created the institute to equip farm and ranch families with the short- and long-term tools needed to create a financial and legal plan that works for them,” said Jodi Koterba, MFU’s education director.
The daylong workshop is geared for current and next generation owners and operators and includes a mixture of presentations, individual reflection, and private multigenerational family and farm discussions.
Montana Farmers Union has implemented an online learning lab with resources for families to consult as needed. Following the in-person event, participants will have access to virtual check-ins for four months following the institute to allow for questions, requests for help, and to celebrate the establishment of plans.
“A future for your next farm or ranch generation depends on laying a strong foundation now,” Koterba said. “The Succession Planning Institute is designed to use a variety of tools to enable successful and smooth multi- generational communications that allow everyone to have their voices heard.”
Topics that will be covered during the succession planning institute include:
Estate planning expectations
Examining approaches for disagreements
Location and usefulness of existing documents
Identification of mutual family level goals for the short, intermediate, and long terms
Preparing to meet with lawyers/financial advisors
Succession planning next steps.
Dakota Gardener: False sunflower, a great garden perennial
By Kelsey Deckert, Horticulture agent, NDSU Extension - Burleigh County
I have been hosting an annual garden tour for the past five years and I look forward to it every year! Garden tours are perfect for learning new techniques and methods to implement in your own garden. It’s a wonderful time to share advice with fellow gardeners and most of all, find inspiration for new plants to try!
This year’s garden tour plant inspiration for me is False Sunflower, specifically the variegated variety. False Sunflower is a perennial from the Aster Family and is very easy to grow. It is suitable for zones 3 to 9. It will perform best in the full sun and can tolerate a range of soils. It doesn’t generally have any pests or diseases.
False Sunflower will range from 3 to 6 feet tall and will spread from 2 to 4 feet, making it a great flower for group plantings. False Sunflower is an early bloomer and offers a long bloom period from June to September, making it a great pollinator plant. Deadheading will encourage additional blooms and keep the plant in a uniform appearance. Finches are attracted to the seeds in the fall.
There are a lot of varieties to choose from with a range of coloring, leaf variation and stem coloring. Bleeding Hearts will offer deep green leaves with stunning orange-red flowers. Prairie Sunset has a dark reddish center and purple stems. Summer Sun is unique with its semi-double golden flowers. Sunstruck and Bit of Honey offer variegated leaves, making it a striking plant in any garden.
If you are a low-maintenance gardener or love creating a wildlife habitat, add False Sunflower to your list of plants and inspire neighbors!
