Extension Trends: Bingham County

EXTENSION TRENDS: BINGHAM COUNTY University of Idaho Extension, Bingham County • www.uidaho.edu/bingham

2019 Impact UI Extension Educator Reed Findlay worked with a group of field men, growers, specialists and educators to study thrips in alfalfa in Blackfoot and Mud Lake. This is a new pest and is a growing concern with clients.

Initial survey results were presented at the Idaho Hay and Forage Conference. A regression equation was developed that will assist growers in determining the economic threshold of this pest and when to initiate control measures. An additional year of monitoring will be needed due to the late spring and unusual growing season this year.

2019 By the Numbers • 6,882 direct contacts • 2,379 youth participants • 67 volunteers • 545 volunteer hours • $67,181 extramural funding

Our Advisory Council Special thanks to our volunteers who help shape programming and inform the work we do for UI Extension in Bingham County: Kellie Park, Lloyd Tolman, Nola Cates, Clarence Peck, Jessica Lewis, Brooklyn Ellis, Conner Reid, Keith Salisbury, Ryan Searle and LeRie Peck.

UI Extension Educators Reed Findlay 208-236-7310 rfindlay@uidaho.edu

Julie Buck 208-785-8060 jhbuck@uidaho.edu

Meranda Small 208-785-8060 msmall@uidaho.edu

Findlay also assisted UI Extension beef specialist Jim Sprinkle with water quality monitoring at the Mink Creek grazing allotments— work that is vital to ranchers.

This study is designed to cast additional light on the source (cattle as well as wildlife, dogs and humans) of fecal coliform in the area. Past government studies did not use genetic markers to identify species contributions and thus cattle were assumed to be the primary contributors. This study has shown human contributions to be the main factor in fecal coliform contamination.

Educator Julie Buck taught four Dining with Diabetes class series to 11 participants and held two reunion meetings with nine participants. She also participated in Cooking Under Pressure workshops with nearly 400 people attending throughout southeast Idaho. A survey of participants indicated that 58% would use their electric pressure cooker 3–5 times per week and 20% 1–2 times per week after attending the workshop.

A Cooking Under Pressure for Youth class was taught to 18 students at Firth High School with 55% reporting increased confidence in using an electric pressure cooker.

Buck also taught Welcome to the Real World to 23 students at Independence High School, 69 students at Snake River Junior High School and 20 students at Firth High School. An average of 97% of participants reported that they had learned about the relationship between education and earning money.

A curriculum taught at the Blackfoot Senior Citizen Center and Shelley Senior Center, Downsize and Organize, taught participants about the options and benefits to being organized.

In livestock programming, UI Extension Educator Meranda Small worked with the county weed department to host a producer’s seminar to deliver information on nutritional requirements of beef cattle during calving season and colostrum management in calves. She also worked with colleagues to provide education to consumers on beef production and products, specifically discussing the Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) program. Small provided training and certification on BQA at several

feed yards and was invited to a sponsored BQA training to provide information on weaning and preconditioning. She also helped organize and host a two-part beef school series and continues to help a local grazing association with annual bull grading.

4-H in Bingham County Small delivered information on farm animals and livestock quality assurance to school groups on a field trip at an area corn maze in 2019. She also worked with a local FFA instructor to organize and host a horse day camp about hoof health and care. Livestock day camps were offered, focusing on different digestive tracks. Youth participating in 4-H dairy cattle project were able to tour a working dairy. Small is also responsible for managing DNA and tagging protocol for 4-H livestock animals participating at the Eastern Idaho State Fair. Bingham County volunteered several 4-H clubs to pilot electronic record books that rolled out for 2020. The Bingham County 4-H program also provided information on farm animals to a special needs class at area elementary school with assistance from other youth 4-Hers.

Buck taught Cooking 101 at Stalker Elementary and Mountain View Middle School, Welcome to the Real World and Cooking Under Pressure for Youth at Independence and Blackfoot High Schools, and Food Pantry Cook-off at Blackfoot and Independence High Schools. As a result of the food insecurity education, two students developed a food pantry at Blackfoot High School as part of their senior projects. Buck also attended the 4-H Alpine Camp and

conducted a service project for veterans. She also assists with day camps and is the co-chair of the Eastern Idaho State Fair 4-H demonstration contest.

On the Horizon Findlay is studying the viability and agronomics of teff grass in Idaho. With new grant monies, the effects of planting date and harvest cutting height on teff grass production will be studied. This is a c-4 grass that has not been used as a pasture grass in Idaho. This year’s results show that even a late planting of teff can match yields of traditional grass forage crops.

Small is assisting with the Idaho Young Cattle Producers Conference, organizing and hosting a Beef Consumer Workshop with the support of the Bingham County Farm Bureau and will be working with an area cattle association to provide BQA training for their entire membership.

Buck has five research articles in final stages to be submitted in 2020: National Dining with Diabetes curriculum effectiveness data, Water Bottle Study, Nutrition and Healthy Aging, Food Pantry Cook-off project, and the Cognition and Yogurt study. She is also part of the University of Idaho Food Safety proposal to study hard surfaces and viral transmission of pathogens and co-teaches the Preserve@Home online food preservation course and the Eastern District food preservation course. The Mealtime Inspirations event will be held for the 11th year, with a focus on meal planning for 2020. Nutrition and health classes will include Dining with Diabetes, food preservation, sewing, and Welcome to the Real Word.