By Katie Drewitz Extension Educator University of Minnesota Extension Fillmore and Houston Counties As I return to Southeast Minnesota, I wanted to dig into the National Ag Statistics Service (NASS) crop yield estimates. Looking at this data is an opportunity to assess yield trends in the counties to better understand yield potential. Today’s article will focus on corn … [Read more...]

By Katie Drewitz Extension Educator University of Minnesota Extension Fillmore and Houston Counties Timing is everything for farmers working in Minnesota’s short growing season. Getting into the field during a window of good weather to plant, spray, or harvest can make the difference between profitability and loss. It can also mean the difference between a frantic, … [Read more...]

By Katie Drewitz University of Minnesota Extension Caledonia, MN, March 8, 2022 — Hello! My name is Katie Drewitz, and I am your new local Extension educator for Agriculture Production Systems in Fillmore and Houston counties. My first day was March 7, 2022. I will be splitting my time equally between the two counties and can be reached by calling Extension in either … [Read more...]

USDA Rural Development has funding availabile for very low- and low-income individuals and families seeking to purchase or repair a home in a rural area. The Direct Home Loan program offers financing to qualified very-low and low-income applicants that are unable to qualify for traditional financing. No down payment is required, and the interest rate could be as low as 1% with … [Read more...]

ST. PAUL, MN – Minnesota livestock farmers and ranchers seeking to improve their livestock operation are encouraged to apply for an additional round of the Agricultural Growth, Research and Innovation (AGRI) Livestock Investment Grant program. The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) anticipates awarding up to $443,000 using a competitive review process in this round. … [Read more...]

ST. PAUL, MN, February 2, 2022 — Controlling weeds in crop production is challenging as herbicide resistance increases and effective herbicides become more limited.  “Weed management is all about fundamentals,” explained Dr. Tom Peters, Extension sugarbeet agronomist and weed scientist at the University of Minnesota and North Dakota State University. Those fundamentals … [Read more...]

By UNMC Central States Center for Agricultural Safety and Health, Omaha, NE “There is a direct correlation between out-of-condition grain and an increased likelihood of worker exposure to entrapment situations,” according to Purdue University’s 2020 Summary of U.S. Agricultural Confined Space-Related Injuries and Fatalities. “Whenever a farmer or elevator employee has to … [Read more...]

ST. PAUL, MN – Minnesota families who have owned their farms for 100 years or more are invited to apply for the 2022 Century Farm Program. Produced by the Minnesota State Fair in conjunction with the Minnesota Farm Bureau Federation, the Century Farm Program was created to promote agriculture and honor historic family farms in the state. Nearly 11,000 Minnesota farms have been … [Read more...]

ST. PAUL, MN, January 26, 2022 — Sulfur (S) might be considered a secondary nutrient, but it is essential for crop production. Historically, sulfur fertilizer was recommended on low soil organic matter soils and coarse-textured sandy soils, according to Jeff Vetsch, a soil scientist at the University of Minnesota Southern Research and Outreach Center in Waseca. Then in a … [Read more...]