LEWISTON, MN — Transitioning to no-till, planting green into cover crops, using a triticale cover crop as dairy cattle feed, and using cover crops after corn, soybeans and silage, will be the focus of a Land Stewardship Project (LSP) field day Thursday, September 1, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., near Lewiston. Farmers Everett Rolfing and Robb Miller will host this free event, which … [Read more...]
Monitoring soybean diseases
By Katie Drewitz University of Minnesota Extension As summer and the growing season wind down our management window is closing. However, scouting your crops is still important to ensure informed management decisions. Soybean fields with white mold and sudden death syndrome are becoming quite apparent even from a distance. By recording locations and spread of these issues … [Read more...]
Fillmore County Fair non-livestock 4-H results
Aerospace Champion: Andrew Eickhoff; Reserve Champion: Jordan Pease Agronomy Champion: Jeffrey Snyder; Reserve Champion: Jeffrey Snyder Creative Writing Champion: Emma Broadwater; Reserve Champion: Annika Doberenz Child Development Champion: Cady Doberenz Citizenship Champio: Elsa Eickhoff Clothing and Textiles Champion: Emma Rowen; Reserve Champion: Lydia … [Read more...]
Lewiston dairy farm to host LSP Field Day on Building Biodiverse Compost August 26
LEWISTON, MN — Utilizing a cutting-edge composting system to build soil health and fertility naturally will be the focus of a Land Stewardship Project (LSP) field day Friday, Aug. 26, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., at the Dale and Carmene Pangrac and Kim and Andy Olson dairy farm near Lewiston (19300 Trestle Drive). This field day will offer information for both conventional and … [Read more...]
Fillmore County Fair livestock 4-H results
Beef Champion Senior Beef Interview: Emma Rowen; Reserve Champion: Keagan Fieseler Champion Intermediate Beef Interview: Hannah Vaalemoen; Reserve Champion: Jackson Shanahan Champion Junior Beef Interview: Eliza Aggen; Reserve Champion: Elliot Olivier Champion Dairy Steer: Colton Guenther; Reserve Champion: Emarie Jacobson Champion Crossbred Dairy Steer: Emma Rowen; … [Read more...]
Fillmore County Fair Open Class results
Fine Arts Grand Champion: Karen Vinson, Chatfield Reserve Champion: Phil Hebrink, Preston Champions: Claira Johnson, Fountain; Isla Eickhoff, Preston; Rose Otto, Harmony; Karen Vinson, Chatfield Photography Grand Champions: Bob Smock, Preston; Brenda Nash-Eickhoff, Preston Reserve Champions: Dale Eppen, Fountain; Susan Krahn, Wykoff Champions: Kathryn Kinneberg, … [Read more...]
Apple maggots
By Katie Drewitz Extension Educator University of Minnesota Extension Fillmore and Houston Counties PRESTON and CALEDONIA, MN , July 19, 2022 — As the apples on your trees continue to grow there are numerous factors that we need to consider. The apple maggot (Rhagoletis pomonella) is the most important insect pest to Minnesota grown apples and typically starts to become … [Read more...]
Mulhern family recognized as a 2022 U of M Farm Family
By Katie Drewitz Extension Educator University of Minnesota Extension Fillmore and Houston Counties The Mulhern family of Fountain has been named Fillmore County’s 2022 Farm Family of the Year by the University of Minnesota. The Mulhern farm originated in 1900 when Michael Mulhern and Rose Gaughan were married. The couple had six children. Two of the boys grew up and … [Read more...]
MDA awards $120,000 to combat noxious weeds
ST. PAUL, MINN. – The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) has awarded $120,000 to combat noxious weeds across Minnesota. Twenty-seven projects are being funded though the 2022 Noxious Weed and Invasive Plant Grant. The money, awarded to cities, counties, townships, conservation districts, and tribal nations, will be used to purchase equipment and supplies, conduct … [Read more...]
Tar spot in corn
By Katie Drewitz Extension Educator University of Minnesota Extension Fillmore and Houston Counties Tar spot is currently developing throughout Fillmore and Houston counties again this season. First identified in Fillmore County in 2019 and Houston County in 2020, tar spot is a corn disease that has spread dramatically since its first identification in the U.S. in 2015. … [Read more...]
It’s time for the Fillmore County Fair!
Think amusement rides, 4-H indoor and animal exhibits, bounce houses, live entertainment, grandstand events (tractor pull, lumberjack show and camp, rodeo, and demolition derby), fair food, kids pedal pull, bright colored ribbons, free bingo, livestock auctions, pony rides, and BBQ competition. You can experience all this plus more at the Fillmore County Fair, July 18-24, in … [Read more...]
Scouting for soybean aphids and armyworms
Extension Educator University of Minnesota Extension Fillmore and Houston Counties Despite the somewhat late start to the planting season, we are seeing soybean aphids and armyworms starting to pop up in southern Minnesota. If you have not already started you should be scouting for these pests. Now with alfalfa weevils still floating around, one might think that we aren’t … [Read more...]
Emerald ash borer in southeast Minnesota
By Katie Drewitz Extension Educator University of Minnesota Extension Fillmore and Houston Counties In my travels throughout Fillmore and Houston counties, I have noticed numerous trees with potential and verified emerald ash borer (EAB) damage. EAB was confirmed in Houston County in 2010 and in Fillmore County in 2015. While emerald ash borer has been in the area for … [Read more...]
Localdoorstep.com DELIVERS!
Local entrepreneurs Jenna and Lucas Kappers of rural Chatfield are ready to take your local food orders and deliver them to your doorstep. You can order a wide selection of dairy, produce, meats, beverages, bakery, pantry, and household items to be delivered to your location in the Twin Cities and throughout southeastern Minnesota. Lucas and Jenna launched their business as … [Read more...]
Top Minnesota dairy farms honored for superior cow care Herds with lowest somatic cell count are recognized
ST. PAUL, MN – Minnesota Agriculture Commissioner Thom Petersen today released the annual list of top Minnesota dairy herds with low somatic cell counts (SCC). Somatic cell count is a key indicator of milk quality – a lower SCC count is better for cheese production and a longer shelf life for bottled milk. In honor of June Dairy Month, 114 Minnesota dairy farms are being … [Read more...]
