The weather is not quite in the spring spirit yet, but it’s time to start thinking spring! Spring is a critical time to prepare pastures for the summer grazing season. Did you miss your chance to seed pastures in the fall? Don’t worry, you can still do it in spring. A recommendation from the University of Minnesota is to spring seed between April 1 and May 15. Since the … [Read more...]
Fillmore County land rent survey results
Thank you to everyone who participated in this year’s land rent survey. According to our survey results, 2017 land rental rates in Fillmore County averaged between $193.57-$202.67/acre. Survey responses for 2017 land rent ranged from $90.00-$300.00/acre. The predicted average for 2018 land rental rates is between $187.71-$197.47/acre. These values are based on 122 returned … [Read more...]
What is a fair and profitable farm rental agreement?
Landlords, farmers, and agri-business professionals should make plans to attend one of the informative meetings being held across Minnesota. These free meetings are being provided by the University of Minnesota Extension. Farm land rental rates have started to lower as corn and soybean prices continue lower in 2017. Determining a fair farm rent agreement is a challenge in … [Read more...]
Why does the UMN Extension do a land rent survey?
For over 100 years, University of Minnesota Extension has brought educational programing to greater Minnesota. The success of Extension’s educational programing – both in the past and present – is heavily dependent upon understanding the needs of the people of Minnesota. To understand what Minnesotans need, the University must maintain continuous and open dialog with Minnesota … [Read more...]
Putting farm safety into practice…on a budget
When money is tight agricultural producers often have to make difficult decisions. Sometimes those decisions are made to the detriment of farm safety improvements or practices. But they do not have to be. Even when money is tight, you can always get better at the little things. 1. Fix lights and slow moving vehicle signs. Lights and slow moving vehicle (SMV) signs are cheap. … [Read more...]
UMN Extension dairy field days in SE Minnesota
Each summer University of Minnesota Extension holds a series of on-farm dairy field days that showcase some of the most successful dairy farms our state has to offer. These field days focus on a range of topics from barn designs to dry cow management. The field days are great opportunities for local producers and the general public to learn from University experts and most … [Read more...]
Youth Tractor & Farm Safety Certification
The University of Minnesota Extension is pleased to announce the new and improved Youth Tractor & Farm Safety Certification Program. This program is designed to provide youth ages 14 years old and older the opportunity to learn how to safely operate equipment above 20 horse power. The Youth Tractor & Farm Safety Certification Program includes an online learning … [Read more...]
Women in Agriculture Network to offer “Becoming a Preferred Employer” in April
By Michael Cruse Extension Educator for Fillmore and Houston Counties Women in Agriculture Network (WAGN) is excited to announce its April seminar: “Becoming a Preferred Employer.” The event will take place April 4, 2017 at the Heintz Center in Rochester, Minn., (1926 Collegeview Rd E, Rochester, MN 55904). Registration begins at 9:30 a.m. and the program runs from … [Read more...]
Thank you Master Gardener volunteers
From county fairs to safety programs, the local Extension office relies heavily on volunteers to accomplish the work that we do. Two groups of volunteers that I have the pleasure of working with on a regular basis are the Fillmore and Houston County Master Gardeners. These volunteers give significant amounts of their free time to the people of our area and through the education … [Read more...]
Protect your health when working in the cold
Cold weather presents a unique set of challenges for those who have to work outside, including our farmer producers. No matter how cold it gets, animals need feed and water, snow has to be moved and grain has to be shipped. While most producers have ways of remaining productive during the winter months, it never hurts to remind ourselves of some important cold weather … [Read more...]