The last prairie burn for this season at Eagle Bluff Environmental Center was conducted this week by employees Colleen Fohnrenbacher, Jenna Moon, Joe Deden, and volunteers Joel Mielke and Jerry Cleveland. Prairie burns are an annual event at Eagle Bluff and other locations in the area. They are conducted to maintain the health of the prairies and slow down the incursion of … [Read more...]
Strategic Farming: “Let’s Talk Crops” recordings available
By Lizabeth Stahl Extension Educator – Crops Did you miss any of the Strategic Farming: Let’s Talk Crops sessions this winter and were wondering where to access recordings? Well search no more. All sessions, which were originally held Wednesday mornings from January 6 to March 24, are available at: z.umn.edu/strategic-farming. Just scroll down the page to find the … [Read more...]
Planting date is just one factor affecting yield potential
By Lizabeth Stahl and Jared Goplen Extension Educators – Crops WASHINGTON, MN, April 15, 2021 – It is well known that planting date plays a key role in determining yield potential in corn and soybean. Long-term University of Minnesota trials demonstrate, for example, that corn yield is usually optimized when corn is planted from April 25 to May 10. Long-term data also show … [Read more...]
Online beef quality assurance and secure beef supply training scheduled
SLAYTON, MN, April 5, 2021 — University of Minnesota Extension, along with Minnesota Beef Council, will host several online Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) and Secure Beef Supply (SBS) training sessions starting in April through June. Producers only need to attend one of these free workshops to receive a three-year BQA certification, and they will also learn the steps needed to … [Read more...]
Fountain farmer wins top placement in national corn yield contest
ST. LOUIS, MO, April 7, 2021 – Fountain farmer Jordan Redalen earns a first-place state award in the 2020 National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) National Corn Yield Contest. He is among the highest corn yield producers in the nation. Redalen placed with DEKALB DKC59-82RIB brand blend corn yielding an outstanding 300 bushels per acre in the Strip-Till, Minimum-Till, … [Read more...]
New farm safety video available from UMN Extension, American Family Insurance
In partnership with American Family Insurance, the University of Minnesota Farm Safety & Health Team is launching a new series of farm safety videos. The purpose of this project is to share crucial farm safety messages and reminders with the agricultural community. The videos can be used for many audiences including youth, farmers, agriculturalists, and health … [Read more...]
124 Century Farms honored in 2021 State Fair and Farm Bureau program salute Minnesota family farms
ST. PAUL, MN — The Minnesota State Fair and the Minnesota Farm Bureau recognize 124 Minnesota farms as 2021 Century Farms. Qualifying farms have been in continuous family ownership for at least 100 years and are 50 acres or more. Century Farm families receive a commemorative sign, as well as a certificate signed by Minnesota State Fair and Minnesota Farm Bureau presidents and … [Read more...]
MnDOT asks motorists, farm equipment operators to safely share the road during planting season
Motorists traveling on Minnesota highways this spring should be aware of large farm equipment moving from farm to farm, according to the Minnesota Department of Transportation. “Planting season is ramping up across Minnesota and farmers need the highways to access their fields,” said Brian Sorenson, state traffic engineer. “Motorists need to be prepared to encounter … [Read more...]
Minnesota produce farmers asked to complete annual questionnaire
ST. PAUL, MN – The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) is urging all Minnesota produce farmers to fill out the 2021 Grower Questionnaire. Produce farmers are asked to complete the questionnaire annually to determine how the federal Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) Produce Safety Rule applies to their operation and what steps they must take to comply with safety … [Read more...]
USDA accepting applications to help low-income individuals and families buy or repair homes
USDA Rural Development is accepting applications 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% … [Read more...]