ST. PAUL, MINN. – The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) has awarded $95,000 to combat noxious weeds across Minnesota. Twenty projects are being funded though the 2021 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 mapping and … [Read more...]

WASHINGTON, July 13, 2021 — Livestock and poultry producers who suffered losses during the pandemic due to insufficient access to processing can apply for assistance for those losses and the cost of depopulation and disposal of the animals. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Vilsack announced the Pandemic Livestock Indemnity Program (PLIP) in [recorded] remarks … [Read more...]

Josh and Steph Dahl should have played the lottery Wednesday, June 16; that day they had a set of triplets, two sets of twins, and two single calves all born in less than five hours on their farm, Dead End Dairy. While twin calves are relatively common with a set born every 29 births, triplets occur much more rarely – once in every 105,000 births according to the internet. With … [Read more...]

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...]

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...]

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...]

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...]

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...]

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...]

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 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...]