The University of Minnesota and Minnesota Beef Council are collaborating on an overview study mapping the pathways Minnesota beef cattle travel from birth to finish. The survey was opened last fall, and the deadline has been extended to March 31, 2021. Dr. Joe Armstrong – “We really need MN beef producer responses to help us guide our research in the direction that best fits … [Read more...]

It does not come as a surprise that veterinarian, Dr. John Bengfort, is a wealth of knowledge. What is a surprise is that he has a wealth of interesting stories to tell. Dr. John Bengfort grew up on the family farm in northeast Iowa around Ossian and Postville. The family raised dairy cattle and hogs but no horses. After high school, Bengfort, a Vietnam veteran, served in the … [Read more...]

Kari Johnson fell in love with horses when she was about five years old, and still loves them. According to her, it was her dad’s fault; Dad had a buddy whose daughter had a horse, and he insisted that Kari needed one too! When her dad brought home her first pony, Kari fell head over heels for it. Kari was the youngest of five kids; none of the other kids was into horses at … [Read more...]

A contract for services between the Minnesota Land Trust and Fillmore County Soil & Water Conservation District was unanimously approved at the February 18 board meeting. The contract was for $5,000. “It’s in our favor to implement educational outreach programs for the land trust. It’s something we’ve done in the past,” noted District Administrator Laura Christiansen. … [Read more...]

By Bonnie Haugen Farmer, Land Stewardship Project member Canton, MN I am addressing the report of the Fillmore SWCD board meeting January 21, 2021. I understand that our SWCD needs to be mindful of partnering on educational events.  I do not want our farmers to avoid good events if there is a negative association.  However, I want the reasons for eliminating partnerships to … [Read more...]

ST. PAUL, MN – The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) has extended the application deadline for the USDA’s Specialty Crop Block Grant (SCBG) as a result of the addition of federal COVID-19 relief funds to the program. The MDA expects to award a total of roughly $2.9 million in funding for the grant program, including about $1.65 million in one-time funding for COVID-19 … [Read more...]

Minnesota Farm Bureau’s Sesquicentennial Farm program will honor Minnesota families who have owned their farms for at least 150 years. Since the Sesquicentennial Farm program began in 2008, over 400 farms have been recognized. Applications are due March 1. The Sesquicentennial Farm program recognizes family farms according to the following qualifications: 1) The farm must be … [Read more...]

Want to learn how to assess soil health and incorporate practices like “planting green” and grazing cover crops? A virtual Land Stewardship Project (LSP) workshop will feature soil health experts Jay Fuhrer and Jon Stika from 1-4 p.m. on Tuesday, February 16. All Zoom experience levels are welcome and guidance to using the platform will be given in the first 10 minutes of the … [Read more...]

  WASHINGTON, D.C., February 9, 2021 – Agricultural producers who have not yet enrolled in the Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) or Price Loss Coverage (PLC) programs for 2021 must do so by March 15. Producers who have not yet signed a 2021 enrollment contract or who want to make an election change should contact their local USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) office to make an … [Read more...]

  In December of 2020, the Final Results from the MN Department of Agriculture’s (MDA) Township Testing program were published for Houston County.  These results are available in both a 69-page report and a three-page summary.  Both of which are available on MDA’s website www.mda.state.mn.us/townshiptesting and Root River SWCD’s website … [Read more...]

  ST. PAUL, MN – The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) is offering a new scholarship for farmers to learn business management strategies that will lead to profitable and competitive farming operations. The Minnesota Agricultural Water Quality Certification Program (MAWQCP) Farm Business Management Scholarship provides tuition money for the Farm Business Management … [Read more...]

The University of Minnesota Extension is holding a series of virtual small grain workshops in February to address successful small grain management. “Whether you’re a farmer or crop consultant already producing small grains, or looking for another crop to add to the rotation, these workshops are for you,” says Jared Goplen, Extension Educator in Crops. “Workshops will be … [Read more...]

By Mari Hardel Minnesota Department of Agriculture A shocking number of weed seedlings popped up the first spring of my new garden. If you’re planning a garden or landscaping project, consider how the materials you use could bring in invasive species – weeds, seeds, and unwanted pests. Compost can be a huge help to your garden, but the material can also introduce weeds. … [Read more...]

The University of Minnesota Extension is excited to host a six part webinar series titled: Beef Calving Essentials Webinar Series.  Upcoming Zoom meetings will be held on February 15, 18, 22, and 25 from 8-9 p.m. CST. The series will focus on different considerations to prepare for calving on beef cattle operations. Farmers, 4-H’ers, ag business professionals who work with … [Read more...]