By Tanner Marquardt Student Intern University of Minnesota Extension PRESTON, MN, June 19, 2023 — As you’re gardening this year you may find that you want to change up your garden, or maybe you want something easier to access, consider raised garden beds. Raised garden beds are excellent for people with mobility issues or who struggle to bend to the ground. Raised garden … [Read more...]
Armyworms
By Katie Drewitz University of Minnesota Extension PRESTON and CALEDONIA, MN, June 13, 2023 — As of writing this article, both Fillmore and Houston counties, along with many other parts of the state, are in D0 (abnormally dry) or D1 (moderate drought) conditions. Given the current stage and conditions of our crops there are many things that we need to be thinking … [Read more...]
Top Minnesota dairy farms honored for superior cow care
Minnesota Agriculture Commissioner Thom Petersen 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 National Dairy Month, 93 Minnesota dairy farms are being recognized for their … [Read more...]
Pasture management
By Tanner Marquardt Student Intern University of Minnesota Extension PRESTON, MN — With the grazing season upon us, here are a few tips for good pasture management. Check your fencing to ensure it is in good condition with no openings or down fences for animals to escape. Also, check for things like broken or missing posts, broken boards for wooden fences or loose wire on … [Read more...]
April weed of the month: Lesser celandine Lesser celandine, also known as fig buttercup, is a relatively new invader to the state
In a few short weeks (or longer in the northern part of the state), we will begin seeing the pops of color of spring ephemerals. Some skunk cabbage is already taking advantage of areas with recent snow melt. As the snow recedes and the ground temperatures begin to warm, the beginning of spring is a great time to look for the emergence of invasive plants. Lesser celandine … [Read more...]
Over-the-counter livestock antibiotics are moving to prescription only on June 11
By Katie Drewitz University of Minnesota Extension PRESTON and CALEDONIA, MN (04/18/2023) — Starting June 11, 2023, all currently available over-the-counter antibiotics for livestock will be available only as prescription medications. This new rule will impact all livestock species. Over-the-counter antibiotics are moving to prescription only to provide more veterinary … [Read more...]
Springtime rural road safety
By Katie Drewitz University of Minnesota Extension Spring is officially here! With springtime here our farmers are busy getting their crops in the ground. This means we will be seeing more farm equipment on the road. Tractors and large field equipment are often involved in farm accidents, injuries, and deaths and everyone on the road needs to do our part to avoid this. … [Read more...]
NASS 2022 yield estimates for Fillmore and Houston Counties
By Katie Drewitz University of Minnesota Extension National Ag Statistics Service (NASS) crop yield estimates for 2022 have been posted. Looking at this data is an opportunity to assess yield trends in the counties to better understand yield potential. Today’s article will focus on corn and soybeans, but NASS also has estimated yields for a variety of other crops across … [Read more...]
Starting seeds indoors
By Katie Drewitz University of Minnesota Extension The official start of Spring will be here before we know it! While we wait you may consider starting a few seeds indoors. Starting garden flower and vegetable plants in the home can provide the home gardener with enjoyment as well as some definite advantages. One of the greatest of these advantages is that it allows the … [Read more...]
Application open for MDA Value-Added Grant Program
The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) is now accepting applications for the 2023 Agricultural Growth, Research, and Innovation (AGRI) Value-Added Grant Program. The program provides funding to help processors add value to Minnesota agricultural products by investing in production capacity, market diversification, and market access for value-added … [Read more...]