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...]
Tree pruning
University of Minnesota Extension By mid-February perhaps you are looking to spend a little more time outdoors. There are a few tasks you can focus on to help get you ready for spring, including pruning your trees. An old rule of thumb was to prune in winter while the plant was dormant. For best results, we need to be a bit more specific than that, but it’s a start. When to … [Read more...]
Grants Available to Support Minnesota Grown Specialty Crops
The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) has announced that applications are now open for the 2023 Specialty Crop Block Grant Program (SCBGP). The SCBGP funds projects that will increase the competitiveness of Minnesota grown specialty crops in domestic and foreign markets by: •Leveraging efforts to market and promote specialty crops; •Assisting producers with research … [Read more...]