‘Strategic Farming — Maximizing Return on Investment’ Montevideo workshop March 7

What tactics are worth the investment when managing weed problems, disease and insect pests, SCN and IDC? What should we be looking for when making seed and technology trait decisions? What best management practices for clean seed will help ensure the marketability of grain?

Hear the latest University research and information addressing these questions and more at the 2019 “Strategic Farming — Maximizing Your Return on Investment” workshop scheduled from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Thursday, March 7, at the American Legion in Montevideo. Not only will key cost factors in crop budgets be reviewed, but tips to help understand and critically evaluate ag research will be discussed to help you make the best management decisions for your farm.

Registration is free and includes lunch thanks to the Minnesota Soybean Research and Promotion Council. Details and registration can be found at https://z.umn.edu/strategic-farming. Please register by March 1 to guarantee a meal.

If you farm or work with farmers and want to learn more about crop management strategies to maximize return on investment, these workshops are for you! For more information about this program, please contact Liz Stahl at 507-372-3900 or stah0012@umn.edu, or Seth Naeve at 612-625-4298 or naeve002@umn.edu.

Subfreezing temperatures threaten North Dakota cattle

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — Some ranchers are concerned a sustained cold snap in North Dakota will affect calving season, as the bitter temperatures have already resulted in excess feed and bedding costs.

Daryl Ritchison, interim director of the North Dakota Agricultural Weather Network, said parts of the state have experienced temperatures below freezing for more than 40 days, which is worse than usual for this time of year.

Agriculture experts said that pregnant cows eat about twice as much during the cold to prevent weight loss, the Bismarck Tribune reported.

Beth Budoloski, a North Dakota State Extension agent for agriculture and natural resources, said ranchers are providing windbreaks and extra bedding to prevent their cattle from getting stressed out by the cold. She said cattle also must have access to water that isn’t frozen.

“If the waters are frozen, they either won’t eat feed as much or they won’t eat at all,” she said.

Fred Berger, who owns two ranches in the Mandan area and operates a livestock brokerage business, said the cold weather is costing him thousands of dollars more each month.

“It’s not normal to have that many (cold) days in a row,” Berger said. “There’s nothing you can do. That’s the trouble. It’s just every week it costs you.”