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Ag and Extension

Ag Briefs

Transitioning expiring CRP band to beginning, veteran or underserved farmers and ranchers CRP contract holders are encouraged to transition their Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) acres to beginning, veteran or socially disadvantaged farmers or ranchers through the Transition Incentives Program (TIP). TIP provides annual rental payments to the landowner or operator for up to two additional years after the CRP contract expires, provided the transition is not to a family member. Enrollment in TIP is on a continuous basis through 2023 or until the new statutory limit of $50 million ...

Options after dicamba registrations vacated

On June 3, the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals issued a ruling that vacated U.S. registrations for Engenia, FeXapan, and XtendiMax herbicides. These are three of the four dicamba products that were labeled for use on dicamba-tolerant (DT) soybeans. This means that effective immediately, there is no longer a federal label for these three products and they can no longer be used in the United States. For more details, see the Minnesota Department of Agriculture press release at: https://www.mda.state.mn.us/three-dicamba-registrations-revoked. While there will likely be legal challenges to ...

Ash trees

Each spring, as a master gardener, there is one particular question that I get quite often. “My ash trees are losing their leaves and so could it be Emerald Ash Borer?” Generally speaking, no. Emerald Ash borer is now active and in fact, is active between May 1-Sept. 30. The winter months, there is lower activity but even though there may not be activity, you can still potentially spread the pest by our own actions. Let’s first tackle what happens with our ash trees at this time of the year that makes things look so worrisome. Ash anthracnose, which is a fungal problem in ash ...

Ag and Extension Briefs

Summer learning for Lyon County youth Although many parts of typical summer feel different this year, 4-H is open and will offer a variety of learning experiences for youth to explore. We are exploring all possible options for showcasing youth learning and project development on the local level. More information will be released as soon as possible. 4-H is also offering several statewide opportunities where youth can connect with each other and build new skills and have fun connecting with each other. Whether it’s photography, cooking, performing arts, pollinators, civic engagement ...

Ag Briefs

Forever Green Initiative and AURI to host Virtual Field Days on new winter annual oilseeds The University of Minnesota Forever Green Initiative (Forever Green) and the Agricultural Utilization Research Institute (AURI) will host a series of interactive webinars highlighting new winter annual oilseed research and development starting Tuesday. Winter camelina (Camelina sativa) and pennycress (Thlaspi arvense) are new winter-hardy annual oilseeds with great potential for use as cash cover crops that keep the land in continuous living cover while providing economic benefits to farmers ...

Peonies

Peony plants are a wonderful addition to the garden. There are some residents who don’t like how ants seem to be attracted to them but generally speaking, it will depend on the year when you may see a lot of ants on these beautiful plants. I am fortunate that I have several peony plants in my perennial gardens. They are so easy to take care of and there are so many colors to choose from. There are some peony cultivars that can live up to 100+ years. I have one plant that has been on our farm for 50 years. A beautiful deep pink. I have also been given a very, bright yellow peony. It ...