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Ag and Extension

Selecting forage cover crops for prevent plant acres

A large quantity of forage will likely be harvested from prevented plant acres in Minnesota this year given the 2019 changes to USDA RMA’s prevented planting rules. Changing the date for when cover crops may be hayed or grazed from Nov. 1 to Sept. 1 has opened up a window for livestock producers to produce high quality forage. There are numerous factors to consider, but before making any decisions it is paramount to check with your crop insurance agent to ensure prevented planting payments are not forfeited by utilizing unapproved species or practices. Although seed availability may ...

U of M provides mental health and stress support for Minnesota farmers

Note: This is the first in a series of articles detailing the University of Minnesota’s outreach to farmers in Greater Minnesota and around the country. Low farm income, a lingering trade war and other issues affecting agriculture are increasingly causing stress and mental health issues for farmers in Minnesota and around the country. The University of Minnesota has stepped up to fill the gap for farmers looking for mental health resources. More than 90 percent of American farmers and farm workers say financial issues impact their mental health and cause stress, according to a ...

Ag Briefs

Economic policy’s impact on the farm economy to be featured at SW MN Ag Lenders Conference The 36th annual Southwest Minnesota Ag Lenders Conference will be on Tuesday, Aug. 13, at the University of Minnesota Southwest Research and Outreach Center near Lamberton. Agricultural lenders and farm management and agribusiness professionals throughout southwest Minnesota are encouraged to attend. Joe Santos, professor of Economics and Dykhouse Scholar of Money, Banking, and Financial Regulation at South Dakota State University, will deliver a keynote address titled Macroeconomic Policy ...

Weather woes

The weather woes of farmers and gardeners alike seem to be persisting throughout our growing season. If you have been trying to raise anything from seed whether it is field corn or sweet corn, soybeans or green beans, you may be like many others, frustrated with the weather. While the last hope of being able to raise any field crops has passed us by, we are still able to replant some of our seeds. Although, I am going to say that you may still have some problems in getting the seeds not only to come up but to thrive. The warmer weather we now have will help to promote the growth of ...

FFA leaders learn new ideas to implement in communities

HACKENSACK — Nearly 200 Minnesota FFA members gathered for two sessions of the State Leadership Conference for Chapter Leaders (SLCCL) at Deep Portage Conservation Reserve near Hackensack from June 26-28 and June 30- July 2 to develop leadership skills for their communities and home ...

Ag and Extension Briefs

Women in Ag Network summer tour on July 18 in New London The University of Minnesota Extension Women in Ag Network’s summer tour is scheduled for July 18 in the New London area. The day will feature lunch at Model Citizen Restaurant, tours of Lettuce Abound Farms and Rustic Designs Flower Farms, a discussion at Goat Ridge Brewing Company, and opportunities for networking. The tour is from noon to 4:30 p.m. July 18. Bus transportation to the local farms will depart from, and return to, the lunch location; participants should meet and park near Model Citizen Restaurant (17 Central ...