Farm & Ag News

Herds with lowest somatic cell count are recognized. Minnesota Agriculture Commissioner Thom Petersen last week 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 is better for cheese production and a longer shelf life for…

Beginning this fall, Ridgewater College will offer a new Agronomy Applicator Technician Diploma on the Willmar campus, and will also be the first Minnesota two-year college to offer a fully online Agri-business Degree in addition to its longtime, in-person program on the Willmar campus. Agronomy Application Technician The new 38-credit Agronomy Applicator Technician program was…

Beginning in May, Stearns County Highway Department, as part of its vegetation management program, will be scheduling some roadside vegetation work along all Stearns County highways. The unwanted brush and noxious weeds will be cut and/or treated with herbicide. This notice is to inform all property owners which have property abutting county roads of the…

By Karen Johnson, U of M Extension Educator, McLeod and Meeker Counties Mother nature has been teasing us with what seems to be spring-like weather. Although we are not quite ready to hit the fields full force, now is an excellent time to think about what you can do to prepare for a safe planting season. Remember,…

Many Minnesotans are thinking about their lawns, trees, and gardens this time of year. Whether you do it yourself or hire a professional, the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) urges everyone to safely use pesticides and fertilizers on your property by following all label directions. Pesticide and fertilizer labels specify how to use products safely…

By Nathan Drewitz, U of M Extension Although it seemed like a long winter at times, spring seems to have finally come. Alfalfa fields seem to be coming out of dormancy and, so far, winter injury is only a minor concern. There may be some frost risks later this month, but at this point we…

By Brenda Miller, Extension Educator, Todd County University of Minnesota Extension will host a goat marketing webinar at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, April 29. Dr. Frank Pinkerton is a world-renowned goat expert who will provide guidance and life lessons focusing on the marketing of meat-type goats. Farmers, 4-Hers, ag business professionals who work with farmers, and…

By Emilie Justen, Minnesota Department of Agriculture The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) has made one change to the state’s 2021 Noxious Weed List. The designation of the non-native subspecies of phragmites (Phragmites australis spp. australis) has changed from Restricted to Prohibited Control. Though the list typically changes once every three years, the MDA is…

By Katie Drewitz, U of M Extension Join the Benton County Extension Master Gardeners volunteers for their annual Spring Seminar at 7 p.m. Thursday, April 15. This session will take place via Zoom, and you must pre-register to receive the link. Registration is available at https://z.umn.edu/SpringSeminar. The featured speakers will be Monika Chandler and Mari…

By Jim Salfer, Dairy Extension Educator, St Cloud Fly season will soon be here. Learn to identify common pest flies and strategies for control on confinement dairies on an I-29 Moo University Dairy Webinar from 12(noon)-1 p.m. Friday, March 26. Different kinds of flies can bother your cows, workers, and neighbors. Stable flies bite, cause…