Due to drought conditions that have impacted this area since last fall, many livestock producers have limited forage supplies available for this coming winter and in some cases quality of the forage may cause additional challenges. If you haven’t already done so, now would be a good time to inventory feeds, estimate winter feed needs,Continue reading “Feeding Low-Quality Forages”
Author Archives: wmscoscd
Winter Cereals for Haying or Grazing
Producers should consider taking advantage of any rains we may receive in the next month to establish a winter cereal for grazing or haying next spring. Based on the results from this study conducted at the NDSU Central Grasslands Research Extension Center in 2020, winter rye was the superior winter cereal for grazing cattle duringContinue reading “Winter Cereals for Haying or Grazing”
Soil Health and Habitat Program
Pheasants Forever has created a new Soil Health and Habitat Program. This program is focused in the prairie pothole region with the goal to rebuild soil organic matter, sequester carbon, increase water infiltration and provide quality wildlife habitat on the least productive cropland acres while simultaneously improving profitability and sustainability. Application sign-up began August 23,Continue reading “Soil Health and Habitat Program”
Test Annual Forages Before Grazing or Feeding
Feed produced during a drought may have higher levels of nitrate than would be safe for livestock consumption. Ruminant animals, such as cattle and sheep, are susceptible to nitrate poisoning because of their digestive process. Nitrate is converted to nitrite in the rumen. When nitrite moves into the blood stream it prevents the blood cellsContinue reading “Test Annual Forages Before Grazing or Feeding”
July 22nd Soil Health Tour
More and more farmers and ranchers are taking action to improve the health of their soil. Producers who use soil health building systems that include practices such as no-till, cover crops, and diverse species rotations have been reporting greater productivity, profitability, and resiliency to weather extremes. Healthy soil also helps protect our soil and waterContinue reading “July 22nd Soil Health Tour”
Annual Forages and Cover Crops for Supplemental Forage Production in 2021
It was already known earlier this spring that we were probably going to see around a 25 percent reduction in forage production this year due to the dry conditions that occurred last fall and if spring moisture remained below normal that there could be significant reductions in forage production for 2021. While recent rains wereContinue reading “Annual Forages and Cover Crops for Supplemental Forage Production in 2021”
Water Quality Programs
Ranchers should start planning for what could be a difficult year if drought conditions persist through the growing season. There is likely going to be some reduction in forage production this year even if it does start raining due to the dry conditions last fall. If spring moisture remains below normal there could be significantContinue reading “Water Quality Programs”
Site Prep – Machine Tree Plantings
Tree Season is Upon Us! Please get your sites prepped as we will be doing site visits in the next week or 2! If there is grass or alfalfa in the area where the trees are to be planted, it would be beneficial to spray and kill any vegetation before we plant. Ensure chemical isContinue reading “Site Prep – Machine Tree Plantings”
Mycorrhizal Fungi and Plants
As we near the start to our seminar on Soil Health & Drought Management we thought it would be a great idea to give some background on one of the topics that will be presented at the seminar, mycorrhizal fungi. While research has yet to unlock all the secrets of the soil, one of theContinue reading “Mycorrhizal Fungi and Plants”
Williams County Soil Conservation District 