“The U.S. Department of Agriculture has provided North Dakota with about $480 thousand to promote the production, processing and use of specialty crops,” said Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goehring said. “Individuals, organizations and institutions are invited to submit proposals, either on their own or in partnerships, for grants of up to $100,000.”

The funding from USDA’s Agriculture Marketing Service can only be used for projects that enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops or benefit a specialty crop industry as a whole.

Specialty crops are defined as “fruits and vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits and horticulture and nursery crops, including floriculture.” Specialty crops now grown commercially in North Dakota include dry beans, dry peas, lentils, potatoes, grapes, honey and various vegetables.

Goehring said an information manual with application instructions, scoring criteria and an application template can be found on NDDA’s website,www.nd.gov/ndda/program/specialty-crop-block-grant-program.

The website also includes a survey for applicants to provide their opinion on the funding priorities for the program.

Applications must be submitted in electronic form by 4 p.m. CST, May 24, 2013. USDA will  award the grants in late fall/early winter. Funded projects must be completed within 18 months.

Goehring said persons needing more information should contact Emily Edlund at (701) 328-2191 or Edlund@nd.gov.

“We understand that producers have gotten busy, but they can’t forget to visit their county office and sign up for DCP or ACRE,” said Garcia. “Just as farmers and ranchers plan their spring plantings, producers should plan to schedule an appointment to visit their USDA Service Center at the earliest possible time. It’s best to complete the paperwork now rather than to stand in line the day before the deadline,” advised Garcia.

The sign-up for both programs began Feb. 19, 2013. The deadline to sign up for ACRE is June 3, 2013. The DCP sign up period ends Aug. 2, 2013.

The 2013 DCP and ACRE program provisions are unchanged from 2012, except that all eligible participants in 2013 may choose to enroll in either DCP or ACRE for the 2013 crop year. This means that eligible producers who were enrolled in ACRE in 2012 may elect to enroll in DCP in 2013 or may re-enroll in ACRE in 2013 (and vice versa).

For more information about the programs and loans administered by FSA, visit any FSA county office orwww.fsa.usda.gov.

Alfalfa winterkill may be caused by a combination of factors, including harsh and long winter conditions, plant stress due to drought and, possibly, over-harvesting during the previous summer. Reports have indicated that late cuttings in 2012, even before Sept. 1, resulted in very little regrowth; observations of late summer cuttings have been reminiscent of alfalfa cut in mid-October.

In March, alfalfa fields looked to be in decent shape. The damage appears to have occurred after the slight temperature warming in March followed by the slushy snow in April. Southern Minnesota locations have reported a considerable amount of winterkill.
Forage selection and seeding strategies
Producers already face high feed prices. The last two years of dry weather resulted in a shortage of feed, especially forage. 

Key attributes of successful forage options are that they establish quickly, grow rapidly, and provide good yield and quality per acre. Experts have made many suggestions, including ryegrass, sorghum-sudan grass, BMR sudan grass, clover, wheat, barley, oats, peas and oats silage. Some producers decide to replace alfalfa acres with corn or soybeans. 

Availability of seed may be a concern that dictates which forage option works best for each producer. Dan Undersander, University of Wisconsin, recommends simply drilling Italian ryegrass into the dead areas with no tillage. Tillage would disturb the field and delay seeding. Undersander recommends seeding 10 lbs. /acre (55 seeds/sq. ft.).

If producers decide to plow their alfalfa fields, they should consider long-term needs for cow diets and decide if they will select alternative forage or use those acres to plant other crops.

Additional strategies
This is a great time to evaluate your options for storing forages to prevent shrink and increase efficiency of forage feeding. Lactating cow diets in 2013 may reflect alfalfa shortage because producers will likely be feeding greater than 50 percent of the dry matter diet as corn silage.

Consider forage conservation options such as restricted feeding of growing heifers and exploring alternative non-forage fiber sources, such as whole fuzzy cottonseed, soyhulls, corn gluten feed, beet pulp, and sweet corn silage. Try to maximize forage quality for high-producing cows, and avoid making decisions that save money in the short-term but cost money in the long term.

Finally, evaluate potential cull cows, including excessive numbers of replacement heifers, to reduce forage needs. As always, consistency within the nutrition program is always a positive. Make necessary changes gradually and work to minimize variation in nutrient supply to dairy cattle.

Visit www.extension.umn.edu/agriculture/crops/spring-issues for more Extension information about the forage shortage situation. Visit www.extension.umn.edu/dairy for more information for dairy producers.

Noah B. Litherland is a dairy scientist with University of Minnesota Extension. Zachary J. Sawall is a graduate student in the Department of Animal Science.

“Jon will be responsible for reviewing all department’s pesticide inspections and investigations,” Goehring said. “He will also conduct inspections and investigations as assigned, and will manage data associated with the pesticide enforcement program.”

A native of West Fargo, Krei graduated from North Dakota State University with a degree in biological sciences. He worked for Cass County Vector Control for six years before joining NDDA.

He will report to Blake Schaan, NDDA’s pesticide enforcement supervisor.
Goehring also said he has appointed Jerry Sauter as an environmental scientist in the pesticide program.

“Jerry previously served in the department as an outreach specialist with the state meat and poultry inspection program,” Goehring said. “When the environmental scientist position opened up, he applied for it because it related better to his academic training.”

A Bismarck native, Sauter graduated from NDSU with a degree in zoology.

Goehring said Sauter will work on pesticide issues related to water quality, threatened and endangered species, and bees.

Sauter will report to Jim Gray, NDDA’s pesticide and fertilizer division director.

This is the seventh season the soy checkoff has partnered with the NTPA to promote the use of biodiesel to pulling fans, including many farmers, truck drivers and other diesel users.

A study funded by the state soy checkoff board in Minnesota and conducted by United Pullers of Minnesota found using biodiesel in pulling competition can provide a 4 percent increase in torque and horsepower.

“Performance results like these are an added bonus to the environmental and economic benefits of using biodiesel,” says Larry Marek, soy checkoff farmer-leader and a soybean farmer from Riverside, Iowa. “If NTPA pullers can get these kinds of results on the track, we can certainly get great results using B100 on the farm.”

Also returning to the track this season will be the “Powered by Biodiesel,” Light Pro Stock class, in which all competitors are required to use biodiesel blends.

“B100 performs well, and is dependable even in the most excruciating tests,” says Gregg Randall, NTPA office general manager. “Pullers will definitely want to take advantage of the fuel this pulling season.”

Click here to view the entire 2013 NTPA competition schedule and find out where tractor pullers will be using B100 near you.

Biodiesel is known as America’s Advanced Biofuel because it reduces greenhouse-gas emissions by at least 50 percent compared with petroleum diesel. It offers excellent horsepower, mileage and cetane, and adds as much as 65 percent lubricity to an engine.

The soy checkoff funds biodiesel research and promotion efforts through the National Biodiesel Board to help increase the use of U.S. soy oil. Soy oil remains the dominant feedstock for U.S. biodiesel production.

The 69 farmer-directors of USB oversee the investments of the soy checkoff to maximize profit opportunities for all U.S. soybean farmers. These volunteers invest and leverage checkoff funds to increase the value of U.S. soy meal and oil, to ensure U.S. soybean farmers and their customers have the freedom and infrastructure to operate, and to meet the needs of U.S. soy’s customers. As stipulated in the federal Soybean Promotion, Research and Consumer Information Act, the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service has oversight responsibilities for USB and the soy checkoff.

For more information on the United Soybean Board, visit www.unitedsoybean.org

Dalrymple said the event “is an opportunity for state and local agencies, environmental groups, community organizations, schools, businesses, industry, tourists and citizens to take action against the introduction and spread of emerald ash borer.”

“Emerald ash borer (EAB) is now found in 19 states, including our neighbor, Minnesota,” said Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goehring. “Because ash is one of the primary trees species in many North Dakota communities as well as in rural plantings and native forest areas, it is more important than ever for North Dakotans to take action to prevent it from coming here.”

City foresters will tie ribbons along with informational flyers on publicly-owned ash trees in Bismarck, Bottineau, Carrington, Devils Lake, Fargo, Grand Forks, Hettinger, Jamestown, Lisbon, Mandan, Minot, New Rockford, Wahpeton, West Fargo and Williston. State parks will also participate. The event is organized by the North Dakota Department of Agriculture (NDDA), the North Dakota Forest Service (NDFS) and the North Dakota State University Extension Service.
State Forester Larry Kotchman urged citizens to help prevent EAB from entering North Dakota.

“EAB spreads slowly on its own, but it can be moved long distances in firewood and ash nursery stock,” Kotchman said. “Please buy your firewood from local sources, and if you are coming from out of the state, please don’t bring firewood with you.”

Moving uncertified firewood out of the areas under quarantine for EAB is a federal offense.

NDDA, NDFS, the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service of the U.S. Department of Agriculture and city foresters will place more than 500 EAB traps in cities, state parks, recreation areas, campgrounds, rest stops and county fairgrounds.
The two-foot-long, three-sided, purple traps are baited with a lure attractive to emerald ash borers. The traps will be monitored through July during the adult flight period.

Goehring and Kotchman asked that people encountering one of these traps to leave it undisturbed.
The survey is part of nationwide effort involving 49 states.

EAB only attacks ash trees. The larvae feed under the bark, disrupting the movement of water and nutrients and killing the tree within several years. Native to Asia, it was first detected in the U.S. in 2002 near Detroit. EAB is now found in 19 states and two Canadian provinces. The nearest known infestation to North Dakota is in the Minneapolis/St. Paul area.
More information about EAB is available on the NDDA website at www.agdepartment.com.

“The BFI program targets young family famers and will hone their leadership and farming skills by showing them the tools they will need to make it a go; and give them the resources necessary for their farming journey,” said Minnesota Farmers Union President Doug Peterson. “I congratulate the four Minnesota members for their inclusion in the BFI program and look forward to working with them as the next generation of family farmers.”

Each participant chooses focus areas, and tailors their goals directly to their farming practices.
·         Carsten Thomas of Moorhead will focus on transitioning to family organic farming while selling directly to consumers through buying clubs and gourmet restaurants. He also plans to raise food-grade soybeans and cattle, and gain insights on farmers’ market retail.
·         Eric Hoese of Mayer will focus on transitioning a dairy and grain farm.
·         Brothers Brent and Bryce Krohn of Nicollet will focus on row crop production on their family grain and hog farm, and also the business aspects of a partnership between brothers.

The BFI provides an opportunity for beginning farmers to acquire leadership and farm management skills. It concentrates on building confidence in beginning farmers and farm couples, and additionally encourages them to learn, and apply leadership abilities to become actively involved in community organizations.

Other people who will be joining the Minnesotans in the Beginning Farm Institute include: Shannan Tenze of Colorado; Maggie Mills of Maryland; Paul Kanning of Montana; Josh Norby, James Hansen and Loretta Hansen of North Dakota; Amanda West of Virginia; and Jennifer Gibson of Wisconsin.

“Global sustainability requirements, meeting world soybean demand, weed management and herbicide resistance issues, new precision ag technologies – these issues are all impacting the profitability of soybean growers,” said ASA President Danny Murphy, a soybean farmer from Canton, Miss. “ASA’s Soybean Marketing and Production College will give growers hands-on training in these areas, with breakout sessions and presentations from industry experts, in addition to a session on succession planning.”

Ohio State University’s Dr. Matt Roberts, industry consultant on grain, petroleum, and biofuels markets and policy, headlines the Opening General Session. Roberts will review the current supply and demand situation for grains and oilseeds globally, what that means for prices, and how growers can best take advantage of these trends in their own marketing decisions.

U.S. Farm Report host John Phipps will keynote the Closing General Session. Phipps will share strategies to not just endure, but prosper from an unpredictable future in agriculture by understanding which risks are worth worrying about.

Registration for ASA’s Soybean Marketing and Production College is open now through July 9. Get more information and register online at www.SoyGrowers.com/MarketingProductionCollege.

The Soybean Marketing and Production College is sponsored by the following corporate organizations and Qualified State Soybean Boards: AGCO, Bayer CropScience, Arkansas Soybean Promotion Board, Kansas Soybean Commission, Minnesota Soybean Research and Promotion Council, Minnesota Soybean Growers Association, New York Soybean Board and the Tennessee Soybean Promotion Board.

“The new officers are a great group of kids, who are all motivated and talented individuals,” said Joey Tigges, NDFB Director of Development.

Collegiate Farm Bureau (CFB) was formed because North Dakota Farm Bureau (NDFB) is serious about wanting input on the future of agriculture policy, especially from the younger generation of future agriculture industry leaders. Collegiate Farm Bureau is an organization comprised of students who have an interest in agriculture, policy development, and current events affecting North Dakota. There are collegiate groups at Dickinson State University and North Dakota State University.

The Collegiate Farm Bureau receives the same kinds of opportunities as county Farm Bureaus are afforded, including: support from NDFB field staff, access to quality agricultural industry speakers, access to membership benefits and the ability to generate NDFB policy. Members also have an opportunity to compete in a discussion meet where the winner from each school travels to the AFBF Young Farmer and Rancher conference held in February. This year the conference will be in Virginia Beach, Virginia. The winners all receive scholarships.

CFB dues are $10 per year.

For more information about NDSU Collegiate Farm Bureau contact Joey Tigges, 701-298-2227 or look the group up on Facebook. For DSU Collegiate Farm Bureau, contact Steve Finsaas 701-260-3876.

North Dakota Farm Bureau is the most effective general farm and ranch organization in the state of North Dakota, with more than 27,000 members and 50 organized county Farm Bureaus.

Several environmental factors likely interacted to stress alfalfa and cause winter damage, including:
• a very dry fall and early winter that may have prevented alfalfa from accumulating adequate root reserves to survive the unusually long dormant period;
• periods during the winter without snow cover which typically provides insulation against low air temperatures;
• ice sheeting due to snow melting and rainfall in January/February; and
• the long periods of snow cover and low temperature that prevented spring alfalfa regrowth when reserves were low.

Further recommendations for producers are available by going to University of Minnesota Extension’s Minnesota Crop News.