Center Points

As we pick up the pieces following North Dakota’s most recent blizzard, just how does this storm compare to others across the northern plains that have made the record books? (Note: this article was written during the midst of this 2022 storm so comparisons are yet to be made).

Feed prices have increased 60% or more from a year ago, but most cow herd budgets did not anticipate that increase. Hay prices have also increased drastically in response to reduced hay production due to the widespread drought of 2021.

Over the course of the last decade, the amount of data that the agricultural sector generates has grown at an exceptionally fast rate.

This is a quick summary of the corn nitrogen response we have seen within CREC research trials in the fertility program ran by Dr. Jasper Teboh in the past 9 years. In the tables, each row represents an individual trial. In some years there were multiple nitrogen fertility trials.

Farmers and crop advisers have an opportunity to receive dry edible bean production information during a virtual Getting It Right meeting that NDSU Extension, with support from Northarvest Bean Growers Association, is conducting from 8:30 a.m.

What is probably the largest haskap research effort in the world happens north of our state, in Canada. Dr. Bob Bors, at the University of Saskatchewan-Saskatoon, has led the evaluation and breeding efforts in this area since 2004.

Using manure as a fertilizer has become a recurring thought during this long, cold winter. With the continuous rise of fertilizer prices and prolonged supply chain issues, the bedded-pack beef manure that is commonly thought of as a waste is ready to work.

A warm sun shining on black cows is a brief reprieve from cold winter nights, and the Carrington area has had its share of cold weather this winter.

At NDSU we pride ourselves in the research we conduct and in the creation and delivery of high-impact educational events and resources. However, we are still very busy on those days in between our visible activities.

Technological advances have taken agriculture by storm. From apps on our phones to look at soil types, to monitors in our tractors that can change seeding rates on the fly, many producers use technology to aid real-time management decisions.

North Dakota State University (NDSU) Extension is conducting a series of crop production events for farmers and crop advisers this winter under the theme ‘Getting It Right’.

I’m working on reports, especially for our haskap trials, but I thought I’d share some warm weather butterfly and moth pictures that I took this past year. I love working with plants, especially fruit plants, but I think my overall passion is “Biology”: the study of life.

Since 1996, the NDSU Carrington Research Extension Center has provided an annual two-day class on cattle feeding. Initially, the school was started to provide information and encourage more cattle feeding in North Dakota. 

Wishing you all the best this holiday season and blessings in the New Year.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from the staff at the NDSU Carrington Research Extension Center.

Dry edible bean farmers and crop advisers will have an opportunity to learn about North Dakota State University’s current production research and recommendations during NDSU Extension’s Getting-It-Right in Dry Bean Production workshop.

The last half of 2021 has provided a nice reprieve from recent difficult falls. If you were prepared, it was an excellent opportunity to get cover crops going. On the other hand, it was also a great chance to see what our early season volunteer cash crops can offer our cropping systems.

NDSU recommends starter phosphorus (P) fertilizer for corn, regardless of P soil level.

The Carrington Research Extension Center has just come through the driest conditions seen dating back 127 years. Moisture levels this fall have finally improved with 5.5 inches of rainfall from early September through the middle of October.

The North Dakota Angus University feedout project was harvested in early October.

As with most crops, dryland dry bean production in commercial fields and research trials was a challenge this season. At the Carrington Research Extension Center (CREC), our dryland variety trial was dropped due to highly variable plant development among and within plots.

The orchard has received rain!! I can’t tell you how much of a relief this is after a loooong summer of moving the water tank early in the morning and late at night to various locations in the orchard.

While harvest is still in full swing, it is never too early to start compiling year-end financial and production information to prepare for 2022. It seems that every year goes by faster and getting important financial records organized is often left to the last minute.

As farmers begin to make their decisions on fertilizer management for next spring, considerations for fall application of nitrogen (N) fertilizer should be weighed against the fact that yields are likely to be greater from spring N application than fall application.

NDSU Extension, in cooperation with the National Sunflower Association (NSA), is conducting a sunflower field survey in the Great Plains including North Dakota.