There's been enough heat that producers should be on guard against a late summer bloom of blue-green algae in their dugouts.
Watch dugouts for toxic cyanobacteria
There's been enough heat that producers should be on guard
Be aware of ditch haying dangers
Washouts, culverts and soft spots can create risky situations
Farmers and ranchers should exercise caution when haying in ditches. Among the risks this year is excess water, says Angie Johnson, North Dakota State University Extension farm and ranch safety coordinator. “Precipitation has greatly improved the 2022 hay crop, but in some areas excessive moisture has been a challenge,” Johnson said. “The increase in surface
Extreme weather expected to delay pasture turnout
Last year’s drought and this year’s very slow spring mean trouble for pastures
Following a cooler-than-normal spring 2022 and the 2021 drought, cattle producers should expect a delay in grass development and growth this spring. “Air temperature is the main environmental factor that determines the rate of grass development,” says Miranda Meehan, North Dakota State University Extension livestock environmental stewardship specialist. “Each leaf produced on a stem requires
Resistance suspected in lice woes
Lice populations in cattle have become much more difficult to control
In the midst of one of the mildest winters in the region’s history, many cattle producers are faced with lice infestations in herds even though they have treated their cattle. Some even have treated more than once and still are seeing the effects of lice in their livestock. “We are experiencing lice populations that are
Forage analysis valuable in developing winter feeding program
Determining the nutrient content of forages and other feeds through laboratory analysis is the best way to design a nutrition program that meets livestock requirements
Laboratory analysis to determine the quality of feedstuffs was developed more than 150 years ago. “Since that time, the ability to accurately analyze forages has greatly improved, as has the ability to use results to improve livestock feed efficiency and performance,” says Janna Block, extension livestock systems specialist at NDSU’s Hettinger Research Extension Center. “However, this valuable management
Management tips for frost-damaged soybeans
Soybeans killed at growth stages of full seed development and beginning maturity should be left out in the field to dry before harvest
An early frost has producers wondering what to do with immature frost-damaged soybeans. “Soybeans killed at growth stages of full seed development (R6) and beginning maturity (R7) should be left out in the field to dry and harvested along with mature soybeans (R8) when the beans are at the desired moisture content,” advises Ken Hellevang,
Watch for heat stress, summer pneumonia in beef cattle
The combination of heat and humidity can create stress on livestock
Summers usually are mild on the Great Plains, compared with other regions, but hot, humid days do occur and can be dangerous and even deadly for cattle. “The combination of heat and humidity creates stress on livestock because respiration is the predominant route for cooling,” says Karl Hoppe, Extension livestock systems specialist at North Dakota
Dry beans respond to row spacing and plant population
Trials on black and navy beans show a slight advantage to narrow spacing and higher plant population
Narrower row spacing and higher plant populations have some advantage in dry bean production, according to research by North Dakota State University. For the past decade, NDSU has been conducting field research examining the response of black, navy and pinto beans to different combinations of row spacings and plant populations to identify optimum seed yield. Research focused on black and navy beans grown
Diarrhea can be deadly for calves
A number of different factors can cause this serious issue
Cattle producers need to be on the lookout for calf diarrhea, according to North Dakota State University Extension livestock experts. The majority of scours, or diarrhea, cases occur when calves are three to 16 days old. Untreated calves essentially die of shock from a loss of fluids and electrolyte imbalances. “Calf scours is most often
Prepare for spring calving
A few simple steps can set your operation up for success
Planning and preparing for the calving season can help not only minimize calf losses but also improve calves’ performance, according to North Dakota State University Extension livestock specialists. The nutrition status of the calving herd is one issue to consider in preparing for the upcoming spring calving season. “Although this should be an earlier concern,
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