NO SECTION 18 EXEMPTION ON SPARTAN
For the last 5 years North Dakota has had a section 18 exemption for the use of Spartan on kochia in flax. This year that option WILL NOT be available. The reasoning behind this deals with the fact that section 18 exemptions are meant for emergency control of non-routine pest problems. Due to changes in the way section 18 exemptions are approved by the EPA, it has been concluded that the State does not have the necessary data available to qualify for the exemption. For a full listing of what section 18 exemptions are available for use this growing season go to: http://www.agdepartment.com/Programs/Plant/Section18Exemptions.html
Meetings Set to Discuss Distillers grains.
With more ethanol plants operating in the State and more on the way, the North Dakota Department of Ag will be holding public meetings to discuss the feeding of distiller’s grains. The main focus of this meeting will be to determine if the plants must disclose the sulfur levels in the distiller’s grains before it can be sold as feed. Sulfur content becomes a concern when animals are also consumer high sulfur water sources. Many places in North Dakota have high sulfur content in their groundwater; therefore sulfur content becomes a concern as distillers’ grains become a more common feed source. The meetings will also include a presentation on the adverse effects of sulfur on livestock. Other states do currently have laws requiring the sulfur content of distillers’ grains feeds to be disclosed. If you are interested in attending one of these public meeting the dates and times are below.
May 23
Jamestown, Farmers Union State Offices, 1415 12th Ave. 9 A.M.
Devils Lake, Devils Lake Armory, 524 4th Ave., 2 P.M.
May 24
Watford City, Civic Center, 213 2nd St. NE., 9 AM
Dickinson, D R E C, 1089 State Ave., 1 P.M. (MT)
Remember to have ID for cattle brought into the State.
The State Board of Animal Health has released new rules for some cattle entering the state. Any Mexican- branded animals must be accompanied by 2 negative bovine tuberculosis tests within the last 60 days. While this may not affect those in the area so much, the second part of the new law deals with rodeo cattle. The new rules also state that all cattle used for rodeos and timed events, such as team roping events, must have a negative bovine TB test within 12 months prior to importation into North Dakota. Along with the new rules the board also reminds veterinarians and producers that sexually intact cattle of any age, imported from any state, must be officially identified before entering the state. These rules do exclude calves that are still on the cow. Official forms of acceptable identification include:
-
· Brucellosis vaccination tags, which are orange
-
· U.S. Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service official metal identification tags, which are silver
-
· Legible breed-registered tattoos
-
· USDA-approved radio frequency identification or International Organization for Standardization-compliant numbers
-
· National Dairy Herd Improvement Association tags
The state board requires all official identification to be listed on the certificate of veterinary inspection. Each certificate of veterinary inspection for cattle entering the state also must have an importation permit number, which is available from the board at (701) 328-2655. All producers importing cattle must comply with these regulations, even if the cattle are being imported only for feeding purposes.
Hettinger Research Center Looking for Rams
North Dakota State University's Hettinger Research Extension Center is inviting sheep seed stock producers to participate in this year's performance ram test. Purebred and crossbred rams are eligible to participate. The rams must test RR or QR at Codon 171 (DNA mutation testing for scrapie resistance) and weigh at least 50 pounds. . The test generates data on average daily gain and carcass ultrasonography, which give purebred and commercial sheep producers the information they need to select animals for economically important traits. Pre-registration is not required. Producers may deliver any number of healthy ram lambs to the center's testing facility from May 14 to May 18.
Demonstration Plots being planted.
In a combined effort between Extension, the Soil Conservation District and the County Ag Improvement Association there will be a number of demonstration and research plots going in this summer. A corn variety trial is planned, along with a double cropping forage trial and set of plots looking at different alfalfa varieties. Planting should begin late this week, and you can look for more information on the plots as the summer goes along.
Annual Annual Sale!
The Garden Club Plant Sale will be Friday, May 18th selling from 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM & Saturday, May 19th selling from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM at the Red Building at the Fairgrounds! Gift Certificates available ( Mother’s Day is this weekend) at Precious Memories. Ready Made planters will be available this year. Stop by and check it out or contact Dawn Ueckert (872-2123) for more information.
Firewood Recall
In an effort to control the spread of Emerald Ash Borer, (EAB) all firewood from Taylors Wood Products sold at Menards stores is being recalled. While it is unknown if the fire wood is actually infested with EAB, it is being recalled due to failure to meet a compliance agreement. If you have purchased any of this wood, burn it as soon as possible to reduce the risk of EAB infestation.
Blue Jeans and Country Dreams
As this is being written the County Fair is only 81 days away. I encourage everyone to start thinking about the fair and possible entries. This year’s fair should be one of the best, with an open youth horse show, a 4-H livestock show, a Quilt show and a Christian concert on Friday night. More information on the fair will be coming soon.