Ramsey County Ag Column

By Bill Hodous

May 19, 2008

Howdy!!

As I write this column the new Farm Bill is on the way to the president’s desk.  The information I have read this morning sounds as if he will veto the bill but like all things until that happens we need to think positive.  It would appear a veto override could happen as support in both houses appears adequate to override a veto.  Keep in mind nothing is for sure so until the hammer hits the table everything is up in the air.  I am not a politician but one comment was made that there is too much additions, in the bill, that has no affiliation to farming.  A couple of changes to the new farm bill is a 2% cut in Direct Payment participants for the base acres covered during the middle three years of the five year program.

This past weekend I traveled to Gardner for a junk sale.  Upon the travels we came upon many areas with blowing dirt.  There were areas, where the dirt was blowing so bad that we lost sight of a vehicle ¼ mile ahead of us.  I know that top soil can move easily once worked and in some cases rolled for soybeans but there are areas around the region that can use a good drink.  With that being said, for those of you that are on the dry side, we need to take precautions on our tillage operations, to include burning of residue.  Now I know we need to make these operations for not only tilling but also proper seed placement but use caution for these practices.  When we talk of burning remember you are putting nitrogen in the air when we burn the residue.  We sometimes forget about the nitrogen that is tied up in the residue and even though it may take a couple of years to see the benefit of that residue we need to be cautious as how we handle it. 

The cattle on feed report, last Friday, had no big surprises, as the on feed total was down 1 percent.  Placements were down 2 percent, while marketing’s were up 11 percent from a year ago.  Marketing numbers up is good for the cattle industry particularly feeding $6 corn.

2008 Drought Disaster Livestock Water Supply Project Assistance Program. 

There is cost share available for producers with water shortages caused by a drought.  Now I know that some of our area does not fit this shortage but there are areas that are affected by a shortage of water.  The program is administered by the North Dakota State Water Commission.  If you have a need for this program please contact the commission’s website at http://swc.nd.gov or call 328-4989.

Calendar

June 17             North Dakota Stockmans Assoc. feedlot tour (Carrington and New Rockford)     

June 22             Tolna Garden Tour (Only room for 25 people)

June 30-           Canola Day, Minot North Central Research Extension Center

July 8-              North Central Research Extension Center Pulse Day,

July 17-            Langdon field days

July 15-            Carrington field day

July 16             Minot field day

July ????          Ramsey County Crop Tour

524 4th Ave #5, 2nd Floor Ramsey County Courthouse
Devils Lake  ND  58301
701-662-7027
email - ramsey@ndsuext.nodak.edu