Ramsey County

November 19, 2007

Howdy!!!!
It is very hard to imagine that Thanksgiving is here and Christmas is a hop and 3 more weeks away.  The weather is starting to act more like this time of year and adding in that cold wind sure makes us feel spoiled for the weather we have had for the last couple of months.  Winter really hit me hard on Sunday, driving to church, when I saw Christmas trees in the retailers inventory.  I am not one to talk as I like to have my tree for the duration.  It is such a joyous time of year. 

Rancher’s Night Out!!!
Next Wednesday night, November 28, we will be hosting our annual Ranchers’ Night Out along with Lake Region Livestock.  Supper to start at 5:30.  This is a great time to thank Jim and Mary Zeigler for their fine hospitality.  We will start the night off as other years with a free meal of Rocky Mountain Oysters and Chili.  It is surprising how many people come just for the Oysters and it is also very amazing how some will not try but once tried a little found they are much better than anticipated.  We will start the program at 7 pm with Gene Goven.  He is a cattle rancher from Turtle Lake and has done some outstanding work in grazing strategies to enhance soil health and grass establishment which to all of us means greater cow numbers or longer grazing seasons.  Without fail, people seeing his operation have tried to incorporate his grazing strategies into their own operation.  Roxanne Johnson (NDSU Extension water specialist) will visit with you about water quality and how that fits into the grazing strategy of each pasture.  Vern Anderson will finish off the night talking about peas and corn and it byproducts.  He has data that indicates peas in a ration will enhance flavor and gain and with so much corn in the country, we can all learn something from his corn trials.  “SO COME ONE COME ALL TO THE ANNUAL RANCHERS NIGHT OUT AND SEE WHAT COOKING”.

You will also be able to take a peak at the cattle that are entered into the Eastern Dakota feedout trial this year.  They will be coming in around 3-4 pm and will be loaded out for Carrington around 7 pm.  The calves did very, very well last year and will be excited to see the outcome for this bunch of calves.  The calves last year averaged an additional net $153 over feeder calf price. 

This trial is designed to enhance producer cattle quality.  They are given carcass data at the end of the feeding trial and also see monthly rate of gains and gain per day of age information along with much, much more info.  “If producers can increase calf quality, through genetics, it will mean higher feeder calf prices down the road”.

Calendar!!!
            November 28               Rancher’s Night Out, Lake Region Livestock
            November 28               Eastern Dakota Feedout arrival
            November 27               Tax Preparer workshop
            December  6                District Crop Improvement meeting, Lakota
            January    8-9               Lake Region Extension Roundup

SELECTING A CHRISTMAS TREE
    Selecting a Christmas tree is one of the highlights of the pre-holiday preparations. Choosing the "right" tree is much easier if you know what type and size you are looking for, the features that indicate a good tree and how to maintain freshness.    Many different types of evergreens are used for Christmas trees. No one species can be considered the best all around Christmas tree, since each have their own good points. The five most important species of Christmas trees in our area are: Scotch Pine, Norway Pine, White Pine, Balsam Fir, and Douglas Fir.

    The Scotch Pine has needles in a cluster of two and dark green in color. The needles are 1 1/2 -2 1/2 inches in length and usually twisted. The tree is normally bushy with excellent needle retention.

    Norway or Red Pine has needles in clusters of two and are dark green in color. The needles are 4-6 inches in length and not twisted. It is a coarse bushy tree and tends to be more open than other kinds of trees. They are quite heavy for their height and have very good needle retention.

    White Pine has flexible soft needles, a fragrant aroma, and is blue green in color. The needles are 1 1/2 - 2 1/2 inches long with five in each cluster. Branches are fine an will not support a heavy load of ornaments. They have very good needle retention and are usually light in weight for its height.

    Balsam Fir has short, flat dark green needles, usually rounded at the tips. Needles are arranged in two rows on the twigs which grow at right angles to the branch. Trees are fairly dense with good needle retention.

    Douglas Fir has soft pliable needles which are attached around the twig instead of being in rows. Needles are dark yellow-green to blue-green in color and 1 - 1 1/2 inches in length. Trees are fairly dense with good needle retention.

    A few simple pointers can make the selection of your Christmas tree easier:
    -Before going to buy determine where you will display your tree and the size of a tree you need. 
    -Select a tree that is the right height for the space you have chosen. Cutting large portions off either end of the tree will tend to ruin its natural shape. 
    -If the tree isn't frozen, run your finger up and down a branch. The needles shouldn't fall off easily. 
    -If not frozen, shake or bounce the tree on the ground lightly to see that the needles are firmly attached. A few needles will normally fall off. 
    -The tree limbs should be strong enough for lights and ornaments. The tree should have a strong fragrance and good color.

    - Preparing your tree for your home is relatively easy; we should always cut off about an inch or two off of the bottom to allow a fresh flow of water up the tree.  Trees that have been cut and are not exposed to moisture can have a tendency to heal and create an obstacle. 

   - I have found in my home that misting our tree every three to four days not only helped retain needles longer but also generated more moist needles so hopefully less danger of fire.

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

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