Ramsey County

October 1, 2007

Howdy!!!

What a weekend for the end of September.  Both major North Dakota football teams won easily, the weather was very cooperative for harvesting (except for the northwestern part of the county that received moisture), I heard fish were biting, duck and goose seasoned opened, I saw a combine harvesting corn on Saturday near Devils Lake and as you can imagine the list can go on and on and on!!!!!  No matter the case, we need to enjoy the season as the cold of winter realities will soon be upon us.  But until then lets get our fall activities done and enjoy the beauties around us.  How these trees can put on such a show in the fall is fabulous.  This past weekend did find a more serious note on our travels.  Deb and I traveled to Fargo for a wedding (Deb’s cousin son) and on the travel noted many tractors just sitting around.  Now I have hauled beets before and when the temperature reaches a certain high for the day the piler is shut down and that includes any harvesting but this day was of a different nature all together.  Farmers are not able to purchase fuel to run these rigs and fortunately for some, some did have a fall harvest supply on hand.  There were pumps, here in Devils Lake, unable to supply diesel for the truckers or other diesel driven rigs.  The fuel industry pulling strings???????  or do we have a actual fuel shortage just when we are getting into full swing of bean, sunflower and corn harvest.  I am sure the fuel supply will get figured out.  No matter the case it is sure a wake up call to all of us, of the problems little glitches can create in our every day lives.  The things we take for granted!!!!!!!!!!!!! 

As we look towards next year we can prepare for some of the things we can control.  Soil nutrient testing could and should be taken place this fall.  This is not only for the farmer but also community gardeners.  We often do like we have in the past and some of this soil does not need as much or possibly even use an additional amount of nutrients.  We do have a soil sample tool in our office, available for your use, along with the bags to put soil samples in.  If you are interested in using this service please feel free to call our office at 701-662-7027 on availability.  Remember this is not a hired service it is a free tool for you to use to monitor your fields, gardens and flower beds for soil nutrients.

One last note, I have heard from many of you that read my article and I thank you for that. I have also heard of some foreigners reading my article and for that I would like to say hi and thanks to Jeff, Angie and Jackson.  I hope your winter stay is enjoyable and look forward to seeing you next spring.  The reason          I bring this up is because Ramsey County Extension does have a web page and should be checked out.  The address is http://www.ext.nodak.edu/county/ramsey/.  Cindy does try to keep most articles posted that are written by Brenda and myself on this site.  This site also provides information regarding tree care, rents and values, farm custom rates and calendar dates as we have them, to mention a small listing of information on our site.

Calendar!!!

            October     7                4-H Pancake Breakfast, K.C. Hall

            November 15               Farmers’s Night Out, Memorial building

            November 28               Rancher’s Night Out, Lake Region Livestock

            November 28               Tax Preparer workshop

            December  6                District Crop Improvement meeting, Lakota

            January    8-9               Lake Region Extension Roundup

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

Return to Back Home Index
Return to Ramsey Extension Home Page