Ramsey County

Howdy!!!!!

Well, we are just down to handful days before Christmas.  I cannot believe how fast the days have gone and hopefully we will have moved as you read this article.  This past weekend I had coffee with an uncle from Minnewauken and needless to say we visited about a lot of things.  He lost a son and I lost a cousin, this fall, so of course we talked about that but we also visited about the old days.  It seems the old days can revert to last week or it can relate to a time, some time ago.  For me, the old days, is about an hour ago as my memory is very long (about a second).

It was fun to reminisce about the times during Christmas when all my cousins and parents would meet at Grandpa and Grandmas for Christmas Eve.  The tradition was always to have Oyster Stew (I can still taste that great soup), as the main getter for supper.  It was a great time to get together and share all the fun things that happened in the past and the present.  I am still amazed how Grandpa and Grandma fit all of us into her house.

I guess what I am trying to say is, have a merry Christmas and always remember the holiday season as a joyous season and share that time with our families, as we never know what the future holds for us.

Some thoughts for the New Year!!!!!!! 
The first thin us producers “MUST” do is monitor our grain bins regularly.  Very large portions of our grains were harvested at higher than normal moisture content and thus long-term storage is not in the plan unless otherwise dried.  Net profit being the bottom line, every single bushel counts.  Check your bins regularly.  A couple helpful hints to remember checking your bins.  “I know that everyone already knows these hints but a repeated reminder is always very helpful”. 

• When using a ladder don’t be crawling around when icy.
• “Always have somebody around in case of trouble”.
• Don’t probe the outside of the bin as trouble is usually in the center.
• Probe the bin for moisture and insects.
• Your nose will detect problems.
• If you need to remove some grain “ALWAYS STAY CLEAR OF MOVING GRAIN IN A BIN”.  Moving grain can pull you down to suffocation levels in seconds.
• If fumigation is needed “ALWAYS USE RECOMMENDED EQUIPMENT AND BE CERTIFIED TO USE FUMIGANTS.  They are very dangerous and can overcome you very quickly.

Round-Up (January 5-6)$$$$$$$$
The Round up is just around the corner and is a very good time to catch up on the most current information available to you and your farm.  Terry Gregorie does an outstanding job of putting information together that is timely and informative for future years.  See you at the Round Up.

I would like to wish you and your families a merry Christmas and a very prosperous New Year from all of us here in the office. 

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

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