DROUGHT MEETING
May 9, 2008 

   An informational meeting on crop and livestock drought issues will be held on May 19 at 7:00 p.m. at the North Central Research Extension Center. The purpose of the meeting is to provide farmers and ranchers with information that will assist them in making difficult decisions during a drought period. Listed below are topics that will be discussed:

·         Predicting forage production based on moisture availability and adjusting stocking rates based on those predictions
·         Livestock marketing strategies during a drought
·         Livestock water quality and quantity issues
·         Crop insurance and emergency forages
·         Emergency forages
·         Water requirements and yield potential for area crops

 For more information on the meeting, contact the Ward County Extension Service office at 857-6444.

Monitor Water Quality in Drought Conditions
April 29, 2008 

   Water is the most important nutrient for livestock. Water is essential for regulation of body temperature, digestion, metabolism, excretion, hydrolysis of protein, fat, and carbohydrates, lubrication of joints, nervous system cushion, transporting, hearing and eye sight. 
   Livestock producers know that under drought conditions, water quality becomes as important as water quantity. When the water doesn’t taste good, cows limit intake and in turn, lower their feed consumption, which affects overall growth and doability.
   Suppressed water intake can depress animal performance more quickly and drastically than any other nutrient deficiency. 
   Water quality in dams, stock ponds and dugouts can deteriorate in a hurry – especially in drought conditions. When watering holes are not being regularly replenished by rainfall and runoff, the total dissolved solids become more and more concentrated, making the water less palatable and less beneficial for cattle.
   Management decisions must be based on water quality and availability. Pasture rotation, stocking rates, early weaning, and culling,  - all depend on water.
   The best way to determine water quality is a water analysis, performed at a lab.  The analysis, which costs very little, takes the guesswork out of determining if water is safe for stock.  A water analysis measures salinity, sulfates, minerals, nitrates, PH and microorganisms in the water. The First District Health Unit in Minot will do a livestock water analysis for $15. Water should be brought in a clean quart jar – preferably one that has not been used. First District Health recommends rinsing the jar three times in the water that is to be tested, before filling the jar.  Test results are available in a couple of days.
   The NDSU Extension Service has a chart to help producers understand the water analysis. The chart, and other livestock water information, can be found at http://www.ag.ndsu.edu/pubs/ansci/livestoc/as954w.htm.

NDSU DROUGHT WEBSITE
April 24, 2008 

   The NDSU Extension Service has a drought website that contains information on management in a drought situation. The site can be reached at  

http://www.ag.ndsu.edu/disaster/drought.html

   NDSU Extension agents, Extension specialists, and representatives from various state agencies have been discussing what programs are available to assist with drought management. The number one immediate problem that is brought up in most areas is the lack of water for drinking in many pastures.
   If you have any questions on any of the material on the drought website, please call the Ward County Extension Office at 857-6444.

REVITALIZE A LAWN AFTER A DROUGHT
April 23, 2008

   No one knows when the current drought will end.  It may be tomorrow or it may be next  year.  However, when this very dry period does end, there will be a need for some revitalization on most lawns.  The extent of the reawakening process will depend on many factors, with the most obvious being the length of this current dry period.
   Kentucky bluegrass, red fescue and perennial ryegrass, which comprise most of our grass mixes in our lawns, go dormant during dry periods.  It is the plant’s way of protecting itself during adverse conditions. As the drought lingers, lawns may come out of their dormancy in a weakened condition.
   There are a number of items that a homeowner should consider doing when the rains arrive.  Applying a lawn fertilizer would be a first step.  It takes about a ½ inch of water to incorporate nitrogen when applied to a lawn.  Spring fertilization under typical conditions is best done around Memorial Day weekend.
   Drought-stressed lawns will be candidates for a higher infestation of weeds.  If the sod is thinner or in a weakened condition, weeds have less competition and thrive.  Perennial weeds like field bindweed and dandelion have deep root systems which enable them to grow while the shallow-rooted lawn grasses are dormant or growing slowly. During periods of poor growing conditions herbicides that are used to control weeds are not as effective.  When the moisture situation improves a herbicide should be used.  If moisture levels are favorable this upcoming fall, that can be a great time to control perennial weeds in a lawn.
   The recommended mowing height for lawns is 2 ½ -3 inches.  If the grass is stressed it will be even more important that the grass is not cut shorter than recommended.
   Kentucky bluegrass has excellent recuperative and competitive capacity.  The rhizomatous nature of Kentucky bluegrass allows it to virtually repair itself. Red fescue also produces rhizomes, but lacks the extensive recuperative potential of Kentucky bluegrass.  Interseeding with an overseeder can be an option if lawns are very thin. 

Stored Soil Moisture
April 22, 2008

Dining With Diabetes North Dakota Style
April 10, 2008

An Educational Program for People with Diabetes and their Families

   Dining with Diabetes North Dakota Style will be offered in Minot this spring and
summer. Dining with Diabetes is an educational program packaged in a series of six classes to help people with diabetes manage their eating, their activities and monitoring their health. The classes will begin Tuesday, May 20, 2008 from 1:00pm to 4:00pm in the afternoon at the First District Health Unit Conference Center.  Dining with Diabetes is a once a week class that runs for four weeks with a one month and a two month follow-up class.  This program is open to those with diabetes, their family members and caretakers.  The registration fee is $25 with an additional family member or caretaker attending for $5.  Space is limited and pre-registration is required.  Participants must attend all class sessions.
   Participants will learn how to create meals that are healthy, easy to prepare and taste good.  Recipes will be demonstrated, and participants will have the opportunity to taste each one.  Participants will also learn up-to-date information on nutrition, meal planning, exercise and how to understand common diabetes-related medical tests. Recipe booklets and handouts will be given to each participant.
   Diabetes is a very serious and costly disease, but research has shown that those who learn to manage their blood glucose (sugar) levels by eating a healthy diet and exercising regularly can lower their risks of complications and lead a healthier and more productive life.
   The Dining with Diabetes program is being offered through a partnership between NDSU Extension Service, First District Health Unit and Trinity Health with partial funding provided by the St Joseph’s Community Health Foundation.
   Registration for this program can be made by calling the NDSU Extension Service, Ward County at 701-857-6450 by May 12, 2008.

MIDGE DATA AVAILABLE
April 4, 2008

   The annual midge map with the 2007 soil survey results was recently released. The survey conducted last fall indicates decreasing levels of over-wintering wheat midge larva for the upcoming 2008 season.
   The black parasitic wasp, that helps control the wheat midge population, has doubled from an average parasitism rate of 8% to 16%. In Ward County the average parasitism rate was more than 50%.
   For a copy of the map, please call the Ward County Extension Office at 857-6444.

FIRE DANGER GUIDE
April 3, 2008

   The Fire Danger Index, issued by the National Weather Service (NWS), serves as a guide to reduce the number of uncontrollable outdoor fires. The index is an indication of rural fire potential throughout the state and provides citizens with needed information about fire safety conditions.
   The index contains five ratings – low, medium, high, very high, and extreme. Fires are more likely to occur on higher index days, and more likely to grow in size. The Fire Danger Index does not predict how a specific fire will behave; however, the indexes do give an indication of overall fire activity.
   Normally, the NWS calculates the Fire Danger Index for each county using predicted values for temperature, humidity, wind speed, cloud cover, and vegetative greenness.
   When the Fire Danger Index is extreme, open burning is prohibited.
   When the Fire Danger Index is very high, use fire tools and monitor the fire at all times. Restrict burning to early morning and late evening hours when low wind conditions exist. Clean fuel from around the burn site.
   If you have questions about burning or are scheduling a burn, call the Minot Central Dispatch at 852-1305 and your fire department district. The phone numbers of the local fire districts are available by calling the Extension Office at 857-6444.

CARING FOR YOUR HOME AND YARD SERIES
March 26, 2008

   Spring is a time for cleaning up our homes and yards and getting ready for a warm and sunny summer. This spring NDSU Extension Service in Ward County is offering a Caring For Your Home and Yard series of educational programs. The sessions are designed for the new homeowner, young couples, and people wanting more information about their home and yard.

   Session dates and topics: 

April 14, 7:00 p.m. & April 16, 12:00 noon
Spring Lawn Care - A discussion on spring management practices that will enhance your lawn for the summer growing season. This session will be taught by Mike Rose, Extension Agent.

April 24, 12:00 noon
Mold in Your Home -  Learn where to look for mold, how to recognize mold, how to safely get rid of mold in your home. This session will be taught by Lori Scharmer, Extension Agent.

April 28, 7:00 p.m. & May 1, 12:00 noon
Home Vegetable Gardening - The interest in growing your own vegetables is increasing as food costs increase and there is more emphasis on producing food locally. This session will be taught by Mike Rose, Extension Agent.

May 8, 12:00 noon
Homeowner’s Insurance - Our homeowner’s insurance is an essential part of owning a home. We will discuss the components of a homeowner’s insurance policy to gain a better understanding of how we and our homes are protected.  This session will be taught by Lori Scharmer, Extension Agent.

May 12, 7:00 p.m. & May 14, 12:00 noon
Color Your Yard with Annual Flowers - A presentation on growing and selecting annual flowers. This session will be taught by Mike Rose, Extension Agent.

   All of these programs are free of charge and designed to fit into a lunch break between noon and 1:00 pm or an evening. The noon programs will be held in the lower level meeting room at First International Bank on south Broadway and begin at 12:10 pm and be completed by 12:50 pm.  Participants are encouraged to bring a brown bag lunch along with them. The evening session will be held at the North Central Research Extension Center south of Minot on Hwy 83. Each evening session will begin at 7:00 pm.
   Those interested are asked to contact the Extension office to register at 857-6444 or email marie.bonebrake@ndsu.edu.  Everyone is welcome and may attend all sessions or choose the ones they are interested in or available to attend.

DIAGNOSING TREE AND SHRUB PROBLEMS
June 21, 2007

   Available on this website is a PowerPoint presentation that contains information and pictures describing common problems for area trees and shrubs. The program contains information on insect, disease, and environmental problems. This presentation refers to  Insect and Disease Management Guide for Woody Plants in North Dakota. This NDSU Extension publication is available at the Ward County Extension Office.
   Please click Diagnosing Tree and Shrub Problems to view the program. You will need PowerPoint Reader on your computer to read the program. Click  below for a free download that allows you to read PowerPoint programs. The presentation contains many pictures and could take some time to download.
   If you have questions on the information, please call 857-6444 or email Mike.Rose@ndsu.edu.

Free PowerPoint download

WEATHER DATA

   Ward County farmers can have instantaneous weather data from NDAWN stations at Minot, Berthold, Karlsruhe, and Plaza. The stations can give you air temperature, soil temperature, rainfall, wind speed, and wind direction. Note the wind direction is by degrees clockwise from north. For example, east is 90 degrees.

The phone numbers are:

Plaza 497-3598

Minot 839-2760

Berthold 453-3630

Karlsruhe 525-6394

The information is also on the NDSU web site under NDAWN.
 

For a direct link to the North Dakota State University website, click here.
 

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