NEWS for North Dakotans
Agriculture Communication, North Dakota State
University
7 Morrill Hall, Fargo, ND 58105-5665
June 25, 1998
Alternative feeds for beef production and an update on construction of a bison research facility will be highlights of a field day at the Carrington Research Extension Center on Tuesday, July 14.
Morning tours will begin at 9:30 a.m. Animal scientist Vern Anderson will discuss how a cow herd at the center was maintained through the summer months on a ration composed primarily of wheat midds and straw. "With the pasture rents and some areas of drought in the region, we're looking at low-cost alternatives for maintaining the cow herd," he explains. He will also discuss the use of crambe meal in cow diets.
In addition, Anderson will outline research that shows field peas can be used successfully in creep feeds. Peas are an alternative crop gaining popularity in North Dakota as producers look for new crops to add to traditional rotations. "Peas are more nutritionally dense than many of our feed grains, and right now they're very competitively priced," he says. "We've seen encouraging results all the way to finishing."
Visitors will also be able to see construction progress on the center's bison research facility. Much of the earth moving will be completed and chutes and scales will be installed before the field day. Researchers will also discuss ongoing bison research and plans for added research that the new facilities will allow.
In addition, NDSU Extension livestock specialist Karl Hoppe will discuss feeding strategies for calves born in the fall. NDSU Extension waste management specialist Scott Birchall will outline how producers can include waste management considerations when designing new livestock facilities.
Additional morning tours will highlight grass and broadleaf crop varieties and production and crop pest management. Afternoon tours, running from 1:15 p.m. to 3:30 p.m., will feature grass and broadleaf crop varieties and production, crop pest management, and crop-fertility and production-systems management.
Also available for visits: a crop diagnostic clinic, a precision-ag instrumentation and yield-monitoring demonstration, and a weed and tree arboretum.
Refreshments and lunch will be sponsored by Carrington and New Rockford area businesses. For more information, contact the Carrington Research Extension Center at (701) 652-2951 or the center's Web site, www.ag.ndsu.nodak.edu/carringt/.
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Source: Vern Anderson (701) 652-2951
Editor: Tom Jirik (701) 231-9629