News Releases and Other Information -- September 4, 2003

CORRECTION: Beef Cattle Outlook and Management Conference Offered Across the State (9/11/03) With beef prices at historic highs, marketing and management become critical for producers who want to make the most of the opportunity. Factors influencing markets and profitability will be addressed during a beef cattle outlook and management video conference Sept. 29 and 30 at locations across North Dakota. FULL STORY

Can You Afford to Raise Corn Silage Cutter Height? (9/10/03) Some producers are considering cutting corn higher to reduce fiber concentrations and increase fiber digestibility and energy content in silage. The costs of that technique may outweigh the benefits, says dairy specialist J.W. Schroeder. FULL STORY

Acidified Foods Workshops for Small Processors Set for Fargo and Bismarck (9/9/03) The workshops are designed to provide current and future small processors with the basic elements needed to understand the main processing steps, FDA regulations, critical control points and record keeping to safely manufacture specialty foods for the marketplace. FULL STORY

New Publication Shows Trends in N.D. Farm Financial Performance (9/4/03) In 2002, farms with less than 40 percent debt were three times as likely to have net farm income greater than $50,000 than farms with more than 70 percent debt. This finding is among many relating to North Dakota farms in a new publication. FULL STORY

Unexplained Livestock Deaths May Be Caused by Cyanobacteria (9/4/03) Stagnant pond water with cyanobacteria can kill animals. FULL STORY

Chickpea Extends Shelf Life of Bread (9/4/03) NDSU researcher looks to utilize low-grade chickpeas to extend bread shelf life. FULL STORY

New Silage Additives May Cut Down Spoilage Loss (9/4/03) If you have problems with moldy or spoiled silage, you may want to consider the new commercial silage additives containing Lactobacillus buchneri, according to dairy specialist J.W. Schroeder. FULL STORY

Malt Blends to Now Include Drummond (9/4/03) Two brewing companies will now include Drummond barley in their malt blends. FULL STORY

Child Well-Being in North Dakota Ranks Near Top Despite Poverty Concerns (9/4/03) The North Dakota State Data Center reviews highlights from the 2003 North Dakota KIDS COUNT! Fact Book. The book details the well being of North Dakota children. FULL STORY

Improve Silage Packing with Proper Weight, Dairy Specialist Advises (9/4/03) Filling bunkers too fast can lead to improper packing now and spoilage problems later. Dairy specialist J.W. Schroeder offers some silage packing tips. FULL STORY

Use Your Head When Changing Combine Headers (9/4/03) Changing combine headers can be dangerous. FULL STORY AUDIO 1 AUDIO 2 AUDIO 3

Number of Businesses Steady, but Number of Employees Rising in N.D. (9/2/03) The number of North Dakota businesses remained about the same between 2000 and 2001, according to the recent Economic Brief released from the North Dakota State Data Center at NDSU. FULL STORY

Columns

Column Archive

BeefTalk: Use Herd Benchmarks to Evaluate Performance (9/4/03) Five-year averages from the Cow Herd Appraisal and Performance Software program allow producers to compare how their herds are performing with the rest of the industry. FULL STORY

Prairie Fare: Drying Foods is Fun for Family (9/4/03) Food and nutrition specialist Julie Garden-Robinson highlights the benefits of dehydrating foods. She also suggests a technique for preparing "Fruit Leather." FULL STORY

Plains Folk: Austin (9/4/03) Isern travels to Texas to follow the life of author Walter Prescott Webb. FULL STORY

Hortiscope (9/4/03) Ron Smith answers readers' questions about the world of plants and gardening. FULL STORY