Program Planning Team: 

Roger Haugen (chair), Kent Alderin, Vern Anderson,  Brad Brummond, Russ Danielson, John Dhuyvetter, Doug Dragseth, Karlyle Erickson, Kurt Froelich, Warren Froelich, Joe Gross, Randy Grueneich, Bob Harrold, Jim Hennessy, Karl Hoppe, Greg Lardy, Lisa Lee, Jim Lindley, Charles Linderman, Lee Manske, Dwain Meyer, Mark Miller, Gary Moran, Dale Naze, Chip Poland, Kris Ringwall, Rick Schmidt, J.W. Schroeder, Kevin Sedivec, Tom Socha, Charles Stoltenow, Jim Tilton, Mary Whitney

Overall Situation

Livestock farm income accounted for 16.6% of the total agricultural cash receipts, or $639.4 million, in North Dakota, for 2000. While independent livestock enterprises exist in North Dakota, a large portion of farm operations are diversified and include both crops and livestock entities. According to the North Dakota input/output model, the livestock sector has the highest multiplier coefficient (4.47). In other words, for every dollar spent in the livestock industry, an additional $3.47 is generated in gross business volume for the state's economy. The addition of livestock to an existing grain enterprise model showed an increase in returns on investment. The addition of livestock enterprises may be needed to maintain the number and viability of existing farms in North Dakota. Educational programs that strengthen the various livestock industry segments are extremely beneficial to the economic well-being of local communities and to the state as well.

PROGRAM COMPONENT
BEEF QUALITY ASSURANCE

Key Theme(s):   Animal Health, Animal Production Efficiency

Persons Responsible

Lisa Lee, Greg Lardy, and Charlie Stoltenow (co-chairs). Team members: Chip Poland, John Dhuyvetter, Karl Hoppe, Kris Ringwall, and local agents.

Situation

The beef industry in the United States is rapidly moving into a source-verified, branded beef market. According to industry sources, almost 50% of the beef marketed in the U.S. in 2010 will be from source verified herds. The development of alliances, closed cooperatives, and numerous other business structures will allow North Dakota producers to participate in these business arrangements. However, many of these programs will or do require formal certification in Beef Quality Assurance. Almost 1000 beef cattle producers were certified in the first year of Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) training certification meetings held in the state in 1999. These producers market over 125,000 feeder cattle annually, representing approximately 13% of the state's cow herd.

Anticipated Measurable Outcomes (Objectives)

• Certification of 250 more beef cattle producers in the year 2001.
• Continued development of Farm to Table Food Safety programs in select MPU's.
• Develop Beef 706 Course to teach meat science, live animal and carcass evaluation to beef producers.

Educational Program

• Approximately 15 BQA certification meetings will be held in the state in 2001 with the goal of certifying an additional 250 beef cattle producers.
• The BQA program will also work closely with auction markets in North Dakota to develop markets for cattle originated on BQA certified farms and ranches.
• A 'Farm to Table' food safety educational program will continue to be offered in conjunction with the Extension Food and Nutrition program.
• Enrollment in the North Dakota CHAPS program will continue to be offered for complete beef production analysis.

Evaluation Plan

• The number of beef cattle producers who are BQA certified will be monitored.
• Effectiveness of certification training will continue to be monitored using pre-certification and post-certification testing.
• The number of feeder cattle marketed through BQA certified cattle sales will also be monitored.

PROGRAM COMPONENT
EFFICIENT NUTRIENT UTILIZATION OF FORAGES

Key Theme(s):    Rangeland/Pasture Management

Persons Responsible

Kevin Sedivec and Greg Lardy (co-chairs). Team members: Chip Poland, John Dhuyvetter, Karl Hoppe, Brad Brummond, Karlyle Erickson, Kent Alderin, Lee Manske, and Russ Danielson.

Situation

Over 44% of North Dakota's land use is associated with rangeland, pasture land, and hayland in the state. Forages are an abundant and sustainable resource available to livestock producers, who rely heavily on their production as a primary feed source throughout the year. Furthermore, feed costs associated with maintaining beef cows average 66% of total cash costs of production. Therefore, proper nutrient management of grazed forages, implementation of an efficient grazing system (including timing of grazing), and stored winter forages along with supplemental feeds, can play a vital role in profitability of cow-calf producers in North Dakota. Beef producers currently face increasing beef prices due to the beef cattle price cycle, and low-cost producers will be better able to increase equity in their operations, during this period.

Anticipated Measurable Outcomes (Objectives)
SUMMER FORAGE NUTRIENT UTILIZATION

Adoption of cost-effective and conservation friendly summer grazing programs. Match forage availability, readiness, and quality with grazing animal and stage of reproduction\lactation. Develop and continue demonstration and research type trials on grazing management (grazing systems), permanent native and tame grass management, and integrated management of leafy spurge. Develop written and visual materials on rangeland management, integrated ranch management, and range pest management.

WINTER FORAGE NUTRIENT UTILIZATION
Reduce the cost of winter feeding by:

• Matching forage quality to cow type and stage of production
• Development of winter feeding plans in early fall in order to predict supplementation needs
• Increased use of stockpiled forages, crop residues, and low cost feeding systems
• Reducing reliance on harvested forages
• Reducing feed and hay waste
• Encourage use of by-products as appropriate

Educational Program

SUMMER FORAGE NUTRIENT UTILIZATION

Include summer grazing programs, topics, and issues; cool-and warm-season grasses; and annual forage related topics at state and regional beef educational producer meetings. Continue demonstration projects in 1) Sheridan and McIntosh Counties on high-intensity/low frequency grazing systems on livestock production, wetland communities, and native rangeland; 2) Adams County and Pierre, SD, looking at domestic and tame cool-and warm-season grass production and quality; 3) Morton, Eddy, and Golden Valley Counties looking at multi-species grazing with sheep and cattle to improve native plant communities and livestock performance on leafy spurge infested lands; 4) Ekalaka, MT, looking at new potential herbicides to control leafy spurge; and 5) Adams County and Lodgepole, SD looking at winter grazing impacts on plant growth and production.

Continue providing current and pertinent information of rangeland topics, grazing topics, feeding livestock, etc., in "The Ranch Hand." Conduct a four-day range youth camp to educate our youths on the use and importance of the range resource and range judging. Conduct a two-day state range judging contest for youth and adults. Conduct three to four 2- to 3-day winter range workshops for rangeland operators throughout the state. Complete a range management handbook for range managers and operators. Complete a new range judging manual for 4-H and FFA.

• Conduct applied research and demonstration projects aimed at reducing hay waste
• Develop visual and written educational material aimed at reducing feed waste
• Develop written materials and visual presentations on the use of processing plant co-products for supplementing winter forage supplies
• Include winter forage related topics at state and regional beef educational producer meetings
• Include relevant material for winter feeding in "The Ranch Hand"
• Develop written material related to low cost forage systems, proper supplementation programs, and cow requirements
• Develop demonstration projects related to alternative winter feeding strategies (swath grazing, chaff and residue utilization)
• Organize tour groups to allow producers to see practical, low cost feeding and wintering systems

Evaluation Plan

SUMMER FORAGE NUTRIENT UTILIZATION

Monitor the success of implementation of range improvement practices through surveying workshop participants in North Dakota. Conduct a survey for the effectiveness and usability of "The Ranch Hand."

WINTER FORAGE NUTRIENT UTILIZATION

Develop surveys to examine feeding practices in North Dakota beef cattle herds. These surveys would also determine producer needs in relation to feeding the cow herd.

 

PROGRAM COMPONENT
POSTWEANING CALF FEEDING AND MANAGEMENT IN THE NORTHERN GREAT PLAINS

Key Theme(s):   Animal Production Efficiency

Persons Responsible

Karl Hoppe (chair), John Dhuyvetter, Greg Lardy, Lisa Lee, Jim Hennessy, Tim Semler, Karlyle Erickson, Mark Miller, Kurt Froelich, Tom Hanson, Rick Schmidt, Ron Beneda, Chip Poland, Shawn Vachal, Lee Manske, Charles Linderman.

Situation

Expanding cattle feeding opportunities in the northern Great Plains has been explored during the past decades. Recent information has indicated that relatively low feed prices as compared to other states can provide for competitive beef gains. Although cold and inclement weather will depress cattle gains and feed conversions, feeding cattle in North Dakota may be cost competitive. Methods for improving management, i.e. nutrition, marketing, genetics, finance, facilities, and waste management, need to be identified and information disseminated for both backgrounding and finishing systems for feeding cattle. Low cattle prices are forcing cattlemen to consider alternative markets. Cooperatives and other business structures may precipitate changes in the current feeding industry. A successful cattle feeding industry will benefit the state residents through increased economic activity, increased revenues and a source of quality meat protein for human diets.

Anticipated Measurable Outcomes (Objectives)

• Increase knowledge base by extension agents and specialists concerning profitable cattle feeding practices for backgrounding and finishing cattle.
• Increase the size and number of cattle feeding operations through additional information on nutrition, management, marketing, health and other areas.
• Increase the size and number of cattle feeding operations through improved management of resources, including co-product feeds available from newly constructed processing facilities.
• Facilitate a forum for continuing education of feedlot management via specific educational events addressing components of feedlot management.

Educational Program

• A cattle feeding curriculum for backgrounding and finishing will be expanded. Extension agents and specialists will prepare new and updated bulletins and teaching packets for use. Selected extension agents will develop individualized cattle feeding demonstrations and educational events.
• In-service education will be provided prior to calf weaning on producing quality assured beef. Extension agents and specialists will design and implement county and multicounty program delivery methods. Specialized session will be held for custom cattle feeders.
• Feeding schools will be conducted for both backgrounding and/or finishing cattle management. These schools will be targeted towards a limited number of producers desiring in-depth education.
• A series of backgrounding news releases will be developed and delivered to cattlemen prior to an October/November calf weaning.
• An educational series (e.g. meetings, news articles, circulars, tours) will be developed for county and multicounty meetings for backgrounding cattle management. A seminar series will be co-hosted with the North Dakota Department of Agriculture.
• Profitability and breakeven budgets via spreadsheet software for calculating feeding breakeven will be designed with Internet access. A companion circular will also be developed.
• Provide assistance to cattle feeders and feedlots through cooperative and partnership business development for expanding cattle feeding activities and opportunities. Provide assistance for vertical integration of cow herds into marketing processed meats.
• Assistance will be given to help develop and enhance the efforts of the Feeder/Backgrounder Council of the North Dakota Stockman's Association.
• Conduct a producer involved calf value discovery project involving a cattle feeding trial and educational program to increase awareness of genetic variation in feeding and carcass performance.
• Develop educational series for wintering backgrounding systems and grazing yearlings or fall born calves.
• Develop a series of educational North Dakota feedlot tours for beginning and established feedlot owners and operators.

Evaluation Plan

• Evaluate the impact of in-depth education for participants of specific cattle feeding educational events.
• Survey cattle feeders to determine the needs of the cattle feeding industry in North Dakota.
• Assess changes in the cattle feeding sector through agricultural statistics.

PROGRAM COMPONENT
MULTI- SPECIES PRODUCTION WITH SHEEP AS A DIVERSIFIED INCOME SOURCE

Key Theme(s):   Biological Control, Adding Value to New and Old Agricultural Products

Persons Responsible

Roger Haugen (chair), Kevin Sedivec, Richard Schmidt, Kent Alderin, Tim Faller, Dan Nudell.

Situation

Livestock producers have the potential to optimize resource utilization by inclusion of a sheep enterprise. Opportunities in leafy spurge control with sheep and multi-species grazing are all potentials for adding sheep as an additional farm income source. Utilization of crop aftermaths, availability of unused farmstead buildings, and family labor also add to the possibility of incorporating sheep on a farm to help stabilize the total farm income. The formation of a lamb cooperative to develop niche markets for natural and premium lamb opens up more marketing possibilities for North Dakota producers.

Anticipated Measurable Outcomes (Objectives)

• To have biological control of leafy spurge.
• To increase use and value of pastures through multi-species grazing.
• To reintroduce an economic resource to North Dakota by increasing sheep producers and sheep in the state.
• To assist in the development of niche markets for North Dakota lambs at a premium price.
• To optimize farm/ranch resources such as facilities, labor, and unused feed sources.

Educational Program

• Hold tours, present seminars on the research dealing with multi-species grazing at various locations around the state.
• Develop educational program on low input sheep production including the introduction of hair sheep and ongoing research results at events (both sheep and cattle) in the state.
• Hold lamb carcass seminars for producers looking at producing premium lambs for niche markets.
• Sheep school will be offered during the state sheep convention. Additional schools may also be offered that involve classes one night a week for four weeks for those people who work during the day.
• Small farm symposiums that include sheep production will be offered at various locations during evening hours to accommodate people schedules.
• Expand the utilization of the website (ndlwpa.com) to include resources to potential new and established producers.
• Demonstrate a multi-species grazing approach with cattle and sheep on leafy spurge infested rangeland in North Dakota.

Evaluation Plan

Survey those attending schools, tours, and educational programs before the events and after to see knowledge gained and practices changed or added to on their farm or ranch. In particular, note the number of farms or ranches incorporating multi specie grazing. Note changes in the number of sheep producers as well as the number of sheep in the state. Note the development and size of niche markets for North Dakota lambs.

PROGRAM COMPONENT
MANAGEMENT PRACTICES AND QUALITY ASSURANCE FOR PROFITABLE DAIRYING

Key Theme(s):    Animal Production Efficiency

Persons Responsible

J.W. Schroeder (chair), Dwight Aakre, Charles Linderman, Jackie Buckley, Bill Klein, Lisa Lee, J.A. Lindley, D.W. Meyer, Mike Rose, Bruce Seelig, Charlie Stoltenow, Bill Coleman, Jason Wirtz - NDDA, Director of Dairy Services - NDDA, T. Risdal and M. Bredwick - ND3P.

Situation

North Dakota has experienced significant interest in dairy expansion for several reasons, including ample feedstuffs, available co-products, an affordable land base, and an infrastructure with excess milk processing capacity. Because of its value-added potential, other Ag-related industries are taking an active interest in large-scale dairying in order to utilize locally grown commodities and forages. On the other hand, the existing family-sized dairy operations have limited reinvestment. Driven by attrition due to an aging population, a demand for an improved lifestyle, and the staggering requirement for capital, modernization of the existing dairy industry has been limited, resulting in the number of dairy farms declining to 592 operations (NDDA, May 1, 2001). Animal numbers appeared to have stabilized at approximately 48,000 cows (NDASS, 2001). The state's dairy industry is the second largest livestock enterprise representing nearly 23% of the gross cash receipts from the $650 million ag industry, without including calf and cull cow sales. Dairying remains one of the most complicated and demanding livestock enterprises. To stay competitive, existing dairy farm families need to integrate production and management technology, while implementing competitive marketing techniques. Successful adaptation of modern technologies can enhance milk yield, composition, quality, and its economic value. Given the educational support and delivery of technology at the user level, this can be accomplished while protecting our environment, its natural resources and allowing for their optimal efficiency.

Anticipated Measurable Outcomes (Objectives)

• Improved farm income, efficiency, and quality of life.
• Increase profitability through development of dairy technology support Advisory Teams with the North Dakota Dairy Diagnostic Program (ND3P - T. Risdal and M. Bredwick).
• Continued development of dairy industry leadership through the Dairy Strategic Planning Task Force and Dairy Summit-II implementation teams.
• Enhanced use of available feedstuffs, co-products, and forage quality.
• Exploration of educational program support on labor management.
• Integration of herd health and management programs for optimum production, milk quality, and cost efficiency.
• Creative partnerships integrating production and management services for a multi-dimensional team approach to dairy farm support.
• Implementation of environmentally friendly waste management techniques in cooperation with the NDDA's DP3 program (J. Wirtz).
• Establishment of a six-state Midwest Dairy Quality Assurance program partnership (if funded, USDA).
• Reduce non-fed dairy beef quality violations due to improper vaccine site administration
• Improved HCCCP use on the farm (B. Coleman).

Educational Program

Program Delivery

• Provide up-to-date technology through highly visible education outlets:

• North Dakota Dairy Diagnostic Program (ND3P).

• Expand the Dairy Diagnostic Advisory Team concept to all areas of the dairy farm enterprise management to include techniques in caring for milking and dry cows, calf rearing, nutrition, reproduction, farm finance, goal setting, and future farm transfer.

• Dairy Cow College.

• Conduct in cooperation with Midwest Dairy Association (MDA) providing timely education on management and labor issues.

• North Dakota State Dairy Convention.

• Sponsored by the North Dakota Milk Producers Association and conducted to provide education for the dairy farm families of North Dakota.

• Midwest Dairy Quality Assurance Partnership (North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, Iowa, Wisconsin, Illinois).

• $3.2 million proposal submitted to USDA-IFAFS. (B. Coleman, D. Aakre,  B. Seelig)

• Dairy Herd Improvement Association (DHIA).

• Collaborate on training producers and field technicians with the Heart of America DHIA affiliate of the Raleigh Dairy Records Management Service (DRMS).

• Dairy Pollution Prevention Program (DP3).

• Network with the North Dakota Department of Agriculture-Dairy Division on current issues and collaborate with the Dairy Services Director on industry development and retention.

• Waste management demonstrations.

• Promote affordable and environmental friendly waste management techniques through demonstrations on equipment use, and land applications with leadership provide by Charles Linderman, Waste Management Specialist.

• Secure out-of-state specialists and private contract services for added support of targeted program needs and special requests.
• Collaboration with North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, Tri-State Dairy Initiative and their efforts to bolster the region's dairy industry.
• Continue the "Dairy Connections" newsletter, along with news releases for DTN, Farm DATA, popular press, radio/tv, and Internet.
• Secure funding for applied research and demonstrations at the NDSU Dairy Research Center.
• Support quality forage efforts in the state with the NDSU Extension Range and Forage Specialists.

Educational Materials

• Distribute requested materials for educational reference as needed on feeding, breeding, and management following a review and approval process. May include slides, overhead transparencies, videos, cd-rom and other computer-generated and delivered presentations.
• Promote intensive dairy management practices, including quality monitors, protocols, quality goals, and knowledge of process skills.
• Maintain the NDSU dairy Internet platform 'home page' on the World Wide Web to disseminate research data and assist users in locating information. Add some problem-solving pages when computer services can provide the technical support.
• Provide access to Spartan (updated version) dairy nutrition computer program for designated agents involved in dairy education.
• Provide the latest copy of the National Dairy Database, version 4 to agents delegated to dairy education and support.
• Demonstrate Palm-Pilot technology with PC-Dart (v. 7.0) for DHIA producers, agents, and dairy diagnostic facilitators.
• Promote availability of "Managing Milk Quality" video and self teaching materials for individualized self-teaching.
• Add ND3P web page (if assistant hired).

Specific Training

• Prepare and deliver agent training on the novel Dairy Diagnostic Advisory Team concept including problem-solving software, using the diagnostic handbook, documenting results, facilitation discussion, conducting a SWOT analysis, measuring impact, and setting goals. This will require arrangements with John Johnson, past state-wide coordinator of the Dairy Diagnostic program, who developed and expanded the producer manual.
• Add facilitators to meet the growing demands of the Dairy Diagnostic program.
• Provide training to multicounty dairy program staff on cow nutrition, grouping strategies, feeding management, raising replacements, herd health, labor management, facility design, and goal setting.
• Assist in using New NRC-Dairy 2001 and Spartan Dairy Ration Analyzer to balance dairy rations, use of PC-Dart for DHIA dairy record analysis, and possibly use other programs such as CPM and DaFoSym software, if there is interest.
• Give barn tour(s) that demonstrate emerging technology.
• Participate in an interstate agents' tour for training dairy staff (needs funding support).

Evaluation Plan

• Collect reports from the North Dakota Dairy Diagnostic Program to monitor production changes and economic impact of technology transfer by program participants.
• Expand evaluation efforts to document North Dakota Dairy Diagnostic impact in selected regions of the state.
• Monitor DHIA records for program impact on production and profitability.
• Document 'hits' on my home page (URL: http://www.ag.ndsu.nodak.edu/aginfo/dairy) to determine popular usage areas. Requires the assistance of Dave Rice, Computer Specialist.

PROGRAM COMPONENT
ENHANCING SWINE PRODUCTION

Key Theme(s):   Annual Production Efficiency

Persons Responsible

Thomas E. Socha (chair), John Dhuyvetter, Brian Zimprich

Situation

Swine production in the U.S. has changed due to many factors, including economics of scale, regulatory additions, marketing agreements and/or contracts, early weaning for disease control, and specialized multiple site operations. The changes that are evolving within the swine industry have caused apprehension on the part of potential hog producers. North Dakota producers need to be aware of the economic advantages of home-grown (North Dakota) grains and that hog production costs are lower in this state than in most other states.

Large size units have some inherent overhead that causes inefficiencies in pork production. North Dakota producers need to understand the basic economics of pork production and learn that genetic and nutrition opportunities are available to all sizes of operations. Marketing is perhaps the most complicated part of swine production and producers may need to work more cooperatively with specific packers to insure the highest return for their pigs.

North Dakota producers have a tremendous advantage in marketing their hogs. A slaughter facility in the state allows market access not available in other states. Cooperative efforts between producers and Cloverdale Foods, Inc., is essential for future growth of hog production in North Dakota.

Anticipated Measurable Outcomes (Objectives)

• Increased level of understanding about swine production economics by producers, allied business and political leaders in the state.
• Communities can develop plans to encourage swine production due to increased knowledge about economic advantages of various size hog facilities in their area.
• Cooperative agreements initiated between grow/finish operations and feeder pig and/or SEW production units.

Educational Program

• Provide in-service training for extension personnel on costs of production for various systems of hog production.
• Provide printed information about production opportunities and marketing options available in North Dakota and present these materials to producers and allied industry at regional meetings throughout the state.
• Conduct "community involvement" workshops in conjunction with the North Dakota Pork Producers Association outlining the cooperative opportunities that exist in North Dakota.

Evaluation Plan

• Survey producers and extension agents on use of information provided at "community involvement" workshops.
• Note changes in the North Dakota swine industry as it relates to number of animals and operations in the state.
• Compile statistics about swine production in North Dakota as related to packer contracts and grow/finish arrangements with breeding/farrowing units.