EDUCATION:

* A 12-month grazing and forage planning workshop (two- and three-day): Four intensive grazing and forage sessions were held in North Dakota for livestock producers. Ranchers learned to improve their rangeland management skills and develop year-long forage use strategies. There were 84 ranchers participating in this program. Roughly 47 percent of the ranchers were beginners in developing new grazing strategies while the remaining individuals looked to further improve their current grazing and forage programs. These four workshops impacted almost 116,000 acres of native rangeland, pastureland, and hayland. Over 75 percent of the participants were planning to add new range improvement practices, and over 90 percent planned to implement the training strategies learned in the workshops. Two employees of the US Forest Service and the Commissioner of the North Dakota Game and Fish Department participated in the program. These three individuals response to the workshop included trying to incorporate new strategies on a potential 1 to 2 million acres of public lands.

* Trace and macro mineral management workshops: Four workshops were conducted in western North Dakota for livestock producers. Ranchers learned mineral needs for livestock, mineral status on rangeland and pastureland, and balancing mineral needs to improve management skills of the grazing livestock animal and became proactive in maintaining and understanding a well-balanced mineral program. These workshops were designed to teach livestock producers potential problems in mineral deficiencies and how to balance a supplement program to improve livestock health. Over 150 ranchers participated in these workshops, having a direct impact on the health and production potential of an estimated 30,000 head of livestock.

*Educating youth on the importance of the range resource: A four-day range youth camp was conducted in western North Dakota for youth interested in the range resource and range judging. Youth learned the importance of range to livestock producers, the environment community, and wildlife enthusiasts. They learned basic fundamental range management practices and how to judge the resource for health and value for forage and wildlife habitat. Over 40 youth ages 13-18 participated in the four-day camp and over 140 participated in the State Range Judging Contest. We believe any involvement of youth in the importance of the range resource and fundamental needs for managing these lands will create a more well-rounded adult.

RESEARCH:

*Nutritional composition and mineral status on native rangeland and introduced grass plants: The NDSU Extension Service in cooperation with the Animal and Range Sciences Department and Hettinger Research Extension Center has conducted three nutritional studies in western and south central North Dakota. This research has recognized nutritional composition and mineral status of 36 different grass varieties (20 cool-season and 16 warm-season grasses). These results will allow forage growers, livestock producers, and wildlife managers to select one or more grasses that fit their needs and goals to provide a more economically efficient operation. They can select a grass that fits a specific program and problem area. Example: if a livestock producers need to add spring and fall pastures and a summer haying field, they can select a grass that fits each specific need while providing nutrients and forage at optimal levels (meadow brome ‘Regar’ for spring, switchgrass ‘Forestburg’ for summer hay ground, Russian wildrye ‘Mankota’ for fall use while complementing the native pasture for summer grazing). Mineral status was also determined for native prairie with overwhelming results showing copper deficiencies during the entire growing season, zinc deficiencies in many years after mid July, phosphorus deficiencies by early July on all rangelands except lowlands associated with adjacent uplands, and potassium deficiencies after mid September. We also know calcium and iron are adequate during the entire growing season, and potassium high until mid September.

*Effects of sheep grazing using a multi-species and single-species grazing approach on leafy spurge infested rangeland: NDSU Extension Service, in cooperation with the Animal and Range Sciences Department and Hettinger Research Extension Center, conducted grazing trials on leafy spurge infested rangeland throughout North Dakota. Sheep effectively controlled leafy spurge after one year using a single species grazing approach and after three years using a multi-species grazing approach. Leafy spurge stem densities were reduced by 94 percent and 82 percent on single-species and multi-species grazing treatments, respectively, after five years. Season-long grazing using a multi-species approach provided a quicker, more efficient grazing of leafy spurge than rotational grazing. However, both reduced leafy spurge stem densities by 92 percent and 32 percent, respectively, after five years.

Small Grains - A regional survey for estimating wheat midge overwintering populations was completed for the sixth consecutive year. The project is funded by the North Dakota Wheat Commission. The outcome of these annual surveys has been the creation of an infestation risk map for use by wheat growers and agri-industry. Knowing the infestation risk prior to spring planting improves crop and budget planning.

Cooperative studies evaluating wheat host plant resistance to wheat midge continues between experiment station and extension programs. Locally developed HRS and durum germplasm is being screened for wheat midge resistance following similar procedures developed earlier in a resistance study that focused on durum wheats. Resistant Canadian germplasm is being evaluated and compared to North Dakota germplasm. NDSU wheat breeders are using the Canadian germplasm for development of midge-resistant wheats.

The small grains IPM survey included scouting for the presence of grasshopper nymphs, cereal aphids, and cereal leaf beetle. The field survey information was made available through the weekly NDSU Extension Crop and Pest Report. This survey program evolved during the past two seasons to include interfacing of georeferenced data collection with mapping software now available. The maps summarizing the sampling data were used to graphically illustrate where pest problems were developing in the region. Pest problems included the insects already mentioned and numerous cereal diseases.

Corn - A degree-day model for predicting emergence of univoltine

European corn borer (ECB) was developed. This improves our ability to identify when the most serious threat from corn borer can occur in the field and to schedule field scouting activities to assess management needs. ECB yield-loss studies provided have found no evidence to suggest differing levels of damage are inflicted by univoltine borers compared to bivoltine borers. There is greater confidence in the treatment decision tools developed for bivoltine borers being applicable to the region as a result of this study.

Oil Seed crops - Sunflowers have a unique set of insect pest problems. In general, the key insect pests feed almost exclusively on sunflower. A region-wide survey of sunflower fields was conducted in September. The survey, sponsored by the National Sunflower Association, surveyed fields to estimate yield, classify production practices, and identify and rate weed, disease, and insect problems. Using the georeferenced data, insect pest problems and their area of concentration were illustrated across North and South Dakota as an educational tool for emphasizing key pest issues for the coming year. The Lygus bug, a plant bug that has severely impacted confectionary sunflower in the region, was one insect focused on in the survey. Seed damage was found throughout the region at levels that could result in seed rejection for use in food. An extensive research effort has helped define the treatment threshold, identified highest risk growth stages, and documented the time of season when Lygus migrate into fields. The management recommendations formulated during this time have improved

regional quality based on ancedotal accounts from processors. Future surveys are planned to document the impact and incidence of this and other insect pests.

Oil Seed crops - Soybeans were surveyed during the growing season for the presence of soybean aphid, Aphis glycines, a new insect pest found in the U.S. North Dakota did not have any indication of aphids present in the fall of 2000. Aphids were found in August 2001. By the end of the growing season, aphids were detected in most North Dakota counties bordering Minnesota and several counties farther west. Research proposals were submitted and funded for future studies emphasizing the aphid's life history, host plant resistance screening, and pest management decision making.

Oil Seed crops - Canola management studies focusing on the crucifer flea beetle are being coordinated by an NDSU extension pest management specialist. Insecticidal control in the form of seed treatments and foliar applications were evaluated. Seed treatments provide the greatest level of protection; however, the decision to use treatments needs to be better documented. Late summer surveys are being planned.

Regional Pest Management Centers - In the first year of a three year project, a statewide pesticide use survey was coordinated with NDSU Extension Service, the North Dakota Agricultural Statistics Service, and North Dakota Department of Agriculture. The final report will be published in 2002.

North Dakota Crop and Pest Report - The newsletter is coordinated through the entomology office. Responsibilities include subscriber database, final editing, distribution, and web page publishing. There was an extensive reformatting of the web page for the newsletter to improve access of the information in a timely and more appealing fashion

http://www.ag.ndsu.nodak.edu/aginfo/entomology/ndsucpr/index.htm)

Published information is regional in scope and distributed to clientele in neighboring states.

Entomology Updates for North Dakota - An extension entomology web site has been developed to provide current information on insect pest management issues being faced within the region. The site provides links to relevant information that often is in more detail than newsletters, extension circulars, and other outlets may provide. Unique topics addressed during this reporting period were thistle caterpillar management in regional crops, alfalfa webworm mangement in forages and soybean, variegated cutworm impacting field crops and vegetable gardens, forest tent caterpillar management during outbreaks, soybean aphid watch, and others.

(http://www.ag.ndsu.nodak.edu/aginfo/entomology/entupdates/index.htm).

North Dakota beef producers have access to a number of grain processing byproducts. About 1000 tons of wheat middlings are produced in the state every day. Wheat middlings are used by the feed industry as base ingredients for supplements, creep feeds, and other products. While many ranch operators would prefer to use these types of byproducts, many are hesitant to switch from traditional feedstuffs until more research data is available. Another factor which influences their decisions is labor concerns. Average age of ranchers in the state is increasing and average number of cows per ranch is increasing as well. This has increased the need for labor saving methods of production. Typically in beef backgrounding operations, rations are either hand fed (labor intensive) or fed with tractors and mixer wagons (capital intensive). Our integrated beef research extension program has investigated the use of wheat middlings as a self fed ration for backgrounding cattle and reported the results back to producers.

Two years of research data with backgrounding heifers indicates that wheat middlings can be successfully self fed with minimal problems. Performance measurements (weight gain, feed conversions, and intakes) are similar for cattle fed total mixed rations containing wheat middlings or similar diets fed in self feeders. A number of ranchers across the state have adopted this technology. Anecdotal evidence indicates that the method saves labor and reduces equipment costs associated with backgrounding cattle. More flour milling and pasta plants continue to be developed in the state, so wheat middlings will become even more available to the state's beef cattle producers.

U.S. Department of Agriculture

Renewable Resources          8,480                                         Renewable Resources         3,229

Beet Education                   19,075                                         Beet Education                   4,363

Entomology Education        10,508                                         Entomology Education         1,385

TOTAL:                             38,063                                         TOTAL:                             8,977