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NDSU Extension Helping Farmers Cope with Stress

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Poor growing and harvesting conditions, low commodity prices, trade wars and a shortage of livestock feed for winter all have been stressful for North Dakota farmers and ranchers. NDSU Extension has developed a number of resources to help farmers and ranchers cope with the stress resulting from the uncertainties in their profession.
 
The first step is to recognize the early symptoms of stress, according to Sean Brotherson, Extension family science specialist. “Before farm/ranch families can do much about managing stress, they have to know when they are experiencing it,” he says. “Much of the time, people do not know or give attention to what is going on in their bodies and in their relationships with others.”
 
Those early signs include rising blood pressure, a rapidly beating heart, clenched teeth, aching neck and shoulders, sweating hands and feet, and churning stomach. Read more.

“Getting It Right” Presentations Now Available

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Presentations from the “Getting It Right” Dry Bean Production webinar on April 15 are now available. The dry bean webinar subjects covered by NDSU Extension crop specialists include:
  • Market types and variety review, and plant growth stages – Hans Kandel
  • Recommendations for selected plant establishment factors – Greg Endres
  • Soil considerations and plant nutrition – Dave Franzen
  • Disease management – Sam Markell
  • Weed management – Joe Ikley
  • Market update – Frayne Olson
 
Access them here.

Dry Bean Scene

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As the planting season nears, dry bean growers are weighing fertilization options. NDSU Extension soil specialist Dave Franzen has more in the Dry Bean Scene on the Red River Farm Network, made possible by the Northarvest Bean Growers Association.

Tool Available to Weigh PP Decisions

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NDSU Extension has developed a spreadsheet to help farmers evaluate prevented planting decisions. “Producers in North Dakota are waiting for fields to dry out so they can start field work and crop planting,” says Andrew Swenson, NDSU Extension farm management specialist. “Though it is early, once planting starts rapid progress can be made with today’s large equipment. Now may be a good time to evaluate the economics of prevented planting, so a timely decision can be made if weather events delay planting to the crop insurance final planting date.” The program uses partial budget to compare the economics of PP with either late planting the crop or planting some other crop. The analysis also considers crop insurance indemnities.

Dry Bean Scene

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NDSU Extension is a dry bean production webinar on Wednesday, April 15. Find out more from NDSU Carrington Research Extension Center agronomist Greg Endres in the Dry Bean Scene on the Red River Farm Network.

NDSU Extension to Host Dry Bean Webinar

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Farmers and crop advisers will have an opportunity to receive dry bean production and market updates during a ‘Getting-it-Right’ webinar that North Dakota State University Extension is conducting. The webinar date and time period are Wednesday, April 15 from 9:30 a.m. to noon.
 
NDSU Extension, with support by Northarvest Bean Growers Association, conducted a live, full-day dry bean workshop at two locations in northeast ND in late January. “The educational event was well-received and valued by participants indicated by written evaluations”, according to Greg Endres, NDSU Extension cropping systems specialist.
 
“This webinar will provide more concise presentations to reach additional dry bean producers and managers with research-based production recommendations for 2020,” says Ryan Buetow, NDSU Extension cropping systems specialist, who is providing technical support of the webinar.
 
The dry bean webinar subjects that will be covered live by NDSU Extension crop specialists are:
  • Market types and variety review, and plant growth stages – Hans Kandel, Extension agronomist
  • Recommendations for selected plant establishment factors – Endres
  • Soil considerations and plant nutrition – Dave Franzen, Extension soils specialist
  • Disease management – Sam Markell, Extension plant pathologist
  • Weed management – Joe Ikley, Extension weed science specialist
  • Market update – Frayne Olson, Extension crops economist
 
Preregister for the webinar: https://tinyurl.com/NDSUdrybean
 
To join the webinar, go to https://tinyurl.com/jointhedrybeanwebinar. You should log in a few minutes before the start of the webinar because it will begin promptly at 9:30 a.m.
 
The webinars will be recorded. Speakers can be contacted later to answer questions that result from the webinar. Certified Crop Adviser continuing education credits will be available.

NDSU Extension to Host Virtual Town Hall Meeting

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North Dakota State University Extension will host a virtual town hall meeting for North Dakota community development leaders. The meeting will be on Tuesday, March 31, at 9:30 a.m. Central time.
 
“We hope that this town hall meeting will give anyone involved in community development, Chambers of Commerce or small business entrepreneurship, etc., a chance to connect during these unprecedented times,” says Jodi Bruns, NDSU Extension leadership and civic engagement specialist.
 
The meeting will feature discussion on these topics:
  • Reaching your community at a distance
  • NDSU Extension resources
  • Community resources
  • Leadership in challenging times
 

Extension Services Cancel Face-to-Face Meetings

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University of Minnesota Extension has canceled all face-to-face events, meetings and courses through May 15. The decision was made to safeguard public health during the coronavirus outbreak. All state and regional Extension offices are closed to the public, with faculty and staff working remotely. Those workers can be reached via e-mail and phone.
 
NDSU Extension has postponed, canceled or offered alternative means of delivery of all face-to-face meetings, trainings, etc. in light of the rapidly evolving nature of the COVID-19 situation. This directive includes 4-H activities, programs taught by volunteers and all events sponsored by NDSU Extension. Following NDSU’s lead, this postponement of activities will be through Sunday, April 5.

Be Safe When Working Around Grain Bins

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Extension agricultural engineer Ken Hellevang reminds farmers to understand the risks of working around grain bins. “Wet grain typically leads to storage issues. That can lead to an increase in grain entrapment and other injuries.” Farmers are encouraged to work in teams and break up the crust from the outside of the bin. More safety tips from NDSU Extension can be found here.

NDSU Extension Releases Commodity Price Projections

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NDSU Extension has released its 2020 short- and long-term agricultural planning price projections for North Dakota. The publication shows 2020 price projections for crops and livestock produced in the state and price estimates for future years. View the dry bean price projections in this document.