North Dakota State University

Pinto and navy beans are sensitive to frost. Earlier pods coloured yellow to brown are sufficiently mature to escape damage, but late green pods or flowers are easily damaged. Green beans will shrivel but should be left in the field until dry to separate them from mature beans.Ê Harvest at the maximum moisture permissible of […] Read more

Potato processing and consumption have slowed due to the popularity of low-carbohydrate diets, meaning some potatoes may be going to waste, says Greg Lardy, an extension specialist with North Dakota State University. Lardy encouraged cattle producers to consider using excess spuds to feed cattle. “Potatoes have a feeding value equal to barley on a dry […] Read more

Trace amounts of herbicide left in the sprayer can injure a crop when the sprayer is used again, according to Rich Zollinger, a weed specialist with North Dakota State University. “A gallon or two left on the bottom of the tank doesn’t seem like much but it can seriously damage a crop, depending on the […] Read more

North Dakota agriculture extension specialists are encouraging producers to manage alfalfa weevils using temperature-based predictions. Phillip Glogoza, an entomologist with North Dakota State University’s extension service, said early and persistent scouting is the key to effective control. Temperature, or degree day, models indicate that producers need to be on the lookout now for hatching larvae. […] Read more

Hoop-style buildings can reduce the investment required for producers to begin producing hogs, a study at North Dakota State University’s Dickinson Research Extension Center shows. The study compared hoop-type buildings with conventional facilities. According to Doug Landblom, animal scientist at the center, hoop-type buildings designed for all-in all-out management are low cost and environmentally acceptable. […] Read more

Field peas and wheat midds in a creep feeding program can give a profitable boost to nursing calves on native range, according to preliminary data from North Dakota State University’s research extension centre. Wheat middlings, or midds, are a byproduct of the flour milling industry and consist of fine particles of wheat bran, wheat shorts, […] Read more

With lambing season around the corner, it is important to look at links between an ewe and its lamb, says Roger Haugen, a North Dakota State University extension sheep specialist. Bonding occurs early in sheep. Ever wonder how a newborn lamb finds the teats with a little help from its mother? It’s a matter of […] Read more

One of the toughest but most cost-effective parts of a machinery maintenance program has nothing to do with wrenches and greasy hands. “Good record keeping is a must,” said Vern Hofman, a North Dakota State University agricultural engineer. “A machinery service program needs to be based on good record keeping, not just the operator’s memory […] Read more

When snow piles over machinery left outside, winter eats away at a farmer’s investment by deteriorating tires, belts and bearing seals. Next spring, rain will rust bare metal parts and the sun will fade the paint. Storing machinery inside can significantly reduce that damage, says Vern Hofman, an agricultural engineer with the North Dakota State […] Read more

Autumn is the best time to do something about preventing open cows, says North Dakota State extension beef specialist Kris Ringwall. “I have come to realize that if a producer is really going to do much about open cows, now is the time,” he said. “Why? Well, stop and think about it. When is the […] Read more