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Grass tetany is a metabolic disease of cattle associated with grazing lush, green pasture. The condition is caused by low blood concentrations of magnesium, which is a required mineral for cattle. When pastures are growing rapidly in the spring, grass may not contain adequate amounts of magnesium to meet requirements. High potassium and crude protein concentrations found in rapidly growing forage complicate the grass tetany issue by interfering with the absorption of magnesium from the rumen. Magnesium requirements increase during lactation, so...
The Chouteau County Extension office has compiled notes per communications and workshops from Extension professionals. If you have further questions, please do not hesitate to contact our office at 622-3751. • Testing seed for Ascochyta blight will cost $200.00. It takes ten days to develop the fungus on a plate. In addition, the $200 will test for 8 other diseases. Please contact the Extension office for additional testing information or google the Montana State Seed Lab. • Use viable inoculant distributed uniformly with seed and promptly pla...
• Will removing half the vegetable plant leaves when transplanting reduce transpiration and wilting? According to Illinois Extension, pruning transplants to reduce water loss is not a recommended practice. Although pruning may reduce the extent of wilting after setting out, it will also reduce the rate of new root growth. When a plant is transplanted, food energy stored in the old, large leaves will be transported downward to promote root growth. If these leaves are removed, root growth is delayed. Plants will almost always wilt somewhat a...
The Chouteau County Soil Moisture Survey was started by Judee Wargo in 1993 to assist farmers with determining recropping potential on cereal grain stubble. After 27 years, the Chouteau County Extension Office continues to compile data for determining recropping potential and providing the state drought committee with soil moisture information. Testing for soil moisture took place in Chouteau County on March 24-26. All winter wheat locations exceeded 3.5 feet of stored soil moisture, which is equivalent to approximately 5.25 inches of...
New Montguide Available for Bull Buyers Kari Lewis and Wendy Becker (MSU Extension Agents from Glacier County and Fort Peck Reservation) have developed a resource for the bull buying season. The Montguide is available at the Chouteau County Extension office or online at https://store.msuextension.org/Products/Bull-Selection-Using-Expected-Progeny-Differences-(EPDs)-MT202001AG__MT202001AG.aspx. Bull selection is one of the most important management decisions a producer can make. Bulls are assessed phenotypically (appearance), genotypically (thei...
The eighth annual Chouteau County Ag Days for 4th and 5th graders will take place at the Chouteau County Fairgrounds on May 6, 2020. All 4th and 5th graders in Chouteau County are invited to attend. Home school kids who are interested in participating need to contact the Chouteau County Extension Office at 622-3751. Participants will learn the importance of Montana’s number one industry; agriculture, and why agriculture is important to their health, home and community. For thousands of years, civilization has been built upon the foundation laid...
Rachel Endecott (previous MSU Extension Beef specialist) wrote an informative article on calf vaccinations in 2017. We have always given vaccinations to young calves, but do we understand the science behind the diseases we are vaccinating for? Calf vaccination programs are most often based around the clostridial diseases. Clostridial diseases in calfhood vaccines belong to same genus as tetanus and botulism. Clostridial organisms are generally found in the animal’s body, but with ideal conditions, grow very rapidly to cause a disease state. B...
Two major Cutworm species, the western and the army cutworm, are serious but sporadic pests for Montana producers. Outbreaks can occur when cutworm populations are high and weather conditions are favorable for survival. Outbreaks do not necessarily occur in successive years. Larvae of either species generally are not active above ground on bright, sunny days. They can be found just below ground by scraping the soil surface lightly. Small larvae are well-camouflaged and can be difficult to see in the soil. Larval densities can be assessed by...
Believe it or not, the gardening season will be upon us before we know it. Below are a few gardening facts to help you prepare for the upcoming season. • Soil tests should be taken in the garden every three years. • The best time to collect a soil sample is in the spring after soil thaw. • Fall soil sampling is not recommended because Nitrogen in the soil is depleted during the fall and winter seasons. • Do not work soil when it is wet. If the soil sticks to the shovel, wait a few more days. • The number one thing that kills our plants is...
Should I feed this moldy hay? According to Rachel Endecott (Previous MSU Extension Beef Cattle Specialist) Moldy hay (or other moldy feedstuffs) won’t always contain dangerous or poisonous compounds; however, the presence of mold itself can negatively impact animal performance and health. Feedstuffs with considerable mold can produce close to a 5% decrease in energy content for ruminant animals. Moldy feed is understandably less palatable and could result in lower than target intakes of nutrients. The end result is decreased milk production, d...
EPA Finalizes Glyphosate Mitigation EPA has concluded its regulatory review of glyphosate—the most widely used herbicide in the United States. After a thorough review of the best available science, as required under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act, EPA has concluded that there are no risks of concern to human health when glyphosate is used according to the label and that it is not a carcinogen. These findings on human health risk are consistent with the conclusions of science reviews by many other countries and other f...
Winter desiccation can be very hard on evergreen trees. Dry soil in winter often cannot replace the moisture trees lose to the cold dry winter air. The symptoms of winter damage and die back may not become visible until spring or summer growth begins. Winter damaged trees may only show a few dead branches or twigs. In most severe cases, the entire tree may die. Evergreen trees are more susceptible to winter desiccation than deciduous trees as the evergreens retain their needles and provide more area for moisture loss. Young evergreens are most...
4 Montana Nutrition Conference and Livestock Forum The 2020 Montana Nutrition Conference and Livestock Forum will take place on April 14-15 at the Best Western GranTree Inn in Bozeman. Registration forms are available at https://www.montana.edu/nutrition/. Speaker topics include Alternative Meats and Alternative Statistics (What does the data say), Protect the Harvest, Beef Cutting Demonstration and Meat Discussion, Beef Trade Update, The Business of Agriculture, Forage Quality and Mycotoxins, Fetal Programming in Beef Cattle, Ranch Diversif...
Montana State University Extension will host a free seminar on February 11 in Great Falls. Speakers will discuss hemp research, use of pesticides with hemp, and update on hemp grown in Montana. Jan Slaski, PhD, PaG is a principle researcher with InnoTech Alberta. For the past 17 years, InnoTech has been a leader in research aimed at introduction and breeding of hemp varieties that suit the needs of the fiber and food industries. Dr. Slaski will discuss hemp breeding, agronomy, fiber processing, and product development. Dr. Slaski has been...
MSU Extension level 1 Master Gardener classes will take place in Fort Benton or Big Sandy in February pending pre-registration numbers. Now is your chance to participate in an excellent educational opportunity. If ten people pre-register, we will have the class, which traditionally begins in late February. Please contact the MSU Chouteau County Extension office at 622-3751 to pre-register. The Level 1 Master Gardener course requires 16 hours of class time, and is taught by local Extension agents, plant professionals, and Master Gardener...
Dr. R. G. Mortimer, a Veterinarian from Colorado State University has written a nice handout on Calving and Handling Calving Difficulties. The Chouteau County Extension Office has a handout available. Our office can e-mail it to you, or you can come into our office for a hard copy. We are located in the basement of the Chouteau County Courthouse. Below is a short summary of the handout. The most common reason for calf losses in the beef cattle industry is still calving difficulty. Looking only at the effects of calving difficulty on the calf,...
Initial Pesticide Trainings in Hingham, Fort Benton, Chester and Great Falls The MSU Golden Triangle Extension Agents are facilitating four private applicator initial trainings this winter. Currently 104 Chouteau County producers have not met the minimum requirements of six private applicator credits. All private applicators will need to earn a minimum of six credits before December 31, 2020 in order to re-new their private applicators license. All four trainings are open to the public. Individuals who have a current private or commercial...
MSU Extension level 1 Master Gardener classes will take place in Fort Benton or Big Sandy in February pending pre-registration numbers. Now is your chance to participate in an excellent educational opportunity. If ten people pre-register, we will have the class, which traditionally begins in late February. Please contact the MSU Chouteau County Extension office at 622-3751 to pre-register. The Level 1 Master Gardener course requires 16 hours of class time, and is taught by local Extension agents, plant professionals, and Master Gardener...
Beef Nutrition Workshop in Valier MSU Extension Pondera County Extension is hosting a Livestock nutrition workshop at the Valier Civic Center on December 21. Agenda: 1:00 - 1:30 - Registration 1:30 - 2:20 - What’s in Your Bale by Adriane Good (MSU Extension Pondera County). 2:30 - 3:20 - Protein and Energy Supplementation Strategies by Dr. Megan Van Emon (MSU Extension Beef Cattle Specialist). 3:30 - 4:20 - Developing a Mineral Strategy That’s Right for Your Ranch by Dr. Carla Sanford (MSU Extension Beef Cattle Specialist). For questions abo...
Thanks in Advance to MaxAg for Sponsoring Lunch at the Seminar in Fort Benton Montana State University Extension will host a free, annual cropping seminar series January 6-10 in Fort Benton, Stanford, Havre, Chester, Shelby, Cut Bank, Conrad, Choteau, and Great Falls. Speakers will cover paraquat safety, cropping systems, crop varieties, pest management, integrated weed management, herbicide resistance, marketing, and risk management. A special thanks to MaxAg for sponsoring the seminar in Fort Benton. Dr. Mary Burrows, MSU Plant Pathology...
12 Golden Triangle Sheep Seminar in Conrad sponsored by the Front Range Wool Pool The annual event will take place on Tuesday, December 17 at the Moose Lodge in Conrad. Registration will begin at 2 p.m. Presenters and content are as follows: • Dr. Whit Stewart, via internet, Wyoming Extension Sheep Specialist Tour of the South American Sheep Industry • Trestin Benson, MSU Wool Lab Co-Manager and Grad Student Integration of Sheep into Vegetable Farming • Brent Roeder, MSU Sheep and Wool Extension Specialist Overview of Electronic Tag Syste...
I found an interesting article from Canada on stretching hay supply with straw. The article is located at https://www.canadiancattlemen.ca/2017/11/06/stretching-your-cattles-hay-supply-with-straw/. I asked Dr. Megan Van Emon (MSU Assistant Professor, Extension Beef Cattle Specialist) to review the article to see if it is a good fit for Chouteau County producers. I have included Megan’s comments. Travis Peardon, the regional livestock specialist in Outlook, Saskatchewan says straw has its limitations when used in beef cattle diets. Straw does n...
The Montana State University Central Agricultural Experiment Station will host its annual research roundup event in Lewistown from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 10. The event will showcase ongoing projects at the research center and offer time for public input along with a local meal. The event is free and is co-sponsored with Fergus County Farm Bureau, Wilbur Ellis, Gavilon Grain, Stockman Bank and Moore Farmers Oil. One of seven Montana Agricultural Experiment Station research centers, the CARC conducts a range of research including...
Free Gardening Management Calendars available at Extension Office The 2020 Urban IPM calendars are packed with monthly information on how to take care of your yard & garden, along with photos from horticulturists around the state! Get yours today by contacting the Chouteau County Extension office. Below are a few examples of information included in the Calendars. Several insects come into homes in the fall seeking shelter. Most do not survive inside throughout the winter. Pests that do survive do not reproduce inside the home. Make sure door...
Sampling of hay is essential to livestock management. Hay sampling is best accomplished with a hollow core probe consisting of a stainless-steel tube and a sharp cutting end. The Chouteau County Extension office has a hay probe available for check out. One core should be sampled from at least 20 bales from a lot of hay. A lot of hay is defined as hay harvested from a field of uniform maturity within two days. A lot should not exceed 200 tons. Poor sampling techniques and an inadequate number of subsamples (less than 20) are the largest sources...
