Pine & Isanti County Ag. Update
Agriculture, Horticulture, & Natural Resources
January 2023
From your Ag Extension Educator
Our livestock are all hunkered down for the winter with a south-facing, dry-bedded shelter that provides enough space for all animals to use. There are old evergreens running along the outside of the winter pasture to the north and west, and a couple of years ago we planted some new white pines in the gaps too. All these practices reduce the impact of wind and drifting snow.
We have two areas determined that could be used for back up shelters, as well as emergency tools (tools, rope, blankets, lights, fuel, etc.) and equipment (tractor, sleds, etc.) maintained and protected in the barn. Water can also be a challenge - our winter pasture is smaller in size (roughly three acres) and contains an automatic, heated waterer. We check it often to ensure there's no ice or debris.
An abundance of feed is needed to maintain body condition score and body temperature balances. We feed hay in the winter and decided that this year bale grazing was the way to go. So far it has been simple to implement and we use bale rings to limit the amount of waste, but everything that does fall will help our pasture come spring. The goal is to never place a bale in the same spot twice.
~Katie Hagen
University Resources Made For You
Using Your Harvest has tips on growing and harvesting, preserving and storing, and serving your food. Other resources include the Yard & Garden News and podcasts: Smart Gardens and What's Killing My Kale?
Minnesota Crop News
The U of M extension crop team has a blog and newsletter on everything about or related to crops and crop management. Sign up right here: Minnesota Crop News
Get ready for more local and statewide opportunities and events this month!
Strategic Farming: Let's Talk Crops!
You need to register only once and may attend any or all of the webinars. Can’t make the live session? No problem. The discussion-based series will be recorded and posted here on this website.
Crop producers and agricultural professionals face a host of challenges, including pests and pest resistance concerns, agronomic issues, and soil fertility questions. The Strategic Farming program will address your crop-related concerns in a weekly, research-based webinar with specialists in the field.
Cost: Free
Wednesday, Jan 11, 2023, 09:00 AM
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Ambiguous Loss Facilitator Training
- For those who work with or know farm families experiencing stress, loss or tough decisions for their family or business
- “A Changing Way of Life: Ambiguous loss and farming” helps farm families understand and name ambiguous loss, and to provide strategies for moving forward
- Cost: Free
- Register Online
Beekeeping in Northern Climates
- This online course is for anyone interested in becoming a beekeeper (you will receive an email with information for accessing the course after you register)
- Marla Spivak, Katie Lee and Gary Reuter from the University of Minnesota Bee Lab will help you get started in beekeeping
- Modules cover honey bee biology, management, successful wintering of colonies, and managing diseases and pests
- Cost: $175
- Register Online
Creating Your Own Pollinator Habitat
- This three-part webinar series on creating your own pollinator habitat will cover how to create a pollinator-friendly garden, bee lawn, and prairie planting.
- Cost: Free
- Register Online
Pine & Isanti Counties' Annual Corn & Soybean Conference
Description:
This conference is for those farming or working in East Central Minnesota. University of Minnesota Extension specialists will give updates on the latest research done for corn and soybeans, discuss finances pertaining to crop production, relay how to increase corn production while also considering our natural resources, and discuss soybean production, physiology research focused yield, and seed quality enhancement.
Light breakfast and lunch will be provided.
Other agricultural organizations, such as NRCS, FSA, SWCD, MAWQCP, LSCW, and FBM will have display tables.
Audience:
Are you a crop or livestock producer that grows corn and/or soybeans? Do you work with individuals that grow these crops? This conference is intended for ag professionals, crop producers, and livestock producers who grow corn and/or soybeans.
Cost:
$10 registration fee at the door
Thursday, Mar 2, 2023, 08:00 AM
Braham Event Center, 8th Street Southwest, Braham, MN, USA
Ag. Topic of the Month
Preparing Your Cattle for Severe Winter Weather
Cattle work to maintain a constant core body temperature of about 101ºF. During the winter months, the need for cattle to maintain their core body temperature becomes a challenge and can cause cold stress.
Cold stress in cattle is when their body temperature drops because their body’s natural metabolic processes plus the insulation provided by a heavy winter coat are not enough to keep them warm. If a cow has a dry, heavy winter coat, she can withstand temperatures below 20ºF before feeling any cold stress.
When cold stressed, cattle will change their behavior such as seeking shelter to avoid the cold. With good body condition, a clean, dry coat, shelter, fresh water and good nutrition, dairy cattle can tolerate temperatures well below zero.
Both dairy and beef cattle are incredibly hardy. Cattle can live outside in the winter and do quite well even during winter storms if provided with a few key components.
Acclimation
One of the most critical factors for your cattle is acclimation to the weather. Cattle expected to live outside during the winter should remain outside to adjust to the changing conditions as winter approaches. This will allow the cattle to grow a thick hair coat in preparation for the cold. The hair coat needs to stay clean and dry to provide the best insulation protection for the cow.
Windbreak
A windbreak is the single most important factor for the success of your cattle riding out severe winter weather. Cattle will often seek out windbreaks if one isn’t provided and prioritize getting out of the wind ahead of food and water in severe winter weather. Stands of trees, stacks of round-bales, buildings, or other man-made structures are examples of effective windbreaks. Windbreaks should be relatively tall, and the material should allow a small amount of wind to pass through. This helps prevent a downdraft when the wind passes over the top of the windbreak.
Bedding
After a windbreak, keeping cattle dry is the next most crucial factor for successfully getting through severe winter weather. Building a defined bedded pack behind your windbreak is one of the best ways to provide a dry place for your cattle. Packs work best when you start with a reasonably deep absorbent base and when a thin layer of new bedding is applied daily. If you don’t have a bedded pack usually, it is still very beneficial to provide deep bedding behind your windbreak when you know severe weather is approaching.
Body Condition
The correct body condition for your cattle will help them overwinter and come into calving season healthy. Stable body condition through the winter months will ensure cattle are best prepared to ride out severe winter weather when it happens.
Feed
In extreme cold, cattle require more calories to maintain their body condition and stay warm. When the temperature approaches zero degrees Fahrenheit, you can expect to feed about 30% more than you would at temperatures above 32 degrees Fahrenheit. Using your feed to congregate your cattle where you want them to be ahead of incoming severe weather is a great strategy. When a storm is approaching, place feed behind your windbreak to encourage your cattle to stay there.
Water
Often forgotten, water is a key element to the health of your cattle. During severe winter weather, water access can be compromised and should be checked daily in the winter months. Without adequate water access, cattle will not eat as much and will lose body condition. If water is unavailable for long enough, cattle will attempt to eat snow, but they cannot consume enough snow for their water needs.
Avoid Drifting Snow
Creek bottoms, swales and other similar landscape features can be tempting places to use as windbreaks for your animals. The problem with using these locations is that they are the prime locations for drifting snow. High winds combined with snow can create deep drifts that cause access issues for feeding cattle, water access issues and buried cattle. It is better to avoid these areas if possible and set your cattle up for success in a place where heavy drifting is less likely.
Foot Traction
Prevent the accumulation of ice as much as possible especially on walking surfaces for both you and your animals. Consider ruffing up the surface and adding sand or gravel for traction.
Joe Armstrong, DVM, Extension cattle production systems educator and Karen Johnson, Extension agriculture production systems educator
Broadband Issues
Connect With Us
Contact Me
Katie Hagen
Extension Educator, Agriculture Production, Horticulture & Natural Resources
Email: hagen@umn.edu
UM Ext Isanti County
555 18th Ave. SW
Cambridge, MN 55008
763-689-8254
UM Ext Pine County, County Courthouse
635 Northridge Dr NW #280
Pine City, MN 55063
320-591-1650
Listen live on the radio Friday of every other week @ 100.9 WCMP & Nice 95.5 KBEK