Nicollet & Sibley County Ag News
July 2022
Your Ag Educator- Notes from Emma Severns
During hot temperatures like those we’ve endured this last week, we are all about the safety of our plants: shade, water, protection. But gardeners need to care for themselves as well. Make sure you are wearing sunscreen when out in the sun. Try to garden before 10am and after 2pm to avoid the most intense sun. Hydrate by drinking plain water. Wear a hat that shades your head, neck and face.
Thanks to those who attended the Tree Care Workshop this week! It was so nice to get together to learn about proper management techniques to keep trees alive and healthy. If you have any tree questions, feel free to reach out to me.
Best,
Emma
Extension Events
Field School for Ag Professionals
The hands-on, in-field program emphasizing crop and pest management diagnostic skill-building will help you enhance your troubleshooting and crop management skills. A two-day program, July 20-21, completely taught in the field. Hands-on activities examining current insects, diseases and crop management. Small learning groups are a key feature of the Field School.
2022 Minnesota Summer Beef Tour
The University of Minnesota Extension Beef Team and the Minnesota State Cattlemen’s Association will host the 2022 Minnesota Summer Tour, a fun and educational event where attendees will have the opportunity to visit the UMN St. Paul Campus and the Minnesota Zoo. Event will be held on July 12th.
Carver/Scott County Farmer to Farmer Tour
Don't miss out on this Farmer to Farmer Dairy Tour on July 5. During the tour, rotating sessions will highlight discussions on custom work vs machinery ownership and the new rules and regulations for veterinary medicine. For more details, visit the website
Hot Topics in Agriculture
Don't fall into the Japanese beetle trapping trap
After spending the spring eating up lawns, Japanese beetle adults currently are or soon will be emerging across Minnesota. This invasive beetle spends the spring and late summer as a grub feeding on lawns, but in the middle of summer, adult beetles feed on leaves. While the University of Minnesota is still performing research to understand this pest, one thing we do know is Japanese beetle traps do not reduce beetle feeding.
Edible gardens for people and pollinators
The soybean gall midge returns to Minnesota in 2022
2021 Agricultural Drought Relief Program Application Due July 6 at 5pm.
University Resources for You
UMN Soil Testing Laboratory
The Soil Testing Laboratory is part of the Department of Soil, Water, and Climate in the College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resources.
Soil testing takes the guesswork out of fertilizer recommendations, ensures fertile soil without pollution of the environment, and makes good economic sense. Our recommendations are based on laboratory results, soil characteristics, crop history, crop nutrient requirements and are specific to Minnesota locations and conditions.
Please email us at soiltest@umn.edu, or call 612-625-3101 for more information. (Email messages often result in the fastest response.)
Farm Information Line
Contact the Farm Information Line for reliable, research-based answers from Extension agriculture and natural resources experts. It is a statewide service backed by a network of local educators, so you'll get information to meet your needs.
Call: 1-800-232-9077
Hours: 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., Monday through Thursday.Afterhours: Leave a voicemail and we'll return your call the next business day.
Anytime: Email us at fil@umn.edu.
Horticulture/Gardening Questions
For answers to your horticulture or gardening questions, call 218-733-2870 and press 2 to leave a message on our help line. Please leave a detailed message with your name and contact information, and one of our educators will contact you with answers!
Connect With Us
Email: sever575@umn.edu
Website: extension.umn.edu
Location: 501 South Minnesota Avenue, St Peter, MN 56082, USA
Phone: 507-934-7828
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/UMN-Extension-Nicollet-Sibley-County-296711563757356
Twitter: @UMNExt