Happy May!
It's hard to believe that May is here already! I want to wish all the crop farmers a safe and plentiful planting season. With this busy season can come added stress and worry which negatively impacts mental health. May is Mental Health Awareness Month and there are many resources available, especially regarding rural mental health. Resources and information are available on the UMASH site- https://umash.umn.edu/stress/ and the Extension website- https://extension.umn.edu/rural-stress.
May is also known as beef month to recognize and acknowledge the beef industry. This is something I hold near and dear to my heart as I am very active in my family's beef operation. Beef is a great source of protein and can be incorporated in to every meal! Check out the recipes available on Minnesota Beef Council's website- https://mnbeef.org/recipes.
Best wishes!
- Samantha
2024 Alfalfa Scissor Cut and Harvest Alert
The Alfalfa Harvest Alert program helps forage producers make a decision on the first cut of alfalfa to optimize forage yield and quality. This project is in its 28th year and is a collaboration between the Central Minnesota Forage Council and University of Minnesota Extension in conjunction with various agribusinesses sponsors and farmers. Samples will be collected and forage quality results reported from cooperator fields in Stearns, Benton, Morrison, Wright, McLeod, Sibley, Nicollet, and Carver counties.
The Alfalfa Harvest Alert Data Tool is active again this year and contains data going back to the program's start in 1997. This tool allows you to select and sort data by year, county, and grower to look back and compare RFV, RFQ, and PEAQ RFV. As the 2024 season progresses this will be the home for all collected information and will remain active throughout the entire year. To get the most up-to-date data throughout this year’s sampling, go to z.umn.edu/AlfalfaHarvestAlert.
Roadway safety during planting season
As planting season quickly approaches, it is important to be thinking about everyone’s safety while sharing the road this spring. Oftentimes, we can get caught up in the busyness of this season, but take a few extra moments to remember these tasks in order to keep roadway accidents from occurring.
Below are some tips for both farm equipment operators and motorists to help everyone stay safe on the road.
Those operating the farm equipment should do the following:
- Read the operating manual before operating any equipment.
- Identify any safety hazards including blind spots.
- Use lights and flashers to increase visibility while on the road.
- Consider using a follow vehicle when moving large pieces of equipment at night.
Those sharing the road with equipment operators should do the following:
- Watch for equipment on the roadways.
- Be sure to turn on headlights while driving at dusk or dawn.
- Approach farm equipment with caution and slow down.
- Pass only when it is safe and legal.
- Allow for extra time in your commute.
Those are just a few tips to ensure everyone’s safety this planting season. For more
farm safety tips, check out the University of Minnesota Extension website at
Strategic Farming 2024: Field Notes
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.
Webinars are Wednesdays 8:00am - 8:30am May 8th - August 21st
Pork Quality Assurance and Transport Quality Assurance Trainings- Lafayette
Wednesday, June 12th at the Lafayette Community Center
PQA- 9:00am - Noon
TQA- 1:00pm - 4:00pm
Pork Quality Assurance Plus (PQA+) provides improved animal wellbeing standards and relevant food safety standards to ensure producers can measure, track and continuously improve pig well-being. Attendees will receive their PQA+ certification at the completion of the course after successfully passing the test. Producers need to be re-certified every three years to keep their certification current.
Transport Quality Assurance (TQA) helps swine transporters, producers and handlers understand how to handle, move and transport pigs and the potential impacts those actions have on pig wellbeing and pork quality. Attendees will earn TQA certification by successfully passing the test at the end of the training session. Swine haulers, producers and handlers need to be recertified every three years to keep their certification current.
Pre-registration is required by June 11. To pre-register, contact colleen@mnpork.com or 1-800-537-7675.
Samantha Schoenbauer
Government Center 501 S Minnesota Ave St. Peter, MN 56082
507-934-7830
111 8th St. Gaylord, MN 55334
507-237-4100
Extension website: www.extension.umn.edu
Email: sschoenb@umn.edu