U of M Crookston Ag Arama 2018

CROOKSTON, Minn. – The University of Minnesota Crookston will host the 43rd annual Ag Arama on Friday and Saturday, January 26-27, 2018. This year’s Ag Arama is dedicated to Assistant Professor Paul Aakre who has taught agriculture on campus for more than 40 years. This year’s theme for the weekend is “Never Going Outta Style.”

Most of the Ag Arama activities take place on Saturday, January 27, in the University Teaching and Outreach Center (UTOC) located on the north edge of the campus. Everyone is invited to attend and no parking permits are required.

Contests in agronomy, animal science, horticulture, agricultural business, and natural resources highlight Ag Arama weekend. They serve as an opportunity for students to showcase their knowledge and skills and have a chance to interact with alumni and faculty members. Ag Arama is planned and operated by a committee of students advised by Terrill Bradford and Brenda Miller, who both teach in the Agriculture and Natural Resources Department.

On Saturday morning from 8:30 a.m. until 12:30 p.m., the animal showmanship contests begin and the public is welcome to watch the competition as it unfolds in both novice and experienced categories. Students compete in western and English horse showmanship, goat, lamb lead, and dairy, beef, sheep, and swine showing.  The novices are paired with experienced students prior to the contests to prepare for the day.

From 9 a.m. to noon, an agricultural industries show features some of the latest in agricultural equipment. At 1:30 p.m., the Round Robin Showmanship will begin followed by alumni showmanship at 2 p.m. Coronation of the Ag Arama royalty takes place at 2:30 p.m. followed by the presentation of specialty awards and the sweepstakes presentation.

An alumni social will take place from 6 to 7 p.m. at the I.C. Muggs, 1500 University Avenue, followed by the Ag Arama Dance from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. with Silverado at the Crookston Eagles, 105 South Broadway. Admission is $10.

Exhibitions of Birds Cancelled for 2015 Season

ST. PAUL — The Minnesota Board of Animal Health announced its directive to cancel all bird exhibitions at county fairs, the State Fair, and other gatherings of birds. The Board’s directive is effective through the end of 2015 and also prohibits birds from being included in swap meets, exotic sales, and petting zoos.

What this means locally is that there will be no poultry or other birds at any county fair, including petting zoos, in  the State of Mn. Including the Counties of Norman, Polk. Mahnomen, Clay, Clearwater or Beltrami.

MSCA Summer Tour and Trade Show

The Northwestern Stockmen’s Association (NWSA) announces that it has been selected to host the 2013 Minnesota State Cattlemen’s Association Summer Beef Tour and Trade Show. Each year, a MSCA chapter showcases what it has to offer in terms of livestock facilities and operations, cattle handling techniques and practices, and other industry related enterprises to over 700 participants and vendors from around the state, region, and country.

The MSCA Summer Beef Tour & Trade Show will be held July 9th, 2013 in Roseau, MN. The Roseau County Fairgrounds will be the gathering location, with planned stops at Bear Creek Ranch, CarlSon Angus, Waage Farms, Isane Farms, Burkel Grain Service, Central Boiler, and Skime Ranch. Registration begins at 6:00 a.m. with buses departing at 7:00, 7:10, and 7:20. All meals will be provided on the tour. Visit www.mnsca.org for registration information.

The University of Minnesota Extension will participate in the event through an exhibit at the Roseau County Fairgrounds staffed by Deborah Zak, Regional Director, Northwest, and Alfredo DiConstanzo, Extension Animal Scientist, University of Minnesota Twin Cities Campus.

Preparing livestock in a flood zone

ST. PAUL, Minn. (4/9/2013) — The impact of a natural disaster on people always makes headlines. If you happen to be a livestock farmer, the impact on you seldom makes headlines, but it makes a big impact on you, your livestock and the viability of your operation.

Many natural disasters give you little or no warning, but flooding is usually forecast, giving farmers time to think about contingency plans and take action. Your specific plan of action will vary by the type of livestock operation, but there are many common questions to address.

University of Minnesota Extension suggests that you consider these questions for your own livestock operation if flooding is a possibility at your farmstead or livestock facility:

• Where can I take livestock that is safe from floodwaters?
• How will I move livestock?
• Where will I secure enough trucks/trailers to move livestock in a timely fashion?
• Who will be available to help? Might they have their own livestock to move?
• Is there appropriate shelter and fencing at the temporary site?
• Is there feed at the site or will I have to haul feed there?
• How will I move feed?
• When should I move feed?
• How much feed will I need?
• Do I need to move implements and feeding equipment?
• Where will I access fuel for implements?
• If my usual source of commercial feed is unable to deliver feed, what alternative sources do I have?
• If I have to reduce feeding amounts to stretch the supply, how will I ration it out?
• What about bedding material?
• Is there adequate water on the site?
• Are there adequate water fountains or tanks?
• If I am able to stay in my home, will I be able to get to the livestock location?

If you are able to leave your stock at home but the power goes off for hours or even days because of flooding:

• How will you water your livestock?
• How will you provide ventilation for your stock?
• How will you milk the cows?
• How will you cool the milk?
• How will you get the milk into a tanker and off to market?
• How long can you store milk on the farm before you have to dump some of it?
• If the road washes out or is blocked, how can you get milk out?
• If you have an emergency power generator, will it start when you need it?
• How long can your generator run continuously?
• How is the generator fueled and can you keep it supplied?
• If injured livestock needs to be euthanized, how will you do it?
• How and where will you dispose of mortalities?
• If your labor force is disrupted, where can you find the help to get the work done?
• Have you considered whether you would re-establish the business you now have if it entirely disappeared to a natural disaster?

You probably don't have answers to all those questions right now, but start thinking about them. Engage the innovative thinking of the rest of your family and the people who are part of your farming operation
Planning ahead of spring flooding will help reduce the need to make hasty decisions under a stressful situation and assure that whatever decision is made will best fit the needs of the family and farm operation for the years ahead.

Additional Resources
Citizens can access the most up-to-date information on flood preparation by visiting Extension’s website at www.extension.umn.edu/flood. Information about recovering from floods will be added as it becomes relevant.

Also available are Extension’s toll free phone services, the Flood Information Line (1-800-232-9077) and the AnswerLine (1-800-854-1678). Extension’s Flood Information Line is a resource for questions about water, crops, horticulture and climatology issues. Extension’s AnswerLine provides answers to household and family-oriented questions, such as cleaning, mildew, and food safety issues.

Buchanan Named NDSU Associate Dean

David Buchanan, a North Dakota State University professor in the Animal Sciences Department, has agreed to become the associate dean for academic programs in the College of Agriculture, Food Systems, and Natural Resources.

"Dr. Buchanan brings a wealth of experience in academics to his new position, as well as a profound and deep commitment to student advising and faculty mentoring," says Ken Grafton, vice president for agricultural affairs, dean of the NDSU College of Agriculture, Food Systems, and Natural Resources and director of the North Dakota Agricultural Experiment Station. "His knowledge of North Dakota and the region also will be exceptionally useful in student recruitment."

Buchanan has been with NDSU in the Animal Sciences Department since 2007. His research interests include animal breeding and genetics. Prior to coming to NDSU, he was a faculty member at Oklahoma State University for almost 28 years

"It is an honor to have the opportunity to serve as associate dean for the College of Agriculture, Food Systems, and Natural Resources," Buchanan says. "There is excitement in the industries served by our college, and I look forward to the challenge of recruiting students, helping to enhance our academic offerings and working with the alumni of our college. When many work together, dreams can be realized."

Buchanan, a Fargo native, earned a Bachelor of Science degree in animal science from NDSU. He earned both a master's degree in animal science and a Ph.D. in animal breeding and genetics from the University of Nebraska.

He has held numerous positions with professional animal science organizations, won awards, published research and given numerous speeches on animal science during his 32-year career.

Buchanan was given the 2006 Excellence in University Teaching in the Food and Agricultural Sciences Award by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.