If you have been thinking about implementing Management-Intensive-Grazing, but are bit nervous or unsure how to start?  This is the training you want to attend.  You are cordially invited to attend the upcoming Lost Rivers Grazing Academy to be held September 13-16, 2011 in Salmon, Idaho.

This isn’t just your ordinary workshop! It is a combination of classroom and “boots on the ground” training in Management-intensive Grazing. You will not only learn the theory behind the management but also gain some first-hand practical application of those principles as you are given some cows and grass to manage for the duration of the academy.

Instruction will be by University of Idaho faculty and the internationally renowned grazing guru Jim Gerrish. Additional information is available at http://www.extension.uidaho.edu/owyhee/AgLostRiversGrazingAcademy.htm or on facebook at https://www.facebook.com/LostRiversGrazingAcademy.

USDA Announces Fall Crop Sales Closing Dates, Expansion of Multi-Peril Crop Insurance, Barley and Dry Pea Winter Protection and Availability of Forage (Alfalfa) Seed Pilot Protection

SPOKANE, WASHINGTON, July 25, 2011 — USDA’s Risk Management Agency (RMA) reminds producers of important 2012 crop year Federal crop insurance sales closing dates and changes for 2012 crop year for fall planted crops.

Winter coverage for the Barley Multi-Peril Crop Insurance (MPCI) program was added for Idaho (Ada, Canyon, Elmore, Gem, Jerome, Minidoka and Twin Falls counties) and Washington (Asotin County).

Winter coverage for Austrian Winter Dry Peas in Benewah County, Idaho is also available for 2012. Winter protection for dry peas is now available in Idaho (Benewah, Clearwater, Idaho, Latah, Lewis and Nez Perce counties) and Washington (Asotin, Douglas, Lincoln and Whitman counties)

“The intended effect of these changes is to continue to tailor RMA programs to better meet the needs of producers in the region and provide producers the opportunity to obtain winter damage insurance coverage to manage their revenue and yield risks.” said RMA’s Spokane Regional Office Director Dave Paul.

Also new for 2012 crop year is coverage for the Forage (Alfalfa) Seed Pilot provided via written agreement in counties outside the current pilot area of Idaho: Canyon and Owyhee counties; Oregon: Malheur County and Washington: Grant and Walla Walla counties. Producers wishing to insure alfalfa seed in counties outside the current pilot area should submit their requests for written agreement through an insurance agent by September 30, 2011.

“If there is no coverage filed in a county for a specific crop under the traditional MPCI program, he encourages producers to ask a crop insurance agent whether they would be eligible for coverage under a written agreement,” Paul added.

RMA also reminds Pacific Northwest producers of the fast approaching 2012 crop year sales closing deadlines for MPCI programs:

• Canola/Rapeseed – August 31, 2011 (for Fall Planted types)
• Onions – August 31, 2011 (Fall Planted types – Umatilla/Walla Walla counties only)
• Mint with Winter Coverage – September 30, 2011
• Forage Production – September 30, 2011 (Klamath and Malheur counties, Oregon)
• Forage (Alfalfa) Seed Pilot – September 30, 2011 (all Idaho, Oregon, Washington counties)
• Fall Planted Barley with Winter Coverage – September 30, 2011 (in selected counties)
• Fall Planted Dry Peas/Lentils with Winter Coverage – September 30, 2011 (in selected counties)
• Wheat – September 30, 2011
• Apiculture (Honey) – September 30, 2011
• Pasture Rangeland Forage – September 30, 2011

Current policyholders and uninsured growers must make all of their decisions on crop insurance coverage, especially which crops to insure and which level and type of coverage to obtain, prior to the sales closing date.

RMA reminds producers of the important link between Federal crop insurance and Farm Service Agency (FSA) disaster programs. For non-insurable crops, a producer may buy coverage under the Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program by the closing date. For further information about timetables, please contact the local FSA County Office.

Producers are encouraged to visit their crop insurance agent soon to learn specific details for the 2012 crop year.  Federal crop insurance program policies are sold and delivered solely through private crop insurance companies and agents.  A list of crop insurance agents is available at all USDA Service Centers throughout the United States or on the RMA Web site at http://www3.rma.usda.gov/tools/agents.

A recent horse event in Ogden, UT may have exposed horses to EHV-1.

What is Equine Herpesvirus-1

Equine herpesvirus 1 (EHV-1) is one of a large group of DNA viruses causing potentially serious disease in horses and other species. EHV-1 has two forms – one that causes abortion in mares and one that causes respiratory infection and neurological symptoms. The most recent outbreaks of concern have involved the EHV-1 respiratory/neurological form of the virus.

EHV-1 is contagious and is spread by direct horse-to-horse contact, by contaminated hands, equipment and tack, and, for a short time, through aerosolization of the virus within the environment of the stall and stable.

The virus is not a threat to human health.  There is currently no vaccine labeled to protect against the neurological strain of this virus.  There is a vaccine that may protect against the abortive and respiratory forms.  If you feel your horse may have been exposed at a recent event, please contact your veterinarian and follow appropriate biosecurity and appropriate quarantine practices to prevent further spread of the disease.  For more information on this virus check out this link to the Center for Equine Health UC Davis ehv1_general.cfm

The Lost Rivers Grazing Academy will be held June 14-17, 2011 in Salmon, Idaho. This is a great opportunity to receive some excellent, hands-on training in grazing management and specifically in Management-intensive Grazing. Instruction will be by University of Idaho Extension faculty along with the internationally renowned grazing guru Jim Gerrish.

You can download a brochure with additional information at http://www.extension.uidaho.edu/owyhee/pdf/2011%20PDF%20Files/June%202011%20LRGA%20Brochure.pdf or you can check out our Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/LostRiversGrazingAcademy.

I attended this training a few years ago and it is worth every minute of your time!  It is very hands on, and fun!  There is some classroom time but the instructors are dynamic and you get to apply much of it right on site–before you take it home and use it yourself!  I would highly recommend this program for anyone that wants to do a better job managing their forage resource with grazing animals–even if you are not planning to impliment MIG!  I hope you will consider attending–if June doesn’t work for you they hold a session in the fall as well!  Cheers!

Chanda

Opportunity to glean some information concerning current lamb market issues!  Join us!

• When: Wednesday, May 11, 7:00 p.m.

• What: Distance presentation by Dr. Erica Rosa of the Livestock Marketing Information Center in Denver

• How: Attend a participating Site (see list below).  The site will Telephone Washington State University’s telephone conference center for her discussion on May 11.  A copy of the slide presentation will be viewed at each location.

• Topics:

• Lamb production and consumption trends

• Supply and demand trends; current situation

• International trade and international currency valuation

• Competing meats

• Feed prices

• Price forecast

• LRP lamb

• Viewing Locations:

  • Spokane County/WSU Extension Education Center, 222 N Havana, Spokane

  • OSU Klamath Basin Research and Extension Center; 3328 Vandenberg Rd, Klamath Falls, Or (Conference Room)–Contact Chanda Engel at 541-883-7131.
    

  • OSU Umatilla County Extension Service, BMCC Umatilla Hall Rm 100, 2411 NW Carden, Pendleton

  • Klickatat County PUD, 1313 S Columbia Ave, Goldendale WA, contact Susan Kerr, 509-773-5817

  • Moses Lake Municiple Airport, contact Sarah Smith in advance, 509-754-2011 ext. 413.

  • Other locations may be arranged. Ask your local extension office to host a viewing location. Register by Wednesday, May 4 with Tom Platt, 509-725-4171.

In the spring 2011 Field Crop Notes Newsletter, put out by Steve Orloff, Farm Advisor, with the UC-Davis Siskiyou County Cooperative Extension, there are a bunch of great articles with topics that speak to issues related to forage production in Klamath County.

The topics are:

• Which Should You Use: Urea or Ammonium Sulfate: This article has some great insight into looking at both these fertilizer options and how to minimize losses of applied N to the environment.  It also has some eye opening data from an Oregon State University study showing how high losses of N may really be, if proper management is not followed at or around fertilizer application.
• Comparison of Small Grain Hay Varieties: This has some interesting information regarding forage grain varieties at two harvest timings (Late Boot/Early Heading and Soft-Dough).  The data is from a field trial conducted by UC Davis last year (2010).  It includes traditional forage type varieties of oats, wheat, barley, and triticale as well as some newer released hay type varieties.  This is worth a look if you grow small grain for hay.
• Another Bad Stem Nematode Year: Although determining the years when stem nematode will raise their ugly heads and give you fits in your alfalfa is not fool proof, conditions are looking good for 2011.  Check this out to see how you can manage this problem and prevent spreading the problem to clean fields.
• Is Roundup Ready Alfalfa Higher or Lower Yielding than Conventional Alfalfa?: If you have been considering roundup ready alfalfa or just want to learn more about it, check out this article.  You will glean some great insight into how conventional and Round up Ready (released and experimental) varieties yield’s stack up under conventional herbicide regimes and with roundup use for the Roundup Ready varieties.  This is 5 years of data, including the establishment year.

If you want to view or print this newsletter click the following link: Spring 2011 Field Crop Notes

It is often said that there are no better stewards of the land than agriculturists. With stewardship comes the responsibility of managing your property in the interest of long-term sustainability. At the end of your ranching career when you turn your operation over to the next generation will your ranch and land be in better shape than when you took over management and/or ownership? Have you always had good stewardship of the land in mind when it comes to the management of your ranch? Do you treat and manage the land, your neighbors and employees, both two and four legged, with integrity, respect and dignity? In this issue of Cow Camp Chatter let’s talk about how we might budget for the infrastructure maintenance of our ranches in order to become better long-term stewards of the land.

Many of us in agriculture receive a ranch paycheck once a year. Stretching this paycheck to last over a twelve month period requires good budgeting skills, discipline and sacrifice. There never seems to be enough money to cover both the prioritized needs that are necessary to keep our operation running along with the short term wish-list items that we desire. Often when we go without for a period of time we confuse wants with needs. During the good times we spend as if there is never going to be another bad day in agriculture. History tells us that every time the highs go higher, the lows eventually do go lower. Following a financial plan and spending money on infrastructure maintenance while putting a little cash away for a rainy day may ultimately be wiser than splurging on those instant gratification, short-term wants.

Good money management suggests you make a written long and short-term prioritized purchase list. Give a lot of thought to your wants and needs and their importance to the functionality of your operation. Since you only have so much money to work with it will be necessary to make some compromises. For example, a want might be a $50,000, 1-ton, four-door, diesel flat-bed pick-up with an aluminum fifth wheel trailer behind it. A need, on the other hand, would be a reliable, low-cost form of ranch transportation capable of pulling a functional stock trailer. Take in to account what items will give you the best return on your investment and at the same time make you a long-term steward of the land.

Stewardship is a necessary budgetary line item. We need to seriously consider the upkeep of irrigation ditches, rangeland restoration and water development, along with the maintenance of fences, corals, gates, trucks, trailers, tractors, haying equipment and outbuildings. Without a functional infrastructure in place we cannot effectively heed good stewardship practices. Take weed control for example. We have all seen ranches that have deferred these costs to the point where the weeds have literally taken over the ranch. What once could have been taken care of with minimal cost and little effort when the weed patches were small is now a huge budgetary expense. Controlling willows, wild rose bushes and other pesky noxious weeds is unattainable given current resources. Over time this leads to the inability to apply sound management practices resulting in reduced production, lower profits, and additional loss of infrastructure. It is a spiraling situation.

Ranch infrastructure is the underlining foundation and basic frame work of any operation. The visual appearance of the entire ranch including its house, yard, shop, and corrals, shows pride of ownership and is a reflection of not only the financial standing of the ranch but also its management style. Maintenance of a ranch’s infrastructure saves thousands of dollars compared to putting off these costs until another time. Postponing these expenses for too long results in an overwhelming task in order to catch up. Some managers who continually defer these costs and allow them to get out of hand have a tendency to give up. The condition and appearance of their poorly maintained ranch and property is a reflection of their apathy to the situation. The long term cost of not maintaining ranch infrastructure on an annual basis is too great not to budget for.

When all is said and done, the ability to stay focused on the big picture is paramount. Making short term financial sacrifices while adhering to sound budgeting practices will result in long term success. In doing so you will be able to answer “yes” to the questions posed at the beginning of this article.

That’s enough for this month. As always, if you would like to discuss this article or simply want to talk cows, do not hesitate to contact me at 775-385-7665 or rtbulls@frontier.com.

When: Saturday, January 22nd 2011

Where: Blue Mountain Conference Center, 404 12th Street, La Grande, OR

Schedule:

9:00 – 9:15 Workshop Introductions & Overview

Rick Haines: Owner Independent Ag Network; Twin Falls, ID

9:15 – 10:00 Strategies for Beef Cow/Calf Production in the 21st Century

Clay Mathis: Director & Chair, King Ranch Institute; Texas A&M – Kingsville

10:00 – 10:45 Genetic Tools for Successful Cow/Calf Breeding Decisions

Darrh Bullock: Beef Cattle Extension Specialist, Beef Cattle Breeding & Genetics; University of Kentucky, Lexington

10:45 – 11:00 Break (provided by sponsors)

11:00 – 11:45

Strategies to Optimize the Use of AI in Cow/Calf Production Systems

Dave Patterson: Professor Beef Cattle Reproductive Physiology; University of Missouri, Columbia, MO

11:45 – 1:00 Lunch (provided by sponsors)

1:00 – 1:45 Optimizing Cow Genetic Potential with Low-Cost Production Strategies

Twig Marston: Director, Northeast Research & Extension Center, Beef Production Systems; University of Nebraska, Lincoln, NE

1:45 – 2:30 Economic Outlook for US Beef Cattle Production

Scott Brown: Agricultural Economist & Program Director, Food & Agriculture Policy Research Institute, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO

2:30 – 2:45 Break (provided by sponsors)

2:45 – 3:30 World Beef Markets: Is Brazil Our Biggest Competitor?

Reinaldo Cooke: Beef Cattle Extension Specialist; Oregon State University, Eastern Oregon Agricultural Research Center, Burns, OR

3:30 – 4:00 Panel Discussion & Wrap-up

Rick Haines: Owner Independent Ag Networks; Twin Falls, ID

Note: For more information, please contact Kim McKague or Tim DelCurto at (541) 562-5129

http://oregonstate.edu/dept/eoarcunion

2011 Workshop Schedule

Just a reminder that the deadline for the Farm Service Agency’s NAP insurance is approaching.  NAP insurance (Noninsured Assistance Program) is available to producers for crops that do not have insurance available from other sources and includes pasture and hay crops.

This is a catastrophic insurance program which will provide payments to producers if they suffer a 50% or larger loss due to drought and other weather related conditions.  The insurance cost $250 per crop and producers will only pay a maximum of $750 per county for coverage.  By purchasing NAP insurance producers will also be eligible for additional Farm Service Agency programs as they become available.

The deadline for NAP insurance is November 30,2010 for pasture, Grass-Alfalfa Hay, Grass hay, grain hays and alfalfa hay older than 8 years.

Again this is a catastrophic insurance program and only provides payments for losses greater than 50%.   Similar insurance is available for Modoc and Siskiyou County producers and their deadlines may differ from Klamath County.

Producers interested in signing up are encouraged to stop by the Klamath County Farm Service Agency at 2316 South Sixth Street Suite C or may call 541-883-6924 x 2.

New Publication–Resource for Grazing Livestock in the PNW!!!  This book is a comprehensive resource for anyone who manages livestock on pastures in the Northwest.  This 208-page book offers pasture managers information and tools to enable their pastures and their livestock to reach their maximum production potentials. Seventeen chapters proceed from planning to budgeting.  The excellent content of this publication was coordinate through the contribution of expertise from Extension Professionals and contributing experts in  the Pacific Northwest.   This resource is available in print form, at a list price of $18.00 per book (this does not include shipping) or can be downloaded and viewed as a PDF from Washington State University’s Publication website.  Check out this excellent resource Today!