AGRONOMY
Carver County Dairy Expo
On Monday, Feb. 18, at Central High School
in Norwood-Young America, over 300 local dairy
producers, industry professionals, and vendors
gathered to attend the 27th annual Carver County
Dairy Expo. Educational sessions at the expo fo-
cused on this year’s theme: Challenges, Changes,
and Optimism. Attendees spent the day learning
about new products, the latest industry research,
and enjoyed networking with educators, peers,
and industry professionals.
Colleen Carlson, Extension Educator, reported
this year’s expo was a great success. Attendees ap-
preciated the speakers and the variety of topics
shared. The keynote speaker, Dr. Mark Stephen-
son, who is the Director of Dairy Policy Analysis for
the University of Wisconsin-Madison, talked about
the regional changes and pressures on price in the
dairy industry.
Team, collectively donates over 700 hours of their
time. They partner with the University of Minne-
sota Extension, Norwood-Young America Central
High School, FFA, and many sponsors and vendors
to create this dynamic, innovative, event for local
farmers.
The Carver County Dairy Expo is just one of
many events organized by Carver County Exten-
sion. “In general, Carver County Extension is thriv-
ing,” explains Carlson, “Our goal is to reach citizens,
both rural and urban, to provide university, sci-
ence-based knowledge, expertise, and training.”
Carver County Extension consistently delivers
on this promise. Educational events cover topics
from agriculture production, to personal finances,
to master gardening. Some events coming up in-
clude:
• Thursday, March 7 - a workshop titled “Who
Gets Grandma’s Yellow Pie Plate” at New
Prague Library with Shawna Thompson
• Tuesday, March 19 - a Winter Dairy Series
with Jolene Hadrich, a U of M Extension
Economist, at the Jordan Supper Club
• Wednesday, March 20 - a class titled ‘How to
Write a Pre-harvest Marketing Plan’ with Ed
Usset at the Belle Plaine Vets Club
Attendees at the expo learned valuable infor-
mation from many educational sessions offered
throughout the day. Merri Post, a dairy farmer
from Southwest Minnesota, shared her experience
and the realities of farm transitions, both the chal-
lenges and rewards, in her talk titled, “Farm Transi-
tion is not for Sissies.” Travis Busman, a hoof care
technician, brought in real bones to demonstrate
the anatomy of a cow’s foot and the mechanics
of hoof health and care. “Farmers appreciate the
hands-on presentations where they can get an-
swers to their practical questions from profession-
als in the field,” explains Carlson. Attendees left
Ted Matthew’s talk titled, “Open the Gate: Make
Communications Count,” feeling empowered to
make positive changes on their farms.
The first expo began 27 years ago by a group
of farmers, industry professionals, and University
of Minnesota Extension to offer dairy-specific in-
formation on issues like cow health and bench-
marks of production. The event has grown, and
now has a dedicated team of 20 volunteers, in-
cluding farmers, dairy industry professionals, and
product producers, who meet monthly to plan the
event. This group, the Carver County Dairy Core
www.midcountycoop.com
• Wednesday, March 27 - the MN Dairy Cattle
Feeder Day in Owatonna, MN
• Friday, March 29 - the MN Hops Growers
Convention
• Saturday, April 6 - the Carver County Dairy
Day Dinner
• Saturday, April 6 - Garden Fever at the Chaska
Event Center
• Saturday, April 13 - Small Flock Poultry Work
shop in Elko New Market
For more information on upcoming events and
registration, visit the Carver County Extension website:
https://www3.extension.umn.edu/local/carver
Amanda Steffel
Here are some important things
to consider as you plan for the
2019 growing season.
1. Make sure you follow an
eff ective herbicide treatment
plan. Since the high rainfall pre-
vented some fi elds from being
treated, many weeds went to
seed last year. Therefore, you
may have higher weed pressure
this season. Put down a pre-
emerge herbicide to keep some
of the early weed pressure off .
2. Make sure you are using a
good fertilizer program. The
heavy rainfall last year resulted
in nutrient loss that contributed
to signifi cant variation in yields.
3. Consider a soybean seed
treatment. The University of
Minnesota and Winfi eld United
conducted a trial to measure
germination under various
temperature conditions. Data
reveals that there was a greater
than 5% increase in germina-
tion under warm conditions
and a 20% increase in germi-
nation under cool conditions.
Seed treatment helps provide
better and more consistent ger-
mination. Cold and wet weath-
er creates perfect conditions
for some diseases to thrive and
causes damage to your overall
yields. Treating seed can pro-
vide disease and insect protec-
tion, and can delay or eliminate
the need for in-season aphid
control.
If you have any questions about
chemical, fertilizer, or seed treat-
ment options, I would be happy
to answer your questions.
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