June 1998
Prairie Shortcuts
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Prairie Grains is the
official publication of
the Minnesota
Association of
Wheat Growers,
North Dakota Grain
Growers Association,
South Dakota Wheat,
Inc., and the
Minnesota Barley
Growers Association.
The North Dakota Grain Growers Association's 2nd Annual Wheat & Barley Day will be held July 21, 9 am to 5 pm, at the Carrington Research Extension Center. There will be an in-depth research tour and discussion of crop production issues including: the future of white wheat in ND, pesticide application techniques, harvest preparation, rotational cropping, and new opportunities in small grains including transgenic crops. There will be a marketing outlook and pasta luncheon featuring cowboy poet Rodney Nelson. At 5 p.m., there will be a NDGGA golf scramble at the Carrington Golf Club. The luncheon and activities during the day are free. Cost for supper and to golf is $15 for NDGGA members; $25 for nonmembers. For more information or to register, call the NDGGA at 1-800-932-8822.
NDGGA holds E-Tour June 10-11
The fifth annual Environmental Tour (E-Tour) organized by the NDGGA was held June 10 and 11. The tour is designed to create dialogue and increase understanding among farmers and those involved in environmental issues. This year's tour focused on pesticide use and application. Participants included six scientists from the Environmental Protection Agency from Washington, DC. Stops included a tour of Agsco's chemical handling facility in Grand Forks and Greg Daws' farm near Michigan, ND, where tramlines used for better chemical applications were explained. NDSU extension personnel were on hand to explain steps that producers take to ensure safe and economical application of pesticides. The tour included an overnight stay with farm host families.
MAWG recognized for communications
The Minnesota Association of Wheat Growers recently received two President's Awards from the Minnesota Society of Association Executives. The MAWG won the award for overall association communications program, and top association magazine or journal. The MAWG's communication efforts include a web site (www.smallgrains.org) wheat news on DTN, newsletter (Small Grains Update) and magazine (Prairie Grains). The St. Paul-based MSAE has over 300 member associations, and works to develop excellence in association management and leadership skills to increase the effectiveness of associations.
NAWG Summer Leadership Conference Aug. 15-18
The National Association of Wheat Growers' 1998 Summer Leadership Conference will be held Aug. 15-18 in Albuquerque, N.M. Wheat growers will meet to discuss key topics, including implementing the NAWG and U.S. Wheat Associates' action plan to improve wheat prices. Open to all wheat growers and their families. The first 45 spouses, registered with a grower member, will receive a tour compliments of Bayer Corp. to Santa Fe, the oldest city in America, founded in 1610. Chaperoned youth activities are planned, as well as tours to explore the area. For more information, contact your state wheat association or Annie Leftwood at the NAWG, ph. (202) 547-7800.
SD Planning Ag in the 21st Century
The Commission for Rural South Dakota in the 21st Century held its first meeting this past spring in Pierre, SD. The group is attempting to find common ground in agriculture that can be used to formulate goals for the future. The Commission is focusing on six main topics for discussion: financing, social, policy, environment, transportation, and youth. The mission statement for the Commission is to communicate the conditions in rural SD and recommend changes to keep farms, ranches and small towns alive.
Three elected, one appointed to MWRPC board
Bruce Hamnes, Stephen; Don Loeslie, Warren; and Douglas Ruud, Twin Valley, have been elected to serve on the board of directors of the Minnesota Wheat Research and Promotion Council, which administers the state's one-cent per bushel wheat checkoff for research and promotion. Each will serve a three-year term.
Hamnes was re-elected to a third term, and Loeslie a fifth term. Both will represent wheat producers in area one, which includes the following counties: Kittson, Roseau, Lake of the Woods, Marshall, Pennington, Red Lake, Polk, and Clearwater.
Ruud will serve his first term on the MWRPC board, representing area two, which includes the following counties: Norman, Mahnomen, Clay, Becker, Wilken, Otter Tail, Wadena, Morrison, Todd, Douglas, Grant, and Traverse. He will fill the area two seat held by Paul Aasness, Fergus Falls, who will step down from the board in July after serving the MWRPC for nine years.
Earlier this year, Hugh Hunt, Hallock, was appointed to a first term on the MWRPC board to fill the unexpired term of Kelly Bengtson, Hallock, who stepped down from the board to pursue off-farm employment.
Others who serve on the MWRPC board are Art Brandli, Warroad; Ellsworth Danielson, Fosston; Francis "Butch" Buschette, Renville; Cliff Keller, Fergus Falls, and John Leseth, Moorhead.
New guide helps pinpoint crop injury
A new publication, "Herbicide and Nonherbicide Injury Symptoms on Spring Wheat and Barley," is available to help individuals determine the cause of injury on wheat and barley. It contains pictures showing injury symptoms caused by various classes of herbicides through misapplication, drift or tank contamination. It also provides pictures and descriptions of symptoms of several injuries not caused by herbicides, including those caused by cultural practices, environmental factors, fungal diseases, insect damage, nutrient deficiencies, soil pH and viral diseases. The guide is a joint publication of the ND and MN Extension Service, and may be ordered at a cost of $3.50 plus postage and handling from NDSU by calling (701) 231-7882, or from the U of M by calling (800) 876-8636.
What moisture means to yield
Generally, wheat needs a threshold of at least 6 inches of soil moisture and precipitation to get at least some yield. Each additional inch of rainfall translates into about 4-5 bu/acre of additional wheat yield, according to Dave Franzen, NDSU extension soils specialist. Sunflower needs 5 inches of soil moisture and precip to get yield started, with each additional inch of rain adding 170-190 lb/acre. The threshold for corn is 8 inches, with each additional inch of water translating into 8-14 bu/acre.
8 ways to manage drift
Off-target pesticide drift is always a concern, but even more so this year with the big shift in acreage from small grains to other crops, says Andrew Thostenson, NDSU pesticide program specialist. Eight ways to reduce drift:
Select a nozzle that produces coarser droplets.
Use the lower end of the pressure range.
Lower boom height.
Increase nozzle size.
Spray when wind is less than 10 mph.
Spray when wind is moving away from sensitive crops.
Do not spray when air is too calm.
Use a drift control additive when needed. n