Prairie Shortcuts

Track Farm Bill on the Web
Check the web site http://agriculture.house.gov/farmbill.htm for updated information regarding the House-Senate conference on the new farm bill. It is a link from the home page of the House Committee on Agriculture.

How FHB Affects Grain Quality Focus of Teleconferences
Teleconferences focusing on protecting grain quality from Fusarium Head blight (FHB or scab) are scheduled for 7 p.m. on March 21 and 26, and at 8 a.m. on March 28.

Small grain producers will be required to pre-register for access to the event by calling 877-701-2767 or by registering online at www.haltscab.com.  Farmers who call in will hear a panel discussion on managing grain against FHB, more specifically, DON or vomitoxin. The panel members will include Dr. Jochum Wiersma, U of M small grains specialist; Greg Daws, NDGGA board member and grower, Michigan, N.D.; and Richard Magnusson, MAWG board member and grower, Roseau, Minn. Also scheduled to attend will be a representative from the malting or milling industry to discuss grain quality from a buyer and processor standpoint.  A representative from the U.S. Wheat and Barley Scab initiative may join in the discussion as well.  The call-ins are sponsored by Bayer Corp.

Web sites for Soybean Production, Fertilizer Recommendations
The University of Minnesota web site www.soybeans.umn.edu is a comprehensive source of soybean production information, from variety selection to pest management.  U of M fertilizer recommendations for crops in Minnesota can be found online at  www.extension. umn.edu/distribution/cropsystems/DC6240.html.