The Official Newspaper for Foster County
The Official Newspaper for Foster County
I recently received an email from Mark Manoukian, who is the county Extension agent in Phillips County, Montana.
The email read like this: I have three cattle producers in North Central Montana looking for summer pasture for approximately 500 pairs. We are out of reservoir water and forage availability is not looking promising.
Manoukan’s e-mail is a reminder that although moisture conditions in Foster County are much better than last year, the situation remains critical to our west.
According to the U.S. National Drought Monitor, severe to extreme drought conditions exist across much of North Dakota’s western quarter and all of Montana.
Long-range forecasts are predicting this summer will be hotter and drier than normal across the Northern Great Plains, including all of North Dakota and Montana.
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Foster County producers need warmer temperatures and drier soil to begin their field work.
The average daytime high in Carrington is 52 degrees in mid-April.
As I write this column, temperatures are forecast to be 20 degrees below normal, with the expectation of a major winter storm on April 13 and 14.
It’s quite a contrast to last year, when above average temperatures and dry soil allowed producers to get in the fields early.
There has been a lot of talk throughout the winter about the high cost and limited availability of fertilizer and pesticides.
I visited with two agronomists about the situation last week.
Although prices are high, both men told me they are generally able to meet the needs of their customers.
Some products, especially those containing the herbicide glufosinate, are difficult or impossible to obtain.
However, the consensus is that even if the preferred chemical isn’t available, there are other options that can give satisfactory weed control.
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It’s likely you’ve heard or read news reports about H5N1 Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI).
The virus, which is carried by waterfowl such as ducks and geese, is extremely infectious and often fatal to domestic poultry.
It’s important to note that avian influenza is not a food safety issue. Poultry is safe to eat, and proper handling and cooking of poultry and eggs to an internal temperature of 165˚F is always advised
The main concern at this time is to limit the spread of the disease among domestic birds. Poultry owners are asked to do two things.
First, keep a close watch on your flocks. Signs of HPAI include the following: sudden, unexplained death, decline in water consumption, decreased egg production, purple or dry combs and swelling around eyes.
If you observe any of these symptoms in your flock, please call your local veterinarian. If your veterinarian is unavailable, contact the North Dakota State Board of Animal Health (701-328-2655).
Secondly, poultry producers are encouraged to complete the voluntary poultry survey, https://bit.ly/3IvXLhj. The purpose of the survey is to facilitate communication in the event that HPAI is confirmed in our area.
If you have any questions about HPAI, please contact me in the Foster County Extension Office (652-2581,[email protected]).
Preregistration is not required, and there’s no obligation to attend every week.
