Field and Garden: Harvest underway as mostly dry weather persists

This summer (June – August) was the 14th driest on record in Foster County, and the dry weather has continued into fall.

The NDAWN stations near Carrington and McHenry received 0.6 and 0.7 inches of rain, respectively, during September. That’s about 35 percent of normal.

About half the state, including Foster County, is currently classified as an area of “moderate drought” by the U.S. Drought Monitor.

The 30-day outlook indicates that we can expect warmer than normal temperatures during October.

There are equal chances of having above or below normal precipitation.

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Soybean harvest began the third week of September.

Some growers harvested their early maturing varieties, but then stopped because the later-maturing varieties weren’t ready.

Only a small proportion of our county’s soybeans have been harvested as I write this column. It’s still too early to say what the yields will be.

Our five-year average (2016-2020) is about 35 bushels per acre.

Most corn was near physiological maturity (black layer) by the end of September, and the danger of an early frost damaging the crop had passed in most fields.

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Farmers are well aware of the fire dangers posed during harvest. However, it is a good idea to review emergency procedures each year, especially with hired help.

If a fire breaks out, the operator should turn off the machine and exit the cab immediately.

Call 911 before trying to extinguish the fire.

When using a fire extinguisher, remember the acronym P.A.S.S: Pull the pin. Aim at the base of the fire. Squeeze the handle. Sweep the nozzle back and forth.

Stay upwind of the fire to minimize the risk of exposure to smoke, heat and flames.

Fires can spread quickly, so beware of getting into areas where you are surrounded by dry stalks or other combustible materials.

Remember that personal safety is far more important than property loss.

The helpful publication “Crop Harvest Fire Prevention Checklist” can be downloaded from the website of NDSU Extension.

If you’d prefer to receive a copy of the publication in the mail, please contact me in the Foster County Extension Office (652-2581, [email protected]).

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Multiple cases of H5N1 Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) have been confirmed in North Dakota this fall.

The virus, which is carried by waterfowl such as ducks and geese, is extremely infectious and often fatal to domestic poultry.

The main concern at this time is to limit the spread of the disease among domestic birds. Avian influenza is not a food safety issue.

Hunters should dress game birds in the field and change clothing before coming into contact with domestic birds.

Poultry owners should keep a close watch on their flock.

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).