Ag News and Views: June 2006

A static (single year) view of economic production activities generated on farms and ranches by various agricultural industries in the Noble Research Institute's 47-county service region.

Most folks don't realize the Ag Division has a support group that complements the consulting staff. This group - the research team - is comprised of several men and women who have been divided into subgroups to focus on specific areas of research and demonstration.

During spring and summer, many people become concerned about plants growing in their ponds. This concern may or may not be justified, because aquatic plants are desirable for many pond management goals.

I've assembled six steps - from start to finish - that I think are essential for any soil fertility program.

Preserving the environment for future generations is a laudable goal, but is a conservation easement for you? It is hard to answer with a "yes" or a "no."

Almost every year, a new "wonder grass" is vigorously marketed to beef cattle producers. Most often, these highly touted forages will do what they are advertised to do, but do you really need them?

By now, most cattle producers have at least heard the "buzz words" PI and BVDV. If you've picked up just about any trade publication, been to an industry meeting or talked to a Noble Research Institute livestock specialist, you've probably seen or heard the terms before - persistently infected (PI) bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV). Yet, there are still some who have not received, or don't fully comprehend, the message.