May 26, 2021
The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) has positively identified the invasive weed Palmer amaranth in Polk County. The confirmation came after the MDA inspected a field being used for the disposal of agricultural screenings.
The MDA collected a sample of the screenings material and determined by genetic testing that it was contaminated with Palmer amaranth seed. The field was scouted, and MDA staff found several dead Palmer amaranth plants on the field’s edge remaining from last year, suggesting the plants had grown and matured.
The landowner is working with the department to eradicate any of the weeds moving forward. At this time, the MDA believes the issue is isolated to only one field. The field and the surrounding area will be a priority for MDA field scouting this summer.
Since it was first discovered in the state in 2016, Palmer amaranth has been found in ten Minnesota counties, including Polk County. However, most of the sites have been successfully eradicated and the remaining are being closely monitored. Details of previous finds can be found on the MDA website.
Palmer amaranth is listed as a noxious weed in Minnesota. All above and below ground parts of the plant must be destroyed, and it cannot be moved. The weed is also listed as a prohibited weed seed in the state. This means no Palmer amaranth is allowed in any seed offered for sale in Minnesota.
Left uncontrolled, a single female Palmer amaranth plant typically produces 100,000 to 500,000 seeds. It is resistant to multiple herbicides, can cause substantial yield losses, and greatly increase weed management costs in soybeans and corn.
Find photos and more information on Palmer amaranth at www.mda.state.mn.us/palmeramaranth.
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Media Contact
Allen Sommerfeld, MDA Communications
651-201-6185
Allen.Sommerfeld@state.mn.us
May 26, 2021
Customers who have stepped-up to “buy local” over the last year can include plants grown right here in Minnesota.
Now is the best time to shop local nurseries and garden centers, and consumers have a convenient way to connect with over 100 of them around the state, through the Minnesota Department of Agriculture’s Minnesota Grown Directory.
Jay Holasek, grower and vice president of Holasek Flower Power Garden Center, notes the benefits of working with local growers.
“Here at Holasek Flower Power garden center, we grow almost all our plants right here in Lester Prairie Minnesota. By growing our plants on-site, we control the quality from start to finish. We have great confidence in the quality of the plants we sell to our customers. This is something that you will not find at the big box chains who are not directly involved in the growing process of the plants they buy in and then re-sell.”
Minnesota nurseries and garden centers experienced an increase in business during the spring of 2020, and they hope to continue the momentum into the 2021 season. Along with enjoying quality garden products, shopping a local nursery is an excellent way to support and get to know the grower behind your favorite plants.
Holasek also remarked on the economic benefit of supporting local growers.
“By shopping local, you not only support small business, but you can feel good knowing that the plants you are buying were grown and cared for by growers right here in Minnesota,” he said. “This helps to continue building a great industry in our beautiful state.”
Consumers can quickly find their local nursery by visiting www.minnesotagrown.com.
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Media Contact
Larry Schumacher, MDA Communications
651-201-6629
Larry.Schumacher@state.mn.us
June 1, 2021
Minnesota Agriculture Commissioner Thom Petersen today released the annual list of top Minnesota dairy herds with low somatic cell counts (SCC). Somatic cell count is a key indicator of milk quality – a lower SCC count is better for cheese production and a longer shelf life for bottled milk. In honor of June Dairy Month, 96 Minnesota dairy farms are being recognized for superior herd management skills by achieving an average SCC of under 100,000.
“I’m honored to be able to recognize these 96 dairies for their high level of excellence,” said Commissioner Petersen. “These dairy farmers work hard 365 days a year to produce high quality, wholesome dairy products for all of us to enjoy, and I thank them for their contributions to feed Minnesota and the world.”
Although somatic cells occur naturally and are not a food safety concern, dairy farmers monitor them because they can be used as a measure of the health of their cows. Processors also pay a premium for milk with low counts. A farmer whose herd has a very low count can receive a significantly higher price per hundredweight compared to a farmer whose herd average is high.
The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) and University of Minnesota dairy experts have worked with the state’s dairy farmers to lower somatic cell counts. When the initiative began in 2003, the 100 herds honored that year included those with SCC averages as high as 144,000, compared to the current goal of obtaining a SCC under 100,000.
The SCC list of Minnesota dairy farms is online at http://www.mda.state.mn.us/lowscc
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Media Contact
Allen Sommerfeld, MDA Communications
651-201-6185
Allen.Sommerfeld@state.mn.us
Empowering Trade with Africa through Agriculture
Starts:
Sat, 06/12/2021 - 1:00 pm
Ends:
Sat, 06/12/2021 - 3:30 pm
MDA is a:
Sponsor
Presenter
Details:
Minnesota Africans United, in partnership with Global Minnesota and the Minnesota Department of Agriculture, is hosting this webinar focused on empowering trade with Africa through agriculture. Hear stories of current African entrepreneurs farming in Minnesota and working to provide healthy and safe food to the community while advancing economic prosperity. Find out more about resources available to support farmers in Minnesota and Africa. Learn about the opportunities and challenges of farming and investing in African agriculture from a visiting guest from Cameroon.
Winter Annual Oilseed Field Day
Starts:
Fri, 06/11/2021 - 11:00 am
Ends:
Fri, 06/11/2021 - 2:30 pm
Location:
Rosemount Research and Outreach Center16350 Asher Ave E
Rosemount, MN 55068
MDA is a:
Sponsor
External Contact:
Details:
The University of Minnesota Forever Green Initiative invites manufacturers, food entrepreneurs, farmers, policy professionals, and the public to a Winter Annual Oilseeds Field Day event at the Rosemount Research and Outreach Center. At this event, attendees will learn about the latest research and development updates on pennycress and winter camelina, two exciting new crops which have the potential to transform the food, fuel and feed industries in the upper Midwest.
Pennycress and winter camelina, both winter annual oilseeds, have great potential for use as a cash cover crop to protect soil and water while providing economic benefits to farmers in the upper Midwest. Rapid advancements in pennycress and camelina genetics and breeding have allowed researchers to identify a wide range of end-uses, including healthy edible oils, novel plant proteins, biodegradable packaging materials, lubricants, biofuels, and animal feed. All of these products equate to additional economic opportunities for Midwest farmers. Oilseeds fit well behind short season crops such as silage corn, sunflower, and spring wheat. As the seedlings grow in the autumn, they protect the soil surface from erosion caused by high winds, intense rains, or snow melt. Additionally, the plants absorb soil nutrients, helping to eliminate nitrate and phosphorus contamination of ground and surface waters. Ultimately, the addition of these crops to upper Midwest farmland will assist in keeping well water safe for drinking and improve the quality of water in our wetlands, streams, rivers, and lakes.
The Winter Annual Oilseed Field Day will highlight current research and work underway to launch pennycress and winter camelina into Minnesota’s agricultural landscape. Visitors will see winter camelina growing in the field and learn from UMN agronomists about best production practices with this crop. The Forever Green Initiative Commercialization Team, Constance Carlson and Colin Cureton will discuss the many potential opportunities for end-uses of pennycress and camelina. Kent Cavender-Barres of Rowbot Technologies LLC will discuss opportunities for new robotic technologies to interseed oilseed crops. Finally, attendees will have the ability to participate in round-table discussions with each of our experts after their presentations.
Attendees should arrive between 11:00 AM and 11:30 AM on June 11th to check in. A lunch (vegetarian option available) will be served from 11:30-12 PM. Presentations will begin at 12 PM, followed by a round table discussion from 1-2:30 PM. The event will be held rain or shine. All attendees are requested to register as early as possible prior to June 11. Space for the event is limited. For more information and disability accommodations, contact Katie Black at 701-400-9486 or e-mail her at black807@umn.edu.
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Barley U
Starts:
Thu, 07/1/2021 - 1:00 pm
Ends:
Thu, 07/1/2021 - 5:00 pm
Location:
University of Minnesota, Plant Growth Facilities1552 Gortner Avenue
Falcon Heights, MN 55108
MDA is a:
Sponsor
Details:
Come join us and learn about what is happening in barley research at the University of Minnesota. There will also be a sneak preview of the new hop yard on campus. This event will allow you to hear from UM barley scientists, see research plots, and participate in hands on activities. All followed by delicious barley (and other) refreshments and a chance to socialize.
Kernza Field Day (Forever Green)
Starts:
Thu, 07/8/2021 - 1:00 pm
Ends:
Thu, 07/8/2021 - 4:30 pm
Location:
A-Frame Farm2484 Highway 40
Madison, MN 56256
MDA is a:
Sponsor
Details:
As the first commercially available perennial grain crop in the US, Kernza® perennial grain has the potential to change agriculture landscapes by providing valuable ecosystem services and new economic opportunities. Carmen Fernholz of A-Frame Farm, has been growing Kernza since 2011. A-Frame Farm manager, Luke Peterson, started growing and marketing Kernza in 2018, and now manages 30+ acres of the University of Minnesota (UMN) variety, MN-Clearwater.
This field tour is an opportunity for growers, processors, businesses, and others to learn more about Kernza® and its environmental benefits and economic opportunities.
In 2020, Carmen, Luke, and Kernza growers across Minnesota formed a co-op called Perennial Promise Growers Co-op (PPGC). Carmen, Luke, and others from PPGC will share the vision for the co-op and how they are working with industry and researchers to grow, market, and champion Kernza.
The Field Day tour will also include water erosion demonstrations from the Lac qui Parle Soil and Water Conservation District and a soil pit that will showcase the impressive Kernza root system. Food companies and culinary professionals will share how they are using Kernza and UMN researchers will be on-hand to answer questions about breeding, agronomics and economics.
We recommend wearing durable shoes or boots to walk through the field. This is a rain or shine event, so please dress accordingly.
Light refreshments that include Kernza will be served. A social hour will follow the tour, plan to stay for conversation and connection!
This event is free but registration is required.
About UMN Forever Green Initiative (FGI) and The Land Institute: University of Minnesota Forever Green Initiative has been engaged in research and development of this ground-breaking crop for several years in partnership with The Land Institute (Kansas), where the grain was first developed. The UMN and Land Institute research team includes ecologists, breeders, agronomists and food scientists working on everything from increasing seed size and yields to field trials and commercial opportunities.
Wilkin County Soil Health Demonstration Site Field Day
Starts:
Wed, 07/14/2021 - 9:30 am
Ends:
Wed, 07/14/2021 - 2:00 pm
MDA is a:
Sponsor
Presenter
External Contact:
Details:
Join us for an overview of the demonstration site as we highlight the soil, water and economic analysis for each tillage treatment (conventional tillage, strip-tillage, and no tillage). After lunch a number of demonstrations will be made, including the NRCS rainfall simulator, wind erosion simulator, Soil Your Undies, and more.
There is no cost to attend the event. If you are planning to stay for lunch please RSVP to the Wilkin Soil and Water Conservation District by July 9th. (218-643-2933 ext. 3 or Kimberly.melton@mn.nacdnet.net)
The site is located 1 mile north of Breckenridge, Minnesota. See the flyer for a map.
