rlstew2
-
As I fed horses last week, I happened upon a turtle hanging out near the pasture. While I haven’t been able to figure out what species he was, it got me thinking about what species he potentially could be based on known species in our region. One of the best resources I know of to…
Posted in: Uncategorized -
As we head into fall, it is time for homeowners and producers alike to start thinking about soil testing for the next year. Whether you’re looking to improve pasture or hay production or just have a backyard garden, getting soil nutrition right early on is key for avoiding growth and production problems later in the…
Posted in: Uncategorized -
Pollinators are a vital part of a balanced ecosystem and critical to the well-being of humans. There are over 100,000 different varieties of insects and over 1,000 other species that serve as pollinators. These species are essential for the reproduction of over 225,000 different flowering plant species, including over 150 food crops. The annual value…
Posted in: Uncategorized -
I’ll never forget the first honey bee lecture I ever attended- at the time, I was working for Purina Animal Nutrition, and the presentation focused on their feeding and nutrition. Since then, I’ve always found honey bees to be a fascinating and important topic given their role as pollinators and honey producers. While I can’t…
Posted in: Uncategorized -
My sister has a houseplant obsession- last time I visited her, she had no fewer than 20 houseplants in her kitchen and living room! Indoor plants are a popular addition to any home, and research shows that they actually offer both physical and psychological benefits like mood improvement, stress relief, increased concentration, and visual appeal.…
Posted in: Uncategorized -
It seems our dry spell has finally been broken with a few inches of rain falling in the past few weeks- thank goodness! As we start getting even more wet and humid weather however, the prevalence of plant diseases will start to increase, as most pathogens prefer these environmental conditions. I get daily updates reporting…
Posted in: Uncategorized -
Do you own grazing livestock? When’s the last time you soil tested, limed and fertilized? What is the proper height for you to graze your fields? How long should pastures rest between grazing events? How can you extend your grazing days and store less forage for winter? If you aren’t sure how to answer these…
Posted in: Uncategorized -
Extension offices get busy this time of year with lots of calls and questions about problems in all kinds of plants, from ornamental trees and shrubs, to flowering ornamentals, to home gardens- you name it, we get called about it. One of the most common calls we get every year is in reference to…
Posted in: Uncategorized -
It’s no surprise that everything is more expensive right now- from feed, fertilizer, fuel, groceries- everything you name is feeling the pressure of inflation and other global market shifts. About a month ago, I started chatting with some clients about what these increases mean for agriculture on a broad scale, and the more conversations I…
Posted in: Uncategorized -
Summer is a great time of year to be a gardener as bright sunshine and warm days encourage plant growth and development, but it’ also the time of year that Extension offices get an increase in calls about plant diseases and pest problems. One of the most common problems I hear about is called blossom…
Posted in: Uncategorized