Beef Talk: May calving brings May flowers

Change is good. Three things have happened at the Dickinson Research Extension Center besides a good rain. The work environment is more relaxed, cows and calves are doing well and costs seem to be going down.

Weather, prices hurt sugar industry

GRAND FORKS – A tough year in the sugar beet business became even tougher this week.

Cattle producers should be aware of grass tetany

Sufficient rainfall (greater than average in some regions) has many North Dakota pastures set for abundant, rapid forage growth this spring.

Dairy Focus: Reducing shrink with feed yard management

What is shrinkage? It is the amount of feed delivered to or raised on the farm that is not consumed by the cattle for which it was intended.

Planting conditions much improved in Minnesota

ST. PAUL — A miserable start to spring planting for Minnesota farmers has greatly improved with a stretch of better weather.

White House says more farm subsidy cuts needed

WASHINGTON — The Obama administration said Monday it wants to see more cuts to agriculture subsidies in a massive farm bill moving through the Senate this week.

Spotlight on Economics: NDSU developing commodity trading room and financial laboratory

The NDSU Agribusiness and Applied Economics Department is developing a commodity trading room (CTR) and financial laboratory. NDSU has a growing focus in commodity marketing and finance and risk management and this initiative will help it expand its expertise.

Prairie Fare: Son’s graduation prompts food for thought

“They grow up in a blink of an eye,” our friends with grown kids would remark a bit wistfully when we arrived with a stroller carrying our bright-eyed baby boy.

Ag calendar (May 17)

FARGO – Dakota Global Food Solutions of Fargo has scheduled a hazard analysis – critical control point training seminar Wednesday and Thursday at the Chieftain Conference Center in Carrington, N.D.

Rosmann: Are there beneficial uses for alcohol?

The earliest known production of alcoholic beverages dates back at least 9,000 years to a type of grog brewed in China, archeologist Pat McGovern said in a 2011 Smithsonian Magazine article authored by Abigail Tucker.

Pet care: Dogs reacting to shot

Dear Dr. Fox: In October, we had our two beagles get their rabies shots from a veterinary house-call service. Two weeks later, neither could stand, and they dragged their rear ends on the floor. The vet said they probably had arthritis.

Kovels: Children’s toys reflect times

Children’s toys often tell us how times have changed. Canada stopped making pennies last year, so saving money a penny at a time will soon be a problem in Canada. The United States also may stop making pennies, since the cost of the copper in a single coin is more than one cent.

• Speaking Dog bank

Hatton couple’s Beaver Creek Bed & Breakfast gives city people a new experience

HATTON, N.D. - After her children grew up and moved away, Shelley Wold missed the feeling of a full house, so she opened Beaver Creek Bed & Breakfast in Hatton this year with her husband, Kevin.

• Beaver Creek Bed & Breakfast

Beef Talk: How do we get the next generation to raise beef:

"Cattle and crops: Together we stand, divided we fall." Among the numerous commentaries on agriculture, is that really true?

Minnesota livestock producers face forage shortage

ST. PAUL — Minnesota livestock producers could be facing a forage shortage this spring.