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Chouteau County

SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE AND NATURAL RESOURCES

Published: 2020
By Tyler Lane
Agricultural education and outreach for farmers was achieved through the Golden Triangle Cropping Seminar. Thirty-five producers learned about oilseed production, agricultural product marketing, alzheimer’s disease, web-based tools for agricultural producers, and fungicide efficacy in Montana crops. Five producers planned to use the Southern Agricultural Research Center web-based tools to assist with management decisions. If five producers managing 2,000 acres were able to save 50 pounds per acre in a urea fertilizer application, their cost savings could total $50,000. Integrated Pest Management (IPM) of Wheat Stem Sawfly and Ascochyta Blight was presented at Initial Pesticide Applicator Trainings in Hingham, Chester, Fort Benton, and Billings. There were 118 producers who were updated on IPM of the wheat stem sawfly and Ascochyhta blight in chickpeas. Producers developed knowledge and understanding of integrated pest management, promoting profitability, and sustainability of agricultural operations. After the update, they commented on the need to keep better records, use more rotational crops, scout their peas more, and learn about the Bobcat winter wheat variety and to learn how to better identify different insect infestations. Calibration of Sprayers (Shortcut Methods) was presented at the Initial Pesticide Applicator Training in Hingham. Producers were updated on calibration techniques and shortcut formulas to increase spraying efficacy. Producers developed knowledge and understanding of research-based calibration techniques, promoting profitability, and sustainability of agricultural operations. Integrated Pest Management (IPM) presentation of Pale Western Cutworm, Army Cutworm, and Wheat Stem Sawfly in Carter. Producers developed knowledge and understanding of IPM, promoting profitability, and sustainability of agricultural operations. One producer commented that they will scout fields more often. Pheromone traps were distributed and monitored for Orange Wheat Blossom Midge Monitoring (OWBM) and Wheat Head Army Worm (WHAW). Counts and sweeps were below threshold levels. Testing for soil moisture took place in Chouteau County on March 24-26. All winter wheat locations exceeded 3.5 feet of stored soil moisture. Stubble plots located in the southern regions near Geraldine, Great Falls and Highwood and other sites near the Knees and the Kenilworth highway had excellent recropping potential.
View of Square Butte