MSU Extension hosts agriculture education events

Published: 2022
By Sharla Sackman

MSU Extension hosted four agricultural education events for producers in Prairie County in 2022. In January, guest speakers traveled across Southeastern Montana for the MSU Extension Winter Series, cooperatively planned by MSU Extension agents in Prairie, Dawson, Wibaux, Fallon-Carter, Powder River, Rosebud-Treasure, McCone, Custer, and Garfield counties. Topics presented in Prairie County included pest identification and sampling techniques, landscaping practices for Montana Gardens, and beef production strategies to optimize the use of low-quality feedstuffs. Winter Series continues to be the largest adult education event in Prairie County. July and September field tours focused on noxious and invasive weed management. An annual tour helps educate producers about noxious weed management. Tour topics included range recovery following drought, invasive species management following a fire, invasive weed management in rangelands, and biological control of noxious weeks. Prairie County MSU Extension works cooperatively with the Prairie County Grazing District and local producers to plan an annual range tour featuring researchers from Fort Keogh Livestock and Range Research Laboratory. In 2022, topics included information on current research being conducted at Fort Keogh, composite breed stability, range recovery following fire, grazing management during drought and precision agriculture technology. Producers have formed relationships with researchers at Fort Keogh as a long-term result of hosting tours over the years and report using those experts for advice in their livestock operations.