Connie’s Comments by Connie Strunk, Turner County Extension Educator—Agronomy  October 2, 2009

Just as soybean harvest was starting in the area, the rainy, cold weather of October had to arrive.  As I write this article most people that I have talked to have received over an inch of rain.  I don’t ever want to say we don’t need rain but this rain could have come at another time.  Sure, we like a good soaking before winter as there are areas that still could use some more moisture but not as we are just starting harvest.

When this dreary weather lets up and the fields dry out enough to harvest; don’t forget about controlling those pesky weeds.  There is still time left this fall to perform weed control.  You can either use mechanical methods or even apply an herbicide (it’s not too late).   

I have received a lot of interest in what product to use on thistles.  A product that is fairly new (only a couple of years old) has received very good reviews.  It is called Milestone (aminopyralid): Dow, and is labeled for pasture, rangeland, and CRP.  It is a “General Use” pesticide with an auxin-like growth regulator (group 4) which is similar to Tordon, Stinger, and Garlon.  It is highly effective on many noxious weeds (especially Canadians) but unfortunately NOT on leafy spurge or field bindweed.  Milestone can be used on non-irrigation ditch banks and seasonally dry wetlands but not over open water.  There is less soil persistence with this product and there is no grazing restrictions following application.  You should control thistles when they are in the rosette stage—which is now.

For other herbicide recommendations please refer to weed control publications: Weed Control in Grass Pasture & Range: 2006 (FS 525-P) on-line at http://agbiopubs.sdstate.edu/articles/FS525P.pdf or Weed Control in CRP Plantings: 2007 (FS 525-CRP) on-line at

http://agbiopubs.sdstate.edu/articles/FS525CRP.pdf.  For more information please feel free to contact me at the Turner County Extension Office at 297-3112.

For your information:  A dairy energy efficiency workshop is set for October 28, 2009 at the Brookings County Resource Center, located in the Swiftel Center Complex, just east of Interstate 29 in Brookings, S.D.  The workshop is free and starts at 10 a.m.  To register, call Extension Educators Jon Kieckhefer at (605) 696-8280, or Tracey Renelt at (605) 854-3851.  Topics covered include information on lighting and milk production, energy and water conservation tips, and a walk-through energy audit will take place after lunch at the SDSU Dairy Unit.

Make plans now for the I-29 Dairy Conference which will take place on January 21-22, 2010 in Sioux Falls, S.D. at the Best Westeren Ramkota Inn & Conference Center, 3200 W. Maple Street.  Registration starts at 3:30 p.m. on January 21, 2010 and costs $ 20 per person and includes materials and lunch.

Those who wish to register may also mail contact information and payment to Valerie Denison, SDSU Dairy Science Box 2104, Dairy Microbiology Building, Room 109, Brookings, SD 57007.

The 2010 conference is entitled “Sustaining our Dairy Families, Farms, and Rural Communities” and will feature numerous expert speakers.  Topics covered include:

•             Issues of family and business and considerations when the two collide.

•             Sustaining cow welfare.

•             Graceful transition strategies.

•             Sustainable dairy business options.

•             An update on dairy sustainability from Rick Naczi of the National Dairy Industry.

•             Supply management and free-market system questions.