Small Farms

By Betsy Wieland
Extension Educator, Hennepin County

Recording expenses, labor, and sales records is an incredibly important part of good management for any farming enterprise. This can be very challenging in the middle of farming and come market day is often the last thing on the 'To Do' list. A 'Farmers Market Sales Log' was created to help assist farmers get started with sales record keeping at Farmers' Markets. Collecting this information is a great start for understanding your production costs. It can then use this to make many, many decisions regarding your farm business.

A Farmer's Market Sales Log template, with an example, is available online at http://z.umn.edu/7v5. It is one example of the types of records that can be kept. The log can be printed and filled out as often as is helpful, but is designed to be used at each market day. This can be done for any product, whether it's produce, meat, baked goods, etc. Their data can then be compiled, hopefully monthly, but at least at the end of the growing season. Sections that are not useful can be skipped. If the log does not seem useful, at a minimum a person could write down product brought to market, product not sold, and money collected. That will provide some measure of profitability.

For questions or comments, please contact Betsy Wieland, Agriculture Extension Educator, Hennepin County at (612) 596-1175 or eliza003@umn.edu.

By Mike Donnelly
Extension Educator, Rice and Steele Counties

The University of Minnesota Extension fields a number of questions regarding soil fertility and soil testing. The local Extension offices and the Farm Information Line offer soil testing assistance and are primary links to the University of Minnesota Soil Testing Laboratory, which provides routine soil testing and fertilizer recommendations for homeowners, farmers, florists, nursery workers and a number of other groups.

Soil testing, in any type of agricultural or horticultural landscape, can provide a number of benefits. A soil analysis takes the guesswork out of fertilizer recommendations, makes good economic sense and ensures fertile soil without excess fertilizer application. Based on the results of the University of Minnesota Soil Testing Laboratory, the local Extension offices and the Farm Information Line can provide advice and consultation with specific soil conditions.

Soil testing kits, which include sample bags, collection recommendations and a soil sample information sheet are available at your local Extension offices or by contacting the University of Minnesota Soil Testing Laboratory. Instructions for sampling soil in both small and large landscapes are also offered. After the sample has been collected it can be mailed or delivered to the University of Minnesota Soil Testing Laboratory on the St. Paul Campus.

The sample will be processed and analysis will be provided in the selected area. Along with the returned soil test results, recommendations are provided for nutrient application. If assistance is needed to interpret the recommendations or soil test results, please visit your local Extension office or call the Farm Information Line at 1-800-232-9077.

More information regarding soil testing through the University of Minnesota can be found at http://soiltest.cfans.umn.edu.

By Janelle Daberkow
Extension Educator, Stearns and Benton Counties

Row covers come in various sizes, are made from various materials, and are used for different purposes by vegetable growers. Row covers include plastic covered trenches, floating row covers and hoop-supported row covers. They are made of light-weight materials such as polyethylene (poly), polyester or polypropylene, and may be vented or unvented. Vegetable growers can use row covers to drape over individual plants, or enclose plants in rows or groups. The cover "floats" directly over the top of the crop, allowing air, sunlight, and water to penetrate the material, but protecting plants from outside pests. Plants beneath row covers without vents are often irrigated with drip irrigation. Floating row covers can be purchased through mail order seed catalogs as well as from garden supply companies and at some local garden centers. An advantage of using row covers is that they can usually be reused for two to three years.

Row covers made of heavier materials can offer frost protection to crops in the fall, and also allow for earlier season plant establishment in the spring by holding temperatures 4- 10 degrees warmer under the protection of the row cover. Crops, such as radishes, lettuce, spinach, broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, peas, Chinese cabbage, beets, carrots, turnips and parsnips, can be seeded directly into the garden and covered at planting time by the row cover. Row covers made of lighter weight materials can be used as a pest barrier around plants by keeping insects, rabbits, deer, birds and other nuisances out.

Row covers can be secured to the ground with sod pins, boards, bricks, sand bags, rocks or soil. It is important to leave enough slack in the row cover so that growing plants can push it up. Plants that are well suited for row covers include: lettuce, spinach, radish, broccoli, cabbage, carrots and cauliflower. Other crops such as Swiss chard, beets, potatoes and snap beans can be grown under row covers, but since are growing through the hottest part of the summer and it may be necessary to remove the row covers by mid-June to prevent heat from building up around plants.

Some disadvantages of floating row covers are that pests that overwinter in the soil can become trapped under the row covers. These pests include: aphids, whiteflies, mites, trips, root maggots, flea beetles or Colorado potato beetles. Cultivating the soil before planting to reduce the number of surviving insects, and rotating crops from year to year will help with insect populations. Temperatures under floating row covers can increase dramatically, and temperatures can become too warm during hot days for plants. Also, weeds grow fast under floating row covers. It is necessary to pull the row covers back to hand-weed or hoe weeds out. It is possible to apply mulch around plants to keep weeds down. Finally row covers are difficult to use with tall plants, and covers need to be removed from plants such as tomato, pepper and eggplants, cucumbers, squash, melons, and pumpkins, when they begin to flower.

By Wayne Martin
Extension Educator, Alternative Livestock Systems

ST PAUL, Minn. (5/10/2012) -- Sheep are a great animal to raise on farms both large and small, and large numbers aren't necessary to make it worthwhile. That fact is demonstrated by the USDA Statistical Service (NASS) numbers released for 2011. Of all sheep operations in the USA, 94% of those were comprised of flocks in the range of 1-99 head, and farms with 1-99 head accounted for 35% of the inventory.

It's fairly easy to get started with sheep, and and the potential for profitability is good. Sheep numbers continue to decline throughout the USA, while demand remains strong, which has resulted in record prices for market lambs. In response to increased interest, the Small Farms U Program at the University of Minnesota is offering a workshop on basic sheep management practices, that will be held on Monday, June 4, 2012, from 5:00-9:00 p.m., on the St Paul Campus, at the Beef Cattle Barn, located on the corner of Buford and Gortner Avenues.

This workshop is designed for the person who has little experience raising sheep, but is thinking about starting a flock, or already has a sheep but feels that more management skills would be a worthy investment. It will be taught by Kyle Rozeboom, Livestock Specialist in the Animal Science Department. Topics to be covered include, but are not limited to the following:

Vaccinations - How and When to Administer
Parasite Control
Hoof Care
Overview of a Sheep Management Calendar

The workshop starts with a dinner of roasted lamb, prepared by the University of Minnesota Meat Science on the St Paul Campus. Dinner will last from 5:00-5:30, then we'll begin covering the topics listed. Students will observe, and depending on the number of participants in the class, may have the opportunity to practice the processes as well.

Pre-registration is strongly suggested. Cost of the workshop is $25/adult, $30/couple or business partners, and $10/student.

Please contact Wayne Martin at marti067@umn.edu or (612) 625-6224 for questions or to register.

By Nathan Winter
Extension Educator, McLeod and Meeker Counties

Spring is the time that most homeowners work towards controlling lawn weeds. Pre-emergent herbicides are often used to control crabgrass and other spring germinating weeds. Typically, the best time to apply pre-emergent herbicides for lawn weeds is the middle of May. However, timing should be moved up in 2012 due to the above normal temperatures this spring. Pre-emergent herbicides can be purchased to help control those populations. Follow the label requirements for application and be sure that the product is labeled for the use you have intended it for.

Some gardeners are now using corn gluten meal because it acts similar to pre-emergent herbicides by inhibiting weed seeds from germinating. Corn gluten meal also contains a source of Nitrogen fertilizer. For best results, apply 20 pounds of corn gluten meal per 1,000 square feet and lightly water into lawn. Be sure to not apply these pre-emergent herbicides to areas where you have planted seed or plan to plant seeds. These pre-emergent herbicides are not selective for which types of seeds they stop from germinating.

According to the University of Minnesota Extension, post emergence herbicides may be applied any time the weeds are actively growing, the air temperature is 60-80 degrees F, there are no winds, and there is no rain in the forecast for 48 hours. Most effective control of perennial broadleaf weeds is obtained when applied in early fall (August 15-October 15) or in spring (May 1-June 1). For some weeds, repeated application at 20-30 day intervals may be required for control.

For dandelions, use 2, 4-D or a combination of 2, 4-D, MCPP (Mecoprop), and dicamba can also be utilized. The ideal timing for applying these products for dandelion control is September. If your weed control approach is to control dandelions in the spring, apply chemical after they have finished blooming in May. The non-chemical option is to manually dig out the plants. A weeding fork, dandelion diggers may be a couple of options for that task. Get as much of the dandelion root as you can so the dandelion does not start growing again.

For creeping charlie, use a combination of 2, 4-D and MCPP or a combination of 2, 4-D, MCPP, and dicamba. The ideal timing for applying these products to creeping Charlie is in September or autumn once temperatures have cooled to the 60's and 70's. If your weed control approach is to control creeping charlie in the spring, apply chemical while the temperature remain cool and the plant is actively growing in the beginning to middle of May. The non-chemical approaches are to pull the plant out or utilize a dethatching rake. It may be necessary to start over with the lawn if the creeping charlie gets out of control.

Most other broadleaf weeds can be controlled by herbicide applications of 2, 4-D and/or a combination of 2,4-D, MCPP, and dicamba. It is always a good idea to know what you are spraying to be sure that the herbicide will control the desired pest. The herbicide label should list the weeds it will control. Another herbicide option is to utilize a non-selective herbicide like glyphosate. Use of these types of products should only be used when spot spraying targeted weed pests. Drift on to lawns and ornamental plants will injure or kill the desired plants as well as the targeted weed pests.

A healthy lawn is very important to limit the competition of lawn weeds. Work on improving the lawn while trying to slow down and eliminate weed competition. Try to seed grass into bare areas of the lawn, fertilize, and aerate your lawn to help it compete against the weeds. When using chemicals, read and follow all of the directions for using the specific product. If you are looking for further information contact the Extension Office in McLeod County 320-484-4303 or Meeker County 320-693-5275.

By Janelle Daberkow
Extension Educator, Stearns and Benton Counties

Care in the selection of the vegetable varieties you will be growing is important for many reasons. The selection of the varieties you choose to grow and sell should be taken after considering several different aspects of your production. First, consider what the market and consumer demand is for your area. Are the varieties you are growing popular and well received from your consumers? Are the consumers you are working with interested in something new or different? Next, consider your operation. Are the varieties you are growing performing well under your growing conditions? Are you pleased with how they are performing? Is the production schedule of these varieties suitable for your operation and consumer demands? And finally, consider if the varieties you are growing have any disease or insect resistance.

Certainly growing situations are very different for each grower, each location, and each year's conditions. But now, with advances in technology, we have the ability to extend the growing season by using high tunnels or row covers, select superior genetics in plants that have disease and insect resistance, and ultimately have a wider selection of varieties to choose from. Many vegetables have been bred for disease resistance, with a good example being tomatoes. Tomato varieties have different disease resistance that is identified on the seed package as V= verticillium wilt resistance, F= fusarium wilt resistance, T= tobacco mosaic virus, amongst others.

A resource available online for commercial growers has had an update release for 2012. The Midwest Vegetable Production Guide for Commercial Growers can be found online at: http://www.btny.purdue.edu/Pubs/ID/ID-56/ This is a very useful resource for growers across the Midwest. This is an updated version of an already existing resource that has been created by Extension and University Research stations in from six different states across the Midwest. Another very helpful resource specific to varieties for Minnesota gardeners and growers can be found here: http://www.extension.umn.edu/distribution/horticulture/DG1425.html

So what should you do when selecting vegetable varieties? Do your research. Talk with colleagues, seed representatives and local growers and educators to gather as much information as possible about your options. Experiment by growing one or two different varieties or cultivars each year. Look at trying new varieties as an opportunity, rather than a chore. Consider surveying your consumers on their likes and dislikes on your experimental varieties, and ask them what else they would like to see from your products. Develop a relationship with the local seed representative so they can be a reference source for you, and can help to fill in any gaps that are not covered in a seed catalog. Collect and document previous year's data on sales, production, and performance. Information is power, so knowing what your consumer response is to your products, as well as how each variety fared with production and sales has infinite value, and will help to propel you into future years of production. Don't be afraid to take risks from year to year and measure how you fare, rather than being forced to take a huge risk when conditions are forced upon you.

By Jerry Tesmer
Extension Educator, Fillmore and Houston Counties

When the grass started greening up, it also meant other less welcome plants will soon be appearing. Normally, early May is excellent for early season pasture weed control, but if this weather trend continues, consider moving the timing up. Plants that are easily controlled when small and tender become more difficult to control as they mature. Also, early control of pasture weeds allows more grass to grow and the pasture will support additional grazing.

There are a many broadleaf weeds to be concerned with, but Bull Thistle, Musk Thistle, and Canada Thistle seem to be most common. The good news is the process of controlling thistles often controls other broadleaf weeds.

Bull Thistle and Musk Thistle are biennials, which mean they take two years to complete their life cycle. They form a rosette (a flat group of leaves at ground level) and store food in their roots the first year and flower (produce seed) the second year. Control measures, chemical or mechanical, are most effective when applied during the first year's growth. If treatment is delayed until the second year, early season application of herbicide before bloom is important. In most cases you will have both years present in your pasture.

If you have only a minor problem with scattered plants, mechanical control can be effective. The rosettes are too generally too low to be mowed effectively, so digging the first year plants is your most dependable method. The second year growth can be mowed, but multiple trips will be needed to successfully prevent the thistles from producing flowers. Once you have flowers, you have seed. As a perennial, Canada Thistle can be a tougher weed to deal with. It not only produces seeds, it also spreads by underground rhizomes.

If you chose to use herbicide control, a number of choices are available. I counted fourteen options in the Grazing Restriction Table (page 41) in the U of M Extension Publication Plants Commonly Found in Established Minnesota Horse Pastures. Check it out at http://www.extension.umn.edu/ click on Agriculture, than Horses. Horse pastures have the same weeds as cow, sheep, and goat pastures.

Anytime you use herbicides reading the label is a must. The label will list any precautions and grazing limitations for milk and meat animals. However, many labels do not list horses. Extension Educator Krishona Martinson suggests horses should be excluded for seven to ten days after spraying.

This is another good argument for splitting pasture into multiple paddocks, not only will you increase grazing productivity, you have an opportunity to control weeds in each paddock When the animals are rotated out of a current pasture into a new one use that opportunity to dig, mow, or spray your thistles.

If you are trying to maintain a legume in your pastures, be aware that any of the broadleaf herbicides will eliminate both alfalfa and clovers. Mechanical control or spot spraying will be your only alternatives.

By Jerry Tesmer
Extension Educator, Fillmore and Houston Counties

Each year, about 100 farm children die across our country as a result of work-related injuries. Sometimes parents overestimate their child's ability to perform dangerous jobs. Before asking your child to perform any task or chore, ask yourself: Is my child physically and mentally prepared to handle the task at hand? Most child development experts suggest waiting until a child is at least age 12 or 13 before you allow them to operate a tractor or perform other potentially hazardous jobs. Even then, kids need adequate training and supervision.

By Jerry Tesmer
Extension Educator, Fillmore and Houston Counties

Farmers know the limitations of their machinery. The general public may not! Tractors generally travel no faster than 25 miles per hour. Machines at this speed are identified to motorists on the road with a Slow-Moving Vehicle (SMV) Emblem. The SMV emblem has a central orange triangle. The orange triangle was designed to be eye-catching during daylight hours. The orange triangle is bordered by red strips of reflective tape. The red strips are visible as a hollow red triangle when illuminated by low beam headlights up to 600 feet. Check you SMV signs this spring before field work begins!

By Jerry Tesmer
Extension Educator, Fillmore and Houston Counties

Research shows that after every two hours of work, we should take a 15 to 20 minute break. This break can relieve stress and increase focus of what we are doing. Data shows that injuries occur more often in late morning or late afternoon after farmers have been working for several hours. A short break in the middle of the afternoon will decrease your chances of having a serious farm accident. After such a break we are more rested and more mentally alert.

Instead of thinking of downtime, think of a nap as a good risk management tool. The average farm accident can cost upwards of $20,000 in medical bills and lost productivity. Operator downtime pays because there are fewer errors, injuries, and even deaths when a body is well rested.