Agriculture & Horticulture

MSU Richland County Extension to Host Winter Series

Families and Legacies: Challenging Decisions. Do you know who will receive your property if you pass away without an estate plan? Do you how title on your real and personal property impacts who receives it upon your death? If you don't know the answer to these questions or even if you think you know, attend a presentation by Dr. Marsha Goetting, Montana State University Extension Family Economics Specialist. She may surprise you with the answers to those two questions. She will also explore how you can avoid probate with payable on death designations (PODs), transfer on death registrations (TODs), and transfer on death deeds (TODDS) for real property. The session is a part of MSU Richland County Extension's February Winter Series and will be held on Wednesday, February 8, 2023, starting at 6:00 p.m. in the upstairs room at Meadowlark Public House, Sidney, MT. This presentation is applicable for all Montanans, not just agriculture producers!

Initial Training

Individuals wishing to obtain a Montana private applicator license can attend an Initial Applicator Training on February 15, 2023, at the MSU Richland County Extension Office. This seven-hour event covers pesticide basics and is followed by an ungraded exam. New and expired applicators are encouraged to attend. Additionally, recertification pesticide credits will be offered to individuals who currently hold a Private Applicator License; 3 credits will be available for the morning session and 3 credits will be available for the afternoon session. Call 406-433-1206 for more information or to register by February 13th.

Master Gardener Level 1

MSU Richland County Extension will be offering Master Gardener Level 1 beginning on February 21, 2023. This 7 week class covers a variety of horticulture topics. The cost of the class is $75 which includes all materials. Call 406-433-1206 for more information. 

MonDak Ag Days & Tradeshow

MonDak Ag Days & Tradeshow is set for March 2nd & 3rd at the Richland County Event Center. The Banquet will be held Thursday night at the Sidney Elks Lodge. Pesticide points are pending. There is more information to come.

The schedule for educational topics include:

• Thursday, March 2nd 
• 10:00 AM - Drainage Tile: Do's and Do Not's, Jerry Weiland
• 11:00 AM - Getting More Bang for Your Fertilizer Buck, Dr. Clain Jones, MSU Extension
• 1:00 PM - Prussic Acid & Nitrates in Forages, Marley Manoukian, MSU Richland County Extension
• 2:00 PM - Updates to Medically Important Antibiotics, Gary Schieber, High Plains Veterinary Clinic
• 3:00 PM - Cattle Market Update, Katelyn McCullock, Livestock Market Information Cener

• Friday, March 3rd
• 10:00 AM - Input Costs & 2023 Projections, Ron Haugen, NDSU
• 11:00 AM - Value Added Agriculture Opportunities, Hailey Vine, Eastern Montana Food & Ag Development Center
• 12:00 PM - Preemergent Herbicides & Modes of Action, Charlie Lim, NDSU Extension

Remind Pesticide Messages

Do you want to stay up to date on pesticide credit information? Join the Richland County Private Applicator group to receive credit information directly to your phone via a text message. You do NOT need a smart phone and you do NOT need to download any apps. Simply text @27pest to 81010 and you will be added to the group. 

MSU Richland County Extension Ag Services

The Extension Office provides the following services in house:

• Plant ID

• Insect ID

• Plant Disease Diagnostics

• Forage Nitrate Testing

• TDS Water Quality Testing

The Extension Office is able to assist in: 

• Soil Testing & Result Interpretation

• Forage Testing & Result Interpretation

The Extension Office has the following tools available for check out:

• Hay Probe

• Colorado Hay Probe

• Soil Probe

• Live Trap