Marilyn Thelen                                                                        Clinton Conservation District
 989-224-5240                                                                                      989-224-3720, ext. 3
  thelen22@anr.msu.edu                                                           www.clintonconservation.org
December 2015 


In This Issue
Greetings,

As we wrap up the harvest on 2015 it is time to reflect on the success and challenges of the 2015 growing season and prepare for the coming year.  This issue will guide readers to an abundance of resources available to aid producers in planning for 2016. 

News and Notes lists many educational programs offered in the Mid-Michigan area.  Producers can prepare for pesticide certification tests, as well as, attend meetings reviewing current research on crop production and pest management.  Details and registration for MSU Extension programs offered across the state can be found on MSU Extension News events page at http://msue.anr.msu.edu/events

MSU Extension is pleased to provide research to inform management decisions.  Reports of land values, variety trial and soybean production trials were recently released.  You will learn where these reports can be obtained in this month's issue of News & Notes.

News & Notes is a publication of both MSU Extension and the Clinton Conservation District.  In 2016 News & Notes will be published quarterly with e-updates sent during the growing season as needed.  Please feel free to pass this newsletter along to others. To subscribe to the e-mail version of News & Notes , issue, simply send an e-mail to walke628@anr.msu.edu with News & Notes in the subject line. 

Your friends at MSU Extension and the Clinton Conservation District would like to extend a heart-felt Merry Christmas and wishes for a safe and prosperous New Year to you and your family.

Sincerely, 
Marilyn L. Thelen, Sr. Educator                                   John Switzer, Executive Director
Integrated Cropping and Livestock Systems               Clinton Conservation District
Michigan State University Extension

Events and Happenings
December 8 - 10, 2015 -  Great Lakes Expo , Grand Rapids

December 8, 2015, March 8, June 14, & September 13, 2016 - Milk and Grain Marketing Series, Mt. Pleasant

December 14, 2015 -  Stored Grain Management and Fumigation Training, East Lansing, 4 RUP credits (fumigation certification)

December 15, 2015 -   2015 Integrated Crop and Pest Management Update , East Lansing, 6 CCA credits , 6 MDARD credits (1A, Commercial or Private Core), 1 MAEAP Phase 1 credit pending

December 16, 2015 - 2015 Thumb Ag Reviews, Birch Run, 3 RUP credits (1A, Commercial or Private Core) and CCA credits 

December 22, 2015 - Grain Market Update Webinar, contact Dennis Stein steind@msu.edu or 989-672-3870

December 22, 2015 -  Dairy Market Update Webinar, contact Dennis Stein steind@msu.edu or 989-672-3870


January 12, 2016 - Pest and Crop Management Update Meeting, Alma, CCA and RUP credits pending

January 13, 2016 - Energy Conservation: Impact on the Bottom Line, St. Johns

January 14, 2016 - Pest and Crop Management Update Meeting, Frankenmuth, CCA and RUP credits pending


January 19, 2016 - 2016 Bean & Beet Symposium, Saginaw



January 21 - April 28, 2016 - Master Gardener Program, Flint

January 27 - 28, 2016 - 2016 Great Lakes Crop Summit, Mt. Pleasant, 8 RUP & 10 CCA available for both days, Phase 1 MAEAP Credit

February - March 2016 - Field Crops 6-week Webinar Series, 1 RUP (pending approval) for each webinar (1A, Commercial or Private Core), more details to come


February 4 - 6, 2016 - 2016 Great Lakes Regional Dairy Conference, Mt. Pleasant 

February 8, 2016 - Focus on Forages, Mt. Pleasant

February 11, 2016 - Pesticide Review and Test, Owosso, registration required for the test, study materials available in the office, 3 RUP credits

February 11, 2016 - Isabella RUP Review and MDA Exam, Mt. Pleasant, contact Paul Gross at 989-317-4079 or grossp@anr.msu.edu

February 17, 2016 - Focus on Forages, St. Johns

February 23, 2016 -  Pesticide Review and Test, St. Johns,  registration required for the test, study materials available in the office, 3 RUP credits


March 22, 2016 - Pesticide Review and Test, Ithacaregistration required for the test, study materials available in the office, 3 RUP credits

April 13, 2016 - Managing and Marketing your Woodlot, Mt. Pleasant, contact Paul Gross at 989-317-4079 or grossp@anr.msu.edu 


April 27, 2016 - Managing and Marketing your Woodlot, Gladwin, contact Kable Thurlow at 989-426-7741 or thurlowk@anr.msu.edu

April 30, 2016 - Managing and Marketing your Woodlot, details to come

Looking for the most current information from Michigan State University? 

Just released are the 2015 publications Michigan Land Value and Leasing Rates, Corn and Soybean Variety Trials, as well as the SMaRT research report.  The publications provide research based information to can guide decisions as plans are put in place for the 2016 season. 

The 2015 Michigan Land Values and Leasing Rates is now available on-line. Call 989-224-5241 if you would like a hard copy.

Michigan State University (MSU) has collected information on land value and leasing rates since 1991.  The compiled report serves as a snapshot of values for the sale and leasing of lands in Michigan.   In 2015, the state average value of tiled, field crop land was $4,635. This is expected to drop 2.8% next year.  Cash rent in Michigan averaged $122/acre, range $52 - $158.  For complete information on land values in regions around the state and for various crops, spend some time this winter reviewing this report. 


The 2015 Michigan Corn Hybrids Compared Bulletin is now available on-line Call 989-224-5241 if you would like a hard copy.  

The Michigan State University Department of Plant, Soil and Microbial Sciences conduct hybrid corn trials each year in cooperation with Michigan State University AgBio Research stations, seed corn companies, and farmers to determine yield 
and quality performance.

It's been a good corn year.  Thanks to Bill Widdicombe and Lori Williams for completing the project.



The 2015 Michigan Soybean Performance Report is now available on-line.  Call 989-224-5241 if you would like a hard copy.  

This is a result of a cooperative effort of Michigan State University, Michigan State University Extension and the Michigan Soybean Promotion Committee. This information will help you to make informed critical choices for your 2016 soybean crop. Publication and distribution of this report is provided by checkoff funds through the Michigan Soybean Promotion Committee. A searchable database is available at www.soybeanyielddata.msu.edu .
   



The 2015 SMaRT Research Report is available online and will be mailed to soybean producers on January 2, 2016.

This year marked the 5th season for Soybean management and Research Technology (SMaRT) program. During the 2015 growing season 65 producers, participated in 11 projects, resulting in 86 individual trial locations.  This program is unique in that the projects are identified with farmer input represent some of the most to get at the important challenges faced by farmers.  The projects address in the 2015 program included: broadcast gymsum, planting rate, row spacing, Clariva Complete seed treatment, potassium thiosulfate starter fertilizer, Blackmax 22, white mold foliar fungicide comparison, Endura white mold foliar fungicide, Priaxor foliar fungicide, foliar tank mixture, and intensive soybean management.
Paige Filice, Watershed Coordinator Clinton Conservation District

If you prefer to have a real Christmas tree there is no doubt about it Michigan is one of the best places to be. Michigan ranks third in the United States for the number of Christmas trees harvested and is home to over seven hundred Christmas tree growers. Annually 3 million fresh trees are harvested in Michigan for an estimated worth of $40 million dollars. Historically Michigan led the nation in Christmas tree production, when Scotch pine was the most popular variety of tree. Scotch pine trees grow well in northern Michigan soils and climate, where traditional crops are not as viable.

Due to the improvement of artificial trees and changes in consumer preference of tree species, Christmas tree harvest in Michigan has declined. In more recent years consumer's preference for Scotch pine trees has decreased causing many Michigan Christmas tree producers to modify their operations. Michigan now leads the nation in the variety of Christmas tree species offered and consumers in Michigan are lucky to be able to choose from 14 different Christmas tree varieties.

Artificial trees are thought, by some, to be a more sustainable option due to the notion that Christmas trees are cut down from forests. However, approximately 98 percent of all Christmas trees are grown on tree farms throughout the United States and typically they are grown on farms that cannot support other crops. Christmas trees are grown specifically to be cut down and decorated, and for each tree harvested 1-3 seedlings are planted in its place. Oftentimes real Christmas trees can be recycled and reused for mulch, bird feeders, hiking trails, fish shelters, and more.

There are many factors that can be considered when analyzing if real or artificial Christmas trees are more sustainable. Plastic trees are generally made of polyvinyl chloride, or PVC, a product derived from petroleum. They are neither biodegradable nor easily recyclable and can even sometimes contain lead. Another factor to consider is transportation and greenhouse gas emissions. Around 85% of artificial trees are manufactured and shipped from China, usually on diesel-fueled ships. As a general rule of thumb it will take between 8-12 years for an artificial tree to compete with the carbon benefits of a one real Christmas tree. The typical household replaces an artificial tree every 6 years.

Interested in starting a Christmas tree farm or growing your very own Christmas tree? Every spring and fall the Clinton Conservation District sells popular Christmas tree species including White pine, Norway spruce, Blue spruce, and White spruce.

Whether you prefer a real Christmas tree or an artificial one no one can argue that Christmas trees are an important aspect of Michigan's agricultural economy.

For more information visit www.clintonconservation.org or call 989-224-3720. 
EAST LANSING, Mich. - Michigan State University Extension has long been a source of information and education for Michigan residents. Along with MSU AgBioResearch scientists, Extension professionals throughout the state are asking Michigan residents to help them determine where they should place their emphasis in the future. 

"This organization belongs to the people we serve," said Ray Hammerschmidt, MSU Extension interim director. "We want to make sure that we are meeting their needs throughout the state by sharing research and education that will make a difference to them, their communities, their families, their business and their farms."

To that end, MSU Extension has launched an online survey asking all Michigan residents about their needs and priorities. The MSU Extension and AgBioResearch Survey to Sharpen Our Focus online survey that will supplement 14 upcoming face-to-face meetings throughout the state that will engage nearly 500 residents.

"We have designed a series of meetings that will bring together people from all over," said Maggie Bethel, the former MSU Extension director who is charged with overseeing the process. "But it is important that we don't limit ourselves to the people we see in person. The online survey gives everyone a chance to participate in the process."

As an added bonus, respondents who complete the survey will have the option of entering a drawing that includes two  MSU men's basketball game tickets (date and time to be determined), a basket of Michigan-made agricultural products and a $75 gift certificate to shop.msu.edu. 

To participate, access the survey from the front page of msue.msu.edu or by visiting  msue.msu.edu/focus. All information collected is anonymous. Once completed, a separate link will be provided to those who wish to enter the drawing.

"We don't want people to feel any hesitation about providing information," Bethel said. "Therefore, we will not retain names or contact information except for the purposes of the drawing. That database will be not be kept once the winners have claimed their prizes."

To learn more about MSU Extension, visit msue.msu.edu
MSU Extension News Digests Online Digests
Want to stay updated on various MSU Extension topics? Sign up for news digests online 

Contact: Beth Stuever, 517- 884-7097 stuever@anr.msu.edu

 

EAST LANSING, Mich. - Since March 2011, Michigan State University Extension (MSUE) experts have published the latest research and education in one convenient online location. Now you can get that same timely information delivered right to your email inbox.

 

Visit bit.ly/MSUENews, and follow the prompts to get customized email digests. Digests are electronic newsletters of recent articles published on the MSU Extension website. You can unsubscribe or change your areas of interest anytime. The digests contain information oncategories including agriculture, business, community, family, food and health, lawn and garden, 4-H and youth, and natural resources. Each category has multiple subcategories, so subscribers can narrow down their choices to fit their specific interests. For example, a field crops farmer might choose the categories of field crops, farm business and bioeconomy.

 

Learn more about MSU Extension at msue.msu.edu.

Michigan State University Extension | | thelen22@anr.msu.edu | http://www.msue.anr.msu.edu
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St. Johns, MI, MI 48879