Farming

Late January brought USDA’s Cattle Inventory report, which provided an estimate of cattle numbers across the US. As expected, beef herd liquidation continued during 2011, despite the stronger fall markets. The severe drought that plagued much of the southern plains pushed many cows to slaughter and forced many ranchers to reduce their herd size. Estimated beef cow numbers fell by three percent, which is the largest single year decrease in many years.

Gardeners get anxious this time of the year. Warm one day, cold the next, the sun coaxes open a little patch of crocus by the path or we catch sight of an old landscape filled with waves of blooming white snow drops.  
This year, the show is sure to come early and the forsythia are not the first to bloom, despite this oft cited sign of spring. There are other early bloomers to keep us occupied until spring truly arrives.

The Harrison  County Conservation District along with the Natural Resource and Conservation Service will be hosting a Conservation breakfast meeting on Friday, Feb. 17 at the Cooperative Extension Office.
This program will be extremely informative for all Harrison County landowners to become better aware of the programs available to assist them with their farm operations. Even though this meeting is geared towards our county landowners, all county residents are welcome to attend. Breakfast will be served at 7:30 a.m. and the program will take place from 8-10 a.m.

This year has started unusually warm and wet. So much so that grass is beginning to green early than past seasons. With young green grass it is thought to be an advantage but it also carries the risk of grass tetany for cow/calf producers.