Attend Extension Beef Cow-Calf Days in early February

By Ryon Walker, University of Minnesota Extension (Ryon Walker is a beef educator with University of Minnesota Extension)

ST. PAUL, Minn. (1/12/2010) — The University of Minnesota Extension Beef Team will host the 2010 Minnesota Beef Cow/Calf Days at 10 locations across Minnesota during the weeks of Feb. 2-5 and Feb. 8-12. The winter programs are designed for cow and calf producers.

The programs provide up-to-date information on issues and technologies being used within the beef industry, and create an atmosphere for critical thinking, experiences and discussions.
Each year, topics presented at Cow/Calf Days are selected based on producer surveys from the previous year, and on current issues related to the beef industry.

Five southern location meetings are scheduled Feb. 8-12 as follows:

• Feb. 8, Fish Lake Resort, Mora, 5:30-9:30 p.m., U of M - NCROC, (218) 327-4490
• Feb. 9, Minnewaska House, Glenwood, 9:30-3 p.m., Kandiyohi County Extension, (320) 231-7890
• Feb. 10, Minn. West Comm. & Tech College, Pipestone, 9:30 a.m.– 3 p.m., Pipestone County Extension, (507) 825-6715
• Feb. 11, La Quinta Inn, Rochester, 5:30-9:30 p.m., U of M - NCROC, (218) 327-4490
• Feb. 12, KC Hall, New Prague, 9:30-3 p.m., Le Sueur County Extension, (507) 357-8230

Topics will include:

• Current Beef Team research and education updates, with Extension Beef Team
• What’s to know about grazing systems, with Paul Peterson – U of M
• The basics and cost of developing heifers, with Dan Larson – Great Plains Livestock Consulting, Inc.
• The economics behind the cow, with Ryon Walker – Extension Beef Team
• Panel: Keeping the younger generation in the beef business, with invited speakers and beef producers

POSTPONED - Federation Board Meeting

The Federation Board meeting that was scheduled for tonight (Monday, January 25) has been rescheduled to Tuesday, February 16 at 6 pm at the Extension Office. Stay warm and safe!

4-H-Related Boredom Busters

Many area schools are closed today! Are you bored???? If so, here is some 4-H related items you can do to pass the time -

• Set your project goals for the year
• Work on your 4-H Annual Reflection Reports (Records!)
• Take the "Club Meeting Experience" Survey
• Answer a "Big 4-H Question" (see previous blog post for questions to answer)
• Post comments on the Waseca County 4-H Blog
• Come up with a coloring contest design for Waseca County 4-H Week
• Start planning a Share the Fun skit
• Work on your Market Beef ID's
• Search "4-H Curriculm" on the web - find activities based on projects you are in to complete
• Study for Livestock Interviews
• Work on your projects
• Invite a friend to your next 4-H Club Meeting

Coloring Contest Designs Needed

Calling all those with artistic talent! We are in need of a design for a coloring contest that will be held as part of Waseca County 4-H Week (April 10-17). Guidelines to the contest can be found below or on the Extension website under “Publications”. Entries are due to the Extension Office by February 26th.

Guidelines:

1. Any Waseca County 4-H Member can participate
2. Designs should be on 8½” x 11” white paper
3. Designs must have a 4-H-related theme or something that would promote Waseca County 4-H Week
4. Print your name and club on the back of the submission
5. Submissions should be placed in a manila envelope (do not fold submission!) and labeled “Coloring Contest Design Submission” and mailed/dropped off at the Extension Office
6. Submissions are due NO LATER than February 26, 2010
7. The winning design will be selected via a poll/comments here on the blog or by a panel of community members
8. The design winner will receive a prize to be given away at the 2010 Share the Fun event
9. Questions regarding Coloring Contest designs should be directed to Amy at the Extension Office (507-835-0604 or amy.nelson@co.waseca.mn.us)
   

POSTPONED - Building/Maintenance Committee Meeting

The Building Upkeep/Maintenance Committee Meeting that was scheduled for Thursday, January 21 at 6:30 at the Extension Office has been POSTPONED until Tuesday, February 2nd at 7 pm at the Extension Office.