Less than 10% of New Years’ resolutions are fulfilled!! Why? Because there are too many of them and too little commitment to fulfillment.

This year, let’s each of us have only one but be committed to it. Each of us should select ONE behavior we will change and commit to making the change!

The behavior could be a leadership or management or supervisory or relationship behavior. Examples include:

Constantly referencing the farm mission and values in giving feedback and explaining decisions.

Making a habit of providing excellent positive feedback to partners, employees, and family members.

Being careful to listen carefully—active listening—and allow the speaker to finish speaking before responding.

In decision making, always ask for others ideas, perspectives and opinions before presenting your own.

The behavior change could also be present. Examples include:

Developing and sticking with an exercise program.

Setting a higher priority on participating in or attending family members’ activities.

Eating more healthily.

To enhance the probability of success, you need to enlist the support of others. Sharing a goal, or in this case a resolution, greatly increases the probability of succeeding. Enlisting someone to assist you in sticking to the resolution increase the success probability even more.

Written by Dr. Bob Milligan, (LearningEdge Monthly) - Dairy Strategies.

Change One Behavior January 2017

Agricultural Newsletter

UW-Extension extends the resources of the University of Wisconsin system

to the people of Barron County.

We are located in the Barron County Government Center, 335 E. Monroe

Avenue, Room 2206, Barron, Wisconsin 54812.

715-537-6250

This newsletter is written and edited by:

Tim Jergenson, Agricultural/Agent.

Tim.jergenson@ces.uwex.edu

EXTENSION CONNECTION PAGE 2 OF 8

Grain Management in Low-Margin Years

Where: WITC Conference Center

1900 College Drive, Rice Lake, WI

When: Monday, February 13, 2017

Time: 10:00 am—3:30 pm

Soybean Inputs that Deliver the Highest ROI in a Low-Margin Year Shawn Conley, UW Agronomy, Soybean and Small Grains Specialist

How to Survive and Thrive on Current Corn Price Projections Joe Lauer, UW Agronomy, Corn Specialist

Practical Weed Management for Low-Margin Years Dan Smith, UW NPM, Southwest Regional Specialist

Fundamental Soil Fertility Strategies for Success Carrie Laboski, UW Soil Science, Soil Fertility/Nutrient Management Specialist

Private Crop Insurance Products can Enhance your Risk Management Strategy Gennifer Jesunas, Risk Management Officer - AgStar

Low Grain Prices = Smart Disease Management Decisions Damon Smith, UW Plant Pathology, Field Crops Pathology Specialist

Managing Insects Economically Using Conventional Hybrids and Thresholds Bryan Jensen, UW Entomology, Field Crops Entomology Specialist

Machinery/Technology Management and Tillage Considerations to Reduce Operational Costs Francisco Arriaga, UW Soil Science, Soil Science and Brian Luck, UW Biological System Engineering

Contact: The cost of this workshop is $15.00/person. Registration covers materials, handouts, and food. Call the Barron County UW-Extension Office at 715-537-6250 to register by February 8th. Contact Tim Jergenson if you have questions at 715-537-6252.

Sponsors:

EXTENSION CONNECTION PAGE 3 OF 8

Milk Quality Honor Roll Congratulations to these diary farm families for producing high quality milk during December 2016!

HERD NAME #COWS SCC (1,000) HERD NAME #COWS SCC (1,000)

Jerry and Tricia Smith (1) 3 60 Kevin Splett 52 143

Robert and Sally Vincent 28 27 Bill and Norma Rousar 50 71

Kahl Farms 6 32 Jerry and Tricia Smith (2) 14 142

Mike and Lori Boesl 261 59 Dean Frisle 69 78

Gehl Acres Farm 133 65 Breezy Hill Dairy 646 108

Dority Valley Dairy 109 121 Berglane 41 107

Henk Dairy 43 72 Hunt Family 18 74

Gordon & Michele Mashaem 55 37 Rod Ray 54 105

River Valley Farms LLC 112 100 Kuhl Acres IV LLC 86 105

Nelson Farms 104 148 Karl Paquette 48 74

Jerry and Tricia Smith (3) 17 122 Ronald Wirth 50 136

Brian and Amy Corbett 31 140 DND Dairy 133 141

Grain Management Registration Form

WITC Conference Center, 1900 College Drive, Rice Lake, WI 54868 February 13, 2017

10:00 am – 3:30 pm

Name: _______________________________________ Phone Number: ___________________

Address: _________________________________________________________________________

City: ______________________________________ State: ______ Zip: _________________

Email: ___________________________________________________________________________

Cost: $15.00/per person. Make checks payable to: UW-Extension.

Mail registration form to: Barron County Extension Office, Barron County Government Center, 335 E. Monroe Avenue, Barron, WI 54812.

Registration deadline is: February 8, 2017.

Contact Tim Jergenson if you have questions at 715-537-6252.

EXTENSION CONNECTION PAGE 4 OF 8

Hay Market Report . . . December 27, 2016—UW-Extension

UW-EXTENSION EXTENDS THE KNOWLEDGE AND RESOURCES OF THE UNIVERSITY TO THE PEOPLE WHERE THEY LIVE AND WORK. Cooperative Extension is part of the University of Wisconsin System and a division of University of Wisconsin-Extension.

Cooperative Extension helps people throughout the state acquire knowledge and skills to …

Solve problems in their businesses and farms.

Improve their local governments and neighborhoods.

Enhance the quality of their families’ lives.

Use natural resources responsibly.

Help their children grow and learn.

Extension people work in partnership with people in county, state, federal, and tribal governments; community

organizations; volunteers; business; and industry. With faculty in every county and on UW-campuses, Cooperative

Extension gives Wisconsin citizens quick and convenient access to University research and knowledge.

Hay Grade

Bale type ---------- Price ($/ton) ----------

Average Minimum Maximum

Prime (> 151 RFV/RFQ) Small Square 210.00 170.00 240.00

Large Square 172.00 100.00 240.00

Large Round 84.00 84.00 84.00

Grade 1 (125 to 150 RFV/RFQ) Small Square 164.00 80.00 250.00

Large Square 119.00 70.00 160.00

Large Round 79.00 60.00 105.00

Grade 2 (103 to 124 RFV/RFQ) Small Square No Reported Sales

Large Square 88.00 65.00 120.00

Large Round 67.00 38.00 100.00

Grade 3 (87 to 102 RFV/RFQ) Small Square No reported sales

Large Square 55.00 55.00 55.00

Large Round 48.00 5.00 75.00

EXTENSION CONNECTION PAGE 5 OF 8

Farmers of the Barron County Watersheds Meeting

“ Soil Health – The Cornerstone of Profitability” sponsored by Farmers of the Barron County Watersheds will be held Monday, January 30, 2017 at the Ridgeland Community Center, 200 Diamond Street, Ridgeland, WI. Registration is at 10:00 am, Lunch at 12:00 pm and the workshop concludes at 2:30 p.m. Please RSVP by 1/25/2017 to: 715-837-1669 or via email hamernik@chibardun.net

Profitability and sustainability need to be the driving forces of a farming operation. Profitability is a process — not an event. Profitability is simply income minus cost. Income can be increased by improving yields, quality and price. Input cost can be reduced and sustainability improved by focusing on improving and managing healthy soils. Soil health is the cornerstone of profitability.

10:00 am Registration – Coffee and Donuts

10:30 am Welcome and Introduction of Guests

10:35 am Kickoff of day by WI Deputy Secretary of Ag Jeff Lyon

11:00 am Speaker Don Reicosky Soil Carbon Management to Improve Soil Health

Noon lunch and presentation of cover crop rebate checks

1:00 pm Speaker Fransisco Arriaga The Role of Soil Aggregation for Crop Production

2:00 pm Open forum Q & A for attendees and presenters

Featured speakers are:

Don Reicosky – Soil Carbon Health and Long-term Profitability

Don Reicosky is a retired Soil Scientist from the USDA-ARS, North Central Soil Conservation Research Laboratory, Morris, MN, and adjunct Professor in the Soil, Water and Climate Department, University of Minnesota, St. Paul. He has conducted basic research in soil and water conservation for 42 years with the recent emphasis on carbon cycling, carbon management and tillage impacts on soil carbon. His early research dealt with soil-water-plant-atmosphere relationships, with an emphasis on measuring evapotranspiration, photosynthesis and plant water-status as related to soil water deficits and tillage. Later research focused on environmental quality issues related to tillage and residue management with emphasis on soil carbon management and losses of carbon dioxide following intensive tillage. The research findings demonstrate environmental quality issues associated with tillage and residue management and have helped emphasize the importance of soil carbon management and use of conservation agriculture or no-till to minimize carbon losses in agricultural production systems. Francisco Arriaga - The Role of Soil Aggregation for Crop Production

Francisco J. Arriaga is an Assistant Professor and Extension Soil Scientist in the area of Soil and Water Management with the University of Wisconsin-Extension and UW-Madison. His interests include the impact of soil management practices on crop productivity, soil hydraulic properties, soil health, water quality, and overall economic and environmental sustainability. Francisco holds a B.S. in Soil Science from the University of Puerto Rico-Mayagüez (“maja’ywes”), a M.S. in Agronomy and Soil Science from Auburn University, and a Ph.D. in Soil Science in the area of applied soil physics from UW-Madison. Prior to joining UW-Madison in 2012, Francisco worked as a Research Soil Scientist with the USDA-Agricultural Research Service for 9 years on issues related to tillage, soil amendments, cover crops, and soil health. He serves in different capacities on several professional societies and is the author/co-author of over 48 scientific publications.

EXTENSION CONNECTION PAGE 6 OF 8

Calendar of Extension Events—Save the Date

Farm Succession Webinars—January—March, 2017 UW-Extension will be offering a farm succession webinar series this winter. Future dates and topics are:

Jan. 26, 2017 – Estate planning – Bridget Finke, Attorney, Valley Crossing Law (1-3 p.m.)

Feb. 23, 2017 – Long Term Care: Planning for My Future Needs – Steve Shapiro, Medigap Insurance Specialist, State of Wisconsin Board on Aging and Long Term Care and the Wisconsin Office of the Commissioner of Insurance (1-3 p.m.)

March 23, 2017 – Medicaid Eligibility and Recovery – Anthony Schmoldt, Attorney, Schmoldt Law Office (1-3 p.m.)

These webinars will be held at the Barron County UWEX Office.

Rice Lake Area Farm Show—January 17-18, 2017

“The biggest little farm show in Northwestern Wisconsin.” The Rice Lake Area Farm Show is held at Cedar Mall in Rice Lake, WI from 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. each day. Free parking and no admission. For two days each year the Cedar Mall is filled with the latest in modern farm equipment, dairy supplies, and other agricultural products. Stop by the UW-Extension booth to visit the Agricultural Agents from Barron, Burnett, Sawyer & Washburn counties.

Holstein Breeders Annual Meeting—January 25, 2017

The Barron County Holstein Breeders Association will hold their annual meeting on Wednesday, January 25, at 11:45 am at Barron Electric Coop, 1434 State Hwy 25 N., Barron, WI 54812.

A complimentary meal will be served followed by a business meeting. The business meeting will include a review of 2016 activities as well as planning for the upcoming year.

A Representative from the State Holstein Office will be present. R.S.V.P. to Dean Frisle at 715-455-1212 or Jeff Wille at 715-234-4593 by January 20th.

EXTENSION CONNECTION PAGE 7 OF 8

Calendar of Extension Events - Save the Date

Shepherds’ Clinic offered by the Indianhead Sheep Breeders Association—February 4, 2017

This annual workshop continues to be one of the largest educational events for sheep producers and 4-H & FFA youth in the upper Midwest. The 2017 Shepherds’ Clinic has expanded to include goats as well as sheep. Themes of the Shepherds’ Clinic will focus on Profitability—Sustainability—Genetics/Reproduction/Flock Health and Youth Education. The keynote speaker is Susan Schoenian, Sheep and Goat Specialist, at the Western Maryland Research & Education Center, University of Maryland Extension. Schoenian is a nationally known expert specializing in profitable & sustainable sheep and goat production systems. Additional speakers include Dr. Justin Luther, UW-River Falls, Maria Bendixon, Chippewa Valley Technical College, Marlin & Cammy Subra, sheep producers, and Tim Jergenson, UW-Extension-Barron County.

For more information visit the Indianhead Sheep Breeders Association website at https://indianheadsheep.wordpress.com/. Register for this program at http://barron.uwex.edu/. Click "2017 Shepherds’ Clinic and Tradeshow" at the website to register.

CAFO Workshop—February 9, 2017

This year’s Confined Animal Feed Operation (CAFO) workshop will be held at WITC , 1900 College Drive, in Rice Lake on Thursday, February 9, 2017 beginning with lunch at 11:30 a.m.. This workshop is intended for Wisconsin Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (WPDES) permitted CAFO owners, managers, consultants, nutrient management plan writers and key staff. It is presented by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, Wisconsin Department of Agriculture and Consumer Protection, and University of Wisconsin-Extension. Farmers considering a CAFO permit are encouraged to attend this workshop. C.E.U credits are available for Certified Crop Advisors. To register for the CAFO Workshop call the Barron County UW-Extension Office—715-537-6250.

Pesticide Applicator Training—January & February 2017 Private Pesticide Applicator (PAT) Training sessions for 2017 have been scheduled for Barron, Polk, and Dunn Counties’ for new and recertifying producers. Applicators of Restricted-Use Pesticides also have the option to take the exam self-study any time by making an appointment with the UW-Extension office nearest you. Sessions are scheduled to begin at 10:00 a.m. and conclude around 3:30 p.m. Please contact the respective UW-Extension office for further details. Trainings are scheduled for: Tuesday, January 31st, at the Polk County Government Center, 100 Polk County Plaza, Balsam Lake Thursday, February 16th, Barron County Government Center Auditorium, 335 E. Monroe Avenue, Barron February 8th and 27th, 9:30 AM, Dunn County UW-Extension office, Menomonie

Private Pesticide Applicator Training is designed for those individuals engaged in agriculture and planning to purchase restricted use pesticides. An open book exam is given, and to be certified, participants need 50% correct when attending a training session and 70% for self-study. You must attend the whole session to qualify for 50% grading. For more information about Private PAT go to www.ipcm.wisc.edu/pat or contact the Barron County UW-Extension office at 715-537-6250, Polk County UW-Extension office at 715-485-8600 or the Dunn County UW-Extension office at 715-232-1636. Individuals are asked to pre-register and pick up materials at their Extension office. It is recommended materials be picked up one week before the session in order to prepare for the exam. Cost is $35 per person.

UW-EXTENSION

Barron County Government Center

335 E. Monroe Avenue, Room 2206

Barron, WI 54812

University of Wisconsin-Extension provides equal opportunities in employment and programming including Title IX and ADA requirements.

NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION U.S. POSTAGE PAID BARRON, W1 54812

BULK PERMIT #74

ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED

What’s Inside…

Change One Behavior

Grain Management in Low-Margin Years

Milk Quality Honor Roll

Hay Market Report—December 27, 2016

Farmers of the Barron County Watersheds Meeting

Calendar of Events—Save the Date