Burke County, ND News

Dan Folske
Extension Agent/Burke County
August 6, 2008

GMO vs. Organic
Genetically Modified Crops and Biotechnology versus natural and organically produced crops.

On one side of the issue are scientists, producers, consumers, businessmen, and politicians who claim increasing global populations and the corresponding increased need for food production means the world needs to use every possible means available to continue to increase production. On the other side are scientists, producers, consumers, businessmen and politicians who claim that bio-technology and modern farming methods are ruining the nutrition of our food products, endangering our resources, and setting the world up for a catastrophic crops failure.

Who is right? Who is wrong? I don’t believe either side is entirely right or wrong. I don’t believe anyone will argue that global population is not increasing or that the land in agricultural production is shrinking in most areas of the world. Urban growth tends to happen most on highly productive acres. Dams built on major rivers to control flooding, provide hydroelectric power and to supply drinking and irrigation water often flood highly productive farmland along river bottoms.

Organic and natural crop production proponents argue the history of compounds like DDT, which almost caused extinction of many predatory bird species, including the bald eagle, when DDT, concentrated through the food chain caused thinning of the egg shells and reduced reproduction rates. They seldom mention the millions of lives saved from the control of malaria and other diseases carried by mosquitoes. They often point to reduced genetic diversity in today’s crops and vegetables. It is very true that a small number of varieties of wheat now dominate wheat production in North Dakota and similar instances of a few varieties dominating production are common thought the world in a wide variety of crops and geographical areas. Is this solely because of bio-tech and modern agriculture? I don’t think so. Even a backyard gardener looks for varieties which will maximize his or her production. While a backyard gardener may often grow a particular variety just because it is a little different, an individual who depends on his or her crops for their major income source is going to grow more of the varieties which maximize income whether that income is from wheat, corn and soybeans on a large farm or from carrots, cucumbers and others vegetables sold through farmers markets, direct sales and sales to local restaurants and grocery stores.

On the side of bio-technology, proponents point to increased food production with pesticides and fertilizers and the need for further production increases. They talk about increasing the rapidity of variety development to offset new crops disease or insect threats though the use of bio-technology but they say very little about the escape of GMO genes into wild species or the unintended spread into other crops varieties through contamination or pollen drift. While many bio-tech proponents are very concerned about these problems and work to prevent them, they do occur and no one can predict exactly what consequences they may or may not have on the future.

It is easy for someone with a full stomach to say we should not use certain technologies to attempt to increase food production. It is more difficult to convince someone who is watching their children starve because of a widespread crops failure. It is easy to see that pesticide use can have unintended consequences even when used correctly. It is not so easy to tell someone whose child is severely ill with West Nile disease that you don’t believe in spraying for mosquitoes.

The real purpose of this article is not to promote one side of the issue or another, but simply to make you think about a very complex issue.

Common Tansy Added to Noxious Weed List

The Burke County Weed Board has added Common Tansy (tanecetum vulgare) to the county noxious weed list. This means that landowners are required to control this weed. Under the North Dakota Weed Law control means stopping the production of seed and preventing propagation through mechanical, cultural or chemical control methods.

This plant is an introduced species which was once common in gardens and flower beds. It was used for medicinal purposes and also has some insecticidal properties. It gradually spread into shelterbelts and around the edges of wetlands and other noncrop areas at an ever increasing rate. Over the last fifteen years it has spread faster and faster as it became more adapted to our area. It has also been brought into the area in CRP grass seed. With changes in crop production systems it is now moving into cropland where it can be extremely difficult to control in no-till and direct seeding systems. It is found in all areas of the county but is most severe along a line from Bowbells to Portal and extending north and south of that line for about three miles. The Burke County Weed Board has mapped many of the sites (Click for Map) where this weed is found and that information is available to landowners and producers.

Common Tansy is a non-woody perennial which slowly spreads by roots and by seed. It typically grows up to 4 feet tall, with established plants having a bush like appearance from multiple stems. Right now it can be easily seen as last years stems remain standing well above any grasses around it. During the growing season it has a bright green fern like leaf and gets clusters of yellow flowers in July and August. Photos of this weed can be found on the Burke County website at www.burkecountynd.com.

Mechanical methods of control include mowing, cultivating, and hand digging. Cultural methods would include burning and possibly intensive grazing. It can be poisonous to livestock but is generally unpalatable. It does not tolerate the extreme hoof action of intensive grazing rotations which does not allow seedling to get established and may prevent seed production from established plants.

Chemical in non-cropland can be easily accomplished with high rates of dicamba (Clarity or Banvel), Tordon, Milestone, and Escort or Ally (metsulforon). The Burke County Weed Board will be offering costshare on Tordon and Escort for common tansy control.

For more information or to discuss a management plan and costshare contact the Burke County Extension office at 377-2927

Peggy Anderson
Extension Agent/Burke-Divide
August 8, 2008

Balance Your Beverages

With football practice starting and volleyball not far behind I’d like to share with you some information from the Eat Right Montana, a coalition promoting healthy eating and active lifestyles. They provide 4 delicious ways for you to balance your beverages.

Whether you are young or old, it’s time to rethink what you are drinking. Overall, we drink way too many high-calorie, nutrient-poor beverages, such as soft drinks, sweetened teas and fruit drinks, sports drinks, and so called “energy” drinks. Over-consumption of these sugary beverages may contribute to our weight problems, since liquid calories don’t seem to register very well in our brains. At the same time, we are not drinking enough nutrient-rich, low-fat milk - packed with protein, calcium, and other body building nutrients (such as vitamin A and D, magnesium, potassium, and phosphorus). Here are four smart tips to support strong bodies and smart brains at ALL ages.

Drink plenty of refreshing, calorie-free water. Water does the body good. Without any unnecessary calories, it helps your muscles and brain stay hydrated - for optimal physical and mental performance. It also keeps your stomach, intestines, and kidneys functioning smoothly - so you can digest your food efficiently and get rid of waste effectively. How much water you need depends on your size and activity level; larger, more active folks need more. Drink enough for your urine to be mostly colorless and odor-free.

Drink nutrient-rich, low fat milk three times a day. Milk isn’t just for kids; it’s just as essential for moms and dads. Nutrient-rich dairy foods help build and maintain healthy bones and teeth for a lifetime; they may also help build muscle mass, maintain a healthy weight, and lower high blood pressure risk. For the most nutrients with the least fat and calories, go for fat-free (skim) or low-fat (1%). An 8-oz. glass at each meal is an easy way to 3-a-day. Like chocolate milk? Stick with low-fat and enjoy all the same nutrients as plain.

Drink 4 to 6 ounces of 100% fruit or veggie juice a day. While 100% juice can be a great source of several nutrients, it is possible to get too much of a good thing. Fruits and veggies are much better ways to get vitamins, mineral, and fluids. Whole produce tends to be more satisfying, plus you get the added value of fiber and phytonutrients from the skin and pulp. Want an easy way to extend the flavor of juice? Mix pure fruit juice with sparkling water or herbal tea; add a zesty lemon or lime wedge - maybe a sprig of mint.

Drink other beverages with care. Notice that the folks from Eat Right Montana have left a long list of other, expensive high-calorie beverages for last? That’s because most other drinks are loaded with things we don’t need, while offering very little of what our bodies actually crave. Soft drinks, sweetened teas and fruit drinks (as well as many sports and “energy” drinks) are loaded with calories and sometimes caffeine. Fancy coffee drinks are often surprisingly high in calories, fat, and sugar. Here are some ways to manage the “other” category:

• Be a label reader and nutrition investigator: Check calories, caffeine, sugar, and fat before your drink. If the numbers you want aren’t on the label, call the manufacturer’s toll-free number or visit their web site.

• Steer clear of the super-charged “energy” drink: Watch for label warnings, since some brands have excessive levels of caffeine for youth and pregnant women. Do not consume any beverage that has alcohol mixed with caffeine.

• Stick with small sizes or share larger ones: Moderation is always a smart way to treat your body well.

Schedule:
Wednesday, August 13 - Burke County
Thursday, August 14 - Divide County
Friday, August 15 - Burke County
Monday, August 18 - Burke County
Tuesday, August 19 - Divide County

Pat Tinjum
Burke County JDA Director
July 11,2008

Burke County Birding Festival Recap Article
People came from 11 different states to attend the third annual Burke County Birding Festival held June 20-21 at Lostwood National Wildlife Refuge (NWR).

Birders of all skill levels, nature enthusiasts, youth of all ages, neighbors and new friends with a passion for the outdoors and learning about the flora and fauna at Lostwood NWR were treated to picture-perfect weather and surrounded by breathtaking prairie vistas as they participated in the events at the festival.

Throughout the day-and-a-half festival, more than 170 people including volunteers and visitors were present. This number surpasses last year’s total attendance of 117 by quite a margin.

Pat Tinjum, JDA Director, was especially pleased to see the number of youth who had fun while learning by participating in the Junior Birder sessions Friday afternoon as well as the Youth Wildlife Adventures Saturday morning. The Friday youth activities were led by Jackie Jacobson, Outdoor Recreation Planner at Audubon NWR Complex in Coleharbor, and on Saturday Connie Mueller, the Wildlife Biologist at Lostwood NWR, led the activities. These two talented leaders along with a team of knowledgeable FWS employees made learning fun. There were smiling faces all around as the participants built bird houses, bird nests, and got downright messy at times while learning about wildlife that surrounds us all.

This year participants saw 73 species of birds on the guided tours, including some of the most sought-after species like Baird’s sparrow, LeConte’s sparrow, and the piping plover. Guides, Karen Smith, Corey Ellingson, Darrel Rytter and Russ Rytter shared their expertise with the tour groups and everyone was happy to report on what they saw. The festival has been very fortunate to have such experienced, talented guides – the result is a positive experience for everyone.

"I’m thankful that the Powers Lake School District allowed us to use two buses and for the volunteer bus drivers, Dennis Dosch and Dave Haugen, who got up before the birds to have those buses at the refuge," stated Tinjum. "I’m also grateful for generosity of Karen Schwartz, Administrator at the Baptist Home of Kenmare who for the third year has donated two buses and drivers for the festival. The drivers of these buses, Joe Ethen and Byron Kerbaugh of Kenmare, have been driving for the festival since year one – they too get up bright and early to make the trek to Lostwood NWR. This kind of dedication and community-minded support help to make the Burke County Birding Festival a success."

The festival had great participation in the featured seminars. Darrel Rytter, an experienced birder and guide from Kenmare, presented an interesting and informative session on Friday called "Birding 101 – How to use bird identification guides." Many people learned valuable information on ways to use bird guides and the six mental notes to take while looking at a bird which make it easier to later find it in a guide.

Connie Mueller presented "Piping Plover Recovery – How is it done?" to a near-capacity crowd. The audience got a lesson in what her team does, why they do it, and how they go about the important job of working with piping plover recovery at Lostwood NWR. Mueller did an excellent job informing participants on what is being done to aid these birds in fledging a higher number of chicks.
Friday afternoon’s Prairie Wildflowers and Grasses Walk led by Connie Mueller, Karen Smith and Doug Leschisin, was as popular as ever. It was full-capacity tour groups that went out into Lostwood NWR to observe the waving seas of native grasses and flowers; habitat that is unique and vital to the grassland birds.

Saturday morning following the guided birding tours, Floramay Miller of Bismarck presented "Bird Spotting." This interesting presentation was a terrific opportunity to learn how to identify many birds in a second as they fly past, dart away, or as you zoom along the road. This seminar was based on Roger Tory Peterson’s common sense approach to teaching in a few hours things he had learned through years of experience.

Also Saturday morning Nate Carle, Avian Strike Team Technician from Lostwood NWR, presented a seminar on Avian Influenza in northwestern North Dakota followed by an interesting talk on his research on seabird productivity in southwestern Alaska. Carle’s talk sparked lively and thought-provoking questions and his photographs were excellent!
Don’t forget about the food, refreshments were provided through-out the festival and thanks to generous donations from Burke County business sponsors a delicious catered lunch was served at noon Friday. All the attendees complimented on the provisions. What an example of Burke County hospitality. “The support we’ve received from Burke County business owners is phenomenal – we couldn’t have done this without them,” remarked Tinjum.

Tinjum visited with a birder from North Carolina who told her this is the best birding event he has ever attended. "His comment made my day as he has been birding all over the world," stated Tinjum. "Even without being told, I have always thought that we have a world-class birding festival. For the most part it is because of the birds and the ‘jewel’ of Lostwood NWR. However, it also takes a lot of dedication, hard work, volunteers and good partners to produce a quality event."

The primary partners in the festival are Lostwood NWR, Burke County JDA, and the Lostwood Birding and Nature Association, a locally-formed nonprofit corporation whose purpose includes promoting the understanding and appreciation of our natural environment and our area history by supporting environmental education in northwestern ND and to serve as the support/advocacy group for Lostwood NWR. Tinjum stated that the JDA Board are major supporters of the birding festival and they are pleased to see the number of visitors it brings to Burke County. "I value our partners and enjoy working with the volunteers and staff at Lostwood NWR,” stated Tinjum.

The dates for next year have been set, June 19-20, 2009, and planning will soon be underway. Check the Burke County website (www.burkecountynd.com) for details as plans progress or call the JDA office at 701-377-5627 for information.
"I hope you will plan to come out to Lostwood NWR and get ‘Lost In Birding’ at the fourth annual Burke County Birding Festival. You’ll be glad you did!" exclaimed Tinjum

For more Burke County news, visit www.cndnews.com