Nicollet & Sibley County Ag News
April 2025
Spring Greetings!
Soil temps are rising and many folks are anticipating the planting of oats, spring wheat and
gardeners are looking to get "cool-season" crops such as lettuce, cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli, Brussels sprouts and onions in the ground.
The University of Minnesota has many crop and weather tools to use, Southern Research and Outreach Center Waseca weekly weather and crop updates April-Oct. Minnesota Weather Talk with Mark Seeley University of Minnesota Climate Adaptation Partnership.
Minnesota Department of Ag Soil temps
Check out the latest Minnesota Crop News with articles on small grain germination
tests and Ed Usset Grain marketing economist at the Center for Farm Financial Management
urges folks to get stored 2024 grains marketing before July of this year.
Egg Substitutions for Baking
Eggs are a uniquely versatile ingredient used in all kinds of cooking and baking, from sweet and simple to savory and complex. But egg prices have more than doubled between 2020 and 2025, causing many consumers to seek egg alternatives when they are harder to find and to save money on their grocery bills.
While there is no singular perfect egg substitution, many affordable plant-based ingredients can be used instead of eggs to create delicious baked goods. Egg substitutions for baking
Was this winter cold enough to reduce insect populations in 2025?
Cold winters help prevent many potential pest insects from establishing in Minnesota or require species that cannot survive our winters to migrate up from southern states each year. Extreme cold can also knock back species that are established here. The cold can be a welcome event for farmers from a pest management perspective and has left many farmers wondering if 2025 will see a reduction in pest numbers, especially now that meteorological winter is over. The forecasts for the 2025 growing season are mixed depending on specific location within the state. Read More
Upcoming Events
Avian Influenza Refresher: Small Scale Producers
Free Webinar
Register for zoom link: z.umn.edu/Flurefresher
This webinar will provide a refresher on the basics of Avian Influenza and an update on the spread of the disease. Learn practical strategies for protecting your livestock and yourself. Hear from University of Minnesota Extension, Minnesota Board of Animal Health, and Minnesota Department of Health experts
Annual Women's Ag Leadership Conference
8:00 am to 4:30 pm
Minnesota Landscape Arboretum
Network with agricultural leaders at the 27th annual Women’s Agricultural Leadership Conference (WALC) on April 9, 2025, at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum. This year’s WALC theme, “Rooted in Agriculture: Cultivating Leadership; Growing Together”, will focus on empowering participants to grow personally and professionally, ensuring a stronger and more resilient agricultural community. For the full conference brochure and more information, visit: https://www.womensagleadership.org/.
Colleen Carlson Extension Educator in Carver and Scott counties will be presenting an engaging mini-session on Annie’s Project at the Women in Ag Leadership Conference.
Wildlife Webinar Series: Forest Management for Wildlife
April 2, 9, 16
12-1pm
Free Webinar
This year’s series will explore how forestry management impacts wildlife habitats, economic decisions, and climate resilience.
Forests play a critical role in supporting Minnesota’s diverse wildlife, providing food, shelter, and breeding grounds at every stage of succession—early, mid, or late.
PreRegister for each session
z.umn.edu/EarlyForests4Wildlife
Agrivoltaics Webinar Series: Cattle Solar Grazing Research
April 29, 2025 at 700: p.m.
Free webinar
Register for zoom link: z.umn.edu/cattlesolargrazingresearch
Grazing livestock under solar panels has become an increasingly popular practice, often referred to as "agrivoltaics" or "solar grazing." This system involves the use of land for both solar energy production and livestock grazing. Hear from Drs. Brad Heins and Anna Clare Monlezun about cutting edge cattle grazing agrivoltaics research. Learn what the future of cattle grazing under solar panels looks like.
Connect with us!
Government Center 501 S Minnesota Ave St. Peter, MN 56082
507-934-7830
111 8th St. Gaylord, MN 55334
507-237-4100
Extension website: www.extension.umn.edu
Email: sschoenb@umn.edu