Welcome to the Southwest Research and Outreach Center

available, for inventories as well as 2013 production.
 

Total costs of corn production on cash rented acres including direct costs, overhead, labor and management averaged $4.90 per bushel for Southwest Minnesota according to FINBIN data at the Center for Farm Financial Management at the University of Minnesota for 287 farms in 2012. If there are further cost increases as many experts expect in 2013 this could easily put breakeven production costs at well over $5.00 per bushel at typical long‐run yields. As of May 8, prices offered at area grain elevators ranged from $4.79‐$4.87 per bushel mid‐week for new crop/fall delivery corn. While these prices currently may still cover most direct and overhead costs, prospects for returns to labor, management and for profits do not look positive. A delayed start to corn planting due to cold and wet weather has triggered much speculation on the possibility of switching corn acres to soybeans. However, at this time new crop/fall delivery soybean prices are at $11.54 per bushel and average 2013 breakeven cost of production on cash rented acres is projected by some to be at that price or higher. Weather throughout the corn and soybean belt can continue to bring many surprises for 2013. Read the entire article (pdf).   

Congratulations to Molly Werner, SWROC Executive Office and Administrative Specialist, on receiving the 2013 ROC Initiative Award. This award is given to ROC staff whom promotes excellence in work performance that leads to extraordinary or significant positive project or program outcomes. Molly was recognized for her work as a key contributor in the process of diversifying the makeup of the staff and faculty at the SWROC. She has been the go-to person for all matters related to hiring personnel as it relates to following procedures, filing paperwork and serving on search committees. Thank you Molly, for a job well done.

SWROC Program Improves Agriscience Program in Schools  

Written by Wendi Wendt, Regional Communication Specialist with Wide Open Thinking

Lamberton, Minn. – Minnesotans have long been committed to improving the quality of the state’s education system, making it a priority in many communities. Today, there are fewer students pursuing science-based fields of study. Without igniting a spark of interest early on, engaging students in these fields becomes more difficult. That’s why the University of Minnesota’s Southwest Research and Outreach Center (SWROC) has developed a program to make that effort easier.

Funded by North Central Region - Sustainable Agriculture Research & Education (NCR-SARE), the Sustainable Inquiry Research and Education Network (SIREN) program at the Southwest Research and Outreach Center (SWROC) conducts training for K-12 teachers and provides them with curriculum and teaching materials to incorporate in their classrooms. SIREN integrates experimental teaching strategies into sustainable agriculture projects designed by producers and experienced scientists. This program offers science and agriculture teachers the opportunity to work with area producers, connect with scientists, attend workshops and increase understanding of the inquiry process. MSR&PC’s Education Chair, Vernon Pooch says the program gives a tremendous advantage for students. “They’re learning about nutrient deficiencies and soil pH using state-of-the-art equipment. Through SIREN, we’re able to give kids opportunities they wouldn’t have gotten otherwise.” 

Southwest Research and Outreach Center (SWROC) Head, Pauline Nickel presented the new experimental equipment; a balance, pH meter and other smaller equipment to Westbrook-Walnut Grove, Wabasso, Lafayette Charter, and Worthington High Schools and applauded program supporters.  “Minnesota Soybean is a huge contributor to this program and it’s vital to recognize the farmers who support this project through the soybean checkoff. We wouldn’t be able to do what we do without their dedication to our education system.” Cottonwood County soybean farmers, Jim Jorgenson and Dale Mischke were present at the WWG presentation.  “Minnesota Soybean is a huge contributor to this program and it’s vital to recognize the farmers who support this project through the soybean checkoff. We wouldn’t be able to do what we do without their dedication to our education system.” Soybean farmers, Bill Gordon and Matt Widboom presented the new equipment to ag teacher, Cody Dvorak and his agriscience students at Worthington. “It all starts here in the classroom,” said Gordon. “Agriculture is science – we wouldn’t be able to feed the world without the technologies we learned from agriscience.”

Wabasso High School science teacher, Sandy Scheff-Belaen, joined the program three years ago. “Through the trainings and on-farm visits, I’ve learned so much about today’s agriculture and sustainable farming that I can bring back to my students,” said Belaen. “Science class in a vacuum doesn’t always spark interest in students. When science is taught in an interactive and hands-on environment, it shows students how science directly affects them.  This increases their desire to learn and makes them excited about it.” Westbrook High School science teachers, Angie Larson and Josh Barron, joined the program two years ago. “Through the trainings and on-farm visits, I’ve learned so much about today’s agriculture and sustainable farming,” said Larson, “I’ve been able to teach what I’ve learned to my students. The new experiment equipment will allow our students to do experiments and get accurate results which will facilitate a greater learning experience.”

SWROC delivers K-12 educational programming statewide. The purpose is to support a strong science program with an emphasis on content areas that are vital to rural communities. These programs are aligned with the Minnesota Graduation Standards and support classroom teachers with curriculum resources designed to improve student knowledge about science and related disciplines. Nickel said the focus of the program is to support teachers and ensure they are equipped with the knowledge and materials when entering the classroom. “Our goal is to connect the teachers with the University of Minnesota’s resources to create a better learning opportunities for our students.” SIREN has been implemented in three other schools across southwest Minnesota and will serve as a pilot program to develop hands-on based curriculum for students across the state. 

Local county Corn and Soybean Growers Associations are affiliated with the Minnesota Soybean Research & Promotion Council (MSR&PC), a non-profit organization controlled by a board of elected soybean producers from across the state who direct the investments of the state’s soybean checkoff dollars into programs designed to increase the profitability of Minnesota’s soybean farmers. 

Read R.E.A.L. farm stories straight from Minnesota farmers by visiting http://www.therealstorymn.com. 

2013 Soil Moisture Readings Available  

The second soil moisture readings for 2013 have been calculated. The current soil moisture levels (samples collected April 15) are available on the SWROC's weather information page. A graph with the 2013 totals and a comparative graph from 2008 - 2013 with historic averages are available. The SWROC has been collected soil moisture levels since 1966. 

Autism Spectrum Disorder Highlighted at Workshop on Thursday, April 18

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) will be the topic of a workshop held at the SWROC on Thursday, April 18 from 9 am - 3 pm. Speakers Dr. Robin Rumsey and Dr. Amy Esler will share diagnostic criteria, ASD assessment, share research on early identification, common interventions, applied behavior analysis, and case examples.

Dr. Rumsey is Assistant Professor, Pediatrics, and member of an interdisciplinary team which evaluates children for possible autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Her clinical interests include early identification of ASD, evaluation of neuropsychological functioning of children and adolescents with ASD, and facilitation of care coordination between caregivers, health care providers, and educators. She received her Ph.D. in Urban Education with specialization in School Psychology from the University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, and has had a Pediatric Neuropsychology Internship and Fellowship through the U’s Medical School.

Dr. Esler is Assistant Professor in Pediatrics seeing patients at the University of Minnesota Amplatz Children's Hospital. Her focus is on children with ASD. Clinical interests include early detection and diagnosis of ASD, evidence-based family-implemented interventions for very young children, functional behavioral analysis to promote social communication, behavioral supports for severe behavior problems, and intervention services to improve personal well-being in adults with ASD. She received her Ph.D. in School Psychology from the University of Minnesota, 2001.

The cost to attend the workshop is $25. The registration deadline is Friday, April 12. Early pre-registration is encouraged as the workshop will be capped at 85 participants. The workshop is coordinated by the University of Minnesota Extension and the Southwest Research and Outreach Center in partnership with the University’s Center for Neurobehavioral Development and Children, Youth & Family Consortium. 

SWROC's Winter Crops and Soils Held February 5 - 7, 2013 at Three Locations

The Southwest Research and Outreach Center (SWROC) hosted their annual Winter Crops and Soils Day at three locations from February 5-7, 2013.  Over 150 people participated on either Tuesday, February 5 at the Blue Mound Banquet Center in Luverne; Wednesday, February 6 at the SWROC near Lamberton; and Thursday, February 7 at the Bootleggers Supper Club in Granite Falls. This program featured timely information on soil and water management, pest management including rootworms, weed management, the new Farm Bill, and current drought conditions. Speakers included Dr. Jeff Strock, Bruce Potter, Kent Thiesse, Dr. Mark Seeley (Lamberton & Granite Falls), Dr. Dennis Todey (Luverne), Dr. Jeff Gunsolus and Dr Ken Ostlie. To be included on the SWROC mailing list or email list for future events, please email your contact information to Molly Werner.