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Published on Wednesday, 30 November -0001 00:00
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The University of Minnesota (U of M) Extension Service is responding to the unusually cold growing season with a new Web site, www.extension.umn.edu/frostdamage. The new site includes a discussion of this year's climatology, with an outline of likely fall weather by extension climatologist Mark Seeley. There is also decision-making information to help growers assess their options for damaged or delayed fields. New articles by extension experts are included on harvesting, hay and silage, crop insurance, drying and storage. "This Web page gives growers easy access to research-based knowledge from experts in agronomy, agricultural economics, animal nutrition and weather," says Mike Schmitt, associate dean for Agriculture, Food and Environmental programs with the Extension Service. Schmitt is leading the special Frost Response Team, which produced the Web site. The team is helping farmers as they make crucial decisions on crop insurance, dealing with damaged crops and possible problems with feeding frost-damaged crops to livestock. Members of the College of Agricultural, Food and Environmental Sciences and field-based extension educators are key members of the Frost Response Team. "The combination of campus-based specialists and field-based extension educators provides farmers access to knowledge they can use during this critical time," Schmitt said. Other resources for growers with frost-damaged crops include local extension technical advisors and the Farm Information Line at (800) 232-9077.
