Elizabeth Doney Havre Daily News edoney@havredailynews.com
Local farmers interested in energy saving techniques have a workshop specifically geared to equip them with the knowledge to do so on Thursday at MSUNorthern. MSU-N’s agriculture economist, Dr. Dave Buschena, will share insightful research information on the cropping systems and tillage that are proven methods of farm energy cost reductions. Cropping systems specialist Perry Miller will also be available to discuss energy saving through changes in cropping systems and tillage. “This workshop is designed for any dryland growers that want to access the most efficient way to manage their operation no matter what their general operation currently is,” said Jim Barngrover of Montana’s Alternative Energy Resources Organization, who is collaborating with the MSU-N Extension office to present the workshop. “Whether they are running a farm with no till, minimum till, conventional tillage or organic growing, what we will do is help them with estimated production and estimated value of their crop.” A software calculator will be used to give participants an opportunity to plug in their actual figures, actual acres, what specific crops they are growing and what the value of those crops are. The calculator will factor in production costs such as fuels, fertilizers, pesticides or herbicides. It is designed to help farmers determine the optimum net profitability given the variables of the input cost and the return for the crops. This free workshop will be held from 1 to 5 p.m. Registration is today. For more information, contact Jim Barngrover with AERO at (406) 443-7272 or e-mail jbarngrover@ aeromt.org People who miss the workshop in Havre attend a session in Great Falls on Friday at the MSU College of Technology from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
