AG NEWS

BULL SALE

The Nevada Cattlemen’s Association 49th Annual Fallon All Breeds Bull Sale will be held at the Fallon Livestock Exchange sales yard on Valentine’s Day at 11:30 a.m.

More than 100 high-quality, range-ready bulls are consigned. Hereford bulls are from the Bell Ranch, Phil Allen & Son, Daniels Hereford Ranch, and Hawley Harrison & Sons. Angus bulls are coming from Edd Price, the Hone Ranch, Flying R J Ranch, Wild West Angus, White Angus, Dana & Rena Weishaupt, Steve Smith Angus, Rose Ranch – Travis Smith, Robison Ranch LLC, Westwind Ranch Angus, Potter’s Emmett Valley Ranch, Amador Angus & Farms, Schafer Ranch, Ocampo Cattle Company, Cardey Ranches, and the El Rancho Espanol de Cuyama. 7 Lazy 11 Murray Greys will be sold in addition to Charolais from the Broken Box Ranch and H. B. Cattle Company.

REAP Energy Grant Workshop

USDA Rural Development will hold an energy grant workshop in Fallon on March 3 from 5:30-7:00 p.m. at the Fallon Agricultural Center, located at 111 Sheckler Road.

Energy Coordinator Mark Williams will provide a brief overview of the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP), a USDA grant and loan program that can pay up to 25% of the project costs to build a renewable energy system or improve energy efficiency. Small rural businesses, farmers and ranchers are eligible to apply. The public is welcome to attend.

The systems the grant can fund are either for renewable energy systems, like solar, hydro and wind power, or for systems that increase energy efficiency—such as variable speed drives for well pumps or new energy efficient lighting, heating or air conditioning systems.

For more information contact Mark Williams at 775-887-1222 Ext. 116.

GARDENING IN NEVADA

Cooperative Extension has teamed up with Washoe County Regional Parks and Open Space to offer “Gardening in Nevada: The Bartley Ranch Series.” Classes are free and run 6–8 p.m. every Tuesday from Feb. 3–March 31 at Bartley Ranch Regional Park, 6000 Bartley Ranch Road in Reno.

The classes are taught by Cooperative Extension horticulturists and experts, and Cooperative Extension’s certified Master Gardener volunteers. Classes include the following:

Feb. 10: Pollinators for the Home Garden – Rail City Garden Center Owner Pawl Hollis teaches the basics of identifying and encouraging native pollinators to help produce bountiful harvests in the garden and landscape.

For more information on “Gardening in Nevada: The Bartley Ranch Series,” or for general horticultural inquiries, contact University of Nevada Cooperative Extension at 775-784-4848 or mastergardeners@ujnce.unr.edu, or visit www.unce.unr.edu. Persons in need of special accommodations or assistance should call at least three days prior to the scheduled event.

TREE SALE

The Lahontan Conservation District is having its annual tree sale.

The plants are bare root and will range in size depending on the species selected. The trees purchased must be used for screen/windbreak, soil erosion control, riparian restoration or wildlife habitat improvement.

Prices range from $3.50-$4.50. Orders will be taken until March 16 and will be ready to pick up on April 4 at the Plant Materials Center.

If you would like to participate, contact Jackie Bogdanowicz at jackie.bogdanowicz@nv.nacdnet.net, 423-5124 x 101 or visit the Ag Service Center at 111 Sheckler Road.

CONSERVATION PROGRAM

The U.S. Department of Agriculture will make available $100 million this year through the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) and although applications are accepted all year, farmers, ranchers and forest landowners should submit applications by Feb. 27 to ensure they are considered for this year’s funding (applications received after that date will be considered for future funding). This year’s investment may result in the enrollment of up to 7.7 million acres in the program by private landowners.

“CSP is a way of incentivizing farmers, ranchers, and private forest managers who maintain a high level of conservation on their land and agree to adopt higher levels of stewardship,” said Bruce Petersen of USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service. “By focusing on multiple resource concerns, landowners are able to achieve a sustainable landscape and maintain or increase the productivity of their operations.”

Through CSP, participants take additional conservation steps to improve the resource conditions on their land, including soil, air and habitat quality, water quality and quantity, and energy conservation.

Petersen said CSP producers are conservation leaders, showing how science-based conservation and technological advancements can improve the environment and farming operations at the same time.

For more on technical and financial assistance available through conservation programs, visit www.nrcs.usda.gov/GetStarted or a local USDA service center.