If you keep up with the weather news, you know by now that the folks with the meteorological crystal ball have been saying since mid-summer that we were in for a La Nina pattern this winter. This typically leads to higher-than-normal temperatures and lower-than-normal rates of precipitation on the Southern Plains of the U.S.

Montana State University Extension has three new, free publications available about weeds and pests in Montana.

Harvest is always a great time to start planning weed management strategies for the next spring because you can note weed escapes from the combine. Things to take note of include what weed species are present, where weed escapes are present, and any changes in the size or location of weed escapes.  

Fires can happen almost any time on the Southern Plains. Dry conditions and high winds always help spur the risk of out-of-control blazes, but from November to March when plants are largely dormant, we face especially high wildfire danger.

Washington State University has released a 124-page roadmap that outlines current challenges and pathways to help maintain healthy soils as an agricultural and environmental resource. Key industries involved include growers of potatoes, wine and juice grapes, dryland agriculture and tree fruits.