Garett Christiansen and Brandon DeFoe discuss Conservation Tree Shrub Groups (CTSGs) and the updated tools available to identify and use the CTSGs.

Beneficial insects like dung beetles are key ecological management tools for healthy rangeland and pasture. However, certain pest and parasite management practices can harm beneficial insect populations, impairing the ecosystem services they provide.

Small group On the Job Training (OJT) for herbaceous vegetation establishment practices. Attendees will meet, virtually or in person, with the same group over the course of four months. The focus of these meetings is the planning, design, and installation/certification of seeding practices. The core practices that will be the focus of the OJT in this cohort will include:

This replay features Clay Burtrum, Burtrum Cattle LLC and Farm Data Services. Virtual fence was unheard of just five years ago, but now it has become increasingly popular all across the country. Using virtual fence for me started as part of a research project, but now that I’ve faced all the challenges of bringing a new technology into my operation and I know the ins and outs of how virtual fence works for me.

This webinar complements the in field training from May 28, 2026. In person, we visited a Dairy near St. Peter and an alfalfa production operation near Cokato and Howard Lake. This material is the classroom portion of that training.

Nathan Converse of Central Lakes College and Mike Boersma of MN West Community and Technical College discuss livestock economics including profitability, historical context, and planning for 2026 for various livestock enterprises.

Josh Tjosaas and Jeremy Daberkow (AgCentric) break down various crop enterprises, input costs, break evens, and the 2026 planning on cost of production.

Restored streams and oxbows provide critical wildlife habitat, increase water storage capacity, and reduce sediment loading in our waterways - benefiting both surrounding lands and downstream water resources. Scott Ralston (USFWS) discusses how these restoration projects are planned and implemented. He outlines the restoration process and explain how these efforts create lasting ecological and water quality benefits.

This training introduces the core principles for designing and evaluating diverse native seed mixes for wet sites, including wetlands, shorelines, and riparian areas. Participants will explore how hydrology, soil conditions, seed biology, and site history influence plant selection and establishment, with an emphasis on building resilient, biodiverse plant communities that support water quality and wildlife.