Prairie County

Prairie County is a rural county, covering 1,730 square miles with a population of 1,091. Terry is the only incorporated town in the county and serves as the county seat with a population of 566. Agricultural production and agriculture business form the basis of the economy in Prairie County. Although the population of the county is small, the clientele needs are diverse. MSU Extension’s role is to provide a wide range of educational opportunities and services for the people of Prairie County. Programming areas include agriculture, 4-H and youth development, family and consumer sciences, and community development.

MSU Extension offers Agricultural services to assist farmers and ranchers

MSU Extension in Prairie County offered many critical services to help agriculture in 2023. Nitrate tests are performed in the Prairie County Extension Office to test forage for the presence of the toxin nitrate. 53% of the forage tested for nitrates tested safe to feed, 17% tested at a level high enough that dilution of the feed would be necessary, and 30% tested as extremely high with a potential for lethal effects. This information provided producers with the information needed to make decisions about timing of cutting a crop, when grazing a crop was safe, and how to safely feed the forages tested. The Prairie County Extension Agent balanced rations for feeding cows and for backgrounding calves to efficiently and economically utilize the feed resources producers have available. Forage quality testing is an important component of ration balancing and marketing forage for sale. MSU Extension assisted producers in submitting 24 forage samples to an accredited lab for nutrient analysis of crude protein, total digestible nutrients, and net energy values to aid in feeding and marketing forages.

Caption: Tri-County tour participants learn about equipment calibration from Prairie County Weed Coordinator Travis Lacquement

Credit: Sharla Sackman

MSU Extension hosts Agriculture educational events

MSU Extension hosted two major agricultural education events for ag producers in Prairie County in 2023. Extension agents in Prairie, Dawson, Wibaux, Fallon-Carter, Powder River, Rosebud-Treasure, McCone, Custer, and Garfield counties cooperatively plan the annual Extension Winter Series. The third week in January, guest speakers traveled to 9 towns in Southeastern Montana. Topics and speakers included tree and shelterbelt recovery following drought by MSU Extension Forestry Specialist Dr. Peter Kolb, management of Ventenata and other invasive annual grasses by MSU Extension Rangeland Weed Specialist Dr. Jane Mangold, nutrition for the beef cow herd presented by MSU Extension Beef Cattle Specialist Dr. Sam Wyffels, and rethinking the approach to forage nitrate toxicity by MSU Extension Agent from Custer County Mike Schuldt. At least 3 producers feeding high nitrate hay reported that they learned strategies at this program to reduce risk when utilizing these feeds. A July Tri-County field tour focused on range and weed management. Tour topics included water quality presented by MSU Extension Water Quality Specialist Adam Sigler, grass identification by MSU Extension Agent Amanda Williams, and herbicide application equipment and calibration presented by county Weed District coordinators Travis Lacquement, Sara Berger, and Kelly Heid.

Caption: Ag producers attend the MSU Extension Winter Series program

Credit: Sharla Sackman

Prairie County 4-H provides members opportunities to learn leadership, citizenship, and life skills

The Prairie County 4-H program provides educational opportunities in a wide variety of 4-H project areas. 92% of 4-H members participated in at least one project workshop during the 4-H year. Projects and skills highlighted were Cloverbuds, leathercraft, horsemanship, sewing, visual arts, livestock, and foods. 4-H members demonstrated competence and confidence in these project areas during the 4-H interview judging process at All Events Day and the Prairie County Fair. In 4-H we are intentional about providing youth opportunities to gain communication, leadership and teamwork skills to enable them to become contributing citizens. Volunteer leaders and 4-H teen leaders were engaged to lead project workshops with the county agent. 54% percent of Prairie County 4-H members over the age of 13 participated in leadership training or served in county-wide leadership roles during the 4-H year by coordinating county events and teaching at project workshops. Each year 4-H members look forward to participating in regional and statewide 4-H activities. 42% of Prairie County 4-H members took advantage of these events, participating in Southeastern Montana 4-H Camp and Junior High Youth Oreo trip, and Eastern Montana Regional Small Animal Judging, Champion of Champions beef and showmanship contests, and Montana State 4-H Congress. These experiences provide an opportunity for 4-H members to network with other 4-H members, gain communication skills, and take on leadership roles outside of the county.

Caption: Prairie County 4-H members participate in a pasta-making workshop

Credit: Sharla Sackman

Prairie County Homemaker Club Members continue the Extension tradition

There are four active homemaker clubs with about 20 club members in Prairie County whose interests include nutrition, horticulture, and community improvement. These clubs trace their roots back to the Cooperative Extension Home Demonstration Clubs formed in the early 1900’s. Extension staff meet with the Prairie County Homemaker Council twice a year to determine needs and programming interests. Most educational programs that are presented are not limited to the Homemaker audience, but are offered county-wide. MSU Extension staff assist homemakers in meeting their educational and civic goals by publishing a monthly newsletter from August-May containing information on subjects like food nutrition, preparation, and safety, health, financial management, and gardening. Prairie County Homemaker clubs contribute significantly to the community, donating $5,000 to the Prairie County Fairgrounds in 2023 alone. Since 1970, Extension has documented community donations from the Prairie County Homemakers totaling $66,217.

Caption: Yard and garden tour hosted by the Prairie County Homemakers

Credit: Sharla Sackman

Contact

PO Box 7
Terry, MT 59349
406-635-2121
https://www.montana.edu/extension/prairie/