Farm & Ranch Spring 2017

farm & ranc h North Central Idaho

Bell Equipment Family Business, Family values

Lonesome The Legend

Megan Snyder The Fashionable Farmer

Livestock Brand Inspection with Katie Marek

NORTH CENTRAL IDAHO FARM & RANCH | SPRING 2017

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Contents

6 The Fashionable Farmer: Megan Snyder 10 Family Business, Family Values 12 Ag land values in limbo 18 Weather Impact on grain product, production 20 Marek talks livestock brand inspections 24 The legend we know as Lonesome 30 Can farmers hope for fair and balanced trade 32 Winter Wheat, Spring Wheat, Barely BELL EQUIPMENT:

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REGIONAL STATS:

Cover photo by: Barefoot n Backroads Photography Pictured: Gabe Richardson of Craigmont, ID riding pens.

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Publications of Eagle Media Northwest 900 W. Main, PO Box 690, Grangeville ID 83530 • 208-746-0483, Lewiston; 208-9831200, Grangeville

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NORTH CENTRAL IDAHO FARM & RANCH | SPRING 2017

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Diesel prices due to increase

By David Rauzi, Editor Idaho County Free Press

PHOTO BY JEFF ZENNER PHOTOGRAPHY

Heading into spring and summer, analysts forecast increasing fuel prices, but at low to moderate levels in comparison with jumps seen in previous years.

According to an early March report from AAA Idaho, “Under current conditions, AAA Idaho expects average gas prices to remain in the $2.50 to $2.70 range for much of the spring and summer,” said AAA spokesman Matthew Conde. “Though it’s a moderate bump from last year, prices will still be substantially lower than those in prior years.”

In November 2016, OPEC partnered with some nonmember nations to reduce oil production by 1.8 million barrels a day beginning Jan. 1. The market briefly reacted as the cartel expected, but increased American oil production has cushioned the blow, with the U.S. adding several additional oil rigs, bringing the count to 602.

The West Texas Intermediate oil benchmark price has hovered near $54 to begin the year. Although markets briefly reacted to news that the United Arab Emirates and Iran renewed their commitment to catch up with promised production cuts, international posturing has not curtailed American oil exploration.

OPEC has promised to review market activity and discuss additional action when the six-month production agreement expires in June.

U.S. regular gasoline retail prices, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, are forecast to average $2.39/gal. in 2017, with that average increasing five cents for the following year.

Regarding diesel fuel, GASBUDDY.COM forecasts an average $2.71/gal. for the 2017 year, increasing by 18 cents from now (U.S. March average, $2.63) through the end of the year. Prices will be highest through the April to June period – high end ranges between $2.76 to $2.94 – and dropping into October where for the final two months they will increase for a forecasted range of $2.68 to $2.92 in December.

Diesel fuel pricing patterns have been noticeably different within the past two years, according to Gregory Ibendahl, Kansas State University Department of Agricultural Economics, in a January report.

According to Ibendahl, diesel prices the last two years have behaved much differently than they did a few years ago. Diesel prices used to peak in the spring and fall and were at their lowest in January and February. For the last two years, diesel prices have either increased or decreased the majority of the year. Also, from 2012 through 2015, highway diesel prices were much higher

NORTH CENTRAL IDAHO FARM & RANCH | SPRING 2017

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than they were in 2015 and 2016. Whether fracking is the cause or if there is some other factor in play, pricing patterns have been noticeably different these past two years.

Diesel and oil prices are highly correlated. In this analysis, the model predicts a 27-cent increase in diesel price for a $10 increase in oil price. The current crude oil futures quotes for the rest of 2017 peak at $56. This is $4 above the December oil prices; thus, diesel prices could rise another 10 cents during 2017. Ibendahl said this projection assumes no big shocks to the market occurring.

With current projections, according to Ibendahl, farmers could expect higher prices in 2017 when compared with 2016; however, they would still be below levels where they were from 2012 to 2014.

“Although diesel prices ended 2016 at their high point for the year,” Ibendahl said, “prices are still low when looking at a five-year history of diesel prices. The question for farmers is what are diesel prices going to do in 2017. With grain prices low, farmers will really need to watch their expenses closely.”

Dr. Virgil Frei, Dr. Kim Heezen, Dr. Pam Comini, Lee Anne Gabica, Lynn Gehring.

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The Fashionable Farmer Wife Mom Rancher Farmer

Country Girl

Lorie Palmer - Idaho County Free Press

Need a little fashion with your farming and ranching?

NEZPERCE — Megan Snyder of NezPerce is spicing up country living with her Facebook page and vlogs, “The Fashionable Farmer.”

Born at Syringa Hospital and raised her entire life on the family farm in Nezperce, Synder graduated from Nezperce High School in 2005. She and her husband, Bryce Ingram, have two children, Mason, 10, and Harper, 2.

“I've always been a country girl,” she smiled. “My husband actually farmed with my dad for a short time before his passing, and he also worked at various agriculture jobs, but I always tease him that he was once a ‘valley boy,’ hailing from the big city of Lewiston.”

“I will say he has a pretty good grasp on the equipment -- but the animals he is still learning and getting used to,” she laughed.

Snyder started the Fashionable Farmer Facebook and Instagram accounts last fall.

“I have always been interested in social media blogging and thought I would try my hand at it,” she said. “Not that I had a bunch of extra time per se -- but wanted to do it mostly as an outlet for myself to express my beliefs concerning agriculture and family. Then I have added fashion and cooking into it a bit as well. All are passions of mine.”

Snyder has since teamed up with a couple of different retail boutiques that have requested her as a representative for them and who advertise on her pages, “because they liked/appreciated my style and the audience I was reaching. I would say my style is country-meets-southwest-meets-hippie,” she grinned.

The Fashionable Farmer was originally going to be geared toward younger females in the agriculture world, she said.

“It actually has ended up that 60 percent of my audience is 50 or older, and it's about split between male and female,” she stated. continued on page 9

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Family, farming, and fashion. Being a mom and doing chores around the farm doesn’t have to be boring! Recipes, fashion hacks, and parenting tips!

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CONTRIBUTED PHOTOS Megan Snyder is a firm believer one can be fashionable, even in rural areas.

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continued from page 6

“People just like something they can relate to, and I do post and write about various things that interest different people at different times, I suppose!”

Snyder said, in this day and age, with farming, everyone can agree that times are tougher than they have been in many years.

“Whether it's the market, weather, government or whatever, I try and touch on those issues but add a bit of humor in too,” she said. “It makes the sometimes super-serious stuff run off the keyboard a bit smoother and everyone could use a laugh every now and then.”

Her "Wednesdayrant" videos have proven popular as her followers “always remind me of when I am late [with posting them],” she smiled.

Since her audience has grown and changed, she decided to add a bit of "fashion" to her Instagram account.

“Older farmers don't particularly care about that stuff – but I definitely appreciate them and their input on Facebook,” she added.

A typical day on Synder’s farm consists of rolling with the seasons of planting, harvest and calving, but she is a mother first, she emphasized.

“So of course, I get the older one off to school while the younger is still in bed, drink coffee while checking the latest weather and commodity market, do chores in the barn with the husband,” she said. They raise registered quarter horses and angus cattle as well as dry land wheat farming.

“Then I may head to town to do banking and post office errands, normally before school gets out. I do like to sit down and check the Facebook page and decide on the next day’s material or topic,” she said. “When the bus pulls up the driveway we are then on to 4-H or basketball or whatever else is going on.”

Then it’s time for chores with the animals again and “an 8 p.m. bedtime,” Snyder laughed.

PHOTO COURTESY RENE DUMAN, BAREFOOT AND BACKROADS PHOTOGRAPHY Megan Snyder and her hubby, Bryce Ingram, farm in Nezperce. Snyder not only

works as a farm wife and mother, but runs the Facebook page, “Fashionable Farmer.”

“Early to bed and rise,” she smiled. “I'm an old soul that way. It's always a joke around family and friends how days don't change much.

Snyder said her dad always inspired her as he was “one of the best farmers and animal caretakers I have ever known,” she said.

“The animals always came before him.”

In addition, she enjoys Pioneer Woman Ree Drummond.

“She really made an empire for herself. Oh, and also [designer] Iris Apfel,” she said. “I absolutely love her style. In the end, I just adore how they are both self-made women who started from the ground up.”

Snyder dreams she can “grow old on the family farm, living comfortably and able to see my kids learn and eventually take over when I can just sit back and enjoy grandkids,” she smiled. “I know it seems like a small or simple dream, but it's a privilege that not everyone is blessed with.”

She also wants to continue to be a responsible steward of the land, keep learning, “technology related to agriculture is growing like crazy and expanding at lightning speed,” she said. “So many new advances are being made. In the end, I want to always stay with a positive mind-set. It can really make the difference.”

Find Snyder on Facebook at HTTPS://WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/THEFor on Instagram at THEFASHIONABLE.FARMER.

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Family Values:

BELL EQUIPMENT, INC

A Work FAMILY LEGACY ethic learned at early age carries over to

By Lorie PalmerIdaho County Free Press

management of family business STORY BY LORIE PALMER

G

ordy Webster took a chance in 1978. He bought into Bell Equipment with his friend, Gary Stapleton, and moved his family from Seattle to Nezperce.

“They had worked at Boeing together in the accounting department,” explained Brian Webster, the youngest of the five Webster children, and just 1 year old when the family moved to Nezperce.

Gordy did not have farm or ranch experience, but he had a good business head, and was excited to buy into the John Deere dealership.

It was here that Brian, now 40, began what would later become his career. Lessons at an early age gave Brian the worth ethic he still possesses today as manager of the company.

As a child, Brian would hang around at Bell, looking up parts on microfiche and seeing what went on at the shop.

“My dad gave me a button-down, official Bell work shirt when I was 7 or 8, with my name on it and everything,” Brian said. “It was a big deal.”

So when his friends were just settling in to summer vacation when Brian was 10, his dad had other plans.

“He said he wanted to talk to me at the shop and I was like, ‘uh, oh. What did I do?’” he recalled.

Gordy had his son pick out an array of equipment and Brian now knew his fate: A summer lawn-mowing business.

“He took me in the office and wrote a bill of sale. I will never forget that amount – ‘You owe me $90.22 a month until this is paid off,’ dad said. Then, Gordy took his son to the bank and helped him start a checking account. “And, at age 10, I started my lawn mowing business and wrote a check to my dad every month until the equipment was paid off.”

Brian admits his dad was firm, but he now says he wouldn’t want it any other way.

“My dad taught me about work ethic and the importance of a job well-done, invalu-

able lessons that I’m so grateful to have learned at a young age,” he said.

When he was 14, he sold his lawn equipment and went to work for a local farmer where he spent the next two-plus years driving tractor and combine, haying and doing whatever needed to be done.

After graduating from Nezperce High School in 1996, Brian headed to the University of Idaho where he majored in business. When his mother died in 1997, he came home often to be with his father.

Today, Brian says his dad is his best friend.

“I have the utmost respect for my dad.

We’re very close,” he said.

It was in 1997 that Bell purchased Brown Motors in Grangeville and merged into one business, Bell Equipment, Inc. Each store employs about 12 people.

Following his graduation from college in 2001, Brian and his dad agreed he would spread his wings a bit and get some life experience elsewhere. Brian moved to Oklahoma where he worked for a John Deere dealership.

NORTH CENTRAL IDAHO FARM & RANCH | SPRING 2017

“I worked in the parts department and I learned an incredible amount,” he said. “I learned customer service skills and learned to be a forward-thinking sales person. I recognized a few business practices that I

“My dad taught me about work ethic and the importance of a job well done, invaluable lessons that I’m so grateful to have learned at a young age.”

—Brian Webster

thought could help Bell Equipment better serve their customers.”

That someday came eight months into his Oklahoma stay.

Brian returned home and in 2002 began working for his dad. Since that time revenue has increased significantly.

Since that time, the business has gone from about $6 million a year in sales to a company that has approximately $16 to

Gordy Webster with his son Brian, circa 1981.

$20 million a year in sales.

The business serves local families, farmers and ranchers, but also customers throughout the L-C Valley, Palouse and into Walla Walla.

“We have very loyal customers and have had some really good years,” he said. The last year and half or so, however, he said, have been very challenging.

“Who we serve has really evolved throughout the years. I appreciate them so much – I value each and every one.

They are the heart of this business,” he said. “We are trying to remain a pertinent business in today’s market, where smaller companies do not always make it.”

His brother, Mike, moved to Nezperce in 2015 and took over the management of the Grangeville store.

“I’m so thrilled to be working alongside my big brother whom I have always looked up to. He complements me well and has been a great addition to the company.

Brian said one reason Bell Equipment has been such a sustainable business throughout the years is the employees.

“Our employees are dedicated and they have pride and a vested interest in the success of the company,” he said.

“Our employees are invaluable to me.

They care about this business as much as the Webster family does and that kind of loyalty is hard to find.”

He said he takes “great pride” in its customer service.

“And that’s the same for the guy who spends $400 as it is for the guy who spends $400,000,” he said. “Everyone who walks through our doors is important.”

Employees and technicians keep up on the technology advances and continually trained as they, in turn, can train customers on items such as GPS and computers.

“John Deere has great products and I wouldn’t want to represent any other manufacturer,” he said. “They produce a fantastic product they stand behind.”

Brian knows the future of agriculture is unpredictable. What the future holds is as unknown to local producers as it is to him.

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FREE PRESS / LORIE PALMER Brian Webster has grown up at Bell Equipment and now manages the family business.

“I know they’re trying to do the same things in this economy that we are – stay viable, stay relevant,” he emphasized.

And now that Brian is a father – he has two sons, ages 6 and 2 – he appreciates his upbringing even more than he already did.

“I am firm, like my dad,” he said. “My boys are respectful. I want them to be raised in a similar way to how I was, and to have the same work ethic.”

BELL EQUIPMENT, INC. Bell Equipment is a John Deere dealership that offers new and used farm, ranch, lawn and garden equipment for sale, as well as a large parts and service department. The business has two locations: * 118 WEST SOUTH STREET GRANGEVILLE, ID 83530 208-983-1730 * 311 OAK STREET NEZPERCE, ID 83543 208-937-2402 WWW.BELLEQ.COM

NORTH CENTRAL IDAHO FARM & RANCH | SPRING 2017

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Ag land values in

Several factors will come into play in 2017 that will determine the direction of land values. Within Idaho, the outlook is relatively stable rates that continue to favor landowners.

In the past three years, agricultural landowners in many regions across the country have seen a decline in profits, which also pushed land values lower, according to Randy Dickhut, senior vice president of real estate operations for Farmers National Company.

“This winter, questions abound as to the direction of commodity prices, interest rates, inflation, challenges in the world economy, weather and U.S. tax law,” Dickhut said. “Buyers of ag land are asking if it is an opportune time to make a purchase of a farm or ranch, while sellers are asking if the market dynamics are indicating that it is good time to sell

land. Depending on location, quality of land and other factors, our agents report seeing regions and local areas where land prices are stable to somewhat strengthening post-2016 harvest. Then there are other areas where land values have continued to decline.”

A key factor impacting land prices will be interest rates, Dickhut said. Grain and livestock prices affecting farm and ranch income also will influence land values.

“Foreign trade policy and its effect on agriculture will be closely watched over the next few months. Potential changes in tax laws could affect estate taxation and capital gains rules that in turn influence buying and selling decisions,” Dickhut said.

Within the Gem State, irrigated cropland land values have remained relatively stable since 2015 across southern Idaho. Although a few leases have been negotiated at lower lev-

els, most rental rates are remaining steady at present, according to Brent Stanger (farm and ranch asset manager, real estate salesman, and Accredited Rural Appraiser).

“Some growers report that they have tried to renegotiate more favorable leases, but most landowners are not yet willing to come down” he said. “The competition is still strong, and most tenants have opted to continue to lease the properties, even at current rates, as they do not want to lose control of the land and feel that if they walk away, another operator will come in and pay the stated rent to obtain control of the land.”

As background, record high commodity prices were experienced for most crops raised from 2008 through 2015, creating significant increases in irrigated land values along the continued on page 14

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Snake River Plain in Southern Idaho during this time. Most commodity prices have decreased considerably at present.

“Although there have been decreases in land values noted in the Midwestern states and much of the nation,” Stanger said, “land values have remained relatively strong and steady throughout Idaho and most of the Northwest.

Since the mid to latter part of 2015, agricultural land values have remained fairly stable with some increases noted in certain circumstances. We have a greater diversity of crops in Southern Idaho and much of Northwest as compared to the Midwest which has helped sustain irrigated land values. Additionally, although banks are reporting some stress among some growers, most landowners remain in fairly good financial condition after experiencing the years 2008 – 2015.”

According to Stanger, there continues to be very little supply of good quality irrigated cropland for sale on the open market across southern Idaho.

“Many farm sales never hit the open market but continue to be negotiated between local operators or investment based buyers,” he said. “As history has shown, top-quality cropland will likely hold its value much better than lesser quality cropland which may experience longer marketing periods and decreases in value initially. This has already been exhibited in the Midwest, where top quality land has retained its value quite well.”

Water rights across southern Idaho and within the Eastern Snake Plain Aquifer (ESPA) have become of great concern. An agreement was entered into between the Surface Water Coalition, (SWC), and the Idaho Groundwater Appropriators, Inc., (IGWA), in 2015 to decrease groundwater pumping from the ESPA by 12.4 percent in an effort to increase returns to the Snake River and to satisfy senior water right holders. The cutbacks in groundwater diversion began during the 2016 season and will continue at least until the stated goals are reached years from now and likely thereafter.

“The ESPA is divided into several groundwater districts that are allowed to determine individually how they will satisfy their allotted cutbacks in water usage within each district,” Stanger said. “Every groundwater district is administering the restrictions and cutbacks in a different manner. It is therefore paramount that any potential market participant, (seller or buyer), of agricultural real estate know which groundwater district the land is in within, how the regulations are being administered, what the priority dates of the various groundwater rights are and how the farm may be impacted with respect to the amount of water available.

According to Stanger, many unknowns remain at this point in time.

“One thing is certain,” he said, “the priority dates of water rights are now being examined very closely by market participants. The groundwater right issues within the ESPA are very complex and often take several hours or days to fully investigate, depending on their complexity and the size of the farm.”

April workshops in Lewiston on rural land purchasing

LEWISTON -- What are the issues in purchasing rural land? Novices need to know the right questions to ask, but even experienced landowners have more to learn when considering transactions.

In April, University of Idaho Extension is presenting “So You Want to Buy a Ranch? Rural Land Purchasing 101” on three consecutive Wednesday evenings, April 12, 19 and 26, at Lewis-Clark State College in Lewiston.

According to Bill Warren, U of I Extension Agent for Clearwater County, the intent behind these workshops is for consumer protection.

“There are a lot of issues dealing with rural property,” he said.

Issues such as water rights, wells, easements, financing, location, government assistance programs, and appraising rural land value are only some of the topics that will be covered.

“There’s lots of due diligence involved, things people may not think of or think to look into.” Information through these sessions is to provide a level of understanding to avoid bad decision-making and cause problems later.

“Anyone attending will not have all the answers, but they’ll know where to go to find additional information.

On the agenda: Wednesday, April 12, 6 – 8:30 p.m.; Introduction to Rural Land Purchasing Part I: From Deciding on Location to Making the Offer; Introduction to Rural Land Purchasing Part II: Due Diligence Prior to Closing—Avoiding Common Pitfalls – both by Bill Warren, U of I Extension.

Wednesday, April 19, 6 – 8:50 p.m.; A Realtor’s Perspective on Purchasing Rural Land—Sean Wilson, Broker, Latah Realty; Estimating Rural Land Market Value—Don Kirby, Western Appraisal; What Buyers Should Know About Rural Land Property Taxes—Brad Bovey and Dan Anderson, Nez Perce County Assessor’s Office.

Wednesday, April 26, 6 – 8 p.m.; What Buyers Should Know About Rural Land Title—Joe Strohmaier, Land Title of Nez Perce County; Technical Assistance and Cost-Share Programs for New Rural Landowners—Bill Warren, U of I Extension.

• According to Warren, whether it is five acres or 500, or whether you’re buying a weekend recreational escape, or planning to start an agricultural operation, purchasing land is one of the largest single investments most people will ever make, and this workshop is designed to provide the information and contacts to resources needed to make a good investment decision.

This program has been offered in spring for the past several years, according to Warren, with attendees ranging from those with little to no experience to real estate agents.

“All kinds take it,” he said, “even people who own a lot of rural land.

We’ve even had rural land developers who want to subdivide and sell it to those who want 10 or 20 acres.”

• The workshop starts at 6 p.m. at LCSC’s Sacagawea Hall. Enrollment is limited to 30, and cost is $15 per person or $20 per household (2) for all three sessions. Contact Warren, 208-476-4434 or CLEARWATER@UIDAHO.EDU .

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Winter 2016/17:

A Tough Go

By Laurie Chapman Idaho County Free Press COTTONWOOD – Helen Rowland, Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, said she hasn’t seen a winter like this in 20 years. The long, wet winter with periods of freeze and thaw have had its toll on livestock.

“It’s just one extra stress on these baby calves and the cows, and it plays a toll on their health,” she said. “Despite all the vaccinations or management and everything … you can still lose some.”

Rowland said three conditions have been more prevalent this year: pneumonia, scours and frostbite. While the scours is more typical with the wet weather, she does expect to see continued cases in the spring.

“I mean we’re still going to see some coming up with this wet rain now and everything is going to melt and we’ll have the mud to deal with,” she said.

The relentless winter also brought more cases of frostbite in calves and pneumonia in cattle.

“I’ve seen quite a bit,” she said.

She recommends a good broad-spectrum antibiotic to treat the pneumonia. Her recommendation of choice is Draxxin, and should be dosed at 1.1 millilitre per 100 pounds.

Rowland isn’t recommending any variations in vaccine programs for cattle this spring. However, she said harder winters typically bring a higher risk of sick cattle. For that reason, it is especially important to have a solid vaccination program to improve long-term health.

For spring vaccination standards for cows and bulls:

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NORTH CENTRAL IDAHO FARM & RANCH | SPRING 2017

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Impacts on grain product, production

By David Rauzi, Editor, Idaho County Free Press With extended durations of ground snow and above-average meltoff, Idaho grain growers have already seen a preview of what this season has in store for them.

While long-range weather forecasts aren’t indicating adding catastrophic flooding – as seen during 1996 – to the mix, producers are up against production delays and crop disease for this year’s harvest, threatening to chip away at prices already predicted to be lackluster.

So, what’s the good news? Weather systems currently being experienced, wet and cool, will likely remain active, “equal chances of normal temperatures,” said LeeAnn Allegretto, meteorologist for the National Weather Service office in Missoula, “nothing too cold, nothing too hot.” The cause for this is being caught in the right position between the Polar and Pacific jet streams, she explained, making for the right equation of cold temperatures and large amounts of moisture.

“We’re not expecting it to be a really dry, hot spring in early summer, which is good,” she said, “because things won’t flood as much.” She clarified that flooding is not being ruled out, but

more specifically catastrophic events. That last will depend on how fast the snow melts off, and as well how those warm temperatures impact water released at higher elevations.

“But we’re not looking at prolonged ground melt plus snow melt plus rainfall, which could be bad,” she said.

Even without that higher elevation meltoff, Allegretto said, lowland flooding could still occur due to additional snowfall between now and May that melts, in conjunction with the rainy season.

Throughout the North-Central Idaho region, it’s looking to be wetter than normal, a 40 percent chance, she said, “so plan for wet, plan for muddy pastures.”

For wheat growers, the right equation of weather is proving problematic.

For the winter wheat crop, if it remains under snow cover for more than 100 days, explained Cathy Wilson, director of research collaboration, Idaho Wheat Commission, it has the potential to develop snow mold. Wet, cold conditions under the top level of unfrozen soil creates a unique microclimate concontinued on page 23

NORTH CENTRAL IDAHO FARM & RANCH | SPRING 2017

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“A

lways ask for a brand inspection when buying livestock!” said Katie Marek, district brand inspector.

All livestock must be brand inspected whether the animal is actually branded or not.

More than two million head of Idaho livestock, including horses, were inspected last fiscal year.

Brands remain the most recognized permanent way to identify livestock; an important part of agriculture, but, also a necessity for any livestock owner.

Livestock brands provide proof of ownership for beef cattle, dairy cows, sheep, horses and mules in the state of Idaho.

“The brand is an animal’s only return address,” said Larry Hayhurst, Idaho State Brand Inspector. “It’s like the license plate on your car.” (lifeontherange.com) The first brand recording and inspection system in the Northwest was set up by the Wyoming Stock Growers Association in 1872, in Laramie.

In 1881, the first mention of brand laws appeared, while Idaho was still a territory. At this time, Idaho Session Laws provided rules for brand ownership and penalties for defacing a brand, also officially establishing that brands were prima facie evidence of the own-

Marek Talks Livestock Brand Inspections

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ership of the brand, provided that such brand had been duly recorded.

Recorded earmarks have also held weight as evidence in ownership disputes.

Marek said, “A brand inspection is required every time there is a change of ownership in any way, or crossing the Idaho state line, regardless if the animal is branded or not. It is also required if an animal is going to slaughter.”

“Usually it is the seller’s responsibility to obtain the brand inspections and pay the inspection fees,” said Marek.

When a brand inspector has to travel to do an inspection, the minimum fee of $20 applies unless the amount due for the brand inspection is greater than the $20.

“The brand inspection shows proof of ownership and needs to be kept for as long as you own the animal in case any questions ever arise.”

Marek continued, “If a brand inspector is not available at the time of sale then you can obtain a ‘bill of sale’. A bill of sale is only valid for 10 days until a brand inspection can be written. A valid bill of sale must contain date of sale, complete description of livestock, name of buyer, and signature of the seller.”

“A bill of sale does not replace a brand inspection,” Marek said.

When owners of unclaimed livestock cannot be determined, the livestock are sold with the money put into the state’s public school endowment fund, which spends the interest but not the principal.

“The Idaho Brand Department is a branch of the Idaho State Police, so I had to pass a background check, a polygraph test, and a series of other tests,” said Marek.

“Brand inspector positions don’t come available very often,” Marek said. “I was given this opportunity to apply for the job when Daryl Reed retired in 2013.”

Marek said, “I was hired in the Lewiston district, which is where our office is based. I cover most of Idaho County and wherever else I’m needed.”

Jim Kennedy is the Lewiston district supervisor.

In Idaho, brands are recorded in six locations on cattle-left and right hip, left and right ribs, and left and right shoulders. Brands are read from left to right, from top down, and from outside to inside. If a letter or symbol is made backwards from its normal position, it is read as reversed; if it lies horizontally on its face or back, it is called “lazy”; a line over or under a brand is called a “bar”; a line before or

NORTH CENTRAL IDAHO FARM & RANCH | SPRING 2017

after a brand is a “dash”. Two letters joined together in a brand is called a “monogram”.

(Idaho Cattleman, August, 1965, page 34) Types of brand inspections for cattle include a one-time inspection or a seasonal inspection.

One-time inspection is written for a change of ownership, or to get animal from point A to point B, and is only good for that one time.

A seasonal inspection is good for one year.

Marek said, “It works well for people who travel with their cattle in and out of state periodically to rodeos, shows, etc.”

Horses wear an Idaho registered brand on

a shoulder, hip or thigh.

“There are three types of brand inspections for horses,” Marek said. “A one-time inspection is written for a change of ownership, or will get you from point A to point B, and is only good for that one time.”

“A seasonal inspection is good for one year.

It works well for people who travel with their horses in and out of state often.” Although, Marek noted, “some states don’t like to recognize this type of inspection and require a lifetime.”

“A lifetime inspection is good for as long as a person owns the horse. It is an inspection

21

that shows pictures of the animal and also a description,” said Marek, “It works well if a person is traveling with the horse a lot.”

Brand inspections are not required on sheep.

Approximately 22,000 brands are registered in the state of Idaho. Brands must be renewed at the end of each five-year period; this protocol was established in 1939.

“In this job, I get to see some pretty sunrises, meet a lot of people, and see some new country, all while being around cattle and horses,” Marek said, “I really enjoy it.”

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23 pected going forward.

She said Idaho had a record-breaking crop in in 2016. Average bushel per acre was 91 across the state from dryland to irrigated to intense farming. In comparison, the 10-year average is 75 bushels per acre. Overall the state had pretty good quality – “We had good rain in most of our areas, nothing was stressed and we had really high yields,” she said -- though she noted northern Idaho growers experienced issues with low falling numbers.

Lock repairs on schedule

continued from page 18

ducive to several types of fungi.

“Cold, wet ground favors Pythium,” Wilson said. This attacks seedlings as they attempt to germinate, resulting in reduction of the stand. “This is generally more in the spring crop than in the winter crop, but Pythium can be an issue with crops not well-established before they went into the winter dormancy period.”

“For areas where that will be an issue,” she said, those in higher elevations and in regions of extended periods of snow cover, “we won’t know until it’s uncovered.”

A change this season is anticipation of a late spring, which means growers won’t be able to get into the fields early to do work.

“It is very different from the last two years,” Wilson said.

“People at the end of February were starting their spring field work…. Even if the snow is gone, the ground is going to be wet and cold.”

This season’s snow loads have been heavy in moisture. Within this region, for example, snow water equivalent, according to Allegretto, were 130 percent of normal in Clearwater County and northern portions of Idaho County. Beyond crops, snow loads have been a problem for ag buildings, Wilson said, notably in the border area of eastern Oregon and western Idaho.

“In Weiser, Parma, there has a been a lot of damage to farm buildings that impacts our growers,” collapsing on equipment and onto onion and potato storage resulting in loss of product.

Snowmelt has also impacted transportation, such as in eastern Idaho where closures along highways 84 and 86 have made travel difficult to attend winter meetings and productions schools for both growers and presenters, Wilson said.

With all the challenges from this winter, growers will face lackluster wheat prices.

“We do not see huge improvements,” Wilson said, explaining, “There’s a lot of wheat stocks being held in the U.S. and around the world, one of the highest reported in quite a few years; we don’t see prices coming up. We’re at near-historic lows on pricing, so that’s not great news, but it is what we ex-

Good news for northern Idaho growers, Wilson said work is largely on schedule as relates to lock repairs by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers along the Columbia River system, which has been shut down since December 2016 with plans to reopen in early March.

The closure is significant. As noted in an article in last fall’s North Central Idaho Farm and Ranch publication, from the Port of Lewiston, downriver traffic connects 17,000 square miles of Palouse and Camas Prairie farmland to global markets. The overall 468-mile river system from Lewiston to the Pacific Ocean annually handles nine million tons of cargo worth about $3 billion, and about 40 percent of all American wheat.

As of the beginning of March, “Maintenance has been coming along pretty well,” Wilson said, from progress reports the commission has been receiving. “Some delays the weather cause made it really difficult to do work in the Portland area and upriver, but they have been working hard and in most cases they are on schedule.”

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By Laurie Chapman Idaho County Free Press

NORTH CENTRAL IDAHO FARM & RANCH | SPRING 2017

SLATE CREEK – Cowboys and mountain men possess a definitive amount of tenacity. There’s a grit deep in their veins as thick as the dirt beneath their nails.

And when you ask about their mounts, well, you might find they are more akin to a pal, than an animal. They are steady in spirit, hearty in work ethic, and determined, if not downright stubborn.

These men and their steeds have been the inspiration for countless novels, movies and television shows. For one Idaho County man, the 1989 film "Lonesome Dove" resonates beyond simple film appreciation. It defined a chapter in his life at Slate Creek.

For some, the guts and bravado of the cowboy life is learned by watching films. In fact, I might be so bold as to say a cowboy hasn’t earned his saddle unless he’s spent a few hours with Gus and Woodrow.

In “Lonesome Dove,” Gus McCrae and Woodrow Call launch an epic journey to drive cattle from Texas to Montana. The movie stars Robert Duvall and Tommy Lee Jones as former Texas Rangers.

Life lessons are learned along the way (“it’s better to have it and not need it, than need it and not have it”) and the bond of a true friendship is exposed (“You're one-of-a-kind, Augustus.

We're gonna miss you.”).

Others are born with a mountain man’s mettle as if it were branded on them at birth. My father-in-law, Dan Doherty of Slate Creek, fits into this category. It’s as if the winds from the continued on page 27

25

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Bottom: Sierra Chapman spends time saying goodbye to Lonesome on the day he died. Above, is a still shot from the 1996 miniseries “Dead Man’s Walk” showing Lonesome in his acting debut. continued from page 25

mountain blew down across the plains and filled his lungs as he took his first breath. His spirit wouldn’t feel complete until he found his place high in the hills.

For Dan, watching “Lonesome Dove” is like a visit with kindred spirits.

In 1996, a prequel to “Lonesome Dove” was released and titled "Dead Man's Walk." There’s a scene in this TV miniseries where a Comanche chief, Buffalo Hump, is warned "beware the dark woman on the white mule."

Buffalo Hump is told the woman will carry a sword and ride a white mule and will bring devastation on the Comanche people. Watching this mule walk towards him on the big screen, Dan couldn’t have known the tale that would spin in the future.

The two paths converged several years later, here, in Idaho County. Dan had to have that mule, maybe as a confirmation of the connection he felt to the cowboy lifestyle.

Dan was still working as an emergency room doctor at the time he purchased the mule he named Lonesome. But truth be told, his spirit belonged in the mountains.

Bringing Lonesome home to his cabin kept Dan in touch with the ol’ West.

Dan was nine when his parents gave him a donkey. Guided by his inner cowboy, he walked to the local general store and bought a knapsack. He constructed a makeshift saddlebag and snuck a few cans of beans from his mother’s cabinets.

Grabbing a sleeping back he loaded his “pack horse” for a journey to an abandoned lot down the road. There he built a fire and cooked his meal before camping out for the night.

Like a brilliant sunrise rising in the sky after an extended winter, a thirst for adventure was born.

Dan’s not built for the city. He’s meant to saddle a horse and ride among the trees.

Dan has spent days on end packing through the Frank Church Wilderness on a horse named Dibbs, accompanied by his trusty Blue Heeler, Scout. It was years after Dibbs was buried that Dan found Lonesome. Scout’s gone too, and new companions, Axl and Josie, were brought to the farm.

Like a coat of snow, Lonesome was covered completely in white.

He enjoyed a wide, open pasture edged by Cottonwood trees and the rolling Slate Creek. He was kept company by geese and chickens and the occasional wild turkey and more frequent mule deer.

27 He was mild-mannered, and even a bit skittish. He kept a watchful eye as guests approached, but greeted a gentle touch with appreciation, if not desire for continued attention.

Lonesome was too long in the tooth to be ridden anymore. His back left leg sported an abscess.

But he was a tough old mule, fighting through previous illnesses that may have taken a weaker mule.

He enjoyed slowly trailing behind visitors hoping he would be granted a grooming. Or maybe he followed knowing once the trek returned to the corral, he would be rewarded with handfuls of oats.

During the summers, Lonesome appreciated a visit from my daughter who offered him fresh apples from the garden.

Lonesome had lived to the far end of a life span for a mule. This year marked his 35th birthday.

On Saturday, Feb. 18, we visited Dan and his wife, Linda, at Slate Creek. Lonesome had been found that morning lying down in his corral. Dan explained the end was near for our friend. We walked to his corral, brushed him one last time and said our goodbyes.

During the night, while we slept, Lonesome passed away. That

night I dreamed Lonesome was a young mule, healthy once again, running up the hill and away into the mountains.

It wasn’t an ominous greeting, like his famous movie scene, or a rushed escape. Lonesome was passing through, moving on to far away pastures. He found his freedom and youthful spirit, free to run wild or find a stand of Cottonwood trees where he could enjoy a cool breeze.

In “Lonesome Dove,” Woodrow says goodbye to his longtime pal, Gus. As much as the movie is about two cattlemen riding the trails, it is more about appreciating life and friendships.

At one point Gus says, “The only healthy way to live life is to learn to like all the little everyday things, like a sip of good whiskey in the evening, a soft bed, a glass of buttermilk, or a feisty gentleman like myself.”

That sums up the bond between Lonesome and Dan. Dan provided oats and a comfortable corral, and Lonesome repaid him with unwavering friendship.

Rest easy, old friend.

NORTH CENTRAL IDAHO FARM & RANCH | SPRING 2017

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fair&balanced trade?

PHOTO BY JEFF ZENNER PHOTOGRAPHY

Can farmers hope for

daho, Oregon and Washington are three of the largest exporting states of food and agriculture products in the United States. In fact, the three states combined exported about $7.5 billion in agricultural products. Without a doubt, family farmers, ranchers and fishermen in the Pacific Northwest benefit from trade. That is, when our fair trade agreements are balanced to benefit American family agriculture rather than multinational corporations.

While we should continue to look for opportunities to open trade markets for our quality agricultural products, we need to be sure these are opportunities that don’t flood the U.S. market with cheaper, low-quality imports, which will decrease already low commodity prices for American farmers.

pete against cheaper options from TPP partner countries, who were also granted greater market access to Japan.

Market access to Japan would not have equated into equal market share for U.S. producers in the beef export market. If we continue to import more than we export, our trade deficit will only get larger.

Reining in our country’s $531-billion trade deficit and unfair market practices of other countries, such as currency manipulation, was a major focus of President Trump’s campaign, and I am cautiously optimistic that it will be a trade priority for the new administration.

Kent Wright, president, So far, all of our previous trade agreements have Northwest Farmers Union, failed to level the playing field for rural America.

St. John, Wash.

From an economic perspective, the growing trade deficit leads to less opportunities in rural America, equating to millions of jobs lost. From my point of view, rural America cannot afford to have any fewer opportunities, esAs a sixth-generation cattle rancher, I will stress the importance of pecially now that farm families are looking for work to make up for recognizing the difference between market access and market share the financial losses caused by the declining farm economy.

I encourage President Trump, U.S. Trade Representative Robert when negotiating future trade agreements. Take the recently rejected Lighthizer, and Congress to work together to develop commonsense Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) trade agreement as an example.

Beef is one of the top five agricultural exports in the Pacific North- trade solutions that reduce our country’s massive deficit while supwest, but the U.S. has a trade deficit for beef products with several of porting family agriculture and rural American jobs.

Family farmers and ranchers remain hopeful we can achieve fair the countries that were included in the TPP. While additional market access to Japan would have been a positive for agricultural exporters, and balanced trade.

TPP would have likely increased U.S. beef imports.

In turn that would have placed downward pressure on already deKent Wright is president of the Northwest Farmers Union and a clining cattle prices and forced our high-quality beef products to com- sixth-generation cattle rancher from St. John, Wash.

I

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PHOTO BY, JEFF ZENNER PHOTOGRAPHY

Regional producers saw a good to excellent return on wheat and barley harvests in 2016, compared with dismal totals reported the prior year, per estimates released this winter by the National Agricultural Statistics Service.

By David Rauzi, Editor Idaho County Free Press

BARLEY

C

ounty data is based on reports from September Acreage and Production Survey and County Agricultural Production Survey. In some county instances (as noted), data was withheld to avoid disclosing information for individual operations.

IDAHO COUNTY For Idaho County, 2016 saw a dramatic increase in crop production, in comparison to the prior year, per data released by the National Agricultural Statistics Service. Increases, per crop, varied from more than half to one-and-a-half times what producers saw in 2015.

WINTER WHEAT

Winter wheat production for 2016 was substantially higher than the prior year: 93.7 bushels per acre for a total 5,536,000 bushels, up nearly 58 percent (2,021,000 bushels) from the year prior.

In 2016, 62,100 acres were planted and 59,100 were harvested, compared with 61,200 planted and 57,200 harvested in 2015.

Barley harvest saw a dramatic increase from 2015 to 2016, with production up 174 percent with a difference of 746,000 bushels.

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LATAH COUNTY WINTER WHEAT

Production was an additional 914,000 bushels more in 2016 than the prior year, up 19 percent for a total 5,720,000. The 2016 yield-per-acre (YPA) was 90.8 bushels versus 74.9 in 2015.

In 2016, 68,000 acres were planted and 63,000 harvested versus 70,200 planted and 64,200 harvested in 2015.

SPRING WHEAT

SPRING WHEAT

In 2016, 11,904,000 bushels were produced, up 20 percent (311,000) from the prior year. The 2016 YPA was 74.7 versus 50.4 in 2015.

In 2016, 26,300 acres were planted and 25,500 harvested, versus 33,000 planted and 31,600 harvested in 2015.

From 2015 to 2016, spring wheat production in Idaho County was up by 60 percent: a total 497,000 bushels.

Last year, 15,100 acres were planted and 14,600 were harvested for a yield-per-acre of 90.4 bushels. In 2015, 25,500 acres were planted and 24,400 were harvested for a yield-per-acre of 33.7 bushels.

Production was up 11 percent for a total 864,000 bushels in 2016, an increase of 86,000 from the prior year. YPA was 78.5 versus 67.1 in 2015.

In 2016, 11,300 acres were planted and 11,000 harvested, versus 13,600 planted and 11,600 harvested in 2015.

BARLEY

continued on page 34

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NORTH CENTRAL IDAHO FARM & RANCH | SPRING 2017

continued from page 32

LEWIS COUNTY WINTER WHEAT

2016 harvest was up 37 percent: an additional 1,548,000 bushels more than the prior year’s total 4,806,000 for a 91.3 YPA versus 62.7 YPA. In 2016, 68,000 acres were planted and 63,000 were harvested, versus 72,000 planted and 67,000 harvested in 2015.

SPRING WHEAT

Production for 2016 was a total 1,000,000 bushels, up 305,000 bushels (44 percent) from the prior year. YPA was also up during this period: 83.3 bushels versus 40.6.

In 2016, 12,400 acres were planted and 12,000 harvested, versus 17,900 planted and 17,100 harvested in 2015.

BARLEY

A significant increase: Production was up 157 percent in 2016 at a total 856,000 bushels (83.9 YPA), an increase of 523,000 bushels from 333,000 bushels (44.4 YPA) produced in 2015.

In 2016, 10,600 acres planted and 10,200 were harvested, versus 8,300 planted and 7,500 harvested in 2015.

NEZ PERCE COUNTY WINTER WHEAT

A total 6,430,000 bushels were produced in 2016, up 18 percent (989,000 bushels) from the prior year. The 2016 YPA was 86.2 versus 75.9 in 2015.

In 2016, 80,600 was planted and 74,600 was harvested, versus 78,100 planted and 71,700 harvested in 2015.

SPRING WHEAT

In 2016, harvest was up 32 percent (401,000 bushels) for a total production of 1,640,000; a YPA of 76.6 versus 50.4 in 2015.

In 2016, 22,100 acres were planted and 21,400 harvested, versus 25,700 planted and 24,600 harvested in 2015.

BARLEY

Production was up 17,000 bushels (3.2 percent) for a total production of 542,000 in 2016.

YPA was 87.4 in 2016 and 65.6 in 2015.

In 2016, 7,900 acres were planted and 6,200 were harvested, versus 8,200 planted and 8,000 harvested in 2015. • Within the region, data for Adams, Clearwater and Valley counties in these categories was withheld to avoid disclosing information for individual operations.

PHOTO BY JEFF ZENNER PHOTOGRAPHY

NORTH CENTRAL IDAHO FARM & RANCH | SPRING 2017

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NORTH CENTRAL IDAHO FARM & RANCH | SPRING 2017

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