The Argus Observer

Farm & Ranch A salute to the hands that feed us.

ARGUS OBSERVER, SUNDAY, NOV. 27, 2016 INDEPENDENT ENTERPRISE, WEDNESDAY, NOV. 30, 2016

INSIDE

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Concerns surround the alternative crop hemp. . . . . . . 3

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3 area cattle producers rank in the top 10 of their states . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

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Meat goats’ popularity grows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

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New agriculture program aims to create leaders . . . . 8 Local farmer provides insight to labor shortage . . . . . 9 Aquaculture program provides students with employable job skills . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10

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Lindsay Corporation, maker of Zimmatic irrigation systems, introduced FieldNET Pivot Control, a solution for upgrading almost any brand pivot to full remote irrigation control and monitoring capabilities.

Concerns surround the alternative crop hemp with their own industrial hemp legislation to grow and harvest the plant through research piemp’s status as an alterlot programs with state departnative crop in the state of Oregon still remains a ments. That has led to approxiways off despite state legislation mately 80 registered industrial hemp growers in Oregon with that has approved growing industrial hemp within state lines. approximately 1,200 acres total, said Ron Pence, operations The legislation, known as manager for commodity inspecHouse Bill 4060, requires that tion of the Oregon Department industrial hemp growers, handlers or producers of hemp seed of Agriculture.

But that doesn’t address the be registered with the agriculunknowns for growing industure department. trial hemp, especially its regulaIn addition, the Industrial Hemp Farming Act, introduced tions.

One of those, Buhrig said, is in Congress in January of 2015, would exclude industrial hemp the sale of industrial hemp in from the definition of “marijua- other U.S. states after it is produced in Oregon, especially if na,” according to the U.S. Conthose states haven’t passed their gress website. own laws allowing the produc“There’s just a whole lot of stickiness [to the growing of in- tion of industrial hemp.

Another concern stalling more dustrial hemp],” said Bill Buhsweeping hemp regulation, Buhrig, a crops extension agent for the Oregon State University Ex- rig said, is that “hemp and marijuana could cross pollinate.” tension Office.

Pence agreed that the indusCurrent Oregon state law altrial hemp regulations are still lows hemp producers, growers and handlers of any size acreage evolving. He said the Oregon Department of Agriculture is to deal with the product, proworking with the Oregon Liqvided they pay the $500 annuuor Control Commission and al fee. the Oregon Health Authority This, in conjunction with the to clarify some of those regula2014 Federal Farm Bill, allows tions. farmers in states like Oregon

STORY AND PHOTOS BY HUNTER MARROW

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Oil taken from hemp was what was originally seen in the Oregon natural market 10 to 20 years ago, said Michael Chase, owner of Ontario-based Oregon Natural Market.

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Hemp heart bites available for purchase at the Oregon Natural Market on Wednesday, Nov. 16. Hemp is being used in a variety of products including soaps, lotions, cereals, and clothing, among many others.

3 area cattle producers rank in the top 10 of their respective states

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Industrial hemp is defined as cannabis with .3 percent tetrahydrocannabinol or below. THC, as it is known, is what is responsible for the “high” users of marijuana feel when smoking the plant.

“It’s still not clear at this point,” Pence said.

To the best of his knowledge, there are currently no hemp processing plants in the state of Oregon, Buhrig said. There are also no registered grow sites within Malheur County, he added.

While growing industrial hemp for commercial profit still remains in its infancy across the United States due to its prohibition by federal law, retail sales of products made with hemp are legal and make up approximately $570 million annually nationwide, according to a 2015 report from the Hemp Industries Association.

The total includes many of the products in which hemp is used, including clothing, automobile parts, building materials, food, supplements, body care supplies and other products.

Industrial hemp is defined as having .3 percent tetrahydrocannabinol or below, said Michael Chase, owner of Ontario-based Oregon Natural Market, which sells more than a few hempbased products such as cereals, chips, soaps, lotions and oils.

Manufacturers are able to sell these products within state lines,

he said, because these products are regulated as a food.

The last five to eight years, he said, has seen growth of the hemp product market in Oregon in the edibles and body care spheres.

“It’s everywhere now,” Chase said. He added that hemp has been added to some products such as lip balm, toothpaste and bread products.

Despite the fact hemp is a variety of the cannabis sativa plant, its miniscule THC levels have allowed its permeation in those products.

However, the future appears to be focused on a compound of the hemp plant, known as cannabidiol, that is looked at as having great medical benefits.

Unlike THC with its psychoactive effects, CBD is touted for its non-psychoactive effects.

According to a 2013 review published in the British Journal Clinical Pharmacology, CBD has show to have medical properties including as an antiemetic, antipsychotic, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant, among others.

The market for the extract has exploded recently. “The sky is the limit,” Pence said.

feature Monty Pearce

he American Angus Association recently recognized the top 10 producers who registered the most Angus beef cattle in each state, and this time around, local cattle ranchers made the rankings.

The top 10 recorders in the state of Oregon for the association’s 2016 fiscal year included area ranchers Maag Angus and Baker Angus, both of Vale.

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BY TANYA BAÑUELOS

Wahlgren said.

Deanne Vallad, co-owner of Maag Angus Ranch, said being ranked isn’t a huge priority for her, saying, “we just do what we do.”

The ranch, which began with her parents, Bob and MaryAnn Maag, has seen much growth through the years.

“We used to breed a lot of dairy heifers and that’s kind of what got us started. One day we were looking to buy a bull and then dad came home with 15 Angus cattle and a bull,” Vallad said. “From there, it just took off.”

Perhaps the most rewarding part of being in the Angus business, Vallad said, is getting to enjoy the baby calves.

“I truly enjoy watching them play as well as weaning and weighing them,” Vallad added.

In total, cattle producers

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PHOTOS BY MERRILY PEARCE

Monty J & Merry Pearce Cattle

across Oregon registered 4,887 Angus cattle for the American Angus Association’s fiscal year of 2016.

In Idaho, Angus cattle accounted for 5,054 registrations with the association.

New Plymouth cattle farmers Monty J & Merry Pearce, ranked as tenth largest with 169

registrations of Angus beef cattle in Idaho, according to Wahlgren.

The cattle ranch, which started in 1976, began like most cattle farms as far as numbers, Monty Pearce said. “I began with five cows and some heifers,” he added. “However, we didn’t inherit the cattle ranch. It is something

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ARGUS OBSERVER, SUNDAY NOV. 27, 2016 / INDEPENDENT ENTERPRISE, WEDNESDAY, NOV. 30, 2016

Baker Angus, which ranked as sixth largest in the state, registered 285 pure breed Angus, according to Amber Wahlgren, American Angus communications coordinator.

Jerry Baker, who has been in business for 34 years, said the ranking reflects about where he thought he would be. “I have been listed at number six for a while,” he added.

Although the farm was family owned since 1945, it wasn’t until 1982 that Baker purchased the farm and decided to get into the Angus cattle business.

“I started with five cows and one bull on 150 acres. Now we have about 800 acres. It was just a hobby that got out of hand,” Baker said.

Ranking at ninth largest in the state of Oregon was Maag Angus Ranch, which registered a total of 223 pure breed Angus,

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. .. r e w o P o h Dear Ida me and my family have really worked hard on.”

Pearce credits hard work and the advancements in research and technology for his success in the Angus business.

“Because of these advancements we are able to put a lot of emphasis on areas that are important and we are able to progress,” he said.

This year, Pearce said, the new frontier will be to focus on feeding efficiency.

Apart from the progress he and his family have made,

Thanks for Irrigation Efficiency Rewards! Because of you I am healthier and provide a better yield. My farmer earned a cash incentive and used less energy. Both helped his bottom line.

Pearce said his favorite part about the Angus business is during the seasons spring and fall when the calves are born.

“I love seeing new calves come. You get to see what the new ones look like, and then in the fall you get to see the results of all your hard work,” he said.

“It’s been good for us and we work hard for it.”

On a national scale, 334,607 Angus cattle were registered with the American Angus Association in fiscal year of 2016, which ended Sept. 30.

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Monty J & Merry Pearce Cattle

Meat goats’ popularity grows

BY ROB RUTH

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when the meats are roasted, and only one-eighth the amount found in pork.

And goat meat is only about as caloric as chicken, according to data provided by the Snake River Goat Meat Association.

Autumn and Jesse Davis, who live just outside Ontario, have certainly been won over. Autumn said they began as commercial breeders of goats eight years ago, but during the past couple of years they’ve been transitioning their operation to show stock breeding.

“We don’t have a lot of land, so it makes more sense for our operation,” she said, alluding to the

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SUBMITTED PHOTOS

Brookelynn Davis, of Ontario, gets her goat Georgia Peach ready for the Snake River Meat Goat Association’s Fall Finale show in October at the Payette County Fairgrounds in New Plymouth.

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ationwide, raising meat goats is a growth industry, and breeders in the Western Treasure Valley are part of that trend.

The Snake River Meat Goat Association started in 2006 “with just a handful of members,” Kahla Shigeta, association president, said in an email.

Now in its 10th year, the association has “around 100 memberships which would account for more than 250 people,” Shigeta wrote.

She said the association has a new youth program with scholarships, hosts

seven professional American Boer Goat Association shows, three youth jackpot shows and one production sale “that brings in breeders from all around the west coast and as far as New Mexico. This year the production sale had goats shipped as far east as Pennsylvania and as far south as Texas.”

Goat meat is the meat of choice for many of the nation’s relatively recent immigrants.

It’s also cheaper and easier to raise goats than cattle, for example, and advocates also tout goat meat’s health benefits, including having less than onefifth the fat content of beef

ARGUS OBSERVER, SUNDAY NOV. 27, 2016 / INDEPENDENT ENTERPRISE, WEDNESDAY, NOV. 30, 2016

part in jackpot shows and are active members of the Junior Snake River Meat Goat Association.

8 Autumn Davis said goats are highly personable animals that enjoy being shown.

“They have a lot of personality, and they are fun,” she said.

“I grew up on a cattle ranch,” Autumn Davis said. “I never thought I’d be a goat farmer and I wouldn’t have it any other way, because it’s awesome.”

Shigeta wrote that she and husband Koben Shigeta started their Ontario operation, KSK Youth show their goats at the Boers of Summer jackpot show of the Snake River Meat Ranch, about five years ago.

Goats Association in June at the Payette County Fairgrounds.

They got into goats, she said, “because I love the Boer breed.”

She said their buck Designatgoats’ higher value. The breedincludes six pregnant does. ed Driver placed third in the The Ontario couple has three er’s cost to raise the goats can be nation this year in his senior children, aged 9, 10 and 11, higher as well, however. whose 4-H projects have includ- buck class at the ABGA Nation“You have to feed them well al Show. She said Designated ed market goats and breeding and you have to take a little bit Driver’s genetics produced three better care of them,” Autumn does. The does they show are overall grand champion market Davis says about show goats. registered through the Amerigoats this year, at events in MalShe said their operation curcan Boer Goat Association. heur County, Payette County The Davis children also take rently has 13 goats, a total that

and Canyon County.

She said the Shigetas’ goal is a common one among breeders; to one day produce a national champion.

“My biggest concern in the Treasure Valley is the lack of growth in fairs to accommodate for better stock,” Kahla Shigeta wrote. “Some of the best breeders in the country are here on the west coast. Last year the Treasure Valley had over eight breeders representing the Treasure Valley at the American Boer Goat Association National show.”

“We had a few local breeders place 3rd, 4th, 5th and 10th in the nation,” she added. “That’s a huge milestone for our community. And those genetics are here in the Treasure Valley. Because of those great genetics we are seeing a lot of wethers now finishing earlier or becoming heavier to finish. Better quality, better carcass, higher weaning and finish weights.”

New agriculture program aims to create leaders

“R

EAL Oregon” is a program to train people in the agriculture and natural resources fields to move into leadership positions at the local and state level.

Oregon State University Extension agent said.

Buhrig, a member of the steering REAL Oregon Committee, said the program is designed to develop leaders from fisheries and forestry, as well as agriculture, and draws REAL stands for Resource Education and Agriculture Leadership. from those industries for the comNew to Oregon, the state’s first mittee membership. program is scheduled to start next Besides Buhrig, local memberfall with sessions to be held at difship on the steering committee includes Bill Johnson, owner of Sage ferent locations around the state.

Applications will be accepted start- Farms and a member of Poverty to Prosperity and Nial Bradshaw, ing in February.

While the program has been on- with the Bank of Eastern Oregon. going since the 1980s in more than One of the goals of the program is 30 states around the country, Ore- to provide leaders in agriculture and gon did not have one, Bill Buhrig, natural resources, who will then be

able to present their perspective in the public policy arena, Buhrig said, be it at a school board, county commission or the legislature.

Oregon’s program is heavily

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Local farmer provides insight to labor shortage influencing the shortage is that of an immigration decline, where the number of potential farm workers has declined over the years, according to the 2015 report. The issue is of concern to farmers, especially when the U.S Department of Labor estimates nearly half of U.S. farm workers are undocumented.

Like many farmers across the nation, Corn added that he would like to see a program for undocumented immigrants to be able to come to the country for work and then return home. “It would be beneficial to the community and the agricultural community because there is a dire need for it,” he said.

As for now, while Corn sees the 9 issue to be a growing problem, the evolving nature of farming equipment seems to be helping, at least at the moment.

As far as equipment and production, farming has changed drastically. Before, workers had to hand-sack onions, whereas now it is totally mechanized. However, there are still jobs that require more people, such as irrigation.

“However, just take a drive around and notice the sprinkler systems. More and more people are switching over or are using drip irrigation,” he said. “A part of that is motivated by not having enough people to do the labor; it’s the driving force.”

website, topics will include board governance, communication skills, conflict resolution, public poliWashington, Buhrig said.

The annual program will be open cy, media relations, professional presentation, public speaking and to 30 people who will be asked to strength assessment. commit to five sessions, each held “Cultivating common ground in a different location. between urban and rural commuStarting in the fall of 2017, tentanities,” Buhrig said, is an overartive locations start with Burns, folching theme of Oregon’s program lowed by the coast, Medford and Salem/Portland in February, to coin- and is a reason for the diversity of cide with the legislative session, with locations.

“Class members visit five difthe final session being in Boardman.

According to the REAL Oregon ferent locations across the state

to gain the leadership skills while gaining an in-depth understanding of the agriculture and natural resource sectors that define the Oregon economy,” according to the Real Oregon website.

Farmers, ranchers and people involved in fishing, food processing as well as those involved in timber are invited to apply.

“The goal is to help mid-career professional learns about public policy and improve business skills (and) create a network of

like-minded people,” Johnson said, adding that they hoped the create the next generation of leaders throughout rural Oregon.

“People are looking beyond the current generation,” Johnson continued.

“People are concerned about political problems,” he said. “People are concerned about the urban and rural divide.” But concerns of people in Astoria are similar to concerns of people in eastern Oregon, Johnson said.

Continued from page 8

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arm workers are in high demand across the Western Treasure Valley, but it’s no secret here and nationally that supply is limited.

Nationwide, the supply of workers available to U.S farmers has been rapidly declining over the years and local farmers attribute it to a number of factors, including age, wages and citizenship status.

Bruce Corn, a Nyssa native and farmer of 40 years, stresses the importance of being able to replace those who retire.

“It is getting more and more difficult to find workers. A lot of the people we do have are getting old-

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ARGUS OBSERVER, SUNDAY NOV. 27, 2016 / INDEPENDENT ENTERPRISE, WEDNESDAY, NOV. 30, 2016

er, and as they get older, they retire. The problem (is) that there aren’t enough younger people who seek work in the farming labor industry.”

He adds that when the time comes, he isn’t sure who he is going to hire to replace those who retire.

Indeed, not many young people are looking to use their skills in the farming industry. In fact, U.Sborn workers are not filling the labor gaps on farms, according to a 2015 report by the Partnership for a New America Economy, a bi-partisan group of business leaders that supports “sensible” immigration reform.

Another factor which may be

BY TANYA BAÑUELOS

10

Aquaculture program provides students with employable job skills

ARGUS OBSERVER, SUNDAY NOV. 27, 2016 / INDEPENDENT ENTERPRISE, WEDNESDAY, NOV. 30, 2016

BY TANYA BAÑUELOS

L

ocated within the walls of Bulldog territory is an agricultural class full of Nyssa High School students who are learning the ways of aquaculture and more.

The program, which has been around for more than 10 years, focuses on water farming where students learn how to breed, rear and harvest fish in a water environment.

Chad Cruickshank, the Nyssa High School agricultural teacher, said it’s the perfect way for students to gain a wide range perspective about water farming and responsibilities.

This year, as with many years before, the students are focusing on growing Tilapia. To do that, Cruickshank said the students tend to the fish every day during the school year in the aquaculture lab.

However, the process typically begins during the summer when the fish are ordered at which point Chris Carlton, the Nyssa Middle School earth science teacher, cares for the fish while school is out of session.

“When the fish arrive they are itty bitty and weigh about a gram, so during the summer I monitor and feed them. As soon as high school begins, the students take over,” Carlton said.

“It’s a great partnership with the high school to better its program.”

Normally the fish take about

nine months to grow to their full size and although that may sound like a long time, Cruickshank said it’s all about the educational aspect of the program.

“A lot of people don’t understand that we are growing with high school students. We aren’t a full fledged production, the focus is more on education,” he added.

During the school week, the students feed the fish as well as maintain a hygienic environment by cleaning bio balls and settling tanks. Additionally, the students have to make sure that all equipment functions properly, such as checking oxygen levels and gauge levels.

Cruickshank said the program offers students the opportunity to gain hands-on application that they can’t get from a class textbook.

“For example, students learn what to do if they lose a heater and learn that if the fish aren’t eating it may be because the tank is not up to optimal temperature,” he added.

“They get a background of where they want to go, and they get career readiness as far as being able to go out and get a job.

They learn employable job skills and responsibilities,” Cruickshank said.

Another important aspect of the program is that it presents students with the chance to learn about trouble shooting, added Carlton. Ultimately, the students are able to learn how to

SUBMITTED PHOTOS

(Left to right) Nyssa Middle School students hang out in the aquaculture lab DeeJay Iverson, Teagan Moody, Carson Hartley, Qyonee Mitchell, Jacey Hartley, Nico Gomeza (by the white feeder).

DeeJay Iverson (closest to the camera) Nico Gomeza to the right. Teagan Moody and Carson Hartley (with nets in back) checking on the tilapia, along with Qyonee Mitchell.

handle and work through situations where problems may arise.

Once the tilapia fish grow to a marketable size (e.g. one pound), they are marketed to Red Apple and then sold.

As the program has seasoned, Cruickshank said he is working on incorporating new aspects such as water hydroponics, which focuses on growing plants without soil but with water.

“We are looking to use the fish water waste to grow lettuce,” he added.

The program is also growing in that it recently received the Carl Perkins grant, which allowed the class to upgrade from a 150-gallon tank to a 300-gallon tank.

Since the aquaculture began, Cruickshank said about 1,000 students have participated in one form or another and adds that it’s fun, especially when parents get to see what their kids have been working on.

“It’s always fun to see their reactions,” he said.

Farmer becomes a local source for native plants

BY TANYA BAÑUELOS

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Erstrom, a Jamieson native, said it all began during his 33 years of work at the Bureau of Land Man-

ARGUS OBSERVER, SUNDAY NOV. 27, 2016 / INDEPENDENT ENTERPRISE, WEDNESDAY, NOV. 30, 2016

ative plants reduce the spread of non-native species, assist in postfire restoration and more, which is why when Jerry Erstrom retired from the Bureau of Land Management 15 years ago, he decided to take it upon himself to become a local source for these types of plants.

agement where he was in charge of the fire restoration program.

“In those days it gave me some insight as to what was going on in the rangeland,” Erstrom said.

At times, he added, there were some cases where there wouldn’t be enough material available for restoration projects. In essence, he discovered the existence of a niche market.

“I thought, ‘what the heck, I’ll give it a try,’” Erstrom said. “It was a natural progression.”

At first, it began with a small variety of native plants, such as Western Yarrow. That particular species, he said, is used primarily for general and post-fire restoration.

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plants is not a big deal for Erstrom.

Rather it’s the electronic part of it all where he struggles, which is why he enlists the help of his girlfriend, JoAnn Behrends. “She is my right hand,” Erstrom said.

Behrends, an Adrian native, said her family background includes generations of seed growers so it’s great to be able to help wherever she can. “I enjoy going out in the fields to look at the native plants and make suggestions,” Behrends said.

As Erstrom has progressed in growing native plants, he said he is just fascinated with the way each plant functions differently.

“Even though some plants are of

the same variety, the species is totally different because of its origin. It is absolutely interesting and I appreciate it,” Erstrom said.

What works best for this area, he said, is sourcing seeds locally because it increases the chances of restoration.

Although he is kept busy with farming, Erstrom still finds time to get involved with volunteer work where he serves on the County Weed Board, State Weed Board and Willowcreek Working Group.

“I also enjoy spending time with my grandchildren,” he said.

Currently he is working in conjunction with the Bureau of Land

PHOTOS BY TANYA BAÑUELOS

Pictured are yarrow seeds

Management and Snake River Correctional Institution to restore sagebrush. As such, he dedicated one of his fields to grow 30,000 sagebrush, where he will continue to work the land as they grow.

“It’s good to be doing something that fixes something,” Erstrom said.

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Since he began, Erstrom said it has ultimately worked out very well for him, and as a result he has expanded and now carries several varieties. Currently, he carries seven to eight different varieties of penstemon, as well as yarrow and showy goldeneye. Those plants make up the majority of what he produces.

Among other benefits of working with native plants, Erstrom said, is they typically don’t take a lot of water so he is able to get by with a short water supply. However, at times the seeds can take up to two years to bloom, while some may even take four.

Still, growing the