Mission Statement: Guided by our cooperative, legislative and educational goals, North Dakota Farmers Union is a grassroots organization committed to the advancement of family farm and ranch agriculture and quality of life for people everywhere through member advocacy, educational programs, cooperative initiatives and insurance services.
UNION FARMER
www.ndfu.org
Photo courtesy of NDFU member Denise Brown
In this issue
5.
Olson family
11. EPIC events
17.
Tractor restoration
23. President’s message
August 2016 – Volume 63 • Number 8
A goodbye message from the editor BY ANNE DENHOLM, NDFU
Writing for North Dakota Farmers Union has been a passion of mine for the last six years but now it’s time to say goodbye. As I leave the state to pursue another career opportunity in Iowa, I’m taking a moment to look back at my short time in North Dakota to ponder the wonder of it all. It’s been a true joy to chronicle the ups and
downs in agriculture, to be part of a successful campaign that protects family farming and to capture the beauty of the land through photographs and stories. What started out as a job became much more to me. I met some incredible people who became good friends. I worked with very committed staff members who helped educate me on North Dakota and the Farmers Union way
of life. I had opportunities to write about unique co-ops, innovative products, new services and some amazing farmers and ranchers who have made a difference in their communities. I became part of a family. So thank you. Thanks for the privilege of serving NDFU and for being part of Farmers Union. Thank you all for the memories! s
For more information, e-mail us at info@fumic.com
www.fumic.com
UNION FARMER MAGAZINE The UNION FARMER is published monthly by North Dakota Farmers Union at 1415 12th Ave SE, Jamestown, ND 58401. EDITOR: Anne Denholm 800-366-8331 ext. 118 adenholm@ndfu.org Annual subscription is $30 with membership. Periodicals postage paid at Fargo, ND POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: NDFU, P.O. Box 2136, Jamestown, ND 58402-2136 Copies mailed this issue: 35, • USPS 016-211
FIND US ON THE WEB:
www.ndfu.org
http://issuu.com/ndfu
Read the Union Farmer online
CONNECT WITH US: North Dakota Farmers Union North Dakota Farmers Union Youth Program ND Farmers Union Tours NDFU Alumni Association
ND Farmers Union
BOARD OF DIRECTORS: President: Mark Watne • Vice President: Bob Kuylen • Secretary: Ellen Linderman Treasurer: Terry Borstad • Wes Niederman; Shane Sickler; Dennis Stromme; Jim Teigen and Ronda Throener 2
August 2016
Union Farmer • www.ndfu.org
Genotyping Center opens in Fargo The National Agricultural Genotyping Center in Fargo officially opened its doors on Tuesday, June 21, with representatives from government and industry on hand for the grand opening of the new facility. According to North Dakota Farmers Union Agricultural Strategist Dane Braun, the center is state-of-the-art. “NDFU believes in ag research and development. That’s why Farmers Union Enterprise invested $100,000 to help fund the project. This center will find new ways to lower production costs and provide innovative research to assist in more efficient farming and ranching practices.” The National Agricultural Genotyping Center will translate scientific discoveries, such as the information from the maize genome project, into solutions for production agriculture, food safety, functional foods, bioenergy and national security. For example, tests will begin this fall on chronic wasting disease that will detect mis-folded proteins that cause the disease. This technology can also be applied to environmental samples like feed prior to deployment and plants and grass growing in areas where deer currently reside. The testing offers a proactive approach in managing diseased and non-diseased populations. Another test has been requested by the North Dakota Department of Agriculture involving honeybees. The center will be creating a panel to detect 11 diseases affecting honeybees. This research could prove to be invaluable to beekeeping across the country. The NAGC partnership brings together industry leaders and organizations with Los Alamos National Laboratory, the premier research institution in the world with a proven track record in developing genotyping technology. s
Union Farmer • www.ndfu.org
The ribbon cutting ceremony involved many industry leaders and government officials including (from left to right): Tom Brusegaard, field representative for Sen. John Hoeven; Doug Goehring, North Dakota Ag commissioner; and Bob Bowman, chairman of the National Agricultural Genotyping Center.
This image of a strawberry illustrates how DNA can be extracted, isolated and observed.
The center features a liquid handling robot system provided by Biomek NX. August 2016
3
Conference to feature global experts A growing number of notable speakers will be heading to Fargo on Sept. 18-21, as plans take shape for the annual Agricultural Bioscience International Conference (ABIC). The event, considered to be the premier global meeting promoting innovation in agricultural bioscience, is being held in the United States for the first time in its 20-year history. North Dakota Farmers Union is one of the event sponsors. The conference will feature many global experts from around the world who will focus on how they are using bioscience to increase production, enhance nutrition and produce higher quality food to meet the need for a more
nutritional food supply in a changing world. U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack has been asked to kick off the event, which is expected to draw over 500 participants from around the globe. Other notable speakers include: • Dr. Patrick Moore – He is an independent ecologist and environmentalist with Ecosense Environmental Inc. A co-founder of Greenpeace, he is now a selfproclaimed Greenpeace dropout and sensible environmentalist with a vision for a sustainable future. • Dr. Kevin Folta – He is an educator, molecular biologist and researcher from the University of Florida. • Dr. Robert T. Fraley – He has
served as executive vice president and chief technology officer at Monsanto Company since 2000. • Greg Page – Over a career spanning nearly 40 years, Page held a number of positions at Cargill, Inc. • Dr. Carl Ramage – Over the past 20 years, Ramage has supported the development of ag biotech products in Australia in various roles in the supply chain. • Dr. Jack Dekkers – From Iowa State University where he leads the Animal Breeding and Genetics group. His current research focuses on the genetic basis of feed efficiency and health in pigs. Additional conference information is available online at abic2016.com s IN
THFIR E U ST NI TI TE M DS E TA TE
Bioscience and the future of agriculture.
S
Learn more and register today at abic2016.com
Fargo, North Dakota, USA • SEPTEMBER 18-21, 2016 Join us for the world’s top agricultural bioscience event KEYNOTE SPEAKERS
Secretary Tom Vilsack – Dr. Patrick Moore –
Independent Ecologist/ Environmentalist, Ecosense Environmental Inc.
United States Secretary of Agriculture (scheduled to speak)
Plant Science
•
Dr. Kevin Folta –
2016 TRACKS • Innovations
Animal Health
Dr. Robert Fraley –
Professor and Chairman, Executive Vice President Horticultural Sciences Dept., and Chief Technology University of Florida Officer, Monsanto
•
Food & Health
Hosted by North Dakota State University, North Dakota Department of Agriculture, and AdFarm 4
August 2016
Union Farmer • www.ndfu.org
The Olsons: Co-op leadership spanning three generations
Darald and Owen Olson proudly serve their local cooperative.
BY PAM MUSLAND, NDFU
Darald Olson is a quiet pillar of strength. He is a man of few words and a strong believer in the power of cooperatives to change the lives of everyday people. “Co-ops really have a purpose,” Olson says, as he talks passionately about the Farmers Union Oil Co. of Jamestown. “Some people forget why there are co-ops. They don’t realize what it was like without the co-op and take it for granted.” For more than a third of the oil company’s 87-year existence, an Olson has served on its board of directors. Darald’s father, Ole “O.B.” Olson, served from 19531964. Darald served for 21 years from 1987-2008, and Darald’s son Owen was elected to the board last year. O.B. was on the board when co-op members built a new station on Business Loop West, as well as a fertilizer plant – the first in North Dakota to be constructed by a Farmers Union Oil Company. It was an especially progressive time in the co-op’s history, says Darald, as he leafs through photographs he has never seen of co-op events and members. Then he lifts up a picture and gets especially quiet. “That’s my dad,” he says excitedly. There, standing bent over a table registering co-op Union Farmer • www.ndfu.org
members for the 1959 annual meeting is O.B. The image of his father working as a co-op board member strikes a cord with Darald. It’s proof of the co-op mindedness that has been passed down from father to son to grandson. With each generation, new challenges exist. Darald served on the board when the co-op faced profitability challenges and had to close the station that was built under his father’s tenure. “Darald cared about the co-op and its success,” said John Fritz,
manager of Farmers Union Oil of Jamestown. “He was on the board for some very difficult years. He was very professional, no nonsense and well respected.” For any co-op, board members are critical to its success, emphasizes Fritz. “Whenever you get seven experienced farmers in a room together with a general manager, you can come up with ideas to better the co-op and solutions to almost anything that comes before them.” That’s certainly the case for Farmers Union Oil of Jamestown. With 36 full and part-time employees, the co-op returned patronage refunds of $300,000 last year. It also set a record high working capital of $4.25 million and has $17 million in total assets. “The oil company has maintained a strong equity position,” notes Owen. “We’re able to pay back patronage and stock and remain profitable. We always have to look out for our members first and see how decisions will benefit them.” Darald agrees, “Members don’t belong to the co-op. The co-op belongs to the members.” And for the Olsons, Farmers Union Oil Co. is as much a part of their family’s history as their last name. s
Farmers Union Oil Co. of Jamestown is a big part of the Olson family history. Pictured at right with head bowed is O.B. Olson. August 2016
5
Controlling flies on cattle ranches Face and horn flies are the most common and most treated pests on North Dakota livestock operations, producers reported in a recent North Dakota State University Extension Service survey. “Left untreated, these pests can cause significant loss in production,” NDSU Extension Livestock Environmental Stewardship Specialist Miranda Meehan says. “In the U.S., horn flies are estimated to cause an economic loss of $1 billion annually.” While integrated pest management (IPM) is commonplace for controlling crop pests, similar concepts can apply to controlling livestock pests. These concepts include using the right type of control at the right time for the right duration to control pests effectively. Many North Dakota livestock producers apply pest control prior to pasture turnout, which may be optimal for control of some pests but not others, according to Patrick Beauzay, NDSU Extension entomology research specialist. Horn flies are gray and look like small houseflies. Horn flies bite and spend most of their time clustered around the head, shoulders and back of cattle. These blood-sucking flies feed up to 30 times per day. This constant biting causes cattle pain and stress, and can reduce the cattle’s weight gains by as much as 20 pounds. The life cycle of a horn fly ranges from 10 to 20 days, depending on weather conditions. Populations typically peak in midsummer and early fall. When fly counts reach 200 flies per animal, the economic threshold has been reached and animals will have significant weight loss. The economic threshold is the pest density at which producers should take action to manage the pest. Face flies look like large, dark house flies. They are non-biting flies that feed on animal secretions, 6
August 2016
plant nectar and manure liquids. Face flies may transmit pathogens responsible for infecting the eye and causing keratoconjunctivitis, or “pinkeye,” in cattle. The life cycle of a face fly is approximately 21 days. Populations tend to peak in late summer. Horn and face flies typically are not present at pasture turnout and do not reach economic thresholds for applying control until midsummer. “The first step to determining when to apply control is to properly scout pastures and cattle to determine fly type and fly populations,” NDSU Extension Beef Cattle Specialist Carl Dahlen says. “Horn flies typically rest on cattle throughout the day, whereas face flies land on the face of cattle for a meal and then retreat to nearby structures (forages, fences, etc.).” Ear tags contain insecticides that are released slowly into the animal’s hair by movement, so ear tags should not be applied until fly populations are nearing the economic thresholds (typically from mid-June to July), Dahlen adds. Read insecticide labels carefully because recommendations can vary for the number of tags to apply (one or two), age of cattle that can be tagged and chemical class of active ingredient (pyretheroid, organophosphate or a combination). Beauzay recommends rotating the class of insecticide each year and removing tags when they no longer provide effective fly control to help prevent flies from becoming resistant to the insecticides.
“To achieve proper fly control, pour-on and sprays must be applied every two to three weeks throughout the fly season,” NDSU Extension Veterinarian and Livestock Stewardship Specialist Gerald Stokka says. “Applying these products before pasture turnout likely will not be an effective fly control method. Additionally, avermectin pour-ons will have more impact on internal parasite loads later in the summer when internal parasite populations are greater.” Feed additive insecticides can be included in mineral formulations for the cattle. The additives pass through the animals’ digestive system and destroy the developing fly maggots in the manure. These additives are effective in killing 80 to 90 percent of the developing fly larvae in animals that have consumed the product. Back rubbers, dusters and other means of delivering insecticides, as well as nonchemical fly traps and reliance on natural fly defense mechanisms (dung beetle control of larvae), also are options. As with the other control methods, producers need to watch for economic thresholds and determine what control measure will work best in their operation. “When applying any type of pest control, be sure to carefully read the label prior to application,” Dahlen says. “It is important to monitor populations to see if the product is achieving the desired level of control. If a product is not effective, the fly population may have developed a resistance to that type of insecticide and another method and/or product should be utilized.” Meehan adds, “Pest control can be costly. Producers can reduce costs by following principles of integrated pest management and applying the appropriate products at the appropriate time for the appropriate control of pest populations.” s Union Farmer • www.ndfu.org
Donate an acre of food this fall BY ANNE DENHOLM, NDFU
In a state where the land is dominated by wheat fields, crops and animal production, it seems strange to think that some residents are going hungry. But in North Dakota, it is estimated that one in 12 residents do not have enough to eat. The Great Plains Food Bank (GPFB) is working to change that statistic. GPFB Major Gifts Officer Ron Walters said, “We provide food to 228 local feeding programs in 117 North Dakota communities helping to address the hunger issue, and we are also a supporting partner of the North Dakota Department of Agriculture local foods initiative program.” This local foods initiative encourages local growers to plant extra acres or rows of fruits and vegetables, which are donated to local pantries, soup kitchens and in some cases, to the GPFB. GPFB is also a member of Feeding America, the nation’s food bank network. National Farmers
Union is a sponsor of Feeding America and encourages farmers to participate in a charitable giving program called Invest an Acre. NFU has pledged to contribute to nationwide hunger relief through this program. The organization officially kicked off its fundraising efforts in May. The Invest an Acre program encourages farmer participation by providing a dollar for dollar match from Monsanto. Participating farmers may also designate which local feeding programs receive their donation including local organizations who partner with GPFB. The Monsanto match portion of the donation goes directly to GPFB. North Dakota Farmers Union Member Operations Supervisor Jessica Haak was recently appointed to the GPFB Board of Directors. She said, “I am looking forward to helping bridge the connection from those who grow the food to those who go hungry. GPFB serves thousands of North Dakotans in need and I’m excited to
WHEN THE GOING GETS TOUGH,
THE TOUGH START GIVING.
be part of it." NDFU recently presented a check to GPFB for more than $27,000 during the July Board of Governors meeting. The money was raised by county Farmers Union organizations through various fundraisers and donations to help build a new regional service center in Bismarck that will better serve 28 central and western North Dakota counties. With a goal of raising $25,000 toward the project, NDFU President Mark Watne said he was pleased with the effort. “It’s a great humanitarian gesture and another level of involvement in the food chain from our farm and ranch members,” he said. “They understand the importance of getting their product to market and into the mouths of hungry people.” Contact GPFB at 721 Memorial Highway in Bismarck at 701-7516188 or at 1720 3rd Ave. N in Fargo at 701-232-6219. s
HOW IT WORKS 1
GRAIN CONTRACT
2
3
DONATE:
*50 BUSHELS *100 BUSHELS *200 BUSHELS
$ $ $
Fill out your grain FOOD BANK contract and allocate a donation $ $ amount $
4
FOOD BANK
The local food bank supplies food that feeds people in your community
Union Farmer • www.ndfu.org
FOOD BANK
Deliver your crops to the grain elevator
100% of your donation FOOD BANK funds your local food bank
5
Monsanto matches your donation, doubling the impact
Invest an Acre and Feed Your Community
August 2016
7
Farm safety videos aim to educate National Farmers Union (NFU) hopes to raise awareness this time of year about farm safety issues and best practices through a series of 10 educational videos. The videos are available at www.NFU.org/farmsafety. Each segment is designed to educate consumers about hazards and proper safety procedures to avoid farm-related accidents or casualties. “Understanding the dangers on and around the farm and how to avoid them can make a life-saving difference when operating heavy machinery or working around livestock,” said NFU President Roger Johnson. “Through this program, NFU hopes to build mass awareness and contribute to reducing the number of annual farm-related accidents.” Nearly 500 farm work-related
deaths occur annually, according to a 2013 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics study, and machinery accidents account for approximately a quarter of them. Four of the NFU videos focus on topics related to farm equipment. Other video topics include
safety measures for livestock handling, grain hauling and storage, chemical use and keeping kids safe on the farm. An unfortunate number of farm accidents involve children under the age of 20 – four-in-five of which are not labor related, Johnson explained. “It is important for everyone to stay aware and be safe,” he said. “Especially in rural communities where cars share the roads with farm machinery and families and friends visit local farms.” NFU’s farm safety videos were made possible by the generous support of CHS Foundation, National Farmers Union Foundation, National Farmers Union Insurance, Hastings Mutual Insurance, Midwest Agency, Farmers Union Insurance and Montana Farmers Union. s
Another membership perk – $3.00 off captain pass for NDFU members!
8
August 2016
Union Farmer • www.ndfu.org
Community Stewards program helps Richland County renovation project Richland County Farmers Union applied for a North Dakota Farmers Union Community Stewards grant to help renovate the Colfax Cafe. A $500 check was presented to the park board staff during a picnic last month. Each year, the Colfax Park Board hosts a community picnic as a fundraiser for the park board. This year, the event was held at the Colfax park and more than 200 people attended. The Colfax Park Board runs the Colfax community pool, the only public pool in northern Richland County. The pool serves a wide area of rural Richland County. Pool staff also provide swimming lessons. The Park Board is currently raising funds to renovate the former Colfax Cafe into a building that will have changing rooms, showers and
better bathrooms. At the current time, there are no locker rooms, shower facility or a place for kids to leave their clothing while at the pool.
Co-op benefits from “Beyond the Bushel”
Pictured from left to right are: Wendy Tecca, Pat Becker, Chad Tecca, Larry Nagel, Kathy Kraft, Willy Mosset, Victor Kraft, David Volk and Victor Krusch.
Sioux County Farmers Union members recently helped take inventory at the Farmers Union Oil Co. of Selfridge as part of NDFU’s Beyond the Bushel program. County and co-op board members worked side by side to count inventory in the warehouse, yard, shop and convenience store. Members also arranged merchandise on shelves. Union Farmer • www.ndfu.org
“The community saw a close working relationship,” said Sioux County Farmers Union President Larry Nagel of the day’s activity. “Hopefully, this will help or encourage more people in the community to become active Farmers Union members.” Nagel said the county is appreciative of the educational funds they receive from the co-op.
A drawing was also held to give away a free trip to NDFU Summer Camp from Richland County Farmers Union. s
Edinger wins award North Dakota Farmers Union Education Development Supervisor Carla Edinger has won the highest award for achievement through her participation in Dale Carnegie’s Leadership Training for Managers course. The award is voted on by class members upon completion of the course series. The criteria for this award is to exemplify the principles of Dale Carnegie training throughout the course, demonstrate significant and professional development and demonstrate careful preparation. s
August 2016
9
National Youth Advisory Council elected Over 60 young adults from across the country recently took part in cooperative learning activities and leadership building at National Farmers Union’s (NFU) AllStates Leadership Camp in Bailey, Colo. During the camp, participants elected six of their peers to the 2016-17 National Youth Advisory Council, an elite group that will help plan youth program curriculum for 2017, as well as represent thousands of Farmers Union youth at the organization’s national convention and in Washington, D.C., during a legislative fly-in. Three of the six members elected were from North Dakota including Lorenzo Strand of Nome, Summer Steinwand of Kulm and
Samantha Zwirner of Berlin. Other members include: Kyle Rosenbrock, Colo.; Killian Harnish, Wis.; and Miriam Valley, Wis. “Our grassroots heritage includes an educational program for young leaders that is more than 80 years old,” said National Farmers Union President Roger Johnson. “The participants at All-States have gone on to be leaders in agriculture, cooperatives, and rural communities.” “As a former camper, I understand the importance of building leaders in our industry at a young age,” said Johnson. “We are very proud of these young people and the tradition of NFU’s All-States Leadership Camp.” s
These National Youth Advisory Council members (NYAC) were recently elected. Back row, left to right: Kyle Rosenbrock, Colo.; Killian Harnish, Wis.; Lorenzo Strand, ND. Front row, left to right: Summer Steinwand, ND; Miriam Valley, Wis.; Samantha Zwirner, ND; and Melissa Miller, NFU coordinator.
Social media craze hits NDFU More than 78 percent of the United States population has a social media profile, staying relevant and online is very important to a business. North Dakota Farmers Union is very aware and excited to stay on top of these trends. That’s one of the reasons NDFU has hired a digital marketing specialist. Brittany Lipetzky joined NDFU in April. Her primary duties include implementing and managing social media and electronic marketing efforts for NDFU, FUSA and FUMI. Lipetzky posts relevant content in coordination with offline marketing strategies, blogging and generates online community participation Lipetzky said, “When looking for NDFU on social medias, you can find us on: Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, and LinkedIn. On each different platform we share information about what our agents and staff members are up to, how
10
August 2016
camp is going, job openings, and of course accomplishments by our members, staff and agents that we are proud to share.” She also encouraged members to contact her with any questions or content suggestions. “Photos are very important on social media which is why we try to post a lot of pictures,” she said. “Everyone likes to see photos of themselves or someone they know, so if you have a photo to share from
an NDFU event, be sure to let us know! We would love to feature it on one or all of our accounts across the social media world.” Using social media to interact with customers is very important. According to Lipetzy, NDFU wants to give customers and members the best and most current information. She explained, “That’s why we keep our insurance pages as up to date as possible. It is even easier to get a quote now on Facebook, as you can contact an agent right from the agent’s page in your community. Some things to look for from NDFU pages are contests, photos, blogs, sharing information from sources you may not otherwise look at, and a whole new updated feel from our insurance agents!” s
Union Farmer • www.ndfu.org
EPIC Events Broaden Horizons
LaMoure County sponsored an EPIC event featuring a tour of Wesley Acres campground and Skyzone in Fargo. Camp Staff greeted kids at Skyzone.
Some of the smiling faces at Skyzone! McKenzie County youth spent the day in Medora.
Williams County Career Day tours for senior youth was well attended.
Williams County painting activity.
Stutsman youth, left and center, and Bowman/Slope youth, right, played cooperative games at their events. Union Farmer • www.ndfu.org
August 2016
11
summer
leadership
CAMP
2016
Farmers Union Camp =
12
August 2016
Union Farmer • www.ndfu.org
fun, friendship & lasting memories
Union Farmer • www.ndfu.org
August 2016
13
Around the State State board member Terry Borstad served up ice cream at Co-op Day at the State Fair in Minot.
Bowman County FFA members attended the FFA State Convention from June 6-10 at NDSU in Fargo.
During All-States Leadership Camp, youth volunteered at Mountair Park Community Farm. The park is located within the city of Lakewood, Colo. Roughly 10,000 pounds of produce is grown and donated to local schools.
The North Dakota Farmers Union Board of Governors met in Mandan on July 7-8. Member Relations Specialist Brittany McInnes, at left, was on hand to talk to members including Roger Zetocha from Stirum.
14
August 2016
This scenic view was captured by NDFU member Denise Brown in Burleigh County.
Tri-Energy Cooperative held their annual meeting on June 22 at the Baymont Inn in Mandan. Pictured from left to right are board members James Schmidt, Richard Rask, Doug Boehm, Dan Belohlavek, Kevin v Schmidt, Denise Brown and George Ferderer.
Union Farmer • www.ndfu.org
Farm income declines for third year Average net farm income declined for the third consecutive year in North Dakota to the lowest level since 1998. This occurred despite generally strong yields, with spring wheat reaching an all-time high, the second highest annual profit for the beef cow-calf enterprise, an increase in government payments and slightly lower crop production costs. Lower crop prices overwhelmed the positives and pushed profit down to the lowest level in nearly two decades. The average farm profit for 525 farms that were in the 2015 North Dakota Farm Business Management education program state report was $28,600, compared with $76,404 in 2014 and $133,466 in 2013. Median net farm income, probably a better measure of the typical farm, was $18,999, compared with $54,666 in 2014 and $91,650 in 2013. Net farm income is measured in accrual terms. It includes changes in inventories. The average size of these farms was 2,371 acres, of which 533 acres were pasture. The average age of the farm operator and
number of years farming were 45.2 and 21.2 years, respectively. Financial performance varied across the state according to the profitability of enterprises in which producers were engaged. The statewide average net return per acre on cash-rented ground was minus $25 for spring wheat, minus $24 for soybeans and minus $50 for corn. For smaller-acreage crops, it was minus $27 for canola, minus $25 for pinto beans, minus $14 for flax, $23 for oil sunflowers and a strong $60 to $90 per-acre profit on cash-rented ground for barley, confection sunflowers, durum wheat, field peas and sugar beets. For soybeans and pinto beans not to show a profit, on average, is very unusual. Usually crop farms have greater net farm income than livestock farms, but not in 2015 or 2014. The beef cow-calf enterprise profit averaged $288 per cow and was the second highest ever, although it was a fraction of the $660 all-time high in 2014. Farm financial measures in 2015 were substantially lower than in 2013. On average, the current
ratio dropped from 2.04 in 2013 to 1.45, and the term debt coverage ratio declined from 1.40 to 0.60 during the past two years. Capital purchases have declined because of the sharp drop in net farm income. Average purchases of machinery, equipment and buildings dropped to $76,996 in 2015, compared with $121,488 in 2014 and $194,064 in 2013. Total government payments, including conservation incentive programs, received in 2015 averaged $27,301 per farm, compared with $15,495 in 2014. A year lag occurs in commodity-based safety net program payments under the 2014 farm program. Payments that will be received in the last quarter of 2016, based on the 2015 crop year, will be higher. Similar to 2014, the finding that the least profitable farms were larger than average was unusual. The least profitable 20 percent of farms had negative net farm income of minus $141,049 on 2,614 crop and 424 pasture acres. The state farm business management summary is available online at www.ndfarmmanagement. com. s
Farmers Union calls for action to address poor farm economy
The worsening farm economy prompted National Farmers Union (NFU) leaders to call for action that will minimize the continued decline in farm income. Average net farm income in North Dakota dropped from $76,404 in 2014 to $28,600 in 2015, a 63 percent decline. “We called for corrective action and evaluation of price support levels, including an increase in price supports or economic disaster declarations, so that farm programs serve their purpose of stabilizing farm income during low commodity cycles,” said North Dakota Farmers Union President Mark Watne, who helped draft a Union Farmer • www.ndfu.org
resolution to that affect at a meeting of NFU state presidents in Healdsburg, Calif., last month. Watne said low farm prices are predicted to continue for the next several years, which will present challenges to the survival of family farms and rural communities. He said net farm income is projected to be down by 3 percent this year, putting net farm income at its lowest level since 2002. “When family farmers and ranchers struggle to pay their bills, the impact reverberates through communities,” he said. “It also spurs consolidation in agricultural sectors, ultimately reducing the price farmers
receive for their commodities due to reduced competition.” Farmers Union is urging family farmers and ranchers to call on public officials and candidates for office at local, state and national levels to make them aware of the economic condition in the countryside. “Family farmers and ranchers who provide the food, fuel and fiber for the country deserve financial security and a farm safety net that enables them to remain on the farm and pass it on to future generations,” said Watne. s
August 2016
15
Food dollar doesn’t stretch far for farmers Farmers receive a meager share of the retail worth of the their food, according to National Farmers Union. NFU releases a monthly report based on calculations derived from the agriculture prices report produced by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National
16
August 2016
Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), and compared to price points of common grocery food items at a local Washington, D.C., Safeway supermarket. “It’s easy to forget the true value of our farmers and ranchers, who in some cases are only making pennies to the dollar on
their goods while we’re at our local supermarket,” said NFU President Roger Johnson. “This reflects the true value that our farmers and ranchers are receiving.” More than 80 cents of every food dollar is spent on marketing, processing, wholesaling, distribution and retailing. s
Union Farmer • www.ndfu.org
Before the restoration
Co-op No. 3 Tractor still driving
BY ANNE DENHOLM, NDFU
In 1939, Bill Martin Sr. surprised his friends and neighbors when he bought a Co-op No. 3 rubber-wheel tractor for $600. They thought he was crazy. But his purchase of the Co-op tractor proved to be a good investment. It was utilized on his Chaffee farm for the next 35 years. Bill Jr. remembered, “That tractor could go fast – up to 20 mph. We used it for everything. Dad thought about trading it but I liked it, so we kept it. It was easy to run and easier to ride with solid seats rather than the spring-board models. We got another Co-op tractor in 1952, so we had two of them on the farm.” There were actually three different models of Co-op tractors that were manufactured under contract with Duplex Machinery Company in Battle Creek, Mich., and distribution through Farmers Union Central Exchange. The Co-op No. 3 was a large, three-plow tractor. It was powered by a six cylinder Chrysler Industrial engine, rated at 1600 RPM. It sported a wide front design and weighed about 4,500 lbs. Union Farmer • www.ndfu.org
The restoration was completed in July – just in time for the Martin family reunion.
Bill Martin gave his nephew, John Martin, the co-op tractor to restore.
Bill Jr. said, “We finally quit using the tractor sometime in the 1970s. Of course, we had other, more modern tractors on the farm, too. But we held on to the No. 3.” His nephew, John Martin, used
to visit the Chaffee farm, but it was a total surprise to John when his Uncle Bill gave him the antique tractor. “I was very surprised and honored because I know how much that No. 3 means to him. My grandfather was on the board of Farmers Union Central Exchange, (CENEX) partly because he was able to talk about the importance of the Co-op tractors on the farms in North Dakota, and how he liked his.” After getting the tractor, John decided to restore it. He said, “It’s taken around two years to restore. The work was done by some great people. I have to credit Don Steeves for the total motor and tractor restoration, Winnie Johnson for his help on restoration and use of his shop and facilities along with Larry Ivesdal for transporting the tractor. Thanks also goes to Hampden-Edmore Cooperative for the tires and all the parts needed to restore it, Quality Equipment & Sandblasting in Foley, Minn., for sandblasting and the painting done by Nick Kipka and his father.” The tractor was the featured attraction during the Martin family reunion in July. s August 2016
17
Perfect summer salads FOUNDING FARMER RESTAURANTS
Summer meals and gatherings are perfectly poised for cool, crisp dish offerings. This month, we focus our final Summer Series 2016 feature on a classic Founding Farmers favorite: our Farmers Salad. Packed with tons of fresh flavors, our Farmers Salad is loaded with sweet dates, sliced avocado and olives, crisp red grapes and grape tomatoes, fresh greens, and toasted almonds – all topped with lightly toasted ciabatta pieces, Parmesan shavings, and a drizzle of our delicious sherry vinaigrette dressing. Our Farmers Salad is a great, seasonal recipe your family and friends will love at any summertime gathering, from brunch to lunch to an evening barbeque under the stars. Enjoy!
Founding Farmers: Farmers Salad Serves 4 2 slices fresh ciabatta (or other crusty bread) 2 tablespoons slivered almonds 2 large handfuls mesclun lettuce mix 1 cup chopped romaine lettuce 1/2 cup halved seedless red grapes 1/2 cup grape tomatoes 4 whole dates, pitted and quartered 1 avocado, peeled, pitted, and cut into ½-inch dice 2 tablespoons Parmesan cheese shavings 8 green olives, pitted 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt 1/4 teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper 1/4 cup sherry vinaigrette
Sherry Vinaigrette Makes 1 cup 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard 1/4 teaspoon minced garlic 1 teaspoon chopped shallot 1/4 cup sherry vinegar 1 teaspoon granulated sugar 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper pinch of crushed red chili flakes pinch of dried oregano 2/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil
Preheat oven to 350°F. Spread almonds on baking sheet, lightly toast 3-4 minutes. Remove from oven and transfer to large mixing bowl. Tear ciabatta into 1-inch pieces, placing on baking sheet, lightly toasting for 3-4 minutes. Remove bread from oven. Set aside. Add all ingredients, except for ciabatta + black pepper, in the large mixing bowl with the almonds, mix well. Transfer to serving dish or divide among four plates. Top salad with ciabatta pieces and freshly ground pepper. s 18
August 2016
Union Farmer • www.ndfu.org
Like a good neighbor... GUEST COLUMN BY ALAN GUEBERT
The Farm and Food File is published weekly through the U.S. and Canada. It’s hard to think of summer without thinking of the many neighbors we shared the southern Illinois heat, humidity, and mosquitoes with on the dairy farm of my youth. Back then, in the mid-1960s, we’d often see neighbors across the table-flat Mississippi River Bottoms as they cultivated corn or soybeans and we baled straw or raked hay. One set of neighbors, the bachelor brothers of Woodrow, Elvin, and Tanny L., owned land on either side of our farm so six days a week one of the men would ka-push, ka-push past our house on their Johnny Popper A. If Elvin was at its wheel, he’d wave to my brothers and me like a long-gone uncle utterly delighted to meet his newly-discovered nephews. Since we milked 100 Holsteins, we’d see many neighbors during their evening trips to the dairy barn to buy our 50-cents-a-gallon milk. The price never changed; the neighbors rarely did. Most arrived just in time to visit while we milked the last couple of cows. Those visits leaned more towards local news than local gossip. Felix V. could be counted on to tell us if the Morels were up. Young John O. (there was an Old John O.), who was the deckhand on the nearby Mississippi River ferry, always knew if the river was rising, falling or, as he liked to say, “on a stand.” Ivan M., who worked at a local grain elevator, offered the week’s price for wheat, corn, and soybeans. Sometimes a neighbor came to the dairy barn to arrange an equipment or manpower swap. For example, my father often borrowed Gary K.’s three-point, two-row John Deere planter to plant the many rows our six-row Oliver planter, the world’s worst, had skipped due to its faulty engineering and our faulty attention. In return, Dad would combine Gary’s red clover or loan him our baler on a June day when it wasn’t Union Farmer • www.ndfu.org
the dusty center of his sons’ sweaty universe. No one on either side of those transactions ever talked money; we were neighbors and neighbors were neighborly. Money did change hands, however, when we bought food from each other. We always bought our butcher hogs from a neighbor, usually Elmer B. Also, every week we purchased four dozen eggs from Mrs. M. with the same dollar bill her son Ivan, the elevator man, had given us a couple of days earlier on his weekly, two-gallon milk run. Two months ago, on a perfect spring day, I visited most of those old neighbors atop the nearby bluff during a slow meander through St. Leo’s Catholic Church Cemetery. I saw, for the first time in decades, Elvin’s hearty wave, Mrs. M.’s lipsticked smile, and Gary’s deeply creased grin. Far below in the blue distance lay the lovely, fertile bottoms where they had spent their entire lives, often together, making a living and enjoying life. None ever had much money by today’s never-enough standards but they had something money can never buy, the rarely mentioned respect and the nevermentioned love of their neighbors.
Today that respect and love— that neighborliness—seems to end at the property line or courthouse steps. For example, on June 14, voters in North Dakota rejected, by a resounding 3-1 margin, their legislature’s loosening of the state’s corporate farming law. That overwhelming defeat, however, will not deter the North Dakota Farm Bureau (NDFB) from pursuing its federal court suit to have the century-old state law declared unconstitutional. After the vote, NDFB’s president, Daryl Lies, said the suit must continue because, “Our court system is the only appropriate place to settle this question without the issue being derailed by emotion…” Not true; Lies’ neighbors from every city, village and farm in North Dakota calmly and democratically “settled” the “question” by a perfectly clear 75-to25 percent margin. In rejecting that outcome, though, the NDFB again proved what a growing segment of the American public now firmly believes: Farmers love to talk to consumers; they just don’t want to listen to ‘em. A good neighbor would. s August 2016
19
CLASSIFIED ADVERTISEMENTS Classified ad space is free and available to NDFU members. Ads will run one time only. NO ADS WILL BE TAKEN OVER THE PHONE. Include your name, address and phone Place your ad online:
http://www.ndfu.org/news/union-farmer-classified/
Mail: NDFU Classifieds, PO Box 2136 Jamestown, ND 58402-2136 E-mail: bthoms@ndfu.org Fax: 701-252-6584 • 701-952-0102 DEADLINE FOR NEXT ISSUE: SEPT. 15
Contact us to repeat your ad. Limit 175 words.
FARM EQUIPMENT FOR SALE 1993 Vermeer K baler, field ready, $2,000. 483-5063, Richard Dvorak, Dickinson. FOR SALE 16 ft. WW stock trailer w/ divider, 16x6’, new floor, new tires with spare, new shackles, bolts, bushing and rockers, new paint, bearings repacked, brakes checked, lights and brakes work, $1,959 obo. 348-3037, John Paluh, Glen Ullin. FOR SALE 7700 JD combine, in good condition with dummy head and pickup and 22’ header, $6,500. 878-4967, Roy Schneider, Hebron. FOR SALE 1999 JD 9610 combine, 3,165 sep. hrs., 18.4-38 duals, 16.9-26 rear, TSR chopper, JD chaff spreader, air foil sieves, Big Top extensions, new batteries and cables, heavy duty lift cylinders, very clean. 898-8675, Dustin Hoff, New Town. FOR SALE 1948 John Deere A, parade ready, $2,400; 1949 John Deere B, $650; 3 Allis Chalmers WDs, 2 are for parts, includes old style wide fenders, $550; Farmall W4 for parts, $250. 261-4069 leave message, Rodney Keller, Fargo. FOR SALE 450 IHC tractor with F11 loader; 42’ Rowse dump rake; IHC 5 bottom (16”) moldboard plow. 439-2627, Beverly Huseth, McLeod. FOR SALE CIH 8220 25’ pull type swather with batt reel, always shedded and not used since 2009. Immaculate condition, must see, will not be disappointed with this one, $6,250; 9’ swath roller in immaculate condition, hardly used, always shedded, haven’t used it since 2009, won’t be disappointed in this one either, $850; Grundfos 220 volt, 3” diameter, 1-10 gal. per min. submersible pump used for only a few hours, fits in a 4” well casing, includes 1” heavy black water line and 70’ of submersible pump wire, $600; aluminum wheels to fit a 2002 Mercury Mountaineer; 16” x 7”, set of 4, complete with center caps and lug nuts, $250. 2284656, Paul Berge, Souris. FOR SALE 2008 Rowse double 9’ mower w/New Holland heads. 438-2423, Oscar Kleven, Maddock. 20
August 2016
FOR SALE Canola rollers - 1 - steel 8’ Apollo & 1 - 10’ Mandako poly; 60’ Flexicoil chisel plow w/ wo. Raven NH3 system & hyd. winch. 2283812, Larry Neubauer, Bottineau.
FOR SALE 1 small square Bale Buncher; Wooden well rods, like new; 15-30 McCormick tractor on steel; 2 pump jacks; 2 cream separators; used 7” baler belting; Leon #3100 HD 10’ 3 pt. blade; Freeman hyd. manure scoop for H’s & M’s; 1 late model Super M. larryn@ westriv.com, 597-3730, Larry Nagel, Shields. FOR SALE IHC 50T baler; Schulte RS hyd. rock picker; h.d. Russell Reliance 10’ grader; 10’ h.d. V packer; 5 bottom packer w/hitch; 8 steel grain bins w/steel floor; 1,00012,400 bu.; Peterson dual rims, 18.4-34 to 232.1-30; 11’ wide push-all hay basket for DuAl loader; push-off hay basket for DuAl loader; Versatile 8”x50’ pto. auger; Feterl 6“x36’ electric auger. 584-2025, Elmer Lemke, Bentley. FOR SALE Westfield grain auger, 6”x36’, self-start 11 H.D. , excellent, $2,000; Turf-Power lawn mower/snowblower combo, 42”, 14 hp. twin, Hydra-static drive, chains, wheel wts. included, excellent, $1,200; Towner Orchard plow, offset disc, 7 1/2’ 24” discs, Model K-66, heavy duty, excellent, $1,000; John Deere 500 snowmobile, 1973, runs, $1,000. 220-0993, John Spitzer, Wilton. FOR SALE IHC 8220 pull-type swather w/finger reel, CFH0065831; JD 630 HydroFlex Crary wind system, 30’, H00630F711553; JD 914 6 belt pickup header, H00914N665225;JD 9660 STS Bullet Rotor, 2,473 eng. hrs., 1,861 separator hrs., H0966057115721; Quick Clean, 5 tube, elect., like new; Wheat Heart jump auger, hyd. motor; West Field augers - W 60-31, W 80-36, WR 70-46, all w/7.5 hp. elect. motors, W 80-56 - pto.; like new swing auger, MK 100-71 pto., 36’ Wilrich chisel plow w/3 bar harrow. 435-2765 or 659-1598, Craig Hoggarth, Kensal. FOR SALE JD H w/2 bottom plow; JD B w/#5 mower; Oliver BB for parts; IH H for parts; tires 9-32 fits JD H, 11-2-38, 14-34 - 6 ply, two 12-9-36; 2 F10 Farmhands. 320-5556, Joseph Schumacher, Pettibone. FOR SALE TR 70 combine, 3,600 hrs.; 6 row JD all crop head completely rebuilt; 2 pickup heads and 1 - 20’ straight head, all are in excell. condition; Melroe Model 204 16’ drill w/fertilizer & grass seeders. 938-4268, Alton Schumacher, Halliday. FOR SALE Tandem trailer w/1,500 gal. water tank, gas engine & transfer pump; 2013 Case IH Model 8230 combine w/deluxe cab, 325 hrs.; 35’ MacDon header & 16’ Case IH pickup head; 2012 Case IH Model 550 quad track w/deluxe cab, 6 hyd., 729 hrs. 628-2805 or 629-9003, Doug Halden, Stanley.
FOR SALE IHC Farmall B w/mower deck, very good; Westgo 3 pt., 6 row Danish tine cultivator; Gehl 14” feed grinder, good; 3 pt. bale fork; bale fork w/2 spears, fits loader or 3 pt. 430-2330, Gilman Knudson, Portland. FOR SALE New Holland Model 15 running gear for a hay wagon, has 4 whl. automotive steering, adjustable frame length, good condition. 527-2656, Esther Kuehn, Mott. FOR SALE JD 3020, gas, low hrs., cab, good rubber, w/newer Duall loader & bucket, always kept under cover, $12,500. 238-7709, Elroy Rostberg, Devils Lake. FOR SALE 1996 9600 JD combine, $30,000; 930R head w/finger reel, $7,000; 2005 914 pickup head $10,000; 224 sunflower head, $5,000; 2013 36’ tricycle style header trailer w/lights, $5,100; 1460 IH combine, Case IH 1010 head w/finger reel, 810 pickup head, $10,000; EZ-guide 500 and EZ-steer and 2002 Summers 1,500 gal., 100’ boom sprayer $20,000; 1981 8640 JD w/7,600 hrs., 3 pt., quad range, 4 hyd., small 1,000 pto. ,$20,000; 1984 895 Versatile tractor w/new tires and rebuilt engine, $22,500. 764-6410, Casey Lund, Killdeer. FOR SALE 28’ - 53’ semi van storage trailers, some with side doors, $1,950 & up; loading ramps, $150; converter dolly, $1,350; containers; water trailers for spraying. 474-5780, Richard Rydell, Fairmount. FOR SALE 2000 Ford tractor w/Dearborne loader; 18’ Versatile swather, 400 hydro.; 12’ 495 NH pto. haybine; older 490 NH pto. haybine for parts; 245 Duall loader, came off 4020 JD, has 3 spool valve; 7701 JD pto. combine w/good tires; 2 yd. Fieldmaster scraper. 869-2869, Ray Korynta, Ardoch. FOR SALE 914 combine, good condition, very good tires, always stored inside, equipped w/Sund pickup, roll tarp on hopper, equipped w/chaff saver, not used last 2 yrs. 748-2479, Raymond Mattheis, Hazen. FOR SALE Case 1370 tractor w/cab, front loader w/ grapple, 3 t. lift, new 1100x16 rims & 14 ply 4 rib tires, new hydraulic lift controls, quick connect, 3rd member, all new maintenance work done, comes w/tire chains, etc., $14,500; 750x16 8 ply tires and rims- 8 hole, 3 rib tires are 90%, fits Case tractor, $375. 628-6949 or 314-640-1884, Rose or Mike Ryan, Stanley. WANTED 1978 Ford truck motor, 391. 483-5063, Richard Dvorak, Dickinson. WANTED Farmhand QuickTach hay sweep without push-off for F10 loader; Farmhand Quick Tach forge fork for F10 loader; 450 John Deere mower for part. 270-9884, Douglas Moen. Michigan. Union Farmer • www.ndfu.org
CLASSIFIED ADVERTISEMENTS
WANTED 1300x24 good used motor grader tires; older good used gravel truck. 391-6865, Ron Gesele, Bismarck. WANTED 806, 1206, 1256, 856, 1466 IH tractors; JD 5010, 5020, 6030, MM 1350, 1355 and others, running or not. 628-2130, Jerry Lumley, Stanley. WANTED 16” front wheel for Model 1600 Oliver tractor, has LT 235/85/R16 tires, 6 bolt. 275-6932, Dean Kahrs, Scranton. WANTED Knife sections for 650 IH corn chopper head, part #3 491761R. 680-9445, Anthony Fiala, Forman.
MISCELLANEOUS FOR SALE 2” Pacer Model 133871 transfer pump w/25’ hose, has Briggs & Stratton motor, only used a few times for watering new trees and bushes, works great!; 6500 Onan generator with manual and accessories, like new,just installed new carburetor and air filter so also runs like new, $650; JD garden tractor GT235 weights & chains, these are 51 lb. wheel wts. and chains for 18 hp. JD, tire size 23 x 10.50 - 12 NHS. 465-3400, Ron Cartwright, Anamoose. FOR SALE Old oak teachers desk; old dresser. 4392627, Beverly Huseth, McLeod. FOR SALE Used hydraulic cylinder, cylinder size is approximately 4” in diameter and 9-10” in length, can send photos via internet or text message; any offer accepted, must be picked up in Bismarck, will not ship or deliver. 391-4928, Bill Lardy, Bismarck. FOR SALE Lund 1775 Prav DLX SE boat, Evinrude 150 hp. motor w/Yamaha 15 hp. 4 stroke plus Minnkota auto pilot 24 volt EZ loader trailer, lots of accessories, excellent cond. 647-2801, Donovan Fey, Kulm. FOR SALE Set of 4 KMC Splinter chrome rims, Model 678, 20”x8.5, used on 2013 Lincoln Navigator, $750. 240-6779, Greg DeMakis, Minot. FOR SALE 5 - 4’ concrete culverts, 18”; 12” 4’ aeration tubes; Roadmaster 215/75R17.5, new, load range H on 6 hole alum. wheel. 223-5082, Doug Boehm, Bismarck. FOR SALE Horse drawn wagon, rubber tire, has double tree and hardware, has brakes, new tires, made of Poplar wood, never used, built by Amish from Columbia, Missouri area, $1,600; Studebaker hood for 1949-53 truck, good metal with original hood ornament & name plate, $450; 1980 Chevrolet Malibu hood, $150. 628-6949, Rose or Mike Ryan, Stanley. Union Farmer • www.ndfu.org
FOR SALE Old homestead house, 26’x12’, 11’ high at peak, 2 room, very sturdy, must be moved off property, $2,200; old grain shed, 16’x12’, 9’ high front, 7’ back, can be dismantled for wood, $1,050. 628-6949 or 314-799-6949, Rose or Mike Ryan, Stanley.
WANTED Old advertising signs, gas pumps, metal oil cans, crocks, jugs, clocks or thermometers with advertising, road signs, traps, shell boxes, guns, tokens, marbles, anvils, pop or medicine bottles, tin coffee cans, ND pottery, carnival glass. 220-5746 or 2580420, Val Ganje, Bismarck. WANTED Looking for free or low priced antique fishing lures. 412-7091 call or text, Vanessa Swensen, Jamestown. WANTED Prairie dog hunters to hunt on my land, make reservations now. larryn@westriv. com, 597-3730, Larry Nagel, Shields. WANTED Collars & related items; 45 used utility poles, 35’-50’ long; used tires - 6 Bridgestone, 245-75-R16; 4 - 225-60-R16 M&S; 4 used Firestone P265-70-R16 M&S; 3 Michelin P225-60-R16 M&S; 4 Hercules Ultra 215-70-R15. 584-2025, Elmer Lemke, Bentley.
FEED AND SEED FOR SALE Feed oats, 42 lb. test weight, very clean, $2.15 per bushel, can deliver. 256-2188 or 370-8986, Leon Hiltner, Wales FOR SALE Large round bales, Alfalfa/Broom, prairie hay made with NH688 baler w/thick plastic twine, could load. larryn@westriv.com, 597-3730, Larry Nagel, Shields.
VEHICLES FOR SALE 1992 Chevrolet pickup, club cab, power windows, new transmission, new tires, runs great, has some rust, would make a great farm truck, $2,500. 471-9982, Gary Fettig, Bismarck. FOR SALE 1981 Buick Century, auto on floor, bucket seats, air, factory installed V8 4.3L motor, mint condition; 1951 Straight Eight Buick. larryn@westriv.com, 597-3730, Larry Nagel, Shields. FOR SALE 1975 Dodge 600 truck, 2 1/2 ton, 375 bu. box w/double action hoist, 41,000 mi., 361 engine w/governor, 5 spd. transmission w/2 spd., 900x20 tires, roll tarp, air cond., heavy frame, heavy duty wheels, $12,000 obo. 220-0993, John O. Spitzer, Wilton. FOR SALE 2004 Dodge Ram 2500 SLT quad cab, short box 4x4 with the Cummins diesel, grill guard, nerf bars, Tonneau cover, B&W flip-over gooseneck hitch, trailer brake controller, engine block heater, A/C, P/W, P/L, CD player, good 10 ply A/T tires, bed mat, 148,000 miles, great shape and everything works, $16,500. 764-6410, Casey Lund, Killdeer. FOR SALE For restoration - 2 - 1947 Ford sedan cars; 1955 Ford 4 dr. car; 1932 IH truck, good under carriage. 869-2869, Ray Korynta, Ardoch.
LIVESTOCK WANTED Draft horses, broke or unbroke, any breed. 226-3412, LaVern Frankfurth, Bismarck.
Join us in Branson and
Watch the Stars Come Out!
Branson Christmas Express Tour #1 Oct. 31-Nov. 6, 2016 Tour #2 Nov. 28-Dec. 4, 2016
EXPERIENCE 9 SPECTACULAR SHOWS Doug Gabriel • Wissmann Family • SIX • George Dyer • Haygoods Hugh Brothers • Wade Lantry • Conway Remembered Maxine, The Christmas Carol
Go to www.ndfu.org for details or call 800-366-8331 ext 108, Susan or ext 111, Jeff August July 2016
21
CHS awards college scholarships The CHS Foundation, the major giving entity of CHS Inc., the nation’s leading farmer-owned cooperative, has awarded $100,000 in scholarships to high school seniors pursuing an agriculturalrelated degree or STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) field of study with an interest in agriculture. Each of the 100 recipients will receive a $1,000 scholarship. “CHS and the CHS Foundation are dedicated to a variety of programs that support the next generation of leaders in agriculture,” says Linda Tank, president, CHS Foundation. “We are proud to support these young leaders as they pursue their education and explore the many diverse opportunities the agriculture and energy industries have to offer.” An independent, external
22
August 2016
review committee selected recipients based on their career goals, essays, transcripts, reference letters and extracurricular involvement. This year’s scholarship winners represent 25 states. CHS and the CHS Foundation also fund an additional 200 scholarships for students enrolled in agricultural-related programs at colleges across the country. These scholarships range from $1,000 to $2,000 and are directly administered by more than 30 CHS
partner colleges. In North Dakota, the following students received a $1,000 scholarship: • Haley Anderson, Mayville State University • Jarrett Lardy, North Dakota State University • Katelyn Long, North Dakota State University • John Mayer, North Dakota State University • Brooke Schroeder, North Dakota State University As a part of the CHS stewardship focus, the CHS Foundation supports programs that develop future leaders for agriculture through education and leadership programs, improve agricultural safety and enhance community vitality in rural America. s
Union Farmer • www.ndfu.org
We are in the early stages of looking at the next farm bill. I know it seems early but the process needs to start so we can be as ready as possible when legislators take up this important bill for our nation. I was reminded, maybe a little frustrated, by a call from a reporter on the importance of a farm bill. The reporter said, “It has been suggested by a University of Minnesota professor that there is room for processing in the Upper Great Plains, but currently the prices for some commodities are too high and would make processing facilities uncompetitive with the rest of the country.” I replied that is ridiculous as most of our commodities are below the cost of production. When commodity prices fail to reflect cost of production plus a return on investment, consolidation of farms occurs and will continue to a point where our nation’s abundant, inexpensive food supply could be at risk, both from a supply and price standpoint. This conversation about food production is important for our nation. U.S. citizens spend the lowest amount of disposable income on food in the world, averaging just below 10 percent since 2001. It is something that is taken for granted because farmers and ranchers have been so tremendously good at keeping the so-called food shelves full. The farm bill provides producers with insurance and price support to ensure adequate food production exists to keep supply and reasonable pricing in check. The farm bill is for consumers as much as it is for farmers. The challenge with the farm bill is that it has been written from a budget perspective only, not from the perspective of supporting food security for our nation. It is knowingly written to exploit the high efficiency of farmers and ranchers Union Farmer • www.ndfu.org
to adapt to prices below cost of production. This concept is not sustainable for farmers, ranchers or rural communities. Consumers need to understand the challenges in agriculture that are beyond the control of farmers and ranchers. Major price swings, weather, global production, essential carryover inventories, and currency valuations to name a few. Farmers and ranchers have seen price swings over $1 per bushel in less than six months. The logic in these moves is not always obvious. The day I wrote this article, there was a large drop in some commodity prices. The supply or demand of these commodities did not change in the last 24 hours. We need a paradigm shift in our thought process. First, the farm bill is a consumer bill and in the interest of the nation. Second, price support or protection needs to reflect cost of production plus a reasonable return on investment. Third, we need to be inclusive to all
commodities. Fourth, we can limit the support levels to each farm or ranch operation. Fifth, we need to consider why we price all commodity production on one bushel or one pound of overproduction. Sixth, farmers and ranchers should be compensated for stewardship of the land and water. Seventh, is there a new way to fund the farm bill? I believe the dialogue on the farm bill is of high importance. United States citizens, our legislators, and farmers and ranchers will be making fundamental decisions on the future of food production. Each passing farm bill that does not consider a new thought process will only take us down a path that may or may not keep our successful food production system intact. Let’s consider some new thinking for the farm bill to preserve our envious food production system, which is an essential component to life and our nation’s security. s
August 2016
23
Farmers Educational and Cooperative Union of America, ND Division
PERIODICALS – POSTAGE PAID
1415 12th Ave SE PO Box 2136 Jamestown, ND 58402