Union Farmer - August 2018

FARMER UNION

www.ndfu.org

AG RALLY

Farmers join with NDFU, other groups to support agriculture in time of uncertainty

AUGUST 2018

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701.204.7474 or 888.521.3432 https://farmersuniontravel.agentstudio.com/ UNION FARMER MAGAZINE Volume 65 • Number 8

The UNION FARMER is published monthly

by North Dakota Farmers Union at 1415 12th Ave SE, Jamestown, ND 58401.

EDITOR: Chris Aarhus 800-366-8331 ext. 118 caarhus@ndfu.org Annual subscription is $30 with membership.

Periodicals postage paid at Fargo, ND. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: NDFU • PO Box 2136 Jamestown, ND 58402-2136 Copies mailed this issue: 33,572 • USPS 016-211

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BOARD OF DIRECTORS: President: Mark Watne • Vice President: Bob Kuylen • Secretary: Ellen Linderman Treasurer: Terry Borstad • Wes Niederman; Shane Sickler; Tyler Stafslien; Jim Teigen; Ronda Throener.

2 • August 2018 • Union Farmer

Trade impacting N.D. farms, ranches W e have entered a new era of trade dialogue.

In fact, the tremendous amount of irony surrounding the trade debate (war) is so confusing, it is hard to understand the reality.

We have organizations that supported trade, at all costs, as the only solution to create commodity demand. They now are celebrating a trade war, forgetting the trade deals they advocated for and supported. Sadly, farmers and consumers will suffer and the long-term ramification might be devastating.

At Farmers Union, we have always known free trade is a myth. The best you can hope for is fair trade. Fair trade agreements are made in the interest of enhancing all business sectors and economies in the countries involved. If this is not the end goal, the trade agreement will be shortlived and continuously challenged.

In simplest terms, we trade items from services to goods every single day. If you make a trade deal and aren’t satisfied with the transactions, it is likely you won’t trade with that partner again.

You’ll look for a more reliable trading partner or you’ll find an avenue to eliminate the need for a partner. We are well aware that some of the largest countries and markets are pursuing avenues to become self-sufficient.

Our current trade structure was built upon a concept of giving open access to markets. Not to build demand or fill a need, but to exploit access to cheaper goods, cheap labor, currency manipulation and less regulatory systems regardless of the consequence. This takes the value of the goods traded to the lowest common denominator for price. Add this to the multiple styles of government and it is no wonder trade has become extremely complex.

Studies show that not everyone is benefitting from trade. In most cases, our current trade rewards processors substantially more than farmers and ranchers.

We have a terrible inequity in this world that could be solved if there was a desire. We have one billion chronically hungry people in the world, who aren’t getting enough calories per day to sustain themselves. At the same time, farmers and ranchers are told they are producing too much food to be paid a price to sustain their family farms and ranches. Maybe trade solutions to these issues should be the focus?

If our current administration wants to renegotiate trade deals, they should set priorities

that truly benefit all involved and all countries involved. Reliable trading partners will more likely achieve success for both countries and longstanding trade agreements.

If our approach is only to try to bully our way to trade deals, we may win something shortterm, but long-term we will be replaced by other trading partners or countries becoming more self-sufficient.

Entering a trade war is expensive for those impacted. Agriculture, primarily family farms and ranches, will carry a huge burden. We call for the administration to keep its promise to hold us harmless. Raise our reference prices in the new farm bill, provide support for our family farmers and ranchers, and keep a promise.

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ndfu.org • August 2018 • 3

BY CHRIS AARHUS, NDFU

WEST FARGO — Farming near the small community of Hope, N.D., Randy Richards is knee-deep in the problems hampering agriculture.

As a farmer and board member of a local bank, Richards knows he experiences the same issues that many of his neighbors do — being asset rich and cash poor in a time of uncertainty.

“It’s a silent killer — nobody talks about that,” Richards said. “Sure, there are a lot of farm assets there, but they only count if you sell them. If you start selling assets, you won’t be farming long.”

Farm bill. Trade dispute with China. Ethanol waivers. To say farmers are nervous would be an understatement at this point.

That’s why when President Donald Trump visited the Fargo-West Fargo area the evening of June 27, North Dakota Farmers Union joined with three other organizations that morning to host the 2018 Rally for Agriculture at the Red River Valley Fairgrounds. Minnesota Farmers Union, the Great Plains Food Bank and the North Dakota Dairy Coalition co-sponsored the event.

Richards, Steele County Farmers Union president, was one of five speakers at the event, which featured a crowd of farmers and other stakeholders surrounded by farm equipment.

He said low prices have led to negative working capital, and farmers haven’t seen the worst of it yet.

“I’ve heard a lot from bank boards on negative working capital,” Richards told the crowd. “You won’t see these issues until (crop) sales. We’ve got to get these trade agreements on track and fixed, so we get some stability back in the markets.

Even if $2 comes back to soybeans and a buck on corn and wheat, that still doesn’t paint us in a rosy picture, but at least that gets us so we can payback some operating capital, so we can build some more working capital.”

Richards hopes to pass his farm on to his son and son-in-law, but sometimes has doubts. He pointed to the disconnect between farmers and consumers as being a big problem in getting national support.

“I’ve always had hope that agriculture meant something to someone, that people who live in cities should care about us,” Richards said. “With

2018

RALLY FOR AGRICULTURE FARMERS JOIN WITH NDFU, GPFB, NDDC AND MFU TO SUPPORT FAMILY FARMS AMID CRISIS

this rally, we send the message that consumers need us. We provide you the cheapest food in the world — don’t forget about what’s going on in the rural areas.

“None of us are out here making money hand over fist. This will be the lowest (amount of) farm income in 12 years. Do you want to go back and live on your salary 12 years ago? That’s what they’re asking us to do.”

NDFU President Mark Watne opened the rally, speaking about the importance of keeping farmers on the land and appreciating what they do.

“People forget how much we do for the consumer,” Watne said. “They forget how we’re forced to produce even more when we have excess surpluses to keep our farms on the land, so (consumers) can enjoy the lowest cost food in the world. They should understand that if we’re not profitable and we’re removed from the land, there’s a huge risk to the food production system that may some day make them pay much more for their food.”

Watne had four items he wants addressed: • Support system for trade dispute: “If we’re

going to risk commodity demand with trade deals, we need to deliver on the process to hold us unharmed. Secretary of Agriculture (Sonny Perdue) said we have the tools to help us through these low prices. Show us these tools — make them happen.

• Stop giving RFS waivers: “We have a wonderful system with the (Renewable Fuel Standard). (The EPA) says they’re increasing the RFS, but then they give waivers to profitable oil companies. They do not need an RFS waiver from the EPA.” • Avoid capping the RFS: “There is talk about capping the ethanol blends at 50 percent. If we do that, the auto industry will quit building flex fuel (vehicles). They’ll do away with splash blending up to 30 percent, do away with E85, do away with the need for local co-ops and gas stations to put out blend pumps where people can choose what they want to use.”

• Pass a farm bill: “It’s about food security for the nation. This should not take very long to pass.

I’m quite disappointed that we have partisanship STORY CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE

IN SUPPORT OF

STORY CONTINUED FROM PREVIOUS PAGE

in the House. I’m happy about the work in the Senate in bipartisan form. I call upon Congress to get going on that farm program and follow the Senate’s lead in getting bipartisan support.”

NDFU District 3 Director Tyler Stafslien told his story as a fourth generation farmer still on the original homestead with his wife and son near Makoti.

“Commodity prices have been below cost of production for several years in a row, and we’re really struggling to make ends meet,” Stafslien said. “I’m a fourth generation farmer and I’d like to see my young son be the fifth. Something has to happen. … When I take my products to my elevator, they never ask me my political affialition. I get paid the same as the next guy that drives into that elevator. It’s not a partisan issue.

It affects everyone in this country that grows crops.”

Melissa Sobolik of the Great Plains Food Bank said SNAP remains an essential part of the farm bill, as nearly 54,000 North Dakotans rely on the

program.

“Two-thirds of that are children, seniors and individuals with disabilities,” Sobolik said. “The farm bill is about more than farming — it’s about food. It’s about the entire life cycle of food, from growing to eating. Let’s stand together and speak out for a strong farm bill.”

Minnesota Farmers Union Vice President Bryan Klabunde said, like Stafslien, he would ideally like to pass his farm on to his young son. But right now, he hopes his son chooses a different path.

“I begged my dad (to keep farming) because I wanted to farm and I loved our family’s tradition,” Klabunde said. “A couple weeks ago, we finished planting and my 4-year-old son was riding with my 86-year-old dad, and I cried because I don’t want my son to go through this pain. I want us to fix these problems, so I can look at my son and want him to farm.”

County organizations sponsored mini-rallies prior to the event, with Pierce, Towner, Stark and Dunn all participating.

AGRICULTURE

SEE THESE AND MORE ONLINE AT NDFU.ORG

THE ART OF THE AGENTS Gehrke-Opdahl Agency in Hillsboro celebrates art, community

BY CHRIS AARHUS, NDFU

Farmers Union Insurance agent Ryan Opdahl hopes to serve the people of Hillsboro and its surrounding area for a long time.

The Richard Gehrke and Ryan Opdahl Agency is set up to do just that with a renovated space that celebrates the community, and works of art reflective of the area’s agricultural background.

Previously, the two agents were down the street, but Opdahl and his wife bought the new building and had it renovated.

“I laid it out the way I envisioned it,” he said. “Rich and I decided to move over here after the statewide meeting (in May).”

The prized piece of art in the building is the conference-room table. Jodi Kurtz of Mequon, Wis., made the table, taking the wood from an old barn on her family’s farm outside of Hillsboro.

“She specializes in that rustic-barn feel,” Opdahl said. “She took some pieces from the hayloft and some beams from the middle of the barn. She put her artistic spin on this table.”

Opdahl used a family connection to learn about Kurtz’s work, asking her to design a piece that would make people take notice. For her signature, Kurtz used a piece of wood she

had already carved her initials in when she was little.

“I asked her for something that’s a conversation piece that would be unique,” Opdahl said.

Opdahl said the table is part of a theme in the office: keep it local. The renovation was done almost exclusively by local contractors.

The hallway is lined with newspaper fronts from the Hillsboro Banner, celebrating milestone moments and great achievements in the community.

“We’re proud of our community and to be part of it,” Opdahl said. “We wanted to recognize the important moments that have happened in our small town that we all rally behind, and showcase it in our office. They are community ties that we feel are important, and our customers and guests come into our office, look at it and they’re proud of it too.”

Opdahl said, as agents, he and Gehrke feel it’s important to be involved in their rural community.

“We’re not only here to help provide insurance services and respond when they have a crisis, but also help be leaders in the community through outreach, sponsorships and volunteering,” Opdahl said. “We feel that’s a big part of who we are.”

RAISING AWARENESS North Dakota Farmers Union hosts large crowd for steak meal to show how little farmer receives of food dollar

BY CHRIS AARHUS, NDFU

The hog farmer receives only 70 cents for every pound of bacon with a retail cost of $5.63. The dairy farmer receives only $1.39 for a gallon of milk costing $4.49. The wheat farmer receives only 13 cents for every $3.49 spent on bread. The rancher receives only $1.93 for a 16-ounce sirloin steak costing nearly $9 in the grocery store.

The low prices were highlighted during a Farmer’s Share meal hosted by North Dakota Farmers Union and the Jamestown Area Chamber of Commerce July 12 at the NDFU Conference Center.

Participants were treated to a meal, receiving a steak, baked potato, carrots and a salad — all for $1.25, which is the amount of money the average farmer takes home for growing and raising the food.

“Isn’t it amazing you can get a meal that good for $1.25? Isn’t it kind of sad, too?” said NDFU Vice President Bob Kuylen, who farms near South Heart. “That’s all the share the farmers get out of that. Just a $1.25. Does it seem like there is something wrong with that? Well, there is something wrong with that.”

Kuylen was one of three speakers at the event, which was held over most attendees’ lunch breaks.

National Farmers Union’s video about the farm bill was also shown.

NDFU President Mark Watne had a presentation, starting with a graph about the money farmers have been getting over the past five decades. The graph showed a downward trend with small

NDFU President Mark Watne gave a presentation before lunch, which was a steak, baked potato, carrots and a salad for $1.25.

increases for the Russian wheat sales in the 1970s and the blossoming of biofuels eight years ago.

Other than that, Watne said, the graph paints a bleak picture about farm income overall.

“We’re seeing a 30 percent drop in farm income,” Watne said. “If this trade dispute comes to be more than it is, on top of that 30 percent, the soybean farmer could see an additional 20 percent drop.

Assuming the markets don’t respond one way or the other, what’s the farmer’s response? He does what he knows how to do. He tries to cut some expense, but he produces more to offset additional costs.”

Watne said the higher production leads to flooding the market even more, which leads to greater price drop and so on.

“You can see this catch-22,” Watne said. “You need to have a farm bill that softens the blow when

ON FARMER’S SHARE Visit nfu.org to learn more UNITED TO GROW FAMILY AGRICULTURE

The Farmer’s Share Did you know that farmers and ranchers receive only 14.8* cents of every food dollar that consumers spend?

According to the USDA, off farm costs including marketing, processing, wholesaling, distribution and retailing account for more than 80 cents of every food dollar spent in the United States.

Bacon

Retail: Farmer:

$5.63 $0.70

Retail: Farmer:

Retail: Farmer:

$8.99 $1.93

$5.09 $0.05

Retail: Farmer:

$4.49 $0.35

1 gallon, fat free

1 lb.

$2.79 $0.29

Retail: Farmer:

Retail: Farmer:

$3.49 $0.13

Beer

Retail: Farmer:

Retail: Farmer:

@NFUDC

$4.49 $1.39

King Arthur, 5 lbs.

$2.19 $0.86

Retail: Farmer:

$4.29 $0.45

1 lb.

Retail: Farmer:

Fresh Potatoes

Soda

Retail: Farmer:

Retail: Farmer:

Retail: Farmer:

$2.79 $0.30

Russet, 5 lbs.

/nationalfarmersunion

$4.49 $0.57

$8.99 $0.04

Boneless Ham

Fresh Apples

Farmer’s share derived from USDA, NASS “Agricultural Prices,” 2018 | Prices based on May 2018 data.

Retail prices based on Safeway (SE) brand except where noted. | *Figure according to U.S. Department of Agriculture Economic Research Service

/nationalfarmersunion

6-pack cans

Flour

1 lb.

$4.49 $1.39

Fresh Carrots 5 lbs.

1 dozen

Milk

Lettuce

2 lbs.

Eggs

1 lb.

18 oz. box

Retail: Farmer:

Bread

Tomatoes

Cereal

Retail: Farmer:

Top Sirloin Steak 1 lb.

1 lb.

$3.99 $0.70

2 liters

$2.19 $0.05

June 29, 2018 nfu.org/topics/blog

| Washington, National Farmers Union | 20 yourself F Street NW, Suite 20001 labeling. prices collapse. Farmers are not making enough of educate on 300 some of theDCfood P: (202) 554-1600 | F: (202) 554-1654 | www.NFU.org | info@nfudc.org a return on their investment.”

There are a lot of crazy things going on with nonDistrict 7 Director Ronda Throener, whose family GMO stuff and labeling chickens non-GMO when farms near Cogswell, gave attendees three things that doesn’t even exist. It shouldn’t be scary. No. 3, to do for agriculture. get to know a farmer. If you want to visit a farm, “Number 1, go to the gas pump and look for I’m more than happy to have people out. We don’t ethanol, because that helps us,” she said. “No. 2, hide what we do. We’re proud of what we do.”

E

Agriculture filled

very year, farming has its risks but following five years of a steady decline in the price of corn with similar declines in the prices of other grains and oilseeds, this year has its own particular risks.

With the steady decline in crop prices, farmers have seen a commensurate decline in their cash position as well as equity.

For many, what happens this year with yields, demand, prices, and net income is of particular importance. A positive cash flow will reduce the financial pressure while losses will bring increasing pressure from bankers considering operating loans for next year. And many of the most critical factors, including projected increases in interest rates, are beyond the control of individual farmers.

Let’s take a look at some of those factors: For most grains, oilseeds, and

12

fiber crops, year-ending stock levels have been growing for the last five years. One does not have to own a crystal ball to know that an additional year of growing inventories will put pressure on crop prices.

At this point in the crop year, whether or not inventories grow depends upon two things: yield and disappearance.

With current crop genetics, it only takes marginally reasonable weather to achieve trend-line yields. So far, planting weather has been good and most of the country has had adequate rains and enjoys good subsoil moisture. Even with a drier than usual summer, there is little currently on the horizon to indicate production problems.

The other half of the equation is crop utilization or disappearance. With sharp increases in the amount of corn needed for ethanol production

in the rearview mirror, domestic demand has little potential to provide the level of demand needed stabilize or reduce yearending corn stocks.

That leaves exports and that picture is equally unsettling.

For grains and oilseeds, the U.S. serves as the world’s residual supplier. Most countries depend on local production and turn to imports to make up for any difference between production and utilization. That means that imports are unpredictable and can vary widely from year to year. The need for imports is usually met by other exporters with the U.S. left to pick up what the others can’t supply.

As a result, U.S. exports as a percentage of world exports has declined for decades. In 2000, the U.S. accounted for 37.6 percent of world exports of barley, corn, cotton, soybean complex, rice, rye, sorghum, and wheat. For the 2017 crop year,

with financial risks

the USDA projects that the U.S. will account for 24.4 percent of world exports of these crops.

Over that same period, U.S. exports have increased by 1.4 percent per year while non-U.S. exports have increased by 58 percent or an average of 3.4 percent per year.

In addition, this year’s exports may be complicated by current trade disputes between the U.S. and other countries.

What effect the disputes will have on U.S. exports of bulk agricultural commodities is uncertain.

All of this suggests that any reduction in U.S. stocks of major crops is uncertain at best.

Current commodity programs are better than nothing, but they are inadequate to stabilize crop sector economics. Crop revenue insurance payments were generous when prices were well above the full cost of production, but are of minimal

comfort at current price levels, when farmers need protection the most.

The Agricultural Risk Coverage (ARC) program had the potential to make larger payments when prices were higher, but with four years of prices for most crops at or below the reference price, any payments will depend on changes in yield. In counties with increased yields, farmers will not qualify for ARC payments.

The Price Loss Coverage (PLC) program will provide farmers who chose to participate in it with payments that will be larger than those provided by ARC. The problem is most farmers chose to participate in ARC. Further complicating the financial health of the U.S. crop sector is uncertainty over the design of the 2018 Farm Bill.

The House has not been able to

get enough support to pass its version of the farm bill, in part because of a dispute over cuts to nutrition programs. Meanwhile we wait to see what the Senate produces. It is expected that they could pass their version of the farm bill in early July.

And lastly, there is the proposal by the administration to take the nutrition programs out of the United States Department of Agriculture and merge them into the Department of Health and Human Services. If that realignment were to be approved by Congress, getting farm-only legislation through Congress will be extremely difficult, if not impossible.

If ever there were a time for farmers to unite around a farm bill that would provide farmers with yield insurance plus a program to provide adequate support during the long periods of low prices, that time is now.

Article by Dr. Daryll E. Ray and Dr. Harwood D. Schaffer of the Agricultural Policy Analysis Center

13

SUMMER FUN

ALL-STATES IN BAILEY, COLO.

2018 NYAC

Middle left is Riley Lebahn of West Fargo.

AT NDFU CAMP!

Reduce heat stress in cattle herd

BY NDSU AG COMMUNICATIONS

This summer’s high temperatures are taking their toll on humans and cattle.

Extreme heat actually is a mix of temperature and humidity, and when both are high, the effort to stay cool can be stressful, according to Karl Hoppe, North Dakota State University Extension livestock systems specialist at the Carrington Research Extension Center.

Cows will look for shade to provide some relief from heat radiating from the sun. They’ll also seek a wind or breezy location to provide some evaporative relief, and water, mostly for drinking and some for cooling.

“Adequate drinking water is the first step in relieving heat stress,” Hoppe says. “During hot weather, cattle will substantially increase water intake. It’s important to have enough drinking space and adequate water reserves to allow cattle to drink and not fight with other cattle for water.”

Depending on their size and stage of

production, cows can require 15 to 30 gallons of water per day.

“The minimum livestock storage tank capacity should be enough to meet the minimum water requirements for the number of animals being grazed per day,” says Miranda Meehan, NDSU Extension livestock environmental stewardship specialist. “The water tank should supply adequate water for two to three days using an electric (hardwired) pump or three to seven days using a windor solar-type pump.”

Because of cattle’s need for water, producers should be extremely diligent about monitoring water sources on hot days, the specialists say.

“Hot, dry conditions support the growth of blue-green algae (cyanobacteria), which is toxic to livestock,” Meehan adds. “Ponds that had adequate-quality water for drinking early in the grazing season may become toxic because salts and sulfates become more concentrated as water evaporates.”

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FARM BILL HEADS TO COMMITTEE

On June 28, the U.S. Senate voted 86-11 in favor of its bipartisan farm bill, also known as the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018.

National Farmers Union (NFU) was encouraged by the Senate’s efforts when the bill was first introduced and applauded its subsequent passage.

“We are appreciative of the Senate’s work on this bill and are pleased by its passage,” said Rob Larew, NFU senior vice president of public policy and communications, pointing to provisions that would “strengthen the farm safety net, promote farm sustainability, and ensure access to fair and diverse markets.”

Before voting on the bill, the Senate considered a number of amendments to the legislation.

NFU made recommendations on several of the amendments prior to debate. It urged senators to support measures to implement crop insurance subsidy payment limits (SA 3103), reform commodity promotion programs (SA 3074), and expand flexibility of haying and grazing of land enrolled in the Conservation Reserve Program (SA 3034). NFU encouraged opposition to an amendment that would reform the sugar program and negatively impact sugar farmers (SA 3139).

The likely next step for the bill is consideration by a conference committee, during which members of both Congressional chambers will reconcile the differences between the two versions of the legislation. This may prove difficult given the vastly disparate natures of the bills, particularly in the nutrition title. The House bill would mandate more stringent work requirements for participants of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, while the Senate bill maintains the current employment stipulations. It is as of yet unclear what the timeline would be for this process, but the House Committee on Agriculture Chairman Mike Conaway says it is a priority to get the bill passed and signed before Sept. 30, the day the current farm bill expires.

EPA DOESN’T ADDRESS WAIVERS In late June, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released its proposal for next year’s renewable volume obligations (RVOs) under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). The proposal would increase total volumes by 3 percent over 2018 levels, from 19.29 billion gallons to 19.88 billion gallons. The proposal would maintain the current 15-million-gallon target for corn ethanol and increase cellulosic and advanced biofuel requirements by 100 million gallons and 600

million gallons, respectively.

The proposal does not address the misappropriation of “hardship waivers.”

According to several recent Reuters stories, the EPA granted exemptions to over two dozen oil refineries, many of which are owned by large corporations with multi-billion-dollar revenues.

This ultimately saved those corporations tens of millions of dollars while reducing the volume of renewable fuels in the transportation sector by as much as 1.6 billion gallons, thus cutting into demand for those products.

NFU was encouraged by the fact that the EPA is planning to “increase the volume of American grown and produced fuels in the transportation sector.” However, the organization expressed concern about the agency’s decision to overlook the demand destruction caused by the waivers.

TARIFFS STRESS CHINA-U.S. TRADE In mid-June, President Trump announced that his administration will impose a 25 percent tariff on Chinese technology imports. The tariffs, which took effect on July 6, apply to $34 billion worth of Chinese products. On the same day, China matched the move with tariffs on $34 billion of American goods. The list of targeted products includes a number of agricultural exports, among them soybeans, milk, pork and cotton.

Just days later, President Trump intensified the situation further by threatening 10 percent tariffs on an additional $200 billion of Chinese goods should the country not reform its trade practices.

The President says he is willing to levy tariffs on up to $450 billion worth of Chinese goods - just slightly shy of the entire monetary value of goods China exported to the United States in 2017.

China’s Commerce Ministry - unsurprisingly - said the country would “have to adopt comprehensive measures combining quantity and quality to make a strong countermeasure.”

The United States’ trade relationship with China has been rocky for several months. In March, the Trump administration announced its intention to impose a 25 percent tariff on steel and a 10 percent tariff on aluminum imports, a move that was particularly targeted at China’s unfair trade practices, currency manipulation, and intellectual property theft. Since then, each country has alternated levying retaliatory tariffs on the other.

Though there have been some efforts at detente, in light of recent escalations, it appears that negotiations have been less than successful.

Enjoy perfect chow-chow You might be asking yourself, What is chow-chow?

It’s a savory, tangy sibling to traditional pickled relish. Ours is made using fresh, chopped green tomatoes, yellow onion, jalapeño peppers, white wine vinegar, and pickling spice.

At Founding Farmers, our guests love our chunky, country-style compote slathered on our signature biscuits and spooned atop our hot dogs.

As this chow-chow recipe is perfect for summer, try it this season on biscuits, or when grilling hot dogs, burgers or sausage.

Green Tomato Chow-Chow (makes 4 cups) 2½ lbs. green tomatoes, cored and roughly chopped 1 large yellow onion, roughly chopped 4 jalapeño peppers, seeds removed 2 tbsp. kosher salt 2 cups granulated sugar 2 cups white wine vinegar 1 tsp. pickling spice

Instructions Place the tomatoes, onion and peppers in the bowl of a food processor and grind until minced and almost puréed. Place mixture in a large pot with the salt, sugar, vinegar, and pickling spice; bringing it to a boil over medium-high heat. Decrease the heat to low and let simmer for 1 hour, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat. Let cool and store, covered, in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

WE’RE A FAMILY OF COMPANIES. AND FAMILY IS ALWAYS THERE FOR YOU.

WWW.FUILLC.COM

Around the state

Myron Jacobsen, left, of and Roger Held, right, of the Towner County Farmers Union present a $500 check to Rock Lake Fire Chief Jordan Stenson as part of NDFU’s Community Stewards progam to be used for First Response regional training. The training event was hosted in Rock Lake on June 16 with 47 attendees. Members from nine fire departments were present to do hands on training and to learn lifesaving techniques. Six EMS departments were also in attendance to enhance their skills and experience. The Rolette County and Towner County Farmers Unions provided lunch, as well as volunteers to serve the lunch.

Cass County Farmers Union sponsored a trip to the Fargo-Moorhead Redhawks. Over 300 people attended.

The NDFU Policy and Action Committee met July 12-13 at the state office. At top from left is Mike Schlosser, Dustin Laufer, Adam Held, Nathan Watne, Brad McKay, Jared Johnson and Clay Smaaladen. Below are Perry Ostmo, Allen Lund, Kasey Bitz, Tyler Neubauer, Devin Jacobson, Lori Blocker and Brenda Fylling.

Williams County Farmers Union hosted an EPIC event in May with the theme of “Cooperative: The Business of Teamwork.”

McIntosh, Logan and Emmons counties sponsored a bus trip June 21-22. The group visited Medora and Antelope Valley Station in Beulah.

Stark County Farmers Union held a picnic with over 140 people attending.

A NOTE TO MEMBERS ON OUR CLASSIFIEDS ADS Classifieds will not be accepted by fax, email or mail. Classifieds must be submitted online at www.ndfu.org. The link can be found at the very bottom of NDFU’s homepage.

Click on “Classifieds” and that will direct you to a page with a form where you can submit your classified.

CLASSIFIEDS

Ads must be submitted through the online form at www.ndfu.org. Click “Classifieds” at the very bottom of the home page and follow the instructions. Ads must be re-submitted each month. No exceptions!

Deadline is the 15th of every month.

Limit 75 words.

MEMBERSHIP DUES MUST BE CURRENT!

FARM EQUIPMENT FOR SALE

SUMMERS PICKUP/TRAILER FIELD SPRAYER, 60-ft booms, 300 gal. tank, foam markers, Raven controller. $1,500 OBO. 794-3185, Mark Erhardt, Center.

2290 CASE TRACTOR DUAL LOADER low hours; 2014 Rowse double 9 mower with New Holland heads excellent shape, bale wagon truck frame excellent condition, bull proof metal feed bunks, sucker rod bale feeders, grinder mixer, excellent condition stored inside with three screens, 701-475-2417, Daryl Schoepp, Steele.

1970 VERSATILE 400 SWATHER, selfpropelled, runs good, always shedded.

701-722-3677, Alice Johnson, Douglas.

1996 9600 JD COMBINE $20,000; 930 rigid head w/ finger reel $4500; 2005 914 pickup head $5,500; JD 224 sunflower head $4500; 2013 36 ft tricycle style header trailer w/lights $5000; 1460 IH combine w/ both heads $6000; Ez guide 500 and ez-steer and 2002 Summers 1500 gal. 100-ft boom sprayer $15,000. 1984 895 Versatile tractor, new tires and rebuilt engine, $18,500. 701-764-6410, Casey Lund, Killdeer.

AC GLEANER COMBINES: 1-C 16 ft head w/ Sund pickup and 20 ft straighthead; 1-C11 16 ft head w/ Sund pickup; 701-3765296, Bill Hourigan, Lemmon, S.D. 535 JOHN DEERE BALER, runs good, $3000 obo. 701-226-8216, Roy Schneider, Hebron.

TWO HD WISCONSIN MOTORS from Versatile swathers, 30 hp, air-cooled, $250.

701-737-9383, Eric Soderquist, Wilton.

SM1000 WEED BADGER from IHC 444, hasn’t been used for several years, but was in working condition when taken off tractor. $500 obo. 701-567-4993, Anthony Larson, Hettinger.

FARM TRUCKS, Dodge D-500, 16 ft box w/ hoist, new roll tarp, 361 engine w/ 5 spd; new 9.00 x 20 rubber, 50k miles, good, sound truck, $2,600; Ford F-500, 14 ft box with hoise, $1250. 701-320-7395, Alan Bergman, Jud.

5 STEEL GRAIN BINS, 1600 to 2600 bu.; 36x7 Westfield Grain Auger, PTO; 20 in.

Peerless portable roller mill, PTO; Noble 22 ft V-Blade plow; IH No. 55 chisel plow, 15 ft; John Deere chisel plow, 16 ft. 701-4834825, Richard Jablonsky, Dickinson.

1987 CASE 580 K with Cummins diesel engine, 12-, 24- and 36-inch buckets, $13,000; 2000 gal. tandem axle, heavy duty I-beam fuel trailer with pintle hitch, lights, hyd jack, fuel gauge, filter, hose and nozzle, $2500; 701-693-2371, Rick Frueh, Martin.

2004 1015 CASE IH 14 FT PICKUP HEADER with IH pickup. Always shedded, nice shape. $2500. 701-370-9915, Richard Flanders, Calvin.

400 VERSATILE SWATHER, 18 ft, always shedded when not in use, asking $1000.

701-627-4942, Lyle Locken, New Town.

WESTFIELD GRAIN AUGER, 7 in. x 46 ft, electric, excellent condition, $2200; John Deere 500 snowmobile, 1973, runs, $1000; Horse-drawn manure spreader, very old, $1000; 1975 Dodge 600, 2.5 ton, 375 bu box w/ double action hoist, 41k miles, 361 engine w/ governor, 5 spd trans., with 2-spd., 900x200 tires, roll tarp, AC, heavy frame, heavy duty wheels, $10,000 obo.

701-220-0993, John Spitzer, Wilton.

1997 JOHN DEERE 893 corn head 8 row 30 inch., good shape, $13,000 obo; 1993 JD 9600, low hours, yield/moisture sensors, auto steer ready, updates 600 series headers, 10K in repairs, $27,500 obo; JD 930 Flex Head, with air bar, new guards/knife, needs some poly, $9000 obo.

701-321-5711, John Kempf, Ashley.

2003 9690 MASSEY FERGUSON COMBINE with chaff spreader and 18.4R42 dual tires, 2150 engine hours, 30 ft., 8000 series flex header. Also, model 3000 Massey Ferguson 8 row 30-inch cornhead, auto adjust stripper plates, plastic divider points, all excellent condition. 701-762-4821, Donald Pollert, Litchville.

3-POINT BALE FORK; 12 ft tandem disk parts; Brady 18.5 cultivator parts; 2 plastic water tanks; Sickle grinder, $50; New Idea Horn Loader with snow bucket and manure bucket, $150. 701-786-2647, Gilman Knudson, Portland.

OIL HOSE & REEL with oil box & valves; Shop-truck crane w/ electric motor; 40 ft JD 1000 field cultivator; IH 400 row crop planter w/ seed drums; 8X30 row crop cultivator; 33 behind shank NH3 injectors; 125 gal. metal tanks good for watering; 200 gal. fuel barrel. 701-351-0913, Paul Overby, Wolford.

1979 INTERNATIONAL MODEL 1854, good running 3208 Cat engine with 5 spd, 2 spd axle, 240,000 miles, has good10.00x20 tires. Call for more info; Rare 1948 golf tractor, has flathead 6-cyl with 4 spd, dual wheels, good condition, runs well, $2000. 701-258-5352, Allen Koth, Bismarck.

2002 MACDON 9352 self-propelled swather w/25 ft 972 head; 8220 CaseIH pull-type swather; 2005 John Deere 914p pickup head; 1466 IH tractor w/2350 loader, 540/1000 PTO, duals; 500 Case tractor; 1967 Ford F600 single axle truck w/grain box, good tarp and hoist. 701-3700509, Kevin Waslaski, Langdon.

FARMHAND PTO PUMP; 4 wheel trailer; 15-30 McCormick tractor; 2 cream separators; Leon #3100 HD 10’ 3-Point Blade; Late model Super M; 2 grain fanning mills, 12 ft Kirschmann Drill; 1 new tire LT245-75R-17 Ld Range E. 701-5973730, Larry Nagel, Shields.

8 FT MDS HEAVY DUTY ROCK/BRUSH/ SCRAP BUCKET; 7 ft and 8 ft MDS EuroGlobal buckets; 8’ MDS-JD Classic Tach bucket with 5 tine grapple; 8 ft MDS 158 bucket with JD grapple; 7 ft bucket with Koyker quicktach; 9 ft MDS bucket with 5 tine; MDS grapple with Koyker quicktach; MDS attachment adapter from skidsteer to Euro/Global; MDS rock digger for skidsteer; 10 ft MDS heavy silage/snow/ manure pusher for skidsteer. 701-7090103, Allen Wald, Edgeley.

2162 CASE IH FLEXHEAD 40 ft cross auger for peas, 65 % of new price. 701228-6571, Greg Sletto, Willow City.

2013 CASE IH 8230 combine 480 separator hrs & new style cab; 2152 Case IH McDon 35 ft draper head, upper cross auger & pickup reel; JD 3200 5 bottom plow; Mayrath 6 inch x 28 ft grain auger Briggs engine; Hydraulic driven drill fill; Schulte 15 ft rotary mower pto drive; Many hopper bins; Transition & aeration screens; Gustafson seed treater; 1000 & 500 gallon fuel tanks & pump; 40 used Lange anhydrous knives. 701-628-2805, Doug Halden, Stanley.

CENEX 2200 BU. GRAIN BIN, Case WDX 1203 30 ft swather, self-propelled, excellent condition, 195 hours with preform hyd lift roller; Macdon swather 24 ft pull type; Farm King 10-inch auger, 60 ft. 701263-1206, Lathan Romsos, Bottineau.

WOODEN GRAINERY to be moved, 20x40 ft, make an offer. 701-288-3704, Larry Schauer, Ashley.

MISCELLANEOUS FOR SALE

200 UTILITY POLES 30-45 ft, very good condition, $25 each; 300 steel T-posts $1 each. 701-490-1344, Mike Heinze, Dazey.

WIL-RICH TRUCK CENTER ENDGATE, $25.00; 2013 35 ft JD W150 swather, universal autosteer, double sickle drive, fore/aft, 430 engine hours, like new $105,000.1988 914 pickup header. 7 belt, good condition with or without header trailer. Both have been stored inside when not in use. Front bumper for Freightliner Cascadia. 701-871-1166, Paul Solberg, Bottineau.

HUSQVARNA 54” ZERO TURN MOWER; Craftsman 20” mower/mulcher; Craftsman 22’ mower; 2 wheel p.u. box trailer w/ topper; welder cable 2.0; 701-324-0904, Arnold Seibel, Harvey.

ZIP TO ZAP ALUMINUM 50TH ANNIVERSARY SIGN; Dave Osborn autographed shirt (XL or XXL); Pioneer reverb stereo amp /double cassette player/ recorder; Sony turn table; vintage wall coffee grinder; Vintage Railroad Engine print; vintage tire model ashtray; Stihl battery operated lawn mower (new). 701500-9522, Monte Reiner, Minot.

MOBILE HOME, 16x80, 3 bed, 2 bath, located near Willow City, excellent condition, must be moved, available immediately. 701-201-0937, Brenda Kitzman, Willow City.

STORAGE CONTAINERS, 7x8, 20x8 and 40x8 ft; semi van storage trailer, delivery available; loading ramp; old semi flatbed trailer. 701-474-5780, Richard Rydell, Fairmount.

THREE-POINT HOUSE, model 909 Sears Roebuck., $75; Baldor 7.5 hp, 3 phase motor, $20; Peerless pump jack, model 6RS, $25. 701-693-2371, Rick Frueh, Martin.

2016 HUSQVARNA DRT 900 walk-behind garden tiller with electric start. 17-inch, purchased new, used 6 times, kept inside, well-maintained. 701-874-2449, Randy Readel, Hunter.

285/45R22 IRONMAN TIRES, like new, 500 miles, $400. 11R22.5 used semi tires, make an offer. 701-321-5711, John Kempf, Ashley.

PONTOON TRAILER, Karavan, 22-24 ft., wheel size 20-5 8-0-10, 5-hole, leave a message. 701-748-3551, Ed Schwab, Hazen.

1988 LUND PROSPORT FISHERMAN, 1993 Mercury 115 hp in gas, 2008 Yamaha 9.9 hp, 4-stroke, 12-volt trolling motor, 1995 roller trailer, $5500 obo. 701-5973567, Irvin Werner, Flasher.

STAINLESS STEEL BUCKET/PANS, two units of four, to feed grain/salt or minerals to cattle, mounted to a metal frame that mounts on the wall of the barn. Very sturdy.

701-597-2720, Larry Nagel, Shields.

GRAIN PUP TRAILER with roll tarp, good tires. 701-228-6571, Greg Sletto, Willow City.

PICKUP TOPPER, blue gray color, perfect condition; Grain belt beer bar sign; Canola roller; Antique fireplace screen and tools; Surrey cover fits JD 2840, others; Singer sewing machine in wood cabinet, excellent condition, model is stylist 834. 701-2631206, Lathan Romsos, Bottineau.

WANTED

ROCKSHAFT WITH LIFT ARMS (part Nos. M70732 and M70753) for John Deere 318 or 322 garden tractor and front pulley assembly for mower (muledrive) for 318 or 322. 701-839-5986, Gerald Deibert, Minot.

MARANTZ TURN TABLE; vintage upright scale like used in shoe stores; Fighting Sioux logo shirts, jerseys, biking shirts, etc.

701-500-9522, Monte Reiner, Minot.

OLD GAS STATE SIGNS OR OIL CANS, Westland gas station advertising or oil cans, gas pumps, clocks, thermometers, crocks, traps, anvils, pottery, ND tokens and old marbles. Anything old or interesting. 701-220-5746, Val Ganje, Bismarck.

TAKE OLD BARN DOWN, looking for someone to take it down for the lumber.

64x50 ft, 45 ft high, located 7 miles outside of St. Anthony. 701-663-8627, Dennis Bender, Mandan.

PRAIRIE DOG HUNTERS to come and hunt on my land. Make reservations now.

701-597-3730, Larry Nagel, Shields.

VEHICLES FOR SALE

1978 HARLEY DAVIDSON SPORTSTER CUSTOM. Drag bars, drag pipes, highway pegs. Must see. $3700 obo. 701-269-0663, Dean Ulmer, Jamestown.

1999 HONDA VTR 1000F, lots of new and updated parts, 30k miles, recent front tire and manual cam chain tensioners, runs well, looks great. 701-523-4763, Timothy Crevier, Bowman.

YAMAHA TW 200 MOTORCYCLE, low miles, like new. 701-483-4825, Richard Jablonsky, Dickinson.

TIRES. 2-30.5x32x12 ply Goodyear at 50%; 1- 800/70R38 Firestone at 75%; 1- 20.8R42 Goodyear DT- 710 at 95%; 2- Titan 18.4x34x8ply; 4-new Titan 18.4x38x8ply; 2- Goodyear 28Lx26x12ply at 90%; 2- Goodyear 16.9x26x10 ply FWDs at 65%; 1- new 13.6R20 Belarus FWD tire; 4- new Goodyear 520/85R42; 8- new Titan 520/85R42; 4- Goodyear 620/70R42 at 75%; 8- 20.8R38 Titan at 5060%. 701-709-0103, Allen Wald, Edgeley.

1996 GMC 2500 4X4 ext. cab long box.

Motor has 25,000 miles. Was a GM crate motor. Good tires, new shocks, front brakes. Dent on driver door, but doesn’t affect use. 188,000 miles total. Would make a great farm pickup. Have a flipover fifth wheel ball but not installed. Asking $3800 obo. 701-269-1166, Tyler Thoms, Spiritwood.

COLEMAN GENERATOR 400, 120-240 outlets w/ cart hyd. rams w/ hoses and ends. 701-247-2264, Harold Severson, Lakota.

1950-1979 VOLKSWAGEN BUS, looking for good restoration candidate and/or a parts vehicle. Also looking for other loose odds and ends that would fit one of these vehicles. Bumpers, seats, accessories, tents, trailers, racks. Willing to travel ND, MN, SD. 701-219-5847, Joel Herman, Harwood.

CLASS C MOTORHOME, 2007 Forest River Sunseeker. Model 3100 with low miles (22K). The usual kitchen package.

Back bedroom w/queen bed. Sleeps 8.

Furnace, one air conditioner, awning, one slide out, generator, tow package.

Michelin tires with duals on back. Flat screen TV and DVD player. Clean and in good condition. North Dakota plates. $32,000 obo. 218-639-3583, Diane Nelson, Fessenden.

WANTED

REAL ESTATE FOR SALE HOME IN LAMOURE, 3 bed, 1 bath.

Three system heating unit: water/electric/ fuel oil. New family room flooring and water heater in 2017, recently shingled. 1+ stall attached garage and 22x20 detached garage (both heated), on .16 acres, close to school. 320-7337, Tony Rodin, LaMoure.

20-ACRE FARMSTEAD, beautiful, established, 20 miles north of Minot, 1/2 mile off Hwy 83. Four bedroom house surrounded by a big yard, central air, attached garage, detached 2 stall garage, 50x70 ft pole building, 40x80 ft cement floor Quonset, 32x32 ft cement floor shop, grain bins, barn, well water, rural water, septic system, fiber optic services. The yard is set up for livestock and horses.

701-720-4345, Nancy Krueger, Max. HOMESTEAD ON TWO QUARTERS in Slope County, all pasture and leased till fall, decent house, 30x60 Quonset, old barn, small shop, several metal grain bins and other outbuildings; large shelter belt with lots of deer and pheasants, prefer a turnkey sale. Location is 21 miles northeast of Bowman. $300,000. 406-652-4010, Jack Wandler, Billings (Mont.).

LARGE HEATED SHOP, SCHOOL BUILDING AND ALL OF BLOCK 9 in Alamo, ND. Gymnasium has been renovated into a 66X120 shop with 18 ft overhead door. Also has 400 amp, 3 phase service. Shop is heated by a 750,000 BTU waste oil furnace. Has two water wells on the property, a new domestic water well and a high producing water well with potential for commercial water development. 701-570-4660, Rockey Hewson, Bismarck.

FARMSTEAD with a choice of approx.

13 acres up to 45 acres; Ranch style house with attached two stall garage is two bedrooms, 1.5 bath, with finished basement and full bath, four steel bins with approx. capacity 17,000 bushel. Steel Quonset 40 X 60 ft. 701-435-2614, Harlan McKenzie, Courtenay.

FEED ORGANIC WINTER RYE GRAIN. 150 bushel USDA certified. 2015, 2016 crop.

Would be perfect for livestock feed mix.

Available bulk, tote bags or smaller quantities. Samples also available. 701880-1082, Steven Eid, Stanton.

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ND Grazing School set for Sept. 5-7

BY NDSU AG COMMUNICATIONS

Livestock producers will have an opportunity to learn about the principles of range management and how to incorporate them into livestock operations during the 2018 North Dakota Grazing School set for Sept. 5-7 at the North Dakota 4-H Camp near Washburn.

North Dakota State University Extension, the North Dakota Chapter of the Society for Range Management, North Dakota Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and North Dakota Grazing Lands Coalition are hosting the event.

“The three-day school will include ranch tours,

presentations from livestock producers, and sessions on soil and ecological sites, plant identification, proper stocking rate, grazing management, infiltration and range improvements,” said Miranda Meehan, NDSU Extension livestock environmental stewardship specialist.

“At the end of the school, producers will have a completed grazing management plan they can incorporate into their operation,” says Breana Kiser, NDSU Extension’s agriculture and natural resources agent in Dickey County. “Each operation also will receive a range monitoring kit.”

The registration fee is $150

for the first person and $75 for each additional person in the same operation if paid by Aug. 1. After that, the fee is $200 for the first person and $100 for each additional person. Registration is limited to 20 operations. Meals and lodging are included in the registration fee, and camper hookups are available.

Students can attend for a reduced registration fee of $75 prior to Aug. 1 and $100 after that date.

Register for the school online at https://tinyurl.com/ NDGrazingSchool. For more information, contact Kiser at breana.s.kiser@ndsu.edu or 701541-7050, or your local county Extension or NRCS office.

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