Union Farmer - August 2023

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Dan Ness’ long history of service made him a natural fit as a Farmers Union Insurance agent in Devils Lake

I was born and raised here in Glen Ullin and currently live just outside of town on a beautiful farm with my husband Matt and our son, Trey. My career with Farmers Union Insurance began in 2018 when I started working as a customer service representative for my uncle, Shane Hellman. In 2021 after Shane became ill and passed away, I was fortunate to be able to become an agent and take over his agency. This agency has been in my family since 1986, so it has been a true blessing to be able to continue to serve the community as my grandpa and uncle did for so long.

An insurance agent is not what I imagined I would grow up to be when I was little, but it has been very eyeopening and rewarding. Insurance is very detailed and can be difficult to understand, so I love being able to educate my customers on their insurance coverages and build lifelong relationships.

Take the time to educate consumers

In a recent conversation with a group of farmers, the dialogue centered around public perception and knowledge of ag production. The conversation wasn’t filled with research and data, but rather farmer perspectives. It is easy to generalize and hold up examples by a few to make the case that their opinion and perception represents all.

NDFU, along with many others, has hired research companies to gather data for us to better understand consumer issues surrounding food production. Many times, research supports perception but at times, it does not. The data collection process we used included surveys and focus groups.

One of our research projects a few years ago was conducted by a firm out of New York. The results indicated consumers are somewhat enamored with family farmers and ranchers. According to our polls, they trust farmers and ranchers more than science to deliver high quality and safe food to their tables. They believe government should support us and help us deliver food to our nation.

What consumers miss is the understanding of how food production at the farm and ranch level is carried out and specific processes used to achieve a high quality, safe and inexpensive food system. This is often what farmers like to discuss when conversing with one another.

With only a small percentage of our population participating in production

agriculture, it is easy to understand why misperceptions exist. The role of our organization is to help educate consumers on issues surrounding agriculture. This is very hard to do with consumers as most are not waiting or wanting to attend a meeting to learn about food production.

Consumers need to know that farmers and ranchers are great stewards of the land. They are committed to keeping the land healthy and ready for the next generation. Farmers and ranchers use modern tools and equipment. Tractors and trucks are not just fun toys but essential business tools. Farmers and ranchers adopt and utilize technology to enhance their income stream and lower input costs. Farmers and ranchers are very efficient. Take wheat, for example. In 1970, wheat was as high as $6 a bushel. Until recently, wheat prices were much lower. There aren’t many businesses that can continue to be successful selling a product for the same price they received 50 years ago.

Farmers and ranchers, I challenge you to communicate more with consumers. And consumers, I challenge you to ask more questions of farmers and ranchers. It is up to us to educate consumers on the idiosyncrasies of food production, dispel myths, and share facts and realities. We need consumer support for family farm and ranch agriculture and food production processes that feed our nation and the world.

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Around the state

Dunn County Farmers Union held a scavenger hunt with prizes at the Gladstone City Park.

Pembina County Farmers Union served 150 people at a Farmer’s Share lunch at the Pembina County Fair in Hamilton. Farmers Union Insurance agent Jennifer Worley sponsored the event.

Lori Blocker of McIntosh County Farmers Union (left) and Sarah Lundeen of Logan County Farmers Union serve eager Tri-County Fair attendees in Wishek on July 16 as part of the annual watermelon feed sponsored by Farmers Union.

Logan County Farmers Union’s Bill Becker drives an Oliver tractor as an entrant in Wishek’s 125th anniversary parade.

Mercer County Farmers Union, Farmers Union Insurance agent Kandie Lindemann, Farmers Union Oil of Hazen and Farmers Union Oil of Beulah sponsored a customer appreciation meal at the Mercer County Fair. MCFU also served root beer floats to show appreciation toward 4-H and FFA members.

Ramsey County Farmers Union board members Rudi Bloomquist (left) and Adam Leiphon served Cenex breakfast pizza to exhibitors and families at the 4-H Horse and Livestock Achievement Days.

Dickey County Farmers Union sponsored a 4-H field trip to the Cows & Co. creamery in Carrington on June 23. They learned about the creamery and enjoyed grill cheese sandwiches for lunch with gouda cheese made on-site. Photos courtesy of Breana Kiser of NDSU Extension.

SCOTUS narrows the scope of wetlands covered by Clean Water Act in landmark decision

By Kale R. Van Bruggen and Hannah J. Schacherl Rinke Noonan Law Firm

On May 25, 2023, the Supreme Court of the United States released a decision addressing whether the Army Corps and Environmental Protection Agency’s Clean Water Act authority to regulate navigable waters that are “waters of the United States” (WOTUS) extends to certain wetlands based on their adjacency to WOTUS. The Court’s decision focused on whether the federal government’s jurisdiction under the Act extended to wetlands and streams that are isolated, ephemeral, or not obviously connected to a navigable water – a question the agencies and regulated community have struggled with since the last time the court considered this question over 17 years ago in the joint cases of United States v. Rapanos and Carabell v. United States.

The case in the court’s recent decision concerns a family, the Sacketts, who purchased a residential lot near Priest Lake, Idaho. After purchasing the property in 2004, the Sacketts began placing sand and gravel on the lot in preparation to build a home. However, EPA claimed the lot contained wetlands that qualify as “navigable waters” regulated by the Act and ordered the removal of the sand and gravel. EPA ordered the Sacketts to restore the site, threatening penalties of over $40,000 per day until the demands of EPA’s restoration order were completed.

The Clean Water Act requires a permit from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for any work that results in “the discharge of fill

materials into navigable waters.” The term “navigable waters” is defined as “waters of the United States” or “WOTUS.” WOTUS includes traditionally navigable waterways like rivers, streams and lakes, tributaries to those navigable waterways, and wetlands “adjacent” to those waterways and tributaries.

Sackett’s property was separated from Priest Lake by a strip of developed lakefront homes and a bermed roadway. Regardless, EPA classified the Sackett wetlands as navigable WOTUS because the wetlands were near a ditch that outletted into a creek, which flowed into Priest Lake, a navigable lake located wholly within the state of Idaho. The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed summary judgment in favor of EPA’s claim of jurisdiction. Sacketts appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court, challenging the test used by the Ninth Circuit to determine whether the wetlands on their property are navigable WOTUS within the scope of the Clean Water Act. To resolve the dispute over the Act’s protection of the wetlands in the Sackett case, the Supreme Court needed to establish a test for determining whether the wetlands were “adjacent” to Priest Lake.

Prior to Sackett, three Supreme Court cases considered the Clean Water Act’s reach over non-navigable wetlands. The first, U.S. v. Riverside Bayview Homes, Inc., held that CONTINUED TO NEXT PAGE

the Act prohibits discharges of fill material in certain wetlands adjacent to navigable waters, even though the wetlands themselves are not navigable. The second, Solid Waste Agency of Northern Cook County v. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, determined the Clean Water Act does not cover all wetlands, just those that are somewhat permanent and not isolated from other navigable waters. Finally, like Sackett, Rapanos v. U.S., focused on what it means for a wetland to be “adjacent to” a tributary or navigable waterway. The Court was not able to answer that question in 2006 conclusively because no single test gained support from a majority of Supreme Court justices.

Two jurisdictional tests for adjacent wetlands came from the Rapanos decision. The first test, the continuous surface connection test, concluded that a permit would only be required for discharging pollutants into wetlands with a “continuous surface water connection” to a regulated waterway that makes it “difficult to determine where the waterway ends and the wetland begins.” The second test, the significant nexus test, stated that wetlands are “adjacent to” traditionally navigable water if those wetlands have a “significant nexus,” meaning the wetland has a significant effect on the chemical, physical, and biological integrity of regulated waterways.

Since 2006, the Ninth Circuit, like many others, held that EPA has jurisdiction under the Clean Water Act over wetlands that satisfy

either the continuous surface connection or the significant nexus test. The Sackett’s petition for Supreme Court review challenged whether the significant nexus test relied upon by EPA violated the plain meaning of terms within the Clean Water Act.

The majority opinion in Sackett, written by Justice Samuel Alito and joined by Justices John Roberts, Clarence Thomas, Neil Gorsuch and Amy Coney Barrett, rejected the significant nexus test and adopted the continuous surface connection test from Rapanos. The Court determined EPA did not have jurisdiction over the Sacketts’ property because the property does not have a continuous surface water connection with Priest Lake. The Court concluded that wetlands must qualify as “waters of the United States” in their own right. In other words, those wetlands must be indistinguishably part of a body of water that itself constitutes “waters” under the Clean Water Act.

In order for EPA to assert jurisdiction over adjacent wetlands, the Court ruled that EPA

The Court concluded that wetlands must qualify as “waters of the United States” in their own right. In other words, those wetlands must be indistinguishably part of a body of water that itself constitutes “waters” under the Clean Water Act.

must first establish that the adjacent body of water constitutes a “waters of the United States” – one that is a relatively permanent body of water connected to traditional interstate navigable waters. Second, the EPA must establish that the wetland has a continuous surface water connection with adjacent body of water, such that it is difficult to determine where the water ends and where the wetland begins.

The Court expressed concern during oral arguments and in its written decision over the uncertainty that the significant nexus test provided landowners and the regulated community. The Court stated that the significant nexus test puts many property owners in a precarious position because it is often difficult to determine whether a particular piece of property contains waters of the United States, and the serious criminal and financial penalties imposed for a violation of the Clean Water Act demands Congress be exceedingly clear in stating what conduct is prohibited.

After the Supreme Court held oral argument for Sackett, but before releasing its decision, EPA released a new rule that, among other things, defined “adjacent waters.” The rule stated the Clean Water Act would be applied to a wetland that either has a continuous surface connection or a “significant nexus” to a navigable waterway. The rule stated that the Act applied to wetlands under this rule if the wetlands alone — or in combination with other similarly situated waters in the region — significantly affect the chemical, physical or

biological integrity of a navigable waterway.

In response to the Sackett decision, EPA and Army Corps have announced its intent to amend its “Revised Definition of ‘Waters of the United States’” rule in a way that limits the definition of adjacent waters to those waters that have a continuous surface connection to traditionally navigable waterways. The agencies intend to issue a final rule by Sept. 1, 2023.

The Supreme Court’s decision in Sackett brings long-awaited clarity to the scope of the Clean Water Act’s jurisdiction over wetlands, which has a significant impact to the Prairie Pothole Region of the Dakotas, Minnesota and northwest Iowa. The decision is expected to be a significant curb on future attempts by the Army Corps and EPA to claim jurisdiction over wetlands and streams that are isolated, ephemeral, and not obviously connected to navigable lakes or streams.

In the post-Sackett decision regulatory landscape, landowners will not be subject to the CWA’s jurisdiction for work in a wetland unless EPA can establish that there is a continuous surface connection between the wetland and a traditionally navigable waterway. However, while certain wetlands may no longer be regulated under the CWA, state-specific regulations may still apply and limit work within the wetland. Consult with an attorney knowledgeable on these issues.

Van Bruggen and Schacherl are attorneys who specialize in water issues for Rinke Noonan Law Firm in St. Cloud, Minn.

FUEL program holds summer event

BY CHRIS AARHUS, NDFU

Julie Gemmill is learning to share her story.

The Walsh County Farmers Union President — who farms with her husband near Fordville — was selected to take part in the Farmers Union Enterprises Leadership (FUEL) program last winter. The group recently finished its summer outing at the new Farmers Union Camp on the Jamestown Reservoir.

“We each had to write a story about our interest in Farmers Union and what got us to where we are,” she said. “We started with our background, and we elaborated on all the things that brought us to that day. Then we got up in front of the group and told our story.”

The FUEL program is one of the opportunities North Dakota Farmers Union provides to help its members take the next step in their leadership journey. It’s run in conjunction with the other Farmers Union Enterprise states, which include Minnesota, Montana, South Dakota and Wisconsin.

Gemmill was joined by Missy Axt of McClusky, and Amanda and Lucas McClean of Ypsilanti as North Dakota participants in the program. Each state brings four producers, and all five state presidents attend as well.

“I sat next to (Wisconsin Farmers Union President Darin Von Ruden) at dinner, and we had a really good conversation,” she said. “We had a lot of stories to share.”

Gemmill said there were notable similarities and differences among the participants from all five states.

“We have very similar values,” she said. “What’s different is how we experience every day in our own lives. Some have a different perspective on farming than what I do.

Raising dairy (cows) is different, and growing (vegetables) is different. You learn a little bit about everybody, what they’re doing and how important it is for sustaining our food (supply).”

The program typically involves three events — the National Farmers Union convention in early March, a summer outing and the NFU Fly-in to Washington, D.C., in September. It also involves a state convention.

Gemmill said it’s a good opportunity to meet others and learn more about agriculture.

“It’s a great learning tool to expand your knowledge about everything Farmers Union and to also develop leadership skills and communication skills,” she said. “We spent a lot of time just talking to each other and making connections. That’s important with whatever you choose to do in your life.”

Anyone interested in becoming a FUEL participant for the 2024 class can apply at ndfu.org/fuel.

The 2023 Farmers Union Enterprises Leadership (FUEL) program consists of participants from all five FUE states: North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, Montana and Wisconsin. The group had its summer outing at NDFU’s new camp on the Jamestown Reservoir.

Julie Gemmill of Fordville tells her story during the summer outing of the Farmers Union Enterprises Leadership program. Missy Axt of McClusky, and Amanda and Lucas McClean of Ypsilanti joined Gemmill as NDFU’s four participants.

In service of others

BY CHRIS AARHUS, NDFU

Dennie Stratton can remember a Saturday long ago in which his mother drove to Devils Lake to visit him, and a bad crack in her windshield needed to be fixed.

As they walked into the dealership, a friendly service manager was dealing with an angry, loud customer. The service manager quietly resolved the complaint and turned his attention to Stratton and his mother.

“He just walked up and smiled and acted like nothing ever happened,” recalled Stratton, who was District 1 manager for Farmers Union Insurance at the time and is currently the Sales Director for Crop Insurance Distribution. “He was the happiest guy in the world. And it was technically his day off, and he was swamped. That’s one of the reasons I knew he would be fantastic.”

That service manager was Dan Ness, who would eventually embark on an award-winning career as a Farmers Union Insurance agent in Devils Lake. In his 10th year, Ness is part of a three-person agency, alongside Armen Hanson and Kim Zinke.

“I’m working in an agency that has been here a long time with a great team,” Ness said. “It’s just been fantastic.”

Since becoming an agent, Ness hasn’t looked back. At the 2023 Sales Conference in Bismarck, Farmers Union Insurance honored Hanson, Zinke and Ness with the Premier Agency award, a

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Commitment to helping people has made Ness a natural fit as a FUI agent

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prestigious accolade that goes to the top agencies in the state over the past year.

“I absolutely love what I do,” he said. “It’s a business where you just become part of a family. We all play a role in our communities.”

Stratton didn’t know it at the time, but Hanson had already laid the first bricks for Ness’ path to Farmers Union Insurance while he was at the dealership. In fact, their relationship goes back even farther.

“I was his (vocational) ag teacher in high school,” Hanson said. “He was always very outgoing.”

Hanson said it’s common for agents to keep an eye out for folks who would make a good addition to the Farmers Union family.

“You just run that through your mind all the time,” he said. “He was ready for change. Dan

had put in a lot of time over there.”

Said Stratton: “It was perfect. He had already had a career in customer service management with a good business background. I don’t think I ever saw him without a smile on his face. He’s a hard guy to forget.”

Between growing up on a farm near Lawton and working in the automotive industry for many years, Ness said his experiences have given him the knowledge to be able to visit with customers about all areas of insurance. And that extends to the air, as Ness is a pilot with his own small plane.

“It all helps because we insure everything, whether that’s farms, homes, cars or airplanes,” he said. “Having been in the automotive business, that helps with adjusters (on auto claims).”

He and his wife Bonnie have three grown children and seven grandchildren. In addition

to his work helping Farmers Union families, he has served on numerous boards such as the Lake Region State College, CHI Hospital and Devils Lake Rotary Club. It’s all part of Ness’ commitment to service.

“I like helping people,” Ness said. “A minute out of your day can mean a lot to a customer. It can really put a customer at ease and take care of their concerns. I think that’s part of what we’re all about.”

When he’s not helping customers, Ness enjoys flying, scuba diving, restoring cars and spending time at his lake home, where his Farmers Union Insurance flag flies right underneath his American flag.

“I believe very strongly in our brand,” he said. “I don’t care where you are, you represent the brand. If you walk into my house, you’ll see a Farmers Union Insurance rug. And outside, you’ll see the Farmers Union Insurance flag flying.”

TOP: Armen Hanson (left), Dan Ness (middle) and Kim Zinke (right) pose with Farmers Union Insurance CEO Mark Anderson after receiving their Premier Agency award at the 2023 FUI Sales Conference in Bismarck in June.

LEFT: Ness, who enjoys scuba diving, holds his homemade t-shirt gun. He loads the t-shirt in the tube and has it hooked to his steel scuba tank, which provides the pressure.

RIGHT: The Farmers Union Insurance flag flies high at the Ness’ home.

Ness stands next to his plane. Ness became a pilot not long after graduating high school.

at North Dakota Farmers Union Camp!

Livestock feeding area needs to be managed

Whetherfarms have cattle, horses, sheep or goats, summer management of the winter feeding area is important.

“Most of the management in your winter feeding area begins with manure,” said Mary Keena, North Dakota State University Extension livestock environmental management specialist. “That is true whether your winter feeding area is corrals or a specific area of a field that you now feed on.”

While summer tasks and activities often take precedence this time of year, Keena urges ranchers to look back on what went wrong last winter and take note of what needs maintenance this summer.

“An easy place to start is pushing up manure in the winter feeding areas,” said Keena. “Making stockpiles of manure allows the pen or field surface to dry. It also allows the manure to

start heating, reducing total volume and, in turn, reducing total loads hauled when removed.”

Composting livestock manure will increase the volume reduction compared to stockpiling, as well as reduce internal and external parasites, pathogens and weed seeds. To compost manure, turn the piles every 10-14 days while maintaining 50% moisture. Learn more about composting in the NDSU Extension publication, “Composting Animal Manures,” available at ndsu.ag/manures.

When animals are still present in winter feedings areas, fly control via manure management is also important. Flies lay their eggs in the top few inches of manure, and the eggs can hatch every seven days. By pushing the manure into a pile and turning the piles, you can compost manure and stay ahead of the fly cycle.

Often the nutrients from manure can help fertilize undesirable weeds in your feeding areas. If the weeds have already gotten away from you, several management strategies can help reduce weed population and spread.

“Repeated mowing reduces weeds’ competitive ability, depletes carbohydrate reserves in their roots, and reduces seed production,” said Penny Nester, NDSU Extension agent in Bowman County. “Mowing can kill or suppress annual and biennial weeds. It also can suppress perennials and help restrict their spread.”

A single mowing will not satisfactorily control most weeds. However, mowing three or four times per year over several years can greatly reduce and occasionally eliminate certain weeds. Mowing along fences and borders can help prevent the introduction of new weed seeds. Regular mowing helps prevent weeds from establishing, spreading and competing with desirable grasses and legumes.

Another option for weed control is to apply herbicides, said Nester. It is best to apply herbicides to weeds that are still young because they will absorb the chemicals more effectively than their mature counterparts. Herbicide can also be effective to treat actively growing weeds in the weeks following mowing.

Ideal temperatures for applying most herbicides are between 65 and 85 degrees. Avoid applying volatile herbicides such as 2, 4-D ester, MCPA ester and dicamba during hot weather, especially near susceptible broadleaf crops, shelterbelts or farmsteads.

Cleaning pen and field surfaces is a great time for reflection of the past season. What worked? What didn’t? What should be fixed, changed or maintained now to make the next winter feeding season successful?

Keena and Nester offered some considerations for maintenance:

Notice and manage stress. The “winter” season started in October 2022 for some animal owners and lasted through May 2023. While commiserating with family and friends will sometimes help, consider exploring NDSU Extension’s “Coping with Stress” resources available at ag/copingwithstress. Sometimes we need the help, and sometimes we are the help. Either way, a refresher is good practice.

How do the fences look? Are there any places that need fixing?

Did the watering system work during the winter feeding period? What changes or fixes can help prevent leaking or freeze-ups?

How level are pen surfaces? Are there holes to be filled? Are any areas holding water? Gravel and clay are commonly used to backfill these areas and regain proper slope and drainage in the pen.

If you are experiencing challenges in your livestock winter feeding areas or need a list of for-hire custom manure applicators in your county, contact your county NDSU Extension agent for resources and help. Visit www.ndsu. edu/agriculture/ag-home/directory to find their contact information.

Article courtesy NDSU Ag Communications

USDA announces HBIIP grants

On June 26, USDA announced the first round of funding awarded from the Inflation Reduction Act for the Higher Blend Infrastructure Incentive Program (HBIIP), with 59 infrastructure projects across 15 states receiving $25 million to support gas stations and distribution facilities. These funds are aimed at upgrading infrastructure to make biofuels more widely available.

The grants will help gas stations install, retrofit or upgrade fuel pumps and storage tanks to deliver ethanol blends greater than 10 percent and biodiesel blends greater than 20 percent. In July, USDA plans to begin accepting new applications for $450 million more in HBIIP grants. The funding will be distributed in $90 million increments each quarter.

According to USDA, approximately $67.5 million of those announcements will be headed to transportation fueling facilities, $18 million will go to fuel distribution facilities, and up to $4.5 million will go to home heating oil distribution facilities.

The funding announcement follows the Environmental Protection Agency’s final rule to establish blending volumes under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). EPA has finalized volume requirements and associated percentage standards for cellulosic biofuel, biomass-based diesel (BBD), advanced biofuel, and total renewable fuel for 2023–2025. The final rule lowers the volume requirements for corn ethanol and advanced biofuels from the levels in the proposed rule, which was released in December 2022.

EPA’s final numbers show a 250 milliongallon reduction in total corn-ethanol volumes for 2024 and 2025 from the original proposal, setting those volumes at 15 billion gallons for both years. In addition, EPA set the cornethanol volumes at 15.25 billion gallons for 2023.

NFU’s statement on the EPA announcement notes that while the modest increases in the biodiesel and renewable diesel volumes mark a step in the right direction, the final rule represents a missed opportunity to expand the production and sale of low-carbon fuel and reduce prices at the gas pump.

NFU continues to be a strong supporter of higher-level blends of ethanol, which can contribute to a green energy transition and provide economic opportunities to rural communities.

NFU CONCERNED WITH EPA TAILPIPE EMISSIONS RULE

In mid-April, EPA announced a regulatory proposal to aggressively slash tailpipe pollution and accelerate the transition to electric vehicles (EVs). If finalized as proposed, EPA expects EVs to account for up to 67 percent of new light-duty vehicle sales and 46 percent of new medium-duty vehicle sales by 2032. This surpasses the previous goal to have all-electric cars make up approximately 50 percent of vehicles sold by 2030.

NFU’s engagement on this proposed rule has been extensive. In a letter to EPA Administrator Michael Regan, NFU joined seven national associations representing the full spectrum of the renewable fuel supply chain, expressing concern the proposed rule favors EVs while failing to consider the decarbonization potential of existing biofuels that can improve the emissions profile of the vast majority of cars on the road today.

The letter recommends EPA account for all emissions relating to different fuel and engine technologies and equitably incentivize emissions reductions from those technologies. NFU and partners support the agency’s goal of reducing over-the-road transportation emissions but are concerned the agency’s proposed standards “artificially tilt the scale toward electric vehicles,” while ignoring other available fuel and vehicle options that can help decarbonize the transportation sector more rapidly and at a lower cost.

The groups also noted the proposed rule exceeds the scope of the agency’s statutory authority, which does not include establishing greenhouse gas emission standards that effectively mandate EVs. NFU has urged EPA to recognize the role renewable liquid fuels, such as ethanol, can contribute to meaningfully reduce emissions from the transportation

sector. Biofuels and other renewables, if prioritized, can increase market opportunities for farmers, maximize the climate benefits of liquid fuels, build resiliency across the energy sector and reduce energy and fuel costs.

NFU’s own comments echo the concerns expressed in the letter, but emphasize the short- and long-term benefits and their compatibility with a large number of vehicles on the road today, offering immediate emissions benefits on a much larger scale than a marketwide transition to new vehicles. NFU President Rob Larew also testified before EPA in May, urging the agency to promote higher-level blends and recognize the role ethanol can play in the transition to low-pollutant vehicles.

NFU PARTICIPATES IN WHITE HOUSE, USDA COMPETITION ROUNDTABLE

On July 13, Larew participated in a meeting hosted by the White House and USDA to discuss competition priorities in the 2023 Farm Bill. Larew joined 15 other food and agriculture organizations for a listening session with senior White House staff and USDA officials to discuss the need for more competition in agricultural markets.

During the session, participants shared their perspectives on how consolidation harms producers and raises prices for American consumers. The groups expressed support for legislative action to strengthen and diversify supply chains and protect farmers and ranchers from anticompetitive conduct.

Following the meeting, Larew issued the following statement:

“We need a farm bill that prioritizes fair and competitive markets. Today’s meeting shows the continued commitment from this administration on competition in the agricultural economy and the need for this issue to be addressed in the 2023 Farm Bill. Our Fairness for Farmers campaign has been sounding the alarm on monopolies and consolidation across the food and agriculture industry and this meeting is a sign that we’re being heard by the president and other decision makers. We’re going to keep fighting for fairness and are happy to have growing bipartisan support in this fight.”

USDA has created a Farmer Fairness website, a confidential and secure portal that allows producers to file complaints or tips for violations of the Packers and Stockyards Act. USDA has also ramped up interagency collaboration with the Department of Justice and has invested hundreds of millions of dollars to create a more competitive and resilient meat and poultry supply chain. USDA is currently developing rules to strengthen enforcement of the Packers and Stockyards Act to increase transparency and protect family farmers and ranchers from anticompetitive practices.

NFU looks forward to continuing to work with USDA to build fairer and more competitive markets and is working to include a competition title in the next farm bill.

With diminishing hay, consider forage options

Another challenging year for spring moisture has created a deficit in hay production across much of the Dakotas and Minnesota, leaving ranchers to consider options to increase their forage supply. Lack of rainfall from mid-May to mid-June impacted forage production of perennial grass hay fields such as brome grass, crested wheatgrass, timothy and orchardgrass. Statewide reports have indicated as much as a 40% decline in hay production compared to the previous year.

“Recent precipitation may make annual forages and cover crops viable forage options for hay production or grazing,” said Miranda Meehan, North Dakota State University Extension livestock environmental stewardship specialist.

Despite recent rains, available soil moisture and recommended planting dates will limit options. Forage species selected will vary based on primary planned use: hay, fall grazing, or next spring haying or grazing.

Recommended forage species for hay production

“The best options this late in the growing season will be warm-season forages,” said Kevin Sedivec, NDSU Extension rangeland management specialist. “Foxtail millets have the shortest growing period (seed germination

to heading). With droughty conditions, Siberian millet may be the best option; however, under better moisture conditions, German millet could be a better option to maximize production potential. Other options include sudangrass and sorghum-sudangrass hybrids.”

These warm-season crops should be planted by no later than late July or early August. Harvest before a hard frost or directly following the hard frost to retain forage quality and palatability. Sudangrass and the sorghumsudangrass hybrids have higher yield potential, but because of the shorter day-length and cooler temperatures in late summer and early fall, sufficient dry down to put up hay can be difficult when using a sorghum-sudangrass hybrid. A dry stalk trait is available in some sorghum-sudangrass hybrids that speeds drying time due to stalks containing a lower moisture content.

Recommendation for fall-winter grazing

Many forage options can be planted now and grazed late summer through early winter. Foxtail millet, sudangrass and sorghumsudangrass can also be used as pasture. However, once they freeze, livestock tend to be more selective and increase waste through trampling. Following a killing freeze, allow sorghum species to completely dry

down before grazing to minimize prussic acid potential.

Cool-season cover crop mixtures make excellent pasture well into the early winter period. However, cool-season plants are less efficient at using water and will be more prone to fail if dry conditions persist. Make sure ample topsoil moisture is available for plant establishment.

A good option for a fall and winter grazing mix is a seed mixture with a combination of cool and warm-season crops. The cool-season crops will retain nutritional quality after a freeze while the warm-season crop provides fiber for energy and proper rumen function. Cool-season cover crop options may include a mixture of oats, barley, turnips or radish.

Recommendation for spring grazing or haying in 2024

Winter annuals can be a great option for spring grazing or late spring hay, helping to reduce pressure on already stressed rangeland and pastures while providing cover on the soils. September is the optimal planting date for winter annuals. However, they can be seeded in August if moisture conditions are good. Options include winter wheat, winter rye and winter triticale. Winter annuals can be utilized for early season grazing or harvested for hay in June.

Winter rye and triticale will be the best option for grazing in May through early June. Both winter rye and triticale can be harvested for hay by early June. Winter wheat produces less foliage in May and will provide a better option for high quality hay in late June.

When to purchase hay

“If you plan to purchase hay to offset a shortage, we recommend sourcing hay early this year,” said James Rogers, NDSU Extension

forage crops production specialist.

Severe to extreme drought persists throughout much of the Central Plains states and Corn Belt. Demand for hay is expected to be high in these regions, with producers sourcing hay from the Dakotas and Minnesota. With a depleted hay inventory projected throughout much of the Great Plains, hay prices are likely to increase from their current levels.

Precautions

Many annual forages have toxic risks when growing under stress. Cereal grains, turnips, sorghum species and millet can be high in nitrates when grown in droughty conditions. Do not add any additional nitrogen fertilizers when planting these forage crops this summer. Test for nitrate levels, especially if plant growth occurs under drought stress. Sorghum, sudangrass and sorghum-sudangrass hybrids are susceptible to prussic acid toxicity when immature, under stress or directly after a frost.

“We realize that producers are taking a risk in establishing an annual crop, given the dry conditions, and cost may be a factor,” Meehan said. “NDSU Extension has developed a cover crop cost calculator that provides the ability to estimate and compare the cost of different mixes.”

The tool is available at: tinyurl.com/ NDSUCoverCropCalculator.

“Farmers may be reluctant to plant annual forages because of fear of soil moisture depletion and desire to recharge the soil,” said Sedivec. “If the cover crop develops enough structure, it will protect the soil from erosion while providing aid in trapping snow and reducing evaporation for moisture conservation, potentially improving soil moisture for spring planting, while providing forage for livestock.”

Article courtesy NDSU Ag Communications

CLASSIFIEDS

Ads must be submitted through the online form at www.ndfu.org. Click “Classifieds” at the very bottom of ndfu.org and fill out the online form. Ads must be re-submitted each month. No exceptions! Deadline is the 15th of every month. Limit 75 words.

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FARM EQUIPMENT

FOR SALE

BACKHOE ATTACHMENT, Bobcat 811 Backhoe attachment for skidsteer. 701-206-0082, Marcus Fischer, Bowman.

FORD TRUCK, 1977 F600 2.5 ton truck with hoist. 65k miles. New motor. Good condition. $4700. 701-202-0400, Ron Monzelowsky, Bismarck.

THRESHING MACHINE, best offer takes it. 701789-1117, Bill Rahlf, Sutton.

JD 1620 COULTER (chisel plow converted to vertical tillage tool), 40’, new hoses, new lift cylinder, good tires and lots of new bearings, Blades measure 17”. $15,000 OBO. 701-3215711, John Kempf, Ashley.

SWATHER, Macdon 24 ft pull-type swather

For parts or with slight repairs ready to go; Farmking auger 60 ft side delivery, needs a bearing or two on end of auger; Cenex grain 2200 bushels, excellent condition to be moved. 701-263-1206, Lathan Romsos, Bottineau.

DRAPER HEAD, JD 935-D in good condition, ready to go; 8220-25 ft. Case swather, pull type, good shape and shedded; Combine trailer, bridge type with pinto hitch and 11 22.5 low pro tires; Cummings ISX engine block with crank and sleeve. 701-226-6633, Gerry Rattei, Napoleon.

MOISTURE-TESTER, JD baler-mounted moister tester, brand new, cab-mounted display for on the go moisture-tester, $300. 701-597-3525, Scott Nelson, Solen.

WINPOWER tractor driven PTO generator on wheels, 18/30kw, 72 amps. 701-376-5296/701260-1065, Bill Hourigan, Lemmon, S.D.

CHOPPER, 881 International chopper with hay head which is in excellent condition; 2 row 30” corn head. $2000. Lilliston drills with seeder weeders, 16 ft, $1200 in good condition. International 516 plow in good condition $800; 7 ft packer for $200; Melroe 514 plow and 6 ft packer $500. Versitile swather hydrostatic drives $400 for the set, they’re in good condition. 852 NH baler with auto wrap in good condition. 701-269-6216, Jerry Miller, Streeter.

SWATHER, JD 20 ft Pull type swather modified for cliping CRP. $600 or best offer. Vemer stump grinder. $5600 or best offer. 509-389-9562, Wade Wipperling, New Rockford.

STEEL BINS, two steel bins on cones w/aeration fans; 3 triangular grain auger hoppers w/straps/ chains to fasten onto grain auger; Simer water pump; Bourgault knock on cultivator sweeps; farm scale/steel wheels; used Case IH 8230 feeder chain; used 16” JD cultivator shovels/ spikes; John Blue anhydrous nitrolator w/hyd shut off hoses; combine pickup guards/lifters; 4x8’ wooden stone boat; old front tine rototiller. 701-629-9003, Doug Halden, Stanley.

MARFLEX PICKUP SPRAYER, 80’ hydraulic midmount booms, 400 gal. tank, 701-9255821, James Kimball, Noonan.

GRAIN CART, 400 bu. J-Craft grain cart, PTO drive, hydraulic fold auger and bottom slide, bottom auger, new roll tarp, 28L-26 tires, good, all gears and drives updated; Koehn 8 row Danish S tine cultivator 3 pt. hitch, depth wheels, stand, sway discs on ends $250 OBO. Use JD 635 flex head with AW air reel, multipoint hookups, with trailer, new knife sections, shedded, excellent condition. 701952-8973, Glen Nagel, Jamestown.

TRUCK, 48 Dodge 1.5 ton, 5 window truck in very good original condition. Turns over. Good tires. Rust and dent free. Loader, F11 Farmhand with controls, pump, and grapple fork. Deering Horse drawn mower, yard art, $100, 6 steel wheels $25 each. 701-258-5352, Allen Koth, Bismarck.

JD 300 tractor, 2010, dual loader on tractor $4,000. 701-302-0829, Andrew Bachmeier, Sheyenne.

15-30 MCCORMICK TRACTOR, 1 new tire LT245-75R-Load Range E. 2- Cream Separators, 4-wheel Steel Running Gear, 1 Covered Wagon Running Gear, 12’ Kirschman Drill, 1 Horse Potato Cultivator, 4 Btm. Pony & Packer, Saddle and 2 Bridles. Email: larryn@westriv.com. 701548-8020, Larry Nagel, Shields.

SQUARE BALER, New Holland 285 square baler has its own power source, good shape, $5400; JD 640 rake reconditioned, new teeth, new paint good tires $1700; 1170 Heston 16 ft. hydro swing reconditioned, new guards, new sickle $4500; 605j Vermeer baler, ready to go in field $3000; 1994 toner 4wd Chevy pickup, crew cab, utility box, pipe rack, duels, runs good, $7900. 701-400-5742, Gerald Miller, Mandan.

WANTED

FUEL TANK STAND, 6-8 high gravity feed fuel tank stand. 701-471-9119, James Snustad, Neche.

TRACTORS, IH 706, 806, 756, 856, 1256, 1456, 1066, 1466, 1566 and others; JD 4620, 5010, 5020, 6030. MM 950s on up: Olivers 1963’s on up; AC 200, 210, 220 ,D-21, others. Will buy running or not. 701-628-2130, Jerry Lumley, Stanley.

CATERPILLAR D2. 701-641-1173, Scott Grote, Battleview.

SNOW BLOWER, front mount for 420/430 garden tractor. 701-640-8843, Merle Rubish, Wahpeton.

HAY RAKES, Vicon 206 Gehl or #39 Massey Ferguson hay rakes in any condition or for parts. 701-226-4055, Lloyd Giese, Steele.

PROPANE TANK, 500 gallons, 701-327-4441, Donald Fanta, Tappen.

FOR SALE

BARN WINDOWS. 701-771-8653, Kenny Heilman, Rugby.

BAYLINER, 2004 Bayliner BR175 boat. Has snapon cover. It has always been covered or inside. Excellent condition; EZ Dock Kayak Launch. Both are located North of Bismarck. 701-206-0082, Marcus Fischer, Bowman.

DENIM DAYS, large collection of home interior denim days; many cake decorating pans. 701721-2444, Rachel Axness, Des Lacs.

REDWING POTTERY, 15 to 20 pieces ranging from 15 gal to 2 gal. Serious inquiries only. 701-318-6554, Gail Gunst, Fargo.

1997 CHEVY PICKUP, Silverado 1500 Z71 ½ ton, 114,741 miles. Red with chrome trim (paint and chrome in very good condition with no rust. Vortec 5700 engine. Always stored in a shed. Less than 10k miles on tires. 3-year-old battery. $9,000 obo. Call or text. 701-430-3348, Jack Vadnie, Clifford.

SIGNS/CAST IRON BASES, Our Own Hardware store sign, Benjamin Moore Paint sign, Left half of a Sinclair sign (SINC), Pennzoil Cast Iron Base, Coke Cast Iron Base. Willing to trade for other signs or old gas pumps. 701-220-5746, Val Ganje, Bismarck.

1930 MODEL A, 4 door, runs and drives. All original & 90% complete. Call evenings or weekends. Misc parts go with car. $6500 firm. Serious inquires only. 701-216-0094, Doug Perdue, Ray.

2008 CHEVY EQUINOX, AWD, 211,000 miles. Has some rust and a few dents but runs good. Many new parts. $4500 OBO. 701-321-5711, John Kempf, Ashley.

MOTORCYCLE, Harley Davidson, Model: Heritage Softail Classic, low mileage, lots of chrome, excellent condition; 1991 Ford pickup, maroon, color V-6 motor, have pictures. 701263-1206, Lathan Romsos, Bottineau.

CANOE, aluminum 17 foot with paddles $475; 20 ton wooden fertilizer bin $100. 701-3513305, Arne Berg, Devils Lake.

DODGE CARAVAN, 2013 Dodge Grand CARAVAN, 137K miles, nice shape, $8K obo. 701-597-3525, Scott Nelson, Solen.

CHEVY IMPALA, 2011, LT, 4-door, body and interior in good shape, gets over 30 mpg. 605530-2296, Vern Snow, Tolstoy, S.D.

1989 19’ ALUMACRAFT BOAT with cover, 9.9 HP Suzuki motor, (140 HP Suzuki needs work), Shoreland’r trailer with rollers, stored inside, 701-925-5821, James Kimball, Noonan.

NDFU trucks bring food from farm to table

BY FARMERS RESTAURANT GROUP

From their bread to their beignets, we know Founding Farmers makes everything they can from scratch using thoughtfully sourced ingredients from farmers and suppliers they know and trust. But how do some of these ingredients get to the restaurants? On North Dakota Farmers Union’s two trucks.

Regularly, these two trucks are packed full of American family-farmed ingredients and head East to be made into delicious appetizers, entrées, desserts and more. Ingredients aboard the trucks include:

• Flour from the North Dakota Mill for all the breads Founding Farmers mixes, shapes and bakes daily, as well as in its English muffins,

TRAILER, Bumper hitch small camper trailer. 1976 Gold. $600; Motorhome, 1982 Chevrolet Holiday Rambler motor home in working order with generator, water system, furnace, and air conditioner. $3500.00. Two 10 x 12 new non-insulated garage doors including 4 panels, 4 springs, 2 torsion shafts, 2 hardware boxes, 2 sets of tracks. $900; Golds gym cross trainer 510 elliptical $200. 701-748-2873/701-870-1970, Verna Gowin, Hazen.

CAMPER, 1990 Toyota Winnebago Warrior camper, 22 feet, dually, heat, AC, TV antennae, solar panel, 6 cyl. gas, EFI, 90,000 miles, automatic, air ride, PS, cruise, crank windows, stove, microwave, fridge-freezer, dining table, couch, makes into 3 beds, bathroom storage tanks, wired for 30 Amps. $9500. 701-9528973, Glen Nagel, Jamestown.

ENGINE, 5 hp Briggs and Straton engine, horizontal shaft: 2 hydraulic jacks, 2 and 3 ton: Portable air tank, Mid-States Distributing Company: 3/8 in. Black and Decker drill: Craftsman 1/2 in. drive heavy duty impact drive tool: Dunlop Sears 1/2 in. electric drill: Sears Penske power timing light, #244.2115: Actron dwell/tack/volts gauge, Model CP/7005: Remote starter switch: Set of 3 distributor bolt adjustment wrenches. 701-838-5014, Don Eliason, Minot.

burger buns, pies, cakes and more.

• Applewood smoked bacon sourced from Cloverdale Foods with its 100-year commitment to responsible farming practices.

• Beyla Honey from third generation honey bee farmers Nick and Tawnie Jensen in Grant County, N.D.

• Steel-cut oats sustainably grown by Anthem Oats in South Dakota.

• Grits from Louismill in Kentucky. The trucks, and the ingredients from the farmers on them, are a large part of Founding Farmers’ primary mission to unbundle the industrial food supply chain and help American family farmers earn a greater share of the food dollar.

1975 PONTIAC LEMANS GT original Nasa scooped hood with hinges, in good condition; Duramax 6.6 diesel engine out of 03 GMC, runs good. 701-258-5352, Allen Koth, Bismarck.

WANTED

WOOD CHIPPING, someone to provide and operate a wood chipper. 701-663-8406, Janice Bethke, Mandan.

GOLF CART, battery-powered golf cart; Older pump .22 rifle or single shot; .357 mag pistol; 1966 Chev pickup; Manual typewriter; Want all to be in good condition. 701-628-2130, Jerry Lumley, Stanley.

ND INDIAN HEAD ROAD SIGNS, ND shield shaped US road signs, Highway Patrol retired metal Door signs. ND license plates, ND picked arrowheads, ND small town metal trade tokens. All advertising signs, old gas pumps, machinery advertising signs. Items that have advertising like thermometers, clocks, crocks, calendars, and custard glass. Anything that’s old and interesting, I will travel to your location. 701220-5746, Val Ganje, Bismarck.

PRAIRIE DOG HUNTERS to hunt on my land. Make reservations now; Used dependable, slower, water-cooled snowmobile with electric start and reverse. Email: larryn@westriv.com. 701-548-8020, Larry Nagel, Shields.

$1,800

$1,400

For

1415 12th Ave SE PO Box 2136

Jamestown, ND 58402

Travel Opportunities

OCTOBER 2023: Spotlight on the French Riviera (Booking# 1106739)

View Recorded Presentation: https://tinyurl com/futfrenchriviera

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NOVEMBER 2023: Treasures of Egypt (Booking# 1159201)

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DECEMBER 2023: Colors of Morocco (Booking# 1159199)

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DECEMBER 2023: London & Paris (Booking# 1159087)

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FEBRUARY 2024: Wilderness of Southern Africa (Booking# 1158870)

View Recorded Presentation: https://tinyurl.com/futafricansafari

For more info: https://gateway.gocollette.com/link/1158870

APRIL 2024: Best of Italy (Booking# 1159197)

View Recorded Presentation: https://tinyurl com/futafricansafari

For more info: https://gateway.gocollette.com/link/1159197

For reservations & more information: Collette

1-800-581-8942

Reference Booking # Above