Union Farmer - January 2020

FARMER UNION

www.ndfu.org

MAKING POLICY

NDFU members direct Policy and Action at 93rd annual convention JANUARY 2020

GET TO KNOW A FARMERS UNION INSURANCE AGENCY

Aaron Dunphy Agency GRAND FORKS

My name is Aaron Dunphy. I was born and raised in Grand Forks. I started working as an insurance agent Jan. 1 of 2005. It has been an exciting 15 years.

Prior to working for Farmers Union Insurance, I attended the University of North Dakota where I received my bachelor’s degree in education with a minor in coaching.

I was working at a friend’s farm, coaching baseball and basketball when my dad called wondering if I knew anyone that wanted to sell insurance. Dad’s longtime friend, Odean Olson, was looking to hire someone in Grand Forks. I had really enjoyed my time working on the farm, and Farmers Union seemed like the perfect fit. It was difficult to give up my baseball program, but I still today compare my coaching experiences to selling insurance. Farmers Union is a great team and really one big family – from agents to policy holders to managers to adjusters, and the entire home office staff.

We truly are a team making a difference across the state of North Dakota.

I have been married to my wife Jessica for 11 years. We have a daughter Jillian who is 10 years old, and a son Collin who is 7 years old. They keep us busy running to basketball tournaments, hockey tournaments, fastpitch softball and baseball tournaments. We all enjoy

Aaron Dunphy Agency 2750 17th Ave. S, Ste. B Grand Forks ND 58201 PH: (701) 775-3915

UNION FARMER MAGAZINE Volume 67 • Number 1

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: 29,954 • USPS 016-211

supporting the University of North Dakota Fighting Hawks in whatever athletic event that might be.

Locally I am involved with the Grand Forks American Legion program. I also volunteer my time coaching Collin’s Mite hockey team, and Jillian’s fastpitch softball team. I also continue to coach baseball at Red River High School in the spring.

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BOARD OF DIRECTORS: President: Mark Watne • Vice President: Bob Kuylen • Secretary: Wes Niederman Treasurer: Ronda Throener • Jon Iverson; Shane Sickler; Tyler Stafslien; Ryan Taylor; Michelle Ziesch.

2 • January 2020 • Union Farmer

NDFU’S 93RD ANNUAL

STATE CONVENTION

Mark Watne of Velva was reelected to a seventh year as North Dakota Farmers Union president by more than 600 members attending the organization’s 93rd annual state convention Dec. 13-14, in Bismarck.

“I’m deeply honored to have the opportunity to serve the forward-thinking members of North Dakota Farmers Union,” said Watne. “Even in these times of economic challenge, we find ways to work for solutions.” Bob Kuylen of South Heart was reelected vice president.

A mix of educational speakers, youth achievement recognition, policy debate and entertainment highlighted the convention, as well as Farmers Union Mutual Insurance Company’s annual meeting. Of special importance were two special orders of business adopted by NDFU members.

The first called on Congress and the Administration to ensure future ad hoc payments, such as Market Facilitation Program payments, account for direct and indirect impacts of trade wars on all commodities, and account for basis costs as well. The second order calls on Congress to enact legislation to strengthen antitrust laws, reverse the trend of agribusiness consolidation,

and protect family farmers and ranchers from abuses of market power.

In other elections, Jon Iverson of Langdon joins the organization’s board of directors, replacing Terry Borstad of Devils Lake, who did not seek reelection. Borstad served on the state board for 18 years. Iverson will represent members from District 1, encompassing the counties of Benson, Cavalier, Grand Forks, Nelson, Pembina, Ramsey, Towner and Walsh. Tyler Stafslien of Makoti was reelected to the District 3 seat. Wes Niederman Jr. of Elgin was reelected to the District 5 seat. Ronda Throener of Cogswell was reelected to represent NDFU members in District 7.

Members also elected delegates to represent North Dakota at the National Farmers Union (NFU) Convention, which will be held March 1-3 in Savannah, Ga. Keynote and convention speakers included Jay Debertin, CHS president & CEO; Roger Johnson, NFU president; Tom Halverson, CoBank president & CEO; U.S. Sen. John Hoeven; Josh Kramer, N.D. Association of Rural Electric Cooperatives CEO/general manager; Dan Hildebrandt, CEO of Farmers Union Industries; and Frayne Olson, NDSU crop economist.

HIGHLIGHTS FROM POLICY AND ACTION

• We support the protection of private property rights against government takings, including the protection of the pore space. We oppose any attempts by the government to remove a landowners’ rights to bring claims for trespass, nuisance, or other torts, and we oppose any attempts by government to take away a landowners’ right to compensation for use of pore space.

• We support the use of the interest from the Legacy Fund by any school district in the state, based on demonstrated need, to use for school infrastructure.

• We oppose the use of the Legacy Fund for reduction or elimination of state income tax.

• Farmers Union supports the associations of townships and counties from loss of local control to other state departments by legislative process.

• We support development of a state-funded biodiesel plant in North Dakota.

• We support the research, education and growing of hemp in North Dakota. We encourage local hemp processing operations, eligibility for crop insurance coverage and farm loan program availability.

• We support the existing ND eligibility requirements for farm home property tax exemptions.

• We urge the president of the United States to regulate market concentration in the meat packing industry.

• We believe any product made from cell culture technology be labeled as such.

• We believe that climate change is a fact-based reality supported by scientific research and as such will have an increasing effect on agriculture in the future. We support policies to improve agricultural sustainability and aid in mitigating the negative effects of climate change.

• We oppose policies and consumer education that disproportionately harm American agriculture.

• Support for Congressional review of the president’s ability to impose tariffs without the authorization of Congress.

• We support mandating a nonpartisan independent commission to determine state legislative lines after each census. We prefer to elect our legislators instead of the legislators choosing their constituents.

• NDFU supports an animal disease traceability program if electronic ID be used only on a voluntary, not mandatory, basis.

• We support the elimination of taxation on Social Security benefits.

COVER PHOTO: Amanda Petrick of Elgin debates policy on the convention floor.

WATNE DELIVERS PRESIDENT’S REPORT

BY PAM MUSLAND, NDFU

Influence. Challenges. Mobilization. Those were the themes of NDFU President Mark Watne’s address to members at the state convention Friday, Dec. 13, at the Bismarck Event Center.

He encouraged members to be “Farmers Union proud,” and to speak up, especially when others won’t. “I’m frustrated with the fact that there seems to be intimidation or fear [among commodity organizations and groups] to step up and say what’s right,” Watne shared. “We don’t have that problem in Farmers Union. We continuously talk about what’s right.”

What’s not right, Watne said, is losing family farms when there are a billion hungry people in the world. “To have trade wars that take our prices to levels where we can’t even afford to sell the product and not have a safety net or a system to try and develop the demand necessary to raise our

prices, and balance an inexpensive food program system for the consumers in this country at the cost of losing family farms – it’s ridiculous,” he said. “And I will not sit still and not tell people that that’s ridiculous.”

“What we’re living with today is a choice of our government and individuals that are buying products from us,” he said. “Agriculture does not have to be this way. This is a choice others forced upon us. And it’s our job to challenge them. It can be changed, and it can be better.”

Emphasizing the importance of building the Farmers Union brand and the many ways the brand is being developed, Watne said doing so gains influence with the public and policy makers.

“When we stand up with that brand developed, we get the attention and people listen,” he said. “The fact is, we’re doing the work. We’re trying our best to get something accomplished.”

DELEGATES TO THE NATIONAL CONVENTION MARCH 1-3 IN SAVANNAH, GA.

District 1: Terry Borstad (Devils Lake), Mary Borstad (Devils Lake), Adam Held (Selz), Adam Leiphon (Crary), Sheila Rude (Tolna), Jeanna Smaaladen (Grand Forks). Alternates: Clay Smaaladen (Grand Forks), Keith Smith (Maddock).

District 2: Mary Blumhagen (Drake), Bob Finken (Douglas), De Anne Finken (Douglas), Kendra Larsen (Granville), Kyle Larsen (Granville), Ryan Taylor (Towner). Alternates: Sheila Ostrem (Rugby), Myron Blumhagen (Drake).

District 3: Kurt Andre (Williston), Devin Jacobson (Alamo), Lacey Ethen (Sherwood), Ben Ethen (Sherwood), Steve Keith (Sherwood), Patty Jensen (Tioga).

District 4: David Ekre (Beach), Jan Ottmar (Mott), Jon Pierce (Gladstone), Lenci Sickler (Gladstone), Curtis Wax (Regent). Alternates: Arlene Walch (Hettinger), Dylan Witte (Regent).

District 5: Joanne Beckman (New Salem), Dave Berger (Center), Karen Kershaw (Menoken), Eden McLeod (McClusky), Steve Tomac (Saint Anthony). Alternates: Valerie Ryberg (Menoken), Dave Porsborg (New Salem).

District 6: Alan Bergman (Jud), Lori Carlson (Jamestown), Roy Musland (Jamestown), Richard Schlosser (Edgeley), Polly Ulrich (Ashley). Alternates: Josh Heinrich (Kindred), Lori Blocker (Ashley).

District 7: Bob Bruns (Valley City), Ron Halvorson (Binford), Justin Sherlock (Dazey), Joseph Throener (Cogswell), Ben Vig (Sharon). Alternates: Ronda Throener (Cogswell), Megan Vig (Sharon).

NDFU President Mark Watne delivers the president’s report to members at the 93rd annual state convention Dec. 13 at the Bismarck Event Center.

He outlined some of the challenges family farmers are up against using statistical graphs. “We need solutions,” he said. “We are in a declining scenario of (net farm) income with expenses that are relatively flat or increasing.

“So, you’re expected to produce more, for less, with less purchasing power. But there becomes a point in time if it’s really achievable. And I think that’s where we’re getting close to, because our solution to falling prices and increasing expenses is to produce more. The trouble is, we are so good at production that we overproduce nearly every market opened up to us.”

Watne said farmers need demand-oriented thought processes, especially from government leaders, rather than a government that limits the Renewable Fuel Standard, “lowers our ability to sell” because of trade tariffs and then expects us “to produce at lower prices than we get today. We need new solutions.”

Perhaps the biggest issue producers face, Watne said, is getting Congress to address farm program enhancements so farmers don’t have to rely on ad

hoc disaster funding for survival.

“The farm program should be strong enough that when we have to do a trade war or we have to make some things happen, we can access the farm program to cover us in the time frame when commodities are lower,” he said. “We can’t write farm programs on a budget. We need to write farm programs based on the fact that it is the reality to having an inexpensive food system for consumers.”

Watne encouraged members to get active, speak out and mobilize. “We live in a chess game,” he said, “some would suggest we are the pawn. But if the pawns work together and the other people come together, you can get to the far end of the deal.”

He said as much as farmers want to be independent, there are outside influences at work that can’t be ignored. “You have to be part of the process. Become informed. Attend meetings. Go beyond the tweets and the memes on Facebook.

Dig deep to unearth the truth. And then contact your elected representatives with your concerns.”

National Farmers Union President Roger Johnson speaks about the state of the farm economy.

Johnson announced he will not be running for reelection.

Johnson stepping down from NFU

BY PAM MUSLAND, NDFU

National Farmers Union President Roger Johnson ascended the state convention stage to a standing ovation on Saturday, Dec. 14. Johnson announced days earlier that he will not seek reelection to another term as national president.

“It’s time. This really has been the honor of my life. This organization has been sort of a guiding light for me,” he said, reflecting on his involvement in all facets of the organization since childhood and throughout his career.

Johnson said the national organization is in a stronger financial position than when he was first elected in 2009. “We have really good respect on Capitol Hill…and that’s important because if we’re going to get the policy changes that we need, we have to be at that table.”

Johnson said the continued drop in net farm income, shrinking farmer’s share of the food dollar, and high ending stocks of commodities underscore agriculture’s problem. “We’ve got too much stuff on hand, prices are low, and there’s not a lot of likelihood that they’re going to turn around quickly,” despite a recent announcement of a trade

deal with China.

The administration’s decision to use Commodity Credit Corporation funds for Market Facilitation Payments (MFP), rather than legislating disaster assistance through Congress, will have ramifications in the future, predicted Johnson.

MFP payments total more than the farm safety net combined (ARC, PLC, dairy payments and crop insurance) in the federal budget, which Congress will have to replenish at the end of the year. “From a political perspective, what this has done is it has crystallized opposition to agriculture on the left and on the right in Congress and will make it much more difficult to get compromises on farm legislation going forward.”

Johnson challenged members to think about how farm bills need to change and focus more clearly on markets, while incorporating conservation program payments to deal with climate change.

“We need to deal with supply in some fashion to suck down these enormous burdensome supplies that are just killing us in the marketplace,” he said, “making sure there’s economic returns that come back to those of us in agriculture.”

CHS President and CEO Jay Debertin talks to NDFU members about his company’s vision for the future, and the value of the cooperative system.

Debertin: CHS wants to lead the way

BY PAM MUSLAND, NDFU

North Dakota Farmers Union celebrated its 93rd convention in December, a feat not lost on Jay Debertin.

“The fact is any organization that can be working to advance agriculture and advance the livelihood of farmers and ranchers for 93 years, nobody’s going to lecture them a whole lot on what makes up agriculture,” said the president and CEO of CHS in his address on Friday, Dec. 13.

“Especially in difficult times, our partnership with farm organizations such as North Dakota Farmers Union, creates relationships that tie us back to our roots,” he said. “Our purpose at CHS, the reason we are here, is to create connections to empower agriculture.”

With earnings of about $830 million in spite of a really difficult fiscal year in agriculture, Debertin said he was pleased the company returned $180 million in cash back to rural America in the form of patronage and stock. “We know the need for that cash in the country,” he said, “we also know there are headwinds.”

He said the cooperative is focused on four

strategies to help drive growth and sustainable efficiencies that will ultimately return more cash back to co-op members: 1) earn customer business; 2) grow market access; 3) evolve core businesses; and 4) transform the business to unleash enterprise.

“We need to not just evolve, we need to lead,” Debertin emphasized in reference to the current trade situation. “The world now is different. We don’t have the ability to rewind our lives. Trading partners around the world now have found out how to deliver to markets that we once had.”

He said CHS is working to identify new markets by adapting to countries and companies that want smaller shipments of grain rather than full vessels.

“Just know that at CHS, we’re not going to wish for the past. We’re going to plan for a new world, and we’ve got to go forward that way.”

“We will work for ways to leverage the product that our growers produce. That’s the strength of the cooperative system, that’s the strength of our partnership,” Debertin stated. “It’s how we’ve gotten through difficult times in the past 90 years.

It’s how we’ll get through it again.”

CoBank CEO and President Thomas Halverson answers questions from NDFU President Mark Watne about the global economy.

Halverson shares insight on China

BY PAM MUSLAND, NDFU

CoBank President and CEO Tom Halverson shared valuable insight on U.S.-China relations in a question and answer session Saturday morning, Dec. 14, with NDFU President Mark Watne.

Halverson called China’s ability in the last 30 years to move their population from predominantly rural and poor to predominantly urban and middle income as the largest transformation in the history of humanity.

“They’ve moved more people than the entire population of the United States out of absolute poverty to be middle income consumers, which is an astonishing accomplishment,” he said. “It has dramatically transformed the attributes of China and therefore the relationship that we have, and the world has with them.”

Today, China has 20% of the entire global GDP and while their economy is big on a per capita basis, their per capita wealth is much less, Halverson said. “But they are the only rival or competitor we have or will have for the foreseeable future that has an economy of our size.”

Halverson explained the deep interdependent

relationship that exists now between the U.S. and China, even beyond trade. The Chinese government, for example, is the single largest owner of U.S. Treasury securities ($1.2 trillion of the $14 trillion Treasury market). “The point is that we’re not under the control of the Chinese, far from it,” he said. “The point is that we’re hugely interdependent.”

“We have never ever in our history had a situation that was this complicated, where we had another country that was large enough and capable enough to rival us economically, militarily,” and also had the aspects of ‘We can’t not do business with them,’ ‘We can’t not trade with them.’”

Halverson said the future of U.S. agriculture can be boiled down to three words: exports, exports, exports. With 20% of agricultural products now being exported – the highest it’s ever been in U.S. history – that number needs to be higher for rural America and the ag economy to be prosperous over the next 20 years. “Which means,” he said, “we must have a peaceful trade agreement relationship with the Chinese and others.”

NDFU Education Director Bri Sorensen (at podium) speaks while 20 Torchbearers look on. The Torchbearer Award is the highest honor given in the youth program.

Twenty earn Torchbearer Award

Twenty youths from around the state earned their Torchbearer award at North Dakota Farmers Union’s 93rd annual state convention on Saturday night, Dec. 14, in a special ceremony. The Torchbearer award is the highest honor that can be achieved in Farmers Union’s youth program.

Former camper and camp counselor Josh Kramer, who is the executive vice president and general manager of the North Dakota Association of Rural Electric Cooperatives, was the keynote speaker.

Kramer conveyed to Torchbearers that the skills they have gained through the Farmers Union youth program are needed in rural communities and are important to everyone’s future.

“Every community needs leaders…and those cooperative values and the principles that you’ve learned are so vitally important,” said Kramer.

He outlined the importance of cooperative principles and the values of self-help, selfresponsibility, democracy, equality and equity.

“Wouldn’t it be great if we as a country and a world supported those values in everything we did — in our communities, in our businesses, in our organizations, in our schools?” he said. “I think that’s why people who have gone through this program, people who’ve been involved in this organization, they do end up being leaders.”

NDAREC General Manager Josh Kramer, a former camper and camp counselor, was the keynote speaker.

2019 TORCHBEARER CLASS BARNES – Benton Murray, Valley City. BENSON – Jacob Arnold, Esmond. CASS – Koral Salisbury, Horace.

CAVALIER – Marcus Iverson, Langdon. EDDY – Garret Schuster, New Rockford. EMMONS – Haley Hase and Bailey Hulm, both of Linton.HETTINGER – Autumn Geerts, Mott. LAMOURE – Jakkia Duffy, LaMoure; Kevonna Isakson, Litchville. LOGAN – Kourtney Bitz, Kylee Bitz, both of Wishek. MORTON – Teresa Westberg, St. Anthony. SARGENT – Joseph Throener, Cogswell.

STUTSMAN – Zebedee Willer, Jamestown. TRAILL – Chase Fossum, Hillsboro. WARD – Hailee Miller, Sawyer.

WILLIAMS – Taylor Barman, Danika Knox, Lydia Oster, all of Ray.

BITZ, KNOX AWARDED BERGMAN SCHOLARSHIPS

Kourtney Bitz of Wishek and Danica Knox of Ray are the 2019 recipients of the $1,000 Bergman Scholarship from North Dakota Farmers Union.

The scholarship was established by Alan Bergman, past president of NDFU. To be eligible, applicants must be current Torchbearers and have at least a 2.50 GPA. The recipients were selected by a panel that evaluates each applicant’s responses to essay questions that relate to Farmers Union, rural issues and personal leadership skills.

Kourtney Bitz of Wishek (left) and Danica Knox of Ray (right) pose with former NDFU President Alan Bergman.

SNAPSHOTS FROM

CONVENTION

See more photos with our online gallery at ndfu.org

NDFU members loaded 1,000 backpacks for hungry children to be distributed by the Great Plains Food Bank.

Adam Leiphon of Crary debates policy.

Matthew Rebenitsch of Fort Rice talks policy.

Ron and Allie Sagness of Bowbells look over silent auctions items. Proceeds went to the NDFU Foundation.

Mike Heubner, left, and JP Lueck, right, both of Jamestown, visit with Tyler Stafslien of Ryder.

Shelly Ziesch of Pettibone responds during policy debate.

Terry Jacobson of Wales was the lucky winner of the Cub Cadet Challenger. The drawing was held Saturday night after the Torchbearer banquet and ticketholders had to be present to win. Coming to the stage with the winning ticket, Jacobson said he thought it was a great convention before winning, but “this just took it over the top.” He later said the Challenger will be perfect for fencing on his farm and touring coulees.

The youth convention had fun as well!

District 1 Director Terry Borstad of Devils Lake announced his retirement from the board after 18 years.

Bob Kuylen of South Heart and Wes Niederman of Elgin helped track bids during the live auction.

A Beatles tribute band, “Hard Days Night,” played for the crowd on Friday night.

Meghan Gleason of Anheuser-Busch speaks to the Cass County Farmers Union members at their annual meeting Nov. 19 at Drekker Brewing in Fargo.

Counties hold

ADAMS • Nov. 3 • Hettinger Extension Office BOARD: Bruce Hagen, president; Dejon Bakken, vice president; Connie Hourigan, secretary/ treasurer; Libby Gravning, director; Rhonda Knutson, director/EPIC coach; Arlene Walch, director/EPIC coach.

NOTES: The Sean and Kat Weinert family received Adams County’s 2019 Young Farm Family of the Year award. NDFU updated the county on the latest information.

BARNES • Sept. 22 • Valley City Country Club BOARD: Robert Bruns, president; Jordan Svenningsen, vice president; Jill Olson, secretary; Justin Sherlock, treasurer; Bradley McKay, director; Dwight McMillan, director; Tyler Van Bruggen, EPIC coach.

NOTES: Jessica Haak of NDFU gave an update.

BENSON • Oct. 27 • Maddock Community Center BOARD: Keith Smith, president; Christie Jaeger, vice president; Joann Bergrud, secretary; Karen Smith, treasurer; Mark Williams, director; Matt Gilbertson, director; Chris Arntson, director; Robin Arnold, EPIC coach.

NOTES: Chris Aarhus of NDFU gave an organizational update.

BILLINGS/GOLDEN VALLEY • Oct. 14 • Cowboy Hall of Fame, Medora BOARD: Dave Ekre, president; Joseph Armbrust, vice president; Sherlene Lambert, secretary; Wendy Ekre, treasurer; Lana Safratowich, director; Orest Baranko, director.

NOTES: Brandon Delvo of NDFU updated members on the organization’s efforts.

BOTTINEAU • Nov. 4 • Norway House, Bottineau BOARD: Tyler Neubauer, president; Craig Johnson, vice president; Wanda Gravseth, secretary/treasurer; Lyle Gravseth, director; Susan Steen, director; Kenneth Klebe, director; Philip Neubauer, director; Brandy Brown, EPIC coach.

NOTES: Amanda Olson of NDFU gave an

organizational update.

BOWMAN/SLOPE • Nov. 5 • Bowman Lodge BOARD: George Siverson, president; Terry Mrnak, vice president; Mary Fischer, secretary/ EPIC coach; Joy Kinsey, treasurer/EPIC coach; Leonard Fischer, director; Laura Klewin, director.

NOTES: Molly McLain of NDFU updated members on the organization’s efforts.

BURKE • Oct. 27 • 109 Steakhouse, Lignite BOARD: Allie Sagness, president; Kayo Grubb, vice president; Shalene Nygaard, secretary; Lisa Aufforth, treasurer; Keith Mogren, director; Steven Overlee, director; Brandyn Ganskop, director; Harley Eckert, EPIC coach.

NOTES: Bri Sorensen of NDFU gave an organizational update.

BURLEIGH • Oct. 14 • Tumbleweed Grill & Bar, Lincoln BOARD: Denise Brown, president; Arlene Olson, vice president; Lois Sundquist, secretary/treasurer; Tracey Miller, director; Bill Kershaw, director.

NOTES: Chelsey Jacobson of NDFU updated members on the organization’s efforts.

CASS • Nov. 19 • Drekker Brewing Company BOARD: John Buchholz, president/vice president; Kristi Brink, secretary/EPIC coach; Russell Brink, treasurer; Lyle Bartholomay, director; Kevin Camas, director; Gene Albert, director; Mark Nesemeier, director.

NOTES: Meghan Gleason of Anheuser-Busch spoke to members. Drekker Brewing also had someone on hand to speak about the history of the building. Mary Mertens of NDFU gave an organizational update.

CAVALIER • Nov. 18 • NDSU Research Center, Langdon BOARD: Jon Iverson, president; David Lundeby, vice president; Hans Reinhardt, secretary; Doris Hoffarth, treasurer; William Hardy, director; Terry

The Adams County Farmers Union annual convention was held Nov. 3 at the Hettinger Research Extension Center. The Sean and Kat Weinert family (right) was the recipient of the ACFU 2019 Young Farm Family of the Year award. The award was presented by, from left, ACFU President Libby Gravning, NDFU secretary Wes Niederman, NDFU Vice President Bob Kuylen and District 4 Director Shane Sickler.

Marcus Iverson, a member of NYAC, gave a presentation on his trip to the fly-in at the Cavalier County Farmers Union convention Nov. 18 at NDSU Research Extension Center in Langdon.

annual meetings

Jacobson, director; Carissa Iverson, EPIC coach.

NOTES: Marcus Iverson of the NYAC gave a presentation on his experience at the fly-in.

Mary Mertens of NDFU updated members on the organization’s efforts.

DICKEY • Nov. 4 • American Legion Hall, Forbes BOARD: Thor Sand, president; Trevor Hokana, vice president; Darell Wall, secretary; Mark Bobbe, director; Ryan Brokaw, director; Evan Merkel, director; Peter Kronberg, director; Pam Henningsen, EPIC coach.

NOTES: Brandon Delvo of NDFU gave an organizational update.

DIVIDE • Nov. 5 • Crosby Community Center BOARD: Devin Jacobson, president/EPIC coach; Michael Nelson, vice president; Sommer Nelson, secretary/treasurer; Ryan Nordstog, director; Mark Holm, director; Steve Dhuyvetter, director; Mark Knudson, director; Jessalyn Thomas, EPIC coach.

NOTES: Brandon Delvo of NDFU updated members on the organization’s efforts.

DUNN • Nov. 6 • New Hradec Workman Hall BOARD: Shane Sickler, president; Greg Bezdicek, vice president; Richard Regeth, secretary; David Sickler, treasurer; Lenci Stickler, director; Russ Stein, director; Eugene Brown, director; Eliza Jenson, EPIC coach.

NOTES: Lance Boyer of Farmers Union Insurance presented to members. Molly McLain of NDFU gave an organizational update.

EDDY • Nov. 19 • Eagles Club, New Rockford BOARD: Jerry Schuster, vice president; Kathryn Fleming, secretary/treasurer/EPIC coach; Brent Helseth, director; Casey Weber, director; Kent Myhre, director; David Fleming, director.

NOTES: Amanda Olson of NDFU updated members on the organization’s efforts.

EMMONS • Nov. 20 • The Grill, Linton BOARD: Lori Schmidt, president; Leonard

Weichel, vice president; Darius Aberle, secretary/ EPIC coach; Andrew Vetter, treasurer.

NOTES: Chelsey Jacobson of NDFU updated members on the organization’s efforts.

FOSTER • Nov. 25 • Pizza Ranch, Carrington BOARD: Charles Linderman, president; Darwin Topp, vice president; Ellen Linderman, secretary/ treasurer; Rhonda Lura, director; Jim Holth, director; Tim Aljets, director; Bryce Carr, director.

NOTES: Jessica Haak of NDFU gave an organizational update.

GRAND FORKS • Nov. 6 • AgCountry Farm Credit Services, Grand Forks BOARD: David Gorder, president; Logan Ferry, vice president; Jeanna Smaaladen, secretary/ treasurer; Frank Matejcek, director; Paul Sproule, director; Jason Nelson, director; Jill Johnson, EPIC coach.

NOTES: Mary Mertens of NDFU updated members on the organization’s efforts.

GRANT COUNTY • Oct. 17 • Gottlieb Community Center, New Leipzig BOARD: Gregory Scholes, president; Linda Koepplin, vice president/secretary/treasurer/ EPIC coach; Wes Niederman, vice president; Eric Friesz, director; Ryan Petrick, director; Jeff Striegel, director.

NOTES: Chelsey Jacobson of NDFU gave an organizational update.

GRIGGS • Nov. 6 • Binford Cafe BOARD: Ronald Halvorson, president; Robert Johnson, vice president; Lori Christopherson, secretary/treasurer; Bruce Sedler, director; Alice Dehoff, director; Wayne Christopherson, director; William Rahlf, director; Kristi Halvorson, EPIC coach.

NOTES: Jessica Haak of NDFU updated members on the organization’s efforts.

Continued on next page

Troy Coons with the Northwest Landowners Association, right, and Derrick Braaten of Braaten Law in Bismarck discuss the pore space issue at the Mountrail County Farmers Union convention at the Mountrail County South Complex in Stanley.

HETTINGER • Nov. 17 • Senior Citizens Center, New England BOARD: Janice Ottmar, president; Curtis Wax, vice president; Carol Herberholz, secretary/ treasurer; Adam Greff, director; Dylan Witte, director; Anita Friedt, director; Randeen Schulz, director; Nancy Nadvornik, EPIC coach.

NOTES: Chelsey Jacobson of NDFU gave an organizational update.

KIDDER • Oct. 18 • Pettibone Community Center BOARD: Michelle Ziesch, president; Crystal Hotovec, vice president; Sheri Martin, secretary/ treasurer; Stacie Fettig, director/EPIC coach; Morgan Ziesch, director.

NOTES: Pam Musland of NDFU updated members on the organization’s efforts.

LAMOURE • Nov. 17 • LaMoure Civic Center BOARD: Ron Van Bruggen, president; Lynn Haro, vice president; Josh Heinrich, secretary/ treasurer; Kevin Isakson, director; Michael Schlosser, director; Jordan Gackle, director; Constance Bitz, director; Carly Rott, EPIC coach.

NOTES: Brandon Delvo of NDFU gave an organizational update.

LOGAN • Oct. 29 • Downtowner, Napoleon BOARD: Bill Becker, president; Richard Marquart, vice president; Geraldine Horner, secretary; Jack Horner, treasurer; Isadore Gross, director; Carmen Rath Wald, director; Morgan Schwartzenberger, EPIC coach.

NOTES: Chelsey Jacobson of NDFU updated members on the organization’s efforts.

MCHENRY • Oct. 29 • Lariat, Velva BOARD: Kellen Olson, president; Clinton Gjellstad, vice president; Kristen Bechtold, secretary/treasurer; April Marquart, director; Ryan Blumhagen, director; Wade Howe, director; Nathan Watne, director; Krystal Jo Watne, EPIC coach.

NOTES: Amanda Olson of NDFU gave an organizational update.

MCKENZIE • Oct. 8 • Roughrider Center, Watford City BOARD: Kim Klose, president; Josh Norby, vice

Nelson County Extension agent Katelyn Hain presents to members of the Nelson County Farmers Union at their convention Oct. 1 at the Horseshoe Bar and Grill in Michigan.

president; Stephanie Scofield, EPIC coach.

NOTES: Jessica Haak and Bri Sorensen gave an organizational update.

MCINTOSH • Oct. 29 • Ashley Senior Center BOARD: Brandon Meidinger, president; Carl Lindgren, vice president; Teresa Thiery, secretary/treasurer; Lori Blocker, director; DeLane Scherbenske, director; Larry Schauer, director; Scot Schaunaman, director; Robert Mosbrucker, director; Fern Schauer, EPIC coach.

NOTES: The state office provided an update on its efforts.

MCLEAN • Nov. 4 • Garrison Senior Center BOARD: Wes Weible, president; Ron Bloom, vice president; Georgean Lick, secretary/treasurer; Richard Britton, director; Waldo Westrum, director; Roxann Bloom, director/EPIC coach.

NOTES: Shaun Ness of Farmers Union Oil, Turtle Lake, spoke to members. Molly McLean of NDFU gave an organizational update.

MERCER • Nov. 1 • Beulah Civic Center BOARD: Mike Eslinger, president; Ralph Bieber, vice president; Dawn Martin, secretary; John Smith, treasurer; Austin Jensen, director; Kandie Lindemann, EPIC coach; Siggy Scheid, EPIC coach.

NOTES: Molly McLain of NDFU provided an update on the organization’s efforts.

MORTON • Oct. 24 • Baymont Inn, Mandan BOARD: Dan Belohlavek, president; Matthew Rebenitsch, vice president; Diane Peltz, secretary/ treasurer; Marie Weinberger, director; Diane Schultz, director; Ron Peltz, director; Bailie Graner, director; Lisa Rebenitsch, EPIC coach.

NOTES: Kristi Carlson of NDFU gave an organizational update.

MOUNTRAIL • Nov. 15 • Mountrail County South Complex, Stanley BOARD: Keith Meiers, president; Doug Niemitalo, vice president; Jodi Obert, secretary/ treasurer/EPIC coach; Tyler Stafslien, director; Mark Nesheim, director; Kelvin Horst, director.

NOTES: Northwest Landowners spoke on the issue of pore space. Brandon Delvo of NDFU provided an update on the organization’s efforts.

Traill County Extension agent Alyssa Scheve spoke to members at the Traill County Farmers Union convention at AgCountry Farm Credit Service in Hillsboro.

NDFU President Mark Watne presented at the Sargent County Farmers Union convention Oct. 27 at the Rutland Senior Center.

NELSON • Oct. 1 • Horseshoe Bar and Grill, Michigan BOARD: Beau Locken, president; Loren Swenson, vice president; John Kelly, secretarytreasurer; Matt Locken, director; Sheila Rude, EPIC coach; Randall Johnson, director; Hazel Rude, director.

NOTES: Nelson County Extension agent Katelyn Hain spoke to members. Mary Mertens of NDFU gave an organizational update.

RENVILLE • Nov. 13 • Prairie Bistro, Mohall BOARD: Jared Johnson, president; Troy Hedberg, vice president; Norine Johnson, secretary-treasurer; Drake Vends, director; Stacey Johnson, director; Lacey Ethen, director; Scott Ness, director; Steven Olson, director; Thurstan Johnson, EPIC coach.

NOTES: Amanda Olson of NDFU updated members on the organization’s efforts.

OLIVER • Oct. 24 • Golden Age Club, Center BOARD: Robert Schmidt, president; David Berger, vice president; Debra Berger, secretary/ treasurer; Darrell Schulte, director; Erin Huntimer, director; David Porsborg, director; Becky Dollinger, EPIC coach; Shandy Kraft, EPIC educator.

NOTES: Molly McLain of NDFU provided an organizational update.

PIERCE • Nov. 25 • Rugby Eagles Club BOARD: R Jay Paul, president; David Teigen, vice president; Sheila Ostrem, secretary-treasurer; Andrew Fedje, director; Josh Stutrud, director; John Fjellanger, director; Becky Tofte, EPIC coach.

NOTES: Amanda Martin of NDFU updated members on the organization’s efforts.

RAMSEY • Nov. 21 • KC Hall, Devils Lake BOARD: Adam Leiphon, president; Dwight Noltimier, vice president; Connie Hanson, secretary-treasurer; Daniel Webster, director; Rudi Bloomquist, director; Terry Borstad, director; Evan Schoenfish, director; Andrea Johnson, EPIC coach.

NOTES: Chris Aarhus of NDFU provided an organizational update.

RANSOM • Nov. 3 • Enderlin Fire Hall BOARD: Matt Lyons, president; Paul Billing, vice president; Cindy Carter, secretary-treasurer; Larry Carter, director; Lorenzo Strand, director; Dan Spiekermeier, director; Mike Schwab, director; Michael Bunn, director.

NOTES: The comedy team, “Da Lutherlic Ladies,” provided the entertainment. Brandon Delvo of NDFU updated members on the organization’s efforts.

RICHLAND • Oct. 27 • Wahpeton Pizza Ranch BOARD: Carmen Mahler, president; Cassidy Ziesch, vice president/EPIC coach; Diana Freese, secretary/treasurer; Walter Hardie, director; Gary Lee, director; Charles Prochnow, director; Perry Miller, director.

NOTES: Mary Mertens of NDFU provided an organizational update.

ROLETTE • Oct. 27 • Rolette Country Club BOARD: Brent Kurtti, president; Karl Solberg, vice president; Sheri Peterson, secretary/treasurer; William Biberdorf, director; Mark Heinz, director; Joe Mongeon, director; Mario Lemieux, director; Matthew Mongeon, director; Jackie Heinz, EPIC coach.

NOTES: Miranda Letherman of NDFU updated members on the organization’s efforts.

SARGENT • Oct. 27 • Rutland Senior Center BOARD: Roger Zetocha, president; Kevin Throener, president; Deborah Banish, secretary/ treasurer; Wyatt Colin Sundquist, director; Stephan Hogness, director; Bernard Planteen, director; Kyla Temple, EPIC coach.

NOTES: David Bergeman of FUI presented to members. Mary Jensen and Mark Watne of NDFU provided an organizational update.

SHERIDAN • Nov. 19 • Random Roadhouse, McClusky BOARD: Melissa Pfennig, president; Alexander Roubal, vice president; Ruth Roubal, secretary; Eden McLeod, treasurer; Melissa Axt, director/ EPIC coach.

NOTES: Tim Petry, NDSU livestock marketing economist, spoke to members. Amanda Olson of NDFU updated members on the organization’s efforts.

Da Lutherlic Ladies performed at the Ramsey County Farmers Union convention on Nov. 21 at the KC Hall in Devils Lake.

SIOUX • Oct. 24 • Selfridge School BOARD: Wendy Tecca, president; Patrick Becker, vice president; Sherry Becker, secretary-treasurer; Larry Nagel, director; Chad Tecca, director; Victor Kraft, director; Mary Jean Hunter, EPIC coach.

NOTES: Chelsey Jacobson of NDFU provided an organizational update.

STARK • Oct. 22 • Veterans Memorial, Dickinson BOARD: Deran Lefor, president; Dean Baar, vice president; Sarah Ewoniuk, secretary/EPIC coach; Jon Pierce, treasurer; Bob Kuylen, director.

NOTES: Lance Boyer of Farmers Union Insurance presented to members. Molly McLain of NDFU provided an organizational update.

STEELE • Nov. 17 • Hope Senior Citizens Center BOARD: Randy Richards, president; Perry Ostmo, vice president; Carmen Richards, secretary/treasurer; William Erbstoesser, director; Merle Strand, director; Ben Vig, director; Luke Juliuson, director; Megan Anne Minten Vig, EPIC coach.

NOTES: Brittany Rodin of NDFU updated members on the organization’s efforts.

STUTSMAN • Nov. 7 • NDFU Conference Center BOARD: Michael Huebner, president; Owen Olson, vice president; Pauline Roeske, secretary/ treasurer; Sandy Franke, director; Amanda McClean, director; Lori Carlson, director; JP Lueck, director; Ashley Vinje, EPIC coach.

NOTES: Jessica Haak of NDFU provided an organizational update.

TOWNER • Nov. 3 • Masonic Lodge, Cando BOARD: Myron Jacobsen, president; Roger Held, vice president; Laura Dease, secretary/ treasurer/EPIC coach; Steven Peters, director; Adam Held, director.

NOTES: Amanda Olson of NDFU updated members on the organization’s efforts.

TRAILL • Dec. 3 • AgCountry Farm Credit Services BOARD: Jacob Amb, president; James Aarsvold, vice president; Kipp Knudson, secretary; Kevin Kyllo, treasurer; Roy Nelson, Sr., director; Cayle Fossum, EPIC coach.

NOTES: NDSU Extension Agent Alyssa Scheve spoke to members. Mary Mertens of NDFU provided an organizational update.

WALSH • Nov. 1 • Park River American Legion BOARD: Scott Udby, president; Faith Nord, secretary; Kathy Houser, EPIC coach/director.

NOTES: Mary Mertens of NDFU updated members on the organization’s efforts.

WARD • Oct. 27 • NDSU Research Extension Center BOARD: Shannon Stafslien, president; Bob Finken, vice president; Holly Sobieck, secretary/ director; Deanna Ness, treasurer/EPIC educator.

Karley Porter, director/EPIC coach; Spencer King, director; Luke Erickson, director; Debbie Hansen, director.

NOTES: Amanda Olson of NDFU provided an organizational update.

WELLS • Nov. 24 • KTL Building, Fessenden BOARD: Patricia Patrie, president; Dynella Schmitz, vice president; Lowell Larson, secretary/ treasurer; Jean Hauser, director; Darla Hagen, director; Michelle Kukowski, EPIC coach.

NOTES: Maddy Nichols gave a report on her fly-in trip. Jessica Haak of NDFU updated members on the organization’s efforts.

WILLIAMS • Nov. 6 • Williston Research Extension Center BOARD: Kurt Andre, president; Dennis Stromme, vice president; Alvina Skogen, secretary/ EPIC coach; John Skogen, treasurer; Syvert Mahlen, director; Bernadette Perdue, EPIC educator.

NOTES: Jessalyn Bachler of Williston State College spoke to members on agribusiness.

Brandon Delvo of NDFU provided an organizational update.

FROM THE EDITOR’S DESK

Congrats to Throener for election to CHS board

W

hen it comes to election time, the hope is voters will pick between two solid candidates, a win-win scenario for those being represented. In politics, finding one candidate who checks all the boxes is a unicorn these days.

But in the election to replace Dennis Carlson as one of North Dakota’s three representatives on the CHS Board of Directors, two solid candidates put their names forward.

In the end, it was Kevin Throener of Cogswell emerging as the next director for North Dakota at the CHS annual meeting Dec. 5-6 at the Minneapolis Convention Center. The Throener family’s story of success as first-generation farmers is remarkable and inspiring. He’ll represent North Dakota well.

We wish the best to retiring director Dennis Carlson, who gave North Dakota an incredible 18 years on the board. He chaired CHS’s capital committee, and his financial expertise will be missed.

MONKEYS AND BANANAS

Amy Piersak, a market intelligence analyst for CHS Cooperative Resources, and Clyde Hatch, who does strategy and business development for CHS, gave an interesting presentation about human behavior in the workplace.

Particularly, they shared a story about a research

experiment from the late 1960s involving monkeys, bananas, cold water and a ladder.

As it goes, five monkeys were put in a cage with a ladder, and on top of the ladder were bananas.

As one monkey tried to climb the ladder to get the bananas, cold water was poured on the remaining four. A different monkey tried to climb the ladder, and again, cold water was poured on the remaining four.

Researchers exchanged one monkey for another, and the outsider immediately went for the bananas. The rest of the monkeys pulled him down, afraid of the cold water. One by one, each of the five monkeys were eventually replaced. And yet, despite none of these five monkeys having ever had cold water poured on them, they would never allow another monkey to climb the ladder.

This story is not exactly how the actual experiment went. It’s had adaptations over time, but the roots remain the same.

Much like the five monkeys at the end of the experiment, we often don’t understand why we do things the way we do them – it’s just always been that way. It’s a story meant to teach people to think outside the box. Don’t be afraid to question the process and affect change from within.

Chris Aarhus is the editor of the Union Farmer. He can be reached at caarhus@ndfu.org.

Kevin Throener of Cogswell addresses the North Dakota caucus from the podium after being elected to the CHS Board of Directors. Also pictured are directors Steve Fritel of Barton (left), Jon Erickson of Minot (middle) and Dennis Carlson of Mandan.

Carlson retired after 18 years on the board.

Supplemental income

W

ith increases in the number of farm bankruptcy proceedings and suicides among farmers it seems like we have been transported back to the 1980s and the farm crisis.

It wasn’t supposed to be this way. At the beginning of this decade we were told that crop agriculture was on a new price plateau and the only problem would be the need to protect farmers against in-season price fluctuation— difference between price expectations at planting and actual prices at harvest. At that point, farm income was approaching record levels, and few were worried about the need for protection against an extended period of low prices.

The August forecast of 2019 net farm income is $88 billion, down 21 percent from the peak of $123.7 billion in 2013. While net government payments were 11 percent of net farm income in 2013, the projection for this year is 22.1 percent.

Tragically, these increased payments are

Policy Pennings

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

not enough to stave off farm bankruptcies. In an article for Modern Farmer, Dan Nosowitz writes, “The Farm Bureau, a lobbying group that typically leans to the corporate side of farming, analyzed statistical data from the US Courts concerning bankruptcy filings. For the year leading up to September 2019, American farm bankruptcies were up by a whopping 24 percent compared to the year before. During this mostly-2019 period, there were 580 Chapter 12 bankruptcy filings.”

The largest number of filings was 48 in Wisconsin followed by Nebraska, Kansas, and Georgia with 37 filings each.

Though statistics on suicides by farm operators are difficult to quantify — some may be classified

Guebert/Penn

programs not the answer as accidental deaths — the level of calls to farm suicide prevention hotlines has increased as farmers have faced an extended period of below the cost of production farm prices. In addition to hotline reports, the trend in farm suicides can be seen in the increase in news stories on farm suicides by major media outlets.

The current financial struggles in farm country cannot solely be laid at the feet of the current trade war with China. They began well before then and cannot be blamed on any single administration. We have seen a slow shift in the economic philosophy of farm programs since the Eisenhower administration. From our perspective, farm programs fell over the cliff with the passage of the 1996 Farm Bill and without the implementation of the Renewable Fuel Standard the crisis agriculture is currently experiencing would have come much earlier.

The attempt of current farm programs to solve the inherent problems facing the farm sector

nings column

by enacting various programs to supplement farm income is doomed to failure. To start with, farm income supplementation programs are very expensive as we have seen in the increase in direct government payments from $11 billion in 2013 to a forecast $19.5 billion in 2019. Even with that increase we see increasing farm debt, bankruptcies, and suicides.

In addition, the benefits of farm income supplementation programs are unevenly spread among various farm constituencies. The programs that meet the needs of farmers in one area can be inadequate for farm operations in another region.

What farmers need is a price for their production that covers the full cost of production of a set of products that are required to meet human nutritional needs. Until, as a nation, we can agree on the need for price support programs, we are doomed to repeat the boom-bust cycle that has plagued agriculture for millennia.

MFP HAS HELPED WEALTHY, SOUTH

A minority staff report published by the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry highlights significant regional and financial inequities in the most recent round of Market Facilitation Program payments.

MFP, which was designed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to assist farmers and ranchers affected by international trade disputes, compensated most commodity grain producers based on a single county rate per planted acre. Although farmers in the North, Midwest and West have experienced the greatest harm from trade disputes, 95 percent of counties receiving the highest payment rates are based in the Southeast. Even in adjacent counties, payment rates sometimes vary by two to three times, arbitrarily putting some farmers at a significant financial disadvantage.

Additionally, payments disproportionately helped large-scale operations. By some estimates, more than half of the first round of payments went to just one-tenth of the recipients. Since then, USDA doubled the payment limit for row crops from $125,000 to $250,000 and loosened income restrictions, paving the way for millionaires to claim an even larger share of assistance.

Perhaps most troubling is that a significant amount of assistance has been awarded to foreignowned corporations through a separate commodity purchasing program. USDA used funds intended to help American family farmers and ranchers to purchase $78 million worth of pork from Brazilianowned JBS – more than it purchased from any single American pork producer.

MEASURES WOULD IMPROVE ACCURACY OF MEAT LABELING

There is a great deal of confusion around meat labeling in the United States. Currently, Country-Of-Origin Labeling (COOL) is required for a number of commodities, including fruit, vegetables, nuts, fish and chicken. However, as of 2015, it has been prohibited for beef, pork and lamb, meaning that consumers cannot identify where their meat comes from. To add to the confusion, beef that is raised outside of the United States but processed here can still carry a “Product of U.S.A.” label.

In the Senate, two legislative measures were

20 • January 2020 • Union Farmer

recently put forward to improve the accuracy of meat labeling. The first, introduced by Montana sen. Jon Tester, is a resolution to reinstate mandatory COOL for beef and pork. National Farmers Union (NFU) has advocated for COOL for 35 years in order to provide more information for consumers and to allow American farmers to differentiate their products.

The second measure is a bill introduced by South Dakota Sens. John Thune and Mike Rounds to limit “Product of U.S.A.” labeling to meat that was born, raised and slaughtered in the United States. NFU supports both efforts and will continue its decades-long fight for truth in labeling.

NFU URGES MORE TRANSPARENCY IN RENEWABLE FUELS POLICY

In light of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) ongoing misappropriation of small refinery exemptions (SREs), the U.S. House of Representatives Subcommittee on Environment and Climate Change within the Committee on Energy and Commerce hosted a hearing on how those exemptions have undermined the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) and the American biofuels industry.

During the hearing on “Protecting the RFS: The Trump Administration’s Abuse of Secret Waivers,” representatives from the ethanol, biodiesel and fuel refinery industries and an Iowa farmer provided testimony on the waivers, which have eliminated demand for 4 billion gallons of biofuels over the last three years. As a result, nearly 30 ethanol and biodiesel plants have halted production, stranding workers and cutting off an important market for farmers. The EPA has thus far provided neither an explanation as to how the agency determines eligibility for exemptions nor adequate warning, which has created significant market volatility and uncertainty.

In addition to soliciting feedback on the waivers’ implications, the subcommittee is also considering H.R. 3006, a bill that would set an annual deadline of June 1 for small refineries to petition for an exemption from the upcoming year’s volume requirements as well as require public disclosure of any information included in those petitions.

2020 Precision Agriculture Summit the future is already here ......

JANUARY 20th & 21st, 2020

NORTH DAKOTA FARMERS UNION CONFERENCE CENTER 1415 12TH AVE SE, JAMESTOWN, ND

Join us for the 9th annual Precision Agriculture Summit to learn about current trends in precision agriculture, the latest technological applications and emerging developments for the future of farming HOSTED BY Praxis Strategy Group • North Dakota Farmers Union CO-ORGANIZED BY NDSU Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering GK Technology for Agriculture • RDO • AdFarm Lake Region State College • Bismarck State College Simplot • Leading Edge Equipment • AgWeek Fargo Moorhead EDC • North Dakota State College of Science REGISTER Register by December 31, 2019 to receive the early bird rate of $50. Registration is $75 after that date.

PRELIMINARY AGENDA HIGHLIGHTS: Join one of the region’s premier ag technology events. Hear industry experts, producers, practitioners and technology developers give presentations on the most current trends in precision agriculture, including:

IPad will be given away at the end of the day on January 21st.

Must be present to win.

• Return on investment for precision ag technologies and practices • Precision equipment, apps and technology • Smart farms and The Grand Farm • Impacts of precision ag on farms and farm communities • Precision agronomy • Ag robotics, autonomus technologies and systems • Precision trends, precision sampling • Working with yield data & data sets • FCC Precision Ag Connectivity Task Force - promoting precision ag EXHIBITOR SPACE AND SPONSORSHIP 10x10 Exhibit booth: $750 | Supporter Sponsorship: $1,500 | Partner Sponsorship: $3,000 More information: www.precisionagriculturesummit.com

#PrecisionAgND

@NDFarmersUnion

submit your recipes

www.facebook.com/NorthDakotaFarmersUnion/

NDFU is taking member recipes for a small cookbook by one of our in-house committees. If you have a recipe you’d like to submit, email eolivier@ndfu.org or mail it to North Dakota Farmers Union at 1415 12th Ave. SE, Jamestown, ND, 58401.

CLASSIFIEDS

Ads must be submitted through the online form at www.ndfu.org. Click “Classifieds” at the very bottom of ndfu.org 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 4500 INTERNATIONAL CULTIVATOR, 28.5 ft, new knockoff shovels; two-bar harrow, $1,000. Call for photos. 701-7406856, Renee Ivesdal, Edmore.

VERN’S CALF FEEDER, asking $1,000; Scraper tire water tank with solid steel bottom, asking $1,000. 701-210-1938, Tim Pahl, Oakes.

NEW HOLLAND 852 AUTOWRAP BALER, in nice condition, $1000; 851 auto wrap baler in good condition $500; Horse drawn 2 bottom plow. #7 McCormick Deere 5 ft horse drawn mower with several sickles.

Vintage all steel wheels 48 inches across.

Misc. Versatile parts hydrostatic drives in good condition $125 or $200 for both, 15 ft reel. 701-424-3670, Jerry Miller, Streeter.\ 4 WHEEL STEEL TRAILER to park in corral, 15-30 McCormick Tractor, 2 cream Separators, late-model Super M, w/live PTO, 1 new tire LT245-75R-17 Load Range E, saddle & 2 bridles, 1905 JD Metal Corn Sheller. Covered wagon running gear. 1950 2-Wheel Bicycle.

Horse Potato cultivator, small square bale buncher. Email: larryn@westriv.com. 701597-3730, Larry Nagel, Shields.

CASE WDX 1203 SWATHER, 195 hours, mint condition, must see to appreciate; Canola roller, pull behind, not with swather; MacDon pull-type swather, needs few minor repairs, priced to sell; Pickup topper, fits 8 ft box. 701-263-1206, Lathan Romsos, Bottineau.

NUMEROUS HOPPER BINS; Case IH 75A Farmall FWD tractor w/540 loader, no cab, 202 hours; Mayrath 6x28 ft grain auger w/engine; 40 used Lange anhydrous knives; anhydrous nitrolator w/hyd shut off & hoses; steel fence posts; used cultivator shovels; transition & aeration screens & fans; 25ft heavy duty 5/8 alloy log chain; closing wheels plus hardware for 50ft 3320 Bourgault air seeder; Hudson electric stock tank heater. 701-629-9003, Doug Halden, Stanley.

BUCKETS, 8’ MDS HD rock/brush/scrap bucket; 7’ & 8’ MDS Euro-global buckets; 8’ MDS-JD Classic Tach bucket w/ 5-tine grapple; 8’ MDS 148-158 bucket w/ JD grapple; 7’ bucket w/ Koyker quick tach; 9’ MDS bucket w/ 5-tine MDS grapple w/ Koyker quick tach; MDS adaptor from skid steer to Euro-Global; MDS rock badger; 10’ MDS heavy snow pusher w/ skid steer attach; Skidsteer 5000lb pallet forks (1 hydraulic adjust); 4 used Bobcat buckets; 701-709-0103, Allen Wald, Edgeley.

22 • January 2020 • Union Farmer

275 DUAL LOADER BUCKET/GRAPPLE, Ford tractor mounts. Will work on front wheel assists. $4,000. 701-426-4011, Joe Lockner, Fort Rice.

WANTED CASE L TRACTOR PARTS, need the front spoked steel wheels and a double compartment fuel tank to restore a 1930 Model L Case tractor. Any other parts you might have, let me know. 701-260-1550, Eugene Kinzel, Dickinson.

MISCELLANEOUS FOR SALE SNOW BLADE, John Deere Gator, $750; Tonneau Cover for Canyon or Colorado pickup, $150. 701-741-8173, John Hutchison, Northwood.

REAR LEAF SPRINGS, new for 1988-98 GM pickup, half-ton or 3-quarter-ton k1500, 5 leaf, $200 obo. Would trade for good grill guard for same vehicle. PM calls only. 701251-1165, Myron Kamlitz, Jamestown.

BOBCAT SKIDSTEER WINDOWS, 5 in total. Not sure which cab they fit but have tried to test fit it on one with the single center cylinder and it did not work. Please call with questions. $1000. 701-789-0966, Zeke Gruman, Cooperstown.

1948-59 CHEVY PICKUP, need not run and no box is necessary. 701-974-3644, Loren Myran, Taylor.

OLD STUFF, North Dakota older license plates, advertising metal signs, ND found arrowheads or anything else that you might have that’s old and interesting. 701-2205746, Val Ganje, Bismarck.

VEHICLES FOR SALE 1976 FORD PICKUP, parting out, 390 motor, 4 speed, transfer case, both front and rear differential. 701-424-3670, Jerry Miller, Streeter.

2013 CHEVY CRUZE, 4 door, red, cloth, new tires and catalytic converter. Great mileage, single owner, very clean, 173k miles. Can send pictures. $5,500. 701-3614914, Tim McLean, Wheatland.

CATTLE FOR SALE 50 BRED COWS, coming with 2nd - 6th calf. 60 day calving season, starts April 10. Many years of AI, all home raised, very gentle and easy to work with. $1500. 701678-5446, Mike Long, Berlin.

FENCING SUPPLIES, steel and wooden fence posts, corner posts, barbed wire and steel gates. 701-974-3644, Loren Myran, Taylor.

ANTIQUE PARLOR FURNITURE, early 1900s; Antique fireplace spark mesh screen, with fireplace tools; Old style brand beer sign, shaped like a cabin cottage; several Encyclopedia sets; Singer sewing machine in wood cabinet. 701-263-1206, Lathan Romsos, Bottineau.

TIRES/PARTS, one tire, size 16.5-16.1 sl 14 ply, nice condition, and a set of wheat concaves for a 1460 IH combine and a few parts for a 1460, two tires on rims, size, 28-26 L bar type. 701-771-8653, Kenny Heilman, Rugby.

KAWASAKI SIDE BY SIDE, 2510 Mule, high & low range, 4 wheel drive, windshield & roll bars, 490 actual hours. 701-6299003, Doug Halden, Stanley.

TIRES, 4 new 225/70R19.5 14ply grips; 4 new 245/70R19.5 16ply hiways; 1-20.8R42 GY DT-710 @95%; 2-new 18.4x34x8ply; 2-new Titan 18.4x38x8ply; 2- 16.9x26x10ply FWD’s @70%; New 18.4x30x12ply Titan R-4 tread for SP disc-bine; 2-new GY 520/85R42; 4 GY 620/70R42 @75%; 4 Firestone 620/70R42 @50%; 2 new 14.9x24x8ply & 2 new 16.9x24x8ply (combine rears); 2 new 11.00x16x8ply fronts; 2-new 14Lx16.1-4 rib fronts; others. 701-709-0103, Allen Wald, Edgeley.

WANTED

SNOWBLOWER, six feet, used, in good condition. 701-391-6865, Ron Gessele, Bismarck.

PRAIRIE DOG HUNTERS to hunt on my land. Make reservations now. Email: larryn@westriv.com. 701-597-3730, Larry Nagel, Shields.

YOUR NEXT GREAT

ALASKA

JULY 18-29 Mt. McKinley Denali Nat’l Park Vancouver, B.C. Scenic Train Ride Glacial Fjords 7-Day Cruise

re

A

tu n e v d THE

CAROLINAS FEB 21 MARCH 6

Savannah, GA Charleston, SC Biltmore Estates Boone Hall Plantation NFU Convention Go to

ndfu.org for details or call

800-366-8331 ext. 108

Planting the seedsthe for Around state

SAFER WORKERS

New Rockford Dollars for Scholars president Rachel Holzwarth and vice president David Bymoen receive a $500 check from Eddy County Farmers Union board member Kent Myhre. The money is a grant from NDFU’s Community Stewards program.

Randy Johnson (right) of Nelson County Farmers Union hands a $1,000 check to Lon Zellmer of the Aneta Fire Department. Half of the money is a grant from NDFU’s Community Stewards program, which NCFU matched.

NDSC’s 47TH ANNUAL SAFETY & HEALTH

Tuesday, February 25 through Thursday, February 27, 2020 Monday, February 24 thru Thursday, February 27, 2020 Pre-Conference: Monday, February 24 Bismarck Event Center • Bismarck, ND Bismarck Event Center

Prepare yourself for an immersive training experience designed to inspire, engage and equip you to build a safer workplace.

You’ll find a number of relevant topics at our 2020 event, including: • Machine Guarding • Rescue Advancements • OSHA Compliance

• Electrical Program Auditing • Driver Safety • Safety Leadership

• Worker Fatigue • Behavior Based Safety • Safety Culture Assessment

A private non-profit.

REGISTER NOW AT

NDSC.ORG

NDFU.org • January 2020 • 23

Farmers Educational and Cooperative Union of America, ND Division

GROUP • CORPORATE • INDIVIDUAL TRAVEL

701.204.7474 or 888.521.3432 https://farmersuniontravel.agentstudio.com/ This is for personal/work travel. Not affiliated with NDFU excursions and bus trips.

PERIODICALS – POSTAGE PAID

1415 12th Ave SE PO Box 2136 Jamestown, ND 58402