Union Farmer - June 2019

FARMER UNION

www.ndfu.org

‘THE OLDEST RECYCLERS’ CENTRAL BI-PRODUCTS INTEGRAL PART OF FARMERS UNION INDUSTRIES FAMILY

JUNE 2019

For more information, email us at info@fumic.com or visit www.fumic.com

UNION FARMER MAGAZINE Volume 66 • Number 6

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: 32,022 • USPS 016-211

FIND US ON THE WEB:

www.ndfu.org

http://ndfu.org/news/union-farmer

Read the Union Farmer online

CONNECT WITH US: North Dakota Farmers Union NDFU Tours @NDFarmersUnion @NDFarmersUnion

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

2 • June 2019 • Union Farmer

FARMERS: ENOUGH IS ENOUGH

F

or nearly a year, Farmers Union has been challenging the approach to the trade war and what a socalled win will look like.

Vice President Bob Kuylen and I have spoken at numerous events about farmers and ranchers being pawns in a chess game of trade where it is likely a stalemate is the outcome. Many other farm leaders, lending institutions and politicians remain quiet. Interestingly enough, the same silent people thank Farmers Union after events for taking a stand and saying what is necessary.

Farmers and ranchers: Enough is enough. Not getting a fair share of a food dollar in the wealthiest nation in the world is unacceptable. You are not alone in struggling with this financial crisis. Those who suggest they

Call your delegation

Sen. John Hoeven..................(202) 224-2551 Sen. Kevin Cramer.................(202) 224-2043 Rep. Kelly Armstrong..............(202) 225-2611 are fine are burning through equity that should not be at risk. This is an unsustainable situation. We cannot overproduce the market to solve what is truly a price and income issue. Even the current farm bill and crop insurance cannot protect us from this collapse of market prices.

I challenge each of you to avoid sitting in silence while stressed. It is time to take action to address the unfair pricing

of our products and the lack of profit potential in food production while others profit at our expense.

Call your congressional delegation (do not assume someone else will do it for you).

Tell them we are tired of the lack of income for producing the highest quality, most inexpensive food in the world. A surplus of food is a good thing.

We need economic disaster assistance now.

In honor of Josephine Jacobson ...

THANK YOU! FOR YOUR GENEROUS GIFT TO THE NDFU FOUNDATION

Donations of more than $1,000 are recognized at the state office on the NDFU Donor Recognition wall. Giving levels include: COBALT – $1,000 to $4,999 BRONZE – $5,000 to $14,999 GOLD – $15,000 and above.

Donations can be mailed to: NDFU Foundation, P.O. Box 2136, Jamestown, ND 58402-2136 Please note if the gift is in honor of someone. For more information, contact Lucy Bardell, assistant to the president, at 701-952-0114 or lbardell@ndfu.org.

NDFU.org • June 2019 • 3

NDFU SENATE VOTING RECORD R=RIGHT , VOTED WITH NDFU

State senator

P-D*

1019

W=WRONG, VOTED IN OPPOSITION

1020 1066 1349 1388

2012

2033

NV=ABSENT/NOT VOTING

2297

2315

Howard C. Anderson, Jr. R 8 R R R R W R R R W JoNell A. Bakke D 43 R R R R R R R R W Brad Bekkedahl R 1 R R R R W R R R W Randy Burckhard R 5 R R R R W R R R W David A. Clemens R 16 R R R R W R R R R Dwight Cook R 34 R R R R W R R R W Kyle Davison R 41 R R R R W R R R R Dick Dever R 32 R R R R W R R R W Jim Dotzenrod D 26 R R R R R R R R R Michael Dwyer R 47 R R R R W NV R R NV Jay Elkin R 36 R R R R R R R R R Robert Erbele R 28 R R R R W R R R R Robert O. Fors R 19 R R R R W R R R W John Grabinger D 12 R R R R R R R R W Joan Heckaman D 23 R R R R R R R R R Kathy Hogan D 21 R R R NV R R R R W David Hogue R 38 R R R R W R R R R Ray Holmberg R 17 R R R R W R R R W Jordan Kannianen R 4 R R R R W W R R R Jerry Klein R 14 R R R R W R R R R Karen K. Krebsbach R 40 R R R R W R R R R Curt Kreun R 42 R R R R W R R R R Oley Larsen R 3 R R R R W R W R R Diane Larson R 30 R R R R W R R R W Gary A. Lee R 22 R R R R W R W R R Judy Lee R 13 R R R R W R W R R Randy D. Lemm** R 20 R R — — W R — R R Larry Luick R 25 R R R R W R R R R Richard Marcellais D 9 R R R R R R R R W Tim Mathern D 11 R R R R R R R R W Scott Meyer R 18 R R R R NV R R R R Janne Myrdal R 10 R R R R W R R R R Erin Oban D 35 R R R R R R R R W Dave Oehlke R 15 R R R R W R R R R Arne Osland*** R 20 — — NV — — — R — — Dale Patten R 39 R R R R W R R R R Merrill Piepkorn D 44 R R R R R R R R W Nicole Poolman R 7 R R R R W R R R W Larry J. Robinson D 24 R R R R R R R R W Jim P. Roers R 46 R R R R W R R R R Kristin Roers R 27 R R R R W R R R R David S. Rust R 2 R R R R W R R R R Donald Schaible R 31 R R R R W R R R R Ronald Sorvaag R 45 R R R R W R R R R Jessica Unruh R 33 R R R R W R W R R Shawn Vedaa R 6 R R R R W R R R R Terry M. Wanzek R 29 R R R R W R R R R Rich Wardner R 37 R R R R W R R R R

TOTAL 47 47 47 46 47 47 47 47 47

FOR 2019 SESSION *PARTY-DISTRICT

2344

2345

2360

**ACTIVE 3-27-19

Votes w/ NDFU

NV W W 7 R R R 11 W W W 7 W W NV 7 W W R 9 W W W 7 W W NV 8 W W W 7 R R R 12 W W R 7 W W R 10 W W R 9 R W R 9 R R R 11 R R R 12 R R R 10 W W R 9 W W W 7 W W W 7 W W R 9 W W R 9 W W W 8 W W R 8 W W R 8 W W R 8 W W W 7 W W — 5 W W R 9 R R R 11 R R R 11 W W W 8 W W R 9 R R R 11 W R R 10 — — R 2 W W R 9 R R R 11 W W R 8 R R R 11 W W W 8 W W W 8 R W R 10 W W R 9 W W R 9 W W R 8 W W R 9 W W R 9 W W R 9

47 47 47 563

***RESIGNED 3-18-19

% of votes w/ NDFU 58.33% 91.67% 58.33% 58.33% 75.00% 58.33% 66.67% 58.33% 100.00% 58.33% 83.33% 75.00% 75.00% 91.67% 100.00% 83.33% 75.00% 58.33% 58.33% 75.00% 75.00% 66.67% 66.67% 66.67% 66.67% 58.33% 41.67% 75.00% 91.67% 91.67% 66.67% 75.00% 91.67% 83.33% 16.67% 75.00% 91.67% 66.67% 91.67% 66.67% 66.67% 83.33% 75.00% 75.00% 66.67% 75.00% 75.00% 75.00%

100.00%

BILL SUMMARIES HB 1019 (second vote) houses the budget for Adult Farm Management.

Passed and signed by the Governor.

NDFU supported.

HB 1020 (second vote) houses the NDSU Extension, Northern Crops Institute (NCI), and Upper Great Plains Transportation Institute (UGPTI) budgets. Passed and signed by the Governor. NDFU supported.

HB 1066 revises the oil and gas gross production tax distribution formula to address municipal, county, and township infrastructure needs.

Passed and signed by the Governor.

NDFU supported.

HB 1349 amends the hemp laws to align with the 2018 Farm Bill. Passed and signed by the Governor. NDFU supported.

HB 1388 adds “second cousin” to the list of kin that can form a corporation or limited liability corporation for farming and ranching. Passed and signed by the Governor. NDFU opposed.

SB 2012 (second vote) is the budget for the Department of Human Services. The bill extends the Medicaid expansion program through July 31, 2021. Passed and signed by the Governor. NDFU supported.

SB 2033 (first vote) would have provided drafting services for an initiated measure sponsoring committee.

Defeated. NDFU monitored.

SB 2297 (second vote) appropriates $20 million for the Ag Products Development Center at NDSU and allows the Northern Crops Institute to begin fundraising. Passed and signed by the Governor. NDFU supported.

SB 2315 (second vote) would have amended the posting and hunting on private land laws. Defeated. NDFU supported.

SB 2344 (second vote) allows for the use of pore space for oil and gas recovery and disposal operations. Deems that the migration of substances into pore space is not a trespass, nuisance, or other tort.

Passed and signed by the Governor.

NDFU opposed.

SB 2345 (second vote) restricts counties and townships from establishing setbacks that exceed state law and establishes ordinance review procedures through the Agriculture Commissioner’s office. Passed and signed by the Governor. NDFU opposed.

SB 2360 changes the farm residence property tax exemption from “net” to “gross” and removes the dollar limitation for allowable non-farm income.

Passed and signed by the Governor.

NDFU supported.

NORTH DAKOTA FARMERS UNION LEGISLATIVE REPORT

2019 SESSION ENDS E

ach legislative session, North Dakota Farmers Union’s legislative team monitors dozens of bills, the majority of which NDFU stays neutral on. However, NDFU does often testify on a bill in support or opposition. Listed here are the final bills NDFU supported or opposed during this session.

For earlier bills, read May’s edition or go to ndfu. org.

APPROPRIATIONS

HB 1012 is the Department of Transportation’s budget. The budget appropriates one-time funding for a state driver’s license system project, driver’s license facility maintenance for Minot and Williston, and road maintenance. The budget does reduce DOT staffing by 65 full-time employees. Passed and signed by the governor. NDFU monitored.

HB 1019 houses the budget for Adult Farm Management. The governor’s proposed budget recommended a program funding cut of $350,000.

However, the appropriations committee funded the base level budget and “enhanced” the budget by $1.3 million for a total budget of $1,894,249, which brings it close to the same level as the 2017-19 biennium. Passed and signed by the governor.

NDFU supported.

HB 1020 houses the NDSU Research and Extension, Northern Crops Institute (NCI), and Upper Great Plains Transportation Institute (UGPTI) budgets. The Extension budget received an enhancement of $3.2 million, but a reduction of approximately 10.5 full-time employees. NCI received an enhancement of almost $200,00 and gained one (1) full-time employee. UGPTI received an enhancement of $1.2 million. Passed and signed by the governor. NDFU supported.

SB 2009 is the Ag Commissioner’s budget.

The appropriations committee added funding to the budget for the Agricultural Products Utilization Commission (APUC), which is being transferred from the Commerce Department to the Ag Department. The bill also moves authority over grain, grain buyers, warehousing, deposits, and warehousemen from the Public Service Commission to the Agriculture Commissioner’s office. Passed and signed by the governor. NDFU supported.

SB 2297 appropriates $20 million for the Agriculture Products Development Center at NDSU. The bill requires that $20 million be raised for the center from local or other funds before the Industrial Commission issues bonds for the project.

The funding for the Northern Crops Institute (NCI) was removed from the bill, but NCI is allowed to begin fundraising for the project and it may seek funding and authorization to proceed from the Legislature in the 2021-2023 biennium. Passed and signed by the governor. NDFU supported.

AGRICULTURE

SB 2345 restricts counties and townships from establishing setbacks that exceed state law. A greater setback, but no more than 50%, may be allowed if the county or township demonstrates “compelling, objective evidence.” The bill allows individuals whose animal feeding operation has been or will be affected by a setback exceeding state law to request the Agriculture Commissioner review the ordinance. The Commissioner may then request an opinion from the Attorney General to determine whether the ordinance and setback are lawful. The bill amends the length of time political subdivisions have to approve/reject an animal feeding operation to 60 days and requires that permit applicants submit the county or township zoning determination with their permit application.

It also reduces the time animal feeding operations have to start building a facility from 5 to 3 years after the final permit has been issued. Passed and signed by the governor. NDFU opposed.

NATURAL RESOURCES

HB 1383 prevents the Public Service Commission (PSC) from identifying prime farmland, unique farmland, or irrigated land as an exclusion or avoidance area when evaluating and designating areas for an energy conversion facility or transmission facility site, corridor, or route. The PSC is also prohibited from requiring a permit applicant to pay to mitigate adverse impacts on wildlife habitat as assessed or requested by another state agency or entity. The bill requires that any payments made to mitigate adverse direct environmental impacts be paid to the Agriculture Commissioner and deposited into the newly created Environmental Impact Mitigation Fund.

The bill also creates a 20-member Environmental Impact Advisory Board. North Dakota Farmers Union will have one (1) member on the board.

Passed and signed by the governor. NDFU supported.

DEFEATED

SB 2315 would have amended the criminal trespass and hunting on private land laws. The bill allowed individuals to hunt on private land unless it was legally posted or the individual hunting was asked to leave by an authorized person. The bill also created a land access committee which would have studied access to public and private lands for hunting, trapping, fishing, and related issues. The committee would have provided recommendations regarding a land access database with capabilities for electronic posting. Defeated. NDFU supported.

Read next month’s Union Farmer for the full House voting record from the 2019 session!

MEMORIES IN THE MAKING

AT NDFU SUMMER CAMP!

GRADES 3-6 (4 DAYS, 3 NIGHTS)* – $125 GRADES 7-12 (5 DAYS, 4 NIGHTS)* – $175 *Grade youth will have completed by the end of the school year

Junior camp - completed grades 3-6

Heart Butte ~ near Elgin

June 16-19......Bottineau, Burke, Divide, McHenry, Mountrail, Renville, Ward, Williams June 19-22......Adams, Bowman-Slope, Grant, Hettinger, Morton, Sioux June 24-28......Statewide camp July 14-17.......Burleigh, Sheridan July 17-20.......Billings-Golden Valley, Dunn, McLean, Mercer, McKenzie, Oliver, Stark

Wesley Acres ~ near Valley City

June 23-26......Benson, Cavalier, Eddy, Foster, Grand Forks, Griggs, Nelson, Pembina,

Pierce, Ramsey, Rolette, Steele, Towner, Walsh, Wells June 26-29......Dickey, McIntosh, Ransom, Sargent July 6-9...........Cass, Traill, Richland July 9-12.........Barnes, Stutsman July 16-19.......Emmons, Logan, LaMoure, Kidder

Senior camp - completed grades 7-12

June 10-14 (Heart Butte), June 17-21 (Wesley Acres), July 8-12 (Heart Butte, grades 7-9), July 22-26 (Heart Butte, grades 7-9), July 29-Aug. 2 (Heart Butte, grades 10-12)

Register now at ndfu.org!

AGENTS HONORED FOR PERFORMANCE, YEARS OF SERVICE AT ANNUAL MEETING Farmers Union Insurance agents met May 15-17 in Jamestown for their annual statewide meeting. The event featured speakers on products, leadership, sales, customer service and employee development. Agents learned more about all aspects of the insurance field from product representatives and managers.

Agents were recognized for years of service and top performances at a banquet the opening night. Most of the awards were presented by FUI CEO Mark Anderson. The theme was Gilligan’s Island.

FUMI PRODUCER OF THE YEAR Agency: Lance Gulleson/Steven Kylstad (pictured)

PROPERTY/CASUALTY AGENT OF THE YEAR Dave Berger, Mandan

FINANCIAL PRODUCTS AGENT OF THE YEAR Dominic Noonan, Fargo

CROP AGENCY OF THE YEAR Jerry Essler, Kenmare

DISTRICT OF THE YEAR District 4 (Dave Murphy, manager)

ROOKIE OF THE YEAR Ryan Schnell, Bismarck

ADJUSTER OF THE YEAR Preston Feakes (with CIOO Brad Nold)

$4 MILLION FINANCIAL PRODUCTS Phil Halvorson, Mandan

$2 MILLION FUMI AGENCY Agency: Josh Ressler/Lezlie Beuchler/ Shaun Sipma (not pictured), Minot

$1 MILLION FUMI AGENCY Russell Stremick, Langdon

$1 MILLION FUMI AGENCY Ron Hamers, Stanley

YEARS OF SERVICE AWARDS

35 YEARS Dwight Byron, Park River

30 YEARS Daryl Kudrna, Dickinson

30 YEARS Ron Nelson, Lakota

25 YEARS Marshall Maxwell, Turtle Lake

25 YEARS Brian Nieuwenhuis, Garrison

20 YEARS Brad Greff, Regent

20 YEARS Ron Hamers, Stanley

15 YEARS Jeff Andersen, Jamestown

15 YEARS Josh Ressler, Minot

10 YEARS Jamie Ressler, Bismarck

10 YEARS Jason Walswick, Finley

10 YEARS Blaine Moberg, Rolla

5 YEARS Zachary Axtman, Rugby

5 YEARS Phil Halvorson, Mandan

5 YEARS BreeAnn Hauck, Killdeer

5 YEARS Garitt Irey, Edgeley

5 YEARS Courtney Schauer, Mandan

5 YEARS Brent Vik, Grand Forks

STATEWIDE KHARDT PAM BUR NER TEST WIN N O C E COSTUM

SNAPSHOTS

ANDY NAAS T WINNER LIMBO CONTES

DEBBIE FESTER HULA DANCE CONTEST WINNER BRAD G REFF (LE EATING FT) CONTES T WINNE R

Not pictured in years of service awards: Shaun Sipma (5 years), Dave Murphy (10 years), Kevin Ressler (30 years).

FEATHERS AND ALL!

COVER; A truckload of feathers is unloaded so it can be rendered.

LEFT: This giant tank uses temperature and pressure to turn feathers from poultry into high-quality meal for animal feed.

Central Bi-Products renders what’s inedible into high-quality feed

To feed 326 million Americans, nearly 100 billion pounds of meat were processed in 2017, according to the Meat Institute.

When that meat heads to the grocery store, what happens to the inedible by-products?

That’s where Minnesota-based Central BiProducts comes in, with its three rendering facilities in Redwood Falls, Minn., Long Prairie, Minn., and Estherville, Iowa.

Central Bi-Products is the original of Farmers Union Industries’ seven businesses. Farmers Union Industries is owned by Farmers Union Enterprises, which is made up of Minnesota Farmers Union, Montana Farmers Union, North Dakota Farmers Union, South Dakota Farmers Union and Wisconsin Farmers Union.

Farmers Union Industries CEO Dan Hildebrandt said Central Bi-Products converts inedible (offal, bones, blood and feathers) into high quality meals and feeding fats.

“We collect these inedible (by-products) from animal/poultry harvest facilities and fallen livestock from producers,” Hildebrandt said.

It’s not something that comes across the minds of consumers, but Central Bi-Products is ensuring that every part of the animal is used, not just the meat. It even processes feathers from poultry.

“Renderers are the oldest recyclers,” Hildebrandt said. “We hydrolyze poultry feather using temperature, pressure and time to break it down into a meal.”

Central Bi-Products processes over 155 million pounds of inedible by-products from harvest facilities monthly and over 1.8 billion annually.

“It’s a lot of truckloads everyday,” Hildebrandt said. “Most people would say Central BiProducts isn’t really that glamorous because of the products we work with, but these inedibles are converted into high quality feed ingredients.

These ingredients are in high demand from feed producers, pet food and biodiesel manufacturers throughout the country.”

And what would be the environmental impact if Central Bi-Products wasn’t there to take those inedible by-products? A lot more space needed in local landfills, Hildebrandt said. Six million pounds of inedible by-products originate from North Dakota, annually.

Hildebrandt said rendering is a great option.

It’s a major accomplishment in itself to convert, “guts into gold.”

Hildebrandt said the business continues to modernize, helping to meet customers’ requirements.

“I’ve been around this for 40 years, and just to see the growth that’s happened is enormous,” Hildebrandt said. “Technology, computerization and the ability to monitor all steps of the process insuring we sell what we offer.”

To learn more, visit centralbi.com. To learn more about Farmers Union Industries and its commitment to family farms, visit fuillc.com.

1.8 BILLION POUNDS OF INEDIBLE BY-PRODUCTS PROCESSED LAST YEAR

6 MILLION POUNDS OF INEDIBLE BY-PRODUCTS FROM ND PROCESSED LAST YEAR

EDITOR’S NOTE: This is the first in a series of monthly stories dedicated to Farmers Union Industries and its seven businsses. Look for a new story each month!

BY CHRIS AARHUS, NDFU

POLICY PENNINGS BY DR. HARWOOD SCHAFFER AND DR. DARYLL E. RAY

THE WOLF IS AT THE W

e hate to sound like the little boy who cried wolf, but for U.S. farmers there really is a wolf out there and that wolf is called low prices. While the pain is not evenly spread across the nation and across farm types, for those involved it is serious.

To get a picture of what is happening to farm income, we will look at three sources of information: USDA’s “U.S. farm sector financial indicators, 2012-19F”, a University of Minnesota press release “Minnesota farm income hits historic low: Farmers struggled [with] low prices and low profitability in 2018”, and the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis’ “Chapter 12 bankruptcies on the rise in the Ninth District: Low crop and livestock prices also bleeding through to ag bank loans.”

The USDA’s farm sector financial indicators spread sheet (March 6, 2019) shows the 2018 forecast of net farm income (2018F) at $63.1 billion, down $12.0 billion from the previous year. This is the second lowest level of net farm income since its $123.4 billion peak in 2013, a

decline of 48.9 percent.

In 2013, the federal government direct farm payments were $9.8 billion or 10.6 percent of net farm income. The forecast for 2018 has farm payments at $13.8 billion or 21.8 percent of net farm income. Crop insurance payments to farmers for losses are included in net farm income while crop insurance subsidies are not.

Farm equity of $2.621 trillion in 2018F is $161.1 billion higher than it was in 2013 while the debtto-equity ratio has increased from 12.8 percent (2013) to 15.7 percent (2018F). The 2019F debt-toequity ratio increases to 16.1 percent.

The University of Minnesota (UM) released the results of a study of farm income in Minnesota for 2018. The numbers UM analyzed includes “data from 2,209 participants in farm business management programs, as well as 101 members of the Southwest Minnesota Farm Business Management Association” and are reported on a per farm basis rather than the aggregate basis used by USDA to measure net farm income.

FARMHOUSE DOOR UM reported that “median net income was $26,055, down 8 percent from the previous year.” But more distressing than that is the fact that “farmers in the lowest 20 percent reported losing nearly $72,000.” By sector, median crop farm income was $30,650, median pork producer income was $27,739, median dairy farm income was $14,697, and median beef producer income was $6,000.

According to UM: “Across all farms, 34 percent lost money on their farming operations in 2018, and 40 percent lost net worth after family living expenses and taxes. Fifty-three percent lost working capital. The working capital picture would have been worse…but many farms were forced to restructure debt, moving short-term debt down the balance sheet and securing it with land and other collateral.”

The Minneapolis Federal Reserve reported that between July 2017 and June 2018, 84 farm operations had filed for bankruptcy protection.

This is twice the level of the year ending June 2014. The largest number of bankruptcies were

filed by dairy farms in Wisconsin. The Ninth Fed ominously suggested that the current trajectory of increasing numbers of farm bankruptcy proceedings “has not yet seen a peak.” In addition, non-current ag loans in Montana, North Dakota and South Dakota are approaching 5 percent.

Taken together, these numbers indicate that for a significant number of farmers, the wolf is at the door, while tragically for others it has big eyes and wears grandma’s cap.

If these numbers are not convincing enough, how many bankruptcies will it take for our members of Congress to rethink the approach they have taken to farm policy over the last 23 years?

Dr. Harwood D. Schaffer: Adjunct Research Assistant Professor, Sociology Department, University of Tennessee and Director, Agricultural Policy Analysis Center. Dr. Daryll E. Ray: Emeritus Professor, Institute of Agriculture, University of Tennessee and Retired Director, Agricultural Policy Analysis Center.

SOYBEAN CRUSHING PLANT LOOKS TO BREAK GROUND Equity drive will run until June 30

BY CHRIS AARHUS, NDFU

Minnesota Soybean Processors President Bruce Hill said his team is excited to get moving with the groundbreaking of a soybean crushing plant at Spiritwood. The project is entering its third year.

“It’ll be a wonderful thing,” he said. “It’ll be good for the people of North Dakota, and it’s good for agriculture.”

Scott White has been hired as the interim CEO of North Dakota Soybean Processors, which is still looking for investors to finish its equity drive.

“We changed leadership, so that’s been probably the biggest change,” Hill said. “(White) is a very highly respected, talented individual. He did the feasibility study and wrote the business plan (for the plant).”

White said he’s sympathetic to what farmers are going through right now, with low commodity prices affecting farmers’ ability to invest in the future. However, he said it’s critical the investment comes from North Dakota.

“The more (investment dollars) we can get from North Dakota, the more profit that stays right here in North Dakota,” Hill said.

“We want to keep that return here.”

Hill stressed that investors don’t have to be farmers from the Jamestown area, where the plant will reside. That’s been a point of confusion in meetings.

“Just because you don’t live within a short distance of the plant, doesn’t mean you shouldn’t invest,” he said. “You’ll still be taking profits back to your farm.”

The $287 million plant is already setup for rail. Hill estimated it would process 42 million bushels of soybeans per year to be used for meal and oil.

Hill said the hope is to break ground this summer, pushing dirt and pouring concrete. Ideally, the steel would go up before the snow flies, allowing the crews to work inside all winter, he said.

For now, it’s about finishing the equity drive.

“We’re hoping to get an anchor investor, and we’re working on that,” he said. “But we have all the arrangements made with the county and city and everything else required with water, sewer and steam. We’re feeling good about it.”

Interested in investing? Call Bruce Hill at (507) 360-4407.

What’s happening

NDFU Vice President Bob Kuylen, bottom left, addressed U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue at an ag roundtable listening session April 27 at Peterson Farms Seed in Harwood. Kuylen described the impact trade tariffs, low commodity prices and high input costs are having in farm country. “Young producers are leaving. They have no equity and they can’t play the game anymore. We hope prices go up, but hope doesn’t pay the bills. And a low interest loan isn’t going to help if we can’t pay the loan back. People are getting desperate.” Perdue called trade the No. 1 issue for agriculture. “Trade has to happen. Nothing is more important now than U.S. agriculture.” He called the Chinese tough negotiators and said about a trade deal, “It’s never over until it’s over. If it happens, it’s going to be very good [for farmers].”

Burleigh County Farmers Union held an EPIC event on May 11, touring a dairy farm as part of a day of fun.

Glen Ullin’s third graders went on a field trip to local businesses, and Farmers Union Insurance agent Shane Hellman gave each student a copy of NDFU’s children’s book, “Our Family Farm.” Hellman educated the students on FUI and NDFU, and offered to sponsor any of the students interested in attending Farmers Union camp.

NDFU and Sioux County Farmers Union participated in the Selfridge Farm and Ranch Day on April 26 at the Selfridge High School gym. Miranda Letherman of NDFU promoted Ag Stem curriculum while SCFU had a booth and a cow pie toss for the kids.

around the state?

Burleigh County Farmers Union President Denise Brown and other board members participated in the Later Gator Kids Fair on April 27 at the Bismarck Event Center to promote NDFU’s youth program and Burleigh County EPIC events.

Cass County Farmers Union hosted a member appreciation Hops and Brats event at the Vets Club in Casselton. They had over 150 people in attendance. Farmers Union Insurance agents out of Casselton supplied door prizes and the Embden co-op manager attended as well. It was the largest Hops and Brats event they’ve held in the past five years.

NEVER STEP OVER A RUNNING PTO SHAFT.

Before work has to be performed on the equipment, be sure the PTO is shut off and all machine movement has ceased.

Kidder County Farmers Union hosted a women’s event in Pettibone.

About 60 women attended.

NDFU AWARDS SCHOLARSHIPS • Each year, $500 scholarships are awarded to first-year or undergraduate students enrolled in a secondary educational facility. Applicants must be pursuing a career important to rural America, but not limited to agribusiness, farm operation or production agriculture. This year’s winners are: Michaela Fischer, Bowman; Hunter Frederick, Flasher; Alexius Geitzen, Glen Ullin; Paige Haakenson, Aneta; Lauren Jorda, Dickinson; Tanner Kempf, Ashley; Tracy Lagein, Rocklake; Madison Reidman, Dazey; Wyatt Runck, Lisbon.

• The Co-op House scholarship award winners were also announced. Applicants must be a member of NDFU, a cooperative or be relatives of a past Co-op House member.

They must plan to enroll as a freshman at North Dakota State University. Winners of the Co-op House scholarship are: Aaron Klain, Turtle Lake; Sandra Larson, Sheyenne; Breanna Olson, Forbes; Sophia Richards, Hope; Alexa Young, Napoleon.

KEEPING YOU SAFE. www.ndsc.org

A private non-profit.

Trade tensions with China escalate

O

n the heels of unsuccessful trade negotiations with China, the White House increased tariffs from 10 percent to 25 percent on $200 billion worth of Chinese goods in May. Though the two countries have continued talks, they have not yet reached an agreement.

As a result, China intends to impose retaliatory tariffs on $60 billion worth of American imports starting June 1. The long list of affected products covers many agricultural goods, including preparations of beef, fruit and vegetables, peanuts, sugar, wheat, chicken and turkey.

President Donald Trump, not to be outdone, threatened to levy duties on an additional $325 billion worth of imports, which, if implemented, would mean that nearly all U.S. imports from China would be subject to tariffs.

In a statement, National Farmers Union (NFU) President Roger Johnson expressed concern about how the recent escalation would affect family farmers and ranchers. “China’s unfair and manipulative trade practices are clearly a problem that need to be fixed,” said Johnson. “But addressing these practices has created new problems for American farmers and ranchers in the form of lost export markets, a commodity glut, and severely depressed prices.”

The administration has indicated that it plans to provide a trade assistance package to support struggling family farmers and ranchers, though details about how much assistance will be available, how it will be allocated, and who will be eligible to apply have not yet been released.

In response to the news, NFU sent a letter to U.S. Secretary

of Agriculture Sonny Perdue providing recommendations for how best to “craft a package that will adequately address the broad, long-term impacts to all of American agriculture.”

In particular, the organization urged USDA to base payments on historical production, provide assistance to producers of all affected commodities, and avoid undue disparities between payment rates for various commodities. In the longer-term, NFU also suggested that the agency “address the growing problem of oversupply by providing farmers with incentives to reduce overall production.”

FARMER’S SHARE AT ALL-TIME LOW

For every dollar American consumers spend on food, U.S. farmers and ranchers earn just 14.6 cents, according to a report recently released by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Economic Research Service (ERS). This value marks a 17 percent decline since 2011 and the smallest portion of the American food dollar that farmers have received since USDA began reporting this data in 1993. The remaining 85.4 cents cover off-farm costs, including processing, wholesaling, distribution, marketing, and retailing.

The ERS report supports a larger story about the weakened state of the farm economy: net farm income is estimated to be just $66.3 billion for 2018, a 12 percent drop from 2017 and a nearly 50 percent drop since 2013.

Similarly, median farm income is estimated to be negative $1,548, meaning a majority of farms lost money last year.

National Farmers Union

President Roger Johnson expressed concern about the news. “Conditions for farmers have been eroding since 2011, and there’s only so much longer they can hold on. Many have already made the heartbreaking decision to close up shop; in just the past five years, the United States lost upwards of 70,000 farm operations,” Johnson said.

“We sincerely hope this startling report will open policy makers’ eyes to the financial challenges family farmers and ranchers endure on a daily basis and convince them to provide the support they so desperately need.”

NFU SUPPORTS E15, MORE BLENDS

In March, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) introduced a proposed rule which would allow year-round use of gasoline blended with 15 percent ethanol, also known as E15. The rule also includes regulatory changes to the renewable identification number (RIN) market, which aims to prevent market manipulation.

National Farmers Union, which has long supported ethanol for its environmental and economic benefits, submitted comments to the agency on the rule. By allowing for year-round E15, the rule would provide expanded market opportunities for family farmers, spur economic growth in rural communities, lower fuel costs for consumers, and cut down on pollutants and greenhouse gas emissions.

However, NFU President Roger Johnson said that the EPA should more strongly commit to further expanding higher-level blends of biofuels, including E30, which the proposed rule does not include.

Mint Limeade

This summer, we are kicking off our annual Farmers Corner Summer Series with our light, refreshing and altogether delicious Mint Limeade.

This special scratch-made soda is an original Founding Farmers favorite and tastes like summer in a glass. The secret ingredient here is the fresh mint, which adds a clean, herbaceous overtone to this classic. If you grow your own mint in your garden or even on your window sill, all the better.

Craft our Mint Limeade to pair with any summertime meal. From salads to grilled burgers, your family and friends will love this cool, summer classic.

INGREDIENTS (MAKES ONE SODA) Mint Simple Syrup 2 cups granulated sugar 2 cups water 6-7 sprigs fresh mint Soda 1½ ounces lime juice 6-8 fresh mint leaves 3-4 ounces (1/3 to 1/2 cup) soda water Lime wheel, for garnish INSTRUCTIONS Combine sugar, water, mint sprigs in medium saucepan.

Simmer over medium-high heat. Remove from heat. Set aside. Let steep for 15 minutes, then strain through a finemesh strainer into a plastic container. Let cool. Cover and refrigerate up to four days.

In a cocktail shaker or mixing glass, combine 2 ounces (Âź cup) of the Mint Simple Syrup with the lime juice, mint leaves, one-quarter of the soda water, and ice. Cover and shake vigorously. Pour contents into a tall Collins glass and top with fresh ice and remaining soda water. Garnish with lime wheel.

Founding Farmers

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.

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FARM EQUIPMENT FOR SALE 1999 J & M 875 GRAIN CART with scale and tarp, new J & M Augers, good shape, $19,000; 30.5L- 32 Goodyear combine tires and 10 hole rims off JD 9750. Also have short ladder extension and rails.

Make offer. 701-321-5711, John Kempf, Ashley.

3 WC ALLIS CHALMERS, one runs, 2 for parts, $350. 701-261-4069, Rodney Keller, Fargo.

TWO TRACTORS, both International. C for $2,200 and A for $2,700. Parade ready.

701-721-2863, Brenda Martinson, Simcoe.

SALVAGE, D6 Cat and Dozer, $3000.

Tox-O-Wix Model 370 Batch Dryer. 3 Rock Forks for loader from $600 to $2,500.

Quick attachment bucket adapter for 3600 Dual loader $125. 3 Bar 5 ft Melroe harrow sections $50 each. Hudson tank heater for stock tank $125. Viking Hammer Mill $250; 2 hydraulic breakaways and valves for 4630; John Deere Tractor $500 each. 701373-5480, Donald Jorissen, Valley City.

1994 8100 HESSTON with 16 ft. hay head and 21 ft. double sickle double swath draper head; No. 12 Bobcat post hole auger with 12 in. auger, $1,100.00; rebuilt front wheel spindle for JD 4010-4020, $50.

701-240-2567, Ronald Hensen, Minot.

90 FT 1680 CASE COMBINE/378 pickup head and 883 case corn head; 1983 7200 Case hoe press drill; 22 ft 4400 Versatile swather, 36 ft International 45 vibra shank, 25 ft CP-725 Morris magnum/nh3 applicator, 75 ft 800 Versatile tractor. 701-6525974, Brian Magnuson, Carrington.

TWO IH C MODEL 645 Vibra Chisel cultivators, with 2 bar mounted harrows.

Cultivators are 27 1/2 feel wide, have good shovels, one has Nichols-knock-on shovels. Also have several field sprayers.

701-465-3749, Arlo Blumhagen, Drake.

NUMEROUS HOPPER BINS; 1,000 gallon fuel tank; MayRath 6x28ft grain auger w/ Briggs engine; 40 used Lange anhydrous knives; Anhydrous nitrolator w/hyd shut off & hoses; steel fence posts; used cultivator shovels; transition & aeration screens; 25ft heavy duty 5/8 alloy log chain; closing wheels plus hardware for 50 ft 3320 Bourgault air seeder. 701-629-9003, Doug Halden, Stanley.

JD 6620 COMBINE with 2 headers, JD 7720 combine with 2 headers, 28 ft. Implement trailer (needs work). Rust 6 X16 stock trailer, JD 336 square baler; Allied 6 bale stoker. 701-626-7270, Jim Haugen, Butte.

22 • June 2019 • Union Farmer

1948 FORD 8N TRACTOR in excellent condition, parade ready, $3000; 3 point cultivator for Ford 8N. 1917 Ford model T touring car also parade ready $6500. 701662-5986, Arne Berg, Devils Lake.

HORSE-DRAWN EQUIPMENT: Sulky Plow, Gang Plow, Two 2 Row Planters, One-Row Cultivator, JD Mower, Walking Plows. 701-879-6294, Jerry Erickson, Amidon.

4 WHEEL STEEL TRAILER, 15-30 McCormick tractor, 2 Cream Separators, Late-Model Super M, W/Live PTO, 12 ft Kirschmann Drill, 1 New Tire LT24575R-17, Load Range E, Saddle & Bridle, 1905 JD Metal Corn Sheller. Email: larryn@westriv.com. 701-597-3730, Larry Nagel, Shields.

JD 16 FT CHISEL PLOW, $500; IH Farmall M Tractor-Narrow Front; 22 ft Noble V blade plow, $300.; 8x16 flatbed trailer, made from a truck chassis, has steel floor and tilt bed, $450.; Old JD grain elevator, paddle type; Horse Drawn 2 row corn planter and one row corn cultivator; 701483-4825, Richard Jablonsky, Dickinson.

KELLY 3-PT BACKHOE. Has its own pump and oil reservoir. Make offer. 701653-5230, Wes Miller, Carrington.

BUCKETS, 8 ft MDS heavy duty rock/ brush/scrap buckets; 7 ft & 8 ft MDS Euro-global buckets; 8 ft MDS-JD Classic Tach bucket w/5-tine grapple; 8 ft MDS 148-158 bucket w/JD grapple; 7 ft bucket w/ Koyker quick tach; 9 ft MDS bucket w/5-tine MDS grapple w/ Koyker quick tach; MDS attach. adaptor from skid steer quick-tach to Euro-Global; MDS rock badger; 10 ft MDS heavy snow pusher w/ skid steer attach. 3-skidsteer 5000 lb pallet forks (1 hyd. adjust). 709-0103, Allen Wald, Edgeley.

TWO SINGLE AXLE TRUCKS. 1975 Chevy is 4-spd plus 2, 350 engine, roll tarp, roll tarp on 16 ft box 44,435 miles.

1975 GMC is 5-spd plus 2, V-8 350 engine, only 34,000 miles. IH tandem for sale.

1974, 15 gears, 22,000 miles, 468. engine, roll tarp. $10,000 OBO. Single axles are $5000 OBO. 701-320-4431, Dennis/Rosemary Gasal, Jamestown.

DOUBLE ROWSE 9 FT. MOWER, IH reconditioned heads and new bars also 116 14 ft. New Holland hydro swing, also 9 wheel rake, New Holland small baler, also 1850 gale round baler, can deliver. 701400-5742, Gerald Miller, Mandan.

WANTED WOODS BELLY MOWER to fit Farmall H tractor, or small older tractor with woods belly mower on as a unit. 701-261-4069, Rodney Keller, Fargo.

IH TRACTORS, 806, 1206, 856, 1256, 1456, 1066, 1466 and others; John Deere 5010, 5020, 6030, others; Minneapolis Moline 1000, 1050, 1355, others; Allis, D21, 210, 220. Will buy all running or not.

701-628-2130, Jerry Lumley, Stanley.

JOHN DEERE THRESHING MACHINE, 28 inch, working condition or not. 701-9834445, Johnny Flemmer, Golden Valley.

MISCELLANEOUS FOR SALE CALENDER, 1992 Collector’s Series Number One Calendar featuring antler art by Tony Ramer when he lived in Wimbledon.

Also a Tony Ramer Dakota Craftsman wooden token. Excellent conditions. Call and leave message if interested. 701-4350003, Tess Smith, Wimbledon.

WOODEN WHEEL WAGON, trail ready.

Pole, Neck Yoke and Eveners, Bolster Springs. Needs new hoops and canvas. $3,500 OBO; Miles City Cogshall Saddle, good condition. $1,500 OBO, call evenings.

701-826-7282, Dennis Barkie, Williston.

1985 EVINRUDE 150 hp, 2 stroke outboard motor for parts. Block is bad. All other parts are good. Lower unit, carbs and electrical. $400 takes it all or split it up. Negotiable. 701-320-2466, Craig Neys, Jamestown.

8 YEAR OLD MALE BLUE HEELER “Max”. Working cattle dog, knows commands, neutered, up to date on shots, wormer. We are also working with younger females. $300 call or text; 2 saddles. 16 inch diamond L black checkered weave pattern, with breast collar. 15 inch Simco dark Brown. Good shape. $250 each or both for $400. 701-269-1217, Lynnetta Horn, Enderlin.

REMINGTON EXPRESS MAGNUM, 3 inch pump shotgun, excellent condition, $195.

701-662-4186, Terry LaFrance, Devils Lake.

ONAN RV GENERATOR. Propane fuel.

5500 watt. Includes camper generator prep kit. Low hours. Very good condition. Asking $2000. 701-684-6261, DeLane Dollinger, Venturia.

FENCING SUPPPLIES, seven hundred good used heavy weight steel 5 1/2 foot fence posts $3 to $2 each. Twenty rolls of good barb wire. Round corner posts and used ties. Everything here is good useable fencing supplies, all the junk has been sorted out and thrown away. 701-974-3644, Loren Myran, Taylor.

CATTLE TRAILER, 20 foot Titan fifth wheel in super condition. not new but close. Also old piano made into a wine bar. all the heavy parts have been removed. re-finished beautiful condition. 701-7994839, Curtis Bunn, Sheldon.

HORSE MACHINERY, approximately 75 pieces fully restored; also, antique furniture and glassware. Will be sold at public auction on September 14, 2019. 701-3723426, Neil Nelson, Walcott.

SEARS ALTERNATOR 115-230 volts, 4000 watts $150. Coleman generator 120-240, 4000 watts w/cart $150. Generac generator 120-240 4000 watts w/cart $250.

701-270-0184, Harold Severson, Lakota.

TIRES, JD 10bolt 18.4x42 duals @50% w/ 85mm hubs; 1-20.8R42 Goodyear DT-710@95%; 2-new 18.4x34x8ply; 2-new Titan 18.4x38x8ply; 2- 28Lx26x12ply @90%; 2- 16.9x26x10ply FWD’s @70%; New 18.4x30x12ply Titan R-4 tread for disc bine; 2-new Goodyear 520/85 R42; 4 Goodyear- 620/70R42@75%; 4 Firestone 620/70R42@50%; 2- new 14.9x24x8ply & 2-new16.9x24x8 ply (combine rears); new 285/75R24.5x16ply steer or trailer tires; 709-0103, Allen Wald, Edgeley.

WANTED OLD STUFF, paying cash for old advertising signs, Texaco, Standard, Mobil, Westland, Old Road signs etc. Animal traps, ND License plates, Arrowheads, old crocks, marbles, ND small town metal tokens. Anything else that you have that’s old and unique. 701-220-5746, Val Ganje, Bismarck.

USED TRACTOR TIRES size 11:25 x 38 or 13.6 x 38; IHC farm machinery from 1920’s to the 1950’s. Chevrolet half ton pickup from 1947 to 1955 that need not run. 701-974-3644, Loren Myran, Taylor.

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

TEAR DOWN, someone to tear down 2 barns. 701-653-5230, Wes Miller, Carrington.

VEHICLES FOR SALE MATTRACKS 150-M1A2, set of 4 mattracks with new tracks, low miles, like new condition. Have brackets to mount on 2008 Chevy 2500 HD pickup. $22,000 OBO. 701-321-5711, John Kempf, Ashley.

1998 AEROLITE PULL CAMPER, $3,200; 1993 Ford Ranger, low miles, mint condition, $7,900, two Harley jackets fleece & mesh, large. $75.00 for both. 701721-2863, Brenda Martinson, Simcoe.

LIVESTOCK/SEED FOR SALE REGISTERED BULLS, Black Angus yearling bulls, have been tested. Most are AI sired. Delivery available. 701-228-3834, Bruce Knudson, Bottineau.

NDSU SPRING WHEAT SEED, Registered “Barlow” HRSW. Registered and Certified “Elgin” HRSW. 95 to 98% Germination.

Bulk or totes, delivery available. Please call for variety specifics. 701-739-0191, Brian Ludwig, New Rockford (and Minot).

REAL ESTATE FOR SALE BEAUTIFUL RANCH HOME in Streeter, ND. 3 bedrooms, large living, kitchen/ dining room, main floor laundry, office/ extra bedroom, attached two stall garage.

Home built in 70s by local lumberyard owner. House is well-built stick home with full unfinished basement. Newer neutral colored siding, windows, roof, spacious yard. In heart of duck country. Community that is self-sufficient, A-plus school district. $125,000. 701-424-3734, E.S. Nenow, Streeter.

HAWAII FEB. 4-12, 2020

THREE-ISLAND ADVENTURE Oahu ~ Hawaii ~ Maui

Volcanoes Nat’l Park Haleakala Nat’l Park Honolulu City Tour Pearl Harbor Punaluu Black Sand Volcanic Beach Lahaina Village Iao Needle & more!

EARLY BOOKING DISCOUNT: $4,999 a person (double occupancy) $6,799 a person (single occupancy) *Price includes airfare, hotels, 11 meals

Call 800-366-8331 for trip info Ask for Eunice (ext. 108) or Jeff (ext. 111)

POLE BARN, to be moved, 40 by 60 ft, good condition. 701-943-2672, Arlene Olson, Wing.

NDFU.org • June 2019 • 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