I grew up in Jamestown and graduated High School in 1983. After college, I went to work for my parents, who owned the Chevrolet-Buick-Dodge dealership in Jamestown. I continued there until I became an agent for Farmers Union in 2004. I worked in the Jamestown office with Jeff Andersen until I moved to the Fargo office in 2021, taking over the office for Doug Kleingartner, who retired.
I enjoy working as an agent as no two days are the same. Working with the customers to solve their problems or handle their questions is very rewarding. Farmers Union is a very supportive and caring company, from the underwriters to the claims staff and management. They have given us agents so many options to work with that we can literally write any risk out there.
I live in West Fargo with my wife Jane. We have four children and two
grandchildren, with a third one on the way. Jane and I enjoy doing yardwork, hiking, auto racing and spending the weekends in Minnesota at the lakes. I’m active in the El Zagel Shrine and the Gateway Lions club.
• USPS 016-211
armers and ranchers keep North Dakota fed and that includes the folks in Medora! From the steaks at the Pitchfork Steak Fondue to Badlands Pizza and Theodore’s Dining Room, your hard work makes it all possible.
This July, we’re celebrating all farmers and ranchers at the Medora Musical with special recognition, 15% off Medora Musical tickets, free concessions, and free 60th anniversary gift!
We hope you'll join us at the Medora Musical this July as we honor North Dakota’s hard-working farmers and ranchers every night!
When you get to Medora, stop by will call at the Medora Musical Welcome Center to pick up your free gift and coupon for free concessions.
GRADES 3-6* (4 DAYS, 3 NIGHTS) – $159
GRADES 7-12* (5 DAYS, 4 NIGHTS) – $199
*Grade youth will have completed by the end of the school year
Heart Butte (near Elgin)
June 16-19
June 23-26
June 30 - July 3
July 15-18
July 22-25
James River (near Jamestown)
June 9-12
June 24-27
June 30 - July 3
July 14-17
July 21-24
Heart Butte (near Elgin)
June 10-14
July 8-12
July 29 - Aug. 2
James River (near Jamestown)
June 17-21
July 7-11
July 28 - Aug. 1
Senior camp theme nights!
Junior camp theme night!
POLICY HOPPER
FROM NORTH DAKOTA FARMERS UNION
A look at NDFU's successful session
The 2025 North Dakota Legislative Session adjourned on May 3. Over the course of the session’s four months, the legislature considered 1,089 bills, passing 601. NDFU was heavily engaged in conversations on property tax relief, rural infrastructure, value-added agriculture and rural quality of life. While NDFU made progress on some priorities, others will require continued effort throughout the interim and during the 2027 session. This article provides a summary of those key issues and a look ahead to challenges on the horizon.
PROPERTY TAX RELIEF AND REFORM
The legislature invested $403 million in property tax relief and enacted caps on political subdivisions’ total property tax growth. House Bill (HB) 1176 increased the Primary Residence Credit from its current level of $500 to $1,600.
The legislation also limits annual increases in political subdivisions’ property tax revenues to 3%.
Despite NDFU’s best efforts, the legislature did not enact property tax relief that extends to agricultural land. While two broad-based relief bills passed the House, they ultimately failed in the Senate, along with Senate Bill (SB) 2363, which provided targeted ag land relief. HB 1176 did include legislative intent language urging the 70th Legislative Assembly to provide broad-based tax relief. While not binding, that language opens the door for NDFU to continue the conversation over the next two years.
RURAL INFRASTRUCTURE
The final Department of Transportation budget takes an important step toward meeting our state’s rural infrastructure needs. The bill
provides $574.3 million for county, city and township projects, including $40.25 million for rural bridges. Importantly, the bill allocates 25% of Legacy Fund earnings for transportation needs, setting the stage for future growth in state infrastructure investment.
Along with transportation investments, the legislature also made important investments in water infrastructure. The State Water Commission budget includes major investments in flood control and regional projects, but also funding for rural water systems, excess water conveyance, livestock water assistance, and irrigation. NDFU supported cost-share for rural water systems and advocated options to help local officials manage excess water. The legislature also approved studies on watershed-wide water management and irrigation potential.
VALUE-ADDED AGRICULTURE
NDFU helped advance several bills that support value-added development. SB 2327 allocates $25 million to the Agriculture Diversification and Development (ADD) Fund. Since its inception in 2021, the ADD Fund has supported a wide variety of projects, including meat processing, ethanol production, pasta production, craft malting and more.
The legislature provided another $35 million in targeted post-production incentives to support a major potato processing facility and potential dairy processor. Those investments will be vetted through the ADD Fund process.
A key program to support ethanol producers was revamped to align with the industry’s future needs. Another bill will leverage sales tax collections from animal agriculture projects to support county and township infrastructure needs. Finally, the legislature granted counties and townships the authority to use a
science-based odor footprint tool to determine setbacks for animal feeding operations.
RURAL QUALITY OF LIFE
During NDFU’s last convention, members asked for a sharper focus on rural economic development and quality of life. Working with a strong coalition of rural partners, NDFU helped secure $1 million to support rural grocers, $2.5 million for a rural catalyst fund, and $2 million to support the state’s regional councils. NDFU also helped secure $5 million to support a new food distribution hub for the Great Plains Food Bank, an investment that will bolster food access across the state.
LOOKING AHEAD
NDFU was able to advance several of our member-driven priorities this past legislative session. Future legislative sessions may prove more difficult, as the state deals with a possible decline in revenues. A fiscal downturn may be further compounded by current congressional plans to push more of the cost of critical programs, including Medicaid and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, to the states.
This legislative session also highlighted a growing urban-rural divide in some key policy debates. The newly formed Rural Caucus provided a useful platform for a diverse coalition of rural legislators, agriculture groups and other rural stakeholders to rally around key legislation. Moving forward, it will be increasingly important to engage with other rural stakeholders and present a united front on key priorities. We must also work harder than ever to help our urban neighbors understand the value of investing in rural North Dakota.
— NDFU Legislative team
Still waiting for farm bill
The past several months and early in May, I spent many days in Washington, D.C. The reason was the farm bill and the necessity to complete a new bill as soon as possible.
The impact of low commodity prices, tariffs and weather disasters will take its toll on agriculture and family farms and ranches without a strong support system. The ability to guarantee disaster assistance is now less than likely given new approaches on Capitol Hill.
North Dakota Farmers Union believes enhancements to reference prices, ARC payment levels and crop insurance are necessary to make the farm bill more reflective of today’s agriculture and, at the same time, provide food security for consumers and our nation.
There is some desire on Capitol Hill to complete a farm bill before fall and not just another extension. But I am concerned that changes to conservation and food assistance programs may make the bill less palatable to garner bipartisan support and will create an urban-rural divide.
The current strategy is to pass portions of the farm bill in a reconciliation process. Doing so means legislators must only focus on budget impacts, if the process is allowed by Senate and House parliamentarians. In the Senate, a majority vote rather than a 60-vote margin would only be needed to pass or fail the bill under the reconciliation process.
If this process is used, extra money for enhancements to the commodity title and
the crop insurance title will most likely have to come from other titles within the farm bill such as SNAP and conservation. You can imagine how this will make some legislators uncomfortable as their past support of farm bills is due to these provisions, which represent a different constituent base than farm country.
In a perfect world, NDFU would prefer the farm bill be brought to the legislative floor through regular order, allowing for input through hearings and the ability to offer changes and enhancements for a stronger and more effective farm program. This process allows for dialogue that makes farm bills more reflective of the needs for both farmers and consumers. We cannot forget that the farm bill is designed to maintain high levels of production to keep food affordable for consumers, while providing a safety net for farms when prices do not meet the cost of production or weather conditions make production fail. It has allowed our society to have the most secure and inexpensive food system in the world.
Please message elected officials and tell them we need a farm bill now – one that is passed through regular order and enhanced to meet current economic conditions. Urge them not to separate food assistance, conservation and farm support provisions! We want the farm bill to remain nonpartisan, without a rural-urban divide. And equally important is the ability for us to be able to write another farm bill five years after the completion of this current effort, when passed.
AT LEFT: NFU President Rob
MAIN: NDFU members participated in NFU's Week of Action in Washington, D.C., advocating for the Farm Bill. From left: Aaron Krauter, Mary Jean Hunter, Tucker Hetletved, Clint Hetletved, Amanda Petrick, Eva Petrick, Bob Buchholz, Mark Watne, Abbie Hetletved, Bob Kuylen, Shelly Ziesch, Wes Niederman, Casey Baumgartner and Matt Perdue.
Larew speaks to the Red River Farm Network. Photos courtesy of Sabrina Hornung, NDFU, and NFU.
NDFU sends 13 to D.C. for NFU Week of Action
North Dakota Farmers Union recently concluded participation in National Farmers Union's Week of Action campaign, urging Congress to take quick and decisive legislative action in passing a comprehensive farm bill that supports family farmers, ranchers and consumers.
“Family farmers are facing a perfect storm: volatile markets, rising input costs, shrinking federal support, mounting trade tensions, and no farm bill in sight,” said NDFU President Mark Watne. “We need action.”
Nearly 100 Farmers Union members from across the country made the trek to Washington, D.C., to lobby members of Congress, while hundreds more advocated directly from their farms and ranches through social media.
“Family farms are on edge, and the farm economy is faltering. Without the certainty of a strong, five-year farm bill, farmers are left exposed to mounting risks and instability,” said National Farmers Union President Rob Larew.
“This week, farmers and ranchers across the country (raised) their voices to urge Congress to act – for farmers’ sake. Their stories make clear what’s at stake, not just for agriculture, but for the rural communities that depend on it.”
Farmers Union members urged Congress to pass a bipartisan farm bill that strengthens the farm safety net, builds upon voluntary conservation programs, restores balance and opportunity in the marketplace, delivers fast and reliable risk management programs, and garners broad support from both farmers and consumers.
Participating for North Dakota were Casey Baumgartner (Hague), Bob Buchholtz (Lehr), Clint Hetletved (Robinson), Abbie Hetletved (Robinson), Tucker Hetletved (Robinson), Mary Jean Hunter (Solen), Aaron Krauter (Regent), Bob Kuylen (South Heart), Amanda Petrick (Elgin), Eva Patrick (Elgin), Wes Niederman (Elgin), Mark Watne (Jamestown) and Shelly Ziesch (Pettibone).
Sen. John Hoeven listens to NDFU members during NFU's Week of Action.
Rep. Julie Fedorchak met with NDFU members to talk about the
Farm Bill.
Cropland prices up double digits again
North Dakota state average cropland prices were up double digits for the fourth year in a row in 2025, said Bryon Parman, North Dakota State University Extension agricultural finance specialist. This includes state average increases of 10.9% in 2022, 13.5% in 2023, 11.6% in 2024 and 10.55% in 2025, according to the North Dakota Department of Trust Lands Annual Land Survey. The data, which has been weighted for this article by county acreage count and put into NDSU Extension regions, can be found at https://www.land.nd.gov/ resources/north-dakota-county-rents-pricesannual-survey.
From 2022 to 2025, the overall increase in cropland values across North Dakota has increased from a weighted average of $2,519 per acre to $3,534 per acre for an overall increase in the last four years of nearly 40%. The largest increase from 2024 to 2025 occurred in the North Red River Valley region with a 22.1% increase with the Northwest region coming in second at 19.66%. The Southwest, Southcentral, and Southeast regions were all up over 10% as well. All nine NDSU Extension regions saw an increase, with the lowest occurring in the North Central region, which increased 3.3%. The remaining regions including the Northeast, South Red River Valley, and East Central regions increased between 7.5% and 8.6% each.
“The momentum that North Dakota land values experienced in 2024 and now into 2025 is a bit surprising given that net farm incomes in 2023 and 2024 were much lower than in 2021 and 2022, due to much lower commodity prices and rising production costs,” said Parman. “It is also surprising given that interest rate increases in 2023 and 2024 have been in place long enough to be a factor in any newly financed purchases over the last few years. Additionally, the higher interest rates have led to investment opportunity competition between farmland and interest-bearing assets such as
bonds and certificates of deposit.”
While cash rents across North Dakota also increased, they continue to grow at a much slower pace than land values. Statewide cropland cash rental rates were up 4.25% in 2025, with increases occurring in every region except the Southwest, which saw a very slight decline of -1.1%.
Much like land values, the highest increase in cash rents occurred in the North Red River Valley region, where cash rents were up nearly 10.4%. However, most regions were much lower. The Southeast and South Red River Valley regions were up 6% and 6.8%, respectively. Cash rents in the East Central region were up just over 4.2% while in the Northeast region, rents were up 5.4%. The Northwest region saw a 3.1% increase in 2025, and the North Central region rents were up just over 1%. The Southcentral region saw almost no increase, with a change of less than 1% from 2024 to 2025.
The increase in cash rents across North Dakota aligns more with expectations based on agricultural production costs and commodity prices. While production costs have been higher over the last four years, and commodity prices a bit lower for at least the last two years, the multi-year inflationary environment was likely to have an impact on cash rental rates. For the most part, cash rental rate increases have matched that of yearly inflation, said Parman.
However, the spread between cash rental rates and land values across North Dakota continues to widen. Thirty-five years ago, cash rental rates were 9% to 10% of market values for farmland. By 2012, this ratio had fallen to just over 3.8%. The rent-to-value ratio in 2025 in North Dakota has now fallen to 2.34%, which is to say that cropland, on a per-acre basis, rents at 2.34% of the overall value.
Article and graphic courtesy of NDSU Ag Communications
Estimated average per-acre values of cropland in North Dakota from 2020-25
the fourth children’s book from North Dakota Farmers Union
$16.95 plus tax
Dusty learns about generations of family and equipment on their farm, and the latest in soil technology. Find out how Dusty makes Gramps a new thingamajig for his tractor to save the day!
All Embracing Home Care is an in-home healthcare business based in Grand Forks that helps aging seniors and those with developmental disabilities. Dee Decimus Holmes started the business in 2019 from her kitchen table. Since then, she's added nearly 100 employees and additional locations in Fargo and Phoenix.
Rural roots
With a work ethic from the farm, NDFU county officer honored as ND Small Business Person of the Year
BY CHRIS AARHUS, NDFU
Dee Decimus Holmes is never far from her rural roots. The work ethic she gained from long days on her family’s farm near Roseau, Minn., certainly helps as she fills her days running three businesses, two of which were built from the ground up.
The busy business owner, mom of two daughters and wife from Grand Forks has days that are reminiscent of her time on the family farm, with its 450 head of cattle and 1,000 acres of cropland.
“I’m a workaholic,” said Decimus Holmes, who also serves as secretary on the board of Grand Forks County Farmers Union. “I grew up working all the time. I remember haying on one of my birthdays, and we had cake that night. Another time, we forgot to do it that night, and we had it
the next day. We just worked all the time.”
That work ethic was honored in Washington, D.C., where Decimus Holmes was named North Dakota Small Business Person of the Year by the U.S. Small Business Administration. She was formally recognized on stage by SBA Administrator Kelly Loeffler the first week of May.
It was her second trip in as many months, as she attended National Farmers Union’s advocacy training in Washington, D.C., in April. She met with North Dakota’s congressional delegation during each visit.
“They’ve seen my face twice now,” she joked.
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Dee Decimus Holmes poses with her North Dakota Small Business Person of the Year Award at her in-home health care company, All Embracing Home Care, in Grand Forks. Decimus Holmes, who is the treasurer for Grand Forks County Farmers Union, was honored during a ceremony at the U.S. Small Business Administration in Washington, D.C.
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During her latest visit, Decimus Holmes received acclaim for the business she spends most of her day running — All Embracing Home Care. With offices in Grand Forks, Fargo and Phoenix, the business provides in-home care to seniors and loved ones with mental or physical challenges, as well as children with developmental disabilities.
“(Many seniors) really can live independently with just a little bit of support,” Decimus Holmes said.
In addition to that, she owns El Way Childcare and Learning Center, a daycare with 119 children. Her third business is Kidwell’s Signature Cleaning, which she was familiar with when she purchased it as a turnkey operation.
Add in the fact that her husband Stephen owns and operates two property companies, a trucking company and a construction business, and it’s evident the Holmes family doesn’t have many extra hours in the day.
It’s all worth it, Decimus Holmes said, because of who she supports, with nearly 200 people under her employ.
“I love supporting my team,” she said. “I love
seeing the growth of my employees. It’s so rewarding!”
HER PATH
Decimus Holmes received her bachelor’s degree from St. Cloud State, getting her Master’s in sports administration from the University of New Mexico. Getting a degree in recreation sports management is a long way from starting a healthcare company, but fate supplied opportunity. After graduating, she was asked if she would take care of her young niece, who has epilepsy.
“My sister was becoming a doctor, so she was (at UND) in residency, and my brother was farming,” she said. “It was going to be for two years, and I said no right away.”
But after prayer, she changed her mind. Not only did she enjoy the two years, she stayed for an additional three.
“I loved it so much,” she said. “I was just watching her grow and thrive, and hit milestones. That became my whole life. My (career) trajectory changed and I became an employee of Easter Seals Goodwill. I became developmental disability (DD) certified.”
Circumstances took her to Arizona, where
Dee Decimus Holmes is pictured with Administrator Kelly Loeffler of the U.S. Small Business Administration in Washington, D.C.
she worked for RISE services, an in-home healthcare company. She meant to apply for a simple care manager position, but was instead told she should become a coordinator with a team under her.
“I didn’t have that many years of experience, but the boss that was interviewing me believed in me,” she said. “I don’t think I had the confidence in myself at that time. I had never led a team before.”
That belief in her drove her confidence when she later moved to Nevada, supervising a 75-staff, 24-hour memory care unit. Eventually, she decided to come back to North Dakota and start All Embracing Home Care in April 2019, needing nine months to get the business going.
“I started out of my house with just a card table in my kitchen,” she said. “I had 11 clients at the time that I was caring for, and I needed more help because I didn’t realize all of the paperwork that came along with owning a home healthcare agency. It was really intense. So, I hired an employee, and we moved into an office.”
Enter the COVID-19 pandemic.
In 2020, her business exploded, as more families sought out opportunities to keep their
loved ones at home.
“We doubled in size, and it was rough because people would have COVID, and then my staff would have COVID, and we still needed to support them,” she said. “It was interesting, but we made it work. We paired our COVID people together.”
In six short years, All Embracing Home Care is up to nearly 100 employees, with a waiting list for clients on both the aging and developmental disability sides. And even with the growth of her business, Decimus Holmes is never far from her mission, as she helps cover shifts that could mean anything from doing laundry and light cleaning to catheter and wound care.
Seeing seniors go without much-needed daily items also spawned an additional idea — the All Embracing Home Care Foundation, which accepts charitable donations that go toward helping her clients such as installing grab bars, lift chairs, hospital beds or even cleaning supplies.
“We’ve seen so many people that need things that don’t have them,” she said. “You
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A picture of the family farm near Roseau, Minn., hangs in Decimus Holmes' office. Her family grew up as members of Minnesota Farmers Union.
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don’t think of things like cleaning supplies. Some people don’t even have a vacuum. How are you supposed to maintain yourself, much less your home? When you don’t have much, it’s a vicious cycle. I started the foundation to help with that, and that has been phenomenal because now we can pair with furniture companies, for example. They’ll donate a lift chair. And we’ve had plumbing, contractors and a property management company donate their supplies and their hours. Those stories are incredible.”
OTHER BUSINESSES
With so much going on, how did she also end up owning a daycare and a cleaning company?
Decimus Holmes had heard repeatedly from her staff about the lack of childcare in town. As the idea floated around in her mind, she was drawn to a building on North Washington in Grand Forks.
“I kept hearing God say, that (building) is going to be a daycare,” she said. “Then one day, I heard, ‘That’s going to be your daycare.’”
Her husband Stephen had previously expressed interest in opening a daycare as well, she said.
“All of a sudden, it just aligned,” she said. “I saw the for-sale sign go up on that building, so I started calling and we bought it in December 2022. We renovated and opened in June of 2023.”
The cleaning company was the more natural connection, as All Embracing Home Care often does light cleaning for seniors. However, deeper cleanings in more difficult situations require a cleaning service, and Kidwell’s Cleaning Service was often called. A conversation about a contract situation between the two companies led to something greater, Decimus Holmes said.
“(The owner's) husband had retired and she wanted to retire, but didn’t know what to do,” Decimus Holmes said. “I said, why don’t you sell it? She said, who’s going to buy a cleaning company? And I joked that maybe I would. So in October of 2024, I took that over.”
One of the keys to building her businesses, she said, is her willingness to see leadership from within, always remembering the opportunities she was given as an eager learner with limited experience.
“I don’t want people to come here thinking, well, this is it,” she said. “My CEO started out as a front desk person. I’ve even created positions to keep good people. We’re not a corporation governed by someone in Houston, Texas. I tell
Dee Decimus Holmes with her husband Stephen and daughters at the 2024 NDFU state convention in Bismarck.
my people that if you see a pain point within our business and you have a solution, please bring it to me.”
FARMERS UNION
In addition to their busy lives, the family of four lives in the country with sheep they show for 4-H. They are looking at a bigger place to possibly build a small sheep herd. She also helps manage the family land, which has been rented out for some time.
Always looking to grow as a person, Decimus Holmes felt it necessary to get involved with North Dakota Farmers Union. She remembered Farmers Union from her time on the farm, when her parents would talk about being members of Minnesota Farmers Union and occasionally go to events.
She went to a Grand Forks County Farmers Union meeting two years ago to hear former UND football coach Bubba Schweigert’s keynote speech, and President Jeanna Smaaladen asked her if she would be interested in a board role.
“One of my weaknesses is I can’t say no, so she called and asked if I would be treasurer afterward,” Decimus Holmes said. “I just figured I’d sit on the board and learn.”
That changed when she was bitten by the grassroots bug, stepping to the podium as a
delegate at her first NDFU state convention to suggest changes to Farmers Union’s rural healthcare policy. Her changes were voted on and approved.
Decimus Holmes said the fact that Farmers Union’s policy had a section on rural healthcare made her feel like she had something to contribute.
“Of course, my passion is healthcare and childcare, so I was reading through that part of the (Policy and Action) and I’m seeing all of this about keeping farmers on the land, and keeping rural people in rural areas, and childcare in rural areas,” she said. “If this is what Farmers Union stands for, I want to be part of it. We have 90-year-old farmers that don’t want to go to nursing homes. Why do they have to? Why can’t we get more support from Medicaid and the rural differential (rate) to get more staff to go out there? So I was like, I have to stand behind this. I love it so much.”
Not only has she affected policy at the state level, she has served as a delegate to the national convention.
“It was very meaningful,” she said. “It wasn’t as intimidating as I thought, because I felt like we were all there for the right reasons. I didn’t realize it would be so impactful. And then to be able to bring it to national (convention), it was really neat.”
At her first NDFU state convention in 2023, Decimus Holmes helped make policy changes on rural healthcare in NDFU's Policy and Action.
Pasture rents up for fifth straight year
The year 2025 now marks the fifth year in a row that statewide pastureland values and cash rental rates in North Dakota moved upwards, said Bryon Parman, North Dakota State University Extension agricultural finance specialist. From 2024 to 2025, statewide pastureland values increased 8.9% while cash rental rates increased 7.5%. From a dollar value, statewide pastureland values increased from $1,355 per acre in 2024 to $1,473 per acre in 2025, while rents increased from $23 per acre in 2024 to $25 per acre in 2025.
These values are based on survey data in the North Dakota Department of Trust Lands Annual Land Survey. The data, which has been weighted for this article by county acreage count and put into NDSU Extension regions, can be found at https://www.land. nd.gov/resources/north-dakota-county-rentsprices-annual-survey. The NDSU regions do not include values for the southern Red River Valley, northern Red River Valley, or the northeast regions due to very low numbers of reported pastureland rental rates or sales values. Also, single year variation may not reflect actual conditions. It is more useful to look at trends or multi-year movements.
The increase in pastureland values statewide was fairly consistent across regions with the exceptions of the southwest and the southeast regions. In the southwest region, pastureland values increased 13.9%, which was the largest regional increase. The southeast had the lowest increase of 5.4%. The rest of the regions in North Dakota increased between 8.2% and 8.9%, which is close to the statewide average.
Rental rates across the state were a bit more mixed. While every region saw an increase,
there was a wide range in the magnitude. The lowest increase in pastureland rents in North Dakota occurred in the southwest region, increasing less than 1%. The largest increase occurred in the southeast, where region rents moved up over 16% from 2024 to 2025. The east central region saw a rental increase of 8.2% per acre, while the northwest region increased almost 9.7%. The increases in the north central and south central regions were a bit lower, increasing 5.5% and 4.7% respectively.
Overall, since 2021, pastureland values are up 51.5% statewide, while cash rental rates are up 18.6% over that same period of time. As a result, and much like cropland values across the state, pastureland rental rates continue to lag way behind pastureland values. As of 2025, pastureland rental rates are 1.7% of the overall market value. While rents for pastureland have typically been a lower percentage of the overall market value compared to cropland rents versus values, 30 years ago pastureland rents were around 6% of the market price. By 2010, this ratio had fallen to 3.64%, and now in 2025, that ratio has fallen to a multi-decade low.
“With 2024 and 2025 experiencing a multidecade low in cattle inventories, the demand pressure from ranchers to push pasture rental rates upwards hasn’t been there despite record-high cattle prices," said Parman. "It can take years for beef cattle inventories to adjust to market prices, and therefore, high prices in the cattle markets are likely seen in land prices well before they would have an impact on rental rates.”
Article and graphic courtesy of NDSU Ag Communications
Estimated average per-acre values of pasture in North Dakota from 2020-25
Around the state
NDFU employee
Connie Benke retired after 49 years of dedicated service to the organization. NDFU wishes her the best in her retirement!
Walsh County JDA Chairwoman Julie Gemmill, center, who is also President of Walsh County Farmers Union, accepts a donation to the Walsh County Childcare Center project from Farmers Union Insurance agents Renae Fayette, left, and Lynn Kadlec.
Sioux County Farmers Union sponsored the Sioux County Farm and Ranch Day at Selfridge High School, with these kindergarten children identifying grains.
Emma Almen, left, and Emma Porter of Park River High School have named as recipients of a $350 scholarship sponsored by Walsh County Farmers Union. Parents are Mathew and Heather Almen, and Donny and Amy Porter.
Stark County Farmers Union’s Sarah Kuylen shows a group of kids a baby chick. The county sponsored a Kid’s Day on the Farm at Dickinson State University. The day included a seed station and other stations. An NDFU’s children’s book was given to each teacher for their school.
Burke County Farmers Union EPIC coach Denise Miller visited the school in Bowbells and led a demonstration on making wool soap. They played ag trivia, and Miller presented on Farmers Union Camp.
Claims open in $83.5M settlement with JBS in cattle antitrust case
WASHINGTON – On February 20, 2025, the Cattle Plaintiffs in the In re: Cattle and Beef Antitrust Litigation against JBS, Tyson, Cargill and National Beef received preliminary approval of an $83.5 million settlement with JBS. The class action lawsuit, filed in 2019 by National Farmers Union (NFU), R-CALF USA and four individual ranchers, alleges anticompetitive conduct in the cattle market. Eligible parties may now submit claims under the terms of the JBS settlement.
The court’s action establishes certain deadlines for persons who may be eligible to share in the JBS settlement. The settlement classes covered by the proposed settlement include, subject to certain exclusions and conditions, all persons or entities: a) within the U.S. that directly sold fed cattle for slaughter to Tyson, JBS, Cargill and/or National Beef from June 1, 2015, to February 29, 2020, other than pursuant to a cost-plus agreement and/ or a profit sharing agreement; b) who held a long position in live cattle futures traded on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME) prior to June 1, 2015, and subsequently liquidated the long position through an offsetting market transaction at any point prior to November 1, 2016. The deadline to submit claims is September 15, 2025.
The settlement website, www.CattleAntitrustSettlement.com, informs both cattle feeders and futures traders of the details of the settlement. The website also provides instructions as to how claims can be filed, and how persons can object or opt out of the settlement.
NFU urges those who meet the Settlement Classes’ description above to review the information on the website and submit claims before the September 15, 2025, deadline.
As noted in the claim form, any information feeders and futures traders submit in connection with their claim “will be maintained confidentially and will not be made available publicly or to any Defendant.”
The Cattle Plaintiffs are represented by Scott+Scott Attorneys at Law LLP, Cafferty Clobes Meriwether & Sprengel LLP and Robins Kaplan LLP.
The court has appointed a Claims Administrator that can answer any questions potential class members may have about the JBS settlement, including any questions regarding how to submit a claim to share in the JBS settlement. The Claims Administrator can be reached at 1-844-435-8844 or Info@ CattleAntitrustSettlement.com.
NFU APPPLAUDS SALE OF NATIONWIDE E15 THROUGH THE SUMMER MONTHS
NFU applauds the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) emergency fuel waiver allowing nationwide sale of E15 gasoline during the summer driving season. NFU has long advocated for year-round access to E15 and the expansion of higher ethanol blends, such as E30.
“Nationwide E15 is a win for American farmers and consumers. Expanding access to homegrown E15 and higher blends during the summer travel season strengthens America’s biofuels economy, creates new markets for our farmers, and keeps more energy dollars here in our rural communities,” said NFU President Rob Larew. “Administrator Zeldin’s announcement provides welcome reassurance to family farmers and ranchers facing increased uncertainty in the agricultural economy.”
NFU proudly endorsed the bipartisan Nationwide Consumer and Fuel Retailer Choice Act, reintroduced in both the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives. NFU urges Congress to act swiftly to pass this critical legislation, ensuring stronger, more reliable biofuels markets year-round.
The waiver allows E15 to continue being sold this summer. It takes effect May 1, 2025, and runs through May 20, 2025.
The Farmer’s Share
NDFU MOBILE APP How to use the
Members can use the same email address and password they use for the NDFU portal to log into the app. If you do not know your password, use the “Forgot Your Password” option. NDFU must have an email address on file for you to use the app. If we do not have an email address for you, please call 1-800-366-6338 or email us at ndfu@ndfu.org to have it attached to your account.
1
Login with your email address and password. Use the email address where you receive your NDFU communications.
If you don’t know your portal password, use the Forgot Your Password option!
2
Follow the on-screen prompts to login. NDFU utilizes two-factor authentication for security purposes.
Choose to receive your two-factor code via text or email!
3
Enter the code to get into the app. If the texting option does not work the first time, try again and choose the email option.
You will stay logged into the NDFU app continually, providing you open the app once a month!
Three of the features of the app include a home screen with notifications, state convention registration and the ability to find and contact your legislators about important issues!
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Do I have to be a member to log into the app?
Yes. The app is for NDFU members. Those who would like to become members can sign up at NDFU.org!
What if NDFU doesn’t have my email address? Like any online service, we require an email address to use the mobile app. Contact us at 1-800-366-6338 or ndfu@ndfu.org to have an email address added to your account. Additionally, if we have a different email address on file than the one you’re currently using, you can use the one we have on file or contact us with your new address.
NDFU has my email, but I’ve never used the online portal. What’s my password? Search NDFU in the app store or scan the QR code. Download the app, use the Forgot Password link on the login screen and follow the on-screen prompts to set a new password using the email address we have on file for you!
If you continue to have trouble logging in, contact Chris Aarhus in the Communications Department at 701-952-0118 or caarhus@ndfu.org.
CLASSIFIEDS
Ads must be submitted through the online form at www.ndfu.org. Click “Classifieds” at the very bottom of ndfu.org and fill out the online form. Ads must be re-submitted each month. No exceptions! Deadline is the 15th of every month. Limit 75 words. MEMBERSHIP DUES MUST BE CURRENT!
FARM
FOR SALE
IH 770 PLOW, 5/16 $800; 7200 IH 28ft hoe drill for parts; Melroe 5/14 plow and packer; in line 263 IH motor, good running motor out of a 403 combine, complete power unit you can hear it run; Several Chevy 350 motors all are rebuildable $300; 881 IH chopper 2 row 30" spacing; Pickup hayhead; 2 JD 6601 combines, 1 for parts, 1 useable; 4400 JD combine for parts; used 5 ft and 5 1/2ft steel fence posts. 701-269-6216, Jerry Miller, Streeter.
GRAIN TRUCK, 1963 GMC 4000 305 V-6 4Spd w/2-speed Single Axel Grain Truck. Has a Bismarck Pro-Lock Roll Tarp. 63,714 miles. Asking $4,000 or OBO. Also 1970 Chevrolet C-50 350 V-8, 4-Speed Single Axel w/2-speed axel. Grain Truck. 75,744 Miles. Asking $500. 1963 Chevrolet C-60 V-8 327 Grain Truck 4 Speed w/ 2 Speed axle w/ Bismarck Pro-Lock roll tarp, 56,862 Miles. Asking $1,000. 1976 Chevrolet C-60 350 4-Speed with 34,683 miles. Asking $5000. 701-389-7652, Phyllis Buechler, Minot.
TWO RADIATORS for IHC "M" & three radiators for IHC "H". steel belt pulley for Farmall M. Farmall M IHC belt pulley drive. Manifold for an M. Antique leather horse collar & two sets hames. Wood yoke evener bars. Men’s Columbia bike from 1950's and women's Schwinn bike. Wash stand, belt buckles, etc. Text or call for pictures, more Information. Please make a reasonable offer. 701-789-0679, Anne Vig, Aneta.
JD COMBINES, 2 John Deere 6601 combines 1 is for parts, 4400 John Deere 4400 combine for parts, 7200 IH hoe drill 28 ft, 3 chevy 350 motor all are rebuildable, 263 IH motor complete power unit runs very good, came out of a 403 combine. Steel fence post 5ft and 5 1/2ft. Hydrostatic drives complete units from 400 Versatile swather. IH 881 chopper with 2 row 30" head, also excellent 5 ft hay head. IH 12 ft chisel plow. 701-269-6216, Jerry Miller, Streeter.
TANDEM TRUCK, 1946 2T GMC single axle tandem truck, wooden grain box w/livestock rack, good working hoist, 6 cyl. engine, 4X2 spd. transmission, 8.25 tires, mileage unknown, tranny needs work, war time paint, General Motors Truck emblems on hood, good restoration project, Make an offer or haul it away. 701-952-8973, Glen Nagel, Jamestown.
GAMBELS QUAIL, chicks and adults. Fun birds to raise. Call for price. Must pick up. 701-4306966, David Bremer, Finley.
COMBINE, 01 JD 9750 Combine, PRWD, Cont Master - Eng -4968/Sep- 3331. Above avg condition; 2010 635F Flex Head w/ Crary Air Bar; JD 2014 DB60 PARTS: 36 JD Pro-Series XP Meters with Mini Hoppers/Trimble True Count Air Clutches/Seed Tub Sensor Wire Harnesses 3 control boxes/Air tanks to run clutches for 3 row shutoff, Trimble Wiring/Hoses. 36+ Steel Closing Wheels & Dry Rate Controller; 1981 GMC 7000 Tandem Truck, Runs good. 701-3215711, John Kempf, Ashley.
15-30 MCCORMICK TRACTOR, make offer, 1 New Tire LT245-75R-Load Range E. 2-Cream Separators, 4-wheel Steel Running Gear, 1 Covered Wagon Running Gear, Two New Holland Side Deliver Rakes with new teeth and dual hitch. 12’ Kirschman Drill, 4 Btm. Pony & Packer. Email: larryn@westriv.com. 701-5488020, Larry Nagel, Shields.
7020 AC, Allis Chalmers tractor, for parts, tires are 60%, $1,000; Set of extended duals with new tires, 18.438, $2000. 701-445-3356, Tom Hunter, Solen.
WANTED
TRACTOR TIRES, two good used rear tractor tires for International A tractor. Size 9.5 x 24. Prefer GoodYear or Firestone. 406-989-0019, Mike Carlson, Douglas.
TRACTORS, IH 706, 806, 1206, 856, 1256, 1456, 966, 1066, 1466, 1566, others; JD 4520, 4620, 5010, 5020, 6030, others; MMs 950 on up; Olivers 1964 on up. AC 200, 210, 220, D-21; will buy all running or not. 701-6282130, Jerry Lumley, Stanley.
HAY RAKE, Gehl or Vicon 6-wheel hay rake. 701226-4055, Lloyd Giese, Steele.
MISCELLANEOUS
FOR SALE
HUSQVARNA GARDEN TILLER, 208 cc, 17 inch tiller, tills forward and in reverse, 2013, starts and runs really well. $200. 701-840-1094, Brett Kapaun, Tower City.
ACCORDIAN, model 2460; Honda 4-wheeler; 1978 JD hay rake. 701-240-0184, Harold Severson, Lakota.
SADDLES, two saddles 15" seats, lots of halters, leads, nylon single driving harness, one team quarter horse harness, leather belts , chinks, wallets, saddle & tack repair. 701-202-1174, Tom Liebel, Mandan.
CHEVY VAN, 1993 TMC custom van, leather interior, bed sleeps 2, $4500 obo. 701-4900126, Cynthia Reihe, Kindred.
AIR CONDITIONER, window/wall air conditioner with remote. Cools and heats. 12,000 BTUs, requires a 220 V outlet. Purchased new, used 4 years. $250 or best offer. 701-349-4036, Della Pomplun, Ellendale.
SLIDING DOORS, two metal sliding doors from Brute metal building. Each door is 12x13 ft. 701-327-4441, Donald Fanta, Tappen.
TWO ANTIQUE DRESSERS; seven drawer kneehole desk; several 32 gallon rubber garbage/storage cans; old front tine rototiller; two triangular grain hoppers w/straps/chains to fasten onto grain auger; transition for adding aeration to an existing grain bin/screens/fans. 701-629-9003, Doug Halden, Stanley.
GUN, Winchester Model 1895 Saddle Ring Carbine, caliber 30US. Made in 1903, 22 inch Nickel Steel Barrel especially for smokeless powder. Dangerous Game rear sight. Good looking solid gun. $2800. 701-351-3305, Arne Berg, Devils Lake.
BOAT MOTOR, 2008 Glaston GT 185 inboard 3.0 motor with 135 hours. Has swim deck, Bimini top in really good shape has been stored inside most of time. $9750. Used on lake. Reason for selling? Moving to Colorado. 701-426-3369, Gene Miller, Mandan.
CABIN CRUISER, 1997 30 ft. Cabin Cruiser, with triple axel trailer. Twin 350 horse Chevrolet engines. Good condition. $21,000. 701-7998377/701-375-6791, Larry Ulmer, Fullerton.
COLLECTIBLES, antiques and collectibles items that include advertising signs, gas pumps, oil cans, road signs, anvils, pop signs, JD sign, thermometers, Red Wing crocks, shell boxes, and some older toys. 701-220-5746, Val Ganje, Bismarck.
AVIATION PRINTS, limited edition, signed by pilots and crew members. Del Skjod, B-17 pilot - Richard Baron, P-47 pilot - George Ott, B-17 pilot and POW - Noble Peterson, P-51 pilot - Ernest Sands, B-24 lead Bombardier and POW; also several prints left that are signed by Buck Cleven who was featured in the Hanks, Spielberg series, "Masters of the Air". 701-5973525, Scott Nelson, Solen.
TILLAGE DISC,16 ft tillage disc reconditioned good shape $1700; Single and double sickle mowers, also 6 wheel rakes. Call for price; JD basket type rake $900, all machinery has been reconditioned and we can deliver. 701-4005742, Gerald Miller, Mandan.
WANTED
MILITARY ITEMS. WWI and WWII German, Japanese and American Military. Items: Uniforms, Hats, Helmets, Medals, Badges, Patches, Flags, Knives, Bayonets, Daggers, Swords, Leather Flight Jackets and Guns. Call or text. 701-200-7125, John Grindahl, Fargo.
VOLKSWAGEN VANS (BUSES) and older Beetles, Ghias, Things, parts and pieces. The older the better. 701-219-5847, Joel Herman, Harwood.
SIGNS, ADVERTISING, COLLECTIBLES. My son and I are looking for things to add to our collection. Old Signs, Farm Related, Gas & Oil, Advertising, Highway Signs, Railroad related items, License plates, oil cans, barber/salon items. Old items w/ small town advertisingmirrors, thermometers. Paying cash and will travel. Text/Call anytime. Would love to visit with you. Or stop and visit me along I-94. 701-9890495, Bryan Behm, Medina.
TOPPER, pick-up topper for 2002 Dodge 3500 Quad cab long box with duals. 701-315-0227, Wilbert Harsch, Pick City.
PRAIRIE DOG HUNTERS to hunt on my land. Make reservations now. Email: larryn@westriv. com. 701-548-8020, Larry Nagel, Shields.
OLD STUFF, ND license plates, ND picked arrowheads, rock hammers. I'm also looking for old signs with the Indian Head logo like the old metal Highway Patrol door sign or the older state road signs. Plus all advertising signs, marbles, metal toys small town metal trade tokens, silver coins, oil cans, gas pumps, animal traps, crocks, S/P shakers, ND pottery, and older carnival glass. I can travel to your location. 701220-5746, Val Ganje, Bismarck.
