Nevada Farm Bureau®
Volume 67, Number 10 October 2015
Agriculture & Livestock
Journal
Hives survive despite drought: Honeybees need closer water sources this year
Examining NV’s Commerce Tax • 2015 Annual Meeting Registration • Greater Sage-Grouse News
Nevada Farm Bureau Agriculture and Livestock Journal October 2015 3 4 6 8 10 12 13 14 15
Farm Bureau Perspectives - James “Hank” Combs Examining Nevada’s Commerce Tax Nevada Farm Bureau Update County Corner Hives survive despite drought Honeybees need closer water sources this year 2015 Annual Meeting Registration Greater Sage-Grouse News Contact Your Local COUNTRY Financial Agency The Ag Agenda - Bob Stallman Good Times, Bad Times Classified Ads
“The Agriculture & Livestock Journal” (ISSN 0899-8434) (USPS 377-280) 2165 Green Vista Dr. Suite 205 Sparks, NV 89431 Phone: (775) 674-4000 Fax: (775) 674-4004 Publisher: Nevada Farm Bureau Federation Editor: Jessica Fagundes The Nevada Farm Bureau Agriculture & Livestock Journal is published monthly by the Nevada Farm Bureau Federation. Subscriptions are available to Nevada Farm Bureau members at an annual subscription price of $1, which is included in yearly dues. Periodical postage is paid at Reno, NV and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Please send address changes to Nevada Farm Bureau Agriculture & Livestock Journal, 2165 Green Vista Drive, Suite 205, Sparks, NV 89431
Meeting & Event Calendar
Officers
Oct. 8: Silver Stage Elementary School Ag Day at 9 a.m., Silver Springs Oct. 9: Douglas County Ag Day, Scarselli Elementary, Gardernerville Details: Tonja Dressler, 775-267-7140 Oct. 10: NV Goat Producers Obstetrics & Kidding Workshop at 9 a.m., Eagles Fraternal Hall, Fallon. RSVP: Gloria Montero, 775-427-8210 Oct. 12: Churchill County Annual Meeting at 6 p.m., Churchill County Museum, 1050 S Main St, Fallon. Details: Julie Wolf, 775-423-6056 Oct. 13: Elko County Annual Meeting at 6 p.m., The Star, 246 Silver St, Elko Details: Dinner is $15; Call Stephanie Licht to RSVP: 775-340-1467 Oct. 15: Lyon County Annual Meeting at 6 p.m., Giuseppe’s Steak House, 45 N Main St, Yerington, NV 89447 RSVP/Details: Darrell Pursel, 775-741-4906 Oct. 17: Creating a Specialty Food Business with Food from the Farm at 9 a.m., Carson City, Details/Registration: www.wnc.edu/ce/sci
President James “Hank” Combs, fbcombs@cox.net Vice President Bevan Lister, blister8@yahoo.com Women’s Leadership Chair Cindy Hardy, hardyc@comnett.net District 1 Director Jamie Perkins, panacaperkins@gmail.com District 2 Director Craig Shier, snoopyisa55@yahoo.com District 3 Director Carla Pomeroy, carlapomeroy14@gmail.com Executive Vice President Clay McCauley, cmccauley@nvfb.org
Oct. 21: Sierra Nevada Academy Ag Day at 8:30 a.m., Reno Details: Maxine Weiss, 775-230-1603
Board of Directors
Central County Oct. 26-29: Medusa Symposium/NV Weed Management Association Conference, Carl Newberry, hubertcarlnewberry@gmail.com Churchill County Register by Oct. 14. Details: nvwma.org Julie Wolf, wolfpack@cccomm.net Nov. 19: State Resolutions Meeting, NVFB State Office, Sparks Clark County Details: Clay McCauley, 775-674-4000 Jim Hardy, hardyj@comnett.net Douglas County Dec. 6-9: NVFB and CFBF Joint Annual Meeting, Peppermill Resort Hotel Woody Worthington, woody@bentlyranch.com Details: http://nvfb.org/annual-meeting Elko County If you would like to include a meeting or event on the calendar, Jonathan Dahl, dahlangusranch@gmail.com please contact Jessica at nvfarmbureau@nvfb.org. Humboldt County Martin Muratore, disasterfarms@live.com Lander County Paul Young, yoyoungs@yahoo.com Lincoln County Paul Mathews, pntmathews@gmail.com Lyon County Darrell Pursel, darrellpursel@gmail.com Washoe County Louis Damonte Jr., damonteranch@charter.net White Pine Tom Baker, tombaker125@hotmail.com nvfb.org Nevada Farm @NVFarmBureau /NevFarmBureau YF&R Chair Bureau Federation Anna-Lisa Laca, annalisa.giannini@gmail.com
Connect with Nevada Farm Bureau Federation
October 2015 | Page 2 | www.nvfb.org
Farm Bureau Perspectives Examining Nevada’s Commerce Tax By James “Hank” Combs President, Nevada Farm Bureau
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s many of you may remember, Governor Sandoval signed SB483 into law shortly after the 2015 Nevada Legislative Session. SB483 was known for its increased business fee, increased payroll tax and a tax on gross receipts. This month I’d like to take a look at the legislation, public opinion surrounding it and our policy related to taxes. The most significant part of SB483 is the commerce tax. It is based on gross receipts and industry/business classification. It identifies 25 industryspecific classifications and one catchall classification. Each has a tax rate assigned to it, ranging from .051 percent for mining to .331 percent for rail transportation. In case you are wondering, agriculture has a tax rate of .063 percent. The threshold for the commerce tax is $4 million, which means any additional gross receipts made by a business will be taxed annually at the assigned classification rate. I’d like to note that the commerce tax is based on gross receipts not profit so it does not take into account businesses with high gross revenue and small profit margins like those of us who work in agriculture. Other parts of the legislation include an increase of the business license fee from $200 to $500 for corporations and $200 for pass-through businesses. Sandoval’s tax package also changes the modified business tax, AKA the payroll tax. It increases the tax rate to 1.475 percent for normal businesses and 2 percent for mining and financial institutions, and it reduces the tax exemption to include all
businesses that pay $50,000 or more per quarter in payroll. According to the Tax Foundation, this change will increase the estimated number of MBT taxpayers from 13,492 to 18,607 employers. The MBT could also affect our farmers and ranchers who employ many people to run their operations. The package also extended the “Sunset” taxes and increased the cigarette tax 125 percent. Of great concern to many groups and citizens is the commerce tax portion of the legislation. The commerce tax looks similar to the margin tax initiative, which we opposed as an organization and nearly 80 percent of Nevada voters voted against during the 2014 election. The more than $1.4 billion tax package is the largest one in Nevada’s history. Groups and citizens were discontent with the signing of this package especially because Governor Sandoval opposed the margin tax initiative and then introduced a tax package of his own. Two groups, We Decide Coalition and RIP Commerce Tax, filed referendum petitions to put the commerce tax/SB483 on the 2016 ballot. The We Decide Coalition, headed by Chuck Muth, filed a referendum petition in early August to put the entire text of SB483 on the ballot. The coalition has more than 800 signatures in support of the referendum and is currently in the middle of lawsuits, regarding the single-subject rule for the referendum. RIP Commerce Tax also filed a referendum petition to eliminate the commerce tax portion of the tax October 2015 | Page 3 | www.nvfb.org
package. Nevada State Controller Ron Knecht is the president of the group. Assemblyman Jim Wheeler of Douglas County and Theresa Catalini of NV80, the political action committee associated with RIP Commerce Tax, also support it. The group is currently seeking funding to support their efforts. Nevada Farm Bureau has not joined either group as they work to eliminate the commerce tax and SB483. However, we do have policy related to this issue that I would like to share with all of you. We have several policies that relate to the taxes implemented in SB483. Nevada Farm Bureau is opposed to a tax on business profits (Policy 263 – Business Profit Tax) or a tax on gross business income (Policy 265 – Gross Income Business Tax). We also oppose the creation of new taxes, fees and other schemes that generate additional revenue for the government without our organization’s input (Policy 266 – New Taxes). We will be monitoring the progress of these groups closely since the tax package created by SB483 affects our membership. Remember, as a grassroots membership organization, your voice at the county level is what makes Nevada Farm Bureau strong. Continue developing policy in your counties that we can use to guide our lobbying efforts in situations like these.
Nevada Farm Bureau Update Benefit added to northern Nevada Pressed 4 Time
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evada Farm Bureau members will receive 10 percent off any dry cleaning service with Pressed 4 Time in northern Nevada. Good in Reno and Sparks only. Pressed 4 Time is North America’s premier free pick-up and delivery competitively priced garment care, dry cleaning and laundry service. Visit www.pressed4time.com/1302 or call 775-284-6350 to schedule a pickup.
Buy 1 ticket, get 1 free to a Reno Bighorns game Call 775-853-8220 to get your tickets today!
Farm Bureau and Caterpillar Inc. announce new partnership
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evada Farm Bureau and Caterpillar Inc. announced Sept. 1 a new partnership that will provide members up to $2,000 in purchase incentives on Cat machines. “We’re proud to partner with Nevada Farm Bureau and the American Farm Bureau Federation and help members get their jobs done with the highest quality, best value equipment, attachments and integrated solutions in the industry,” said Dustin Johansen, Caterpillar Agriculture Industry manager. Eligible equipment includes Cat skid steer loaders, compact and multi-terrain loaders, wheel loaders, telehandlers, backhoe loaders, hydraulic excavators and track-type tractors. A range of incentives are offered: • Small Wheel Loaders: $2,000 • Compact Wheel Loaders: $1,000 • Small Dozers: $1,000 • Backhoe Loaders: $500 - $1,000 • Compact Track Loaders: $500 - $1,000 • Multi Terrain Loaders: $500 - $1,000 • Skid Steer Loaders: $500 - $1,000 • Telehandlers: $500 - $1,000 • Mini Hydraulic Excavators: $250 - $500
efficiency to maintain profit margins.” The Farm Bureau Member Benefit discount on Cat machines can be combined with any current retail discounts, promotions, rebates or offers available through Caterpillar or its dealers, with the exception of other membership purchase incentives (NCBA discount). All Nevada Farm Bureau members are eligible. Discounts cannot be applied to past purchases. Members must provide a valid Member Verification Certificate to the Cat dealer at the time of purchase to receive the discount. Certificates may be obtained at www.fbadvantage.com/cat as of Sept. 1, 2015.
“Everyone at Nevada Farm Bureau is excited about this new Member Benefits program,” said Hank Combs, president of Nevada Farm Bureau. “Caterpillar and agriculture have a shared history that goes back more than a hundred years, and our new partnership will make it easier for our members to improve productivity and October 2015 | Page 4 | www.nvfb.org
AFBF Annual Meeting registration to open Oct. 1
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oin your fellow ag professionals and attend the 2016 American Farm Bureau Federation Annual Convention co-located with the IDEAg Trade Show in Orlando, Florida! Farm Bureau members and non-members alike are welcome to be a part of our nation’s largest general ag organization. Come conduct business on the trade show floor, expand your knowledge at educational workshops, vote on up-and-coming businesses trying to achieve the American dream, network with your peers and deepen your love for agriculture. Interested in attending the 2016 AFBF Annual Meeting? Visit annualconvention.fb.org to register, secure your hotel room and find agendas and other information.
Nevada Farm Bureau has a block of rooms at the Hilton Orlando Hotel. Contact Clay McCauley, 1-800-992-1106, if you have additional questions or concerns.
Fall Photo Contest Deadline Oct. 26
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ct. 26, 2015 is the final deadline for photos in the 2015 Photo Contest. This year’s contest will consist of four categories: Winter, Spring, Summer and Fall. The photo contest is open to all Nevada Farm Bureau members and their families. It includes two divisions, youth and adult (18+). All photos will be judged after the final deadline and prizes will be awarded for each division. This year’s prizes are $100, $75 and $50 for first, second and third place photographs. In addition to overall winners, the top photo from each season category will receive a $10 cash prize. Winning photos will be printed as postcards available for sale to all Farm Bureau members. Deadline to Submit Photographs Fall pictures: October 26, 2015 General Rules: • Photographs need to represent Nevada agriculture, rural life or Nevada scenery.
• Title your photo and indicate adult or youth entry. • Submit as many pictures as desired; however, only one cash prize will be awarded per person. (Photos that win their category will be reentered for the grand prize.) • Submit photos to nvfarmbureau@nvfb.org.
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Better Hearing is Better Living! October 2015 | Page 5 | www.nvfb.org
County Corner Check out what’s happening around the state!
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ounty Corner is a section of the Agriculture & Livestock Journal that gives counties an opportunity to share their activities. Please email us your stories at nvfarmbureau@nvfb.org or call Jessica at 775-674-4000.
E.C. Best Elementary Ag Day
CHURCHILL COUNTY
Fallon Cantaloupe Festival/Country Fair
Churchill County FFA members educate students about beef by-products.
The booth showed how combining feed, water and animals made food.
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hurchill County held a booth at their annual county fair in the first weekend of September. The theme of the booth was dairies. The booth highlighted dairy feed rations, milk by-products and Moo-lisa, the Nevada Department of Agriculture’s dairy cow. Fair attendees visited with members from the county Farm Bureau and the local FFA took shifts helping people milk the cow. What a fun and educational booth!
Churchill County Farm Bureau hosted its yearly Ag Day at E.C. Best Elementary School on Sept. 24. More than 525 second and third graders attended the event to learn about the diverse agriculture industry. Students visited 18 stations, featuring subjects like vet science, poultry, goats, bees, horse and animal nutrition, safety and more. Many volunteers from the community helped with the event. Great work Churchill County!
Sonya Johnson and Dave Ott discuss farm equipment with the students. Churchill County Farm Bureau members volunteer at their booth.
October 2015 | Page 6 | www.nvfb.org
ELKO COUNTY
Elko County Parade and Fair
submitted entries from which to choose. The theme was “Ranch Families & Friends at Home, Work & Play.� Congratulations on a great contest!
Elko County Farm Bureau members and others on the float.
Elko County Farm Bureau had a booth and a float in their annual county fair. The parade was held on Sept. 4, and the Farm Bureau had a red, white and blue themed float towed by a tractor. Farm Bureau members and members of the Great Basin College Farm Bureau passed out flyers for the YF&R dinner and bumper stickers. The Farm Bureau also held a booth with a milk cow. They offered cow milking hours for fair attendees to practice. What a great job Elko County!
Holland Miller, first place youth.
Elko County YF&R BBQ
Elko County Farm Bureau Fair Photo Contest
Congratulations to John Reed, Tanya McKay and Justine Mohrs who won cash prizes of $100, $75, and $50 for first, second and third places for their winning entries in the adult division of the 2015 Elko County Farm Bureau Fair Photo Contest. Junior Division photographer Holland Miller took $100 for her first place entry. The photo contest had 60
GBC Farm Bureau members visit with guests while serving them food.
Elko County YF&R hosted their annual barbecue during the 2015 Elko County Fair. Attendees enjoyed a home cooked meal served by YF&R members and members of the Great Basin College Farm Bureau. Promotional materials about the Young Farmers & Ranchers program and Farm Bureau were distributed, and guests got the chance to win raffle prizes donated by local businesses. More than 150 people attended the barbecue. Good work to Jordan and Kari Brough for organizing the event and a big thank you to all who helped and attended.
John Reed, first place adult.
October 2015 | Page 7 | www.nvfb.org
Hives survive despite drought
Honeybees need closer water sources this year By Brooke Lawton, Nevada Farm Bureau Intern
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nited States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) annual honeybee survey offered good news and bad news about the important pollinators – winter losses of honeybee colonies were lower for the 2014-2015 year than they were during the 2013-2014 year. But, summer losses were higher than the previous year. According to the survey, losses of managed honeybee colonies were 23.1 percent for the 2014-2015 winter. Summer losses exceeded winter numbers for the first time (27.4 percent), making annual losses for the year 42.1 percent. Disease, Varroa mites, poor nutrition and stress are leading factors behind increased bee loss. Jeff Knight, state entomologist with the Nevada Department of Agriculture, explained that while bee colonies nationwide are declining, bee populations in Nevada are increasing. The agency does not keep track of colonies statewide, nor does the state regulate their operation, but Knight says honeybee populations are increasing in Nevada. Despite their increase in numbers, honeybees, like most of Nevada’s agriculture, are affected by the drought. They face a lack of drinking water, forage and pollen. Leonard Joy, owner of Joy’s Honey Ranch and Washoe County Farm Bureau member, says the lack of spring and summer rains is the hardest on the bees when they are trying to build up colonies. Bees use a lot of water, and normally when there is a shortage of it, beekeepers will get permission from
landowners to stick their bees on ditch banks or drain banks because water always exists in the fields, drains or ditches. Those water sources are now dried up. Debbie Gilmore, owner of Hall’s Honey and Lyon County Farm Bureau member, has recently received calls from landowners in Gardnerville and Fallon wondering what to do because their bees are drinking from ponds, swimming pools, water troughs and dog dishes. According to Knight, beekeepers need to either move their bees closer to a water source or supply the water source themselves for their bees. Bees will travel up to two miles in search of water. If the bees are spending that much effort getting water, they are not making honey.
“If you’re spending more time collecting water, then you’re spending less time collecting nectar.”
-Jeff Knight, Nevada Department of Agriculture
“So it’s productivity. Also, it’s a matter of putting another stress on the colony,” Knight says. The lack of water for the bees has altered the consistency of the honey, making it thick and dry, Gilmore says. “Honey is typically 18 percent moisture content or below, and I’m guessing that it’s way below that this year.”
Honeybees often live in hives on farms with plants they can pollinate like alfalfa. Pictured: Honeybee colony in Fallon. October 2015 | Page 8 | www.nvfb.org
Lack of forage caused by the drought also puts stress on the bee colonies. “Usually what happens when there’s a drought, the plants put more stress on producing flowers than they do on growing,” Joy says. “This year the farmers did very little irrigation so what water was in the ground went all to flowers.” Although plants are focused on producing flowers, the drought still causes them to bloom less frequently. And because plants are not growing, less pollen exists for the bees. In areas with very little water like Fallon and Lovelock, alfalfa only blooms one to two times in the spring and summer when it normally would bloom constantly. One advantage of the drought, however, is that some farmers let their hay grow longer, which provides more flower blossoms on the hay for the bees. According to Gilmore, plants are blooming earlier as a result of the drought. Rabbitbrush usually blooms this time of the year, but in Yerington, rabbitbrush finished blooming in early summer. Another effect of the drought is the lack of pollen. Because the plants are not growing, they are not producing as much pollen either. “If they don’t have a source of pollen or nectar, then they’re going to be decreasing in numbers significantly,” Gilmore says. “The pollen is the protein source for the bees and the nectar is like the carbohydrates. They need the protein for their own purposes, but also they mix the nectar and the pollen to feed the babies or the larvae.” And because a sufficient pollen source does not exist for the bees this year, beekeepers also have to provide a pollen substitute in combination with the carbohydrate source. Usually, they have stored enough honey that they can use that in conjunction with pollen that you supply them, Gilmore says. Nationwide, habitat loss from development is a big concern; but the drought in Nevada presents an even bigger challenge. “Increasing habitat is a great idea, but it has some real drawbacks,” Knight says, adding that programs and plants that work in other parts of the country do not work for Nevada. Nevada’s climate presents a unique challenge in that plants that are introduced to create habitat must be drought resistant. And, because Nevada does not have a budget for projects, the plants must be low cost.
Despite these challenges, some efforts can be made. “There’s some habitat things that could be done along the edges of fields even if we had a little bit of irrigation water,” Knight says. Facing habitat loss nationwide and drought here in Nevada, beekeepers remain optimistic because of resources available like Mason Valley Beekeepers, Grow Your Own, Nevada!, Northern Nevada Beekeeper Association and the USDA. And fortunately because of the timely rain this summer, both Joy and Gilmore noticed an increase in honey production from last year. “At the beginning of this year, I thought that honey production was just going to be almost nonexistent and that we would be feeding bees in July or August,” Gilmore says. She added that the increase in ground moisture allowed the bees to feed themselves, increasing honey production. The bees are currently surviving better than expected, but will not thrive in the next year without a good winter. Without water, beekeepers face a summer of putting lots of money into feeding and trying to keep their bees alive. “That’s a constant battle anyway, but without natural nectar source or pollen source, we may be losing bees rapidly,” Gilmore says. For now, Gilmore, Joy and the rest of Nevada’s agriculturists are hoping that El Niño will bring the water needed to keep their industry thriving.
Beekeeping Resources Mason Valley Beekeepers Association Gilmore and her husband Andrew Joyner started the Mason Valley Beekeepers in 2009. “It’s like a beekeeping support group,” Gilmore says. “The beekeepers are really working hard at keeping their bees alive, and they also supply a pollination service for people in their neighborhoods.” The club has a mentoring program for new beekeepers and offers a Basic Beekeeping 101 workshop. Visit www.masonvalleybeekeepers.org for more information. Northern Nevada Beekeeper Association Information: www.northernnevadabeekeepersassociation.org Grow Your Own, Nevada! Information: growyourownnevada.com/beekeeping-for-beginners United States Department of Agriculture Information: https://goo.gl/StflsE
October 2015 | Page 9 | www.nvfb.org
96TH NEVADA FARM BUREAU ANNUAL MEETING December 6-9 • Peppermill Resort Spa Casino • Reno, Nevada 2015 Annual Meeting Schedule (TENTATIVE) • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
SUNDAY, DEC. 6 9:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. CFBF Ag Tours* 2:30 p.m. CFBF Discussion Meet Finals 4 p.m. CFBF Trade Show 5 p.m. CFBF Trade Show Reception*
• 3:30 - 4:30 p.m. Nevada Heritage Foundation Meeting • 4:30 - 5:30 p.m. Women’s Leadership Committee Meeting • 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.: CFBF Hosted Reception in Tradeshow • 6:30 p.m. to end: CFBF Dinner *
MONDAY, DEC. 7 7:30 a.m. CFBF Registration Opens 8:30 a.m. - Noon CFBF General Session 10 - 10:30 a.m. CFBF Coffee Break Noon - 2 p.m. CFBF Luncheon* 12:30 p.m. CFBF Tradeshow Opens 1:15 p.m. CFBF Tradeshow Ice Cream Blast 1 - 5 p.m. NVFB Annual Meeting Registration 1 - 2 p.m. CFBF Breakout Session 2:15 - 3:15 p.m. CFBF Breakout Sessions 3:30 - 4:30 p.m. CFBF Breakout Sessions
• • • • • • • •
TUESDAY, DEC. 8 (NVFB ACTIVITIES) 7 a.m. Trade Show/Silent Auction Set-Up 7 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. Registration 7 - 8 a.m. Young Farmers & Ranchers and Women’s Leadership Committee Breakfast 8:30 a.m. - 7 p.m. Trade Show Opens 8:30 - 9:30 a.m. General Session 9:45 - 10:45 a.m. Breakout Session 1 10:30 - 10:45 a.m. YF&R Discussion Meet Prep Meeting 11 - 11:45 a.m. YF&R Discussion Meet
• Noon - 1:30 p.m. COUNTRY Financial Luncheon • 1:45 - 2:30 p.m. YF&R Discussion Meet • 2:45 - 3:30 p.m. Breakout 2 • 3:30 - 3:45 p.m. Food & Beverage Break • 3:45 - 5 p.m. Open Resolutions Session • 5 - 5:20 p.m. County Caucus • 5:20 - 5:45 p.m. Nomination Committee • 6 - 7 p.m. Social Hour • 7 - 9 p.m. Annual Banquet • • • • •
WEDNESDAY, DEC. 9 8 - 8:30 a.m. Elections 8:30 - 9 a.m. Discussion Meet Finals 9 - 12:30 p.m. Voting Delegate Session 10 a.m. Food and Beverage Break Immediately following Delegate Session - State Board of Directors Reorganization Meeting
*An additional cost is associated with this event.
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96TH NEVADA FARM BUREAU ANNUAL MEETING December 6-9 • Peppermill Resort Spa Casino • Reno, Nevada Only individual and spouse/guest registration is accepted on each form. To register multiple people from different families, complete a separate form for each person and guest.
ATTENDEE INFORMATION
County Farm Bureau __________________
Visit Registe r nvfb .org/ online! annu al-m eetin
g
Bill the County YES NO
Attendee: ___________________________________ _______________________ _____________________ Name Email Phone 1. Will you be attending the Young Farmers & Ranchers/Women’s Leadership Breakfast? YES NO 2. Will you be participating in the YF&R Discussion Meet? YES NO 3. Will you be attending California Farm Bureau Annual Meeting activities? (See schedule on Page 10) YES NO Spouse/Guest: ________________________________ _______________________ ____________________ Name Email Phone 1. Will you be attending the Young Farmers & Ranchers/Women’s Leadership Breakfast? YES NO 2. Will you be participating in the YF&R Discussion Meet? 3. Will you be attending California Farm Bureau Annual Meeting activities? (See schedule on Page 10)
YES YES
NO NO
REGISTRATION INFORMATION Nevada Farm Bureau Annual Meeting (Admittance to luncheon, reception, banquet and other conference events.) Cost Early Bird Registration by Nov. 17 $100 Regular Registration by Dec. 1 $120 Nevada Farm Bureau Annual Meeting Child Registration (Children ages 6 to 15; under 6 are free. Includes all meals
# of Attendees
Total Cost
during the Farm Bureau annual meeting.)
Early Bird Registration by Nov. 17 Regular Registration by Dec. 1 COUNTRY Financial Luncheon Additional Tickets (For additional guests for the Dec. 8 NVFB luncheon) Additional NVFB Banquet Tickets (For additional guests for the Dec. 8 banquet during the annual meeting.) California Farm Bureau Annual Meeting Activities (Occur Dec. 6 -7 prior to the Annual Meeting; Register below) CFBF Ag Tours on Sunday, Dec. 6 (Register by Nov. 5) Tradeshow Reception on Sunday, Dec. 6 (Register by Dec. 1) Children are FREE CFBF Adult Luncheon Ticket on Monday, Dec. 7 (Register by Dec. 1) CFBF Child Luncheon Ticket on Monday, Dec. 7 (Register by Dec. 1) CFBF Adult Dinner Ticket on Monday, Dec. 7 (Register by Dec. 1) CFBF Child Dinner Ticket on Monday, Dec. 7 (Register by Dec. 1) Total Payment (Please calculate the total cost of your registration based on your selections.)
$30 $40 $30 $50 $50 $25 $40 $20 $65 $25
PAYMENT (Please include payment with your registration form if your county will not be paying for your registration.)
Payment by Cash or Check: Please send completed registration forms along with cash or check to Nevada Farm Bureau, 2165 Green Vista Drive, Ste. 205, Sparks, NV 89431. Make checks payable to Nevada Farm Bureau Federation. Payment by Credit Card: Credit card payments taken only through the online registration form at nvfb.org/annual-meeting or by phone at 800-992-1106.
HOTEL REGISTRATION BY NOV. 22
Discounted hotel rooms are available at the Peppermill Resort Spa Casino for the nights of Dec. 6-9. The room rate is $119 per night plus taxes. Call 800-282-2444 to make room reservations and use the code GNFBF15 or visit http://nvfb.org/annual-meeting
October 2015 | Page 11 | www.nvfb.org
Greater Sage-Grouse News
NVFB calls for reform on land use management plans
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evada Farm Bureau Federation released the following statement Sept. 22, regarding the United States Fish and Wildlife Service decision to not list the Greater Sagegrouse under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) and the announcement of the Department of Interior land use management plans. “Although the U.S. Fish and Wildlife’s decision to not list the Greater Sage-grouse recognizes the successful local, state and federal efforts to protect the bird in each of the 11 western states, Nevada Farm Bureau remains concerned that the Department of Interior’s land use management plan amendment will be counterproductive to sagebrush habitat and sage-grouse conservation,” Nevada Farm Bureau President Hank Combs said. “More federal restrictions and controls will prohibit the grassroots efforts necessary to improve the bird
populations. The sagebrush focal areas addressed in the plans are exclusion areas. This classification limits habitat restoration abilities and has the potential to increase the fuel load and intensity of wildfires in sage-grouse habitats.” “Our stakeholders can work most efficiently with state and federal agencies when protection of the bird populations is done at a local level.” The Nevada Sagebrush Ecosystem Council played a large role in protecting the state’s species. The council developed the Nevada Greater Sage-grouse Conservation Plan in 2014 and is currently working on the strategic action plan, which will address the largest threats affecting the species: wildfires, invasive species and common ravens. The council consists of stakeholders from all affected industries, including agriculture represented by Nevada Farm Bureau Vice President Bevan Lister.
Local Conservation Efforts Save Greater Sage Grouse from Listing By American Farm Bureau Federation
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ue to the success of state and local conservation efforts, the Fish and Wildlife Service announced today its decision not to list the greater sage grouse as an endangered species. The American Farm Bureau is a strong supporter of meaningful recovery efforts and counts today’s decision as a testament to the great strides states and landowners can make when they work cooperatively to develop effective wildlife management plans. “Conservation plans developed at the state and local levels provide the greatest opportunity for species success, and we believe today’s decision endorses that approach,” said AFBF President Bob Stallman. “Farmers and ranchers last year called on the federal government to allow time for these plans to work, and now we’re seeing positive results and real success with the birds’ populations across the Western states. State, local and industry partners have accomplished in just a few years a level of success largely unseen through 42 years of federal Endangered Species Act implementation.”
land management agencies by restricting existing and future rangeland management. The new plans add new land use restrictions which may affect the timing of range improvements, reduce livestock numbers, eliminate or reduce actively permitted grazing allotments, or impact the ability to renew future livestock permits. “Continued active management of western rangelands through proper grazing management has and can continue to enhance sage grouse habitat and populations,” Stallman said. “These new plans send a mixed message by punishing livestock permittees who are already working to conserve species and resources.”
While today’s announcement is a victory for conservation work and species recovery at the local level, the Bureau of Land Management and USDA Forest Service also announced today their decision to move forward with land management plans which address sage grouse populations across the birds’ 184 million acre range. Farmers and ranchers are concerned that these new plans may threaten to further erode the multiple-use mandate charged to October 2015 | Page 12 | www.nvfb.org
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• 206 S. Division St. Ste. 2, Carson City, NV 89703, 775-841-6316 • 150 East Main, Ste 210, Fernley, NV 89408, 775-835-0100 • 585 5th Street, Elko, NV 89801, 775-738-1744 • 1082 Lamoille Hwy., Elko, NV 89801, 775-738-3757 • 364 Aultmann St. Ely, NV 89301, 775-289-2886 • 560 W. Williams Ave., Fallon, NV 89406, 775-423-7168 • 311 S. Bridge St. Ste. G Winnemucca, NV 89445, 775-623-6677 • 1664 Hwy. 395 #104, Minden, NV 89423, 775-782-8363 • 143 S. Nevada St. Yerington, NV 89447, 775-463-2642 • 10615 Professional Circle, Ste 200, Reno NV 89521, 775-829-1011 • 1255 N. McCarran, Sparks, NV 89431, 775-626-3100 • 6490 S. McCarran Blvd. #14, Reno, NV 89509, 775-828-2930 • 515 Double Eagle Court Ste 110, Reno, NV 89521, 775-853-6586; 775-853-6535 October 2015 | Page 13 | www.nvfb.org
The Ag Agenda Good Times, Bad Times By Bob Stallman President, American Farm Bureau Federation
T
he last decade will almost certainly be remembered as a golden age of agriculture in the United States. High global demand, a cheap dollar and bumper crops meant farming and ranching did better than many other parts of the economy. It was a welcome rebound for farmers and ranchers, who have worked through a lot of tough times. Those record highs in farm income may have tempted folks to spend money instead of socking it away. If farmers and ranchers were like many other Americans, they probably would have done just that. But that’s not how most of us reacted. Sure, we may have bought some new iron, but much of that was a reinvestment in the business and was replacing some very well-used equipment. As farmers, we know that lean times always come back. USDA census numbers illustrate how farmers and ranchers have built our balance sheets. The department projects total U.S. farm equity will reach nearly $2.7 trillion by year’s end, up more than 20 percent from just $2.2 trillion in 2010. Debt as a percentage of farm assets should fall from 11.8 percent to 10.9 percent, while total assets likely will top $3 trillion, up from $2.5 trillion five years ago. These are some of the best financial ratios for agriculture. Ever. On the row crop side, we are bracing for what will clearly be tougher times. We know the sector as a whole will register a significant drop in income this year and, if the past is any indicator, very possibly in the next year or two. USDA projects the nation’s net farm cash income will fall to $87.4 billion by year’s end, down more than a third from 2012’s $137.1 billion. Corn, once $7.63, is just over $3 a bushel now. Wheat, $9.50 a bushel a few years back, is now about $4.50. And the dollar? It’s stronger than it’s been in years, which makes exports a lot harder to sell. Even so, our ranching members who survived the worst of the western drought and fought through some of that $7 corn benefitted a couple of ways this past year. Not only were beef supplies tighter, but low prices for grain and alfalfa meant feeding those cattle was a lot easier than before. Calves that were going for $150 per hundredweight five or so years ago were touching $300 this summer. Yet even here, clouds are gathering: Forecasters say this fall will likely see the biggest herd expansion we’ve seen in 25
years. Prices are bound to fall as a result. We’ve no one and nothing to blame for any of this but our own success. Bumper crop on bumper crop makes for a challenging oversupply. The rest of the world, too, has increased production thanks in no small part to the genius of American agronomy. The bright side is most of us with row crops have insurance to help us manage. And unlike in decades past, the government no longer holds on to those huge mountains of grain. Given a weather event here or somewhere else around the world, grain prices can adjust rather than have us just watch tons of grain come back on the market and kill any price improvement. We at Farm Bureau have celebrated successes with you and are prepared to face lean times as well. We are working on trying to contain unnecessary regulatory creep. We are working to lower barriers to trade of our products. We are working to promote the story of how good a job farmers and ranchers are doing in being good stewards of our land and our animals. We are working to help keep our members on the cutting edge of technology, as well as at the cutting edge of what the consumer wants. From a financial standpoint, the next few years are probably going to be a lot different than things were over the past few. But Farm Bureau’s mission remains the same: “...to enhance and strengthen the lives of rural Americans and to build strong, prosperous agricultural communities.”
Nevada Farm
October 2015 | Page 14 | www.nvfb.org
Classified Ads Animals
For Free
Domestic Geese for Free White, gray, mixed -- FREE TO A GOOD HOME. Call 775-786-1532 or 775-560-1532.
Property
For Lease
20 acres Horse/Cattle Pasture $5,000 annually, excellent location near Genoa and Minden. Surface water. Available now: 831-512-3225 10 Acres (Commercial Building) – Diamond Valley 7500 sq. ft. w/ 2 loading docks and large automatic 14 ft. door in Diamond Valley, large office 1,440 sq. ft.. Pad & hook-up for doublewide residence, 10 acres, fenced on 3 sides. Call 775-385-0030 or email lisamarshall278@gmail.com.
Animals
For Sale
Belted Galloway Yearling Heifers 5 heifers. $1,500 each. Call 775-8822027. Bluetick, Redbone Cross Hounds Two male, one female Bluetick, Redbone cross Hounds for sale. One male has papers. Price negotiable. 775-293-4463 day only Livestock Guardian Dogs Proven crosses, working parents. Puppies raised on sheep. Spanish Mastiffs, Pyrenean Mastiffs, Maremma/Anatolian crosses. Winnemucca. Brenda M. Negri 775-931-0038 www.lgdnevada.com
DEADLINE: Ads must be received by October 16 for next issue. For Sale
For Sale Equipment/ Vehicles
2008 Mahindra Tractor Model 4510C. 829 hrs. Pallet forks, box scraper & front end loader. Enclosed cab. AC/Heat, Radio w/ cassett player. One owner. $18,500. Good tires. Have equipment manual. Call: 775-463-3430 or 775-781-5040 Capri Camper Has hydraulic jacks, AC Unit, Shower and electric water heater. Asking $3,000. Call Clint: 775-225-4527 Caravan Campershell For Dodge Ram 2009 & up. Double door, slider window, silver. Like new - $3,000. Call 775-225-2431 Drolet Classic EPA Wood Stove 3 years old. $400. Call 775-578-3536. Exis Gooseneck Trailer Very Good Condition. 2 axle middle divider - 20 ft. - 4 ft. tackroom. 4 saddle racks. Only pulled about 3,000 miles. $14,500. Call Elaine: 775-217-2148 Freeman 330 3 Twine Baler Gas Engine, $5,000. Call 775-4275056 Freeman 330 Baler Parts and Case IH Windrower Parts New and Used. For parts list and prices, email Shabbor@aol.com. Call 775-265-3185
New Holland 116 Swather New Holland 116 pull type swather. $3000. 775-572-3337
Equipment/ Vehicles
New Pipe and Wood Stall Fronts 2 New, Never Installed Fronts. Paid $1,500. Sell both for $750. Ask for Jim - 775-720-4634, 775-465-2936.
8” Irrigation Discharge Head 1 1/2” shaft. Call 775-224-3283 125 HP Motors 1-US 125 hp motors, new re-wind: $8,200; 1-GE 125 hp motor, used: $5,500; Call 775-224-3283
Certified Appraiser Wes Wilson: Certified Livestock and Equipment Appraiser for banking, insurance and other needs. Serving Nevada and surrounding states for over 14 years. Call 435-632-9941.
Property
5 acres Agritourism Opportunity Washoe Valley 2047 sq. ft. custom cedar home. USDA certified organic u-pick apple orchard. Water rights, barn, shop, chicken pens, playhouse, greenhouse, garden area, seasonal stream, RV hookup & fully stocked gift shop. $685,000. 775-720-2904
New Holland 1431 Swathers 2 New Holland 1431 pull type swathers for parts. Call 775-5783536.
Feed
Alfalfa Hay For Sale 3x4 bales. Several grades: nice green-rain damaged feeder, 53-47 TDN & 18-17 Proteins. No weeds. Triticale Grain Hay available. Stacks located 80 miles East of Tonopah. elar200@gmail.com 775-863-0321
Property
37 acres (House w/ water rights)Wellington 1846 sq. Ft., 2 bed 2 bath, recently remodeled w/ new windows/ flooring. Numerous out buildings, covered hay barn, corrals. $425,000. Call 775-465-2252 or 775-720-1388 or e-mail caroleobanion@gmail.com. 315 acres -Central NV Alfalfa Farm Approx 315ac/240ac under 2 Zimmatic pivots. 2 100KW wind generators. 1620 sqft 3bd/2 bath, 484 sqft detatched garage, 2650 sqft shop, 248 sqft greenhouse. $1.1 million. 775-867-2995 or 775-217-1999 www.CandeeFarms.com
10 Acres (Commercial Building) – Diamond Valley 7500 sq. ft. w/ 2 loading docks and large automatic 14 ft. door in Diamond Valley, large office 1,440 sq. ft.. Pad & hook-up for doublewide residence, 10 acres, fenced on 3 sides. Call 775-385-0030 or email lisamarshall278@gmail.com.
Equipment
Wanted
3 Point Weed Hog Preferably 4 ft.. cutting. 813-512-3225
25 acres (Ranch w/ surface water) – Near Genoa $1.5 million, 25 acres with rich soil, surface water, 2 wells and 3 houses. Near Lake Tahoe, Genoa, Minden, Douglas High School and Wally’s Hot Springs. 831-512-3225.
Used Roterra Used Lely Roterra that is in working condition, or needs minimal work to be field ready. Cary 775-691-7655. cyamamoto@charter.net Windmill Working or easy fix windmill, with or without tower. And 20’/30’ nonleaker container. Call 775-557-2804.
Property
Pasture Wanted Pasture Wanted for 20-40 pair in Northern Nevada. 775-287-6978
New Holland 1112 Swather 16-foot header. Good backup machine. $3000 OBO at Washoe Valley. Call 775-888-9877 or e-mail jimgreil@clearwire.net.
Sheep and spring lambs - Cheviots Born late March- early April, 2015. 16 lambs - $150 each. 10 ewes, 3 to 6 years - $125 each. Ram - 3 years old- $300. Entire herd - $3,500. Will send photos to your email address. Contact John at (775) 972-8915. 3 Point Cultivator 14 ft. wide, S-tine with gauge wheels, extra s-tines. Great shape. $1,300. 775-771-9612
Other
For Sale
FREE CLASSIFIED ADS Non-commercial classified ads are free to Nevada Farm Bureau Federation members. Must include membership number for free ad. Forty (40) word maximum. Non-member cost is $0.50 per word. You may advertise your own crops, livestock, used machinery, household items, vehicles, etc. Please specify how long ads should run or they will run one time We reserve the right to refuse to run any ad. Please type or print clearly. Proofread your ad. Mail ad copy to: Attention: Jessica Fagundes Nevada Farm Bureau Federation 2165 Green Vista Drive, Suite 205, Sparks, NV 89431 or email ad copy to Jessica at nvfarmbureau@nvfb.org.
Name: Address: City / State / Zip Code: Phone: Ad Copy:
October 2015 | Page 15 | www.nvfb.org
Membership No.
Nevada Farm Bureau Federation®
2165 Green Vista Dr., Suite 205, Sparks, NV 89431 1-800-992-1106 | www.nvfb.org
Farm Bureau’s Bank