Indiana AgriNews_041020

How you can deal with stress Expert offers farmers advice

By Martha Blum

AGRINEWS PUBLICATIONS

www.agrinews-pubs.com

Planting plans 16% increase in Indiana corn acreage

By Tom C. Doran

AGRINEWS PUBLICATIONS

WASHINGTON — After a year of record high prevented plant acres, the “I” states are projected to increase corn acreage in 2020, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s prospective plantings report released March 31.

ST. PAUL, Minn. — Farmers deal with a number of stressors that are out of their control.

“There are things that often determine our success or failure that we can’t do anything about,” said Monica Kramer McConkey, a rural mental health specialist for the Minnesota Department of Agriculture.

“Then you add in issues around succession plans, farming with f a m i ly, divorce, debt load and natural disasters — it can feel i n s u r mou ntable at times,” McConkey said dur ing McConkey the Cultivating Resiliency for Women in Agriculture webinar organized by the American Agri-Women.

STRESSING OUT “Stress is our body’s reaction to threats, challenges, physical barriers or anything that we come up against that causes us to have a physical reaction,” explained McConkey, who was raised on a family farm near Bejou, Minnesota, and has been working with people in rural populations for the last 26 years.

When people are faced with a perceived stressor such as getting an email, reading the news or having a disagreement with a family member, McConkey said, that kicks off nerve and hormonal signals.

“That prompts our adrenal glands to release a surge of hormones including adrenaline and cortisol,” she said.

Adrenaline increases a person’s heart rate, elevates blood pressure and boosts energy supplies.

“Sometimes that is OK if you’re running a race,” McConkey said.

“Cortisol increases the sugars in our blood stream, enhances our brain’s use of the glucose and increases the availability of substances that repair tissues.”

See STRESS, Page A4

SEE SECTION B

INSIDE

Keeping kids safe during planting season A3 4-H members prepare animals for fairs B5 Indiana Farm Bureau donates to food bank B7 AgriTrucker B4 Alan Guebert B6

Farms For Sale B2 Lifestyle A7

Auction Calendar B1

Livestock B5

Business B7

Opinion B6

Classifieds B2

Weather A6

Vol. 42 No. 28

CONTACT AGRINEWS: 800-426-9438

SM-LA1769371

April 10, 2020

CORN A 16% increase in corn acres is anticipated in Indiana, jumping to 5.8 million after planting 5 million in 2019. The state had 5.3 million acres of corn in 2018.

Illinois’ corn acres are projected to reach 11.3 million, 8% above the 10.5 million planted last year and slightly higher than the 11 million acres in 2018.

The USDA report had 14.1 million corn acres in Iowa projected for this year, 4% above the 13.5 million planted in 2019.

Iowa planted 13.2 million corn acres two years ago.

SOYBEANS Indiana soybean acreage is projected unchanged from last year at 5.4 million, down from 6 million in 2018.

USDA’s prospective plantings report has Illinois at 10.5 million acres of soybeans, a 6% increase from 9.95 million last year and below the 10.8 million planted in 2018.

It’s projected that Iowa will have 9.3 million soybean acres, a 1% hike over last year’s 9.2 million. The state planted 9.95 million acres of soybeans in 2018.

WHEAT A 3% increase in wheat planting is projected in Indiana, going from 330,000 in 2019 to 340,000 this year, after planting 310,000 acres in 2018.

The report states Illinois will have 570,000 wheat acres, a 12% decline from the 650,000 planted in 2019. The Prairie State had 600,000 wheat acres two years ago.

Wheat acres were not available in Iowa.

See PLANTING, Page A4

Surprising corn acreage report Survey indicates 7M more acres

By Tom C. Doran

AGRINEWS PUBLICATIONS

MINNEAPOLIS — Corn acreage came in well above expectations across the board in the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s planting intentions report.

The bearish 96.99 million acres of corn topped the average trade estimate of 94.328 million, a recent Allendale survey estimated 94.631 million, Bloomberg poll projected 94.1 million and USDA’s February Ag Forum plugged in 94 million corn acres.

About 89.7 million acres were planted in 2019.

The soybean and wheat planting intention numbers were more in line with pre-report expectations, as were the quarterly stocks numbers that were also released March 31.

Brian Basting, Advance Trading research analyst, dove into USDA’s first survey-based numbers for 2020 in a teleconference hosted by the Minneapolis Grain Exchange.

What was the biggest surprise in the USDA reports?

“Probably the biggest surprise was the corn acreage report with the 97 million acres.

The average trade guess was right around 94 million acres.

“It goes without saying that last year reminded us that a number is just a number. We’re going to have to see how the spring planting weather shakes out here.”

Were there any acreage changes across the Corn Belt that standout from a corn perspective?

“Illinois is 800,000 acres higher, Iowa is 600,000 acres higher, Minnesota is 600,000 acres higher and Nebraska is 400,000 acres higher compared to last year.

“The big regional change was in the eastern Corn Belt.

When you include Indiana, Ohio and Michigan, the combined increase between those three states was 2.2 million acres.

“Going further west we still had some increases across the primary corn-producing states with the exception of North Dakota being down 300,000 acres from last year.”

Is there a possibility corn acres projections will change?

“It’s a mark on the wall, but as we turn the calendar to April we will look at the weather more closely needless to say over the next two, two and one-half months and hopefully have a better planting spring for growers in 2020 compared to 2019. It was such a big challenge for growers in 2019, and we certainly hope it goes smoother.”

See ACREAGE, Page A4

Horse owners encouraged to vaccinate

By Ashley Langreck

AGRINEWS PUBLICATIONS

INDIANAPOLIS — With warm weather right around the corner, horse owners need to take steps now to protect their animals from equine diseases that can show up during summer and fall.

Sandra Norman, director of companion animals and equine at the Indiana State Board of Animal Health, said that spring is the perfect time for horse owners to have veterinarians perform annual checkups on their horses, as well as vaccinate them, because some vaccinations can take anywhere from four to six weeks before they are effective.

“Get vaccines for your horses. Use the appropriate vaccines by consulting with your veterinarian,” she said.

Norman said it’s important for Hoosier horse owners to vaccinate their animals, especially after several cases of eastern equine encephalitis

As warm weather approaches, now is the time to protect horses from diseases that can crop up in summer and fall. were found in horses in 2019.

The disease can cause swelling of the brain, staggering, convulsions and fever in horses.

Norman said that right now while people have to stay closer to home due to state health department regulations and shelter-in-place restrictions to help slow the spread of COVID-19, it’s a great time for them to make sure things such as a

plan for mosquito control and paperwork for traveling across state lines, once the travel ban is lifted, are in order.

“It’s a great time while close to home to get it all done and check it off a healthcare list,” she said.

Norman said that even though producers may not be able to see them, mosquitoes are already out there.

Although horse owners aren’t allowed to travel right now for shows, once travel bans are lifted the risk of spreading diseases carried by mosquitoes and flies increases greatly.

This is important, because while horses can’t transmit the disease to humans, EEE can be transmitted to humans by mosquitoes that fed on diseased birds.

Ashley Langreck can be reached at 800-426-9438, ext. 192, or alangreck@ agrinews-pubs.com. Follow her on Twitter at: @AgNews_ Langreck.

‘Open for business’ Grain exports unimpeded by virus pandemic

By Tom C. Doran

AGRINEWS PUBLICATIONS

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — The global transportation channels that move agricultural export products continue to flow smoothly.

“The reports that we’re hearing are that business continues largely as normal. We’re not hearing of any slowdowns here on the U.S. side,” said Ryan LeGrand, president and CEO of the U.S. Grains Council, during a University of Illinois farmdoc webinar.

“It’s ver y important to continue to ensure to the world that we are open for business, and we will remain open for LeGrand business here in the United States. Around the world we’re hearing reports from ports that they, too, are largely operational.”

After receiving questions and concerns from U.S. export customers and other governments, USGC contacted port operators in New Orleans and the Pacific Northwest, container loaders throughout the country and with groups such as the Waterways Council to see if there were any problems in the system as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The council, in turn, contacted the nation’s customers around the world to assure them that U.S. port operations will continue throughout the pandemic.

USGC also released a video on social media and other outlets March 31 that said the Mississippi River system continues to function despite COVID-19.

See OPEN, Page A4

Staying connected – at a distance FFA members keep community spirit

By Ashley Langreck

AGRINEWS PUBLICATIONS

INDIANAPOLIS — Even though community engagement and service looks different right now as social distancing is important now more than ever in the fight to stop the spread of COVID-19, st ay ing involved in the community is just as essential.

As part of a social media campaign, the National FFA officer team has launched a program to McCoy help FFA members to stay positive during all the regulations and restrictions put in place to stop COVID-19. Each of the six National FFA officers has been assigned a day Monday through Saturday to make a themed video for members.

Kolesen McCoy, the 20192020 National FFA president, was assigned Saturday, which he themed community engagement.

McCoy said that his Saturday videos he makes to share with FFA members focus on what community engagement is and how it can look and be defined differently for everybody.

See FFA, Page A4

A2 Friday, April 10, 2020

| INDIANA AGRINEWS | www.agrinews-pubs.com

Finding food Food banks face virus challenges

By Jeannine Otto

AGRINEWS PUBLICATIONS

GENEVA, Ill. — For food banks like Northern Illinois Food Bank, the last few weeks have been a time of challenges along with growth.

“We are busier than ever, but that’s a good thing — that’s why we’re here,” said Elizabeth Gartman, communications manager for Northern Illinois Food Bank.

The last few weeks – with a statewide stay-athome order and schools and businesses closing – have been a perfect storm, resulting in more adults and children eating at home.

For many families across Illinois and the United Sates, that puts a strain on already-strained home food resources and supplies. Many turn to community feeding programs.

Foo d ba n k s have stepped up to the challenge.

“We’ve really been creative in figuring out how we can mobilize really quickly and figure out how we can get more food out to our neighbors during this time,” Gartman said.

Food banks run on donations, of food and of funds.

Financial donations enable food banks to fill holes in their grocery needs, and they can do that through buying power that adds value to each dollar donated.

“Our buying power is due to the fact that we have these really great re-

lationships with the food manufacturing and retail community. They offer us really great prices, so when we purchase food, we get it at a better rate. That $1 turns into $8 worth of food with a combination of donated and purchased product,” Gartman said.

Gartman said donations, like the Food Bank Fund started by a group of northern Illinois farmers, help NIFB purchase large quantities of products to meet specific needs in various programs.

“We want as much donated product as we can get because that is the most fiscally responsible thing that we can do. We know that for all of these boxes we are packing, for certain programs, we need certain things. So, we are purchasing food to make sure we can continue to meet the specific needs for our different programs,” Gartman said.

NIFB is one of eight Feeding Illinois food banks that serve feeding programs throughout the state. NIFB serves a 13-county service area and provides food to some 900 food pantries and feeding programs.

The programs NIFB serves range from brick and mortar food pantries to mobile food pantries to senior shelf-stable food boxes, child feeding sites and emergency food boxes.

NIFB and other food banks are facing their own challenges. With shoppers seeking to stock up their own grocer y supplies, some of the supplies that food banks usually receive from grocers have been in short supply.

“That depleted stores’

Volunteers at the Northern Illinois Food Bank pack boxes of shelf-stable foods at the food bank’s Geneva location.

“We are busier than ever, but that’s a good thing — that’s why we’re here.”

Elizabeth Gartman, communications manager NORTHERN ILLINOIS FOOD BANK

inventory and maybe some of the product that still would have been in the stores on an average day and that would have come to the food bank. We saw a dip in retail food donations and retail food recovery,” Gartman said.

But the food industry partners stepped up. One area where the food banks saw an increase was from food donated by suppliers and distributors who supply restaurants.

“The restaurant industry

is largely affected by the stay-in-place rules and some of those food suppliers have been able to donate food to us,” Gartman said.

Ga r t ma n sa id she doesn’t expect for the demand to slow anytime soon — nor does she expect the outpouring of help from volunteers wanting to donate cash and food to slow down.

“This has been a whole new world for us, as it has been for everybody. It is super inspiring because of the pervasiveness of it.

People feel empowered to do something, and they keep looking to see how they can help,” Gartman said.

Jeannine Otto can be reached at 815-2232558, ext. 211, or jotto@ agrinews-pubs.com.

Follow her on Twitter at: @AgNews_Otto.

READY TO PLANT? WE CAN HELP! WE ARE THE LARGEST KINZE PARTS DEALER IN ILLINOIS! Huge In Stock Inventory!

Warner Farm Equipment

New Planters Moving Fast!

CALL TODAY!

1254 Co. Rd. 2700 N., Rantoul, IL

217-643-7950

www.warnerfarmequip.com SM-LA1769719

COVID-19 triggers guilty pleasures K ANSAS CIT Y, Mo. — Isolation and social distancing brought on by COVID-19, or coronavirus, are causing unprecedented changes in consumer behavior, according to the Center for Food Integrity Consumer Trust Insights Council, which brings together food industry thought leaders and social scientists to explore emerging trends.

How the food system adapts to these changes is critical.

“Buying patterns have shifted dramatically as people stock up on supplies,” said Carl Perrson, senior director of global cross-category consumer insights at PepsiCo. In addition to hand sanitizers and toilet paper, shoppers are passing over fresh items to fill their carts with canned and frozen foods.

“It really is a reversal of everything we learned about shopper trends over the past decade or so,” Perrson said. “I imagine there’ll be a great awareness of the notion of preparation and of keeping a supply.”

But, according to CTIC, there’s something else folks are buying during their supply runs — guilty pleasures.

While, on one hand, consumers are buying healthy food as a preventative measure, sales of treats like chocolate, cookies and beverages are ticking up.

If social distancing measures continue for long, the council predicts people increasingly will seek out little indulgences to bring them joy during anxious times.

CFI’s Consumer Trust

Insights Council has been meeting once a month since December for roundtable discussions. Their analysis highlights early signals of emerging trends that food companies can use to make strategic decisions.

Du r i ng t he Ma rch roundtable, members said that the coronavirus pandemic is also accelerating a “homing” trend that has been building over the last few years.

“The world is a bit of a scary place. The home has been a very comforting spot where we can get all of our entertainment and we can get just about anything delivered to us,” said Susan Schwallie, executive director of the NPD Group Food and Beverage practice. “Your home is your sanctuary.”

Several factors are driving this at-home economy, Schwallie said.

Millennials see food as a social occasion and like to gather in their homes to share food with friends.

AGRINEWS INDIANA EDITION USPS694-470 ISSN0745-7103 Serving Farm Families Throughout Indiana

Indiana AgriNews is published weekly for $30 per year by AgriNews Publications, 420 Second St., La Salle, Ill. Periodicals postage is paid at La Salle, IL 61301.

Postmaster: Send address changes to Indiana AgriNews, 420 Second St., La Salle, IL 61301.

Copyright 2020, AgriNews Publications, Illinois AgriNews and Indiana AgriNews agricultural weekly newspapers. No part of these publications may be reproduced in any form or by any means, mechanical, photocopying, or otherwise, without the express written permission of AgriNews Publications.

SM-LA1769670

Meal delivery services make it possible to eat restaurant food at home.

Streaming video and home delivery services mean people don’t have to go out to be entertained.

“That notion of cocooning and the search for safety, that’s been a longterm trend and the more chaotic the world gets, people search for these notions of what they know and trust,” Persson said.

“My hunch will be that this (coronavirus outbreak) just reinforces that.”

Companies are fast-tracking technologies for direct-to-consumer sales and personalization of food products. Restaurants and retailers are also looking to China for automation processes that reduce human contact.

The council also discussed the importance of transparency for the food system in order to build trust in the food supply when consumers are concerned about health and safety.

Check Out Our Used Equipment Inventory!

TRACTORS 2013 JD 8360R, IVT, ILS, 2500 HRS 2008 JD 8530, IVT, ILS, 5200 HRS 2006 JD 8230, PS, MFD, 3750 HRS 2006 JD 7220, IVT, TLS, 2700 HRS 2018 JD 6130R, 24SPD PQ, MFD, LDR, 500 HRS 2016 JD 6110R, 24SPD PQ, MFD, LDR, 650 HRS 2009 JD 6330, CAH, PQ, TWD, 2600 HRS 2007 JD 6715, CAH, PQ, TWD, 1300 HRS 2005 JD 5425, CAH, MFD, LDR, 400 HRS 2014 CIH 450 ROWTRAC, PTO, GUIDANCE, 1800 HRS 2015 CIH MAGNUM 340, CVT, MFD, 1865 HRS 1995 CIH 7220 MAGNUM, PS, MFD, 6550 HRS 2006 CIH MX 255, PS, MFD, 3100 HRS 2010 CIH FARMALL 45, OS, TWD, LDR, 1500 HRS MCCORMICK C70L, OS, TWD, 970 HRS 2009 NH T8050, PS, MFD, 2780 HRS 2007 NH TG245, PS, MFD, 2100 HRS KUBOTA L4600, OS, HST, MFD, LDR, 1100 HRS KUBOTA L3710, OS, HST, MFD, LDR, 1200 HRS 2006 KUBOTA L48, OS, MFD, LDR, HOE, 900 HRS 2018 TS GATOR 4X2 200 HRS

EQUIPMENT 2014 KUHN-KRAUSE 5635 24FT FIELD CULTIVATOR 2016 CIH 335 28FT VT SUNFLOWER 6631 29 & 40FT VT 2013 JD 2620 20FT RF DISC MCFARLANE QUADRA-TIL 11 SH CHISEL CIH 2500 5 SH RIPPER, NO-TIL KUHN KNIGHT 1215 MANURE SPREADER 2005 NH 570 SQUARE BALER

SCHULTE RS320 JUMBO ROCK PICKER PENTA 3020-SD TMR MIXER KUHN KNIGHT VT180 TMR MIXER KUHN KNIGHT VT 168 TMR MIXER

PLANTERS 2007 JD 1790 12/23 LIQ FERT 2001 KINZE 3000 4/7, 38” SPACING JD 7000 4 ROW MALE PLANTER, 40FT.

HEADS 2012 MAC DON FD70S 30FT DRAPER, JD ADAPTER 2013 CIH 2162 35FT DRAPER, IH WIDE THROAT 2011 CIH 2161 30FT DRAPER, IH WIDE THROAT 2005 CIH 1020 25FT GRAIN HEAD 2003 CIH 1020 30FT GRAIN HEAD 2010 JD 625F HYDRAFLEX GRAIN HEAD 2003 JD 925F GRAIN HEAD CIH 3408, HD, KR, IH WIDE THROAT 2012 JD 606C KR, HD, HH, RS, SINGLE POINT 2002 JD 893, HD, HH, SINGLE POINT 2012 GERINGHOFF RD800B, 8R30, HD, HH, JD ADAPTER MISC HEAD TRAILERS

CONSTRUCTION 2018 DEERE 314G, OS, 1 SPD, 3 HRS 2014 BOBCAT S570, CAH, 2SPD, 755 HRS 2019 DEERE 317G, CAH, 1 SPD, 138 HRS KUBOTA SVL90-2, CAH, 2 SPD, HIGH-FLOW, 1275 HRS 2018 NH C232, CAH, 2 SPD, 600 HRS VIRNIG PWR90 POWER RAKE, SKID STEER MOUNT JD 570A ROAD GRADER, 1500 HRS

Sunflower • Wil-Rich • Killbros • Woods • Maurer Trailers • McFarlane 6407 North St. Rd. 15 Leesburg, IN 46538

SM-LA1769648

Tim Polk | Jeremiah Polk | Curtis Hatfield (574) 453-2411 | Fax: 574-453-2515 polkequipmentinc.com

www.agrinews-pubs.com | INDIANA AGRINEWS | Friday, April 10, 2020

A3

FIELD NOTES: BY MYCOGEN SEEDS AGRONOMISTS

Keeping your kids safe during planting season

NIK JAKOBS PHOTO

Aaron Mosher, operations manager and location manager for the Sterling location of Rock River Lumber and Grain, unloads grain at the company’s Sterling location. Rock River Lumber and Grain is one of several agribusinesses that have started the Food Bank Fund to benefit regional and local food banks.

Grain buying power Farmers participate in drive for food banks

By Jeannine Otto

AGRINEWS PUBLICATIONS

STERLING, Ill. — Farmers are no strangers to difficult times.

They’re also not strangers to stepping up to help neighbors in need.

A Sauk Valley farmer has set the wheels in motion so farmers can turn donations of grain into cash to help food banks that are helping families impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We are all in this together, and this is unprecedented. We’ve never been faced with a challenge like this,” said Nik Jakobs.

Jakobs farms with his father, brothers and other family members as part of Jakobs Brothers Farms, a corn, soybean, wheat and beef cattle operation in rural Sterling.

He’s been keeping up with the news about COVID-19 and the rapid spread of the coronavirus across the country and knew that he and other farmers could do something to help.

He made a call to Northern Illinois Food Bank and discovered that food banks are facing increased demand from the feeding programs they serve.

“It’s not necessarily that we have a massive problem at this minute, but I thought, what if we are quarantined for a month or two months and if people are out of work for months? This is going to be a really big problem, and I wanted to get out in front of it, not wait for the problem to occur, but try to be proactive,” Jakobs said.

He talked to Carey Bauer, co-manager at Rock River Lumber and Grain in Sterling.

“I asked him if I could get a bunch of local farmers, could you create a food bank fund and then we could start distributing that money out to food banks in our area?” Jakobs said.

Bauer was all in with the idea.

So, Jakobs made a list of around 20 local farmers.

“The reception was incredible.

Almost everyone I called wanted to help in some way,” Jakobs said.

When the grain donation wasn’t viable, farmers on the

“The farmers who have participated so far have answered the call more than I could have hoped for.”

Nik Jakobs, farmer JAKOBS BROTHERS FARMS

list did another thing at which they excel — they found a way to make it work.

“One person didn’t have a truck, so they brought a check. I had one farmer donate potatoes.

Another donated beef. A couple worked together to fill a hopper, and other farmers brought whole hoppers down,” Jakobs said.

He talked to other grain merchandisers and elevator managers to expand the program.

“I called a friend a mine, Nick DawTyne, an originator at FS Grain, and he said, ‘How about if I get FS Grain involved?’ He did a wonderful job of that.

They have 20 locations. I called GoldStar FS, and they were very receptive, as well, and got the message out,” Jakobs said.

Farmers can donate as much grain as they want through their grain merchandiser or elevator.

That grain is turned into cash, and the cash is put into the fund for whichever food bank the donor designates.

If the donor does not have a chosen food bank or local food pantry or feeding program, the donation goes to the regional food bank that services feeding programs in the donor’s home area.

“The farmers who have participated so far have answered the call more than I could have hoped for,” Jakobs said.

By noon on March 25, the fund was at $20,000.

With the buying power that regional food banks, which do not distribute to individuals, but distribute food to food pantries, backpack programs and other community feeding programs, those donated dollars more than double in buying power, according to Elizabeth Gartman,

communications manager for Northern Illinois Food Bank.

“That buying power is due to the fact that we have these really great relationships in the food manufacturing and retailer community, so $1 turns into $8 worth of food, with a combination of our donated and purchased product,” Gartman said.

Jakobs sees it from a farmer’s perspective.

“One bushel of corn provides $25 in groceries, and a hopper would provide over $20,000.

Imagine where we would be if everybody participates in this together,” he said.

Jakobs said the response to the effort has been satisfying.

“It seems like everyone I reached out to has wanted to help. People are calling me asking how to help. I tell them we have to get the message out. This is not my idea. This is something that was meant to be. This is something we can springboard from, and we want to make this a movement,” Jakobs said.

Farmers and elevators turning grain into cash donations for worthy causes isn’t a new idea, Jakobs noted.

“Merchandisers have set up funds like this. They have donated to other causes like churches, schools and different organizations for years,” Jakobs said.

He said the response — from elevators, originators and farmers themselves — exhibits the best of the farming and agricultural community.

“One of the things I am most proud of being a farmer is the morals and the values of the farming community. Even though it’s been a rough couple of years in agriculture, farmers take an incredible amount of pride in the ability to feed this country and our communities.

We understand, as farmers, there is no better time to help people than when they are in need,” Jakobs said.

Jeannine Otto can be reached at 815-223-2558, ext. 211, or jotto@agrinews-pubs.com.

Follow her on Twitter at: @AgNews_Otto.

Avoid ‘panic buying’ chicks WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — A global pandemic is not the optimal time to start raising chickens, Marisa Erasmus, an assistant professor of animal sciences at Purdue University, cautions.

As the COVID-19 virus spreads across the country and the globe, food security and sustainability is increasingly on people’s minds as government leaders issue stay-at-home orders and grocery stores are frequently low on staples.

Recent popular press reports have said that anxiety around the food supply may be causing an uptick in the United States of people ordering chicks so they might have a reliable supply of eggs.

Many people jump into this undertaking blindly, not considering certain factors before placing that order for live chicks, Erasmus said.

“If you’re thinking of buying chicks, do your work ahead of time,” she said. “Make sure you know what you’re getting yourself into. These animals are going to grow up and have very specific needs. They are reliant on us to provide for them and we

have to be sure we can do that.”

Erasmus put forward several considerations to take into account before purchasing chicks: n Chicks take roughly five to six months to mature, at which time they will start producing eggs. n Chickens, while housed outside, need shelter from the elements, whether in the form of a hoop structure, a shed or a coop. The structure must be dry with good air circulation and adequate flooring to maintain the health of the flock.

As chickens grow, they will need increasingly more space, roughly 2 square feet per bird. n Other amenities like perches, where the chickens rest, and fencing to keep out wild animals are all necessary to raise healthy birds. n At some point, birds will become injured or ill. Those rearing chickens need to have a plan in place to deal with this eventuality and need to be able to recognize signs of disease and deterioration. n Chickens require specific feed based on their age and whether or not they are laying

eggs. “They can eat some scraps but they do have specific nutritional requirements, which require supplemental feed to be met,” Erasmus said.

Erasmus also recommended those considering chickens acquaint themselves with local ordinances, which many towns and counties have, regarding the rearing of poultry. In some places it is forbidden while other areas may allow it under certain conditions or require shelter specifications.

Those hesitant about investing the time, energy and financial resources required to raise chickens should consider other ways to become more self-sustaining, from starting a vegetable garden to composting. Rearing animals unprepared threatens their quality of life and ability to be productive, Erasmus said.

“Poultry, including chickens, sometimes have the reputation of being ‘bird-brained’,” Erasmus said. “But anyone who has experience raising chickens will tell you they are intelligent and complex creatures who have the capacity to experience suffering and contentment.”

With school closings and cancellation of activities due to COVID-19, kids will undoubtedly be spending Melissa Bell more time on the farm Commercial this spring.

Agronomist While this difficult time is challenging for all of us, the good news for farm kids is they have more opportunities to partake in spring field activities they would otherwise miss.

So, with this in mind, it’s a good time to take all precautions necessary to eliminate potential hazards and put into practice additional safety habits to protect both you and your kids. Here are some tips for working with kids on the farm. n Set a good example.

Children are sponges, always watching and likely to emulate your actions. Spring field preparation and planting is a busy time and puts additional stress on everyone. It can often feel like there aren’t enough hours in the day. Despite the temptation, don’t rush and take unnecessary risks. Calm down. Slow down. The best example you can demonstrate to your kids is to remain calm and emphasize — and demonstrate — the importance of safety. n Teach your children equipment safety basics, including the importance of making sure equipment is in park when stationary and engines are turned off. Explain what the power take-off does and how it operates. The importance of keeping away from the PTO cannot be overemphasized.

Additionally, take steps to make sure all safety guards are in place. n Grain bin safety is imperative. Keep your kids out of grain bins! By nature, kids love to climb, and grain bin ladders represent a big temptation. And if they get to the top, there will be a curiosity to jump in. Grain bins are not a play place. This may be an obvious precaution, but it is crucial to be emphatic about explaining the dangers and forbid kids from even going near bins. n Seat belts are just as important for kids as for adults, if not more so. Whether it’s a quick trip to the field or longer trip to town for supplies, make sure they are securely buckled in when riding along.

Ensure doors and windows are locked and don’t allow your kids to lean against up against them. n Keep sight of your child.

If you can’t see them, don’t move or unfold equipment.

Be aware of other potential dangers, like being near machinery used to load and unload seed, fertilizer or chemicals. Keeping them away from fertilizer and herbicide application equipment to prevent the possibility of contact with dangerous substances is important, too.

n If your kids are old enough or capable of helping with spring farm work, assign tasks appropriate for the individual child. Know what each is capable — and comfortable — doing. If the child doesn’t feel confident or ready, don’t force it. Every child is different, regardless of age. There may be a task one 14-year-old may be confident and capable of doing while a 16-year-old may not. n Wear personal protective equipment as appropriate and ensure your children do. PPE has always been the required safety precaution on the farm when working with chemicals, seed and fertilizers. Wear safety glasses or sunglasses, gloves, sunscreen, hats, masks and hearing protection as necessary. n Don’t touch treated seed.

Brightly colored seed can be tempting for young children.

And make sure to keep children away from chemicals and insecticides. If they are old enough and are engaged in helping with mixing chemicals or loading the planter, make sure your kids are protected with proper PPE. n Fire extinguishers — know where they are and how to use them. In my high school ag class, we practiced putting out fires with extinguishers.

It’s one thing to read how to operate it, it’s another to have hands-on experience. If you’re able to wrangle extra fire extinguishers, it can be a good activity to teach your kids on a day you’re out of the field. n Spending more time together with your kids on the farm is a great opportunity to teach them new things. A quick lesson on topics like proper planting depth and planting populations may spark interest. As for me, riding in the planting tractor and checking soybean fields for aphids is where I learned I love agronomy. If not for that, I may have never found my passion.

Lastly, enjoy the time together and have fun. Some of my favorite memories as a kid are of helping my dad build fence and spending time with my brothers doing seemingly tedious tasks like picking up rocks.

This is a challenging time for all of us, without doubt. Yet, despite the disruption and uncertainty, consider a brighter side.

More time with kids, especially during this busy planting season, represents opportunities to teach, learn, work together and cement the bond of family that has always been the staple of farm life. We’ll get through this — together.

Have a safe and productive spring planting season.

® Trademark of Dow AgroSciences, DuPont or Pioneer, and their affiliated companies or their respective owners. © 2020 Corteva.

Maintaining financial control during the COVID-19 pandemic WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Many are experiencing unanticipated loss of income due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Purdue Extension Health and Human Sciences, located in the College of Health and Human Sciences, has created nine fact sheets outlining the steps that individuals should take to maintain financial control and minimize hardship amid a reduction of income.

HHS Extension suggests that people in such situations assess the scenario and take control of what they can to minimize stress. It is important to manage well-being by taking it one day at a time and keeping mentally and physically healthy.

The fact sheets outline how to determine a person’s net worth and recommend thinking about non-financial resources — such as skills and talent — that may be helpful in this uncertain time.

Once someone has a clear view of family or individual resources, he should consider

using available community, state or national resources. The fact sheets include a list of these resources, with contact information.

After assessing these additional resources, set priorities for spending and create a budget. Prioritize expenses such as housing, food and medicine, insurance, utilities and lender payments and eliminate any nonessential expenses.

HHS Extension recommends reaching out to lenders and creditors to ask if they have any relief available during the pandemic.

Be aware of fraud and scams and know your rights. Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb also ordered the suspension of residential eviction proceedings or foreclosure actions, and providers of essential utility services are prohibited from discontinuing service to customers during this state of emergency.

The fact sheets can be found at https://extension.purdue. edu/article/36749.

A4 Friday, April 10, 2020

| INDIANA AGRINEWS | www.agrinews-pubs.com

FFA

FROM PAGE ONE

FFA secretary celebrates ‘Friends Friday’

By Ashley Langreck

The National FFA president said that family, friends, the FFA community or the city or town an individual lives in can all be considered one’s community.

“I use Facebook Live to give tips and tricks on how members can still engage even though they still have to distance,” McCoy said.

McCoy said it is a very crucial time for FFA members to be a role model and a leader for others.

“It’s time to take hold and be the light for others in the community in uncertain times and seek out blessings,” McCoy said.

McCoy said it’s important for FFA members to not get discouraged right now and for them to remember the impact they have already made not only on the FFA organization, but also on their community.

“Members should never forget the impact they have already made and will continue to make,” McCoy said.

Ashley Langreck

STRESS FROM PAGE ONE

There are things that shut off when a person is under stress including the digestive, reproduction and immune systems.

“That’s why it’s easier to get sick when we’re under stress,” McConkey said.

“The problem is when stressors are always present and those body systems stay cued up,” she said. “The overexposure of cortisol and adrenaline really disrupts almost every body process.”

The human function curve, which has good stress on one end and chronic stress on the other end, is very different for everyone.

“The peak comes at different places, so what may be a stressor for one person is not stressful for someone else,” McConkey said. “There is a whole range in between, and a lot depends on how much sense of control you have.”

Chronic stress can impact both physical and mental illness.

“We may be more apt to experiencing anxiety or depression,” McConkey said. “And there are lots of health related problems like heart disease, problems with digestion or sleep and weight gain or loss.”

Farmers with chronic stress may have issues with memory, concentration or the ability to make decisions.

“Many farmers I work with are in a vicious circle because there is a lot of work to be done but communication has crashed with the family and ag lenders so they don’t remember if they’ve done things,” McConkey said. “Sometimes even the simplest decisions, things they’ve done for years, are now really tough.”

To get chronic stress under control, McConkey said, it is important to evaluate triggers.

“It could be related to an accident on the farm and now you’re in the same position of having to work around that equipment or livestock that caused harm to someone you cared about,” she explained.

To reduce stress, McConkey advises people to eat healthy, drink plenty of water and find time to relax.

“Take some deep breaths, sit in a quiet spot, go for a drive or exercise,” she said. “On a farm we’re always busy, but it’s not the type of consistent exercise that helps with cardio so be purposeful about exercise.”

Sleep is a important aspect of stress relief.

“Sleep is something we take for granted until we can’t do it,” McConkey said.

“One hundred percent of the farmers I talk to are not sleeping,” she said. “Have some kind of routine that leads up to sleep like taking a shower or reading.”

McConkey advises farm families to look at lifestyle changes.

“Embrace hobbies or look at adult classes,” she said. “Or, maybe a bible study once a week. Do something outside of what typically causes stress.”

Fa r mer s shou ld show themselves grace and mercy, McConkey said.

“Your thoughts will directly control your feelings, so if your thoughts are negative, that is not helpful,” she said.

“Take moments to look around you and be grateful,” she stressed. “Prayer is a really powerful tool to deal with stress.”

Martha Blum can be reached at 815-223-2558, ext. 117, or marthablum@agrinews-pubs. com. Follow her on Twitter at: @AgNews_Blum.

AGRINEWS PUBLICATIONS

INDIANAPOLIS — Although she may not be traveling around the country and interacting with FFA members in person like she thought she would be when she was elected as the 2019-2020 National FFA secretary at the 2019 National FFA Convention, Kourtney Lehman is still finding ways to inspire members while she is back home in Oregon.

Lehman said it’s been a bit crazy adjusting to serving as a National FFA officer from her home, while practicing social distancing and following travel bans that are in place to help reduce the spread of COVID-19, but she and her fellow teammates are doing their best to still engage with the community.

To try and stay in touch with FFA members across the country during these uncertain time, each of the six National FFA officers was assigned a day Monday through Saturday and was tasked with creating a theme and a positive, uplifting video message to go along with it that would be posted on National FFA social media.

Lehman said she was given

Friday and she decided to go with “Friend’s Friday” and that her theme was based on the television show “Friends.”

Lehman “Every Friday, I do something new to occupy time and members learn my challenge, as well,” Lehman said.

Lehman said that for her first video she asked FFA members what challenge they wanted to see her tackle, and they chose for her to learn a TikTok dance called “The Renegade.”

“I felt really old, but right after members messaged me about my video,” Lehman said, adding that she really enjoyed seeing all the positive comments and feedback on her dance videos from FFA members and also received videos from members doing their version of the dance.

For an upcoming Friend’s Friday video, Lehman took a poll on Instagram with several different choices and had FFA members choose what new ac-

tivity they wanted her to learn, and they chose sign language.

Lehman said during the video she will sign about things she finds happy and positive in life.

Before she could sign for members in her video, and help teach them some sign language, Lehman said she had to learn American Sign Language herself, which she was able to do with Zoom.

“I had a Zoom call with a chapter that has a strong sign language at their FFA chapter,” Lehman said.

Lehman said to figure out what new challenges and life skills she will continue to learn for her videos, she will continue to post polls on Instagram for FFA members to vote on.

“I’ll keep doing polls, because it’s something members are interested in,” Lehman said, adding that she believes it’s because members are interested in learning new skills, too, and they are voting for what they want to learn.

Ashley Langreck can be reached at 800-426-9438, ext. 192, or alangreck@ agrinews-pubs.com. Follow her on Twitter at: @AgNews_ Langreck.

Quarterly stocks continue downward trend

By Tom C. Doran

AGRINEWS PUBLICATIONS

WASHINGTON — Corn, soybeans and wheat stocks were all down year-over-year for the second consecutive quarterly grain stocks report.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture reported corn stocks in all positions on March 1 totaled 7.95 billion bushels, down 8% from 2019.

Of the total corn stocks, 4.45 billion bushels were stored on farms, 13% lower than a year earlier. Off-farm stocks, at 3.50 billion bushels, are up slightly from a year ago.

The December 2019-February 2020 indicated disappearance of corn is 3.45 billion bushels, compared with 3.32 billion bushels during the same period last year.

U.S. soybeans stored in all positions on March 1 totaled 2.25 billion bushels, down 17% from 2019.

Soybean stocks stored on farms are estimated at 1.01 billion bushels, down 20% from a year ago. Off-farm stocks, at 1.24 billion bushels, 15% lower than last March.

PLANTING FROM PAGE ONE

ACREAGE PERSPECTIVE Illinois had 1.142 million corn prevent plant acres, and Indiana had 709,800 acres of idle corn acres in 2019.

Prevent plant soybeans acres last year in Illinois were estimated at 331,200 acres, and Indiana was at 230,400.

Corn acreage prevented from planting in Iowa was 381,000, and 82,400 soybean acres were idle in 2019.

NATIONWIDE U.S. corn planted area for all purposes in 2020 is estimated at 97 million acres, up 8% or 7.29 million acres from last

ACREAGE FROM PAGE ONE

How will the market look at these survey numbers?

“If the market takes the report face value, it will weigh on the new crop December contract.

I just think we almost start the weather market tomorrow with the underlying belief that the corn/soybean ratio favored corn over soybeans with the planting intentions and if the intentions follow through and are realized we have the potential for a record corn crop this fall. That’s assuming acreage is realized and assuming a trend yield somewhere in that 175 to 180 bushels per acre range nationwide.”

Corn Stocks by Position March 1, 2019 and 2020

2019 2020

On-farm Off-farm On-farm Off-farm (1,000 bushels) Illinois 740,000 805,073 530,000 696,078 Indiana 385,000 215,770 280,000 211,374 Iowa 990,000 577,304 890,000 629,109

Soybean Stocks by Position March 1, 2019 and 2020 2019 2020

On-farm Off-farm On-farm Off-farm (1,000 bushels) Illinois 215,000 276,983 155,000 230,384 Indiana 110,000 90,837 91,000 83,295 Iowa 195,000 225,241 185,000 218,049

Indicated disappearance for the December 2019-February 2020 quarter totaled 1 billion bushels of soybeans, down 1% from the same period a year earlier.

The nation’s all wheat stored in all positions on March 1 is estimated at 1.41 billion bushels, down 11% from a year ago.

On-farm wheat stocks are estimated at 339 million bushels, down 8% from last March. Offfarm stocks, at 1.07 billion bushels, 12% below a year ago.

The December 2019-February 2020 indicated disappearance is 428 million bushels, 3% above the same period a year earlier.

year. Compared with last year, planted acreage is expected to be up or unchanged in 38 of the 48 estimating states.

Record high corn acreage is expected in Arizona (100,000 total acres), Idaho (400,000), Nevada (17,000) and Oregon (85,000).

Record low acreage is expected in Connecticut (23,000) and Rhode Island (2,000).

Corn acreage increases from last year of 800,000 or more are expected in Indiana, Illinois, Ohio (3.7 million total acres) and South Dakota (6 million).

Soybean planted area for 2020 is estimated at 83.5 million acres, up 10% from last year’s 76.1 million. Compared with last year, planted acreage is expected to be up or unchanged in 22 of the 29 estimating states.

Increases of 250,000 acres or

more are anticipated in Arkansas (2.9 million total acres), Illinois, Kansas (5 million), Michigan (2.2 million), Minnesota (7.4 million), Missouri (5.8 million), North Dakota (6.6 million), Ohio (4.8 million) and South Dakota (5.4 million).

All wheat planted area for 2020 is estimated at 44.7 million acres, down 1% from 2019. This represents the lowest all wheat planted area since records began in 1919. The 2020 winter wheat planted area, at 30.8 million acres, is down 1% from last year and down slightly from the previous estimate.

Record low winter wheat acreage is estimated in Nebraska (920,000 total acres) and Utah (120,000).

bit more corn than we expected, or the 2019 crop was overstated. Perhaps it’s a combination, I don’t know the answer.

“Regardless, that will help a little bit with regards to the loss that we’re unfortunately seeing in ethanol grind with the reduced gas consumption due to the coronavirus right now.

“I wouldn’t be surprised at all to see USDA reduce the ethanol grind in the next supply and demand report.”

to pencil in, it would be supportive, but not bullish. We’re not running out of soybeans and South America is harvesting a very strong crop as we speak.”

Soybean planting intentions of 83.51 million acres was below the trade’s pre-report average estimate of 84.86 million acres, Allendale’s 83.74 million and the 85 million estimated by Bloomberg and the Ag Forum.

“The planting number for soybeans was a little bit supportive.

I just think the corn/soybean Quarterly corn stocks were 7.953 ratio in the winter months hovbillion bushels. Any surprises on ering down there between 2.3, that side of the report?

2.35, and the desire of produc“The corn stocks report was ers to regain rotations in many supportive; 7.95 billion was about 180 million bushels below cases across Corn Belt following the challenges with all the the average trade guess. It conwet weather that we had in tinues to raise thoughts that 2019 has really laid the foundathe 2019 crop was over-stated.

We’ll just have to see eventually tion for a big corn number and a reduced soybean number. if there’s a reduction or an ad“The new crop soybean numjustment made in that. ber is constructive, but there are “I do think we fed a fair amount of corn this winter, but chapters yet to be written with the weather. North Dakota a million that number on top of the surprisingly high feed and residual acres higher, needless to say, who number for the first half of the knows? Last year was a good eduyear our feed disappearance has cation process for all of us. been surprisingly high given “It’s a good starting point. If our supposed crop size last fall. you pencil that into a balance “So, the conclusion is either sheet for 2020-2021, depending we aggressively did feed quite a on what level of usage you want

Tom C. Doran

Soybean quarterly stocks of 2.253 billion bushels were slightly above the pre-report average guess of 2.241 billion and below last March’s 2.727 billion.

“The soybean stocks are a little above expectations. That could be an understatement of the 2019 crop or maybe some rounding errors. It’s not a shocking soybean stocks number.”

Was there any support for wheat in the reports?

“The all wheat planted acreage number of 44.655 is just slightly below expectations of 45 million acres. The wheat acreage report was constructive.

“The stocks report for wheat was basically neutral to slightly supportive, with 1.412 billion bushels on March 1. The trade was looking for about 1.43 billion bushels, so it was roughly 20 million bushels below expectations.

That’s not really significant.

“I would mention that maybe that might imply a little more wheat feeding during the winter, but the wheat/corn ratio really didn’t justify a lot of that.

“So, I would say, particularly given the corn number was surprisingly low on stocks that’s probably just some rounding errors in there and nothing of any major significance there as far as stocks numbers.”

Tom C. Doran

OPEN

FROM PAGE ONE

“Rest assured that despite today’s uncertainty, the U.S. will continue to remain the most reliable feed grain supplier in the world. We are open for business, 365 days per year, and we will continue to be there for you during this crisis,” the video stated.

Workers will continue to inspect barges under new safety protocol to prevent COVID-19 from affecting the port system.

Third-party inspectors remain staffed and ready to service the needs of international customers.

“Maybe there are some slowdowns in the receipt of vessels as they check crews and such and if there are any coronavirus infections there amongst the crew, they would take additional measures at those foreign ports. I’m hearing Chinese vessels entering other countries are getting extra scrutiny right now, but everything is operating pretty much normally around the world when it comes to the shipment and the receipt of grains,” LeGrand said.

Recent purchases of U.S. grain exemplify how the export system continues to operate.

China recently purchased nearly 30 million bushels of corn, the largest single purchase of corn by that country in the last seven years.

Most recently, about 9.8 million bushels of corn were sold to unknown destinations.

“We do suspect that it’s China taking advantage of the dip in the market. They typically classify those as unknown destinations, one, to hide the trade and, two, to make a decision depending on circumstances at the time of shipment where exactly they want to ship it. So, if it doesn’t work at China at that time they can ship it to another destination,” LeGrand said.

“Over 1 million metric tons of sorghum has been recently sold to China, and we expect that there’s more behind that.”

The regular purchasers of U.S. corn such as Japan, South Korea, Mexico and Colombia continue to be active. Japan recently purchased 4.5 million bushels of corn.

“Last week’s corn shipments were at an 11-month high, still off USDA’s projected number for this crop year by about 130 million bushels, but seeing that up-tick in corn shipments is a bright spot amongst all of the bad news that we’re seeing and hearing around the world,” LeGrand said.

DDGS POTENTIAL China is working to register the U.S. ethanol plants in order to resume DDGS exports there. That has the potential to open a 5 million metric ton market for the product from U.S. ethanol plants.

China has an anti-dumping and countervailing duty case against U.S. DDGS, but purchases of the ethanol co-product were part of the “Phase 1” trade deal.

LeGrand expects to see exemptions to the duties that have been levied on U.S. DDGS. “Hopefully, there are more good things to come with trade with China and other nations.

There are some bright spots amongst all the bad news that we’re hearing,” he said.

MORE GOOD NEWS There is plenty of other good news in the grain export realm besides the purchases

by China and others.

“One piece of information that we’re hearing from around the world is that there is there’s confidence in the U.S. grain export system and for that reason buyers in North Africa, which are typically buyers of South American corn, are looking more and more to the United States as an origin because they have confidence that our supplies will continue to flow,” LeGrand noted.

“They’re worried about Argentina. About 10 days ago Argentina briefly shut down their Rosario port which is their main grain exporting hub. It was opened very quickly after that, but the fear is there that Argentina and other grain exporting ports around the world could shut down their operations, and that fear isn’t quite as strong with the United States.

“We’re seeing the same thing in Taiwan where buyers are looking to book premiums in some instances just because they know that the grain they buy from the United States is going to arrive on time at their port.”

Tom C. Doran can be reached at 815-780-7894 or tdoran@agrinews-pubs.com.

Follow him on Twitter at: @AgNews_Doran.

www.agrinews-pubs.com | INDIANA AGRINEWS | Friday, April 10, 2020

A5

Local farmers top list of farmland buyers

By Tom C. Doran

AGRINEWS PUBLICATIONS

BLOOMINGTON, Ill. — “The composition of buyers and sellers and reasons for selling evolves slowly with minor changes from prior years despite widespread popular press stories about major structural changes in agriculture.”

That was the findings of the Illinois Society of Professional Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers’ outlook of price expectations and farmland transaction trends as part of the annual farmland value survey. The results were released in a March 19 webinar.

“This information is compiled by our members throughout Illinois to provide a comprehensive look at farmland values and lease trends through the eyes of the professionals who see it firsthand,”

Seth Baker, ISPFMRA president and president and managing broker of Field Level Agriculture, Mt. Zion, wrote to open the survey report.

“Most of our members are also farmland brokers and many are farmland owners, as well. No group is better suited to provide the most accurate farmland value information available.”

Here are the findings of the farmland transaction trends that were part of the ISPFMRA’s land values survey.

SELLERS OF FARMLAND Estate sales accounted for 52% of the sales and were, by far, the largest category of sellers. Estate sales were followed by farmers who made up 23% of sellers.

Fourteen percent of those farmers were retired and 9% were active farmers. Individual investors

accounted for 14% of the sellers, followed by institutions at 9%.

REASONS FOR SELLING The major reason for selling farmland was to settle estates, accounting for 58% of the farmland sales. “Invest in non-agricultural assets” was the next highest reason with 15% of the sales.

Remaining reasons were to re-invest pay down debt (11%), use for other personal purposes (11%) and re-invest in other agricultural enterprises (5%).

METHODS OF SELLING The survey found 51% of parcels were sold by private treaty, 33% by public auction, 10% by multi-parcel auction and 6% by sealed bid.

FARMLAND BUYERS Farmers accounted for 60% of the purchasers,

with 59% being local farmers and 1% being relocating farmers.

Individual investors who would not farm the land were the next largest group, accounting for 35% of the buyers.

Local investors accounted for 19% of the buyers and non-local investors were 10%.

Institutions accounted for 5% of buyers.

Survey respondents indicated that 62% of farmland buyers did not require debt financing. On average, 61% of the purchase price was financed for those buyers requiring debt financing.

spondents indicated that volume decreased, and 38% indicated that there was no change in volume.

FARMLAND EXPECTATIONS The survey found 39% of respondents expect farmland prices to decrease during 2020, down from 61% at the beginning of 2019. Forty-eight percent expect farmland prices to remain and the same, and 13% expect farmland prices to increase.

Overall, respondents are more optimistic at the beginning of 2020 as compared to the beginning of 2019.

the economy to expand.

A contracting agricultural economy would be expected to have a negative impact on farmland prices.

Fewer respondents expected the agricultural economy to contract this year as compared to last year.

CORN PRICES Respondents were asked at what level they expected corn prices to average in 2020.

Fourteen percent expect corn prices between $3 and $3.50 per bushel; 78% expect corn prices between $3.50 and $4 per bushel; and 8% expect corn prices between $4 AGRICULTURE ECONOMY VOLUME SOLD Respondents were asked and $4.50.

Respondents indicated that there was an increase whether they expected the Tom C. Doran can be agricultural economy to in volume of sales during reached at 815-780-7894 expand or contract. the last half of 2019 comSeventy-three percent of or tdoran@agrinewspared to the last half of 2018 with 29% indicating respondents expected the pubs.com. Follow him on economy to contract mod- Twitter at: @AgNews_ some increase.

Doran.

Thirty-five percent of re- estly while 27% expect

45-year member inducted into ISPFMRA Hall of Fame AGRINEWS PUBLICATIONS

PONTIAC, Ill. — A 45year member was recently named to the Illinois Society of Professional Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers Hall of Fame.

Rick Hiatt, of Hiatt Enterprises LLC, Pontiac, received the honor at ISPFMRA’s annual meeting in recognition of his long service to the organization that includes various officer and committee capacities.

He currently coordinates the organization’s investment funds, is a member of the chapter’s memorial scholarship program and serves as District 3 vice president for the American Society of Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers.

He has held numerous offices with the Illinois chapter, including president. He’s also a liaison w ith the Communit y Bankers Association of Illinois.

Hiatt holds both Accredited Farm Manager and Accredited Rural Appraiser designations from ASFMRA. Farming has been part of Hiatt’s life since day one, and the new hall of famer reflected on his early life and his career path in an interview with Illinois AgriNews.

EARLY LIFE He was born and raised on a farm near Streator, and the family moved to Watseka during his school years when his father got a position with the Iroquois County Farm Bureau.

Hiatt was very active in the Watseka FFA and the 4-H programs in the county and credited those experiences into molding his career path.

After high school, he attended Southern Illinois University at Carbondale where he earned an agriculture education degree, followed by four years of service in the U.S. Navy.

Upon his honorable discharge, Hiatt enrolled in graduate school at SIU to study ag economics.

CAREER PATH TURN Hiatt was hired after college as a farm manager at Pontiac National Bank and was asked how his career path veered from studying ag education at SIU to banking.

“Actually all I ever wanted to do was farm.

I had an opportunity to farm, but when I got out of the service that opportunity was gone. The reason why I studied ag education is with my desire to farm I said if I ever got hurt or got disabled in some way I should still be able to be in a wheelchair and teach.

The other part of it was the FFA that got me into ag education and it gave a very diverse background,” he said.

“When I got out of the service I decided I needed to concentrate a little bit on the economic side.

Teaching was OK, but it wasn’t going to go too far too fast. That’s why I went into the business side of it in farm management.

“I think they have a word

for farm management people. They’re called ‘frustrated farmers’ — people who couldn’t get a hold of a piece of land themselves and didn’t have the money to buy all of the machinery.

So, they got into a position where they could still do it all, but they didn’t own it.”

MEMBERSHIP His first experience with the state and national farm manager and rural appraiser groups began soon after he was hired at the bank after college.

“The gentleman who hired me was an advocate of the Illinois Society and the American Society of Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers. We started attending meetings, etcetera, and I ended up pursuing my accredited farm management designation with the ASFMRA. A few years later on I got my accredited rural appraiser designation,” Hiatt said.

After eight years as a farm manager, he moved into the bank’s trust department, a post he held for 12 years before serving four years as bank president.

“I then went out on my own in 1997 and I opened Hiatt Enterprises LLC in farm management, investments, appraisals and land acquisitions. I’m still working for myself today and it’s been great. I spend about 60% of may time in farm management consulting work and about 40% is spent in the securities industry as a financial adviser. I also do some income tax work,” Hiatt noted.

ALWAYS ACTIVE Being an active member in organizations are important to Hiatt.

While at SIU he joined the Alpha Gamma Rho and he continues those ties as the fraternity’s alumni executive secretar y, a post he’s held for about 38 years.

When his career led him back to farm management and he formed his company, Hiatt became more active in the state and national societies.

“I was very active on the scholarship committee.

Then someone asked if I’d run for office. I did and I went up through the officer chain,” he said.

DELIVERING IDEAS At the ISPFMRA level, Hiatt spearheaded changes in the group’s scholarship programs.

“About four years ago I said we needed to do more for the scholarships.

I talked to the board about starting an investment account, so instead of having money sitting around in a money market account, let’s put it into an investment account. So, we did that with Vanguard and that account is producing income and support for the scholarship program,” he said.

The new scholarship program initiated by Hiatt is supported by interest from the account and is for students transferring from an accredited community college in Illinois to Illinois State University,

Rick Hiatt (left), of Hiatt Enterprises LLC, Pontiac, was named to the Illinois Society of Professional Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers Hall of Fame. Presenting the plaque citing the achievement at the group’s annual meeting is Dan Legner, past president of the organization.

SIU, University of Illinois, Western Illinois University or Illinois College.

The chapter’s other scholarship program that has been in place for many years is funded through the ISPFMR A’s annual scholarship auction.

At the national level where his duties have included serving on the scholarship auction committee and membership task force, Hiatt borrowed an idea from the C om mu n it y B a n ke r s Association of Illinois, an organization he was very active in while at the bank.

The ASFMR A Patron Program recognizes state chapters’ membership efforts, similar to a CBAI program.

“The program has about 10 criteria to it. You aren’t in competition with any other chapter or any other part of the American society. You’re pretty much just in competition with yourself in that you have to achieve everything in 10 of the criteria and then be named a Patron Chapter of the American society,” Hiatt explained.

There were three Patron Chapters the first year and that doubled the second year.

PROFESSIONAL SOCIETY The ISPFMRA has “professional” in its title for a reason, and is emphasized through its members’ ac-

tion.

“Illinois is one of the largest absentee landowner states. People have passed the land down to generation after generation and when the pie gets smaller and smaller those people are doing other things and have other priorities in their life, but they still have a very valuable resource out here that needs to be taken care of,” Hiatt said.

“My excitement is stepping into their shoes to represent them and get a very good return, as well as preserving the farmland. That’s where I see the professionalism of the Illinois society.

“Farming is not simple today. It requires professionalism and expertise and the integrity of the individual I think is really critical. That’s what the organization brings.

We have our mandatory classes, and we have continuing education that we have to do all the time, and

we have our accredited designations which sets us apart.”

PLEASANT SURPRISE Hiatt had no idea of his impending hall of fame induction until it was announced at the ISPFMRA annual meeting.

“It was a total shock.

It’s the highest award that there is in the Illinois Society and I am very grateful to be named among some of the best in the field. It is just a very, very humbling position and it’s a great honor. I think about it just about every day,” Hiatt said.

It was no shock to those who have known of Hiatt’s dedication and commitment to the organization and its ideals for the past 45 years.

Tom C. Doran can be reached at 815-780-7894 or tdoran@agrinewspubs.com. Follow him on Twitter at: @AgNews_ Doran.

Leaders in Buying and Selling Quality Used Equipment.

One Less Thing for You to Stress About.

Always the Best Service.

Always There.

Always Quality.

SM-LA1769493

By Tom C. Doran

1340 N 2300 E Rd • Shelbyville, IL 62565 • 217-774-4508 821 S O’Bannon St • Raymond, IL 62560 • 217-229-4217 barkerimp.com • barkerimplementco@yahoo.com

Need to Grow Working Capital??

Call about our SALE-LEASE BACK Program * Creates Instant Cash For Your Operation * Re-Structure Existing Equipment Payments * Tax Deductible Lease Payments Through LSI’s “True Tax Lease” Program * Write-Off Your Lease Payments On Previously Depreciated Equipment * Flexible 3-5 Year Terms * Single or Multiple Unit Leases * Improve Balance Sheet Debt

We Buy It You Lease It!

2011 Kuhn Krause 1200-1630 Gladiator 6-Ton High Output Montag Dry Fertilizer, Dual Raven NH3 Coolers, Spring Reset Units, Rear Hitch, Rear Camera, Microtrak Controller For Dry Fertilizer, 1-Owner Unit, Less Than 8000 Acres $64,900 3-5 Year Lease Options

2009 SUKUP T2431 24’ Dryer 2400 BU./HR., Continuous Flow, 3 Phase, Propane, 4095 Hours, Double Fan 1/3-2/3 Split, Touch Screen, Wireless Modem, 5” Air System Included - Can Separate Them If Not Needed. $57,500 3-5 Year Lease Options

2015 John Deere 9570RT 1548 Hours, 30” Tracks, 59GPM Pump, Wide Swing Drawbar, 26 Frt Weights,1800LB Idler Weights, Deluxe Lights, Prem.

Cab w/10” Display, Refrigerator, AT Act., Very Clean IL. Tractor $259,900 Lease From $34,900/YR

New or Used - All Brands

• 3-5 Year Terms On Used Equipment • 3-7 Year Terms On New Equipment *Agricultural Equipment *Trucks & Trailers *Construction Equipment *Grain Bins

Download an application from our website lease-today.com Member of

Serving Illinois, Iowa, Indiana, Missouri, Wisconsin

On-Site Service • Galesburg, IL (309) 343-2099

SM-LA1769241

2014 Case IH 470 Rowtrac 2049 Hours, 563 HP, 24” Tracks, 3 PT, PTO, 120” Spacing, 5 Remotes, HiFlow, PWR Beyond, Monitor, Leather, Serviced, Clean IL Planter Tractor $198,500 Lease From $28,500/YR

A6 Friday, April 10, 2020

| INDIANA AGRINEWS | www.agrinews-pubs.com

REGIONAL WEATHER

Outlook for April 10 - April 16

Shown is Friday’s weather. Temperatures are Friday’s highs and Friday night’s lows.

Rock Island 50/35

Chicago 48/35

©2020; forecasts and graphics provided by

SUNRISE/SUNSET Rise 6:28 a.m.

6:27 a.m.

6:25 a.m.

6:23 a.m.

6:22 a.m.

6:20 a.m.

6:19 a.m.

Decatur 50/36

Quincy 52/38

Springfield Date April 10 April 11 April 12 April 13 April 14 April 15 April 16

Peoria 51/36

Set 7:32 p.m.

7:33 p.m.

7:34 p.m.

7:35 p.m.

7:36 p.m.

7:37 p.m.

7:38 p.m.

Gary 46/36

Champaign 49/35 Lafayette 51/37

Springfield 51/37

Central Illinois: Friday: mostly sunny and cool. Winds east-northeast 7-14 mph. Expect six to 10 hours of sunshine with good drying conditions and average relative humidity 50%. Saturday: overcast. Winds southeast 7-14 mph.

Fort Wayne 45/32

Muncie 48/35

Southern Illinois: Friday: mostly sunny and cool. Winds east 4-8 mph. Expect eight to 12 hours of sun with good drying conditions and average relative humidity 50%. Saturday: cloudy; rain possible in the south. Winds east 4-8 mph.

Indianapolis 50/36

Mt. Vernon 54/36

East St. Louis 55/39

TEMPERATURES

Evanston 46/36 South Bend 45/32

Rockford 49/32

Terre Haute 52/36

Vevay 51/34

Evansville 54/39

PRECIPITATION

MOON PHASES Full

Apr 7

Last

Apr 14

New

Apr 22

First

Apr 30

GROWING DEGREE DAYS Illinois Week ending April 6 Month through April 6 Season through April 6 Normal month to date Normal season to date

9 9 53 0 0

Indiana Week ending April 6 Month through April 6 Season through April 6 Normal month to date Normal season to date

AGRICULTURE FORECASTS

16 12 70 0 0

Anna 54/35

Today Hi/Lo/W 49/35/s 48/35/pc 50/36/s 55/39/s 46/36/pc 48/33/c 54/36/s 51/36/s 52/38/pc 49/32/pc 50/35/pc 51/37/s

Tom. Hi/Lo/W 55/38/c 53/38/c 57/40/c 63/42/c 50/38/c 52/38/c 61/42/c 56/40/c 57/41/c 54/36/c 54/38/r 58/40/c

Sun. Hi/Lo/W 57/34/s 53/34/pc 57/34/s 61/38/s 51/33/pc 55/31/pc 58/36/s 56/32/pc 57/33/pc 53/30/pc 53/29/pc 58/35/pc

Indiana Bloomington Carmel Evansville Fishers Fort Wayne Gary Lafayette Indianapolis Muncie South Bend Terre Haute Vevay

Today Hi/Lo/W 52/36/s 48/35/s 54/39/s 48/35/s 45/32/pc 46/36/c 51/37/s 50/36/s 48/35/s 45/32/pc 52/36/s 51/34/s

Tom. Hi/Lo/W 57/42/c 53/41/c 61/45/c 53/39/c 51/38/c 51/39/c 56/42/c 54/43/c 53/41/c 52/38/c 57/44/c 55/44/c

Sun. Hi/Lo/W 61/38/c 57/37/c 63/40/c 57/35/c 55/35/c 54/36/pc 59/37/c 59/37/c 57/38/c 54/34/c 61/37/c 63/38/c

Southern Indiana: Friday: mostly sunny and cool. Winds west-northwest 8-16 mph.

Expect eight to 12 hours of sunshine with good drying conditions and average relative humidity 55%. Saturday: cloudy. Winds west 7-14 mph.

SOUTH AMERICA Largely dry from Argentina to southern Brazil and Paraguay through Saturday.

A front will spread showers and storms northward across these areas from Sunday into Tuesday.

Weather (W): s–sunny, pc–partly cloudy, c–cloudy, sh–showers, t–thunderstorms, r–rain, sf–snow flurries, sn–snow, i–ice

Book introduces young readers to dairy farming

Effort to save remains of cypress tree

By Jill Erwin

VINCENNES SUN-COMMERCIAL

VINCENNES, Ind. (AP) — Ron Clark of Bicknell hopes to preserve the last large cypress tree in what was once the Little Cypress Swamp.

In a southwest corner of Knox County, known to some as Hell’s Neck, rests the remaining acres of Little Cypress Swamp, and it’s Ron Clark’s mission to help preserve the swamp’s largest bald cypress that was once part of 25,000 acres of the mammoth trees.

The tree, likely over 1,000 years old — with some estimates closer to 2,000 years — was once the oldest living thing in Indiana.

Though it hasn’t been alive and thriving for some time, Clark hopes to gain enough interest and support for the iconic tree to preserve its remains by uprooting and moving it to a newly constructed, weatherproof shelter.

“There’s only one like this, and it’s maybe been there for 2,000 years … that goes back to the time of Jesus,” the Bicknell man said of the tree’s significance.

The large cypress has a circumference of more than 45 feet and a hollowed out space large enough to shelter several people within it.

Little Cypress Swamp is near the confluence of the White and Wabash rivers and is an ecological rarity.

The remaining acreage of bald cypress trees in that pocket of Knox County is possibly the northernmost point in the United States where the trees have grown wild, thriving in the sandy soil and regularly flooded grounds.

As the population of Knox County expanded, nearly all of the cypress trees were felled by the timber man’s axe, making way for more farmland as the trees were being turned into wooden shingles.

Clark hopes to make one large piece of Knox County’s natural past more accessible to residents and tourists, and he’s looking for any and all help as he moves through the early stages of planning and fundraising.

“A lot of what’s being done is volunteer, but some of this will need a little bit of money,” he said.

The former county highway superintendent said he is in talks with architect Larry Donovan and other local leaders. He hopes to finalize plans to move the tree from its original home in Little Cypress Swamp to a temporary protective shelter sometime later this spring.

T hose interested in learning more or being a part of the preservation efforts can contact Ron Clark via email at rrrclark@frontier.com.

Northern Indiana: Friday: chilly with clouds and sun, but sunnier in the south.

Winds west-northwest 10-20 mph. Expect six to 10 hours of sunshine with fair drying conditions and average relative humidity 55%. Saturday: cloudy.

Central Indiana: Friday: mostly sunny and chilly. Winds northwest 7-14 mph. Expect six to 10 hours of sunshine with fair drying conditions and average relative humidity 60%. Saturday: cloudy. Winds southeast 6-12 mph.

For 24-hour weather updates, check out www.agrinews-pubs.com Illinois Champaign Chicago Decatur E. St. Louis Evanston Joliet Mt. Vernon Peoria Quincy Rockford Rock Island Springfield

Northern Illinois: Friday: chilly with clouds and sun, except sunnier in the south. Winds west-northwest 10-20 mph.

Expect four to eight hours of sunshine with fair drying conditions and average relative humidity 55%.

“Tales of the Dairy Godmother: Chuck’s Ice Cream Wish,” now available from Feeding Minds Press, the American Farm Bureau Foundation for Agriculture’s publishing venture, follows young Chuck as he learns just how much work goes into making his favorite treat.

WASHINGTON — At a time when consumers of all ages are growing in curiosity about where their food comes from, a new children’s book introduces readers to the round-theclock work and ingenuity of dairy farming.

“Tales of the Dair y Godmother: Chuck’s Ice Cream Wish” is now available from Feeding Minds Press, the American Farm Bureau Foundation for Agriculture’s publishing venture. “‘Chuck’s Ice Cream Wish’ is a delightful and educational story that we hope will engage young readers and spark curiosity about where their food comes from,” Daniel Meloy, executive director of the foundation said.

“That’s our goal with every resource the foun-

dation provides, and we’re excited to add this story to the growing library of books that tell the story of modern agriculture.”

In this “dair y-t ale,” a you ng boy na med Chuck wishes for all the ice cream he can eat, prompting his “Dair y Godmother” to show up to grant his wish with a dairy farm, where he gets a firsthand look at all the hard work and care that goes into producing his favorite treat.

“Chuck’s Ice Cream Wish” is the second title from Feeding Minds Press, which published “Right This Very Minute” in January 2019. The book is available for purchase directly from Feeding Minds Press, as well as on Amazon and Barnes & Noble online.

John Deere Dealers See one of these dealers for a demonstration

AHW, LLC Crawfordsville, IN Rockville, IN Williamsport, IN

Castongia Tractor Fowler, IN Rensselaer, IN Valparaiso, IN

GreenMark Equipment, Inc. LaGrange, IN Monticello, IN Winamac, IN

TTG Equipment, LLC Bluffton, IN

GET A LOAD OF OUR

NEW 5R OPTIONS AutoTrac™

JDLink™

Suspended front axle

Front hitch and PTO

5R Series Utility Tractors from John Deere now offer more advanced technology than ever before. With the introduction of factory-installed integrated AutoTrac – along with other important options like JDLink*, suspended front axle, and front hitch and PTO – the 5R can help you boost productivity at your livestock, hay or row crop operation.

But it doesn’t end there ... you’ll also be in position to reduce fuel costs, capture valuable data, and experience an even more comfortable ride.

JohnDeere.com/5FAMILY

Visit your local John Deere dealer today.

* Activation/subscription required. Some additional accessories and/or components may be required. JDLink requires a cellular data connection to transfer information from machine to JDLink website. Consult your local John Deere Dealer for coverage availability.

SM-LA1769663

www.agrinews-pubs.com | INDIANA AGRINEWS | Friday, April 10, 2020

A7

Lifestyle DONNA’S DAY: CREATIVE FAMILY FUN

Spring bouquet sprouts pom-pom ‘blooms’

By Donna Erickson

The first signs of spring are everywhere. Maybe you are noting them on your family calendar with your kids. Crocuses and daffodils poking up through dry leaves and songs of returning birds.

While you might not yet have blossoms on tree branches or forsythia in bloom, you can still enjoy creating a whimsical spring “branch” bouquet bursting with colorful pom-pom “blooms.” All ages, including preschool-

Here’s the stuff you’ll need: n Five branches about 20 inches long, preferably with short branches that fork half way. n Garden shears for trimming the branches (optional). n Vase or clean jar with labels removed, 6 to 8 inches tall. n Chunk of floral foam to fit snugly inside the container (optional). n Package of craft pompoms in assorted colors (available in quantities of 80 to 100 at craft and dol-

lar stores). n White household glue in a squeeze bottle.

Here’s the fun: 1. An adult may trim the branches for a balanced arrangement when placed in the container. Depending on the branches you use, you may wish to set a chunk of floral foam in the base of your container before arranging, to stabilize the branches.

2. Squeeze glue onto the outer tip of a branch.

Lightly pinch a pom-pom onto the glue, and hold for a few seconds to set.

Continue gluing pom-poms on all the tips, using a variety of colors, and then add more randomly — a pink one here and yellow one there. Note how they cluster snugly where buds are developing. Let glue dry.

3. Set on a table or mantel for a cheery spring bouquet.

To find more of Donna Erickson’s creative family recipes and activities, visit www.donnasday. com. © 2020 Donna Erickson distributed by King Features Synd.

No green thumb or florist skills are required to make a pompom bouquet.

2009 MacDon FD70 35’, Been Thru Our Shop ..... Call

(9) Used MacDon FD70 40’, Been Thru Our Shop ..... Call

(4) Used MacDon FD70 45’, Been Thru Our Shop ..... Call

(6) Used CIH 2162 40’,Been Thru Our Shop ..... Call

2013 CIH 2162 45’, Been Thru Our Shop ..... Call

2015 MacDon FD75 35’, New Sections & Guards, Been Thru Our Shop . . . . $64,000

2013 MacDon FD75 40’, New Guards & Sections, Been Thru Our Shop . . . . $59,000

2013 MacDon FD75 45’, New Sections & Guards, Been Thru Our Shop . . . . $58,000

New MacDon FD130, FD135, FD140, FD145. Call

Demo MacDon C3008C CIH, Chopping, End Row Augers, 3 Sensor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Call

John Deere 2623VT 30’9”, Hyd Basket,19”Fr Blades,20” Rr Blades . . . . . . . . $31,000

Great Plains 2400TM 24’, New Blades, Rolling Reel & Harrow. . . . . . . . . . $44,000

Great Plains UT3030 30’, New Blades, Rolling Harrow . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $22,000

Unverferth Crumbler 35’, Single Rollers, Spike Harrow . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $7,500

CIH 4300 32’, 7” Shovels, 3 Bar Spring Tooth Harrow, Rear Hitch . . . . . . . . . . . . $6,500

Great Plains HS2100Velocity 30’, Conditioner Reel . . . Call

Great Plains Turbo Max 12’, 30’, Rolling Reel & Harrow . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Call

Great Plains MC5109 9 Shank,ChopperWheel & Roller . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Call

DMI Crumbler 42’. .$6,900

John Deere 2210 45’, Spike Harrow, 7” Knock on Sweeps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $29,900

Massey Ferguson TD1635 4 Basket, Hyd Fold . . $4,200

Claas Liner 2700 22’4” – 24’3”W.Width . . . . $22,000

Claas Rollant 255RC Uniwrap Bale Density Valve, Short Chop Feed Plate . . . . . . . . .$25,000

2008 Claas Rollant 260 Net Only 5667 Bales. . . $21,900

Econo Wrap 450A 3 Pt, 4x5 Max Bale,90 SecApproxWrap Time. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Call

Claas Disco 3600TRC 11’2” Cutting Width, Center Pivot, Roller Conditioner. . . . . . Call

Claas Volto 55TH 17’1” Working Width, 4 Rotors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Call

Claas Liner 2600 20’ – 22’4”,2 Rotor,Center Delivery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Call

Claas Rollant 340RC Net Only, 454 Bales, Demo Unit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Call

Claas Variant 460RC Roto Cut, Net Only, 83” Pickup . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Call

ers, love to collect sticks and fallen branches while outdoors for a walk this time of year.

Bring them home for the basics of this easy and fun do-together activity.

You’ll also want to purchase a bag of inexpensive colorful pom-poms at your dollar or craft store, grab a bottle of squeezable household white glue from your cupboard, and a container for arranging the sticks inside, and you’re ready to create an eye-catching centerpiece that says “Spring!”

SENIOR NEWS LINE

Special hours for seniors are offered at grocery stores across the U.S.

Stay fed, stay safe

By Matilda Charles

Life has certainly changed recently.

Depending on where you live, it might have changed a lot. Stay home if you’re a senior. Stay home if you have a medical condition.

That’s what we’ve been told.

That’s all well and good, but what if we really need to shop for food? What if we couldn’t stock up last week because the Social Security benefit hadn’t made it to our checking account yet?

If you’re really in a jam for food, call the food bank. Of all the places, that one is most likely to still be open. They’re trying to keep people fed, especially seniors, as well as children who don’t get free meals because the schools are now closed.

Ask if they have a drive-up pantry where you can be handed some bags of food through the car window. You might find that food is being distributed at places like the senior center or a school parking lot or via Meals on Wheels, even if you aren’t signed up as a participant.

If you do dare to enter a store, a number of grocery stores are designating the first hour or two in the morning for seniors only.

Not all stores are doing this, so call first.

You’re more likely to find the things you need during this time as the shelves will — hopefully — be restocked overnight.

And with fewer people in the store, you’re less likely to run into someone with the virus, but stay away from other people anyway. If you go, be sure to take sanitizing wipes for the cart handles.

Remember, if you go out, you’re really not safe from the virus. Do it as little as possible. © 2020 King Features Synd., Inc.

Ag Department offers online lessons FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — The Kentucky Department of Agriculture has developed online education opportunities for students learning at home due to the coronavirus, the agency said.

It is launching a series of online videos with Miss Kentucky Alex Francke, spokeswoman for Kentucky Proud, the official state marketing program for agricultural products.

Francke will educate students “about the Kentucky Proud program, science in agriculture and the importance of supporting Kentucky farm families,” said Kentucky Agriculture Commissioner Dr. Ryan Quarles.

736W SR 32, Veedersburg, IN 47987 765-722-7040 For More Info & Pictures Visit:

gesales.com SM-LA1769381

* Subject to Credit Approval

A8 Friday, April 10, 2020

| INDIANA AGRINEWS | www.agrinews-pubs.com

Lifestyle CHOW LINE

Takeout, food delivery concerns

Roasting tomatoes brings out the sweetness in their flavor, giving you a rich and smooth delicious soup loaded with lots of fresh herbs.

Create a family plan for coronavirus crisis Like many families, we’ve been trying to process all of the inforKitchen Diva mation about Angela Shelf the Medearis coronavirus outbreak and stay in good health. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s website — www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html — contains guidelines and information to help your family through these tumultuous times.

Here are some guidelines from the CDC. The coronavirus outbreak could last for a long time in your community. Depending on its severity, public health officials may act to help keep people healthy, reduce exposures to COVID-19 and slow the spread of the virus.

Creating a household plan can help protect your health and the health of those you care about.

Your plan should be based the needs and daily routine of your household.

Practice everyday preventive action that can help prevent the spread of respiratory illnesses: n Avoid close contact with people who are sick. n Stay home when you are sick, except to get medical care. n Cover your coughs and sneezes with a tissue. n Clean frequently touched surfaces and objects using a regular household detergent and water. n Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom, before eating and after blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing.

Choose a room in your home that can be used to separate sick household members from those who are healthy, if possible. Avoid sharing personal items like food and drinks. Provide your sick household member with clean disposable facemasks to wear at home.

Clean the sick room and bathroom, as needed, to avoid unnecessary contact with the sick person. Learn more about caring for someone with COVID-19 at home at the CDC’s coronavirus website.

Plan ways to care for those who might be at greater risk for serious complications.

Data suggests older people are more likely to have serious COVID-19 illness.

If you or your household members are at increased risk for coronavirus complications, consult with your healthcare provider for more information about monitoring for symptoms suggestive of COVID-19.

The CDC will recommend actions to help keep people at high risk for complications healthy if a coronavirus outbreak occurs in your community.

Take care of the emotional health of your household members.

Outbreaks can be stressful for adults and children. Children respond differently than adults to stressful situations. Talk with your children about the outbreak, try to stay calm, and reassure them that they are safe.

Create an emergency contact list.

Ensure your household has a current list of emergency contacts for family, friends, neighbors and teachers.

Create a list of local organizations that you and your household can contact in the event you need help, including mental health or counseling services, food and other supplies.

Here’s a comforting recipe for Roasted Tomato Soup that uses canned goods and pantry items to create a delicious meal. During these challenging days, try to stay calm, take care of yourself and your loved ones and remember, by the grace of God this too shall pass.

What steps do I need to take when ordering takeout food or food from a delivery service in light of the coronavirus pandemic?

First, it’s important to understand that COVID19 is not a foodborne disease. While there have been no reports as of this time to suggest that COVID-19, the disease caused by coronavirus, has been transmitted by handling food or food packaging, here are some ways that you can protect yourselves and others when ordering food through takeout, a drivethrough or a home-delivery service.

Because COVID-19 transmits person-to-person through droplets that are produced when an infected individual coughs or sneezes, the best way to protect yourself and others is to keep physical distance of at least 6 feet, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Common symptoms of COVID-19 include fever, coughing, shortness of breath and breathing difficulties. Symptoms range from mild to severe respiratory illness.

Advanced age or conditions such as various cancers, COPD, asthma, heart disease and diabetes are associated with an increased severity of

Servings: 4 to 6 INGREDIENTS 2 (28-ounce) cans peeled whole tomatoes, drained, halved and seeded (such as Muir Glen, Hunt’s, Contadina or Red Pack) 14 large fresh basil leaves, torn or 2 tablespoons Italian Seasoning 1/2 medium onion, cut into 1/4-inch dice 5 large cloves garlic, coarsely chopped or 1 teaspoon garlic powder 1/2 cup olive oil 1 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon ground black pepper 1/8 teaspoon ground cloves or nutmeg 1/8 teaspoon ground

said.

“Likewise, food delivery helps people maintain social distancing and reduces the number of touch points between the preparation and serving of food,” she said.

However, Ilic said, independent delivery drivers cannot guarantee low-touch delivery and proper physical distancing during deliveries.

“You have to make sure that the provider is using the procedures that will prevent the virus transmission,” she said.

With that in mind, here are several ways consumers can protect themselves in order to minimize the risk of COVID-19 transmission from packaging or delivery: n Use measures to reduce the amount of package handling. n Make sure your provider is implementing no-touch/no-interaction options. Many delivery programs have now instituted these measures. n Ask the manager about the measures the restaurant staff is taking for food safety, before placing your order. Many restaurants are now volunteering this information. n Practice handwashing and use hand sanitizer before and after handling packaging. It’s important

that you wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds each time. Hand sanitizer is also an option if you do not have access to soap and water. n If you use delivery for restaurant food, after you receive the food, unpack it and dispose of the packaging and then wash your hands. Do not touch your nose, mouth, eyes or face until after this procedure is complete.

“Food businesses should be following employee health policies and health department recommendations to keep people home,” Ilic said. “Also, it’s important to remember, the best thing you can do is to continue using good food safety practices before preparing or eating food, like always washing your hands with soap and water for 20 seconds after using the restroom and after blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing.”

For more information, the U.S. Department of Agriculture has created a website dedicated to answering questions regarding food, food safety and COVID-19 — www.usda. gov/coronavirus.

Chow Line is a service of The Ohio State University College of Food, Agricultural and Environmental Sciences.

TO YOUR GOOD HEALTH

Vitamin D effects on muscles, bone take time

By Dr. Keith Roach

tion of low bone mass, a precursor to osteoporoIs there any reason to start sis, which increases risk taking vitamin D at age 90? for bone fractures, replacI’m in good health except for ing low vitamin D can osteopenia and high blood improve bone strength pressure. How long does it and reverse bone loss. take to have an effect?

This can keep people In your case, there from needing other medare potentially two good ications for osteoporosis, reasons to start taking which are much more vitamin D — if your blood likely than vitamin D to levels are low. One is that have side effects. with osteopenia, a condiOlder people with vita-

min D deficiency also often have some muscle weakness. If you can’t get out of a chair without using your hands and you have a low vitamin D level, replacing vitamin D may help with the weakness.

Of course, there are many causes for weakness in a person and there is no guarantee of effectiveness, but vitamin D is very safe in moderate doses,

Apply less, expect more?

It’s time for a crop nutrition plan that gets more return from every drop.

One that starts with a full line of crop nutrients, from nitrogen to molybdenum, features custom formulas that deliver the right nutrients at the right time, and keeps going with robust agronomic knowledge and customer support.

AgroLiquid has precisely what it takes to help you succeed like never before.

Angela Shelf Medearis is an award-winning children’s author, culinary historian and the author of seven cookbooks.

Her website is www. divapro.com. © 2020 King Features Synd., Inc.

Find an AgroLiquid dealer near you.

AgroLiquid.com

Roasted Tomato Soup After roasting the tomatoes, you can coarsely chop them to use as a sauce for pasta dishes instead of blending them into a soup.

COVID-19 infections and fatality rates.

The virus is most often transferred to another individual when droplets directly reach their nose, mouth or eyes or through close contact such as a handshake.

The virus also can transmit when a person touches an object or surface with the virus on it and then touches his mouth or eyes before washing his hands.

“Takeout minimizes the number of touches by people, especially if the restaurant is practicing social distancing and good preparation practices,” said Sanja Ilic, food safety state specialist with Ohio State University Extension, the outreach arm of The Ohio State University College of Food, Agricultural and Environmental Sciences.

“Delivered foods present no risks if the restaurant practices a no-touch/ no-interaction policy during preparation,” she said.

In fact, getting food through takeout or a drive-through is a good risk management choice, especially for high-risk and elderly groups because it helps people maintain social distancing and reduces the number of touch points, Ilic

cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes PROCEDURE Heat oven to 300 degrees.

Spread out the tomatoes, basil, onion and garlic cloves in a large shallow pan with sides. Sprinkle with the oil and the spices, turning to coat the tomatoes evenly.

Bake 2 1/4 to 2 1/2 hours, basting and turning the tomatoes several times, until their color deepens to dark red. Don’t let them brown; nor allow the garlic to brown, it will turn bitter.

Transfer the tomatoes and their juice, the oil, garlic and onions into a blender or the bowl of a food processor.

Blend until smooth. Or mash the ingredients with a potato masher until smooth. Allow tomatoes to sit for 20 to 30 minutes to mellow.

Reheat soup on the stove or in a microwavable bowl for 2 to 3 minutes. You can freeze this soup for up to 3 months.

Pro-Germinator®, Sure-K® and Kalibrate® are registered trademarks of AgroLiquid. © 2020 AgroLiquid.

All Rights Reserved.

SM-LA1769666

like 1,000 to 2,000 IU daily. Vitamin D also may reduce fall risk, probably by improving strength, especially in combination with exercise.

Vitamin D works slowly — weeks to months for muscle effects, and months to years for bone effects. © 2020 North America Synd., Inc.

INDIANA AGRINEWS | www.agrinews-pubs.com

AUCTIONS

Auction Calendar Fri., April 10

LYNNVILLE, IND.: Farm Auction, 10 a.m. CDT, Estate of Bill Wesselman, Johny Ray Auction & Realty, 812-598-3936.

Tues., April 14

RANDOLPH COUNTY, IND.: Online Only, 40 +/- Acres, bidding opens 4/13 at 8 a.m. & closes 4/14 at 6:45 p.m. at halderman. com, David L. & Marjorie L. Moore, Halderman

Real Estate & Farm Management, 800-424-2324.

Wed., April 15

SHELBY COUNTY, IND.: Online Only, 39.9 +/- Acres, bidding opens 4/14 at 8 a.m. EST & closes 4/15 at 5 p.m. EST at halderman. com, JJ & MJ Farm Trust, Halderman Real Estate & Farm Management, 800424-2324.

PREBLE COUNTY, OHIO: Online Only, 111 +/- Acres

Syngenta packaging innovations aimed to reduce carbon intensity GREENSBORO, N.C. — To improve sustainability across its supply chain, Syngenta announced a $2 billion investment in sustainable agriculture. Part of this investment will go toward packaging innovations.

“Things like reducing the weight of plastic in containers, moving plastics and products in bulk and cutting the thickness of our label paper all contribute to making our operations more sustainable,” said Gabriel Oxby, Syngenta formulation and packaging group leader.

The company hopes these and other sustainability efforts will help Syngenta meet its target

to reduce the carbon intensity of its operations and supply chain by 50% by 2030.

This commitment to sustainability is just one facet of a robust, customer-first strategy. Thanks to full approval from the U.S. Department of Transportation and the International Safe Transit Association, the Syngenta lab can self-certify packaging in accordance with United Nations standards.

As a result, the company can independently make continuous refinements and improvements, instead of waiting for an outside firm to complete a separate certification process.

Classified Ads inside APRIL 10, 2020 | B1

DELAWARE COUNTY, IND.: Online Only, 36.919 +/Acres in 2 Tracts, bidding opens 4/15 at 8 a.m. & closes 4/16 at 6:45 p.m. at halderman.com, Horton Living Trust, Halderman Real Estate & Farm Management, 800-424-2324.

in 3 Tracts, bidding opens 4/14 at 8 a.m. & closes 4/15 at 6:45 p.m. at halderman.com, Brown Revocable Living Trust, Halderman Real Estate & Farm Management, 800424-2324.

Thurs., April 16

WARREN COUNTY, IND.: Online Only, 106 +/- Acres in 3 Tracts, bidding opens 4/15 at 8 a.m. EST & closes 4/16 at 5 p.m. EST at halderman.com, Mitchell D. Johnson Estate & Diana Marion, Halderman Real Estate & Farm Management, 800-424-2324.

Fri., April 17

MOWREYAUCTION.COM: Online Only Equipment Auction, 8 a.m., Mowrey Auction Co., Inc., 815-8894191. See p. B1

Tues., April 21

HOWARD COUNTY, IND.: Online Only, 152 +/- Acres,

By Martha Blum

AGRINEWS PUBLICATIONS

OTTAWA, Ill. — A person’s values and beliefs are developed from genetics, nurture and experiences.

“Our values and beliefs start forming when you’re conceived,” said K ay Kuenker, business management consultant and coach for The Leadership Trail. “What you give your thoughts to creates circuitry that starts to drive habits.”

Needs drive humans from the time they are born, Kuenker explained during a presentation at the Women’s Seminar sponsored by Compeer Financial.

“If someone needs to be

REAL ESTATE

9 – 13.07± ACRES IN 2 TRACTS Allen County (New Haven, IN). 2955 sq. ft. custom home with an 18’ x 36’ shop • Wildlife is prevalent • Soils are APRIL 14 – 82.59± ACRES IN 1 TRACT Madison County mostly Nappanee silty clay loam, eel silt loam, (London, OH). 79± FSA Tillable Acres • 2020 Cropping also with some St. Clair clay loam and Hoytville Rights to the Buyer • Nice Field for Ease of Farming silty clay. Contact Dennis Bennett 260-433-2159.

Operation • Quality Soils in Top Agricultural Area.

Contact Andy Walther 765-969-0401 or Travis Kelley Get our new iOS App Follow us on: 740-572-1525.

21 – 250± ACRES IN 10 TRACTS Franklin County (Brookville, IN). Picturesque Southern Indiana Farm Check our website daily for auction updates • Abundant WHITETAIL & TURKEY • Rolling Pastures and real estate listings — Over with Beautiful Elevated Views • GREAT LOCATION 60,000,000 hits annually within 30 minutes to Cincinnati • Impressive Country Home with Picturesque Barns • 2020 Crop Rights to BUYER, 68± FSA Crop Acres • Potential Building Sites. JASPER COUNTY, IN 160± ACRES WITH 143± ACRES CROPLAND and 14± acres of woods.

Contact Andy Walther 765-969-0401.

30 – 516± ACRES IN 9 TRACTS Fayette County 9± miles northeast of Rensselaer. Call Jim (Washington Court House, OH). 430± FSA Tillable Hayworth 765-427-1913 or Matt Wiseman 219Acres • Large Fields for Ease of Farming Opera- 689-4373. (JH/MWW05J) tion • Quality Soils in Top Agricultural Area • Great NEWTONCOUNTY,IN.392.4±ACRESwith 355± Location! Only 1 Mile South of the US 35/ US 62 Acres cropland of which 17.1 are in CRP. Woods, Interchange • Abundant Frontage on (3) Roads stocked pond, 48’ x 96’ Machine Shed with c/c •(4)HomesIncludingPicturesqueFarmsteadw/Barns floor. Beautiful setting for home or cabin and • 37,000 Bushel of Storage w/Nice 60’x80’ Machine hunting/recreational opportunities. Northeast Shed • Potential Wooded and Open Land Building of Morocco. Call Jim Hayworth 765-427-1913 or Tracts. Contact Andy Walther 765-969-0401 or Travis Matt Wiseman 219-689-4373. (JH/MWW06N) 82.78 ACRE PARCEL OF LAND WITH 82.24 Kelley 740-572-1525.

CROPLAND ACRES. This tract has excellent MAY soils and frontage on CR 325 South. Call Jim 7 – 42 ACRES IN 1 TRACT Marshall County (Bour- Hayworth at 1-888-808-8680 or 1-765-427-1913 bon, IN). Contact Gary Bailey 260-417-4838. or Jimmy Hayworth at 1-219-869-0329 (JH43C) 800-451-2709 MANY OTHER LISTINGS AVAILABLE

Featured Farms

SM-LA1769832

included, they might have been left out when they were growing up so that drives adult behavior,” she said.

All individuals have certain personality attributes.

“Personality is about finished by the time you’re 35, but what’s beautiful is you can change it,” Kuenker said. “It just takes awareness and continuous effort.”

Every emotion triggers a chemical reaction in a person’s body.

“Stress can trigger adrenalin or cortisone and sometimes that is good if you have a deadline or you are chased by someone,” Kuenker said. “We divert oxygen from our brain, so we can flee or fight.”

No two brains are alike.

“Brains are like snowflakes your values, beliefs and experiences are different from mine,” Kuenker said. “The brain is a connection machine, so we form a mental map from the time we’re in the womb until the time we die.”

Brains consist of two parts — conscious and unconscious.

“The unconscious part is very efficient and it has huge capacity, so we try to put everything we can into that,” Kuenker said. “For example, when you start to learn how to drive a car you have to concentrate fully, but over time you get better and then you can drive home without even remembering the drive.”

People have biases as a result of their mental maps.

“It’s nearly impossible to dismantle existing wiring unless there’s a brain trauma,” Kuenker said.

“What’s beautiful is it is really easy to do new habits and behaviors, but you have to be aware of the old ones first.”

Inhibition is not developed in people’s brains until they reach their mid-20s.

“Yet we make some of

LIVE ONLINE AUCTION! APRIL 17, 2020, 8:00 CST

THIS AUCTION WILL BE ONLINE ONLY, BID WITH LEVEL OR EQUIPMENT FACTS.

Buy-Sell-Trade Daily

bidding opens 4/20 at 8 a.m. & closes 4/21 at 6:45 p.m. at halderman. com, Silver Dawn Farms, Inc., Halderman Real Estate & Farm Management, 800-424-2324.

Wed., April 22

DECATUR COUNTY, IND.: Online Only, 79.5 +/- Acres, bidding opens 4/21 at 8 a.m. EST & closes 4/22 at 6 p.m. EST at halderman. com, Webb Estate Farm, Halderman Real Estate & Farm Management, 800424-2324. See p. B1 RANDOLPH COUNTY, IND.: Online Only, 89.84 +/-

Acres, bidding opens 4/21 at 8 a.m. & closes 4/22 at 6:45 p.m. at halderman.com, Richard & Judith Keltner, Halderman Real Estate & Farm Management, 800-424-2324.

TERRE HAUTE, IND.: 39.63 Acres, 2 p.m., Clomeyer Farm, LLC, Johnny Swalls Auction Inc., 812495-6119.

Multiple Dates

SEE AD: Upcoming Auctions & Featured Farms, Schrader Real Estate & Auction Company, Inc., 800-451-2709. See p. B1

Life’s a journey on ‘Leadership Trail’

Upcoming AUCTIONS

SchraderAuction.com

To place your own advertisement, call 800-426-9438

Thank You For Your Business And For Bidding Online To Keep Us All Safe And Healthy!

See Complete Pictures & Listings at mowreyauction.com

AGRINEWS PHOTO/MARTHA BLUM

Kay Kuenker holds a puzzle piece shaped like an arrowhead that was part of a group exercise during the Women’s Seminar.

Kuenker says all individuals have personality traits that can be changed through awareness and continuous effort.

“Some stress is good to get you to perform, but with too much stress you’re reacting and not performing well.

The trick is for you to find your sweet spot.”

Kay Kuenker, business management consultant and coach THE LEADERSHIP TRAIL

our most difficulty decisions of our lives when we are 17 to 25 years old,” Kuenker said. “We’re not well equipped yet, but we’re signing up for the military, we’re getting married and we’re choosing our careers.”

The brain’s job is to keep people alive.

“Subconsciously we are interpreting every situation, person and environment to determine if it will help me or hurt me,” Kuenker said.

“We interpret anything outside of our comfort zone as a threat.”

A certain level of stress is beneficial because people need some amount of adrenaline.

“Some stress is good to get you to perform, but with too much stress you’re reacting and not performing well,” Kuenker said. “The trick is for you to find your sweet spot.”

Kuenker encourages everyone to know what rewards are important and also what trips their trigger.

“When you are interacting with someone that’s opposite of you, that’s where triggers are tripped,” she explained.

“Understanding your needs and reward centers and also putting thought into the person you’re interacting with can help you choose your words and behaviors to create a toward response in them,” Kuenker said.

“Every interaction that you have with a person causes a response in them either toward or away by the way you show up,” she said. “Just by the way you word your question can provide the other person certainty, autonomy, relatedness or fairness to generate an environment for a healthy conversation.”

If a person can avoid a difficult situation, that is great; however, most of the time that is not possible.

“Sometimes you can modify the situation to make you more comfortable and change your focus to something else,” Kuenker said.

“Buy yourself time by using powerful questions that generally begin with what,” she said. “Questions that begin with what are open, future focused and they seek input.”

“Life is a journey and we can always improve,” Kuenker said. “Rejoice in the strengths you have and focus on what you can do something about.”

Martha Blum can be reached at 815-223-2558, ext. 117, or marthablum@ agrinews-pubs.com.

Follow her on Twitter at: @AgNews_Blum.

FINANCING AVAILABLE ADAMS TOWNSHIP • DECATUR COUNTY

ONLINE ONLY

301 E. Frederick St. Milford, IL 60953

Office: 815-889-4191 Fax: 815-889-5365

www.mowreyauction.com Jim Mowrey • 815-471-9610 Jon Mowrey • 815-471-4191 mowreyauction@gmail.com

Mowrey Auction Company License #044000247 Jon Mowrey Auction License #041000416 Equipment Must Be Removed Within 30 Days of Purchase • Please Bring a Bank Letter of Credit If You Have Never Been Here • There Will Be a $25.00 Title Fee For All Purchases of Titled Equipment to be Paid by the Purchaser.

SM-LA1770006

Auction

AT HALD ERMAN.C OM Potential Home Site

79.5+/acres

BIDDING OPENS: April21st, 8 am EST BIDDING CLOSES: April22nd, 6 pm EST Dave Bonnell: 812.342.4313 | Michael Bonnell: 812.343.6036 OWNER: Webb Estate Farm Auctioneer: Russell D. Harmeyer IN Auct. Lic. #AU10000277 HRES IN Auct. Lic. #AC69200019 HLS# PDB-12473 (20) SM-LA1763509

800.424.2324 | www.halderman.com

B2 Friday, April 10, 2020

| INDIANA AGRINEWS | www.agrinews-pubs.com

FARMS

AUCTIONS NOW ONLINE ONLY

FOR SALE

At HALDERMAN.COM

UPCOMING AUCTIONS

LAND FOR SALE IN INDIANA

ADVERTISE YOUR FARMLAND FOR SALE Call Your Local

Randolph County, IN (Online): April 13-14 • 40+/- Acres - 1 Tract

Newton County

Contact: Chris Peacock 765.546.0592 or Lauren Peacock 765.546.7359

• 137.08 A, 130.75 Tillable, 3.7 CRP, W of Brook.

Shelby County, IN (Online): April 14-15 • 39.9+/- Acres - 1 Tract Contact: Dave Bonnell 812.343.4313 or Michael Bonnell 812.343.6036 or Rusty Harmeyer 765.570.8118

Boone County • 28.95 Ac, 21.85 Tillable, 4 miles north of Lebanon, includes home and outbuildings

Preble County, IN (Online): April 14-15 • 111.25+/- Acres - 3 Tracts

- Farmland Sales

Warren County, IN (Online): April 15-16 • 106+/- Acres - 3 Tracts

- Farmland Investments & Management

Contact: Gary Bohlander 765.794.0221

- Sale Leaseback Options

Contact: Chris Peacock 765.546.0592 or Lauren Peacock 765.546.7359

Contact: Chris Peacock 765.546.0592 or Craig Springmier 937.533.7126 or H. John Kramer 937.533.1101

Delaware County, IN (Online): April 15-16 • 36.9+/- Acres - 2 Tracts Howard County, IN (Online): April 20-21 • 152+/- Acres - 2 Tracts

For more information go to hagemanrealty.com

AgriNews Representative or 800-426-9438 Ext. 113

Contact: John Miner 765.438.2699 or Jaret Wicker 765.561.1737

Randolph County, IN (Online): April 21-22 • 89+/- Acres - 1 Tract

SM-LA1769385

HAGEMAN REALTY

Contact: Chris Peacock 765.546.0592 or Lauren Peacock 765.546.7359

Decatur County, IN (Online): April 21-22 • 79.5+/- Acres - 2 Tracts

18390 S. 480 W. Remington, IN 47977 219-261-2000

Contact: Dave Bonnell 812.343.4313 or Michael Bonnell 812.343.6036

FEATURED LISTINGS

FOR SALE

Decatur County, IN: 80+/- Acres • Contact: Dave Bonnell 812.343.4313 or Michael Bonnell 812.343.6036

Marshall County, IN: 31.715+/- Acres • Contact: Julie Matthys 574.310.5189

Fenced Pasture | Lakes/Ponds | Equipment Barn | Recreation Cattle Barn | Loafing Shed | Wooded Acreage

Bartholomew County, IN: 100+/- Acres • Contact: Dave Bonnell 812.343.4313 or Michael Bonnell 812.343.6036

172 acres acres 710+/+/-

Vermillion County, IN: 979.89+/- Acres • Contact: Todd Litten 812.327.2466 or Pat Karst 260.563.8888

For more information, visit halderman.com

Multiple Parcel Possibility

Clinton County | Vermillion Township

OWNER: Krieger Farms

800.424.2324 www.halderman.com HLS# PJK-12343 (20)

SM-LA1769179

BEEF CATTLE

BEEF CATTLE

RE-SCHEDULED AUCTION!

CATTLEMEN’S C ho ice

Sat., April 25th at 1 PM

Arthur Livestock Barn, Arthur, IL Angus - Hereford – Simmental – Shorthorn + Bulls • Breds • Cow/Calf Pairs • Opens

COMBINES/PLATFORMS/ HEADS 436 International turbo diesel, $1600.

618-214-2194 466 JD turbo diesel out of 8820 combine, runs good, $2500.

618-214-2194 640 V8 Perkins turbo diesel, $2500. 618-214-2194 Cat Track w/JD final drive, rebuilt after last used, good shape, $5000. Can Deliver. 618-777-2077

SM-LA1769394

Todd Litten: 812.327.2466 | Pat Karst: 260.563.8888

HRES IN Auct. Lic. #AC69200019, IL Lic. #417.013288 MI Lic. #6505264076 AUCTIONEER: RUSSELL D. HARMEYER, IN Auct. Lic. #AU10000277, IL Auct. Lic #441.002337 SM-LA1769393

TRACTORS MF-265 W/MF LOADER, 95% rear tires, approx. 2500 total hrs. New Tach. shows 510 hrs.

Mechanically sound. Needs paint. $7,500. (765)366-2914 Retiring: JD 4960 tractor, FWA w/new Remand engine, 1991 .........................$45,000.

309-314-1384, call for pictures INDUSTRIAL EQUIPMENT

PLANTERS greendrills.com (740)756-4810 Hizey Farm Service LLC Harms Land-Rollers, Brand New! 12 - $6,800, 14 -7,300, 16 - $8,000 , 24 - $14,800, 32 - $17,500, 42-$21,500 Any size Available. 715-234-1993 INDUSTRIAL EQUIPMENT

Angus

Hereford

On-Line Pre-Sale Parade – Friday, April 24 - 7 PM If you cannot attend in person use DV Auctions On-line Bidding Services or Sight-unseen Purchases.

Social Distancing in place.

Marketing Order Buyers Greg Miller ............... 608-778-8785 Rachel Marx ............. 217-254-8016 Ryan Haefner ............ 815-499-0522 Brian Curless ............ 217-242-1665 Zach Rincker ............. 217-690-6844 Larry Martin ............. 217-433-0242

(2) Registered Yearling Polled Hereford Bulls, good genetic docile. 217-543-3259 217-543-3063 3 LINE 1 Registered Hereford Bulls. Calving Ease, Production Tested, Semen Tested, Gentle Disposition, Ready to go to Work. EPDs available. $2,000 & up. Call 765-652-3558 BULLS FOR SALE! Purebred Angus & Composite Simmentals, Performance EPDs,Yearling & aged Bulls.

Runner Farms, Blandinsville, IL (405)334-2653 or (309)255-1727 runnerfarms@mtcnow.net POLLED SHORTHORN BULLS, 2-yr. olds & yearlings, calving ease genetics, prices to sell, Call 217-737-1023 PRESCOTT ANGUS Yearling Angus Bulls For Sale Richard Prescott 815-228-2069 prescottangus.com Registered Simmental Bull, Easy calving, sired by Real Time. Also Cow/calf pairs.

618-246-7835

View catalog online at www.larrymartinlivestock.com SM-LA1770060

SWINE EQUIPMENT 40 Auqua feeder tube feeders, stainless steel, like new condition. Make Offer.

641-660-6838 MISC. LIVESTOCK EQUIP (2) FRIESEN PROTEIN bulk tanks, 5-1/2 ton, $1,500/ ea.

Call 815-539-7117 Roto-grind bale grinder, less waste, feed less hay, I use a 85hp w/540 or 190-hp w/1000. $12,500-obo. 618-777-2077 COMBINES/PLATFORMS/ HEADS 1984 Gleaner F3 diesel hydro, 315 grain table, 4x30 corn head 2836 engine hoursexcellent shape, $11,000 in recent repairs - $12,000 260-623-2209 216 John Deere bean head, very gd cond., $1600. 426 Allis turbo out of N6 Gleaner, runs very gd, $2500. 618-214-2194 25ft 925 John Deere grain platform w/30ft head mover, $8900. 618-927-7858, 618-927-7857

Georgetown, OH (937) 378.4880 La Crosse, IN (219) 754.2423

SEED OPEN POLLINATED SEED corn, out produces Hybrids for silage. $67 per bu.

Plus shipping. 217-857-3377 TRACTORS 1992 CIH-7140, MFWD, 6600 hrs., new frt. tires, like new rears, duals @ 50%, Exc. Paint, new turbo, injectors, rebult fuel pump & head, $42,500 Call 815-760-0798 1996 JD-8570 4WD. 6626 hrs. bareback 3-hyd. Outlets, 24 spd. good 18.4R38 Firestone tires 60%, $32,000.; 1981 IH1086, can air & heat. 2 hyd.

Outlets 3-pt. 2-PTO. New front tires rear Firestone 18.4x38 w/duals.Western cab. $12,000.

Call 217-737-8640 1997 MF-8150, FWA, 4530 hrs, rebuilt hyd., 380/90 R46 rears @ 75%, 380/85 R30 Fronts @ 95%, Well maintained. $39,500. (765)366-2914 2004 VERSATILE-2425, 3300hours., N14, PS, bare-back, Exc cond., $67,500, OBO Retiring. 563-357-4300 2009 CIH Magnum 245 MFD 3510 hours, PS, field ready, Guidance Equipment, very nice, 217-304-1937 JD 4640, 18.4x42 tires, quad range, 8228 hours, 50 series engine, good condition,$18,500.

Call 217-430-4023 JD-7830 MFD, IVT Trans, frt susp., active seat, higher hrs., extra lighting pkg. Dependable, SHARP, $39,500 715-574-4561 JD-H310 LOADER, LIKE new, $7,500 Call 715-223-3600

Crawfordsville, IN (765) 866.0253 Eaton, OH (937) 456.6281

FOR SALE GRAIN Bin Drying System, 42' Shivvers Drying System w/level dry & computer system & Cross Augers, 2 turbo Fans & Burners, 26hp a piece, Call 217-821-6232 for price Simmental

PLANTERS

Lebanon, IN (765) 482.2303 Leb. Spray Center, IN (765) 481.2044 Pendleton, IN (765) 778.1991 Plymouth, IN (574) 936.2523

Check out our Auction Section in today's AgriNews * Tile Lift Pumps * 150 to 15,000 GPM *Electric Motors * *Farm Drainage Pumps * * Generator Sets * Shoemaker Welding North Liberty, IN 574-656-4412 Ashland I950 scraper, 9-1/2 yard, front dolly wheels, like new condition, $28,500.

815-275-0699 FARMS FOR SALE/RENT 39+/- AC. MARSHALL Cnty, IL.1872 Cnty Rd. 900 N. Varna, IL., Surveyed, 2 creeks, partial timber, $7,800/ac. Call Ray 417-217-9688 FOR SALE 175-AC, class A soils, in Big Rock IL, Kane Co., solid investment. Serious inquires only. 847-980-7956

PLANTERS 2000 JD-1760 FINGER pick up planter, 12R30”, flex frame, half width disconnect, precision meters, bean & corn, Keetons, sensor one seed population monitor, w/GPS speed sensor, 1 cast iron spike closing wheel per row, books & spare parts, small farm, retired, can send photos, 217-473-2548 JD 7200, 8r30”, hydraulic wing fold, no-till, finger meters, insecticide, nice cond., $15,500.

815-275-0699 JD-1780 BEAN PLANTER, 15x15, 3 bu. boxes, pneumatic down presure, new iron, 250 monitor, ready to go, $25,000 obo Call 419-348-4764 Kinze 3600, 16/31 row, great shape, ready to go, no-till, insecticide, corn & bean meters, KPM II monitor, 815-712-3703 Kinze 3650 16-31, 3-bushel boxes, mechanical drive, liquid fertilizer, recent disk openers, pivot transport, $39,000.

217-808-2772 MISC JAMESWAY CATTLE feed conveyors, Call 815-252-7117

Remington, IN (219) 261.4221 Terre Haute, IN (812) 234.2627 Wilmington, OH (937) 382.0941 Winamac, IN (574) 946.6168 Wingate, IN (765) 275.2270 LS-779039

Bane-Welker.com SM-LA1767406

ROTARY 2017 JD-1570 TERRAIN CUT front mount mower, dual wheels, 4wd, air seat, hyd. Wts, transfer kit, 37 HP diesel, 72" 7iron pro side discharge mower deck, Excellent Condition, 430 hrs, $18,000. (618)836-5906, 618-535-2800 cell

www.agrinews-pubs.com | INDIANA AGRINEWS | Friday, April 10, 2020 HAY & STRAW 5X6 NET WRAPPED Grass hay or large squares of alfalfa for horses and dairy cows. Delivery to your farm. (217)370-4342 5x6 round bales, grass hay, net wrapped, no rain, $60 a bale. 815-651-7426 HAY AND STRAW, Pandemic Sale, existing inventory 10% off plus 50% off delivery cost for qualified orders, Call David 815-685-5344, Mike 815-685-9646 FORAGE

LOANS/ FINANCIAL SERVICES FARM LOANS. We have the Best term/interest rates avail.

Fixed rates, 5-25 yrs. 618-5282264 c, 618-643-2264, The BelRay Co, Don Welch and Jeff Welch, McLeansboro, IL TIRES (4) GOODYEAR FLOATERS, 67x34.00-25, rubber is brand new, Call 574-581-0165 28Lx26, 23 degree Firestone tires, like new, $1200; On JD Rims. 23L-26 tires, V gd, $750.

On JD Rims. 618-214-2194, PAIR OF FIRESTONE Field & Road 12.4-38 tractor tires/tubes.Brand new,never mounted.$1,000.GM 305 truck motor. 2-Yazoo mowers/parts. 815-693-0731

TILLAGE EQUIPMENT/ PLOWS ETC. CIH-700, HIGH CLEARANCE 8 bottom 16” pull type on land plow, $3,500; CIH-516 720 plow, 3 pt. $2,000. Call 217-456-7641 Landoll 30ft 876 tilloll good blades and beaters needs sweeps, $8500 obo.

618-562-9485 SUNFLOWER 26' SOIL finisher, 300 ac. Since complete rebuild, new 20” blades & Bearings, 10” hard serface shovels, rolling basket, 5 bar harrow on rear. Call 217-725-5236 FEED & GRAIN

BINS & DRYERS

MISC. FARM EQUIPMENT

B3

MISC. FARM EQUIPMENT

Iroquois Equipment Bush Hog Dealer Onarga, IL. 815-351-8124 *New/used Bush Hog mowers on hand. *Full line of Bush Hog parts.

*Fast, low rate shipping.

We can help keep your Bush Hog mower running like new!

LENAN CORP. HI-140 Heater, includes 300 gal. waste oil tank, flue pipe, Call 815-530-6732 IRRIGATION EQUIPMENT

CARS/TRUCKS/TRAILERS 2015 Timpte 40-ft. super Hopper trailer, auto tarp, alum wheels, good tires & brakes, min.use, 815-257-3288 or 815-368-3288

PARTS & SALVAGE

We Repair Baler Knotters on your Farm!

Service Calls also available for farm equipment! Used Rakes & New Tedders for Sale!

Kings Repair, Marshall IN 765-597-2015

FEED & SEED OATS, large quantity available. Bulk bin run at $4. per bu. (32 lbs). 50. bu super sacks cleaned at $5. per bu. Cleaned and bagged in 50lb bags at $8. Kewanee, IL. 309-853-7517 Lincolnland Agri-Energy, LLC Buying Corn Clint Davidson Commodity Mgr 10406 N 1725th St Palestine, IL 618-586-2321 or 888-586-2321

SPRAYERS 1985 GMC TIPKICK, floater, 1600 gal. Tank, 60' booms, Allison auto, exc. Tires, $8,800 obo call 815-674-0720 1995 INTERNATIONAL Silver wheels, floater, 466, Allison auto, 1600 gal. Tank, 60' booms, good shape, $23,000 obo Call 815-674-0720 2004 CASE-3185, 5.9 Cummins, hydrostat, 90ft boom, Trimble 750 w/auto steer and auto shutoffs, 1748 hours, farmer owned, $49,900.

Call 217-454-5669 3000-GAL. SS TANK, 93 Mack, pump, 5-hp. $11,500. obo.

5th wheel, sprayer trailer, dual tandems, electric brakes, lights. $6,700-obo. 309-531-7576 JD-6700, 3-WHEEL, 60-ft. boom, triple nozzles, w/drops 2375 hrs, spray star monitor, Trimble light bar, foamer, Good Cond., $41,000. 815-260-0249, can text pics.

SPRA-COUPE 3440, PERKINS, 60-ft. straight booms, 300 gal, foamer, EZ Guide 250, 1998, 3600 hrs, Exc. Cond., $12,500. 309-303-1292.

FERTILIZER EQUIPMENT 16 ROW DAWN PLURIBUS on B&D tool bar w/liquid, $40,000; Call 815-252-7117 1903 w/16ft Chandler litter bed, Cat power, torque boost trans., 4800-hours, 73x44-32, $39,500.

618-562-7550 6-Row corn liquid nitrogen applicator, 3pt hitch, red ball monitor, PTO pump, includes tractor tanks, can also spray herbicide, Delivery possible, $4500. 814-322-8090 MISC PARTS FOR Gandy Orbit Air, Call 815-252-7117

Check out our Auction Section in today's AgriNews New Steel Storage tanks available Capacity up to 50,000 gal. 618-553-7549, 562-4544 www.dktanks.com NH3 applicator, 11-shank, good condition, Continental regulator, $1500-obo.

260-623-2209 PROGRESSIVE MODEL 2600 sidedress toolbar, 36 row, 30in w/2300 gal. tank, Coulter injection, asking $39,500. Exc. Shape. 309-275-2424 TANKS: STAINLESS. PIPE For Culverts 10-inch to 10ft DIA. 618-553-7549, 618-562-4544, www.dktanks.com WANTED: 4 USED Y drops, Call 708-921-3484

AUGER High capacity Westfield Augers

SM-LA1767383

Early Season Pricing Bunker Hill Supply Co Hutsonville, IL 618-563-4464

REPAIR FLIGHTING

Helicoid Super Edge & Sectional. For Grain Augers, Dryers, & Grain Carts, Feed Wagons, Mixers, Combines, Sweeps and Stirring Machine.

Down Minimum

Same Day Shipment Perry Equipment, Inc. 115 West 580 North Crawfordsville, IN 765-362-4495 800-433-8783

SM-LA1767388

We Manufacture All Steel Irrigation Bridges! Abbott Fabrication Winamac, IN 574-225-1326 Shop: 574-946-6566

www.perry-equip.com

CULTIVATORS JD-845 12R30" FLAT fold, C shanks, rolling shields, Neese levelers, shedded, Exc. Cond., $6,000. Call 309-303-2848 TILLAGE EQUIPMENT/ PLOWS ETC. 2009 GREAT PLAINES turbo till, 30', 19”+ blades, bearings good, field ready $24,000 obo; 40' Turbo Copper, 19” blades, field ready, $26,000 obo; delivery avail. in IN. pics avail.

765-325-2408 or 765-891-0956 32ft JD 630 disk, $13,500; 2007 M&W BF10 hay rake, $6000. Both been shedded.

618-508-2808 33-FT. LANDOLL 9800 field cultivator, rear hitch and hydraulics, 4 bar coil tine harrow, like new sweeps, $4,900-obo. 309-264-7843 Case IH 25ft 3950 disk, w/271/2ft Case IH Crumbler, both in very good condition, field ready, $22,900. 618-927-7858, 618-927-7857 CIH-16 ROW CULTIVATOR, danish tine, like new, $4,900; JD-400 rotary hoe, end transport, nice for age, $950.

Call 309-657-9099

GRAIN VACS New& Used REM & Kongskilde grain vacs. Used Kongskilde 1000 & 500 grain vacs.

Cornwell Equipment, Arthur, IL 217-543-2631

ELEC. MOTORS/GENERATORS

Generators: used, low hr takeouts. 20KW to 2000KW. Dsl, Propane, Nat. Gas. 701-3719526. abrahamindustrial.com Winco Generators. PTO portables & eng. sets avail., Large Inventory. Albion, IL. Waters Equip. 618-445-2816

BINS & DRYERS 3-ACRES INCLUDES GRAIN elevator w/80-ft. scales, office, 3 storage buildings & bins, etc.

6 miles East of LeRoy, IL $220,000. 309-825-5017 GSI FLOORING New-Weather: 18' , 21' , 24' Floor. 50% off.

While They Last. Call Place Order. Brush Enterprises, Bethany, IL 1-800-373-0654

CARS/TRUCKS/TRAILERS 1997 REITNOUER STEP deck, 48 X102, all alum.,10.2 spread. $9,250 obo; 2007 Manac, step deck, 48x102, all alum.10.2 spread, $12,500 obo; 1999 Roadmaster rgn, 50-ton tri-axle, 48x102 with 26-ft. well, $25,000 obo. 815-674-0720.

2003 INTERNETIONAL 4400 tandem grain truck, 530 eng., 10 spd., 20' alum. box, roll tarp, new front tires, 344,000 mi., simulator wheels, rear controls for box, pic avail., $38,500 obo 708-243-7061 or 708-625-5594

Please say....

I saw it in AgriNews Want Ads Get Attention!

SHIVERS DRYER SYSTEM for a 30' bin, w/level dry, 2 blue flame fans w/turbo fans, inclined auger and unloading auger, still set up can see work, Call 618-267-1647

SM-LA1767343

MISC GRAIN HANDLING 2016 Unverferth grain conveyor, 21ft x 8 inches, hyd drive, remote on & off, on wheels, like new, $5900.

260-623-2209

2007 International 8600, AR, tandem axle, 10-spd. transmission, C13 Cat eng., 167-wb, Nice Truck, $19,500.

217-924-4405 8-5pm.

2013 Freightliner Cascadia 125, Air Ride susp., tandem axle, Detroit engine, 241,000 miles, auto, Very Nice truck Call for price.

217-924-4405 8-5pm.

Cover crops’ impact on SCN studied Measure seeks to address

By Tom C. Doran

AGRINEWS PUBLICATIONS

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Cover crops are known for their agronomic benefits, but lesser known for their impact on pests such as soybean cyst nematodes.

Chelsea Harbach, University of Illinois plant pathologist, conducted trials on the cover crops/ SCN relationship and spoke of her findings during Crop Management Conference.

“The use of cover crops has increased over the past decade, and that largely has to do with the known agronomic benefits that we see from using cover crops that include building soil health, nutrient retention, erosion control and weed reduction,” Harbach said.

“However, when we’re introducing cover crops into our agricultural system we’re introducing the potential for this new interaction between the plant pathogen and the cover crop.”

She conducted the three-year study that began in 2016 at Iowa State University under the guidance of her then-adviser Gregory Tylka, nematologist and Iowa Soybean Research Center director.

The trials include lab-based assays, greenhouse experiments and small plot field studies. Her trials included two cultivars each of cereal rye, mustard, oilseed radish, annual ryegrass, daikon radish and mixes. The control treatments included non-cover crop, a non-host control using tomatoes and SCN susceptible soybean, Williams 82.

Experiments were conducted in the laboratory and greenhouse to determine if cover

crops have the potential to serve as trap crops, in the greenhouse to find if the crops affect SCN population densities under controlled conditions and in the field to assess how cover corps affect SCN population densities in multi-year, multi-location and rotations.

Three possible outcomes were anticipated — cover crops would be a favorable host; there would be no impact on SCN; and SCN population densities would decrease.

A favorable host trap crop could stimulate SCN hatching.

The nematodes would then enter the cover crop roots that aren’t a suitable host and the nematodes would die.

There also was the notion that the trap crop would stimulate SCN hatch. The roots would give off root exudates compounds. Those compounds interact with the eggs in the soil to stimulate the hatch and with no favorable host the nematodes die.

Another concept investigated is the possibility of root exudates residing in the soil after the cover crops are gone and the cash crop is planted and if those exudates produce allelochemicals that either inhibits hatch or kill the nematodes.

FINDINGS “There was no hatch stimulation from any of the cereal cover crops. It looks like crimson clover might be a hatch stimulant and maybe other legumes, but we definitely know there isn’t any hatch stimulation by any of the other cover crops,” Harbach said.

“It will be interesting to take this a step further to see if any of these cover crops can serve as a

trap crop because if you have a cover crop that serves as a trap crop you would think that it may also stimulate a hatch. So, we’ll keep an eye on that crimson clover.

“We do know that overall there was a decrease in SCN population for all of these cover crops over the 60 days in the greenhouse.”

Small plot studies in Iowa over three years began in 2016 and monitored SCN density.

The cover crop was seeded into the standing cash crop in late August, early September. Soil samples to determine SCN population were collected on seeding day, in mid-November and after cover crop termination.

The small plot results showed no significant reduction in SCN populations across years, locations, treatments or sample dates under three experimental conditions.

“Field studies for soybean cyst nematode are pretty difficult because this pathogen has patchy distribution in the field.

So, the field studies that have been conducted to date have not resulted in any significant effects of cover crops in reducing SCN, and there hasn’t been any difference between the cover crops and the controls,” she said.

“Would I rely on cover crops to control SCN? No, but while I don’t recommend cover crops for controlling SCN populations that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t continue to use cover crops for the other agronomic benefits.”

Tom C. Doran can be reached at 815-780-7894 or tdoran@ agrinews-pubs.com. Follow him on Twitter at: @AgNews_ Doran.

shortage of veterinarians

LISBON, Iowa (AP) — Like most rural veterinarians, Dr. Alana McNutt is a jack of all trades.

On March 24, she did hysterectomies on two cats and two dogs before loading up her pickup to go to a farm near Lisbon, where she vaccinated and provided other care to 1,000-pound cattle.

And because it’s calving season, McNutt, 35, is ready for emergency calls when a mama cow, goat or sheep is struggling to deliver a baby.

“The biggest challenge a mixed animal veterinarian faces is some percentage has to be emergency work,” she said of veterinarians who treat both pets and farm animals.

According to the Cedar Rapids Gazette, there is a shortage of mixed animal and farm animal veterinarians across the country because of the unpredictable hours and the need to live in rural areas.

To recruit more rural veterinarians — critically important in a state that is the No. 1 producer of hogs and eggs — the Iowa Legislature has proposed repaying student loans for vets who work in an underserved area for four years.

“The big thing in Iowa is we’re the largest animal agriculture state in the U.S., so it’s very important we have veterinarians and farmers to take care of these animals,” said Dr. Randy Wheeler, executive director of the Iowa Veterinary Medicine Association.

House File 2615 provides up to $15,000 a year, up to $60,000 over four years, in loan repay-

ment for at least five veterinarians a year who commit to serving in rural areas in the state.

To qualify, veterinarians must care for “food supply” animals or have a focus in food safety, epidemiology, public health or animal health.

If approved, the program would need an appropriation of $300,000 a year, said Rep. Norlin Mommsen, R-DeWitt, who is the floor manager for the bill.

“We’ve been talking to Rep. Kerr about putting money into the education budget for it,” Mommsen said, referring to David Kerr, R-Morning Sun, who chairs the Education Appropriations subcommittee.

“It’s not a done deal, (but) there seems to be a consensus it’s necessary thing.”

A state program would supplement the federal Veterinary Medicine Loan Repayment Program, in which the U.S. Department of Agriculture pays up to $25,000 each year toward education loans of vets who agree to serve in a designated shortage area for three years.

For this program, Iowa has identified seven counties as having shortage situations: Carroll, Cedar, Cherokee, Humboldt, Jasper, Jefferson and Union counties.

Graduates of the Iowa State University College of Veterinar y Medicine leave with an average debt load of $142,000, according to an article last fall by Dave Gieseke in the college’s Gentle Doctor magazine. Average starting salaries in Iowa are about $70,000.

B4 Friday, April 10, 2020

CASE IH

| INDIANA AGRINEWS | www.agrinews-pubs.com

Marijuana a hot topic in trucking industry

By Jeannine Otto

AGRINEWS PUBLICATIONS

Delivering the comfort and power of a high-horsepower Case IH tractor, Vestrum series tractors combine maneuverability with premium cab comforts in a compact design.

New tractor designed for tight spaces RACINE, Wis. — Case IH is adding a premium tractor in a compact design to its livestock portfolio with the new Vestrum series tractor.

Delivering the comfort and power of a high-horsepower Case IH tractor, the Vestrum series combines maneuverability with premium cab comfort in a compact design, making it the go-to choice for any job despite conditions or space constraints.

Designed to handle even the heaviest tasks, the Vestrum tractor has a powerful 4-cylinder engine with a Wastegate turbocharger. The lineup consists of two models — Vestrum 100 and Vestrum 130 — with 28.5-gallon-per-minute maximum hydraulic pump flowrate.

With a 100 or 130 hp1 rating and a lift capacity of 6,700 pounds, the Vestrum tractor has enough power for a variety of applications, such as planting and baling.

The short wheelbase, 55-degree steering angle and smaller chassis make tight spaces easy for the Vestrum tractor to maneuver. The size, power and maneuverability enable the Vestrum tractor to take on a variety of applications from dairy and beef operations to hay, forage and loader work, as well as winter snow removal and specialty crops. The LED light package allows work to start before sunrise and continue after sunset.

The Vestrum series offers two convenient transmission options: CVXDrive continuously variable transmission and ActiveDrive 8 dual-clutch transmission. Vestrum is the first Case IH tractor in the 100 hp class available with CVXDrive or ActiveDrive8 transmission options.

CVXDrive automatically selects the most efficient gear ratio and engine speed to achieve target ground speed. It is optimal for applications on hilly terrains or frequent load changes.

ActiveDrive 8 offers a wide range of working speeds without torque interruptions, ideal for long days in the field.

PREMIUM COMFORTS Like larger Case IH tractors, the Vestrum series tractor is designed with premium comforts, but in a smaller and more maneuverable compact design.

Compatible with optional Advanced Farming Systems and ISOBUS technologies, the Vestrum series tractor can be customized for specific operations.

From the user-friendly in-cab Advanced Farming Systems Pro 700 display, all main settings are adjustable, including gear setting, general operation and setup displays.

A Su r roundVision cab with a standard high-visibility roof panel allows for a 360-degree view of operations. The MultiControl armrest keeps all key controls in reach for added comfort and efficiency.

PEORIA, Ill. — He spoke before the widespread outbreak of coronavirus and even then, Don Schaefer, executive vice president of the Mid-West Truckers Association, said there were some pressing issues for the trucking industry.

Schaefer addressed regulation and deregulation both as concerns facing the industry for different reasons.

Schaefer likely was feeling justified. In January, state Sen. Martin Sandoval, D-Cicero, resigned before pleading guilty to accepting some $250,000 in bribes from SafeSpeed LLC, a red light camera vendor, and failing to pay taxes on the money.

The federal probe into the state’s red light cameras saw the

resignations of several suburban mayors and Chicago transportation officials. Schaefer has decried the use of the cameras, which can be especially punitive for semi drivers due to the size of their vehicles, around the state.

From red light cameras to marijuana, Schaefer sat down and talked to us about hot topics in the trucking industry.

I don’t know how many times. In the early days, when they were starting with the red light cameras, I said this is all a shakedown — but no one listened.”

How are you feeling about the federal corruption probe into the red light cameras in Illinois? Justified?

“We’ve been chasing that for years. From the very beginning, we opposed them, we opposed them, we opposed them. The coziness of the entire thing has been disgusting and then for these legislators to testify in committee and say ‘well, it’s about safety.’

“I testified in committee

Let’s talk about regulation first. What’s the latest?

“We’re dealing with all the new requirements that FMCSA has put down on the industry. We get into the drug and alcohol clearinghouse and dealing with a lot of those types of issues.”

What are some of the top priorities that the industry and your members are discussing?

“Regulation and deregulation is the best way to put it.”

You mentioned deregulation, which the industry typically likes, no?

“Let’s talk deregulation, or decriminalization is the best way to put it,

and the challenges that the industry faces with recreational marijuana.

All of a sudden, you’ve got something that’s been a controlled substance that people are now free to use — but not for the trucking industry.

“The challenge there is to avoid the temptation and to be able to find qualified potential drivers who aren’t marijuana users as a result of the change in the law.”

It’s still a Schedule 1 drug, which means that truckers can’t use it, but does the fact that marijuana is legal in some states further narrow the pool for drivers — and for workers in those U.S. DOT “safety sensitive” jobs?

“Oh, sure. You’ve got people who are like ‘I can go out and smoke a joint and do what I want.’ Then they decide they want to work as a truck driver and they go and apply.

“The problem is how

long has it been since you used it? The other issue is the guy who’s been a habitual user of marijuana comes in to apply and finds out, hey, I can’t use it if I want to be a truck driver.”

Any concerns at the state government level?

“The big thing is what is going to happen with this constitutional amendment on the progressive income tax. They are saying right now that only the wealthiest will pay, but the legislators may have a change of mind and say, no, we’re going to drop that and they can do that without anyone else having input in it. It could be catastrophic.”

Jeannine Otto can be reached at 815-2232558, ext. 211, or jotto@ agrinews-pubs.com.

Follow her on Twitter at: @AgNews_Otto.

Truckers keep goods moving amid coronavirus pandemic

By Russ Corey TIMESDAILY

MUSCLE SHOA LS, Ala. (AP) — Driving a tractor-trailer rig across country is already a high-anxiety job, veteran trucker Cid Gardner said, but the coronavirus is making it a little more difficult in some respects.

While he’s always cautious, the Shoals resident said he’s a little more concerned about safety these days.

“It’s on my mind all the time,” he said. “It inhibits my rest sometimes.”

Food is readily available at truck stops, Gardner said, but it’s mostly fast food. A good “meat and three” style buffet can cost $16.99 if you can find it.

Mom and pop truck stops, he said, are all but gone.

Fortunately, Gardner usually buys his own groceries for his cross-country run.

He and other truck drivers said diesel fuel is readily available as truck stops are remaining open. Fuel is also less expensive than it was just a couple weeks ago.

Richard Bevis, a truck driver who lives on LaGrange Mountain, said he recently paid $2.14 a gallon for diesel that he paid $3.19 for a few weeks ago.

Unfortunately, he’s having to pay $3.75 for a gallon of water that he used to buy for 98 cents.

Gardner said he’s seen that same gallon of water selling for $5.99 a gallon a some large corporate truck stops.

“I’ve seen price gouging on water,” he said.

Bevis said finding food is not a problem, but there is no inside dining.

Ordering food from a fast food restaurant can be a challenge because big rigs cannot navigate a drivethrough, and they prohibit

“I’ve noticed that down south, everything is a little more open than it is up north.”

David Woolston, truck driver ST. LOUIS

people from walking up to order food from the drivethrough window.

Police and individuals have been helping truck drivers get food from the drive-through, and Bevis said some restaurants will bring you a take-out order if you call it in.

Bevis said he is skeptical about the whole response to the COVID-19 outbreak.

David Woolston, a truck driver from St. Louis, said he’s noticed a difference in attitudes from the southern U.S. to states like Missouri and Illinois.

“I’ve noticed that down south, everything is a little more open than it is up north,” Woolston said. “Everyone is staying at home in St. Louis.

Everything down here seems to be pretty much open for the most part.”

He said rest stops in West Memphis, Arkansas, were open.

Woolston said a Krystal in West Memphis let him order food from a drivethrough window, but most restaurants are “grab and go.”

He said all the major truck stops are open.

Woolston said he’s being cautious on the road. He was wearing a pair of green plastic gloves.

“I’ve got my gloves when I go into the truck stop, and I’ve got my hand sanitizer,” he said.

Justin Arnold, of Arnold’s Truck Stop in Tuscumbia, said he was not

having a problem getting fuel.

Business was brisk there Monday, and Arnold said trucks are continuing to run.

“Things are still kicking along as normal,” he said.

Local truck driver Scott Johns said from what he’s hearing, truck stops will remain open to provide fuel and food to drivers.

SM-LA1767420

Partnering with our customers has always been a priority Our service technicians play a vital role in these partnerships

The The benefit benefit of of working working for for Bane-Welker Bane-Welker is is you’re you’re not not on on your your own. own. You’re You’re part part of of aa community. community.

Being Being employee employee owned owned means means you you give give aa better better quality quality of of service service because because it’s it’s reflecting reflecting directly directly upon upon yourself. yourself.

-Rick -Rick Francis Francis

Further your career today at bane-welker.com/careers Connect with us!

Authorities: Man accidentally backed up truck over daughter GUTHRIE CENTER, Iowa (AP) — A 2-year-old girl died in central Iowa after her father accidentally backed a truck over her, authorities said.

The accident occurred March 25 on a farm outside Guthrie Center.

Guthrie County deputies summoned to Guthrie County Hospital were told by a man there that he and his family had just returned home from a fishing trip when he went to a barn to check on livestock.

Station KCCI reported that he thought his wife and children were inside the home when he got into the truck. He was backing it up when he saw his little girl lying in front of the truck, he told a sheriff’s deputy.

He and his wife took her to the hospital, where she was pronounced dead, authorities said.

The names of those involved haven’t been released. The girl’s death is being investigated as an accident.

Crawfordsville, IN (765) 866.0253

Eaton, OH (937) 456.6281

Georgetown, OH (937) 378.4880

La Crosse, IN (219) 754.2423

Lebanon, IN (765) 482.2303

Pendleton, IN (765) 778.1991

Plymouth, IN (574) 936.2523

Remington, IN (219) 261.4221

Terre Haute, IN (812) 234.2627

Wilmington, OH (937) 382.0941

Winamac, IN (574) 946.6168

Wingate, IN (765) 275.2270

www.Bane-Welker.com SM-LA1769376

SEE US TODAY!

www.agrinews-pubs.com | INDIANA AGRINEWS | Friday, April 10, 2020

B5

Livestock

NPPC cancels World Pork Expo DES MOINES, Iowa — The National Pork Producers Council announced that its board of directors has decided to cancel the 2020 World Pork Expo in June due to COVID-19 human health concerns.

World Pork Expo 2021 is scheduled for June 9-11 at the Iowa State Fairgrounds.

“While deeply disap-

pointed to cancel this year’s expo, NPPC’s board of directors unanimously agreed it was prudent to make this decision now,” said NPPC President Howard “A.V.” Roth, a pork producer from Wauzeka, Wisconsin.

“By eliminating COVID 19-related uncertainty surrounding the event, we allow producers and others across the industry to

focus on the essential role we play in the nation’s food supply system at this critical time.”

“We will do our part to support the nation’s transition back to normalcy and look forward to making next year’s World Pork Expo better than ever,” Roth added.

World Pork Expo is the world’s largest pork-specific trade show.

4-H members continue to prepare animals for fairs

By Ashley Langreck

AGRINEWS PUBLICATIONS

WEST LAFAYET TE, Ind. — Hoosier 4-H members are experiencing a lot of changes right now as they adjust to a new way of living during regulations and restrictions to help slow the spread of COVID-19.

They also are figuring out how to complete necessary animal tagging and check-ins that would normally be done at their local fairgrounds in the months leading up to the fair.

Cou r t ney St ier wa lt , who is the animal science specialist for Purdue Extension and Indiana 4-H, said that members still need to have RFID tags in the ears of their cattle, sheep and meat goats.

Stierwalt said that since youth can’t take their animals to be seen in person and check the validity of the animals, they must send in pictures of the animals.

“A picture representation of an animal’s head after it’s been tagged and one showing a side view

and all four feet,” Stierwalt said, adding that the picture showing the animal’s feet must also show its head, as well.

The deadline for all animal species to be identified in the 4-H online system, which will allow them to be eligible to show at the Indiana State Fair, is June 1.

Ashley Langreck can be reached at 800-426-9438, ext. 192, or alangreck@ agrinews-pubs.com.

Follow her on Twitter at: @AgNews_Langreck.

Indiana State Fair to allow use of ractopamine in 4-H market hogs

By Ashley Langreck

cessors had come to them about it.

Stierwalt said part of WEST LAFAYETTE, the reason for the deciInd. — The Indiana State sion was due to the fact Fair 4-H Animal Testing that it is very challenging Program, which is a joint to monitor what all 92 effort with members from counties are doing and it’s the Indiana State Fair and not feasible to do testing Purdue Extension-Indiana on pigs in all 92 counties, 4-H, announced that the either. use of ractopamine will Several major pork probe allowed in 4-H market cessors recently have debarrows during the 2020 cided that the delivery of Indiana State Fair. hogs that have been fed or Ractopamine, which is exposed to ractopamine labeled for use when it is fed will no longer be accepted as part of a complete feed because eliminating it ration to finishing hogs that from their facilities will are weighing not less than allow domestic processors 150 pounds, is available do- the ability to sell into inmestically under the trade ternational markets where names Paylean, an Elanco ractopamine is banned or product, and Engain, a not approved.

Zoetis product.

The Indiana State “This wasn’t a decision Fair 4-H Barrow Show we took lightly,” said is non-terminal, minus Courtney Stierwalt, who is the top five market baran animal science special- rows that are selected ist with Purdue Extension- for the Celebration of Indiana 4-H, adding that Champions. they had been thinking Stierwalt said that on the issue since late last the 2020 Indiana State fall and early January after Fair 4-H Animal Testing several major pork proProgram will incorporate AGRINEWS PUBLICATIONS

one rule change regarding ractopamine, which is that the amount of ractopamine in the top five barrows that are harvested from the celebration will be measured.

Stierwalt said Indiana 4-H members will be expected to follow the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s maximum allowable level of ractopamine in hog muscle product, which is 50 parts per billion, because any muscle product with more than that amount in it is not considered safe to enter the food chain.

Any exhibited hog at the Indiana State Fair that is found to have more than 50 parts per billion in its system will be in violation of the Indiana State Fair 4-H Animal Testing Program.

“We expect 4-H members to use the label correctly,” Stierwalt said, adding that they will continue to monitor the situation and make appropriate changes as needed.

Thoroughbred retirement farm offering virtual tours GEORGETOWN, Ky. (AP) — A popular thoroughbred retirement farm in Kentucky is reaching out to its supporters through virtual farm tours that showcase its equine retirees.

85th IBEP Bull Sale

Indiana Beef Evaluation Program Creighton Hall of Animal Sciences 270 S. Russell St. West Lafayette, IN 47907-2041 Office: (765) 494-6439 • Fax: (765) 494-9346 Bull Test Station: (812) 279-4330 Sale Day Phone: (812) 279-1282 https://ag.purdue.edu/ansc/ibep/

Thursday, April 16, 2020 6:00 p.m. est ONLINE AUCTION ONLY

85th IBEP Bull Sale Thursday, April 16, 2020 - 6:00 p.m.

ONLINE AUCTION ONLY

Old Friends debuted the virtual tours at https:// youtu.be/P T bHcL7ogaU on March 30.

The series is called “Monday Mornings with Michael” and is hosted by Old Friends founder Michael Blowen.

Each week, he will offer short visits with a few equine residents of the Georgetown farm.

The farm says its virtual tours will be posted on Old Friends’ social media platforms on Monday morn-

**View/Bid LIVE on DVAuction.com**

85 Bulls Sell

Angus, Charolais, Hereford, Red Angus, Shorthorn, Simmental, and SimAngus Are top-indexing of their breed Have successfully passed disposition and structural soundness evaluation Have successfully passed a breeding soundness exam Are parentage verified to both sire and dam

Call us or visit the IBEP web site for complete information.

Visitors Welcome Any Time at Test Station at Feldun-Purdue Ag Center, 3 miles northwest of Bedford on SR 158 & 458 Contact the Test Station in advance, to let us know you’re coming

SM-LA1770010

SM-LA1769766

If you do not have a good internet connection, but would like to bid on bulls, contact the Test Station for other options.

SM-LA1769367

ings. The tours will enable fans to continue having access to the farm’s retirees during the coronavirus outbreak.

The first video showcases Old Friends’ oldest retirees — multiple stakes winner Dinard, who is 32, and one-time claimer Archie’s Echo, who is 31.

There’s no charge for viewing the video, but donations are welcome and can be made on Facebook at www.facebook.com/oldfriendsequine.

B6 Friday, April 10, 2020

| INDIANA AGRINEWS | www.agrinews-pubs.com

OPINION

What’s trending

These are this week’s most read stories on the AgriNews website: 1. Plenty of pork, but who’s going to eat it?

2. Record-setting cow tops 78,000 pounds of milk

3. Marijuana among hot topics in trucking industry 4. ‘Time for action, not panic’: State offi-

cials urge support for agriculture industry 5. Indiana man aims to save remains of large cypress tree

What’s your opinion? Send correspondence to: Letters, Indiana AgriNews, 420 Second St., La Salle, IL 61301; or email: editorial@agrinews-pubs.com

We’ve got The world is changing; we must, too work to do We’re facing tough times in agriculture right now. You’ve most likely heard the phrase “flatten the curve” and certainly learned what COVID19 — coronavirus — is by now.

While I expected Richard challenges in 2020, I Guebert Jr. couldn’t have guessed that three months into Illinois Farm the year the country Bureau would face a global health crisis. We’ve all been washing our hands more frequently and hunkering down with our loved ones.

We follow the news as the situation continues to rapidly evolve. Even though farmers are used to isolation, it’s been concerning to watch this unfold.

Fieldwork must still be done, animals must still be cared for and crops have to be put in the ground. We’ve got work to do and so does the entire supply chain.

Fortunately, we’ve had some leeway to do it.

On March 20, Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker enacted a Shelter in Place Order across the state through April 7 – later extended through April 30. This stay-at-home order, among other actions, urged citizens to participate in social distancing measures and mandated that all “non-essential” businesses and operations be closed.

We kept communication lines open with the Illinois Department of Agriculture and the governor’s office during all of this. Before the governor’s March announcement, I joined Illinois Farm Bureau Vice President Brian Duncan and a few IFB key leaders to speak via conference call with IDOA Acting Director Jerry Costello to share our concerns.

During the call, we emphasized to Director Costello the continued need for state government to recognize agriculture as a critical piece of the food supply chain.

Rightfully, the agriculture industry was defined as an “essential” industry across the state, and all aspects of agriculture were exempt from the governor’s order.

Recognizing the ag industry as an essential service demonstrates the important role Illinois farmers have in feeding our neighbors across the country. We truly appreciated the opportunity to share our concerns with Director Costello.

With all the stress and challenges — spiraling commodity prices, stock market dives, ethanol plants’ viability threatened, supply chain pressures — there’s a hard impact felt throughout the industry.

But rest assured that Illinois farmers are open for business and stand committed to their promise to feed and fuel this great nation. Especially now, packing plants are open, trucks are moving, supply is moving and ag is moving.

We don’t know how long it will take for normal activities to resume in the United States and around the world.

But even as we maintain social distances, we’re all in this together — and apart doesn’t equal alone.

Let’s say a prayer of thanks for all farmers that keep our grocery shelves full during this pandemic.

And give a round of applause to the truck drivers, grocery store workers, healthcare professionals and the other heroes on the front lines risking their health to take care of their communities.

Even during this national emergency, we continue to work on behalf of our members. Our farm families across the state are #StillFarming to provide a safe and sustainable food supply from their table to yours.

Richard Guebert Jr. is the president of Illinois Farm Bureau. His family farm in Randolph County grows corn, soybeans and wheat.

Coronavirus, a farmer in a recent news story noted, “is the straw that broke the camel’s back.”

It may feel that way now, but honestly that back-breaking straw hit the camel decades ago when the nation’s top Farm & Food agricultural, academic and political leaders File embraced dollar-driven efficiency over safeAlan Guebert ty-centered resiliency as the overarching goal of American farm policy.

We could have had both — and, in fact, still can — but today’s events continue to tie us to the past even as the world and markets are shifting under our unsteady feet.

For example, an aggie Twitter discussion in late March centered on whether a 570-horsepower, $500,000 tractor was powerful enough to pull a pictured $565,000 corn planter through the field at 10 miles per hour.

Astonishingly as out of touch as that might seem, the chat occurred only three days after Congress and the White House empowered the U.S. Department of Agriculture to spend nearly $49 billion to support farmers and ranchers through the COVID-19 infected season ahead.

And that deal arrived only hours after the biofuels industry warned Washington that the ethanol market, which consumes about 40% of the U.S. corn crop, is facing crippling shutdowns as it tries to ride out what already is a

Some say this is when the coronavirus outbreak and business closures will hit the makeor-break point for the U.S. economy. Things would be much worse if Congress and President Donald Trump had not Zippy Duvall taken action, passing and signing the coronavirus aid package.

American Most people are foFarm Bureau cused on businesses such as restaurants or airlines, which certainly have experienced a sharp and sudden decrease.

What they may not be thinking about is the cumulative impact on agriculture.

Most hospitality and travel industries were doing well before the virus.

Farmers and ranchers were not.

Coronavirus is just the latest in a string of misfortunes that have kept the farm economy down for several years: weather disasters, a trade war and, even before that, commodity prices have been below the cost of production.

Which is worse: a sudden blow or a prolonged downturn? The answer is whichever one you and your industry are facing.

But none of us can afford to lose farms and ranches, especially now that we’re more focused than ever on the security of our food supply chain.

Consumers understandably might think that farmers and ranchers are doing well, given the empty shelves we’re all seeing at grocery stores. But those buying habits could slow down, and we’ve already seen a dramatic drop in demand from food service, restaurants, and schools and universities.

There are unofficial estimates that the current market price of milk is down 40% compared to January. Prices for cattle, corn and other farm goods also are falling.

We are thankful for the aid package that will help us sustain our food producers. Farm Bureau worked tirelessly to include up to $23.5 billion that the U.S. Department of Agriculture can use to help farmers and ranchers when estimates turn into hard data on the impacts to producers.

People are driving less, and that has driven down demand for ethanol made from corn at the same time as oil production has increased. Ethanol plants are idled, corn prices are down, and livestock producers who relied on distillers dried grains — a byproduct of ethanol production — are scrambling to replace that source of animal feed.y

INDIANA EDITION — USPS694-470 ISSN0745-7103

Serving Farm Families Throughout The State of Indiana Publisher — Dan Goetz dgoetz@shawmedia.com | 815-431-4014 Published weekly by: AGRINEWS PUBLICATIONS A division of: SHAW MEDIA

Periodicals postage is paid at: La Salle, IL 61301.

Postmaster: Send address changes to Indiana AgriNews, 420 Second St., La Salle, IL 61301.

farmer who, like me, questioned the size, cost and wisdom of the massive corn planter we both saw on Twitter.

“I wonder,” he asked in a retweet, “what the price of corn would be if we still had 8-row planters?”

We may find out soon because we know the worst of COVID-19 is still ahead and we have little idea what it will bring other than more woe.

Nor do we know how USDA will spend billions of our dollars to address the unknowns facing farmers and ranchers as another planting and calving season begins.

It will, however, require more thought than just throwing money at fading industries and bloated monocultures. We must consider paths that deliver more resilience and more food, not fewer farmers and more exports.

So far, our strategy is very discouraging. Tossing out longstanding environmental laws and laying aside corporate merger issues now is just pouring salt into our gaping wounds. It’s shameful and almost as harmful to rural America as COVID-19.

One final note: You hold in your hands the product of caring professionals who believe in your right to hard facts and honest opinion. They don’t grind axes; they give you axes so you, not them, can decide the best way forward for your family and community.

Please support them.

Farm & Food File is published weekly through the U.S. and Canada. Source material and contact information are posted at www.farmandfoodfile.com.

Yes, there are COVID-19 impacts on agriculture

AGRINEWS

Indiana AgriNews is published weekly for $30 per year by AgriNews Publications, 420 Second St., La Salle, Ill.

demand-devastated year.

Then, on March 31, USDA announced American farmers would plant 97 million acres of corn this year. That’s an 8% increase over 2019 despite ethanol’s bleak future and growing evidence that other nations are shutting their markets to protect pandemic-threatened food supplies.

So, while USDA prepares to spend nearly $50 billion subsidizing domestic agriculture, corn farmers — some with $1-million-plus planting rigs — are preparing to grow a record crop at record subsidies for a government-protected ethanol market already melting as other markets around the world begin to shut down.

The only way any of these actions make actual sense is to remember that the world has changed dramatically in the past month, but human nature hasn’t. Signs abound everywhere.

We continue to hoard food despite knowing there’s plenty for everyone if no one hoards.

We don’t stay home despite knowing COVID-19 is rapidly spread by people who don’t stay home.

Our weak, shortchanged rural systems like education, internet infrastructure and a long-failing healthcare network are now being shown for what they always were: weak, shortchanged and long failing.

And, even worse, few political leaders answer straight, honest questions with straight, honest answers. Some can’t even muster the courage to shut down golf courses to limit the spread of the disease.

Golf courses, for crying out loud.

One of the more sane voices I’ve heard in the last 10 days came from a

Copyright 2020, AgriNews Publications, Illinois AgriNews and Indiana AgriNews agricultural weekly newspapers.

No part of these publications may be reproduced in any form or by any means, mechanical, photocopying, or otherwise, without the express written permission of AgriNews Publications.

need. Now, we are monitoring to make sure the visa process operates smoothly as more government agencies move to telework.

We’re also working to share guidance developed by state Farm Bureau organizations, state Departments of Agriculture and university Extension services to help farmers and ranchers know how to protect their workers, their families, their consumers and themselves.

Farmers and ranchers wear many hats even under the best of conditions, and now more than ever. The guidance for farmers as employers will help them do what we always want to do: feed and take care of people.

You can find a collection of those resources on our COVID-19 webpage — None of us can afford to lose farms and www.fb.org/land/impact-covid19-on-ag. ranches, especially now that we’re more foAnother impact we’re watching is the cused than ever on the security of our food availability of farmers markets as some supply chain. local governments order that they be suspended. Many farmers depend on Agricultural futures, which many farmers markets for most of their sales. farmers and ranchers depend on to lock With restaurant business severely cut, in better prices later on, are down, as farmers who sell meat and produce diwell. That shows a concern that consum- rectly to restaurants are more dependent ers will buy less in the coming weeks on direct-to-consumer sales. and months, as the economy slows and The assistance passed by Congress unemployment worsens. should help farmers and ranchers who It also reflects worries about whether will be affected by the loss of their marour overseas markets will return if prod- kets, but we must keep an eye on this to uct can’t move and as economies around make sure the assistance is adequate to the world are reeling from the virus ensure that those farmers will be there outbreak and restrictions to contain it. for us when things get back to normal.

We’re certainly hopeful that trade will Our ability to clear hurdles for continue and grow.

America’s farmers and ranchers depends Another concern that came to our on our awareness of issues surfacing attention quickly after the federal govacross the country. We had an impact ernment began taking more stringent on the farm worker issue and the aid actions to curb the spread of coronavipackage because we could share inforrus was whether our farmers would get mation in real time. the workers they were expecting from Please let county and state Farm Mexico and other countries.

Bureau leaders know of other ways this Each spring, tens of thousands of farm situation is affecting farmers’ and ranchworkers make their way to the United ers’ ability to be productive and survive States to do the hard work many American the economic hit. citizens don’t want to do: pruning, plowing, We are in constant communication planting, and picking produce. with state Farm Bureau leaders so we can Farm Bureau and others worked over- jump on new issues as they come up. Even as we all practice social distancing or time to ensure that processing of visa physical distancing as some are now callapplications submitted by farm workers would not be adversely affected, and the ing it, we’re more connected than ever by phone, video conferencing and email.

State Department at the end of March made changes to make available more By working together, we’ll address seasonal farm workers, while also prothe economic impacts of the virus and tecting public health. ensure our fellow citizens have the Our farmers and ranchers are commit- nutritious food they need. We will get ted to feeding our country now and in through this. the future, and we need workers to do it.

About 20% of farm workers in the U.S. Zippy Duvall, a poultry, cattle and come through the H-2A program. hay producer from Georgia, is the They play a critical role in ensuring president of the American Farm Americans have access to the food we Bureau Federation.

CONTACT US

ADVERTISING

420 Second St. La Salle, IL 61301 Phone: 815-223-3206 Toll-Free Want Ads: 800-426-9438 Fax: 815-223-5997 Website: www.agrinews-pubs.com Email: editorial@agrinews-pubs.com advertising@agrinews-pubs.com circulation@agrinews-pubs.com

Mary Nona 800-426-9438, Ext. 113

EDITORIAL James Henry, Executive Editor Chris Cashman, Design & Copy Editor Martha Blum, Field Editor Tom Doran, Field Editor Ashley Langreck, Field Editor Jeannine Otto, Field Editor Erica Quinlan, Field Editor

Barb Sweger 800-426-9438, Ext. 114

DISPLAY ADVERTISING

Beth Bassett 1681 E. 1100S Brook, IN 47922 Phone: 815-579-1462 BethBassett@agrinews-pubs.com

NATIONAL SALES REPRESENTATIVE J.L. Farmakis Inc. • 24 East Avenue #1350 New Canaan, CT 06840 Phone: 203-834-8832 • 1232 635th Ave. Lovilia, IA 50150 Phone: 641-946-7646 • 901 Lands End Circle St. Charles, MO 63304 Phone: 636-238-8548

• 8209 N.W. 81st Ct., Kansas City, MO 64152 Phone: 816-746-8814 • 6388 N. Whitetale Way Parkville, MO 64152 Phone: 816-912-2804

SUBSCRIBER SERVICES

Laurie Innis Phone: 800-426-9438, Ext. 119 Cyndi Sondgeroth Phone: 800-426-9438, Ext. 122

All advertising copy must be in the AgriNews office by 5 p.m. Friday one week prior to publication.

Indiana AgriNews is not responsible for more than one incorrect insertion of an advertisement and will rerun in a later edition or cancel charges on the incorrect part of the ad which is in error only. No copy of a questionable nature knowingly will be printed. Also, this publication will not be responsible for any misunderstanding or losses which may develop through its advertisement.

We reserve the right to censor or reject and to determine what is questionable or objectionable advertising.

www.agrinews-pubs.com | INDIANA AGRINEWS | Friday, April 10, 2020

B7

Business

Market data Virus impact ripples FOR WEEK ENDING APRIL 3, 2020

Futures Prices This Last This

week week Chg. week CATTLE HOGS APR 20 88.32 100.95 -12.63 APR 20 40.22 JUN 20 80.85 89.42 -8.57 MAY 20 41.22 AUG 20 84.30 90.45 -6.15 JUN 20 48.32 OCT 20 88.50 94.32 -5.82 JUL 20 52.72 DEC 20 92.35 98.32 -5.97 AUG 20 54.57 FEB 21 97.02 102.62 -5.60 OCT 20 49.77

Last week Chg. 58.45 57.62 64.25 66.80 66.12 56.35

-18.23 -16.40 -15.93 -14.08 -11.55 -6.58

120.60 -12.35 120.92 -12.82 127.10 -12.68 127.57 -11.77 128.52 -11.62 128.80 -11.25

MILK CLASS III APR 20 14.07 MAY 20 12.18 JUN 20 13.13 JUL 20 14.08 AUG 20 14.62 SEP 20 14.91

15.32 13.87 14.00 14.76 15.23 15.37

-1.25 -1.69 -0.87 -0.68 -0.61 -0.46

CORN MAY 20 3306 3460 -154 JUL 20 3366 3516 -150 SEP 20 3422 3560 -138 DEC 20 3506 3642 -136 MAR 21 3620 3740 -120 MAY 21 3682 3784 -102

SOYBEANS MAY 20 8542 JUL 20 8594 AUG 20 8620 SEP 20 8604 NOV 20 8614 JAN 21 8624

8814 8852 8856 8790 8766 8752

-272 -258 -236 -186 -152 -128

CHICAGO WHEAT MAY 20 5492 5712 -220 JUL 20 5450 5572 -122 SEP 20 5470 5566 -96 DEC 20 5542 5632 -90 MAR 21 5600 5662 -62 MAY 21 5580 5636 -56

K.C. WHEAT MAY 20 4720 JUL 20 4784 SEP 20 4864 DEC 20 4994 MAR 21 5102 MAY 21 5170

4866 4914 4984 5094 5180 5234

-146 -130 -120 -100 -78 -64

BRENT CRUDE OIL JUN 20 34.11 27.95 6.16 JUL 20 35.48 30.91 4.57 AUG 20 36.39 33.29 3.10 SEP 20 37.02 34.91 2.11 OCT 20 37.49 36.03 1.46 NOV 20 37.83 36.80 1.03

ETHANOL APR 20 MAY 20 JUN 20 JUL 20 AUG 20 SEP 20

0.939 0.986 1.027 1.030 1.030 1.030

-0.094 -0.122 -0.120 -0.120 -0.120 -0.120

FEEDER CATTLE APR 20 108.25 MAY 20 108.10 AUG 20 114.42 SEP 20 115.80 OCT 20 116.90 NOV 20 117.55

0.845 0.864 0.907 0.910 0.910 0.910

Stocks of Agricultural Interest

This Last 52-wk week week high

This Last 52-wk week week high

ADM 34.65 33.50 47.20 Corteva 22.62 23.21 32.78 AGCO 43.50 46.20 81.39 Dupont 31.87 33.83 83.72 BASF 10.95 11.33 20.98 Deere 135.52 135.11 181.99 Bunge 37.17 36.19 59.65 FMC 70.88 76.62 108.77 CF 25.77 25.55 55.15 Mosaic 9.94 9.90 28.01

Export Inspections (MIL BU.) This Year Cumulative Cumulative Cml.

week ago this year year ago % diff.

WHEAT 363.881 454.874 20461.20 18850.904 8.54 CORN 1269.074 1259.267 18061.64 29680.005 -39.15 SOYBEANS 413.957 712.028 31584.71 29279.951 7.87

Livestock Summary % diff.

This Last Year week year

week week ago ago ago Hog Slaughter-est 11000 HD 2565 2754 2464 -6.86 4.10 Cattle slaughter-est 1000 HD 626 676 627 -7.40 -0.16 MEAT PRICES This week Last week Change Pork Cutout Bellies Loins Hams Yld Gr 3 Choice Beef Select Beef 5-Mkt Fed Cattle Live 5-Mkt Fed Cattle Carcass

60.72 74.76 -14.04 33.50 50.33 -16.83 96.45 98.51 -2.06 36.33 50.14 -13.81 231.95 252.11 -20.16 221.01 241.61 -20.60 111.08 119.44 -8.36 178.78 189.31 -10.53

OKLAHOMA CITY This week Last week Change Low High Low High Low High FEEDER STEER 4-5 Wt Mf 1’S 5-6 Wt Mf 1’S 6-7 Wt Mf 1’S 7-8 Wt Mf 1’S 8-10 Wt Mf 1’S

149.75 125.00 114.00 101.50 100.00

175.00 144.00 171.00 139.00 146.00 118.75 130.50 115.75 129.75 107.25

177.00 144.00 143.50 132.50 122.00

5.75 -2.00 -14.00 27.00 -4.75 2.50 -14.25 -2.00 -7.25 7.75

CASH HOGS, PRACTICAL TOP, LIVE PRICE This week Last week Change Dorchester, Wisconsin

36.00

43.00

-7.00

CASH HOGS, CARCASS PRICES, WEIGHTED AVERAGE BASE PRICE This week Last week Change National

42.83 58.71 -15.88

USDA National Grain Market Review Compared to last week, cash bids for wheat, corn and soybeans wee lower; sorghum was mixed.

For the week ending March 26, an increase of 42.3 million bushels of corn export sales for 2019-20 were reported, with an increase of 35.2 million bushels of soybean exports sales, and an increase of 2.7 million bushels of wheat export sales. Sorghum export sales showed an increase of 7.9 million bushels.

Ethanol production for the week ending March 27 reported a decrease of 165,000 barrels per day to 0.840 million barrels a day. Ethanol stocks increased 1.6 million barrels at 25.7 million barrels.

Corn planted in 2020 is estimated at 97.0 million acres, up 8% or 7.29 million acres from last year. Soybeans planted for 2020 are estimated at 83.5 million acres, up 10% from last year.

All wheat planted for 2020 is estimated at 44.7 million acres, down 1& from 2019 Corn atocks are down 8% from March 2019, soybean stocks are down 17% and all wheat stocks are down 11%.

Wheat was 5 cents lower to 58 1/4 cents lower. Corn was 9 1/4 cents lower to 27 1/4 cents lower.

Sorghum was 28 cents lower to 27 cents higher. Soybeans were 20 1/2 cents lower to 26 1/2 cents lower

CORN Kansas City US No 2 truck Yellow Corn was 20 1/4 to 27 1/4 cents lower from 3.28 1/2-3.33 1/2 per bushel.

Omaha US No 2 Yellow Corn was 12 to 15 cents lower from 3.06-3.15 per bushel.

Chicago US No 2 Yellow Corn was 12 1/4 to 16 1/4 cents lower from 3.33 1/2-3.39 1/2 per bushel.

Toledo US No 2 rail Yellow corn was 15 1/4 cents lower at 3.28 1/2 per bushel

Minneapolis US No 2 Yellow corn rail was 9 1/4 cents lower at 3.09 1/2 per bushel.

OILSEEDS Minneapolis Yellow truck soybeans were 21 1/2 cents lower at 8.36 3/4 per bushel.

Illinois Processors US No 1 Yellow truck soybeans were 20 1/2 to 21 1/2 cents lower from 8.63 3/4-8.71 3/4 per bushel.

Kansas City US No 2 Yellow truck soybeans were 26 1/2 cents lower from 8.38 3/4-8.53 3/4 per bushel.

Illinois 448 percent soybean meal, processor rail bid was 13.80 lower from 309.10-312.10 per bushel.

Central Illinois Crude Soybean oil processor bid was 0.26 to 0.26 points lower from 25.6426.49 per cwt.

WHEAT Kansas City US No 1 Hard Red Winter, ordinary protein rail bid was 58 1/4 cents lower from 5.49-5.59 per bushel.

St. Louis truck US No 2 Soft Red Winter terminal bid was 43 cents lower at 5.57 per bushel.

Minneapolis and Duluth US No 1 Dark Northern Spring, 14.0 to 14.5 percent protein rail, was 32 1/4 to 42 1/4 cents lower from 6.29-6.39 per bushel.

Portland US Soft White wheat rail was 5 cents lower from 6.006.10 per bushel.

SORGHUM US No 2 yellow truck, Kansas City was 26 to 27 cents higher from 5.96-6.49 per cwt. Texas High Plains US No 2 yellow sorghum (prices paid or bid to the farmer, fob elevator) was 26 to 28 cents lower from 5.32-5.873 per cwt.

OATS US 2 or Better oats, rail bid to arrive at Minneapolis 20 day was 3 cents higher from 2.64-3.34 per bushel.

Futures Prices compiled by faculty and staff of the Ag Economics Department at the University of Missouri Direct Feeder Catttle from USDA Dept of Ag Market News, Oklahoma City. Grain Market Review from USDA Dept of Ag Market News, St. Joseph, Missouri.

across farm country

WA SH I NG T ON — From dairy farmers with nowhere to send their milk and cattle ranchers reeling from plummeting beef prices, the impact of the coronavirus is rippling through farm country.

Corn, cotton and soybean futures have tumbled, ethanol plants have been idled, and some fruit and vegetable farmers are finding their best option is leaving produce in the field.

Price forecasts for most agricultural products are bleak. In the past month, dairy prices have dropped 26% to 36%, corn futures have dropped by 14%, soybean futures are down 8% and cotton futures have plummeted 31%. Hog futures are down by 31%.

A surge in demand for beef emptied grocery store meat aisles, but there is no lack of supply. Despite a rise in retail prices in some areas, the prices paid to cattle ranchers have fallen 25%.

Dairy producers were optimistic at the start of 2020 that it would be a turnaround year, with milk prices on the rise and feed costs holding steady.

But hopes were dashed when the coronavirus quickly and dramatically impacted demand, disrupted supply chains and led to the 26% to 36% drop in prices.

Schools, restaurants and universities that were among the main purchasers of milk and milk products were suddenly shuttered, leaving dairy farmers with far more milk than plants are capable of processing.

The sometimes-empty supermarket milk coolers reflect supply chain adaptation challenges, not lack

of supply. Experts do not expect retail demand for dairy to make up for lost food service and restaurant demand.

“Farmers and ranchers are determined to deliver on their commitment to provide a safe and abundant food supply, but make no mistake, they are facing makeor-break struggles, like many Americans,” said American Farm Bureau Federat ion P resident Zippy Duvall.

FINANCIAL REALITIES “After years of a down farm economy and damaging severe weather, the COVID-19 ripple effects are forcing farmers and ranchers to face heartbreaking financial realities. Without question, the disaster aid provided in the CARES Act is a lifeline that will help many farmers hold on. We don’t know how many for how long, but we’re grateful.”

The Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act provides $9.5 billion to the agriculture secretary for financial support to farmers and ranchers impacted by the coronavirus and $14 billion for the Commodity Credit Corp.

Direct food- and agriculture-related provisions in the CARES Act, including the support for the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the CCC and additional funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, account for only 0.02% of the total aid provided in the bill.

USDA has not yet announced how it will distribute the aid.

Meanwhile farmers re-

liant on direct consumer sales, such as farmers’ markets and u-pick farms, are also facing dramatic losses. Often highly perishable, a loss of market at peak harvest has led some to cut their losses by leaving fruits and vegetables in the fields.

Abiding by travel restrictions, people are driving far less, pushing down demand for both oil and ethanol made from corn. A 35% drop in ethanol prices caused some plants to stop production, further depressing corn prices.

The sudden change also cut off the supply of dried distillers grains — a byproduct of ethanol production and source of high-protein feed — for livestock producers, who are left scrambling to find a replacement.

While the impact to agriculture has been acute and immediate on many fronts, there is more to come if farmers and ranchers are forced to downsize or stop farming and ranching altogether.

“There are millions of people involved in producing America’s food supply. Fewer farms mean fewer farm workers, truck drivers, processors and manufacturers and potentially higher food prices – not today, maybe not even this year, but farmers won’t be the only ones affected by the long-term agricultural impacts of the coronavirus pandemic if prices continue to drop and markets aren’t restored,” Duvall explained.

More detailed information about the coronavirus’ impact on agriculture is available at www. fb.org/related/COVID-19.

Unprecedented times The United States and rest of the world is enduring the most dramatic Commodity economic bombInsight shell, thunJerry Welch derbolt or disturbance in history. The coronavirus coupled with the crude oil price war between Russia and Saudi Arabia has changed the global economies of the world for years to come.

It has been a one-two punch in the gut, and at the very least, a prolonged period of stagflation is likely. At worse, a bout of inflation the likes of which has not been seen since the early 1970s to the late 1980s is at hand. History is about to repeat itself.

Investopedia describes stagflation as “a seemingly contradictory condition described by slow economic growth and relatively high unemployment, or economic stagnation, which is at the same time accompanied by rising prices, that is to say inflation. Stagflation can also be alternatively defined as a period of inflation combined with a decline in gross domestic product.”

The only other period in American history where stagflation and inflation roared sharply higher was in the 1972 to 1989 period. Inflation doubled in 1973 and hit double digits in 1974.

There was upward pressure on all ag markets into the final decade of the 1900s. And now due to coronavirus and collapsing crude oil prices, we are on the cusp of dynamic bull markets for U.S. agriculture similar to back then, 30 to nearly 50 years ago.

At the least, the entire world will experience significant economic dislocations in the years

ahead. From CNBC News, “a food crisis looms as coronavirus forces farms to stay idle and countries hoard supplies.”

And here are the two main points the article drives home. One: “Large-scale lockdowns to contain the coronavirus outbreak have hurt the supply of manpower and disrupted supply chains in the agriculture industry.”

The second point is: “As of now, disruptions are minimal as food supplies have been adequate.

But price spikes are more likely for higher value products like meat and perishable commodities rather than for major staples, which are still in adequate supply, said the Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations.”

Moving forward, I strongly urge U.S. ag producers to hone their marketing skills. I urge all my readers to get their hands on solid information to help with marketing decisions.

The key to success in agriculture has always been marketing, and that is how it is going to be moving forward.

However, the big difference between now and only a few months ago is the historic economic disruptions that have hit home like a bombshell.

I have a special offer I wish to present to those that subscribe to this newspaper. My newsletter, Commodity Insite, is published twice a day. The morning issue comes out around 7 a.m.

Chicago time and again around noon.

If something happens between those times, I quickly post a special email alert. There are days when I keep my subscribers informed more than twice a day.

The offer I wish to make is this: If you are a subscriber to this newspaper, you can also subscribe to Commodity Insite for $300 for six

months, paid upfront via a credit card.

A regular subscription for three months is actually triple that $300 offer. With a $300 subscription, I am throwing in, at no cost, my e-book, “Haunted By Markets.”

My book is read over a smartphone or computer and is 712 pages long.

The book alone sells for $74.99.

Over the years, I have touted my twice-a-day newsletter and my book.

But I have never offered a six-month subscription at such a low cost.

I am doing so because times have changed dramatically for the U.S. ag markets. This is not the time to take your eyes off the commodity markets.

Twice a day, I touch on stocks, bonds, currencies and commodities.

I believe you will find Commodity Insite quite useful.

If you are interested in taking me up my special offer, drop me a line at commodityinsite1@gmail. com. Or, call me at 406682-5010.

To repeat what is stated above: “A food crisis looms as coronavirus forces farms to stay idle and countries hoard supplies.” The world has changed, and U.S. ag producers should adapt accordingly.

Please give serious consideration to my special offer. Heck of a deal, in my opinion, for two reports a day, or more.

The world is certainly different today, but likely to revert to how it was in the early 1970s to late 1980s, when inflation was the topic on everyone’s lips.

During such unprecedented times, there will be numerous and exciting opportunities for those well informed and bold — in particular, for those in agriculture where spot shortages for a host of various commodities will most certainly surface sooner than later.

Unprecedented times, indeed.

INFB donates to food bank I N DI A NA P OL IS — Hoosiers are already feeling the economic strain caused by COVID-19. In response, Indiana Farm Bureau, has donated $5,000 to Gleaners Food Bank of Indiana Inc. to help provide food to those affected by this pandemic.

Gleaners Food Bank of Indiana is the largest food bank and hunger relief charity in the state, serving one-third of the 1 million Hoosiers vulnerable to food insecurity in Indiana.

INFB’s funds will go directly to helping Hoosiers in need at a time when food banks are seeing a significant increase in patronage due to unemployment and school closings related to COVID-19.

Gleaners Food Bank of Indiana has more than doubled its distribution at its on-site pantry and is adding mobile pantries in communities across its service area. It also partnered with Indianapolis Public Schools to ensure that families who need help receive it. “ W it h ma ny bu si nesses being closed, many Hoosiers are left without a steady income to support their families,” said Randy Kron, INFB president.

“While almost everyone, including the farming community, is already starting to feel the economic strain caused by this pandemic, it’s heartwarming to see people giving back to their com munities. India na Farm Bureau is happy to be able to give a small gift to help feed our community during this tough time.”

INFB members across the state also are using their time and resources to support their communities, including healthcare workers in need of the proper supplies to stay safe while caring for patients.

“We’re hearing stories of members sewing masks and hospital gowns for healthcare facilities and nursing homes in their hometowns,” Kron said.

“We even have farmers who are donating the protective gear, like spare masks and chemical suits, to local hospitals to provided much-needed safety right now.

“I’m proud, but not surprised, that Farm Bureau members are stepping up to support their neighbors, even when they’re faced with challenges themselves.”

This is the second time within the last year that INFB has supported Gleaners Food Bank of Indiana. Last March, INFB and all 92 county Farm Bureaus together donated 50 tons of food to Gleaners and other food banks across the state in celebration of its 100th anniversary.

Feds fast track foreign farm workers’ return SALEM, Ore. (AP) — Farmers and orchard owners nationwide are breathing a little easier as more H-2A workers will be able to cross the Mexican border.

The U.S. State Department on March 26 expanded the number of foreign agricultural workers whose visa applications can be processed without an in-person interview, The Capital Press reported.

After suspending “nonessential” visa processing in Mexico because of the coronavirus outbreak, the agency said it would prioritize processing for returning H-2A workers whose visas expired within the last year by giving them an interview waiver.

It then broadened those waivers to include new workers and returning workers whose visas had expired in the past 24 months.

B8 Friday, April 10, 2020

| INDIANA AGRINEWS | www.agrinews-pubs.com

Business

Dairy industry seeks lifeline; Selling cows is stressful asks feds to make purchases

By Jeff Burbrink

By Martha Blum

AGRINEWS PUBLICATIONS

MADISON, Wis. — The dairy industry has an unprecedented challenge to find markets for milk during the coronavirus pandemic.

“The dairy supply chain is challenged at a level never seen before with hundreds of thousands of restaurants, universities and food service outlets closed or reduced in sales,” said John Umhoefer, Cheese Makers Association executive director.

“The cheese industry has lost a great share of its largest market because nearly one-half of all cheese sold in the U.S. moves through food service channels.”

As the dairy industry works to balance supply with demand, Umhoefer said, “we look to the federal government to immediately begin to purchase dairy products to offer to food pantries and feeding programs to help America’s food insecure families in these challenging times.”

“As we went into 2020, it was going to be the rebound year for dairy after depressed prices for the last three years,” said Tim Trotter, Dairy Business Association and Edge Dairy Farmer Cooperative executive director. “But because of the coronavirus we’re seeing a more devastating outcome for dairy farmers.”

It is important that the dairy processors, dairymen and the food chain all work together during the pandemic, Trotter stressed.

“I’m confident we can, but we need government support to get nutrition to people who need it,” he said.

The impact of COVID-19 has resulted in many people losing their jobs.

“Less people have money to buy products they need to sustain life,” Trotter said.

“One in eight households has insufficient food supply, and this is going to get worse,” he

“With the excessive milk supplies during the last few weeks we’ve lost 25% of our income through the crashed market, and now we are facing the dumping of milk on top of that.”

Gordon Speirs, owner SHILOH DAIRY, BRILLION, WISCONSIN

predicted. “We feel dairy products can play a vital role, and that’s why we’re asking USDA to work swiftly.”

“With the excessive milk supplies during the last few weeks we’ve lost 25% of our income through the crashed market, and now we are facing the dumping of milk on top of that,” said Gordon Speirs, owner of Shiloh Dairy in Brillion, Wisconsin.

“Dairy farming is a 24/7 responsibility, not a factory that we can just turn off the lights and start up again in three to four weeks when the world gets back online or whatever that date is,” the dairyman stressed.

Trotter has received reports of milk being dumped in regions of the Midwest.

“That’s why we’re putting urgency on the USDA to step in to give us a lifeline,” he said.

However, the situation for the industry is a mixed bag.

“There are plants running full out to keep up with retail demand, which was strong for all dairy products, but has now returned to a more normal pace,” Umhoefer said.

“There are also plants with an emphasis on the food service market that have throttled back to less shifts because they do not have markets for their products.”

There is not a shortage of

milk, Umhoefer said.

“We see milk limits in some markets because we have challenges in the transportation and distribution system,” he said.

“We had milk moving from Wisconsin as far as Florida, and that kind of effort will continue when we don’t have a plant to get the milk processed.”

The goal is for the USDA to purchase products that would typically go to the food service sector such as cheddar, mozzarella and Italian cheeses, butter and nonfat dry milk.

“These products will help us clear the market and also they are also useful to families in need,” Umhoefer said. “But we have not asked for a particular quantity to be purchased.”

It is very important at this time for all dairymen to be in contact with their processors, Trotter said.

“The only way to find common ground to manage through this is to work together,” he said.

The opportunity to trim milk production by removing animals from the dairy herd is a challenge right now, Speirs said.

“A slaughter plant is shut down in Pennsylvania, and prices are lower for the cull cow market,” he said. “We really need the processing sector to be able to process this fine production so we can get it into the hands of the consumer.”

Speirs is not in favor of placing restrictions on milk production for the long term.

“This is a temporary problem that we need to jump over, and it is going to be ugly for a short period of time,” he said. “Over the last year, our milk supplies have been reasonably well balanced — right now is a unique situation.”

Martha Blum can be reached at 815-223-2558, ext. 117, or marthablum@agrinews-pubs. com. Follow her on Twitter at: @AgNews_Blum.

Grief is a very personal process we all go through when A farmer friend and I talked there is a loss. It is something for quite a while a few weeks we all need to work through at ago. He was feeling down, havour own pace. ing made the decision to sell the The feelings can range from cows on the farm. fear, shock, anger, guilt, deThere had been cows on the pression, or a loss of purpose. farm since his great grandfather The feelings can change from had milked 10 Jerseys on the minute to minute and as time place. Subsequent generations passes. had improved the facility, addAs you begin to accept the ing freestalls, silos, a parlor and loss, the feeling often turn to remore land. flectiveness and understanding.

He was feeling guilty for not For those feeling the grief, it being able to carry on what his helps to find someone to lend forbearers had built. I assured support. It might be family, him that his forbearers had friends, clergy or even mental never faced market forces like health advisers. the dairy industry has faced in It’s the kind ear and outside recent years. perspective that can help to Since 2015, per-capita conbring the loss into perspective. sumption of beverage milk deOften, those in a deep state of clined by 25% to approximately grief will isolate themselves.

18 gallons per person. Milk It is important that friends price volatility, the proliferation and family of the person interof imitation “milk” and bottled vene in these circumstances, to water products, reduced conprevent the person from harmsumption of ready-to-eat cereals ing himself or herself. and legislation limiting school When you are in such an milk options all contributed to emotional state, it is common to the decline in milk sales. not take good care of yourself At the same time, many dairphysically. Eating well, getting ies added cows in an effort to some exercise and just talking increase income. The result has to others is a positive step in been low prices that have devthe grieving process. Even new astated the dairy industry, eshobbies or returning to an old pecially the smaller traditional hobby can provide a break from dairy farm. the stress.

That feeling of guilt is a hard You might not even realize one to get around because peoyou are grieving. If someone ple in agriculture take a lot of starts this conversation with pride in their work and the lon- you, take it seriously. gevity of the family business.

Do not forget, a loss of someThink about it: We give thing as ingrained as a farm awards for centennial farms or the cows can affect the and proudly display the signs on whole family in many differthe front lawn. It is one of the ent ways, even the children. best things about agricultural Communications and getting businesses; they tend to stay a different perspective are imwith a family for generations. portant.

It can also lead people to feel If you someone in crisis, guilty when things do not go as contact the National Suicide they hoped.

Prevention Hotline at 1-800What this person is experi273-8255, or text the Crisis Text encing is grief. It is not much Line — text HELLO to 741741. different from when someone Both services are free, confiyou love passes away. dential and available 24 hours a When you lose someone close day, seven days a week. to you, you feel things that may catch you by surprise. The sale Jeff Burbrink is the Purdue of a farm or the sale of the cows Extension agriculture and can lead to a sense of loss that natural resources educator in is real and understandable.

Elkhart County.