South Dakota Farm & Ranch June 2022

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WAGYU BEEF

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JUNE 2022

Since the late 1800s our Nation’s farmers have farmed Dairy.

Multi-Generational farms that have served and provided not just their own families but the communities they reach. June is the month we choose to honor their hard work and sacrifice for the products we use everyday.

During June Dairy Month, we salute these dedicated family farms for their contribution to our economy and our health.

The long hours in the field, the early morning and late evening milking in both blistering cold and scorching heat. Rain or shine you saw to your herd as you battled elements, time, and unstable markets.

We want you to know, we see you, we stand with you, and most of all, we support you.

Thank You

dairy farmers, for all that you have done and continue to do.

Scott & Mary Tilberg,

This message is brought to you by the following businesses: Thank you to our area Farmers and Ranchers!

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INSIDE THIS ISSUE

On the cover

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SD corn, soybean planting close to wrapping up...............................................6 Erik Kaufman / Mitchell Republic

Corn could be seen emerging from the ground west of Salem, S.D. Wednesday afternoon, June 1, 2022. Farmers are getting close to wrapping up their spring planting season, according to statistics from the United States Department of Agriculture.

Features

Incorporate tech into farming......................................4 Explaining precision......................................................5 Saving bees......................................................................9 Demand for wagyu beef............................................. 10 USDA Announces Additional Flexibilities — CRP................................................. 15 Publisher JO N I H A R M S Editor L U K E H AG EN

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Advertising Director LO R I E H A N S EN Layout Designer JEN PH I L L I PS South Dakota Farm & Ranch is an agricultural publication dedicated to informing SD and Midwest area farmers & ranchers about current topics and news.

This publication fits the niche of our unique farmers and ranchers of the Midwest, and the diverseness we have in our area. Although the Missouri River divides our state, we are all South Dakotans and thank the land for supporting us each and every day.

Our readers may be livestock ranchers or row crop farmers, and everywhere in between, however, we all have a common goal in mind.

We feed and support the growing population, and want the next generation to find that same love and support that agriculture can offer.

We’re all South Dakota Farmers and Ranchers’ and when you advertise in South Dakota Farm & Ranch, you are immersing your company, product, and service into a growing community of dedicated farmers and ranchers. Welcome to South Dakota Farm & Ranch!

To subscribe to this FREE publication, contact South Dakota Farm & Ranch.

Contact Us PO BOX 1288 • MITCHELL , SD 605-996-5514

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HOW TO INCORPORATE TECH INTO A FARMING BUSINESS Metro Creative The agricultural industry long has been a vital part of society, providing foods for billions of people across the globe. Farming can be a challenging profession, and farmers routinely find creative solutions to overcome obstacles to effective production. Thanks to technology, finding solutions has become that much easier.

Yet not every farmer who is set in his or her ways is ready to welcome changes that incorporate technology right away. In fact, reluctance to turn over operations in some part to artificial intelligence or smart technologies could be due in part to farming being such a nuanced skill and the role intuition plays in the growth of crops. The following are some ways for seasoned and novice farmers to seamlessly incorporate technology into their operations.

START WITH PERIPHERAL TECH Farmers can begin implementing technology that does not directly relate to farming operations. Examples include

4 SOUTH DAKOTA FARM & RANCH JUNE 2022

switching to efficient and intuitive accounting and payroll systems to save time.

If a farm also includes a retail enterprise, such as a farmers market, upgrading pointof-sale technology, like credit card readers or e-commerce websites for new revenue potential, be good a good starting point.

ASSESS OPERATION WEAKNESSES Figure out where the business is lacking and could use some help. Perhaps you’re having difficulty maintaining adequate irrigation or plant nutrition is compromised due to soil deficits? Precision automation farming advancements that employ remote sensors can assess conditions and fine tune adjustments to alleviate these issues.

GET TRAINING Novel technologies can increase crop yield and make for more efficient use of limited resources. However, people who may never have employed drones, other devices or soil sensors can expect a learning curve. Visiting a nearby farm operation to learn how they

have implemented technology and gaining hands-on experience can be invaluable.

In addition, request that a tech vendor provide thorough instruction on products to make it easier to seamlessly integrate new technology into an agriculture business.

TAP INTO WORKFORCE TALENT The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations says agriculture and food production accounts for 28 percent of the entire global workforce. There are more than 570 million smallholder farms worldwide. Technology can be utilized by agricultural businesses to zero in on intelligent and qualified employees who can take operations to the next level. Websites like Glassdoor, Indeed and ZipRecruiter remain helpful tools when looking for qualified job candidates. The internet is an essential employment resource, and farms can utilize it to acquire new hires.

Agricultural businesses can explore various ways to gradually and seamlessly make technology part of their operations. n

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EXPLAINING PRECISION AGRICULTURE Metro Creative Few, if any, aspects of life in the 21st century have not been touched by technology.

Advancements in technology have affected everything from the way students learn in the classroom to how senior citizens connect with their grandchildren. Technological advancements also have left their mark on industry, including the agricultural sector.

Modern agriculture bears some similarities to farming of past eras. Technology has affected the agricultural sector for centuries, and modern farmers know that’s no different today. One of the more recent developments in the agricultural sector is the rise of precision agriculture, a farming management concept that can pay dividends for generations to come.

WHAT IS PRECISION AGRICULTURE? Precision agriculture (PA) is rooted in improving crop yields through the utilization of technology.

PA is designed to help the agricultural sector maximize resources and improve yields and the quality of crops. That’s a critically important function as the world population continues to grow and the demand for food increases as a result.

WHAT ARE SOME EXAMPLES OF PA TECHNOLOGY? Sensors are a prime example of PA technology that helps make farms more efficient and productive. Sensors serve various functions by helping farmers gather data on the availability of water in soil, the level of compaction in soil, leaf temperature, insect and disease

infestation, and other areas.

Weather modeling is another component of PA that can help farms be more cost-effective and efficient. Whereas in years past many farms would need to manually assess certain variables to determine when to harvest, weather modeling technology has enabled some farmers to generate remote readings, saving time and money.

HOW DOES PA HELP FARMERS? Each situation is unique, but the principles of PA can help farmers access a wealth of information. It might have

been possible to access such information in the past, but PA has sped up the process and made it more hands-off, allowing farmers to save both time and money. PA technology can help farmers maintain accurate records of their farms; inform their decisions; make it easier to detect and identify problems, sometimes before they escalate into larger issues; and avoid potentially costly mistakes.

Technology has left no industry untouched. The growth of precision agriculture is a testament to the influence that technology is having on a vital sector of the global economy. n

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South Dakota

corn, soybean planting close to wrapping up Erik Kaufman / Mitchell Republic

Corn could be seen emerging from the ground west of Salem, S.D.

The latest crop progress report from the United States Department of Agriculture, dated May 29, indicates 86% of corn planted MITCHELL — It wasn’t an ideal start to in South Dakota. That’s down from 97% the 2022 planting season, but warming last year but on par with the 82% fivetemperatures and timely rains have farmers year average. For soybeans, the planted in a better position as they head into the percentage stands at 61%, which is also summer growing months, according to behind last year’s pace of 91%, but it is also agriculture officials. near the five-year average of 64%.

“Things are looking pretty well. Prior Minnesota is seeing 82% corn planted, to this weekend we were getting pretty short of the 99% from concerned.

Guys last year and slightly were putting in and below the 92% fivepraying for rain any year average. For day. And they got it,” soybeans, the state said David Klingberg, is at 55% planted, executive director down from the 99% with the Farm Service at this point last Agency offices in year as well as the Davison and Hanson 80% on the five-year counties. “It could average. have come a little LAURA EDWARDS, SOUTH DAKOTA STATE UNIVERSITY EXTENSION STATE CLIMATOLOGIST North Dakota is at slower with a little 20% corn planted, less wind, but overall they’ll take it. They took the moisture and longer than they were hoping, and nobody far below the 92% reported at this time could do anything about it, of course. They last year, and well below the 83% five-year they’re happy with it.”

It’s a nicer spot than what some may just put it in the ground and hoped that average. For soybeans, the state sits at 23% have predicted in late April, when cold it wouldn’t rot before it germinated,” planted, well below the 86% it was at last soil kept farmers from getting their seed Klingberg said. “It was a slow start, but year as well as the 70% five-year-average.

Wisconsin is seeing 80% corn planted, in the ground, putting producers behind a guys got a decent jump because of how dry traditional schedule. Those temperatures it was. Guys have gotten into the field more down from the state’s 94% at this time last eventually began to rise, finally opening the timely than in previous years because of year, but right in line with its 80% five-year gate for planters to make their rounds in the how dry it was and the (increased) ability to average. Soybeans are at 73% planted, short fields. do fieldwork.” of the 90% at this time last year but within

By Erik Kaufman Mitchell Republic

Once in the field with planting underway, it was time to worry about the moisture.

Most of South Dakota was and remains under some kind of drought warning, but a string of thunderstorms over the last month — some being severe — brought several inches of rain to the region.

But the fact the season started off dry gave farmers a chance to up their planted acres.

“The soil temperature stayed cold for

“As far as drought goes, the Mitchell area has seen some improvements, but some parts of the state are still holding on to drought. We’ve had some areas get some pretty good rains, close to average or above average in the last month, and 1 and 2 categories have improved, especially in the north”

6 SOUTH DAKOTA FARM & RANCH JUNE 2022

range of the 64% five-year average.

Nationally, 86% of the corn crop in 18 producing states is reported in the ground. That’s also behind the 94% from last year and right at the five-year average of 87%. For soybeans, that same region reports 66% in the ground, down from 83% last year but also right on pace with the 67% average.

Planted acre reporting is currently underway, said Erik Gerlach, South Dakota state statistician with the USDA, said many farmers may have completed their planting already,

and that final statistics on what got in the ground, and what may have been lost to wet conditions brought about by recent rains, will be coming in the coming weeks.

“It’s something we’ll evaluate over the course of the next few weeks as far as our June report,” Gerlach said. “We’ll get a little better look at that based on those producers who respond to the survey.”

Now the attention turns to the weather and the hope for

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PLANTING From Page 7

temperatures warm enough to ignite the growing process while remaining cool enough to not burn off the still-muchneeded moisture.

Laura Edwards, South Dakota State University Extension state climatologist, said the recent rains did put a dent in the drought conditions in South Dakota. That’s especially true in and around the Mitchell region, but some regions are still in need of moisture.

“As far as drought goes, the Mitchell area has seen some improvements, but some parts of the state are still holding on to drought. We’ve had some areas get some pretty good rains, close to average or above average in the last month, and 1 and 2 categories have improved, especially in the north,” Edwards said.

The United States Drought Monitor indicates that the state overall has gone from 18.22% of the state having no drought conditions to 30.87% having no drought conditions over the last three months, but the rest of the range is mixed. Some of the more severe drought conditions have migrated to the west-central portion of the state, and areas that are under D3 or D4 conditions have risen from zero to 2.56% in the same span.

While drought may still be an issue, producers along the James River are seeing their acres cut by flooding, which Edwards said is an unusual development given the circumstances.

“One of the unusual things is that the James River is in flood stage while we have dry areas outside the floodplain,” Edwards said. “A lot of that water in the spring came down from North Dakota. It’s really unusual to have the river in flood stage and have it not be due to local conditions.”

Klingberg said farmers along the river are seeing that first hand. Prior to the rise of the river, dry conditions had some farmers making a gamble and planting in the James River basin.

For some, it proved an unlucky choice.

“Maybe two weeks ago the Jim started rising from North Dakota and northern South Dakota rains, maybe even some snow melt. They have plenty of moisture in the northern part of the state and North Dakota and whenever they get rain it inches up on the James River. A lot of guys who planted on the Jim are flooded,” Klingberg said.

Edwards said the outlook going into June should see slightly below-average temperatures, which at least should help keep that important moisture in the ground.

“The outlook for June sees cooler than average temperatures. I think we’re going to see slower-than-usual crop growth. But the benefit (of the cooler temperatures) is that whatever moisture we get is more likely to stay with us further into the season,” Edwards said. “And the rains last week didn’t see a ton of runoff generated into the rivers and streams, which is good news because it’s recharging our soil moisture.”

As farmers wrap up their spring fieldwork, Klingberg said the focus will shift to good growing conditions. That means warm temperatures and timely rains, with not too much of either. It’s a balance of which producers are constantly in search, and something that is out of their control. For the moment, Klingberg thinks warmer temperatures are the immediate want.

After that, bring on more rain. “(Farmers) want their cake and eat it too.

We need moisture to stick around and soak up a bit, but I think I’d lean toward the heat.

We’re looking for growing degree days, and that’s the direction I would lean. But they know that a drought is always right around the corner, and we could slip back into that.”

Klingberg also urged farmers to complete their acreage reports by the July 15 deadline and to inquire about any available USDA assistance for damage suffered during the May derecho that moved through the region. n

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SAVING BEES ONE HIVE AT A TIME:

THE BASICS OF BACKYARD BEEHIVES

Metro Creative Scientists and environmentalists have been warning the public for years that honeybees are disappearing at alarming rates. Scientists were initially uncertain in regard to what was decimating bee populations. Even though no single cause is to blame, data has pointed to pesticide use and the mysterious colony collapse disorder, which is a name given to the dwindling colonies seen around the world.

National Geographic News says bees are essential because of their roles as pollinators.

Agriculture industries rely on honeybees, especially managed honeybees, to keep commercial crops pollinated and productive.

Estimates indicate that roughly one-third of U.S. crops rely on honeybees — accounting for more than $15 billion in crop production.

Without bees, the costs of everything from blueberries to apples to broccoli would rise, as farmers would have to use a different,

more expensive pollination method.

Even though backyard beehives or bee farms may not be crucial to consumer agriculture, bringing healthy colonies back to various areas is beneficial to the environment overall. The art of beekeeping has become an important endeavor, and just about anyone with some time and resources can start their own apiary.

► START BY STUDYING BEES. Interested beekeepers can begin their journey by reading all they can on beekeeping. The American Bee Journal or backyard beekeeping books and articles are great places to start. Local beekeeping associations also are invaluable resources for information on local bee species and traits. ► KNOW THE LAWS. It’s important to get the go-ahead from local authorities before introducing bees into the community. By checking city or town ordinances, potential beekeepers will know how many hives are allowed and which type of property sizes are amenable and allowable.

► GET THE RIGHT SUPPLIES. Research can help prospective beekeepers understand the type of equipment they will need. One can purchase this equipment, but some beekeeping organizations may be willing to lend or rent it to interested parties. Hive boxes, bottom boards, a veil, a jacket, a smoker, and a top feeder are just some of the supplies needed. ► ORDER BEES. Bees can be acquired from other beekeeping enthusiasts or can be ordered online. The bees will need to consist of the queen, drones and worker bees.

According to the resource Bees Brothers, a starter set of bees is called a “nuc.” Bee suppliers start selling in the winter for spring swarms. ► PLACE THE HIVE. It’s important to set up hives away from foot traffic. In addition, face hives away from strong winds, with the ideal directions being east and south. Hives need sunshine and some shade on summer afternoons, advises BackYardHive.

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10 SOUTH DAKOTA FARM & RANCH JUNE 2022

2800 W. Havens Mitchell, SD

Noah Fish / Agweek

Ryan Merkouris, a wagyu cattle farmer and Fellers Ranch partner on his farm in Conger, Minnesota.

By Noah Fish Agweek staff writer CONGER, Minn. — Wagyu beef is growing in popularity throughout the Midwest, and one Minnesota company is using a localized approach to cash in on that.

The term wagyu translates to “Japanese cow,” but wagyu beef typically refers to several cattle breeds that produce intense marbling. The cattle are fed slowly to increase the marbling, and the meat yields significantly higher prices than conventional beef.

Ryan Merkouris had been custom-feeding wagyu cattle for two and a half years for a rancher from Laramie, Wyoming. In 2021, the rancher decided to retire.

Five partners — Merkouris, Don Savelkoul, Jeremy Johnson, Jay Johnson (owner of Bushel Boy Farms in Owatonna) and Henry Savelkoul bought out the Wyoming rancher and created the company Fellers Ranch to sell the beef they raise and process in southeast Minnesota.

“We all kind of had the same vision and wanted to accomplish the same thing,” Merkouris said. “We wanted to have the best wagyu there was.”

Merkouris grew up on a farm near where he lives now and learned from his father, grandpa and uncle who were all cattle ranchers. His wife grew up a few miles away from him, on a dairy farm.

“All right here, within about 10 miles, is where I learned everything,” Merkouris said. “I’ve always been into cattle, and my kids are big into cattle, and we show cattle, so we’re around it all day, every day.”

When Merkouris got into the wagyu business three years ago, it was a change from the kind of cattle ranching he was used to.

“It was a totally different type of cattle industry than say your regular cattle feeding,” he said. “These take a lot more care, a lot more feed.”

“It was a totally different type of cattle industry than say your regular cattle feeding.”

RYAN MERKOURIS

Wagyu cattle feed at the Fellers Ranch in Conger, Minnesota.

Wagyu cattle are raised for 20-30 months, Merkouris explained, compared to conventional cattle which are raised for 16-18 months.

“I have birthday cake and everything with them twice, sometimes three times,” he said.

“That was hard to get used to — not turning them over quite as fast as I used to.”

He said that wagyu cattle are a lot calmer than the cattle he grew up raising.

“The breed is very docile, and once in a while, when maybe one gets out of the gate, he’ll just stand there and watch you do your thing, and

Noah Fish / Agweek

you don’t even have to chase them to get back in,” he said.

Fellers Ranch raises about 350 head between two different locations less than a mile apart in Conger. Merkouris said the animals are fed the same feed as at conventional feedlots, but at Fellers Ranch, they’re doing “a lot more limit feeding” and feeding exact ingredients that are weighed out twice daily.

“They’re fed 12 hours apart,” Merkouris said.

“And everything’s cleaned up when we get here in the morning and night to feed them. They’re

ready and waiting for us, and that’s one way that we get them stretched out to that 26 to 30 months and really get that meat tenderized and the marbling in it, which comes with age.”

Other changes to raising wagyu beef compared to conventional operations are the room the animals are given and the surface they live on.

“We like to give them a lot more space and just freedom to roam, and dirt is a lot better on them than concrete for their feet, and their joints and everything,” Merkouris said. “We probably spend a lot more time with them than your regular cattle feeders, because we’re doing a lot more bedding, and they’re not in a confined space.”

A local market

Jeremy Johnson and his wife, Darcy, purchased the Conger Meat Market in 2004. Johnson had been processing wagyu beef raised by Merkouris before he became a partner in Fellers Ranch.

WAGYU: Page 13

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JUNE 2022 SOUTH DAKOTA FARM & RANCH 11

ALL DIESELS • ALL DIAGNOSTICS • ALL SEMIS • ALL MAKES OF VEHICLES

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WAGYU From Page 11

ST

C O R N PA L

CE

STAMPEDE 1971-2022

Good Ole Days The

Thursday, July 14th 8:00am - Extreme Bull Riding Noah Fish / Agweek

Don Savelkoul, vice president of range operations for Fellers Ranch, points to the marbling in the meat on the photo on the Fellers Ranch delivery van.

“We’ve seen tremendous growth in one year’s time, so we’re excited to see what the next couple years will bring,” Johnson said.

Don Savelkoul, vice president of range operations for Fellers Ranch and one of the five partners, said the market owned by the Johnsons is a big reason their partnership has been a successful one.

“The big processors and conglomerates that kind of control the beef industry usually aren’t interested in smaller business, and being able to track a calf from the point of birth all the way through getting on the dinner plate,” Savelkoul said. “And we wanted to be able to provide that.”

He said with the Conger Meat Market, owned by a local family, they’re able to raise and market a product that people would know has “no (added) hormones, no antibiotics” and know exactly where it came from.

“That’s something we can provide,” he said. “And that’s Jeremy and Darcy Johnson’s business. They’ve been around for a long time and do an excellent job.”

The market slaughters and processes five beef a day, and does wagyu cattle once a week — on Thursdays — Johnson said.

Johnson said the demand for wagyu beef is definitely growing.

“More and more people are learning about it, so every week we get emails, phone calls and stuff coming through with people that have interest in the product,” Johnson said. “A lot of people don’t know what the product is yet, so we’re trying to educate them.”

Johnson said they dry wagyu carcasses for 14 days at the market, so the meat gets tender with a lot of juiciness and flavor.

“It’s a very high-marbled, high-quality steak,” he said. “So really, to sell it, you just have to get people to try it.”

In order to do that, Johnson said they’re offering cheaper options for new customers.

“We’re trying a lot of cheaper muscles, just to get people to experience it,” he said. “Different cuts, like Denver steaks, sirloin flaps, flat irons, things that aren’t hundreds of dollars a pound that people can try.”

Customer base

“There is a need for this type of meat in the Midwest, and in Minnesota in particular,” Savelkoul said of wagyu beef. “People at restaurants and stores can ask for us by name and know that the product that they’re getting is straight out of Conger, Minnesota.”

The customer base for wagyu beef from Fellers Ranch consists of a mix of “higher-end restaurants” primarily in the Twin Cities and Milwaukee, along with retail and online customers, Savelkoul said.

“We have products also at retail outlets in the Twin Cities area and around Minnesota,” said Savelkoul, along with the Conger Meat Markets in Albert Lea and in Conger.

Customers can also order meat online from the Fellers Ranch website.

“We deliver overnight on dry ice and products arrive the next day, and can be cooked by consumers at their own home,” Savelkoul said.

He said from the growth they’ve seen in the past year, he expects things to only increase from here.

“We think we got in at kind of the growing stage of wagyu,” Savelkoul said. “If it’s a curve, we’re on the upswing of that curve, and it’s growing in popularity.” n

Friday, July 15th 8:00 pm - 1st Rodeo Performance - Mutton Bustin’ - Kids Candy Toss 10:00 pm - Slack Barrel Racing - Following Rodeo

Saturday, July 16th 10:30 am Rodeo Parade - Mitchell Main Street 8:00pm - 2nd Rodeo Performance - Mutton Bustin’ - Kids Candy Toss

Sunday, July 17th 10:00am - Cowboy Church Service 11:00am - Chilli Cookoff KMIT and Twin City Fan ALL EVENTS Family Funday HELD AT 8:00pm - 3rd Rodeo STAMPEDE RODEO Performance - Mutton Bustin’ GROUNDS, N HWY 37, - Kids Candy Toss UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED.

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JUNE 2022 SOUTH DAKOTA FARM & RANCH 13

Tuesday, June 28 | 8 to 11 a.m.

Two ways to tune into this important event In person at the Delta by Marriott, Fargo ND or Livestream

Agriculture is a fundamental sector of the Midwestern, national and global economy. The Midwest Agriculture Summit will take an in-depth look at key industry facets across multiple states while exploring and discussing innovation, leading technologies, regulations, equipment development, trends, challenges, the ag economy and much more. Together, our communities are leading the industry by creating innovative solutions to address some of the world’s largest problems; this event will bring leaders and voices together to further connect and strengthen ag efforts in the Upper Midwest.

CONFIRMED SPEAKERS

U.S. Senator John Hoeven

U.S. House Representative Michelle Fischbach

INVITED SPEAKERS • Tom Vilsack, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture

• Beth Ford, CEO, Land O’ Lakes

• U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar

• U.S. Representative Angie Craig

• U.S. Representative Dusty Johnson

14 SOUTH DAKOTA FARM & RANCH JUNE 2022

Taya Spelhaug Microsoft, Grand Farm board member

Brian Ingulsrud American Crystal Sugar Company

Joel Kaczynski RDO Equipment

Over 20 chambers of commerce across Minnesota, North Dakota and South Dakota have partnered to co-host and livestream this event to their partners, members, businesses and leaders across the Upper Midwest.

Use the QR code or visit fmwfchamber.com to learn more about this regional event.

USDA to Allow Producers to Request Voluntary Termination of CRP Contract USDA Announces Additional Flexibilities to Help Address Threats to Global Food Security USDA WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will allow Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) participants who are in the final year of their CRP contract to request voluntary termination of their CRP contract following the end of the primary nesting season for fiscal year 2022. Participants approved for this one-time, voluntary termination will not have to repay rental payments, a flexibility implemented this year to help mitigate the global food supply challenges caused by the Russian invasion of Ukraine and other factors. Today, USDA also announced additional flexibilities for the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) and Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP).

“Putin’s unjustified invasion of Ukraine has cut off a critical source of wheat, corn, barley, oilseeds, and cooking oil, and we’ve heard from many producers who want to better understand their options to help respond to global food needs,” said Zach Ducheneaux, Administrator of USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA). “This announcement will help producers make informed decisions about land use and conservation options.”

FSA is mailing letters to producers with expiring

acres that detail this flexibility and share other options, such as re-enrolling sensitive acres in the CRP Continuous signup and considering growing organic crops. Producers will be asked to make the request for voluntary termination in writing through their local USDA Service Center.

If approved for voluntary termination, preparations can occur after the conclusion of the primary nesting season. Producers will then be able to hay, graze, begin land preparation activities and plant a fall-seeded crop before October 1, 2022. For land in colder climates, this flexibility may allow for better establishment of a winter wheat crop or better prepare the land for spring planting.

ORGANIC CONSIDERATIONS Since CRP land typically does not have a recent history of pesticide or herbicide application, USDA is encouraging producers to consider organic production. USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) provides technical and financial assistance to help producers plan and implement conservation practices, including those that work well for organic operations, such as pest management and mulching. Meanwhile, FSA offers cost-share

for certification costs and other fees.

OTHER CRP OPTIONS Participants can also choose to enroll all or part of their expiring acres into the Continuous CRP signup for 2022. Important conservation benefits may still be achieved by re-enrolling sensitive acres such as buffers or wetlands. Expiring water quality practices such as filter strips, grass waterways, and riparian buffers may be eligible to be re-enrolled under the Clean Lakes, Estuaries, and Rivers (CLEAR) and CLEAR 30 options under CRP. Additionally, expiring continuous CRP practices such as shelterbelts, field windbreaks, and other buffer practices may also be re-enrolled to provide benefits for organic farming operations.

If producers are not planning to farm the land from their expiring CRP contract, the Transition Incentives Program (TIP) may also provide them two additional annual rental payments after their contract expires on the condition that they sell or rent their land to a beginning or veteran farmer or rancher or a member of a socially disadvantaged group.

Producers interested in the Continuous CRP signup, CLEAR 30, or TIP should contact FSA by Aug. 5, 2022. n

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2020 West Havens • Mitchell, SD (605) 996-3242 JUNE 2022 SOUTH DAKOTA FARM & RANCH 15

LAND AUCTION TRACT 1

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ACRES ±

TRACT 2

68.99 ACRES ±

147.99 AC± | 2 TRACTS | BON HOMME CO, SD AUCTION:

LIVE AND ONLINE AT RANCHANDFARMAUCTIONS.COM AUCTION DATE: 8/3/22 | AUCTION TIME: 1:00 PM AUCTION LOCATION: TYNDALL COMMUNITY CENTER 1609 LAUREL STREET | TYNDALL, SOUTH DAKOTA This Bon Homme County farm consists of +/-147.99 tillable acres and will be offered in two tracts, and combined as a single tract. The Crop Productivity Index is 79.61 consisting of Clarno-Ethan-Bonilla loams, Bonilla-Crossplain complex and Clarno-Crossplain-Davison complex soils. Located 4 miles North of Tyndall, SD on 416th Ave, then 1-mile East on 299th St to the Southwest corn of the property. The property is in the SW1/4 of Section 8 of Jackson Township.

• Bon Homme County, SD +/-147.99 acres • Tract 1 +/-79 acres • Tract 1 PI 80.1 • Tract 2 +/-68.99 acres

• Tract 2 PI 77.5 • Section 8 of Jackson Township • Access off of 299th St and 417th Ave • Open Tenancy for 2023

IN COOPERATION WITH WHITETAIL PROPERTIES REAL ESTATE, LLC BRETT KLEINSCHMIT, AGENTS - (605) 660-6566 | brett.kleinschmit@whitetailproperties.com

RANCHANDFARMAUCTIONS.COM Ranch & Farm Auctions, LLC LIC15136, Broker Jason R Schendt SD LIC #16828 | Cody Lowderman Auc Lic RE17833 | Brett Kleinschmit, Whitetail Properties Agent/Land Specialist, 605.660.6566

16 SOUTH DAKOTA FARM & RANCH JUNE 2022