INVESTING IN THE FUTURE

During a visit with my grandfather in the farmhouse where he has lived nearly his entire life, we talked about what the homestead looked like when he was young. Besides dairy cows, his family also raised sheep, chickens, pigs, and horses used to do field work.

My grandpa recalled the time that a neighboring farm went up for sale, and his father purchased it to expand their land base. All these years later, my grandpa remembers that when his dad told his mom they were going to buy that farm, she cried.

I am sure it seemed like a tremendous expense at a time when they were living off a farming income and raising a family of eight children. No doubt, in her mind, there were many other ways that money could have been spent.

Fortunately, that purchase by my great-grandfather turned out to be a wise investment. Those additional fields provided enough land for my grandfather and then later my uncles to carry on the family business, with enough acres to apply manure and grow feed needed for the dairy herd.

I had a similar conversation with a college classmate of mine a few years back. Like me, he grew up on a dairy, and both he and his brother returned to the farm after graduation. My friend said he felt his dad bought land they didn’t seem to need when he was in high school. However, once he and his brother joined the operation, they were so glad to have that additional asset as part of the farm that now supports three families.

In both of these situations, the family’s patriarch took a chance and bet on the future of the farm and the next generation of farmers. Of course, not all bets produce fruitful results, but in these two cases, the investments proved worthwhile.

In other scenarios, a large purchase and more debt may not be best for the future of the business, and a decision to not invest may make more financial sense. That was the case for dairyman Nick Dallmann, whose farm is featured on page 14. Dallmann had a strong desire to add an anaerobic digester to their dairy, but the family was hesitant to make that capital investment. By exploring other options, they were able to find the right partnership that allowed them to install a methane digester without owning it. Today, their farm reaps the benefits of anaerobic digestion in several ways, including less stored manure and a bedding source for the cows. Meanwhile, the owners of the digester are able to harness and sell the energy produced, and the local environment benefits from this process of turning waste (manure) into renewable energy. It’s a win for all.

And then, there are some investments that cost little or nothing at all. As individuals and as farmers, one of the most valuable traits we can invest in is our reputation. Although the cost is minimal, a reputation isn’t gained overnight. It takes years of careful planning, thoughtful actions, and an investment in relationships.

One way to protect yourself and your reputation is to have plans in place for an unexpected event. When it comes to nutrient management, this could include a manure spill incident on your land or an equipment malfunction. Knowing what you would do before it happens could save valuable time and protect your image. Read about some steps to consider on page 22.

Perhaps the most important investment you can make is in the people around you. Show appreciation for your family and your employees, and invest in their health and well-being. If they aren’t running on a full tank of gas, neither is your farm. And as you work hard day in and day out, please make the time to be safe, and take a few moments to enjoy your life. Investing in your own health and happiness is certainly a worthy cause, too.

Until next time,

Abby

Utah

A new bill, SB 130, was signed into law by Utah Governor Spencer Cox. The bill requires counties to identify at least one area where new concentrated agricultural feeding operations (CAFOs) could be located, unless the county demonstrates that this is not feasible due to population density or population density relative to the amount of private land within the county.

pollution regulations on farms and ranches.

The second, HB 51, removed the expiration date on a dual standard for phosphorus released by dairies that has been in place since 2012 and was set to end on July 1, 2023. The dual standard will now be permanent and allow dairy producers to choose between a phosphorus threshold standard or a phosphorus indexing standard when monitoring the land application of manure.

The bills were backed by the Idaho Dairymen’s Association, the Idaho Cattle Association, J.R. Simplot Co., and other agricultural groups. Both bills take effect on July 1.

As a rancher himself, Little noted that the state should govern with the lightest hand possible. However, he expressed some concern that this legislation may raise the likelihood of agency rules being challenged in court.

Maryland

The Manure Transport Program will raise the cost-share rate for Maryland farmers and manure brokers handling poultry manure to $28 per ton. This change will further assist farmers in making the switch to using poultry manure as a fertilizer. The overall goal is to move poultry litter away from farms with high phosphorus levels and apply it to fields in other parts of the state that need the nutrients.

This program plays a role in helping the state meet its goals to restore the health of waterways and the Chesapeake Bay. To participate, farmers must be in good standing with the Maryland Agricultural Water Quality Cost Share Program and in compliance with the state’s nutrient management regulations.

Alabama

There is a new streamlined permit registration process for owners of concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs) in Alabama. The permit regulations, which are issued by the Alabama Department of Environmental Management, require an inspection by a qualified and credentialed professional once every five years. Previously, inspections were mandated annually. Technical requirements, including buffers, land manure application, record keeping, and best management practices, remain the same.

Minnesota

The Minnesota Agricultural Water Quality Certification Program has reached a new milestone, enrolling 1,000 farmers and landowners into the program. These owners represent more than 715,000 acres. The goal is to enroll one million acres by the end of 2022.

The program puts farmers in touch with their local conservation district experts to identify and mitigate water quality risks. Certified producers have priority when it comes to receiving financial assistance for projects, and certified farms are considered in compliance with new water quality laws and regulations for 10 years.

Idaho

Idaho’s governor, Brad Little, signed into law two bills that ease the state’s regulations on manure management. The first, HB 167, requires state officials to consider the economic ramifications when imposing jofnm.com

Since the certification program began, more than 2,050 new conservation practices were added; 38,500 tons of sediment stayed out of the state’s rivers; 110,000 tons of soil and 48,500 pounds of phosphorus were saved; nitrogen losses were cut by 49%; and the equivalent of 39,000 metric tons of carbon emissions were reduced each year.