Inside Ag PAGE 2
MINOT DAILY NEWS
JANUARY 2018
Minot Milling grinds the wheat to make our bread – and our pasta
Minot Milling employee Joe Reza sets out samples of ground wheat as equipment mills it into flour. Jill Schramm/MDN
Minot Milling makes flour from area wheat for national market
By JILL SCHRAMM
Senior Staff Writer jschramm@minotdailynews.com That pasta in your bowl of chicken noodle soup just might have have come from Minot. Minot Milling, with its locally sourced durum and hard red spring wheat, is the source of a number of food products on the national market. Philadelphia Macaroni Co., the parent company that built Minot Milling in 1998, uses the majority of the mill’s flour to create pasta and noodles at its plants in Grand Forks, Spokane, Wash., and two in Pennsylvania. The pasta can turn up in a variety of grocery store
items. “If anybody eats Campbell’s chicken noodle soup, it started here,” said facility manager Kevin Schulz at Minot Milling. The mill also supplies flour for products later branded by Knorrs, Stauffer’s, Nestle, Annie’s Organic and other companies. The mill largely produces semolina from durum wheat but also produces white and whole wheat flour from spring wheat and both organic durum and spring wheat flours. Semolina is used in pasta while the spring wheat flour is used in egg noodles or is sold to bakeries. Minot Milling expanded its capacity by
about 25 percent in the last couple of years by adding efficiencies with new equipment, Schulz said. The plant went from shipping 1.2 million pounds of flour a day to shipping up to 1.5 million pounds a day in operating five or six days a week. Technology has enabled the mill to increase production without a huge investment or the need to add and train staff, Schulz said. The mill employs 40 people. About 10 to 12 percent of Minot Milling’s production is organic, making the mill the largest processor of organic durum and spring See MILLING — Page 3
Milling
JANUARY 2018 Continued from Page 2
wheat in the nation last year. “To a lot of people’s surprise, it’s been a slow and steady growth,” Schulz said of the demand for organic. Demand increases every year regardless of how the economy is doing, he said. The mill looks farther away – to farmers in Canada and Montana – for organic production, but its traditional wheat supply is sourced within a 100- to 200-mile radius of Minot. Durum acres have been declining in the region due to disease and the popularity of new crops, such as soybeans. Procurement manager Chris Schelling with Minot Milling said there are growers who favor durum and want it in their rotation regardless, and that helps ensure a steady supply. Quality issues are a bigger concern than acreage when it comes to finding adequate commodities, he said. The mill demands a higher quality grain than a local elevator might take.
Inside Ag MINOT DAILY NEWS
PAGE 3
“This last year it wasn’t that hard because the quality was very much improved from the last couple of years. It was a lot easier to find locally,” Schelling said. “Quality was phenomenal. The drought did affect the yields a little bit, but actually everything came out a little better than everybody was anticipating.” Schelling said the mill typically works with 50 to 60 producers and also might purchase some grain through local elevators. Minot Milling works closely with Philadelphia Macaroni’s marketing office to provide information on available grain and quality of the grain to attract buyers looking for certain products at their price points. Purchases from farmers and sales to customers often occur in fairly quick succession to take advantage of those matches and reduce company risk. Schulz sees a bright future for Minot Milling due to its modern mill, position in the industry and consumers’ desires for Jill Schramm/MDN quick, nutritious and economical meals. Ground wheat pours from processing equipment during the milling process “There will always be a demand for at Minot Milling, which produces both durum and hard red spring wheat pasta,” Schulz said. “It’s such a simple food, flours. such a basic food.”
Inside Ag MINOT DAILY NEWS
PAGE 4
JANUARY 2018
Grant awarded to study feasibility of commercial greenhouse Site would be Coal Creek Energy Park UNDERWOOD – The North Dakota Ag Products Utilization Commission (APUC) recently awarded Great River Energy and North American Coal a $75,000 grant to assist in determining the feasibility of colocating a commercial greenhouse at Coal Creek Energy Park at Underwood. “The availability of excess heat and carbon dioxide at a common location presents a unique opportunity for a link between agriculture and the energy industry,” said Rich Garman, senior project manager at Great River Energy. Although Great River Energy and the North American Coal prepared the grant request, the study will be geared at deter-
mining if a third party greenhouse operator could economically construct, own and operate a greenhouse at this location. “Great River Energy continuously evaluates opportunities like this to bring to the Coal Creek Station energy park,” said Garman, “Synergies are achieved when co-locating industries in an energy park.” Great River Energy, North American Coal and Knorr Farms also received funding from the North Dakota Industrial Commission earlier this year to research Submitted Photo how to utilize resources derived from a power plant and what response carbon Coal Creek Station, North Dakotaʼs largest power plant near Underwood, is dioxide would have to greenhouse agri- shown in this photo. A study is being conducted to determine the feasibility culture. of co-locating a commercial greenhouse at the Coal Creek Park.
Inside Ag PAGE 6
MINOT DAILY NEWS
JANUARY 2018
A.J. NYGAARD: EARLY HOMESTEADERS ENDURED SEVERE CONDITIONS FLAXTON – Anders Jorgen Nygaard, known as A. J. Nygaard, came to America from Denmark. He worked on a farm in Nebraska for a time before coming to Flaxton where he filed on a homestead in Richland Township, Burke County, in 1899. He and Margrete Andersen, who also emigrated to America, were married in 1904 and had three children: Norman, Helmer and Margaret. Homesteaders endured severe conditions. Many left because of dry weather and cold climate, poor crops and poor prices. Ground water for wells was hard to find in adequate quantities. A good well was hard or impossible to find on many farms. A.J. dug for water many places on his farm but he finally like many others had a well drilled, It was 365 feet deep. Besides giving up water it also gave much trouble; it had to have new leathers installed in the cylinder once a month the first year and later not so often. A. J. Nygaard died in 1946. Margrete Nygaard
died in 1924. Norman Nygaard related stories he heard about the early years. They are as follows: There was tall grass cover seen by the first homesteaders. Fire, however, burned it off and this had no doubt happened every now and then in the past. The year 1906 is remembered as the year of unusual snow. Much snow around buildings and covering smaller shacks or buildings was not unusual. Sleigh tracks drifted full, building up higher and higher where there was much travel. Near town they became so high that rigs could not meet without risk of tipping over or getting stuck. The unloaded outfits tried to find a turn-off or take a chance and get off the track. When spring came, these roads were slower to melt so they looked like bridges or something. See NYGAARD — Page 9
A.J. (Anders Jorgen) and Margrete Nygaard are shown in this photo taken 1910. Submitted Photo
2215 16th St NW, Minot, ND • 701- 857- 4070
Nygaard
Inside Ag MINOT DAILY NEWS
JANUARY 2018 Continued from Page 6
Dry years were not unusual. The years 1912 and 1915, however, were very good crop years. In 1916 there was a very bad hail storm in Richland Township. There were crops lost and windows were all broken on the west sides of buildings. Our cows and horses were driven before the storm towards the east and through the pasture fence. Chickens were dead in the yard. The years in the early ’20s were poor. There were more Russian thistles than grain in the bundles. At the age of 14, I and others my age, hauled bundles to the threshing machine. We were not good
haulers, but bundle worked hard at it and stayed on the job with blisters and sore places here and there. In 1916 my father bought a quarter of land for $5,300. It took until 1929 to have it paid for and then the Depression came and we lost it for taxes. In 1932 my brother and I went to Ambrose, North Dakota, and hauled bundles for 25 days. We got $2 a day. Wheat was 32 cents a bushel and it cost the farmer 8 cents a bushel to have it threshed, not to mention other costs. We came out with more than the farmer. Norman and Helmer farmed the place what had been their parents’ land one and a half miles north of Flaxton. Norman and
PAGE 9
Submitted Photos
The three children of A.J. and Margrete Nygaard are, from the left, Helmer, Norman and Margaret Urton Nygaard, photographed in 1986.
Mereith Urton Nygaard and their four children lived on the farm. The Nygaard Farm was designated a North Dakota Centennial Farm in 2005. Marcia Olney and Connie Ann Nygaard, Norman
and Mereith Nygaard’s LEFT: Back, from left to right, Norman and daughters, now own the Mereith Nygaard, Marcia and Leland; and farm.
front, left to right, Patricia and Connie Ann are
– Information from, story shown in this photo taken about 1956. written by Norman Nygaard for “Pioneers and Progress Vol. I.”
Centennial Farms & Ranches of North Dakota magazine now available The second edition of Centennial Farms & Ranches of North Dakota magazine, a celebration of historic homesteads and the families who carved our great state from the wild frontier and whose imprint of North Dakota remain today, now is available. In addition to features about several century-old farms and ranches in the area, the magazine has stories including Minot artist Walter Piehl who helped pioneer contemporary cowboy art movement, the North Dakota Cowboy Hall of Fame and preserving the western lifestyle, the North Dakota Centennial Farm Program to honor agriculture and families, ranchers and homesteaders, legal requirements constituting homesteading and cattle drives from Texas to Dakota Territory. Walter Piehl’s artwork, “North
Dakota or Bust: Northern Plains National Heritage Area Suite” graces the cover of the magazine. The N.D. Cowboy Hall of Fame, N.D. Centennial Farm Program, The Capital Gallery, the State Historical Society of N.D., and a number of individuals contributed to the publication. Centennial Farms & Ranches of North Dakota is a publication of Ogden Newspapers of North Dakota, Inc., brought to you by Minot Daily News and The Pierce County Tribune in Rugby. Copies of Centennial Farms & Ranches of North Dakota are free and available at the Minot Daily News at 301 4th Street SE, Minot (use parking lot on north side of building) and at The Pierce County Tribune at 219 S. Main Avenue, Rugby.
Send your historical farm or ranch stories, photos
Is your farm or ranch in northwest or north central North Dakota 100 years old or more? If so, please send us a story about your farm or ranch along with photos (300 resolution and not less than 200 resolution). Email is preferred. Please send your information and photos to eogden@minotdailynews.co m. Be sure to include your name, city and a daytime phone number. Your farm or ranch may be selected for the next edition of the magazine.
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Inside Ag MINOT DAILY NEWS
JANUARY 2018
PAGE 15
This year’s challenge for the beef manager is finding the balance among winter demands, feed inventory and cattle inventory By Kris Ringwall, Beef Specialist NDSU Extension Service
Managing feed resources is the biggest challenge when winter weather changes daily, and so do cattle feed needs. This year’s challenge for the beef manager is finding the balance among winter demands, feed inventory and cattle inventory. Because of last summer’s dry weather, hay is in short supply. The issue was alleviated somewhat by nice fall weather, which extended grazing opportunities on crop aftermath. When winter officially arrived, the waves of cold were real. A short January thaw has been a reprieve, and before one knows, thoughts of spring will start to churn. The challenge for beef producers is keeping enough cattle around to utilize next summer’s grazing opportunities while not knowing if moisture is on the way. On the other hand, not selling enough cattle may bring a critical shortage of feed at a very critical time in the life of a cow, just prior to calving and early lac-
tation. Now is the time to evaluate feed inventory and fine-tune the anticipated nutritional inputs, keeping in mind the potential for a change in winter weather. Anticipated feed disappearance generally is calculated based on average weather, along with average intake, and each day closer to grass makes the producer more comfortable. Still, the question will remain: Does feed inventory match cattle inventory? One answer is to seek advice about alternative feedstuffs to help offset forage needs until the operation reaches a May 1 grass turnout. As has been noted many times, the purchase of hay above operational historical levels should be a last resort when transportation costs are high. Now is the time to call a nutritionist to seek more feed options and do some homework. The center consulted livestock nutritionist Karl Hoppe, an area livestock specialist with the North Dakota State University Extension Service. He said, “When forage production is lim-
ited on the ranch, cattle will still need feed. While selling off part of the cow herd inventory is an option, most ranchers will opt to buy additional feed. Purchasing hay is certainly an option. However, the cost of freight, the time needed to haul and regionally high prices for hay lead to seeking more competitive feedstuffs.” I asked Hoppe what that meant. “Many livestock producers are very fortunate, as areas that produce more crops have increased the number of grain-processing plants that produce coproduct feeds,” he replied. “These feeds are usually higher in energy content than hay and contain a higher amount of protein. In general, coproducts also have a high concentration of phosphorous but a very low level of calcium. Rations should be balanced and calcium added if needed.” I noted the challenge is just like hay and transportation costs. However, the transportation cost per unit of nutrient should be less when purchasing a more energy-dense feed. At the Dickinson Research Extension Center
this year, the cows may be cleaning up the hay reserves by mid-April, two weeks short of grass turnout. I asked Hoppe whether coproducts would be priced right and have the needed nutrients to make up the difference in feed need if the center started substituting coproducts for hay as the winter moves on. “Coproduct price usually follows the grain market price,” Hoppe noted. “Distillers grain is usually traded at 100 to 120 percent of the value of corn per ton, is easier to haul, compared with hay, and generally is available at local ethanol plants. “Distillers grains are 30 percent protein (dry-matter basis) and have an energy value similar or higher than corn grain,” he explained. “Five to 6 pounds of dried distillers grains or 10 to 12 pounds of the modified distillers grains (modified distillers grains are 50 percent moisture) per head daily to a cow can make a big difference in cow performance when fed poor-quality hay or as a replacement for hay.”
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ag.wilburellis.com Minot, ND | 800-533-9326 | 701-852-5199 Always follow IRM, grain marketing and all other stewardship practices and pesticide label directions. Roundup Ready® crops contain genes that confer tolerance to glyphosate, the active ingredient in Roundup® brand agricultural herbicides. Roundup® brand agricultural herbicides will kill crops that are not tolerant to glyphosate. B.t. products may not yet be registered in all states. Check with your seed representative for the registration status in your state. Individual results may vary, and performance may vary from location to location and from year to year. This result may not be an indicator of results you may obtain as local growing, soil and weather conditions may vary. Growers should evaluate data from multiple locations and years whenever possible. WILBUR-ELLIS logo, Ideas to Grow With, INTEGRA FORTIFIED SEED and INTEGRA logo are registered trademarks of Wilbur-Ellis Company LLC. Roundup Ready 2 Technology and Design®, Roundup Ready®, Roundup® are trademarks of Monsanto Technology LLC. Seminis is a registered trademark of Seminis Vegetable Seeds, Inc. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. K-1017-427
Inside Ag JANUARY 2018 M I N O T D A I L Y N E W S
PAGE 17
Ward County represented at Western National Roundup Ward County was well represented by two very successful 4-H teams at the Western National Roundup held in Denver. The 4-H Meats Judging team of Samuel Jager, Jayd Novak, Thomas Schauer and Jacob Scheresky earned second place overall. They were second in placings, fourth in reasons and second in retail identification. Individually, Scheresky received first place overall, making him a national champion. He was fourth in placings, third in reasons and second in retail ID (with a perfect score). Novak received ninth place overall and was fifth in placings. Schauer received 12th place overall standings and Jager was 22nd overall. The team was coached by Christopher Rockeman. The 4-H Meats Judging Team traveled to Denver with the FFA Chapter representing North Dakota in the FFA Meats Judging Contest. On the way to Denver, the teams practiced in Nebraska and Wyoming. The FFA Meats Judging team was coached by Gary Martins. The Ward County 4-H Horse and Demonstration was very successful and received Reserve National Champion honors. The team consisted of Madilyn Berg and Sidney Lovelace. They took the audience on a journey through the horse’s digestive system. Their presentation involved props to help explain where and why life threatening colic occurs along the route of the digestive system. The Horse Demonstration team was coached by Paige Brummund. For more information about Ward County 4-H, or if interested in joining Ward County 4-H as a youth member or a volunteer, contact Emily Goff, 4-H Youth Development Extension Agent at NDSU Extension Service Ward County by calling 857-6450; visit the website at ag.ndsu.edu/wardcountyextension/4h-and-youth or Facebook page.
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The 4-H Meats Judging team is comprised of, from the left, coach Christopher Rockeman, Jacob Scheresky, Samuel Jaeger, Thomas Schauer, Jayd Novak, Madilyn Berg, Sidney Lovelace and coach Paige Brummund.
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The Ward County 4-H Horse and Demonstration team includes, from the left, coach Paige Brummund, Madilyn Berg and Sidney Lovelace.
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Members of the Meats Judging Team are, from the left, Jacob Scheresky, Jayd Novak, Samuel Jaeger, Thomas Schauer and coach Christopher Rockeman.
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Inside Ag MINOT DAILY NEWS
JANUARY 2018
PAGE 19
Soil in need of moisture By KIM FUNDINGSLAND
Staff Writer kfundingsland@minotdailynews.com Soil moisture is minimal throughout much of the Minot region, courtesy of the lingering effects of a very dry 2017. Rainfall averaged only about half of normal last year in many areas. Even though crop production last year was better than expected in many fields, producers looking ahead to 2018 planting are understandably a bit anxious knowing that soil moisture conditions are sketchy at best throughout much of the region. The lingering effects of generally dry conditions last fall has many producers wondering about there chances of growing a successful crop in 2018. “We’re definitely drier going into 2018 than what we’ve experienced in recent years,” said Ryan Peterson, Vision Research Park in Berthold. “We’re drier than last year, probably the driest in about 10 years.” In comparison to other years, there’s very little snow cover on the landscape so far this winter, at least by North Dakota standards. However, snowpack doesn’t always make a significant contribution to soil moisture. Often snowmelt occurs while the ground is still frozen and only a fraction of moisture in the snow finds its way into the soil. Farmers know there are no guarantees when it comes to replenishing soil moisture, whether it be by snowmelt or spring rainfall. They also know that dry conditions that has them scratching their heads can be reversed in a day or two.
Kim Fundingsland/MDN
A light layer of snow covers ground that is in need of soil moisture. Much of the state, particularly western North Dakota, is deficient in soil moisture. “Absolutely! A two or three inch rain in April or May can change things dramatically,” said Peterson. “You have to remain optimistic. If you plan for a disaster you are going to get one.” Steve Erdman, Dakota Agronomy Partners, said it’s never good to go into freeze-up without good subsoil moisture but knows that conditions can change in a few days. “It’s too early to worry about drought because we know how we can get big snows in February and March,” said Erdman. The “D” word was used extensively to describe much of North Dakota, particularly central and western parts of the state, in
2017. “Some guys are saying maybe they won’t plant corn this year because corn needs a little more moisture,” said Erdman. “They say the soil profile might not be adequate. If we don’t get snow and adequate April and May rains there may be nothing for crops to go on in June and July. That’s always in the back of producer’s minds.” “What we have now is just cold, dry dirt,” said Allen Schlag, hydrologist for the National Weather Service in Bismarck. “There’s not enough moisture in the top few inches to even freeze the dirt. That means we’re going to be really short of moisture come spring.”
There are variables, though, such as location and both winter snowfall and spring rains. However, says Schlag, most areas are in need of a big boost in moisture to significantly improve soil moisture conditions. “The moisture deficit now is really high,” said Schlag. “We’re going to need maybe two to three inches of water to satisfy soil moisture deficiency. That’s a pretty good rainstorm in March.” Last year’s soil moisture conditions were rated adequate or better in many areas of the state heading into planting season. Much of the moisture was attributed to a series of memorable snowstorms that contributed to the snowpack. The moist soil proved very beneficial to crops, especially those planted early. “Early planted crops did real well as they consumed all that moisture in May and the early part of June,” said Schlag. “The late planted crops didn’t do so well. Regrettably, this looks an awful lot like last year with one difference. We don’t have the snow on the ground like we did from those two storms a year ago on Thanksgiving and Christmas.” Planting season is still a few months away, meaning producers can monitor the weather and soil moisture conditions before deciding on what crop to plant. A dry summer would make it difficult for full development of most row crops. If conditions remain dry at planting time some producers may opt to go with more historic North Dakota crops – small grains and wheat. Those crops mimic natural vegetation that has thrived for thousands of years on the Dakota prairie.
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Inside Ag PAGE 20
By ASHTON GERARD
Staff Writer agerard@minotdailynews.com In times when commodity prices are at a low, farmers are wanting to save money by maximizing their yields. The North Dakota State University North Central Research Extension Center has been working through different trials to determine the best amounts and ways to plant crops to not only maximize yields, but also to save money. As is common knowledge to many, not all crops are the same. Some crops like to be planted close to each other and grow as a family, while other crops like to have space in order to grow and mature. Differing planting techniques can help farmers get the most out of their dollar. “Seed costs for chickpeas are quite high, up to $100 per acre for just the seed, so if we can figure out what the correct planting rate with precision planting, maybe there’s some seed cost savings there,” research agronomist Eric Eriksmoen said. Eriksmoen said other cost savings can come for farmers already planting corn and soybeans and already using precision planting technology. They can then convert or utilize that same piece of equipment for crops not typically precision planted. The research center has started studies for crops such as canola, field peas, chickpeas and sunflowers looking for dif-
MINOT DAILY NEWS
JANUARY 2018
Maximizing yields through seeding rates and row spacing
Ashton Gerard/MDN
The North Dakota State University North Central Research Extension Center sign stands amidst the snow at 5400 Highway 83 S, Jan. 12.
See YIELDS — Page 21
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Yields
Inside Ag MINOT DAILY NEWS
JANUARY 2018 Continued from Page 20
ferent planting techniques that will ultimately maximize crop yield. These are their findings so far:
CANOLA
A study conducted in 2016 compared seeding rates with row spacing of canola in Minot. Previously, seeding rate recommendations were often based on crop stand competition for weed control and on the ability of seeding equipment to effectively meter the small seeds. Now, with today’s modern metering systems and seeding equipment, they were able to apply precise seeding rates and in some instances, seed singulation. The row spacings used in
the study were 10-inch, 20inch, and 30-inch twin rows. As observed by the research center, there were no statistical differences in yield from seeding rates. Days to Bloom and Days to Mature did vary, but the overall yields were very similar. However, row spacing comparisons showed statistically significant differences. Stand establishment was significantly higher with the 20inch rows compared to the 10-inch and 30-inch twin rows, and produced a higher yield. In the 20-inch rows, 400,000 seeds per acre produced the highest yield of 1,762 pounds of canola per acre. This is compared to the 30-inch twin rows with 400,000 seeds per acre producing the smallest yield of 834 pounds of canola per acre.
While precision planting did not affect the outcome, row spacing made a significant difference in yield.
FIELD PEAS
A study for field peas was conducted in 2017 to monitor the affect of seed singulation on crop yield. The study was conducted in severe drought conditions, but there was no statistical significance of seed singulation in field pea yields recorded.
CHICKPEAS
A 2017 study by the research center observed seed singulation and row spacing as it pertains to chickpeas in Minot. There were two different varieties used during the study, Frontier and B-90, that had varying results. Overall, row spacing for both varieties of chickpeas mattered, as the 10-inch rows
produced 300 pounds more per acre than the 15-inch rows (1,304-pounds per acre verses 1,028-pounds per acre). Seeding rates also mattered for both, as the 130,000 seeds per acre did not produce as high of yield as the 175,000 and 220,000 per acre (978-pounds per acre verses 1,282- and 1,239-pounds per acre). In the study, the Frontier variety out-performed B-90 and produced higher yields in almost every seeding rate. The most successful yields for the Frontier variety occurred when using 10-inch row spacing at 175,000 seeds per acre. This produced a yield of 1,789-pounds of chickpeas per acre. For the B-90 variety, the most successful yields occurred when using 10-inch row spacing at 175,000 seeds per acre. This produced a yield
PAGE 21 of 1,260-pounds of chickpeas per acre. Overall, from this study, the 10-inch row spacing with a higher seed rate works best for chickpeas.
SUNFLOWERS
A 2017 study for sunflowers compared 15-inch, 30-inch and twin row planting configurations using four different seeding rates. Overall, the row spacings themselves did not show significant statistical differences between yields, but the seeding rate did. The seeding rates used for the study were 15k, 20k, 25k, and 30k seeds per acre. The trial showed a yield advantage from planting at higher seeding rates without lowering seed quality. Sunflowers are known for their ability to flex their head size according to
population and growing conditions. This was expressed in the study. In a 30-inch row spacing, a 30,000 seeding rate produced a yield of 2,958 pounds per acre. In the twin row spacing, a 30,000 seeding rate produced 3,003 pounds per acre. Finally, in a 15-inch row spacing, a 30,000 seeding rate produced a yield of 3,116 pounds per acre. According to the study: The highest seeding rate produced a significantly higher yield and percentage of larger seeds than the other seeding rates. (These studies are in preliminary stages and further testing is needed to be done in order to recommend switching planting strategies. To stay up-to-date with NDSU’s research in the Minot area, visit www.ag.ndsu.edu/northcentralrec.)
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Inside Ag PAGE 22
MINOT DAILY NEWS
JANUARY 2018
Watne brings policy focus to agriculture Farmers Union president advocates for family farms like his own By JILL SCHRAMM
Senior Staff Writer jschramm@minotdailynews.com From the time he first joined the family farm operation near Velva, Mark Watne felt a desire to tackle the broader policy and marketing issues facing agriculture. Recently re-elected state president of the North Dakota Farmers Union, Watne’s long history with the organization began when he decided to join the local county affiliate, eventually becoming county president. In 1990, he was elected to the NDFU State Board of Directors and served as state treasurer. In 1996, he began working at the Farmers Union state office as a development specialist, agricultural strategist and staff executive director. Over the years, he worked
with young producers and promoted valueadded projects, including leading the development of the organization’s farmer-owned restaurants. In November 2013, he was first elected NDFU state president. “I just love the organization, and I love that we work for family farms and we are really community-oriented,” Watne said. Watne admits the look and definition of a family farm has changed. Still, family-run operations remain the backbone of the industry, although the risk is they won’t get paid enough for their commodities to continue doing what they do, he said. If AmeriSubmitted Photo cans want inexpensive food, the country will need a farm program, he said. North Dakota Farmers Union President Mark Watne delivers the PresiSee WATNE — Page 23
dentʼs Report to the 91st annual convention Dec. 16 in Bismarck in this photo by Chris Aarhus with NDFU.
Watne
JANUARY 2018 Continued from Page 22
“We are going to get a farm program,” Watne said of ongoing efforts in Congress to write a new farm bill to update existing farm policy, passed in 2014. “We are hoping it’s going to look a lot the same, with some enhancements. We want to see support levels higher. I want to see some work on farmers’ abilities to influence concentration in the marketplace,” he said, noting the increasing consolidation of farmrelated services into the hands of fewer companies. Trade issues also are back on the table in Washington under the new administration. Watne said farmers need representation at the negotiation table with agri-business on trade issues affecting their markets.
Inside Ag MINOT DAILY NEWS Farmers Union takes on these and other issues that members have indicated they want addressed. “We really hear from those grassroots very, very well,” Watne said. He said he is guided by a member-approved 80-page policy book, which ensures he is working on issues that farmers care about. “It’s a very rewarding job,” he said. “I get to speak on behalf of the farmers who elected me, and that’s quite a privilege.” He stays busy, traveling 150,000 air miles and 25,000 vehicle miles every year to track legislation in Bismarck or Washington, D.C., and attend meetings at county, state, national levels. In his capacity as state president, he serves as president of Farmers Union Mutual Insurance Company and Farmers Union Service Association, all headquartered in Jamestown, where he and
his wife, Michelle, live. They have three grown children. Watne also was appointed to work with a world seed association that is working to create greater access to high-quality seed. He works closely with Farmers Union’s efforts in value-added agriculture, which include not just advocacy but investment. The organization has invested in biofuels plants, soybean plants, shrimp plants, rendering plants and development of products ranging from wheat-based cat litter to protein from feathers. “Not all these are successful,” Watne said of the ventures. But he still believes the investments are worth the effort and expense. “We need to add value to our commodities,” he said. “We keep exploring this process because we know the commodity markets will not always be at a level that will reward that farmer.”
In promoting value-added opportunities, Farmers Union participates in six farmer-owned restaurants that now operate around the country, recently serving 45,000 customers in a week. Three restaurants operate in Washington, D.C., where one ranks as the most popular restaurant in the city, Watne said. He attributes the popularity not just to the food sourced from participating farmers but to the fact that Americans appreciate family farms. Farmers Union sampled public opinion in Chicago and New York, finding that farmers are among the most trusted profession with more than 90 percent favorable ratings, he said. Watne sees the work of farm organizations like the Farmers Union as being more relevant today than ever given the economics facing family farmers and the urbanization of America. Even when farm
PAGE 23 organizations aren’t speaking with one voice, they often are on the same page. “I would say we are probably more united at this moment in time than divided. I say that because it’s not too often you find farmers who say we don’t need a support level. There’s not too many people saying we don’t need stronger crop insurance,” Watne said. In the coming year, Farmers Union will be developing educational tools to help Americans removed from the farm understand the important role farmers and ranchers play, he said. Meanwhile, he’ll be doing his part on the family farm. Although Watne gets in the field to help when he can, his father and brother are the farm’s primary operators while he stays involved on the business end. “They have no problem sending me bills,” Watne joked.