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Isaac Perman, Garrison, and Shelby Schmitz, Minot, took part in a horticulture class at Dakota College at Bottineau. The college will be offering a new ag degree starting this fall. Submitted Photo
New ag program at Dakota College at Bottineau
Two year degree, certificate programs available
By ANDREA JOHNSON
Staff Writer ajohnson@minotdailynews.com Agribusiness is a field with a lot of opportunity and Dakota College at Bottineau will be helping to educate them for the future, said Keith Knudson, specialty crops instructor. The two year college, along with Lake Region State College in Devils Lake and Williston State College, will be offering a new agriculture program beginning this fall. Knudson said students will have an opportunity to earn an associate of applied science degree in agri-
culture management and technology with a focus on a specific area such as livestock production, crop production, specialty crop production and agribusiness. Classes will be offered on-campus and online or via the Interactive Video Network. Lab classes will be offered on site during intensive two day “field days.” To better fit in with farming and ranching schedules, the college is looking at the option of offering shortened courses from January to March or April. That would also enable students to take on internships for credit at local agricultural businesses or to give their full attention to farming, which usually kicks off in April. See DEGREE — Page 4
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Three Cooperatives… One Agronomic Vision
In central North Dakota producers have the advantage of a powerful partnership. Three local cooperatives combining their agronomy teams to create an agronomy powerhouse which producers can count on for reliable services and inputs for our area. The growth DAP has seen over the past 20 years is the g team of individuals whose result of an amazing common goal go oal iiss to to help help ttheir heir gr g owers succeed͘ succeed͘ common growers
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Degree
Continued from Page 2
Students will also have the option of completing a one year certificate in one of those areas instead of the two year degree. A certificate can provide students with specialized knowledge that might help them on the job. For instance, someone who wants to work in an agronomy center that sells pesticides and fertilizers could take several classes in integrated pest management and earn a certificate that would be a valuable addition to his resume. Farmers and ranchers are more and more using unmanned drones to monitor crops or cattle. A student interested in that area could study for an unmanned aircraft system certificate. Knudson said the col-
lege has found that there is strong interest in an agriculture program at Dakota College. Some prospective students have jobs and families and other obligations and do not want to go as far away as Bismarck State College or North Dakota State University to study for a degree. Knudson said the college recently received approval to offer the program and has begun promoting it. He said the program can take up to about 10 to 15 students and he doesn’t think there will be a problem filling the program. There will be some students taking classes via Williston State or Lake Region, though they will be enrolled at Dakota College at Bottineau. For more information on the program, contact Dakota College at Bottineau.
MARCH 2019
ND Leopold Conservation Award seeks nominees BISMARCK– The Sand County Foundation is seeking North Dakota rancher, farmer or forester who go above and beyond in the care and management of natural resources for nominees for the 2019 North Dakota Leopold Conservation Award. The foundation presents the Leopold Conservation Award to private landowners in 14 states. In North Dakota, the $10,000 award is presented with North Dakota Grazing Lands Coalition, North Dakota Association of Soil Conservation Districts and the North Dakota Stockmen’s Association. Given in honor of renowned conservationist Aldo Leopold, the award recognizes landowners who inspire others with their dedication to land, water and wildlife habitat management on private, working land. Nominations may be submitted on behalf of a landowner, or landowners may nominate themselves. The application can be found at: https://sandcountyfoundation.org/uploads/ND-CFN-19.pdf. The application deadline date is April 15. Applications can be mailed to North Dakota Grazing Lands Coalition, Attn: Leopold Conservation Award, P.O. Box 1091, Bismarck, ND 58502. The Leopold Conservation Award Program in North Dakota is made possible through the support of USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, Starion Financial, North Dakota Game & Fish Department, APEX Clean Energy, Audubon, Basin Electric Power Cooperative, Cow Chip Ranch, Dakota Community Bank and Trust, Delta Waterfowl, Ducks Unlimited, KEM Electric Cooperative, McDonald’s, Mor-Gran-Sou Electric Cooperative, The Nature Conservancy in North Dakota, North Dakota Department of Health, North Dakota Natural Resources Trust, Roughrider Electric Cooperative, Slope Electric Cooperative, The Wildlife Society North Dakota, and World Wildlife Fund.
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SNOW COVER AND SOIL MOISTURE
Snow cover on agricultural land this winter appears to be significant throughout much of the state. Growers hope that the coming snowmelt will lead to ample moisture in the ground for spring planting. Kim Fundingsland/MDN
Promising moisture conditions for spring planting
By KIM FUNDINGSLAND
Staff Writer kfundingsland@minotdailynews.com Snow cover is generally consistent throughout much of North Dakota. The hope is that when the snow melts it will sink into the ground rather than run off quickly. A favorable melting season would add greatly to soil moisture conditions. Ample soil moisture is required to spur the emergence of newly planted seeds. Snowmelt has traditionally been a good source of moisture early in the growing season. Last November there was heavy snowfall in the southwestern part of the state, but it melted off before the arrival of the coldest days of winter.
“All that water stayed put,” said Allen Schlag, hydrologist, National Weather Service in Bismarck. “Not a drop of it made it to a river. Across the state in December we were warm, nearly a perfectly brown Christmas.” Nearly, but not quite. Snow arrived throughout the state a few hours before Christmas Eve. However, by early January most of that snowpack had disappeared. “All of that snow melted,” remarked Schlag. “It all stayed on the ground. It’s been cold and very cold ever since. What I am hearing from co-op observers is that the upper few inches, 4 to 10 inches of soil, are probably very wet. I think we have hard, frozen ground across a great deal of North Dakota.” Worth watching, said Schlag, is the timing of this year’s snowmelt. Cold
weather has dominated forecasts for many weeks, making spring seem much further away than it really is. In short, freezing cold temperatures could be supplanted by spring warmth very quickly without any sort of transitional period, or gentle melt. “There’s a layer of ice on top of the ground in many areas,” said Schlag. “The season is really pushing us, especially in the southern tier of the state. They are in line for a rather robust runoff even with normal snowpack.” Ice cover and frozen ground, explained Schlag, can prevent snowmelt from penetrating into the soil as much as may be desired in many areas of the state. Nevertheless, existing snow cover carries with it the possibility of leading to excellent soil moisture conditions throughout much of North Dakota this spring.
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MARCH 2019
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‘They really do quite well considering the conditions that they’re expected to survive, as long as we’re doing our part and giving them the extra feed and bedding that they need when those temperatures are extreme like that.’ – Travis Bruner, Drake
A cow watches a calf frolic as she keeps an eye on a recently born calf at the Bruner Angus ranch near Drake. Submitted photo
Winter calving requires readiness
Cold temps? No problem for ranchers used to winter calving By JILL SCHRAMM
Senior Staff Writer jschramm@minotdailynews.com McHENRY COUNTY – The Frey Angus ranch near Granville saw its first calves of the season born in mid-January, just as the region began to feel the brunt of winter. The key to winter calving is to be prepared for cold weather, and the Freys have the experience to know what it takes to be prepared. So even a long cold spell doesn’t phase them much. With plenty of barn space, they don’t worry much about the animals. “Once you get bedding packed in there it stays pretty warm,” said Arlen Frey. The ranch expects about 300 calves through April. The Bruner Angus ranch near Drake began calving its 400 cows in late February and expects to be busy with newborns until May. Travis Bruner said the cold weather has meant checking on cows every hour and half day and night to ensure those nearing birth are herded into calving pens in the barn. See CALVING — Page 9
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Best in the U.S. Minoter named Seed Advisor of the Year By KIM FUNDINGSLAND
Staff Writer kfundingsland@minotdailynews.com Steve Knorr of Advanced Seed has been named the 2018 Golden Harvest National Seed Advisor of the Year. A local, independent Golden Harvest Seed Advisor in Minot since 2017, Knorr offers in-depth market and agronomy insights and dedicated customer service to farmers. “Steve’s ability to connect with customers is second to none,” said Lance Makeeff, Golden Harvest account manager. “Advanced Seed knows the markets inside and out and has done more for upper North Dakota farmers in two years than I ever could have imagined. Steve is a big dreamer who is also a big doer; he hosts on-site customer events to demonstrate local seed, crop protection and field management trials. Steve knows both sides of the coin as he is a long time corn grower in our area and has an extensive agronomy background much of which is supported from NDSU education and continued research.” Knorr told the Minot Daily News he was thrilled to receive the award for the Northern District, one of 13 districts encompassing the entire United States. “Obviously I sell seeds for one of the major brands in the country and am humbled to get the award,” said Knorr. “The biggest thing for me when I got into the seed business was bringing value to farmers in the area. It’s been fun to work with farmers.” Knorr was recognized at the 2019 Golden Harvest Seed Advisor Rewards Trip award ceremony, which celebrated the top-performing Seed Advisors from across the country.
Calving
Continued from Page 8
“They can have the calf in a barn by themselves in good bedding and straw,” he said. “It’s just too much of a shock when we have the below zero temperatures for them to be expected to survive outside on their own.” Calving can happen fast, though, and if it does and a calf is born outdoors, the Bruners use a large sled to tote the animal to the barn with the cow following. “The biggest thing with the cold weather is the amount of energy that the animal needs to just maintain,” Bruner said. He estimated cows eat 25 percent more on the extremely cold days than on a normal North Dakota winter day when temperatures might reach 15 to 20 degrees. With proper feeding and bedding, though, the animals do well.
Submitted Photo
Steve Knorr, Minot, center, holds the plaque he received for being named the 2018 Seed Advisor of the Year for the United States. The award was presented by Golden Harvest at St. Kitts, Carribean.
Out of the 13 district winners eligible for the national award, Knorr was selected as the top Seed Advisor based on excellence in business performance, dealership growth and customer support. Along with offering Golden Harvest corn and soybeans, Knorr is a leading supporter of Enogen corn enzyme technology, an in-seed innovation that benefits farmers who market grain to participating ethanol plants and those who produce grain or silage for livestock feed. “The Golden Harvest value I bring to customers is what matters most to me,” said Knorr. “I truly believe in the integrity of this company. The folks behind the scenes aren’t here just to sell a bag of seed to farmers; they are here to bring us true value. After one year of trying Golden Harvest corn and soybeans, my customers are coming back and saying, ‘Wow, we’re happy with the products. We want to increase our order for 2019.’”
“They really do quite well considering the conditions that they’re expected to survive, as long as we’re doing our part and giving them the extra feed and bedding that they need when those temperatures are extreme like that,” Bruner said. Warmer days have their own issues because it can bring moisture that contributes to sickness, he said. On the other hand, cold can be managed, and once calves come through their first 12 to 24 hours healthy, they generally are good to go, even testing the outdoors. “They’re pretty tough,” Bruner said. “They are pretty amazing really. It is quite impressive that they do as well as they do.” Frey said birthing can be the easy Submitted photo part. The risk is afterwards as they One of the cow-calf pairs stays warm indoors at the Bruner watch the calves initially for any Angus ranch during February’s cold weather. problems or sickness. Cold generally isn’t a concern. pretty well protected,” he said. “We have it set up where they can go out“They are in the barn, and they are
side, but when it’s this cold, they don’t go out much.” The Freys calve early to have bulls with more age and size for their production sale each February. Both the Freys and Bruners know North Dakota winters and have been at this ranching business for many, many years, so the cattle care is routine. “Those are just things, I guess at our place, that you kind of take for granted,” Bruner said. “It’s usually that January-February time when you do get your cold snaps and so we’re third trimester on our cows at that point prior to calving, and we are just kind of ready for it – prepared for that extra feed and bedding when the time is needed. “So it really is nothing new,” he added. “There’s always things you can get better at, and every year we do seem to maybe make one adjustment or improvement, so you do get better, year after year. Nothing is ever perfect
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Farmers, Ranchers have ways to manage stress
PAGE 11 Piled-up stress can lead farmers and ranchers to develop physical or mental health issues, but they can take steps to reduce stress and create healthy ways to manage it, says a North Dakota State University Extension expert. “Farm and ranch families often experience pressure, conflict and uncertainty, especially during harvesting and planting,” says Sean Brotherson, Extension family science specialist. “If feelings of frustration and helplessness build up, they can lead to intense family problems involving spouses or partners, children, parents and other relatives. If left unresolved, these feelings can lead to costly accidents, poor decisions, strained relationships, health concerns and risks, including suicide.” Using strategies such as controlling events, attitudes and responses can help manage symptoms of stress, according to Brotherson. “Farmers, ranchers and their family members and employees can learn to manage their stresses well, even during planting, harvesting or times of difficulty,” he says. “The key is to be flexible and maintain a balanced lifestyle. Make time daily to take care of yourself because your work is vital to all of us. Your health is your most important asset on your farm or ranch operation. “
To help manage stress, Brotherson suggests:
ý Taking control of events by planning ahead and discussing who can be available to help before key seasons arrive —- Make time to set priorities so you can focus on what needs to be done today and what can wait. ý Taking control of attitudes that influence you. Identify the sources of the stress you have, and which ones you can and cannot change. Shift your focus off worrying and onto problem solving. Notice what you have achieved rather than what you did not accomplish. Set goals and daily expectations that are realistic. How you view a situation is a key factor in creating or eliminating stress. ý Controlling your responses to stressful conditions. Take a break when feeling stressed, and focus on relaxing your body and mind. Take three deep breaths slowly and let go of unwanted stress. Think positive thoughts, balance work and play, find someone to talk to and seek help when you need it. Brotherson encourages farm and ranch family members to get additional resources at www.ag.ndsu.edu/farmranchstress and talk to trusted friends or associates, such as pastors or counselors, or call North Dakota’s 2-1-1 help line.
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MARCH 2019
Congress approves FY19 Agriculture Appropriations Bill WASHINGTON – Sen. John Hoeven, chairman of the Senate Agriculture Appropriations Committee, outlined important priorities he worked to include in the Fiscal Year 2019 Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration and Related Agencies Appropriations bill, recently approved by Congress. “With the challenges facing rural America, we worked hard to provide strong support for our farmers and ranchers through this agriculture funding legislation,” said Hoeven. “As chairman of the Agriculture Appropriations Committee, I worked to ensure that this legislation supports our producers, bolsters agriculture research and empowers rural communities.” As chairman of the Agriculture Appropriations Committee, Hoeven’s priorities included the following:
Support for Ag Producers couraging the USDA Secretary to Agriculture, including:
Maintains support for crop insurance and other farm bill programs. – Continues funding for Hoeven’s Agriculture Risk Coverage pilot program to allow for an alternate calculation method for crop payments when National Agricultural Statistics Service data is insufficient. – Provides $4 million for the Hoeven Water Bank initiative, which provides compensation for farmers and landowners for flooded land through 10-year, voluntary conservation agreements. – Fully funds the expected demand for farm direct and guaranteed and emergency loans. – Prohibits the closure of Farm Service Agency county offices and provides funding to hire additional FSA county employees and loan officers. – Includes the Acre-for-Acre Wetlands Mitigation language en-
use mitigation of a natural wetland and equivalent wetlands functions with the conversion rate of 1-to-1 acreage. – Provides no less than $250,000 in Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service funding to reduce blackbird depredation in the Northern Great Plains. – Includes School Pulse Crop language emphasizing the nutritional benefits of pulse crops for children and encouraging USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service to assist schools in sourcing and serving pulses. – Increases funding for the Agricultural Marketing Service, to help provide producers with marketing opportunities for U.S. agricultural products. Agriculture Research - $2.775 billion to support agricultural research conducted by the Agricultural Research Service and the National Institute of Food and
– Provides $415 million for the Agriculture and Food Research Initiative. – Maintains formula research funding for land-grant universities. – Provides a $1 million increase in ARS funding for each of the following: Pulse Crop Health Initiative; Chronic Wasting Disease; Sugarbeets; Alfalfa Research; Small Grain Genomics. Maintains funding for UAS Precision Agriculture at $3 million and $8.7 million for the U.S. Wheat and Barley Scab Initiative.
Rural Development
– Rural Broadband - Provides $550 million for the rural broadband loan and grant pilot program targeted to areas that currently lack access to broadband service. – Rural Water and Wastewater - To help address the $3 billion backlog in infrastructure needs in rural America, the bill provides an
additional $75 million for rural water and waste program loans and grants. – Combating Opioid Abuse The legislation helps to combat the opioid abuse epidemic including: - $47 million for the Food and Drug Administration to combat the opioid epidemic using regulatory science, enforcement and innovation. - $16 million for Rural Development Distance Learning and Telemedicine Grants to help rural communities combat the opioid abuse crisis. - $3 million through the National Institute of Food and Agriculture for extension and outreach programs in rural communities. – Rural Electric Set-Aside - Includes language to allow Project Tundra and Allam Cycle to be eligible for the Rural Utilities Service Electric Loan Program.
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Engaging in legislative process Area residents take part in Young Cattlemen’s Legislative Conference By ELOISE OGDEN
Regional Editor eogden@minotdailynews.com
Submitted Photos
ABOVE: Hayden and Megan Kessler RIGHT: Wyatt Hansen and Sarah Gessner
BISMARCK – Two area couples took part in the 17th Young Cattlemen’s Legislative Conference (YCLC) hosted by the North Dakota Stockmen’s Association (NDSA) Feb. 6-7 in Bismarck. This year’s participants included area couples: Wyatt Hansen and Sarah Gessner, both of Ryder; and Hayden and Megan Kessler of Beulah. According to NDSA information: Wyatt Hansen and his fiancee Sarah Gessner, originally from Newburg, represented District 6. Hansen and Gessner will be the fifth generation of farmers and ranchers to join Hansen Simmental Ranch. Wyatt works alongside his dad Kevin and stepmother Liz and grandparents Kermit and Marcy on their ranch near Ryder. They raise registered Simmental and SimAngus cattle. The family also has its annual Dakota Xpress Bull Sale every third Friday in February with the Staigle family. Hayden and Megan Kessler, of Beulah, represented NDSA’s District 4. The Kesslers live south of Beulah with their new baby boy, Gustav. Hayden also works off the ranch at Dakota Westmoreland. Megan is a stayat-home mom, ranch wife and ferrier. The Kessler Ranch consists of Hayden, Megan, Hayden’s parents Keith and Deanna and his brother Stephen. Together, they run a cow-calf operation. Their main group of cattle are red F1 baldies that get bred to home-raised Charolais bulls. They also have a select group of purebred Charolais used to raise bulls and replacement heifers. The first YCLC was held in February 1985 as a way to get young members of the NDSA more involved in the legislative process, according to Emily Bendish, Bismarck, NDSA communications director. YCLA delegates are selected by a NDSA director from their district, Bendish said. They are selected for their leadership potential and involvement in the North Dakota beef industry, according to NDSA information. “The YCLC gives young producers in our state an opportunity to engage in the North Dakota legislative process,” said Dan Rorvig, NDSA president, a McVille cow-calf producer. “Many of those who have attended this conference in the past have become involved leaders in our industry and state.” YCLC delegates participated in several agency visits and legislative activities, including meetings with Gov. Doug Burgum and Lt. Gov. Brent Sanford; Senate Majority Leader Rich Wardner; House Agriculture Committee Chairman Dennis Johnson; and Senate Agriculture Committee Vice Chairman Janne Myrdal. Participants also participated in several committee hearings, House and Senate floor sessions and a discussion about how bills are drafted with North Dakota Legislative Counsel Staff Attorney Dustin Assel. The group also learned more about the role of the NDSA in the public policy-making process and the makeup of the 89-year-old trade association. Others participating in the conference were: Karissa Daws of Michigan; Troy and Jessica Brown of Montpelier; and Kip and Kristina Haadem of Tappen. NDSA is North Dakota’s largest rancher organization and represents 3,000 cattle-ranching families. The organization aims to unite, protect, promote, educate and serve the state’s livestock industry.
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MARCH 2019
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Finally an improved outlook Relief from below normal temperatures By KIM FUNDINGSLAND
Staff Writer kfundingsland@minotdailynews.com Well, well, well. It’s about time, even if it may take a few more weeks. At least the end is in sight. Possibly. The Climate Prediction Center issued its monthly assessment Feb. 21 of what the weather will be like in the United States for the next three months. The issuance covers March, April and May. The good news for North Dakota, Minot included, is that our lengthy stretch of below normal temperatures is expected to come to an end. Don’t reach for those summer jackets just yet though. Any change in the current below-normal spell may not arrive until mid-March or later. In fact, the CPC’s March outlook places North Dakota, and most of the central U.S., in the category of “below normal” on the anticipated temperature map. When the break in our colder than usual weather pattern will occur is not known precisely, but the CPC has enough confidence in its long-range forecasting to at least include North Dakota in the central section of the U.S. that is expected to return to a more normal temperature pattern at least for April and May, perhaps sooner. Normal daytime highs for April range from the upper 40s to upper 50s. May temperatures range from the low 60s early in the month to 70 degrees at the end of the month.
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Calf losses before Abortions can be a major birth a concern concern for cattle producers An “abortion” is the discharge of the fetus prior to the end of the normal gestation period, according to Gerald Stokka, North Dakota State University Extension veterinarian and livestock stewardship specialist. Many abortions occur within the first 45 days of conception (called early embryonic death), and the embryos or fetuses are so small that they may not be seen. Other abortions may occur near normal calving time, and determining whether the cow has aborted or a premature birth has occurred is difficult. A stillbirth is when a full-term calf is born dead, with no obvious evidence of the cause of death. Abortions have many causes, including physiological causes such as extreme environmental or handling stress and hormonal imbalances, metabolic problems, toxicoses and/or infectious diseases caused by protozoa, fungi, bacteria or viruses, says Brett Webb, director of the NDSU Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory. Abortions and stillbirths can be the result of a direct ef-
Submitted NDSU Photo
fect, such as viral, bacteria or protozoal organisms gaining access to the fetus. The fetus also may have abnormal development (congenital defects) that results in abnormalities at delivery, such as a lack of the anus opening or inside-out calf, or inherited genetic defects such
as “curly calf” or “fawn calf” syndrome. Indirectly, abortions and stillbirths can be a result of an interruption of the connection between the fetus and the dam, or the illness of the dam. The fetus receives nourishment and oxygen via the organ called the placenta.
Any disruption in that process can impact the fetus negatively or result in itsdeath, Stokka says. Inflammation of this organ is called “placentitis.” Bacterial, fungal and protozoal infections can cause placentitis. Mycotic abortions are one of the more common results of
fungal infections. Moldy feeds are implicated as the source of most fungal infections. Stillbirths can be frustrating because producers often see no indication of the cause or evidence of excessive labor. Stillbirths can result from an umbilical cord rup-
ture, premature separation of the placenta or the placenta blocking the calf’s nostrils after the delivery of an otherwise healthy calf. Regardless of the cause, abortions may be sporadic or they may occur as “storms.” The normal abortion or stillbirth rate would be 1 to 2 percent of cows in a herd. Losses greater than this are abnormal, and producers should talk to their veterinarian for assistance in identifying the cause, NDSU Extension livestock systems specialist Karl Hoppe advises. Hoppe also recommends producers to keep good records of calf and cow losses because indemnity payments may be available to offset some of the losses. “The best chance of identifying what caused an abortion is prompt submission of fetal and placental tissues and maternal blood or serum to a diagnostic laboratory,” Stokka says. “Contact your veterinarian for assistance with diagnostic efforts, sample submission and identifying management strategies to reduce the risk of future abortions.”
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Projected profits of N.D. crops vary by region in 2019 The two highest acreage crops in North Dakota, soybeans and wheat, project limited returns to labor and management in most regions for 2019, says Andy Swenson, North Dakota State University Extension farm management specialist. Generally, hard red spring wheat projects a return between $5 and $10 per acre. The strongest return, $22 per acre, is projected in the northeastern region, but losses of $5 to $10 per acre are projected in the northwestern, south-central and southern Red River Valley regions. “Surprisingly, soybeans project positive returns to labor and management in all but one region, despite lower soybean prices compared to last year’s budgets,” says Swenson. “There is a projected loss of $10 per acre in the northeastern region, but for the rest of the state, returns range from $1 an acre in the southern Red River Valley to $33 per acre in the northcentral region. The third most popular crop by acreage, corn, projects losses in all regions. A loss of $5 to $10 per acre is projected for the western regions and for the southeastern, and losses between $20 and $40 per acre are projected in the other regions. Drybeans, malting barley, lentils and chickpeas normally show relatively strong returns, but weak prices for these commodities caused 2019 profit projections to be much lower. Drybeans project a positive return to labor and man-
Submitted NDSU Photo
agement of $31 per acre in the north-central region and returns of $7 for the south-central and southeastern regions. All other regions project losses ranging from $1 to $10 per acre. Malting barley projects losses by region between $20 and $90 per acre. Projected losses for growing lentils range from $35 to $70 per acre and for large chickpeas about $10 per acre. Projected prices for sunflowers and canola were also lower, relative
to last year’s budgets. Oil sunflowers project a slight profit in the southwestern region, breakeven in the south-central region, losses of about $5 to $10 per acre in the northwest, north-central and eastcentral regions and larger losses elsewhere. Projected returns for confection sunflowers varied greatly, from $55 per acre in the south-central region to a loss of $77 per acre in the northern Red River Valley. Canola projected negative returns ranging from near
breakeven in the north-central and southwestern regions to losses of nearly $70 per acre in the southeastern region. Flax showed positive returns of $4 and $18 per acre in the northwestern and southwestern regions, respectively, but negative returns elsewhere. Field peas only projected a return to labor and management of $13 in the north-central region and losses ranging for $20 to $50 per acre in other regions. Durum wheat projected a return to
labor and management of about $10 to $15 per acre in the east-central, southwestern and south-central regions. Losses between $6 and $18 per acre were projected for the north-central, northwestern and southeastern regions. “The southwestern, north-central, and south-central regions had the most crops that project a positive return to labor and management,” Swenson adds. “However, the returns are modest.” For most crops the projected total costs per acre were slightly higher than last year’s projections. Fertilizer, interest expense and expenditures for chemicals were higher. Expenditures for seed was generally similar to last year. Crop land rents for most regions declined and projected crop insurance expenditures were generally lower. Swenson cautions that the budgets are guides for large multicounty regions and that returns and costs can vary considerably between producers within a region. Also, the budgets estimate returns to labor and management with no consideration of price and yield variability, or risk. A perfect “apples-to-apples” comparison of crops is not achieved because different levels of labor and management, and risk, exist. The NDSU Extension-developed budgets are available online at www.ag.ndsu.edu/farmmanagement/ crop-budget-archive, or by searching online for NDSU Crop Budgets.
NDSU offers updated crop compare program for 2019 The program provides a tool for producers to check the changing scenarios until final planting decisions are made this spring. North Dakota State University Extension has updated the Crop Compare program, which is a spreadsheet designed to compare cropping alternatives. The program provides a tool for producers to check the changing scenarios until final planting decisions are made in the spring of 2019. It uses the direct costs and yields from the 2019 projected crop budgets for nine regions of North Dakota, but producers are encour-
aged to enter the expected yields and input costs for their farm. The user designates a reference crop and enters its expected market price. Depending on the region, a broad selection of nine to 18 crops are compared. The program provides the prices for competing crops that would be necessary to provide the same return over variable costs as the reference crop. “Producers can compare these ‘breakeven’ prices to expected market prices to see which crop is most likely to compete with the reference crop,” says Andy Swenson, NDSU Extension farm management special-
ist. “Grain prices can move quickly. The program provides a tool for producers to check the changing scenarios until final planting decisions are made this spring.” Producers should note that an underlying assumption is that fixed costs, such as machinery ownership, land, and the owner’s labor and management, do not vary among crop choices and therefore do not need to be included in the analysis. “In practice, there may be differences in fixed costs that should be considered,” Swenson says. “For example, there may be additional labor, management and risk asso-
ciated with a competing crop. “If all the labor and management is provided by the owner-operator, it would be considered a fixed cost and could be excluded,” he adds. “However, the producer should add some cost if he or she would only want to produce the crop when an adequate reward would be received for the extra time and management required relative to the reference crop.” A similar rationale could be used if a competing crop is considered higher risk. The Crop Compare program is available online at www.ag.ndsu.edu/farmmanagement/tools.
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N.D. Wheat Commission: Additional trade promotion funding important for North Dakota wheat producers North Dakota wheat producers are highly dependent on a robust export market for their wheat, with roughly one-half of hard red spring wheat and about one-third of the durum exported to very quality conscious millers and processors worldwide. U.S. wheat as a whole is marketed to more than 80 countries annually. These essential exports are assisted by U.S. Wheat Associates and USDA’s Foreign Market Development and Market Assistance Programs, leveraging producer checkoff funds in the global market development arena. Maintaining and expanding these long-established, producer-customer trade relationships is crucial to the
marketability of our premium wheats and our producers’ profitability. The North Dakota Wheat Commission and 16 other state wheat commissions, help fund USW to develop, maintain, and expand international markets. According to Neal Fisher, NDWC administrator, “This diverse export market base took decades to build and is based on trusted relationships and superior quality and performance traits combined with consistent, professional customer service.” Recent trade disputes with China and a slowdown in negotiating trade agreements with other key customers have caused market disruptions with significant negative impacts
on North Dakota producers. HRS sales to China – a top five export market – have been stalled since March of 2018. Sales to Japan – our second largest export market – are in jeopardy if the U.S. doesn’t secure a bilateral trade agreement that puts U.S. producers on a level playing field with our top competitors. The loss of markets and potential future losses remain a top concern for producers. But news of the additional USDA market development funding to help U.S. farmers and ranchers find and get into new export markets around the globe, will be important in combatting current market disruptions. USW has been awarded $8.25 million in addi-
tional export market promotion funding through USDA’s Agricultural Trade Promotion Program. The additional funding is a feature of the Trump administration’s three pronged trade retaliation mitigation package, created to ease the effects of recent trade retaliation against U.S. farmers, ranchers, and exporters. Funds will be distributed over the next three years as part of a larger $200 million program made available to some 57 agricultural commodity groups and other trade-oriented agricultural entities. “Obviously we hope that the trade environment improves soon but in the meantime, these funds will allow USW to increase
marketing efforts and work on expanding markets in our key customer regions,” says Bruce Freitag, NDWC Chairman. “Some of our largest, highest value markets took decades to build and we need to preserve those relationships to the best of our ability, while exploring new market opportunities for our premium classes of wheat,” he adds. U.S. agricultural exports were valued at more than $140 billion in 2017, accounting for more than one-third of U.S, gross farm and ranch income. U.S. agriculture is also the only sector of the U.S. economy to consistently register a trade surplus each year, averaging nearly $30 billion in recent years.
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