July 2010 Volume 14, Issue 5

July 2010

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Burley Ethanol Plant Back on Track

Volume 14, Issue 5

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Court Yields Positive Decision on GMO Alfalfa

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Idaho Farm Bureau

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Producers Encouraged to Take Advantage of Social Networking

And the Weather Forcast is...

By Bob Stallman AFBF President

Mark Twain once said, “Climate is what we expect, weather is what we get.” No one knows this to be true more so than farmers, whose livelihood depends on the right combination of rainclouds and sunshine.

Weather presents a risk to agriculture at a level not experienced by most other sectors. The productivity of our fields – the bulk of our pro-

Report Exposes Humane Society Charade

By Frank Priestley President Idaho Farm Bureau Federation

The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS), a powerful political organization with a vegetarian agenda, doled out $280 million on salaries, lobbying, advertising and fundraising during a recent three-

Grateful for the Small Meat Processors

By Rick Keller CEO Idaho Farm Bureau Federation

Rural Idaho has developed a close working relationship with their small and independent meat processors.

They bring to our tables safe, wholesome, quality meats. The processor knows the quality of the product being processed because he watches it 2

Idaho Farm Bureau producer / JULY 2010

The Ag Agenda duction capability – is tied directly to the weather. I’ve never known an automobile company to not roll-out its latest SUV because of drought or an entire line of computer software wiped out because of a freeze. But there are many producers who have lost an entire year’s worth of crops and even livestock to extreme temperatures, excessive or inadequate moisture or high winds.

Red Skies at Night, Sailor’s Delight…. year period. Yet less than one-fifth of one percent of the organization’s total budget during the three-year period was used for programs that benefit unwanted pets.

Numbers gathered from HSUS’ IRS filings from 2006 to 2008 show only a pittance of the money generated from seemingly uninformed donors was given to hands-on pet shelters in 45 states. At the same time the organization spent huge sums of money supporting ballot initiatives like Proposition 2 that created new regulations on hog, egg and veal being raised as he drives through the county. The farmer trusts the quality of the processing because he takes his prized animals to the butcher to be processed for home consumption. It is often through the local meat processor that farmers and ranchers have opportunities to create specialty and value-added products marketed through niche outlets, not available anywhere else.

Most small meat processing plants originated as local butcher shops. I still remember walking down main street holding my grandmother’s

When I was a youngster on the farm we had a lot of old sayings we’d use to try to gauge the weather… “A wind from the south has rain in its mouth,” or “If the rooster crows on going to bed, you may rise with a watery head.” But, in all seriousness, nothing can be more nerve-racking for a farmer than waiting on that rain to come. As I’ve often said, I’ll never forget the joy of seeing the heavens open and rain pour out of the Texas See STALLMAN, page 5 production in California, a ballot initiative to ban greyhound racing in Massachusetts, promoting a ban on dove hunting in Michigan and a ballot initiative in Arizona that put strict regulations on hog production.

HSUS had duped thousands of donors into believing they are helping unwanted pets. However, tax records analyzed by Humanewatch.org, a non-profit organization set up to monitor HSUS, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), and other radical groups, show a See PRIESTLEY, page 5 hand as we entered the local butcher shop. The butcher, wearing a white apron and rubber boots, would walk from the sides of beef hanging from the ceiling in the back of the butcher shop to the refrigerated glass case displaying a variety of meat cuts.

Grandma would select a couple pounds of bologna for sandwiches for the week ahead. We then entered the butcher’s walk-in freezer to gain access to my grandparents’ locker where they had stored one of See KELLER, page 5

Volume 14, Issue 5 IFBF OFFICERS President ....................................Frank Priestley, Franklin Vice President .................................. Mark Trupp, Driggs Executive Vice President ............................... Rick Keller BOARD OF DIRECTORS Bryan Searle ............................................................ Shelley Scott Bird ........................................................... Pocatello Chris Dalley ........................................................Blackfoot Dean Schwendiman ............................................Newdale Danny Ferguson ........................................................ Rigby Scott Steele ..................................................... Idaho Falls Gerald Marchant ................................................... Oakley Rick Pearson .................................................... Hagerman Mike Garner............................................................... Declo Curt Krantz ............................................................ Parma Mike McEvoy..................................................... Middleton Tracy Walton ....................................................... Emmett Marjorie French ............................................... Princeton Bob Callihan ......................................................... Potlatch Louis Kins ........................................................... Kootenai Carol Guthrie ......................................................... Inkom Austin Tubbs............................................................... Malad STAFF Dir. of Admin. Services ........................ Nancy Shiozawa Dir. of Member Services ................................... Ray Poe Dir. of Commodities ............................. Gary Fuhriman Commodity Assistant .................................. Peggy Pratt Membership Assistant ............................... Peggy Moore Market Information Assistant . ................ Dixie Ashton Dist. I Regional Manager ........................ Kendall Keller Dist. II Regional Manager ..................... Dennis Brower Dist. III Regional Manager ................... Charles Garner Dist. IV Regional Manager ................... Russ Hendricks Dist. V Regional Manager ....................... Bob Smathers Director of Governmental Affairs ............ Kent Lauer Asst. Dir. of Governmental Affairs .... Dennis Tanikuni Range/Livestock Specialist........................... Wally Butler Director of Public Relations .............. John Thompson Video Services Manager ............................. Steve Ritter Broadcast Services Manager .................... Jake Putnam Office Manager, Boise ............................ Shawna Yasuda Member Services Manager ........................ Joel Benson Printed by: Owyhee Publishing, Homedale, ID GEM STATE PRODUCER USPS #015-024, is published monthly except February, May, August and November by the IDAHO FARM BUREAU FEDERATION, 275 Tierra Vista Drive, Pocatello, ID 83201.

POSTMASTER send changes of address to: GEM STATE PRODUCER P.O. Box 4848, Pocatello, ID 83205-4848.

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Cover: A crew plants peppers at Purdum’s Produce near

Fruitland in mid June. Crop planting is behind schedule across the state this spring as cold, wet weather has kept farmers out of the fields. Seed potato growers in the Teton Basin had not yet completed planting in the third week of June. This is one of the latest starts on record. Although the cold spring has helped reduce irrigation needs, many growers expect lower yields this fall.

Photo by Steve Ritter

Idaho Farm Bureau Dairy Committee members recently toured Pacific Ethanol’s Burley plant.

In the background of this photograph is the plant’s hammer mill. It pounds corn kernels into corn meal. The company is now back to full production after being shut down for about a year.

Ethanol Production Ramps Back Up

Article and photo by John Thompson BURLEY – Pacific Ethanol’s Magic Valley plant is back to full production after volatile markets conditions forced the company to shut the facility down for about one year and reorganize finances under a Chapter 11 bankruptcy.

Three other plants owned by the company in California and Colorado were also closed but are now operating again, according to Burley Plant Manager Ken Wilson. A plant owned by the company in Boardman, Oregon remained in production. Wilson hosted a tour of the Burley plant recently for Idaho Farm Bureau’s Dairy Committee. He said the plant is currently producing 160,000 gallons of ethanol per day.

“All of our plants are currently up and running and we are established as one of the strongest players in the business, especially in the West,” Wilson said.

Ethanol producers across the country fell on hard times in 2008 due to high corn prices, recession, which caused a drop in demand and price of gasoline, and weak equity markets.

This combination of circumstances led to a tremendous buildup of ethanol supplies and the resulting price crash, Wilson said.

The Burley plant is capable of producing 60 million gallons of ethanol per year. It employs 38 full-time workers with a payroll of $1.5 million and processes 23 million bushels of corn per year. The corn is delivered from the Midwest in 100-car unit trains every seven to nine See ETHANOL page 4 Idaho Farm Bureau producer / JULY 2010

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ETHANOL Continued from page 3 days. The plant creates $7.2 million in additional annual household income in Cassia County, according to the Idaho Department of Commerce.

About $1.5 million in state and federal funding was extended to pay for infrastructure costs to get the plant up and running. Pacific Ethanol is a publicly traded company on the NASDAQ exchange trading under the symbol PEIX. As of this writing the company’s stock is trading at 70 cents per share with a 52-week high of $2.75 and a 52-week low of 28 cents.

The main reason the plant was located in Burley was proximity to cattle. Nearly 300,000 dairy cattle and another 100,000 cattle on feed in the area provide a ready market for wet distillers grain, the main byproduct of ethanol production.

The process of distilling ethanol removes the starch from corn and leaves a high-protein, wet corn meal. The plant produces 500,000 tons of the byproduct each year that is sold to dairies and feedlots within 100 miles of the plant, Wilson said.

Wilson said although transportation of corn from the Midwest costs his company more than their competitors, Pacific Ethanol makes it up by being able to haul the byproduct out and feed it wet as opposed to drying it. In the Midwest the distillers grain must be dried and hauled longer distances which uses more energy, he said.

Wilson is currently conducting public relations with the media and other community and civic groups to help build ethanol’s reputation. The alternative fuel has taken a beating in the media over allegations that it takes more energy to produce than it makes 4 #

A front end loader feeds wet distillers grain into a conveyer that pushes the mush-like substance up and into a waiting truck.

and that it has caused food prices to increase. Wilson disputes both points.

Corn used for ethanol production is produced for livestock feed and is not for human consumption.

Ethanol production currently uses about 20 percent of the total U.S. corn supply. However, over 30 percent of that amount re-enters the market as distillers grains which is used to feed livestock.

Corn prices have a minor impact on food prices while petroleum remains the single largest contributing factor to the price of food.

USDA figures show a 50 percent increase in the price of corn would drive up the value of corn in a normal sized box of cereal by less than 2 cents, or only a fraction of the cost of the packaging.

With regard to energy production or the BTU generated by ethanol, university studies have come in all over the board. A study from Cornell University shows there is no net energy gain from ethanol because of the amount of energy used to produce corn and distill it into ethanol. However, other researchers disagree. A lot of subjectivity exists in how to actually calculate the cost. For instance, should the costs of farm labor or the energy required to manufacture fertilizer be included in the equation? A USDA study found

Idaho Farm Bureau producer / JULY 2010

there is a significant net energy gain in ethanol production.

While that question will likely forever remain in dispute, there are several benefits associated with ethanol production and use.

First, it displaces the need for foreign crude and is American made.

It creates 400,000 U.S. jobs and is currently the only fuel that can significantly reduce transportation emissions of carbon dioxide.

In other ethanol related news, The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has delayed a decision to boost the percentage of ethanol that can be blended into the domestic gasoline supply.

“It now appears it will be September or later before a ruling is made on blending 15 percent ethanol (E15),” said American Farm Bureau Federation President Bob Stallman.

“The EPA’s delay is frustrating,” Stallman said. “The request to increase the percentage of ethanol that could be blended into our domestic gasoline supply to E15 should be a front-burner issue for EPA. This matter has been in front of the agency long before the Gulf oil disaster. Ethanol is a clean-burning, home-grown renewable fuel that makes sense.”

Stallman added that regulators also are considering limits to

the size of the current market for enhanced ethanol blends to just vehicles from the 2007 or later model years, rather than what originally was thought to include 2001 and newer vehicles. There was also no word on a pending request to immediately approve the use of 12 percent ethanol blends for all vehicles.”

“It is time for our government officials to do everything in their power to expedite the approval process for E15 and to grant an immediate rule for E12,” Stallman said.

Other Ethanol Facts: Ethanol is the fastest growing transportation fuel in the world Number of barrels of petroleum displaced for every barrel of ethanol produced; 1.2 Number of barrels of imported crude oil projected to be displaced by ethanol this year; 311,000 Equivalent in large oil tankers; more than 1 per week Gallons of ethanol yielded from one bushel of corn; 2.8 Number of “flex fuel” vehicles on U.S. highways that can utilize E85; 6 million Percentage of U.S. fuel supply that is blended with ethanol; 80 Percentage of current total U.S. fuel supply; 7.6 Cost of ethanol production at Burley PE plant at current corn and energy prices; $1.70 per gallon Water required to manufacture a gallon of ethanol; 3.5 gallons Water required to manufacture a gallon of gasoline; 3 to 5 gallons Water required to produce one cup of coffee; 40 gallons 96 percent of the U.S. corn crop is grown on non-irrigated land

Priestley Continued from page 2 surprisingly different set of circumstances.

A poll taken in February of this year shows how adept the group has become at convincing people to donate to the cause and then using the money to fulfill their dubious agenda. The poll, taken in February

by Opinion Research Corporation shows 71 percent of respondents agreed with the statement “HSUS is an umbrella group that represents thousands of local humane societies all across America.” In addition, 59 percent of respondents agreed that “HSUS contributes most of its money to local organizations that care for dogs and cats.”

KELLER Continued from page 2 their steers that was cut into selected cuts and wrapped in white butcher paper. I still remember the relief of the cold freezer from the summer’s heat.

The number of small processing plants, mostly family owned and operated, has dwindled. The reasons vary, from children of plant owners wanting no part of a business that’s labor intensive to the most frequent reason for plant closings, the cost of regulation. Regulators hold the small processors to the same standards as the big guys, making it economically nearly impossible to stay in business. The regulations are onerous and voluminous with no middle

STALLMAN Continued from page 2 sky after one of the longest droughts known to our state during the 1950s.

But, as they say, sometimes when it rains it pours. Take Tennessee for example. The state has been hit recently with historic rainfall and devastating flooding, resulting in significant damage to its corn and wheat, among other crops. At one point, Tennessee’s agriculture commissioner estimated there were tens of thousands of acres under water.

Tennessee is not the only area with excessive rainfall. Many producers in Indiana, Oklahoma and other states have had to replant crops ruined by flooding. Unfortunately,

It’s unfortunate those statements aren’t true. However HSUS tax records show that helping to take care of unwanted pets isn’t a priority to this hypocritical organization.

HSUS tax records show the organization made zero payments to pet shelters in Maine, Nebraska, South Dakota and Wyoming during the three-year period. Idaho shelters received $17,000 during the period.

each pet shelter grant given by the organization to every state from 2006 to 2008.

In Arizona, the group spent just $1 on local pet shelters for every $300 in lobbying expenditures for a “humane farm” ballot initiative and other anti-animal agriculture legislation.

The Humanewatch.org report shows how few of the millions of dollars raised by HSUS each year actually reach local shelters across the country. The report called “Not Your Local Humane Society,” lists

In 2008 HSUS’ budget increased by more than $8 million dollars, yet only 15 states received donations for local pet shelters.

From 2006 to 2008, the organization left out five states entirely. HSUS reported having more than $162 million in assets at the end of 2008.

ground. It’s as if the government is forcing us, by default, to purchase our meats from the large chain supermarkets.

Proposed new regulations further threaten the local processor’s survival. A preliminary draft guidance document issued by the U.S. Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) puts small and independent meat processors at significant economic risk due to increased regulatory costs. The document spells out new and costly requirements for local meat processors under the Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) Systems Validation proposal.

Farm Bureau has received concerns from small, independent meat processors over the last three months pointing out the damag-

ing economic consequences of the proposed rule. It is critical that we maintain processing capacity in rural areas. Farm Bureau strongly urges FSIS to ensure that the new validation process accommodates concerns about the exorbitant new expenses. There needs to be flexibility in addressing the regulatory requirments and costs, which may make the difference between a local butcher remaining in operation or being forced out of business.

So during this barbeque grilling season, let’s support our local economy by grilling a steak that has been cut and wrapped by our local butcher. The butcher and the community will benefit and you will have one fine quality steak.

many folks don’t realize the cost and labor of planting again—and that’s if areas can even be reseeded.

nounced that $12 million in Emergency Conservation Program funds were being made available to farmers and ranchers in 14 states to repair farmland damaged by natural disasters this year.

Take the freeze that hit Florida at the beginning of the year, which ruined the tomato crop and caused national shortages. Only now are new plantings starting to emerge and consumers can once again get tomatoes on their Wendy’s burgers without having to ask or without paying extra at supermarkets for the popular fruit.

A Cow With its Tail to the West Makes the Weather Best…

It’s not only crops and livestock that can get damaged by the weather. Just last month, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack an-

Typically in many instances, while producers are coping with the loss and damage of crops and livestock, they are also dealing with infrastructure issues like removing debris, restoring fences, and repairing buildings. In one fell swoop, a tornado, hurricane or even wildfire can devastate an entire farm.

But with a little faith and a lot of resolve, farmers always tend to pull through. As they say, “A sunny shower won’t last an hour.”

Idaho Farm Bureau producer / JULY 2010

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Court Lifts Ban on GMO Alfalfa

By Jake Putnam WASHINGTON D.C. - The United States Supreme Court ruled that a federal judge erred in banning the planting of Monsanto’s genetically modified alfalfa seed last year; handing a victory to Monsanto and the nation’s hay producers.

“That’s great, the best news I’ve heard this year,” said David Callister of Howe. Callister is a dairyman and hay producer.

“I’m constantly fighting grass and weeds and having Roundup Ready seed will allow me to raise better hay, at a good price and in the long run it’s going to save me money.”

This is the first time the Supreme Court has considered a case dealing with genetically modified crops. The case could have broad implications.

A California Federal District Court is currently considering a case that could ban Roundup Ready sugarbeets. That injunction was lifted just prior to planting season this spring, but an official decision on the case is pending.

One of the fundamental questions in these cases is should a private company have the right to patent seeds – or in essence to patent a form of life?

Monsanto has sued farmers in the Midwest for saving seed and won cases against farmers who argued they did not save patented seed but their fields were polluted with pollen from neighboring fields. Most of the farmers settled out of court

In a 7 to 1 vote, the court reversed the federal injunction that stopped Monsanto from selling the patented alfalfa seeds. Roundup Ready alfalfa, like several other crops are engineered to tolerate glyphosate, the active ingredient in Roundup herbicide. The Court ruled that San Francisco judge Charles Breyer went too far with the nationwide injunction.

“An injunction is a drastic and extraordinary remedy, which should not be granted as a matter of course,” Justice Samuel Alito wrote for the majority.

Monsanto successfully argued that the ban was too broad and based on the assumption that Monsanto seeds were harmful.

Lawyers for Oregon organic farmers argued that the use of genetically engineered seeds can contaminate conventional crops, but Monsanto countered that there’s little evidence of cross-pollination.

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because they did not have the resources to fight the company in court.

Regarding the alfalfa decision, USDA will now have to complete a full environmental impact statement to determine if the seeds will harm non- GMO hay before approving them for planting, a process that could go into next year.

Some organic and seed growers worry that contamination from the genetically engineered crops could corrupt pure seed stocks. They argue that residue from GMO crops could seep into ground water and lead to more resistant weeds. But there’s not enough evidence yet to support grower claims.

“This Supreme Court ruling is important for every American farmer, not just alfalfa growers.

All growers can rely on the expertise of USDA, and trust that future challenges to biotech approvals must now be based on scientific facts, not speculation,” said David F. Snively, Monsanto senior vice president and general counsel.

Monsanto produces “Roundup Ready” genetically modified crops like corn, cotton and soybeans that make it possible for farmers to spray Roundup herbicide directly on their plants, killing weeds and saving millions on chemicals and labor.

Many alfalfa growers breathed a big sigh of relief when the U.S. Supreme Court reversed an injunction on glyphosate resistant alfalfa.

Photo by Steve Ritter

Idaho Farm Bureau producer / JULY 2010

Justice Stephen Breyer excused himself from the case because his brother, U.S. District Judge Charles Breyer in San Francisco issued the initial ruling against Monsanto.

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Idaho Farm Bureau producer / JULY 2010

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Rancher Cody Chandler teaches third grade students from Weiser about horses and how they are used for ranch work.

Photo by Steve Ritter

Third-Graders Visit Washington County Ranch

By Jake Putnam Hundreds of curious third graders stormed the Chandler Ranch near Weiser recently in search of fossils and knowledge.

For 27 years the Chandler family has opened up their ranch each year to give demonstrations and teach local students about agriculture. The children learn about everything from horseback riding to feeding and caring for lambs and many other aspects of modern agriculture. In addition, they get to learn about fossils that formed thousands of years ago on the Chandler’s property. Chandler family members man the different stations, patiently 8

answering questions from the curious kids.

cloud of dust. After a quick dismount he took questions from

the third-graders.

“We do this every year because we want them to know where their food comes from,” said Cody Chandler. “Here on the ranch we grow the beef that goes into their hamburgers. We show them that this is where sheep are raised and the wool that goes into their clothes. We want them to pass it onto their kids. They learn that it’s farms and ranches like this that feed the world.”

Cody Chandler handled the horseback demonstration. In front of wide-eyes he mounted a horse, took a spin around the arena at full speed and brought the horse to a skidding stop in a

Idaho Farm Bureau producer / JULY 2010

Students examine fossils during a recent field day held at Chandler Ranch near Weiser.

Photo by Steve Ritter

“Does this one belong to you?” said Mathew Shirts, “I mean is this your horse?” Chandler offered a sheepish reply: “They all belong to my wife Brittany.”

Cody told the kids about care and feeding of the horses and how they’re used to herd the ranch’s sheep and cattle.

Teachers lingered in the back row of each group listening intently to all the information presented. One said the demonstrations will leave a lifelong impression on the kids.

“They get to learn about sheep, they get to make necklaces and they’re excited to come out today,” said teacher Melissa Reed. She explained that this field trip is the most prized trip of the year for the students.

“This is a good citizen’s field trip. They know from the start of the school year what the expectations are for this trip. It’s a treat to them, and they’re having fun.”

In the sheep barn Washington County Farm Bureau President Kirk Chandler showed the kids the lambing operation and explained how to feed young lambs that won’t eat. “If you have lambs and they’re starving, you take this tube hold the lamb between the legs like this, tip their head back, and you stick the tube in their mouth to feed them,” he explained.

Students from Weiser learn how to spin wool into yarn during a recent field day at Chandler Ranch.

Photo by Steve Ritter

he taught the kids that good ranchers are also good stewards of the land.

Twenty yards away, Allis Chandler handled the wool table. “Does wool come in different colors?” she asked the kids. They answered in unison, “yes.” Here the kids spun wool into yarn and made fancy necklaces that many proudly wore home.

“I think it’s important that the kids see us as a family farm and Outside the barn the Chandlers not a corporation. We’re just the set up a long table with rocks people that live up the road,” spread across it. On close ex- said Cody Chandler. “These amination the kids discovered kids will make good neighbors more than rocks, but fossils of one day. They know what we do plants and marine life dug up here and one day they may help less than a mile away. “This us when we need it. And we’re rock has a whole mass of crys- here to help them.” Chandler tals in them,” said Frank Chan- said agriculture is more than dler. “And this one has a fossil.” carrots and hamburgers. It’s Grandpa Chandler started the also about being good neightours some three decades ago; bors.

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Idaho Farm Bureau producer / JULY 2010

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Focus on Agriculture

Farm Dad Lessons: Everything in Balance

By Dal Grooms When I was growing up, being a farm kid wasn’t “cool.” There were certainly times I wished my dad did something else so I could spend time with my friends rather than spending time doing chores. Lucky for me, my dad wasn’t concerned with my definition of cool. He was concerned with taking care of the farm so it would take care of us.

I’ve given that simple approach to life a lot of thought this month -- the month that we celebrate Father’s Day. It’s because Dad’s approach, which is the approach most farmers have to their livelihoods, is nothing more than a system of balance and sustainability. It’s a system that applies to nature, to neighborhoods and to economies.

Although it’s simplistic, the system can go terribly wrong when it goes out of balance...when one part of it tries to take more out than it’s putting in. My dad tried to help us understand that lesson by instilling values like honesty and hard work.

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There is no way to cheat the system. For example, trying to hurry along milking chores by rushing the cows through the barn, would eventually lead to health issues in those cows that would cut milk productivity and quality. When those went below par, income went down, too.

If each cow was milked the appropriate time based on the needs of her production cycle, herd health was maintained, and milk production and quality improved. So did the income.

That kind of balance created sustainability.

But my dad, like other farmers, also knew he could grow his farm operation by increasing the human inputs...or as he would call it, “hard work.”

That hard work might include physical labor or brain power. The result might be improved feed rations, better pasture management or barn improvements that made us more efficient or reduced the stress for the cows. The more we put in, the more the cows gave back, either in increased

Idaho Farm Bureau producer / JULY 2010

production or a higher quality of milk, and sometimes both.

For me, many important life lessons were learned in a dairy barn. As I look around at today’s broader world and the missteps of companies, communities and countries, I wonder if some recent events would have turned out better if those leaders had grown up on farms. How might things be different if they applied some common farm wisdom about honesty and hard work?

A farmer could tell you that you can’t take out more than you put in. This farm kid can tell you that, too. Plus I can give you lots of examples of how I saw that happen on a daily basis as I was growing up on the farm. Farm dads are still passing along those life lessons. And that’s kind of cool.

Dal Grooms, a new contributor to Focus on Agriculture, is a native of the Midwest, where she writes about rural and agricultural issues.

* Must be a Farm Bureau member for at least 30 days. Contact your local Farm Bureau office for details. Farm Bureau速 is a federally registered collective membership and a registered service mark of the American Farm Bureau Federation.速 Cummins is a registered trademark of Cummins, Inc.

Idaho Farm Bureau producer / JULY 2010

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What An Opportunity

The Pumpkin Patch Parable

by Jeff C. Nauman

From the office window, blue flags wave in the morning breeze. The flags, each inscribed with a student’s name, mark the location of seeds planted earlier in the spring.

What began as a mere attempt to educate children about food and farming has since become a field of opportunity to teach much more.

culture while preparing to lead their people into the future.

Last summer, a mission group dismantled the farm’s old machine. Where now others saw only a barren plot of land, the school’s new principal saw a chance to educate.

The seeds, planted two weeks prior to school’s summer release have since emerged and began quest to bear fruit.

Those planted too far their Pumpkins were the seed to the right or too far of choice for a number of left risk damage should reasons. The long life span the lawn mower of life meant children could watch pumpkins grow and mature reduce their vines to when they returned in the stubble. fall. The children could also harvest a gourd from seeds The children in question attend they themselves planted the a private, Christian school for school year prior. The sprawlNative American children liv- ing vines would reduce weed ing on or near the Fort Hall In- competition. With wide-spaced dian Reservation. Established hills, the riding mower could in 1998, the school now resides reduce labor until the vines on 60 acres of prime farmland were fully established. Wateradjacent to the Blackfoot River. ing could be accomplished in Privately funded by generous concert with adjacent lawns. benefactors, corporate grants and foundations across the Of course, not every seed world, the school curriculum sprouted. Although each child includes not only traditional planted three seeds in their own academic studies, but lessons respective hill, some remained in religion and Shoshone-Ban- devoid of life weeks after the nock culture and music as well. school year ended. And irony Here the children are taught, prevailed when observing the nurtured, loved and encour- patch. aged to embrace their native Without fail, those who planted 12

Idaho Farm Bureau producer / JULY 2010

in haste before building With each lesson ornate “castles” for which their seeds to grow will be completed – and prayer disappointed if they return offered - they move soon and find only weeds closer to being producoccupying their palace. tive, healthy, profitable Likewise disappointed will be the children who failed members of both their to follow instructions; one Native society and the who planted his seed 6” majority culture as well. deep and she whose seeds lie helpless on the surface.

Those planted too far to the members of both their Native right or too far left risk damage society and the majority culshould the lawn mower of life ture as well. With each seed reduce their vines to stubble. planted, the children provide The plot chosen coincidentally opportunity to feed themselves parallels reservation life also. and others. And, like the vines Perceived as bleak and with that cover ever more soil each little hope, this soil will give day, likewise may these stuway to weeds and less desir- dents’ influence ultimately able species if not tended and nurture and enhance the lives nurtured to provide beneficial of others on their reservation. plants the opportunity to pros- And, with time, may the chilper. Underneath the soil surface dren also realize that, like the lies a layer of hardpan, a stark Principal who came behind and representation of the animosity replanted barren hills, that anand hatred many older Natives other is likewise watching over retain over the white man’s in- their lives providing guidance, vasion of their ancestor’s land. direction and - most importantYet, with each shovel of dirt ly - hope. loosened, the children - ranging in age from 5 to 11 - sever Jeff Nauman is a rancher from not only the surface but also Firth and part owner of the AJ the hardpan that lies below. Kyles Meat Co. The Nauman famLikewise, with each lesson ily produces forage finished beef, completed – and prayer offered chicken, lamb, goat and eggs.

- they move closer to being Contact Nauman at jcnauman@ productive, healthy, profitable ida.net.

Idaho Farm Bureau producer / JULY 2010

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Telling Agriculture’s Story Through Social Media

By Jake Putnam American Farm Bureau President Bob Stallman says farmers need to do a better job connecting with consumers. A new social media platform called AgChat could be the right tool for the job.

AgChat started with a group of young farmers sharing short messages on Twitter. Together they brainstormed for an effective method of sharing a positive message about agriculture. When AgChat became a weekly event with several followers they created the AgChat Foundation. Farmers Jeff Fowle of California, Darin Grimm of Kansas, Mike Haley of Ohio and Ray Prock of California were strangers until the online chats but they soon discovered how much they have in common.

“I’d say the effort Ray and I spearheaded was to raise awareness on the economic crisis our dairies were going through,” said Ohio dairyman Mike Haley. “We realized how well we could tell our stories online. It was the first time we focused on a common goal. We think AgChat Foundation could help other farmers share their experiences as we learn from each other about how to put the true face on American agriculture.”

Rancher Jeff Fowle keeps in touch with his Twitter and Facebook accounts from work, Photo courtesy of the California Farm Bureau Federation.

AFBF President Bob Stallman thinks farmers and ranchers have been reluctant or unwilling to tell their story for too long. But that is changing with the use of social media tools like Twitter, Facebook, Flickr and others. Stallman says consumers are more interested now in healthy food and social media is helping spread good messages about American farmers and ranchers and the food they produce.

our story; we need to make that connection with the public.”

According to the AgChat Foundation, a vast majority of Americans no longer have a connection to agriculture. The foundation was created in April to empower farmers to tell their stories to consumers.

“Social media platforms are delivering the non-farmer to the farm,” said Tricia Braid Terry, communications director for the Illinois Corn Growers Association.

“Farmers in the information age must engage consumers so they can learn about food production and develop and maintain trust with farmers who produce their food,” Stallman told the American Farm Bureau Public Relations conference in Madison, Wisconsin. “All of us in agriculture have a responsibility to share

“Social media might seem mysterious and elusive but what it boils down to is just an online conversation.” Baird said. “I’m talking about moving your coffee shop talk to your laptop.” Baird says Facebook currently has 450 million users while Twitter is adding 300,000 new users per day and has a total of 106 million users.

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Idaho Farm Bureau producer / JULY 2010

Stallman thinks consumers trust farmers but few understand the industry because the U.S. population continues to be more urban and detached from farming. “Social media gives us an opportunity to reach younger demographics,” Stallman said. “Those younger demographics will be the ones making decisions that affect American agriculture.”

Presentations at the conference revealed that social media isn’t just a fad or limited to younger people. The fastest growing segment on Facebook users is 55 to 65-yearold women, according to Terry, who also serves on the AgChat Foundation board.

Social media “are communications tools that must not be ignored,” Terry added.

“This is a case where putting your head in the sand just isn’t going to cut it.”

The Foundation has four program areas focused on social media:

• Agvocacy 2.0 Training: Educate farmers through basic, mid-level & expert training to move mindsets up the technology ladder.

• Strategic Agvocacy Coordination: Empower agriculture’s voice through coordinated industry-wide efforts.

• Data Analysis: Provide tools to assist agvocates with targeted community efforts.

• Technology Scholarships: Equip farmers with infrastructure to enable full use of social media The AgChat Foundation is looking for Agvocates that are willing to chat and tell their story on Facebook and Twitter. Agvocates is a new word that has formed from the words Agriculture and Advocate and for the first time ever Agvocates will meet in person this summer. The AgChat Foundation will host its first training session

Aug. 30 and 31 in Chicago. For more information visit the website http://agchat.org.

Ray Prock says they’re looking at new ideas and says farmers must take owner ship of the new media. “We can’t expect anyone else to do it, and as we work on our ideas, a number of others have offered suggestions and a lot of time to help us realize this vision.”

Michele Payn-Knoper admits that when she started AgChat a year ago, she had no idea how quickly it would grow. “The talent and dedication the farmers and ranchers who helped bring the AgChat Foundation to fruition is absolutely inspiring.

All of them have applied their technology skills and commitment to the betterment of agriculture in ways that set them apart, but we are all confident this is a common thread among farmers who raise our food, fuel, feed and fiber.”

YF&R – A Bridge to the Future You’ve always loved agriculture, from participating in 4-H and FFA as a kid to getting involved with Collegiate Farm Bureau and other agriculture organizations in college.

But now that you’re a young adult, how do you jump into professional activities on the next level? Farm Bureau’s Young Farmers & Ranchers program can be your bridge.

YF&R helps producers between the ages of 18-35 prepare for their future with leadership development and personal growth.

Opportunities such as leadership conferences, held annually at the state and national levels, allow young agricultural leaders to serve the industry, build their skills and have fun. More than 700 young farmers and ranchers gather during the national conference every year to network and learn from other young leaders.

Discussion Meet and Excellence in Ag competitions. National winners will also receive paid registration to the 2011 YF&R Leadership Conference in Orlando, Florida February 5-7.

National runners-up in the Achievement Award will receive a CASE IH Farmall 31 tractor courtesy of Case IH. National final-

ists in the Discussion Meet and Excellence in Ag each will receive a $6,000 savings bond and a Stihl Farm Boss, courtesy of Stihl.

Go ahead and take the next step. Allow YF&R to be the bridge towards your future as a leader in the agriculture industry.

And if that doesn’t tempt you, how does the chance at winning a new Dodge Ram pick-up truck sound? Three national winners this year will receive a Dodge Ram, courtesy of Ram Trucks, to showcase the best of the best in the Achievement Award, Idaho Farm Bureau producer / JULY 2010

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How Much Wood is in My Tree(s)?

By Randy Brooks When describing the amount of wood in a tree, the term volume is used. Tree volume describes the quantity of wood in an individual tree, or a group of trees on an acre basis, or in a section of forest. Just as peppers are sold by the peck and milk by the gallon, wood is typically bought or sold by the volume.

Volume is expressed in board feet, cubic feet, cubic meters, cords, or by weight, depending on the products derived from the trees.

Throughout the United States, lumber volume is expressed in board feet. A board foot measures 1 inch x 12 inches x 12 inches or 144 cubic inches. (See formula 1) When a tree is standing, the board foot gross volume is estimated using tree height and diameter. Tree diameters are measured at breast height (termed diameter at breast height, or DBH) which is 4.5 feet above ground on the uphill side of the tree. Tree diameters can be measured with a tree diameter tape (D-tape, Figure 2), a tree caliper, a Biltmore stick, 16

Formula 1: The formula for determining lumber volume in board feet is: Board Feet = Width (in inches) x Thickness (in inches) x Length (in feet) 12 or a measuring tape. A D-tape, timates the tree volume. Since an allowance for log taper and Biltmore stick, or tree calipers the first sawmill was built in typically underestimates logs, directly measure diameters in the United States, over 100 log particularly if the log length is inches, and can be purchased rules have been developed, us- long. The Scribner Decimal C through equipment supply ing a variety of methods. Some is a different form of the Scribcompanies. A measuring tape were based on lumber tallies of ner Rule; it rounds the volumes (that is flexible) can be used to individual mills, others were to the nearest 10 board feet. For measure tree circumference (at developed by diagramming the example, 392 board feet on the breast height) and then divided cross-section of boards in the Scribner is equivalent to 390 by 3.14 to determine diameter. ends of logs, while still others board feet on the Scribner Decwere developed using math- imal C scale Tree height can be measured ematical formulas. In general, with a number of special instruOnce the diameter at breast log rules must account for the ments designed specifically for height and total height of the taper that exists in all logs, saw tree height measurements such tree has been measured, the kerf (or the loss of wood as sawas clinometers (most common), volume tables can be used (they dust), and a fixed procedure for relascopes, hypsometers, or are species dependent) to deterremoving wood on the outside altimeters. These instruments mine gross volume. For examof the logs for slabs. The Doyle, are available through forestry ple, you have a Douglas-Fir on Scribner, and International log equipment supply companies. your property that is 24 inches rules are the most widely used Clinometers (Fig. 1) have two in diameter and 90 feet tall. Usrules in the United States. scales that can be easily read, a ing Table 1, follow the left coltopographic scale and a percent The rule used in Idaho is the umn under DBH until you find scale. The topographic scale Scribner Log Rule (see Table 24. Then go to the point where requires a fixed distance of 1 1). The Scribner Log Rule, de- the 24 intersects with the nearchain (66 feet). At this distance veloped around 1846, is a good est height (90 ft in this case). At away from the tree, the number example of a diagram rule. It this point of intersection you read on the clinometers equals was created by drawing the find that there are 515 board tree height in feet. The percent cross-sections of 1-inch boards feet (Scribner) in that particuscale allows tree height to be within circles representing the lar tree. Volume tables exist for measured from any distance, end view of logs. A space of all commercial timber species. and then the distance multi- 1/4 inch was left between the (See Table 1) plied by the percent value on boards to account for saw kerf. the scale to obtain height.

The Scribner Rule does not have

These standing tree measurements estimate the tree volume. One can enter tree height and diameter measurements into a formula, or the easiest method is to compare height and diameter values on a table called log rules that es-

Idaho Farm Bureau producer / JULY 2010

Table 1. Douglas-Fir - Scribner Board Foot Volume.

DBH 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24 26 28 30

040 15 32 53 77 105 135 186 223 264 308 354

050 25 47 73 103 137 175 235 282 332 387 445

060 35 61 93 129 170 215 284 340 401 466 536

Total Tree Height (ft) 070 080 45 55 76 90 112 132 154 180 202 235 256 296 333 382 398 456 469 537 545 625 627 718

090 65 105 152 206 267 336 431 515 606 704 809

100 75 119 171 231 300 376 480 573 674 783 900

110 85 134 191 257 332 416 529 631 742 862 991

When using volume tables, it is important to remember that only the portion of the tree that will produce a useable product should be measured. Those portions of the trunk or bole that are hollow, excessively crooked, rotten, etc., should not be measured, since boards cannot be cut from the unusable portion. You may hear foresters or log buyers talk about gross and net volume.

Gross volume is the estimated tree volume without deduct for defects (i.e. the DBH and merchantable heights were measured ignoring defects when volumes were determined).

Net volume is the estimated tree volume with proper deductions made for defects.

Figure 1. Using a clinometer to measure tree height.

Note scale on the dial.

If you sell trees for something other than lumber, the common measure is typically in cords. A “standard cord” is a stack of wood measuring 4 feet

by 8 feet by 8 feet and contains 128 cubic feet. Cords describe wood sold for pulp, firewood, or chips. A “face cord” or “rick” is a common measure for selling firewood and measures 4 feet by 8 feet, but the length of the sticks will vary, for example, from 12 to 18 inches. Weight is an easy measure if you have access to scales.

Your local Cooperative Extension office will likely have access to publications on how to measure an individual tree to estimate its volume. Your local Idaho Department of Lands Service Forester can help you get started on this process and will also have access to publications and volume tables. There are private consulting foresters with extensive experience who can give you volume estimates of your forest. Although you will pay for this service, you will have a reliable estimate not only of volume, but also of the market value, since foresters operate in the timber market all the time.

To download a self extracting file of a volume table generator from the U.S. Forest Service, see: http://www.fs.fed. us/fmsc/measure/volume/ tablegenerator/index.php For information and rules on Idaho’s Board of Scaling Practices, visit the following website: http://www.ibsp.idaho. gov

Figure 2. A diameter tape converts tree circumference to diameter in inches. This tree is 21.5 inches in diameter.

Randy Brooks is a University of Idaho associate professor and extension educator in forestry, 4-H, and agriculture.

He can be reached at the UIClearwater County Extension Office 2200 Michigan Ave. Orofino, ID 83544 Phone: 208476-4434 FAX: 208-476-4111 E-mail: rbrooks@uidaho.edu

Idaho Farm Bureau producer / JULY 2010

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Gil Wallers was the winner of the Twin Falls County FB summer kick off drawing at the county’s Buhl office. The winner for the County’s North office was Chong Barnes but no photograph was available.

Farm Bureau Members get $450 or $500 off of six selected models

The Twin Falls County Farm Bureau held a drawing in May for their annual summer kick off. Each basket included a Farm Bureau apron, cookbook, condiments, barbecue utensils, and gift card to Smith’s.

Jeremy McElliot was the winner for Twin Falls South office.

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Idaho Farm Bureau producer / JULY 2010

For order information call Specials Farm Bureau Website JoelMonthly Benson atOn208-239-4289 www.idahofb.org (Select member benefits)

Custer County FB Board Member Jim Chamberlain presents a “Teacher of the Year” award to Challis Elementary School Teacher Pam Wilson. As part of the recognition Wilson will receive and all-expense paid trip to Baltimore Maryland where she will attend Ag in the Classroom training. The trip was awarded by the Idaho Farm Bureau Women’s Leadership Committee.

The Payette County Farm Bureau awarded a $750 scholarship to Kristina Anderson of Payette High School on June 7. Left of right in the photo are Payette County Farm Bureau Board Members Bob Rice and Mike Shoemaker, award recipient Kristina Anderson, and Payette FB President Jerry Anderson.

Idaho Farm Bureau producer / JULY 2010

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e e y r r F ta o N

Top Farm Bureau Agents

Rookie of the Month: Keefan Caron Boise Office

At all county Farm Bureau offices for Idaho Farm Bureau members.

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Agent of the Month: Eli Hansen Burley Office

Family of Member Services

Idaho Farm Bureau producer / JULY 2010

TM

Agency Manager of the Month: Monte Watson Burley Office

Actual email received by the Farm Bureau Member Benefits Department: I just wanted to share my success story that I had with the Sears Commercial benefit from my Federation discount. I’m remodeling my kitchen which means new appliances. My husband and I were able rack up savings of about $700.00 off the list prices of our appliances.

On top of this savings we are also getting a nice sum of cash back as a rebate from Sears Commercial. The process was simple and the shipping very affordable ($65 total). I just wanted to let you know that I found great value in this benefit and thanks for the work you do coordinating these benefits! Thanks. Erica Catt Step 1

Members go to sears.com and find the product(s) they are interested in and write down the product/model number(s).

Step 2

Members email the product number(s) to Farm Bureau’s designated contact at Sears Appliance Select: wgill03@searshc.com for a quote.

To receive this pricing a member must include their Farm Bureau membership number and Farm Bureau discount code CU068062 in the email.

Step 3

After receiving a quote (allow 2-3 business days), members can then choose to use a credit card to purchase the discounted item(s) and it will be delivered via a custom freight company.

THIS OFFER IS NOT AVAILABLE THROUGH SEARS RETAIL OR DEALER STORES.

For more information call (208) 239-4289

All manufacturer warranties apply with the option to purchase extended Sears Protection Agreements. Installation is not included with delivery.

Idaho Farm Bureau producer / JULY 2010

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County Coordination Plans: How They Work and Protect Property Rights

By Fred Kelly Grant American Stewards of Liberty Local governments that have implemented “coordination” status with federal management agencies are successfully fighting erosion of private property rights in their communities.

The “coordination” status is authorized by almost every federal statute relating to management of land, resources, and the environment. All the local government has to do is formally accept the congressional invitation to “coordinate,” and federal agencies have no choice but to agree.

What is this “coordination” factor, which elevates the involvement of local government in federal planning and management actions? The foundation for the concept is found in the Federal Land Policy Management Act, commonly known as FLPMA. Section 1712 of Title 43 of the United States Code requires that the Bureau of Land Management must coordinate its “land use inventory, planning, and management actions” with any local government which has engaged in land use planning for the federal lands managed by the federal agencies.

Congress did not leave the definition of the word “coordination” to chance, or to the whim of the federal management agencies. Congress defined the word by specifying the duties and responsibilities of the BLM regarding local plans. The statute requires the following:

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1. BLM must keep apprised of local land use plans; 2. BLM must assure consideration is given to local plans when federal plans are being developed; 3. BLM must attempt to resolve inconsistencies between federal and state local plans; 4. BLM must provide “meaningful…involvement” of local government officials in the development and revision of plans, guidelines and regulations; 5. The Secretary must, finally, compare local and federal plans and make sure they are consistent “to the maximum extent… consistent with federal law.”

BLM regulations set forth a very clear process by which the local government, which has developed a plan is able to “coordinate” with the BLM, and this process includes an elevation of the participation level of the local government to a point of notice and “meaningful” participation above and ahead of “public participation.”

Note that the statute does not limit mandatory coordination to “counties,” but rather extends it to “local government.” That language includes any unit of local government, often identified as any separate tax-raising unit of government, i.e., school districts, road districts, fire districts, irrigation districts, and cities and towns.

So, in a county where county commissioners or supervisors refuse to develop a local plan for coordination status, any school board or other tax-raising unit of government can gain coordinate

Idaho Farm Bureau producer / JULY 2010

status for itself. The ideal goal for local government would be to develop a plan by which the county, towns within the county, school districts, irrigation districts, fire districts, could all participate in the same coordination activities.

Other federal land management agencies are also required to deal with local governments on a higher plane than they do with the general public. This applies to those which operate under and implement the National Forest Management Act, Endangered Species Act, Clean Water Act, Clean Air Act, the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act, the National Preservation Act, Soil Conservation district statutes, and the National Environmental Policy Act. Two of the most important elements of coordination are prior notice and necessity of seeking consistency. First, prior notice of planning and management actions gives local government the opportunity to make its analysis, to make its recommendations, and then monitor the consistency of federal action to local plan throughout the process. The local government must receive notice even before anyone else in the general public. Second, the federal agency is required to make every practicable effort to make the federal and local position consistent. If consistency and agreement cannot be conceived, the issue of consistency goes to the Secretary of Interior.

To gain maximum impact from coordination status, a local gov-

ernment must develop and adopt a local land use and management plan, which defines the natural resource priorities in terms of the economic, social, and political customs and culture of the community.

In those areas in which livestock grazing is critical to the economy, priorities must be set with the economic backbone centralized. All local industries and uses that make up the economic strength of the community should be prioritized with regard to their dependence upon and impact upon the natural resources and environment.

Each area’s plan should be written specific to the area, taking into account the adverse impact on the economy if federal agencies restrict and reduce natural resource use. An existing plan from another area can be used as an example of format and of methods of establishing priorities, but each area must develop its own plan, specific to the area and its citizens’ needs.

An effective path to development of a plan takes one of two forks: 1. Where county supervisors or commissioners, or the governing body of the particular taxing district, want to implement coordination status, they can achieve that status by appointing a natural resource council which will put together the local plan and its priorities. They present it to the Commissioners/Supervisors for adoption, and then serve as advisors on natural resource issues to

the governing board.

2. Where the Commissioners/ Supervisors are not of a mind to develop and adopt a plan, then those of you seeking protection take up the process of developing the plan, independently. When you have finished the plan, it is up to you and your supporters to use all your persuasiveness to convince the governing board to adopt the plan.

Once the plan is adopted, the council should be appointed by the Commissioners/Supervisors to monitor actions of state and federal agencies for the purpose of making sure they maintain consistency with local plans, and of making sure that when new issues arise they take on the work of presenting amendments to the local plan to cover the new issues.

Once the local plan is adopted, the governing body must advise the Federal and State agencies that the local government is involved in land use planning within the terms of the federal statutes and regulations relating to federal-local coordination.

The advisory letter should invite the agencies to send personnel to meet with the governing body to discuss the procedure through which coordination will be implemented. That procedure should be decided upon and reduced to a written agreement in order to avoid future disputes as to how and where coordination took place. The procedure should set forth all the elements of coordination set forth in FLPMA: advance notice, opportunity for early comment and persuasion, and consistency review.

Even though FLPMA itself may not be involved in the land management issues you face, the

other federal statutes have like requirements. For example, the Secretary of Interior must give local government advance notice of any species listing decision that he intends to make under the ESA, and he must take into account any local plan relating to species before he makes a listing decision. These duties put local government at the table with U.S. Fish and Wildlife. The Clean Water Act also requires that consideration be given to local plans as to water quality, so this requirement puts participating local governments at the table with EPA and the state environmental quality agencies.

In the world of coordination, Owyhee County, Idaho and Modoc County, California (both of which have been using coordinate status to protect their citizens for the past ten years) can offer a long list of success stories about situations in which local government has brought state and federal agencies to the table for solutions which are not harmful to ranchers, farmers and water users.

Citizens who take advantage of the opportunity to organize and get their counties to the management table should be aware of the distinction between a county which demands “coordination” status with the management agencies and a county which requests “cooperating agency” status with the agencies.

When a county requests that it be made a “cooperating agency,” and the agency grants the request, some designee of the county Commissioners/Supervisors sits through the planning stages of a project with the federal employees and takes part in the planning.

No suggestions from the county

have to be included in the project; there is no obligation on the federal agency to even explain why it chooses not to include a single idea advanced by the County.

Moreover, the agency can deny the request to serve as “cooperating agency” and the County has no recourse. If the agency wants to “hammer” the county, it can grant its request to sit as “cooperating agency” and then assign it duties beyond its capabilities both financially and technically.

Then, when the County fails to perform, that factor is used by the agency to point out that the County was ineffectual, embarrassing the entire County movement.

Some Counties have designed their county plans around the request to function as a “cooperating agency.” In those cases, the federal agencies can ignore the County and the plan, and the County has no recourse.

Demand Status

For

Coordination

The “coordination” county plan is different. It is built around the concept of “coordination” as laid out in statute and in the regulations the agencies have issued for implementation of the statutes. The plans do not center on a request to be a “cooperating agency,” rather they center on a demand for “coordination” status with the agencies.

That demand cannot be ignored by the federal agencies without repercussion. From the head of each of the management agencies has come directions to work with the counties which demand coordination. The courts have upheld the coordination status of counties, and there are decisions that rejected management decisions because they failed to

coordinate with the county.

When a federal district judge ordered the delisting of the Bruneau hot spring snail several years ago in a lawsuit brought by the Farm Bureau, Owyhee Cattleman’s Association, and Owyhee County, one of the points of error on the part of the Secretary was that he did not give prior notice to the County.

So, to accomplish the type of successes experienced by Owyhee and Modoc Counties, the county must order a plan around the coordination mandates, and then demand that coordinate status created by Congress.

The first step to achieve coordinate status is to put together a group of citizens who are interested enough to work tirelessly on development of a plan and persuasion of Commissioners/ Supervisors.

It is highly recommended that this group consist of representatives of the industries of the area, Tribal representatives (if possible), business people, school board or district representatives, fire department, water users, health districts and young people who are interested in the traditions, custom and culture of the county. Young people are vital to the effort. The broader the group, the more inclusive will be your plan, and the more persuasive will be the presentation to the governing board for adoption.

It is highly recommended that anyone interested in pursuing the coordinate approach for local government attend one of the training seminars offered

by Stewards of the Range on the process of developing, gaining passage of, and then enforcing a coordinating local plan.

Idaho Farm Bureau producer / JULY 2010

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Boundary County Farm Tour The highlight of the Boundary County Farm Tour on May 21 was a visit to the Clifty View Nursery nestled between the Cabinet and Selkirk mountain ranges near Bonners Ferry. Farm Bureau member Lonny Merrfield (shown in photos) founded Clifty View in 1979 on a small portion of the family farm to provide contract grown seedlings for the forest industry. Their specialization has been in growing cold hardy quaking aspen and Colorado spruce.

Over the years Clifty View has grown into a very diverse operation providing a full range of nursery products to a nationwide customer base. They are one of the few nurseries that grow their aspen from seed. Clifty View supplies up to 500,000 aspen seedlings per year to various customers and roughly 30,000 larger aspens for landscaping. This is in addition to other species of trees including pine, juniper, fir and larch. Clifty View is one of the largest suppliers of Aspen in the country.

Lunch was provided after the Clifty View tour at the Boundary County Fairgrounds, then resumed at the Moyie Springs Lumber Mill owned by the Idaho Forest Group.

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Idaho Farm Bureau producer / JULY 2010

Jim & Carol Chamberlain demonstrate on a calf while Rod Evans DVM (left) president of CCFB assists. Third graders from Challis Elementary traveled to Chamberlain Ranch to celebrate Ag Day 2010 on May 18. The event is a tradition in Custer County. Students have made the trip to the ranch for nearly 40 years.

Custer County Farm Bureau Celebrates Ag Day The annual Ag Day Celebration at the Chamberlain Ranch near Challis came off without a hitch this year. The weather even cooperated.

Thirty students from Challis Elementary School third grade classes along with teachers Ms. Karen Williams and Mrs. Susan Evans filed off the bus at approximately 1 pm to a warm sunny spring day at the ranch. For the next two and a half hours they experienced a fun-filled learning experience about agriculture.

Rod Evans DVM and president of Custer County FB, and David Philps, a local rancher and CCFB board member introduced the Chamberlain family telling students that CCFB and Chamberlain Ranches have cooperated in holding this Ag Day Celebration for nearly 40 years.

Jim & Belynda Chamberlain and Gary and

Carol Chamberlain shepherded the students through the sheep barns with ewes and lambs, into the pens, full of sheep, to the corrals with cows and calves, and out to the horse pastures, explaining their operations and procedures while answering an almost non-stop barrage of questions. Student learned that ewes are moved into the jugs in the barn with their lambs and that some of the triplets and quads are grafted onto surrogate ewes. While watching lambs frolic around students heard Jim explain everything from docking lambs tails to shearing. In the calf pens Jim caught a day-old calf and demonstrated what is done with every newborn calf – all under the ever-watchful eye of the calf’s mother – cow number 273.

The horse pasture was next. Jim and Carol explained the horse operation and how they used horses to check on the cattle on sum-

mer range besides raising some horses to sell. Carol explained that with the current over-abundance of horses in the United States it is difficult to sell horses. Thus she did not breed any mares this year and there were no colts to watch.Throughout the tour and before the group departed back to school discussions were held about the importance of agriculture to each and every person. Because of agriculture, we have food and clothes. Students were told that every rancher produces enough food for approximately 150 other people.

As the very well-behaved, courteous, inquisitive group of 3rd graders got back on the bus, they were told they would be drawing posters about their visit. CCFB will judge the posters and award prizes to the top three winners.

Idaho Farm Bureau producer / JULY 2010

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Around Idaho This Spring All photos by Steve Ritter

hing and out sheep ranc ab d ne ar le r Weise Students from the Chandler family. by ed st ho day

ring a field

much more du

Bum lambs in a barn at Chandler Ranch near Weiser.

The IFBF Young Farmers and Ranchers Committee had a big turnout for their annual summer activity on June 19 at Steadman’s Farm at Raft River.

Parkview Cemetery ne

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Idaho Farm Bureau producer / JULY 2010

ar Cambridge on Memo rial Day.

A worker loads a planter cylinder at Purdum Produce near Fruitland. Crops are off to a slow start this spring.

A crew preparing to plant peppers at Purdum Produce near Fruitland.

A

uthwest Idaho. fence post in so a on l ul sk p bighorn shee

Idaho Farm Bureau Dairy Committee members tour the Pacific Ethanol plant in Burley

Flooded pastures along the Payette River in Gem County.

Idaho Farm Bureau producer / JULY 2010

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New Member Benefit Exclusively For Farm Bureau Members

Farm Bureau members can purchase Edwards Theater adult tickets (ages 12-59) for only $7.50. This is a saving of $2.50 per ticket on evening shows. Tickets can be purchased at Farm Bureau offices in Idaho Falls, Boise, Meridian, Nampa & Caldwell.

There are a couple of things to know about these tickets: •

These tickets are good at Edwards Theaters in Idaho Falls, Boise, Nampa, & Regal Riverstone Stadium in Coeur D'Alene.

• •

These tickets have no expiration date.

These tickets are UNRESTRICTED meaning they are valid for all movies and show times.

Tickets are non-refundable. Limit 8 tickets per purchase.

Members simply need to take these tickets to the box office and exchange them for the movie ticket of their choice.

Discount will apply only for adults going to evening shows. Do not use for children (11 & under), seniors (60 & over), or matinees.

Members should be prepared to pay a surcharge at the theater for any 3-D films, IMAX shows, and special events/private screenings since those shows are more expensive than regular shows.

• • • •

Regal Riverstone Stadium 14 Coeur D’Alene

Farm Bureau members can purchase Carmike 10 adult tickets (ages 12-64) for only $7.00.

This is a saving of $2 per ticket on evening shows. Tickets can be purchased in Pocatello at the Farm Bureau office located on Alameda or at the Farm Bureau Home Office location.

There are a couple of things to know about these tickets: •

• • • • • •

28

These tickets are good at the Carmike 10 theater in Pocatello.

These tickets are UNRESTRICTED meaning they are valid for all movies and show times (excluding 3-D and special event/private screenings) These tickets expire on December 31, 2010.

Tickets are non-refundable. Limit of 8 tickets per purchase.

Members simply need to take these tickets to the box office and exchange them for the movie ticket of their choice.

Discount will apply only for adults going to evening shows. Do not use for children (11 & under), seniors (65 & over), or matinees.

Do not use for 3-D films, IMAX shows, and special events/private screenings since those shows are more expensive than regular shows.

Idaho Farm Bureau producer / JULY 2010

Exclusively For Farm Bureau Members

Idaho Farm Bureau producer / JULY 2010

29

Defining Sustainable Agriculture

By Robert Blair What is “sustainable agriculture?” The definition of “sustain” is: (v) maintain, continue, carry on, keep up, or keep going among a few others. The antonym or opposite is “quit.”

It is difficult to find a true definition of “sustainable” in online dictionaries that are not skewed towards eco-activist type definitions.

In defining “sustainable agriculture,” the true definition would be to keep going or keep up. Those of us in production agriculture not only have to keep going, but we need to keep up with the increasing demand placed upon world agriculture production. A couple of definitions regarding “sustainable agriculture” online are: “Agriculture that is socially just, humane, economically viable, and environmentally sound” or “Agricultural practices that seek to preserve environmental integrity, foster integrate farming communities, increase farm profitability based on diversified activities, and enhance political systems that take into account all stakeholders in the farming community.” I did not realize that farmers were to grow better political systems but you get the picture?

While there were many variations defining “sustainable agriculture,” there are definitions I think most farmers would agree with and practice every day. The one I would associate myself with is: “Sustainable agriculture integrates three 30

main goals: environmental stewardship, farm profitability, and prosperous farming communities.” It does not specifically state increased food production for world demand, but today’s agriculture needs to realize that our farming community goes beyond our back 40 or city limit sign to encompass the world.

Unfortunately there are many different techniques used to thwart “sustainable agriculture.” Trade barriers, lawsuits, and short sighted governmental decisions against biotechnology are not allowing agriculture to keep up with demand in a timely manner. There are so many positives to be gained, not only for farmers and ranchers, but for every mom who budgets tight resources for quality food during these tough economic times.

I am currently at odds with the local school about “sustainable agriculture.” My son watched the movie Food Inc. (I suggest all farmers watch it to understand what the other side is thinking) which led to me wonder about the harm done to students watching the movie without proper counter arguments.

My resolve strengthened after watching the movie, especially upon the slanted view and focus that only a “John Denver” or an “American Gothic” type farmer can grow food that is acceptable in America.

There is a place and demand for “locally grown” or “organic” food which is closely associated with “sustainable agricul-

Idaho Farm Bureau producer / JULY 2010

ture,” but it cannot “sustain” levels of production to keep up with future demand. Besides, the farmers I know have always grown food locally and would relish the chance to visit with non-farmers about their crops and a chance to separate them from their money. Does the non-occurrence of this situation happen because of the apathy of the farmer or the urban person?

The question agriculture needs to ask, “Is agriculture in a downward spiral because of reducing erosion?” By relying upon pesticides brought about by governmental policy to farm certain ways and competitive environmental programs designed to make New York City and San Francisco senators and congressmen vote a certain way, is agriculture on the path to self termination?

The movie’s main focus is on “big industry” and “factory farms.” I have traveled across the United States and have yet to see smoke stacks sprouting out of fields. What I have witnessed is prime farmland, pasture land, and timberland cultivated for urban and suburban sprawl. Instead of raising wheat, corn, or other crops the land is now raising houses, quickie marts, and shopping centers. Is that the face of the new “sustainable agriculture?”

What will happen when resistance to chemicals is too great to “sustain” current levels of production? Will agriculture be allowed to do tillage to control for weeds and disease?

Will chemical companies catch a break from Congress, the media, and anti-business organizations to bring products onto the market in a timely manner and that will work properly?

Also the movie implied that farmers are bad for the environment for their practice of tilling land and applying fertilizer or pesticides. I do not know one farmer that wants to lose topsoil or apply more pesticides or fertilizer than is needed. Any business that would spend more on inputs than is needed is illogical. Furthermore, erosion rates have dropped dramatically since the 1960’s because of better pesticides, higher yielding crops leading to increased crop residue, and advancements made in tillage practices and equipment.

The battle agriculture is facing is a battle that is centuries old: The control of land and water!

There is a decreasing population of people that control both, so the “have nots” are trying to find ways to gain that control.

The method they have chosen is through media, lawsuits, and government. They play upon the emotions of grade school through high school children by not telling the complete story. I hope for the sake of American agriculture and the safety and security of our bountiful food supply that their efforts are not “sustainable.”

Robert Blair is a producer from Kendrick. He is the Nez Perce County Farm Bureau president.

Idaho Potato Stocks Up 9.5

Potato stocks held by growers, dealers, and processors in Idaho on June 1 totaled 23.0 million cwt, 2.0 million cwt more than on hand June 1, 2009, but unchanged from the amount on hand June 1, 2008. Disappearance, at 108 million cwt is up from last year’s 95.5 million cwt. Disappearance during May, at 13.5 million cwt, is the largest May disappearance since May 2005. Stocks in the 10 Southwest counties totaled 1.5 million cwt, and the Other counties’ stocks totaled 21.5 million cwt. Stocks by region could not be published for June 1, 2009 due to disclosure policy. Processors in Idaho and Malheur County, Oregon used 6.83 million cwt of 2009 crop raw potatoes during May, down 7.3 percent from May 2009. Processors in Idaho and Malheur County, Oregon have used 62.9 million cwt of 2009 crop raw potatoes to June 1, virtually the same as last year.

Idaho potatoes accounted for 55.7 million cwt of the total processed. The remaining 7.23 million cwt were produced in other states.

Nationally, the 13 major potato States held 51.3 million cwt of potatoes in storage June 1, 2010, up 13 percent from a year ago.

Potatoes in storage accounted for 13 percent of the 2009 fall

storage States’ production, one percentage point above June 1, 2009. Potato disappearance, at 333 million cwt, was 2 percent above June 1, 2009. Season-todate shrink and loss, at 28.5 million cwt, was up 20 percent from the same date in 2009.

Processors in the 9 major States have used 160 million cwt of potatoes this season, down 5 percent from the same period last year. Dehydrating usage accounted for 29.9 million cwt of the total processing, down 6 percent from last year.

Idaho Sweet Cherry Production

Idaho is expecting a sweet cherry crop of 1,500 tons in 2010, down 75 percent from last year’s record high and 21 percent lower than 2008, according to the National Agricultural Statistics Service. Idaho experienced freezing weather during pre-bloom that damaged this year’s crop. Producers are expecting a light crop.

United States sweet cherry production is forecast at 315,400 tons, down 27 percent from 2009. The Washington crop forecast of 160,000 tons is down 35 percent from 2009. The crop has fallen behind on maturity due to cool, wet weather this spring. Production in California is forecast at 90,000 tons, 15 percent higher than the 2009

production. Spring weather generated occasional rain and cool temperatures during the critical development of the crop. A strong bloom occurred in March. Oregon production is forecast at 45,000 tons, down 33 percent from 2009. Cold, wet weather conditions hindered bloom, pollination, and growth.

The Michigan crop is forecast at 17,000 tons, 41 percent below the 2009 production. A wind freeze in early April killed buds on trees on high sites that are generally less susceptible to

frost damage. New York production is forecast at 1,100 tons, 11 percent below the 2009 crop.

The majority of sweet cherries had a big bloom and the crop looked good. Only a few growers reported frost damage this year. Utah production is expected to total 800 tons, down significantly from 2009. A late frost, cold wet spring, and tree fatigue from last year’s extra heavy crop negatively impacted production, which is about half of last year’s level.

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Idaho Farm Bureau producer / JULY 2010

10HBS000 ID Farm Bureau Gem State Producer_3-69x4-5_4c_fnl.indd 1

31

5/7/2010 8:52:36 AM

Frugal Food-Shopping Remains the Norm

A new survey released by ConAgra Foods shows that despite the recent improvement in the nation’s economy overall, Americans will not be changing their shopping habits any time soon. Four out of five people surveyed (79 percent) said they do like not feel like the recession is over and most (71 percent) plan to continue the savings habits they developed during the economic downturn.

The recession continues to affect the way people shop for and prepare food. During the past year, 75 percent of Americans said they cooked more meals at home and they plan to keep doing so. About twothirds (68 percent) said cooking has helped bring their family together and just over 60 percent said they enjoy cooking now more than ever. About 80 percent of those surveyed will continue to save money by using coupons, following a budget or taking advantage of store specials. Two-thirds (63 percent) will continue to cut back on premium food purchases.

About one-third of consumers interviewed for the survey said they cut costs by stretching meals with water or canned foods or by buying more frozen or prepared meals.

32

Number of Ag-related growing 50 percent by 2050.

Jobs Grows

A new study suggests good news for college graduates with agricultural degrees.

The study predicts about 54,000 agriculture-related jobs will be created in the U.S. every year between now and 2015. That includes areas such as food, renewable energy and the environment.

The study was conducted by Purdue University and the U.S. Department of Agriculture. It says the job growth is driven in part by increased food demand in other countries.

Mike Compton is with the agriculture school at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville. He says enrollment there has increased more than 70 percent in the past 10 years, but more students are still needed.

He tells Wisconsin Public Radio that students tend to equate agriculture with farming, but most of the jobs are off the farm.

Global Food Demand Spurs Land Prices

Strong global food demand is helping drive up the value of high-quality farmland, according to J.B. Penn, chief economist for Deere & Co. For the first time the world’s ability to produce is about to be overtaken by the need for more food, with the world population

Idaho Farm Bureau producer / JULY 2010

“Most of the good land in the world today is already under cultivation,” Penn said.

Farmers National Co. of Omaha reported that recent sales of good-quality farmland reached $8,000 an acre in Illinois, $7,500 in Iowa and $7,000 in Nebraska. Sale prices of farmland grew 6.3 percent in 2009, despite the recession.

EPA Postpones Ethanol Decision Until Fall

Although EPA was expected to make a decision this month on whether or not to increase the maximum ethanol blend in motor fuel from 10 percent to 15 percent, ethanol energy producers will have to wait out the summer.

A decision will come after tests on vehicles built after 2007, conducted by the Energy Department, are completed. According to EPA, preliminary tests are positive and should be completed by early fall.

Ethanol groups like Growth Energy would like to see an interim period increase of 12 percent citing the Gulf catastrophe as an incentive to pursue the use of alternative fuels more fervently. The industry touts the proposed ethanol

blend increase as safe and environmentally friendly step.

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack called EPA announcement “a significant step forward” for ethanol producers. Producers are anxious to hear a definite answer as this is the second time the EPA has announced a delay of its decision on the possible blend increase.

Livestock Risk Protection Program Available

SPOKANE, WASHINGTON, -- The Risk Management Agency’s (RMA) Spokane Regional Office would like to remind Pacific Northwest livestock producers that the Livestock Risk Protection (LRP) program is available in all counties in Idaho, Oregon and Washington. LRP insurance plans include Fed Cattle, Feeder Cattle, Lamb and Swine.

LRP coverage protects the policyholder from downward price risk during the insurance period. It does not cover any other peril (e.g., mortality, condemnation, physical damage, disease, individual marketing decisions, local price deviations or any other cause of loss).

There are two steps to buy LRP coverage: 1) producers

must submit an application.

Once the application is approved, the livestock crop insurance provider will assign a policy number; and 2) the producer activates coverage at any time by applying for a Specific Coverage Endorsement (SCE). No insurance coverage is provided until the producer submits an SCE. Insurance will attach immediately when RMA confirms the SCE has been accepted.

Premiums are due on the day an LRP insurance endorsement is purchased and includes a 13-percent subsidy on the premium from RMA. To determine a premium, an insured producer will select the appropriate insurance period covering the expected sell or slaughter date; choose a coverage price based on the chosen coverage period; provide the number of livestock expected to be ready for sale or slaughter at the end date and the target weight at time of slaughter; and the percentage share of ownership in livestock to be insured.

Sales for the 2011 crop year will begin July 1, 2010 and continue through June 30, 2011 (or until the maximum underwriting capacity (as established by the Federal Crop Insurance Corporation) is reached). Cattle and swine producers are encouraged to contact a local livestock insurance agent to learn additional details. Federal crop insurance program policies are sold and delivered solely through private crop and livestock insurance companies. A list of livestock crop insurance agents is available at all USDA Service Centers throughout the U.S. or at the RMA Web site

address: http://www3.rma. usda.gov/tools/agents

Report Compares Grain, Forage-based Beef Systems

USDA’S monthly Dairy, Livestock and Poultry report released Friday analyzes the similarities and differences between grain-fed and foragebased production systems and the beef they produce.

The report notes that grass-finished cattle produce leaner beef than grain-fed animals. Meat from grass-finished animals has more Omega-3 fatty acids.

Continued growth in “nichemarket” demand for foragebased beef could lead to higher production costs and reduced beef supplies. The report says some cows may need to be culled to create room for more forage land.

“As in most cases, consumers drive production decisions, and as consumer preferences continue to shift toward products from more forage-based production systems, solutions will need to be found to many actual or anticipated short-term constraints on producing the desired final beef products,” according to the report.

according to the American Farm Bureau Federation. The document spells out new and costly requirements for local meat processors under the Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point Systems Validation proposal.

In a letter to FSIS, Farm Bureau stated that many of its members who raise livestock “rely on small and independent meat processors” to process meat they raise for their own consumption. In addition, local meat processors offer farmers and ranchers “opportunities to create specialty and value-added products marketed through niche outlets.” “(Local meat processing) fa-

cilities are most at risk from increased costs due to (new validation costs for) multiple species and multiple products, with a relatively low volume over which to spread those costs,” AFBF’s letter stated.

“The loss of small and very small establishments would be devastating to our livestockproducing members.”

Hundreds of small, independent meat processors have expressed concern to AFBF over the last three months regarding the damaging economic consequences of the proposed rule.

Increased compliance costs ranged from $65,000 to approximately $640,000 per year for those local plants.

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Regulations Endanger Small Meat Processors

Small and independent meat processors are at significant economic risk due to increased regulatory costs included in a preliminary draft guidance document issued by the Food Safety and Inspection Service,

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34

Idaho Farm Bureau producer / JULY 2010

Cattle Outlook June 18, 2010 Retail beef prices in May were 3% higher than a year ago. The average price of a pound of choice beef in grocery stores during May was $4.463, up 2.3 cents from April and up 12.8 cents from May 2009. All of the increase went into fed cattle prices as the middlemen’s margin shrank by 12.3 cents/pound compared to May 2009. Live prices of slaughter steers during May averaged $98.70/cwt, unchanged from April and $14/cwt higher than May 2009.

Despite the higher retail price, our domestic beef demand index was down in May. Adjusted for inflation, May choice beef prices were up 1%.

With steady demand, consumption should have dropped by slightly less than 1%, but preliminary data indicates per capita beef consumption was down 5%.

After dropping for 5 consecutive weeks, the boxed beef cutout rose a bit this week. On Friday morning, the choice boxed beef carcass cutout value was $1.5418/pound, up 0.81 cents for the week and 14.94 cents higher than last year. The select cutout was up 0.59 cents from the previous Friday to $1.461 per pound. The choice-select spread is 8.08 cents which is more typical than the tight spreads during the last 17 months.

Fed cattle prices were down again this week. The 5-area daily weighted average price for slaughter steers sold through Thursday of this week on a live weight basis was $91.03/cwt, down $1.70 from a week earlier,

down $8 from mid May, but $9.84 higher than a year ago. Steers sold on a dressed weight basis this week averaged $146.47/cwt, $3.51 lower than the week before, but $15.91 higher than last year.

This week’s cattle slaughter totaled 667,000 head, up 0.9% from the previous week and down 0.9% compared to the same week last year.

Steer carcass weights averaged 817 pounds during the week ending June 5.

That was up 7 pounds from the week before, but 11 pounds lighter than a year ago. This was the 28th consecutive week with steer weights below year earlier levels.

Cash bids for feeder cattle this week were unevenly steady around the country. Oklahoma City was called $1 to $4 higher. The price ranges at Oklahoma City for medium and large frame steers were: 400-450# $133$134.50, 450-500# $129.25-$136, 500-550# $129-$131.25, 550-600# NA, 600-650# $112.50-$116.75, 650-700# $112.75-$116, 700-750# $112$114.50, 750-800# $111.85-$114.50, and 800-1000# $98.85-$112.60/cwt.

The June fed cattle futures contract ended the week at $89.30/cwt, down 20 cents compared to the previous Friday. The August contract gained 93 cents this week to end at $88.20/cwt. The October contract settled at $89.25.

The June cattle on feed report said May placements were up 23.4% and May marketings were down 4.3%. The June 1 inventory of cattle on feed is up 0.8%. All three numbers are in line with pre=release trade estimates.

Source: University of Missouri - Columbia

Idaho Farm Bureau producer / JULY 2010

35

FARM BUREAU ONLINE INSTRUCTIONS

1. Go to www.sandiegozoo.com 2. On the main page click on “buy tickets” in the upper right hand corner of the screen. Select the number of adults and children going and click on “BUY” button just to the right of the numbers.

3. The next screen will show your totals. Near the bottom is a box that reads “Promotional Code”. In that box type 2005-USG-156 and click submit. The Farm Bureau discount will then be applied.

Farm Bureau Members Save

$4

All Idaho Farm Bureau members are eligible for discounts given to Shamu Club members.

FARM BUREAU COMMODITY REPORT GRAIN PRICES

05/24/2010

06/23/2010

Trend

4.70 4.98-5.06 6.40 N/A 169.75-170.25

4.53 N/A 6.57 N/A 161.00-161.25

- .17 N/A + .17 N/A - 8.75 to - 9.00

4.07 3.89 5.14 6.14

4.00 3.76 5.29 6.30

3.85 3.69 5.25 6.35

3.70 3.59 5.21 5.94

- .07 - .13 + .15 + .16

- .15 - .10 - .04 - .41

White Wheat 11% Winter 14% Spring Barley

3.94

3.70

- .24

White Wheat (cwt) (Bushel)

6.33 3.80

6.08 3.65

4.50 111.50

4.25 111.50

- .25 - .15

- .25 Steady

30.00 N/A N/A 30.00 30.00

28.00-30.00 N/A N/A 30.00 30.00

- 2.00 to steady N/A N/A Steady Steady

Portland:

White Wheat 11% Winter 14% Spring Barley (export barges) Corn

Ogden:

White Wheat 11% Winter 14% Spring Barley

Pocatello:

White Wheat 11% Winter 14% Spring Barley

Burley:

3.72 3.73 to SeaWorld + .01 For member coupons in 5.01 5.05 + .04 5.25 or Orlando 5.25 contact Steady San Diego Joel at

Nampa: 208-239-4289.

All Idaho Farm Bureau members are eligible for discounts given to Shamu Club members.

Lewiston:

White Wheat Barley

BEAN PRICES:

Pinto Great Northern Small White Pink

Small Red

LIVESTOCK PRICES

Feeder Steers

Under 500 lbs 500-700 lbs 700-900 lbs Over 900 lbs

Feeder Heifers Under 500 lbs 500-700 lbs 700-900 lbs Over 900 lbs

Holstein Steers Under 700 lbs Over 700 lbs

Cows

For member coupons to SeaWorld in San Diego or Orlando contact Joel at 208-239-4289.

Utility/Commercial Canner & Cutter

Stock Cows Bulls

Slaughter

05/24/10

06/22/10

Trend

115-141 97-139 90-114 85-101

101-140 97-132 85-110 88-98

- 14 to - 1 steady to - 7 - 5 to - 4 + 3 to - 3

95-133 87-124 75-106 80-93

97-132 87-125 73-90 N/A

+ 2 to - 1 steady to + 1 - 2 to - 16 N/A

74-101 64-87

65-102 65-81

- 9 to + 1 + 1 to - 6

41-75 35-64

43-68 35-60

+ 2 to - 7 Steady to - 4

650-975

700-900

+ 50 to - 75

53-88

47-84

Compiled by the Idaho Farm Bureau Commodity Division 36

Idaho Farm Bureau producer / JULY 2010

- 6 to - 4

IDaho Hay Report All classes of Alfalfa traded steady. First reported prices of Green Chop so trend not applicable. Buyer demand moderate to good for all classes of hay. Trading activity light on light hay supplies. Producers in the Western and Central regions of the state are busy cutting hay. Eastern area will begin soon as well.

Tons Price

Alfalfa Domestic Cattle Mid/Ton-3x3x8,3x4x8,4x4x8 Fair 1,500 65.00-65.00

Wtd Avg

65.00

Other hay: 1,270 Tons: Domestic Cattle Supreme Alfalfa Mid/Ton-3x3x8,3x4x8,4x4x8 previous year’s production 35 tons 150.00 Delivered.

Domestic Cattle Fair Alfalfa Mid/Ton-3x3x8,3x4x8,4x4x8 previous year’s production 35 tons 115.00 Delivered.

Domestic Cattle Good/Premium Alfalfa Standing green chop 1,200 tons 18.00 FOB. Alfalfa hay test guidelines, (for domestic livestock use and not more than 10% grass), used with visual appearance and intent of sale Quantitative factors are approximate and many factors can affect feeding value.

June 22, 2010 IDAHO---Open-market trading by processors with growers was inactive.

POTATOES FOR PROCESSING 5 Year Grain Comparison Grain Prices................06/20/2006...................06/20/2007.................. 06/24/2008.................06/23/2009...........................

06/23/2010 Portland: White Wheat..................... 3.74................................6.08.................................N/A ............................5.75 ............................ 4.53 11% Winter...................5.18-5.25.......................6.26-6.30............................N/A .......... 6.15-6.30 .............N/A 14% Spring........................ 5.66...............................6.59...............................10.91..............................7.78 .......................... 6.57 Barley (ton)........................N/A ............. 160.00-167 ....................N/A ................. N/A .......................N/A Corn............N/A 181-181.75.293-296.25 .................171.75 ........161.00-161.25 Ogden: White Wheat..................... 3.38............................... 5.12................................7.70 ............................4.64............................. 4.00 11% Winter....................... 4.23...............................5.36................................8.77 ............................5.28 ........................... 3.76 14 % Spring...................... 4.55...............................5.63................................9.58 ............................6.62 .......................... 5.29 Barley.................................4.80...............................7.30................................9.60 ............................6.86 .......................... 6.30 Pocatello: White Wheat..................... 3.25...............................4.85................................7.15 ............................4.55.............................

11% Winter.......................4.04...............................5.08................................8.30 ............................4.74 ...........................

14% Spring........................ 4.45...............................5.53................................9.18 ............................6.43 ...........................

Barley.................................4.00...............................7.20................................9.00 ..........................6.65 ..........................

3.70 3.59 5.21 5.94

Burley: White Wheat......................N/A .............................4.85................................6.95 ............................4.35.............................

11% Winter........................N/A .............................5.01................................8.14 ............................4.99 ..........................

14% Spring.........................N/A .............................5.35................................8/87 .............................6.28 ..........................

Barley..................................N/A .............................6.50................................9.50 ..........................5.75 ...........................

3.70 3.73 5.05 5.25

Nampa: White Wheat (cwt).......... 4.87...............................8.67...............................12.08..............................7.75............................ 6.08 (bushel)........... 2.92...............................5.20................................7.25 ............................4.65............................. 3.65 Lewiston: White Wheat..................... 3.46...............................5.75................................8.25 ............................5.45............................ 4.25 Barley................................ 95.50 ..........................153.50 ..........................211.50...........................126.50......................... 111.50 Bean Prices: Pintos................................18.00 ..........25.00 .................33.00 ........... N/A 28.00-30.00 Great Northerns.................N/A ..................N/A.................................N/A ........................ N/A Small Whites......................N/A .............................N/A .................N/A ............... N/A Pinks............................19.00-20.00...................22.00-23.00..........................N/A ............... N/A Small Reds...................19.00-20.00...................23.00-25.00..........................N/A ........ N/A

................ ................N/A ................N/A ....... 30.00 ....... 30.00

IDAHO MILK PRODUCTION UP 1.8% Idaho milk production during May 2010 totaled 1.08 billion pounds, a 1.8 percent increase from the same month last year, and up 4.4 percent from April 2010, according to the National Agricultural Statistics Service. April 2010 milk production was revised to 1.03 billion pounds, up 5 million pounds from the preliminary level.

Average milk production per cow in May 2010 was 1,930 pounds, up 20 pounds from May 2009. The average number of milk cows during May was 557,000 head, up 4,000 from May 2009, but unchanged from April 2010.

Milk production in the 23 major States during May totaled 15.7 billion pounds, up 1.3 percent from May 2009. April revised production at 15.2 billion pounds, was up 1.8 percent from April 2009. The April revision represented an increase of 14 million pounds or 0.1 percent from last month’s preliminary production estimate.

Production per cow in the 23 major States averaged 1,889 pounds for May, 55 pounds above May 2009. The number of milk cows on farms in the 23 major States was 8.33 million head, 143,000 head less than May 2009, but 4,000 head more than April 2010.

Idaho Farm Bureau producer / JULY 2010

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5 Year livestock comparison .....................................06/20/2006...................06/20/2007.................. 06/24/2008.................06/23/2009.................06/22/2010 Under 400 lbs................ 116-165 ........................108-139.........................120-130 .....................94-124 .................. 101-140 400-600 lbs................... 114-144 ........................97-131 ..........................94-125 .........................88-115 ....................... 97-132 600-800 lbs....................96-121 .........................86-119 ..........................88-119 ......................77-107 ........................85-98 Over 800 lbs...................85-103...........................77-101............................88-107..........................80-86 ..........................88-98 Feeder Heifers Under 400 lbs................ 110-143.........................106-125.........................103-120 .....................85-113 ....................... 97-132 400-600 lbs................... 102-136..........................91-120 ..........................94-117 ......................83-114 ....................... 87-125 600-800 lbs.....................91-116............................78-110............................87-110........................... 74-94 .........................73-90 Over 800 lbs.78-99 71-97 .....81-101...............................N/A .......................... N/A Holstein Steers Under 700 lbs................. 67-110............................62-88 ...........................55-74 ...........................48-74 ........................65-102 Over 700 lbs....................55-87 ...........................51-81 ............................50-70 .......................... 45-60 ..........................65-81 Cows Utility/Commercial...........38-56.............................35-64.............................38-68............................33-53............................43-68 Canner & Cutter..............28-49.............................28-52.............................29-57............................ 22-45............................35-60 Stock Cows.....................600-1000 .....................550-800 ..................... 650-850 .................... 570-1080.......................700-900 Bulls – Slaughter............44-64.............................53-68.............................47-72............................ 43-67 .........................47-84

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Idaho Farm Bureau producer / JULY 2010

Idaho Cattle on Feed Up From Previous Year

June 18, 2010 Cattle and calves on feed for the slaughter market in Idaho from feedlots with a capacity of 1,000 or more head on June 1, 2010 totaled 210,000 head, up 5,000 head from June 1, 2009, according to the National Agricultural Statistics Service. The cattle on feed inventory is unchanged from the May 1, 2010. Placements of cattle in feedlots with a capacity of 1,000 or more head during May totaled 32,000 head, down 3,000 head from May 2009 placements. Marketings of cattle from feedlots with 1,000 head or more during May totaled 31,000 head, down 8,000 head from the same month a year ago. Other disappearance totaled 1,000 during May. Cattle and calves on feed for slaughter market in the United States for feedlots with capacity of 1,000 or more head totaled 10.5 million head on June 1, 2010. The inventory was 1 percent above June 1, 2009. Placements in feedlots during May totaled 2.02 million, 23 percent above 2009. Net placements were 1.92 million head. During May, placements of cattle and calves weighing less than 600 pounds were 445,000, 600-699 pounds were 405,000, 700-799 pounds were 537,000, and 800 pounds and greater were 635,000. Marketings of fed cattle during May totaled 1.87 million, 4 percent below 2009. This is the lowest fed cattle marketings for the month of May since the series began in 1996. Other disappearance totaled 102,000 during May, 1 percent above 2009.

Classifieds Animals

Help Wanted

Recreational Equipment

Wanted

Beautiful buckskin filly, 2 yr old AQHA . Doc’s Hickory, Freckles Playboy, Peponita, Miss-NCash, Docs Jack Frost. Gentle, loves people, but is also big, powerful, and extremely athletic. Has been ridden. Darlington, Id 208-588-2433 or 339-2434

Appraisal Career Opportunity - Recession proof business. Our top appraisers earn over $100,000/year appraising livestock and equipment. Agricultural background required.

Classroom or Home Study courses available.

(800) 488-7570. www.amagappraisers.com

2000 Holiday rambler 33ft motorhome. 30,000 miles. 1-slide. Air conditioning, awning, queen bed, excellent condition. $29,000.00 Phone 208-251-1240

Paying cash for German & Japanese war relics/souvenirs! Pistols, rifles, swords, daggers, flags, scopes, optical equipment, uniforms, helmets, machine guns (ATF rules apply) medals, flags, etc. 549-3841 (evenings) or 405-9338

Buckskin Stallion, AQHA Doc Bar, Miss-NCash. Beautiful, athletic. Standing $350 LFG. Also for sale. Darlington, Id. 208-588-2433 or 339-2434

Miscellaneous

2003 Honda Shadow Spirit, 1100cc motorcycle, 14,500 miles, black & chrome, mint condition. $4500.00 OBO. 208-3571845

Old License Plates Wanted: Also key chain license plates, old signs, light fixtures. Will pay cash. Please email, call or write. Gary Peterson, 130 E Pecan, Genesee, Id 83832. gearlep@gmail.com 285-1258

Wanted

DEADLINE DATES: ADS MUST BE RECEIVED BY JULY 20 FOR NEXT ISSUE.

AQHA gray mare, 7 years old. Very sweet disposition. Smart Olena blood lines from Wyoming, $4000.00 OBO. 208-357-1845

Farm Equipment Custom Grain Harvesting, will travel from Burley to Ashton or Grace. Call Doug 208604-2417 John Deere 830 Swather - $1200, New Holland 280 Baler - $400, New Holland 1030 Bale Wagon - $1500, O.B.O. American Falls, ID Phone 208-226-7869 Balewagons: New Holland self-propelled or pull-type models. Also interested in buying balewagons. Will consider any model. Call Jim Wilhite at 208-880-2889 anytime

Flowers for Sale - I have cosmos, marigolds, spitaca, lilies, poppies and more. You dig. $1 per gallon. Nampa, Id. 208-466-5917 Flag poles by Old Sarge. Custom made from 2” galvanized poles. Any length, 16-30 ft.

Check us out. Call Wilford. Inkom, Id 208775-3490

Real Estate/Acreage $287,500.00 Horse Property Lewiston, Idaho, 1.31 acres, all fenced with iron fence, 3Bdrms, 2bath, hardwood floors, hay barn w/3stalls, shop w/wood stove, round pen, pads, pasture, garden, plus more 208-8160254 or email:volk@westcombb.com 20 acres or 49 acres, Silver Creek area in Blaine County. Beautiful location, views of valley all around. Pasture land or crops.

Nice ranch or small farm. Call for more information. 208-788-5160

Free Classified ads online for Farm Bureau members.

www.idahofbclassifieds.com

Vehicles

Small family cow. Jersey or Guernsey preferred. Rupert, Id. 208-436-985 Wanted - A land owner that will allow an older Farm Bureau member to hunt whitetail deer for a reasonable fee or exchange for work. 208-584-3662 Want to buy old firearms, working or not working, reasonably priced for decorating my cabin. Please call 208-251-1523

FREE CLASSIFIEDS Non commercial classified ads are free to Idaho Farm Bureau members.

Must include membership number for free ad. Forty (40) words maximum.

Non-member cost- 50 cents per word. You may advertise your own crops, livestock, used machinery, household items, vehicles, etc. Ads will not be accepted by phone. Ads run one time only and must be re-submitted in each subsequent issue. We reserve the right to refuse to run any ad. Please type or print clearly. Proof-read your ad.

Mail ad copy to: GEM STATE PRODUCER P.O. Box 4848, Pocatello, ID 83205-4848 or email Dixie at DASHTON@IDAHOFB.ORG Name: __________________________________________________________________________ Address: _________________________________________________________________________ City / State / Zip: __________________________________________________________________ Phone: _____________________________________ Membership No. ___________________ Ad Copy: ________________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________________

Idaho Farm Bureau producer / JULY 2010

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