October 2014, Volume 18, Issue 7

October 2014 • Volume 18, Issue 7

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Cereal Crop Damage Widespread

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North Counties Disappointed with New Forest Plan

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Idaho Farm Bureau

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Election Information

Harvest 2014: A Bounty of Rewards and Challenges

By Bob Stallman AFBF President

Harvest season is upon us, bringing with it that perfect blend of sunshine, crisp air and golden fields.

While it is a farmer’s nature, it is harder for many of us to complain about the weather we have enjoyed this summer.

High

Pressure

System

The Ag Agenda Drought persists in some areas, but ideal weather elsewhere has our fields brimming with life and ripe for harvest. The farm-prices forecast, on the other hand, is less sunny. The bountiful harvest is putting pressure on crop prices: USDA projects mid-point pricing of $3.50 per bushel for corn and $10 per bushel for soybeans. These would be the lowest prices we’ve seen since 200910, possibly the lowest since 2006-

07. With production costs higher than when we last saw prices at this level, USDA projects net farm income will drop 14 percent.

site are reasons for rural voters to be concerned.

America’s farmers aren’t the only ones with big harvests this year. Commodity production abroad has been higher than usual to keep up with the demands of the global market.

Just as one harvest can vary widely See STALLMAN, page 6

The Idaho Farm Bureau Federation does not endorse candidates for statewide offices. However, statements posted on Idaho Gubernatorial Candidate A.J. Balukoff’s web-

What do you think about the state wolf-control panel that Gov. Otter and the Legislature created this year?

tion-year politics than an attempt to create informed public policy.

First of all, we don’t need to spend $400,000 a year on another state board or bureaucracy to manage wolves—especially not when our state faces so many other critical needs, like public schools. That responsibility should fall within the state Department of Fish and Game, as does the management of all big game and other predators, like mountain lions, bears, and

“I think that was more about elec-

See PRIESTLEY, page 7

Celebrating Idaho Farm Bureau’s 75th Anniversary

hoans have paid high premiums for water use, both economically and emotionally. The intense emotions that surround water issues in Idaho have destroyed families, obliterated lifelong friendships, and even led to the shedding of blood. Water rights are a serious matter in Idaho and will continue to be a subject of controversy in the future as the need for water increases.

ter use claims made by miners during the California Gold Rush. The early California courts introduced a doctrine of “first in time, first in right” to resolve those conflicts.

Western courts extended the mining doctrine of “first in time, first in right” or prior appropriation to all water conflicts. Idaho has long recognized the doctrine of prior appropriation and has protected the doctrine by incorporating it into the state constitution.

Gubernatorial Candidate Lacks Rural Perspective

By Frank Priestley President Idaho Farm Bureau Federation

“Water is for Fighting”

By Rick Keller

CEO Idaho Farm Bureau Federation

American author Mark Twain is credited for saying: “Whiskey is for drinking, water is for fighting.”

That phrase correctly identifies water issues in Idaho. Historically, Ida2

Idaho Farm Bureau producer / OctoBER 2014

We believe Idaho voters should be aware of and informed about the candidate’s position on wolves, monument designations and several others. The following statement is one example:

Water in the West is scarce and demand is consequently very high.

Western water law was originally developed to resolve conflicting wa-

See KELLER, page 6

Volume 18, Issue 7

IFBF OFFICERS President ................................... Frank Priestley, Franklin Vice President ...................................Mark Trupp, Driggs Executive Vice President ............................... Rick Keller BOARD OF DIRECTORS Bryan Searle ............................................................Shelley Mark Harris ................................................. Soda Springs Chris Dalley ....................................................... Blackfoot Dean Schwendiman ........................................... Newdale Danny Ferguson ........................................................Rigby Scott Steele ..................................................... Idaho Falls Gerald Marchant .................................................. Oakley Rick Pearson ................................................... Hagerman Rick Brune............................................................Hazelton Curt Krantz ............................................................. Parma Cody Chandler....................................................... Weiser Tracy Walton ........................................................ Emmett Marjorie French ............................................... Princeton Alton Howell ................................................ Careywood Tom Daniel ............................................... Bonners Ferry Carol Guthrie ......................................................... Inkom Luke Pearce ............................................. New Plymouth STAFF Dir. of Admin. Services ....................... Nancy Shiozawa Dir. of Organization............................... Dennis Brower Commodities & Marketing Assistant ........... Peg Pratt Member Services Assistant ..................... Peggy Moore Publice Relations Assistant ...................... Dixie Ashton Dist. I Regional Manager ........................... Justin Patten Dist. I1 Regional Manager ..............................Zak Miller Dist. III Regional Manager .................. Charles Garner Dist. IV Regional Manager ..........................Brody Miller Dist. V Regional Manager ....................... Bob Smathers Dir. of Governmental Affairs ................Russ Hendricks Asst. Dir. of Governmental Affairs .... Dennis Tanikuni Energy/Natural Resources ....................... Bob Geddes Director of Public Relations .............. John Thompson Video Services Manager ............................ Steve Ritter Broadcast Services Manager ..................... Jake Putnam Office Manager, Boise .................... Julie Christoffersen 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.

Periodicals postage paid at Pocatello, Idaho, and additional mailing offices.

Subscription rate: $6.00 per year included in Farm Bureau dues.

MAGAZINE CONTACTS: Idaho Farm Bureau Federation EDITOR (208) 239-4292 • ADS (208) 239-4279 E-MAIL: dashton@idahofb.org www.idahofb.org

Cover: This image photographed by Aubrey Banks of Bancroft is the winner of the Editor’s Choice award for this year’s photo contest. For more photo contest winners look on page 10.

The proclamation signed September 15th declaring Farm Bureau Day.

Governor Otter Declares September 15th Idaho Farm Bureau Day

By Jake Putnam Boise—In a Statehouse ceremony, Idaho Governor Butch Otter proclaimed September 15th, Idaho Farm Bureau day in Idaho.

“We’re here to celebrate a milestone and that’s the 75th Anniversary of the Idaho Farm Bureau. And it’s my honor and duty as the Governor of the State to sign a proclamation from the office of the Governor,” Governor Otter told the festive crowd.

95-year old Frances Field watched from a front row seat in the Capitol Rotunda. She’s the wife of former Idaho Farm Bureau President Oscar Field and the ceremony brought special gratification to her.

“It’s been an honor for me to be a part of the Farm Bureau,” said Field. She graduated from Albion Normal School in 1939, just a short See FARM BUREAU DAY page 4 Idaho Farm Bureau producer / October 2014

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FARM BUREAU DAY

Continued from page 3

drive from where Farm Bureau was formed back in September of that year. She served 11 terms in the Legislature and chaired the Farm Bureau’s Women’s Committee. The Farm Bureau matriarch says the proclamation signing was an event she couldn’t miss.

“The Farm Bureau’s been a place where we could express ourselves,” added Field. “We could be around others that felt the same way we did about farming. People especially farm groups looked up to us and we did our best to keep America safe and keep America well fed, and this is a great day.”

In front of a large crowd of farmers and state officials many lifetime members like Field, crowded the Rotunda and listened intently as the Governor read the proclamation: “From this Office,” said Otter. “Whereas the Idaho Farm Bureau Federation was organized 75 years ago, On September 15th 1939 in Murtaugh, Idaho as a voluntary membership based, farm advocacy organization established to work for the well-being of farm and ranch families, and whereas the Idaho Farm Bureau Federation remains a voluntary, grassroots organization dedicated to strengthening and protecting the rights and

values and property of our member families and their neighbors, Now therefore I, C.L. Butch Otter, Governor of the Great State of Idaho, do hereby proclaim September 15th of 2014, the Idaho Farm Bureau Federation Day in honor of Idaho Farm Bureau Federation’s 75th Anniversary.

The Statehouse erupted in applause as Idaho Farm Bureau president Frank Priestly stepped forward and told the group that the organization had come a long way from the original 10 founders back in 1939.

“This year we think we’re going to top 72,000 member families and we think that’s a pretty good show from 1939 to now. We were needed then just as now,” President Priestley said.

Farm Bureau Executive Vice President Rick Keller says agriculture has changed greatly in 75 years, but the harvests and work in the field remain timeless.

“Even today we have farmers and ranchers out on their combines trying to get the crops in. We’ve had a difficult time this year and the prices are down low, lower than we’ve been accustomed. Sometimes things don’t change in 75 years, we face the same battles but we

keep moving forward and we appreciate this organization,” Keller said.

“It’s such a wonderful organization because it brought all farmers in,” Field added. “It was diverse and when Farm Bureau stood by a policy, it was a policy all farmers could stand by.”

In 1939 the founding 10 farmers gathered the night of Friday September 15th in Murtaugh.

They drove there after the work was done during the thick of harvest. Their mission was to form a state Farm Bureau with a rigid mission statement of protecting farms and gaining a state and nationwide voice for agriculture. At the time there were just a handful of active county Farm Bureaus in the State that were gaining influence but after that night with a new Federation they became stronger.

The Farm Bureau representatives in attendance came from the Murtaugh, Filer, Tyhee, Grace and Lava Hot Springs Farm Bureaus.

The leaders talked, debated and then voted to form the Idaho Farm Bureau and join forces with the powerful American Farm Bureau an alliance that ultimately gave them a voice on Capitol Hill.

During the depression years, decisions made in Washington D.C. and the Statehouse had negative impacts on small family farms. At the time farmers didn’t have much of a voice in American politics, despite the fact that they were responsible for a significant sector of the economy. In turn Idaho farmers adopted a model used in several other Western states with hopes of gaining a political voice at the state and national level.

“For over seven decades now this organization has served the state as “The Voice of Idaho Agriculture,” said Governor Otter.

A crowd gathered in the Idaho State Capitol Rotunda in recognition of Idaho Farm Bureau Day. Photo by Steve Ritter

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Idaho Farm Bureau producer / OctoBER 2014

“There were hard times back then,” said Priestley. “We were in the thick of the depression and farmers were barely hanging on. We needed a safety net so they formed a federation that addressed their political needs. Later in 1947 the Federation added an insurance company to help protect member farms from disasters. Seven decades later the founding fathers concepts live on,” said Priestley.

An August storm poised to rain on ripe grain fields in southern Idaho. Photo by Steve Ritter

Southern Idaho Disaster Declarations mount

By Jake Putnam Crop damage caused by heavy rain in August could top $11 million in Twin Falls County alone, officials said.

A series of rainstorms in August caused severe damage across southern and eastern Idaho, just as cereal crops were ripening.

Alfalfa was also damaged throughout the regions and there is concern that the series of storms stopped the potato crop from bulking at a critical time.

“Most of the barley crop in this county is wiped out,” said Hazelton farmer Rick Brune.

On average rainfall across southern Idaho was more than an inch or more above the normal amount for August. Parts of Bingham County saw an astonishing 6 inches of rain. Twin Falls was also hit hard with 4 inches of rain above normal. Rexburg recorded 1.94 inches, Malta received 2.10; and Lava Hot Springs received 2.26. All that rain turned fields to mud and allowed

producers just 4.5 days for fieldwork over three weeks, dragging harvest to a halt.

State and Federal officials are still tabulating heavy damage reports in at least seven other Idaho counties.

“I had a farmer in the Burley area tell me he’s never seen anything like it,” said Travis Jones of the Idaho Grain Producers Association. “The storms caused mildew, smut, all the fungus diseases because of all the moisture. But it’s still too early to tell how much damage we actually have.”

Twin Falls County farmers report more than fifty percent of the grain crop was lost due to the rain. Early estimates reveal that crop losses could top the $11 million dollar mark for just that county. Damage amounts are not available for the rest of the counties because of the slow, lingering harvest.

Jefferson County reported to the USDA last week that premature sprouting in their barley crop degraded the quality from malting to feed-only grade barley. Overall

producers rate Idaho barley as 9 percent very poor, 15 percent poor, 35 percent fair, 39 percent good and 2 percent excellent.

“There are farmers that lost 100 percent of their malt barley crop,” said Brune. “They also had heavy losses to wheat. Think about it, they lost basically 50 percent of this year’s income to the storms. There’s still wheat and barley that’s piled up beside fields, piles of rotting grain that doesn’t have a home yet.”

Barley that doesn’t pass muster for malt is marketed as animal feed to recoup losses.

Idaho barley harvested before the storm fetched more than $12 per hundredweight.

If sold as animal feed it will fetch just a fraction of that price, according to Brune.

“I got my malt barley done just before the rain started,” Brune said. “I did have a little bit that went to feed barley, but that was planned. I’m not as bad off as most of these guys are this year.”

See WHEAT DAMAGE page 25

Idaho Farm Bureau producer / October 2014

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STALLMAN

Continued from page 2

from the last, the prospects for some sectors of agriculture are much brighter due to the tsunami of grain we are about to see. This year’s big harvest adds up to good news for farmers and ranchers feeding livestock and rebuilding herds after a long dry spell. After several challenging years, the outlook is good.

Cattle prices even hit a record high earlier this year. Lower feed costs will give livestock and poultry producers a chance to regroup and rebuild.

The crop price forecast is not as

KELLER

Continued from page 2 A 1982 Idaho Supreme Court decision ruled that Idaho Power had senior water rights and subsequently Idaho Power sued 7,500 farm water users, demanding they quit using water Idaho Power claimed to power its dams. The war was on. In 1983, the IFBF Board of Directors supported subordination of Idaho Power Company’s water rights to upstream development.

In an effort to resolve thousands of water rights claims, an agreement to support water rights adjudication legislation was reached in 1984 between the Governor of Idaho, the Attorney General of Idaho and Idaho Power. The Snake River Basin Adjudication (SRBA) judicial process was established. Thirty years after the agreement, this August, water rights in the Snake River Basin essentially are settled.

The journey had its moments, with ups and downs. In 2004, the Nez Perce Tribe along with several federal agencies, the 6

ideal as the weather, but most farmers I know would rather have a bumper crop in their fields.

Snail Rail American farmers have worked together time and again to support public policy that allows agriculture to succeed, but our ability to address some challenges is limited. An example is the current rail congestion in the upper Midwest, where a booming energy industry is creating high demand for rail cars.

Booming industry sounds like a good problem, if you had to choose one. But the infrastrucState of Idaho and Idaho water users (including select irrigation districts, canal companies, municipalities, industries and timber companies) agreed upon a proposed settlement to a longstanding dispute over various water rights claims of the Nez Perce Tribe. Following a sixmonth review by the IFBF, its delegates from throughout the state voted to oppose the agreement by a 3-to-1 margin.

IFBF was one of few organizations who opposed the agreement. IFBF’s opposition was for three fundamental reasons: the agreement undermines private property rights, it undermines Idaho’s agriculture-based economy, and it undermines the democratic process. Farm Bureau was not victorious in its efforts but at the conclusion of the legislative session, IFBF President Frank Priestley wrote: “Our objections raised the level of the debate and forced others to get involved in the democratic process.” He further stated: “Farm Bureau will support the decision of the State Legislature

Idaho Farm Bureau producer / OctoBER 2014

ture in the region is groaning under the weight of all the extra cargo, and farmers are the ones at risk of being left behind as they look for the most efficient way to get their crops to market.

With rail shipments already backlogged from a harsh winter, farmers will be hard-pressed to find adequate storage as they wait for the bottleneck to clear.

As our bins and county elevators fill up, some of the grain will pile up outside, exposed to the elements and at risk of spoiling.

Like crop prices, rail conges-

and Governor Kempthorne. At the same time we will work to mitigate the concerns raised by our members.”

Beginning in 1998, two Owyhee County ranches, Joyce Livestock Co. and LU Ranching Co., fought the U.S. government for nearly a decade over federal rangeland water rights. The BLM challenged the ranchers’ stock watering rights during the SRBA. The Idaho Supreme Court ruled the federal government does not hold federal rangeland water rights.

The ranchers won on every major point and the court even said the government’s argument reflected “a serious misunderstanding of water law.” The U.S. Supreme Court upheld the Idaho Supreme Court’s decision. Sadly, the courts ruled that the ranchers could not recover attorney fees from the government, costing the ranchers $1.5 million combined – an amount roughly equal to the value of the ranches – that’s no small matter.

The ranchers’ fight protected

tion is a market-driven issue, but we’re keeping an eye on it.

Farm Bureau is monitoring the latest Surface Transportation Board reports and keeping in communication with the rail companies as they work to resolve the backlog and meet the region’s shipping demands.

Farmers will weather their share of storms this fall, but there is much to be grateful for with an abundant harvest. America’s farmers and ranchers will persevere, even as they face the constant challenges of competing in an inconstant marketplace.

other ranchers’ stock water rights from federal overreach and the State of Idaho’s water sovereignty, at a major cost to themselves.

Water is for fighting. It will continue in the future. Currently, the EPA has promulgated rules redefining the waters of the U.S. making all ponds, puddles, and ditches subject to the EPA, threatening Idaho water law and sovereignty. Farm Bureau has waged the “Ditch the Rule” campaign, fighting legislatively and administratively the overreach of the federal government.

The U.S. Forest Service has also proposed a groundwater directive that has the potential to be a federal water grab, as the agency seeks to claim all water which falls on its lands, forcing ranchers and inn holders to forfeit their water rights in exchange for grazing rights and other concessions. The battle will continue for the scarce resource that is the lifeblood of Idaho, water.

PRIESTLEY

Continued from page 2 coyotes, in Idaho. Taking politically motivated steps that appear to threaten the viability of the wolf population solves no problem and creates two problems: first, it’s the best way to encourage the federal government to step in and list the wolf as an endangered species again, removing state control; and second, it contributes to the negative “brand” our state government has been creating for Idaho among people across our country, nurturing the perception that we oppose conservation of a keystone species like the wolf.

brand renewal fees and by hunting and fishing license dollars. When the feds, who are responsible for reintroducing wolves in the first place, pulled their management funding, a large void was created. This isn’t a problem that the livestock industry should have to step in and solve. But in light of the fact that no one else was going to do it, hundreds of hardworking ranch families from across the state will make sacrifices to help manage a problem brought about by no fault of their own. We would like think that a competent gubernatorial candidate would know more about wolves in Idaho.

If creation of a wolf control board qualifies as “electionyear politics,” we’re not sure what wouldn’t qualify. In fact, the wolf control board was the product of a consensus reached by the livestock industry, legislators, Fish and Game biologists and experts from Wildlife Services, a federal agency charged with resolving wildlife interactions that threaten public health and safety, agricultural, property, and natural resources. The bill passed in the Idaho House by a vote of 49-16 and in the State Senate by a vote of 28-6. We would like to think that a competent gubernatorial candidate would know the difference between election year politics and actual problems.

The first thing we hope he can come to understand is that wolves are taking a toll on rural Idaho. Since 2009 wolves have killed about 400 cattle and 800 sheep in Idaho. Only about one in nine livestock depredations by wolves are actually confirmed. In other words, the numbers of confirmed kills are not a true reflection of actual wolf kills. Research conducted by the University of Montana has shown a correlation between wolf predation and lower weight gain in calves. Hunting outfitter businesses have suffered from lack of interest from out of state hunters due to wolves and declining elk herds.

Hundreds of dogs and horses have also met an unfortunate fate due to the reintroduction of this predator. One dog was snatched out of a backyard near Troy when children played nearby.

The reason this money ($400,000) is needed to help manage wolves is because the federal government, (US Fish and Wildlife Service) pulled its wolf management money out of Idaho. Matching funds will be contributed by the livestock industry through increased

regard to how Idaho manages wolves. We would like to think that a competent gubernatorial candidate would care more about Idaho residents than the perceptions of people who live someplace else.

With regard to wolf conservation and sustaining a viable population in Idaho, no true stakeholder in this mess wants to see wolves back on the Endangered Species List and the federal red tape that would bring. Once again, we would expect a competent candidate to know this without playing into the hysteria and misinformation from animal rights extremists about Idaho seeking to exterminate wolves.

The wolf population in Idaho has grown far beyond expectations. The fact that wolf hunt-

ing success has increased every year since hunting began is a strong indicator that the population exceeds the official count. The fact that wolf populations in neighboring states continue to grow and expand their territories is further evidence that no one has a good handle on how many wolves we truly have in Idaho. It also disproves statements we hear about wolf populations reaching a plateau or declining.

It’s shortsighted and unfortunate that Candidate Balukoff has chosen this topic as a platform for his campaign.

We strongly encourage Idaho voters to study his positions on other wildlife, natural resources and agricultural topics before casting ballots this November.

To us the wellbeing of rural Idaho families is more important than any negative “brand” that may or may not exist among people across the country with Idaho Farm Bureau producer / October 2014

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Timber harvest on federal land in northern Idaho is expected to continue at about 45 million board feet per year under a new plan recently adopted by the Forest Service. Between 1980 and 1993, loggers harvested between 125 million board feet and 317 million board feet from the Panhandle Forest alone. Across the nation timber sold from National Forests has declined by 80 percent since 1982. Photo by Steve Ritter

Forest Service Response Disappoints County Officials

By John Thompson People who think citizens or state and local government should have a voice in the management of federal land are sorely mistaken according to a recent report from the U.S. Forest Service.

In sum, a document outlining how northern Idaho’s forests will be managed over the next 15 to 20 years released on September 8, calls for more acres of wilderness with restricted access and limited use and static volumes of timber harvest on federal land.

The Forest Service “Response to Objections” regarding revision of management plans for the Kootenai and Panhandle National Forests shows indifference to the economic condition of Idaho’s five northernmost counties and disregards federal law requiring coordination with those counties, according to a county official.

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The report is rife with statements inviting litigation. However, counties with small populations and high percentages of federal land may not be able to afford to challenge the Forest Service decision. Shoshone County has 12,000 residents and is 69 percent federal land, while Boundary County has 10,000 residents and is 59 percent federal land. Shoshone County’s population has declined from nearly 20,000 residents in 1970.

The most significant disagreement is over what constitutes coordination between the Forest Service and local jurisdictions on land planning matters. The Federal Land Management Policy Act (FLMPA) and the National Forest Management Act (NMFA) require federal agencies to coordinate or in other words, to ensure local priorities are considered when federal agencies prepare plans, policies and management actions.

Idaho Farm Bureau producer / OctoBER 2014

The USFS report is a strong assertion of supremacy over land management decisions in the region, according to Shoshone County Commissioner Larry Yergler. “The report states that the regional forester was satisfied with the standards of coordination,” he said. “I have a vastly different interpretation of what coordination should look like.”

The Forest Service report states the agency isn’t required to “either incorporate the specific provisions of county ordinances into forest plans or to comply with procedural obligations such as those requiring county approval before the planning decision is made. In short, neither the statutes governing Forest Service planning nor their implementing regulations provide for more than an advisory role for state and local governments. In the end, the Forest Service retains discretion and authority to make forest planning and use decisions.”

In response to a follow-up question, Jason Kirchner, public affairs officer for the Panhandle Forest provided the following statement: “The Forest Service recognizes the importance of NFS lands to communities in Idaho and it is our intent to consider and, if possible, strive for consistency with local objectives. However, consistency between Forest Service plans or projects and state/ county laws and ordinances is not always going to be possible given our mandate by Congress to manage National Forest System lands for the benefit of the citizens of the United States, nor is it required unless specifically provided for by law. Under current law there is no authority that would require or allow the Forest Service to shift any of its decision making authority to other agencies, governments or individuals.

Yergler, on the other hand, believes some effort to coordinate is required and that counties ought to have a voice in the process. County governments are charged with looking out for the welfare of the local economy. They also provide law enforcement and search and rescue services on Forest Service land, he said.

“Even on their lands we have jurisdiction over several things,” Yergler said. “But according to this report, all they seem to want to talk about is their supremacy. We believe there are enough procedural irregularities that we could easily file and win a lawsuit.”

However, legal action is pending further review of the document and consultation between commissioners from the five northern counties, Yergler said.

Adding to the controversy is a personnel change inside the Forest Service that could have affected the outcome of the report.

James Pena was the Forest Service hearing officer charged with evaluating the objections to the plan and writing the final Response to Objections report. Pena held public hearings in Coeur d’ Alene and Libby Montana earlier this year. Yergler said Pena seemed understanding and somewhat sympathetic to plight of the rural counties in the region. County officials believe Pena was reassigned from his Washington D.C. post to a regional forester position in Oregon in part because of his willingness to negotiate

Drastic decreases in the amount of timber sold from federal land has been a hardship for several counties in Idaho. Some counties have not been able to make up for job losses in the forest.

Photo by Steve Ritter

with county governments.

The Forest Service response to those allegations reads as follows: “The original reviewing officer, Jim Pena, has accepted a new job as the regional forester for the Pacific Northwest Region of the Forest Service in Portland, Oregon. The responsibility for serving as the reviewing officer lies with the position, not the individual, so when Mr. Pena accepted the new position his vacancy was temporarily filled with a fully qualified acting. Greg Smith is currently the acting Associate Deputy Chief and he is now delegated the responsibility as the reviewing officer.”

With regard to timber harvest going forward, the Forest Service has set an Allowable Sale Quantity (ASQ) of 125 million board feet per year. The previous Forest Plan set an ASQ of 280 million board feet.

However, under the previous plan the 280 mbf level was only achieved once, in 1980.

Since 2000, the cut on the Panhandle forest has ranged from a low of 22 million board feet in 2003 to 78 million board feet in 2011.

Kirchner explained that the Allowable Sale Quantity is an estimate of the maximum level of sustainable timber harvest under an unconstrained budget.

In an email response, Kirchner explained: “Determination of an ASQ is legally required when developing a revised plan, but because an unconstrained budget is an unrealistic expectation, the revised plan also estimates a predicted sale quantity. The predicted sale quantity, based on our current and expected budgets is 44.6 mmbf.

If our budgets were to increase, the forest could increase the timber harvest up to the ASQ.” Timber harvest totals for the Kootenai Forest were not available by press time due to a Forest Service website malfunction.

With regard to wilderness on the two forests, the number of acres in actual wilderness areas and wilderness study areas remains constant at 9,900 acres and 6,900 acres respectively. Areas recommended for wilderness increase from 146,682 acres to 161,400 acres, a difference of 14,718 acres.

Kirchner added that the Response to Objections is final. Included in the report are several instructions provided by the reviewing officer. Regional Forester Faye Kruger in Missoula will oversee implementation of the reviewing officer’s response and then sign the Record of Decision. The revised Forest Plan will take effect 30 days after that.

Idaho Farm Bureau producer / October 2014

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Results of the 2014 Photo Contest Announced “Seasons of Agriculture in Idaho” photo contest is a project of the IFBF Women’s Leadership Committee. Completing its 12th year, winning photos will be used in the 2015 calendar published by the committee. Requirements for the contest are full frame photos with lots of creativity. It is limited to amateur Idaho resident photographers only. Cash prizes are awarded.

Grand Prize Winner is Kara Harrison of Grace, Caribou County 10

Idaho Farm Bureau producer / OctoBER 2014

1st Place in the 13-20 age group, Kara Harrison of Grace, Caribou County

1st Place in the 21 and over group is Shera Adair of Preston, Franklin County

1st Place in the 6-12 group, Baylee Owens of Malad, Oneida County Idaho Farm Bureau producer / October 2014

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Focus on Agriculture

Sharing the Story of the American Farm

By Chris Chinn I’m a farmer and a mother. Leaving my farm and family isn’t exactly something I treasure. It is, however, an investment I make to share the story of my American farm family. I am not alone in this mission.

As one of the Faces of Farming and Ranching for the U.S. Farmers and Ranchers Alliance, I introduce people to what farmers do and why. This is not as simple as you might think.

Truth is: it’s rare to find people who have a solid understanding of what farming looks like today. With most Americans at least three or four generations removed from the farm, few have connections with the people who bring food to their tables.

Thanks to USFRA’s Faces of Farming, I now connect with people far outside of agriculture and on a broader scale than I once did through my blog and social media platforms.

I recently met with reporters along the Northeast corridor to discuss issues that are important in both rural and urban America. The use of antibiotics on farms and ranches was a recurring theme. But as I told them, antibiotics are just one of the many tools we have to responsibly care for our animals. Veterinarians and animal nutritionists play a key role in determining 12

our animal care plan. Every decision we make regarding animal health is made under their guidance. Farmers and ranchers are always looking for ways to improve the care we give our animals.

Bloggers talk to each other a lot, but meeting face-to-face often brings the most benefits. I’ve gotten to know many urban bloggers and have discovered we have more in common than we would have expected.

We all struggle to find interesting topics to write about, and we all have hectic schedules that prevent us from blogging as often as we’d like. Most importantly, we all want to feed our families healthy and nutritious food.

Many urban bloggers tell me I’m the first farmer they’ve met. I enjoy telling them about family life and business challenges on the farm, but I’ve learned just as much about the rest of America from them. Conversations like these help shape my story for people who have never visited a farm, so I can better explain what daily farm life looks like, including methods we use to grow food.

I remember joining a food discussion panel with Bo Stone – another one of the Faces of Farming– along with a chef for an international hotel chain and an independent hotel and restaurant owner. Bo and I shared our

Idaho Farm Bureau producer / OctoBER 2014

stories about the crops we grow and animals we raise on our farms. We explained why we do certain things to produce food and how our farms have changed over the last 50 years. This was also a great learning opportunity for us as farmers to hear about what goes into the decision-making process when chefs and restaurant owners buy food for their menus.

Through USFRA and other programs, farmers are sharing their stories like never before. Our platform for engagement has been elevated. I am finding that our fellow citizens, our friends and neighbors are receptive to learn how much we care for the land, animals and environment. They need to know that all these things we care for are in good hands. Agriculture must stand united in telling its story, but the story must be told in the genuine voices of individual farmers. USFRA’s Faces of Farming gives us that chance. I look forward to hearing more stories from those who follow in lending their unique voices and the credibility that only comes from a life on the land.

Chris Chinn is one of USFRA’s Faces of Farming and a Missouri Farm Bureau board member. She and her husband Kevin are 5th-generation farmers farming with his parents and brother.

Idaho Farm Bureau producer / October 2014

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Coveted IFBF “Friend of Agriculture” Awards Announced Every two years the Idaho Farm Bureau reviews the votes on selected bills that are important to our membership to determine which Legislators will receive the prestigious IFBF “Friend of Agriculture” award. This year six Senators and twenty Representatives received the award, which is one quarter of all Legislators.

A total of 20 bills were used for our Legislative scorecard during the 2013 and 2014 Sessions. Bill subjects included private property rights, taxes, water, predator control, land management, transportation and other important issues.

We are extremely pleased to announce that seven legislators scored 100% on the selected bills over the past two years. They are: Representative Gayle Batt (R-Wilder) District 11

Representative Thomas Loetscher (R-Iona) District 32

Representative Thomas Dayley (R-Boise) District 21

Representative Janet Trujillo (R-Idaho Falls) District 33

Representative Reed DeMourdaunt (R-Eagle) District 14

Representative John Vander Woude (R-Meridian) District 22

**Representative Lawerence Denney (R-Midvale) District 9 Other Legislators who qualified for the award this year by voting with Farm Bureau at least 95% of the time on the selected issues for the past two years include: Senator Steve Bair (R-Blackfoot) District 31

Representative Brent Crane (R-Nampa) District 13

Senator Jim Guthrie (R-McCammon) District 28

Representative Stephen Hartgen (R-Twin Falls) District 24

Senator Dean Mortimer (R-Idaho Falls) District 30

Representative Brandon Hixon (R-Caldwell) District 10

Senator Steven Thayn (R-Emmett) District 8

Representative Jason Monks (R-Meridian) District 22

Senator Steve Vick (R-Dalton Gardens) District 2

Representative Paul Romrell (R-St. Anthony) District 35

Senator Chuck Winder (R-Boise) District 20

Representative Thyra Stevenson (R-Lewiston) District 6

Representative Linden Bateman (R-Idaho Falls) District 33

Representative Jeff Thompson (R-Idaho Falls) District 30

Speaker of the House Scott Bedke (R-Oakley) District 27

Representative Julie VanOrden (R-Pingree) District 31

Representative Judy Boyle (R-Midvale) District 9

**Representative JoAn Wood (R-Rigby) District 35

Representative Gary Collins (R-Nampa) District 13 ** Indicates legislators who are retiring from the legislature this year Frank Priestley, President of the Idaho Farm Bureau stated “We really appreciate those Legislators who take the time to study the issues and make informed decisions, especially when it comes to agricultural issues. Each of these Legislators has earned our thanks and appreciation for their outstanding support of Idaho agriculture and Idaho Farm Bureau policies.”

Please show your support for these “Friends of Agriculture” as you vote on November 4 in the general election.

Full voting record results of all legislators are available on our website at idahofb.org under the Capitol Reflections heading.

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Idaho Farm Bureau producer / OctoBER 2014

Idaho Farm Bureau Announces Support for Legislative Candidates The Idaho Farm Bureau operates a Political Action Committee named Agra-PAC. The purpose of the PAC is to financially support state legislative candidates who are philosophically aligned with Farm Bureau policies to aid in their election.

Individual Farm Bureau members and county Farm Bureaus contribute to the PAC and county Farm Bureaus recommend which candidates the PAC should support.

The legislative candidates that Agra-PAC has financially supported for the 2014 elections include: Legislative District Position 1 Representative 2 Senator 2 Representative 3 Senator 3 Representative 4 Representative 5 Senator 5 Representative 5 Representative 6 Senator 6 Representative 7 Senator 7 Representative 7 Representative 8 Senator 8 Representative 9 Representative 10 Senator 10 Representative 11 Senator 11 Representative 11 Representative 12 Senator 12 Representative 12 Representative 13 Senator 13 Representative 13 Representative 14 Senator 14 Representative 14 Representative 15 Senator 15 Representative 15 Representative 20 Senator 20 Representative 20 Representative 21 Senator

Name City Sage Dixon Ponderay Steve Vick Dalton Gardens Vito Barbieri Dalton Gardens Bob Nonini Coeur d’Alene Ron Mendive Coeur d’Alene Kathleen Sims Coeur d’Alene John Carlson Moscow Cindy Agidius Moscow Caroline Troy Genesee Dan Johnson Lewiston Thyra Stevenson Lewiston Sheryl Nuxoll Cottonwood Shannon McMillan Silverton Paul Shepherd Riggins Steven Thayn Emmett Terry Gestrin Donnelly Judy Boyle Midvale Jim Rice Caldwell Brandon Hixon Caldwell Patti Anne Lodge Caldwell Gayle Batt Huston Christy Perry Nampa Todd Lakey Nampa Robert Anderst Nampa Rick Youngblood Nampa Curt McKenzie Nampa Brent Crane Nampa Gary Collins Nampa Marv Hagedorn Meridian Mike Moyle Star Reed DeMordaunt Eagle Fred Martin Boise Lynn Luker Boise Patrick McDonald Boise Chuck Winder Boise Joe Palmer Meridian James Holzclaw Meridian Cliff Bayer Meridian

Legislative District Position 21 Representative 22 Senator 22 Representative 22 Representative 23 Senator 23 Representative 23 Representative 24 Senator 24 Representative 24 Representative 25 Senator 25 Representative 25 Representative 26 Representative 26 Representative 27 Senator 27 Representative 27 Representative 28 Senator 28 Representative 28 Representative 29 Senator 30 Senator 30 Representative 30 Representative 31 Senator 31 Representative 31 Representative 32 Senator 32 Representative 32 Representative 33 Senator 33 Representative 33 Representative 34 Senator 34 Representative 35 Representative

Name City Tom Dayley Boise Lori DenHartog Meridian John Vander Woude Nampa Jason Monks Meridian Bert Brackett Rogerson Rich Wills Glenns Ferry Pete Nielsen Mountain Home Lee Heider Twin Falls Lance Clow Twin Falls Stephen Hartgen Twin Falls Jim Patrick Twin Falls Maxine Bell Jerome Clark Kauffman Filer Steve Miller Fairfield Don Hudson Shoshone Dean Cameron Rupert Scott Bedke Oakley Fred Wood Burley Jim Guthrie McCammon Ken Andrus Lava Hot Springs Kelly Packer McCammon Kert Howard Pocatello Dean Mortimer Idaho Falls Jeff Thompson Idaho Falls Wendy Horman Idaho Falls Steve Bair Blackfoot Neil Anderson Blackfoot Julie VanOrden Pingree John Tippets Bennington Marc Gibbs Grace Tom Loertscher Iona Bart Davis Idaho Falls Janet Trujillo Idaho Falls Linden Bateman Idaho Falls Brent Hill Rexburg Dell Raybould Rexburg Paul Romrell St. Anthony

We encourage you to support these candidates at the polls in the general election on November 4.

Members who wish to make a contribution may do so by sending a check made out to Agra-PAC to: Idaho Farm Bureau, attn: Nancy Shiozawa, PO Box 4848, Pocatello, ID 83205.

Idaho Farm Bureau producer / October 2014

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Vote YES on HJR2

By Russ Hendricks One reason people around the country are angry with the federal government is that unelected and unaccountable bureaucrats in federal agencies are increasingly making-up and enforcing rules which destroy our legitimate rights and usurp powers they were never intended to have under the Constitution.

Unfortunately this can, and sometimes does happen here in Idaho with our state agencies as well. To remedy this situation, on November 4 there will be a proposed constitutional amendment on the ballot.

The amendment would defend and protect the current practice of the Idaho Legislature to accept or reject rules that are proposed by executive branch agencies such as the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) or the Idaho State Department of Agriculture (ISDA).

Idaho Farm Bureau supports this proposed amendment and encourages Farm Bureau members to vote in favor of the amendment on November 4.

The Idaho Constitution grants the lawmaking power of the state exclusively to the Idaho Senate and House of Representatives. The Executive Branch of the state is granted the power to ensure that the laws are faithfully executed.

For nearly 80 years since statehood, executive agencies relied primarily upon the language contained in Idaho Code, as enacted by the legislature, as they enforced the law.

However, beginning in the 1960s, agencies began developing a far greater amount of rules to help clarify how laws should be interpreted and enforced.

In 1966, the Administrative Procedures Act was enacted giving agency rules the force and effect of law. This was a direct 16

delegation of legislative authority from the Idaho Legislature to the executive branch agencies. Without this delegation of authority, executive agency rules would be merely suggestions, or internal guidelines.

Then, in 1969, SB1086 was passed which provided for legislative review of rules, thus allowing the legislature to accept, amend or reject rules promulgated by agencies. It was not until 1976 that the legislature actually amended a rule, and in 1977 the legislature first rejected a rule.

In 1985, the Board of Health and Welfare adopted rules for individual subsurface sewage disposal systems. The 1989 legislature subsequently rejected the 1985 sewage system rules; therefore the District VII Health Department no longer enforced those rules. Governor Andrus then directed the Board of Health and Welfare to sue the District Health Department, challenging the constitutionality of legislative rule rejection.

That case, known as Mead v. Arnell, was decided by the Idaho Supreme Court on a 3-2 decision in March, 1990 in favor of the legislature. Because of the close court decision, the legislature has been cautious in exercising their legitimate oversight authority. Since then, agencies have submitted over 5,300 rules and the legislature has only rejected about 230 of them for a rejection rate of about 4.4 percent.

Interestingly, 43 rules were amended by the legislature from 1976 until 1996. Then, on the advice of the director of the Legislative Services Office, the practice of amending rules was discontinued. He believed their oversight authority may be struck down by the court if they attempted to modify a rule. No rules have been amended by the legislature since 1996.

Idaho Farm Bureau producer / OctoBER 2014

Now, nearly 25 years after the Idaho Supreme Court decision, the legislature has proposed a constitutional amendment to protect and strengthen their ability to reject rules which do not comply with the intent of the underlying law.

The actual text of the question on the ballot will read: “Shall Article III, of the Constitution of the State of Idaho be amended by the addition of a new section 29, to confirm that the legislature may authorize executive rulemaking; however, the legislature shall not relinquish oversight, which such oversight is done by approval or rejection, in whole or in part, of an executive rule; and to provide that the legislature’s approval or rejection of such a rule shall not require the approval of the governor?�

A majority vote in favor of the amendment would give the legislature a solid footing from which to reject questionable rules.

Without it, Idaho agencies could attempt to implement rules with no direct legislative oversight, much like the federal EPA, Forest Service or IRS does.

To reign in the abuse at the federal level, Congress must assert their legitimate authority over federal rulemaking. A U.S. Constitutional amendment may need to be proposed upholding this important aspect of the separation of powers. Meanwhile, we can make a difference here in Idaho by supporting the proposed constitutional amendment and voting yes on HJR2.

Russ Hendricks is the director of governmental affairs for the Idaho Farm Bureau Federation. He can be reached at rhendricks@idahofb.org

EPA Power Grab Contrasts With Idaho’s Water Sovereignty,Values

By Governor C.L. “Butch” Otter The Environmental Protection Agency claims it only wants to “clarify” what waterways and bodies of water fall within its regulatory jurisdiction under the Clean Water Act. But that’s just semantics. In reality, the EPA is checking every nook and cranny of the United States for opportunities to expand its influence in the name of protecting us.

If you’re a property owner, or if your livelihood depends on the ability to keep pursuing traditional uses of water in your area, you should be as worried as I am about how the EPA is using its rulemaking process to identify “Waters of the United States” – or WOTUS – over which it can expand the federal government’s reach and control.

Federal agencies like the EPA have had motives and agendas of their own for years. As former chairman and now vice-chairman of the House Appropriations Subcommittee that considers EPA’s budget, Congressman Mike Simpson has been diligently pushing back against internal bureaucratic momentum that’s at least partially to blame for the agency’s growing regulatory insurgency. But for the past six years the EPA has especially enjoyed the strong support and encouragement of President Obama as its grip tightens on how American citizens can use our natural resources.

House Science Committee Chairman Lamar Smith of Texas put it well recently when he said the EPA’s WOTUS initiative “could fundamentally re-define Americans’ private property rights” without any new law or congressional direction. That includes

applying strict Clean Water Act standards and the red tape and expense accompanying them even to small streams or wetlands that only appear during periods of heavy rainfall.

The EPA contends the WOTUS rule is necessary in light of U.S. Supreme Court decisions in 2001 and 2006 that restricted the agency’s authority and cast doubt on the legitimacy of federal regulatory schemes. But Bonner Cohen, a senior fellow with the National Center for Public Policy Research, said the 88-page EPA rule is a clear effort to turn lemons into lemonade for federal regulators with an end-run around Congress.

“Despite losing both cases, EPA claims ambiguities in the rulings give it greater authority than ever before to regulate private land and isolated, intermittent bodies of water,” Cohen recently wrote. He specifically cited the agency’s proposal for a parallel “interpretive rule” that would limit the number of traditional farming practices that would otherwise be exempt from the WOTUS rule.

Let’s contrast this federal overreach to the landmark Snake River Basin Adjudication (SRBA) process that Idaho recently completed. We spent nearly 30 years legally sorting out hundreds of thousands of water rights claims throughout southern Idaho to ensure that private property and public interests both were protected from any attempts to reallocate or divert our most precious natural resource. As Supreme Court Justice Scalia said during his recent visit to Idaho to celebrate the success of the process, the SRBA “lets

the people of Idaho know just what they own.”

Meanwhile, President Obama’s EPA is looking under every rock to determine where it can next usurp local control.

We must resist this water grab just as we have overcome challenges to our water sovereignty before. The EPA’s public comment period ends October 20. You can submit your own comments to the agency here.

In 2003, when I was representing Idaho’s 1st District in Congress, environmental activists were demanding that virtually all water stored in the Snake River system upstream of Hells Canyon be devoted to flushing salmon downstream. My position then remains my position today: Protecting our water is every bit as important to survival of the Idaho I know and love as protecting the Constitution is to the survival of the republic. Public policy should be grounded in values that reflect what we hold most dear.

In Idaho, those values include private property, individual liberties, and our water.

Idaho Farm Bureau producer / October 2014

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Signs of the Season

By Yvonne Barkley Clear, sunny days followed by crisp nights.

Leaves and needles changing from dusty greens to brilliant yellows and red; a much anticipated change appreciated by all.

Beautiful to look at, but vital for survival as well. Colored leaves and needles are a sign that fall has arrived in Idaho.

Dormancy Temperate zone trees and shrubs undergo a process called dormancy, which is a state of minimal metabolic activity that is part of their natural annual cycle. Dormancy occurs in all types of temperate woody plants - whether they are cone bearing (coniferous) or non-cone-bearing, evergreen or deciduous - that alternate between the warm season growth and cold season rest.

The process starts sometime near the middle of July or beginning of August, when shoot elongation stops for the season. Plants enter a reversible phase of inactivity called quiescence or predormancy.

Trees and shrubs in this phase still have the capacity to grow under favorable environmental conditions, which decrease as the season progresses. Management activities, such as fertilization, can prompt woody plants to break out of predormancy, which can cause winter damage.

Western larch (Larix occidentalis), also called tamarack, is a deciduous conifer.

Photo by Steven Katovich, USDA Forest Service

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Dormancy deepens through the late summer and fall until the plant reaches true dormancy, a state where shoots cannot elongate even under the most favorable environmental conditions. As winter draws to a close, post dormancy begins and plants resume growth, at first under a very narrow range of environmental conditions that expands as the season progresses.

Once plants are fully released from dormancy, growth resumes and the cycle begins anew.

There are many types of woody plants and they all undergo dormancy. The most familiar cycle is that of non-cone bearing,

Idaho Farm Bureau producer / OctoBER 2014

deciduous trees, like maple, cherry, hawthorn, etc. These types of trees have roots, branches, and twigs that can endure freezing temperatures, but thin, tender leaves that cannot. The water-filled cells in these leaves expand and rupture when frozen, causing irreparable damage. To ensure survival for the rest of the tree, leaves must be sealed off and shed. As daylight hours decrease over summer, veins that carry sap into and out of leaves slowly begin to close. A layer of cells, called the separation layer, forms at the base of each leaf stem.

When complete, the leaf is separated from the tissue that connected it to the branch, and it falls. Oak leaves are the exception.

The separation layer never fully detaches the current season’s oak leaves, and they remain on the tree through winter. Come spring, these leaves are “pushed off” of the tree by the newly emerging leaves.

Fall foliage Foliar chemistry includes e substances that give leaves their color: chlorophyll, which is green and carotenoids, which are yellow, orange, and brown. Leaves are green during the summer because of the presence of chlorophyll. As the days get shorter and temperatures begins to fall, trees produce less chlorophyll, allowing the already present carotenoids to show through. Anthocyanin, another pigment that develops with the chemicals changes of fall, gives us red, crimson, and purple pigments.

While the yellow, gold, and orange colors created by carotenoids remain fairly constant from year to year, anthocyanin will vary. Both temperature and cloud cover play a part in each year’s palette; giving us brilliant yellows and oranges one year, and deeper reds and purples the next. A series of warm, sunny autumn days, and cool, but not freezing, nights provides the perfect conditions for a fall with a lot of reds and purples.

The amount of rain in a year also affects

The color and intensity of fall foliage varies with each season.

surroundings. Usually when all of the plants in a landscape are showing similar symptoms that occurred at the same time, the problem is caused by changes in the local environment and not insect or disease related.

Examples include drought stress, frost or freeze damage, and the star of fall, natural foliar shedding. Of course, if you are still concerned you can contact your local UI Extension Master Gardeners and have them help you decide.

Warm days and crisp nights; apple picking, county fairs, and hunting. The smell of wood smoke in the evenings and the sound of colored leaves and pine needles crunching under your feet. No worries – it’s all part of fall in Idaho.

Yvonne Barkley is an associate extension forester for the University of Idaho. She can be reached at yvonnec@uidaho. edu

Photo by Gerald Holmes, California Polytechnic State University

autumn leaf color. A severe drought can delay the arrival of fall colors by a few weeks, and sometimes the leaves just turn brown and drop without much color. A warm, wet period during fall will lower the intensity, or brightness, of autumn colors, while a severe frost will kill leaves, turning them brown to black, and cause them to drop early. The perfect receipt for the best autumn color? A warm, wet spring, a summer that’s not too hot or dry, and a fall with plenty of warm sunny days and cool nights.

Natural foliar shedding Coniferous and evergreen trees also lose their leaves; they just do it differently. Conifer needles and evergreen leaves are covered with a heavy wax coating and the fluids inside the cells contain chemicals that resist freezing. Individual needles and evergreen leaves can live for several years before they are naturally shed and replaced by new growth. The amount and timing of natural foliar shedding varies with species.

Pines lose their third year needles, those closest to the

trunk. The needles turn brown to red-brown (the dryer the year, the brighter the color) and are cast, sometimes all in one day if there is a good wind.

Arborvitae and related species with scale like leaves shed oldest branchlets (those in the interior). Spruces and firs bear several age classes of needles or leaves along their branches, and shedding is not restricted to the oldest age class (although it can be concentrated there). The foliage on a given branch segment may brown and thin progressively over 2 to 3 years. Deciduous conifers, such as western larch, lose all of their needles each year, to be replaced in the spring with green, luxurious new growth.

Non-cone bearing evergreens, such as rhododendron and holly, hold their leaves for a season, dropping the older leaves in spring, fall, or both seasons.

Some species in this group hold their leaves for three or even four seasons before they drop.

How do you tell the difference between natural foliar shedding and something more sinister?

Take a moment to look at your

Natural foliar shedding is natural.

Photo by David J. Moorhead, University of Georgia Idaho Farm Bureau producer / October 2014

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Idaho Farm Bureau producer / OctoBER 2014

The lifeblood of America .

They’re the humble heroes who rise before dawn and battle the elements. They put clothes on our backs and food on our tables. Their genuine values and tireless work ethic are an inspiration to us all. We appreciate all that America’s farmers do and invite you to join us in saying thanks at www.fbfs.com/SayThanksToAFarmer.

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Idaho Farm Bureau producer / October 2014

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County Happenings

Abby Shupe of Hamer,Idaho, a 2014 graduate of West Jefferson High School, was awarded a $500 scholarship from Jefferson County The District 5 resolutions meeting was held on September 10 in Moscow. Photo by Bob Smathers Farm Bureau and a $750 scholarship from Idaho Farm Bureau. Presenting the checks is Holly Hancock, Jefferson County Farm Bureau President.Â

Carl Montgomery (Jerome County FB President) awarding a $750 scholarship check from the IFBF Scholarship Fund to Zachary Thibault.

Benewah County Farm Bureau hosted a tree farm tour recently on land owned by John Ferris. About 20 people attended. Ferris spent the morning describing and demonstrating common tools used in managing a tree farm. He also spoke about forest diseases such as root rot in fir trees and White Pine blister rust.

Photo by Bob Smathers

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Idaho Farm Bureau producer / OctoBER 2014

About 400 children came through the Moving Agriculture to the Classroom (MAC) display at the Clearwater County Fair. District 5 Agency Manager Phil Zemaitis and his wife Kim, along with County Customer Service Representative JoAnn Hankey helped in the booth.

Children grinding wheat at the Farm Bureau booth at the North Idaho Fair.

Photo by Bob Smathers

Pickle weed changes colors on the flats north of Bear Lake. Photo by Jim Parker

Idaho Farm Bureau producer / October 2014

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Grain Marketing with Clark Johnston

Wheat Supply Ample for Next 12 Months Clark Johnston

Is there any question about the amount of grain in the world? From the 20th of August through the 20th of September the Chicago December wheat futures moved from 5.50 to 4.75 per bushel. The futures are still paying us a 5 cent per month carry. Just the carry alone tells us that there is an ample supply of wheat at least for the next 12 months.

In our area however we are seeing a little different scenario.

Yes, we do have ample supplies if we are only talking bushels.

The challenge is that we are without a doubt lacking milling quality wheat (at least what we would consider milling quality in past years).

When we began harvest and began to experience rain our wheat quality began to deteriorate. The wheat that was 60 pound test weight was now looking more like 56 pound and less. At the time the local trade felt that this was bad but, we really hadn’t seen anything yet.

Before we were done the first wheat harvested was looking more and more like milling quality. Processors were expanding their buying area into parts of the state that they normally wouldn’t contract grain as well as contracting wheat 24

from other states.

Many producers as well as companies seemed to just throw their hands in the air and give up on having anything but feed wheat. However, the markets have changed over the past 4 or 5 weeks. The flour mills still would like to contract milling wheat using the old specs but they have realized there won’t be enough to of this type of wheat to get us into next year’s harvest.

Over the past few weeks we have seen basis on both Red Spring and Soft white wheat strengthen. Remember we have talked about how basis is our indication of the local supply/ demand. High basis tells us that the processors and exporters are in need of wheat and they need it now. Red spring basis is not only high but we are seeing huge protein premiums.

Producers that have good high protein wheat should keep a close eye on this market.

Whenever we see basis levels that are so much higher than we normally see our risk is that they move lower. This could happen as we run out of enough of this quality of wheat to meet to needs throughout the year.

We have already seen this in some of the smaller markets

Idaho Farm Bureau producer / OctoBER 2014

as the end users aren’t willing to pay the additional price and are working with lower protein flour. Producers should be careful that we don’t get caught up in feeling that this market still has nowhere to go but higher.

In the soft white and hard white market producers should have their bins sampled. We are seeing some limited markets for lesser quality wheat. As the flour mills learn how to use this type of wheat we should see these markets increase in volume. The bids for this wheat won’t necessarily be published but will be based on the quality of each lot of grain.

The same marketing thoughts should be used in the barley market also. We do have a large amount of light test weight barley and we do have a very large corn crop that is set to be harvested. Recently we have seen some companies cutting their projected corn harvest to 14.3 billion bushels. Yes, this would be down from the 14.5 estimates but, 14.3 billion bushels is still a large amount of corn.

You will need good bin samples in order to merchandise your feed barley this year. Barley that earlier was rejected as malt just may make the grade over the next couple of months.

More than in previous years it

will be important for producers to sell barley when someone wants to buy. Feeders have ample supplies of feed wheat and will have new crop corn within a few weeks.

I can promise you that you won’t be excited about the price but, it may be all that you are going to receive this year. Knowing your breakeven levels is going to be very important this year. When I say knowing your breakeven level the emphasis is on “knowing.”

This is going to be a year when merchandizing could look more like damage control.

We have talked about knowing your cost of production for some time now. If you haven’t done this in the past, now will be a great time to begin. If there is one good thing that will come from a year like this it would be that, the merchandizing lessons learned this year will, without a doubt help us in the years ahead.

Clark Johnston is a grain marketing specialist who is on contract with the Idaho Farm Bureau. He is the owner of JC Management Company in Northern Utah. He can be reached at clark@jcmanagement.net

WHEAT DAMAGE Continued from page 5

While malt prices are holding steady, malting companies have warned brewers that barley will be available but at all-time highs in 2015 when this year’s crop becomes next year’s beer.

Idaho Senators Mike Crapo and Jim Risch along with Congressmen Simpson and Labrador asked the USDA to review disaster declarations requested by several Idaho counties. In a letter to the Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack, the delegation emphasized extensive crop damage and encouraged the agency to approve disaster requests without delay.

The Farm Service Agency says no-loss compensation programs are not available to farmers this year. But the FSA does provide federal loans for both regular operating costs and losses due to emergencies.

At three percent, the loan rate is a percentage point higher than the regular operating loans.

FSA Farm Loan specialists say the emergency loans help farmers who have already borrowed the $300,000 maximum available through regular operating loans.

“Those disaster declarations, since the 2014 Farm Bill passed do just one thing for crop producers, it provides an emergency loan. They’re low interest and farmers must meet some low threshold to get the federal assistance, but all they do is help farmers bridge the gap on their expenses,” said Jones.

Farmer Rick Brune agreed saying the disaster declaration loans are last-resort measures at best.

“Well, the deal is that you can’t

August rainstorms dumped as much as six inches of moisture on one Idaho county. The storms lasted for about three weeks and with very little drying time between storms, crops suffered fungus damage and widespread lodging. Photo by Steve Ritter

qualify for any other bank loan.

It’s a little bit less interest than the bank rate, but you have to have severe financial losses before you qualify for those disaster funds. I really doubt the majority of farmers can use them.

Instead they’ll use equity off their farms before they’ll use bank financing. I really don’t see where that program is going to help anyone,” said Brune.

“When Congress goes about reauthorizing a new Farm bill, there’s a growing opposition voice out there,” added Jones.

“To those detractors I have an easy argument and it’s this: What would you rather have this country be food secure or insecure? Would you rather be dependent on another country providing our food like oil?

We need to keep our farmers in business.”

already affected the corn and feed market because there’s so much feed for dairies now.

There’s not enough cows in

the State of Idaho to feed it all.

We’re not selling hay for a third of what it’s worth and its going to hurt us for a long time.”

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Meanwhile the impacts of the great storms of 2014 are still mounting.

“It’s going to have major ramifications here,” said Brune. “It’s

swc.idaho.gov | 208-332-1790 Idaho Farm Bureau producer / October 2014

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Top Farm Bureau Agents

Rookie of the Month:

Justin Nichols Reilly Agency

Agent of the Month:

Perry Shank Palmer Agency

Agency of the Month:

Gliege Agency

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Idaho Farm Bureau producer / OctoBER 2014

2014-15 Idaho FFA Foundation Tractor Raffle Win this Classic

1946 John Deere GM Tractor and support Idaho FFA members with your

$10 raffle ticket donation 2nd Prize—Traeger Grill 3rd Prize—$250 Carhartt Gift Card Proceeds benefit Idaho FFA Members through post-secondary education scholarships and support of Idaho FFA programs statewide through the Idaho FFA Foundation. $58,000 in scholarships have been awarded to date and another $14,000 in scholarships will be awarded in April 2015.

In addition, the local FFA chapters designated on the winning tickets will receive a portion of the total ticket proceeds.

Tickets may be purchased from your local FFA chapter or the Idaho FFA Foundation. The drawing will be on April 10, 2015 at the Idaho State FFA Leadership Conference in Twin Falls. Need not be present to win.

This restored classic tractor includes a sprayer tank and new tires.

Idaho FFA Alumni

Tractor donated by Ralph and Pat Breeding of Twin Falls Contact your local Idaho FFA Chapter for Tractor Raffle tickets, or call Idaho FFA Foundation Tractor Raffle Chairman Sid Freeman at 208-941-3584.

For more information about the Tractor Raffle, visit: www.idffafoundation.org Idaho FFA Foundation Tractor Raffle Scholarship presentations in previous years

THANK YOU! Idaho Farm Bureau for your support of Idaho FFA and the Tractor Raffle!

For a full list of Tractor Raffle sponsors and more information about the Tractor Raffle program, please visit: www.idffafoundation.org Tickets may be purchased on the website.

FFA—Premier Leadership, Personal Growth and Career Success through Agricultural Education Idaho Farm Bureau producer / October 2014

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American farm bureau federation news

Farm Bureau Leader Class Focuses on Engagement WASHINGTON, D.C. – Members of the American Farm Bureau Federation’s Partners in Agricultural Leadership honors program focused on engagement strategies to help farmers connect with consumers during intensive training sessions.

“It isn’t enough for us to just tell our agricultural stories – we need to engage with consumers, stakeholders and other farmers in order to make a difference,” said PAL member Elizabeth Kohtz, DVM, of Idaho. “Passionate, effective agriculturists must be willing to advocate for the causes they believe in.”

The focus of the Farm Bureau PAL program is to develop skilled agricultural advocates and aid them in discovering how they can best use their abilities for the benefit of agriculture. The program offers young farmers and ranchers the opportunity to continue building their skills after they have served as AFBF Young Farmers & Ranchers Committee members/officers or competed in national YF&R events.

“PAL class members and other young agricultural leaders play an important role in strengthening American agriculture,” said Doug Rushing, director of industry affairs at Monsanto Company, a sponsor of the PAL program.

In addition to Kohtz, participants in the 2013-14 PAL program are: Jillian Beaty, Wisconsin; Jason Bunting, Illinois; Joy Davis, Texas; Shannon Douglass, California; Stacey Forshee, Kansas; Joshua Geigle, South Dakota; Katie Heger, North Dakota; Adam Hinton, Kentucky; and Brandon Whitt, Tennessee.

Upon graduation from the PAL program, young agricultural leaders are prepared to represent agriculture in the media, on speaking circuits or in legislative activities.

State Farm Bureaus submit one applicant per state for consideration for the PAL program. Applicants must be “Sweet 16” finalists in the national YF&R Discussion Meet; top 10 finalists in the YF&R Achievement Award or Excellence in Agriculture Award competitions; former members of the AFBF YF&R committee or former state YF&R committee chairs.

The PAL program is made possible through sponsorships from the Monsanto Company, the Farm Credit System, AgriPulse Communications and AFBF.

The 2013-2014 PAL class focuses on engagement strategies to help farmers connect with consumers. Row 1 (L to R): Shannon Douglass, Stacey Forshee, Katie Heger. Row 2 (L to R): Jillian Beaty, Elizabeth Kohtz, Joy Davis. Row 3 (L Visit http://www.fb.org/index. to R): Jason Bunting, Adam Hinton, Josh Geigle, php?action=programs.pal for more infor- Brandon Whitt.

mation on the PAL program.

Farm Bureau Praises Support for Cash Accounting WASHINGTON, D.C., – The American Farm Bureau Federation hailed the strong bi-partisan effort by members of Congress as they urged Senate and House leadership to preserve the cash accounting system farmers and ranchers rely on to grow their businesses.

“We are pleased to see members of Congress reach across party lines and stand together for farmers and ranchers who are working to build their businesses and communities,” AFBF President Bob Stallman said today.

Cash accounting gives farmers and ranch28

ers an important tool to expand their businesses and boost local economies. But a recent proposal by the Senate Finance Committee would put a stop to this by requiring all businesses with annual receipts totaling $10 million to switch to the accrual method. Senators and representatives from both sides of the aisle warned this would “create significant long-term financial hardship.”

In letters to both House and Senate leadership, members from all 50 states called the cash accounting system fundamental to the success of small businesses across rural America. The letters were signed by 46 senators and 233 representatives.

Idaho Farm Bureau producer / OctoBER 2014

Under an accrual accounting system, small businesses would be taxed on non-existent income, thereby reducing their cash flow for operating costs and limiting opportunities for expansion. The added financial burden would require many to take out loans to cover the liquidity problems they would face.

Forcing small businesses to full-accrual accounting will hinder both profits and job creation in regions of the country that are still suffering from the economic downturn. Farm Bureau enthusiastically supports preservation of current cash accounting rules.

Idaho Farm Bureau producer / October 2014

29

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Idaho Farm Bureau producer / OctoBER 2014

I N T E R NA T I O NAL

SO C I E T Y F O R A G R I C U LTU R AL S A F E T Y A ND H EA LT H

Aging Farmers

10 Tips for Your Health and Safety

Who’s at Risk on the Farm?

Aging Farmers 1. Tell your health care provider about your farm work.

2. Check tetanus immunization status (every ten years if no wounds, more often if injured).

3. Evaluate: hearing and vision; balance and recovery; range of motion; grip strength; reaction time; skin (especially back and ears); medication use; temperature tolerance.

4. Start the day by stretching (in bed works fine to limber up first).

5. Have a clear communication plan and use it (periodic check in). Keep your cell phone handy.

6. Plan work to conserve energy (saves steps and exertion).

7. Minimize twisting, lifting, climbing (face the object to be moved, move entire body, not just your back or waist).

8. Take frequent breaks and hydrate (fatigue is a leading cause of injuries).

9. Good sleep hygiene (we need more sleep as we age, sleep quality/quantity declines with age).

10.Simple solutions (and good gift ideas): Earplugs, wide brimmed hat, sunglasses, gripper gloves, roll bar for tractor, mirrors for tractors and machinery, communication devices, sturdy walking stick, hand sanitizer, fire extinguishers, whistle, utility vehicles.

For more information contact: Deborah B. Reed, PhD, RN, FAAOHN University of Kentucky College of Nursing dbreed01@uky.edu or 859-257-9636 Follow us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/Agriculture.nurse ISASH Website: http://isash.org/isash-news/ ISASH Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/

Idaho Farm Bureau producer / October 2014

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Idaho Farm Bureau producer / OctoBER 2014

American farm bureau federation news Cmdr. Rorke Denver: Keynote Speaker at AFBF’s 96th Annual Convention WASHINGTON, D.C., – Commander Rorke Denver will give the general session keynote address at the 96th AFBF Annual Convention and IDEAg Trade Show in San Diego on Jan. 12, 2015.

About 7,000 Farm Bureau members from across the nation are expected to gather in San Diego Jan. 11-14 to hear from distinguished leaders and participate in a grassroots policy setting process that will guide the American Farm Bureau Federation through 2015.

THREE in Iraq’s Al Abnar Province in one of the most combat-heavy deployments of any regular SEAL team since Vietnam. Stationed in Habbaniya, his team conducted more than 190 missions including sniper operations, direct assaults, special reconnaissance and ground patrols. He was awarded the Bronze Star with “V” for

valorous action in combat.

Farm Bureau members can register for the 96th AFBF Annual Convention and IDEAg Trade Show through their state Farm Bureaus or online through AFBF at http:// annualconvention.fb.org starting Oct. 1.

Denver has run every phase of training for the U.S. Navy SEALs and led specialforces missions in the Middle East, Africa, Latin America and other international hot spots. “Damn Few: Making the Modern SEAL Warrior,” is Denver’s book that takes readers inside his personal story and the demanding SEAL training program he oversaw.

“We are thrilled to have Rorke Denver as one of our keynote speakers,” said AFBF President Bob Stallman. “His leadership, dedication to teamwork and courage when faced with pressure-filled situations few of us can imagine is inspiring,” he said.

In 2006, Denver was officer in charge of the BRAVO Platoon of SEAL Team

Rorke Denver, Commander, US Navy SEALs, photo credit: Aaron Huniu Photography.

Farm Bureau Denounces Overreach on Water Rights Washington, D.C., September 10, 2014 – The Forest Service’s latest attempt to take water rights from farmers and ranchers violates fundamental constitutional protections, the Colorado Farm Bureau and the American Farm Bureau Federation said today. The proposed Forest Service Groundwater Directive, they said, would circumvent state water rights and give the agency unprecedented control over water

use in the West.

Colorado Farm Bureau President Don Shawcroft told the House Committee on Agriculture that the new directive would empower the Forest Service to take part ownership of private citizens’ water rights as a regular part of rights renewal process.

Such seizures are unnecessary because western states have developed systems to fairly appropriate their often scarce wa-

ter resources through statute and years of well-established case law, Shawcroft said.

Farm Bureau urged Congress to stop the directive. “Water is the lifeblood for all farm and ranch operations,” Shawcroft said. “We are outraged that the federal government continues to grossly and willfully ignore the established system of water rights.”

Idaho Farm Bureau producer / October 2014

33

AFBF Demands Straight Talk from EPA

Farm Bureau organizations and all Americans should demand straight talk from the Environmental Protection Agency about its proposed “waters of the U.S.” rule, according to AFBF General Counsel Ellen Steen. EPA’s public talking points say the proposed rule will regulate “tributaries,” but the fine print shows the rule would go much farther than any common understanding of that word.

Steen explains that dictionaries define a tributary as a river or stream flowing into a larger river or lake, but the fine print in the proposed rule reads as follows: “A tributary is a longitudinal surface feature that results from directional surface water movement and sediment dynamics demonstrated by the presence of bed and banks, bottom and lateral boundaries, or other indicators of [ordinary high water mark].” It also says “in some regions of the country where there is a very low gradient, the banks of a tributary may be very low or may even disappear at times.” (79 Fed. Reg. 22202) Translating the fine print into plain English: the proposed WOTUS rule will regulate land where water channels and flows when it rains, so long as the flowing water leaves a mark on the land. It may even regulate land where there is no visible channel or marks left by flowing water.

34

U.S. Hits Mexican Sugar With Import Duties

After determining that Mexico was subsidizing its sugar growers, the Commerce Department has issued preliminary countervailing duties, effective immediately, against Mexican sugar imports, ranging from 3 percent to 17 percent, depending on the exporter.

Since they are not final, the duties can be modified or eliminated. Commerce is expected to announce a final decision on the countervailing duties in January 2015. In addition, the department is considering whether to also impose antidumping duties on the $1 billion of annual Mexican sugar imports to the U.S. The action by the Department of Commerce is in response to a petition for import relief filed by the American Sugar Alliance.

Rural Entrepreneurship Challenge Opens Doors

Innovation and entrepreneurship are two words that are more likely to be associated with Silicon Valley than rural America. These two words, however, describe many small businesses in rural communities across the country according to Dr. Lisa Benson, the American Farm Bureau Federation’s director of rural development.

“Rural business owners have a

Idaho Farm Bureau producer / OctoBER 2014

unique comparative advantage to urban businesses with access to affordable land, passionate employees and a customer base that relies on their products,” says Benson. “It’s everything that a successful business needs to have.”

mapped more features as Waters of the U.S.

Focus on Agriculture column or http://www.fb.org/ index.php?action=newsroom. focus&id=167

The final value of Idaho’s 2013 potato crop was $1.02 billion, up 2 percent from 2012. The marketing year average price for potatoes in Idaho was $7.75 per hundredweight, up $0.70 from last year. In Oregon, the 2013 potato crop was valued at $189 million, up 4 percent from last year. The all potato price was $8.75 per hundredweight, up $0.85 from last year. Washington’s 2013 potato crop was valued at $792 million, up 13 percent from 2012. The marketing year average price for all potatoes was $8.25 per hundredweight, up $0.95 from the previous year.

WOTUS Maps Unveiled

Agriculture’s WOTUS Mapping Initiative is now available online at http://goo.gl/ KbU05l. The maps are based on U.S. Geological Survey data and identify water flow characteristics nationwide and within states. The maps are from the National Hydrography Dataset at high resolution (1:24,000 scale or higher) and show permanent streams, something less than all intermittent streams (i.e., streams that flow seasonally), and as little as 30 percent of ephemeral streams (i.e., streams that flow only in response to rainfall or snowmelt). The agricultural groups that funded the project, which include the American Farm Bureau Federation, initially focused on 17 states. Extensive data has been provided on the 17 states, as well as some detail on all 50 states.

Within the 17 states there are certain areas on the maps depicted by intensive ruby-red sub-areas. This shows where USGS and the Environmental Protection Agency have

The ID, WA, and OR Combined Potato Crop Valued at $1.98 Billion for 2013

In Idaho, fall potato production for 2013 totaled 131 million hundredweight. In Oregon, production was 21.6 million hundredweight. Production in Washington was 96.0 million hundredweight. The combined production for the 3 States was 63 percent of U.S. fall potato production in 2013.

Processors in Idaho and Malheur County Oregon used a total of 85.3 million hundredweight in 2013, down 5 percent from 2012. Washington and Oregon, excluding Malheur County, processors used 80.7 million hundredweight during 2013, up slightly from last year.

USDA to Survey Production Practices of Vegetable Farmers

Over the next three months vegetable growers in the United States will have the opportunity to provide first-hand information on their production practices when they participate in the 2014 Vegetable Chemical Use Survey, conducted by USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS).

“This survey will give vegetable producers the opportunity to explain how they use agricultural chemicals and manage pests responsibly to produce a safe, high-quality food supply,”

said Christopher Mertz, Director of the NASS Northwest Regional Field Office. “The data will help support the policies and programs that protect the health and safety of agriculture producers, workers and consumers alike.”

NASS field offices in 19 states will collect data for target crops. The Northwest Regional Field Office will oversee Oregon and Washington data collection covering snap beans, sweet corn, dry onions, green peas and strawberries in Oregon and asparagus, processing carrots, sweet corn, dry onions, green peas, and strawberries in

Washington. During the October 1, 2014 – January 10, 2015 data collection period, NASS representatives will be conducting in-person interviews with growers to gather information on their planted target vegetable acreage, fertilizer and pesticide application data, and pest management practices.

“The Vegetable Chemical Use Survey will help ensure that USDA, the Washington State Department of Agriculture, and other agencies have the most accurate, up-to-date chemical use information, straight from the source – producers them-

selves,” Mertz explained.

As with all NASS surveys, information provided by respondents is confidential by law.

NASS safeguards the confidentiality of all responses and publishes only state and nationallevel data, ensuring that no individual producer or operation is identified.

The results of the 2014 Vegetable Chemical Use Survey will be released on NASS’s website at www.nass.usda.gov on August 5, 2015. For more information call the NASS Northwest Regional Field Office at (800) 435-5883.

Idaho Farm Bureau producer / October 2014

35

Farm Bureau Members Pay Less For Choice Hotels!

FARM BUREAU COMMODITY REPORT GRAIN PRICES

Portland:

White Wheat 11% Winter 14% Spring Oats

Ogden:

White Wheat 11% Winter 14% Spring Barley

Pocatello:

White Wheat 11% Winter 14% Spring Hard White

A $40 room will be closer to

Burley:

$32

White Wheat 11% Winter 14% Spring Barley

Nampa:

White Wheat (cwt) (Bushel)

A $60 room will be closer to

Lewiston:

$48 A $90 room will be closer to

White Wheat H. Red Winter Dark N. Spring Barley

Farm Bureau Discount Code

00209550

advanced reservations required

Trend

6.93 7.08-7.23 7.96 290.00

6.69 6.78-7.08 7.97 280.00

- .24 - .30 to - .15 + .01 - 10.00

6.07 6.12 6.82 6.35

6.11 5.80 6.82 4.90

+ .04 - .32 Steady - 1.45

Call Call Call Call

for for for for

pricing pricing pricing pricing

5.75 5.75 6.09 5.75

N/A N/A N/A N/A

Call Call Call Call

for for for for

pricing pricing pricing pricing

5.65 5.25 6.11 5.20

N/A N/A N/A N/A

10.25 6.15

9.75 5.85

- .50 - .30

6.70 7.06 7.90 156.50

6.20 6.82 8.29 136.50

- .50 - .24 + .39 - 20.00

09/22/2014

Trend

200-360 172-310 175-239 148-207

250-390 210-288 180-245 160-212

+ + + +

208-309 172-280 172-245 166-204

235-340 190-287 167-230 150-207

+ 27 to + 31 + 18 to + 7 - 5 to - 15 - 16 to + 3

150-216 149-190

150-234 135-206

steady to + 18 - 14 to + 16

91-128 83-112

89-124 80-109

- 2 to - 4 -3

1440-1900

1300-2100

- 140 to + 200

110-149

104-151

- 6 to + 2

34.00-35.00 Not Established Not Established

28.00-31.00 Not Established 40.00-42.00

- 6.00 to - 4.00 N.A. N.A.

LIVESTOCK PRICES Under 500 lbs 500-700 lbs 700-900 lbs Over 900 lbs

1.800.258.2847

09/23/2014

08/21/2014

Feeder Steers

$72

08/25/2014

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

Holstein Steers Under 700 lbs Over 700 lbs

Cows

Utility/Commercial Canner & Cutter

Stock Cows

Bulls

Slaughter

BEAN PRICES: Pinto Pink Small Red

Compiled by the Idaho Farm Bureau Commodity Division 36

Idaho Farm Bureau producer / OctoBER 2014

50 to + 30 38 to - 22 5 to + 6 12 to + 5

IDaho Hay Report

Tons Price Alfalfa Large Square Supreme 450 190.00-220.00 Premium 400 220.00-220.00 Fair 1750 150.00-160.00 Utility/Fair 2000 75.00-120.00

USDA Market News, Moses Lake, WA

September 19, 2014 Tons: 4600 Last Week: 3675 Last Year: 5017 Compared to last week, Alfalfa steady to firm in a light test. Trade very slow this week as buyers try to market higher testing 4th cutting. Demand good for non-rained light for heavy rained on supplies. Retail/feed store/horse not tested this week. All prices are dollars per ton and FOB the farm or ranch unless otherwise stated. Delivered prices include freight, commissions and other expenses.

POTATOES

Comments

203.33 220.00 154.29 Rain Damage 97.50 Rain Damage

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.

ONIONS

Potatoes for Processing

September 23, 2014 IDAHO---Open-market trading by processors with growers was inactive.

Potatoes

UPPER VALLEY,TWIN FALLS-BURLEY DISTRICT, IDAHO --- 566-703-714 (includes export of 3-7-4) ---Movement expected to remain about the same. Trading cartons 40-70s fairly active, others moderate. Prices cartons 80-100s slightly lower, others generally unchanged. Russet Norkotah U.S. One baled 5 10-pound film bags non size A mostly 3.50-4.00; 50-pound cartons 40-70s 7.50-8.00, 80s mostly 6.50-7.50, 90-100s 5.50-6.50.

5 Year Grain Comparison

Grain Prices.................09/21/2010...................09/21/2011.................. 09/24/2012..................9/26/2013...................9/23/2014 Portland: White Wheat..................... 6.51 ..............................6.58 ..............................8.77...............................7.13 .......................... 6.69 11% Winter.....................No Bid.........................7.66-7.86.......................9.43-9.48.........................No Bid........................6.78-7.08 14% Spring......................No Bid............................. 9.46 ..........................No Bid.............................8.24...............................7.97 Corn...............................209-209.75 .......................N/A...........................311-312.50.......................No Bid..........................No Bid Ogden: White Wheat..................... 6.05 .............................6.55............................... 7.95.............................

11% Winter....................... 6.14 ..............................6.65 ............................. 8.29.............................

14 % Spring.......................7.21 ..............................8.30 ............................. 8.91.............................

Barley................................. 6.70 ............................. 12.10..............................12.20.............................

Wtd Avg

6.53............................. 6.11 7.17............................ 5.80 7.98............................ 6.82 7.95............................ 4.90

Pocatello: White Wheat..................... 5.85 .............................6.45................................8.00...............................6.30...............................5.75 11% Winter....................... 5.97 ..............................6.40 ..............................8.36...............................7.42...............................5.75 14% Spring.........................7.14 .............................. 7.95 ..............................8.68...............................7.32.............................. 6.09 Barley................................. 6.46 ........................... 11.67..............................12.92............................No Bid..........................No Bid

Onions, Dry

IDAHO AND MALHUER COUNTY OREGON---Shipments 204-286-276---Movement expected to remain about the same. Trading moderate. Prices Yellow and White jumbos and medium Red lower, others generally unchanged. Yellow Spanish Hybrid U.S. One 50-pound sack Super Colossal mostly 11.00-12.00, colossal 8.00-9.00, jumbo mostly 7.00, medium mostly 5.00;White 50-pound sacks jumbo mostly 12.00, medium mostly 10.00; Red Globe Type U.S. One 25-pound sacks jumbo mostly 8.00, medium 6.00.

Burley: White Wheat..................... 5.80 .............................6.55................................7.82...............................6.30.............................. 5.65 11% Winter....................... 6.05 .............................6.43 ..............................8.00...............................6.77.............................. 5.25 14% Spring.........................7.17 ..............................8.03 ..............................8.43...............................7.00...............................6.11 Barley................................. 6.75 ........................... 11.50..............................13.00..............................8.00.............................. 5.20 Nampa: White Wheat (cwt)...........9.42 .............................10.42..............................13.08.............................10.33..............................9.75 (bushel)........... 5.65 .............................6.25................................7.85...............................6.20.............................. 5.85 Lewiston: White Wheat..................... 6.40 .............................6.30................................8.55...............................6.84.............................. 6.20 Barley...............................146.50........................... 211.50............................236.50...........................144.50.......................... 136.50 Bean Prices: Pintos...............................No Bid...................... 42.00-45.00 ..........38.00-40.00.................40.00-42.00.................40.00-42.00 Pinks................................No Bid...................... 44.00-45.00 ..........40.00-42.00......................No Bid..........................No Bid Small Reds.......................No Bid...................... 42.00-45.00 ................40.00-42.00......................No Bid..........................No Bid ***

AUGUST MILK PRODUCTION UP 2.6 percent September 19, 2014 Milk production in the 23 major States during August totaled 16.2 billion pounds, up 2.6 percent from August 2013. July revised production, at 16.4 billion pounds, was up 4.0 percent from July 2013. The July revision represented a decrease of 1 million pounds or less than 0.1 percent from last month’s preliminary production estimate.

Production per cow in the 23 major States averaged 1,885 pounds for August, 35 pounds above August 2013. This is the highest production per cow for the month of August since the 23 State series began in 2003.

The number of milk cows on farms in the 23 major States was 8.58 million head, 60,000 head more than August 2013, but 1,000 head less than July 2014.

August Milk Production in the United States up 2.5 Percent Milk production in the United States during August totaled 17.2 billion pounds, up 2.5 percent from August 2013.

Production per cow in the United States averaged 1,856 pounds for August, 37 pounds above August 2013.

The number of milk cows on farms in the United States was 9.28 million head, 47,000 head more than August 2013, but 1,000 head less than July 2014.

Idaho Farm Bureau producer / October 2014

37

5 Year livestock comparison

Cattle on Feed

September 19, 2014 .....................................09/21/2010...................09/21/2011....................09/24/2012....................9/25/2013....................9/22/2014 Under 500 lbs................ 115-145 ......................128-181 ......................126-187.........................148-198........................250-390 500-700 lbs.................... 101-137.........................116-160..........................116-170.........................130-174........................210-288 700-900 lbs..................... 95-112 .......................101-133..........................115-151.........................119-157........................180-245 Over 900 lbs...................80-102.......................... 101-118..........................110-129.........................105-138........................ 160-212 Feeder Heifers Under 500 lbs................105-141 ..................... 119-170..........................117-174.........................142-186........................235-340 500-700 lbs.....................96-121 ......................114-144..........................116-155.........................121-160........................190-287 700-900 lbs.....................90-108..........................103-125.........................110-133.........................102-144........................ 167-230 Over 900 lbs...................84-100...........................90-114............................98-120...........................90-133.........................150-207 Holstein Steers Under 700 lbs..................65-91 ...........................78-92 ..........................75-118...........................71-113.........................150-234 Over 700 lbs....................65-82 ...........................74-92 ..........................63-103...........................75-102.........................135-206 Cows Utility/Commercial...........47-67.............................51-71..............................54-78............................ 58-86........................... 89-124 Canner & Cutter..............40-55.............................42-67.............................55-72............................ 50-73...........................80-109 Stock Cows.....................800-1000............................N/A ........................N/A ...................... N/A..........................1300-2100

United States Cattle on Feed Down 1 Percent Cattle and calves on feed for slaughter market in the United States for feedlots with capacity of 1,000 or more head totaled 9.8 million head on September 1, 2014.

The inventory was 1 percent below September 1, 2013.

Placements in feedlots during August totaled 1.72 million, 3 percent below 2013.

Net placements were 1.65 million head. During August, placements of cattle and calves weighing less than 600 pounds were 410,000, 600-699 pounds were 280,000, 700-799 pounds were 395,000, and 800 pounds and greater were 635,000. For the month of August placements are the lowest since the series began in 1996.

Marketings of fed cattle during August totaled 1.69 million, 10 percent below 2013.

August marketings are the lowest since the series began in 1996.

Other disappearance totaled 66,000 during August, 32 percent above 2013.

Bulls – Slaughter............47-77.............................61-89 ............................70-90............................69-95.......................... 104-151

Cattle Outlook Today’s cattle on feed report is slightly bearish due to a bit higher-than-expected placements. USDA says there were 0.8% fewer cattle in large feedlots on the first day of September than a year earlier. Placements were down 2.9% during August and marketings were down 9.6%. The average of pre-release trade predictions was for the number of cattle on feed September 1 to be down 1.0% with August placements to be down 4.0% and August marketings down 9.6%. The number of cattle on feed has been below year-ago each month since August 2012.

Retail beef prices set new records in August. The average price of a pound of choice beef in grocery stores was $6.24, up 28.9 cents from the month before and 88.9 cents higher than a year ago. This was the seventh consecutive record month for choice beef prices. The average price of all fresh beef at retail was $5.807 per pound in August. That was 25.7 cents higher than the old record set the month before. The August farm-wholesale price spread was 51.7 cents, the most since June 2006.

Boxed beef cutout value was lower this week. The cutout value for choice carcasses this morning was $244.54/cwt, down $5.99 from last Friday, but $52.09 higher than a year ago.The select cutout was $230.64/cwt on today’s morning report, down $4.89 for the week, but $54.53 higher than a year earlier.

Fed cattle prices dropped this week on light volume. Through Thursday, the 5-area average price for slaughter steers sold on a live weight basis were $153.75/cwt, down $4.95 from last week’s average, but up $31.05 compared to a year ago. The 5 area average dressed price for steers lost $4.60 this week to $245.23/cwt.

38

Idaho Farm Bureau producer / OctoBER 2014

Cattle slaughter totaled 571 thousand head, down 3.5% from the week before and 9.5% fewer than the same week last year. This was the 29th consecutive week that cattle slaughter has been below the year-ago level. The average dressed weight for steers slaughtered the week ending September 6 was 889 pounds, up 12 pounds from the week before and 17 pounds heavier than the same week last year.

Feeder cattle prices were steady to $5 higher this week at Oklahoma City. This week’s price ranges for medium and large frame #1 steers by weight group were: 400-450# $300-$323, 450-500# $288-$314, 500-550# $254-$283.50, 550-600# $241-$264, 600-650# $239-$261.50, 650-700# $215-$248.50, 700-750# $215-$242, 750-800# $219.50-$230, 800-900# $214.50-$227, and 900-1000# $201-$213.85/ cwt.

The October live cattle futures contract closed at $155.62/cwt today, down 65 cents on the week. December fed cattle settled at $158.70/cwt, down 55 cents for the week. The February contract ended the week at $160.25/cwt.

The September feeder cattle contract gained $1.13 this week to end at $230.60/cwt.

October feeders closed at $228.72/cwt.

University of Missouri

Classifieds Animals

Miscellaneous

Vehicles

Wanted

ASCA registered Australian Shepherd pups.

Working line since 1968. Full satisfaction guaranteed. All four colors available. Boise, Id 208-484-9802.

9000 Watt Generator never used. 15 HP Honda engine. 120 and 240 volt outlets.

Electric start, on wheels easy to move. List price $3,250. Asking $2,250. May take some trades. Homedale, Id. 208-337-8018.

1965 Red Ford Mustang re-built engine and cam $14,000. 1981 Mercedes-Benzes 300SD Turbo Diesel 212,000 miles, power everything, leather seats $7,000. Heyburn, Id. 208-670-5050.

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 208-405-9338.

Gently Used One-Owner, 2005 Ford Explorer.

135,000 miles, excellent condition. $5400, Pocatello, ID 317-6301

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. 208-285-1258

Farm Equipment Farmall H tractor 1942-1943 $1,000.00; 2 Horse trailer $1,000.00. Twin Falls, Id. 208-733-7212.

New Squeeze Chute - $1,200. Green, Hand pull. Midvale, Id. 208-355-3780.

2000 gal VanVetter milk tank with 2-3 phase - compressors, $5,000; 10 HP DeLaval variable speed vacuum pump, $5,000; 12 BourMatic 2100 detaches $100 each.

Preston, Id. 208-852-0723.

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

Hay and Feed 2nd Crop Hay (rained on.) $3.00 a Bale (around 60 Bales left.) Small Bales (Approx.

60 lbs each.) call 528-5337.

Household Gas/Propane Hot Water Heater - G.E., Capacity - 40 Gal. (Tall), Great Condition.

Paid $550 - Asking $250. Shelley, ID. Call 528-5337. Please leave message.

Belted Galloway hides tanned hair on long red and black. Nice white belt. $450.00 each. Bennington, ID. 208-847-1262.

Generator-6500 Watt, 10 HP diesel, Elec. start, 4-stroke, air-cooled 40amp @120 V, 20 amp @ 240 V. like New, $2,500.

Rockland, ID 208-548-2351.

Cider Press-Trailer mounted, 2’x7.5’, 2000 lb hydraulic press, sieves, tanks, cloths, etc, everything ready to go $4,500; Upright Cooler-4-shelf, 9.5’W x6.5’Hx 3’D + 100+ 1 gal cider jugs, $600. Rockland, ID 208548-2351.

Two Plots in the Twin Falls Cemetery $500 each or $800 for both. Collectable porcelain dolls. Heyburn, Id. 208-670-5050.

Real Estate/Acreage Mobile Home Lot for rent - 14x70 or smaller - 2008 Mobile Home or Newer. $175.00 monthly, includes water/sewer Only. Shelley Area. Application process and contract required. For more info please call 528-5337, leave message.

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FOR IDAHO FARM BUREAU MEMBERS send to: dashton@idahofb.org

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NOV. 20 FOR NEXT ISSUE. Idaho Farm Bureau producer / October 2014

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