April 2015, Volume 19, Issue 3

April 2015 • Volume 19, Issue 3

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Work Proceeding on Healthy Forest Restoration Projects

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Sheep Shearing Crews Busy This Spring

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Idaho Farm Bureau

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Legislature Approves Eminent Domain Legislation

The Ag Economy Needs Full Immigration Reform

By Bob Stallman AFBF President

Much of the country is thawing out from a long winter. Farmers are making plans for the coming season, and in some regions crops are already in bloom. A big question for many farmers is whether they’ll have enough workers to harvest those crops. Well, Congress has been busy making plans too. In

Spreading Manure

By Frank Priestley President Idaho Farm Bureau Federation

We recently posted a photograph of a tractor pulling a manure spreader working in a field in western Idaho on our Idaho Farm Bureau Facebook page. To those of us in

Idaho’s Citizen Legislature

By Rick Keller CEO Idaho Farm Bureau Federation

Idaho’s Legislature is one of a handful of states that is a citizen legislature. A citizen legislature is one made up primarily of citizens who have a full-time occupation besides being a legislator. Many 2

Idaho Farm Bureau producer / APRIL 2015

The Ag Agenda the last few weeks, the buzz around immigration has picked up on Capitol Hill. Unfortunately, the plans Congress has in mind stop short of what agriculture needs, and would do farmers more harm than good.

The House Judiciary Committee recently pushed forward so-called e-Verify legislation that would require workers to present a more secure form of identification before they could be hired. Congress, the agricultural community it was just a photo to show that spring is early this year and farmers are once again out in the fields. However, we received a comment on the photograph from a lady with a different point of view.

To paraphrase, she wrote that spreading “feedlot waste” on fields is a dangerous practice that could taint the crops to be planted in the field later this spring.

It’s a puzzling comment to those of us of the opinion that manure prostates, by contrast, have a professional legislature. James Madison wrote in Federalist No. 62 that citizen legislatures’ “escape a variety of important errors in the exercise of their legislative trust,” primarily by “not forgetting obligation to their constituents.”

The Idaho Legislature prides itself in being a citizen legislature.

As its website self-describes, “The Idaho Legislature is responsible for translating the public will into public policy for the state, levying taxes, appropriating public funds,

in short, seems ready to require stricter enforcement of immigration laws without first repairing the broken immigration system that exists today.

We agree: worker documentation does need to be brought into the 21st century to secure our borders.

But stopping there would cripple agricultural production the United States. Effective immigration reSee STALLMAN, page 7 vides tilth and nutrients that make crops and soils more productive.

But it illustrates a bigger problem related to the vast amount of misinformation getting spread around about agriculture and the need for farmers and ranchers to reach out to consumers.

Ten years ago it was common to hear farmers say “consumers don’t know enough about where their food comes from or the challenges associated with food production.”

See PRIESTLEY, page 6

and overseeing the administration of state agencies…. Since statehood in 1890, Idaho’s legislators have enjoyed a rich and successful history of charting the state’s growth. Much of that success can be attributed to the fact that Idaho’s legislators are ‘citizen’ legislators, not career politicians. They are farmers and ranchers, business men and women, lawyers, doctors, sales people, loggers, teachers. Elected for twoyear terms and in session at the Capitol about three months each See KELLER, page 7

Volume 19, Issue 3

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 Luke Pearce ............................................. New Plymouth Cody Chandler....................................................... Weiser Tracy Walton ........................................................ Emmett Marjorie French ............................................... Princeton Alton Howell ................................................ Careywood Tom Daniel ............................................... Bonners Ferry Judy Woody ................................................................ Filer Cole Smith ...................................................... Montpelier STAFF Dir. of Organization............................... Dennis Brower Commodities & Marketing Assistant ........... Peg Pratt Member Services Assistant ..................... Peggy Moore Public Relations Assistant ........................ Dixie Ashton Dist. I Regional Manager ........................... Justin Patten Dist. II 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 Administrative Assistant ............................... Cara Dyer Assistant Treasurer.................................. Tyler Zollinger 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: Work on about 50 projects that are expected to make Idaho forests more healthy is underway.

Photo by Steve Ritter

During a field trip for the Jasper Mountain project, a silviculturist (center, plaid shirt) from the Idaho Panhandle National Forests discusses insects and disease and how the affected stand responded to commercial thinning. Photo Courtesy of USFS

Forest Restoration Projects Underway

By John Thompson

State and federal officials are moving forward with 50 forest restoration projects encompassing 1.8 million acres on National Forest land in Idaho.

The projects were approved last spring as part of the Healthy Forest Restoration Act, which was part of the 2014 Farm Bill. The projects are all under 3,000 acres, which may entitle them to a categorical exclusion from the rigorous requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). All were selected based on risk of fire, disease or insect damage.

Craig Foss, Idaho Department of Lands bureau chief – forestry assistance, said the projects are subject to an abbreviated NEPA process and should be completed in half the time it takes to complete forest treatments that are subject to the full NEPA process - generally five to six years.

“Some of the projects are well along their way but are not to the point where there is actual work on the ground taking place,” Foss said. “We are waiting to see if they will be litigated. The Forest Service is under the assumption they will be litigated.”

Several conservation groups including The Nature Conservancy and the Idaho Conservation League were included in the process of identifying and submitting the projects, Foss said. The State of Idaho and its citizens will benefit from these projects if the agencies can shepherd them through. Foss said the Idaho Department of Lands has an interest in improving forest health on federal lands because they are neighboring lands and forest fires, diseases and bugs don’t know boundaries. He added that Idaho’s economy could benefit through job creation and an increased volume of timber flowing to mills in northern Idaho.

See FOREST RESTORATION page 4 Idaho Farm Bureau producer / APRIL 2015

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FOREST RESTORATION

Continued from page 3

A large group of projects that would address the failing health of federal forest land in Idaho are also expected to give the northern Idaho economy a bump by providing logs for milling. Idaho Farm Bureau file photo

“We want more active management on federal lands,” Foss said. “If we take care of our forests and do what we can to manage them to be healthier we want our neighbors to do the same. These problems don’t know boundaries. If there are insect outbreaks or fire we are impacted by that and forest health is a key part of it.”

20 million acres total in Idaho or 75 percent of the state’s forested landscape. That equates to 38 percent of the entire state. A recent survey of those forests revealed that 12.6 million acres of federal forest land is suitable for some level of management and that 8.8 million acres are at high risk for disease, insects or fire, Foss said.

The projects were mapped out through aerial reconnaissance. Foss said IDL pilots fly over forests throughout the state every year to identify overgrown stands of timber that are fire threatened and to identify insect and disease damage. Fire is always a big concern. The leading insect threat is the Northern Bark Beetle which attacks lodgepole pine stands in higher elevations, according to Gina Davis, IDL program manager for forest health and forest stewardship. However, this beetle will also attack Ponderosa pine other species of trees.

Root rot in grand fir and Douglas fir is a major threat in northern Idaho forests, she said.

Although the need seems well-documented, challenges remain. The biggest is perhaps the fact that no extra funding came attached to the Healthy Forest Restoration Act (HFRA) of 2014.

Federally managed forests make up over 4 #

“There was no money attached and honestly that’s one of the struggles the National Forests face,” said Foss. “With no money attached, existing Forest Service staff must identify the projects and NEPA ties up a lot of staff members. They have existing workload but no new staff so they have to reassess where to devote the resources.”

A HFRA project in Bonner County is expected to be the first to come fruition barring litigation, Foss said. The Jasper Mountain Project, located about eight

Idaho Farm Bureau producer / APRIL 2015

miles north of Priest River and 14 miles south of Priest Lake, has been identified as having serious forest health issues related to root rot, insects and ladder fuels that increase fire danger.

According to Forest Service documents, the entire project area is 15,000 acres but treatments are proposed on only 2,033 acres. The document that outlines proposed treatment or “scoping,” document states the area is “Experiencing declining forest health, based on annual forest health surveys conducted by the Secretary; 2) At risk of experiencing substantially increased tree mortality over the next 15 years due to insect or disease infestation based on the most recent National Insect and Disease Risk Map published by the Forest Service; or 3) In an area in which the risk of hazard trees poses an imminent risk to public infrastructure, health or safety.”

The entire document can be found at the following link: http://www.fs.usda.gov/ project/?project=45020

Kohtz Completes PAL Courses

By Jake Putnam

On February 25th Twin Falls County Farm Bureau President Elizabeth Kohtz graduated from the prestigious American Farm Bureau Partners in Agricultural Leadership Class.

Just 10 outstanding Young Farmers and Ranchers are selected for the elite leadership program that develops leadership abilities and sets their roles as future advocates for agriculture.

“This group of PAL graduates represents the very ‘best of the best’ among today’s farmers and ranchers,” AFBF President Bob Stallman said.

“They are top-tier agricultural advocates, and we look forward to having them as vital contributors to our outreach efforts.”

To be eligible for the PAL program, members must have developed leadership skills built through participating in at least one Young Farmers & Ranchers program.

This includes AFBF competitive events, Discussion Meet (“Sweet 16” finalist), Achievement Award (top 10 finalist) and Excellence in Agriculture Award (top 10 finalist). Retired members of the AFBF YF&R Committee and retired chairs of state Farm Bureau YF&R Committees were eligible to apply.

Kohtz, 36, is married to Steven Kohtz and resides in Twin Falls. Elizabeth is a full time mother of two and graduated from Washington State School of Veterinary Science.

Ten outstanding young farm and ranch leaders were honored recently by the American Farm Bureau Federation as graduates of the organization’s seventh Partners in Agricultural Leadership class. The young agricultural leaders were recognized during AFBF’s Advocacy Conference. PAL is designed to help agricultural leaders accelerate their leadership abilities and solidify their roles as advocates for agriculture.

Row 1 (L to R): Joy Davis, Texas; Katie Heger, North Dakota; Jillian Beaty, Wisconsin; Shannon Douglass, California; and Stacey Forshee, Kansas. Row 2 (L to R): Joshua Geigle, South Dakota; Brandon Whitt, Tennessee; Elizabeth Kohtz, Idaho; Adam Hinton, Kentucky; and Jason Bunting, Illinois.

She’s a farmer as well and we caught up with her as she was rushing from work to a Farm Bureau function: Tell us about the American Farm Bureau PAL program you’ve been involved with the past two years.

“It’s Partners in Agriculture Leadership and it’s for Young Farmers and Ranchers who have reached a high level of achievement previously and it’s a stepping stone into more leadership opportunities. In order to be eligible for PAL you had to have been a state YF&R Chair, on the AFBF committee, a top 16 finalist in the discussion meet, top 10 in

Achiever or Excellence programs at AFBF. If you meet that criteria you’re eligible to apply and they take ten people in the U.S. every 2 years.”

So in terms of the next generation of Farmers and Ranchers in the US, this is the elite of the elite?

“That’s correct. That’s what the AFBF says about it. It’s composed of four modules.

There’s a story-telling where you travel to New York City and media training is involved with that. And then the legislative module is in Washington, D.C. To do mock up exercises with lobbyists and mock testimony in front of

committees and those types of exercises. Then there’s the International component. My class was the first to have this component and we travelled to Brazil, in order to see what agriculture is like in other countries, the similarities, differences and how U.S. agriculture stacks up on the global playing field. The fourth module is stakeholder engagement in St. Louis, Missouri. We worked a lot with Monsanto at the corporation on that and how to work with stakeholders and how important it is to have those relationships in agriculture and See ELIZABETH KOHTZ page 23

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PRIESTLEY

Continued from page 2

Today that has changed. Over the last several years consumers have become much more aware of farm production practices, food processing and the politics of agriculture. And misinformation is rampant.

Here is another example.

In another Facebook discussion a lady wrote that she recently traveled to Europe and while there symptoms of her gluten intolerance / Celiac disease were gone. She could eat anything she wanted in Europe including beer, brats and bread with no ill effects. So therefore, the U.S. has a tainted food supply and it must be GMO wheat in the U.S. causing her problems, because there is no GMO wheat in Europe.

She is correct about the fact that there isn’t any GMO wheat in Europe, but apparently didn’t know that there is no GMO wheat on the market in the U.S. either. Her comments are not uncommon. Genetic technology used in crops has become one of the biggest targets in ag-

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riculture for spreading misinformation mainly because most people don’t take the time to understand the pros and cons.

But ballot measures in several states that would require labeling of foods made from GMO crops have been turned back which indicates that as people learn more about the technology they become more accepting. It wasn’t that long ago that rumors about microwave ovens and cell phones causing cancer were being spread around. A lot of the technology that has become commonplace in the last 20 years had to go through an acceptance phase. One important fact to remember about GMO crops is that livestock in the U.S. have been consuming them for over 20 years now and none of the predictions about GMO related cancer or other health problems have come to fruition.

Another common agriculture myth that we often see relates to the acreage planted to feed crops for livestock and how that should be converted to

Idaho Farm Bureau producer / APRIL 2015

vegetable or grain production for humans. The vegan / vegetarian opinion is that people whom are starving, wouldn’t be starving if this land was dedicated to human food production such as vegetables.

Our problem in the U.S. with people who don’t get enough to eat isn’t remotely associated with the amount of food produced on our farms and ranches. To the contrary, our nation produces an excess and exports large volumes of meat, fruit and vegetables every year. If we were to plant more acres of fruit and vegetables it would upset the delicate balance of supply and demand and put many farms out of business. As an example, look at the Idaho potato industry. In years of overproduction, demand falls, followed by price.

As that problem escalates during the marketing year the price dips below the cost of production and can even drop below a point where the value of the crop is less than the cost to wash, package and ship the

crop. This has occurred twice in Idaho in the last 20 years, in 1996 and again with the 2000 crop year. Overproduction years cause farm failures and the crop is fed to cattle or left to rot because of its perishable nature. As you can see the problem with delivering food to hungry people isn’t solved simply by planting more acres of fruit or vegetables.

But getting back to our original point, we believe farmers and ranchers have an important story to tell. Many of you Farm Bureau members out there may be thinking that telling agriculture’s story is Farm Bureau’s job. That’s true and we’re working hard at it but we need your help because your experiences give our organization credibility with consumers. So please post on Facebook and tweet on Twitter. Start a blog and share your photographs. Tell the stories of agriculture from where it begins and where it matters most.

STALLMAN

Continued from page 2

workforce and create a new guest worker program to meet future needs. Agriculture supports millions of jobs both on and off the farm. No farmer should have to leave fruit to rot or plow up fields simply because he can’t find ready and willing workers.

An enforcement-only approach ignores the rest of our immigration problems and threatens to devastate the farm economy.

Farmers and ranchers are careful to follow the federal government’s requirements for checking employment documents,

and will continue to do so. But e-Verify by itself puts the onus on farmers and ranchers who are already hard pressed to find skilled workers.

The fallout would harm the entire economy. Farm Bureau estimates that food production would fall by $30 billion to $60 billion in the U.S. if the government implements a strict enforcement-only employment verification system.

As food demand grows, farmers will respond with increased production. The problem is our current immigration laws all

but guarantee it won’t be on our soil, because most Americans are simply not willing to take these jobs. Consumers, meanwhile, should expect their grocery bills to increase 5 to 6 percent.

Washington has a long tradition of granting special carveouts and exemptions to laws that fall unevenly on some sectors, but that won’t solve the problem we face. Farmers and ranchers aren’t looking for an exemption: We need a solution. That solution may not be a quick fix, but it can and must be

done. We need a new, flexible visa program that allows foreign-born workers to enter the U.S. legally. Skilled laborers currently working in agriculture also need a way to earn an adjustment in status and stay working here, on American farms. Farm Bureau is committed to continuing our work with Congress to reform our immigration system. We must not only secure our borders: We must secure the future of agriculture. Key to getting that job done is ensuring a stable workforce.

KELLER

Continued from page 2 year, Idaho’s citizen legislators are able to maintain close ties to their communities and a keen interest in the concerns of the electorate.”

As a regular observer of Idaho’s Legislature, I express appreciation for the “citizen” aspect of our legislature. Recently, while attending a House Agricultural Affairs Committee’s informational meeting, I watched the care the legislators took to listen and respond to the testimony of the farmers. The farmers, who left their farms earlier in the day and drove 4 hours to the State Capitol solely for the committee meeting, were nervous at their first time to appear before a legislative committee.

Some forgot the protocol of addressing the chairman properly or answering a question directly to the legislator who asked the question, but with

interest, the chairmen and the legislators gently corrected the faux pas of their constituents.

Great care was exerted by the committee to listen intently, be patient with explanations, and graciously allowed the chairman to extend the committee’s agenda to permit all who wanted to speak the opportunity to do so uninterrupted. Great respect was given to each farmer and similar respect was reciprocated to the committee.

This was a single observation of one committee, but I have witnessed it again and again in most of Idaho’s legislative committees. The legislators exhibit inordinate deference to Idaho’s constituents when speaking and lobbying for themselves.

Accolades to Idaho’s Citizen Legislature, for they are us.

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Students and teachers whom attended last year’s UI Extension Natural Resources Camp.

UI Extension Natural Resources Camp Continues 55-year Tradition KETCHUM, Idaho – Natural Resources Camp, a University of Idaho Extension tradition tucked away in some of the state’s grandest scenery, will again offer Idaho youth a unique opportunity to learn about and explore the environment June 22-27.

Youth interested in attending camp are encouraged to contact their local Soil Conservation District offices because they offer scholarships to help defray the $235 registration fee, which rises to $255 after May 21.

The camp for 12- to 14-year olds will celebrate its 55th anniversary this year with a program that focuses on wildlife, rangeland, forests, water and soil. The camp is located north of Ketchum in Idaho’s Smoky Mountains.

New staff members this year include program director Jess Helsley, a camp alumna who now works as a fish habitat biologist for the Quinault Indian Nation in western Washington; water instructor Jim Ekins, UI Extension area water educator in Northern Idaho; wildlife instructor Scott Scroggie, a U.S. Bureau of Land Management field biologist with the Sage Grouse Initiative; and fire educator Ryan Berlin, a fire education and mitigation specialist for the BLM Twin Falls District.

New staff members joining the camp this year are experts in water-related topics and fire management, said Amber Moore, NRC camp director and UI Extension soil specialist in Twin Falls.

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Idaho Farm Bureau producer / APRIL 2015

One of the camp’s goals is to continue drawing youth from eastern Idaho and the Boise area, Moore said, and including youth from urban areas in the mix of campers.

Teachers also attend the camp to learn about natural resources and to earn continuing education credits through the University of Idaho.

More information is available from soil conservation district offices, UI Extension county offices and from camp coordinator Megan Satterwhite at the UI Twin Falls Research and Extension Center at (208) 736-3634.

Young Farmers Still Concerned About Adequate Land Finding and securing adequate land to grow crops and raise animals was once again the top challenge identified in the American Farm Bureau Federation’s annual outlook survey of participants in the Young Farmers & Ranchers program. That challenge was identified by 29 percent of respondents, followed by government regulations, which was identified by 13 percent of the respondents.

“For young people who want to begin farming or ranching or expand an established farm or ranch, securing adequate land remains their top challenge,” said Jon Hegeman, AFBF’s national YF&R Committee chair and a farmer from Alabama. “Another major challenge is coping with burdensome government regulations.”

Other issues ranked as top concerns by young farmers and ranchers included the willingness of parents to turn over the reins, 10 percent; overall profitability, 10 percent; taxes and the availability of water, both 7 percent; and urbanization and the availability of ag financing, each coming in at 5 percent.

The 23rd annual YF&R survey revealed that 84 percent of those surveyed are more optimistic about farming and ranching than they were five years ago. Last year, 91 percent of those surveyed said they were more optimistic about farming compared to five years ago.

The 2015 survey also shows 92 percent of

the nation’s young farmers and ranchers say they are better off than they were five years ago. Last year, 93 percent reported being better off.

Ninety-one percent of respondents considered themselves lifetime farmers, while 97 percent would like to see their children follow in their footsteps. The informal survey reveals that 88 percent believe their children will be able to follow in their footsteps.

The majority of those surveyed – 75 percent – consider communicating with consumers a formal part of their jobs. Many use social media platforms as a tool to accomplish this, in addition to traditional outreach methods such as farm tours, agri-tourism and farmers’ markets.

The popular social media site Facebook is used by 74 percent of those surveyed. Twenty-three percent of respondents said they use the social networking site Twitter, 19 percent have a farm blog or webpage and 14 percent use YouTube to post videos of their farms and ranches.

“Use of social media platforms to interact with consumers – our customers – continues to grow and will help young farmers be successful,” Hegeman said.

High-speed Internet is used by 74 percent of those surveyed, with 23 percent relying on a satellite connection and fewer than 3 percent turning to dialup.

Again this year the young farmers and

ranchers were asked about their rural entrepreneurship efforts, with 45 percent reporting they had started a new business in the last three years or plan to start one in the near future. Among those respondents, access to start-up funding, help developing business plans and navigating legal issues were identified as areas of greatest concern.

The survey also shows that America’s young farmers and ranchers continue to be committed environmental caretakers, with 58 percent analyzing the nutrient content of soil and 56 percent using conservation tillage to protect soil and reduce erosion on their farms.

AFBF President Bob Stallman said the results of the YF&R survey show young farmers are optimistic and U.S. agriculture is in very capable hands.

“I am confident that the optimism and dedication of our young farmers and ranchers will ensure that a bright future lies ahead for our country and agriculture,” Stallman said. “They are the hope for the future of American agriculture and food production.”

The informal survey of young farmers and ranchers, ages 18-35, was conducted online in February. The purpose of the YF&R program is to help younger Farm Bureau members learn more about farming and ranching, network with other farmers and strengthen their leadership skills to assist in the growth of agriculture and Farm Bureau.

Idaho Farm Bureau producer / APRIL 2015

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Shearing of the Sheep A shearing company out of Wyoming with crew members from several countries was working in southwest Idaho in March. The fastest shearers will finish 200 sheep per day.

Photos by Steve Ritter

After the wool is removed from the sheep, it’s graded based on how clean it is and the length of the fibers.

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Idaho Farm Bureau producer / APRIL 2015

After the wool is sheared and graded, it’s loaded into a machine that compresses it into bales that can be loaded on trucks for shipping.

The large purple building with green stripes is a semi-trailer where the shearing crew works. After the wool is shorn it is pushed out of the doors so it can be graded and baled.

Sheep owned by Soulen Livestock await their turns in the shearing trailer. Shortly after shearing the ewes will begin lambing, followed by summer in high elevation pastures.

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Focus on Agriculture Desperate for Water

By Stewart Truelsen If all the snow that fell in the Boston area this winter had been shipped to California, it would have yielded an estimated 6 billion gallons of water. While Boston was running out of places to pile snow, the drought-stricken West would have gladly received it. Eastern cities broke records for snowfall and cold temperatures, but snowpack in the Sierra Nevada mountain range was incredibly low.

If the current situation isn’t bad enough, the future looks even drier. Researchers 12

from NASA, Cornell and Columbia universities are predicting a “megadrought” and severe water shortages for the Southwest and the central Plains occurring sometime around the middle of this century. A megadrought can last 10 times longer than a typical drought cycle of about three years.

The forecast is based on climate models that put the likelihood of this monster weather pattern occurring at 80 percent.

It wouldn’t be the first megadrought. The last one in North America occurred during the 12th and 13th centuries.

Idaho Farm Bureau producer / APRIL 2015

Western farmers are focusing on optimizing irrigation, developing new plant varieties that thrive in dry, saline conditions and recycling water used in processing. A water bond proposition passed by California voters last November earmarked the biggest share of money for badly needed water storage projects. But water capture and conservation measures probably won’t be enough if the population continues to grow, drought conditions persist, and environmentalists insist on more water for the See FOCUS ON AGRICULTRE page 15

Idaho Farm Bureau producer / APRIL 2015

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Backyard flocks are becoming more popular, even for people who live in urban areas. Many Idaho cities have ordinances that permit small flocks with no roosters. Photo by Steve Ritter

Backyard Flocks Becoming More Popular

By Jake Putnam At High Desert Feed and Supply in Emmett the chicks are in—and should be gone within a matter of days, according to salesman Debra Cox. “We’re bringing in anywhere from 400500 chicks per week, right now. We have the white Plymouth rock and cuckoo Maran which lay a chocolate brown egg,” said Cox, “and we have the more exotic breeds and can lay just about any color of egg.”

More and more people are raising small flocks. Cox says folks have a growing interest in where their food comes from, how it’s raised, and how it’s handled before it reaches their tables.

Cox adds that raising chickens is easy and people can experience raising their own 14

food by starting a flow without making a major investment. An average flock runs about a dozen birds, but that varies depending on location, how much space they have and what they want in return for their time.

Cox will pen up as many as 300 chicks a day to meet demand of customers. Chickens have found a niche market with hobby farmers that pay up to $2.50-$3.30 per bird.

“These chickens won’t run you over and stomp you into the ground like livestock.

But they’re a lot more fragile where a cow you can push it around. With these guys you have to be careful, keep’em warm and baby them till their legs get strong,” said Cox. “And that takes time.”

“Most chickens will start laying eggs at 18 weeks old, some breeds are different

Idaho Farm Bureau producer / APRIL 2015

but all will start laying at 18 weeks for the most part,” she said.

Heather Glass of Boise built a chicken coop and brought home 24 chicks.

“I needed fertilizer for the garden this year and wanted to have fresh eggs, so I got the chicks,” she said.

Glass says she’ll feed garden waste to the flock and it’s a win-win situation for her because she gets the eggs while the chickens get the scraps.

Glass brought the chickens home when they were just 5 days old and put them under a light in the bath tub. “They did real well, I fed and watered them throughout the day and made sure they hadn’t spilled their food. After 2 weeks I put them out in the chicken coop. It’s been cold in the

morning so they still have the light on them to keep them warm and they get a bit more feed.”

Feeding the chickens and making sure they have water and feed is critical at this stage of their development.

Chicken feed is made from finely crushed grains, and provides 100 percent of a chicken’s daily nutrient requirements or is fed along with other grains. Whole grains cause chickens to gain added fat which can slow egg production, so it’s important not to give them too much.

While Heather Glass is raising white Plymouth rock chickens for laying, Tina Woodward of Emmett prefers the popular Buff Orpington chicken. “They are plump, fat and great egg-layers and the meat is good on them too,” she said.

Long time farmer Alisha Rohrbacher of Emmett has advice for novices: “Try everything you can and if it doesn’t work, don’t try that again. You’ll learn to find what works over time. That’s what I’ve found, you just have to dive in and get it done.”

When baby chicks arrive in the mail they must be acclimated by dipping their beaks in their new watering trough and in their food. They also need a heat lamp close by until their feathers fully develop.

Photo by Steve Ritter

Focus on agriculture

Continued from page 12

protection of fish and wildlife.

California’s diverse agricultural production includes more than 400 commodities, including nearly half of all U.S. grown fruits, nuts and vegetables. In 2013, its exports amounted to 14.7 percent of U.S. farm exports by value. A worsening drought and federal water restrictions could have a detrimental effect on the U.S. economy and limit some food availability.

The big fixes for water shortages are not simple or inexpensive. Some ideas include desalination of seawater, long-distance water pipelines, and certainly the most imaginative one—towing icebergs from the Arctic to southern coastlines. There are other ways as well to address water shortages.

The American Farm Bureau Federation

supports desalination of brackish, saline and seawater. It also supports international surface water transfer programs that would ensure the interests of American agriculture. It opposes any diversion from the Great Lakes Basin.

California from one of Alaska’s great rivers. The fresh water would be transferred through 20-foot diameter pipelines placed on the continental shelf below the ocean’s surface. Only a fraction of the outflow to the sea was to be affected.

Proponents of desalination like to point out that seawater is the one source of water that is limitless and drought-proof. The Carlsbad Desalination Plant being built off the coast of San Diego County is a possible trend setter. But it had to go through years of government permitting, environmental challenges and lawsuits before getting a start.

The reason the pipeline was never built, according to Hickel years later, was that political leaders couldn’t take the heat from the opponents of nearly all manmade projects, especially large ones. It may take a megadrought, unfortunately, before there are any big fixes to the water crisis. As Hickel himself said, “Someday they’ll get the picture.”

The idea of water pipelines from waterrich Alaska or Canada has been around for decades. In 1991, Alaska Governor Walter Hickel envisioned transporting water to

Stewart Truelsen, a food and agriculture freelance writer, is a regular contributor to the Focus on Agriculture series.

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Use of Eminent Domain restricted by Lawmakers

By Jake Putnam On March 16th the Idaho House of Representatives approved a bill banning the use of eminent domain by municipalities in building recreational paths.

The Senate voted 20-13 to pass S1044 back in February while the House approved it overwhelmingly 54-15-1. Senator Jim Guthrie, of McCammon carried the bill and worked over the last three years to finally gain approval. However, it’s uncertain whether Idaho Gov. Butch Otter will sign the bill.

“We’re thrilled and ecstatic,” said Russ Hendricks, Idaho Farm Bureau’s director of governmental affairs. “The Farm Bureau supports private property rights and this bill. This is a gigantic victory for private property rights here in the state for private property owners who have this hammer over their head. Now it has to be willing buyer, willing seller proposition with amicable negotiations.”

Back in 2011 while serving in the State House of Representatives, Guthrie introduced the first bill. It passed the House but died without a hearing in a Senate committee. After his election to the Idaho Senate in 2012, he reintroduced the bill in 2013, but it didn’t make it out of committee. He then vowed to give the bill one last shot.

“Senator Guthrie replaced one of the novotes on the committee and that changed the balance of power in that committee,” said Hendricks. “We’re grateful that he stuck with it. He did a masterful job shepherding it through the process.”

Guthrie served as a Bannock County Commissioner before entering the State Legislature. At that time supporters of the Portneuf Greenway project attempted to condemn private land in the County that would extend the Portneuf River greenbelt.

The Greenway group wanted to take land not only in Pocatello but it was feared that large sections along the river in south Bannock County may have been at risk.

Sen. Guthrie’s family farms and ranches 16

Land along the Portneuf River was under threat of condemnation for construction of a recreational path. However, that power was recently taken from Idaho municipalities by legislation sponsored by Sen. Jim Guthrie R-McCammon. Farm Bureau file photo

along the Portneuf from Inkom to McCammon southeast of Pocatello. He says farmers and ranchers along the Portneuf feared that they’d eventually lose their private land under eminent domain takings.

the Portneuf didn’t want to sell. They don’t want a path through their backyards that could be occupied at any time of the day or night. That’s their right and it should be respected,” Priestley said.

Rep. Ilana Rubel, D-Boise, disagreed during a committee hearing on the bill this year. She says eminent domain is rarely used and argued that it’s difficult for cities to build a strip of land long enough for a path or greenway unless the government threatens to use eminent domain. “I’m not sure the intent of this bill was to stop the greenbelt development and bike paths in Idaho but I think that’ll be the effect,” she said.

Idaho Governor Butch Otter has the bill on his desk. “I’ve been through several eminent domain actions, some in Ada County, others with the Federal Government some wilderness issues and wild and scenic rivers, I’ve seen it all,” Otter said. “I wanted to build a cabin in the Frank Church Wilderness and they said we couldn’t, that’s a taking. I have great respect for private property rights, but before I sign I’ve got to sit down and talk to my lawyers about consequences here.”

Idaho Farm Bureau President Frank Priestley supports private property rights.

“If the people who live along the river want to sell their land so that it can be turned into a recreational path, so be it. No one can object to that and there is no argument that a greenbelt wouldn’t be beneficial to Pocatello. But several landowners along

Idaho Farm Bureau producer / APRIL 2015

Otter says it’s his understanding that this bill prohibits the gift of property. “So I’m checking with my lawyers because if someone wants to give a gift and get a tax deduction for that gift they should be able to do that,” he said.

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The pasture at the ridge line is nearly unusable by livestock because of the dense infestation of sweetbriar rose.

Not Just a Pretty Face

By Timothy S. Prather Sweetbriar rose has an apple-like sweet fragrance and a pretty flower with pinktipped petals. These attributes made this rose shrub popular for landscapes. Within a landscape, owners who did not want to do lots of pruning would need to provide space for a 20 foot diameter shrub canopy that grows to 10 - 12 feet tall. There are still varieties sold in the U.S. Sweetbriar rose has been planted in most states.

Unfortunately it is not just a sweet-smelling pretty rose. Sweetbriar rose does not do well in shade so we won’t need to worry about in the understory but in meadows,

pastures and moister rangelands it thrives.

The fruits are eaten by birds and deer. The seeds can survive the journey through the animals gut and get established considerable distances from where the fruits were eaten. Once a shrub is established, it will drop seed locally and create a patch with several age classes of shrubs on the site. As shrubs are established they attract animals who feed on the fruits and accelerate dispersal of seeds. Sweetbriar rose can get so dense that deer can no longer use the area and it will exclude other plants, reducing both forage and diversity. Sweetbriar rose is well established from Bonner County down to Payette County, and trips down to Pendleton Oregon will find it well established there as well.

The scientific name was Rosa eglanteria but

has since been changed to Rosa rubiginosa.

Younger shrubs may have 3 - 10 stems and older, more than 30. These stems have stout thorns that curve downward toward the ground. Like other roses, the leaves are made up of a central stem (petiole) with one leaflet at the tip and 2 to 6 leaflets attached along that central stem. The leaflets have little teeth like a saw blade along the leaflet edges. If you turn the leaf over and you look closely with a magnifying lens, you will see little hairs, tipped with an oilproducing gland. The oil from the glands is sweet smelling. Flowers tend to be 1.2 to 1.6 inches across with around 10 pistils in the center and many stamens (female and male reproductive parts, respectively).

What attracts wildlife, at least initially, are the rose hips that are the fruits which form and then ripen in September and October.

The fruits are smooth and red, around half an inch long.

The flowers do get attacked by a gallforming wasp so if you see a weird growth where the rose hip should be, it shows you have the wasp Diplolepis rosae. The galls prevent seed formation but the wasps rarely attack all the flowers on the plant.

Sweetbriar rose on this hillside are a mixture of large and small shrubs and at a density more than double the density at the study site.

Idaho Farm Bureau producer / APRIL 2015

At the Invasive Plant Biology Lab at University of Idaho, we have been studying how to control sweetbriar rose. Cutting the shrubs down certainly can be satisfying but they will sprout again. Cutting them can be part of the control procedure and we have

Sweetbriar flowers have a sweet apple-like fragrance.

Thorns are thick and point downward towards the ground.

Photo by Pamela Pavek, NRCS, Pullman WA

A large sweetbriar shrub that is about 20 feet in diameter and 10 feet tall.

Gall formed by the action of a gall-forming wasp.

The leaves with the leaflets are also visible in this picture.

Sweetbriar rose fruits are smooth, red and about half an inch long.

herbicide uptake. Spraying the cut stems reduces the amount of herbicide needed on a per acre basis since the canopy of a large shrub may be 20 feet in diameter but the base after cutting may only be 2 – 3 feet in diameter.

acre of water). We also have applied triclopyr in a bark oil (an oil made specifically to move herbicides through bark) to the base of the stems to a height of about 12 inches. Lower volumes applied to the foliage did not give us good coverage and control was only 40 to 60% but the basal bark treatments were excellent with over

Photo by Pamela Pavek, NRCS, Pullman WA

seen total control by cutting and then immediately spraying the active ingredient called triclopyr (found in herbicides like Garlon 3 or Garlon 4) on the cut surface.

Whenever you want to take advantage of a cut surface to increase the amount of herbicide taken in you need to act quickly because plants close over the wound with a waxy substance and that layer impedes

We have applied triclopyr to the foliage of the entire canopy using water as the carrier at low volumes (14 to 20 gallons per treated

Photo by Pamela Pavek, NRCS, Pullman WA

See UI FORESTRY page 25

Idaho Farm Bureau producer / APRIL 2015

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Idaho Farm Bureau producer / APRIL 2015

James Newberry of Cenex speaks to Idaho Farm Bureau members in early March in Kendrick about cover crops.

Where are all the Cover Crops?

Article and photo by Bob Smathers James Newberry, Seed Resources Division, Cenex Harvest States spoke about cover crops at a recent Idaho Farm Bureau Young Farmer and Rancher activity held March 3, in Kendrick.

He said cover crops are growing in the U.S. at the rate of about 30 percent per year, but are almost non-existent in the Pacific Northwest (PNW). “They are very popular in the Midwest as they can produce huge amounts of nitrogen and they can break up hard pan in conventionally tilled soils,” says Newberry.

Daikon Radish is a cover crop commonly used in corn and soybean rotations in the Midwest with tap roots that go down into the soil as much as six feet. This crop also provides good coverage thus reducing erosion and drawing nutrients from deep under the surface that cannot be reached by some cash crops. After being tilled under, Daikon Radish decomposes rapidly and

deposits these nutrients in the upper soil profile.

“Daikon Radish may or may not be a good cover crop for the PNW, but there are tons of others that can be looked at.” Says Newberry.

There are many cover crop options for growers, but there has not been much research in the PNW according to Newberry.

Universities in the PNW have done very little research on cover crops, but that is likely to change because of the potential agronomic benefits. Some cover crops like mustard act as a fungicide or bio-fumigant while some do a great job of holding the soil in place. Cover crop species with high forage quality can be selected to generate additional feed for grazing livestock on fields generally used only for cash crops.

Rotation crops also improve soil health.

“Mother Nature does not intend for soil to remain fallow and cover crops can contribute to more microbial and worm growth”

says Newberry. Microbial growth and additional organic material in the soil increases water holding and nutrient holding capacity. Another benefit of having more organic material in the soil, according, to Newberry is higher soil temperature. High organic content soil can see temperatures 6 to 8 degrees higher than low organic content soils and this allows growers to get into the fields much earlier in the spring.

The benefits of cover crops are many and it is just a matter of time before expansion of this beneficial agronomic tool takes place in the PNW. Benefits can be improved environmental quality, increased soil organic material, increased soil moisture, improved pest management, and enhanced soil structure. “Farmers that have embraced cover crops in wheat – 25 inch rainfall zones in the Midwest are experiencing 10 to 25 percent increases in yield” says Newberry. He indicated that the potential for cover crops in the PNW could be tremendous, but research needs to be ramped up considerably.

Idaho Farm Bureau producer / APRIL 2015

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County Happenings Do You Know your Costs of Production?

By Bob Smathers District 5 Young Farmers and Ranchers hosted an educational meeting in Kendrick, Idaho for area farmers on March 3, 2015.

The meeting featured speakers from the University of Idaho and CHS Primeland Cooperative. Dr. Kate Painter, spoke on costs of production and why farmers should know right down to the acre and/ or unit of production what it costs them to farm. Dr. Painter is an Agricultural Economist from the University of Idaho College of Agriculture and Life Sciences who specializes in Farm Management.

Dr. Painter talked about returns to factors of production including returns to management, and returns to risk and defined what profit is. She indicated that if farmers do not know their costs of production, then there is no way for them to know if their operation

is profitable. “If a farming operation is not profitable and adjustments are not made to make it profitable, then it’s just a matter of time before the owner runs out of equity,” says Painter.

Dr. Painter discussed resources that are available on her website.

She walked the growers through an excel budget template that is available to those who want to generate their own enterprise budgets or costs of production.

She did some “What if” scenarios with machinery and pickups on her machinery cost calculator.

The budget template and the machinery cost calculator software are complementary programs that can be downloaded by growers for use in their operations simply by googling Idaho AgBiz. The Young Farmers and Ranchers activity ended with a barbecue lunch catered by C&D Smoke Pit.

A Vandal cheerleader milks Maggie the Cow, part of Idaho Idaho Farm Bureau’s Moving Agriculture to the Classroom (MAC) trailer was on display Farm Bureau’s MAC trailer program, during University of at Logos Elementary School in Moscow in early March.

Idaho Ag Days held last fall on the Moscow campus.

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Idaho Farm Bureau producer / APRIL 2015

ELIZABETH KOHTZ

Continued from page 5

how to work with stakeholders that you may not agree on everything but might find common ground and work toward a goal together.”

Growing up in the Magic Valley you had a view of agriculture that encompassed your own experiences. Going through the program what did you learn?

“I learned a lot, and a lot personally. At first I was pushed out of my comfort zone and had to do some things I didn’t feel comfortable with like talking to strangers in super markets about why they make their food choices. I learned a lot about why consumers make choices which helps me do a better job at advocating agriculture. I know a little bit more about the consumer mind. I’ve learned about different aspects of agriculture.

The other nine classmates come from various backgrounds, and they’re a wealth of information. That’s been one of the best parts about the program is just the contacts I’ve made with the other nine individuals and the advocacy work they do and it’s given me ideas.”

PAL also give you a unique chance to network, lifetime contacts?

“Yes, one thing our coaches told us is that they thought this class got along better than any other previous class. We are also the first class that had extensive social media training and it’s allowed us to stay engaged with one another. We have group text and a private

Facebook page for our group and we post daily and everyone keeps in touch, whether it’s personal or an agriculture related question. Someone may have an interview and will bounce ideas off the rest of the group. We all have input that helps one another.”

You are now Twin Falls County Farm Bureau President. What’s that like? Did PAL help you make the leap?

“PAL definitely helped me make the leap and become a county president. I’m new to the county board. November marked my first year as a board member. I’m young to be a county president but I’ve learned so much the past couple of years from PAL about management and organization in agriculture that my county felt comfortable and I felt comfortable with county backing to be Twin Falls County President.”

Did you gain a greater appreciation for Farm Bureau after going through this program?

“I’ve known about Farm Bureau since I was a child. My Dad placed 4th in the national discussion meet back in the 70’s at AFBF. I’ve always seen the Farm Bureau plaques on the wall and known about the organization’s importance.

But I also got a better understanding of the complexities of what staff does for us and also what members can get done from the grass roots level. We can make the changes we want, back in Washington and Boise.

Elizabeth Kohtz recently completed PALS training with the American Farm Bureau Federation. She is shown here with her husband Steven and two of their children at their home in Twin Falls County.

Farm Bureau file photo

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Grain Marketing with Clark Johnston

He Who Hesitates is Lost

By Clark Johnston It must be spring. After all we are hearing rumors and news that we are too dry, too wet, too hot or too cold. The fact is this that we are all of the above or a combination of two or more.

Recently we have experienced some strength in the market based on the weather conditions in Kansas and Oklahoma and the effect it has had on the HRW crop. We have also seen corn planting delays in the far southern states because it has been too wet. Oh, and let’s not forget the strength in the wheat futures based on the lower move for the US dollar. When the US dollar began to weaken the large speculators began to buy back their short positions in the futures.

I have producers ask from time to time how they can take advantage of what the large traders are doing in the market. Well, the recent move in the market is a good example. The speculators were riding short positions in the market. They sold futures.

This strategy was based on the fact that as the US dollar moved higher the wheat market (for instance) would weaken and move lower and the market reacted just as they thought. A stronger dollar equates to lower exports.

Between August and February the dollar strengthened by 12% and the Chicago wheat futures moved 10 to 11% lower.

When the dollar weakened in the middle of March the speculators began buying back their short futures position thus moving the wheat futures higher. Remember, at this time they weren’t buying futures to go long the market, they weren’t buying in an effort to own the futures contracts but to liquidate their short position.

As marketers (producers) there are times 24

when it really doesn’t matter why the market is moving in our favor as long as it does. All of us at times have fallen into this category where we have analyzed the reason for the move so much that we almost become paralyzed and then do nothing.

This is why it is so important to know the levels at which we need to market in order to be profitable. When the market gives us the opportunity to contract our goods at these levels we then have the confidence to do so. A good thought to remember in fast moving futures markets or basis is, “He who hesitates is lost.”

Currently we are seeing some areas taking additional basis protection in the new crop bids while others are a little more aggressive. In the past we have talked about separating the futures and basis when contracting our commodities. Example; New crop soft white is being bid between 30 under and option price the Chicago September futures. Option price is the same as even with the futures. Basis after harvest has the opportunity to be 30 to 50 over the Chicago December futures. Based on today’s market that would put our new crop price near $6 per bushel compared to $5.50 currently.

As December futures move closer to $6 we should look at locking in the futures side of our price and then wait for the basis to strengthen before final pricing our wheat.

You could implement the same strategy using options as long as we remember the option premium.

Recently in discussions with some of the local ag lenders they indicated to us that they are working with producers in their hedging programs. That is as long as the producers have a marketing plan that includes their break-even level as well as their marketing objectives. They know

Idaho Farm Bureau producer / APRIL 2015

Clark Johnston that by assisting their producers they are also limiting their own exposure in the market.

Now is the time to have a good marketing program in place. I recently read that in order for you to make adjustments to your marketing plan you will actually need the plan in place. Sounds a little silly doesn’t it but, you just might be surprised.

I know that at this time marketing just might not be in the top 10 on your priorities list. I know that it is dry in most areas and your concerns are moisture and planting, as it should be. After all if we don’t get the crop up and growing then marketing may not be all that necessary.

All that I am saying is don’t forget marketing completely. We will have opportunities this spring as we kill the wheat crop at least a couple of times and let’s not forget we harvested a record amount of corn last year. I may be sticking my neck out but we are going to plant less acres of corn this year and the odds of another record yield are a little against giving us the real potential for a smaller overall crop this year.

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

U I Forestry

Continued from page 19

90% control. Low volume applications of water with another herbicide metsulfuron (the active ingredient in Escort) were better than triclopyr at 60 to 75% control.

Finally, we also applied the herbicide imazapyr (found in Arsenal herbicide) at low volumes. Imazapyr kills lots of different plants and so we wanted to reduce the effect on plants under and next to the treated shrubs. The way we did that was to use a product called ThinVert instead of water as the carrier. The ThinVert has the consistency of a very light oil. The ThinVert spreads along the leaves and the low volume with larger droplet size reduces the amount of herbicide that hits other plants.

The imazapyr in ThinVert resulted in nearly 100% control of treated shrubs. We still had dead plants under treated shrubs in the first year after treatment but the grasses rebounded in the second year.

So we have several ways to control sweetbriar rose. The basal bark treatments should be done in the fall. The treatments to the foliage need to be applied after leaves are fully extended in mid to late spring. The cut stem treatments can be applied spring to summer (not much fun as the season gets hotter).

We tracked costs as we did the treatments.

Several factors are important. It should come as no surprise that large shrubs cost more to treat than small shrubs. Equally not surprising is that as more shrubs are established in an area, the cost of control goes up. The site where we did our study had an average of 20 shrubs in an acre with about 7 tall shrubs and 13 small shrubs. While we applied the least herbicide to the cut stems, it was our most expensive treatment because we cut them by hand. Equipment used to clear understory vegetation could really reduce costs of cutting to around $12

to $20 dollars per acre. Many landowners would want to shred the dead stems anyway so those costs could be applied to any of our treatments. Our herbicide and carrier costs were all under $10 per acre except for metsulfuron applied to large shrubs.

We found the large shrubs cost more than double to control when contrasted with the small shrubs.

So what does the cost analysis tell us?

Don’t wait until the problem really causes you problems with forage production, access to an area, or loss of plant diversity.

As with most weed problems, waiting always costs you more money. So if you have any sweetbriar rose you might as well get control of the problem now.

Timothy S. Prather is a professor in the Department of Plant, Soil and Entomological Sciences College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, at the University of Idaho. He

Idaho Farm Bureau producer / APRIL 2015

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Idaho Farm Bureau producer / APRIL 2015

American farm bureau federation news

AFBF: Pass Trade Promotion Authority WASHINGTON, D.C., – American Farm Bureau Federation President Bob Stallman recently urged Congress to pass Trade Promotion Authority to give U.S. negotiators the leverage they need to keep America competitive in the international marketplace. TPA lets Congress consult on trade agreements, but also requires up or down votes without amendments that could jeopardize years of negotiations with foreign governments.

Stallman, a beef and rice farmer from Columbus, Texas, testified before the House Committee on Agriculture.

“America’s farmers and ranchers export-

ed more than 152 billion dollars’ worth of farm goods last year,” Stallman said.

“That’s a testament not just to their hard work and productivity, but the benefits of opening new markets around the globe, too.

“Farmers and ranchers need access to new markets around the world. The U.S. is on the verge of completing ambitious trade negotiations from Europe to Asia, but we cannot move forward unless barriers such as high tariffs and non-scientific standards are addressed,” Stallman said. “We must forge deals that knock down those trade barriers. Getting there means giving the

president the Trade Promotion Authority necessary to reach those market-opening agreements.”

Congress and the administration must continue to shape and set priorities based on actual business conditions. TPA will give Congress the authority to provide valuable oversight to the trade agreement process while the administration represents our priorities before other countries. Having TPA in place before the next set of agreements reaches the table will ensure that our best interests are represented. Congress needs to pass TPA now to keep agricultural trade going forward tomorrow.

AFBF Says WOTUS Rule Disregards Exemptions WASHINGTON, D.C., – The proposed Waters of the U.S. Rule, “unless dramatically altered,” will result in potential Clean Water Act liability and federal permit requirements for a tremendous number of commonplace and essential farming, ranching and forestry practices nationwide, according to the American Farm Bureau Federation.

In recent testimony, AFBF General Counsel Ellen Steen told a House Agriculture subcommittee that the WOTUS rule will create enormous uncertainty and vulnerability for farmers and ranchers nationwide.

“It is impossible to know how many farmers, ranchers and forest landowners will be visited by [EPA] enforcement staff or will be sued by citizen plaintiffs’ lawyers – and it is impossible to know when those inspections and lawsuits will happen,” Steen said.

“But what is certain is that a vast number of common, responsible farming, ranching and forestry practices that occur today without the need for a federal permit would be highly vulnerable to Clean Water Act enforcement under this rule.”

According to AFBF’s general counsel, several statutory exemptions demonstrate a clear determination by Congress not to impose Clean Water Act regulation on ordinary farming and ranching activities. However, agency and judicial interpretations over the past several decades have significantly limited the agricultural exemptions that have traditionally insulated farming and ranching from Clean Water Act permit requirements.

“Much of the remaining benefit of those exemptions would be eliminated by an expansive interpretation of ‘waters of the United States’ to cover ditches and drainage paths that run across and nearby farm and pasture lands,” Steen testified. “The result would be wide-scale litigation risk and potential Clean Water Act liability for innumerable routine farming and ranching activities that occur today without the need for cumbersome and costly Clean Water Act permits.”

Steen explained that because ditches and ephemeral drainages are ubiquitous on farm and ranch lands – running alongside

and even within farm fields and pastures – “the proposed rule will make it impossible for many farmers to apply fertilizer or crop protection products to those fields without triggering Clean Water Act ‘pollutant’ discharge liability and permit requirements.”

“A Clean Water Act pollutant discharge to waters of the U.S. arguably would occur each time even a molecule of fertilizer or pesticide falls into a jurisdictional ditch, ephemeral drainage or low spot – even if the feature is dry at the time of the purported ‘discharge,’” Steen told the subcommittee. For this reason, farmers’ options under the rule are limited.

According to Steen, “they can either continue farming, but under a cloud of uncertainty and risk, they can take on the complexity, cost and equal uncertainty of Clean Water Act permitting or they can try to avoid doing anything near ditches, small wetlands, or storm water drainage paths on their lands. It’s a no-win situation for farmers and ranchers.”

Idaho Farm Bureau producer / APRIL 2015

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American farm bureau federation news

Estate Taxes Can Kill Family Businesses WASHINGTON, D.C. – Farm Bureau member Brandon Whitt recently urged Congress to repeal the estate tax to free up farmers and ranchers to build stronger businesses and benefit their local communities. Whitt, who farms in Tennessee, testified before the House Ways and Means Committee, where he outlined the harmful impact the estate tax has on family-owned businesses.

“Agriculture looks different on farms from state to state but we all face the same reality that an uncertain tomorrow can bring,” Whitt said. While facing unpredictable weather and fluctuating markets, farmers and ranchers make decisions to expand

their businesses and remain competitive.

“Why should uncertainties over estate taxes be added to these others? Our job is hard enough as it is.”

Whitt’s family knows the harmful effects of the estate tax firsthand. Batey Farms, which Whitt runs with his wife – the 7th generation on the farm – and father-in-law, changed completely when his father-in-law was forced to sell off land to pay estate taxes: The land was lost to development, never to be recovered. Today, they continue to face expensive, long-term decisions to make Batey Farms viable far into the future, but they are committed to preserving the land for their community and future

generations.

“We believe that our farm adds value to our town, that our neighbors value our open space, that our customers value having a local food source and that our farm market creates a sense of community,” Whitt said.

Around 90 percent of farm and ranch assets are illiquid, with the value tied up in land, buildings and equipment. For Whitt’s family, and thousands of others just like them, the ability to grow a business and pass it on to the next generation is slowed by a tax policy in direct conflict with the desire to preserve and protect our nation’s family-owned farms and ranches.

Scholarships Encourage Agriculture Literacy WASHINGTON, D.C., – The American Farm Bureau Foundation for Agriculture has recognized 10 educators for their exceptional efforts to encourage agricultural literacy. The educators will each receive $1,500 scholarships to attend the National Agriculture in the Classroom Conference in Louisville, Kentucky, June 16-20. The Foundation, through the White-Reinhardt Fund for Education, sponsors the scholarships in cooperation with the American Farm Bureau’s Women’s Leadership Committee.

This year’s recipients are: Sarahbeth Belvado, Jack Barnes Elementary, Mesa, Arizona; Stacy Deveau, University of Arizona, Yavapai County Cooperative Extension, Prescott, Arizona; Kevin Duplissie, Child Study Center University of Maine, Brewer, Maine; Robin Halicki, Mary Lou Cowlishaw Elementary School, Naper-

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ville, Illinois; Dawna Major, Cache County School District, Avon, Utah; Kathy McLean, Trimble Elementary, Newbern, Tennessee; Donald Meyer, Sauk County School District, Loganville, Wisconsin; Becky Panzer, School for Agricultural and Environmental Studies, Fox Lake, Wisconsin; Dianna Rose, Palm Lakes Elementary, Hialeah, Florida; Andrea Seagraves, Stratford Academy, Musella, Georgia.

Educators nationwide attend the conference to learn to incorporate real-life agricultural applications into science, social studies, language arts, math and nutrition lessons. Scholarship recipients were judged on past use of innovative programs to educate students about agriculture as well as future plans to implement information gained at the AITC conference in their own lesson plans and share the information with other teacher and volunteer educators.

Idaho Farm Bureau producer / APRIL 2015

The AITC conference joins a diverse group of organizations and speakers to address how to improve agricultural education and literacy, showcase successful programs and offer educational materials. The Agriculture Department coordinates the AITC program with the goal of helping students gain a greater awareness of the role of agriculture in the economy and society.

The American Farm Bureau Federation and state Farm Bureaus also support and participate in the program’s efforts. The White-Reinhardt Fund for Education honors two former American Farm Bureau Women’s Leadership Committee chairwomen, Berta White and Linda Reinhardt, who were leaders in early national efforts to educate about agriculture and improve agricultural literacy.

Idaho Farm Bureau producer / APRIL 2015

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Idaho Farm Bureau producer / APRIL 2015

Business Aspects of a Family Farm Andrew David Junkin

By Andrew David Junkin Edward Deming was a statistician, a professor, and an allaround brilliant guy. You’ve probably never heard of him, but he transformed the manufacturing business model in Japan and nearly brought down the American automobile industry.

Deming believed that a good business strategy wasn’t enough to make a business profitable. What put one business ahead of the rest was management’s ability to convert that strategy into action. In other words, Deming studied change. He was the only one who combined strategic planning, management systems, problem solving, and psychology into a unique bundle of ideas. Until Deming, wishy-washy things like psychology really had nothing to do with “real man” activities, like building cars.

Deming went to General Motors (GM) in the 1950’s and said that he wanted to improve the efficiency of every worker—from the boardroom to the shop floor—by teaching him better problem solving techniques. The executives at GM thought it was hilarious that a nerdy guy with a bowtie wanted to go into the factory and tell the boys how to build cars. Deming was asked to leave.

GM and Deming seemed to be speaking different languages.

So Deming went to Japan where they really spoke different languages. The difference was the Japanese listened to him and got it. In the end, Deming helped transform a little company called Toyota into a world automobile giant.

Deming helped Toyota excel at setting goals, working together to achieve them, and developing problem-solving

techniques when things went wrong. In other words, he evolved their ability to proactively change. Thanks to Deming’s ideas, Toyota was able to build higher quality cars faster and cheaper than anyone else in the business.

GM may have mocked his approach, but Deming almost put the American automobile industry under by improving the way Toyota managed change. Deming’s principles have never yet been applied to farming, or to most family business sectors, but they are just as relevant today as they were 60 years ago.

When we think of the family farm, we think of the romantic image of a farmer and his preteenage children. We think of 4-H calves, families baling hay and big thanksgiving dinners.

However, the family farm is really a business run by multiple persons with different perspectives and philosophies.

There comes a time in every farm’s history when the family farm actually becomes a real business. The kids are no longer just teenagers who gleefully do what Dad says; they are adults with their own needs, ideas, and visions. The farm evolves from a one-man show to a family operation with multiple partners.

Although we try to be neighborly, farming is really a competition for land. Every farmer can access the same inputs, advice, and machinery. The true difference between two farms is the quality of the decisions each family makes and how well farmers implement good ideas.

Farmers haven’t really thought See FARMING WITH FAMILY, page 32

Idaho Farm Bureau producer / APRIL 2015

31

American farm bureau federation news

EPA Called On To Enforce Air Quality Standards WASHINGTON, D.C., – The American Farm Bureau Federation is warning that the Environmental Protection Agency’s proposal to place further restrictions on air quality standards would damage agriculture and rural communities if implemented.

The move to tighten already strict ozone standards would impose significant cost to farmers and ranchers without

delivering a guaranteed benefit to the public, AFBF said in formal comments submitted to the EPA late yesterday. Although it is a relatively small contributor to ozone levels, agriculture would be hit hard.

Basic farming activities such as animal feeding, pesticide application and waste management would be further restricted even as proposed limits are at or near naturally occurring levels in some areas.

Higher costs to meet special requirements for vehicles and fuel would be passed on to farmers and ranchers who depend on affordable energy to stay competitive in the global economy.

“EPA’s proposed ozone standards would limit business expansion in nearly every populated region of the Unite States. U.S. industry and agriculture, alike, will create

fewer jobs and be less competitive in the world market if these proposals are implemented,” said Dale Moore, AFBF executive director of public policy. “The hardship to farmers, ranchers and rural America will be real and immediate, while the benefits are unverified and uncertain.”

FARMING WITH FAMILY

Continued from page 31

about the science of farm decision-making and its impact on the farm’s bottom line and long-term strategic success.

It’s time to think about how change impacts the viability of a farm business. Improving the quality of decision-making directly increases profitability, reduces risks, and drastically improves family business relations. It significantly reduces stress and yields higher rates of sustainable strategic growth.

You can be the smartest farmer in the world, but it matters very little if you can’t get your family to agree to your concepts, and make those ideas a reality.

Money will slip through the cracks if you have a dysfunctional business culture and can’t execute good decisions.

Will you give your own farm the competitive edge, or wait for your neighbors to do it first? Will your neighbor own 32

your land in 20 years, or will your sons and daughters?

Toyota almost put GM into bankruptcy because Toyota’s management system had a real competitive edge. This wasn’t due to their economies of scale or other factors.

It was due to the superiority of their business culture that is something we’ve never discussed before in Farming.

The real question is what neighbor is going to adapt these management advantages and have a more efficient farm? Will your family own your farm or will your neighbors? It all depends on your actions today.

Evolving how you function as an organization not only improves profitability but also makes farming with family fun again.

Idaho Farm Bureau producer / APRIL 2015

Idaho Farm Bureau members can save a significant amount on their medications.

Take 5 minutes to get a price quote.

USE IDAHO FARM BUREAU CODE (IDFB) Toll-Free Phone 1.866.335.8064 www.thecanadianpharmacy.com

Step 1:

Call 1.866.335.8064 or go to www.thecanadianpharmacy.com

Step 2:

Tell them you are with the Idaho Farm Bureau (code IDFB) and that you need a price quote on your medication.

Step 3:

If this price is lower than what you currently pay, then The Canadian Pharmacy will help you get your prescription at the discounted price.

IDAHO FFA - BUILDING TOMORROW’S AGRICULTURAL LEADERS Why FFA With the world population expected to near 10 billion by the year 2050, every facet of agriculture must grow to meet the increasing demands for the world’s food supply. FFA members are students who are preparing to help meet local and global challenges through careers in agricultural sciences, business and technology to through their participation in high school agricultural education and FFA. FFA has been an integral part of agriculture programs in Idaho high schools since 1929, currently with over 12,000 Idaho agricultural education students, 89 active chartered Idaho FFA chapters, and nearly 4,000 Idaho FFA members. Agricultural Education is delivered through classroom and laboratory instruction, Supervised Agricultural Experience programs or work-based learning, and student leadership through the FFA organization.

FFA has provided a formal structure for thousands of members over the years to acquire leadership and public speaking skills, and learn the importance of goal setting, the value of hard work, honesty and community service. Many of our current leaders in education, business, agriculture and government got their start in FFA. The Idaho FFA Foundation was established in 1980 as the 501(c)(3) non-profit organization for the Idaho FFA Association and is proud to provide ongoing financial support to career development events and leadership activities that help students develop their potential for premier leadership, personal growth and career success.

www.idffafoundation.org

Support Idaho FFA members with your contribution to the Idaho FFA Foundation today!

I/We would like to contribute $_____________ to the Idaho FFA Foundation to support Idaho FFA members: Name _________________________________________ Address _______________________________________ City/State/Zip _________________________________ _________________________________ Phone ________________________________________ Email _________________________________________  General Contribution Memorial Contribution in honor and memory of: _________________________________________ Send notification to ________________________ _________________________________________ _________________________________________ Check Enclosed  Please bill my:  Visa or  Mastercard Name on card: _____________________________________________ Card Number and Expiration Date: __________________________________Exp________ Signature ____________________________________ Please mail to:

Idaho FFA Foundation P.O. Box 870 Meridian, ID 83680 Questions? Phone: 208-861-2467, or Email: lwilder@idffafoundation.org

www.idffafoundation.org

501(c)3 Non-Profit

FFA—Premier Leadership, Personal Growth and Career Success through Agricultural Education Idaho Farm Bureau producer / APRIL 2015

33

Free Traveling Livestock Symposium

MARSING — The University of Idaho Rangeland Center and partners will offer the 2015 Idaho Range Livestock Symposium, a one-day traveling program packed with information for livestock producers and land managers, from 8 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. April 9 at the American Legion Hall in Marsing.

The event is free and open to the public. Those attending will hear from experts on a variety of topics from the beef cattle economic outlook to using DNA markers to improve genetic selection.

USDA Announces $97 Million Available to Expand Access to Healthy Food, Support Rural Economies

WICHITA - In a speech at the National Farmers Union Convention recently, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced the availability of $96.8 million in grants to fund innovative projects designed to support specialty crop producers, local food entrepreneurs, and farm to school efforts, which in turn will increase access to healthy, nutritious food for American families and 34

Topics and speakers include:

Salmon Field Office

Economic Outlook for the Beef Cattle Industry: Jessica Sampson, Livestock Marketing Information Center

Cattle Genomics, Cattle Genomics: Bob Weaber, Kansas State University

Impacts of Climate Change to Ranching and Range Management: Tony Svejcar, USDAARS Eastern Oregon Agriculture Research Center; and David Bohnert, Oregon State University Grazing Plans to Meet BLM Requirements: panel and moderated discussion featuring Idaho Rep. Merrill Beyeler, Leadore rancher; and Linda Price and Kyra Povirk, U.S. Bureau of Land Management

children. The announcement is part of USDA efforts during National Nutrition Month to focus on improving access to fresh, healthy, and nutritious products for millions of Americans.

“Increasing market opportunities for local food producers is a sound investment in America’s rural economies, while also increasing access to healthy food for our nation’s families,” Vilsack said. “Consumer demand for local, healthy food is skyrocketing in schools, hospitals and wholesalers. These grant opportunities allow farmers

Idaho Farm Bureau producer / APRIL 2015

Ranch-level Economic Impacts of Grazing Management to Protect Sage-grouse: Neil Rimbey, University of Idaho Family Estate Planning: Pete Volk, Volk Law PLLC Statewide Survey Results of Idaho Residents Perceptions of Rangeland Uses: J.D. Wulfhorst, University of Idaho Cooperative Monitoring Program: Brooke Jacobson and John Biar, ISDA

and ranchers to meet this demand, and feed our nation’s kids.”

Secretary Vilsack also announced changes in the Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP) to help increase access to the program for beginning, limited-resource and other producers who do not have risk protection available through crop insurance products. Many of these producers grow fruits, vegetables and other specialty crops.

“With these changes, more farmers can enter the specialty crop marketplace with peace of

Perspectives from a local rancher highlighting the operation’s history and goals

2014 Northwest Region Honey Production

Idaho’s 2014 honey production, at 3.40 million pounds, was 28 percent higher than 2013. There were 100,000 honey producing colonies, 17,000 more than the previous year. The yield per colony averaged 34.0 pounds compared with 32.0 pounds per colony in 2013. Idaho’s value of honey production, at $6.90 million was 29 percent higher than 2013.

mind that they have risk protection should disaster strike,” said Vilsack.

March 1 Hop Stocks Down

The inventory of hops held by growers, dealers, and brewers on March 1, 2015, totaled 119 million pounds, 2 percent less than March 1, 2014. Stocks held by brewers, at 43.0 million pounds, were down 12 percent from last year. Stocks held by growers and dealers on March 1 totaled 76.0 million pounds, up 6 percent from a year ago.

USDA Releases Crop crop prices are located on the RMA website. prices tab in the RMA ActuInsurance Policy Federal crop insurance poliarial Information Browser.

Data cies are sold and delivered

Projected Prices and Volatility Factors Announced for 2015

SPOKANE, Wash., The USDA’s Risk Management Agency (RMA) announced important 2015 crop year price data for farmers in Alaska and the Pacific Northwest.

Farmers rely on the information to make decisions about their crop insurance coverage as part of their farm risk planning.

In addition to releasing this crop year’s projected prices and volatility factors, RMA made available malting barley additional value prices and additional price elections for select commodities. These

For producers who buy 2015 policies, the projected price or price election is used to determine the value of insurance protection. This price is multiplied by the producer’s actual production history and is then multiplied by the coverage level that the producer chooses. This can be 50-75 percent; and up to 85 percent for some commodities. Price and other election choices must be made by the sales closing date for the crop in a county.

More information on specific crop breakdowns for projected prices and volatility factors for Alaska and Pacific Northwest states is available on the

solely through private crop insurance companies and agents. A list of crop insurance agents is available at all USDA service centers and on the RMA agent locator website. Farmers are encouraged to visit their crop insurance agent soon to learn specific details for the 2015 crop year.

US Trout Sales Up 5 Percent

Idaho value of trout sales during 2014 totaled 53.1 million dollars, up 19 percent from 2013. The total value of fish sales received by trout growers in the United States totaled 102 million dollars, up 5

percent from 2013. Idaho accounted for 52 percent of the total value of fish sold. Total value of fish sold in Oregon and Washington were withheld to avoid disclosing data for individual operations.

The estimated value of fish distributed for restoration, conservation, enhancement, or recreational purposes totaled 111 million dollars in the United States, up 1 percent from 2013. In Idaho, that value was estimated at 8.97 million dollars, up 29 percent from 2013. In Oregon the value of distributed fish was estimated at 5.34 million dollars, up 5 percent from the previous year. In Washington, the value of distributed fish totaled 20.7 million dollars, up 37 percent from 2013.

Idaho Farm Bureau producer / APRIL 2015

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

Blackfoot/ Idaho Falls

A $40 room will be closer to

White Wheat 11.5% Winter 14% Spring Hard White

$32

Burley:

White Wheat 11% Winter 14% Spring Barley

Nampa:

A $60 room will be closer to

White Wheat (cwt) (Bushel)

Lewiston:

$48 A $90 room will be closer to

LIVESTOCK PRICES

1.800.258.2847

Farm Bureau Discount Code advanced reservations required

3/20/2015

Trend

No Bid 6.19-6.33 8.56 265.00

6.47 6.65-6.85 8.99 265.00

N/A + .46 to + .52 + .43 Steady

6.20 5.46 6.16 5.85

6.20 5.81 6.60 5.55

Steady + .35 + .44 - .30

5.80 5.38 6.31 5.48

6.00 5.79 6.89 5.89

+ + + +

5.75 4.63 6.17 5.00

5.90 5.04 6.34 5.00

+ .15 - .41 + .17 Steady

9.15 5.49

9.00 5.40

- .15 - .09

6.50 8.36 6.34 151.50

6.58 6.74 8.84 160.50

+ .08 - 1.62 + 2.50 + 9.00

2/20/2015 3/20/2015

Feeder Steers

$72 00209550

White Wheat H. Red Winter Dark N. Spring Barley

2/20/2015

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

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

Holstein Steers Under 700 lbs Over 700 lbs

Cows

Utility/Commercial Canner & Cutter

Stock Cows Bulls

Slaughter

BEAN PRICES: Pinto Pink Small Red

Idaho Farm Bureau producer / APRIL 2015

Trend

235-367 200-310 171-224 155-195

230-346 209-304 177-220 143-187

- 5 to - 21 + 9 to - 6 + 6 to - 4 - 12 to - 8

220-337 185-257 162-217 120-172

228-316 190-268 165-215 140-182

+ 8 to - 21 - 5 to + 11 + 3 to - 2 + 20 to + 10

140-188 120-175

140-205 120-180

steady to + 17 steady to + 5

85-120 79-105

84-114 78-107

- 1 to - 6 - 1 to + 2

1200-2200

1375-2300

+ 175 to + 100

97-139

106-142

+ 9 to + 3

24.00-25.00 Not Established 40.00

24.00-25.00 Not Established 40.00

Steady N.A. Steady

Compiled by the Idaho Farm Bureau Commodity Division 36

.20 .41 .58 .41

IDaho Hay Report

Fri March 20, 2015

Tons: 3900 Last Week: 7000 Last Year: 6560 Compared to last Friday, Fair/Good Feeder quality Alfalfa steady. Trade slow to moderate this week as some producers decided to tie all their hay together regardless of test in order to get it marketed. Demand remains light. Retail/feed store/horse not tested this week. All prices are dollars per ton and FOB the farm or ranch unless otherwise stated.

Tons Price

Wtd Avg

500 120.00-120.00 120.00 2000 115.00-115.00 115.00 1200 100.00-100.00 100.00

Comments

Tarped

200 85.00-85.00 85.00

Source: USDA Market News, Moses Lake, WA.

Potatoes for Processing

Potatoes & onions

IDAHO---Open-market trading by processors with growers was inactive.

March 17, 2015

Potatoes

Onions, Dry

IDAHO AND MALHUER COUNTY OREGON--- Shipments 282-291-346---Movement expected to remain about the same. Trading very active. Prices higher.

Yellow Spanish Hybrid U.S. One 50-pound sack Super Colossal 8.00-9.00, colossal mostly 7.50-8.00, jumbo 6.00-7.00, medium mostly 5.00; Red Globe Type U.S. One 25-pound sacks jumbo 6.00-7.00, medium 5.00.

5 Year Grain Comparison

Grain Prices..................3/23/2011.....................3/20/2012.................... 3/25/2013...................3/24/2014...................3/20/2015 Portland: White Wheat......................7.10 ............................7.00 ..............................8.47 ...........................7.76 ...........................6.47 11% Winter...................8.20-8.30 .....................7.39-7.41 ........... 8.89-8.95......................9.15-9.25......................6.65-6.68 14% Spring....................... 11.22 ............................. 9.42 ............................9.50...............................9.53.............................. 8.99 Corn..................................276.00 ................276.50 ..........308-308.75.......................No Bid .................. 4.87 Ogden: White Wheat..................... 7.00 ..............................6.30............................... 8.30.............................

11% Winter........................7.10 ..............................6.25 ............................. 8.15.............................

14 % Spring...................... 9.84 .............................. 7.94 ............................. 8.29.............................

Barley................................ 10.20.............................10.55..............................12.10.............................

Alfalfa Large Square Fair/Good

Fair

Oat Large Square Fair/Good

6.40............................ 6.20 7.34............................. 5.81 7.83............................ 6.60 9.10............................. 5.55

Pocatello/Blackfoot: White Wheat..................... 7.20 .............................. 6.15............................... 7.85..............................6.50.............................. 6.00 11% Winter....................... 6.54 .............................6.07 ............................. 7.73..............................8.14...............................5.79 14% Spring.........................9.81 ..............................7.86 ............................. 7.92..............................8.33.............................. 6.89 Barley................................. 9.90 ............................9.38 ............................ 11.67...........................No Bid..........................No Bid

UPPER VALLEY, TWIN FALLS-BURLEY DISTRICT, IDAHO--- Shipments 685-706-659 (includes export of 4-8-2) ---Movement expected to remain about the same. Trading moderate. Prices baled and cartons 40-70s slightly lower, others generally unchanged. Russet Burbank U.S. One baled 5 10-pound film bags non size A 2.50-3.50; 50-pound cartons 40-60s 13.50-14.00, 70s 12.50-13.00, 80s 8.00-8.50, 90s 6.00-6.50, 100s 5.00-5.50. Russet Norkotah U.S. One baled 5 10-pound film bags non size A 2.50-3.50; 50-pound cartons 40-60s 13.00-14.00, 70s 12.00-13.50, 80s 8.00-8.50, 90s 6.00-6.50, 100s 5.00-5.50. Shipment breakdown by variety for the week ending March 14, 2015 was generally Russets with 59 percent Burbank and 31 percent Norkotah.

Burley: White Wheat..................... 6.70 ..............................6.10............................... 8.00..............................6.34.............................. 5.90 11% Winter....................... 6.90 .............................6.08 ............................. 7.37..............................7.41.............................. 5.04 14% Spring.........................9.74 ..............................7.82 ............................. 7.80..............................7.31.............................. 6.34 Barley................................ 10.25 ............................9.50 ............................ 12.25.............................7.50 .......................... 5.00 Nampa: White Wheat (cwt)..........10.17...............................9.87 ........................... 13.00...........................11.16 ........................... 9.00 (bushel)........... 6.10 ..............................5.92.............................. 7.80............................ 6.70............................. 5.40 Lewiston: White Wheat.....................6.80 .............................6.70.............................. 8.17.............................7.45.............................. 6.58 Barley................................211.50............................196.50.......................... 221.50.........................161.50.......................... 160.50 Bean Prices: Pintos...........................35.00-35.00...................35.00-37.00...................33.00-35.00.................34.00-36.00.................24.00-25.00 Pinks............................40.00-42.00 .......... 39.00-40.00........................40.00 ....39.00-40.00.....................No Bid Small Reds...................40.00-42.00........................40.00.............................40.00.............................40.00............................40.00 ***

February MILK PRODUCTION UP 1.7 percent March 19, 2015 Milk production in the 23 major States during February totaled 15.1 billion pounds, up 1.7 percent from February 2014. January revised production, at 16.5 billion pounds, was up 2.2 percent from January 2014. The January revision represented an increase of 17 million pounds or 0.1 percent from last month’s preliminary production estimate.

Production per cow in the 23 major States averaged 1,757 pounds for February, 8 pounds above February 2014. This is the highest production per cow for the month of February since the 23 State series began in 2003. This comparison is based upon all months of February being adjusted to 28 days.

The number of milk cows on farms in the 23 major States was 8.62 million head, 106,000 head more than February 2014, and 2,000 head more than January 2015.

February Milk Production in the United States up 1.7 Percent Milk production in the United States during February totaled 16.2 billion pounds, up 1.7 percent from February 2014.

Production per cow in the United States averaged 1,736 pounds for February, 9 pounds above February 2014.

The number of milk cows on farms in the United States was 9.31 million head, 100,000 head more than February 2014, and 3,000 head more than January 2015.

Idaho Farm Bureau producer / APRIL 2015

37

5 Year livestock comparison ......................................3/22/2011.....................3/20/2012.....................3/25/2013.....................3/24/2014....................3/20/2015 Under 500 lbs................ 132-175 ......................170-220 ......................134-182.........................190-251........................230-346 500-700 lbs.................... 121-170..........................137-193..........................118-165........................ 168-239........................209-304 700-900 lbs.....................93-135 ......................121-154..........................109-132.........................140-181........................ 177-220 Over 900 lbs...................95-125..........................116-141..........................110-116.........................130-150........................ 143-187 Feeder Heifers Under 500 lbs................ 116-160 ......................142-200.........................126-154.........................170-227........................ 228-316 500-700 lbs.................... 115-145 ........................135-179..........................112-141........................ 154-206........................190-268 700-900 lbs.....................95-132..........................115-149..........................106-126.........................130-171........................ 165-215 Over 900 lbs...................93-107..........................103-120..........................90-114..........................110-147........................140-182 Holstein Steers Under 700 lbs................. 65-117...........................75-128...........................73-104..........................111-146........................140-205 Over 700 lbs....................65-94 ..........................75-114.............................74-96...........................110-130........................120-180

Cattle on Feed March 20, 2015 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 10.7 million head on March 1, 2015.The inventory was 1 percent below March 1, 2014.

Placements in feedlots during February totaled 1.52 million, 8 percent below 2014.

Net placements were 1.46 million head. During February, placements of cattle and calves weighing less than 600 pounds were 330,000, 600-699 pounds were 270,000, 700-799 pounds were 388,000, and 800 pounds and greater were 535,000.

Marketings of fed cattle during February totaled 1.52 million, 2 percent below 2014. February marketings are the lowest since the series began in 1996.

Other disappearance totaled 62,000 during February, 13 percent below 2014.

Cows Utility/Commercial...........57-80.............................65-82.............................62-80.......................... 70-104.......................... 84-114 Canner & Cutter..............40-75.............................58-73.............................55-70............................ 60-96...........................78-107 Stock Cows.....................675-1500.......................950-1550.......................775-1500.....................1150-1750....................1375-2300 Bulls – Slaughter............65-97.............................70-98 ..........................70-100..........................70-126.........................106-142

Cattle Outlook March 20, 2015 The March cattle on feed report was a bit bullish. It said that February placements were down 8.1% compared to a year ago. February marketings were down 2.1%.This left 0.5% fewer cattle on feed at the start of March than a year ago. The pre-release trade forecasts were for placements to be down 7.0%, marketings down 2.6% and the number on feed down 0.4% on March 1.

Domestic beef demand was up 16.3% in February, but foreign demand for U.S. beef was down 13.6%. U.S. beef demand has been above the year-ago level for each of the last 12 months. I would say the strong dollar and the labor problems at west coast docks were the main causes of the weak export demand during January.The growth in domestic demand more than outweighs the decline in export demand. Through the first ten full weeks of 2015, year-over-year beef production was down 2.2%, but the choice beef cutout value was up 10.8% and fed cattle prices were up 31.3%.

This morning the choice boxed beef cutout value was $244.38/cwt, up 31 cents from the previous Friday and up $3.55 from a year ago. The select carcass cutout was $244.56/cwt this morning, down 3 cents from last week, but up 61 cents from a year ago. The choice-select price spread has been very tight in recent days.

Fed cattle prices were mixed this week on light sales volume. Through Thursday, the 5-area average price for slaughter steers sold on a live weight basis was $161.50/ cwt, up 72 cents from last week’s average and up $11.40 from a year ago. The 5 area average dressed price for steers was $255.28/cwt, down $3.81 for the week, but up $15.17 compared to a year ago.

Cattle slaughter this week totaled 518,000 head, down 1.1% from the week before and down 10.5% from the same week last year.

38

Idaho Farm Bureau producer / APRIL 2015

The average steer dressed weight for the week ending on March 7 was 876 pounds, up 1 pound from the week before and up 18 pounds compared to the same week last year. Steer weights have been above year-ago each week since June 14, 2014.

Feeder cattle prices at Oklahoma City were as much as $7 higher on calves, but $1 to $3 lower on heavy weight feeders. Prices for medium and large frame #1 steers by weight group were: 400-450# $306-$313, 450-500# $285-$303, 500-550# $275-$295, 550-600# $266-$282, 600-650# $246-$266, 650-700# $236-$250, 700750# $207.50-$235, 750-800# $202.25-$217.50, 800-900# $186-$204, 900-1000#, $173-$191/cwt.

The April live cattle futures contract settled at $158.35/cwt today, up $4.08 for the week. June fed cattle settled at $150.47/cwt, up $5.20 from the previous Friday. August fed cattle gained $4.48 this week to settle at $148.10/cwt.

The March feeder cattle contract ended the week at $214.87/cwt, up $1.75 for the week. April feeders settled at $216.20/cwt which is $4.98 higher than the Friday before. The May contract ended the week at $215.40/cwt.

University of Missouri

Classifieds Animals

Household

Vehicles

Wanted

Registered Morgan stallions at stud and some stock for sale. Preston Id. Go to moonridgemorgans.com for pictures and info. Or call 208-252-7529.

Gently used carpet for sale. (2) Room Sizes: 17’x17’ and 13’x13’. Color: Blue/Grey. Very Good Condition. $225. Shelley area. Call 5285337.

1963 Dodge 500 Power Wagon 4x4. Double ram hoist, 10’ Meyers plow, plus more accessories. Low miles. Clean title $6,000.

Chubbuck, Id. 208-221-6544.

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

2 yr old bulls--Black Angus and Salers.

Tested and ready to go to work. Nationallly recognized pedigrees. www.b-blivestock.com.

Delivery available. $3500 B & B Livestock, (208)347-2345.

Miscellaneous

Wanted

1000’s of recycled nursery pots, 1 - 7 gallons priced very economically. Call for more information, Rathdrum, ID 208-6996262.

Looking for a smaller single axle older camp trailer to fix up as long as there is no major water damage and most everything works or can probably be repaired. Have cash! Please call 208-312-1365.

DEADLINE DATES:

Farm Equipment 1952 Model #60 John Deere tractor. Runs good. $3,400. American Falls, Id 208-4794464.

Three Behlen grain bins to be moved, approximately 8000 bushel capacity each; ten-inch filling auger over top with 7 hp three-phase electric motor. American Falls, Id (208) 221-5513.

New squeeze chute, green hand-pull. $1,300.

Midvale, Id 208-355-3780.

Like brand new White Leer canopy fits 2006-2013 short bed crew cab 1500 GMC and Chevy. Sliding fold down cap window, keyed lock single handle opening, carpeted headliner, rear tinted screw opening windows, interior light.$995. Meridian, Id. 208-816-3686 Outdoor wood furnace/stove for sale: Heats a home, shop, and/or barn. Stove sits outside the home. Cheaper than oil, electric, or propane heat! We will help with installation.

Can be converted to pellet burner. Please call John 208-781-0691.

680 Acres. 400 acres of producing timber and 275 acres in timothy hay. Benewah County 3 miles off I95. For details call Barbara Yeager, RE/MAX Infinity Group, (208)819-1973.

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

Commercial/Industrial buildings with office and land. 23,500 sq ft on 5.25 acres with more land available. Exit 41 in American Falls, Id. 208-221-6544.

Hay: 4x4 alfalfa bales. No rain. Under shed. $150 per bale. 2nd and 3rd crop, 150 bales.

Blackfoot. Call 208-785-3434 or 208-6806883

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.

ADS MUST BE RECEIVED BY

April 20

FOR NEXT ISSUE.

Real Estate/Acreage

1032 N. Holland stacker pull type. M. Ferguson 12 ft tandem disk 22” blades. Dual rubber transport model 620. Ace 12 ft till & pack roller. All in good shape. Rupert, Id. 208-438-5955

Hay and Feed

Paying cash for old cork top bottles and some telephone insulators. Call Randy.

Payette, Id. 208-740-0178.

dashton@idahofb.org

10.5 acres- loafing sheds, shop, grainery, 2 story rock house-5 bdrms, one bath, pasture and water shares. $279,000. Jerome, Id 208308-3804

Help Wanted

Mobile home lot for rent - 14x70 or smaller - 2005 or newer. $175.00 monthly, includes water/sewer Only. Shelley, ID. More Info Call 528-5337.

Agricultural Appraiser. Our top part-time livestock and Equipment appraisers earn 60,000/year. Agricultural Background Required. Call 800-488-7570 www. amagappraisers.com.

Mobile home for rent—One bdrm, with w/d hookups. No smoking/pets. 6 miles out of Blackfoot . $350/month rent and security deposit $200. Application required. Call 208785-3434 or 208-604-3434.

Idaho Farm Bureau producer / APRIL 2015

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