June 2015, Volume 19, Issue 4

June 2015 • Volume 19, Issue 4

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Irrigation Companies to Limit Boat Access

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Reject Barley Provides Cattle Feeding Options

®

Idaho Farm Bureau

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Range Recovers From Wildfire Ahead of Schedule

Planting the Seeds for Smart Corporate Policy

By Bob Stallman AFBF President

These days it seems as much policy comes from the corporate boardroom as from Congress. Some corporate directors are hurriedly bowing to pressure not from their customers, but from vocal activists.

The result is corporate policies that forbid farmers and ranchers from using tools to maximize production,

Quagga Mussels vs.

Franklin County

By Frank Priestley President Idaho Farm Bureau Federation

Franklin County, Idaho is on the frontline in a battle with foreign invaders and leaders there are suggesting strong measures to keep the pests and the myriad problems they

What is Trade Promotion Authority?

By Rick Keller CEO Idaho Farm Bureau Federation

Currently, ninety-five percent of the world’s consumers live outside the borders of the United States, and agriculture and businesses need policies and trade agreements in place that help us reach these consumers 2

Idaho Farm Bureau producer / JUNE 2015

The Ag Agenda protect the environment or care for animals.

Smart companies listen to their customers—and their suppliers. They collect all the facts before making decisions, rather than just responding to whoever is complaining the loudest. Through our corporate advocacy program, Farm Bureau is working to help companies understand the reasons why farmers and ranchers use certain production present – out.

Due to concerns that quagga mussels could be transported from infected Utah reservoirs, several irrigation reservoirs in Franklin County, popular with fishermen as well as water sport enthusiasts, will be closed to boats in mid to late July when funding for a state funded boat inspection program is expected to run out. The owners of the irrigation impoundments simply cannot afford to inspect boats on their own.

with U.S. products and compete successfully in an increasingly tough global economy.

From latest figures, $115 billion worth of American agricultural products were exported around the world. The U.S. sells more food and fiber to world markets than we import, creating a positive agricultural trade balance. One in three U.S. farm acres is planted for export. Thirtyone percent of U.S. gross farm income comes directly from exports.

American farmers and ranchers’

methods, and how blanket prohibitions can harm farm profitability and therefore sustainability, as well as the reliability and even the safety of our food supply.

We don’t expect large corporations—even the ones that make their living selling food—to be experts in what it takes to run a farm every day. That’s our job. Farmers and ranchers are committed to providing See STALLMAN, page 25 Quagga mussels, believed to have been transplanted to the Great Lakes in the late 1980’s in ballast water of foreign ships, have now spread and infected lakes and reservoirs in 28 states. Utah and Nevada are among the latest to make the list. If Idaho fails to protect its water, we can expect to see declining fisheries and clogged water transmission infrastructure that will hinder the ability to deliver irrigation water.

See PRIESTLEY, page 5

trade with the world to find new customers, grow jobs in the U.S. and improve America’s competitiveness in an increasingly interconnected global economy.

Unfortunately, agriculture in the United States risks falling behind our competitors, and we face more barriers overseas than many of our competitors in Europe, South America and Asia. And whether farmers sell across the country or around the world, they are participating in a See KELLER, page 25

Volume 19, Issue 4

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: The corn crop is off to a fast start in southwest Idaho. Isolated hail storms and heavy winds in mid-May caused some crop damage across the southern portion of the state. Photo by Steve Ritter

A sign at Twin Lakes boat launch warns fishermen and water sportsmen about transporting invasive aquatic species.

Franklin County Faces Stark Reality of Invasive Species Article and photos by John Thompson Franklin County Commissioners in late April voted down an ordinance that would have required mandatory boat inspections before launch and imposed fines for violations in several area irrigation reservoirs to prevent the spread of invasive quagga mussels.

However, even without County authority, managers of those irrigation reservoirs are now considering several measures including limiting the kinds of boats allowed to launch, and even closing the reservoirs to all boats.

As it stands today, boaters who want to use Glendale, Johnson, Foster, or Lamont, which are owned by Consolidated Irrigation Company, or Twin Lakes, owned by Twin Lakes Canal Company, are only allowed to launch between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. Under a contract between the Idaho State Department of Agriculture and the Franklin and Oneida Soil & Water Conservation Districts, watercraft inspection stations are set up at three reservoirs and three roadside locations in Franklin and Oneida counties. Inspection is mandatory for anyone transporting watercraft travelling by those inspection stations.

The threat behind the heightened concern is the result of Utah identifying new infested and suspect waterbodies. Reservoirs across southeastern Idaho – including Franklin County - are high traffic areas for Utah boaters. Even though no infestations have been identified in Idaho, quagga and zebra mussel populations are known to multiply rapidly. They attach to hard surfaces including boats, pipes and diversion structures and could severely hamper an irrigation company’s ability to deliver water to farms. Because of the substantial risk of moving mussels on watercraft from infested waterbodies, the focus of Idaho’s prevention program has been on watercraft inspection and cleaning.

“When the state money runs out (estimated late July) both Consolidated and Twin Lakes will close the reservoirs for the season,” said Clair Bosen, president of Twin Lakes Canal Company. “We don’t want to do it but there is no feasible way that our stakeholders can cover the cost of boat inspections.”

See QUAGGA MUSSELS page 4 Idaho Farm Bureau producer / JUNE 2015

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QUAGGA MUSSELS Continued from page 3 Lloyd Knight, administrator for the Idaho State Department of Agriculture’s Plant Industries Division, said ISDA and the Idaho Department of Fish and Game are providing state funds this year to fund the three inspection stations at boat ramps in Franklin County.

These stations are outside ISDA’s normal strategy of roadside inspection stations established at critical entry points at the state’s borders, and the agency will use the data generated by these new stations to identify the effectiveness of both strategies and any gaps or redundancies between the two approaches.

Franklin County Commission Chairman Dirk Bowles estimates that money will be spent by late July. When asked if the irrigation companies could legally close the reservoirs Bowles said it depends on whose attorney you ask.

“In order to get to the reservoirs you have to cross property owned by the irrigation companies,” Bowles said. “So they feel it’s a sound position to close them.”

However, public funds have been used to build docks, boat ramps and to stock the impoundments with fish. Idaho Fish and Game has a vested interest in keeping the reservoirs open, Bowles said.

Bosen said boats with ballast tanks will no longer be allowed on Twin Lakes. He believes Consolidated Irrigation will adopt the same policy. He added that his company has encouraged Rocky Mountain Power, owner of Oneida Reservoir, an impoundment on the Bear River north of Preston, to adopt a similar position as the irrigation companies.

However, the utility company has 4 #

A regulation being enforced by the owners of some irrigation impoundments in Franklin County limits the times of day boaters are allowed to launch.

been unresponsive, he said.

“We’re concerned about their (RMP’s) hesitancy,” said Bosen.

“It would be a lot worse to get quagga mussels established in the Bear River than in our private reservoirs but so far we haven’t had any luck.”

Rocky Mountain Power Spokesman Paul Murphy said the utility provider supports more stringent boat inspections than the State of Idaho currently requires. He added that he wasn’t surprised about critical comments coming from Twin Lakes Canal Company because of an ongoing dispute between the two entities over a proposal to build a new dam in the Oneida Narrows.

“The inspections we require on our boats is much more intense and thorough than what the State requires,” Murphy said. “If the State wants to strengthen the requirements we would be in favor and would work with them. But

Idaho Farm Bureau producer / JUNE 2015

it needs to be a multi-state effort to make sure all waters are kept clear.”

Rocky Mountain Power also owns Alexander Reservoir near Soda Springs, a diversion dam near Grace and Cutler Reservoir in Cache County, Utah.

Bowles said about 70 people attended a public hearing in Preston in late April. Some came from as far away as Idaho Falls, as well as many from Cache Valley in northern Utah. Fishermen were the main objectors to the ordinance. Several bass fishing tournaments are held in Franklin County each year. The failed ordinance that was up for discussion that night would have fined any boaters without an inspection $85 and allowed the irrigation companies to limit the size and number of boats launched each day.

Franklin County sees a lot of out of state boat traffic but is not nec-

essarily unique in that way for Idaho, Knight said. Every year boats from nearly every state and several Canadian provinces are brought to Idaho lakes and reservoirs. The money used to carry out boat inspections is a portion of the registration money paid by Idaho boat owners and Invasive Species Fund stickers purchased by out of state boaters. That funding represents about $1.4 million per year, Knight said.

The money is used to run 18 inspection stations throughout the state with either two or four inspectors per station. The state also monitors water bodies throughout the state for the presence of quagga mussels and other invasive species, he said. Over 650 samples are pulled and analyzed each year. In addition, the funds raised through the invasive species program are used to quarantine and disinfect contaminated boats that are found at check stations.

Quagga mussels were first found in the Great Lakes in 1988. It is believed they were transported there in the ballast tanks of ships originating in Eastern Europe.

Quagga mussels filter plankton that many aquatic species including small fish depend on. They can create toxic algae blooms that make water unsafe for consumption and litter beaches. It is estimated that Lake Michigan

now contains 450 trillion quagga mussels.

In September of 1989 quagga mussels were discovered in Lake Mead in southern Nevada. Soon thereafter they populated the other reservoirs in the lower Colorado River system. However, a vigorous effort was undertaken to protect Lake Powell in southern Utah and upstream in the Colora-

do River system from Lake Mead from the invasive mussels. Boat launch points were restricted, inspections were common and boat washing stations were put in place. In addition to cleaning the exterior of boats, it was also common for federal employees to flush boat outdrives and cooling systems on inboard engines. An aggressive Clean, Drain and Dry public relations campaign was

also put in place.

In spite of all that effort and expense, the first quagga mussels were discovered on houseboat pontoons and dock pilings in Lake Powell in March of 2013.

Microscopic veligers, or the larval form of quagga mussels were discovered in Deer Creek Reservoir in central Utah earlier this year.

PRIESTLEY

Continued from page 2

Quagga mussels are not the only foreign invader that present concern, but they could be the most destructive. These mussels filter plankton, which nearly every aquatic organism, including small fish, depend on for survival. They also multiply rapidly and accumulate on all kinds of underwater surfaces.

Franklin County reservoirs are popular with northern Utah boaters. Veligers, the microscopic larvae of quagga mussels, were recently discovered in Deer Creek Reservoir, located about 50 miles southeast of Salt Lake City. They are believed to have been transported there from Lake Powell, near Utah’s border with Arizona.

Quagga mussels were found there in late 2013. All of the reservoirs downstream from Lake Powell on the Colorado River are now contaminated.

Franklin County Commissioners recently voted down an ordinance that would have made boat inspections mandatory, fined uninspected boat owners, as well as provided the authority to limit the number of boats launched per day and limited the size of boats on the most popular reservoirs in the

County. The commissioners voted 2-1 under pressure mainly from fishermen, to keep the reservoirs open without more stringent regulations. In light of the commissioner’s vote, the irrigation companies have taken matters into their own hands. They know their decisions will not be popular but that is outweighed by the threat posed by these foreign invaders. Boaters and fishermen need to understand the gravity of this situation. Irrigation companies that cannot deliver water to shareholders are about as much good as a chicken wire canoe.

We believe it’s time for the State of Idaho to step up its enforcement programs and spend the money it takes to keep these pests out. At the present time, Idaho is contracting with private companies to inspect boats at 20 different locations. And from the inspections we’ve been privy too, they’re doing a lousy job. A quick walk-around and checking bilges for water doesn’t cut it. In actuality, we are lucky to have kept quagga mussels out of Idaho this long, if in fact we have. Our state program is run with good intentions and

within its budget, but it lacks an enforcement component. It’s not a carbon copy, but it’s basically the same as Utah and Nevada and the other 26 infected states. It’s time to quit relying on a quasi-honor system and get a program with some teeth.

At present we are waiting for the inevitable.

One of the reasons why 28 states have failed to keep these pests out is, to do it right inconveniences people. Idaho’s boat inspection stations are only open during regular business hours – that needs to change.

Any boat that crosses an Idaho border - especially if that boat has been in infected waters – should be stopped and carefully flushed and inspected. If the inspection station is closed the boat needs to wait and should not be allowed to proceed without being flushed. Video monitoring equipment may be needed to monitor border crossings.

One of the biggest problems with spreading quagga mussels around is they can live in a teaspoon of water for a long time. From bilges to live wells to cooling systems to ballast tanks, boats have literally hundreds of places to harbor these pests. They can even live on

wet anchor lines. Another major problem is veligers can be present in a lake or reservoir for an unknown period of time before mature adult quagga mussels appear. That means we could be transporting them around without even knowing it.

The “Clean, Drain and Dry,” public relations campaign needs to be stepped up as well.

There should be signs at every lake and reservoir that allows boats. Boat dealerships should also be called on to help educate boaters.

If these pests become established in Idaho we can expect declining fisheries, beaches littered with smelly, sharp shells, declining recreation opportunities across the board and increased costs relating to irrigation water delivery to farms.

It’s impossible to predict the economic consequences it could have on Idaho’s economy but rest assured it will be dramatic. In addition, what legacy do we leave for future generations of Idaho residents if we allow these pests to become established on our watch? Idaho has been blessed with clean, unique and unspoiled waters.

Let’s insist they stay that way.

Idaho Farm Bureau producer / JUNE 2015

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Hay is chopped and hauled from a farm in southwest Idaho in early May.

Cattle Feeders Reap Benefit of Last Summer’s Storms

By Jake Putnam Ammon— Rancher Scott Steele says he’s not seen anything like it in more than 40 years; barley, corn and hay all at bargain prices.

In recent years, top quality hay has fetched $250 or more per ton. Now, storm damaged hay is selling in eastern Idaho for just over $100 per ton. According to USDA market reports, hay stocks in the Pacific Northwest are up 88 percent over last year.

“Sadly the thunder storms last summer benefitted us,” said Steele. “There’s a lot of hay still available that was rained on last summer and put up that probably shouldn’t have been, it’s a buyer’s market for sure.”

The summer of 2014 had a series of record rain storms that started in late July and persisted until late AugustJust south of Ammon more than six inches of rain fell in a single week. That’s half the season average for the Idaho Falls area. For five weeks the relentless rain caused widespread damage to hay, grain and other crops. Last season’s unsold, moldy, marginal feed continues to flood the market.

“We’ve had a lot of hay offered to us at varying quality and we bought a lot of good barley that was rejected by the beer companies,” said Steele. “This is good feed-barley and it’s cheap. We’re not buying the moldy feed hay.”

Supply in Idaho has pushed hay prices to record lows and hardships suffered by fellow 6

farmers benefitted local dairies and feedlots this year. For the first time in recent memory, cattle feeders are snubbing high quality hay in favor of rejected malt barley.

storm will ever have a home. There’s just too much supply out there. I’m not in the market for anything moldy or damaged. There’s too many other alternatives,” said Steele.

According to the Idaho weekly hay report, fair to good alfalfa was trading at $160 per ton in mid-May, compared with $80 for utility hay, and “trade was very slow” for the week with “light demand for export and hay.” In the west demand for supreme and feed quality alfalfa was weak to $14 per ton lower and “trade is very slow for both domestic and export markets.”

Steele grows hay on 700 acres in Bonneville County. He’ll buy another 700 acres worth of hay and it’s never been this good.

Current hay prices are the lowest in 10 years.

Producers have had to search out markets that will buy premium hay. A portion of that market segment is being sold to China, but this past winter’s labor dispute slowed work at West Coast ports to a trickle and hay is just now getting exported.

That still leaves Idaho with a lot of hay and for the past six months dairies and cattlemen have fed cheap barley and grain cut back on hay. That trend should continue into late June.

“I had some hay offered to me for $110 delivered,” said Steele. “Another said he’d ship it, stack it here at the feedlot for $150 and that’s for high end feeder hay.”

Steele says he’s seeing lots of unsold, moldy hay. “I don’t know if that hay put-up in the

Idaho Farm Bureau producer / JUNE 2015

“I’m a custom feeder and we’re feeding dairy heifers barley and even though I’m a hay producer, Ill sell my dairy grade hay at a premium. That barley has helped bring down the input feed costs. Feeding cattle is a lot less expensive than it’s been for a long time,” he added.

Market analyst Clark Johnston says feed supply is starting to adjust back to normal levels and prices are trending upward.

“That dairy hay will hit $180-$200 and the lesser hay, as long as it has not been rained on will reach the $160-$180 level,” said Johnston. “I’m seeing a lot of last year’s hay under tarps. They’re thinking they’ll find a buyer, but they’re already cutting good hay and if they can keep it dry, it’ll sell before inventory hay any day.”

In the hay market things change rapidly.

“We’re used to quick changes,” said Steele.

“Cattle prices have stayed so high, experts say they’ll drop, we know it’s coming and we’re ready. For now everything is a netpositive for us.”

Snowpack came out earlier than normal this spring across southern Idaho. Photo by John Thompson

Snowpack Nearly Gone, Storage Levels Below Normal

By Jake Putnam

only the epic 1977 drought was worse.

snowpack.”

In the high country north of Boise, snowpack at the Mores Creek measurement site is gone a month earlier than normal.

Unlike the 1977 drought year, 2015 saw near normal precipitation levels but temperatures were well above normal and drastically cut into snowpack levels according to Abramovich. But like 2010 a cool, wet spring helped a very dire situation.

Many Idaho farmers are in the same boat, planning for a worst case scenario.

“Mores creek melted out May 7th at 6,100 feet,” said NRCS Water Supply Specialist Ron Abramovich. “Last year it melted May 29th.

The average melt-off is the first week of June.” “It was great news that the rain and the cool temps eased irrigation demands,” said Right now, Idaho rivers are running at 70 to Abramovich. “The storms added water to res90 percent of average. After the dry summer ervoirs from Palisades to Hells Canyon. We’re of 2014, layover water was used at the tail end back to normal weather and precipitation levels of the season and current reservoir levels have and it’s kept what little snow we had left in the water managers looking to the skies for help. mountains.”

On May 14th spectacular thunderstorms swept Last year most of the state had a higher-thanthrough Idaho from the south with hundreds average storage in reservoirs and ended the of lightning strikes. One strike started a small year with enough water to carry most farmers blaze in the Northeast Boise foothills and just through a challenging year. This year looks as the fire made a run, heavy rain stopped the similar, according Abramovich. blaze in its tracks.

Farmer Sid Freeman of Middleton says the Despite the rain, Abramovich says it’s still dry. winter brought average rainfall but he did his He measured just 14 inches of snow during the planning based on snowpack. “That’s what last Sno-tel survey May 1st, the lowest snowwe base our farm plan on and we’ve done it pack since the agency started surveys back in that way for years,” he said. “We planned for the 1940s. Measurements gathered reveal that drought because we’ve had the rainfall but no

“We’re working off a drought plan and we’re locked into that plan based on short-season crops. “They’re in the ground right now. We planted wheat with the best information we had back then. I hope the wheat will help me out a bit,” said Freeman.

Overall Idaho snowpack is going fast according Abramovich. “The Upper Snake has the best snowpack in the state at 44 percent of normal. The Clearwater basin is at 42 percent, the Boise Basin is just 27 percent and the Payette has just 14 percent of normal snowpack for this time of year.”

In Idaho snowpack in the high country can last well into July, according to Abramovich.

But this year a number of basins have already melted. The Little Lost, Goose Creek and most of the central basin are completely bare.

“We are well below normal for this time of year,” said Abramovich. “The cool temps will See WATERSHED page 8

Idaho Farm Bureau producer / JUNE 2015

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Get a Move on Campaign Helps Farmers Stand Up for Biotechnology WASHINGTON, D.C., – GetaMoveOn. fb.org is Farm Bureau’s just-launched advocacy website that gives farmers and ranchers a simple way to “Get a Move On” for GMOs. Through the website, farmers can easily express support for a national, science-based labeling standard, like the approach taken in the Safe and Accurate Food Labeling Act (H.R. 1599).

“Now is the time for farmers and ranchers to take action in support of innovation in agriculture,” said American Farm Bureau Federation President Bob Stallman. “Access to crop traits that resist pests, diseases and drought stress is helping farmers across the nation grow more food using less land, water, fuel and pesticides,” Stallman said. “Biotechnology will offer even more benefits in the future.”

From the website, farmers and ranchers can send House members emails encouraging “yea” votes for the Safe and Accurate Food Labeling Act. The bill will clarify the Food and Drug Administration as the nation’s

foremost authority on food safety and create a voluntary labeling program run by the Agriculture Department’s Agricultural Marketing Service, the same agency that administers the USDA Organic Program.

The legislation will provide a federal solution to protect consumers from a confusing patchwork of 50-state GMO labeling policies, and the misinformation and high food costs that would come with them.

Through GetaMoveOn.fb.org, farmers can not only connect with their lawmakers, but find state-by-state fact sheets detailing the value and share of GMO crops in each state. They can then share this information in their emails.

“It’s critical that we as farmers help our lawmakers understand that there’s a cost associated with discouraging agricultural innovation,” Stallman said. “That cost will go well beyond the higher prices consumers will pay at the supermarket if each state passes its own GMO labeling law,”

he added.

In addition to the advocacy site, Farm Bureau’s grassroots toolkit continues to be a helpful resource for farmers and ranchers who want to share the many positives about biotechnology with policymakers, community members and others. Accessible at fb.org/biotech, this free online resource includes an overview of biotechnology; an explanation of biotechnology’s benefits to consumers, the environment, farmers, the U.S. economy, and more; links to credible sources for biotech information; and avenues for getting active on social media.

A strong consumer-focused resource is GMOAnswers.com, which allows people to ask any and all questions about GMOs. Responses come from independent experts in leading academic institutions, industry groups and representatives from Biotechnology Industry Organization member companies. The website also features studies, articles and safety data.

WATERSHED Continued from page 5 provide some snowpack opportunities for a couple more weeks, but not enough to make an impact in August.”

“Reservoir storage looks better. Coeur d’Alene Lake is close to topping off with the melting snow and water masters are getting ready to top off Dworshak reservoir and will start releasing. Deadwood reservoir is full, Cascade is coming up fast but may not be full long because of the lack of snowpack. Anderson Ranch Reservoir will probably not fill because of lack of inflow water for this year,” according to Abramovich.

Treasure Valley farmers are keeping a close eye on storage levels at Anderson Ranch, Arrowrock and Lucky Peak because those reservoirs are 80 percent to 93 percent of average. The Bruneau River watershed in Owyhee County 8

recently logged the worst three consecutive years of precipitation since 1944. Owyhee Reservoir supplies water to Southwest Idaho and is only 26 percent full. Almost all of the snow in the Owyhee Mountains is gone.

tures. They could still gain some storage in the reservoirs and that’s good news to potato and beet producers,” said Abramovich.

Oakley and Salmon Falls reservoirs are nearly empty according to the NRCS. Abramovich In Blaine County the Wood River and Little says the best they can hope for is to pick up Lost River basins are dry according Abramov- water storage from the spring rain storms. The ich. Magic reservoir has only 30,000 acre feet two south central reservoirs picked up some of storage he says and they cut back irrigation storage last year and hope to get more water water releases for farmers in a last ditch effort this month. to stretch water supply the best they can.

Thanks to the storm-track and cooler tempera“I spoke with the Little Wood water master tures Idahoans won’t be greatly affected this yesterday and he says unless it really rains, year by snowpack and early runoffs this year. they should be out of water by August 1st. The “But these coming weeks are critical,” said water situation is critical in south central IdaAbramovich. “If we keep getting storms and it ho, rain or no rain,” said Abramovich. stays cool we’ll be all right. Heavy rains now “The Upper Snake in eastern Idaho is an in- means more irrigation water in August. We’re teresting situation because demands have hoping it keeps raining. dropped with the rain, snow and cool tempera-

Idaho Farm Bureau producer / JUNE 2015

Crews drill seed into burned land near Mountain Home.

Range Recovers Earlier than Expected Article and photos by Steve Stuebner The Pony and Elk complex wildfires near Mountain Home had a big impact on the landscape, wildlife, cabin owners, ranchers and recreationists. Touched off by lightning in 100-degree heat during the summer of 2013, the fires consumed 280,000 acres of rangelands and forests in a matter of days, racing from Black’s Creek to Featherville. The blazes also charred 38 homes and 43 outbuildings near Pine and Fall Creek.

Immediately after the blazes were contained, federal authorities closed access to fishing and camping along the popular South Fork of the Boise River, shut down 150 miles of ATV trails in the Danksin Mountains, and more than 20 ranchers with summer range on BLM and Forest Service lands had to remove their cattle from the burn zone for at least two years to allow the land to heal.

In the fall, federal agencies took quick action to stabilize the soil and restore plant

communities, a proactive step to jumpstart nature’s own recovery. Federal officials explained the highest priorities in crafting an emergency-response strategy.

“Right after the fire, it’s human life and safety, just like fire suppression,” says Cindy Fritz, natural resources specialist for the Bureau of Land Management. “Second is soil stabilization. Are hillsides intact? Will they remain intact? If we have an event out here, are we going to have soil loss? The third is threatened and endangered species.

Up here, it was the sage grouse habitat.”

“We were looking at the moderate to high soil burn severity in the upper parts of the watershed, what we call flood- source areas,” adds Terry Hardy, Forest Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER) Coordinator for the Boise National Forest. “We can’t really treat all of the area, so we have to focus on areas where we have values at risk.”

Those areas included campgrounds, roads and culverts, and the upper watershed in

the Boise National Forest.

Even though the fire burned hot, the actual soil burn severity was low to moderate on BLM lands, and high to moderate on Forest Service lands. The loss of shrub cover on BLM lands was significant; 44,000 acres of priority sage grouse habitat burned in the fires.

Before the rehab work could begin, BLM and Boise National Forest officials crafted a rehabilitation plan. They did so via a group of experts, called the Burned Area Emergency Response team, or “BAER” team for short.

The fire-rehab plans called for aerial seeding and drill-seeding to stabilize the soil and restore plant communities, hand-planting of sagebrush and bitterbrush for sage grouse habitat and winter big game range, tree-planting and more.

After submitting the BAER plans to agency budget officials in Washington D.C., the See RANGE RECOVERY page 10

Idaho Farm Bureau producer / JUNE 2015

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RANGE RECOVERY Continued from page 9 BLM received authorization to spend $1.9 million on fire rehab, and the Boise National Forest was authorized to spend $4.5 million.

Full funding was critical to get a quick start on the rehab work, but several wrinkles occurred: Over 3 inches of rain fell in one night in September, causing a number of creek blowouts and washing tons of debris into the South Fork of the Boise River, a blueribbon trout fishery.

Congress reached a budget impasse in October, shutting down for 16 days. That caused a delay in rehab projects and furloughed federal employees.

“We were delayed with the furlough in just about every aspect of the project,” Hardy said.

The creek washouts changed several rapids in the South Fork of the Boise River, getting the immediate attention of anglers and rafters who use it frequently. Trout-fishing groups rallied 100 volunteers to plant trees and shrubs along the South Fork to help with recovery efforts.

Once the government furlough ended, Forest Service and BLM emergency response

teams marshalled their crews and got to work in the short window of time that remained before winter. BLM drill-seeding crews went to work in the hills north of Mountain Home in late November, planting about 3,500 acres.

“We did this all in-house,” Fritz says. “We will pull, we call them triples - they’re 14 feet wide, so you can hook them up in a triple, to get a 45-foot wide swath. And you can hit 100 acres a day with one of those.”

The BLM dropped an aerial seed mix on 32,800 acres of the Pony complex fire zone, or 80 percent of the burn area. The seed mix included native grasses, alfalfa and sagebrush.

The Forest Service seeded about 2,000 acres in the headwaters of the mountains affected by the Elk complex fire. They used a fast-growing wheat seed called triticale.

And then they covered the seeding areas with straw mulch via helicopter.

“Triticale. It’s a sterile wheat mix, so it’s non-persistent,” Hardy explains. “It will grow, it dies off, it produces organics, provides stability and soil moisture.”

The Forest Service also seeded about 700 acres of sage grouse habitat in the Elk Complex fire zone with a mix of triticale,

wheatgrass, squirrel tail and sagebrush.

As for hand-planting efforts, several hundred Idaho Fish and Game volunteers have planted thousands of sagebrush and bitterbrush seedlings in several locations in the Pony and Elk fire zones. Plus, 800 forbs were planted near a sage grouse lek.

One year later, the Forest Service and BLM rehab efforts are showing positive results.

Cindy Fritz checks on a drill-seeding next to the Cow Creek Road. “As you can see, we had a really good year,” she says. “We had favorable moisture, we had favorable temperatures, we’ve got really good soil here, so where we could drill seed, we had a really good take ... but this is not reflective of what happens every year.”

Fritz also saw sagebrush seedlings coming up from the fire zone. “This is from our aerial seeding. That’s what we want to come back. This is for sage grouse. On a favorable year, aerial seeding is a good way to get sagebrush in the ground. Yeah, really like this site.”

Chad Gibson, a professional range scientist, checked on vegetation regrowth near a sage grouse lek on BLM land. Plants in this location were drill-seeded and aerial seeded. “The bluebunch is coming really thick,” Gibson says. “You can see the growth in lots of places. There are a lot of sagebrush seedlings coming, and over here, there’s quite a variety of forbs, the burnet came in really well, alfalfa is coming good, there’s a pretty good component of everything you’d want on a site.”

“It should look excellent next spring. This grass that has this kind of a start at this time of year is going to be pretty robust come spring.”

Rancher Charlie Lyons checks on regrowth in a grazing allotment burned by the Pony and Elk Complex fires of 2013.

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Idaho Farm Bureau producer / JUNE 2015

Forest Service officials are pleased with seeding results as well. “I’m confident in the seeding,” Hardy says. “I think they were pretty good from what I saw. You want a thin cover, about 70 percent cover.

Don’t want a continuous matt. That can be detrimental to the seeds in the soil.”

In the Dixie Creek area near Anderson Ranch Road, Forest Service range technician Monte Miller checked on vegetation growth a year after the fires. “Out here in this meadow, or grassland type, things are recovering quite nicely,” Miller says.

“In the black areas, where the hydrophobic soils exist, definitely have the concerns there because of the lack of ground cover.

We do have some plants coming in from the seeding. We’ll see with the moisture this fall if they become established.”

One year and a half after the fires, BLM and Forest Service have been slowly opening access to the burn zones as resources allow. Campers, anglers and floaters can access the South Fork of the Boise River A mudslide flows into the South Fork of the Boise River. The slide was triggered by heavy rains in again. The Forest Service expects to re- the fall of 2013 after the Elk and Pony complex fires. open the popular Danskin OHV trails on Forest Service land in late May or early basis. en us off the last two years,” Lyons says.

June.

“I think I’m going to outperform what Range scientist Chad Gibson inspected they’re doing by coming in here and creAs for livestock grazing, the BLM is con- some BLM lands in the burn zone last sumating impact. And utilizing what forage is sidering re-opening lands to grazing where mer at the request of rancher Charlie Lyhere. The hoof action is going to increase post fire resource objectives have been met ons to get an independent opinion. “What the number of seedlings I get in these bare or plant composition is dominated by an- they’re talking about is whether it should areas that did burn hot.” nual species. The Forest be grazed again. And the evidence would indicate that it’s ready to graze now,” Gib- What Lyons means is that by grazing the Service expects to open some areas to son says. “You’ve got a huge amount of land, the cows will help push seeds into grazing after seed ripe, where soil burn cover. You’ve got bulbus wheatgrass up the ground. Wildlife do that, too. Connie severity was low to moderate and site-spehere as well as poa, and if you want to keep Tharp explains. “As the cattle or the elk cific monitoring shows that conditions are that, it needs to be grazed to reduce the or the deer -- any of those -- as they walk favorable. Twelve grazing allotments were competition.” across the ground, as they move, and you’ll affected by the fires on Forest Service land. see the seed incorporated into the soil,” she If the slopes aren’t grazed, Gibson says, “We’d like to get grazing back here as soon says. “So when you get the right moisture then the cheat grass that grew in thick after as we can, but not at the detriment of the on it, when the conditions are conducive, the fire could completely take over the site. resource,” Miller explains. “What I can tell those seeds are going to germinate and beyou is that it will be on a case by case ba- Connie Tharp of the Natural Resources come grass plants like the response we’re sis.”

Conservation Service also checked on seeing. Yes, that will help with the recovrange conditions with Lyons. “When ery.”

Recreationists can always go find another we’re evaluating a stand to determine if place to play, but for the 20 ranchers affectLyons also worries that if knee-high grassthe plants are established, we’ll look at the ed by the fires, the 2-year closure is a big es aren’t grazed, the BLM lands will be density, the composition, the diversity and hardship. Public lands grazing permits are prone to burn again. “I think for us not to then we’ll do a simple pull test,” Tharp exan integral part of many ranching operautilize this in the spring, like we should plains. “With that pull test, we’ll check to tions. Ranchers normally rely on the fedhave, or even next spring, start harvesting see if the plants are rooted down and estaberal range for summer grazing. With the this forage, we’re going to have a real problished. What I’m seeing, in plant composiclosures, they’ve had to scramble to find allem.” tion, is that the plants are well-established ternative grazing lands and cut their herds. and rooted down. This range is ready.”

Life on the Range will continue to track Because of the favorable wet weather and this story as it unfolds in the future.

Lyons has been grazing his private lands robust plant recovery in the last year, some while he waits for BLM and Forest Service Steve Stuebner is the writer and producer ranchers would like the agencies to conlands to reopen for grazing. “I was inter- of Life on the Range, an educational projsider opening lands for livestock grazing ested to see how the impact comes back ect sponsored by the Idaho Rangeland Rewhen the plants are ready on a site-specific versus the federal range where they’ve tak- source Commission.

Idaho Farm Bureau producer / JUNE 2015

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Focus on Agriculture Don’t Be ‘Cowed’

By Stewart Truelsen Husband and wife environmentalists Denis Hayes and Gail Boyer Hayes take to bashing beef and dairy in their new book “Cowed.” Published this year, it attacks animal agriculture on multiple fronts— health and nutrition, food safety and cattle production.

The book also makes one of the most outlandish predictions that you’ve ever heard.

According to the authors, “If the human population grows another 50 percent, and everyone starts to eat as much beef as Americans, we will wipe out much of the rest of the animal world.”

Ken Cook of the Environmental Working Group applauds this statement on the back cover by saying that the authors have mapped the destructive co-migration of earth’s two great conquering herds, humans and cows. You can believe this when you see cows grazing in New York’s Central Park or on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. Nebraska has a lot of cows, 1.88 million, according to the latest statistics, but it also was home this spring to a half million 12

sandhill cranes along the Platte River. The cranes stop to fatten up on corn kernels left behind in farm fields before migrating north again. Nebraska is second in the nation in number of cattle and calves, but they don’t seem to be crowding out the cranes.

The Hayes would have you believe that all cattle operations are big, factory farms.

Nebraska has 20,000 beef cow operations, the average herd size is 94 head and only 770 are larger than 1,000 head of cattle.

Big is always bad to critics of agriculture, even though economies of scale are accepted for most other industries. The complaints about cows in the book have all been heard before. American restaurants served 9 billion hamburgers last year, 3 percent more than a year earlier. Take that as a vote of confidence in beef.

In fact, there is a lot of positive news about beef to reassure consumers. Recreational runners are among the fittest Americans, and Runner’s World magazine includes beef in its nutrition advice and recipes for runners. It cited a review of 76 existing studies published in the Annals of Internal Medicine that found no association between saturated fat and heart disease, a de-

Idaho Farm Bureau producer / JUNE 2015

parture from previous thinking. Runner’s World reminded runners that red meat contains iron, zinc and protein and is right for a healthy diet.

The authors of “Cowed” connect a virulent form of E. coli bacteria with what they call factory farming, which in their view is a feedlot used to finish cattle. However, the Department of Agriculture says the prevalence of E. coli O157:H7 is not affected by the production system. USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) samples ground beef and, according to its data, this strain occurs at a rate of less than one quarter of 1 percent. FSIS says it is rare for the strain to find its way into meat products, and the sale of those products is prohibited. Safe handling and proper cooking also reduce the risk of spreading E. coli or becoming infected.

The authors claim they aren’t against eating beef; they just want Americans to eat less. That’s up to consumers who shouldn’t be cowed or misled by critics of America’s livestock industry.

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

Idaho Farm Bureau producer / JUNE 2015

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The Mink Family trail their herd up U.S. Highway 95 near Cambridge.

Ranch Families Look Forward to Spring Turnout

By Steve Stuebner

highway with horses and ATVs.

Spring turnout is a time that ranchers look forward to ... it’s a time to drive the cattle to spring pastures with the family.

They tried to keep one lane open as the cattle moved through, but sometimes the cattle would cross over to the other lane.

For two ranch families in Idaho, spring turnout includes an additional challenge -the Mink family trails their cattle through busy traffic on U.S. 95 near Cambridge, and the Jaca family drives their cattle into an area heavily used by ATVs in the Owyhee Mountains.

“It went good today, and we had a hell of a good crew,” says Roy Mink of Mink Land and Livestock. “When the cattle come off the feed yard, they come off like a bunch of race horses, and then generally they’ll slow up a bit. It went well.

The Minks recruit friends and family to help drive their cattle along U.S. 95. It takes lots of helpers to keep the animals moving forward in the right direction and collect the strays.

For the Minks, it was the 71st consecutive year that they’ve done the cattle drive on Idaho’s main north-south highway.

The Washington County sheriff was out in front, stopping motorists as the cattle moved up the highway. Friends and family drive the cattle along the north side of the 14

“You just try to keep ‘em going. Have some kids running behind so when the baby calves crawl through the fence holes, you can get ‘em back out. It hasn’t always been this easy.”

People didn’t seem to mind stopping for a moment on U.S. 95 to let the cattle move through. Some took pictures out the window. “Wow. I’ve never seen this before,” says Jessica Records. “Pretty crazy! I used to work on a ranch branding cattle, but they were always contained.”

One truck driver with Knight Trucking

Idaho Farm Bureau producer / JUNE 2015

from Las Vegas said, “I’ve never seen this before ... it’s like a page out of the Old West.”

Eventually, the Minks reached the turnoff for their spring pasture and drove the cattle into the hills. “We’re turning out to our spring pasture,” says Justin Mink of Mink Land and Livestock. “We take about 200 head out, and then in mid-June, we’ll gather them and take them to Council Mountain.”

Mink says U.S. 95 is the most efficient way to reach their spring pasture. “It’s kind of a history and tradition that a guy hates to break,” he says. “It’s just easier to drive them up the highway versus gathering them into a truck and hauling them. Doing it just like we’ve always done it for 71 years.”

It’s nice to move the cattle away from the home ranch to spring pastures, Mink says.

“It’s a great feeling ... being able to be out here in the green and the sunshine, come out and use the grass and the resources we

Family and friends have helped the Mink family move their cattle every spring for the past 71 years.

have available to us.”

Friends of the Minks enjoy being part of the cattle drive. Terry Hendrix says he participates “just for the fun of it. It gives me something to do with my horses. I like riding my horses, so it’s a great activity to do something with them.”

And the kids had fun, too. Why? Jarret Mink says he was there to help because everyone in the family participated in the cattle drive. Would he do it anyway? “Yeah. I like pushing calves,” he says with a grin.

Once the cattle were herded onto the spring range, the family took some leisure time to hang out, and the kids picked some wildflowers for the Easter dinner table. “We’ll do our family gathering here. We’ll have some cinnamon rolls and coffee, hang out a little bit, and preparing for Easter, cuz it’s Easter weekend. It’s been a great day. Glad everything went well,” Justin Mink says.

Meanwhile, out on the front side of the Owyhee Mountains, the Jaca family led their cattle up the trail toward Chalky Butte trailhead, a popular off-highway vehicle parking area. The Jacas have ranched in the area for multiple generations, long before ATV’s were invented.

“My father was born here in 1914, right on up the road at Reynolds Creek,” says Inez Jaca. “His family came here in 1909 and settled on the ranch. We’ve ranched here, my husband and I, for 49 years. My son is ranching with us, he’s the 5th generation, and the grandchildren are the 6th generation. And they love what they do. So hopefully we can stay here for many more generations and enjoy the lifestyle we have.”

As the cattle approach Chalky Butte, a group of ATV riders come riding up the trail. They are experienced riders who know how to negotiate cattle on the trail.

Steven Huffman, President of the Boise ATV Trail Riders, says, “Number one, you want to slow down. You don’t want to injure them or spook ‘em. You want to approach them slow, normally the sound of the engine will kind of shoo them off the trail. If not, give a holler or a shout, and normally they’ll just move off.”

“The ones you really have to worry about are the calves because they’re pretty unpredictable,” Huffman continues. “They’ll shoot off one side, and then shoot right out in front of you. So you have to be mindful of those things, but the adults will normally stay out of the way.”

The Jacas drive the cattle past the ATV riders and herd them to spring pastures. And the ATV riders continue with their trail ride.

Both the ranchers and the ATV riders understand the need to share public lands in the Owyhees. “I know how much we appreciate and enjoy this country, and we like that we can share it with the folks in town, and we hope we can have responsible shared, multiple-use of the land,” Inez Jaca says. “The one thing we want stressed, we are producing food for the world’s table, and it makes the economy for the state of Idaho healthier too, so we need to be out here, but we realize we need to share it with other folks who enjoy it as well.”

“Look around you, it’s just beautiful out here,” Huffman says. “But it is multiple use.

So you also have to remember that we’re visitors here. The ranchers they live here, they make their living here, so we have to mindful of staying on the trails, and being good ambassadors for everybody.”

The Jacas graze their cattle in the low country for about a month before following See SPRING TURNOUT page 35

Idaho Farm Bureau producer / JUNE 2015

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University of Idaho students and members of the UI Collegiate Farm Bureau chapter tour the Idaho Forest Group sawmill in Lewiston.

Sawing Logs from the Inside Out Article and photo by Bob Smathers Students from the UI Collegiate Farm Bureau were treated to a tour of the Idaho Forest Group (IFG) sawmill in Lewiston on April 24. The IFG sawmill is one of five mills in northern Idaho from Grangeville to Moyie Springs that are owned by the Idaho Forest Group. These sawmills are high tech mills that produce lumber for both the national and international markets; the chief domestic customers being Lowes and Home Depot. Internationally, IFG produces specialty lumber for the Asian market, primarily Japan.

The Lewiston IFG sawmill is one of only two mills in the U.S. that has adopted CT scanning technology made by Microtec Company in Italy. CT scanning is com16

monly associated with the medical field, but is now available for sawmills. The IFG mill in Lewiston can now see inside the log and saw it from the inside out. The CT scanning technology gives internal data points on knot size, knot placement, growth rings per inch, decay, sap wood volume, foreign objects etc. Each log that goes through the saws is different and having data points on the internal configuration allows the mill to optimize the cut solution. This will give this IFG sawmill a distinct advantage over sawmills without this technology. Idaho Forest Group plans to equip all 5 of their northern Idaho mills with this CT technology in the future.

The IFG mill in Lewiston has the capacity to process about 1 million board feet of

Idaho Farm Bureau producer / JUNE 2015

lumber per day and IFG plans to expand production in the future pending availability of logs. Currently, about 95 percent of the log supply to this mill comes from trees harvested from private and state land within 100 miles of the mill. Future expansion in production will depend on more intensive management of state and private land and how much timber comes off federal lands in the Clearwater Region. Mill Manager Jesse Short is optimistic that the mill will see more federal logs in the future.

The Lewiston mill cuts dimensional lumber 2x4 through 2x12 up to 20 feet long.

Species of lumber coming through the mill are primarily Douglas Fir, Larch and Hemlock.

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1/15/15 Idaho Farm Bureau producer / JUNE 2015 3:26 PM 17

Are you Prepared?

By Yvonne Barkley Fire in the forest! We hear the words and look to the horizon for the tell-tale plumes of smoke. By now we know that the beautiful forests and rangelands of Idaho are environments that are dependent on wildland fires for their health and existence.

But when wildlife destroys homes and threatens lives, this natural agent of renewal becomes an agent of disaster.

Living in the wildland/urban interface (WUI), comes with benefits, but also increased risks and responsibilities. Wildfire preparedness is not something you can do one year and be done with forever. – it is a yearly chore and one everyone living in the WUI should have started on by now.

Zone 1 – the Home Ignition Zone (0 to 30 feet) In zone 1, steps are taken to decrease and/or eliminate the ignition potential of homes and outbuildings. Particular attention is paid to non-flammable roofing and enclosing soffits and overhangs.

Yearly maintenance activities should focus on: Designating enclosed storage areas where flammable outdoor items, such as wicker or wooden patio furniture, cushions, door 18

A well-watered landscape is a fire resistant landscape. Photo by Yvonne Barkley

mats, window boxes and planters, garbage cans without lids, BBQ propane tanks, etc., can be stored during wildfire events.

Parking boats, campers, and recreational vehicles in enclosed areas, or securely covering and moving them away from structures.

Relocating firewood and any items stored under decks or overhangs during the winter months to locations 30 feet or more from structures.

Checking screens on chimney, attic, and basement openings for holes; replace with metal screening if necessary.

Removing debris from roofs and gutters; trimming tree branches 10-15 feet away from power lines and chimneys; pruning, mowing, raking and removing plant litter from corners, along foundations, and the landscape.

Replacing flammable mulches with nonflammable materials such as gravel.

Making sure hoses, sprinklers and irrigation equipment, as well as back-up power for any pumps, are well maintained; backup water sources should be clearly marked and easily accessible to firefighters.

Idaho Farm Bureau producer / JUNE 2015

Zone 2 - your landscape (30 to 100 feet) In zone 2, the home is surrounded by a greenbelt of perennials, ground-covers, and annuals planted in islands surrounded by nonflammable retaining walls and wellwatered turf.

Yearly maintenance should focus on: Controlling weeds; many species are highly flammable.

Maintaining a well-watered landscape; if unable to water regularly, keep grass short.

Removing overgrowth and dry debris and pruning trees and shrubs to eliminate ladder fuel configurations.

Zone 3 - beyond 100 feet Zone 3 is composed of native vegetation that has been thinned. If possible, highly flammable species of trees and shrubs are removed and replaced with less fire-prone species.

Yearly maintenance should focus on: Maintaining emergency exits; have two ways in and out of your property in case one route is threatened.

Ensuring entrances to your property are

Consider replacing flammable mulches with nonflammable materials such as rocks or gravel. Photo by Yvonne Barkley

clearly marked with nonflammable signs and that there is no obstructing vegetation.

Clearing vegetation 10 feet from along roadsides and driveways.

Evacuation Preparedness Each year, families living in WUI areas of the West should go over their wildfire evacuation preparations.

Update phone trees and emergency numbers on all phones; make sure everyone, including children, knows who to call and where to go if they are home alone when a wildfire threatens.

List all valuables and important documents; place them where they are easily found and accessible.

If a wildfire threatens, DO NOT WAIT TO BE TOLD TO EVACUATE. Gather everyone and let them know you are evacuating.

Check with neighbors to see if they need assistance; notify others that you’re leaving and where you plan to go.

Dress for safety; this includes socks, closed-toed shoes, long pants, long-sleeved shirts, leather gloves, a bandanna, and hat.

For more information you can order a copy of Protecting and Landscaping Homes in the Wildland/Urban Interface from University of Idaho CALS Publications and Multimedia Catalog, by calling (208) 8857982 or emailing them at calspubs@uidaho.edu or view an online version at UI Extension Forestry website at www. uidaho.edu/extension/forestry/fire.

Park vehicles in the direction you will escape; leave the keys in the ignition.

Put pets in pet carriers and place in a safe, accessible location until ready to load into vehicles; load horses and other livestock into trailers and hook-up to vehicles.

Pack your emergency kit and valuables in your vehicle; load pet carriers.

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

Update arrangements for pet and livestock evacuation; contact your local veterinarian for locations to bring your pets and/or livestock.

Emergency kits should be packed and easy to access.

Designate a place to go. Everyone is often not at home when a wildfire threatens; it is vitally important to have a safe location to meet away from your property.

Make sure the entrances to your property are still clearly marked with nonflammable signs and that vegetation is not obstructing your signs. Photo by Chris Schnepf Idaho Farm Bureau producer / JUNE 2015

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Idaho Farm Bureau producer / JUNE 2015

A bull is tested for a venereal disease at Merle Olson’s ranch in Boundary County.

Trich Testing Begins on N. Idaho Ranches Article and photo by Bob Smathers Something that has not been common in northern Idaho for decades is testing for Trichomoniasis in cattle herds. Testing for this potentially devastating venereal disease has been required for breeding bulls south of the Salmon River for several years, but not for bulls north of the river until it was mandated by state law in 2014.

This has had ranchers in the northern part of the state anxious about a practice they have not been required to do, so county Farm Bureaus in the north stepped up to the plate to help ranchers get the job done.

Trich testing days were held in Kootenai County on March 8th and 29th for livestock producers in close proximity to

Coeur d’Alene. Kootenai County Farm Bureau hosted these two testing days at the Prairie Animal Hospital in Coeur d’Alene by providing drinks, cookies and advertising. The vet clinic donated its corrals and alleys and county Farm Bureau President Joe Dobson provided the squeeze chute.

Seventeen bulls were tested over the two day period.

Bonner and Boundary County Farm Bureau’s along with the Boundary County Soil and Water Conservation District also sponsored a trich testing day at the ranch of Farm Bureau member Merle Olson in Bonners Ferry on April 11. Twenty one bulls were tested at the Olson ranch with lunch provided for area ranchers. The operators

that brought their bulls in for trich testing in both counties also had the option to semen test their bulls and most took advantage of this. Three bulls in Boundary County were found to be non-fertile.

Prior to 2014, Trich testing was not required north of the Salmon River, but in 2014, the state legislature put into law a new requirement that expanded mandatory Trichomoniasis testing throughout the state. This disease can be devastating for livestock operations because it causes sterility in cow herds, so the livestock industry felt that statewide testing was necessary to mitigate the risk.

Idaho Farm Bureau producer / JUNE 2015

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Shontell Olson Wins Scholarship Shontell Olson, daughter of Troy and Billie Jo Olson of May, Idaho was recently awarded the Custer County Farm Bureau (CCFB) Scholarship. This scholarship is presented to a high school senior who is a family member of Farm Bureau and who is pursuing an agriculture field of study.

Shontell grew up on the Circle Pi Ranch in the Pahsimeroi valley where she was involved in all activities of a livestock operation – everything from irrigating to haying and range management to livestock marketing. She loves horses and riding the range, moving cows is her favorite activity.

She starts all the colts on the ranch and shoes horses as well.

Shontell Olson receives CCFB Scholarship from Rod Evans DVM, President of Custer County Farm Bureau.

Science was Shontell’s favorite subject in school. Completing all offered science courses in her first couple of years of high school, she took on-line college courses. While she worked hard and did well academically, she also excelled in extracurricular activities. She was a two term President for the Challis FFA Chapter and won many awards in both FFA and 4-H. She competed for the Challis High School Rodeo team and was named Rookie Cowgirl as a freshman. She was Reserve All Around Cowgirl for 2 years. She served as secretary for CHS Rodeo one year and was a 2 term President. Elected Vice-President for District 1 High School Rodeo, she was a 3 year qualifier for State Rodeo.

Shontell is currently putting her scholarship to use at the College of Southern Idaho in Twin Falls where she is majoring in Animal Science.

Custer County Farm Bureau Selects Ranch Woman of the Year Kay Piva was born in Twin Falls, Idaho but grew up in the little town of Hansen. She spent most of her free time horseback enjoying the freedom and adventure of a great childhood.

She was a second grade teacher in Twin Falls when Kay and Bob were married and continued teaching in Challis where Bob worked for his dad and uncles on the Piva Ranch. Kay soon learned that weekends, holidays, and summers were not for time off but rather for extra help needed for roundups, cattle drives, or haying.

She was already a good rider and quickly learned the skills necessary for moving and working cattle. Her first experience at roping was somewhat trying however. She was helping Bob doctor some fall calves and while heeling for Bob, she managed to get not one, but both hands caught in her dallys.

Bob thinks it must have been the oversized gloves she had 22

on that day. At least that is their story and they are sticking to it. Her love of horses has never diminished and her skills excelled in cow cutting where she was a two time Idaho Quarter Horse Association cow cutting champion and World Quarter Horse Show qualifier.

Kay and Bob bought the ranch from Piero and Mabel in 1982 and Kay continued to spend all of her non-teaching time working on the ranch. Kay and Bob actively involved their two daughters in ranch work as do most ranch families. Kay knows the long hours it takes in a tractor to get quality hay put up. Her favorite tractor color is green and she will bale all day everyday as long as the tractor air conditioner works.

Kay retired from teaching and as school counselor after 34 years to find her true calling as a full time rancher and cattlewoman. Kay loves owning quality cattle and insists

Idaho Farm Bureau producer / JUNE 2015

on following some very basic rules. Number one: If you can’t feed your animals right, don’t own them. Number two: If you know an animal by name, you don’t eat it. Number three: She doesn’t have to out run the huffy cow during calving, she only has to out run Bob. Kay loves the ranching life and knows the gratification of producing a quality product as a reward of hard work. Kay says

she is so lucky to be able to live the life of a cattle rancher and now to be able to share that life with her grandsons is extra special. But Bob and his daughters Jamie and Jenna think that they are the lucky ones to have Kay and that she truly is deserving of this award. The Custer County Farm Bureau is proud to announce Kay Piva as our Ranch Woman of the Year.

Farm Bureau Names Hughes as Young Achiever Each year, the Custer County Farm Bureau presents the Young Achiever in Agriculture award to a young person who has demonstrated an interest and dedication to agriculture with the hope that it would encourage them to continue a life in agriculture.

This year’s winner is Tyler Hughes. Tyler grew up on the ranch that his grandparents own and has worked on several others.

When he was only 6 months old, he would be toted around on the 4-wheeler or infant carrier moving hand lines during the summer. Like a true country boy, one of his first words was tractor. He put countless miles on his knees driving Tonka trucks, toy tractors and even a homemade land plane.

Soon, toys turned to the real deal.

Today, Tyler will climb in a backhoe and clean or patch a ditch, dig up a garden spot because the rocks are too big to

do it with a shovel, or just dig a hole when needed. He also operates the other tractors whether they are hooked to a baler, rake, plow or disc.

Tyler claimed the swather last year and spent most of his summer cutting hay. Tyler also took on some other leased property this year and with the help of his little sister, not only managed to get the water changed on those properties but also help his mom and dad with the water on the other places.

a small herd of 4-H ewes.

Tyler was also active in 4-H and has won several grand champion ribbons.

Tyler is no stranger when it comes to speaking in front of large crowds. When Tyler was about 9 years old, a local auctioneer, JR Baker, taught Tyler during auctions and before long, Tyler was auctioning alongside JR, microphone in hand and keeping track of bids.

Tyler is also active in his local FFA Chapter. This was his 3rd year to National Convention in Louisville, KY. He is the chapter’s vice-president this year.

Tyler is our next generation in agriculture, a leader of tomorrow’s world and the promise of better days through better ways. We are proud to award Tyler Hughes as Custer County Farm Bureau Young Achiever in Agriculture.

Tyler is also a great help with the cattle and sheep. He is always ready when it is time to round them up, haul, vaccinate, calve, lamb, shear, and brand.

He has had to scramble to the top of fences to get away from less than cooperative cows, carried calves and lambs to the warming shed, bottle fed orphans, and had bragging rights when he roped a calf on the first try.

Tyler also even purchased some cattle of his own and has

Idaho Farm Bureau’s Moving Agriculture to the Classroom (MAC) project was at Betty Keifer Elementary School in Rathdrum on March 26. Kootenai County Women’s Chairman Sharon Bloomsburg gave the wheat presentation assisted by Linda Rider. The dairy module going simultaneously as there were three 4th grade classes at the school.

Kootenai/Shoshone County Farm Bureau board members Carla and Verland Woempner helped with the dairy presentation.

Idaho Farm Bureau producer / JUNE 2015

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Grain Marketing with Clark Johnston

Markets Uncertain as Midwest Harvest Begins

By Clark Johnston As we inch closer and closer to wheat harvest in a few areas of the country, uncertainty as to the yield and the quality of the crop in some areas has the trade a little uneasy. Heavy rains in the panhandle of Texas along with cold temperatures as far south as Nebraska could cause the crop to be just a little damaged.

We are seeing the same fears in the wheat crop in Idaho. Some producers in southeast Idaho indicate a far from excellent crop.

Early indications are that we could stretch the wheat harvest in this part of the state from August through the first of October.

The corn crop went in the ground at near record pace and finished planting ahead of the 5 year average but it is still a long time before harvest. I don’t want to sound pessimistic but we are already cutting the yield potential in the crop. One producer told me recently that by the time corn is a foot tall you will have a pretty good idea as the type of crop you are going to harvest.

We did see a good run higher in the futures in the Middle of May which should have given you and opportunity to contract some bushels. We did see some old crop bushels contract during this time frame.

As we have visited about in earlier articles this year the market is going to give you your opportunities to contract at levels that are profitable but, only if you know where that level is. Set your objective and then stick to it when the market moves higher.

The strength will be fast and probably won’t last long.

Having said this I feel that there is a good chance that there will be more than one opportunity through the winter months.

The opportunities this year may not be 24

down town but, in searching for the niche markets and contracting a little at a time.

It could also be advantageous to look into the markets outside of your normal selling region.

Yes, I know that sometimes this takes more effort and at time can be a flat out hassle but, it just might make the difference between being profitable and not. A few truck loads here and there could very well begin the process of nurturing a new relationship in a new market. (And we all know that we could use more markets) For those of you that haven’t been around me much I will tell you again about the one indicator in the market that will be very helpful in determining when to pull the trigger and sell grain. It is called “Basis.”

A strong basis is a good indication that the local market wants to buy grain where as a weak basis is just the opposite.

When basis is strong you have opportunities to contract your grain using a cash contract where the price is established or use a basis contract and wait to final price your commodity if the futures rally. Basis only contracts work well when contracting for delivery in a deferred month. There are also times when the basis is strong when futures are low and as the futures strengthen the basis weakens leaving the cash price with little movement.

We have experienced some very good years over the past 5 or 6 (not counting last year) but this year we could very well have a very good quality crop and low prices.

This will be the year to take the time to learn about the futures and basis and the correlation they have to your cash bids.

It is time to tell yourself that along with learning new and improved methods of

Idaho Farm Bureau producer / JUNE 2015

Clark Johnston raising your commodities you are going to study and learn the new and improved methods of merchandizing also. The recent markets have been so low that producers aren’t even interested in keeping track of the daily or weekly movement.

The fact is that when prices are depressed is when you need to keep track of them the most. This is when we need to hustle the most. Remember when you used to play ball? When you were a little behind is when you would pick it up and hustle just a little more in an attempt to make up the difference.

This summer and fall talk to people in the trade. Get an opinion or several opinions.

Think about them and form your own opinion. (Remember an opinion is different than a wish) then study the market remembering that the market is always right and you are looking for the opportunities the market presents to you.

You may not like the price but, that may be all the market is going to give you this year. Make your decision and then “Don’t look back.”

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

STALLMAN Continued from page 2 ers what they need and want.

But companies need to better understand how we keep store shelves and dinner tables full, and what it takes to do so while protecting the environment and keeping animals healthy.

Real corporate responsibility begins with listening to the people on the ground. Companies need to hear from farmers and ranchers on how policies could affect our ability to grow affordable food. Sweeping gestures such as Chipotle’s recent announcement that it is eliminating all or most genetically modified ingredients from its

menu are shortsighted. They fail to count the cost to consumers, farmers and the environment. Catchy but vague slogans touting “natural ingredients” and “integrity” too often mislead consumers, and have nothing to do with keeping food safe and healthful.

There are companies that are going against the flow and looking beyond the trendy rhetoric.

Kellogg’s is a good example.

They are providing a variety of options for consumers, not insulting their intelligence with simplistic, cartoonish marketing campaigns. They are stepping up to the challenge of explaining why these issues aren’t

as simple as one production method being bad and another being good. That’s a bit more challenging than jumping on the latest “all natural” bandwagon, but consumers should understand how the application of science and technology to farming allows us to grow more food with less fuel, water and land and cultivate crops that withstand drought, require little-to-no pesticide and benefit the soil. They need to know that banning modern farming methods means throwing away those benefits.

Farm Bureau is reaching out and recognizing those companies for their responsible de-

cision-making on agricultural practices. And we are letting companies know that we and, more importantly, the men and women who actually produce our food are a source of information for them. Farmers and ranchers make hard choices each day—not based on what is popular at the moment, but on what is good for their families, land and animals.

Every food company has a responsibility to provide safe and healthful products. We bring them the information and insight they need to be responsible partners in feeding our growing population.

KELLER Continued from page 2 global economy where other countries do not always play by the rules. Congress and the Administration need to move forward on a robust trade agenda that will open markets, level the playing field, and give agriculture a boost in the global competition for jobs and the investment. Our nation’s farmers have the quality products that make life better and are sought after around the world. To grow agriculture and jobs in the U.S, agriculture must become more— not less—engaged in the global economy. Farmers trade to build our future and the United States must lead the world in opening markets and equip our farmers and ranchers with the tools they need to succeed.

It is time to move agriculture trade forward with Trade Promotion Authority (TPA).

The U.S. Constitution assigns

express authority over the regulation of foreign trade to Congress (Article I. Section 8). In contrast, the Constitution assigns no specific responsibility for trade to the President. However under Article II, the President has exclusive authority to negotiate treaties and international agreements and exercise broad authority over the conduct of the nation’s foreign affairs. This conundrum therefore requires both legislative and executive authorities to come into play in the development and execution of U.S. trade agreements.

Through TPA, Congress seeks to achieve four major goals in the context of supporting trade negotiations: 1) to define trade policy priorities and to have those priorities reflected in trade agreements negotiating objectives; 2) to ensure that the executive branch adheres to these objectives by requiring periodic notification and consultation

with Congress; 3) to define the terms, conditions, and procedures under which the President may enter into trade agreements and under which the respective implementing bills may be approved; 4) to reaffirm Congress’s overall constitutional authority over trade by placing limitations on the trade agreements authority.

Within the parameters defined

by Congress, the president negotiates trade agreements with foreign governments and presents the agreements to Congress for an up or down vote on the agreements. Under TPA, Congress retains the authority to review and decide whether any proposed U.S. trade agreement will be implemented.

The Idaho Farm Bureau expresses appreciation to Idaho’s Senator Mike Crapo who voted with the majority of Senate Finance Committee members to approve a TPA measure. The bill lays the

groundwork for removing trade barriers and better positions the United States to negotiate and secure fair trade agreements that would result in greater market access for millions of American farmers, ranchers and manufacturers. U.S. exporters face higher tariffs abroad than nearly all our trade competitors and rank 130th among 138 economies in terms of tariffs faced by its exports.

Farm Bureau urges the Senate and Congress to pass TPA. American businesses, particularly agriculture, rely on trade agreements to break down barriers and create a more balanced marketplace for all. But we must come to negotiations with a clear agenda and the authority to back it up. The U.S. is on the verge of completing one of our most ambitious trade agendas in decades.

TPA is essential to completing these agreements.

Idaho Farm Bureau producer / JUNE 2015

25

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Idaho Farm Bureau producer / JUNE 2015

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2015 Idaho Farm Bureau Scholarship Winners

Congratulations on a job well done! The totals are in and the following students will be awarded the eight $750 Idaho Farm Bureau scholarships.

Kaleigh Gehring

Tyler Hughes

Highland Jr. - Sr. School, Craigmont

Challis High School

Macy Hagler

Kimberly Kramer

Kuna High School

Bonners Ferry High School

Kevin Permann

Anna Hubbard

BYU Idaho

Grace High School

Paige Robbins

Shelby Tillotson

Malad High School

Mackay High School

Idaho Farm Bureau producer / JUNE 2015

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SPRING TURNOUT Continued from page 15

the green up to higher pastures. “The cattle are here in this area until the first part of May,” she says. “We move up the country with the seasons, and eventually we get to 7,000 elevation in July 1, stay there till October, and then go back to the home ranch.”

“All of our cattle go to Whole Foods now. We don’t feed any antibiotics or growth promotants, and they all go to Florida in markets there.”

The Minks, meanwhile, sell their beef to wholesale buyers and the product moves into the national market from there. But both families are mindful of an important bottom line -- taking care of land.

The Mink family herd is trailed up to Council Mountain where they will spend the summer.

“My Great Uncle, he’d always tell me, when I was a small child, now remember one thing, you take care of this land, and it’ll take care of you,” Jaca says. “It’s taken care of us all

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“We need sustainable land and to take care of the environment, and replenish what we use,” adds Justin Mink. “We’ve just got to take care of it, it takes care of us, and it takes care of people in the world for food.

I’m the fourth generation, my kids are the 5th. I hope the 5th generation will have the opportunities that I have, and continue the tradition of taking care of the people and the land and the environment in general.”

Steve Stuebner is the writer and producer of Life on the Range (www. lifeontherange.org), an educational project sponsored by the Idaho Rangeland Resource Commission.

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Idaho Farm Bureau producer / JUNE 2015

Idaho Farm Bureau producer / JUNE 2015

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Idaho Farm Bureau producer / JUNE 2015

It’s Either Me or Her Andrew David Junkin

By Andrew David Junkin Sabrina and Matt had been married for only 18 months when Sabrina packed her bags and threatened to move back to Iowa.

She loved her husband, but she didn’t feel welcome on her husband’s family farm.

The trouble had started a year earlier when a feed salesman came to speak to Matt’s father, Norm, about the animals. Sabrina had just finished her chores and joined in the conversation. Because she had a master’s degree in nutrition, she posed some good questions to the nutritionist. Soon the conversation went over Norm’s head.

Norm felt that Sabrina had pushed him out of the conversation, and their relationship changed instantly. Within that moment, Norm thought that Sabrina had gone from being the ideal daughter-in-law to the witch that had to go. Deep down, Norm was afraid that Sabrina was going to start bossing him around. He was only 59 years old and wasn’t ready to give up control.

“It’s either me or her,” he said.

Narcissism is a term used to describe people who are extremely self-centered

and oblivious to the needs and feelings of others. When it comes to farm succession, narcissism is one of the biggest threats to an operation’s continued success.

in her hometown. She lived and breathed hog farming, was extremely skilled and worked very hard. She loved her husband, but she loved farming more.

Few people understand that for some men, the farm is the center of his identity. The farm is who he is. It is his pride and joy. If there is even an inkling that the farm is being taken over, he may get very defensive.

He has spent his entire life building the business, and he is used to having people follow his instructions and trust his leadership.

Matt continued to work 15-hour days on the farm and barely saw his wife. This was definitely not the marriage either of them had signed up for. Sabrina became homesick and depressed, and even thought about suicide. Norm wasn’t open to mediation.

He didn’t care about Sabrina or Matt’s feelings. He only cared about his own insecurities and his need to be in control.

Norm was surprised to realize that when Sabrina got involved in ‘his business,’ he felt as if someone had come into his house and started kissing his wife. To watch as someone else took the lead with a salesmen felt like a huge betrayal to Norm, one similar to adultery. He felt that Sabrina had somehow taken what was his and because of that she couldn’t be trusted any more.

No longer feeling he could have Sabrina on his farm, Norm fired her.

Norm was so wrapped up in being in charge that he was stunned when Matt dropped everything to follow his wife back to her family farm in Iowa. Finding farmhands to complete Matt’s share of the chores caused Norm nothing but headaches. He was forced to sell the sows within 18 months, leaving him with no farm and no family.

Dad’s infatuation with his own ego left nobody the winner.

Sabrina was devastated. She had grown up on one of the largest swine operations

This story shows just how powerful emotions can be. Norm, an experienced, raSee FARMING WITH FAMILY, page 32

Idaho Farm Bureau producer / JUNE 2015

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FARMING WITH FAMILY Continued from page 31 tional and mature man, felt so threatened when someone else seemed to know more than he did about hog husbandry, he took drastic action. In other words, his raw emotions caused him to make irrational decisions, like firing his daughterin-law who could have been a huge asset to the operation.

This kind of thing happens all too often.

Along with the fear of losing control of the farm, the fear of divorce is a quiet menace to farm succession and overall farm business management.

The stress of managing a business and working with in-laws, combined with a more tolerant attitude toward divorce in the

32

younger generation means that the rate of farm divorce is skyrocketing. When huge assets like farms are involved, divorce has a big impact on the rural economy. Divorce could cause more farms to become insolvent in the next decade than the total number that failed over the past century.

Family support is crucial to farm success so it makes sense to think about how to reduce the probability of divorce and increase the amount of quality time a husband and wife can spend together. Everyone has a role to play. Younger spouses and their parents or in-laws need to take some responsibility for making the relationship

Idaho Farm Bureau producer / JUNE 2015

work, even through the rough patches. Often in a family business, the in-laws are part of the problem for a marriage to work.

Statistics show that whereas society is at a 50 percent divorce rate, it’s exponentially higher (>80%) for family business owners due to the added stress of in-law relations and stress from the business itself.

When a new person comes into the family, weird things happen. People who are typically rational, kind, and downto-earth may suddenly make erratic decisions due to deepseeded fears that they themselves might not know about.

It’s a very good idea to discuss these things with an outsider

so that these feelings can stay in check. You don’t want to be the one who causes your son’s or daughter’s divorce. Remember, it’s not what you say, but how you say it. It’s important that your family has a time and place to deal with problems before they fester and grow. If you don’t acknowledge people’s feelings, then any attempts at a partnership will eventually fall apart.

Farming with family ain’t always easy. But addressing these issues head-on will help resolve the majority of the problems you encounter before they cause too much damage.

SPOTLIGHT ON IDAHO FFA—2015 State Star Award Winners Named The State FFA Degree is the highest level of membership in the Idaho FFA Association. This year 214 of the 4,275 current Idaho FFA members were awarded the State FFA Degree during the State FFA Leadership Conference in Twin Falls in April. Four of 214 were singled out as the top recipients showing excellence in development of their Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE) programs including mastery of skills and outstanding record keeping, as well as proven leadership skills. Meet Idaho FFAs 2015 State Star Award Winners.

2015 State Star Farmer Dallin Brady—Kimberly FFA Chapter

2015 State Star in Agribusiness Michael Lejardi—Homedale FFA Chapter

Dallin's SAE program includes a sheep entrepreneurship project in which he raises club lambs for local and regional sales. Dallin has been raising and showing lambs for 10 years and has focused on improving his genetic and marketing programs the past four years.

He has been Grand Champion Showman, at the Twin Falls County Fair three times.

Dallin’s focus on improving his breeding program resulted in back to back Premier Breeder awards at the Twin Falls county 4-H and FFA Breeding Show. Raising and selling breeding stock is also a major part of Dallin's SAE program. Currently he runs a herd of 35 ewes and 2 rams. He has showcased his best animals at the Crossroads of the West Show and Consignment Sale and has used this sale, and others, to promote his breeding program and build a reputation for his stock. Dallin participates in many CDE's, ranging from Dairy Cattle Evaluation to Agricultural Mechanics. He was the 2nd High Individual in the 2014 Dairy Cattle Evaluation Career Development Event. Dallin served as the Kimberly FFA Chapter President and the South Magic Valley District FFA Sentinel.

Michael’s SAE consists of a web-design business specializing in agricultural companies. Michael began by designing one web page, and the business expanded from there. Currently, he services the web pages, and also has added troubleshooting computers to the services his company provides. In addition, Michael raises and shows market hogs at the Owyhee County fair.

The same attention to detail he uses in his business has helped him win Champion Showman honors.

Michael’s favorite Career Development Events in FFA are the leadership events. He competes in Ag Sales, winning the sales portion at the district level for the past two years. He also competes in Extemporaneous Public Speaking and Job Interview. Last year, he was a member of the second place Food Science team at the State Career Development Events in Moscow.

2015 State Star in Agricultural Placement Nick Avila—Jerome FFA Chapter

2015 State Star in Agriscience Jaxin Gillette—Burley FFA Chapter

Nick’s SAE project includes cutting meat, assisting in overseeing clean-up, and helping to make sure that Scarrow Meats runs smoothly. Nick has been working at Scarrow Meats for four years.

He began by making boxes, taking out trash and now has the responsibilities of working on the harvest floor, the cutting floor, and the sausage kitchen. He has received the title of Apprentice Butcher/ Assistant Sanitation Manager. In the four years of Nick’s Supervised Agricultural Experience program, he has earned approximately $20,000. Nicks favorite Career Development Events are very diversified. He enjoys Meats, Job Interview, Parliamentary Procedure, and Ag Sales, just to name a few. Nick’s placement SAE has contributed to his placing in the top ten at the state FFA Meats CDE the past two years. Nick is currently planning on attending the University of Idaho. He plans on furthering his education in Agribusiness. Eventually, he wants to open his own meat-cutting shop.

Jaxin’s Agri-Science SAE project explored the most effective way to clean Jacob sheep wool. Her project consisted of developing experiments for six different methods of cleaning. After individually testing the different methods they concluded that soaking in the wool in Dawn dish soap was the most effective method. Jaxin’s family raises Jacob sheep as a hobby. She is involved in annual shearing which produces bags of wool. Since the wool is worth more when clean, she developed a process to determine the best way of cleaning. This project has helped her gain a greater knowledge of science in agriculture.

Jaxin has been involved in FFA for three years, and has served as a chapter officer. She enjoys Career Development Events including Prepared Public Speaking, Agri-Science, and Ag Sales. She has also raised a dairy heifer for the fair. She has competed at the State and National level with her Agri-Science project.

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

33

Rangeland Monitoring Workshop Series Learn the basics of photo monitoring Lead by Dr. Amanda Gearhart, University of Idaho Extension rangeland specialist. Classroom and eld sessions to cover: • PermiƩee and allotment photo monitoring • Monitoring kits available for purchase • Learn about potenƟal agency-approved cerƟcaƟon • Tips to esƟmate stocking rates and animal capacity

Practical training for: • Ranchers • Agency Resource Managers • Conservation & non-profit organizations • Interested public Cooperative curriculum supported by Bureau of Land Management, Idaho State Department of Agriculture, and Idaho Department of Lands

9am—4pm (lunch provided if RSVP)

Locations: Whitebird, April 16 Jim Church, 983-2667

Malad, May 12 Meranda Hazelbaker, 816-2004

Rigby, May 13 Idaho Falls, May 14 Jon Hogge, 270-1808

Bear Lake, May 15 Steve Harrison, 221-3215

Jordan Valley, OR, May 19 Oreana, May 20 Scott Jensen, 896-4104

New Meadows, June 2 Tyanne Freeburg, 253-4279

Malta, June 3 Oakley, June 4 Joel Packham, 878-9461

Leadore, June 10 Shannon Williams, 756-2815

RSVP to guarantee lunch

Call the local county extension office listed by location.

Challis, June 22 Mackay, June 23 Sarah Baker, 879-2344

Arco, June 24 The University of Idaho is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and educational organization. We offer our programs to persons regardless of race, color, national origin, gender, religion, age, sexual orientation, or disability.

34

Idaho Farm Bureau producer / JUNE 2015

Chad Cheyney 527-8587

Wheat, Barley Hay Planting

Wheat producers, in Idaho, expect to plant 1.33 million acres of wheat for harvest this year, up 4 percent from 2014.

Winter wheat acres planted are estimated at 760,000 acres, down 3 percent from last year.

Planted acres of Durum wheat, in Idaho, are estimated at 7,000 for 2015, down 36 percent from the previous year. Spring wheat planted acres, excluding Durum, are expected to total 560,000 acres, up 17 percent from last year. Nationally, all planted wheat acres are expected to total 55.4 million acres, down 3 percent from 2014. Winter wheat acres are estimated at 40.8 million acres, down 4 percent from 2014. Durum wheat planted acres, in the United States, for 2015 are estimated at 1.65 million acres, up 18 percent from the previous year. All other spring wheat is estimated at 13.0 million planted acres, down slightly from 2014.

Acres planted to barley in Idaho for 2015 are estimated at 580,000 acres, up 4 percent from 2014. Total barley planted acres in the United States is estimated at 3.23 million acres for 2015, up 10 percent from 2014.

Corn planted acres in Idaho are expected to total 320,000 acres for 2015, unchanged from last year. Total acres of corn planted in the United States are expected to total 89.2 million acres, down 2 percent from last year.

All hay acres expected to be harvested in Idaho are estimated at 1.43 million acres, up 3 percent from 2014. Nationally, total acres harvested for hay is estimated at 57.1 million acres, up slightly from the previous year.

$145,000 Up for Grabs: Farm Bureau Rura Entrepreneurship Challenge

AFBF has announced applications for the Rural Entrepreneurship Challenge will be accepted beginning June 1 through June 30. Entrepreneurs will compete for $145,000 in startup funds.

“The inaugural challenge successfully identified rural entrepreneurs with innovative ideas, proving that great business ideas can germinate anywhere,” AFBF President Bob Stallman said. “We’re excited to see the new crop of ideas our members will bring to the table this year.”

Visit http://www.strongruralamerica.com/pressroom/ for a news release, fact sheet, shareable social media posts, graphics and more.

Netflix to Stream Farmland Movie

Academy Award-winning filmmaker James Moll’s feature-length documentary, Farmland, is now available for streaming on Netflix.com.

With 57 million subscribers worldwide, Netflix is consid-

ered a premium destination for documentaries and is an opportunity to extend the reach of Farmland across the U.S. and into Canada.

Farmland provides viewers with a firsthand glimpse inside the world of farming and ranching by depicting the lives of six young farmers and ranchers. In addition to streaming on Netflix, the film is currently screening on major college and university campuses across the nation. Additional campuses interested in holding a screening can submit requests at FARMLANDfilm.com. The film continues to be available for rent and purchase at Walmart retail locations nationwide, Walmart.com, and via digital download on iTunes, Amazon Instant Video, Blockbuster On-Demand, Sony PlayStation, Vudu.com, Xbox and YouTube.

Women’s Communications Boot Camp Applications due June 30

AFBF will host Women’s Communications Boot Camp Oct. 13-16 in Washington, D.C. The training is open to all women who are members of Farm Bureau and interested in developing their communication and leadership skills. The training offers sessions on public speaking, testifying, targeting your message and working with the media. A maximum of 15 applicants will be selected to participate. Staff of AFBF,

state or county Farm Bureaus or affiliated companies are not eligible to participate.

Applications will only be accepted online and must be reviewed by a state Farm Bureau administrator or organization director. The deadline for submitting applications is Tuesday, June 30. Email Kelly Chahanovich (kellyc@fb.org) with questions.

Winter Wheat Production in the Northwest Region Up 11 Percent from Last Year

Based on May 1, 2015 conditions, production of winter wheat in Idaho is forecast at 57.1 million bushels, down 2 percent from 2014. Yield is expected to average 81.0 bushels per acre, up 1 bushel from last year. Growers planted an estimated 760,000 acres in the fall of 2014, down 20,000 acres from the previous year.

Harvested acres are forecast at 705,000 acres down 25,000 acres from a year ago.

Nationally, production is expected to be 1.47 billion bushels, up 7 percent from 2014.

Yield is forecast at 43.5 bushels per acre, up 0.9 bushel from last year. Growers planted an estimated 40.8 million acres in the fall of 2014, down from 42.4 million acres the previous year. Harvested acres are forecast at 33.8 million acres, up from 32.3 million acres in 2014.

Idaho Farm Bureau producer / JUNE 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

White Wheat 11.5% Winter 14% Spring Hard White

A $40 room will be closer to

Burley:

$32

Nampa:

White Wheat (cwt) (Bushel)

A $60 room will be closer to

Lewiston:

$48

White Wheat H. Red Winter Dark N. Spring Barley

1.800.258.2847

Farm Bureau Discount Code advanced reservations required

Trend

6.20 6.09-6.24 7.90 265.00

No Bid 6.45-6.46 7.72 265.00

N/A + .36 to + .22 - .18 Steady

6.00 5.11 6.20 5.65

6.27 5.45 6.75 5.60

+ .27 + .34 + .55 - .05

5.61 5.24 6.25 5.34

5.91 5.64 6.50 5.69

+ + + +

5.70 4.55 6.03 4.75

5.76 4.86 6.15 4.75

+ .06 + .31 + .12 Steady

8.65 5.19

9.33 5.60

+ .68 + .41

6.12 5.93 7.65 136.50

6.05 6.05 7.07 131.50

- .07 + .12 - .58 - 5.00

5/20/2015

Trend

230-333 207-290 175-245 165-200

245-332 210-295 175-260 169-202

+ 15 to - 1 + 3 to + 5 steady to + 15 + 4 to + 2

220-295 190-269 165-220 130-182

230-290 195-265 167-210 135-183

+ + + +

140-210 110-175

140-229 120-185

steady to + 19 + 10

85-115 78-105

85-114 78-108

steady to - 1 steady to + 3

1625-2300

1375-2025

- 250 to - 275

104-142

97-144

- 7 to + 2

24.00-25.00 Not Established 40.00 28.00-30.00

24.00-25.00 Not Established 40.00 28.00-30.00

Steady N.A. Steady Steady

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 Garbanzo

Compiled by the Idaho Farm Bureau Commodity Division 36

Idaho Farm Bureau producer / JUNE 2015

.30 .40 .25 .35

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

$72

5/18/2015

4/20/2015

Feeder Steers

A $90 room will be closer to

00209550

White Wheat 11% Winter 14% Spring Barley

4/21/2015

10 to - 5 5 to - 4 2 to - 10 5 to + 1

Utility

Under 5

Contracted price - Price and conditions of sale agre Seller negotiates a transaction.

IDaho Hay Report May 15, 2015 Tons: 11,600 Last Week: 11,799 Last Year: 14,302 Compared to last Friday, all grades of Alfalfa firm. Trade active on higher testing new crop, slow otherwise. Demand moderate to good. Retail/feed store/horse not tested this week. All prices are dollars per ton and FOB the farm or ranch unless otherwise stated.

IDAHO HAY – 4/24/15 Tons: 2,400 All prices are dollars per ton and FOB unless otherwise stated.

Quality Tons Price Range Avg. Price Alfalfa Large Square Premium - Tarped 500 165.00 165.00 Utility/Fair - Rain Damage 400 120.00-130.00 125.00 Utility/Fair – Tarped 1,500 80.00-120.00 106.67 http://www.ams.usda.gov/mnreports/ML_GR312.txt USDA Market News, Moses Lake, WA 509-393-1343 or 762-6128

Potatoes Potatoes for Processing

Potatoes

May 19, 2015 IDAHO---Open-market trading by processors with growers was inactive.

UPPER VALLEY, TWIN FALLS-BURLEY DISTRICT, IDAHO---Shipments 685-656611 (includes export of 5-4*-2)---Movement expected to remain about the same.

Trading baled very slow, cartons 40-60s very active, others moderate. Prices baled lower, carton 40-70s slightly higher, others generally unchanged. Russet Burbank U.S. One baled 5 10-pound film bags non size A mostly 2.00-2.50; 50-pound cartons 40-60s mostly 17.00, 70s 14.00-15.00, 80s 8.00-8.50, 90s mostly 6.00, 100s mostly 5.00. Shipment breakdown by variety for the week ending May 16, 2015 was Russet Burbanks 83 percent, Norkotah Russet 10 percent, Round Red and Yellow Type each 4 percent. *revised.

5 Year Grain Comparison

Burley: White Wheat..................... 7.55 ..............................6.05............................... 7.50..............................5.81...............................5.76 11% Winter........................7.75 .............................. 6.11 ............................. 7.04..............................6.45.............................. 4.86 14% Spring....................... 10.70.............................. 7.49 ............................. 7.73..............................6.60...............................6.15 Barley.................................11.50 ............................10.00............................. 11.25.............................6.50.............................. 4.75

Grain Prices..................5/24/2011.....................5/29/2012.................... 5/21/2013...................5/23/2014...................5/18/2015 Portland: White Wheat..................... 8.05 ............................6.90 ..............................7.65 ...........................7.29............................No Bid 11% Winter................... 9.07-9.17 ......................7.28-7.43...................... 8.68-8.69......................8.11-8.21......................6.45-6.46 14% Spring....................... 12.42 ............................. 9.10 ............................9.33...............................8.57...............................7.72 Corn...............................303-303.75 ................ 256-257.25 ..................285.00...........................No Bid........................4.55-4.61 Ogden: White Wheat.....................8.00 .............................6.10............................... 7.80.............................

11% Winter....................... 7.90 ..............................6.03 ............................. 7.22.............................

14 % Spring..................... 10.97..............................7.52 ............................. 7.85.............................

Barley................................12.00.............................10.00..............................11.70.............................

6.15............................ 6.27 6.52............................. 5.45 6.72............................. 6.75 9.15............................ 5.60

Pocatello: White Wheat..................... 7.90 ..............................6.00.............................. 7.48..............................6.50...............................5.91 11% Winter....................... 7.69 ..............................5.84 ............................. 7.55..............................6.99.............................. 5.64 14% Spring........................11.51............................... 7.49 ............................. 7.48..............................6.76.............................. 6.50 Barley.................................11.56 ............................10.42............................. 11.35...........................No Bid..........................No Bid

Nampa: White Wheat (cwt).........611.61.............................. 9.75 ........................... 11.83...........................10.50 ........................... 9.33 (bushel)........... 6.97 ..............................5.85.............................. 7.10............................ 6.30............................ 5.60 Lewiston: White Wheat......................7.75 ..............................6.50.............................. 7.45.............................7.05.............................. 6.05 Barley................................211.50............................204.50......................... 221.50.........................186.50...........................131.50 Bean Prices: Pintos................................30.00..............................0.00......................... 33.00-34.00.................34.00-35.00.................24.00-25.00 Pinks............................30.00-32.00.................. 45.00-48.00...................8.00-40.00..................39.00-40.00.....................No Bid Small Reds..........................N/A.................................N/A.........................38.00-40.00.................39.00-40.00......................40.00 ***

APRIL MILK PRODUCTION UP 1.7 percent May 19, 2015 Milk production in the 23 major States during April totaled 16.6 billion pounds, up 1.7 percent from April 2014. March revised production at 16.9 billion pounds, was up 1.3 percent from March 2014. The March revision represented an increase of 30.0 million pounds or 0.2 percent from last month’s preliminary production estimate.

Production per cow in the 23 major States averaged 1,928 pounds for April, 16 pounds above April 2014. This is the highest production per cow for the month of April since the 23 State series began in 2003.

The number of milk cows on farms in the 23 major States was 8.62 million head, 77,000 head more than April 2014, and 2,000 head more than March 2015.

Idaho Farm Bureau producer / JUNE 2015

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5 Year livestock comparison ......................................5/23/2011.....................5/22/2012.....................5/21/2013.................... 5/20/2014....................5/20/2014 Under 500 lbs................ 125-176 ......................140-197 ......................122-158.........................170-258........................245-332 500-700 lbs.....................114-151..........................130-177.........................119-151.........................174-241........................ 210-295 700-900 lbs.....................93-139 ......................120-157.........................105-135.........................145-191........................175-260 Over 900 lbs...................90-110...........................95-132 ..........................89-115..........................106-171........................ 169-202 Feeder Heifers Under 500 lbs.................112-156 ......................131-182..........................118-143.........................189-245........................230-290 500-700 lbs.....................97-149 .......................121-169..........................109-135.........................169-221........................195-265 700-900 lbs.....................88-122..........................108-141..........................90-124..........................135-174.........................167-210 Over 900 lbs...................98-105...........................90-127 .........................80-108.........................114-153........................ 135-183 Holstein Steers Under 700 lbs................. 70-116...........................75-135...........................73-106..........................115-158........................140-229 Over 700 lbs....................65-97 ..........................75-106............................76-95.......................... 100-145........................120-185 Cows Utility/Commercial...........52-83.............................64-86.............................60-85...........................75-113.......................... 85-114 Canner & Cutter..............46-76.............................55-78.............................55-74............................74-112..........................78-108 Stock Cows.....................850-1500.......................950-1300.......................800-1200.................... 1200-1900....................1375-2025 Bulls – Slaughter...........60-100...........................75-102...........................68-110...........................91-139...........................97-114

Cattle on Feed April 24, 2015 United States Cattle on Feed Up Slightly Cattle and calves on feed for slaughter market in the United States for feedlots with capacity of 1,000 or more head totaled 10.8 million head on April 1, 2015. The inventory was slightly above April 1, 2014. The inventory included 7.46 million steers and steer calves, up 5 percent from the previous year.This group accounted for 69 percent of the total inventory. Heifers and heifer calves accounted for 3.34 million head, down 10 percent from 2014.

Placements in feedlots during March totaled 1.81 million, slightly above 2014. Net placements were 1.74 million head. During March, placements of cattle and calves weighing less than 600 pounds were 365,000, 600-699 pounds were 275,000, 700799 pounds were 449,000, and 800 pounds and greater were 720,000.

Marketings of fed cattle during March totaled 1.63 million, 2 percent below 2014.

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

Other disappearance totaled 69,000 during March, 6 percent above 2014.

Cattle Outlook May 15, 2015 The May WASDE gave its first forecast of 2016 production and prices. USDA expects 2016 beef production to be up 1.0% from this year and they expect this year’s beef production to be up 0.1% from last year. Slaughter steers averaged $154.56/cwt live in 2014. They are looking for prices to be $4-12 higher this year and about the same in 2016 as this year.

USDA expects beef imports to decline 9.5% and beef exports to increase 2% in 2016. This will keep the domestic per capita beef supply very tight and support prices. USDA is forecasting 2016 per capita beef consumption at 53.9 pounds of retail weight; that will be the lowest since 1952.

Fed cattle prices this week were higher on light volume.Through Thursday, the 5-area average price for slaughter steers sold on a live weight basis was $160.82/cwt, up $1.05 from last week’s average and up $13.87 from a year ago. The 5 area average dressed price this week for steers was $256.55/cwt, up $1.51 for the week and up $22.49 compared to the same week last year.

This morning the choice boxed beef cutout value was $262.69/cwt, up $4.49 from the previous Friday and up $35.97 from a year ago. The select carcass cutout was $250.52/cwt this morning, up $3.72 from last week and up $33.52 from a year ago.

The choice-select price spread is wider than normal at $12.18/cwt.

Cattle slaughter this week totaled 569,000 head, up 0.4% from the week before, but down 4.5% from the same week last year. Year-to-date cattle slaughter is down 7.2% and beef production is down 4.9%. The average steer dressed weight for the week ending on May 2 was 865 pounds, down 1 pound from the week before, but up 25 pounds compared to the same week last year. Weights have been up for 46 consecutive weeks.

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Idaho Farm Bureau producer / JUNE 2015

USDA rated 56% of pastures in the 48 contiguous states as being in good or excellent condition on May 10. That is up from 53% good or excellent last week and 41% good or excellent a year ago.

Feeder cattle prices at Oklahoma City were mostly steady to $3 higher this week.

Prices for medium and large frame #1 steers by weight group were: 400-450# $295$329, 450-500# $286-$314, 500-550# $272-$299, 550-600# $247.50-$285, 600650# $240-$256, 650-700# $228.50-$242.50, 700-750# $221-$231.50, 750-800# $213.50-$225.50, 800-900# $192.50-$215.50, and 900-1000#, $189-$201.75/cwt.

Cattle futures were higher this week. The June live cattle futures contract settled at $152.52/cwt today, up $1.02 for the week. August fed cattle settled at $150.80/cwt, up 98 cents from the previous week. October fed cattle gained 47 cents this week to settle at $151.67/cwt.

The May feeder cattle contract ended the week at $219.00/cwt, up $3.13 for the week. August feeders ended the week 78 cents higher at $218.40/cwt.

Provided by: University of Missouri

Classifieds

Farm Equipment

Real Estate/Acreage

Case Loader W8, Series B. Great Condition $8,400. Shelley area. Call 528-5337 leave message.

Mobile Home Lot for rent - 14x70 or smaller.

2005 or Newer Models. $175.00 monthly, plus Utilities. Shelley Area. Contract required.

Shelley, ID. Call 528-5337 for more info.

1950’s International 300 tractor with auger and 20 ft dual axle trailer with sides.

Rexburg, Id. 208-351-9670.

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

Midvale, Id. 208-355-3780.

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.

Help Wanted

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

Household 1907 Malcolm Love cabinet grand piano, African mahogany, (extinct wood). Beautiful and very ornate. Would be a wonderful piano for a church, resort, or home. Very good shape. $3,000. Kimberly, Id. 208-4234247.

Miscellaneous Back of car wheel chair carrier. RR ties, 2 golf carts, 1950 Ford tractor 29 hp and machinery. Eden, Id. 208-825-5195 Outdoor Wood Furnace for sale. Heats a home, its hot water, plus a shop or barn.

The stove sits outside and has a firebox surrounded by a water jacket and is fully insulated. Works with existing furnace system.

John 208-781-0691.

Wanted: Rent to own or owner finance up to 1 or 2 acres or less with hookups for trailer or old house with all hookups ‘in Idaho’.

208-358-7475 Brick home outside Wilder on 2.26 acres with 4 bedrooms; 2 1/2 baths; finished basement with wet-bar; 2 car garage; 36 x 40 shop; tool shed; 20 x 40 in-ground pool; 3 bedroom, 2 bath rental on property.

Asking $385,000 Call (208) 989-4068

dashton@idahofb.org

Wanted 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.

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

DEADLINE DATES: ADS MUST BE RECEIVED BY

JUNE 20

FOR NEXT ISSUE.

FREE CLASSIFIED ADS FOR IDAHO FARM BUREAU MEMBERS FOR IDAHO FARM BUREAU MEMBERS send send to: to: dashton@idahofb.org dashton@idahofb.org Idaho Farm Bureau producer / JUNE 2015

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