September 2012, Volume 16, Issue 6 by Matrix Digital Media Inc

September 2012 • Volume 16, Issue 6

Onion Seed Harvest Underway

Sage Hen Experts Meet in Challis

Idaho Farm Bureau

State Concerned about Cost of Wolf Management

Back to School = Meals for Hungry Kids

The Ag Agenda

By Bob Stallman AFBF President

I am blessed. I have two children, now grown, and eight young grandchildren who have never known hunger. Sadly, that is not the case for many American parents, some probably living in your very own town. According to the Agriculture Department, more than 16 million kids don’t know where their next meal is coming from. Many times, the only

What About the Farm Bill? By Frank Priestley President Idaho Farm Bureau Federation

The U.S. Congress recently broke for its annual August recess without completing work on a new five-year farm bill. Although the Senate and

The Hypocrisy of it All! By Rick Keller CEO Idaho Farm Bureau Federation

The saying, “Do as I say and not as I do” is being practiced by the Obama Administration’s actions on a variety of fronts. The Obama Administration’s behavior speaks more loudly 2

Idaho Farm Bureau producer / SEPTEMBER 2012

meals they receive are at school or in after school programs. Head of the Class We’ve all felt that pang of hunger, the rumbling of our stomachs during a meeting or classroom lecture. And we all know how that feeling makes it that much harder to concentrate on the subject at hand. So, you can imagine how difficult it is for a child to focus on a math equation or the House Agriculture Committee completed work on the Bill in early July, the House of Representatives remains stuck in a partisan rut. For farmers and ranchers across the nation this news was a big disappointment. They don’t have the luxury of going home before the work is done and most of them are suffering through the worst drought since 1956. Their futures are uncertain. A Farm Bill could provide them with some certainty and it needs to become a priority inside the Beltway. than its benign words. Fauxcompliance with immigration laws and ignoring enforcement; disregarding the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision limiting the administration’s jurisdiction of ditches and culverts by issuing non-challengeable guidance documents circumventing the ruling; and snubbing agreements between the government, states, and ranchers in abiding range management pacts for wild horses on public lands are just examples. The administration’s disregard for

learn a new spelling word while trying to ignore the persistent pangs of hunger. Not surprisingly, research shows that hungry kids do more poorly in school and have lower academic success. Kids need proper nutrition. It’s vital to their growth and development—both physically and mentally. See STALLMAN, page 8

The major hang up is partisan bickering over Food Stamps and other feeding and nutrition programs that make up 84 percent of Farm Bill allocations. It’s also an election year and campaigning often seems to take priority over statesmanship – an unfortunate reality in politics that is especially bad timing for farmers and ranchers this year. Generally, Republicans support cuts to feeding and nutrition programs while Democrats support expanSee PRIESTLEY, page 8

adherence to the laws and agreements breeds mistrust by those who must work with the federal government. Land-owners are reluctant to enter into land management agreements knowing that the government’s “word” is not its bond. States are not willing to compromise or give an “inch” knowing that doing so will cost a “yard.” Businesses are reluctant to enter safe-harbor agreements implementing needed change for fear of reprisal or disclosure. See KELLER, page 25

Volume 16, Issue 6

IFBF OFFICERS

President ................................... Frank Priestley, Franklin Vice President ..................................Mark Trupp, Driggs Executive Vice President .............................. Rick Keller BOARD OF DIRECTORS Bryan Searle ............................................................Shelley Scott Bird .......................................................... Pocatello Chris Dalley ....................................................... Blackfoot Dean Schwendiman ........................................... Newdale Danny Ferguson ........................................................Rigby Scott Steele ..................................................... Idaho Falls Gerald Marchant .................................................. Oakley Rick Pearson ................................................... Hagerman Mike Garner.............................................................. Declo Curt Krantz ............................................................ Parma Mike McEvoy..................................................... Middleton Tracy Walton ....................................................... Emmett Marjorie French .............................................. Princeton Bob Callihan . ...................................................... Potlatch Louis Kins ........................................................... Kootenai Carol Guthrie ......................................................... Inkom Cody Chandler ..................................................... Weiser STAFF Dir. of Admin. Services ....................... Nancy Shiozawa Dir. of Organization............................... Dennis Brower Commodities & Marketing Assistant ........... Peg Pratt Member Services Assistant . ................... Peggy Moore Publice Relations Assistant ..................... Dixie Ashton Dist. I Regional Manager .......................... Justin Patten Dist. II Regional Manager ....................... Kendall Keller Dist. III Regional Manager .................. Charles Garner Dist. IV Regional Manager ................... Russ Hendricks Dist. V Regional Manager ...................... Bob Smathers Dir. of Governmental Affairs ....................... Kent Lauer Asst. Dir. of Governmental Affairs ... Dennis Tanikuni Range/Livestock Specialist..........................Wally Butler Director of Public Relations ............. John Thompson Video Services Manager ............................ Steve Ritter Broadcast Services Manager .................... Jake Putnam Office Manager, Boise ................... Julie Christoffersen Member Services Manager ........................ Joel Benson Printed by: Owyhee Publishing, Homedale, ID GEM STATE PRODUCER USPS #015-024, is published monthly except February, May, August and November by the IDAHO FARM BUREAU FEDERATION, 275 Tierra Vista Drive, Pocatello, ID 83201. POSTMASTER send changes of address to: GEM STATE PRODUCER P.O. Box 4848, Pocatello, ID 83205-4848. Periodicals postage paid at Pocatello, Idaho, and additional mailing offices. Subscription rate: $6.00 per year included in Farm Bureau dues.

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

Cover: Onion seed harvest begin in early August throughout the Treasure Valley and eastern Oregon. Photo by Steve Ritter

Workers collect seed pods from onion plants in a field near New Plymouth.

Treasure Valley, World Leader in Seed Production Story and Photos by Steve Ritter The Treasure Valley with plenty of water, dry fall days and cool nights, creates the perfect environment for seed production. Onion seed in one of several seed crops grown in Idaho’s Treasure Valley region. In a normal year a ten-acre field will yield about eight thousand pounds of seed. The seed plant at harvest will stand waist high with a flower head that looks like a baseball on the top of the plant. Harvest crews span out across the fields, each with a curved knife or sickle, used to cut the plant stems, and a harness around their waist with a burlap sack attached. They cut the plant stem about six inches below the seed head and bag the seed pod. “Very busy,” is how the event is described by Arturo Rodriguez, who supervises a crew of 75 workers as they collect seed on a hot August day near New Plymouth. “They cut a lot of onions and they have to be real careful with the knives, they can get cut real easy,” he said. “We carry a lot of Band-aids and iodine and stuff for the cuts.” Along with onion seed, alfalfa, carrot, green bean, pea, radish, sweet corn and turnip seed are also popular among producers in the region. Parma is home to U.S. operations of Nunhems Seeds, a leading supplier of vegetable seeds worldwide. The company offers 2,500 seed varieties of 28 different crops. Idaho seed crops are shipped worldwide including Iran, Iraq, Russia, Ukraine, Japan, Canada and across the U.S. Why does seed production matter? Seeds are the crux of agriculture and the foundation of life on earth. The foods we eat, the fibers we wear, and most of the products we use on a daily basis are created from seed. And there is no substitute for quality seed, which is essential for growing quality crops to feed the world’s population. Idaho Farm Bureau producer / SEPTEMBER 2012

A group of state and federal biologists and sage grouse experts conducted a range tour in early August. The tour took place south of Challis.

Sage Grouse Experts Gather in Challis Article and photos by John Thompson A group of state and federal land and wildlife managers met with ranchers and other concerned citizens in Challis in early August to discuss and share information on sage grouse and how to keep the desert birds off of the Endangered Species List. In spite of vigorous, widespread efforts to protect the birds from a variety of threats, much doubt remains about how or if a listing that could place severe restrictions on all users of state and federal lands in the West can be prevented. In May the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service issued a determination stating the greater sage grouse warrants protection under the Endangered Species Act. However, the listing was delayed by the agency due to 4 #

a perceived need to take action on other species facing more immediate threats of extinction. Much of the discussion involved political aspects of federal land use with the brunt of the discussion aimed at the Western Watersheds Project (WWP) a Hailey-based environmental group with the stated goal of removing livestock from public land. Ranchers and land managers who attended the event agree that WWP is likely to sue in federal court no matter what is done to protect the birds. Longstanding research on sage grouse has determined that livestock should not be treated as a primary threat to survival of the species. State and federal wildlife biologists agree that wildfire that destroys sage

Idaho Farm Bureau producer / SEPTEMBER 2012

grouse habitat and invasive plants that often follow wildfire are the primary threats to the birds. However, as stated by Wyatt Prescott, executive director of the Idaho Cattle Association, “grazing has been identified as a secondary threat to sage grouse, but it is a primary target.” Livestock handling facilities (i.e. corrals) , as well as power poles, fence posts and dozens of other structures that provide perches for raptors and that are near sage grouse leks, are threats to the birds. Many different modifications are being made to these structures to make it impossible for raptors to perch near leks. Birds flying into fences, called “fence strikes,” has also been identified as a source of sage grouse mortality. Reflective tape is being put on fences near leks to prevent the birds from hitting them.

Wildlife biologists believe the tape works to prevent fence strikes. Sage grouse in Idaho are also being monitored with radio telemetry equipment. Biologists in Alberta, Canada have even fitted birds with small backpacks that house satellite tracking (GPS) devices. The GPS devices cost around $2,000 each, according to Bart Zwetzig, a BLM wildlife biologist. Tracking technology has uncovered vast amounts of data on the birds’ habits. Tracking data has shown the birds are capable of migrating long distances, in excess of 30 miles.

ordinated management process, mandated by Section 12 of the Public Rangelands Improvement Act (PRIA) of 1978. That section authorizes and directs the Secretaries of Interior and Agriculture “... to develop and implement, on an experimental basis on selected areas of the public rangelands which are representative of the broad spectrum of range conditions, trends, and forage values, a program which provides incentives to, or rewards for, the holders of grazing permits and leases whose stewardship results in an improvement of the range condition of lands under permit

or lease. Such programs shall explore innovative grazing management policies and systems which might provide incentives to improve range conditions.” The Challis ESP is one of three in the country authorized under Section 12 of the PRIA; the other two officially sanctioned Experimental Stewardship Programs are the Modoc-Washoe in northeastern California and northwestern Nevada and the East Pioneer in western Montana. The Challis ESP had their first official meeting on February 6, 1979 with local rancher Tom Chivers serving as chairman.

Challis area rancher, Steve Bauchman, questioned the wisdom of continuing to hold hunting seasons on a bird that is warranted for protection under the ESA. Bauchman said the hunting season on sage grouse is competing with his interests as a rancher and a steward of public lands. If the birds do end up being listed, hunters will lose out on a recreational opportunity, but ranchers could lose their businesses. Chris Gaughan, a biologist with the Idaho Fish and Game Department said hunting has never been shown as a detriment to sage grouse populations. Gaughan said if the birds weren’t being hunted, population levels are likely to remain the same. In some areas around the state harvest of sage grouse has been reduced to one bird per hunter per day, which has resulted in fewer hunters taking the time to pursue sage grouse. In the Challis area, 66 birds were harvested by hunters last year, which is down drastically from previous years. In the Challis region, sage grouse populations are among the healthiest in the state and hunters are still allowed to harvest two birds per hunter per day. Threats from invasive species and repeated wildfire are not a problem in the Challis region as they are in other parts of the state. Fish and Game obviously supports hunting seasons on sage grouse for the reason listed above as well as the fact that the agency receives money from the sale of hunting licenses and tags. The sage grouse forum, a two-day event that featured a range tour, was hosted by the Challis Experimental Stewardship Pro- BLM Wildlife Biologist Bart Zwetzig shows a radio telemetry device used to track sage grouse gram (CESP). CESP is a cooperative, co- during a range tour set up by the Challis Experimental Stewardship Program. Idaho Farm Bureau producer / SEPTEMBER 2012

A recently tranquilized wolf recovers after being examined by Idaho Fish and Game officers. Funding for wolf management is being passed on to state governments after the animals were removed from the Endangered Species List. State agencies are struggling to find additional funding for management and monitoring. Photo Courtesy of Idaho F&G

Wolf Management Costs Shift to State By John Thompson Aside from an oversight role to ensure a minimum viable population, the federal government is now out of the wolf management business in Idaho. While many state officials view it as a positive development, questions of how to pay for monitoring and managing a large population of aggressive predators is a major burden for the Idaho Fish and Game Department to shoulder. In addition, funding of depredation programs that reimburse livestock producers for losses are now the sole responsibility of the State. Fish and Game’s main funding source is from the sale of hunting and fishing licenses and tags. F&G also receives funds 6

through two federal excise taxes on firearms, ammunition and fishing equipment.

has been discussed but has not come to fruition.

According to F&G spokesman Mike Keckler, the sale of wolf tags will cover almost half of the estimated funds needed to manage wolves. During the 2011-12 hunting season, the State sold 37,800 resident wolf tags and 5,413 non-resident wolf tags. Total sales amounted to $534,632, with 376 wolves harvested, while 124 of those wolves were caught in traps.

Dustin Miller, administrator for the Idaho Office of Species Conservation (OSC) explained that Idaho’s wolf population is going through a five-year probationary period under state management mandated by the Endangered Species Act (ESA). Each year the state will receive 25 percent less federal funding for monitoring and mitigation efforts.

“Right now our sportsmen are paying the bill, which is a major concern,” Keckler said. Fish and Game officials say another funding stream is needed to help cover wolf management costs. Over the last several years a funding mechanism that draws money or tax dollars from people who use public lands but don’t always hunt or fish

“We feel that this reduced level of funding is insufficient if we are expected to provide the level of wolf monitoring the federal government and taxpayers require of us,” Miller said.

Idaho Farm Bureau producer / SEPTEMBER 2012

Since the ESA retains legal authority during the probationary period, Miller says it

stands to reason that the federal government still has an obligation to fund wolf monitoring and mitigation in Idaho. Miller added that funding for depredation to reimburse livestock owners is also subject to the stepped-down federal plan for funding wolf management. Funds that have been paid out over the last several years to livestock owners for confirmed depredations and unverified wolf depredation are cut 25 percent this year, 50 percent next year and so on. However, with two successful wolf hunting seasons and one season of trapping, Miller believes livestock depredation will decrease. “If history repeats itself, we saw significant reductions in wolf depredation following the first two successful public hunts and trapping definitely helped,” Miller said. “We are hopeful that we will see less impact on livestock in the future.” Hillary Cooley, Pacific Region Wolf Coordinator for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service said ESA requires states to provide an annual report that documents that they are meeting the minimum recovery goals. In Idaho, the minimum recovery goal is 150 wolves with 15 breeding pairs. According to the FWS Rocky Mountain Wolf Recovery 2011 Annual Report, Idaho was home to a minimum of 101 wolf packs at the end of the year. Throughout the entire region, which encompasses Idaho, Montana, Wyoming and parts of Oregon, Washington and Utah, there was a minimum of 287 wolf packs at the end of 2011. Total confirmed livestock depredations during 2011 “were down slightly from 2010 levels and included 193 cattle, 162 sheep, 9 dogs, and 7 other livestock (5 horses and 2 domestic bison). Approximately 58 of 294 known wolf packs (outside Yellowstone National Park) that existed at some point in 2011 were involved in at least one confirmed livestock or pet depredation. This is slightly lower than the 2010 estimate of 25 percent,” according to the report. Prior to delisting, Idaho received $1.2 mil-

lion per year from the federal government for wolf management. Over the entire recovery region, the federal government spent $3.6 million in 2011. Cooley said that money came through a congressional earmark but after the animals were removed from the ESA list, the earmark no longer exists. “The money now comes out of recovery funds split between all animals on the endangered species list,” she said. “Now there is greater competition for those funds and funding will be reduced over a fiveyear period post-delisting. We are asking the states to give an annual report in which they document that they are meeting the minimum recovery goals. They (states) should easily be able to do that with the funding we are giving them.” Cooley added that in previous years there was a lot more work involved in making wolf population estimates because it involved research. When asked what is a state’s incentive to manage its wolf population at any number above the minimum recovery goal, Cooley responded that any change in management that represents a significant threat to the wolf population could trigger a status review. “We meet with Idaho F&G regularly and we discuss the best ways to manage wolves in Idaho,” she said. “We recognize that documenting even 150 wolves is not a simple task, but they (states) will be able to do that.” Cooley concurred with Miller that hunting and trapping are helping relieve some of the pressure that wolves present for livestock operators. However, she cautioned that wolves possess a high level of intelligence that allows them to adapt to threats. Recently she has seen wolves adjusting to trapping pressure. “I’ve been out all summer trying to trap wolves and having a public trapping season has definitely made it harder,” she said. “The smarter wolves, the ones that are left, know to stay away from people. I am hav-

ing a lot of trouble finding them right now and I will be curious at the end of the year to look at the data to compare how depredations stack up to previous years.” She advised ranchers to try the non-lethal control methods including fladry and guard dogs to protect their herds. She said none of the non-lethal methods work 100 percent of the time and nothing is better than having people on the ground whenever herds are grazing in areas were wolf packs are present. Regarding wolf population estimates, Cooley confirmed that questions about the validity of those numbers are justified. “I think the numbers are descent, but they are not a census by any means,” she said. “There are some areas in the state where we have a much better handle on the numbers but in the wilderness areas we may be a little bit off. It’s very difficult but we are doing as good of a job with those estimates as we can be doing. We don’t count cougars or bears for the same reason.” According to the FWS 2011 Annual Report, which is available at http://www. fws.gov/mountain-prairie/species/ mammals/wolf/, “By every biological measure the NRM DPS wolf population is fully recovered. Resident packs have saturated suitable habitat in the core recovery areas and the population has exceeded recovery goals for 11 consecutive years. Dispersing wolves routinely travel between NRM states and Canada and successfully breed, demonstrating that the 3 subpopulations function as a single large NRM meta-population. Data collected in 2011 describing wolf distribution, numbers, packs, breeding pairs, livestock depredations, compensation, wolf control, impacts on ungulates, and regulated public hunting suggest that the overall growth rate for the NRM wolf population has declined and the wolf population may be beginning to stabilize at some yet undetermined lower equilibrium based on natural carrying capacity in suitable habitat and human social tolerance.”

Idaho Farm Bureau producer / SEPTEMBER 2012

Stallman

in. Through volunteer efforts, donations and financial contriIn 2010, more than 20 million butions, Farm Bureau proudly low-income kids received free partners with Feeding America or reduced-price meals through and other hunger organizations the National School Lunch Pro- to try to reduce childhood hungram. This important program, ger. In the past nine years, Farm funded by the farm bill, helps Bureau families have gathered feed kids during the school more than 49 million pounds week, but what happens during of food, logged nearly 60,000 the weekend or summer months? volunteer hours and raised more According to statistics, only 2.3 than $1.8 million in donations million of those same children for Feeding America and other participating in the school lunch hunger organizations. program took advantage of the Apples Aren’t for Just TeachSummer Food Service Program ers that same year. Feeding America serves nearly This is where organizations 14 million children. Through like Feeding America come initiatives like the Backpack

Continued from page 2

Priestley Continued from page 2

sion or reallocation of funds from farm programs into feeding and nutrition programs. As a side note, the fact that legislation critical to agriculture production is deadlocked over programs that provide free or discount food to underprivileged Americans is ridiculous. Current Farm Bill provisions expire on September 30. The House did offer a one-year extension of the current Bill but it couldn’t garner a majority. This Band-Aid approach fell short of offering a degree of certainty to farm operators making long term decisions on crop rotation, herd management, land and capital purchases. A new five-year Farm Bill would provide disaster assistance for livestock and specialty crop producers, which are currently unauthorized and unfunded. Further, it would incorporate 8

significant reforms to farm support programs that are essential to continuing support for agriculture as the base for the nation’s economy. AFBF President Bob Stallman summarized as follows: “For more than a year, we have been advocating farm policy that protects and strengthens risk management programs for all farmers,” Stallman said. “This legislation (the bill passed by the House Ag Committee) maintains proven program features such as the marketing loan provision and strengthens the crop insurance program while setting a clear example of fiscal responsibility with significant but fair reductions in agriculture spending over the next decade.” The clock is ticking on this year’s Congressional calendar. We encourage farmers and ranchers to contact Rep. Mike Simpson and Rep. Raul Labrador during the coming month and remind them that a package of fiscally respon-

Idaho Farm Bureau producer / SEPTEMBER 2012

Program and Kids Café, school kids can have access to food when school is not in session. The Backpack Program helps kids get nutritious and easy-toprepare food they need over the course of the weekend. Bags of food assembled by volunteers at local food banks are distributed to nearly 230,000 children at the end of each week throughout the year. In March 2011, Virginia Farm Bureau members filled more than 1,400 backpacks for children who participated in school lunch programs. The Kids Cafe program provides free meals and snacks to low-income kids during after-

sible reforms is on the table. We remain hopeful that a farm bill can be sent to President Obama

school hours at facilities like Boys and Girls Clubs, churches and public schools. But, in reality, this program provides much more than nutritious snacks; it gives children an opportunity to escape from their daily lives of poverty for awhile and just be kids. So, as you and your children pick out new backpacks and lunchboxes for this coming school year, remember those kids who have nothing with which to fill a lunch sack. Contact your local Farm Bureau or food bank and see how you can help keep one less child from going to school hungry.

before current programs expire on September 30.

Focus on Agriculture

Women Often Seen as Faces of Agriculture By Cyndie Sirekis Many women who work in a wide range of careers—everything from law and communications to education and sports—find it beneficial to join organizations that focus on professional development and that can help them advance in their chosen field. Women in agriculture are no different. Many are turning to Farm Bureau Women’s Leadership Programs for professional development opportunities. “A goal of the Farm Bureau Women’s Leadership Committee is to empower women to use their enthusiasm, dedication and talent to change perceptions about agriculture, family farms and ranches and the roles of women,” explained Terry Gilbert, chair of the committee and a farmer from Kentucky. The WLC coordinates educational programs such as Food Check-Out Week in addition to offering leadership development programs open to all Farm Bureau women. Women’s Communications Boot Camp, which has been held annually each summer since 2007, is one opportunity Farm Bureau provides for women in agriculture from across the country to improve their skills. All of those selected to participate share the same goal, to become better communicators. Public speaking, media training, effective use of social media and tips for seeking elected office are among the topics covered. An enthusiastic group of 15 women of varied ages involved in all types of farming from around the nation recently participated in two and a half days of intensive training. “Again this year, a group of strangers come together, bonded through sharing intense training exercises and left a few days later with new contacts—friends—that will last a lifetime,” Gilbert said. “It’s encouraging to hear how Boot Camp graduates

The Idaho Farm Bureau Women’s Leadership Committee raises funds and donations every year for the Ronald McDonald House in Boise.

plan to use their new skills in their communities.” Clearly, opportunities abound for women involved in agriculture today. Many of those opportunities center around helping people understand where food comes from and how it is grown or produced on family farms and ranches. It seems likely that we’ll be hearing more from women about food and farming down the road. A recently concluded national study of 70 land-grant universities found that undergraduate women enrolled in agriculture programs outnumber undergraduate men by more than 2,900 students. The Food and Agricultural Education Information System studied trends related to gender among undergraduate students enrolled in 14 agriculture academic areas at landgrant institutions between 2004 and 2011.

The increase in undergraduate women studying agriculture is a relatively new trend. As recently as 2004, men outnumbered women by more than 1,400 students. By 2008, the number of undergraduate women and undergraduate men enrolled in agriculture academic areas was about equal. This growth in undergraduate women studying agriculture tracks closely with an overall increase in women farmers tracked by the Agriculture Department. The department’s most recent Census of Agriculture revealed that the number of women farm operators increased by 19 percent (to 1,008,943) between 2002 and 2007. Cyndie Sirekis is director of news services at the American Farm Bureau Federation.

Idaho Farm Bureau producer / SEPTEMBER 2012

Farm Bureau Awards College Scholarships By Jake Putnam Boise--The Idaho Farm Bureau Federation in conjunction with county Farm Bureau Federations across the state awarded eight college scholarships to students this fall. “It’s been 10 years ago that we all decided to give scholarships to deserving students,” said Ada County Farm Bureau President Don Sonke. “We have a set amount and make them renewable each year,” Sonke said. “We have it arranged in a way that the students have to reapply every year. They have to have proof that they’ll be enrolled the next semester and I think it’s a real good deal.” In Bingham County, Farm Bureau President Gary Judge says they usually get between 15-20 applicants a year. “They’re Farm Bureau kids and we’ll award three ag based scholarships and then three more for kids that want to go into nursing or accounting,” said Judge. Bingham County Farm Bureau sets aside more than $5,000 each year. Ada County is about the same. The county Farm Bureaus send applications to high schools early in the school year then a county scholarship committee selects the winners. The program is designed so that students have a signed check before school in the fall. Sonke says Ada County has awarded doz- Lauren Clark of Eagle Idaho is presented a scholarship check from Ada County Farm Bureau ens of scholarships the past decade, and the President Don Sonke. Clark is planning to attend Oklahoma State University. value of the scholarship appreciates each benefit for our members.” In Bingham, they award six scholarships, year because of the economy. three to ag majors, but they also award Sonke says the scholarships have strings “We just do it because we want to help the three scholarships to students with other that are designed to keep fresh blood inyouth as much as we can,” he said. “We majors that will benefit agriculture indivolved in agriculture for decades to come. feel, especially these days, that it’s expenrectly. “We know those kids will help us sive to go to college. These kids need as “We try to limit the scholarships to stu- down the road too,” said Judge. much help as they can and we feel that it’s dents that are agriculture majors. HopeLauren Clark of Eagle has been around agmoney well spent.” fully they’ll come back to Idaho and work riculture most of her life. She was involved in agriculture. This past year one of our “This is the future of agriculture,” said in Future Farmers of America throughout recipients, a kid from Meridian, Clint SteJudge. “If we don’t support these kids, who high school and knows all about the Farm venson, earned his doctorate. So we’re kind will? We see this program as an investBureau. of proud of that,” said Sonke. ment, it’s money well spent and it’s a great See SCHOLARSHIPS, page 19 10

Idaho Farm Bureau producer / SEPTEMBER 2012

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Idaho dry land farmers have had a tough season due to lack of rain. The rest of the state’s wheat harvest could top the 10-year average.

Idaho Dodges Drought – So Far Article and Photo by Jake Putnam Scorching heat and lack of rain has created a drought across the country not seen since 1956. In the Midwest, it’s one of the worst droughts since the Dirty 30’s. The Northwest, however, is relatively untouched. “I think the Northwest got lucky,” says water expert Randy Stapilus. “Idaho was fortunate in the way the weather patterns hit,” Stapilus said. The snowpack levels were critical to maintaining an adequate water supply this summer. But for the rest of the country it’s a different story. Stapilus edits the newsletter The Snake River Basin Adjudication Digest and is one of the foremost authorities on Idaho water politics. He says the Gem State is unique because it controls its water. “Idaho has 12

one of the most advanced water management systems in the United States with a long history of careful use” he said.

shortages next year. Thankfully the aquifer is in good shape thanks to five years of good snowfall and recharge efforts.

The Midwest has little surface storage and thus very little control.

“The aquifer is one of the larger ones in the nation, and that makes a difference,” Stapilus said. “The other thing that matters is that people here started recharging the aquifer years ago and it hasn’t been depleted in the same manner that other aquifers across the country have.”

“Most areas east can’t rely on snowpack because they don’t have mountains,” he said. “We can store snowpack and use it when we need it, they can’t.” After a dry winter across Idaho, the skies opened up in March. The mountains had a late snowpack that melted slowly. It was cold and wet and crops got off to a slow start. With the late start farmers were able to bank water and use it later. Now producers are looking ahead to 2013 and hoping for ample snowpack this winter to carry into next year. But the state will need a better than average winter or there could be

Idaho Farm Bureau producer / SEPTEMBER 2012

Aquifers in Texas and Oklahoma have steadily dropped over the past five years. Stapilus says Idaho has benefited because of prudent use of the aquifer. He said Idaho needs to continue recharge efforts, even in bad years to safeguard the state’s water supply. Water experts like Stapilus say the diligence pays off in marginal years like this. The first harvests are in and Idaho is faring much better than the Midwest. Blaine

Jacobson of the Idaho Wheat Commission says it’s because of the water supply. “It varies across the state. North Idaho is having a banner year because they’ve had the rainfall and temperatures,” said Jacobson. “Southern Idaho is mostly irrigated so we have the consistency of the crop. Twothirds of Idaho’s crop is irrigated so anything irrigated is doing quite well.” However, non-irrigated farms, which make up a small percentage of Idaho’s wheat crop, are suffering through similar conditions as much of the rest of the country. “Where the wheat crop is hurting this year are the dry farms in Bannock, Bingham, Bonneville and Caribou counties,” Jacobson said. “Some of those growers are having their worst crop ever. So we’re seeing the extreme drought in those isolated areas over there in eastern Idaho, but we’re seeing a terrific crop in northern Idaho and an average crop in southern Idaho. We think our total production will be above the 10year average.” With the Midwest wheat crop just hitting the market, Idaho producers can expect higher prices. Jacobson thinks most southern Idaho producers will sell directly into the fall market. The reputation of the Idaho wheat brings a premium price in the mar-

ketplace:

do,” said Moon.

“Idaho has one of the most consistent wheat crops in the country. We’re second only to California in irrigated crop land. Because of the water, we have a dependable and quality wheat crop,” said Jacobson.

Moon thinks wheat demand will stay solid the next two months.

Farmers across the state like Ned Moon of Burley are excited this year. “Our average yields were 115 to 122 bushels per acre,” said Moon. “It’s been a really good crop.” While Midwest farmers have cursed the drought, Moon praised the scorching hot summer. “We didn’t have the hot weather in June, now we’re getting it and it’s good for the potatoes. During the heat we’re able to stay on top of things with the water, so beets, potatoes and grain look good this year.” Moon is encouraged by current market conditions. “It’s hard to market weather, but in the market we’ll see where the drought is impacting the market in other parts of the world. The next day they’ll get rain and the markets will go down because of the weather. So going forward we’re going to watch everything closely and watch the patterns because that’ll dictate what the markets will

“We’re kind of concerned for next year if this weather pattern doesn’t break,” he said. “It’s been hotter than last year; we’ve used more water than last year. It’s going to be a major concern if we don’t get a good winter.” Those concerns never go away. “There’s of course a limited amount of water in Idaho,” added Stapilus. “Idaho is not in the same position as other states in having a lot more water than it needs. It takes a lot of irrigation water each year to get through a typical season.” Stapilus says the pressing question next year and the next 10 years is: how much water will Idaho get in any given year and who gets to use it? “The bulk of the water used is irrigation water and that’s not been controversial up to now,” Stapilus said. “But with growing population centers that now compete for the water, there may be a question of how much will go into irrigation. Maybe some of the crop choices might be shifted or amended. So those things will be considered next year and over the next decade.

County Happenings Jeff Baldwin, right, receives a $6,000 check from Bingham County Farm Bureau President Gary Judge. Baldwin, a teacher at Snake River Junior High School in Bingham County applied for the grant from the Agriculture Education Research Foundation (AERF), an affiliate of the Idaho Farm Bureau Federation. The grant money will be used to purchase soil sampling equipment and in turn used to teach students about soil chemistry. Photo Courtesy of Kimmel Dalley

Idaho Farm Bureau producer / SEPTEMBER 2012

What’s Wrong with My Tree? Part 2 – Understanding Your Diagnosis trees? Healthy, vigorous trees are able to withstand threats better than weakened, stressed ones. By Yvonne Barkley Editor’s Note: This article is the second in a series that will help landowners work with professionals to find out what’s wrong with their trees. In the first article of this series we covered the diagnostic process and you may have worked with a specialist or surfed the internet to discover what is wrong with your tree. But how did your tree get the problem in the first place and how do different causes damage or kill

All tree problems are caused by something, whether it’s an insect, disease, physiological problem, or misapplied pesticide. Usually it is a combination of events that cause tree decline or death.

Diseases are caused by one of

three agents – fungi, bacteria, or viruses. Fungi are non-photosynthetic, microscopic plants that need to obtain food from other plants. Fungi live in the air, on fallen debris, or in cankers and wounds on trees, and are spread by the movement of

Primary causes are usually physiological or chemically related events. These include adverse weather conditions (drought stress, ice storms), poor cultural practices, or a misapplication of a pesticide. Primary causes result in damage and/or stress, which allows secondary causes to successfully invade trees.

Thousand cankers disease is a deadly wilt syndrome on black walnut caused by a combination of Geosmithia spp. (a fungus) that is transported to trees by the walnut twig beetle (Pityophthorus juglandis). 16

Secondary causes are usually living agents such as insects or diseases, which are able to successfully gain entry into trees because they have been wounded and/or stressed. Secondary causes often result in decline or death.

Idaho Farm Bureau producer / SEPTEMBER 2012

Cone-like galls caused by Cooley spruce gall adelgids

wind and water. Most fungi reproduce by the formation of spores and gain entry to trees through natural openings, such as stomata, as well as wounds. Many are also able to penetrate healthy tissues. Free moisture or high relative humidity, poor air circulation, and warm temperatures are the best conditions for fungal growth. Many fungi are beneficial to man and are used to produce antibiotics, cheeses, and wine. They are also an important component of the nutrient cycle. But as a group, fungi cause more tree problems than other groups, causing damage and death by changing the way affected tissues function. Common problems caused by fungi are anthracnose, needle blights and casts, leaf blights, casts,

blotches, spots, blisters, scabs, and curls, mildews, cankers and diebacks, wilts, and even some galls. Bacteria are among the smallest living organisms, lack chlorophyll, and are dependent on other organisms for food. Bacteria live in the soil or on plant refuse and are spread by rain, man, animals, insects, equipment, and plants. They cannot actively penetrate healthy tissue and enter a tree through the stomata and wounds. Some bacteria are beneficial and aid in decomposition, soil building, and give legumes the ability to convert atmospheric nitrogen to a form available to plants. Others have industrial uses. Once harmful bacteria enter a tree they begin to repro-

Adverse weather conditions, such as ice storms, are one type of physiological condition that causes tree damage and stress.

duce, killing cells as they go. Some produce toxic chemicals that cause cells to grow abnormally, as in crown gall. Others poison or plug vascular or water conducting tissues, causing wilt. Bacteria also cause necrotic blights, rots, and leaf spots. Viruses are infectious agents that are parasitic on plants and animals as well as man. Viruses spread from tree-to-tree by mechanical transmission via pruning or grafting and through insect feeding. Viruses cause leaf mottling, mosaics, yellows, distortions of leaves and flowers, and necrosis. Insects fall into four main groups and injury or kill trees in different ways.

Larch needle cast (Meria laricis) a fungal disease on western larch.

Foliage feeders eat or mine tree foliage, which results in needles or leaves that are skeletonized, have holes, or are eaten around the edges or fully consumed, resulting in decreased function. Foliage feeders are able to move diseases by feeding on infected tree foliage and carrying pathogens in their mouth parts or digestive systems to

healthy trees where they are transmitted by feeding. Boring and mining insects feed inside plant tissues by mining into leaves or boring into stems and trunks. Bark beetles are a good example of boring insects, which bore into the trunk of trees and feed and reproduce in the cambium, thereby interrupting the flow of nutrients, sugar, and water between the crown and the root system, causing tree death. Piercing & sucking insects suck sap from leaves or stems, which produces browning, spotting, curling, wilting, or dwarfing. Damage is caused by the removal of sap from the tree as well as injury to plant tissues. They can also vector pathogens in the same way foliage feeders do. Gall makers inject chemicals into plant tissues while feeding, causing then to grow abnormally and produce a gall. Galls can be unsightly but do not often cause death. See UI FORESTRY page 19

Idaho Farm Bureau producer / SEPTEMBER 2012

Mint Prices Strong,Yields Down By Jake Putnam PAYETTE - The fresh smell of mint hangs heavily in the air on Galen Lee’s farm during harvest. “It’s going to be a good harvest, with good market prices,” said Lee. The Idaho spearmint harvest generally gets underway in mid-July while the peppermint harvest stretches through September. “We have about 200 acres of peppermint, and we’re in the middle of harvest right now, he said. “Today we’re swathing it and in a couple of days they’ll chop it and drop it in the tubs, then put it in the still for processing.” Lee says it was smooth sailing for the mint crop this year despite a late start. A cold spring and heavy rains set the crop behind a couple of weeks and will slightly affect yields. 18

“The oil flavors everything from toothpaste to gum, he said. “Colgate is a big buyer and Wrigley buys a lot of mint from us. Anything with mint in it comes from the oils that are produced here in Southwest Idaho,” Lee adds. Farmers and neighbors alike love the mint harvest in Southwest Idaho. The fresh smell lingers in the evening air. The value of the crop might even top the amazing aroma. “Right now on contract we’re getting about $17 per pound for the mint oil and we will produce about 100 to 115 pounds per acre, so there’s great value right now,” said Lee. Lee says more than half of the mint oil produced in Idaho goes into toothpaste, at least a third is used in gum while 10 percent goes to candy. Buyers think the quality of this year’s crop

Idaho Farm Bureau producer / SEPTEMBER 2012

is better than average. That assessment comes despite the slow start. Idaho ranks third in the nation in mint production. Idaho growers harvest more than 14-thousand acres; most of which is in Washington, Payette and Canyon Counties On a good year producers get two cuts of spearmint in a typical season. But with the late start producers in Canyon and Payette Counties say they’re only going to get a single cut of spearmint this year. Lee said typically there’s only a single cut of peppermint and those yields have benefited from the late season. “Its been a very good year for mint and the heat has helped and we’re going to make up for the slow start,” he said.

SCHOLARSHIPS Continued from page 10

“The Ada County Farm Bureau has always been a supporter of students,” she said. “I know a lot of scholarship winners and through FFA events I’ve been involved with the Farm Bureau and they’re great supporters of the FFA. It just makes sense to apply for a scholarship that’s geared toward students that’ll go into agriculture. In turn they’ll come back to Idaho and be involved.” Clark plans on attending Oklahoma State with a double major in Ag Business and Communication. “I hope to have at least a bachelor’s degree if not a master’s degree in Business and Communications,” said Clark. Clark says the perception of Agriculture is rapidly changing and the prospects are exciting. “Agriculture is such an important indus-

try,” she said. “There are opportunities in the industry and with a world population topping 9-billion people by the year 2015, we need to feed the world. I’m excited to see the changes.”

2012 Idaho Farm Bureau Scholarship Winners:

President Sonke says the program means Sterling Hofman, Bannock County, Pocatello a lot to the Farm Bureau. “This is one of the most rewarding things I do as Ada County President,” he said. “I love going to the FFA Banquets and presenting the scholarships to deserving kids. We live in a time where we’re bombarded with negative media messages about the youth of today. These kids offer hope and bring a level of assurance that agriculture will thrive for decades to come. It’s really rewarding to see how much these FFA students have accomplished. We can’t wait to see what the future holds for these kids.”

Emilee Roberts, Franklin County, Preston Janelle Whitaker, Bonner County, Laclede Deena Emry, Canyon County, Wilder Ayla Neumeyer, Boundary County, Naples Kandice Woody, Twin Falls County, Filer Kaylee Andreason, Lost Rivers Farm Bureau, Howe

UI Forestry Continued from page 17

What’s Wrong with My Tree? Where to find help. The University of Idaho Extension Forestry Tree Clinic that is available to Idaho landowners for problems on both urban and woodland trees. Contact Yvonne Barkley at (208) 885-7718 or yvonnec@uidaho.edu for more information. Idaho Department of Lands Private Forestry Specialists are available to help Idaho landowners with their woodland trees. You can find your local IDL office at http://www.idl.idaho. gov/bureau/ForestAssist/contact/bfa_contact.htm

What’s Wrong with My Trees? Part I – The Diagnostics Process was published in the Idaho Farm Bureau Quarterly Summer, 2012 edition, pages 18-19 and is available online at http:// www.idahofb.org/assets/pdfs/QuarterlySummer_2012. pdf What’s Wrong with My Trees? Part III - Controlling Tree Problems will be in the October, 2012 edition of the Idaho Farm Bureau Gem State Producer. Yvonne Barkley is an associate extension forester for the University of Idaho. She can be reached at yvonnec@uidaho.edu

Idaho Farm Bureau producer / SEPTEMBER 2012

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Agent of the Month:

Polaris would like to congratulate Jake Andersen the winner of this year’s Young Farmer and Rancher Discussion Meet as well as Greg and Gwen Andersen for being presented with the Idaho Farm Bureau’s 2011 Young Farmer and Rancher Achiever Award. We hope you enjoy your new Polaris Trail Boss 330 and RGR 400 and thank you for your continued contributions to the Idaho Farming and Ranching Community. A big thank you to those Idaho Polaris dealers who continue to support the Idaho Farm Bureau and Young Farmer and Rancher Program:

Vehicles shown with optional accessories. Avoid operating Polaris RANGERs on paved surfaces or public roads. Riders and passengers should always wear helmets, eye protection, protective clothing, and seat belts. Always use cab nets. Drivers of RANGER vehicles must be at least 16 years old with a valid driver’s license. Warning: ATV’s can be hazardous to operate. For your safety: Avoid operating Polaris ATV’s on paved surfaces or public roads. Riders and passengers should wear helmets, eye protection, protective clothing, and seat belts. Polaris ATV models are for riders aged 16 and older. Be sure to take a safety training course. For safety training information in the U.S., call the SVIA at (800) 887-2887, see your dealer, or call Polaris at (800) 342-3764. In Canada, see your local dealer. ©2011 Polaris Industries Inc.

Idaho Farm Bureau producer / SEPTEMBER 2012

Brian Trumble Hart Agency

Agency of the Month: Randy Palmer Palmer Agency

Farm Bureau Rebate $500

New Idaho Farm Bureau Program With General Motors

Eligible Farm Bureau members in Idaho can receive a $500 rebate on each qualifying 2011 or 2012 model year Chevrolet, GMC or Buick vehicle they purchase or lease. This Farm Bureau member exclusive is offered for vehicles purchased or leased at participating dealerships through Farm Bureauâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;sâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;GM PRIVATE OFFER at a participating GM dealership. Members simply go to www.fbverify.com, enter their Farm Bureau membership number (i.e. 123456-01) and zip code, and print off a certificate to take to the dealership. Discount must be processed at time of purchase and after September 14, 2011. To qualify for the offer, individuals must have been a Farm Bureau member for at least 60 days prior to the date of delivery of the vehicle selected. The Farm Bureau discount is stackable with some incentives and non-stackable with others. See dealership for full details or call Joel at (208) 239-4289.

Chevrolet Chevrolet Avalanche Chevrolet Camaro Chevrolet Colorado Chevrolet Corvette Chevrolet Cruze

Chevrolet Equinox Chevrolet Express Chevrolet HHR Chevrolet Impala Chevrolet Malibu

Chevrolet Silverado Chevrolet Sonic Chevrolet Suburban Chevrolet Tahoe Chevrolet Traverse

Buick Buick Enclave Buick LaCrosse Buick Lucerne Buick Regal Buick Verano

GMC GMC Acadia GMC Yukon GMC Canyon GMC Yukon XL GMC Savana GMC Sierra GMC Terrain

Idaho Farm Bureau producer / SEPTEMBER 2012

Canyon County farmer Sid Freeman, shown here on the left with Ada County FB President Don Sonke, was one of the originators of an idea to show support for the many victims of drought by holding a National Day of Prayer for Drought victims. The American Farm Bureau Federation supported the idea and publicized the event nationwide.

Day of Prayer for Those Affected by Drought POCATELLO - On Thursday, Aug. 23, the American Farm Bureau Federation asked Americans to remember the many individuals and families facing severe struggles due to this year’s devastating drought. Suggestions for a National Day of Prayer for Drought Victims have come from a number of people throughout farm country as a way to support people facing challenges related to the ongoing drought.

During a recent interview, Freeman related several stories he heard during the FFA meeting. People who drove from Michigan said they traveled 1,700 miles and never left the drought zone. People from Nebraska told Freeman about the stark differences in farms in their state that had irrigation and were doing fine, and others without irrigation only a short distance away that are devastated.

“There is hardly a person involved in agriculture this year who has not been adversely affected by the drought of 2012,” said AFBF President Bob Stallman. “And while many farm and ranch families are feeling the effects immediately due to withered crops, parched pastures, higher feed costs, or even wildfires, the lingering effects of this drought will be felt all across our nation for many months to come.

“I’m a big believer in the power of prayer and if enough people are on the same wave length a lot of good can come from that,” Freeman said. “This nation needs to get behind these folks if nothing else it could raise their spirits and who knows what could happen.”

After returning from a trip to Bozeman, Montana where he met with other Future Farmers of America alums, Sid Freeman, a farmer from Canyon County, suggested a National Day of Prayer for drought victims. 22

Freeman, who grows onions, beans, sugarbeets and wheat on irrigated land in southwest Idaho, was touched by the many heartbreaking stories he heard during the FFA convention and it caused him to reflect on his life and his business. “I’m sitting here watching my markets go

Idaho Farm Bureau producer / SEPTEMBER 2012

through the roof and quite frankly, I feel a little guilty,” he said. “How many times has wheat been at $8 a bushel? I only remember one time in my life and the reason is these people in the Midwest are losing everything they’ve got. It’s the nature of the business, but I don’t feel good about it.” Freeman added that he is in discussion with agriculture groups in Idaho to start a disaster relief fund. AFBF President Bob Stallman summarized: “Due to the terrible impact the drought disaster has dealt, we think it is fitting to come together as an organization and as a nation for unified prayer for all those who are hurting and who face serious challenges in the months ahead. As we all know, the agriculture community is about coming together during the tough times, and this is yet another time that calls for unity, compassion and faith for better days ahead.”

County Happenings The Idaho Farm Bureau Governmental Affairs staff recently sponsored a tour providing an opportunity to Idaho legislators from urban districts to learn more about agriculture. Six legislators from Treasure Valley districts spent an afternoon and evening in Gem County in early August where they visited irrigation infrastructure and got to ride on, and drive a combine with local farmers. In this photo, Chisty Perry, left, from District 13 in Canyon County, is with Gem County farmers Lisa and Vaughan Jensen. Photo by Steve Ritter

The Benewah County Farm Bureau hosted a hot dog and ice cream party for 4-H members who participated in the County Fair. The event was held in mid-August.

Kaylee Andreason, right, is awarded a scholarship check from Lost Rivers Farm Bureau President David Callister.

Photo by Bob Smathers

Idaho Farm Bureau producer / SEPTEMBER 2012

Grain Marketing with Clark Johnston

Corn Rationing Pressures Wheat Market The early estimates for the corn crop were showing production to be in the area of 14 billion bushels. This was not only a record but also 1.6 billion more bushels than we had produced in each of the previous 2 years. We are now looking at yields around 123 bushels per acre, the lowest since 1996 with total production of 10.8 billion bushels, the lowest since 2006. Corn production is now 1.6 billion bushels below the past two years.

Clark Johnston

Roller coasters are called a wide array of names these days but, they are all basically the same concept. We begin at the bottom and ride in a car of one kind or another slowly to the pinnacle where once over the top we begin a fast ride of ups and downs with turns to the left and right but never really losing speed until we once again arrive at the bottom. Well if we look at today’s markets as a roller coaster we may not have reached the highest pinnacle yet.

Even in our region where many have the opportunity to irrigate their crops, we are still not without risk. A late frost, combined with crops that were a couple of weeks ahead of schedule resulted in a reduction in yields in some areas by as much as 50 percent and also some quality issues with light test weight. Now, I want all of you that saw this coming back in April to raise your hands. That’s good, now we know that most if not all of us are on the same page. Quite a few of us contracted our grain early when prices were good. Then the news and the markets changed giving us opportunities that weren’t available in the early spring.

Look where the Chicago wheat was trading just a few months ago. The market had more than enough wheat and the board was showing a carry in the market all the way through 2013 into 2014. The wheat crop was in good condition with ample acreage and the corn acreage was indicating the potential for a crop of close to 14 billion bushels. Prices had nowhere to go but remain steady at best or trend lower.

Higher prices will help to offset the lower yields but we are still not without our challenge. If you have quality issues you are now limited on the markets you may be able to sell your product. Flour mills for now are holding to their specs of 58lb or better test weights with feeders for the most part doing the same. On a positive note, the discounts at the elevators for light test weights in our wheat are now minimal. The same holds true for the feed barley market.

Then the unforeseen happened, we were reminded that rain makes grain (and as I have mentioned before) when it pertains to agriculture, Mother Nature is still in charge.

Overall prices have the potential to remain high as it will continue to be necessary for the market to ration corn. Wheat will need to replace corn in the feed ration thus in-

Idaho Farm Bureau producer / SEPTEMBER 2012

creasing the demand on wheat. For now the market is succeeding as U.S. wheat is $5 to $7MT higher than other exporters on the global market. Locally, over the past few months we have seen the feed market bidding much higher for wheat at times than the elevators and even the flour mills. It will be OK to speculate on just how high this market will go as long as we remember that what goes up will come down and it is easier to sell into a market moving up, than the alternative of finding a bid in a market moving lower. Don’t forget to continue looking at prices for your 2013 crop also. Continue to work on your budget for next year and remember a good price is a good price. We may not know what next year will bring any more than we did this year but, make your plan and continue to work that plan making your adjustments along the way. Continue to look at the seasonal trends as well as the technical indicators as these will give you your opportunities to sell and/ or buy in the months ahead. The technical indicators have been leaning towards over bought for a few weeks. Watch the local bids closely and don’t hesitate to sell when you feel it is right. The same on your inputs for next year even. The seasonal charts on heating oil should give you your opportunity to hedge your diesel fuel sometime in December and/or January. 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

KELLER Continued from page 2 The government must practice the integrity it expects from each of us. It is blatantly flaunting its non-compliance arrogance by ignoring and circumventing rulings, laws, and agreements; a luxury that we as citizens do not have and should not. Neither should the federal government. Each administration should exemplify integrity in all it does and by so doing, will have a legacy that is rich and lasting. One such presidential administration was Abraham Lincoln, known as “Honest Abe.” He was a man of integrity. He said what needed to be said uncaring about its consequences. His character was built over a life-time. It didn’t just happen once he arrived in the White House.

On one occasion, in managing a country store, finding late at night, when Abraham Lincoln counted over his cash, that he had taken a few cents from a customer more than was due, he closed the store, and walked a long distance to make good the deficiency.

mantly promoted the need to legislate ethics. I challenged him, stating that ethics cannot be legislated, they must be lived. Ethics, like honesty must be the core of one’s fiber. Abraham Lincoln’s honesty could not be legislated or regulated. Honesty was imbedded in his character.

At another time, discovering on the scales in the morning a weight with which he had weighed out a package of tea for a woman the night before, he saw that he had given her too little for her money. He weighed out what was due, and carried it to her, much to the surprise of the woman, who had not known that she was short in the amount of her purchase.

On all our coins and currency is the motto, “In God We Trust.” It is not too much to expect that we also can trust our government? William Shakespeare wrote that “Honesty is the best policy.” Honesty should be the only policy. The same is demanded of us. We must do right and honor our agreements, even if it is hard.

In my graduate studies a professor ada-

Idaho Farm Bureau producer / SEPTEMBER 2012

American farm bureau federation news

Statement by National Agriculture Organizations Regarding House Disaster Assistance Legislation WASHINGTON, D.C., August 1, 2012 – The following statement was sent to congressional members today by a coalition of organizations representing U.S. agriculture: “The undersigned farm organizations support finding a path forward to reaching agreement on a new fiveyear farm bill before current program authorities expire on Sept. 30. We are disappointed that the House Republican leadership has decided to not move forward with the House Agriculture Committee’s bill before adjourning for the August recess. That bill would provide the disaster relief our farm and ranch families need at this time. “Instead, we understand the House may consider a separate disaster bill, under suspension of the rules on August 2, to make supplemental agricultural disaster assistance available for Fiscal Year 2012. Specifically, the bill retroactively extends the Livestock Indemnity Program (LIP), the Livestock Forage Program (LFP), the Emergency Livestock Assistance Program (ELAP) and the Tree Assistance Program (TAP) so that producers are helped for Fiscal Year 2012. All of those programs expired in 2011. Offsets to pay for the disaster assistance would come from imposing caps on two conservation programs, the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) and the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP). “We do not oppose passage of a disaster assistance bill, but note that almost identical provisions to retroactively extend these four programs are included in the Senate-passed farm bill and the bill reported by the House Agriculture 26

Committee. Those measures would likely be included in any conference committee report. It is imperative that we pass a comprehensive, long-term farm bill. Farmers and ranchers always face decisions that carry very serious financial ramifications, such as planting a crop, buying land or building a herd, and we need clear and confident signals from our lawmakers. “Assistance for cattle and sheep producers is very important and something that we strongly support in the five-year farm bill, but it is also important that assistance be provided for other types of livestock and for producers of fruits and vegetables. The disaster assistance bill does not help hog or poultry producers and only provides limited assistance via the grazing program for the dairy industry. The bill does not help dairy producers who are not located in a designated disaster county with grazing assistance and does not address high feed prices for dairy, hog or poultry producers. Many producers of fruits and vegetables may not have crop insurance available to them as a risk management tool, and they too need some type of help, which this package does not address. “The Congressional Budget Office scores this one-year bill as costing $383 million. That expense is offset by cuts of $639 million from the CSP and EQIP programs, leaving $256 million to go towards deficit reduction. If the House simply passed the five-year farm bill reported out of Committee on a bipartisan basis, this bill would not be necessary. While we understand that will not happen before the August recess, this bill potentially costs more

Idaho Farm Bureau producer / SEPTEMBER 2012

than $600 million and would only provide relief to livestock producers a month or two earlier than a farm bill debated and passed in September. Agriculture will already provide a minimum of $23 billion in deficit reduction by passing the farm bill. We do not need to provide additional deficit reduction in this package only a few months before we provide far more than agriculture’s “fair share.” “Both the Senate and the House Agriculture Committees have produced reform-minded, bipartisan bills that address many of the core principles we believe are important, such as strengthening crop insurance as a reliable risk management tool or ensuring strong agricultural research and development. We remain committed to attempting to pass a five-year farm bill as soon as possible, including the long-term provisions it includes that would help alleviate the emergency conditions we are seeing across the country.” American Farm Bureau Federation American Soybean Association National Association of Wheat Growers National Barley Growers Association National Corn Growers Association National Farmers Union National Milk Producers Federation National Sunflower Association United Fresh Produce Association U.S. Canola Association USA Dry Pea & Lentil Council Western Growers

American farm bureau federation news

USDA Forecasts Sharply Reduced Corn, Soybean Crops WASHINGTON, D.C., August 10, 2012 – The Agriculture Department’s first survey-based measure of crop yield potential for 2012 lowered production forecasts for both corn and soybeans dramatically, due to the continuing drought. Economists with the American Farm Bureau Federation said the report is a harbinger of volatility in global grain markets. “There is an old saying in commodity markets that small crops tend to get smaller,” said AFBF economist Todd Davis. “If this holds true, then future reports will show declining projected production for corn and soybeans and further reductions in projected demand. This will also mean higher projected prices and great volatility in the commodity markets as demand is rationed and more supply is encouraged worldwide.” USDA forecast corn production at 10.8 billion bushels, down 13 percent from 2011 and the lowest production

since 2006. The average yield for corn was forecast at 123 bushels per acre this year, reduced by 23 bushels per acre from the July prediction and 24 bushels lower compared to 2011. Soybean production is forecast at 2.69 billion bushels, down 12 percent from 2011 and the lowest production since 2007. The average yield for soybeans was forecast at 36 bushels per acre, reduced by 5 bushels per acre from both the July prediction and compared to 2011. Corn ending stocks for the marketing year are pegged by USDA at 650 million bushels, which represents just 21 days of supply. The situation for ending stocks is similar for soybeans, projected to be 115 million bushels (about a 15-day supply), down 15 million bushels compared to USDA’s July projection. With these dismal U.S. projections becoming reality, the corn and soybean

planting season in South America, which begins soon, is likely to be the subject of much attention and speculation. “A bountiful South American corn and soybean crop should ease the pressure for exports from the U.S. and will help relieve concern over tight stocks,” said Davis. “As always, weather will be the focus both in the North American crops as well as in South America,” he cautioned. USDA is planning to conduct producer surveys and field analysis throughout the fall which will provide information about the drought damage done to the 2012 corn and soybean crop, according to Davis. The full August 2012 Crop Production Report is available online at http:// usda01.library.cornell.edu/usda/current/CropProd/CropProd-08-10-2012. pdf

Idaho Farm Bureau producer / SEPTEMBER 2012

Idaho Pelt Production up

Mink pelt production in Idaho in 2011 totaled 308,260 pelts, up 19 percent from 2010, according to the National Agricultural Statistics Service. The number of pelts by color class as a percent of the total Idaho production in 2011 is as follows: Mahogany at 46 percent, Black at 45 percent, and Sapphire at 3 percent. The remaining color classes accounted for 6 percent. Female mink bred to produce kits in 2012 totaled 78,900, up 20 percent from the previous year.

2012 Idaho Barley Varieties

Conrad (B5057) remains Idaho’s leading malt variety for 2012. Conrad (B5057) accounted for 24.4 percent of all barley planted and 31.7 percent of the total malting variety acres. The leading feed variety was Baronesse, accounting for 7.4 percent of all barley planted. Baronesse accounted for 32.2 percent of the feed/food variety acres. Malting Varieties: Malting varieties accounted for 77.0 percent of all barley acres in 2012, up 1.6 percentage points from last year. The leading malting variety was Conrad (B5057) accounting for 24.4 percent

of all barley acres, which is at an increase of 2.7 percentage points from 2011. The second largest malting variety was AC Metcalfe with 13.6 percent of the acreage. Moravian 69 (C69) was third with 11.8 percent, Merit 57 (B2657) was fourth with 8.4 percent and Merit (B4947) was fifth with 5.0 percent of all barley acres. Feed/Food Varieties: Feed/ Food varieties accounted for 23.0 percent of all barley acres in 2012, which is a decline of 1.6 percentage points from 2011. Baronesse continues to be the leading feed variety, accounting for 7.4 percent of all barley acres, down 0.6 percentage points from a year ago. Champion is the second largest feed variety with 4.0 percent of the barley acreage followed by Criton with 1.5 percent of the acres. AB 2323 is fourth with

1.3 percent and Goldeneye is fifth with 0.8 percent of all barley acres planted.

Idaho Spring Wheat Production Down 36 Percent

Based on conditions as of August 1, Idaho’s spring wheat yield is forecast at 72.0 bushels per acre, up 2 bushels from the July 1 forecast and down 12 bushels per acre from 2011, according to the National Agricultural Statistics Service. Production of 33.1 million bushels from 460,000 harvested acres is down 36 percent from last year. Idaho’s winter wheat yield of 82.0 bushels per acre is unchanged from the July 1 forecast and last year. Producers expect to harvest 740,000 See NEWS BRIEFS, page 34

Idaho Farm Bureau producer / SEPTEMBER 2012

Life on the Range

A machine used to grind up juniper trees is one technique being employed to improve rangelands in southwest Idaho.

Juniper Removal Helps Native Plants, Wildlife and Cattle Article and Photos by Steve Stuebner

fire has accelerated the invasion.

Western juniper trees have been steadily encroaching on meadows and valleys in the greater Owyhee County area over the last 50 years, and in the last 10-15 years, it’s been getting even more pronounced. As a result, juniper trees are consuming habitat that normally would be used by the greater sage grouse, wildlife and cattle.

“Something needs to be done,” says Owyhee County Commissioner Jerry Hoagland, a member of the Owyhee County Sage-Grouse Working Group. “When we started fighting fire to protect our property, the juniper started to expand, and it’s like a wildfire now, the way they’re expanding.”

Aerial surveys show that juniper density has increased 3-5 fold in Owyhee County, compared to historic levels. The absence of

Sage grouse are listed as a “candidate” species under the Endangered Species Act, so attention is being focused on improv-

ing habitat for the birds to increase their numbers. The Owyhee Mountains are considered a “core” area for sage-grouse, with 250 leks (or mating grounds) and historically robust populations. Juniper encroachment is considered to be one of the top three threats to sage-grouse survival in the area, according to wildlife experts. Art Talsma, Director of Restoration and Stewardship for The Nature Conservancy and a member of the Owyhee County See LIFE ON THE RANGE page 32

Idaho Farm Bureau producer / SEPTEMBER 2012

Life on the range

Continued from page 31

Antelope and many other wildlife species are expected to benefit from juniper removal on both public and private lands in Idaho. Getting rid of the trees allows for better forage production and increased water availability.

Sage-Grouse Working Group, says that the intrusion of juniper trees into meadow and valley areas have had a direct negative impact on sage grouse nesting habitat and brood-rearing habitat. “The leks tell you where the sage grouse want to be,” Talsma says. “The bird wants to find a nest within one or two miles of the dancing ground where reproduction takes place. They look for sagebrush or bitterbrush habitat, and that’s where they will hide their nest. But they will not select the site at all if there’s a tall juniper tree there. So as juniper encroach on a meadow, the sage grouse have to vacate it -- they flat-out won’t stay there.” The tall juniper trees make sage-grouse nervous about predators. “The juniper tree, to them, is a place where predators can sneak up on them,” Talsma says. “One of the No. 1 predators for sage grouse is the raven. So the raven will perch there, follow the bird back to the nest site and steal the eggs.” 32

Historically, the Bureau of Land Management has cut down juniper trees to address the problem, with the intent to follow up those treatments with prescribed burning in the spring or fall. The BLM has treated about 33,000 acres with that method so far, but no prescribed burning has occurred as yet. On a smaller scale, Talsma says the best solution involves grinding up the trees. It’s called juniper “mastication.” David Bunker of Branch Enterprises, a contractor who has been grinding up juniper trees in the Owyhees for several years, explains. “Mastication is chewing something to a pulp,” says Bunker. “Our track-hoe machines are based on what I call a thunk theory. They have two great big blades on a wheel. Each blade weighs 46 pounds, and we just hammer the tree to death while it’s going round and round.” Bunker lifts the rotating attachment over the top of a juniper tree and grinds up the

Idaho Farm Bureau producer / SEPTEMBER 2012

trees, leaving nothing but chips behind. In a matter of minutes, the entire tree is turned into chips. Bunker says it’s critically important that the entire tree is ground up. “One of the main things about a juniper is that you can’t leave any green material or it’ll grow back,” he says. Jordan Valley Rancher Dennis Stanford, who checked out the progress of juniper mastication on his private land in the Owyhees, likes the results so far. “It’s a big help. It brings up the water table for one thing,” he says. “When you kill a juniper tree, you’re taking away something that’s wicking the moisture away from the sagebrush, forbs, grasses and everything else. So it’s a win-win situation. It’s more forage for the cows and better wildlife habitat for all wildlife.” Cost-share funds from the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) are available to remove juniper trees from meadow areas on private lands. Stanford and other

Owyhee County ranchers are tapping into the program to restore their meadows. The control work fits into the overall NRCS Sage grouse Special Initiative in Idaho and 10 other western states. Sixteen-million dollars are available for the recovery effort. Three juniper mastication projects in the Owyhees have cost about $80 to $250/acre, depending on tree density. About 5,000 acres of juniper encroachment areas have been treated on private lands in the Owyhees for the last several years, with more to come. “Sage grouse is a big component of it,” Stanford says. “It gives us the tool to try to help, and it’s definitely helping. My brother has a picture of a sage-grouse nesting right over here where they did the mastication. It’s a win for the livestock, it’s a win for the wildlife, and down the road, it could keep us from having to list the sage grouse” as an endangered species. Similar treatments in Oregon have shown good results. Following juniper control efforts, the number of male sage grouse have doubled on leks 2-3 years after treatment. Talsma expects similar results to occur in the Wilson Meadows on Stanford’s land. “We find out from talking to the ranchers that the birds have been coming to this site for years,” he says. “Nearby here, we surveyed a site that had over 200 birds in the fall. And that’s just 3-4 miles from here. So we know, when we open it up, we’ll get the bird use back.”

ranch in the Owyhees also has produced positive results. Property in Bull Basin, owned by George and Donna Bennett, was treated with a roller-drum masticator in Fall 2011. The project doubled the number acres of suitable habitat for sage-grouse to 484 acres, and it opened up habitat for aspen trees to expand. “One of our target species to benefit here is aspen,” Talsma says. “Quaking aspen is a native tree. It only occupies 1 percent of the landscape, but 60 percent of the birds and mammals go through it. So opening up an aspen stand benefits a ton of other species as well.” The Nature Conservancy, which is a member of the Owyhee County Sage Grouse Working Group, is monitoring the results of juniper control efforts to document improvements along with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Idaho Department of Fish and Game and NRCS. The roller-drum masticator was most effective on smaller juniper trees and the larger rotating blades have been more effective on larger trees. The costs are being documented on various private land sites, and the NRCS funds are covering the costs, Stanford says.

“This is what the ranchers like to see, and I like to see it too as a wildlife biologist, because we also have sage grouse using this meadow, and we also have elk here, antelope and mule deer,” Talsma says.

While juniper mastication appears to be effective on a small scale, BLM officials say that it probably is not practical to use that technique on a large scale. The agency plans to move forward with prescribed burning to follow up “cut and lay” juniper harvesting in the Castle Creek area, and it is currently analyzing how to treat about 50,000 acres in the Juniper Mountain area and more areas that need treatment in the Bruneau Resource Area.

Juniper mastication treatments on another

“We’re trying to get

Plant communities are bouncing back rapidly following juniper removal. “We’re seeing a quick response,” Talsma says. “The forbs and grasses are growing back within a year of treatment.” Perennial grasses such as bluebunch wheatgrass and Idaho fescue are growing back amid the wood chips left behind from juniper mastication. Forbs like western yarrow and others are sprouting as well.

after it on a landscape scale,” says Lance Okeson, Boise BLM Fuels Specialist. “Mastication seems like a good technique when you are trying to open up smaller meadow areas, but on a landscape scale, it may not be practical.” Trying to grind up all the juniper trees on Juniper Mountain, for example, would leave wood chips covering the ground “2-3 feet deep,” Okeson said. The Nature Conservancy, in cooperation with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Idaho Department of Fish and Game and NRCS, is documenting plant re-growth with remote photography equipment and on-site field visits on private land treatment areas in the Owyhees. Talsma is pleased with the results, noting that perennial grasses and forbs are growing back after juniper removal, and there are no invasive weeds or non-native vegetation sprouting after treatments. “We want to bring this range back to its best ecological condition,” he says. Steve Stuebner is the writer and producer of www.lifeontherange.org, a public education project sponsored by the Idaho Rangeland Resource Commission.

Sage grouse are one of the species that have proven to benefit from juniper removal. Idaho Farm Bureau producer / SEPTEMBER 2012

Continued from page 29 acres of winter wheat with a total production of 60.7 million bushels, down 4 percent from last year. Barley production is forecast at 52.5 million bushels, up 13 percent from last year’s 46.5 million bushels. Harvested acreage, at 590,000, is 90,000 acres more than last year. The expected yield of 89.0 bushels per acre is up 2 bushels from last month but down 4 bushels from last year. Sugarbeet production is expected to total 6.32 million tons from 182,000 harvested acres, up 4 percent from a year ago. Sugarbeet yield of 34.7 tons per acre is up from last year’s 34.4 tons per acre. Alfalfa hay production is estimated at 4.10 million tons, a 5 percent decrease from 2011. The expected yield for alfalfa is at 4.10 tons per acre, down from last year’s 4.30 tons per acre. Other hay production is expected to total 798,000 tons, up 4 percent from last

AFBF Launches ‘Today’s Agriculture’ Website

Today’s Agriculture, the new consumer-oriented website from the American Farm Bureau Federation, went live recently. The site features The Dish and Foodie News Blog, 34

year. Yield for other hay is estimated at 2.10 tons per acre, down from 2.20 tons per acre last year. Oat yield is forecast at 65.0 bushels per acre, unchanged from last month but down 5 bushels from last year. Oat production from 15,000 harvested acres is expected to total 975,000 bushels, down 7 percent from a year ago. Dry bean production is expected to total 2.64 million cwt from 140,000 harvested acres, up 40 percent from last year. Yield is forecast at 1,900 pounds per acre (clean basis), down 100 pounds from last year. Chickpeas, grown primarily in North Idaho, are included in the dry bean estimates. This year’s chickpea planted acreage accounts for 53 percent of Idaho’s dry beans. Idaho apple production is estimated at 70.0 million pounds, up 10.0 million pounds from 2011. Peach production is expected to total 7,200 tons, down from last year’s 7,600 tons. Idaho hop producers are

expected to harvest 2,449 acres with a yield of 2,045 pounds per acre and production of 5.01 million pounds in 2012.

with posts about today’s food trends; farmer profiles from around the country; links to blogs written by farmers, ranchers and others involved in agriculture; excerpts from AFBF’s “Food and Farm Facts” publication about stretching your grocery dollars and how

farmers and ranchers care for farm animals; and a link to My American Farm, the American Farm Bureau Foundation for Agriculture’s educational website with games and activities about agriculture.

Idaho Farm Bureau producer / SEPTEMBER 2012

Expanded Availability of Forage (Alfalfa) Seed Pilot

USDA’s Risk Management Agency (RMA) reminds producers of the expanded coverage availability for the Forage (Alfalfa) Seed Pilot Multi-Peril Crop Insurance (MPCI) program to all qualifying producers in Idaho, Oregon and Washington. Prior to crop year 2012, the pilot program only allowed for coverage availability to producers in limited areas, (e.g., Idaho: Canyon and Owyhee counties; Oregon: Malheur County and Washington: Grant and Walla Walla counties). With the Federal Crop Insurance Corporation Board’s approved conversion of the pilot to a permanent regulatory program, extended coverage was made available

through the written agreement process. For the 2013 crop year, producers outside the county pilot area (previously listed) may request MPCI protection for their alfalfa seed crop. Producers are encouraged to visit with their crop insurance agent by the October 1 (September 30 falls on a Sunday) sales closing date to review and sign up if coverage is available in their county or learn if they would be eligible for coverage under a written agreement if coverage is not generally available in their county. Federal crop insurance program policies are sold and delivered solely through private crop insurance companies and agents. A list of crop insurance agents is available at all USDA Service Centers throughout the United States or on the RMA Web site at http://www3.rma.usda. gov/tools/agents.

The new website also includes a link to the U.S. Farmers & Ranchers Alliance’s Food Dialogues website, where consumers can learn about their food and join a conversation about modern agricultural practices. http://www.f b.org/index. php?action=yourag.home

Transportation Bill Good for Agriculture

The recently approved, 27-month highway bill not only keeps transportation projects rolling until September 2014, it contains key provisions exempting farmers, ranchers and covered farm vehicles from several federal regulations, Andrew Walmsley, American Farm Bureau Federation transportation specialist, told Newsline. “Those farmers and ranchers who are using a farm vehicle to haul their calves or their produce to market were exempt from some requirements that were meant for long-haul truckers and commercial truck drivers. Commercial driver’s license, medical certificates, hours of service requirements, pre- and post-trip inspections, those were all included and a farmer is exempt if he’s driving a vehicle that’s under 26,000 pounds. If he happens to be over 26,000 pounds, he’s exempt up to 150 air miles from his farm, if he were to cross a state line. He’d be exempt within the state,” Walmsley explained.

USDA Risk Management Agency Billing Date Changes

The Risk Management Agency’s (RMA) Spokane Regional Office reminds Alaska and Pacific Northwest producers of the new billing date for Federal crop insurance premiums on most crops: August 15, 2012. Insured producers have until October 1st to pay their premiums without being charged interest for crops with an August 15 billing date. Interest will begin accruing until October 1

at a 1.25 percent per month.

* Wheat – October 1

timetables.

Although premiums are payable as soon as the crop is planted, an insured producer is not billed until the premium billing date. If an indemnity (loss) payment, prevented or replanting payment is made, any premiums still owed can be deducted from those payments.

“We are pleased to offer coverage for the 2013 crop year on the Forage (Alfalfa) Seed Pilot (MPCI) program to all qualifying producers in Idaho, Oregon and Washington,” said RMA Spokane Regional Office Director Dave Paul.

Producers are encouraged to visit their crop insurance agent soon to learn specific details for the 2013 crop year. Federal crop insurance program policies are sold and delivered solely through private crop insurance companies and agents. A list of crop insurance agents is available at all USDA Service Centers throughout the United States or on the RMA Web site at http://www3.rma. usda.gov/tools/agents.

The 2012 billing date changes comply with the 2008 Farm Bill that changed the billing date for all crops originally billed after August 15. Producers are encouraged to contact their crop insurance agent with questions.

USDA Fall Crop Sales Closing Dates

Spokane, Wash., - USDA’s Risk Management Agency (RMA) reminds Idaho, Oregon and Washington producers of the important 2013 crop year sales closing deadlines for MultiPeril Crop Insurance (MPCI) programs: * Canola/Rapeseed – August 31 (for Fall Planted types) * Onions – August 31 (Fall Planted types - Umatilla/Walla Walla counties only) * Mint with Winter Coverage – October 1 * Forage Production - October 1 (Klamath and Malheur counties, Oregon) * Forage (Alfalfa) Seed Pilot – October 1 * Fall Planted Barley with Winter Coverage – October 1 (in selected counties) * Fall Planted Dry Peas/Lentils with Winter Coverage October 1 (in selected counties)

Before the 2012 crop year the pilot program only allowed for coverage to producers in limited areas (e.g., Idaho: Canyon and Owyhee counties; Oregon: Malheur County and Washington: Grant and Walla Walla counties). With the Federal Crop Insurance Corporation Board’s approved conversion of the pilot to a permanent regulatory program, extended coverage was made available through the written agreement process. “If there is no coverage filed in a county for a specific crop under the traditional MPCI program, I encourage producers to ask a crop insurance agent whether they are eligible for coverage under a written agreement,” Paul added. Current policyholders and uninsured growers must make all of their decisions on crop insurance coverage, especially which crops to insure and what level and type of coverage to get before the sales closing date. RMA also reminds producers of the important link between Federal crop insurance and Farm Service Agency (FSA) disaster programs. For non-insurable crops, a producer may buy coverage under the Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program by the sales closing date. Producers should contact their local FSA County Office for more information about

Ag Sustainability has Improved

A new report released by Field to Market, the Keystone Alliance for Sustainable Agriculture, of which AFBF is a member, demonstrates how six commodity crops (corn, wheat, soybeans, cotton, rice and potatoes) are being produced more efficiently in the U.S. than they were 30 years ago because of important improvements in farm safety and economic sustainability for producers. At the same time, increased production to meet growing demand has also resulted in greater overall resource use by many crops. The report finds that all six crops demonstrated progress in improving resource use/impact per unit of production on all five environmental indicators (land use, soil erosion, irrigation water use, energy use and greenhouse gas emissions). For example, soil erosion per unit of production has improved by 47 percent to 67 percent, and energy use and greenhouse gas emissions per unit of production have decreased between 15 percent and more than 42 percent for all crops.

Idaho Farm Bureau producer / SEPTEMBER 2012

Farm Bureau Members Pay Less To See Clearly

FARM BUREAU COMMODITY REPORT GRAIN PRICES

Portland:

White Wheat 11% Winter 14% Spring Corn

7/23/2012

8.90 9.35-9.60 9.90 342-346.50

- .02 + .06 - .88 - .50 to + 4.00

8.15 8.31 9.46 12.55

8.00 8.05 8.68 13.50

- .15 - .26 - .78 + .95

7.50 7.36 8.88 10.42

7.70 7.91 8.39 12.81

+ .20 + .55 - .49 + 2.39

7.96 7.90 8.99 11.50

7.97 7.93 8.30 13.00

+ .01 + .03 - .69 + 1.50

13.30 8.00

13.08 7.85

- .22 - .15

8.70 231.50

8.62 246.50

- .08 + 15.00

7/23/2012

8/20/2012

Trend

Under 500 lbs

126-168

700-900 lbs Over 900 lbs

116-143 113-132

126-180 116-164 115-144 101-130

Steady to + 12 Steady to + 15 - 1 to + 1 - 12 to - 2

117-165 117-136 107-129 88-115

117-171 110-157 105-134 92-121

Steady to + 6 - 7 to + 21 - 2 to + 5 + 4 to + 6

75-107 75-101

75-110 75-100

Steady to + 3 Steady to â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 1

63-80 55-73

60-83 53-77

- 3 to + 3 - 2 to + 4

1200-1425

800-1200

- 400 to - 225

74-96

72-93

- 2 to - 3

50.00 45.00-48.00 N/A

N/A N/A N/A

White Wheat 11.5 % Winter 14% Spring Barley

Pocatello:

White Wheat 11.5 % Winter 14% Spring Barley

Burley:

White Wheat 11.5 % Winter 14% Spring Barley

Nampa:

White Wheat (cwt) (Bushel)

Lewiston:

White Wheat Barley

LIVESTOCK PRICES

Feeder Steers

500-700 lbs 116-149

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

to www.idahofb.org and click on member benefits or call Joel at (208) 239-4289. 36

Idaho Farm Bureau producer / SEPTEMBER 2012

Trend

8.92 9.29-9.54 10.78 342.50

Ogden:

For information go

8/22/2012

Stock Cows Bulls

Slaughter

BEAN PRICES: Pinto Pink Small Red

Compiled by the Idaho Farm Bureau Commodity Division

IDaho Hay Report

Fri Aug 17, 2012 Tons: 13,025 Last Week: 6100 Last Year: 42,570 Compared to last week, Premium and Supreme Alfalfa for domestic and export firm to 5.00 higher. Feeder Hay steady. Trade active this week. Demand remains good for all hay. Retail/feed store/horse not tested this week. Buyer demand good with light to moderate supplies. All prices are dollars per ton and FOB unless otherwise stated. Tons Price Wtd Avg Comments Alfalfa Large Square Premium 1500 200.00-200.00 200.00 Export Good 6100 170.00-190.00 183.69 2500 190.00-190.00 190.00 Export Fair 300 165.00-165.00 165.00 Utility 175 145.00-145.00 145.00 Weedy Alfalfa/Grass Mix Large Square Fair 200 155.00-155.00 155.00 Del Old Crop 100 165.00-165.00 165.00 Del Weedy

POTATOES FOR PROCESSING

August 21, 2012 UPPER VALLEY, TWIN FALLS-BURLEY DISTRICT, IDAHO 2011 SEASON--Shipments 649*-485*-181 (includes export of 5-2-1) ---Movement expected to decrease seasonally. Remaining supplies of Russet Burbanks are in too few hands to establish a market. Shipments expected to continue through the month of August. *revised.

5 Year Grain Comparison

Grain Prices................08/26/2008...................08/21/2009...................08/20/2010................. 08/24/2011..................08/22/2012 Portland: White Wheat..................... 8.20 .............................4.82 ..............................6.38 ............................ N/A .......................... 8.90 11% Winter...................9.03-9.23 ...................5.09-5.25 ...................6.56-5.60 .................8.25-8.44.....................9.35-9.60 14% Spring........................ 9.86 .............................. 6.12 ..............................N/A ............................ N/A................................9.90 Corn.............................. 252.50-253 ...................151-152.75....................182-188.75 ...............316-319.25....................342-346.50 Ogden: White Wheat..................... 7.23 ..............................4.40 ..............................5.60 ............................7.25............................. 8.00 11% Winter........................8.16 ..............................4.22 ..............................5.54 ............................7.45 ........................... 8.05 14 % Spring...................... 8.65 .............................4.96 ..............................6.04 ............................9.02 ........................... 8.68 Barley................................. 9.25 ..............................5.50 ..............................6.25 ...........................12.45.............................13.50 Pocatello: White Wheat.....................6.88 .............................4.30 ..............................5.40 ............................6.90............................. 11% Winter....................... 7.67 ..............................4.06 ..............................5.15 ............................7.44 ........................... 14% Spring........................ 8.42 ..............................4.86 ..............................6.17 ............................8.67 ......................... Barley................................. 9.00 ............................5.21 ...........................6.25 .........................11.67...........................

7.70 7.91 8.39 12.81

Alfalfa/Wheat Mix Large Square Utility Timothy Grass Large Square Good Oat Large Square Good Bluegrass Straw Large Square Fair Wheat Straw Large Square Good

450 500

150.00-150.00

150.00

245.00-245.00

245.00

200 125.00-125.00

125.00

800 200

125.00-125.00 45.00-45.00

Export

125.00 Del 45.00

Contracted price - Price and conditions of sale agreed upon when buyer and Seller negotiates a transaction. Source: USDA Market News, Moses Lake, WA.

TWIN FALLS-BURLEY DISTRICT AND WESTERN IDAHO 2012 SEASON--Shipments 9*-143-280---Movement expected to increase seasonally. Trading moderate. Prices lower. Russet Norkotah U.S. One baled 5 10-pound film bags non size A mostly 5.00, 50-pound cartons 40-70s 9.00-9.50, 80s 8.00-8.50, 90-100s 7.00-8.00. POTATOES FOR PROCESSING IDAHO---Open-market trading by processors with growers was inactive. Burley: White Wheat..................... 6.55 .............................4.10 .............................5.29 ............................7.00............................. 11% Winter........................7.81 ..............................4.09 ..............................5.48 ............................7.18 ........................... 14% Spring........................8.28 .............................4.74 .............................6.07 ............................8.65 ......................... Barley................................. 9.50...............................5.00 ..............................6.00 .........................12.50...........................

7.97 7.93 8.30 13.00

Nampa: White Wheat (cwt)..........11.82...............................6.70 ..............................9.50 ...........................10.50........................... 13.08 (bushel)............7.11 .............................4.00 ..............................5.70 ............................6.30............................. 7.85 Lewiston: White Wheat..................... 8.05 .............................4.60 ..............................6.30 ............................6.85............................. 8.62 Barley............................... 212.50...........................106.50 ........................126.50...........................221.50........................ 246.50 Bean Prices: Pintos...........................34.00-35.00 .......................N/A.................................N/A............................... N/A................................N/A Pinks...................................N/A.................................N/A...............................30.00.............................30.00..............................N/A Small Reds..........................N/A.................................N/A...............................30.00 ...........................30.00..............................N/A ***

IDAHO Milk production up 0.5 Percent August 17, 2012 Idaho milk production during July 2012 totaled 1.20 billion pounds, a 0.5 percent increase from the same month last year, and up 4.3 percent from June 2012, according to the National Agricultural Statistics Service. Average milk production per cow in July 2012 was 2,070 pounds, up 20 pounds from last yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s level. The average number of milk cows during July was 579,000 head, down 3,000 head from July 2011.

Milk production in the 23 major States during July totaled 15.5 billion pounds, up 0.8 percent from July 2011. June revised production at 15.5 billion pounds, was up 1.1 percent from June 2011. The June revision represented an increase of 2 million pounds or less than 0.1 percent from last monthâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s preliminary production estimate. Production per cow in the 23 major States averaged 1,826 pounds for July, 6 pounds above July 2011. The number of milk cows on farms in the 23 major States was 8.50 million head, 41,000 head more than July 2011, but 7,000 head less than June 2012. Idaho Farm Bureau producer / SEPTEMBER 2012

5 Year livestock comparison .....................................08/25/2008...................08/21/2009...................08/20/2010................. 08/23/2011..................08/20/2012 Under 500 lbs.................98-130 .......................90-132 ........................101-150 ....................130-188 ...................126-180 500-700 lbs.....................98-126 .......................87-115 .........................95-130 ........................119-153........................ 116-164 700-900 lbs..................... 95-116 ..........................81-100 ..........................95-114 .....................107-137........................ 115-144 Over 900 lbs................... 81-109............................85-92 ..........................85-100.........................110-121........................ 101-130 Feeder Heifers Under 500 lbs................. 94-114 .........................95-116............................93-140 ...................115-167.........................117-171 500-700 lbs......................91-111 ..........................85-108 .........................90-118 .....................112-148........................ 110-157 700-900 lbs.....................88-106............................77-93 ...........................89-107..........................103-130........................105-134 Over 900 lbs...................85-105............................78-85 .........................70-97 ......................... 85-109.......................... 92-121 Holstein Steers Under 700 lbs..................45-77 ...........................52-80 ...........................65-92 ..........................75-110.......................... 75-110 Over 700 lbs....................55-79 ...........................44-70 ...........................60-83 ........................ 70-104..........................75-100 Cows Utility/Commercial...........36-67.............................35-55.............................47-69............................ 63-84............................60-83 Canner & Cutter..............38-57.............................20-46.............................37-67.............................55-74............................53-77 Stock Cows......................650-850 ......................650-850 ...................... 700-900 .................... 675-1200......................800-1200 Bulls â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Slaughter............48-75.............................42-62.............................60-80........................... 60-94 .........................72-93

Idaho Cattle on Feed down 3 Percent from Previous Year

August 17, 2012 Cattle and calves on feed for the slaughter market in Idaho from feedlots with a capacity of 1,000 or more head on August 1, 2012 totaled 190,000 head, down 3 percent from the previous year, according to the National Agricultural Statistics Service.The cattle on feed inventory is down 5 percent from July 1, 2012. Placements of cattle in feedlots with a capacity of 1,000 or more head during July totaled 35,000 head, up 46 percent from July 2011 placements. Marketings of cattle from feedlots with 1,000 head or more during July totaled 44,000 head, up 3,000 head from last year. Other disappearance totaled 1,000 head during July. Cattle and calves on feed for slaughter market in the United States for feedlots with capacity of 1,000 or more head totaled 10.7 million head on August 1, 2012. The inventory was 1 percent above August 1, 2011. Placements in feedlots during July totaled 1.92 million, 10 percent below 2011. Net placements were 1.86 million head. During July, placements of cattle and calves weighing less than 600 pounds were 500,000, 600-699 pounds were 325,000, 700-799 pounds were 470,000, and 800 pounds and greater were 627,000. Marketings of fed cattle during July totaled 1.91 million, slightly below 2011. Other disappearance totaled 63,000 during July, 11 percent below 2011.

Cattle Outlook August 17, 2012 Last week was another week with little or no improvement in pasture conditions. Some producers are nearing a breaking point when it comes to being forced to send cows to market due to a lack of feed, while others are continuing to hold out hope for some fall pasture growth to prevent a large liquidation. Beef cow slaughter has trailed year ago levels throughout 2012 to this point, but this will change very soon without meaningful rain and pasture growth. The choice retail beef price rose by 8 cents in July, back above $5 per pound. This is nearly 5% above the year ago price, compared to retail pork prices which are down 1% from year ago and composite broiler retail prices which are up over 10%. Retail prices for boneless choice sirloin steak have gained 48 cents in the past two months to reach $6.90 per pound. Prices may struggle to hold near this level if gasoline price increases continue and economic weakness persists. Feeder cattle imports from Mexico have been strong for all of 2012, topping 1 million head through the second week of August according to the weekly data.This level was not reached until late October last year. It appears that the increased availability of these feeders may begin to dry up soon as drought has negatively impacted much of the herd in northern Mexico. Beef carcass cutout values gained ground every day this week. On Friday morning, the choice boxed beef carcass cutout value was at $193.01/cwt, an increase of $8.72 from last Friday. The select carcass cutout was up $7.18 from the previous week to $184.78/cwt.

Idaho Farm Bureau producer / SEPTEMBER 2012

Fed cattle prices also moved higher. Through Thursday, the 5-area average price for slaughter steers sold on a live weight basis was $119.95/cwt, up 80 cents from last week and up $5.91/cwt from the same week last year. Steer prices on a dressed basis averaged $189.01/cwt this week, up 23 cents from a week ago and up $5.80/ cwt from a year ago. This weekâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s cattle slaughter totaled 643,000 head, up just 1,000 head from last week, and down 3.9% from a year ago. The average steer dressed weight for the week ending on August 4 was 862 pounds, unchanged from last week and up 16 pounds from a year ago. Oklahoma City feeder cattle prices were steady to $3-5 higher this week with prices for medium and large frame #1 steers: 400-450# $175-180, 450-500# $165.50, 500550# $140-$155, 550-600# $148-$157, 600-650# $135-$149.50, 650-700# $134$145, 700-750# $138.50-$140.75, 750-800# $136.50-$142.50, 800-900# $128$141.25, and 900-1000# $131/cwt. The August live cattle futures contract settled at $120.70/cwt, virtually unchanged from the previous Friday. The October contract settled at $125.30/cwt, down $0.20. December closed at $128.225/cwt, down $0.20 from the previous Friday. August feeder cattle futures ended the week at $140.60/cwt, $1.125 higher than last Friday. October feeders ended the week at $143.70/cwt. Provided by: University of Missouri

Classifieds Animals

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Wanted

ASCA registered Australian Shepherd pups. Working line since 1968. Full satisfaction guaranteed. All four colors available. Boise, Id 208-484-9802

Beautiful floor length satin wedding dress with train. Bodice & sleeves embellished with lace and pearls. Size 6, Shoes 7 ½. Veil, other accessories. $225. Priest River, Id. 208-448-2036

2001 Ford Escape 98,000 miles, Like new, $5,500.00; 1980 Honda Motorcycle, New Paint and rebuild; 1981 Yamaha 250XT street or off-road. American Falls, Id. 208226-3105

1 or 2 row corn harvester/chopper. contact Lyle D. Rowbury at 281-797-6955

Ranch and trail ready under saddle, two mares 4 and 5 years old. Morgans with substance and beauty not found in other breeds. www.creamridgemorgans.com or 208-476-7221.

Farm Equipment Two 550 gallon fuel tanks (1 diesel & 1 gas) on 7 foot stands with filter, hose, and nozzle. $550 each or $1,000 for the pair. I will load the tanks on your trailer for free. Cash or bank checks only. Nampa, Id. Call Gary at 88O-2l78.

16’ Trailer 1966 New Tires $1095.00; New Sony Camcorder with case $495, Battery $10; Dell Computer with desk $130; Bike Rack for RV Ladder $40; 5th wheel hitch complete $295.00. American Falls, Id. 208226-3105 Medium saddle bags, $25, breast collar and thick saddle pad, hardly used. $12 each. Roping reins and headstall, both $12. Call Pam. Star, Id 208-286-9821

900 Hi-Master front end loader. Hydraulic Big stout 7 foot split posts. $3.50 per post lines intact, two 5 ft. lift rams but no bucket. u-haul. Delivery available - price depending $300. Inkom, Idaho. 208-339-6679. on fuel. Approx $5 per post. Located in Balewagons: New Holland self-propelled or Orofino, Id. 208-816-1620 pull-type models. Also interested in buying balewagons. Will consider any model. Call Generator - Winco 15KW PTO, single phase, new still in crate. Half of new price, Jim Wilhite at 208-880-2889 anytime $1500.00 Kamiah, Id. 208-816-3140

SEND US YOUR CLASSIFIED AD FREE TO IDAHO FARM BUREAU MEMBERS! send to: dashton@idahofb.org

1979 Jeep CJ6 needs some mechanic work 1350.00 need to sell. Twin Falls, Id. 208733-2854 2007 Chevrolet Avalanche crew cab. 1500 LT, 4 WD, Trailer brake equipment, 5.36 V8 Flexible fuel. 47,500 miles. $24,000. Glenns Ferry, Id. 208-366-7425

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

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Mail ad copy to: GEM STATE PRODUCER P.O. Box 4848, Pocatello, ID 83205-4848 or email Dixie at DASHTON@IDAHOFB.ORG Name: __________________________________________________________________________ Address: _________________________________________________________________________ City / State / Zip: __________________________________________________________________ Phone: _____________________________________ Membership No. ___________________ Ad Copy: ________________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________________ Idaho Farm Bureau producer / SEPTEMBER 2012