September 2013, Volume 17, Issue 6

September 2013 • Volume 17, Issue 6

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Consumers Pressure Retailer Over GMO Labeling

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Farmers Voice Concern Over New Food Safety Rules

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Idaho Farm Bureau

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Small Hydropower Bill Sent to President

Bringing the Heat to Washington

By Bob Stallman AFBF President

If this August felt hotter than in years past, it was likely more than the weather you were experiencing.

Farmers and ranchers, who are hot under the collar about congressional inaction, have been turning up the heat during Farm Bureau’s “Bring the Heat” August recess grassroots campaign.

Forest Service Planning More Grazing Cuts

By Frank Priestley President Idaho Farm Bureau Federation

Citing the potential for recreational conflicts with sheep, the Ketchum Ranger District is making plans to cut more grazing on the Sawtooth

Use It or Burn It

By Rick Keller CEO Idaho Farm Bureau Federation

Stepping onto the back porch on a late summer evening in Idaho and enjoying the cool evening breezes has always been a pleasant tradition at our house. It’s a time to reflect on the day’s accomplishments, relax a bit, share time as a family, 2

Idaho Farm Bureau producer / SEPTEMBER 2013

The Ag Agenda From Yakima, Wash., to Tallahassee, Fla., Farm Bureau members have been telling Congress to pass the farm bill, fix ag labor and pass the waterways bill. Through town hall meetings, congressional district office visits, traditional and social media, emails, phone calls, postcards and even specially made fans with personalized messages, Farm Bureau members across the country have brought the heat to Congress.

Fanning the Flame

National Forest.

Does anyone else see the ambiguity here? The people who wanted wolves in the Idaho backcountry the least and whose concerns were totally disregarded by the federal government are now being told that wolves and recreation are higher priorities than their livelihoods. We often hear and read about the power and influence of the livestock industry. In reality it’s become a question of which user group will the livestock industry be forced to get in line behind next?

It’s a disturbing trend. Every year it seems there is some new obtuse reason to cut grazing on public land. In this case, the Forest Service is concerned about fishermen, hikers, bikers and others out recreating coming into conflicts with the guard dogs sheep herders keep with their flocks to protect them from wolves.

They’re also concerned that wolves might kill sheep and that will lead to government trappers and others, killing wolves.

Just because August recess is complete and members of Congress are back in Washington, it doesn’t mean we should stop bringing the heat on our priority issues. To the contrary, Farm Bureau members should build on our momentum and continue fanning the flame now that Congress is back in session and members are getting down to See STALLMAN, page 6

See PRIESTLEY, page 6

and discuss what needs to be done the next day. Enjoying Idaho’s evenings is refreshing and renewing.

This summer and in many recent years, this tranquil tradition has been hampered by an ever increasing amount of dense smoke covering our valleys. Late summer is no longer referred to as “dog days” but as the “fire days” of summer.

tively ablaze. The air is smoky and the visibility is limited. Those experiencing respiratory issues are imprisoned in their homes. The skies are filled with the drone of large planes carrying fire-retardant as they labor to gain altitude for their next drop point. Sadly, this is becoming a late summer tradition that doesn’t need to happen.

Idaho is on fire. At the time of this writing, a half-million acres of Idaho (780 square miles) is ac-

Ninety-three percent of these Idaho fires are on federal lands.

See KELLER, page 25

Volume 17, 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 Tom Daniel ............................................... Bonners Ferry 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 ..........................Brody Miller Dist. V Regional Manager ...................... Bob Smathers Dir. of Governmental Affairs ...............Russ Hendricks Asst. Dir. of Governmental Affairs ... Dennis Tanikuni 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.

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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: Whole Foods Market has initiated a GMO labeling policy that will attempt to differentiate every product in their stores. Suppliers, including one from Idaho, are concerned about how the verification process will work. Photo by Jim Parker

Dairy farmers who supply milk, cheese and other products to Whole Foods Markets are being forced to change their operating procedures to entirely organic feed in order to comply with a new company policy requiring labeling of genetically modified organisms. However, no tests exist that can differentiate dairy products or meat based on what feed the animal consumed.

Photo by Jim Parker

Whole Foods Launches New GMO Policy: Biotech Industry Reaches Out to Consumers

By John Thompson Question: If a cow on one farm eats only organic feed, and a cow on another farm eats feed grown from genetically modified crops, is there any scientifically detectable difference in the meat or milk from the two cows?

See GMO LABELING page 4 Idaho Farm Bureau producer / SEPTEMBER 2013

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GMO LABELING

Continued from page 3

Answer: Probably not, but in all the hype swirling around whether GMO crops are good or bad for public health and the environment, logic and reason are being outflanked by consumers pressuring retailers.

Whole Foods Market, a nationwide chain that has built its reputation on fresh, organic, locally-sourced food, recently announced plans to begin labeling all of its products as either containing GMO or as GMO-free. The new policy will be implemented over the next five years.

In addition, the six major companies that produce biotech or GMO seeds for commercial use on farms throughout the world launched a new website – www.gmoanswers - to increase public awareness. According to the website, the companies acknowledge they haven’t done a good job of communicating with consumers about the technological advances being made in crop science.

Most consumers are scared of GMO products, uninformed, or both. Activist groups, using little credible evidence, are fanning the flames and leading consumers to believe GMO’s cause cancer and damage the environment.

In Europe, GMO crops and products are taboo. GMO labeling is required in many countries and activists there have even destroyed or damaged test plots. However, in the U.S. and much of the rest of the world, GMO crops have been part of the food supply since the early 1990’s. Many of the GMO crops have become prevalent varieties. With GMO corn, soybeans and sugar beets, acreage planted exceeds 95 percent of the entire U.S. crop.

Specifically, the crops in question are corn, soybeans, sugarbeets, canola, alfalfa, cotton, papaya and squash. The 4 #

companies that pioneered the technology, backed by USDA, say there is no difference between these crops and conventionally produced crops.

The genetic makeup is different because the GMO crops are engineered to withstand herbicide applications, or contain Bt - a pesticide registered for use on organic crops.

With fresh fruits and vegetables, the matter of labeling is fairly straightforward. Crops that are genetically modified do not meet the USDA organic standard and cannot be labeled as GMO free. With animal agriculture, the questions are much more difficult to resolve.

Steve Ballard is a dairyman and cheese maker from Gooding County.

He runs a small family operation that supplies Whole Foods and some other retailers with several varieties of artisan cheese. The Ballard Family Dairy makes small batches, twice a week and after only nine years in business have garnered several awards and created a solid market for their products.

However, Whole Foods’ new labeling policy has Ballard concerned, first that he won’t be able to meet the nonGMO standard, second that if he can’t meet the standard his cheese will be labeled GMO and will languish on the store shelf and third, that other retailers may follow suit.

“Unless you grow all your own feed there is no way to guarantee that you are GMO free,” Ballard said. “I don’t know anybody in animal agriculture that can meet that standard.”

Ballard added that creating new regulations isn’t a silver bullet when it comes to solving problems. “Once you start going down that road of asking for more government intervention, you just make the problem bigger,” he said. “Look at what’s happened with

Idaho Farm Bureau producer / SEPTEMBER 2013

the Renewable Fuel Standard and the Food Safety Modernization Act. What they’re doing is not science based it’s coming from consumers who aren’t aware of the ramifications of what they’re asking for.”

He also questions how far Whole Foods is willing to drill down to truly find out what’s GMO free and what’s not. For instance, if a neighbor irrigates a field of GMO corn and then some of the water crosses the property line, could that taint the organic field across the fence?

Whole Foods wants to provide its customers with the opportunity to choose what they want to buy and has supported GMO labeling efforts such as Proposition 37 that failed in California last year and would have required GMO labeling. Whole Foods would also prefer it if the government would require labeling of GMO crops.

In response to most of Ballard’s concerns, Whole Foods is uncertain how to answer many of those questions at the present time. When the company launched its new GMO labeling policy back in April, company president A.C. Gallo made the following statement: “We have always believed that quality and transparency are inseparable and that providing detailed information about the products we offer—such as 5-Step Animal Welfare ratings in meat, Eco Scale rated cleaning products in grocery, stringent wild and farm-raised standards in seafood, and now labeling GMOs throughout the store—is part of satisfying and delighting the millions of people who place their trust in Whole Foods Market each day,” said A.C. Gallo, president of Whole Foods Market. “This bold task will encourage manufacturers to ask deeper questions about ingredients, and it will help us provide

Dairyman Steve Ballard, foreground, is concerned about a new GMO labeling policy recently announced by Whole Foods.

Farm Bureau file photo

greater transparency about the products we sell so our customers can be empowered to make informed decisions about the foods that are best for them.”

Company spokesman Libba Letton said Whole Foods is working with its vendors to locate supplies of organic feed for their livestock and that she can’t project what the labels will look like or whether consumers will show a preference for products labeled nonGMO versus GMO. She said some non-GMO labeling has started in Whole Foods stores and those products are the fasted growing category of food in the stores.

Whole Foods is partnered with a nonprofit organization in Bellingham, Washington called the Non-GMO Project. Letton said they have a longstanding relationship and are a credible source for testing and verification of food products. However, there is no mention of the organization operating a laboratory capable of testing food products on its website. The NonGMO Project did not respond to questions from the Idaho Farm Bureau in time to meet this month’s press deadline.

The Non-GMO Project’s website shows a staff of eight people, and the only details provided on those staff

members indicates they are mainly political operatives. The website claims the organization has verified 10,000 non-GMO products.

Under the Non-GMO Project verification procedures listed on the organization’s website there are ten steps, including filling out several forms, payment of fees and culminating with an on-site inspection if needed. The website also mentions a partner company named Food Chain Global Advisors. That company’s website offers many services but makes no mention of ability to test food products to determine whether they contain traces of GMO’s.

Idaho Farm Bureau producer / SEPTEMBER 2013

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STALLMAN

Continued from page 2 work.

As we near the final push, we should all be in contact with our congressional representatives letting them know that just because summer is over it doesn’t mean the heat has let up. Relying on Farm Bureau determination and perseverance, which has sustained us for 94 years, it’s time to roll up our shirt sleeves and get the job done.

Farm Bureau members have always played an instrumental role in legislative efforts that have helped shape U.S. agriculture.

With significant issues like the farm bill, ag labor and waterways transportation on the line, this time should be no different.

Fired Up! As Farm Bureau members, it is ingrained in us to be actively involved and to fight for what we believe in and what we think will better our profession and our country. We are not ones to rest on our laurels while others do the work. We are also not the types to make a lot of noise about an issue and stop there.

Farmers and ranchers have a lot at stake this congressional session, so we must see our grassroots efforts through to fruition.

We have to pass the farm bill. We must fix ag labor. And we have to buildup our nation’s waterways infrastructure. The groundwork has been laid on all of these issues. We just need Congress to act.

It’s up to us to tell Congress to stop putting politics ahead of progress. We already lit the fire under lawmakers during August recess. Now, let’s bring that heat to Washington this September.

Priestley

Continued from page 2

The Ketchum Ranger District’s analysis at http://www.fs.usda.gov/projects/sawtooth/landmanagement/projects spells out details of dozens of potential conflicts and detrimental impacts of sheep grazing.

The analysis states that sheep crossing streams “could” harm water quality which “could” harm fish, or sheep “could” cause a vegetative disturbance that “could” harm a stream bank. The analysis is 38 pages long in its entirety, and makes no mention of any of the benefits of grazing on the land such as noxious weed control, enriching soils and fire suppression.

Where it also fails as an analysis is in its complete lack of consideration for the effected livestock operators and the heritage of our state. This, along with continuing efforts to cut grazing on public lands leads us to believe that a bias against livestock producers exists inside the Forest Service, and has for some time. These ranchers are descendants of the first people who came to Idaho and created the economy that allowed all others to follow. That ought to matter to someone in the Ketchum Ranger District.

The Wood River Valley has changed a lot in the last 100 years, although the popula6

tion is close to the same. In 1880 during the height of the silver boom there were just over 2,000 people there, as opposed to just over 3,000 today. The average listing price of homes in the area today is $1.4 million and the median household income is $57,000 per year compared to $45,000 yearly statewide.

Most of our population is at least one generation removed from an agricultural livelihood. Many of us are more than that. But have we lost touch with knowing the value of a domestic food supply? Has our society become so disconnected from its food supply that it no longer matters if our lamb and wool comes from New Zealand or Australia?

For the average citizen or tourist, livestock production is sometimes inconvenient and frequently smelly. But is doing away with it in our backyard a solution?

After the silver boom subsided in the late 1800’s, sheep became the Wood River Valley’s most important business. Today there are 180,000 sheep in Idaho. At its peak in the 1930’s, there were 2.7 million sheep in Idaho and Ketchum was one of the biggest lamb shipping points in the world, second

Idaho Farm Bureau producer / SEPTEMBER 2013

only to Sydney Australia. In addition, there are fewer than 40 large sheep ranchers left in Idaho. If the Ketchum Ranger District is successful with its plans, the number is likely to be 39.

One of our favorite events every fall is Ketchum’s Trailing of the Sheep Festival.

It was started by the Peavey family and has since been embraced by the community. It’s an ongoing effort to educate people about the sheep industry. Thousands of people who like to eat lamb, wear wool, and observe the longstanding traditions of sheep ranching show up for the event every year.

And they come from all over the world. In addition, it’s become a cultural event that honors the Basques, Peruvians, Scots and others who have been integral in the development and history of the industry.

Sheep only graze on Forest Service land for a short time each summer. Grazing season runs from late June to early August on most allotments. We honestly hope that someone inside the Forest Service will stop to consider what Idaho has to lose by closing more grazing allotments and we sincerely hope they will conclude that our state’s heritage matters.

A group of farmers recently met with Senator Mike Crapo in an onion field near Meridian to discuss implementation of a new FDA rule that would restrict irrigation use based on water quality.

Farmers Discuss Potentially Damaging FDA Rule with Senator Article and photos by Jake Putnam A group of concerned farmers recently met with Idaho Sen. Mike Crapo in an onion field near Meridian to discuss proposed federal rules governing irrigation water quality.

The rulemaking process of the Food Safety Modernization Act is underway. Overseen by the US Food and Drug Administration, the law could require farmers who grow crops that are consumed raw, such as onions, carrots, lettuce and many others, to be irrigated with potable water.

“We’re here talking about a very critical issue threatening Idaho right now,” said Senator Crapo. “It started with the Food Safety Modernization Act and it passed

without support of the Idaho Congressional Delegation.”

The new water quality rule falls under the umbrella of the Food Safety Modernization Act, passed by Congress three years ago.

The new rule requires weekly testing of all agricultural water, including irrigation water at a cost of more than $40 a week.

“We could see back when we voted against it that it would lead to a new regulatory regime that could be damaging to Idaho agriculture with little benefit to food safety,” said Crapo.

Crapo says the FDA’s proposed water standards for irrigation water are unrealistic.

“We’re talking swimming pool standards.

These rigid requirements could shut down irrigation water in Idaho if implemented,” said Crapo.

Norm Semanko of the Idaho Water Users Association says his group delivers water to 2 million acres of farmland in Idaho and this threat to irrigation water is serious.

“We’re very concerned about this,” Semanko said. “We have until November 15th to submit comments and we need to convince the FDA that the proposed standards make no sense. It’s a standard we can’t meet.”

Isolated food poisoning cases led the FDA to write the tougher rules on coliform bacteria in irrigation water. If levels of bacteSee FDA RULE page 8

Idaho Farm Bureau producer / SEPTEMBER 2013

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FDA RULE

Continued from page 7

ria exceed the FDA’s standard, the farmer must stop irrigation until the water is in compliance. In Idaho that could mean drying up a crop.

Dennis Tanikuni of the Idaho Farm Bureau says the proposed rule could change the face of agriculture.

“This proposed rule is a threat to farms using surface irrigation and that’s just about all of Idaho. It really doesn’t matter what crop, they all fall under the proposed rule and it could stop current farm operations,” said Tanikuni.

Senators Crapo and Jim Risch are working to stop the new rule by attacking its funding.

“I’ve introduced the SCRAP Act or stop costly regulation against produce act which would de-fund the FDA’s regulatory activities,” Crapo said. “We’re now looking for opportunities to attach this act to an appropriate bill as they move through the House and Senate. We want to cause sufficient push-back to stop the FDA from this unnecessary and devastating rule.”

Idaho Senator Jim Risch weighed in on the

issue from Washington.

“It is unfortunate that the FDA is working to find a solution to a problem that they created,” said Risch. “This proposed rule creates needless burdens and costs at a time when we should do more to assist the agricultural industry in keeping food safe and affordable for Americans.”

Idahoans can comment on the new rules at the FDA website: http://www.fda.gov/Food/GuidanceRegulation/FSMA/default.htm

Most produce grown in the United States is designated as low risk. The FDA says that even low risk crops should be subject to the new rules even with excellent safety records.

“FDA should focus its efforts on proven risks, not impose costly regulatory burdens on producers based on hypothetical evidence,” said Crapo. “Such actions place major impacts on Idaho agriculture by driving up costs on small and mid-sized farmers and that means significant drops in food production and higher prices.”

Kay Riley is the former president of the National Onion Association and partners with Snake River Produce in Canyon County.

He says Idaho onions are safe.

“We’ve operated with the same water for over a hundred years. We’ve never had a food safety illness associated with dry bulb onions, nor any of the other crops,” said Riley.

Riley adds the cost of monitoring irrigation water is expensive and foolish.

“The new rule would require weekly testing. There are 1,900 onion fields in the Treasure Valley and with an average of 15 test periods that adds up to 28,000 water tests at $40-dollars per test. That adds up to $1.1 million dollars. If we exceed rule standards, we have to quit using the water or treat it and I think treating that much water is absurd.”

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Onions are one of many crops that would be heavily regulated under the Food Safety Modernization Act.

Idaho Farm Bureau producer / SEPTEMBER 2013

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Focus on Agriculture

TV Celebrates Food, Offers Farmers Opportunities to Connect

By Robert Giblin Cooking shows have tantalized American palates since the advent of television and they continue to affect how consumers perceive food and agriculture.

Noted chef and cookbook author James Beard was the first host of a national cooking show in the U.S. Borden and Elsie the Cow presented Beard on NBC’s “I Love to Eat,” in 1946, but its viewers weren’t drinking milk.

Few post-war households had TVs; the show mostly played to taverns full of men waiting to watch televised boxing matches.

Today, as the Food Network celebrates its 20th anniversary, its shows are watched by more than a million viewers nightly.

Daytime shows often feature cooking techniques, but evening shows combine consumer fascination with sports, and their desire to connect with food. Evening contest shows— “Chopped,” “Top Chef,” “Iron Chef,” “Food Network Star,” “Master Chef,” “Hell’s Kitchen”—frequently place high in prime-time TV ratings.

A popular contest show, “Throwdown with Bobby Flay,” helped pave the way to TV stardom for author, blogger, photographer and food writer Ree Drummond, who lives on a working ranch in Oklahoma.

In a contest judged by country singer Trisha Yearwood— 10

also host of “Trisha’s Southern Kitchen”—Drummond beat Flay in a Thanksgiving cookoff. Her “Pioneer Woman” show and blog may be all that millions of consumers ever see of animal agriculture and rural life. Her blog draws millions of page views annually, has won numerous awards and in 2009 was named by “Time Magazine” as one of the world’s 25 best blogs.

Barbeque is surging in popularity, in part fueled by coverage of contests and TV features about great barbeque restaurants.

Barbeque contests are celebrations of meat—chicken, pork ribs, pork shoulder or butt, and beef brisket. Since its humble establishment in the mid-1980s, the Kansas City Barbeque Society has grown to be one of the largest contest organizations in the U.S. It sponsors about 450 events, with nearly 18,000 members and 13,000 certified judges. Many KCBS contests are closely tied to agriculture, with events at fairs, rodeos, beef and pork organization events, and the American Royal Horse and Livestock Show.

TV contest formats—such as the “Chopped” mystery ingredient bag, “Iron Chef” secret ingredient and “Cupcake Wars” theme—have helped bring new contestants and breathe new life into fairs and 4-H contests all over the country. Local contests have proven highly attractive to sponsors, particularly ag

Idaho Farm Bureau producer / SEPTEMBER 2013

commodity groups.

Contest shows do little to teach cooking skills to viewers, but banter among the judges has helped educate consumers about ingredients, commodities and how dishes should look and taste. However, some of their biases also influence consumer perceptions about agriculture and production practices.

As experts such as “Supermarket Guru” Phil Lempert earlier predicted, celebrity farmers are starting to take their place alongside celebrity chefs. This

shift provides farm and ranch families and commodity groups with more opportunities than ever to present perspectives and information to consumers through TV cooking shows, social media sites, events and contests, all building on the success of food TV trends.

Robert Giblin is an occasional contributor to the Focus on Agriculture series.

He writes, speaks and consults about agricultural and food industry issues, policies and trends.

State and federal officials are working with landowners to rehabilitate portions of Raft River.

Photo courtesy of the Idaho Soil and Water Conservation Commission

Idaho SWC Works With Landowners to Improve Water Quality

By Steve Stuebner More than 10 years ago, water quality monitoring data showed that the Raft River, a tributary of the Snake River, needed attention. Raft River flows from its headwaters in Utah more than 75 miles through public grazing lands, private grazing lands, feedlots and fields to join the Snake in Cassia County. In 1994, Raft River was listed as a degraded water body in the state’s list of Section 303(d) impaired waters. High levels of bacteria

and sediment, low dissolved oxygen, and elevated temperatures were cited as issues that needed to be addressed.

The first major effort to improve the water quality in Raft River occurred in 19992000, when landowners worked together with the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and the East Cassia Soil and Water Conservation District on a wide array of improvement projects funded by the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality through a $281,333

water quality grant (including $112,515 in local matching funds). It was called the Raft River Riparian and Watershed Demonstration Project.

At the time, a number of landowners had expressed interest in making improvements to address water quality issues, said Carolyn Firth, an agricultural water quality specialist for the Idaho Soil and Water Conservation Commission.

See RAFT RIVER, page 12

Idaho Farm Bureau producer / SEPTEMBER 2013

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RAFT RIVER

Continued from page 11

One of the property owners had a feedlot located right on top of Raft River, she said.

Grant money allowed the feedlot to be moved to an upland area to stop direct water quality impacts.

Many other improvements occurred in the years to come to stabilize the streambanks of the Raft River and its tributaries, install erosion-control best management practices (BMPs), and revegetate barren areas. Between 1999 and 2008, specific improvements included: Replacing 24 nonfunctional diversion structures to improve management of irrigation water.

Installing 41 rock drop structures to stabilize stream gradients.

Installing 20 loose rock crossings to protect stream beds and banks.

Anchoring trees into the sides of the stream bank for 3,297 feet and applying rock rip rap to stop stream bank erosion.

Livestock access controls 104,486 linear feet of fencing across 3,598 acres.

Planting conservation cover crops on 18,574 acres of land, and willows on 12,000 feet of streambanks.

Adopting contour farming practices on 5,426 acres of land.

Installing 23 water and sediment control basins.

Writing and adopting nutrient management plans for 5,980 acres of land.

12

Approximately 43,600 acres of land were removed from production through the Conservation Reserve Program.

The SWCC played a key role in providing technical and financial assistance to help landowners convert from flood to sprinkler irrigation.

This conservation practice eliminated runoff from irrigation return flows into Raft River, a major factor in reducing bacterial sources.

In 2006, staff members from the Conservation Commission, the Idaho Association of Soil Conservation Districts, and the East Cassia SWCD worked together to develop the Raft River TMDL Implementation Plan for Agriculture.

The plan outlined an adaptive management approach for implementation of BMPs to reduce sediment levels, bacteria and temperature. The TMDL plan identified potential pollution sources as confined animal feeding operations, septic systems as well as farming and grazing activities.

In the upland areas of the watershed, the U.S. Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management made improvements with cooperating cattle ranchers to install watering troughs, riparian fencing and other livestock exclusion practices on federal lands to improve water quality.

Additional BMP improvements (including sprinkler conversions) were funded by a $250,041 grant from the Conservation Commission’s Water Quality Program for Agriculture (WQPA) pro-

Idaho Farm Bureau producer / SEPTEMBER 2013

gram, including $62,510 in local matching funds. Irrigation conversion projects were also funded by the NRCS Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP).

BMP implementation efforts are helping to restore the Raft River. Water quality samples collected in the summers of 2010 and 2011 in an un-named tributary of Cottonwood Creek, a Raft River tributary stream, showed that bacteria levels ranged from 34.5 to 205 col/100 mL, well below the instantaneous water quality standard of 576 cfu/100 mL. On the basis of these data, Idaho DEQ is proposing to

remove the bacteria impairment for a 19.1-mile section of Raft River from the state’s 2012 list of impaired waters.

Monitoring has not yet been completed in adjacent assessment units.

The Raft River restoration projects have been a highlight of Firth’s career. “That’s been my favorite conservation project,” she says. “It took a lot of different agency partners, grant funding and willing landowners to install a lot of best management practices in the watershed. I think the water quality of Raft River will continue to get better.”

Farmers are harvesting grain this month all over the state. Test weights and prices are down from last year in most areas.

Farmers Wrapping up Grain Harvest Article and photos by Jake Putnam

triumphs and challenges as farmers.”

EMMETT - Gem County Farm Bureau President Vaughn Jensen ended his 2013 wheat harvest with a bang.

Lawmakers rode in combines with farmers and a few took over the controls.

“They experienced the dust, and the feel of the combine,” added Jensen.

Jensen participated with several other local farmers in Idaho Farm Bureau’s Second Annual Harvesting with Legislators event. Several urban lawmakers were invited to help harvest wheat and learn about Idaho agriculture in the process.

“We wanted our lawmakers to get an inside look at wheat harvest,” said Jensen.

“We like to bring out legislators from the more urban districts to help them gain a little more understanding of our

Thanks in part to lawmakers; the 2013 wheat harvest is nearly completed. The Idaho Wheat Commission says this year is as good as 2012.

“Test weights are off from last year,” said Blaine Jacobsen, executive director of the Idaho Wheat Commission. “Protein is up slightly but overall yields will be at last year’s levels. It is up in some places and off in others. Thankfully it evens out.

Jacobsen says this could have been a banner year but the chilly spring got the crop off to a slow start.

Some east Idaho farmers had problems caused by lack of water and those harvests are coming in short. Areas around Lewiston were dry and stressed but south central and southwest reported good harvest numbers, according to Jacobsen.

Domestic market prices were flat all season and not expected to improve much this fall.

“Market prices are down because corn See GRAIN HARVEST page 14

Idaho Farm Bureau producer / SEPTEMBER 2013

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GRAIN HARVEST

Continued from page 13

Several urban legislators joined farmers in Gem County in August to participate in and learn about wheat harvest.

The event was sponsored by the Idaho Farm Bureau.

is down,” he said. “The price of wheat is somewhat tied to corn and because of abundant stocks of corn and wheat, it’s down this year. It’s off a buck from where it was last year.”

Robert Blair, who farms near Kendrick, agrees.

“Yields are all over the board because we had heat damage early,” Blair said.

“That said, we had some areas where we did 120-130 bushels per acre, then places where we didn’t cut anything. It was a very different year but despite all that, our numbers are comparable to last year and last year was a good year.”

Bryan Searle of Shelly says his crop was above average despite a late frost.

“Our proteins were up, yields were 14

up, we had a field with some disease but even that field did average,” Searle said. “We started off terribly because the wheat blew over in May. Then there was all that cold weather, but we did just fine. We contracted ahead and because of that we’ll do okay even with market prices off a buck or two.”

Jacobsen said a good wheat crop is good news for Idaho’s economy.

“The wheat harvest is about 100 million bushels and wheat is grown in 42 of Idaho’s 44 counties,” he said. “Wheat and grains are the second largest revenue crop for the state and last year’s crop was worth about $800-million.”

Most of the state’s farmers are wrapping up wheat harvest by early September,

Idaho Farm Bureau producer / SEPTEMBER 2013

but combines will roll until October in eastern high elevation farms.

“On Average, by the first of September we will be 85-90-percent harvested” said Jacobsen. “There are a few areas that linger because it takes longer at those elevations for the wheat to ripen, so the third week of September we usually have the harvest in.”

Brokers will ship half of the 2013 crop overseas.

“Nearly everything north of the Salmon River is exported and then selected parts of southern locations are shipped to Portland. Japan is the number one export market and they buy the softSee GRAIN HARVEST page 26

Small Hydropower, Rural Jobs Bill Passes Senate

By Jake Putnam WASHINGTON-Idaho Senator Jim Risch recently praised the Senate’s unanimous passage of the Bureau of Reclamation Small Conduit Hydropower Development and Rural Jobs Act. The bill passed the U.S. House of Representatives in April. The legislation authorizes hydropower development on nearly 47,000 miles of canals throughout the West. That means job creation in small towns throughout the West and also provides inexpensive, clean electricity.

“One of the best sources of renewable, clean, energy is hydroelectric,” said Senator Risch. “Signing this bill into law will allow further modernization of conventional water canals, conduit piping, and irrigation ditches with new conduit hydropower technology, thereby expanding hydropower technology in Idaho and other western states. This bill will streamline federal bureaucracy and eliminate red tape. It will also provide great opportunities for Idaho canal companies and irrigation districts to expand agriculture projects, create new jobs, and generate new clean energy. I eagerly await this bill becoming law”

“Hydropower developers will soon have the certainty they need to create rural jobs and lower electricity prices for American families,” said Barrasso.

“Wyoming and other states with many potential Bureau of Reclamation sites will now be able to fully embrace hydropower’s potential. I encourage the President to sign this bill into law immediately. Congress must also continue to come together to remove more Washington red tape and clear the way for more American energy development.”

See HYDROPOWER page 26

Idaho Farm Bureau producer / SEPTEMBER 2013

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Idaho Farm Bureau producer / SEPTEMBER 2013

Idaho Farm Bureau producer / SEPTEMBER 2013

17

Monitoring for Forest Health

By Chris Schnepf It can be disheartening to see trees dying on your property. One of the primary goals of forest owners is to have a healthy forest, and to most, that means healthy, living trees. Every tree species has insects and diseases that attack it - native insects and diseases are a natural part of the forest. However, sometimes these organisms damage more trees than we want them to, especially if we have (usually unintentionally) created a favorable environment for them.

Integrated Pest Management One of the growing themes in agriculture over the last 50 years has been the concept of “Integrated Pest Management,” often referred to by its acronym “IPM.” Integrated pest management can be defined and described many different ways, but most discussions of it include an emphasis on: Planning: Systematically thinking about the range of pests that can attack a plant before they become a problem, in the context of how the plant is grown, and planning strategies preventing them and dealing with them as needed.

Monitoring: The plants are monitored to detect the presence of critical plant pests.

The goal is to stay on top of whether a pest is reaching a level that affects the health of the plants.

Monitoring for blister rust cankers is important for managing young white pine trees.

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Idaho Farm Bureau producer / SEPTEMBER 2013

Thresholds and Decision Rules: How much of a problem does the pest have to be? Simple presence of a pest isn’t necessarily a problem, if the plants’ health is not too adversely affected, relative to management goals and the cost of treatment.

Some damage can often be tolerated.

Action. If a pest reaches a critical threshold, some kind of action is taken to reduce the level of the pest to where it does not cause significant damage.

Much of the focus of IPM in agriculture has been on insect or disease problems that typically involve some type of intervention with a pesticide. The goal with an effective IPM program is to use monitoring and cultural practices to use as little pesticide as possible in a carefully targeted, strategic way.

Monitoring Trees As with agricultural applications of IPM, it is important for forest owners to monitor their forest trees, for example: Which species of tree is being affected?

Are whole brown?

trees

turning

Are tree crowns slowly fading or thinning?

Is there heavy needle or leaf loss (where they are being lost?) or evidence of insect feeding?

Are leaves/needles or abnormal?

Are there dead branches?

Is growth slowing significantly?

Are conks or mushrooms growing out the tree’s trunk?

These symptoms can be caused by insects, disease, animal

damage, old age, trees competing with each other, normal tree development (e.g. lower branches being shaded out by branches higher in the tree), environmental factors such as drought, or some combination of all these factors. The symptoms may or may not indicate a problem, depending on their extent, what is causing them, and the landowner’s goals and objectives for the site.

Noticing tree symptoms is only the beginning. Ultimately forest owners also need to determine what is causing symptoms and whether it is something that could kill the entire tree or other trees. Many of the things that affect forest trees also affect landscape trees. If you can bring a sample or photos into your local extension office, they should be able to help you identify the cause. If they are available, a local state forester may be able to visit the site and help you assess the question as well. Note that simply identifying an insect or disease that can kill a tree doesn’t mean it is a problem. Most of the organisms that kill trees are native to our forests, and occur at some endemic level most of the time.

Monitoring Forest Conditions is Most Important Ultimately, monitoring symptoms of dead and dying trees is much less important than monitoring forest conditions that favor the insects or diseases common to your area. Unfortunately, many people do not act on insect and disease issues until they see dead branches or similar visible symptoms. Successful methods to minimize forest insects and disease problems are usually preventative, before problems are noticed.

Bark beetles usually turn tree crowns red within a year of attack.

In this sense, foresters have been practicing integrated pest management since the days of Gifford Pinchot. Various pesticides have only occasionally been an option in forestry, due to their expense and practicality. For example, it is difficult to get any kind of chemical to a bark beetle after they have burrowed into the tree. The primary use of pesticides in forestry has been with defoliating insects, and that is relatively rare. Foresters have focused primarily on managing forests to be naturally resilient to insects and disease.

The two most critical characteristics to monitor for forest health are species composition and stand density (the number of trees per acre, basal area, stand density index, etc.). For example, is your forest heavily composed of species that are highly vulner-

able to key insects or diseases common to the area? Does your forest have too many stems per acre (a common invitation to bark beetles)?

In North America, we commonly manage forests in ways that mimic some stage of how forests grew here historically.

Since we are managing natural systems, it is valuable to gain some deeper understanding of the ecology and succession patterns that occurred historically where your forest is located. Foresters commonly try to mimic the forest conditions that were the most resilient in the face of various insects, diseases, fire, and climate extremes that occurred in an area over the long term (say, 50150 years). Some of this could change depending on what happens locally with climate See UI FORESTRY page 28

Idaho Farm Bureau producer / SEPTEMBER 2013

19

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Idaho Farm Bureau producer / SEPTEMBER 2013

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Idaho Farm Bureau producer / SEPTEMBER 2013

21

Owyhee County Farmer Creates Wildlife Habitat With Conservation Plan

By Steve Stuebner Jump Creek is well-known as a popular recreation destination near Marsing, Idaho. As Jump Creek flows out of the front range of the Owyhee Mountains, the water passes through a slot canyon and pours over a spectacular 100-foot waterfall that’s a short hike from a BLM parking area.

When Jump Creek exits the Owyhee Mountains, it flows into the farm country. Over the years, excess sediment loads from farming and grazing

operations has caused Jump Creek to be listed as a degraded stream on the state’s 303(d) list of impaired waters.

Local farmer Richard Rausch stepped forward in 2002 to work with the Idaho Soil and Water Conservation Commission, the Owyhee Soil and Water Conservation District and the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) to install a number of conservation practices on his 712-acre farm to improve irrigation efficiency, reduce sediment flows into Jump Creek and create wildlife

habitat.

Five years later, Rausch is happy with the results. “It’s worked out really well,” he says. “I like every bit of it.”

The $243,500 project was financed through state costshare funds via the Conservation Commission’s Agricultural Water Quality Program ($69,811), federal cost-share funds via NRCS’s Equip program ($57,500) and Rausch contributed $116,200. To qualify for government assistance to help pay for improvements,

Rausch developed a conservation plan on his property with the assistance of the NRCS and the Conservation Commission.

The plan includes: Increasing irrigation efficiency by installing pivot irrigation equipment on several fields.

Adding pivot irrigation to a previously non-irrigated field to increase his cropland.

Fencing the riparian area along Jump Creek.

Installing watering facilities away from the creek for livestock.

Stabilizing the Jump Creek stream channel and channel banks to reduce soil loss and sediment flow into the creek.

Converting a 28-acre field from pasture to wildlife habitat, including a wildlife pond.

Installing two V-weirs in Jump Creek in the wildlife habitat area to slow down the water and create more pool and riffle habitat for aquatic species.

Planting grasses, forbs, shrubs and trees along the riparian area to assist with stream bank stability and enhance wildlife habitat.

Installing two hardened crossings on Jump Creek for livestock to pass through without stirring up sediment.

By adding more irrigated cropland to his operation, Rausch has increased crop yields. He grows mostly feed corn to supply nearby dairies with cattle

Members of the Idaho Soil and Water Conservation Commission inspect a project they helped with in Owyhee County.

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Idaho Farm Bureau producer / SEPTEMBER 2013

See OWYHEE WATER page 29

Idaho Farm Bureau producer / SEPTEMBER 2013

23

Grain Marketing with Clark Johnston

1.5 Billion Bushel Corn Carryover Likely

It’s been two months since my last report and the corn crop is still looking to be close to 13.8 billion bushels. The December futures contract did move lower finding support once we traded close to $4.45 per bushel. As we experienced in the middle of August, the Relative Strength Indicator reached a level of support and the December Corn futures moved close to 40 cents higher in a week.

With the real possibility of the large crop, the market could be range bound over the upcoming marketing year. If this is the case the technical traders could have a larger impact on the movement of the futures. The price movement may not be as large as we have experienced in recent years but, there is a real possibility of good volatility as the traders attempt to make their money using smaller but more frequent moves.

Unless we see something very dramatic happen this year to reduce our total production or increase the demand side of the equation we will end the year with a 1.5 billion bushel carry over. With this being the case it is going to be important to keep an eye on the spreads between the different contract months.

Currently we are seeing carry charges from the December 13 futures contract all the way into July of 2015. Granted the monthly carry isn’t close to a full carry but, it is more than we have seen over the past few years.

With the large carryover we could see the spreads widen thus giving us opportunities to price our 2014 crop ahead of planting.

When contracting this far ahead it usually is good to use either a futures only contract with the elevator or sell your own futures contracts. This will give you the opportunity to lock in the basis at a later date after the basis has strengthened.

Even though we are looking at a large corn 24

crop there remains the possibility of basis remaining strong as the amount of bushels that are still in farmer hands looks to be very large. Areas in the western Corn Belt have indicated that as much as 80 percent of the crop is still on the open market. I would dare say however that even with a large amount still not under contract the producers have their crop hedged with either options or futures. This could give them some flexibility in contracting their crop. Since they could be pricing off of a much higher futures price they just might wait to see if basis levels strengthen as we move into the winter months.

In the wheat market the easy winter wheat acres are now either planted or in the process of being planted. When I say easy I mean the acres that usually are planted without having to compete with other crops.

With the Hard Red Winter wheat stocks on the low side we continue to see the spread between Kansas City and Chicago wheat strengthen. The spread to keep an eye on will be the Chicago wheat to Corn. This is currently trading in the area of $1.75. The opinion of some in the trade is that this will need to move closer to 75 cents in order for soft red wheat to continue to move into the feed rations.

This could be significant to the local soft white market. Soft white bids are being posted more and more as a basis number.

The basis during harvest was very strong when compared to the last 5 years. If Chicago wheat does move lower we could either see soft white move lower with soft red or see the local basis strengthen. Either way it does looks like now could be good time to hedge any of our 2013 crop that we still need to merchandise. As you move forward in implementing your merchandising plan keep in mind the possibilities that will present themselves when you separate futures

Idaho Farm Bureau producer / SEPTEMBER 2013

Clark Johnston

and basis rather than just looking at the cash price. Granted it does eventually come down to the cash price but, when we look at basis and futures you will begin to see the opportunities to increase your profitability.

When it comes to merchandising your commodities as well as buying your feed it is important to remember that it is not, “one size fits all.” What works for one may not work for another.

Over this past year the Idaho Farm Bureau Federation has implemented a couple of programs to assist you in your individual merchandising objectives. The first is the GrainBridge program. This is a very good, user friendly tool that helps you determine your price objective as well as commodities to plant if you have some swing acreage.

(Yes, I did say User Friendly) The second is where we will sit down with you individually and assist you in understanding the futures markets and basis and how to use them in your operation.

For information on using the programs offered by the Farm Bureau Contact, Peg Pratt in the Pocatello office. 208-239-4228 or ppratt@idahofb.org 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 fires are exacerbated by the mismanagement of these natural treasures. Government regulators and federal courts have restricted proper forest management so that the federal lands have become tinder boxes waiting for the next lightning strike. Examples of the mismanagement are: wildfires are the biggest threat to the protected sage grouse populations and yet the courts restrict or prohibit grazing, the greatest preventer of wildfires; and on forest lands, timber harvest has been curtailed to such an extent that the forests are overgrown, unhealthy and explosive. The federal government is not managing these resources well.

There is a growing movement in the West to wrest control of many of the federal lands to the control and management of the states. State lands are managed differently and more effectively, establishing a pattern for wise management. Wise management reduces fire loads and the severity of fires.

The Idaho Legislature appointed a Federal Lands Interim Committee to evaluate the

feasibility of transferring federal lands to the state. I encourage you to review the committee’s website for additional information (http://legislature.idaho.gov/sessioninfo/2013/ interim/lands.htm).

State lands can be managed better, but as one noted professor referenced, that will only happen if the lands transferred are not encumbered with the same rules, regulations, and objectives as the current federal lands are. If the newly acquired state lands were managed the same as the federal agencies, the expected outcome would be the same as we currently have. Legal authorities and experts on the issues for public lands, natural resources, and constitutional law believe there are credible legal arguments supporting the growing demand that the federal government relinquish certain public lands within the States.

Prior to establishing the U.S. Forest Service in 1905, President Theodore Roosevelt stated: “And now, first and foremost, you can never afford to forget for a moment what is the object of our forest policy. That object

is not to preserve forests because they [are] beautiful, though that is good in itself; nor because they are refuges for the wild creatures of the wilderness, though that, too, is good in itself; but the primary object of our forest policy, as of the land policy of the United States, is the making of prosperous homes. … Every other consideration comes as secondary. You yourselves have got to keep this practical object before your minds: to remember that a forest which contributes nothing to wealth, progress, or safety of the country is of no interest to the Government, and should be of little interest to the forester.

Your attention must be directed to the preservation of forests, not as an end in itself, but as the means of preserving and increasing the prosperity of the nation.”

We know that the status quo is not working.

We are not using the public lands as intended or to their best use. If we don’t use these federal lands properly, we will lose them to fire, as current fires demonstrate. Let’s give the federal land transfer to state control a serious discussion. Then maybe, we can move out to the back porch again.

Idaho Farm Bureau producer / SEPTEMBER 2013

25

HYDROPOWER

Continued from page 15

The Senate now sends the “Bureau of Reclamation Small Conduit Hydropower Development and Rural Jobs Act” to the President’s desk to be signed into law.

Background: Senator Risch along with Senator John Barrasso (R-WY), originally introduced the Act in the Senate on February 13, 2013. Senators Mike Crapo, Mike Enzi and Jeff Flake were co-sponsors of the Bill.

Western rural water and irrigation districts and electric utilities wanted to develop hydropower on Bureau of Reclamation water canals and pipelines. Ac-

cording to a Bureau of Reclamation report in 2012 Idaho and Wyoming had hundreds of Bureau of Reclamation canal sites where small hydropower units could be installed but outdated federal regulations hindered the small hydropower projects, rendering them economically unfeasible.

The “Bureau of Reclamation Small Conduit Hydropower Development and Rural Jobs Act” will enable job creators to invest in domestic energy production by removing duplicative environmental analysis and reducing regulatory costs associated with hydropower development.

In addition, the bill: · Provides America with a cheap and clean source of electricity available through modern technology. · Creates an environment for substantial rural job creation. · Generates federal revenue, as CBO estimates that the bill will generate $5 million in federal revenue over the 2012-2021 period. · Does not harm the environment since the generation units would be placed on already developed ground within existing facilities that have already gone through federal environmental review.

GRAIN HARVEST

Continued from page 14

white wheat. That goes into their sponge breads, cookies and crackers,” said Jacobsen.

The barley crop is also looking above average in the Gem State this year.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture says the Idaho crop should top the 58 million bushel mark, up an estimated 3-6 percent from last year. That adds up to 94 bushels per acre, the high end of the five-year average. Final numbers are expected later in the fall.

Barley yields in dry farmed areas like Caribou County are closer to 45 to 60 bushels per acre rather than 60 to 80 bushels per acre in years past. However, they are still better than last year when hail and wind pounded the crop. Irrigated fields in eastern Idaho are expected to hit their five year average and are on pace with USDA predictions.

National wheat and barley numbers: 26

WHEAT: Projected U.S. wheat supplies for 2013/14 are raised slightly this month as small increases for Soft Red Winter wheat and Durum are mostly offset by decreases for White, Hard Red Spring and Hard Red Winter wheat. U.S. wheat exports for 2013/14 are raised 25 million bushels reflecting continued strong early season sales and an increased outlook for China imports. Despite larger expected crops in several major exporting countries, strong early season demand and higher projected world imports and consumption also boost prospects for U.S. shipments. Ending stocks are projected 25 million bushels lower. The projected range for the 2013/14 seasonaverage farm price is lowered 10 cents per bushel at the midpoint to $6.40 to $7.60 per bushel.

Global wheat supplies for 2013/14 are raised 7.5 million tons with increases in production for several of the world’s largest exporters pushing world produc-

Idaho Farm Bureau producer / SEPTEMBER 2013

tion to a record 705.4 million tons.

Global wheat consumption for 2013/14 is raised 6.9 million tons. Rising world supplies reduce prices and support global consumption growth, thereby limiting the increase in projected 2013/14 global wheat ending stocks to 0.6 million tons.

BARLEY: U.S. barley production was lowered by 1 MBU to 21 MBU due to a slightly lower yield and ending stocks were lowered by 2 MBU to 83 million bu. The average farm-gate price for U.S. barley was tightened to $5.40-$6.40.

Global production was increased by 1.1 MMT to 140.1 MMT, up 8% from last year, and global ending stocks were increased just slightly to 21.9 MMT, up 11% from last year. The 2013 Idaho barley production estimate was lowered to 57.04 million bu. due to slightly lower yields but this is still up 6.2% from last year. Source--World Agriculture Supply and Demand Estimates

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The Idaho FFA Foundation is proud to provide ongoing financial support to career development events and leadership activities that help students develop their potential for premier leadership, personal growth and career success.

The Idaho FFA Foundation, Inc., is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization established in December 1980 to provide financial support for local, district and state programs of the Idaho FFA Association helping meet educational and leadership development needs of youth statewide. For more information please visit our website at: www.idffafoundation.org or, visit us on Facebook.

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

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Idaho Farm Bureau producer / SEPTEMBER 2013

27

U I Forestry

Continued from page 19

over the coming decades, but that makes monitoring even more important.

Forest Health is Not Just About the Trees Healthy forests are not just about healthy trees. Many forest owners value wildlife and biological diversity on their forests as well.

You can monitor other forest conditions related to these values. For example, you can monitor for invasive species such as non-native weeds. If you see plants on your property you don’t recognize, there are usually publications available locally to help you identify them.

You can also bring a sample of the plant into your local extension office for help in identification. If it

28

is weed, you are that much closer to recognizing it and removing it to improve your forests’ health. If it is a native plant, you have enriched your understanding of your forest.

Monitoring is a critical part of growing healthy forests. It is also an occasion where landowners can learn more about how their forest works, which will help them manage more successfully towards their goals.

Chris Schnepf is an area extension educator – forestry – for the University of Idaho in Bonner, Boundary, Kootenai and Benewah counties. He can be reached at cschnepf@uidaho.edu.

Idaho Farm Bureau producer / SEPTEMBER 2013

Root diseases usually fade or thin crowns over a period of years.

Idaho Farm Bureau producer / SEPTEMBER 2013

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OWYHEE WATER

Continued from page 22

feed. By converting to pivot irrigation from surface irrigation on 203 acres on the farm, it reduced sediment loading on Jump Creek by 2.5 tons/acre/year, or about 507 tons per year.

Adding the wildlife habitat has worked well because Rausch is seeing more wildlife than before. “I don’t let people hunt there,” he says. “I see ducks using the wildlife pond, and we’ve got pheasants, quail, hawks and deer. We couldn’t have done a better thing.”

As some staff members from the Conservation Commission visited the property recently to evaluate the conservation measures, they noticed one thing that has occurred over the last four years since the project features were installed -- a lot of weeds and non-native vegetation have sprouted inside the fenced-off riparian

area.

make them better.”

Rausch is contemplating his options to get rid of the weeds. “Everyone is telling me that we need to graze it.”

The Conservation Commission has contributed to developing a water quality improvement plan for Jump Creek, by calculating Total Maximum Daily Loads, and prescribing specific measures to reduce those loads. The progress on that plan is occurring, Trefz says, “but it’s been slowgoing.” Many other farms border Jump Creek before it flows into the Snake River.

More needs to be done, he says.

Delwyne Trefz, a district support and services specialist for the Conservation Commission who has been working with Rausch on maintaining and improving the conservation best management practices, said he is recommending some spot herbicide control and closely managed grazing to eliminate the prolific weed growth and allow native plants to thrive along Jump Creek.

“This project is very dynamic like many projects we manage,” Trefz says. “You do the best you can when you install the conservation measures, but you have to carefully monitor the projects over time, and you’re always tweaking them and trying to

Other than the weeds, Rausch is happy that he participated in the project, particularly because he’s seeing more wildlife around the farm. “One night I looked up and saw all of these ducks in the sky. It was beautiful,” he said. “And then right before it got dark, they all came down and landed in the pond and filled it all up. I’m happy that we created a home for them.”

Richard Rausch is an Owyhee County landowner who cooperated with state and federal agencies to improve water quality on his property.

30

Idaho Farm Bureau producer / SEPTEMBER 2013

County Happenings

Trevor Kauer, right, receives a check for $750 from the Idaho Farm Bureau Scholarship Fund. Presenting the check is James Whittaker, Lemhi County Farm Bureau President.

Remember to unload the round baler when it is parked. Hay just sitting around the hot bearings can catch fire. The John Deere baler was ten days old, and the tractor it is hooked to is not much older. Neighbors saw the smoke, and moved the rake tractor as it was about to burn. The accident happened in mid-August in Bear Lake County.

Photo by Jim Parker

Benewah County Farm Bureau President Del Rust received a mini-grant from the IFBF Women’s Leadership Committee Chairman Carol Guthrie for the county’s Code of the New West project. When completed, the project will feature a website and print materials for those moving into the county and not used to rural life. Mini-grants give counties the opportunity to fund projects they would otherwise be unable to complete. Funding for the mini-grants comes from funds raised during an auction at the IFBF Annual Meeting.

Power County Farm Bureau participated in American Falls Day on August 3 with the Idaho Farm Bureau MAC (Moving Agriculture to the Classroom) trailer. County Farm Bureau volunteers handed out over 200 cartons of chocolate milk.

Idaho Farm Bureau producer / SEPTEMBER 2013

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Idaho Senator Mike Crapo and Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Luna held a press conference recently at an elementary school in Meridian. They announced that Idaho schools would be included in a new school lunch pilot program.

Chobani Awarded USDA School Lunch Yogurt Contract Article and photo by Jake Putnam Idaho Dairy farmer Vernon Teunissen got good news in late August.

Schools across the state will serve Idahomade Greek yogurt this school year.

“Chobani is creating a market share,” said Teunissen. “They’re new here but have large plants on the east-coast. They’re expanding this market share and for them to get this school program is huge. It’s good for us dairy farmers too.”

Greek yogurt has been selected as the yogurt of choice in a new United States Department of Agriculture pilot program that starts later this month.

Idaho already was one of the nation’s fastest growing Greek yogurt production states before the announcement and landing this program greatly impacts local yogurt production.

The pilot program will test cost-effectiveness of offering high-protein Greek yogurt in the school lunch program which feeds 31 million students a month across the U.S. 32

If the program is successful, Greek yogurt could become a permanent part of school lunches nationwide. In addition to New York, Tennessee, Idaho, and Arizona will participate in the pilot program.

Sen. Mike Crapo and State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Luna joined officials from Chobani along with the United Dairymen of Idaho to talk about the program at Pioneer Elementary School cafeteria in Meridian for the announcement.

This is the first time that the popular Greek yogurt will be available as a protein source on school menus in Idaho.

Chobani is well equipped for the challenge.

They have the world’s largest Greek yogurt production facilities and more than 600 workers in Twin Falls County. The company won the competitive bid to supply the special USDA pilot project.

Crapo stressed the program will benefit Idaho.

“This is the kind of announcement I like to be able to participate in -- a win-win-win.

Idaho Farm Bureau producer / SEPTEMBER 2013

A win for the kids, a win for the state economy, for jobs and two important industries in this state,” said Crapo.

Farmers look forward to a new market for their milk.

“I’m very excited about it,” said Teunissen.

“It’s kind of amazing but I actually felt better when I heard they bid on the project and won. They’re the best out there and USDA bids are competitive, yet they won.”

If the program is successful here in Idaho, it could be expanded to other states, and possibly nationwide.

“As part of this program Greek yogurt will be available to all schools,” said State Superintendent of Schools Tom Luna,” “and I encourage all the districts to take part in the program, it’ll make the pilot more successful.”

Crapo says if that if the pilot program works out, Idaho farmers that support dairy like alfalfa and corn growers could also see better market prices for feed.

Teton Basin Wolves Cause Largest-Known Livestock Massacre in Idaho

By Jake Putnam VICTOR – State and federal wildlife officials recently confirmed the largest known livestock depredation event in the last 17 years, occurring in the Pole Canyon area of the Teton Basin. The attack happened on Saturday, August 17.

Sheep ranchers and wildlife officials tallied the dead at 176 lambs and ewes. The majority died from asphyxiation. The flock was owned by the Siddoway family of Terreton.

Todd Grimm of the USDA’s Wildlife Services said federal investigators spent the weekend investigating the incident.

the hill, a few stumbled and fell, they were stampeded over and we counted 176 dead in one pile.”

“The attack occurred south of Victor near Fogg Hill in the Pole Canyon area,” said Grimm. “This was a different situation, sheepherders and dogs were unable to stop the attack.”

The investigation is continuing into the incident, Wildlife managers are working on another wolf attack in the area from last June.

“A herder witnessed the incident and at least two wolves attacked from uphill, above the sheep then attacked the band.

They bit into at least two sheep,” said Grimm. “They got the band running down

The Siddoway Sheep Company said in a news release that they’ve lost more than 250 head of sheep and two guard dogs to wolf, bear and coyote attacks this summer.

ties for us to serve farmers, labor and capital resources.

AFB Acquires Leading Events, Pub- ranchers and the stakeholdData Shows Rapid ers looking to connect with lications Adoption of Biotech them.”

The American Farm BuCrops reau Federation recently announced the acquisition of Cygnus Business Media’s agricultural events and publications. The purchase included five IDEAg branded farm shows—Minnesota Farmfest, Dakotafest, Amarillo Farm and Ranch Show, Northern Illinois Farm Show and the IDEAg Interconnectivity Conference. The business also publishes Feed & Grain Magazine and Case IH’s Farm Forum magazine.

“This acquisition is the union of very strong brands that are deeply-rooted in agriculture,” said AFBF President Bob Stallman. “By joining the Farm Bureau family, these publications and events create additional opportuni-

Cropland Shifts to Larger Farms

The Agriculture Department’s Economic Research Service released the “Farm Size and the Organization of U.S. Crop Farming” report Monday, indicating that cropland has been shifting to larger farms over the past 20-25 years. The report said, “the shifts have also been complex, with land and production shifting primarily from mid-size commercial farming operations to larger farms, while the count of very small farms increases.”

It also determined larger crop farms still have better financial returns and are more likely to intensively utilize

The Agriculture Department’s Economic Research Service recently released data showing the overwhelming acceptance of biotech crops since 1996. Data showed herbicide-tolerant soybean acreage planted went from 17 percent in 1997 to 93 percent in 2013 and herbicidetolerant cotton jumped from 10 percent in 1997 to 82 percent this year. Adoption of all biotech corn made up 90 percent of corn acreage in 2013.

Agriculture Sector Has No Shortage of Jobs

Despite the growing number of students enrolled in ag-

ricultural programs at universities, there continues to be a shortfall in the agricultural industry’s workforce.

A study released by Purdue University shows that between 2010 and 2015, an estimated 54,400 jobs will be created annually in agriculture, food and renewable natural resources. More than 29,000 agriculture students and 24,200 students from other disciplines such as biological sciences and law are expected to fill those jobs, a task that the ag industry is addressing by working on a more modern image to attract employees. Universities are also utilizing college job fairs to promote jobs within agriculture, allowing students to see the growing opportunities. Article from USA Today

Idaho Farm Bureau producer / SEPTEMBER 2013

33

Labels Changed to Keep Up With Health Trends

USDA researchers found food products and beverages are now displaying labels claiming lesser amounts of six nutrients Americans are advised to steer clear of.

Between 25 percent and 44 percent of new food and beverage products claim healthand nutrition-related benefits such as low-fat and sodiumfree. The use of claims on product packaging is intended to entice shoppers to buy one brand over another and boost sales.

USDA Announces Changes and Signup Dates

Spokane — USDA’s Risk Management Agency announced the availability of a separate revenue price for fall and spring wheat for the 2014 Multi-Peril Crop Insurance crop year. RMA also reminds western Washington producers of the upcoming September 30 sales closing date for wheat insurance coverage.

The current wheat policy (with the premium partially paid by USDA) allows producers to choose yield protection, revenue protection with upside/downside price protection or revenue protection with just downside price protection.

34

“The spring wheat type now uses the Minneapolis Grain Exchange (MGE), referencing the September futures contract. Spring and winter wheat projected prices are now both available before the September 30 wheat sales closing date,” said RMA Spokane Regional Office Director Dave Paul. If a policy is purchased by the sales closing date and the producer later decides not to plant either winter or spring wheat, they report zero acres of the respective type and no premium would be due.

The premium billing occurs in August of the year of harvest.

Producers are encouraged to visit their crop insurance agent soon to learn specific details for the 2014 crop year, including insurance for forage production which may be eligible for coverage under a written agreement.

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 www3.rma.usda.gov/tools/ agents.

Precision Agriculture is Gaining Acceptance

Research shows in the past 15

Idaho Farm Bureau producer / SEPTEMBER 2013

years farmers have increased their use of precision-ag technologies, according to the Agricultural Resource Management Survey conducted by USDA’s Economic Research Service. The use of yield monitors has seen the most significant jump, followed by the adoption of guidance systems. In 2010, a variation of precision agriculture was used on more than 70 percent of corn acreage surveyed.

Despite the potential for more production efficiency, the survey also concluded some farmers are slower to incorporate variable-rate technologies possibly because of uncertainty about the economic returns, complex technology and the need for multiple precision technologies to see a financial savings.

Popularity of Robotic Milking Machines

Dairy farmers are turning to robotic systems to milk cows as hired labor becomes more and more difficult to secure.

The cost of a robotic system can be more economical than hiring people to milk cows, according to Tracey Renelt, a South Dakota State University Extension dairy field specialist. Renelt says farmers are using robotic systems to milk cows, monitor body weight and track average

daily milk production. Robotic systems can also detect when a cow is coming down with mastitis or is ready to be bred.

USDA Kicks-off Year Round Health Campaign

The Agriculture Department has launched the “USDA for All Seasons” campaign to motivate Americans to stay healthy and safe year round by using USDA programs and information. USDA agencies will encourage good health and well-being though topics such as “Enjoying the Great Outdoors,” which promotes the Forest Service and its free recreational facilities, and “Keeping Shelves Stocked with Local Produce,” which assists farmers in rural and urban areas to grow fresh produce utilizing conservation tools.

More Than Half of America’s Farmers Provide Wildlife Habitat

Each year, hundreds of thousands of trees are planted on farmland. More than half of America’s farmers intentionally provide habitat for wildlife. Deer, moose, fowl and other species have shown significant population increases for decades. Learn more about U.S. agriculture in the new Food and Farm Facts.

American farm bureau federation news

AFBF’s Stallman: ‘Time for Congress to Get Things Done’ MITCHELL, SOUTH DAKOTA - Farm Bureau is working hard to “Bring the Heat” during the August congressional recess, so members of Congress know they need to get things done when they return to Washington, according to American Farm Bureau Federation President Bob Stallman.

“The farm bill is at the very top of the list of things Congress needs to get done,” Stallman said in remarks presented at IDEAg Dakotafest. “We have to keep the heat on Congress to get a five-year farm bill done this year. It’s premature to even be talking about an extension” of the 2008 legislation, Stallman emphasized.

Although some in Washington have expressed skepticism regarding the speed at which lawmakers will need to act in order to complete a farm bill, Stallman was upbeat.

“There is plenty of time in this Congress to pass a five-year farm bill. We have to stay focused on getting it done,” he said.

ble growers – that have been proposed in the new legislation are not possible if the current farm bill is extended.

Calling a proposed one-year extension of the current farm bill “a cop-out,” Stallman urged farmers and ranchers to keep sending Congress the message that agriculture needs a new, five-year farm bill – nothing less.

Further, a new farm bill would help Congress get the nation’s fiscal house in order by saving about $20 billion compared to the 2008 law.

The number one reason a new farm bill is critical, according to Farm Bureau, is because another extension does not give farmers and ranchers the certainty they need to plan the crops they intend to grow and obtain financing ahead of time.

In addition, policy reforms – such as a larger role for crop insurance as part of the farm safety net, more equity across crops grown and increased support for fruit and vegeta-

“Everyone who eats needs a farm bill.

Please tell your senators and House members to get the job done,” Stallman concluded.

The premier agricultural event in South Dakota, Dakotafest connects leading ag industry manufacturers/providers with decision-making farmers and ranchers from South Dakota, Nebraska, Iowa, North Dakota, Wyoming and Montana.

USDA Report, Survey Data Peg Record Corn Crop WASHINGTON, D.C.– The highly anticipated August World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates report was released recently by the Agriculture Department.

This first report of the year to incorporate farmer survey and field plot measurements to projected yield and production potential indicates a record crop.

“Up to this point, USDA has been using a statistical model for corn that predicts yield based on planting date, rainfall and temperature during the growing season,” said Todd Davis, American Farm Bureau Federation economist. “The August report, through the rest of the year, will incorporate farm production information in the supply and demand estimates.”

August’s WASDE report projected the 2013 corn crop at 13.763 billion bushels, which would be a record crop, if realized, and a 2.98 billion bushel increase from 2012’s drought-stricken crop. The report estimates the 2013 corn yield at 154.4 bushels per

acre, a reflection of the late planting season and cool, dry weather in the western Corn Belt, according to Davis.

The USDA report predicts 2013-14 corn ending stocks to drastically increase from 719 million bushels for 2012-13 to 1,837 million bushels, elevating the stocks-to-use ratio from 6.4 percent to 14.5 percent.

“This means that the U.S. corn market is likely to go from a 23-day supply to a 52day supply of corn. This increase in stocks will cause prices to decline from a marketing-average price of $6.95 per bushel for 2012-13 to a projected $4.90 per bushel in 2013-14,” said Davis.

The 2013 U.S. soybean crop is projected at 42.6 bushels per acre, up 3 bushels per acre from the 2012 yield. The soybean crop is estimated at 3.225 billion bushels, up 240 million bushels from 2012 by 104 million less than the production record set in 2009.

The 2013-14 soybean ending stocks are also expected to increase, though not as sharply as corn, from 125 million bushels in 2012-13 to 220 million bushels in 201314. In turn, the stocks-to-use ratio also will see an increase from a threadbare 4 percent for 2012-13 to 6.9 percent for 2013-14. The projected marketing-year average prices are expected to decline from $14.40 per bushel for 2012-13 to $11.35 per bushel for 2013-14.

“Due to the late planting season for both corn and soybeans, especially in the western Corn Belt, farmers should expect future reports to provide more accurate estimates that may differ significantly from Monday’s estimate,” said Davis. “While the 2013 corn and soybean crops do not look excellent everywhere, the corn and soybean markets are anticipating much larger crops, which will lead to lower prices and tighter profitability margins for 2014.”

Idaho Farm Bureau producer / SEPTEMBER 2013

35

FARM BUREAU COMMODITY REPORT

GRAIN PRICES

Portland:

White Wheat 11% Winter 14% Spring Corn

Ogden:

White Wheat 11% Winter 14% Spring Barley

Pocatello:

White Wheat 11% Winter 14% Spring Barley

Burley:

White Wheat 11% Winter 14% Spring Barley

Nampa:

White Wheat (cwt) (Bushel)

Lewiston:

White Wheat Barley

7/30/2013

8/21/2013

Trend

LIVESTOCK PRICES

7.31 7.79-8.13 8.39 261-267.50

7.34 8.05-8.11 8.36 265-267.25

+ .03 + .26 to - .02 - .03 + .04 to - .25

Feeder Steers

6.54 6.81 7.63 8.75

6.32 6.87 7.58 8.30

- .22 + .06 - .05 - .45

6.25 6.57 7.11 9.17

5.90 6.44 6.89 No Bid

- .35 - .13 - .22 N/A

6.49 6.46 6.96 10.70

6.16 6.51 7.00 8.75

- .33 + .05 + .04 - 1.95

8/20/2013

Trend

135-194 122-171 114-149 90-138

140-195 129-190 120-149 97-138

+ + + +

126-172 120-170 100-141 90-110

125-179 123-158 115-140 83-135

- 1 to + + 3 to + 5 to - 7 to +

70-113 73-99

67-115 81-105

- 3 to + 2 + 8 to + 6

Utility/Commercial Canner & Cutter

60-82 58-71

62-84 60-82

+2 + 2 to + 11

Stock Cows

950-1400

No Bid

N/A

66-99

70-109

+ 4 to + 10

37.00-40.00 40.00-42.00 40.00-42.00

40.00-42.00 No Bid No Bid

+ 1.00 N/A N/A

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

Holstein Steers Under 700 lbs Over 700 lbs

Cows

Bulls

Slaughter

10.75 6.45

10.58 6.35

- .17 - .10

BEAN PRICES:

7.10 194.50

7.12 181.50

+ .02 - 13.00

Compiled by the Idaho Farm Bureau Commodity Division

36

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

7/29/2013

Idaho Farm Bureau producer / SEPTEMBER 2013

Pinto Pink Small Red

5 7 6 7

to to to to

+1 + 19 steady steady 7 12 1 25

Rob, The Table below is ALMOST the same information as above, yo like best.

IDAHO HAY – 8/16/13 Tons: 9,725 All prices are dollars per ton and FOB unless otherwise stated.

IDaho Hay Report

Quality

August 16, 2013 Tons: 7700 Last Week: 9725 Last Year: 13,025

Premium

Compared to last week, all Alfalfa steady. Timothy hay for export steady. Trade moderate with moderate demand. 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.

August 20, 2013 IDAHO---Open-market trading by processors with growers was inactive.

Potatoes UPPER VALLEY, TWIN FALLS-BURLEY DISTRICT, IDAHO 2012 SEASON---Ship-

5 Year Grain Comparison

Grain Prices................08/21/2009...................08/20/2010...................08/24/2011..................08/22/2012................... 8/21/2013 Portland: White Wheat..................... 4.82 .............................6.38 ...............................N/A ............................8.90...............................7.34 11% Winter...................5.09-5.25 ...................6.56-5.60 .................. 8.25-8.44 ......... 9.35-9.60 ..........8.05-8.11 14% Spring.........................6.12 ............................No Bid...........................No Bid.............................9.90.............................. 8.36 Corn...............................151-152.75.................... 182-188.75 ................316-319.25 ..............342-346.50 ..........265-267.25 Ogden: White Wheat..................... 4.40 ..............................5.60 ..............................7.25.............................. 8.00............................ 6.32 11% Winter.......................4.22 .............................5.54 ..............................7.45 ........................... 8.05 ......................... 6.87 14 % Spring...................... 4.96 ..............................6.04 ..............................9.02 ........................... 8.68............................. 7.58 Barley................................. 5.50 .............................6.25 .............................12.45.............................13.50............................ 8.30 Pocatello: White Wheat.....................4.30 .............................5.40 ..............................6.90...............................7.70............................. 5.90 11% Winter.......................4.06 ............................. 5.15 .............................7.44 ............................7.91............................. 6.44 14% Spring........................4.86 ............................. 6.17 .............................8.67 ............................8.39............................ 6.89 Barley................................. 5.21 ............................6.25 ...........................11.67.............................12.81......................... No Bid

Price Range

Avg. Price

2,200

225.00-230.00

229.55

Good

800

200.00

200.00

Fair/Good

1,500

180.00-185.00

181.67

100

185.00

185.00

1000

260.00

260.00

600

170.00

170.0

Fair - Delivered Timothy Grass Large Scale Premium

Alfalfa hay test guidelines, (for domestic livestock use and not more than 10% grass), used with visual appearance and intent of sale Quantitative factors are approximate and many factors can affect feeding value.

POTATOES

Tons

Alfalfa Large Square

Oat

Large Square- Good

http://www.ams.usda.gov/mnreports/ML_GR312.txt USDA Market News, Moses Lake, WA 509-393-1343 or 707-3150

ments 619-556*-392 (includes export of 2-4-2) ---Movement of old crop supplies expected to decrease seasonally. Russet Burbank remaining supplies in too few hands to establish a market.

UPPER VALLEY, TWIN FALLS-BURLEY DISTRICT, IDAHO 2013 SEASON--Shipments 0-4-87 (includes export of 0-0-0) ---Movement expected to increase as more growers begin harvesting new crop. Includes light supplies from Western Idaho. Trading moderate. Prices lower. Norkotah Russet U.S. One baled 5 10-pound film bags non size A mostly 12.00, 50-pound cartons 40-100s mostly 18.00.

Burley: White Wheat..................... 4.10 ..............................5.29 ..............................7.00...............................7.97.............................

11% Winter.......................4.09 .............................5.48 ..............................7.18 ............................7.93.............................

14% Spring........................ 4.74 ..............................6.07 ..............................8.65 ............................8.30.............................

Barley.................................5.00 .............................6.00 ...........................12.50.............................13.00............................

6.16 6.51 7.00 8.75

Nampa: White Wheat (cwt).......... 6.70 ..............................9.50 ............................10.50.............................13.08........................... 10.58 (bushel)...........4.00 .............................5.70 .............................6.30...............................7.85............................. 6.35 Lewiston: White Wheat.....................4.60 .............................6.30 ..............................6.85...............................8.62............................. 7.12 Barley...............................106.50 .......................126.50............................221.50...........................246.50......................... 181.50 Bean Prices: Pintos..................................N/A.................................N/A.................................N/A............................... N/A.........................40.00-42.00 Pinks...................................N/A...............................30.00.............................30.00.............................. N/A .............................N/A Small Reds..........................N/A...............................30.00.............................30.00.............................. N/A................................N/A ***

IDAHO Milk production August 19, 2013 Idaho milk production during July 2013 totaled 1.17 billion pounds, down 1.1 percent from the same month last year, but up 1.6 percent from June 2013, according to the National Agricultural Statistics Service. June 2013 milk production was revised to 1.16 billion pounds, up 2 million pounds from the preliminary estimate.

Milk production in the 23 major States during July totaled 15.7 billion pounds, up 1.2 percent from July 2012. June revised production, at 15.8 billion pounds, was up 1.7 percent from June 2012. The June revision represented an increase of 1 million pounds or less than 0.1 percent from last month’s preliminary production estimate.

Special Note: Due to sequestration, administrative data will be used for all releases of this report through the end of the fiscal year on September 30, 2013. Releases will contain milk production data only. No information on the number of cows or milk per cow will be released. Please check the NASS website at www.nass.usda.gov for any future updates on NASS programs.

Idaho Farm Bureau producer / SEPTEMBER 2013

37

5 Year livestock comparison .....................08/21/2009...................08/20/2010...................08/23/2011.................. 08/20/2012...................8/20/2013 Under 500 lbs.................90-132 ........................101-150 ......................130-188 .....................126-180........................140-195 500-700 lbs..................... 87-115 ..........................95-130 .........................119-153.........................116-164........................ 129-190 700-900 lbs.....................81-100 .........................95-114 .......................107-137.........................115-144........................ 120-149 Over 900 lbs....................85-92 ..........................85-100..........................110-121.........................101-130......................... 97-138 Feeder Heifers Under 500 lbs................. 95-116...........................93-140 .....................115-167.........................117-171........................ 125-179 500-700 lbs.....................85-108 .........................90-118 .......................112-148.........................110-157........................ 123-158 700-900 lbs......................77-93 ..........................89-107..........................103-130.........................105-134........................ 115-140 Over 900 lbs....................78-85 .........................70-97 ..........................85-109............................92-12........................... 83-135 Holstein Steers Under 700 lbs..................52-80 ...........................65-92 ..........................75-110...........................75-110...........................67-115 Over 700 lbs....................44-70 ...........................60-83 ..........................70-104......................... 75-100.......................... 81-105 Cows Utility/Commercial...........35-55.............................47-69.............................63-84........................... 60-83............................62-84 Canner & Cutter..............20-46.............................37-67.............................55-74.............................53-77............................60-82 Stock Cows......................650-850 ......................700-900 ......................675-1200.....................800-1200...........................N/A Bulls – Slaughter............42-62.............................60-80.............................60-94 ...........................72-93...........................70-109

Idaho Cattle on Feed Down 3 Percent from Previous Year

August 23, 2013 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, 2013 totaled 185,000 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, 2013.

Placements of cattle in feedlots with a capacity of 1,000 or more head during July totaled 39,000 head, up 11 percent from July 2012 placements. Marketings of cattle from feedlots with 1,000 head or more during July totaled 48,000 head, up 4,000 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 10.0 million head on August 1, 2013.

The inventory was 6 percent below August 1, 2012. Placements in feedlots during July totaled 1.72 million, 10 percent below 2012. Net placements were 1.66 million head. During July, placements of cattle and calves weighing less than 600 pounds were 390,000, 600-699 pounds were 275,000, 700-799 pounds were 455,000, and 800 pounds and greater were 602,000. Marketings of fed cattle during July totaled 2.00 million, 5 percent above 2012. Other disappearance totaled 64,000 during July, 2 percent above 2012.

Cattle Outlook Merck Animal Health, the manufacturer of Zilmax, a popular feed additive that boosts weight gain, recently announced they were temporarily suspending sales of Zilmax in the U.S. and Canada to study its impact on cattle mobility. Last week, Tyson announced that beginning on September 6 they would stop purchasing cattle fed Zilmax due to concerns about lameness.

USDA’s August WASDE report raised their estimate of 2013 beef production by 207 million pounds (0.82%) and lowered their forecast of the annual average slaughter steer price by $1/cwt. They raised their forecast of 2014 beef production by 25 million pounds and lowered their fed cattle price forecast for 2014 by $0.50/cwt.

USDA continues to forecast record annual average prices both this year and next.

Total red meat and poultry production is forecast to be up 0.4% this year and up an additional 0.8% in 2014.

As of August 11, 64% of corn acres were rated in good or excellent condition. That is unchanged from the week before and up 41 points from a year ago. On August 11, 28% of pastures were rated poor or very poor. That is up 2 points from the week before, but down from 31 points poor or very poor a year ago.

Fed cattle prices were higher on light volume this week. Through Thursday, the 5-area average price for slaughter steers sold on a live weight basis was $123.86/ cwt, up $1.49 from last week and up $3.91 from the same week last year. Steer prices on a dressed basis averaged $196.86/cwt this week, up $3.86 from a week ago and up $7.85 from a year ago.

38

Idaho Farm Bureau producer / SEPTEMBER 2013

This morning, the boxed beef cutout value for choice carcasses was $193.99/cwt, up $5.50 from the previous Friday and up 98 cents from a year ago. The select carcass cutout is at $186.17/cwt, up $4.22 for the week and up $1.39 from the same day last year. The choice-select spread, $7.82, was up $1.27 for the week.

This week’s cattle slaughter totaled 617,000 head, down 2.5% from last week and down 4.0% from a year ago. The average steer dressed weight for the week ending on August 3 was 866 pounds, up 4 pounds from the week before and up 4 pounds from a year ago. Year-to-date cattle slaughter is down 1.5% and beef production is down 0.9%.

Oklahoma City feeder cattle auction prices this week were $3 to $5 higher for steers and for heifers with prices for medium and large frame #1 steers: 400-450# $186-$192, 450-500# $185-$186, 500-550# $177-$186.50, 550-600# $179.50, 600650# $150-$167.50, 650-700# $152.50-$166, 700-750# $148.50-$163.50, 750-800# $139.50-$156.85, 800-900# $143-$154, and 900-1000# $136.50-$141.50/cwt.

The August live cattle futures contract closed at $123.90/cwt today, up $1.40 from last week’s close. The October fed cattle contract settled at $127.92, December at $130.05/cwt. September feeder cattle futures ended the week at $157.67/cwt.

Provided by: University of Missouri

Classifieds

DEADLINE DATES: ADS MUST BE RECEIVED BY

SEPTEMBER 20 FOR NEXT ISSUE.

Farm Equipment

Real Estate/Acreage

Recreational Equipment

Vehicles

New Holland Mower model 1114, hrs. 1,600, $5,000. New Holland Baler model 283, $800. New Holland Bale Wagon model 1032, $1,800. OBO, melrae4@hughes.net or call 208-221-2615.

5 acres with 2 bath,1 bedroom home. 2 car garage. Rexburg, Id. 208-356-4174

37’ Fleetwood 1994 RV, Southwind special edition, with 57,128 miles. Sleeps 6, seats 10. 8 outside storage compartments. Ford 460 fuel injected gas motor, hydraulic jacks, air conditioning. Asking price is $12,000.

Pocatello, Id. 208-251-3435 or 251-4411

1978 Tioga K-model Dodge Motor Home, 20ft, miles 23,963, asking $3,500 OBO, melrae4@hughes.net 208-221-2615

John Deere 3520, 37 HP tractor with loader, scraper and 59” front mount snow blower. Just over 100 hours of use and like new condition. Great for tasks around the place plus a great snow blower. Tire chains included. $29,950. Driggs, Id. Phone 208354-8601 Challenger MT 755, 2209 hrs, annual service

by Western States, 1000 hrs on 25” tracks, Trimble A/S and sprayer control, $172,000.00 Two 500hp US Motors, 480 volt, 3 phase, Inverter duty, hollowshaft irrigation motors, $25,000 each. Call 208-220-5588 or email deegt@aol.com Oliver One Row Potato Digger field ready.

Two, 2500 bu. Grain bins in good condition.

New Albers self-locking stations, 350 holes.

New Cornell chopper pump 4” discharge with 3 hp. 3 phase motor. All at Best offer.

Wendell, Id. 208-536-6448 Balewagons: New Holland self-propelled or pull-type models. Also interested in buying balewagons. Will consider any model. Call Jim Wilhite at 208-880-2889 anytime Help Wanted

Earn $75,000/yr Part Time in the livestock or equipment appraisal business. Agricultural background required. Classroom or home study courses available. 800-488-7570.

Miscellaneous 1976 Ford Engine. 460. With transmission on it. $350 obo Blackfoot, Id 208-782-1937 MK10” tile saw, with diamond blade, pump, stand. Used only 3 or 4 times. $300 firm. Lincoln 220V wire welder SP-130T with large argon gas tank, rolling stand, cover, nice condition. $600 Contact me at crinidaho@ hotmail.com Coeur d’Alene Idaho. 208-6606709

Work hard, earn a good living with Clearwater County, Idaho, feed store. $499,000 with inventory for historic building, warehouse, rental properties. 35+ years selling feed, seed, tack, pet supplies. Owner retiring, will finance. Also selling home w/acreage.

Whipple’s Feed, Orofino, 208-476-4412.

Two building lots in Homedale will carry with $5000 down. $295 per month. Call 208-389-9200

Recreational Equipment 2008 29ft 5th wheel hitch included. Only been used 3 times. Been under shed. Flat Screen TV, AC, two slides. $25,000 OBO. Blackfoot, Id 208-782-1937 Marine engine. 454, new heads and valve job.

Spun #6 rod bearing. $350. Obo Blackfoot, Id 208-782-1937

Trailer Three Horse Slant Trailer: Brand - C&B, Year - 2001. Not used for last 3 years, excellent shape. Back tack room plus extended tack room up front, could be used for sleeping and made into a camper. $6,000.00. Carey, Id. Photos on request. anita.clark44@ gmail.com 208-788-4280 Fully enclosed 3 horse slant load. Dividers, floor mats. Walk in tack. Feed and Equipment rack on top. Good tires, pulls great. Located in Fairfield, Id. $4000. Call 208-404-1305

Wanted Wanted to Buy: Tractor, 175- 200 horsepower.

In like new condition with low hours. Prefer John Deere, but will consider others. Twin Falls, Id. Please call-208-733-364 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

Toyota 21’ motor home, 1992 Itasca Spirit with 82K miles, v6 engine, clean and well maintained. Has flat screen TV & DVD player, gas/electric fridge, 4 burner stove with oven, awning with screen porch, bicycle racks. American Falls, Id 208-226-2393, 208757-0804 Albin 25’ Motorsailer with Yanmar 3GM30F 27 hp marine diesel engine. Sails, Bruce anchor system, sailing dingy with davit system. Completely refurbished interior.

Mounted on aluminum framed, tandem axle “Tropic” trailer and ready for adventure.

American Falls, ID. Call 208-226-2393, or 208-757-0804.

1972 14 ft. Fiberglass Boat & Trailer with a 55 Horsepower Evinrude Outboard Motor and trolling motor. New Gas Can & New Battery. Priced to sell at: $750.00 Photos on request. Carey, Id.for photo’s e-mail anita. clark44@gmail.com or phone: 208-7884280 Camper Trailer - 19’ Salem with equalizer hitch, awning, AC, large fridge, microwave, radio/CD, lots of cupboards, bathroom. Sleeps 4, pulls easily! Very clean. $8,500 OBO. Sandpoint, Id. 208-610-4027 Idaho Farm Bureau producer / SEPTEMBER 2013

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