South Dakota Farm and Ranch

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MARCH 2017

A SHEPHERD’S PARADISE PERFECT CONDITIONS FOR LAMBING

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Importance of genes at bull auctions 15 Backyard farming 24

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On the cover

Cover Photo: An ewe tends to her triplets as they look for another meal. Rufus DeZeeuw raises primarily Su�olks and Hamps, two popular meat breeds of sheep.

Features

Farm and ranch management USDA cost share Mare and foal care Bull auctions Insuring spring crops Recipe Beef up on beef Backyard farming HydroGreen Grassland and woodland statuses

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Publisher RO R Y PA L M Editor L U K E H AG EN Advertising Director LO R I E H A N S EN Layout Design JEN PH I L L I PS South Dakota Farm & Ranch is a monthly agricultural publication dedicated to informing South Dakota area farmers and ranchers about current topics, news and the future of agriculture. This publication fits the niche of our unique farmers and ranchers of South Dakota, and the diverseness we have in our state. Although the Missouri River divides our state, we are all South Dakotans and thank the land for supporting us each and every day.

You, our readers, may be livestock ranchers, or row crop farmers, and everywhere in between, however, we all have a common goal in mind. We feed and support the growing population and want the next generation to find that same love, dedication and support that agriculture can offer.

We’re all South Dakota farmers and ranchers, and with this publication, we want to showcase your successes, new technology, upcoming events, FFA and 4-H club news and much more.

To subscribe to this FREE publication, contact South Dakota Farm & Ranch.

Contact Us PO BOX 1288 • MITCHELL , SD 605-996-5514

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Perfect conditions for lambing

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Farm & Ranch Management Goes Beyond Production SOURCE: SDSU EXTENSION

File Photo

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ROOKINGS — Surviving versus thriving in the midst of market lows depends on management decisions.

“Good producers manage production to the best of their ability; top producers manage the financial components of their business in the same manner,” said Heather Gessner, SDSU Extension Livestock Business Management Field Specialist.

Below Gessner outlines some management practices agriculture producers should implement: • Annually create a balance sheet, projected cash flow statement and profit loss (income) statement.

• Be as familiar with the financial standing of the farm or ranch—gross farm income, working capital and return on assets—as most farmers are familiar with crop yields or weaning weights.

If a producer is not currently creating the financial information for their operation Gessner asks, “Who is?”

“If the banker or accountant creates these documents for a producer, they are likely to have a better understanding of the financial situation of the operation than the producer themselves,” Gessner said. “If someone else is creating and maintaining an operation’s financial statements, as the owner/operator, agriculture producers need to have a clear understanding.”

BECOME THE MANAGER The start of a new year, Gessner said, is a great time to commit to becoming better at managing your business. She suggested starting off by creating financial statements.

BALANCE SHEETS: Take an accurate inventory of everything on your farm. Count the number of head in each pen and record them by sex, weight, age or other identifiers that can be used to place a value on them.

Also, take inventory of grain and other

feedstuff on hand.

For example, a cattle producer would create a list similar to the one below: • Raised replacement heifers, 700 pounds • Purchased aged bulls, 1900 pounds • Raised 3 to 8 year old cows, 1400 pounds • Purchased feeder steers, 500 pounds GRAIN AND FEEDSTUFF EXAMPLES: • Raised corn, kept for feed • Corn, contracted for March delivery • Raised corn stalk large round bales, 1200 pounds each • Raised Alfalfa big square bales, 1700 pounds each • Purchased grass hay, large round bales, 1500 pounds each • Purchased mineral blocks, 50 pounds each The inventory list makes up the asset side of the balance sheet. The liabilities side includes all the loans, account payable balances, and other money due to creditors.

“These balance sheet numbers are then used to formulate many of the financial ratios,” Gessner said. “The ratios can provide trend analysis of your operation. The trends can then be monitored to ensure the operation is thriving or provide feedback for areas of change.”

PROJECTED CASH FLOW: The creation of projected cash flow statements serves as a planning tool.

“By creating a month-by-month cash flow, producers have an enhanced understanding of how much money is required to cover costs, and when it is needed” Gessner said.

Cash flow statements can be used to do everything from making marketing decisions to maximize price and refinance decisions that change the due date of loans to coincide with the marketing plan to provide a budget for the business as well as the family.

PROFIT AND LOSS STATEMENT: The profit and loss statement ties together actions the

operation made, not listed on other financial statements.

“The lack of redundancy is one of the beauties of the statements,” Gessner said.

The profit and loss statement reports the earnings of the operation through mathematical addition and subtraction of income and expense from the gross income.

Examples of items listed on a profit and loss statement include: • Capital gain/loss • Depreciation expense • Non-farm income received • Family living expenses SDSU EXTENSION PROVIDES HELPFUL RESOURCES Financial statements provide the numbers required to create the financial ratios for the operation. The ratios can then be monitored for changes in trends.

SDSU Extension’s Financial Performance Measures Workbook helps agriculture producers easily create the ratios, which includes graphs for some of the most commonly used ratios.

This workbook can be found http://www. s d s ta te .e d u /e co n o m i c s /e x te n s i o n - a n d outreach.

“Opportunities will present themselves in the next couple of years for top producers to expand their operation or make improvements,” Gessner said. “Those individuals that take the management side of their operation as seriously as they take the production side will not only survive low market prices, but may even thrive.”

For more information and guidance, contact Gessner or another SDSU Extension Livestock or Crops Business Management Field Specialist. Visit iGrow.org for a complete staff listing.  MARCH 2017 SOUTH DAKOTA FARM & RANCH 5

USDA provides new cost share opportunities for organic producers and handlers

BY DAVID KARKI SDSU Extension

SowOrganic.com Photo

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n recent times, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has shown increased interest in organic agriculture.

As a result, on Dec. 21, 2016, the USDA announced that starting March 20, organic producers and handlers will be able to visit over 2,100 USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) offices across the country to apply for federal reimbursement to assist with the cost of receiving and maintaining organic or transitional certification.

National Organic Certification Cost Share Program Organic producers through their local FSA office will be able to access organic certification cost-

share reimbursements for up to 75 percent of the organic certification cost. By visiting local FSA offices, producers may also be able to learn about other valuation USDA resources such as farm loans and conservation assistance which can be utilized for overall farm success. These changes are part of the USDA effort to encourage participation in the National Organic Certification Cost Share Program (NOCCSP) and the Agricultural Management Assistance Organic Certification Cost Share Program. Further, it not only provides opportunities for organic producers to access a full range of USDA programs,

6 SOUTH DAKOTA FARM & RANCH MARCH 2017

such as disaster protection and loans for farms, facilities and marketing but also the platform to access information on nonfederal agricultural resources, and get referrals to local experts, including organic agriculture, through USDA’s Bridges to Opportunity service at the local FSA office.

Producer Eligibility Eligible producers include any certified producers or handlers who have paid organic or transitional certification fees to a USDAaccredited certifying agent.

Application fees, inspection costs, fees related to equivalency agreement/arrangement requirements, travel/per diem

for inspectors, user fees, sales assessments and postage are all eligible for a cost share reimbursement from USDA. Once certified, producers and handlers are eligible to receive reimbursement for up to 75 percent of certification costs each year up to a maximum of $750 per certification scope- crops, livestock, wild crops and handling. This announcement also adds transitional certification and state organic program fees as additional scopes. To learn more about organic certification cost share, please visit the USDA FSA website or contact a local FSA office. ď ľ

A Shepherd’s Paradise Weather presenting perfect conditions for lambing

BY ERIN BECK South Dakota Farm & Ranch PHOTOGRAPHY FOR SOUTH DAKOTA FARM & RANCH

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Dawn Stephens assists a lamb at the bottle feeder during nursing time. While lambing is a busy time of year, Stephens enjoyed the hands-on activity in tending their Rambouillet cross sheep. Photo Courtesy of Bill Lee

pring lambing in 2017 has been a shepherd’s paradise, at least where the weather is concerned. While the first few weeks of January were frigid, Mother Nature has smiled on South Dakota sheep producers for the majority of the spring lambing season.

“It’s been a pretty decent winter for lambing,” Rufus DeZeeuw said. “In February, I’m opening the doors to keep things from getting too hot.”

DeZeeuw raises Suffolk and Hampshire sheep as well as cattle near Elkton.

DeZeeuw staggers his spring work by starting lambing in January. By the time the last week of March rolls around with calving season, ewes have finished dropping lambs.

Continued on page 8

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Unclaimed lambs get a meal in a homemade bottle feeder. Photo courtesy of Bill Lee

Continued from page 7

problem.

While DeZeeuw initially designed his lambing barn to feed sheep with a tractor, he quickly saw that valuable barn space would be lost. Opening a big door to provide tractor access during the winter would also allow cold air to waft into the barn. DeZeeuw decided to make better use of space and has lambing pens in the center of the barn instead of a driving alley.

Although this requires that he feed square bales, he believes the trade-off is worth it.

The 2016 lambing season was marked with a set of quadruplets, but

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DeZeeuw admits that he is fortunate to have good facilities to bring the ewes in for lambing. DeZeeuw has been at his current location for 30 years, and in that time he’s swapped out the old outbuildings for cattle working and lambing facilities. Lambing indoors is crucial for DeZeeuw, especially if the ground gets muddy.

“Mud is hard on little lambs,” DeZeeuw said.

Even without the mud, lambing indoors provides its own set of challenges. Keeping the bedding dry is important to prevent dampness and the onset of pneumonia. Proper ventilation is also vital to ensure that ammonia levels don’t become a

Continued from page 8 Left: “Thirteen pounds,” DeZeeuw comments as he weighs a lamb at tagging and docking.

Once the lamb is processed, it will be returned to its mother and turned out into a larger pen to join other ewes and lambs.

‘A peaceful time of year’

Right: DeZeeuw checks on a new set of triplets to make sure they’re healthy. With the unseasonably high temps, he’s kept the barn open for better ventilation to prevent ewes and lambs from getting too warm.

DeZeeuw hasn’t had any ewes drop that many lambs this spring. While twins are ideal, he occasionally grafts a lamb from an ewe with triplets to an ewe who lost a lamb or had a single lamb.

“I’m OK with not getting lots of triplets,” DeZeeuw said. “It’s an extra burden on the ewes.”

For DeZeeuw, lambing time is more stressful than calving. His priority is to be nearby whenever an ewe is lambing and assist as needed.

“Most of the time Mother Nature’s got it figured out,” DeZeeuw said.

Although lambing can be a demanding time of the year, DeZeeuw prefers working with the ewes when lambs need help suckling. He finds ewes much easier to work with compared to cows, which can be aggressive towards intruders around newborn calves.

“That’s the good thing about an ewe,” DeZeeuw said. “You can go in the pen and help the lamb nurse without getting hurt.”

DeZeeuw believes sheep are great projects for teaching kids how to handle and care for livestock, thanks to their manageable size. DeZeeuw has also seen many women successfully manage sheep operations, allowing their husbands to manage other farming endeavors.

“A lot of women are shepherds,” DeZeeuw said. “They tend to be more patient and have more of a feel for birthing than guys do.”

Dawn Stephens hadn’t planned on raising sheep, especially with her full-time job in Sioux Falls. But when her husband took on sheep, she decided to help him with the operation, eventually taking over the management of about 75 head north of Colman. Their turn-of-thecentury barn was used as a lambing shed during February and March each spring.

“I liked working with the ewes and the babies,” Stephens said. “They were small enough I could handle it by myself.”

Stephens found that grafting lambs could be difficult, especially if the ewe refused to claim the lamb. An incidence of one ewe dropping a lamb on an ice pile outside of the barn required that Stephens bring the lamb indoors to warm it up in a sink of water. While she saved the lamb’s life, the ewe would not claim her second lamb. Stephens placed unclaimed lambs on a bottle feeder.

“There’s always challenges with lambing, because ewes can be obstinate,” Stephens said.

While Stephens enjoyed her time raising sheep, the winter of 1996–1997 posed several problems. Daily blizzards made it challenging to keep the feedlot clean. With deer wreaking havoc in the hayshed and coyotes taking out 12 lambs that spring, Stephens decided it was best to sell the flock.

Even with its challenges and frustrations, Stephens enjoyed lambing season.

“I always thought lambing was a peaceful time of year,” Stephens said. “I’d get up at three in the morning, walk across the yard with the dog, hear the owls and see the snow on the ground. I’d walk into the shed and hear who’s lambing.” 

Left: DeZeeuw tags a lamb for identification.

Right: DeZeeuw carries the lamb back to its pen after he’s tagged, tail-docked and weighed the lamb. Keeping the ewe and lambs in a small lambing pen allows DeZeeuw to keep an eye on the lambs and make sure they’re nursing properly before turning them out with the rest of the flock.

MARCH 2017 SOUTH DAKOTA FARM & RANCH 9

Post Foaling Care of Mares & Neonatal Foals

BY LACEY QUAIL

under the direction & review of Rebecca Bott SDSU Extension

File Photo

Neonatal care of the mare and foal is important to the health and wellbeing of both animals.

CARE OF THE MARE

Foaling is a strenuous process. Therefore, it is important to allow the mare time to rest after she has given birth to the foal. It is the mare’s natural instinct to rise shortly after foaling and to start caring for the foal.

Thus, the temptation to intervene should be resisted.

A mare should expel her placenta shortly after giving birth (usually within an hour or two). If the mare does not expel her placenta within the first two hours after foaling, she may have an increased risk for bacterial infections, laminitis, as well as delayed opportunities for rebreeding. However, a horse owner should never pull on the placenta if it is only partially expelled from the mare. This can cause tears in the placenta, which can lead to pieces of the placenta being retained within the uterus and presenting an opportunity for bacteria to 10 SOUTH DAKOTA FARM & RANCH MARCH 2017

thrive. Once the placenta has been expelled, it should be evaluated for any tears, which could be indicative of retained pieces, as well as for the proper coloring (red color on the inside, grey/white color on the outside).

Carefully observe the mare for several days after foaling. Due to the recent abdominal exertion of birth, the mare may experience discomfort when passing feces and may even develop a gastrointestinal impaction. To prevent an impaction, bland feeds with gentle laxative qualities can be added to the mare’s diet in moderation post-foaling. If the mare were to acquire a uterine infection, it would be noticeable during the first few days after foaling. Although a slight discharge from the vulva is expected while the uterus involudes, any abnormal (thick, white/yellow/brown in color, or foul odor) discharge requires veterinary care.

CARE OF THE FOAL

Immediately after being born, it is important to ensure that the amniotic sac is no longer covering the foal’s nose and making difficult the foal’s first breaths. Gently swipe downwards along each nostril to expel fluids out of the nasal passage. A healthy foal will begin breathing well on its own. It is important not to interfere with the bonding between

mare and foal. As such interventions should be attempted with minimal commotion or invasiveness.

Soon after birth, a healthy foal will begin to move about. These movements typically cause the umbilical cord to break. After the umbilical cord breaks, the umbilicus should be dipped in a dilute iodine or chlorhexidine (Nolvasan) solution. The umbilicus should be dipped several times in the first two days of life. This protects the foal from any bacteria that could travel through the umbilicus to the body and cause infection. It is important to observe the navel of the foal for several days to ensure it remains dry and is not bleeding.

After the foal has stood, they will instinctively begin to try and nurse. Although this process may seem slow, horse owners are encouraged to allow the foal to find the mare’s udder on their own. However, assistance may be required if the foal has not found the udder and nursed within the first two hours of life.

Never force the foal’s head to the udder.

Instead, milk out a few drops onto your hand and gently guide the foal to the udder. After a few attempts, the foal should learn where and how to nurse on their own.

Perhaps the most crucial aspect of foal care is ensuring they receive colostrum in a Continued on page 13

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Continued from page 10 timely manner. Colostrum contains antibodies that are important for the immune function. A foal can absorb the antibodies in colostrum during the first 24 hours of life. After that time, the ability of the gastrointestinal tract to absorb intact immunoglobulins is very low if present at all. In fact, the absorptive ability starts to decrease rapidly after 12 hours of life.

A refractometer should be used to test the quality of a mare’s colostrum in order to ensure future immune health of the foal. A reading of good or great is desired. If a mare has poor or fair quality colostrum, owners are encouraged to follow up by having their veterinarian perform a test to verify adequate transfer of immunoglobulins to the foal. This can be

determined with a simple test performed on a small sample of blood from the foal.

In addition to its importance to the immune system, colostrum also has a laxative effect on the foal. This ensures that the foal passes its fetal excrement, meconium, in a timely manner.

Foals that are constipated or attempting unsuccessfully to pass meconium will not be focused on nursing. In these cases, an enema may be warranted.

A foal may develop diarrhea at any time within the first couple weeks of life. Diarrhea can be extremely detrimental to a foal as they dehydrate quickly. Although diarrhea is not normal in a newborn foal, many foals develop mild scours around 1 to 2 weeks of age. At this

age, mild scours are not a concern if the foal is nursing regularly. However, it is important to monitor hydration, and to keep a foal’s hind end clean and coated with rash cream to prevent scalding.

CONCLUDING REMARKS

The first few days of a foal’s life set the stage for a healthful life. If the simple guidelines described within this article are followed, a horse owner can be assured that they have assisted in promoting the health and wellbeing of their mare and new foal. Consult your veterinarian or Extension Equine Specialist for further information regarding the care of your mare and foal. 

File Photo

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Bull Auctions Good genes now more important than ever

BY JAKE SHAMA South Dakota Farm & Ranch PHOTOGRAPHY FOR SOUTH DAKOTA FARM & RANCH

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RIPP — With high production costs and low commodity prices, one area rancher believes good genes in cattle are more important than ever.

Brian Sonne, 54, of Mount Vernon, has been selling pure-bred angus cows for 21 years, but he’s been raising cattle throughout his life. In that time, technology has allowed breeders to hone in on the best genes for cattle herds, and Sonne said that’s become a critical part of the business.

“With the cost of production anymore, we really need to raise a good product with as little investment as possible, so it’s more important than ever, I would say,” Sonne said.

Sonne buys one to two bulls every year from another breeder to add diversity on his herd.

His go-to seller is David Mogck.

Mogck, founder of Mogck Angus Farms in Tripp, sells 75 bulls annually in late winter. He is one of several Angus cattle breeders in the area hosting auctions around the same time.

Mogck worked on his father’s farm growing up, but after graduating high school and striking out on his own, he quickly adapted to new technologies to breed better bulls.

In 1975, Mogck began artificially inseminating cattle at a time he said the

practice was more common among dairy farmers.

Artificial insemination allowed Mogck to use his best bull to impregnate up to 50 cows a year. But artificial insemination only lets ranchers make use of the bull’s DNA, as a female cow can only carry one calf per year.

Then in 1988, Mogck said he became one of the first adopters of embryo transplanting in the area, through which he can take multiple embryos from his best female and implant them in another cow. The process can yield up to 30 embryos, but Mogck said the average is closer to seven or eight with a successful conception rate of 70 percent.

“I don’t know of too many breeders in South Dakota that started back in 1988 doing embryo transfer,” Mogck said. “We were really able to improve our genetics quicker by zeroing in on our top cows and getting more than one calf a year out of our top cow.”

Buyers noticed a difference, Mogck said, as the cows started selling for more when marketed as breeding bulls or heifers at auctions or trade shows. Last year, bulls at Mogck’s auction sold for an average of $5,200, and they averaged $6,300 two years ago, the ranch’s highest ever return.

A REAL ‘BULL MARKET’

Today, Mogck said many breeders are using both artificial insemination and embryo transfers. Competition has become tough, and bull sales have become a staple in February and March in South Dakota.

According to websites of seven area Angus breeders, five have already held auctions in February. Mogck said ranchers will be breeding their own cattle in May and June, so they’re willing to buy in the late winter months before planting crops.

Being on the late end of the sales doesn’t worry Mogck. He sent out about 500 catalogs and planned for 200 people to attend his auction. Of 75 bulls sold, Mogck said about 60 are taken by repeat customers, many of whom live within a 50-mile radius, though some have traveled from as far as Texas and Saskatchewan, Canada.

“That’s the biggest thing is catering to your existing customers,” Mogck said.

Sonne is one of those customers. Because his business relies on strong genetics, he’s willing to pay $6,000 to $9,000 for a top bull.

Continued on page 16 MARCH 2017 SOUTH DAKOTA FARM & RANCH 15

We were really able to improve our genetics quicker by zeroing in on our top cows and getting more than one calf a year out of our top cow.

DAVID MOGCK

David Mogck, owner of Mogck Angus Farms north of Tripp, inspects his cattle before some will be sold at an annual auction.

Continued from page 15

“I’m reselling bulls, so I can’t buy a $2,000 or $3,000 bull and get offspring off him and expect to be able to sell bulls. I have to buy the better ones for what I’m doing,” Sonne said.

Sonne is in a specialty-bull business. He sells about 70 bulls a year, 75 percent of which are heifer bulls, or bulls designed to impregnate a heifer with a low-weight calf to ease the cow’s first birthing process.

There is no one-size-fits-all bull that works for everyone at an auction, and outside the competitive bidding process, Sonne said the day is enjoyable and friendly among buyers.

16 SOUTH DAKOTA FARM & RANCH MARCH 2017

While Mogck Angus Farms has received favorable returns in the past few years, Mogck said he is worried about how low commodity prices will affect buyers at this year’s auction.

“When the cash grain market goes down, it affects the bull buyers to some degree as well,” Mogck said. “It doesn’t matter what entity, what part of the farm is making or losing money, it affects us.”

But with recent rains and ample snowfall this winter, Mogck expects the ground to be primed for grass and crop growth, which could be the beginning of another successful year. 

Mogck Angus Farms north of Tripp.

Insuring corn and other spring crops

BY MATTHEW DIERSEN SDSU Extension

W

ith producers evaluating marketing strategies and the insurance sales deadline, several trends are emerging. By monitoring these trends, producers may be able to refine their marketing plans for corn, soybeans and spring wheat. New crop futures prices are tallied during February and their average during the month determines the projected price

for insurance purposes. In early February the futures prices for corn, soybeans and spring wheat were at higher levels than during February of 2016. Thus, producers may have a greater incentive to implement pricing and protection strategies for the 2017 marketing year. Here are some additional crop-specific observations.

CORN

The pricing attention this year has been directed at soybeans, but corn remains relevant because of crop rotations and feed needs. The volatility level in early February is currently similar to last year, which was a historically low level. Thus, even if aggressive Continued on page 21

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•Before approaching equipment, always shut it down, turn off the engine, remove the key and wait for moving parts to stop.

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Electricity is the proven home energy safety leader, but you still have to be careful around it. Never go near a downed power line and keep others away from it too. Be on the lookout for damaged poles, insulators and power lines. Call your electric cooperative immediately to give them the location of any downed or damaged power lines or equipment.

18 SOUTH DAKOTA FARM & RANCH MARCH 2017

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•Never allow “extra riders” on equipment, especially children.

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FAVORITE FAMILY

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Ingredients

1 (12 ounce) can refrigerated biscuits (The flakey are good or Grands) 2 tablespoons olive oil 1 lb ground beef (chuck or ground turkey or chicken or veggie crumbles) 1/2 onion, minced

Mitchell, SD 605-990-3276 sales@mettlerinc.com

Menno, SD 605-387-2323 www.mettlerimplement.com

1 1/2 teaspoons salt 1 teaspoon cracked black pepper

001548125r1

1 tablespoon minced garlic 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour 1/2 cup beef stock (or chicken or turkey or vegetable) 1 cup frozen mixed vegetables 2 tablespoons chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley 1 tablespoon chopped fresh rosemary leaf 1 1/2 cups leftover mashed potatoes (or use instant or storebought in a pinch) 1 tablespoon granulated garlic powder 2 tablespoons granulated onion powder 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese

Directions Preheat oven to 425 degrees.

Spray a 12-count muffin pan with cooking spray. Shape biscuits to of each the muffin cups. Par-bake biscuits for 6 to 8 minutes until light golden. Remove from oven and set aside. You will probably need to smash them down with the back of a spoon.

Heat the 2 tablespoons of oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add ground beef and brown. Stir in the onions, salt, pepper and garlic and allow to cook together for a couple of minutes.

Mix flour into the meat mixture and stir until a paste consistency is reached. Add beef stock to pan and stir in vegetables and herbs, the last few minutes, until

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Reheat mashed potatoes in a microwave for 5 to 6 minutes. Stir in granulated garlic and onion powder.

Spoon equal amounts (approximately 2 tablespoons) of warm potatoes on the bottoms of each par-baked biscuit. Then top with equal amounts of beef mixture (approximately 2 tablespoons). Finally top with equal amounts of Cheddar cheese.

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Return to oven and bake for 12 to 15 minutes until cheese is melted and browned.

Remove from oven and allow to cool slightly before popping individual pies out with a knife. Enjoy!

Servings Per Recipe 12 mini pies

20 SOUTH DAKOTA FARM & RANCH MARCH 2017

Farm | Ranch | Crop | Commerical Ag Business Insurance | Business Succession

2014 SNL P&C Group – Farm Bureau Property & Casualty Insurance Company and Western Agricultural Insurance Company direct written premium in our 8-state territory. Farm Bureau Property & Casualty Insurance Company,* Western Agricultural Insurance Company*/West Des Moines, IA. *Company providers of Farm Bureau Financial Services PC097 (5-16)

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Continued from page 17

pricing is not attractive at this time, the cost of insurance premiums and options strategies would be manageable.

Corn insurance in South Dakota settles during October giving the harvest price at that time. Last year the insurance price fell from $3.86 in February to $3.49 in October. If harvest is later than October, a producer could face a type of basis risk relative to insurance. Any pricing or protection strategies should be monitored and potentially lifted or rolled in October to mitigate the disparity. Basis, the difference between the cash price and the futures price, was -$0.40 per bushel for South Dakota corn in October of 2016. The average corn basis was -$0.46 per bushel from 20122016. The average basis may reflect a state-level price to be received for 2017 relative to new-crop futures.

Aside from crop insurance, there are also WASDE and baseline price projections that give some indication of price trends. However, those projections are for the U.S. marketing year average (MYA) price. The South Dakota MYA corn price averaged 93% of the U.S. price from 2011-2015. NASS will soon release a preliminary MYA price, but it will only reflect the value of corn already sold this marketing year, which has averaged 52% of production by February. A futures-adjusted price at harvest would be comparable to a state-level MYA price after accounting for any storage expectations.

SOYBEANS

The absolute high price for soybeans has generated a fair amount of pricing interest by producers. The recent price changes have also resulted in large soybean to corn price ratio, which historically favors a high soybean to corn acreage mix in South Dakota at the time planting intentions are made. The volatility in soybeans in early February is higher than the level observed in 2016, but still at the low end of historical levels. Thus, protection strategies for unpriced bushels may be feasible.

Soybean insurance in South Dakota also settles during October. Last year the insurance price rose from $8.85 per bushel in February to $9.75 per bushel in October and the basis was -$0.84 per bushel. The average soybean basis was -$0.78 per bushel from 2012-2016, a level that may reflect a state-level price to be received for 2017 relative to new-crop futures.

The South Dakota MYA soybean price averaged 96 percent of the U.S. MYA price from 2011-2015. Typically by February 64 percent of South Dakota soybean production has been marketed. A disparity in the relationship compared to corn could exist because of different storage practices.

SPRING WHEAT

The price of spring wheat has also increased recently, but its historic relationship among the mix of corn and soybean acres is weaker than that between corn and soybeans. The volatility in spring wheat in early

February is below that observed last year, and historically low. Thus, both pricing and protection strategies in a wheat marketing plan may be more feasible compared to a year ago. If the higher price and lower volatility continue through February producers would likely see offsetting effects on insurance premiums.

Spring wheat insurance in South Dakota settles during August. Last year the insurance price fell from $5.13 per bushel in February to $5.04 per bushel in August and the basis was -$0.63 per bushel. The average spring wheat basis was -$0.58 per bushel from 2012-2016, a level that may reflect a state-level price to be received for 2017 relative to newcrop futures.

The South Dakota MYA spring wheat price averaged 103 percent of the U.S. MYA price for all wheat from 2011-2015. There is substantial variability in that ratio over time reflecting the value of different wheat classes. Typically by February 72 percent of South Dakota production of all wheat has been marketed reflecting its earlier marketing year compared to soybeans and corn. ď ľ MARCH 2017 SOUTH DAKOTA FARM & RANCH 21

BEEF up on BEEF

Online Beef University:

SOURCE: SDSU EXTENSION

Image courtesy of Beef U.

B

ROOKINGS — SDSU Extension encourages South Dakota cattle producers to participate in Beef University, a new online learning opportunity provided through the National Beef Checkoff.

“This is an excellent learning opportunity for beef producers to learn more about the product they produce,” said B. Lynn Gordon, Assistant Professor & SDSU Extension Agricultural Leadership Specialist. “Or, they can simply take this course to brush up on production facts, beef labeling issues, beef inspection and grading. Beef University will cover the latest knowledge available to the beef industry.”

Offered free of charge, Gordon explained.

Beef University is an online training program focused on one of America’s favorite proteins.

The program includes insights and research on marketing and selling beef.

Each section of the training will take about 15-20 minutes to complete with a brief quiz at the end of each module. Additional resources are also available to producers at the completion of each module for those who are interested in studying a specific topic more indepth.

“With today’s consumers interested in knowing more about the way agricultural products are grown, this online training program will equip anyone associated with the beef industry or other areas of agriculture,

22 SOUTH DAKOTA FARM & RANCH MARCH 2017

with added knowledge on the latest industry information,” Gordon said.

Gordon added that this program is also a useful resource for grocery retailers and foodservice operators. Gordon encourages beef producers to take on the role of an industry leader and invite those who serve and sell beef, in their local area, to view the online training modules to further widen their beef knowledge base.

TOPICS COVERED

Beef University’s online course will cover the following topics: Raising Beef; Nutrition and Health; Beef Basics and Cuts and the Modern Consumer.

REGISTER TODAY

To participate in Beef University (Beef U) online training, visit www.beefu.org. 

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Backyard farming Whether you’re thinking cattle, goats, sheep or chickens — make 2017 the year to add animals to your backyard.

SOURCE: SAVE-A-CAF PRODUCTS

C

hilton, Wis. — You’ve always wanted to raise animals or add a new species to your farm.

What’s stopping you? Make 2017 the year you accomplish your backyard farming goals.

With some research and preparation, you can begin raising animals in your backyard,” says Julian Olson, DVM, technical services manager for Milk Products.

“Whether you’re planning on starting with a small flock of chickens or raising larger livestock—such as goats, sheep or cattle—it is important to consider space requirements and nutritional needs of each animal.”

No matter which species you select, it’s a good idea to make sure your local laws allow you to raise livestock on your property. Letting your neighbors know about your new adventure is also a nice gesture.

Here are some quick facts to consider as you choose the species that’s the best fit for you.

CHICKENS

Chickens are a common entry animal to backyard farming or homesteading because they require a small amount of space and can be easier to care for.

“If you plan to purchase chicks, be sure that you can offer them a controlled environment from the start—preferably in a dedicated enclosed space called a brooder,” says Olson. “The brooder should have adequate 24 SOUTH DAKOTA FARM & RANCH MARCH 2017

Morning Ag Clip Graphic

temperature control, ventilation and light.”

Here are some general space guidelines: • Newly hatched chicks will need half a square foot of space each.

• At six weeks, provide 1-2 square feet of free space per bird.

• Adult birds will require at least 4 square feet of indoor space and 5-10 square feet of outdoor space each.

• Account for additional space in case you add more birds to your flock later.

Stress can take its toll on new chicks and adult birds alike. Offer a complete feed that matches your birds’ age. Supplement their Continued on page 27

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MARCH 2017 SOUTH DAKOTA FARM & RANCH 25

The GA-300 Gopher Getter attaches to a category 2 hitch or category 2 quick hitch.

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26 SOUTH DAKOTA FARM & RANCH MARCH 2017

After Hours Parts Number: 605-350-7059

Service Hours Monday-Friday: 8:00am - 6:00pm Saturday: 8:00am - Noon

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-Og Mandino

Continued from page 24

diet with probiotics and electrolytes to provide them with needed energy and immunity support.

GOATS

Goats are another common animal for backyard farmers and homesteaders because of their fun personalities and efficient source of meat or milk.

“Goats are very curious animals—make sure to have a strong fence around your outdoor area to keep goats in and predators away,” says Olson. “If you decide to breed or milk your goats, you should dedicate an enclosed area for milking or kidding.”

House goats of all ages in a shed or barn with access to an outdoor area. Ideally, each goat should have at least 20-25 square feet of indoor space, 0.2-0.3 acres of pasture with an exercise area of 50 square feet.

“If kidding is in your future, be sure to have a quality colostrum replacer on hand to support your kids’ immune system within the first 12-18 hours of life,” says Olson. “If you raise kids without the doe or if the doe does not produce enough milk to feed her kids, feed a quality kid milk replacer, ideally containing 25-26 percent protein and 2025 percent fat.”

first 6-12 hours of life. If feeding a milk replacer, look for a replacer with around 23 percent protein and 30 percent fat.

CATTLE

Raising calves requires the most space and is recommended for people who have experience raising small Chickens are a common entry animal to backyard farming or homesteading because they require a small amount of space and livestock. can be easier to care for. (thedabblist, Flickr/Creative Commons) “Although cattle are social animals, it is best to house newborn calves in individual housing until they are weaned,” says Olson.

“Calf hutches made of sturdy plastic or fiberglass are a popular choice for housing calves outdoors. A calf housed in a barn or shed will need 30-40 square feet of space.”

As calves are weaned and continue to grow, their space requirements will increase. Depending on how long you plan to Photo Courtesy of Emily Hennelly raise them, they could need as much as 40-80 square feet each.

Most backyard farmers and homesteaders purchase calves born on another farm. If this is the case for you, be sure to have a high-quality milk replacer on-hand to support optimal calf growth and health. A milk replacer containing 20 percent protein and 20 percent fat should provide ample nutrition if fed according to the Morning Ag Clip Photo label on the bag or tag.

“If you are looking for a medicated milk replacer—no matter the SHEEP species—and it is no longer available due to the Veterinary Feed Just like goats, you can raise sheep in a shed or barn with access to an outdoor area. A simple, south-facing, three-sided shed is often enough Directive (VFD) that went into effect Jan. 1, 2017, ask your feed store for to protect them from the elements. They should each have 15 to 20 alternative options,” says Olson. “Nutritional supplements are available to add to non-medicated milk replacers and can help support calf health square feet.

“Sheep are grazers,” says Olson. “If you plan to raise a flock, adequate and performance. pasture is essential. A general rule is four sheep per acre. Pastures can For more information about adding cattle, goats, sheep or chickens to include a mixture of grasses, legumes, brush and trees.”

If you are welcoming new lambs into the world, help ensure a strong your backyard and how to properly care for and feed them, visit savacalf. start with a quality colostrum replacer to support immunity within the com or like My Farm Journey on Facebook.  MARCH 2017 SOUTH DAKOTA FARM & RANCH 27

SIX-DAY GRAIN

Above: Forage is ready for harvest on day six. As soon as the forage is rolled o� the film, the level is immediately cleaned, seeded down and set for another six-day grow cycle.

Wessington Springs native is inventor of HydroGreen’s patent-pending system

BY ERIN BECK South Dakota Farm & Ranch PHOTOGRAPHY FOR SOUTH DAKOTA FARM & RANCH

“We wanted a Porsche, not a Chevy.”

S

o says Dihl Grohs, inventor of HydroGreen’s patent-pending automated system that has the potential to produce 250 acres of green forage in a 24-by-6 feet area. Located directly north of Sioux Falls, HydroGreen Global Technologies supplies a labor-free system that grows nutrient-rich feed year round.

Powered by the science of hydroponics, the indoor growing system can produce small

28 SOUTH DAKOTA FARM & RANCH MARCH 2017

grain forages from seed within six days.

Grohs, a native of Wessington Springs, was first inspired to develop the concept of a lowmaintenance forage growing system during his time spent raising cattle in Idaho. Limited precipitation in that area made supplying feed for cattle a challenge, especially when competing with neighboring dairies for quality feeds.

“It’s either feast or famine,” Grohs said.

Thus began the quest for developing an in-house feed system requiring little to no maintenance. Through much trial and error, along with the collaboration of some additional minds, Grohs created a structure requiring only seed, water and light. When coupled with HydroGreen’s technology and grow system, the execution is simple.

“We can feed a thousand head at the push of a button,” said Craig Livingston, president of HydroGreen.

A touch-screen tablet serves as a userfriendly interface for producers to easily manage HydroGreen’s grow system, from seed depth to watering to harvest. The company’s “land on a stand” has six vertical levels, each layered with a half-inch seed bed at varying stages of growth on a table film. A fine mist launches seed germination, while subsequent growth occurs with a gentle rain automated irrigation system.

Every day a different level is ready for harvest, which can be activated by a single touch on the control panel. As the film rolls off the table, the forage is sliced into pieces Continued on page 31

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Seed begins to germinate on a table film in a continuous cycle of seeding, growth and harvest. An in-house supply of fresh feed may very well be the next step in transforming the e�ciency of animal agriculture.

This three section grow system can feed between 76 to 104 head. Depending on the seed and depth, 5.3 to 7.9 bushels can be planted and yield approximately 1,519 to 2,088 pounds of forage.

HydroGreen’s “land on a stand” is an economically e�cient way to produce feed for livestock. Dramatically cutting down on the amount of land resources and inputs costs needed, this grow system can produce feed 365 days a year regardless of weather conditions.

Continued from page 28

by a water jet stream, ready to be incorporated into a ration.

The film is immediately cleaned and seeded down. As long as the auger from the bin is supplying seed to the grow system, the operator simply runs the control panel.

“We wanted to have almost

zero labor,” Livingston said.

The numbers behind the science pose some fodder for thought for producers interested in economically feeding livestock.

While feed costs for a cow/calf operation grazing six months out of the year come to an estimate of $576.40/head, HydroGreen shrinks that bill to $488.18/head,

which creates a savings margin of $88.22/head. That margin increases to $186.46/head for a drylot cow/calf operation.

With HydroGreen’s innovative lead in producing sustainable fresh forage for livestock, Livingston believes the company has the potential to change the face of animal agriculture. A

climate controlled environment creates a year round growing system, eliminating problems such as weather variables, pests and the need for chemicals and fertilizers. In an era of limited land availability, HydroGreen just may be the ticket for producers unable to access more acres.

HydroGreen is currently Continued on page 33

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Continued from page 31

experimenting with different forages and developing mixtures to improve the feed quality. Barley, wheat, rye, millet and oats have been part of the seed lineup, and field peas and triticale are being tested as well.

“We’re trying to do things to increase energy and protein,” Livingston said. “We want to make a contribution to the feed value.”

Grohs believes HydroGreen’s feed can be utilized by not only the dairy and beef industries, but also by swine, poultry, equine, sheep and organic operations. With a controlled environment, the consistency of fresh feed is both reliable and high in quality.

“The animals love it,” Livingston said. “It’s just like candy to them.”

The grow system is customizable and easily expandable.

The system is also designed to be assembled and installed anywhere across the globe. While the technology to manage the system will be sourced from South Dakota, Livingston says the infrastructure for the grow system will be manufactured locally for the customer.

HydroGreen has already received favorable feedback from producers as units have been sold and installed in South Dakota, Idaho, Minnesota and Canada. Livingston believes the company’s location as well as unique opportunities have contributed to HydroGreen’s progress.

“We just fell into the right place,” Livingston said. 

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Status reports of native

grasslands and woodlands in Eastern S.D.

S

BY PETE BAUMAN SDSU Extension

DSU Extension, in partnership with a variety of non-government, state, and federal agencies, has recently released a public report on the status of native plant communities in Eastern South Dakota.

The report is based on a comprehensive look at the Eastern South Dakota landscape that incorporated the use of field and tract-level historic Farm Service Agency (FSA) cropland history, coupled with high resolution aerial photographs provided through the USDA National Agriculture Imagery Program (NAIP). Most other land use analysis relies on interpretation of satellite imagery and other National Agriculture Statistics Service (NASS) data to estimate current or recent land use, and while those interpretations can help define large-scale trends in land use, they cannot provide a cumulative or comprehensive assessment of the sum-total of all historic land cropping and other land conversion.

Evaluating Native Grasslands and Woodlands Land Evaluation:

The SDSU Extension project required staff technicians to evaluate all historic land use data on a section-by-section basis. In total, technicians evaluated approximately 22.6 million acres, or about 35,000 square miles of land in the 44 counties east of the Missouri River.

Native Lands:

Surprisingly, the term ‘native’ can have several interpretations, with some persons assuming a former crop field planted to native grasses should be qualified as native.

However, the SDSU Extension study relied on an ecological definition of the term, quantifying lands as potentially native only if there was no evidence of historic soil disturbance from farming, development, or other human causes. If historic soil disturbance was confirmed, those acres were removed. For example, a gravel pit, cattle feedlot, golf course, or small town would all be removed, as would a grass hayfield, CRP, or other habitat on a previously farmed field, regardless of how long ago the farming occurred.

34 SOUTH DAKOTA FARM & RANCH MARCH 2017

Purpose:

The intent of this analysis was to set a benchmark for the status of truly native grasslands and woodlands. These lands are an incredible asset to South Dakota’s agricultural and natural resources heritage and the industries that rely on them, including but not limited to grazing, hunting, tourism, and recreation. In addition, the importance of these lands to wildlife, water, and soil quality cannot be overstated. Reports by both conservation and agricultural groups have recognized major losses of grasslands converted to row-crop agriculture in recent years. None of these reports however can define exactly how much of that conversion impacted native grasslands in relation to other grass cover types like CRP, hayfields, or tame pastures. The new SDSU Extension data will set a comparative benchmark that has been lacking in previous reports, allowing future analysis to determine actual rates of loss of native grasslands.

Understanding this critical component of South Dakota’s grassland communities is critically important as native grasslands, once converted, can never be truly restored to their full suite of ecological functions.

Findings Total Acres:

Overall, the study identified 5,488,025 acres of Eastern South Dakota land that is still potentially native, representing about 24 percent of the entire Eastern South Dakota landscape. About 200,000 of these acres may have had a tillage history, but there was not enough historical evidence for a clear determination. Conversely, nearly 73 percent of Eastern South Dakota land has been manipulated from its native state at some point. About 15 million acres, or close to 66 percent, of Eastern South Dakota land has a recorded tillage history, with an additional approximately 7 percent of the land having been disturbed for other human uses. The remaining 3 percent was determined to be comprised of large water bodies over 40 acres in size.

Grasslands and Woodlands:

Of the approximately 5.5 million acres of native lands remaining in Eastern South Dakota, over 5.4 million acres are

native grasslands, with about 100,000 acres categorized as woodlands. Because of the sensitive nature of these native plant communities, SDSU Extension also gathered information on the overall level of permanent protection afforded to these lands under various types of conservation ownerships or programs.

Protection and Conservation:

Overall, when the total of fee title ownership and permanent protections, such as conservation easements, were assessed, it was determined that only 962,734 acres of native lands (about 17.5 percent) had any type of permanent protection from future conversion to cropland or other uses. In total, the amount of land in Eastern South Dakota that is both native and under some level of permanent protection, represents only 4.3 percent of the 22.6 million-acre Eastern South Dakota landscape.

Management Impact:

Current and historic management of native grasslands is the primary factor in how those lands function for private and public goods and services. Well-managed native grasslands provide superior grazing and recreational opportunities, in addition to public services associated with air, water, and soil quality. Wildlife habitat is also a critical component, and well managed native grasslands are key resources for declining grassland-obligate birds, mammals, reptiles, pollinator plants, and insects.

Conversely, poorly managed native habitats subject to intensive continuous grazing, overapplication of chemicals or fertilizers, or general neglect, do not often provide the long-term ecological stability or profit potential that well-managed tracts do.

Native Habitat Quality:

In this study, SDSU Extension was not able to determine the overall quality of the remaining tracts of native habitats. It is believed however that most remaining tracts, if subject to improved management, would likely provide improved return on investments to landowners and the public, through improved grazing systems, reduced chemical costs and other inputs, improved water retention and productivity, and improved wildlife habitat. 

MARCH 2017 SOUTH DAKOTA FARM & RANCH 35

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1,517 hours, 36 in. Tracks, Powershift, 6 Valves, 1000 PTO, Autoguidance Complete

$29,779.63

2007 Case IH 2588, 2,156 engine hours, 1,760 rotor hours, 30.2x32 Drive Tires, Field Tracker, Rock Trap, Specialty Rotor, Yield Monitor, Chopper, Chaff Spreader 1996 Case IH 2166, 3,543 engine hours, 2,590 rotor hours, 30.5x32 Drive Tires, 14.9x24 Steering Tires, Field Tracker, Specialty Rotor, Yield Monitor, Maurer Tank Ext., Chopper, Chaff Spreader 2013 Case IH 3020 35 ft., 3 in. Cut 2010 Case IH 2162 35 ft., Flex Draper, Slow Speed Transport 2007 Case IH 2020 30 ft., 3 in. Cut 2010 Case IH 3412 12R30, Hyd. Deck Plates, Field Tracker 2010 Case IH 3408 8R30, Hyd. Deck Plates, Field Tracker 2005 Case IH 2212 12R22, Hyd. Deck Plates, Field Tracker

+ Tax Per year

†At the end of 4 years, BUY IT, TRADE IT, or RETURN IT...

NO QUESTION ASKED!

2800 W. Havens Mitchell, SD www.scottsupplyco.com 36 SOUTH DAKOTA FARM & RANCH MARCH 2017

Used Skid Loaders

2006 NH L185, approximately 1,100 hours, 63 hp, 2,500 lb.

Lift, Hydraulic Coupler, 12x16.5 Tires, 78 in.

LPE Bucket (2) 2004 NH LS170 – JUST TRADED!

Used Balers

0% for 6 Years!

2014 NH 560 Specialty Crop, Net Wrap, XtraSweep Pickup, Endless Belts, 21.5x16.1 Tires, 1000 PTO 2012 Case IH RB564 Premium, Net Wrap, Wide Pickup, 21.5x16.1 Tires, 1000 PTO

Used Mower Conditioners

1997 NH 1475 16 ft., 540 PTO

Used Crop Production Equipment

2013 Case IH 870 Ecolo-Tiger 13-Shank, 26 ft.

2011 Case IH 1250 16R30 Planter, Drawbar Hitch, 22 gpm PTO Pump, Bulk Fill, Markers, Pneumatic Down Pressure, Pro 700 Monitor, AccuRow

Used Miscellaneous

2010 Rowse 930 9 ft. Sicklebar Mower, 3-pt.

2007 Sovema WRV 14-Wheel V-Rake 2003 Westfield J Series 8 in. x 31 ft. Auger Feterl 12 in. x 72 ft. Auger, Swing Hopper Koyker Super 85C 8 in. x 71 ft. Auger, Swing Hopper Danuser F8 Post Hole Digger, 3-pt., 12 in. x 52 in. Auger 2013 Schaben Sprayer, Trailing, 110 gal., 18 ft. Boom, Electric Controls Unverferth HT25 Header Trailer, for up to 25 ft. Heads Cub Cadet 524 Snowblower, Walk-behind, 5 hp, 24 in.

Wide 2009 Cub Cadet Volunteer Tracker 4x4 Utility Vehicle, 31 hp, 129 hours 2013 Cub Cadet Z-Force S 48 Zero Turn Lawn Mower, 21.5 hp, 207 hours, 48 in. Deck, 2012 Cub Cadet GTX2000 Lawn Mower, 20 hp, 235 hours, 42 in. Deck, Shaft Drive Hydro, Factory Warranty 2009 Cub Cadet M60KW Tank Zero Turn Lawn Mower, 31 hp, 60 in. Deck, Power Bagger 2007 Cub Cadet M60KW Tank Zero Turn Lawn Mower, 25 hp, 60 in. Deck Case IH L785 Loader, 8 ft. Bucket, Mid-Range Magnum Mounts

605-996-7704 1-800-952-2308

“Where Service Means More Than The Sale Itself” 001546874r1