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Sauk Rapids Herald | Saturday, January 15, 2022 2
Elections, enrollment open for risk coverage, price loss programs The United States Department of Agriculture’s Farm Service Agency is encouraging producers to contact their local USDA service centers to make or change elections and to enroll Farm Service for 2022 Agriculture Agency News Risk Coverage or by Ryan Brunn, Price Loss Coverage, executive director providing future profor Benton and Mille Lacs counties tections against market uctuations. The election and enrollment period runs through March 15. Producers can elect coverage and enroll in ARC-CO (county) or PLC, which are both crop-by-crop, or ARC-IC (individual), which is for the entire farm. Although election changes for 2022 are optional, producers must enroll through a signed contract each year. If a producer has a multi-year contract on the farm and makes an election change for 2022, it will be necessary to sign a new contract. If an election is not submitted by March 15, the election remains the same as the 2021 election for crops on the farm. Farm owners cannot enroll in either program unless they have a share interest in the farm. Covered commodities include barley, canola, large and small chickpea, corn, crambe, axseed, grain sorghum, lentil, mustard seed, oat, peanut, dry pea, rapeseed, long grain rice, medium and short grain rice, saf ower seed, seed cotton, sesame, soybean, sun ower seed and wheat.
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4-H ribbon Grundhoefer, her horse place third at state level in last competition year BY MAURA WENNER STAFF WRITER FOLEY – Katie Grundhoefer and her horse, Ben, won third place in Western Showmanship at the Minnesota 4-H State Horse Show Sept. 20, 2021. The 4-H show is held annually at the Minnesota State Fairgrounds in St. Paul. Grundhoefer began her career showing sheep,
then cattle, until she started showing horses. “I was a Shooting Stars Club 4-H member for about 10 years,” Grundhoefer said. “I had a really good group and I got into it. Everyone was so supportive.” One of Grundhoefer’s biggest in uences and the person who introduced her to horses is her grandma. “She has always had horses and bought me a mini pony when I was little,” she
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Katie Grundhoefer said. “I got started with him, stands with taught him to drive.” her quarter Through the help of her horse, Ben, Jan. 3, at a grandma’s horses, Grundboarding hoefer learned to ride. After facility in deciding which discipline she enjoyed most, she purchased Waite Park. Grundhoefer a pleasant quarter horse. has owned “I nally decided I and worked wanted to stick to pleasure with Ben for horses and pleasure riding, two years. so I bought Ben,” Grundhoefer said.
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SAUK RAPIDS HERALD | SATURDAY, JANUARY 15, 2022 | Page 3B
Where to look when evaluating dairy facilities With the howling winds, enthusiasor different facility. tic snowfall and bone-rattling cold from Next on our evaluation checklist is these past several weeks, many livestock seeing if the facility provides a clean and producers are evaluating their facilicomfortable resting area, with free access ties. All producers strive for the optimal to feed and water as well as proper venenvironment, but many of us adapt our tilation. While visiting producers in my facilities to meet our needs, picking and counties, I know we have quite a few bank choosing our battles. I will share some and two-story barns. These styles can make key areas to evaluate in your dairy cattle UNIVERSITY OF it difficult or impossible to deliver feed in a barn to determine if your facilities are MN EXTENSION total mixed ration wagon, which eases feed providing the best environment for your delivery with herd expansion. This feature DANA ADAMS top producers. of older barns limits access, adding labor Naturally, before moving on to new facilities and complicating animal access to feed and water. with all the bells and whistles, it is best to evaluate These styles are not typically easy renovations, but current facilities. We should first ensure the barn adjustments can be made (usually limited by the is structurally sound. I have seen many barns in second-story floor joist system). These are not easy central Minnesota that are solid as a rock, made to decisions, and all steps should be made after constand the test of time. These same barns may sufsulting with your farm team. fer damage from continually high moisture levels, This article’s intention is to guide you and your poor ventilation or the perpetually leaky roof. This farm team’s eye upon evaluation of your existing could easily contribute to the deterioration of wood facilities. Hopefully this will guide the discussion structural components and iron-based fasteners, determining what is working well and what needs key components in the structure of your building. more discussion. Insects, such as termites, can also cause significant Information for the above article was found damage throughout the facility. These kinds of at the University of Minnesota Extension website, relatively minor repairs do not necessarily warrant a https://z.umn.edu/dairycattlefacilities. new building but do deserve repair and a fix-it date Residents of Stearns, Benton and Morrison on the schedule soon. If damage is severe, it may not counties can direct questions to either my email be worth renovating. I encourage producers to work adam1744@umn.edu or call my desk phone at 320with your team to evaluate, plan and save for a new 255-6169, ext. 3.
Farm bureau sets 2022 legislative priorities EAGAN – The Minnesota Farm Bureau Federation board of directors set its 2022 legislative session priority issues in late 2021. The issues are established in Farm Bureau policy set by the membership and are based on current events impacting rural Minnesota as well as opportunities in the current legislative environment. The six areas include: – Supply chain: Address food and agriculture
supply chain challenges both in the short- and long-term to ensure access to markets and a safe and secure food supply for everyone. – Sustainability: Lead the way in climate-smart practices that improve our environment through voluntary stewardship, including the increased use of renewable fuels that reduce emissions and investments into continued soil health practices. – Workforce devel-
opment: Build a strong workforce to address ongoing labor needs, including through career and technical programs. – Rural communities: Strengthen rural communities by investing in infrastructure, ensuring reliable broadband and increasing the availability of childcare. – Healthcare: Work toward increased affordability and availability of health insurance and healthcare, including
mental health resources. – Research and investment: Drive the future of agriculture in Minnesota through research, innovation and investment. MFBF is an advocate for agriculture and driven by beliefs held and policies made by over 30,000 members in 78 counties. Minnesota’s legislative session reconvenes Jan. 31.
Programs from page 1B In partnership with USDA, the University of Illinois and Texas A&M University offer web-based decision tools to assist producers in making informed, educated decisions using crop data specific to their respective farming operations. Tools include: – Gardner-farmdoc Payment Calculator, a tool available through the University of Illinois, allows producers to estimate payments for farms and counties for ARC-CO and PLC. – ARC and PLC Decision Tool, a tool available through Texas A&M, allows producers to estimate payments and yield updates and expected payments for 2022. ARC and PLC are part of a broader safety net provided by USDA, which also includes crop insurance and marketing assistance loans. Producers are reminded that ARC and PLC elections and enrollments can impact eligibility for some crop insurance products. Producers on farms with a PLC election have the option of purchasing Supplemental Coverage Option through their approved insurance provider; however, producers on farms where ARC is the election are ineligible for SCO on their planted acres for that crop on that farm. Unlike SCO, the Enhanced Coverage Option is unaffected by an ARC election. Producers may add ECO regardless of the farm program election. For more information on ARC and PLC, visit www.fsa.usda.gov/programsand-services/arcplc_program/index or contact your local USDA Service Center.
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Produce farmers asked to complete grower questionnaire ST. PAUL – The Minnesota Department of Agriculture is asking produce farmers to fill out the annual grower questionnaire, which will help farmers identify the federal food safety requirements that apply to their operations. Data from the questionnaire also provides MDA with a more accurate assessment of Minnesota’s expanding produce farming sector. “The grower questionnaire is an important tool to help Minnesota’s produce farmers navigate the federal produce safety requirements,” said Alexandra Cortes, MDA Produce Safety Program outreach analyst. “It also helps our program better understand farmers’ needs
According to previous MDA grower questionnaires, tomatoes and apples are the top crops grown by produce farmers in Minnesota. and improve resources and programs for them.” The questionnaire should be filled out once per year per produce farm. Participation is voluntary. Farm contact and location information is classified as private and not made public. Produce growers who opt out of the questionnaire will be contacted by the MDA Produce Safety Program to determine any inspection requirements. The 2022 MDA Grower Questionnaire is
available at www.surveymonkey.com/r/producesafety. Data gleaned from previous questionnaires has found that: – 41% of Minnesota fruit and vegetable farmers are growing more than five crops – with some growing up to 80 fruit and vegetable crops in a season. – Tomatoes and apples are the top crops grown by produce farmers. – More than half the produce farms are under
10 acres in size. The most current data is available in the 2020 Produce Safety Program Report. Approximately one third of Minnesota’s estimated 3,000 produce farmers participated in the previous grower questionnaire, and MDA encourages more farmers to complete the 2022 questionnaire to help raise awareness of their industry and strengthen its growth. Farmers can contact the MDA Produce Safety Program at 651-539-3648 or producesafety.mda@ state.mn.us to request a paper copy of the questionnaire or for more information.
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Preparing for the small ruminant lambing, kidding season Webinar offers guidance Jan. 25 ST. PAUL – The University of Minnesota Extension will host a webinar from 6:30-8 p.m. Jan. 25 on how to prepare for the lambing and kidding season and how to get small ruminant animals off to a good start and keep them growing strong. Farmers, 4-H’ers, agri-business professionals and those interested in goats or sheep are invited to attend. Sheep and goat production in 2022 begins with tremendous optimism and record or near-record lamb and goat prices. Producers are in the midst of lambing and kidding. This webinar will focus on young lamb or kid management. The time of birth to weaning requires attention to detail, husbandry skills, and emphasis on health and nutrition.
Kyle Rozeboom, animal science instructor at the University of Minnesota, will provide guidance for small ruminant lamb or kid birthing, beginning rations, and overall lamb and kid health. Extension educator Emma Severns will walk through items to have on hand for birthing. Pre-registration is required at z.umn.edu/goatsheepbabies, and you will receive the Zoom link upon registering. If you are unable to attend the live session, you will receive the recording via email. If you have questions, contact Brenda Miller at nels4220@umn.edu or Colleen Carlson at traxl042@umn. edu.
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SAUK RAPIDS HERALD | SATURDAY, JANUARY 15, 2022 | Page 7B
Processing from page 6B The project team is building relationships with organizations such as the Latino Economic Development Center to understand the workforce needs of emerging producers. “They have some producers who have beginning farming operations and also have people who may have an interest in meat processing in terms of training and maybe working toward ownership,” Sobocinski said. Another project aims to improve access to meat processing for tribal communities, while other projects have explored market opportunities and barriers for expanding halal and kosher meat markets. Tribal communities face unique challenges. “More and more tribal communities are adding buffalo onto some of their landscapes,” said RSDP Statewide Director Kathy Draeger. As Karnik explained, a live bison is too wild to be taken to a processing
unit. Karnik said a mobile processing unit in Minnesota would help that scenario. “Livestock are part of the farm ecosystem,” Draeger said. “Small and medium-sized farms in particular need the nutrient value from the manure to fertilize their crops and the diversified income.” When farmers are supported, communities become more resilient. “What really strikes me as a farmer and also as a longtime policy organizer is looking at what you can build in your local communities,” said Sobocinski, who recently retired as a policy organizer for the Land Stewardship Project. Draeger agreed that this is an important lesson of the pandemic. “Maintaining and increasing independent meat slaughter and processing is critical to supply chain resilience.”
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