State Line Shopper - November 23, 2020 by Authentic Ag

November 23, 2020

PRESORT STANDARD ECRWSS U.S. POSTAGE PAID

State Line Shopper

PO Box 118 Phillipsburg, KS 67661 785-533-0104 email: statelineshopper@gmail.com

Authentic Ag, Inc.

postal customer

ENTIRE STOCK OF

A P P L I A N C E S

starting at

299.00 Recliners Sofas & Loveseats $

ALL ON SALE!!!! We Service What We Sell

Large Selection of

Furniture

FLOOR COVERING

Loveseats, Sofa’s and starting at Sectionals $399.95

Loveseats & Sofa’s$ starting at 399.95 Entertainment Centers Starting at $184.95 ULTRA COMFORT LIFT CHAIRS 12 Styles

Best Gliders ON starting at $699.95 SALE

By:

Check Out Our Carpet and Vinyl In Stock! 12 Rolls Carpet • 2 Rolls Vinyl

SPECIAL ORDER FLOORCOVERINGS AVAILABLE to Complete Your Remodeling

Kitchen Tables & Chairs ALL ON SALE!!!

Oakwood Ind., Douglas, Brooks, Ashley, Chrome Craft

READY FOR DELIVERY!!

8 Beds to

choose from SLEEPERS

Twin, Full, Queen

15 BEDS to choose from

Restonic

Sunflower Firm/Plush Queen set $579.95, Mattress only, $419.95 Limited Time Offer

PAGE 2

State Line Shopper

November 23, 2020

Honey Ranks As Americans' #1 Preferred Sweetener CommonGround Celebrates 10 Years of Building Trust The sweetener made by Mother Nature claims the number one spot among Americans as their most preferred sweetener. The ranking, revealed in the National Honey Board Consumer Attitudes & Usage Study 2020, asked consumers to choose their favorite from among several common sweeteners, including white sugar, brown sugar, several non-calorie sweeteners, raw sugar, monk fruit, and maple syrup. Honey came out on top for the first time. According to consumers, honey rates above other sweeteners in attributes

like 'natural,' 'unprocessed,' 'good for the environment,' 'organic,' 'good source of antioxidants,' and 'flavorful.' Honey volume in the U.S. has nearly doubled since 1986, from 339 million pounds to 603 million pounds in 2020, according to data from the USDA/ ERS. The data also show honey per capita consumption has grown from 1.79 pounds per person in 2015 to 1.83 pounds per person in 2020. "Honey popularity continues to rise as consumers make conscientious decisions about food," said Margaret Lom-

Notice:

Help Wanted

Due to the Thanksgiving Holiday, our publishing deadline will be TUESDAY, November 24, at noon. Thank you!

Service Technician Job Description: Oil changes, detail and other odd jobs as needed. Experience is preferred; training can be provided. Stop by Matteson Motors, 276 W. State Street, Phillipsburg, KS for an application, or call 785-543-2423 with any questions.

Call Kelly Link Floorcovering ~ Let us clean your tile, grout & carpet!

We USE the Latest Technology to do your carpet cleaning! All equipment is contained inside so we won’t be letting in the weather! Call for appointment! Your carpet and furniture will appreciate it! We also clean tile & grout! Carpet • Wood Your One Stop for Porcelain Tile • Laminate Quality Floorcovering Luxury Vinyl Products Sales and Installation

Kelly Link Floorcovering

Kelly Link Owner/Installer

785-533-5465 (LINK)

Showroom Location 393 “F” St., Phillipsburg, KS

bard, chief executive officer of the National Honey Board. "Honey fits perfectly with consumers' desire to know where their food comes from and their preference for foods that are unprocessed. Consumers know that honey is made by bees from the nectar of flowers -- you can't get closer to nature than that." The tracking study, fielded in June 2020, comprised an online quantitative survey of 2000 people identified as the primary shopper in their household. The survey is balanced to age and ethnicity as reflected in the Census.

CommonGround is a group of women farmers who plant seeds of trust through conversations with consumers about the food they grow. Those women are celebrating ten years of service and impact for agriculture. The farmers of CommonGround serve as a resource to connect with families about food and farming. The organization’s farmers volunteer their time to share personal experiences, as well as science and research, to help consumers sort through the myths and misinformation

surrounding food. What first began as a handful of volunteers with a shared goal has flourished, growing into a grassroots movement with more than 200 volunteers in 20 states. “I’m proud to be part of something so authentic in this crazy world,” says Lauren Biegler, a CommonGround farmer-volunteer from Minnesota. “All of the women in the program have such genuine love and pride for their families, farms, and the products that come off their farms.” CommonGround was

MAPES & MILLER

M &

Certified Public Accountants P.O. Box 266 711 3rd Street Phillipsburg, KS 67661

l Virtua

Rebecca A. Lix, CPA

l Virtua

developed by the National Corn Growers Association, in collaboration with various state corn and soy associations. Though ten years have gone by, the mission remains the same; break the barriers between farmers and consumers through direct conversations. To learn more, people can go to www.findourcommonground.com.

Partner

Office 785-543-6561

Denis W. Miller, CPA Partner

Email: mmpburg@ruraltel.net

You and your family can have a fun evening and enjoy the spirit of Christmas via Facebook Live! See the lighting of the Phillips County Courthouse Square. Contact us for more information: 785-543-2321

Professional Piano Tuning

Get your piano tuned for the holidays! Available Evenings and Weekends Call Ken: (316) 295-7786 Based in Holdrege - Will travel. The Deadline for our Next Issue is noon on TUESDAY, November 24. You may submit your ad by email to statelineshopper@gmail.com or by text/phone: 785-533-0104.

Help Wanted - Norton Area

Sales Person wanted for area print / online publication. Position can be either part or full-time. Experience preferred but will train the right person. Generous performance-based compensation. Required: Valid Driver’s License and Reliable Transportation. Email resume with references to: statelineshopper@gmail.com

November 23, 2020

State Line Shopper pectations • Do something you enjoy whether it be walking the dog, or sewing a new scarf ing social distancing For many, the holi- • Enjoy all the wondue to COVID-19 day blues will bring derful food but don’t may not see their temporary feelings of binge family during the hol- depression or anxiety • Find a local orgaidays this year. As a during the holiday nization who is orcommunity, we must season; however, for ganizing a phone step up and identify some those feelings bank to call seniors individuals in need of will linger. Individ- who are isolated by support.” uals who are already COVID-19 struggling with their • Celebrate a loved Senior Life Solutions emotional health one’s life by sharing is an intensive outpa- should take steps of positive memories tient group therapy extra self-care during • Forgive yourself, we program designed this time. all make mistakes to meet the unique Below is a list of sugneeds of older adults gestions that may For some, the holtypically ages 65 and help counteract the idays can bring on older struggling with holiday blues: temporary depresdepression and anx- • Get enough sleep or sion, and for others, iety often related to rest it may be chronic. If aging. They focus on • Spend time speak- you or someone you helping seniors in the ing with supportive know is struggling community navigate people on the phone with symptoms of difficult life transi- • Don’t drink alco- the winter blues or tions and regain their hol if you are feeling a difficult life transiquality of life not down tion, contact Phillips just during the holi- • Take walks County Hospital’s Seday season, but year- • Stay within budget nior Life Solutions at round. • Set reasonable ex- 1-785-540-4991.

FEELING ANXIOUS AND DEPRESSED APPROACHING THE HOLIDAYS? Phillips County Health Systems SENIOR LIFE SOLUTIONS PROGRAM SAYS YOU’RE NOT ALONE

The winter season is upon us and the colder weather may bring individuals further into isolation. Many Americans have been hunkering down amid the COVID-19 pandemic since early March and this prolonged isolation may take its toll on individuals, especially the elderly population. According to the American Psychological Association, more than 12 million Americans over age 65 live alone. Beyond the feelings of stress and anxiety that may accompany wintertime and the upcoming holidays, families are facing the death of loved ones, grave illnesses, prolonged isolation, and

loss of income due to the pandemic. These stressors can make the holidays blues feel even bluer this year, and Phillips County Health Systems Senior Life Solutions program is here to help older adults in the community.

Tracy Sanson RN, Program Director for Senior Life Solutions/ Senior Solutions said, “This time of year can be a reminder of lost loved ones, lack of access to family traditions, or other changes that may bring about stress and anxiety. These feelings may be exacerbated by the stressors of the pandemic. Many seniors in our community who are practic-

PAGE 3 ABOUT SENIOR LIFE SOLUTIONS: Founded in 2003, Senior Life Solutions is managed by Psychiatric Medical Care (PMC), a leading behavioral healthcare management company. Focused on addressing the needs of rural and underserved communities, PMC manages inpatient behavioral health units, intensive outpatient programs, and telehealth services in more than 25 states. The company's services provide evaluation and treatment for patients suffering from depression, anxiety, mood disorders, memory problems, post-traumatic stress disorder, and other behavioral health problems. For more information, visit www.seniorlifesolutions.com

Hearing for Proposed Adoption of Commercial Industrial Hemp Regulations

A public hearing will be conducted at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, December 7, 2020, to consider the adoption of proposed regulations to govern commercial industrial hemp production in Kansas. Due to public health concerns posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, the hearing proceedings will be held via a video conferencing system to pro-

vide the opportunity for virtual participation online. Although in-person participation is also an option, attendance will be limited to allow for social distancing and to comply with local health requirements. Due to the passage of the 2018 Farm Bill, which removed hemp from the federal Controlled Substances Act, and the Commercial Indus-

trial Hemp Act passed in Kansas in 2019, the Kansas Department of Agriculture is proposing rules and regulations K.A.R. 4-3422 through 4-34-30. A copy of the proposed new regulations, as well as an expanded notice of public hearing, may be accessed on the KDA website at agriculture.ks.gov/PublicComment.

Anyone desiring to participate via video conference or in person must pre-register and be provided with a video link or instructions for in-person attendance. Written comments can be submitted on the public comment web page prior to the hearing or sent to the Kansas Department of Agriculture, 1320 Research Park Drive,

Kingsbury Septic and Pumping FAST • FRIENDLY • EFFICIENT

Owned and Operated by Authentic Ag, Inc. Ken and Lori Rahjes PO Box 118 Phillipsburg, KS 67661 Cell: 785-533-0104 Email: statelineshopper@gmail.com

Manhattan, KS, 66502. Any individual with a disability may request accommodation in order to participate in the public hearing and may request a copy of the regulations in an accessible format. Persons who require special accommodations must make their

needs known at least five working days prior to the hearing. For more information, including special accommodations or a copy of the regulations, please contact Ronda Hutton at 785564-6715 or Ronda. Hutton@ks.gov.

AgView.net - check us out!

• Septic Maintenance, Repairs & Installation • Drain Cleaning • Portable Toilets • Drain Line and Tank Locating Services * Over 16 years of Experience! *

Put the POO CREW to work for you!

Kingsbury Septic and Pumping

785-282-0255

State Line Shopper email: statelineshopper@gmail.com Cell: 785-533-0104

PAGE 4

State Line Shopper

K-State regains national championship in livestock judging Team title is the university’s 15th all time, first since 1998 Kansas State University returned to the pinnacle of livestock judging in the United States when its team captured the North American International Livestock Exposition title on Tuesday, Nov. 17. The victory marks the 15th national championship for K-State’s livestock judging program, but the first since 1998 when the squad won its fifth in a row. “It’s an amazing accomplishment and the culmination to a dominant year by a group of students that have represented Kansas State University in first-class fashion,” said head coach Chris Mullinix. “Some of the most accomplished evaluators and coaches in the history of the livestock industry fell short of their national championship goal, but

this squad was determined from Day One.” Tuesday’s win capped a strong season in which the team won its last five contests, including The American Royal in Kansas City. “Their consistency was amazing and a direct reflection of their work ethic, team depth and competitive spirit,” Mullinix said. Livestock judging challenges students to test their knowledge of a group of animals by ‘placing’ them according to how they compare to each other, and to the ideal animal. They must then justify their placing orally to the judges. K-State landed four individuals in the top eight overall en route to the team win. Skyler Scotten of Nevada, Missouri, and Daniel Dobbs of Car-

nesville, Georgia, placed second and third, respectively. Chisum Grund of Sharon Springs, Kansas, and Austin Vieselmeyer of Amherst, Colorado, were sixth and eighth. Team members Cagney Effling, of Highmore, South Dakota, Justin Slabaugh, of Goshen, Indiana, and Vieselmeyer were named All Americans, and Mullinix was named the national Coach of the Year. The win also broke a string of four consecutive runner-up finishes, or Reserve National Champions, by K-State. In addition to being the overall national championship team, K-State won first place in the categories of reasons, beef, beef reasons and performance beef. The squad placed second in sheep and goats, and third in swine.

For Mullinix, the win was extra special. He was a member of K-State’s 1995 national championship squad and was named high individual that year. He becomes just the third person ever to win a team national championship as a student, finish as high individual, and coach his alma mater to a national championship . The other two were his former coach, Scott Schaake; and Scott Greiner of Iowa State, who is currently the superintendent of the national contest. “I can’t express the pride I had as a student being part of a national champion team, and now coaching a group of students to that same honor,” he said. “My coach, Dr. Scott Schaake, is one (who has achieved the same) and now I’m incredibly hon-

ored to join him.” Other members of this year’s team include Madison Andrade of San Juan Bautista, California, Lane Egger of Columbus, Nebraska, Sam Gleason of Maple Hill, Kansas, and Trace Mulligan of Scott City, Kansas. Graduate student Payton Dahmer was an assistant coach. “Like every other activity, we were forced to jump through a number of hoops to make the season happen,” Mullinix said. “First, we are so thankful for the development of protocol at the university level that gave us the opportunity to travel. At contests, our national events were aggressive in developing procedures to mitigate spread (of COVID-19). “It was an interesting year, but these students have only one year of contest eligibility, so they were willing to do whatever was deemed neces-

November 23, 2020

sary to make it happen.” Mullinix sounded nostalgic in bringing the national championship back to Manhattan. “K-State has fielded a competitive livestock judging team for well over 100 years, and our alumni include some of the greatest livestock minds in the history of animal agriculture,” he said. “Those former team members serve as our biggest supporters and open their ranches to our team every year to help us develop our students’ evaluation skills.” An hour after the victory, Mullinix had received more than 200 text messages from alumni, breeders across Kansas, K-State colleagues and others. “This is a huge team effort and I hope all of our stakeholders take pride in the bronze bull coming home to Manhattan,” he said. “It belongs to us all.”

For More Information Contact:

The Proof is in the Numbers - Phillips County, KS Results Hogemeyer Brand 7088AM 7404Q 7434AM 7644AM 7955AML 8233AM 8268Q 8364AMXT 8490AM 8511AML 8067AMXT Plot Average

Harvest Weight 3360 3480 3835 3750 3890 3830 4045 3770 3910 3970 3855

Harvest Moist. % 14.2 14.2 14.1 14.8 14.9 15.2 15.5 15.9 16.1 16.5 16.0 15.2

# of Rows 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8

Row Width In 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30

Row Length In 853 853 853 853 853 853 853 853 853 853 853

Ragsdale Seed

Bob (785) 476-7692 Todd (785) 476-5481

Test Wt. Yield lbs/bu Bu/Acre 58.4 154.64 58.8 160.17 58.3 176.71 57.9 171.38 59.0 177.57 60.6 174.22 58.6 183.35 59.9 170.07 59.7 175.97 59.0 177.82 56.5 173.70 172.33

November 23, 2020

State Line Shopper

Chicken: The Number One COVID-19 Protein Ag Community Wants EU Trade Tariffs Removed Over the past year, as Americans cooked more food in their homes than they had before, chicken has become the top choice for a healthy and convenient protein that the entire family can enjoy. Approximately 75 percent of Americans who eat chicken say they make it at home at least once a week. During the past nine months of COVID-19, retail chicken sales have increased $1.3 billion, up over 19 percent from the same period in 2019. The National Chicken Council unveiled the findings of a new survey on better understanding chicken consumption patterns and preferences in the U.S. The

survey includes insight into the impact of the pandemic on chicken consumption habits, showing that half of Americans who eat chicken say they have eaten it more than any other protein during COVID-19. The survey found that chicken has been popular because it’s easy to prepare and a versatile protein. With COVID-19 shifting some holiday plans, chicken might help make it a happy holiday as 50 percent of Americans who eat chicken say they’d prefer it to ham or turkey at a holiday meal. 52 percent of Americans prefer grilled chicken, while 48 percent prefer fried chicken.

America’s top agriculture commodity groups and trade associations sent a letter to U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer talking about European Union retaliatory tariffs on American goods. The groups, including Farmers for Free Trade, are asking Lighthizer to “deepen trade discussions” to help bring about World Trade Organization compliance and removal of the EU tariffs

that target U.S. food and ag exports. On November 10, the EU imposed duties on certain cheeses, agricultural equipment, distilled spirits, potatoes, nuts, fruits, juices, chocolate, and ketchup. “Farmers are battling to stay above water and any new tariff in this time of crisis is a big concern,” says Brian Kuehl, Co-Executive Director of Famers for Free Trade. “We know these tariffs are part of a long

legal battle, but anytime farmers become collateral damage is unacceptable.” The letter says American farmers need stability, and that means predictable exports into markets like the European Union. The groups are urging this administration and the next one to double down on their effort to resolve this dispute in a manner that frees American farmers from harmful tariffs.

Grassley Praises Report on Farm Payment Limitations The Government Accountability Office says that the USDA hasn’t been reviewing Farm Service Agency state compliance with rules regarding farm program eligibility. “The lack of oversight and accountability has created a welfare system

Let us help you promote your business, hire your next employee or sell your stuff!

Call: State Line Shopper at 785-533-0104 or email us at statelineshopper@gmail.com for rates and publishing information.

for some joint-ventures and general partnerships, particularly in the South,” says Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley. The GAO report shows that 19 of the top 20 farms that received payments in 2016 and 2017 are in the South. “Farm payments should only go to those with dirt under their fingernails,” Grassley adds. “Congress must fix this broken system in the next farm bill.” Since the last GAO report in 2013, the 2020 report says USDA has made some progress in completing and reporting on re-

views to determine if recipients of farm program payments meet the requirements for being actively engaged in farming. However, USDA doesn’t systematically monitor its performance of compliance reviews, which are the responsibility of FSA state offices. The report says improving the accuracy and monitoring of tracking data would help management to better oversee state offices’ completion of assigned reviews to make sure all the members of a farming operation who receive payments are actively engaged in farming.

PAGE 5

FOR SALE 2020 Chevy Equinox, AWD, 1.5 turbo, auto, 19,962 mi. .................................$23,900 2019 Dodge Caravan SXT, 3.6 auto, 34K..........$18,900 2017 Chevy Silverado 1500 LT, crew cab, 4x4, 5.3 auto, heated cloth seats, 83K....... .................................$32,900 2016 Chevy Colorado LT, ext. cab, RWD, 2.4 auto, 90K..........................$16,900 2015 Ford Focus SE, 4 cyl., auto, 59K ..................$8,950 2014 Chevy Silverado 2500HD, 4x4, 6.6 Duramax, Allison Trans., 125K........................$24,900 2014 Ford F-350 King Ranch, crew cab, 6.7 diesel, auto, 4x4, heated & cooled leather, loaded, 154K........................$34,900 2008 Chevy Silverado 2500HD, crew cab, 6.6 Duramax, 4WD, auto, 135K........................$19,900 2008 Lincoln Navigator, 4x4, 5.4 auto, 232K..$7,500 2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee, V6 auto, 4x4, 137K.......$4,950 2006 Buick Rainier CXL, 2WD, 4.2 auto, 168K...$4,500 2006 Chevy Impala, 3.5 V6 auto, 176K......................$3,950 2001 Chevy Silverado 2500 HD, ext. cab, 4x4, 6.0 auto, 223K......................$5,950

J&S Auto

Hwy 24 & 181 • Downs, KS Daytime785-454-3931 Evening 785-454-3720 785-545-6898 785-454-1038

jandsautodowns.com

PAGE 6

State Line Shopper

Feeding 4-H and Fat Steers at Home Jenilee Godsey Twin Creeks Extension District Youth Agriculture Agent As a new 4-H year kicks off, it’s time to start thinking about selecting your 2021 beef project animals if you haven’t done so already! With new animals hitting the pens, it’s always important to make sure that your feeding regimen is set in stone and ready for implementation. Whether this is your first year exhibiting beef or you are well-versed, the tips included in this article are great to keep in mind while building your feeding program. Here is an article I would like to share with you written by Lisa Moser, MarCom Copywriter – Communication and Ag Education. It provides an insight to understanding rations and controlling expenses. Experts at the Kansas State University Beef Cattle Institute said it is important that firsttime cattle feeders deliver the appropriate ration and understand the increased expenses they may incur. “To hand-raise a steer from 700 pounds to 1,400 pounds, factoring in the purchase price of the animal, feed costs and process-

ing expenses, the beef that you bring home is going to cost about $5 per pound,” said Bob Weaber, beef extension specialist, on a recent Cattle Chat podcast. “It will never be as reasonably priced as what you can buy at the grocery store.” “You may want to find a bulk storage solution for feed because that will decrease your feed costs from buying it a bag at time,” said Brad White, veterinarian and BCI director. One option, he said, is a gravity wagon that allows producers to buy feed by the ton and carry it by the bucket to the steers that are being fed. Another way to reduce feed expenses is to purchase feedstuffs that are available in the local area, said BCI nutritionist Phillip Lancaster. “A finishing feed will need to have quite a bit of grain in it. For many that local source will be corn but it will also need a high energy protein source like soybean meal, cottonseed meal or distiller’s grains,” he said. “Work with your local co-op or extension agent who can help you formulate the right ration for a growing steer.” The main goal for steers hand fed between

You can also find us online at: www.statelineshopper.com

700 pounds through the finishing phase is three pounds per day, Weaber said. “To make that goal, the calf needs to be fed six pounds of feed for one pound of gain so about 2.1 tons of feed during that phase,” Weaber said. Along with the feed, he said the cattle need to eat hay to keep their rumen healthy. “The hay keeps the calves from going into an acidotic state with the high concentrate finishing feed,” Weaber said. Veterinarian Bob Larson explained how a severe case of acidosis can be toxic to cattle and offered suggestions on ways to keep that from happening. “You need to acclimate the cattle to a changing diet over several weeks where you are increasing the high grain concentrate and decreasing the hay. Otherwise some cattle will overeat the grain and that can have very serious consequences,” he said. The timing of the feed delivery is also important. “Feeding them at the same time each day helps the rumen PH balance,” said Weaber, who recommends feeding twice a day, 12 hours apart. If a morning feeding is missed, he said it is better to skip that feeding rather than feeding twice in a shorter time period. Along with the points mentioned above, the

experts offered this checklist of recommendations when feeding a steer through the finishing phase at home: • Create complete rations including mineral supplementation. • Work with a veterinarian to develop a good health plan. • Have adequate housing to raise the animal through the winter. • Consider the economics when finishing the calves at home. • Formulate rations based on the available feedstuffs. • Determine bulk feeding storage options that may be available. • Monitor changes in growth and adjust the amount of feed appropriate for that animal. To hear the full discussion on hand-raising a

steer, listen to the BCI

Cattle Chat podcast. Jenilee Godsey is a Youth Agriculture Agent for the Twin Creeks Extension District which covers Decatur, Norton, Graham and Sheridan counties. Email her at jenileem@ ksu.edu or reach her by telephone at the Graham County Office, (785) 421-3411.

November 23, 2020

How Much Water Do Those Cows Need? Rachael Boyle Phillips-Rooks District Extension Agent Agriculture and Natural Resources

Most cattle producers fully understand the importance of water. After all, providing an adequate supply of clean, fresh water is the cornerstone of animal husbandry and there are very few things that compare to the feeling of finding thirsty cows grouped around a dry tank. Water is important and, in situations where the water supply is limited or water is being hauled (i.e. grazing crop residues), one of the first questions we find ourselves asking is “how much water do those cows need”? The old rule of thumb is that cattle should consume 1-2 gallons of water per 100 lbs. of bodyweight. Water consumption in-

creases linearly as ambient temperature increases above 40° Fahrenheit such that cows require an additional gallon of water for every 10-degree increase in temperature. Additionally, lactation also directly increases the amount of water required by beef cows. The publication “Estimating Water Requirements for Mature Beef Cattle” summarizes the daily water requirements of beef cows of several different body weights, milk production levels and ambient temperatures. https://www.bookstore.ksre.ksu.edu/ pubs/MF3303.pdf For more information, please contact the local K-State Research and Extension Office.

November 23, 2020

State Line Shopper

PAGE 7

Prolonged or intense drought triggers relief options through Livestock Forage Program Nearly 86% of Nebraska is experiencing moderate drought or worse, and that nearly 12% of the state is experiencing extreme or exceptional drought, according to the most recent U.S. Drought Monitor map. Prolonged or intense droughts during normal grazing periods can negatively impact resources that livestock owners and contract growers depend on. The U.S. Department of Agriculture Farm Service Agency offers a relief program meant to help offset forage

loss, and it is triggered by the Drought Monitor. The Livestock Forage Program (LFP) provides payments to eligible livestock owners and contract growers who have suffered a loss of grazed forage due to a qualifying drought during the normal grazing period as determined on a county basis. The U.S. Drought Monitor (www. droughtmonitor.unl. edu) is a weekly product that analyzes drought conditions across the U.S. and its territories.

The Drought Monitor is housed online by the National Drought Mitigation Center at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln School of Natural Resources. Drought Monitor authors synthesize data from dozens of monitoring resources, collaborate with on-theground experts and determine and validate whether or not an area is in drought or not, and if so, how severe it is. Conditions are categorized on a scale from abnormal dryness (D0, which is not yet drought) to exceptional

drought (D4). LFP eligibility is based in part on those categories. If an eligible livestock owner or contract grower who, as a grazed forage crop producer, owns or leases grazing land or pastureland physically located in a county rated by the U.S. Drought Monitor has experienced severe drought (D2) for at least eight consecutive weeks during the normal grazing period, they are eligible to receive assistance in an amount equal to one monthly pay-

ment. They are eligible for assistance of an amount equal to three monthly payments if they experience extreme drought (D3) in any area of the county at any point during the normal grazing period. They are eligible for four monthly payments if they experience extreme drought for at least four weeks or exceptional drought (D4) at any time. Experiencing exceptional drought for four weeks during the normal grazing period qualifies for an amount equal to five monthly payments.

JOB LISTINGS

Brought to you every week by a partnership between:

“Since implemented as part of the 2008 Farm Bill, the U.S. Drought Monitor has triggered over $7.3 billion in federal relief to livestock producers through the Livestock Forage Program, said Drought Monitor Author and National Drought Mitigation Center climatologist Brian Fuchs. “The 2020 drought has been the most significant Nebraskans have seen since 2012-2013, and it has triggered relief options in several Nebraska counties already.”

For more information about any of these jobs, to apply, or to post a job listing for your business, please visit: www.phillipscountyks.org/jobs call (785) 543-5809 or email: assistant@pcedks.org .

This service is free of charge to the residents and businesses of Phillips County.

Help Wanted - Smith Center Area

Classified Ads are $5.00 for the first ten words, then $0.25 per word thereafter. Please pre-pay classified ad when you mail it to: State Line Shopper PO Box 118 Phillipsburg, KS 67661 PLEASE NOTE: Our next Deadline is TUESDAY by noon.