South Dakota Farm & Ranch April 2021

SDFU CELEBRATES KIMBALL RANCH FAMILY

4

PRESORTED STANDARD ECRWSS US POSTAGE PAID PERMIT 55 MITCHELL, SD

Local Postal Customer

RANCHER OVERCOMES ‘TOUGHEST CALVING SEASON’

APRIL 2021

10 APRIL 2021 SOUTH DAKOTA FARM & RANCH 1

A Good Bank in a Good Community!

Checking Services • Savings CD’S • IRA’S Mortgages • Vehicle & Personal Loans

Tony & Jodi Wolf, Owners 1004 South Ben Street PO Box 89 Parkston, SD 57366

COMMUNITY BANK OF AVON

www.meyerinkfs.com

605-286-3213

Make a difference this Earth Day. On Earth Day and every day, the routine choices we make affect our planet, so here are some simple tips for choosing wisely: • Reduce, reuse and recycle at home, at work and at school.

• Shop for used goods, or look for items made from recycled materials.

• Buy in bulk or multi-packs to cut down on packaging waste.

605-928-7335 1-888-595-6717

Meyerink Farm Service

118 N Main St. • Avon, SD

1-800-658-2293 • 605-337-2621

Cause An Effect!

• Look for Energy Star® and WaterSense® labels on products like appliances and plumbing fixtures.

• Cut down on plastic bags by carrying your own reusable shopping bags to the store.

• Properly dispose of recyclable items, electronics and potentially hazardous materials.

• Always turn off lights and appliances when you leave a room.

• Unplug your mobile phone charger when it’s not in use.

Chris Nelson General Manager

605-337-3374

36590 SD Hwy 44 • Platte, SD www.pharmco.com LOCATIONS IN Platte•Chamberlain•Kimball•Winner

• Walk, ride your bike or use public transportation whenever possible.

• Choose locally and organically produced foods.

• Turn off the water while brushing your teeth or shaving.

• Don’t top off your gas tank, as this lets harmful chemicals enter the air.

• Go to www.epa.gov/earthday to find local vol-unteer opportunities and to learn more about steps you can take to protect our planet.

ALPENA

Coop Service 831 Main Ave • Alpena, SD

605-849-3341

Business: 605-770-2957 Home: 605-449-4939

We offer propane, gas & diesel products

Emery, SD | Carl Nordwald Excavation & Utility Construction of All Types

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This Earth Day message is brought to you by these businesses.

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Thank you to our area Farmers and Ranchers!

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Mitchell, SD Chamberlain, SD 990-2376 234-6086

Winner, SD 842-3050

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Statewide Ag Insurance is an equal opportunity provider/employer

Mike Fastnacht 605-350-0867

Scott & Mary Tilberg, Agents 1140 Spruce Street · PO Box 128 Alexandria, SD 57311 605.239.4513

Mike Polancheck 605-770-6537 or 605-539-0236 Al Meier 605-770-9679

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SPRING IS HERE

AND SO ARE THE SAVINGS.

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

ROLL-BELT 560 SPECIALTY CROP PLUS ROUND BALERS

On the cover

• High Moisture Silage Crops or Extreme Dry Conditions Baling Capability • New 2,500 lb. Maximum Bale Weight • New Integrated Crop Moisture Sensor • Enhanced Rolls to Reduce Crop Accumulation & Wrapping Around Rolls • Larger, Heavier Driveline & Heavier Diamond Brand Chains • Cut-Out Style Pickup Clutch

SPRING IS HERE Features ANDSPRING SO ARE IS HERE

Rancher Overcomes ‘Toughest Calving Season’

4

Spring Mud and Flooding 6 Funding to Improve Land 7 SDFU Celebrates Kimball Family 10 USDA to Assist Those Affected

by Winter Storms 12 Graze Hard 13 Auctioneer Directory 14 Hugh Hammond Bennett Award 15

THE SAVINGS. AND SO ARE THE SAVINGS. SPRING IS HERE DISCBINE 316 16 FT. DISC MOWER CONDITIONERS

• Large disc mowmax II modular Cutterbar • Shockpro hubs • 3-year Mowmax warranty • Wide-dry Rubber conditioners • Quickmax knife-change system

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GETFOR READY FOR A NEW SEASON DURING READY A NEW SEASON DURING * and Cash 0% Financing SPRING SALES EVENT. THE DRIVE SPRING DRIVE SALES EVENT.

Advertising Director LOR IE H A N SEN

Back offers!

Layout Design R AC H EL P OSER

e time to save on the New Holland equipment you need for a productive new season.

Now’s the time to save on the New Holland ect compact and all-purpose tractors to mower-conditioners and balers, you’ll find equipment you need for a productive new season. land reliability and performance ready to go, just in time for spring.

South Dakota Farm & Ranch is an agricultural publication dedicated to informing SD and Midwest area farmers & ranchers about current topics and news. offer emower-conditioners nds June 30, 2021. Stopand

by Now’s tbalers, odaythe oryou’ll visitand hsave offeon rsthe .coNew m. Holland equipment you need for a productive new season. This publication fits the niche of our unique farmers and ranchers time * tonfind From select compact and all-purpose tractors to mower-conditioners and balers, you’ll findof the Midwest, and the diverseness we have in our area. Although New Holland reliability and performance Newspring.

Holland reliability and performance ready to go, just in time for spring. the Missouri River divides our state, we are all South Dakotans and ready to go, just in time for GET READY FOR A NEW SEASON DURING thank the land for supporting us each and every day.

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THE SPRING DRIVEJune SALES Hurry, offer ends 30,EVENT. 2021.

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Scott Supply We’re Compaall ny South Dakota Farmers and Ranchers’ and when you 605-996-7704 2800 West Havens,advertise Mitchell, SD 57301Dakota Farm & Ranch, you are immersing your in South www.scottsucompany, pplyco.coproduct, m and service into a growing community of dedicated Scott Supply Company 605-99farmers 6-7704 and ranchers. Welcome to South Dakota Farm & Ranch!

2800 West Havens, Mitchell, SD 57301 www.scSD ottsup57301 plyco.com To subscribe to this FREE publication, contact South Dakota Farm 2800 West Havens, Mitchell, *For commercial use only. Customer participation subject to credit qualification and approval by CNH Indus6tr0 ial5C-a9 pit9 al6 Am ica0L4 LC. See your New Holland dealer for details and eligibility requirements.

-7er7 CNH Industrial Capital America LLC standard terms and cwww.scottsupplyco.com onditions will apply. Down payment may be required. Not all customers or applicants may qualify. Offer good until June 30, 2021, at parti& cipatRanch. ing

GET READY FOR A NEW SEASON DURING SPRING SALES EVENT. From select compact andTHE all-purpose tractorsDRIVE to

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New Holland dealers in the United States. Taxes, freight, set-up, delivery, additional options or attachments not included in suggested retail price. Offer subject to change or cancellation without notice. © 2021 CNH Industrial America LLC. All rights reserved. CNH Industrial Capital and New Holland are trademarks registered in the United States and many other countries, owned by or licensed to CNH Industrial N.V., its subsidiaries or affiliates. *For commercial use only. Customer participation subject to credit qualification and approval by CNH Industrial Capital America LLC. See your New Holland dealer for details and eligibility requirements.

CNH Industrial Capital America LLC standard terms and conditions will apply. Down payment may be required. Not all customers or applicants may qualify. Offer good until June 30, 2021, at participating *For commercial use only. Customer participation subject to credit qualification and approval by CNH Industrial Capital America LLC. See your New Holland dealer for details and eligibility requirements.

CNH Industrial Capital America LLC standard terms and conditioN nsewwillHapoplllya.nDdowdnepaalyemrsenitnmtahyebeUrenqiuteirdedS . Ntaott easll.cuTsatxoemse,rsfroer iagphplti,casnetst-muapy, qduealliifvy.eOrfyfe, ragdod odituionn tilaJluo nep3ti0o, n20s2o 1,raat pttaarctichipmateinngts not included in suggested retail price. Offer subject to change or cancellation without notice.

New Holland dealers in the United States. Taxes, freight, set-up,© deli2v0 er2y,1adCdN itiH onaIn l odputisotnrsiaolr A atm tacehrmiceantsLnLoCt .inA clluldreidgihntssurgegsesetrevderd et.aiC l pNriH ce.In Od ffeurssturbiajelcC t toapchitaanlgae nod r cN anecw ellaHtio onllawnithdouatrenottricaed. emarks registered in the United States and many other countries, owned by or licensed to CNH © 2021 CNH Industrial America LLC. All rights reserved. CNH IInndd usutrsiatrl iCaalpN ita.lVa.,nditN seswuHboslliadnidarairestraodremafafirklsiarteegsis.tered in the United States and many other countries, owned by or licensed to CNH

605-996-7704

Industrial N.V., its subsidiaries or affiliates.

sdfarmandranch

APRIL 2021 SOUTH DAKOTA FARM & RANCH 3

Area rancher overcomes ‘toughest calving season’ to see miracle ending

By Sam Fosness Mitchell Republic PARKSTON — In Jared Tiede’s seven years of ranching in southeast South Dakota, calving seasons have been a smooth ride.

However, this year has been anything but smooth. From the moment the calving season started in early February, the 22-yearold Parkston rancher was faced with challenges unlike anything he’s ever experienced.

For the first time in his cattle farming life, Tiede said the hardships made him question his ranching dreams.

“When I looked out and saw the calf laying down, I thought, ‘Great,

the calving season has started.’ But when I saw its head wasn’t moving, I knew something was wrong,” Tiede said.

“I’ve never lost a calf before, so it was really hard to start the calving year off that way.”

After losing his first calf, Tiede began to search for answers as to what could have caused the calf to die almost instantaneously out of the womb.

Considering he’s had no issues with his heifers breeding healthy calves over the past decade, Tiede said it made it that much harder to try and pinpoint what could have gone wrong leading up to the birth of the calf. He turned his focus

4 SOUTH DAKOTA FARM & RANCH APRIL 2021

to the heifer that gave birth to the deceased calf and made sure the cow was healthy to continue breeding.

“The vets thought it must have been some kind of neurological issue. I wondered if it was the hay I was feeding my cows, but I couldn’t put a finger on it since she wasn’t in bad shape at all,” Tiede said of his heifer.

Following a trip to the veterinarian that resulted in mixed speculation of the cause of death, Tiede was left wondering as he tried to cope with the loss of his first calf. He decided to sell his cow that gave birth to the calf that died and trekked to Nebras-

Matt Gade / Republic

Jared Tiede, of rural Parkston, chases down his last calf to tag on Friday, April 2 at his cattle pen south of town. ka. Despite his vehicle breaking down on the way to deliver the cow to a Nebraska rancher, Tiede was ready to make it back to his ranch and put the rough start of

the calving season would have to experibehind him. ence yet another loss.

But the hits kept com- Only this time, it was a ing. Still mourning the set of twin calves, and death of his calf, Tiede more bad news.

Continued on page 5

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Continued from page 4 “When I saw the first one was likely dead, I thought ‘We can’t be doing this again, what is going wrong?’ That was my first set of twins, and less than a week after losing my first calf, I had to do it all over again,” he said. “I stuck a blade of grass in the other calf’s nose, and it didn’t flinch at all. That’s when I knew that it was also dead.”

Breeding a heifer that gives birth to a set of twins is rare itself, Tiede said. The birth of twin calves usually calls for celebration, but for Tiede, it turned out to be another taxing hardship. While he was filled with excitement when the twin calves were born, it quickly turned to heartache after he came to the realization they were both dead.

“I was so excited to see twins for the first time, but it ended up being one of the hardest moments I had to deal with,” Tiede said.

“After the twins died, I was starting to rethink my whole life as a cattle farmer. I was like, ‘Why am I doing this?’”

As a first generation rancher, Tiede wasn’t surrounded by family members who went through such hardships in a year, making the tough start that much more difficult.

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Matt Gade / Republic

Jared Tiede, of rural Parkston, has had an up-anddown time calving this year with the few head of cattle that he owns.

‘Perfect ending to a tough calving season’

2,115 engine hours, 1,633 rotor hours, 620/70R42 Duals, 750/65R26 Rear Tires, Field Tracker, Rock Trap, Long Unloading Auger with Pivoting Spout, Independent Cross Auger Control, Chopper, Pro 700, Luxury Cab, HID Lights, Autoguidance.

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vived. “I was in absolute shock to see another set * of twins. Most people don’t have a set of twins FOR Although everything in a year, and I had two Hurry, offer ends June 30, 2021! that could have gone separate sets of twins in wrong during this year’s less than a month.” * While he could have calving season seemingly went wrong for folded and sold his seven FOR FOR Tiede, the young ranch- cows to stick with his fullHurry, offer en Hurry, offer ends June 30, 2021! er found a way to perse- time job away from the farm, Tiede remembered vere through it all.

Little did Tiede know why he got into ranching persevering through the in the first place. It was tough challenges he faced a way of life that he was De-Clutch, In-Cab Density, Net & Twine, Rubber Rolls, Drawbar Hitch, Quickearly in the calving sea- deeply passionate about, Change Knives, Adjustable Skid Wide Pickup, Endless Belts, 21.5 x 16.1 son would bring him one and he wasn’t going to let Shoes, 3-Year Cutterbar Warranty Tires, 1000 PTO, Moisture Sensor of his “greatest rewards” the obstacles end his love as a rancher. Toward the of ranching.

Are you putting up the highest-quality hay? Whether you feed your hay or sell “Some people like golfend of the calving season, roughly a month after ing and fishing, but for it, build the best possible bales you can with Case IH disc mower conditioners losing the set of twins, some reason this is what I and round balers. Get fast cutting, simple, no-tool adjustments and thorough another one of Tiede’s love to do,” Tiede said, as conditioning for high-quality hay with Case IH disc mower conditioners. hisyoucalves heifers brought a set of he checked on Are Are you puttingyou’re up the highest-quality hay?

Whether feed your hay or sell it,build build best you can w putting up theAnd highest-quality hay?

Whether you feed your hay or sellyou it, build the best possible bales the you can possible with Casebales IH disc when ready to bale, Case IH round balers dense, squareandcutting, round balers. fast cutting, simple, adjustments andfor thorough conditioning round conditioners balers. Get fast simple,Get no-tool adjustments andno-tool thorough conditioning high-quality hay withfor high-q twins. But this time, they in his pasture. mower conditioners andmower shouldered bales that don’t sag.

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And when you’re readyhigh-efficiency to bale,build Casedense, IH round balers dense, square-shouldered Case IH disc mower conditioners.

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Contact us today to request a demo and experience the performance of Red Equipment. year, the importantly, they lived to he overcame this and round balers. Contact us today to request a demo and experience the performance of Red Equipment. conditioners and round balers. become Tiede’s first set of birth of the twin calves twin calves he ever raised. was a reassuring ending “The good Lord was to the most trying calving watching over the farm season Tiede has faced. that day,” Tiede said of Now that the calving the twin calves that sur- season has wrapped up, 3-Year Cutterbar Warranty Tiede said he’s learned now cash some of the most valuable lessons this year.

Learning how to persevere and overcome challenges is Tiede’s silver lining in the most tumultuous calving season he’s ever experienced.

2800 West Havens, Mitchell, SD 57301 “You just have to push www.scottsupplyco.com through and keep moving. You’ll always have 605-996-7704 more calves on the way, and you have to hope for * For commercial only.qualification Customer participation subject credit qualification and approval

by CNH Industrial Capital America or CNH Industrial Capital Ltd.details See your Case IH dealer for det * For commercial use only. Customer participation subject touse credit and approval

by CNHtoIndustrial Capital America LLC or CNH Industrial Capital Canada Ltd. LLC See your participating IHCanada dealerLLC for andparticipating eligibility requirements. *For commercial use only.

Customer participation subject to credit qualification and approval

by CNH Industrial CapitalCase America or CNH Industrial Capital Down payment may2021. be required.

Offer goodorthrough June may 30, 2021.

Not customers or applicants may qualify this rateLLC or or term.

Industrial Capital America or CNHterms Industrial Capital Canada Ltd. standar better luck with them Down payment may be required. Offer good through JuneSee 30, Not all customers applicants qualify forall this rate oreligibility term.

CNH Industrial CapitalforAmerica CNHCNH Industrial Canada Ltd. LLC standard and conditions will Canada Ltd. yourwill participating Case IH dealer for details and requirements.

Down mayterm beCapital Offer good through 30, 2021. apply.

This transaction be unconditionally free.

Canada Thea interest rate will be of 0.0% per annum for apayment contract ofrequired.

48ofmonths. a retail contractJune date of January apply. This transaction will be unconditionally interest free. Canada Example: The interestinterest rate will be 0.0% perExample: annum for total contract term 48 months.

Based ontotal a retail contract date January Based 1, 2021onwith a suggested retail price a 1, 2021 with NotnewallDC133 customers applicants may qualify forbalance this rate or term. CNH Industrial Capital America LLC or CNH Industrial Capital Canada Ltd. standard termsonand (Flail) of or C$65,316, customer provides down C$13,063.68 and the balance of C$52,252.32 annum for 48 months. will be 48The equal of C$1,088.59.

DC133 (Flail) ofof C$65,316, customer provides down payment of C$13,063.68 and finances the payment ofofC$52,252.32 at 0%finances per annum for 48 months.

There willatbe0% 48per equal monthly payments ofThere C$1,088.59. totalmonthly amountpayments payable will be to make some newkind conditions will will be unconditionally interest free.

Canada Example: The interest be 0.0% per a total contract term C$65,316, includes finance chargesadditional of C$0.00.

Taxes, freight, setup, delivery, additional options or attachments notsubject included in rate suggested retail price.

Offerannum subject. tofor change or cancellation without notice. .

C$65,316, which includes finance charges of C$0.00.which Taxes,apply. freight,This setup,transaction delivery, options or attachments not included in suggested retail price. Offer to change orwill cancellation without notice.

48 months.

Based on retail contract date January 1,CNH 2021 aCapital suggested pricecountries, onina the new DC133 (Flail) ofCNH C$65,316, customer down ©2021 CNH Industrial LLC. All rights reserved.

Case IH and Industrial are trademarks registered United and many other countries, by provides or licensed to CNH Industrial N.V., CNH Industrial rights reserved.

Case IHAmerica anda CNH Industrial Capital areof trademarks registered inwith the United States andretail many other owned byStates or licensed to Industrial N.V.,owned its subsidiaries or affiliates. money,” Tiede ©2021 said.

“IAmerica LLC. Allofpayment of C$13,063.68 and finances the balance of C$52,252.32 at 0% per annum for 48 months. There will be 48 equal monthly payments of C$1,088.59.

The total amount payable will be C$65,316, which includes finance charges of C$0.00. Taxes, freight, setup, delivery, additional options or attachments not Matt Gade / Republic found out how much I included in suggested retail price. Offer subject to change or cancellation without notice. .

A pair of Jared Tiede’s calves mingle on his Parkston love all of this, and I ©2021 CNH Industrial America LLC. All rights reserved. Case IH and CNH Industrial Capital are trademarks registered in the United States and many other countries, owned by or licensed to CNH Industrial N.V., its subsidiaries or affiliates. ranch. don’t plan to stop.”

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APRIL 2021 SOUTH DAKOTA FARM & RANCH 5

ALFALFA SEED Dealing with spring

HIGH PERFORMING VARIETIES 2020 Alfalfa Variety Trial SDSU SE Research Farm, Beresford, SD

Table 1. Dry matter yields in first year (2020) of an alfalfa variety trial established at the Southeast Research Farm in Beresford, South Dakota.

The season started with ample moisture, but was marked by dry weather and drought stress in late July and August.

Line DSX174083 DSX174082 DB Aqua Maxx HybriForce 4400 Viking Organic 5200 GA440XQ Falcata Red Falcon DB HeavyWeight check GA349XL HybriForce-4420 DB Rush Hour AFX163050 DSX174085 Viking 374 Bluebird C0415C3364 Viking 394 Salinity Max Husky Supreme DB 540 Salt Viking 342 mean CV (%) P-value LSD (0.10)

Cut 1 July 9 (ton/ac) 1.76 1.83 1.82 1.71 1.72 1.76 1.77 1.72 1.67 1.89 1.65 1.74 1.77 1.75 1.61 1.81 1.70 1.67 1.71 1.58 1.64 1.56 1.51

Cut 2 Aug 21 (ton/ac) 1.39 1.28 1.18 1.28 1.27 1.23 1.18 1.22 1.27 1.03 1.26 1.15 1.11 1.12 1.24 1.02 1.10 1.09 1.04 1.12 1.05 1.07 1.07

Season Total (ton/ac) 3.15 3.11 3.00 3.00 2.99 2.99 2.95 2.94 2.93 2.92 2.91 2.88 2.88 2.86 2.86 2.83 2.79 2.76 2.75 2.70 2.69 2.63 2.58

1.71 7.3 <0.05 0.148

1.16 13.7 <0.05 0.187

2.87 7.9 <0.05 0.265

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6 SOUTH DAKOTA FARM & RANCH APRIL 2021

mud and flooding

By SDSU Extension Winter in South Dakota is often not for the faint of heart, especially for livestock producers.

The good news is that eventually there will be some signs of spring.

The bad news is there are often significant challenges to overcome.

As the snow melts, we are going to be left to deal with mud at a minimum and extensive flooding as a possible worst-case scenario.

While we can’t control the pace of melting or the possibility of additional precipitation, we may be able to take a few steps to mitigate the negative impacts.

Dealing with muddy yard conditions Mud in open yards is extremely detrimental to cattle performance and efficiency. Unfortunately, mud is a common occurrence whenever we have greater than normal snowfall or if we go into winter with saturated soil conditions.

If we haven’t had the chance to move or at least pile up snow or ice on the pen surface, we often have a window of opportunity to do so now as long as it still gets below freezing at night. Scraping pens also reduces the places for surface water to collect and slow down the

drying process. These steps can be easier said than done, especially if the ground is too soft, but anything we can do now will reduce problems later.

Removing any drainage impediments also would be a useful step.

Sometimes soil or manure will build up along fences or drainage ways and unnecessarily block water flow. Moving that material now, if possible, will allow surface drainage water to move off the pen surface more quickly.

In some cases, it may make sense to send cattle to market sooner, especially in backgrounding programs.

Sending out the cattle has several benefits.

One, if cattle are sold before lot conditions deteriorate producers can avoid the losses in performance and efficiency. In extreme cases, marketing sooner may be the best opportunity to get cattle shipped due to poor road conditions.

Even a partial depopulation could be helpful.

Researchers in Nebraska found that allowing increased room per head in an open yard reduced much of the negative impacts of mud on performance.

Feed Supply Access Flooding can be a very real possibility when

soils are saturated or there is above normal winter precipitation.

Strategic positioning of feed supplies in case water levels rise and makes roads impassable will help mitigate risk. That could be especially important for feedstuffs that need to be trucked in from a distance if there are any questionable areas along the travel route.

Feed stored on one part of the farm might also become inaccessible.

Moving some feed supplies closer while there is still some frost in the ground will be easier compared to doing so in the mud.

In some cases, roughage supplies become short as the seasons transition from winter to spring. That can be especially true in winters when hay consumption is greater than normal or there is increased need for bedding. Limiting feeding grain can be a useful strategy to stretch forage supplies, but this isn’t a strategy that can be implemented immediately. There needs to be an adaptation period to adjust cattle to additional starch. If substituting grain for hay is a possibility plans allow at least 20 days for cattle to adapt to changes in the diet.

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Producers receive financial assistance to improve their land

By Stan Wise South Dakota Soil Health Coalition PIERRE — For many producers, knowing that soil health is important just isn’t enough. The challenge for them is how to pay for it.

“Conservation is not cheap,” Marshall County producer Dennis Fagerland said.

Soil health is gaining recognition as a solution to many problems facing the rural landscape. Improved soil health can help improve producers’ incomes, reduce erosion, sequester carbon, improve water quality, increase drought resilience and reduce flooding. However, many producers don’t have the resources to change their operations and adopt conservation practices.

Fortunately, they don’t have to pay for it all by themselves. Many government agencies have programs to help share the cost of improving the soil.

“When your margins are so tight, it’s nice to have some assistance,” Fagerland said. “And

that’s what those programs are there for.”

Valorie Dupraz, Natural Resources Conservation Service acting assistant state conservationist – programs, said that producers can get help with “adding additional crop types to rotations, cover crops, adding perennials, better management of nutrient rates and placement on their land. From a grassland management standpoint, rotational grazing, improving plant diversity and deferment would all be activities that fit our soil health practices and are eligible for assistance.”

Putting assistance to work Fagerland runs a cowcalf operation with his wife, Jean, and they also grow corn, soybeans and small grains. The Fagerlands follow their small grains harvest with cover crops which they graze in October. In their pastures, they use rotational grazing, and they have reintroduced native grasses. “That really helps out later in

the summer when the cool season grasses stop growing,” Fagerland said.

Using NRCS programs like the Conservation Stewardship Program and the Environmental Quality Incentives Program, the Fagerlands have renovated shelterbelts, laid pipelines, planted pollinator plots, and introduced cover crops to their operation.

They also used a program through the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to set up fencing for their rotational grazing program.

These conservation efforts have paid off for the Fagerlands. When they started, their land had reduced soil organic matter percentages — some fields had less than 2 percent. Now, Fagerland said, they have increased that to 4.8 percent.

“The more organic matter you have, the more moisture you retain when it rains,” Fagerland said. “We’ve had a few dry years, and we haven’t had to reduce our herd size at all.

Continued on page 8

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Continued from page 7 It really pays off. All these little things make a big difference in the end.”

Maddy Rabenhorst grows corn and soybeans with her husband, Bryce, near Salem. They are using no-till practices with their soybeans, strip-tilling their corn ground, and experimenting with cover crops. They have been in the Conservation Stewardship Program for the past few years.

“Our first contract was primarily focused on implementing grass waterways,” Rabenhorst said. “They also helped with implementing variable rate fertilizer and helped with soil testing.”

She said that she and her husband are applying for a new contract to help share the cost of their no-till practices

and using more cover crops on their farm.

“CSP really helped our farm to be able to make more advancements quicker,” she said. “It’s been a really big help, and it’s really improved our land, too.”

Available funding There are numerous programs to help producers. In addition to CSP and EQIP, Dupraz said that NRCS offers the Conservation Innovation Grant, Conservation Technical Assistance, the Agricultural Conservation Easement Program, and the Regional Conservation Partnership Program.

There’s also a new program that producers might not be familiar with.

“Conservation Implementation Strategy is a new targeted approach to addressing resource concerns within a certain geographical area,”

Dupraz said. “South Dakota NRCS funded 16 CIS projects in fiscal year 2021 and is accepting CIS applications until April 15, 2021, for consideration in fiscal year 2022.”

Producers can even get financial assistance with soil health practices they are already using.

“Producers are eligible for Existing Activity Payments through the CSP program that recognizes good conservation they are currently implementing on their operation,” Dupraz said.

There are also funding opportunities available through non-profit organizations. For instance, the Soil Health Planning and Improvement Project, administered by the South Dakota Soil Health Coalition, is designed to help pay for soil health practices that will improve water

quality within certain specified watersheds in South Dakota. Producers within these watersheds can apply for assistance in planting cover crops, adding water sources for optimal grazing management, and more.

“This year is a first for the Coalition having cost share dollars available,” SDSHC Coordinator Cindy Zenk said.

“Cover crops and grassland management are two key practices we are excited to offer through our project.”

Producers interested in learning more about the project can contact the South Dakota Soil Health Coalition and find out if their land lies in one of the project area watersheds.

“SDSHC will work with producers in assessing the land, finding the best management options, and selecting the program

with the funds to assist in implementing the practices,” Zenk said.

Getting started With so many different types of financial assistance available across different organizations and government agencies, it can be difficult for producers to know where to begin. Fortunately, local NRCS staff are available to help guide producers through the different programs.

“Your go-to is your county NRCS person,” Rabenhorst said.

“They’re going to have the most knowledge when it comes to the different programs out there.”

Fagerland agreed.

Speaking of his conservation program, he said, “NRCS is very helpful in helping design it and helping us implement it. It’s something we couldn’t have done on

our own.”

“And definitely contact the South Dakota Soil Health Coalition,” Fagerland added. “They have a network of mentors across the state.”

It can be helpful for producers to speak with other farmers or ranchers who are already using cost share programs to help pay for soil health practices.

The Mentor Network exists to connect producers and help them learn from each other.

More information on the Mentor Network and the Soil Health Planning and Improvement Project is available at www. sdsoilhealthcoalition. org/technical-resources. To find the contact information for the nearest NRCS office and learn more about available funding, producers can visit www.nrcs. usda.gov/wps/portal/ nrcs/site/sd/home.

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Lisa and her husband, Corey, and their two sons live on a farm and love cattle and farming. Lisa’s favorite time of year on their farm is calving season.

Preston visits DWU on Wednesday nights to watch his alma mater’s basketball games. He and his wife, Angela, enjoy chasing after their three active children.

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Legal Description: S895’ OF W1488’ OF NW 4 EX LOT H-2 (5.07AC) 5-102-56 McCook County SD Estimated Property Taxes: $2,300 Partial Terms: (for full terms visit www.totalaar.com): A non-refundable 15% down payment the day of the sale with the balance of the purchase price on or before 06/30/2021. With possession given at closing. All real estate taxes to be prorated to the date of closing. The cost of the owner’s title insurance and closing agents’ fees to be divided equally between the buyers and sellers. Total Auctions and Real Estate represents the sellers. All prospective buyers are encouraged to inspect the property and verify all facts and figures. Buyers are purchasing the property strictly on an “as is” basis without warranty or representation as to condition, value or fitness for any use, zoning or purpose. Announcements made the day of sale will take precedence over any printed materials. Sale Subject to owner confirmation. Sale Subject to bankruptcy court approval.

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SDFU CELEBRATES KIMBALL RANCH FAMILY

By Lura Roti SD Farmers Union

Visit the Ness Ranch most any spring or summer evening after chores and you are bound to find siblings Swayze, 16, Shayda, 14, and Synch, 12, in the middle of roping practice.

“We rope a dummy every night and have contests to see who can rope better. Whoever loses has to do dishes,” explains 14-year-old Shayda.

Whether it’s rodeo, 4-H, fixing fence or working cattle, the Ness family enjoys the time they spend together on their family’s ranch, explains mom, Sasha. “It’s a good place to raise kids because there’s always something to do. Probably more than they would like some days. Always chores to do, cattle to work or move and horses to ride. It keeps them busy and out of trouble.”

A fourth-generation cattle producer, Sasha grew up on a ranch near Faith. She met LeRoy when they were both students at South Dakota State University.The two had a lot in common. Both grew up raising cattle. Both were active 4-H members and enjoyed rodeo. Before they met, LeRoy had already decided he was going to continue the ranching legacy his dad began.

Although he wanted to continue his dad’s legacy, LeRoy says it wasn’t obligation that brought him back to the ranch. He says raising cattle and caring for grassland feels like what he was always meant to do. “I enjoy everything about it — calving, processing, handling and working on corral systems,” he says. “And I’m very big into grass management.”

In fact, while ranching, LeRoy also spent more than a decade working as a range management specialist for the South Dakota Grasslands Coalition.

His interest in grassland management is also part of his dad’s legacy. “My dad was into rotational grazing and back in the ’80s, he was one of the first people in the county to buy a no-till drill.”

Over time, LeRoy has converted cropland back to pastureland and intensified the rotation schedule.

“We remove the cattle every This month’s South Dakota Farmers Union highlighted family is the Ness ranch family of Kimball 3-7 days,” he explains “I really enjoy seeing the grass(left to right) Synch, 12, LeRoy and Sasha, Swayze, 16, and Shayda, 14. land flourish as it returns were liquidated.

So, in 1998, and planted several shelter to what nature intended it “When my dad bought this place in 1968, there was only belts. Tragically, when LeRoy LeRoy began rebuilding — to be with a lot of differa well and old hog house,” was only 19, his dad was buying cows and leasing the ent grasses.” His efforts are killed in a car accident. “I felt land from his mom, Linda. In paying off. Today, severLeRoy says.

His dad set right to work I needed to take on the family 2000 LeRoy and Sasha mar- al native grass species have ried. investing in improving two legacy.” returned, and the healthier Following his dad’s death, quarters of land. He implemented rotational grazing the cattle and equipment Continued on page 11

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Visit the Ness Ranch most any spring or summer evening after chores and you are bound to find siblings Swayze, 16, Shayda, 14 and Synch, 12 in the middle of roping practice.

Continued from page 10 rangeland can support more animal units. “My dad could run 160 cows for six months. On that same land, during my best year, I can run 240 cows for eight months.”

LeRoy says he still sees room for improvement. “The dung beetle has not returned yet,” he says, explaining that the work the beetle does to break up and bury manure improves soil health and reduces fly issues.

To further improve the land, he plans to intensify grazing even more. “Animal impact is a big deal. I would love to move my cattle twice a day to increase hoof action. My goal for most of my grass is to only have critters on it 10 to 14 days and otherwise leave it resting the remaining 350 days.”

Intense grazing does require more labor, and both LeRoy and Sasha spend some of each week, working off the ranch. LeRoy is a fieldman for Kimball Livestock Exchange, he also sells semen for Genex.

Sasha works for Kimball Livestock part time.

LeRoy and Sasha also have a feedlot where they background cattle and do some custom feeding.

To keep up with on-ranch work, the family all chips in to

help with morning and evening feedings. They also breed their cows to calve in May. “We have nearly no calving difficulties and the weather lets us calve out on a quarter section of grass.

And the cows need a lot less to make it through the winter so we save on feed costs.” LeRoy says.

“We can go out and check calves in short sleeves and on horseback,” Sasha adds.

This calving season things will be a bit different. Because after leading land from his mom for more than 20 years, the couple sold their cow herd to help finance purchasing the ranch in fall 2020. “If it were not for my mom leasing this land to us all these years, we could not have been able to do this,” LeRoy explains.

“Taking over ownership is kinda scary, but it is the right time.”

They are building their herd back by purchasing bred heifers.

“MY vision for this place has always been to leave it better for the next generation,” LeRoy says.

And right now, the next generation appreciates the opportunity, explains their 16-yearold daughter, “Swayze.

“A 9-to-5 job sounds nice, but I really don’t see myself doing that after growing up outside with horses and in

nature.”

A sophomore in high school, Swayze says she is exploring career options that will allow her to spend time with livestock or outdoors. In addition to chores and rodeo, Swayze and her siblings are also actively involved in 4-H. “I enjoy being able to work with and show cattle — especially the people I get to meet doing it and friends I get to see,” Swayze says.

Through 4-H, the Ness kids have developed showmanship and public speaking skills, and most recently, Synch also learned how to trap. “I belong to a 4-H trapping club. We talk all about the traps, and what tracks to look for and how to set the traps,” explains the 12-year-old. “I like setting traps and coming in every day to see if I caught anything.”

LeRoy and Sasha appreciate the life skills their children gain through involvement in rodeo and 4-H. “It’s not all about purple ribbons.

When they don’t win the ribbon they want, that’s how they learn how to handle hard things life throws them,” Le Roy explains.

And like everything on the Ness ranch, the entire family gets involved, Sasha and LeRoy serve as 4-H leaders.

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USDA Ready to Assist Farmers, Ranchers and Communities Affected by Winter Storms

By USDA The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) reminds rural communities, farmers and ranchers, families and small businesses affected by the recent winter storms that USDA has programs that provide assistance. USDA staff in the regional, state and county offices are prepared with a variety of program flexibilities and other assistance to residents, agricultural producers and impacted communities.

“USDA is committed to getting help to producers and rural Americans impacted by the severe weather in many parts of the country. As severe weather and natural disasters continue

to threaten the livelihoods of thousands of our farming families, we want you and your communities to know that USDA stands with you,” said Kevin Shea, acting Secretary of Agriculture.

“Visit farmers.gov or your local USDA Service Center to inquire about assistance.”

Risk management and disaster assistance for agricultural operations: USDA offers several risk management and disaster assistance options to help producers recover after they are impacted by severe weather, including those impacted by winter storms and extreme cold.

Even before disas-

ters strike, USDA provides tools for producers to manage their risk through the Federal Crop Insurance Program, a public-private partnership between USDA’s Risk Management Agency and private companies and agents. For crops that do not have crop insurance available, the Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP) is available through the local Farm Service Agency. This risk protection includes crop production loss and tree loss for certain crop insurance products. It is recommended that producers reach out to their crop insurance agent or local FSA office for more information.

Producers that signed up for Federal Crop Insurance or NAP who suffer losses are asked to report crop damage to their crop insurance agent or local FSA office, respectively, within 72 hours of damage discovery and follow up in writing within 15 days.

Livestock and perennial crop producers often have more limited risk management options available, so there are several disaster programs for them.

Key programs include: ► The Livestock Indemnity Program and the Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honeybee and Farmraised Fish Program reimburses producers for a portion of the value

of livestock, poultry and other animals that were killed or severely injured by a natural disaster or loss of feed. ► The Tree Assistance Program provides cost share assistance to rehabilitate or replant and clean-up damage to orchards and vineyards that kill or damage the tree, vines or shrubs. NAP or Federal Crop Insurance often only covers the crop and not the plant.

USDA reminds producers that it’s critical to keep accurate records to document the losses and illnesses following this devastating cold weather event. Livestock producers are advised

to document beginning livestock numbers by taking photos or videos of any losses.

Other common documentation options include: ► Purchase records ► Production records ► Vaccination records ► Bank or other loan documents ► Third-party certification Additionally, USDA can provide financial resources through its Environmental Quality Incentives Program to help with immediate needs and long-term support to help recover from natural disasters and conserve water resources. Assistance Continued on page 13

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Continued from page 12 may also be available for emergency animal mortality disposal from natural disasters and other causes.

The Farm Service Agency (FSA) also has a variety of loans available including emergency loans that are triggered by disaster declarations and operating loans that can assist producers with credit needs.

Ensure food safety: USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is helping ensure affected households and communities are taking the proper steps to reduce the risk of foodborne illness during severe weather and power outages. Food safety tips for before, during and after a weather emergency are available on the FSIS website.

During a power outage, a refrigerator will keep food safely cold for about 4 hours if it is unopened, and

a full freezer will hold a safe temperature for approximately 48 hours (24 hours if it is half full and the door remains closed). During a snowstorm, do not place perishable food out in the snow. Outside temperatures can vary and food can be exposed to unsanitary conditions and animals.

Care for livestock and pets: USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is helping to meet the emergency needs of pets and their owners, as inspectors coordinate closely with zoos, breeders and other licensed facilities to ensure animals in their care remain safe.

On the livestock front, APHIS veterinarians are ready to work alongside partners to conduct on-site assessments to document the needs of affected producers. More information about protecting livestock is avail-

able on APHIS’ Protecting Livestock During a Disaster page. Information about protecting household pets and service animals can be found on APHIS’ Animal Care Emergency Programs webpage.

APHIS has additional staff on stand-by to provide support should the situation escalate in severity or the number of affected livestock operations increase. Should it be necessary, APHIS has the expertise to assist with carcass removal and disposal as well.

APHIS’ Animal Care (AC) program is also prepared to respond. The Animal Care Program oversees the welfare of certain animals that are exhibited to the public, bred for commercial sale and used in medical research. In addition to providing technical assistance to regulated facilities, AC inspectors may be checking affected facilities to assess damage

and ensure the welfare of their animals.

For more information about APHIS’ response efforts and how to protect pets and service animals in disasters, follow APHIS on Twitter at @USDA_APHIS. Helping individuals recover: USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) works with state, local and nongovernmental organizations to provide emergency nutrition assistance, including food packages and infant formula, to households, shelters and mass feeding sites serving people in need. FNS also provides emergency flexibilities in administering nutrition assistance programs at the request of states and works with local authorities to provide benefits. Emergency nutrition assistance and flexibilities requested by states and approved by FNS are posted to the FNS Disaster Assistance website.

Graze hard, but give a good rest How a first-time rancher is regenerating degraded cropland to healthy, resilient rangeland

By Kurt Lawton Rangeland health, soil health, and the economic health of ranchers are one and the same, not mutually exclusive. That’s what James Halverson, executive director of the South Dakota Stockgrowers association, has learned. Halverson also happens to be a passionate rancher, grazing cattle in the northern foothills of the Black Hills.

In a recent podcast interview, Halverson talked about his journey from cropland to rangeland — and why he enjoys being a rangeland evangelist. “I feel that rangeland is like a red-headed stepchild that isn’t getting near the attention compared to cropland when it comes to the regenerative agriculture movement,” Halverson said.

Continued on page 14

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Continued from page 13 “We can apply the same soil health principles to rangeland — to improve stocking rates and production while increasing the ecological function and economics, too.”

“We try to graze different pastures as short of time as we can, depending on where we can haul water. I’m a big believer in grazing pastures hard,

but then giving pastures a good rest, giving them a season to recover.”

“Moving into the middle of an older couple’s ranch, in the northern foothills of the Black Hills, we were lucky as first-time ranchers that they [put no pressure on us to do things the way they did,” Halverson said. “Especially as we adopted soil health practices to regenerate degraded cropland.

You can learn so much by observing the ground, watching how and what species the cows eat — really learning from the landscape and going far beyond just checking the cows,” Halverson said.

And that translates to a better product for consumers, he believes.

“Raising really good tasting beef starts with healthy soil, diversity on the rangeland and figur-

ing out how to get cattle to eat it,” Halverson said “I try to emulate and learn from people like Dr. Fred Provenza, Gabe Brown, Ray Archuleta and others who are on the ground and want to help producers.”

Halverson subscribes to the slogan “Remember the R’s — Rotate, Rest and Recover” that several South Dakota organizations

are promoting to develop resilience on grasslands. He said he’s seen first-hand the value of rest, which has contributed to the growth of his pastures.

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2020 HUGH HAMMOND BENNETT AWARD GOES TO GREGORY COUNTY RANCHERS Mitchell Republic Richard and Sara Grimm, Bonesteel, have been named the winners of the Conservation Producer 2020 Hugh Hammond Bennett award for Conservation Excellence for their outstanding conservation efforts on their ranch, Grim Ranch, in Gregory County.

The National Conservation Planning Partnership (NCPP) recognized the Grims at the National Association of Conservation Districts 75th annual meeting. In describing their accomplishments, Mike Brown, executive director of the National Association of State Conservation Agencies and co-chair of the NCPP said, “Richard and Sara Grimm are true pioneers in their conservation efforts. Their desire to uphold the highest standard of conservation is evident in every decision they make for their ranch. If I were starting out in ranching tomorrow, these are the two people I

would want as role models.”

Grim Ranch is located in south central South Dakota, west of the Missouri River, near the Nebraska state line, The 3,600 acre ranch has been in Sara’s family for generations. The land is rugged and good for livestock if there is a nearby water supply and high quality forage.

Ranching can be difficult under any circumstances, but the Grimm family and many of their neighbors have found themselves fighting a battle with a formidable enemy the past few years — the eastern red cedar. These trees are rapidly infesting open lands and choking out native grasses, changing the ecology and the amount of grazing land available in many areas of the state. To help control the invasive cedars, Rich and Sara pioneered prescribed burns in their area.

Because of the positive outcomes of the prescribed burns, the Grims joined with

like-minded neighbors, conservation professionals, and partners to establish the Mid-Missouri Prescribed Burn Association. This association is the first of its kind in the state and has successfully raised grant dollars to treat 2,000 acres annually. Sara is proud to serve as the association’s secretary-treasurer.

Richard and Sara were early adopters of cover crops and have also incorporated other innovative practices like tissue sampling to ensure their nutrient application is more precise and effective. They have worked with the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and the Gregory County Conservation District for years on a comprehensive and flexible resource management plan that integrates conservation practices to improve pasture design and utilization, combat invasive plants, reduce erosion, improve water access, improve forages and manage nutrients.

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The couple is eager to learn and share their experiences. In addition to hosting numerous tours and workshops, they serve as mentors for those who need help in building healthier soil, crops or livestock. They are proud members of South Dakota’s Grasslands Coalition and Soil Health Coalition. You can hear their success story in the YouTube series called “Our Amazing Grasslands” www. bit.ly/GrimRanch.

Brandon Walter, NRCS biologist and former District Conservationist in Gregory County says, “I had the privilege of working with Rich and Sara to plan and carry out numerous practices over many years as part of their conservation plan. They are conscientious operators with the integrity for doing what is right and good, not only for their business, but for the health of our natural resources. I can think of no one more deserving of this award.”

The local field staff in Gregory Country will be recognized as part of this award acknowledging their technical assistance in helping the Grim Family develop and implement their conservation plan. Congratulations to Andrew Steffen, NRCS district conservationist, Brandon Walter, NRCS biologist; Kenneth Steele, Gregory Country Conservation Districts’ manager and Tina Schoenbaum, Gregory County Conservation District’s secretary.

The Hugh Hammond Bennett Award is named in memory of the man credited with raising awareness about the critical importance of soil conservation during and after the Dust Bowl. Bennett believed that real and lasting change on the land comes from developing and following a conservation plan that is designed exclusively for a plot of land based on the available resources, resource issues and producer’s needs.

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