11 minute read
Farm Programs
Over the past few years, Farmfest has hay resources. try is headed related to the carbon market. been a major event for discussing key issues affecting farm families, the ag industry and rural communities in Minnesota and the Midwest. Many of these same issues will likely frame the discussions on agriculture and rural policy issues in Washington, DC in the next few years. Farmfest is held in early August and FARM PROGRAMS USDA has announced the potential for emergency haying and grazing on land enrolled in the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) in areas of Minnesota which are the most severe drought. Livestock producers should check with their local Farm Service Agency office regarding eligibility, enrollment details, and requirements for emergency haying There was considerable discussion regarding opportunities for crop and livestock producers to participate and benefit from carbon credits. However, it was very unclear how those carbon credits will be valued or traded. It was also very uncertain as to what practices will qualify for carbon credits, and whether producers who have already adopted carbon-friendly practices will be eligible for any compensation. The bottom line from the Farmfest brings together elected officials and By Kent Thiesse and grazing of CRP acres. forums was that it is probably better to walk before USDA also has other programs available to assist livestock producers. Eligibility requirements and details on all USDA drought assistance programs are available at local FSA offices. Details and updates on the USDA drought programs can also be found at https://www.fsa.usda. appointed officials together with national and state ag leaders to analyze these key issues and offer perspectives on solutions and future legislation. Following are some of the main issues that were discussed during the 2021 Farmfest forums: MARKETING you run when it comes to make major changes in a farming operation strictly targeted toward gaining value from the emerging carbon market. U.S. energy policy — There was considerable discussion at Farmfest as to how climate change legislative proposals, such as the “Green New Deal” or further implementation of the California Fuel
Impacts of the 2021 drought and available gov/programs-and-services/disaster-assistance-pro- Standards might impact agriculture industry and resources — Nearly all of the forums at Farmfest gram/index. future development of biofuels. On one hand, farm centered around the impact of the organizations and commodity groups drought on crop and livestock pro- point to the climate benefits of ducers. Based on the “U.S. Drought expanding the use of biofuels by movMonitor” in early August, over 75 ing toward E-15 blends of ethanol percent of Minnesota was catego- and higher levels of biodiesel. On the rized to be in either the extreme other hand, many special interest drought (D3) or severe drought (D2) groups are calling for reductions or category, with only the Southeast elimination of the federal renewable quarter of the state being largely fuel standards (RFS) and other measpared from these conditions. Nearly sures — which would hurt the renewall of North and South Dakota were able fuels industry — while calling at some level of drought, with over for additional resources into expandtwo-thirds of North Dakota and a ing electric powered vehicles, as well large area of north central South as wind and solar energy. Many states in the Upper Midwest, including Minnesota, have a wellestablished corn-based ethanol industry, which utilizes over 35 percent of the corn produced each year in the United States. In addition to the direct benefits to farmers, renewable energy plants have become cornerstones Grain markets and rising input costs — One of the major discussion items at Farmfest was the trends in the grain and livestock markets in the coming Dakota in either extreme drought (D3) or exceptional drought (D4). Areas in extreme or exceptional drought are likely seeing significant crop loss and extremely limited forage production, as well as longer term effects on lakes, rivers, streams and ground water supplies. Photo by Paul Malchow MinnStar Bank’s Kent Thiesse (left, holding microphone) introduced one of the popular Farmfest forums.
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The weekly U.S. Department of Agriculture Crop months. Crop production expenses and land rental in rural communities by providing jobs, adding to Report released on Aug. 2 listed the condition rating rates have risen sharply in the past six months, the local tax base, and enhancing the overall ecoof the corn in the United States at 64 percent good- which has some producers and analysts concerned nomic vitality of the communities. to-excellent. However, the higher-level crop rating in Minnesota was only at 36 percent, which is the lowest in many years. The early August crop report listed 60 percent of the U.S. soybean crop as goodto-excellent, with Minnesota again well below that average at only 34 percent in the higher categories. The only major crop producing states with lower good-to-excellent ratings for corn and soybeans than Minnesota were North and South Dakota. about profit margins as we look ahead to 2022. Prior to 2020, profit margins in crop and livestock production had been quite tight in recent years, which put many farm operations at the brink of financial disaster by the end of 2019. Fortunately, a combination of one-time government aid programs, together with the strongest grain prices in several years, allowed farmers to rebound financially in 2020, which is a trend that has continued into 2021. Livestock-related issues — There were many issues affecting the livestock industry which surfaced during Farmfest. The pork industry is being challenged by the implementation of Proposition 12, which would restrict a significant amount of the pork being produced in the Midwest from being sold in California. Pork producers also want to keep export markets open for U.S. pork and are concerned with outbreak of African swine fever disease in the Dominican
Throughout the summer of 2021, drought condi- Carbon sequestration and carbon credits — Carbon Republic and ongoing challenges with porcine reprotions have intensified in most of the Northern sequestration, carbon credits, and potential legisla- ductive and respiratory syndrome disease. Plains and Northwest Corn Belt states. Livestock producers in those areas are being especially hardhit by the extended drought conditions with exhausted pastures and depleted feed supplies. Many beef cattle producers are being forced to tion to address climate change garnered considerable discussion during the Farmfest forums by elected officials, ag leaders, and experts in the carbon industry. One quote of note was, “the carbon market is like the wild, wild west”, meaning there is no clear-cut Beef producers are very concerned with the worsening drought situation in many cow/calf production areas of the United States, as well as monitoring the Department of Justice investigations into the reduce their herd sizes due to limited pasture and path as to where the United States or the ag indus- See THIESSE, pg. 10
By DICK HAGEN
The Land Staff Writer Emeritus
MORGAN, Minn. — It was good to be back at Farmfest once again; and as usual, my first stop was the Minnesota Corn Growers’ exhibit. Why? Because of their sweetcorn-flavored free ice cream offerings. It is also a tremendously convenient spot for quick interviews with lots of key people such as Kevin Paap, President of the Minnesota Farm Bureau.
I’ve known Paap for many years and was curious to hear what he thought are the big issues facing farmers today. “Much the same as past years,” Paap quickly answered, “the growing disconnect of consumers and a decreasing number of elected officials from agriculture and rural Main Streets. We’re becoming another generation removed from Kevin Paap Grandpa and Grandma’s farm.”
Might this growing disconnect of elected officials stem from so few of them anymore have a farming background? “Very true,” Paap replied, “and unfortunately, fewer and fewer with each new turn of elected officials — be that state assemblies or U.S. Congress. But it’s not just farm issues. People won’t fight for an issue if they don’t understand it. Most things we can explain, but not in a 30-second sound bite which seems mostly the big play in television news anymore. Yet building trust with consumers and elected officials is vital to our future.”
“Technology continues to ramp up change in production agriculture,” Paap went on to say, “However, one thing that doesn’t change is our commitment to taking care of the land, the animals we raise, and preserving our natural resources.
With crops withering across Minnesota and the Dakotas, I asked for Paap’s take on this 2021 season. “One thing I’ve learned in 16 years as Minnesota Farm Bureau President is, don’t talk about the weather and my own farming situation to a reporter — even you Dick — because always someone is worse off,” said Paap. “A rain within the next few days will make a difference. Most people — especially non-farmers — have no idea that at this stage a corn field needs the equivalent of an inch of moisture per week. We just don’t have those reserves right now … our soil moistures are pretty well depleted. But there’s an offset: this dry season has driven corn roots deep enough to still find some soil moisture. And thanks to new genetics, some corn hybrids are relentless in their quest to produce yields — even with minimal rains.”
Despite his “don’t talk to reporters” rule, I know Kevin doesn’t duck away from an unreasonable question. So I asked how much below last year’s record corn yields will your farm do this year? Paap answered: “At this stage, I think we still have potential for a reasonable crop. Yes, last year was my best crop in my 39 years of farming, so let’s not compare to last year. I’m not giving up on APH (actual production history) yields. On soybeans it’s still early August and with rain in the forecast I’m going to remain optimistic. That’s why we farm. And daily contact with the good Lord is vital also.”
As President of a large agriculture organization and Paap’s newest endeavor as county commissioner, I was curious about his view of politics in general. “It’s obvious we’re becoming more polarized on a lot of issues,” stated Paap. “In agriculture, we lead by example: working together works better. Going one direction for four years, then another direction the next four years simply doesn’t work in America.”
Not long ago, Paap announced his retirement as Farm Bureau President. But that doesn’t mean he will be idle. “I was fortunate to be elected a county commissioner here in Blue Earth County. And with all the issues on water, I’m certain we’ll have challenges. But more important, I’ve a 2-year old grandson just a half mile down the road, and another grandson on the way, so more ‘Grandpa time’ with my grandchildren is my future. Yes, my sons have taken over the farming operations; but when extra help is needed, we all pitch in. Yes, more acres than when I started, but it’s still a family farm … and our family keeps growing too. We’re now into the third generation of Papp farmers.”
On that note, I bid Paap a good day. Without leaving the Corn Growers’ tent and into my second ice cream offering, I met Carl Bednarski, who is President of the Michigan Farm Bureau.
“What part of Michigan for you, Carl?” I asked to break the ice.
“Up in that thumb area,” Bednarski replied, holding up his left hand with the palm facing out. “Look at your left hand and we’re about half-way up.”
Bednarski grows corn, soybeans, dry beans, sugar beets and wheat. He is pleased with his crops. “We had drought issues early on this growing season,” he said, “but now in early August things are looking pretty good. Timely rains get much credit.”
Bednarski said Michigan Farm Bureau is at about 220,000 members, currently involving about 43,000 farm families. “Getting young farmers involved is the challenge,” he admitted, “but that’s also our future.”
At 59 years old, Bednarski sees many more years with Farm Bureau and farming. “My wife often asks me, ‘When are we going to have a hobby so we can just relax and do nothing?’ I respond, “I have a hobby … its called farming. So when I stop enjoying my hobby, that’s when I’ll likely stop farming too!”
The Michigan dignitary sees two top issus facing agriculture these days: labor and environmental issues. “It’s ridiculous how farmers get attacked on the environmental front,” Bednarski said. “People forget we’ve raised our families here for generations. We are part of this land. We are not going to abuse this land that creates our own sustenance. We are the true conservationists of America and we need to get that message across to everyone — consumers
Lisa and Carl Bednarski
and politicians.
“Labor is an issue wherever you go anymore,” he continued. “The ongoing aid packages of this current government aren’t helping the situation either. Paying unemployed people more than if they were working is absolutely stupid!”
Bednarski seemed to be enjoying himself and Minnesota hospitality. “It’s just a two-hour flight from my area, so coming to Farmfest was a treat!” he
See MCGA, pg. 10
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