APRIL 2014
Vol. XV No. 3 P.O. Box 306 Valier, MT 59486-0306
USDA encourages early registration for FSAprograms
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) Administrator Juan M. Garcia recommended that farmers and ranchers who plan to participate in FSA programs register in advance. Producers are encouraged to report farm records and business structure changes to a local FSA Service Center before April 15, 2014. Enrollment for the disaster programs authorized by the 2014 Farm Bill, including the Livestock Indemnity Program (LIP) and the Livestock Forage Disaster Program (LFP) will begin by April 15, 2014. “We expect significant interest in these programs,” said Garcia. “Early registration should help improve the sign-up process and allow us to expedite implementation of the programs. I strongly encourage producers to complete their paperwork ahead of time.” Examples of updates or changes to report include: New producers or producers who have not reported farm records to FSA. Producers who have recently bought, sold or rented land. Those producers need to ensure that changes have been reported and properly recorded by local FSA county office personnel. Reports of purchased or sold property should include a copy of the land deed, and if land has been leased, then documentation should be provided that indicates the producer had/has control of the acreage. Producers that have changed business structures (e.g. formed a partnership or LLC) need to ensure that these relationships and shares are properly recorded with FSA. Even family farms that have records on file may want to ensure that this is recorded accurately as it may impact payment limits. Farm records can be updated during business hours at FSA Service Centers that administer the county where the farm or ranch is located. Producers can contact their local FSA Service Center in advance to find out what paperwork they may need. In addition, bank account information should be supplied or updated if necessary to ensure that producers receive payments as quickly as possible through direct deposit. While any producer may report farm records and business structure changes, it is especially important for producers who suffered livestock, livestock grazing, honeybee, farm-raised fish, or tree/vine losses for 2011, 2012, 2013 or 2014, and may be eligible for assistance through one of the four disaster programs. For further information about our disaster programs and USDA’s Farm Bill implementation plan, visit FSA’s 2014 Farm Bill Web page.
UPCOMING AUCTIONS
Online, River’s West Auction, Online Only.......................................................A36 Apr. 12, FFA Farm & Ranch Consignment Auction, Bozeman........................A14 Apr. 19, Mills Auction Service, H.D. Landers Estate, Miles City........................A3 Apr. 19, B & B Auction, Barry Murnion Antique, Havre...................................A48 Apr. 22, WHB, Hay & Equipment, Consignment, Sturgis SD...........................A38 Apr. 24, River’s West Auction, Western MT Spring Consignment, Evaro.......A40 Apr. 25, WHB, Hay Auction, Great Falls.............................................................A14 Apr. 26, GSI Auction Service, Cornwell Ranch Inventory Reduction, Glasgow.. ...............................................................................................................................A4 Apr. 26, RK Statewide Auction, Complete Rental Liquidation, Glendive.........A5 Apr. 27, Piroutek Auction Service, Seven Blackfoot Ranch, Philip SD..........A12 May. 3, Smith Sales, Co., Spring Fever, Miles City...........................................A19 May. 3, Weishaar Auction Service, S & S Chopping, Elgin ND........................A21 May. 3, Kevin Hill Auction Service, Johansson Moving Sale, Darby..............A20 May. 3, Pate Auction Inc, Ludtke Farm Equip & Personal Property, Helena..A27 May. 14, Shobe Auction & Realty, Troyer Moving, Moore.................................A22 May. 17, Kamerman Auction Co, Farm Auction, Belgrade...............................A44 May. 17, Hi Line Auction, Holzhey Ranch Auction, Malta................................A28 May. 17, River’s West Auction, Wunderlich Living Estate/Moving, Ronan.....A52 May. 23, WHB, Hay & Equipment, Great Falls...................................................A14
PRODUCTION SALES
Apr. 24, Mangen Angus Ranch, Belle Fourche SD............................................ A7 May 1, Nelson Ranch, Glasgow........................................................................ A14
Phone 406-279-3291 Fax 406-279-3249 website: tradersdispatch.com E-MAIL: trader@3rivers.net
Baling twine hanging from the rim of an osprey nest. (photo M. Restani) Article on page C59.
Second annual Chouteau County Ag Day
By Tyler Lane, Chouteau County Extension Office The second annual Chouteau County Ag culture, and why agriculture is important days for 4th and 5th graders will take place to their health, home and community. For at the Chouteau County Fairgrounds on May thousands of years, civilization has been 1, 2014. All 4th and 5th graders in Chouteau built upon the foundation laid by farmers County are invited to attend. Home school and ranchers. Today’s American farmers kids who are interested in participating need produce an abundance of food and fiber, as to contact the Chouteau County Extension well as flowers, fish, forest products, forOffice at 622-3751. age and fuel. Farmers and ranchers provide Participants will learn the importance American consumers with products at prices of Montana’s number one industry; agricontinued on page A2
Shelterbelt workshop scheduled for April 16 Great Falls-MSU Cascade County Extension is presenting a free shelterbelt workshop on Wednesday, April 16, 2014 in Great Falls, Montana. The free workshop will begin at 11:00 a.m. at the Montana ExpoPark’s Paddock Club.
PRIVATE TREATY
Broken Pick, Valier.........................................................A6 Double Tree Red Angus, Sand Coulee.........................A3 Diamond D Angus, Valier............................................A13 Storey Herefords, Bozeman........................................A10 Dallas Polled Herefords, Canyon Creek.......................A9 Elk Park Angus, Columbia Falls...................................A4 Elings Polled Herefords, Conrad................................A12 Clay Creek Angus, Greybull, WY..................................A2 Churchill Cattle Co, Manhattan..................................A25 Diemert Ranch Herefords, Lothair.............................A25 Duncan Ranch Co, Jopin............................................A25 Dutton Hereford Ranch, Gold Creek..........................A25 Ehlke Herefords, Townsend........................................A25 Feddes Herefords, Manhattan....................................A25 J Bar E Ranch, Plentywood........................................A25 K and C Herefords, Deer Lodge.................................A25 K.L. Slagsvold Herefords, Lindsay.............................A25 McKechnie Herefords, Shelby....................................A25 McMurry Cattle, Billings..............................................A25 Sparks Herefords, Plevna...........................................A25 Thomas Herefords, Gold Creek..................................A25 Wichman Herefords, Moore........................................A25 Y Laxy Y Shorthorns, Corvallis...................................A29 Jackson Polled Herefords, Rudyard...........................A32 Connelly Angus, Valier................................................A16 Gunderson Hereford, Rudyard...................................A38
Peter Kolb, PhD is the MSU Extension Forestry Specialist based out of Missoula, Montana. Dr. Kolb has worked over 30 years in the forest industry. His researched had emphasized the effects of heat, water stress and grass competition on conifer seedling establishment, the role of soil characteristics, forest pests, pathogens and wildfire on forest species and succession dynamics, the impacts of forest thinning on root diseases, woody debris treatments and their effects on forest and range restoration, cultural practices to enhance woody debris decomposition, and plant community continued on page A2
Advertiser Index Page B1 Recipe Patch A57 ADVERTISING DEADLINE The deadline for the May 2014 issue is May 2