FARM EQUIPMENT FOR SALE

What’s in a title?

By UW Extension, Catherine Wissner

There are many choices available to farmers and ranchers for labeling or marketing their land stewardship practices. These labels on the final product allow consumers a better understanding of how land and animals are cared for.

Permaculture©, Regenerative Agriculture, Sustainable Agriculture, All-Natural and Organic Agriculture are a few of the land stewardship and marketing practices available to today’s farmer, rancher or farmers market grower. Listed below is some of the history behind the labels.

National Organic Program (NOP) for Certified Organic producers is a U.S. Federal regulated program with extremely stringent standards for land stewardship, fertilizer, pesticides, seeds, harvest and post harvests methods. This Act “Organic Foods Production Act of 1990” was ratified in 2001. This Act requires detailed record keeping by the producer and is critical to yearly certification. Once a year an independent third party organization inspects that producer’s books, lands, animals and buildings for compliance. Organic certification has created market recognition among consumers creating a strong demand and better prices for the farmer or rancher. The NOP seal is federally protected, only certified organic producers can use it. That protection includes fines per violation for using it outside of the program or fraudulent use, protecting registered NOP farms and consumers. www. ams.usda.gov/national-organic-program

The Federal Food Safety Inspection Service (FSIS) on November 22, 1982 policy memo 055 defines the term “natural” which may be used on meat and poultry products, that does not contain any artificial flavor, coloring ingredients or chemical preservatives or any other artificial or synthetic ingredients and the product is minimally processed. However, “all natural ingredients” can include a meat product with natural additives. Outside of the federal definition, any claims, of “natural” must be defined by the seller.

1974 Australia, Bill Mollison developed a land stewardship concept termed Permaculture©, a combination of the words permanent and agriculture. In 1979 he established the Permaculture Institute to teach soil, water, plant and economic systems. From Bill Mollison’s Book, “Permaculture a Designer’s Manual”, Permaculture © “is one of working with, rather than against, nature; of protracted and thoughtful observations, looking at systems in all their functions”. Permaculture © takes into consideration more than just soil and how plants grow but the whole relationship of landscape, climatic factors and the ethics of money and livelihood. There are no standards or regulations with this program just a philosophy.

Robert Rodale, the Rodale Institute, created the concept of “Regenerative Agriculture” in 1971 and in 2017 launched “Regenerative Organic Certified™” program. The Rodale website, defines regenerative as a measure of soil health, animal welfare and social fairness. They further define regenerative with seven principals. The first is to increase diversity of plant species, business, people and culture. The second is protection of soil cover ending erosion. Third is purity, without chemical fertilizers and pesticides. Four is permanence, more perennial plants, businesses and individuals who are successful. Five is peace, lack of weeds and pest interference with growing systems. Six is potential and seven is progress. For more information; rodaleinstitute.org. This program is overseen by the private Regenerative Organic Alliance and does not have enforcement.

The University of California at Davis (UC Davis) offers a program in “Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems”. They defined it, “to meet society’s food and textile needs in the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.” The goal to integrate several objects such as a healthy environment, economic profitability and equity. Breaking this down into smaller components it encompasses, food security, conservation tillage, cover crops instead of fallow, integrated pest management, soil nutrient management, postharvest management and several other farming/ranching practices. www.ucdavis. edu/majors/sustainable-agriculture

There are many other programs a farmer, rancher, market grower can join, like; Audubon certified, Certified Grassfed and Certified Humane raised.

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A man was an enthusiastic golfer but unfortunately wasn’t very good. On one beautiful Saturday afternoon, he walked through his front door and proclaimed to his wife, “I scored a 128 today.” “That’s great!” his supportive wife said, “Your golf game in improving.” “Thanks,” the husband said, “But I was bowling.”

The waiting game

By Joe Zeleznik, forester, NDSU Extension

So far, this winter has been great for hoarfrost photos.

I don’t quite understand the meteorological conditions behind its formation, but it’s been beautiful. Close-up, the ice crystals weave intricate patterns. From a distance, we see trees and forests that are silhouetted in a white cover, standing out against the background.

I see some parallels between the trees themselves and the hoarfrost. Looking at an entire tree, I envision the strength of its wood, supporting a crown that holds a network of branches, twigs and summertime leaves. But those same twigs and leaves are small and flexible, and more susceptible to breakage than the larger branches.

We’ve already had several snowstorms and blizzards this winter. The one in mid-December was especially bad, starting with a thick layer of ice. After that came the heavy wet snow. Finally, the light fluffy snow came and eventually the storm moved on further east.

Three weeks later, my driveway is still covered in ice. Even the salt that I’ve applied doesn’t seem to be making much of a difference.

How are the trees doing with all of these challenges?

Most trees have weathered this just fine, while others sustained a good deal of damage.

Generally, trees that hold their leaves into the winter have had it the worst. Both the ironwood trees and the ponderosa pines in my own yard are still bent over from the extra weight of that ice and snow. Surprisingly, though, the spruce are still pretty upright.

I’ve been debating what to do here. Should I knock off that snow and ice? Would pruning out the deformed branches be a good approach? Heck – can I even reach the top of that 25-foot-tall pine tree?

Remember, “do nothing” is always a management option. It just has its own set of consequences.

I don’t know if the leader on the pine tree will straighten out next year, even if I remove the snow. The stem could be permanently kinked, which would provide some visual interest, for sure.

What would happen if I cut out that bent-over leader? While a new leader will certainly develop, I worry that multiple leaders will form. Such a situation on a conifer can be a structural nightmare. Quite simply, the connections are weak and more susceptible to breaking in the future.

Apparently, a lot of multi-stemmed arborvitaes and junipers were nailed by that storm as well. They’re bent over and sometimes going in different directions. Is there any hope of salvaging them, structurally?

Recovery might be possible, though it’ll likely take a couple of years.

Girl Scout Day

Date When Celebrated : This holiday is always held on March 12 Girl Scout Day recognizes and celebrates the Girls Scouts of the USA(GSUSA). This date celebrates the creation of the first Girl Scout group on March 12, 1912.

Lady Olave Baden-Powell, founded Girl Guides. The wife of Lord Baden-Powell (who created the Boy Scouts), she was born on February 22 (1889).

On March 12, 1912 Juliette Gordon Low started the first Girl Scout group in Savannah Georgia with 18 girls. The Girls Scouts became a national organization, and was chartered by the U.S. Congress on March 16, 1950. Today, there are millions of girls involved with Girl Scouts.

Are you a cookie monster? Americans eagerly await the annual Girls Scout cookie drive. It teaches the girls valuable skills, and generates income to support girl scouting activities. And, you get to munch on a variety of delicious cookies. Most people buy several boxes.

The waiting game

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First, the stems will have to be drawn back together and supported with some type of strap or flexible material such as a bungee cord. Wait until temperatures are a bit warmer –the high 20s or even 30s – and the stems are more flexible.

Second, wait. These trees will need support for 1-2 years as they put on new wood underneath the bark. Those extra tree rings will give the tree more strength and stiffness in the long run.

The support strap should be flexible, providing short-term support without digging into the tree’s stems. Check the straps every three or four months to make sure that they’re not choking off the stems. Loosen the straps as needed.

I wish there was a third step, but at that point, all you can do is wait. And hope that we don’t get another round of super-heavy snow and ice.

The deadline for advertising in the March 2023 issue of the Trader's Dispatch will be March 1st. Phone (406) 271-5533 or email: advertising @tradersdispatch.com

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Take steps now to celebrate

By Dr. Megan Van Emon, MSU Extension Beef Cattle Specialist and Dan Severson, MSU Pondera County Extension Agent

Many of us begin the year with a New Year’s resolution but how many of us stick with it. I recently read an article on setting and keeping a New Year’s resolution. The article listed five steps to setting and keeping your resolution. The five steps include: plan time for your goal, check with your support system, prepare resources, set smaller progress goals and celebrate your success. If you own any type of critter, it does not matter if it is a chicken, rabbit, dog, cat, cow, horse or pig, your goal for 2023 is to have a valid veterinarianclient-patient-relationship (VCPR) established. Let’s begin our path to a successful resolution.

The first step to setting and keeping your resolution mentioned in the article, is to plan time for your work.

On or before June 11, 2023 Guidance for the Industry #263 (GFI #263) issued by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) goes into effect. GFI #263 transfers all “medically important” antimicrobial drugs to prescription (RX) use only and will not be available over-the-counter (OTC). This means that some products may not be available at your local stores and that you will need a prescription from your veterinarian. So, the FDA has set the date for you to meet your goal.

Another step to your success in keeping your resolution is to check with your support system.

E-MAG FLOW METER TECHNOLOGY

As an animal owner your main support system will be your veterinarian. If you currently use a veterinarian and have a valid VCPR established, congratulations you have accomplished your resolution and can celebrate. If you do not have a VCPR - you need to establish one. Montana law defines a “veterinarian/ client/patient relationship” exists when all of the following conditions have been met:

SurePoint Ag pioneered the use of electromagnetic�ow meters in liquid application systems nearly twenty years ago. The SurePoint E-Mag meter has no moving parts, which eliminates common failures of most mechanical �ow meters. Less downtime means more productivity!

A METERING TUBE is used in place of a traditional ori�ce to provide even distribution to each row. In a typical in-furrow application scenario a 0.030" ori�ce is replaced with an 8' length of metering tube having a passageway of 0.096". The combination of length and diameter equalizes�ow to each row. Metering tube virtually eliminates the problem of plugged ori�ces.

DUAL METERING TUBE a. The veterinarian has assumed the responsibility for making clinical judgments regarding the health of the animal(s) and the need for medical treatment, and the client has agreed to follow the veterinarian’s instructions. b. The veterinarian has sufficient knowledge of the animal(s) to initiate at least a general or preliminary diagnosis of the medical condition of the animal(s). This means that the veterinarian has recently seen and is personally acquainted with the keeping and care of the animal(s) by: i. Virtue of an examination of the animal(s); or ii. Medically appropriate and timely visits to the premise where the animal(s) are kept; and c. The veterinarian is available for follow-up evaluation n the event of adverse reactions or failure of treatment regimen.

Two sizes of metering tube are installed on each row. A check valve with a built-in on/off valve allows for quickly switching between the small tube, large tube, or both tubes. This con�guration providesmaximum �exibility when changing rates or liquid products. Never change ori�ces again.

If you are a new animal owner or a seasoned rancher, you will need to reach out to a veterinarian to create or ensure you have a VCPR on record.

The next key step to your resolution victory is to prepare resources. Do you have all the information you need accomplish your goal?

The reasoning for the creation of GFI #263 is part of an effort to combat antibiotic resistance. This guid-