GRAND FORKS, N.D. (AP) - A NEW REPORT FROM NORTH DAKOTA STATE UNIVERSITY SAYS FARMS IN THE STATE GENERALLY WILL FARE OK FINANCIALLY DURING THE NEXT DECADE.  BUT REPORT CO-AUTHOR RICHARD TAYLOR SAYS FARM EXPENSES ARE LIKELY TO REMAIN A MAJOR CONCERN, AND PRODUCERS WILL NEED TO BE CAREFUL WITH THEIR PURCHASES.

     AGWEEK SAYS TAYLOR, WON KOO AND ANDREW SWENSON WROTE THE REPORT FOR THE CENTER FOR AGRICULTURAL POLICY AND TRADE STUDIES AT NDSU.

     TAYLOR SAYS LONG-TERM PREDICTIONS ARE TRICKY. BUT THE REPORT PREDICTS THAT FOR MOST FARMS IN THE STATE, NET INCOME IN 2019 WILL BE SIMILAR TO NET INCOME IN 2009.
    
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     FARGO, N.D. (AP) - SUGAR BEET COOPERATIVES IN THE RED RIVER VALLEY OF EASTERN NORTH DAKOTA AND NORTHWEST MINNESOTA SAY YIELDS THIS YEAR COULD SET RECORDS.  THAT MEANS FARMERS MIGHT NOT BE ALLOWED TO HARVEST ALL OF THEIR ACRES.

     AMERICAN CRYSTAL SUGAR CO. TELLS THE GRAND FORKS HERALD THAT YIELDS ARE AVERAGING 20 TONS PER ACRE. YIELDS FOR MINN-DAK FARMERS COOPERATIVE ARE RUNNING IN THE MID-20S. THOSE ARE HIGH NUMBERS FOR THIS EARLY IN THE HARVEST.

     FACTORIES CAN PROCESS ONLY SO MANY BEETS, SO SOMETIMES BEETS HAVE TO BE PLOWED UNDER.  CRYSTAL SPOKESMAN JEFF SCHWEITZER SAYS THAT CO-OP WILL DECIDE WHETHER ALL OF THE PLANTED ACRES WILL BE HARVESTED AFTER THE HARVEST IS FULLY UNDER WAY. MINN-DAK SPOKESMAN TOM KNUDSEN SAYS THAT CO-OP'S GROWERS WERE CAUTIONED EARLY THAT CUTBACKS MIGHT BE NECESSARY.
    

 

 

 

     SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) - FARMERS WHO SOLD CORN TO BANKRUPT ETHANOL PRODUCER VERASUN ENERGY CORP. HAVE BEEN RECEIVING LETTERS ASKING FOR REPAYMENT OF FUNDS DUE TO "BANKRUPTCY PREFERENCE."

     THE IOWA STATE UNIVERSITY'S CENTER FOR AGRICULTURAL LAW AND TAXATION SAYS THE LETTERS ARE TELLING GROWERS WHO SOLD CORN TO VERASUN IN THE 90 DAYS BEFORE IT FILED FOR CHAPTER 11 BANKRUPTCY PROTECTION THAT THEY HAVE UNTIL SEPT. 30 TO REPAY 80 PERCENT OF WHAT VERASUN PAID THEM FOR THEIR CORN.

     NATIONAL AND STATE CORN GROWERS ASSOCIATIONS ARE TELLING THEIR MEMBERS THEY MIGHT HAVE DEFENSES AND THEY SHOULD CONSULT WITH AN ATTORNEY.

     SIOUX FALLS-BASED VERASUN FILED FOR BANKRUPTCY IN OCTOBER 2008 AFTER TIGHTENING CREDIT MARKETS ERASED ITS LIFELINE TO WEATHER THE SWINGS IN CORN AND FUEL PRICES.
    
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     BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) - NORTH DAKOTA REGULATORS SAY THE NUMBER OF LICENSED GRAIN ELEVATORS HAS INCREASED FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE 1995.  THE PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION SAYS LICENSED ELEVATORS IN THE LICENSE YEAR BEGINNING AUG. 1 TOTAL 399, UP FROM 390.

     THE INCREASE INCLUDES CONSTRUCTION OF GRAIN ELEVATORS AT SURREY, NEW ROCKFORD AND MADDOCK, ALONG WITH RE-LICENSING OF AN ETHANOL PLANT AT HANKINSON AND A CANOLA OILSEED CRUSHING FACILITY AT NORTHWOOD.  THE PSC SAYS THE AVERAGE CAPACITY OF LICENSED GRAIN ELEVATORS HAS RISEN CONSISTENTLY SINCE 1990 AND NOW STANDS AT 890,700 BUSHELS.

     COMMISSIONER KEVIN CRAMER SAYS THE TREND IN GRAIN HANDLING AND SHIPPING HAS BEEN TOWARD CONSOLIDATION OF SMALL ELEVATORS TO LARGE FACILITIES. HE SAYS THAT MAKES IT INTERESTING TO SEE THE ACTUAL NUMBER OF FACILITIES INCREASE SLIGHTLY.
    

 

 

 

     BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) - A JUDGE HAS RULED THAT A MCLEAN COUNTY RANCHER'S CATTLE SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN SEIZED BY LAW OFFICERS.

     THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT SEIZED 258 COWS, CALVES AND BULLS FROM LAYTON REYNOLDS OF DOUGLAS ON FRIDAY. STATE'S ATTORNEY LADD ERICKSON SAID IN AN AFFIDAVIT THAT THE CATTLE KEPT GETTING INTO NEIGHBORS' FIELDS DUE TO LACK OF FEED IN THE PASTURE IN WHICH THEY WERE HELD.

     JUDGE DAVID REICH HELD A HEARING MONDAY AND RULED LATE TUESDAY THAT THE STATE HAD FAILED TO PROVE THAT THE SEIZURE WAS NECESSARY.

     REYNOLDS FACES EIGHT MISDEMEANOR CRIMINAL CHARGES IN THREE CASES FILED LAST YEAR RELATED TO ALLEGATIONS THAT HE ALLOWED CATTLE TO RUN LOOSE AND THAT HE NEGLECTED ANIMALS. THE FIRST TWO CASES ARE SLATED FOR TRIAL IN NOVEMBER.

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     MCCLUSKY, N.D. (AP) - THE STATE FIRE MARSHAL'S OFFICE SAYS THE CAUSE OF A GRAIN ELEVATOR FIRE IN MCCLUSKY CANNOT BE DETERMINED.  FIRE MARSHAL RAY LAMBERT SAYS DAMAGE FROM THE AUG. 4 BLAZE AT THE CO-OP ELEVATOR WAS TOO EXTENSIVE FOR INVESTIGATORS TO PINPOINT THE CAUSE.  BUT LAMBERT SAYS AUTHORITIES HAVE NO REASON TO BELIEVE THE FIRE IS SUSPICIOUS.

 

 

 

 

     BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) - NORTH DAKOTA'S AGRICULTURE DEPARTMENT IS OFFERING RANCHERS A VOLUNTARY REGISTRY THEY CAN USE TO PROVE THE AGE AND BIRTHPLACE OF THEIR LIVESTOCK.

     AGRICULTURE COMMISSIONER DOUG GOEHRING SAYS SOME COUNTRIES, INCLUDING SOUTH KOREA AND JAPAN, REQUIRE AGE AND SOURCE VERIFICATION OF IMPORTED BEEF. GOEHRING SAYS THERE'S ALSO SOME DEMAND AMONG AMERICAN BEEF CONSUMERS FOR THE INFORMATION.

     GOEHRING SAYS THE PROGRAM REQUIRES SOME INCREASED RECORD KEEPING. IT SUPPLIES RADIO AND EAR TAGS TO PUT ON BEEF CATTLE. THE COST IS LESS THAN $5 A HEAD, AND GOEHRING SAYS A RANCHER CAN REGISTER A HERD INSTEAD OF INDIVIDUAL COWS. THE COMMISSIONER NOTES THAT RANCHERS WHO ENROLL LIVESTOCK IN THE PROGRAM MAY BE ABLE TO GET A BETTER PRICE FOR THEM.
    
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     BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) - GRAIN ELEVATORS AROUND NORTH DAKOTA ARE TAKING PART IN AN ANNUAL SURVEY THAT MONITORS FOR THE FUNGAL DISEASE CALLED KARNAL BUNT.

     AGRICULTURE COMMISSIONER DOUG GOEHRING SAYS THE NATIONAL SURVEY BEGUN IN 1996 IS AIMED AT PROTECTING AMERICAN WHEAT EXPORTS BY SHOWING THAT GRAIN IS FREE OF THE DISEASE.  HE SAYS IN THE 15 YEARS OF THE SURVEY, KARNAL BUNT HAS NEVER BEEN FOUND IN NORTH DAKOTA, THOUGH IT'S BEEN FOUND IN FOUR OTHER STATES. IT GETS ITS NAME FROM KARNAL, INDIA, WHERE IT WAS FIRST DISCOVERED IN 1931.

     SIXTY-FIVE NORTH DAKOTA ELEVATORS WERE SELECTED FOR THIS YEAR'S SURVEY DURING THE HARVEST. THE SURVEY IS TO WRAP UP NEXT MONTH.
    

 

 

 

     BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) - NORTH DAKOTA'S SMALL GRAIN HARVEST IS MOVING ALONG AT A GOOD PACE BECAUSE OF THE RECENT WARM, DRY WEATHER.

     THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE SAID MONDAY THAT THE HARVEST OF ALL NORTH DAKOTA'S SMALL GRAIN CROPS, EXCEPT DURUM WHEAT, IS AHEAD OF SCHEDULE.  ABOUT 74 PERCENT OF THE SPRING WHEAT CROP HAS BEEN HARVESTED. THE AVERAGE AT THIS TIME OF YEAR IS 70 PERCENT HARVESTED.

     ABOUT 91 PERCENT OF THE BARLEY HAS BEEN HARVESTED. THAT'S ABOUT ONE WEEK AHEAD OF THE AVERAGE OF 83 PERCENT.  THE OAT HARVEST IS 83 PERCENT DONE, AHEAD OF THE 80 PERCENT AVERAGE.  ABOUT 43 PERCENT OF THE DURUM WHEAT CROP HAS BEEN HARVESTED, WHICH IS BEHIND THE AVERAGE OF 53 PERCENT.

     THE USDA SAYS ALL OTHER CROP DEVELOPMENT WAS NEAR THE AVERAGE PACE OR AHEAD OF SCHEDULE.

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     FORT COLLINS, COLO. (AP) - CATTLE RANCHERS ARE CLASHING OVER A FEDERAL PROPOSAL AIMED AT PRESERVING COMPETITION IN A LIVESTOCK INDUSTRY DOMINATED BY A HANDFUL OF CORPORATE GIANTS.

     AROUND 1,500 PEOPLE FROM AROUND THE COUNTRY FILLED FOUR ROOMS AT COLORADO STATE UNIVERSITY FOR A WORKSHOP FRIDAY, AS THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE HEARD COMMENTS ON THE PROPOSED RULE.

     SECRETARY OF AGRICULTURE TOM VILSACK SAYS CONSOLIDATION ALONG THE FOOD-SUPPLY CHAIN WILL ULTIMATELY HURT CONSUMERS.  BUT RANCHERS WHO SPOKE FRIDAY SHARPLY DISAGREED WHETHER THE PROPOSED RULE WOULD HELP. THE RULE INCLUDES PROVISIONS TO MAKE PRIVATE SALES CONTRACTS MORE TRANSPARENT, MAKE IT EASIER TO SUE OVER ANTICOMPETITIVE BEHAVIOR, AND PREVENT SALES BETWEEN MEATPACKERS.
    
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     GREAT FALLS, MONT. (AP) - A NOXIOUS WEED THAT CAN ENTANGLE SWIMMERS, FISH AND BOAT PROPELLERS HAS BEEN DISCOVERED FOR THE FIRST TIME AT TWO SEPARATE LOCATIONS OF THE MISSOURI RIVER.  MONTANA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE WEED COORDINATOR DAVE BURCH SAYS THE EURASIAN WATERMILFOIL COULD SPREAD IF IT ISN'T QUICKLY ATTACKED.

     HE SAYS THE SITES THAT HAVE BEEN FOUND CONTAIN SMALL INFESTATIONS, BUT THE WEED HAS THE POTENTIAL TO SPREAD FROM THE HEADWATERS TO NORTH DAKOTA.  ONE OPTION FOR CONTROL IS HERBICIDE. ANOTHER IS TO USE DIVERS TO DREDGE THE WEEDS.  BURCH SAYS CONTROL EFFORTS WILL BE STARTED THIS FALL.

 

 

 

      BISMARCK, ND (ND AG DEPT) - NORTH DAKOTA GRAIN ELEVATORS ARE TAKING PART IN AN ANNUAL SURVEY TO PROTECT AMERICAN WHEAT EXPORTS BY DEMONSTRATING THAT THE GRAIN IS FREE OF A FUNGAL DISEASE CALLED KARNAL BUNT.

      "DURING HARVEST SEASON, PARTICIPATING ELEVATORS TAKE SAMPLES FROM THE WHEAT THAT FARMERS BRING IN," AGRICULTURE COMMISSIONER DOUG GOEHRING. "THESE SAMPLES ARE TESTED TO ENSURE THAT THEY ARE NOT INFECTED WITH KARNAL BUNT."  THE NATIONAL SURVEY WAS BEGUN IN 1996.

      "I AM GLAD TO SAY THAT IN THE 15 YEARS OF THE SURVEY, KARNAL BUNT HAS NEVER BEEN DETECTED IN NORTH DAKOTA," GOEHRING SAID.

      GOEHRING SAID 65 NORTH DAKOTA ELEVATORS ACROSS THE STATE WERE SELECTED FOR THIS YEAR'S SURVEY. A NORTH DAKOTA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE SEASONAL EMPLOYEE PICKS UP THE FOUR-POUND SAMPLES, WHICH ARE THEN SENT TO A U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE LABORATORY IN OLNEY, TX, FOR ANALYSIS.

      "THIS SURVEY ENABLES OUR PLANT PROTECTION PERSONNEL TO CERTIFY OUR WHEAT AS FREE FROM KARNAL BUNT," GOEHRING SAID. "THIS CERTIFICATION IS REQUIRED BY MANY COUNTRIES THAT BUY WHEAT FROM US."

      KARNAL BUNT WAS FIRST DISCOVERED IN WHEAT FROM KARNAL, INDIA IN 1931. IT IS NOW FOUND IN ALL INDIAN WHEAT-GROWING STATES, AS WELL AS PAKISTAN, IRAQ, MEXICO, NEPAL, SYRIA AND AFGHANISTAN. IT HAS ALSO BEEN FOUND IN ARIZONA, CALIFORNIA, NEW MEXICO AND TEXAS. SMALL PRODUCTION AREAS FROM THREE ARIZONA COUNTIES AND ONE CALIFORNIA COUNTY ARE CURRENTLY REGULATED BY USDA.

      KARNAL BUNT IS A MINOR DISEASE OF WHEAT BUT IS REGULATED BY A NUMBER OF U.S. TRADING PARTNERS. KARNAL BUNT HAS AN INSIGNIFICANT EFFECT ON YIELD AND POSES NO HEALTH RISK. IF FOUND IN SUFFICIENT QUANTITY, IT CAN GIVE WHEAT AND DURUM PRODUCTS AN UNPLEASANT ODOR.

      GOEHRING SAID THE SURVEY WORK WILL WRAP UP IN SEPTEMBER.

      ACCORDING TO USDA, EXPORTS OF WHEAT AND WHEAT PRODUCTS FROM NORTH DAKOTA IN 2009 WERE VALUED AT $1.15 BILLION.

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      FARGO, ND (NDSU) - FARMERS, CROP ADVISERS AND AGRICULTURAL INDUSTRY REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO ATTEND A ROW CROP FIELD TOUR ON THURSDAY, SEPT. 2, AT THE NORTH DAKOTA STATE UNIVERSITY CARRINGTON RESEARCH EXTENSION CENTER. THE TOUR WILL BEGIN AT 3 P.M. AND CONCLUDE WITH A SPONSORED SUPPER.

      PARTICIPANTS WILL VIEW FIELD RESEARCH TRIALS AND RECEIVE PRODUCTION RECOMMENDATIONS ON DRY BEANS, SUNFLOWERS, CORN AND SOYBEANS, ACCORDING TO GREG ENDRES, NDSU EXTENSION SERVICE AREA AGRONOMIST.

      THE TOUR WILL BEGIN WITH INFORMATION ON DRY BEANS AND SUNFLOWERS. PARTICIPANTS WILL BE ABLE TO VIEW DRY BEAN VARIETIES BEING TESTED AT THE CARRINGTON REC AND RECEIVE A REVIEW OF THEIR PERFORMANCE. BEAN PRODUCTION MANAGEMENT RESEARCH BEING CONDUCTED BY NDSU, INCLUDING CONSIDERATIONS FOR DIRECT-HARVEST OF UPRIGHT VARIETIES, WILL BE HIGHLIGHTED. ALSO, DISCUSSION WILL INCLUDE MANAGEMENT OF BEAN DISEASES, SUCH AS RUST, WHITE MOLD AND ANTHRACNOSE.
SUNFLOWER INFORMATION WILL INCLUDE AN OVERVIEW OF PRODUCTION RESEARCH. ALSO, PLANT PROTECTION SPECIALISTS WILL DISCUSS PEST CHALLENGES, INCLUDING SUNFLOWER RUST, WHITE MOLD AND HEAD-INFESTING INSECTS.

      FOLLOWING A SHORT BREAK AT THE REC HEADQUARTERS, THE TOUR WILL CONTINUE AT 5 P.M. WITH A FOCUS ON CORN AND SOYBEANS. THE DISCUSSION ON CORN WILL INCLUDE A SEASONAL REVIEW AND LATE-SEASON PLANT DEVELOPMENT. ALSO, THE AUDIENCE WILL VIEW CORN PRODUCTION TRIALS THAT INCLUDE WORK WITH PLANT NUTRITION AND HARVEST MANAGEMENT.

      TOUR PARTICIPANTS WILL HEAR PRESENTATIONS AND BE ABLE TO VIEW RESEARCH TRIALS ON SOYBEAN VARIETIES, CROP ESTABLISHMENT AND PLANT NUTRITION. IN ADDITION, PLANT PATHOLOGISTS WILL SHOW SAMPLES AND DISCUSS SOYBEAN DISEASE MANAGEMENT, INCLUDING WHITE MOLD, CYST NEMATODE AND OTHER ROOT AND STEM DISEASES. THESE ARE DISEASES FARMERS SHOULD BE SCOUTING FOR IN THEIR FIELDS BEFORE HARVEST IN PREPARATION FOR FUTURE SOYBEAN PRODUCTION.

      REFRESHMENT AND MEAL SPONSORS ARE THE NORTH DAKOTA SOYBEAN COUNCIL, NATIONAL SUNFLOWER ASSOCIATION AND NORTH DAKOTA CORN GROWERS ASSOCIATION AND UTILIZATION COUNCIL. EACH ORGANIZATION HAS BEEN INVITED TO PROVIDE BRIEF UPDATES ON ITS ACTIVITIES DURING SUPPER.

      FOUR CONTINUING EDUCATION CREDITS WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR CERTIFIED CROP ADVISERS.

      ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE TOUR IS AVAILABLE FROM THE CARRINGTON REC AT (701) 652-2951 OR AT HTTP://WWW.AG.NDSU.EDU/CARRINGTONREC/

 

 

 

      BISMARCK, ND (NDFB) - THE NEWLY FORMED NORTH DAKOTA FARM BUREAU PAC HAS ENDORSED REPUBLICAN CANDIDATES JOHN HOEVEN FOR THE U.S. SENATE AND RICK BERG FOR THE U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

      "THE NORTH DAKOTA FARM BUREAU PAC WAS FORMED THIS YEAR TO HELP ELECT CANDIDATES ON THE NATIONAL LEVEL WHO SHARE THE FUNDAMENTAL BELIEFS AND PRINCIPLES HELD BY NORTH DAKOTA FARM BUREAU MEMBERS," SAID DOYLE JOHANNES, NORTH DAKOTA FARM BUREAU PAC COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN. "NORTH DAKOTA FARM BUREAU BELIEVES FISCAL RESTRAINT IN GOVERNMENT SPENDING AND POLICIES THAT ENCOURAGE OPPORTUNITY FOR INDIVIDUALS AND PRIVATE ENTERPRISE ARE A MUST TO TURN THIS COUNTRY AROUND. THE COMMITTEE FEELS JOHN HOEVEN AND RICK BERG EXEMPLIFY THOSE PRINCIPLES."

      "ONE PURPOSE OF THE NORTH DAKOTA FARM BUREAU PAC IS TO ENCOURAGE GOOD GOVERNMENT WHICH IS RESPONSIVE TO THE NEEDS OF NORTH DAKOTA'S CITIZENS", JOHANNES SAID. "THESE CANDIDATES OPPOSE TAX INCREASES AND OUT-OF-CONTROL FEDERAL SPENDING. THEY BELIEVE THAT SMALL BUSINESS IS VITAL TO OUR COUNTRY'S RECOVERY AND GROWTH, AND THEY UNDERSTAND THAT IMPOSING MORE TAXES OR BURDENSOME REGULATIONS WON'T ENCOURAGE GROWTH, BUT RATHER STIFLE IT. THAT IS VERY MUCH IN LINE WITH FARM BUREAU PHILOSOPHY."

      THE NORTH DAKOTA FARM BUREAU PAC IS A LEGAL ENTITY, SEPARATE FROM NORTH DAKOTA FARM BUREAU, AND MAY ENDORSE AND CONTRIBUTE FINANCIALLY TO POLITICAL CANDIDATES ON THE FEDERAL LEVEL. NORTH DAKOTA FARM BUREAU PAC IS FUNDED BY VOLUNTARY CONTRIBUTIONS FROM NDFB MEMBERS.

 

 

 

     BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) - NORTH DAKOTA'S AGRICULTURE DEPARTMENT ON TUESDAY SAID MORE CASES OF ANTHRAX HAD BEEN CONFIRMED IN CATTLE.

     THE NEW CASES WERE IN NORTHEAST NORTH DAKOTA'S PEMBINA COUNTY. EARLIER CASES WERE CONFIRMED IN BARNES, DICKEY AND SIOUX COUNTIES, ALL IN THE SOUTHERN HALF OF THE STATE.

     STATE ANIMAL HEALTH OFFICIALS ARE CONTINUING TO URGE RANCHERS TO HAVE THEIR CATTLE VACCINATED AGAINST THE DISEASE.  ANTHRAX BACTERIA SPORES LIE DORMANT IN THE GROUND AND BECOME ACTIVE UNDER CONDITIONS SUCH AS HEAVY RAINFALL, FLOODING OR DROUGHT. NORTH DAKOTA USUALLY HAS A FEW ANTHRAX CASES IN CATTLE EVERY YEAR.
    
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     FARGO, N.D. (AP) - WARM, DRY WEATHER OVER THE WEEK HELPED NORTH DAKOTA FARMERS, BUT THE SPRING WHEAT AND DURUM WHEAT HARVESTS REMAIN BEHIND AVERAGE.

     THE AGRICULTURE DEPARTMENT SAYS IN IT WEEKLY CROP AND WEATHER REPORT THAT JUST OVER HALF OF THE SPRING WHEAT CROP IS IN THE BIN, SLIGHTLY BEHIND AVERAGE, WHILE LESS THAN ONE-FIFTH OF THE DURUM WHEAT IS COMBINED, WELL BEHIND AVERAGE.

     THE REPORT SAYS THE FAVORABLE WEATHER HELPED AID THE DEVELOPMENT OF ROW CROPS SUCH AS CORN, DRY EDIBLE BEANS, SOYBEANS AND POTATOES.  THE NORTH DAKOTA SUGAR BEET HARVEST IS ABOUT TWO WEEKS AHEAD OF AVERAGE.
    

 

 

 

     BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) - NORTH DAKOTA'S AGRICULTURE DEPARTMENT HAS SCHEDULED TWO WORKSHOPS TO EDUCATE WEED CONTROL OFFICIALS AND LAND MANAGERS ABOUT THE STATE'S NEWEST NOXIOUS WEED.  THE YELLOW TOADFLAX WORKSHOPS ARE SET WEDNESDAY IN MINOT AND THURSDAY NEAR ELLENDALE.

     YELLOW TOADFLAX OFFICIALLY WAS ADDED TO NORTH DAKOTA'S LIST OF NOXIOUS WEEDS IN APRIL BECAUSE OF INCREASING INFESTATIONS. NOXIOUS WEEDS ARE THOSE THAT ARE REQUIRED BY LAW TO BE CONTROLLED.
    
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     MINNEAPOLIS (AP) - FARMERS IN THE SOUTH SAY A NEW DISASTER AID PROGRAM CREATED BY CONGRESS HAS FAILED THEM.

     THE PROGRAM IS SUPPOSED TO HELP FARMERS WHOSE CROPS ARE DAMAGED BY BAD WEATHER. MOST AGREE IT HAS WORKED WELL IN THE MIDWEST, BUT IT HASN'T HELPED MUCH IN THE SOUTH, IN PART BECAUSE FARMERS MUST BUY CROP INSURANCE TO QUALIFY.  SOUTHERN FARMERS TEND TO FORGO INSURANCE BECAUSE THEY SAY PREMIUMS ARE TOO HIGH FOR THE BENEFITS THEY RECEIVE.

     THE DISASTER AID PROGRAM IS PAYING FARMERS NOW FOR LOSSES IN 2008. AS OF AUG. 17, THE MOST AID HAD GONE IOWA, WHERE FARMERS RECEIVED NEARLY $211 MILLION. OTHER TOP STATES WERE NORTH DAKOTA, TEXAS, OHIO AND WISCONSIN.

     CONGRESSMAN EARL POMEROY OF NORTH DAKOTA SAYS THE PROGRAM SHOULD BE CHANGED TO ENSURE REGIONAL FAIRNESS.
    

 

 

 

     FORT COLLINS, COLO. (AP) - RANCHERS FROM ACROSS THE COUNTRY ARE EXPECTED TO GATHER IN NORTHERN COLORADO TO TALK ABOUT COMPETITION IN THE CATTLE INDUSTRY.

     ATTORNEY GENERAL ERIC HOLDER AND AGRICULTURE SECRETARY TOM VILSACK ARE SCHEDULED TO ATTEND THE AUG. 27 MEETING IN FORT COLLINS. IT'S THE FOURTH IN A SERIES OF MEETINGS THE OBAMA ADMINISTRATION HAS BEEN HOLDING ACROSS THE COUNTRY TO DISCUSS ANTI-TRUST ISSUES IN AGRICULTURE.

     THE MEAT PACKING INDUSTRY HAS LONG BEEN DOMINATED BY A HANDFUL OF CORPORATE GIANTS AND SOME PRODUCERS ACCUSE THEM OF DEMANDING UNFAIRLY LOW PRICES. PROPOSED ANTI-TRUST RULES FROM THE ADMINISTRATION WOULD MAKE IT EASIER FOR RANCHERS TO SUE.

     A MONTANA-BASED RANCHERS' GROUP, R-CALF USA, IS TRYING TO GET 25,000 SUPPORTERS TO ATTEND.

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     VALLEY CITY, N.D. (AP) - THE JOHN DEERE SEEDING GROUP IN VALLEY CITY IS RECALLING ABOUT 140 EMPLOYEES ON MONDAY, AFTER TRADITIONAL SUMMER LAYOFFS.  GENERAL MANAGER KEITH HOVLAND SAYS MORE THAN 100 MORE WORKERS SHOULD BE BACK BY NOVEMBER.  THE PLANT MANUFACTURES AIR-SEEDING EQUIPMENT FOR FARMERS.
    
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     DES MOINES, IOWA (AP) - SOME SUGAR BEET GROWERS ARE UNEASY AS THEY WAIT FOR FEDERAL OFFICIALS TO DECIDE THE NEXT STEP FOR A CROP THAT PROVIDES HALF THE NATION'S SUGAR SUPPLY.

     A FEDERAL JUDGE IN CALIFORNIA ISSUED A RULING EARLIER THIS MONTH THAT PREVENTS FUTURE PLANTING OF SUGAR BEETS WITH GENETICALLY MODIFIED SEEDS UNTIL THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE STUDIES THE EFFECT THE CROP COULD HAVE ON OTHER FOOD.  INDUSTRY OFFICIALS SAY FARMERS NEED TO BE PATIENT AND LET THE PROCESS PLAY OUT.

     DUANE GRANT, THE CHAIRMAN OF IDAHO'S SNAKE RIVER SUGAR CO., FEARS THERE AREN'T ENOUGH CONVENTIONAL SEEDS TO PLANT NEXT YEAR.  BUT NORTH DAKOTA SUGAR BEET FARMER ROBERT GREEN IS OPTIMISTIC A SOLUTION WILL BE FOUND.
    

 

 

 

     GRAND FORKS, N.D. (AP) - THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT ON WEDNESDAY SAID IT WAS USING $5 MILLION IN FEDERAL STIMULUS MONEY TO BUY MORE EASEMENTS ON AGRICULTURAL LAND ALONG THE RED RIVER THAT IS PRONE TO FLOODING.  THE 17 FLOODPLAIN PROTECTION EASEMENTS COVER MORE THAN 2,100 ACRES IN NORTHEAST NORTH DAKOTA'S PEMBINA, WALSH AND TRAILL COUNTIES.

     AGRICULTURE SECRETARY TOM VILSACK SAID IN A STATEMENT THAT THE EASEMENTS WILL DECREASE THE THREAT OF FLOODS, HELP THE ENVIRONMENT AND PROMOTE JOB CREATION.

     THE AGRICULTURE DEPARTMENT'S NATURAL RESOURCES CONSERVATIONSERVICE AND LANDOWNERS WILL PARTNER ON PROJECTS TO PREVENT SOIL EROSION AND TO STOP DEBRIS FROM CLOGGING WATERWAYS. WETLAND AREAS WILL BE RESTORED WITH NATIVE PLANTS THAT WILL SLOW THE FLOW OF FLOODWATERS.

     THE PROJECTS WILL JOIN 28 OTHER RED RIVER FLOODPLAIN EASEMENT PROJECTS IN NORTH DAKOTA AND MINNESOTA.
    
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     BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) - NORTH DAKOTA'S SUPREME COURT SAYS AN INSURANCE AGENT WHO WAS CONVICTED OF RUNNING A FEDERAL FARM PAYMENT SCAM IS ENTITLED TO SOME RETIREMENT MONEY.

     DUANE HUBER OF WIMBLEDON CONTENDED NORTH DAKOTA FARMERS UNION INSURANCE COMPANIES OWED HIM A $34,000 ANNUITY FOR HIS INSURANCE SALES DURING 2002.

     FARMERS UNION ARGUED IT DIDN'T OWE THE MONEY BECAUSE HUBER'S INSURANCE LICENSE WAS SUSPENDED IN DECEMBER 2002. HUBER WAS CONVICTED THE MONTH BEFORE OF FEDERAL CHARGES OF FRAUD, MONEY LAUNDERING, TAX EVASION AND MAKING FALSE STATEMENTS. HE WAS ACCUSED OF RUNNING SHAM FARMS TO AVOID FEDERAL FARM PROGRAM PAYMENT LIMITS.

     THE COURT RULED HUBER IS OWED THE MONEY BECAUSE FARMERS UNION WASN'T ABLE TO FIRE HIM UNTIL JANUARY 2003, AND HIS JOB AGREEMENT FROM THE YEAR BEFORE WAS STILL IN EFFECT.
  
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     CHICAGO (AP) - A FOOD DISTRIBUTOR SAYS THE COMPANY AT THE CENTER OF A MASSIVE EGG RECALL USED UNAUTHORIZED CARTONS TO PACKAGE AND SELL EGGS UNDER ITS BRAND NAME WITHOUT ITS KNOWLEDGE.

     DUTCH FARMS SAYS IT IS TAKING LEGAL ACTION AGAINST WRIGHT COUNTY EGGS. DUTCH FARM EGGS AND SEVERAL OTHER BRANDS ARE BEING RECALLED FOR POSSIBLE SALMONELLA CONTAMINATION.  AN ESTIMATED 380 MILLION EGGS ARE BEING RECALLED IN A CASE SUSPECTED TO HAVE CAUSED HUNDREDS OF ILLNESSES.

     THE DUTCH FARMS-LABELED EGGS WERE DISTRIBUTED TO WALGREENS STORES IN IOWA, MINNESOTA, KANSAS, NEBRASKA, MISSOURI, SOUTH DAKOTA AND ARKANSAS.  WALGREEN CO. SAYS IT HAS PULLED THE EGGS. WRIGHT COUNTY EGGS
COULD NOT BE IMMEDIATELY REACHED FOR COMMENT.

     EGGS WITH PLANT NUMBERS P1026, P1413 AND P1946 ON THE PACKAGE CAN BE RETURNED TO STORES.

 

 

 

 

     BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) - NORTH DAKOTA AGRICULTURE COMMISSIONER DOUG GOEHRING ON WEDNESDAY SAID HE WILL LEAD A FIVE-PERSON TRADE MISSION TO CUBA IN SEPTEMBER.

     HE SAYS THE EMPHASIS WILL BE ON SELLING DRY EDIBLE PEAS AND DRY BEANS, STAPLES OF THE CUBAN DIET, AS WELL AS DRIED DISTILLERS GRAINS FOR LIVESTOCK FEED.  GOEHRING SAYS OFFICIALS ALSO HOPE TO FINALIZE THE DOCUMENTS NEEDED TO SHIP NORTH DAKOTA POTATOES TO CUBA.

     THE GROUP LEAVES SEPT. 22 AND RETURNS THREE DAYS LATER. IT WILL BE THE EIGHTH TRADE MISSION ORGANIZED BY THE STATE AGRICULTURE DEPARTMENT. PAST EXPORTS TO CUBA HAVE INCLUDED DRY BEANS, PASTA, DRY PEAS, SEMOLINA FLOUR AND WHEAT.
    
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      BISMARCK, ND (ND AG DEPT) - WEED CONTROL OFFICIALS AND LAND MANAGERS CAN LEARN MORE ABOUT IDENTIFYING AND CONTROLLING NORTH DAKOTA'S NEWEST NOXIOUS WEED - YELLOW TOADFLAX - AT UPCOMING WORKSHOPS IN MINOT AND NEAR ELLENDALE.

      THE WORKSHOPS, SPONSORED BY THE NORTH DAKOTA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE (NDDA), WILL BE HELD WEDNESDAY, AUG. 25, FROM 9 A.M. TO NOON AT THE WARD COUNTY WEED CONTROL OFFICE, 900 13TH ST. NE, IN MINOT; AND THURSDAY, AUG. 26, FROM 10 A.M. TO NOON NEAR ELLENDALE. THE SITE IS LOCATED EIGHT MILES WEST OF ELLENDALE ON HIGHWAY 11 AND 1½ MILES NORTH ON 81ST AVE. SE.

      "YELLOW TOADFLAX WAS BROUGHT TO THIS COUNTRY BECAUSE OF ITS BEAUTY, BUT IT ALSO HAS AN UGLY SIDE," SAID AGRICULTURE COMMISSIONER DOUG GOEHRING, WHO DECLARED YELLOW TOADFLAX A NOXIOUS WEED LAST APRIL. "IT HAS BECOME A SERIOUS PROBLEM IN MANY PARTS OF THE COUNTRY AND IT IS QUICKLY SPREADING IN NORTH DAKOTA."

      GOEHRING SAID HE HOPED WEED CONTROL OFFICERS AND LAND MANAGERS WOULD TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE FREE, PUBLIC WORKSHOPS.

      THE NUMBER OF ACRES INFESTED WITH YELLOW TOADFLAX INCREASED MORE THAN 50 PERCENT FROM 2008 TO 2009," HE SAID. "THE WEED CAN BE CONTROLLED, BUT IT IS VERY DIFFICULT TO ERADICATE."

      NDDA NOXIOUS WEED STAFF AND WARD AND DICKEY COUNTY WEED OFFICIALS WILL CONDUCT THE WORKSHOPS.

      A MEMBER OF THE SNAPDRAGON FAMILY, YELLOW TOADFLAX (LINARIA VULGARIS) IS NATIVE TO SOUTHEASTERN EUROPE AND SOUTHWESTERN ASIA. IMPORTED TO THIS COUNTRY AS AN ORNAMENTAL, IT WAS FOUND IN NORTH DAKOTA AS EARLY AS 1891. IT IS ALSO KNOWN AS BUTTER-AND-EGGS, WILD SNAPDRAGON, COMMON TOADFLAX, RAMSTED, FLAXWEED AND JACOB'S LADDER.

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     WASHINGTON (AP) - AN IOWA EGG PRODUCER IS RECALLING 228 MILLION EGGS AFTER BEING LINKED TO AN OUTBREAK OF SALMONELLA POISONING.

     THE FEDERAL CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL AND PREVENTION SAID EGGS FROM WRIGHT COUNTY EGG IN GALT, IOWA, WERE LINKED TO SEVERAL ILLNESSES IN COLORADO, CALIFORNIA AND MINNESOTA. THE CDC SAID ABOUT 200 CASES OF THE STRAIN OF SALMONELLA LINKED TO THE EGGS WERE REPORTED WEEKLY DURING JUNE AND JULY, FOUR TIMES THE NORMAL NUMBER OF SUCH OCCURRENCES.

     THE EGGS WERE DISTRIBUTED AROUND THE COUNTRY AND PACKAGED UNDER THE NAMES LUCERNE, ALBERTSON, MOUNTAIN DAIRY, RALPH'S, BOOMSMA'S, SUNSHINE, HILLANDALE, TRAFFICANDA, FARM FRESH, SHORELAND, LUND, DUTCH FARMS AND KEMP.

     THE FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION IS INVESTIGATING THE EGG COMPANY.
    

 

 

 

     BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) - NORTH DAKOTA'S GRAIN HARVEST REMAINS BEHIND SCHEDULE, AND RECENT WET WEATHER IN SOME AREAS HAS LIMITED PROGRESS.  THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE SAID MONDAY THAT FARMERS WOULD LIKELY APPRECIATE SOME WARM, DRY WEATHER.

     THE HARVEST OF SPRING AND DURUM WHEAT CONTINUES TO BE BEHIND SCHEDULE.  ABOUT 27 PERCENT OF THE SPRING WHEAT HAS BEEN HARVESTED INSTEAD OF THE USUAL RATE OF 38 PERCENT COMPLETE AT THIS TIME OF YEAR. AND ONLY 3 PERCENT OF THE DURUM WHEAT HAS BEEN HARVESTED. BY NOW, ABOUT 23 PERCENT OF THE DURUM WHEAT HAS BEEN HARVESTED, ON AVERAGE.

     THE BARLEY AND OATS HARVESTS ARE ALSO LATE. ABOUT 43 PERCENT OF THE BARLEY AND 39 PERCENT OF THE STATE'S OATS HAVE BEEN HARVESTED.
    
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     MOORHEAD, MINN. (AP) - AMERICAN CRYSTAL SUGAR CO.'S EARLY BEET HARVEST WAS BEGINNING TUESDAY, EARLIER THAN EVER BECAUSE THE CROP APPEARS TO BE BIGGER THAN EVER.

     DURING THE "PRE-PILE" HARVEST, GROWERS GET JUST ENOUGH BEETS OUT OF THE GROUND TO GET CRYSTAL'S FIVE PROCESSING PLANTS IN THE RED RIVER VALLEY RUNNING. IT TYPICALLY BEGINS SEPT. 1, WITH THE FULL HARVEST BEGINNING OCT. 1.

     DAN BERNHARDSON, THE COOPERATIVE'S DIRECTOR OF AGRICULTURE, SAYS THE FACTORIES ARE TO BEGIN RUNNING THURSDAY. MINNESOTA PLANTS ARE IN EAST GRAND FORKS, CROOKSTON AND MOORHEAD, AND NORTH DAKOTA FACTORIES ARE IN HILLSBORO AND DRAYTON.  BERNHARDSON SAYS AN EARLY SPRING PLANTING AND AN IDEAL GROWING SEASON HAVE LED TO A CROP EXPECTED TO SET A RECORD FOR YIELD.
    
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     GRAND FORKS, N.D. (AP) - BIOTECH CANOLA HAS BEEN FOUND GROWING IN THE WILD IN NORTH DAKOTA.

     THAT COULD BE PROBLEMATIC BECAUSE THE GENETICALLY MODIFIED CROP CAN'T BE KILLED WITH THE POPULAR HERBICIDE ROUNDUP. BUT NATIONAL PUBLIC RADIO REPORTS THAT FEW SCIENTISTS BELIEVE THAT THE CANOLA PLANTS POSE AN ENVIRONMENTAL RISK.

     NORTHERN CANOLA GROWERS ASSOCIATION DIRECTOR BARRY COLEMAN SAYS PERENNIAL WEEDS SUCH AS LEAFY SPURGE ARE A MUCH BIGGER WORRY. RON BENEDA, AGRICULTURE EXTENSION AGENT IN CAVALIER COUNTY, SAYS THE BIOTECH WILD CANOLA CAN BE DEALT WITH THROUGH TILLAGE AND MOWING.

     CANOLA IS USED FOR COOKING OIL, ANIMAL FEED AND BIODIESEL. THE WILD BIOTECH CANOLA WAS FOUND DURING A SUMMER STUDY CONDUCTED BY THE UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS.
    

 

 

 

      FARGO, ND (NDSU) - PRODUCERS HAVE UNTIL WEDNESDAY, AUG. 18, TO COMMENT ON A PROPOSAL TO EXTEND THE COMPLIANCE DEADLINE FOR A U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY RULE TO PREVENT OIL FROM SPILLING INTO RIVERS, LAKES AND OTHER WATER.

      THE CURRENT DEADLINE FOR PRODUCERS AND FACILITIES TO COMPLY WITH THE SPILL PREVENTION, CONTROL, AND COUNTERMEASURE (SPCC) RULE IS NOV. 10, 2010. THE PROPOSAL WOULD EXTEND THE DEADLINE ONE YEAR, TO NOV. 10, 2011, ACCORDING TO ROXANNE JOHNSON, NORTH DAKOTA STATE UNIVERSITY EXTENSION SERVICE WATER QUALITY ASSOCIATE.

      TO SUBMIT COMMENTS, USE ONE OF THE FOLLOWING METHODS:

ONLINE: GO TO HTTP://WWW.REGULATIONS.GOV AND FOLLOW THE INSTRUCTIONS FOR SUBMITTING COMMENTS. YOU WILL NEED THE PROPOSAL'S DOCKET IDENTIFICATION NUMBER, WHICH IS EPA-HQ-OPA-2009-0880.

E-MAIL: SEND AN E-MAIL TO DOCKET.RCRAEPA.GOV, ATTENTION DOCKET ID NO. EPA-HQ- OPA-2009-0880.

FAX: SEND A FAX TO (202) 566-9744, ATTENTION DOCKET ID NO. EPA-HQ-OPA-2009- 0880.

      THE SPCC RULE REQUIRES ALL FARMS AND RANCHES THAT BEGAN OPERATING AFTER AUG. 16, 2002, TO DEVELOP A PLAN TO PREVENT, CONTROL AND CLEAN UP SPILLS IF THEY HAVE 1,320 GALLONS OR MORE OF OIL STORAGE IN ABOVEGROUND CONTAINERS OR MORE THAN 42,000 GALLONS IN COMPLETELY BURIED CONTAINERS, AND THE OIL REASONABLY COULD BE EXPECTED TO DISCHARGE TO INTRASTATE LAKES, RIVERS AND STREAMS.

      PRODUCERS WITH LESS THAN 10,000 GALLONS OF ABOVE-GROUND STORAGE AND NO TANK OF 5,000 GALLONS OR MORE MAY BE ABLE TO USE THE EPA'S TIER I TEMPLATE AT HTTP://WWW.EPA.GOV/CEPPO/WEB/CONTENT/SPCC/TIER1TEMP.HTM TO HELP THEM CREATE AN SPCC PLAN. TIER I OPERATIONS DO NOT NEED A CERTIFIED PLAN.

      THOSE WITH A TANK THAT'S 5,000 GALLON OR LARGER BUT STILL UNDER THE 10,000 GALLON LIMIT MAY USE THE TEMPLATE FOR THE TIER II PLAN, WHICH DOES NOT NEED TO BE PROFESSIONALLY ENGINEERED. THOSE WHO HAVE 10,000 GALLONS OR MORE WILL NEED TO HAVE A PLAN CERTIFIED BY A PROFESSIONAL ENGINEER.

      FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE SPCC RULE OR A LIST OF CERTIFIED PROFESSIONAL ENGINEERS AND TANK INSPECTORS, GO TO THE NDSU WATER QUALITY WEBSITE AT HTTP://WWW.NDSU.EDU/WATERQUALITY. ENGINEERING FIRMS THAT WANT TO BE ADDED TO THE LIST SHOULD CONTACT JOHNSON AT (701) 231-8926 OR ROXANNE.M.JOHNSONNDSU.EDU.

      "FARMS IN EXISTENCE PRIOR TO THE 2002 DATE SHOULD CONTINUE TO MAINTAIN THEIR EXISTING SPCC PLAN BUT AMEND AND IMPLEMENT ANY CHANGES BY THE NOV. 10, 2010 DATE," JOHNSON ADVISES.

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     FAIRMOUNT, N.D. (AP) - A MAN WAS TAKEN A HOSPITAL AFTER BEING TRAPPED IN A GRAIN BIN IN FAIRMOUNT.

     THE RICHLAND COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE SAYS 20-YEAR-OLD MATT RESTAD WAS SHOVELING AROUND A DOOR IN THE GRAIN BIN WHEN HE BECAME STUCK AND SUNK UP TO HIS CHEST ABOUT 9 A.M. FRIDAY. RESCUERS GOT HIM OUT ABOUT AN HOUR LATER.  RESTAD WAS TAKEN TO A BRECKENRIDGE, MINN., HOSPITAL WITH NON-LIFE-THREATENING INJURIES.

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     CORVALLIS, ORE. (AP) - OREGON FARMER LARRY VENELL IS ALSO WORKING ON THE RAILROAD -- HIS OWN RAILROAD. VENELL SHIPS TRAINLOADS OF WHEAT FROM HIS FAMILY FARM. BUT ABOUT THREE YEARS AGO, THE PORTLAND & WESTERN RAILROAD HALTED SERVICE ON A BRANCH LINE RUNNING THROUGH THE FAMILY'S PROPERTY.

     SO, VENELL BOUGHT MORE THAN FIVE MILES OF TRACK. IT TOOK MORE THAN TWO YEARS TO CLOSE THE DEAL, BUT THIS MONTH THE VENELL FARMS RAILROAD STARTED SHIPPING WHEAT. HE WON'T SAY HOW MUCH IT COST HIM TO GET INTO THE RAILROAD BUSINESS, BUT REPAIRS ALONE RAN $750,000. A LOCAL PAPER (GAZETTE-TIMES) REPORTS VENELL IS ALSO SHIPPING FOR HIS NEIGHBORS.
 

 

 

 

     WASHINGTON (AP) - THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT SAYS U.S. CORN AND SOYBEAN FARMERS ARE ON TRACK THIS YEAR TO PRODUCE THE LARGEST CROPS IN HISTORY.

     THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE FORECASTS THAT PRODUCTION OF BOTH GRAINS WILL TOP LAST YEAR'S OUTPUT BY 2 PERCENT, THE CURRENT RECORD. IT IS FORECASTING CORN PRODUCTION OF 13.4 BILLION BUSHELS IN 2010, AND SOYBEAN PRODUCTION OF 3.43 BILLION BUSHELS.

     CORN YIELDS ALSO ARE EXPECTED TO BE THE BEST ON RECORD, WHILE SOYBEAN YIELDS SHOULD MATCH LAST YEAR'S ALL-TIME HIGH FIGURE. THE USDA SAYS PRODUCTION OF COTTON AND WHEAT ALSO WILL RISE IN 2010.

     WHEAT FUTURES HAVE BEEN RISING AS THE HOTTEST SUMMER IN 130 YEARS HAS SPARKED MASSIVE FIRES IN RUSSIA, COSTING THAT COUNTRY MORE THAN A THIRD OF ITS WHEAT CROP AND PROMPTING THE GOVERNMENT TO BAN WHEAT EXPORTS.
    
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     BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) - STATE REGULATORS ARE ASKING A JUDGE FOR CONTROL OF A DEFUNCT GRAIN ELEVATOR IN NORTHEASTERN NORTH DAKOTA.  RECORDS SHOW ORGANIC GRAIN AND MILLING HAS MORE THAN $200,000 IN UNPAID CLAIMS FROM FIVE GRAIN SELLERS. THE LARGEST IS A $180,000 CLAIM FROM KODIAK FARMS OF SOUTHERN ALBERTA.

     ORGANIC GRAIN'S NORTH DAKOTA ELEVATOR LICENSE WAS REVOKED LAST FEBRUARY BECAUSE IT DIDN'T HAVE BOND COVERAGE. THE ELEVATOR IS LOCATED IN CLYDE, IN CAVALIER COUNTY.

     NORTH DAKOTA'S PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION WILL ASK A JUDGE TO GIVE THE COMMISSION CONTROL OF THE ELEVATOR'S ASSETS. THE COMMISSION WILL SORT THROUGH CLAIMS FROM CREDITORS.  COMMISSION CHAIRMAN KEVIN CRAMER SAYS ORGANIC GRAIN IS SUPPOSED TO HAVE A $62,500 BOND. SOME CLAIMS MAY BE COVERED BY A SEPARATE
INSURANCE FUND.
   
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     FARGO, N.D. (AP) - THE STATE OF NORTH DAKOTA HAS A NEW KITCHEN - ON WHEELS.

     AGRICULTURE COMMISSIONER DOUG GOEHRING UNVEILED THE MOBILE FOOD PROCESSING UNIT THURSDAY IN FARGO. HE SAYS THE 24-FOOT TRAILER COULD BE USED BY SCHOOLS, FOOD BANKS AND FARMERS MARKETS TO HELP PROMOTE NORTH DAKOTA FOODS.

     THE UNIT HAS A CONVECTION OVEN, FRYER, GRIDDLE, FREEZER, REFRIGERATOR AND FOUR STAINLESS STEEL SINKS. THERE ARE PLANS TO INCLUDE EQUIPMENT FOR FLASH FREEZING, DEHYDRATION AND PACKAGING.

     GOEHRING SAYS SEVERAL GROUPS HELPED RAISE MORE THAN $65,000 FOR THE PROJECT.
    

 

 

 

     BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) - AGRICULTURE COMMISSIONER DOUG GOEHRING HAS ACTIVATED NORTH DAKOTA'S HARVEST HOTLINE.  THE FREE SERVICE HELPS MATCH UP FARMERS AND CUSTOM COMBINERS DURING THE BUSY HARVEST SEASON.

     THE HOT LINE NUMBER IS 701-328-2234. CALLERS ARE LISTED IN A DATABASE THAT AGRICULTURE DEPARTMENT PERSONNEL USE TO MATCH PRODUCERS WITH COMBINERS.  THE HOT LINE IS STAFFED WEEKDAYS FROM 8 A.M. TO 5 P.M. CALLERS MAY LEAVE A MESSAGE EVENINGS AND WEEKENDS.

     THE HARVEST HOTLINE HAS BEEN OFFERED EVERY FALL SINCE 1992.
    
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     TAPPEN, N.D. (AP) - KIDDER COUNTY AUTHORITIES SAY AN 8-YEAR-OLD BOY WAS KILLED OVER THE WEEKEND IN A FARM ACCIDENT NEAR TAPPEN.

     THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT SAYS THE PARENTS OF MARGARITO CANTU JR. WERE WORKING ON A TRUCK WHEN THE BOY GOT ENTANGLED IN A CONVEYOR BELT AND DIED OF HIS INJURIES.  HE IS THE SON OF MARGARITO AND MYRTHALA CANTU, OF TAPPEN.

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     WOLF CREEK, MONT. (AP) - THE CATTLE INDUSTRY IS TRYING TO COUNTER BAD PUBLICITY FROM THE RELEASE OF A VIDEO SHOWING MISTREATMENT OF COWS ON AN OHIO DAIRY FARM BY PROMOTING LOW-STRESS HANDLING TECHNIQUES.

     THE NATIONAL CATTLEMEN'S BEEF ASSOCIATION HAS SEVERAL COWBOYS TRAVELING TO STATE FAIRS AND FEEDLOTS TO TEACH LOW-STRESS METHODS AND DO PUBLIC DEMONSTRATIONS.  ONE IS CURT PATE, THE 49-YEAR-OLD MONTANA COWBOY WHO CONSULTED
ON THE 1998 ROBERT REDFORD FILM "THE HORSE WHISPERER."

     PATE TEACHES RANCHERS TO MAINTAIN EYE CONTACT WITH ANIMALS, AVOID LOUD NOISES, AVOID RUSHING AND TO USE EQUIPMENT LIKE CATTLE PRODS AS LITTLE AS POSSIBLE.  HE SAYS FARMERS WHO DON'T FOLLOW THOSE GUIDELINES RISK RAISING THE ANIMALS' STRESS, INCREASING SICKNESS AND LOWERING PRODUCTION.
    
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     REYNOLDS, N.D. (AP) - A TORNADO TORE THROUGH A FARMYARD NEAR THE EAST CENTRAL NORTH DAKOTA TOWN OF REYNOLDS, BUT IT SPARED THE FARMHOUSE AND NO ONE WAS HURT.  THE TWISTER TOUCHED DOWN TUESDAY AFTERNOON, DAMAGING SEVERAL BUILDINGS AND VEHICLES ON THE STEVE WALEN FARM.

     THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE ESTIMATED THE TORNADO AS AN EF2 ON THE ENHANCED FUJITA SCALE, WITH PEAK WINDS OF 125 MPH.

     THE WALEN FARM IS ONLY A FEW MILES FROM ANOTHER FARM STRUCK BY A TORNADO ON JUNE 17.

     STORMS ALSO BROUGHT HEAVY RAIN TO THE REGION, INCLUDING A RECORD FOR THE DATE AT THE GRAND FORKS AIRPORT OF NEARLY 2 1/2 INCHES.
    

 

 

 

    BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) - WARM, DRY WEATHER HELPED NORTH DAKOTA'S CROPS MATURE AND ALLOWED FARMERS TO BEGIN HARVESTING SOME OF THEIR GRAINS.

     THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE SAID MONDAY THAT FARMERS IN THE STATE ARE BEHIND SCHEDULE IN THEIR HARVEST OF SMALL GRAINS, BUT THE DRY WEATHER HELPED THEM MAKE PROGRESS.

     ABOUT 13 PERCENT OF THE SPRING WHEAT HARVEST IS NOW COMPLETE IN NORTH DAKOTA. BUT TYPICALLY, ABOUT 24 PERCENT OF THAT HARVEST IS USUALLY DONE BY THIS TIME OF YEAR.  ABOUT 36 PERCENT OF DURUM WHEAT IS TURNING, WHICH IS WELL BEHIND THE AVERAGE OF 63 PERCENT.

     THE USDA SAYS OTHER CROPS IN NORTH DAKOTA ARE DEVELOPING QUICKLY, INCLUDING CORN, CANOLA AND DRY EDIBLE BEANS.
    
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     BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) - AGRICULTURE COMMISSIONER DOUG GOEHRING HAS INVITED FEDERAL OFFICIALS TO COME TO NORTH DAKOTA TO GET A FIRSTHAND LOOK AT THE PROBLEMS PRAIRIE DOGS CAUSE FOR RANCHERS.

     THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY OFFICIALS ON THURSDAY WILL VISIT SITES POPULATED BY PRAIRIE DOGS IN SIOUX COUNTY, AND WILL HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO MEET WITH LANDOWNERS AND PRODUCERS AND WITH STATE AND FEDERAL WILDLIFE OFFICIALS.

     SOME PEOPLE AND GROUPS WANT BLACK-TAILED PRAIRIE DOGS PROTECTED, BUT THE ANIMALS WERE DENIED PROTECTION UNDER THE ENDANGERED SPECIES ACT LATE LAST YEAR AFTER FEDERAL OFFICIALS CONCLUDED THE ONCE PREVALENT SPECIES SHOWS SIGNS OF REBOUNDING.

     GOEHRING SAYS THERE IS STILL PRESSURE TO RESTRICT AND EVEN BAN POISONS USED TO CONTROL PRAIRIE DOGS, WHICH DAMAGE GRAZING LAND.     

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     FARGO, N.D. (AP) - THE HEAD OF THE NORTH DAKOTA SOYBEAN COUNCIL IS RETIRING AT THE END OF THE YEAR.

     DEBORAH JOHNSON HAS BEEN EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR SINCE 1991. COUNCIL CHAIRMAN MONTE PETERSON SAYS NORTH DAKOTA SOYBEAN FARMERS ARE FORTUNATE TO HAVE HAD SOMEONE SO DEDICATED TO PROMOTING THE INDUSTRY.

     THE COUNCIL, WITH ITS BOARD OF DIRECTORS MADE UP OF FARMERS, OVERSEES A PROMOTION, RESEARCH AND MARKETING PROGRAM FUNDED BY CHECKOFF DOLLARS PAID BY FARMERS.

     JOHNSON SAYS SHE PLANS TO SPEND MORE TIME WITH FAMILY, TRAVEL AND PURSUE A PRIVATE BUSINESS VENTURE.
    

 

 

 

     BLANCHARD, N.D. (AP) - SOME LAWMAKERS AND OTHERS BELIEVE IT MIGHT BE TIME TO CHANGE NORTH DAKOTA'S 100-YEAR-OLD FENCE LAW.

     STATE SEN. RANDY CHRISTMANN, A RANCHER FROM HAZEN, PROPOSED A LEGISLATIVE STUDY ON THE LAW MORE THAN FIVE YEARS AGO, BUT IT WENT NOWHERE. HE SAYS THE LAW IS DATED AND TALKS ABOUT FENCES THAT ARE NO LONGER IN USE.

     A CHALLENGE TO THE LAW BY BLANCHARD HORSE FARMER LA VERNE KOENIG (KOH'-NIG) HAS BEEN REJECTED BY THE NORTH DAKOTA SUPREME COURT.

     DEPUTY ATTORNEY GENERAL TOM TRENBEATH (TREN'-BETH) SAYS IT'S THE JOB OF HIS OFFICE TO DEFEND THE CONSTITUTIONALITY OF THE LAW. BUT HE SAYS HE WON'T BE SURPRISED IF THE LEGISLATURE LOOKS TO UPDATE IT NEXT SESSION.
    
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      FARGO, ND - TWO NORTH DAKOTA STATE UNIVERSITY EXTENSION SERVICE AGENTS HAVE BEEN PRESENTED AWARDS BY THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF COUNTY AGRICULTURAL AGENTS (NACAA).

      RECEIVING THE DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD WAS TIM SEMLER, BOTTINEAU COUNTY EXTENSION AGENT. SEMLER WAS GIVEN THE AWARD FOR HIS LONG-TERM WORK IN THE EXTENSION SERVICE. HE HAS BEEN WITH NDSU EXTENSION FOR 24 YEARS.

      SEMLER HAS BEEN INVOLVED IN EDUCATING PRODUCERS AND EXTENSION AGENTS IN FARM MANAGEMENT AND THE 2002 AND 2008 U.S. FARM BILLS. HE HAS DEVELOPED AND DELIVERED EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS STATEWIDE ON CONSERVATION SECURITY, 2002 VERSUS 2008 FARM BILL CHANGES, THE ACRE AND SURE PROGRAMS AND BOOM-BUST CYCLES IN COMMODITY PRICES. HE ALSO HAS MENTORED FOUR NDSU EXTENSION AGENTS AND SERVED ON NUMEROUS EXTENSION COMMITTEES.

      DAVID TWIST, DUNN COUNTY EXTENSION AGENT, RECEIVED THE ACHIEVEMENT AWARD. THE AWARD IS PRESENTED FOR EXCELLENCE IN EXTENSION WORK BY AN AGENT WITH LESS THAN 10 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE.

      TWIST WORKS EXTENSIVELY WITH BEEF AND CROP PRODUCERS AND HAS A STATEWIDE 4-H APPOINTMENT TO WORK WITH YOUTH ON OUTDOOR SKILLS. TWIST ALSO WORKS WITH 4-H LIVESTOCK JUDGING TEAMS EACH YEAR. HE HELPS OUT AT SEVERAL DAY AND SUMMER CAMPS IN SURROUNDING COUNTIES EACH YEAR. HE SERVES AS SECRETARY ON THE DUNN COUNTY FAIR BOARD.

      DUNN AND SEMLER WERE PRESENTED THE AWARDS AT THE ASSOCIATION'S ANNUAL MEETING IN TULSA, OKLA.

      THE NACAA IS GEARED TOWARD EXTENSION EDUCATORS AND OTHER PROFESSIONALS WHO WORK IN AGRICULTURE, HORTICULTURE, FORESTRY AND NATURAL RESOURCES, 4-H YOUTH DEVELOPMENT, COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT, ADMINISTRATION, AQUACULTURE AND SEA GRANT, AND RELATED DISCIPLINES.

 

 

 

 

     BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) - AFTER TWO STRAIGHT YEARS OF LOSSES, NORTH DAKOTA'S STATE FLOUR MILL HAS POSTED A RECORD PROFIT OF ALMOST $13.2 MILLION.

     GENERAL MANAGER VANCE TAYLOR SAYS THE MILL ALSO PASSED A PRODUCTION MILESTONE. DURING ITS LAST BUDGET YEAR, IT SHIPPED JUST OVER 1 BILLION POUNDS OF FLOUR.  TAYLOR REPORTED THE RESULTS TO THE STATE INDUSTRIAL COMMISSION ON FRIDAY. THE MILL'S BUDGET YEAR ENDED JUNE 30.

     LAST YEAR, THE MILL SUFFERED A $9.7 MILLION LOSS, ITS BIGGEST EVER. IT LOST $822,000 THE YEAR BEFORE. TAYLOR SAYS THE FLOUR MARKET HAS BEEN IMPROVING.  THIS YEAR'S PROFIT IS DOUBLE THE MILL'S PREVIOUS HIGH OF $6.2 MILLION, SET IN 2006.

     MILL PROFITS HELP TO PAY FOR STATE GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS. ALMOST $6.3 MILLION OF MILL PROFIT WAS RECENTLY TRANSFERRED TO NORTH DAKOTA'S GENERAL FUND.
    
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      SAN FRANCISCO (AP) - FEDERAL OFFICIALS ARE CONSIDERING CHANGING GUIDELINES FOR LABELING CHICKEN AFTER SOME PRODUCERS ARGUED THAT POULTRY INJECTED WITH SALT, WATER AND OTHER INGREDIENTS SHOULDN'T BE PROMOTED AS "NATURAL."

      THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE HAD MAINTAINED THAT IF CHICKEN WASN'T FLAVORED ARTIFICIALLY OR PRESERVED WITH CHEMICALS, IT COULD CARRY THE WORD "NATURAL" ON THE PACKAGE.  BUT THE AGENCY AGREED TO TAKE ANOTHER LOOK AT ITS POLICY AFTER SOME PRODUCERS, POLITICIANS AND HEALTH ADVOCATES NOTED THAT ABOUT ONE-THIRD OF CHICKEN SOLD IN THE U.S. WAS INJECTED WITH ADDITIVES THAT COULD REPRESENT UP TO 15 PERCENT OF THE MEAT'S WEIGHT, DOUBLING OR TRIPLING ITS SODIUM CONTENT.

      THE USDA'S FOOD SAFETY AND INSPECTION SERVICE PLANS TO ISSUE NEW PROPOSED RULES  HIS FALL.

 

 

 

      MINOT, ND - ANTICIPATION IS RUNNING HIGH AS HARVEST GETS UNDERWAY.

      BRAD HAUGEBERG, GENERAL MANAGER OF SUNPRAIRIE GRAIN IN MINOT, SAYS THEY'VE ALREADY RECEIVED A SPATTERING OF NEW CROP WINTER WHEAT.  HE SAYS THE QUALITY LOOKS GOOD BUT IT'S TOO EARLY TO HAVE ANY YIELD ESTIMATES.

      HAUGEBERG SAYS THERE WERE SOME CHALLENGES TO CROPS IN THE REGION, ESPECIALLY EARLY IN THE GROWING SEASON, BUT THINGS ARE LOOKING GOOD NOW.  SOME ROW CROPS COULD USE A LITTLE MORE RAIN ACCORDING TO HAUGEBERG, HOWEVER THE WHEAT AND BARLEY ARE LOOKING GOOD.

      HE NOTES THAT THE BIGGEST QUESTION MARK NOW IS PROTEIN.  AFTER A COUPLE YEARS OF LOW PROTEIN, FARMERS ARE WONDERING HOW HEAVY RAIN HAS AFFECTED THEIR CROPS.  HAUGEBERG SAYS PROTEIN IS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT CONSIDERING THERE IS OVER A $2.00 SPREAD BETWEEN AND 13 AND 15 PROTEIN.

      WORK WAS RECENTLY COMPLETED ON REPLACING THE TWO 720,000 BUSHEL BINS AT SUNPRAIRIE GRAIN IN MINOT AND HAUGEBERG SAYS THEY ARE BACK TO FULL CAPACITY JUST IN TIME FOR HARVEST.

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      BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) - A NORTH DAKOTA PROGRAM THAT ENABLES RESIDENTS TO DISPOSE OF UNUSABLE PESTICIDES SAFELY AND FOR FREE COLLECTED A RECORD AMOUNT THIS SUMMER.

      AGRICULTURE COMMISSIONER DOUG GOEHRING SAYS MORE THAN 400 PEOPLE BROUGHT IN 215,594 POUNDS OF HERBICIDES, INSECTICIDES, RODENTICIDES AND FUNGICIDES. THAT IS MORE THAN 100 TONS.

      THE PREVIOUS PROJECT SAFE SEND RECORD OF 215,521 POUNDS WAS SET IN 2008, THE YEAR THAT ALSO HAD THE GREATEST PROGRAM PARTICIPATION, 535 PEOPLE.

      THE PROGRAM IS FUNDED BY FEES PESTICIDE MANUFACTURERS PAY TO REGISTER THEIR PRODUCTS IN NORTH DAKOTA. OVER THE PAST TWO DECADES, MORE THAN 2.5 MILLION POUNDS OF CHEMICALS HAVE BEEN COLLECTED AND SHIPPED OUT OF STATE TO BE DESTROYED.

 

 

 

      JAMESTOWN, N.D. (AP) - STATE HEALTH DEPARTMENT OFFICIALS SAY A RECENT CHEMICAL SPILL ON INTERSTATE 94 NEAR JAMESTOWN DID NOT HURT A NEARBY SLOUGH.

      WATER QUALITY DIRECTOR DENNIS FEWLESS SAYS A TEST CONFIRMED THE PRESENCE OF AN INSECTICIDE IN THE WATER, BUT AT A LEVEL WELL BELOW THAT AT WHICH IT WOULD AFFECT WILDLIFE.

 

 

 

      MINOT, ND - IT WAS LESS THAN FOUR MONTHS AGO THAT A 720,000 BUSHEL BIN COLLAPSED AT SUNPRAIRIE GRAIN IN MINOT KNOCKING RAIL CARS OFF THE TRACKS.  NOW, THE NEW BINS ARE IN PLACE AND READY FOR HARVEST.

      EVEN THOUGH IT WAS JUST ONE OF TWO BINS THAT COLLAPED, BOTH OF THEM WERE REPLACED.  GENERAL MANAGER BRAD HAUGEBERG SAYS THE NEW BINS ARE A NEW DESIGN WITH THE SAME CAPACITY AS THE OLD ONES.  HE SAYS GENERAL CONTRACTORS, SMA OF MONTICELLO, MN, WORKED VERY HARD TO ASSURE THE NEW BINS WERE READY FOR HARVEST. 

      HAUGEBERG SAYS DETERMINING THE CAUSE OF THE COLLAPSE IS TURNING OUT TO BE A SLOW PROCESS BECAUSE OF THE NUMBER OF PARTIES INVOLVED.  THE GOOD NEWS SAYS HAUGEBERG IS THAT THERE HAS BEEN PROGRESS.

      HAUGEBERG SAYS SUNPRAIRIE CURRENTLY HAS GRAIN IN ONE OF THE NEW BINS AND IS THANKFUL TO HAVE BACK THE NEEDED SPACE WITH HARVEST BEGINNNING.

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     BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) - NORTH DAKOTA AGRICULTURE OFFICIALS SAY BELOW-NORMAL TEMPERATURES LAST WEEK SLOWED CROP DEVELOPMENT AND THAT EVEN THOUGH RAIN REPLENISHED SOME DRY AREAS, MORE PRECIPITATION IS NEEDED.

     THE STATE FIELD OFFICE OF THE NATIONAL AGRICULTURAL STATISTICS SERVICE SAID MONDAY THE DEVELOPMENT OF SMALL GRAINS WAS GENERALLY BEHIND AVERAGE.

     AT 38 PERCENT TURNING, SPRING WHEAT WAS LESS THAN A WEEK BEHIND THE AVERAGE OF 48 PERCENT. DURUM WHEAT WAS 38 PERCENT MILK COMPARED WITH 39 PERCENT LAST YEAR AND THE 60-PERCENT AVERAGE. DURUM WHEAT WAS 3 PERCENT TURNING, ALMOST TWO WEEKS BEHIND AVERAGE.  BARLEY WAS 49 PERCENT TURNING, AHEAD OF 18 PERCENT LAST YEAR BUT BEHIND THE 59-PERCENT AVERAGE.

     PASTURE AND RANGE CONDITIONS WERE RATED 61 PERCENT GOOD AND 11 PERCENT EXCELLENT.
    

 

 

 

     FARGO, N.D. (AP) - WHILE LAND-GRANT UNIVERSITIES ACROSS THE NATION ARE FORCED TO SELL LIVESTOCK DUE TO RISING FEED, FUEL AND LABOR COSTS, NORTH DAKOTA STATE UNIVERSITY SAYS IT IS DOING THE OPPOSITE.

     THE NEARLY 2,000 COWS, SHEEP AND OTHER LIVESTOCK AT UNIVERSITY ARE EXPECTED TO GROW IN NUMBERS IN THE NEXT YEAR OR SO AS RESEARCH FACILITIES EXPAND.

     FARM OPERATIONS MANAGER GERRY ERICKSON SAYS NDSU HAS BEEN ABLE TO STAVE OFF ANY PRICE-BASED LIVESTOCK CUTS, CREDITING COST-SAVING MEASURES SUCH AS RAISING FEED INSTEAD OF PURCHASING IT AND EMPLOYING STUDENTS.  NDSU HAS ABOUT 2,000 COWS, SHEEP AND PIGS, AS WELL AS ABOUT 1,400 ACRES USED TO GROW FEED.

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     JAMESTOWN, N.D. (AP) - BACKERS OF A PROPOSED 10,000-COW DAIRY FARM NEAR EDGELEY SAY THE PROJECT IS STILL IN THE WORKS BUT CONSTRUCTION HAS BEEN DELAYED.

     FRONTIER DAIRY PRESIDENT RALPH FRIEBEL SAYS THE COMPANY IS STILL WORKING ON PERMITS. HE SAYS CONSTRUCTION HAS BEEN DELAYED UNTIL 2011 AT THE EARLIEST.  THE OPERATION MAY ALSO COME UNDER A NEW ZONING ORDINANCE PASSED BY WANO TOWNSHIP IN MAY.

     SANDRA RUPP, THE TOWNSHIP SUPERVISOR, SAYS THE LOCATION OF THE DAIRY SHOULDN'T BE A PROBLEM UNDER THE NEW ORDINANCE, BUT SHE SAYS MANY IN THE REGION DON'T SUPPORT THE PROJECT.

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     GRAND FORKS, N.D. (AP) - AMERICAN CRYSTAL SUGAR CO. MIGHT START ITS SUGAR BEET HARVEST EARLY IN THE RED RIVER VALLEY.  COMPANY PRESIDENT DAVID BERG SAYS THE SUGAR BEET CROP IS SO LARGE THAT THE PRE-PILE HARVEST MIGHT START ON AUG. 17, WHICH IS ABOUT TWO WEEKS EARLIER THAN NORMAL.  THE PRE-PILE HARVEST ALLOWS GROWERS TO BRING IN A SMALL AMOUNT OF THE CROP TO PREPARE FACTORIES FOR THE FULL HARVEST. BERG SAYS THE FULL STOCKPILE HARVEST WILL BEGIN NORMALLY ABOUT OCT. 1, WHEN THE SUGAR BEETS ARE STORED FOR PROCESSING.
   

 

 

 

 

     GRAND FORKS, N.D. (AP) - SOME FARMERS IN WALSH AND TRAILL COUNTIES ARE ALREADY COMBINING THEIR FIELDS DUE TO AN EARLIER START TO THE GROWING SEASON.  WALSH COUNTY EXTENSION AGENT BRAD BRUMMOND SAYS THE EARLY START IS AN ANOMALY.  BRUMMOND SAYS HARVEST IS AT LEAST THREE WEEKS AHEAD OF SCHEDULE. HE SAYS LAST YEAR SOME FARMERS DIDN'T START UNTIL LABOR DAY.

 

 

 

      FARGO, ND (NDSU) - UNDER REVISED U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY RULES, FARMS, RANCHES AND OTHER FACILITIES THAT USE AND STORE OIL PRODUCTS MAY NEED TO DEVELOP A PLAN TO STORE, CLEAN UP AND MITIGATE OIL SPILLS.
THE EPA REQUIRES FARMS AND OTHER FACILITIES THAT MEET CERTAIN GUIDELINES TO HAVE THAT PLAN IN PLACE BY NOV. 10.

      "PRODUCERS COULD FACE A FINE IF THE EPA INSPECTS THEIR FACILITY AND THEY NEED TO HAVE A PLAN BUT DON'T HAVE ONE IN PLACE AFTER THAT DATE," SAYS ROXANNE JOHNSON, NORTH DAKOTA STATE UNIVERSITY EXTENSION SERVICE WATER QUALITY ASSOCIATE.

      FARMS AND OTHER FACILITIES MUST HAVE A PLAN IF THEY MEET ALL THREE OF THE FOLLOWING CRITERIA:

- THEY USE, TRANSFER OR CONSUME OIL OR OIL PRODUCTS, SUCH AS GAS; DIESEL FUEL; LUBRICATION, HYDRAULIC, CROP OR VEGETABLE OIL; OR ANIMAL FAT.

- THEY STORE MORE THAN 1,320 U.S. GALLONS OF OIL OR OIL PRODUCTS IN ABOVE GROUND CONTAINERS OR MORE THAN 42,000 U.S. GALLONS IN BURIED CONTAINERS.

- OIL REASONABLY COULD BE EXPECTED TO DISCHARGE INTO U.S. WATERS OR ADJOINING SHORELINES, SUCH AS INTERSTATE WATERS, INTRASTATE LAKES, RIVERS AND STREAMS.

      WHEN DETERMINING WHETHER THE DISCHARGE ISSUE COULD APPLY TO THEM, FARMS AND OTHER FACILITIES NEED TO TAKE INTO ACCOUNT OIL'S NATURE AND FLOW PROPERTIES WHEN COMBINED WITH RAIN.

      THE EPA NOTES THAT ONLY CONTAINERS 55 GALLONS OR LARGER SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN THE 1,320-GALLON TOTAL. ALSO, FARMERS AND RANCHERS WHO OWN OR LEASE ADDITIONAL LAND THAT MEETS THE EPA'S CRITERIA WILL NEED A SEPARATE OIL SPILL CLEANUP AND MITIGATION PLAN FOR THAT PROPERTY.

      FOR INFORMATION ON WHAT IS INCLUDED IN A PLAN, VISIT THE NDSU EXTENSION SERVICE'S FACT SHEET AT HTTP://WWW.AG.NDSU.EDU/PUBS/H2OQUAL/WATGRND/WQ1486.PDF.

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     WASHINGTON (AP) - A WHITE HOUSE OFFICIAL SAYS PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA SUPPORTS THE AGRICULTURE DEPARTMENT'S DECISION TO RECONSIDER THE OUSTER OF A BLACK EMPLOYEE FOR HER REMARKS ABOUT RACE.

     THE OFFICIAL SAYS OBAMA HASN'T SPOKEN WITH THE EMPLOYEE, SHIRLEY SHERROD, ABOUT THE CONTROVERSY. BUT THE PRESIDENT IS BEING KEPT INFORMED OF THE DEVELOPMENTS IN HER CASE. THE WHITE HOUSE OFFICIAL WAS NOT AUTHORIZED TO TALK PUBLICLY AND SPOKE ON CONDITION OF ANONYMITY.

     SHERROD WAS ASKED BY DEPARTMENT OFFICIALS TO RESIGN ON MONDAY AFTER CONSERVATIVE BLOGGERS POSTED AN EDITED VIDEO OF HER SAYING SHE DIDN'T INITIALLY GIVE A WHITE FARMER AS MUCH HELP AS SHE COULD HAVE 24 YEARS AGO. SHERROD SAYS THE VIDEO DISTORTED HER FULL SPEECH.

     THE WHITE HOUSE CALLED THE AGRICULTURE DEPARTMENT ABOUT THE CASE TUESDAY NIGHT AND IT WAS AGREED THAT HER OUSTER SHOUL, D BE REVIEWED BASED ON NEW EVIDENCE.
    

 

 

 

     BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) - WARM WEATHER THE PAST WEEK KEPT CROPS DEVELOPING AT A STEADY PACE IN NORTH DAKOTA, THOUGH HAIL-PRODUCING STORMS IN THE SOUTHERN PART OF THE STATE LAST WEEK CAUSED DAMAGE TO SOME CROPS AND BUILDINGS.

     THE NORTH DAKOTA OFFICE OF THE NATIONAL AGRICULTURAL STATISTICS SERVICE SAID MONDAY THAT CROP CONDITIONS WERE IMPROVED IN AREAS WHERE RAINFALL WAS SUFFICIENT. SMALL GRAIN CROP CONDITION RATINGS REMAINED GENERALLY GOOD TO EXCELLENT WITH THE EXCEPTION OF OATS, WHICH WERE RATED FAIR TO GOOD.

     PASTURE AND RANGE CONDITIONS WERE RATED 63 PERCENT GOOD AND 9 PERCENT EXCELLENT. STOCKWATER SUPPLIES WERE RATED 89 PERCENT ADEQUATE.
    
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      BISMARCK, ND (ND AG DEPT) - AGRICULTURE COMMISSIONER DOUG GOEHRING HAS APPOINTED SHAUN QUISSELL AS A SENIOR INSPECTOR IN THE NORTH DAKOTA STATE MEAT
AND POULTRY INSPECTION PROGRAM.

      "SHAUN HAS DONE AN OUTSTANDING JOB AS A MEAT INSPECTOR FOR THE PAST THREE YEARS AND FULLY DESERVES THIS PROMOTION," GOEHRING SAID.

      IN HIS NEW POSITION, QUISSELL WILL EVALUATE INSPECTION PERFORMANCE, PLAN STAFF SCHEDULES, PROVIDE ON-THE-JOB AND CLASSROOM TRAINING, CONDUCT FACILITY REVIEWS OF STATE-INSPECTED ESTABLISHMENTS, AND INVESTIGATE CONSUMER COMPLAINTS.

      QUISSELL GRADUATED FROM SOUTH DAKOTA STATE UNIVERSITY WITH A DEGREE IN ANIMAL SCIENCE. HE LIVES NEAR NEW SALEM.

 

 

 

      FARGO, ND (NDSU) - NEW CROP VARIETIES AND PRODUCTION ISSUES WILL BE AMONG THE TOPICS AT THE NORTH DAKOTA STATE UNIVERSITY NORTH CENTRAL RESEARCH  EXTENSION CENTER'S ANNUAL FIELD DAY NEAR MINOT THIS WEDNESDAY, JULY 21.

      NDSU PLANT BREEDERS WILL REPORT ON THE STATUS OF THEIR PROGRAMS AND PROVIDE AN UPDATE ON NEW VARIETIES. NDSU EXTENSION SERVICE SPECIALISTS WILL DISCUSS ISSUES SUCH AS WEED SCIENCE, CORN PRODUCTION, SMALL-GRAIN DISEASE MANAGEMENT, AND INSECT MANAGEMENT IN SMALL-GRAIN AND BROADLEAF CROPS.

      THE FIELD DAY WILL BEGIN AT 8:45 A.M. WITH COFFEE AND ROLLS, FOLLOWED BY A WELCOME FROM JAY FISHER, CENTER DIRECTOR, AND A PEST CLINIC.

      THE PEST CLINIC, WHICH RUNS UNTIL 9:45, WILL GIVE PARTICIPANTS A CHANCE TO HONE THEIR WEED, DISEASE AND INSECT IDENTIFICATION SKILLS. NDSU FACULTY AND EXTENSION SPECIALISTS WILL BE AVAILABLE TO ANSWER QUESTIONS AND OFFER RESEARCH-BASED INFORMATION ON CROP PEST MANAGEMENT.

      THE FIELD TOUR STARTS AT 9:45. SPEAKERS WILL INCLUDE NDSU PLANT BREEDERS RICHARD HORSLEY, MOHAMED MERGOUM, MICHAEL MCMULLEN AND ELIAS ELIAS; MARCIA MCMULLEN, PLANT PATHOLOGIST; JOEL RANSOM, CEREAL CROPS AGRONOMIST; RICH ZOLLINGER, WEED SPECIALIST; KIRK HOWATT, WEED SCIENTIST; AND DAN WALDSTEIN, CROP PROTECTION SPECIALIST.

      A NOON LUNCH WILL FOLLOW THE FIELD TOUR.

      ALSO DURING THE FIELD DAY, THE NDSU EXTENSION SERVICE WILL OFFER FREE WATER QUALITY SCREENING. ANYONE WANTING WATER TESTED FOR NITRATES, TOTAL DISSOLVED SOLIDS, PH (ALKALINITY OR ACIDITY) AND HARDNESS SHOULD COLLECT SAMPLES IN A CLEAN PLASTIC BOTTLE LARGE ENOUGH TO HOLD 15 TO 20 OUNCES AND BRING THEM TO THE FIELD DAY.

      PEOPLE WANTING TO HAVE THEIR WATER TESTED FOR A COLI, FORM GROUP OF MICROORGANISMS THAT INCLUDES E. COLI WILL BE ABLE TO PICK UP A STERILE BOTTLE, WHICH THEY CAN USE TO COLLECT A WATER SAMPLE AND SEND IT TO MINNESOTA VALLEY TESTING LABORATORIES IN BISMARCK. THE COST FOR THIS TEST, INCLUDING SHIPPING, IS $9. THE FEE WILL BE COLLECTED WHEN PEOPLE PICK UP THE STERILE BOTTLE.
THE NORTH CENTRAL RESEARCH EXTENSION CENTER IS ONE MILE SOUTH OF MINOT ON U.S. HIGHWAY 83.

      FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE FIELD DAY, CONTACT THE CENTER AT (701) 857-7679.

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      BISMARCK, ND (ND AG DEPT) - AGRICULTURE COMMISSIONER DOUG GOEHRING HAS APPOINTED DEREK WOEHL AS A PESTICIDE, FEED AND FERTILIZER INSPECTOR FOR THE NORTH DAKOTA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

      "DEREK HAS FIRSTHAND EXPERIENCE IN USING PESTICIDES," GOEHRING SAID. "HIS IMPRESSIVE ACADEMIC BACKGROUND WILL ALSO HELP HIM IN WORKING WITH PRODUCERS TO ENSURE THAT PESTICIDE LAWS AND REGULATIONS ARE FOLLOWED."

      A NATIVE OF WISHEK WHERE HE GREW UP ON HIS FAMILY'S FARM, WOEHL GRADUATED FROM NORTH DAKOTA STATE UNIVERSITY WITH A DEGREE IN RANGELAND SCIENCE. HE ALSO EARNED A MASTER'S DEGREE FROM NDSU IN NATURAL RESOURCE MANAGEMENT. HE AND HIS WIFE KATIE RESIDE IN VALLEY CITY.

      IN HIS NEW POSITION, WOEHL WILL CONDUCT ROUTI, NE INSPECTIONS AND INVESTIGATIONS OF FARMS, RANCHES, DEALERS, DISTRIBUTORS AND MANUFACTURERS, RELATED TO THE SALE, DISTRIBUTION AND USE OF PESTICIDES. HE WILL ALSO INSPECT FEED AND FERTILIZER MANUFACTURERS, DISTRIBUTORS AND DEALERS TO ENSURE THEIR PRODUCTS ARE PROPERLY REGISTERED.

      WOEHL WILL COVER SOUTH CENTRAL NORTH DAKOTA, INCLUDING BURLEIGH, EMMONS, GRANT, KIDDER, LOGAN, MCINTOSH, MORTON, OLIVER AND STUTSMAN COUNTIES.

 

 

 

     BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) - THE NORTH DAKOTA STOCKMEN'S ASSOCIATION HAS NAMED A NEW CHIEF BRAND INSPECTOR.  GRANVILLE RANCHER AND LONGTIME BRAND INSPECTOR STAN MISEK WILL SUCCEED DARRYL HOWARD OF BISMARCK, WHO RESIGNED IN MAY TO PURSUE OTHER OPPORTUNITIES.

     THE CHIEF BRAND INSPECTOR ADMINISTERS THE STATE'S BRAND PROGRAM AND SUPERVISES AN INSPECTION TEAM THAT HAS ABOUT 25 FULL-TIME, 12 PART-TIME, 200 LOCAL INSPECTORS AND TWO FIELDMEN WHO INSPECT ABOUT 1.4 MILLION CATTLE, HORSES AND MULES EACH YEAR.

     MISEK'S FIRST DAY AS CHIEF BRAND INSPECTOR IS AUG. 2. HE IS ONLY THE EIGHTH PERSON TO SERVE IN THE POST SINCE 1951.

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     GRAND FORKS, N.D. (AP) - ONE POTATO COMPANY IN THE RED RIVER VALLEY OF EASTERN NORTH DAKOTA AND NORTHWEST MINNESOTA IS BUYING ANOTHER.  FARGO-BASED R.D. OFFUTT CO. IS BUYING RYAN POTATO CO., BASED IN EAST GRAND FORKS, MINN. TERMS WEREN'T DISCLOSED.

     R.D. OFFUTT, FOUNDED IN 1964, DEALS IN RUSSETS AND OTHER BROWN VARIETIES GROWN IN NEBRASKA AND NEVADA, BUT NOT THE RED POTATOES COMMON TO THE RED RIVER VALLEY.

   &nb, sp; RYAN POTATO STARTED IN MINNEAPOLIS IN THE LATE 1800S AND CAME TO EAST GRAND FORKS IN 1929. IT HAS A NETWORK OF LOCAL SUPPLIERS THAT PROVIDE IT WITH REDS.

     R.D. OFFUTT SAYS IT WILL MAINTAIN THE LOCATION IN EAST GRAND FORKS AND OFFER RYAN POTATO EMPLOYEES JOBS IN ITS ORGANIZATION.
    
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     GREENVILLE, DEL. (AP) - OLIVIA THOMAS IS A FARM GIRL -- AT LEAST FOR A DAY. LISA TURNER BROUGHT HER TWO-YEAR-OLD TO VISIT THE COVERDALE FARM NEAR GREENVILLE, DELAWARE. THE LITTLE GIRL WAS FASCINATED BY A SOW FEEDING HER 13 PIGLETS.

 COVERDALE IS OPERATED BY THE DELAWARE NATURE SOCIETY. DURING THE WARM WEATHER MONTHS, THE PUBLIC GETS A CHANCE TO SEE HOW A WORKING FARM OPERATES. MICHELE WALES IS THE FARM PROGRAM COORDINATOR. WHILE COVERDALE PRODUCES EVERYTHING FROM LIVESTOCK TO GARDEN VEGGIES, WALES TELLS A LOCAL PAPER (NEWS JOURNAL OF WILMINGTON) THAT THEIR CHIEF PRODUCT IS EDUCATION.
 

 

 

 

     BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) - NORTH DAKOTA HAS RECORDED ITS SECOND CASE OF ANTHRAX IN CATTLE THIS YEAR. 

     A RELEASE FROM THE STATE SAYS A NORTH DAKOTA STATE UNIVERSITY LAB ON TUESDAY CONFIRMED A BEEF BULL FROM NORTHWESTERN DICKEY COUNTY HAD ANTHRAX.  IN MAY, AN ANTHRAX CASE WAS CONFIRMED IN EASTERN SIOUX COUNTY.

     STATE VETERINARIAN SUSAN KELLER IS URGING PRODUCERS TO HAVE THEIR CATTLE VACCINATED AGAINST THE ILLNESS AND TO REPORT UNEXPECTED DEATHS IN THEIR HERDS TO VETERINARIANS.

     ANTHRAX BACTERIA SPORES LIE DORMANT IN THE GROUND AND BECOME ACTIVE UNDER CONDITIONS SUCH AS HEAVY RAINFALL, FLOODING OR DROUGHT.  NORTH DAKOTA USUALLY HAS A FEW ANTHRAX CASES EVERY YEAR. IN 2005, THE DISEASE RESULTED IN AN ESTIMATED 1,000 DEAD CATTLE, BISON, HORSES, SHEEP, LLAMAS AND FARMED DEER AND ELK.
    
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     FARGO, N.D. (AP) - LONGTIME FARM BROADCASTER LYLE ROMINE HAS DIED.  THE AMERICAN AG NETWORK SAYS ROMINE, OF FARGO, DIED THURSDAY AFTER A BATTLE WITH CANCER. HE WAS 59.

     THE DEVILS LAKE NATIVE WAS FARM DIRECTOR OF THE FARGO-BASED NETWORK THAT SERVES 40 RADIO STATIONS IN NORTH DAKOTA, SOUTH DAKOTA AND MONTANA.

     HE IS SURVIVED BY HIS WIFE, TERRIE, AND A SON AND DAUGHTER-IN-LAW. A PRIVATE MEMORIAL SERVICE WILL BE HELD LATER.
   ,  

 

 

 

     DEVILS LAKE, N.D. (AP) - REP. EARL POMEROY SAYS MEMBERS OF A FEDERAL TASK FORCE VISITING THE FLOODED DEVILS LAKE REGION THIS WEEK ARE TO COMPLETE THEIR WORK BY SUMMER'S END.

     THE GROUP WITH REPRESENTATIVES FROM SEVERAL FEDERAL AGENCIES WAS FORMED TO TACKLE DEVILS LAKE FLOODING PROBLEMS. MEMBERS ARE IN THE REGION THROUGH THURSDAY.  POMEROY SAYS THE GROUP'S REPORT WILL NOT SIT ON A SHELF. THE NORTH DAKOTA DEMOCRAT SAYS THE REPORT WILL DRIVE THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT'S RESPONSE TO THE CRISIS.

     DEVILS LAKE HAS RISEN ALMOST 30 FEET SINCE THE EARLY 1990S BECAUSE OF A SERIES OF WET YEARS. IT HAS QUADRUPLED IN SIZE, FLOODED THOUSANDS OF ACRES AND MADE IT NECESSARY TO RAISE ROADS THROUGHOUT THE REGION.

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     GRAND FORKS, N.D. (AP) - NORTH DAKOTA STATE UNIVERSITY HAS NOW CONFIRMED LATE BLIGHT ON POTATOES IN FOUR COUNTIES.  THE DISEASE LATELY HAS BEEN CONFIRMED IN PEMBINA AND SARGENT COUNTIES. EARLIER, IT WAS FOUND IN DICKEY COUNTY AND WALSH COUNTY, THE STATE'S LEADING SPUD PRODUCER.

     LATE BLIGHT CAN HURT BOTH YIELDS AND QUALITY, AND HAS THE POTENTIAL TO GROW RAPIDLY OUT OF CONTROL. THE NORTHERN PLAINS POTATO GROWERS ASSOCIATION SAYS FARMERS ARE URGED TO SCOUT THEIR FIELDS AND APPLY FUNGICIDES AS NEEDED.

     SO FAR, THE DISEASE HAS NOT BEEN FOUND ACROSS THE RED RIVER IN MINNESOTA.

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      MINOT, ND - THE UPPER SOURIS NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE WILL OPEN SEVERAL AREAS FOR HAYING THIS YEAR.  A PUBLIC DRAWING WILL BE HELD ON TUESDAY JULY 27, 2010 AT 3:00 PM TO SELECT PERMITTEES FOR HAYING.

      YOU MUST BE 18 YEARS OF AGE OR OLDER AND A BONA FIDE RANCHER OR FARMER IN NEED OF HAY FOR YOUR OWN LIVESTOCK TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR THE DRAWING.  THE COST FOR THE HAY IS $13.30/ACRE. THE HAY MAY NOT BE TRADED, SOLD, OR GIVEN AWAY. 

      FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT TOM PABIAN, REFUGE MANAGER, AT 468-5467 OR STOP BY THE REFUGE HEADQUARTERS BETWEEN 8:00 AM AND 4:30 PM MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY.  THE REFUGE HEADQUARTERS IS LOCATED 7 MILES NORTH OF FOXHOLM AND 225 MILES EAST OF THE LAKE DARLING DAM ON WARD COUNTY #6.

 

 

 

 

     FARGO, N.D. (AP) - WARM AND DRY WEATHER IS BOOSTING THE DEVELOPMENT OF NORTH DAKOTA CROPS, BUT SOME FARMERS SAY THEY'RE IN NEED OF RAIN.

     THE AGRICULTURE DEPARTMENT SAYS IN ITS WEEKLY CROP AND WEATHER REPORT THAT FARMERS ARE WRAPPING UP SPRAYING FOR BROADLEAF WEEDS AND WILD OATS AND MAKING PROGRESS ON HAYING, AND SMALL GRAINS ARE DEVELOPING AT A RAPID PACE.  BUT TOPSOIL MOISTURE HAS SLIPPED OVER THE WEEK, FROM 93 PERCENT ADEQUATE TO SURPLUS TO 83 PERCENT IN THOSE CATEGORIES.

     PASTURE AND RANGE CONDITIONS ARE RATED 78 PERCENT GOOD TO EXCELLENT, AND STOCKWATER SUPPLIES ARE 99 PERCENT ADEQUATE TO SURPLUS, WELL AHEAD OF AVERAGE.
    
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     DEVILS LAKE, N.D. (AP) - SEN. KENT CONRAD SAYS MEMBERS OF A FEDERAL GROUP FORMED TO TACKLE DEVILS LAKE FLOODING PROBLEMS WILL VISIT THE REGION THIS WEEK.  THE GROUP HAS REPRESENTATIVES FROM SEVERAL FEDERAL AGENCIES. IT'S TASKED WITH DEVISING A PLAN TO DEAL WITH CHRONIC FLOODING AND THE POSSIBILITY THAT THE RISING LAKE MIGHT SPILL OVER NATURALLY INTO THE SHEYENNE RIVER AND CAUSE PROBLEMS DOWNSTREAM.

     DEVILS LAKE HAS RISEN ALMOST 30 FEET SINCE THE EARLY 1990S BECAUSE OF A SERIES OF WET YEARS. IT HAS QUADRUPLED IN SIZE, FLOODED THOUSANDS OF ACRES OF FARMLAND AND MADE IT NECESSARY TO RAISE ROADS THROUGHOUT THE REGION.

     CONRAD, D-N.D., HELD PUBLIC HEARINGS LAST WEEK IN DEVILS LAKE AND DOWNSTREAM ON THE SHEYENNE IN VALLEY CITY.

 

 

 

 

     JAMESTOWN, N.D. (AP) - THE NONPROFIT FARM RESCUE ORGANIZATION IS ACCEPTING REQUESTS FOR HARVEST HELP FROM FARMERS IN NORTH DAKOTA, SOUTH DAKOTA, WESTERN MINNESOTA AND EASTERN MONTANA.

     THE NORTH DAKOTA-BASED FARM RESCUE PROVIDES PLANTING AND HARVESTING ASSISTANCE TO FARM FAMILIES WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED A MAJOR
ILLNESS, INJURY OR NATURAL DISASTER.

     SINCE 2006, FARM RESCUE HAS HELPED 121 FARM FAMILIES WHO EXPERIENCED HARDSHIPS RANGING F, ROM OPEN HEART SURGERY AND CANCER TREATMENT TO SEVERED LIMBS AND INJURIES SUFFERED WHILE TENDING LIVESTOCK.

     ONLINE: HTTP://WWW.FARMRESCUE.ORG
    
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     BURLINGTON, VT. (AP) - SOME AGRICULTURE UNIVERSITIES ARE REDUCING THEIR COW HERDS AS HIGH FEED, FUEL AND LABOR PRICES MAKE IT DIFFICULT TO KEEP ANIMALS DURING TIGHT ECONOMIC TIMES.  THE SALES ARE TAKING PLACE DESPITE GROWING ENROLLMENT IN AGRICULTURE PROGRAMS. THE HERDS ARE MAINLY USED FOR FACULTY RESEARCH.

     JIM LINN, VICE PRESIDENT OF THE AMERICAN DAIRY SCIENCE ASSOCIATION, SAYS A MINORITY OF SCHOOLS ARE DISCONTINUING THEIR HERDS BUT ALL INSTITUTIONS ARE LOOKING AT THE COSTS OF KEEPING THEIR ANIMALS.

     THE UNIVERSITY OF VERMONT, WHICH IS SELLING 255 HOLSTEINS, PLANS TO HAVE FACULTY DO RESEARCH ON PRIVATE FARMS, A CHANGE THAT THE SCHOOL THINKS WILL PROVIDE ACCESS TO MORE COWS, AND REAP MORE RESEARCH. THE SCHOOL WILL KEEP 65 COWS AT ITS FARM FOR RESEARCH AND TEACHING.
    
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     OMAHA, NEB. (AP) - FEDERAL GRANTS WORTH MORE THAN $2.3 MILLION WILL HELP SEASONAL FARMWORKERS IN NEBRASKA, SOUTH DAKOTA AND NORTH DAKOTA IMPROVE THEIR SKILLS.

     THE U.S. LABOR DEPARTMENT RECENTLY AWARDED THE GRANTS TO ORGANIZATIONS IN EACH STATE THAT WILL PROVIDE TRAINING AND EDUCATION FOR FARMWORKERS. THE NATIONAL FARMWORKER JOBS PROGRAM IS DESIGNED TO HELP SEASONAL FARMWORKERS SECURE MORE STABLE EMPLOYMENT.

     IN NEBRASKA, NEARLY $1.1 MILLION WILL GO TO NAF MULTICULTURAL HUMAN DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION IN NORTH PLATTE.

     IN SOUTH DAKOTA, BLACK HILLS SPECIAL SERVICES COOPERATIVE IN STURGIS WILL RECEIVE $621,497.

     IN NORTH DAKOTA, $608,709 WILL GO TO MOTIVATION EDUCATION AND TRAINING IN FARGO.
    

 

 

 

 

     FARGO, N.D. (AP) - North Dakota's potato crop is estimated at 90,000 acres, up 8 percent from last year.  The Agriculture Department on Friday projected area for harvest at 84,000 acres, a 12 percent increase from 2009.

     Potato planting in the state was wrapped up by May 30, two weeks ahead of the five-year average. Russets account for slightly more than half of the total acreage.

     Nationwide, the potato crop is pegged at 896,100 acres, down 4 percent.

 

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     FARGO, N.D. (AP) - North Dakota's spring wheat crop is expected to be about 3 percent smaller than last year's.

     The Agriculture Department on Friday pegged North Dakota's crop at 282 million bushels, down from 290 million last year. The expected average yield of 43 bushels per acre is down 3 bushels from last year's record.

     North Dakota duru, m wheat production is forecast at 61.3 million bushels, down just 20,000 bushels from last year. The expected average yield of 35 bushels per acre is 4 bushels below last year's record.

     State winter wheat production is forecast at 17.3 million bushels, down 34 percent from last year's record.

     The expected North Dakota barley crop of 49.8 million bushels is down 37 percent, and the projected oat crop of 9.1 million bushels is down 19 percent.
    

 

 

 

     FARGO, N.D. (AP) - Warm, dry weather over the past week has boosted the development of crops in North Dakota.

     The Agriculture Department says in its weekly crop and weather report that small grain crops are developing about on an average pace, and the condition of the crops is mostly good to excellent.  All other crops are near or ahead of the average in development, with the exception of flaxseed.

     Dry weather also has helped ranchers with haying. The first cutting of alfalfa is nearly two-thirds done, ahead of last year and on pace with the average. The hay crop is rated mostly in good to excellent condition, as are pasture and range conditions in North Dakota.

 

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     CANDO, N.D. (AP) - Flax prices are on the rise, but the spike has come too late to b, e of much benefit to U.S. producers.

     Cando grain elevator manager Roger Krueger says farmers have little old-crop flax to sell, and it's too late to plant a new crop.

     Prices have risen nearly $2 a bushel to about $10 a bushel because of heavy rains and flooding in Canada's prairie provinces.  That kept many farmers from planting flax and stressed fields that had been planted in the country, the world's leading producer and exporter of flax.

     North Dakota leads the U.S. in flax production, accounting for more than 90 percent of the nation's crop. South Dakota ranks second.

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     FARGO, ND (NDSU) - Six youth were selected to join the North Dakota 4-H Ambassadors team.  The new team members, the county where they live and the school they attend are:

- Heidi Barnick, Towner, North Star Public School
- Jason Jallo, Walsh, Fordville-Lankin School
- Bobbi Jo Kronberg, Dickey, Ellendale Public School
- Johnathan Myhre, Pembina, Valley High School
- Danielle Schmoker, Stutsman, Pingree-Buchanan High School
-Ross Stanley, Burleigh, Century High School

     The North Dakota 4-H Ambassadors is a group of young adults from across North Dakota who are actively involved in 4-H. They coordinate many activities that involve teaching youth and adults about topics such as leadership, teamwork and citizenship.

     They specialize in planning and facilitating 4-H events, such as the annual statewide Extension Youth Conference, workshops, training sessions and regional events. They strive to create events that are fun, educational and skill-building, and promote self-improvement. They also are active volunteers for 4-H programs in every North Dakota county

 

 

      FARGO, ND (NDSU) - NORTH DAKOTA STATE UNIVERSITY'S NORTH CENTRAL RESEARCH EXTENSION CENTER NEAR MINOT IS HOSTING A PULSE CROP TOUR FROM 9 A.M. TO NOON JULY 7.  THE CENTER IS TE, AMING UP WITH THE NORTHERN PULSE GROWERS ASSOCIATION TO HOLD THIS EVENT.

      THE TOUR WILL PROVIDE NEW AND SEASONED PRODUCERS WITH THE LATEST INFORMATION ON PULSE VARIETIES; DISEASE, WEED AND INSECT CONTROL; AND AGRONOMIC RESEARCH. THE TOUR IS FREE OF CHARGE AND WILL INCLUDE REFRESHMENTS AND LUNCH.
SPEAKERS AND TOPICS FOR THE TOUR ARE:

      -DANIEL WALDSTEIN, NORTH CENTRAL RESEARCH EXTENSION CENTER ENTOMOLOGIST - INSECT ISSUES IN PULSE CROPS

      -BRIAN JENKS, CENTER WEED SCIENTIST - WEED CONTROL IN PULSE CROPS

      -SAM MARKELL, NDSU EXTENSION SERVICE PATHOLOGIST - DISEASE ISSUES IN PULSE CROPS

      -YVONNE LAWLEY, NDSU CARRINGTON RESEARCH EXTENSION CENTER AGRONOMIST - COVER CROPS

      -SHANNON BERNDT AND KAY EFFERTZ, NORTHERN PULSE GROWERS ASSOCIATION - ASSOCIATION UPDATE

      -KEVIN MCPHEE, NDSU PULSE CROP BREEDER - NDSU PULSE BREEDING PROGRAM

      FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT THE CENTER AT (701) 857-7679 OR VISIT ITS WEBSITE AT HTTP://WWW.AG.NDSU.EDU/NORTHCENTRALREC. INFORMATION ALSO IS AVAILABLE FROM THE NORTHERN PULSE GROWERS ASSOCIATION AT (701) 222-0128 OR HTTP://WWW.NORTHERNPULSE.COM.

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      FARGO, ND (NDSU) - NEW CROP VARIETIES AND PRODUCTION ISSUES WILL BE AMONG THE TOPICS AT THE NORTH DAKOTA STATE UNIVERSITY NORTH CENTRAL RESEARCH EXTENSION CENTER'S ANNUAL FIELD DAY NEAR MINOT ON JULY 21.

      NDSU PLANT BREEDERS WILL REPORT ON THE STATUS OF THEIR PROGRAMS AND PROVIDE AN UPDATE ON NEW VARIETIES. NDSU EXTENSION SERVICE SPECIALISTS WILL DISCUSS ISSUES SUCH AS WEED SCIENCE, CORN PRODUCTION, SMALL-GRAIN DISEASE MANAGEMENT, AND INSECT MANAGEMENT IN SMALL-GRAIN AND BROADLEAF CROPS.

      THE FIELD DAY WILL BEGIN AT 8:45 A.M. WITH COFFEE AND ROLLS, FOLLOWED BY A WELCOME FROM JAY FISHER, CENTER DIRECTOR, AND A PEST CLINIC.

      THE PEST CLINIC, WHICH RUNS UNTIL 9:45, WILL GIVE PARTICIPANTS A CHANCE TO HONE THEIR WEED, DISEASE AND INSECT IDENTIFICATION SKILLS. NDSU FACULTY AND EXTENSION SPECIALISTS WILL BE AVAILABLE TO ANSWER QUESTIONS AND OFFER RESEARCH-BASED INFORMATION ON CROP PEST MANAGEMENT.

      THE FIELD TOUR STARTS AT 9:45. SPEAKERS WILL INCLUDE NDSU PLANT BREEDERS RICHARD HORSLEY, MOHAMED MERGOUM, MICHAEL MCMULLEN AND ELIAS ELIAS; MARCIA MCMULLEN, PLANT PATHOLOGIST; JOEL RANSOM, CEREAL CROPS AGRONOMIST; RICH ZOLLINGER, WEED SPECIALIST; KIRK HOWATT, WEED SCIENTIST; AND DAN WALDSTEIN, CROP PROTECTION SPECIALIST.

      A NOON LUNCH WILL FOLLOW THE FIELD TOUR.

      ALSO DURING THE FIELD DAY, THE NDSU EXTENSION SERVICE WILL OFFER FREE WATER QUALITY SCREENING. ANYONE WANTING WATER TESTED FOR NITRATES, TOTAL DISSOLVED SOLIDS, PH (ALKA, LINITY OR ACIDITY) AND HARDNESS SHOULD COLLECT SAMPLES IN A CLEAN PLASTIC BOTTLE LARGE ENOUGH TO HOLD 15 TO 20 OUNCES AND BRING THEM TO THE FIELD DAY.

      PEOPLE WANTING TO HAVE THEIR WATER TESTED FOR A COLIFORM GROUP OF MICROORGANISMS THAT INCLUDES E. COLI WILL BE ABLE TO PICK UP A STERILE BOTTLE, WHICH THEY CAN USE TO COLLECT A WATER SAMPLE AND SEND IT TO MINNESOTA VALLEY TESTING LABORATORIES IN BISMARCK. THE COST FOR THIS TEST, INCLUDING SHIPPING, IS $9. THE FEE WILL BE COLLECTED WHEN PEOPLE PICK UP THE STERILE BOTTLE.

      THE NORTH CENTRAL RESEARCH EXTENSION CENTER IS ONE MILE SOUTH OF MINOT ON U.S. HIGHWAY 83.

      FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE FIELD DAY, CONTACT THE CENTER AT (701) 857-7679.

 

 

 

 

     FARGO, N.D. (AP) - THE AGRICULTURE DEPARTMENT SAYS WHEAT STOCKS ARE UP IN NORTH DAKOTA.

     STOCKS OF SPRING WHEAT, DURUM WHEAT AND WINTER WHEAT ON JUNE 1 TOTALED 123 MILLION BUSHELS, UP 68 PERCENT FROM THE SAME TIME IN 2009 AND THE HIGHEST JUNE 1 LEVEL IN EIGHT YEARS.

     ON-FARM STOCKS WERE ESTIMATED AT 87 MILLION BUSHELS, UP 81 PERCENT OVER THE YEAR, WHILE OFF-FARM STOCKS WERE PEGGED AT 36.2 MILLION BUSHELS, UP 44 PERCENT.
    
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     FARGO, N.D. (AP) - THE AGRICULTURE DEPARTMENT SAYS ACRES OF BOTH SPRING WHEAT AND DURUM WHEAT ARE UP IN NORTH DAKOTA THIS YEAR.  THE DEPARTMENT RELEASED ITS JUNE ACREAGE REPORT ON WEDNESDAY. IT ESTIMATES NORTH DAKOTA SPRING WHEAT ACRES AT 6.7 MILLION, UP 4 PERCENT FROM LAST YEAR, AND DURUM AT 1.8 MILLION, UP 9 PERCENT.

     ESTIMATED SOYBEAN ACRES ARE DOWN 3 PERCENT FROM LAST YEAR'S RECORD, TO 3.8 MILLION, WHILE CORN IS UP 5 PERCENT, TO JUST OVER 2 MILLION ACRES.

     ACRES ARE DOWN FOR NORTH DAKOTA BARLEY, OATS, OIL SUNFLOWER AND ALFALFA HAY CROPS. THE REPORT SAYS DRY EDIBLE BEAN, FLAXSEED, SUGAR BEET AND CANOLA CROPS ARE BIGGER. THE CANOLA ESTIMATE IS AT A RECORD 1.35 MILLION ACRES.
    
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     BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) - TWO NORTH DAKOTA RANCHERS HAVE SETTLED A LAWSUIT OVER DAMAGES FROM A MILLION-GALLON SALTWATER SPILL IN NORTH DAKOTA'S OIL PATCH.  ATTORNEYS FOR BOTH SIDES SAID THEY HAD FINISHED DETAILS OF THE SETTLEMENT AND WOULD HAVE THE CASE DISMISSED. THEY DID NOT DISCLOSE TERMS.

     ALEXANDER RANCHERS LINDA MONSON AND NED HERMANSON SUED OKLAHOMA-BASED ZENERGY INC. OVER DAMAGES FROM THE PIPELINE SPILL IN 2006 OF NEARLY 1 MILLION GALLONS OF SALTWATER, A BYPRODUCT OF OIL DRILLING.

     THE SPILL HAS BEEN DESCRIBED AS THE WORST ENVIRONMENTAL DISASTER IN NORTH DAKOTA'S OIL HISTORY. THE STATE REACHED A $123,300 SETTLEMENT WITH ZENERGY IN 2007. OFFICIALS SAY ZENERGY ALSO HAS SPENT MORE THAN $2 MILLION ON THE CLEANUP, WHICH IS CONTINUING.