Union Farmer - April 2024

Heinz sees continued success with youth education program in Rolette County

Randy Hooey Agency

I grew up in the small town of Leal, N.D., and graduated from North Central of Barnes High School in Rogers, N.D. I graduated from Valley City State with a degree in elementary education. I taught at Barnes County North before moving to Carrington and taking over the agency from Mick Moberg. I have been in Carrington for 12 years now. I married my wife Mallory in 2008, and we have three children: Radke (11), Kansas (8) and Espyn (5).

I love being able to help people protect their assets that they have worked so hard for. Being an insurance agent is more than just selling a product — it’s about creating a connection and earning the trust of your customers and community to know that you will help navigate them through the insurance-buying process.

I am a member of the Carrington Lions club and a director on the Carrington Park Board. I run the summer rec baseball and softball programs in Carrington. I enjoy

coaching my kids' baseball, football and basketball teams. I also am an assistant boys basketball coach for Carrington High School.

President:

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'Product of USA' rule finalized

At our recent NFU convention, Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack announced that USDA has finalized a rule strengthening voluntary “Product of USA” label standards for meat, poultry and egg products.

Under the new rule, “Product of USA” can only be placed on products that come from animals born, raised, slaughtered and processed in the United States. Since 2018, NDFU has repeatedly supported the new standard as part of the organization’s broader push for truth in labeling.

This is a first baby step in our support to go to mandatory country-of-origin labeling (MCOOL). If you remember, we lost our fight on country-of-origin labeling about a decade ago at the World Trade Organization and in Congress. I find this interesting as nearly 80 countries have the ability to label their products, which gives them the opportunity to meet customer demands in the marketplace.

Truth in labeling laws, which include origination, are an opportunity for us in agriculture. Consumers should be able to be informed about products they intend to purchase, so they can make educated buying decisions. Labeling information should be science based and without artificial market hype or artificial misrepresentation on health

and value concerns.

If we use truth in labeling, opportunities to label a product’s positive attributes could create income opportunities for those in agriculture who make the effort to meet consumer demands.

Our research shows that consumers trust family farmers and trust that the food they eat is good for them. Our study utilized consumer focus groups out of New York and Chicago and surveys across the country. The research also indicated farmers might achieve an additional margin of 10% to 15% on their products by labeling product attributes.

As technology and artificial intelligence continues to develop, the ability to produce a specific crop with valued attributes, identify where it is grown, and separate crops by attributes could be economic opportunities.

NDFU has always supported and will continue to support truth in labeling that uses the best science and research to assure consumers of the value and quality of food grown in the United States on family farms and ranches.

All of us will need to push our legislators to understand the value of truth in labeling. If we do not resolve this issue, it will be a huge, missed opportunity for farmers, ranchers and consumers.

Farmers Union CAMP

GRADES 3-6* (4 DAYS, 3 NIGHTS) – $135**

GRADES 7-12* (5 DAYS, 4 NIGHTS) – $175**

*Grade youth will have completed by the end of the school year

**Early bird price. Price will increase $24 after May 15. Register

SENIOR CAMP

• June 11-15 –Heart Butte, grades 7-12

• June 18-22 – James River, grades 7-9

• July 8-12 – James River, grades 7-12

• July 9-13 – Heart Butte, grades 7-9

• July 29-Aug. 2 – James River, grades 10-12

• July 30-Aug. 3 – Heart Butte, grades 10-12

JUNIOR CAMP

Heart Butte ~ near Elgin

• June 17-20 – Bottineau, Burke, Divide, McHenry, Mountrail, Renville, Ward, Williams

• June 24-27 – Adams, Bowman-Slope, Grant, Hettinger, Morton, Sioux

• June 30-July 3 – Statewide

• July 16-19 – Burleigh, Sheridan

• July 23-26 – Billings-Golden Valley, Dunn, McLean, Mercer, McKenzie, Oliver, Stark

James River ~ near Jamestown

• June 10-13 – Benson, Cavalier, Eddy, Foster, Grand Forks, Griggs, Nelson, Pembina, Pierce, Ramsey, Rolette, Steele, Towner, Traill, Walsh, Wells

• June 25-28 – Statewide

• June 30-July 3 – Cass, Ransom, Richland, Sargent, Stutsman

• July 15-18 – Statewide

• July 22-25 – Barnes, Dickey, Emmons, Kidder, LaMoure, Logan, McIntosh

AWARD TRIPS

(invitation only)

April 27-28

7th & 8th Grade Lock-In (Jamestown)

June 24-28

All-States Leadership Camp (Minnesota)

July 22-25

Third-Year Award Trip (Twin Cities)

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If

Forty-two delegates from North Dakota traveled to Scottsdale, Ariz., for the National Farmers Union convention March 10-12. Delegates took in excellent speakers including Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack and participated in the policymaking process.

NDFU delegates help make policy at NFU convention

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. – North Dakota delegates to the National Farmers Union (NFU) convention March 10-12, 2024, played an integral part in the policy process by adopting the organization’s grassroots policy book, laying the foundation for advocating on behalf of family farmers and ranchers across the country. Convention delegates also adopted six special orders of business focused on issues of particular importance in the coming year.

The special orders are:

• Fairness for Farmers

• Family Farming and the 2024 Farm Bill

• Family Farming and the Farm Safety Net

• Family Farming and Conservation

• Family Farming and Dairy Policy Reform

• Support for the Cooperative Business Model and the International Year of Cooperatives

"With a projected decline in commodity

prices, continued high input costs, increasingly extreme weather events and an unpredictable policy and political environment, 2024 will be a pivotal year for family farmers and ranchers,” said NFU President Rob Larew. “With our member-driven policy priorities set, NFU is perfectly positioned to help farmers, ranchers and rural communities navigate the challenges ahead.”

Following a full program of speakers and sessions, delegates took part in policy debate that is fundamental to Farmers Union’s structure. This grassroots process informs NFU’s advocacy work throughout the year.

Delegates also casted a unanimous ballot to reelect Rob Larew and Jeff Kippley as the organization’s president and vice president, respectively. Each will serve another two-year term.

“It's an honor to have the trust and confidence of Farmers Union members across

the country and a privilege to fight on their behalf each and every day," said Larew. "I look forward to continuing to work alongside Vice President Kippley on behalf of family farm agriculture."

As NFU president, Larew has overseen four years of consecutive membership growth since his election in 2020, as well as the development and execution of NFU’s Fairness for Farmers campaign that has successfully brought public awareness to the unhealthy level of corporate consolidation in the agriculture industry. Before his time as president, Larew worked in Congress and at the U.S. Department of Agriculture and served for four years as NFU’s senior vice president of public policy and Communications from 2016 to 2020. Larew and his family still operate their family farm in Greenville, W.V.

Kippley, of Aberdeen, S.D., begins his second term as NFU vice president. Kippley and his family raise cattle, corn and soybeans and operate a tax business serving family farmers in their community.

“I got involved with Farmers Union to build a better future for my family and community, so it means the world to me that other Farmers Union families appreciate and trust President Larew and I to continue advocating on their behalf,” said Kippley. “There’s a lot of important

ND delegates to NFU convention

District 1: Terry Borstad, Devils Lake; Julie Gemmill, Fordville; Dee Decimus Holmes, Grand Forks; Jon Iverson, Langdon; Christie Jaeger, Esmond; Christopher Lundeby, Osnabrock.

District 2: DeAnne Finken, Douglas; Brenda Kuylen, South Heart; Philip Neubauer, Bottineau; Trent Sherven, Ryder; Nathan Watne, Velva; Dylan Witte, Regent.

District 3: Rhonda Fenwick, Battleview; Scott Grote, Battleview; Jared Johnson, Kenmare; Jarett Keith, Sherwood; Steve Keith, Sherwood; Scot Ness, Kenmare.

District 4: Aaron and Cindy Krauter, Regent; Bob Kuylen, South Heart; Sarah Kuylen, South Heart; Lenci Sickler, Gladstone; Shane Sickler, Gladstone.

District 5: Missy Axt, McClusky; Dave Berger, Center; Kevin Horneman, Bismarck; Bill and Karen Kershaw, Menoken; Wes Niederman, Elgin.

District 6: Lori Blocker, Ashley; Pamela Henningsen, Monango; Josh Heinrich, Kindred; Carmen Rath Wald, Napoleon; Richard Schlosser, Edgeley; Terry Ulrich, Ashley.

District 7: Bob Bruns, Valley City; Jim Dotzenrod, Wyndmere; Perry Ostmo, Sharon; Dalton Wiest, Barney; Ben and Megan Vig, Sharon.

work to be done in the next two years, and we’re ready to fight for our members.”

NFU awarded Bill Zortman of radio station KELO-AM of Sioux Falls, S.D., the 2024 Milt Hakel Award for Excellence in Agricultural Journalism.

Nineteen North Dakota county organizations earned NFU's prestigious membership award for their work the past year. Earning the awards were Barnes, Benson, Bottineau, Burleigh, Dunn, Emmons, Grand Forks, Kidder, Mercer, Oliver, Ransom, Rolette, Sargent, Sheridan, Sioux, Stark, Walsh, Ward and Wells counties.

Philip Neubauer of Bottineau was honored with NFU's Bruce Miller Award for outstanding work with membership. Neubauer is pictured with NFU President Rob Larew.

NDFU President Mark Watne, right, accepts a special achievement award for outstanding membership work from NFU Vice President Jeff Kippley.

Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack spoke to the convention and also participated in a question and answer sesion.

NFU President Rob Larew gives his president's report during the NFU Convention.

Brittany Jablonsky, a native of Dickinson, was recently named chief of staff for National Farmers Union.

Former N.D. Agriculture Commissioner and NFU President Roger Johnson helped lead a breakout session.

PoliCy aNd aCtioN debate

Tim Fischer of Bowman, left, leads his designated portion of the policy book alongside NFU Director of Advocacy Mike Stranz. Fischer was North Dakota's representative on NFU's Policy and Action Committee.

Kenmare's Scot Ness.

Dee Decimus Holmes of Grand Forks and Julie Gemmill of Fordville.

Lenci Sickler of Gladstone.

Ben Vig of Sharon and Trent Sherven of Ryder.

Our Famil

the fourth children’s book from North Dakota Farmers Union

$16.95 plus tax

Dusty learns about generations of family and equipment on their farm, and the latest in soil technology. Find out how Dusty makes Gramps a new thingamajig for his tractor to save the day!

FOCUSED ON

YOUTH

Jackie Heinz enjoys the fact that Farmers Union’s education program keeps youth focused on activities that don’t typically involve electronics.

The longtime Rolette County Farmers Union EPIC coach designs her education program to make sure kids are getting outdoors and spending time together.

“I think electronics play too much in their lives,” she said. “When you get can them outside and learning about the world and interacting with others and having a good time, their electronics don’t mean anything to them.”

Heinz has been leading the

Jackie Heinz is the EPIC coach for Rolette County Farmers Union. RCFU has had a Torchbearer for three consecutive years.

Rolette program for nearly 15 years. Each year, the Union Farmer highlights an EPIC program around the state featuring an outstanding youth leader. Heinz certainly fits the bill, said RCFU president Brent Kurtti.

"Jackie's the kind of person that will do a good job no matter what she's doing," Kurtti said. "She's a real asset. She takes what she's doing very seriously. We're lucky to have her."

Jackie and her husband Jason live a few miles northwest of Rolette on their ranch, where they raised three daughters:

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Sierra, Karesse and Ariah, who is still in school.

Both parents work as teachers, with Jackie serving as the special education teacher in St. John. Jackie said being a teacher makes her role as EPIC coach easier.

“It’s easy for us to implement the curriculum,” she said. “It’s a great curriculum that we can tie in, and then get on a bus for a trip somewhere. The kids enjoy it. It keeps their interest.”

Jackie’s beginnings in Farmers Union started with attending local women’s events more than 20 years ago. From there, she started going to regular meetings and eventually volunteered to help with the youth program.

“It made sense because our kids were getting to that age where they could participate and go to camps,” she said. “Why not be a part of it and help out?”

Rolette County has been on a roll as of late, with three consecutive Torchbearers. Jackie’s daughters Sierra (2021) and Karesse (2023) both received the award, while Clayton Brown was honored in 2022.

"The nice part of what she's doing is it's not just about fun (activities)," said Kurtti, who was a Torchbearer. "She has those kids understanding what you can get out of it and

what you can learn from it. Understanding what Farmers Union is about and what it means to be a Torchbearer, because it's more than just an award for those of us who have been involved for a long time."

Rolette and Towner County often pair together to do EPIC events. In 2021, they visited NDFU’s new camp on the Jamestown Reservoir and held an EPIC event. They

The youth programs for Rolette and Towner counties made a trip to NDFU's new camp on the Jamestown Reservoir in 2021.

The EPIC classes for both Rolette and Towner counties toured Legacy Cooperative's grain elevator in Bisbee in 2023.

Your name will be entered into our prize drawing when you use the NDFU mobile app to register your kids for camp!

• 6-gal. YETI cooler

• 2-gal. cordless DeWalt HEPA vac

• $100 CENEX gift card.

Register for camp using the NDFU app for a chance to win!

traveled to Bottineau for skiing and other education in 2022. Last year, the counties took a tour of the Legacy Cooperative elevator in Bisbee.

Jackie thanked the co-op as well as Farmers Union Insurance agent Blaine Moberg in Rolla for helping fund the trips.

“They understand where our future is,” she said. “I can bring something to Legacy, and they’re supportive of that, like if we need (the NDFU bus). And Blaine’s always supported us with prizes and scholarships to camp. It makes our job way easier. We could not do it without them.”

Jackie said the new camp in Jamestown has also made it easier for EPIC coaches in recruiting youth.

“When it opened, we made sure to introduce our kids to it,” she said. “It makes a huge difference because today’s kids want a few more modern amenities. It has a lot going for it.”

Farmers Union is full of stories in which lifelong friendships have been made, she said. Much of that starts with the youth program.

“Kids meet kids from other counties and get to know them,” she said. “It’s a small world in North Dakota. It’s fun to see the connections and the friendships. And then

they can be recognized as a Torchbearer, and it makes them feel special because of the honor and prestige of it all. It’s one of the first opportunities they get before graduation to be recognized, and that’s awesome to see.”

Farmers Union has seven counties currently looking for an EPIC coach to lead youth education on agriculture, cooperatives and much more. Interested parties who reside in Cavalier, Eddy, Foster, Golden Valley/Billings, Mercer, Nelson or Pembina counties should call the state office at 1-800-366-6338 and ask for Miranda or Kayla.

The Heinz family: Karesse, Jason, Ariah (front), Jackie and Sierra.

Proper grain drying, storing critical for producers

The warmer winter and early spring have increased the potential for grain storage problems and the need for grain monitoring and management, said Ken Hellevang, North Dakota State University Extension agricultural engineer and grain drying expert. Stored grain temperature increases in parts of a bin in the spring, which is not only due to an increase in outdoor temperatures but also due to solar heat gain on the bin.

Solar energy produces more than twice as much heat gain on the south wall of a bin in spring as it does during the summer. That, in addition to the solar heat gain on a bin roof, can create an environment conducive to grain spoilage. A 10 degree increase in temperature reduces the allowable storage time of grain by about onehalf. For example, the allowable storage time of corn at 17% moisture is reduced from about 130 days at 50 degrees Fahrenheit to about 75 days at 60 degrees and 45 days at 70 degrees.

Hellevang recommends periodically running aeration fans during the spring to keep the grain temperature near or below 30 degrees if it exceeds recommended storage moisture contents and below 40 degrees as long as possible during spring and early summer if the grain is dry. In northern states, night air temperatures are normally near or below 30 degrees in April and 40 degrees in May.

Bin vents can become blocked with frost and ice when the fan is operated at temperatures near or below freezing, which may lead to damage to the roof. Leave the fill and access door open as a pressure relief valve when operating the fan at temperatures near or below freezing.

Cover the fan when it is not operating to prevent warm air from blowing into the bin and heating the stored grain. Warm grain is more prone to spoilage and insect infestations. Hellevang also recommends ventilating the top of the bin to remove the solar heat gain that warms the grain. Provide air inlets near the eaves and exhausts near the peak so the top of the bin can ventilate due to warm air rising, similar to what occurs in an attic, or use a roof exhaust fan.

Stored grain should be monitored closely to detect any storage problems early, Hellevang advised. Grain temperature should be checked every two weeks during the spring and summer. A temperature increase may indicate a storage problem. The goal is to keep the grain cool. Grain also should be examined for insect infestations.

Check the moisture content of stored grain to determine if it needs to be dried. Remember to verify that the moisture content measured by the meter has been adjusted for grain temperature.

In addition, remember that moisture measurements of grain at temperatures below about 40 degrees may not be accurate. Verify the accuracy of the measurement by warming the grain sample to room temperature in a sealed plastic bag before measuring the moisture content.

Some in-bin cables measure grain moisture content by measuring the temperature and air relative humidity then calculating the grain moisture content based on grain equilibrium moisture content equations. The measured moisture may be 1.0 to 1.5 percentage point different than the true moisture content, so it is a tool

that should be verified with another moisture content measurement method.

Corn needs to be dried to 13% to 14% moisture for summer storage to prevent spoilage. Soybeans should be dried to 11% to 12%, wheat to 13%, barley to 12% and oil sunflowers to 8%. The allowable storage time for 13% moisture soybeans is less than 100 days at 70 degrees.

Corn at moisture contents exceeding 21% and soybeans exceeding 15% should be dried in a high-temperature dryer because deterioration is rapid at warmer temperatures. For example, the allowable storage time of 22% moisture

corn is about 190 days at 30 degrees but only 8 days at 70 degrees. Follow the manufacturer’s recommendation for high-temperature drying soybeans. Monitor the soybean quality and reduce the drying temperature if excessive cracking or splitting occurs. Reduce the fire hazard by keeping the soybeans flowing in the dryer. Pods and trash can become lodged and combustible. Frequently clean the dryer to remove anything that may impede flow. Constantly monitor the dryer when drying soybeans.

Article courtesy NDSU Ag Communications

E-file acreage reports with MyAgData

BY CHRIS AARHUS, NDFU

Filling out FSA acreage reports can be a hassle for farmers. MyAgData seeks to ease that burden.

The company went live with its website in the summer of 2023 in which farmers can log their acreage reports and submit to FSA electronically.

“We’ve done for this what TurboTax did for your IRS reporting,” MyAgData CEO Michelle Tressel said. “We’ve simply taken a very manual process and digitized it for the grower, so now they can file their report 24-7 on their schedule.”

To participate in farm programs, producers must submit an annual report to FSA that shows which crop will be grown on each parcel of land. To this point, farmers have used paper maps.

“Depending on how many acres they’ve got, it can be a (large) stack of papers,” said Brad Meyer, director of customer relations. “That has been the process and is still the process that most growers go through to complete an acreage report.”

Said Tressel: “I’ve not talked to anyone who thinks that manual reporting can continue.”

Don Bierman is chief strategy officer and co-founder of MyAgData. He said it’s been a longtime goal of those in agriculture to get rid of the paper maps, which he learned while working for other ag technology firms.

“It was this idea that we could solve this

problem that every farmer in the country has today, dealing with the acreage reporting process and interacting with multiple agencies at USDA,” he said.

“There are many things about this process that farmers feel they have no control over. This is one of the last in which they feel like they’re at someone else’s mercy, and farmers know there is a better way to do it.”

Bierman said the roots of this go back to the 2012 Farm Bill.

“There are some very big names in agriculture that tried to do this and failed,” he said. “They didn’t fail because they didn’t have the technology — they failed because they had ulterior motives. All we do is make it so farmers can file electronic acreage reports. There’s nothing else with it. Nothing untoward happening once you agree to work with us.”

Meyer sees the benefits for farmers as three-fold: saving time, crop insurance premium savings, and a more accurate Actual Production History.

With crop insurance, Meyer said current users have been able to adjust maps with greater detail to reflect actual acres planted.

“I did an analysis for a grower on about 3,600 acres, and their premium savings was over $18,000,” he said. “They’re seeing huge savings by recording what they’re actually

planting versus what USDA is telling them that their fields are.”

That plays right into APH, Meyer said. APH tracks yields from year to year on a given field, giving USDA a guideline of what the field would produce in a normal year in case of disaster, in which crop insurance would need to be paid out.

“If you’re reporting the full land unit, you’re often diluting your bushels in areas that are not planted, so you’re bringing down your averages,” he said. “So there are the time savings, the money savings — but the increase on the APH could be huge.”

A farmer interested in getting started would go to MyAgData.com and make an account, Meyer said. They could then start reporting in a process that’s similar to Turbotax, as the user gets asked one question per screen, as opposed to a screen filled with 20 questions.

Farmers can even input data from their equipment.

“We’ve tried to make this pretty user-friendly for a producer,” Meyer said.

Tressel said MyAgData is the only company that has “the credentials to transact with the USDA clearinghouse.”

“We’re the only ones that can do this,” she said, “and we want to bring it to the growers in a way that’s accessible to everyone, so they’re able to utilize the service and see the savings it could afford them.’”

The fee for reporting electronically is $120, and that includes customer service, which Tressel stressed as pivotal for farmers.

“(Farmers) so often get left with the technology, and they have to figure it out on their own,” she said. “We really want to make sure the grower is going to be supported as they transition from manual reporting.”

Part of the process when filing acreage reports online is selecting crops (above) and selecting fields (below).

Richland County Farmers Union director Gary Lee presents a donation to Nathan Moen and Eric Mickelson of the Colfax Fire Department.

CO-OP HOUSE

A reunion of the Co-op House is set for July 19-20 at the Radisson in Bismarck. More details to come. For more information, contact F.C. Humphrey at 208-2417499 or humpflow@isu.edu.

Stark County Farmers Union held a shop talk Feb. 28 at Farm Credit Services in Dickinson.

POWER TAKE-OFF (PTO) SAFETY

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Founding Farmers celebrates families from Children's Hospital of Philly

For Founding Farmers King of Prussia, March means it’s time for King of Prussia Restaurant Week. In addition to three-course lunch and dinner menus at a great price for guests, this celebration of food has a wonderful cause and organization at its core: Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP).

During Restaurant Week, a portion of Founding Farmers’ sales are donated to CHOP. The restaurant is also part of CHOP’s Ambassador Program, which provides a complimentary dinner to a CHOP family, giving a much-needed break from doctor’s visits and procedures.

This year, Founding Farmers had the honor of hosting Porter Thompson and his family for a musical dinner experience. Porter loves music, singing and dancing, and the Founding Farmers team put on a show for this very special family. With the help of a former Founding Farmers team member turned

musical therapy teacher, Miss Emily, and one their music-loving servers, Zach, Founding Farmers was able to create a memorable 12th birthday celebration for Porter, including gifting Porter a brand-new record player.

It was an evening that reminded the Founding Farmers team why they do what they do: to create unforgettable experiences like this, while Porter and his family were showered with music, gifts, delicious scratch-made food and drink, and, of course, birthday cake.

Founding Farmers continuously shows its commitment to doing the right things for the right reasons in every partnership it undertakes and guests they serve. Operating and guided by their principle to see everything "Through The Eyes Of The Farmer™️," Founding Farmers is redefining how a restaurant can provide exceptional hospitality and delicious food while uplifting and supporting its surrounding community.

Winter temps have different effects on forage crops

This year’s unusual winter has led to questions for farmers and ranchers who grow forage crops in North Dakota. The lack of snow cover has left winter crops uninsulated from cold temperatures for much of the winter. Recent extreme temperature fluctuations have led to concerns about possible damage to winter annual cereal crops planted for forage late summer and early fall.

Two of the most common winter annual cereal crops grown for forage are rye and triticale. Cereal rye is the most winter hardy of the cereal grain crops and can grow at a temperature as low as 38 degrees Fahrenheit, according to James Rogers, North Dakota State University Extension forage crops production specialist. Winter wheat is less winter hardy than rye but more tolerant than barley. Triticale, a hybrid cross between rye and wheat, will have more cold tolerance than wheat but less than rye. Triticale’s cold tolerance is based on its wheat parentage.

“Optimal spring growth for cool season crops is 65 to 75 degrees, but recent temperatures reaching into the 50s have stimulated top growth of these forages,” Rogers said. “Then, with the sudden reversal of temperatures down into the low teens, plant damage and winter survival concerns arise. In general, however, if plants were well established prior to the onset of winter and had the opportunity to harden and tiller, chances of survival are very good.”

Research from the NDSU North Central Research Extension Center in Minot reveals differences in freeze damage between rye and winter wheat.

On March 1, researchers at the center dug a sample of rye plants from a plot planted in July 2023. The plants were exposed to a high daytime temperature of 53 degrees Fahrenheit on Feb. 26 followed by a high temperature of 7 degrees on Feb. 27. The researchers then dissected the plant tillers by splitting the tiller beginning just above the crown to the top of the tiller, exposing the growth point, which was at the very base of the tiller, just below the soil line. The growth point appeared as a healthy dark green

oblong mass sitting just above the crown of the plant at soil level.

“At this low location, the growth point is still protected by the crown, and any additional snow cover this spring will further insulate the growth point,” Rogers said. “Top growth did show some browning of leaves from freeze damage, but other leaves were green, and new growth was evident. Additionally, roots of the plant were white and healthy, and new tillers were forming. As the growth point begins to elevate with warmer temperatures, the plant and grain formation will become more vulnerable to freeze damage.”

As a contrast, researchers dug up a sample of winter wheat from a plot planted in June 2023. They dissected the plants and found that the growth point of the wheat was at the very base of the tiller, similar to the rye sample, but the winter wheat plant had been damaged to a much greater extent by freezing temps.

“Some roots were white and healthy, but others were dark and brown indicating freeze damage,” Rogers said. “This plant may still recover, but forage production will be reduced.”

Winter-established cereal crops become more vulnerable to freeze damage at jointing and elevation of the growth point, which may cause the loss of individual tillers but not the whole plant. Tiller production is key to biomass production.

“It is still too early to determine the full extent of possible freeze damage, but optimism remains,” Rogers said. “At this point, if the current snow cover dissipates, more damage may occur from ground heaving than from freeze damage.”

To monitor growth points as spring approaches, cut a sample of tillers at the soil level and split the stem. Locate the growth point in the tiller. As the growth point elevates, the stem will be hollow beneath the growth point. When this hollow stem reaches the diameter of a dime (5/8 inch), the stem has elongated prior to stem jointing. At this point, plants can experience damage to the growth point at temperatures of 10 to 20 degrees Fahrenheit.

Article courtesy NDSU Ag Communications

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JD MODEL H, restored some years ago, runs/ drives great. Comes with another JD H for parts. One of the nicer ones around. 701-320-7099, Rita Rivinius, Gackle.

2011 JD GATOR, 825i, street legal, enclosed cab, heater, electric dump, new seat covers, good tires, runs great, 8K/1200 hrs, pictures upon request, $6000 or obo. 701-455-2926, Mary Jean Hunter, Solen.

CULTIVATOR/ MOWER, Bush Hog mower, both are 3pt. Cultivator is a heavy-duty 6 ft. Shanks can be removed, movable, and adjusted. $400. The mower is a King Kutter, 5ft. Yellow, $700. Text or email for more info/pictures. Email redied@westriv.com. 701-220-8752, Ed Schwab, Hazen.

BARBWIRE ROLLS, steel corral gates, corner posts and corral gate hinges; 24' pasture drag with two sets of harrows. I can text pictures. 701-9743644, Loren Myran, Taylor.

JD HAY BASKET, fits 158 JD loader, very good condition, steel teeth not bent. 701-693-2306, Steve Vetter, Harvey.

TRACTOR CHAINS, 154-38 pair tractor chains. Salter Brecknell. Model 200 Series. Head Scale 2 way bars. Complete like new. 701-439-2680, Alan Houge, McLeod.

15-30 MCCORMICK TRACTOR, 1 New Tire LT245-75R-Load Range E. 2- Cream Separators, 1 Covered Wagon Running Gear, 12’ Kirschman Drill, 1 Horse Potato Cultivator, 4 Btm. Pony & Packer, Harness leather, Saddle and 2 Bridles. Email: larryn@westriv.com. 701-548-8020, Larry Nagel, Shields.

AUGERS, 22 ft x 6 inch hyd auger, 16 ft x 5 inch hyd auger for feed and seed, all items kept inside. JD heavy duty utility trailer with tilt bed 8 ft long x 6 ft wide. Call late evening or leave a message. 701-482 7749, Robert Huff, Donnybrook.

JD MOWER, 2010 John Deere X724, 54 inch deck, Kawasaki engine, 4 wheel steer, grill guard, deluxe seat. New plugs, oil and all filters.$5,000 obo. 701-769-2655, Alan Jacobson, Sutton.

PRESS DRILL, IH 14 ft. press drill reconditioned $1800. Crown real type rock picker, $2700. IH 300 utility tractor with loader. $4600. New Holland 1000 bale stacker and hauler $4200. Oliver 14 ft. disk on wheels field ready, $1600. Laymen stack mover works good $1800, have used parts for IH press drills anything you should need, FS2\7/8 drill stem pipe, can deliver any of these items. 701-400-5742, Gerald Miller, Mandan.

SIMER WATER PUMP; Bourgault knock on cultivator sweeps; farm scale with steel wheels; used Case IH 8230 feeder chain; used nitrolator w/hyd shut off hoses; combine pickup guards/ lifters; old front tine rototiller; used 16" cultivator shovels; live traps; muskrat/mink traps; transition for adding aeration to an existing grain bin/screens/fans; 3 triangular grain auger hoppers w/straps/chains to fasten onto grain auger. 701-629-9003, Doug Halden, Stanley.

MASSEY COMBINE, 1984 Massey 860 combine with pickup head & 24 ft straight head, new tires, good sieves, chains and belts, always stored inside. 1975 International Loadstar 1700 grain truck, 87,165 miles, good tires, roll tarp. Westfield drill fill auger. Calf puller. 701-3318983/701-593-6368, Jim Kovarik, Adams.

WANTED

JD DRILL, JD 750 no-till drill is fine if it’s been split. Working condition; JD small/medium corn planter. Working condition. Prefer to pickup in the Devils Lake region area. 701-381-9323, Shannon Anderson, Tolna.

TRACTORS; IH 706, 806, 1206, 856, 1256, 1456, 966, 1066, 1466, 1566, others; JD 5010, 5020, 6030, 4620, 4520, others; MM 950s on up; Olivers 1964 on up; ACs 200, 210, 220, D-21. Will buy all running or not. 701-628-2130, Jerry Lumley, Stanley.

DUMP TRUCK, tandem axel in good condition. 701-351-6040, Rick Schwab, Devils Lake.

REAR TRACTOR TIRES, rim sizes 28 ,36 ,or 38 inches. Old IHC self-propelled combines model numbers 123, 125 or 127; 1955 Chevrolet pickup engine and radiator or whole pickup/ truck. 701-974-3644, Loren Myran, Taylor.

PLANTER PLATES, John Deere planter plates (corn, beans) and 3 bottom Ford or Massey Ferguson 3 point plow. 701-226-4055, Lloyd Giese, Steele. FOR SALE

MISCELLANEOUS

F-5 FORD TRUCK, 1957 w/box and hoist, parked inside, the truck was running/working when parked four years ago. $750 obo. 701-3207395, Alan Bergman, Jud.

SIGNS, Co-op porcelain, Our Own Hardware sign porcelain. trades welcome. 701-220-5746, Val Ganje, Bismarck.

WELDER, Hobart wire feed welder, model handler 187, h100s2, 10-gun, 230 volt, 25-185 amp, made in USA, 230 amp, 20.5 kw, 3.88 phase, 1 herz 60 with welding cart like new. 701-448-2475, Paul Weinberger, Turtle Lake.

BARN WINDOWS, two very nice white barn windows. 701-771-8653, Kenny Heilman, Rugby.

HARLEY, Harley Davidson Motorcyle; Heritage Softail Classic, Year 1989; Ceramic Crocks; Old medicine cabinet Vintage Antique; Old Style wood Shool desk; Slide projector and Screen, screen mint condition, projector everything works. Great condition. 701-263-1206, Lathan Romsos, Bottineau.

PICKUP TOPPER, Fiberglass Pickup Topper for Ford Ranger Safari Series, sliding windows. Good condition color blue. $150 or best offer. 701-989-4150, Curtis Jabs, Mandan.

UNUSED LUMBER 2X4, 2X6, 2x8, new condition, also some plywood, foam insulation. Hand tools Router, wrenches, saws, shovels, spades, grinder, garden tools, drills, camping equipment. Do not wait because tools will be sold at auction soon. 701-349-4179, Betty Jo Hvistendahl, Ellendale.

KUBOTA UTV, 2007 RTV900W6SE-H Kubota Special Edition Utility Vehicle with glass windshield & turn signal/hazard light kit. 205 hours with dump body kit. Excellent condition. $15000. 701-721-0831, Hjalmer Carlson, Garrison.

WANTED

STONE MAULS, authentic, grooved (hammerheads). Will pay $60 to $100 depending on condition. 952-334-4742, Paul Legler, Lakeville, Minn.

RIMS for a 1940 Chevy half ton pickup. They are the 16", 6 lug and I believe the same wheels were used on all car models of that year too. Likely spanned a few years ahead or after 1940 as well. 701-400-9896, Brendan Ternes, Bismarck.

OLD STUFF, advertising signs, old gas pumps, advertising thermometers, or most anything that has small town advertising on it. Looking for old-retired road signs that have the Indian Head logo, or those that had reflective marbles. Looking for old retired Highway Patrol door sign, ND license plates, ND tokens, ND picked arrowheads, and Redwing crocks. Will travel to your location. 701-220-5746, Val Ganje, Bismarck.

PRAIRIE DOG HUNTERS to hunt on my land. Make reservations now; Used dependable, slower, water cooled snowmobile with electric start and reverse. Email: larryn@westriv.com. 701-548-8020, Larry Nagel, Shields.

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