Farm News

Summit highlights importance of ag

Tue, 21 Feb 2012 00:00:00 EDT

By LARRY KERSHNER For The Messenger State Rep. Helen Miller, D-Fort Dodge, told a room of 40 listeners on Feb. 18 that most Iowans are unaware of agriculture's impact on the state's economy. "People need to understand," Miller said at an ag summit at the Webster County Extension office, "the reason Iowa did well (during the recession) is due to its agriculture economy." Miller's comments opened a three-hour gathering she called an ag summit, designed to help community leaders understand the importance of farming, farm products and processing on daily living, even in urban areas. "One in seven jobs in Iowa and one in 12 nationwide are tied to agriculture," Miller said. Jim Patton, former Region 7 executive director for Extension, including Webster County, hosted the meeting, saying many in the room "who are influential leaders in your own fields." Miller, who serves as the ranking minority leader in the House ag committee in Des Moines, pointed to the ag trade agreements signed earlier this week between Iowa and China. "People don't have a clue as to how big this is, not only for Iowa (grain growers), but also for livestock. "There is a huge opportunity for this state. People who are not in agriculture have got to understand that it's not the insurance industry that drives Iowa, it's agriculture." Earlier this month, Miller hosted the first-ever Urban-Ag Academy at the Iowa House, drawing together producers, educators, legislators, and leaders of Iowa's agricultural sector. Legislators, farmers and producers expressed great enthusiasm for learning from each other, she said. Programs like this, and another last November hosted by the Iowa Soybean Association for Iowa lawmakers was to focus on ag importance with the view that as minority populations and non-farming populations grow the need exists to tell agriculture's story and dispel the misinformation about farming practices. "The reason we are doing this," Miller said of Saturday's meeting, "is there are fewer and fewer voices for rural Iowa and agriculture in particular. "It's important for people to understand what we do, how we do it and why we do it." Speakers for the three-hour event included Dr. John Lawrence, director of ISU Agriculture and Natural Resources Extension's; Brent Bunte, general manager for NEW Cooperative; Dennis Plautz, chief executive officer for Greater Fort Dodge Growth Alliance; Joe Horan, Manson-area farmer, city councilman and member of director board for Goldfield Corn LP Ethanol; Elizabeth Conley, representing Clean Lines Partners LLC.; and Keith Dencklau, Webster County supervisor. Patton told the audience that Iowa produces 15.5 percent of the nation's corn and soybean production, with just 13.5 percent of the tillable acres. "We are the leaders," Patton said. "And this region is one of the leaders in Iowa. That's why it's important to focus on something like this." Impact of ag economy Lawrence discussed specific economic impacts that agriculture has in rural and urban communities. These include: ? More than $30 billion in farm receipts in 2011. Compared to 2007, corn value is up 70 percent and soybeans are up 60 percent. "That's $10 billion more than just a few years ago, turning over in your neighborhoods," Lawrence said. ? It's estimated one-fifth of Iowa's economy is dependent on agriculture. ? Manufacturing is the largest official segment, but it includes ag processing and ag inputs that wouldn't exist without farms. "I doubt we would have built those ethanol plants, if agriculture wasn't here," he said. ? Ag-related manufacturing constitutes 12.4 percent of Iowa's gross domestic product, while non-ag-related manufacturing is 14.1 percent of the GDP. "If you got rid of agriculture," You'd lose almost half of your manufacturing," Lawrence said. Agriculture has the ability to multiply dollars circulating in the economy including: ? For every $1 in ag product sales, there are 66 cents that turns over in the economy. ? For every $1 in farm labor income, 80 cents is turned over spent on living costs, entertainment and consumer purchases. However, for every $1 in ag-related manufacturing income, $3.25 is generated in the economy; while the same dollar in non-ag manufacturing generates $1.86. ? For each job created on the farm, an additional job is created off the farm. For each job in ag-related manufacturing, 4.39 jobs are created elsewhere; while non-ag manufacturing jobs generate 2.36 jobs. When asked about a general ignorance about where their food comes from, Lawrence said, "that's not the danger. "The real danger is they are asking where their food is coming from, and they don't like what they are seeing." The biggest change in food policy is that change used to come through legislation, he said, but now policy is set by major food chains drawing negative press. Policies change without research and without a science basis. Cooperatives cooperate Brent Bunte, said farm co-ops, such as NEW Cooperative, which has 21 locations in Iowa, including one in Fort Dodge, assists ag producers by buying and marketing their grain and obtaining the crop inputs for its members. "This is the golden age for ag," Bunte said. Young people are enthusiastic about returning to agriculture, he said, in fact, "we have to get (ag graduates) early out of college, or we won't get them." Bunte said the business of cooperatives have changed in the past decade. There are nine ethanol plants in NEW Co-op's trade area which has increased corn demand, "more than doubling grain prices," he said. As row crop yields have increased, the management of land has also changed. He said NEW's agronomy services to its members has doubled in four years. "There's been a big shift from the traditional 50-50 corn-soybean rotations, to 65 percent corn and 35 percent soybeans. He expects that rotation to change to 80-20, corn over soybeans. That translates into more soil sampling, more variable nutrient applications fall fungicide applications and more interest in micronutrients In order to meet the growing yield challenges, Bunte said NEW has spent $90 million in capitol improvements - two-thirds spent on more storage, and faster loading and unloading, so producers avoid long waits to unload corn during harvest. He said as yield continue to grow, improving Iowa's infrastructure will become more acute. Ag industry park Plautz outlined the development of the North Central Ag Industrial Park on the west edge of Fort Dodge. Valero has an ethanol plant here, plus Cargill is refurbishing the former Tate & Lyle wet-milling plant, creating 132 jobs; and a South Korea company, CJ America, will build as a co-located business with Cargill, creating an additional 180 jobs.. "In the next 18 months," Plautz said, "there will be $500 million in development out there. "This is the largest opportunity we've ever had to change our economy and add value to our products." He said an estimated one-sixth of that development money spent will be to contractors with Webster County addresses. Cargill is set to grind 150,000 bushels of corn daily, equal to 3,000 acres of production. Combined with POET and Valero, Plautz said, the annual consumption of corn will equal the yield of a million acres, and that does not include the grain elevators who mill corn into livestock feed. He said the anticipation is an additional $10.5 million will be spent in cash corn and contracts "that will be spent in your communities." Manson's Joe Horan said Manson is preparing to build a service road to a subdivision north of that city that can build 22 houses. Manson is preparing to handle some of the influx of employees for the Cargill and CJ America plants. Clean Lines Conley outlined the project of Clean Lines Partners LLC., based in Houston, Texas, to create a 500-mile high-voltage, direct-current transmission line from O'Brien County to electric consumers in Illinois and several other eastern states. The line will have the capacity to transmit up to 3,500 megawatts of power, which would come from an anticipated growth of potentially 2,000 wind turbines in northwest Iowa, northeast Nebraska and southeast South Dakota. The project would broaden the tax base for local government entities, Conley said, paying $7,000 per mile the line travels through any taxing entity. The line will carry enough electricity to power 1.4 million homes annually, she said. The proposed line could trek through the northern tier of Webster County townships. But the exact route has yet to be announced. Contact Larry Kershner at (515) 573-2141 or kersh@farm-news.com

I AM?AG

Tue, 21 Feb 2012 00:00:00 EDT

By DOUG CLOUGH/Farm News staff writer ODEBOLT - It's said that agriculture is the nation's largest employer. Russ Davis, a Nemaha area farmer, makes it a practice to show students this point. Davis was a Feb. 17 speaker for the Farm Bureau's I AM AG career expo at Odebolt-Arthur/Battle Creek-Ida Grove Middle School. Davis, dressed in coveralls, explained tools of the trade for the hands-on ag expert. By the end of his presentation, he shed the overalls for a shirt and tie, illustrating other careers within agribusiness. With an array of visual aids, he drove home the point - agribusiness is big business with lots of job choices. Farm Bureau, in conjunction with OA/BC-IG's FFA chapter, provided a day for students to hear from ag professionals about their chosen careers. "FFA prepares member for more than 300 careers in science business and technology," said Eric Miller, the FFA chapter's adviser. "In the classroom, activities include hands-on opportunities as well. What we saw today were local examples of careers that involve all of these concepts." Students also attended 25-minute breakout sessions. Area farmer Roger Lansink presented his background on organic farming, bringing seed and natural fertilizer examples for the students to see and touch. Pupils were instructed to open a bag with a dirt-like substance and "take a whiff." All agreed the material was odorless. "It's worm poop," said Lansink, whose audience received the news with wrinkled noses. "It's great natural fertilizer and one of the most sought-after tools of the trade." Terri Carstensen, of Bar V Feedlot, of Ida Grove, and another of the 12 presenters, told students about distributing, tracking, and shipping beef overseas. "World trade is very important to the beef industry," she said. "I've been to Tokyo, Japan, South Korea and other foreign countries to promote beef we raise right here in Iowa." Carstensen provided overviews of advertising, nutritionist and food stylist careers associated with marketing in the beef industry. Carstensen said in the most recent "Beef, it's what's for dinner" promotion, many recognized the voice of actor of Matthew McConaughey. "I went to New York City to see him tape that spot. It was fun to watch a professional like him work," she said. Local retailers Jack and Jane Hogue, own and operate The Prairie Pedlar Gardens, selling shrubs, bushes, trees and other items to the public. They also have several acres of display gardens and conduct educational forums. "The career I chose," Jane Hogue said about horticulture, "allows me to express what I know about colors and shapes. "If you like being outside and expressing yourself through art, this kind of work might be for you." Other presentations farm implement and diesel mechanics, veterinarian services, crop specialist, biofuels and ethanol production, banking, Extension services, beekeeping, county conservation and ag technology. Cody Fredericks, an OA/BC-IG eighth-grader, saw a potential career in county conservation. "I like being outside and seeing things others don't notice," Fredericks said. "I'm always the first to see deer, pheasant and turkeys. I'd like working outside and supporting habitat." Vince Davis, Iowa Farm Bureau Federation's regional manager, coordinates the program. "We did this last year for the first time at Ridgeview Middle School. "We got a great response from students and their parents. We hope to continue this valuable program on an annual basis." Contact Doug Clough at douglasclough@gmail.com.

New course helps farm women manage for today, tomorrow

Mon, 20 Feb 2012 00:00:00 EDT

Creating a transition plan to make sure a farm continues as a productive, agricultural business can be challenging. Farm women can learn how to plan a successful farm transition through a four-session course offered by Iowa State University Extension and Outreach and Farm Credit Services of America. "Managing for Today and Tomorrow," is a new Annie's Project course being piloted in Ames and Shenandoah. Both courses begin on Monday, Feb. 27 and continue through March 19. Farm women will learn about business, estate, retirement and succession planning from ISU Extension and Outreach specialists and area professionals. Besides brief presentations, there will be discussions based on participant questions and follow-up activities for family members to complete at home. "I know how hard it can be to talk about passing on the farm," Said Tim Eggers, ISU Extension field agricultural economist. "Managing for Today and Tomorrow will teach women terminology and tools to start that conversation or be active participants in it." Annie's Project, an agricultural risk management education program for women, has successfully reached more than 7,000 farmers and ranchers in 26 states. "This new curricula emphasizes the role women play in helping transition farms from one generation to the next," said Madeline Schultz, ISU Extension Value Added Agriculture Program Coordinator. During four weekly, three-hour sessions, farm women will learn about succession, business, estate and retirement planning. "Managing for Today and Tomorrow will empower women to take ownership of the future of their farms and ranches, particularly as it deals with the human resource and legal aspects of transitioning," said Shultz. Angie Loew, Farm Credit Services of America financial officer in Carroll, Iowa, is a member of the curriculum development team. "I've worked with farmers for 24 years, know their questions and have seen the need for transitioning information," Loew said. "Offering a curriculum that involves local professional educators in the program delivery will better position families as they begin transitioning their operations." Managing for Today and Tomorrow meets from 6 to 9 p.m. on Feb. 27, March 5, March 12 and March 19. The two Iowa locations are 1) Iowa Western Community College Page/Fremont Center, 1001 W. Sheridan Ave, Shenandoah, and 2) Iowa State University campus, Iowa State University Campus, Ensminger Room, Kildee Hall, Ames The cost is $50 per person, which includes a 260-page workbook of fact sheets, exercises and presentations. A light dinner will be served prior to class start time. Course size is limited, and pre-registration is due by Feb. 23. For more information and to register, call Lani McKinney at the Value Added Agriculture Program on the Iowa State campus at 515-294-2136 or email her at lanim@iastate.edu. Or call the Page County Extension at 712-542-5171 or toll free at 877-596-7243 or email Heidi Carter at heidic@iastate.edu. The course is limited to 20 women per site. Farm women may also register online at www.ucs.iastate.edu/mnet/annie/quickregister.html Managing for Today and Tomorrow is supported by the Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program of the National Institute of Food and Agriculture, USDA, Grant # 2011-49400-30584. More information can be found on the ANNIES website at www.extension.iastate.edu/annie. - 30

Universities connect equine industry professionals with resources and opportunities

Mon, 20 Feb 2012 00:00:00 EDT

AMES -- Equine business professionals in the North Central Region of the United States are invited to a dynamic, multi-state conference where they will be connected with land grant universities, industry professionals and other valuable resources. In an effort to keep equine businesses a vital part of rural communities, the Equine Business Conference will provide horse industry professionals with information and resources on liability, business finance, marketing and insurance for equine businesses. Hosted by Michigan State University, University of Minnesota, University of Nebraska and Iowa State University, this one-day conference will be offered on Saturday, Feb. 25, in four locations including Ames; East Lansing, Mich.; St. Paul, Minn.; and Lincoln, Neb. At each location, participants will hear from a "live" industry expert and will see broadcasts of presenters from the other three locations. The Iowa location is Room 13 Curtiss Hall, Iowa State University, Ames. Conference topics will include: Equine Insurance: Using Insurance to Protect Your Horse, Yourself, and Your Equine Business Investment; Wade Ellerbrook, licensed real estate broker, insurance broker and appraiser Law: Legal Liability and Contracts; Julie Fershtman, attorney, Foster Swift Collins & Smith, P.C. Taxes and Finance: Structuring Your Horse Business to Succeed in the Future; Tina Barrett, executive director, Nebraska Farm Business Promotion, Marketing and Advertising: Tips on Social Media and Low- and No-Cost Promotion; Terry Schroeder, CEO, Reichert Celebration, Inc. Advance online registration at www.myhorseuniversity.com/ebc is required. The registration fee is $30. Sponsorship opportunities also are available. Funded in part by a grant from the North Central Regional Center for Rural Development, the Equine Business Conference is a collaborative effort between My Horse University and eXtension/horses. -30-

Cooking is all about family

Fri, 17 Feb 2012 00:00:00 EDT

By ROBYN KRUGER Farm News staff writer SIBLEY - For Farm Cook Ruth Helmers it's all about family. She and her husband, Wendell, have been married for 62 years. Through those years they have made their living in grain and livestock farming, but more importantly rearing four boys. Though the couple has been retired several years, Helmers said she still enjoys cooking breakfast for her three sons and grandchildren involved in the farming operations. "They all stop out and I really enjoy making them their favorite dishes and visiting with them each day. "Today was my grandson Kendall's birthday." she said "He loves grandma's chicken and noodles, so that is what he got." Because Wendell Helmer's health has been poor, these visits are important to him, as well, she said. "We really love and appreciate our family." And so it goes, this farm cook aims to please with old family favorites that sometimes have a surprising twist. Because of her husband's diabetes, the Osceola County cook has had to make certain alterations to some of the family's favorite recipes. "I have needed to change the ingredients in some of my recipes," Helmers said. "Often the kids are not even aware they are eating light." Helmer said grocery stores are offering more light versions in cake mixes and gelatins. There are some good sugar substitutes as well. These items used in her favorite recipes make for a healthier option for everyone. She also finds that freezing her summer garden produce keeps her well-stocked with home grown "good-for-you, side dishes." When asked about a family favorite meal, she said she can't go wrong with roast beef and mashed potatoes. "I don't think you have to change what you fix to eat healthy. You just need to learn how to fix it differently." Certainly, in this case, being in the company of those one loves, makes all the difference as well. Diabetic glorified rice 1/2 cuprice, uncooked (not instant) 1 20-ounce can crushed pineapple, in own juice 1 3-ounce package favored gelatin 1 cup boiling water 1 cup pineapple juice, drained from can 1/4 cup maraschino cherries 2 cups Cool Whip Cook rice according to package directions. Drain, set aside. Drain pineapple, reserving 1 cup juice. Dissolve gelatin in 1 cup boiling water. Add juice. Stir in well-drained rice, the cooked rice will absorb the color and flavor of the gelatin. Mix well and chill until thickened, but not quite set. Add drained pineapple and cherries, if desired. Fold in Cool Whip. Chill. Sugar free strawberry chiffon pie 1 3-ounce package sugar-free strawberry gelatin 3/4 cup boiling water 1 1/4 cups cold water 1 cup frozen reduced-fat whipped topping, thawed 2 1/4 cups sliced fresh strawberries, divided 1 reduced-fat graham cracker crust (8 inches) In a large bowl, dissolve gelatin in boiling water. Stir in cold water. Refrigerate until slightly thickened. Fold in the whipped topping and 2 cups of strawberries. Pour into the crust. Refrigerate for three hours or until set. Garnish with the remaining strawberries. Yield:8 servings. Oatmeal bread 2 cups of boiling water 1 cup of oatmeal Mix and let stand 30 minutes Dissolve 2 packages of yeast in 1/4 cup of warm water Set aside Mix: 2 tablespoons. melted oleo 1 tablespoon salt 1/2 cup honey Add yeast and oatmeal mixture. Add 5 to 5 1/2 cups of flour. Mix well. Let rise; punch down, let rise again and then put in pans. Bake at 350 degrees for 25 minutes. Contact Robyn Kruger at obranger.com.