Ag Business Briefs
File conservation compliance form by June 1
If you receive crop insurance premium supports from USDA, the 2014 Farm Bill requires you to file a conservation compliance form with your local USDA service center by June 1 to remain eligible for this service.
Most farmers already have such a form on file because it’s required for participation in most USDA programs. But some farmers, like specialty crop growers, who receive federal crop insurance premium supports, but might not participate in other USDA programs, now must file a certification form by June 1 to maintain eligibility for crop insurance premium support.
The form is known as AD-1026 and can be found online www.fsa.usda.gov. If you are uncertain whether you have previously filed the form, contact your local FSA office.
SD’s environment focus of Historical Society conference
PIERRE, S.D. (AP) — The South Dakota State Historical Society’s annual history conference May 29-30 in Pierre will focus on the state’s environment.
The moderator will be David Wolff, dean of the College of Liberal Arts at Black Hills State University in Spearfish. His research focuses on natural resources and Black Hills history.
Speakers on May 29 will discuss natural resources conservation, the homesteading era, the environmental impact of Black Hills mining, and the history and preservation of Good Earth State Park at Blood Run National Historic Landmark near Sioux Falls.
Topics for May 30 will include environmental and American Indian history, shoreline protection and habitat restoration, land management and cultural resource conservation.
The conference will conclude with field sessions to the Buffalo Interpretive Center, Farm Island and the Oahe Dam.
Thune, Rounds ask USDA to help bird flu-affected producers
WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. Sens. John Thune and Mike Rounds are calling on federal agriculture officials to help South Dakota producers whose farms have been affected by a deadly strain of bird flu.
On April 29, Thune and Rounds wrote a letter to U.S. Department of Agriculture Tom Vilsack requesting assistance to contain the H5N2 bird flu virus affecting poultry farms.
The virus has cost Midwestern turkey and chicken producers over 13 million birds since early March. More than 300,000 turkeys have been destroyed in South Dakota because of the virus.
The senators also are asking the Agriculture Department to not interrupt turkey product exports. They say the state’s agriculture depends heavily on exports and the loss or reduction of turkey product exports to markets outside the U.S. would be highly detrimental to that industry in South Dakota.
A few countries, including China, Russia and Thailand, have shut off all imports of poultry products from the U.S.
South Dakota observes Wildfire Awareness Month in May
RAPID CITY — Gov. Dennis Daugaard has proclaimed May as Wildfire Awareness Month in South Dakota. South Dakota has joined six other western states in a separate multi-state proclamation.
This month is intended to raise awareness for the dangers of wildfires and how citizens can protect themselves and their communities from these potentially devastating events. Firefighters alone can’t protect property. Every citizen, especially those living in fire-prone areas, have an important role in preventing loss of life and property from wildfire events.
This year’s theme, “Do Your Part Before the Wildfires Start,” encourages homeowners to take simple steps to reduce the impacts of wildland fire.
During Wildfire Awareness Month, state, federal and local agencies are hosting events to raise awareness about wildland fire safety, preparedness, mitigation and prevention.
To learn more about South Dakota Wildland Fire Awareness Month and to see planned events, please visit www.sdwildfireawareness.com.
— S.D. Department of Agriculture
2 dead in all-terrain vehicle crash at ND farm
GARNDER, N.D. (AP) — Two people have been killed in an all-terrain vehicle crash at a Cass County, N.D., farmstead.
The sheriff’s office says the victims of the April 30 crash near Gardner were adults. Authorities did not immediately identify them.
The sheriff’s office and the state Highway Patrol are investigating.
Berkshire unit says it plans to build Nebraska wind farm
OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Officials say a subsidiary of Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway Inc. plans to build a 400-megawtt wind farm in northeast Nebraska and sell all the power to Omaha Public Power District.
The Omaha World-Herald reports that a subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway Energy, BHE Renewables, bought Grande Prairie Farm from Geronimo Energy, of Edina, Minnesota. BHE didn’t disclose the purchase price. Geronimo had bought it from a Chicago developer in 2013. The other companies have arranged leases, obtained permits and completed other development steps.
Construction is expected to begin this summer on the site, which is situated about a dozen miles northeast of O’Neill, and be finished next year.
North Dakota APUC to consider 10 funding requests at quarterly meeting
BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — A group that provides grants to developers of North Dakota farm products will consider funding ten projects at its quarterly meeting.
The Agricultural Products Utilization Commission plans to review funding requests that total more than $495,000.
The largest request is $135,100 by Bison Compost, LLP, of Leeds, which is looking to further develop a North Dakota-based bison manure compost business that produces and sells antibiotic and hormone-free product.
The group is scheduled to meet May 21 at the Lewis & Clark Interpretive Center in Washburn.
Agricultural Women’s Day set for June 3 in Faulkton
The theme of the Seventh Annual Agricultural Women’s Day is “Be the Change,” and the keynote speaker is Katie Pinke, writer of “The Pinke Post.” The event will be held on June 3 at the Faulkton Community Center located at 1214 Court St. Registration starts at 8 a.m., and the conference begins at 9 a.m.
Women play a major role on the family farm and are increasingly involved in the ag business world. The conference is designed to provide an overview of the Farm Service Agency as well as provide tools and information women can use to help their family farms and agricultural businesses succeed.
Participants are asked to pre-register by May 22, and the fee is $10. Registration is first come, first serve, and the conference sells out. To pre-register, call your local FSA office.
Vermeer honored with third consecutive NAEDA Dealer’s Choice Award
PELLA, Iowa – Vermeer Corporation has been named “Dealer’s Choice” in the Ag/Shortline Manufacturer category for the third consecutive year by the North American Equipment Dealers Association (NAEDA). The Dealer Choice Awards are based on results from NAEDA’s Dealer-Manufacturer Relations Survey, given annually to equipment dealers throughout the country.
“Our customers spend so much time interacting with our dealer network on a day-to-day basis, continuing to support that network is key to maintaining our high quality standards at Vermeer,” said Vermeer Executive Vice President and CMO, Mark Core. “Gaining this recognition three years in a row shows Vermeer is truly dedicated to providing great support to our customers.”
NDSU gets share of $3.8 million in research funding
FARGO, N.D. (AP) — North Dakota State University is sharing in more than $3.8 million in funding from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture.
The funding is to support research using nanotechnology to find solutions to issues such as food security, nutrition, food safety and environmental protection.
NDSU is getting nearly $150,000, one of nine awards.
In the past, a project by Cornell University and Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute led to development of new nanotechnology that could keep bacteria from sticking to medical equipment and food processing machinery.
U.S. Sen. Heidi Heitkamp says the funds will provide opportunities for more North Dakota students to engage in scientific research.
Tractor drive for cancer set for June 13
The Help Drive Out Cancer tractor drive will be held on June 13. Staging will take place 8:30 – 9:30 a.m. at the Brown County Fairgrounds in Aberdeen. Drivers will be at Wylie Park at approximately 9:45 a.m. and will arrive back at the fairgrounds at about 2 p.m. for lunch and tractor viewing. All types of tractors are welcome. Drivers can either pay $35 entrance fee or have a local sponsor pay the fee. For more information contact Craig Speich at (701) 680-0612.
Proceeds will go to the new Aberdeen Avera Cancer Institute, part of the Don and Carmen Meyer Center of Excellence.