Feb/March 1998
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Prairie Grains is the
official publication of
the Minnesota
Association of
Wheat Growers,
North Dakota Grain
Growers Association,
South Dakota Wheat,
Inc., and the
Minnesota Barley
Growers Association.
Idaho wheat grower Bill Flory has been elected the 1998 president of the National Association of Wheat Growers. Flory is a fourth generation farmer whose operation includes 2,500 acres of dark northern spring wheat and both winter and spring white wheat. Other NAWG officers elected at the convention are Oregonian Jim Stonebrink, Vice President, and Oklahoman Terry Detrick, Secretary-Treasurer.
NDWC names Neal Fisher administrator
Neal Fisher has been named administrator of the North Dakota Wheat Commission, succeeding former administrator Mel Maier, who died December 28 from a heart attack.
Fisher worked alongside Maier since coming on board with the NDWC as marketing specialist 20 years ago. Fisher became deputy administrator in 1983. As deputy administrator, Fisher worked on export market development and trade policy, traveling worldwide for both the NDWC and U.S. Wheat Associates, presenting programs on spring wheat and durum issues.
MAWG elects leaders for 1998
Gaylen Affield, Fergus Falls, and Richard Magnusson, Roseau, are new directors elected to the board of the Minnesota Association of Wheat Growers. Also, Ron Anderson (second vice president), Hallock, and Tim Dufault (president) Crookston, have been re-elected to third-term positions. Others serving on the MAWG board are Pete Kappes, Ada, first vice president; Lyle Christianson, Halstad, secretary-treasurer; Brenda Finkenbinder, Crookston; Michael Bruer, Alberta; and Donna Ulseth, Crookston.
Keys to better farm success
Some farms perform much better financially in any kind of year, no matter what the growing conditions or economic environment, say University of Minnesota ag economists Dale Nordquist and Kent Olson. Aside from good luck, they say that a recent study found that having at least a bachelor's degree, high soil quality, diversification, time spent on management, newer machinery, and letting neighbors try new technology first were strongly and positively related to superior financial performance.
New Officers for SD Wheat, Inc.
Chet Edinger, Mitchell S.D., is the new president of South Dakota Wheat, Inc. Serving as vice president is Larry Nagel, Gettysburg, SD.
Durum wheat futures
Trading of durum wheat futures and options began at the Minneapolis Grain Exchange Feb. 12, 1998. Volatility in the durum wheat market and dramatic demand growth in the pasta industry over the past few years have increased interest in a durum wheat futures contract.
NDGGA selects 1998 leaders
Mark Gage, Page, ND, is the 1998 president of the North Dakota Grain Growers Association. Larry Stang, Regent; and Allan Skogen, Valley City, were elected vice presidents. Bruce Freitag, Scranton, serves as secretary/treasurer. New to the board are Robert Ferebee, Halliday and Keith Neshem, Berthold. Other board members include past president Lowell Berntson, Kulm; Louis Arnold, Esmond; John Cook, Mohall; Tim Johnson, Stanley; Jim Ostlie, Northwood, and Randy Schaley, Niagara.
Winter wheat acreage lowest since 1973
The USDA estimated in January that about 46.6 million acres of winter wheat were planted in the U.S. for harvest in 1998, the smallest area in 25 years, when planted area in 1973 had been 43.5 million acres. Montana hard winter acreage was the lowest since 1941, and virtually all hard red winter states have planted less wheat compared to 1997, with the exception of Oklahoma, unchanged from last season.
CRP should have little effect on acreage, markets
USDA has announced it will accept 5.9 million acres into the latest CRP signup. Before the announcement, Doane's Agricultural Report estimated that USDA would accept about 6 million acres of the land offered. Much of the acreage that has been released from the CRP is suited to winter wheat and is not likely to come back into production during the 1998 crop year. Doane's expects about 1 million acres of CRP land to return to production in 1998, and with total cropland of more than 300 million acres, the returning CRP land will have relatively little effect on 1998 planted acreage or market prices.
How low will spring wheat go?
Whether spring wheat acreage will drop in 1998 isn't the big question - it's how much. USDA's prospective plantings report is due March 31, and many market analysts predict spring wheat will swoon by 1.5 million to 2 million acres. Canadian spring wheat acreage is also predicted to be down in 1998. Mix in some adverse weather, and might the bull shake its tail?
Decline of 'big 3' soybean diseases not likely in 1998
The "big three" soybean diseases in Minnesota in 1997 were soybean cyst nematode, white mold and phytophthora root rot. These diseases are likely to be major concerns again in 1998, says Ward Stienstra, plant pathologist with the U of M Extension Service. Tillage, varieties, and production practices are factors.
Did you know that USDA has a strategic plan?
The five-year strategic plan is required by the Government Performance and Results Act or "the Results Act," which requires all federal agencies to provide (1) a long-term strategic plan; (2) an annual performance plan linked to the strategic plan that accompanies the budget requests of agencies to Congress; and (3) following fiscal year 1999, an annual report to Congress on accomplishment of performance plan goals. The strategic goals identified in the plan for USDA policies and programs are to: Expand economic and trade opportunities for agricultural producers and other rural residents; Ensure food for the hungry, and a safe, affordable, nutritious, and accessible food supply; and Promote sensible management of our natural resources.n