Prairie Shortcuts

Issue 8
June 1997

Prairie Shortcuts

Library
Home

E-Mail

Back

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.

ND wheat checkoff increase takes effect July 1
The North Dakota legislature has approved a bill to raise the wheat checkoff from a half-cent per bushel to eight-tenths of a penny. The increase becomes effective July 1, 1997. This means that ND wheat farmers' investment in promotion and research will increase from the current $5 for every 1,000 bushels sold to $8. With a 30-bushel yield, farmers will pay 24 cents per acre.

ND Barley checkoff also raised
The barley checkoff in North Dakota increases from a half cent to one cent per bushel. Elevator operators will begin collecting the one cent-per-bushel fee on all barley they acquire after July.

MN Small grains plot tours
The Northwest Experiment Station in Crookston, MN, will hold a Small Grains Research Twilight Tour on July 22, 1997. The tour will start in the late afternoon and continue into the evening. The tour will also include an outdoor BBQ. This will be an excellent chance to meet and talk to the wheat and barley researchers that are developing new varieties, and experimenting with technology and ideas that can help you improve your small grain profits. Also, the West Central Experiment Station at Morris will hold its Field Day July 10. "These events are progress reports for ongoing crop research programs, including projects funded in part by the wheat and barley checkoff programs in Minnesota," says David Torgerson, executive director of the Minnesota Wheat Research and Promotion Council.

NDGGA sponsors environmental tour
The North Dakota Grain Growers Association (NDGGA) sponsored an environmental tour June 11-13 in Grand Forks and Carrington. The "E-Tour" allowed ND farmers and state organizations to visit with participants on environmental issues.

Melinda Goodman new addition to NDGGA staff
The North Dakota Grain Growers Association (NDGGA) has named Melinda Goodman as its member services and communications coordinator. Goodman will be responsible for NDGGA communications and membership programs. As well, she will organize special events and educational opportunities for ND wheat and barley producers.
Goodman is a graduate of North Dakota State University with a degree in ag education and extension. Her previous experience includes the ND 4-H Youth Development Extension Service and the ND Ag Statistics Service.

ND Wheat, Barley Celebration July 29
The North Dakota Grain Growers Association is organizing a Wheat and Barley Celebration, set for July 29 in Carrington, ND. Events will include a golf tournament, tours of NDSU Extension Center research plots, pasta feed, and speakers on future farm trends and products. " This will be a positive picnic-style day for the whole family," says NDGGA President Lowell Berntson. "It will be an opportunity for us to celebrate the economic and social impact that wheat, durum and barley have on our state." Gov. Schafer and ND Ag Commissioner Roger Johnson have been invited to attend. Contact the NDGGA at 1-800-932-8822 for more information.

Overseas trade teams to visit Northern Plains
The Minnesota Wheat Research and Promotion Council and wheat commissions in the Dakotas will host overseas trade teams from Europe, the Arabian Gulf, Algeria, and other countries this summer, who will visit the Northern Plains to learn more about the U.S. wheat industry. Wheat producers interested in visiting with trade team members should contact the wheat organizations in their respective states.

Northern Plains ag spokeswomen attend Leadership program
Women in ag leadership positions around the country attended a Leadership Development Program sponsored by Novartis Crop Protection for members of the National Association of Wheat Growers (NAWG). The four-day program included workshops on developing leadership and interpersonal skills, giving effective presentations and working with the media.
Attending the program from South Dakota were: Mary Ellen Wagner, Pierre; and Marie Harvey, Reeheights. North Dakota attendees included Betty Thom, Edgeley; Diane Scheflo, Botttineau; and Janette Satrom, Oriska. Brenda Finkenbinder, Crookston, represented Minnesota.

ND Ag Foundation to host congressional staff tour
The North Dakota Ag Foundation will host an agricultural tour of North Dakota Aug. 21-23, for staff members who serve key members of Congress. The aim of the tour is to give leaders in WashingtonDC a better understanding of agricultural concerns. The tour will include visits with bank loan officers, implement dealers, elevator managers and auction market owners. Participants will also spend at least one night on a farm or ranch.

NDSU 1997 Field Days Schedule:
Below is a listing of NDSU field day tours and special events at NDSU Research/Extension centers this summer:
July 2, am: NDSU Agronomy Seed Farm, Casselton, ND
July 8, late afternoon: Hettinger Research/Extension Center, Hettinger, ND
July 9, pm: Dickinson Research/Extension Center, Dickinson, ND
July 10, am: Williston Research Center, Williston, ND
July 10, 6 pm: Early vegetable tour, Oakes Irrigation Research Center, Oakes, ND
July 15, all day: Carrington Research/Extension Center, Carrington, ND
July 16, am: North Central Research/Extension Center, Minot, ND
July 17, am: Langdon Research Center, Langdon, ND
August 19, all day: Field crops and late vegetables tour, Oakes Irrigation Research, Oakes, ND

South Dakota approves sunset gas tax
The South Dakota Legislature this year approved a three-cent increase in the SD gas tax to help repair flood-damaged roads. The increase took effect May 1, 1997, and will be removed Sept. 30, 1998. All road-taxable gasoline and diesel fuel including farmer bulk will be effected by the increase. It is estimated that the increased revenues will generate $24 million with one-third of that amount going to counties and local townships.
South Dakota Wheat Inc. will be monitoring several off-session legislative issues over the summer, including studies on drainage, hunting, and taxation. n

Copyright Prairie
Grains Magazine
June 1997

Issue 8 June 1997	Prairie Shortcuts

Library Home E-Mail Back 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.	ND wheat checkoff increase takes effect July 1 The North Dakota legislature has approved a bill to raise the wheat checkoff from a half-cent per bushel to eight-tenths of a penny. The increase becomes effective July 1, 1997. This means that ND wheat farmers' investment in promotion and research will increase from the current $5 for every 1,000 bushels sold to $8. With a 30-bushel yield, farmers will pay 24 cents per acre. ND Barley checkoff also raised The barley checkoff in North Dakota increases from a half cent to one cent per bushel. Elevator operators will begin collecting the one cent-per-bushel fee on all barley they acquire after July. MN Small grains plot tours The Northwest Experiment Station in Crookston, MN, will hold a Small Grains Research Twilight Tour on July 22, 1997. The tour will start in the late afternoon and continue into the evening. The tour will also include an outdoor BBQ. This will be an excellent chance to meet and talk to the wheat and barley researchers that are developing new varieties, and experimenting with technology and ideas that can help you improve your small grain profits. Also, the West Central Experiment Station at Morris will hold its Field Day July 10. "These events are progress reports for ongoing crop research programs, including projects funded in part by the wheat and barley checkoff programs in Minnesota," says David Torgerson, executive director of the Minnesota Wheat Research and Promotion Council. NDGGA sponsors environmental tour The North Dakota Grain Growers Association (NDGGA) sponsored an environmental tour June 11-13 in Grand Forks and Carrington. The "E-Tour" allowed ND farmers and state organizations to visit with participants on environmental issues. Melinda Goodman new addition to NDGGA staff The North Dakota Grain Growers Association (NDGGA) has named Melinda Goodman as its member services and communications coordinator. Goodman will be responsible for NDGGA communications and membership programs. As well, she will organize special events and educational opportunities for ND wheat and barley producers. Goodman is a graduate of North Dakota State University with a degree in ag education and extension. Her previous experience includes the ND 4-H Youth Development Extension Service and the ND Ag Statistics Service. ND Wheat, Barley Celebration July 29 The North Dakota Grain Growers Association is organizing a Wheat and Barley Celebration, set for July 29 in Carrington, ND. Events will include a golf tournament, tours of NDSU Extension Center research plots, pasta feed, and speakers on future farm trends and products. " This will be a positive picnic-style day for the whole family," says NDGGA President Lowell Berntson. "It will be an opportunity for us to celebrate the economic and social impact that wheat, durum and barley have on our state." Gov. Schafer and ND Ag Commissioner Roger Johnson have been invited to attend. Contact the NDGGA at 1-800-932-8822 for more information. Overseas trade teams to visit Northern Plains The Minnesota Wheat Research and Promotion Council and wheat commissions in the Dakotas will host overseas trade teams from Europe, the Arabian Gulf, Algeria, and other countries this summer, who will visit the Northern Plains to learn more about the U.S. wheat industry. Wheat producers interested in visiting with trade team members should contact the wheat organizations in their respective states. Northern Plains ag spokeswomen attend Leadership program Women in ag leadership positions around the country attended a Leadership Development Program sponsored by Novartis Crop Protection for members of the National Association of Wheat Growers (NAWG). The four-day program included workshops on developing leadership and interpersonal skills, giving effective presentations and working with the media. Attending the program from South Dakota were: Mary Ellen Wagner, Pierre; and Marie Harvey, Reeheights. North Dakota attendees included Betty Thom, Edgeley; Diane Scheflo, Botttineau; and Janette Satrom, Oriska. Brenda Finkenbinder, Crookston, represented Minnesota. ND Ag Foundation to host congressional staff tour The North Dakota Ag Foundation will host an agricultural tour of North Dakota Aug. 21-23, for staff members who serve key members of Congress. The aim of the tour is to give leaders in WashingtonDC a better understanding of agricultural concerns. The tour will include visits with bank loan officers, implement dealers, elevator managers and auction market owners. Participants will also spend at least one night on a farm or ranch. NDSU 1997 Field Days Schedule: Below is a listing of NDSU field day tours and special events at NDSU Research/Extension centers this summer: July 2, am: NDSU Agronomy Seed Farm, Casselton, ND July 8, late afternoon: Hettinger Research/Extension Center, Hettinger, ND July 9, pm: Dickinson Research/Extension Center, Dickinson, ND July 10, am: Williston Research Center, Williston, ND July 10, 6 pm: Early vegetable tour, Oakes Irrigation Research Center, Oakes, ND July 15, all day: Carrington Research/Extension Center, Carrington, ND July 16, am: North Central Research/Extension Center, Minot, ND July 17, am: Langdon Research Center, Langdon, ND August 19, all day: Field crops and late vegetables tour, Oakes Irrigation Research, Oakes, ND South Dakota approves sunset gas tax The South Dakota Legislature this year approved a three-cent increase in the SD gas tax to help repair flood-damaged roads. The increase took effect May 1, 1997, and will be removed Sept. 30, 1998. All road-taxable gasoline and diesel fuel including farmer bulk will be effected by the increase. It is estimated that the increased revenues will generate $24 million with one-third of that amount going to counties and local townships. South Dakota Wheat Inc. will be monitoring several off-session legislative issues over the summer, including studies on drainage, hunting, and taxation. n
Copyright Prairie Grains Magazine June 1997

Prairie Shortcuts

Copyright Prairie Grains Magazine June 1997

Copyright Prairie
Grains Magazine
June 1997