Issue 26
February 2000

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.

Copyright
Prairie Grains Magazine
February 2000

NAWG names 1999 wheat champions in Congress

The National Association of Wheat Growers has recognized 14 "Wheat Champions" in Congress, according to their votes in 1999 on key wheat-related issues.  Among the lawmakers honored are Sen. Kent Conrad (D-ND); Sen. Tom Daschle (D-SD); Sen. Byron Dorgan (D-ND); and Rep. Earl Pomeroy (D-ND)  

Further, Sen. Pat Roberts (R-KS) was honored as the recipient of the Wheat Leader of the Year Award – NAWG's highest legislative award.  An award will be presented to honored lawmakers when the NAWG National Board of Directors next visits Washington.

Producers receive Monsanto young grower leadership awards

The NAWG Foundation and Monsanto have announced the 2000 Young Grower Leadership awards. Each of 25 wheat producers from across the nation will receive a certificate for $1,000 to help defray the costs to attend the 2000 Wheat Industry Conference and Exposition in Las Vegas. Growers selected include Chad Anvinson, Oslo, MN; Jeremiah Johnson, Oklee, MN; Neil Rockstad, Hendrum, MN; Keith Neshem, Berthold, ND; and Chad Wendel, Sanborn, ND.

MAWG names Anderson president

Ron Anderson, Hallock, Minn., has been named president of the Minnesota Association of Wheat Growers. Anderson replaces immediate past president Pete Kappes, Ada, Minn.  Kappes steps down as a MAWG director after serving on the board for nine years.  During that tenure, Kappes also was active in the National Association of Wheat Growers, serving as an officer of the National Association of Wheat Growers Foundation, which oversees many of the educational and leadership programs offered through the NAWG.

Mike Bruer, Alberta, was named first vice president of the MAWG board. Richard Magnusson, Roseau, was named second vice president.  Gaylen Affield, Fergus Falls, was named secretary-treasurer.  Also serving on the MAWG board are Tim Dufault and Donna Ulseth, both of Crookston.

FSA prepared for farm loans in 2000

At the invitation of the American Bankers Association, NAWG leaders met recently with Carolyn Cooksie, deputy administrator at the Farm Service Agency for farm loan programs. The discussion included the FSA farm loan program and the outlook for the upcoming year.

Cooksie reported that FSA is anticipating another record year in both direct and guaranteed farm loans. Thanks to a hefty increase in funding as a part of the emergency farm assistance package, FSA has almost $4 billion for loans in 2000. This amount is up from the $2.5 billion in 1999 and $1.4 billion in 1998. Unlike previous years, unspent money this year will remain within the agency for future loans. In 1999 the agency made over 37,000 loans, which compares with 26,000 in 1998 and 27,000 loans in 1997.

FSA also reported that the program is currently operating at a less than 1% loss, with a delinquency rate of just over 2%.

NDGGA names Skogen president

Allan Skogen, Valley City, has been named president of the North Dakota Grain Growers Association.  Skogen replaces immediate past president Mark Gage, who will continue to serve on the NDGGA board and as the organization's second vice president.

Bruce Freitag, Scranton, was named first vice president, and Keith Neshem, Berthold, secretary-treasurer.  New to the NDGGA board is Mark Anderson, Regent.  He replaces Larry Stang, also of Regent, who stepped off the board.  Others who serve on the NDGGA board are Tom DeKrey, Steele; Jim Ostlie, Northwood; Dennis Stromme, Zahl; Louis Arnold, Esmond; Robert Ferebee, Halliday; Tim Johnson, Stanley; and Randy Schaley, Niagara.

Property taxes on SD legislative agenda

Rick Vallery, executive director of South Dakota Wheat Inc., expects debate on changing the state's property tax system to be a key issue during the SD Legislative Session, which began Jan. 11, is scheduled to recess the last week of February, and adjourn sometime in March.  There may be discussion on the farm economy, but funding for any assistance measure is unlikely, says Vallery.  And the controversial Amendment E regarding corporate farming? It's in the hands of the court system, says Vallery, with both sides struggling to raise money.