June 1999
Library
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.
Leaders of the National Association of Wheat Growers and other farm groups, as well as farm-state lawmakers in Congress, continue to press for another market loss assistance package as a short-term fix for the farm cash flow shortage. Another assistance package is likely: Perhaps as much as last year’s $6 billion farm relief package, with approval late summer or early fall. Producers who are members of the North Dakota Grain Growers Association, South Dakota Wheat Inc., or the Minnesota Association of Wheat Growers automatically become members of the NAWG, supporting its legislative work on Capitol Hill.
$50
for your grains photo
Got a vertical photograph that
would make a great Prairie Grains cover? Send it in, and
if we use it on the cover, we’ll pay you fifty
bucks. All photos will be returned upon request (include
return address). Mail to: Prairie Ag Communications, 2607
Wheat Drive, Red Lake Falls, MN 56750. While we’re
at it, got an idea that would make a great story? Take a
minute and give us your feedback. Call toll free
1-877-722-6875 or email, tsayler@corpcomm.net.
Minnesota Farm Assistance Program
sign-up underway
Most Minnesota farmers received
sign-up forms and information for the Minnesota
"Farm Assistance Program" during the last week
of May. This program is the result of the $70 million
farm relief package passed by the 1999 state legislature.
County Farm Service Agency (FSA) offices will not have
information about it, since it is a state, not federal
program. Most MN farmers will qualify for Option B of the
program, a per acre payment of $4 per eligible 1998 crop
acre. The maximum payment per farm operator or per farm
is $5,600. The deadline to apply for Option B is Sept.
30, 1999. University of Minnesota Extension Service
offices have information sheets available to assist farm
operators with the program. Technical questions about the
program should be referred to the Minnesota
Department of Revenue, 1-800-652-9094.
Forums on Minnesota’s rural
crisis begin June 14
A series of citizen’s forums
on addressing Minnesota’s rural crisis starts June
14, with Gov. Jesse Ventura and U.S. Agriculture
Secretary Dan Glickman as special guests. About 90
citizens will participate in the forum from three
Minnesota locations-St. Paul, Worthington and Crookston.
There will be a live broadcast from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. by
Minnesota Public Radio and KTCA television. Following the
statewide public broadcast, there will be local
discussion forums at the county or regional level
throughout Minnesota. For more information on local
forums, contact a county office of the University of
Minnesota Extension Service. The forum will be followed
by others focusing on the future of MN Ag.
Prairie Grains Extra online
Visit the MAWG and NDGGA website at
www.smallgrains.org for more stories reserved especially
for the cyberspace version of the June Prairie Grains
magazine, including ag highlights from the legislative
sessions in ND and MN, and a report on how area net farm
income improved last year, but only with help from Uncle
Sam. The website includes a wealth of other information
too, including the latest area ag news, ag events
calendar, wheat production information, and a Prairie
Grains archives. Check out still-pertinent articles such
as "June Weather Provides the Fuel for Scab, July
the Fire," and "Estimating Early Season Yield
Potential" at www.smallgrains.org/Springwh/jun98/jun98.htm.
ND-MN Wheat & Barley
Conference Dec. 6-7
The Dec. 6-7 ND-MN Wheat &
Barley Conference will be held at the Ramada Plaza Suites
Hotel in Fargo. Get it on your calendar!
Grains Magazine
June 1999