Ag-at-Large by Mikkel Pates

Looks like NDSU is going to be a partner in the “energy beet” biz.  

The $1 million phase II project includes $500,000 in funds from the North Dakota
Renewable Energy Council, with approval from the North Dakota Industrial
Commission, plus cash-match funds from industry partners Betaseed and Syngenta,
and other in-kind contributions. I can imagine the idea of farmers all across North Dakota planting beets. (Don’t say sugar beets, even though that’s what they are, except for specific breeding to increase sugars.) I think the interesting facet here is that for years the sugar cooperatives have been giving quality incentives for higher sugar content, and here is an industry that is trying to develop around beets that are of so-called lower quality, but with considerable value in the energy industry.

A project that will develop an advanced biofuel from energy beets and provide
growers across North Dakota with a new industrial crop is taking another
important step forward, fueled by a significant two-year North Dakota Renewable
Energy Council grant.

“This project truly is a public-private partnership with the Green Vision Group
(GVG) of Fargo and Heartland Renewable Energy of Muscatine Iowa, plus research
by North Dakota State University, to develop the energy beet biofuels industry
in North Dakota,” says Cole Gustafson, NDSU Department of Agribusiness and
Applied Economics chair.

The NDSU Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering and the
Carrington Research Extension Center will continue to provide research for the
project.

The $1 million phase II project includes $500,000 in funds from the North Dakota
Renewable Energy Council, with approval from the North Dakota Industrial
Commission, plus cash-match funds from industry partners Betaseed and Syngenta,
and other in-kind contributions.

The project seeks to establish a U.S. Department of Agriculture Risk Management
Agency multiperil crop insurance program for energy beets; engineer and evaluate
new front-end energy beet processing methods; expand regional energy beet
research trials; scale up whole-energy beet and juice storage technology to
enable year-round processing; and inform producers, community developers and the
biofuel industry of the emerging opportunity.

“We envision developing at least 12 sustainable ethanol facilities across North
Dakota,” says Maynard Helgaas, president of GVG. “Each plant will use energy
beets grown within a 20-mile radius and support job creation in rural
communities. This grant will help us make significant progress toward that
vision and help develop North Dakota’s energy beet biofuel industry.”

GVG is in the process of selecting the location for its first processing
facility, which is expected to produce 20 million gallons of ethanol per year
once complete.

The first phase of the energy beet project focused on research, including yield
trials, storage research and commercially testing the use of a coproduct to
provide processing heat. Current yield trials are in Dazey/Hannaford, Turtle
Lake, Langdon, Minot, Williston, Carrington and Oakes. In 2012, trial plots will
be expand to include Jamestown, Harvey, Litchville and Colgate. The yield trials
will continue to be sponsored by Betaseed and Syngenta.

The plot trial research results in phase 1 exceeded expectations, according to
Blaine Schatz, Carrington REC director.

“So far, our research shows that energy beets can be grown successfully outside
of the Red River Valley in a variety of soil types and conditions,” Schatz says.
“The beets actually help growers improve soil health and give them greater farm
income.”

“Ethanol produced from energy beets can be sold at a premium,” Gustafson says.
“We expect that energy beet ethanol will produce 50 to 60 percent less
greenhouse gas emissions than petroleum-based fuels, which will designate it as
an advanced biofuel. We are working to finalize the life-cycle analysis of
energy beets through a formal Environmental Protection Agency application.
Securing EPA approval of energy beets as an advanced biofuel will mean a
significant premium for producers and processors in the sugar-based ethanol
market.”

The life-cycle analysis research is funded in part by a separate grant from the
North Dakota Agricultural Products Utilization Commission and community
donations.

“North Dakota farmers, processors and rural communities should see positive
financial returns by growing and processing energy beets for biofuel,” Gustafson
says.

Doug Goehring, North Dakota’s agriculture commissioner, has been especially active in helping farmers cope with new regulations from the Environmental Protection Agency, and in helping to make those regulations acceptible to farmers. It appears he’s gotten some good news about the state ag department’s influence in making sure those rules make sense for agriculture, and for the environment.

EPA accepts ND plan for endangered species protection

BISMARCK – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has accepted North Dakota’s plan for protecting endangered species from harmful exposure to pesticides.

“We set out to develop a plan that protects North Dakota listed species and is reasonable for pesticide users,” said Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goehring. “EPA’s acceptance of the North Dakota Endangered Species Protection Plan for Pesticides provides a platform for exchanging information between the North Dakota Department of Agriculture (NDDA) and EPA and provides that EPA decisions on pesticide use will be based on the latest and best-documented data.”

Goehring said he was informed of the decision in a letter from EPA’s environmental fate and effects division.

“The plan has three main goals,” Goehring said. “It calls for NDDA to supply EPA with state specific information to use in risk assessments; it enables stakeholders to offer input and recommendations, and it enables NDDA to help plan and implement mitigation and management plans.”

North Dakota is home to eight endangered species, including the whooping crane, Eskimo curlew, black-footed ferret, piping plover, pallid sturgeon, least tern, grey wolf and western prairie fringed orchid.

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One thing Doug Goehring, North Dakota’s commissioner of agriculture, has been especially active at is working with the Environmental Protection Agency for dealing with wetlands issues. It appears he’s gotten some good news on the topic, as far as state ag department involvement in decisions on the topic. That should be good news for farmers in the state, and for the environment.

EPA accepts ND plan for endangered species protection

BISMARCK – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has accepted North Dakota’s plan for protecting endangered species from harmful exposure to pesticides.

“We set out to develop a plan that protects North Dakota listed species and is reasonable for pesticide users,” said Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goehring. “EPA’s acceptance of the North Dakota Endangered Species Protection Plan for Pesticides provides a platform for exchanging information between the North Dakota Department of Agriculture (NDDA) and EPA and provides that EPA decisions on pesticide use will be based on the latest and best-documented data.”

Goehring said he was informed of the decision in a letter from EPA’s environmental fate and effects division.

“The plan has three main goals,” Goehring said. “It calls for NDDA to supply EPA with state specific information to use in risk assessments; it enables stakeholders to offer input and recommendations, and it enables NDDA to help plan and implement mitigation and management plans.”

North Dakota is home to eight endangered species, including the whooping crane, Eskimo curlew, black-footed ferret, piping plover, pallid sturgeon, least tern, grey wolf and western prairie fringed orchid.

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Billing a conference as “exclusive, highly competitive” for FFA collegiate members is sure to bring out competitors for something new called a “New Century Farm Conference,” July 8-14 in Johnstown, Iowa, headquarters of Pioneer Hi-Bred (DuPont).

This one is for folks who want to go into farming, and is backed by the FFA Foundation, as well as Pioneer and a parade of ag biggies. While it says “only the top applicants” will be selected, it doesn’t say what constitutes a top applicant, so let your imaginations run. See press release below.

National FFA Organization Seeks Young Farmers New Century Farmer Conference Prepares Young Farmers for Success in the 21st Century INDIANAPOLIS – The National FFA Organization is now accepting applications for its 2012 New Century Farmer conference. This exclusive, highly competitive conference is open to college of agriculture students who intend to pursue careers in production agriculture after college. Those selected to attend the conference will be among the first in the nation to learn about the latest technological developments in the agriculture industry, and they will receive business management advice from top industry leaders. The program will also help students develop a nationwide network of industry professionals and colleagues. The conference is free to those students who are selected and will take place July 8-14 in Johnstown, Iowa. The deadline for applications is March15 at 5 p.m. EST. Only the top applicants will be selected to participate. Potential participants can learn more about the program and download an application at www.ffa.org/collegiate. The conference is sponsored by Pioneer Hi-Bred, a DuPont business; Case IH; CSX Corporation; and Farm Credit as a special project of the National FFA Foundation. Successful Farming is a media partner of the conference. About Pioneer Hi-Bred, a DuPont business Pioneer Hi-Bred, a DuPont business, is the world’s leading source of customized solutions for farmers, livestock producers and grain and oilseed processors. With headquarters in Des Moines, Iowa, Pioneer provides access to advanced plant genetics in nearly 70 countries. DuPont is a science-based products and services company. Founded in 1802, DuPont puts science to work by creating sustainable solutions essential to a better, safer, healthier life for people everywhere. Operating in more than 70 countries, DuPont offers a wide range of innovative products and services for markets including agriculture and food; building and construction; communications; and transportation. About Case IH Case IH is a global leader in agricultural equipment, committed to collaborating with its customers to develop the most powerful, productive, reliable equipment – for those who demand more. With headquarters in the United States, Case IH has a network of dealers and distributors that operates in over 160 countries. Case IH provides agricultural equipment systems, flexible financial service offerings and parts and service support for professional farmers and commercial operators through a dedicated network of professional dealers and distributors. Productivity enhancing products include tractors; combines and harvesters; hay and forage equipment; tillage tools; planting and seeding systems; sprayers and applicators; and site-specific farming tools. Case IH is a brand of CNH (NYSE: CNH), a majority-owned subsidiary of Fiat Group (FIA:MI). About CSX Corporation CSX Corporation, based in Jacksonville, Fla., is one of the leading transportation companies, providing rail, intermodal and rail-to-truck transload services. The company’s transportation network spans 21,000 miles with service to 23 eastern states and the District of Columbia and connects to more than 70 ocean, river and lake ports. More information about CSX Corporation and its subsidiaries is available at the company’s web site, www.csx.com. About Farm Credit For 95 years, Farm Credit has been a national provider of credit and related services to rural America through a cooperative network of customer-owned lending institutions and specialized service organizations. Created by Congress in 1916, the Farm Credit System provides more than $175 billion in loans and leases to farmers, ranchers, rural homeowners, aquatic producers, timber harvesters, agribusinesses, and agricultural and rural utility cooperatives. For more information about the Farm Credit System, please visit www.farmcredit.com. About Successful Farming Successful Farming (www.agriculture.com) is a multi-media business that serves the diverse information needs of rural and farm families. Its editorial mission is to serve the business, production and family information needs of families who make farming and ranching their business. Established in 1902, Successful Farming was the first magazine published by Meredith Corporation. Currently, Successful Farming reaches more than one million readers with each issue, and is one of the most recognizable brands in the agricultural industry. Its Web site, Agriculture Online (www.agriculture.com), established in 1995, was one of the first agricultural websites in America. In addition to the magazine and Web site, Successful Farming properties include the Successful Farming Radio Magazine®, Successful Farming Data Solutions, Successful Farming Machinery Show, SF Market Research Solutions, and custom publishing. About The National FFA Organization The National FFA Organization, formerly known as the Future Farmers of America, is a national youth organization of 540,739 student members – all preparing for leadership and careers in the science, business and technology of agriculture – as part of 7,489 local FFA chapters in all 50 states, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. The National FFA Organization changed to its present name in 1988, in recognition of the growth and diversity of agriculture and agricultural education. The FFA mission is to make a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural education. The National FFA Organization operates under a federal charter granted by the 81st Congress of the United States, and it is an integral part of public instruction in agriculture. The U.S. Department of Education provides leadership and helps set direction for FFA as a service to state and local agricultural education programs. For more, visit the National FFA Organization online (www.ffa.org), on Facebook (www.facebook.com/nationalffa), on Twitter (http://twitter.com/nationalffa) and FFA Nation (http://ffanation.ffa.org).

Conrad Working Group Focuses on Potential Changes to National Ag Policy

Senator Unveils Proposal to Provide a New Form of Revenue Assistance to Farmers

Bismarck – Senator Kent Conrad today convened members of his North Dakota Agriculture Advisory Committee for a work session focused on overcoming challenges in the development of a new Farm Bill. 

“When Congress reconvenes next week, we will be debating an array of deficit reduction proposals.  Undeservedly, ag programs will have a large target on their backs,” Senator Conrad said.  “Members of Congress — especially those in the House — will be looking to slash farm programs.  We’re going to need to fight to maintain those programs that are effective and improve the safety net in a new Farm Bill.”

Senator Conrad — a senior member of the Agriculture Committee – noted that total agriculture spending for Farm Bill programs represents a small sliver of the federal budget.  However, he said agriculture will be required to make a significant contribution to correcting the nation’s fiscal situation. 

When asked about the potential for writing a new Farm Bill this year, the Senator said it is possible that the current Farm Bill is extended for at least one year and the development of new legislation is put off until 2013.  He warned however, that the fiscal and political climate might only be worse in 2013, again limiting a new bill.  Senator Conrad said he preferred to try to develop a new Farm Bill this year and committed to doing all he can to maintain a farm safety net that works for North Dakota producers. 

The Senator also unveiled plans to introduce legislation in the near future to provide a new form of revenue assistance to farmers. The Senator’s shallow loss revenue proposal combines ACRE and SURE into one streamlined program. The new program is designed to be easier to understand and administer than the current crop insurance program.  It will also make payments in a much more timely manner, which has been a complaint of ACRE and SURE.

“My new program will complement crop insurance by providing some protection from shallow losses that crop insurance typically does not cover. And it will provide protection against multi-year price declines that crop insurance does not protect against,” Senator Conrad told the ag leaders.

The latest statistics show that North Dakota leads the nation in the production of 15 different crops, with $7.3 billion in agriculture production from 32,000 farms. North Dakota receives more per capita from agriculture programs in the Farm Bill than any other state.

The Associated Press in St. Paul, Minn., quotes the Minneapolis Star Tribune in saying the state will “take the lead” in testing a federal program that encourages farmers to reduce agricultural pollution.

U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, Environmental Protection Agency administrator Lisa Jackson and Gov. Mark Dayton were expected to announce the pilot project in St. Paul Tuesday.

“Farmers who participate in the program would agree to follow land management practices that slow soil erosion and runoff of fertilizers, pesticides and manure into streams and groundwater. In exchange, the farmers would receive financial and technical support,” the AP says.  The Star Tribune (http://bit.ly/wOStxF ) says they would also be protected against new environmental requirements during the life of their agreement. Participants would also get the Agricultural Water Quality Certification Program seal of approval that could be used as a marketing tool.

Eric J. Conn, a Washington, D.C., lawyer with the Epstein Becker & Green, P.C., firm, issurrounded by directors of the North Dakota Grain Dealers Association at the group’s 100th anniversary annual meeting in Fargo, after speaking there about stepped-up Occupational Safety and Health Administration enforcement actions involving grain elevators in the Obama administration For details on Conn’s message to the Grain Dealers, see Agweek on Jan. 23.

Sreekala Bajwa, who last November was named to chair North Dakota State University’s Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering, got a little northern exposure on Jan. 16 at the first day of the Precision Agriculture conference in Jamestown, N.D., at the North Dakota Farmers Union headquarters building.

The new department chair seemed right at home with the subject matter. Her professional specialties include remote sensing, agricultural air quality, water quality, precision agriculture and biofiber composites.

Bajwa won’t officially start her new post for another month or so. She has been an associate professor of agricultural engineering at the University of Arkansas. She earned her doctorate from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. At Arkansas, she was an assistant professor in 2001 and an associate professor in 2007. John Nowatzki, professor of agricultural, was one of the organizers of the event, which drew what looked like a crowd of 350. About third appeared to be farmers.  

Sreekala Bajwa, who last November was named to chair North Dakota State University’s Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering, got a little northern exposure on Jan. 16 at the first day of the Precision Agriculture conference in Jamestown, N.D., at the North Dakota Farmers Union headquarters building.

The new department chair seemed right at home with the subject matter. Her professional specialties include remote sensing, agricultural air quality, water quality, precision agriculture and biofiber composites.

Bajwa won’t officially start her new post for another month. She has been an associate professor of agricultural engineering at the University of Arkansas. She earned her doctorate from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. At Arkansas, she was an assistant professor in 2001 and an associate professor in 2007. John Nowatzki, professor of agricultural, was one of the organizers of the event, which drew what looked like a crowd of 350. About third appeared to be farmers.

It’s good to see AGVISE expanding in Northwood, N.D., and at Benson, Minn. I was happy to see the company’s commitment to its community after the big tornado a few years ago, and have been watching the company since the late 1970s, when I stopped to see Ed Lloyd, who was one of the founding principals. I think I was still an intern at The Farmer magazine in those days. Soil testing has come a long way in the region since then, and AGVISE has always been close to the center of it.

AGVISE Laboratories is expanding our laboratory capacity at our Northwood ND and Benson MN laboratories.  Soil and plant sample volume is increasing each year and to maintain our high quality service, we are expanding our laboratory capacity for the third straight year.  Part of this expansion will include expanding our professional staff at both locations.  While we are exploring traditional ways to find new employees, we also wanted to look to our customers.  We know our customers work hard and take pride in their accomplishments.  We think their sons and daughters or friends will have the same great work ethic and we would love to have them for AGVISE Laboratories. 

We will be hiring additional full time chemists in our Northwood and Benson locations.  These are well paid, full time positions with benefits and profit sharing.  AGVISE is a fast growing employee owned Company (ESOP).  While we would prefer a four year chemistry degree, degrees in other sciences such as biology will be considered as well.  Some of the responsibilities of this job include using state of the art instrumentation for soil and plant tissue analysis.  Other activities will include making standard solutions and extracting solutions for various analytical methods.  Method development and automation may be additional activities in the future for this position.

We are also looking for some summer/fall interns.  These positions will involve all aspects of soil and plant tissue analysis in the laboratory during the summer months and through the fall season.  These internship positions will be a great learning experience for students wondering if they would like to work in a laboratory after graduating from college.

Please forward this email to any person you think would be interested and qualified for these positions.

Interested parties should fill out the attached application and send a resume to the Address below:

AGVISE Laboratories

P.O. Box 510

Northwood, ND 58267

At a time when farm groups are often complaining about the Environmental Protection Agency and its impact and costs on their farm operations, here is a hint about some kind of significant announcement. I’m not sure what it is.

ST. PAUL., Minn., Jan. 13, 2012- Next Tuesday, January 17, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack will join EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson and Minnesota Governor Mark Dayton to announce a new partnership  to bolster Minnesota agricultural conservation efforts.

Tuesday, January 17, 2012

1p.m. CST

WHAT:          Agriculture Secretary Vilsack will announce a partnership between USDA, EPA and the state of Minnesota to bolster agricultural conservation efforts.

WHO:             Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, USDA

Administrator Lisa Jackson, EPA

                        Governor Mark Dayton, State of Minnesota

                        Chief Dave White, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service

WHERE:        Governor’s Reception Room, Room 130

                        State Capitol Building, St. Paul, Minnesota