Clay County News Article on Sedans Facility Rebuild - Aurora
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Clay County News Serving Clay County’s Agriculture Community Wednesday, October 15, 2014 �A New Sedan’ �Critical’ Facility Rebuilt and Ready Following July 2013 Explosion CCN Story by Kris Moody As a result of the explosion that heavily damaged the Aurora Cooperative’s grain elevator at Sedan on July 5 of last year, the 2013 harvest season was a challenge for the location that serves much of southern Clay County. A rebuild was not possible in that time frame, so the Sedan elevator operated as it could for the time being. “We ran in a crippled state last year,” explained Chad Carlson, Vice President of Grain for Aurora Cooperative. The site was able to run for last year’s harvest, but was severely scaled back. “We lost capacity and we lost steam,” Carlson said. One year later, though, the facility is operating better than ever. “We were on two crutches With harvest in full swing, Sedan’s ability to take in grain this season has nearly tripled since the July 2013 explosion. The facility now has a storage capacity of one-million bushels. -CCN Photo by Tory Duncan and now we’re getting off and walking on our own and getting ready to run,” Carlson noted. The new facility, now with a million bushel capacity, features three concrete jump form tanks that almost triple the previous storage capacity of 350,000 bushels. It’s faster, more efficient and can handle much more grain. “We’ve built a great facility that’s really fast for producers,” Carlson said. “They’re not spending much time in line. They get dumped and they’re back on the road, which is very important to our farm owners.” The explosion that necessitated the rebuild and injured two people was determined to be accidental. It is a hazard of the industry, and such incidents are all but impossible to completely eradicate. But Aurora Cooperative used the rebuild as an opportunity to install state-of-theart safety features, taking the best available measures to mitigate future danger. See SEDAN, Page 2 Aurora Cooperative’s Sedan facility is in full swing for the 2014 harvest. This view shows the rebuilt area of the grain handling facility looking south. -CCN Photo by Tory Duncan Amber Illingworth, pictured atop her combine, is heavily LQYROYHG LQ WKH DQQXDO KDUYHVW RQ KHU IDUP QHDU )DLUÀHOG -CCN Photo by Melissa Whitefoot Illingworth, Shuck Deeply Involved In Farming Operations CCN Story by Melissa Whitefoot According to a 2007 U.S. Census of Agriculture, almost half of farmland in the country is owned or coowned by women. In 2012, that number dropped by 1.6 percent. Women make up 14 percent of principal operators, but 30 percent of all operators. Amber Illingworth is just one of those women. Illingworth is originally from Missouri, where her family raised hay and corn to feed their cattle, and attended the University of Central Missouri, intent on getting a degree in criminal justice and going to work for the Missouri State Patrol. Then, just two weeks before her second year of college, she switched to an Ag major. She soon moved to Nebraska to do an internship at the U.S. Meat and Animal Research Center, working with the cow/calf operation. Illingworth began working at the elevator in Fairfield and met her future husband, Rex. She is involved in every aspect of farming. Besides corn and beans, Amber also raises cattle. She is awake at 5:30 every morning to get chores done. At 6:50, she leaves home to drive a school bus route for Sandy Creek Public Schools, then goes out in the combine while her sons, Kolt and Kody, are in school. When Kody gets home, she says he is always surprised at how much she’s gotten done. Kody will then hop in the truck and haul the crop to the elevator, a job Amber would rather not do. While she likes the long hours of driving the combine and calls it relaxing, she hates waiting in line at the elevator, so Kody takes on that job. The one thing that Amber doesn’t have too much experience with is planting, that was always something Rex just did. Sadly, Rex passed away in June, so next spring, that job will be up to Amber. SHUCK IS ALSO AN IMPORTANT PART OF HER FAMILY BUSINESS Rita Shuck is another woman that is an important part of her family’s farming operation. She and her husband, Greg, along with his brother, Brad, and his wife, Pam, all farm together and share equipment. During harvest, when they’re working one of Greg’s fields, Rita will drive the grain wagon, while Greg runs the combine and Brad drives the semi into the elevator. See WOMEN, Page 2 2 - Wednesday, October 15, 2014 Wolfe Insurance, Inc. )DUP5DQFK†&URS†$XWR Bruce R. Wolfe )DLUÀHOG1( 402.726.2512 402.762.5244 402.726.2126 (fax) 2014 Harvest Special Clay County News SEDAN/�Critical’ Facility Rebuilt and Ready FROM PAGE 1 The legs were installed on the outside of the elevator, not enclosed like the old complex, one of the biggest safety features added. Moisture and temperature sensors were also built into the system to monitor levels. A dust collection system will provide additional safety for the facility. The improvements have Carlson “very confident” in the safety of the Sedan elevator. In its maiden harvest, the structure is impressive. Sedan has been turning trains in and out at great speed and anticipates loading more rail cars than in the past. It may be the same loca- tion, but the operation is far from what it used to be. “It’s a new Sedan,” Carlson said. INVESTING IN A �CRITICAL’ FACILITY Although the explosion damaged the Sedan elevator, its role as a viable part of Aurora Cooperatives’s operation was never in jeopardy. Sitting on the Union Pacific Class I railroad, the Sedan location is an asset to the company. Carlson said that UP is performing much better with handling grain than the Burlington-NorthernSanta-Fe system, and that the volume of grain flowing through the rail system is “extremely high”. Additionally, Aurora Cooperative decided not to rebuild the Edgar location, after the 2013 Mother’s Day tornado caused extensive damage to the property. Its proximity to Sedan was part of the reason, making Sedan that much more important to producers around that area. “Sedan is absolutely critical,” Carlson said. With what appears to be a strong crop this year, Sedan is excited to put its new system to the test and serve Nebraska’s farmers, especially those in Clay County. Aurora Cooperative is also eager to prove just how ready the location is, 15 months removed from the explosion. “If anybody had any doubt that we couldn’t get rebuilt, come on by and we’ll show you,” Carlson said. WOMEN/Illingworth, Shuck FROM PAGE 1 Shuck admits she doesn’t have much of a farming background. Her dad and grandfather farmed a small bit of land, but it wasn’t a big operation. Now, Rita says the hardest thing about harvest is that she only does it once a year. It’s hard to remember how everything works, so she has a “cheat sheet” and the buttons on the equipment she runs are well marked by what their function is. Working with men can be intimidating for a novice woman farmer. Rita says she tends to drive too slow or is a little too cautious. Having someone watch over her shoulder can make her a little nervous. Rita recalls a time when they had a professional driver hauling corn in for them. He was standing there watching her every move and she forgot to fill the front hopper. The men still give her a hard time about that. Man or woman, experienced or amateur, farming is a hard job, especially around harvest time. Clay County News 2014 Harvest Special Wednesday, October 15, 2014 - 3 Wishing You a SAFE & Successful 2014 Harvest! FRIESEN WK6WUHHW Aurora Keep Farm Safety your #1 priority DWKDUYHVWDQGDOO\HDUORQJ Harvest in Full Swing (+LJKZD\6XWWRQ 402.773.5538 (PDLO VDOHV#IULHVHQFKHY\FRP Harvest throughout the grain belt and Clay County, in particular, has been in full gear for several weeks. Here, prior to Harvard High School’s Homecoming football game, an area SURGXFHUKDUYHVWVVR\EHDQVLQDÀHOGMXVWHDVWRI+DUYDUG+LJK6FKRRO$FFRUGLQJWR&OD\ County-UNL Extension Educator Jenny Rees, harvest is looking really good, outside of a wind and hail storm that hit areas north of Clay Center through Harvard in early October. Rees stated that corn is still waiting in the wings for the most part, with only a handful of acres having been harvested. -CCN Photo by Tory Duncan FARMING: Family Farms... Keep them strong, Keep them growing, Keep them SAFE! A Fruitful Enterprise +HDOWK\3URGXFH‡)UHVK)UXLWV :KROHVRPH*UDLQV‡4XDOLW\0HDWV Our area farmers make it all come together. To the hard-working men and women in agriculture, thanks for bringing such an abundance of delicious, wholesome foods to the table Brown’s Thrift Store We wish all of our customers and local farmers a SAFE & prosperous harvest! George Brothers Propane & Fertilizer 66DXQGHUV$YH6XWWRQ‡ ‡ SXtton ‡ BDNer\ &OD\ &enter 0DrNet ‡ &OD\ &enter 4 - Wednesday, October 15, 2014 2014 Harvest Special Clay County News Harvesting, Drying, Storing Late-Maturing, High-Moisture Corn Producers in the High Plains region could be dealing with late-maturing, high-moisture corn this fall. That means they have some decisions to make, according to Ken Hellevang, North Dakota State University Extension Service agricultural engineer a n d pr o f e sso r in N DS U’ s Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering Department. Corn reaching maturity about Oct. 1 normally will dry slowly in the field due to cooler ambient temperatures. Standing corn in the field may dry about 1.5 to 3 percentage points per week during October and 1 to 1.5 percentage points per week or less during November, assuming normal High Plains weather conditions. Corn has a moisture content of about 32% when it reaches maturity. If it has a moisture content of 32% on Oct. 1, it may dry to only about 22% moisture by Nov. 1, assuming normal High Plains climatic conditions. Field drying normally is more economical until mid-October, and mechanical high-temperature drying normally is more economical after that. “Assure cornstalks and shanks are strong if considering leaving very highmoisture corn in the field,” Hellevang advises. “Field 0$.(6$)(7<$ 35,25,7<$//<($5 /21*,1$'',7,21 727+(/21* +28562)+$59(67 ZZZDXURUDFRRS losses can range from minor to severe. Compare the cost of drying versus losses associated with leaving the corn in the field.” To estimate the propane cost per bushel per point of moisture removed, multiply the propane price per gallon by 0.02. For example, the cost to remove 10 points of moisture using $2 propane is 40 cents. Dividing the propane cost by the corn price provides the %age of corn losses that will equal the drying cost (40 cents divided by $3 equals 13%). Also, verify the impact on insurance of leaving the corn in the field. Storage in a poly bag is a good storage option, but it does not prevent mold growth or insect infestations. Grain should be dry when placed in a grain bag. Storing highermoisture corn in a bag should be considered very short-term storage and done only at near-freezing temperatures. At moisture contents exceeding about 25%, ensiling may occur at temperatures above freezing and prevent the corn from being dried and sold in the general market. When storing in bags, select an elevated, well-drained location with the surface prepared to prevent the bags from being punctured, and run the bags north and south so solar heating is similar on both sides of the bags. Wildlife can puncture the bags, creating an entrance for moisture and releasing the grain smell, which attracts more wildlife. Monitor the grain temperature at several locations in the bags and repair punctured bags. See HARVESTING, Page 5 Clay County News 2014 Harvest Special Wednesday, October 15, 2014 - 5 HARVESTING/Drying/Storing FROM PAGE 4 “Corn above 21% moisture should not be dried using natural-air and low-temperature drying to minimize corn spoilage during drying,” Hellevang says. “Because the drying capacity is extremely poor at temperatures below 35 to 40 degrees, little drying typically is possible using a natural-air system after about Nov. 1. Adding heat does not permit drying wetter corn and only slightly increases drying speed. The primary effect of adding heat is to reduce the final corn moisture content.” When outdoor temperatures average near or below freezing, cool the corn to 20 to 25 degrees for winter storage and finish drying in April to early May. Limit the corn depth to about 20 to 22 feet to obtain an airflow rate of 1 to 1.25 cubic feet per minute per bushel, which is necessary to dry the corn before deterioration occurs. Turn fans off during extended periods of rain, snow or fog to minimize the amount of moisture the fans pull into the bin. Using the maximum dry- ing temperature that will not damage the corn increases the dryer capacity and reduces energy consumption of a hightemperature dryer. Removing a pound of water requires about 20% less energy at a drying air temperature of 200°F than at 150°F. Follow the dryer manufacturer’s recommendations, but generally recommended plenum temperatures when drying corn are 210”F to 230°F. “Be aware that excessively high drying temperatures may result in a lower final test weight and increased breakage susceptibility,” Hellevang says. “In addition, as the drying time increases, high-moisture corn becomes more susceptible to browning. A cross-flow dryer that moves corn from the inside to the outside of the drying column, varies the corn flow rate across the drying column or varies the corn’s exposure to the drying air is more likely to maintain corn quality.” Removing debris that accumulates on or in a dryer is more critical when outside air temperatures are cold because condensation can develop on the dryer, creating a wet surface on which debris can collect. The debris may reduce airflow through the dryer, decreasing the dryer’s capacity and creating a fire hazard. More mechanical damage occurs when harvesting highmoisture corn, which affects the storage life of the corn. Dry low-test-weight corn and corn with more damaged kernels to a percentage point lower in moisture content than normal. Cooling the grain in storage to about 20 to 25 degrees for winter storage in northern corn-growing regions and near freezing in warmer regions is more important for damaged corn than for mature, sound corn. Check immature and damaged grain more frequently and do not put immature or damaged corn in long-term storage. “Also remember that working with high-moisture corn can be hazardous,” Hellevang cautions. “Become informed of the hazards and recommended safety practices. Do not become a fatality.” CCN wishes all grain producers a Safe and Prosperous harvest! Wehnes Brothers Seed Zeb Wehnes: (402) 984-8520 Jason Wehnes: (402) 469-7871 - Harvard, NE - FARM FACT ‡ Farmers and ranchers receive only 16 cents out of every dollar spent on food at home and away from home. The rest goes for costs beyond the farm gate: wages and materials for production, processing, marketing, transportation and distribution. In 1980, farmers and ranchers received 31 cents. Shuck Engineering Co. 402-224-5365 Edgar *URXQGDQG$HULDO6SUD\LQJ&KHPLFDODQG6HHG6DOHV Jim Jones Jimmy Jones :ishinJ DOO DreD fDrPers D S$)( DnG SrosSeroXs hDrYest Serving South Central Nebraska since 1891 6 - Wednesday, October 15, 2014 2014 Harvest Special Clay County News (! !!"&! &$(%& With harvest underway across Nebraska, some producers are concerned about compaction, as their large combines and grain carts move across the fields. In some areas, fall rains have left the fields soft and ruts are being cut into the soil during harvest. These ruts leave the soil surface rough and have severe compaction below them. This compaction can impede the crop’s roots next season and increase runoff because of reduced infiltration. If the combines and grain carts aren’t leaving a rut, don’t worry about compaction from the heavy equipment. Compaction is the loss of pore space between soil particles Safe Farming is No Accident! .en $O’s SerYiFe )DirfieOG ‡ Oils - Greases - Lubricants - Tankwagon Service - Car & Truck Repairs and occurs when that space is squeezed out of the soil and reappears somewhere else, such as in the form of a rut. If a rut wasn’t formed, there was enough soil structure present to support the weight without causing additional compaction. If ruts were formed during harvest, tillage can break up compaction, but the soil must be dry to fracture compaction. If the soil was wet enough to cause ruts, the odds are that it is too wet to do tillage. Tilling a wet soil causes more compaction as the soil particles are lubricated and easily slide under the weight of the tractor and tillage implement. This compaction is harder to see because the entire soil surface is compacted, even though the surface looks loosened. Deep tilling a wet soil often only cuts slots and smears the soil rather than fracturing compaction. Regardless, tilling destroys soil structure and more tracks will be formed with future passes. Typically ruts are as deep as the soil was tilled, down to the compaction layer from the tillage. The majority of compaction is caused primarily by tillage. It breaks up the existing soil structure and packs the soil below the tillage depth. With little soil structure in the tilled layer, the next pass easily compacts the soil, either full width with tillage or in tracks with traffic. Controlling Traffic, Controlling Compaction Producers should practice controlled traffic to reduce the areas in the field with wheel traffic compaction. Eighty to 85 percent of soil compaction damage is done with the first pass of the tires. If additional passes are made on the same traffic lanes, little additional compaction occurs. Because once a traffic lane has been driven on and the soil has been firmed up, subsequent passes have little effect on the amount of compaction. By using the same traffic lanes year after year, the soil structure and water infiltration in the untrafficked areas greatly improve. Controlled traffic lanes improve traction, soil load bearing, and timeliness of planting and harvesting operations while minimizing potential yield reduction from compaction. Compaction is managed, not eliminated, and the area subjected to compaction is minimized. The concept is to separate traffic zones from root zones. Controlled traffic keeps compaction where it is less detrimental to root development and uptake of nutrients and water. Fertilizer placement and furrow irrigation practices can be modified as these traffic zones are established and the traffic lanes are known. To minimize wheel compaction at harvest time, grain carts should be following the same tracks as the combine. A lot of grain cart drivers think See COMPACTION, Page 7 We are proud to be a part of this community’s farming tradition, and we care about the well-being and continued success of our local farmers. That’s why you can turn to us for quality financial advice and assistance, from affordable ag loans and farm mortgages to everyday banking needs and retirement planning. Stop in and speak to one of our loan representatives today about your farm’s growth potential! 105 S. Saunders, Sutton 402.773.5541 bankwithastra.com $+ #'!'% $ $strD XrJes DOO $J 3roGXFers to SOD\ it S$)( this hDrYest seDson $OO6HDVRQV$J//& +Z\)DLUÀHOG402.469.1036 Clay County News 2014 Harvest Special Wednesday, October 15, 2014 - 7 COMPACTION/Avoiding Soil Compaction at Harvest FROM PAGE 6 they should move over a few rows and spread out compaction, but this will only compact more of the field. Likewise, grain trucks shouldn’t be driven in the field as the axle loads and tire pressures are not suitable for soils. If ruts were cut at harvest, wait until the soil is dry to smooth them out to avoid causing additional compaction. This smoothing operation may 10 Tips to Avoid Compaction on Wet Soils at Harvest Time 1. Wait until the soil dries enough to support the combine. 2. Don’t use grain bin extensions or fill the combine as full. 3. Use wide tires with lower inflation pressures. 4. Keep trucks out of the field. Consider unloading at the ends of the field, not on the go. 5. Grain carts should track the same rows as the combine. 6. Don’t turn around in the middle of the field. 7. Don’t fill the grain cart as full, unload more often. 8. Establish a grain cart path and stay on it. 9. Don’t till wet soils, as they are easily compacted. 10. Use cover crops to help build soil structure. be a light tillage operation next spring before planting. Deeper tillage in the spring will usually cause more compaction as the soil is wet and the tillage will break up soil structure. To fracture the compaction in the ruts from this year’s harvest, a producer may have to wait until next fall before the soil is dry enough. However, often the compaction in the bottom of the ruts extends deeper into the soil than most producers will be able to till. This is a case where prevention is far more effective than the cure. It’s best to build soil structure and not drive on wet soils if possible. Controlled traffic, no tillage and cover crops will all help build soil structure and reduce compac- tion concerns. -by Paul Jasa, Extension Engineer Practice Safe Farming Habits.... Today & Everyday!! The Butcher Shop Gene & Eileen Mazour 4022220 ‡ 01 1orth ' ‡ Fair¿elG Your Local Zimmatic Dealer PERFECT CIRCLE IRRIGATION, INC. ZZZSHUIHFWFLUFOHLUULJDWLRQFRP 402-773-0132 711 N. Industiral Blvd Sutton Your Partner in Profit! &'$"%&% !&*!'$($**%%%$"$% &&( *$ %%! "$!%%! &$'%& (%!$ & "$& $ $ &%%*"'$%' &%&& #'%&!"$!(*!'$!&&! $,$%& "$!$&*%&$&! %")&*!'&$$ !&%%%&%)*&* %&$!' ! &$&%% Clay County News bringing you Farm and Ag news for over 100 years!! Find your local Yield Specialist... 402.773.5604 The Clay County News urges you to slow down and be safe during this busy harvest season! 8 - Wednesday, October 15, 2014 2014 Harvest Special Clay County News New Class Teaches Soybean Breeding for Disease Resistance A new distance-education class studying the effects of water molds on soybeans is being offered through the University of NebraskaLincoln’s Department of Agronomy & Horticulture. Breeding for Disease Resistance (AGRO 496/896), a case study on Oomycete diseases in soybeans, is available as a self-paced graduate course for one credit. The course fits the needs of traditional graduate students specializing in plant breeding and genetics, employees in the seed industry who are earning a Plant Breeding & Genetics professional certificate, and as a Continuing Education Unit (CEU) for Certified Crop Advisers (CCA). “This class has the potential to benefit learners in a number of ways,” said Don Lee, Ph.D., who teaches the course. “First, the online environment uses a variety of media to help the learner work online. Second, they learn to apply both basic genetic ideas and the latest discoveries by soybean geneticists and pathologists to understand how products in the soybean seed marketplace are different. This difference can be important to farmer customers who have problems with Phytophothora disease. “Finally, the learner can use the learning environment in PASSeL (Plant and Soil Science eLibrary) as a free learning resource, or they can enroll in a course and get credit for their learning accomplishments,” Lee said. “These credits can apply to both their Certified Crop Advisor continuing education or to the Department of Agronomy and Horticulture’s Professional Certificate in Plant Breeding. Both are important credentials for their profession.” Because this is a distance education course, it offers flexibility for professionals and students alike. While it follows the UNL academic calendar, the fact that it’s a self-paced class allows professionals to take the class during the off-growing season. Graduate students like the course because they can finish the course earlier in the semester before homework, papers and tests are due for other classes. Oomycetes (commonly called water molds) are a group of several hundred plant pathogens (including Phytophthora sojae). According to Leah Sandall, instructional designer for the course, yield loss to Phytophthora root rot is ranked second behind soybean cyst nematodes. “With certain soil and weather conditions, Phytophthora can be pretty devastating to a soybean field and to a farmer’s pocketbook,” Sandall said. Wet fields provide an excellent environment for Oomycetes. The pathogen can infect seeds, seedlings and plants during all stages of growth. Symptoms usually appear one to two weeks after heavy rains and are most common on soils that are poorly drained. Plants have brown discoloration, lose leaves and wilt. Key management steps to minimize the impact of Oomycetes include: increasing seed treatment rates, using the right genetics, increasing drainage and minimizing compaction. This class focuses on using the right genetics. Information learned in this soybean course can be applied to other plants that are susceptible to Oomycetes, according to Lee and Sandall. Other high-profile plants susceptible to the pathogens are corn, rice, wheat, potatoes (including the Irish potato famine of the 1840s) and other vegetables. For more details about the course, visit the Plant & Soil Science eLibrary at http://passel.unl.edu/communities/oomycete. -Story by Kathy Schindler, Distance Graduate Program Administrative Assistant. Clay County News 2014 Harvest Special Wednesday, October 15, 2014 - 9 Grazing Corn Residue: A Win-Win for Crop and Cattle Producers Are you looking for additional income from your corn acres? If so, consider leasing your corn acres for cattle grazing after grain harvest. For more on this topic, view a Market Journal interview with UNL Beef Specialist Rick Rasby on the YouTube Market Journal channel. Many crop producers have concerns that cattle trampling could negatively affect soil physical properties and subsequent crop yields. However, research conducted at UNL has shown that grazing corn residue at the recommended stocking rate does not reduce corn or soybean yields in irrigated fields the following growing season. In fact, a long-term study at Mead (showed slight improvements (2 to 3 bu/ac) in soybean production following grazed corn residue when managed in a corn-soybean rotation. This result was the same regardless of whether cattle were grazed in the fall (November through January) or the spring (February through April). In a five-year study at Brule, corn yields were measured after cattle had been grazed in the fall in a continuous corn -field: No effect on subsequent corn yields has been observed. It is well-documented that residue protects soil from erosion. Some cornfields, due to topography and/or low corn grain yield, should not be grazed, but there are very few of these fields in Nebraska. In most instances, excess residue can impede soil warm-up in the spring and seed placement at planting. Residue removal through grazing offers an alternative method for management of this excess residue. About 45 to 50% of the above ground biomass produced by the corn plant is stover (residue). For each bushel of dry corn produced, about 41 lbs of residue is also produced. Corn production of 150 bu/ac produces about 3 tons/ac of residue; a yield of 200 bu/ac produces a little over 4 tons of residue. Of this residue, about 40% (16 lb/ bu) is leaf and husk, which is highly digestible and a good source of cattle feed. Cattle are selective graz- Safe Farming... Yields Results!! ShXFN 'riOOinJ &o (GJDr ers and will eat any grain remaining first (reducing the likelihood of volunteer corn), followed by the husk and leaf. University of NebraskaLincoln recommendations for determining stocking are based on 50% utilization of the leaf and husk (8 lb/ bu), or about 20% of the residue. Some additional residue would disappear by trampling and other factors such as wind loss. For most cornfields in Nebraska, there would be no increased risk of erosion if 40% to 50% of the corn residue FARM FACT U.S. farm programs typically cost each American just pennies per meal and account for less than one-half of 1 percent of the total U.S. budget. Americans enjoy a food supply that is abundant, affordable overall and among the world’s safest, thanks in large part to the efficiency and productivity of America’s farm and ranch families. was removed. Grazing corn residues can benefit both cattle and crop producers. Corn residue should be viewed as an economical source of winter roughage for cattle that can provide an extra source of income from corn production that does not affect next year’s crop production. -by Mary Drewnoski, UNL Beef Systems Specialist and Daren Redfearn, UNL Forage/Crop Residue Systems Specialist. 6DIH)DUPLQJ Yields Results Overturf & Associates Accounting Bookkeeping Services Tax Planning & Prep Estates Payroll Services Gifts & Trusts Corporation & LLC Tax Business Consulting E-File Computerized 2$'!09 8 !3-$%01322.-9 5 REVOLUTION REASONS TO JOIN JCB’S SKID STEER Keeping the farm safe for generations to come. Cost of Ownership: Comfort: 16% more fuel efficient than the competition Industry’s largest cab; up to 46% more space Accidents can happen. Be prepared if you’re in the field or far from town in case the worst happens! We have First Aid Kits & Supplies to get you and your farm ready! Sutton Pharmacy 5:H\UKLYZ‹ Hours: 4-‹ HT!WT!WT Safety: Productivity: First and only skid steer with a side door entry with 270° total visability; 60% better than competition 21% more productive than other skid steers in performance tests Serviceability: Up to 24% better SAE rating with industry-leading access to service points Geneva Implement Hebron Implement Superior Implement 1411 N. 13th Street Geneva, NE 68361 402.759.3173 215 N. 13th Street Hebron, NE 68370 402.768.6047 1220 E. 3rd Street Superior, NE 68978 402.879.4723 10 - Wednesday, October 15, 2014 2014 Harvest Special Clay County News Have a Safe Harvest!! According to Rees, Crops Looking +!&#$$$! +' (# $,%% %$ # # (( #(%##* +'# ()%###$ + # '"&!%* & #*$%#$ # $%#& tions. +%$ * ((# * &(( # +' !$& # &%# &%$%* $# &* &## .IQZÅMTL6;+WWX 1orth ' St ‡ )DirfieOG 1( ‡ : BOXe +iOO 5G BOXe +iOO 1( 5oDG & *OenYiO 1( 5oDG 4 (GJDr 1( S ShowEoDt BOYG 3DXOine 1( �Really Good’ Throughout County CCN Story by Kris Moody As soybean harvest nears the home stretch and corn harvest begins, Clay County Extension Educator Jenny Rees reports that the crops are coming out really steady. “For the most part, it’s looking really good,” Rees noted. The Oct. 1 wind and hail storm did affect some soybeans north of Clay Center through Harvard that will likely diminish yields. Rees noted that quite a bit of soybeans were shattered in the storm that won’t be able to be picked up. Some of the affected corn that is leaning or downed should still be able to be picked up, however. Despite isolated areas in the county such as that, most of Clay County has fared well weather-wise this ag season, which is producing similar readings and expectations throughout the county. “Throughout Clay County, it seems good,” Rees said. “I’m getting the same range of reports and seeing the same things in fields throughout the county.” The majority of reports that Rees has received for bean yields have been in the 50-85 bushel range for both dryland and irrigated acres. Rees has heard from some producers who are disappointed with irrigated beans. She explained that her first thoughts to those concerns are planting dates and the possibility of soybean cyst nematode. Producers questioning their soybean yields can test for the presence of cyst nematodes while taking their fall soil samples. The Nebraska Soybean Board is providing free test bags, which will be available at the Clay County Extension Office. According to a recent report from the United States Department of Agriculture’s Farm Safety...an important part of farming. >LPU]P[L`V\[VQVPUPU[OLÄNO[[VOLSWWYL]LU[HJJPKLU[Z^P[O YLN\SHYZHML[`JOLJRZ7YL]LU[H[P]LTHPU[LUHUJLPZ[OLILZ[^LHWVU HNHPUZ[JHYLSLZZHJJPKLU[Z(YT`V\YZLSM^P[OJVTTVUZLUZLHUK [HRL[PTLLHJOKH`[VJOLJRKHUNLYWYVULHYLHZ * * * * * * * * * * >L»KSPRL[VYLTPUK`V\VM[OLPTWVY[HUJLVMMHYTZHML[`[OPZOHY ]LZ[>L^PZOHSSVMV\YJ\Z[VTLYZHZHMLHUKIV\U[PM\S`LHY 9LTLTILY!(JJPKLU[ZLH[WYVÄ[ZHWWS`ZHML[` +Z\‡)DLUÀHOG 402.726.2181 66DXQGHUV‡6XWWRQ 402.773.5571 National Agriculture Statistics Service, this year’s soybean production is forecast at a record high 284 million bushels, up 11 percent from last year. Yield for the state is forecast at 53 bushels per acre, down one-half bushel from a year ago. Corn is still waiting in the wings, with only a handful of acres starting to come out. Over the course of the last week, corn has really started to dry down more than what was expected, and Rees says that may lead to corn coming out better than what some producers think. The USDA report forecasts corn production at 1.58 billion bushels, down two percent from last year’s record high. Average yield is forecast at 181 bushels per acre, up 11 bushels from last year. FARM FACT At one time, much of our population was involved in farming. In 1940, the average farmer grew enough food for only 19 other people, and that was pretty close to enough. Today, since farmers only account for two percent of the American population, they have to work a lot harder to feed everyone, and they're still doing a great job. In 2006, the average American farmer grew enough food for 144 other people. Clay County News FARM FACT ‡ 2.2 million farms dot America’s rural landscape. About 97 percent of U.S. farms are operated by families – individuals, family partnerships or family corporations. ‡ Farm and ranch families comprise just 2 percent of the U.S. population. 2014 Harvest Special Wishing all of our customers a SAFE and prosperous harvest! Wednesday, October 15, 2014 - 11 BRIAN’S REPAIR ..81 ‡ Edgar Computer Diagnostics, Auto Repair, Service, Wheels, Tires, Batteries, Gas, Oil, Tankwagon George’s Aerial Spraying 402-773-5581 • Sutton ‡ More than 21 million American workers (15 percent of the total U.S. workforce) produce, process and sell the nation’s food and fiber. ‡ Today’s farmers produce 262 percent more food with 2 percent fewer inputs (labor, seeds, feed, fertilizer, etc.), compared with 1950. ‡ In 2010, $115 billion worth of American agricultural products were exported around the world. The United States sells more food and fiber to world markets than we import, creating a positive agricultural trade balance. We appreciate all of our customers! Play it safe this harvest! ‡ One in three U.S. farm acres is planted for export. ‡ 31 percent of U.S. gross farm income comes directly from exports. ‡ About 23 percent of raw U.S. farm products are exported each year. Edgar 402-879-0102 With today’s technology, one of your most important pieces of machinery just may be your computer! Remember to keep your computer and internet service ´6$)(µ with anti-virus protection. Beck’s Farm & Auto Parts ‡ (GJar -3/&5$1(,1& '(6,*16$/(6&216758&7,21 $1'5(3$,5 7RQ7RQ&UDQHVWR)HHW For all of your Grain Handling Equipment Needs or Lifting Services, Call Lon at 402-410-1321. -3/&5$1(,1& 5RDGf(GJDU1( &HOOfa)D[f (0DLOfMSOFUDQHLQF#JPDLOFRP Wishing All of Our Ag Customers a Very SAFE & SPEEDY Harvest!! Member FDIC Check out our website: ZZZJUVEDQNFRP (GJDU%UDQFK 12 - Wednesday, October 15, 2014 2014 Harvest Special Make sure you have the RIGHT insurance coverage, BEFORE you need it! Clay County News 1 SDXnGers SXtton 0iNe -ohnson $Jent OREGON TRAIL INSURANCE ‡ )DrP ‡ BXsiness ‡ +oPe ‡ $Xto ‡ ‡ &oPPerFiDO ‡ &roS ‡ EDGAR DAVENPORT (402) 364-2318 )DLUÀHOG‡+DVWLQJV 404 1orth ' Street )DirfieOG 402-726-2285 Four Star Insurance “You don’t have coverage for that.” Hearing those dreaded words AFTER a disaster is never good! Especially in the heat of harvest. Make sure you, and your investments, are protected!! 1 SDXnGers SXtton BiOO Bottorf $Jent For all of your Farm Insurance Needs, contact one of WKHVHTXDOLÀHGLQVXUDQFHDJHQWV 402-773-4355 ACKERMAN/NUSS INSURANCE S SDXnGers $Ye SXtton 1( TeOeShone )D[ ToGG 1Xss$Jent
