Salute To Agriculture 2009 - The Roundup

Salute Salute Salute T TTo
T
TTo
T o o Agriculture
Agriculture
Agriculture
For or or National National National Ag Ag Ag W WWeek
W WWeek
W eek eek Mar March Mar March Mar ch ch 15-21, 15-21, 15-21, 2009
2009
2009
Young Farmers
Are OUR FUTURE.
The Conradsens
Back: Billie, Brittany, Cambry and Troy.
Front: Ashlind, Teah and Haylie.
We’re proud that they are part
of our local cooperative
Lower ower Y YYellowstone
Y ellowstone REA
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Hwy 16 NW Sidney, MT • 406-488-1602
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“Your” cooperative salutes area farmers,
ranchers, agribusinesses and ag
researchers during National Ag Week. Your
efforts are the lifeblood of our communities.
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(406) 482-2704
18 East 2nd St. Culbertson, MT
(406) 787-5890

2 ROUNDUP AG WEEK EDITION, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 11, 2009
CROP UPDATES
Bergman Researching
On Many Fronts
Dry bean varieties with erect bush type plants.
By Russ Wells
Sidney Ag Researcher
Jerry
Bergman, noted for his
research on safflower,
has been working on
many fronts during the
past year.
Bergman heads
up the MSU Eastern
Ag Research Center
in Sidney and the
NDSU Research Extension
Center in
Williston.
Here are some
notes on crop updates
and research.
—Headline fungicide
has been approved
for safflower to
control Alternaria fungal
disease, the principle
disease affecting
safflower.
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seed treatment insecticides
registered for
wireworm control in
safflower. Mustang
Max EC is an insecticide
that is now registered
for aerial application
to control cutworms
in safflower.
—The locally
grown NutraSaff safflower
variety is gaining
popularity as a
high-end birdseed
product nationwide.
—Safflower can
be raised on irrigated
land with commercial
yields up to 2,500 to
3,000 pounds per
acre due to newer varieties
and new fungi-
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Williston, ND
701-572-0767 or 1-800-735-4908
Sidney, MT
406-488-8066 or 1-877-488-8066
Miles City, MT
406-234-2309 or 1-800-207-0650

Bergman Continued . . .
cides including Headline
and Quadris that
provide disease control
and enhanced
yields.
—Dry bean varieties
have been developed
by NDSU that
have erect bush type
plants that help avoid
disease by keeping
the pods off the
ground.
—Roundup-
Ready sugarbeet
seeds, which had
been tested extensively
at the Montana
research center, were
approved for planting
in 2008 and 2009.
Results for the beet
growers have been
very positive.
—Tyler Tjelde, a
new irrigation specialist
hired at the
Williston Research
Extension Center, has
been working at the
Nesson Valley site
east of Williston. He is
researching the automation
of linear sprin-
klers to grow multiple
crops under the same
sprinkler. Irrigation is
done in 20 x 50-foot
blocks and controlled
by a computer. The
multiple crops under
linear irrigation are irrigated
at variable
rates depending on
water needs.
—Another Nesson
Valley project is research
on irrigating
below the crop
canopy to improve
water use efficiency
and reduce disease.
The system uses low
energy precision application
nozzles positioned
below the
canopy.
—Bergman and
Canadian researcher,
Dr. Henning Muendel,
co-authored a chapter
on safflower breeding
for an oil crop breeding
textbook.
—A funding request
to the North Dakota
Legislature for an
addition to the Ernie
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is for a research
laboratory and additional
offices.
—The proposed
Sidney EARC facility
took another leap forward
last week as the
Montana House and
Senate approved additional
fundraising
authority to cover increased
costs for the
research facility and
integration of the
Richland County Extension
Service offices
into the facility.
Jerry Bergman
gives a talk on
the new MSU
Eastern Agricultural
Research
Center planned
for Sidney. The
center will also
house the
Richland County
Extension
Service.
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ROUNDUP AG WEEK EDITION, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 11, 2009 3
Penny Brown
Financial Specialist
We Salute
National Ag Week!
ADVANCING RURAL AMERICA'S SUCCESS
Travis Brown
Manager - Community Lending/AVP
Kim Stebbins-Martini
Operations Specialist

4 ROUNDUP AG WEEK EDITION, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 11, 2009
SATISFACTION
National Ag Day Is March 20
By Wade VanEvery
Sidney Area Chamber of Commerce
Executive Director
It isn’t hard for me to talk about agriculture;
it’s about the only subject I’ve studied with passion.
There is such a satisfaction to producing
lambs, calves, wool, or wheat off of your own
land. I hope everyone enjoys the role they
have in producing the world’s food.
Agriculture in its simplest form is big business.
Agriculture is America’s #1 export. Agriculture
generates 20% of the U.S. Gross Domestic
Product. One-fourth of the world’s beef
and nearly one-fifth of the world’s grain, milk,
and eggs are produced in the U.S. Each farmer
in this country feeds 144 people today, com-
Final Pesticide Certification Session Set For March 26
By Dale W. Naze
NDSU Extension Agent/McKenzie County
Anyone planning to purchase or apply pesticides
classified as “restricted use” must attend
a pesticide certification training workshop and
pass a monitored exam in order to make these
purchases or applications.
The final pesticide certification workshop
for private applicators will be held Thursday,
March 26 beginning at 8:30 a.m. CT at the
McKenzie County Courthouse in Watford City.
We Salute The Ag Community
Think Chief Steel Buildings
pared to 25.8 people in the 1960s.
Here at Sidney we see this dynamic business
changing on a yearly basis. Just look how
sprinkler irrigation is replacing flood irrigation.
Visit with a farmer sometime about the GPS
unit in his tractor and combine. Go to a local
bull sale and learn about embryo transfer, ultra-sounding
and performance expectations in
beef cattle. We have local cattlemen that have
their own branded beef products so they can
control the quality of the product getting to the
consumer, and hopefully be more profitable.
Production agriculture is in the hands of
people totally committed to the business.
Economies of scale require men and women
to make this kind of dedication for the
There are two certification categories that
will be offered at the March 26 workshop. Participants
will be able to obtain both the general
certification and the fumigation certification
categories.
For those of you just needing to recertify,
you will need only attend the workshop and
pay the certification fees of $25 per category.
For those that want to obtain an initial certification
or for those whose certification has ex-
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433-3025 “All Your Livestock
We appreciate all the area farmers & ranchers.
Thank you for doing business with us.
SALE TIME: 10 A.M.
Wed., Mar. 11 . Regular Sale & Replacement Heifers
Wed., Mar. 18 ........................ Feeder Calf Special &
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Wed., Apr. 8 ...... Feeder Calf Special & Regular Sale
406-482-3513
Fax 406-482-7003
sustainability of their way of life.
The Sidney Area Chamber of Commerce
and Agriculture works with ag-oriented members
on a continual basis. The Chamber has
created ag events since its beginning.
Richland County ranks 12 th in Montana in total
cash receipts from crop and livestock production,
and it amounts to over 65 million dollars
being generated locally on an annual basis.
That kind of industry creates a lot of the
other business we have. As National Ag Day
is observed on March 20, the Sidney Chamber
is proud to be a part of the celebration, and
wishes the best to our producers as a new production
year begins.
pired, you will need to attend the workshop,
pass a monitored exam and pay the certification
fees of $25 per category.
This workshop will be your final opportunity
to become certified or recertified for the
coming year, so I encourage everyone who
needs to become certified or recertified to plan
to attend the workshop on March 26. And if you
have any questions, contact the Extension office
at 701-444-3451.
Ryan Obergfell
Manager
406-480-2366
J.K. Kinsey
Fieldman
406-489-1560
Roger Nygaard
Fieldman
406-650-7410

ROUNDUP AG WEEK EDITION, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 11, 2009 5
UNCERTAINTY
Improved Moisture Conditions
Bode Well For 2009 Crops
By Ben Larson
MSU Richland County Ag Agent
“Uncertainty” is the word I have heard a lot
lately. It seems to have taken on increased significance
as our nation and much of the world muddles
through an economic recession. Of course, to the
folks who make their living in the Ag industry this
is nothing new. Uncertainty comes with the territory
when profitability is in many respects tied to
weather. And we all know how well we can predict
the weather. Add into this mix of uncertainty the
new Farm Bill, our recent experience with energy
and fertilizer costs, and the large swings of the
commodity markets. It is no wonder I hear the word
“uncertainty” so much as of late. So, in the interest
of changing focus, here are a few items that are
certain today and bode well for the upcoming production
year.
Moisture: The moisture conditions in the
MonDak area are very much improved over last
year’s levels. Information from the National Ag Statistics
Service indicates that precipitation levels
since Oct. 1, 2008 are at 125% of normal in the
Sidney area. Soil water content is good and should
provide what is needed for crop establishment this
spring.
Available Crops: The continued increase in
acreage of specialty crops such as pulse crops in
the area has demonstrated the opportunity for more
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flexibility in cropping decisions. These crops also
tend to increase competition for acres that results
in stronger contract prices being offered to growers.
Fuel Prices: The cost of energy needed for crop
production has moderated from last year’s highs.
This drop in price was needed to compensate for
the reduction in commodity prices from last year’s
surprising highs.
Established Contract: One source of uncertainty
has been removed with the adoption of the
latest sugarbeet contract last year. This brings stability
to cropping decisions on many irrigated acres
349 22nd Ave
NW, Sidney
406-488-6636
1-800-967-3795
SIDNEY TAX SERVICE, INC
Celebrate Agriculture
NATIONAL AG DAY • MARCH 20, 2009
NATIONAL
2 0 0 9
• • Computer Computer A AAccounting
A ccounting
• • T TTax
T Tax
ax Returns
Returns
PP
Payroll P Payroll
ayroll
• • Electronic Electronic F FFiling
F iling
• DOUG LANG
CRAIG PRICE
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115 2nd St. NE
Sidney, MT 59270
(406) 433-3131
Fax (406) 433-1219
We Can
Finance All Your
Agricultural
Needs!
205 Broadway, Culbertson, MT
406-787-6661 • 800-367-2315
and retains the value of a major agriculture industry
component in the area.
Agriculture has its share of uncertainty, but the
hard working individuals involved in the industry
have proven their resilience many times before. We
can all look forward to the many opportunities for
success that await us in the coming production
year.
For research based information and resources,
contact the Richland County MSU Extension Office
at 406-433-1206, or on the web at
www.richland.org/extension.
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6 ROUNDUP AG WEEK EDITION, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 11, 2009
We Support A Strong
Agri-Business Community...
And They Support The Sidney Chamber.
1st Bank
1st Choice Collision
710 Auto Glass
Action Auto
ADCOM
Advanced Communications
Agri Industries
All West Ranch Supply
American Cancer Society
American Legion Post #12
Ameriprise Financial
Amunruds
Asian Bodywork & Natural Therapy
Avis Rental Car
B & B Builders
Baker Boy Bakery
Bar JV Angus
Basin Brokers
Baumeister, Joan
Beagle Properties
Big Sky Siding & Windows
Blue Rock Products Co.
Border Steel & Recycling
BOSS
Richland County Boys & Girls Club
Brenner, Averett & Co., PC
Busch Ag Resources
Cal Oraw Insurance
Candy Bouquet
Carpenters Storehaus
Cattle-ac
Cavanaugh, Greg Dr
Chad's Furniture
Checkers
Cheerio Lounge
CHMS, PC
Christensen, Curt
CHS Farmers Elevator
Church of Christ
Churn Creek Ltd
Clinic Pharmacy
Club Royale Casino
CM Built Doors
Community Crossroads Magazine
Con's Weed Control
Creative Solutions
Crestwood Inn
Crop Production Services
Cross Petroleum
Crystal Clear Designs
Dairy Queen
Dale's Plumbing
Dawson Community College
District II Drug & Alcohol Program
Duramed
Dynneson Ranch
Eagle Country Ford
Eastern Ag Research Center
EastMont Enterprises
Edward Jones - Enid Huotari
Edward Jones - Jerry Hughes
Edward Jones - Nick Lonski
ElectricLand
Elk River Printing
Elks Lodge
Exdivio Solutions
Farm & Home Supply
Farm Bureau Financial
Services
Fink Dental Center
Finnicum's Furniture
Flare
Footers
Foundation for Comm. Care
Four Seasons Trailer Court
Friends of FT Union
Frontier Heating
Fulkerson Funeral Home
Gem City Motors
Glendive Coke
Glendive Sales Corp
Great Lakes Airlines
Great Plains Supply
Gulliver's
Gurney Electric
H & R Block - Margaret Bradley
Healthy Smiles Dental Clinic
Hedahl's
Helena Chemical Company
Herbert, Max & Lola
Hi-Line Home Programs
Hi-Line Trucking
Hots, Brats & More
Interstate Engineering
909 S. Central Ave.
Sidney, MT
406-433-1916
JB Sprinklers
JC Penney
Jensen Agency
Jim's Catering
Jock Stop
John Stockhill Jewelers
Johnson Hardware & Furniture
Kalberers heating
KFC
Northern Plains Radio/KTHC
KUMV-TV
KXMD -TV
Land O'Lakes
LaPan, Michael DPM
Lee's Tire Service
Lilli Pad
Linde Photography
Lone Tree Inn
Lorenz, Sonny
Lower Yellowstone Irrigation
Project
Lower Yellowstone REA
M & C Beverage
M3 Meats
Martineau, Paul DDS
Martini Siding & Windows
Martini Steel
McDonalds
MDU
Mercer Farm & Ranch
Mercer, Mary
MidRivers Communications
Millers Corner
Mitchell, Dale & Cindi
Mitchells Oilfield Service
MonDak Heritage Center
MonDak Motorsports
MonDak Trucking
Montana Turf n Wheels
Mustang Run Gallery
NAPA
Nick Jones Real Estate
Norby, Inc
Northstar Auto Body
NW Farm Credit Services
Old Dominion Trucking
Olson Plumbing
Pamida/Pamida Pharmacy
Park Plaza Motel
Party Central
PATH
Paws Point
PEDE & Associates
Pella Lutheran
Picture Perfect
Pizza House
Pizza Hut
Prewitt & Co
Priceless Rent-a-Car
ProBuild
Pro-Tire
R & J Ag Supply
Ranger Lounge
Rau Designs
Redlin, Beth
Redline Audio & Cellular
Regal Eagle Bar & Casino
Restorex/Rug Emporium/Parcel Outlet
Reynold's Market
Rhines Farming Corp
Ribbon & Rail
Richland County Commissioners
Richland County Conservation
Richland County Fair & Rodeo
Richland County Health Dept
Richland County Transportation
Service
Richland Economic Development
Richland Farm Mutual
Insurance
Richland Federal Credit Union
Richland Motor Inn
Richland Opportunities Inc
Richland Pump & Supply
Richland Youth Hockey
Rocken' R Auto Sales
Rollin Rock Angus Ranch
Security Abstract Company
Seitz Insurance
Sharp & Sassy
Sidney Cleaners & Laundry
Sidney Community Broadcasting KGCX
Sidney Country Club
Sidney Electric
Sidney Gymnastics
Sidney Health Center
Sidney Herald
Sidney Insurance
Sidney Jaycees
Sidney Job Service
Sidney Liquor Agency
Sidney Millwork
Sidney Moose Lodge #856
Sidney Paint & Glass
Sidney Public Library
Sidney Public Schools
Sidney Realty
Sidney Red-e-Mix
Sidney Rental
Sidney Soccer Association
Sidney Sugars
Sidney Tax Service
Smith, Lange & Halley, PC
South 40
SPF #23 (Superpumper)
St Mary Land & Exploration
Steinbeisser, Don
Stepping Stone Massage
Stockman Bank
Sunny's Family Restaurant
Sunrise Floral
Sunrise Motel
Sunrise Music
Sunworld Travel
Taco Johns
Tami Maltese: CPA
The Depot
The Green Leaf Nutritionals & Body
Therapy
The Lodge at Lone Tree Creek
The Lucky Buckle
The Roundup/Ag Roundup
The Rush Espresso
Thorgersen Oil
Tri-County Implement
Triangle Nite Club
Triple C Association
Two Blondes Nail Salon
Union Gateway
Upper Missouri G & T Electric
Valley Motor Supply/
CARQUEST
Valley View IGA
Valley Welder Supply
VFW
VS inc.
Wells Fargo
White Drug
Winners Pub
XTO Energy
Yellow Book USA
Yellowstone Chiropractic
Yellowstone Court
Yellowstone Livestock
All our chamber members benefit from a strong ag
community. We salute our area farmers & ranchers
during National Ag Week and all year round.
PATHOGENS
If We Don’t Spray
• Bulk Fuel
• Propane
• Carhartt
• Wrangler
Then What?
Using Pathogens To
As environmental
concerns prompt a
move away from chemical
pesticides, new avenues
for preventing
and/or managing Mormon
cricket outbreaks
are needed. At NPARL
Ecologist Robert
Srygley is looking for
weaknesses in the Mormon
cricket’s immune
system to identify the
optimal conditions under
which to apply natural
pathogens, or diseasecausing
agents, as a
new means to control
these migrating agricultural
pests. In related
research, NPARL Entomologist
Stefan
Jaronski is looking for
new, more effective
pathogens to apply.
When to Apply
Pathogens - Immunology
Studies
Insect migrations
are typically associated
with a lack of food or local
crowding and in
many instances, migrating
insects such as butterflies
will compromise
their immune systems
to minimize energetic
costs and enhance locomotion
when food is
limited. Researchers are
studying the Mormon
cricket to see if it too reduces
its defenses
against disease at certain
growth stages or
Control Pests
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when banding and migrating.
Questions being
asked and some answers
include:
1. At what growth
stages are Mormon
crickets most vulnerable
to disease because of
natural changes in their
immune systems?
Research to date
has shown clear
changes in immunity
with age, with nymphs
and juveniles having significantly
less immunity
when compared to mature
adults, which may
be partly attributed to
potential conflicts when
molting and the affects
of juvenile hormones.
2. How does the immune
system differ between
solitary crickets
and those grouped in
migratory bands?
Researchers are
testing immune system
responses of Mormon
crickets placed in
crowded cages with
those kept in isolated
conditions. To date research
has shown that
those with close neighbors
have higher immune
system responses.
The insects
also frequently undergo
a change in coloration,
which may also be an
indicator of how resistant
an insect is to dis-
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ease.
What pathogens to
apply
Dr. Stefan Jaronski,
has been evaluating new
fungal pathogens of both
Mormon crickets and
grasshoppers. Using
laboratory bioassay,
greenhouse tests, outdoor
cage tests and full
10-acre field trials, he
has been identifying candidate
microbial agents.
Chief among the
candidates are two
grasshopper/Mormon
Cricket-specific fungi
that have been commercialized
in Africa and
Australasia. Highly effective,
these two fungi
(Green Muscle and
Green Guard) are specific
to orthopterans,
and do not persist more
than one season. Thus
they potentially afford a
commercially acceptable,
environmentally
friendly alternative to the
chemicals now used. In
addition, Jaronski and
colleagues at APHIS
and Utah State have
identified a domestic
Metarhizium fungus
(DWR346) that also has
excellent potential for
being developed into a
practical control tool, not
only for orthoptera, but
also for a range of other
insect pests.
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Bed Trailers
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• Montana
Silverssmiths

ROUNDUP AG WEEK EDITION, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 11, 2009 7
LOOKING FOR ENEMIES
War Declared On Wheat Stem Sawfly
By Russ Wells
ters reports, adding “The sawfly larvae feed rally in this area. “We’re looking at the popula-
Deb Waters, bio-science tech and contain- within the plant stem. Three-fourths of its life tion and effectiveness of this natural enemy,”
ment manager at the USDA-ARS Northern cycle is in the stem.
Waters reports.
Plains Agricultural Research Laboratory The female sawfly emerges in June or July, Researchers are looking at other possible
(NPARL) has been studying the wheat stem lays her eggs and then dies. The males emerge insects that will attack the sawfly including
sawfly for 13 years.
shortly before the female to mate and then die. collyria cataptron from Eurasia. In China, with
Just recently, Tahyana Rand, research The damage to plants is done by the larvae. the same latitude and comparable climate to
ecologist/entomologist, has joined the sawfly Sawfly larvae feed all season inside the Montana, there is another wasp that attacks a
effort at the lab in an effort to control the insect plant stem. When the plant matures, around sawfly species over there. “We will use the
that raises havoc with durum, wheat (spring harvest time, the larvae descend to the base sawfly here as a host for tests in our quaran-
and winter), barley, rye and many grasses. of the plant. There they notch an area and make tine facility,” Waters reports.
Years of drier weather in the region have their wintering chamber.
been a factor in the increased sawfly popula- “This is where you see the damage. The
tion in Northeastern Montana and Western plants are very weak at this point. Wind and
North Dakota during the last few years, accord- harvest cause the stem to break and fall over,”
ing to Waters.
Waters reports. “This causes low yields as the
“The wheat stem sawfly is actually a non- grain heads lay on the ground.”
stinging wasp. It’s a grass-boring insect,” Wa- The sawfly larvae stay in a chamber in the
stubble all winter. The following spring, they
pupate into an adult and emerge starting the
cycle all over again.
“Many things have been tried to control the
sawfly including burning, tillage, chemical
spraying, host plant selection, rotations and
trap crops,” Waters states.
Researchers in Sidney are looking for possible
natural enemies to control the sawfly.
They’re at the braconid species, another wasp
that attacks the sawfly. They lay their eggs on
or near the sawfly larvae in the stem and feed
Deb Waters Tahyana Rand on the undesirable larvae. The species is natu-
Wheat Stem Sawfly
CHMS, P.C.
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ACCOUNTANTS
Audits, Estate Planning,
Business Consulting,
Estate Tax, Income Tax
P.O. Box 1067 • 104 Second Avenue SW • Sidney, MT
406-433-2092 • FAX 406-433-2095
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8 ROUNDUP AG WEEK EDITION, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 11, 2009
LOW CADMIUM DURUM
Local Durum Research Could
Improve Overseas Markets
By Russ Wells
Joyce Eckhoff, research
agronomist at
MSU Eastern Ag Research
Center in
Sidney, is doing research
which could
open up overseas
markets for Montanagrown
durum.
Eckhoff is developing
durum with lowcadmiumaccumulation
for production in
Montana. Cadmium is
a natural occurring
heavy metal in the soil
that causes health
problems for some
people.
She said the European
Union has
adopted a maximum
level of .2 ppm of cadmium
in durum. The
Japanese are likely to
follow suit.
Cadmium is
picked up by the plant
root system out of the
soil. “Some soils are
more conducive than
others,” Eckhoff explained.
She said, “The Italians
are really interested
in Montana durum.
They have traditionally
got it from
southwestern U.S. in
Arizona, but they are
finding those sources
unreliable due to water
shortages, weather
conditions and population
growth, but Italians
also want varieties
that are low-cadmium.”
“I would like to see
the Europeans buy
durum from Montana.
Low cadmium durum
variety production
would really increase
our durum acreage
and markets,” Eckhoff
said.
In her research,
Eckhoff identified 11
lines of durum that are
low in cadmium. Next,
she crossed them with
high quality durum
lines. Those progeny
plants were increased
in the greenhouse
last winter and
planted in the field
again this past summer.
Leaf tissue from
seedlings were harvested
and sent to the
USDA-ARS Western
AG SUPPORT
firstintlbank.com
For generations
we've been here;
for generations to
come we'll be here
to support our Ag
Industry!
Stop in today and
let us help you
with all your ag
loan needs.
Visit our booth
at the KUMV-TV
Farm & Ranch Showcase
March 17 & 18 at the
Raymond Family
Community Center in
Williston.
•Equipment Loans Livestock Loans
Operating Loans Ag Real Estate Loans
19 4th St E Williston, ND
701-774-8321
Offices in Watford City,
Alexander & Killdeer
Regional Small
Grains Genotyping
Laboratory in California
for genetic marker
analysis. The laboratory
checks for a genetic
marker that can
identify lines that do
not have the cadmium
accumulation gene.
These lines are under
seed increase for future
variety release.
Shane & Lisa Gorder
482-9672
11685 CR350
Sidney, MT 59270
“Of the 510 lines
evaluated for low cadmium,
78 lines were
found to not carry the
accumulation gene
and would be acceptable
for the European
market. They will go
into the field this year
to advance the generation,”
Eckhoff said.
In all it will take at
least four years of ad-
Joyce Eckhoff
ditional production
and evaluations to
develop and release
a low-cadmium durum
variety.
Solid Stem Durum
Eckhoff is also developing
a solid stem
durum which will defend
itself against
wheat stem sawfly
damage. She plans to
develop a sawfly in-
“Dig ’er Done!”
•Trenching for new and existing Home Waterlines
•Your local Montana Fiberglass Stock Tank Dealer
Specializing in Farm & Ranch Waterline
and Water Tank installation

We salute
all our local farmers &
ranchers as well as the
research staff who make
agriculture such an
important part of
our local economy.
First Security Bank-West
Big enough to serve you ~ Small enough to know you
tolerant variety of durum
that the sawfly larvae
cannot tunnel and
feed on, therefore dying
off.
Potential Durum
216 S. Ellery Ave., Fairview
(406) 742-5203
Durum Continued . . .
Variety Release
Eckhoff has developed
an unnamed durum
line for variety release.
“It yields well,
has good quality and
Brent Torgerson,
President
good tolerance to
sawfly, which has
been a problem with
our drier growing seasons
lately,” Eckhoff
said.
Deb Kunda weighs up samples for sedimentation to
test durum for pasta quality.
Our farmers
and ranchers
are the backbone
of our
community.
A special
thanks to the
dedicated Ag
Researchers
in the
MonDak
Area.
ROUNDUP AG WEEK EDITION, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 11, 2009 9
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Just North of McDonald’s
Sidney, MT
406-433-1659 or
Toll Free 1-866-433-1659
F1 progeny grown in greenhouse in winter of ‘07-’08.
F2 progeny grown in the field in the summer of 2008.
We Salute
Area Ag
Producers
during
National
Ag Week

10 ROUNDUP AG WEEK EDITION, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 11, 2009
FARM/RANCH TOURISM
ND Agri-tourism Workshop Set
By Dale W. Naze
NDSU Extension Agent/McKenzie County
The North Dakota State University Extension
Center for Community Vitality is rescheduling
the agri-tourism workshop in Watford City
that was recently stormed out for March 27.
The workshop is designed for individuals
interested in starting a farm- or ranch-based
tourism business in North Dakota.
The workshop will be held March 27 at the
McKenzie County Courthouse Meeting Room
in Watford City. The program will start with registration
at 9:30 a.m. CST and run from 10 a.m.
to 3:30 p.m. CST.
Topics will include tourism trends and business
opportunities; assets for tourism in rural
North Dakota; educational vacations; financing
an agri-tourism business; and the legal, liability
and health considerations of an agritourism
business. The program will include a
panel of local speakers who will discuss financial,
insurance and economic development
considerations for agri-tourism businesses.
Speakers will include Kathleen Tweeten,
director of the Center for Community Vitality;
Sara Otte-Coleman, Fred Walker and Annette
Schilling of the North Dakota Division of Tourism;
Tom Isern, NDSU history professor and
author of the “Plains Folk” newspaper column;
We salute our area
Farmers & Ranchers
Farmers and ranchers are independent business
people who provide for their families by growing
and producing food and fiber. They use modern
production techniques to increase the quality and
quantity of the food they produce. In the 1960s
one farmer supplied food for 25.8 persons in the
U.S. and abroad. Today, one farmer supplies food
for 144 people in the U.S.
Thank you!
Ken Heen Ken Kjos Bob Rude
Est. 1906
223 N Main Williston, ND 701-774-4110 w w w.a sb t . c o m
Kayla Effertz of the North Dakota Division of
Workforce Development; Gene Veeder, executive
director of the McKenzie County Job Development
Authority; Dale Patten, McKenzie
County Bank, Watford City; Jody Renbarger,
West Plains Insurance, Watford City; and Mike
Walton of the North Dakota Health Department.
The registration deadline is March 18. Prior
to the deadline, the cost is $15 per person plus
$10 for each additional person from the same
organization or family. The registration fee at
the door is $25. The fee includes materials,
lunch and refreshments. A registration form is
available online at www.ag.ndsu.edu/ccv/
agri%20business%20workshp%20flyer.doc or
is available in hard copy from the McKenzie
County Extension Office or the McKenzie
County Tourism Office.
Send the completed registration form and
a check payable to the NDSU Extension Service
to: NDSU Extension Center for Community
Vitality, 2718 Gateway Ave., #104, Bismarck,
ND 58503.
The NDSU Extension Service-McKenzie
County, the McKenzie County Tourism Office
and the North Dakota Department of
Commerce’s Division of Tourism are helping
sponsor the workshops.
For more information, contact the McKenzie
County Extension Office at 444-3451, the
McKenzie County Tourism Office at 444-5804
or Kathy Tweeten at 701-328-9718 or
kathleen.tweeten@ndsu.edu.
It’s National Ag Week
March 15-21
Loyal oyal Or Order Or der of of Moose
Moose
Williston Lodge No. 239
101 W. 2nd St., Williston, ND • 701-572-2342
Seed Fertilizer Soil Sampling Fertilizer Delivery
Crop Protection Products
Custom Aerial & Ground Application of
Crop Protection Products & Fertilizer
See the professionals at Taylor Ag Services for all of your crop input needs.
Stop by & see us at our NEW location 120 4 th Ave. NE
(¼ mi. north of our old location.)
Have a Safe & Prosperous 2009 Growing Season!
Taylor Ag Services, Inc.
Kent Taylor, Owner PO Box 1229 Watford, City, ND 58854
701-444-3772 www.taylorag.com

WEATHER
NOAA Employs Experimental Cold
Advisory For Newborn Livestock In
NOAA’s National Weather Service, Glasgow,
in collaboration with the University of Miami, will
begin using the experimental Cold Advisory for
Newborn Livestock System—a product developed
to alleviate economic loss of newborn livestock
due to harsh winter weather.
“This system allows us to provide ranchers in
Northeast Montana with enough lead time to bring
livestock to shelter and mitigate loss due to
weather,” said Tanja Fransen, warning coordination
meteorologist at the weather forecast office in
Glasgow.
The new system provides guidance on the
Glasgow Weather Forecast Office Web site and
NOAA All Hazards Weather Radio. Graphical products
will be issued daily showing specific thresholds
that impact newborn livestock, based on a
variety of forecast factors including temperature,
humidity and precipitation.
The advisory system was created by researchers
working with ranchers to determine critical
weather elements and lead time needed to take
action to protect livestock. Researchers also reviewed
10 years of climatological information from
Protect Your Investment
and Livelihood
Our package of farm coverages
reflects our keen understanding
of the insurance needs of rural
Americans.
Offering:
• Farm & Ranch • Auto
• Home Owners • Crop
• Life & Health • Annuities
BUY
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ROUNDUP AG WEEK EDITION, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 11, 2009 11
Northeast Montana
Along With Detroiter & Superior Homes
Stop & Look Over Our Selection of Single Wides & Double Wides (28’ & 32’)
Double K
Call your local agent
Agent: Cathy Hintz
Phone: 488-8326
Address: 2405 W. Holly St. • Sidney
Homes
Glasgow and successfully identified weather
events that caused newborn livestock losses.
“The impact of weather on livestock is a very
important economic consideration to the region,”
said Larry Kalkstein, Ph.D., a biometeorologist at
the University of Miami. “Across the United States
it has been estimated that nearly 100,000 calves
die of cold stress each year.”
In Montana weather-related calf losses cost
TRADE
MOVE
Top Producer of Beautiful,
Affordable, Quality
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5125 2nd Ave W
Williston, ND
701-572-1040
producers more than $6 million a year. The project
is an essential first step toward helping livestock
producers across the country reduce winter
weather-related losses.
NOAA understands and predicts changes in
the Earth’s environment, from the depths of the
ocean to the surface of the sun, and conserves
and manages our coastal and marine resources.
NORTANA GRAIN IS HERE
FOR YOU THIS SPRING TO
PROVIDE YOUR FERTILIZER
AND FUEL NEEDS
STOP IN AT EITHER OF OUR TWO LOCATIONS, SIDNEY OR
LAMBERT, AND SEE US FOR YOUR SPRING FERTILIZER
NEEDS. FOR YOUR CONVIENCE NORTANA HAS AVAILABLE
BULK FARM DELIVERY. NOT TO MENTION THE CONVIENT
24-HOUR FUEL SYSTEM LOCATED AT OUR LAMBERT
STATION. NORTANA GRAIN IS ALWAYS HERE FOR YOUR
FARMING AND RANCHING NEEDS.
NORTANA GRAIN COMPANY
406-774-3331 406-774-3331 • • 406-433-3014
406-433-3014
LAMBERT-SIDNEY

12 ROUNDUP AG WEEK EDITION, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 11, 2009
STRIP TILL
Development Of Strip Tillage On
Sprinkler Irrigated Sugarbeets
A project to evaluate new technologies for
strip tillage of small seeded crops was initiated
in fall 2003 near Sidney, for sprinkler irrigated
sugarbeets to be grown in 2004. Treatments
were compared to conventional grower practices
in 56, 18’ by 80’, side-by-side plots.
Both treatments were flat planted with no
ridges or beds. All tillage and fertilization was
done in the fall after removal of a malt barley
crop. Twelve inch wide strips were tilled directly
into the straw residues about 8” deep using
straight and paired fluted coulters and a modified
parabolic ripping shank followed by a
crows-foot packer wheel.
Toothed-wheel row cleaners were installed
in front of the straight coulter to move loose
residue to the side to avoid plugging. At the
same time, dry fertilizer was shanked (banded)
about 3” to 5” belowthe future seed placement.
Beets were planted about 1” deep on 24”
rows in the spring. Toothed-wheel row cleaners
were also placed in front of each row on
the planter to move any residue displaced by
winter storms.
Operation of the strip tiller required about
PREWITT & COMPANY, LLC
815 3rd Street N.E. • Sidney, MT 59270
(406) 482-5251 • Fax (406) 482-6644
Rod Prewitt Mike Yore Tim Larson
Mobile: 480-2777 Mobile: 480-2888 Mobile: 480-2666
25 tractor horsepower per row, but substantial
fuel savings were realized with this system by
greatly reducing the number of tractor equipment
field passes.
In 2004, 2006, 2007 and 2008 there were
no significant differences in yields or sugar production
between the two tillage treatments;
however, in 2005 the strip tilled plots produced
about 17% greater yields (tonnage and sugar).
This benefit in 2005 was primarily due to the
standing straw stubble in the strip tilled plots
that protected sugarbeet seedlings from blowing
soil during a spring wind storm that severely
damaged seedlings in the conventionally tilled
plots where there was no surface crop residue.
Strip tillage was performed in the fall on
clay soils in eastern Montana where it was expected
to result in better seedbed conditions
than spring strip tillage; whereas lighter, sandy
soils would probably perform as well when strip
tilled in the spring, which could be combined
with planting into a single pass operation.
Strip tillage must be considered as part of
a larger cropping system that affects timing and
equipment choices for planting, cultivation,
THANKS TO OUR AG INDUSTRY…
TOGETHER, WE KEEP ON GROWING.
Banking and farming. Two industries with a common goalgrowth.
During Ag Week, we’d like to salute the many fine
folks in the farming business, and are proud to offer our
assistance in any way we can.
710 710 A AAUTO
A UTO
GLAS GLASS GLAS
710 West Holly • Sidney, MT • 482-1544
MAIN OFFICE
PO BOX 1496 • WATFORD CITY, ND 58854
701-444-6484
GRENORA NEW TOWN TURTLE LAKE
WASHBURN RIVERDALE MOHALL
NEW ENGLAND BOWMAN
Glass Repair & Replacement On All Types of Vehicles
Serving the Area Since 1979
spraying, and harvesting as well as tillage and
other cultural practices.
Banding fertilizer is highly recommended
to increase fertilizer use efficiencies and reduce
input costs. RTK-GPS guided steering is
also recommended for strip tilling and planting
when the planter is not mounted on the strip
tiller.
Research by Robert G. Evans, W. Bart
Stevens and William M. Iversen
USDA-ARS, Northern Plains Agricultural
Research Laboratory, Agricultural Systems
Research Unit, Sidney, MT
Check Out
esidney.com
Insurance Replacements
Window Repairs & Sealing
Major Credit Cards
Direct Claim Billing

R&J March
Range Mineral
SALE $ 40
“Farm”acist...
Crop Service • Fertilizer • Chemicals
• Feed • Seed
VALLEY
CROP
CARE!
per ton
Discount
Picked up at
our store
★ Minerals Designed
for Foot Health &
Soundness
• Featuring zinc methionine,
organic iodine and biotin.
★ Region Specific Minerals
Minerals addressing specific trace mineral deficiency.
Also addresses water problems
★ Grass Maximizer Mineral
Specific roughage digestive enzyme and CoMax.
R&J AG
SUPPLY
Miles Johnsrud, sales representative for Watford City Area
1-701-842-4277 • Cell 1-701-770-3095
Russell Johnson, owner 510 10th Ave. SE Sidney, MT
1-800-233-2499 or 406-488-1953 Cellular 1-406-480-2006
WE HAVE THE EQUIPMENT & KNOWLEDGE TO GET THE JOB DONE RIGHT!
✗ Crop Protection Products ✗ Seed ✗ Crop Nutrients
✗ Lawn & Garden Fertilizer
✗ Dynagro, DeKalb, Alfalfa, CRP, grass seed & many more
✗ Crop Scouting ✗ Soil analysis
✗ Application Recommendations
✗ Weed Identification Services ✗ Crop Spraying
✗ Fertilizer & Dry Chemical Application ✗ AND MUCH MORE!
IT’S THE FARMER THAT
HOLDS US TOGETHER!
Sidney • 406-482-1303
Glasgow • 406-228-9499
ROUNDUP AG WEEK EDITION, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 11, 2009 13
According to the latest research...
Our Double 1/4 Pounder
Tastes Great!
Try Our New
Filet-O-Fish ®
Double Filet
We appreciate
all our local
farmers &
ranchers!
McDonald’s Sidney
Locally Owned
& Operated
406-433-1983
6am-10pm • Sun - Thurs
6am-11pm • Fri & Sat
WORKING TOGETHER,
GROWING TOGETHER
Busch Agricultural Resources, L.L.C.
One of the Anheuser-Busch Companies
Proud to be Part of the Community
For Market Information
on Malting Barley Varieties and Contracts:
406-433-3322 • or toll free 866-338-2634

14 ROUNDUP AG WEEK EDITION, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 11, 2009
"We Put
Value On
The Line"
Sheridan
Electric
Medicine Lake, MT
406-789-2231
be
foxy...
shop
www.ibyourbank.com
INDEPENDENCE
NDEPENDENCE
NDEPENDENCE
BANK
ANK
ANK
PO Box 188, Poplar, MT
406-768-3916
(406) 488-4898
National Ag Week
• Daily Breakfast & Lunch
Specials
• Large Portions
• Homemade Soups & Pies
“Sadie’s”
Open:
Mon.-Fri. 5 am to 3 pm
Located at
Yellowstone Livestock
406-433-9949
Branches in Poplar
Havre • Glasgow • Malta • Scobey
MEDICINE LAKE AG
SUPPLY MARATHON
SEED CLEANING
Chris Chris & & Amy Amy Ator
Ator
Owners
Owners
PO Box 245 • 220 Main Street
Medicine Lake, MT 59247
789-2524 789-2493
Toll Free 1-866-528-7733
Cell 765-7453
marathon@nemontel.net
Mon-Sat 7 a.m.-9 p.m.
Sun 8 a.m.-8 p.m.
Grocery 433-2305
Meat 433-1902
Produce 433-5181
1151 S. Central
Sidney, MT
★
★
No One's a
Stranger at the...
101 S Central • Sidney, MT
406-482-4566
March 15-21, 2009
It's All
About
Saying
Goodbye
Fulkerson
Funeral Home
315 Second St. NW
Sidney, MT 59270
406-488-2805
email: ffh@fulkersons.com
www.fulkersons.com
Wester ester estern ester
Bank
Bank
of of W WWolf
W olf P PPoint
P oint
111 3rd Ave. S
Wolf Point
653-5500
HURLEY'S
OILFIELD SERVICES
• Potable Water • Sewer System • Loaders
• Communications • Backhoe • Trucking
• Skid Houses
406-742-5312 • Fairview, MT
★
★
Richland Farm
Mutual Insurance
Mon-Kota, Inc.
Fertilizer & Irrigation
Sales and Service
Fairview, MT
701-844-5300
Agland
Co-op
See Us for All Your Fuel, Fertilizer,
Oil, Chemical & Propane Needs.
Froid, MT
406-766-2339
Poplar, MT
406-768-3472
Greg Breuer, Accounts Manager
Office: 406-742-8800; Cell: 406-489-3429;
Home: 406-747-3429; Fax: 406-742-8801
greg.breuer@uap.com

ROUNDUP AG WEEK EDITION, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 11, 2009 15
HOT, COLD HOPPERS
MSU Announces Online
Master’s Degree In
Agricultural Education
From MSU News
The Montana State University division of agricultural
education is offering a new online master’s program in
agricultural education. The graduate degree program is
designed to meet the needs of professional agricultural
educators by allowing them to continue their education
while still working.
“The program was specifically designed with ag teachers
and extension agents in mind,” said Shannon Arnold,
assistant professor of agricultural education.
Online graduate level courses allow the completion
of a Master of Science degree in agricultural education
in approximately two years.
The degree is designed to improve graduates’ professional
and technical skills in the areas of agricultural
education, communication, leadership and extension.
Students will be required to attend an orientation session
and present their professional paper at the Bozeman
campus. All other coursework will be done online.
“The new online learning management system that
we are using for the courses has more tools for students
and allows us to teach a more connected, effective online
course,” said Arnold.
Applicants do not need to have an undergraduate
degree in agricultural education to apply. A bachelor’s
degree in agriculture, education or any related field is
acceptable, Arnold said.
Applications are currently being accepted for fall 2009
admission. The deadline is July 15. Financial waivers
may be available for current MSU employees including
extension agents. Visit http://ag.montana.edu/
ageducation/graduateprogram.html to learn more, download
the brochure, and begin the application process.
Grasshopper
Eggs At -35º
By Russ Wells
First came the fire and now freezing cold... This is
the work of Research Entomologist Dave Branson as he
looks for an ecologically friendly method of controlling
grasshoppers.
Branson, with ARS-USDA Northern Plains Agricultural
Research Laboratory in Sidney is continuing fire
research to kill grasshopper eggs. He said the heat has
to be intense with a lot of standing biomass because a
lot of common grasshopper lay eggs deep enough so
they are not affected.
Branson said he is now studying what the grasshoppers
are doing during the fall, winter and spring. Cold
testing is being done in the lab with eggs in chambers at
minus 35 degrees to simulate winter temperatures.
“It’s difficult to explain the changes in grasshopper
population. This should give us a better idea of the role
temperature and soil moisture have on the survival of
eggs during the winter,” Branson said.
Next year, plans are to conduct weather related tests
on grasshoppers outside in Montana, Alaska and Arizona
to study the affects of soil moisture.
Dave Branson
Plan Now For Spring Building!
$ 24,500
Garages
Lumber
Tools
Pole Barns
$ 10,900
4’ o.c. Trusses•1-24x14 Split Slider
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8’ o.c. Trusses•1-16x14 Slider
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Great Plains is proud to serve
the agricultural community in
this area! We sincerely
appreciate your trust and your
shopping locally, so that we may
continue to be of service to you!
8’ o.c. Trusses•1-20x14 Sliding Door•1-3º Walk Door
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8’ o.c. Trusses•1-24x14 Split Slide
•1- 3º Walk Door•Colored Steel
Lumber & Building Materials
HWY 16 SOUTH • SIDNEY, MT
406-488-1702

16 ROUNDUP AG WEEK EDITION, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 11, 2009
Check with us on our Spring Oil Sale
Shell Lubricants
Keep Your
Equipment
Going
With Shell
Products
Call Today
For Great
Protection
For Your
Valuable
Equipment
MODIFICATIONS
Local Oilseed Biodiesel Tests Continue
By Russ Wells
Research Chemist Charles Flynn has found that producing
quality biodiesel certainly has its ups and downs.
Flynn has been testing and fine-tuning the process to
make biodiesel from vegetable oils using a high-tech
biodiesel production and refining research unit.
The biodiesel is being produced from local oilseed
crops at the MSU Eastern Agricultural Research Center
in Sidney.
Flynn has been testing the production of biodiesel
with the refinery unit since last summer. He admits that
it hasn’t gone smoothly. “We had to make modifications,
but we’re getting there.”
Oil from five oilseed crops have been used in Flynn’s
tests so far including oleic safflower, linoleic safflower,
sunflower, canola and soybean oils. He also plans to do
tests with flax and camelina oils.
The production process has gone through several
revisions to get purified biodiesel. Flynn explains,
“Samples of the end product are sent to MSU-Havre
where they have a million dollars worth of equipment to
run all the ASTM (American Society for Testing and
Measurements) testing procedures.” The tests had originally
showed starting material remaining in the final product,
but Flynn’s modifications have addressed that problem.
The next step is to find out which biodiesel products
make the best fuel. “That is accomplished by running
the different fuels in an engine and checking the power
output. Emissions for the biodiesel also differ from one
Charles Flynn with biodiesl production system at EARC.
product to another,” Flynn said.
We Salute Our
Area Farmers!
To protect your equipment
and your livelihood, rely on
premium Shell oils and
fluids: ROTELLA ® T Multigrade
Motor Oils, SPIRAX ®
HD Gear Oils,
RETINAX ® WR2
Greases, DONAX ®
TD Transmission
Fluids and
SHELLZONE ® All-
Season Antifreeze.
So you can
stay out of the
shop and in the
fields.
We Salute All Our
Farm and Ranch
Friends During
National Ag Week
CROSS
PETROLEUM
Sidney, Montana
901 3 rd St. NE On The Truck By-Pass
433-4376