Nebraska Farm Bureau News - June 2011

NebraskaFarm Bureau NewsJUNE 22, 2011

VOL. 29 ISSUE 6

New Vision Care Program Offered to Farm Bureau Memberspage 5

Irrigation’s Importance To Nebraska Communitiespage 13

Lawmakers Adopt New Boundaries for Districtspage 14

Take NEFB’s Online Survey About Federal Regulation of the Monthpage 20

2011 Flooding... The Impact of Rising Water

page 12

2 JUNE 22, 2011 Nebraska Farm Bureau News

contents

On the CoverThe Missouri River began flooding DeBruce Fertilizer’s Steinhart Terminal in Nebraska City in early June.

Photo by Melissa Slagle

Win a $100 Gift CardLet us know what you think about our publication by taking an online survey and you’ll be entered in a drawing to win a $100 gift card.

page 9

Can Care-a-VanThe food drive exceeded its goal this year by 70 percent! See pictures from many drop-off locations and the final numbers for each county that participated.

pages 10-11

In Every Issue3-4 County News5 Member Benefits6 What’s Cooking?8 State News9 Your Backyard12 Cover Story15 National News23 Want Ads

VOLUME 29 ISSUE 6 June 22, 2011

USPS 375-780 ISSN 0745-6522

Official publication of the Nebraska Farm Bureau Federation

402/421-4400www.nefb.org

Nebraska Farm Bureau’s Mission is Strong Agriculture

...... Strong Nebraska.

Yearly subscription: 50 cents of membership dues.

Associate Member, Nebraska Press Association

EDITORIAL STAFF

Editor/Advertising/Writer: Tina Henderson [email protected] or ext. 4446

Writer: Cheryl Stubbendieck [email protected] or ext. 4405

Graphic Designer/County News/Month in Pictures: Tara Grell [email protected] or ext. 4494

Want Ads and County Annual Meeting Notices: Natalie Friesen [email protected] or ext. 4485

NEBRASKA FARM BUREAU FEDERATION

Keith Olsen, president (Grant)Steve Nelson, first vice president (Axtell)Rob Robertson, chief administrator/ secretary-treasurer (Lincoln)

BOARD OF DIRECTORSMark McHargue, second vice president (Central City)Nathan Bartels (Elk Creek)Andy DeVries (Ogallala)Del Ficke (Pleasant Dale)Jason Kvols (Laurel)John C. Martin (Pleasanton)Scott Moore (Bartley)Kevin Peterson (Osceola)Tanya Storer (Whitman)Shelly Thompson (Whitney)Sherry Vinton (Whitman)

NEBRASKA FARM BUREAU NEWS is published monthly, except July, by Nebraska

Farm Bureau Federation, 5225 South 16th St., Lincoln, NE 68512. Periodicals postage paid at

Lincoln, NE and additional entry offices.POSTMASTER: Send address changes to:

Nebraska Farm Bureau NewsAttn: Tina Henderson

P.O. Box 80299, Lincoln, NE 68501.

The President’s MessageBy Keith Olsen, PresidentNebraska Farm Bureau Federation®

It seemed for a while this spring that the U.S. was finally marching its way toward passage of the three Free Trade Agreements we have pending with South Korea,

Colombia and PanamaOn April 6, the Obama Administration announced an

agreement with the Colombian government to move forward with that FTA. On April 19, it announced a deal to advance the Panama FTA. And on May 3, statements by U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk and USDA about increasing exports of U.S. beef to South Korea signaled progress toward the largest of the FTAs.

This was great news for America’s exporters. Ever since President Obama emphasized the importance of increas-ing our exports in his January 2010 State of the Union address, proponents of the Free Trade Agreements have been waiting for the day the president sends them to Congress with his blessing.

Passage of the agreements will level the playing field for the U.S.: the three countries already have virtually duty-free access to our markets for their exports.

When the three agreements are fully implemented, U.S. agricultural exports to the three countries are projected to increase by nearly $2.5 billion a year.

An American Farm Bureau state-by-state analysis released last month brings this home: Nebraska can expect to see an additional $123.6 million per year in ag exports when the FTAs are in full force and as many as 1,110 new jobs as a result.

PENDING AGREEMENTSSouth Korea is by far the biggest of the pending agree-

ments. When it’s fully implemented, Nebraska is pro-jected to see ag export gains of more than $101 million a year, including $68 million in beef sales.

Our exports of corn for feed will drop by some $1.3 million, but that corn will instead go to feeding the beef that will be sold to South Korea. Our pork exports will go up more than $11 million and soybeans, more than $5 million, with much of that gain likely being food-quality soybeans.

Nebraska stands to gain about $20 million from free ag trade with Colombia. The number would be higher but for the fact that while the U.S. has delayed making an agreement, Colombia has been signing trade deals with

our competitors, other South American countries, who are likely to hold onto their share of the Colombian mar-ket. Colombia also is negotiating with Canada and the European Union; deals with them could shut the U.S. out of any share of the Colombian market.

With the agreement, Nebraska wheat producers are expected to ship about $3.5 million of their product to Columbia each year, and our corn exports are projected to increase more than $7.5 million.

The total Nebraska impact of the Panama FTA is pegged at about $1.6 million a year, with the biggest gains coming in sales of corn ($751,800) and soybeans ($373,900) as duties are eliminated.

TRADE ADJUSTMENT ASSISTANCEAll of this good news, however, was tempered by the

announcement on May 16 that the Obama Administra-tion wants renewal of Trade Adjustment As-sistance as part of the deal to move the free trade agreements forward. The trade assis-tance program has been around for about 50 years; most recently it was part of the stimulus bill in 2009. It provided additional health and unemployment benefits and job training to 280,000 workers who lost their jobs because of overseas competition.

The American Farm Bureau has supported Trade Adjustment Assistance in the past and may do so again, depending on the details

of the program. But, this assistance shouldn’t be a barrier to passing the three Free Trade Agreements; each issue should stand on its own. I may be cynical, but if trade adjustment were passed, there could be some new issue brought forward that has to be resolved before the Free Trade Agreements can be adopted.

I am sure of this: the U.S. continues to lose market share in South Korea, Colombia and Panama while the FTAs stay on the to-do list.

Time To Get Free Trade Agreements Off the To-Do List

Detailed analysis of how Nebraska farmers would benefit from passage.

Join Us In HawaiiAmerican Farm Bureau Fed-eration’s 93rd Annual Meet-ing will be held Jan. 8-11, 2012, in Honolulu, Hawaii. Take a sneak peek at some of the tours being offered.

page 7

Nebraska Farm Bureau News JUNE 22, 2011 3

COUNTY NEWS

Jefferson County Farm Bureau has awarded a $500 scholarship to Bennet Weise; he is the son of Jed and Annette Weise, Jefferson County Farm Bureau members from Jansen. Bennet is a recent graduate of Tri-County High School and will attend the University of Nebraska-Lincoln to major-ing in agronomy. Jefferson County’s scholarship is designed to provide assistance to a student who wishes to continue his or her education at the post-secondary level in an agricultural area or agriculture-related field.

Jefferson County Farm Bureau

County Awards Scholarship to Tri-County Graduate

Douglas County Farm Bureau has awarded four $2,000 scholarships. The recipients are Kyle Fuchser (upper left), Joslyn Metcalf (bottom), Jacob Schneider (upper right) and Benjamin Wichelt (not pictured). Fuchser gradu-ated from Bennington High School and will attend the University of Nebraska-Omaha, majoring in construction management. He is the son of Michael and Deb Fuchser. Metcalf graduated from Central High School and will attend the University of Nebraska-Omaha, majoring in biology. She is the daughter of Dennis Metcalf and Corine Plater. Schneider graduated from Burke High School and will attend Midland University in Fremont, majoring in engineering and business. He is the son of Jeffrey and Debra Schneider. Wichelt graduated from Bennington High School and will attend the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, majoring in pre-health. He is the son of Mark and Mary Beth Wichelt.

Douglas County Farm Bureau

Four $2,000 Scholarships Presented to Local Students

Fourth graders from Meadowlane Elementary School in Lincoln touched a lamb on Erma McGill’s farm in rural Waverly on May 5. Their teacher, Sandy Dorn, and McGill have been participants in the Agriculture in the Classroom Ag Pen Pal Program for many years. While visiting the farm, the students were able to experience firsthand how important farms are to their everyday lives and how food comes from the farm or ranch and gets to their table. The pen pal program links classrooms and farm/ranch families from across Nebraska. They exchange letters with each other three times during the school year.

Lancaster County Farm Bureau

Lincoln Fourth Graders Visit McGill Farm Near Waverly

Thank You Ag Pen Pals!

Nebraska’s Agriculture in the Classroom program, which is managed by Nebraska Farm Bureau, thanks the 251 farm and ranch families who participated in the

2010-2011 Ag Pen Pal Program.

Thanks to all Ag Pen Pals who invest their time to help educate today’s youth

about the importance of agriculture!

If you would like more information about the Ag Pen Pal Program,

or if you know someone who would like to participate,

contact Natalie Friesen at [email protected]

or 800-546-3496.

For more information about AITC visit:

www.agclassroom.org/ne

Washington County Farm Bureau

Washington County Farm Bureau awarded four graduating seniors $1,000 scholarships. The recipients are Zachary Flies (upper left), Mary Ellen Mooter (upper right), Paige Peterson (bottom left) and Deborah Van Der Hart (bottom right). Flies graduated from Blair High School and will attend the University of Kansas, majoring in computer engineering. He is the son of John and Denise Flies of Blair. Mooter graduated from Skutt Catholic High School and will attend the Univer-sity of Nebraska-Omaha, majoring in bioinformatics. She is the daughter of David and Gail Mooter of Kennard. Peterson graduated from Arlington High School and will attend the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, majoring in nursing. She is the daughter of Edward and Lisa Peterson of Herman. Van Der Hart was home-schooled and will attend Clarkson College, majoring in physical therapist assistance. She is the daughter of Harold and Melissa Van Der Hart of Fort Calhoun.

High School Graduates Awarded County Scholarships

Holt County Farm Bureau


COUNTY NEWS

Holt County Farm Bureau has presented $500 scholarships to Kyle Carr and Kent Olson. Carr is a 2011 gradu-ate of Chambers Public School and is the son of Curtis and Lori Carr of Chambers. Carr has been accepted into the utility line program at Northeast Community College in Norfolk. Olson is a 2011 graduate of West Holt High School in Atkinson and is the son of David and Linda Olson of Atkinson. Olson will attend the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and major in business administration. Holt County’s scholarship requires the student’s parents to be a resident of Holt County or have a Holt County Farm Bureau membership. It is designed to provide as-sistance to a student who wishes to continue his or her education at the post-secondary level in an agricultural area or agriculture-related field.

County Scholarships Awarded to Graduating High School Seniors

Lancaster County Farm Bureau hosted three people from Taiwan, Brazil and Yemen who were interested in all aspects of farming May 29. They visited the David and Nancy Grimes farm where they enjoyed seeing the large machinery. They also wanted to know how Nebraska is keeping its young people interested in production agriculture. The group visited the FFA group at Waverly High School as well. Pictured from left are: Pat and John McGill, Lancaster County Farm Bureau members; Brian Ridenour, the Mayors Committee for International Friendship; Charles Hsu, anchor for a news gathering center in Taiwan; Erma McGill, Lancaster County Farm Bureau member; Elizabeth Grimes, daughter of David and Nancy Grimes, Lancaster County Farm Bureau mem-bers; Luisa Pecora, journalist from Sao Paulo, Brazil; David and Nancy Grimes; and Dr. Galal Fakirah, chair of the political science department at Sana’a University in Yemen.

Lancaster County Farm Bureau

Visitors from Taiwan, Brazil and Yemen Learn About Nebraska Agriculture

More than 770 third grade students from Douglas, Dodge, Washington and Burt counties attended the 2011 “A Day on the Farm” program, April 27-29, at the Wash-ington County Fairgrounds in Arlington.

Douglas County Farm Bureau helped sponsor the event, which has been held since 2000. It is organized by University of

Nebraska-Lincoln Extension staff.The half-day event strives to educate

youth about various aspects of agricul-ture and how it affects their daily lives. Students took part in six 15-minute ses-sions that included agriculture technology, beef, bee keeping, corn, soybeans, dairy and swine.

Douglas County Helps Sponsor ‘A Day on the Farm’

Harley and Shirley Gowery have been recognized for their many years of dedicated service to Cedar County Farm Bureau. Cedar County Farm Bureau Vice President Dallas Graham presented a plaque to the Gowerys at the County Farm Bureau monthly board meeting in Laurel on June 16.

Cedar County Farm Bureau

Gowerys Recognized for Dedicated Service to County Farm Bureau

Visit www.nefb.org


MEMBER BENEFITS

Avesis...Vision Care Program Is New Member BenefitNebraska Farm Bureau is offering its mem-

bers an additional benefit to provide vision care for their families, Roger Berry, vice presi-dent/member services, said June 13.

“‘Avesis’ is a program that has been spe-cifically designed to provide Nebraska Farm Bureau members with quality, professional vision care at a savings. Please keep in mind this is a vision care plan, not a discount pro-gram. Our members must pay a monthly fee to participate, but it’s an excellent value. The ‘Member Only’ plan is $8.48 a month and the ‘Member + Family’ plan is just $19.50 a month. We hope our mem-bers take advantage of this great vision care plan,” Berry said.

If you’re interested in this program and have questions, contact Avesis, Monday through Friday, 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. CDT 1.800/828.9341 or visit www.avesis.com/nefb.

The plan allowances include:Frame: Members receive any frame with

an approximate retail value between $100

- $150 (up to a $50 wholesale allowance). Frames from participating Wal-Mart loca-tions are covered up to a $68 retail value.

Contact Lenses (in lieu of spectacle lens-es and frames): Members receive a contact lens allowance of $110 which can be used for materials and services.

Lasik Surgery (in lieu of all other services for the benefit year): $100 one-time/lifetime allowance.

USING YOUR BENEFITSYou must register with Avesis for plan

coverage; you’ll receive your Avesis iden-tification card. When you need to see an eye care professional, call Avesis, Mon-day through Friday, 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. CDT 800/828.9341 or visit www.avesis.com/nefb. Avesis’ customer service representatives and its website have the most current listing of participating providers.

It’s easy to participate:1. Select a participating provider2. Call and identify yourself as an Avesis

member;3. Schedule an appointment4. Present your ID Card and pay any co-

pays and expenses not covered under the vision program.

“Members who elect to use an out-of-network provider must pay the provider

in full at the time of service and submit a claim to Avesis for reimbursement. Out-of-network benefits are subject to the same eligibility, availability, frequency of benefits and limitation and exclusion provisions of the plan and are in lieu of services provided by a participating Avesis provider.

You have joined millions of people who use Avesis to meet theirvision care needs. This program has been specifically designed toprovide you and your covered family members with quality,professional vision care, all at a tremendous savings to you!

FRAMEMembers receive any frame with an approximate retail valuebetween $100 - $150 (up to a $50 wholesale allowance).Frames from participating Wal-Mart locations are covered up to a $68 retail value.

CONTACT LENSES (In lieu of spectacle lenses and frames)Members receive a contact lens allowance of $110 whichcan be used for materials and services.

LASIK SURGERY(In lieu of all other services for the benefit year)$100 one - time / lifetime allowance.

Vision Examination $10.00Materials $25.00

Vision ExaminationFrame (within plan allowance)Spectacle LensesStandard Single VisionStandard BifocalStandard TrifocalStandard LenticularContact LensesElective (up to plan allowance)Medically Necessary (prior authorization required)

Lens Options1

Additional Purchases2

Farm Bureau

In-Network Vision Benefits

Benefit Frequency

Coveredin Full

DiscountedItems*

Plan Allowances

Co-pays

Rates

Out-of-Network Reimbursement

after co-pay(s)

All reimbursement amounts listed above are up to the posted dollar amount.

Progressive lenses - up to 20% off retail, plus a $50 allowanceSpecialty lenses - up to 20% off retail, plus the corresponding

standard lens payment

Vision ExamSpectacle LensesFramesContact Lens Allowance

Every 12 MonthsEvery 12 MonthsEvery 24 MonthsEvery 12 Months

EXAM SPECTACLE LENSES FRAME CONTACT LENSESElective $110.00Medically Necessary $250.00

$35.00 $45.00

www.avesis.com

*not insured benefits1 up to 20% off on all lens options (except Wal-Mart)2 up to 20% off on all additional purchases or items not covered(except Wal-Mart)

Welcome to the

Avesis Vision Plan

Plan #:

Corresponding StandardLens Reimbursement

Standard Single Vision $25.00Standard Bifocal $40.00Standard Trifocal $50.00Standard Lenticular $80.00Progressive $40.00Specialty Lenses

no co-pay forcontacts

Underwritten by: Fidelity Security Life Insurance Company, Kansas City, MOPolicy #: VC-16, Form M9059

LASIKLASIK Surgery $100.00

Member Only $8.48Member + Family $19.50

Employee Paid Rates Per Month







Lens Options1


Farm Bureau


Benefit Frequency

Coveredin Full

DiscountedItems*

Plan Allowances

Co-pays

Rates


after co-pay(s)







$35.00 $45.00

www.avesis.com


Welcome to the

Avesis Vision Plan

Plan #:














Lens Options1


Farm Bureau


Benefit Frequency

Coveredin Full

DiscountedItems*

Plan Allowances

Co-pays

Rates


after co-pay(s)







$35.00 $45.00

www.avesis.com


Welcome to the

Avesis Vision Plan

Plan #:














Lens Options1


Farm Bureau


Benefit Frequency

Coveredin Full

DiscountedItems*

Plan Allowances

Co-pays

Rates


after co-pay(s)







$35.00 $45.00

www.avesis.com


Welcome to the

Avesis Vision Plan

Plan #:








HOW TO USE YOUR BENEFITSWhen you need to see an eye care professional, simply call Avesis, Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. (EST) at 1-800-828-9341 or visit www.avesis.com.

Avesis’ Customer Service Representatives and its website have the most current listing of participating providers.

Select a participating provider.

Call and identify yourself as an Avesis member.

Schedule an appointment.

Present your ID Card and pay any co-pays and expenses not covered under the vision program.

Out-of-Network InformationMembers who elect to use an out-of-network provider must pay the provider in full at the time of service and submit a claim to Avesis for reimbursement. Reimbursement levels are in accordance with the out-of-network reimbursement schedule previously listed. Out-of-network benefits are subject to the same eligibility, availability, frequency of benefits, and limitation and exclusion provisions of the plan; and are in lieu of services provided by a participating Avesis provider. Out-of network claim forms can be obtained by contacting Avesis’ Customer Service Center, your group administrator or by visiting www.avesis.com.

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Spangled Sandwich Pops recipe and photo from www.familyfun.go.com. Crispy Treat Flag Cake recipe from Woman’s Day magazine and baked by Ann Osborn, Nebraska Farm Bureau receptionist, and photo by Tara Grell, Nebraska Farm Bureau Federation graphic designer. Crispy Chicken Fingers recipe from Fitness

magazine, cooked and photo by Grell. Ramen Noodle Salad recipe and photo from Natalie Friesen, Nebraska Farm Bureau Federation public relations associate.

WHAT’S COOKING?If you want to submit your own recipes, and photos if you have them, send them via email to [email protected].

Crispy Treat Flag Cake

Crispy Chicken FingersIngredients12 ounces skinless, boneless chicken breast halves1 egg, slightly beaten1 tablespoon honey1 teaspoon prepared mustard2 cups cornflakes, finely crushedDash of black pepper

DirectionsPreheat oven to 450°F. Cut chicken into 3 x 3/4 inch strips. In a shallow dish, combine egg, honey and mustard. In another dish, stir together cornflake crumbs and pepper. Dip chicken strips into the egg mixture; roll in crumb mixture to coat. Arrange chicken strips on an ungreased baking sheet. Bake about 12 minutes or until outsides are golden and chicken is no longer pink.

Yield: 4 servings

Note: Add 1/2 teaspoon dried basil and oregano to the cornflake mixture for an Italian twist; try a pinch of chipotle chili powder for Mexican flair.

Sauce SuggestionsHomemade Honey Mustard: 1/4 cup dijon mustard + 1 teaspoon honeyKicked-Up Ketchup: 1/4 cup ketchup + pinch chili powderZesty Sour Cream: 1/2 cup low-fat sour cream + fresh lime + fresh cilantroSpiced Mayo: 1/2 cup low-fat mayo + 1 teaspoon dried dill + 1 teaspoon garlic powder

UPCOMING MONTHSBelow are themes for the coming months! Submit your recipe to: [email protected]

August – diabetic dinner partySeptember – National Breakfast MonthOctober – popcorn, pumpkin or apple recipes

Crispy Treat Ingredients6 tablespoons margarine (not spread)2 bags (10 ounces each) regular marshmallows12 cups crisp rice cereal (such as Rice Krispies)

Flag Ingredients1 1/2 cups (10 ounces) white candy melts*1/2 cup each (3 ounces) blue and red candy melts*Blue and red oil-based candy color (optional, see note)*1/2 inch wide pastry or new paint brush

Directions1. Line a 9x13 inch baking pan with foil, letting foil extend above pan at both ends. Coat foil and a sheet of wax paper with nonstick spray.

2. Melt margarine in a large saucepan over low heat. Add marshmallows; stir until melted. Remove from heat; stir in cereal until well coated. Scrape into prepared pan. Place wax paper, sprayed side down, on cereal mixture and press to fill pan evenly. Cool com-pletely. Holding foil ends, lift cake onto a cutting board.

3. Flag: Put white candy melts in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave on high, stirring ev-ery 30 seconds, until melted and smooth. Brush over top of cake in a thin layer. Let set, about 10 minutes. Repeat with another layer, reserving about 2 tablespoons for the stars.

4. Microwave blue candy melts on high, stirring every 15 seconds, until melted and smooth. Wash and dry brush. Paint a 6-inch wide, 5-inch high rectangle on upper left-hand corner of cake. Wash brush. Melt red candy melts as above. Starting and ending with red stripes, paint 7 stripes evenly spaced (about 3/4 inches apart) on cake. Using a toothpick dipped in white melts (remelted if needed), draw 50 stars in blue rectangle.

Note: If the candy melts you buy aren’t as bright red or blue as you would like, you can stir in oil-based red or blue candy color until you get the desired color.

Yield: 24 servings, store tightly covered at room temperature

* Candy melts and oil-based candy colors for coloring candy melts are available in stores where Wilton party and cake decorating supplies are sold.

Ingredients2 pkgs. shredded cabbage (can be substituted with coleslaw)4 green onions, finely chopped2 pkgs. chicken ramen noodles1 pkg. sliced almonds1 pkg. sunflower seeds1/2 stick margarine

DirectionsMix shredded cabbage and onion in bowl. Break up noodles and brown lightly in 1/2 stick margarine. Sprinkle ramen noodle seasoning packets onto noodles. Add almonds and seeds and lightly brown. Let cool. Add ramen noodles mixture to cabbage and onion mixture.

DressingHeat and stir to a boil: 1/2 cup sugar, 1/2 cup vinegar and 2 tsp. soy sauce. Cool and pour on salad right before serving.

Ramen Noodle Salad


IngredientsMini ice cream sandwichesPopsicle sticksSprinklesColorful cupcake liners

DirectionsSkewer mini ice cream sandwiches on Popsicle sticks. Press the exposed filling of the ice cream sandwich into a place of sprinkles. To keep mess to a minimum, serve the pops in a colorful cupcake liner.

Spangled Sandwich Pops

Come fly with us!American FarmBureau Convention

Hawaii 2012January 6–11, 2012 | Honolulu

To book air and any pre or postextensions contact Executive Travel and mention you are with Nebraska Farm Bureau

1212 O StreetLincoln, NE 68508402.435.8888


Hotel InformationPlease contact Autumn Jacobs at 402/421-4470 or

[email protected] to make your hotel reservations.Sheraton Waikiki Hotel

2255 Kalakaua Ave., Honolulu, HI 96815

Over the next few months in Nebraska Farm Bureau News, we will feature a variety of tour options. Below are a few to entice you to join us in Hawaii.

You will be able to register for tours through AFBF’s website (www.fb.org) starting Sept. 12, 2011. Cost of tours will be listed on the website at that time.

Whale Watch Cruise – Star of HonoluluEach year between Decem-

ber and April, humpback whales return to their Hawaiian winter home in the warm, sheltered wa-ters of Oahu’s southern shore-line. The Star of Honolulu is a custom-built 232-foot long tour-ing vessel that will be your observation platform for this amazing experience.

Oahu Farm ToursCost of Tours Include:

• Exclusive round-trip air-conditioned transportation• Narrated tour• Visit to two or three different farms/ agricultural operations• Farm tour/experience led and narrated by farmers, their designated representatives and/or farm workers• Lunch featuring a commitment to “Farm Fresh to Table” products and presentation• Hawaii state tax and Island Partners Hawaii coordination• Donation to the Hawaii Farm Bureau Federation

Syngenta HawaiiSyngenta Hawaii LLC, part of a $9.2 billion global agricul-

tural firm, has purchased 848 acres of land in Kunia to expand its corn and soybean research operations in the islands.North Shore Produce Farms

Ho Farms – six different tomato varieties, cucumbers, squash, long beans, eggplant and papaya – is truly a family business. Located in Kahuku on Oahu’s North Shore, they provide the highest quality and freshest produce to Hawaii residents.Kahuku Farms

Kahuku Farms is a result of two farming families spanning three generations in Hawaii. Descendents of the Matsuda/Fukuyama families migrated to Hawaii from Japan to work in the sugar plantations back in the 1900s. Today you learn about the growth of this family’s operations and true farm-ing collaboration that continues to build a legacy for future generations.

REMINDERThe 2011 Membership Incentive Program offers Ne-

braska Farm Bureau members a chance to win a trip for two to the American Farm Bureau Convention in Hono-lulu, Ha., Jan. 8-11, 2012.

You must recruit at least three new members for your name to be entered in the drawing for the Hawaii. If you recruit five new members, you qualify for the drawing and get your next Farm Bureau membership free! For each new member over five, your name will again be put into the Hawaii trip drawing.

Completed membership applications and payment must be sent to your District Director of Member Services by Sept. 30, 2011.

The winner of the Hawaii trip will be announced on Oct. 7 in Lincoln. Only one prize will be awarded.

For registration information, contact Autumn Jacobs at 402/421-4470 or [email protected]

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Agriculture Fares Well in 2011 LegislatureThe Nebraska Legislature began its 2011

session with two major “must do’s”: close a nearly $1 billion shortfall in the state bud-get and conduct legislative redistricting to reflect the 2010 Census. It accomplished those two difficult, time-consuming jobs and also passed legislation important to Nebras-ka agriculture.

“Agriculture did fairly well in the session,” Craig Head, Farm Bureau state director of governmental relations and regulatory af-fairs, said June 8. The state budget gap was a consideration for every bill with a fiscal im-pact and the time needed for redistricting discussions put pressure on the legislative schedule.

According to Head and Jessica Kolterman, NFBF director of NFBF-PAC and state gov-ernmental relations, Farm Bureau had four priorities during the session: ensure a viable roads infrastructure for agriculture, provide continued property tax relief for farmers and ranchers, secure financial resources to help manage the state’s water resources, and develop new marketing opportunities for agriculture producers.

ROADS FUNDINGHead applauded State Sen. Deb Fischer

for her sponsorship and hard work to get LB 84 adopted. It provides for one-quarter cent of the existing state sales tax to be di-rected to roads projects beginning in 2013. That’s expected to total about $63 million in the first year.

“We know our highway and roads infra-structure is deteriorating, so now (this ses-sion) was the time to do something to get ahead of the problem,” Head said. The Ne-braska Department of Roads, counties and cities will receive dollars from the new fund-ing source for priority projects, including

completion of the state expressway system.A good roads infrastructure is critical to ag-

riculture, which makes roads funding vital to Nebraska, given its agriculture-based econo-my. Nebraska ranks fourth nationally in cash receipts from farm marketings, with roughly 95 percent of those receipts generated from the transport of cattle, grains and dairy.

“Farmers not only need good roads to move products off-farm, they need to get inputs to their farms and ultimately into the hands of consumers. It’s also critical our farmers have an infrastructure in place that allows them to maintain a competitive ad-vantage in the global marketplace by keep-ing transportation costs low. LB 84 helps us achieve that,” Head said.

PROPERTY TAX CREDIT PROGRAMProviding tax relief to farmers continues

to be a focus for Farm Bureau and with the budget pressures of the 2011 session, Farm Bureau worked hard to keep the existing $110 million property tax credit program in-tact. The program provides a tax credit to all property tax payers, urban and rural, based on a statewide formula. In 2010, the credit was worth roughly $78 per $100 of valuation.

Farmers and ranchers pay a large portion of the property taxes in rural Nebraska, so direct relief is important to them, Kolterman said.

“The nice thing about this is it’s a direct credit back to the people who pay prop-erty tax,” she said, which is different from tax relief that is funneled back to individuals by routing it through state aid to schools. The Appropriations Committee funded the program fully in its budget and the gover-nor advocated for it. We credit them and Sen. Lavon Heideman (appropriations com-mittee chair) for continuing to fund this pro-gram for the next two years.”

The legislature resisted attempts on the floor to divert some of the funds as well.

WATER MANAGEMENT FUNDINGAfter much debate, the legislature adopt-

ed LB 229, which provides funding to the Water Resources Cash Fund within the De-partment of Natural Resources to fund wa-ter management activities in fully and over-appropriated basins or basins bound by an interstate compact or formal agreement.

Head said the law will direct DNR to apply to the Nebraska Environmental Trust Fund for a three-year grant of $3.3 million a year ($9.9 million total). The grant dollars are to be fully matched with state general funds. Under LB 229, DNR can apply for a second three-year grant from the trust if specific benchmarks are met during the first three years.

The monies will help address Nebraska’s integrated water management challenges and help to assure Nebraska meets its ob-ligations in the Republic and Platte River Basins. It’s estimated the state will need anywhere between $53 to $100 million, just to meet obligations of the Platte River Recovery Implementation program for en-dangered species through 2019.

“The inclusion of Environmental Trust monies broadens the scope of funding for purposes of managing our state’s water re-sources and fits well with the mission of the trust. Water is an issue of statewide impor-tance and adding trust monies in this fash-ion will benefit all Nebraskans, so we were pleased the legislature stepped forward on this important issue, “ Head said.

STATE MEAT INSPECTIONFarm Bureau supported Sen. Tyson Lar-

son’s bill to develop a state meat inspection program, to provide more economic devel-

opment opportunities for farmers and the state. All of Nebraska’s surrounding states and 27 states in total have programs that allow meat to be state-inspected and sold within the state, without a federal inspec-tion.

Having a state program “could present the opportunity for farmers and processors who want to do niche-type marketing of meat and poultry,” Kolterman said. “We’ve heard from our members (who are trying to do this) that having a state inspection pro-gram may help because farmers sometimes have difficulty getting animals into a federally inspected processor in a timely manner or face challenges when the nearest processor is some distance away.”

Controversy arose around the bill about whether it would open the door to horse slaughter in Nebraska.

“It wasn’t the intent to address that issue, but that’s an element that got wrapped up into the bill. None of the other states with programs process horses, but the question was out there about whether we could ac-tually do that or not with a state program,” Kolterman said.

The original bill called for the Nebraska Department of Agriculture to have a pro-gram in place by 2013, but it became clear that there needed to be some additional conversations about the bill. As a result, the final bill calls for the Department of Agricul-ture to conduct a study of what laws would need to be changed, what the department would have to do, how the program would be funded, and other considerations in cre-ating a state meat inspection program. The study is due to the legislature by mid-No-vember, in time for consideration prior to next session.

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A late night storm June 19 brought tennis ball-size hail and 60 mph winds to the Polk County area where this corn field has nothing left but stubble.

The Nebraska Farm Bureau Board of Directors toured Kingsley Dam and the Generat-ing Station at Lake McConaughy in Ogallala on June 14. This picture shows the “morning glory structure” and how it releases overflow water from Lake McConaughy into the Platte River.

Antelope County Farm Bureau also collected food for this year’s Can Care-A-Van. From right are Merlin Mortinson, Bill Alderson, Bev Alderson and Antelope County Farm Bu-reau board member Dennis Saane and wife Diane.

The Hall County Farm Bureau Board held a burger bash and served lunch to more than 180 people at the Skagway store in Grand Island on June 9. The Grand Island Northwest FFA chapter had student volunteers at the event to help serve the food. Pictured from back left are Bill Stettner, Mike Kohles, Steve Stettner and Kristen Klein. Pictured from front left are Treva Gangwish, Shelly Russell and Mark Haskins.

The Merrick County Farm Bureau partici-pated in a big way to help the Can Care-A-Van in its area. Members collected more than 1,022 pounds of food. Pictured from left are Mark McHargue, Shannon Hannap-pel, Jacob Hannappel and Don Benner.

Nebraska Farm Bureau® Sponsors 10/11 Can Care-A-Van • June 3 and 6-11, 2011Photos by Tina Henderson, Adam Peterson and Clark Kinnison

Brothers Mike (left) and Jim Stewart of Lancaster County brought in a John Deere Tractor that made ice cream for the Can Care-A-Van Kick-Off June 3 in the Nebraska Farm Bureau parking lot in Lincoln. Volunteers from Lancaster County and Nebraska Farm Bureau collected more than 4,000 pounds of food for the Lincoln Food Bank.Stan Rosendahl of Platte County Farm

Bureau (left), 10-11 Meteorologist Ken Siemek and Don Sturep worked in Co-lumbus June 8 to help collect food which topped more than 60,225 pounds.

County Farm BureausCan Care-A-Van

Totals

Lancaster – 4,000+ pounds

Nuckolls – 14,090+ pounds

Thayer – 6,800+ pounds

Polk – 1,560+ pounds

Nemaha – 2,465+ pounds

Otoe – 3,475+ pounds

Brown – 650+ pounds

Platte – 60,225+ pounds

Gage – 886+ pounds

Hall – 52,500+ pounds

Antelope – 1,723+ pounds

Butler – 916+ pounds

Furnas – 1,148+ pounds

Nance – 3,688+ pounds

Merrick – 1,022+ pounds

Hamilton – 23,032+ pounds

Clay – 5,850+ pounds

Buffalo – 1,124+ pounds

Dixon – 175+ pounds

Jefferson – 1,105+ pounds

Sherman/Valley – 3,185+ pounds

Fillmore – 8,025+ pounds

York – 11,515+ pounds

Webster – 575+ pounds


Nance County Farm Bureau participated in the Can Care-A-Van in Fullerton and Genoa June 9, collecting more than 3,688 pounds of food. Pictured are Nance County Farm Bureau members Bob McNeff (left); JJ Rother, Farm Bureau agent; Jennifer Wood, Food Pantry coordinator; and Curtis Peterson.

John and Misty Shires of Buffalo County (back row) handed over a $500 check to staff members of the Mid-Nebraska Food Bank for Buffalo County’s Can-Care-a-Van. The county collected more than 1,124 pounds of food.

The 2011 Can Care-A-Van was offi-cially kicked off on June 3 at the Farm Bureau Building in Lincoln. The drive exceeded its 123,000-pound goal by 70 percent, with 209,750 pounds of food collected. Here’s a look at some of the events held across the state.

It was a big success at the Sherman/Valley Can Care-A-Van site where more than 3,185 pounds of food was collected, with all of it going to the local food pantry. Pictured from left are Carol Kamphaus, Allison Todsen, Greg Duryea, and Diane Duryea of Sherman/Valley County Farm Bureau.

Nebraska Farm Bureau® Sponsors 10/11 Can Care-A-Van • June 3 and 6-11, 2011Photos by Tina Henderson, Adam Peterson and Clark Kinnison

The Dixon County Farm Bureau held a Can Care-

A-Van Drive at Gary’s Food Town in Laurel June

10. Pictured from left are Dixon County Farm Bureau members Verlan Hanson and his daughter Nichole, Martey Stewart

and Ernie Swanson. Dixon County also held food

drives in two other loca-tions in both Ponca and Emerson and collected 175 pounds of food for

local pantries.

More than 886 pounds of food was collected at the Gage County Can Care-A-Van site. Children who dropped off food at the event are pictured from right: Kadyn and Blaine Kujath, Mak Hatcliff and Kalynn Jeardoe.


In Brown County, the Can Care-A-Van collect-ed 650 pounds of food. Pictured from left are Jensen and Jenna Wil-liams, son and daugh-ter of Brown County member Will Williams; Brenda Connell, who stopped by to donate two cases of canned vegetables; Will Wil-liams; and Becky Schelm, District 6 Ag Promotion Committee member.

Farm Bureau agent Loren

Huber helped served hamburg-

ers to those donating food

during the Clay County Can Care-A-Van

food drive in Sutton. Clay

County Farm Bureau collected more than 5,850 pounds of food.

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The Hamilton County Farm Bureau helped collect 23,032 pounds of food for the local food pantry. Pictured from left are members Zach and Anna Hunnicutt; JJ Rother, Farm Bureau insurance agent; and 10/11 staff members Sara Geake and Nikki Bates.

By Melissa SlagleAngry, muddy waters are pouring over

levees and roadways, raging into acre upon acre of fertile corn and soybean ground. During the early spring planting months, farmers had hope for a successful growing season, but now they’re cautiously greeting each day with fear of what they might find outside of their back door. Farmers know they can’t control the Missouri River, but the 2011 floods may be more than they bargained for.

News media reports have focused on families having to abandon homes and busi-nesses, sewage facility issues, and flooding of airports and recreational areas. But, many farmers and agricultural businesses are also bracing for impacts.

The Missouri River slipped over the barge dock and began flooding DeBruce Fertil-izer’s Steinhart Terminal in Nebraska City in early June, and that was just the beginning.

Daryl Obermeyer, Nemaha County Farm Bureau member from nearby Brownville, says he’s seen this kind of damage before, when the flood of 1993 sent the Little Nemaha River out of its banks and into his fields. This time, he doesn’t want to be caught off-guard.

“We were anticipating problems this year, so we sprayed our crops earlier in case it does get muddy and we can’t get back in our fields,” Obermeyer explains. “It’s dry enough that water can soak in quite a bit before it starts to run off, but if Syracuse gets a heavy rain, coupled with record levels on the Missouri River, our fields could see some flooding from the Little Nemaha.”

Imagine 10 percent of your annual in-come just disappearing into thin air. That’s what the flooding could do to Obermeyer – destroy 10 percent of his cropland in a matter of hours. Right now, he’s just one of many southeast Nebraska farmers who are waiting to see what will come flowing downstream.

‘HILL FARMER’One farmer who isn’t waiting, but already

wading, is another Nemaha County Farm Bureau member, Rich Andrew. Andrew started farming on both sides of the Mis-souri River in 1981. Right now, 30 percent of his land is flooded, and in 2010, most of his private levees washed out.

“They’re making a hill farmer out of me. Crop insurance will cover the acres I couldn’t plant this year because they are un-der water, but with $7 corn, you can’t live off crop insurance” which only covers the cost of replanting, not the value of the lost crop.

Andrews says once the river levels go down, the water will drain from his fields, but this year is a total loss for the bottom ground.

But what does the future hold for flooded Nebraska farm land? Crop insurance indus-try officials say that crop insurance claims will be handled on a case-by-case basis and

farmers are going to have to wait for guid-ance from the Risk Management Agency. There’s no cookie-cutter solution to crop insurance claims due to flooding, and the waters could take months to recede.

THE CAUSE FOR CONCERNThe Missouri River floods frequently; the

most recent major floods were in 1978 and 1993. Last year was the third-highest water year on record in the Missouri River Basin. The May 2011 runoff into the Missouri Riv-er Basin above Sioux City was 10.5 million acre-feet, enough water to cover the entire state of Iowa in over 3 inches of water. The normal May runoff, based on historical re-cords, is only 3.3 million acre-feet.

According to U.S. Army Corps of Engi-neers experts in Chicago, the full flood ca-pacity of the Missouri River reservoir system was available on Jan. 28 for this year’s runoff season, based on normal precipitation av-erages. Through the first of May, the corps had no reason to think it was necessary to increase releases beyond normal levels.

THAT WAS THEN ...That was before early 2011 snows on the

Great Plains; three times normal rainfall in May in eastern Montana, Northern Wyo-ming and the western Dakotas; additional mountain snowpack accumulating to record levels in May; and delayed melting. These

factors combined to create somewhat of a perfect storm.

The situation called for high releases of Missouri River water. Immediately after the extraordinary May rainfall west and north of Nebraska, the Corps of Engineers an-nounced a stepped-up schedule of releases that will need to be maintained until the reservoirs are down to a manageable level.

WESTERN NEBRASKAIn western Nebraska, farmers who expe-

rienced flooding are breathing a sigh of re-lief because the Nebraska National Guard successfully dropped more than five million pounds of sandbags near North Platte, to control flooding from the Platte River. And as a result, Union Pacific crews were able to build a secondary levee to protect the area.

Though farmers along the Platte River in western Nebraska aren’t seeing much crop damage, they continue to face surface wa-ter problems, rain and hail damage, accord-ing to Tim Horn, NEFB district director of member services for Northwest Nebraska. “If the existing water subsides, farmers will be able to get a hay cutting off fields along the river. We’ve heard that there could be another (water) release coming soon, so if they survive that, they’ll be okay.”

The long-term damages to agriculture from the 2011 floods are yet to be seen and tabulated, but this year could well be one for the record books.

Washing Away12 JUNE 22, 2011 Nebraska Farm Bureau News


Daryl Obermyer, Farm Bureau member in Nemaha County, prepared his fields near Auburn for a wet, muddy growing season. The tree line in the background is the bank of the Nemaha River.


Workers empty a grain bin at the former Bartlett Grain complex along the Missouri River bank in Nebraska City.

Photo by Tim Horn

The Platte River just south of Lewellen is typically not this wide. The river continues to rise slowly. While it is not rising as fast as the Missouri, there could be further flooding in July and August.

Farmers and Agriculture Businesses Bracing for 2011 Floods

The Nebraska Emergency Manage-ment Agency has released a precau-tionary measures checklist. More can be found at www.agr.ne.gov.

The Center for Food Security and Public Health has also issued a before and after action plan for flooding at www.Prep4AgThreats.org.

Get real-time information on coor-dinated district efforts from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers on Face-book: http://www.facebook.com/OperationMightyMO.

Flood Preparedness

1. Maintain full coverage on planted acres. 2. Take dated photos that include landmarks showing acres planted3. Keep seed receipts on hand.4. Have precision ag maps/data readily available.

If farmers experience flooding or damage, they should contact their crop insurance agent.

Agriculture Checklist

By David EndorfDavid Endorf is a member of Jefferson

County Farm Bureau. This article first ap-peared in the May 2011 issue of Prairie Fire, www.prairiefirenewspaper.com.

Irrigation has been part of Nebraska since at least the 1890s. The Dust Bowl days of the 1930s raised awareness of the unpre-dictability of Nebraska weather, especially summer rainfall, and innovators began look-ing for ways to bring water to their crops. More recently, as the state has faced wa-ter shortages and challenges, some citizens and policy makers have begun to question whether irrigation is still a good use of the states’ water. I believe it is: irrigation plays an important and often unrecognized role in the health of Nebraska’s rural communities, helping them to retain families, businesses, employees and schools.

The village of Daykin in northwest Jef-ferson County, population about 180, is a prime example of a community that ben-efits from irrigation. I’ve lived nearly my en-tire life near Daykin, which is surrounded by irrigated cropland. My great-grandfather immigrated from Germany in 1870 and settled near Tobias, just six miles from my home farm. I moved to my current farm in 1959 at the age of 6. This piece of God’s earth has been my home with only a few years away at college and two years in the U.S. Army.

My grandfather and father were farm-ers and I continued the tradition. I gradu-ated from the University of Nebraska with a bachelor’s degree in agriculture in 1977, married my dear wife Colleen in 1979, and together we raised a son and daughter and grew our family farm. It’s my dream that someday a family member will walk and work our land.

IRRIGATION SYSTEMSNearly all of the irrigation in my area

comes from the Ogallala Aquifer. Deep wells stretch 65 to 130 feet below the soil surface to the water-bearing gravel below. My father drilled his first irrigation well in 1967. He used what’s called “flood” or “gravity” irrigation. In this system, water travels through pipes which have “gates” that can be opened to send water down the furrows between the crop rows. When the water reaches the end of one row, that gate is closed and another is opened.

This system is still used to irrigate many acres in Nebraska but it is rapidly being replaced with center pivots systems that require less labor and are more efficient in evenly applying water across the field and avoiding any runoff or waste. Center pivots don’t work everywhere: small or irregularly shaped fields often are not appropriate for pivots and water that carries debris, such as canal or river water, can cause problems for pivots.

Irrigation has expanded rapidly in my area during the past 30 years, resulting in more crop production and higher yields per acre. This has brought with it a new level of economic prosperity. Small town business-es such as lumber yards, hardware stores, repair shops and banks have maintained or expanded their business in communi-ties surrounded by irrigated farms, such as

Daykin and Plymouth. In contrast, the Jeffer-son County villages of Endicott and Steele City that are surrounded by dry cropland and rangeland are struggling.

In Daykin, the cooperative elevator is adding grain storage to handle the in-creased grain production, which results in an extra employee for the local lumber yard that will provide the concrete for the silo. A new auto body shop opened last year and a new seed dealer and agrono-mist is opening a business in town this spring. New homes, new grain bins, new shops and machine storage buildings are being built – mostly because of the pros-perity of irrigated agriculture. Unlike many small towns, there are employment oppor-tunities in this area.

PROPERTY TAXESThe primary way irrigation supports our

local communities is through the property taxes farmers pay. Property taxes are high-er on the higher-valued irrigated land, usu-ally 60 to 70 percent more than for com-parable dryland acres. Irrigated land has a higher value because it produces higher crop yields.

For example, land with a Crete soil type will be valued for 2011 at $2,210 per acre for non-irrigated land. The same Crete soil type when irrigated will be valued at $3,670 per acre. At the current tax rate of $1.76, each irrigated acre will generate an addition-al $25.70 in property tax revenue. In 2011, Jefferson County has 80,886 irrigated crop acres, of a total 330,694 acres of agricultural land. The higher property taxes paid on ir-rigated land result in more revenue for local schools, fire districts, community colleges, Natural Resources Districts and county gov-ernment.

LOCAL BUSINESSES PROFITThe second way irrigation supports lo-

cal communities is through the additional money farmers must spend to get an economic return on their investment. Ac-cording to the Nebraska Policy Institute, roughly two-thirds of the economic ben-efit of irrigation accrues to the economy at large. Most of that benefit goes to local

businesses.There’s the cost of irrigation itself – about

$25 to $35 of diesel fuel per acre to run the irrigation pumps. More seed is needed for an irrigated field, and slightly more fertil-izer. Seed, fertilizer, fuel for farm equipment, insurance, hauling and storage, and interest add another $85.

So it costs me about $115 more for an acre of irrigated corn than a dryland acre. But, while dryland corn yields between 40 and 140 bushels an acre depending on rain-fall, my irrigated yields are consistently in the range of 190 to 220 bushels.

The income of even 100 extra bush-els an acre at today’s cash corn prices results in substantial farm profits. These profits are then multiplied many times in the community as purchases are made for supplies, equipment and vehicles. The consistent yields and dependable income from irrigation allow me to plan and in-

vest in my operation with confidence. Again according to the Nebraska Policy Institute, variations in yield for irrigated corn over an eight-year period were 62 percent less than for dryland corn. Corn and soybean hybrids continue to im-prove as biotechnology is used to help control insects, disease and weeds. But it is irrigation that maintains consistent yields year after year.

CREATING JOBSWith irrigated agriculture as a reliable rev-

enue source, it is obvious why water and irrigation are so important to this state. The ripple effect of this income stream produces and keeps jobs and young people in rural Nebraska. One out of every three jobs in Nebraska exists because of agriculture, in-cluding related industries such as meat pack-ing, food processing, transportation and the ethanol industry.

Water has been called the lifeblood of Nebraska. It is a precious resource that I and other farmers strive to use wisely. I use no-till farming methods which leave the previous year’s crop residue on the soil surface to prevent evaporation; I monitor evaporation and moisture loss from plant leaves on a daily basis. To avoid applying too much water to my crops, I use elec-tronic watermark sensors to monitor soil moisture and schedule irrigation. All of these practices help me to maintain crop health and maximize yields while minimiz-ing the amount of water I pump for irriga-tion.

My farm has slowly expanded from that first irrigation well to include nine wells un-der my management today. I am mindful of my responsibilities to be a good steward of the land and the water resource that have been entrusted to me. It is my sincere goal to leave these resources in better condition than I received them for the next genera-tion. It is gratifying and fulfilling to be a family farmer doing my part to support my com-munity, state and nation as well as helping to feed the world.

Irrigation Keeps Nebraska Communities HealthyNebraska Farm Bureau News JUNE 22, 2011 13

David Endorf, Jefferson County Farm Bureau member, has lived on his family’s farm since 1959. His grandfather and father were farmers and he continued that tradition and hopes one day another family member will walk and work their land.

The village of Daykin in northwest Jefferson County, population about 180, is a prime example of a community that benefits from irrigation.

2011 Valuation Tax Rate Total Tax Paid

Irrigated Land $3,670/acre $1.76/acre $64.59Dryland $2,210/acre $1.76/acre $38.89

Additional Property Tax paid on one acre because of irrigation: $25.70

Property Taxes Assessed on One Acre of Land With Crete Soil Type in Jefferson County

Irrigated Dryland

Corn Seed 105.00 74.00 Fertilizer 90.00 66.00 Diesel Fuel 30.00 21.00 Power for irrigation 30.00 0.00 Crop Protection Products 30.00 30.00 Crop Insurance 30.00 20.00 Freight/Storage 13.00 9.00 Operating Loan interest 17.00 10.00 –––––– ––––––Totals 345.00 230.00

This table compares estimated costs between irrigated corn and dryland corn based on April 1, 2011 values. Costs can vary substantially based on rapidly changing input costs and individual management decisions. Costs that are the same for irrigated and dryland acres are not included above. This table also assumes the farmer owns the cropland.

Comparison of Input Costs For One Acre Planted to Corn


Nebraska lawmakers adopted redistrict-ing plans for the state’s 49 state legislative districts and three Congressional districts during the final days of the 2011 legisla-tive session. Legislatures are responsible for drawing new boundaries once each decade following the federal census, for Congres-sional and legislation districts and for state-wide elected offices.

Redistricting is necessary to assure equal representation across the elected seats. State senators adopted the plans following several weeks of public debate and meet-ings about propsed maps which split the of-ficially nonpartisan legislature, where Repub-licans outnumber Democrats 34-15.

BIG CHANGES TO THE MAP“There were big changes to the state’s

Congressional map,” Jay Rempe, Farm Bu-reau vice president of member services, said June 1. Redistricting expands the Third Con-gressional District to Nebraska’s northeast and southeast borders.

Lawmakers also moved Offutt Air Force Base and the city of Bellevue out of the Omaha-based Second District and placed it in Sarpy County. Moving Bellevue into the First Congressional District gives Offutt two Congressional representatives in Washing-ton: current Rep. Lee Terry and new Rep. Jeff Fortenberry,” Rempe said.

Lawmakers adopted minor adjustments to the bill when Sen. Norm Wallman of Cortland showed concern that the Re-districting Committee’s proposal divided Gage County between two Congressional districts. The new map now has the entire county in the Third District, while a sliver of southeast Dixon County was moved into the First District.

LEGISLATIVE DISTRICTSA separate bill dealt with redrawing new

legislative district lines. The plan which ad-vanced transfers District 49 from north-west Nebraska to northwest Sarpy Coun-ty. Sen. LeRoy Louden of Ellsworth, who currently represents the district, is term-limited and will be leaving the legislature after next year.

With Nebraska’s growing population, each legislative district needed to include about 37,000 people, in contrast to the previous population size of 33,000. Prior to redistricting, the districts ranged in size

from 31,000 in rural areas to 68,000 in fast-growing suburban Omaha.

“Unfortunately, while Nebraska grew in population, the growth did not occur evenly across all 49 legislative districts. Thus rural Nebraska lost a legislative seat while subur-ban Omaha gained one,” Rempe said. Dis-tricts 47 (Sen. Ken Schilz) and 43 (Sen. Deb Fischer) grew to absorb the area formerly contained in District 49.

CHANGES NOW IN EFFECT“The changes went into effect immediately

when Gov. Heineman signed the legislation. Because of the changes, several counties now find themselves with different representatives

in the legislature,” Rempe said.The Governmental Relations Depart-

ment has sent letters to County Farm Bu-reau leaders in counties that have moved into different districts, informing them of the changes and providing contact information for their new senators. “We’re also offering to facilitate meetings between county lead-ers and their new legislative or Congressio-nal representatives so they can get to know each other.”

To see a statewide map of the new leg-islative and Congressional boundaries, visit the Nebraska Legislature website at www.legislature.ne.gov.

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July 4th

Nebraska Lawmakers Redraw State’s Congressional and Legislative District Lines

CHERRY

HOLTSIOUX

CUSTER

LINCOLN

SHERIDAN

KNOX

GARDEN

DAWES

KEITH

ROCKBROWN

MORRILL

GAGE

CHASE

DUNDY

DAWSON

GRANT

KIMBALL

CLAY

HALL

CEDAR

CHEYENNE

BUFFALO

HAYES

LOUPBLAINE

YORKPERKINS

BOYD

BOX BUTTE

BOONE

FRONTIER

BURT

BANNERARTHUR

FURNAS

THOMASHOOKER

POLK

LOGAN

ANTELOPE

SALINEADAMS

PIERCE

DIXON

VALLEYDODGE

KEYA PAHA

CUMING

THAYERHARLAN

PHELPS

MCPHERSON

DEUEL

WAYNE

MADISON

GREELEY

HITCHCOCK

WHEELERGARFIELD

FRANKLIN WEBSTER

SHERMAN

FILLMORE

RED WILLOW

MERRICK

GOSPER KEARNEY

COLFAX

NUCKOLLS PAWNEE

STANTON

OTOE

CASS

PLATTE

BUTLER

LANCASTER

SAUNDERS

SEWARD

NANCE

HOWARD

HAMILTON

SCOTTS BLUFF

JEFFERSON

NEMAHA

RICHARDSON

JOHNSON

SARPY

THURSTON

DOUGLAS

DAKOTA

WASHINGTON

3

1 2

United States House of Representatives - LB 704 (2011)

¶0 80 16040 Miles

District Deviation 1 0.00% 2 0.00% 3 0.00%

5-24-2011

CON11- 30001

Wakefield

Emerson

DAKOTA

WAYNE THURSTON

DIXON

2

1

SARPY

CASS

DOUGLAS

Bellevue

BUTLER SAUNDERS

LANCASTER

23

3032

35

22

47

ADAMS

ANTELOPE

ARTHUR

BANNER

BLAINE

BOONE

BOXBUTTE

CHERRY

CHASE

CEDAR

CASS

BURT

BUFFALO

BROWN

BOYD

CHEYENNE

CLAY

COLFAX

CUMING

CUSTER

DAKOTA

DAWES

DAWSON

DEUEL

DIXON

DODGE

DOUGLAS

DUNDY

FILLMORE

FRANKLIN

FRONTIER

FURNAS GAGE

HAYES

HARLAN

HAMILTON

HALL

GREELEY

GRANT

GOSPER

GARFIELD

GARDEN

KEYAPAHA

KEITH

KEARNEYJOHNSON

JEFFERSON

HOWARD

HOOKER

HOLT

HITCHCOCK

KIMBALL

KNOX

LINCOLN

LOGAN

LOUP

MCPHERSON

MADISON

MERRICK

PIERCE

PHELPS

PERKINS

PAWNEE

OTOE

NUCKOLLS

NEMAHA

NANCE

MORRILLSCOTTS BLUFF

SARPY

SALINE

ROCK

RICHARDSONRED

WILLOW

POLK

PLATTE

SEWARD

SHERIDAN

SHERMAN

SIOUX

STANTON

THAYER

THOMAS

THURSTON

VALLEY

YORK

WHEELER

WEBSTER

WAYNE

WASH-INGTON

1

2

15

16

17

19

24

33

34

36

37

38

40

41

42

43

44

48

Legislative Districts - LB 703 (2011)

¶LEG11-43002E

GGIISS

Geographic Information Systems Map Created by: Jack Dohrman and Trisha Schlake

Source: U.S. Census Bureau Date Created: 5-18-2011

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• Amendment To Cut Ethanol Subsidies Passes

The Senate continued debate on S. 782, the “Economic Development Revitalization Act of 2011 in mid-June.” The bill would reauthorize programs under the U.S. De-partment of Commerce Economic Devel-opment Agency. As part of the debate, Sens. Tom Coburn (R-Okla.) and Dianne Feinstein (D-Ca.) each introduced amend-ments which would eliminate the Volumet-ric Ethanol Excise Tax Credit (VEETC) and remove the current tariff on imported etha-nol. VEETC and the tariff are currently set to expire on Dec. 31, 2011.

The Coburn amendment failed, despite drawing the support of a number Republi-can and Democratic lawmakers. However, Feinstein was able to gather 73 votes for her

amendment, handing a political win to a bi-partisan group of lawmakers who believe the credit is expensive and unnecessary. Sens. John Thune (R-S.D.) and Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) are continuing to float legislation that would end the 45-cent-per-gallon ethanol blender’s credit, but maintain a smaller and “variable” blender’s credit for three years when oil prices are below certain levels. Their proposal also would steer some savings from ending the credit to deficit reduction, while also extending credits for cellulosic ethanol production, small ethanol producers and in-stalling alternative fuel pumps.

Farm Bureau opposed both amendments and is continuing to support efforts to tran-sition VEETC to a program that builds bio-fuel infrastructure, including blender pumps and biofuel pipelines.

• House Passes FY12 Ag Spending Bill

The House of Representa-tives recently passed the Fiscal Year 2012 Ag-r i cu l t u re Spending Bill. The proposal would cut nearly $3 billion (roughly 13 percent) from Fiscal Year 2011 spending levels. Significant cuts came from numerous programs including conservation programs, the Agricultural Research Service, National Institute of Food & Agriculture, and nutrition programs.

Farm Bureau’s priorities for the spending bill included preventing attempts to reopen the 2008 Farm Bill through the altering of payment eligibility requirements; opposing efforts to exclude funding for the inspec-tion of horse slaughter facilities; and secur-ing funding for an agreement between the United States and Brazil to prevent possible WTO Trade Sanctions because of the U.S. cotton program. The spending bill passed on June 16 with all three of Nebraska’s House members voting in favor of passage.

• Senate Ag Committee Looks To Pass Pesticide Bill

Senate Agriculture Committee Chair Deb-bie Stabenow (D-Mich.) has scheduled a meeting of her committee to consider H.R. 872, the “Reducing Regulatory Burdens Act of 2011.” Farm Bureau strongly supports the bill and is pushing for committee passage. H.R. 872 would eliminate the burdensome and overlapping permit requirements result-ing from the National Cotton Council v. EPA

case. It would amend the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act and the Clean Water Act to clarify that CWA permits are not needed when a pesticide is applied in ac-cordance with a FIFRA-approved label.

• Court Decision Gives Farm Bu-reau ‘Seat at the Table’ in Pesticide Lawsuit

A recent decision by the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Cali-fornia which allows the American Farm

Bureau Federation and other agricultural groups to intervene in a major lawsuit over pesticide use and the Endangered Species Act gives the groups a “seat at the table” in settlement discussions, according to Ellen Steen, AFBF’s general counsel.

“The court’s decision in the lawsuit, “Center for Biological Diversity v. Environmental Pro-tection Agency,” gives Farm Bureau and the other groups a voice in the lawsuit and allows us to object to any agreement that would limit the ability of farmers to use crop protection products,” Steen said. On June 3, AFBF and nine other agriculture-related organizations filed the motion to intervene in the lawsuit. Other interested parties, such as Croplife America, also were granted intervention sta-tus and will take part in settlement discussions.

The CBD lawsuit seeks to impose use re-strictions, or even outright bans, on hundreds of pesticides based on alleged risk to threat-ened or endangered species and “critical habitats” protected under the Endangered Species Act. The lawsuit alleges that EPA vio-lated the Endangered Species ct by failing to consult with the Fish and Wildlife Service and National Marine Fisheries Service about the potential effects of 381 EPA-registered pes-ticides on 214 threatened and endangered species in 49 states and Puerto Rico.


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Travis VanDuysen, Wagner, SD (F. Rep) 605-661-3826

Matt VanDriel, Yankton, SD (F. Rep.) 605-661-8724Ed Sage, Crofton, NE (F. Rep) 402-640-8420Dean Price (General Manager) 605-661-5097

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TOM PULLEN • SALES REPRESENTATIVEWATTS: 1-800-658-4375 • BUS. (308) 946-3068 or 946-2224

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LANNY LOVITT COMPACT TRACTORSBlades • Tillers • Backhoe • Mowers • Forks

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Becky Graham of Cedar County Farm Bureau (standing) shares ideas for the Ag Pro-motion Committee’s program of work June 9 at the committee’s meeting in Lincoln. Also pictured from left are Judy Geisler, Washington County; Eleanor Lueck, Sherman-Valley County; Graham; Becky Schelm, Brown County; Lu Kresha, Polk County; and Jean Thunker, Keith County.

NEFB President Keith Olsen received a special award May

26 at the final Legislative Ag Breakfast of the year, in recognition of his frequent participation for nearly 10 years. Farm Bureau’s Gov-

ernmental Relations Depart-ment organizes the bi-weekly

breakfasts and ag organiza-tions take turns hosting them.

Olsen is completing his service as Farm Bureau presi-

dent in December. Pictured from left are Chuck Folken, Nebraska Cattlemen Asso-

ciation president; Olsen; and Jay Rempe, Nebraska Farm

Bureau vice president/govern-ment relations.

Red Willow Chemical“Quality You Can Trust”

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This month’s featured blogger is Melissa Slagle and “AgWalk” – a column on Ag-Wired (www.agwired.com/category/agwalk) that recounts the tales of farm moms, wives, granddaughters and grandfathers in hopes of connecting generations of farm families

and consumers. Melissa recently moved back “home” to the southeast Nebraska farm where she was born and raised. She and her husband, Nate, are Nemaha County Farm Bureau members.

About my family. We’re just three of a kind – me, my better half, and my mini-me better half (a/k/a my husband and 2-and-a-half- year- old son who is a spitting image of his daddy). My husband is a born-and-raised farm boy, and that’s how we want to raise our son. We aren’t directly involved in production agriculture, and I don’t think

USDA would classify my garden as produc-tion ag either, but we’re as close to being farmers as you can get.

I’ve worked for farmers almost my entire adult career, and my husband builds ener-gy-efficient houses and sheds and installs wind turbines for farmers. And, my imme-diate family is still involved in every aspect of farming you can think of. So I guess that lends a bit of credibility when I write about farm life and being a “farm mom.”

I do live right off a gravel road.So now that you know what my husband

does, I have to tell you about our con-versation the other day. We were talking about how he builds beautiful, stunning, amazing houses, but I make them pretty. Please don’t take that as being vain, I mean pretty on the outside.

Just last week, I planted 50 Canadian Hemlock bushes, one red maple tree, and two Forsythia bushes in our front yard. Of course, there’s my garden, my new Jack-in-the-Pulpits transplanted from my grand-parents (who are a stone’s throw away, if you have a strong arm), and the asparagus patch I’m trying to get started.

But these flowers. Aren’t they breath-taking? I have six planters on the front patio overflowing with color. I wish I could freeze-frame them through the winter months. But then come next spring, I get the pleasure of growing something beauti-ful all over again.

That’s my version of outside decorating. Then again, my husband is from western Kansas where the only things that flourish are tumbleweeds.


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The Real DirtBy Melissa Slagle, Nemaha CountyBlogs as AgWalk

Adams 462-29201902 W. 2nd Street, HastingsRodney Hunt, LUTCF, ChFC, AEPAdams 463-2111813 W. 2nd, HastingsMarty DemuthAntelope 887-4842104 W. 11th, NelighAl Stelling, CLU, ChFC, LUTCF Keith Zuhlke, CLU, ChFC, LUTCFBoone 395-6363124 N. 4th, AlbionRon Erickson, LUTCFBox Butte 762-4505407 E 3rd, AllianceRhonda BaseggioBrown-Rock- Keya Paha 387-1809312 N. Main St., AinsworthAngie DavisBuffalo 234-2222 3915 Ave. N, Ste. A, KearneyDon Snyder, LUTCFRick Smith, LUTCFBuffalo 234-4922 5810 2nd Ave., KearneyMatt MyersRich PetersBuffalo 452-3653 211 Grand Ave., RavennaDon SnyderBuffalo 238-5010 12 East Railroad Street, KearneyJohn RoschewskiBurt 374-1880 1316 L. St., TekamahTroy PerchalButler 367-3306319 “E” St., David CityRalph Carleo, LUTCFCass 296-4999 2302 W. 8th #1, PlattsmouthLon WidlerLori BakerCedar 254-6945109 N. Broadway, HartingtonAllen WaltonChase 882-4232 512 Broadway, ImperialDustin WeissCherry 376-3328264 N. Main, ValentineJay HollenbeckCheyenne 254-4193 940 9th Ave., Sidney Brett KratzerRachael MotzkusClay 773-4272 209 N. Saunders, SuttonLoren Huber, LUTCFColfax 352-3146 West Hwy. 30, SchuylerBruce Dinslage Cuming 648-7513305 Main St., BancroftStan McAfee, LUTCFCuming 529-22281012 Ave. “E”, WisnerJason SchweersCuster-Blaine-Loup 872-6433 616 South C, Broken BowEd DuryeaTravis DuryeaDakota 494-3972 901 W. 21st, Ste. 2, So. Sioux CityColin RossChris BuchholzDawes 432-3540224 Main St., ChadronKaren DomingoDawes 432-5062315 Main St., ChadronAmy HalversonDawson 411 East Pacific, LexingtonChase Wolf 324-4000Rick Trampe 324-6355Dawson 537-2257408 10th St., GothenburgJay EngelDawson 784-3700410 E Hwy 30, CozadSteve GriffisDeuel-Garden 874-2404 252 Vincent Ave., ChappellSteve Fischer

Dixon 287-2784212 10th St., WakefieldStan McAfee, LUTCFDodge 721-2644 1900 E. Military, Ste. 248B, FremontSherry Leriger, LUTCFDouglas 758-6633920 N 204th Street, Ste. 160, ElkhornTroy PerchalDouglas 779-72115728 S. 144th, OmahaJon ChristensenJason WickhamShane MyersDouglas/Omaha 493-59002065 N. 120th, OmahaDon ChristensenDon ArantDouglas/Omaha 339-63487733 “L” St., Omaha Celeste BundeDouglas/Omaha 390-10765726 S. 144th St., OmahaRon Randall, LUTCFDouglas/Omaha 884-441016944 Audrey St., Ste. 5, OmahaDavid Burke, LUTCFDouglas/Omaha 614-07077114 N. 102 Cr., OmahaMatt GuzinskiTodd Noecker, LUTCF, CLTCKevin McTaggartDouglas/Omaha 896-190817670 Welch Plaza, Ste. 103, OmahaMark OlsenPhil GuenetteDouglas/Omaha 991-8200 3614 N. 163rd Plaza, OmahaMichael BaberLiz MahonDouglas/Omaha 614-3187 6834 S. 143rd Plaza, OmahaBrandon AveryDennis GoltzScott DunnDouglas/Omaha 895-8763 18111 Q St. Ste 107, OmahaTim OrtonMichael JenkinsDoug IsaacDale WalkerBrett EhmenDan SwantekDouglas/Omaha 502-6959 15728 West Center Rd., OmahaJason SmithDouglas/Omaha 342 N. 76th, OmahaScott GirvanDouglas/Omaha 758-6633 4602 S. 132nd St., OmahaTroy Perchal

Omaha Developmental Center 895-8059 5005 S 153rd Street, Ste. 202, OmahaRick AndresNoah YostJoshua BaduraJoe PaneSteve SchmittDundy 423-57931303 A Street, BenkelmanJim GleasonFillmore 759-4407 960 S. 13th, GenevaSteve SchiermeyerFrontier 367-4350106 East 1st, CurtisPhil HinrichsGage 228-4232 3216 N. 6th., BeatriceSteve Spilker, LUTCFCurt SpilkerGreeley 497-2348146 East St. Joseph Street, SpaldingGary HartleyHall 382-5707 2118 Kent Ave., Grand Island Kyle Sawyers, LUTCFEdmund “Rocky” Kershaw, LUTCFHall3341 State St., Ste. C, Grand IslandLee Mohr 382-5093Stacey Rust 382-5093Steve Allen 398-0134Hamilton 694-2399 211 16th, AuroraJ.J. RotherHarlan 928-2232 604 West Main, AlmaRay BunnellHayes 286-3331604 Hwy. 25, Hayes CenterDustin WeissHitchcock 866-950-3276 312 Main Street, TrentonJim GleasonHolt-Boyd-Rock 336-3635 504 W. Douglas, O’NeillGene Kelly, LUTCFHolt-Boyd-Rock 336-1332130 S. 4th St., O’NeillBarbara HesseHolt 925-2227503 N. Hill Street, AtkinsonJustin EstillHoward 754-5481 904 2nd St., St. PaulTom Mortimer, LUTCFJefferson 729-2728505 7th St., FairburyKendall Schlake, LUTCFJohnson 335-2254185 S. 3rd St., TecumsehLinda HinrichsenKearney-Franklin 832-2290640 N. Minden Ave., MindenRandy Myers

Keith-Arthur 284-3930 116 W. 6th St., OgallalaDustin Weiss Kimball-Banner 235-3085 213 S. Chestnut, KimballTonya DeMarcoKnox 373-4600 120 N. Broadway, BloomfieldAllen WaltonLancaster/Lincoln 420-74537945 S. 15th, Suite D, Lincoln Michael KastensJason SchluckebierLancaster/Lincoln 477-6262127 S. 37th, Ste. A, LincolnTom BanderasDJ KisslerDon LieskeRyan SchmeitsLancaster/Lincoln 421-91005550 S. 59th St., Ste. 24, LincolnJack RussellMike JuradoSonny LaneLancaster/Lincoln 421-28885445 Red Rock Lane, Ste. 200, LincolnChuck SeverinLancaster/Lincoln 421-44005225 S. 16th St., LincolnCindy ClearyAdrian DiazDavid DuffMatt KauffmanClint LilienthalDustin LottmanNate NoeckerBrock RothAnthony SchnuelleSteph ShoemakerLancaster/Waverly 786-046513220 Callum Dr., Ste. 3, WaverlyRusty Wellman Lincoln-Logan Thomas-McPherson 532-4998410 E. Francis, Ste. 3, North PlatteJay EngelLogan 636-2305603 1st St., StapletonTammy FiechtnerMadison 454-9091116 W 3rd Street, MadisonBrad BoshMadison-Stanton 379-3237 504 N. 13th, NorfolkBrad BoshRick KuehnerMadison-Stanton 371-1520 401 E. Norfolk Ave., NorfolkJoe Herian, CPCU, LUTCFMerrick 946-3893 1105 S. 16th St., Central CityDick Evers, LUTCFAnn Heinen, LUTCFMorrill 262-1740905 Main St., BridgeportMark BolesNance 536-3323330 Broadway St., FullertonJJ RotherNemaha-Richardson 274-3189 1919 “J”, AuburnLavell ClarkDoug KubikNuckolls 879-3377449 N. Central Ave., SuperiorNate CaseyOtoe 269-2541 429 5th St., SyracuseRyan RohlOtoe 873-9032 104 S. 12th, Nebraska CityRyan RohlPawnee-Richardson 852-2125624 “G” St. Pawnee CityLinda HinrichsenPerkins 352-4320228 Central Avenue, GrantDustin WeissPhelps 995-4041 411 Grant, HoldregePhil HinrichsPierce 329-6284 115 West Main, PierceScott Race

Platte 562-77772921 23rd St., ColumbusDon SterupPlatte 564-05583309 31st St. #8, ColumbusEric StuthmanPlatte 923-0292301 S. Main, HumphreyCarol WemhoffPolk 747-2351 540 Nebraska, OsceolaSteve DeyRed Willow 345-6720 505 W. B St., McCookChad MeyerRed Willow 345-2234 521 Norris Street, Suite 1. McCookAl GuntherSaline 826-5111 915 Main Ave., Ste. 8, CreteTodd BohlmeyerSaline 243-2233 201 State Hwy. 74, TobiasDoug FrancisSarpy 339-0049 1256 Golden Gate Dr., Ste. 1, PapillionMike HolversonSarpy 332-2683 101 Enterprise Dr., Gretna Clay HeavicanSarpy 829-54228410 S. 73rd Pz #108, PapillionBrandon KounovskyNicole CarterAkil DavisJoe RickleySaunders 443-3704 113 East 5th, WahooKyle CooperSaunders 944-31311408 Silver St., AshlandSandy MilesScottsbluff-Sioux 635-8005108 East 19th, ScottsbluffRichard BretthauerScottsbluff-Sioux 635-0900101 E. 22nd, ScottsbluffTim Jordening, LUTCFScottsbluff 633-1684222 W 27th St., Ste 200, ScottsblurrMark BolesSeward 420-7453Jason SchluckebierSheridan 638-4566 109 N. Main, Hay SpringsRhonda BaseggioSheridan 282-1000 113 N. Main, GordonRhonda BaseggioThayer 768-6218 440 Lincoln Ave., Hebron Nate Casey, LUTCFThurston 385-2208 306 Main, PenderMatt BuchholzValley-Sherman- Garfield-Wheeler 728-3216 1516 L Street, OrdHelen Ohme, LUTCFHarold BentonValley-Sherman- Garfield-Wheeler 728-3400 220 S. 14th St., OrdGreg DuryeaWashington 426-34401565 Washington St., BlairTroy PerchalWayne 375-3144 318 Main St., WayneLynette Krie, LUTCFYork 362-3606 828 Lincoln Ave., YorkBradley Stelling, LUTCF

Life Specialists Only Buffalo 236-9252 2202 Central Ave., KearneyDelmar Jones, LUTCFDouglas 334-2743 18111 Q St., Ste 107, OmahaPaul Jensen, CLU, ChFCGage 228-4232 3216 N. 6th., BeatriceKaren Denton

Your nearest Farm Bureau agent would be glad to hear from you:

Contact your local Farm Bureau agent.

Farm Bureau representatives are authorized health insuranceagents of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Nebraska, an independent

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With valuation increases on the minds of farmers, ranchers and homeowners, Nebraska Farm Bureau wants to remind everyone that it has developed an easy-to-follow checklist of 10 things to do and to consider if you decide to protest your valuation at the county asses-sor’s office. The deadline for filing a protest is June 30.

Protest Check List1. If you think the assessed value for

your house, farmstead or real estate is too high, you can file a protest with the county clerk’s office. This can be done in person or by mail and must be submitted in triplicate, signed and dated, and postmarked by June 30. There is no fee to file a protest. You should know that by filing a protest, the as-sessed value for your property could also be increased if the county board believes it was undervalued.

2. When filling out the protest form, make sure that you state in the box ask-ing for the “reasons for requested valuation change” that “you believe the actual value of your property is in excess of the mar-ket value and that it is not equalized with comparable property in your area.” Such language is needed in order to protest both the assessed valuation and the fact your property may not be equalized with other

similar properties. If you are protesting mul-tiple parcels of property, a separate protest must be filed for each parcel.

3. Contact your county clerk and ask what process will be used to handle pro-tests. While the ultimate decision on the protest lies with the county board, some counties use independent referees to hear protests. It is important to know how the protest will be processed and the schedule.

4. After filing your protest, you will be notified by mail when a hearing by a ref-eree will be scheduled, or when the county board will meet to consider your protest. The hearing or board consideration will oc-cur sometime before July 25 or in Douglas, Lancaster and Sarpy Counties the deadline could be extended to Aug. 10.

5. In preparing for your protest hearing, make sure the county assessor’s records of your property are accurate. For example, make sure the assessor has properly docu-mented the square footage of your dwelling, the number of bathrooms, the garage size, the number of out buildings, whether or not the basement is finished and the type of farm ground and whether it is pasture, cropland, irrigated, the correct number of acres, etc.

6. Next, look at how your property valu-ation compares to other properties in the

neighborhood, township or general area. Some counties have property valuations available online while others have this in-formation on file at the courthouse. You can find which counties are online through the website of the Department of Property Assessment and Taxation. If your valua-tion appears out of line compared to your neighbors, these differences could be used as your first evidence on why your property is overvalued.

7. Find recent sales of similar properties. Determine the sales price and assessed values for these properties. County asses-sors may be able to provide sales informa-tion. Assessed values are public record and are available on the web in some counties. Carefully compare your property with these properties to find characteristics that would distinguish your property from the market. You are looking for characteristics like cost per square foot, price per acre, number of bathrooms, soil types, road conditions, loca-tion, noise, or other factors that may lessen your value.

8. You may want to use local Realtors as a resource in trying to distinguish your property from other similar properties. For example, do out-buildings on a farmstead actually add value to the property when

other acreage sites with no out-buildings are selling for the same price; or what if the out-buildings are bulldozed when a farmstead is purchased?

9. If you have a recent (within the last few years) appraisal of the property, you can use it as evidence of value. You may also want to determine the replacement costs of your house improvements. Replacement costs usually establish the upper end of the value of a property. If the market value the assessor established for your property is at or above your replacement costs, this differ-ence figure could also be used as evidence in your protest.

10. The county board will make a deci-sion, and the county clerk must mail the board’s decision to you on or before Aug. 2. For Douglas, Lancaster and Sarpy counties, the decision deadline may be extended to Aug. 18. Also, for counties that use referees, you can appeal the referee’s recommenda-tions to the county board if you have new information. Again, be sure to contact your county clerk to determine the process in your county. If you are still are not satisfied, you can appeal to the state Tax Equaliza-tion and Review Commission by Aug. 24 or Sept. 10 in counties with a population of greater than 100,000.

Farm Bureau Develops Checklist To Help With Valuation Protests

By Jordan DuxFarm Bureau National Affairs Coordinator

This series highlights a federal regulation that is important to farmers and ranchers. The purpose is to create aware-ness among Nebraska Farm Bureau members and to pro-vide an opportunity for farmers and ranchers to make an impact on these proposals.

This month’s regulation deals with an Environmental Pro-tection Agency expansion of the Spill Prevention and Con-trol Countermeasure (SPCC) regulation.

BackgroundUnder an SPCC rule EPA finalized in 2008, farms that

store oil of any kind – petroleum, vegetable, animal fats, etc. – that amounts to more than 1,320 gallons above-ground or 42,000 gallons of buried storage capacity per site must

have an SPCC plan and maintain records to show they are following the plan. Otherwise, if a spill occurs, the farm will face legal liability.

Spill prevention plans must describe the preventative control measures that are in place and the response ac-tions that would be taken in case of a spill. Under the rule, a spill is one that reaches navigable waters, or “waters of the U.S.”

Farms with above-ground fuel storage of 10,000 gallons or less, no single container of more than 5,000 gallons and no recent history of oil spills – which EPA calls Tier I facili-ties – will be able to self-certify their plans. Farms with larger amounts of fuel storage are required to hire Professional Engineers to certify their prevention plans.

1. How does this affect farmers and ranchers?Some farmers may be able to self-certify their plan, but

a majority will likely need the help of a Professional En-gineer to develop and certify their plan. That could cost from $1,500 to $3,000. If a farm has bulk storage without secondary containment, a plan will most likely require that secondary containment be added, at additional cost.

This is a huge expansion of government. It shows EPA’s lack of understanding of agriculture and EPA’s one-size-fits-all mentality.

2. What can be done to stop EPA from moving forward?

Farmers and ranchers need to contact their U.S. Repre-sentatives and Senators and urge them to support legisla-tion which would raise the regulatory threshold to 30,000 gallons. This move would return the regulatory burden to the large storage facilities the SPCC regulation was intended to cover (oil refineries, gas stations and airports).

To take action, go to www.nefb.org and click the “SPCC Survey” icon.


EVENTS & TRAVELDeuel County Fair“Memories and Traditions”

August 11-14, 2011

Thurs. - River Rock Band & FireworksFri. - Pancake Man, Antique Tractor Pull &

Cowboy Up BandSat. - 4-H & FFA Livestock Sale, 2nd Annual Bull

Riding & Mutton Busting, 2nd Annual RibCook-off Contest & Fifth of Wisdom band in the

Beer Garden & Mechanical Bull.Sun. - 2nd Annual Demolition Derby

Beer Garden Daily!

LOGAN COUNTY FAIR“Nebraska’s Biggest Little Rodeo!”

Aug 25 - 28Stapleton, NE308-636-2948

Cass County FairCarnival Lights and COUNTRY NIGHTS

Aug. 9 - Aug. 13, 2011Weeping Water, NE

Free Admission • Free Grands EntertainmentWednesday, August 10

8:30pm - Cass County Queen ContestThursday, August 11

7:00pm - Outlaw Truck & Tractor Pull7:30pm - Mutton Buster Show/Competition

Friday, August 12Cass County Cookin’ at the Fair BBQ Contest www.cassbbq.com

Conestoga FFA Demonstrations, Ag Hall6:00pm - 8:30pm - Children’s Pedal Pullers,

followed by Adult Pedal Pullers

7:00pm - Figure Eight RacesSaturday, August 13

Cass County Cookin’ at the Fair BBQ Contest www.cassbbq.comConestoga FFA Demonstrations, Ag Hall

9:00am - Garden Tractor Pull6:00pm - Parade

7:30pm - Nebraska Assn. Stock Semi Pull9:30pm - Skeeters D.J. ServicePost-Fair - Sunday, August 14

3:00PM 4-H LIVESTOCK AUCTIONWildlife Encounters

Wed. 5pm & 7pm, Thurs. 7pm, Fri. 3pm, 5pm & 7pm, Sat. 3pm, 5pm & 7:30pmPapa Bear Carvings

All Day Thurs., Fri. & Sat. - papabearcarvings.comNEW: VIDEO CONTEST

For more details: www.cassfair.com

KEARNEY COUNTY FAIRMinden, NEJULY 16-21

Sun. 4-H Horse Show,Kiddie Tractor PullPig Wrestling

Mon. Pee Wee Sheep and 4-H Sheep and Swine Showmanship Contest

Mon.-Tues. 7pm Wild Encounters - Animals around the World

Tues. 4-H Beef ShowmanshipWed. 8pm Pioneer Family Awards and

Grandstand Entertainment

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Federal Regulation of the Month

SPCC Regulation

Take the Survey belowNebraska Farm Bureau is surveying its members to get an idea of how many would be subject to this new regulation. Please fill out the form below or call Jordyn Lechtenberg, Nebraska Farm Bureau’s governmental relations intern, at 800/742-4016, ext. 4712. Specific survey data collected is for internal purposes only and no personal information will be released.

SPCC Survey1. Do you have above-ground fuel storage capacity of 1,320 gallons or more at one or more locations on your farm or ranch? No____ If yes, how many locations?____ If yes, please describe why this level of fuel storage is needed in comparison to a smaller amount of fuel storage capacity. ______________________

2. Do you have above-ground fuel storage capacity of 10,000 gallons or more at any one location on your farm or ranch? No____ If yes, how many locations?______

3. Are you aware of the current SPCC regulations governing fuel storage on your farm? No______ If yes, are you in compliance?______

4. Please circle the maximum level of fuel storage that you feel is needed at any one location in your farming operation. 0 to 500 gallons 500 to 1,320 gallons 1320 to 5,000 gallons 5000 to 10,000 gallons 10,000 or more gallons

Washington, D.C. — Hilary Maricle of Boone County Farm Bureau was selected by the American Farm Bureau as one of 10 young agricultural leaders to participate in the sixth class of the Partners in Agricultural Leadership honors program.

Maricle is a former NEFB board member and is immediate past chair of the Young Farmers and Ranchers program.

Farm Bureau’s PAL program is carried out with support from the Monsanto Company, Farm Credit Foundation and AFBF. It is de-signed to strengthen participants’ leadership skills and put their abilities to work for the benefit of agriculture.

CONTRIBUTIONS“We’re pleased to announce the mem-

bers of the sixth PAL class and we look forward to the contributions they will make as individuals and collectively to strengthen

American agriculture and tell the farmer’s story,” AFBF President Bob Stallman said June 6. “Each of the previous PAL classes has been an outstanding success. Thanks to continued partnerships with Mon-santo and the Farm Credit Foundation, we are confident this class also will prove to be a stellar experience for participants.”

The PAL program provides young farm-ers and ranchers with the opportunity to hone their leadership skills after they have served as AFBF Young Farmers & Ranchers Committee members/officers or participat-ed in competitive YF&R events.

BRIDGING GAPS“Another benefit of this program is that it

often serves as a bridge between YF&R and other agricultural leadership roles,” Stallman said.

By participating in PAL, the young lead-ers will enrich their skills in problem solv-ing, persuasion and consensus building. At the same time, they will be deepening their knowledge of specific agricultural and public policy issues.

Upon completion of the PAL program, participants will be fully equipped to rep-resent agriculture in the media, on speak-ing circuits or in legislative activities. PAL graduates serve as “advocates for agricul-ture,” telling the farmer’s story and pro-moting awareness on issues important to those in the farm-to-consumer food chain.


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Supreme Court Changes Niobrara River Status

The Nebraska Supreme Court recently reversed the Department of Natural Re-source’s decision in 2008 to declare parts of the Niobrara River above Spencer Dam fully appropriated. The department had de-clared the basin fully appropriated in 2008 after the Nebraska Public Power District asked the department to protect its surface water right at Spencer Dam.

Natural Resources Districts in the basin challenged the designation, arguing the de-partment did not have sufficient basis for its finding. The Supreme Court ruled DNR’s decision was “arbitrary and capricious” based on concerns with the methods in the current fully appropriated determination process and voided the order declaring the basin fully appropriated.

In response to the decision, DNR Direc-tor Brian Dunnigan indicated the depart-ment has been working with local NRDs for over a year and a half to address some of the shortcomings of the current methodol-ogy.

Nebraska Farm Bureau submitted com-ments in 2008 opposing the fully appropri-ated designation.


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Nebraska Farm Bureau Receives National Recognition for Public Relations

Nebraska Farm Bureau was awarded the prestigious Dave Lane Award for Media Excel-lence June 15 at the 2011 American Farm Bu-reau Federation Public Relations Conference in Virginia Beach, Va. The award was presented in both small and large state Farm Bureau catego-ries. Nebraska won in the under 80,000 member competition. Nebraska also won for best Media Relations Event and received an honorable men-tion in the Best Use of Photos category.

The Dave Lane Award is the highest honor offered to State Farm Bureaus and their public relations staffs. The award focuses on a sustained, comprehensive and focused media relations pro-gram that exhibits a true caring and compassion for serving members of the news media. These efforts should not only center on outstanding media relationships, but maintaining them as well.

“This is a great honor for Nebraska and

our public relations staff, but it results from the hard work of the entire Nebraska Farm Bureau team,” Cheryl Stubbendick, vice president of public relations, said June 16.

The Dave Lane award is named for AF-BF’s late media relations manager. “Having known Dave, it’s very special to receive the award named for him,” Stubbendieck said.

Nebraska also won for best Media Rela-tions Event for the celebrations it organized during National Ag Week. Typically awards are given for both small and large State Farm Bureaus but in this event Nebraska compet-ed against state Farm Bureaus of all sizes.

Each year, state Farm Bureau staff members submit their organizations’ news stories, pub-lications, photos, advertising campaigns, web-sites and other communications projects for national recognition at the AFBF conference.

FSA County Committee Nomination Period Begins

USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) offi-cials want to encourage farmers, ranchers and landowners to nominate candidates to serve on their local FSA county committee. Nomination forms must be postmarked or received in the local USDA Service Center by the close of business on Aug. 1.

“County committee members are a valuable asset because they are local producers who participate in FSA programs themselves and have a direct connection to farmers and ranch-ers in the community,” Dan Steinkruger, Ne-braska FSA state executive director, said June 7.

Elected county committee members serve a three-year term and are respon-sible for making decisions on FSA disaster, conservation, commodity and price support programs and other important federal farm program issues.

Producers may nominate themselves or others as candidates. Organizations that represent minority and women farmers and ranchers may also nominate candidates. Nominees must participate in a program administered by FSA, be eligible to vote in a county committee election and reside in the local administrative area in which the person is a candidate. To become a nominee, eli-gible individuals must sign form FSA-669A. The form and more information about county committee elections are available online at www.fsa.usda.gov/elections.

County committees are comprised of three to five members elected by local producers. All newly elected county committee members and alternates will take office on Jan. 2, 2012.

For more information about county com-mittees, visit www.fsa.usda.gov.

PETSFOR SALE: Italian Greyhound puppies, lovingly home-raised with children, males and females, shots and wormed, grey and white, black and white. Call Bur-well, 308/730-1998.

FARM EQUIPMENTFOR SALE: skid steer buckets, new 72” manure/rock bucket with grapple, 84” large grain/snow bucket, ask about other skid steer attachments. Call Hastings, 402/461-6656.

WANTED: looking to pur-chase used 15,000 bu – 30,000 bu grain bins to be moved to my place. Call Hartington, 402/841-5557.

FOR SALE: 1953 A C WD45 with 3 point hitch and blade, 340 IHC fast hitch and 3 point adapter, T-A does not work. Call Hastings, 402/744-3881 or 402/984-5841.

WANTED: drag harrow, 4 sections or more. Call Edgar, 402/364-2365.

FOR SALE: Oswalt 320 silage feed mixer, stainless steel liner, augers recently rebuilt. Call Firth, 402/883-7006.

FOR SALE: irrigation engine, new Isuzu 6BG1 with enclosed safety panel, tach., oil safety, bat-tery cables, never used, convert-

ed well to electric. Call Broken Bow, 308/870-6099 or email [email protected].

WANTED: New Holland ford tractor, 8600 with a farm hand, 3226 grab fork and buck-et or something similar, in good condition, close to North Platte. Call Hershey, 308/532-0544.

FOR SALE: ID 566 baler with net wrap,$5,000 OBO. Call Clearwater, 402/485-2288 or 402/887-7031.

VEHICLESFOR SALE: 1965 GTO, 389-335 hp engine, automatic trans-mission, 3 23 gear ratio, recent restoration, many new parts, new original paint and interior, true GTO, rides and drives nice, $18,000.Call Plattsmouth, 402/235-3332.

FOR SALE: 1999 Chevro-let K1500 Suburban, 127,000, one owner, $6,000 OBO. Call Clearwater, 402/485-2288 or 402/887-7031.

FOR SALE: 1988 Buick Riviera Coupe, 25th anniver-sary edition, red, 78,000 ac-tual miles, loaded, excellent condition, $5,000. Call Lincoln, 402/435-0559.

FOR SALE: 1937 Chevro-let flatbed truck, stock engine, completely restored, runs

well, $8,500. Call Tecumseh, 402/245-0425.

FOR SALE: ’93 Buick Skylark, runs great, new tires, 130,000 miles, $3,000. Call Hastings, 402/984-4701.

FOR SALE: Pontiac Grand Prix Brougham, white, all pow-er, power sunroof, one owner, 99,000 original miles, only driv-en in fair weather, great shape inside and out, asking $6,000. Call Omaha, 402/346-2773.

FOR SALE: 2004 Dodge Du-rango, leather interior, power seats and windows, 20” tires, tinted windows, 5.7 Hemi mo-tor. Call Cedar Bluffs, 402/443-6039 after 6 p.m.

FOR SALE: 2004 Cadil-lac Deville DTS, fully loaded, back up sensors, cloth top roof, new tires, color is white lightning, runs good, 74,000 miles, $10,500. Call Hastings, 402/902-9067.

MISCELLANEOUSFOR SALE: college dorm re-frigerator, about 5 cubic feet, in great shape. Call Neligh, 402/841-0197.

FOR SALE: heavy duty trail-er with 12 new 16 ft. gates, $3,500 OBO. Call Clearwater, 402/485-2288 or 402/887-7031.

FOR SALE: air motor wheel, good condition, also red bricks. Call Beemer, 402/529-6896.

FOR SALE: Cub Cadet 282 Hydro, 36” cut, great condition, $500. Call Omaha, 402/677-4729.

WANTED: old Ford/garage signs and older Mustang parts/memorabilia. Call Omaha, 402/677-4729.

FOR SALE: Honda Helix 250cc motor scooter, automat-ic, water cooler, 4,666 actual miles, like new, will really move out, 70 miles per gallon, $1,650. Call Blue Hill, 402/771-2401.

FOR SALE: Suzuki LT F250, quadrunner, 2 wheel drive, 1994, blue in color, front and rear racks, looks good and runs good. Call David City, 402/367-4752 or 402/367-2839.

FOR SALE: BrakeBuddy aux-iliary braking system for towed vehicles, like new, $500. Call Fullerton, 308/536-3282.

FOR SALE: 400+ feet of 2x6 red cedar decking, also railing, loaded and ready to go to your place. Call Albion, 402/395-2971.

FOR SALE: quilt, very col-orful, 9 square design, good condition, $150. Call Ralston, 402/339-5146.

FOR SALE: two adult bed rails with straps for attach-ment, folds down for ease in getting in and out of bed, like new, original price, $150, will sell for $70. Call Cortland, 402/787-2375.

WANTED: 16’-20’ car/ma-chinery trailer, any location is fine. Call Fairbury, 402/729-6308.

FOR SALE: Redwing crocks, very good condition, no cracks, no hairlines. Call Rockville, 308/372-3203.

FOR SALE: Club car golf cart, complete with windshield and charger, good condition. Call Ayr, 402/984-9201.

WANTED: autumn leaf jewel tea collectibles, any piece in very good condition. Call Columbus, 402/910-3627.

FOR SALE: antique drum end table, excellent condition. Call Columbus, 402/910-3627.

FOR SALE: RBW Industries Inc 5th wheel hitch. Call Dawson, 402/855-4355.

FOR SALE: 1990 King of the Road 34’ 5th wheel, torsion ride, tinted security windows, living room slide out, two entry doors, two air conditioners, queen bed, rear hitch, $12,000. Call Denton, 402/826-4707.

WANT ADS

Free Want Ads for Farm Bureau MembersFarm Bureau members may submit one free Want Ad per month. If there is more than one category mentioned with the Want Ad we will split it into multiple categories, but it must be a combined total of 30 words or less. Ads are used on a space-available basis, subject to approval. Ads exclude real property (permanent structures) such as homes, farms, ranches and businesses. Selling crops or herds of livestock also is excluded. Send typed or printed ads to Want Ads c/o Natalie Friesen, Nebraska Farm Bureau News, P.O. Box 80299, Lincoln, NE 68501 or email [email protected]. If you would like to rerun your ad you must resubmit the typed or printed ad. Previously submitted ads will not be kept on file. Deadline is the 1st of each month. (No issue in July.)


Nebraska Farm Bureau Members Get

A Best Value Guarantee!*

o n n e w V e h i c l e s

Powered by

and on Motor Trend Certified Pre-Owned VehiclesMost Brands and Models Available

* Find a better value on the same car with the same benefits and options, and we’ll match that price or pay your 2011 Farm Bureau membership dues if we can’t.

877-596-5641With the Nebraska Farm Bureau Automotive Purchase Program

at Anderson Auto Group

Call for details

LEAVE A LEGACY FOR THE FUTURE

Traditions Universal LifeTM insurance can help make it simple for you to:v Maximize the legacy you plan to share

with loved ones or your favorite charityv Maintain control of your assetsv Protect your family from the unexpected

Contact your Farm Bureau agent to learn about the tax advantages and guaranteed1 protection that Traditions Universal Life can provide.

Au t o | H o m e | FA r m / r A n c H | L I F e B u s I n e s s | c o L L e g e | r e t I r e m e n t

1The guarantees expressed are based on the claims-paying ability of Farm Bureau Life Insurance Company. securities & services offered through equitrust marketing services, LLc+, 5400 university Ave., West Des moines, IA 50266, 877/860-2904, member sIPc. Farm Bureau Property & Casualty Insurance Company+*, Western Agricultural Insurance Company+*, Farm Bureau Life Insurance Company+*/ West Des Moines, IA. +Affiliates *Company providers of Farm Bureau Financial Services © 2011 FBL Financial Group, Inc. LI143-ML (5-11)

Visit www.fbfs.com to sign up for our free e-newsletter. It’s filled with useful tips to help you

protect your family and save time and money.

NE-Traditions(5-11).indd 1 5/16/11 7:42 AM

Documents

Nebraska Farm Bureau News - June 2011