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AgweekTV Full Show: SD merger, ethanol battle, Christmas tree farms, Farm Business Management

This week on AgweekTV, we will talk about the Governor proposing a merger of the South Dakota Department of Ag with the Environmental and Natural Resources. We will see the battle between EPA and ethanol groups continue. We will talk about Christmas tree farms thriving through the pandemic. Finally, we will take a look at Farm Business Management programs being offered in the region.

This week on AgweekTV, we will talk about the Governor proposing a merger of the South Dakota Department of Ag with the Environmental and Natural Resources. We will see the battle between EPA and ethanol groups continue. We will talk about Christmas tree farms thriving through the pandemic. Finally, we will take a look at Farm Business Management programs being offered in the region.

COMING UP ON AGWEEK TV

THE GOVERNOR PROPOSES A MERGER OF THE SOUTH DAKOTA DEPARTMENT OF AG WITH ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES.

THE BATTLE BETWEEN EPA AND ETHANOL GROUPS CONTINUES.

Noah: We'll take a look at how Christmas tree farms are thriving through the pandemic.

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AND WE LOOK AT THE ROLE OF FARM BUSINESS MANAGEMENT PROGRAMS IN GOOD AND BAD ECONOMIC TIMES.

WELCOME TO AGWEEK TV I'M MICHELLE ROOK.

DESPITE THE MANY CHALLENGES IN AGRICULTURE THIS YEAR, NET FARM INCOME IS EXPECTED TO BE HIGHER THAN IN 2019, THANKS IN LARGE PART TO A WHOPPING 107-PERCENT INCREASE IN DIRECT GOVERNMENT PAYMENTS.

ACCORDING TO NEW USDA FORECASTS RELEASED THIS WEEK, NET FARM INCOME IS PROJECTED TO RISE 43 PERCENT TO JUST UNDER 120-BILLION DOLLARS. AD HOC ASSISTANCE ACCOUNTS FOR 24-BILLION OF THE INCREASE, WITH ANOTHER 6.5 BILLION DOLLARS TIED TO HIGHER CROP PRICES, PRIMARILY SOYBEANS.

THE ONE SECTOR THAT DIDN'T CONTRIBUTE TO THE HIGHER INCOME WAS LIVESTOCK, WITH LOST RECEIPTS OF 9.7 BILLION DOLLARS.

DAIRY PRODUCERS HAVE BEEN HIT AGAIN AS CLASS THREE MILK FUTURES HAVE TUMBLED OFF THE HIGHS THIS SUMMER. IT'S A GOOD REMINDER FOR DAIRY PRODUCERS TO SIGN UP FOR DAIRY MARGIN COVERAGE.

THE DEADLINE IS DECEMBER 11 FOR THE 2021 PROGRAM. THIS DAIRY INSURANCE PAYS PRODUCERS WHEN MILK PRICES FALL BELOW BREAKEVEN AND IT WAS A CRITICAL SAFETY NET THIS YEAR DURING THE INITIAL PHASE OF COVID-19 AND THE SHUTDOWN OF THE RESTAURANT AND FOOD SERVICE SECTOR.

Bill Northey: And those that did sign up certainly benefited when we had the black swan of coronavirus and we saw prices drop through the floor.

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NORTHEY SAYS THAT'S PROOF THAT THIS INSURANCE PROGRAM WORKS AND IS WORTH THE PREMIUMS PAID BY DAIRY PRODUCERS.

I hope I don't need my insurance but those years I need that insurance, it's critically important.

DMC REPLACED THE MARGIN PROTECTION PROGRAM, OR MPP, WHICH CAME UNDER HEAVY CRITICISM BY DAIRY PRODUCERS BECAUSE IT DID NOT ADEQUATELY COVER MILK PRICE LOSSES.

A COALITION OF THE NATION'S LARGEST BIOFUELS AND AG TRADE GROUPS HAS FILED A MOTION ASKING THE U.S. DISTRICT COURT OF APPEALS IN THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA TO ENFORCE ITS 2017 WAIVER DECISION.

THEY'RE URGING THE COURT TO HOLD EPA ACCOUNTABLE FOR THE IMPROPER SMALL REFINERY EXEMPTIONS GRANTED THAT ACCOUNTED FOR 500 MILLION DOLLARS OF LOST BIOFUELS DEMAND IN THE 2016 RENEWABLE VOLUME OBLIGATION OR RVO. THE GROUP SAYS EPA IS BLATANTLY IGNORING THE FEDERAL COURT ORDER AND THEY'RE GOING TO CONTINUE TO FIGHT FOR FAIRNESS.

Doug Berven: We're also going to work very hard to get rid of these small refinery exemptions that have caused so much damage to our industry. There is no reason for them and we just shouldn't have them.

IN THE MOTION, THE COALITION ASKS FOR A CURATIVE TO MAKE UP FOR THE LOST GALLONS WITHIN 6 MONTHS OF THE COURT'S ORDER AND FOR REFINERS TO COMPLY WITHIN 90 DAYS, WITH NO EXTENSION.

IN RELATED NEWS, EPA ALSO MISSED THE NOVEMBER 30 DEADLINE FOR ISSUING THE VOLUME OBLIGATIONS FOR THE UPCOMING YEAR FOR BIOFUELS UNDER THE RENEWABLE FUELS STANDARD.

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SOUTH DAKOTA GOVERNOR KRISTI NOEM HAS PROPOSED MERGING THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE WITH ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES. SO FAR THE PROPOSAL HAS SUPPORT FROM FARM GROUPS BUT IT ALSO NEEDS LEGISLATIVE APPROVAL. STATE OFFICIALS PROVIDED AN UPDATE AT THE SOUTH DAKOTA FARM BUREAU CONVENTION.

South Dakota Lt. Governor Larry Rhoden says there are synergies between the two divisions, but also duplication, so there will be cost savings.

Rhoden: The fact of the matter is both departments have become largely regulatory in nature and so its a good fit from an efficiency standpoint and reducing redundancy in regulation to have them working together.

DENR Secretary Hunter Roberts says BOTH agencies work on everything from livestock permits to pesticide spill investigations.

Roberts: There is some overlap in inspectors, in team members where both agencies were going to incidences or both agencies were going to permittees and this merger allows them to consolidate that.

While livestock permitting is a local control issue, officials say the merger will enhance agricultural development.

Rhoden: We took a lot of steps last year with legislation to streamline that process and so I think a combined department will work hand in glove to present a lot smoother process in moving those projects forward.

Plus the marriage allows the state to do more to support conservation.

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Rhoden: I think in the long run it's going to be the right thing to do for South Dakota. You know, our ag producers are the true environmentalists.

And Roberts says the merger can be done administratively.

Roberts: So the Governor will do an executive reorganization order when the legislature starts. The legislature does not have to do anything to approve it, what they would have to do is vote against the merger.

Without opposition the departments will become one within 90 days.

SUGARBEET FARMERS CAN LOOK FORWARD TO STABLE SUGAR PRICES, AT LEAST UNTIL 2023, AND THERE ARE SIGNS IT MAY GO BEYOND THAT.

THAT'S THE UPBEAT MESSAGE FROM AMERICAN SUGAR ALLIANCE ECONOMIST JACK RONEY, TO A VIRTUAL JOINT MEETING OF AMERICAN CRYSTAL SUGAR COMPANY AND THE RED RIVER VALLEY SUGARBEET GROWERS ASSOCIATION.

HE SAYS DESPITE LAST YEAR'S DISASTROUS HARVEST AND THIS YEAR'S PANDEMIC, THERE'S A LOT FOR GROWERS TO BE OPTIMISTIC ABOUT. HE SAYS THE 2018 FARM BILL AND USMCA ARE GOOD FOR SUGAR PRODUCERS.

Jack Roney: THE MARKET HAS BEEN STABLE, AND PRICES ARE LOOKING PRETTY STABLE. I COMMEND YOU ON YOUR RESILIENCE IN COMING BACK FROM THE TERRIBLE HARVEST PROBLEMS THAT YOU HAD LAST FALL. I COMMEND YOU ON YOUR RESILIENCE IN DEALING WITH THE PANDEMIC. AND I THINK WE'RE GETTING THROUGH THIS AS AN INDUSTRY AND AS A NATION WE'RE GOING TO COME THROUGH WELL ON THE OTHER SIDE.

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IN NOVEMBER, AMERICAN CRYSTAL ANNOUNCED PAYMENT PROJECTIONS OF ABOUT $52 PER TON FOR THE 2020 CROP. THAT'S THE HIGHEST INITIAL PAYMENT PROJECTION FOR MANY YEARS.

AHEAD ON AGWEEK TV, WE'LL TELL YOU ABOUT A COLLEGE PROGRAM HELPING FARMERS SUCCEED.

WELCOME BACK.

THE CURRENT LANDSCAPE OF AGRICULTURE CAN BE A ROCKY ROAD.

BUT AS EMILY BEAL REPORTS, THE FARM BUSINESS MANAGEMENT PROGRAMS OFFERED AT COLLEGES AROUND THE REGION CAN HELP PRODUCERS AVOID ROADBLOCKS AND POTHOLES.

Anne Schwagerl: WE FOUND THAT WE NEEDED TO HAVE A LITTLE BIT BETTER CONTROL OF OUR FINANCES.

ANNE SCHWAGERL HAS BEEN FARMING IN WESTERN MINNESOTA FOR SIX YEAR, AND FOR THE LAST FIVE, SHE'S BEEN PART OF THE FARM BUSINESS MANAGEMENT PROGRAM. THEY APPRECIATE THE HELP WITH TAX PLANNING AND KEEPING GOOD BUSINESS RECORDS.

Anne Schwagerl: THEY GIVE SUCH A GREAT, DETAILED ANALYSIS OF YOUR FARM'S FINANCIAL POSITION, THAT WHEN WE GO IN TO MEET WITH A BANKER OR A CREDITOR, YOU KNOW,WE HAVE A REALLY GOOD IDEA OF OUR BUSINESS PLAN.

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THE PROGRAM IS OFFERED AT SEVERAL COLLEGES AROUND NORTH DAKOTA AND MINNESOTA. IT HAS BEEN AROUND FOR ABOUT SEVENTY YEARS, AND ITS MISSION IS JUST AS CRITICAL AS EVER. THE PROGRAM OFFERS GUIDANCE IN MANY AREAS, INCLUDING TAX OR TRANSITIONAL PLANNING, OVERALL GROWTH AND CONTROLLING EXPENSES.

Keith Olander: THESE ARE ALL THINGS THAT THE FARM BUSINESS MANAGEMENT FACULTY COME TO THE TABLE. NOT TRYING TO SELL ANYTHING, THEY'RE TRYING TO GET YOU TO THINK ABOUT LONG TERM WHAT DO YOU WANT YOUR FARM TO DO AND HOW DO WE GET THERE?

THE PROGRAM IS OPEN TO ANYONE, WITH NO PREREQUISITES REQUIRED. TUITION IS ABOUT 19-HUNDRED DOLLARS A YEAR, FOR TEN COLLEGE CREDITS. FINANCIAL AID IS AVAILABLE.

Keith Olander: I WOULD SAY IT REPRESENTS ALMOST EVERY FACET OF FARMING, BOTH LARGE, SMALL, BUT THEN ALSO THOSE THAT ARE REALLY ECONOMICALLY DISTRESSED TO THOSE THAT ARE VERY PROFITABLE ON A CONSISTENT BASIS.

A BIG BENEFIT OF THE PROGRAM IS THE ONE-ON-ONE ATTENTION FROM INSTRUCTORS, LIKE KELSEY HOFFMAN, A TEACHER AT THE NORTH DAKOTA STATE COLLEGE OF SCIENCE IN WAHPETON.

Kelcey Hoffman: SO IT'S MORE THAN GETTING THEIR INCOME AND THEIR EXPENSES, EVEN MORE THAN JUST THEIR BALANCE SHEET AND CASH FLOW. BUT IT'S REALLY HELPING THOSE GUYS UNDERSTAND THEIR NUMBERS. UNDERSTANDING WHERE THEIR OPERATION IS AT.

Anne Schwagerl: WE HAVE DREAMS, WE HAVE THINGS THAT WE WANT TO DO, DIRECTIONS WE WANT TO TAKE THE FARM, AND KIND OF INNOVATIONS WE WANT TO DO. AND MEETING WITH OUR FARM BUSINESS MANAGER IS ALWAYS A HEALTHY DOSE OF REALITY.

IN FARGO, NORTH DAKOTA, THIS IS EMILY BEAL FOR AGWEEK.

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THE PROGRAM, GO TO AG CENTRIC.ORG .

IT MAY COME AS NO SURPRISE, BUT FARMING AND AGRICULTURE RANK AT THE TOP OF THE LIST OF PUBLIC FAVORABILITY. A GALLUP POLL CONDUCTED EARLIER THIS YEAR PUTS FARMING AND AG AS THE NUMBER ONE RANKED INDUSTRY.

69-PERCENT OF AMERICANS SURVEYED VIEW THE INDUSTRY POSITIVELY, FOLLOWED CLOSELY BY THE GROCERY AND RESTAURANT INDUSTRIES.

ONLY 11-PERCENT OF PEOPLE SURVEYED VIEWED FARMING AND AGRICULTURE NEGATIVELY.\u0009IN FACT, FARMING TOOK A BIG LEAP, UP 11 PERCENT FROM THE PREVIOUS YEAR.

BETSY HUBER, PRESIDENT OF THE NATIONAL GRANGE, A FRATERNAL AG ORGANIZATION, SAYS THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC, AND THE RESULTING SUPPLY CHAIN DISRUPTIONS, SEEM TO HAVE PLAYED A PART.

Betsy Huber: People trust that the food they eat is safe and plentiful, and there was a bit of a scare there in the beginning of this pandemic that, maybe it wasn't as plentiful.

THE SURVEY ASKED MORE THAN 1000 PEOPLE IN EVERY STATE ABOUT THEIR PERCEPTIONS OF 25 INDUSTRIES.

WE'VE ENJOYED A FAIRLY NICE FALL, BUT AS WE HEAD INTO THE WINTER MONTHS, CATTLE PRODUCERS SHOULD BEGIN TO PREP THEIR HERDS.

A LARGE PART OF RANCHERS' WINTERIZATION PLANS SHOULD FOCUS ON THE WEANING PLAN FOR THEIR CALVES.

LIVESTOCK EXPERT GERALD STOKKA SAYS WEANING PUTS EXTRA STRESS ON CALVES, BUT THERE ARE WAYS TO NEGATE THOSE STRESSORS. HE ADVISES RANCHERS TO FEED THE CALVES AND COWS TOGETHER. THIS WILL TEACH THE CALVES HOW TO EAT PROPERLY, BY LEARNING FROM THE OLDER CATTLE.

AND HE SAYS MAKE SURE THEY HAVE ENOUGH CLEAN, DRY SPACE IN THE PEN.

Gerald Stokka: SPACE IS ACTUALLY A BIG DEAL WHEN WEANING CALVES. IF YOU PUT THEM IN TOO TIGHT OF A PEN WHERE THEY'RE KIND OF ALL TRAVELING IN A PACK AND CIRCLING IN THE PEN, THAT PUTS STRESS ON CALVES. THEY KIND OF HAVE TO GET USED TO ONE OTHER IN A CONFINED SPACE, SO THAT'S A LITTLE BIT STRESSFUL FOR THEM AS WELL. AND THEN THEIR DIET. WHAT DIET ARE YOU FEEDING THEM ONCE YOU'VE WEANED THEM AWAY FROM THE COWS.

RANCHERS COMMONLY SEE RESPIRATORY DISEASES IN THEIR CALVES DURING THE WINTER. ONE WAY TO COMBAT THAT IS TO MAKE A VACCINE PROTOCOL FOR YOUR HERD AND FOLLOW IT CLOSELY.

AHEAD ON AGWEEK TV, WE'LL TAKE YOU TO ONE TYPE OF AG BUSINESS THAT'S THRIVING IN THE PANDEMIC.

AND LATER, HOW THE LACK OF FARM SHOWS THIS YEAR IS HURTING SALES.

TEMPERATURES HAVE BEEN TRENDING ABOVE NORMAL IN THE REGION WHICH MEANS LITTLE STRESS ON LIVESTOCK. HOW LONG WILL THAT CONTINUE.

HERE'S JOHN WITH OUR AGRI-WEATHER OUTLOOK.

CHRISTMAS TREE FARMS ARE BOOMING DURING THE PANDEMIC. A BIG REASON IS THAT CUTTING YOUR OWN TREE IS A FUN AND SAFE WAY TO GET OUT OF THE HOUSE THIS YEAR.

NOAH FISH VISITED A CHRISTMAS TREE FARM IN SOUTHEAST MINNESOTA, FOR THIS WEEK'S AGWEEK COVER STORY.

Scott Enzenauer: WHAT I'M HEARING IS, THEY JUST WANT TO GET OUT OF THE HOUSE AND DO SOMETHING OUTSIDE. GET OUT AND DO SOMETHING WITH THE FAMILY.

THIS WAS A GOOD SEASON FOR GROWING TREES, FOLLOWED BY NICE WEATHER FOR SELLING TREES, AND NOW MANY TREE FARMS ARE SEEING INCREASED BUSINESS, IN PART BECAUSE OF THE PANDEMIC. AND THE ENZENAUERS SAY THEY'RE HAPPY TO BE PART OF SO MANY FAMILY TRADITIONS.

Scott Enzenauer: THAT'S PROBABLY THE BEST PART. THEY COME OUT WHEN THEIR CHILDREN ARE YOUNGER, AND NOW THEIR KIDS ARE STARTING TO COME OUT, AND YOU KNOW, YOU KIND OF GET TO KNOW THE FAMILIES.

You want the train around this one, buddy?

SCOTT ENZENAUER GREW UP ON A HOG FARM, BUT WHEN HE DECIDED TO STRIKE OUT ON HIS OWN, HE WAS LOOKING FOR SOMETHING DIFFERENT.

OF COURSE, IT'S NOT AN OVERNIGHT DECISION TO SELL CHRISTMAS TREES. THE ENZENAUERS STARTED PLANTING THEM IN 1991, AND WERE READY TO SELL THEM IN 1999.

Scott Enzenauer: IT WAS A SMALL FARM, IT DIDN'T REALLY PAY TO ROW CROP, SO WE WERE LOOKING FOR SOMETHING TO DO WITH SMALL ACREAGE. SOMETHING DIFFERENT, AND HAVE TO MORE CONTACT WITH, YOU KNOW, JUST FAMILIES.

THE ENZENAUERS HAVE IMPLEMENTED COVID SAFETY PRECAUTIONS, INCLUDING CLOSING THE GIFT SHOP, RIGOROUS SANITIZING, MASKING AND MAINTAINING DISTANCE.

A SPOKESPERSON FOR THE MINNESOTA AG DEPARTMENT SAYS IT'S A FUN OUTDOOR ACTIVITY, AND EASY TO SOCIAL DISTANCE.

Gabbi Sparby: IT'S GREAT TO SUPPORT THE LOCAL MINNESOTA ECONOMY, AND ALSO OUR LOCAL TREE PRODUCERS BECAUSE THEY ARE AN IMPORTANT PART OF OUR MINNESOTA AG ECONOMY, AND YOU CAN FEEL GOOD ABOUT SUPPORTING LOCAL WHEN YOU BUY A MINNESOTA GROWN TREE.

AND AS AN ADDED BONUS, REAL TREES ARE GOOD FOR THE ENVIRONMENT, BOTH WHEN THEY'RE GROWING, AND WHEN THEY'RE COMPOSTED AFTER THE HOLIDAYS.

FROM KENYON,MINNESOTA,THIS IS NOAH FISH FOR AGWEEK.

We'll see you again next year!

YOU CAN READ MORE ABOUT FINDING A LOCALLY GROWN CHRISTMAS TREE IN THE NEXT AGWEEK MAGAZINE, AND AT AGWEEK.COM .

THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC HAS ALSO HAD A FAR REACHING IMPACT ON THE ABILITY OF AGRIBUSINESSES TO MARKET THEIR PRODUCT TO FARMERS AND OTHER CUSTOMERS.

THE CANCELLATION OF FARM SHOWS HAS TAKEN AWAY A PRIME MARKETING TOOL FOR BUSINESSES.

TOM PATTERSON SAYS THEY USUALLY EXHIBIT AT MORE THAN 50 FARM SHOWS A YEAR, BUT THAT HAS BEEN CUT DOWN TO ONLY A HANDFUL, INCLUDING THE GATEWAY FARM EXPO. SO, THEY'VE BEEN LOOKING AT OTHER WAYS TO MARKET THEIR NO-TILL PRODUCTS, SUCH AS INCREASING THEIR ADVERTISING BUYS. THEY'VE ALSO BEEN GETTING INNOVATIVE WITH THEIR 1500 DEALERS.

Tom Patterson: We've reached out to our dealer base. We make each one of my reps that travel in the United States will reach out to 40 to 50 dealers every week, make personal visits, go through the product catalogue with them, go through some of our new products that we have on the market.

HE SAYS FARMERS WANT TO SEE THE PRODUCT AND MAKE COMPARISONS BEFORE BUYING, SO THAT'S WHY FARM SHOWS ARE SO VALUABLE. IN ADDITION TO THE FACT AGRICULTURAL BUYS ARE OFTEN RELATIONSHIP DRIVEN.

STILL AHEAD ON AGWEEK TV, IF YOU HAVEN'T YET, IT'S TIME TO ENTER OUR BEAUTY OF AG PHOTO CONTEST.

TIME IS RUNNING OUT TO TAKE PART IN OUR AGWEEK HOLIDAY PHOTO CONTEST. THE PICTURE MUST BE SUBMITTED BY DECEMBER 7TH, BY THE PERSON WHO SHOT IT, WITH ONE ENTRY PER PERSON.

THE SUBMISSION INFORMATION IS ON YOUR SCREEN. ALL THE PHOTOS WILL BE FEATURED ONLINE ON DECEMBER 28TH, THE WINNERS WILL BE ANNOUNCED ON AGWEEK TV. THERE WILL BE PRIZES FOR THE TOP THREE.

SO SEND YOUR FAVORITE PICTURE OF THE "BEAUTY OF NATURE" ON THE FARM NOW!

THANKS FOR WATCHING THIS WEEK'S EDITION OF AG WEEK TV.

REMEMBER, FOR ALL YOUR AG NEWS, GO TO AG WEEK.COM , AND FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK AND TWITTER AS WELL. HAVE YOURSELF A GREAT AND SAFE WEEK.

Emily grew up on a corn, soybean and wheat farm in southern Ohio where her family also raises goats. After graduating from The Ohio State University, she moved to Fargo, North Dakota to pursue a career in ag journalism with Agweek. She enjoys reporting on livestock and local agricultural businesses.

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