Farm News:

Jorgansons Thankful for Good Landlords, Outstanding Crops

Jeff Jorganson and his grandpa, Bud, of rural Sidney, Iowa are very thankful as we approach Thanksgiving.  They're thankful for abundant crops and outstanding yields as the harvest of 2009 continues, slowly but surely.  They're also thankful for good landlords that have allowed Jorganson Farm Corporation to expand greatly over the years.  Bud's grandfather crossed the ocean from Denmark years ago and began the farming tradition that continues today.  Jeff and his wife, Jennifer, have three sons, Noah, Cole and Carter.  Jennifer works at the Glenwood Resource Center.  Jeff, who is a graduate of Sidney and Northwest Missouri State University,  is relieved the weather has broken somewhat to allow continued combining of corn, with the main challenge ensuring the outstanding crop is dry enough for long-term storage.  Jeff, who lost his father, Jerry, to a farm accident in the early 1980's, is proud to work side-by-side with his grandpa; an award-winning grandpa at that.  Bud was honored as an "Iowa Master Farmer" in 1973.  Though the work is hard and the hours long, especially this time of year, Bud and Jeff Jorganson look forward to continuing the family farming tradition in the Sidney area until the time comes to pass the torch to the next generation of Jorgansons.

Aughe Loves to Farm and "Play with Iron"

Clarence Aughe of rural Bethesda, Iowa, figures you might as well enjoy life while earning a living farming, so that's exactly what he does.  The row-crop, cow/calf farmer always has a smile on his face and a fun story to share as he goes about his daily work.  Clarence's wife, Ruth, works as a surgery nurse at Montgomery County Memorial Hospital in Red Oak, Iowa.  The couple has two children, Clayton, who lives in Omaha and Amanda, who resides in Cedar Rapids.  Clarence farms solo most of the time, but when it comes to fall harvest he works with his brother, Scott.  Clarence does most of the combining while Scott takes the grain to town.  Clarence is happy with his yields so far and is looking forward to getting the harvest out soon.  He also enjoys "playing with iron", as he dabbles in welding and has a great time tinkering with his old Massey Ferguson and John Deere tractors.  The main thing Clarence brings to the table is a good attitude and a positive outlook on life!

Noah Would Love the Pratt Farm

Dan and Vickie Pratt of rural Red Oak, Iowa always loved animals, but they didn't know to what extent until they bought their 17-acre farm south of Red Oak, Iowa in 1999.  Now they're head over heels in love with Olde English Babydoll Southdown Sheep, pot bellied pigs, chickens, emus, horses, alpacas, llamas and the list goes on and on!  For the Pratts it is a labor of love as it takes plenty of muscle-power to successfully maintain a farm with the diversity of animals the Pratt Farm contains.  Not to mention feed.  Dan and Vickie make sure part of their 17 acres is devoted to growing alfalfa, and all the hay comes back as feed for the animals.  Dan and Vickie especially love raising Olde English Babydoll Southdown Sheep; they're a miniature sheep with a fine wool and a perpetual smile on their face!  The Pratts raise and sell the sheep; they also sell eggs, some hay and even pumpkins in the fall.  Dan also is an avid deer hunter.  Their five children and thirteen grandchildren have benefited greatly from the farm over the years as well; many fantastic memories are surely stashed away.  For  more information on the Olde English Babydoll Sheep and the Pratts, go to www.shepherdoakhills.com or call 712-623-5024.

FARM NEWS:

CHICAGO (AP) _ Agriculture futures were mixed Friday on the Chicago Board of Trade.

Wheat for December delivery fell 2.75 cents to $5.5975 a bushel, while December corn lost 4 cents to $3.91 a bushel and oats for December delivery edged down 1.5 cents to $2.58 a bushel. January soybeans advanced 7 cents to $10.46 a bushel.

Meanwhile, beef and pork futures traded higher on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange.

December live cattle inched up 0.28 cent to 83.95 cents a pound; January feeder cattle rose 0.85 cent to 92.67 cents a pound; December lean hogs climbed 1.63 cents to 57.6 cents a pound; and February pork bellies added 0.05 cent to 87.12 cents a pound.

Cass County will host a Fumigation Continuing Instructional Course (CIC) for commercial pesticide applicators on Tuesday, Dec. 1, 2009 at the Cass County Extension office in Atlantic. Registration begins at 8:30 am followed by sessions from 9 to 11 am.  The registration fee is $35 on or before Nov. 24 and $45 after Nov. 24.  To register or to obtain additional information about the CIC, contact Gina Honke at the Cass County Extension office by phoning 712-243-1132.

ISU Extension will offer High Tunnels Workshops. These 2-day, 7-hour workshops will cover high tunnel selection , site, construction, irrigation and climate control, pest and soil management, and business plan development. The workshop will be offered at the Armstrong Research and Demonstration Farm near Lewis, Iowa, Jan. 5th and 6th between 6 and 9:30 pm. Pre-registration is required, so call or e-mail Linda Naeve , Inaeve@iastate.edu or 515-294-8946.

Ballots for the 2009 Farm Service Agency (FSA) county committee elections were mailed to eligible voters on Nov. 6th.  All eligible farmers and ranchers are encouraged to get involved and vote in this year's county committee election.  Eligible voters who do not receive ballots in the coming week can obtain ballots at their local USDA Service Center.  The last day for voters to submit ballots in person to the Page County FSA Office is Dec. 7th.  Ballots returned by mail must be postmarked no later than Dec. 7th.  For more information, please contact the Page County Farm Service Agency in Clarinda at 712-542-5137.
 

Shenandoah Chamber & Industry Association Ag Committee is collecting donations for a Shenandoah sponsored Livestock sign that displays champion and reserve champions at the Page County Fair.  For more information, please call the chamber at 712-246-3455.

County Soil and Water Conservation Districts wants to remind all landowners that they can sign up for state cost share funds at any time of the year.

Dollars are available to assist with care of your well.  The DNR provides these funds to assist with well testing, closure, & reconstruction.  Water test kits and applications are available at your County Public Health Offices.   

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