WEEKLY NEWS HIGHLIGHTS

Back From Germany -- A hard freeze and snow flakes were seen this past week, offering a warning of the cold winter months ahead. While the harvest was side-lined this past week at home, the Red River Farm Network was involved in an Agro-Energy Media Fellowship in Germany. RRFN's Don Wick was one of 11 journalists from the US and Canada learning about green energy issues in places like Berlin, Liepszig, Kassel and Juhnde. A special radio series is airing this week. In addition, an online archive of photos and on-air reports will be available later this week.

Weather Trumps Friday's Report -- Al Kluis of Kluis Commodities says Friday's USDA report was traded for about five minutes before traders turned their attention to the weather. Because of the potential for crop-damaging weather, Kluis questioned the accuracy of the USDA report. "You have to look at when the report was taken; it was taken early October and we had a lot of optimism about getting the crop harvested; it was in early October before we had a lot that was written about low test weight corn."

Wheat, Corn and Soybean Production Figures Released -- In Friday's report, USDA raised its world wheat production estimate by 4.5 million tons. Wheat ending stocks are up 12 percent from last year. US ending stocks are 121 million bushels larger than one month ago. Despite an expected 13 billion bushel corn crop, USDA expects corn ending stocks to decline slightly from last year. That is due to projections for total usage to exceed production. USDA increased its forecast for feed use, milling and exports, but left ethanol use unchanged from October. US soybean production totaled 3.25 million bushels, up slightly from September. The soybean carrryout was raised 10 million bushels from last month, but was 27 million bushels below the average trade guess.

Dry Bean Forecast -- The US dry bean crop is projected at 25.2 million hundredweight, up three percent from the August forecast. Acreage is up three percent. The average yield is up four pounds from August. USDA raised Minnesota's crop estimate six percent from August, due to a 15,000 acre increase in harvested area. North Dakota's dry bean yield was raised a half a bag, boosting the crop size three percent.

Beet Crop is Larger Than Last Year -- This year's US sugarbeet crop is pegged at over 30 million tons, down one percent from a month ago, but up 15 percent from last year. Forecasts were decreased in Minnesota and North Dakota, as average yields were reduced by a half a ton per acre, to 24.5 tons per acre.

A Late Harvest -- Amenia, North Dakota farmer Bill Hejl finally got started lifting his sugarbeets this weekend, a good ten days after most growers started. Hejl's area is one of the wettest in the entire Red River Valley. Hejl thinks his sugarbeet crop will be pretty good. "We'll pick up some sugar content and some tons and we'll be just fine."

Harvest Hotline -- The Red River Farm Network featuresa daily harvest update at 12:37 PM. Tri-Campbell Farms dug potatoes all week. "It's been a challenge on the lighter ground, west of St. Thomas," said Tom Campbell at Grafton. Campbell told RRFN he has less than ten percent of his crop left to harvest, but as much as 25 percent of the crop is left in the Red River Valley. The sugarbeet harvest has been slowed by rain and freezing temperatures. Tom Knudsen of Minn-Dak Farmers Co-op says "it is looking really similar to last year, but we're not there yet." Scott Dau, manager of Leaf River Ag, says farmers in the Wadena, Minnesota area were making good progress on corn silage and the dry bean harvest. "Now, we're kind of hung up and waiting on the weather." Harvest Hotline is sponsored by Asgrow and Dekalb, by North Dakota Farmers Union and by Farmers Union Insurance.

Conab Forecasts Brazilian Crop -- Brazil's first official soybean crop forecast is projected at a record 62.2 to 63.2 million tons. That's up nine to 11 percent from this year's crop. Conab, the government crop supply agency, lowered its estimate of Brazil's wheat crop, which is in the midst of harvest, by 600,000 tons from a month ago.

Advice for Frosted Corn -- If the corn just reached full dent, but was not fully mature when the killing freeze came, North Dakota State University Extension Ag Engineer Ken Hellevang expects a small reduction in test weight and yield. Hellevang says immature corn dries more slowly in the field than mature corn and frosted high moisture corn can cause molds on the stalk. Hellevang reminds growers that corn that exceeds 25 percent moisture should not be stored in a bin.

Corn Needed More Time -- North Dakota State University Extension Agronomist Joel Ransom says the recent freeze came too early for the corn crop. "We're way behind in where we'd like to be in most fields; this could actually cause some yield reduction and probably some test weight reductions, as well." Ransom thinks the corn is a little farther behind than when the growing season ended last year. "We got planted later and the freeze came earlier," said Ransom.

Improved Quality -- The late summer heat has improved the quality of Canada's wheat crop. According to Canadian Wheat Board Quality Control Manager Lawrence Klusa, 75 to 80 percent of the spring wheat and durum crops should fall in the top two quality grades, well above average and higher than last year. Klusa says the protein content of this year's Canadian wheat crop is 13.3 to 13.4 percent, down slightly from both last year and the long-term average.

Canadian Wheat Quality -- This year's US hard red spring wheat crop averaged a full percentage point of protein below last year's crop. With a little over half of the samples of this year's crop analyzed, the protein content is averaging about 13.4 percent. Canadian Wheat Board Director of Weather and Market Analysis Bruce Burnett told RRFN the protein levels of Canadian wheat is also down. "We're seeing some pretty low proteins, especially in some of the areas in the Red River Valley and up into south-central Manitoba," said Burnett, "It looks like the proteins in parts of western Saskatchewan and Alberta are going to be slightly higher than last year."

Wheat Piled on the Ground -- Given the huge yields and the steep protein discounts, it is not uncommon to see wheat piled on the ground in North Dakota. Dan DeRouchey, manager of the Berthold Farmers Elevator, says the amount of wheat stored on the ground is quite a bit above average, but he expects those piles to get picked up as soon as it dries out. Farmer selling remains at a minimum. "We're driving the value down pretty close to loan value so their risk is minimal, except for what's on the ground, which is probably going to have to come to town and it's not loanable wheat because it's outside." DeRouchey, who is president of the North Dakota Grain Dealers Association, says some of the crop was sold before harvest, at decent levels.

Argentine Wheat Supply Shrinks -- The Buenos Aires Grains Exchange estimates Argentina's wheat production at 7.5 million tons, down 18 percent from last year. Wheat acreage declined 40 percent this year due to the ongoing drought in Argentina.

South American Ethanol Prices Escalate -- Brazilian ethanol prices have risen to their highest level since April 2007, due to expectations of tight supplies following rains that disrupted the sugar cane harvest. Sugar prices are approaching a 30-year high, which has also influenced the local ethanol prices. Despite the rise in ethanol prices, returns from sugar are still 82 percent above those of ethanol.

Rumors Discounted -- The Brazilian ethanol industry is downplaying rumors that Brazil would import US corn-based ethanol. Brazil is dealing with high sugar prices and unfavorable sugarcane weather. The director of the Brazilian sugarcane milling group says imports would face tariffs, freight and storage costs. In addition, the exchange rate between the Brazilian real and the US dollar is not favorable at this time.

US Ethanol Production Set a Record in July -- The Energy Information Administration reports July production totaled 728,000 barrels per day, up 114,000 from a year ago. Ethanol demand continues to outpace production, and is up 18 percent from a year ago.

Gore Remains Optimistic About Climate Change Legislation -- Speaking at the annual meeting of the Society of Environmental Journalists, former Vice President Al Gore predicted the climate change legislation will pass the Senate this year. Gore also predicted the Copenhagen International Summit on Climate Change in December will reach an agreement.

NCGA Remains at the Table -- While the American Farm Bureau Federation says the Senate version of the climate bill is worse than the House version, the National Corn Growers Association is taking a neutral position. In order to take part in the discussion, NCGA President Darrin Ihnen says corn growers must take a wait and see approach. Ihnen did say the Senate bill would have to be improved considerably to get the NCGA to support its passage.

MFBF Opposed to Climate Change Bill -- The Minnesota Farm Bureau Federation has hand delivered over 4,000 postcards signed by MFBF members to Washington, D.C. National Issues Specialist Staci Bohlen says there are three main points to consider. "One is the over-arching economic impact; we're very concerned about the bottomline," said Bohlen, "Additionally, we're looking at our energy supplies; if we start to rapidly move off of fossil fuels and not replace that with something else, what's going to happen?" Thirdly, Bohlen says MFBF is focused on the global impact. "Is this going to put our farmers and ranchers at an international competitive disadvantage?"

EWG Sees Higher Input Costs, But More Concerned About Climate -- The Environmental Working Group agrees the climate change legislation would make farming more expensive, but the costs pale in comparison to allowing climate change to go unchecked. EWG Vice President Craig Cox co-authored a new study showing farm production costs will rise 45 cents per acre for soybeans, 66 cents per acre for wheat and $1.19 for corn.

NDFU Encourages Congress to Act on Climate Change Legislation -- North Dakota Farmers Union President Robert Carlson says if Congress fails to act, the Environmental Protection Agency will implement climate change policies. "That will be done without much public input, and so it'd be much better, from a policy point of view, to have Congress act than to have the EPA simply regulate." Carlson says agricultural practices that capture carbon, such as no-till farming, grass planting and managed grazing, offer a quick path to reducing greenhouse gases.

Money, Money, Money -- After three years of losses as an organic farmer, Erhard Thale is making the transition to becoming an energy farmer. Why? "Money, money, money," was Thale's response. Thale is simply going where the dollars are. Germany is far removed from the oil fields of Russia or the Middle East and is concerned about its energy security. Today, Germany imports 70 percent of its energy needs. For that reason, the German government is looking to its farmers to provide green energy. The Red River Farm Network participated in a week-long study mission of Germany's foray into green energy. Our coverage is sponsored, in part, by the North Dakota Corn Growers Association.

A Comprehensive Approach -- The German government is putting its support behind renewable energy. The Renewable Energy Sources Act was first enacted in 2000. It was revised in 2004 and again in 2008 and in January of this year. This program provides incentives for all forms of bioenergy. Dan Manternach of Doane Agricultural Services appreciates that comprehensive approach. "So often, you'll hear the cynics and the skeptics say it can't go solar because solar would just be a drop in the bucket; or biomass would just be a drop in the bucket or wind energy would just be a drop in the bucket," said Manternach, "Taken individually, they're all just drops in the bucket, but they've put it all together in a very impressive way and they're filling up their bucket." RRFN's coverage of the agro-energy tour of Germany is sponsored, in part, by the North Dakota Soybean Council.

A Common Strategy -- Ethanol usage does exceed domestic production, forcing Germany to import ethanol from its European Union neighbors and Brazil. Energy, particularly, green energy, is essential, but, that can't be done at the expense of other concerns for the German government. "You cannot consider only one aspect; you have to combine all the different approaches and that means climate change policy, food security and energy security as a common strategy," said Dr. Hans Jurgen Froese, deputy director for the German Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Consumer Protection. Froese believes Germany can eliminate its crop set-asides to produce energy crops without impacting food production. RRFN's coverage of green energy and German agriculture is sponsored, in part, by the Minnesota Corn Growers Association.

Changing Policy Picture -- Frank Bruhning, who is a lobbyist with the German Federation of the Biofuel Industry, says the green energy picture in Germany isn't all rosy. The German biodiesel industry has production of 2.5 million tons, far below the capacity of 5 million tons. Bruhning says the frequent changes in energy policy have been difficult. "We had big subsidies being paid for biodiesel plants to be opening and the German government wanted to push into that market when biofuels was the future of transportation; that changed because of the discussion of tank-or-plate or food-versus-fuel," said Bruhning, "The overall picture of biofuels changed in a couple years; that's why the government stopped the subsidies and that's why we have so much capacity that's not being used right now." The recent election has brought a shift in political power in Germany. Bruhning remains hopeful this new government will support the biofuel industry. Our coverage from Germany is sponsored, in part, by Minnesota soybean farmers.

EU Policy Prevents Soy Shipments -- The European Union has backed away from US soymeal after several shipments contained residue from an unapproved biotech corn variety. The EU's zero-tolerance policy shoulders the blame. Catrin Hahn, who is an agricultural journalist in Berlin, Germany, says the activists are driving the agenda. "Everyone is hopping on their train." The de facto ban on US soybeans has EU livestock farmers concerned about possible feed shortages. Hahn, who writes for a magazine that reaches Germany's largest farmers, disagrees with polls, indicating EU consumers oppose biotech crops. "I'm not quite sure if this number of 80 percent of consumers not liking GM is right; no one told them they might not get any meat anymore if we don't have any soy if we don't find a solution for the feed." The EU Commission will meet October 19th and Europe's zero-tolerance policy for GM crops is expected to be discussed.

Dairy Provision Included in Spending Bill -- The agriculture spending bill, which awaits President Obama's signature, includes $350 million in assistance for the struggling dairy industry. National Farmers Union President Roger Johnson said his organization helped push this provision forward. "I'd like to think that we gave an important boost to that politically, making sure it stayed in the Senate bill and we created enough buzz about it and did enough education on the House side to convince them that it needed to be part of the conference report." The dairy provision includes funds to increase purchases of dairy products for federal nutrition programs. In addition, dairy farmers will share $290 million in direct support. The method for distributing those funds was not determined. California Senator Barbara Boxer put a hold on the bill until she could meet with Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack about the dairy relief package.

Nutrition Lab Gets Funding -- The $121 billion ag appropriations bill includes $10.5 million for the Grand Forks Human Nutrition Research Center. This represents a $1 million increase over the USDA Center's current budget to continue its research into the roles of food and dietary prevention of chronic disease and expand its participation in the President's obesity prevention initiative. The funding was included in the President's budget request.

Update on Derivatives Legislation -- House Finance Committee Chair Barney Frank has circulated a discussion draft of a bill that would increase regulation of the derivatives industry. It does not cover speculation in the oil and agriculture commodities. A spokesman for House Agriculture Committee Chair Collin Peterson says work is underway on a separate bill that could include those provisions. It is unclear whether Peterson will introduce his own bill or merge it with Frank's bill.

Strong Interest in CSP -- Natural Resources Conservation Service Chief Dave White reports almost 21,300 applications have been received to participate in the new Conservation Stewardship Program. These applications cover more than 33 million acres, nationwide. White says this is enough applications to carry out conservation activities on more than twice the number of acres Congress authorized for CSP this year. Congress capped the annual acreage enrollment at 12.8 million acres for each fiscal year.

CRP Payments Going Out -- USDA will distribute approximately $1.7 billion in Conservation Reserve Program rental payments to landowners this fiscal year. Producers holding about 758,000 contracts on 424,000 farms will receive an average of $51.52 an acre. Currently, CRP enrollment stands at 31 million acres, about 2.6 million fewer than a year ago. Almost half of the land in the CRP is set to expire between fiscal years 2010 and 2012.

No General CRP Sign-up Until the Summer of 2010 -- Farm Service Agency Administrator Jonathan Coppess told a House Ag Subcommittee that the next Conservation Reserve Program general sign-up won't be held before next summer. USDA must first conduct an environmental impact study. "From that point on, we take in all the comments, evaluate them, then draft a final EIS, which goes through an evaluation process." That will be ready next June.

Small Number of Total Farm Acres Owned by Foreign Interests -- The USDA Farm Service Agency has released its latest report on foreign holdings of US farmland. As of February 2008, almost 21 million acres, or 1.6 percent of all privately-held US agricultural land, is owned by foreigners. This is a 1.4 million acre increase from the previous year. In Minnesota, 240,000 acres of farmland is foreign held. In North Dakota, 14,000 acres are owned by international investors.

ITAC Will Have New Look Under Obama -- The Obama Administration has informed members of its industry trade advisory committees that when their current terms expire next February, the lobbyists among them will not be reappointed. As many as half the 330 ITAC members are registered lobbyists, working for groups such as the American Soybean Association, National Association of Wheat Growers and National Corn Growers Association. The list is a virtual who's who of US production agriculture and trade analysts are scratching their heads over the decision, wondering who will be appointed to replace the current roster.

Signup Begins -- Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack has announced that signup for the 2010 Direct and Counter-cyclical Program and the Average Crop Revenue Election program has begun and will continue through June 1, 2010. The USDA is urging producers to make use of the eDCP automated website to sign up, or producers can visit any USDA Service Center to complete their 2010 ACRE or DCP contract.

USDA Designates Six NW MN Counties as Primary Disaster Areas -- The disaster declaration is due to losses caused by excessive snow, rain, flooding and cool temperatures this spring. Farmers in Kittson, Koochiching, Lake of the Woods, Marshall, Pennington and Roseau counties are eligible for low interest emergency loans from the Farm Service Agency and the Supplemental Revenue Assurance Program. Contiguous counties, including Polk, Red Lake, Grand Forks, Pembina and Walsh, also qualify for this disaster assistance.

Region Says Goodbye and Thank You to Hollingsworth -- A reception for Char Hollingsworth was held Thursday in Crookston. The University of Minnesota Extension plant pathologist is headed to Raleigh for her new position as national science program leader for plant pathology and weeds at USDA's Animal Plant Health Inspection Service. Northwest Research and Outreach Center Superintendent Larry Smith says it will take time to fill the vacancy. "We're in a hiring freeze right now at the university with the budget problems Minnesota has, so it's going to take some work to get the position back; I always keep a positive attitude, but when you look at 40 open positions right now in the college and Extension, it's a hard sell."

Coffee Shop Tour Coming to Wishek -- The next stop on the Red River Farm Network Coffee Shop tour is Wishek, North Dakota. RRFN will be in Wishek Wednesday. The Coffee Shop Tour is an opportunity to highlight local communities and hear from area farmers and agribusiness people about the issues impacting the region. Our thanks to the North Dakota and Minnesota Corn Growers Associations for their sponsorship.

Volatility Must End -- Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack told South Dakota farmers last week that the US dairy industry must be restructured to prevent the boom and bust cycle. Regarding the $350 million dairy relief package recently approved by Congress, Vilsack said he'd like to get that money into farmers' hands as soon as possible. An advisory committee will recommend the best way to distribute the assistance.

US Neighbors Upset With COOL -- The Mexican government wants a World Trade Organization dispute panel to investigate the USA's mandatory country-of-origin labeling law. Canada made a similar request on Wednesday. Mexico and Canada contend COOL is a case of unfair market discrimination.

Meatless Mondays -- The Baltimore City Public Schools system is the first in the nation to pledge to serve no meat on Mondays. This means 80,000 students have no meat option to start the school week. Meatless Monday, established in 2003, is a non-profit initiative of the Monday Campaigns, in association with the Johns Hopkins' Bloomberg School of Public Health.

Durum Program Gets Federal Support -- The Durum Wheat Quality Program will receive $3 million in funding from the USDA, the Food and Drug Administration and other related governmental agencies. The money will be used to continue research into durum wheat that is resistant to Fusarium Head Blight. In a press release, U.S. Durum Growers Association Executive Director Dawn Watson said funding for this program will help address the decline in durum production.

Canola Meal Shipments on Hold -- The Food and Drug Administration halted 13 shipments of Canadian canola meal during August and September from Bunge. The shipments were under suspicion of salmonella contamination. Twelve of the shipments were from the Bunge plant in Nipawin, Saskatchewan and one was from Altona, Manitoba.

Dry Bean Scene -- Each Friday, the Red River Farm Network airs the 'Dry Bean Scene.' This week's broadcast can be found at http://rrfn.com/indepth/100909drybeanscene19.mp3.

Potato Genome Sequencing -- The draft of the potato genome has been released. It represents the work of more than 50 scientists from 16 institutions. According to the National Potato Council, this work will provide a starting point for other researchers to develop sturdier, more nutritious potatoes. The potato genome sequencing consortium began work in 2006.

FCIC Expands Pilot Project -- The Federal Crop Insurance Corporation says farmers in 12 states, who plant corn hybrids containing SmartStax, will pay lower crop insurance premiums. This is part of the Pilot Biotechnology Endorsement approved by the FCIC Board of Directors. The FCIC also expanded the premium rate reduction to eligible irrigated acres in all 12 states. Minnesota is among the eligible states in this pilot endorsement.

Atrazine Review Planned -- The Environmental Protection Agency plans to review the health impacts of atrazine. The EPA says the examination of atrazine will be based on transparency and sound science, will include an independent scientific peer review and will help determine whether a change in EPA's regulatory position on atrazine is appropriate.

Callisto Xtra Coming to Market in 2010 -- Syngenta Crop Protection has announced Callisto Xtra as the brand name for a new post-emergence corn herbicide. Callisto Xtra will be a tank mix partner in glyphosate-tolerant corn. Expected to receive EPA registration during the first quarter of next year, Callisto Xtra combines two leading herbicides, Callisto and AAtrex.

Quarterly Profits Down for Monsanto -- Monsanto Company lost $233 million in its 4th quarter, 35 percent more than the $172 million loss in the same period last year. Monsanto had net profits of $2.1 billion for the full fiscal year, up five percent from the previous year.

Seed Price -- Monsanto will raise seed prices up to ten percent next year. At the same time, Monsanto will hold the price of its "workhorse" varieties steady. According to Monsanto CFO Carl Casale, Monsanto has to have a balanced approach, between one that keeps current customers and one that continues to acquire new customers.

ADM Expands to Czech Republic -- ADM is expanding its European oilseed processing capabilities with the acquisition of ViaChem Group's oilseed processing assets in the Czech Republic. The facility consists of an oilseed crushing, refining and biodiesel plant that produces oil and meal for the food, feed and energy markets.

Mosaic Suffers 1Q Decline -- The Mosaic Company posted a 91 percent decline in first quarter profit, compared to a year ago. CEO Jim Prokopanko remains optimistic, saying farmers will increase fertilizer purchases soon. Mosaic had earnings of a little over $100 million in the first quarter, compared to $1.2 billion in the same period the previous year. Revenue fell 66 percent. Sales of phosphate fell 69 percent and the average price was down 73 percent.

NDSU Earns Award -- North Dakota State University's "Eat Smart. Play Hard. Together" campaign has won the 2009 Marketing Package Award from the National Extension Association of Family and Consumer Sciences. The NDSU Extension Service and Bison Athletics launched the statewide campaign in 2005 using a variety of role models to increase awareness of the importance of nutrition and fitness for families.

Grant Money Handed Out by USDA -- USDA Undersecretary Rajiv Shah has announced more than $11 million in Coordinated Agricultural Project (CAP) awards to significantly advance research, education and extension in applied plant genomics. North Dakota State University received the largest award, of $4 million. Most of the grant, $2.5 million, will be used to focus on legume genetics and genomics, which could lead to legume varieties with higher nutritional values. The University of Minnesota was awarded $955,000.

Kaiser Awarded UM Award -- Renowned economist and professor Harry Kaiser has received the University of Minnesota's Outstanding Achievement Award. Kaiser studies the social implications of agricultural economic policies and how such programs can benefit producers. Kaiser and his staff at Cornell University conduct the annual federal economic analysis for the national dairy and fluid milk processor advertising programs. Kaiser has been on the faculty at Cornell for 23 years.

Staff Changes for NDFB -- John Jacobson has been named the director of leadership development for the North Dakota Farm Bureau. Jacobson will also continue in his role as staff coordinator for the NDSU Collegiate Farm Bureau. Staci Lee has joined the NDFB staff and will oversee a 13-county region in southeastern North Dakota and serve as the organization's safety coordinator. Lee fills a vacancy created by Sarah Wilson, who transitioned to part-time Young Farmers and Ranchers Coordinator.

Skelton on Loan to FDA -- Leanne Skelton, chief of the Fresh Products Branch of USDA's Agricultural Marketing Service, will join the Food and Drug Administration to develop new food safety rules. This effort is part of a cooperative initiative between FDA and USDA. Skelton will be on detail with the FDA for six months as she helps the FDA develop new safety regulations for produce.

NACD Looking for New CEO -- The National Association of Conservation Districts has announced that CEO Doug Loudenslager has resigned, effective immediately. After significant involvement with the national board and NACD's many activities, Loudenslager said it became clear that his role was significantly different than he anticipated. Loudenslager replaced Krysta Harden who was tapped for a USDA undersecretary position by the Obama Administration in April.

Johnson Joins NCBA Team -- Todd Johnson has been named the vice president of owner/member services for the National Cattlmen's Beef Association. Johnson has been at the helm of the Kansas Livestock Association since 2004.

Rural Leadership North Dakota -- The North Dakota State University Extension Service leadership development program begins its fourth class this year. The class members are Maureen Delzer, Ashley; Vivian Hall, Mandaree; April Haring, Oakes; Melissa Hennen, Hillsboro; Chet Hill, Williston; Teresa Huff, West Fargo; Jennifer Jordan, Langdon; Maeve MacSteves, Williston; Kevin McLean, West Fargo; Jennifer Ondracek, Medora; Christopher Schilken, Devils Lake; Kimberly Schuler, Langdon; Mary Siverson, Bismarck; Suzanne Sobolik, Dickinson; Medora Stevenson, Bowman; Deborah Tracy, Maddock; Ashley Ueckert, Sentinel Butte and Jennifer Weisgerber, Tioga. This group will spend the next two years developing leadership skills.

Follow Mike, Don and Randy -- The Red River Farm Network team offers the latest agriculture news updates through Twitter. Follow Mike Hergert at http://twitter.com/farmnewsjock. Don Wick can be followed at http://twitter.com/RRFNWick and Randy Koenen's twitter address is http://twitter.com/rkoenen.

Last Week's Trivia -- The three sons featured in the Bonanza television show were Adam, Hoss and Little Joe. Cathy Riley of AgStar Financial Services is the first in with the right answer and is our weekly trivia winner. Pete Neal of Bayer CropScience, Altona author Les Kletke, Lloyd Friske of Genex Cooperative and Neil Bernhoft of NTB Seeds earn runner-up honors. The trivia 'first 20' includes Nick Sinner of the Red River Valley Sugarbeet Growers Association, Ryan Snobelen of Hyland Seeds, Beth Bakke Stenehjem of the North Dakota FFA Foundation, Karlstad farmer Kurt Aakre, American Sheep Industry Association Past President Burdell Johnson, Pat Kearney of AMPI, Ryan Mayer of CoBank, Rice Lake dairy farmer Paul Toft, Jodi Johnson of AgCountry Farm Credit Services, Mark Dalen of Benson County Farm Service Agency, Tom Steever of the Brownfield Network, UM Extension Educator Russ Severson, Paula Mohr of The Farmer, Vicki Dekkers of EMD Crop Bioscience, Laurie Snow of Kensal Farmers Elevator and Stuart Ternes of Farm Credit Services of Mandan.

This Week's Trivia -- The 4-H pledge reads "I pledge my head to clearer thinking, my heart to greater loyalty, my hands to larger service and my health to better living, for my club, my community, ___ _______ and ___ _______. Can you finish it? Send your response to don@rrfn.com. Don't forget to include your own job title and/or hometown.

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