shop online at www.missourivalleyshopper.com National Ag Week March 15, 2016 • Page 19 March 13-19, 2016 Senate Passes Higher Fee On Agricultural Fertilizers PIERRE – South Dakota farmers would pay higher inspection fees on agricultural fertilizers under a conservation measure approved Thursday by the state Senate. The fee increases would raise an estimated $1 million. The proceeds would be used mainly for research into proper application of fertilizers. The Senate vote was 28-6. “Water quality is imperative for us. It’s life. It’s the future,” Sen. Larry Tidemann, R-Brookings, said. Many agricultural producers have voluntarily installed conservation measures but there is a lack of ongoing study of fertilizer use, he said. Other states spend portions of their fertilizer taxes for research, according to Tidemann. The fees charged to farmers currently are five cents per ton for manipulated manure and 15 cents per ton for commercial fertilizers. Those would increase to 55 cents and 65 cents, respectively. The secretary of agri- culture could raise the fees as high as 75 cents per ton, Tidemann said. Sen. Jim Peterson, DRevillo, stood up as one of the farmers who would be paying the bill. “I don’t think there were any farmers who testified,” Peterson observed, before urging the bill’s approval. He explained to other senators how highly technical farming has become with computers in the tractors and computers used to test fields. “Farming has changed a lot, but I think it’s very, very important,” Peterson said. He estimated it would cost his farm $350 to $450 more per year. The data is important in case there are federal mandates later, Peterson said. Sen. Jason Frerichs, DWilmot, also spoke in favor as a farmer. “We don’t want to overapply. We want that fertilizer to stay on the ground where it’s placed,” Frerichs said. “This is good stuff,” he added. The legislation, HB 1094, now must return to the House of Representatives for a decision whether to agree with the amendments made by the Senate Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee. One of the Senate changes was adding a requirement that 10 percent of the revenue would be used for water quality grants starting in 2020. The bill originally passed in the House 67-2. Its prime sponsor is Rep. Lee Qualm, R-Platte. SDSU Entomologist Discovers New Insect Species On Prairie Cordgrass BROOKINGS - A newly discovered insect species in prairie cordgrass may explain why increasing seed production has been so difficult, according to South Dakota State University entomologist Paul J. Johnson, a professor in the plant science department. He and graduate student J. Manuel Perilla López found a new species of gall midge in prairie cordgrass at four locations in eastern South Dakota, including the Oak Lake Field Station. The research was supported primarily by the U.S. Department of Agriculture through the North Central Regional Sun Grant Center which seeks to develop native grasses as a source of biobased transportation fuels. The prairie cordgrass gall midge has a different relationship with its host plant than other species of gall midge, which form a pocket called a gall within plant tissues, Johnson explained. “This species feeds on the seeds but doesn’t modify the plant itself. That’s a new discovery in itself.”  The adult gall midge, which is about half the size of a fruit fly, lays its eggs in the plant when it begins to flower in mid to late July, according to Johnson.  The larvae feed on the developing seed within the plant. “Depending on when the eggs hatch, the larvae will even feed on the unfertilized ovule.” However, when the adult lays its eggs too late, the larvae don’t develop to adult stage because the developing seed has become too hard, Johnson explained. “They don’t have mandibles, so must suck the juice of the plant.” Sun Grant director Vance Owens said this research is important because “seed production has always been a significant issue with prairie cordgrass.”   Commercial companies have had problems with prairie cordgrass, in particular, Johnson noted. “Though the demand is high, it’s costly to grow and produces very few seeds. Now, we have an idea of what’s causing that loss.” Johnson and López also discovered a possible solution to the problem—a parasitic wasp that feeds on the gall midge larvae but doesn’t damage the grass. “They have the potential to be used as biological controllers,” Johnson said. Next, the researchers need to determine what can be done to enhance these parasitic wasp populations and what population levels will be needed to prevent seed damage. Avoiding the use of pesticides will reduce input costs, which is important for a crop that has a lower profit margin, he pointed out.   In addition, researchers must address the issue of monoculture versus mixed grass communities, according to Johnson. “Can we put big blue stem in one area, prairie cordgrass in one and switchgrass in another to produce, on average, a good amount of biomass—and how does that affect the insect communities?”   He expects that complex, mixed communities will be more stable ecologically and have fewer pest problems. That may then help increase production of native grasses for use in biofuel production. FOR ALL YOUR AUTOMOTIVE, TRUCK AND TRACTOR PARTS COME TO: Young Producers Experience National Leadership Conference HURON – Six young ag producers from South Dakota had the opportunity to attend the Young Farmers & Ranchers national conference held Feb. 12-15 in Kansas City, Missouri. This American Farm Bureau Federation event focused on leadership and personal development opportunities for young farmers and ranchers ages 18 to 35. Chad and Kathy Hanrahan of Milesville, Nick and Bekah Ihnen of Tulare, and Kelsi LaMont and Travis Grave of Willow Lake attended from South Dakota. Highlights of the conference included hearing from Miss America Betty Cantrell, a farm girl from Georgia who is using her platform to promote healthy food choices and teach kids where their food comes from, and Jason Brown, former NFL football player who left the league to start a farm in his native North Carolina. “Nick and I greatly enjoyed our time at the national YF&R conference,” commented Bekah Ihnen. “I think our favorite part of the conference was the tours, being able to take a look at different crops and farm operations. We really appreciate being given this opportunity through Farm Bureau.” “It was great to meet some other state YF&R chairs and lots of new people. We got to bring home information that we can use in our own operations, our County Farm Bureaus and our state YF&R committee,” added Chad Hanrahan. Chad and Kathy serve as co-chairs of the SDFB Young Farmers & Ranchers Committee this year. In addition to the keynote speakers, breakout sessions were offered on a wide variety of useful topics, including: farm succession planning, working across generations, tackling tough agricultural topics with consumers, record keeping for precision-ag data, using social media to connect with the offfarm public, and more.  Kelsi LaMont added, “By far the greatest part of the conference was the chance to network with other ranchers our age. It’s nice to know we’re not alone in facing challenges and to make lifelong friends who share the same values and interests. The travel experience and educational information were also much appreciated.”  SDFB President Scott VanderWal, who was elected last month as Vice President of the American Farm Bureau Federation, was also a featured speaker at the conference, alongside new AFBF President Zippy Duvall of Georgia. Graduate student J. Manuel Perilla Lopez examines prairie cordgrass at the Felt farm north of the SDSU campus. He documented a new species of gall midge that feeds on the seeds of this native grass. He completed his master’s degree in December 2015. “Don’t Gamble” - Insure With M.T. & R.C. SMITH INSURANCE Serving the Yankton Area Since 1949 Home, Auto, Business, Life, Bonds servicing your GROWING needs “Get the good stuff!” 209 W. 4th St. • Downtown Yankton, SD Bearings – Batteries – Filters Automotive • Truck • Agricultural • Marine 605-665-3611 smithins@iw.net COX AUTO SUPPLY Locations in SD: Winner, Pierre, Philip Locations in NE: Bloomfield, Hartington, Wayne America’s Farmers, ranchers and growers are some of our nation’s greatest assets. Not only do we rely on agriculture for our food, feed, fiber, and fuel, our agriculture producers preserve our environment, and help drive our national economy. 1007 Broadway • Yankton, SD • 605-665-4494 JOIN US IN SAYING, “Thank You.”