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BRANDON, SOUTH DAKOTA, June 26, 2019 –  The CHS retail business based out of Brandon, South Dakota, has announced a $5,000 grant to Lincoln County 4-H. This money will be used for repairs and new equipment to support poultry and rabbit projects.

“We are extremely grateful to receive this grant,” said Alina Krone-Hedman, the 4-H youth program advisor for Lincoln County. “It will significantly impact our rabbit and poultry members, as it will be used for purchasing more cages and items for showing, as well as improving the current equipment we have. With both these programs growing every year, this will help us guarantee animal safety.”

This grant will be used for a new rabbit show table, new rabbit and poultry cages, additional shelving for rabbits and poultry that will be movable to allow for better layouts in the barn as the exhibits expand, and repairs to current rabbit and poultry cages and equipment.

“CHS is honored to give back to such a strong local organization that does so much for our youth,” said Michael Van Otterloo, manager of the CHS location in Canton. “Many of our employees have grown up being a part of 4-H. The future of our rural ag communities begins with our children, and organizations like 4-H will help build a strong future for agriculture in South Dakota.”

This donation was made possible through the CHS Seeds for Stewardship program, a competitive grant program through CHS that matches funds for projects in rural communities based on three core focus areas: safety, ag leadership development, and broad community engagement.

Dicamba cutoff dates are nearing for both South Dakota and Minnesota, find each news release below for further information on the application restrictions.

Minnesota: Application cutoff date June 20th
South Dakota Application cutoff date June 30th

SOUTH DAKOTA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: June 17, 2019
Media Contact: Maggie Stensaas, 605.773.4073

Dicamba Cutoff Date Approaching

PIERRE, S.D. – The South Dakota Department of Agriculture (SDDA) reminds applicators that June 30 is the cutoff date for dicamba products.

The SDDA obtained Special Local Needs registration labels, also known as 24(c) labels, from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for the following products: Engenia, Fexapan and Xtendimax with VaporGrip Technology. These labels establish a June 30 cutoff for applications of these products in South Dakota for the 2019 growing season. Applicators can use these products until soybeans reach the R1 growth stage, 45 days after planting or June 30, whichever comes first.

“While the weather has had an impact on planting this year, which I know is frustrating for many producers, the fact remains that warmer conditions in July increase the risk of volatility and drift when using dicamba products. The cutoff date is based on data which supports increased risk of drift after July 1,” says Secretary of Agriculture Kim Vanneman. “I encourage producers to explore the other products available to them once the cutoff date for use of dicamba has passed.”

Anyone applying Engenia, Fexapan or Xtendimax with VaporGrip Technology must also abide by the restrictions included in the EPA labels for those products, including recordkeeping requirements. Additionally, applicators applying or purchasing these products will have to complete annual dicamba specific training. Trainings can be found on the SDDA website at https://sdda.sd.gov/ag-services/dicamba/.

Agriculture is a major contributor to South Dakota’s economy, generating $25.6 billion in annual economic activity and employing over 115,000 South Dakotans. The South Dakota Department of Agriculture’s mission is to promote, protect and preserve South Dakota agriculture for today and tomorrow. Visit them online at sdda.sd.gov or find them on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

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http://news.sd.gov/newsitem.aspx?id=25604

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June 11, 2019

The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) is reminding pesticide applicators of the state-specific restriction for the use of the herbicide dicamba for the 2019 growing season. The product cannot be applied in Minnesota after June 20.

The 2019 Minnesota restriction is in addition to those established by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The affected formulations are XtendiMax by Monsanto, Engenia by BASF, FeXapan by DuPont, and Tavium by Syngenta.

“We understand that late planting this season has caused concern for growers who want to use this crop management tool,” said Agriculture Commissioner Thom Petersen. “However, delaying applications in an attempt to control later emerging weeds can result in poor control and presents other risks. If you are one of the growers that has invested in dicamba technology, now is the time to use it because late planting combined with pre-plant tillage can offer advantages for weed control, according to University of Minnesota Extension.”

The June 20, 2019, cut-off date is based on the MDA’s ongoing investigations and informal surveys into reports of crop damage from alleged dicamba off-target movement over the past two growing seasons. In 2017, the MDA received 253 reports of alleged dicamba drift; 55 of those were formal complaints requesting investigations. Those reports impacted an estimated 265,000 acres. After state restrictions were put in place for the 2018 growing season, the number of complaints dropped dramatically to 53 reports, of which 29 were formal complaints. Just over 1,800 acres were impacted in 2018.

This year’s cut-off date was first announced on December 10, 2018. Over the winter, approximately 5,800 pesticide applicators attended trainings across the state as required by the product labels.

Dicamba is most effective early in the growing season. Product labels recommend application on small broadleaf weeds that are up to 4 inches tall.

To manage weeds after June 20, herbicides from Group 9 (Glyphosate), Group 2 (Pursuit, Classic, FirstRate), and Group 14 (Flexstar, Cobra, Cadet, Ultra Blazer) can be used. If you have herbicide resistant weeds such as waterhemp, follow University of Minnesota Extension recommendations on layering of residual herbicides such as Dual, Outlook, Warrant, and Valor.

In Minnesota, the XtendiMax, Engenia, FeXapan, and Tavium formulations of dicamba are “Restricted Use Pesticides” for retail sale to, and for use only by, certified applicators.

https://www.mda.state.mn.us/june-20-cut-date-remains-dicamba-use-minnesota

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Media Contact
Allen Sommerfeld, MDA Communications
651-201-6185
Allen.Sommerfeld@state.mn.us

By Annette Bertelsen, from Spring 2019 C magazine

What happens when the world’s biggest buyer suddenly backs away from U.S. soybeans? That’s been a question on everyone’s mind since July 6, 2018, when the United States implemented China-specific tariffs. The move embroiled U.S. farmers and cooperatives in a trade war that hit the soybean world particularly hard. Spring USDA data shows 2018–2019 soybean export inspections down nearly 34 percent from the year before, with farms and cooperatives struggling to handle huge carryover and reduced cash flow.

(more…)

The 2019 CHS Owners Forums will be held at 11 sites across the country in May and June. As an owner of CHS, we invite you to join us at the forum nearest you to hear business updates from CHS leadership including CHS President and CEO Jay Debertin. We will also take a look at industry trends and will be asking for your input on how we can make connections that support long-term success. Forums will wrap up with lunch at noon. Please register to reserve your spot.

May 14, 2019 –Ten high school seniors from the local CHS trade area have been named recipients of $500 CHS scholarships.

“CHS is committed to making a long-lasting, measurable impact on rural America and the agricultural industry,” said Kent Mulder, general manager. “It’s an honor and our commitment to ensure we’re helping make an impact in the endeavors of our future ag leaders. We congratulate the recipients as they finish out their high school year and set their sights to make a great impact on the agricultural industry.”

The recipients of CHS scholarships include:

Jared Hauswedell, Tyler, MN – attending Lake Area Tech
Trevor Benson, Lyons, SD – attending South Dakota State University
Lincoln Burggraff, Colton, SD – attending South Dakota State University
Brooklyn Ludeman, Tracy, MN – attending South Dakota State University
Cayden Buysse, Tracy, MN – attending South Dakota State University
Brooklyn Knudson, Canton, SD – attending Lake Area Tech
William Stegenga, Luverne, MN – attending Lake Area Tech
Cooper Hansen, Tyler, MN – attending Bethany Lutheran College
Aaron Goodale, Chester, SD – attending South Dakota State University
Allyson Beninga, Inwood, IA – attending Iowa State University

CHS was impressed with the outstanding scholarship applications received in the first year of this program. In order to be eligible for a CHS scholarship, applicants must be pursuing a career in agriculture and live within the CHS trade territory.