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2 CapitalPress.com June 17, 2016 People & Places A family tradition of eficiency Justin Hedrick, his uncle and grandfather look to reduce expenses Western Innovator Capital Press Justin Hedrick Capital Press Managers Mike O’Brien .............................Publisher Joe Beach ..................................... Editor Elizabeth Yutzie Sell .... Advertising Director Carl Sampson ................Managing Editor Barbara Nipp ......... Production Manager Samantha McLaren .... Circulation Manager Age: 29 Title: Partner, Diamond M Ranch; president, Stevens County Cattlemen’s Asso- ciation Hometown: Laurier, Wash. Family: Married, two sons, one daughter Education: Chewelah High School Matthew Weaver/Capital Press Grandfather, Len McIrvin, and grandson, Justin Hedrick, pause from doing maintenance on one of their cattle trucks April 13 on property in Plymouth, Wash. McIrvin and Hedrick are partners with Bill McIrvin in the Diamond M Ranch. Hedrick is also president of the Stevens County Cattlemen’s Association. In 1973, Diamond M was one of the irst ranches to start bringing cattle from north- ern-tier counties to southern Washington for wintering, now a relatively common practice. The ranch retains ownership of all its cattle from calving to slaughter. The ranch was also one of the irst in the area to own cattle-haul- ing semi trucks. “We will deinitely look at any new and improved meth- ods, but also we’re real skep- tical,” Len McIrvin said. “If they’re the right kind of cows, there’s a lot of things the feed companies, mineral compa- nies and technology compa- nies say you’ve got to have that really you don’t.” “(For branding), we can run the same number of calves with a four- or ive-man crew as a lot of people can with a 30-man crew,” Hedrick said. Hedrick joined the opera- tion in about 2011. All three partners stress that they are equals. “It’s ‘we,’ not ‘I,’” Len McIrvin said. “It’s ‘us,’ rather than a ‘me,’” Hedrick agreed. Len McIrvin’s grandfather started the ranch. He is the third generation on the ranch, Bill McIrvin is the fourth and Justin is the ifth. They expect to breed roughly 3,000 head this year and calve more than 2,000 head, and run a total of 6,000 to 7,000 head. Kettle Falls, Wash., ranch- er Scott Nielsen, vice presi- dent of the Cattle Producers of Washington, said the Dia- mond M is always the irst af- fected by industry issues. “They’re principled, they’re not compromisers,” he said. “They’re in it 100 percent. ... They are an outit making it simply on their own skin — good times, bad times, whatever else.” Nielsen said Hedrick shows a lot of passion for the indus- try and will take a leadership role on key issues as president of the Stevens County Cattle- men’s Association. Website: https://steven- scountycattlemen.com “We’re an aging indus- try — there aren’t too many young people involved,” he said. “You want a guy like Justin who is president of the organization and tells exactly how (a regulation) will affect his cows out on the land- scape.” “We’re always open to reading and finding some- thing that’s going to be more efficient,” Hedrick said. “We’ve got 73 years of learning how to be the most efficient we can be on our ranch. What we have right now is probably the most ef- ficient we could have as of today.” Growing hazelnuts runs in the Aman family By BRENNA WIEGAND For the Capital Press MT. ANGEL, Ore. — When World War II broke out, two of Frank Aman’s ive boys stayed back to work the family farm just outside Mt. Angel, Ore. “After the war my Un- cle Gordy and my dad, Rus- sel, came back, and Grandpa Frank said, ‘It’s these boys’ turn to take the farm over,’” Tom Aman said. Russel Aman’s sons Tom, Tim and Kevin grow and propagate hazelnuts on the same land their father and grandfather farmed. Now as then, many other family mem- bers take part in the farm’s op- eration. They grow hazelnuts on the 70 acres of the home place and sharecrop another 120 acres in the neighborhood, averaging 3,000 pounds per acre. Tim is an agronomist for Hazelnut Growers of Oregon; Kevin and Tom are agrono- mists for Wilco Farmers Co- op. Established 1928 Board of directors Mike Forrester ..........................President Steve Forrester Kathryn Brown Sid Freeman .................. Outside director Mike Omeg .................... Outside director Corporate oficer John Perry Chief operating oficer By MATTHEW WEAVER PLYMOUTH, Wash. — The Diamond M Ranch re- cently started a different way of weaning calves. The ranch used to wean its calves at a feedlot, said Justin Hedrick, partner in the ranch with his grandfather, Len McIrvin, and uncle, Bill McIrvin. “We just started weaning them the last few years by ourselves, move cows into a new wheat or green circle with the cows, give them a couple of days, that way they know it’s home,” Hedrick said. “Then you go in, preg- check the cows, and then haul the cows away and leave the calves there. They know that’s home and they don’t try going anywhere.” Hedrick said the change has saved “huge amounts” of money. “We’d have calves in the feedlot for $2 to $2.50 per day per calf,” he said. “They’d be in there for 30 days per herd. Being on circles, we can wean them ourselves for 37 cents per day. It’s made a huge eco- nomic difference for us.” It’s the latest move by a long-running ranching family with a history of striving for — and achieving — eficiency. Capital Press Brenna Wiegand/For the Capital Press Tim Aman, left, and his brother, Tom, stand among year-old hazel- nut trees in a greenhouse at their Mt. Angel, Ore., hazelnut farm. Shown are the choice new blight-resistant varieties from Oregon State University Wepster, McDonald and Jefferson. The trees the Aman broth- ers produce through tissue culture at the Century Farm are blanketing the Willamette Valley at a rate of 800 to 1,000 acres a year, but it’s still not fast enough to keep up with the demand for Oregon hazel- nuts. At the same time, older or- chards across the valley that should continue to produce for decades to come are succumb- ing to eastern ilbert blight. “At least now we have something to replace them with,” Tim said. For the past three decades Shawn Mehlenbacher at Ore- gon State University has been developing blight-resistant hazelnut varieties. “The best hazelnut variet- ies in the world are coming out of Oregon State,” Tom said. “We’ve got quite the gem down there.” McDonald, grown for its kernel, is one of the best tast- ing nuts yet and drops two weeks earlier than Barcelo- na, he said. Other promising varieties include Wepster, a kernel nut, and Jefferson, a robust in-shell variety. Oregon provides 99 per- cent of the hazelnuts in the U.S., though Turkey supplies 70 percent of the world market. Both provide the perfect environment for growing hazelnuts. “If you shoot a line from here to the other side of the world you’ll hit Turkey,” Tom said. “The 45th paral- lel with a marine influx is premier for growing hazel- nuts.” Eight to 10 years ago a massive freeze in Turkey created a worldwide hazel- nut shortage. The standard 45 cents a pound in Ore- gon shot to $1.15. A second freeze in 2014 saw record prices — $2 a pound in the shell. Prices are not expect- ed to dip under a dollar for the foreseeable future. China depends on ha- zelnuts for festivals such as Chinese New Year. They soak the nuts to soften the shell, split them individual- ly, soak them in brine and roast them, causing them to open like pistachios. “They’re fun to eat and they really taste good — I’d love to see that at an OSU game,” Tim said. Recently the Mars Inc. candy company’s main nut buyers paid a visit and met with HGO officials. “You’re talking millions and millions of pounds,” Tim said. The Amans recommend hazelnuts to large- and small-scale farmers alike. “It’s a sustainable crop,” Tim said. “You’re not work- ing the ground; there are very few pests and there’s not a big outlay for equip- ment. They’re mechanical- ly harvested so your cost for labor is way down, and these new varieties have very upright scaffolding so they’re very easy to man- age.” Entire contents copyright © 2016 EO Media Group dba Capital Press An independent newspaper published every Friday. Capital Press (ISSN 0740-3704) is published weekly by EO Media Group, 1400 Broadway St. NE, Salem OR 97301. Periodicals postage paid at Portland, OR, and at additional mailing ofices. POSTMASTER: send address changes to Capital Press, P.O. Box 2048 Salem, OR 97308-2048. To Reach Us Toll free ............................. 800-882-6789 Main line ........................... 503-364-4431 Fax ................................... 503-370-4383 Advertising Fax ................ 503-364-2692 News Staff N. 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Box 2048 Salem, OR 97308-2048 News: Contact the main ofice or news staff member closest to you, send the in- formation to newsroom@capitalpress.com or mail it to “Newsroom,” c/o Capital Press. Include a contact telephone number. Letters to the Editor: Send your comments on agriculture-related public issues to opinions@capitalpress.com, or mail your letter to “Opinion,” c/o Capital Press. Letters should be limited to 300 words. Deadline: Noon Monday. Capital Press ag media Calendar Sponsored by: To submit an event go to the Community Events calendar on the home page of our website at www. capitalpress.com and click on “Sub- mit an Event.” Calendar items can also be mailed to Capital Press, 1400 Broadway St. NE, Salem, OR 97301. Friday, June 17 Going Further on the Bio- Control Bus: Advanced Biological Pest Management for Nurseries & Greenhouses, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Advanced biological control work- shop and tour/demonstration. This day is limited to a grower audience with some experience. OSU North Willamette Research & Extension Center, 15210 NE Miley Road, Au- rora, Ore. Cost: $35. http://www. pesticide.org/advanced_biologi- cal_pest_2016 Pruning to Restore White Pine workshop in Sandpoint, Idaho. 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Pre-register by June 10. Registration fee is $20. (208) 263-8511 http://extension.uidaho. edu/bonner/ Saturday, June 18 ATFS 75th Anniversary Cele- bration, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Celebrating 75 years of sustainable forestry and honoring tree farmers. Montesano High School and Lake Sylvia State Park, Montesano, Wash. www.wa- farmforestry.com Ketchum Kalf Rodeo, 1 p.m., Glenwood Rodeo Grounds, 63 Trout Lake Highway, Glenwood, Wash. http://Business.gorge.net/ glenwoodrodeo Tractor-Truck-Garden Tractor Pull. This is the Oregon Tractor Pullers Association’s annual Fa- ther’s Day pull, all tractors are welcome. Venue: Schurman’s Iron Ranch, Ridgeield, Wash. www.or- egontractorpullers.com Sunday, June 19 Ketchum Kalf Rodeo, 1 p.m., Glenwood Rodeo Grounds, 63 Trout Lake Highway, Glenwood, Wash. http://Business.gorge.net/ glenwoodrodeo Wednesday, June 22 Idaho Cattle Association Sum- mer Roundup, Red Lion Templin’s Hotel on the River, 414 E. First Ave., Post Falls, Idaho. www.idaho- cattle.org/ Promoting Beneicial Insects, 6-8 p.m. Oregon State University Extension, SOREC, 569 Hanley Road, Central Point, Ore. Learn the technical details of designing and establishing plantings that promote beneicial insects, including annual and perennial insectary plantings. Cost: $20 each or $30 per couple. Register online or call 541-776- 7371. https://secure.oregonstate. edu/osuext/register/1012 Thursday, June 23 Idaho Cattle Association Sum- GASES / WELDING / SAFETY / FIRE www.oxarc.com 20 Northwest Locations mer Roundup, Red Lion Templin’s Hotel on the River, 414 E. First Ave., Post Falls, Idaho. www.idaho- cattle.org/ Lane County Events Center, 796 W 13th Ave., Eugene, Ore. Cost: free. www.alpacafarmsoregon.org Friday, June 24 OSU Caneberry Field Day, 1-5 p.m., North Willamette Research & Extension Center, 15210 NE Miley Road, Aurora, Ore. http://oregon- state.edu/dept/NWREC/ Alpacas at the Gathering, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Alpacas join the sheep and goats at the Black Sheep Gathering, with leece, yarn, socks, scarves and more. Fleece show as part of BSG Wool Show & Sale. Lane County Events Center, 796 W 13th Ave., Eugene, Ore. Cost: free. www.alpacafarmsoregon.org Saturday, June 25 Washington State Dairy Ambas- sador Coronation, 5 p.m. Greater Tacoma Convention and Trade Center, 1500 Broadway, Tacoma, Wash. 360-273-7313. Tickets will not be available at the door. Alpacas at the Gathering, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Alpacas join the sheep and goats at the Black Sheep Gathering, with leece, yarn, socks, scarves and more. Fleece show as part of BSG Wool Show & Sale. Lane County Events Center, 796 W 13th Ave., Eugene, Ore. Cost: free. www.alpacafarmsoregon.org Sunday, June 26 Alpacas at the Gathering, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Alpacas join the sheep and goats at the Black Sheep Gathering, with leece, yarn, socks, scarves and more. Fleece show as part of BSG Wool Show & Sale. Wednesday, June 29 Thursday, June 30 St. Paul Rodeo, St. Paul, Ore. 1-800- 237-5920. www.stpaulrodeo.com/ Friday, July 1 St. Paul Rodeo, St. Paul, Ore. 1-800-237-5920. www.stpaulrodeo. com/ Molalla Buckeroo Rodeo, Molal- la, Ore. 503-829-8388. http://molal- labuckeroo.com Eugene Pro Rodeo, 4 p.m. to midnight, 90751 Prairie Road, Eu- gene, Ore. http://www.eugenepro- rodeo.com/ Saturday, July 2 St. Paul Rodeo, St. Paul, Ore. 1-800-237-5920. www.stpaulrodeo. com/ Molalla Buckeroo Rodeo, Molal- la, Ore. 503-829-8388. http://molal- labuckeroo.com Eugene Pro Rodeo, 4 p.m. to midnight, 90751 Prairie Road, Eu- gene, Ore. http://www.eugenepro- rodeo.com/ 1-800-765-9055 Sunday, July 3 St. Paul Rodeo, St. Paul, Ore. 1-800-237-5920. www.stpaulrodeo. com/ Molalla Buckeroo Rodeo, Molal- la, Ore. 503-829-8388. http://molal- labuckeroo.com Eugene Pro Rodeo, 5:30 to 11 p.m., Prairie Road, Eugene, Ore. http://www.eugeneprorodeo.com/ Monday, July 4 St. Paul Rodeo, St. Paul, Ore. 1-800-237-5920. Molalla Buckeroo Rodeo, Molal- la, Ore. 503-829-8388. Eugene Pro Rodeo, 4 p.m. to midnight, 90751 Prairie Road, Eu- gene, Ore. Wednesday, July 6 OSU Blueberry Field Day, 1-5 p.m. North Willamette Research & Extension Center, 15210 NE Miley Road, Aurora, Ore. http://oregon- state.edu/dept/NWREC/ Thursday, July 7 Marion County Fair, 10 a.m.-10 p.m., Oregon State Fairgrounds, Salem. 503-585-9998, http://www. co.marion.or.us/CS/Fair Friday, July 8 California State Fair, 1600 Ex- position Blvd., Sacramento, 916- 263-FAIR, http://www.castatefair. org/ www.capitalpress.com www.FarmSeller.com www.AgDirectoryWest.com www.OnlyAg.com www.facebook.com/capitalpress www.facebook.com/farmseller www.facebook.com/onlyAGdotcom twitter.com/capitalpress www.youtube.com/capitalpressvideo www.blogriculture.com Index Dairy .....................................11 Livestock ..............................11 Markets ............................... 13 Opinion .................................. 6 Correction The story on Page 8 of the June 10 edition on the defeat of a bill in the California Assembly that would have changed overtime rules for agricultural employees incorrectly identiied the bill’s author. She is Assemblywoman Lorena Gonzalez, D-San Diego. The Capital Press regrets the error. Correction policy Accuracy is important to Capital Press staff and to our readers. If you see a misstatement, omission or factual error in a headline, story or photo caption, please call the Capital Press news department at 503-364-4431, or send email to newsroom@capitalpress.com. We want to publish corrections to set the record straight.