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About The Baker County press. (Baker City, Ore.) 2014-current | View Entire Issue (March 11, 2016)
THE BAKER COUNTY PRESS — 3 FRIDAY, MARCH 11, 2016 Business & Ag — Weekly Hay Report — Real Ranching Adventures CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 The adventures offered include: “Rodeo. We’ll share our real family tradition. Bucking horses and bulls, single and team rop- ing. Local cowboys and cowgirls practice for rodeo competitions. “Buffalo. See these majestic iconic animals up close and personal as you ride the feed wagon into the herds. “Cute Animals. Ride the haywagon to feed livestock. Milk a cow or goat. February-March see baby lambs, goats, calves, horses; bottle feed or play with! “Branding. Get up close for roping and branding calves. Not for the faint of heart! “Animal Training. Start- ing horses, training dogs to work stock shows and ranch, kids preparing for 4-H competitions. “Cattle Drives. Come along as cattle are moved to pasture, to new grass and home for the winter. “Livestock care. Wean- ing, vaccinating, preparing cattle for sale, shipping calves. “Fencing. Learn how to build a fence, fix fence, get pasture ready for cattle. Great for wildlife viewing as well! “Farming. See how crops are grown and harvested. See how irrigation is used. Tour local gardens and greenhouses, where the Geiser’s restaurant pro- duce comes from. “Winery. Tour the local winery; see how grapes are grown, harvested, made into wine. Includes tasting a bottle of wine to take home! Said Sidway, “In recent years, we’ve had increased interest from travelers that want to experience the ‘real west,’ which is our own cowboy and ranch- ing heritage. So on more than a dozen occasions, we’ve arranged for guests to hang out at family rodeo practice and so forth. The feedback has been great. For example, writers trav- eled from Paris to write about Lewis and Clark. When they got out on a local ranch, Baker County just stole the story, which morphed into the wild west.” She added, “We had Friday, March 4, 2016 — Eastern Oregon Prices trended generally steady compared to week ago prices in a very limited test. Many producers have decided to hold on to their hay for now, in hopes for higher prices or to feed to their own ani- mals. Many hay producers are sold out for the year. Tons Price Range Wtd Avg Alfalfa —Large Square Good/Premium 85 135.00-135.00 135.00 Last week: Alfalfa —Large Square Good 40 120.00-120.00 120.00 Alfalfa / Orchard Mix —Small Square Premium 25 190.00-195.00 192.00 Timothy Grass—Small Square Premium 3 195.00-195.00 195.00 Meadow Grass—Small Square Good 2 150.00-150.00 150.00 USDA Market News Service—AMS.USDA.gov — Cattle Market Report — Submitted Photo Guests took photos of buffalo feeding in Halfway. planned to launch this new offering in spring. Then the plight of East- ern Oregon ranchers was suddenly brought to the forefront of everyone’s mind. We recognize that no small business can do much to change the course of events. “However, we see the Geiser Grand’s ‘Ranch Experience’ is our con- tribution to better under- standing by facilitating real interaction and com- munication with our local ranchers. Proceeds go to the ranchers, while they pretty much go about their daily business as usual, so we’ve gotten good recep- tion. “Guests love this be- cause it’s available 365 days per year, its easy and really fun! And you don’t have to be an overnight guest at the hotel; it’s open to everyone interested in learning more about our ranching heritage.” 2016 Women in Ag Conference scheduled for March 19 On Saturday, Mar. 19, from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., women from Northeast Oregon have the opportunity to participate in the 2016 Women in Agriculture Conference. Organized by Washington State University extension, the one-day conference brings together women at 31 locations in Washing- ton, Idaho, Oregon and Alaska for a unique oppor- tunity to hear knowledge- able speakers and inspir- ing stories, network, and take home practical advice and new skills. The conference will be hosted at the Union County Extension Office, 10507 N McAlister Rd., in La Grande, with host site facilitation by Sara Miller from Northeast Oregon Economic Development District. Early bird registration, which is $25, includes a communication workshop, light breakfast, lunch, and conference materials. After March 18, regis- tration increases to $30. A limited number of scholarships are available for aspiring farmers, col- lege agriculture students, and 4-H and FFA mem- bers. Visit the website at www.womeninag.wsu.edu for registration and details, or contact Miller at 541- 426-3598 or saramiller@ neoedd.org. “Power Up Your Farm” is the theme for this year’s conference, with two sub- themes: Power Up Your Commu- nications! Facilitated by Wendy Knopp and Michael Stolp with Northwest Farm Credit Services Communication is the most powerful tool for building business and per- sonal relationships. Peo- ple’s ability to influence people is directly related to how they communicate. This conference will help attendees discover their communication style and how to use it to manage, motivate, and influence people. Attendees will learn to “pull out” their personality traits to change as the situation changes. Confidence in one’s ability to be a successful farmer will strengthen a farming operation. Power Up Your Farm! Different personal- ity styles affect the way people interact with cus- tomers, family, business contacts, and employees. Women farmers know how to produce their prod- uct. Sometimes, however, their communication style makes it difficult to sell that product, motivate an employee, convince a lend- er or landlord, or get along with family members or a business partner. Attendees will build new skills to help them build better teams, im- prove decision-making, and connect marketing to what motivates prospects and customers. Oregon farmer Shelly Boshart Davis will explain how she improved her communications approach with people and how it improved her business strategies. The conference is designed for women who have been farming for years, as well as new and aspiring farmers. Supporting spouses, students, interns or people who own an agriculture- related business are also welcome. The number of women in agriculture grows every year, and the conference helps meet their need to connect with other women farmers and ranchers, and share resources. The Northeast Oregon Economic Development District’s mission is to provide resources and facilitate quality decision- making for the benefit of entrepreneurs, businesses and communities in Baker, Union, and Wallowa coun- ties. Learn more about its programs at neoedd.org. County financial position focus of session BY TODD ARRIOLA Todd@TheBakerCountyPress.com The Baker County Board of Commissioners held a work session on Wednes- day, March 9, 2016, 9 a.m., in the Commission Cham- bers of the Baker County Courthouse, in order to dis- cuss the County’s financial position, and to receive a facilities update. Present from the Board were Commission Chair Bill Harvey, Commission- ers Mark Bennett and Tim Kerns, and Executive As- sistant Heidi Martin. Attendance also included Baker County Sheriff Travis Ash, Baker County Facilities Foreman Dan McQuisten, Baker County Administrative Service Director Christena Cook, Baker County Planning Director Holly Kerns, CPA Bruce Nichols, Baker County Weed Master Arnie Grammon, Baker County Health Department Direc- tor Robin Nudd, Baker County Health Depart- ment Registered Nurse Alicia Hills, Baker County Emergency Management Director Jason Yencopal, Baker County Emergency Management Deputy Di- rector Gary Timm, Baker County 911 Consolidated Dispatch Director Lindsey Hope, and Baker County Parks and Recreation Di- rector Karen Spencer. Harvey called the meet- ing to order, and Cook discussed details regard- ing the County’s financial situation, after providing a revenue and expense report (with estimations) to the Board. While no decisions were made, as this was a work session, several items were discussed. Revenue (fund balance overage from the budget, as of March 8, 2016) is es- timated at $424,527, with expenses estimated at a total of $607,563.87, for a difference of $183,036.87. Expenses include: the McCarty settlement, at $306,000; BCLA union negotiations, at $100,000; ODOT building purchase at $110,000; repairs/utili- ties costs for the ODOT building, at $31,511.89; property by the Road Department, at $57,051.98; and a Parks Department building lease, at $3,000. Projected revenue for fiscal year 2016-2017 includes estimated revenue of $816,536.60, broken down as: $700,000 from Secure Rural Schools (SRS); Title III funds, of $80,000; rental amounts totaling $12,105.60; and Watermaster revenue of $24,431. Estimated costs for fiscal year 2016-2017 includes a total of $378,891, broken down as: Justice Court staffing adjustments, in the amount of $11,422; District Attorney software (Karpell), in the amount of $40,000; a Public Employ- ees Retirement System (PERS) increase of 20%, in the amount of $174,300; a medical/dental insurance increase of 8.7%, in the amount of $134,900; and a property/liability insur- ance increase of 9%, in the amount of $18,269. Also noted by Cook is the contingency fund, in the amount of $694,882. SEE WORK SESSION PAGE 10 Wednesday, March 2, 2016 Vale, Oregon Cattle sold through the auction: 1,127 Steer Calves 300-400# Bulk 206.00 - 221.00 Top 229.00 400-500# Bulk 182.00 - 217.00 Top 220.00 500-600# Bulk 176.00 - 201.00 Top 210.25 Heifer Calves 300-400# Bulk 167.00 - 191.00 Top 202.00 400-500# Bulk 164.00 - 197.00 Top 205.00 500-600# Bulk 149.00 - 173.00 Top 175.00 600-700# 700-800# 800-900# 900-1,000# Yearling Steers Bulk 154.00 - 179.00 Top 180.50 Bulk 144.00 - 156.00 Top 159.00 Bulk 127.00 - 140.00 Top 141.00 Bulk 121.00 - 136.00 Top 139.00 Yearling Heifers 600-700# Bulk 139.00 - 155.00 Top 156.00 700-800# Bulk 135.00 - 143.00 Top 160.00 800-900# Bulk 121.00 - 134.00 Top 135.00 900-1,000# Bulk N/A Top N/A Thin Shelly Cows 44.00 - 61.00 Butcher Cows 66.00 - 75.00 Butcher Bulls 66.00 - 87.00 Stock Cows Yng. N/A Younger Hfrts. 81.00 - 124.00 Stock Cows Older. - 975.00 - 1225.00 ProducersLivestock.com 541-473-3136 — Log Price Report — Price per 1,000 board feet: Northeast Oregon Currently the local log market is flooded with fire salvage logs. The log buyer for Malheur Lumber Co. stated they have all the logs they need under contract and are not accepting any new purchases. BCC/LLC of La Grande has receive so many burned fire salvage logs they are no longer accepting logs at the La Grande log yard. Any additional pine logs have to be delivered to the Elgin Log yard cut in plywood lengths and to a 8 inch top. For these pine logs cut in plywood lengths, BCC is offering $280.00/mbf. They are also paying $410.00/ mbf for Doug Fir & Western Larch. For White Fir they are offing $310.00/mbf. At the Pilot Rock Saw Mill BCC is offing $360.00/mbf for a 12 to 15 inch top, for 16 to 19 inch top $400.00/ mbf & offing $425.00/mbf for 20 inch plus top Courtesy of Arvid Andersen, Andersen Forestry Consulting — Precious Metals Report — Price per ounce, USD Gold: $1,265.60 Silver: $15.45 Platinum: $987.65 Palladium: $566.18 Bloomberg.com — Ag Commodities — Corn: $361.75/bu/USD Wheat: $464.75/bu/USD Soybeans: $883.75/bu/USD Oats: $188.25 bu/USD Rough Rice: $10.66/cwt/USD Canola: $456.30 CAD/mwt Live Cattle: $137.25/lb./USD Feeder Cattle: $158.85/lb./USD Lean Hogs: $68.98/lb./USD Bloomberg.com
