Can We Bridge The Gap?

I am sitting here at work getting ready to punch in and do some final preparation for the Fall Conference we will hold the rest of this week starting tomorrow at noon. We will have people from all over the world here, both Crites employees and some customers.

I have been thinking about the Palouse agriculture industry and have a fiew ideas. Can we market all agriculture together? Can we, as industry leaders, step up and market a balance between organic/natural and conventional farms? One would think so if we are to share this land and grow enough food to feed the world. I have an idea and hope it will work.

I hope to have plans set forth and solidified by the start of 2011 of a campaign to not only market our food products as a team of agriculturalists, but to educate the consumer on those misunderstandings of farming as a whole. I see videos like "Some Food for Thought" by Monsanto and wonder to myself, "can we promote agriculture like a business promotes itself?"

This is the time to do it. The only thing I have left to figure out: how in the world do you run the camera.

Vandals Are Beating Up The Fans

(Submitted to the Argonaut October 13th, 2010)

Dear Editor,

I read the October 12, 2010 article by Steve Carter regarding football ticket prices. I have to say that I am completely with him on this one. I love this team and the university and will stand by my team until the day I die. My troubles come when I see the unnecessary charges that the fans are burdened with.

I support improving the sports program and I hope that someday they earn their way to fame. Yet, with the recent decisions made by administration, I am questioning the intent of the university on this one. This spring the U of I approved a $12-million renovation project (source: Walsh Construction), we have extended and increased the coaches contract, and are now increasing the amount of money in the athletic scholarship fund. Am I the only one seeing a problem here? I love football, volleyball, and basketball as much as the next guy, but why are we making it mandatory for the fans to fund this scholarship fund when we dump more than $12 million into a sports program? The dome looks fine as it is and I am sure Coach Akey is making more than he needs, but as a student, my pockets are as empty as they ever will be.

What happened to playing for the love of the game? I propose that a scholarship fund be started for all production agriculture majors and make a mandatory donation every time food is sold on campus. Sports are extra in education and are not the responsibility of students and parents to help others enjoy their post-secondary activities.

If it is too much to limit ourselves where we are now, I stand with Tom Cable. Let’s go back to Big Sky where cost is less and championship is possible.

Mike Friddle
(Photo Credit: Mike Friddle)

Bill Goesling Is Seasoned

(Submitted October 7th, 2010 to the Moscow-Pullman Daily News)

Dear Editor

Latah County is in great need of leadership that is strong and adaptable. Electing Bill Goesling as Latah County Commissioner in District 2 will fill this position.

For greater than 10 years Bill has served my family in our investment of hard earned farm income. Since I was a young boy I can remember the personal relationship that Bill built with my family, spending late nights around our dinner table discussing options and developing solutions to this changing economy. When I learned of his decision to run as a candidate for county commissioner I had no doubts that this county would finally move forward to growth that we are in dire need of.

Bill’s opponent is also a friend of mine. There is much to be said when he stated in the League Voters Guide that Bill is unseasoned. It is shameful of Tom to claim that a hard working and well tuned man does not have what it takes to represent the population and solve the great issues of this county. Bill runs a very respected and successful business in Moscow and has taught in his industry at the University of Idaho. This does not form an unseasoned man by any standard.

Bill stands for the freedom of growth and job creation in this county. He understands the importance of allowing reasonable businesses to grow and create the jobs we need to keep our county working. He is also a pioneer of the idea of taking county meetings to surrounding communities and allowing more citizens a say in the business of our government, something that the incumbent has not implemented and spoke against at the League of Women Voters Debate.

I am casting my vote for a friend that has proven his leadership and dedication to those he serves.

Mike Friddle

Harvest Pictures

McGraw Is The Man For The Job

(Featured in the Moscow-Pullman Daily News September 27th)

I am writing today to address what most would agree to be the key issue in Latah County: jobs.

Latah County Commissioner candidate for the 3^rd district, Dave McGraw, is a fourth generation Latah County resident. Dave is a person of outstanding character, strong integrity, and a successful businessman in our County for more than 25 years. Dave knows the sacrifice to make payroll, how to hire and train qualified workers, and where to cut spending. He also knows personally the limits of government red-tape and taxation and the affect these have on commerce. He will be able to place policies on the county level that will enable local business startups to thrive, as well as attract businesses from other areas. Many can agree that Dave has a sound understanding of this county and how much we all care for our futures.

What about Dave’s opponent? Her bio states that she has dedicated the last 29 years as a volunteer in the Peace Corp, traveled the world, and has been a volunteer with several city and university organizations. While these are all honorable life-choices, it is not the background I desire for someone to be successful running any government organization in a recession. Can we turn over the reins of county government to someone that has no solid managerial experience?

If we are serious about turning this great country around, we must do it on the local level. This means putting local leaders that are interested in the growth of business in the county in the proper spots. My vote is for a proven conservative and my friend, Dave McGraw, and I encourage voters to cast a ballot for success and job creation.

Harvest Pictures

Farm Safety Is Not A Game

Moscow, ID - As the harvest season winds to a close, I think back on this summer and all that has happened. Although the harvest was successful, there were still moments that would have scared any mother. As the last load of grain went into the last semi to the river, I pondered the importance of farm safety.

In the year 2000 there was a report that claimed that there are, on average, 270 deaths on farms big and small. Even though equipment and efforts have been made in the last 10 years to prevent this number, I am certain when newer numbers come out it will compare. So, here are some things to look for on the farm in all four seasons to help reduce the number of accidents and prevent the unthinkable.

1. Tractor and Combine - Family farming reaches into the very depths of who we are in American farming and in more cases than none the farm wouldn't survive without the help of family both young and old. There are stats out there that contribute 200 of the 270 deaths to some sort equipment operation. These hazards are usually found in roll overs and running someone over. Even with the greatest technological advances a rollover could prove to be very fatal. When I was a young kid around six or seven there was a neighbor, age 14, that was involved in a tractor rollover. The young guy was driving down the road with his fathers tractor spraying weeds I believe when his hat blew off of his head. When he swung back around to catch the hat his tractor veered off the road and over a bank, he did not make it. Other examples of tractor accidents include clothing catching in PTO shafts, catching gear shift handles on dismount, and rolling over by-standers. While each case is unique, there are a few things to do before operating equipment that will assure extra care.

First, always inspect equipment at the beginning of the season and quickly before each season. This will ensure that Roll Over Protection Systems (ROPS), seat belts, and equipment is in tact and in proper working order. It is common for me to find a bolt loose on a ROPS on a tractor and although it isn't anything someone did, such an error can prove to be fatal. Make sure that you are watching for all people in the working radius of the equipment and constantly evaluating your path of motion in order to avoid hazards. Also, a little training prior to the start of the season is a great way to prevent bigger problems. This year one of the hired hands ran a couple semi tires over the tractor bucket at the home storage bins, something that five minutes of training could have saved precious time, money, and frustration.

Second, encourage operators to pay attention to the operation of the equipment they are running. In my opnion, one of the biggest mistakes Russel made in the accident was placing the value of his hat above that of the tractor he was operating and ultimately, his life. Instilling a sense of responsibility in operators and family members to pay attention at all times in which direction the equipment is running and what path it is taking, setting aside the concern for something that can be replaced for less than the cost of a life. Make sure that operators are familiar with equipment before turning them loose, something that is always stunning to see how many farmers don't assure. A combine can cost more than $300,000 and for some reason a fresh operator with no experience is put in the cab and there is wonder when a rollover happens or when a header is stuck in a bank. A half day of operation training may save others and yourself.

2. Home Commodity Storage - Most of us are familiar with the dangers of a PTO shaft and if you are not, this is a moment to mention a little bit about them. I was working on a hog farm a few years back with an older gentleman who some years back had been pumping slurry from a pit in the finishing barn. While he was mounting the back of one of the Farmall tractors, he slipped and fell straddling the PTO shaft. Luckily, the farm worker was strong enough to grab the seat and pull himself up and hold until someone was able to shut the tractor off, but not before breaking bones and tearing his overalls clean off of his body. Consistantly I see farm operators walking up and engaging and disengaging PTOs on tractors from the back end between the tire and the shaft. This is a big "NO-NO" and should be avoided at all times. When you are involved in a home storage operation like the one in the picture, be sure to pay attention at all times to what is happening, keep your hands and clothing clear of all moving parts, and once again, teach the importance of life before the value of a favorite hat, shovel, broom, or sadly, even pens. Augers are nothing to be tangoing with.

3. Trucking and Moving Grain - To some the trucking part of their operation is forgotten. As a long time operator of trucks of all sizes on our farm, I assure you it is very important to keep your trucking and grain cart operations in check. Throughout harvest we hear stories of hired labor putting trucks in ditches, not setting parking breaks correctly, and misuse of truck hoists. I can tell you that the efficiency of your truck driver in all seasons is a deal breaker. If your combine or tractor are sitting for 15 minutes each round trip through out the day, that is 150 minutes in a 10 load day, and in month long harvest that is 3,900 minutes. How many bulk tanks or trips around the field is that?

One of the most common things we see in trucking on farms is, of course, the ditch or running into something. Believe it or not, I have put a truck in a ditch or two, or three, in my lifetime and I have just started. What was it that causes this? I can say from experience it is from being in a rush, not paying attention to the road due to off road distractions or cell phones. Keep a close eye on your operators because a spilt load of grain or fertilizer could mean the loss of thousands of dollars and possibly a life. Make sure you train these drivers as well and walk them through unfamiliar situations, even if they are coming from another farm operation. Time is money and 3,900 minutes is $780 ($12/hr) pay to a driver who made a mistake or didn't do their part to keep the operation moving.

Grain carts are a different situation. Many operations are at the size where a grain cart is pivital to trucker turn around and to keeping that combine moving in the field. Have the operator approve a path prior to taking it, as each operator has a different level of skill or knowledge when it comes to operating on hills or through fields with ditches. Many times we have seen pictures of a grain cart with a full load on a hillside with a tire broken off or overturned. This can be avoided by providing insight and keeping safety at the forefront of your mind.

One of the greatest concerns I have when I am on the farm is of the little kids running around. On any given day on the farm there can be one or two, and sometimes four or five, kids taking in the life experience of the family farm. By the sheer curiousity of their small minds, they try for a closer look, stretch for that extra thrill, or try to be "just like dad." Be aware of this at all times. When I have a young one with me I have them stand off to the side and make them stand there until things are taken care of. The statistics don't say it, but a good share of those 270 deaths on a farm are of young kids who are operating equipment or riding along. Be safe and treat those kids like the golden goose egg you don't want to break. I like to make sure that the kids know not to touch any buttons in the truck or tractor until at least age 10 or 12. When I am out of the truck, they are too and they stand where I can see them at all times. Take time to teach your young ones about the machinery and what it does, the best way for them to understand why its not safe is by explanation.

Take these few tips and apply them to your operation and see how much difference there is. Life is so precious and although I did not hear of any deaths here on the Palouse this year yet, I know somewhere in America there was and someone is hurting because of it. Keep safety as the top priority and you will be able to enjoy that fall BBQ with everyone and every finger and toe accounted for.

(Photo Credit: Mike Friddle)