10 Broadcaster Press May 28, 2013 www.broadcasteronline.com USDA announces program sign-up Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack today reminded farmers and ranchers that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will conduct a four-week Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) general sign-up beginning May 20 and ending on June 14. Vilsack also announced the restart of sign-up for continuous CRP, including the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program, State Acres for Wildlife Enhancement Initiative, the Highly Erodible Land Initiative, the Grassland Restoration Initiative, the Pollinator Habitat Initiative and other related initiatives. Sign-up for continuous CRP began on May 13 and will continue through Sept. 30, 2013. “As always, we expect strong competition to enroll acres into CRP, and we urge interested producers to maximize their environmental benefits and to make costeffective offers,” said Vilsack. “CRP is an important program for protecting environmentally sensitive lands from erosion and sedimentation, and for ensuring the sustainability of our groundwater, lakes, rivers, ponds and streams. Through the voluntary participation of our farmers and ranchers, CRP helps us to protect our natural resources, preserve wildlife habitat and bring good paying jobs to rural America related to hunting, fishing, and outdoor recreation.” Vilsack encouraged producers to look into CRP’s other enrollment opportunities offered on a continuous, noncompetitive, sign-up basis. CRP has a 27-year legacy of successfully protecting the nation's natural resources through voluntary participation, while providing significant economic and environmental benefits to rural communities across the United States. Producers enrolled in CRP plant long-term, resourceconserving covers to improve the quality of water, control soil erosion and develop wildlife habitat. In return, USDA provides participants with rental payments and costshare assistance. Turn Yo ur Clutter i nto Cash! Advertise your Garage Sale to thousands of readers! 624-4429 Contract duration is between 10 and 15 years. Currently, 27 million acres are enrolled in CRP through 700,000 contracts on 390,000 farms throughout the U.S., with enrollment in 49 states and Puerto Rico. Contracts on an estimated 3.3 million acres will expire on Sept. 30, 2013. Enrollment authority for all types of CRP, which had expired Sept. 30, 2012, was extended through 2013 by the American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012. Offers for general signup CRP contracts are ranked according to an Environmental Benefits Index (EBI). USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) collects data for each of the EBI factors based on the relative environmental benefits for the land offered. FSA uses the following factors to assess the environmental benefits for the land offered: • Wildlife habitat benefits resulting from covers on contract acreage; • Water quality benefits from reduced erosion, runoff and leaching; • On-farm benefits from reduced erosion; • Benefits that will likely endure beyond the contract period; • Air quality benefits from reduced wind erosion; and • Cost. CRP soil rental rates for non-irrigated cropland were updated this year to better reflect location and market conditions. A nationwide cap was placed on the maximum amount that may be paid per acre for the general sign-up. Taken together these steps help ensure that taxpayer dollars are spent in a fiscally responsible manner while producing the maximum environmental benefits for each dollar spent. CRP is the largest USDA conservation program and continues to make major contributions to national efforts to improve water and air quality, prevent soil erosion, and protect the most sensitive areas including those prone to flash flooding and runoff. At the same time, CRP has helped increase populations of pheasants, quail and ducks and is recognized as benefiting certain rare species like the sage grouse, the lesser prairie chicken and other grassland birds. Highlights of CRP accomplishments include: • The restoration of more than two million acres of wetlands and two million acres of riparian buffers; • Prevention of more than 600 million pounds of nitrogen and more than 100 million pounds of phosphorous from flowing into our nation’s streams, rivers and lakes. • Providing $1.8 billion annually to landowners — dollars that make their way into local economies, supporting small businesses and creating jobs; and • Sequestering more carbon than any other conservation program in the country. By placing vulnerable cropland into conservation, CRP sequesters carbon in plants and soil and reduces both fuel and fertilizer usage. In 2011, CRP resulted in carbon sequestration equal to taking almost 10 million cars off the road. USDA has made a concerted effort to deliver results for the American people, even as USDA implements sequestration – the across-the-board budget reductions mandated under terms of the Budget Control Act. USDA has already undertaken historic efforts since 2009 to save more than $828 million in taxpayer funds through targeted, commonsense budget reductions. These reductions have put USDA in a better position to carry out its mission, while implementing sequester budget reductions in a fair manner that causes as little disruption as possible. The Obama Administration, with Vilsack’s leadership, has worked tirelessly to strengthen rural America, maintain a strong farm safety net and create opportunities for America’s farmers and ranchers. U.S. agriculture is currently experiencing one of its most productive periods in American history thanks to the productivity, resiliency and resourcefulness of our producers. For more information on CRP and other FSA programs, visit a local FSA service center or www.fsa.usda.gov. Knology, Inc. Construction & Boring Equipment Monday June 3rd, 11:00 a.m. WANTED Buying all types of SCRAP IRON Farm Machinery • Cars & Trucks References Available • Top Market Prices Paid Home: 402-945-1512 • Cell: 402-533-3640 K&K Iron & Metal Located: East Edge of Irene, SD on Hwy 46. Auction will start with short line of Misc items with Heavy Equipment & Vehicles selling at 11:30! Construction & Boring Equipment: 1992 Komatsu D31P Dozer, winch, 3spd Power Shift, 6-way blade, 7,239 hours; 1997 JD 310 Backhoe, 2x4, standard hoe, 5,654 hours; 2006 Ditch Witch RT75 Cable Plow, 2-bullet Plows, several chute plows, 524 hours; 2003 Ditch Witch JD920 Boring Machine, DW Locator, Jet Track, 560’ Rod, 1,835 hours—includes 2003 Redi-Haul Trailer w/ boring set-up; 2000 Ditch Witch 520 Boring Machine, 1,985 hours, DW Locator, 195’ of Pipe; 2000 Ditch Witch 410 Drop Plow, duals, bullet & chute plows, 865 hours; 1997 Ditch Witch HT150 Plow, 2,533 hours, bullet Plow & several different chute plows; 2000 Redi-Haul Trailer w/ Vactron-Spoil Vac, Kohler 25hp Engine w/ 856-hours, pintle hitch; (3) Pro-Tec 34”—55” Hydraulic Shoring; (2) ProTec Hyd Shoring pumps; Pickups: 2007 Chevy 2500 HD 3/4t, Reg Cab, Long Box, 4x4, gas, auto, 194K miles; 2001 Ford F-550 Reg Cab, 4x4, 7.3 Power Stroke, auto, Utility Bed, auto crane, 164K miles; 2000 Ford F-550 4-door, 4x4, 7.3 Power Stroke, 6spd Manual, utility bed, auto crane, 188K miles; (26) ’99 to ’04 Chevy Tailgates; (2) Weatherguard PU tool boxes; Semi Trucks—Trailers: 2000 IH 9200 Eagle w/ Sleeper, 10spd, Cummins, 611K miles; 1986 KW T-600 Day Cab, 9spd, Cummins, new drive tires, 590K miles—loosing coolant, needs work; 2000 Jetco 48’ Drop Deck Trailer, repainted, good tires; 2000 Jetco 53’ Drop Deck Trailer, good tires; Trailers: 1999 Road King 5th Wheel Trailer, 102”x30’ w/ beaver tail; 2000 Redi-Haul 8’x20’ + 5’ Beaver Tail Trailer, ramps, pintle hitch; 2006 Tow-Master Trailer, 16’, ramps, Pintle Hitch, Set up for Boring Rig w/ reel stand; 2000 Tandem Axle Double Reel Trailer-pintle hitch; 1996 Wheeler Single Spool Hydraulic Trailer; ’94 8x12 Pintle Hitch tandem axle trailer; Hmde Double Reel Spool trailer—pintle hitch; 6x12’ Tilt-Bed Trailer-red; Misc: (5) NEW Generac 8KW Natural Gas Generators—all new in crate; Python Duct Rodder; (3) Full size phone booths; (10) 1/2 phone booths—2 are new; (16) Pay Phones; Craftsman 6hp Gas Power 2 Column Washer; Ariens Snowblower; JD SP Mower; (5) Ext Ladders; (3) 10’ ladders; steel warehouse ladder; (28) 12’ Florescent Light Fixtures; Chain Link Fencing & gates; Pallet of Misc test equipment meters; floor drain grates; Much more too numerous to mention; ONLINE ONLY UNRESERVED AUCTION Wednesday, June 5, 2013 Terms: Cash, Good Check, Visa, MasterCard. SD sales tax applies. No Internet bidding. Must have Photo ID to register. Knology, Inc.—Owner First Lots Scheduled to Close at 10:00 AM Central Time Please call Jack Brinkley at (605) 766-7650 with questions. BigIron.com Note: Knology will be offering the above items at NO RESERVE auction. Large items will start selling by 11:30, so don’t be late! See GirardAuction.com for many photos. Lunch on Grounds. NO BUYER’S PREMIUM & NO RESERVE!! 294 Lots Selling! 13 Tractors, 3 Combines, Wheel Loader, Track Loader, 2 Floaters, 2 Sprayers, 4 Skid Steers, Dump Truck, 8 Semi Trucks, 5 Straight Trucks, 7 Pickups, 2 Grain Carts, Drill, 4 Balers, 7 Mower Conditioners/Windrowers, Rake, Livestock Equipment, Tillage & Planting Equipment, Trailers, ATVs, and much more! The next BigIron.com auction is on June 12!! Big Iron is seeking motivated independent sales representatives and district managers, send your resume to employment@bigiron.com BigIron.com is a division of Stock Auction Company, 1-800-937-3558 Girard Auction & Land Brokers, Inc. (605) 267-2421 Toll Free: 1-866-531-6186 Marv Girard, BA #12399; Ken Girard, CAI, AARE Broker #10183; Mike Girard, CAI, BA #13549; Mike Manning, BA #11605 www.GirardAuction.com