Farmers National Co. says its listings for farmland are up 21% compared to last year at this time. "Most of the sales are coming from individuals or ownership groups who are deciding that now is the time to sell," says Randy Dickhut, senior vice president of real estate operations. "They may have recently inherited the land or have owned it for years, but sellers have watched the land market and some are deciding to take advantage of the still historically good land prices. Some sellers are thinking that there is more downside risk in land prices than upside potential, so for them, now is the time to sell."

South Dakota Farm Bureau elections
Jeffery Gatzke, Hitchcock, S.D., was recently elected vice president of South Dakota Farm Bureau. Gatzke fills the role formerly held by Wanda Blair, of Vale, S.D., who retired after serving on the board for 13 years. Jerry Runia of Estelline, S.D., and Scot Eisenbraun of Wall, S.D., were both elected to the SDFB state board, filling positions of retiring board members Kent VanderWal of Bruce, S.D., and Norman Geigle of Wall, S.D.

Agtegra donates to food pantries
Agtegra Cooperative has announced donations totaling $140,000 to North Dakota and South Dakota area food pantries. Agtegra donated $70,000 and Land O’Lakes Foundation matched it.  "Very few agriculture industry organizations are able to commit to supporting local communities the way cooperatives can," said Chris Pearson of Agtegra. "Because we are local and focused on returning earnings to our members and local communities, we can help address very local needs in very meaningful ways, and we’re honored to be helpful where we can."

North Dakota Corn hires Haugo
Heidie Haugo is the new communications director for the North Dakota Corn Utilization Council. Haugo graduated from the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities in May 2017 with a bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Education. Haugo, who grew up on a central Minnesota grain and hog farm, was most recently employed with the Minnesota Corn Growers Association as a district field manager in west-central Minnesota.