Happy Halloween

This was my yard a few years back on Halloween...  We had an abundance of pumpkins from our garden that year and Tony was creative enough to figure out something to do with them :-) 

Have a safe and Happy Halloween!

Beautiful Weather

We sure were blessed with beautiful weather today!  It looks as though the warmth and sunshine are going to continue until this weekend.  Mother Nature has given us some great days to work on finishing up harvest of beans, beets, and corn. 

Our thoughts and prayers are with everyone on the East Coast that is going through flooding, blizzards, wind, and power outages.  Our drought is devastating, but isn't as life-threatening as other natural disasters...

Nebraska Dry Bean Commission

As a processor representative of the Nebraska Dry Bean Commission, I'd like to give you a little info about what our purpose is and where your checkoff dollars go... In 1987, the Nebraska Legislature created the Dry Bean Commission under the provisions of the Dry Bean Resources Act. The Commission’s primary function, as defined by the Legislature, is to adopt and devise a dry bean program consisting of research, education, advertising, publicity, and promotion to increase total consumption of dry beans on a state, national, and international basis.  The Commission supports various research projects that are conducted at the Panhandle Research & Extension Center & at the Food Processing Center in Lincoln.  The results of that research are presented at the Dry Bean Field Tour every summer and at Bean Day in January at the Gering Civic Center.  We are very excited about the Food Processing Center and their work on creating bean flour which will be an ingredient in noodles.  Click here to read more about the project.  The research is also aimed at Chinese Food Manufacturers and was recently presented at a seminar in China.  In addition, we promote the use of beans by sponsoring many cook-offs & recipe contests throughout the year. 

 

For more information about the Nebraska Dry Bean Commission, visit the website at http://nebraskadrybean.com/  If you have any questions or suggestions for the Commission, please contact any of the representatives at the contact info on the website above.

 

 

Fall Sports

Good Luck to all of the High School sports teams

who are competing in the post season games & matches! 

Play Hard & Be Safe!

 

 

 

1000th Hit!

Today I received the 1000th hit on the blog!  It has been viewed in 10 different countries since I started posting entries on August 30th.  Thank you to everyone who reads and keeps up on what Stateline is doing! 

If you'd like to become a "follower" please click the link on the right side of this window.  Comments are also welcome!  Let me know what you'd like to hear more (or less) about. 

We will be having many grower meetings throughout the winter - so stay tuned for when we will be in your area!

......Haven't received many RSVPs for the Annual Meeting yet.  Please let us know if you will be able to attend!

Autumn

 

For man, autumn is a time of harvest, of gathering together. For nature, it is a time of sowing, of scattering abroad.

                                                                                                            - Edwin Way Teale

 

 

Healthy Beans!

Below is an article that was published in US News & World Report a few months ago that has some great information on the nutritional value of beans.

Beans:The Undervalued Superfood

By Bonnie Taub-Dix

August 16, 2012

 

We've all heard the expression "shop the perimeter of the store." But if you skip the middle, you're missing out on a wealth of wholesome, delicious food choices. Your supermarket shelves are filled with hidden treasures that you shouldn't pass up. Like beans, one of the most neglected and under-valued items.

Beans provide myriad health benefits, and they fit into several different food groups: although they are rich in complex carbs like breads and starches, as a plant-based food, they feel right at home in the vegetable group, offering an array of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, like their veggie companions. They can also hold their own in the protein group, supplying protein aplenty. Unlike some other members of this group, beans provide little to no fat and are cholesterol-free. In fact, beans actually lower cholesterol and triglyceride levels instead of potentially causing them to increase, as some animal proteins have been shown to do.

Though they've been around for centuries, beans are a modern-day superfood. Why? Let's count the ways.

• They are heart-helpers. Beans are "heart healthy" because they contain an abundance of soluble fiber, which can lower cholesterol and triglyceride levels. If you prefer canned beans, you can ditch up to 40 percent of the sodium by rinsing them in water.

• They are low in fat. Most beans are about 2 to 3 percent fat, and contain no cholesterol, unless they're processed or prepared with other ingredients, such as lard. (Check labels to see what else may be in the package or can.)

•They pack protein. The Dietary Guidelines for Americans say we should be eating more plant proteins. About ½ cup of beans provides 7 grams of protein, the same amount as in 1 ounce of chicken, meat, or fish. Vegetarians, vegans, and individuals who seldom eat meat, poultry, or fish could count on beans as an alternative choice.

• They balance blood sugar. With a low glycemic index, beans contain a beautiful blend of complex carbohydrates and protein. Because of this, beans are digested slowly, which helps keep blood glucose stable, and may curtail fatigue and irritability.

• They cut cancer risk. Scientists recommend that adults consume 3 cups of beans per week to promote health and reduce the risk of chronic diseases, like cancer. That owes to their abundance of fiber and antioxidants. 

• They will move you. Filled with fiber, beans can promote regularity by preventing constipation. To maximize your meal, be sure to accompany high-fiber foods with ample fluids, like still or sparkling water. Weighing in at 5 to 8 grams of fiber per 100 grams (3 ounces), beans are ideal for those who are sensitive to gluten, a natural protein found in products containing wheat, rye, barley, and sometimes oats. If you do have food allergies, however, check the food label or contact the manufacturer to be sure the product is safe.

• They'll satisfy you. Because beans are metabolized more slowly than other complex carbs, they may aid in weight loss by keeping us feeling full without being excessively high in calories.

• They're convenient. Canned, frozen, or dry, beans are a breeze to purchase, prepare, and store. They even come in flour form.

• They are wallet-friendly. Beans can are the least expensive source of protein, especially when compared to fresh meat.

• They are nutrient-rich. Aside from protein, complex carbs, and fiber, beans contain a powerhouse of nutrients including antioxidants, and vitamins and minerals, such as copper, folate, iron, magnesium, manganese, phosphorous, potassium, and zinc. The Dietary Guidelines for Americans refer to many of these important nutrients as "shortfall nutrients," meaning most of us aren't getting enough of them. Beans can help you step up to a more complete plate.

• They're versatile. They can be incorporated into a main dish (chili), side dish (rice and beans), appetizer (soup), or snack (dip). It's easy to be creative when you have kidney beans, pinto beans, black beans, lima beans, black-eyed peas, garbanzo beans (chickpeas), split peas, and lentils in your pantry. Take advantage of their various shapes, sizes, and colors when planning meals.

Bonnie Taub-Dix, MA, RD, CDN, has been owner of BTD Nutrition Consultants, LLC, for more than three decades and she is the author of Read It Before You Eat It. As a renowned motivational speaker, author, media personality, and award-winning dietitian, Taub-Dix has found a way to communicate how to make sense of science.

Delivery Reports

A Note to our Growers - We have recently changed software systems and therefore the login information you have previously used to access your harvest delivery information is not available online.  If you would like a report from our new system, please contact the Gering Office at 308-436-2186.  We hope to have the new system available to everyone for the 2013 harvest!

 

 

 

A herd of deer eating breakfast Wednesday morning on Hwy 161 South of Torrington.

U.S. Drought Monitor

Below is a map of the current drought conditions in the U.S.  If you visit the website at the bottom of the page, you can see animations of several weeks at a time and both short-term and long-term drought severity.  I think it is interesting to follow different patterns throughout the year - Hopefully we can get rid of some of the red on the map before spring!

 

http://droughtmonitor.unl.edu/

The U.S. Drought Monitor is produced in partnership between the National Drought Mitigation Center at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, the United States Department of Agriculture, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Map courtesy of NDMC-UNL.

~ W i n d ~

Wind...  Somehow it is always correctly forecasted...  Since it is fairly depressing outside today, here are some interesting "Wind" facts that will keep you inside at the computer for a little while where it is nice and calm.

- The world’s windiest place is Antarctica, where winds blow at more than 100 km/hr (62 mph) for five months of the year.

- During a wild April storm in 1934, a wind gust of 231 miles per hour (372 kilometers per hour) pushed across the summit of Mount Washington. For 62 years this wind speed stood as the all-time record surface wind speed observed by man.

- The World Meteorological Organization has confirmed that a ground-level gust of 253 1⁄2 mph was measured in Australia on April 10, 1996, during a cyclone – shattering the famous record of 231 mph set atop Mount Washington in 1934.

- One of the windiest places on Earth’s northern hemisphere is Cape Blanco in southwestern Oregon. Jutting into the Pacific Ocean near Coos Bay, Cape Blanco is both the westernmost point of Oregon and the contiguous United States. Severe winter storms often rake Cape Blanco with shrieking winds that gust up to 125 mph (200 km/h).

- The Ancient Greeks used to think that wind was the Earth breathing in and out.

- During the northern hemisphere winter, the stronger westerly winds that build up in the Northern Hemisphere, combined with frictional drag at the Earth's surface, actually produce a very small, but measurable, increase in the speed of rotation of the Earth.

Famous Winds...

• The Mistral in France – a cold, north-westerly wind that blows down the Rhone valley.
• The Harmattan in West Africa, which blows south from the Sahara and brings dust storms and very dry air.
• The Levante wind in the Mediterranean – an easterly wind bringing mild, moist air to Gibraltar and the mainland of Spain and Africa.
• The Pampero in Argentina – a very cold south westerly wind formed, like many cold winds, in the middle of a continent - in this case South America. It blows across the Pampas grasslands in Argentina.
• Another set of famous winds are known as the Roaring Forties. These are very strong westerly winds which blow almost continuously in the southern hemisphere. These fierce winds are found at a latitude of 40º - hence their name!

Working Hard...

I want to thank all of our employees for their hard work & dedication throughout this harvest.  They are here every day, processing, bagging, & receiving beans.  Now, with beans being received at 5 locations, logistics and communication have been more important than ever.  To the right is a photo of some beautifully palletized beans from the East Mill in Gering.  Our new brightly colored pinto bags have become a symbol of exceptional quality to our customers.  Thank you Thomas for the photo! 

Harvest in Gering

 
I have been in Gering for several days and with the weather warming up and the prediction of some wind coming up, we've been busy!  Thank you all for your patience as we work toward finishing up harvest.  The annual meeting invites went out today, so I hope to start receiving RSVPs from you soon.  Remember to send me your bean year photos for the slideshow!

Harvest continued...

Bean harvest continues...  Thanks to the freeze and snow storm last week, harvest has slowed to a crawl... Some growers have moved on to harvesting their beets and corn crop while the beans dry down to a harvestable moisture.  Many of the beans that have come in the past few days are in good condition, while others have significant damage.  Please feel free to bring in a sample if you have any question about the harvestability of your crop! 

White Chili Recipe

I use this website for many recipes and thought I'd share one since it is getting to be chili season... I think you could use Great Northerns in it as well.  ~ E N J O Y ~

White Chili IV

Rated: Submitted By: Ken Eaton Photo By: janasue1459 Prep Time: 1 Hour Cook Time: 1 Hour 30 Minutes Ready In: 2 Hours 30 Minutes Servings: 8

"Cubed chicken breast meat is slowly simmered with chile peppers, bell peppers, mushrooms, beans, white wine, herbs and spices in this chili-like soup."

Ingredients:

1 tablespoon olive oil 4 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves - cubed coarsely ground black pepper to taste 1 large onion, chopped 6 cloves garlic, minced 3 green chile peppers, seeded and minced 1 green bell pepper, chopped 1 red bell pepper, chopped 1 (8 ounce) package mushrooms, sliced

3 (15 ounce) cans pinto beans 4 green onions, chopped 1 bunch fresh parsley, chopped 1 cup white wine 2 (14.5 ounce) cans chicken broth 2 cubes chicken bouillon 1 teaspoon dried rosemary 1 teaspoon dried thyme 1 tablespoon dried oregano 1 1/2 tablespoons ground cumin 2 bay leaves

Directions:

1.	In a large pot over medium-high heat, cook chicken in olive oil with black pepper until brown. Stir in onion, garlic and chiles and cook until onion begins to soften.
2.	Stir in bell peppers, mushrooms, beans, green onions and parsley. Pour in wine and chicken broth. Season with bouillon, rosemary, thyme, oregano and cumin. Place bay leaves in pot, cover, reduce heat and simmer 90 minutes.

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED © 2012 Allrecipes.com

Printed from Allrecipes.com 10/9/2012http://allrecipes.com

Thank You - Variety Trial Harvest Helpers!

Stateline would like to thank everyone who helped us harvest our three pinto variety trials!  It is an involved process and we greatly appreciate all of you who made it possible.  All the hard work has paid off and we should have some great results for all of you soon!  Photos courtesy of Dave Dietrich...

 

Rasmussen Direct Harvest Pinto Trial:

Roger and Nancy Rasmussen, Terry Ourada from Simplot Berea & Simplot Berea for bringing and running the weigh wagon all day, Connie Ourada for helping and for supplying the meal at noon, Tom Housh, Nathan Davis, John Smith, John Thomas, Dave Russell, Jack Nielson, & Frank Hanny

 

___________________________________________________________________________

 

 

Henkel Farms Pinto Variety Trial:

Craig and Corey Henkel, Carlos Urrea, Eric Martin from Simplot Bayard and Simplot Bayard for the weigh wagon, and Ty Marker and Marker Ag for the use of the weigh wagon.

 

_____________________________________________________________________________

 

 

Flats Farms Pinto Variety Trial:

Jay Morrill, Steve Rozmiarek, Jeff McCollum, Carlos Urrea, and Flats Farms for the use of the weigh cart.

 

Direct Harvest

Many of our growers are switching to direct harvest because of the flexibility of harvest and decreased risk of losing the beans in adverse weather conditions.  The Meisner Brothers purchased this MacDon Flex Draper this year to use on some of their upright pinto varieties.  The result was a success!  If you would like to see some of the direct harvest equipment in action, please give us a call.  There are several growers still harvesting!  Photos and video courtesy of Dave Dietrich.

 

Crop Reports

 







Below are the links to the Current Crop Progress Reports for Nebraska, Wyoming, & North Dakota.  It is interesting to notice the progress from week to week and year to year on different crops with the very bizarre year we've had.  They are updated every Monday throughout the growing season.  The links to all of the major USDA crop reports as they become available during the year can be found at Statelinebean.com

http://www.nass.usda.gov/Statistics_by_State/Nebraska/Publications/Crop_Progress_&_Condition/index.asp
http://www.nass.usda.gov/Statistics_by_State/Wyoming/Publications/Crop_Progress_&_Condition/index.asp
http://www.nass.usda.gov/Statistics_by_State/North_Dakota/Publications/Crop_Progress_&_Condition/index.asp

Fall Images

Here are a few photos from my journey to and from Torrington each day...

Morrill Station

I wanted to post a few photos of Stateline's transfer station north of Morrill.  We receive beans from the surrounding area and simply transfer the small truckloads onto a semi for immediate delivery to one of our processing facilities.  The growers in this area contact me when they have a load and sometimes stockpile a couple of small trucks until they have enough to fill a semi.  The station is open by appointment only, but please contact us if you are in that area and would like to deliver to our Morrill station!