April 27, 2024 Dairy Star - 3rd section

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Not a one-size-ts-all system Jackson explores alternative forages to consider

By Jerry Nelson jerry.n@dairystar.com

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. — Building a successful and sustainable alternative forage system was explored by Jeffrey Jackson during the breakout session he conducted March 21 at the Central Plains Dairy Expo in Sioux Falls.

Jackson is an alfalfa and forage specialist with CROPLAN by WinField United, a division of Land O’Lakes.

Jackson said dairy producers should create a forage system that has windows for manure application.

“Each operation has its own unique needs and goals,” Jackson said. “There is no one-size-ts-all forage system. Cover crops can play a critical role in controlling soil erosion by having a live, living root in the ground 365 days a year.”

Rotating forage crops has several advantages.

“A diverse rotation of forage crops helps mitigate disease and insect pressures,” Jackson said. “Grazing is still the cheapest way to harvest

forages.”

Corn silage is the gold standard forage crop for many dairy operators. But, it might make sense to consider alternatives, Jackson said.

“We have all seen a neighbor try to raise silage corn on a marginal piece of ground,” Jackson said. “Nothing grows on the knobs, and the rest of the eld doesn’t look very good. Forage sorghum is extremely drought tolerant and will produce tons of forage even on a poor piece of land. Sorghum is one of the most underestimated forage crops that we have.”

Regarding the feed value of forage sorghum, Jackson said its feed value is about 80% of corn silage.

“Sorghum is so much cheaper to grow than corn,” Jackson said. “You would still come out ahead, even if you boost the energy levels of sorghum silage by purchasing distiller’s grains from your local ethanol plant.”

It can be difcult to manage the moisture levels in forage sorghum, especially if rain falls during silage harvest.

“If it rains on silage corn, the plants might pick up half

a percent of moisture,” Jackson said. “A forage sorghum could pick up as much as 7% moisture. You can control the moisture in forage sorghum by windrowing and crimping it and letting it lie for a few days. Some farmers prefer to let sorghum freeze and dry, but then, you could miss the window for planting fall cover crops.”

Jackson said triticale is another forage crop that deserves consideration.

“Winter triticale yielded 12 tons of dry matter per acre in an Indiana test plot in 2023,” Jackson said. “Triticale is more drought resistant than other cereal crops and is virtually disease-free. It tolerates grazing well and has a deep, brous root system that scavenges nutrients and water. It also stores carbon deeper than other cereal crops.”

forage sorghum and do it all a lot cheaper than raising silage corn.”

Sorghum-sudangrass is a versatile forage crop that can be harvested as dry hay, chopped for silage or used for grazing.

“Sorghum-sudangrass grows fast,” Jackson said. “You can harvest them 45 days after planting. Their regrowth is quick, and you can usually get two crops. There are a lot of different varieties available, including those that have the BMR (brown mid-rib) trait, are brachytic dwarf or photoperiod sensitive.”

Jackson said the brachytic dwarf varieties have a shortened internode space, which means a higher leaf-tostem ratio, less stalk, better ber digestibility and more tillering.

Jackson suggested that producers consider planting winter triticale in the fall and harvest it for silage in the spring.

“You could plant forage sorghum after chopping the triticale,” Jackson said. “Under the right conditions, you could harvest 20 tons of silage per acre from the triticale and another 20 tons per acre from the

Photoperiod-sensitive varieties will remain vegetative until the length of the day drops to less than 12 hours and 20 minutes of daylight. This happens at about mid-September in the Upper Midwest.

Jackson said that pearl millet is another short-season forage crop that deserves consideration.

“Pearl millet has slender

leaves and stems, and good dry down for hay,” Jackson said. “As with all forage crops, it’s best to harvest pearl millet at the boot stage. Prolic tillering helps pearl millet compete with weeds and conserve soil moisture. Don’t be fooled by pearl millet’s appearance. It’s highly palatable and very digestible. This adds up to less manure for you to haul.”

If an alfalfa stand comes through the winter looking poor, Jackson said producers can no till sorghum into alfalfa after the rst cutting.

“You will see a lot of sorghum by the third cutting,” Jackson said.

The existing alfalfa crop would need to be terminated if a producer chose to plant pearl millet.

“When you harvest millet, you need to cut it 5-6 inches off the ground,” Jackson said. “It might look like you’re leaving a lot of the crop, but you need to have a long stubble for millet to get quick regrowth.”

Dairy operators have a variety of alternative forage crops from which to choose. Many of these crops are cheaper to raise than silage corn.

“All dairy farmers are concerned about input costs and what they can do to make the biggest pile possible of highquality forages,” Jackson said.

Jeffrey Jackson CROPLAN by WinField United

Register for this year’s Gopher Dairy Camp

Registration is open for the Gopher Dairy Camp June 20-22 at the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities. The camp is hosted by the Gopher Dairy Club in cooperation with the Minnesota 4-H Dairy Project Committee and the Minnesota Livestock Breeders’ Association.

The goal of the camp is to provide dairy youth the opportunity to strengthen their dairy knowledge and skills as well as to network with other dairy youth who share their interests.

Gopher Dairy Camp is open to all youth who have completed grades six through nine but have not yet started 10th grade. The camp’s agenda offers unique workshops, which will allow attendees to excel in the show ring, improve their tting skills and grow their knowledge of dairy technology and dairy-related elds.

Those who attend will be housed in the Frontier Residence Hall on the Minneapolis campus. Staying in Frontier will be an excellent opportunity for students as there are more restrooms, air conditioning, private rooms and security. Frontier is also only reserved for youth camps throughout the summer.

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The primary focus areas of the camp are calf selection, showing preparation of dairy cattle and showmanship. Campers have the opportunity to select a calf from the St. Paul dairy herd via the Gopher Gold Auction and prepare that calf for showing. Through this, the campers will collaborate with other dairy-loving youth. Professional cattle tters will be on-site for demonstrations and hands-on assistance in clipping and show ring preparation. On the nal day of the camp, a showmanship contest will allow campers to showcase what they have learned.

Throughout the camp, a number of social mixers are offered, including icebreaker activities and a visit to Grand Slam Sports in Burnsville, Minnesota.

Because of generous support by camp sponsors, the Gopher Dairy Camp will continue to be offered at a registration fee of $75, which is all-inclusive and covers the cost of housing, meals and camp materials. Registration information has been dispersed to local Extension ofces and is also available at https://www.gopherdairyclub.com/ gopher-dairy-camp. Registration is due May 1 with payment postmarked by May 8

With any questions, contact co-chair, Gracie Ash at 320-260-7719 or ash00033@ umn.edu.

National Junior Holstein Association launches extemporaneous speaking contest

The National Junior Holstein Association is excited to offer an extemporaneous speaking contest for the rst time. The contest will be open to members in the senior division of the National Junior Holstein Association and held during the 2024 National Junior Holstein Convention in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Participants will get to choose from three randomly selected topics relating to the Holstein or dairy industries. After a 30-minute preparation time, junior members will give a four- to six-minute speech on their selected topic, followed by a round of questions from a panel of judges.

The judges will evaluate the speech based on content, composition, delivery, response to questions and time. The top three winners will be awarded cash prizes of $200 for rst place, $100 for second place and $50 for third place.

Participants must be a Junior Holstein member between the ages of 18-20 to compete. To apply for the contest, visit www.holsteinusa.com/forms_apps/ Extemporaneous_speaking and submit the application form by May 1

The contest will be held June 25 as part of the National Junior Holstein Convention in Salt Lake City, Utah. To learn more about the 2024 National Holstein Convention, visit www.holsteinconvention.com. Hotel rooms are available for booking and registration for the event will be open soon.

MDA accepting applications for livestock investment grants

The Minnesota Department of Agriculture is accepting applications for the Agricultural Growth, Research, and Innovation Livestock Investment Grant. Minnesota livestock farmers and ranchers looking to make improvements to their operations are encouraged to apply.

Grant funds can be used for equipment purchases and physical improvements to help start, improve or expand livestock operations in Minnesota. Examples of reimbursable investments include — but are not limited to — the construction or improvement of buildings or facilities for producing livestock, watering systems, fencing, feed equipment and livestock waste management equipment.

The MDA will award up to $650,000 in this round of grants using a competitive review process. Applicants may apply for up to 10% of their project’s total cost, with a maximum grant award of $25,000. Only expenses incurred after the grant contract has been signed by all parties are eligible for reimbursement.

All principal operators of livestock farms in Minnesota are invited to apply, including those who have received livestock investment grants in the past. However, preference will be given to applicants or farms that have not previously been awarded a grant. Only one application will be accepted per farm.

For the purposes of this program, livestock includes beef and dairy cattle, swine, poultry, goats, mules, bison, sheep, horses, farmed cervids (deer, elk), ratites (ightless birds including emu) and llamas.

Applications for the grant will be accepted until 4 p.m. May 2. Visit the AGRI Livestock Investment Grant web page to access the full request for proposals for further eligibility details.

Funding is made available through the MDA’s AGRI Program, which administers grants to farmers, agribusinesses, schools and more throughout the state of Minnesota. The AGRI Program exists to advance Minnesota’s agricultural and renewable energy sectors.

Central Star offers scholarships

CentralStar Cooperative, serving dairy and beef producers in the upper Midwest, is accepting scholarship applications until June 1. The cooperative is offering seven, $1,000 scholarships, and those interested can nd the application at https:// mycentralstar.com/scholarship/.

Applicants must be presently enrolled in a four-year college or a one- or two-year technical college or short-course program in an agricultural-related eld. Applicants can also be a high-school senior admitted into one of the aforementioned programs. The applicant or their parent(s) must be a stockowner of CentralStar Cooperative.

5 days without power

Northeast Wisconsin dairy farmers deal with storm outage

By Danielle Nauman danielle.n@dairystar.com

PESHTIGO, Wis. — Being without power for a few hours can be classied as an inconvenience; being without power for several days might be considered a catastrophe, especially on a dairy farm.

Residents of the northeastern Wisconsin counties of Marinette and Oconto lived that nightmare, some being without power for nearly a week.

Jeremy and Monica Schwittay, as well as Jeremy’s brother, Jason, were among the dairy farmers faced with the dilemma.

The Schwittays operate a trio of farm-related businesses in Peshtigo: Schwittay Farms, where they milk 485 cows; Heifer Solutions, where they house and care for 3,000 heifers; and Schwittay Harmony Market, a retail farmers market store.

A spring storm rolled across Wisconsin April 2, dumping 10 inches or more of wet, heavy snow across the two counties.

High winds exceeding 40-60 mph created additional stress on power lines, poles and trees, and residents were plunged into cold darkness.

According to Monica Schwittay, on a 2-mile span of their road, over half the power poles were snapped in half.

“We lost power on Tuesday at 5:11 p.m.,” Schwittay said. “We were fully restored at all of our facilities at 1:58

p.m. Sunday, April 7. It was a very long, frustrating and exhausting week.”

Battling winter weather and the occasional power outage is something the Schwittays are accustomed to. But, this storm is one they said they will likely never forget and one they hope to never relive.

“We have three power take-off generators plus some small backup generators that can handle basic residential needs like lights, water and running the furnace,” Schwittay said. “Our largest PTO unit always goes to the parlor and freestall. We started that running Tuesday evening.”

As it became apparent the outage would be longer than the typical outage, the Schwittays went into overtime, caring for the animals in their charge as best they could overnight.

“We went to bed around 2:30 a.m.,” Schwittay said. “Sometime between then and 3:30 a.m., we lost power again. The cord that runs from the generator to the main panel blew apart. It must have gotten moisture in it. It was snowing heavily, and it was extremely windy. We were down a unit right out of the gate.”

As the sun rose, the Schwittays were without power at each of their locations, a condition they would soon learn was widespread with jaw-dropping damage.

“Our cell phones didn’t work for almost two days,” Schwittay said. “You couldn’t call out, and occasionally, you could get a text to send. That made the work of guring out how to proceed that much more difcult.”

DL Agricultural Electric Inc. brought a stand-alone generator to the Schwittays’ parlor and freestall barn.

“We were back up and milking

again by about 10 a.m.,” Schwittay said. “Basically, we skipped our morning milking that Wednesday.”

The Schwittays began developing a strategic plan for how they could best care for their livestock and accomplish the necessary chores.

“The time of the year made it more contentious, trying to gure out how to best handle the situation,” Schwittay said. “We had to gure out who was available to move generators from here to there. When one location had downtime, we would take it to another location. Each location had to have a tractor that could run it while we were rotating generators between facilities. It was cumbersome and tiring.”

As one day rolled into another, the hope of power being restored soon dimmed.

“It’s a multitude of things: You’re stressed about your animals, your own family, your employees and the general public,” Schwittay said. “Our employees were absolutely awesome. They were tired and cold, but they put smiles on their faces. We all toughed it out together, making the best of a bad situation.”

Being short of generators, the market store was put at the end of the line, Schwittay said.

“Fortunately for the store, it was cold,” she said. “We wrapped and insulated all the freezers and coolers. Luckily that property was the rst of our facilities to be restored.”

After their power was restored, the Schwittays opened a conference room with a bathroom and shower area for anyone needing a warm place or a hot shower.

Two electric providers — Wisconsin Public Service and Oconto Electric Cooperative — bore the brunt of the storm, Schwittay said. Over 120,000 WPS customers were without power, while Oconto Electric had 9,000 members, 90% of its customers, without power.

“WPS communicated that this was one of the two largest restorations in their history,” Schwittay said. “They estimated 300-400 poles were replaced and nearly 50 miles of power lines restrung along with over 20,000 other pieces of equipment needing to be replaced. They had over 500 workers from multiple states put in nearly 50,000 man-hours. That was just WPS.”

While Schwittay hopes this was a once-in-a-lifetime experience, she said they are putting plans in place to be prepared if they ever experience an outage of this magnitude again.

“I don’t want to relive this, but it is something that requires preparing to protect ourselves,” Schwittay said. “The investment is huge. You wonder how you will get a return on that investment. But, how do you not get a return on that investment when one catastrophe like this happens?”

STACEY SMART/DAIRY STAR

The Schwi ay family — Jeremy (from le ), Monica and Jason — stand in their freestall barn at Schwi ay Farms near Pesh go, Wisconsin. The Schwi ays milk 485 cows at Schwi ay Farms and raise 3,000 heifers at Heifer Solu ons.

PHOTO COURTESY OF OCONTO ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE

Broken power poles lay from April 2-3 throughout Marine e and Oconto counes in Wisconsin. This le thousands of people without power for nearly a week following a snowstorm.

DAIRY

A look back at 5, 10 and 20 years ago

5 years ao

The fate of a family farm

Dan Matter, along with his son, Paul, milked 65 cows near Delano, Minnesota. Matter is a third-generation dairy farmer on a farm established in 1856. The Matters’ farm was bought in the 1800s but did not specialize in dairy until Matter’s grandfather took over the farm. At the time, Paul milked cows and made herd health decisions while Dan fed the livestock and tended to the elds. To help keep the farm going, they found different ways to increase prot and cut expenses. Paul and his wife, Aumori, harvested maple syrup, they grew their own feed, and they did not hire additional help.

Taking a chance on innovation

In November 2018, Karl Dieball, Green Isle, Minnesota, started milking 189 cows with three robotic milking units. Dieball farmed with his wife, Rosemary, and their sons, John and James. The decision to implement robots was due to labor and the work the aging Dieball and Rosemary could do in a day. Dieball said the change of routine was the hardest part for him to adopt. With the extra time, Dieball spent more time looking at the data collected and was working to improve their breeding program. The Dieballs also changed the type of cows they look for to accommodate the new technology.

Tiestall barn adopts parlor style milking

Bob Huibregtse, Plymouth, Wisconsin, adopted a new form of milking into a tiestall barn he built in 2008 that many people doubted, but 10 years later, it was still running smoothly. When Huibregtse noticed his knees would not be able to keep up with milking, he decided to make a change. The stalls in Huibregtse’s 58-stall tiestall barn were 20 inches off the ground. In this new setup, everything was done from behind the cow, leading to less kicked off and dirty milkers. One thing Huibregtse credited to the system working was having calm cows that did not kick or get excited while someone was milking from behind.

Modernization instead of expansion

Peter and Christina Winch and their family, Fennimore, Wisconsin, switched from what Peter said was an essentially home-built swing-12 parlor to robotic milking units. The robotic milking units were launched Oct. 22, 2018. At the time, the family milked 200 cows with a goal of increasing to 240. Christina said the transition for the cows seemed to go well, and they experienced little drop in production. The herd averaged 65 pounds when the system was started and had increased to an average of 75 pounds. Another benet the family noticed was a gradual decrease in somatic cell count, which was at 140,000 at one point.

10 years ago

Dairy farmers by choice

Twin brothers Marty and Marvin Theis grew up on their family’s dairy farm near Shakopee, Minnesota, that became a century farm in 2012. Of Martin and Mary Theis’ 12 children, four brothers started farming together with their dad in the 1980s. Miles and Mitchell with their brothers, Marvin and Marty, started full-time on the farm in 1981 after high school. The twins are the fourth generation to work the farm. When they took it over, there was no pressure from their family to do so. They said they enjoyed farming as they grew up and wanted to follow in the previous generation’s footsteps. In 1975, the tiestall barn was upgraded to 150 stalls. At the time, Marvin said he would like to keep the farm going for a next generation.

Upgrading to basic

Dale Schumacher, Eyota, Minnesota, milked 145 cows with the help of his wife, Erin, and their two sons, Jesse and Dillan. In the beginning of 2014, the family started milking in a double-10 parallel parlor that was paired with a new freestall barn. Previously, they were milking in a 42-stall tiestall barn, switching cows three times. It had taken two to three people around three hours to milk in the old setup. After switching systems, they nished milking in about two hours. With the covered walkway between the parlor and the barn, the cows didn’t have to stand outside in the elements while waiting to be milked.

20 years ago Too close for comfort

Randy Larson, Ortonville, Minnesota, had to wait with his wife, Christi, to see if they would have to ee their farm in 2004 due to an out-of-control re. The rst re was put out a quarter of a mile away before it reached Larson’s 140-acre farm. The second re was started by an arsonist and burned more than 7,000 acres. When the re reached the pasture where Larson housed his cattle, the re stopped. The re didn’t spread to the pasture, burn the fence post or even melt the insulators. A Canadian CL215 plane, belonging to the Department of Natural Resources, was acquired to help ght the res.

Mehrkensʼ come together for dairy expansion

The Mehrken family — Tim and Patty with their children, Raleigh, Rhea, Eric, Jon and Shawnell — owned a dairy farm near Lake City, Minnesota. In 2002, after Raleigh, Eric and Jon came back to the farm, the family upgraded from their tiestall barn to a double-12 parallel parlor. They increased their milking herd from 100 to 250. With the sons back on the farm with growing families, they had to nd a way to increase income. Raleigh said the family never worked apart. Everyone had their areas on the farm but always helped where it was needed.

DAIRY ST R

AND THEN THERE WAS

The only one left standing

Jons family operates last dairy in Gregory County

By Jan Lefebvre jan.l@star-pub.com

ST. CHARLES, S.D. — In the southcentral part of South Dakota, 2 miles from the Nebraska border, sits what has become a rarity in those parts: a dairy farm.

Owned by the Jons family, it is the only remaining dairy farm in Gregory County and the last one in the state west of the Missouri River. Yet, the Jonses hope to hold on into the fourth generation.

“We have no plans of packing up and moving,” said Verlyn Jons, who operates the farm with his wife, Dana.

The Jonses milk 29 Holsteins in a 10-stanchion barn with a pipeline. In the past, they have milked 45-60 cows, but they decreased the herd due to drought.

“We milk in an old half-circle Quonset barn with a milk room and parlor in it,” Jons said.

“We also have a hoop shelter with a loang area and a feeding area. During spring and summer, the cows graze.”

Besides two hoop buildings, the farm has pole barns for equipment storage.

The only other dairy farm in the area is in Boyd County, Nebraska, which abuts Gregory County. The Jonses’ sons, Andrew and Matthew, are interested in joining the family’s farming operation. Both attend the technical college in Mitchell and come home on weekends. Most days, since the Jonses have no em-

ployees, Jons and Dana work to do the milking twice each day along with other farm chores.

“We have our tasks, and it’s good to be milking together,” Jons said. “We get our chores done pretty quickly that way.”

The Jonses grow crops for feed on 150 acres. They also raise 35 beef cow-calf. The dairy farm, where Jons grew up, is in an isolated spot, 4 miles off the highway.

went off to college, everybody found other careers. When I graduated from college in 1985, I came back to help and just kind of stayed with it.”

Through their years of farming, the Jons couple watched as the remaining dairies in their area disappeared.

“It seemed like everybody milked cows when I was a kid,” Jons said. “This county had the largest number of dairies in the state. For being out here in the middle of nowhere, there were a lot of dairies.”

Jons said the push for dairy farms to get bigger in the 1990s had an effect on his county.

“It’s a picture place with hills and valleys and trees, and we’ve got live streams that run through the land,” Jons said. “We don’t have a lot of crop ground because we have mostly small elds, and it’s mainly pasture that we run our beef cows and dairy animals on. It can be somewhat nasty in the winter with gravel roads and hills, so it’s a little treacherous for the milk truck to get in at times.”

Jons’ grandfather purchased the dairy farm in 1926, and Jons’ parents took over in the early 1950s.

“There used to be all the neighbors milking cows, and then slowly, people started quitting,” he said. “We used to have a dairy inspector whose line was, ‘If you’re not milking a lot of cows, you’re not serious about dairying, and if you’re not serious about dairying, you can’t be doing a good job.’ They wanted to get rid of a lot of us little guys.”

“With my 13 siblings, we all had to do our share while growing up,” Jons said. “When we all graduated and Turn to JONS | Page 9

PHOTO COURTESY OF THE GREGORY TIMES Verlyn and Dana Jons stand in their stanchion barn April 22 on their dairy near St. Charles, South Dakota. They are the last dairy in Gregory County.

PHOTO COURTESY THE GREGORY TIMES

Cows stand outside April 22 on the dairy operated by Verlyn and Dana Jons near St. Charles, South Dakota. The Jons family milks 29 cows.

The scenery in Gregory County began to change.

“It used to be that everyone had Holsteins out on pasture, but you don’t see Holsteins anymore,” Jons said. “We’re the only ones now who have them on a pasture.”

With the declining dairy farm numbers and growing herd sizes in the eastern part of the state, it became a challenge for them to get their milk picked up, something they are wrestling with today.

Recently, the plant in Freeman — a distance of about 110 miles — could no longer take their milk, so it is going to a processor in Le Mars, Iowa, located 171 miles away.

Another challenge has been limits placed on how much milk the Jonses can sell.

“With their supply management system, we can’t get any bigger,” Jons said. “They came up with their quota system — their base access program — last year, so we can’t get any bigger. We had cut our herd down because of the drought, but now (processors) go off of that base, so we can’t expand.”

The Jonses would like to nd a dependable way to continue dairy farming.

“The boys would like to try to gure a way to have on-farm processing if the local area would be able to support that,” Jons said. “Right now, our hauling is $1.80 per hundredweight. When we get a milk check, we look at the low milk price and take about $2 off that milk price; it kind of stinks.”

On-farm processing would also allow for keeping a small herd and making a prot despite milk prices being low.

“That would be the ideal thing,” Jons said.

In the meantime, the family holds on by streamlining their operation.

“We always try to get more efcient and make a go of it,” Jons said. “Most of our calving is done in August and September so that all our heifers are the same age and we have one group to feed.”

The Jonses also focus on milk quality.

“We have to shoot for higher components because of the (cost of) shipping of our milk,” Jons said. “We genomic test our heifers and select for components. We’re steering more toward A2A2.”

With the future uncertain, Jons said he hopes his family can hold on to the lifestyle they love.

“It’s a lot of work, seven days a week,” Jons said. “But, then other people don’t get to witness the births of baby calves and watch those calves grow up and become a part of the herd.”

After milking cows for over 40 years, Jons said it is his favorite task.

“All our cows have their own nature, and they are as gentle as you can get,” Jons said. “When you’re milking in a stanchion barn, you’re right there next to them, and you let them in and out. They greet you when they come in and greet you when they leave.”

PHOTO COURTESY OF THE GREGORY TIMES

The Jons family’s dairy is nestled in the hills of south central South Dakota. The family also farms 150 acres.

PHOTO COURTESY OF THE GREGORY TIMES

Verlyn Jons milks a cow April 22 in their 10-stanchion barn near St. Charles, South Dakota. The Jonses’ sons, Andrew and Ma hew, have expressed interest in taking over the farm.

40 members

Kiel, Wisconsin

Manitowoc County

Tell us about your chapter. We are a seventh12th grade chapter. We have about 40 members this year, and those members compete in Career Development Events, Leadership Development Events and attend leadership conferences and events. We had six teams compete in CDEs this year, with our Agricultural Technology & Mechanical Systems, Poultry Evaluation and Milk Quality & Products teams competing at the state level. We have a few LDEs as well, including Parliamentary Procedure, Extemporaneous Public Speaking, Employment Skills and Creed Speaking. We strive to help members develop career readiness skills and leadership qualities that they can take with them and utilize into their futures, whether that be agriculture related or not.

How does your chapter volunteer in the community throughout the year? Our biggest volunteer event is our Trick-For-Charity event where we collect food for our food pantry. Members go around town during trick-or-treating in October

with shopping carts and ask for donations of nonperishable food items. Our goal is to donate at least 500 items to the pantry, and we exceeded our goal and donated over 1,000. We do Adopt-A-Highway and clean up one of the highways. We host a cookie sale during National FFA Week. We get donations of cookies from a bakery and sell them during our lunches at the high school. All proceeds benet Meals on Wheels America. We adopt a family or two during the holidays, and we make eece tie blankets to be donated to Project Linus, where they are donated to children’s hospitals.

What fundraisers does your chapter do throughout the year? First, with our alumni, we have a stand at the Kiel picnic where we sell food items. Then, we have our pizza sales which are in the winter months. FFA members sell pizzas. Then, we gather ingredients and make the pizzas during a weekend in February. I’d say our pizza sales are the most successful, as community and staff members look forward to supporting our chapter each year, while getting delicious pizzas.

PHOTO SUBMITTED

Kiel FFA Chapter members gather for a photo Oct. 29, 2023, a er collec ng over 1,000 food items to donate to the Kiel Area Community Food Pantry Inc. The Trick-For-Charity event is the chapter’s largest event in which members walk around town with shopping carts during trick-or-trea ng to ask for dona ons of non-perishable food items.

Con nued from FFA | Page 10

What are the biggest events of the year? In late summer and fall, we run a food stand at the Kiel picnic. We also do Trick-For-Charity. In winter, we have our staff breakfast during National FFA wWeek. Members meet before school to cook breakfast for staff members in the high school to show their appreciation for their support. In spring, we have our Tractor Day event. Students don’t have to be involved in FFA to participate in this event. They meet at a restaurant in their tractors for breakfast and then are escorted by police to school that morning. They have also started a parade past the elementary and middle schools to show off their tractors.

What is unique about your chapter? In August, we run a food stand at the Kiel picnic. It is one of our fundraisers. We sell grilled cheese, mozzarella sticks, cheese nuggets, milk and smoothies. This is run by our members, advisers and alumni members, and gives members a chance to network with the community and the alumni.

Tell us about your farm and family. My parents, Nicholas and Stefanie Mueller, and my grandparents, Ann and Marvin Mueller, operate a 630-cow dairy farm. I have three younger brothers and three younger sisters as well as a dog and a cat. We are a big family, but I would not want it any other way.

Why did you join FFA? I joined FFA because my mother was an active member of the Kiel FFA Chapter when she was in high school. As a freshman, I hoped to follow her legacy and be-

When was your chapter founded, and how has it evolved? The Kiel FFA Chapter was chartered in 1946 and was primarily a dairy science, agricultural business, agricultural mechanics and natural resources program. They were known to repair and paint tractors and implements and plant thousands of trees within the school district boundary. A new adviser was hired in 1983, a greenhouse was added, and course offerings were expanded. Our chapter also broadened its scope to participate in more CDEs and apply for more prociency areas. Beginning in 1997, a new instructor was hired, and a second instructor position was added shortly after that. Over the next 25 years, having two instructors allowed for exponential growth in both the classroom and FFA. Four classes were crossed with science standards and became eligible to count as science credits, and three classes were articulated with Fox Valley Technical College. A community-supported referendum helped fund a greenhouse, head house, two animal labs with an outdoor fenced yard and a kitchen to provide hands-on opportunities for students. FFA grew as well, winning many state and national awards including national FFA three-star chapter awards. In 2022, our Agricultural Technology & Mechanical Systems team competed at the national level, and in 2023, our Parliamentary Procedure team competed at the state level.

come something important to the chapter. Another reason was that my friends at the time had little to no agricultural experience. I wanted to be able to express myself to people who understood my interests and home/work life.

What is your role in the chapter? As vice president, it is my responsibility to look over the other ofcers and aid when help is needed. From time to time, I chair a committee that works to plan an event or donation. I also must be able to ll in for the president when she is not available.

What FFA contests do you compete in? I am in the Poultry Evaluation Career Development Event along with three others. We work to educate ourselves about poultry parts identication and further processed meat. We also learn how to grade egg exteriors, interiors and carcasses. We competed at the state competition April 25. I was also a member of the Parliamentary Procedure LDE. With six teammates, I learned how to properly hold a business meeting using parliamentary law and debate efciently.

What do you look forward to most in the upcoming FFA year? As a senior, I cannot wait to see the new ofcers elected to take up new duties and lead the chapter. I am most proud of our community service events and will be lled with joy to see them continue for many years to come.

How has FFA shaped you as a person? FFA has helped me express my agricultural appreciation and interest tremendously, but I did not expect it to pull me out of my shell as much as it did. Throughout my years participating in events, my communication skills have improved tenfold. Learning, growing and competing with a team of people forced me to work on my ability to think and speak efciently under pressure. I will be forever thankful for what FFA has taught me and will take this skill with me wherever I go.

What are your duties on the farm? Every weekend, with the help of my siblings, we are responsible for feeding the young heifer calves. I also pregnancy check heifers, dry up cows and assist with barn repairs whenever needed.

What are your future plans? In the fall, I will be attending the University of Wisconsin-Madison for applied math engineering and physics. With my degree in engineering, I hope to nd a stable job and home where I can then start a family and a hobby farm.

Emily Mueller

VICE PRESIDENT

When do you do chores? Mostly after school and during the summer and fall.

What is your favorite and least favorite chore? My favorite thing to do is eldwork and my least favorite is fencing.

What project do you enjoy helping your parents with on the farm? Picking up bales in the elds.

Tell us a fun memory you have of living on the farm. Getting sprayed with hydraulic uid.

What is your favorite animal on your farm? The calves, because this is when they are the tamest.

What do you want to be when you grow up? I want to pour concrete or be a farmer.

If you had a farm, describe what it would look like. I would have a small feedlot and some sheds.

What is your favorite game to play on the farm? I like to play with the dog and have it fetch sticks.

MARK KLAPHAKE/DAIRY STAR

Emme (front); (back, from le ) Adam, Parker, nephew; Aus n and Kelly Hjelle gather April 19 in their barn near New London, Minnesota. The Hjelles milk 120 cows in Kandiyohi County.

What is your favorite meal that your mom or dad makes? Homemade mac and cheese.

What is your favorite thing to do off the farm with your family? Go to our cabin or go fishing.

Are you involved in activities? 4-H is the only activity I do, and I like it because it’s involved with farming and some outdoors.

When do you do chores? I help in the evenings and weekends during the school year.

What is your favorite and least favorite chore? My favorite chore is feeding the beef cows, because I get to see my cow and calf. My least favorite is feeding the switch cows total mixed ration with the skid loader because it’s boring.

What project do you enjoy helping your parents with on the farm? Harvest season, because I get to rake and haul cornstalk bales and chisel plow soybean stubble.

Tell us a fun memory you have of living on the farm. Unloading small square rye straw bales with my brother, cousin and friends.

What is your favorite animal on your farm? Raspberry, my beef calf, because she is my rst calf from my own cow.

Concrete Silos

“Thank you for helping when I was gone from the farm.”

- Leon Peplinski

What do you want to be when you grow up? A farmer just like my dad.

If you had a farm, describe what it would look like. Mostly the same as our farm but with a parlor and more machine and livestock sheds.

What is your favorite game to play on the farm? Play basketball with the other boys.

What is your favorite meal that your mom or dad makes? Tater tot hot dish.

What is your favorite thing to do off the farm with your family? Go swimming and wakeboarding at my grandparents’ lake and go bear and deer hunting up north.

Are you involved in activities? I’m in football, wrestling and 4-H. My favorite is wrestling, because it’s up to me if I win or lose.

the accessories, unloaders, feeders, conveyors, silo pipes, silo distributors & silo chutes.

When do you do chores? Mostly in the evenings after school.

What is your favorite and least favorite chore? My favorite chore is feeding the beef cows silage, because I get to pet No. 8. My least favorite is when I have to feed bottle calves, because some are slow.

What project do you enjoy helping your parents with on the farm? Unload rye straw bales up in the barn with friends, because we get to throw the bales off the conveyor.

Tell us a fun memory you have of living on the farm. Riding in the combine and falling asleep.

What is your favorite animal on your farm? Flower, my Jersey heifer calf I took to the fair last year.

What do you want to be when you grow up? Farmer or a lawyer.

If you had a farm, describe what it would look like. One just like ours but with sheep, chickens and ducks.

What is your favorite game to play on the farm? I like to play tag.

What is your favorite meal that your mom or dad makes? Tacos.

What is your favorite thing to do off the farm with your family? We go hunting up north and go fishing. We go out to eat and go on vacations.

Are you involved in activities? I’m involved with Sunday school, 4-H, tennis this summer and maybe football and wrestling. My favorite is 4-H, because I get to show my calf at the fair.

‚‚We

well and it does a good job cleaning teats.“

Austin Hjelle 11 years old Fifth grade

Emmett Hjelle 7 years old First grade

The Iowa State University Extension and Outreach is hosting another “Virtual Chat” to discuss the latest information the bovine inuenza A virus effecting dairy cows at 7 p.m. May 1.

The knowledge on the illness is growing almost hourly, so this program will discuss the latest information on the infection effecting dairy ruminant herds and poultry ocks. Producers, dairy consultants and industry reps are encouraged to attend the free virtual chat. No registration is required. Join the chat at https://go.iastate.edu/BOVINEA. Password: 904903.

For more information, contact Dr. Phillip Jardon, Iowa State Extension dairy veterinary, at 515-294-7424 or pjardon@iastate.edu; or Dr. Gail Carpenter, at 515-294-9085 or ajcarpen@ iastate.edu.

The next Dairy Cattle Reproduction Council webinar, at 2 p.m. May 2, Texas Tech University professor Michael Ballou will address “Early life calf health and performance have longterm impacts on lifetime health and (re) production performance.” This one-hour webinar is free.

The presentation will look at the etiology of calf-hood diseases. Further, a discussion on various strategies to improve disease resistance will be presented. Lastly, Ballou will show data that indicate that early life health and performance of calves can have longterm impacts on the (re)productivity of the animal.

To register, visit https://bit.ly/DCRCMay2. As the webinar approaches, you will receive an e-mail with information on how to participate.

National Mastitis Council’s May 7 webinar, led by Marcello Guadagnini, Axiota Animal Health international technical manager, features “Enhancing Udder Health via Trace Minerals.” This free, one-hour educational offering starts at 11 a.m.

Udder health is a multifactor problem in which dry period and peripartum health play a key role. Trace minerals are critical for mammary gland immunity. Trace mineral status optimization during the dry period can improve udder health. By attending this webinar, you’ll gain a better understanding of the role trace minerals play in immunity and udder health. Learn about the oxidative stress mechanism around calving and gain skills to optimize trace mineral status during the dry period.

To register, visit https://bit.ly/NMCWebMay7.

The I-29 Moo University Dairy Webinar Series continues May 9 from noon to 1 p.m. The webinar will feature a discussion on crossbreeding systems to improve protability of dairy farms.

Dr. Brad Heins, professor of dairy management at the University of Minnesota’s West Central Research Center, will lead the discussion about threebreed rotational crossbreeding systems to improve protability of dairy farms focusing on production, feed intake, health treatments and protability of three-breed crossbreds compared to Holsteins for commercial dairy production.

Heins conducts his research at the University of Minnesota’s West Central Research and Outreach Center in Morris, Minnesota. The center has a 130head herd in a certied organic system, and a 160-head herd in a conventional grazing system. His research and extension program focuses on best management practices for dairy production, crossbreeding of dairy cattle, group rearing of calves and renewable energy for dairy production systems. Heins serves on the Minnesota Institute for Sustainable Agriculture Board of Directors.

There is no fee to participate in the webinar; however, registration is required at least one hour before the webinar. Register at https://go.iastate.edu/ FLYCONTROL24.

For more information, contact: in Iowa, Fred M. Hall, 712-737-4230; in Minnesota, Jim Salfer, 320-203-6093; or in South Dakota, Patricia Villamediana, 605-688-4116.

The Dairy Symposium is May 15 at the University of Wisconsin-Madison Memorial Union in Madison, Wisconsin. The Dairy Symposium showcases the Dairy Innovation Hub’s most advanced research and is formatted for an academic audience. Admission is free. Registration is open and more information is available at https://sites.google.com/ wisc.edu/2024-dairy-symposium/home.

Join the UW-Madison Division of Extension’s Dairy Program from 11 a.m. to noon for the Badger Dairy Insight webinar series. To learn more about Badger Dairy Insight and the Extension Dairy program, visit https://dairy. extension.wisc.edu. There is no charge to participate in the sessions, however pre-registration is required to allow access. Register at go.wisc.edu/bdi2324.

— May 21: Heat stress in dairy calves.

— Understanding the carryover effects of early-life heat stress on dairy calves with Jimena Laporta, assistant professor of lactation physiology.

Heat stress, a prevalent challenge in modern dairy farming, has been shown to have far-reaching consequences on young calves’ health, well-being, and productivity; even before they are born. This presentation will explore how heat stress affects the physiological, behavioral, and developmental aspects of calves during their critical early stages of life and highlight the long-lasting implications that persist into adulthood. Additionally, this presentation will discuss potential strategies to alleviate the detrimental impacts of heat stress on dairy calves, including housing management interventions.

— Strategies for keeping calves cool in hutches with Jennifer Van Os, dairy animal welfare Extension specialist assistant professor.

In this brief presentation, Van Os will continue some of the themes from Laporta’s presentation, specically discussing collaborative work at UW-Madison to identify practical strategies for alleviating heat stress in hutch-housed dairy calves.

The 35th annual Abbotsford FFA Alumni Dairy Breakfast will be held June 2 from 7 a.m. to noon at

Dukestead Acres, W1216 Willow Road Abbotsford, Wisconsin. There will be bussing from the Abbotsford School District’s south parking lot to and from the farm. The cost is $5 a person, and kids 5 and younger are free.

A dynamic one-day event presented by the Professional Dairy Producers will give agriculture sector interns the tools they need to excel in today’s workforce. PDP Accelerate is set for July 24 in Madison, Wisconsin, with a full day of interactive programming to help attendees stand out from the crowd with the skills they need to shine in today’s agriculture careers.

Agricultural employers who incorporate PDP Accelerate into their summer internship program will not only enhance the intern experience and demonstrate their commitment to nurturing talent but also provide students with a renewed vigor during the nal portion of the internship. PDP Accelerate is an opportunity to foster a culture of learning while aiding in training a pipeline of skilled professionals for the future of the agricultural sector.

PDP Accelerate will be facilitated by Michael Hoffman, founder and owner of Igniting Performance Inc., a Dallas-based company that specializes in the skills of sales, customer loyalty and leadership. Hoffman will

combine hands-on learning, peer networking and interactive skill practice to ensure interns build the skills they need to excel after college.

Interns will emerge from PDP Accelerate armed with the ability to initiate meaningful conversations, leverage technology effectively, exude condent body language, navigate diverse team dynamics, solicit and implement constructive feedback, and expand their professional networks — all essential attributes for success in the modern workforce.

Learn more about PDP Accelerate and register interns by visiting www.pdpw.org or calling 800-9477379.

STANDARD FEATURES:

• Helical

CONVENTIONAL SEED CORN SALE

Great price on worlds top hybrids. Non GMO grain is earning market premiums (up to $2 over CBOT). We offer proven, complete weed control programs for less than technology cost! Maximize returns and IMPROVE YOUR BOTTOM LINE! ORDER EARLY AND SAVE MORE!

Dairy St r

Milk Break

USED HAY TOOLS

Case IH RS561 baler, Twine only, Low bales ....................................................Call Used Kubota BV5160 Silage baler ...........................................................$16,500 2022 Kubota 1024 Disc mower ................................................................$10,000 Krone Swadro 900 Rotary Rake ...............................................................$18,000

Vermeer 605SM baler, new pickup last fall, belts are good..............................Call ‘15 Vermeer 605N Cornstalk Special, new belts ......................................$29,000 Vermeer 504Pro silage baler, very good condition, 8,213 bales.......................Call ‘20 Vermeer605N Cornstalk Special, Excellent condition, low bale count ...............................................................................Coming Soon

USED FORAGE BOX:

H&S 500 Forage box, good condition, 14 ft ...............................................$1,900

USED MANURE PUMPS

Used Houle 8ft Super pump on Trailer, 6” discharge ........................................Call ‘15 Houle 6” 3pt super pump 9ft, 2 agitation nozzles, 2 available .........$9,250 ea Houle PTO 6” Super Pump, 2004, w/ 2 agitation nozzles, 12ft long, MPU1704................................................................................................. $8,500

Used Houle 60” cable scraper drive, good shape ........................................ $3,000 10ft x 4” electric Houle Agi pump w/ twin 20HP motors, used, MPU1507G .$4,300 2014 Houle Electromix agitator, 8ft ...........................................................$4,500 2014 Houle Hydraulic power pack for Electromix pump, motor included ..$2,000

USED MIXERS

Cloverdale 1300 Cu Ft Twin screw vertical mixer..............................................Call Patz V950 vertical mixer, 2 speed, rubber ext, front discharge, rear dump door, Just in ..................................................................................Call Schuler BF175 Feeder wagon, WeighTronix 640XL Scale .........................$16,000

USED MANURE SPREADERS

Kuhn Prospread PS150 manure spreader ........................................................Call Houle 4800 Gallon manure tank, 4 disc rig toolbar, pump rebuilt ...................Call Meyer’s M390 Manure spreader, Good Condition....................................$12,900 Houle 6000 Gallon manure tank, Flow meter w/Raven 660 ...................$25,000/OBO Houle 7300 Gallon manure spreader, disc rig toolbar ...........................................Call

NEW &USED

GEA Houle 3” and 4” Manure pumps

- Multiple lengths

GEA Houle 6” trailer pump w/8” discharge

GEA Houle 8” Flush Pump

GEA Houle 3pt Pumps 9ft

GEA Houle 7300 Gal manure Tanks

10” x 35’ Manure Loadstand

Livestock - FOR SALE

HOLSTEIN BULLS, springing hfrs., Freeport, MN area. Call 612-2707453. 23-TFN-F

(12) HOLSTEIN HEIFER CALVES, $1.80/lb., avg. weight 500 lbs. Call 320-395-2137. 4-2-F

REG. HOLSTEIN

HOLSTEIN BULLS, red or black, closed herd, Johnes & Leukosis test negative, guaranteed breeders, delivery available. Call 507-920-5859. 7-TFN-B

New 8ft. Patz barn cleaner chute for 16” gutter, PA16151, retails for $992 .......$800 Patz barn cleaner 12” tapered flights, never used, but weathered, not painted, $18.95 New....................................................................$12.25 ea.

New Schuur and Lely cow brushes- In stock ....................................................Call

Used squirrel cage style fan, 42” diameter, w/ 3 phase motor .........................Call

Used WIC model 300 grain cart, OTH1803G .....................................................Call

New 2 bath automated footbath assy, stainless baths & control, ½ priced-never used, DEN1402G .............................................................$7,000

Dayton Blower Fan, like new, 24.5” Wheel, 12000 CFM #3C010, $3,437 retail New ....................................................................................$2,500

Dayton Blower Fan, used 2 mos., #2C799, 18.25” whl, $1,982 retail new .$1,100 2014 Houle Cable Scraper system, Drive, V-Blade Scrapers, Cornerwheels$15,000

Used Headlocks, several brands and sizes.......................................Call for details

Doda 3” manure pump

Vermeer BPX9010 Bale Processor

Vermeer VT660 vertical mixer

Vermeer VS510 Vertical Mixer

Vermeer VR1428 Rake Vermeer VR1224 Rake Vermeer VR1022 Rake Vermeer RR140 Rotary Rake Vermeer M7050 Mowers Vermeer M6050 Mowers Vermeer TD190 Tedder Vermeer TD100 Tedder Vermeer 604Pro G3 Baler Vermeer 605N Select Baler New Bobman SL Bedding Machine Mensch M910 Feed Alley Scraper

100% ORGANIC RED STEERS, no shots, approx. 800 lbs., $1,500 ea., can deliver. Call 701-4902432. 11-TFN-F

SERVICEABLE AGE

HOLSTEIN BULLS, from great type and production families. Raised on outside lots, good vigor, Glencoe, MN. Call 320864-6555. 2-TFN-F

(6) HOLSTEIN SPRINGER HEIFERS, due 4/285/15, central, MN. Call 320-333-7346. 4-2-F

REGISTERED CALVING EASE HOLSTEIN & ANGUS BULLS, various sizes, delivery avail. Call or text Brian 715-6139206. 2-TFN-F

BULLS, exc. type and production. Call Scott Rickeman 320-552-0284. 16-TFN-F

SERVICEABLE AGE

BLACK & WHITE & RED & WHITE BULLS, sires Red Eye and Einstein, some polled, deep pedigrees. Call 320-583-6564. 21-TFN-F

REG. HOLSTEIN

BULLS, from three or more generations of EX 30,000 lbs. dams, Brookings, SD. Call 605-6906393. TFN-F

REGISTERED JERSEY

BULL, AI sired, genomic tested, good type and production. Call Corey 608751-2882. 1-5-F

REGISTERED HOLSTEIN BULLS, polled, genomic tested, deep pedigreed high-producing cow families. Call 507-8200452. 22-TFN-F

BROWN SWISS BULLS, home raised, registered, genomic tested, A2A2 tested, delivery available. Call 563-419-2137 or visit www.hilltopacresfarmcalmaria. com 24-TFN-F

REGISTERED HOLSTEIN BULLS, red or black, dams over 40,000 milk, 4.0 test, Analyst Renegrade, King, Doc. Call Greg 608-326-2668. 20-TFN-F

DAIRY GOAT DOES, out of Hostetler breeding; also breeding bucks available. Call 319-350-5819. 24-TFN-F

SERVICEABLE AGE

BREEDING BULLS, 40 yrs. AI breeding, Sauk Centre, MN. Call 320-7612526 or 320-293-5607. 6-TFN-F

LARGE SELECTION

REGISTERED HOL-

STEIN BULLS from multi-gen EX, VG cows, 28,500 RHA. Call Olmar Farms 507-220-0730. 20-TFN-B

PUREBRED BROWN SWISS BULL, 1,250 lbs., very calm & tame, calving ease. Call 320-290-2855. 5-1-VM

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Calling on both established accounts and building up new accounts to market print and digital advertising

• Strong communication skills

• Basic computer knowledge

• Strong listening skills

• Work as part of a team including production and editorial members

BENEFITS:

•Salary

• Commission

• Annual growth bonuses

• Health insurance

• Paid vacation This position will be home-based so you must be organized and willing to work without direct supervision. Daily travel involved but you will be home evenings. Is

If you are searching for a career in sales with a growing agricultural company we would like to visit. If you have a positive attitude and are confident in your ability we will help train you.

Livestock - FOR SALE

(30) HOLSTEIN HEIFERS, 400-900 lbs. Call before 8 a.m. 608-687-3022. 5-3-F

(3) REGISTERED JERSEY SPRINGERS, due in June, AI bred, AI sired. Call 952-412-5185. 5-1-F

HOLSTEIN HEIFERS, due May, June and July, some bred sexed semen. Call 608-632-0194. 5-1-F

HOLSTEIN BULLS, red or black, serviceable age, north of Rochester, MN, delivery available. Call 507-732-5930. 5-1-F

(50) HOLSTEIN

SPRING CALVING

CERTIFIED ORGANIC COWS, overstocked, good producing, DHIA records. Call 320-212-7327. 5-1-F

(10) MILKING SHORTHORN YEARLING HEIFERS from 30-year seasonal dairy, OTCO organic certied. Call 507459-3104. 5-1-F

RED ANGUS BULLS, serviceable age, delivery available. Call 507-2597591. 5-1-F

GUERNSEY SPRINGERS, reg. Brown Swiss cows & breeding age registered bulls, Brown Swiss bulls, Guernsey w/high type & production. Call 563-590-5369. 11-TFN-F

REGISTERED, HOMEBRED HOLSTEIN

BULLS, located 15 mi. north of Rochester, MN. Call Dave Alberts at 507269-3084 or 507-3568625. 14-TFN-B

Livestock - WANTED

ALL CLASSES OF SPRINGER DAIRY COWS. No jockeys. Call 320-760-6050. 20-TFN-F

WANTING TO BUY SLOW & LAME CATTLE, lump jaws and bad eyes and all blemished cattle, $200-$600; also, good cull cows and bulls, $600$1,200. Call 612-860-8774 or 651-480-1900. 4-TFNB

2-3 DRY COWS PER MONTH, Wadena, MN. Call 574-527-4382. 4-2-F

WE HAVE BUYERS for tiestall and freestall dairy herds of all qualities and quantities. Also herds for sale at all times. Call 715721-0079. 2-TFN-B

BUTCHER COWS, bulls & fats; also thin, lame, lazy & lump jaw. Call 320-8947175. 11-TFN-B

COMPLETE HERDS OF DAIRY CATTLE; also buying all classes of livestock, including cull cows, steers, hfrs. and calves. Call 715-216-1897. 7-TFN-B

Hay, Straw, Feed & Bedding

ORGANIC WESTERN

HAY, dairy or heifer quality, delivered to your farm. Call 814-349-5631. 23-7-F

2ND & 3RD CROP BIG SQ. ALFALFA HAY, wrapped, 140-170 RFV, dry big sq. alfalfa hay 130150 RFV. Call 715-5663190. 4-2-F

ERNMOREORGAN-

ICS.COM, certied organic alfalfa, wrapped in 8 layers of lm, 3x4x6 bales, RFQ 140-280, Springeld, SD. Call ERNmore Organics 605-286-3873 or 605-999-2010 or 605-2511143.Ernmoreorganics. com. 16-TFN-B

ALFALFA HAY & GRASS HAY, med. square or round bales, delivery available, Thief River Falls, MN. Call or text LeRoy Ose 218-689-6675. 10-TFN-B

STRAW, NETWRAPPED ROUND BALES & BIG SQUARES, clean, dry, stored inside, delivery available. Call 320-8088336. 15-TFN-F

HIGH-QUALITY FORAGES: corn silage (conventional and BMR), alfalfa haylage, fescue grass silage, Triticale silage and oatlage. Forages can be delivered and made into TMR. Call 920-371-7737. 22-20-B

JD 2700, 7 Shank ...............................................$14,500

DMI Tiger III, 3 Shank Ripper ...............................$3,300

Pepin Spike Harrow, 5 Section .............................$2,500

USED PLANTERS

White 6700, 12x30, Verticle Fold ..........................$7,500

USED HAY EQUIPMENT

‘00 N-H 1441 Disbine, 15’ Cut ............................$11,900

‘11 N-H H-7450 Discbine, 13’ Cut .......................$20,900

‘15 N-H H-7230 Discbine, 10’ Cut .......................$19,900

(2) ‘03 N-H 1411 Discbine, 10’ Cut ......Starting at $9,900

‘08 N-H 616 Discmower ........................................$5,500

AGCO 1326 Discmower........................................$3,250

ALFALFA BALEAGE, 1st-4th crop, 175 RFQ. Call 715-896-1418. 3-TFN-F

FEED GRADE WHEAT STRAW, 4x5 net wrapped bales, $35/bale, Osage, MN. Call 218-841-4248. 14-TFN-F-2nd

OPEN POLLINATED SEED CORN, out produces hybrids for silage, $67/ bu. plus shipping, leafy, sweet stalks, highly nutritious grain. Call 217-8573377 or cell 217-343-4962. borriesopenpollinatedseedcorn.com 20-10-VM

PREMIUM QUALITY 3X4X8 WHEAT STRAW, delivered by the truckload, stored inside, volume discounts/contracts available, supply available yearround. We also carry hay/ alfalfa and other varieties of straw. Email redriverforagesales@gmail.com or call/text 1-204-209-1066. 5-1-B

OCIA-CERTIFIED

YELLOW CORN, oat hay & alfalfa grass hay; also dry cow heifer hay; ‘69 JD 55 combine, always inside. Call 641-751-8382. 12-TFN-B

50 ROUND BALES 4TH CROP ALFALFA BALEAGE, wrapped, Richmond, MN. Call 320-2675520. 5-2-F

2 Spd, 870 hrs ..$65,000 ‘17 T-650, Glass Cab with A/C, 2 Spd, 2700 hrs $49,500 ‘19 S-770, Glass Cab with A/C, 2 Spd, 3350 hrs $38,900 (2) ‘21 S-76, 2650 hrs and up ............Starting at $42,500 ‘12 S-650, Glass Cab with A/C, 2 Spd, 2500 hrs $46,500 ‘18 S-595, Glass Cab with A/C, 2 Spd, 3850 hrs $29,900 ‘02 S-185, Glass Cab with A/C, 2 Spd, 3650 hrs $24,900 ‘01 773, Glass Cab with A/C, 7000 hrs ...............$16,500 ‘97 763, Glass Cab & Heater ..............................$12,000 ‘21 Cat 259D3, Glass Cab with A/C, 2100 hrs ....$59,900 ‘20 Kubota SVL75-2, Glass Cab w/A/C, 345 hrs $59,900

USED TILLAGE

‘04 W-R Quad X, 46’, 4 Bar Spring Tooth Harrow$19,300

‘04 W-R Excel 38’, 4 Bar Spring Tooth Harrow ...$12,900

WR 2500, 28’, 4 Bar Spring Tooth Harrow ...........$6,950 Case IH 4300, 25’ .................................................$7,500

Glencoe 26’, 3 Bar Spring Tooth Harrow ..............$1,800

‘13 W-R 513 Soil Pro, 7 Shank, Harrow..............$29,500

WR 957, 9 Shank, Harrow ..................................$12,900

‘20 N-H 560 Rd Baler, Specialty Crop, 4000 Bales$46,500

‘11 N-H BR-7090 Rd Baler, Cornstalk Special, Netwrap.............................................................$23,900

‘06 N-H BR-740A, Twine only ...............................$9,500

NH 688 Rd Baler ...................................................$5,900

JD 336 Baler .........................................................$2,950

‘22 N-H 3223 Rake .............................................$31,900

‘22 H&S AR-2112 Rake ........................................$8,500

‘05 H&S BC12HC, 12 Wheel Hi Cap Rake ...........$8,950 ‘20 H&S 5200H Tedder, 4 Basket unit ..................$6,700

USED MISC

‘10 W-R 20’ Stalk Chopper, Nice Shape .............$10,900

‘07 Feterl 10x72 Auger, w/ Swing drive hopper ....

Help Wanted

LOOKING FOR HELP

MILKING COWS, south of Freeport, MN, experience preferred. Call 320493-5310. 12-TFN-F

50-COW DAIRY LOOKING FOR KNOWLEDGEABLE PERSON for farm work; must know equipment and cows. Call 715-662-5053. 23-TFN-F

1900 COW DAIRY looking for bilingual parlor manager. Call 507-9515597. 8-TFN-F

CUSTOM HEIFER

RAISER has openings to raise your heifers. We offer freestall facilities, all TMR fed, $2.50/day from weaned to pre-fresh. Call Ben for more details 715495-0481. 3-TFN-B

CUSTOM CHOPPING, We are looking to add a few customers to our custom chopping business. We offer a newer JD 9800 chopper, 5 trucks, merger & blade tractor. We do travel. Call Ben with any questions 715-495-0481. 3-TFN-B

Miscellaneous - FOR SALE

(4) CALF HUTCHES, $50 ea. or 4 for $150; 80’ Jamesway shuttle bunk feeder; 80’ of concrete H bunk. Call 715-896-2739. 5-2-VM

JD 12R30” CORN PLANTER, fert.; also CCW barn cleaner chain; (2) Hanson Posi-Trac silo unloaders. Call 320-3041834. 4-3-F

‘14 CASE IH MAXXUM 140. Call 574-328-0025. 5-1-F

AUSTRALIAN SHEPHERD BLUE HEELER CROSS PUPPIES, 4 female, 1 male, parents cattle dogs. Call 507-421-5270. 20-TFN-F

NH 29P HAY HEAD, like new, only used on 300 acres. Call 218-435-1616. 5-1-F

IH 966; IH 770 6x16 plow; Krause 14-1/2’ tandem disc; H&S 14’ silage box w/10 ton otation tires. Call 218-385-3471. 3-TFN-F

1500 GAL. MUELLER BULK TANK, complete w/compressors & bulk tank washer; also (2) Tuthill 3003-22R2-8744 vacuum pumps, Bismarck, ND. Call 701-391-8200. 23-TFN-F

(4) AGRISPEED HITCHES, $750/set. Call 952-393-3730. 5-3-F

SUKUP CONTINUOUS FLOW CORN DRYER. Call 563-608-2853. 3-3-F

‘18 MCHALE FUSION

VARIO ROUND BALER, net wrap on barrel/ plastic wrap on entire bale, 19,319 bales, pictures/video on tractorhouse.com, $55,000/obo. Call 920427-9182. 5-1-VM

NH 790 w/corn head & hay head. Call 320-4295224. 4-3-F

JD 2700 PLOW, semi mounted. Call 320-5101055. 13-TFN-F

1600 GAL. BULK MILK

TANK. Call Norman Borntreger with Tri County Refrigeration 319-3302084. 5-1-B

JD 216 GRAIN HEAD. Call 608-509-6139. 5-1-F

‘16 NH FP230 w/29P HH, single owner, bought new, asking $20,000/obo. Call 712-210-4665. 1-5-F

ALFA-DELAVAL LATE

MODEL BULK TANK, 1,250 gal., complete as new, MN. Call 480-3138460. 5-TFN-F

HOOF TRIMMING

CHUTE, upright, late 1990s, Comfort Hoof Care model, (4) 6-foot gates w/ lead in station, $8,000/ OBO. Call 608-487-4809. 5-1-F

SILO REMOVAL, take down & clean up, specializing in but not limited to silos in congested areas, mobile concrete crushing, fully insured. Call 507236-9446. 22-10-P

CUSTOM HEIFER

RAISER in Willmar, MN area. We have been raising dairy heifers for over 40 years on our family farm, from weaned to pre-fresh. We have room for your heifers right now. All cattle are TMR fed and AI bred. For more details call/text 320-894-0503. 4-2-B

100 FREESTALL PIPE, 2-3/8”x64” long; 100 freestall mats, 71-1/2 long x 47-1/2 wide. Call 507829-1954. 5-1-F

AUSTRALIAN SHEPHERD PUPPIES, born 1/31/24, blue Merle, red Merle & tris, ready 4/30/24, vet checked/shots. Call 507-240-3159. 1-6-F (4) DEMCO 365 & 450

GRAVITY BOXES, (2) w/tarps, like new; tricycle feeder; big round bale wagon. Call 320-5576558. 18-TFN

HARDI NP1100 NAVIGATOR, 90’ rate control, foamer, rinse, hand wash, eld ready, $10,500. Call 715-753-2702. 5-1-F

PATZ BARN CLEANER CHAIN; 280’, 18” width, only used 2 yrs., CCW, 20’ chute, $1,500/OBO. Call 320-843-4788. 4-2-F

WHITE 6100 6R30” CORN PLANTER, dry fert., 3000 monitor, row cleaners, $8,500. Call 320223-5338. 3-3-F

NH 313 DISCBINE, exc. cond., $22,000; also JD 2210 eld cult., 25’, good cond., $17,500. Call 608487-4429. 5-3-VM

106’X276’ FREESTALL BARN for dismantling in NW IL. Call for more details 815-291-6671. 5-2-F

970 silage wagons. Call 920-648-2104. 4-2-VM

55’ NEW PINTLE SINGLE CHAIN w/paddles for 11” conveyor, $10.80/ ft. Call 715-456-8277. 22-TFN-F

NH 492 HAYBINE; Mayers hay conveyor; IH 600 forage blower. Call 320250-2753. 5-2-F

SUPER M, overhauled, nice tires, repainted, $2,150. Call 320-7332359. 4-3-F

(2) CATTLE BUNK FEEDERS, 1 on 4W trailer; also Krause soil nisher. Call 320-557-5514, no texts or messages. 2-TFNF

NH 166 INVERTER w/ tip down extension, hyd. drive. Call 320-290-2602. 5-1-F

VERMEER 604R PREMIUM ROUND BALER, loaded, 900 bales, like new. Call 320-304-2311. 5-TFN-F

40’ SHEAHAN MANURE AUGER, like new, exc. shape, $8,000. Call 712-330-7536. 24-TFN-F

DEGELMAN 12’ SILAGE BLADE, $16,000. Call 563-562-3848. 5-2-F

JD 3975 CHOPPER, 7’ HH, 2R30 CH, fair cond., $6,000/obo; also battery charger for Weaverline feedcart, like new. Call 641-985-4072. 5-1-F

KNOWELS 60HP 3-PHASE SOFT START ELECTRIC POWER UNIT, 50’ power cord, 540 PTO, $1,200. Call 715316-3377. 5-1-F

‘08 35-TON SEMI TRAILER, beaver tail & ramps, 51’ total length. Call 320-760-6942. 12-TFN-F

JD 920 BEAN HEAD; International 60 6RN stalk chopper. Call 320-5100950. 13-TFN-F

‘22 KUBOTA SSV65, 475 hrs., new tires, war. expires Dec. ‘24, $44,700 w/ choice of bucket; Culburn quarter pail, $40. Call 563542-3276. 5-TFN-F

JD 980 36’ DIGGER, new 3-bar harrow, new shovels, shedded, exc. cond., $18,000 obo. Call 320266-6878. 4-3-F

BORDER COLLIE PUPPIES, great farm dogs, family friendly, born Nov. 1st, Beaver Creek, MN. Call Mark 507-3508003. 21-TFN-F

10 FT LONG X 24 IN WIDE PORTABLE FOOTBATH, skidsteer quick attach capable, commercial grade nonslip epoxy ooring, $3,000. Call 608-487-4809. 5-1-F

CIH 510 LOADER w/ bucket & bale spear, joystick control, new paint, nice & tight, $4,500/obo. Call Lamar 641-364-2074. 5-4-F

CLOVERDALE 285

PORTABLE MIXER, good cond., $15,000. Call 641-364-2601. 18-TFN-F

LEROY-SUMMER 3 HP. MOTOR. Call 320-8454690. 4-2-F

NH 489 HAYBINE, Hortonville, WI. Call 920-7575814. 4-2-F

5,000 GAL. BULK TANK, BouMatic, new in 2017, 2 compressors, control box, soap dispenser, (2) Therma-stores. Call Corey 608-751-2882. 5-5F

IH 966. Call 320-2661916. 4-2-F

DEUTZ ENGINES to repower Gehl and Bobcat skidsteers, 4 models on hand, Platteville, WI. Call 608-642-1644. 3-4-F

CIH 5300 GRAIN

DRILL, 24-6 spacing, $9,000, 1050 acres; CW Berg chain, 360’ Call 715823-4501. 4-TFN-F

IH 60 3-bottom pull-type plow w/cylinder, good cond. Call 715-314-0977. 5-TFN-F

MUELLER MODEL

D FRE-HEATER AND MUELLER PLATE COOLER. Call 320-4291917. 5-1-F

OLIVER 88 DIESEL w/narrow front; Also JD Dnahue Trailer. Call 651206-8307. 5-1-F

JD 317 SKIDLOADER, quick attach, 7,000 hrs, clean machine, newer tires. Call 320-630-5694. 5-1-F

DMI TIGERMATE 28’ FIELD CULT., $10,900. Call 320-290-2602. 4-4-F

Lynn Lee, Auctioneer 615-390-6312

Kyle Barton 518-821-2628

Macland Tatoo Rapa VG-86-VG-MS

Recently fresh and LOOKS GREAT! From the same family as on the Yoder, also selling is her 3.63G Type Hulu heifer!

(4) 3-PHASE 5 HP BULK MILK TANK COMPRESSORS, reasonable. Call 480-313-8460. 9-TFN-F

(40) POLYDOME CALF HUTS. Call 507-215-1827 for more info. 4-2-F

FUTURE COW BRUSH, A2 System brush, used 3 yrs., 200’ hose, box of extra brushes included, $10,000/ OBO. Call 608-548-7473. 4-2-F

WEAVERLINE FEED CARTS, new, rebuilt used, parts, service. Call Hobert Sales Inc., Cokato, MN 320286-6284. 19-TFN-B

NH BR770 ROUND BALER, crop cutter; Case 2188 combine, RWA. Call 218841-8723. 24-TFN-F

HEAVY DUTY 48” PALLET FORK, JD Euro mount. Call 608-994-2401. 16-TFN-B

40’ SHEAHAN MANURE AUGER, like new, exc. shape, $8,000; Hesston 12-wheel V-rake, $1,500.Call 712-330-7536. 19-TFN-F-2nd

HAY RACK, platforms on side, 9x18’, $2,500; Kewanee elevator, 56’, PTO lift. Call 320-247-2657. 7-TFN-F

150 AGRI PLASTIC CALF PENS; 35 Cozy Calf pens. Call 605-881-4576. 5-3-F

COMPLETE SWING-10 PARLOR, takeoffs, plate cooler, vacuum pump, 3,000 gal. bulk tank. Call 507-6763421. 2-4-F

Macland DL Stacie

Sired by Delta Lambda with a perfect udder, due in late June with a Magic female! A great young cow with so much promise.

MS MH Latenite Lasagna-Red NC

This special young cow sells and is just getting going as a young two-year-old. Watch for her Architect heifer that also is selling.

• $500 drawing for any successful Junior o their purchase!

• Multiple Jr. 2s all fresh and worth viewing by Jagger, Pharo, Hanans

• 12 March calves selling, 6 Dec calves! Terms and Financing available by Scott Culbertson 507-923-1881

PSI POWER WASHERS, Power Washers Hot/ Cold, Cabinet Parts Washers, Chemicals, Presoaks, Degreasers, Large Parts Inventory Shipped Same Day, On Site Service. Industrial, Commercial, Farm, Sales, Repair and Rental. “The Guys That Work Great Under Pressure” 1-800-5551677. Serving you from 3 locations: West Central MN Region – Pennock, MN Location, SW MN Region – Wilmont, MN Location, NW IA Region – Harrisburg, SD Location & Wilmont, MN Location, SE SD Region – Harrisburg, SD Location. 23-TFN-B

JD 115 STALK CHOPPER, very nice, $8,500; 8 row stalk stompers off CIH corn head; milker pump & jar; 200’ of 24” poly manger liner; Patz & Badger barn cleaner, complete w/chute & SS Patz manure pump cover & parts. Call 320-266-6878. 4-6-F

MUSTANG 960 SKID LOADER, nice cond., $10,500/obo; ‘17 Kuhn 153 Veri-Master 4-bottom rollover plow, $25,000. Call 608-479-2039. 20-TFN-F

IH 5088 TRACTOR, 4800 hrs., new tires, new cab interior. Call for pricing 320219-0061. 5-2-VM

RAT TERRIER-BORDER COLLIE CROSS PUPPIES, from good farm dog, $90/obo. Stop in 4969 Nightingale Ave., Northwood, IA 50459. 2-4-F

250’ OF BERG 16” CW GUTTER CHAIN, 8’16” gutter grates, like new; 530 Agrival feed cart. Call 320241-4314. 11-TFN-F

FORD 7740 TRACTOR; White 6-30 planter; Featherlite 16’ stock trailer. Call 320-223-5338. 3-3-F

‘04 TURBO CHARGED VW BEETLE CONVERTIBLE. Call 320-2504600. 20-TFN-F

ALLEY FANS, (5) 20”, 110 or 220V, Hero fanning mill, hand crank and motor, many screens. Call 507-766-9697. 5-2-F

CIH 1830 6R CULTIVATOR, like new, 18.4-38 clamp-on duals. Call 815947-2266. 5-2-VM

750 GAL. ZERO TANK, Surge 2” receiver panel, 5HP Masport pump. Call 763-268-9882. 5-1-F

Miscellaneous - WANTED

PULL-TYPE HAY CONDITIONER, Norwood, MN. Call 612-202-7944. 3-3-F-2nd

MASSEY FERGUSON

TRACTORS in need of repair of for salvage. Call 320282-6892. 1-6-B

LID FOR KNIGHT 8132

SLINGER SPREADER. Call 507-459-5201. 19-TFN-F

30-GALLON MILK PASTEURIZER for parts. Call 320-837-5360. 5-3-F

JD 7000 6 OR 8 ROW PLANTER & 6620 or 7720 combine. Call 320-7606050. 22-TFN-F

SET OF CULTIVATORS to t Massey Harris 33. Call 715-667-5272. 5-1-F

HOWARD 8’ ROTOCATOR TILLER. Call 320290-2602. 5-1-F

OLD HEATING FUEL AND DIESEL, can pump from basement. Call 320424-2005. 5-TFN-F

FARM BULK MILK COOLERS, all sizes. Call 319-330-2286. 10-24-P

WEIGHTS AND WEIGHT BAR FOR JD 5830 CHOPPER. Call 608723-2049. 23-TFN-F

SPRING TEETH for IHC C cultivator; wheel hub for IHC 56 corn planter, right side. Call 715-822-2678. 14-TFN-F

NH D1000 LARGE SQ. BALER. Call 320-2902602. 5-1-F

5 OR 7 STALL WOOD CALF HUTCH in good condition. Also, cast iron eet farm drinking cups. Call 320-894-0351. 5-3-F

Macland DL on the Yoder-ET VG-85 VG-MS

Sells due with a Hulu Female in August and her March Dropbox, 1st choice of 12 Pazzle females, 2 sets of Embryos!

Macland Kdoc E Button VG-87 VG-MS Button sells due in August to Magic! A very special cow and her EX-94 Doc dam also sells.

VG-86 VG-MS

Jeff Borchert Inventory Reduction Auction

Friday, May 10th 2024 - 9:30 AM- Onsite & Online

1270 Business Park Dr Mineral Point, Wisconsin, 53565, USA

Case W20 Wheel Loader, D, Cab/H, Dual Stick Controls, Runs & Operates, Former Municipal Machine - Caterpillar Crawler Loader, D, Orops Canopy, Runs &

Operates - 2001 Peterbilt 330 Cab Chassis Truck, Cat Diesel, Single Axle, Manual Trans, Air Ride, Air Brakes, 292,556 Miles - 2002 Peterbilt 330 Cab Chassis Truck, Cat Diesel, Single Axle, Manual Trans, Air Ride, Air Brakes, 314,955 Miles - 2005

International 7600 6×4 Dump Truck, Diesel, Tandem Axle, Pusher Axle, 16’ Dump Body, Front & Wing Plow, Nice Truck - Woods 9180RD Flew Wing Finish Mower, 540 PTO, Hyd Fold, 1995- Stoughton 48’ Van Trailer2007 Great Dane 48’ Van Trailer - 53’ Van Trailer - Much More To Come

Please Check Our Website For Updates Leading Up To The Auction! www.powersauction.com We Will See You There!

110 E Murray St Browntown WI 53522

Office: 608-439-5761 - Mike Powers: (608) 214-5761

ILLINOIS

Cissna Park, IL

Kaeb Sales, Inc. (815) 457-2649

IOWA

NORTH DAKOTA

Western Farm Sales, Inc. (701) 742-2348 Oakes, ND

Cliffs, Inc (920) 348-5153 Friesland, WI

Don & Leo Wille Construction, LLC (563) 252-2034

Garnavillo, IA

MINNESOTA

SOUTH DAKOTA

Farmers’ Implement, LLC (262) 629-4104

Pipestone, MN

Gorter’s Clay & Diary Equip. of MN, Inc (507) 825-3271

Hartung Sales & Service, Inc. (320) 836-2697

Freeport, MN

Hobert Sales, Inc (320) 286-6284

Cokato, MN

Mid-Central Equipment, Inc (218) 583-2931

Henning, MN

River Valley Sales, LLC (507) 523-3491

Lewiston, MN

Faribault, MN

Story Sales & Service, Inc (507) 334-3724

Fieber Van’s Implement Inc (605) 753-9834

Watertown, SD

WISCONSIN

Anibas Silo & Equipment, Inc (715) 285-5317

Arkansaw, WI

Bindl Sales & Service, Inc. (608) 524-6339

Reedsburg, WI

Carl F. Statz & Sons, Inc (608) 849-4101

Waunakee, WI

C. F. Heckmann Co. Inc. (920) 693-8717 Newton, WI