Farming in the Heartland Spring 2014 by southernminnesotashoppers

Supplement to The Freeborn & Mower County Shoppers/Tuesday, April 29, 2014/Page 20

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Farming in the Heartland An Agricultural, Farming & Rural Development Supplement Covering Freeborn County, Mower County & Surrounding Areas

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Sam Kain, ALC, National Sales Manager at 1-800-798-4509 www.FarmersNational.com www.bauerbuilt.com

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SPRING 2014

Supplement to The Freeborn & Mower County Shoppers/Tuesday, April 29, 2014/Page 2

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Supplement to The Freeborn & Mower County Shoppers/Tuesday, April 29, 2014/Page 19

6M SERIES UTILITY TRACTORS

FIELD.

105 to 170 hp engines †

STRONGEST

IN THEIR

From material handling to planting, seeding and tillage, the John Deere 6M and 6R Series Tractors Belle Plaine, MN MN Efficient PowerTech™ Owatonna, (105–210 hp†) are big machines thatHollandale, can handle big challenges. enginesMN offer high Hwy torque 169 and Blvd fuel economy. Multiple IVT™ transmissions 1051 Old WestPowerQuad™, Hwy 251AutoQuad™ and 3555 SW 18th are St available, with operator stations built(507) for comfort and control. And during Deere you’ll get (952) 873-2224 889-4221 (507)Season, 451-4054 special financing or cash discounts.

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Manufacturer’s estimate of power (ISO) per 97/68/EC. From material handling to planting, seeding and tilla † (105–210 hp ) are big machines that can handle big c high torque and fuel economy. Multiple PowerQua with stations built for comfort an 6R SERIES UTILITY 6M SERIES UTILITY TRACTORS From material handling to planting, seeding andTRACTORS tillage, the John available, Deere 6M andoperator 6R Series Tractors † 105 to 210 hp engines 105 to 170 hp† engines special financing or cash discounts. (105–210 hp†) are big machines that can handle big challenges. Efficient PowerTech™ engines offer †

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high torque and fuel economy. Multiple PowerQuad™, AutoQuad™ and IVT™ transmissions are available, with operator stations built for handling comfortto and control. duringtheDeere Season, you’ll get Tractors From material planting, seedingAnd and tillage, John Deere 6M and 6R Series † (105–210 hp ) are big machines that can handle big challenges. Efficient PowerTech™ engines offer special financing or cash discounts. From material handling to planting, high torque and fuel economy. Multiple PowerQuad™, AutoQuad™ and IVT™ transmissions are seeding and tillage, Deere 6M available, with operator stations built for comfort and control. And duringthe DeereJohn Season, you’ll get and 6R Series Tractors (105–210 hp†) • Built strong from thespecial corefinancing or cash discounts. are big machines that can handle big • Produces all bale sizes challenges. Efficient PowerTech™ engines • Designed for silage customers, hobby farmers offer high torque and fuel economy. Multiple PowerQuad™, AutoQuad™ and and commercial operators BETTER HAY STARTS WITH BETTER EQUIPMENT. IVT™ transmissions are available, with operator stations built for comfort and control. And during Deere Season, you’ll 6M SERIES UTILITY TRACTORS financing or cash discounts. 9 SERIES ROUND BALERS 105 toget 170special hp† engines

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Supplement to The Freeborn & Mower County Shoppers/Tuesday, April 29, 2014/Page 18

Supplement to The Freeborn & Mower County Shoppers/Tuesday, April 29, 2014/Page 3

The Professional's Choice

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B&D Metal Works, Inc. Brett and Dynette Niebuhr

Custom Metal Work Especially for you.

Elkton 105 Main St., Elkton, MN 55933 (507) 584-6441 Adams 15 4th St. NW, Adams, MN 55909 (507) 582-3448 Dexter 235 S. Main St., Dexter, MN 55926 (507) 584-6441 Rose Creek 61255 170th St., Rose Creek, MN 55970 (507) 437-4678

BE READY.

Entanglement with overhead power lines and farm equipment is one of the most common electrical hazards on the farm. Many types of farm equipment can come in contact with overhead power lines. Tractors with front-end loaders, portable grain augers, fold-up planters, dump truck beds and sprayer booms are all examples of equipment that can easily get caught in overhead power lines.

Recommendations:

• L OOK UP! before moving or transporting equipment especially around buildings, grain bins or entrance/exiting fields and farms. • P ower lines should be at least 18 feet above the highest point of grain bin with which portable augers or other portable filling equipment are used. • C onsidering burying electric lines to reduce the risk of accidental contact.

• General Machining • Large & Small Machining • Steel & Rebar Sales • Hydraulic Hoses • Bolts • MIG Welding • TIG Welding • Portable On-Site Welding

www.bdmetalworks.com • bdmetalworks@bevcomm.net (507) 553-6388 Fax (507) 553-6387

Overhead Power Lines

• R emember some equipment during transportation is actually taller than when in use. • A nother thing you need to be careful of is bumping into the guide wires on electrical poles. This will cause sagging in the overhead lines and will make entanglement more likely.

15897 St. Hwy 22, P.O Box 206, Wells, MN 56097

• A lways stay alert and never take unnecessary risks.

SPECIALIZING IN SEPTIC SYSTEMS DESIGN~INSTALLATION~SEEDING

• Conservation Construction • Land Drainage • Wildlife Ponds • Road Boring • Backhoeing • Consulting

If your equipment becomes entangled in power lines, stay in the tractor or truck unless the tractor or truck starts on fire. Jump as far from the tractor as possible but land on both feet. Then hop with feet together to get to safety! If on fire, contact 911…if you are staying in the vehicle, contact FMCS Operations at 800-734-6421.

PHILLIP OR MARK MORREIM

71610 263rd St. • Albert Lea • Office (507) 826-3449 Marks Cell (507) 383-6550 or Phil’s Cell (507) 330-1889

We Depend on 0ur Farmers!

From the feedlot to the pasture, the Case IH Farmall® C series tractors help you do more. Available in a range of rugged models, all with efficient Tier 4A-compliant engines, the Farmall C lets you go the distance on less fuel. Industry-leading comfort increases your productivity by reducing operator fatigue. Choose models ranging from 75C – 115C, with available options and transmission upgrades to get a workhorse ready to take on all your tasks. Learn more at caseih.com.

lawn & garden 07

2014 Farm Family of the Year Paul & Linda Lynne & Family

Freeborn County 2014 Farm Family of the Year Paul & Linda Lynne Named Farm Family of the Year

125 years. They raise corn, soybeans and raised farrow to finish for over 35 years on 320 acres. Paul has actively farmed since 1974.

The Albert Lea – Freeborn County Chamber of Commerce Agriculture Committee recently recognized Paul and Linda Lynne of rural Harland as their 2014 Farm Family of the Year. The award is given annually in partnership with the University of Minnesota Extension Service and is awarded at the Chamber’s annual Agriculture Lunch.

Having raised three children, Paul and Linda have been very active in 4-H. Each of them has served as a leader for the organization. They are also very involved with their church. Paul served nine years as treasurer and Linda as a Sunday school teacher. They also have five grandchildren.

The Lynnes live on a farm that has been recognized as a century farm and has been in operation for over

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Supplement to The Freeborn & Mower County Shoppers/Tuesday, April 29, 2014/Page 4

Supplement to The Freeborn & Mower County Shoppers/Tuesday, April 29, 2014/Page 17

New Farm Bill Offers Increased Opportunities For Producers The Farm Bill expands lending opportunities for thousands of farmers and ranchers to begin and continue operations, including greater flexibility in determining eligibility, raising loan limits, and emphasizing beginning and socially disadvantaged producers. Changes that will take effect immediately include:

Adam J. Gritz USDA Farm Service Agency Fillmore County Farm Loan Manager

“This is a great update for Minnesota producers.” The 2014 Farm Bill offers increased opportunities for producers including farm loan program modifications that create flexibility for new and existing farmers. A fact sheet outlining modifications to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) Farm Loan Programs is available at www.fsa.usda.gov

• Elimination of loan term limits for guaranteed operating loans. • Modification of the definition of beginning farmer, using the average farm size for the county as a qualifier instead of the median farm size. • Modification of the Joint Financing Direct Farm Ownership Interest Rate to 2 percent less than regular Direct Farm Ownership rate, with a floor of 2.5 percent. Previously, the rate was established at 5 percent.

Farm Safety

• Increase of the maximum loan amount for Direct Farm Ownership down payments from $225,000 to $300,000.

Kirk W. Phelps USDA Farm Service Agency Mower County Executive Director

• Elimination of rural residency requirement for Youth Loans, allowing urban youth to benefit.

Flowing grain in a storage bin or gravity-flow wagon can be fatal. It takes less than five seconds for a

• Debt forgiveness on Youth Loans, which will not prevent borrowers from obtaining additional loans from the federal government.

person caught in flowing grain to be trapped. The mechanical aspects of grain handling equipment, also presents a real danger. Augers, power take offs, and other moving parts can grab people or clothing.

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These hazards, along with pinch points and missing shields, are dangerous enough for adults; not to mention children. It is always advisable to keep children a safe distance from operating farm equipment. Always use extra cau-

15330 580th Avenue Wells, MN 56097 Mower-Freeborn

tion when backing or maneuvering farm machinery. Ensure everyone is visibly clear and accounted for before machinery is engaged. FSA wants all farmers to have a productive crop year, and that begins with putting safety first.

Co FARMING edition

507-391-4472 mark@nowakagconsulting.com

Mark Nowak

• Increase of the guarantee amount on Conservation Loans from 75 to 80 percent and 90 percent for socially disadvantaged borrowers and beginning farmers.

Contact me for the following services:

• Financial Analysis • Ratio Analysis • Cash Flow Plans • Ultra Farm Record Keeping • Marketing Strategies

Nowak Ag Consulting Helping farmers succeed in South Central Minnesota for over 40 years

• Microloans will not count toward loan term limits for veterans and beginning farmers.

Find out why a Northland building is your best value in post-frame construction! We’ve been building agricultural buildings for 20 years! Trust in our experience and quality!

Additional modifications must be implemented through the rulemaking processes.Visit the FSA Farm Bill website for detailed information and updates to farm loan programs.

Local Sales Consultants

Dave Baldner, Austin Steve Schwebke, Fairmont Built on your level site.

See Us for Your Next

AGRICULTURE LOAN

• Operating Lines • Farm Land Loans • Farm Equipment • Local Approval • Flexible Terms • Competitive Rates Albert Lea 437 Bridge St. 373-1481

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Emmons 201 Main St. 297-5461

1-800-590-4206 or 641-592-4206 LAKE MILLS FOREST CITY BUFFALO CENTER MAPLE ISLAND

Offering you today’s technology at your fingertips - www.ffmbank.com

Supplement to The Freeborn & Mower County Shoppers/Tuesday, April 29, 2014/Page 16

Supplement to The Freeborn & Mower County Shoppers/Tuesday, April 29, 2014/Page 5

The Sustainable Solutions at Our Feet

Reserve your spot in our 2014 Fall Issue of “Farming in the Heartland” Call one of our sales reps for more information Albert Lea Office 507-373-1310 Austin Office 507-437-7731

PO BOX 87 • Lansing, MN 55950 Cell: (507) 438-9646 Home: (507) 433-6784

Congratulations to The Freeborn County Fair and the

Freeborn County Shopper We make a great team!

Winner of the Minnesota Federation of County Fairs - Best Premium Book The Freeborn County Fair Board and The Freeborn County Shopper have been teaming up to publish the Fair Premium Book each year for over 20 years. Norm Fredin from the Fair Board has accepted the awards and and would like to congratulate Julia Thompson, President of Southern Minnesota Shoppers and Shelly Peterson, Composition Manager at the Freeborn County.

Dave Thompson Broker/Auctioneer iauctionitall@gmail.com ThompsonAuctionService.com

Fairs & Festivals

NORTH IOWA FAIR, MASON CITY, IA July 9-13 2014 • www.northiowaeventscenter.org RICE COUNTY FAIR, FARIBAULT, MN July 15-20 2014 • www.ricecountyfair.net WASECA COUNTY FREE FAIR, WASECA, MN July 16-20, 2014 • www.wasecacountyfair.org

By Ron Nichols of the USDA – NRCS

food security in a growing world.

To meet the growing sustainability challenges of the 21st Century, USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service is reminding people that many of the solutions are right at our feet — in the soil.

4. There are fewer acres of land to grow the food we need. Globally, millions of acres of cropland are lost to development or resource degradation.

Here are the top five reasons NRCS says you should “root” for soil health: 5. A lot of people are coming to dinner. We all rely on the soil for our food and fiber. By the year 2050, an estimated 9 billion people will join us at Earth’s dinner table, meaning we’ll have to grow as much food in the next 40 years as we have in the past 500. The Soil Health Solution: Improving soil health increases the productivity and function of our soil (including nutrient uptake to plants), which offers increased

The Soil Health Solution: Improving soil health naturally can protect our working lands from erosion and desertification and ensure that our food-producing acres stay fertile and productive. 3. Weather extremes like drought and climate change pose increasing food production challenges. The Soil Health Solution: Healthy soil is more resilient soil, with greater infiltration and water-holding capacity, which make farms more resistant to periods of drought. And since it holds more water, healthy soil helps reduce flooding during periods of intense rainfall.

2. There is growing competition for water and other food production resources — and many resources are limited (or in some cases finite) in their supply. The Soil Health Solution: Healthy soils help optimize those inputs and maximize nutrient use efficiency. In addition, healthy soil keeps production inputs like fertilizers and pesticides on the land and out of our streams, lakes and oceans.

maintaining or increasing production and improving their bottom lines. Meet some of those farmers. In fact, there are many more reasons why soil health is important to all of us. Learn more about the basics and benefits of soil health and how NRCS is helping our nation’s farmers “Unlock the Secrets in the Soil.”

1. We can repair and rebuild it. For years, it was believed that a certain amount of cropland soil erosion was inevitable. The Soil Health Solution: By using conservation techniques like cover crops, no-till and diverse crop rotations, an increasing number of farmers are proving that we can build our soils — and, in some instances, increase soil organic matter by as much as 3-4 percent. In the process, farmers are actually using less energy,

OLMSTED COUNTY FREE FAIR, ROCHESTER, MN July 21 - 27, 2014 • www.olmstedcountyfair.com FREEBORN COUNTY FAIR, ALBERT LEA, MN July 29 - Aug. 3, 2014 • www.freeborncountyfair.com

ALBERT LEA LOCATION

FREE DOT INSPECTION

MOWER COUNTY FREE FAIR, AUSTIN, MN August 5-10, 2014 • www.mowercountyfair.com

Stay Safe & Compliant!

STEELE COUNTY FREE FAIR, OWATONNA, MN Aug. 12-17 2014 • www.scff.org KERNEL DAYS • Aug 15, 2014 - Aug 16, 2014 Half Moon Park, Wells, MN | Call: 507-553-6450 Faribault Heritage Celebration • June 18-22, 2014 www.faribaultheritagedays.com Farm America Fall Fair • Sept 13 & 14 Waseca, MN | www.farmamerica.org/fall-fair Minnesota Renaissance Festival • Aug. 16 - Sept. 28th http://www.renaissancefest.com/

BIG ISLAND RENDEZVOUS AND FESTIVAL, Albert Lea, MN www.bigislandfestivalandbbq.org/Rendezvous/rendezvous.htm

Call to make your appointment now 507-379-2939 One per customer. Coupon required at time of service. Expires 6/30/14.

HOLLERUD AUCTION CO. BUYING OR SELLING FARM LAND OR ACREAGE? Call Art Hollerud (507) 433-3392 OR (507) 438-1090

Chris & Holly Dahl

Ag Chemicals - Gold Country & LG Seeds - Liquid Fertilizer - Seed Tenders - Nurse Trailers - Enduraplas Poly Tanks - Traeger Grills 27296 730th Ave. 507-826-3463 or 507-383-4931 Albert Lea, MN 56007 www.dahlfarmsupply.com

Supplement to The Freeborn & Mower County Shoppers/Tuesday, April 29, 2014/Page 6

Supplement to The Freeborn & Mower County Shoppers/Tuesday, April 29, 2014/Page 15

4-H Proud in Mower County and Freeborn County By Kristin Krell, Mower County 4-H Program Coordinator

Shop from the Largest Selection and Lowest Price of Carhartt in the Area

New Styles Arriving Daily 308 West Main Street Adams, MN

SKYLINE

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R & S Grain Systems, Inc. Manufacturing & Fabrication

25863 650th Ave., Dexter, MN 55926 Phone: 507-584-6794 • Fax: 507-584-6634 • rsgrain.com

We Have on Hand:

Belts • Bearings • Electric Motors • Nuts & Bolts Hubs • Pulleys • Dodge Gear Drives • Roller Chain We can help you with all of your livestock equipment needs! 507-553-6544 | Hwy. 22 South | Wells, MN 56097

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In 4-H, youth design and participate in their own programs and activities with guidance and support of amazing leaders, volunteers and parents. The youth who are actively engaged in MN 4-H have significantly better grades than other youth and have a higher level of volunteering compared to the national average (2009 University of Minnesota Extension study of youth programs in Minnesota). With the 4-H motto, “To make the best better” and learn-by- doing philosophy, youth learn skills that can be used throughout their entire lives. Today Minnesota 4-H can be found in all parts of the state; urban areas, suburban regions and rural communities. In 2013, over 65,000 Minnesota youth participated in an Extension Youth Development program, representing all areas of the state:

• 25% Farm • 36% Rural/Town (under 10,000) • 33% Town/Cities (10,000-50,000) • 4% Suburb • 2% Cities over 50,000

Mower and Freeborn County combined have 796 youth actively enrolled in 4-H and 208 adult volunteers! Over 65% of the youth and volunteers live on a farm or in a rural community. Whether youth are building rockets, raising dairy cows, or writing musical plays, 4-H gives them the skills they need to succeed in life.Youth in kindergarten through one year past high school can participate. - extension.umn.edu. Contact your local Extension Office for more information. Mower County 507-437-9552, Kristin Krell 4-H Program Coordinator. Freeborn County 507-377-5660, Megan Thorson and Amy Wadding 4-H Program Coordinators.

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4-H is a learn-by-doing youth development program delivered throughout Minnesota. - extension.umn.edu

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Specializing in Post Frame and Steel Frame Buildings

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Would like to remind all our area farmers to be alert to the dangers and practice farm safety this season!

and

Supplement to The Freeborn & Mower County Shoppers/Tuesday, April 29, 2014/Page 14

Supplement to The Freeborn & Mower County Shoppers/Tuesday, April 29, 2014/Page 7

FFA Day at the Capitol On Thursday, March 27th the Albert Lea FFA chapter took eight members to FFA Day at the Capitol. While they were there, we listened speakers talk about their agricultural background. During that time, the FFA students also learned about the proper way to talk to legislators and learned about all that they do in a day's work. Once the speakers were finished, the students got to explore the Capitol, sit in on committee meetings and take time to meet with our local Legislators and Representatives. The chapter was also able to meet with Senator Dan Sparks and talk with him about his and the student's ties to agriculture and their personal experiences with FFA. The students discussed their Career Development Events (CDE’s) and how that involved them in their chapter.

Albert Lea FFA Alumni Number of FFA Alumni Members: 30 Chartered in September 2001 Albert Lea FFA Alumni President: Ms. Amy Wadding Albert Lea FFA Advisor: Mr. Kim Meyer The Albert Lea FFA Alumni supports their local FFA chapter in many ways; some include assisting with chapter officer interviews, transporting FFA members to events, chaperoning events, providing funds for transportation, give three scholarships to graduating senior members, and act as local advocates for the program. Some of their favorite events are their hamburger feed and Ag Appreciation meal. The alumni chapter hosts a hamburger night where FFA members were able to sell fruit to the guests and all of the proceeds from the event goes towards new T-shirts for all Albert Lea FFA members. On National Ag Day they celebrate the success of agriculture in conjunction with their annual meeting usually with an ice cream social or soup and pie event.

•Fertilizer •Seed •Grain •Feed •Chemicals • Soil Sampling Grand Meadow 507.754.5125 Ostrander 507.657.2236

Leroy 507.324.5347 Elkton 507.754.5041 Spring Valley 507.346.7261

Wykoff 507-352-5281 Chester, Iowa 563-565-2415

Alumni Affiliate President Amy Wadding estimates that the alumni impacts 70-75 FFA members in the Albert Lea FFA Chapter. They are able to reach this large amount of students by the activities listed above and scheduling a yearly meeting with the school superintendent to stress the importance of FFA and the FFA Alumni and to share plans for the year.

Pictured left to right back row: Senator Dan Sparks, Brianna Opdahl, Madalynn Thostenson, Taylor Willis, Krystal Viktora, Marissa Oakland. Left to right front row: Amanda Bera, Lizzy Silva, Ali Hagen, Kim Meyer

“Professional Auctioneering - It’s What We Do”

Call me for all your auction needs. Col. Frank Fox, Cell: 641-420-3243

www.foxauctioncompany.com

Central Co-op

507-583-6661

If you have friends/family/contacts in the Albert Lea Area that are interested in joining the Albert Lea FFA Alumni please contact President Amy Wadding at mads0150@umn.edu

NEW STYLES ARRIVING DAILY

CPS Mansfield

Mansfield, MN 507-265-3251 | Kiester, MN 507-294-3238

See us for Quality Seed, Chemicals and Fertilizer to meet the needs of your operation.

DEKALB • Asgrow • Dyna-Gro DIESEL REPAIR • TRAILER REPAIR

IDWEST DIESEL

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GARY LETENDRE

24 Hour Emergency Service

Authorized Dealer

I 90 EXIT 178 A 2409 - 4TH STREET NW AUSTIN, MN 55912

Contact James Becvar at 507.438.7676 or james@centurypipe.com or jbnme2341@gmail.com for more information.

Locations in Algona, Albert Lea, Morris, and Sac City. www.suidaehp.com

Largest Selection in the area. Infant to Adult. Thank Your for Shopping Our Locally Family Owned Business Since 1956!

FLEET FARM SUPPLY OF ALBERT LEA, INC. 310 Main Court • Phone 373-7067 • Albert Lea, MN

Holiday Hours: Mon.-Fri. 8:00-8:00, Sat. 8:00-5:00, Sun. 12:00-4:00

Supplement to The Freeborn & Mower County Shoppers/Tuesday, April 29, 2014/Page 8

Supplement to The Freeborn & Mower County Shoppers/Tuesday, April 29, 2014/Page 13

SEPTIC PUMPING

P&L Excavating Make the Most of Your Farmland Investment

• Compliance Inspection • Pumping & Maintenance • Install & Design • Snow Removal • Excavating & Demo

Kyle: 507-383-3385

• Licensed & Insured • Free Bids • Locally Owned

Forrie: 507-319-6664

MN License #3133

Farmland Sales & Acquisitions • Farm Auctions Appraisals • Professional Farm Management

www.cornpalaceagcenter.com 121 3rd St. NE, New Richland, MN 56072 507-465-3320 Parts

Serving the Midwest for over 68 years. 2800 4th St. SW, Suite 7 Mason City, IA 50401

641.423.9531

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Machine Control

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Equipment

Rentals

See us for all your LP Gas needs

Albert Lea, MN

77847 209th Street

We do installation, leak detection, and testing We can help with your fertilizer and chemical needs. We also offer variable rate fertilizer.

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Supplement to The Freeborn & Mower County Shoppers/Tuesday, April 29, 2014/Page 12

Supplement to The Freeborn & Mower County Shoppers/Tuesday, April 29, 2014/Page 9

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Bring the heat and cook your pork like a steak – medium or medium rare for a tender, juicy, delicious chop every time. Find ideas like this “Sweet Fire” Porterhouse Pork Chop at PorkBeInspired.com Freeborn County Pork Producers Association ©2014 National Pork Board, Des Moines, IA USA. This message funded by America’s Pork Producers and the Pork Checkoff.

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Supplement to The Freeborn & Mower County Shoppers/Tuesday, April 29, 2014/Page 10

Supplement to The Freeborn & Mower County Shoppers/Tuesday, April 29, 2014/Page 11

Planting Lessons From A Year Ago gave us pause, but the dreaded 4 to 7 day forecast which included two four-letter words that every kernel of corn hates to hear-snow and cold.

Mike Merten, CCA Pioneer Sales Professional I’m sure you all remember the events from a year ago when we struggled with the decision whether to plant corn in a short window of warm temperatures (soil and air) during the last few days of April. As I recall, we had beautiful weather over the weekend of the 27th and 28th and woke Monday morning asking “should I plant or not”. It wasn’t the current conditions that

So we all did what we are accustomed to doing-call our trusted seed corn dealer or favorite agronomist and get the latest advice. Last week’s or last year’s advice didn’t matter. What should I do today? Generally, the consensus was to hold off. Planting ahead of cold rain, snow, and freezing temperatures will put the seed through a variety of stresses that will cause uneven emergence, poor germination, corkscrewed coleoptiles, seed deterioration, seedling diseases, and runt stalks and ears. When the seed kernel imbibes cold water, the material surrounding the germ is brittle and inflexible, and will crack letting in pathogens that are harmful to the emerging early plant structures. So then after several weeks of waiting for the rows to fill in, doing stand counts, digging up seed, and

Mower County Farm Family of the Year

talking to the crop insurance agent, it’s very possible we’d have to replant the field. Well, I could go on and on, but you get the picture. We’ve all heard the story. And I passed it on to all my customers that called me that morning or stopped by to visit. So, what did I do? I loaded the planter and started planting. We covered around 120 acres that afternoon and the next morning (we weren’t in a hurry because we only wanted to put a certain number of acres at risk). Like always, there were some bugs to work out with the planter, monitor, autosteer, insecticide system, fertilizer plumbing and such. But by Tuesday noon I had finished the first field and we decided to hold off and see what the weather would bring. Remember Thursday morning May the 2nd? Twelve inches (give or take a few) of new snow. Wow!

During the days prior to this planting window I was taking regular soil temperature readings in the morning and emailing them to my customers. We had a nice trend of higher readings giving us, little by little, more confidence that spring had sprung. But this snowy morning I sent one more email with the statement “You’re kidding, you want me to get a reading this morning?” Then like a trooper, I went out to my field with a snow shovel and dug through the snow and took the reading. “36 degrees at 2 inches”, I wrote. “Does anyone know where I can get 4,476,000 little jackets for my babies?” (Doing the math, that’s 120 acres @ 37,300 seeds per acre).

just as easily had been the worst field (or needed replanting) if things hadn’t worked out as they did. To begin with the soil was warm for a couple of days after we planted the field before the snow came. This gave the kernels time to absorb somewhat warm moisture to get the germination process started. Then after the snow, we had a stretch of warm weather which melted the snow quickly and warmed the soil shortly after. I did lose

Well, jumping forward about five months as we were harvesting the field, I couldn’t help but ask myself what went right? It was the best yielding field we had harvested all year. As I look back at the decisions made that late April Monday morning, I think it could

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a little stand but I had set the population up a notch in anticipation of this so the final stand was adequate for a high yield.

Bob and Janet Neuvirth accepted the Mower County Farm Family of the Year Award on behalf of the entire Neuvirth Family

So the lesson learned? Don’t plant just ahead of a snow storm, but a few days ahead is okay. And a little luck with the weather doesn’t hurt either. I still ask myself how many years out of ten would the outcome be this good?

In 1972, Rick’s grandfather Frank Neuvirth began the family farm after moving his family from Milan, MI to Elkton, MN. After Frank, the farm was passed to Rick’s parents, Bob and Janet Neuvirth. Rick, the oldest of five children, began farming with his parents at an early age and added hogs to the existing crop farm when he graduated high school. In 1979 he married Margaret. Today Neuvirths have a hog and crop farm. They grow corn, soybeans, and hay. They also raise a few chickens and cattle. Rick’s parents Bob and Janet have semi retired, but still help in many ways. Rick and Margaret have five children and three grandchildren. Sons Brian and Tim have now joined the farming operation. Tim’s wife Michelle works part time on the farm. Their son Wesley will someday help out. Son Nick, daughter Michele, her husband

Probably just one.

Dan, and their children Grant and Grace, and daughter Donna and her husband Andy Johnson help when they can. Rick, Brian, and Tim are very involved in MN Pork Producers, Sacred Heart

Church and 4-H. Margaret is active with religion classes at St. Peter’s Church and the local 4-H program. Brian is also involved in the community by being the 4-H Swine Superintendent and volunteering at church activities.

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