A S P E C I A L S U P P L E M E N T T O T H E H U R O N D A I LY T R I B U N E
March 13, 2021
2
SATURDAY, MARCH 13, 2021
michigansthumb.com
Thumb Farmer
Agricultural equipment on the road – how to avoid collisions Farmers Co-operative Grain Company
338 Main Street • Kinde 989-874-4200 Weekdays 8 am - 4 pm • Saturdays 8 am - 12 noon www.kindecoop.com
Fertilizer, Chemicals, Feed, Grain, Lumber, Hardware: 989-874-4200
Fuel:
989-874-4800
Feed & Lumber: 989-874-4200
Agronomy:
Matt 989-553-2962 Scott 989-551-2292 Jeff 989-551-2291 Lenny 989-553-5239 Since 1914
Stop By Our Cass City Location on the Corner of M-53 & Bay City/ Forestville Road 989-872-4595 Hours: Mon. - Fri. 8 - 5
JAMES CARRABBA Agricultural Safety Specialist, NYCAMH; Farm News Media One of the more hazardous things farmers do is travel over the road with tractors and equipment. NYCAMH works with many different farms, and roadway travel is a problem that many of these producers have recognized as being their most significant safety issue. Farm equipment is becoming wider and longer. Farm size is increasing and so is the amount of time spent traveling on roadways from field to field. Something that farmers can do to help make their roadway
travel safer is to make sure that all agricultural machinery travelling over the road is properly lighted and marked. Farm equipment usually moves 25 miles per hour or less in areas where the speed limit may be posted at 55 mph. A motorist going at 55 mph on the highway approaching farm equipment at 15 mph can be on the equipment in less than 7 seconds (while traveling 400 feet). This does not give the motorist much time to react. According to the National Safety Council, roadway collisions that involve farm vehicles on U.S. roads total more than 15,000 per year.
Don Plester Tiling, LLC • Top Quality Service • Competitive Pricing • Complete Line of Excavation
Grateful for our farmers for their continued support.
DON PLESTER TILING, L.L.C.
6265 PUVALOWSKI RD • RUTH, MI 48470
(989) 479-9093
More than two-thirds of these collisions involve the farm vehicle being hit from behind, but collisions can also occur during left turns or by sideswipes. Over 90% of these collisions occur in the daylight and on dry roads. How do you stay visible and safe during road travel with farm equipment? • Use reflective strips to show the size of farm equipment. Mark the extremities of the equipment. • Use flashers and turn signals to indicate your location and intentions. • SMV emblem: All implements of husbandry designed to operate at 25 mph or less must display the SMV at all times on highways. It should be in the center of the rear of the machine, 2 to 6 feet above the ground. • The SMV emblem needs to be kept clean and should be replaced when faded. • In New York, each piece of agricultural equipment, whether self-propelled or used in combination, shall separately display a SMV emblem. • It is illegal to use SMV emblems as driveway or mailbox markers. This misuse confuses the meaning of the SMV emblem, which leads to its loss of effectiveness as a warning device. See COLLISIONS page 3
michigansthumb.com
Thumb Farmer
SATURDAY, MARCH 13, 2021
COLLISIONS Continued from page 2
• Replace an SMV emblem that becomes dirty, broken or faded; it is ineffective and illegal. New SMV emblems can be reflective up to 1,200 feet. • Check your SMV emblem, marking tape and lights before road travel. Make sure all lights are in working order. • Consider an escort vehicle if moving large equipment on the road. • Stay in your lane with your agricultural equipment. If you pull over to let other vehicles pass you, only do that when you can safely pull all your equipment off the roadway. Never wave
them on or signal them to pass you, you could be held liable if they get into a crash while passing you.
• Many farmers have told us, whenever possible, they try not to operate over the roadways after dark or when visibility is poor. After dark or in times of poor visibility, roadway travel becomes much more hazardous for slow moving tractors and equipment. If your farm has fields along busy roadways, determine if it would be possible to put service roads in your fields. In some cases, field service roads could eliminate the need for operating your equipment on the public roadway.
According to the National Safety Council, roadway collisions that involve farm vehicles on U.S. roads total more than 15,000 per year. More than two-thirds of these collisions involve the farm vehicle being hit from behind, but collisions can also occur during left turns or by sideswipes. Over 90% of these collisions occur in the daylight and on dry roads. (Courtesy photo via Michigan Farm News)
3
4
SATURDAY, MARCH 13, 2021
michigansthumb.com
Thumb Farmer
Environmental Tillage Systems Launches New Strip-Tillage System — The SoilWarrior Edge FARM NEWS MEDIA Environmental Tillage Systems is releasing a new three-point mounted striptill system, the SoilWarrior Edge. The system offers the same precision strip-tillage and nutrient placement growers and custom applicators have come to expect from ETS. The SoilWarrior Edge combines the durability and versatility of a SoilWarrior system with a tractor mounted three-point system designed for primary tillage and zone freshening. Operators can adjust the system easily from their tractor cab, such as switching from 12 to 16 rows or changing row unit down pressure. Designed with transportation safety in mind, the SoilWarrior Edge toolbar double folds, utilizing a six-row
center section compared to an eight-row center section found on other toolbars. According to Brent Brueland, ETS vice president, what stands out most to growers and custom applicators about the SoilWarrior Edge is its customizability. “The Edge’s row unit is very adaptable. You can utilize a shank or coulter row or a combination. It does the same thing as two row units but in one,” Brueland said. “If an operator has a different brand of tillage equipment and wants to replace their row units with ours, they can because the SoilWarrior Edge is built for all standard toolbars. It also has the capability to apply multiple, different fertilizers — dry, liquid and NH3 — and from different sources: pull-behind carts or tractor
Bushey Farm Tiling Caseville, MI
Owner and Operator Jed Bushey – 3rd generation
The SoilWarrior Edge is the company's new three-point mounted strip-tillage system, delivering durability and versatility for primary tillage and zone freshening. (Courtesy Photo via Michigan Farm News) mounted.” Putting it to the test Among reasons for developing the SoilWarrior Edge was a demand from the field for a three-point-system, particularly by growers and
custom-tillage applicators who have become familiar with the capabilities and effectiveness of other SoilWarrior systems. One of those SoilWarrior users, Ty Fickenscher, owner of Upward Ag Services in Axtell, WƌŽƵĚ ƚŽ ďĞ Ă YͲϵϬϬϬ ĐĐƌĞĚŝƚĞĚ WƌŽĚƵĐĞƌ
ƐŬ LJŽƵƌ ůŽĐĂů ĚŝƐƚƌŝďƵƚŽƌ ĨŽƌ HELP YOUR DIESEL ENGINES LAST LONGER dŚƵŵď WƌĞŵŝƵŵ • ^ƵƉĞƌŝŽƌ ůƵďƌŝĐĂƚŝŽŶ ĨŽƌ LJŽƵƌ ĞŶŐŝŶĞ • ,ŝŐŚĞƌ ĐĞƚĂŶĞ ĨŽƌ ďĞƚƚĞƌ ƐƚĂƌƚƐ ŝŽĚŝĞƐĞů ďůĞŶĚƐ
Quality Installation Of 3”-15” Tile Aerial and GPS Mapping, Land Clearing, Steel Seawall Installation
989.550.8306
• DĞĞƚƐ ^dD ϲϳϱϭ 'ƌĂĚĞ ϭͲ ĨŽƌ ƚŚĞ ďĞƐƚ • ĐŽůĚ ǁĞĂƚŚĞƌ ƉĞƌĨŽƌŵĂŶĐĞ • • ZĞĚƵĐĞƐ ŚĂƌŵĨƵů ĞŵŝƐƐŝŽŶƐ • • ŝŽĚŝĞƐĞů ŝƐ ƌĞŶĞǁĂďůĞ • • ƉƉƌŽǀĞĚ ďLJ Ăůů ŵĂũŽƌ ĞŶŐŝŶĞ • ŵĂŶƵĨĂĐƚƵƌĞƌƐ • • ŝŽĚŝĞƐĞů ŝƐ ůŽĐĂůůLJ ƉƌŽĚƵĐĞĚ ǁŝƚŚ DŝĐŚŝŐĂŶ • ĨĞĞĚƐƚŽĐŬƐ •
DĂƌůĞƚƚĞ Kŝů ĂŶĚ 'ĂƐ ,ĂƌŵŽŶ Kŝů ŽŵƉĂŶLJ &ĂŝƌŐƌŽǀĞ Kŝů ĂŶĚ WƌŽƉĂŶĞ ŽŽƉĞƌĂƚŝǀĞ ůĞǀĂƚŽƌ ĂƐƐ ŝƚLJ Kŝů ĂŶĚ 'ĂƐ ů WĂƌƐĐŚ Kŝů ĂŶĚ WƌŽƉĂŶĞ WŚŝůůŝƉƐ Kŝů ŽŵƉĂŶLJ DŝĐŚŝŐĂŶ WĞƚƌŽůĞƵŵ
dŚƵŵď WƌĞŵŝƵŵ ŝŽĚŝĞƐĞů ŝƐ ƉƌŽĚƵĐĞĚ ůŽĐĂůůLJ ŝŶ ^ĂŶĚƵƐŬLJ͕ D/ ŽŶƚĂĐƚ ƵƐ Ăƚ ;ϴϭϬͿ ϰϬϰͲϮϰϲϲ Žƌ ŝŶĨŽΛƚŚƵŵďďŝŽĞŶĞƌŐLJ͘ĐŽŵ
>ŝŬĞ ƵƐ ŽŶ &ĂĐĞŬ͊
Neb., had the opportunity to participate in pre-commercial testing in 2020 with the SoilWarrior Edge. “We pushed the system during this season. We covered about 2,400 acres with it, which was about four times more than we planned to cover, and got into some really tough, dry conditions. It was very durable. The knives we used held up on those 2,400 acres we ran. On other systems, we run for 900 or 1,000 acres and have to switch the knives out,” Fickenscher said. Fickenscher also pointed to how he found the residue flow, as with previous SoilWarrior units he used, to be to his liking with no plugging issues, giving him the option to go across rows while running the system. See SOILWARRIOR page 5
michigansthumb.com
Thumb Farmer
SOILWARRIOR
THAYER Crop Insurance Agency, LLC
Continued from page 4
Building on innovative strip-till technology Like other SoilWarrior systems, the SoilWarrior Edge is a complete precision strip-till and nutrient placement system that combines the seedbed preparation of conventional tillage with the economic and environmental advantages of conservation tillage. This system helps minimize equipment passes, enables precise fertilizer placement, helps reduce soil erosion and improves soil health. A single SoilWarrior Edge can replace multiple implements including primary and secondary tillage equipment and fertilizer applicators. Capable of operating under a wide range of conditions, the SoilWarrior Edge produces superior planting zones without smearing or shearing the soil structure or leaving voids beneath the
surface. The seedbed created by the SoilWarrior Edge allows for premium planter ride quality, helps enable accurate and consistent seed placement and optimal plant uptake of fertilizer blended throughout the zone. Looking ahead, Brueland sees the SoilWarrior Edge as the next step in the evolution of ETS and its commitment to land stewardship and conservation through strip-tillage. “It’s the first in a series of strip-till advances coming in the next few years from ETS. We won’t be replacing anything. We’re adding. We’re going to remain a strip-till dedicated company. We’re not distracted by other product lines, we’re 100% focused on strip-till,” Brueland said. Growers and custom applicators interested in learning more about the SoilWarrior Edge, other SoilWarrior units or ETS should visit soilwarrior.com.
SATURDAY, MARCH 13, 2021
5
Specialists in Multi-Peril Crop & Crop Hail
Risk Managment Plans • MPCI-Multi Peril • YP-Yield Protection • RP Revenue Protection Ask About Crop Hail
Multi Peril sale deadline March 15,2021 Contact
Bill Thayer Agent
Office: 810-376-4961 Fax: 810-376-4971 • Cell: 810-404-8270 email: bill@williamthayerins.com P.O. Box 95, 3471 Ella St., Deckerville, MI 48427 Equal Opportunity Provider
Osentoski Farm Equipment Your locally owned family business serving the Tri-County for 67 years. 1145 E. Huron, Bad Axe
989-269-6449
www.osentoskifarmequipment.com sales@osentoskifarmequipment.com
6
SATURDAY, MARCH 13, 2021
michigansthumb.com
Thumb Farmer
ADM Edible Bean Specialties, Inc.
Terry Cramer
Grower Relations Manager
T 989.658.8621 F 989.658.2131 C 989.551.9154 Toll Free 800.978.2537
2332 Main Street Ubly, MI 48475 terry.cramer@adm.com
A Subsidiary of Archer Daniels Midland Company
West Side Sand Products Trucking Bulldozing
Excavating Demolition Shop:
989.269.9045 Fax:
Fill Sand, Septic Sand, Screened Sand
989.269.9082 RaNDY: 550-1707 ChaD 550-1649
michigansthumb.com
Thumb Farmer
MarketLink connects direct-market farmers and farmers markets with free, app-based equipment for accepting and processing SNAP/EBT, credit and debit cards and other electronic payments. (Courtesy Photo via Michigan Farm News)
MarketLink drives direct-to-consumer sales volume at farmers markets FARM NEWS MEDIA As the country faced the worst public health crisis of our lifetime and pandemic-related food insecurity spread in 2020, USDA’s MarketLink app provided technology that works for farmers, farmers markets, and food-insecure shoppers using SNAP/EBT benefits. MarketLink connects direct-market farmers and farmers markets with free, app-based equipment for accepting and processing SNAP/EBT, credit and debit cards and other electronic payments. Sales data from 2020 illustrates MarketLink’s positive impact on communities and local foodways: Farmers markets and direct-market farmers using the MarketLink app (TotilPay Go) processed $12 million in SNAP/EBT, up 136% over 2019 and $5 million in credit/debit, up 75% over that same period. USDA’s increase of SNAP/ EBT allotments in response to pandemic-related food insecurity was a big driver of the record SNAP redemption
at farmers markets and for farmers who sell directly to consumers. In total, SNAP shoppers spent $33 million on food purchased directly from farmers during the October 2019 to September 2020 timeframe. At a time when consumers' interests in where their food comes from rises, MarketLink Project Manager Amy Crone is optimistic that the tools her organization provides will help foster stronger connections between consumers and farmers, while bolstering sales of fresh produce from local growers. “The increased sales for farmers who sell directly to consumers could help offset their ongoing losses from COVID-19-related closures of other sales outlets,” Crone said. “At the same time, the MarketLink-provided technology helps people in need purchase high-quality, locally grown food right from the source.” MarketLink is a program of the National Association of Farmers Market Nutrition See MARKETLINK page 9
SATURDAY, MARCH 13, 2021
7
8
SATURDAY, MARCH 13, 2021
michigansthumb.com
Thumb Farmer
Left Photo: Chicks in an incubator. (Courtesy Photo via MSUE) Center & Right Photo: Children checking the eggs in the incubator. (Courtesy Photo via MSUE)
Have you ever wondered how to hatch a chicken egg? Rising to the challenge: Michigan 4-H developed videos to provide support for our 4-H Embryology program. TRACY D’AUGUSTINO Michigan State University Extension Have you ever wondered how to hatch a chicken egg? The Michigan 4-H Embryology Online Learning Series is focused on the science of hatching chicken eggs. This six-part D2L course is
designed to provide support for 4-H volunteers, informal educators, classroom teachers (in-person and virtual), homeschool groups, parents and other adults interested in teaching youth about embryology and the science of hatching chicken eggs. In the Michigan 4-H Embryology Course, youth
Kemp Tiling Co., Inc. Sebewaing
explore the developmental process and stages of chicken growth and basic chicken reproduction and cell division. Through this program, youth will also gain a deeper respect for life and the value of living things as their understanding of the care required for a living thing grows. By the end of their participation in Michigan 4-H Embryology, students will be able to: • Identify the parts of an egg and their functions. • Explain what is required to hatch an egg, how it
hatches naturally and artificially. • Describe different methods to observe a developing embryo and different stages of development. • List what a chick needs to live and how to care for them. • Explain how record keeping is important in science. Each year, youth and schools across Michigan participate in the 4-H Embryology program. This
MORE POWER TO YOU! ElEctric contractor Your Electrical Connection Since 1975
Proud to Serve Our Local Farmers!
FREE ESTIMATES
Licensed & Insured Specializing in Agricultural Wiring
28 Westland Drive, Bad Axe • 989-269-8171 Emergency 989-553-1004 • Fax 989-269-6670 www.maurerelectrimi.com
program is usually a partnership between 4-H staff and schools. Due to COVID-19 pandemic safety considerations, 4-H staff have been unable to provide the normal face-to face support. As a result of some creative thinking, Michigan State University Extension is excited to introduce the Embryology Online Learning Series, a set of videos supporting the 4-H Michigan Embryology program. This is an in-depth educational experience that teachers and families can utilize during the pandemic or when meeting in-person is limited. For more information about the Embryology Online Learning Series supporting Michigan 4-H Embryology, visit the website or contact us at 4hemb@msu.edu. This article was published by Michigan State University Extension. For more information, visit https://extension.msu.edu. To have a digest of information delivered straight to your email inbox, visit https://extension.msu. edu/newsletters. To contact an expert in your area, visit https://extension.msu.edu/ experts, or call 888-MSUE4MI (888-678-3464).
michigansthumb.com
Thumb Farmer
SATURDAY, MARCH 13, 2021
MARKETLINK Continued from page 7
Programs. Through MarketLink, NAFMNP, together with Novo Dia Group, is connecting direct-market farmers and farmers markets with free app-based SNAP/ EBT processing equipment. MarketLink also offers farmers and farmers markets options for integrated credit/ debit payment processing via a partnership with Square — which through farmers took in $52 million in fiscal year 2020. In total, MarketLink-provided technology had a $22.5 million impact on farmers from October 2019 and December 2020 and more than $95 million since its inception in 2014. Farmers and farmers market administrators interested in MarketLink’s services and technology can find more information on the MarketLink website.
The quick online MarketLink application is used to determine eligibility for the free equipment from the MarketLink program. In addition, MarketLink provides farmers and farmers markets hands-on technical assistance as USDA SNAP-authorized retailers and step-bystep guidance getting the app setup and running. This is a “bring your own device” program, which means applicants need their own smart device and data plan. For the first year, qualifying customers get a free card reader (theirs to keep), free use of the TotilPay Go app and no transaction fees for SNAP/EBT. After the first year, use of the app is $191.40/year or $19.95/ month, and SNAP/EBT processing continues without transaction fees.
Ag Solutions™
2319 Main St. • Ubly
Phone: 989.658.2551 Office Fax: 989.658.2455
Manager
JIM COOK Sales Consultants Rex ThayeR MITCh MIlleR Chelsea vOlMeRIng
9
10
SATURDAY, MARCH 13, 2021
michigansthumb.com
Thumb Farmer
Utility companies offer incentives for energy-efficient lighting MSU EXTENSION
Projects such as high-intensity light-emitting diodes may qualify for incentive and rebate programs from energy suppliers. (Heidi Lindberg/MSU Extension)
P• SAB •
Port Austin State Bank
PHONE 989.738.5235 FAX 989.738.5792
62 EAST STATE STREET P.O. BOX 360 PORT AUSTIN, MI 48467
Serving the Area for 125 Years
WWW.PORTAUSTINBANK.COM
SAHR CROP
INSURANCE AGENCY
RP - Protects against poor yields and poor prices. Gives you an edge with forward contracting. Crop Insurance guarantees your lender a payback on your loan. We specialize in crop insurance for Michigan Farmers.
FOR MORE INFORMATION CALL 989-868-4722 • 1-800-345-SAHR Check out our web page: www.sahrcropinsurance.com • email: mike@sahrcropinsurance.com Crop Insurance Specialists. Service is done on your farm.
Sign-up deadline is March 15, 2021. Ask for agents Michael, Ron, Sandy, Bernie, Duaine, Bee, Aaron, David, John, Chad, or Matt.
Supplemental lighting is most beneficial during November through February in Michigan, when natural light levels are at their lowest. An increasing number of Michigan growers have invested in either high-intensity or low-intensity lighting from light-emitting diodes (LEDs) in order to increase photosynthesis and plant growth or to control flowering. LEDs continue to grow in popularity within the greenhouse industry as their efficiency increases and their initial cost decreases. In a January 2020 article, Erik Runkle provided the efficacy of high-intensity LEDs on the market that met the requirements for the “Qualified Product List” set by the Design Lights Consortium in 2018. For an LED light fixture to meet the standards, it must have a five-year warranty, photosynthetic light maintenance of at least 36,000 hours, and a minimum efficacy of
1.9 μmol·J–1. The efficacy of a lamp is the amount of photosynthetic light emitted per unit of energy consumed by the lamp. As of February 2021, there were more than 280 LED products that met those standards. While the initial cost of installing LEDs, especially high-intensity LEDs, might still not be economical, Michigan State University Extension recommends that greenhouse or controlled-environment agricultural crop producers reevaluate the costs of an installation frequently. The technology continues to evolve rapidly and costs continue to decrease. In addition, Michigan utility companies such as DTE Energy and Consumers Energy offer rebates and incentives for installing energy-saving technologies, including supplemental lighting. For DTE Energy electric customers, DTE has recently launched the DTE Energy Grow Energy Efficiently Pilot Program for lighting upgrades. DTE will help
Parsch
A.I. Services Express Offering ABS Products Dairy & Beef Bulls
including sex cel & infocus bulls Custom synchronization programs that are proven and reliable are available.
For more information contact
Jim Parsch 989-670-1813
producers identify which new LEDs qualify for the incentive program. Greenhouse owners who install these energy-efficient LEDs could save $0.05 per kWh. According to Lindsay Buckwell, program manager for Evergreen Efficiency on behalf of DTE Energy, “The Grow Energy Efficiently pilot program team is happy to continue to offer customers the current DTE prescriptive incentive rates and provide specialized customer support to help accelerate energy efficiency.” DTE Energy Electric customers who are interested in the program can learn more about by viewing the “2021 Grow Energy Efficiently Pilot Program Application and Agreement.” Consumers Energy has also released their 2021 Incentive Catalog. In the catalog, producers can find the requirements of agricultural LED lamps that qualify for incentives under “LED Grow Lights” on page 74. In addition to the 2021 incentives, Consumers Energy is also running a 10% savings on qualifying projects that are received during the first quarter or before March 31, 2021. For more information on the bonus program, check out, “Early Bird Bonus – Q1 2021.” For more information on strategies and technologies that save energy in greenhouses, check out the MSU Extension Floriculture website’s Greenhouse Energy Resource page. For more information on plant lighting, visit the Light Management in Controlled Environments page.
michigansthumb.com
Thumb Farmer
SATURDAY, MARCH 13, 2021
11
12
SATURDAY, MARCH 13, 2021
Thumb Farmer
michigansthumb.com