Farming in the Heartland Fall 2014 by Mower County Shopper

Farming in the Heartland

Supplement to The Freeborn & Mower County Shoppers/Tuesday, September 16, 2014/Page 20

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

WE STAND FOR

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FALL 2014

Supplement to The Freeborn & Mower County Shoppers/Tuesday, September 16, 2014/Page 2

Supplement to The Freeborn & Mower County Shoppers/Tuesday, September 16, 2014/Page 19

Northwood, Iowa Serving No. Iowa & Southeran MN • Family Owned & Operated Since 1954

We specialize in underground solutions for farmers, landowners, municipalities and contractors.

Chris & Holly Dahl

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

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

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Freeborn Lumber Co. 917 Plaza Street W Albert Lea, MN 56007 507-377-4284

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Supplement to The Freeborn & Mower County Shoppers/Tuesday, September 16, 2014/Page 18

Supplement to The Freeborn & Mower County Shoppers/Tuesday, September 16, 2014/Page 3

Overhead Power Lines

Share your Harvest: Give Grain Your crops are your livelihood. You prepare, you plant, you nurture and they grow. That’s what we do with the charitable gifts entrusted to your Austin Area Foundation, and we invite you to grow the future of your community with us. Why Donate Grain? Donating a gift of grain to your Austin Area Foundation is a simple way to make a lasting difference. The value of the grain can be used to start an endowed fund in the name of your family, for a specific nonprofit organization important to you or to support charitable causes in your community. No matter what type of endowment you chose to establish or support, you can be sure that your gift of grain is growing the future of your community. How You Benefit By giving grain to your Austin Area Foundation, you avoid including the sale of the grain in your farm income. Although a charitable income tax deduction is generally not available to you, the avoidance of declaring it as income

is a significant benefit. You deduct the cost of growing the crops which typically results in saving self-employment tax, federal income tax and state income tax. You can benefit even if Executive Director you don’t itemize your deductions and take the standard deduction.

Jeff Baldus

We invite you to join in giving back, getting connected and building a better community. For more information on how to complete your gift, contact us. Jeff Baldus, Executive Director jeff@austinareafoundatino.org 507-434-7494

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 frontend 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:

Endorsed by FARMERS (Farm Bureau PAC & Farmers Union PAC)

1-507-438-7857

rep.jeanne.poppe@house.mn

Parts

Service

Machine Control

Equipment

Rentals

• 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. • 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. • A lways stay alert and never take unnecessary risks.

Albert Lea, MN

77847 209th Street

507-373-7114 titanmachinery.com

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.

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2501 Main Street East, Albert Lea, MN

Supplement to The Freeborn & Mower County Shoppers/Tuesday, September 16, 2014/Page 4

Supplement to The Freeborn & Mower County Shoppers/Tuesday, September 16, 2014/Page 17

Don’t Hate The Weatherman Thoughts have occurred to me through the years, but especially this last growing season, about the weatherman and his job, and the effect he has on our business of farming. First I feel I must defend him just a little. He has a tough job predicting what will happen in the daily forecast, or in the near future via the much anticipated 6-10 day and 8-14 day forecasts. Computer models and all the National Weather Service data that are deciphered to develop a forecast present a daunting task. In reality it is quite amazing that he can be as accurate as he is. There is no doubt they have gotten better over the years at their job and most of the time you can at least use the information as showing a trend toward wetter or dryer, cooler or warmer weather, depending on what they predict. But there is certainly room for improvement. And some of the blame should probably belong to us farmers for expecting too much from him. When we like what he is saying, such as rain when it is needed, or a dry period when it’s needed, we really want him to be right. Of course when he is wrong, as in the case of predicting substantial rain for our area when our crops are in dire need of it and then not getting it, we would like to have his head, or at least see him be accountable for his misjudgment. The problem is he has a different perspective of just what is a nice day. Invariably he looks to the next coming weekend and tells us whether it will be nice or not. Don’t get me wrong, we all like nice weather when we are going to be outside. But when the crop is growing and it’s getting dry, our idea of a nice weekend is an all-day rain for two days

Reliable power with

straight. Not exactly what the non-farming public wants. I do think the people that do our local weather reports should educate themselves a little as to how important it can be to give us accurate information. All season long, we rely on the forecast for making important decisions. When we are planning what maturity hybrids to plant, we would like to know if it will be a long growing season or a short one. If we plant a longer season hybrid and the season is short, it could freeze before the corn has a chance to mature. If we plant a shorter season hybrid and the season is long, we lose the chance at higher yields. And what about planting season? How many times have we wanted to wait an extra day or two to let the soil dry but then because of a wet forecast we plant under less than ideal conditions just to get it planted on time. You know that every day of delay means lost yield potential. Then guess what? It doesn’t rain! Curse the weatherman! Then take our grain marketing plan. The weather can have a profound effect on this. Let’s say we hear a summer forecast for hot, dry weather in the corn belt. Higher grain prices ahead because of lower yields, right? “Can’t sell yet.” Oh but then a few days later an unexpected front develops and produces a general 1” to 2” rain in the corn belt and prices fall. “Stupid weather man! How can he get paid for being wrong all the time?” In the fall we want to rely on the weatherman to predict accurately if we’ll have good drying weather to bring down the moisture in the grain. Should we delay harvest and let the corn dry naturally with a nice warm and dry two weeks

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Minnesota Estate Tax - Simple Decisions Lead To Possible Tax

coming, or get started and spend more money to dry the grain because the weather isn’t going to improve.

By Brian Hensley, Financial Advisor with Intego Financial Group Minnesota changed the rules in July of 2013. If you own as little as 125 acres of farm land, it’s time to pay attention.

No matter how you look at it, the weatherman plays a very important role in our farming operations today. And we have to realize he is not always going to be right. We just ask that he recognizes that role and realizes that what he predicts can have a very large impact on our bottom line. When he says we are going to have a nice weekend, remember there are different definitions of nice.

Mike Merten, CCA Pioneer Sales Professional

Do you own farm land that exceeds $1 million in today’s fair market value terms? That could be as little as 125 acres with escalated land values that may exceed $8,000 an acre. While many of us may feel that may be an inflated value if you pass away soon that could be the reality if the land is prime farm land. It’s time to take a quiz.

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Daniel O’Donnell Jonah the Play Dolly Parton’s Dixie Stampede Baldknobber’s Hillbilly Jamboree Brett Family show

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• Showboat Branson Belle • Red, Hot & Blue • Dutton Family show

• Mel Tillis • Hughes Brothers • Presley’s Country Jubilee

• Jonah the Play • New Jersey Nights • Dalena Ditto

Branson, MO...................November 17-21...........$659

Arizona..............................February 1-12..............$1899 • • • • • • •

Grand Canyon Montezuma’s Castle Tombstones Boot Hill O K Corral Bird Cage Theatre Crystal Palace Saloon Sonora Desert Museum

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Old Tucson movie sets Mission San Xavier Del Bac Pima Air Museum Superstition Mountain Museum Salt River Canyon Boat Cruise Oak Creek Canyon City of Sedona

Texas..................................Feb. 21-Mar. 2.............$1469 New Orleans....................March 16-25.................$1599 Washington, DC..............April 11-18..................$1189 Mystery Tour...................Apr.29-May 3...............$749 New York City................May 16-23....................$1619 Call today for a detailed brochure or a current mailer. 507-529-8687 / 1-866-277-8687 Toll Free / Rochester, MN. All prices above based on double occupancy

All of our tours depart from: Albert Lea, Austin, Rochester, Dexter, St Charles, Winona, and La Crosse, WI.

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• Do you live on the farm, or within 4 contiguous townships of your land? You might be exempted. • Did you recently move to town within 4 contiguous townships, and rent the land to your children? You might be exempted.

Those two things seem fairly simple. Laws are rarely simple so here is the reality and the confusion. • If you don’t live within 4 contiguous townships - Exemption lost. • If you move to town, and rent the land to non-child farmer - Exemption lost. • If you move from the farm, and move 40 miles to be closer to children and those cute grandchildren, and rent to their child farmer who moves on to the farm - Exemption lost. • If you decide to spend more than 180 days in Florida at the winter home? Exemption lost. What could that move to help with grandchildren cost you? You had better really value the time spend with the grandkids. With a top rate of 16%, losing the exemption on a $5 million dollar estate that includes mostly farm land, could cost a

farmer’s family $640,000 in state of Minnesota estate tax. Don’t fret though, the state of Minnesota has many great things planned for your money. Many farms have created entities to provide protection for liability risks and to ease in farm transitions. Similar rules apply in those farming situations. Homestead classification is one of several issues at play and need your attention.

Brian Hensley is a financial advisor with Intego Financial Group, LLC and P&C and Crop insurance agent with Donna Nelson Insurance, Inc. of Alden, MN. This article is offered as educational information. It does not offer legal advice. Always speak with your own attorney or CPA regarding your particular situation.

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

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New Surface Drainage Yields Promise for Farmers and Water Quality “New drop inlets can replace traditional culverts. These maintain current drainage, work better for farmers and can improve water quality.” July 24th had finally arrived, the sun was out and the field day showcasing drop inlets was here. Perfect. Over 50 producers, drainage inspectors and agency folks attended the field day to see how the new inlet design could be useful to them. A little background: If you remember, both 2013 and 2014 had very, very wet springs. Not only did the weather influence farmer’s spring field work and planting, but it also created a lot of gully erosion across the Midwest. The picture below shows what was experienced in many areas of southern MN. It shows the sediment that was caught on the field, but it doesn’t show what was lost into our waters. Along with that soil, many nutrients were also lost.

Enter… New Drop Inlets! Mower SWCD approached Kenyon Farms, Lyle, MN, about installing new drop inlets and, in turn, allowing us to have a demonstration field day. The Kenyons were excited about the benefits this would bring to their farming operation and the positive impacts this would have on the Cedar River. Some benefits include: -Similar drainage -flexibility of placement and -less sediment transport. New drop inlets work differently than the “original culvert” style surface inlets. Mostly, they allow the water to slow down and let sediment drop out versus being conveyed quickly through the pipe.

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As more pressure is put onto agriculture concerning nitrates in water and improving water quality, we need to adopt promising practices such as these. In addition to the field day activities, the nomination of Kenyon Farms as Mower County’s 2014 Outstanding Conservationists was announced. Thank you Kenyon Farms for your dedication to conservation. If you would like to learn more information on the new drop inlets, contact me at the SWCD office @ 507434-2603.

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

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Supplement to The Freeborn & Mower County Shoppers/Tuesday, September 16, 2014/Page 6

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Apples: Storing and Preserving Storing Apples in the Refrigerator In Minnesota, apples are at their peak of production between August and mid-October. For best results, store apples in a cool, dark place. If refrigerated, they will remain crisp and juicy longer. Keep them in the refrigerator’s humidity controlled compartment, or in plastic bags with small air holes to keep a high moisture level. Two Ways to Prevent Darkening of Cut Apples Cut apples darken quickly when they are exposed to air. Prevent darkening by: 1. Sprinkling with commercially prepared ascorbic acid products on the apples will keep them fresh-looking for cooking or preserving. 2. Dipping cut apples in a solution of three tablespoons of bottled lemon juice mixed with one quart of water. This method is not as effective as the commercial ascorbic acid products. Choose apples that are juicy, crisp and preferably both sweet and tart. Home Canning Apples When canning slices, sauce and sweet spreads, use high quality apples without signs of decay. Do not can “windfall apples” (fruit that has blown off the tree) because they are likely to contain mold spores which

can result in spoilage. Choose apples that are juicy, crisp and preferably both sweet and tart. For safety and best quality, hot-pack all home-canned apple products and process in a boiling water bath for the specified times. NOTE: Open-kettle canning (putting hot food into a jar, covering with a canning lid and not further processing it in a boiling water bath canner) of any product is NOT safe! Why Do I Have to Process Apples or Applesauce in a Canner? If the top surface of home-canned applesauce turns brown, it is probably due to oxygen reacting with the sauce and turning brown. This usually happens because the sauce was not processed for the proper length of time. Processing kills spoilage organisms and drives out all the air, which contains oxygen. To Prevent Browning and Destroy Spoilage Organisms, Always Process for the Recommended Time for Minnesota Altitudes: •B oiling-water bath canner —20 minutes for pints or 25 minutes for quarts; •H owever, you can freeze unsweetened apple slices if you are going to cook or bake them in pies or cobblers. • F reeze slices on a cookie sheet; when they are frozen solid, remove the slices and pack in freezer containers.

Revier Cattle Company

www.reviercattle.com Phone: 320-523-2333

GREAT EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES IN OLIVIA, MN

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

• Never let the weeds grow taller than 12 inches. This can be accomplished by spot mowing / spraying. • Mow to a height of 4 to 6 inches Offering you today’s technology at your fingertips - www.ffmbank.com

I-35 Recycling

• Flail mowers or stalk chopper

work best. If a rotary or sickle mower is used, mow frequently enough so you don’t leave large clumps of grass smothering the newly planted natives. Third Year If possible, every third year (spring) you should burn the area. This stimulates the native grasses & Forbes and sets back weeds and unwanted invasive grasses. If burning is not an option, continue to control weeds and invasive grasses with spot mowing or spot spraying. Mowing is not recommended during the primary nesting season: May 15th thru August 1st. (Ask for permission to clip noxious weeds during this period).

New Styles Arriving Daily 507-377-2426 1647 W. Main, Albert Lea, MN Skyline Plaza Mon.-Fri. 7:30-8, Sat. 8-5, Sun. 10-5

will help maintain the integrity of the waterway. Riparian Buffers (CP22), Shelterbelts (CP16a) and Field Windbreaks (CP5a) Mowing / spraying herbicides around the trees to help manage weeds are recommended throughout the year, especially in the spring. Supply water during dry conditions and before the first hard frost in the fall so there’s adequate

moisture available over winter. AS ALWAYS, IT IS NOT PERMISSABLE TO PLANT OR HARVEST CROPS ON LAND FOR WHICH THERE IS ALSO A CRP CONTRACT. THIS INCLUDES HAYING AND GRAZING.

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

Waterways (CP8a) First year maintenance is the same as above for native grasses. For subsequent years, mowing just before May 15th and soon after August 1st

Also Buying

HOLLERUD AUCTION CO.

(NO ALUMINUM CANS)

BUYING OR SELLING FARM LAND OR ACREAGE?

Aluminum,

Brass & Copper

Call Art Hollerud (507) 433-3392 OR (507) 438-1090

Highest Prices for Scrap Cars, Trucks, Farm Machinery, Iron & Steel

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

SKYLINE

The key to obtaining successful Native Grass plantings on CRP acres is patience. Native grasses take the first year to grow deep roots; this allows the plant to survive periodic droughts that may occur. Because they spend so much energy producing roots you will not see substantial growth above ground the first year. • Mow at least three times the year of planting and 1-2 times the second year

Auto

•Fertilizer •Seed •Grain •Feed •Chemicals • Soil Sampling

Filter Strips (CP21), Farmable Wetland / Buffer Programs (CP27/28)

First & Second Year Maintenance

Pick Up Service & Roll Off Boxes Available Exit #18 (Clarks Grove) East 100 Yards Then North 1 Mile on Co. Rd. 45 (4 miles North of Albert Lea)

507-256-7375

CO. RD. 45

By Carol Ann Burtness, Extension Educator — Food Safety Revised 2013 by Kathy Brandt, Extension Educator — Food Safety.apples

Maintenance of CRP Acres

CLARKS GROVE IT

Water Management Solutions Since 1972 Contact James Becvar at 507.438.7676 or james@centurypipe.com or jbnme2341@gmail.com for more information.

507-528-2228 • www.hodgmandrainage.com Located off of Hwy 14 Between Claremont and Dodge Center

Supplement to The Freeborn & Mower County Shoppers/Tuesday, September 16, 2014/Page 14

Supplement to The Freeborn & Mower County Shoppers/Tuesday, September 16, 2014/Page 7

Century Farms Honored in 2014 Qualifying farms have been in continuous family ownership for at least 100 years and are 50 acres or more. Century Farm families receive a commemorative sign, as well as a certificate signed by the State Fair and Minnesota Farm Bureau presidents and Governor Mark Dayton. Since the program began in 1976, over 9,900 Minnesota farms have been recognized as Century Farms. 2014 Century Farm families are listed by county, then by the farm’s city, family names and year of original purchase:

Online Enrollment for 4-H Families Freeborn County Albert Lea Alden Austin Blooming Prairie Glenville Mower County Austin Rose Creek

Keith Bjerke Bob & Betty Guenther Leon Dickman A Owen Ferguson Fred C. Ziebell

1914 1914 1892 1913 1914

James & Lori Staley Brian & Teresa Bergene

1914 1877

We are specially trained and equipped to meet your on-farm, in-field tire service and replacement needs. Call us for on-farm deliveries and on-the-spot tire repairs

Enrollment for the new 4-H year opens up on September 16thand Minnesota 4-H families are reminded and encouraged to go to 4HOnline to enroll/ re-enroll both youth members and adult volunteers. The process is quick and easy; even families with multiple youth should be done in 10 minutes or less. Re-enrolling early ensures that critical communications will be received, especially as it relates to deadlines and project specific information. Detailed information about online enrollment and re-enrollment is available at www.4-h.umn.edu/4honline.

Minnesota 4-H Volunteers are not fully enrolled and approved for volunteering until all aspects of the application process, including the “Safety of Minors” training, are completed. For further details, refer to the article in this 4-H Clover Update titled “Changes in policy and practice to ensure the safety of minors”.

Youth, their parents and adult volunteers, as part of enrolling or re-enrolling, will all be agreeing to the Minnesota 4-H code of conduct, which is available for review in it’s entirety, along with other policy and authorization statements at www.extension.umn.edu/youth/mn4-h/policies/ or by contacting your local Extension office: www.extension.umn.edu/county. New this fall, all re-enrolling adult volunteers will be required to complete “Safety of Minors” training in order to comply with the “Safety of Minors” Mower-Freeborn Co FARMING edition policy adopted by the University of Minnesota in June of 2013. This training will be available online via 4HOnline when you re-enroll or in some cases will be offered in a face to face setting.

When it comes to farm tires, count on us to deliver!

If you are not yet an adult volunteer but are willing to share your time and talents to make a difference, 4-H needs you! The first step to becoming an adult 4-H volunteer is to complete the volunteer application process, plus the “Safety of Minors” training.

• On-the-spot tire repairs and service

Learn more at www.4-H.umn.edu/volunteer/#application.

5” x 2.5” Sept

Sixteen Freeborn County 4H Members that made the State Fair Auction at the MN State Fair

• Farm tire replacement deliveries • Inventory of most tire types and sizes

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!

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Local Sales Consultants

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502 12th Ave. NW, Austin, MN Free Bag of Ice With Purchase

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Any Bottle or Box of Wine Expires 9/29/14

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Any 1.75 of Liquor Expires 9/29/14

Supplement to The Freeborn & Mower County Shoppers/Tuesday, September 16, 2014/Page 8

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DON’T REPEAT LAST WINTER!

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Avoid LP shortages and high prices this coming season Steps you can take: • Make sure your tank is summer filled • Contract your LP needs • Check out our keep full, auto pay and budget programs

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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

Paid by Citizens for Sparks. 2009 7th Ave. SE, Austin, MN 55912

Offices at:

109 W. Park 220 E. William Ave. St. 109 W Ave. Park Ave. 2401 Bridge Ave.2401 Bridge Hollandale, MN 56045 Albert Lea, MN 56007 AlbertMN Lea,56007 MN 56007 Albert Lea, Hollandale, MN 56045 (507)(507) 889-4311 (507) 373-5500 889-4311 (507) 373-8600 (507) 373-8600

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Minnesota Farmers have reported substantial savings by using treated water in their sprayers.

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SALES • PARTS • SERVICE 75903 230th Street • Albert Lea, MN 56007 Toll Free: 877.744.6591 • Phone: 507.552.1340 Visit Our Website To Learn More: www.RihmKenworth.com

Supplement to The Freeborn & Mower County Shoppers/Tuesday, September 16, 2014/Page 12

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Expires 10/16/14 | Bauer Built | Albert Lea, MN

1353 S.E. Broadway, Albert Lea, MN (507) 373-6469 w w w. b a u e r b u i l t . c o m

Thursday September 25th 11:00 am - 3:00 pm

Nordaas Pole Buildings For

all your building needs

See us for all your LP Gas needs We do installation, leak detection, and testing.

We can help with your fertilizer and chemical needs. We also offer variable rate fertilizer.

- Kevin Reed

Hi Yield Products Inc. 23282 620th Ave • Alden, Minnesota 56009 Bus: (507) 874-3750 Cell: (507) 383-0874 Email: kevin@hiyieldmn.com

What: Demonstrating John Deere 2700, 2720, and Prototype 2730 as well as Great Plains Turbo Chisel 5111 and Great Plains Turbo Max Tillage Tools Where: 2 miles South of Albert Lea on Hwy 65 1/2 West on 160th St Demo site on South side of road (507) 889-4221—Hollandale (641) 324-1154—Northwood www.agpowerjd.com

Garages Equestrian Commercial Use Agricultural Buildings

For over 25 years, Case IH Magnum™ series tractors have powered through the toughest conditions with less fuel, hours and stress. Our Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) technology and our Diesel Saver™ Automatic Productivity Management (APM) system ensure that you won’t sacrifice power for fuel efficiency. And with a proven engine and simple emissions control system, you’ll have more uptime between each service. Combined with a suspended cab, intuitive controls and an integrated AFS Pro 700 control center, Magnum series tractors won’t just make your operation productive, but efficient. For more information, visit your Case IH dealer or caseih.com.

SEE US TODAY. Kimball 320-398-3800

Willmar 320-235-4898

Glencoe St. Martin Mankato ARNOLD’S OF507-387-5515 KIMBALL, 320-864-5531 320-548-3285

Alden St. Cloud INC. 507-874-3400 320-251-2585

701 STATE HIGHWAY 55 EAST PO BOX 388 KIMBALL, MN 55353 320-398-3800 www.arnoldsinc.com

10091 State Hwy. 22, Minnesota Lake, MN 56068 800-658-7076

• All Custom Styles & Sizes • High Quality Material Selections • Material & Labor Packages Available • Free Quotes

Call Us Today 800-658-7076

Supplement to The Freeborn & Mower County Shoppers/Tuesday, September 16, 2014/Page 10

Supplement to The Freeborn & Mower County Shoppers/Tuesday, September 16, 2014/Page 11

How will you plant your cover crop this fall? By Myles Elsen, NRCS Soil Scientist with the Freeborn County Soil Health Team Within the last year a buzzword has picked up a lot of steam, and has driven its way into many conversations, and with the soil health initiative, the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is putting coal on the fire to promote it. What is this buzzword you ask? Cover crops! Plants such as tillage radishes, turnips, cereal rye, annual ryegrass, winter wheat, oats along with many more are being used to create healthier soil! Cover crops are being widely talked about and planted on farms to return diversity and keep living roots in the ground to reduce weed pressure, alleviate soil compaction, scavenge nutrients as well as have many other benefits for soil and human health. Right now, most of the farmland in Freeborn and Mower counties has a cash crop on it such as corn, soybean, or sweet corn for four to six months out of the year, with the other six to eight months of the year

being left fallow. Using cover crops allows us to bridge that gap to keep living roots in the ground and keep the soil covered as long as possible. Cover crops such as cereal rye, winter wheat and winter triticale can survive through our cold winters and keep the soil food web healthy and vibrant which in turn gives us healthier soils, healthier crops and healthier communities! So the question is… How are you going to plant your cover crop this fall? Drill or Planter: For crops such as sweet corn, vegetables, oats, wheat, or corn silage that are being harvested in August or September, using a drill or planter is a great option for getting a cover crop in the ground. Drills are the better option as they allow for more flexibility in seed choice while also planting rows closer together, putting more living roots and more cover on the ground. However, a row crop planter is a good option for someone that is just starting with

cover crops. Setting the planter up as if planting soybeans will allow for most cover crops out there to be planted. The biggest advantage of using a drill or planter is the ability to get better establishment and also greatly reduces the amount of seed that needs to be planted. Broadcast seeding: There are many different methods and times to broadcast seed. It is being tested by many farmers and researchers as there are many methods out there. Broadcast seeding can be done with spinner spreaders, pendulum spreaders, highboys, floaters, and airplanes to name a few. Broadcast seeding a cover crop can be done at different times of the growing season as well, but we suggest you talk with your insurance representative before planting. The biggest advantage of broadcast seeding is getting the seed on the ground faster and when the cash crop is still growing so that there is no fallow period where there is not a living plant and roots in the

PEGGY BENNETT will work hard for our farmers! 3Peggy will work to reduce burdensome over regulation 3Peggy will take the lead on legislation to find a formula for agricultural property taxes to help eliminate the huge financial swings now occurring

3Peggy knows how important agriculture is to the people of our area 3Peggy supports freedom at the pump PEGGY

BENNETT People before politics.

For more information on managing cover crops or incentive programs that help offset the cost of cover cropping visit your local NRCS office where they are “Helping People, Help the Land.” Below: Airplane broadcasting seeds for a cover crop over standing corn near Geneva, MN

a beautiful home environment should never come at the expense of our outdoor environment.

Doors & Floors, Inc. 101 11th St. SE Austin • 433-3420

Mon-Fri 8am-5pm • Thurs 8am-6pm • Closed Saturdays

Farmers Mutual Insurance Company 25380 Highway 13, Manchester, Minnesota 56007 Phone (507) 826-3425 • Fax (507) 826-3447 DAVID PEDERSON

INSURING FARMS AND HOMEOWNERS * SINCE 1876 * CALL US FOR THE NAME OF AN AGENT NEAR YOU

STROUP & LEWISON DISTRIBUTING, LLC. High Pressure Cleaning Equipment Dealer *Hot & Cold Washers *KO Cleaning Products

102 3rd St S, Rose Creek, MN 55970

507-433-2227

"Our Goal Is To Help You Reach Yours" Call Us Today for A Quote NOW HIRING COMPANY DRIVERS & OWNER OPERATORS

Member of Independent Equipment Dealers Association

3 VOTE

PEGGY BENNETT

FOR

HOUSE 27A

ground.

WITH ALLOC LAMINATE FLOORING Alloc laminate flooring creates a warm environment inside your home without compromising the environment outside. We use sawdust and wood scrapings that would otherwise be discarded to craft our superior performance flooring. We manufacture responsibly by diverting 100% of our waste from landfills and utilizing it as energy. Our authentic wood looks are achieved through eco-friendly printing processes, and 100% of our aluminum and packaging comes from recycled materials.

November 4th!

Endorsed by the

Minnesota Farm Bureau

Visit www.Bennett4House.com to learn more about Peggy and her positions! Prepared and paid for by the Bennett for MN House 27A committee • 146 W William St, PMB #7 • Albert Lea, MN 56007

She will be a strong voice for Minnesota farmers!

73137 State Hwy 16, Grand Meadow, MN 55936 800-657-4910 www.valleytransinc.com