Agriculture

SPRING 2012

AGRICULTURE Using less antibiotics in livestock The FDA is restricting the use of certain drugs after studies found negative effects in humans

Organic Lamb Shoppe page 8

Inside:

Finding land to farm page 18

USDA revamps website page 28

Volunteers needed in finding invasive pests, Living on the Land

Workshop, Organic Farming Conference, three business models for small farms

Litchfield Independent Review • Hutchinson Leader

2 Agriculture

Hutchinson Leader/Litchfield Independent Review

February 2012

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February 2012

What’s Inside

AGRICULTURE is published in February and November by ...

Finding land to farm

Using less antibiotics in livestock

Nick Olson says the biggest obstacle to attracting new farmers is the lack of land

The FDA is restricting the use of certain drugs after studies found negative effects in humans

Page 18

Page 4

Agriculture 3

The Lamb Shoppe in rural Hutchinson is taking an organic approach with its operation / Page 8

THE LITCHFIELD INDEPENDENT REVIEW P.O. Box 921 Litchfield, MN 55355-0921 Phone: 320-693-3266 Fax: 320-693-9177 Email: editor@independentreview.net Website: www.independentreview.net

Leader HUTCHINSON

THE HUTCHINSON LEADER 170 Shady Ridge Road, Suite 100 Hutchinson, MN 55350-2440 Phone: 320-587-5000 Fax: 320-587-6104 Email: news@hutchinsonleader.com Website: www.hutchinsonleader.com

Volunteers are needed to keep a watchful eye over possible waves of invasive pests / Page 16

Postage paid at Hutchinson, MN 55350

The Living on the Land Workshop series offers advice for small-farm and acreage owners / Page 20

Distributed to farmers and agriculture-related businesses in the Meeker and McLeod County area and available at the offices of the Litchfield Independent Review and Hutchinson Leader.

The 23rd annual Organic Farming Conference is Feb. 23-25 in La Crosse,Wis. / Page 22 Nathan Winter offers three business models for small farms to increase growth / Page 25 The USDA revamped its website for better access on mobile devices / Page 28

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4 Agriculture

Hutchinson Leader/Litchfield Independent Review

February 2012

Ailing from O what cures

REGULATIONS ARE RESTRICTING THE USE OF CERTAIN ANTIBIOTICS IN ANIMALS BECAUSE STUDIES POINT THEIR EFFECTS ON THE HUMANS WHO EAT THE MEAT

By TERRY DAVIS Staff Writer

ptions veterinarians and farmers have for treating livestock ailments are scheduled to become more

limited April 5.

That’s when a U.S. Food and Drug Administration order restricting uses of the commonly used cephalosporin family of antibiotics is to go into effect. The FDA made the announcement in early January, which triggered a 60-day comment period that ends March 6.

To comment A copy of the FDA’s order is available at www.ofr.gov/OFRUpload /OFRDData/2012-00035_Pl.pdf.

The ruling grew out of concern injecting the drugs into animals is leading to increased resistance to the antibiotic among people who consume the animals, including cattle, swine, chickens and turkeys.

While cephalosporins are not as widely used as many other antibiotics, some of which are mixed with animal feed in large quantities, they are used by humans to treat lifethreatening situations in humans, such as pneumonia, skins infections and meningitis.

Dr. John Froning, a large animal veterinarian at the Animal Medical Center on Crow River in Hutchinson, Public comments can be submitted through March 6 at www.regulations.gov. Identify comments with the docket number FDA2008-N-0326.

Hutchinson Leader/Litchfield Independent Review understands the concerns, but believes the science behind the decision may overlook other potential sources of cephalosporin resistance detected in humans. People, he said, are prescribed such drugs for several illnesses.

“So the sources of resistance might be other than their use in animals,” he said.

In some cases, he added, tests show the resistance in humans may not have come from the drugs being given to animals.

“This is an incredibly critical class of antibiotics for humans,” said David Wallinga, a physician at the Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy in Minnesota, and a member of the Keep Antibiotics Working coalition. “In the medical world, you’d call it a ‘big gun’ or a ‘drug of last resort.’ It’s effective against a pretty broad spectrum of bacteria.”

February 2012

Agriculture 5

What’s the rules?

Specifically, the FDA order would prohibit the extra-label use of cephalosporin drugs, but not cephapirin, in cattle, swine, turkeys and chickens without a veterinarian’s prescription, and only within the label directions for dosage, frequency, duration.

The drugs couldn’t be used for nonapproved uses.

“That gets hit after April 5,” Froning said.

Extra-label use of such drugs has been a common practice when the drugs are found to be effective in treating certain illnesses or injuries. Drug companies often refrain from seeking expensive FDA approval of the drugs for those new uses, Froning said.

Continued on page 6

“The top priority for cattle producers is to raise healthy cattle because healthy cattle are the foundation of a safe, wholesome food supply.”

Kristina Butts, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association

STAFF PHOTO BY TERRY DAVIS

These are three examples of antibiotic in the cephalosporin family of drugs that typically have extra-label uses that would be restricted under an FDA order that goes into effect April 5.

6 Agriculture

Hutchinson Leader/Litchfield Independent Review

Medicine Continued from page 5 Sometimes the drugs have been seen, especially at large feed lots, as a sort of preventive, or nontherapeutic, use in cattle during their first seven days in a feedlot. That is a time when cattle may be at increased susceptibility.

“It limits what we can use for certain issues,” Froning said. “We are going to miss some of that extra-label use.”

Three of the most common uses of the antibiotics in his practice is to treat foot rot, pneumonia and uterus infections. The antibiotics tend to concentrate at the site of an infection.

Three cephalosporins he identified have no carry-over in dairy cows, Froning said, so their milk does not have to be dumped following administration of the drugs.

“If we have to use another drug, it might

require throwing the milk,” he said. Some drugs also have a meat-discard period, which limits their slaughter for a certain number of days after the use of the drugs.

Froning said farmers he works with are aware of the FDA order.

Farm groups object After the FDA announcement, agriculture industry groups said they oppose the limits, because of a lack of evidence the antibiotics’ use is unsafe.

Kristina Butts of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association said antibiotic resistance is a complex issue and “the top priority for cattle producers is to raise healthy cattle because healthy cattle are the foundation of a safe, wholesome food supply.”

National Chicken Council spokesman Tom Super said antibiotics are already sparingly used in that industry and that additional regulations could take medical decisions out of veterinarians’ hands.

The FDA first sought to limit the use of cephalosporins in 2008, but the Bush

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administration reversed that decision after receiving several hundred letters from drug companies and farm animal trade groups.

Laura Rogers of the Pew Campaign on Human Health and Industrial Farming says the issue is “often more emotional than intellectual.”

While it might seem to farmers that public health advocates are dictating to farmers how to do their jobs, Rogers said the need for change will be even greater as the market responds to consumer demand with grocers and restaurants now touting antibiotic-free meats. She said more work needs to be done.

Froning said veterinarians and farmers he knows take serious the use of antibiotics in animals that might have a possible impact on the meat-consuming public.

“We like to think we make prudent use of antibiotics,” he said.

This report includes information from an Associated Press article by Mary Clare Jalonick.

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Dr. John Froning of Animal Medical Center on Crow River in Hutchinson said the FDA order on the use of cephalosporin antibiotics will make treating some farm animal diseases and injuries more difficult

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Hutchinson Leader/Litchfield Independent Review

February 2012

Agriculture 7

Nominate the 2012 Farm Family EACH COUNTY WILL HAVE ONE FAMILY REPRESENTING THEM DURING THIS YEAR’S FARMFEST

By NATHAN WINTER Extension Educator – Agricultural Productions Systems McLeod/Meeker County cLeod and Meeker counties have many outstanding farm families who make positive contributions to the economic and cultural environment of the county while receiving little or no recognition. There is an opportunity now to recognize one of these families by nominating them to be the Farm Family of the Year.

The Farm Family Recognition program has been an important event in many

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counties for many years. This year, there will be two recognition opportunities at the local and statewide.

County recognition is often left to the farm family and is typically done at an event where they are surrounded by their peers. The state-wide recognition event will be in conjunction with Farmfest on Thursday, Aug. 9. Learn more about the Minnesota Farm Families of the Year program by visiting the University of Minnesota website: www.mnfarmfamilies.cfans.umn.edu/.

Nomination criteria Farm Families should be a Minnesota food producer actively involved in agricultural production with one or more agri-

cultural enterprises. Those nominated should be producers that have made significant short-term progress and/or innovative contributions with their agricultural endeavors. For example, consider producers who are relatively new to this country, someone who has developed an innovative method for a particular environmental problem, adopted a rotational grazing system, added alternative or value-added crops, and so on.

All nominees should also have demonstrated a commitment to enhancing and supporting the fields of agriculture and production as well as involvement in their communities and/or related organizations. The farm family should also not have been previously recognized by the

Farm Family program. Following is the link for past Farm Family of the Year selections: www.mnfarmfamilies.cfans.umn. edu/county/

Nomination process Contact McLeod or Meeker County for the nomination form or visit the county websites on the University of Minnesota Extension website. Nominations will be reviewed and selected by the County Extension Committee in April. Please direct any questions to McLeod/Meeker County Extension Educator Nathan Winter in McLeod County at 320-484-4303, or in Meeker County at 320-693-5275.

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Hutchinson Leader/Litchfield Independent Review

February 2012

Keeping it organic FOCUSING ON PREVENTION IS A BIG MOTIVATOR FOR ONE HUTCHINSON-AREA OPERATION

By JORGE SOSA Staff Writer ow do organic livestock farmers keep their animals healthy while eschewing antibiotics and other drugs?

For Doug Rathke and Connie Karstens

H

— owners of The Lamb Shoppe west of Hutchinson — the focus is on prevention.

“If animals are cared for, their health issues are minimized,” Karstens said.

They bale their hay when it’s wet and wrap it to retain the moisture, which they say helps retain more nutrients such as omega-3s. “High omega levels in the feed to start with head off a lot of health prob-

lems,” she said.

The wet, fermented hay or “baleage,” is a good substitute during the winter when their sheep usually can’t graze outside.

Compared to dry hay, Karstens said, “The animals love it and it’s a lot less waste.”

“We make sure everybody’s got kelp in front of them,” Rathke added. “Kelp is loaded with trace minerals.”

Instead of giving their animals a deworming drug, they mix diatomaceous earth — or DE — into their feed. DE is made from the fossilized remains of hardshelled algae. In addition to acting as a natural dewormer, Karstens said it’s rich in silica, which improves the quality of

Continued on page 13

STAFF PHOTO BY JORGE SOSA

Connie Karstens and Doug Rathke, owners of the Lamb Shoppe, are not certified organic farmers but apply sustainable practices. They avoid drugs, such as, antibiotics if at all possible.

Hutchinson Leader/Litchfield Independent Review

February 2012

Agriculture 9

10 Agriculture

Hutchinson Leader/Litchfield Independent Review

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Agriculture 11

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February 2012

Organic Continued from page 8

STAFF PHOTO BY JORGE SOSA

Good health in organic farming begins with good genes. “Just over the years of selecting, you can create a really hardy flock,” Connie Karstens said.

Hurry, for best Selection!!

wool. “It also helps build the integrity of bones, teeth and cartilage,” Karstens added.

Although McLeod County Extension educator Nathan Winter doesn’t closely follow organic farming practices, he agrees that prevention is key to keeping animals healthy.

Brad Heins, Winter’s colleague at the University of Minnesota Morris, works more closely with organic livestock. Heins is an assistant professor in organic dairy management and said the school has had a organic research herd of about 100 cattle for about 1 1/2 years.

The cows’ feed consists of corn and alfalfa silage, corn and wheat, expelled soybean meal and a mix of bulk minerals.

Although the U of M Morris herd isn’t fed wet wrapped hay, Heins said the popularity of baleage is growing. “There’s a lot

Agriculture 13 more people looking into that,” he said.

“There’s quite a few farmers that are doing that. It seems to be quite good feed.”

“A lot of organic producers tend to feed kelp, and we have fed it in the past as well,” he added. “It has a lot of minerals and nutrients in it, but it can get expensive. We find it more economical to use a mineral pack than to feed straight kelp.”

Drugs are the last resort When a cow does get sick, Heins will often start by giving it aloe or garlic to help boost its immune system. “You can use those for a variety of conditions,” he said.

If a cow develops mastitis, Heins said, “We use kind of a mint cream that takes the swelling down in the udder.”

Karstens also uses apple cider vinegar, a component in the oral aloe or garlic remedies Heins uses, because “it regulates the pH in the body.”

“We do sometimes use some herbal remedies, too, since I’m an herbalist,” she added.

Continued on page 14

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Organic Continued from page 13 “We use antibiotics if we need to,” Rathke said.

“But then we document it and we make sure it doesn’t get into the food,” Karstens noted. “We’ll do whatever it takes to keep the animal healthy.”

Rathke and Karstens have learned many of their practices from Will Winter, a former veterinarian in the Twin Cities who now works as a herd health consultant.

“I spend most of my day working with soil fertility, soil biology and encouraging

Hutchinson Leader/Litchfield Independent Review

February 2012

nutrient-dense vegetation to grow,” Winter said. “I quit practicing in the standard way in ’99. Now I just do prevention consulting and it was one of the better things I ever did.”

“If they’ve got a sick animal, they may have to call a veterinarian in,” Winter said of his clients. “We would never have an animal suffer or be in jeopardy if it’s sick. But once they’ve been treated with antibiotics or a drug, they can’t be sold as natural. They’re sold as commodity meat, which is better than nothing.”

“We want radiantly healthy animals,” he added. “And health is more than just the absence of disease. That’s what we try to create with good genetics, good soil quality, good nutrition and livestock management.”

“We want radiantly healthy animals. And health is more than just the absence of disease.”

Will Winter, herd health consultant

STAFF PHOTO BY JORGE SOSA

Sometimes Connie Karstens uses herbal tinctures for her sheep. Karstens said stinging nettle helps address kidney issues.

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Agriculture 15

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16 Agriculture

Hutchinson Leader/Litchfield Independent Review

February 2012

State seeks ‘first detectors’ of invasive pests KEY TO HELPING STOP SPREAD OF INVASIVE PESTS IS TO FIND NEW INFESTATION QUICKLY innesota is looking for volunteers to join the hundreds of citizens who already have stepped up to help keep an eye out for new infestations of emerald ash borer and other destructive invasive pests. These volunteer “first detectors” form part of the state’s early warning system for invasive tree pests, making it more likely that infestations will be found in early stages when they are easier to control.

Registration is now open for Forest Pest

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First Detector workshops to be held in late February and early March. The six oneday workshops will be conducted by experts with the Minnesota Department of Agriculture, University of Minnesota Extension and the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources.

The sessions will provide in-depth information on identification of invasive tree pests. After completing the training, participants are qualified to serve as volunteers in the state’s First Detector Program. The role of these first detectors is to serve as public contacts for information about these pests and to help investigate reports of potential infestations.

“One key to slowing the spread of invasive pests is to find new infestations quickly,” MDA Plant Protection Director Geir Friisoe said. “Many of the new infestations in Minnesota have been discov-

ered by people like first detectors — informed citizens who know what to look for and who to call when they find something. The more help we have, the better our chances to contain infestations.”

Participants who complete the one-day sessions will become part of an awardwinning program. The Minnesota Forest Pest First Detector Program has been recognized by the National Plant Diagnostic Network for its outstanding training of volunteers. The NPDN is an internationally respected consortium of plant diagnostic laboratories from across the United States.

Forest Pest First Detector training sessions are scheduled as follows: Feb. 22: Chaska, 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., U of M Landscape Arboretum, Snyder Auditorium Feb. 28: Altura, 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.,

Whitewater State Park, Visitor Center/Park Office March 1: Grand Rapids, 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., University of Minnesota Northwest Research and Outreach Center, Multipurpose Room March 6: St. Paul, 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., TIES Building (at the intersection of Larpenteur and Snelling Avenues), Larpenteur Room March 9: Duluth, 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Duluth Entertainment and Convention Center March 14: Alexandria, 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., Alexandria Technical and Community College, Room 211 More details can be found online at www.myminnesotawoods.umn.edu/ forest-pest-first-detector.

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Hutchinson Leader/Litchfield Independent Review

February 2012

Agriculture 17

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Hutchinson Leader/Litchfield Independent Review

February 2012

“We’ve got people who want to farm, who have the experience to farm, and the No. 1 obstacle right now is the access to land.”

Nick Olson, Nick Olson plows a field last spring at Prairie Drifter Farm south of Litchfield, which he and his wife, Joan, purchased in 2010.

Land Stewardship Project organizer and organic farmer

Finding land is key for new farmers LAND STEWARDSHIP HOPES AWARENESS EFFORT WILL HELP NEXT GENERATION ENJOY LIFE ON FARM

BY BRENT SCHACHERER Publisher he future of farming might not be what many people believe, according to Nick Olson.

While media have highlighted the supposed flight away from farming and agriculture by young people, Olson said the trend is actually something quite different, with one caveat.

“We’ve got people who want to farm, who have the experience to farm, and the No. 1 obstacle right now is the access to land,” said Olson, a Land Stewardship Project organizer and Litchfield resident.

“With our organization, we’re trying to change the narrative around farm land to let people know that there are people interested in farming, even though the

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mainstream message is: that there aren’t people who want to get into farming, there’s not opportunities to get into farming, you need to get more land in order to farm economically viable for yourself.”

Land Stewardship Project organizers have worked several different avenues to spread this message, including performances of a one-act play, “Look Who’s Knockin.’” Written by Doug Nopar, a Land Stewardship Project organizer based in southeastern Minnesota, the play is based on numerous interviews Nopar did with and stories he heard from both beginning farmers and retiring farmers, “Look Who’s Knockin’” uses humor and the everyday tension in an elderly farm couple’s relationship to prompt audience members to consider their own ideas about the future of farming.

The play debuted last year in several communities in southeastern Minnesota.

This year, it toured southwestern and central Minnesota, making stops in Marshall, Clinton, Milan, Glenwood and Madison.

Carmen Fernholz, a farmer in Madison, directed the play this year, using an understanding of his own situation as a backdrop.

But the play — which ends without the

elderly couple coming to a resolution to their land decision — was really only a jumping off point for a discussion that followed the performance, according to Nopar, the playwright.

“Look Who’s Knockin”’ and the discussion that followed each performance “provide(s) the inspiration and the means for retiring landowners to begin to connect with aspiring, conservation-oriented farmers,” Nopar said.

And that’s critical, according to Olson, to both the future of farming and the future of rural Minnesota. “One of the things we’re advocating for is more farmers farming the land,” Olson said. “When there are more farmers on the land, there’s more people taking care of the land for the long term. When there’s more farmers on the land, there’s more people in rural communities. When there’s more people in rural communities, there’s more kids in schools, more people in churches, there’s more businesses.”

Some of that vibrancy could return to rural Minnesota, he said, if the Land Stewardship Project and others are successful in helping more people get into farming.

Olson says he holds no illusions about going back to a time of small farms and

populated the rural landscape. But he does think that there could be more small farms, if farmers who are nearing retirement age are made aware of their options.

There are competing visions for a retiring farmer, Olson acknowledges, especially when one reads about the $12,500 per acre paid in a recent land sale in southwestern Minnesota.

At that kind of price, it would be next to impossible for a beginning farmer to start a successful venture if he or she paid that kind of price just to get started.

However, Olson said, the Land Stewardship Project encourages beginning farmers and those nearing retirement to think outside the box. Not all new farmers have started with land ownership.

He and the Land Stewardship Project believe most farmers would like to see their land well cared for, even after they no longer are farming it. It just takes some out-of-the-box thinking to see the possibilities, Olson said.

“Access to land, it’s not just farm ownership,” Olson said. “Access to land can also be a long-term lease, rented land. It’s really figuring out how we can get people (who are) interested in farming the physical access to farmland.”

Hutchinson Leader/Litchfield Independent Review

February 2012

Agriculture 19

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Hutchinson Leader/Litchfield Independent Review

February 2012

Extension offers small-farm workshops LIVING ON THE LAND PROVIDES RESOURCES THAT HELP FARMERS BE GOOD STEWARDS o you have the dream of owning acreage in the country? Do you have an existing acreage that is need of a plan and strategies for the best possible results?

The Living on the Land Workshop Series, offered by University of Minnesota Extension, will equip you with the education and resources to be successful.

The eight-week course is designed to arm landowners with agricultural infor-

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mation to enable them to be good stewards of their land. The course will begin with goal-setting and individual property inventory, then address soil, plant and water basics.

The Living on the Land curriculum addresses a growing need for information regarding small acreages. The series incorporates knowledge and experience from a team of instructors to address topics including: what do you have and what do you want, what you can do with your land, water quality, protecting household drinking water, how plants grow, what to do about weeds, lawn and pasture maintenance, getting down and dirty with soils.

The series also includes a farm tour.

The series will be taught by Extension educators and natural resource profes-

sionals at two locations. Both workshop series will be held on Thursday evenings from March 8 through April 26 from 6 to 9 p.m. One location will be in Hutchinson at the McLeod County Fairgrounds 4-H Café.

The other location will be in Mankato at the Historic Courthouse in the Conference Room.

Early registration is $175 until Friday, March 2, and all registrations received afterwards will be $200. The registration fee includes participation of two people, for example a husband and wife team or two siblings, who may attend together and share materials. Benefits include useful educational publications, an educational farm tour and dinner, a site visit/consultation from a University of Minnesota Extension educator in your

area, as well as the tools to help you succeed with your goals and dreams on your country acreage.

Register now because space is limited at each location. Contact Nathan Winter for a hard copy of the brochure and other questions regarding the Hutchinson Location at 320-484-4303, or by email at wint0146@umn.edu. Contact Diane DeWitte at 507-304-4325, or by email at stouf002@umn.edu for more information on the Mankato location and registration questions.

View the 2012 Living on the Land Workshop Series Brochure at the following link: www.extension.umn.edu/county/McLeod /news/Living.On.The.Land.Brochure.2012 .pdf.

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Agriculture 21

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22 Agriculture

Hutchinson Leader/Litchfield Independent Review

February 2012

Organic farm conference returns to LaCrosse ORGANIC FARMING AUTHORITIES WILL ADDRESS ATTENDEES DURING CONFERENCE he Midwest Organic and Sustainable Education Service, or MOSES, hosts its 23rd annual Organic Farming Conference, Feb. 23-25 at the La Crosse Center in La Crosse, Wis. The annual Organic Farming Conference is the nation’s largest and foremost educational and networking event for the organic farming community.

The farmer-centered OFC will feature more than 65 informative workshops, 160plus exhibitors, nationally known keynote speakers, and locally sourced food and live

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entertainment. Attendance is expected to be about 3,000 farmers and agricultural professionals.

Organic University, which takes place prior to the OFC on Thursday, Feb. 22, will offer 10 full-day courses on various organic agriculture topics for novices and experts alike.

Keynote speakers Two nationally recognized authorities are featured presenters at the OFC. On Friday, Feb. 23, Margaret Krome, policy program director of the Michael Fields Agricultural Institute, will present: “Growing Food, Health and Democracy: How Farmers, Activists and Consumers are Finding Our Power and Transforming the Food System.”

On Saturday, Feb. 24, Heinz Award-winning filmmaker Curt Ellis will present a rich multi-media presentation titled: “Growing

Forward: The New Faces of Food and Farming.” King Corn filmmaker Ellis is cofounder of FoodCorps.

Organic Farmer of the Year MOSES also will announce and feature the 2012 Organic Farmer of the Year award recipient. The award is granted annually to an outstanding organic farmer or farm family who are innovators; who excel in managing farm resources; and who serve as educators and examples in their communities and to the next generation of organic farmers.

Young Organic Stewards Young people have always been at the heart of the OFC. The Young Organic Stewards program recognizes, honors and supports the next generation of organic farmers through targeted workshops and social activities.

The conference costs $195, which includes breakfast, lunch, snacks, workshops, general sessions, admission to the exhibit hall and evening entertainment.

Supper is available at the conference for $15 for adults.

The fee for the in-depth Organic University sessions on Thursday, Feb. 22, is $170.

The deadline for OFC and Organic University advance registration is Monday, Feb. 13. Walk-ins will be accepted after that for an added fee.

There are numerous events for children and teens throughout the conference, including childcare, as well as discounted meals and attendance fees.

To learn more, call MOSES at 715-7785775, or go to the website mosesorganic. org/conference.html.

Hutchinson Leader/Litchfield Independent Review

February 2012

Agriculture 23

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24 Agriculture

Hutchinson Leader/Litchfield Independent Review

Larry Huhn, P.L.S. Doug Huhn, P.L.S. Meeker County Surveyor

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Hutchinson Leader/Litchfield Independent Review

February 2012

Agriculture 25

Three business models drive small-farm growth in Minnesota

By NATHAN WINTER Agricultural production systems educator University of Minnesota Extension he agricultural economy in Minnesota is strong, and some of that strength is coming from the growth of small farms. Increased interest in local foods and products is driving that growth.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture defines small farms as farms with $250,000 or less in sales of agricultural commodities. The 2007 Census of Agriculture indicates those small farms account for 91 percent of all U.S. farms and more than half of the land. Most of the growth is in the area of very small farms that have sales less than $10,000.

Three types of business opportunities have helped create a positive environment

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for both farmers and people interested in local, healthy foods—farmers markets, other merchandising options and farmto-school programs.

Farmers markets can be a great option for finding locally produced food, as well as adding vitality to a community. They are popping up in rural Minnesota as well as in cities and suburbs. Many farmers markets now accept Farmers Market Nutrition Program food assistance coupons and other assistance vouchers.

Other merchandising options include roadside stands, on-farm stores and Community Supported Agriculture programs, in which families purchase a regular share of the foods produced.

Farm-to-school programs are also becoming another option for small farm production, and Minnesota is a leader in this area. Farmers are able to work directly with local schools to sell healthy and locally grown produce to the school dis-

tricts, and can get help through University of Minnesota Extension’s Farm to School resources at www.extension.umn.edu/farm-to-school.

The face of the small farms is changing with new farmers, urban farming and recent immigrants. Often, many of these new farms have another primary occupation. These new farmers are seeking education that will help to make them successful in their new professions. The University of Minnesota Center for Farm Financial Management offers a website called AgPlan, www.agplan.umn.edu, developed to help rural businesses to develop a business plan.

Extension has a Small Farms program, a network of educators who support people new to agriculture, those moving from hobby to career farming and those building on generations of experience. For more information, visit www.extension.umn.edu/smallfarms.

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Hutchinson Leader/Litchfield Independent Review

February 2012

Agriculture Secretary Vilsack praises record U.S. farm exports .S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack described American agriculture as a “bright spot in the nation’s economy” in a statement he released Feb. 10.

The statement was made after data was released showing U.S. farm exports reached a record $136.3 billion in calendar year 2011.

Here’s the complete text of his statement: "The data released today by USDA represents a record-breaking calendar year for farm exports, demonstrating — once again — that American agriculture remains a bright spot in our nation's economy. We saw a rise in both the value and volume of U.S. agricultural exports worldwide in 2011, as international sales rose $20.5 billion over the previous record set in calendar year 2010. Total agricultural exports for calendar year 2011 were a robust $136.3 billion.

"These figures indicate how demand for the American brand of agriculture continues to soar worldwide, supporting good jobs for Americans across a variety of industries such as transportation, renewable energy, manufacturing, food services, and on-farm employment. During the past three years, the U.S. farm sector has continued to support and create jobs on a consistent basis, strengthening an American economy that's built to last. Every $1 billion in agricultural exports supports 8,400 American jobs, meaning that U.S. farm exports helped support more than 1 million U.S. jobs in 2011.

"And that gets to the innovation of our American farmers, ranchers and growers.

American agriculture continues to apply the latest in technology and achieve a nearly unparalleled level of productivity.

In fact, U.S. agriculture is the second-most productive sector of our economy in the past few decades outside of information

U

technology.

"Exports of almost all major U.S. commodities rose in calendar year 201l, helping us to reach President Obama's goal of doubling all U.S. exports by the end of 2014. Grains were the biggest contributor to the overall record, reaching an all-time high of $37.7 billion, a $9.2 billion increase over 2010. Cotton experienced the biggest year-to-year increase, up 44 percent from 2010, reaching a record $8.5 billion. Dairy and pork exports also set records in 2011, reaching $4.8 billion and $6 billion respectively.

"Another success story is U.S. beef exports. Last year, the United States exported an all-time high of $5.4 billion worth of beef and beef products, surpassing the previous record by more than $1.6 billion. The volume of shipments also surpassed the 2003 levels, the last year before a detection of bovine spongiform encephalopathy in Washington State disrupted U.S. trade. The return to pre-2003 levels marks an important milestone in USDA's steadfast efforts to open and expand international markets. Despite this progress, restrictions continue to constrain exports to many of our key markets and we remain fully committed to breaking down those trade barriers.

"There was more good news for U.S. beef exporters when United Arab Emirates) officials issued a decree on Jan. 24, 2012, liberalizing imports of U.S. beef by eliminating age restrictions. The expansion of U.S. beef access to UAE — one of the largest markets for U.S. beef in the Middle East—underscores the tenacity of the Obama Administration to improve our trade relationships, expand export opportunities and strengthen an American economy that's built to last."

The latest export data is available via the Global Agricultural Trade System at www.fas.usda.gov/data.asp.

“American agriculture continues to apply the latest in technology and achieve a nearly unparalleled level of productivity.”

Thomas Vilsack U.S. Secretary of Agricutlture

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Hutchinson Leader/Litchfield Independent Review

February 2012

Agriculture 27

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Hutchinson Leader/Litchfield Independent Review

February 2012

USDA offers mobile access and more efficient online tools cting Under Secretary for Farm and Foreign Agricultural Services Michael Scuse on Feb. 10 unveiled a package of technology enhancements from the Farm Service Agency that include Web access for handheld and smartphone users, as well as a more efficient and timely option for receiving news and critical program information.

The technology improvements will allow users of FSA information to gain access to easy-to-read data, including key features such as loan deficiency payment rates, posted county prices, FSA news releases and AskFSA, the agency's online self-help knowledge base.

A

The unveiling underscores USDA's Blueprint for Stronger Service, a plan introduced in January by Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack that takes a realistic view of the needs of American agriculture in a challenging budget climate, and lays out USDA's plans to modernize and accelerate service delivery while improving the customer experience through use of innovative technologies and business solutions.

Three of the 27 initial recommendations implemented by USDA focus on information technology, while other process improvements already put into place by FSA have strengthened the agency's elec-

Continued on page 30

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February 2012

Agriculture 29

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Hutchinson Leader/Litchfield Independent Review

Online Continued from page 28 tronic customer service and online presence.

"As an increasing number of farmers and ranchers move to mobile devices and other high-tech tools, we need to keep pace by investing in the best possible customer service while making the best use of taxpayer resources," Scuse said. "The mobile website is an added convenience for farmers and ranchers and an effective, efficient way for USDA to deliver news, program information and reliable guidance on a variety of agricultural issues.

And investments in technology help USDA continue to make other, more significant investments in rural America, preserving the success of U.S. agriculture in the long term."

Scuse announced the new services at the Maryland Farmer's Breakfast in Crumpton, Md.

Better organized Like all websites, the FSA site is accessi-

ble through any device that connects to the Internet. The mobile site organizes the information on the website in a way that makes for easy reading on a small, handheld screen. It does not require screen adjustments or constant scrolling and panning across the information.

A 2011 study conducted by the Pew Research Center indicated that mobile Internet access is growing rapidly. From May 2010 to July 2011, the number of adults with mobile applications jumped from 43 percent to 50 percent. The trend is expected to continue.

In addition, USDA's Economic Research Service found 57 percent of all rural households use broadband Internet at home, but some 6 percent of all rural households (or more than 1 million rural households) access the Internet at home solely through wireless broadband services. The new FSA site makes the information available to these households.

In addition to the mobile website, FSA is now offering farmers and ranchers a more efficient and timely option for receiving critical program information. Such things as eligibility requirements, deadlines and related information can be accessed through an electronic news service hosted

by GovDelivery.

February 2012

By signing up for free online communications through GovDelivery, farmers and ranchers can receive news, via e-mail, directly to their home or farm office or to their mobile devices — allowing them to receive immediate notification of farm program news that is pertinent to their agricultural operation.

Through GovDelivery, producers can establish subscriber preferences by choosing to receive federal farm program and farm loan information by topic, by state and/or by county. Producers can also select as many subscriber options as they want, which allows producers in multiple counties or across state lines to receive updates from each county in which they operate or have an interest.

Database available FSA also offers AskFSA and AskFSAmobile, an easy-to-use knowledge database with automated answers to website visitor questions. In 2011, AskFSA received 351,119 visitors — 99.7 percent of whom found their answer online without the need for additional assistance.

The USDA says the Obama administration, with Agriculture Secretary Vilsack's leadership, is working to strengthen rural America, implement the Farm Bill, main-

tain a strong farm safety net, and create opportunities for America's farmers and ranchers.

U.S. agriculture is currently experiencing one of its best years in decades thanks to the productivity, resiliency, and resourcefulness of our producers. Today, net farm income is at record levels while debt has been cut in half since the 1980s.

Overall, American agriculture supports 1 in 12 jobs in the United States and provides American consumers with 86 percent of the food we consume, while maintaining affordability and choice.

The USDA says the Obama Administration has aggressively worked to expand export opportunities and reduce barriers to trade, helping to push agricultural exports to record levels in 2011 and beyond.

Strong agricultural exports are a positive contribution to the U.S. trade balance, support nearly 1 million American jobs and boost economic growth.

To access FSA's mobile website, visit www.fas.usda.gov/mobile. To sign up for FSA's GovDelivery electronic news service, visit www.fas.usda.gov/subscribe.

For information on USDA's Blueprint for Stronger Service, visit www.fas.usda.gov/strongerservice.

Hutchinson Leader/Litchfield Independent Review

February 2012

Agriculture 31

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Hutchinson Leader/Litchfield Independent Review

February 2012

Tight confinement ending for pregnant pigs

By STEVE KARNOWSKI Associated Press

H

ormel Foods Corp.’s company-owned farms are phasing out the use of small metal crates for confining pregnant hogs by the end of 2017 — a move welcomed earlier this month by the Humane Society of the United States, which had pushed for the change.

The Humane Society has been campaigning across the country for an end to the use of gestation crates, saying they severely restrict the animals’ movements.

Hormel — the maker of Spam canned meat, Cure 81 hams and Black Label bacon — is the society's latest claimed success. Six weeks ago, the world’s largest pork producer, Smithfield Foods Inc., said it would stop using gestation crates at its facilities by 2017.

Matthew Dominguez, public policy manager for the society’s farm animal protection campaign, said the first word his group got of Hormel’s change in policy was at the company's shareholders meeting in

Austin. Tuesday night when he asked CEO Jeffrey Ettinger when the company would stop allowing gestation crates in its supply chain. He said Ettinger replied that Hormel’s company-owned farms would phase them out by the end of 2017.

It wasn’t immediately clear when Hormel made the policy change. The company's media relations department pointed to a section of its online 2010 Corporate Responsibility Report explaining its plans. The section on hog operations was updated at some point to reflect the change since one version of the report was issued last year, but the company did not immediately respond to requests for clarification on when it made the change or whether it was in response to pressure from the Humane Society.

In both versions, Hormel says the breeding sows at its company-owned farms in Arizona will be transitioning to group housing by the end of summer this year and at its farms in Colorado before 2018.

“With nearly 75 percent of our company-owned sows moving to group sow

housing at our farms in Arizona and Colorado, for the purposes of consistent animal handling practices, employee training, personnel transfer and reporting processes, we will also begin the transition to group sow housing at our companyowned farms in Wyoming before 2018,” the updated passage reads. “By including our Wyoming farms with our operations in Arizona and Colorado, all Hormel Foods-owned farms will be 100 percent group sow housing before 2018.”

The earlier version did not mention plans for Wyoming, and neither version says whether Hormel is asking the more than 775 independent farmers across the Midwest who supply the company with hogs to end the use of gestation crates.

Dominguez noted Hormel acknowledged the policy change just six weeks after competitor Smithfield, and just days after the Humane Society announced the results of an undercover investigation at two Oklahoma facilities that use the crates.

“The science is clear on this, the competitive landscape is clear and public sen-

timent is clear that gestation crates have to go,” he said.

According to the Humane Society, Hormel has 54,000 breeding pigs at its facilities in Arizona, Colorado and Wyoming. Hormel did not immediately confirm that figure. Eight states have passed bans on gestation creates including Arizona and Colorado, where the bans take effect by the end of the 2012 and 2017 respectively. But Wyoming has no such law, the society pointed out.

“This decision brings us closer to the day when the cruel confinement of pigs in gestation crates will be a bygone era for the entire pork industry,” Humane Society President and CEO Wayne Pacelle said in a statement. “We thank Hormel for making this decision and urge the company to also apply it to any contract pig breeders it may use. We also urge Hormel’s competitors such as Tyson, Triumph, Prestage and Seaboard to stop lagging behind and get on the gestation-crate free pathway.”

Dominguez plans to raise the issue when he attends the Tyson Foods Inc. annual meeting in Springdale, Ark.

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February 2012

Agriculture 33

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February 2012

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Hutchinson Leader/Litchfield Independent Review

February 2012

Agriculture 37

U of M research helps growers narrow yield gap for corn

By JEFF COURLTER University of Minnesota Extension ith high production costs for corn, growers must focus their management on factors that have the greatest potential to increase yield. Prerequisites for high-yield corn include favorable weather and adequate levels of drainage, soil fertility and pest management.

Recent research by University of Minnesota Extension has focused on discovering how additional agronomic factors could be modified to narrow the gap between actual and potential corn yields.

This research found that decisions related to hybrid selection are among the most important.

In corn hybrid trials from 2007 to 2010 near Rochester, Minn., with 98 to 153

W

hybrids evaluated each year, the highest yielding hybrid yielded 37 to 64 percent more than the lowest yielding hybrid.

Hybrid relative maturity was less important in these trials, with hybrids of 98- to 102-day relative maturity yielding just 2 percent more than those in the 93- to 97day range.

Another important factor influencing corn yield is crop rotation. In long-term experiments conducted by land-grant universities in Wisconsin and Indiana, corn yielded 5 percent to 19 percent higher when following soybean or alfalfa rather than corn, with the smallest yield increases occurring in years with favorable weather and high yields.

In these trials, conservation tillage systems such as strip-till and disk-till worked well on silt loam soils when corn followed soybean or alfalfa, but a more aggressive tillage system was needed to optimize

yield of corn following corn, especially on heavy soils.

Uniform stand establishment is also critical for corn, as research at Lamberton, Minn. found that a plant just one leaf stage behind early in the season yielded 20 percent less. Additional research by University of Minnesota Extension that was funded by the Minnesota Corn Growers Association found that a delay in planting from late April to mid-May reduced corn yield by 2 percent. However, planting in late May rather than late April reduced yield by 15 percent.

In these trials, increasing the final stand from 30,000 to 34,000 plants/acre increased corn yield by 1 percent to 2 percent, while planting in narrow or twin rows increased yield by 0 percent to 3 percent. In northwestern Minnesota, however, yield increases with high plant populations and narrow rows have been much greater.

These results demonstrate that the easiest options for increasing corn yield are related to hybrid selection, crop rotation, tillage system and uniform emergence.

For more educational resources on corn production in Minnesota, visit University of Minnesota Extension's corn website at www.extension.edu/corn.

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We are committed to repair rather than replacement. Only if repair is impossible or uneconomical will we replace a tire.

We are equipped and committed to handling emergency or service calls in one visit. And every effort will be made to solve problems the first time out.

We are committed to fast, efficient service, and dedicated to around-the-clock response.

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Hutchinson Leader/Litchfield Independent Review

February 2012

Agriculture 39

Cow bedding at 38 farms studied RESEARCH SHOWS RECYCLED MANURE SOLIDS FOR COW BEDDING CAN SUCCEED WITH PROPER MANAGEMENT

By MARCIA ENDRES University of Minnesota Extension tall bedding materials for cows have become increasingly expensive and difficult to find. This situation has prompted many dairy producers to search for more feasible alternatives, such as sand and recycled manure solids.

Although sand can be considered the ideal bedding source for dairy cows, not all producers are willing and able to convert to sand bedding because it presents some manure-management challenges.

So, what about recycled manure solids?

Is anyone making it work in the Midwest?

Adam Husfeldt, a University of Minnesota graduate student, and I conducted an observational study on 38 dairy farms in Wisconsin, Minnesota, South Dakota and Iowa that were using solids for bedding freestalls. We wanted to find out what management practices and bedding characteristics were associated with bulk tank somatic cell count and evaluate animal welfare in these operations.

We documented various aspects of herd management, including how solids were obtained and managed, their bedding practices and so on. Bedding, milk and feed samples were collected. Cows were scored for hygiene, hock lesions and locomotion, and milking prep procedures were recorded.

Our goal was to collect as much information as possible during the farm visits and from records throughout the year. In the end, 23 variables were used for our analysis of their association with bulk tank SCC. We concluded that excellent cow preparation at milking time, sanitation of milk-

ing equipment, cow hygiene, adequate dry cow housing and bedding/stall management appear to be critical in maintaining a low SCC while successfully using manure solids for bedding. Type of manure solids used â&#x20AC;&#x201D; digested, raw or composted â&#x20AC;&#x201D; had no association with SCC. Moisture is one of several factors necessary for bacterial growth in bedding materials. Therefore, it is important to keep stall bedding as dry as possible to minimize exposure to environmental mastitis pathogens. Additional methods to help dry stall bedding (use of a blower, good barn ventilation, adding equipment to remove moisture after separation) could help reduce bedding moisture.

We also learned that lameness prevalence was similar, hock lesion prevalence was slightly higher and cow hygiene was better than in herds using sand for bedding.

More of our results and observations are available on the University of Minnesota Extension dairy website at www.extension.umn.edu/go1092. We sincerely thank all the dairy producers who participated in this study.

For more educational information and resources for dairy producers, visit www.extension.edu/dairy.

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40 Agriculture

Hutchinson Leader/Litchfield Independent Review

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Hutchinson Leader/Litchfield Independent Review

February 2012

Agriculture 41

Three key factors drive state’s ag success

By BEV DURGAN Dean, University of Minnesota Extension he year 2011 was a wild ride for agriculture with unpredictable weather and prices.

That makes someone in my role cautious when asked to predict what will happen next.

I do not know what the weather will be in 2012, but I am fairly certain Minnesota agriculture in 2012 and beyond will be driven by three key factors:

T

Exports Minnesota is outpacing the nation in agricultural export growth, and these exports put dollars in the pockets of farmers and Main Street businesses. Our state exported $900 million more of agricultural products in 2010 than the year before — a 22-percent increase. In 2010, exports to China required production from 22.8 million U.S. acres — almost triple the number of U.S. acres needed to grow soybeans for China in 2005.

Exports are a major driver of our farm economy today, and we need to take steps to make them strong in the future. We may not have much control over factors like exchange rates, worldwide crops and global consumption of key commodities.

We can work together to keep increasing the quality and productivity of Minnesota agriculture. Doing that will help position us to be a trusted supplier to foreign buyers in 2012 and beyond.

Education

knowledge and skills.

Agriculture is a competitive business driven by people and technology. On the people side, Minnesota agriculture will be driven by our success in attracting young people to our business. The average Minnesota farmer is 57 years old and many who work in other agricultural careers are close to that age. The expected wave of retirements is creating opportunities for young people educated in agriculture. But education is not just for the young. Those who farm or work in other agricultural careers need to continually learn about the latest research and update their

Environment All Minnesotans think the environment is important. Too often the agreement stops there and the discussion quickly moves into ways we disagree with each other. There is a need for a constructive statewide conversation on how to manage our environment. The future of Minnesota agriculture will depend on finding ways to reach consensus on how to manage our land and water. That will require more than just talk. It will require research and Extension programming to answer ques-

tions about best practices to care for our environment in our farms and our cities.

How will we deal with the opportunities and challenges posed by these three factors — exports, education and the environment — will play a big role in determining the future of Minnesota agriculture. The University of Minnesota will be involved in all three areas. Our goal is to be a strong resource for the research, education and Extension needed in 2012 and beyond. For the most up-to-date educational information in many areas of agriculture, visit www.extension.umn.edu.

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February 2012