PAGE 1B
Serving rural Benton County, Morrison, Mille Lacs & Kanabec counties.
BENTON AG Plus
A Supplement to the Sauk Rapids Herald
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 2016
An edible harvest
Kloss grows 750 acres of kidney beans by JENNIFER COYNE STAFF WRITER
ROYALTON – David Kloss is always farming – from the beginning of spring to the end of fall, from corn to kidney beans. For the last 25 years, Kloss has incorporated kidney bean production into his 1,900-acre farm near Royalton. In addition to the 750 acres of red beans, Kloss also runs 150 acres of soybeans and 1,000 acres of corn. “Kidney beans are an early crop. When we’re done with them, then we move onto soybeans and then corn,” said Kloss, who farms with his sons, Kyle and Cody. “It really spreads out our workload and keeps us going all season.” Kloss was one of the Àrst farmers in central Minnesota to incorporate kidney beans into a crop rotation – an idea that came to fruition in 1991, after a
neighboring farmer began cultivating beans. “Looking at it from a Ànancial perspective, the kidney beans were worth more than soybeans,” Kloss said. However, simply adding kidney beans to the crop rotation was easier said than done. “Our Àrst year was a tough one,” Kloss said. “We made mistakes, but we kept going.” Now, having just completed his 2016 harvest, Kloss is a veteran kidney bean grower. A delicate season For kidney bean plants to produce abundant yields, meticulous care must be given to the fragile crop. Every three years, Kloss rotates his bean Àelds with corn, although four years would be the most ideal to prevent diseases, he said. “It’s very critical to rotate your crops,” Kloss said. “The beans are susceptible to diseases like rot, blight and white mold.”
PHOTOS BY MARK KLAPHAKE
David Kloss harvests kidney beans Sept. 10 near his farm by Royalton. Kloss has been raising kidney beans for 25 years.
or so.” This year, Kloss Throughused a corn plantout the growing er, set 30 inches a season, the Royalpart, to seed his ton farmer applied kidney beans in David Kloss weed control twice the last few days – once pre-emergence and of May. “They’re a very sensi- another later in the season tive crop,” Kloss said. “They – in addition to cultivating don’t take the frost very the Àeld for a non-chemical well, so we usually don’t weed control application. start planting until May 20 With the sandy soil
found on Kloss’ land, the kidney beans grew well with a simple irrigation system. “I believe some of the best quality beans come off of sandy soil,” Kloss said. “But you have to be careful, because you can’t overwater the plants either.” By late August, after three months of growth, the kidney beans were ready
for harvest, as indicated by the yellowing of the plants’ leaves. Using a knifer, Kloss defoiled the Àelds to kill the plants and make it easier for the remainder of the harvesting process. “Years ago, we used Kloss continued on pg. 2B
A banner first year
Blank wins grand champion dairy steer at MN State Fair by MISSY MUSSMAN STAFF WRITER
Rubes Sponsored by Fluegge’s Ag
FOLEY – It’s been a banner Àrst year showing dairy steers in 4-H for Megan Blank. Blank, 13 and her 1,500-pound Holstein dairy steer, Curly, earned grand champion dairy steer during the 4-H beef show at the Minnesota State Fair Aug. 26 in Falcon Heights. Blank, her parents, Jeremy and Kristi, and her four siblings, own and operate a 800-head dairy steer operation near Foley. “I was totally shocked,” Blank said. “I couldn’t believe this was happening.” Blank’s interest in dairy steers started at a young age helping her family with the dairy steers on their farm. “I would help with giving vaccinations to the steers and other chores,” Blank said. As she got older, several of her friends started showing
beef at the county fair. “They kept telling me I should do it, too,” Blank said. “I wanted to, but I didn’t want to do it alone.” Blank waited until her two sisters wanted to show with her, which happened to be this year. “My mom helped us pick out some steers this past February since it was our Àrst year,” Blank said. “We each picked our top choice and also picked our second choice as a back up just in case.” Blank identiÀed her dairy steers in February for 4-H and immediately separated them into a different pen from the rest of the dairy steers on the farm. “We were able to work with them better that way,” Blank said. Although Blank made sure to feed the dairy steers Blank continued on pg. 3B
PHOTO SUBMITTED
Megan Blank sets up her dairy steer, Curly, during the championship drive on Aug. 26 during the 4-H Beef Show at the Minnesota State Fair in Falcon Heights. Blank was named champion dairy steer of the show her Àrst year in the project.
Kuhn GF7802THA 6 basket Hay Tedder, FALL SAVINGS ON ALL NEW & USED HAY & FORAGE IN STOCK
25’10” working width NEW - IN STOCK
CID Brush cutters, skid steer 3-blade, 60”-72” extreme IN STOCK
Tonutti 10 wheel rake $1,995
H&S Front/Rear Unload 18’ Forage box, 17 ton H&S running gear - $9,500
Knight PS160 Vertical beater spreader $27,900
2) Kuhn 1140 box spreaders, rental units, top
beater, apron speed control, 540 RPM - CHOICE $17,900
SPREAD ‘N SAVE
UP TO $1,500 OFF SELECT NEW SPREADERS 400-1,000 Bushel units • Slingers and Box Spreaders
WE’RE DEALING! All reasonable offers considered “Service After The Sale”
FLUEGGE’S AG LEASING AVAILABLE
Farm Material Handling Specialist
ROD FLUEGGE “the boss” 2040 Mahogany St., Mora, MN • 320-679-2981 WWW.FLUEGGESAG.COM