Benton Ag Plus - July 6, 2017

PAGE 1B

Serving rural Benton County, Morrison, Mille Lacs & Kanabec Counties.

BENTON AG Plus Sauk Rapids Herald

THURSDAY, JULY 6, 2017 PHOTOS BY OH SNAPPY DAYS PHOTOGRAPHY

Dan Christensen and Lori Stewart’s farm was the setting for Dan’s eldest daughter, Erica’s, wedding June 17. She married Jesse Jusczak.

A haymowJusczaks marry at

wedding Milaca farm

BY NATASHA BARBER STAFF WRITER

MILACA — When Dan Christensen and Lori Stewart, of Milaca, began remodeling their property after purchasing it roughly seven years ago, they did so for themselves. Recently, with help from family members, they had the opportunity to make more changes to the farm and spread that joy and happiness to a special couple in their lives.

“We did it all for Erica,” said Stewart. “All the family did everything for Erica and Jesse – to Hay bales were removed from the haymow before it was decorated for the wedding meal and dance.

make their dream come true.”

Erica is Christensen’s eldest daughter. She married her high school sweetheart of 11 years, Jesse Jusczak, on the Christensen-Stewart farm June 17. The 4 p.m. ceremony took place outdoors before an estimated 130 guests traveled inside the barn and up to the haymow for dinner and dancing.

“It came together better than I ever thought it would,” said Erica Jusczak, of Big Lake. “It was pretty amazing to see the whole process, from there being a bunch of hay up there to a month later it being completely clean and decorated with a brand new Áoor. It was truly really amazing. I deÀnitely did not think it would look as good as it did.”

The Christensen-Stewart property is a working hobby farm north of Milaca with a variety of

animals including donkeys, goats, ducks and chickens, along with draft, regular and miniature horses.

The large red barn that stands on the property was redone a couple years ago after it showed signs of deterioration.

“It didn’t look like this a couple years ago,” Stewart said.

“It was falling down. We redid it for our animals. They are in the pasture every day and at nighttime every inch of our barn is Àlled with animals.”

Jusczak said she appreciated the hard work her dad and Stewart put into the property since they bought it.

“Even a couple years ago I knew I wanted to get married there because it was so beautiful. I was

Jusczaks: page 2B

SWCD launches irrigation application program

BY JENNIFER COYNE STAFF WRITER

FOLEY – After a year of pilot programming, the Benton County Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) recently released the Irrigation Scheduler Program for crop producers near Little Rock Creek and surrounding areas in Benton and Morrison Counties.

“About 10 years ago we started a program with farmers in Rice and other areas in Benton County by providing an in-Àeld estimate of current soil moisture levels. Benton County has about 159 irrigation permits that were using a calculation that took a fair amount of effort. At that point, we realized there was potential and needed to provide assistance,” said Gerry Maciej, SWCD District Manager.

The online program provides accurate information to landowners, indicating how much moisture is currently available in the soil and when water needs to be applied.

This in turn, could create a better environment for trout in Little Rock Creek, and also a better business

plan for farmers.

Rice area farmer Dan Gottwalt was part of the test-pilot program in 2016 and continues using it this season for his potato, kidney beans and corn Àelds.

“We use it as a tool, along with soil moisture probes and oldfashioned hand squeeze tests, to determine the timing and amount of water to apply via the irrigation system,” Gottwalt said.

Farmers access the program online (www.soilandwater.org) and create an account tailored to the characteristics of their Àeld.

“Right now, you can develop a map of your Àeld and input all of the information, such as planting date and soil type, among other speciÀcations,” Maciej said. “Using data collected from area weather towers and the USDA’s digital soil survey, the program can determine the needed water for the effective rooting zone of that particular Àeld and crop.”

Currently, the program provides information for four crops – corn,

SWCD: page 4B

Rubes Sponsored by Fluegge’s Ag

PHOTO BY SUBMITTED

Dan Gottwalt (left) works with Travis Janson to determine how much moisture should be added to a corn Àeld.

Gottwalt was a part of the irrigation program’s pilot project, and now uses the online tool for all of this crop Àelds.

SAVE $1250 on ProSpread 1140

12 TEDDERS LEFT IN-STOCK

Speaders

only thru July 14th!

(Save $750 after July 14th)

LEASING AVAILABLE BLE

FLUEGGE’S AG

Farm Material Handling Specialist ROD FLUEGGE “the boss” 2040 Mahogany St., Mora, MN • 320-679-2981 WWW.FLUEGGESAG.COM

JD 640 5-bar dolly wheel Call

BA28-Junl7-1B-JW

“Service After The Sale”

NH 56 Rollerbar Rake $895

PAGE 2B | THURSDAY, JUKY 6, 2017 | BENTON AG

Jusczaks from pg. 1 just waiting for Jesse to ask,” Jusczak said. “Then right when he asked me, I told my dad we had to get the hay out of the barn because we were having a wedding in June.”

The Jusczaks were engaged in December, leaving six months to ready the barn’s interior and grounds. One of the major projects Christensen and Stewart worked on was preparing the haymow.

“When Erica asked us to have the wedding at our place, the haymow still had quite a bit of hay in it. So we cleaned it out as a group effort. The whole family – I’m talking nieces, nephews, grandkids, all of our kids, all of our sisters and grandma – really worked hard at getting this together.”

The property owners painted one silo red to match the red and white building and deconstructed an additional silo which had blocked the view from the back of the barn. In May, the family removed the remaining hay

PHOTOS BY OH SNAPPY DAYS PHOTOGRAPHY

Brooke Christensen holding Jeremiah Christensen, Chris Wojciechowski, Easton Wojciechowski, Amanda Wojciechowski, Emma Wojciechowksi, Dan Christensen, Lori Stewart, Erica Jusczak, Jesse Jusczak, Stella Stuckmayer, Ashley Stuckmayer, Ryan Stuckmayer holding Sawyer Stuckmayer, Leah Christensen holding Bennett Rowland, Lincoln Rowland, Brandon Yetter holding Avery Yetter, April Yetter and Aylssa Stewart – came together when preparing the Milaca farm for the Jusczak wedding June 17.

bales from the haymow and renovate a portion of the Áoor. working on this since April, the wedding] is really when “We’ve pretty much been but the last two weeks [before we hit it hard,” Stewart said. placed them on wagons to be stored in other buildings.

They hand-stripped branches and logs to create a banister and railing for the loft and purchased wood planks from a local Amish sawmill to

“It’s all hand done and it is so beautiful. I don’t know how I am going to put hay up there again.”

Leading up to the wedding, family members worked long hours as they tended to their own responsibilities, as well as the details of the wedding venue.

While marrying her husband was the most special moment of the day, Jusczak cherishes the family time that was spent surrounding the wedding and said it made her planning less stressful.

Stewart agreed. She said it was a blessing to have them come together to make the day happen.

“It was great because we all bonded as one big family,” Steward said. “It was just so nice to be together. We all worked on one mission – to make this special for Erica and Jesse.”

Erica Christensen’s wedding dress hangs in the lower level of the barn before the wedding June 17.

Family members of Dan Christensen and Lori Stewart helped remove bales from their barn’s haymow in May. (Left) Erica Christensen married Jesse Jusczak June 17 in Milaca.

Foreston

Erica Christensen gave her father an engraved hammer as a gift.

FARMERS CO-OP CREAMERY Your Country

GENERAL STORE Loaded with all your Farm Needs Farm Fresh Eggs Butter Glass Bottled Milk (Chocolate and White)

Variety of Cheese Thielen Meats Foley Locker Meats Heggies Pizza Ice Cream Amish Goods (Available Thursday-Saturday)

TUBS Roughage Buster 35% 20% All Natural Horse Tub Mintrate Mineral Dry Cow Tubs MasterGain Fly Tub

“In the Country Store, we have a variety of pest control products for all classes of livestock” - dust, cow rub w/ pour on, ear tags and spray

“Let Foreston Farmers Co-op keep all of your animals healthy this summer” Floor Stock Feed • Cattle, Horses, Sheep, Goats, Chickens, Dogs, Cats Fresh on the floor, ready for pickup!

TWINE •Sisal and Plastic •Round and Big/Small Squares Bales

AG BALES NET WRAP/ BALE WRAP HAY PRESERVATIVE

BA27-1B-BP

Outside the Country Store offers: Hay Bales, Straw Bales, Chopped Straw, Wood Shavings, Chicken Nest Boxes, Rabbit hutches, Bull/Horse Hay Feeders, Assorted Gates,, Cattle Panels, Jenkins Skid Steer Attachments

STOP STO O IN TODAY - WE HAVE WHAT YOUR LOOKING FOR!

Meeting your animal feed needs & more!

ALWAYS WELCOMING NEW PATRONS!

WE APPRECIATE AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR BUSINESS! FORESTON, MN •

320-294-5711 • M-F 8-5PM • SAT 8-NOON • WWW.FORESTONCREAMERY.COM

BENTON AG | THURSDAY, JULY 6, 2017 | PAGE 3B

4-H project showcase draws 200 attendees SUBMITTED BY ANN OLSON 4-H PROGRAM COORDINATOR

PHOTOS SUBMITTED

Benton County 4-H members – (from left) Emmi Janski, Chloe Janski, Izzy Bukovich, Faith Wannarks, Megan Nelson and Brittney Wannarka – participate at the Benton County 4-H Showcase and Performing Arts Evening June 7 at the Benton County Fairgrounds in Sauk Rapids.

The 4-H Ambassadors assisted with the evening’s success by sharing their experiences with the new families and members. Joyce Belanger, ambassador advisor, introduced the ambassadors and the students shared their number of years in the program and project areas.

As the families ate pizza and desserts, they were able to visit with ambassadors and club leaders to have questions answered and gain ideas for the upcoming fair season.

Families were able to view nearly 100 different projects displayed in over 20 different

Call Randy, Derek, or Cody Today!

Ryan Beehler, of Rice, brought his rabbit to answer questions and share his experiences June 7 at the Benton County Fairgrounds.

Liver flukes in cattle One would expect that most ST. CLOUD — In summer, economic losses would be due to beef producers have a laundry list liver condemnation at slaughter. of parasites to watch out for. Some However, there are parasites have obvious symptoms greater hidden Ànancial losses and can be easily treated. Others experienced by beef producers are more difÀcult to manage. once their cattle become infected Liver Áukes are caused by the with liver Áukes. Reduced parasite Fasciola hepatica. Fluke average daily gain, lower feed eggs are passed in the feces of conversion, reduced milk the animal, and they hatch into production and lower weaning motile miracidia. The miracidia weights are the most common must Ànd a host within three productivity losses. In addition, hours of hatching. The typical host is a snail. The infected snails BY EMILY WILMES several feedlot studies in feeder will eventually shed cercaria, University of MN cattle infected with even low Extension levels of liver Áukes indicate that which are motile and will attach rate of gain can be signiÀcantly themselves to surfaces, such as grass blades, where they become the infective reduced. The Ànancial bottom line is that liver metacercariae. These are then re-ingested Áukes can be responsible for hidden economic by the Ànal host, completing the life cycle. losses in the beef cattle industry.

Taking prevention measures now can Once inside cattle, metacercariae migrate through the gut wall, cross the peritoneum help avoid losses down the road. Look at and penetrate the liver capsule and bile ducts. reducing exposure to wet, marshy areas where Symptoms associated with liver Áukes the larvae thrive best and where you are most include reduced weight gain, reduced milk likely to have snails. Next, look at deworming yields, reduced fertility, anemia and diarrhea. programs with your veterinarian. Two oral However, a liver Áuke infestation is typically dewormers are available that are effective subclinical, so you may not even know you against liver Áukes: clorsulon and albendazol. have liver Áukes unless you have a post- There is also an injectable dewormer, which is mortem completed or you receive feedback a combination of ivermectin and clorsulon. All from the packing plant about condemned the drugs have advantages and disadvantages livers. Therefore, producers should look in terms of cost, ease of administration, at post-mortem examination or carcass withdrawal times and effectiveness. Consult information from the packing plant as an your veterinarian to be certain which product will work best for your operation. essential diagnostic tool.

Condemnation of the liver at the packing plant can be caused by just one liver Áuke.

project areas.

There were a number of animals for families to visit like rabbits, chickens, a friendly goat named “Susan”,

”We have beenReiny Hanneken - Manager Reiny HannekenManager 401 S. Main St. Pierz, MN insuring your 401 S. Main St. 320-468-2516 Pierz, MN 320-468-2516 farms and Reiny Hanneken- Manager Insuring your 401 S. Main St. homes since Pierz, MN 320-468-2516 farms and homes ”We have been since 1902 1902” insuring your ”Wefarms have and been insu ring since your homes farm1902” s and Let us help you homes since customize your farm 1902” Since 1902

n Ba45-tf

BA25-tfnB-TV

exhibiting their skills singing, playing instruments and color guard. These 4-H’ers received ribbons and will also perform the Friday night of the Benton County Fair.

Free Estimates ates • Free Delivery Locally Owned and Operated

• Residential • Agricultural • Light Commercial • Drafting St. Martin, MN • www.lifestylelumber.com • 320-548-3459 • 800-699-9774

Let the PROPANE EXPERTS Help You Finish Your Fish House, Deer Stand & Hunting Cabin the Right Way! • Regulators • Hoses • Fittings • Lights • Propane Tanks • We fill all sizes of tanks including RV’s

Two Great Options! p

Great Heaters Priced Right! #1 Sportsman S Stove on the Market!

Full Line Distributor of Empire Fish House Heaters & Parts

We have everything you need to complete your cabin.

“SAFE EQUIPMENT SOLD BY THE GUYS THAT KNOW PROPANE” 50 Years of Experience!

America’s Propane Company • Open 7:30 am - 4 pm 931 Lincoln Ave, Sauk Rapids, MN 56379 · (320) 251 0373

BA37-TFN-TV

Vannurden. The families were able to get an idea of what they can expect during the county fair. Next came a great performing arts show Àlled with talented 4-H members

BA27-July6-1B-BP

What is 4-H all about?

What exactly are performing arts? What are some projects I could do this year? I don’t have an animal, can I still participate?

Children were able to get these questions answered and many more by attending the Benton County 4-H Showcase and Performing Arts Evening June 7 at the Benton County Fairgrounds. The event was the Àrst in what hopes to be an annual event for Benton County.

The evening was Àlled with activities from live animals to project exhibits displayed for 200 attendees.

The purpose of the evening was to make an opportunity for up-and-coming 4-H families to mingle with more seasoned 4-H families and Ànd out more about how they can participate in the programs.

The event kicked off with a guided tour of the Benton County Fairgrounds by 4-H intern Cassie Larson and summer assistant Luke

dogs, llamas, miniature horses, full-size horses, as well as an opportunity to do some roping with Becky Molitor of the Western Heritage program. Volunteers were available to share details about the animals that they brought as well as volunteers sharing about the opportunities with Shooting Sports & Wildlife.

The evening wrapped with several people sharing on different project areas that interested them including clothing, fashion revues, aerospace, quilting, rabbits, horses, miniature horse, lamas, vegetables and photography. Looking at a long list of project areas online can be overwhelming, but being able to see Àrsthand and meet the individuals involved in that project brought everything to light.

Reiny HannekenManager Members left the evening 401 S. Main St. full of ideas. Benton County Pierz, 320-468-2516 4-H isMNexcited to see what they showcase during the Benton County Fair this year.

TENSILE STRENGTH. KNOT STRENGTH. NEW HOLLAND STRENGTH. Our premium plastic baler twine is available in a variety of guaranteed lengths, strengths and colors.

Our sisal twine offers a biodegradable, natural alternative to our plastic twine, and is made from the finest Brazilian sisal fibers.

Those who prefer net wrap can rely on both our Fastnet™ black net wrap and knitted net wrap – available in both green and white. Like our twine, these net wraps are produced to the highest specifications and are guaranteed in length and strength, giving you more bales from each roll of net wrap.

Ask us about our unbeatable warranty policy!

F FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON NEW HOLLAND PREMIUM BALING TWINE AND NET WRAP, PLEASE P CONTACT YOUR NEW HOLLAND DEALER. C

SAUK CENTRE, MN

PIERZ, MN

320-352-6543 • Hwy. 71 South

320-468-2161 • Hwy. 27 West

New Holland is a trademark registered in the United States and many other countries, owned by or licensed to CNH Industrial N.V., its subsidiaries or affiliates. www.newholland.com MRC

BA27-1B-JW

You can choose a lot of baling products, but you can’t choose any better than New Holland. With nearly all of our products made right here in the USA, you can be confident your bales are held together with the most uncompromising standards–ensuring the tightest, most consistent bales.

EQUIPPED FOR A NEW WORLD™

PAGE 4B | THURSDAY, JULY 6, 2017 | BENTON AG

SWCD from pg. 1B

BA27-1B-BP

soybeans, edible beans and potatoes. However, in a newer version set to release in the coming weeks, alfalfa will be included in the program’s capabilities.

This particular program incorporates the University of Minnesota’s algorithm, which determines how much moisture stress the soil can undergo before seeing negative effects on yield and quality of the Àelds.

“That formula can predict the moisture level in the soil so many days out and recommend how much water should be applied and when,” Maciej said. “The calculations work, but it’s a cumbersome spreadsheet to use and takes time.”

With funding from the Legislative Commission on Minnesota Resources, Maciej and his staff created the online tool using the established formula, but in a way that was more user-friendly.

“We know there are

Serving Your Seed, Application, Fertilizer, Precision, and AgChem Needs.

PHOTOS BY JENNIFER COYNE

The online irrigation application program can be accessed by computer and smartphone or tablet.

already tools out there for farmers to run their businesses successfully, but what we’re hoping to do is provide a more accurate tool for them to use,” Maciej said.

One of the unique features of the tool is the ability to estimate moisture level, considering evapotranspiration – the amount of moisture left in the

soil after evaporation into the air and transpiration from the crops.

For Gottwalt, he has seen the beneÀts of incorporating the online program into his business based on the features available.

“The program takes into account evapotranspiration of individual crops based on the current weather. That, along

Stop in or give us a call for more information!

BAP-27-1B-BP

16250 HWY 10 NW Royalton, MN (320) 584-5520

LAND ROLLERS

BY HARMS

15-62’ Sizes

Priced thousands lower than the competition!

PHOTOS BY JENNIFER COYNE

Gerry Maciej demonstrates how farmers can use the online program to determine how much water is needed on the Àelds. With each Àeld, a graph is generated.

Over 1,000 land rollers sold and operating in the Midwest

Negotiating terms regarding NAFTA

• Transports Easily • Simple to Fold and Roll • Keep moisture in the soil • Firmly pack the soil to prevent weed growth • Enable better germination • Can be used for alfalfa, hay, soybeans and more.

Video online at www.harmsmfg.com

Wagons

Variety of sizes!

• Professional welding • Proven reliability • Extended reach availble for easy connection

Dump Trailers

Tandem Bale Racks

20 Ton Wagons!

• Heavy Duty • All Steel Construction • Guaranteed To Trail • 10’x30’ bed

Big Bale Dump Racks

Heavy Duty!

• Big Square And Big Round Bales • Heavy Duty • Double acting hydraulic lift • 10’x24’ Bed • 8 Bolt Hubs BA27_July 6-1B-JW

• Single or double axle • Double acting hydraulic dump • Priced competitively

HARMS MFG., INC. 14451 430TH ST. • BERTHA, MN 56437

218-924-4522

with recent rainfall events and previous irrigation, are part of the calculation to schedule the next irrigation needed for the growing crop,” Gottwalt said.

“For me, it helps make better use of water and allows more accurate irrigation timing.”

Once the data is gathered into the program, a graph is developed, showing the many factors of moisture level and crop maturity from day one to it’s current state.

As the program monitors the moisture level, farmers can look up the Àelds and a notiÀcation within the app indicates which Àelds need water. In newer versions of the program, Maciej hopes to incorporate a text alert for when Àelds need attention.

Farmers can also access all the information on their smartphone or tablet.

“We work with an individual who does not live near his Àelds, and rarely visits them more than once a week. With the program, it’s like he’s there looking at his Àelds,” Maciej said.

While any farmer within the Little Rock Creek project area within Benton and Morrison County can use the program on their own for their crop Àelds, Maciej and his coworker Travis Janson are only able to work directly with some of them. They estimated nearly 50 Àelds within their region are being monitored with the program.

Once a week Janson meets with the farmers and they rework the program as needed to improve accuracy and overall Àeld performance.

“I think it’s a really good program, especially for new irrigator operators,” Gottwalt said.

With additional funding, SWCD would like to extend the program throughout central Minnesota, eventually across the state.

“Farmers want to do the right thing to protect the environment and make it easier for them to farm,” Maciej said. “We want to be able to help them achieve that.”

Despite the many distractions with this administration there is actually some serious work taking place that will directly impact agriculture and rural America. There have been several meetings to discuss the renegotiation of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) with some encouraging signs.

In a meeting that included the agriculture trade ministers from the United States, Canada and Mexico, the ministers issued a statement saying, “While even the best trading partnerships face challenges from time to time, our agricultural differences are relatively few in the context of the $85 billion in agricultural trade that Áows between our three nations each year.”

Ag Secretary, Sonny Perdue says there are some “irritants” for each country, but “Now is not the time to talk about them.” He said NAFTA is like a marriage and “These are family discussions

that need to on our farm take place.” products.

Issues In an on the table i n t e r v i e w, i n c l u d e D a v i d access to the Salmonsen, Canadian s e n i o r market for director for U.S. dairy congressional and wheat, a relations for streamlined the American p r o c e s s Farm Bureau for dealing Federation

BY ROGER STROM with trade said, “We disputes and The Business of Farming don’t want to improving see anything the process r e b o u n d for the approval of biotech on agriculture that would products. cause any new barriers to be The tweaking of constructed.”

NAFTA is primarily about And speaking of farm manufacturing, but agriculture trade, it looks like agriculture is a big part of the agreement trade with Cuba won’t be and farm organizations and affected by the president’s commodity groups are urging order to back off on trying to U.S. negotiators to move ahead normalize relations with the cautiously and not jeopardize country. the positive terms of the According to Minnesota original NAFTA. There’s a Lt. Governor Tina Smith, real concern that if the U.S. “The president speciÀcally isn’t willing to negotiate its exempted agriculture in his position, our trading partners comments, which leaves a could retaliate with stiff tariffs door open for us to continue

to explore opportunities to expand trade.” Cuba is a prime market for U.S. corn, dried distillers grains and soybean meal.

Update: “Justice has been served.” ABC News has settled with Dakota Dunesbased Beef Products Inc (BPI), a South Dakota meat company that Àled a $1.9 billion lawsuit over the network’s use of the term “pink slime” in a series of reports in 2012.

The trial began on June 5 in Elk Point, S.D. It was settled before ABC began its defense and, as is the case with big lawsuits, they didn’t say how much the settlement was.

It was probably a big number because I’m sure ABC was well aware that under South Dakota’s Agricultural Food Products Disparagement Act, BPI could get triple the amount they were suing for.

Standing By Our Service and Serving Central MN for Over 35 Years

INNOVATIVE • DURABLE • PERFORMANCE

“Remember, if you’re going to be HAULIN you need to be CALLIN, Midsota Manufacturing in Avon!”

CHECK OUT OUR INVENTORY: www.midsotatrailersales .com

Augers ers

Rock Wagons

“A QUALITY TEAM SELLING QUALITY EQUIPMENT”

Roto Tillers

Aluma Utility Trailers E l d Enclosed Trailers 404 County Road 50 • Avon, Minnesota 56310 • South Side of I-94

Varieties of Trailers

Grapples

320-356-2412 • www.midsotamfg.com “A Quality Team Selling Quality Equipment” BA41-1eoBA-TV

BENTON AG | THURSDAY, JULY 6, 2017 | PAGE 5B

Sauk Rapids Police Department activity Monday, June 19 0428 – suspicious 300 block Benton Dr N 0958 – suspicious 1400 block Hillside Ct 1008 – escort 1033 – welfare check 1300 block 13th St Cir 1222 – property 700 block 6th Ave N 1320 – suicidal person 200 block 7th St S 1332 – vehicle 1401 – disturbance 100 block 2nd Ave N 1414 – dvs 1430 – suspicious 600 block 2nd St N 1452 – fraud 1400 block 2nd St N 1525 – animal 1544 – harassment 1500 block Park View Lane NE 1715 – property 700 block 6th Ave N 1850 – fraud 1400 block 10th Ave NE 2019 – disturbance 400 block 13th Ave S 2319 – suspicious 2351 – disturbance 1200 block 2nd Ave N 8 trafÀc stops; 4 assists; 3 ordinances; 1 medical Tuesday, June 20 0129 – Àre 300 block 7th St S 0231 – trafÀc hazard Hwy 15/Co Rd 1 0258 – suspicious 400 block Benton Dr S 0602 – criminal damage to property Benton Dr 0718 – unwanted person 100 block 3rd Ave N 0848 – theft 100 block 3rd Ave S 0849 – death 100 block 15th St Ct 0854 – burglary 100 block 3rd Ave S 0917 – property Benton Dr N 0925 – suspicious 500 block Benton Dr N 1111 – suspicious 300 block 13th St N 1141 – property 5600 block Golden Spike Rd 1322 – disturbance 200 block 3rd Ave S 1343 – civil 300 block 10th Ave N 1348 – civil 1100 block Orchid Dr NE 1444 – property 1400 block 2nd Ave S 1514 – dvs 1514 – disturbance 1000 block River Ave N 1519 – theft Benton Dr S 1557 – theft 300 block 6th St S 2001 – theft 100 block 3rd Ave S 2143 – missing person 2202 – theft 1000 block 3rd Ave S 9 trafÀc stops; 4 assists; 2 alarms; 4 medicals Wednesday, June 21 0137 – suspicious 100 block River Ave S 0210 – suspicious 7000 block Saukview Dr 0225 – suspicious 100 block River Ave S 0813 – suspicious 400 block 2nd Ave N 0815 – trafÀc accident 1000 block Benton Dr S 0816 – records check 1042 – gas leak 3rd St S/2nd Ave S 1116 – civil 1100 block Summit Way 1116 – domestic 200 block 13th St N 1413 – theft 200 block Pleasant Ridge Dr 1428 – animal 2500 block Olive Lane 1438 – theft 100 block 5th Ave N 1441 – search warrant 300 block 1st Ave N 1540 – fraud 100 block 1st St S 1544 – fraud 100 block 1st St S 1602 – property 600 block 2nd Ave S 1759 – theft 1100 block Franklin Ave NE 1834 – domestic 1300 block 13th St Cir 1939 – animal 400 block Benton Dr N 2040 – extra patrol 2134 – police proactive visit Benton Dr S 2209 – dvs 2223 – death Benton Dr S/ Hwy 10 2224 – welfare check 100 block 15th St Ct 2334 – disturbance 700 block 18th St N 2351 – missing person 800 block 5th Ave N 5 trafÀc stops; 1 medical; 2 assists; 1 alarm; 3 permits; 2 pet licenses Thursday, June 22 0817 – property 200 block Pleasant Ridge Dr N 1426 – property 300 block 4th St S 1535 – theft 300 block 2nd Ave S 1630 – lift assist 1717 – trafÀc accident 18th St NW/Hwy 15 1824 – suspicious 500 block 6th Ave N 1852 – suicidal person 1900 block Circle Dr NW 2029 – welfare check 200 block 10th St N 2134 – public nuisance 300 block Benton Dr N 2230 – trespassing 700 block 2nd Ave N 1 medical; 6 assists; 1 pet license; 1 ordinance Friday, June 23 0049 – suspicious 1400 block 3rd Ave S 1103 – burglary 500 block 9th Ave S 1109 – domestic 300 block 1st St S 1244 – trafÀc hazard Hwy 10/Co Rd 29 1835 – suspicious 600 block 2nd Ave N 2014 – drunk 2108 – animal 300 block 5th Ave N 2111 – animal 1500 block 7th Ave N 2130 – animal 400 block 5th Ave N 2147 – animal 1100 block 9th Ave N 2148 – suicidal person 1200 block 10t Ave NE 2205 – Àreworks 400 block 5th Ave N

MIDWEST CLASSIFIED NETWORK To reach 9 states with your classified call 320-251-1971

MOTORCYCLES: TOP CASH PAID! For Old Motorcycles! 1900-1979.

DEAD OR ALIVE! 920-371-0494 PREGNANT? CONSIDERING ADOPTION? Call us first. Living expenses, housing, medical, and continued support afterwards.

Choose adoptive family of your choice. Call 24/7. 855-390-6047 (Void in IL & IN) DONATE YOUR CAR TO CHARITY. Receive maximum value of write off for your taxes. Running or not!

All conditions accepted. Free pickup. Call for details. 855-752-6680 DONATE YOUR CAR, TRUCK OR BOAT TO HERITAGE FOR THE BLIND. Free 3 Day Vacation, Tax Deductible, Free Towing, All Paperwork Taken Care Of. 1-800-283-0205 Spectrum Triple Play: TV, Internet & Voice for $29.99 ea. 60 MB per second speed. No contract or commitment. We buy your existing contract up to $500! 1-800-919-3588 Exede satellite internet. Affordable, high speed broadband satellite internet anywhere in the U.S. Order now and save $100. Plans start at $39.99/month. Call 1-800712-9365 Cut the Cable! CALL DIRECTV. Bundle & Save! Over 145 Channels PLUS Genie HD-DVR. $50/month for 2 Years (with AT&T Wireless.)

Call for Other Great Offers! Call 1-800-203-4378

SWITCH TO DIRECTV. From $50/ Month, includes FREE Genie HD/ DVR # 3 months HBO, SHOWTIME, CINEMAX, STARZ. Get a $50 Gift Card. Call 877-894-5275 Change the way you watch TVGet rid of cable and get DIRECTV! You may also qualify to receive $100 VISA gift card when you sign up today - Limited time Only. CALL NOW! 844-359-1203 Stop paying too much for cable, and get DISH today. Call 855-5891962 to learn more about our special offers!

DISH NETWORK. TV for Less, Not Less TV! FREE DVR. FREE Install (up to 6 rooms.) $49.99/mo. PLUS HiSpeed Internet - $14.95/mo (where vailable.) Call 1-855-434-0020 Lower that Cell Phone Bill. Get 2 lines of unlimited data for $100/ mo. with AutoPay--taxes & fees included. Video Streaming & Mobile Hotspot included. Limited offer/ Restrictions Apply. Call Today and Save. 855-549-9399 HELP WANTED!! Make $1000 A Week Mailing Brochures From Home! No Experience Required.

Helping home workers since 2001!

Genuine Opportunity. Start Immediately! www.WorkingOpp.com CLASS A CDL Driver. Good home time. Stay in the Midwest. Great pay and benefits. Matching 401k.

Bonus’s and tax free money. Expe-

2239 – harassment 2303 – disturbance 3300 block 10th Ave NE 4 trafÀc stops; 2 assists; 3 medicals; 1 alarm; 2 human services reports; 1 records check; 1 ordinance Saturday, June 24 0156 – open door Benton Dr N 0815 – unwanted person 800 block 3rd Ave N 0940 – escort 1104 – animal 800 block 9th Ave N 1241 – warrant 1200 block 2nd Ave N 1504 – civil 1510 – unwanted person 1200 block 10th Ave N 1927 – trafÀc hazard Benton Dr S/ Hwy 10 1954 – vehicle 2014 – suspicious 1200 block 10th Ave NE 2040 – suspicious 200 block 4th Ave n 2200 – suspicious 300 block 11th St S 2219 – trafÀc accident 300 block Benton Dr N 5 trafÀc stops; 3 assists; 1 alarm Sunday, June 25 0018 – domestic 400 block 13th Ave S 0318 – suspicious 1000 block River Ave N 0719 – parking 1111 – animal 1100 block 1st Ave N 1213 – animal Benton Dr N/1st St N 1308 – animal 800 block Broadway Ave S 1344 – theft 1900 block Benton Dr N 1710 – welfare check 100 block 1st St S 2042 – welfare check 2nd Ave N/10th St N 2117 – controlled substance 800 block 9th Ave N 1 trafÀc stop; 2 assists; 2 alarms; 4 medicals Monday, June 19 0811 – child 800 block 2nd Ave SW 1145 – suicidal person 4th Ave NW 1331 – animal 300 block 5th St NE 2030 – theft Co Rd 2 Tuesday, June 20 0810 – child 800 block 2nd Ave SW 1107 – theft 2200 block 125th St NW/200 block Main St E 1 trafÀc stop; 1 assist; 1 alarm Wednesday, June 21 0354 – disturbance 300 block 1st Ave NE 1053 – accident Hwy 10/Main St 2330 – extra patrol; 1 alarm Thursday, June 22 1 trafÀc stop; 3 assists

Rice Police Department activity Friday, June 23 1747 – theft 2300 block Pine Rd NW 2047 – child 100 block 2nd St SW Saturday, June 24 0141 – suspicious 1st Ave SE 2019 – drunk 200 block 1st St NW Sunday, June 25 0029 – vehicle 0904 – theft 1 trafÀc stop

EMPLOYMENT

EDUCATION

KMS PUBLIC SCHOOLS seeking high school English teacher. Current Minnesota teaching licensure required.

Apply online: www.kms.k12.mn.us; or send application, copy of license and three letters of reference to KMS, Box 168, Kerkhoven, MN 56252.

INDEPENDENCE UNIVERSITY Offering Associate’s, Bachelor’s & Master’s Degree Programs. Study online around your schedule! Healthcare, Business, Technology, Graphic Arts, more! Financial Aid for those that qualify! Call 877/228-7783 for info! Accredited member, ACCSC

KMS PUBLIC SCHOOLS seeking preschool teacher. Current Minnesota license required. Apply online: www.kms.k12.mn.us or send letter of interest, resume, three letters of recommendation to KMS, Box 168, Kerkhoven, MN 56252.

HELP WANTED MILK TRUCKING & HAULING Looking for full time and weekend drivers to haul milk. CDL required. 1-2 weekends per month. PH 320/264-1332

WANTED TO BUY MOTORCYCLES WANTED Cash paid for old motorcycles sitting in the barn or shed.

Non-running, no titles OK! Local buyer always paying more! 320/420-7675

Any Top

OLD ORIENTAL RUGS size or condition. price paid.

800/363-3097

MOTORCYCLES WANTED 1960S & 1970S - All makes! Running & not-running. Cash paid & trailer pickup. Dan: 612/720-2142

rience needed. Call Scott 507-4379905. Apply on-line WWW.MCFGTL. COM MAKE $1,000 WEEKLY! Paid in advance! Mailing Brochures at Home!

Easy pleasant work. Begin Immediately! Age unimportant! WWW. HomeBucks.US ###### FREE GOVERNMENT MONEY! www.BillionDollarFund.net Are you in BIG trouble with the IRS? Stop wage & bank levies, liens & audits, unfiled tax returns, payroll issues, & resolve tax debt FAST. Call 888-606-6673 STUDENT LOAN PAYMENTS got you down? We can help reduce payments and get finances under control, call: 866-871-1626 Reduce your total credit card payments by up to 30% to 50%! Call Consolidated Credit NOW! 844764-1891 Buying a home and need a mortgage? Or, have a home and want to lower your monthly fees and refinance? Getting a mortgage is quicker and easier than ever. Call now! 855-715-4721 TRAILER SALE! 2017 6’X12’ V-nose, ramp, radials $2,775.00; 7’X12’ single axle, V-nose, ramp, radials CAP. 3,280 lbs. two-bike or trike trailer;6’X10’ 10k dump $4,899.00, 990 gallon fuel trailer; Scissor lift trailer; 82”X16’+2’ car hauler 7k brakes $2,385.00; ST205/75D15 New trailer take-offs $65.00 each.

515-972-4554 www.FortDodgeTrailerWorld.com LIVING WITH KNEE OR BACK PAIN? Medicare recipients may

MISCELLANEOUS THINKING OF BUYING A NEW OR USED CAR? Call to get current promotional pricing and local dealer incentives for free. No hassle. No obligation. Call: 844/617-9515 DISH NETWORK TV for Less, Not Less TV! Free DVR. Free Install (up to 6 rooms.) $49.99/mo.

Plus, Hi-Speed Internet - $14.95/mo. (where available). Call 855/562-4309 STOP OVERPAYING FOR YOUR PRESCRIPTIONS! Save! Call our licensed Canadian & International pharmacy, compare prices & get $25.00 OFF your first prescription! Call 877/210-2257 Promo Code: CDC201725 DONATE YOUR CAR truck or boat to Heritage For The Blind. Free 3-day vacation, tax deductible, free towing, all paperwork taken care of 800/439-1735

qualify to receive a pain relieving brace at little or no cost. Call now!

844-668-4578 Stop OVERPAYING for your prescriptions! SAVE! Call our licensed Canadian and International pharmacy, compare prices and get $25.00 OFF your first prescription!

CALL 888-438-6461 Promo Code CDC201625 OXYGEN - Anytime. Anywhere.

No tanks to refill. No deliveries. The All-New Inogen One G4 is only 2.8 pounds! FAA approved! FREE info kit: 844-852-7448 Got Knee Pain? Back Pain? Shoulder Pain? Get a pain-relieving brace at little or NO cost to you.

Medicare Patients Call Health Hotline Now! 1- 800-604-2613 ATTENTION: VIAGRA AND CIALIS USERS! A cheaper alternative to high drugstore prices! 50 Pill Special - $99 FREE Shipping! 100 Percent Guaranteed. CALL NOW: 1-800-795-9687 OXYGEN - Anytime. Anywhere. No tanks to refill. No deliveries. The All-New Inogen One G4 is only 2.8 pounds! FAA approved! FREE info kit: 855-995-5653 Diagnosed with Mesothelioma or Asbestos Lung Cancer? If so, you and your family may be entitled to a substantial financial award. We can help you get cash quick! Call 24/7: 866-924-0504 GET HELP NOW! One Button Senior Medical Alert. Falls, Fires & Emergencies happen. 24/7 Protection.

Only $14.99/mo. Call NOW!! 877291-4724

Public Notices Benton County Highway Department CLOSING DATE: July 21, 2017 Foley, Minnesota CSAH 13 Bituminous Reclamation, Surfacing & Culvert Replacement

ADVERTISEMENT FOR BIDS Sealed bid proposals will be received until 10:00 CST on July 21, 2017, at the Benton County Public Works Building, PO Box 247, 7752 Hwy 25 NE, Foley, MN 56329 by Karri Thorsten, County Auditor/Treasurer of Benton County, for Bituminous Reclamation, Surfacing & Culvert Replacement of CSAH 13 between CSAH 3 and TH 25.

STATE PROJECT #: 005-070-006 STATE AID PROJECT#: 005-613-015 FEDERAL PROJECT #: HSIP 0517(261) LOCATION: CSAH 13 – from CSAH 3 to TH 10 TYPE OF WORK: Bituminous Reclamation, Bituminous Surfacing & Culvert Replacement LENGTH: 2.945 Miles Approximate Major Items of Work are: FULL DEPTH RECLAMATION 41,754 SY TYPE SP 9.5 WEARING COURSE MIX (2;C) 10,831 TON Minimum wage rates to be paid by the Contractors have been predetermined and are subject to the Work Hours Act of 1962, P.L. 87-581 and implementing regulations.

READ CAREFULLY THE WAGE SCALES AND DIVISION A OF THE SPECIAL PROVISIONS AS THEY AFFECT THIS PROJECT The Minnesota Department of Transportation hereby notiÀes all bidders: • in accordance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (Act), as amended and Title 49, Code of Federal Regulations, Subtitle A Part 21, Non-discrimination in Federally-assisted programs of the Department of Transportation, it will afÀrmatively assure that in any contract entered into pursuant to this advertisement, disadvantaged business enterprises will be afforded maximum opportunity to participate and/or to submit bids in response to this invitation, and will not be discriminated against on the grounds of race, color, disability, age, religion, sex or national origin in consideration for an award; • in accordance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 as amended, and Title 23, Code of Federal Regulations, Part 230 Subpart A-Equal Employment Opportunity on Federal and FederalAid Construction Contracts (including supportive services), it will afÀrmatively assure increased participation of minority groups and disadvantaged persons and women in all phases of the highway construction industry, and that on any project constructed pursuant to this advertisement equal employment opportunity will be provided to all persons without regard to their race, color, disability, age, religion, sex or national origin; • in accordance with the Minnesota Human Rights Act, Minnesota Statute 363A.08 Unfair discriminatory Practices, it will afÀrmatively assure that on any project constructed pursuant to this advertisement equal employment opportunity will be offered to all persons without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, membership or activity in a local commission, disability, sexual orientation, or age; • in accordance with the Minnesota Human Rights Act, Minnesota Statute 363A.36 CertiÀcates of Compliance for Public Contracts, and 363A.37 Rules for CertiÀcates of Compliance, it will assure that appropriate parties to any contract entered into pursuant to this advertisement possess valid CertiÀcates of Compliance.

• If you are not a current holder of a compliance certiÀcate issued by the Minnesota Department of Human Rights and intend to bid on any job in this advertisement you must contact the Department of Human Rights immediately for assistance in obtaining a certiÀcate.

The following notice from the Minnesota Department of Human Rights applies to all contractors: • “It is hereby agreed between the parties that Minnesota Statute, section 363A.36 and Minnesota Rules, parts 5000.3400 to 5000.3600 are incorporated into any contract between these parties based on this speciÀcation or any modiÀcation of it. A copy of Minnesota Statute 363A.36 and Minnesota Rules, parts 5000.3400 to 5000.3600 is available upon request from the contracting agency.”

• “It is hereby agreed between the parties that this agency will require afÀrmative action requirements be met by contractors in relation to Minnesota Statute 363A.36 and Minnesota Rules 5000.3600. Failure by a contractor to implement an afÀrmative action plan or make a good faith effort shall result in revocation of its certiÀcate or revocation of the contract (Minnesota Statute 363A.36, Subd. 2 and 3).”

A minimum goal of 3.6 % Good Faith Effort to be subcontracted to Disadvantaged Business Enterprises.

Proposal, Plans and SpeciÀcations may be examined and obtained for $15.00 at the Benton County Highway Engineers OfÀce, PO Box 247, 7752 Highway 25 NE Foley, MN 56329; located along TH 25, 1 mile north of TH 23 in the City of Foley. Proposal, Plans and SpeciÀcations may also be downloaded at https://egram.co.benton.mn.us\ for $0.00.

Bids must be sealed, identiÀed on the envelope and accompanied by a CertiÀed Check or a Bidder’s Bond in the amount of 5% of the bid and made payable to the Benton County Treasurer.

The County Board reserves the right to reject any or all bids, to waive any irregularities and further reserve the right to award the contract to serve the best interest of the County.

Date: June 23, 2017 Karri Thorsten Benton County Auditor/Treasurer R-26-3B

Viagra!! 52 Pills for Only $99.00!

Your #1 trusted provider for 10 years. Insured and Guaranteed Delivery. Call today 1-888-403-7751 Free Pills! Viagra!! Call today to find out how to get your free Pills!

Price too low to Mention! Call today 1-877-560-0997 CASH PAID for unexpired, sealed DIABETIC TEST STRIPS! 1 DAY PAYMENT & PREPAID shipping. HIGHEST PRICES! Call 1-888-389-0695. www.cash4diabeticsupplies.com VIAGRA 100mg, CIALIS 20mg. 60 tabs $99 includes FREE SHIPPING. 1-888-836-0780 MALE ENLARGEMENT PUMP Get Stronger & Harder Erections Immediately. Gain 1-3 Inches Permanently & Safely. Guaranteed Results. FDA Licensed. Free Brochure: 1-800-354-3944 www.DrJoelKaplan.com ALL THINGS BASEMENTY! Basement Systems Inc. Call us for all of your basement needs! Waterproofing, Finishing, Structural Repairs, Humidity and Mold Control. FREE ESTIMATES! Call 1-800-640-8195 Save money with solar! Custom Designed Systems, Free Maintenance, Free Quote & Design. No Out of Pocket Costs. Call now! 866944-4754 Water Damage in your Home?

Call now for a free, fast quote. Insurance approved. Help restore your piece of mind! 866-865-1875 Leaky Faucet? Broken toilet? Call NOW and get the best deals with your local plumbers. No hassle ap-

pointment setup. Call NOW! 866865-1875 Got Mold- or think you might have it? Mold can be hazardous to you and your family’s health! Get rid of it now! Call our experts and get a quote today! 855-398-7133 SAVE THOUSANDS ON SURPRISE COSTLY HOME REPAIRS!! With Nations Home Warranty we pay 100% of covered Home repairs! CALL FOR A FREE QUOTE TODAY!! 888-9258106 Get the perfect yard without lifting a finger! Everything you need from lawn care, soil analysis, weed control, pest control, and more! Call Now 855-675-5704 A PLACE FOR MOM. The nation’s largest senior living referral service.

Contact our trusted, local experts today! Our service is FREE/no obligation. CALL 1-800-442-5148 Paying too much for car insurance? Not sure? Want better coverage? Call now for a free quote and learn more today! 855-417-7382 Moving out of state? Best Interstate Moving and Storage offers a FREE Quote and A Price Plus Promise. Call 855-428-6241 Now! MEET SINGLES RIGHT NOW! No paid operators, just real people like you. Browse greetings, exchange messages and connect live. Try it free. Call now: 800-357-4970 Want to purchase minerals and other oil/gas interests. Send details to: P.O. Box 13557, Denver CO 80201

BENTON AG | THURSDAY, JULY 6, 2017 | PAGE 6B

Chewing on Àeld days Quite often in visiting between wheat and rye, farms and ¿eld day events, with varieties that can be I come home with things to fall or spring seeded. Most chew on for a while – thinking common triticale varieties about how something works, were developed in California or doesn’t or how it might and are more susceptible to ¿t with individual winter injury than farms. rye. There are At the Small some European Grain Tour near varieties that are Marty in Stearns very similar to rye County on June 27, in terms of winter U of M small grain hardiness. I’d guess specialist Jochum that seed would be Wiersma shared BY DAN MARTENS more expensive; University of that rye is being and triticale seed MN Extension used in some hog is generally more rations because expensive than rye. it reduces restlessness and At the Soil Health Field Day ¿ghting. Rye digests more in Morris on June 28, Dave evenly and doesn’t result Franzen and Abby Wick, in wider swings in blood from NDSU talk about when sugar levels like some other to terminate a rye cover crop carbohydrates – like corn related to planting corn or maybe. Parents and teachers soybeans in the spring. often comment on sugar We looked at a plot of rye swings with children – maybe planted last fall. This spring, in adult diets too. corn was planted at the same Wiersma also told about time in strips where the rye German hybrid rye varieties was killed three different that can yield 120 to 140 times. The best looking bushels per acre with good corn was where the rye had growing conditions. Lodging been killed two weeks prior can be an issue. Currently seed to planting the corn. On is quite expensive compared a second plot the rye was to ordinary rye varieties. killed the same day the corn Rymin is still a good durable was planted. This corn was variety with yield potential up notably shorter. On the third to 80 bushels per acre. Grain plot, rye was killed after the yield doesn’t matter so much corn was up. This corn was shorter yet. for cover crop purposes.

This brings discussion Triticale is a cross

letting rye stand longer in the spring, if it looked like it would be a dry spring; where limited soil moisture might be a problem for germination and/or for young soybean plants.

It is useful to watch for lessons in your ¿elds this summer.

PHOTO SUBMITTED

Two weeks before the Morris Soil Health Field Day June 27, corn was planted into rye that was terminated with herbicides.

about whether this is due to water used by the rye, nutrients used by the rye, or the allelopathic effect of rye – meaning compounds from rye that limit the growth of some other plants. It could be all three. Dave shared information from other trials that seemed to indicate that there can be an allelopathic effect from rye to corn. Killing the rye ahead of planting corn

Stoltman Insurance

reduces the risk. Dave wasn’t sure that two weeks earlier was enough. He recommended not planting corn into a living rye crop. He’d consider not using winter rye as a cover crop at all ahead of corn. I wonder if this varies with different soil types and moisture and temperature conditions.

He said winter wheat would have less allelopathic effect on corn, but would

recommend terminating winter wheat, maybe two weeks ahead of planting.

Some people have decided to use oats for a fall cover, even though it isn’t growing again in the spring.

Franzen also said that this was not an issue with soybeans. He would not have a problem planting soybeans into a standing crop of rye. He would have a concern about

Calendar notes The Morrison County Dairy Tour will be held on Wednesday, July 19 from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at HCL Farms, LLC, operated by John, Greg and Bennie Holtz Brothers and their families, located at 10232 195th Street, Little Falls, MN 56345.

Questions can be directed to Extension Educator Emily Wilmes at 320-255-6169, extension 3.

A Stearns County Dairy Tour is planned for Tuesday Aug. 1 at the Nick and Tara Meyer Farm, located south of Sauk Center. Watch for further details.

Horticulture bus tour to Bailey Nurseries and Gerten’s Garden Center, July 19, 2017. This trip is offered

by U of M Extension Master Gardeners of Benton County.

Pre-registration is required.

RSVP by calling Benton County Extension at (800) 964-4929 or (320) 968-5077 or visit z.umn.edu/MGtour.

Free ag plastic recycling service still available

representing Mid Minnesota Mutual Insurance Co.

Robert Stoltman

40 East Main Street, Rice, MN • 320-393-4141 • agency@stoltman.net

Farm • Crop • Auto • Home • Life

DIRTWORKS 2000 INC COMMERCIAL & RESIDENTIAL EXCAVATION • Site grading • Ditch excavating • Road/driveway construction • Clearing/grubbing land • Demolition • Construct building pads LICENSED • BONDED • INSURED

320-259-4900

SAUK RAPIDS, MN Dirtworks2000.com

Dirtworks2000 Inc. BA41-eoBA-TV

Farmers pick up their ag plastic recycling dumpsters during a recent pick-up in central Minnesota.

Revolution Plastics is still taking sign-ups from farmers for free dumpsters to be used for recycling agricultural Àlm plastics (ag-bags).

In response to calls for a solution to the ever growing piles of used Àlm plastic on farms and at boat dealers, the Recycling Association of Minnesota and nine central Minnesota counties — Stearns, Benton, Sherburne, Pope, Douglas, Otter Tail, Sibley, Nicollet and Le Sueur — have teamed up with the Revolution Plastics Company to collect and recycle many

QUALITY PRODUCTS… PEOPLE WHO CARE. VISIT ANY OF OUR FOUR LOCATIONS FOR ALL YOUR FARM NEEDS • Cheese, milk, ice cream • Feeds, seeds & fertilizers • Dairy production products • Tools, chain & hardware • Pet foods • Custom feed blending • Gravely lawn equipment sales & service • Chainsaws, blowers & trimmers • Small engine service & repair • DOT truck inspections • Electric motor repair • And much, much more to help you succeed!

SPECIALS FOR JULY BALE OF TWINE

1.00 OFF per bale with

$

types of these plastics.

There is still time for farmers throughout the state of Minnesota to sign up to get on the list to be eligible to pick up a free dumpster to use for recycling their bale wrap, silage bunker covers and silage bags at no charge.

Depending on farm location and plastic use, Revolution Plastics will spot and empty a dumpster on farms or dairies at no cost to the farmer. The program is limited to these approved plastics: bale wrap, ag and silage bags, most bunker covers and oxygen barrier Àlm. Used irrigation tape and tubing, greenhouse, hoophouse and other cover Àlms are also accepted.

Farmers in all counties within an 80 mile radius of Sauk Centre are strongly encouraged to call since that is a current focus area. Farmers will need to call Revolution Plastics toll free at (844) 4907873 or visit http://www.

RevolutionPlastics.com to sign up Àrst. Smaller farms can join together to share a dumpster if they do not generate enough plastic on

their own.

Future dispersal locations will be determined by the number of farms signed up, so even if farmers are not in the Sauk Centre focus area they should still sign up now to create the next focus area.

After farmers are notiÀed

by Revolution Plastics that they have qualiÀed, they will receive information on where and when to come to pick up their dumpsters. This is by appointment only since there is a speciÀc number of dumpsters and Revolution Plastics wants to be sure that everyone who has been given an appointment receives the dumpsters they signed up for.

The no-cost Revolution Plastics program is not government subsidized, but rather is run by the company itself. The collected plastic is sent to their Revolution Bag factory in Arkansas where it is remanufactured into garbage can liners and construction Àlms which are actually sold back into Minnesota and across the country within a few short months of collection from our area farms. This is a one-ofa-kind system whose success

PHOTO SUBMITTED

rests upon providing a very clean, consistent feedstock to the bag manufacturing plant to assure that the can liners produced meet their very high quality standards.

There are no guarantees that additional dumpsters will be given out after this summer, so if farmers want to have this free service, they should join the other 700+ Minnesota farmers who already have one or more of these recycling dumpsters on their farms, and sign up right away.

For questions about getting a dumpster, please call Revolution Plastics at (844) 490-7873.

For further information about the Revolution Plastics’ agricultural plastic recycling program email Price Murphy, Director of Operations, at pmurphy@ revolutionplastics.com.

For other questions about statewide agricultural and marine Àlm plastics recycling, contact the Recycling Association of Minnesota at (651) 641-4560 or brita@ recycleminnesota.org.

the purchase of 10 or more!

BALER TWINE SELECTION

• 20000 Big Ball Plastic • 20000 2 Small Ball Plastic • 16000 Sisal • 9000 Plastic • 9000 Sisal • 7200 Plastic • 7200 Sisal • 4000 Big Square Plastic

10% OFF on all FLY SPRAYS Dairy Fly Bomb 55Z • Dairy Fogger LD 44Z

PRODUCTS YOU CAN COUNT ON! PLUS MANY MORE!

WWW.SUNRISEAGCOOP.COM CALL US IF YOU’RE INTERESTED IN SHIPPING YOUR MILK TO FIRST DISTRICT ASSN. 9361 Creamery Dr., Buckman • 468-6433 Hwy. 27, Lastrup • 468-2543 Hwy. 25, Little Rock • 584-5147 14395 Hwy. 25, Pierz • 468-2168

BA27_July_1B_BP

ORDER FEED FROM OUR WEBSITE:

Farmers sign-up to receive a free dumpster from Revolutionary Plastics.

PHOTO SUBMITTED

BENTON AG | THURSDAY, JULY 6, 2017 | PAGE 7B

Saehrs expand step by step

Teamwork key to growth

Baler Twine

Show Pig Feed Blend

• Grand Harvest • Enviro-friend • Biodegradable

FLY CONTROL

BY ANDREA BORGERDING STAFF WRITER

tubs & bags

Look to us for all of your alfalfa pasture and meadow seed mixes!

BA27_July6_1B_BP

Oak Park 320.968.7864 Co-op Creamery

16623 Ironwood Rd. NE Oak Park, MN 56357

PHOTOS BY MARK KLAPHAKE

The Saehr family (from left) – Randy, Holly, Amy and Darrel – farm together near Pierz. The Saehrs have expanded gradually through the years and credit their success to teamwork.

Saehrs had to reassess.

“Planning would have been totally different if we would’ve built an entirely new barn,” Darrel said.

The Saehrs utilized a gating system and activity monitors to help ease the management transition.

“We knew when we went into this barn, it was going to be a big switch,” Darrel said. “We had to rethink how we were going to deal with everything – breeding cows, fresh cows or a sick cow.”

The Saehrs invested in activity monitors to help with breeding and a wellthought out gating system allows any one of the Saehrs to move cattle without help.

Five years into their new facility and parlor, the Saehr family is still looking at what tweaks they can make to management to save time and be more efÀcient.

“We do anything to save us time,” Randy said. “If we see anything that saves us Àve minutes a day – we use it.”

The four family members work together seamlessly – each having a specialty, but also knowing enough to Àll in or take over each other’s jobs.

We start each morning with Amy and Holly milking cows, Randy mixing feed and Darrel tending to the hogs and helping wherever he is needed. Holly feeds

calves and manages the dehorning and ear tagging.

Amy does all the breeding records with Randy or Darrel doing the arm service. Randy and Darrel will scrape alleys and bed stalls.

In the evenings, Amy milks with hired help while Darrel and Randy stay in the Àelds with Holly Áoating between milking, feeding calves and helping in the Àelds.

“We have 100 percent trust,” Darrel said. “I try not to stick the kids to one job.

There isn’t one job on this farm that one of us couldn’t do.”

Darrel stressed the importance of teamwork.

“I couldn’t do all this alone,” Darrel said.

Both Randy and Holly appreciate the opportunity their parents have given them on their family farm.

Randy continued farming out of high school. He said he enjoys what he does.

“If I wasn’t doing this for them, I’d be doing it for somebody else until I got my own farm,” Randy said.

Holly, too, feels farming has given her unmatched experience compared to her peers.

“I enjoy it. The family time, good or bad, can be rewarding,” Holly said.

“Even if something goes wrong, you can always Àx it.

It doesn’t matter. We’re always here working together as a family.”

Looking to the future, the Saehrs are pleased with where they are and don’t see further growth – just improvements in their future.

Darrel and Amy said having the kids involved in the farm’s growth was key.

“I wanted to do this before the kids were old enough to leave so they get some enjoyment out of it,” Amy said. “I’m really glad we did this.”

Looking back at the aerial farm photos and even walking past the original barn brings feelings of nostalgia and respect for Darrel, Amy, Randy and Holly.

They are not afraid to look back as a reminder to how far they’ve come as a family.

“We loved our old barn.

It had its drawbacks, but it Mother and daughter duo, Amy and Holly Saehr, milk cows together morning and evening in got us to where we are today,” Darrel said. their double-12 parlor

SALES.COM O T U A S VO Since 1990

2 Locations

Trade Anything . . .

Boats • Motors • Trailers Guns • ATVs

• 965 Benton Drive North, Sauk Rapids, MN • 320-229-1065 • 1850 7th Street North, St. Cloud, MN 320-255-1065

Make the most of your tax refund!

See us on Carsoup.com and Car Gurus

BA11-tfnB-TV

house heifers and cows. By then, they were milking 77 cows and began switching cows.

In 2006, the Saehrs built another barn with sandbedded freestalls to switch cows. In 2010, they made a major step towards their ultimate update by covering more cow yard and incorporating an existing pole shed to house more cows.

“We knew we were going to gear up to build this barn, and we didn’t know what we were going to do yet,” Darrel said. “That was the biggest chess piece we ever pushed – it was a big investment.”

For Àve years, the Saehrs visited many farms and received many ideas from other farmers. The family pored over building plans to be sure they thought of every detail for their new facility. Finally, in 2012, they committed to a six-row, slatted barn with 154 freestalls, 10 sand-bedded freestalls for the ICU pen, a vet station and a breeding chute. They chose a double-12 parlor with individual exits.

With pre-existing facilities, the Saehrs had the large task of reorganizing their dairy’s daily management. Feed storage, water drainage, varying elevations, repurposing building structures as well as managing breeding, fresh and sick cows were all areas the

BA27-July6-1B-BP

PIERZ – When Darrel and Amy Saehr look back at their farm when they started 24 years ago, they can see they have come a long way.

But they also know it has come with a lot of hard work and a lot of faith.

The Saehrs began with a 30-cow dairy in 1993, gradually grew their herd from within and added facilities incrementally to reach today’s 175-cow dairy, milking in a double-12 parlor and housing cows in a 154-stall freestall barn.

Darrel and Amy credit their family, including children, Randy, 21, and Holly, 17, and a crew of hard working and reliable part time employees for their farm’s success.

“Working together, without a doubt, has made this all possible,” Darrel said. “We’ve had good guys working for us. I’d credit that partly to where we are today.”

Looking at aerial photos of the Saehrs’ farm shows the progress made on their farm site. The key to their growth, Randy said, was taking gradual steps.

“We always took one step at a time,” Randy said.

“That’s why we went from 60 cows to 70, to 80, then to 100. We couldn’t go from 60 to 100 cows – we wouldn’t have made it. Step by step is key; to not jump in right away with both feet. You may sink so low that you can’t get back out of it.”

The Saehrs made improvements to their facilities every year, starting in 1996, when they covered a cow yard to house dry cows.

From 1997 to 1999, the Saehrs installed a TMR mixer, poured a concrete pit and built a shed to cover another cow yard to make room for their growing herd. In 2003, a third shed was built to

Oak Park

Highway 27 • Little Falls, MN 56345 West 12512320-632-6547 • 800-219-6547 W Side www.westsiderecreation.com S R Recreation “Trained Technicians Service What We Sell”

DAIRY | EQUINE | CATTLE | HOGS | SHEEPS | GOATS

Check them out at your local dealers!

Sunrise Ag

Kochs Hardware 12500 MN-23, Milaca, MN 56353

Mimbach Fleet 3355 Quail Rd NE Sauk Rapids, MN 56379

ARLSON WHOLESALE, INC.

1-800-669-4038

Little Rock - 32311 Co Rd 26, Royalton, MN 56373 Lastrup - 19291 285th Ave. Lastrup, MN 56344

www.carlsonwholesale.net

East Central Dairy 2195 MN-23, Mora, MN 55051

PAGE 8B | THURSDAY, JULY 6, 2017 | BENTON AG

Benton SWCD, NRCS highlights conservation projects

FOLEY — The Benton Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) and the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) held a “Tour of Practices” June 13, which highlighted conservation projects implemented by the Benton SWCD and NRCS over the last couple years.

During the day there was over 20 projects that were viewed and discussed, Àve of which included stopping on site, unloading the bus, and talking to the landowners about the conservation practices and projects they are involved with. This provided the tour participants an opportunity to meet with landowners to see conservation projects and shared thoughts on what issues were taking place and how the projects helped correct the problem.

There was a total of 44 people who attended the tour, including county commissioners, Little Rock Lake Association members, federal and state representatives, University of Minnesota Extension educators, members of the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency and Minnesota Department of Agriculture,

PHOTO SUBMITTED

District technician Mike McMillin (center) shares information with a group of people during the 2017 Tour of Practices June 13 on calibrations of a rentable poultry manure spreader. Benton Soil and Water Conservation District purchased the spreader to rent to landowners.

Benton County Planning Commission and SWCD Supervisors.

The tour stopped at various sites to look at the projects that have been completed or are in the process of being completed and some

SSales l & IInstallation t ll ti off HiT HiTensile il Fence F

ELECTRIC • WOVEN • RAIL (320) 360-6308 Browerville, MN The Right Fence... Built RIGHT

of the highlights included: • Stream monitoring presentation.

• Presentation at the Mighty Axe HopsTM farm.

• Northeast St. Cloud and Elk River Watershed water quality presentation.

• Feedlot projects in progress.

• Erosion control and Conservation Reserve Program projects.

In addition, during the tour the District and NRCS staff discussed federal and state programs, water and sediment basin, CRP, feedlots, Minnesota Agricultural Water Quality CertiÀcation Program, soil health and cover crops.

BA27-July6-1B-JW

THANK YOU FOR A GREAT

JUNE DAIRY MONTH! JULY

18- Volt Jobsite Radio/Charger

Quantities are limited. While supplies last.

Features AM/FM radio, charger, digital bluetooth receiver, USB port, p premium speakers, 40 watt amplifier, and on-board bottle opener. (7021033)(2792-20)

229.99 EA

$

7MHP Generator 7

1-1/8-In x 25 25-Ft Ft TTape Measure

Protective Mylar® blade coating. 10’ of blade standout for increased user reach. DuoDurometer blade-lock. Includes belt clip.

(0478321) (DWHT36107/33373)

3,500 Watt, recoil start.

(3019320) (ES3900)

$

339.99 EA

9.99 CD

$

Indoor Liquid Ant Baits

No drips, spills or mess. Ants carry bait back to nest killing the entire colony.

Includes 6 bait stations. (0589572) (T300)

3.99 PK 6

$

14-Oz Raid® Wasp & Hornet Killer Kills the entire nest!

(6960280) (51367)

3.99 EA

$

Get Your 4-H SUPPLIES AND FEEDS! HELP WANTED! - Inventory Control Specialist • Full-Time • Ag Background Helpful - Store Supervisor • Full-time • Scheduling/Store Operations - Milk Truck Driver • Part-time

CUSTOM BALE WRAPPING

BA-July 6-1B-BP

FEED & FARM SUPPLY STORE

BENTON AG Plus

To advertise in Benton Ag Plus contact your marketing specialist below

Lynnette Ostendorf St. Cloud lynnette@saukherald.com 320-241-1866

Tim Vos Sauk Rapids tim@saukherald.com tim@albanyenterprise.com 320-492-6987

Brent Plumski Morrison, Northern Benton, Kanabec, Pine, Mille Lacs & Sherburne Counties, Foley, Rice and Royalton allison@saukherald.com 612-840-9121

CALL OR STOP IN!

Gilman Co-op Creamery

PHOTO SUBMITTED

District technician Casey Gwost demonstrates how water samples are collected for studies during Benton Soil and Water Conservation District 2017 Tour of Practices June 13.

Brian Trattles Gilman, MN 320-387-2770 gilmancreamery.com

Holdingford, Bowlus & Little Falls brian.t@saukherald.com 320-491-0512

2017 Chevrolet Cruze LT MSRP

23,475

$

Rebate & Discount

3,500

$

Our Price

19,975

$

BA_July6_BP

BA18-1B-JAF BA B A18 A 18-1B1B-JA 1B JJAF AF A

(Offer lasts till 7/31)

211 Glen Street • Foley, MN 56329

www.murphychevrolet.com

320-968-6239 or 888-868-6239 Open Monday-Friday 8-6 • Sat 8-2