Benton Ag Plus - May 16, 2020

Serving rural Benton, Morrison, Ser Mill Lacs and Kanabec counties Mille

BENTON AG Plus

Sauk Rapids Herald | Saturday, May 16, 2020

Officials offer guidance for COVID-19’s impact on rural communities

BY JENNIFER COYNE STAFF WRITER

The novel coronavirus has devastated populous communities in Minnesota.

Those in rural areas are at a great risk for the impacts of this pandemic, both economically and healthwise.

“Even the most rural communities will not have the same impact of urban communities with COVID-19, but we need to take this time as an opportunity to prepare for when it does come,” Zora Radosavech said. “We’re not home free.”

Radosavech is the director for Rural Health and Primary Care in the Health Policy Division of the Minnesota Department of Health.

Rubes Sponsored by Fluegge’s Ag

COVID-19 page 3B

A decade of growth

Sauer reflects on years in industry, prepares for future

BY JENNIFER COYNE STAFF WRITER

PIERZ – It has been 10 years since Branden Sauer began his dairying career, and where he is today is almost unfathomable to the 30-year-old.

“The first day I woke up to a freshened heifer, and I knew that was the beginning of the next 40 years,” Sauer said. “Starting out was tough and looking back, I never thought I’d be this far.”

Sauer milks 90 cows in Morrison County near Pierz. The cows are housed in a freestall barn and milked in a double-9 parallel parlor, which Sauer began using last month.

Previously, the cows were housed at his family’s farm site nearby. There, they were housed and milked in a 35-stall stanchion barn.

“I was switching cows for eight years,” Sauer said. “It was not fun. When I was milking by myself, it took three hours.”

Sauer rented the facilities, and purchased feed from his dad as he built his own land base over nine years. In 2019, a

PHOTO BY MARK KLAPHAKE

Branden Sauer milks 90 cows in Morrison County near Pierz, Minnesota. The 30-year-old started farming a decade ago, and recently purchased a farm site with a freestall barn and parlor.

neighbor and former dairyman approached Sauer with the opportunity for the young farmer to rent 80 acres and purchase the farm site with 160 acres.

Today, Sauer owns the farm site and runs 500 acres.

“From day one, this was always my goal. Two years ago, I priced out a freestall barn and was working on a manure pit that I was going to build (at

my parents’ farm),” Sauer said.

“Then, this opportunity came by, and it’s a piece of land right across the road that will never come for sale again.”

Sauer still houses his youngstock – from calves to springing heifers – at his family’s farm, with the milking and dry cows at the other property.

“I’m slowly working on buildings and where I want ev-

erything,” Sauer said. “Hopefully by fall I will have everything moved over there.”

Over the last decade, Sauer has strategically managed his farm business for growth and sustainability in the industry.

He started his herd while finishing up his degree at Ridgewater College in Willmar in 2010.

Sauer page 3B

MOW ‘N SAVE RAKE IN THE CASH UP TO $3,000 OFF UP TO $1,500 OFF SELECT NEW MOWERS AND MOWER CONDITIONERS

SELECT NEW GA ROTARY RAKE MODELS

BA-20-1-B-BL

How is Greater Minnesota faring?

OFFERS EXPIRES JUNE 5, 2020

FLUEGGE’S AG

ROD FLUEGGE “the b boss” 2040 Mahogany St., Mora, MN 320-679-2981

1960-2020 Celebrating 60 years!

Farm Material Handling Specialist WWW.FLUEGGESAG.COM

BENTON AG

Page 2B | SATURDAY, MAY 16, 2020 | SAUK RAPIDS HERALD

A resurged role in Minnesota agriculture Krekelberg furthers career as farm safety, health specialist SAUK CENTRE – After nearly a decade of Minnesota farmers being without a University of Minnesota Extension educator specifically working for the safety and health of the agriculture community, the role is filled.

Emily Krekelberg stepped into the redeveloped position April 27, leaving behind

her job as the livestock extension educator for Benton, Morrison and Stearns counties.

“I’ve always had a passion for helping farmers,” Krekelberg said. “If I can play one small role in positively impacting their lives, that helps me sleep better at night.”

Krekelberg now acts as the farm safety and health educator based in extension’s regional office in Rochester. She

Emily Krekelberg

will work with fellow educators to provide resources, host workshops and be an advocate for

2019 SILVERADO LD 1500 4WD LT

TAKE YOUR PICK!

$32,850 MRSP .................................................... $45,600 Discount ............................................... $2,000 Courtesy Rebate ................................. $3,250 Customer Cash .................................... $7,500 Actual Cost Total ................................. $32,850

211 G

LEN S

TREE

T F

Retired Courtesy Trucks (2,XXX K miles on each) Each

Call and talk to our service department for questions and details!

, MN OLEY

9

5632

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

www.murphychevrolet.com

BA20-1B-RB

BY JENNIFER COYNE STAFF WRITER

farm safety and health throughout Minnesota.

“I took this job because it will push me out of my comfort zone and force me to think out of the box,” Krekelberg said. “I love that.”

While the position and initiatives Krekelberg will lead are still being ironed out, she said she will work with state organizations, such as Minnesota Department of Agriculture and Minnesota Farm Bureau Association, in curriculum development for youth tractor, grain and livestock safety, and COVID-19 response work, among other topics.

“More and more we’re seeing deaths and entrapments happening on farms,” Krekelberg said.

“It was time to ask what can extension do.”

The specialist’s interest in assisting the agriculture community stems from growing up on a dairy farm near Le Sueur.

“Farmers are such extraordinary people,” Krekelberg said. “While farming is not for me, I have this huge passion to get involved.”

Her personal experiences with both farm safety and health have made Krekelberg the perfect fit for this newfound role in extension.

“Farm safety is something I really care about. I’ve seen the impacts accidents have on families, and I don’t want any family to go through

what mine has had to go When one thinks of through,” Krekelberg farm safety and health, said. “And in speaking there are many aspects. of health, I’ve recently One of Krekelberg’s had my own experiences key points of interest is with mental health. We suicide and decreasing can’t expect to be under the prevalence of farmers stress and taking shortcuts taking their own lives. without the increased risk “Another goal I’d like of accidents.” to accomplish is getting In addition to farm safety to be a part of Krekelberg’s new farm culture,” Krekelberg position, she will continue said. “How do we get it her work as director for integrated into farmers’ the Rural Stress Task daily work?”

Force.

In the past seven By pairing these years, Krekelberg formed two responsibilities, lasting relationships Krekelberg is hopeful and social connections to create with dairy a stronger farmers, and connection others in the between the agriculture organizations community, in a way throughout that further “We all need to c e n t r a l assists her share a unified Minnesota. agriculture While no message and longer and rural based f a m i l y get information in the triaudiences. county area, W i t h into the hands Krekelberg everything, of farmers. I’m is looking though, forward to really looking there will be continuing challenges in forward to it.” t h o s e Krekelberg’s relationships.

- Emily job.

She Krekelberg anticipates “Through my some people previous job not being in extension, receptive to certain I’ve gotten on farms, I’ve recommendations to heard people and what is address safety on farms. on their mind,” she said.

“There are so many “That’s helped me make groups and people across this career move. I’m the state that have worked excited to collaborate with with this,” Krekelberg other people and reach the said. “We all need to share same and new audiences. a unified message and get As always, their support information into the hands is tremendous.” of farmers. I’m really As Krekelberg looking forward to it.” familiarizes herself in her new role, she wants to be accessible and approachable to meet the needs of farmers as she works to promote farm safety and health.

“It’s so important to stay safe stay well and take care of yourself.

Self care is not selfish,” Krekelberg said. “You hold the key to having a good day.”

EFFECTIVE DRAINAGE PROFESSIONAL DESIGN. REASONABLE RATES. HELP WANTED FULL-TIME POSITIONS

Brad Herickhoff, Owner • 320-351-4872

LABORERS, OPERATORS & POSSIBLE LEAD POSITION To apply, download an application at www.agtechdrainage.com or call 320.351.4872

BA20_1B_MT

We offer Site prep, Drainage Tile, Land Clearing, Excavation, Pump Stations and So Much More!

from front Sauer had a group of 20 heifers due to calve all around the same time, and then he purchased cows to fill the barn.

“I fed calves for a few days with the milk, and then once I had enough to hit the agitator, that’s when I had enough to sell,” Sauer said. “I think my first milk check came when I was milking six cows. I started in May, but my first check didn’t come until the end of June. That was stressful.”

Dairying over the last 10 years has not been easy, but Sauer has found ways to make it a viable career choice.

All loan payments are automatically taken out of each milk check before Sauer receives the check.

And, he makes sure all bills are paid before using any remaining income for purchases or personal savings.

“It used to be that my

COVID-19 from front

She provided insight into how Greater Minnesota will be affected by COVID-19 during the CRPD Rural Response Webinar hosted by the Center for Rural Policy and Development May 1.

M i n n e s o t a Department of Employment and Economic Development Commissioner Steve Grove and Minnesota Department of Agriculture Commissioner Thom Petersen joined Radosavech in the presentation.

Health care disparities apparent As COVID-19 makes its way through the state, testing availability, intensive care unit bed capacity and the ability to receive care without traveling long distances is a burden rural communities carry.

“With many of our rural communities having a lower population density and less intermixing of people, it is feasible (COVID-19) will move towards an area at a lower speed,” Radosavech said.

“But once it’s in that area, it will move through exponentially.”

The state health department has worked with large health care systems and area clinics to improve testing capabilities. They have extended testing and

first check of the month covered all the bills and the second check was mine,” Sauer said. “Now, I need both to pay the bills.

Bills always have to come first, because once you’re behind, you’re always behind. And you’ll never catch up.”

To get ahead, Sauer took advantage of the years when the milk price was high. At those times, he paid off loans and prepurchased commodities for the farm.

Then, when milk prices started to slide, Sauer buckled down and focused on simply covering his expenses.

“In 2015, I actually didn’t have a feed bill until June because I pre-bought so much feed. Then, I could buy a tractor that spring because I had no bills,” Sauer said. “I can’t say there’s no money in dairy farming, because that’s the only check I get, and I’ve done a lot over the last 10 years. You just have to keep after it and get better and better.”

Part of furthering Sau-

er’s dairying career is paying close attention to the herd and its potential.

He has bred and fed for high components, and strives for a low somatic cell count.

Sauer credits his achievements to the work of his team, and the help of his dad and girlfriend on the farm.

“I work with everyone – the agronomist, nutritionist, anyone who can help,” he said. “The neighbors are helpful. Last year, I had my big tractor go down, and we were late planting to begin with.

They let me rent one of theirs.”

After milking in a tiestall barn for almost a decade, Sauer was ready for a facility that was kinder on his body. Sauer’s trusted network and sound business plan helped make the decision to relocate the milking herd an easy one.

“If this opportunity wouldn’t have come up, I don’t know how much longer I would’ve took it.

I was tired,” Sauer said. “It was night and day differ-

ence. I think I’ve gained almost three hours of less chores, and I’m milking 20 more cows.”

But the move was not seamless.

“As soon as I got inspected, the cows were there the next morning,” Sauer said. “That first milking in the parlor was a disaster, but it still only took two hours. Now, I’m down to about 1.5 hours to milk and wash.”

In the last 10 years, Sauer has accomplished more than he ever thought possible when he first decided to milk cows. And with careful management, he plans to be a dairy farmer for the long haul.

“Where I’m at now, I thought it would take 20 years to get here. It’s something that I want to keep doing,” Sauer said.

“As long as the bills and loans are paid for, then I’m going to keep doing it whether it’s $20 milk or $12 milk.”

Mark Klaphake contributed to this article.

provided resources to health care providers through two COVID-19 response grants totaling $200 million.

Contact tracing has also increased to help better understand the spread of the virus.

“We’re really encouraging people to be in touch with local public health for testing and contact tracing because that’s the easier way to identify transmission,” Radosavech said.

“When we can (identify transmission), we can be better prepared to isolate.”

In Stearns County, COVID-19 testing is available at the CentraCare clinics in Sauk Centre, Melrose, St. Cloud and Paynesville, and Williams Integracare Clinic in Sartell. There are no Benton County locations administering testing.

As with urban communities, those in Greater Minnesota are encouraged to shelter in place in an effort to not overwhelm the alreadystrapped health care system.

Main streets feel economic toll of COVID-19 In Benton County, 20.9% (4,641) of the labor force has filed for unemployment since March 15. While DEED has been proactive in helping these individuals receive unemployment insurance through the state and the national Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security

Act, much of the state’s rural economies are built from self-employed individuals.

“We know this crisis hits rural parts of the state differently than the metro,” Grove said. “If you’re self-employed, we’ve had to find new ways to find your income history and get unemployment insurance to you.”

Until recently, those individuals were denied insurance.

However, through state and national efforts, Minnesota has now paid out more than 57,000 self-employed individuals unemployment benefits, Grove said.

The department is also working closely with employers if they must go through a major layoff during this crisis.

“We have a rapid response team that moves in quickly to educate workers about unemployment insurance,” Grove said.

“Then, we’re providing workforce development and opportunities for these individuals to find jobs. We’re doing it right now in Worthington and elsewhere.”

Along with the rapid response team, the department is overseeing ethnic media outreach to share messages of workplace safety, unemployment insurance and more to Minnesota’s diverse workforce.

Agriculture in a triage situation While COVID-19 only affects human health,

food production has become a victim in the pandemic.

“Ag has been thrown a lot of curveballs every day with things we haven’t anticipated; for example, what we’re seeing with large scale meat processing and how that’s also affecting small scale processing,” Petersen said.

With processing facilities shut down because of outbreaks in their employees, the state department is reviewing ways in which these businesses can return to normal operations, how summer farmers markets will operate, and what will food processing look like post COVID-19.

“We’re beginning those discussions,” Petersen said.

“Just because President Trump’s order was helpful in getting the plants reopened, it doesn’t mean they’ll open right away. If workers don’t feel safe, they won’t come to work.”

For those farmers affected by the plant closures, the state has worked with small processing plants to accommodate more animals in providing grant funding to help build capacity and categorize plants from custom to equal to.

“A local locker can take 20 hogs off the market, but there are still 2,500 hogs that need to go through a door a day,” Petersen said. “They just don’t have the capacity.

It’s a storage issue.”

PHOTO BY MARK KLAPHAKE

Branden Sauer milks his herd of 90 cows in a double-9 parlor at the farm site near Pierz. Sauer purchased the farm in April.

Farmers can apply know is the best way to for compensation keep people prepared.” through the federal government, although the amount is finite. The state government is also looking into financial assistance opportunities for Minnesota’s pork farmers.

Turning your logs into USEABLE lumber.

As the COVID-19 pandemic develops, state • Log sawingofficials are continuously your site or ours working to develop • Bobcat work strategies to best serve • Excavating and site Greater Minnesota. prep services “We’re learning 320-266-4909 new things every day,” www.tk-timber.com Radosavech said. “The Veteran owned company transparency of what we

TK Timber

BA20-1B-RB

Sauer

SAUK RAPIDS HERALD | SATURDAY, MAY 16, 2020 | Page 3B

Available for bulk deliveries We carry all Cenex brand fuel, grease, and oil products • Taxed Road Gas • Farm Gas • House Fuel Oil • Farm Diesel • Road Diesel

We also carry seasona enhanced ful el!

Agron. Petro. Feed

PIERZ - GENOLA

Feed: 320-468-6655 Toll Free: 877-468-6655 Agron./Petro: 320-468-2509 www.pierzcoop.com

BA20-1B-BL

BENTON AG

Page 6B | SATURDAY, MAY 16, 2020 | SAUK RAPIDS HERALD

COVID-19 forces change in Princess Kay finalist selection

Statewide dairy princess workshop moves to virtual event

BY SHERRY NEWELL CONTRIBUTING WRITER

ST. PAUL – The uncertain timeline of Minnesota’s COVID-19 lockdown has resulted in the cancellation of Midwest Dairy’s annual dairy princess seminar, an event which serves as the backdrop for selection of the 10 finalists for Princess Kay of the Milky Way.

County princess coordinators and American Dairy Association county chairmen were notified of the decision in April along with members of the Midwest Dairy Minnesota Division board and county princesses who had already registered for the event.

The organization is planning to conduct judging virtually, us-

SR20-1B-JF

ing Zoom software, May 15-17, the event’s original date. The finalists’ names will be announced on the Princess Kay Facebook page at 2 p.m. May 17, the same time it would have happened during the luncheon that normally caps off the weekend of workshops and competition.

“The hotel where our event was scheduled notified us they were closing until the end of May,” said Theresa Reps, Midwest Dairy agricultural affairs manager and staff lead for the state’s dairy princess program. “At that point, our committee had to decide what to do. Given all the uncertainty at this time, the decision was to move forward with virtual judging to get finalists in place.”

The princess committee is a group of Minnesota Division board members and two county promotion board

members along with an industry representative and former princess.

“We’re sad we can’t get all the princesses together,” Reps said.

“It’s a fun event and a cool celebration, but we certainly don’t want to put anyone at risk.”

Reps said the new plans provide an opportunity for county princesses who might not have otherwise been able to compete for a finalist position. The committee is waiving the limit on how many candidates a county can advance to statewide judging.

Normally, each county can send princesses to the finalist judging based on their county contest numbers. Since some counties have completed their contests, and others called off events and local judging due to the pandemic, the committee leveled the field with the

new ruling, Reps said.

“Another nice thing is that princesses who were originally not available for the weekend might now be able to make the time to be in the contest on that one day (May 16),” she said.

Princess Kay finalists are selected based on an application, a personal interview, a speech and a mock media interview with separate sets of two judges assigned to each component.

Reps said the virtual judging will have the same portions, but with the participants – staff, committee members, judges and princesses – all remaining at home.

Reps said princesses must have submitted applications by May 1, and all materials will be distributed May 4, so each candidate has the same amount of time to prepare. Midwest Dairy will provide a tip sheet to help them do their best during the online judging.

“Our goal is to make the process as easy and stress-free as possible,” Reps said.

For instance, advice on things like lighting and background will be provided. There is also a plan to provide a phone number for troubleshooting in case technical or timing problems come up during the judging.

“One advantage we have is that nearly every girl is already doing e-learning right now, so working online is not unfamiliar to them,” Reps said.

If high-speed internet is not available

to a princess, she will be able to connect via cell phone signal using the same software. The scorecard is also being changed to put less emphasis on the visual aspects of evaluation because each competitor will have different surroundings, and their speeches and mock media interviews will be delivered sitting down with a limited view.

With judges in different locations, the scoring will also be entered electronically by each judge.

Reps hopes to schedule professional finalist and group photos in July.

Just like the state princess committee has adapted Princess Kay finalist judging for the pandemic’s limitations, the current Princess Kay’s activities have changed.

“Naturally, she’s had events canceled, so we have worked with her to expand her digital activities,” Reps said. “For instance, she hosted a dairy-themed craft day on Facebook recently.”

Similarly, Reps and the committee plan to encourage county princesses to stay active despite having fewer events to attend.

“We want to do everything we can to work with these young women to be active and find resources for them,” she said. “Princess Kay faces the same challenge right now that county princesses face. But they can be a positive light for dairy in a dark time.”

EMPLOYMENT

WANTED TO BUY

MISCELLANEOUS

HIGH SCHOOL SPANISH TEACHER Full time.

New London-Spicer Schools.

7-12 Spanish license required.

For more information, See: www.nls.k12.mn.us/emloyment

WANTED: ALL 1970S MOTORCYCLES Running or not. Titled or not. Prices will fall soon. Sell now while prices are high! Call Dan at 612/720-2142

MOBILEHELP America’s premier mobile medical alert system. Whether you’re home or away. For safety and peace of mind. No long term contracts! Free brochure! Call today! 855/610-5151

Prepare for power outages with a Generac home standby generator SCHEDULE YOUR FREE IN-HOME ASSESSMENT TODAY!

855-984-8982 • Vertical beater manure spreaders • Tanks • Track skidloader

(320) 249-7579 brandonstang23@gmail.com

• We offer full service or assisted loading/hauling • Newer reliable equipment Call for questions and scheduling

• Front and rear open roof box

Plus

To advertise in Benton Ag Plus contact your marketing specialist below

missy@saukherald.com 320-291-9899

7-Year Extended Warranty* A $695 Value!

Offer valid March 16, 2020 - June 30, 2020

Special Financing Available Subject to Credit Approval *Terms & Conditions Apply

BA-20-1B-MS

BENTON AG

Missy Traeger

FREE

NEED SOME CASH! Sell us your unwanted gold, jewelry, watches & diamonds. BBB A plus rated www.GetGoldGeek.com/mnna Request your 100 percent free, no risk, no strings attached appraisal kit.

Call Gold Geek today: 844/467-0301

MISCELLANEOUS DISH NETWORK $59.99 For 190 channels! Add high speed internet for only $19.95/month. Call today for $100 gift card! Best value & technology. Free installation. Call 855/562-4309 (some restrictions apply) DONATE YOUR CAR truck or boat to Heritage For The Blind. Free 3-day vacation, tax deductible, free towing, all paperwork taken care of 844/220-9501

AT&T WIRELESS Two great new offers! Ask how to get the new iPhone 11 or Next Generation Samsung Galaxy S10e on us with AT&T’s Buy one, Give One offer.

While supplies last! Call 855/332-0464 ENJOY 100% PERFECTLY TENDER and guaranteed! 20 main courses plus get 4 free burgers. Order the Butcher’s Bundle - only $69.99. Call 844/331-1614 mention code: 61086TVG or visit w w w. o m a h a s t e a k s . c o m / d i n n e r 3 9 7 DIRECTV SWITCH & SAVE! $39.99/month. Select all-included package. 155 channels. 1000s of shows/movies on demand. Free Genie HD DVR upgrade. Premium movie channels, FREE for 3 months! Call 877/350-0094

BENTON AG

SAUK RAPIDS HERALD | SATURDAY, MAY 16, 2020 | Page 7B

Minnesota FFA to hold 91st annual convention Event takes place virtually May 19-21 real time, along with an opportunity for all students to take part in interactive workshops and panels, while recognizing student involvement and leadership,” said Juleah Tolosky, Minnesota FFA executive director.

The Minnesota FFA State Convention begins at 8 a.m. Tuesday, May 19. The Minnesota FFA Convention app, which supplies links to convention events, will be available beginning May

15 and can be downloaded at https://crowd. cc/mnffa2020. Additional details and the convention schedule can also be found at https://mnffa. org.

The convention, with “Illuminate” as its theme, will feature keynote speeches from FFA state and national officers as well as the announcement of the 2020-21 Minnesota FFA officer team.

Convention content will be available at https://

Equipment guards: The unsung hero of farm safety unguarded shaft.

In addition to large equipment, also consider smaller tools. Tools like angle grinders and power saws are used often. These smaller pieces of equipment are still capable of causing a lot of damage and can lead to injury. Proper guards should be in place and replaced as they get damaged. In addition, prevent damage to guards by performing regular maintenance like replacing discs and blades.

There is a lot of hazardous equipment

UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA EXTENSION

Apply by June 15 FOLEY – The COVID-19 outbreak has severely affected the market supply chain for animals and animal products, causing serious bottlenecks and an urgent need for additional processing.

The Minnesota Department of Agriculture is accepting applications for one-to-one matching grants of up to $5,000 for qualified meat, poultry, egg or milk processors. These funds are to be used to increase storage capacity or processing capability for licensed custom exempt, Equal-to Minnesota or United States Department of Agriculture inspected facilities.

Expenses related to general operation of the business, such as salary or benefits, are excluded from the program.

Grant applications will be accepted until June 15 or when allocated funds are depleted.

Learn more by searching for Agri Livestock Processing Rapid Response Mini Grant on https://www.mda.state.mn. Apply online.

For questions concerning the grant, contact Courtney VanderMey, Minnesota Department of Agriculture, at 651-201-6135 or email at courtney.vandermey@state.mn.us.

For producers who need assistance in finding processing facilities, contact Jim Ostlie, Minnesota Department of Agriculture, at 320842-6910 or email at jim.ostlie@state.mn.us.

CONGRATULATIONS

EMILY KREKELBERG

used in farming, and that equipment should be properly guarded.

Replace guards as needed, reattach them after maintenance and keep your farm a safe place to work.

to the graduates!

Hot weather is around the corner!

8’ • 9’ • 10’

AG-BAG RENTALS 5 units Available A

PEOPLE...PRODUCTS...KNOWLEDGE...

Hydro-Lac is a palatable l bl source off bl blended d d electrolytes, multiple energy sources, minerals, vitamins, and osmolytes. Hydro-Lac provides the necessary nutrients to recover from the effects of heat stress, such as dehydration, and help restore animal health for better all-around productivity.

RESERVE EARLY

WATERERS

Ag Bags & Bunker Covers In stock

Forage Inoculants

WE HAVE 4 CERTIFIED CROP ADVISORS

To help serve your seed, application, fertilizer, precision and AgChem needs.

(320) 584-5520

ASK ABOUT OUR BRILLION SEEDER RENTAL

WIND & RAIN® FLY CONTROL with Altosid

Prevents the breeding of horn flies in the manure of treated cattle.

ATTACHMENTS ATTACHME

BA5-1B-DP

Stop in or give us a call for more information!

Helena Agri-Enterprises, LLC 16250 HWY 10 NW Royalton, MN

BALE NETS

A FIVE STAR SOLUTION

BA14-1B-BP

All too often, I see an equipment safety shield or guard sitting in a corner somewhere on a farm, collecting dust. When I ask about it, the common answer is something like, “I had to take it off to fix something, and it was too much hassle to put it back.” I understand that on the farm, time is money. However, those guards are there for a reason. They are a simple mechanism in prevention.

My dad lost his leg after getting it caught in an auger that did not have a proper guard in place. Had a guard been there, his life would look drastically different.

Again, guards are on equipment for a reason.

Equipment with augers are common on the farm.

Most commonly, an auger will have a guard or cage around the intake. The purpose is to prevent objects from getting pulled in. On older equipment, it is possible the guard may need to be replaced as improvements have been made to safety equipment over time.

Power take-offs are also common farm equipment. Guards for PTOs should include shields on the PTO stub of the tractor, the implement input driveline and the implement input connections.

These guards should be checked regularly for damage.

If the rotating guard on the implement input driveline can no longer rotate independently, it is as dangerous as an

www.youtube.com/user/ minnesotaffa and will be shared on the organization’s Facebook and Instagram pages.

The FFA Career and Leadership Development events, which are an important part of a typical state convention, will not take place in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the virtual format will include award ceremonies, honoring individual success in supervised agricultural experiences within Agriscience projects, as well as proficiency awards, State FFA Degrees and State FFA Stars.

FFA will also celebrate excellence in community service, agricultural literacy efforts and overall FFA chapter program excellence. Significant contributions of supporters will be honored through the Minnesota FFA Alumni Hall of Fame and Minnesota FFA Foundation recognition programs.

LITTLE ROCK, MN 320-584-5147

PIERZ, MN 320-468-2168

LASTRUP, MN 320-468-2543

BUCKMAN, MN 320-468-6433

FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK!

www.sunriseagcoop.com

BA20-1B-BL

MINNEAPOLIS – Recognizing 91 years of success in school-based agricultural education, the Minnesota FFA will host its annual convention virtually May 19-21.

Organization leaders will use a virtual format to conduct a portion of the activities which normally take place during the state FFA convention in late April at the University of Minnesota.

“We are proud to provide an experience that can be accessed in

Grant opportunity for livestock processors