Benton Ag Plus - August 5, 2023

Drought assistance programs

AG BENTON

Loss of hearing is not an obstacle for future Benton County 4-H’er

BY TIM HENNAGIR STAFF WRITER

All youth need opportunities to be involved in activities that showcase their talents.

Programs like 4-H empower disabled youth. They also build unique friendships.

by Ryan Brunn, executive director

Benton and Mille Lacs counties

With the extremely dry weather we have been experiencing in central Minnesota, we have now triggered additional Farm Service Agency programs to assist livestock producers.

All producers in Benton, Mille Lacs, Sherburne and Anoka counties can apply for the following programs if applicable to their farming operation. Please read about the below programs and see if FSA can help.

Livestock forage losses

Producers are eligible to apply for the 2023 Livestock Forage Disaster Program bene ts on small grain, native pasture, improved pasture, annual ryegrass and forage sorghum intended for grazing.

Programs page 3B

Five-year old Stella Mielke did not hear the cheers when she participated at the Benton County Fair as an open class novice during the Aug. 1 swine judging.

“Stella has to overcome barriers because she’s deaf,” said her mother, Jade. “Having a disability isn’t an obstacle to 4-H. Stella and sister, Hailey, have lots of gumption.”

The girls’ swine-showing received a helping hand from Corey, Vicky, Morgan and Austin Molitor.

Next year’s goal is having Stella become a fully bloomed 4-H Cloverbud, joining Hailey at the fair showing pigs.

“Don’t forget that 4-H is for everybody,” Vicky said. “It allows anyone to participate. That’s the message.”

Austin agreed with his mother’s assessment regarding Stella’s participation and her impact upon others.

“She should get the same opportunities as everyone else,” he said. “A disability should not be a barrier. Stella makes me work harder to be better with my 4-H involvement, and she has a lot of fun doing it.”

Jade, Hailey and Stella participated in a school event that featured Tank, the Molitor’s crossbred calico market barrow. It was not long before Tank and Hailey formed a bond.

When Austin applied for a job at the Mielke family’s dairy farm and was hired, he was asked about the process of getting involved in 4-H.

“Hailey got us involved

world

with the Molitors’ pigs,” Jade said. “When she started walking and caring for a pig, Stella was determined she was going to do the same thing. Since Stella is deaf, my participation involves communicating with sign language, which Morgan and Austin have picked up and learned.”

Sauk Rapids Herald | Saturday, Aug. 5, 2023

Serving rural Benton, Morrison, Mille Lacs and Kanabec counties

Farm Service Agency News

for

Mielke’s animal interactions occur in silent

PHOTO BY TIM HENNAGIR Stella Mielke is all smiles after giving a crossbred calico gilt named Possum a quick brushing and plenty of pre-event attention prior to an novice appearance at the Aug. 1 Benton County Fair 4-H swine show in Sauk Rapids. Stella is deaf, and sign language is one tool when visiting with the Corey and Vicky Molitor family. Mielke page 2B

Cover Crop OF THE MONTH

Mielke from page 1B

Jade said showing an animal at the fair requires plenty of hands-on learning.

For Stella and Hailey, that work ethic and philosophy developed over the spring and summer months.

“We spent time with Morgan and Austin on Saturday mornings and Sunday afternoons because it worked best for our schedule,” Jade said. “If I had a day off, I would text Austin and ask if we could come and do pigs. He’s really special.”

Pearl millet

Producers may know that cover crops benefit the soil and agricultural operations, but do they know the benefits of each species? Each month a different cover crop species will be highlighted to provide producers with information needed to successfully grow cover crops or alternative forages on their operation.

Pearl millet is a warm season grass that is typically used for forage. It is a fast-growing crop that is high yielding, making it excellent for haylage or grazing. The origin of pearl millet is not completely known but is believed to have domesticated in west Africa.

Pearl millet provides many benefits to soil and animals. The fibrous root system makes it great to reduce soil erosion and scavenge for nutrients. The high amounts of biomass make it excellent at suppressing weeds and as a high-quality forage. The forage value of pearl millet varies based on the growth stage of the millet, but one can expect to see crude protein levels of 8% to 11%. Total digestible nutrient levels will be around 55%.

One advantage pearl millet has compared to sorghum or sudangrass species is that it does not produce prussic acid which is a major win when grazing summer warm season grasses. Beyond the individual benefits, pearl millet, overall, is a great soil builder.

Pearl millet should be planted at a depth of half an inch to an inch between the dates of June 1 and Aug. 1 for the most growth potential. Rates of seeding will vary based on the intended use but starts at 20 pounds an acre of seed.

Information provided by the Morrison County Soil and Water Conservation District.

Earlier this week, Stella and Austin took to the arena with Possum, a crossbred calico gilt, during the 2023 Benton County 4-H swine show. Morgan and Hailey showed Tank during the Cloverbuds portion of the Aug. 1 show program.

“The Molitor kids have shown Stella how to do the tasks that need to get done when caring for pigs and showing at the county fair,” Jade said. “She doesn’t have any barriers in that area.”

Clint Mielke, the girls’ father, has been

involved with dairy farming his entire life. The family currently milks about 170 head.

“It’s good the girls are learning from Austin,” he said. “He really works them. They love doing it. He’s really, really good with younger kids.

Holly Bloch (from left), Chad Zirbes and Justin Gertken are pictured Oct. 11 at Midsota Trailer Sales and Service in Avon, where they are proud to be a one-stop shop for their customers.

BA31-1B-RB

Morgan Molitor and Hailey Mielke show a crossbred calico market barrow named Tank during the Cloverbuds portion of the Aug. 1 swine show program at the Benton County Fair in Sauk Rapids. The duo worked during the spring and summer months to train the pig on the Molitor farm.

PHOTOS BY TIM HENNAGIR

Austin Molitor and Stella Mielke enter the arena show ring with a crossbred calico gilt during the Aug. 1 Benton County Fair 4-H swine show in Sauk Rapids. The duo have used sign language to communicate and overcome Stella’s hearing loss.

Mielke page 3B

Help prevent equipment-caused wildfires

ST. PAUL – Drought conditions in Minnesota are increasing wild re risk in central Minnesota. Recently, several equipment-caused wild res have occurred, according to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources.

Exhaust systems and motors can reach temperatures of more than 1,000 degrees during operation, and equipment can create sparks by hitting rocks or hard surfaces.

Taking steps to maintain

equipment and putting safety rst will help reduce unintentional, equipment-caused wild res.

It only takes one spark to turn harvest season into wild re season. Whether people are working in the eld, doing yard work or operating other heavy machinery, they can help prevent wild res by following these tips:

– Keep equipment maintained to minimize overheating and sparks.

– Look to the rear regularly to make sure equipment is not start-

Mielke from page 2B

I’ve de nitely learned a lot more about pigs as part of a rst-year 4-H family. Austin, and Morgan, have shown Stella and Hailey everything that’s involved with showing pigs.”

Clint said post-Benton County Fair life is going to be dif cult regarding the girls’ relationship with Tank.

“He was placed on the 4-H auction,” Clint said. “That was hard when it happened, but we previously explained to Hailey that a pig going to butcher is all part of the deal when you raise fair livestock.”

Benton County has always had a strong swine

Programs

from page 1B

LFP provides compensation if producers suffer grazing losses for covered livestock due to drought on privately owned or cash-leased land or re on federally managed land.

County committees can only accept LFP applications after notication of a qualifying drought is received by the national of ce or if a federal agency prohibits producers from grazing normal permitted livestock on federally managed lands due to qualifying re.

ELAP covers losses from transporting water to livestock

If producers incurred additional operating costs for transporting water to livestock due to an eligible drought, assistance may be available through the Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honeybees and Farm-Raised Fish Program.

Eligible livestock must be adult or nonadult dairy cattle, beef cattle, buffalo and beefalo as well as alpacas, deer, elk, emus, equine, goats, llamas, reindeer, horses or sheep. Additionally, the livestock must have been owned 60 calendar days prior to the beginning of the drought and be physically located in the county designated as a disaster

area due to drought. Adequate livestock watering systems or facilities must have existed before the drought occurred, and producers are only eligible if they do not normally transport water to the livestock.

Livestock that were or would have been in a feedlot are not eligible for transporting water. ELAP covers the additional cost of transporting water and does not cover the cost of the water itself.

Producers must le a notice of loss on form CCC-851 the earlier of 30 calendar days of when the loss is apparent to them. Additionally, the deadline to submit an application for payment for 2023 ELAP assistance is Jan. 31, 2024.

Documentation that shows the method used to transport the water, the number of gallons of water transported and the number of eligible livestock to which water was transported must be provided to FSA.

CRP non-emergency haying/grazing provisions expanded FSA is reminding Conservation Reserve Program participants and livestock producers about the expanded haying and grazing opportunities included in the Agricultural Improvement Act of 2018, also known as the 2018 farm bill. The greater exibility in non-emergency haying and

ing res.

– Park on gravel or pavement whenever possible. Avoid idling or parking near tall grasses or vegetation.

– When doing in- eld repairs, use extreme caution when welding, torching or grinding.

– Keep a water supply extinguisher and tools nearby as well as a phone to call for help.

If you spot a wild re, call 911. Fire danger can change quickly. Check current conditions at mndnr.gov/burnrestrictions.

livestock program and participation at its county fair, said Nathan Oliver, a Benton County 4-H volunteer judge from Becker who observed Stella and Hailey Aug. 1 as they moved around the ring.

Oliver runs about 20 purebred breeding stock sows and ve boars on his 200-acre farm.

He had lots of post-showing praise for this year’s Benton County open class novices and Cloverbud fair participants.

“These kids are the future of our program,” Oliver said. “I admire the families and older mentors. This is how you build an industry. It’s rare to nd this type of 4-H participation, so any opportunity like this that you encounter is really fantastic.”

Central Dairy Field Day

A Melrose dairy farm is the site of an upcoming dairy field day.

Dairy farmers and industry professionals will gather from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 8, at Funk’s Midway Dairy, 32952 330th St., Melrose, for this year’s Central Dairy Field Day.

Funk’s Midway Dairy is owned and operated by four families, which milk 700 cows with a double 12 parlor as well as two robots. Participants will learn about forages, robots, farm management styles and reproduction enterprise. Register at extension.umn.edu/event/central-dairyfield-day-2023.

For additional information, contact Dana Adams at 320-204-2968 or adam1744@umn.edu.

Irrigation, Nutrient Management Field Day

The University of Minnesota Extension is hosting an Irrigation and Nutrient Management Field Day from 4-7 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 10, at Sand Plain Research Farm in Big Lake. Topics of the free field day will include precision irrigation and nitrogen management in corn and potato fields, soil moisture sensing technology for irrigation scheduling and enhanced efficiency fertilizers. Complimentary dinner is included.

Find more information or register at z.umn.edu/irrigationfieldday or by contacting Taylor Herbert at 612-3945229 or thebert@umn.edu.

grazing provisions of the conservation program maintain appropriate protections to maintain the desired soil, water and wildlife bene ts. Haying and grazing of CRP conservation cover, if done responsibly, have been shown to diversify covers, improve existing stands and provide benets to wildlife habitat.

All practices are now eligible for non-emergency haying and grazing except for CP-12 wildlife food plots and the following tree practices (CP3, CP3A, CP5A, CP16A, CP17A, CP31, CP36, CP38 (unless authorized by the SAFE agreement) and CP-38). The new provisions allow the CP-23, CP-23A, CP-21 and CP-25 acreages to be hayed or grazed. This change provides signicant increase of acres eligible for consideration for authorized harvesting of hay or grazing.

The Natural Resources Conservation Service will work with CRP participants to develop a Conservation Plan of Operations that provides guidelines that must be followed when grazing CRP. Non-emergency grazing must not exceed 120 days and may begin based upon the established date in the plan. Grazing must end the earlier of the minimum grazing heights required entering the dormancy growing season or the date specied in the plan.

CRP participants are required to le a request for haying or grazing and receive written approval from FSA prior to any haying or grazing. Applications will identify the acreage requested for haying or grazing. The same acreage must not be hayed and grazed in the same year. A Conservation Plan of Operation will be developed for all haying and grazing requests. Participants must agree to re-establish, at their own expense, any cover destroyed or damaged as a result of haying or grazing. The plan will include dates for haying and bales to be removed and grazing beginning and ending dates in which livestock must be removed. Participants are required to report the number of acres hayed or grazed within 10 working days of the established end dates. Compliance reviews of haying and grazing reports are conducted annually.

TK Timber

The Sand Plain Research Farm is located near Knife River Corporation, 16491 157th St. SE, Big Lake. From the intersection of Highway 10 and Minnesota County Road 11, proceed south to 157th Street Southeast and turn right. Travel 100 yards and prepare to turn left. Signs will direct people to the field day.

Soil Solutions Field Day

Farmers and agricultural experts from across the region are set to gather from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 7, for the University of Minnesota Extension Soil Solutions Field Day.

The event – which takes place at West Central Research and Outreach Center, located at 46352 Highway 329, Morris – aims to explore innovative methods to enhance farm productivity through the promotion of healthy soil. A wide range of sessions will be offered throughout the day, covering various topics such as tillage choices in soil conditions, water management through cover crops, planting green during dry years and the detrimental impact of soil erosion on crop productivity.

For additional information about the event and to assure a complimentary lunch, individuals can visit z.umn. edu/Sept7.

For inquiries, contact Jodi DeJong-Hughes at dejon003@umn.edu or 320-815-4112.

Women in Ag Field Day for Productive Soil

University of Minnesota Extension Women in Ag Network is hosting the Thriving Roots Field Day from 8:15 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday, Sept. 8, at the West Central Research and Outreach Center, 46352 Highway 329 Morris.

The event is designed for women passionate about farm productivity through healthy soil. Extension educators, soil specialists and topic experts will offer hands-on sessions on topics that include tillage in soil conditions, cover crop roots and their effects on soil, planting green information about cereal rye crops, methods to reduce soil erosion and the economics of cover crops.

For more information and to register, visit z.umn.edu/ Sept8. A complimentary lunch and beverages will be provided.

Benton County Tour of Practices

The Benton Soil and Water Conservation District and Natural Resources Conservation Service will host it annual Tour of Practices from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday, Sept. 8.

The tour consists of visiting sites and learning about projects of the Benton SWCD and NRCS.

The free tour includes complimentary lunch. Attendees must register by Friday, Sept. 1, to participate by contacting Renee Thell at 320-968-5300, ext. 3 or renee.thell@ mn.nacdnet.net.

Water:

Hydration, irrigation key to productive field

BY JAKOB KOUNKEL STAFF WRITER

A farmer can do everything right. They can use just the right amount of fertilizer. They can meticulously plant their crops at the right speed, and they can have the highest quality soil. They can be as punctual as possible. They can buy the highest quality equipment and seeds.

But, as the crops go in the ground, even after going the extra mile with the legwork and due diligence, many farmers have one question on their minds: Will Mother Nature cooperate this year?

There are many elements at the heart of achieving a successful yield year in and year out, and farmers across the spectrum may offer various answers to what contributes most effectively to production. Without hydration, the plight of the farmer intensi es, and everything else becomes noise.

At the Brian and Glen Kaschmitter farm July 13 in Sauk Rapids, irrigation systems and rainfall were top of mind. Benton Soil and Water Conservation District partnered with representatives from the Natural Resources Conservation Service to talk about water quality through a program called “We Are Water.” The Kaschmitters

The cornerstone of agriculture

said, is the time-saving aspect. Brian said they likely save more than 50% of their time, and Glen said it might be more like two-thirds of time savings.

Alex Udermann, a Foleybased farmer, also spoke at the event regarding his farm. He recently transitioned to notill practices.

“We were going to go the strip-till route, but units are spendy and so we decided to go straight no-till,” Udermann said. “And we are not looking back.”

A rainfall simulator demonstration shows the impact of cover crops and various soil types that were pulled from nearby fields July 13 on farm property owned by Glen and Brian Kaschmitter in Sauk Rapids. The demonstration showed a 1-inch rainfall event and how varying soil types react with varying levels of cover crops; from left to right, the soil starts as high quality with live crops and moves to lower quality soil with no top dressing.

hosted the most recent event at their farm.

Part of the reason why the Kaschmitters were selected to host is because they operate a Minnesota Agricultural Water Quality certi ed farm. The certi cation shows the Kaschmitters have managed their land in a way that protects water quality. The other reason is the Kaschmitters, since 2002, have transitioned to using mostly no-till farming methods.

The Kaschmitters are so

focused on conservation not only for the bene t of their crop yield but also to be good stewards of the land and pass it on to future generations. It is important to them that their children and grandchildren have quality soil and farm practices already in place.

“We only have one soil,” Glen said. “We’re here to make it better not wreck it.”

Brian said water is key.

“Everybody standing here today knows how important water is,” Brian said. “A human will die in ve days

without it, and plants won’t produce a crop.”

Much of the conversation with the Kaschmitters revolved around their no-till practices. No-till practices slow evaporation, according to the Minnesota Department of Agriculture, meaning better water absorption of rainwater, but the practice also increases irrigation ef ciency, which leads to higher yields, especially during hot and dry years.

No-till farming can also reduce soil erosion by more than 80%, the state ag department reports. It provides for better water quality by keeping sediments on the land and out of nearby bodies of water.

One of the biggest advantages, the Kaschmitters

Udermann brought equipment to the event for people to inspect and ask questions about. But Udermann did not have much to say other than that no-till practices on his farm are working better than he could have imagined.

“We sold all of our tillage equipment,” Udermann said. “It works, and I’ll argue with anyone who says it doesn’t work.”

Ann Brieger, the vice president of the Irrigators Association of Minnesota, advocated in favor of irrigation systems to combat hot and drought years. Brieger farms in southern Minnesota, and the soil conditions there are less than quality, she said. Her entire farm is under irrigation, and she spends a signi cant amount of time advocating that other farmers get into irrigation systems if they have the means.

Brieger said one of the biggest battles in water irrigation systems for farmers is the public’s view. Farmers know how crucial they are for the world’s food supply, but Brieger said the public seems to be growing less knowledgeable about their food sources, especially in the metro areas across the country.

Water page 5B

PHOTOS BY JAKOB KOUNKEL

A no-till machine owned by Alex Udermann was on display for all to examine and ask questions about July 13 on farm property owned by Glen and Brian Kaschmitter in Sauk Rapids. Udermann is a Foley farmer.

Stepping into the show ring

Water from page 4B

“I encourage everybody to tell your neighbors and educate people who don’t know much about farming,”

said. “Advocate for yourself. We need to get more people understanding how irrigation works and how important it is for the farmer.”

Brian (left) and Glen Kaschmitter speak about no-till and water conservation practices July 13 on their farm property in Sauk Rapids. The Kaschmitters operate a Minnesota Agricultural Water Quality certified farm.

Brieger

A miniature, automated irrigation system sits on display at the ag conservation event July 13 on farm property owned by Glen and Brian Kaschmitter in Sauk Rapids. The model was built by students at Central Lakes College in Staples.

(Top) Nolan Hackett, of the Mayhew Lakers 4-H Club, leads a breeding heifer into the ring during the beef show Aug. 1 at the Benton County Fair in Sauk Rapids. 4-H youth participated in livestock shows Aug. 1-5, which included but were not limited to swine, beef, sheep, dairy, poultry and horse.

(Right) Tosh Maus, of the Green Acres 4-H Club, holds a butcher chicken inside the poultry building at the Benton County Fair Aug. 1 in Sauk Rapids. The animal was shown as part of a market pen.

PHOTOS BY NATASHA BARBER Bradley Plumski, of the Elk River Critters 4-H Club, leads a registered spring calf into the show ring Aug. 1 at the Benton County Fair in Sauk Rapids. The fair took place Aug. 1-6.

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Chicken about chickens

Unexpectedly, the chickens came to roost in April.

Well, two chickens came to live on our farm.

Getting chickens had been a standard topic with my sisters every time we got together for a hen party and drank a little wine. They, being cityfolk, didn’t have experience with poultry either, but we all liked the romantic notion of a farmer’s wife earning the proverbial egg-money.

But how many chickens did one need to generate a nest-egg?

I’d had a bit of experience with poultry when my sons were small. They had been invited by friends to go biking on a local trail, and so I had dutifully loaded their bikes into our pickup and drove them to the meeting point. Once they were on their way, I had some time to waste until meeting at the agreed upon destination.

I enjoyed driving along back roads and was thrilled to nd a garage sale in a farmer’s yard. I

drove in and looked over the tables. I wasn’t nding anything of use, but then a sign caught my eye: Chickens for sale. Hmmm. That seemed interesting. I inquired about the cost and jumped at the opportunity when I found out they were only $5 each. Some youngsters wrangled up two birds and stuck them in a large cardboard box. Oh, I thought, this is going to make for great giggles the next time I meet with my sisters.

My sons were thrilled with my purchase when I picked them up after the bike trip. All the way home, they talked about names, where the birds would live, what we would feed them, etc. My husband chuckled when he saw what I’d brought home, and we decided their home would be in the hayshed with the older calves.

I looked forward to helping with chores because it was fun watching those chickens strut around the yard. Also, I was anticipating nding an egg or two at some point, and I asked our farmhand to keep an eye out for any.

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It wasn’t until a few weeks later when I questioned him about whether he’d seen any when he laughed good-naturedly and said, “You’re not going to get any eggs. You bought two roosters.”

Ugh! I know now that it’s dif cult to determine the gender of a fowl until they are older.

It didn’t matter though. I quit looking for eggs and started enjoying the personalities of those roosters, and I got pretty good at crowing like them.

Now, many years later, I’ve got the real deal. The aunt of my step-granddaughter-to-be had two hens that were bullying her other birds, so she needed to rehome them. Of course, I said yes when I was asked if the two unruly birds could come live on our farm.

My son bought a coop and set it up, and for the last several months, we’ve enjoyed nding at least two eggs in the nest every morning. That is until recently. One of the hens has become “broody.” What?

Why can’t the hens be as simple to care for as the roosters were?

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Planning, pile-counting, planting

Twenty years from now, this season may be one for the, “I still remember the summer of 2023,” kind of les. That record isn’t quite complete yet. It doesn’t take an in-depth analysis to realize that adequate and timely precipitation plays a large role in forage yield and resulting feed stocks on the farm.

University of MN Extension

by Tyler Rice

The drought has surely taken a toll in our region, and livestock producers may be looking for alternative ways of supplementing their supply. Though we cannot plan for everything, we can employ strategies now that will be helpful in managing our feed stocks through the winter and, if we choose, last-hour emergency forage additions.

Now is a good time to take stock of your forage inventory and to use inventories to plan.

For baled hay, the process is fairly straight forward. Take a census of bale numbers and weight (and perhaps shape and size) of bales. Bales may be sorted according to species, cutting and forage quality. In this case, bale inventory should also take into account the percent of moisture of hay when inventories assume a dry matter as-fed basis. This includes taking stock of baleage. For ensiled forage stored in a silage bag, inventories can be assessed by nding the total volume of the lled bag and estimating the density of dry matter (usually between 11-15 pounds dry matter per cubic foot). Do not fail to account for

un lled portions of the bag. Horizontal bunkers and piles can present unique challenges when one is trying to inventory feed. Similar to the above silage bag method, an accurate estimate of total volume including the height, length and width is required as well as an estimate of dry matter density. A careless estimate of any of these features will result in an answer that is less than thorough. Tower silos can make the task a bit easier by providing already known dimensions for volume while density is still a misnomer. Feed in the lower features of the silo are going to be more densely packed than feed in the upper part.

Sometimes it is advantageous to purchase feed in-season. This approach can be accomplished by buying directly from other forage producers or purchasing feed at local auctions. If there is a real need to augment feed supply at this point, creative strategies, which often include working with neighboring farmers, can change the game. Planting a cool-season cereal or cover crop for forage now, with the aid of later season rain, can also help supplement feed supplies come fall, even early spring.

For help in accomplishing the tasks above or for more strategies related to late-season forage alternatives, contact your local crops or livestock University of Minnesota Extension educator.