Benton Ag Plus - December 16, 2023

BENTON AG Plus

Sauk Rapids Herald | Saturday, Dec. 16, 2023

Serving rural Benton, Morrison, Mille Lacs and Kanabec counties

Minnesota-grown

Tax resources for USDA program participants

Christmas tree arrives in D.C.

Farm Service Agency News

by Ryan Brunn, executive director for Benton and Mille Lacs counties

Navigating ling taxes can be challenging, especially if you are new to running a farm business, participating in disaster programs for rst time or trying to forecast the farm’s tax bill. Receiving funds from U.S. Department of Agriculture through activities such as a conservation program payment or a disaster program is considered farm income that includes a tax liability for farm businesses. USDA technical assistance is free and creates no tax implications.

At the end of the tax year, USDA issues tax forms 1098 and 1099 for farm loans, conservation programs administered by the Farm Service Agency and Natural Resource Conservation Service

USDA page 3B

PHOTO COURTESY OF THE MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Minnesota Department of Administration employees haul a Happy Land Tree Farms fir up the steps of the Minnesota Capitol Nov. 28 in St. Paul. Happy Land Tree Farms also sent a 10-foot Fraser fir to Washington, D.C., for Vice President Kamala Harris’ residence.

Champion.”

Minnesota Christmas Tree Association President John Krueger said this year was the rst time a state grower received either the national grand champion or reserve champion distinctions.

“It’s the rst one ever for a Minnesota farm (to be placed in the top two nationally),” Krueger said. “Of course, there are only two per year: one goes to the White House, and one goes to the vice president’s residence. Happy Land Tree Farm has dominated the Minnesota State Fair Christmas tree competition, which is how the Minnesota association chooses which trees will compete at the national level.”

Happy Land Tree Farms fir selected for vice president’s residence

BY HANS LAMMEMAN STAFF WRITER

A family-run tree farm from Sandstone recently received a national distinction that Minnesota Christmas Tree Association leaders said put the state’s tree-growing industry on the map.

A 10-foot Minnesota-grown Fraser r is bringing holiday spirit to Vice President Kamala Harris’ residence in Washington, D.C., this December after Happy Land Tree Farms landed the 2023 Reserve Champion title at the National Christmas Tree and Wreath Contest. The contest took place during the National

Christmas Tree Association convention Aug. 4 at Wolcyn Tree Farms & Nursery in Cambridge.

Happy Land Tree Farms secretary Myra Olson said her family was simply pleased to be in attendance at the competition in August and did not expect to end the event by being named one of the top tree farms in the nation.

“It’s incredibly signi cant for us,” Olson said. “We have worked pretty hard entering the Minnesota State Fair competitions, and we’ve won 15 times.

Because of that, we decided to enter the national competition. We were very shocked to learn that we got Reserve

Happy Land Tree Farm page 2B

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SAUK RAPIDS HERALD | SATURDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2023 | Page 3B

BENTON AG

Holiday preparations

A calendar of area events to expand agricultural knowledge

The sweet spicy aroma of gingerwill brighten the spirits of those driving bread cookies waft through my kitchen north after leaving the lights of the city. and mingle with the piney scent of a holDecorating the inside of our home iday candle. Bing Crosby croons his tune is a little more time-consuming. There through my bluetooth speakers as I sip a are boxes to sift through and decisions bit of warm mulled wine. The Christmas to be made as to whether certain holiseason has arrived in full swing, and I’m day knickknacks should be put out. My doing my best to do my part. mother-in-law has given us Nativity Change is inevitable in life, and alscenes over the years and each has a though some of the holiday preparations de nite place on my shelves. The woodRUMINATIONS are the same for me, I’ve pared some of en creche my hubby made during our WITH MARY MARY BARRON-TRAUT rst year together has a place of honor them back.

It’s easiest to prepare the outdoor under the Christmas tree. decorations because I typically get some help from The holiday changes this year revolve around my hubby. Every Christmas for 35-plus years we the tree. We are fortunate to have a selection of blue have adorned the spruce tree nearest the barn with spruce in our pasture, and for years, we have gone colorful lights. We used to take them down after out as a family to pick a tree, cut it and decorate it.

Three Kings Day, but now since the tree is so big, With our youngest son living in Europe and our oldwe leave them up. All I have to do is nd extension est getting married this fall, my hubby and I were on cords and plug them into the nearest outlet. our own, so I met him in the pasture after work one The next item we put up outdoors is the lighted afternoon last week, and we chose our tree.

Nativity scene. It consists of Baby Jesus, Mary, JoAfter placing the tree in the stand, we put it up seph, a lamb and a donkey. These are positioned in in our living room, and there it sat unadorned for front of my leaf-packed rose bush with small square several days. Change happens, so I nally “put on bales of straw providing the sides of the make-shift my big girl pants” and hung the lights. Next, would stable. As a gift from our son, the three kings were come the ornaments, but I was torn. added to the scene several years ago. My hubby The boys had amassed a fair quantity of decoraattached them to a piece of plywood so they can be tions — gifts from grandparents, friends, their eleeasily moved as a unit. mentary school and us — and they had always hung The last outdoor decoration is solely the domain them, but this year I was alone decorating the tree. of my hubby, and that consists of the lights on the Again, I hiked up those big-girl pants and sorted the lower eve of our barn. The white lights provide ornaments; each son would get his own box of ornamuch needed light both morning and evening during ments. It was time that Mom had her own adult tree. these long, dark nights. With those lights on the My ornaments don’t match, nor do I have a color white barn, it almost looks like a ship a oat on the theme, but each piece has its own story. I enjoyed prairie. reminiscing as I hung them on the boughs.

Just past our farm, we have a row of ColoraLater, sipping my mulled wine, I grieve for lost do blue spruce, and several years ago during the traditions and family that won’t gather around this coronavirus pandemic, a neighbor asked if she could particular tree, but then I focus on the blessings that decorate one of them to brighten up that patch of have been given to my family and me. The twinthe road. Of course, we agreed, and since then, we kling lights on the tree and those out in the yard are decorate one tree and invite other neighbors to do reminders of the Lord’s light in our lives, and I give the same. thanks for his birth.

I’m hopeful these lighted outdoor decorations Merry Christmas!

from page 1B including the Conservation Reserve Program and Environmental Quality Incentives Program, crop disaster payments, and the Market Facilitation Program.

USDA also issues tax forms for recipients of assistance for distressed borrowers, including through Section 22006 of the In ation Reduction Act. If you have received tax forms related to your operation, USDA cannot and does not provide tax advice but wants you to be aware of options that may help manage your tax liability. USDA has partnered with experts to provide resources to help you make the right

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tax decisions for your operation. Monthly webinars are available for registration and to view on demand at www. farmers.gov/workingwith-us/taxes.

The Tax Estimator Tool is an interactive spreadsheet that producers can download to estimate tax liability.

It is for informational and educational purposes and should not be considered tax or legal advice. Producers may need to work with a tax professional to determine the correct information to be entered in

the Tax Estimator Tool.

We encourage you to visit www.farmers. gov/working-with-us/ taxes for more information on how to nd and

work with a tax preparer as well as instructions on how to request copies of USDA documents and links to other helpful tax resources.

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Growing your education Grant Writing Workshop A grant writing workshop titled Show Me the Money will aim to equip farmers with the knowledge and confidence to successfully apply for grants to support their operations. The event is scheduled for two dates – Jan. 6, 2024, and Jan. 20, 2024 – and will take place at the Stearns County Service Center, 3301 County Road 138, Waite Park, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Registration can be completed at z.umn.edu/writinggrants and is due by Dec. 31. Space is limited to 40 participants.

The workshop will cover essential topics such as a comprehensive review of available grants for farmers, strategies for selecting the most suitable grant for individual operations and hands-on guidance on the grant writing process. Participants will gain practical experience in crafting effective grant proposals and will have the opportunity to address specific questions and concerns with Zachary Paige, Sustainable Agriculture & Food Systems program coordinator and Anthony Adams, University of Minnesota Extension Educator.

Minnesota Beginner Farmer Institute The Minnesota Beginner Farmer Institute is a workshop series geared toward young or beginning farmers who are either joining an existing farm or starting their own farm and who are using their farm as a business for profit.

The 2024 four-part workshop — held in Clearwater Jan. 9, Jan. 16, Jan. 23 and Jan. 31 — is free to attend, and lunch is provided. The class will run from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. with doors opening at 9:30 a.m.

Registration is required at z.umn.edu/BF23.

Institute participants will tackle questions like: “What is a business plan and what does my banker want to see when I’m applying for a loan? What can I take for a business deduction and when is the best time to market my grain?”

Topics include business planning and goals, taxes, business entities, financial statements, record keeping, grain marketing and land rent. Each workshop will have educational handouts and presentations.

Contact University of Minnesota Extension Educator Nathan Hulinsky at 218-828-2680 or huli0013@umn.edu with questions.

Strategic Farming: Let’s Talk Crops 2024 Discuss key issues and questions around commodity crop production facing Minnesota farmers through the “Strategic Farming: Let’s Talk Crops” webinar series. This live, online program will provide up-to-date, research-based information to help optimize crop management strategies. Sessions will be held over Zoom — which can be accessed via your computer, phone or other mobile device — and will run from 9-10 a.m. Wednesdays, Jan. 10, 2024, through March 27, 2024, aside from Jan. 17 when no session will take place due to the Minnesota Ag Expo.

Sessions will be informal and open to all interested. Each session will start with a brief presentation by the discussion leaders for the day, followed by discussion framed around farmer/participant questions on the topic.

For more details and to register, visit z.umn.edu/strategic-farming.

Not able to attend a day? No problem. Sessions will be recorded and posted for viewing later at your convenience.

Topics and speakers: — Jan. 10: Grain Prices and Marketing Strategies Given Current Geopolitics and Soybean Crush Capacity. Speaker Frayne Olson, North Dakota State University crops economist and marketing specialist.

— Jan. 24: Big Data and Corn Genomics — What does it all mean for you? Speakers Candice Hirsch, University of Minnesota Corn geneticist, and Jeff Coulter, UMN Extension corn agronomist.

— Jan. 31: Pushing Soybean Maturity to the Max. Speaker Seth Naeve, UMN Extension soybean agronomist, — Feb. 7: Making Herbicides Work Better Part 1: Making choices and adjustments to ensure a successful application. Speaker Tom Peters, Extension sugar beet agronomist.

— Feb. 14: Making herbicides work better Part 2: Demystifying adjuvants. Speakers Joe Ikley, assistant professor and extension weed specialist at North Dakota State University, and Greg Dahl, adjuvant development adviser.

— Feb. 21: What pays for soybean insect management?

Speaker Bob Koch, UMN Extension soybean entomologist.

— Feb. 28: Thirsty Cover Crops — Do They Impact our Cash Crops? Speakers Anna Cates, UMN state soil health specialist, and Dan Smith, nutrient and pest management outreach specialist from the University of Wisconsin Madison.

— March 6: Fertilizer — How to get your best ROI. Speakers Dan Kaiser, UMN Extension nutrient management specialist, and Jeff Vetsch, UMN researcher at Southern Research & Outreach Center.

— March 13: Are we smarter than the average European corn borer and corn rootworm? Speaker Fei Yang, UMN Extension corn entomologist.

— March 20: Efficacy matters: Fungicides for managing specific corn and soybean diseases. Speaker Kiersten Wise, University of Kentucky professor and Extension plant pathologist.

— March 27: Look Out! An Update on Emerging Soybean and Corn Diseases. Speaker Dean Malvick, UMN Extension plant pathologist.

SAUK RAPIDS HERALD | SATURDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2023 | Page 7B

BENTON AG

Making adjustments ponents. To rolls. really do the Perjob that it is haps more designed to do, than the the conditiongap itself, ing system on which a mower-conshould be ditioner needs set from to be adjusted factory, roll from time to pressure time. The opneeds to University of erator should be set to MN Extension rst consult achieve

by Tyler Rice the operators’ consistency manual of in the roll the machine for speci c clearance. This tension instructions aimed at may need to be adjusted conditioner adjustments. in eld so that less mature If crop conditioning is crops are not over conaccomplished by condiditioned and vice versa. tioning rolls, clearance Rolls may show signs of and pressure are the drivwear over time, especialers of intended crop stem ly in the center. If worn breakage that accelerates rolls are replaced more moisture release from the uniformity in crop dry hay. Roll clearance should down will be observed. measure between 1/16 and For impeller conditioners, 3/32 of an inch. At 1/16 of it is important to ensure an inch 90% of the stems the impeller de ector is should be crimped every set so the majority of all 3-4 inches. The gap can stems demonstrate some be checked with rolls of abrasion by the impeller. aluminum foil rolled into Preservation of forage 1-inch tubes and hand fed yield and quality also through the conditioning depends on the proper

maintenance and adjustment of tedders and hay rakes. One way to ensure consistent tedder (and rake) performance is to check the levelness across the whole of the machine.

Tines should be equal distance from the ground surface while the angle or height of the tines are adjusted. Severely worn tines should be replaced.

A hay rake has vast implications for the hay drying system largely based on the type of rake, but also on regular maintenance.

Similar to the tedder, tine length should be uniform. This is important for reducing ash content

time saving in the future.

Drive lines, rolls and all other moving parts should be carefully inspected for wear in this process and repaired or replaced accordingly.

Finally, removing excessive dust and debris from machinery, lubricating moving parts with speci ed lubricants, checking tire life and air pressure among other regular maintenance will ensure long equipment life, reduce eld compaction and untimely breakdowns, and improve overall return on investment.

Also, there may be added bene ts of having more time to spend dreaming up new implement additions to your Christmas list for next year.

NEW STORAGE

CONTAINERS!

Saturday, December 30, 2023

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

Scan the QR code for all listed items and to bid online!

There will be several NEW storage containers, 8’ Cubes with side doors and one full size 50’ Container on the Auction. Numerous new skid steer attachments and lots of other used farm equipment.

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We are undoubtedly coasting into the most wonderful time of the year; the barn and bins are full, your farm equipment eet has been cleaned up and tucked away, winter is setting in and a call for a little rest and relaxation may just be the order of the day.

It’s also a good time of year to consider making critical adjustments to your equipment.

Producing a quality crop with good yield is not only about managing crop establishment, growth and response to environmental dimensions but also depends on preventing signi cant harvest losses.

In the case of hay harvest equipment, moisture management and retention of forage quality and tonnage is incentive to make these minor adjustments. On a disc mower replacing or sharpening the knives is important for clean cutting, reducing drag on the cutter bar and improves crop dry down.

Sickle mowers require inspection of knife sections as well as the knife guards. If these components are well worn, they will not complete the scissor-cutting action as ef ciently, resulting in skips and slowed crop drying. Other components like gearboxes, wobble box assemblies and mowing disc modules should be examined for wear and proper timing.

Adjusting skid shoes so that the cutting head height is appropriate for the crop (typically 3-inch stubble or greater) is important for regrowth and crop persistence. Measuring the lifting force of each side of the head so it can oat over objects in the eld can be accomplished with a simple milk spring scale. A oat setting of 50 to 70 pounds is typical for normal conditions but may be less than 50 pounds for rocky elds.

The next stop on the maintenance schedule is checking conditioner com-

(minerals and soil) in the forage and for maximizing yield retention.

Replacing worn or broken teeth on balers going into the winter will guarantee a fresh start when hay season rolls around. Checking and changing belts according to wear, slacking them for the winter months and changing lacing pins on round balers is a good winter maintenance routine. Checking your operators’ manual again, this time for roller chain adjustments to ne-tune, and replacing worn chain links may save future headaches. Knives that cut twine and net wrap should be sharpened for ef ciency. Adjusting the timing of knotters and calibrating bale density can also be

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May the joy you find this Christmas follow you throughout the New Year.

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MERRY CHRISTMAS

& Happy New Year