Today's Farm: Spring 2022 by The Globe

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Today’s Farm SPRING 2022

Rushmore family restores 1942 McCormick B Farmall Tractor had been purchased new by great-grandfather

BY JULIE BUNTJER The Globe

RUSHMORE — A 1942 McCormick B Farmall shines bright red under a setting sun these days, thanks to the efforts of a Rushmore family who was determined to not only keep the first new tractor their great-grandfather ever purchased, but restore it to its original beauty. Brothers Keith and Travis Ailts, along with their dad, Gary, worked the better part of six months to bring the tractor back to life. John and Mary Clercx, farmers who owned a quarter section in northwest Iowa’s Lyon County, just east of Lester, originally purchased the tractor in 1942. “I think it was the first

tractor that Grandpa bought new,” shared Melody Ailts. It was used for tillage and planting, picking corn, pulling wagons to the elevator and hauling manure — a pure workhorse in its heyday, and a tractor dwarfed in size by those farmers drive today. Gary had first seen the B on the Clercx farm when he and Melody were dating. “I thought it was unusual because it only had one wheel in the front.” Gary said. “When John died, I asked Mary if I could buy it and she said no, Duane (Melody’s uncle) was going to get it.” Melody’s mom, Peggy Reemts, and Duane were John and Mary’s only children, and they wanted the tractor to remain in the family.

While Duane became the tractor’s owner, the implement was kept in storage in an old shed on the farm. It hadn’t been touched in years, and certainly didn’t run. Then, in 2017, when the Ailts attended a family picnic with Melody’s relatives, Duane seemed disappointed that Keith — the youngest of Gary and Melody’s two sons — hadn’t come along. He told Gary that he was hoping to talk to the boy. Keith called Duane that night and learned of the plans to burn the old house down. “This tractor sat in a little shed within 20 feet of the house and they wanted to burn that down too,” said Gary. “Since Keith was a mechanic, Duane

said if (Keith) could get it running, he could have it. He wanted it to stay in the family.”

Challenge accepted “I thought it was pretty cool,” Keith said of the offer. “We’d always look at it when we were there, but it never ran. “I didn’t want to see it go anywhere else besides stay in the family,” he added. On the other hand, Keith had never thought about restoring a tractor either. “It was a good project for these three,” said Melody, who was on the clean-up crew after weekends of dismantling, cleaning and putting things back together.

RUSHMORE: Page 3

Special to The Globe

Duane Clercx (from left), Gary, Keith and Travis Ailts stand for a photo after they loaded the 1942 B Farmall onto a trailer to haul to Rushmore for restoration.

TODAY’S FARM

2 | WEDNESDAY, APRIL 27, 2022

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Farmmaps brings farmers together to talk sustainability BY KARI LUCIN The Globe

LAKEFIELD — Trying new things can be scary, but trying new things when tens of thousands of dollars or more is at stake, as it often is in farming, can be downright nerve-wracking. Getting reliable, unbiased information can help ease those fears. That’s why the interactive online Farmmaps tool was developed, allowing farmers to share information about sustainable agricultural practices so they can ask questions, get answers and try them out with a lot less worrying. “By using these resources, you can call up a farmer (who) may be on the other side of the state, or may be in your own neighborhood,” said Jerry Ackerman. Ackerman and his wife

Nancy farm corn, soybeans and alfalfa on 1,200 acres west of Lakefield, and they’ve been using cover crops for about 10 years to control weeds, increase yields and get more organic matter into the soil. They also no-till corn and soybeans, reducing erosion, improving soil health and saving money on fuel, too. When Ackerman wanted to start cover crops, he talked to another farmer about it first — and now he talks to other farmers who are curious about how to get started. He’s gotten multiple calls due to his participation in the Farmmaps platform and he’s glad to help others do what he’s already done on his farm. It’s a simple tool, located online at farmmaps.umn. edu, that features a map of Minnesota with virtual pins signifying locations

with case studies on sustainable ag practices — soil health, silvopasture or snow fence projects. Users can type in a location, but it’s just as easy to zoom in on the map and click on a pin. The name and address of the farmer whose case study is featured pops up, along with links to the map, directions to the farm and a link marked “Detail.” Clicking that link brings up a handy summary of the farm’s sustainability practices, as well as its size, crops and markets. It also explains why the farmer started using the sustainability practices and what the environmental and economic benefits have been. There’s even a list of the challenges the farmers have experienced along the way.

FARMMAPS: Page 6

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RUSHMORE From Page 1

For the most part, the father and sons did the work themselves. Not experienced in removing and replacing the four sleeves on the motor, they sought help from Gene DeBoer of Magnolia. “The sleeves were stuck in there pretty bad,” Gary said. “Gene helped us get those out.” It wasn’t just the motor that was in pretty bad shape. When the Ailts removed it from that little shed on

the Clercx farm, it was very rusted and full of mud. “We had to cut branches to get it out,” Gary said, noting that volunteer trees had grown up around the shed. “They never really cleaned it after they were done using it,” Keith added. “It was full of corn stalks and muid, and there were parts laying all over in the shed that they had taken off.” From the time they hauled it to Rushmore on a flatbed trailer in the fall of 2017 until March 2018, the Ailts spent their

Special to The Globe

Keith Ailts gives his great-uncle Duane a ride on the B Farmall after it was completely restored.

weekends on the restoration project. And when they weren’t working on the tractor, they were paging through the Steiner parts catalog, produced by a Michigan-based company that provides new parts for old tractors. The catalog is a bit thicker than the old JCPenny or Sears Christmas wish books, and equally as drool-worthy for tractor enthusiasts. “The three of them made a list of parts that they needed and that’s what they got for Christmas that year (in 2017),” Melody said. “Christmas shopping was very easy.” Before they turned to new parts, however, they searched for original parts wherever they could. “We drove all around looking for B Farmalls,” Melody said. “I found one in a grove when I was out deer hunting,” added Keith. Unfortunately, the owner had died and there was no one to ask if they could get some of its parts. Keith found one part at the tractor salvage in Worthington — bell housing that already contained the mechanism for electric start. Considering the B Farmall they had was a crank start, the Ailts were rather grateful to be able to update the part. The pistons, sleeves, gaskets, wiring and harness were ordered new from Steiner. With all of the work

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 27, 2022 | 3

Special to The Globe

Keith Ailts cleans the motor on the B Farmall during the tractor’s restoration.

that had to be done to the tractor, the Ailts agreed that the hardest project was repairing the tractor’s existing grill. The bottom portion

— below the grill — had a dented area with a rusted out hole. After searching near and far for a replacement, they finally found a grill

at a salvage yard in Lyons, Nebraska that, while it wasn’t identical, the size matched up.

RUSHMORE: Page 5

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4 | WEDNESDAY, APRIL 27, 2022

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Can I have a teaspoon of wheat please? WORTHINGTON — I, like most people, did not expect the Russian invasion to occur. It made no sense to destroy the land you wish to occupy. Most of us have witnessed television news broadcasts that show Russia has no common sense for the land or concern for humanity. If their objective was to occupy Ukraine, they would not bomb and destroy infrastructure, level ports and blow up train tracks. The Russian invasion will dramatically affect agriculture in the United States and around the world for years to come. Inflation was already present when I wrote my article in January and diesel fuel prices have increased another $1.50 per gallon. Fertilizer prices last week hit all-time highs. Some repair parts are impossible to find, forcing producers to buy used parts if they can find them. In my last article, I mentioned the hurdles faced by producers that could cause sleepless nights in farm country. All those inflation items are still present but at a much higher cost today. The new change from my previous article is the projected forthcoming shortage of world food supplies. Most of us did not

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realize Ukraine was contributing so much to our world. This young democracy has a strong agriculture footprint, supplying 12% of all consumable calories to the world. Depending on who you research with, Ukraine and Russia supply between 25% and 35% of the world’s wheat supplies. This is big news if you live in Egypt, Lebanon, Libya, Sudan, Syria, Yemen or Africa. These poorer countries depend heavily on subsidized bread and low cost noodle foods (made from wheat). These countries receive 20% to 55% of all their bread and noodle products from Ukraine, and 75% of the sunflower oil they cook with comes from Ukraine. The fact there are no shipping exports leaving Ukraine since the invasion means these countries are scrambling for food and getting hungrier by the day. A starving country will not stand still for long, so expect to see future riots and protests against their governments. The supply chain has been choked off from

Ukraine not only for food, but also fertilizer and other needed inputs for them to farm. Brazil and Argentina are large exporters of corn, wheat and soybeans and they are drier than normal, have not received their needed fertilizer in time for their second corn crop, and are also expecting smaller yields. The U.S. drought monitor covers the largest area recorded for any April since its inception. Combine the minimal Ukraine exports, and Argentina and Brazil drought, and you have a lot less food for the world. If the U.S. does not get rain in these dry western regions this spring, we will also produce less corn, soybeans and especially wheat. Ukraine farmers have been forced to neglect their fields this spring as they fight for their freedom, so they are also going to be producing less grains. These factors today push estimates of world wheat shortages to around 30% of normal by April 2023. It has been a long time, but those who can still remember the 1972-73 grain deal with Russia, should educate the rest of us. My research indicates Russia had experienced two terrible years of weather and was in

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desperate need of food. Of course, no one knew this because Russia told no one of their dilemma. Negotiation teams were set up and Russia agreed to buy up to $750 million in American grain — mostly wheat — over a three year period with credit. The Russians were also negotiating purchases in Europe at the same time. In the next nine months, they purchased over $1 billion in American grains, leaving our country subsidizing another 300 million for their rapid unplanned purchases. When all the dust had settled and the truth unfolded, the world was short 30% of its wheat crop. Russia now held 30% of the world’s

wheat supplies, and the world was short of wheat. In 1973 food prices were 30% higher than the previous year. Some articles claim that food prices were actually closer to 50% higher in poorer countries than before the grain agreement was made. Today’s scenario looks eerily similar in percentages. You have Russia and China holding a larger percentage of worldwide grains than in 1972. We all know that food prices have been soaring recently. Will the estimated 30% shortage of world wheat supplies create food inflation similar to 1973? We have already been hearing about food shortages in poorer counties.

Will there be governments fighting for food, and civil disruptions occurring from hungry citizens? Will supply chains remain disrupted if countries are in desperate need of food? Lots of questions with limited answers today. I hope and pray that history doesn’t repeat these events and that innocent people do not have to be hungry and disrupted. Next time you see a farmer, thank them for their hard work and feeding America. We are blessed to have abundant and safe food supplies, other countries that rely on subsidies for bread and low cost noodles do not.

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RUSHMORE From Page 3

“The grill we found didn’t have the right kind of fastener,” Gary said. “Jack’s (Autobody and Paint) in Ellsworth cut the bottom of this grill off and the bottom of the one we found, and then welded them together. You can’t tell the difference.” Jack’s Auto Body also applied the new decals, which the Ailts ordered from Steiner. Once completed, Keith was the first one to take it for a drive around his Grandma June Ailts’ farm yard. He was grinning from ear to ear. “I thought it was pretty cool,” he said of the restoration project. “It’s been in the family for a long time, and it will stay in the family for a long time to come. “It’s a pretty cool accomplishment for us three — it was a fun time to

Special to The Globe

Once they had the B Farmall operational, they began using it on the farm. Here, Keith prepares to haul a WUDLOHU RI VHHG RXW WR WKH ĆHOG

spend with them out in the shop.” By day, Keith is a mechanic for Titan (formerly Jaycox Powersports) and works on small engines. Meanwhile, Travis is an electrician at Bedford Industries, where Gary works on the production

line on the overnight shift. “It was fun to see it from when we got it to what it ended up to be,” Travis said of the tractor. Of course, they had to share the restoration with Melody’s Uncle Duane as soon as they had it finished.

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 27, 2022 | 5

“We didn’t tell him we had it done,” said Gary. The couple invited him over for lunch one day, and afterwards, offered to take him out to June’s farm to show him their progress. “When he saw that it was done, he was about in tears,” Melody said. He didn’t want to take the tractor for a drive himself, but he did sit on it and let Keith take him for a little ride around the yard. The Ailts plan to use the tractor for hauling seed out to the field and other little projects. They also hope to take it to events for more people to see their tractor renovation. Last summer, it went to Ribs and Rims in Adrian, and Melody would like to see it return to Lyon County, Iowa, for a tractor show sometime. The Prairie Reapers are featuring International this year, so it’s a possiSpecial to The Globe bility the tractor will be seen at one of their events The Ailts spent many hours dismantling, cleaning and as well. repairing the B Farmall as they restored it.

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FARMMAPS From Page 2

A summary in PDF form is included for easy printing, and features contact information too. “It puts two farmers together to visit about it,” Ackerman said. “To be honest with you, visiting farmer-to-farmer is probably the most unbiased opinion you’re going to get.” Farmmaps was developed by the University of Minnesota Extension Southwest Regional Sustainable Partnership and the Center for Integrated Natural Resources and Agricultural Management, with support from the Sustainable Farming Association of Minnesota. “It does work and this network gives you different ideas and be able to talk to people already doing something,” Ackerman said. “And I’ve used it on my own, just calling

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Submitted photo

Seeding cover crops with corn, shown in this image of the Ackerman farm, can help rejuvenate the soil.

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Crop production considerations for 2022 WORTHINGTON — The following are a few of the crop production considerations highlighted by University of Minnesota Extension specialists, researchers and educators as we look to the 2022 growing season. Fertilizer input costs: How to best deal with surging fertilizer input costs has been a top concern for the 2022 season. One key but basic step is to make sure you are basing fertilizer decisions on a recent soil test. With phosphorus (P), for example, a yield response to additional P fertilizer is expected only 13% of the time when soils test high and 7% of the time when soils test very high in P. Be sure you are using University of Minnesota soil fertility guidelines as well (check your soil test

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lab report), since these guidelines are based on years of ongoing research in Minnesota’s soil types, climate, and growing conditions. Due to widespread drought conditions in 2021, two-foot soil samples (0-6 inches and 6-24 inches) for nitrate-nitrogen may reveal residual nitrogen, of which a portion could be used by the 2022 corn crop. Soil samples for residual nitrate-nitrogen can be taken in the fall in western Minnesota, but it is only recommended to take these samples in the spring

in eastern Minnesota due to precipitation gradients. Use the Nitrogen Rate Calculator, available at http:// cnrc.agron.iastate.edu, to help determine optimal nitrogen applications in corn based on current nitrogen costs and anticipated corn prices. For further details on nutrient management and crop-specific guidelines, check out http://z.umn. edu/nutrientmanagement.

Herbicide shortages and weed resistance If you are dealing with shortages of key postemergence products like glyphosate (a.i. In Roundup) and glufosinate (a.i. in Liberty), target applications to where they are most needed and options are more limited. Use a full-labelled rate of a preemergence herbicide

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that is effective on your key weeds at planting to lay a solid foundation. Following with a residual herbicide as part of your postemergence program about 30 days after planting will help address later emerging weeds like waterhemp. To help manage against herbicide-resistant weeds, use different modes of action at the same time and mix things up between years. To optimize control, target post-emergence applications to weeds no larger than 3 to 4 inches, and follow label recommendations for nozzles, tank-mix partners, additives, and spray volume while considering environmental conditions at application. See http://z. umn.edu/weeds for more details on weed management options.

So bean aphid man Soybean management: On the soybean aphid front, chlorpyriphos (a.i. in Lorsban), can no longer be used in soybean in 2022. Combined with documented cases of resistance to pyrethroid insecticides (e.g., Warrior, Bifenthrin), more pressure will be put on the remaining insecticides available for soybean aphid control. Following the economic threshold (ET) for soybean aphid is a key recommendation from an economic, resistance management, and environmental perspective. The ET is reached when there is an average of 250 soybean aphids per

plant, with 80% of the plants having aphids on them, and the population is increasing. Research continues to support use of the ET, which builds in at least a 4- to 7-day window to make an insecticide application after reaching threshold before yield loss might occur. Read more about soybean aphid management and other soybean pests at: https://extension. umn.edu/soybean/soybean-pest-management. For more information,visit the Strategic Farming website at http://z.umn.edu/strategic-farming The Extension Crops website can be found at http://z.umn.edu/crops. Here’s to a safe, productive and prosperous 2022 cropping season.

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