THE LAND ~ August 25, 2017 ~ Southern Edition by The Land

August 25, 2017

(800) 657-4665 www.TheLandOnline.com theland@TheLandOnline.com P.O. Box 3169, Mankato, MN 56002

SOUTHERN EDITION

A Growing Passion Seed Savers Exchange preserves plants for future generations. See page 10

PLUS: Where there’s smoke, there’s healthy soil Dick Hagen patrols Farmfest Pigs at the fair? What to watch for

August politics

THE LAND, AUGUST 25, 2017

P.O. Box 3169 418 South Second St. Mankato, MN 56002 (800) 657-4665 Vol. XLI ❖ No. 18 40 pages, 1 section plus supplements

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Cover photo by Paul Malchow

COLUMNS Opinion Farm and Food File Calendar of Events Table Talk The Bookworm Sez From The Fields Swine and U Marketing Mielke Market Weekly Auctions/Classifieds Advertiser Listing Back Roads

2-5 4 6 6 8 13 17 28-29 26 31-39 39 40

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Publisher: Steve Jameson: sjameson@mankatofreepress.com General Manager: Deb Petterson: dpetterson@TheLandOnline.com Managing Editor: Paul Malchow: editor@TheLandOnline.com Associate Editor: Marie Wood: mwood@TheLandOnline.com Staff Writer: Dick Hagen: rdhagen35@gmail.com Advertising Representatives: Danny Storlie: theland@TheLandOnline.com Jerry Hintz: jhintz@thelandonline.com Office/Advertising Assistants: Joan Compart: theland@TheLandOnline.com Jessica Klingbeil: auctions@TheLandOnline.com For Customer Service Concerns: (507) 345-4523, (800) 657-4665, theland@TheLandOnline.com Fax: (507) 345-1027 For Editorial Concerns or Story Ideas: (507) 344-6342, (800) 657-4665, editor@TheLandOnline.com National Sales Representative: Bock & Associates Inc., 7650 Executive Drive, Minneapolis, MN 55344-3677. (952) 905-3251. Because of the nature of articles appearing in The Land, product or business names may be included to provide clarity. This does not constitute an endorsement of any product or business. Opinions and viewpoints expressed in editorials or by news sources are not necessarily those of the management. The Publisher shall not be liable for slight changes or typographical errors that do not lessen the value of an advertisement. The Publisher’s liability for other errors or omissions in connection with an advertisement is strictly limited to publication of the advertisement in any subsequent issue or the refund of any monies paid for the advertisement. Classified Advertising: $18.79 for seven (7) lines for a private classified, each additional line is $1.40; $24.90 for business classifieds, each additional line is $1.40. Classified ads accepted by mail or by phone with VISA, MasterCard, Discover or American Express. Classified ads can also be sent by e-mail to theland@TheLandOnline.com. Mail classified ads to The Land, P.O. Box 3169, Mankato, MN 56002. Please include credit card number, expiration date and your postal address with ads sent on either mail version. Classified ads may also be called into (800) 657-4665. Deadline for classified ads is 5 pm on the Friday prior to publication date, with holiday exceptions. Distributed to farmers in all Minnesota counties and northern Iowa, as well as on The Land’s website. Each classified ad is separately copyrighted by The Land. Reproduction without permission is strictly prohibited. Subscription and Distribution: Free to farmers and agribusinesses in Minnesota and northern Iowa. $25 per year for non-farmers and people outside the service area. The Land (ISSN 0279-1633) is published Fridays and is a division of The Free Press Media (part of Community Newspaper Holdings Inc.), 418 S. Second St., Mankato MN 56001. Periodicals postage paid at Mankato, Minn. Postmaster and Change of Address: Address all letters and change of address notices to The Land, P.O. Box 3169, Mankato, MN 56002; call (507) 345-4523 or e-mail to theland@TheLandOnline.com.

Many farmers and farm leaders will the meeting, he said that the governor’s agree that August has been a whirlwind goal should be big enough that there will of farm policy and politics that put be less finger pointing and we can work Minnesota in the spotlight. together. His own farm is a Minnesota Water Quality Certified Farm. First, Farmfest hosted one of three farm bill listening sessions with the U.S. “I’m going to do what’s right out there. House Agriculture Committee called “The I’m going to leave it better for the next Next Farm Bill: Conversations in the generation,” said Freeman. Field.” The next day, U.S. Agriculture In the welcome speech, Dayton said to LAND MINDS Secretary Sonny Perdue visited the Paap ensure water quality, we must take Farm near Garden City, Minn. By Marie Wood responsible measures. “This is not about Media and farm leaders gathered blaming any one sector,” he said. again. Our elected officials and Perdue His goal for the evening was for heard loud and clear that Minnesota attendants to discuss and brainstorm farmers do not want cuts to crop insurways to improve water quality in an ance which are critical to farmers’ livelihood. They atmosphere of understanding. “We’re all in this also heard that conservation is important and that together,” he said. environmental groups along with farmers would Steve Trio, a Mapleton corn and soybean farmer, welcome incentives to implement conservation pracvisited with the governor prior to the meeting. He tices on farms. told the governor to let farmers work with their local A shout out to Kevin Paap, Minnesota Farm soil and water conservation districts. His message to Bureau president who hosted the secretary’s visit at the governor was “education not regulation.” Trio also his farm. Originally, the meeting between the secre- spoke at the meeting and sat at the governor’s table tary and farmers was to be closed to the media. He during the small group discussion. asked the secretary’s office three times if the media The commissioners were also in attendance. Many could stay for the meeting. They told him no, so circulated through the room and talked with attenPaap asked the secretary who said yes. During dants during the discussion period. Perdue’s Wisconsin visit, reporters were asked to leave during the meeting. They didn’t have Kevin Ag Commissioner Frederickson is telling farmers: Paap going to bat for them. “Let’s be part of the solution.” Next up: Gov. Dayton’s Water Quality Town Hall Department of Natural Resources Commissioner meetings began in Rochester on July 31. I attended Tom Landwehr observed that meeting-goers were the second meeting in Mankato on Aug. 16. The concerned about road salt. The public doesn’t care meeting brought together farmers, environmentalwhat the pollutant is, they just don’t want it in their ists, citizens and elected officials to tackle the gover- water so let’s deal with all the chemicals, said nor’s goal of improving the state’s water quality 25 Landwehr. Landwehr also supports creating a farm percent by 2025. bill that rewards farmers for conservation practices. Prior to the meeting, farmers met with Minnesota Speaking of conservation practices, we can’t talk Department of Agriculture Commissioner Dave policy without talking buffers. John Jaschke, execuFrederickson in a town hall on ag issues. Even tive director of the Minnesota Board of Water and among farmers there was disagreement on the draft Soil Resources, said buffers are 90 percent in place Nitrogen Fertilizer Rule and the Minnesota with a couple months to go before the November Agricultural Water Quality Certification Program. deadline of buffers on public waters. Going into the “25 by 25” meeting, many farmers I encourage you to attend the Water Quality Town expressed the sentiment that they would need to Hall Meeting in your area. The meetings are listed defend farming to their city brethren. When it on page 9. Visit bit.ly/25by25TownHall for the comes to water and environmental issues, farmers schedule. said the finger has been pointed directly at them. Marie Wood is the associate editor of The Land. Paul Freeman is former president of the She may be reached at mwood@thelandonline.com.v Minnesota Soybean Growers Association. Entering

OPINION

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

9 — Minnesota Gov. Mark Dayton conducts water town hall meetings 14 — Where there’s smoke, there’s soil health

19 — Ethanol expert joins Agricultural Utilization Research Institute 22 — Monsanto executive discusses dicamba, Bayer merger 25 — MARL program provides international outlook for future ag leaders

THE LAND, AUGUST 25, 2017

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THE LAND, AUGUST 25, 2017

American politics: We must call them as we see them Play, watch or listen to any baseball game and, sooner than later, what you thought was a strike will be called a ball, or vice versa, by the home plate umpire. Most times, it’s not a big deal. There are, after all, hundreds of pitches in any game and the balls and strikes called by the men in black almost always, in the end, even out for both teams. This built-in fairness makes a very imperfect game (its best hitters

fail two-thirds of the time, for heaven’s sake) almost perfect to its fans. That’s how politics used to be played. Facts, ideas, and debating points were tossed up and swung at in the public arena until everyone’s business — roads, national defense, international treaties, taxes, a budget — was ultimately decided. It probably isn’t the best way to run government,

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to paraphrase Winston Churchill, except when compared to all other ways. The proof is that it usually works. Usually, not always. There were several times (like today) when American political disFARM & FOOD FILE course bordered on collapse — McCarthyism in By Alan Guebert the 1950s, for example — before it rediscovered its balanced center to carry on. There was also one time when what was wrong was so wrong (slavery) that politics failed completely. War then became the anvil and blood the hammer by which was forged, Abraham Lincoln hoped, a new nation. But often (as Charlottesville proves again) we fall woefully short of his hope and our promise because we fall short in our politics. We get so caught up in arguing balls and strikes that the game becomes unplayable. That’s where we are now, in the middle of an ugly, almost unplayable game where long-honored rules of civility, facts and mutual respect have been overrun by fervor, rancor and lies. And I’m not referring to Congress or the White House. I’m referring to the American public. Because our public institutions reflect us, the public, not the other way around. We, the people, after all, put these pouters, shouters and doubters — be they right wing, left wing or chicken wing — into office because that’s who we now are. We’ve also allowed our never-perfect system to be undermined and corrupted by more imperfections. Gerrymandering and billions in influence-buying campaign cash are two of the worst. Then we claim the system is so broken we can’t fix it. That’s cowardly bull. We know the game, its strike zone, and longstanding rules well enough to find common solutions to common challenges we now face. We are the umpires here and we need to get back into the game for it to be rightfully played to everyone’s benefit. What does all this have to do with farm and food policy? A lot. Today’s farmers and ranchers face some of the toughest weather and financial conditions in a generation. The best way to get through them is to get through them together. We need local and national leaders, regardless of party, race, gender or background, to publicly discuss and debate what the federal response should be. And then, they need to come together with legislation that benefits all — not just the Trickle Up Big Boys. Everyone. America’s entire rural community. Other short-term needs are equally pressing.

OPINION

See GUEBERT, pg. 5

Letter: Youth receive education with summer jobs mechanic, two utility boys, and truck drivers. The trucks and tractors were owned by growers and individuals. At the Glencoe canning plant, there were the truck routers, samplers, and many workers in the plant. To know if you were to report to work, plant workers tuned in at a specific time each day to local AM radio, hearing the sound of the work whistle followed by: “HO, HO, HO, Green Giant. The Green Giant Company of Glencoe wishes to make the following announcement: the B shift will work tonight, once again the B shift will work tonight.” Truck drivers stayed within ear shot of the phone to answer when the truck router called. Answering machines and cell phones were not yet invented. In the field, the cutter crew had about four tractors like a Farmall M or Case 630 with a swatter, set up to run in reverse. They were first into the field, followed by the pull-behind type pea combines. A typical crew of combine tractors consisted of a 560, a 706, a Moline G750, and a couple of 4020s. The trucks were International 1600s, Chevy C60s, and Ford F600s, small V8 gas jobs, with a 4-speed

transmission, 2-speed rear axle, and a 16-foot box. There was always some new on the job experience to be had. Often a utility boy, while still learning to wash down combines and pitch vine piles, and having never touched machinery, suddenly was to take a gear grinding trip to town with the utility truck to fill the tank from the water tower, or relief drive a tractor in the middle of the night. All tractors had no cabs, just an umbrella, and trucks had no air conditioning, and no one had an iPhone. So, during any downtime like when the plant was full, or the field wet, everyone would hang out with lots of conversation, with the old timers advising the green kids of lessons in life. Today, the number of workers needed for pea pack and baling hay is much less. But, by about the same measure, there are less kids around to do the work. So there is still great opportunity for summer employment in Renville County, for those looking to learn their first life lessons of work. Thomas Heerdt Hector/Chaska, Minn.

We farm by Mazeppa in the area that was first designated for a CWD kill-off of our local deer population. Even when damage to your crops are excessive do to an over population of deer, no one should want deer decimated in such a manner. The recommendation includes increasing efforts for the adoption of more wildlife habitat areas to support all of nature’s creatures. This is something badly needed especially in the prairie areas of the state where the prairie pothole wetlands and even many of the farmstead habitats have been eliminated for wildlife by intensive agriculture — making every possible acre corn or soybeans. Steve Merchant, one of the DNR people serving the committee, was just on our farm yesterday to observe some of the many wildlife habitat areas we

maintain on our farm wherever we cannot have row crops. Apparently Mr. Stiles is more concerned about being able to domesticate nature! Something none of us who care about nature should ever do than spreading CWD all over the state. Roderick Sommerfield Mazeppa, Minn.

OPINION

THE LAND, AUGUST 25, 2017

To the Editor: In mid-summer, the Renville County, Minnesota pea harvest season is in full swing. The clue to that is, as you drive U.S. Highway 212 to Glencoe, you may meet two or three slightly dusty end dump semis. By contrast, in the 1960s, there were often almost mini-convoys of pea trucks on Hwy 212. Pea harvest in the ’50s, ’60s and ’70s was done with small equipment, which by default created the Renville County Summertime Full Employment Act. Many kids growing up in the area had a common early labor career starting about age 12. First, in the spring, walking fields picking rock. Then later in the summer, walking beans pulling weeds, or de-tasseling corn for Trojan Seed, or baling straw and baling hay. Then, Green Giant, operating equipment. The pea fields were spread out as a patchwork of many small growers. Many fields were 20 acres. The crews were named for their home base including: Buffalo Lake, Hector, Palmyra, Bird Island, Lake Lillian, Cosmos and Franklin. Each crew needed samplers, a cutting crew, the combine crew, a lead man, a

Letter: Deer feeding recommendations not from DNR

Make sure political leaders work for us GUEBERT, from pg. 4

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By the end of September, Congress must raise the federal debt ceiling and pass a budget. Both will be difficult tasks for a body fueled by puffery, consumed by partisanship, and needled by a president who continues to advocate for action that will have enormous (mostly harmful) impact on rural America: Obamacare repeal, trade protectionism, increased deportations, deep cuts to farm and rural programs, and more. All of this, however, depends on us. We must reassert our role as the “public” in the work of our “public servants.” We must also reassert the rules that we live by out here so our leaders follow them out there. And we all must keep our heart in the game and our eye on the ball.

The Farm and Food File is published weekly through the United States and Canada. Past columns, events and contact information are posted at www.farmandfoodfile.com. v

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To the Editor: As a member of the Deer Management Plan Advisory Committee for the (Minnesota Department of Natural Resources) DNR’s first-ever statewide deer management plan, I would like to respond to Mr. Stiles’ misinformation (“DNR should consider ban,” The Land, Aug. 11). The recommendation to ban feeding of deer pertains to the practice of people feeding deer and other wildlife as if they were grain-fed feedlot animals or domesticated pets. This recommendation comes from the DMPAC (Deer Management Plan Advisory Committee) to the DNR — not from the DNR and comes after seeing the clear evidence that these practices are one of the greatest vectors to the spread of CWD (Chronic Wasting Disease).

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THE LAND, AUGUST 25, 2017

Pigs and beauty are in eye of beholder It was a call I’d received a while ago like feeding the baby it just carried. that got me thinking. It’s glorious to do, but perhaps not When I answered the phone, there was glamorous in a style show. a woman from our local extension office In pig reality, I would be the equivalent on the other end of the line. She asked if I of a sow, since I have had offspring — would be interested in doing the announceven two at a time — my own small litter. ing for the swine show at our county fair. And I know now that the county fair does Always up for a fun challenge, I accepted not allow for sows to parade around in her invitation. front of a group of onlooking, salivating TABLE TALK And that’s where it all headed south. bacon hoarders. Once she has little ones, By Karen Schwaller a pig is no longer eligible for a beauty She said, “Oh good — thank you. We contest. thought you would be a good person to do the swine show.” Oh, the injustice of it all, and the irony in that reasoning. If a judge could pick out a sow It was like telling me I had a face for radio ... that still looked great after four or five litters, now which I do, actually. that would really be something special. If I were a man, I would probably not even rememI once sat with a friend of mine through a 4-H and ber what she said. But I’m not a man, and even if FFA fair swine show where our children were exhibshe had made that statement 15 years ago on the iting. As the judge did what judges do, he made his 23rd of May at 10:36 a.m., I would still remember it. selections for the top ones, and began to tell the But I wouldn’t be able to tell you how much rain crowd of parents and other onlookers about his top we had that spring or how much rain may have choice. He chose a particular pig because of its fallen on that particular day. That would be some“prominent, muscular, round back end.” thing a man could tell you. My friend leaned over to me and said quietly, “... so It got me thinking about true beauty and how it he’s saying it’s good to have a round, larger behind?” relates to life on the farm. She then pointed to herself and laughed, as we both Even as our 2016 crop became “old crop” as soon as did. I fit into that category as well. the new year began — and before the new crop was Our children are in their mid and late-20s, and I’m even planted — I was thinking of how fleeting time afraid I’ve nearly used up my “baby fat” excuse time. is, and how quickly something new can become yes- Maybe I could squeeze another year or two out of it, terday’s news. but that might be it. This year, as I emceed our swine show again, I Poor, persecuted pig-bearing porcines. I undernoticed on the program for the first time that there stand their beauty plight. I’m also an inch shorter were lots of gilts and barrows, but no sows. There than I used to be. have never been sows there, I suspect, but I was I wonder if that helps give me a “... prominent, laughing to myself about the irony as to how that round, muscular back end?” played out in human form. I’ll be expecting that grand champion ribbon at Sometimes it seems most women who have never next year’s swine show. had children can schlep around in sleek clothing and look like a million bucks with hardly any effort. Karen Schwaller brings “Table Talk” to The Land Once she has carried a child in her stretched-out from her home near Milford, Iowa. She can be tummy for nine months, she can try doing that, but reached at kschwaller@evertek.net. v at that point her body is made for other things —

“Where Farm and Family Meet”

Calendar of Events Visit www.TheLandOnline.com to view our complete calendar & enter your own events, or send an e-mail with your event’s details to editor@thelandonline.com. Aug. 28 — Beginning Farmer Session — Mason City, Iowa — Land leasing from the Iowa State University Extension and Outreach — Contact (641) 923-2856 or reuken@iastate.edu or visit www.extension.iastate.edu/bfc/ Sept. 8 — Cover Crop and Soil Health Learning Tour — Rushmore, Minn. — Demos, activities and discussion on cover crops, reduced tillage and diversified cropping’s impact on soil

health and productivity — Contact Liz Stahl at stah0012@ umn.edu or (507) 372-3900 ext. 3912 or visit www.extension. umn.edu/agriculture/crops/events/cover-crop-tour/ Sept. 9-13 — National Barrow Show — Austin, Minn. — Swine judging and livestock show — Contact Lisa Kennedy at lisa@nationalswine.com or (765) 463-3594, ext. 105 Sept. 16 — Organic Field Day — Northfield, Minn. — Tour of vegetable fields, discussion of farm’s food safety program, weed management — Contact (715) 778-5775 or visit https://mosesorganic.org/events/organic-field-days/ sept-16/

THE LAND, AUGUST 25, 2017

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THE LAND, AUGUST 25, 2017

Speeches provide clues to where the country is headed One nation, under God, indivisible. Those words deeply mean something to you. Maybe you’ve fought for them. Maybe you say them daily. You see the news and they leap to mind, whether you’re optimistic for the future or THE BOOKWORM pessimistic about current SEZ events. And in the book “The By Terri Schlichenmeyer American Spirit” by David McCullough, you’ll see how the former better describes our nation. For the past 50 years or so, author and historian McCullough has given many speeches. He’s been honored to talk to graduating classes, business organizations, and politicians throughout that time, and he says he often returns home knowing that “the American spirit [is] still at work.” Yes, we’ve always been divided — and united. We were united by people like John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, and Manasseh Cutler, men about whom much has been written. And yet, says McCullough, there were other “giants” in history that we never hear much about: Henry Cabot Lodge, Jr., Speaker Joe Martin, Margaret Chase Smith, Frank Church, the list is endless. “How can we know who we are and where we are

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headed,” asks McCullough, “if we don’t know where we have come from?” Knowing why our cities grew, and why they were important explains us in better detail; take “Pitt from Pittsburgh and the loss would be devastating,” McCullough says, as an example. We also should study the “energy” of the documents created by the Founding Fathers — and about those Fathers, we must remember that they were “living men” and fallible humans. They wrote with their reputations in mind, “staking their lives on what they believed…” We are a country that values education. We mostly “want to belong to something larger than ourselves.” We are a nation made of people born here, and around the world. We are stewards of and teachers for historic sites. And “When bad news is riding high…” says McCullough, “… and some keep crying that the country is going to the dogs, remember it’s always been going to the dogs in the eyes of some, and that 90 percent, or more, of the people are good people…” “We all know that. Let’s all pitch in. And never lose heart.” The news makes you want to scream? Come over here and join the club — but bring your copy of “The American Spirit.” There’s a lot we can learn together. We can do that, says author David McCullough, by reading history to get a bigger picture of the

“The American Spirit: Who We Are and What We Stand For” by David McCullough c.2017, Simon & Schuster $25.00 / $34.00 Canada 176 pages arms-wide-open optimism shared by America’s brightest citizens. Here, in this anthology of speeches, McCullough displays unparalleled storytelling skills with tales of those preachers, politicians, visionaries, men, and women whose work meant everything to a growing nation. It’s hard not to get caught up in McCullough’s eagerness to know those tales, and it’s hard not to be stirred by them. This book is small but its message is huge. So, if you’re a student of current events, give it the introspection and time it demands. Do that, and “The American Spirit” could pledge for you a new outlook. Look for the reviewed book at a bookstore or a library near you. You may also find the book at online book retailers. The Bookworm is Terri Schlichenmeyer. Terri has been reading since she was 3 years old and never goes anywhere without a book. She lives in Wisconsin with three dogs and 10,000 books. v

Letter: Let’s educate about spraying To the Editor: I have some small feel of what the people in Europe felt like when the Nazis were flying over and bombing the cities in other countries because we are experiencing that now with aerial spraying for aphids. While I was traveling down a gravel road, I watched ahead of me as a spray plane kept spraying as he went over the gravel road and pulled up. Only when he was pulling up did he shut off the spray. I have also seen a soybean field that was adjacent to a lake that was literally lit up with lightning bugs. The next day it was sprayed for aphids and the following night the field was pitch black. I had a friend who watched a plane that was spraying a field and some birds had flown under in the spray and they just fell down out of the sky. I also have some honey bees and found one lying on my outside shop bench — just twitching before it died. There had been a plane spraying to the north of my place that day. Although I cannot prove that it was related, since I did not keep the bee to have it analyzed, although it seemed like too much of a coincidence. Those of you that think there is no harm in spraying these pesticides need to think again. It does not matter if it is by air or ground. This is a death sentence for anything in or near that field that is being

sprayed. Ask yourself, is it worth it for those few extra dollars that you think you get for contaminating the environment and every living thing in it? Do you want contaminated water? Do you want your grandkids to get cancer? Maybe you should be looking at another crop. A lack of diversity in farming only multiplies these problems. I hope some senators and representatives of this state read this and have the intestinal fortitude to put an end to this practice. This has become too widespread and accepted. It cannot be allowed to continue. Mike Handzus Lakefield, Minn.

OPINION

Letters to the editor are always welcome. Send your letters to: Editor, The Land, P.O. Box 3169 Mankato, MN 56002 e-mail: editor@thelandonline.com

All letters must be signed and accompanied by a phone number (not for publication) to verify authenticity.

Dayton’s water quality meeting draws 200 people Water Quality Town Hall Meetings

Photo by Mark Fischenich

Gov. Mark Dayton, right, listened to farmer Steve Trio of Mapleton (far left), local mayors and others at a water quality town hall meeting in Mankato.

incentives for improved water quality, according to Dayton. “This is not going to be solved by rules and regulations,” he said, suggesting all Minnesotans have to adopt an ethic that the state’s heritage is defined by water and it needs to be preserved for future generations. “We’ve always been problem-solvers in Minnesota,” he said. With only one legislative session left before retirement, the two-term Democrat noted he won’t be in the governor’s office to see whether the pollutionreduction goal is met. “I won’t be there,” Dayton said. “I hope by 2022, somebody will say, ‘Gee, we’ve already hit 25, let’s go for 50.’” Marie Wood, associate editor of The Land, contributed to this story. Mark Fischenich is a staff writer for The Free Press. The Land and The Free Press are owned by The Free Press Media. v

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Along with being asked to speak to the large group — “I haven’t spoke since my FFA days in front of a crowd. I’m just a farmer,” Trio told them — he was invited to be the voice of area farmers in a pre-meeting sit-down with Dayton. Trio, whose farm was the first Minnesota Water Quality Certified Farm in Blue Earth County, said he thought Dayton was pleased to hear about his conservation efforts. The governor wanted to learn about his crops and farming practices and also recognized the tight commodity prices that farmers face. When Dayton asked his advice on getting all farmers on board, Trio told him to let farmers work with the local people at their Soil and Water Conservation Districts. “You’ll get a better response,” said Trio, who also suggested that incentives will be better received than mandates. Dayton joined Trio and the mayors of Mankato and North Mankato when the town hall meeting broke into small-group discussions. Participants — sitting in groups of four to six people — tackled the goals and actions needed to conserve Minnesota’s water resources and to ensure aquifers are unpolluted and lakes and rivers are clean enough for fishing and swimming. The suggested to-do list generated at the dozens of tables quickly grew in length: retain more water in wetlands, moderate flows after rains and snow-melt, exclude livestock from streams, increase no-till acres, reduce impervious surfaces in cities, reduce urban chemical use ... . Dayton, as he left the Mankato meeting and prepared for Thursday’s event in Marshall, said the town halls are giving him hope. Groups who often placed blame on one another in past water debates were listening to each other and discussing possible solutions. “That’s very encouraging,” he said. Some state and federal funding is available, from wetland restoration dollars to low-interest loans for upgrading municipal sewage treatment. And the next federal farm bill should focus on providing

Meetings are 6:30-8:30 p.m., registration opens at 5:30 p.m. Crookston: Sept. 5, University of Minnesota-Crookston St. Cloud: Sept. 6, St Cloud Community and Technical College Ely: Sept. 12, Grand Ely Lodge Bemidji: Sept. 13, Bemidji State University Minneapolis: Sept. 27, TBD Burnsville: Oct. 4, Diamondhead Education Stillwater: Oct. 5, Stillwater High School Visit bit.ly/25by25TownHall for more information.

THE LAND, AUGUST 25, 2017

By MARK FISCHENICH mfischenich@mankatofreepress.com MANKATO, Minn. — Both the complexity of Minnesota’s water problems and the strong public interest in solving them were in evidence at a community water meeting hosted by Gov. Mark Dayton in Mankato on Aug. 16. The event was the second of 10 “Water Town Hall” meetings Dayton and key commissioners are holding in all corners of the state to build support and consensus for the governor’s plan to reduce water pollution by 25 percent by 2025. “This is such a crucial issue,” the governor told a crowd of 200 local government officials, farmers and environmentalists at Minnesota State University. “I know it’s just something Minnesota has to face up to, and most other states do.” Kim Musser, the acting director of MSU’s Water Resources Center, laid out the plight of water in south-central Minnesota. “There’s huge water quality challenges in this region,” Musser said. She mentioned how the area’s iconic Minneopa Falls routinely turn green from algae. She showed maps of nitrogen, phosphorus and suspended-solid levels across Minnesota. All agricultural regions of the state have problems with one or two of the pollutants, but south-central Minnesota hits the trifecta. And she talked of the erosion problems in area rivers, caused in part from the unprecedented deluge of water they now routinely receive because of heavily tiled farm fields and climate change that’s producing more torrential rains. “People are losing their homes, they’re losing their properties, they’re losing their farm land,” Musser said. And that farm land, along with sediment from eroded stream banks, is flowing downstream where it causes more problems, including filling up the Mississippi River’s Lake Pepin, she said. But Musser and ensuing speakers also offered tales of progress — farmers, anglers and other lovers of area lakes and rivers joining forces to tackle pollution issues in the Watonwan River and Le Sueur River watersheds. St. Peter’s efforts to deal with drinking-water contaminants were explained, as was the work of Lake Crystal’s grassroots coalition to address pollution in the city’s signature body of water. Mapleton corn and soybean farmer Steve Trio spoke of his decision to take individual responsibility for how his agricultural production impacted the Cobb River. Working with his son Aaron, Trio has ensured there’s protective cover between his farmland and the tributary streams leading to the river, works to be diligent in soil testing to minimize chemical use, and even added a containment system around his fuel tanks long before it was required. “The thing is, we all gotta dig into this thing, farmers included,” Trio said.

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THE LAND, AUGUST 25, 2017

Preserving agricultural heritage one seed at a time By PAUL MALCHOW The Land Managing Editor DECORAH, Iowa — From the time the first plow hit American soil, growers have depended on a supply of healthy seed stock. Thanks to a dedicated group of horticulturalists and volunteers, that seed stock is being preserved for us and generations beyond. “Seed Savers Exchange is a non-profit organization dedicated to saving and sharing seeds,” states the group’s website. While that phrase neatly sums up the purpose of SSE, it almost simplifies the enormous amount of toil and study undertaken by literally thousands of people. As caretakers for over 25,000 open-pollinated seed varieties, Seed Savers Exchange is part farm, part seed company and part science lab. The SSE campus, located north of Decorah, is 890 acres in size with multiple growing beds; about 100 head of cattle; and an orchard containing over 1,000 varieties of heritage apple trees. On the homestead site, a stately farm house on the hill now houses summer interns who help work the farm. The barn

Photos by Paul Malchow

Seed Savers Exchange sells packets of hundreds of heirloom varieties in their gift shop and catalog.

Though the SSE farm is 890 acres, the gardens take up only about 20 acres. While the rolling hills and woods limit the availability of good garden sites, the real reason for the small garden acreage is the need for isolation. To avoid cross pollination, varieties are planted a minimum of 100 feet apart — requiring many gardens and many sites. As an example of the needed acreage, this growing season, SSE planted 300 varieties of garlic alone (20 bulbs each). “We grow enough to get enough seeds so we don’t have to grow that variety in two consecutive years,” said Gilbertson. “That helps limit the chance of disease carrying over.” The gardens are surrounded by alfalfa which serves two purposes. The cattle eat the hay throughout the winter. What isn’t eaten rests for a year and is then used to mulch the gardens. Some tillage and hand weeding takes place for weed control, but the See SEED SAVERS, pg. 11

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Hay mulch helps keep weeding SSE’s 20 acres of garden to a minimum. is void of animals and serves as a meeting room, staging area and storage facility. There is a gift shop and a handful of sheds. Ducks, geese and chickens share a shelter near the perennial garden which dominates the homestead’s landscape. The gardens of SSE fall into three categories: evaluation, production and preservation gardens. “People send us seed,” said SSE agronomist Devin Gilbertson. “In the evaluation gardens, we grow those seeds to see if they are what they’re supposed to be.” The production gardens are for raising seed which will eventually be packaged and sold. Preservation gardens are used to raise seed of varieties with a limited and/or All of SSE’s gardens are protected by electric fencing in an effort to discourage the area wildlife. scarce seed supply.

Exchange started more than 110,000 plants in 2016

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field crew leader Korbin Paul. “We have a germination rate of 60 percent in the greenhouse vs. 30 percent direct seeding. Every seed is important. The peas Julia (Johnson) is harvesting now, we were down to like a handful. To minimize the chance of losing seeds, we harvest the entire plant and shell them later.” “Peas are hard,” Stuart said, “because everything Julia Johnson is harvesting some very SSE seed historian Sara Straate demSSE Technician Alex Enriquez prepares rare and valuable pea seed. Johnson onstrates one of the units which sepa- kernels of corn for germination testing. wants to eat them. harvests the entire plant which is then rates seeds from hulls. Immature or Seeds are wrapped in damp paper tow- They just have a taken to the seed house to be shelled. undeveloped seeds fall through the els for two weeks to check germination target on them all the time.” screen while air “vacuums” away the rates. chaff. In 2016, SSE started more than 110,000 transplants. Conditions have double electric fences. permitting, planting is done in April. Corn is planted “In 2012 we had a bad drought,” recalled SSE as early as possible so it tassels out before the corn agronomist Bryan Stuart. “The wild turkeys went on neighboring farms. Corn can cross-pollinate over after the watermelons for moisture and just wiped us long distances, adding challenge to preserving the out.” heritage seed line. “Corn is the most expensive and SSE does not employ direct seeding practices in its labor intensive,” said Stuart. gardens. Plants are all started in greenhouses. “The See SEED SAVERS, pg. 12 seed is too valuable,” said SSE horticulturalist and

THE LAND, AUGUST 25, 2017

SEED SAVERS, from pg. 10 mulch does the bulk of the work. A watchful eye and nimble fingers play a role in pest control, as staff are always on the lookout to pluck bugs from plants. Copper sulfate is used for serious measures. The biggest threats to the gardens are the deer, raccoons and wild turkeys which also call SSE home — hence the serious electric fencing which surrounds each plot. Preservation gardens, with their valuable scarce seed,

To help ensure the heirloom integrity and prevent cross-pollination, some varieties — such as these tomatoes — are grown in tents.

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This year’s garlic crop was in the process of being harvested and dried. Soon these racks will be filled with bulbs of garlic.

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THE LAND, AUGUST 25, 2017

Stories from gardeners make seed history unique SEED SAVERS, from pg. 11 As plants and seeds mature, they are harvested, placed in mesh bags, tagged and taken to the seed house. There the seeds finish drying in large cabinets with fans to circulate the air. SSE has various screening methods for particular varieties to separate seed from husks and sort out undeveloped seeds. From there, the seeds go across the road to be tested for proper drying levels and germination quality. A 10 percent moisture content is the target. To test germination, a sample of seeds are rolled up in a damp paper towel and stored for two weeks. The germination rate is checked, the seeds are tested again, and they are ready to be packaged and shipped. One packet of each seed variety is sent to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. One packet is sent to a seed bank in Norway. A preservation packet, with enough seeds for five “growouts,” is set aside in SSE’s seed vault. The remainder of the seed is available for distribution. When the distribution seeds are depleted, the variety will be grown again. Because of storage limitations, SSE deals only with heirloom varieties from the United States which have been cultivated before 1950. To verify genetic quality, seed sprouts or fruit is tested. Interim Seed Bank Manager Philip Kauth used potatoes for an example. “There are 720 potato varieties,” Kauth said. “We take tissue cultures, sprout the

Deer, not aphids is the reason these soybeans receive extra protection.

This root cellar is used to store SSE’s biennial plants over the winter. Plants such as cabbage, rutabagas turnips and broccoli need two years to seed. The leaves are trimmed and the roots are potted, stored in the root cellar and replanted the next year.

Nora Stephan also tastes potato samples to record sweetness and earthiness qualities on a 1-to-5 scale. While heirloom varieties are genetically unique, it is the story behind those varieties which SSE is documenting as well. Recording the history of heirloom varieties for SSE is seed historian Sara Straate. “People send us seeds and say, ‘I remember my grandma growing these in her backyard.’ But they don’t give complete descriptions. They leave information out. My job is to fill in those missing pieces,” Straate said. “It’s the stories of the people — the gardeners — which make the seed’s history unique,” Straate continued. “Not many seed banks have that component. That is our niche.” The Seed Savers Exchange organization was founded in Missouri in 1975 by Diane Ott Whealy and Kent Whealy. Diane’s grandfather entrusted to them the seeds of two garden plants — a morning glory and a tomato — which were brought to Iowa from Bavaria in the 1870s. Diane and Kent went on to form a network of gardeners interested in preserving heirloom varieties and sharing seeds. Today, SSE is home to about 13,000 members. In 2016 alone, over 66,000 individuals supported SSE through memberships, donations, or purchasing seeds. During that year, SSE shipped out 91,000 parcels weighing a total of 73 tons. Why do seeds need saving? According to SSE, in the last century or so, the world has lost 75 percent of its edible plant varieties. In addition, according to the United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organization, only five cereal grains make up 60 percent of our calories. A system that depends so heavily on so few crops is quite fragile.

potatoes and keep the sprouts in a test tube for a year. Basically, we’re saving the DNA.” Samples are sent to Michigan State University. The school has a fingerprinting collection which will tell if any varieties sampled are duplicates. SSE scientist

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Although they would be natural bug exterminators, the ducks, geese and chickens are not allowed to run freely at the farm. Heirloom and open-pollinated plants have the ability to regenerate themselves year after year. These seeds have the power to withstand unforeseen pestilence and plant disease, climate change, and limited habitat. For those interested in becoming seed savers, Stuart shared some advice. “There’s a lot of difference between preserving varieties for the rest of humanity; and what you’re doing in your own garden,” he said. “But don’t think too hard about it. It’s really pretty simple.” v

Rain delays field work, sugarbeet harvest

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Corey Hanson, Gary, Aug. 15

On Aug. 15, Corey Hanson called his report in from his combine. He just started harvesting spring wheat that afternoon. He has sprayed his soybean fields for aphids. “It’s a good time to be walking your fields and checking for stuff – aphids, resistant weeds,” said Hanson. Soybeans and corn are suffering from lack of moisture on his farm and the surrounding 50 to Corey Hanson 100 mile area. “We’re wishing we could have a little rain,” he said. His second cutting of alfalfa is complete. His third crop of alfalfa isn’t coming in real well, measuring 16 inches tall and already budding. He is replacing a shed on his property that blew away in a tornado last August. They lost two sheds, but he may not be replacing the second shed this season. During the downtime before hay harvest, he got away for a short trip to Duluth, where he loves to see the ships moving Minnesota product. All told, it’s been pretty uneventful: “Working on machinery, cleaning bins out, all the fun jobs that go along with it,” said Hanson.

Larry Konsterlie, of Konsterlie Farms, was hauling last year’s corn from the bin. One bin is cleaned out and he’s working on the second bin. Larry Konsterlie As for this year’s crop: “Things are looking pretty good now. We’ve gotten some decent rains,” he reported. Timely rains have ranged from two-tenths of an inch to almost an inch depending on location. “The soybeans are flowering, starting to set pods. The corn is filling out,” said Konsterlie. “I took care of all the aphids back in early August. That control is doing well.” All in all, the plants look healthy. “It would be nice to have a little more heat,” he said.

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Rain was falling as Bob Roelofs reported that his farm received about 2 inches of rain in the last 10 days. He said his corn and soybean crops are set for moisture. Corn and beans are going to be very good this fall in south central Blue Earth County, predicted Roelofs. He noted that areas north and west of his farm received Bob Roelofs too much rain from the storm system. Roelofs and his neighbors are finding herbicide-resistant weeds — waterhemp, ragweed, pigweed and buttonweed — in their soybean fields. He’s walking beans and pulling weeds. His agronomist noted that the pre-emergent herbicides applied after planting were not as effective because it was dry at that time. “That’s part of the problem,” said Roelofs. He expects many producers will be changing up their weed control in their soybeans next year. He noted that the soybean fields sprayed with dicamba are “clean as a whistle.” He does see some volatility issues with this new product. It is prone to moving beyond the field application to adjacent fields. “I hope they can make this product work because we’re going to need it out there,” said Roelofs.

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“Nothing going on at the farm, just rain, rain, rain,” said Mark Ditlevson. Ditlevson still has some spring wheat to harvest, but he hasn’t been able to do that on account of the rain. He grows corn, soybeans and

small grains. Ditlevson, who practices zero tillage and plants cover crops, is not experiencing any runoff. While his area has not received the heavy rains that Redwood Falls and Greater Mankato received, the rain has been steady. “It’s all soaked in. We haven’t lost anything,” he said. Ditlevson, a Steele County Free Fair board member, has been busy working at the fair all week. The week of Aug. 21, he plans to harvest the rest of the spring wheat and plant cover crops into the small grain stubble. He will use different mixes with up to 10 different species in a mix.

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At Hultgren Farms, Nate Hultgren said they are underwater. How much? The joke in his region is that most of the farmers have 6-inch rain gauges that are overflowing. Hultgren estimates the farm received about 7 inches based on how much water is standing. The kidney beans are the most sensitive to water and he expects stress from oversaturated soil. “We will see some yield reduction,” said Hultgren. As for the sugarbeets, the leaves stayed above water level and the beets will Nate Hultgren make it. However, the excess water will bring the sugar percentage down, noted Hultgren. Corn and soybeans for the most part will be fine, he added. Sugarbeet harvest on his farm was scheduled to begin Aug. 28, but will be pushed back a couple days. Southern Minnesota Beet Sugar Cooperative members harvest on a rotational basis so the first farms were scheduled to begin Aug. 21. Due to rain, the first rotation will begin at least two days later, which alters the schedule going forward. For Hultgren, this is the calm before the storm. He is awaiting the delivery of a new self-propelled sugarbeet harvester from The Netherlands. They are getting trucks ready and conducting harvest safety and orientation meetings for operators and drivers. Corn silage harvest begins just after Labor Day and kidney beans usually begin around the same time. “We gotta be ready,” said Hultgren.

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Larry Konsterlie, Pennock, Aug. 15

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Nate Hultgren, Raymond, Aug. 18

THE LAND, AUGUST 25, 2017

Compiled by The Land Associate Editor Marie Wood

“Where Farm and Family Meet”

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THE LAND, AUGUST 25, 2017

‘Smoking Tile’ shows soil health, tile efficiency By MARIE WOOD The Land Associate Editor BLOOMING PRARIE, Minn. — “All right, let’s make some smoke,” said Frank Gibbs as he stood in a soil pit near the edge of a soybean field on Mark Ditlevson’s Blooming Prairie farm. With his cigar he lights smoke bombs and places them in a machine rigged from a diesel engine blower. The smoke enters through the tile line and pushes through the soil to the surface. Gibbs isn’t just blowing smoke. The more smoke – the healthier the soil and the more efficient the tile. About 60 farmers and certified crop Here’s an up-close look at the smoke advisors spread out across the field to pushing though the soil. watch the smoke swirl from the ground. next step is to feed the worms with a The smoke spread about 300 feet – an excellent result. The smoke is an indicaPhotos by Marie Wood cover crop. This cropping system helps water move into the soil. tor for water movement through the soil. Farmers watch in amazement at the ‘Smoking tile’ demonstration. Smoke coils Today’s storms are more intense and The test proved that Ditlevson’s soil is up through the soil via worm holes in a soybean field near Blooming Prairie. bring more rainfall. “It’s damaging our healthy and his tile efficient. The tested mum tillage beginning with ridge tilling. Today he is soil, it’s damaging our crops and more field has pattern tiling. The 2016 corn crop was a no-till farmer. He began planting cover crops in importantly it runs off,” said Gibbs. And when the interseeded with a cover crop mix, then soybeans 2010 and now 100 percent of his acreage is covered water runs off, it takes soil and the nutrients you were planted into this field in the spring. every year. He grows roughly 950 acres of corn, soy- paid for along with it, he added. A Minnesota Water Quality Certified Farm, Ditlev- beans and small grains. “If you’re building your soil, you’re not eroding it,” son has used conservation practices on his family’s “I’ve never been so excited to be in agriculture,” said Gibbs. century farm since 1976. In 1987 he dove in to minisaid Ditlevson. Adding small grains or wheat to your rotation Using zero tillage and cover crops improves soil offers the power to change your soil by increasing structure, said Gibbs, who champions this system. Gibbs is a retired Natural Resources Conservation Service soil scientist who practices no-till and plants cover crops on his Ohio farm. These practices can lead to clean air, clean water, healthy soil and a healthier bottom line. Jim Schwinger, of Jordan, farms corn, soybeans and hay. Like Ditlevson, he uses no-till and cover crops. His soil health and yields have improved and his expenses are down – especially fuel. He came to network and learn more. The Freeborn Area Soil Health Team, of which Ditlevson is a member, presented the event. Tom Cotter, a team member who farms near Austin, said, “I get to see the soil already in good condition.” Soil pit Standing in the soil pit in Ditlevson’s field, Gibbs pointed to holes made by night crawlers. Earthworms provide channels for root growth. They eat organic matter and their feces add more organic matter. Their burrows are also an avenue for soil drainage. Gibbs said this is really nice soil. He showed how the roots follow the night crawler holes so they don’t even need to push through. The channels have everyFrank Gibbs stands in a soil pit on the edge of a soything the crop needs: air, water, worm excrement. bean field near Blooming Prairie. He explains how “When you do tillage, the ground’s bare, they have debris from last year’s corn crop and cover crop nothing to eat,” said Gibbs. “Limit soil disturbance.” improve soil health. Leaving soil undisturbed builds structure. The See SMOKE, pg. 15

Cover crops, healthy soil improve efficiency of your tiling tion to details. They are planted after harvest or interseeded during the growing season. In addition to soil health, benefits include nitrogen storage for the next crop and weed suppression. Mark Ditlevson That can lower chemical use and expenses. Our soybean yields have been unbelievable, said Ditlevson Cereal rye was Ditlevson’s first cover crop. Today he uses annual ryegrass, purple top turnips, rapeseed, radishes,

Tile efficiency Mark Morreim of Morreim Drainage in Albert Lea has been tiling in the region for 30 years. He is seeing more standing water sitting on top of fields due to soil compaction. “We’re not letting that water get in,” he said. We’re working on the problem and we need to keep talking and attending field days for ideas, he said. “I never knew earthworms were so important,” he said. v

crimson clover and others. Ditlevson chooses the right crop for the job. For instance, radishes break open soil compaction and annual ryegrass boosts organic matter. Most importantly, buy your cover crop seed from a source you trust. “Know where your seed is coming from,” advised Ditlevson. Cover crops will change your herbicide program. Gibbs advises more contact herbicides rather than residual herbicides, which can stunt the growwth of your cover crop.

THE LAND, AUGUST 25, 2017

SMOKE, from pg. 14 carbon and organic matter, Gibbs said. “You can’t buy a piece of steel that can do that folks,” said Gibbs. One way to tell if your soil is healthy is the spade test. Gibbs said if a field is in a conventional system that uses a moldboard plow, you can’t get the spade in. The soil is made up of dense, brittle plates that keep water from moving through the soil. In Ditlevson’s soil, the spade goes right in. “It’s that simple,” said Gibbs. Cover crops are a little more work and producers must pay close atten-

Minn. Soybean assigns task force to dicamba MSGA will work to protect.” Petefish says MSGA will work closely with MDA and will involve researchers from the University of Minnesota as well as industry partners. He says MSGA acknowledges people want answers and want to lay blame, but he says those conversations are premature, and the data needs to be examined to get a fuller understanding of the situation and come up with appropriate solutions. MSGA is a non-profit, farmer-controlled membership organization established in 1962. Its goal is to assure profitable soybean farming by influencing favorable ag legislation, monitoring government policies and supporting research and market development activities. This article was submitted by the Minnesota Soybean Growers Association. v

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MANKATO, Minn. — There’s no denying farmers need options to combat the growing number of herbicideresistant weeds. But farmers also need answers to the growing number of dicamba-suspected damage reports cropping up in the state. As such, the Minnesota Soybean Growers Association will convene a task force to examine the data and science behind the reports and to work with industry and the Minnesota Department of Agriculture to help get answers for the many growing questions regarding dicamba. “MSGA works closely with industry in Minnesota and across the nation,” MSGA President Mike Petefish says. “We feel we are in a unique position to be proactive and lead the way in finding sensible answers for our farmers and for industry. Dicamba is a valuable tool for farmers and a technology

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THE LAND, AUGUST 25, 2017

MDA town halls focus on Nitrogen Fertilizer Rule By MARIE WOOD The Land Associate Editor MANKATO, Minn. — Discussion focused on changes to the draft Nitrogen Fertilizer Rule during the Minnesota Department of Agriculture’s Town Hall Listening Session in Mankato on Aug. 16. About 50 farmers, crop consultants and elected officials joined the discussion. The rule is divided into two parts. Part 1 limits the use of nitrogen fertilizer in the fall and on frozen soils in vulnerable groundwater areas. At listening sessions, MDA officials including Commissioner Dave Frederickson heard loud and clear that the map depicting vulnerable groundwater is wrong in some areas and the tool used to determine vulnerability is bogus. MDA plans to make changes. First, the map identifies vulnerable groundwater in the central sands, the southwest corner, southeast and northwest Minnesota. Due to karst geology or near-surface bedrock, southeast Minnesota comes as

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Wednesday, August 30th West Ring - 8:00 am: Junior Barrow Classic East Ring - 9:00 am: Open Barrow Show All top placements (boars and gilts) born from December through March in each breed will be sold at auction. Up to 100 head! This is an excellent opportunity to obtain some of the top genetics available in the Midwest. Herd health is a #1 priority for the exhibitors. Prices in the past have been very reasonable. Payment must be made at the auction. Hogs purchased may be removed from the State Fair Grounds immediately following the sale. Help is available for loading out. If not taken that evening, they must wait until 1:00 p.m., Thurs., August 31st.

MDA Draft Nitrogen Fertilizer Rule Visit www.mda.state.mn.us/nfr to view the rule. Visit bit.ly/GroundWaterMap to view the map. no surprise. Many also are aware of sandy soil in central Minnesota. Vulnerability also is defined by the Ksat tool. Ksat measures the soil’s capacity to transmit water. In meetings in northwest Minnesota, Frederickson learned that Ksat is not the right tool for that region. Here’s why. Frederickson explained that the region lies on the beach ridge of the glacial Lake Agassiz. The first couple feet of soil are good heavy loam, a few feet of coarse soil, and then 150 feet of blue clay. Ksat only examines the first 5 feet of soil. Frederickson recommends using the state soil map to determine the vulnerability of soil there and continue monitoring the situation. “In northwest Minnesota, don’t get excited or alarmed. I understand your concern and we will change that,” said Frederickson. Steve Sodeman, a St. James farmer, is a former director in the Minnesota Corn Growers Association and operated a crop consulting business in Trimont. He served on the Nitrogen Fertilizer Management Plan Advisory Committee. The nitrogen rule is based on the plan yet the draft rule caught Sodeman by surprise. Sodeman recommends that MDA get rid of the Ksat tool completely. “Ksat should never have been put in. It came out of the blue,” he said. Staff scientists thought it was the most objective and current method, according to Susan Stokes, MDA assistant commissioner. “It’s not the right method. We know that and we heard it so we’re going to go back to the drawing board on that,” said Stokes. MDA officials also expect to change the way the map works. The current map is divided into sections. If 50 percent of the section is vulnerable, nitrogen applications in fall and on frozen soils will not be allowed. When less than 50 percent of the section is vulnerable, application will be restricted by field. Staff learned that farmers want the map to be applied to fields only and that change is likely. Another option may be quarter-sections. Well testing Part 2 of the rule is mitigation levels. Mitigation is based on voluntary private well testing. MDA plans to test up to 70,000 wells in over 300 townships by 2019. So far 20,000 wells in 19 counties have been tested. About 9.5 percent of private wells in vulnerable areas exceed the nitrate standard. In some townships, the number is as high as 30 to 40 percent. The health risk limit for nitrate-nitrogen in drinking water is 10 parts per million, which poses a health risk to pregnant women and infants under six months. Elevated nitrates can cause blue baby syndrome which can be fatal. Private well testing in townships is targeted based

on vulnerable groundwater and cropland. Frederickson said the well testing program offers a snapshot of water quality in the state. MDA will also set up monitoring wells in vulnerable areas. Not so fast, say farmers and crop consultants. Well testing is not a good indicator of nitrate levels in groundwater. “It’s a method of finding bad wells,” said Sodeman. Dennis Mikkelson of Lake Crystal also doubts the accuracy of private well testing. “If you’re just doing a hit and miss testing, that’s probably like just throwing money away,” Mikkelson said. Cities, like Mankato, are required to test their wells at the same time every day, explained Mikkelson. When homeowners test their wells there is no way of knowing water flow at the time of testing. It may have followed a heavy rain, for example. Mikkelson contends that public well data is a better starting point than private well data. Public well data is also being used. A region can be placed under mitigation via private or public well data. According to an MDA presentation, about 10 percent of private wells were removed due to point source, irrigation, water source or poor construction which makes the data clean. For Mikkelson, the bottom line is that private well testing is fine, but it is not scientific and regulation should not be based on it. A farmer of 60 years, said he learned that if you don’t do things by sound research, you’re going backwards. “I can’t believe anything you put in this law makes sense when you don’t have research behind it, only hearsay” he said. “Why don’t we straighten out and get some research done … Get it done right.” Another longtime farmer spoke up in favor of the rule. “I’m a farmer. I don’t want to see anybody get sick from bad water,” he said. Mitigation kicks in when 5 percent of private wells exceed the nitrate limit or 10 percent of private wells have nitrates over 7 ppm. For public wells, nitrate concentration must reach 5.4-8.99 ppm in the last 10 years. The first two levels of mitigation are voluntary. A local advisory team of mostly producers and ag professionals will recommend and promote University of Minnesota best management practices and alternative tools such as precision agriculture in the region. Harold Wolle, Minnesota Corn Growers Association president, drove home the point to MDA staff that farmers are following BMPs and using technology to use nitrogen efficiently and that will continue to improve. MDA is considering all the comments and will revise the rule. The revised rule will be posted for final public review. A public hearing is expected, though not required, in early 2018. The final rule should be adopted in fall 2018. v

Fair exhibitors must be cautious at livestock shows

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Plant Health Inspection Service have collaborated to create the Secure Pork Supply plan. It’s still in its formation stages; but is expected to be fully implemented in the spring of 2018. The SPS project plans response strategies in the event of a foreign animal disease outbreak in U.S. swine. SPS is on the lookout for four particular diseases: foot-and-mouth disease, classical swine fever, swine vesicular disease, and African swine fever. Foot and mouth disease and classical swine fever (hog cholera) were eradicated from the United States many years ago and African swine fever has never occurred here. The scope, efficiency and extensive movement in the U.S. swine industry would present tremendous challenges if a foreign animal disease outbreak occurred. The SPS plan will include biosecurity education, surveillance of animals, and establishment of a movement protocol in the event of a foreign animal disease outbreak. SPS is being developed with input from veterinarians, academia from University of Minnesota and Iowa State University, and swine industry leadership in an effort to ensure that the entire U.S. swine production and marketing structure will not be devastated if a foreign animal disease outbreak occurs. Back to the fair This summer’s county fairs and the Minnesota State Fair are terrific places to view livestock competitions and visit with old friends. Exhibitors should watch for of any changing health issues in their pigs, particularly those signs related to SVV. Because SVV’s clinical signs look like a foreign animal disease, contact a veterinarian immediately. Producers visiting the fairs must be diligent about changing clothes and footwear before returning to the pigs at home. Any site where unrelated animals congregate is a place for potential disease pickup. Thorough hand-washing during a visit to the fair can destroy disease organisms and reduce the chance of taking a disease back home. Diane DeWitte is an Extension Educator specializing in swine for the University of Minnesota Extension. Her e-mail address is stouf002@umn.edu v

THE LAND, AUGUST 25, 2017

Like most agricultural-friendly Seneca Valley Virus can spread from pig Minnesotans, I enjoy the summer’s county to pig through direct contact, or can be fairs and their livestock, and, of course, the spread by boots, brushes, or other equipultimate competition exhibited at the ment. As in response to any pig illness, the Minnesota State Fair’s youth and openaffected animal should be isolated from class swine shows. It’s terrific to see so healthy pigs. No pigs showing signs of many folks who have worked hard to bring SVV should be sent to a show or to marthe best pigs in the Midwest to compete in ket. classes of optimum quality peers. SVV research continues SWINE & U My recent work has focused on livestock Studies of SVV since 2015 have yielded By Diane DeWitte mixed results. It does not appear to pass biosecurity, particularly in swine, and it always comes to mind when I’m attending between pigs and humans, and some natupig shows. Of primary importance is that exhibitors rally occurring antibodies to SVV have been found return home with their animals without bringing in swine, cattle and wild mice. Currently, there is no along a disease. For this reason, the messages of vaccine for SVV. It occurs from spring to fall, and meticulous biosecurity and careful monitoring of does not appear to survive long-term in the environanimals’ health are integral parts of exhibitor edument. cation. When a vesicular disease appears, until it is diagWhile there is always the potential for pigs at the nosed through a veterinary test, it cannot be distinfair to get flu, go lame or have diarrhea, the guished from other vesicular diseases. To combat National Pork Board this summer has issued a SVV, producers should use the disinfectants which Swine Health Alert to warn exhibitors to watch for are successful against foot and mouth disease. The Seneca Valley Virus. Although SVV has been in the USDA’s list of EPA-approved disinfectants active United States for several years, in 2015 it made a against vesicular disease includes Oxonia, Lonza, significant appearance in both sow herds and grow- Maquat, Aseptrol and Virkon. These products must finish operations. At the time it was new to a lot of be used according to their label instructions. folks, and veterinarians and the swine industry SVV is monitored by the Swine Health worked hard to get the word out about the disease Information Center and it’s also been the subject of and its symptoms. a veterinarian-led multi-university transportation SVV is one of the swine diseases monitored by study. That research found that 64 percent of enviPaul Sundberg at the national Swine Health ronmental samples taken from packing plant pens Information Center. The SHIC collaborates with the (after pigs had been moved in) contained SVV. U.S. Department of Agriculture and the National SVV in the packing plant environment reinforces Pork Board to record the rise and decline of specific the importance of scrupulous biosecurity practices swine diseases in the U.S. pig population. Data colwhen working with trucks who haul hogs. Trucks lected this summer has shown an increase in the returning from packing plants must be thoroughly number of SVV cases. For that reason, the Swine cleaned and disinfected before being allowed back Health Alert was issued. on the farm. What to look for The Morrison Swine Health Monitoring Project at SVV is a vesicular disease in the same family as the University of Minnesota has collected SVV incifoot and mouth disease and swine vesicular disease dence data and suggests that Seneca Valley Virus virus. It is also referred to as Senecavirus A (SVA) appears to have a seasonal pattern with the numand both names can be used interchangeably. ber of cases increasing at the end of July. Symptoms of Seneca Valley Virus include blisters around the nose, mouth, tongue, between their toes A Secure Pork Supply plan is in the works The National Pork Board and USDA Animal and and at their hooves; lameness; fever over 102.5 degrees Fahrenheit; lethargy (slow movement or not wanting to get up); off feed. When SVV was found in a Minnesota sow herd in ST. PAUL — The Minnesota Department of 2015, the factor which caught the barn manager’s Agriculture is now accepting applications for attention was lameness in the sows. They had Agricultural Growth, Research and Innovation developed painful blisters at their feet. Blisters (vesicles) at the coronary band are common clinical (AGRI) sustainable agriculture and demonstration signs. The pig’s coronary band is the extremely vas- grants. Approximately $250,000 is available to fund cular area where the hoof meets the hairline on the projects which explore new ways of conserving natural resources, enhancing farm profitability, increasanimal’s foot. ing energy efficiency and improving life in rural The main concern about SVV is that it looks very communities. similar to foot and mouth disease and the only way Previous grant rounds have funded projects explorto know the difference is by veterinary diagnostic ing farm diversification, cover crops and crop rotatesting. Producers and exhibitors who find blisters tion, conservation tillage, input reduction strategies, on their pigs or see any of the other clinical signs should get their veterinarian involved immediately. and alternative energies like wind, methane, and

Funding for sustainable agriculture “Where Farm and Family Meet”

biomass. Applications from farmers receive priority, but the program also funds Minnesota nonprofit and educational organizations as long as Minnesota farmers are meaningfully involved in the project. Projects may last two to three years. Grant applications are due by 4 p.m. on Dec. 13. For more information and to apply, visit www.mda.state. mn.us/grants/grants/demogrant.aspx. This article was submitted by the Minnesota Department of Agriculture. v

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THE LAND, AUGUST 25, 2017

Crop damage minimal after tornado touch-downs By Amanda Dyslin Special to The Free Press “Tornado,” especially when it comes in multiples, is a scary word. But when it comes to area crop damage, Aug. 16’s severe weather events didn’t hold a candle to July. “As far as widespread damage, the damage that we saw in the middle of July from that storm (was much worse),” said Jason Ertl, a University of Minnesota Extension educator based in Nicollet County, referring to the damaging combination of strong winds, large hail and tornadoes that shredded crops in areas from Lake Crystal to Winthrop, Minn. July 9. Late afternoon Wednesday certainly saw some active weather, though. The National Weather Service damage assessment teams confirmed six EF-0 tornadoes and one EF-1 tornado touched down and swept northward through Nicollet and Sibley counties. (EF-0 is classified as 65 to 85 mph winds and EF-1 is 86 to 100 mph, although two tornadoes near Nicollet and New Prague are estimated to have been 60 mph at peak or below.)

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Soybean plants were flattened by Wednesday’s storms at a farm in New Sweden township. Crop damage was considered minimal even after a powerful storm system brought multiple tornadoes to the area. The first tornado was spotted at about 4:45 p.m. south of Nicollet, and a second developed in the same area just

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after 5 p.m. The EF-1 multi-vortex tornado developed in northern Nicollet County near New Sweden at about 5:35 p.m., cutting a 3-mile path north into Sibley County. At about 6:30 p.m. two tornadoes developed near Winthrop. Just after 7 p.m. a tornado developed south of New Prague. Finally, another developed south of Lester Prairie just after 8 p.m. Meteorologist Lisa Schmit, with the National Weather Service in Chanhassen, said the “big story” was the amount of rain that fell in a six- to 12-hour period. Eastern Brown County received 6 to 9 inches. Nicollet County had reports of 4 to 5 inches. “That’s pretty significant,” Schmit said, adding that rural areas were the heaviest hit. Ertl said the heavy rains caused a lot of standing water in fields, but the pooling generally will not damage crops.

“We expect that to go down over the next few days or the next week,” he said. The crop damage was mainly isolated to where the tornadoes touched down, Ertl said. Because there was no hail or widespread high winds involved in the storms, the crop damage was minimal and more difficult to estimate due in part to sporadic touchdowns. “There was a lot of heavy downpour and high winds around the twisters,” he said. “There certainly would be some damage in the vicinity of the twisters (where they touched down).” Dwight DeBoer, owner of Community Insurance Agency in Lafayette, said far less damage was done to crops Wednesday than from the July storm. He did hear from one farmer east of Lafayette whose corn and soybean crops sustained some damage. In the areas a tornado touched down on that farm, DeBoer said, “it flattened the fields.” “But that big hail storm from July 9, that took out thousands of acres,” DeBoer said. Paul Gaspar, a research scientist with the seed company DuPont Pioneer, said he’s not aware of any damage to their plots across southern Minnesota. (The company has numerous 5 by 17.5foot plots across the region used for genetic research.) “Our research plots in that area are OK,” he said. “There’s damage out there, but (with this kind of storm) it’s going to be on a field by field basis.” Ertl said the most pressing need for all area crops right now is heat and sunshine, which has been pretty lacking this summer. “As we come to the end of the growing season, we need to get caught up,” he said. The Free Press and The Land are owned by The Free Press Media. v

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Ethanol expert now serving on ag research institute board big breakthrough is the utilization of the corn stover for ethanol. Two big plants in Iowa are already into this process. Making a profit is still a struggle, but the POET plant in Emmetsburg has produced cellulosic ethanol from stover at nameplate capacity. A 200-bushel corn crop produces 5 tons of stover per acre. Removing a portion of the corn stover can have many benefits. In addition to creating clean energy, it will facilitate less tillage, reducing emissions and increasing organic matter. Q: And there is a new corn seed with even better processing efficiency?

Johnson: It’s called Enogen. It involves an enzyme bred into the corn which both lowers the cost of producing ethanol and increases actual ethanol per bushel of corn. This corn has to be isolated to protect it from cross contamination by other corn pollens because it could present problems going into food grade products such as high starch potato chips. It is just another example of farmers utilizing the latest technology to enhance profitability and create a better environment. To learn more about AURI, visit www. auri.org. v

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political impact of a given project can’t be ignored if the end result is significant for the client. In the just-completed legislative session, AURI was well received. In fact, state funding for this program was increased. Q: Even though you are relatively new, are you aware of any companies, new products, that have become extremely successful because of AURI assistance? Johnson: Yes, there are many new products in the marketplace that AURI has assisted with commercialization. Products such as Smude’s Sunflower Oil, Kay’s Naturals and Wheat Scoop cat litter are recent developments that added value to Minnesota agriculture and rural communities. Q: So let’s talk about your favorite topic. Is the Renewable Fuels Standard soon to be 15 percent across America? Johnson: Production of ethanol continues to grow. Right now, a new plant is underway in South Dakota. Also, many existing plants are expanding. Al-Corn in southern Minnesota is expanding to double its current production. We are exporting more. The push towards more E15 and multi-fuel pumps keeps expanding because consumers are wanting the choices plus more vehicles are now factory equipped as flex fuel vehicles. The push now is to get legislative approval for the sale of E15 year-round. The technical argument about E15 summer sales is because of its volatility — which is silly because it is less volatile than E10. The only reason it is an issue is because E15 was not mentioned in the Clean Air Act and Big Oil is trying to capitalize on that technicality. Q: In the early days of ethanol production, 2.45 gallons per bushel of corn was the standard. What’s the new standard? Johnson: Thanks to technology and better enzymes, the standard today is over 2.98 gallons of undenatured ethanol per bushel of corn. And thanks to AURI researchers and others, including individual ethanol plants, by-products are gaining new attention. DDGS (distiller’s dried grains with solubles) rapidly became a source for both lowering swine ration costs and boosting feed efficiency. Now converting the cellulosic part of the corn kernel is the newest procedure for additional ethanol from an acre of corn. But the next

THE LAND, AUGUST 25, 2017

By DICK HAGEN The Land Staff Writer MORGAN, Minn. — In earlier years, Larry Johnson’s tag line was, “Minnesota’s ethanol answer man.” And a great spokesman he was for this Larry Johnson state which rapidly gained the title of front runner of the U.S. ethanol industry. A prime example was Minnesota generating the growth of over 20 farmer-owned ethanol processing plants within a five-year period in mid 1990s. But now it is 2017. This same Larry Johnson was recently appointed to the board of directors of the Agricultural Utilization Research Institute. The Land had a brief session with Johnson at Farmfest, Aug. 1-3. Q: This is a new environment for you. What is your ambition with AURI? Johnson: I’ve been aware of AURI since it was founded during the (Minnesota Gov. Rudy) Perpich administration. I was involved with the Minnesota Corn Growers at that time and we were strong supporters of the concept. Now to come back from socalled partial retirement for this new role with AURI is really exciting in light of the huge program that AURI now delivers. It’s much more involved, much busier, much more complicated than my thoughts were as an outsider. But I readily see that with technology rapidly becoming the prime driver of today’s agriculture, it’s a beautiful time for AURI to further expand its vision. Q: Is AURI developing more political muscle with many clients and potential new agricultural industry expansion? Johnson: Reflecting over the past 20 years, there have been times when AURI has been involved in controversial issues. As a recent board member, I don’t have enough history to relate in detail about the politics of AURI. But realizing that its basic function is to assist people who come forward with new technologies and new products into potentially new markets, not every product will be an automatic success. AURI is presented with hundreds of new ideas, not all of which will be winners. Yet everyone who comes to AURI with requests for assistance is a taxpayer and a voter, so the potential

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THE LAND, AUGUST 25, 2017

Monsanto executive talks politics, dicamba, Bayer merger By DICK HAGEN The Land Staff Writer BALTIC, S.D. — Getting a highpowered Monsanto executive to share a few minutes is rare. However, Robb Fraley, Monsanto’s executive vice president and chief technology officer, did just that at the Hefty Field Day in Baltic on July 25. Robb Fraley The first impulse is to ask about Monsanto’s new dicamba product for soybeans – Xtendimax with Vapor Grip Technology. Monsanto’s herbicide is to be used with its Xtend soybeans and designed to minimize off-target movement. The Minnesota Department of Agriculture is investigating complaints from farmers on dicamba damage and drift to non-resistant fields. But first, a few comments on world agriculture and U.S. politics. Q: Do you have a particular concern about how the Trump administration is viewing foreign trade? Fraley: At this point, I think everyone is focused on trade and rightly so. We have some concerns about the NAFTA (North American Free Trade Agreement) issue, but there have also been some very positive decisions. I’m a big fan of Iowa’s Governor Branstad. He’s been a strong proponent of agriculture, a strong proponent of technology and his new posistion as U.S. Ambassador to China I think is

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super. He knows agriculture inside and out; plus he has a personal relationship with President Xi Jinping of China. We’re starting to see things happen. China is again buying U.S. beef and increased volumes of soybeans are going to China. I’m thinking a waitand-see attitude is best at this point. Q: You are sitting in your own whirlwind with the dicamba issues right now. Why has it become such a target? Fraley: I’ll point out a couple of things. First, the vast majority of farmers who used the technology have had a great experience. The yields of the Xtend soybeans and cotton have been terrific. The Xtendimax technology that we have developed and perfected over the last several years works well. It clearly has a much enhanced volatility profile versus the older generic products. Unfortunately, there have been some issues. I personally have been involved with investigations across a number of states. The Monsanto team is committed to investigate every customer inquiry. Q: Does it suggest any reformulation of the chemistry of the product? Fraley: I don’t think formulation is the issue. Where farmers have used it according to label, the vast majority have had both great weed control and good yield experience with the product. When we got EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) approval for the Xtendimax formulation, we registered it in 34 states. Arkansas was the only state we couldn’t get

approval, so we’ve never had the opportunity to market in Arkansas. And without approval, we couldn’t do the grower education and applicator training that we did everywhere else. In the other 33 states we trained over 50,000 farmers and applicators. Yet there have been more complaints in Arkansas than all the other states combined. I’ve been surprised by all the off-label generic products used and that’s unfortunate. We’ve seen a number of instances of misapplications in terms of nozzles, boom height and the normal agronomy issues that you face. I tell people, ‘This is really great technology and we really need it. But dicamba is not Roundup. It needs special attention, particularly rinse out and clean out of the sprayers.’ Plus, there have been some contamination issues that we are dealing with. Also, there are some environmental factors in terms of inversions. We’re studying carefully inversion patterns and how can we develop tools that farmers can utilize to neutralize these inversion factors. Inversions are a constantly changing weather phonemenon. However, if you would spray between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m., you would dramatically reduce inversion risks. Unfortunately, there has been some night-time spraying which is the worst for inversion probabilities. But what I hear is that when used according to label, dicamba works well. It’s a technology that farmers need. We’re committed to understanding and providing better training to farmers and applicators. Q: Could you share a few comments on new technologies within Monsanto? Fraley: Yes, we have all kinds of new stuff here as part of this huge AgPhd Field Day. We’ve got new advances with climate technology; new field view apps that are giving growers easier ways to collect and organize data and make farming decisions. We’ve got a lot going on in the seed treatment area with biologicals such as the B300 which helps on phosphate and nutrient uptake. We’ve got “Quick Roots” which help stimulate root growth. One of the most exciting products is NemaStrike … brand new and now EPA approved so it will be in the marketplace next year. NemaStrike helps control nematodes in corn, soybeans and cotton. Here at Hefty they have a great microscopic display showing farmers what nematodes look like. We’ve also got some new corn technology out here showing the next generation of Smart Stax using Smart Stax Pro which has the new mode of action for corn rootworm. And we just got approval of a new product for soybeans called Vista Gold which allows us to change the oil composition of the soybean so it is more like an olive oil. That’s going to be a great consumer benefit. The advances in biology, in breeding, in data science makes a field day like this really exciting. Q: Could you update us on the pending merger of Monsanto and Bayer? Fraley: There are lots of new players coming into See FRALEY, pg. 25

Meet Mark Dorenkamp of Brownfield Ag News Getting to know farm families that remind me a lot of my own farm family is a pretty cool experience. Q: In view of the current farm economy, how do you maintain a positive attitude? Dorenkamp: That’s something I’ve been asking a lot of people here at FarmFest. I ask, ‘Have we found bottom? Are things starting to slowly improve?’ I’m getting varied opinions as you might expect. When you look at commodity prices, there is still so much uncertainty. You look across the Corn Belt and based on what I see and hear, Minnesota is virtually the garden spot of Midwest agriculture this year! What does that mean? Who knows? Yet as you so well know, Dick, farmers are an eternally optimistic group. They are eager for tomorrow because tomorrow could be better. I think there is optimism, but I don’t want to downplay the fact that the past couple of years have

really been challenging. Q: How do you prioritize your time? Dorenkamp: That is always a delightful challenge. This summer I have been doing more traveling. I’m still fairly new with Brownfield so I don’t know if the definition of normal has been established yet. One of the great things about my job is that I get to do it from home. I have three little boys at home so having the opportunity of being with my wife and kids, even though I’m working in my home office, gives me a unique opportunity that I really value. But I also need to make sure I am on the clock when I am home. When traveling to an event like this, I try to plan my schedule as much as I can. Yes, it’s easy to do more interviews than you can use so I discipline my time and my interviews. Wasting someone else’s time that doesn’t get aired is just simply not wise. v

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Q: So is Farmfest a bonanza for you guys in broadcast just like it is for us writers? Dorenkamp: It certainly is. I can get a month’s worth of content in three days at this event. That’s much the same at any farm show; but Thiesse’s emphasis on special panels — such as the Ag Policy Roundtable on Wednesday and the Thursday session about the next farm bill hosted by U.S. House Ag Committee chairman Mike Conaway, Texas, and other members of the U.S. House Ag Committee — was incredibly convenient. I really love this event. My first Farmfest was 2015. I felt overwhelmed because I didn’t know very many people. But what a great opportunity for face-to-face contact with some of those leaders. Now, two years later, I see many familiar faces. Yes, lots of people come into the big Wicks building to sit down and watch and listen to these panels. But thanks to electronic and print media, we can share these messages with thousands more. Q: Where are you from originally? Dorenkamp: Belmond, Iowa, up there in northern Iowa only 40 miles or so from Minnesota. Q: So are particular Iowa attractions on your farm radio agenda? Dorenkamp: I never went to the Iowa State Fair as a kid, but when I took a job with a Des Moines radio station (WHO) I spent every weekday at the State Fair. We had a studio right there at the fair so I got well acquainted. Now I’m working the Minnesota State Fair too. Both are great. Both have things that make them special. Q: What is your collegiate training? Dorenkamp: Brown Institute in Mendota Heights, because I had a passion for sports. I was not athletic enough to play sports, so I reasoned that if I’m not good enough to play sports, maybe I can broadcast sports. However, sports broadcasting was meager money. My dad was back home running the family farm so I grew up around agriculture. Both of my grandpas farmed. I had an interest and a passion for farming. I was hearing about Brownfield Ag News. I made the contact and landed this job. I’m fortunate. What’s great about farm broadcasting is that it has really brought me back to my roots.

THE LAND, AUGUST 25, 2017

By DICK HAGEN The Land Staff Writer MORGAN, Minn. — We members of the print farm media observe our farm radio friends. It seems they just push the record button, ask a few ques- Mark tions, check their wrist Dorenkamp watch, get 60 seconds of commentary and — zap — they’re done. A 30-minute farm show will usually require interviews with multiple subjects; requiring a fast mind rapidly sorting content and each resource interview. At the same time, leaving enough commercial time to pay the bills and cut some profit. To us farm print observers it seems a methodical process. New faces continue to appear in the farming community and so too are new faces and new voices in the world of agricultural communication. One of these faces (and voices) is Mark Dorenkamp, farm broadcaster with the Brownfield Ag News. After he wrapped up an eight-minute session with American Farm Bureau President Zippy Duvall at Farmfest, Dorenkamp accepted an interview with The Land. Because radio folks always do the “question and answer” routine, we did just that. Q: How many years with Brownfield and what’s your territory? Dorenkamp: A little over two years. I cover Minnesota, northern Iowa, western Wisconsin and the Dakotas. Q: Yours is a very competitive market. How do you sort out priorities? Dorenkamp: It somewhat depends on the day. Social media is very helpful, whether it’s scrolling Twitter for potential news leads or even Facebook since I have some friends that farm. If they are posting pictures of getting their planter ready to go to the field, or their combine in the fall, a light bulb flashes in my mind that it’s time to consider some early planting or harvesting activity. Plus, I get many news releases. In Minnesota, there are many commodity organizations distributing press releases. Farm equipment, farm chemical, and of course the farm organizations are also ripe with press releases. Here at Farmfest, Kent Thiesse does a great job of keeping us posted on the various panels and special appearances of ag leaders. Social media has really helped to keep me abreast of the big stories at any given time.

“Where Farm and Family Meet”

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THE LAND, AUGUST 25, 2017

ral llyu t ca na o l d an ple t s m rve e, sa a ! h d, ne bin o o m o co ery df v a n e or rou ide f r a y g d an ly: sed r an ethin t u ou m s a imp foc t o e s s t tiv .S arm re is en t n f v n e e ve nc e a , the i e k nd d a a l t am an ow ies ival, e s t B i l S v st st ea reen e cti e d f v a ar of ial all or H f c eG y t l e t l h y n l t e a e sp in ev ari riend ootb s r r v n ffe athe lf d? sa y-f ga o a e l a i n v c i h l am the G vo tur a fam he lo ho r n a i w g e t tt ro y . be ne u sf a s o P o j o d o r e t e t n en gh ee or tiv om ke ike u u h p l m. n s e c o s o o e d e r s c w r l y c n. no ou Pa es th om. so /in d w ther m k w s e o w r m t d m .c a on ss he so ka bre e an p m e s he n W t S t e u a n d a m n o e n n in s! si en t m o e c s s t a u n i e u n c a r Fu urce . po es vis e Gr ing b gree rtne ab n m m r @ o i e e o s r n a o w th ipat re an dc he nt pa na m nse t ed n e a m i t t n f c u i i n a r i u r l a r t a r ree e r e yo cr t jb the dp g-r pa ea ath re

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MARL program has history of building ag leaders within a given school district. Actions of our MARL people don’t always make front page news; but behind the scenes, a stronger impact on local issues than most people realize.” U.S. ag exports reach more and more different countries, making Croatia an intriguing visit for MARL students. “Croatia was picked for the next international study trip because it has rapidly growing agriculture,” explained Reuvekamp. “Eastern Europe had a lot of difficulties because of their intense involvement in war, so economic development has been lagging. It appears the Communist government thinking still lingers, so seeing the progress now going on will be great for our MARL participants.” Might Cuba be on the agenda eventually? Reuvekamp said, “It was about eight years ago that our MARL class did go to Cuba. And if/when conditions finally change so their agriculture and our agriculture can mutually benefit each other, then perhaps Cuba will be back on the agenda.” Reuvekamp and her husband have three children and operate a 2,000-cow dairy business called Hilltop Dairy at Elton, S.D. Cows get milked three times per day. A revolving 40-stanchion carousel helps make

this all possible. “It turns all day,” she said. “Cows get on and off. We have good workers. We’re not yet an organic dairy, but we do use some organic feed stuffs. Our goal is to stay sustainable, keep cows healthy, and produce highest quality milk.” Reuvekamp’s neighbors are a big help because they produce much of the forage and grains for the cows and young stock. “We don’t have enough land to grow all our forages, so we buy from our neighbors. They in turn obtain much of the livestock manure.” Like any dairy, especially of this size, labor is vital. Latinos are their major source of labor. The Reuvekamps also work through the University of Minnesota MAST International program which provides international students both for the work experience and the educational exposure to the American dairy industry. “The best description of our labor force is that it is a very global group of people,” said Reuvekamp. The Land caught up with MARL Executive Director Olga Reuvekamp at Farmfest on Aug. 1. To learn more, visit MARL at www.marlprogram.org. v

FRALEY, from pg. 22 agriculture. Literally a thousand new start-up companies in the last three to four years. They’re involved in everything from the next wave of gene editing to creating sensors and satellite images. Suffice to say, lots of churning going on in ag industries these days and the bulk of it driven by the many advances in biology and the related sciences. Also, let’s recognize that agriculture is the world’s oldest industry and also the world’s most important industry. And it needs to change and modernize. It really is the last industry that is now becoming digitized. As you know, farms are becoming digitized. We’re realizing that if we want to become a bigger player in this amazing industry we needed to spend more in R&D (research and development). Consider this sobering thought: You can take all of the ag seed and chemical companies and together their R&D budget is less than that of Amazon or Samsung. That’s the business reality that is driving these combinations. If we’re going to really invest in

these new technologies, we’re going to have to get bigger. We’ve seen Syngenta get recapitalized with the acquisition by ChemChina. The Dow/DuPont merger is just about complete. Pertaining to our merger with Bayer, we’ve submitted all the regulatory documents both in Europe and the U.S. This is an extremely diligent, detailed process. We hope to be finished by the end of the year. I’m excited because it will increase our R&D program significantly. It’s going to drive even more innovation. Our business has been largely driven by seeds and traits; theirs has been on chemistry. The combination creates the opportunity for the integration of some of these solutions. Lastly, we have been largely focused on corn, soybeans and cotton. Bayer has R&D efforts in wheat, rice and other crops. Together we can do that much more. I think it will create some new opportunities for many farmers and producers around the world. I’m excited! v

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Merger will help develop new products

THE LAND, AUGUST 25, 2017

By DICK HAGEN The Land Staff Writer MORGAN, Minn. — Since its launch in 2000, the Minnesota Agricultural and Rural Leadership program today claims an alumni roster of over 250 dedicated men and women. Their mission? A better Minnesota. Every other year, MARL enrolls 30 new class members into a two-year program designed to enhance the business and leadership skills of each student. Because fruits of the program are so productive, the number of applicants always exceeds the 30-student class size. MARL Executive Director Olga Reuvekamp is a member of a similar program in South Dakota, and knows the impacts on each participant. The MARL Class IX is underway through April, 2018. She describes MARL as a two-year educational experience featuring nine three-day, in-state seminars; a six-day national study seminar; and a 10 to 14-day international study seminar. This class will be going to Croatia. Recently, a class toured Vietnam. Participation costs $6,000. That tuition fee includes transportation, food and lodging on the overseas junket, plus lodging for the six-day national study seminar. The in-state seminars feature tours and local discussions on key industries such as dairy, turkey, mining, forestry, timber production and transportation functions within the Duluth port. MARL participants spend a day with the Minnesota State Legislature while it is in session; along with an excursion to Washington, D.C. Recruitment of MARL participants is extensive. “We’ll start the interviewing process for our 2018-19 Class next January,” Reuvekamp said. “We don’t have age restrictions but 25 and older, both men and women from all across Minnesota with different ideas about farming and this huge agricultural industry. We welcome diversity because diversity is the heartbeat of Minnesota agriculture. Last year we had a garlic grower in one of our classes.” MARL graduates are often involved in farm organizations, and some in state politics too. “Both the Minnesota Farm Bureau and the Minnesota Farmers Union presidents, Mr. Paap and Mr. Wertish, are MARL graduates,” Reuvekamp said. “Paul Torkelson, a Minnesota state representative from Hanska area, is a MARL alumni. I’m told the political impact of MARL is strong. Some rural area schools still exist because of political persuasion by MARL alumni

“Where Farm and Family Meet”

THE LAND, AUGUST 25, 2017

2017 milk production may be overestimated by USDA This column was written for the marUSDA underestimated that.” keting week ending Aug. 18. When asked about Class III futures Tonnage slipped a bit at the Aug. 15 being below or close to only $17 per hunGlobal Dairy Trade auction. Product dredweight, Kurzawski countered, “With totaling 71.1 million pounds made its the inventory of cheese we have and the way to the auction block, down 1.1 mildynamic that has pushed a lot of milk, lion pounds from Aug. 1, but still a sizdiscounted milk in the Upper Midwest, able amount of product. The weighted into the cheese vat this year, with the average for all products offered was down amount of cheese that we have, you could MIELKE MARKET 0.4 percent, following the Aug. 1 drop of make an argument that we should be a WEEKLY 1.6 percent. couple dollars below where we are.” He looks for demand to strengthen in the By Lee Mielke Lactose led the declines, down 4.9 percoming months and with that cheese and cent. Butter and anhydrous milkfat butter prices. So he remains optiwere down 1.3 percent and 1.2 permistic on milk prices. cent respectively, after both led the declines last time with a 4.9 percent n drop. Whole milk powder was off 0.6 percent, followCash cheese prices strengthened the week of Aug. ing a 1.3 percent rise last time. 14. The block cheddar dipped to $1.7250 on Aug. 15, The biggest gain was rennet casein, up 2.9 perthen rallied and closed Aug. 18 at $1.7550 per cent. Cheddar cheese was up 1.4 percent, after it pound. This is up 1.25 cents on the week, but 11 dropped 4.8 percent last time, and skim milk powcents below a year ago. The barrels finished at der inched 0.3 percent higher, after dropping 3 per- $1.75, up 16.25 cents on the week and the highest cent. since November 2016, but 11.5 cents below a year ago. The spread shrank to just a half-cent. On the FC Stone equated the GDT 80 percent butterfat week, 14 cars of block traded hands at the CME and butter price to $2.5379 per pound U.S. Chicago 20 of barrel. Mercantile Exchange butter closed Aug. 18 at $2.6450. GDT cheddar cheese equated to $1.8167 Milk availability varies in the Midwest, according per pound U.S. and compares to Aug. 18 CME block to Dairy Market News. Some cheese manufacturers cheddar at $1.7550. GDT skim milk powder averreport getting few to no spot milk offers. Others aged 89.27 cents per pound, U.S. and whole milk maintain that spot milk, although no longer dispowder averaged $1.4255. CME Grade A nonfat dry counted, is still available. Many report that cheese milk price closed Aug. 18 at 83.25 cents per pound. demand has picked up. Cheese production is steady to a bit slower. Barrel inventories are long. Cheese n market tones have slightly improved, says Dairy The U.S. Department of Agriculture may have Market News, but the overall tone remains unceroverestimated U.S. milk production months ago, tain. according to FC Stone dairy broker Dave Milk continues to be plentiful in the West and Kurzawski. In an Aug. 14 Dairy Radio Now intermore cheese is being made. Demand is fair, but conview, I asked him about USDA’s fifth reduction in tinues to lag production. International interest conits estimate for U.S. milk production. While USDA tinues to be low. Supplies are long, but holding relacited slower growth in milk per cow (more than offsetting increases in dairy cow numbers) Kurzawski tively steady. Some contacts believe that manufacblamed an over-estimation of milk production earli- turers will slow production to control their inventoer this year and perhaps underestimating other fac- ries. tors, including the recent hot weather in California, Cash butter continued its meltdown as a lot of which stretched up the coast into Washington state. product headed to the CME. It closed the week 3.75 He also pointed to the long-term ramifications on cents lower, at $2.6450 per pound. This was 45.5 breeding and said, “If you’re west of the Rockies, it’s cents above a year ago when it was on its way to not been an easy year to make milk and I think the the year’s low point of $1.76 the week of Oct. 17. On the week, 63 cars traded hands, 34 on Aug. 16 alone. Dairy Market News says retail and food service orders for butter have maintained consistency. Manufacturers continue to report that sales are at least slightly higher than those of 2016. As schools are nearing their return from break, food service • 6 Year • Lowest Rates expectations are strong for the near term. Adding to Warranty • Quality the overall demand trend, international interests • Free Workmanship are prevalent. Butter output is steady. Cream availEstimates • Insured ability, which can dwindle this time of year, has not been problematic. CALL Clint 507-528-2243 Western butter production is steady. Cream volSpecializing in applying ribbed steel to barns, umes moving into butter churns are more than sufgarages and outbuildings.

“Where Farm and Family Meet”

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MARKETING

C & C STEEL ROOFING

ficient. Premiums for milkfat continue firming on a bullish market. Bulk butter supplies are large. However, the high demand for butter is helping to move some stocks outside storage. Cash Grade A nonfat dry milk finished Aug. 18 at 83.25 cents per pound, down 1.75 cents on the week and 2.5 cents below a year ago, with 11 cars sold. The USDA’s latest Livestock Dairy and Poultry Outlook points out, “Milk per cow has been increasing at a slowing rate in recent months. In June, it was 64.0 pounds per day, an increase of 0.7 percent over June 2016. This is a substantial difference from the start of the yea. In January, milk per cow was 1.9 percent over January 2016.” USDA adds, “Milk cows in June numbered 9.4 million head. This is 4,000 more than May and 78,000 more than June 2016. n The Cattle Report, published semiannually by USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service, shows that milk-replacement heifers numbered 4.2 million head as of July 1. This is about 45 percent of the milk cow number, a typical percentage for the July 1 inventory. The Outlook says, “With recent growth in cow numbers, rising milk prices, relatively low feed prices, and an adequate supply of replacement heifers, the 2017 forecast for milk cows has been raised to 9.4 million head, 5,000 more cows than last month’s forecast. “With only small yield increases in recent months, the 2017 forecast for average milk per cow is reduced to 22,945 pounds per head, 75 pounds less than last month’s forecast. The forecast for 2017 milk production is now 215.7 billion pounds, 600 million pounds less than last month’s forecast. Yearover-year, milk production is expected to increase by 1.8 percent (adjusted for leap year).” As to feed prices, the Outlook states: “For the 2016-17 marketing year, prices for corn and soybean meal are estimated to be $3.30-$3.40 per bushel and $320 per short ton, respectively. The 2017-18 price forecast for corn is $2.90-$3.70 per bushel, unchanged from last month’s forecast. The 2017-18 soybean meal forecast is $295-$335 per short ton, $5 lower than last month’s forecast at the midpoint of the range. The alfalfa hay price in June was $152 per short ton, $3 lower than May, but $10 higher than June 2016.” USDA’s latest Crop Progress report shows 62 percent of the U.S. corn crop rated good to excellent, the week ending Aug. 13, up from 60 percent the previous week but down from 74 percent in 2016. Soybeans were rated 59 percent good to excellent, down from 60 percent the previous week and down from 72 percent a year ago. Cotton was rated 61 percent good to excellent, up from 57 percent the previous week but compares to only 48 percent a year ago. See MIELKE, pg. 27

National Milk Producers continue to spar with Canada farmers in the U.S. or consumers in Canada. Much of what the United States exports to Canada is ultimately shipped back out under Canadian import for re-export programs. Canada has been refusing to share details of imports and exports under those programs, but the reality is that much of the dairy the U.S. ships to Canada doesn’t stay in Canada. “The Canadian supply management program was basically ignored in 1993 when NAFTA was first negotiated. As the next generation of NAFTA arrives, here’s hoping that Canada is finally ready to have its dairy sector play by the same set of rules everyone else has been operating under for years,” NMPF concludes. In other news, the International Dairy Foods Association gave a thumbs-up to the Food and Drug Administration for “granting enforcement discretion for the use and labeling of ultra-filtered milk in all stan-

MARKETING

dardized cheeses and related cheese products covered by the federal standards of identity.” An IDFA press release called the action “a common-sense approach to a long-standing regulatory burden on dairy foods companies,” according to Michael Dykes, D.V.M., IDFA president and CEO. “UF milk is milk that has been filtered to remove some of the water and lactose, which increases the protein content while reducing total fluid volume. The use of UF milk increases efficiency in cheese making, enhances cheese yield for cheesemakers and allows for fewer trucks on the roads, which reduces transportation costs. It is also responsive to many dairy consumers’ desire for environmentallyfriendly and sustainable production practices,” according to the IDFA. Lee Mielke is a syndicated columnist who resides in Everson, Wash. His weekly column is featured in newspapers across the country and he may be reached at lkmielke@juno.com. v

The Land, a weekly farm and rural life magazine with a circulation of 22,000, has an IMMEDIATE OPENING for an

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Candidates should have professional sales skills to service existing clients and develop new businesses in a designated territory. Also essential are strong organizational and communication skills, along with attention to detail.

Interested candidates should email their resume, salary requirements and a cover letter to

Deb Petterson, General Manager at: dpetterson@thelandonline.com

“Where Farm and Family Meet”

NMPF charged in a press release, “Canada seems to want it both ways — free trade with the United States in areas where Canada is competitive, but high protectionist walls when it comes to keeping out U.S. dairy imports.” NMPF says that Minister Freeland’s comments about the dairy trade elements of the NAFTA talks are “completely misleading.” “For too long, Canada has relied on government controls on farm milk production to boost prices, while minimizing dairy imports to limit competition,” the NMPF stated. “By comparison, the United States has slashed its government involvement in dairy markets, and relies on exporting its products to global customers to a greater degree than ever before. “That’s why the United States and other major dairy exporting nations, including Mexico and Argentina, are so upset with Canada’s latest Class 7 pricing scheme that is designed to undercut world market prices and unfairly dump Canada’s surplus milk at the expense of the United States and other exporters. Ironically, Canada’s so-called ‘supply management’ system is failing to manage supply. “Despite having no domestic market for more milk solids, the government there has sharply increased farm level production quotas, resulting in an accompanying spike of almost 300 percent in Canadian milk powder exports in 2017 so far. These exports are only made possible because Canada manipulates domestic pricing through the Class 7 subsidy scheme,” NMPF charged. “Canada cannot be allowed to maintain a system that establishes one of the highest milk prices in the world within its borders while using world markets as a dumping ground for a huge increase in its production. While it has the right to choose its own domestic farm policies, Canada doesn’t have the right to use those policy tools to manipulate global dairy markets to the benefit of Canada’s lucrative dairy industry, and the detriment of the rest of the world’s exporters. “Regarding Minister Freeland’s comment that the United States should be grateful that it sells more dairy products to Canada than it imports, this is hardly an example of a ‘good deal’ for

THE LAND, AUGUST 25, 2017

MIELKE, from pg. 26 Dairy margins strengthened over the first half of August, in spite of volatile milk prices, as lower feed costs more than made up for slight weakness in Class IV Milk, according to the latest Margin Watch from Chicagobased Commodity and Ingredient Hedging LLC. The Margin Watch says, “Strength in barrel prices on the CME this week supported Class III prices, again driving them above $17.00 spot, as well as firming them through deferred 2018. Weakness in Class IV stems from pressure in powder in spite of consistency in butter prices. Margins are now indicated above the 80th percentile across the board. Margins were driven higher as the USDA surprised feed markets with national yield forecasts that were much greater than expectations.” n Meanwhile, June Dairy Month didn’t help fluid milk sales much. Dairy Market News reported packaged fluid sales totaled 3.7 billion pounds, down 0.8 percent from June 2016, according to USDA data. Conventional product sales totaled 3.5 billion pounds, down 0.8 percent from a year ago. Organic products, at 208 million pounds, were down 1.7 percent. Organic represented about 5.6 percent of total sales for the month. Whole milk sales totaled 1.2 billion pounds, up 3.9 percent from a year ago, up 2.4 percent year to date, and made up 32.6 percent of total fluid sales in the month. June skim milk sales, at 325 million pounds, were down 11.1 percent from a year ago. Total packaged fluid milk sales for the first half of 2017 totaled 23.9 billion pounds, down 2.2 percent from the same period a year ago. Year-todate sales of conventional products, at 22.6 billion pounds, were down 2.3 percent. Organic products, at 1.3 billion pounds, were up 0.8 percent. Organic represented about 5.4 percent of total fluid milk sales so far in 2017. n In politics, as renegotiation of the 23 year-old North American Free Trade Agreement got underway this week, the National Milk Producers Federation was critical of comments made to Parliament on Aug. 14 by Canadian Foreign Affairs Minister Chrystia Freeland.

Local Corn and Soybean Price Index

THE LAND, AUGUST 25, 2017

Cash Grain Markets

corn/change* soybeans/change*

Stewartville Edgerton Jackson Janesville Cannon Falls Sleepy Eye

$2.77 -.23 $2.88 -.22 $2.94 -.17 $2.99 -.05 $2.87 -.21 $2.87 -.15

$8.72 -.36 $8.74 -.20 $8.84 -.19 $8.83 -.32 $8.83 -.35 $8.68 -.32

Average: $2.89 $8.77 Year Ago Average: $2.85 $9.77

AUG ‘16

SEP

OCT

NOV

DEC

JAN

FEB

MAR

APR

MAY

JUNE

JULY

AUG

Grain prices are effective cash close on Aug. 22. The price index chart compares an average of most recently reported local cash prices with the same average for a year ago. *Cash grain price change represents a two-week period.

“Where Farm and Family Meet”

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Grain Outlook Crop report slows corn price

Livestock Angles Grain Angles Cattle, hogs in Life insurance downward spiral as risk managment

The following marketing analysis is for the week So far the month of August has not been too kind ending Aug. 18. to livestock prices — both futures and cash prices. CORN — A key reversal higher to begin the week Both cattle and hogs are in a downward spiral. was quickly negated when the weekly crop condi- Increased supplies of both seem to have had a negations showed a 2 percent improvement to 62 percent tive effect on the prices of each. The fact is, both are moving toward being oversold. Is good/excellent as of Aug. 13. The this enough to turn the markets report seemed to take whatever of each to sustain a major turn to steam was building up in corn higher prices? Apparently, time out of the market. Sellers kept and demand for product will be the pressure on throughout the the answer for this week’s quesweek as weather turned more tion. favorable to finish the crop. Without any bullish surprises, As far as the cattle market is December corn came within a concerned, the increase in numpenny of its contract low at PHYLLIS NYSTROM bers as well as increasing weights JOE TEALE $3.48.25 per bushel. Growers have proven to overwhelm the Broker CHS Hedging Inc. have removed themselves from market in the past several Great Plains Commodity St. Paul any pricing and basis has months. Beef production is ahead Afton, Minn. improved to encourage grain into of last year. Demand does not the pipeline. appear to be expanding as fast as the increase in the Reports out of Brazil indicate farmers there are total production at the current time. This does not using storage to the maximum. Brazil’s second corn mean that the markets are going to continually work crop harvest was 81 percent complete as of Aug. 15, lower each week. As the market declines, it will be slightly ahead of the 78 percent three-year average. possible that retailers become more interested in There are already concerns surfacing about storage featuring more beef which should help steady the availability next year. Argentina’s corn harvest is 85 market. The only deterrent will remain the supply, percent complete. The Buenos Aires Grain Exchange until demand picks up to offset the current supply left its production forecast at 39 million metric tons increase. Producers are recommended to move invencompared to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s tory as ready if hedged, to continue to take advanforecast of 41 mmt. Argentina is projecting its corn tage of the positive basis still at hand. acres may increase 5-10 percent in 2018 to 12.4-13.1 The hog market has literally collapsed during the million acres. This could increase its corn production first half of August due mostly to the rapid drop in next year to 46 mmt from this year’s 40 mmt. the pork cutout. This has forced the packer to become Argentina has a 30 percent export tax on soybeans less aggressive in the acquisition of live inventory and none on corn. Current values in South America which has seen the cash prices and the future marare approximately a dime away from working into ket retreat from the summer’s higher prices. Numbers See NYSTROM, pg. 29 See TEALE, pg. 29

Too much rain. Not enough rain. Low commodity prices. Hail. Disease. There’s no doubt that farming is a risky business. So many factors are out of your control during the year. A solid risk management plan helps ensure your income will stay steady even during that hard August freeze that no one could have predicted. Crop insurance? Check. A marketing plan? Check. But what about life insurance? According to the 2016 Insurance Barometer Study, 40 percent of respondents don’t own any life insurance at all, and of the respondents that do own life insurance, LISA QUIST 19 percent only own group life Life Insurance insurance through an employer. Specialist Mankato, Minn. When you think about it, life insurance — especially for farmers — is so much more than the cost of a premium. Unfortunately, we have clients who have learned the hard way that life insurance is just as important to your risk management toolbox as crop insurance. What would your farming operation do if the farming spouse died unexpectedly? After all, a sudden heart attack can be just as unexpected as that August freeze. Without proper protection, survivors may be forced to sell assets to pay off debt. Before long, the only option left may be to sell your family farm. Here are just some of the ways life insurance can be used as a key piece of your comprehensive risk management toolbox: Debt Protection: Volatile markets make protecting your debt even more important. Having life See QUIST, pg. 29

Information in the above columns is the writer’s opinion. It is no way guaranteed and should not be interpreted as buy/sell advice. Futures trading always involves a certain degree of risk.

Weekly soybean exports exceed USDA estimates the southeastern United States. Weekly export sales were lackluster at 2.5 million bushels, but new crop sales were very good at 26.4 million bushels. Total old crop commitments stand at 2.223 billion compared to the USDA target of 2.225 billion bushels. It seems reasonable to expect we can meet the outlook. New crop commitments are 226 million bushels compared to 398 million bushels on the books at this time last year. Exports for 2017-18 are projected to be down nearly 17 percent from 2016-17 from 2.225 billion bushels to 1.850 billion bushels for the 2017-18 crop year. Weekly ethanol production increased from 1.012 million barrels per day to 1.059 million bpd. This was the second-biggest weekly production on record. The record was set in January at 1.061 million bpd. Stocks also were raised from 897 million gallons to 917 million gallons. Ethanol crush margins improved 3 cents per gallon to 20 cents per gallon. The average gasoline demand for the last four weeks is down 0.3 percent from last year.

MARKETING Outlook: The updated September through October forecast from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration released this week indicated slightly above-normal temperatures. But there were equal chances for normal, above-normal, below-normal precipitation. What will the Farm Journal Midwest Crop Tour show? Is the USDA’s Illinois yield at 188 bushels per acre true? Is Iowa at 188 bu./acre? Will the tour average be close to 169.5 bu./acre? Weather remains at the forefront of news, but what the tour finds in the coming week will be closely monitored. The market feels like it would like to find a short term base in the $3.60-$3.65 area (December), but time will tell. There’s an old saying, “Hope for the best, but prepare for the worst.” Wise words. For the week, September corn fell 8.75 cents to $3.52 and the December contract dropped 9 cents to close at $3.65.75 per bushel. SOYBEANS — Improving weather extended the downtrend that began report day on Aug. 10 with a

two’s owner equity at 65-75 percent. Life insurance can help reach that goal and will help ensure the surviving generation is still able to have the loan capability needed to keep the operation running. No one wants to think about their own death or the death of a loved one. However, the responsible thing is to have a plan in place if disaster strikes. Having a proper plan for life insurance can make a difference for those left behind. Risk management doesn’t have to be scary. In fact, it should be the opposite! An important part of the process is who you talk to. Working with a life insurance specialist who understands farming and how to properly position life insurance specific to your farming operation is important. The time to design the right life insurance plan and complete your risk management toolbox is right now, before your family needs it. For more insights from other ag experts, visit the Compeer website at www.compeer.com. v

TEALE, from pg. 28 have expanded, according to the last few USDA reports, thus increasing the supply of pork in the market arena. Seasonal patterns would suggest that the normal summer highs have been reached as the calendar switched from July to August. More evidence shows in the switch in the lead futures contract from August to the October contract. The futures market has anticipated this increase in supply all year by

the large discounts in the futures prices to the live index. Considering the market has dropped very fast in the past several weeks and the futures carry a large discount to the current cash prices, one might expect some recovery due to a possible oversold condition. However, if supplies remain greater than current demand, this may only be temporary. Producers should take advantage of the current positive discounts if hedged and stay in tune with market conditions and protect inventories if warranted. v

Pork supply outpaces demand

“Where Farm and Family Meet”

QUIST, from pg. 28 insurance to cover your total loan obligation will help to reduce unpleasant financial surprises for your survivors. Estate Planning: Less than 10 percent of familyowned businesses make it to the third generation. Life insurance is often used as a part of a properly executed estate plan to ensure that wishes at the time of death are able to be executed. Fund a Buy-Sell Agreement: A properly written, funded and reviewed buy-sell agreement will help keep the farm in the family — even in the event of an untimely death. Key Person Coverage: After losing the key person in the farming operation, extra salary expenses may be necessary to keep the farm running. The proceeds of a life insurance policy can be used while the surviving family makes a plan for their new normal. This can help eliminate the need to make decisions quickly during a highly emotional time. Owner Equity: Lenders prefer to see generation

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Life insurance protects family, farm

key reversal lower. Soybeans are not in any immediate danger of taking out the November contract low at $8.57 per bushel, but recent rain events have added bushels. The cheaper prices and lack of grower selling in South America has resulted in new export demand and better basis levels. Recovering demand showed itself with new soybean sales during the week and was enough to curb the downtrend — at least for now. A Chinese delegation was in Iowa this week and signed a 3.8 mmt soybean frame contract, the “promise” to buy that amount of soybeans from the United States in the coming year. This follows the signing of a 12.5 mmt frame contract in July. U.S. soybeans are competitive with South America for the fall, so we could expect additional Chinese purchases to come from the United States. The USDA announced the sale of 165,000 metric tons of optional origin soybeans to China, 132,000 metric tons of new crop soybeans to unknown and 132,000 metric tons of new crop soybeans to China during the week. These will show up on next week’s weekly sales report. Weekly export sales were much better than expected at 16.7 million bushels for old crop and 33 million bushels — also exceeding the highest estimate. Old crop sales commitments are 2.248 billion bushels vs. the latest USDA outlook for 2.150 billion bushels. New crop commitments are only 291 million bushels, which is significantly behind last year’s 564 million bushels that were on the books at this time. 2017-18 exports are expected to be up 3.5 percent from 2016-17 at 2.225 billion bushels. The July National Oilseed Processors Association crush report was sharply higher than estimates at 144.7 million bushels compared to the 143 million bushel forecast. This was the second largest July crush on record. Soyoil stocks were 1.558 billion pounds vs. 1.623 billion pounds projected. Outlook: The Midwest Crop Tour took place from August 21-24. It was expected the trade would focus on verification, or denial, of the USDA’s aggressive soybean yield of 49.4 bu./acre. August weather makes the soybean crop and thus far the perception is that bushels are being added throughout the Midwest. But prior to the World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates report, the market was discounting the yield down to 47.5 bu./acre. The main areas of concern are south central Iowa and southern Illinois. Based on current weather, it’s expected soybean prices will leak lower in the coming months. In the short run, U.S. soybeans are competitive with South America, which will keep basis firm and futures dependent on weather. For the week, November soybeans were down 7.25 cents to settle at $9.37.75 per bushel. Nystrom’s Notes: Contract changes for the week ending Aug. 18: Minneapolis September wheat fell 4.25 cents, Chicago wheat tumbled 23.25 cents and Kansas City collapsed 26.75 cents lower. Crude oil was 31 cents lower at $48.51, ULSD dropped 5.25 cents, RBOB was a penny higher and natural gas was 9 cents lower. At mid-afternoon on Aug. 18, the U.S. dollar index was up .396 for the week. v

THE LAND, AUGUST 25, 2017

NYSTROM, from pg. 28

“Where Farm and Family Meet”

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THE LAND, AUGUST 25, 2017

Weather station helps forecast pest, disease outbreaks By TIM KING payments to a plant pathologist The Land Correspondent for lab work and analysis. WHITE BEAR LAKE, Minn. The weather station monitors — The Minnesota Apple Growers temperature, dew point temperaAssociation, in collaboration with ture (relative humidity), rainfall, the Minnesota Department of leaf wetness, solar radiation, wind Agriculture and Cornell University, speed, wind direction, and barohas established a farmer-run netmetric pressure. Soil moisture and work of weather stations in soil temperature monitoring can Minnesota that has the capacity to be added as options. Using a Wi-Fi forecast pest and disease outconnection, all 500 and some stabreaks in a variety of crops includtions are linked together with the ing grapes, potatoes and apples. computers at Cornell. The network, known as Network “The actual station is pretty for Environment and Weather small — about a foot and a half Applications, or NEWA, consists of cubed,” JP Jacobson, of Pine Tree 20 RainWise AgroMET on-farm Orchards near White Bear Lake, weather stations connected by a said. “We’ve got it on top of one of wireless connection to computers at our fence posts right outside our Cornell University in Geneva, N.Y. orchard. It has to be within 1,000 feet of a Wi-Fi network.” “Our mission is to deliver weather information and apps based on Jacobson says he likes the the weather collected that support RainWise station because it autoand advance integrated pest manmatically downloads data to his agement and best management computer and the NEWA computpractices for agricultural and ers. From there he can get pest green industries,” Dan Olmstead, and disease forecasts for his site the Coordinator of NEWA in New based on the weather data collectYork, said. ed at his farm and analyzed by NEWA. The same forecasts are NEWA started out in the available to anyone else with an Northeastern United States, but internet connection. currently has over 500 weather Photo by JP Jacobson stations in 26 states including This weather station is about 18 “It’s free. You can get all the Iowa, South Dakota and Minnesota. inches high and can be mounted on accumulated weather data off of The Minnesota network got a big a wooden post. The station must be any of the NEWA weather station boost when a dozen members of within 1,000 feet of a Wi-Fi network that you want,” he said. “Using the Minnesota Apple Growers to operate. that data you can run different Association worked together to pest forecast models or growth present a grant proposal to the MDA’s Energy and stage forecast models for a variety of different crops.” Sustainable Agriculture Program. Threats Among the items funded through the grant, which Jacobson, and the Apple Grower’s Association, were lasts through 2017, was part of the cost of the weath- particularly interested in NEWA’s apple scab fungus er station, Cornell’s annual internet hosting fee, and forecasting abilities. The RainWise weather station has a leaf wetness meter, about the size of a playing card, that measure how long apple tree leaves will be wet after a rainfall. “The way that we were doing apple scab forecasting in the past is that we had four or five growers collecting leaf samples,” Jacobson said. “Then we’d have the samples analyzed in a laboratory by a plant pathologist and then she would get back to us on the amount of viable scab that we had in the orchard.” That process took time. There was also a chance that human error could contaminate the leaf samples, Jacobson said. The leaf wetness meter on the RainWise weather station, along with the NEWA forecast models, had the potential to collect data and analyze it quickly and to eliminate the potential for human error. “With the grant project we’re correlating the digital NEWA forecast with the physical results that we’re

getting from the plant pathologist,” Jacobson said. “The first year there were a few discrepancies. They were still tweaking their forecast model at NEWA but last year they were in the high 90s and a lot of things were right on.” The NEWA forecasts, linked to the RainWise weather stations, also allow Jacobson to respond to insect outbreaks for pests like codling moth. “The forecast allows you to select the most appropriate insecticide,” he said. “That way you don’t have to use the giant nuclear take-out-everything response.” The forecasts are what make the NEWA network useful, according to Jacobson. If you don’t connect the network to your RainWise weather station you can collect the weather data at your farm but you can’t get the data Photo submitted analyzed or receive The weather station’s leaf forecasts based on that wetness meter can aid analysis. But you have growers in predicting apple to have a basic underscab fungus. standing of integrated pest management and the biology of the pest or disease in a particular forecast to make the forecasts useful, Jacobson says. “The NEWA website will give you a general synopsis of what’s going on,” Jacobson said, “but you need to have some background in horticulture or agriculture.” For example, in mid-May, the station near Alexandria had apple scab spore and infection event summaries. It also had fairly extensive discussions on the apple scab disease cycle and its management. The information on apple maggots was less detailed but nevertheless made it clear that conditions for apple maggot emergence were not yet favorable. NEWA also has forecast data for cabbage, onion, grape, potato, and tomato diseases and pests but the website makes them somewhat less accessible then forecasts for apple diseases and pests. The internet links for statewide forecasts for soybean rust and sweet corn diseases were disabled in mid-May. Jacobson says the MDA grant program will be complete at the end of the year but that the Apple Growers Association will continue to pay the annual hosting fee to Cornell University. “NEWA is in Minnesota to stay,” he said. “If someone wants to join the network they can buy a weather station and our association will pay the hosting fee for the entire state.” There are three NEWA weather stations in Iowa. To learn more about NEWA, visit their website at NEWA.Cornell.edu. To read Jacobson’s report on the project, look for it in the 2016 Greenbook at mda. state.mn.us/greenbook. To learn how to become a network weather station, contact Jacobson by e-mail at jpmnapples@gmail.com. v

010 Employment

015

Employment

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Real Estate

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THANK YOU for reading The Land!

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5:oo p ay ursd on Th

Friday, August 25, 2017 If youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re having a Farm Auction, let other Farmers know it! Upcoming Issues of THE LAND

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Deadlines are 1 week prior to publication with Holiday deadlines 1 day earlier ** Indicates Early Deadline Ask Your Auctioneer to Place Your Auction in The Land! 0/ "OX s -ANKATO -. 0HONE OR &AX 7EBSITE WWW 4HE,AND/NLINE COM s E MAIL THELAND 4HE,AND/NLINE COM

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ADVERTISING NOTICE: FARM ANIMAL ATTEN- FARM EQUIP OPERATOR Sell your land or real estate FT Full benefits U of M in 30 days for 0% commisPlease check your ad the DANT Work in calf reSROC, Waseca, MN. Opsion. Call Ray 507-339-1272 first week it runs. We make search program, work w/ erate a var. of farm equip. every effort to avoid errors calves, feeding & record Gen. maint of equip, sprayby checking all copy, but keeping. Some weekend & Real Estate Wanted 021 ing, etc. Exp handling/feed sometimes errors are holiday. HS grad. & 3 yrs animals. HS grad & 3 yrs missed. Therefore, we ask related animal care exp. recent related farm equip WANTED: Land & farms. I that you review your ad for Must be able to lift, push & have clients looking for exp. Apply at: employmencorrectness. If you find a pull up to 75# & operate dairy, & cash grain operat.umn.edu/applicants mistake, please call (507) farm equip. FT, Benefits, tions, as well as bare land Search Job ID 318489 Ques345-4523 immediately so Pension, Contact Dave, U parcels from 40-1000 acres. tions- Jason 507-461-6899 U that the error can be corOF MN, SROC, Waseca Both for relocation & inof M is EOEE rected. We regret that we (507) 837-5645. U OF M is vestments. If you have cannot be responsible for EOEE Apply: employmeneven thought about selling more than one week's int.umn.edu/applicants Job Real Estate 020 contact: Paul Krueger, sertion if the error is not ID: 318887 Farm & Land Specialist, called to our attention. We Hunting & Recreational Edina Realty, SW Suburban cannot be liable for an Properties. 40, 80 acres & Office, 14198 Commerce amount greater than the up. Ave NE, Prior Lake, MN cost of the ad. THE LAND www.wisconsinvacantland.com 55372. has the right to edit, reject paulkrueger@edinarealty.com 715-424-1000 or properly classify any ad. (952)447-4700 gerald@northcentralre.com Each classified line ad is separately copyrighted to THE LAND. Reproduction without permission is strictly prohibited.

THE LAND, AUGUST 25, 2017

Announcements

â&#x20AC;&#x153;Where Farm and Family Meetâ&#x20AC;?

THE LAND, AUGUST 25, 2017

PLANNING AN AUCTION? Get the best results when you advertise in THE LAND! Tell your auctioneer or call our friendly staff at 507-345-4523 or 800-657-4665

Hay & Forage Equip

031

Hesston 5585 round baler, makes up to a 5x5 bale, twine wrap, stored under roof, good cond, fine, $4,000. 715-963-4922

Bins & Buildings

033

SILO DOORS Wood or steel doors shipped promptly to your farm stainless fasteners hardware available. (800)222-5726 Landwood Sales LLC

Grain Handling Equip

034

FOR SALE: 2500 Rem grain vac, low hrs, $11,000; Alum line bumper trailer, 6x16 low pro, $5,500. 507-995-9676

FOR SALE: American dryer JD 327 baler, Model 1000 model 2412; 8x52 auger Hoelscher bale accumulaEMD; 10HP bin fan. 507tor. Model 100 Hoelscher Stormor Bins & EZ-Drys. 330-3303 fork, always shedded, 100% financing w/no liens FOR SALE: Brent 644 wag$8,500. Cash, package deal. or red tape, call Steve at on, green, fenders, tarps, 651-257-2417 Fairfax Ag for an appointalways shedded, like new, ment. 888-830-7757 $14,000/OBO. 641-220-6108 Material Handling 032 Grain Handling Equip

034

Behlen 3500 Bushel/Hr 8 Hole Distributor Painted Distributor, $350. (507) 381-2829

FOR SALE: Wheatheart (SA 1381), 82'x13” swing hopper w/ hyd lift, used only on 160,000 bushels, like new, $9,500; Harvest Int'l (T1032), 10”x32', 10 horse electric motor, like new, $3,900; 507-327-6430

“Where Farm and Family Meet”

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FOR SALE: 6” rubber hose Clay 3500 Bushel/Hour Grain Leg Screener, has both 250 PSI, for water or macorn & bean screens, $500. nure, 4 mi, $3.20/ft, good FOR SALE:Used grain bins, (507) 381-2829 cond, name brand, hose floors unload systems, sticart w/ PTO pump, $12,000. rators, fans & heaters, aerFOR SALE: 24x8 ring Stor320-352-3894 ation fans, buying or sellmor Ease dry, used steel ing, try me first and also and stainless legs 8” & 11” Bins & Buildings 033 call for very competitive belts, 10 hole 10” distribucontract rates! Office tor, 16x80' chain conveyor; FOR SALE: 27' 10,000 Bus. hours 8am-5pm Monday – 16x100' belted conveyor w/ Butler bin; (2) plastic Friday Saturday 9am - 12 side chuter; 16'x20' overauger hoppers for 6” or 8” noon or call 507-697-6133 head 10 cluster bin. 320-841auger. Renville, MN 320Ask for Gary 0509 212-2579

035

FOR SALE: 2005 1790 16-32 planter w/ liq. Fert., 500 gal tank, E-set planting unit, Yetter trash whippers, fluted coulters, smartbox insecticide, pneumatic down pressure, inspected annually, & serviced at Kibble Equipment, $55,000/OBO; 2012 JD 520 stalk chopper, lightly used for 2 seasons, 8 row, $17,000/OBO. 507-4563007

FARM EQUIPMENT CONSIGNMENT AUCTION

SAT., SEPT 9TH • 9:30 A.M. • RACINE, MN 15 MI S OF ROCHESTER, MN ON HWY 63

Full consignment of tractors, gravity wagons, barge & flare wagons, pickers, disks, plows, balers, rakes, sickle mowers, spreaders, blades, rotary cutters, forage equip, plus all types of farm equipment, farm misc, new 10’ 20 drawer work bench, fabric storage buildings, tents, green house, 20’ driveway gate, skid ldr dozer blade, 80” 3pt tiller, 3pt wood chipper, & shop items

**Consignments accepted sale morning until 8:30 a.m.**

See full listing & photos after August 29th at

www.suessauction.com

SUESS AUCTION & IMPLEMENT 19 FIRST STREET NE, RACINE, MN 55967

507-378-2222

www.suessauction.com

33 THE LAND, AUGUST 25, 2017

'11 Kuhn VB2190 14 knives, up to a 4x6 bale, 12,400 bales, works good, $19,000. Hixton, WI. 715-963-4922

• AUCTION • AUCTION • AUCTION • AUCTION • AUCTION • AUCTION • • AUCTION • AUCTION • AUCTION • AUCTION • AUCTION • AUCTION •

'03 Freightliner Columbia day cab 12.7L Detroit 435hp, 740,500 mi., 10 spd trans w/low hole, A/R, jake, alum rims, fenders, 216WB, auto grease syst $17,500; '07 Cornhusker Ultra-Lite, Black, 42x96x80 A/R, w/gauges, LED lights, Super Singles on alum rims, fenders, 445/50R 22.5, Shurco 3500 tarp opener, hurricane straps. $23,000; '08 Cornhusker Ultra-Lite, White, 42x96x72 A/R w/gauges, LED lights, Super Singles on alum rims, 445/50R 22.5, Shurco 3500 tarp opener, hurricane straps, ag hoppers, $23,000. Call or text 507-822-2203

• AUCTION • AUCTION • AUCTION • AUCTION • AUCTION • AUCTION •

Farm Implements

• AUCTION • AUCTION • AUCTION • AUCTION • AUCTION • AUCTION •

LARGE ELROSA, MN AREA COMPLETE MILKING HERD & BRED HEIFER DISPERSAL AUCTION THURSDAY AUGUST 31ST, 2017 • 11:00AM

LOCATED: ½ MILE EAST OF ELROSA, MN ON COUNTY# 13 THEN ½ MILE NORTH ON 398TH AVE.

HIESERICH FARMS, 31149 398 TH AVE. BELGRADE, MN PH. DAVID 320-697-5560 OR MARK 320-697-5514 FOR MORE INFO. PHONE

MID-AMERICAN AUCTION CO. INC. AL WESSEL LIC #77-60 PH. 320-760-2979 KEVIN WINTER 320-760-1593 AUCTIONEERS

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HERD FACTS: OFFICIAL DHIA 2 X 25,110 MILK, 3.7% 925 FAT, 3.1% 778 PROTEIN. 80 # TANK AVG FROM EXCEPTIONAL UDDERS, NO TMR, NO BST. OVER 20 YEARS OF QUALITY MILK AWARDS, SCC AVERAGES UNDER 100,000. LEVEL FOUR JOHNES, BANGS VACCINATES. EXEMPLARY HERD HEALTH PROGRAM. EXCLUSIVELY A1 BRED USING LEADING SIRES FOR OVER 35 YEARS. TIE STALL HERD W/ REGULAR TURN OUT. HOOVES TRIMMED REGULARLY, NO HAIRY WARTS. ONE OF STEARNS COUNTY’S TOP HERDS. FOR COMPLETE CATALOG WITH LATEST PRODUCTION & BREEDING INFORMATION PLEASE PHONE 320760-2979 OR SEE AT: www.midamericanauctioninc.com SALE HELD UNDERCOVER, TRUCKING AVAILABLE. INCLUDES: 80 FANCY YOUNG HIGH POWERED COWS, MANY JUST FRESH & IN FULL PRODUCTION OR DUE SOON AFTER SALE TIME, MANY FIRST & SECOND LACTATION. 17 LARGE FRAME FANCY SPRINGING & BRED HEIFERS DUE SALE TIME THROUGH NOVEMBER, ALL AI SIRED, AI BRED & OUT OF TOP HIESERICH DAMS. DAIRY EQUIPMENT MUELLER OH 1600 GAL BULK TANK, AUTO WASH, ENERGY STAR COMPRESSOR; 6 DELAVAL AUTOMATIC TAKE OFFS W/ CLASSIC 300E CLAWS; DELAVAL 2” PIPE LINE FOR 79 COWS, REC. JAR, CONTROL PANEL, AUTO WASH; DELAVAL 10 HP OIL-LESS VAC PUMP; DELAVAL PLATE COOLER; AGRI METAL FEED CART, BEDDING CHOPPER & RELATED ITEMS FARM MACHINERY MACDON 5000 14’ HYDRA SWING MOWER COND. AUGER HEAD, ONE OWNER; HESSTON 4570 IN-LINE SQUARE BALER, CHUTE 2 NH MODEL 1034 STACK HAND BALE WAGONS, SINGLE BALE UNLOAD,COMPLETE DUMP; 2 BADGER MODEL BN 950 16’ FORAGE BOXES ON TANDEM GEARS

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97 HEAD OF OUTSTANDING OFFICIAL DHIA HOLSTEINS SELL UNDERCOVER NOTE: OWNERS RETIRING FROM DAIRYING AFTER TWO SUCCESSFUL GENERATIONS.

Farm Implements

“Where Farm and Family Meet”

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THE LAND, AUGUST 25, 2017

035 Farm Implements

035

20 Ft RHINO #SR240 Flex FOR SALE: '98 JD 9100, 4560 8x36 Westfield, 7½ HP mo- FOR SALE: '01 JD 1560 15' FOR SALE: 2008 JD 520 3410 Gehl skid loader, $6,250. hrs., 12spd bare back, stalk chopper, low acres, 6620 Buhler snow blower, no-till drill, 10” spacing, tor, $1,800; Demco 1000 gal Wing Cutter (2007) Foam steering & hinge pins have $10,750, may trade for JD $3,250. Both like new. Call dolly wheel hitch, all new sprayer, 60' boom 3405F Filled Tires w/ Chains, been replaced, excellent 115 stalk chopper, must be 320-384-7822 disks & other parts, very monitor, Microtrak, EZ Shedded, Real Good. Farm cond., looks like new, nice, Montevideo, MN. 320good condition. 507-427-3484 guide 250 GPS, $6,000; 1200 King 13x36 PTO Auger, FOR SALE: 2470 Case M $65,000/OBO. 507-359-9045 or 269-6653 gal water tank on tandem Almost New. 319-347-6138 Farmall. 320-573-2332 507-276-3772 axles w/ transfer FS dump, FOR SALE: Balzer 2000, 20' FOR SALE: Case IH 34' Tur$750. 507-370-2200 stalk chopper, 3pt, good bo disk, model 330, bought FOR SALE: Case IH 870 ripper, 7 shank; Int'l 300 hood; White 445 disk chisel in 2013; Case IH 870 18' subFarmall tractor; Ferguson 15 tooth nice; Kinze 2100, soiler, bought in 2012; Case TO35 Deluxe tractor. Also, 12R30 vertical fold, 3pt w/ IH 50' field cult, bought in JD wheel wgts. Fast 3pt monitor, good condition. 2012. All exc condition. 507hitch. Very good. 507-227507-764-2127 327-8143 or 507-726-2506 0213

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Farm Implements

035 Farm Implements

035

35 THE LAND, AUGUST 25, 2017

FOR SALE: 8300 JD MFD, FOR SALE: Farm fans, 420J FOR SALE: JD 8770, 3740 Killbros 490 grain cart, alhrs., threw JD shop, always 3369 hrs., duals & front end ways shedded, like new, dryer, Brock hopper 3250 shedded, very nice; JD 606 wts, 18/46 rear, 85/34 front. $6,900; Demco 550 gravity bu, 6,000 bu, 24' 10,000 BU, chopping corn head w/ $76,000; 10” 70' west steel box, 425x22.5 tires, lights & 27' ladders, drying floor, stompers, low acres, clean. auger, $500. 507-639-5070 brakes, $7,450; (2) J&M 360 roof vents, Feterl 10-60 507-383-4881 bu gravity boxes, 13T gear auger, PTO. 507-317-4692 w/ truck tires, $1,950/ea; FOR SALE: Fantini chopHydrostatic & Hydraulic ReNH 96C 12x20 cornhead, all ping 8R & 12R CH; 70' FOR SALE: Hiniker 1700 20' pair Repair-Troubleshootpoly snouts, single pt hyd, stalk chopper, nice, Elmer drag, Merritt alum ing Sales-Design Custom nice, $11,900. IH 700 7x18 $6,500/Obo; Gray Allied 590 hopper grain trailers; '89 hydraulic hose-making up pull type high clearance loader, 7' bucket Oliver/JD IH 1680 combine; 24R30” to 2” Service calls made. auto reset plow, $2,650; mounts, $2,450. 507-381-0256 JD pl on Kinze bar; Big A STOEN'S Hydrostatic SerF&M 42' head trailer, floater; 175 Michigan ldr; vice 16084 State Hwy 29 N lights, brakes, & fenders, IH 964 CH; White 706 & 708 FOR SALE: JD 725 loader, Glenwood, MN 56334 320$4,450. 320-769-2756 8' quick tatch bucket, bolt CH & parts; White plows & 634-4360 on cutting edge, excellent parts; 54' 4300 IH field culcondition, will fit 224455 setivator; JD 44' field cult; ries 2 wheel tractors, 3300 Hiniker field cult; $6,000/OBO. 507-220-0999 header trailer. 507-380-5324

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“Where Farm and Family Meet”

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THE LAND, AUGUST 25, 2017

Farm Implements

035 Farm Implements

035 Tractors

036

FOR SALE: 1990 International 2394, 4,900 hrs; 4400 JD combine, 12 ½' bean head. 320-769-2205 or 320841-0398 FOR SALE: JD 4755, manufactured FWD, 6000 hrs, 75 hrs on total engine overhaul, nice tractor. 507-2765196 FOR SALE: JD 8770 4x4 tractor, 7100 hrs, $35,000; also IH hydro 186 tractor, $6,500. 612-916-4106 or 612597-8397

37 THE LAND, AUGUST 25, 2017

FOR SALE: Westfield MK10- FOR SALE: JD 740 loader, NH 310 baler w/72 kicker, 600 81 Lo-pro swing hopper w/ large bucket, $4,500. Call Gehl chopper; New Idea 2R solid tires, 540 PTO, hy715-419-1049 corn picker. (920)863-8220 draulic lift, Ser. #197062, $8,000. Call or text 507-822- RETIRING: Case IH 9250, NH crop chopper 38, in good new tires, PS; 530 DMI ripcondition, $2,500/OBO. (715) 2203 per; 1680 Case IH Combine 665-2509 JD 710 disc chisel, exc cond, w/ corn & bean head; '69 We buy $4,500. Also (2) 165 bu. Ford twin screw w/ 20' box Salvage Equipment gravity boxes w/ 8T running & hoist; Cabover FreightParts Available gears, $1,200/pair. liner w/ 40' Timpte hopper Hammell Equip., Inc. Ellsworth WI. 715-317-0645 bottom trailer. 320-226-3602 (507)867-4910 Super B SC 500 centrifugal Wishek 862NT 26' disk, rock fan, runs quiet, 8 column; Tractors 036 flex, rotary scrapers, HD '94 grain dryer, LP gas, 3 harrow, $32,750; '05 Case phase motors, heat & cool, IH 1020 30' flex head, 3” FOR SALE: '05 JD 8520T $16,000/OBO; Batco hyd. 3,700 hrs., 30” tracks, 3pt, cut, AWS air reel, $9,500; drive 1535 field loader, beltPTO, very clean, $99,900; NH 658 baler, 4'x70” bales, ed conveyor, $7000; Great '04 CIH 1020 30' bean head, twine tie, exc cond, $5,450; Dane van trailer set up for field tracker, very good '06 JD model 530, 9' 9” water tender, roll up rear condition, $8,500, have Moco, disk mower condidoor, alum floor, 3 tanks header trailer also; (2) tioner, $7,750; Brent 500 1600 gal ea & 2” plumbing & large fuel tanks, together gravity box, $3,900; JD 740 Honda motor good condiwill hold semi transport, HD running gear, $1,650. tion, $13,000. 507-381-1871 $2,500. 507-240-0294 320-769-2756

IHC 1466 cab rebuilt engine, new PTO clutch; 1954 D4 crawler loader, rebuilt engine, new clutch, good, under carriage. Please leave message. (715)723-8027

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Tractors

THE LAND, AUGUST 25, 2017

036 Tractors

FOR SALE: Quad 30â&#x20AC;?, Cat NEW AND USED TRACTOR MT 14â&#x20AC;?, JD RT 16â&#x20AC;? Tracks. PARTS JD 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 320-841-0509 55, 50 Series & newer tractors, AC-all models, Large JD 4030 cab, heat & air, good Inventory, We ship! Mark rubber, nice tractor, factoHeitman Tractor Salvage ry duals, $15,500OBO; JD 715-673-4829 8100 2WD, 8000 hrs, nice tractor, $36,000/OBO. (608) 525-2801

-&& / 5 % 8/5 !% / !# / 3(=7 )/!% ! #'0 % $ % '%9 /5 5' 5 / 5 '/ $8,000 $14,750 5'/ ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ =* !/ 0 / " 0 (2+1 =+++ <0! 03 % !% 03 9 /5 !# '/ /') "0 '/ '8 # /')0 $1,850-$3,250 6 05 /5!% 5 $5,5003 %05 ## $3,5003 !50 ( -&2 !#0'% 6.;&2,;1 , + + (( 77+

-== !#0'% 3(=7 #8$ # #8$ /'00 $8,000 $ / )/ ; +++++++ (1 : #" 5 /8 0 '# !% 8)/! 5 :!5 (= 5+ /'00 / " 50 '/ 1 5+ /'00 / " 50 (==+== '/ 7 8)/! 5 % 7 /'00 / " 50

-= /!%!5< 7. ## 5 !%# 00 5 # #5 / !# / , #5 $39,750 /< # % ++++++++++++++++++++ = 2 5+ ; 7+ 5+ 8)/! 5 :!5 (= 5+ '/ 1 5+ /'00 / " 50 2=+== '/ 7 8)/! 5 % 7 /'00 / " 50

! ! !

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EQUIPMENT FOR SALE

Harvesting Equip

037

CIH 1688 combine, 3,900 hrs, just inspected, exc cond, AFX rotor, 18.4x38s w/ duals, RWA, $24,900/OBO; CIH early 90's, 1020 30' bean platform, w/ header transport, nice, $4,500/OBO. 612-701-3186 CIH 2366 combine, 1,687 sep hrs, 2,666 eng hrs, specialty rotor, long unloading auger, field tracker, grain loss monitor, header control, heavy duty final drives, chain oilers. 605-359-6205

037 Harvesting Equip

Dry bean harvesting equipment (2) Bob Equipment model 666 combines w/ Sund pickups '97 & '94, Pickett C8030 one-step, (2) Harriston 5200 rod weeders, UFT/Speedy 8x30 knifer, Pickett 8x30 windrower. Asking $50,000OBO. Will separate if you are interested in certain pieces. (320) 761-2590

Classified line ads work! Call 507-345-4523 or 800-657-4665

037 Harvesting Equip

FOR SALE: CAT 485 & 9700 White combines w/ JD heads & extra parts. 320841-0509

â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;05 JD 9760 combine, 520/85R42 duals, 2WD, through service program every year, 1300 sep. hours ............................................................. $85,000

FOR SALE: IH 1083 cornhead. 320-493-1575

â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;13 Unverferth 8250 grain cart, 850 bushel, 30.5X32 tires, roll tarp, nice condition .......... $22,500 â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;14 Nissan Frontier King Cab 4x4 pickup, black, V6, auto, 81,500 mi., I bought new ............... $15,000 â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;13 Case SR250 skid steer loader, cab with heat and air, suspension seat, E-H controls, 2 speed, 78â&#x20AC;&#x2122; bucket 289 hours .......................................... $31,500

â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;13 CIH Magnum 235, new 480/80R46 duals, 540/1000 PTO, through service program, 2235 hours .................................................... $89,500 â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;11 CIH Magnum 190, powershift, 380/90R54 duals, New 380/80R38 single fronts, 540/1000 PTO, 3450 hours, just through service program, warranty til 2-2018 ........................................................ $65,000 â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;09 JD 8330 MFWD, powershift, 1500 front axle, 480/80r50 duals, 5000 hours ........................ $81,500 â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;12 John Deere 608C 8X30 Stalkmaster chopping cornhead ....................................................... $35,500

â&#x20AC;&#x201C; AgDirect Financing Available â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Please call before coming to look.

Keith Bode Fairfax, MN 55332 507-381-1291 www.keithbodeeq.com

037 Wanted

FOR SALE: '00 JD 893 30â&#x20AC;? FOR SALE: Straw chopper for JD 6600 combine, row cornhead, hyd deck $500/obo. 651-503-5087 plates, exc condition, set up for newer Case combine, Gleaner turbo dsl motor, $14,000/OBO. 218-791-3400 gear shift, hyd auger, 430 cornhead, very good shape, FOR SALE: '13 JD 612C 30â&#x20AC;? call for pictures. $4,000 exrow chopping cornhead, tra parts. (715)377-8388 less than 2000 acres used, chopping units never used, Parker 5500 gravity box, new condition. $70,000/OBO. lights, brakes, roll tarp & Info and pics 218-791-3400 truck tires, exc. shape. 507450-6115 or 507-523-3305 FOR SALE: (2) JD 8820 Titan II combines; (2) 925 JD PIT PUMPING: 15 years experience. Call to see how flexheads. 507-227-4238 we can save you money! 507-676-5453 FOR SALE: 1995 Gleaner R52, 2,084 eng. Hrs., 1,250 sep 039 hrs, good condition, very Tillage Equip clean combine, w/ corn & bean heads, $40,000. 507-995- '02 Great Plains Turbo Till 8110 Vertical Tillage unit Model TT 3000 Series I, FOR SALE: 2004 JD 915 flexcenter weight package, head w/ AWS airbar, fore & hydraulic wing down aft, Crary gold cut cutter pressure, rolling spike bar, $12,500. 763-218-2797 tooth and basket harrow, 30' working width, FOR SALE: 7720 combine, $19,500. (641) 590-1102 20' bean head, 8R cornhead, excellent shape, 320-980FOR SALE: 2700 JD ripper, 1088 9 shank, exc shape, $10,900. 507-327-6430 FOR SALE: Case IH cornhead, 9R22â&#x20AC;? 1000 Series FOR SALE: Blu-Jet AT6020 head w/ poly, has slip 24x30â&#x20AC;? NH3 & strip till; clutches on each row, loaded and many extras. $3,500/OBO. 612-720-3283 320-841-0509

â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;11 JD 9870 combine, 4WD, chopper w/ power cast tailboard, 1100 sep. hours ..................$135,000

â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;13 Case SR250 skid steer loader, cab with heat and air, 2 speed, susp. seat, E-H controls, 78â&#x20AC;&#x2122; bucket, 289 hours ................................... $31,500

â&#x20AC;&#x153;Where Farm and Family Meetâ&#x20AC;?

036 Harvesting Equip

FOR SALE: G955 Minneapolis Moline M Farmall. 320573-2332 JD 4450 2WD, 4775 hrs, Quad Range, duals & wgts. 608797-0692

FOR SALE: JD 620 flexheadS550, 900 acres. 320-360-1240 FOR SALE: JD 6620 combine, 5286 hrs, new front tires last fall, new fuel injector pump 2 yrs ago, 216 flex head if needed, combine alone $6,500 & head $1,500. 612-703-3710 FOR SALE: New, never used Brent 657 Gravity Wagon. Roll tarp, lights, fenders, oil bath bearings, 445-65R22.5 matching tires, $16,600; Also, IHC 720 toggle trip plow 5-18's, $400. Ph. 507-530-2542 FOR SALE: R60 '91 Gleaner, reverser, bin ext., 3.5-32, Deutz engine, 4,751 hrs., comes w/ 825 flex head, 25' SCH, power take off drive, asking $19,750. 507-847-3622, leave message.

042

WANTED: JD model 44, 2 bottom plow. 507-831-1308 WANTED: Parts for a 580 Tox-O-Wik grain dryer, gear box for stirators and temperature gauges. 320309-0952 Feed Seed Hay

050

Canadian wheat straw, 3x4 squares, low potassium, grass hay, 3x3 squares. Ray Leffingwell 763-2862504 CORN/SOYBEANS "NOT IMPORTED" WI grown grains. Certified MOSA. FOB Westby, WI. Call Stan 702-203-9564 FOR SALE: '17 round 5x6 straw bales, wheat straw w/ no weeds, bailed dry, net wrapped, tight firm bales, bailing about 1,000 acres, Felton, MN. 701-371-3972 WANTED TO BUY: Damaged corn, soybeans, other grains. Call Schweiger Cattle LLC. 507-236-5181 Livestock

054

FOR SALE: Black Angus bulls also Hamp, York, & Hamp/Duroc boars & gilts. FOR SALE: IH model 720 5 320-598-3790 bottom trip plow, 2pt hitch, always shedded, $1,500. Call Dairy 055 507-726-2506 or 507-327-8143 WANTED TO BUY: Dairy heifers and cows. 320-235Used parts for IH 720 2664 plows, toggle/auto reset. Â˝ price of new or less. Cattle 056 We ship anywhere. Call Maple Valley Farms FOR SALE OR LEASE Randy Krueger REGISTERED BLACK (715)250-1617 ANGUS Bulls, 2 year old & yearlings; bred heifers, calving ease, club calves & Machinery Wanted 040 balance performance. Al sired. In herd improvement All kinds of New & Used program. J.W. Riverview farm equipment â&#x20AC;&#x201C; disc chisAngus Farm Glencoe, MN els, field cults, planters, 55336 Conklin Dealer 320soil finishers, cornheads, 864-4625 feed mills, discs, balers, haybines, etc. 507-438-9782 FOR SALE: Red Angus bulls 1 &1.5 yrs old, $1,300, WANTED: 800 or 900 8 row Oehler Red Angus. 507-931corn planter or similar, Vic 5758. Helmin. 320-387-2615 Registered Texas Longhorn Spraying Equip 041 breeding stock, cows, heifers or roping stock, top FOR SALE: Century 750 blood lines. 507-235-3467 gal., x-fold, 60' boom, tandem, axle, very good condi- WANT TO BUY: Butcher cows, bulls, fats & walkable tion, excellent first cripples; also horses, sprayer, $4,200/Obo. 507-451sheep & goats. 320-235-2664 9614

Sheep

060 Swine

065 Livestock Equip

075

Trucks & Trailers

090

Miscellaneous

090

Miscellaneous

090

FOR SALE: 1977 GMC, 20' wooden box hoist, tag axle, $1,500; 1978 Chevy, 20' steel box & hoist, twin screw, $2,300, both have 366 engines, Windom, MN, BO 507-831-2301 FOR SALE: 1990 L 8,000 Ford dump truck, 15' box, 8LL trans, 240HP Ford Dsl, good rubber, good cond, $12,000. 507-360-9630

ADVERTISER LISTING

FOR SALE: '05 Ford F250 4x4, White, crew cab, King ranch, 6.OL V-8, Dsl., Torqshift TM, 5 spd., auto, low mileage, very clean, from Texas, lots of extras, 320-250-0084

Miscellaneous

090

FOR SALE: Assorted sizes of rough sawed oak lumber. From 1 1/2” - 2” thick and 6” to 8” wide, from 8' to 12' in length. 320-250-9674

36th Annual All Breed Swine Sale ..16

Kerkhoff Auction ..............................33

Agrigold Hybrids ................................3

Lampi Auction Service ....................33

Arnolds........................................20, 21 Big Gain ............................................12

FOR SALE: United States Corn Stove Company, 50,000 BTU. 320-905-2536

USED TRACTORS

HAY TOOLS

MISCELLANEOUS

TILLAGE

SKIDSTEERS

Larson Implement ......................31, 37 Mages Auction Service ....................35

Broskoff Structures ..........................19 Mid-American Auction ....................33 C & C Roofing ..................................26 Cardinal Realty ................................31

Mike’s Collision ................................22

Courtland Waste ................................11

New Ulm Toy Show............................8

Curt’s Truck ........................................4

Northland Building ............................9

Dan Pike Clerking ............................32

Pioneer ............................................6, 7

David Gass ........................................31

Pruess Elevator..................................38

Dennis Hylen ....................................33

Rush River Steel & Trim ..................10

Diers Ag & Trailer Sales ....................5 Ryerson Auction..........................31, 35 Ditlevson Auction ............................32 Doda USA ........................................14

Schweiss, Inc.....................................38

Duncan Trailers ................................38

Smith’s Mill ......................................39

Fladeboe Auction Service ................31

Southwest MN K-Fence......................5

Greenview Metal ..............................12

Spanier Welding ................................13

Greenwald Farm Center ....................38

Steffes Group ........................34, 35, 36

Grizzly Buildings ..............................15

Suess Auction Service ......................33

Hamilton Auction Service ................34 Syntex................................................30 Henslin Auction ....................32, 33, 35 Holland Auction Company ..............35 Homestead Sales, Inc. ......................31

Visit Mankato ....................................24 Wagner Truck ....................................25

K & S Millwrights ............................23

Wahl Spray Foam Insulation ............18

Keith Bode ........................................38

Wingert Realty ..................................34

SMITHS MILL IMPLEMENT Hwy. 14, 3 miles West of Janesville, MN

Phone (507) 234-5191 or (507) 625-8649 Mon. - Fri. 7:30-5:00 • Sat. 7:30-Noon www.smithsmillimp.com

• PO Box 3169 • 418 S 2nd Street • Mankato, MN 56001 • theland@thelandonline.com

“Where Farm and Family Meet”

All Equipment available with Low Rate Financing

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COMBINES

PLANTERS

Miscellaneous

One call does it all! WANT MORE READERS REINKE IRRIGATION With one phone call, you can TO SEE YOUR AD?? Sales & Service place your classified ad in Expand your coverage area! New & Used The Land, Farm News, The Land has teamed up For your irrigation needs AND The Country Today. with Farm News, and The 888-830-7757 or 507-276-2073 Call The Land for more Country Today so you can info @ 507-345-4523 • 800-657do just that! Place a classi4665. fied ad in The Land and Winpower Sales & Service Reliable Power Solutions have the option of placing it PARMA DRAINAGE Since 1925 PTO & automatin these papers as well. PUMPS New pumps & ic Emergency Electric More readers = better reparts on hand. Call MinGenerators. New & Used sults! Call The Land for Rich Opsata-Distributor nesota's largest distributor more information. 507-345800-343-9376 HJ Olson & Company 3204523 • 800-657-4665 974-8990 Cell – 320-212-5336

‘12 White 8186, 16-30 w/liq. fert. ................... $59,000 White 8222, 12-30 w/liq. fert. ......................... $42,000 NEW Massey 6713 w/ loader ................................ Call ‘11 White 8516 CFS, Loaded ......................... $85,000 NEW Massey GC1715 w/loader ............................ Call NEW Massey 7722 FWA CVT ................................ Call NEW NH T4.75 w/loader ........................................ Call NEW Fantini chopping cornhead .......................... Call NEW NH T9.645, w/Smart Trac ............................. Call Fantini Pre-Owned 8-30 chopping NEW Versatile 310, FWA.............................. $157,900 cornhead ............................................................. Call NH T8.275, 495 hrs ...................................... $155,000 ‘02 Gleaner R62 .............................................. $85,500 NEW NH T4.120 ..................................................... Call ‘94 Gleaner R62 .............................................. $38,000 ‘12 NH T9.390, approx. 850 hrs. .................. $180,000 ‘10 Gleaner R76, Loaded ............................. $195,000 SOLD $72,500 SOLD $36,000 ‘01 Gleaner R72 ............................................. ‘09 NH TD 5050 w/loader, 1300 hrs............... ‘08 NH 8010 ................................................. $114,500 ‘03 Gleaner R65 ........................................... $105,000 ‘05 CIH MX210 1700 hrs ................................ $98,500 Gleaner 3308 chopping corn heads ..................... Call ‘06 Buhler 2210 w/ auto steer........................ $92,500 Allis 180 D .........................................................$7,250 ‘12 Challenger MT 665D .............................. $155,000 New Hesston & NH Hay Tools - ON HAND ‘10 Versatile 435, 1050 hrs .......................... $150,000 Allis 185 w/loader .............................................$9,500 ‘85 White 4-270, nice ..................................... $29,500 NEW Salford RTS Units ......................................... Call NEW Salford Plows................................................ Call NEW Unverferth Seed Tenders ............................. Call ‘03 Sunflower, 32’, 5-bar spike ...................... $18,000 NEW Westfield Augers .......................................... Call Sunflower 4630, 11-shank, Demo ......................... Call NEW REM 2700 Vac. ............................................. Call DMI Tiger Mate II 40.5 w/ 4 bar ..................... $29,500 NEW Hardi Sprayers.............................................. Call DMI 530B ............................................................... Call NEW Riteway Rollers ............................................. Call DMI/NH 775, 7-shank .................................... $23,500 NEW Lorenz Snowblowers .................................... Call ‘08 JD 2210, 44.5’ w/3-bar harrow ................ $29,500 NEW Batco Conveyors .......................................... Call NEW Brent Wagons & Grain Carts ........................ Call NEW E-Z Trail Seed Wagons ................................. Call ‘13 NH 220, 170 hrs ....................................... $33,000 NEW Rock Buckets & Pallet Forks ........................ Call ‘07 NH 170 w/ cab ......................................... $18,900 REM 2700, Rental .................................................. Call NEW NH Skidsteers - On Hand ............................. Call Pre-Owned Grain Cart .................................. On Hand NH 230 w/ cab & air ....................................... $37,900 Pre-Owned Sprayers ............................................. Call NEW White Planters .............................................. Call ‘04 Kinze 3600 16-30 ..................................... $42,000

084

THE LAND, AUGUST 25, 2017

FOR SALE: Blackface mar- FOR SALE: Yorkshire, FOR SALE: Triggs stalk ket type Ram. 320-864-4453 Hampshire, & Hamp/Duroc trailer, 6x16, brown, great or 612-280-6870 boars, also gilts. Excellent condition, new tires; HW selection. Raised outside. brand gates, 1 3/4” pipe, (8) FOR SALE: Purebred polyExc herd health. No PRSS. 12', (5) 10', (1) 4' gates; 100 pay Jan./Feb. Ram lambs Delivery avail. 320-760-0365 bales of grass hay. 507-642& Jan./Feb. Ewe lambs. 8564 507-829-8748 Pets & Supplies 070 Tunis buck and ewe lambs, Cars & Pickups 080 Border Leicester buck lambs, white or black. 608- FOR SALE: Toy Aus- '08 Chev Silverado 3500 dual963-5144 ly, 11' contractor box w/ tralian Shepherd Pupdump, 8 cyl, auto, 23,800 pies. Great family dogs. Swine 065 mi., like new, $20,000. Call First shots. Lic. 715-743-2846 MN564268. Email: Compart's total program williams@sleepyeyetel.net features superior boars & Industrial & Const. 083 Website: open gilts documented by www.saddlebagsaussies.com . BLUP technology. Duroc, FOR SALE: 1966 Case 530 (651) 923-4517 York, Landrace & F1 lines. tractor loaderr backhoe, Terminal boars offer leanruns good, everything ness, muscle, growth. Maworks, call for more info. ternal gilts & boars are Livestock Equip 075 507-360-9630 productive, lean, durable. All are stress free & PRRS FOR SALE: Meyers 750 ver- FOR SALE: Cat 225 excavafree. Semen also available tor & extra bucket, tical beater spreader, 2 yrs through Elite Genes A.I. $15,000/OBO. 320-841-0509 of use, $36,500 or offer. 320Make 'em Grow! Comparts 808-8453 Boar Store, INC. Toll Free: Trucks & Trailers 084 877-441-2627 FOR SALE: PTO driven FOR SALE: Quality Chester FOR SALE 1968 Ford F-600 windpower alternator, modWhite, Duroc, & Spot boars 330-V8-4-2 spd., 16' steel el 80-40 PT3JM, 35,000 & gilts, good selection, call box, twin cylinder hoist, KVA. 320-905-2536 Dale: 651-895-4342 or truck needs repair, Steve: 651-456-7746 $1,300/OBO. 320-395-2635

This week’s Back Roads is the work of The Land Correspondent Tim King. Photo by Jan King.

Monster fish

THE LAND, AUGUST 25 , 2017

“Where Farm and Family Meet”

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he 31-foot long Tiger Muskie statue under the picnic shelter in Nevis, Minn., would have been mighty rare if it, or a smaller version of it, had been caught in 1950, the year the sculpture was installed. The statue is made of cedar, redwood, and concrete, and is said to be the planet’s biggest Tiger Muskie statue. Tiger Muskies, like mules, are hybrids and likely cannot reproduce. They are created when a Northern Pike and a Muskellunge fall in love. Like their parents, they are aggressive predators. Unlike their parents, they have stripes — somewhat like tiger cats — and are thus called Tigers by those who seek them. There were, of course, Northern Pike in the lakes near Nevis in 1950. Muskellunge were rare, but present in a few of those lakes. Mating between the two species happened only occasionally, so their Tiger off-spring were especially rare. Tigers grow extra fast because they are hybrids and they can get really big. Their rarity and large size combined with the real, but slim, chance of catching one justified constructing a tourism shrine in 1950. Even the Governor is said to have travelled to Nevis for the great Tiger Muskie’s dedication that August. It is fitting that the Nevis Tiger was tamed and tucked under a picnic shelter in 1991. In fact, they even pulled its teeth. By then, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resource’s scientific methods of fisheries management were beginning to tame fishing for both Muskellunge and their Tiger off-spring. Now-a-days, you still have to be a zealot if you’re going to search out and capture a Tiger Muskie. But you don’t have to be a lonely zealot and you can confine your zealotry to the weekend and still work your day job in the suburbs.

Nevis, Minn.

And on the weekend, you can fish close to home in one of the 11 Twin Cities area lakes the DNR has stocked with Tigers. It was in one of these lakes (Lake Elmo to be precise) where the record-breaking 34 pounds and 12 ounce Tiger was caught in 1999. Forgive me for saying so, but that Lake Elmo behemoth was a hatchery-bred picnic shelter type of Tiger. If you want to go after a real Tiger, you should go up to Nevis and start searching for a wild descendant of the toothy monster that inspired the toothless statue. I expect they are even rarer today than they were then. But it’s out there. Somewhere! v