THE LAND ~ September 1, 2017 ~ Northern Edition

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September 1, 2017

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NORTHERN EDITION

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

See page 17

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

August politics

THE LAND, SEPTEMBER 1, 2017

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P.O. Box 3169 418 South Second St. Mankato, MN 56002 (800) 657-4665 Vol. XXXVI ❖ No. 18 28 pages, 1 section plus supplements

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Cover photo by Paul Malchow

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

2-5 3 6 9 10 12-13 19 20-27 27 28

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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

7 — MDA revisits groundwater test for Nitrogen Fertilizer Rule 8 — Monsanto executive discusses dicamba, Bayer merger

11 — MARL program provides international outlook for future ag leaders 14 — Where there’s smoke, there’s soil health 16 — Minnesota Gov. Mark Dayton conducts water town hall meetings

Commodity ag faces dark ‘green’ future without ethanol

OPINION

Letter: Let’s educate about spraying

Lorem ipsum

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 Angie sprayed.

Tinink 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.

Questions? Call 515.598.4674

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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,

FarmStarts

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tarts

ishment of rural America.” That path “reflects an abhorrent lack of responsibility and self-respect within the industry.”

Which is where U.S. farmers and ranchers find themselves now: hat in hand, again, waiting for some other farmer or rancher’s misfortune in the hope it will boost prices enough to deliver a profit.

One more generation of this policy drift — new technology or not — should just about empty rural America for generations to come even as new, foodproducing farmers are sidetracked by commodityfocused, not market-focused, farm policy.

Irresponsible, indeed.

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

THE LAND, SEPTEMBER 1, 2017

A generation ago, GMO sounded like international energy scene, it will be an the name of an American muscle car, a enormous change for rural America. text was what the preacher based his Since nearly 40 percent of today’s U.S. Sunday sermon on, and Facebook was corn crop goes into ethanol production, two words that meant face and book. even the tiniest pebble tossed into that pond causes a big wave.

Now, 25 short years later, genetically modified seeds dominate American agriSo, what shore should American ag culture, texting has replaced baseball as policy planners be looking toward when, our national pastime, and Facebook’s a generation from now, the biofuel FARM & FOOD FILE market value is more than two times industry is hit with a green tide? the value of Deere, Monsanto, AGCO, In an Aug. 14 opinion piece published

By Alan Guebert and General Motors combined. online by Agri-Pulse, Tom Dorr, the forEven more telling, that short, postmer Undersecretary for Rural 1992 list does not include GPS, drones, Development and the past CEO of the robotic milking machines, gene editing, U.S. Grains Council, urged U.S. agriclimate change, and a Gulf of Mexico “dead zone” culture to not “continue to consume itself with proequal in size to New Jersey. ducing commodity products.”

If rapid change continues — and what’s going to Instead, he explains, “(A)griculture is changing slow it? — American agriculture will be even more dramatically and there are substantial new food different a generation from now than a generation and agriculture markets being defined in emerging ago. The big driver behind much of the coming and developing parts of the globe. Why not look change, however, may not be, as it was in the past, ahead and develop policies that help position U.S. choice. The biggest driver will likely be necessity. agriculture as a value-added market leader?”

For example, it’s a pretty solid bet that joint pubYeah, why not? lic-private action on climate change will move peoBecause change isn’t what American ag policy ple and industry toward greener fuels — solar, leaders typically embrace. To prove that point, Dorr wind, and electricity — and away from greenhouse- notes that the “current conversations regarding the gas producing fossil fuels wherever possible. need for incremental (2018) farm bill changes” are As proof, Hawaii and Sweden are already imple“disheartening.” menting long-range plans to be 100 percent “green” But keeping our crop insurance-based, commodityby 2045. Nearly every aspect of these state and centered ag policies will not change a “world food national efforts — cars, public transportation, food market (that) has changed,” he continues. The world production, manufacturing — will be powered by market “used to… demand commodities to process renewable energy. into consumable products… Now the food market is Back on the farm, that likely means ethanol faces demanding high-quality, defined, traceable, and an increasingly tough future. Ironically, ethanol secure food.” (Country of origin labeling, anyone?) may not be driven into history by Big Oil. Instead, If American agricultural and legislative leaders it will go in a small, probably driverless, electric car. fail to acknowledge this shift, he writes, “we’re While this change represents but a blip on the doomed to marginal returns and a renewed dimin-

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Letter: Youth learn from summer jobs OPINION

Letter: Deer feeding ban and the DNR 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.

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.

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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. 18).

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).

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

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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.

5 THE LAND, SEPTEMBER 1, 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 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

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Fair exhibitors must be cautious at livestock shows Like most agricultural-friendly Pork Board to record the rise and decline Minnesotans, I enjoy the summer’s county of specific swine diseases in the U.S. pig fairs and their livestock, and, of course, the population. Data collected this summer ultimate competition exhibited at the has shown an increase in the number of Minnesota State Fair’s youth and openSVV cases. For that reason, the Swine class swine shows. It’s terrific to see so Health Alert was issued. many folks who have worked hard to bring What to look for the best pigs in the Midwest to compete in SVV is a vesicular disease in the same classes of optimum quality peers. family as foot and mouth disease and SWINE & U My recent work has focused on livestock swine vesicular disease virus. It is also

By Diane DeWitte referred to as Senecavirus A (SVA) and biosecurity, particularly in swine, and it always comes to mind when I’m attending both names can be used interchangeably. pig shows. Of primary importance is that exhibitors Symptoms of Seneca Valley Virus include blisters return home with their animals without bringing around the nose, mouth, tongue, between their toes along a disease. For this reason, the messages of and at their hooves; lameness; fever over 102.5 meticulous biosecurity and careful monitoring of degrees Fahrenheit; lethargy (slow movement or not animals’ health are integral parts of exhibitor eduwanting to get up); off feed. cation.

When SVV was found in a Minnesota sow herd in While there is always the potential for pigs at the 2015, the factor which caught the barn manager’s fair to get flu, go lame or have diarrhea, the attention was lameness in the sows. They had National Pork Board this summer has issued a developed painful blisters at their feet. Blisters Swine Health Alert to warn exhibitors to watch for (vesicles) at the coronary band are common clinical Seneca Valley Virus. Although SVV has been in the signs. The pig’s coronary band is the extremely vasUnited States for several years, in 2015 it made a cular area where the hoof meets the hairline on the significant appearance in both sow herds and grow- animal’s foot. finish operations. At the time it was new to a lot of The main concern about SVV is that it looks very folks, and veterinarians and the swine industry similar to foot and mouth disease and the only way worked hard to get the word out about the disease to know the difference is by veterinary diagnostic and its symptoms. testing. Producers and exhibitors who find blisters SVV is one of the swine diseases monitored by on their pigs or see any of the other clinical signs Paul Sundberg at the national Swine Health should get their veterinarian involved immediately.

Information Center. The SHIC collaborates with the Seneca Valley Virus can spread from pig to pig U.S. Department of Agriculture and the National through direct contact, or can be spread by boots, brushes, or other equipment. As in response to any pig illness, the affected animal should be isolated from healthy pigs. No pigs showing signs of SVV should be sent to a show or to market.

SVV research continues Studies of SVV since 2015 have yielded mixed results. It does not appear to pass between pigs and humans, and some naturally occurring antibodies to SVV have been found in swine, cattle and wild mice.

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When a vesicular disease appears, until it is diagnosed through a veterinary test, it cannot be distinguished from other vesicular diseases. To combat SVV, producers should use the disinfectants which are successful against foot and mouth disease. The Rol-Oyl USDA’s list of EPA-approved disinfectants active Cattle Oilers against vesicular disease includes Oxonia, Lonza, $ Maquat, Aseptrol and Virkon. These products must 389 As pictured $1550 be used according to their label instructions.

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study. That research found that 64 percent of environmental samples taken from packing plant pens (after pigs had been moved in) contained SVV. SVV in the packing plant environment reinforces the importance of scrupulous biosecurity practices when working with trucks who haul hogs. Trucks returning from packing plants must be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected before being allowed back on the farm.

The Morrison Swine Health Monitoring Project at the University of Minnesota has collected SVV incidence data and suggests that Seneca Valley Virus appears to have a seasonal pattern with the number of cases increasing at the end of July.

A Secure Pork Supply plan is in the works The National Pork Board and USDA Animal and 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 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

MDA town halls focus on Nitrogen Fertilizer Rule MDA Town Hall Listening Sessions

Sept. 5: 4-5:30 p.m., University of Minnesota, Crookston Sept. 6: 4-5:30 p.m., St. Cloud Technical and Community Collge Sept. 13: 4-5:30 p.m., Bemidji State University, Bemidji

MDA Draft Nitrogen Fertilizer Rule Visit www.mda.state.mn.us/nfr to view the rule.

Visit bit.ly/GroundWaterMap to view the map.

43rd ANNUAL

ALL EXHIBITORS WELCOME!

Albany

THRESHING SHOW

SEPTEMBER 15, 16, 17, 2017 ALBANY, MINN.

Feature Chairpersons: Jim Wuertz 612-419-5014 njwuertz@peoplepc.com Ron Becker 763-478-9477 ronjbeck@outlook.com

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• Print Shop Sh in Operation • Souvenir Shop • Country School in Session • General Store - Lots of items for Sale • Blacksmith Shop • Lots of Food and Snacks • Kids Activities and Play Area at the Just for Kids Building • Kids Train Rides • Model Railroad Museum by Central MN Railroad Club • Arts & Crafts • Rug Weaving • Pioneer Displays in Ladies Building • Quilting-Tied & Stitched

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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

THE LAND, SEPTEMBER 1, 2017

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 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.

7

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THE LAND, SEPTEMBER 1, 2017

8

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 position as U.S. Ambassador to China I think is 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: Will Canada and Mexico stay friendly despite some suggested revisions by our president on NAFTA? Fraley: Everybody has mixed views on the politics.

I don’t think you would talk with anyone who would say NAFTA is perfect. It’s done some good things and there are some imbalances. But if there’s an opportunity to make a good deal better, that’s worth looking at. We’re gearing up for a new farm bill. That I know will generate some political skirmishes.

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: Are new breeding technologies likely to minimize most crop pesticides, such as aphids and nematodes?

Fraley: With new breeding techniques such as sequencing crop genomes, mapping and gene editing, I think we will see some opportunities for breeding solutions. We know it’s an important target and it’s major in our research efforts.

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 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

Rain impacts field work, Hanson could use more

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Corey Hanson, Gary, Aug. 28

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Larry Konsterlie, Pennock, Aug. 25

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On Aug. 25, Corey Hanson was combining spring wheat and finished up on the morning of Aug. 28. The spring wheat harvest has taken two weeks because there haven’t been long days to work. Often it’s been foggy in the morning or misty.

Hanson’s farm hasn’t gotten much rain, a half a tenth here and there, but it shuts things down for a little bit.

Corey Hanson The quality of the spring wheat looks pretty good. “Decent yields, decent proteins,” reported Hanson.

“Our corn and soybeans could use a drink of water.

They are going backwards each day,” said Hanson.

The alfalfa is blooming and Hanson plans to begin the third and final cutting of hay soon.

He also plans to attend one of Gov. Mark Dayton’s upcoming Water Quality Town Hall meetings in his region.

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Bob Roelofs, Garden City, Aug. 18

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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At Konsterlie Farms, Larry Konsterlie has just a few more loads of last year’s corn to haul.

His farm received about 5 Larry Konsterlie inches of rain on Aug. 16 and spotty rain showers ever since. “It all just keeps adding up,” said Konsterlie.

The corn and beans are green and promising, but the rain can stop. “We just want the heat cranked up. I’m hoping for a nice fall,” said Konsterlie.

Konsterlie is building a machine shed which will be big enough to store taller equipment and include a shop for repairs and wash bay. The dirt work is delayed due to rain.

Since there’s not much work to do in the field, he will start gearing up and getting equipment ready for fallharvest.

“The way it feels outside, fall’s going to be there before we know it,” he said.

Nate Hultgren, Raymond, Aug. 18

THE LAND, SEPTEMBER 1, 2017

Compiled by The Land Associate Editor Marie Wood

9

THE LAND, SEPTEMBER 1, 2017

10

Total cheese stocks at record level; butter stocks down This column was written for the marbarrels a little lower, so the $1.75 level of keting week ending Aug. 25.

Aug. 21 seemed a bit rich. Ultimately our guess is that the shot higher over the past There’s still plenty of product in the week inspired sellers to step back in a cooler, though butter stocks are down. more meaningful way, and not necessarily The USDA’s latest Cold Storage report the inventory report from July.” shows July 31 butter holdings at 307.7 million pounds. This is down a somewhat The important takeaway, Kurzawski bullish 2.4 million pounds or 1 percent concludes, is that the $1.70 price level from June and 25.1 million pounds or 8 “seems to be reasonable heading into holiMIELKE MARKET percent below July 2016. day buying this year. We shall see.”

WEEKLY American cheese stocks, at 837.6 milMeanwhile; Dairy Market News reports

By Lee Mielke lion pounds, are up a bearish 27.4 milthat discounted milk for cheese produclion pounds or 3 percent from June tion remains available in some and 67.9 million or 9 percent above Central areas. Spot milk prices a year ago. The total cheese inventoranged from $1 under to $1 over ry stood at a record 1.38 billion pounds, up 58.4 mil- Class III. With schools opening, some of the previlion pounds or 4 percent from June and 99.6 million ously available spot milk is being diverted to states or 8 percent above a year ago. outside the region. n “Curd producers are experiencing a record setting season in demand,” says Dairy Market News. “Both Traders must not have liked what they saw in the curd and pizza cheese producers have started to limit July Cold Storage report and cash dairy prices suforders, as production capabilities cannot keep up.” fered the consequences. The cheddar blocks closed Aug. 25 at $1.65 per pound, which is down 10.5 “Traditional cheese manufacturers have slowed cents on the week and 9 cents below a year ago production, as demand is in a seasonal slowdown. when they dropped 12.5 cents to $1.74. The barrels Although the Cold Storage report pointed to generstarted the week moving atop the blocks, the first ally higher cheese stocks, recent shifts in producinversion since March 15, and hit $1.76, which is the tion/demand have some contacts relaying that long highest barrel price since November 2016. But, they barrel inventories are not as troubling as they were rolled to an Aug. 25 close of $1.5575, down 19.25 earlier in the summer. Contacts are cautiously opticents on the week, 12.25 cents below a year ago mistic about the current market tones.” (when they plunged 18.5 cents to $1.68), and are Western cheese production is active. Although 9.25 cents below the blocks. On the week, 11 cars of parts of the region are seeing seasonal declines in block and 37 of barrel sold, 23 on Aug. 22 alone. milk production, available milk supplies often fill FC Stone’s Dave Kurzawski wrote in his Aug. 24 cheese vats first. “Overall, cheese inventories have Early Morning Update, “It makes sense that the grown somewhat. However, solid domestic cheese market would have responded negatively to the demand and slightly improved export opportunities (Cold Storage) report. But prices had also just have allowed manufacturers to ship cheese and pushed to a six-month high for blocks and estabkeep stocks in check.” lished a new 2017 high for barrel cheese, which can n stir a good deal of selling interest anyway (and did Spot butter fell to $2.57 per pound on Aug. 22, but so ahead of the report this week). Also, we’ve said closed on Aug. 25 at $2.6275. This is down 1.75 cents that for mid-late August, we thought that cheese on the week, but 57 cents above a year ago, when it prices could hang in around the $1.70 level with lost 13.25 cents and dipped to $2.0575. Even at its current level, U.S. butter is likely the cheapest butWe manufacture quality ter in the world. Only five cars were sold on the metal roofing and siding for ALL your building needs: week at the Chicago Mercantile Exchange.

Kurzawski says, “There seems to be less of a conHouse Roof • Pole Barn • Free Stall cern going into the fall on a shortage of fat worldChicken Barn • Riding Arena wide with New Zealand production expected to … and the list goes on. show modest growth, decreasing the need for U.S. • 20 Colors to choose from product to be exported.”

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showed butter stocks were down from June and a year ago but contacts tell Dairy Market News, “last month’s Cold Storage report did not spur on the market as expected, so forecasts are mixed regarding the outcome of bullish movements from this month’s report.”

Western butter output is generally steady. “Cream is readily available, but current multiples curb processors’ enthusiasm for putting higher cost milkfat into storage,” says Dairy Market News. “A few manufacturers continue to slow their churns, opting to sell off cream as opposed to making butter. Strong domestic demand and reduced imports have helped draw down butter inventories. With an eye toward the fall holiday season, manufacturers have been able to keep inventories in good balance with current needs.”

Cash Grade A nonfat dry milk closed the week at 84.5 cents per pound, up 1.25 cents, but a half-cent below a year ago. Two cars were sold on the week. n Checking milk prices, the September Federal order Class I base was announced by the USDA at $16.71 per hundredweight, down a penny from August but 15 cents above September 2016, and equates to $1.44 per gallon.

That put the 9-month average at $16.41, up from $14.37 at this time a year ago and compares to $16.33 in 2015.

USDA’s latest Crop Progress report shows 62 percent of the U.S. corn crop rated good to excellent, the week ending Aug. 20, unchanged from the previous week but down from 75 percent in 2016.

Soybeans were rated 60 percent good to excellent, up from 59 percent the previous week and down from 72 percent a year ago. n In politics, the American Farm Bureau has proposed an area-based insurance concept as a safety net for dairy producers. Speaking in a Dairy Radio Now interview, AFB’s John Newton, said they sought ways to improve the existing safety net because it has not worked effectively.

AFB’s proposed program, Dairy-Revenue Protection, would allow producers to purchase protection on revenue and would have the option to determine how the value of milk is determined in their policy. The first option would allow a farmer to choose a milk value based on a mix of Class III and Class IV milk futures prices.

The second option would allow a farmer to choose a milk value based on their desired butterfat and protein tests. The farmer would then choose how much milk to cover during a quarter and how much protection to buy, from 70 to 95 percent. Newton said it’s not a new concept but a new concept for dairy and likened it to crop insurance.

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

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agriculture can mutually benefit each other, then perhaps Cuba will be back on the agenda.”

She added, “We do like to go somewhere where it is safe for travel.”

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 MARL Class IX is underway through April, the cows and young stock. “We don’t have enough 2018. She describes MARL as a two-year educaland to grow all our forages, so we buy from our tional experience featuring nine three-day, inneighbors. They in turn obtain much of the livestate seminars; a six-day national study seminar; stock manure.”

Photo by Dick Hagen and a 10 to 14-day international study seminar. MARL Executive Director Olga Reuvekamp said the ninth Like any dairy, especially of this size, labor is This class will be going to Croatia. Recently, a class of the program has commenced. vital. Latinos are their major source of labor. The class toured Vietnam.

Reuvekamps also work through the University of Participation costs $6,000. That tuition fee includes intense involvement in war, so economic develop- Minnesota MAST International program which protransportation, food and lodging on the overseas jun- ment has been lagging. It appears the Communist vides international students both for the work expeket, plus lodging for the six-day national study semi- government thinking still lingers, so seeing the prog- rience and the educational exposure to the American nar. The in-state seminars feature tours and local ress now going on will be great for our MARL par- dairy industry. “The best description of our labor discussions on key industries such as dairy, turkey, ticipants.” force is that it is a very global group of people,” said mining, forestry, timber production and transportaMight Cuba be on the agenda eventually? Reuvekamp. tion functions within the Duluth port. MARL particiThe Land caught up with MARL Executive Director Reuvekamp said, “It was about eight years ago that pants spend a day with the Minnesota State our MARL class did go to Cuba. And if/when condi- Olga Reuvekamp at Farmfest on Aug. 1. To learn Legislature while it is in session; along with an v tions finally change so their agriculture and our more, visit MARL at www.marlprogram.org. 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 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 SUPERIOR AGITATION WHITE IRON PUMPS AGITATE THE MARL students. “Croatia was picked for the next PERFORMANCE PUMP HOUSING 10,000 GPM TOUGHEST PITS international study trip because it has rapidly growMade of hard metals Quad Port Header The 6” front nozzle is The submerged pump ing agriculture,” explained Reuvekamp. “Eastern to stand up in sand for Pump is able to move able to crush through & 4WD system make it Europe had a lot of difficulties because of their 2000 hours or more 10,000 GPM thick crusts impossible to get stuck

THE LAND, SEPTEMBER 1, 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.

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Local Corn and Soybean Price Index

THE LAND, SEPTEMBER 1, 2017

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Cash Grain Markets

corn/change* soybeans/change* St. Cloud $2.77 -.15 $8.69 +.22 Madison $2.67 -.19 $8.49 +.13 Redwood Falls $2.69 -.20 $8.67 +.18 Fergus Falls $2.58 -.12 $8.31 +.16 Morris $2.61 -.17 $8.42 +.15 Tracy $2.76 -.18 $8.73 +.33 Average: $2.68 $8.55 Year Ago Average: $2.64 $8.83

SEP ‘16

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Grain prices are effective cash close on Aug. 29. 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 No corn rally in sight The following marketing analysis is for the week ending Aug. 25.

CORN — Corn closed unchanged or lower every day this week as weather issues were pushed to the sidelines, seasonal pressure kicked in, and the Farm Journal Midwest Crop Tour didn’t hold any big surprises.

New contract lows were seen in September at $3.38, December at $3.52.5, and March at $3.65.5 per bushel. In post-weekly export sales trading, corn was able to grab the coattails of soybeans to stop the bleeding for a short time. Traders are still PHYLLIS NYSTROM anticipating lower corn yields CHS Hedging Inc. than the U.S. Department of St. Paul Agriculture’s 169.5 bushels per acre August projection, and the crop tour was confirming that direction. However, the crop tour has a history of underestimating the final USDA yield and there haven’t been any disastrous pictures or stories from the road. Last year, December 2016 corn made its contract low on Aug. 31 at $3.14.75 per bushel. Seasonally, corn trends lower in September. Old crop corn is still being sold across the scale at elevators around the Midwest.

None of this inspires thoughts for a quick corn rally.

The crop tour estimated the U.S. corn yield at 167.1 bu./acre compared to the August USDA 169.5 bu./acre forecast. They pegged U.S. corn production at 13.953 billion bushels vs. the USDA’s 14.153 billion bushels. The tour’s corn yield estimate for the United States has been below the USDA’s final number for five straight years.

See NYSTROM, pg. 13

Livestock Angles Grain Angles Cattle, hogs in Life insurance downward spiral as risk managment So far the month of August has not been too kind to livestock prices — both futures and cash prices.

Both cattle and hogs are in a downward spiral.

Increased supplies of both seem to have had a negative effect on the prices of each. The fact is, both are moving toward being oversold. Is this enough to turn the markets of each to sustain a major turn to higher prices? Apparently, time and demand for product will be the answer for this week’s question.

As far as the cattle market is concerned, the increase in numbers as well as increasing weights JOE TEALE have proven to overwhelm the Broker market in the past several Great Plains Commodity months. Beef production is ahead Afton, Minn. of last year. Demand does not appear to be expanding as fast as the increase in the total production at the current time. This does not mean that the markets are going to continually work lower each week. As the market declines, it will be possible that retailers become more interested in featuring more beef which should help steady the market. The only deterrent will remain the supply, until demand picks up to offset the current supply increase. Producers are recommended to move inventory as ready if hedged, to continue to take advantage of the positive basis still at hand.

The hog market has literally collapsed during the first half of August due mostly to the rapid drop in the pork cutout. This has forced the packer to become less aggressive in the acquisition of live inventory which has seen the cash prices and the future market retreat from the summer’s higher prices. Numbers See TEALE, pg. 13

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. 13

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.

Renewed demand for new crop floats soybean price at the lowest point for mid-August in the last 12 years. New crop sales are only 13 percent of the USDA’s 1.850 billion bushel outlook compared to 24 percent on average at this time of year.

Outlook: The December 2016 corn contract made its contract low when Brazil was struggling with a dismal corn crop and the U.S. carryout was projected at 2.409 billion bushels on the August 2016 World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates report (the final was 2.37 billion bushels). This year’s carryout outlook in August was 2.27 billion bushels, but South America’s corn crops are significantly higher.

Corn conditions as of Aug. 20 were unchanged at 62 percent good/excellent; 76 percent was in the dough stage vs. 77 percent on average; 29 percent was dented vs. 35 percent on average. For the week, September corn was down 13.25 cents at $3.38.75 and the December contract fell 12.25 cents to $3.53.5 per bushel. The trend is lower.

SOYBEANS — Contrary to corn, soybeans extended the uptrend that began last week as demand reappeared for new crop, and the crop tour was consistent in finding lower pod counts than last year. Old crop

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. 12 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. 12 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

export sales cancellations were announced early in the week, but new crop sales were there to take their place. China is thought to need to purchase a significant quantity for October shipment and the United States is competitive with South America for that time slot. The belief that soybean yields will still benefit from rainfall likely limited the upside.

The Farm Journal Midwest crop tour estimated the U.S. soybean yield at 48.5 bu./acre and production at 4.331 billion bushels. In their calculations, they raised harvested soybean acreage by 500,000 acres to 89.231 million acres. The USDA’s August balance sheet used a yield of 49.4 bu./acre for production of 4.381 billion bushels. The numbers will likely be viewed as bearish since the tour has underestimated the final yield number in each of the last five years.

Weekly export sales for old crop were net cancellations of 14.7 million bushels, bringing total old crop commitments to 2.231 billion bushels. New crop sales were impressive at 73.8 million bushels. This brings total new crop commitments to 365 million bushels.

This is still well below last year’s 635 million bushels on the books in mid-August and remains the ninthlowest total for this time of year. New crop sales are only 16 percent of the USDA’s forecast for 2.225 billion bushels of exports vs. 37 percent on average for this time of the year. There were several new purchases noted this week, as well as one big old crop cancellation. The net effect was new sales of 579,000 metric tons for 2017-18 to China and unknown. China imported a record 10 million metric tons of soybeans in July with 76 percent sourced from Brazil.

The U.S. Department of Commerce is initiating import duties of 64-68 percent on Argentine imports and a 41-66 percent tax on Indonesian biodiesel imports after finding they benefit from subsidies in their countries of origin and from the U.S. RFS program. This is expected to shut-off biodiesel imports from those countries. The tariff rates were higher than the 40 percent tariff the trade had been expecting. In response, Argentina said they will explore all available options of possible legal action.

Celeres this week pegged Brazil’s 2017-18 soybean crop at 109.1 mmt. Its estimate for this year’s crop was 113.8 mmt. They expect acreage to increase but yield to decline.

Outlook: Soybean conditions were up 1 percent to 62 percent good/excellent in the week that ended Aug. 20. The crop was setting pods at 87 percent vs.

85 percent on average and 97 percent of the crop was blooming, right on the average. Soybean price action was a mixed bag during the week, but the November soybeans managed to post a higher weekly close of 6.75 cents at $9.44.5 per bushel. Seasonally, soybeans move lower during September but can stage a bounce in early October. The effect of Hurricane Harvey, which was set to hit the Texas coast Aug. 25, may also have an impact on early week trading. It could be the biggest storm to hit that area in 12 years. Soybeans may have a difficult time overcoming lower seasonal action with ideas the USDA’s August yield wasn’t as far out as many believed. v

THE LAND, SEPTEMBER 1, 2017

NYSTROM, from pg. 12 As expected, Brazil approved a 20 percent tax on ethanol imports over 600 million liters annually (160 million gallons). In the first six months of the calendar year, Brazil’s ethanol imports were up 330 percent from the previous year. The United States has exported 276 million gallons to Brazil from January through June 2017. The tax is set to be in place for two years, at which time it will be re-evaluated, according to their Agriculture Ministry. U.S. weekly ethanol production was down slightly from 1.059 million barrels per day to 1.052 million bpd. Ethanol stocks fell from 21.8 million barrels to 21.5 million barrels. These are still record high stocks for midAugust. The four-week average gasoline demand was down 0.4 percent from last year. Ethanol margins improved by 2 cents per gallon to 22 cents per gallon.

Weekly exports were lackluster at 4 million bushels for old crop and 16.7 million bushels for new crop.

Old crop sales total 2.227 billion bushels compared to the USDA projection for 2.225 billion bushels. Total new crop commitments of 242.6 million bushels are only 55 percent of where we were last year and are

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THE LAND, SEPTEMBER 1, 2017

14

‘Smoking Tile’ shows soil health, tile efficiency

By MARIE WOOD The Land Associate Editor BLOOMING PRAIRIE, 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 on Aug. 9.

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.

More than 100 farmers and certified crop advisors spread out across the field to watch the smoke swirl from the ground. The smoke spread about 300 feet – an excellent result. The smoke is an indicator for water movement through the soil.

Photos by Marie Wood

Farmers watch in amazement at the ‘Smoking tile’ demonstration. Smoke coils up through the soil via worm holes in a soybean field near Blooming Prairie.

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ier 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.

The test proved that Ditlevson’s soil is healthy and his tile efficient. The tested field has pattern tiling. The 2016 corn crop was interseeded with a cover crop mix, then soybeans were planted into this field in the spring.

A Minnesota Water Quality Certified Farm, Ditlevson has used conservation practices on his family’s century farm since 1976. In 1987 he dove in to minimum tillage beginning with ridge tilling. Today he is a notill farmer. He began planting cover crops in 2010 and now 100 percent of his acreage is covered every year. He grows roughly 950 acres of corn, soybeans and small Frank Gibbs stands in a soil pit on the edge of a soygrains. bean field near Blooming Prairie. He explains how “I’ve never been so debris from last year’s corn crop and cover crop excited to be in agriculimprove soil health. ture,” said Ditlevson.

Gibbs said this is really nice soil. He Using zero tillage and cover crops showed how the roots follow the night improves soil structure, said Gibbs, crawler holes so they don’t even need who champions this system. Gibbs is a to push through. The channels have retired Natural Resources Conservaeverything the crop needs: air, water, tion Service soil scientist who pracworm excrement. tices no-till and plants cover crops on “When you do tillage, the ground’s his Ohio farm. bare, they have nothing to eat,” said These practices can lead to clean air, clean water, healthy soil and a health- See SMOKE, pg. 16

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“Where Farm and Family Meet”

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THE LAND, SEPTEMBER 1, 2017

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THE LAND, SEPTEMBER 1, 2017

16

Dayton’s water quality meeting draws 200 people retain more water in wetlands,

By MARK FISCHENICH between his farmland and Water Quality Town Hall Meetings moderate flows after rains and mfischenich@mankatofreepress.com streams leading to the river, snow-melt, exclude livestock MANKATO, Minn. — Both the com- works to be diligent in soil test- Meetings are 6:30-8:30 p.m., registration opens at 5:30 p.m. from streams, increase no-till ing to minimize chemical use, Crookston: Sept. 5, University of Minnesota-Crookston plexity of Minnesota’s water problems acres, reduce impervious surfacand even added a containment and the strong public interest in solvSt. Cloud: Sept. 6, St Cloud Community and Technical College es in cities, reduce urban chemisystem around his fuel tanks ing them were in evidence at a commucal use and more.

Ely: Sept. 12, Grand Ely Lodge nity water meeting hosted by Gov. long before it was required.

Dayton said the town halls are Mark Dayton in Mankato on Aug. 16.

“The thing is, we all gotta dig Bemidji: Sept. 13, Bemidji State University giving him hope. into this thing, farmers includThe event was the second of 10 “Water Minneapolis: Sept. 27, TBD ed,” Trio said.

Groups who often placed blame Town Hall” meetings Dayton and key Burnsville: Oct. 4, Diamondhead Education on one another in past water commissioners are holding to build Along with speaking to the debates were listening to each support and consensus for the gover- large group, he was the voice of Stillwater: Oct. 5, Stillwater High School other and discussing possible nor’s plan to reduce water pollution by area farmers in a pre-meeting Visit bit.ly/25by25TownHall for more information. solutions.

25 percent by 2025. sit-down with Dayton. nized the tight commodity prices that “That’s very encouraging,” he “This is such a crucial issue,” the govTrio, whose farm was among the first said. ernor told a crowd of 200 local govern- Minnesota Water Quality Certified farmers face. ment officials, farmers and environ- Farm in Blue Earth County, said he When Dayton asked his advice on Some state and federal funding is mentalists at Minnesota State thought Dayton was pleased to hear getting all farmers on board, Trio told available, from wetland restoration University. “I know it’s just something about his conservation efforts. The gov- him to let farmers work with the local dollars to low-interest loans for upgradMinnesota has to face up to, and most ernor wanted to learn about his crops people at their Soil and Water ing municipal sewage treatment. And other states do.” and farming practices and also recog- Conservation Districts. the next farm bill should focus on proKim Musser, the acting director “You’ll get a better response,” viding incentives for improved water of MSU’s Water Resources said Trio, who also suggested quality, according to Dayton.

Center, laid out the plight of that incentives will be better “This is not going to be solved by water in south-central Minnesota. received than mandates. rules and regulations,” he said, sugShe showed maps of nitrogen, Dayton joined Trio and local gesting all Minnesotans have to adopt phosphorus and suspended-solid mayors when the town hall meet- an ethic that the state’s heritage is levels across Minnesota. All agriing broke into small-group dis- defined by water and it needs to be cultural regions of the state have cussions. Participants tackled preserved for future generations. problems with one or two of the goals and actions needed to con“We’ve always been problem-solvers pollutants, but south-central serve Minnesota’s water resourc- in Minnesota,” he said.

Minnesota hits the trifecta. es and to ensure aquifers are Marie Wood, associate editor of The Mapleton corn and soybean unpolluted and lakes and rivers Land, contributed to this story. The farmer Steve Trio spoke of his Photo by Mark Fischenich are clean enough for fishing and Land and The Free Press are owned by decision to take responsibility for Gov. Mark Dayton, right, listened to farmer Steve Trio swimming.

The Free Press Media. v how his farm impacted his waterof Mapleton (far left), local mayors and others at a The to-do list generated at the shed. Working with his son water quality town hall meeting in Mankato. tables quickly grew in length: Aaron, Trio has protective cover

“Where Farm and Family Meet”

Cover crops, healthy soil improve efficiency of your tiling SMOKE, from pg. 14 Gibbs. “Limit soil disturbance.”

Leaving soil undisturbed builds structure. The next step is to feed the worms with a cover crop. This cropping system helps water move into the soil.

Today’s storms are more intense and bring more rainfall. “It’s damaging our soil, it’s damaging our crops and more importantly it runs off,” said Gibbs.

And when the water runs off, it takes soil and the nutrients you paid for along with it, he added.

“If you’re building your soil, you’re not eroding it,” said Gibbs.

Adding small grains or wheat to your rotation offers the power to change your soil by increasing 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 Mark Ditlevson 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 attention 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. 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, 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 growth of your cover crop.

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

Preserving agricultural heritage one seed at a time

THE LAND, SEPTEMBER 1, 2017

By PAUL MALCHOW gardens, we grow those seeds to The Land Managing Editor see if they are what they’re supposed to be.” The production garDECORAH, Iowa — From dens are for raising seed which the time the first plow hit will eventually be packaged and American soil, growers have sold. Preservation gardens are depended on a supply of healthy used to raise seed of varieties seed stock. Thanks to a dedicatwith a limited and/or scarce seed ed group of horticulturalists and supply. volunteers, that seed stock is being preserved for us and genThough the SSE farm is 890 erations beyond. acres, the gardens take up only about 20 acres. While the rolling “Seed Savers Exchange is a hills and woods limit the availnon-profit organization dedicatPhotos by Paul Malchow ed to saving and sharing seeds,” Seed Savers Exchange sells packets of ability of good garden sites, the real reason for the small garden states the group’s website. While hundreds of heirloom varieties in their acreage is the need for isolation. that phrase neatly sums up the gift shop and catalog.

To avoid cross pollination, varietpurpose of SSE, it almost simies are planted a minimum of 100 plifies the enormous amount of feet apart — requiring many gardens and many sites. toil and study undertaken by literally thousands of As an example of the needed acreage, this growing people. As caretakers for over 25,000 open-pollinated seed varieties, Seed Savers Exchange is part farm, season, SSE planted 300 varieties of garlic alone (20 bulbs each). part seed company and part science lab.

17

All of SSE’s gardens are protected by electric fencing in an effort to discourage the area wildlife. call SSE home — hence the serious electric fencing which surrounds each plot. Preservation gardens, with their valuable scarce seed, have double electric fences.

“In 2012 we had a bad drought,” recalled SSE agronomist Bryan Stuart. “The wild turkeys went after the watermelons for moisture and just wiped us out.” << www.TheLandOnline.com >>

See SEED SAVERS, pg. 18

Hay mulch helps keep weeding SSE’s 20 acres of garden to a minimum.

SSE seed historian Sara Straate demonstrates one of the units which separates seeds from hulls. Immature or undeveloped seeds fall through the screen while air “vacuums” away the chaff.

“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 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

“Where Farm and Family Meet”

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 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

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THE LAND, SEPTEMBER 1, 2017

18

Exchange started more than 110,000 plants in 2016 As plants and seeds mature, they SEED SAVERS, from pg. 17 are harvested, placed in mesh bags, SSE does not employ direct seeding tagged and taken to the seed house. practices in its gardens. Plants are all There the seeds finish drying in large started in greenhouses. “The seed is cabinets with fans to circulate the air. too valuable,” said SSE horticulturalSSE has various screening methods ist and field crew leader Korbin Paul. for particular varieties to separate “We have a germination rate of 60 seed from husks and sort out undepercent in the greenhouse vs. 30 perveloped seeds. cent direct seeding. Every seed is important. The peas Julia (Johnson) From there, the seeds go across the is harvesting now, we were down to road to be tested for proper drying like a handful. To minimize the chance levels and germination quality. A 10 of losing seeds, we harvest the entire percent moisture content is the tarplant and shell them later.” get. To test germination, a sample of seeds are rolled up in a damp paper “Peas are hard,” Stuart said, Julia Johnson is harvesting “because everything wants to eat some very rare and valuable towel and stored for two weeks. The them. They just have a target on them pea seed. Johnson harvests germination rate is checked, the seeds all the time.” the entire plant which is then are tested again, and they are ready to be packaged and shipped.

In 2016, SSE started more than taken to the seed house to be shelled.

One packet of each seed variety is 110,000 transplants. Conditions persent to the U.S. Department of mitting, planting is done in April.

Corn is planted as early as possible so it tassels out Agriculture. One packet is sent to a seed bank in before the corn on neighboring farms. Corn can cross- Norway. A preservation packet, with enough seeds pollinate over long distances, adding challenge to for five “growouts,” is set aside in SSE’s seed vault. preserving the heritage seed line. “Corn is the most The remainder of the seed is available for distribution. When the distribution seeds are depleted, the expensive and labor intensive,” said Stuart. variety will be grown again.

ON THE COVER: A large perennial garden fronts the homestead’s barn. To the right of the barn is the duck/ geese/chicken coop.

“Where Farm and Family Meet”

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

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

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

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 potatoes and keep the sprouts in a test tube for a year. Basically, we’re saving the DNA.”

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.

Samples are sent to Michigan State University.

The school has a fingerprinting collection which will tell if any varieties sampled are duplicates. SSE scientist 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 See SEED SAVERS, pg. 19

Swine show: Pigs and beauty and the eye of beholder

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.

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

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Outside Sales Representative For the Southern Minnesota Territory

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.

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“Where Farm and Family Meet”

SEED SAVERS, from pg. 18 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

choice. He chose a particular pig because of its “prominent, muscular, round back end.”

My friend leaned over to me and said quietly, “... so he’s saying it’s good to have a round, larger behind?” She then pointed to herself and laughed, as we both did. I fit into that category as well.

Our children are in their mid and late-20s, and I’m afraid I’ve nearly used up my “baby fat” excuse time.

Maybe I could squeeze another year or two out of it, but that might be it.

Poor, persecuted pig-bearing porcines.

I understand their beauty plight. I’m also an inch shorter than I used to be.

I wonder if that helps give me a “... prominent, round, muscular back end?”

I’ll be expecting that grand champion ribbon at next year’s swine show.

Karen Schwaller brings “Table Talk” to The Land from her home near Milford, Iowa. She can be reached at kschwaller@evertek.net. v

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Stories from gardeners make seed history unique

she can try doing that, but at that point her body is made for other things — like feeding the baby it just carried.

It’s glorious to do, but perhaps not glamorous in a style show.

In pig reality, I would be the equivalent of a sow, since I have had offspring — even two at a time — my own small litter. And I know now that the county fair does not allow for sows to parade around in front of a group of onlooking, salivating bacon hoarders. Once she has little ones, a pig is no longer eligible for a beauty contest.

Oh, the injustice of it all, and the irony in that reasoning. If a judge could pick out a sow that still looked great after four or five litters, now that would really be something special.

I once sat with a friend of mine through a 4-H and FFA fair swine show where our children were exhibiting. As the judge did what judges do, he made his selections for the top ones, and began to tell the crowd of parents and other onlookers about his top

THE LAND, SEPTEMBER 1, 2017

It was a call I’d received a much rain may have fallen while ago that got me thinkon that particular day. That ing. would be something a man could tell you.

When I answered the phone, there was a woman It got me thinking about from our local extension true beauty and how it office on the other end of the relates to life on the farm. line. She asked if I would be Even as our 2016 crop interested in doing the became “old crop” as soon as TABLE TALK announcing for the swine the new year began — and show at our county fair.

By Karen Schwaller before the new crop was Always up for a fun chaleven planted — I was thinklenge, I accepted her invitaing of how fleeting time is, tion. and how quickly something new can And that’s where it all headed south. become yesterday’s news.

She said, “Oh good — thank you. We This year, as I emceed our swine thought you would be a good person to show again, I noticed on the program do the swine show.” for the first time that there were lots of It was like telling me I had a face for gilts and barrows, but no sows. There have never been sows there, I suspect, radio ... which I do, actually. but I was laughing to myself about the If I were a man, I would probably not irony as to how that played out in even remember what she said. But I’m human form. not a man, and even if she had made Sometimes it seems most women who that statement 15 years ago on the 23rd of May at 10:36 a.m., I would still have never had children can schlep around in sleek clothing and look like a remember it. million bucks with hardly any effort.

But I wouldn’t be able to tell you how Once she has carried a child in her much rain we had that spring or how stretched-out tummy for nine months,

19

“Where Farm and Family Meet”

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THE LAND, SEPTEMBER 1, 2017

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September 1, 2017

PLANNING AN AUCTION? 507-345-4523 or 800-657-4665

21 THE LAND, SEPTEMBER 1, 2017

Get the best results when you advertise in THE LAND! Tell your auctioneer or call us directly at

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THE LAND, SEPTEMBER 1, 2017

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Do you need a job?

Classified Line Ads Work!

507-345-4523 or 800-657-4665

Announcements

033

WANTED: Land & farms. I FOR SALE: 2500 Rem grain vac, low hrs, $11,000; Alum have clients looking for line bumper trailer, 6x16 dairy, & cash grain operalow pro, $5,500. 507-995-9676 tions, as well as bare land parcels from 40-1000 acres.

Both for relocation & in- FOR SALE: Brent 644 wagon, green, fenders, tarps, vestments.

If you have always shedded, like new, even thought about selling $14,000/OBO. 641-220-6108 contact: Paul Krueger, Farm & Land Specialist, Edina Realty, SW Suburban FOR SALE: Wheatheart (SA 1381), 82'x13” swing hopper Office, 14198 Commerce w/ hyd lift, used only on Ave NE, Prior Lake, MN 160,000 bushels, like new, 55372. $9,500; Harvest Int'l (Tpaulkrueger@edinarealty.com 1032), 10”x32', 10 horse (952)447-4700 electric motor, like new, $3,900; 507-327-6430 Hay & Forage Equip 031 FOR SALE:Used grain bins, '11 Kuhn VB2190 14 knives, floors unload systems, stiup to a 4x6 bale, 12,400 rators, fans & heaters, aerbales, works good, $19,000. ation fans, buying or sellHixton, WI. 715-963-4922 ing, try me first and also call for very competitive contract rates!

Office Hesston 5585 round baler, hours 8am-5pm Monday – makes up to a 5x5 bale, Friday Saturday 9am - 12 twine wrap, stored under noon or call 507-697-6133 roof, good cond. Fine, Ask for Gary $4,000. 715-963-4922 Material Handling

“Where Farm and Family Meet”

010 Bins & Buildings

SILO DOORS ADVERTISING NOTICE: Please check your ad the Wood or steel doors shipped promptly to your farm first week it runs. We make stainless fasteners every effort to avoid errors hardware available. by checking all copy, but (800)222-5726 sometimes errors are Landwood Sales LLC missed. Therefore, we ask that you review your ad for correctness. If you find a Stormor Bins & EZ-Drys. mistake, please call (507) 100% financing w/no liens 345-4523 immediately so or red tape, call Steve at that the error can be corFairfax Ag for an appointrected. We regret that we ment. 888-830-7757 cannot be responsible for more than one week's in- Grain Handling Equip 034 sertion if the error is not called to our attention. We cannot be liable for an '04 Peterbilt w/ '10 Maurer Grain Trailer C-7 CAT enamount greater than the gine, Allison automatic cost of the ad. THE LAND transmission. 110,270 miles, has the right to edit, reject steel wheels, standard cab, or properly classify any ad. single tandem rear. AC, Each classified line ad is cruise, 60 gallon fuel tank. separately copyrighted to Trailer is 28' long. Trailer THE LAND. Reproduction has not seen any winter without permission is driving. Has electric tarp strictly prohibited. and trap door with remote control.

750 bu capacity trailer, $37,000/OBO. (952) Real Estate 020 212-3794 FOR SALE: 5 acre farm site Behlen 3500 Bushel/Hr 8 Hole in Redwood Falls, located Distributor Painted Distribon Hwy 71 S beside the Welutor, $350. (507) 381-2829 come to Redwood Falls sign, 75x40 steel bldg, city water, septic mound, Brent wagons: 640 red, $6,500 and 440 green, $100,000. 507-644-6145 $4,500. Always stored inside. (507) 525-2290 Sell your land or real estate in 30 days for 0% commisClay 3500 Bushel/Hour Grain sion. Call Ray 507-339-1272 Leg Screener, has both corn & bean screens, $500.

Real Estate Wanted 021 (507) 381-2829

032 Farm Implements

FOR SALE: 6” rubber hose 250 PSI, for water or manure, 4 mi, $3.20/ft, good cond, name brand, hose cart w/ PTO pump, $12,000.

320-352-3894 Bins & Buildings

033

FOR SALE: 27' 10,000 Bus. Butler bin; (2) plastic auger hoppers for 6” or 8” auger. Renville, MN 320212-2579

035

'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

23 THE LAND, SEPTEMBER 1, 2017

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Farm Implements

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THE LAND, SEPTEMBER 1, 2017

24

035 Farm Implements

035 Farm Implements

035 Farm Implements

035 Farm Implements

20 Ft RHINO #SR240 Flex 3410 Gehl skid loader, $6,250. 588 White 5x18 plow, very FOR SALE: Balzer 2000, 20' 6620 Buhler snow blower, nice, $2,500/OBO; Nice stalk chopper, 3pt, good Wing Cutter (2007) Foam $3,250. Both like new. Call Dakon 200 BU gravity waghood; White 445 disk chisel Filled Tires w/ Chains, 320-384-7822 on, $900/OBO. 612-701-3186 15 tooth nice; Kinze 2100, Shedded, Real Good. Farm 12R30 vertical fold, 3pt w/ King 13x36 PTO Auger, FOR SALE: 2470 Case M monitor, good condition.

Almost New. 319-347-6138 Farmall. 320-573-2332 8x36 Westfield, 7½ HP mo507-764-2127 tor, $1,800; Demco 1000 gal sprayer, 60' boom 3405F FOR SALE: Case IH 34' Turmonitor, Microtrak, EZ bo disk, model 330, bought guide 250 GPS, $6,000; 1200 in 2013; Case IH 870 18' subgal water tank on tandem soiler, bought in 2012; Case axles w/ transfer FS dump, IH 50' field cult, bought in $750. 507-370-2200 2012. All exc condition. 507327-8143 or 507-726-2506 FOR SALE: '98 JD 9100, 4560 hrs., 12spd bare back, FOR SALE: Case IH 870 ripper, 7 shank; Int'l 300 steering & hinge pins have Farmall tractor; Ferguson been replaced, excellent TO35 Deluxe tractor. Also, cond., looks like new, JD wheel wgts. Fast 3pt $65,000/OBO. 507-359-9045 or hitch. Very good. 507-227507-276-3772 0213 FOR SALE: 2005 1790 16-32 FOR SALE: F2 Gleaner planter w/ liq. Fert., 500 gal combine, 15 ½' bean head, tank, E-set planting unit, 4R30” cornhead; grain pick Yetter trash whippers, flutup; (2) Minnesota 260 graved coulters, smartbox inity boxes; Killbros 375 secticide, pneumatic down gravity box; 15' Artsway pressure, inspected annualstalk chopper. 507-439-6889 ly, & serviced at Kibble Equipment, $55,000/OBO; FOR SALE: Fantini chop2012 JD 520 stalk chopper, ping 8R & 12R CH; 70' lightly used for 2 seasons, 8 Elmer drag, Merritt alum row, $17,000/OBO. 507-456hopper grain trailers; '89 3007 IH 1680 combine; 24R30” JD pl on Kinze bar; Big A floater; 175 Michigan ldr; FOR SALE: 2008 JD 520 IH 964 CH; White 706 & 708 stalk chopper, low acres, CH & parts; White plows & $10,750, may trade for JD parts; 54' 4300 IH field cul115 stalk chopper, must be tivator; JD 44' field cult; nice, Montevideo, MN. 3203300 Hiniker field cult; 269-6653 header trailer. 507-380-5324

035 Farm Implements

035

FOR SALE: Ashlan 4 yard FOR SALE: JD 8770, 3740 scraper, in good condition, hrs., threw JD shop, always $4,500. 507-298-1349 shedded, very nice; JD 606 chopping corn head w/ FOR SALE: Farm fans, 420J stompers, low acres, clean. dryer, Brock hopper 3250 507-383-4881 bu, 6,000 bu, 24' 10,000 BU, FOR SALE: Westfield MK1027' ladders, drying floor, 81 Lo-pro swing hopper w/ roof vents, Feterl 10-60 solid tires, 540 PTO, hyauger, PTO. 507-317-4692 draulic lift, Ser. #197062, $8,000. Call or text 507-822FOR SALE: JD 6620 Titan II 2203 Sidehill; Cornheads: 843, 643, 925, 216 flex; CIH 1640 Hydrostatic & Hydraulic Recombine; IH 1086; numerpair Repair-Troubleshootous tires, call for size; JD ing Sales-Design Custom Chisel plow. 320-266-6569 hydraulic hose-making up to 2” Service calls made.

FOR SALE: JD 725 loader, STOEN'S Hydrostatic Ser8' quick tatch bucket, bolt vice 16084 State Hwy 29 N on cutting edge, excellent Glenwood, MN 56334 320condition, will fit 20 to 4455 634-4360 series 2 wheel tractors, $6,000/OBO. 507-220-0999 JD '60 530 tractor; AC 314 plow, quick coupler hookup, FOR SALE: JD 740 loader, in good cond. 507-399-3006 large bucket, $4,500. Call 715-419-1049 JD 6466 Turbo, Cat 3208 w/radiator, Parting 6620 - TR85.

8am to 5pm. 507-845-2850 JD 710 disc chisel, exc cond, $4,500. Also (2) 165 bu. gravity boxes w/ 8T running gears, $1,200/pair.

Ellsworth WI. 715-317-0645 GLEANER R-62 Combine '98 Bean picked only last 7 yrs, 2455 sep hrs.

Through shop every yr.

Bean head 8200, 2 yrs old. Call for questions, $49,500/OBO. (651) 2168559

Pre-Season Sale: JD cornhead row units, hex shaft.

8am to 5pm 507-845-2850 RETIRING: Case IH 9250, new tires, PS; 530 DMI ripper; 1680 Case IH Combine w/ corn & bean head; '69 Ford twin screw w/ 20' box & hoist; Cabover Freightliner w/ 40' Timpte hopper bottom trailer. 320-226-3602 Super B SC 500 centrifugal fan, runs quiet, 8 column; '94 grain dryer, LP gas, 3 phase motors, heat & cool, $16,000/OBO; Batco hyd. drive 1535 field loader, belted conveyor, $7000; Great Dane van trailer set up for water tender, roll up rear door, alum floor, 3 tanks 1600 gal ea & 2” plumbing & Honda motor good condition, $13,000. 507-381-1871

“Where Farm and Family Meet”

Wishek 862NT 26' disk, rock flex, rotary scrapers, HD harrow, $32,750; '05 Case IH 1020 30' flex head, 3” cut, AWS air reel, $9,500; NH 658 baler, 4'x70” bales, twine tie, exc cond, $5,450; '06 JD model 530, 9' 9” Moco, disk mower conditioner, $7,750; Brent 500 gravity box, $3,900; JD 740 HD running gear, $1,650.

320-769-2756

Farm Implements

035 Harvesting Equip

Tractors

036

FOR SALE: '05 JD 8520T 3,700 hrs., 30” tracks, 3pt, PTO, very clean, $99,900; '04 CIH 1020 30' bean head, field tracker, very good condition, $8,500, have header trailer also; (2) large fuel tanks, together will hold semi transport, $2,500. 507-240-0294 FOR SALE: '54 JD 60, WF, PS, very good rubber, asking $2,600. '52 JD B, very good rubber, asking $1,350; all have new paint & decals & 12 volts & run good. Possible tractors on trade. 507383-5973

JD 4030 cab, heat & air, good rubber, nice tractor, factory duals, $15,500OBO; JD 8100 2WD, 8000 hrs, nice tractor, $36,000/OBO. (608) 525-2801 JD 4450 2WD, 4775 hrs, Quad Range, duals & wgts. 608797-0692 JD A, 1944, slant dash, good rubber, $1,500/OBO. 715-6581227 NEW AND USED TRACTOR PARTS JD 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 55, 50 Series & newer tractors, AC-all models, Large Inventory, We ship! Mark Heitman Tractor Salvage 715-673-4829 Harvesting Equip

037 Harvesting Equip

037

hrs rotor, 1063 6 row corn- FOR SALE: 2004 JD 915 flexhead, 1020 25' bean head, head w/ AWS airbar, fore & FOR SALE: New, never used Brent 657 Gravity 20' Halloway chopper, 1000 aft, Crary gold cut cutter Wagon. Roll tarp, lights, RPM, big shaft. 320-583-6967 bar, $12,500. 763-218-2797 fenders, oil bath bearings, 445-65R22.5 matching tires, FOR SALE: 7720 combine, FOR SALE: (2) JD 8820 Ti$16,600; Also, IHC 720 tog20' bean head, 8R cornhead, tan II combines; (2) 925 JD gle trip plow 5-18's, $400. excellent shape, 320-980flexheads. 507-227-4238 Ph. 507-530-2542 1088

25

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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 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

037 Harvesting Equip

FOR SALE: '13 JD 612C 30” FOR SALE: 1680 Int'l com- FOR SALE: Case IH cornrow chopping cornhead, bine, Field Tracker, chophead, 9R22” 1000 Series less than 2000 acres used, per, extended unload auger, head w/ poly, has slip chopping units never used, grain bin extension, many clutches on each row, new condition. $70,000/OBO. newer parts, $12,500/OBO. $3,500/OBO. 612-720-3283 Info and pics 218-791-3400 507-744-2482 or 612-205-1073 FOR SALE: JD 6620 combine, 5286 hrs, new front FOR SALE: '81 JD 8820 com- FOR SALE: 1995 Gleaner R52, 2,084 eng.

Hrs., 1,250 sep tires last fall, new fuel inbine, straddle duals, field hrs, good condition, very jector pump 2 yrs ago, 216 ready, $7,900. 507-391-5127 clean combine, w/ corn & flex head if needed, combean heads, $40,000. 507-995bine alone $6,500 & head FOR SALE: '97 CIH 2188 8110 $1,500. 612-703-3710 combine, 3625 hrs, 2736 eng

THE LAND, SEPTEMBER 1, 2017

We buy Salvage Equipment Parts Available Hammell Equip., Inc. (507)867-4910

037

FOR SALE: '00 JD 893 30” row cornhead, hyd deck plates, exc condition, set up for newer Case combine, $14,000/OBO. 218-791-3400 FOR SALE: '10 9770, 2,300 eng hrs, 1,559 sep. hrs, pro drive, contour master, guidance ready, been through JD shop yearly.

320-226-1455

“Where Farm and Family Meet”

CIH 1688 combine, 3,900 hrs, just inspected, exc cond, AFX rotor, 18.4x38s w/ duals, RWA, $23,900/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

Harvesting Equip

THE LAND, SEPTEMBER 1, 2017

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037 Harvesting Equip

037 Harvesting Equip

037 Machinery Wanted

X-TREME CARTS

By Unverferth Spraying Equip 041 #1317-------------------------1325 Bu #1117-------------------------1125 Bu FOR SALE: Century 750 #1017-------------------------1025 Bu gal., x-fold, 60' boom, tanUsed Grain Carts 600-1000 Bu dem, axle, very good condiReduced Prices on New & tion, excellent first sprayer, $4,200/Obo. 507-451Used Big Grain Wagons 9614 Dealer 319-347-6282 Tillage Equip

039

'02 Great Plains Turbo Till Vertical Tillage unit Model TT 3000 Series I, center weight package, hydraulic wing down pressure, rolling spike tooth and basket harrow, 30' working width, $19,500. (641) 590-1102

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ALLOWAY stalk chopper, 20' fail shredder, pull type, good condition, safety lights, big PTO shaft, $3,495/OBO. (612) 791-7077

“Where Farm and Family Meet”

040

FOR SALE: IH 1083 corn- FOR SALE: Straw chopper FOR SALE: JD 620 flexhead- All kinds of New & Used head. 320-493-1575 for JD 6600 combine, S550, 900 acres. 320-360-1240 farm equipment – disc chis$500/obo. 651-503-5087 els, field cults, planters, PIT PUMPING: 15 years exGleaner turbo dsl motor, soil finishers, cornheads, perience. Call to see how gear shift, hyd auger, 430 Parker 5500 gravity box, feed mills, discs, balers, we can save you money! cornhead, very good shape, lights, brakes, roll tarp & haybines, etc. 507-438-9782 507-676-5453 call for pictures. $4,000 extruck tires, exc. shape. 507tra parts. (715)377-8388 800 or 900 8 row 450-6115 or 507-523-3305 REDUCED PRICES! WANTED: corn planter or similar, Vic All New Helmin. 320-387-2615

FOR SALE: 2700 JD ripper, 9 shank, exc shape, $10,900.

507-327-6430 FOR SALE: IH model 720 5 bottom trip plow, 2pt hitch, always shedded, $1,500. Call 507-726-2506 or 507-327-8143 FOR SALE: JD 2410 chisel plow, 31' or 29', used 2 years only, like new condition, w/ JD harrow. Retired. 320-226-4294 Used parts for IH 720 plows, toggle/auto reset. ½ price of new or less.

We ship anywhere.

Call Maple Valley Farms Randy Krueger (715)250-1617

Wanted

042

WANTED: JD 4230, 4430, 4240, 4440; Small JD front wheel assist w/ or w/o ldr.

320-760-6050 WANTED: JD model 44, 2 bottom plow. 507-831-1308 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.

320-598-3790

Dairy

055

Sheep

060 Swine

065 Trucks & Trailers

084

Miscellaneous

090

Miscellaneous

090

Miscellaneous

090

ADVERTISER LISTING

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Dennis Hylen ................................................................22 Diers Ag & Trailer Sales ..................................................6 Doda USA ......................................................................18 Duncan Trailers ..............................................................26 Fahey & Associates, Inc. ................................................20 Fladeboe ..................................................................21, 22 Greenview Metal ............................................................10 Greenwald Farm Center ..................................................24 Henslin Auction ............................................20, 21, 22, 24 Homestead Sales ............................................................21 K & S Millwrights ..........................................................14 Keith Bode ....................................................................26 Lampi Auction Service ..................................................22 Larson Implement ....................................................24, 25 Mages Auction Service ............................................20, 21 Mid-American Auction ..................................................20 MS Diversified ..............................................................25 Nat’l Farmers Organization ..............................................3 NK Clerking ..................................................................24 Pioneer Corn ................................................................4, 5 Pruess Elevator ..............................................................26 Rush River Steel & Trim ................................................17 Schweiss, Inc. ................................................................26 Smith’s Mill ..................................................................27 Sorensen Sales & Rentals ..............................................25 Spanier Welding ..............................................................9 Steffes ......................................................................21, 23 Visit Mankato ................................................................15 Wearda Implement ..........................................................26

27 THE LAND, SEPTEMBER 1, 2017

One call does it all!

WANT MORE READERS WANTED TO BUY: Dairy FOR SALE: (1) 3 yo Poly- FOR SALE: Quality Chester FOR SALE 1968 Ford F-600 REINKE IRRIGATION White, Duroc, & Spot boars pay ram; 1 yearling ram & TO SEE YOUR AD??

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320balance performance. Al FOR SALE: 1990 L 8,000 808-8453 sired. In herd improvement Compart's total program Ford dump truck, 15' box, program. J.W. Riverview features superior boars & 8LL trans, 240HP Ford Dsl, Angus Farm Glencoe, MN open gilts documented by FOR SALE: PTO driven good rubber, good cond, 55336 Conklin Dealer 320BLUP technology. Duroc, windpower alternator, mod$12,000. 507-360-9630 864-4625 York, Landrace & F1 lines. el 80-40 PT3JM, 35,000 Terminal boars offer leanKVA. 320-905-2536 Miscellaneous 090 Registered Texas Longhorn ness, muscle, growth. Mabreeding stock, cows, ternal gilts & boars are FOR SALE: Assorted sizes heifers or roping stock, top productive, lean, durable. Industrial & Const. of rough sawed oak lumber.

083 blood lines. 507-235-3467 All are stress free & PRRS From 1 1/2” - 2” thick and 1 Stop Realty..................................................................20 free. Semen also available 6” to 8” wide, from 8' to 12' through Elite Genes A.I. FOR SALE: 1966 Case 530 WANT TO BUY: Butcher in length. 320-250-9674 Albany Pioneer Days ........................................................7 tractor loaderr backhoe, Make 'em Grow! Comparts cows, bulls, fats & walkable runs good, everything FOR SALE: United States Boar Store, INC. Toll Free: cripples; also horses, Courtland Waste Handling ..............................................11 works, call for more info.

Corn Stove Company, 50,000 877-441-2627 sheep & goats. 320-235-2664 507-360-9630 David Gass ....................................................................21 BTU. 320-905-2536

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

Monster fish

THE LAND, SEPTEMBER 1 , 2017

28

“Where Farm and Family Meet”

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T

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