THE LAND ~ December 22, 2017 ~ Northern Edition

“Since 1976, Where Farm and Family Meet” © 2017

December 15, 2017 December 22, 2017

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HappyHolidays from everyone at The Land

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THE LAND — DECEMBER 15/DECEMBER 22, 2017

Community kindness keeps growing P.O. Box 3169 418 South Second St. Mankato, MN 56002 (800) 657-4665 Vol. XXXVI ❖ No. 26 32 pages, 1 section plus supplements

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Cover photo by Paul Malchow

COLUMNS Opinion Table Talk Readers’ Photos Farm and Food File The Bookworm Sez Mielke Market Weekly Farm Programs Calendar of Events Marketing Auctions/Classifieds Advertiser Listing Back Roads

2, 7 4 6 7 9 15 18 20 22-23 25-31 31 32

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A special treat of small town living is heart is always open. Her volunteers the many instances of community kindshare the same generous heart. And ness that wrap around a growing number everyone is treated to an abundant and of families and lonesome people — espedelicious meal of baked turkey (300 cially during the holidays. Despite our pounds served this year), stuffing, bickering, America is a nation with tremashed potatoes and gravy, various salmendous heart. During the ads plus a choice piece of freshly-baked Thanksgiving and Christmas seasons, pies (six different kinds this year).

America’s heart shines with glory!

Dinners are served at the Christian LAND MINDS A great example is Olivia, Minn. Ten Community Outreach Center adjacent to years ago, my wife and I said to each John and Carlotta’s bakery and coffee

By Dick Hagen other, “Rather than dash out to an area shop. Staffed with volunteers, CCOC prorestaurant for that special holiday vides after-school teaching, snacks and feast, why not join up with the crew fun games for children needing special that helps John and Carlotta Eischens attention. do their annual Thanksgiving dinner?”

The ecumenical spirit prevails strongly during We did and we were hooked! this holiday food extravaganza. All turkeys were cooked in the spacious kitchen of St. Aloysius For both Gladie and I, that first event was a total Catholic Church. surprise. We couldn’t believe all of the volunteer helpers that just showed up, rolled up their sleeves, Carlotta said she and husband John took over the put on kitchen aprons and got with the multiple Thanksgiving Community Dinner in 2000 from the tasks of cheerfully serving the people. During that Olivia American Legion. The Legion had been profirst event, we helped serve about 120 people — plus viding this service for about 15 years, but it had simanother 50 take-out dinners which were delivered to ply outgrown the manpower supply of the Legion. area homes and workers at the nearby sugar beet “We continue to be amazed,” plant where there is no shut-down for Thanksgiving. related Carlotta. “The most we had So, about 170 people were served 10 years ago. served previously was 300. Then This year, the number was 461! this year it jumped to 461. I say, whomever shows up is supposed to And these aren’t just Olivia folks. People drive in be here. Yes, as kids we learned from a 60-mile radius because they have heard about God’s miracles.” about this amazing dinner and the good cheer it generates. Plus, take-out dinners keep increasing.

Normally, 40 to 45 volunteers This year, take-outs actually exceeded the number help put on the dinner. This year, Carlotta of folks who came to sit down for their delicious din- Eischens 60 people showed up. ner in the company of others.

“I don’t even ask for volunteers,” I’ve delivered take-outs for the past four years. said Carlotta. “They call and ask if they can help.

Yes, always a treat and sometimes a surprise, People show up at the last minute too. I might have because the address you deliver to didn’t even know 40 volunteers already, but I never say no because If about this special act of kindness. But thanks to a someone is calling and wants to help, there’s a likeneighbor, or a loving family member living elsely reason. Are they alone? Or do they need people to where, magic happens. be with? So I just never say no. As soon as you come through the front door, you are community.”

This year, I delivered to a 96-year-old World War II veteran in Danube. With a tearful eye, he simply Volunteers begin to arrive by 10 a.m. and the food said to me, “My wife died years back. But others service starts at 11 a.m. But before the hustle begins, still remember me. I am so blessed.” all volunteers gather in a large circle. Each introduces themselves and says how many years they have At a run-down house in Sacred Heart, I knocked been a volunteer. If volunteers are first-timers, they on the side door. I could hear someone shuffling to are asked to share why they are here. Most simply the door. He opened the door (not looking very welsay, “Because I want to.” But some also share, “… coming) and said nothing. I said, “I am delivering because I’ve heard about the love and joy that is three Thanksgiving dinners for you.” He appeared shared when serving food and being kind to others.” almost stunned. He stammered, “I’m out of work. I can’t afford anything for my family. Why are you There is no charge for the dinner. People simply giving this to me?” pay what they wish. If they don’t have any money, that’s OK too.

My only answer, “Because someone loves you.” I walked slowly back to my car. The reality of hunger How does Carlotta decide how much food to preand poverty has no boundaries — even in quiet vilpare for such an uncertainty? “We don’t really lages here in Renville County. know,” she admitted. “The first five years or so, we prepared for about 200. Then the numbers kept And that is why more and more people attend Carlotta’s special holiday dinners each year. Yes, she going up. If it looks like we might be running a little bit short, I just start another batch of stuffing. I does both Thanksgiving and Christmas events. Her See LAND MINDS, pg. 4

OPINION

THE LAND — DECEMBER 15/DECEMBER 22, 2017

www.thelandonline.com — “Where Farm and Family Meet”

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THE LAND — DECEMBER 15/DECEMBER 22, 2017

Let your inner light shine like stained glass this Christmas You know you’re maturing when you that the beautiful and vibrant stained attend Christmas concerts because you glass windows of the church turned black really want to. And you question your as the night set in. But they were only gray matter when the seating for that black from our perspective inside the 90-minute concert is a hard church pew church. From the outside, the windows — and not a cushy auditorium seat. which feature scenes from the life of Christ — were brilliant with color. There is hardly But as the infant Jesus taught us in the anything more striking than stained glass stable, we make do with our surroundwindows decorating the night. ings. And as the man Jesus taught us, TABLE TALK sometimes the reward is worth the pain.

I thought about how we are like those stained glass windows. When our inner The concert featured a university choir

By Karen Schwaller light shines in the darkness around us, and a group of musicians so talented that others can see it from the outside and one would think the angels came down their lives are enriched by that light. In from heaven to sing and play just for us. the light of day, when our busy-ness, distractions, As I scanned the faces of those young adult singdifficulties and tragedies can darken us on the ers, I noticed that while they all shared a common inside (just as when those stained glass windows theme and a common gift of music, there was a appear dark when we see them from the outside great diversity in their ancestry. And yet, they all during the day), it’s a new perspective. When we stood as one in a church sanctuary in rural Iowa, look through the stained glass windows from the singing about a baby born 2,000 years ago. inside and toward the light, we see that the sun illuminates them and brings them to vibrant life. Just Only the birth of that baby could bring so many as the light of others brings beautiful hope from the people of so many cultures together thousands of years later. After all, Jesus was sent here for people outside into our darkness, or simply, into our lives. of every race. It was beautiful to see and hear the Light is important for stained glass windows to be singing and the amazing musicians giving their beautiful, and it’s the same with people. We need gifts of music back to the one who gave it to them in light from others to help beautify our world view. the first place.

It’s also important that our inner light shines for And all could see — and hear — that it was good. others to see. Because that inner light lessens the darkness and creates beauty in the depths of whatAs I sat in the church that evening, I also noticed

ever crosses, trials or sorrows we might be carrying.

Some wise, unknown person once uttered the phrase, “...Christmas Day is the one day of the year when we all become the people we’ve always wanted to be.”

Our inner light serves as a prism of sorts — refracting, multiplying and spilling onto everyone around us. As we approach this holiday season, we know it’s not necessarily a happy time for all people for various reasons. But if our light shines from the inside, it shows on the outside — creating breathtaking beauty and bringing light into the darkness that shrouds the holidays for some. It may not eliminate peoples’ pain, but it can surely lighten it.

If our light shines bright enough, it can spark great things — even bringing together people of many cultures to celebrate, through music, a baby who would change the world.

That baby changed everything.

Beauty begins with each of us becoming the very people we’ve always wanted to be — not only on Christmas, but every day throughout the year.

Stained glass windows are beautiful from the inside and from the outside. It just depends on where the light is coming from.

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

Dinner teaches volunteers the importance of giving LAND MINDS, from pg. 2 tell the servers to back off just a little on the potatoes. We always have some reserves ready in case we need them.

“This year, I honestly don’t know how we were able to feed 461 people. It’s sort of like the biblical story of the loaves and the fishes. I think God just multiplied the food for us. We certainly did not expect that many people.”

There was almost a pie crisis this year. Carlotta explained, “I figured we would need about 30 pies.

But only about 10 pies came in from our various lady helpers. So I put the call out on Facebook at about 9 o’clock. Just like that, ladies were putting pies in their ovens for me. Others were coming in with frozen pies. One dear lady actually drove to a Redwood Falls food store and bought the last dozen pies in the store. We ended up with over 50 pies — custard, apple, even pumpkin pies. Seems like Jesus has a way to make us happy even when we sometimes despair.”

“This year, we delivered to every community in our county,” said Carlotta. “That’s about 16 I was told. We delivered to the jails — both in Redwood Falls and Olivia. Plus 42 meals to workers at the sugar beet co-op at Renville. One family of 10 lived south of Fairfax (about 38 miles from Olivia). When our delivery got to their farm, the people said, ‘No,

we didn’t order this.’ And they had nothing prepared; nothing cooking. Apparently, a neighbor or friend called in asking to deliver 10 meals to this address.

“We always tell our people, if they have a family alone and unable to feed their own family, please call us. We say this is God’s mission. We are simply the deliverers.”

Financially, how does Carlotta and her diligent family handle this huge load? “We have never not had enough to cover all our expenses any of the 17 years we have been doing this. And anything left over, be that food supplies or cash, goes back to the CCOC center for its day-by-day operations for the kids after school.

“We’ve learned people will donate to a good cause.

Food not used up gets packaged and delivered to various apartments in town where we know there are people needing food. We knock on doors. We just simply give it away. Not a drop gets wasted.”

I’ve known Carlotta several years — even before she and John got into their coffee and bakery shop business. I asked her, “When you were a young girl, did you ever think your heart would get this big?”

She responded, “I learned from my Mom. She had a heart for anyone and everyone. All these wonderful volunteers agree: they get so much more out of this than they put into it.”

Coming up on Dec. 25 is their Christmas dinner.

It’s usually a smaller event. “We’re anticipating maybe 200,” Carlotta guessed. “But only God knows how many people will show up. Regardless, we’ll thank the Lord for our blessings and celebrate the birth of our Savior.”

Any shut-down ahead for Carlotta and her trusty helpers is not likely. Carlotta smiles, “We have a young couple that used to come to the Outreach Center as kids. They’ve gone to college, fallen in love, gotten married and have now come back home.

They’ve been shadowing John and I for the last two years — hinting eventually they would like to take over for us.

“If something stops, then we didn’t do our job.

Because part of our job is to teach younger people about serving and giving. This year, lots of 8, 9 and 10-year-old kids were pitching in. Our older guests enjoy seeing these kids waiting tables, serving food and being so polite. The kids love it, plus they learn the special touch of giving rather than receiving.

Yes, they quickly get the fever too. Yes, I think we’ve got a wonderful legacy underway.”

Christianity is in the air at these events. Carlotta summed up, “All we can do is plant the seeds. We serve Jesus by serving others.”

Dick Hagen is staff writer of The Land. He may be reached at rdhagen35@gmail.com. v

THE LAND — DECEMBER 15/DECEMBER 22, 2017

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THE LAND — DECEMBER 15/DECEMBER 22, 2017

Readers’ Photos: Life on the Farm

Keep the photos coming

E-mail your Life on the Farm photos to mwood@ thelandonline.com.

Your photo may be published in our next issue!

Crystal Schutte sent in photos from harvest 2017. Crystal and Bryce Schutte farm near Arlington, Minn.

To see more photos, visit www.thelandonline.com, search readers’ photos Kurt Bast of Springfield snapped a photo of corn harvest from the platform of the combine.

THE LAND — DECEMBER 15/DECEMBER 22, 2017

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PAGE 7

A trip to Nebraska: grandmother’s quilt, grandfather’s ghost A slightly frayed, white and peachbrought their needles, thimbles, and trimmed quilt now lays unfolded on one love to their country church to make my of our spare beds. Twenty-nine of its 30 grandmother a treasured keepsake I squares each feature the carefullynow treasure. stitched name of one member of the And these solid, sturdy workers — Ladies Aid of Immanuel Lutheran Alice Klingemann, Esther Glock, Mattie Church in rural Rising City, Neb. Hoeft and Anna Ditmar — were modest The stitching on the quilt’s 30th and because they reserved the very center of final block, also in peach and positioned the quilt for the block that carries my FARM & FOOD FILE in the bottom right corner, is testament grandmother’s solid, sturdy name:

By Alan Guebert to its making. It reads: “Aug. 1914 Nov. Lottie Hanebutt. It floats amid her 1936.” neighbors’ names: Cente Glock, Metta Jaenike, Frieda Voss, Emma Hinze, Neither I nor anyone I know can Agnes Hinze. explain the “Aug. 1914” date. My mother, however, knows exactly what the “Nov. 1936” Most of those last names can still be found at date means. It was the month and year she, her Immanuel today. They are chiseled into gray granite three siblings, and parents left Nebraska to return and white marble and they stand sturdy and solid to their native Illinois after Grandpa lost his 160still during winter’s fiercest wind or summer’s acre, Butler County farm to hard weather, hard luck sweetest breeze. and hard times.

Only my mother remains to remember the site of But that black stain can’t be seen in the quilt’s her family’s Depression-era farm and her memories subtle colors and simple elegance. What comes are mostly of a hungry little girl tired of meal after through clearly, though, is its many names. They meal of flour pancakes and cabbage. She never are sturdy, solid names like Etta Bauer, Maggie looked back or ever went back.

Buck, Anna Poppe and Eda Hahn.

I did last week, however, and through happy coinSturdy and solid, I suspect, because during the cidence and uncanny luck, was able to talk with the awful, terrible year of 1936, sturdy and solid were sons of two of the quilt’s makers. Both knew the all they had left after almost a decade of poor crops exact location of the farm my grandparents operatand poorer prices. Throughout it, however, the ladies ed until their lives, like most of American agricul-

OPINION

MDA releases new dicamba restrictions ST. PAUL, Minn. — The Minnesota Department of Agriculture announced new restrictions on the use of the herbicide dicamba in Minnesota for the 2018 growing season. Dicamba is primarily used for controlling post-emergence broadleaf weeds. The new restrictions are in addition to those announced by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in October.

The affected formulations are XtendiMax by Monsanto, Engenia by BASF, and FeXapan by DuPont. The decision follows the MDA’s ongoing investigation and an informal survey last summer into reports of crop damage from alleged dicamba offtarget movement.

In an effort to prevent dicamba-related complaints in 2018, Minnesota Agriculture Commissioner Dave Frederickson thoroughly reviewed the new EPA label restrictions, the MDA’s survey results, peer reviewed literature, and sought extensive input from the Minnesota Soybean Growers Association Drift Task Force, University of Minnesota Extension weed scientists, and the pesticide manufacturers on the underlying causes of damage. Based on the review, the Commissioner set forth these additional protocols for dicamba use for the 2018 growing season: Cutoff date: Do not apply after June 20. Setting an application cutoff date of June 20 is expected to help reduce the potential for volatility (movement).

The majority of Minnesota soybeans are still in the

vegetative growth stage by June 20 and research has shown that plants in the vegetative stage are less affected than those in the reproductive stage.

Cutoff temperature: Do not apply if the air temperature of the field, at the time of application, is over 85 degrees Fahrenheit or if the National Weather Service’s forecasted high temperature for the nearest available location for the day exceeds 85 F. Research has shown that dicamba volatilization injury increased with an increase in temperatures.

“Dicamba is an important tool for soybean growers to manage weeds and I believe these additional restrictions will minimize the off-target movement,” Agriculture Commissioner Dave Frederickson said.

“I want to thank University of Minnesota Extension, and in particular Professor Jeff Gunsolus, for his research report on dicamba, and the Minnesota Soybean Growers for their input on this important issue. We will be closely monitoring the herbicide’s performance with these restrictions in 2018.”

In Minnesota, the XtendiMax, Engenia, and FeXapan formulations of dicamba are “Restricted Use Pesticides” for retail sale to and for use only by Certified Applicators.

This article was submitted by the Minnesota Department of Agriculture. v

ture, unraveled in the 1930s. A stop at the county courthouse yielded an aerial photograph of the farmstead before most of its buildings were razed decades ago to grow corn no one needed then or now.

Three buildings remain: a cobweb-filled livestock barn, a drive-through corncrib, and a sagging, weathered brooder house. None have held anything other than mice, raccoons, and owls since Berlin, not Mexico, had a wall. Thirty yards south, a car-sized hole marks the farm’s collapsed cistern. Nearby, an equal-sized pile of bricks points to where the house once stood.

As I look around, sparse clouds begin to stack against the eastern horizon and a cold wind finds its way through the neglected shelterbelt. A passing shadow, slight and quick moving like my grandfather, sends a chill through me and the pain the land still holds hits my chest like a hammer.

I look to the east to see, just a mile away, the church where the quilting ladies of Immanuel had, more than three generations ago, gathered in warmth and love despite the swirling dust and growing fear. Sunlight strikes the white building to make it look like a dove resting in a brown, thousand-acre nest.

Was this the last image my grandfather saw as he walked off his lost farm 81 years ago? I hope so. Did he cry as he left or was he simply empty after watering the land with years of sweat and tears? I don’t know.

I do know, however, that I will never return to where he still walks.

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

Public Notice by Minnesota Pork Board and the National Pork Board The election of pork producer delegate candidates for the 2019 National Pork Producers (Pork Act) Delegate Body will take place at 10:30 a.m., Monday, January 15, 2018 in conjunction with a Board of Directors meeting of the Minnesota Pork Board at Minneapolis Hilton, 1001 Marquette Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55403. All Minnesota pork producers are invited to attend.

Any producer, age 18 or older, who is a resident of the state and has paid all assessments due may be considered as a delegate candidate and/or participate in the election. All eligible producers are encouraged to bring with them a sales receipt proving that hogs were sold in their name and the checkoff deducted.

For more information, contact: Minnesota Pork Board 151 Saint Andrews Court, Suite 810 Mankato, MN 56001 Telephone: (507) 345-8814

PAGE 8

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THE LAND — DECEMBER 15/DECEMBER 22, 2017

Red Barn Theater brings Hollywood to Hendricks

By RICHARD SIEMERS The Land Correspondent HENDRICKS, Minn. — When three friends — farmers Gary Johnson and Ron Rybinski, and tech-savvy Jay Nelson — wanted to do something for their community, they came up with an unlikely idea. They would open a movie theater.

“We thought it would be the best addition to our town,” Nelson said.

Their town is Hendricks. With a population of 700, it is the second smallest town with a movie theater in Minnesota.

The Red Barn Theater opened in December 2014.

They purchased the dilapidated building that originated as a movie theater in 1938 but closed in 1972.

After having housed various businesses, it was vacant and in disrepair, a main street eyesore.

“The building was for sale,” Johnson said. “Jay talked us into throwing in some money and we bought the building.”

That’s when the real work began. The other two looked to Rybinski to lead the construction. With the help of volunteers, the interior was gutted.

Underneath the subfloor they found the original sloping concrete floor.

“The only existing part of the theater was the concrete sloped floor, and the stage was intact,” Rybinski said. “Other than that, it is basically new construction.”

They hired a few contractors to help on major projects but did as much as they could on their own.

It is not a re-creation of the old theater. They named it “Red Barn” to reflect the rural setting, and the lobby décor suggests walking into a barn.

“The old theater didn’t have much of a concession area,” Johnson said.

“Everybody tells me you just walked in the door and there was a popcorn popper.”

Johnson laid out a design for a larger concession area and two accessible bathrooms. Nelson, the computer guy, put together the completely automated projection room. Rybinski supervised construction and built cabinets behind the concession stand counter, which they got from a store in Brookings, S.D. After hauling in seats from an old

theater in Wisconsin, they decided their quality wasn’t up to what they were developing, so they got newer ones from a closed theater outside of Ferguson, Mo. They all put in a great deal of time and effort, and their money. They borrowed some from the bank, but Rybinski said they haven’t had to add any extra money other than their original startup costs.

It’s all paid off. They have an attractive 132-seat theater which improves Main Street and adds family entertainment to the small town. They started three years ago with weekend shows — Friday, Saturday, Sunday. They’ve since added Monday and Tuesday to the schedule.

Community They wouldn’t have started this project if they expected it to fail. All three said their goal was to break even. But from the outside, their success looks as far-fetched as the original idea.

“We didn’t have a detailed plan on anything,” Rybinski said.

Indeed, what did this trio know about running a movie theater?

“Nothing,” Nelson said. “Zero. It ended up being a blessing.”

Instead of doing what everyone else was doing, they devised what would work for their community. In fact, Nelson said, they don’t want it to be “a place to watch a movie.” They want their guests to have an enjoyable experience.

Nelson said they go overboard to get feedback and suggestions from the community in choosing the movies that are shown. This feedback determines most of the choices. Besides keeping ticket and concession prices lower than area theaters in larger towns ($6 tickets for adults, concessions starting at $2), he said they can do things larger theaters can’t.

They have held special showings for families with autistic children. They have posters and other giveaways for the kids. Nelson told of a foggy night when a busload of people coming from a neighboring town called to say they were going to be late. With the agreement of those already in the theater, they delayed the showing about 15 minutes.

“One of the biggest components of this whole project was nailing the popcorn recipe,” Nelson said. “Without

Photo by Richard Siemers

Movies were last shown in the theater in 1972. Aside from the sloping concrete floor and stage, the building was completely reconstructed.

that, I think we fail.”

But they haven’t failed. He said a lot of families are excited that they can come to a movie and also afford pop and popcorn. Occasionally someone stops in just for popcorn.

The three owners and their families run the theater. With a programmed digital projector that even turns lights on and off, and by selling tickets at the concession stand, they’ve eliminated two positions and are able to staff it themselves. They’ve turned to extended family and friends to fill the volunteer positions when needed.

Community involvement is not new for these three. Since Nelson moved back to Hendricks in 2010, he has served a stint as mayor, and has helped revive his country church. Johnson and Rybinski have served on the school board. Rybinski led the effort and did much of the work to upgrade the town’s softball field. Johnson built a machinery repair shop on his farm just outside of town, but when his wife, a gymnastics coach, needed a permanent location to coach and teach and hold meets, he converted it to a gymnastics gym.

The machinery sits outside.

“Everyone in town does a significant amount of community service,” Nelson said. “This is our contribution.”

Though there has never been a clear division of labor — everybody helped where they could — Johnson said they

all have their unique contributions. He said Rybinski supervised the construction and is the bookkeeper. Being a cabinetmaker, he is a detail person.

Nelson is the digital guru, Johnson said. He handles all the contracts, scheduling, and marketing, and creates all the on-screen ads, including some entertaining vintage drive-in commercials. He has also created an on-screen game to entertain patrons prior to the movie.

“Sometimes I just supply some bodies to work (at the shows),” Johnson said.

But Nelson disagreed, saying Johnson has the creative impulse. He designed the lobby and is full of ideas. One also gets the impression that Johnson supplies a lot of the enthusiasm.

“I love farming, but I like doing creative things, being around more people,” Johnson said. “Some days I think I may have the weediest crop because I’m always behind somebody else, but that’s OK, the kids are growing up fast.”

All three spoke of great support from the community. Some people have donated labor and money to the cause, and once-in-a-while moviegoers say “keep the change,” which may amount to a few dollars.

“We knew the chance of this being successful was limited, but we thought it was the right thing to do,” Nelson said. “We’ve been very satisfied. Our goal was to break even and we’re just a little bit above that.”

They save a little money by not advertising except through their Facebook page. This also allows them to be flexible, like holding over a popular movie or adding an attraction on short notice.

Though it was a long shot, this trio of community supporters has brought a movie theater back to Hendricks that this December celebrates its third anniversary. They did it without any movie theater experience.

“No Hollywood experience,” Johnson said with a smile. “Just Hollywood looks.”

Any community feedback on that statement?

Movies are shown at 7:30 p.m. Friday through Tuesday, plus Saturday and Sunday matinees at 4:00. Movie schedule is at www.facebook.com/ HendricksRedBarnTheater. v

THE LAND — DECEMBER 15/DECEMBER 22, 2017

www.thelandonline.com — “Where Farm and Family Meet”

PAGE 9

Poignant novella asks if you will give of yourself this year A banana for a cupcake was always a good trade.

When you were in grade school, Mom was great about packing lunch with foods you liked but every now and then, it was good to eat something different. So you swapped, just as you did with toys and THE BOOKWORM games and love, as you grew SEZ older. But, as in “The Deal of a

By Terri Schlichenmeyer Lifetime” by Fredrik Backman, what would you trade for a life?

The letter started off innocent enough: “Hi,” it said.

“It’s your dad.”

But, of course, the young man would’ve suspected that. He’d always had a father.

Just not one that he knew.

Years before, when the young man was a boy, his father was gone a lot, chasing fame, money, and recognition, never being the dad he might’ve been.

There was a time when he knew the boy loved him, but after he’d come home from a trip and it took two days to notice that his wife had left him and taken the boy, the father knew things would never be like before.

And now he was dying.

He’d been told it was cancer, and that his time in the hospital would be his last. Smoking on the balcony (oh, how the nurses hated that!), he noticed a small girl, and she waved at him; never one for children, he waved back anyway, and told her that he’d watch over her one night. Just 5 years old, she included him in her prayers. She said that she, too, saw the lady in the grey sweater.

He feared the lady in the grey sweater; everyone did.

He knew who she was because he’d seen her before, at birth, at age 5, at age 15, at perilous times of his life.

Now she walked the cancer ward with a clipboard, silently and efficiently, and when he stole that clipboard and ran from the hospital in anger and fear, raced off in his sports car, and promptly had an accident, it was she who pulled him from the wreckage.

It was she who made him an offer…

Like many people, you’re already dipping your toes into the holiday season, making lists, pulling decorations from the attic. What kind of gifts will you give this year — or will you, like “The Deal of a Lifetime” — give of yourself?

It’s an age-old question, and author Fredrik Backman asks in a brief, but most exquisite manner.

Indeed, at just 65 pages with illustrations, this book is short but every word counts and that’ll hit you square in the heart. Backman’s lady in grey is worthy of sympathy; his father-character is regretful and cynical, wearing his loss like a badge he never wanted, but he’s not as savvy as he thinks he is.

When that becomes apparent to both reader and

character, beware.

You may shed tears over this book. You may need to savor it a second time, to feel its words again.

However you read it, “The Deal of a Lifetime” is an experience you’ll never trade.

Look for the reviewed book at a bookstore or a

library near you. You may also find the book at online book retailers.

The Bookworm is Terri Schlichenmeyer. Terri has been reading since she was 3 years old and never goes anywhere without a book. She lives in Wisconsin with three dogs and 10,000 books. v

PAGE 10

www.thelandonline.com — “Where Farm and Family Meet”

THE LAND — DECEMBER 15/DECEMBER 22, 2017

David Bau teaches fair rent to landlords, farmers

By MARIE WOOD The Land Associate Editor LE CENTER, Minn. — In order to break even in 2018, Minnesota farmers need $4 corn at 180 bushels per acre and $11 soybeans at 50 bushels per acre. However, the 2018 price forecast is $3.25 for corn David Bau and $9 for soybeans.

These calculations come from David Bau, University of Minnesota Extension educator, agricultural business management. Using an acceptable price worksheet, he plugs in yields and direct, overhead and family living expenses. His numbers come from southern Minnesota FINBIN data.

In November and December, Extension held fair rental agreement workshops statewide. Bau led farmers and landowners through data and worksheets to help them look at the history and trends of expenses, yields, prices and rents. The goal is to determine a fair rent and negotiate a rental agreement.

“I try to give out all the numbers so they can make their own assessment,” said Bau. Bau is quick to remind farmers that his calculations are based on averages and no farm is average.

Farms will come in above and below.

Eighty percent of rents are cash, but flexible rental agreements based on yields and prices can be negotiated. First, farmers must look closely at their production costs and revenue.

Land rental rates represent a large portion of direct expenses. Bau explained that for every acre, the landlord receives two-thirds of the net income and the farmer receives one-third on average in the last 15 years.

Bau said in general soybean prices have not fallen off as much as corn since 2014.

“In a 50-50 rotation, one’s making money and one’s losing money,” he said.

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The workshops include several worksheets that added to the lease, such as requiring a soil test. are available online. The worksheets help producers Here is an example of flexible rent based on gross determine the amount available to pay rent. His revenue: Base cash rent or 1/3 value of crop on Dec. 2018 crop budget worksheet for southwest Minne- 15, whichever is greater. Example is $150 base guarsota resulted in a $104 average rent, assuming a anteed; using harvest yields and prices: 50-50 corn soybean rotation at $3.25/bu. of corn at Corn: 180 bu. x .333 x $3.25 = $195 180 bu./acre and $9/bu. of soybeans at 50 bu./acre.

If you plug in a higher price or yield, the rent you Soybeans: 50 bu. x .333 x $9 = $148.50 can pay will increase. The rent will also change with Average rent for corn and soybeans based on haryour production and overhead costs. vest yields and prices is $195 for corn, $148.50 for In 2017, the state average cropland rental rate was soybeans or an average of $171.75. $166 according to the Minnesota Agricultural StatisBau recommends picking four quarterly dates to tics Service. Be sure to look at the average rental check cash prices at the local elevator and average rates for your county. For example, the average them for the year. It’s likely that two of the prices rental rate is $232 in Blue Earth County in 2017, will be good for the landlord and two of the prices according to USDA National Agricultural Statistics will be good for the farmer.

Service.

Then once an agreement has been made, write it A 2.5 percent decrease in cropland rental rates is down and have both parties sign it. projected in 2018.

Flexible leases offer these benefits for farmers: “Rents are slow to go up in the good times and slow ability to cover direct expenses; land quality matches to go down in the poor times,” said Bau. rental rates; and looks at financial position. For A common flexible agreement is share of gross rev- landlords, flexible leases can cover costs, strengthen enue. Bau said cash rent is roughly one third of the the relationship and can increase the quality of agrogross revenue on corn acres and 40 percent on soy- nomic care. bean acres for the last 10 years, Bau acknowledged that flexible according to southern Minnesota Online resources leases are more complicated.

FINBIN data. (The actual averWhen determining rents, use UMN Extension Agricultural Business ages are 26 percent and 37 perobjective data from NASS or Management: www.extension.umn. cent respectively.)

FINBIN. edu/agriculture/business/ for docuThat’s why knowing what you “Don’t use coffee shop talk,” can afford to pay in rent and ments from the workshops. said Bau. negotiating a fair rent is impor- FINBIN: www.finbin.umn.edu The ideal outcome in rental tant.

Minnesota Agricultural Statistics Service: agreement negotiations is a winBau offers several examples of www.nassusda.gov win for farmers and landlords. flexible lease arrangements.

Flexible leases are more responLease Examples: www.aglease101.org Options include flexible rents sive to the economy, markets and based on gross revenue, base Fair Rent Program: fairrent.umn.edu yields than cash rents. rents plus a bonus, and flexible Questions: David Bau, bauxx003@umn.

“In the long haul, they share rents based on yields only or edu, (507) 360-0664 the risk and reward,” said Bau. v price only. Clauses can also be

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Cover crops improve soil; sheep like them too

By RENAE B. VANDER SCHAAF down. The airplane has to fly some The Land Contributing Writer distance to reload which adds to the cost of seeding.

PLYMOUTH COUNTY, Iowa — Planning an outdoor field day Meyer’s 110-day corn was harfor Nov. 28 in northwest Iowa is vested Nov. 11. This lateness in taking a big risk on the weather. harvesting has Meyer considering But farmers make plans, hope for planting earlier varieties. The radthe best and dress accordingly. ishes do not do well in shade of mature corn plants. If he could Mid-morning temperatures in harvest earlier, he wonders if his the 40s and a brisk south wind radishes would be similar in size greeted attendees of the Ewes and to the plants he saw in the videos.

Cover Crop Field Day in Plymouth County. The event began with a “There is a lot to learn,” said visit to Tyler and Sterling Meyer.

Meyer. “It’s important to have a goal in mind. My two cover crop The Meyers are a busy young Photos by Renae B. Vander Schaaf plots have two different purposes. couple, married just a year and venturing into farming. Sterling is a Sterling and Tyler Meyer have been One is focused on agronomics and sales representative for Merck grazing sheep in cover crops for the the other is for grazing sheep.”

Animal Health and works with her past two years. father’s pig operation near Granville. Tyler farms south of Ireton in a no-till corn and soybean crop rotation with his parents.

The Meyers raise some alfalfa which is used to feed their 130 Polypay ewes. Meyer has been growing cover crops for five years.

Over the last two years, he has been investigating the use of cover crops as a grazing option for the sheep.

“In the fall, the corn residue provides my sheep with feed and exercise,” said Meyer. “I was looking for a similar option in early spring after the lambs were weaned.”

Meyer chose the cereal rye for its hardiness, as it will survive cold The Meyers’ Polypay ewes graze a corn field after harvest. winters. The radishes were includHe has treated both plots equally ed after he had seen YouTube videos as far as planting and soil samof how radishes can aerate the soils pling. with their long, thick growth. The radishes usually do not survive the Weather has a big effect on how winter. well the cover crops will do. Cereal rye, if not managed properly, can “This year we seeded two 40-acre cause huge troubles. plots by air on Aug. 25,” said Meyer.

“The seeding rate was one bushel “Planting in standing rye makes cereal rye and two pounds radish. for nice planting conditions,” said Both plots had standing corn.”

Meyer. “Northwest Iowa crop insurance rules say that the rye Incorporating cover crops in soyhas to be terminated before plantbeans is trickier, he said, as the ing. Since I am no-till, that means cover crops will start growing as using Roundup.” soon as the seed germinates. If planted too early in the soybeans, One year he sprayed the rye with the cover crop will grow tall enough the intentions of planting the next to be cut off during harvest. This is day. Rains kept the planter out of especially damaging to the radishthe field for 10 days. By that time, es. the rye was lying down and had a negative effect on the beans being Meyer limits his seeding rate to 58 Turnips’ long roots help aerate the planted. pounds of seed per acre to keep costs soil.

PAGE 11

Cereal rye weathers well over the winter, but crop insurance rules dictate the rye must be terminated before planting.

Meyer is convinced that there is a place for cover crops. He has noticed the rye has suppressed early weed growth in the spring.

“Cover crops pay for themselves in healthier soil and improved health of the livestock being used on them,” said Meyer. “They also reduce our soils’ erosion rate and help in keeping nutrients we apply to our soils where they need to be.

The discussion of cover crops continued inside at the Craig Cooperative Meeting Room. Lamb burgers were grilled by the Northwest Iowa Sheep Producers.

See COVER CROPS, pg. 12

255 16th Street South St. James, MN 56081

PAGE 12

www.thelandonline.com — “Where Farm and Family Meet”

THE LAND — DECEMBER 15/DECEMBER 22, 2017

Sheep will graze until snowfall or lambing season starts COVER CROPS, from pg. 11 By afternoon, the sun was shining and temperatures had risen to 55 F. The wind was still making it presence known when the afternoon session began at the Travis and Kaylene Hawkins farm approximately 10 miles east of the Meyer farm.

Travis and Kaylene Hawkins’ sheep are currently at Travis’ parent’s farm near Seney where the tour took place.

A flatbed with straw bales took everyone out to the rolling hills where corn had grown all summer. Now, the green of cereal rye, radish, rape and turnips contrasted with the decaying corn.

“This is my second year of growing cover crops,” said Hawkins. “Because of the dryness of the summer, I debated whether I was even going to plant a cover crop. Then a bit of rain fell on Aug. 20. Five days later, the four-seed mixture was air seeded.”

The seeding rate was 59 pounds per acre on 54 acres. The cost of the cover creep seed was $21.88 per acre and $17 for aerial application for a total cost of $38.88 per acre.

When he went to combine his 98-day corn hybrid on Oct. 24, Hawkins saw green between his rows of corn. He liked what he saw.

“Things didn’t look quite right when I went back to combine fields where the cover crops had not been planted,” said Hawkins.

Kaylene was walking the fields Kaylene and Travis Hawkins want to the day before Thanksgiving and keep their land in top condition for their was happy to see good-sized tur- son Richard.

A trailer and some bales create a rolling classroom for the Hawkins farm tour.

nips. The radishes also are a decent size. They are not sure if the rape seed germinated as they aren’t seeing those plants.

“The brassicas are starting to die,” said Hawkins. “The cereal rye is entering dormancy so it isn’t as green as it was earlier.”

The 48 ewes (which are guarded by two donkeys) have plenty

to eat in the large field. The Hawkins are not sure if the sheep are only eating corn residue or cover crops. It is evident that the grazing is not hurting the cover crop.

At this time, Hawkins plans to leave his sheep graze until snow comes, or it becomes time to bring the ewes back to his farm prior to lambing which begins Jan. 30.

“I have had sheep since I was old enough to join 4-H,” said Hawkins. “One year, they grazed on corn stalks for a good portion of winter. It was my observation that the ewes were healthy. Last year, my ewes were in dry lot and were fat and lazy. The ewes seem to like being out in the field grazing. I like the idea too.”

Because of the distance between his own farm and where the cover crop has been planted, he doesn’t anticipate moving the ewes to the field in the spring.

Hawkins has done his research on cover crops through reading.

“I wanted to try something different,” said Hawkins.

“This land that was purchased by my great-greatgrandfather in February of 1890 has terraces and is farmed with no-till practices. It’s important to Kaylene and myself to keep the land in the best condition we can for our 2-year-old son Richard.” v

Tradition of live Nativity sets Christmas scene

By MARIE WOOD The Land Associate Editor ALBERT LEA, Minn. — New Life Christian Church turned its parking lot into the town of Bethlehem to present its Live Nativity on the evening of Dec. 1 and 2.

The church hosted 1,304 people for this drive-through Nativity of scenes from the story of Christ’s birth. Groups are also welcome to enjoy the experience on foot.

“They were lined up for quite a ways down the street, but we got them all through,” said Sue Foss, office administrator for New Life Christian Church.

Photos submitted by New Life Christian Church For some visitors, it’s their first New Life Christian Church in Albert Lea hosted time attending the event and they Live Nativity scenes in the church parking lot. are awed by it, said Foss.

“There are some who have made it a family tradition. That’s how they start out their Christmas season,” she said.

The Live Nativity depicts the traditional characters: Mary, Joseph, a doll representing Baby Jesus, the three wise men and the innkeeper. One scene depicts the centurion making a proclamation of the census that sends Mary and Joseph to Bethlehem.

A Scripture verse is posted by each scene. Instrumental Christmas music fills the air.

What would a Live Nativity be without real animals?

“We had a camel. Daisy the Cow. We had two baby goats and two baby donkeys,” said Foss.

Mary and Joseph are usually played by a married couple. However, one year, Mary and Joseph were dating.

“He proposed to her out there,” said Foss.

Next year, New Life Christian Church will be celebrating the 25th anniversary of the Live Nativity.

Bookmark www.newlifechristianal. org for next December. v

THE LAND — DECEMBER 15/DECEMBER 22, 2017

www.thelandonline.com — “Where Farm and Family Meet”

PAGE 13

Tony Kornder is outstanding custom applicator

By DICK HAGEN The Land Staff Writer BLOOMINGTON, Minn. – If you want to know the do’s and don’ts of custom application of ag chemicals, be that fertilizer, pesticides or herbicides, Tony Kornder of Belle Plaine is a custom applicator who would have some answers.

In a national competition sponsored by AGCO Corporation, Kornder was named Operator of the Year for 2016. He is a custom applicator for the co-op, Genesis Growing Solutions.

His business card reads “outstanding in his field” so this Q& A is to see how Kornder measures up.

Here are excerpts from a brief interview at the recent Minnesota Farm Bureau annual meeting in Bloomington.

Q: How did you earn this prestigious honor?

Kornder: It’s a national program sponsored by AGCO. It’s for custom applicators across the country.

Criteria is based on years of service, acres covered, community service and value to your company. I was nominated by managers’ staff at Genesis Co-op.

Q: Custom applicators are at the front edge of any and all issues. Any problems with dicamba?

Kornder: Who hasn’t? As a custom applicator, dicamba has been on our radar for a couple of years.

The ‘rollout’ was more of a stumble out of the blocks.

We waited all winter trying to figure out how to set up our equipment. What tips should we be using, for example. We saw some damage out there this summer. We had a couple issues in our trade territory where there was some drift from some farmerapplied stuff that did some serious damage. Both fields were right along the highway so everyone got to look at it. I have not heard what the yield damage amounted to, but there was damage. We saw other visual damage situations, but no yield impact.

Q: Are financial damages likely to be assessed or is that simply unpredictable at this stage?

Kornder: That’s unpredictable. The bigger issues are in southern states with more heat and humidity thus more volatilization occurrences. We’re hearing some scuttlebutt from Monsanto and others that they knocked the volatility issue down. At this stage, I don’t know and certainly not making any projections about liability. Some beans got curled and looked kind of ugly but did it hurt in the grain bin?

If there’s no yield hit, there’s nothing to stand on.

Q: How many acres do you cover in your custom work?

Kornder: We’re doing between 32,000 and 38,000 acres a year. Our Terrigator is doing dry fertilizer applications in the spring and fall. For our summer spraying program, I use two or three different kinds of equipment. I don’t work with any aerial applicators. I keep my feet on the ground.

Q: Cover crops are getting more common. Is that an issue for you guys in the custom appli-

cation business?

Kornder: In our trade territory we haven’t seen much cover crops activity. We’re learning that you spray earlier and don’t use products with residuals which could be an issue after the crop. We’ve done some cover crops after sweet corn comes off … work-

ing with radishes after tillage and spreading some dry fertilizer. It’s generating more activity.

Q: How quickly are you and your customers buying into variable rate technologies?

See KORNDER, pg. 14

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THE LAND — DECEMBER 15/DECEMBER 22, 2017

Kornder uses variable rate technology in applications KORNDER, from pg. 13 Kornder: We got into it about 20 years ago with different rates of fertilizer thanks to GPS coordinates that pinpoint when and where locations as we work across a field. It keeps getting better, more precise and more efficient.

The adoption of auto steer, accustom and auto boom height sensors have made huge leaps forward. Other than the military, I can’t think of an industry that adapts and uses new technology faster than ag. Now we can even change application rates in tight corners so the inside nozzles are spraying less than nozzles on the outer edge of the turn where the boom is going two to three times faster. Sometimes your inside boom is even going backwards and spray rates adjust accordingly.

Infrared sensings, selective shot cameras and more. I don’t doubt anything anymore. Technologies are just simply part of the game.

Q: How do you decide how to buy in on this stuff? Do you need research data to validate your buyin?

Kornder: It’s like when a new tractor or combine comes out. I tend to say ‘hey, that looks neat … let’s pay attention to it.’ Maybe I’ll let someone else buy into it that first year and work the kinks out. Slow rollouts better fit my style. If it works, it will get adapted very fast. If it doesn’t, it will disappear. We are currently testing a new update on our dispatch systems.

All jobs are now sent to each machine via iPad. We don’t use any paper. It’s a nice system and getting better.

We’ve made some recommendations to ease operations. I even found a glitch that crashed the entire app.

Q: And much the same approach on choice of equipment?

Kornder: Part is performance of the machine. Part is the service network. If you’ve got issues and can’t get it quickly fixed, you have serious problems. But it also goes on experience we’re having with our various brands of equipment. Everybody makes a nice machine, but there are differences. Those red machines are really quiet. They’re a nice ride. The

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it again is our procedure when training. We talk the dollar implications too. Guys are paying us to do a job for them. We need to perform so training is vital. Call if you have a question on our procedure. Don’t assume anything. I had an opportunity to attend the grand opening of the Asmark AGCO Custom Applicator Training Center in Bloomington, Ill., this summer. Great training for beginners or guys with a couple seasons under their belts. n Kornder has customers in nine counties; application costs vary depending on application and payment schedule. A master agronomist deals with questions about “applicator errors.” If an applicator makes a mistake, usually a make-up application can be done. Satellite imagery, drones and yield monitors are used Photo submitted to address more complex issues.

Tony Kornder, his wife Wendy, twins Megan “Farmers are more demanding now and Adriana, and their son Rueben operates that they have more data to look at.

Kornder Farms Beef and grows pumpkins, There is no margin of error anymore. corn, soybeans and rye with his dad.

It’s perfect or they expect damages payment,” he said.

Terrigator with the CVT transmission Tony Kornder is 40. He and wife is beyond impressive. That rig is probably one of the most technological Wendy have three children, twins advanced machines … efficient, smart, Megan and Adriana who are 10 and easy to operate. It makes a long day in 6-year-old Rueben. Kornder Farms Beef specializes in locally-grown beef the cab a lot easier. which they process and distribute fresh Q: In view of the continual new to restaurants and customer tables. He knowledge how do you educate also farms 400 acres of corn, soybeans, your staff? rye and pumpkins with his dad.

Kornder: That’s one of the big chalHe’s a sixth generation farmer and lenges for our local co-op, Genesis, or now has 20 years experience in custom any co-op. Finding and keeping quality application work. He said, “I grew up employees is always top priority in this on vegetable truck farm, so I had an work. For some time we had a very vet- intimate relationship with weeds when eran application crew. But with retire- I was just a kid. When on hands and ments and job changes, we’ve got new knees pulling weeds I’d ask my grandpa guys coming on. We realized we had to what’s this one. He told me that’s a do a better job training our people so lambsquarter. I told him I don’t like we started spring and fall applicator that weed. It’s hard to pull. So my training where myself and the agron- grandpa was sort of the sparkplug that omy staff teach applicators different got me interested in weed control.” problems likely to occur. If it’s a misGrandpa Gene Kornder passed away take and you can learn from it, then it in 2003. But obviously the legend lives mitigates the damage. But let’s not do on! v

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PAGE 15

USDA lowers 2017, 2018 milk production in WASDE report This column was written outlook is for increased corn for the marketing week endused to produce ethanol ing Dec. 15. and reduced ending stocks.

Corn used to produce ethaThe U.S. Department of nol was raised 50 million Agriculture lowered its bushels to 5.525 billion.

2017 and 2018 milk producEnding stocks are down 50 tion forecasts in its latest million bushels from last World Agricultural Supply month. The projected seaand Demand Estimates MIELKE MARKET son-average farm price was report, due to slower WEEKLY unchanged at a midpoint of growth in milk per cow. $3.20 per bushel, but the

By Lee Mielke That slower growth is range was narrowed 5 expected to carry into cents on each end to 2018 and, “combined $2.85 to $3.55/bu. with an expected slower rate of growth in Total U.S. oilseed cow numbers,” the 2018 milk producproduction for 2017-18 was projected tion forecast was also lowered. at 132.2 million tons, up slightly due to a small increase in cottonseed.

2017 production and marketings Soybean exports were reduced 25 milwere projected at a record 215.7 and 214.7 billion pounds respectively, down lion bushels to 2.225 million on stron100 million pounds from last month. If ger-than-expected competition from Argentina and Brazil during the first realized, 2017 production would still be up 3.3 billion pounds or 1.6 percent quarter of the marketing year. Soybean ending stocks for 2017from 2016.

18 were projected at 445 million bush2018 production and marketings were els, up 20 million from last month and projected at 219.3 and 218.3 billion still the highest since 2006-07. pounds respectively, down 400 million n pounds from last month. If realized, 2018 production would be up 3.6 billion It was a record-breaking week in the pounds or 1.7 percent from 2017. cash dairy markets. Chicago Price forecasts for cheese, butter, and Mercantile Exchange block cheddar nonfat dry milk were lowered for 2017, fell to $1.4450 on Dec. 12, the lowest “on current price weakness and slower price since March 29, but then rallied and closed Dec. 15 at $1.53 per pound. demand.” The 2017 whey price foreThis is up 5.5 cents on the week and cast was unchanged at the midpoint. reversed six weeks of decline, but 27 All dairy product price forecasts were cents below a year ago. The barrels reduced for 2018, “on pressure from closed at $1.66, down a penny, 4 cents large stocks and slower expected below a year ago, and 13 cents above demand.” the blocks after setting a record n inverted spread of 22.5 cents on Dec. 12. They also set a record single day The 2017 Class III milk price forevolume of 36 cars sold on Dec. 11, the cast was unchanged from last month, highest since daily trading started ranging $16.15-$16.25 per hundredSept. 1, 1998 and eclipsed the previous weight, up from $14.87 in 2016 and high of 35 loads set June 18, 2010, $15.80 in 2015. The 2018 average is projected at $15.30-$16.10, down 20-30 according to FC Stone. A total of 97 cars were sold on the week at the cents from last month’s estimate.

The Class IV milk price forecast was CME and seven of block.

Dairy Market News reports that reduced a nickel from the previous month, with the 2017 average project- milk remains readily available to Midwestern cheese plants, with spot ed at $15.05-15.25, and compares to loads ranging $1 to $4.50 under Class $13.77 in 2016 and $14.35 in 2015.

III. Some cheese producers warned The 2018 average is estimated at $13.90-$14.80, down 25-35 cents from that only heavily discounted milk offers will be considered for the last month’s projection. remainder of 2017. Cheese production n is moderately active and cheese sales Turning to the crop/feed side of the are steady to slow. The large and report, this month’s 2017-18 U.S. corn inverted CME price gap has resulted

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in an “unsteady cheese market tone,” says Dairy Market News.

Western cheese output is ongoing as milk is also plentiful and more of it is moving to the vat. Dairy Market News says some processors are hesitant to take on additional loads of milk due to the current weakness of cheese prices and the ample supplies. Some report that block cheese purchases have decreased a little but barrel cheese sales are picking up, but they are “not comprehending the reason behind buyers’ sudden interest in barrel cheese.” Other participants suggest that holiday orders are “steady to up and, as the U.S. competition with the EU for market share increases, more pressure is put on prices.”

The Dec. 14 Daily Dairy Report provided some interesting market data, reporting that the CME’s new elec-

tronic trading has resulted in soaring cheese volumes in the first six months of implementation. It states, “With just two weeks left in 2017, 2,246 loads of CME spot cheddar cheese traded, compared to 1,055 loads for full-year 2016. In fact, this year’s CME spot trade has eclipsed trading volumes for every year back to 2011.

“This year, barrels represented 75 percent of total trades,” according to the Daily Dairy Report. “Between 2011 and 2014, barrel cheese represented only 47 percent of the volume, a figure very similar to the proportion of barrels reported in the National Dairy Products Sales report during that time.

Barrel activity increased in 2015 and 2016 to 65 percent of total trades. But this year’s high mark for barrel trading was new territory, and it’s staggering See MIELKE, pg. 16

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www.thelandonline.com — “Where Farm and Family Meet”

THE LAND — DECEMBER 15/DECEMBER 22, 2017

Manufacturers: No big surprises in butter market MIELKE, from pg. 15 that the quantity of barrels traded this year rivals the total volume traded from 2014 to 2016.” n Cash butter slipped to $2.19 per pound on Dec. 11, then reversed gears and slowly climbed to $2.26 on Dec. 14. A Dec. 15 close at $2.24.5 is up 2.5 cents on the week and 5.5 cents above a year ago when it jumped 12.5 cents. On the week, 40 cars traded hands at the CME. Central region butter producers report that orders are back in line with expectations following a slow start to the month, according to Dairy Market News, while some report that buyers’ interest levels are ahead of expectations following the holiday rush.

Cream remains abundant for churning but the butter market tone remains resilient. Contacts suggest that “the ebbs and flows of CME prices have benefitted buyers and sellers and the overall market tone is somewhat bullish.”

Western butter makers are working to fill remaining holiday orders and report that demand is following typical seasonal patterns. Manufacturers say “there are currently no big surprises in the butter market.” Inventories have been drawn down, but processors are finding themselves in a “transition period.” Cream is becoming less expensive and readily available. Contacts are watching global butter

MARKETING prices closely. “Prices have faltered in Europe and Oceania, narrowing or even reversing the gap between American and foreign butter prices. Some see this convergence of world butter prices as a hint that more imported butter or milk fat may be coming to the U.S. butter market.” n Cash Grade A nonfat dry milk also set a record — unfortunately a record low of 65.75 cents per pound.

This is down 2.5 cents on the week and 36.25 cents below a year ago. On the week, 11 cars found new homes at the CME. The California Department of Food and Agriculture announced its January 2018 Class I milk prices at $16.07/cwt. for the north and $16.35 for the south. Both are down $1.88 from December 2017, $2.70 below January 2017, and the lowest Class I since July 2016.

Speaking of fluid milk, sales continue to lose ground. USDA’s latest data shows October packaged fluid sales totaled 4.1 billion pounds, down 1 percent from October 2016. Conventional product sales totaled 3.9 billion pounds, down 1.1 percent from a year ago; organic products, at 218 million pounds, were up 0.4 percent. Organic represented about 5.3 percent of total sales for the month.

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Milk drinkers are returning to whole milk. Sales totaled 1.2 billion pounds, up 2.7 percent from a year ago, up 2.4 percent year to date, and made up 29.9 percent of total fluid sales in the month. Skim milk sales, at 342 million pounds, were down 10.9 percent from a year ago and down 12 percent yearto-date.

Total packaged fluid milk sales in the 9-month period totaled 39.8 billion pounds, down 2.1 percent from the same period a year ago.

Year-to-date sales of conventional products, at 37.7 billion pounds, were down 2.2 percent. Organic products, at 2.1 billion pounds, were up 0.2 percent.

Organic represented about 5.4 percent of total fluid milk sales so far in 2017. n Cooperatives Working Together accepted 22 requests for export assistance the week of Dec. 11 from Dairy Farmers of America, Foremost Farms, Northwest Dairy Association (Darigold) and Tillamook County Creamery Association. These cooperatives have contracts to sell 2.954 million pounds of cheddar and Monterey Jack cheese, and 440,925 pounds of butter to customers in Asia, Central America, the Middle East, North Africa and Oceania. The product puts CWT’s 2017 export sales to 70.27 million pounds of American-type cheeses, and 5.25 million pounds of butter (82 percent milkfat) to 21 countries on five continents.

In other global news; New Zealand based Fonterra lowered their latest milk price forecast just as USDA has reduced some of its projections. Jerry Dryer, editor and analyst of the Dairy and Food Market Analyst newsletter, said in the Dec. 18 Dairy Radio Now interview that he has also lowered his forecasts, saying, “the futures market keeps catching up to my forecasts by slipping lower.”

The other side of the coin, Dryer said, is that milk production is also backing off, citing USDA’s latest estimates. He added there are early warning signs in New Zealand of drought conditions, as weather has been quite dry in various parts of the country — up to a month without rain which is earlier than usual.

Dryer has lowered his predictions for global and U.S. milk output. He warned of “a period of low and declining prices near term. However, supply could tighten up enough to be very supportive of prices in the second half of next year.”

When asked how low he sees the Class III price going, Dryer said it could get to $12.50 in the second quarter of 2018 but, “supply tightening turns it around.” n In politics, Congress is working to overhaul the federal tax code. The House and Senate have passed their respective tax reform bills and are now reconciling the two versions to send a final bill to President Trump.

See MIELKE, pg. 17

THE LAND — DECEMBER 15/DECEMBER 22, 2017

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National Milk Producers Federation says it is working with lawmakers to “shape the massive, complicated legislation so that it delivers a positive outcome for dairy farmers and their cooperatives,” according to NMPF’s News for Dairy Co-ops.

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MARKETING “NMPF is working with others in agriculture to preserve the benefits that farmers and cooperatives enjoy from the Domestic Production Activities Deduction — also known as Section 199. NMPF has long supported this deduction, which cooperatives claim on the proceeds from sales of agricultural products like milk. Cooperatives pass on a majority of the benefit, nearly $2 billion nationwide, directly to their farmer owners, and reinvest the remaining proceeds in infrastructure improvements to help both the farmer and the cooperative.

“While the House and Senate bills both repeal DPAD, the Senate legislation allows cooperative members to claim a new 23 percent deduction on their taxable income for qualified cooperative dividends, which refers to patronage dividends, per-unit retain allocations, qualified written notices of allocations, and similar amounts. Cooperatives could also claim the 23 percent deduction on taxable income, but it would be limited to 50 percent of their wages.

NMPF is attempting to improve these provisions to ensure that the final tax reform legislation continues to recognize the unique nature of how cooperatives are taxed,” NMPF says. n Meanwhile, Arden Tewksbury, manager of the Progressive Agriculture Organization, testified at a milk hearing conducted by the Pennsylvania Milk Marketing Board on Dec. 6.

Tewksbury charged the existing Pennsylvania Class I premium must remain at $1.60/cwt.

“Economic conditions that exist on our average dairy farm is making it nearly impossible to stay on the farm,” he said. Citing data from USDA’s Economic Research Service, Tewksbury pointed out the average dairy farmer is producing milk at nearly $4.50/cwt. below their cost of production.

Tewksbury said, “It appears whenever there are problems within the dairy industry, the dairy farmers are the first ones to suffer. Furthermore, the dairy farmers have no method available to them to correct their pricing inequities.”

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

PAGE 17

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PAGE 18

www.thelandonline.com — “Where Farm and Family Meet”

THE LAND — DECEMBER 15/DECEMBER 22, 2017

Groups push for increase of CRP acres in next farm bill Several Congressional hearings and ending 2016 with 23.9 million acres. The listening sessions on the next farm bill reduction in CRP acres was due to high were held in 2017, both in Washington, crop prices, strong farm income levels, D.C., and across the United States. One of and mandated reductions in maximum the major items of discussion at many of CRP acreage in the past two farm bills. these sessions has been the conservation The 2007 farm bill reduced the maximum title of the farm bill, or more specifically CRP acreage from 37 million acres down the Conservation Reserve Program. CRP to 32 million acres, and the last farm bill has been highly popular over the years, reduced the maximum CRP acreage even FARM PROGRAMS further, down to the current maximum and many farm organizations, environmental groups and wildlife level of 24 million acres. The reductions in

By Kent Thiesse supporters are pushing for an the maximum CRP acreage were increase in the maximum allowable made to encourage more acres to CRP acreage above the limit of 24 return into crop production, to target million acres in the current farm bill.

CRP acres toward more environmentally sensitive land, and to reduce the The program was developed as part of the 1985 farm bill, and USDA began enrolling crop acres into federal budget outlay for CRP. the program in 1986. CRP has been the largest and As of Sept. 30, there was a total of just over 23.4 most important conservation program in the United million acres enrolled in CRP, which is down from States since that time, making major contributions near 27 million acres in 2013, and over 31 million to national efforts to improve water and air quality, acres in 2009. Currently, there are 16 million acres prevent soil erosion, protect environmentally under general CRP contracts, just below 56 million sensitive land, and enhance wildlife populations. acres under continuous CRP contracts, slightly over Following initiation of the program, CRP acreage 1 million acres under Conservation Reserve quickly rose to over 30 million acres by 1990, and Enhancement Program contracts, and slightly over then increased even more, to around 35 million acres 400,000 acres in special CRP programs. There are by 1993-1995, before dropping off slightly following currently over 638,000 CRP contracts in place, on the 1996 “Freedom-to-Farm” farm bill. CRP acres over 358,000 farms. CRP acreage added in 2017, then began to increase again in the late 1990s, included 1.17 million acres through Continuous reaching a peak of 36.8 million acres in 2007.

CRP, 390,000 acres as part of General CRP enrollment, and 511,000 acres as part of a special During a 10-year period from 2007 to 2016, CRP acreage declined by 12.9 million acres or 35 percent, Grasslands CRP sign-up. CRP sign-up was restricted during 2017, due to total CRP acreage nearing the maximum level of 24 million acres.

CRP contracts expired on about 2.5 million acres in the United States on Sept. 30, and will expire on additional 1.5 million acres in 2018 and 1 million acres in 2019. However, the CRP expirations increase substantially in the years to follow, increasing to 4.4 million acres in 2020, over 3 million acres in 2021, over 4 million acres in 2022, and approximately 2 million acres in 2023. Minnesota 18’ + 2’, 2-7000# Axles Dovetail From had 97,342 acres expire in 2017, and will have Adjustable coupler LED lighting 201,294 acres expire in 2018. The expiring 2017 CRP Fold up ramps Modular Wiring Harness acreage in other area states was 214,572 acres in Goosenecks Drop Iowa, 326,662 acres in North Dakota, 46,138 acres in Dual Jacks, Lockable Chain Box, ’N Locks Dovetail, LED Lights, Modular North Dakota, and 43,843 acres in Wisconsin.

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The average CRP land rental rate in the United States in 2017 was about $77.00 per acre, with an average of $52 per acre on General CRP acres, $128 per acre on Continuous CRP acres, and $151 per acre on CREP acres. CRP rental rates vary widely from state to state, and within different regions of a given state. The current average CRP rental rate in Minnesota is just over $107 per acre, with an average of $70 per acre on General CRP acres, and $138 per acre on Continuous CRP acres. Most CRP annual land rental rates in southern Minnesota are considerably higher than the state average rate. The current average CRP rental rate in Iowa is $202 per acre, with an average rate of $136 per acre on General CRP acres, and $244 per acre on Continuous CRP acres.

USDA adjusts the maximum annual CRP rental rates for Continuous CRP sign-up each year on a county-by-county basis, which are also used as the maximum CRP rates for General CRP enrollment period in a given year. The maximum rental rates are based on the relative productivity of the soils within each county, as well as on the average dry land cash rental rate for each county, based on the National Agricultural Statistics Service annual land rental analysis.

Farm operators in some areas have complained that annual CRP rental rates in recent years are higher than the average cash rental rates for farm land, which is artificially keeping land rental rates higher than they should be. The average CRP rental rate in Iowa has increased by approximately 30 percent since 2014, while during that same time period, the average farm land value in Iowa has dropped by about 17 percent, and average cash rental rates have declined by 11 percent.

Looking Ahead As mentioned earlier, there has been a strong push during the past year to increase the acreage cap in CRP above the current 24 million acreage limit in the next farm bill. Some wildlife and environmental groups have advocated raising the CRP limit to as high as 35-40 million acres, while ag organizations and others have called for more moderate increases in CRP acreage. However, not all parties are on board with increasing CRP acreage in the next farm bill.

There are several major water quality initiatives going on across the United States, including in the Mississippi and Minnesota River basins in the upper Midwest. Continuous CRP and CREP have been useful to take some environmentally sensitive acres out of production, in order to enhance water quality efforts. Some ag leaders also point to higher crop production levels and very large U.S. grain surpluses, which have resulted in fairly consistent low commodity prices in recent years, as a reason to increase CRP acreage in the coming years, in order to reduce the number of available U.S. crop acres.

See THIESSE, pg. 20

THE LAND — DECEMBER 15/DECEMBER 22, 2017

www.thelandonline.com — “Where Farm and Family Meet”

PAGE 19

Christmas tree farm fits well in ag-challenged region

By PAUL MALCHOW The Land Managing Editor HERMANTOWN, Minn. — Poor soil and an abbreviated growing season limits most agriculture endeavors in northeast Minnesota. For the past 25 years, Doug and Lois Hoffbauer have battled the temperamental elements to carve out a living on their farm near Duluth.

The linchpin of the Hoffbauers’ enterprise, “Farmer Doug,” is a 40-acre Christmas tree farm. “It’s not the best farmland — lots of clay,” Doug admitted. “But if the (tree) roots can find water, you’re good to go.”

A self-avowed “tree nut,” Doug graduated from the University of Minnesota in 1976 with a degree in forestry. While Doug was overseeing the vegetablegrowing operation at a Duluth correctional facility, the Hoffbauers purchased the land for the tree farm in 1986 and immediately began planting trees.

“There is a real time value in starting an operation like this,” said Doug. “How long can you wait until you get paid?”

Photos by Paul Malchow

Farmer Doug’s Christmas tree farm is located about two miles from the Hoffbauer home place. About 1,500 trees were harvested this season.

By the 1993 Christmas season, the stay up all night just keeping up.”

Hoffbauers were able to offer cut-yourDoug said Derek and his wife have own tree sales. By 1997 they started taken on some of the wreath sale producing a small number of wreaths. duties, but the Hoffbauers have scaled back. “Getting good labor is a primary concern,” he admitted.

The tree farm is divided into sections — each containing a singular breed of tree. Sections are rotated every 10 years to fight disease. Farmer Doug’s biggest seller is the balsam fir, which makes up about 75 percent of the trees grown. They also raise Canaan fir (a close relative of the balsam), Frasier firs, Korean firs, Siberian firs, Concolor firs, cedars and white pine.

In 2003, the Hoffbauers’ farm served as a test plot for growing Siberian and Korean fir because they are usually

raised in higher growing zones, The Siberian fir has a citrus scent. The Korean fir’s needles are dark green on top and silver-colored underneath.

Doug and Lois’ second son, Jesse, handles many of the tree farm’s operations. He teaches special education in addition to planting, pruning and harvesting trees. “We plant about 1,000 trees per acre,” he said. “We’ll plant twice as many as we cut.” Tree planting commences “as soon as the ground thaws — April or May.” A 7-foot balsam fir takes seven years to grow and about 20 percent of the trees planted will not survive. The trees are shaped and pruned in August.

Jesse and his crew of four were in the midst of harvest on Nov. 17 and expected to cut a total of 1,500 trees. “Cutting is the hardest job,” Jesse said. “But I have a good crew. We’ll do about 500 a day. We have to make sure it is warm enough to bale the trees. If it gets below 26 degrees, the branches will snap.”

Jesse will also ball and burlap about 200 trees annually for landscaping purposes.

Deer are always a concern and Jesse said they seem to favor young cedars and pines. But Doug said his biggest peeve is human pests. “They think nothing of pulling over and cutting off branches from a tree,” he said. “People want a nice full tree; not one with big branches missing. One year, I had someone cut off the top 6 feet from four 12-foot trees. Now, each of those trees is worth over $100; but now they’re worthless.”

See FARMER DOUG, pg. 20

Lois and Doug Hoffbauer While the tree seedlings grew, the Hoffbauers constructed five high tunnel greenhouses on the home farm and began raising vegetables and cut flowers. They soon found tomatoes were the best cash crop and went exclusively with dahlias for a flower offering.

“You really can’t plant tomatoes outdoors around here until almost June,” Doug explained. “Even in a good year you probably aren’t going to have fruit until late August. With the greenhouses, we were able to start plants much sooner and could get tomatoes to our customers by late June.”

Their son, Derek, started a website, www.balsamwreath.com, which grew into a mail-order Christmas wreath and garland business.

At the height of the wreath business, the Hoffbauers employed six people from mid-October through mid-December and sold over 500 wreaths a year.

With that, Doug estimated they made and sold about four miles of garland. “It was hard work,” Doug said. “This was before Paypal or anything like that. You couldn’t pay by credit card online. All of the addresses and credit card numbers had to be input by hand. Lois would A small crew cuts and bales the season’s harvest in three days.

PAGE 20

www.thelandonline.com — “Where Farm and Family Meet”

THE LAND — DECEMBER 15/DECEMBER 22, 2017

Disease, deer, vandals are all hazards of the tree business FARMER DOUG, from pg. 19 Doug added Frasier firs can be susceptible to root disease — especially in the second or third rotations. To battle the root rot, Doug has been grafting Frasiers onto balsam root stock with good success. However, he added, the grafting process slows the tree’s development by at least one season.

“Minnesota was once the Christmas tree export leader,” Doug said, “but we’re losing tree farms. Ramsey and Anoka counties were prime Christmas tree land, but it has all gone to subdivisions. The land had become too valuable to raise trees where your payoff is 10 years out.”

Lois sells wreaths at the Duluth farmer’s market site from Nov. 18 to Christmas.

Doug admitted there is not much Christmas tree competition in the Duluth area, but there are drawbacks as well. While Derek and Jesse’s families would like to keep Farmer Doug going, he knows it will be a challenge.

“Infrastructure is disappearing,” he said. “Equipment and fertilizer is not always readily available and costs more.

“Discretionary income in Duluth is half of the metro area. They’re getting $60-$80 for wreaths. If I charge $40 around here, people start looking at me sideways. Our kids are struggling with that.” v

Cost may be challenge to increasing CRP acreage THIESSE, from pg. 18 Some groups that support young farmers and ranchers are concerned that increasing CRP acreage will make it more difficult for beginning farmers to have access to land resources in some areas. They point to the reduced amount of cropland that would be available, and the very competitive CRP rental rates being paid by the federal government, as reasons for their concern.

Looking ahead, advocates for keeping the CRP acreage cap at the current level also point to the fact that 11.6 million acres will expire from 20202022, which would be during the time period of the next farm bill, and is nearly half of the current acreage limit.

They feel the current acreage limit will offer adequate opportunities to enroll environmentally sensitive cropland into CRP in the next five years.

Probably the biggest challenge with increasing the maximum CRP acreage is the cost factor of adding more acreage. The total federal budget outlay for CRP in the fiscal year that ended on Sept. 30 was just over $1.8 billion, which included just under $1.6 billion in CRP annual rental payments. Based on the current U.S. average CRP rental rate of approximately $77 per acre, the federal budget would increase $77 million per year for every 1 million CRP acres that are added to the program. So, if the maximum CRP acreage were increased to 30 million acres, it could potentially add $462

MARKETING million per year to the federal budget for CRP rental payments, which would be an increase of nearly 30 percent above the current level.

Some members of Congress would like to see the program made more flexible to allow for haying and grazing privileges to aid ranchers who are short of grazing land in some portions of the United States.

Currently, haying and grazing of CRP acres is only allowed during a drought or other declared federal disaster situations.

Proponents of more flexibility also point to the fact that the Conservation Security Program and the Environmental Quality Incentives Program, the two major USDA conservation programs on working farm land only have 35 million acres enrolled nationally. Some feel that offering a shorter term CRP of three to five years to idle some environmentally sensitive crop acreage, which could possibly be linked with other farm-level conservation programs, may offer some flexibility and advantages on existing crop acres.

Given the strong public support, as well as support by key members of the U.S. House and Senate Ag Committees, an increase in the maximum CRP acreage to 28-30 million acres in the next farm bill seems like a potential possibility.

If no new money is added to the spending targets for the next farm bill, there would have to be adjustments made in proposed federal spending in the next farm bill to allow for some increase in CRP acreage. These budget adjustments could include lowering the maximum level of CRP rental payments per acre in future sign-up periods, as well as reducing projected budget outlays for commodity programs, crop insurance, food and nutrition and other farm bill programs.

For more information on the current CRP enrollment, expiring CRP acres, rental rates, etc., refer to the USDA CRP website at http://www.fsa.usda. gov/crp.

Kent Thiesse is a government farm programs analyst and a vice president at MinnStar Bank in Lake Crystal, Minn. He may be reached at (507) 7262137 or kent.thiesse@minnstarbank. com. v

Calendar of Events Visit www.TheLandOnline.com to view our complete calendar & enter your own events, or send an e-mail with your event’s details to editor@thelandonline.com.

jenri001@umn.edu or (651) 480-7732 Jan. 10 — 2018 Research Updates for Ag Professionals — Willmar, Minn.

Jan. 11 — 2018 Research Updates Jan. 9 — Taking charge of your for Ag Professionals — Crookston, finances – Fergus Falls, Minn. — Minn.

UMN Extension Agricultural Business Jan. 11-12 — Frozen Farm Forum Management presents short course Conference — Madison, Minn. — on organizing and using financial records — Contact Nathan Hulinsky at Conference on hemp and clean energy huli0013@umn.edu or (218) 236-2009 — Visit www.lqpeda.com/frozenforum/ or contact PJ Ellison at (320) 598or visit www.extension.umn.edu/ 7976 agriculture/business Jan. 16-17 — Minnesota Pork ConJan. 9 — 2018 Research Updates gress — Minneapolis, Minn. — Visit for Ag Professionals — Morris, www.mnporkcongress.com or contact Minn. — Research-based strategies mnpork@mnpork.com or (507) 345to deal with today’s pests, diseases, 8814 varieties, and nutrient and environJan. 17 — Taking charge of your mental recommendations — Visit finances — Crookston, Minn. www.extension.umn.edu/agriculture/ ag-professionals/ or contact

THE LAND — DECEMBER 15/DECEMBER 22, 2017

www.thelandonline.com — “Where Farm and Family Meet”

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THE LAND — DECEMBER 15/DECEMBER 22, 2017

Local Corn and Soybean Price Index

Cash Grain Markets

corn/change* soybeans/change* St. Cloud $2.88 -.02 $8.78 -.49 Madison $2.90 +.04 $8.83 -.45 Redwood Falls $2.88 -.02 $8.81 -.47 Fergus Falls $2.75 -.04 $8.55 -.48 Morris $2.88 +.01 $8.74 -.46 Tracy $2.91 -.04 $8.76 -.48 Average: $2.87 $8.75 Year Ago Average: $2.92 $9.13

DEC ‘16

JAN

FEB

MAR

APR

MAY

JUNE

JULY

AUG

SEP

OCT

NOV

DEC

Grain prices are effective cash close on Dec. 19. 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.

Grain Outlook Livestock Angles Contract lows High production cramp corn market slows market The following marketing analysis is for the week ending Dec. 15.

CORN — A fresh contract low in March corn to begin the week set the tone for corn market, where another fresh contract low was set at $3.46.5 on Dec. 15. Welcome to holiday trading!

The Dec. 12 World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates report only provided a shortlived bounce for the bulls. South American weather and a lack of buying interest kept corn on the defensive. If you’re a technician, PHYLLIS NYSTROM CHS Hedging Inc. the 10 and 20-day moving averSt. Paul ages represent resistance. At the end of the week, resistance was seen at $3.50.5 and $3.52.75 per bushel. The next support in the March contract will be the December 2017 contract low at $3.35.25 per bushel. December 2017 contract expired on Dec. 14 at $3.36.25 per bushel.

The December WASDE bumped the corn for ethanol usage 50 million bushels higher to 5.525 billion bushels, which fed directly into lowering ending stocks. This category was reportedly raised based on higher sorghum exports, which would reduce sorghum used for ethanol. The export category was left unchanged, which based on the current pace, was a little surprising. We’ll know more by the January report. Ending stocks were cut 50 million bushels to 2.437 billion bushels. This was below the average guess for 2.478 billion bushels. Prices bounced in post-report trading; but by the final bell, gains had See NYSTROM, pg. 23

The livestock markets have started the month of December in a defensive stance as prices of both cattle and hogs have moved to lower levels. With most of the holiday buying drawing to a close and the fact that meat production is well ahead of a year ago, this has created a negative cast to the markets.

Cattle have struggled just to attempt to maintain a slightly lower cash price as well as a slightly lower beef cutout since the first of the month. The JOE TEALE futures market has decidedly Broker moved to a discount to the current cash trade reflecting a Great Plains Commodity Afton, Minn. defensive stance toward future cash prices. Another contributing factor to the move to a discount of futures to cash has been the liquidation of managed money in the futures market. It appears that there is still the possibility of more liquidation to come.

The fundamental factors affecting the market are not extremely bright either. The number of available cattle ready for market is more than ample to meet the current slaughter demand. The beef cutouts also reflect that the increase in beef supply is enough to meet current demand for the product and has pressured the cutouts to slide in value over the past few weeks. To further complicate matters, the expectations for the December U.S. Department of Agriculture Monthly Cattle on Feed report indicate that placements are likely to be higher once again. Despite the cautiously negative outlook, this does not mean that lower prices are inevitable. Demand will dictate the See TEALE, pg. 24

Grain Angles Financial check-up Most grain producers I work with spend some time at the end of the year working on tax planning and completing their balance sheet. The balance sheet and income statement show the fruits of your labor from the past year. They are the foundation of record keeping and critical to do analysis of your farm’s profitability. Some producers like to get a quick financial check-up before the year comes to a close. I have a few quick and relatively easy formulas that I like to use for as a financial check-up with grain GLENN WACHTLER producers.

Compeer Working capital per acre Financial Officer farmed Baldwin, Wis. Working capital is the value of all your current assets less your current liabilities. Current assets are typically cash and liquid savings accounts, grain inventory, prepaid expenses, accounts receivable and marketable livestock. Current liabilities usually consist of operating and inventory loan balances, accounts payable, one year’s term debt payments on items such as equipment and real estate. Be sure to also include any other liabilities due in less than one year. The difference can be positive, which means you have some liquidity; or negative, meaning you are illiquid and have some work to do. I counsel farms to maintain a minimum of $250 for each acre farmed. In other words, the dollar amount of working capital divided by total acres farmed, both owned and rented. This gives you the ability to make timely payments on term debt, capture supplier discounts, or act as a See WACHTLER, pg. 24

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.

THE LAND — DECEMBER 15/DECEMBER 22, 2017

www.thelandonline.com — “Where Farm and Family Meet”

Soybean prices fade due to South American weather NYSTROM, from pg. 22 been erased and we closed lower.

World ending stocks came in above the average guess at 204.1 million metric tons. The average estimate was 202.7 mmt and was higher than last month’s forecast of 203.86 mmt. Brazil’s corn production number was unchanged at 95 mmt, as was Argentina’s at 42 mmt. The trade was anticipating slight decreases to both crops with Brazil estimated at 93.2 mmt and Argentina at 41.8 mmt.

Conab’s Brazilian corn number was updated this week to 92.2 mmt. Last year, Brazil produced 97.8 mmt of corn. China this week lowered their corn import forecast by 500,000 metric tons to 1.0 mmt.

There wasn’t any food for the bulls in these numbers.

Weekly export sales were neutral at 34.1 million bushels. We are now 28 percent behind on sales vs. last year. The U.S. Department of Agriculture is predicting only a 16 percent drop in year-on-year exports to 1.925 billion bushels. We normally have 52 percent of the final exports on the books by now. This year we are at 49 percent of the current 1.925 billion bushel export forecast. Again, nothing very friendly.

Weekly ethanol production was the second highest ever at 1.089 million barrels per day. Production on a weekly basis was down 19,000 bpd. Ethanol stocks were 100,000 barrels at 22.4 million barrels, but are 17 percent higher than a year ago. Ethanol prices on the board dropped to 10-year lows. Ethanol crush margins, in the week that ended Dec. 8, fell 2 cents per gallon for the week to 6 cents per gallon.

A well-respected, southern research firm this week pegged 2018 corn acres at 89.7 million acres. This is down 754,000 acres from last year’s 90.4 million acres. For the 2017 crop, they plugged in a yield of 176.6 bushels per acre for a crop of 14.676 billion bushels. On the December crop report, the USDA used a 175.4 bu./acre yield for a crop of 14.578 billion bushels.

The Federal Reserve increased the benchmark interest rate for the third time this year. It raised it to a range of 1.25 percent to 1.5 percent — a quarterpoint increase.

Outlook: Corn bulls found coal in their stockings this week (ok, it’s early for that), with new contract lows seen through the September contract. The December 2018 contract also made a new contract low at $3.79.25 per bushel. At this point, it’s hard to envision the corn market earning its carries. We could expect choppy, defensive-type trade into the end of the year. A bright spot for corn could be the fact that funds are carrying a net short position in corn, and may need to do some position squaring prior to the end of the calendar year. In general, it

is not too much of a stretch to expect the March 2018 corn contract to trend toward the December 2017 contract low of $3.35.25/bu, set two days before the contract expired on Dec. 14. For the week, March corn was down 5.25 cents at $3.47.5, July off a nickel at $3.64.25, and December 2018 down 5 cents at $3.80/bu.

SOYBEANS — Slightly better rainfall over the weekend in South America caused soybeans to gap and go lower on the Dec. 11 open. The gap from $9.89 to $9.89.75 will act as first resistance in the January contract. Soybeans continued to fade into the December WASDE report, breaching the 100 and 200-day moving average support levels. The November low at $9.67/bu. was breached during the week, setting us up to revisit the October low at $9.63.25/bu., then the $9.40 area. There’s nothing magical about that level if South American weather doesn’t threaten the crop. The bears will remain in control with the potential for further downside moves without a forecast change. January soybeans closed lower in seven out of the last eight trading sessions, as of Dec.15.

The Dec. 12 report slashed U.S. exports by 25 million bushels to 2.225 billion bushels, which will likely see further cuts next month due to strong South American competition. We are way behind on our soybean export pace needed to hit the USDA’s target and we are now past our normal peak export season. The crush, however, was not increased this month; but may be raised next month. The seed usage line was increased by 5 million bushels, resulting in a decrease in ending stocks of 20 million bushels to 445 million bushels.

This would be the highest ending stocks number since 2006-07. The average trade guess was 438 million bushels. We have plenty of soybeans.

World ending stocks were up from 97.9 mmt in November to a record 98.3 mmt this month. The average estimate was 97.8 mmt. The USDA left both Brazil’s and Argentina’s soybean production forecasts unchanged at 108 mmt and 57 mmt, respectively. The trade was expecting a slight increase to Brazil’s production and a slight decrease to Argentina’s production. Prior to our report, Conab raised their Brazilian soybean number to 109.2 mmt.

Last year, Brazil produced 114.1 mmt of soybeans.

Their deputy ag minister said this week, there is the possibility they could surpass that record this year.

Abiove pegged Brazil’s production at 109.5 mmt, with 2018 exports at 65 mmt. They predicted 2017 soybean exports at a record 67.8 mmt, up from their 66 mmt estimate in November. China is estimating they will import 95.97 mmt soybeans this year, up 2.7 percent from last year.

MARKETING

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PAGE 23

Weekly export sales at 53.4 million bushels for old crop and 4.1 million bushels for new crop were at the lower end of expectations. We are still running 16 percent behind last year’s total commitments. The USDA’s new balance sheets indicate an increase of 2.3 percent in year-on-year exports to 2.225 billion bushels. This deficit is going to be a big hurdle to overcome, or the USDA will need to make further cuts to exports on the next balance sheet. We currently have 62 percent of the projected sales on the books, when we usually have sold 76 percent of the final export number by this time. Any further reduction in exports will serve to drive ending stocks higher from the current 445 million bushel forecast.

The November National Oilseed Processors Association crush was a record for any month at 163.5 million bushels, slightly higher than the 163.3 million bushel forecast. Soyoil stocks were 1.326 billion pounds compared to 1.277 billion pounds estimated.

This was the first soyoil stocks build in six months.

Informa Economics this week estimated this year’s soybeans yielded 49.7 bu./acre for a crop of 4.45 billion bushels. The USDA in December was using 49.5 bu./acre for a crop of 4.425 billion bushels. In their outlook for 2018, they projected soybean acres to be up 1.3 percent or 1.18 million acres to a record 91.4 million acres. Last year, we planted 90.2 million acres to soybeans. When their forecasts for 2018 corn and soybeans are combined, it is the largest area ever for the third year in a row.

The Buenos Aires Grain Exchange estimated that Argentina’s soybean crop was 64.5 percent planted vs.

60.5 percent last year. Their corn crop was 43.5 percent planted compared to 57.4 percent complete last year.

Outlook: Mother Nature played the role of the Grinch this week with improved forecasts for needed rain in Argentina and continuing favorable weather in Brazil. Without a threatened South American crop, rallies will be selling opportunities with the market in a defensive mood. Our export demand is also a negative factor as we continue to run behind what is needed to hit the USDA’s target. If South American weather is perceived to be turning drier and hotter, the market could respond to the upside quickly; but currently, that isn’t the case. While some short-term support in the January contract may be seen at $9.63 per bushel, better support doesn’t come in until the $9.30 to $9.40 area. Mother Nature is in control and she can be very unpredictable. For the week, January soybeans plunged 22.5 cents at $9.67.25; March dropped 23.5 cents at $9.78; July fell 22 cents at $9.99; and November 2018 tumbled 17 cents to $9.87.75 per bushel.

Nystrom’s Notes: Contract changes for the week ending Dec. 15: Minneapolis March wheat rallied 8.75 cents to $6.20, Chicago fell .75 cents to $4.18.25, and Kansas City declined a half-cent to $4.17.5 per bushel. New contract lows were set in the Chicago and Kansas City markets this week. The U.S. dollar index was up slightly at 93.934 at mid-afternoon Dec. 15. v

PAGE 24

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THE LAND — DECEMBER 15/DECEMBER 22, 2017

American Promise wants big money out of politics

By DICK HAGEN The Land Staff Writer MINNEAPOLIS — “Five years ago I found out I was going to be a grandmother. And I realized this is not the country I want my grandchildren to inherit. So I set a goal that by the time little Brian is in middle school the talk around him will be about a Victoria Barnes new amendment to the Constitution that will return fair representation to the people.”

This comment was by Victoria Barnes, a Saint Paul grandmother putting considerable effort into a proposed 28th Amendment with the theme of getting big dollars out of U.S. elections. American Promise is the organization she represents. She had her display at the Minnesota Farmer’s Union Convention, held Nov. 17-19 in Minneapolis.

“American Promise has been around for almost two years and I’ve been working on this amendment for almost five years,” said Barnes.

The objective is to get big money out of politics.

She commented that though it is illegal for foreigners to contribute to our political campaigns, American companies are owned by, borrow money from and do business with many foreign countries. “This is a national security risk. People are up in arms over the possibility of Russian interference in our elections yet we have no way of knowing who is contributing to the pools of dark money.”

Since 1976 the Supreme Court has issued a series of controversial rulings that have paved the way to make it easier for billionaires, corporations, special interest and even foreign governments to influence elections and public policy. “These billionaires and artificial entities have been given speech rights that go far beyond the voice of individual voters,” said Barnes.

American Promise had a big event in Washington, D.C., which Barnes attended. “At this conference we prepared a plan which concentrates in 38 states to pass resolutions calling on federal lawmakers to pass an amendment stating that only natural persons have rights under the Constitution; not corporations or any other artificial entities. And money is not speech therefore it may be regulated by local, state and federal governments when it comes to campaign contributions.”

She indicated that so far 19 states have passed resolutions and currently 18 states including Minnesota have bills in their legislative hopper pending on this proposed amendment. Express purpose of this amendment is to get the moneyed interests out of the political system so that dialogue, even on issues like food aid, can be had amongst Americans without the influence from any other groups.

She admits corporations aren’t real crazy about this proposed amendment. “But luckily Minnesota Farmers Union has a position statement in favor of our ambitions and that is why I am here. I thought at first ‘gosh, can I fight for an amendment? I’m not a lawyer.’ But it’s people like me that make these

Review land debt per owned acre WACHTLER, from pg. 22 cushion during a difficult growing season or low grain prices. With short-term interest rates increasing and low commodity prices, working capital is more important than ever.

Equipment debt per acre farmed Producers should evaluate their intermediate term debt before taking on a new loan to purchase additional equipment or vehicles. There are many reasons to purchase that new piece of equipment. The level of your total intermediate term debt divided by your total acres farmed may help you decide if you want to take on the additional debt, how to structure your payments, or even postpone the purchase.

I counsel my clients to keep the total of all equipment payments added together less than $60 per acre farmed. To find this number, use the sum of the annualized principle and interest payments divided by the sum of both owned and rented farm ground.

Staying below $60 per acre has been more of a challenge with higher equipment prices and aggressive tax planning; but equipment payments can have a large impact on your cost of production.

Another challenge has been that high land rents

can make expanding a poor choice to spread out costs at this time. Even with the challenges of the absolute level of payments per acre, you need to consider this ration when making management decisions.

Total land debt per owned acre Like all of the ratios already discussed, total land debt per owned acre must be considered along with the whole financial picture, because each producer will have relative strengths and weaknesses. Land productivity will also factor heavily into how much debt one acre can support. In general, I like to see about $2,500-$3,000 maximum total real estate related debt per each acre owned for productive farmland in the upper Midwest. Even if the debt is related to only one parcel, I spread that across all owned acres to get this quick ratio.

This quick check-up is intended for additional guidance. Every producer has unique circumstances which make looking at the whole financial picture critical; but this may help you determine which areas you want to take a deeper look into at year end.

For additional insights from Compeer industry experts or to learn more about Compeer’s programs, check out Compeer.com/education. v

MARKETING

amendments happen.”

She related that amendments have been needed to correct mistakes by the Supreme Court in adopting or rejecting the language in specific amendments.

Yes, she has determination. She concluded, “Whatever your passion, if you are not spending at least 20 percent of your time in getting the moneyed interests out of our political system, you’re just going to be banging your head against the wall.”

The two bills in the Minnesota State Senate and the House will help pave the way to pass an amendment to the U.S. Constitution that will get corporate and special interest money out of our elections. The proposed resolution reads: A resolution memorializing Congress; requesting that Congress clarify that the rights protected under the Constitution are the rights of natural persons and not the rights of artificial entities and that spending money to influence elections is not speech under the First Amendment; asking that Congress propose a constitutional amendment to provide such clarification.

Victoria Barnes concluded: Imagine a government run by people, not money. She invites friends and neighbors to help. “We need to work on it now so that when the next legislative session starts in February our support will already be on board. We are the ones we have been waiting for.”

Barnes can be reached at mn.americanpromise@ gmail.com or (218) 214-2221. v

Pork cutouts waffle TEALE, from pg. 22 price direction. Producers should remain in touch with market conditions and protect inventories as needed.

The hog market has seen cash stammer and stutter in recent weeks after a very good price advance through the month of October and November. Pork cutouts have also at the same time begun to waffle in the lower $80s hundredweight — reflecting some resistance by the retailers that they are reluctant to push prices higher at the current time. This has resulted in the packers to be reluctant to be as aggressive in their bidding for live inventories above current levels.

The futures market, which has been at a premium all fall, has now turned to a discount which reflects the change in overall attitude to the outlook in prices.

As with the cattle futures, the hog futures have seen a large liquidation of contracts in recent weeks. This suggests that managed money is also departing the long side of the market at the present time.

The fundamentals continue to suggest that demand remains fairly good for pork. At the same time, the inventory of hogs remains at fairly large levels. The determining factor in where prices go into the next few weeks remains in the demand for pork. Producers should continue to monitor market conditions and protect inventories as warranted. v

THE LAND — DECEMBER 15/DECEMBER 22, 2017

www.thelandonline.com — “Where Farm and Family Meet”

Farm

THUR. DECEMBER 28 | 10AM

2017

D AN E L TH

www.thelandonline.com

LOCATION: 19316 US Hwy 63, Spring Valley, MN 55975 4WD & MFWD TRACTORS

2012 JD 9410R, 4WD 2012 JD 6430 MFWD 2003 NH TC45D MFWD compact 2006 NH TC34DA MFWD compact

GPS EQUIPMENT

JD 2630 GreenStar display JD 3000 receiver, SF2 ready

PLANTER

2012 JD DB90, 36x30”

TILLAGE EQUIPMENT

2011 Sunflower 1435 rock flex disc, 33’ 2012 Sunflower 4511 disc chisel, 18’ 2011 Sunflower 4213-13 chisel plow 2012 JD 3710 auto reset plow

ROW CROP EQUIPMENT

JD 875 row crop cultivator, 12x30” JD 400 rotary hoe, 40’, 3 pt.

JD 400 rotary hoe, 30’, 3 pt.

NH3 EQUIPMENT

2012 NH 195 manure spreader Degelman 14-46-57 silage blade, 14’ Apache 24-AZ feed wagon, 24’ Apache feed wagon, 20’ Blattner livestock working system Blattner single axle bumper hitch OTHER TRAILERS panel trailer, (12) 10’ panels 2015 Wilson Road Brute CD-1080 (4) Drive thru, 10’ step deck, 53’x102”, 11” top deck (2) 4’ doors on 10’ walk-through 2011 Jet tandem axle step deck, (4) SI steel feed bunks, 20’ 36’x102”, 9-1/2’ top deck, spring ride (4) Round bale feeders 2006 XL Specialized step deck, 48’ Misc. gates 2000 Doonan tandem axle step HAY HANDLING EQUIPMENT deck, 48’x102”, 10’ top deck (2) Ez-Trail small square bale 2012 Kiefer 1000 Series tandem racks, 18’x9’, slant bar bottom axle 5th wheel flatbed, 32’x102” 2011 Meridian 990 Ultramax Edition (2) Flatbed hay rack, 16x8’ tandem axle bumper hitch fuel SEED & GRAIN HANDLING EQUIP. trailer, 990 gal. fuel tank 2013 Unverferth Seed Runner 2013 Unverferth Road Runner 536 3750XL seed tender, twin hopper header trailer, 36’, torsion front axle 2010 Unverferth Seed Runner 2011 Unverferth Road Runner 3750XL seed tender, Honda engine header trailer, 36’ Friesen seed tender, double hopper Featherlite bumper hitch twin jet Rem grain vac, 12” folding auger ski aluminum trailer Westfield MK130-111 Plus auger

HOPPER BOTTOM TRAILERS

2012 Timpte Super Hopper, 42’x66” 2012 Timpte Super Hopper, 42’x66” 2011 Timpte Super Hopper, 42’x66” 2011 Timpte Super Hopper, 42’x78”

2015 Circle K anhydrous transport (2) 2014 Circle K anhydrous transport 2009 Blu-Jet 3000 side dress HAY, FORAGE applicator toolbar, 18x30”

GRAVITY WAGONS

(2) 2012 Brent 544, front ladder

TRUCKS

2006 Kenworth T800, 36” sleeper 2005 Kenworth T800, day cab

& LIVESTOCK EQUIPMENT

PICKUPS & SUV SKID STEER LOADER,

JD 3975 pull-type forage harvester TELEHANDLER & ATTACH. Highline Bale Pro CFR-650 bale MOTORCYCLE processor, small 1000 PTO ATV & RECREATION Meyer 3118 forage box, 18’ FARM SUPPORT ITEMS H&S HD forage box, 18’, 540 PTO

BANKRUPTCY AUCTION

For more information contact Randy Kath at Steffes Group, 320.693.9371 or 701.429.8894 Steffes Group, Inc., 24400 MN Hwy 22 South, Litchfield, MN 55355

320.693.9371 | SteffesGroup.com |

Randy Kath MN47-007

TERMS: All items sold as is where is. Payment of cash or check must be made sale day before removal of items.

Statements made auction day take precedence over all advertising. $35 documentation fee applies to all titled vehicles.

Titles will be mailed. Canadian buyers need a bank letter of credit to facilitate border transfer.

ADVERTISING NOTICE: Please check your ad the first week it runs. We make every effort to avoid errors by checking all copy, but sometimes errors are missed. Therefore, we ask that you review your ad for correctness. If you find a mistake, please call (507) 345-4523 immediately so that the error can be corrected. We regret that we cannot be responsible for more than one week's insertion if the error is not called to our attention. We cannot be liable for an amount greater than the cost of the ad. THE LAND has the right to edit, reject or properly classify any ad.

Each classified line ad is separately copyrighted to THE LAND. Reproduction without permission is strictly prohibited.

PAGE 25

Real Estate

020

Sell your land or real estate in 30 days for 0% commission. Call Ray 507-339-1272 Real Estate Wanted

021

WANTED: Land & farms. I have clients looking for dairy, & cash grain operations, as well as bare land parcels from 40-1000 acres.

Both for relocation & investments.

If you have even thought about selling contact: Paul Krueger, Farm & Land Specialist, Edina Realty, SW Suburban Office, 14198 Commerce Ave NE, Prior Lake, MN 55372. paulkrueger@edinarealty.com

(952)447-4700

www.thelandonline.com — “Where Farm and Family Meet”

PLANNING AN AUCTION?

Get the best results when you advertise in THE LAND

THE LAND — DECEMBER 15/DECEMBER 22, 2017 Bins & Buildings

033

Farm Implements

035 Farm Implements

Stormor Bins & EZ-Drys. FOR SALE: 48 JD loader w/no welds, bucket, $2,500.

100% financing w/no liens (507)391-5127 or red tape, call Steve at Fairfax Ag for an appointHydrostatic & Hydraulic Rement. 888-830-7757 pair Repair-Troubleshooting Sales-Design Custom Grain Handling Equip 034 hydraulic hose-making up to 2” Service calls made.

STOEN'S Hydrostatic SerFOR SALE:Used grain bins, vice 16084 State Hwy 29 N floors unload systems, stiGlenwood, MN 56334 320rators, fans & heaters, aer634-4360 ation fans, buying or selling, try me first and also call for very competitive JOHN DEERE 30 Ft 9” #726 Mulch Finisher w/ 5 Bar contract rates!

Office Coil Tine Drag All Good hours 8am-5pm Monday – Blades (19 3/4”) Real Good.

Friday Saturday 9am - 12 M&W #1465 Black 5 or 7 noon or call 507-697-6133 Shank EarthMaster (New Ask for Gary Condition). 319-347-6677

FOR SALE: snowblower, (507)399-3006 Tractors

035

Loftness 8' 1,000 RPM. 036

Case 2390, 1982, New engine 200 hrs, near new 12.5-54 duals & 11-16 fronts, 3spd power shift, AC, air seat, 3 remotes, 3pt hitch, 600 gal saddle tanks, set up for 20” rows, $20,500. (641) 590-1102 FOR SALE: '75 JD 4230 tractor, w/ soundguard cab, power shift, 5207 hrs, 18.4x34 radial tires, tractor is in excellent condition, $16,500. 763-662-2635

FOR SALE: JD 4450 2WD, 18.4R38 rear tires like new, Wilson grain trailer 40', alu- Meyer M300AS Spreader, 9100 hrs, 16spd Quad minum, new ag hoppers, Hyd. Apron, Top Beater, 1 Range, 540/1000 PTO, front elec roll tarp, elec traps, axle, 425-22.5 tires, brand weights, band duals, good spring ride, $20,000. (641) new, $14,000; Peterson bale running tractor, $24,900.

590-1102 wagon, 10 place, like new, 507-789-6049 $3,300. 715-764-2095 JD 7810 MFWD Tractor w/ Farm Implements 035 only 3600 hrs, 19spd Power New Haybuster 3106 rock Shift, 18.4R42 rears w/ dupicker & 2660 bale shredder FOR SALE: 2-Brent 644 als, 3 hyd remotes, 540/1000 $19,750/ea. Can deliver. 320gravity boxes, exc shape, PTO, very nice all around 543-3523 choice, $12,500; JD 726 38' tractor, $64,500. Call 507soil finisher, SN 789-6049 N00726X008238, very nice, Tile Injector 6" tile plow pull type tile plow, used NEW AND USED TRACTOR $15,500; 2-Minnesota 550 bu very little, w/ new IntelPARTS JD 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, gravity boxes, always shedlislope GPS controls incl.

55, 50 Series & newer tracded, choice, $7,250; New base station, also new tors, AC-all models, Large Tonutti 12 whl high capacitile stringer, possibly Inventory, We ship! Mark ty V rake, $8,750; JD 960 would sell as separate Heitman Tractor Salvage field cultivator w/ mulcher, items, $43,000.

(641) 590715-673-4829 $4,750. 763-360-2933 or 3201102 221-0319 Harvesting Equip 037 FOR SALE: Massey Harris 30 tractor, narrow front, tires excellent, runs good, shedded, $1,400/OBO. 218230-0590

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

FOR SALE: JD 7720 Titan II combine, PRWD, 5245 hrs, good condition, $12,000/OBO. 320-630-1598

Year End

Ag & Turf

OPENS: DECEMBER 18 / CLOSES: DECEMBER 28 | 1PM

2017

PAGE 26

JD 18R20 cornhead 90 series row units, auger slow down kit, JD poly snouts, Headsight height control, Truesight row guidance, knife rolls, some extra parts, $32,000. (641) 590-1102 Killbros 1800 grain cart 1000 bu, terra tires, scale w/ printer, roll tarp, red $18,000. (641) 590-1102 Planting Equip

Equipment is located at 4 True North locations: Grand Forks, Grafton, and Northwood, ND; and Kennedy, MN.

Financing available on major pieces. Pre-approval required for qualification. For information and pre-approval, contact Michael Leddige at True North Equipment, 701.335.3804. Sales tax laws apply per equipment location. Complete terms, lot listings and photos at SteffesGroup.com.

TO INCLUDE: Track & 4WD Tractors / MFWD Tractors / Combines GPS Equipment / Header Trailers / Air Seeder / Sprayers / Other Equip. / Landscaping Equip. / Lawn & Garden / Tires & Parts PLEASE NOTE the 2 year or 500 hour PowerGard warranties on the John Deere S680 combines.

PREVIEW: December 18-28 from 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM LOADOUT: December 29 from 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM & January 2-5 from 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM. No loading Saturday, December 30 - Monday, January 1.

Steffes Group, Inc., 2000 Main Ave E, West Fargo, ND

701.237.9173 | SteffesGroup.com Scott Steffes ND81, MN14-51

Mike Leddige, 701.335.3804 / or Dave Krostue at Steffes, 218.779.6865

038

FOR SALE: 2005 1790 16-32 planter w/ liq. Fert., w/red ball system, 500 gal tank, E-set planting unit, Yetter trash whippers, fluted coulters, smartbox insecticide, pneumatic down pressure, inspected annually, & serviced at Kibble Equipment, $55,000/OBO. 507-456-3007 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 & basket harrow, 30' working width, $15,000. (641) 590-1102 36 Ft GREAT PLAINS (2006) Discovator/Finisher w/ Hi Residue Drag (Double Fold) Original Blades (18 3/4”) Real Good. MANDAKO 46 Ft Land Roller (42”x 5/8 Wall) 3” Shafts (Not 2 7/16”) Like New. 319347-2349 Case IH 14 V-ripper, black springs, nice, always shedded, one owner, asking $3,500. (507)847-2638

THE LAND — DECEMBER 15/DECEMBER 22, 2017

www.thelandonline.com — “Where Farm and Family Meet”

039

FOR SALE: JD 2210 field cultivator, 38.5', 4-bar harrow, gauge wheels, very good condition, $15,000/OBO. (651)764-2433 SUNFLOWER #6200 27 Ft One Pass Finisher w/ Basket. #132 Unverferth 5 or 7 Shank 3Pt In-Line Zone Builder with/w/o Pull Hitch.

Both Like New. 319-347-6138 Machinery Wanted

WANTED TO BUY: Grain screener w/ soybean screener, excellent working condition. 507-317-1392 WANTED: Low hrs CIH 7200 or 8900 Series FWD. 763286-2868 Spraying Equip

041

Century 750 gal crop sprayer, tandem axle, 60' xfold boom, hyd pump, boom hgt & fold, always shedded, VG cond, w/ or w/out full control, $4,200/OBO. 507-4519614 Wanted

042

WANTED TO BUY: John Deere 200 stacker. (507)8280856 WANTED: 30' rotary hoe, good to excellent condition, flat fold. (320)248-4580 Feed Seed Hay

050

ALFALFA, mixed hay, grass hay & feed grade wheat straw, med. square or round bales, delivery available. Thief River Falls, MN Call or text LeRoy Ose: (218)689-6675 Livestock

054

FOR SALE: Black Angus bulls also Hamp, York, & Hamp/Duroc boars & gilts.

320-598-3790 Dairy

055

WANTED TO BUY: Dairy heifers and cows. 320-2352664 Cattle

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 29|10AM

LOCATION: 522 E 1st Ave., Webster, SD. From intersection of SD Hwys 12 and 25 in Webster, SD, 1 mile south on Hwy 25, 4 blocks east.

AUCTIONEER’S NOTE: Major equipment begins selling at 10:30 AM. Live online bidding available on major equipment. Registration, terms, & details at SteffesGroup.com.

056

FOR SALE OR LEASE REGISTERED BLACK ANGUS Bulls, 2 year old & yearlings; bred heifers, calving ease, club calves & balance performance. Al sired. In herd improvement program. J.W. Riverview Angus Farm Glencoe, MN 55336 Conklin Dealer 320864-4625 FOR SALE: 9 shorthorn steers, 500-700 lbs., vaccinated & poured. Renville, MN (320) 894-6271

MANDAKO

12’-60’ LONG ROLLERS

• 5/8” drum roller wall thickness • 42” drum diameter wall thickness • 4”x8” frame tubing 3/8” thick • Auto fold FOR THE BEST DEAL ORDER NOW!

Midsota Rock Trailers Available!

USED EQUIPMENT LARGE SELECTION OF WHEEL RAKES IN-STOCK

040

All kinds of New & Used farm equipment – disc chisels, field cults, planters, soil finishers, cornheads, feed mills, discs, balers, haybines, etc. 507-438-9782

PAGE 27

Webster, SD

Case IH 36R20 cultivator 36R20” cultivator set up for side dressing, 60' width, 2pt lift w/ rear assist wheels, double fold, double bar, gauge wheels, plumbed w/ variable rate orifices, $15,000. (641) 590-1102

2017

Tillage Equip

Tractors / Combines / Heads / Grain Cart / Sprayer Planters / Air Seeder / Tillage Equipment / Semi Tractors, Truck, Pickup / Hopper Bottom & Other Trailers / Terragators / Seed Tender & Augers/Conveyors Trackhoe & Wheel Loader / SUV / Parts & Farm Support

Steffes Group, Inc., 2000 Main Avenue East, West Fargo, ND 58078 701.237.9173 | SteffesGroup.com | Brad Olstad ND319

ALDRICH FARMS DARRELL & ROY ALDRICH

Roy 605.380.8466

or Brad Olstad at Steffes Group, 701.237.9173 or 701.238.0240

TERMS: All items sold as is where is. Payment of cash or check must be made sale day before removal of items. Statements made auction day take precedence over all advertising. $35 documentation fee applies to all titled vehicles. Titles will be mailed. Canadian buyers need a bank letter of credit to facilitate border transfer.

Buy More, Save More!

Best of

Back Roads

Back Roads features interesting people and unique places across rural Minnesota and northern Iowa. Part travel guide and part history lesson, “Best of Back Roads” makes a great gift for yourself and people who value rural life and for readers of The Land.

Regular price $39.99

Buy 1 for $30.00 or Buy 2 for $50.00 Stop by and pick it up or add $5.00 for postage and handling.

Offer good on walk-in or phone orders only.

507-345-4523 800-657-4665 418 S. Second Street, Mankato • TheLandOnline.com

IH 886 ���������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� $14,500 IH 5088 2WD, new motor ���������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� $19,500 CIH 1086, new motor & TA, nice ������������������������������������������������������������������������������$19,500 IH 1566, sharp ���������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� $19,500 H 3088, cab, 2WD, 5300 hrs ������������������������������������������������������������������������������������ $17,500 IH 3688, cab, 2WD, 3900 hrs ����������������������������������������������������������������������������������� $21,000 CIH 9370, 4WD, PS, 4300 hrs ���������������������������������������������������������������������������������� $77,000 IH 966, nice, no cab ����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� $11,500 Demco 365 gravity box ���������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������$4,500 Vermeer R2800 basket rake, like new������������������������������������������������������������������� $23,500 IH 766, New Motor, w/Cab 18�4-34 Tires, Nice ������������������������������������������������������� $12,500 NH C227, Skid Loader w/Tracks, 260 Hrs, Consign – 612-275-7674 ��������������������� $38,000 NH L225, Skid Loader 2012, 580 Hrs, Consign – 612-275-7674 ���������������������������� $34,000 CIH MX200, 2WD ������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������ $62,000 CIH 7240, FWA, 2400 hrs ����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� $72,000 CIH 8920, 2WD, 2200 hrs ����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� $64,000 CIH 7220, 6500 Hrs, 2WD ���������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� $47,000 CIH 7220, 2200 Hrs, 2WD ���������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� $71,000 CIH 7230, 2WD 540/1,000 PTO �������������������������������������������������������������������������������� $53,000 CIH 7210, 5800 Hrs, FWA ���������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� $55,000 CIH 7230, FWA, 3100 Hrs ���������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� $71,000 CIH 5240, Max FWA, 3100 Hrs with Loader ������������������������������������������������������������ $48,000 CIH 4800 Digger, 24-30’ ��������������������������������������������������������������������������$8,500 & $10,500 CIH 4300, Field Cultivator, 28’���������������������������������������������������������������������������������� $11,500 CIH 4300, Field Cultivator, 35’���������������������������������������������������������������������������������� $12,500 CIH 4800, Field Cultivator, 24’������������������������������������������������������������������������������������ $7,500 CIH 5278 Ripper ������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� $18,500 DMI 530B, w/Lead Shank, Nice ������������������������������������������������������������������������������� $16,500 Demco 550 Box�������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� $10,500 Demco 450��������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� $9,500-$10,500 JD 712 11-Shank Disc Chisel������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� $8,500 JD 714 9 Shank ���������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� $9,500 New 10-Wheel Rake On Hand Strex Explorer 10 Wheel Rake������������������������������� $8,900 IH 720 5x18 ����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� $3,000 Mandako New 42 Ft� Roller ������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� $33,000 Demco 650 Grain Cart ��������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� $18,500 NH 1465 Haybine������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� $9,500 Unverferth 430 Box ��������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� $8,500 JD 8300 12’ grain drill w/ grass & press wheels������������������������������������������������������� $7,500

New Sitrex Rakes Available Many New & Used Rakes Available

GREENWALD FARM CENTER Greenwald, MN • 320-987-3177 14 miles south of Sauk Centre

PAGE 28

www.thelandonline.com — “Where Farm and Family Meet”

THE LAND — DECEMBER 15/DECEMBER 22, 2017 Cattle

ice st Cho ir F r u Yo s! ssified for Cla

Place Yo ur Ad Today!

Livestock, Machinery, Farmland... you name it! People will buy it when they see it in The Land!

To submit your classified ad use one of the following options: Phone: 1-800-657-4665 or 507-345-4523 Mail to: The Land Classifieds P.O. Box 3169, Mankato, MN 56002 Fax to: 507-345-1027 Email: theland@TheLandOnline.com Online at: www.thelandonline.com

• Reach over 259,000 readers • Get more coverage • Start your ad in The Land • Add more insertions

THE FREE PRESS South Central Minnesota’s Daily News Source

DEADLINE: Friday at 5:00 p.m. for the following Friday edition. Plus! Look for your classified ad in the e-edition.

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The ad prices listed are based on a basic classified line ad of 25 words or less. Ads running longer than 25 words will incur an added charge.

CHECK ONE:  Announcements  Employment  Real Estate  Real Estate Wanted  Housing Rentals  Farm Rentals  Merchandise  Antiques & Collectibles  Auctions  Hay & Forage Equipment

          

Material Handling Bins & Buildings Grain Handling Equip.

Farm Implements Tractors Harvesting Equipment Planting Equipment Tillage Equipment Machinery Wanted Spraying Equipment Wanted

          

Farm Services Fencing Material Feed, Seed, Hay Fertilizer & Chemicals Poultry Livestock Dairy Cattle Horses Exotic Animals Sheep

        

Goats Swine Pets & Supplies Livestock Equipment Cars & Pickups Industrial & Construction Trucks & Trailers Recreational Vehicles Miscellaneous NOTE: Ad will be placed in the appropriate category if not marked.

Now... add a photo to your classified line ad for only $10.00!!

THE LAND

1 run @ $18.79 2 runs @ $32.84 3 runs @ $49.76 Each additional line (over 7) + $1.40 per issue EXTENDED COVERAGE - must run the same number of times as The Land FARM NEWS (FN) - Serving farmers in Northwest Iowa, 14,219 circ.

THE COUNTRY TODAY (CT) - Serving farmers in Wisconsin, 25,000 circ.

THE FREE PRESS (FP) - Serving south central Minnesota, 22,500 circ.

PAPER(S) ADDED (circle all options you want): FN CT FP ($7.70 for each paper, and each time) issues x $7.70 STANDOUT OPTIONS (THE LAND only) $2.00 per run:  Bold  Italic  Underline  Web/E-mail links  Photo (THEonly) LAND$10.00 only) per $10.00 oto (THE LAND run:per run:

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(Includes 1 Southern & 1 Northern issue)

This is NOT for businesses. Please call The Land to place line ads.

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Name _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Address _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________ City _________________________________________________ State _____________________ Zip _________________________________ Phone _________________________________________________________________________ # of times __________________________ Card # _________________________________________________________________________ Exp. Date __________________________

CHECK

SORRY!

We do not issue refunds.

Signature ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ADVERTISING NOTICE: Please check your ad the first week it runs. We make every effort to avoid errors by checking all copy, but sometimes errors are missed. Therefore, we ask that you review your ad for correctness. If you find a mistake, please call (507) 345-4523 immediately so that the error can be corrected. We regret that we cannot be responsible for more than one week’s insertion if the error is not called to our attention. We cannot be liable for an amount greater than the cost of the ad. THE LAND has the right to edit, reject or properly classify any ad. Each classified line ad is separately copyrighted to THE LAND. Reproduction without permission is strictly prohibited.

056 Sheep

060

Registered Texas Longhorn ATTENTION Sheep & Goat breeding stock, cows, Owners -- Year End Special heifers or roping stock, top —NEW 2 Way Sorting blood lines. 507-235-3467 Gates WAS $119 SALE $59.

NEW 3 Way Sorting Gates Scottish Highlander Cows & WAS $159 SALE $79.

Spring Calves (2) heifers Mineral Feeders WAS $139 and (2) bull calves and (1) SALE $99. Plus Shipping On adult bull. (320)272-4871 All Items. 319-347-6676 Spring calving, Purebred 065 Black Angus cows, bred to Swine our Black Granite son.

Compart's total program Also bulls www.teamjsi.com. features superior boars & Call 715-483-3866 open gilts documented by BLUP technology. Duroc, WANT TO BUY: Butcher York, Landrace & F1 lines. cows, bulls, fats & walkable Terminal boars offer leancripples; also horses, ness, muscle, growth. Masheep & goats. 320-235-2664 ternal gilts & boars are productive, lean, durable.

All are stress free & PRRS Horse 057 free. Semen also available through Elite Genes A.I. Marg Horse Company BuyMake 'em Grow! Comparts ing horses of all kinds.

Boar Store, INC. Toll Free: Please call. (715) 896-2213 877-441-2627

THE LAND — DECEMBER 15/DECEMBER 22, 2017 Trucks & Trailers

084

Miscellaneous

090

DRAINAGE FOR SALE: '18 Neville built PARMA PUMPS New pumps & aluminum grain trailer, 38 parts on hand. Call Min½', new condition, For phonesota's largest distributor to or info call or text 218HJ Olson & Company 320791-3400 974-8990 Cell – 320-212-5336

Thank You for reading THE LAND Miscellaneous

090

One call does it all!

With one phone call, you can place your classified ad in The Land, Farm News, AND The Country Today.

Call The Land for more info @ 507-345-4523 • 800-6574665.

Miscellaneous

www.thelandonline.com — “Where Farm and Family Meet” 090

REINKE IRRIGATION Sales & Service New & Used For your irrigation needs 888-830-7757 or 507-276-2073

WANT MORE READERS TO SEE YOUR AD??

Expand your coverage area!

The Land has teamed up with Farm News, and The Country Today so you can do just that! Place a classified ad in The Land and have the option of placing it in these papers as well.

More readers = better results! Call The Land for more information. 507-3454523 • 800-657-4665

Miscellaneous

090

Winpower Sales & Service Reliable Power Solutions Since 1925 PTO & automatic Emergency Electric Generators. New & Used Rich Opsata-Distributor 800-343-9376

PAGE 29

Wanted: Drivers/Farmers!

Farmers - if you’re looking for a great seasonal opportunity with Medical Insurance, contact us. We understand farming!

CDL with tanker endorsement, Hazmat and TWIC cards.

The loads pay on percentage of the total revenue starting at 25% – with standard runs this would be $71,400.00 per year.

Benefits: Full medical and disability insurance.

Sign on bonus of $5,000.00 The runs are daily and home nightly.

We are based out of Rosemount, MN by Pine Bend Terminal.

Please send resume to: info@jrproductionacres.com For more information, please leave a message at (507) 867-4552!

Sleepy Eye, MN (SE) (888) 645-7355 (507) 794-2131 Bingham Lake, MN (BL) (800) 705-6608 (507) 831-1106 Slayton, MN (SL) (507)836-8571

If you’re having a Farm Auction, let other Farmers know it!

Upcoming Issues of THE LAND Southern MNNorthern MN Northern IA **Jan. 5, 2018 **Dec. 29, 2017 Jan. 19, 2018 Jan. 12, 2018 Feb. 2, 2018 Jan. 26, 2018 Feb. 16, 2018 Feb. 9, 2018 Mar. 2, 2018 Deadlines are 1 week prior to publication with Holiday deadlines 1 day earlier ** Indicates Early Deadline

PO Box 3169 • Mankato, MN 56002 Phone: 507-345-4523 or 800-657-4665 Fax: 507-345-1027 Website: www.TheLandOnline.com e-mail: theland@TheLandOnline.com Ask Your Auctioneer to Place Your Auction in The Land!

Loc Stk #

Model................................................................................................................ Price

Loc Stk #

Model................................................................................................................ Price

SL SE BL SE SL SE BL BL SL SE SE SL SE SE SE SL SE BL SE SE BL BL SL BL SL SL SE SL SL SL SL SL

1986 CIH 1660 Combine, 3726 engine hrs .......................................................... $20,000 2005 CIH 2388 Combine, 3316 engine hrs, 2214 sep. hrs .................................. $75,000 2003 CIH 2388 Combine, 3376 engine hrs, 2623 sep. hrs .................................. $59,900 2013 CIH 6130 Combine, 660 engine hrs, 415 sep. hrs .................................... $229,950 2008 CIH 7010 Combine, 1534 sep. hrs ............................................................ $119,950 2010 CIH 7088 Combine, 1788 engine hrs, 1113 sep. hrs ................................ $129,950 2009 CIH 7120 Combine, 1908 engine hrs, 1435 sep. hrs ................................ $144,950 2014 CIH 7140 Combine, 928 engine hrs, 706 sep. hrs .................................... $247,785 2014 CIH 7230 Combine, 880 engine hrs, 762 sep. hrs .................................... $219,950 1988 CIH 1020-20F Header Combine.................................................................... $2,850 2012 CIH 3020-35 Header Combine.................................................................... $26,900 1996 CIH 1083 Header Corn Head ........................................................................ $6,950 2000 CIH 1083 Header Corn Head ...................................................................... $11,850 2006 CIH 2206 Header Corn Head ...................................................................... $17,850 2006 CIH 2208 Header Corn Head ...................................................................... $19,500 2008 CIH 2208 Header Corn Head ...................................................................... $22,000 2005 CIH 2208 Header Corn Head ...................................................................... $19,900 2001 CIH 2208 Header Corn Head ...................................................................... $11,500 2010 CIH 2606 Header Corn Head ...................................................................... $29,500 2006 CIH 2608 Header Corn Head ...................................................................... $16,500 2009 CIH 2608 Header Corn Head ...................................................................... $33,750 2009 CIH 2608 Header Corn Head ...................................................................... $29,950 2012 CIH 2612 Header Corn Head ...................................................................... $37,000 2012 DRAGO NR12TR Folding Header Corn Head ............................................... $55,000 2014 GRGHF RD630 Header Corn Head .............................................................. $47,500 2008 GRGHF RD630 Header Corn Head .............................................................. $30,000 BCAT M371 Skid Steer Loader .............................................................................. $3,000 2013 BCAT S590 Skid Steer Loader, 2888 engine hrs ......................................... $25,500 2015 BCAT S590 Skid Steer Loader, 550 engine hrs ........................................... $33,000 2013 BCAT S650 Skid Steer Loader, 1921 engine hrs ......................................... $29,500 2014 BCAT S650 Skid Steer Loader, 1128 engine hrs ......................................... $32,500 2014 BCAT S750 Skid Steer Loader, 4627 engine hrs ......................................... $26,500

SE SE BL SE BL BL SL SE BL BL BL BL SE SE BL SE SE SL SL SE SL BL BL BL SE SE SE SE SE SL SL BL

1996 CA 1845C Skid Steer Loader, 5462 engine hrs ........................................... $14,500 2015 CA SR220 Skid Steer Loader, 2306 engine hrs........................................... $35,900 2012 CA SR220 Skid Steer Loader, 1100 engine hrs........................................... $29,500 2013 CA SR250 Skid Steer Loader, 4198 engine hrs........................................... $26,500 2004 AGCO DT160, 5366 engine hrs ................................................................... $41,500 2011 CIH FARMALL 95, 2040 engine hrs ............................................................ $39,000 2017 CIH MAGNUM 250 PS T4B, 159 engine hrs .............................................. $197,500 2016 CIH MAGNUM 280 CVT T4B, 182 engine hrs ............................................ $210,000 2009 CIH MAGNUM 305, 2447 engine hrs ........................................................ $119,750 2013 CIH MAGNUM 340, 1360 engine hrs ........................................................ $173,500 2015 CIH MAGNUM 340, 723 engine hrs .......................................................... $228,975 2015 CIH MAGNUM 340, 347 engine hrs .......................................................... $218,875 2016 CIH MAGNUM 340 CVT T4B~2015-10-02, 883 engine hrs ...................... $225,000 2001 CIH MX110 & Loader, 8346 engine hrs ...................................................... $38,850 1998 CIH MX150, 6063 engine hrs ..................................................................... $44,750 2004 CIH MX285, 4217 engine hrs ..................................................................... $79,750 2010 CIH PUMA 155 & CIH L760 Loader, 6579 engine hrs ................................. $59,500 1940 IH H .............................................................................................................. $1,950 1981 IHC 5288, 4475 engine hrs......................................................................... $29,900 1969 JD 3020, 3804 engine hrs ............................................................................ $9,000 2009 MCORK TTX190, 1136 engine hrs .............................................................. $67,500 1995 NH 8970, 6600 engine hrs ......................................................................... $49,950 1992 CIH9230, 4WD, 6492 engine hrs ................................................................ $39,500 1999 CIH 9380 Q, 4WD, 7063 engine hrs............................................................ $77,000 2014 CIH STEIGER 370 HD, 4WD, 815 engine hrs ............................................ $225,000 2014 CIH STEIGER 400 ROWTRAC, 4WD, 1021 engine hrs............................... $239,950 2013 CIH STEIGER 450 4WD, heavy duty wheel, 622 engine hrs ...................... $209,950 2008 CIH STEIGER 485 QUADTRAC, 4WD, 2638 engine hrs ............................. $180,000 2013 CIH STEIGER 500, 4WD, 920 engine hrs .................................................. $239,900 2014 CIH STEIGER 540 QUADTRAC, 4WD, 1162 engine hrs ............................. $295,000 1998 JD 9400, 4WD, 5286 engine hrs ................................................................ $79,000 2012NH T9.560 HD, 4WD, 1388 engine hrs ...................................................... $205,000

consignwoodf 08642B 13072B 17109S KU5107 14679S 10895B 12542B KU5425 20186S 11842B KU5436 20245S 15790S 08182B KU4936 20130S 10419B 20174S 13177S 10756 10386B KU5332 12747B KU5412 KC1052 CNSGNUTZ V0534 V0562 V0523 V0549 V0541

FINANCING PROVIDED BY

© 2015 CNH America LLC. All rights reserved. Case IH is a registered trademark of CNH America LLC. CNH Capital is a trademark of CNH America LLC. www.caseih.com

60 18762S 16628S 17009S 13267B 13134B DEL20038S DEL19607S 13113B 12488B 12790B 12802B DEL19716S 20063S 13223B AU5426 14187S AU5433 consvossberg 20122S AU5430 19543S ibberconsign CosgnHes 13258B 5859 17086S 13079B 17048S A0606 AU5435 13012B

www.millersellner.com

PAGE 30

www.thelandonline.com — “Where Farm and Family Meet”

THE LAND — DECEMBER 15/DECEMBER 22, 2017

COMBINES & HEADS - PLANTERS

TRACTORS - TILLAGE

‘01 2366 Duals 2347/1658 ..............$83,500

‘15 New Farmall, 35 w/ Loader ........ $24,000

‘04 2388 Duals 2340/1936 ..............$99,500

‘91 7140 18,446 85% ........................ $58,500 ‘07 MX 305 3000 hrs....................... $109,500

‘10 6088 840/634...........................$169,500

‘09 MX 245 2100 hrs....................... $118,500

‘10 7120 1304/1004.......................$159,500

‘12 Magnum 315 1050 hrs ............. $169,500

‘13 7130 727/593...........................$199,900

‘03 STX 375 Quad 3000 ................. $139,500

‘13 7230 857/691...........................$219,500

‘04 STX 425 7710/38 3700 hrs ....... $112,500 ‘11 STX 485 Quad 2400 hrs ........... $199,900

‘10 2020 30’ Head ...........................$11,500

Artsway 240C Shredder.................... $9,950

‘04 2208 8-30 C.H ...........................$21,500

370 28 Cushion 3 Bar ..................... $26,500

‘06 2206 6-30 C.H ...........................$23,500

730C 7 Shank................................... $19,900

‘07 2608 Chopping .........................$26,500

870 18’ Reel ..................................... $46,500 870 18’ Harrow................................. $41,500

White 8200 12-30 ............................$38,500

Salford 8 Bottom Like New ............. $36,900

JD 1770NT 16-30 w/ Liq. Fert .........$45,000

Tigermate 32’ w/ 4 Bar ..................... $21,500

RABE INTERNATIONAL, INC

1205 Bixby Road (across from fairgrounds), Fairmont, MN 507-235-3358 or 800-813-8300 • Get the Rabe Advantage

Case IH and CNH Capital are registered trademarks of CNH America LLC

Visit our Web Site at http://www.caseih.com

THE LAND — DECEMBER 15/DECEMBER 22, 2017

www.thelandonline.com — “Where Farm and Family Meet”

PAGE 31

Happy Holidays from all of us at The Land!

Please note the early advertising deadlines:

The Land publishing on January 5, 2018: Display advertisements due Wednesday, Dec. 27, 2017 Classified line ads due Friday, Dec. 29, 2017

USED TRACTORS

NEW Versatile 500 w/ PS ....................................... Call NEW Versatile 310, FWA.............................. $157,900 ‘10 Versatile 435, 1050 hrs .......................... $150,000 ‘03 Versatile 2310, PS .................................... $85,000 ‘06 Buhler 2210 w/ auto steer........................ $92,500 NEW Massey GC1715 w/loader ............................ Call NEW Massey 7722 FWA CVT ................................ Call CAT 55 4,000 hrs ........................................... $67,000 CIH 3394 FWA................................................ $29,500 NEW NH T4.75 w/loader ........................................ Call NEW NH T9.645, w/Smart Trac ............................. Call NEW NH T4.120 ..................................................... Call NH T8.275, 495 hrs ...................................... $155,000 ‘12 NH T9.390, approx. 850 hrs. ......................... SOLD ‘08 NH 8010 ................................................. $114,500 Allis 180 D .........................................................$7,250 ‘12 Challenger MT 665D .............................. $155,000

TILLAGE

PLANTERS

NEW White Planters .............................................. Call ‘12 White 8186, 16-30 w/liq. fert. ................... $59,000 White 8222, 12-30 w/liq. fert. .............................. SOLD ‘11 White 8516 CFS, Loaded ......................... $85,000

COMBINES

NEW Fantini chopping cornhead .......................... Call Fantini Pre-Owned 8-30 chopping cornhead ............................................................. Call ‘02 Gleaner R62 ................................................... SOLD ‘94 Gleaner R62 .............................................. $38,000 ‘10 Gleaner R76, Loaded ............................. $195,000 ‘03 Gleaner R65 .................................................. SOLD Gleaner 3308 chopping corn heads ..................... Call 12’ Gleaner S67, 532 sep hrs ...................... $235,000

HAY TOOLS

New Hesston & NH Hay Tools - ON HAND

MISCELLANEOUS

NEW Salford RTS Units ......................................... Call NEW Salford Plows................................................ Call NEW Unverferth Seed Tenders ............................. Call NEW Westfield Augers .......................................... Call NEW REM 2700 Vac. ............................................. Call NEW Hardi Sprayers.............................................. Call NEW Riteway Rollers ............................................. Call NEW Lorenz Snowblowers .................................... Call NEW Batco Conveyors .......................................... Call NEW Brent Wagons & Grain Carts ........................ Call ‘13 NH 220, 170 hrs ............................................ SOLD NEW E-Z Trail Seed Wagons ................................. Call NEW NH Skidsteers - On Hand ............................. Call NEW Rock Buckets & Pallet Forks ........................ Call REM 2700, Rental .................................................. Call NH 230 w/ cab & air ....................................... $37,900 Pre-Owned Grain Cart .................................. On Hand ‘03 Sunflower, 32’, 5-bar spike ...................... $18,000 Sunflower 4610, 9-shank ............................... $45,000 DMI Tiger Mate II 40.5 w/ 4 bar ..................... $29,500 DMI 530B ............................................................... Call ‘08 JD 2210, 44.5’ w/3-bar harrow ................ $29,500

SKIDSTEERS

All Equipment available with Low Rate Financing

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

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

Where farmers buy, sell and trade.

ADVERTISER LISTING Agri Systems ................................................... 13 Anderson Seeds ................................................ 15 Compeer Financial ........................................... 17 Courtland Waste ........................................... 3, 21 Dairyland Seed Co. ............................................ 5 David Gass ...................................................... 25 Diers Ag & Trailer Sales .................................. 18 Doda USA, Inc. ................................................ 11 Excelsior Homes .............................................. 16 Greenwald Farm Center .................................... 27 Henslin Auctions ........................................ 25, 26 JR Production Acres ......................................... 29 Keith Bode ....................................................... 28 Larson Implement ...................................... 26, 30 Miller Sellner .................................................. 29 MN Pork Producers ............................................ 7 MN Soybean ...................................................... 9 MS Diversif ied ................................................ 30 Pruess Elevator ................................................ 29 Rabe International ............................................ 30 Schwartz Farms ................................................ 26 Schweiss .......................................................... 29 Smiths Mill Implement ..................................... 31 Spanier Welding ............................................... 10 Steffes Group ........................................25, 26, 27 Triad Construction ........................................... 14 507-345-4523 • 800-657-4665 PO Box 3169, Mankato, MN 56001 www.thelandonline.com

PAGE 32

www.thelandonline.com — “Where Farm and Family Meet”

THE LAND — DECEMBER 15/DECEMBER 22, 2017

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

Big Bear and Shining Light

S

ome months ago Teener O’Loughlin Swang was hauling newspapers to the recycling bin. Just before she put them in, she saw a weathered newspaper in the bin. It caught her eye because the 16 foot tall Northome Black Bear dominated the front page. The newspaper was a quarter of a century old — dated January 1992. A few months before discovering the newspaper, Teener had founded the Shining Light Cafe.

The cafe, on Main Street in Northome (population 200), is just a few steps away from the towering bear. So Teener had more then a passing interest in that newspaper.

“I have no idea who put it there,” she said while serving her homemade blueberry pie, “but friends of mine carved that bear. They are deceased now.”

The newspaper article says that Northome’s unnamed wood butchers carved the bear in 1987 because they were inspired by recordsized bears shot by area hunters and because they wanted to serve their community. Once the bear was standing on its street corner, community leaders pronounced the Northome area Big Bear Country and initiated a bear festival. An annual parade, now part of the celebration that includes the Koochiching County Fair, was also started.

Shining Light Cafe took a first place in the August 2017 parade in the category of “Marching/Walking.”

Teener started Shining Light Cafe in the same spirit that those old wood butchers carved and erected the Big Bear. Sure, she wanted an outlet for all the baked goods she loves to make, but she had a bigger vision.

“I had been through hard times and so had the community,” she said. “We all needed a place to get together and be a community.”

So, in May 2016, Teener opened Shining Light Cafe near the Big Bear. The cafe, like a lot of small town cafes, is a cross between an eatery and a community center. When we visited there was a woman at the counter sipping coffee and studying a laptop. In a booth, four teenaged girls were happily chatting and nearby a couple was ordering baked goods to go.

But Teener, her daughter Hattie, and the staff are pushing the envelope somewhat. In the dining room is a fireplace and a pile of children’s toys.

“We have a mother’s group that comes,” Teener says as she scoops up her own granddaughter Adalina. “The kids play and the moms visit.”

There is a piano in the corner if anybody cares to play and nearby the Big Bear stands tall and guards this small town’s shining light. v

Northome, Minn.

© 2017

December 22, 2017

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

Page 2 - December 22, 2017

December 22, 2017 - Page 3

MN AG EXPO Exhibitor List, 2018 For booth numbers and an interactive floor plan, visit mnagexpo.com • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

360 Yield Center Agassiz Seed & Supply AgFocus Agnition Ag Solutions Ag Spray Equipment Agweek AgXplore American Lung Association AURI Bayer Crop Science Beck’s Hybrids Blethen, Gage & Krause Blue Earth County Soil & Water Conservation District Blue Horizon Energy BNSF Railway CFS CHS Country Enterprises

MN AG EXPO Schedule of Events • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

DEKALB Asgrow Dow Agrosciences DuPont Pioneer Ellingson Companies Environmental Tillage Systems Farmers Business Network Gislason & Hunter Green Energy Products Gold Country Seed Heads Up Plant Protectants Hefty Seed Hewitt Drainage Equipment & Hewitt Precision Insights Houston Engineering Innovative Basement Systems Irrigators Association of Minnesota ISG Janesville Elevator Construction K&S Millwrights Kluis Publishing/Kluis Commodities Knutson + Casey Legend Seeds Linder Farm Network Litzau Farm Drainage Mathiowetz Construction MEG Corp.

Midwest Shippers Association Minnesota Ag in the Classroom Minnesota Agriculture Water Resource Center (MAWRC) Minnesota Agricultural Water Quality

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Certification Program Minnesota Corn Growers Association Minnesota FFA Foundation Minnesota Farm Bureau Minnesota Farmers Union / Minnesota Farmers Union Insurance Agency Minnesota Honey Producers Association Minnesota Soybean Growers Association Minnesota Soybean Research & Promotion Council Minnesota Turkey Growers Association Monsanto BioAg Mycogen NuTech Seed, LLC Profinium Proseed Renk Seed Company Rinke Noonan Sanco Equipment - Bobcat of Mankato Snell Motors Southern MN Center of Agriculture & AgCentric Steffes Group Inc. Stewart - Peterson SunOpta University of Minnesota Extension University of Minnesota Department of Agronomy US Meat Export Federation Visit Mankato Ziegler Ag Equipment

Don’t miss this lineup of speakers and sessions!

Register at mnagexpo.com

TUESDAY, JANUARY 23, 2018 10:00am – 3:00pm

AgPhD Agronomy Workshop – Must register through AgPhD to attend (Banquet Hall)

7:00pm – 10:00pm

MN AG EXPO Kick-Off Reception (Loose Moose Saloon and Conference Center)

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 24, 2018 8:00am – 5:30pm

Registration Open

8:00am – 10:30am

Exhibitor Set Up

9:00am – 12:00pm

MSGA Delegate Session and Annual Meeting (Banquet Hall West)

10:00am – 10:45am Al-Corn Ethanol Session – Ron Lamberty, American Coalition for Ethanol (Meeting Room 247) 11:00am – 11:45am Pollinators and Minnesota Agriculture – Dan Whitney, Minnesota Honey Producers Association, Dr. Marla Spivak, University of Minnesota (Meeting Room 245) 11:00am – 4:00pm

Trade Show Open

12:00pm – 1:00pm

Lunch sponsored by MN Pork (Boxed – Trade Show)

12:15pm – 1:00pm

REG Biodiesel Session – Minnesota and the Move to B20 with Hoon Ge (Meeting Room 245)

1:00pm – 1:45pm

Researcher Introductions (Trade Show Stage)

1:45pm – 2:45pm

Blue Horizon Renewable Energy Session, The Future of Renewables – Ellen Anderson, U of MN Energy Transition Lab, Mike Bull, Center for Energy and Environment (Trade Show Stage)

3:00pm – 4:00pm

Dow, Mankato Region Enlist Growers Meeting (Meeting Room 247)

5:00pm – 6:30pm

Farmers Business Network Trade Show Reception and Dinner with Charles Baron (Banquet Hall)

7:00pm – 11:00pm

Beano & Vino Casino Night (Mankato City Center)

THURSDAY, JANUARY 25, 2018 7:00am – 3:00pm

Registration Open

7:30am – 8:30am

MN Corn PAC Breakfast (Reception Hall)

8:00am – 4:00pm

Trade Show Open

8:15am – 9:00am

Morning Markets Early Riser Session with Al Kluis (Trade Show Stage)

9:00am – 12:00pm

MCGA Delegate Session and Annual Meeting (Banquet Hall West)

9:30am – 10:00am

Researcher Introductions (Trade Show Stage)

10:00am – 10:45am Farm Bill Panel, Sponsored by: Profinium and MN Farmers Union – Kevin Paap, MN Farm Bureau, Gary Wertish, MN Farmers Union and Colleen Moriarty, Hunger Solutions (Meeting Room 245) 11:00am– 11:45am

Gov. Candidates Panel (Trade Show Stage)

12:30pm – 2:00pm

MCGA & MSGA Lunch, Sponsored by: Asgrow and Gislason & Hunter (Banquet Hall) Blois Olson, Fluence Media “2018 Elections and the Impact on your Farm”

2:15pm – 3:30pm

Closing Keynotes featuring Chris Novak, NCGA, Polly Ruhland, USB (Trade Show Stage)

Page 2 - December 22, 2017

December 22, 2017 - Page 3

MN AG EXPO Exhibitor List, 2018 For booth numbers and an interactive floor plan, visit mnagexpo.com • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

360 Yield Center Agassiz Seed & Supply AgFocus Agnition Ag Solutions Ag Spray Equipment Agweek AgXplore American Lung Association AURI Bayer Crop Science Beck’s Hybrids Blethen, Gage & Krause Blue Earth County Soil & Water Conservation District Blue Horizon Energy BNSF Railway CFS CHS Country Enterprises

MN AG EXPO Schedule of Events • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

DEKALB Asgrow Dow Agrosciences DuPont Pioneer Ellingson Companies Environmental Tillage Systems Farmers Business Network Gislason & Hunter Green Energy Products Gold Country Seed Heads Up Plant Protectants Hefty Seed Hewitt Drainage Equipment & Hewitt Precision Insights Houston Engineering Innovative Basement Systems Irrigators Association of Minnesota ISG Janesville Elevator Construction K&S Millwrights Kluis Publishing/Kluis Commodities Knutson + Casey Legend Seeds Linder Farm Network Litzau Farm Drainage Mathiowetz Construction MEG Corp.

Midwest Shippers Association Minnesota Ag in the Classroom Minnesota Agriculture Water Resource Center (MAWRC) Minnesota Agricultural Water Quality

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Certification Program Minnesota Corn Growers Association Minnesota FFA Foundation Minnesota Farm Bureau Minnesota Farmers Union / Minnesota Farmers Union Insurance Agency Minnesota Honey Producers Association Minnesota Soybean Growers Association Minnesota Soybean Research & Promotion Council Minnesota Turkey Growers Association Monsanto BioAg Mycogen NuTech Seed, LLC Profinium Proseed Renk Seed Company Rinke Noonan Sanco Equipment - Bobcat of Mankato Snell Motors Southern MN Center of Agriculture & AgCentric Steffes Group Inc. Stewart - Peterson SunOpta University of Minnesota Extension University of Minnesota Department of Agronomy US Meat Export Federation Visit Mankato Ziegler Ag Equipment

Don’t miss this lineup of speakers and sessions!

Register at mnagexpo.com

TUESDAY, JANUARY 23, 2018 10:00am – 3:00pm

AgPhD Agronomy Workshop – Must register through AgPhD to attend (Banquet Hall)

7:00pm – 10:00pm

MN AG EXPO Kick-Off Reception (Loose Moose Saloon and Conference Center)

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 24, 2018 8:00am – 5:30pm

Registration Open

8:00am – 10:30am

Exhibitor Set Up

9:00am – 12:00pm

MSGA Delegate Session and Annual Meeting (Banquet Hall West)

10:00am – 10:45am Al-Corn Ethanol Session – Ron Lamberty, American Coalition for Ethanol (Meeting Room 247) 11:00am – 11:45am Pollinators and Minnesota Agriculture – Dan Whitney, Minnesota Honey Producers Association, Dr. Marla Spivak, University of Minnesota (Meeting Room 245) 11:00am – 4:00pm

Trade Show Open

12:00pm – 1:00pm

Lunch sponsored by MN Pork (Boxed – Trade Show)

12:15pm – 1:00pm

REG Biodiesel Session – Minnesota and the Move to B20 with Hoon Ge (Meeting Room 245)

1:00pm – 1:45pm

Researcher Introductions (Trade Show Stage)

1:45pm – 2:45pm

Blue Horizon Renewable Energy Session, The Future of Renewables – Ellen Anderson, U of MN Energy Transition Lab, Mike Bull, Center for Energy and Environment (Trade Show Stage)

3:00pm – 4:00pm

Dow, Mankato Region Enlist Growers Meeting (Meeting Room 247)

5:00pm – 6:30pm

Farmers Business Network Trade Show Reception and Dinner with Charles Baron (Banquet Hall)

7:00pm – 11:00pm

Beano & Vino Casino Night (Mankato City Center)

THURSDAY, JANUARY 25, 2018 7:00am – 3:00pm

Registration Open

7:30am – 8:30am

MN Corn PAC Breakfast (Reception Hall)

8:00am – 4:00pm

Trade Show Open

8:15am – 9:00am

Morning Markets Early Riser Session with Al Kluis (Trade Show Stage)

9:00am – 12:00pm

MCGA Delegate Session and Annual Meeting (Banquet Hall West)

9:30am – 10:00am

Researcher Introductions (Trade Show Stage)

10:00am – 10:45am Farm Bill Panel, Sponsored by: Profinium and MN Farmers Union – Kevin Paap, MN Farm Bureau, Gary Wertish, MN Farmers Union and Colleen Moriarty, Hunger Solutions (Meeting Room 245) 11:00am– 11:45am

Gov. Candidates Panel (Trade Show Stage)

12:30pm – 2:00pm

MCGA & MSGA Lunch, Sponsored by: Asgrow and Gislason & Hunter (Banquet Hall) Blois Olson, Fluence Media “2018 Elections and the Impact on your Farm”

2:15pm – 3:30pm

Closing Keynotes featuring Chris Novak, NCGA, Polly Ruhland, USB (Trade Show Stage)

Page 4 - December 22, 2017

THE LAND, Advertising Supplement

© 2017

December 22, 2017 SOUTHERN EDITION

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