THE LAND ~ January 12, 2018 ~ Southern Edition

“Since 1976, Where Farm and Family Meet” © 2018

Januar y 12, 2018 Januar y 19, 2018

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

Januar y 6, 2017

NORTHERN EDITION

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Old crop, new crop

App(le)ealing Pork Hoch Orchards are patrolled by pigs to promote healthy apples and animals — See page 11

PLUS: MFU president retires • Heirloom cider • Dairy nutrition • Seed research

Hemp is making a comeback in Minnesota and Mike Erickson has added it to his crop rotation See page 14

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THE LAND — JANUARY 12/JANUARY 19, 2018

Winter days and nights P.O. Box 3169 418 South Second St. Mankato, MN 56002 (800) 657-4665 Vol. XLII ❖ No. 1 32 pages, 1 section plus supplements

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Cover photo submitted by Mike Erickson

COLUMNS Opinion Farm and Food File The Bookworm Sez Table Talk Calendar of Events Farm Programs Marketing Auctions/Classifieds Advertiser Listing Back Roads

2-4 4 5 13 17 22 24-25 27-31 31 32

STAFF

Publisher: Steve Jameson: sjameson@mankatofreepress.com General Manager: Deb Petterson: dpetterson@TheLandOnline.com Managing Editor: Paul Malchow: editor@TheLandOnline.com Associate Editor: Marie Wood: mwood@TheLandOnline.com Staff Writer: Dick Hagen: rdhagen35@gmail.com Advertising Representatives:

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Subscription and Distribution: Free to farmers and agribusinesses in Minnesota and northern Iowa. $25 per year for non-farmers and people outside the service area. The Land (USPS 392470) Copyright © 2018 by The Free Press Media is published biweekly by The Free Press, 418 S 2nd Street, Mankato, MN 56001-3727. Business and Editorial Offices: 418 S. 2nd Street, Mankato, MN 56001-3727, Accounting and Circulation Offices: Steve Jameson, 418 S 2nd Street, Mankato, MN 56001-3727.

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Prairie Publishing newspapers reported Now I get that Mankato isn’t that firefighters worked for three days, Minneapolis, but getting out of town may Dec. 29-31, to put out a grain bin fire at be just what you need.

LB Pork in Northrup, Minn. Prairie Facebook — My advice is to stay off it Publishing reported that on Dec. 28, an (except for TheLandOnline page). Your explosion occurred and three employees friends are posting photos of their chilsuffered minor injuries. In the early dren playing in the Hawaiian surf, marmorning hours of Dec. 29, the elevator garitas sweating atop a beach bar, and caught fire. Emergency responders were toes in the sand. No need to rub it in. You on the scene. A shout out to all the voluncan almost smell the Coppertone in these LAND MINDS teer firefighters who pumped water in the posts. bitter cold. We are thankful for everyone’s

By Marie Wood Hibernate — Do what we do best in safety. To read more, visit Minnesota. Retreat into your cozy www.prairiepublishingmn.com. home. Binge-watch a TV series or n catch up on movies. Head to the When the cold blue sky and winter sunshine meet library and pick up some summer reads. You know, the white landscape, everything looks clean and the books whose covers have chairs on a beach, starbright. We can only imagine that we are looking at fish in the surf, a lake cabin. Throw on your sweats a sandy beach and ocean blue. and hunker down. Or duck out to the shop, crank the heat and turn on the game or RFD-TV. There’s If you’re like me, you do not have any “someplace lots to tinker with and the pizza oven’s always warm” vacation plans this winter. No money for ready to go. sunshine. And you’re too young to be a snow bird.

Alaska — Yes, Alaska. My husband loves the realAlthough last year, I did head to Arizona in late ity shows set in Alaska. “Life Below Zero” is a favorMarch expecting a long warm weekend. We landed ite.

I enjoy watching them too. They work hard in a in Phoenix in temperatures of 90-some. Then we rented a car and headed for the Grand Canyon. Our harsh climate (sound familiar?), but they truly are living in America’s Last Frontier. Last night, I second day in the canyon, we awoke to snow. Not exactly, the late winter warm-up I had in mind. Still watched a family hunt and clean muskrats for meat it was a fun adventure. In three days in Arizona, we and pelts. Then I watched them eat muskrat and rice. They’re not ordering pizza and drinking Cokes experienced all four seasons. in the wilderness. Let’s be thankful for our food Part of my job is monitoring social media so I see down here in the Lower 48. plenty of vacation posts from friends, families and No Stress — Traveling is stressful. There’s flights colleagues. I decided to post one from the Grand to book, planes to catch, hotel rooms to reserve, Canyon. It was a selfie of me with the caption: “My husband and I finally made it to the Grand Canyon packing, arrangements for your mail, work missed, school missed. Stay home, relax and enjoy. and he didn’t push me off.” To which a dear cousin replied, “It’s still early.”

Winter Wonderland — Sledding, snow angels, walking in the quiet after a fresh snow … These are But this year I am in Minnesota all year long. So a few of my favorite things! join me as I look on the bright side.

Sip your hot cocoa and take this time to fill out MN AG EXPO — Head to Mankato for the MN your subscription form for The Land. You’ll find it in AG EXPO, Jan. 24-25, at the Verizon Center. If you choose to stay the night, there are hotels connected this issue. Shameless plug, I know, but I don’t want to the Verizon Center. You don’t even have to go out- you to miss a single issue in 2018. side to take in the trade show, seminars and speakMarie Wood is associate editor of The Land. She ers. You will see old friends and meet new ones. may be reached at mwood@TheLandOnline.com. v

OPINION

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

6 — Schedule of events and speakers for the Minnesota Pork Congress 9 — Remembering a Minnesota agriculture icon 11 — Preview of the MN AG EXPO coming to Mankato Jan. 24-25

THERE’S EVEN MORE ONLINE... @ TheLandOnline.com • “Nuts and Bolts” — News and new products from the ag industry • “Calendar of Events” — Check out The Land’s complete events listing • “E-Edition” — Archives of past issues of The Land

B:10.417” T:10.417”

THE LAND — JANUARY 12/JANUARY 19, 2018

S:9.767” www.thelandonline.com — “Where Farm and Family Meet”

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THE LAND — JANUARY 12/JANUARY 19, 2018

Anti-science of ‘sound science’ has tobacco industry roots For more than 20 years, “proactively pass legislation farm and ranch groups, to help their cause.”

Congress, and Big Agbiz have The linchpin, Aschwanden used the phrase “sound scicontinues, was the “sound science” like a sharp shovel to ence tactic exploits a fundaundermine agricultural policy mental feature of the scientifthey want to alter or bury. ic process: Science does not Ask them to define “sound produce absolute certainty.” In science,” however, and you’ll fact, it can’t because science is get no clear explanation.

FARM & FOOD FILE a “process” that “can rarely That’s because “sound science” answer more than one quesis a political weapon, not a

By Alan Guebert tion at a time, and each new branch of knowledge. As study usually raises a such, sound science really bunch of new questions in is science that sounds good the process of answering to them if it guts legislaold ones.” tion or rules they oppose.

That basic truth of good science — that This savory device has an unsavory his- “‘every answer is provisional and subject tory, writes Christie Aschwanden, the to change in the face of new evidence,’” lead science writer for the website one scientist tells Aschwanden — became FiveThirtyEight. “The phrase was adoptthe “tobacco’s industry’s brilliant tactic… ed by the tobacco industry in the 1990s to to turn this baked-in uncertainty against counteract mounting evidence linking sec- the scientific enterprise itself.” ondhand smoke to cancer,” she reports.

Brilliant, indeed, because “While insistThe strategy, Aschwanden explains in ing that they merely wanted to ensure her Dec. 6 post, arose after the that public policy was based on sound sciEnvironmental Protection Agency conence, tobacco companies defined the term firmed the link in a 1992 report. Phillip in a way that ensured that no science Morris, a big player in Big Tobacco, could ever be sound enough. The only responded with an initiative it called sound science was certain science, which “sound science,” a program meant to “dis- is an impossible standard to achieve.” credit the EPA report,” she writes, and

OPINION

Or put more succinctly, “Doubt is our product,” wrote one Big Tobacco executive way back in 1969 because doubt “is the best means of competing with the ‘body of fact’ and establishing a controversy.”

That clever move — creating doubt because the “impossible standard” of certain science is unattainable — is a political tactic that Stanford University historian Robert Proctor calls, interestingly, “agnogenesis,” reports Aschwanden, or “the intentional manufacture of ignorance... deliberately created by agents who don’t want you to know.”

The goal, as one “merchant of doubt” tells FiveThirtyEight, is elegantly cynical: “We’re the negative force. We’re just trying to stop stuff.”

That confession —“We’re just trying to stop stuff.” — reveals an even more basic truth about the public fight between “open science” and “sound science.” “These controversies are really about values, not scientific facts,” writes Aschwanden, “and acknowledging that would allow us to have more truthful and public debates.”

But don’t hold your breath for such debates anytime soon because the GOPled Congress and the White House are busy taking sound science to neverexplored heights.

For example, on March 29, 2017, the U.S. House of Representatives narrowly passed what its sponsor, Lamar Smith, a Texas Republican who chairs the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, calls the HONEST Act. A more honest name for it would be the Dishonest Act because it institutionalizes Big Tobacco’s ignorance-inspiring, doubtproducing sound science standard as the law of the land. More specifically, the central part of the bill prevents EPA from developing rules, wrote Ed Yong for The Atlantic, unless all the information it used to write any rule was “publicly available online in a manner that is sufficient for independent analysis and substantial reproduction of research results.”

That’s a standard that Congress, your seed corn company, machinery company or farm group has never and will never meet. And that’s the point — EPA will therefore not be able to develop any public policy rule.

As troubling as the proposed law — currently in the hands of the Senate — is, even more troubling is that 43 of the 46 members of the House Ag Committee voted for its anti-science “sound science” ignorance.

Shame, shame. v

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Book explores highs, lows of marijuana in America Is the grass greener on the other “Grass Roots: The Rise and Fall and Rise side of the fence? of Marijuana in America” It doesn’t seem to be. Your side looks just fine, healthy, and filled

by Emily Dufton with weed. There’ll be no poison on c.2017, Basic Books that, though; weed is exactly what $28.00 / $36.50 Canada you want there and in the new book 312 pages “Grass Roots” by Emily Dufton, you see how, historically, that’s been a THE BOOKWORM good thing and it’s been bad.

SEZ swept into suburbia.

Had you lived in Jamestown 400 Still, despite that weed

By Terri Schlichenmeyer years ago, you would’ve been under was widespread, it had its an interesting edict: all colonists detractors: Richard Nixon “despised” marijuana were required by law to cultivate hemp plants. Hemp, and did everything he could to link it to society’s a super-strong natural fiber, was important for the ills. Even so, as he “helped pass one of the most making of cloth and rope and, by the late 1800s, its sweeping drug laws in American history,” many by-product, cannabis, was used as medicine. questioned whether those laws were fair, especially Just a few decades later, however, Prohibition was considering the number of arrests for possession of on its way in and marijuana was on its way out. The pot. Meanwhile, in Oregon, a member of the House 1937 Marijuana Tax Act made possession and trans- and a pig farmer helped decriminalize weed in 1973, becoming the first state to do so; no other fer of cannabis illegal and that was the final word. state was willing to follow suit, until Richard Nixon For awhile. resigned and the decriminalization movement On August 16, 1964, Lowell Eggemeier stepped began anew. into San Francisco’s Hall of Justice “and politely By 1978, it was reported that children had “easy asked to be arrested for smoking pot,” which was a access to head shops,” and parents went on the felony then. He got what he wanted: to “launch a offensive. Nancy Reagan just said “no,” and everyrevolution….” By 1968, “pot had become fiercely one worried that joints led to crack cocaine. political” from coast to coast; by 1970, its usage had

Antidrug sentiment was everywhere, until we came full-circle: in the 1980s, AIDS brought back the idea of marijuana as medicine…

“Grass Roots” proves that marijuana has had its highs through the years — and its lows. But learning about it could have been so much more fun.

True, there’s a lot of historical information inside this book, so it can absolutely be said that author Emily Dufton offers what her subtitle promises.

There are dates and stats and presidents and activists here, plenty of laws and names, but all that info is pretty dry in its delivery. It’s not bad — it’s just not very lively. It should also be mentioned that it’s mostly about smoke-able marijuana, not hemp-as-crop.

And yet — anyone wanting to know about where weed’s been and where it’s going would be happy with this book. It’s comprehensive and fact-filled, which makes it a treasure-trove for the right reader.

And if that’s you, then “Grass Roots” is a great place to spend your green.

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

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THE LAND — JANUARY 12/JANUARY 19, 2018

Minnesota Pork Congress in Minneapolis Jan. 16-17 Minnesota Pork Congress is the Midwest’s swine specific trade show and education event that features a wide variety of tradeshow exhibitors, timely seminars and social activities designed exclusively for pig farmers and pork industry stakeholders Tuesday, Jan. 16 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Pork Congress Registration, Minneapolis Convention Center, Mezzanine Level 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Pork Congress Trade Show, Minneapolis Convention Center, Hall A 9-10 a.m., Seminar: Survival of Foreign Animal Disease Viruses in Feed Ingredients: What are the Threats and Mitigation Options? Speaker is Scott Dee, director of research, Pipestone Veterinary Services. This session will attempt to answer the question whether viruses can survive in feed ingredients as they are moved between countries and across oceans. Of particular interest will be new information on whether African Swine Fever Virus can survive a Trans-Atlantic journey from Poland to Des Moines, along with what options may be available to reduce this risk.

10:30-11:30 a.m., Seminar: Pork Export Outlook with speaker Dermot J. Hayes, professor of economics, Iowa State University.

Exports are critical to the long-term success of the U.S. pork industry; yet, in today’s current political climate export dynamics may be best described by one word — volatile. Dermot Hayes will provide insight into what the future holds for pork exports and how the opportunities and adversity will impact the U.S. pork industry.

1-2 p.m., Seminar: The Big Fat Surprise: Why Butter, Meat and Cheese Belong in a Healthy Diet with speaker Nina Tiecholz, investigative journalist and author of the New York Times bestseller, “The Big Fat Surprise: Why Butter, Meat & Cheese Belong in a Healthy Diet.” Named a “Best Book” of the year by the Wall Street Journal, The Econo-

mist, Forbes, Mother Jones, and Library Journal, the book has upended the conventional wisdom on dietary fat and challenged the very core of nutrition policy.

2:30-3:30 p.m., Seminar: Sow Mortalities Discussion with speakers: Henry Johnson and Brad Leuwerke of Swine Vet Center.

An overview of sow mortality, cost of prolapses, and possible intervention strategies to decrease the occurrence of prolapses on your farm.

5 p.m., Trade show closes 5:15 p.m., Hormel/Zoetis Social Hour with special guest: America’s Pig Farmer of the Year, Leslie McCuiston, Minneapolis Hilton, Ballrooms Wednesday, January 17 9 a.m.-noon, Pork Congress Registration, Minneapolis Convention Center, Mezzanine Level 9 a.m.-1:30 p.m., Pork Congress Trade Show, Minneapolis Convention Center, Hall A 9-10 a.m., Seminar: Uncommon Allies — Farmers and Environmental Groups with Joe Smentek, Minnesota Soybean Research and Promotion Council.

There seems to be new environmental groups being created every day attacking everything from what farmers produce to the way in which they produce it. Many dollars are spent lobbying the Legislature and local governments trying to put restrictions on farmers. In response, farm groups need to spend large amounts of money to fight the issue of the day. In many cases there are common enemies plaguing both groups. Could working together strategically result in money being spent more efficiently fighting the real problem? Farmers and environmental groups can team up to fight invasive species, reduce the country’s carbon footprint, clean the waters of the state and more by working together.

See PORK CONGRESS, pg. 8

For directions and maps to the Minneapolis Convention Center, visit: www.minneapolisconventioncenter.com Visit www.mnporkcongress.com for updates.

THE LAND — JANUARY 12/JANUARY 19, 2018

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Minnesota Pork Congress Exhibitors A A. J. O’Mara Group.....................429 Action TrackPorter......................425 ADA Enterprises, Inc..................344 ADM Animal Nutrition.................348 Ag Property Solutions................620 Ag Tech Security........................605 Agri Feed International...............419 Agriculture Utilization Research Institute.................................516 Agri-Tech Enterprises, Inc..........538 Alkota Cleaning Systems, Inc.....314 All America Pressure Washers....432 Altenburg Construction Slat Replacement.........................114 American Resources/ROTECNA..315 Anez Consulting, Inc...................111 Animal Health International........428 Aptimmune................................419 Aurora Pharmaceutical..............248 Automated Production Systems.148 B Babcock Genetics, Inc................120 Balzer, Inc. ................................649 Barn Vista..................................251 Bazooka Farmstar......................541 BCF Technology.........................544 Better Air MFG...........................109 Big Dutchman Pig Equipment.....309 Biomin.......................................531 Blue Horizon Energy...................634 Boar Max Inc.............................551 Boehringer Ingelheim.................540 Boss Supply, Inc.........................535 C Cambridge Vaccines..................350 Canarm.................................... 145 Central Confinement Service......337 Central Life Sciences.................449 Choice Genetics.........................451

Chore-Time...............................234 CIH- Commodity & Ingredient Hedging.................................140 Comfort-Zone Cellulose Insulation...............................519 Compart’s Boar Store, Inc..........332 Conception Ro-Main..................156 Courtland Waste Handling Inc.....424 Crystal Spring Hog Equipment/Gro Master...................................225 Cutco Cutlery.............................645 D D & D Distributing .....................205 Devenish Nutrition.....................553 DNA Genetics.............................318 Doda..........................................208 Double L Group..........................105 Dow AgroSciences.....................349 DPI Global..................................417 E Easy Automation Inc..................615 Ecodrum Composter .................627 EIP Manufacturing LLC...............440 Elanco.......................................104 Energy Panel Structures, Inc .....410 Eneryficient...............................150 Engineered Products Company..134 Environment Control Systems of Morris....................................448 F Farmweld..................................325 Fast Genetics.............................228 Form-A-Feed.............................409 Furst-McNess Company.............511 G GenePro Inc...............................246 Genesus....................................508 Gestal by Jyga Technologies......446 Green Energy Products..............611

Minneapolis Convention Center Trade Show hours: Tues., Jan. 16, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

Wed., Jan. 17, 9 a.m.-1:30 p.m.

Admission: $15 at the door www.mnporkcongress.com H Hansen Ag Solutions..................539 Hawk Alarm Systems.................218 Hen-Way Mfg., Inc.....................235 HerdStar LLC.............................230 Hog Slat.....................................320 Hormel Foods............................210 Hubbard Feeds..........................306 Hurley & Associates...................207 Hydro Engineering, Inc...............244 I I.M.V. Technologies USA.............131 Innovative Heating Technologies .............................................236 Interstate PowerSystems...........220 ISG............................................224 J J & D Manufacturing..................533 L Lange Ag Systems.....................135 LB White....................................319 Lloyd’s Construction Services....434 Lynch Livestock Inc...................106 M Manitoba Pork Council...............507 Maximum Ag Technologies.........518

Merck Animal Health..................304 MetaFarms, Inc..........................607 Midwest Livestock Systems.......345 Minitube USA, Inc......................633 Minnesota Corn Growers Assoc..204 Minnesota Farm Bureau.............407 Minnesota Pollution Control Agency..................................130 Minnesota Pork Board................636 Minnesota Pork Board Media.....149 Minnesota Pork Producers Association............................214 MN Ag Water Resource Center...346 Motomco...................................113 Multifan.....................................447 Munters Corporation/Aerotech Fans......................................352 MWI Animal Health....................226 N NAS...........................................328 National Pork Board...................642 National Pork Producers Council..................................214 Nedap Livestock Management ..231 New Standard US, Inc................250 NexThermal...............................621

Norbrook...................................631 Northern Lakes Slat Repair and Replacement.........................152 NutriQuest ................................414 O Olmix ........................................532 Once, Inc...................................119 Osborne Industries, Inc..............547 P PALS..........................................420 Parker HVAC Filtration Products.536 Perkins Lumber, Inc...................418 Pharmgate Animal Health...........534 Phibro Animal Health.................415 PIC............................................524 PIC GTC.....................................526 PigCHAMP.................................117 PigEasy, LLC..............................639 PitCharger.................................138 Pork Storks Midwest Semen Center........................609 Praedium...................................635 Prairie Livestock Supply.............527 Prairie Pride/PW Aire..................338 PrairiE Systems.........................324 Pro Ag Fabrication LLC...............428 Puck Custom Enterprises...........103 Purina Animal Nutrition..............504 Q QC Supply..................................116 R Ralco Nutrition, Inc.....................238 Red Rock Holdings.....................619 RMS Roller-Grinder, Inc..............426 Rush River Steel....................... 525

S Schick Enterprises.....................139 SDI ...........................................604 Sharp Industries........................618 Skarpohl Pressure Washer Inc....406 Smithfield..................................221 Soppe Systems, Inc...................333 Southwest Agri-Plastics, Inc.......444 Sudenga Industries, Inc..............652 Superior Concrete......................530 Swine Robotics, Inc....................123 T Tech Mix, Inc..............................514 The Parks Companies................411 Thorp Equipment.......................334 Tonisity......................................452 Topigs Norsvin USA....................108

U United Animal Health.................217 University of Minnesota..............104 U of M 4 State Ventilation Trailer....................................557 V VAL-CO......................................241 Vanberg Specialized Coatings....436 Vet Sales EZ Preg Checkers.......347 Vita Plus Corporation.................206 W Wieser Concrete – 431....................

Win-Win LLC – 132..........................

Y Ymker Insulation – 427....................

Z Zoetis – 305....................................

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Minnesota Pork Congress schedule continued PORK CONGRESS, from pg. 6 10-11 a.m., Seminar: Preparing for a Foreign Animal Disease: An overview of the Secure Pork Supply Plan with Dave Wright of Wright Veterinary Services.

There is a high probability that the swine industry may soon have to cope with a foreign animal disease outbreak. Dave Wright, Minnesota Secure Pork Supply coordinator, will present an overview of the Secure Pork Supply plan, which is being developed to prepare producers for responding to a FAD disaster in a way that will help to minimize the impact and provide a workable continuity of business for the industry. He will explain the risk and anticipated cost of a FAD outbreak and

will offer suggestions to producers about how they can prepare and participate in the SPS plan.

11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., Seminar: Market Outlook with Steve Meyer, vice president of pork analysis, EMI Analytics.

What is in store for pig farmers in 2018? Steve Meyer will address key factors directly impacting your bottom line including, grain supplies and prices, protein demand, hog price and supply projections, consumer trends and pork exports.

1:30 p.m., Trade show closes Schedule subject to change. Information submitted by Minnesota Pork Congress. v

THE LAND — JANUARY 12/JANUARY 19, 2018

Minnesota Pork Congress sponsors • AgCountry Farm Credit Services • Anchor Bank

• Balzer Inc. • Ceva Animal Health • Community Bank • Compeer Financial

• Elanco • Frandsen Bank • Frost, PLLC

• Hormel Food Corporation • Hubbard Feeds • Huvepharma

• Kemin Inc.

• Lime Valley Advertising, Inc. • Manitoba Pork

• Merck Animal Health • Minnesota Corn Growers Association • Minnesota Farm Bureau • Minnesota Soybean Research & Promotion Council • National Pork Board • National Pork Producers Council • Novus International • Profinium

• Provimi • Purina Animal Nutrition • Rabo AgriFinance • WWS Inc.

• Zinpro Performance Minerals • Zoetis

More coverage ...

Dick Hagen, The Land staff writer, will be attending the Minnesota Pork Congress. Say hello if you see him at the trade show or seminars. Look for stories from Pork Congress in upcoming issues of The Land.

The staff at Minnesota Pork Board and the Minnesota Pork Producers Association look forward to seeing you at the 2018 Pork Congress. v

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THE LAND — JANUARY 12/JANUARY 19, 2018

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PAGE 9

Scientist Wally Nelson left his world a better place WILLMAR, Minn. — “Giants in the Earth” by Norwegian author Ole Rolvaag described the challenges facing Norwegian pioneers on the Great Plains of America in the 1870s. On Dec. 19, 2017, at Vinje Lutheran Church, Willmar, we Minnesotans embraced our own “Giant of the Earth” at a memorial

By Dick Hagen service for Dr. Wallace Warren Nelson. For 70 of his 89 years, Nelson was steadfastly connected with his true love of agriculture, the Maroon and Gold and his dear wife Arlene.

Born Feb. 17, 1928, Wally, as we all best knew him, passed away Dec. 14, 2017.

During his 89-year tenure here on planet Earth, Wally quietly (and sometimes not so quietly) but emphatically created a legacy of agricultural knowledge, conservation etiquette and profound goodness that has enriched the lives of thousands of farmers, fellow scientists, Dr. Wallace Warren Nelson aspiring students and Extension communicators in modern agriculture.

Wally started as a farm kid from Walnut Grove.

He enlisted in the Navy the day after he graduated from high school in 1944. Wally’s son, Tom, shared a few special memories of his dad at the memorial service. “At the Great Lakes Training Center north of Chicago, and later in San Francisco, he trained for the invasion of Japan. When the war ended, he was reassigned as a Navy clerk and on New Year’s Day in 1946 was deployed to Shanghai, China. We heard many stories about Dad spending his 18th birthday in Shanghai and surviving a typhoon on a ‘slow boat back from China.’

“In an amazing coincidence, while in Singapore, his commanding officer was Amos Hayes who was from Lafayette, Minn., and prior to the war was an ag teacher at Winthrop High School. He befriended Dad and talked to him about what his plans were when his tour was up. Dad told him he likely would return home to the family farm. The officer suggested that he was smart and asked if Dad had thought about college. With the new GI Bill, he could go to college and have a different career. Little did he know how this conversation would change his life.”

Wally returned to Minneapolis, joined the Navy Reserve and enrolled at the University of Minnesota. Six years later, he completed his Ph.D. in soil science. While in college, his social life also flourished. Tom said his Dad met Arlene on a blind

date. He knew immediately she was the one for him and they married in 1949. In 1953, they started a family and Wally began his career as assistant superintendent at the Duluth Experiment Station.

In 1959, when he was 32 years old, he was chosen to be the superintendent of the new Southwest

Experiment Station in Lamberton. That’s when I met him for the first time. I was a regional editor with Farm Journal at the time — covering Minnesota, both the Dakotas and Wisconsin. I was told to go to Lamberton and find this guy named See NELSON, pg. 10

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THE LAND — JANUARY 12/JANUARY 19, 2018

Nelson nudged people in a kind way to make them better NELSON, from pg. 9 Wally Nelson. I didn’t even know where Lamberton was. But on a bright sunshiny day I found the town, got directions out to this new experiment station about four miles west and one mile north. I pulled into the yard, had barely stepped out of my car and this tall, gangly guy shows up. “I’m looking for a Dr. Wallace Nelson.” He grinned, stuck out his big hand for a handshake and said, “I’m the guy.”

Just like that, we were friends. I quickly learned to appreciate and listen to what this Dr. Nelson guy was doing out here in the prairies. And after attending just a couple of his field day events, I soon witnessed that farmers came and they listened when Wally Nelson was talking. I’ll never forget. He had this 8-foot long stick … for pointing out things on a display, and sometimes to rap. He said to these farmers riding the hay rack, “You guys pay attention. My job is to make you guys the best farmers in the state. And the only way that happens is when you listen to this information.” They listened. Wally later told me, “They come to learn. But you might as well have some fun too.”

Gyles Randall, long-time associate of Wally at Minnesota’s South Central Research and Outreach Center, Waseca, agreed that Wally had his own special knack with getting people’s attention. Randall said Wally had a caring love for helping people. He nudged many people in a kind way from all walks of life — including scientists — to help them become better people.

Randall said Wally always made himself available to listen to other people’s needs and questions. He inspired people with his enthusiasm, his genuine character and his forward-looking vision. Wally was a two-way information conduit between southwestern Minnesota and the University of Minnesota Twin Cities campus, which helped both parties enormously.

Randall noted Wally was humble, fun to be around and was respected by all. He kept his ear to the

ground and could be trusted, so ag journalists sought him out continuously.

He teamed with other scientists to conduct leading studies on deep compaction, root research and hail damage. His scientific vision was deep and forward-looking, leading to the first tile drainage research site with replicated and isolated test plots in the United States. He sensed a need to understand the relationship between nitrogen fertilization for corn and the loss of nitrates via tile lines.

“But most important is the large turnout at Wally’s funeral,” said Randall. “They didn’t come because of the tremendous amount of research he conducted, but because of their love and respect for him and the helping, caring and nudging they received sometime in their life. That beautiful atmosphere was so evident at Wally’s funeral.”

Wally’s son Tom commented, “Wally Nelson to me was one of the youngest of what Tom Brokaw referred to as the ‘Greatest Generation.’ Young Americans who grew up in the Great Depression and then went on to fight and win World War II. This generation of young American men and women shouldered responsibilities few could have imagined. Forced to take risks and make decisions that helped define them for the rest of their lives and our country for generations that followed.

“Looking at my dad’s life, this formative experi-

ence gave him a foundation of confidence and fortitude of character to make a lasting difference. Those two years in the Navy helped define the rest of Dad’s life and I think the world is a better place today because of it.

“Our house phone was the same as the station phone. Dad always had time it seemed to answer a question about fertilizer, moisture or tillage options.

One of his favorites each morning was listening to Maynard Speece on WCCO radio. Maynard would often call at 6 a.m. to talk about recent ag topics or to see if it rained at the station the night before. I’m glad cell phones weren’t around in the 1960s and ’70s.

“As most know, Dad had a genuine sense of humility. Whether I knew it or not, he taught me important life lessons: Everyone deserves your attention and respect; work hard and then trust that it will be rewarded; when opportunity knocks, look for a reason to say yes; leave the world a better place.

Tom summed up, “As hard as it is today for us to say goodbye, we are also remembering Dad for all the great things he was and how he touched our lives. We can honestly say that he left the world a better place. And I do truly believe he was one of the ‘Greatest Generation.’”

Dick Hagen is staff writer for The Land. He attended the memorial service for Wallace “Wally” Nelson on Dec. 19, 2017, in Willmar. v

Financial counseling available If you or a farmer you know is experiencing financial stress, contact the Farm Information Line at (800) 232-9077 to set up a financial counseling session.

Financial counseling is free and completely confidential. A team of University of Minnesota Extension farm financial analysts has been assembled of retired experts from areas like banking and farm business management education to provide free, one-on-one

financial counseling to farmers who are experiencing financial stress.

These analysts will help participating farmers understand their financial situation, explore options, and seek to identify alternatives to help alleviate the financial stress caused by the current agricultural climate.

This article was submitted by the University of Minnesota Extension. v

THE LAND — JANUARY 12/JANUARY 19, 2018

MN AG EXPO Schedule

MN AG EXPO brings together Minnesota’s corn and soybean farmers, agribusiness and University of Minnesota researchers at the Verizon Center in Mankato.

The trade show is full of companies with emerging technologies, equipment specials and new information.

Companies showcase their latest products and equipment.

Networking opportunities are endless. From dinners featuring top notch speakers to receptions with plenty of time to gather the best information from fellow farmers, you can make the most out of your time at MN AG EXPO, and find valuable new connections.

Educational Sessions on hot button issues affecting your farm operation are abundant this year. From renewable energy to the farm bill to learning how to position your farm operation for the markets in the coming year, MN AG EXPO has it covered. Change the way you think about your farm and the impact to your bottom line.

Wednesday, January 24 8 a.m.-5:30 p.m., Registration 9 a.m.-noon, MSGA Delegate Session and Annual Meeting, Banquet Hall West 10-10:45 a.m., Al-Corn Ethanol Session with Ron Lamberty, American Coalition for Ethanol, Meeting Room 247 11-11:45 a.m., Pollinators and Minnesota Agriculture with Dan Whitney, Minnesota Honey Producers Association; Marla Spivak, University of Minnesota, Meeting Room 245 11 a.m.-4 p.m., Trade Show Noon-1 p.m., Boxed lunch sponsored

by Minnesota Pork, Trade Show Floor 12:15-1 p.m., REG Biodiesel Session on Minnesota and the Move to B20 with Hoon Ge, Meeting Room 245 1-1:45 p.m., Researcher Introductions, Trade Show Stage 1:45-2:45 p.m., Blue Horizon Renewable Energy Session on The Future of Renewables with Ellen Anderson, Uni-

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

versity of Minnesota Energy Transition Lab; Mike Bull, Center for Energy and Environment; Blue Horizon Energy representative, Trade Show Stage 3-4 p.m., Dow Mankato Region Enlist Growers Meeting, Meeting Room 247 5-6:30 p.m., Farmers Business Network Trade Show Reception and Dinner with Charles Baron of Farmers Business Network, Banquet Hall 7-11 p.m., Beano & Vino Casino Night, Mankato City Center Hotel connected to Verizon Center Thursday, January 25 7 a.m.-3 p.m., Registration 7:30-8:30 a.m., Minnesota Corn PAC Breakfast, Reception Hall 8 a.m.-4 p.m., Trade Show 8:15-9 a.m., Morning Markets Early Riser Session with Al Kluis, Trade Show Stage 9 a.m.-noon, MCGA Delegate Session and Annual Meeting, Banquet Hall West 9:30-10 a.m., Researcher Introductions, Trade Show Stage 10-10:45 a.m., Farm Bill Panel sponsored by Profinium and Minnesota Farmers Union. Panel members are Kevin Paap, Minnesota Farm Bureau; Gary Wertish, Minnesota Farmers Union; Colleen Moriarty, Hunger Solutions. Meeting Room 245.

11-11:45 a.m., Governor Candidates Panel, Trade Show Stage 12:30-2 p.m., MCGA and MSGA Lunch sponsored by Asgrow and Gislason & Hunter. Speaker is Blois Olson of Fluence Media on “2018 Elections and the Impact on your Farm,” Banquet Hall.

2:15-3:30 p.m., Closing keynotes featuring Chris Novak, National Corn Growers Association and Polly Ruhland, United Soybean Board, Trade Show Stage This schedule of events is subject to change. Information was submitted by MN AG EXPO 2018. v

MN AG EXPO hotels: A block of rooms has been reserved at the following

hotels. Ask for the MN AG EXPO rate when making your reservation. Both hotels are connected to the Verizon Center via skyway.

Mankato City Center Hotel: (877) 345-5577 or visit www.mankatomnhotel.com.

Hilton Garden Inn: (507) 344-1111.

PAGE 11

PAGE 12

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

360 Yield Center – 94-95 Ag Spray Equipment – 7 Agassiz – 8 AgFocus – 29 Agnition – 61 AgSolutions – 57 Agweek – 73 AgXplore – 21 American Lung Association – 43 AURI – 33 Bayer – 66 Beck’s – 54 Blethen, Gage & Krause – 90 Blue Earth Soil & Water Conservation District – 93 Blue Horizon Energy – 3 BNSF Railway – 16 CFS – 4 CHS – 65 Country Enterprises – 69 Dekalb/Asgrow – 81 DuPont Pioneer – 10 Ellingson Companies – 71 Environmental Tillage Systems – 58 Farmers Business Network – 34 Gislason & Hunter – 83 Gold Country Seed – 17 Green Energy Solutions – 62 GROUND WORKS Backhoe Service – 87

THE LAND — JANUARY 12/JANUARY 19, 2018

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PAGE 13

Harvesting the humor is necessary for grain cart drivers And now, a few thoughts If you are driving wagabout the funny things the ons, a grain cart or a harvest teaches us. Stay truck, there is always tuned for a more reflective, someone waiting to dump life-application one in the on you. Although this kind weeks ahead. of dumping is in the literal sense, and is necessary for When you don’t know the job to be completed, I what you’re doing, think I’m pretty safe to say everyone else does. It’s TABLE TALK that many a farm wife has the age-old standard about small town life, but it also

By Karen Schwaller been “dumped on” in the “yelling” sense. A farm wife I applies to life in the field. know didn’t take it from her There is no hiding a grain husband — she walked away from her cart boombie — everyone can see that field duties, not to return for the rest of pile of corn on the ground next to the the day. truck.

She was like the Statue of Liberty Usually that ill-placed pile is along a for farm wives everywhere that day. main highway, of course.

Maturity isn’t for weenies. I can Enough with the scales. The farm tell from my mission in the corn fields wife does enough to battle the baththat these stalks that once were green room scale, let alone now having to and lush are now brown and stripped manage the scale in the grain cart tractor and at the elevator. More than of height and leaves from old age and the wind. It’s a ghastly reminder of once this harvest season as we were hauling to the bins and keeping track what isn’t that far away for me. Seeing the shriveled remains of the stalks of volume, my husband asked, “Did also reminded me that we were out of you write your weight down?” prunes.

He’s lucky we were harvesting.

MN AG EXPO events

Tuesday, January 23 Ag PhD Agronomy Workshop will be held 10 a.m.-3 p.m. at the Verizon Center in Mankato. Learn how you can cut expenses in 2018 and still yield well. Which input expenses are just that — expenses? Which inputs are still great investments at lower commodity prices? These questions will be answered at the free Ag PhD workshop. Lunch is included. Please register for the workshop at www.agphd. com/ag-phd-events/ag-phd-winterworkshops/.

Kick-off reception will be held 7-10 p.m. at the Loose Moose Saloon and Conference Center, Mankato.

Wednesday, Jan. 24 Beano & Vino Casino Night is an annual fundraising evening for Minnesota Soybean Growers Association’s legislative efforts. The event is 7-11 p.m. at the Mankato City Center Hotel, poolside.

The hotel is connected to the Verizon Center. Cost is $25 per ticket. Tickets can be purchased online during regis-

tration or at the door. Contact Sara Hewitt at sara@mnsoybean.com.

Complete with casino games, hospitality suites, a silent auction, and a casino store full of items featuring area businesses, this is a great way to support MSGA, and the efforts of Minnesota’s farmers.

Thursday Jan. 25 Dicamba training will be held 3-5 p.m. at the Verizon Center in Mankato.

This Monsanto XtendiMax training is for commercial and private pesticide applicators to satisfy the annual label requirements for dicamba applicator training. The session has a separate, independent registration apart from MN AG EXPO. For more details and to register, please visit mcpr-cca.org/dicamba-informationtrainings/.

This information was submitted by MN AG EXPO. v See you at MN AG EXPO!

The tassel still reigns. The tassel’s main job of pollinating is relatively short-lived, but nonetheless, important.

But what’s it supposed to do after it has fulfilled its duties? It switches roles, that’s what. It becomes a pointy crown on top of the stalk. So when the pollen has all been distributed, she straightens her crown and hangs on for the season-long wild ride.

Finding each other in life can be a challenge. But out in the field it is necessary. We were harvesting in a field that was quite hilly this year, and after I finished loading the truck, I started my trek back to the combine, only to find that it appeared I was in the field alone. A simple, “Marco!” into the radio resulted in a reply of “Polo!” as my husband came over the crest of the hill. Who says hide-and-seek games are just for the kiddies?

Tractor clutches could be the next big thing in fitness. During harvest I have to stretch out when loading the trucks to keep the clutch and brakes where they need to be. If I had started that job in the fourth grade like our sons did, imagine how

sleek my thighs would be by now.

I’ve had incidents in the fields over the years that have made my hams pucker and tighten up on demand, too.

They don’t give these farm fitness jobs to chimps.

Some chocolate in the tractor is a little slice of heaven.

Some chocolate in the tractor is Satan.

Sometimes cussing is just plain necessary.

And from the files of, “How Can I Occupy My Mind While Waiting For the Combine?”: What kind of dishes you give to a farmer? (Corningware) How far in rank a farmer can go in the military? (Kernel) And you didn’t think you’d learn anything by reading this piece, did you?

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

PAGE 14

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

THE LAND — JANUARY 12/JANUARY 19, 2018

Industrial hemp is taking root across Minnesota

By MARIE WOOD The Land Associate Editor In 2017, Mike Erickson grew 140 acres of industrial hemp, adding it to his rotation of wheat, soybeans and sugarbeets on his farm near East Grand Forks. He harvested 4,000 bushels of hemp seed and plans to grow hemp again in 2018.

“The potential of this crop is enormous. It has great potential and whether it’s going to be realized in the United States or Minnesota, it has yet to be seen,” said Erickson. “Within production agriculture, we are seeing a lot of reach for something different, a lot of reach to diversify.”

To grow industrial hemp in Minnesota, farmers must register in the Minnesota Department of Agriculture’s Industrial Hemp Pilot Program. A criminal background check, finger-

print card and detailed map of smoothies and yogurt. Hemp proyour field location is required. tein powder is being touted as one Participants are also required of the best vegan protein powders. to report their findings on growProtein bars and shakes present ing, processing or selling the a large market. crop.

Hemp seed oil can be used as a The program began in 2016 cooking oil or in skin care prodwith 38 acres and jumped to ucts, among other things. Canna1,212 acres in 2017, reported bidiol (CBD) oil is made from the Margaret Wiatrowski, MDA flowers, stalks and leaves of Industrial Hemp Program coorhemp. CBD is gaining traction in dinator. health, nutritional and medical marijuana industries. Research The 2014 farm bill allowed shows that CBD oil may be helpstate ag departments to develop ful in treating inflammatory disPhoto submitted by Mike Erickson pilot programs to grow and orders, such as arthritis. study hemp. In 2015, the Min- Mike Erickson’s hemp field got off to a good start in nesota Legislature passed a law late June.

The stalks can be used for fiber. which provided the framework Minnesota once had a strong juana. Hemp grown in Minnesota is for industrial hemp production. hemp textile industry. In fact, hemp tested to ensure that the plant’s THC While industrial hemp is in the can- concentration is less than 0.3 percent ditch weed is common in southern Minnesota. Hemp was last grown here nabis family, it has a low concentration on a dry weight basis. in the 1950s. of THC, the active ingredient in mariIndustrial hemp has a variety of The MDA is not responsible for helpmarkets. The seeds are highly nutriing growers market their hemp, but a tious and rich in protein, healthy fats few companies are tapping the market. and essential fatty acids. Hulled hemp After being the first approved indusseeds, called hemp hearts, are sold in health food stores and major retailers. trial hemp grower in the state in 2016, They can be sprinkled on salads, See HEMP, pg. 15

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

PAGE 15

Minnesota Hemp Farms will buy back every acre of seed HEMP, from pg. 14 John Strohfus founded Minnesota Hemp Farms near Hastings.

His company offers certified seed, marketing contracts and consulting on agronomy and harvesting.

John Strohfus “Our model is we buy back every acre of planting seed that we sell,” said Strohfus.

The focus of Minnesota Hemp Farms is hemp seed products. Its flagship product is Field Theory Hemp Hearts, which are available at major grocers across Minnesota. Strohfus also provides bulk protein powder and hemp hearts to food manufacturers.

Strohfus presents information to farmers about growing and marketing industrial hemp. He has talked to farmers in Minnesota and now Wisconsin, which will grow hemp this year.

He estimates farmers can make roughly $300 an acre on hemp.

“Then I get into the baseball with them. That’s a good honest answer.

They know it’s yield dependent,” said Strohfus. “In Canada, 800 pounds an acre for a first year grower is pretty typical.”

Growing hemp Producers must grow certified hemp seed from Canada or the EU. Mike Erickson acquired his seed from Minnesota Hemp Farms via Canada. MDA arranges the shipments, but pilot growers place the orders and pay for the seed independently. All seed shipments are delivered to the MDA build-

Minnesota Industrial Hemp Pilot Program To learn more and apply, visit: www.mda.state.mn.us/industrialhemp Program fees offset the cost of regulating the program and testing fields. Certification is $150. Then each grower must pay a field registration fee of $400 for up to 100 acres and $50 for each additional 100 acres (within 10 miles from the initial acreage, otherwise $100). First-time applicants must pay $37 for a federal background check. ing where they are verified before being shipped to a licensed seed distributor, such as Minnesota Hemp Farms. Then the grower picks up the seed and signs a form to verify the amount of seed received.

Erickson, a conventional grower, learned about the program in January of 2017, which is late for making crop decisions. “I just jumped into it,” he said.

He planted a 92-100 day crop. In general, hemp is planted in June and harvested in September. Growers can get their hemp in after corn and soybeans and harvest before corn and soybeans.

Erickson harvested in early September.

Planting went very well. Erickson used a press drill, the same one he uses for soybeans and wheat. He seeded as we would any other crop, altering the settings and rate. Optimal planting depth is a half-inch.

Rain came shortly after seeding the crop, which was very beneficial in getting the seeds to start the germination Photo by Mike Erickson

Mike Erickson harvested his hemp field in early September.

The header he used is a John Deere 640D Draper Platform.

Erickson said having a rigid or lockable flex head is essential due to the cutting height during the grain harvest; also the Draper, versus an auger, allows for a more consistent feed into the combine.

process. He fertilized the crop similar to wheat.

“Once the crop started growing, it was a very vigorous crop. It was good fast growth. It did a good job of growing and shading out weeds in the field,” said Erickson.

Erickson did not need to apply any pesticides.

Harvesting also went well for Erickson. “We used a combine that would be used in soybeans, wheat, sunflowers.

We just made some minor modifications to be compatible to harvest hemp,” he said.

Erickson found information online, including how-to videos. He also talked to farmers who have grown hemp to get words of wisdom. His crop consultant found some key information for him.

Harvesting hemp can be challenging.

The optimal moisture for harvesting hemp is 20 percent, but a few days later the plant can dry down to 15 percent, explained Strohfus. The fiber and stalks can wrap around the combine causing producers to stop often to unwrap, cut and remove material.

See HEMP, pg. 16

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THE LAND — JANUARY 12/JANUARY 19, 2018

Hemp harvest poses dry down, spoilage issues HEMP, from pg. 15 “When you get 16 percent (moisture) or less, it becomes problematic,” said Strohfus Hemp grain must be cleaned in the field and then put directly into aerated storage to dry down.

“The number one mistake that growers are going to make is to let their grain spoil in the bin,” said Strohfus.

Photo by John Strohfus

John Strohfus harvested hemp grain in his fields near Hastings. Hemp grain must be cleaned in the field, before being dried and stored.

When grain is not cleaned in the field, dry down takes longer, said Strohfus.

“Within four hours of combining, you should have your grain on aeration and moved daily — a full bin emptied and refilled until it’s at 9 percent (moisture) or less,” Strohfus said.

Erickson cleaned the seed in the field before storing his 4,000 bushels into a 15,000 bushel bin. His on-farm bin has an aerated floor. Not filling the bin to capacity left plenty of room for the grain to dry down.

“We didn’t have a dryer. We just used air,” said Erickson. “That same bin is where it sits today in storage.”

He will market the food-grade seed this winter. He has some buyers who have expressed interest.

“My advice to farmers is to make sure to do some research, make an educated decision based on what is best for each individual operation,” said Erickson.

After harvest, Strohfus recommends getting the stalks off the field even if you don’t sell them. He marketed some of his stalks to a textile processor.

“The post-harvest trash management is really difficult,” said Strohfus.

Strohfus offered this advice to farmers: “Don’t plant unless you have a contract for your production.

Don’t plant unless you can get support for harvest and in particular don’t plant unless you are very serious about post-harvest grain management.”

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Photo submitted by Mike Erickson

Harvest went well for Mike Erickson, who grew 140 acres in Polk County.

The Land will be running a series of articles on hemp exploring this emerging industry. Expect articles on entrepreneurs, infrastructure challenges and opportunities, certified seed production and laws. v

THE LAND — JANUARY 12/JANUARY 19, 2018

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

PAGE 17

Calendar of Events Jan. 16-17 – Minnesota Pork Congress – Minneapolis, Minn. – Trade show and education event that features a wide variety of exhibitors, seminars and social activities – Visit www.mnporkcongress.com or contact mnpork@mnpork.com or (507) 345-8814 Jan. 23 – Crop Advantage Series – Le Mars, Iowa – Latest research information on crop production from Iowa State Extension and Outreach – Contact anr@iastate.edu or (515) 294-6429 or visit www.aep. iastate.edu/cas/ Jan. 23 – Ag PhD Agronomy Workshop – Mankato, Minn. – Learn how to cut expenses in 2018 – Visit www.agphd.com/ag-phd-events/ag-phd-winter-workshops/ or info@agphd.com or (605) 529-5413 Jan. 24-25 – MN AG EXPO – Mankato, Minn. – Trade show, networking, educational sessions and annual meetings of Minnesota Soybean Growers and Corn Growers associations – Visit www.mnagexpo.com Jan. 25 – Women in Dairy Event – Hutchinson, Minn. – UMN Extension Carver and Scott Counties presents an evening of networking, education and empowerment – Call Karen Johnson at (320) 4844334 for tickets.

Jan. 30 – Ag Symposium – North Mankato, Minn. – South Central College hosts Ag Symposium featuring David Kohl – Visit www.southcentral.edu/NorthMankato-Foundation/ag-symposium.html Feb. 8 – Strategic Farming: Growing Soybeans that Out-Compete Weeds – Fairmont, Minn. – Learn impacts of spacing, population, pest pressure, resistance and management – Visit www.extension.umn. edu/agriculture/crops/events/strategic-farming/ or contact stah0012@umn.edu or (507) 372-3900 Feb. 15 – Rural Legislative Forum – Mankato, Minn. – Event focues on federal initiatives, keynote speaker, congressional delegation panel and dinner – Visit greenseam.org/events or info@greenseam. org

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.

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www.thelandonline.com — MILKER’S MESSAGE

THE LAND — JANUARY 12/JANUARY 19, 2018

Global Dairy Trade began 2018 with shot of encouragement The following marketing analysis is for the week ending Jan. 5.

The Global Dairy Trade auction started 2018 with a small shot of encouragement on Jan. 2, led by powder, as New Zealand-based Fonterra lowered its offerings of whole milk powder. Total GDT volume slipped to just under 56 million pounds, lowest since June 20, 2017, and the weighted average jumped 2.2 percent, following a plunge of 3.9 percent on Dec. 19.

News and information for Minnesota and Northern Iowa dairy producers Whole milk powder was up 4.2 percent, after dropping 2.5 percent in the last event, and skim milk power was up 1.6 percent, after it fell 4.8

By Lee Mielke percent. Butter inched 0.6 percent higher after it fell 2.3 percent last time.

Buttermilk powder led the declines, plunging 7.3 percent. Cheddar was down 2.1 percent, after leading the declines last time with a 7.9 percent descent. Anhydrous milkfat was off just 0.2 percent, after plunging 6.7 percent last time.

FC Stone equated the GDT 80 percent butterfat butter price to $1.9918 per pound U.S. Chicago Mercantile Exchange butter closed Jan. 5 at $2.2375. GDT cheddar cheese equated to $1.5048 per pound U.S. and compares to the Jan. 5 CME block cheddar at $1.4950. GDT skim milk powder averaged 77.07 cents per pound and whole milk powder averaged $1.3091. CME Grade A nonfat dry milk price closed Jan. 5 at 68 cents per pound. n The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced the December Federal order Class III milk price at $15.44 per hundredweight, down $1.44 from November, $1.96 below December 2016, and the lowest Class III since April 2017. It equates to about $1.33 per gallon, down from $1.45 in November and $1.50 a year ago. The 2017 Class III averaged $16.17, up from $14.87 in 2016 and $15.80 in 2015.

Class III futures portend a pretty lean 2018, with prices well below $16/cwt. Late morning Jan. 5, the January contract was at $14; February, $13.49; March, $13.54; April, $13.87; May, $14.29; and June was at $14.66, with a peak of only $15.72 in October.

The December Class IV is $13.51/cwt., down 48 cents from November, $1.46 below a year ago, and the lowest Class IV price since May 2016. Its 2017 average is $15.16, up from $13.77 in 2016 and $14.35 in 2015.

The Dec. 4a butter-powder price is $13.36, down 26 cents from November and $1.43 below a year ago and the lowest 4a price since October 2016. It averaged $14.95 in 2017, up from $13.41 in 2016 and $14.10 in 2015. n Dairy margins ended December slightly weaker as milk prices continued to drift lower while feed costs held relatively steady, according to the latest Margin Watch from Chicago-based Commodity and Ingredient Hedging. It adds that “Margins remain negative through the first half of 2018, and project-

MIELKE MARKET WEEKLY

ed only slightly above breakeven through the second half of the year. Milk prices languish heading into 2018, with little optimism that the bearish tide is turning.

“USDA reported November milk production at 17.3 billion pounds, up 0.4 percent from October on a daily average basis and 1.0 percent higher than last year. The U.S. milking herd remained unchanged from October at 9.4 million head, suggesting that the rate of growth is starting to slow, with increases coming from higher productivity. The USDA’s FAS recently estimated that the world’s largest dairy exporting regions will add 3.3 million tons of milk output in 2018 following a 2.2 million increase in 2017, compounding the global glut of dairy products.”

The Margin Watch warned that “2018 starts with 542,000 metric tons of SMP inventories held between EU intervention, private stocks, and the U.S., while New Zealand’s milk output in November was up 4.2 percent from last year without a commensurate increase in exports. These factors portend larger stockpiles of dairy products available for marketing later in the season to compete with supplies from the Northern Hemisphere during their spring flush.” n You’ll recall that preliminary USDA data reported November’s 50-State milk production at 17.3 billion pounds, up 1.0 percent from November 2016.

USDA’s latest Dairy Products report shows where that milk went or didn’t.

November cheese output totaled 1.054 billion pounds, down 2.0 percent from October but 2.8 percent above November 2016. Year-to-date output stands at 11.4 billion pounds, up 2.6 percent from a year ago.

Minnesota was down 2.8 percent from October but 6.8 percent above a year ago.

Italian cheese output totaled 454.7 million pounds, down 0.6 percent from October but 3.6 percent above a year ago, with year-to-date output at 4.9 billion pounds, up 1.7 percent.

Mozzarella, at 350.4 million pounds, was up 3.3 percent, with year-to-date at 3.8 billion pounds, up 1.2 percent.

American-type cheese production totaled 401.2 million pounds, down 4 percent from October but 0.6 percent above a year ago. Year-to-date totaled 4.47 billion pounds, up 3.2 percent.

See MIELKE, pg. 19

THE LAND — JANUARY 12/JANUARY 19, 2018

www.thelandonline.com — MILKER’S MESSAGE

PAGE 19

Cash dairy prices mixed during holiday-shortened week Dairy Market News reports that some Central up 3.9 percent. cheesemakers are no longer taking spot milk loads Nonfat dry milk stocks, at 301.7 million pounds, as they have more thanBUILD needed at the onsetRIGHT! of 2018 WE OUR STALLS were up just 1.7 million pounds or 0.5 percent from and those that are taking on milk are paying Take a look prices at October but 86.6 million pounds or 40.2 percent from $1.50 to $6.00 under Class III. Some cheeseabove 2016. our tubing with makers have relayed that milk suppliers are looking unequaled corrosion Skim milk powder production totaled 41.8 million to lock in future deals now, as milk supplies are pounds, up 63.1 percent from October but 11.9 perprotection! expected to remain plentiful. Many plant managers cent below a year ago. Year-to-date output is at produced cheese through the New Year’sTubing weekend Freudenthal has been 483.96 million pounds, down 4.1 percent. and holiday. engineered for your specific n requirements where strength Mozzarella and provolone producers reported that and corrosion resistance are CORROSION salesLocks were Panel “better than expected this week.

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PROTECTION However, they suggest the holiday rush cut holiday-shortened week while much of the country short as fluctuating market prices gave buyers started 2018 in bitter cold. The cheddar blocks CS-60 Comfort Tiefamiliar Stall pause. As cheese markets reenter more closed Jan. 5 at $1.4950 per pound, down 4.5 cents grounds, cheese producers hope to make up for lost on the week and 17.5 cents below a year ago. The The Toughest sales late in 2017.” barrels finished at $1.39, down 5.25 cents on the Stalls week, 18.5 cents below a year ago, a larger than Western cheese production is active and there’s normal 10.5 cents below the blocks, and the lowest on still plenty of milk although some of the milk the is • Provides lunge areaOnly four cars refilling bottling pipelines as schools restartmarket, CME barrel price since Julysuperior 10, 2017. after of block were sold on• the at the Much week stronger than our CME and 11 the holidays. Dairy Market News says “Many cheeseguaranteed of barrel. competitors’ beam systems See MIELKE, pg. 21 not to bend • No Stall mounts in the • Entire panel made of H.D. 10 gauge tubing concrete or sand are hot dippedWI galvanized after W. 6322 Cty. O,• Panels Medford, 54451 • Fully adjustable welding inside and out (715) 748-4132 • 1-800-688-0104 • Stall system stays high and Heaviest, • 6’, 8’, 10’, 12’ lengths dry, resulting in longer life www.freudenthalmfg.com Strongest, REMODELING, EXPANSION OR REPLACEMENT • 12’ panel weight 275 lbs.

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MIELKE, from pg. 18 Cheddar output, the kind traded at the CME, totaled 284.7 million pounds, down 3.5 percent from October and virtually unchanged from a year ago, with year-to-date at 3.25 billion pounds, up 4.1 percent.

Butter churns produced 145.7 million pounds of butter, up 1.6 percent from October and 1.86 percent above a year ago. Year-to-date butter totaled 1.67 billion pounds, down 0.2 percent.

Yogurt output amounted to 313.1 million pounds, up 0.7 percent from a year ago, with year-to-date at 4.0 billion pounds, down 1.4 percent.

Dry whey totaled 81.8 million pounds, up 11.6 percent, with year-to-date hitting 951.1 million pounds, up 8.5 percent. Stocks were up 6.8 percent from October and a whopping 65.5 percent above a year ago.

Nonfat dry milk totaled 140 million pounds, down 2.9 percent from October but 9.7 percent above a year ago, with year-to-date at 1.66 billion pounds,

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www.thelandonline.com — MILKER’S MESSAGE

THE LAND — JANUARY 12/JANUARY 19, 2018

Finding reliable dairy farm labor is challenging

By DICK HAGEN The Land Staff Writer WELCH, Minn. – Baldwin, Wis., dairy farmer Todd Doornink is a fourth generation cow man. Milk production is big business with Doornink. He currently milks 1,500 cows on a threetimes-a-day (3x) schedule. Doornink attended the Nov 28-29 Minnesota Milk Dairy Conference and Expo at Treasure Island Resort and Casino in Welch.

Is labor a big issue? “Yes,” responded Doornink acknowledging labor is always an issue. But perhaps less an issue for him because he hires most of his labor force from Ecuador. He has mostly a Spanish-speaking crew. He said he’s been at this so long both he and his migrants have learned to understand each other. “We’ve had migrant labor for about 25 years now.”

get rotated so nobody is on the same shift continuously. He runs three We get daily milk weights shifts: 5 a.m. to 1 p.m., 1-9 p.m., and 9 on our cows. I use what’s p.m.-5 a.m. There are always some issues when working with this many called the Fitbit system. laborers.

It’s like a pedometer on their ankles so we get “That’s just a fact of the dairy industry,” said Doornink. “But because daily production on each cow plus daily activity of unemployment is so low in Wisconsin finding labor is a challenge … we’re at each cow.

— Todd Doornink 3.2 percent unemployment rate right now; Minnesota is much the same. So He provides housing. Most of his finding local people is a constant strugworkers are single guys. For married gle and that’s why we went with people with kids of school age, the kids migrant labor years ago.” attend the local school.

There was lots of discussion at the He purchases lots of feed to run a conference of stepping up vocational 1,500-cow operation. “We grow our own training in high schools. But Doorrink questions if vo-techs could be a dependcorn but buy alfalfa from a neighbor.” able source of skilled labor for his A 3x schedule means more milk, operation. about 15 percent more. Milking shifts He knows more technology in dairy farming is inevitable. “But hands-on skills are limited. In 10 years robotic milking even for us with 1,500 cows will likely be common. By then we’ll probably be riding in driverless cars also so I don’t question the growing use of robotic systems.”

He sees the 100-cow carousel systems the likely route for his operation.

Daily milk production per cow is a challenge when milking 1,500 cows each day. But technology to the rescue.

“We get daily milk weights on our cows. I use what’s called the Fitbit system. It’s like a pedometer on their ankles so we get daily production on each cow plus daily activity of each cow. So as soon as an individual cow slows down you can get on her and quickly diagnose the problem.”

No, Fitbit doesn’t measure feed intake per cow. But grouping of cows by production levels lets him adjust feeding programs accordingly.

Doornink said his herd is averaging three to four lactations per cow.

However, he also has some 12 year olds. He explained his high culling rate this way: “When you have a 50 percent

heifer crop each year, 50 percent of your herd has to go.”

His operation uses the Livestock Gross Margin program for some of its marketing. He also does some milk marketing on the board working with a consultant.

So what’s the status on break-evens when you’re dealing in a $16 market?

Doornink commented, “Break-evens have been hard to reach the last couple of years. Feed prices two years ago took a big hit on dairy farmers. This year that’s not the issue but we need better margins so we can reinvest in our businesses.

“Yes, $17 would be a nice floor for Class III. That would make most of us milk producers happy, especially with $4 corn, $250 soybean meal. Life would be good for everybody.”

So why come across the river to this Minnesota dairy conference? “It’s always good to exchange thoughts with other dairy producers. As you might expect, lots of common ground between us Wisconsin guys and my counterparts over here in Minnesota. There are several things we can work on together especially at the federal level.

This fair trade issue is getting to be a big one.”

Regarding the North American Free Trade Agreement and President Trump, Doornink commented, “We hope he doesn’t get too involved with changes of NAFTA. It’s been great for us dairy people. Mexico is our biggest market for dairy product exports. We can’t let that customer go.”

Doornink has three children, all daughters with one married to a dairy farmer near Eau Claire, Wis. His youngest daughter attends the University of Minnesota. Todd is 54 years old. And how does he stay so energetic? “Good dairy products every meal and some ice cream treats in between,” he chuckled.

He attended University of Wisconsin, River Falls. v

For more news briefs, visit the “Nuts and Bolts” section at www.TheLandOnline.com

THE LAND — JANUARY 12/JANUARY 19, 2018

www.thelandonline.com — MILKER’S MESSAGE

PAGE 21

Retailers are replenishing butter stocks sooner than usual MIELKE, from pg. 19 makers want to accentuate the positives as the new year begins, but there is a level of uncertainty lingering within the dairy industry. While industry contacts suggest overall domestic cheese demand has been solid, demand for mozzarella has been stagnant.”

“Export interest may be increasing,” says Dairy Market News, “But it may be due to lower price points. While stocks have become more comfortable, there is the underlying sense that milk production regionally, nationally and globally, will continue to fuel the production of cheese and rebuild cheese inventories. The bulls and bears are trying to discern the future of the cheese market in the early stages of the new year, but the future is difficult to predict,” Dairy Market News concludes.

Cash butter saw a Jan. 5 close at $2.2375 per pound, up 3 cents on the week and 1.75 cents above a year ago, on 10 reported sales for the week.

“Butter churns were running actively New Year’s Week,” says Dairy Market News, “both in preparation for the spring push and due to some producers reporting lower end-of-year inventories. Cream supplies also lend to the drive to produce more butter.

Sales are slower, but meeting expectations. As cheese markets attempt to locate stable ground, and dry products’ markets continue to falter, the butter markets remain the lone commodity stalwart, starting 2018 in steady to bullish fashion.”

Western butter supplies have been drawn down due to holiday demand and many retailers are replenishing their post-holiday stocks sooner than usual. With the closure of some plants during the holiday weekend, many distressed loads of cream moved to the churns. Cream continues to be available for butter processing, but at slightly higher premiums compared to Christmas week.

Grade A nonfat dry milk remains in the cellar, closing Jan. 5 at 68 cents per pound, up a quartercent on the week but an attention grabbing 37.25 cents below a year ago. Six cars were sold on the week at the CME. n In politics; the National Milk Producers Federation this week called on the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the California Department of Food and Agriculture to “take enforcement action against a plant-based food company whose imitation ‘yogurt’ violates the federal definition for dairy foods and fails to provide the same nutrition as real yogurt.”

Meanwhile; Congress returns with a lot on its plate. Bob Gray, editor of the Northeast Dairy Farmers Cooperatives newsletter, writes in his Jan. 6 edition that “The most immediate issue of concern is the upcoming Continuing Resolution deadline of January 19th in which if not extended the federal government will shut down.”

“Congress is working feverishly to either complete action on all 12 major appropriations spending bills for FY2018 in an Omnibus Bill package or be forced to pass another short term Continuing Resolution to keep the government operating,” Gray says.

“There are a number of issues that are pending as

the House and Senate confer on the final spending package. Increases in defense spending are being sought on the Republican side while Democratic members want to see the Deferred Action on Childhood Arrival (DACA) included in the Omnibus See MIELKE, pg. 23

PAGE 22

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

THE LAND — JANUARY 12/JANUARY 19, 2018

Guide to estimating 2017 ARC-CO, PLC payments Cash flow margins for most crop farm The “revenue guarantee” for a given operators in the upper Midwest will crop is the benchmark revenue multiplied remain quite tight for the 2018 growing by 0.86. The benchmark revenue for 2017 season. Producers are now in the process is the 5-year (2012-2016) county average of doing their crop income and expense yield, dropping the high and low yield, estimates for their 2018 crop budgets. times the benchmark price, which is the One of the big questions for farm manag5-year (2012-2016) average market year ers is whether to expect any 2017 ARCaverage price, again dropping the high CO payments in October. In the previous and low price. two years, the ARC-CO payments, espeThe national benchmark prices for 2017 FARM PROGRAMS cially for corn, have been quite variable are $3.95 per bushel for corn and $10.86 from county-to-county. The lower 2017

By Kent Thiesse per bushel for soybeans. This is a decline benchmark prices for corn and soybeans from the 2014 and 2015 benchmark pricwill likely make 2017 ARC-CO payments for corn es of $5.29 per bushel for corn and $12.27 per bushand soybeans less likely in most areas. el for soybeans, as well as the 2016 benchmark pricMost crop producers in the upper Midwest are es of $4.79 per bushel for corn and $11.87 per bushenrolled in the Ag Risk Coverage (ARC-CO) farm el for soybeans. program choice on their corn and soybean base acres The significantly lower benchmark prices for 2017 for the 2014 to 2018 crop years. A large percentage will lower the potential maximum ARC-CO payof crop producers in the region earned a significant ments, and will reduce to likelihood of receiving 2014 corn ARC-CO payment, while farm operators in 2017 payments in many counties. The lower 2017 some counties also earned a partial ARC-CO paybenchmark prices mean that only counties with ment on their corn base acres for 2015 and 2016.

2017 corn and soybean yields that were near or The ARC-CO payments for soybeans have been below the 2017 county benchmark yields will likely much lower and less likely in most areas. This is due be able to earn any 2017 ARC-CO payments. to above-average soybean yields in the region, which Many counties in Minnesota and Iowa will have may be a bit more variable for the 2017 crop year increased county corn and soybean benchmark The ARC-CO program utilizes national average yields for 2017, compared to 2015 and 2016, due to grain prices and average county yields to determine a lower yield year in 2011 being dropped from the ARC-CO payments. ARC-CO payments for corn, soy- 5-year benchmark yield calculation and being beans or any other crop are paid when the actual replaced by a much higher high yield year in 2016. county revenue for a crop in a crop year falls below The result will be higher final 2017 county yield the calculated county “revenue guarantee” for that levels to initiate potential 2017 corn and soybean crop. The actual county revenue is the final U.S. ARC-CO payments. However, the improvements in Department of Agriculture Farm Service Agency the county benchmark yields for 2017 will be more county yield for a crop for that year multiplied by the than offset by the decline in 2017 benchmark prices. final national market year average price for the year The 2017 corn benchmark price is 18 percent below for that crop. If that final county revenue amount is the 2016 benchmark price, and 25 percent below the lower than the county “revenue guarantee” for that 2015 benchmark price. The 2017 soybean benchcrop, producers in that county which are enrolled in mark price is 9 percent below 2016, and 11 percent the ARC-CO farm program would earn an ARC-CO lower than 2015. payment for that year. Each county also has a maxiThe USDA National Agricultural Statistics mum ARC-CO payment for each crop.

Service will likely release the 2017 estimated aver-

age county yields for corn, soybeans, and other crops in late February. The NASS county yields will offer a good estimate of where final 2017 ARC-CO farm program payments are likely to end up, depending on the final 2017 market year average price level, which will be finalized on Sept. 30. The NASS yield estimates may be adjusted slightly by the USDA, based on 2016 planted acres, to arrive at the final 2017 county FSA yields, which are used to calculate the 2017 ARC-CO payments.

The 2017 market year average price for corn and soybeans is the national average price from Sept. 1, 2017 to Aug. 31, 2018, with prices being finalized on Sept. 30. As of Dec. 1, 2017, USDA is projecting a 2017 market year average prices at $3.20 per bushel for corn and $9.30 per bushel for soybeans. These market year average price estimates will continue to be adjusted by USDA in the monthly World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates report which is usually released around the 10th day of each month.

The relationship between the final 2017 county yield and the 2017 county benchmark yields is extremely important in calculating potential 2016 ARC-CO payments for corn and soybeans.

Expressing the 2017 county yield as a percentage of benchmark yield is more important than the final county yield in determining estimated ARC-CO payments. Once the final 2017 NASS county yield estimates are released, we can make some 2017 ARCCO payment estimates at various final 2017 market year average price levels.

Following is the likelihood of corn and soybean ARC-CO payments for the 2017 crop year at various percentage of benchmark yield levels. Any 2017 ARC-CO payments would occur in October, 2018.

Corn — Any county that has a percentage of benchmark yield of 94 percent or less will likely realize the maximum (100 percent) estimated 2017 ARC-CO payment for that county. Counties with a percentage of benchmark yield of 95 to 100 percent will likely receive 50 to 99 percent of the maximum 2017 ARC-CO payment. Counties with a percentage of benchmark yield of 101 to 106 percent will likely receive 1 to 49 percent of the maximum 2017 ARCCO payment. Counties with a percentage of benchmark yield of 107 percent or higher will likely not receive a 2017 ARC-CO payment.

See THIESSE, pg. 23

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THE LAND — JANUARY 12/JANUARY 19, 2018

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PAGE 23

High corn yields make ARC-CO payments unlikely for 2017 THIESSE, from pg. 22 Soybeans — Any county that has a percentage of benchmark yield of 88 percent or less will likely realize the maximum 2017 ARC-CO payment for that county. Counties with a percentage of benchmark yield of 89 to 94 percent will likely receive 50 to 99 percent of the maximum 2017 ARCCO payment. Counties with a percentage of benchmark yield of 95 to 100 percent will likely receive 1 to 49 percent of the maximum 2017 ARC-CO payment. Counties with a percentage of benchmark yield of 101 percent or higher will likely not receive a 2017 ARC-CO payment.

Note: These ARC-CO payment estimates are based on current market year average price estimates which are $3.20 per bushel for corn and $9.30 per bushel for soybeans (as of Dec. 1, 2017).

Assuming a market year average price level of $3.20 per bushel for corn, 2017 corn ARC-CO payments would begin at approximately 106 percent of the county benchmark yield. Counties that were at 94 percent of the county benchmark yield or lower would receive the maximum 2017 ARC-CO payment.

This means, for counties with a benchmark yield of 170 bu./acre, 2017 corn ARC-CO payments would be initiated at a final 2017 county yield of

approximately 180 bu./acre or lower, and the maximum payment would occur at a final county yield below 160 bu./acre. Given the fact that the 2017 statewide corn yield for Minnesota is projected to average 190 bu./acre, there are not likely to be many counties that qualify for a 2017 corn ARCCO payment in the state.

Similarly with soybeans, if we assume a $9.30 per bushel market year average price level, 2017 soybean ARC-CO payments would begin at approximately 100 percent of the county benchmark yield. Counties that were at 88 percent of the county benchmark yield or lower would receive the maximum 2017 ARC-CO payment.

This means, for counties with a benchmark yield of 46 bu./acre, 2017 soybean ARC-CO payments would be initiated at a final 2017 county yield of approximately 46 bu./acre or lower.

The maximum payment would occur at a final county yield below 40 bu./ acre. The 2017 statewide soybean yield for Minnesota is projected at 46 bu./ acre, so there may actually be more potential for counties to qualify for a 2017 soybean ARC-CO payment than for a corn payment.

There will likely be a significant difference in the estimated 2017 ARC-CO payments from county to county, depending on the final 2017 county yield, expressed as a percentage of

Congress should address environmental issues MIELKE, from pg. 21

particular involves the CERCLA Air Emissions Reporting Requirement by package. DACA deals with immigrant EPA for minute amounts of ammonia children who were brought here by and hydrogen sulfide. The pending their undocumented parents over the amendment would not give EPA the last several years. Protection for them authority to enforce the reporting remaining in the U.S. under legal starequirement on dairy farms, as well as tus expires in March. In addition, beef, pork and poultry producers.

Congress is considering an $81 billion There are other pending environmendisaster relief bill for hurricane and tal amendments as well dealing with wildfire damage,” Gray continues. the WOTUS Rule and normal farming “So it is going to be a very interestactivities that should be exempt from ing discussion between the two parties EPA regulations.” to close the political gap on the pasLee Mielke is a syndicated columnist sage of a trillion dollar plus Omnibus who resides in Everson, Wash. His Budget Bill for FY2018,” Gray conweekly column is featured in newspacludes. “There are also some key envipers across the country and he may be ronmental amendments that the agrireached at lkmielke@juno.com. v culture community would like to see added to the Omnibus Bill. One in

benchmark yield. Counties in the upper Midwest are likely to have a wide-range in 2017 ARC-CO payments for both corn and soybeans, which is similar to 2015 and 2016 ARC-CO payment levels. In areas with lower county yields in 2017, and a lower percentage of benchmark yield, there is a likelihood that producers may receive a partial 2017 corn or soybean ARC-CO payment. Any further decline in the 2017 national market year average price levels below the current estimates would also enhance the likelihood of potential 2017 ARC-CO corn and soybean payments.

The USDA FSA ARC/PLC website contains 2014, 2015, and 2016 ARCCO payment maps, as well as a spreadsheet with actual yields, bench-

mark yields, and payment rates for all crops for every county in the United States, along with other farm program information. It should be noted that the payment rates listed on this web site have not been factored by 85 percent to arrive at an ARC-CO payment per base acre, and the 6.8 percent federal sequestration reduction has not been applied to the listed payment rates. The website can be found at www.fsa.usda.gov/arc-plc.

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

PAGE 24

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

THE LAND — JANUARY 12/JANUARY 19, 2018

MARKETING

Grain Outlook Corn market lacks interest The following marketing analysis is for the week ending Jan. 5.

CORN — Another short trading week as everyone returned from their holidays, and no one seemed very interested. Since news this week was severely lacking, let’s take a look back at 2017. On the continuous corn chart, nearby corn traded a small 66 cent range for the year from $3.28.25 to $3.94.5 per bushel. On a year-toyear closing basis, nearby corn closed out 2016 at $3.52/bu. and settled 2017 at $3.50.75/bu., down 1.25 cents/bu. The 2018 calendar year began on a slow note, trading from $3.50.25 to $3.54.75/bu. PHYLLIS NYSTROM CHS Hedging Inc. this week. It has only traded from St. Paul $3.50 to $3.54.75/bu. since Dec. 22! It’s no small wonder that grower sales have been slow and many are sitting on the sidelines hoping the World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates Jan. 12 report will provide some tradeable action.

Weekly export sales were the lowest of the marketing year at a dismal 4 million bushels! This is horrible even for a holiday week. We remained 25 percent behind last year’s total commitments. We have sold 1.05 billion bushels or 55 percent of the target vs. 1.4 billion bushels last year (61 percent of the final) and compared to the USDA’s 1.925 billion bushel target.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s number is a 16 percent decline in year-on-year exports. We’re going to need to average about 25 million bushels of sales per week to achieve the current USDA number.

Weekly ethanol production fell by 58,000 barrels per day to 1.032 million bpd, the largest weekly decline since at least 2010. Ethanol stocks were up 600,000 barrels to 22.6 million barrels, the first increase in a month. Margins recovered a nickel to a positive 2 cents per gallon. Most traders are penciling in a slightly higher ethanol usage number for the January report; however, a slightly larger production figure may balance it out.

There was renewed chatter about a delay to Brazil’s soybean harvest. It’s expected they may only have 1 percent of their soybeans harvested in Mato Grosso by Jan. 20, compared to 5 percent last year.

Why is this important to corn? Much of the early harvested soybean acres in this region get planted to corn. If soybean harvest is slower, there is the possibility of intended corn acres switching to cotton.

See NYSTROM, pg. 25

Cash Grain Markets corn/change* soybeans/change*

Stewartville Edgerton Jackson Janesville Cannon Falls Sleepy Eye

$2.95 +.02 $3.00 -.03 $3.01 -.04 $3.16 -.02 $2.92 .00 $2.96 -.01

$8.71 .00 $8.81 +.01 $8.86 .00 $8.85 +.01 $8.75 -.03 $8.86 -.03

Grain Angles

Start 2018 with transition mindset

The new year has started the way we left the old year. Lots of volatility and lots of uncertainty. Both the cattle and hog markets ended the year higher than they started albeit just slightly higher in both instances. It would appear that the markets will continue to be erratic and contain quick moves in either direction at times.

The cattle market after finishing the year on a good rally saw a big change in direction in the first week of the new year with a sharply lower finish to the week.

While beef cutouts have improved, the movement of beef product has JOE TEALE slowed, causing some caution Broker towards a push to higher prices.

Great Plains Commodity The supply of cattle continues to Afton, Minn. hang over the market after the release of several cattle on feed reports that continue to show greater than expected cattle on feed. For the market to overcome this potential large supply, demand for beef products will have to remain strong if not increase to maintain current price levels. Weather could pose some support from time to time causing price fluctuations.

However, it still boils down to the supply/demand picture in the long run.

All things considered, producers should take a skeptical approach to the market and protect inventories as needed.

The hog market finished the first week of the new year on a positive note with cash advancing all week along with a higher weekly close for the futures con-

This article was written as a collaboration between team members of the tax and accounting department at Compeer Financial.

Traditionally, a New Year’s resolution brings an opportunity for one to reflect on what went well in the last year and what lessons could be learned from past mistakes. For the individual who is contemplating transitioning to the next generation, this time of year provides a chance to start the transition plan with a clean slate.

Areas to focus on when you begin that plan are to educate yourself, work on communication, pencil out the cash flow, calculate the tax implications, and document the final plan.

The first step to get your transition plan off to the right start is to educate yourself as much as possible.

There are a plethora of seminars that financial planners and tax firms offer on the topic of succession planning. Farm publications are continually addressing this important topic as well.

Experienced experts who specialize in agricultural taxes should be resources you can rely on. We aren’t saying that your neighbor who transitioned the farm last year doesn’t have great ideas; but each and every plan is so individualized, that what worked for them may not be in your best interest.

The second step to starting the transition process is communication. That includes talking with your family and understanding what their wishes are. You need to take into consideration both the on-farm heir and the off-farm heirs. Being fair to each does not always, and often never means being equal to each.

The family needs to sit down and discuss goals in a formal setting. That means putting aside the roles of mom, dad and children and taking up the roles of business partners. This structured meeting will give a chance for the son or daughter to not feel like “junior,” but rather as a partner in making decisions that will help the farm succeed in the future.

The third step to starting a transition plan off on the right foot is to know the financial numbers.

Previous years’ tax returns would be a starting point to see what net cash the farm has been able to produce. One must be careful of the depreciation expense on the tax return. The tax return often accelerates depreciation for tax purposes. A number to replace the tax return deprecation number is known as capital asset replacement allowance. When analyzing your tax return numbers, you could replace what is on the business schedule for depreciation

See TEALE, pg. 25

See GRAIN ANGLES, pg. 25

Average:

$3.00

$8.81

Year Ago Average: $3.08 $9.30 Grain prices are effective cash close on Jan. 9. *Cash grain price change represents a two-week period.

Livestock Angles Markets remain volatile, uncertain

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 — JANUARY 12/JANUARY 19, 2018

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

PAGE 25

Weekly soybean export sales hit market year low NYSTROM, from pg. 24 Outlook: At the end of the week, some wondered why we even bothered to trade corn this week. For the week, March corn was up .5 cent at $3.51.25, July eked out a .25 cent gain at $3.67.50, and December was .5 cent higher at $3.84.5/bu. Another slow week ahead of the Jan. 12 report may be expected with March corn confined to a rough $3.45 to $3.55/bu. range. Funds remain net short, which may provide support, but South American weather will be the hot topic. Poor exports and higher ethanol stocks may limit any upside.

SOYBEANS — Without the supportive concern stemming from dryness in areas of Argentina, I’m not sure what we would have traded this week. March soybeans have rallied off their Dec. 29 low of $9.54.75/ bu. to this week’s high of $9.77/bu., driven mainly by South America’s changing weather forecasts.

Argentina did receive rain before the weekend, with another round expected Jan. 11-12. Areas of concern have shrunk, but the trade wants more reassurance.

Overall, Brazil’s conditions look fine. Some reports put forth the possibility that Brazil’s crop could surpass last year’s record 114.1 million metric ton crop.

The Buenos Aires Grain Exchange estimates that

MARKETING 2.25 million hectares or 5.56 million acres of soybeans still need to be planted of the 18.1-millionhectare estimate. Argentina’s soybeans are 87 percent planted compared to 89 percent on average.

Argentina’s export tax on soybeans was cut 0.5 percent to 29.5 percent as of Jan. 1 and will be reduced an additional 0.5 percent per month for the next two years. One private consultant put two-thirds of Brazil’s soybeans in the blooming stage and 30 percent setting or filling pods. Brazil’s soybean exports in December were estimated at a new monthly record at 2.3 mmt.

Weekly export sales, like in corn, were a marketing year low at just 20.4 million bushels. With 1.5 billion bushels of sales on the books, we are 14 percent behind last year’s pace. The USDA is projecting a 2.3 percent increase in exports this year at 2.225 billion bushels. We need to average a record high 21.1 million bushels of sales per week to hit the USDA’s figure.

Last year, we averaged 13.1 million bushels from this date forward.

China reported that from January through

November, the United States only supplied 31 percent of the 86.9 mmt of soybean imports into that country.

For comparison, last year we accounted for 34 percent.

The November National Oilseed Processors Association soybean crush was 173.3 million bushels when the trade was expecting 174.1 million bushels.

This was still a new record for the month. Soyoil stocks were 1.977 billion pounds vs. 1.737 billion pounds estimated. For the first quarter of the marketing year, crush is up 2 percent and very close to the USDA’s forecast for a yearly gain of 2.2 percent.

OUTLOOK: For the week, March soybeans were 9 cents higher at $9.70.75, July gained 7.75 cents to $9.91, and November soybeans jumped 9.5 cents to $9.85.25/bu. This week, March soybeans traded from $9.58.75 to $9.77/bu. Recapping the 2017 calendar year on the continuous soybean chart: the trading range was from a low of $9.00.25 to a high of $10.80/ bu.; it closed 2016 at $9.96.25 and 2017 at $9.51.75/ bu. for a decline of 44.75 cents.

The December low in March soybeans at $9.54.75 is seen as first support, but bets will be off if South American forecasts turn wetter. First resistance is seen from $9.80 to $9.90/bu., but again, weather will be the determinate. v

Transition timing and triggering events need documentation GRAIN ANGLES, from pg. 24 and use typically 15 percent of the market value of your current machinery.

Creating an up-to-date balance sheet is vital in order to know what assets are available for retirement and what remains for passing onto the next generation. Being forthright with everyone creates a sense of trust and honesty. A common misnomer is that there is enough assets to give away and still be able to live comfortably in retirement. The first generation needs to help the second generation while also protect their funds for retirement.

If you look at the cash income that the farm has been able to produce, one could try and forecast five years ahead to see if any efficiencies can produce extra cash income that will be needed to support multiple families. To provide a living for the retiring generation, a rental agreement or a sale would have to occur on some assets. That means a rental expense or debt repayment would have to be added to the cost of production. Penciling this out is critical to determine what is feasible for meeting the cash flow requirements.

Speaking of a possible sale, that leads us to another key point — tax implications of a transfer. The two most common ways around the tax implications are either by gifting a portion of the assets away or by your children inheriting the assets. With lifetime estate gifting amounts increased to $11.2 million for 2018, indexed for inflation, per individual for federal rules, one can easily transfer a great deal of wealth and not have any federal tax implications. This plan could possibly involve a rental/lease agreement and would need to look at long-term care implications.

With careful planning, inheritance could be beneficial in the transfer of assets. Current tax reform retained the step-up basis in place, allowing highly appreciated property to be stepped up to fair market value. This of course depends on how the asset is titled but can be extremely beneficial to many. Since most parents will not be able to gift or give the farm to the next generation, a couple of options could be a possible sale or rental agreement to provide funds for retirement. Selling the farm in one transaction or splitting it up on an installment sale can lead to different tax consequences.

Furthermore, if the first generation wanted to give the second generation a chance to start gaining equity; another option could be to rent out the land and buildings for a period of time while they sell the operational assets. This would provide retirement income for the first generation and a chance to cash flow the debt for the second generation. Each family

will see different benefits by selling the farm or by renting it out. A key point to any plan is to communicate and have a written plan.

Last but not least, the family needs to put this into a formal written plan. This will ensure two things, the first so that there is no misunderstanding of when all this will take place. And second, it will provide details of what should be done in the event of a death.

The timing of a transition and the triggering events will need to be formally documented, usually by an attorney, to ensure everyone understands the plan and makes it a legally binding agreement.

When starting your transition process this year, remember it is just that, a process. No one should jump into a plan too quickly.

For more insights from the Compeer team or to learn more, check out www.Compeer.com/education.v

Hog market futures are looking ‘tired’ TEALE, from pg. 24 tracts. The gap between cash and futures has continued to narrow, reducing the spread between the futures price and the lean index. From a technical standpoint, the futures are beginning to act a bit tired at these higher levels.

On the other hand, the cash market is showing good advances every day since the first of the year. Pork cutouts have continued to advance at a very slow pace which also brings the attention that it too may be

showing signs of also being tired. This may be signs of the holiday letdown by the consumers. This action does raise its concerns since the hog market has made a nice recovery from the last sell-off last August.

The next few weeks will likely determine the fate of hog prices for the next several months. It all falls back on that market mover supply versus demand and which one comes to the forefront. Producers should pay attention to market action over the next several weeks and protect inventories if desired. v

PAGE 26

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

THE LAND — JANUARY 12/JANUARY 19, 2018

Farmers brush up on farm finances in one-day course

By MARIE WOOD The Land Associate Editor MANKATO, Minn. — A short course on farm finances from the University of Minnesota Extension is helping farmers feel more confident about their operation at a difficult time in American agriculture.

On Jan. 3 in Mankato, 21 people attended the course called “Taking Charge of Your Finances: How to Survive and Thrive.” The course was a mix of older farmers and ag students from South Central College in North Mankato.

“We get a mix of younger farmers and older farmers.

It’s good to refresh,” said Nathan Hulinsky, Agricultural Business Management Extension educator.

The course covers the balance sheet to determine your farm’s financial condition; income statement to determine if your farm is profitable; cash flow statement to determine where the money goes; and record keeping as a tool for farm management.

The format splits students into lender teams to review a case farm’s balance sheets, income and cash flow statements. The teams came back together to discuss and share their observations.

Tim Daly, a corn and soybean farmer near Minnesota Lake, attended the session. He also farms with his dad and brother in Warroad. Up there, he grows wheat, malting barley, food-grade soybeans and ryegrass seed.

Minor Roof Leaks?

CALL US!

UMN Extension course: Taking Charge of Your Finances: How to Survive & Thrive Jan. 17, Crookston Jan. 24, Willmar Jan. 23, St. Cloud Jan. 30, Rochester Classes are 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Visit www.extension.umn.edu/ agriculture/business/ to learn more.

Online Resources: UMN Extension Agricultural Business Management: www.extension.umn.edu/agriculture/business/ UMN Center for Farm Financial Management: www.cffm. umn.edu for FINPACK, FINBIN and more Center for Farm Financial Management offers a free, selfguided online course: https://www.cffm.umn.edu/products/ IFSaM.aspx Phone: Contact the UMN Extension Farm Information Line at (800) 232-9077 to set up a free counseling session.

His wife enters the data, which gives Daly more time to analyze the financials. They also employ a part-time chief financial officer to review their finances quarterly. Even for someone who has been implementing record keeping and analysis for a long time, the course was useful.

“It’s always good to hear that you are doing some of the right things already,” said Daly. “You really have to watch your margins. Know your cost of production.

Have a marketing plan.”

Bremer Bank was a partner in the course. Wally Thomas, senior vice president at Bremer Bank, said his farm customers tell him that there are three things a farm needs: a good set of financial records, a good person in marketing and a good banker.

Thomas said farmers must reduce expenses and generate more revenue with specialty crops, diversification and/or off-farm employment.

“We will make it. We will adjust,” Thomas said.

“The good people pay attention to details and will make the right adjustments. We have to sweat the small stuff.”

Thomas encourages farmers to take a day and attend financial refreshers like this one. He added that the format of farmers looking at the financial documents as bankers was helpful. Megan Roberts, Agricultural Business Management Extension educator, agreed.

“Hopefully it enables people to be more objective when they look at their own farm,” said Roberts.

Roberts plugged FINPACK, the University of Minnesota Center for Farm Financial Management software program. FINPACK offers analysis tools to know your financial condition, run projections, find cost savings and see where you are losing or making money. In addition, farmers can evaluate how changes will impact their operation and examine options before making a decision.

Allen Marble farms 400 acres of corn and soybeans in Good Thunder. He is also a custom hog finisher. He has participated in Farm Business Management and used FINPACK since 1986. Although they were not always called by those names.

“It’s just a great financial tool for farmers to do their own homework,” said Marble.

This tough farm economy is bringing back memories of the 1980s for Marble, but he has been watching the farm finances closely and planning strategically since then.

“I was already in a pullback mode two years ago,” Marble said.

At day’s end, Megan Roberts broke down the three steps of financial management: record keeping, financial statements and benchmarking.

Benchmarking your operation can be done using FINBIN, another tool from the Center for Farm Financial Management. With FINBIN, producers can compare their numbers to other farms of similar size and structure to identify strengths and weaknesses.

“Benchmarking can be a really beneficial tool,” said Roberts. “If you live in a bubble, you’re not going to probably progress.”

The take-aways are that producers must make sure that the records and statements provide the necessary detail for themselves and their lenders to make decisions. They must know key ratios, benchmark, and determine if they are comfortable with their numbers.

“Is your farm positioned to survive and thrive?” asked Roberts. v

THE LAND — JANUARY 12/JANUARY 19, 2018

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

PAGE 27

THE LAND office will be closed on Monday, January 15, 2017

January 24 • 157.62 ± Ac. Fieldon Twp., Watonwan Co. January 31 • 315.05 ± Ac. Eureka Twp., Dakota Co. February • 160 ± Ac. Holly Twp., Murray Co. February 6 • 57± & 80 ± Ac. Lowell Twp., Murray Co. 150± Mason Twp., Murray Co. & 150.31± Slayton Twp., Murray Co. For information brochures CALL 1-800-730-LAND (5263) or visit www.Wingert Realty.com Only registered bidders may attend. View our other available properties for sale on our website.

1160 Victory Drive South, Suite 6 • Mankato, MN 56001 • 507-345-LAND (5263) Charles Wingert, Broker # 07-16-10

MARTIN COUNTY, MN FARMLAND AUCTION 160 DEEDED ACRES +/Tues., January 30, 2018 @ 10:30 AM To be held at the Knights of Columbus Hall-920 E 10th Street, Fairmont, MN.

Have buyer looking to purchase tillable land with high production index. (Possible lease back) LOOKING TO SELL YOUR FARM OR LAND CONTACT JOHN TO CONSIDER YOUR OPTIONS.

Court Ordered

1,370± Acres

Bankruptcy Auction

352 acres

Thursday, January 25

96 acres

offered in 5 tracts

Fillmore County, MN Bloomfield Township

922 acres LEGAL DESCRIPTION: 160 Acre Tract in the SW 1/4 Sec. 8 of Fraser Twp., Martin County, MN T103N, R31W. INFORMATION: *Top producing tillable land with good soil types. Call for booklets or go to www.landservicesunlimited.com.

JOE VANDERIET, PEG OLINGER & PETE VANDERIET

HARTUNG, KAHLERS, WEDEL & PIKEAUCTIONEERS 507-236-7629 or 507-238-4318

offered in 7 tracts

Mower County, MN Grand Meadow, Pleasant Valley, & Racine Townships

2018

Land Specialists

Sealed Bid Land Auctions

offered in 2 tracts

Howard County, IA Chester Township

Bin Site

Lane, SD

Jerauld County, SD

offered in 3 tracts

Steffes Group, Inc. 24400 MN Hwy 22 S | Litchfield, MN 55355 605 E Winfield Ave | Mt. Pleasant, IA 52641

For a detailed Buyer’s Prospectus with complete terms and conditions, contact our office at 320.693.9371; Randy Kath, 701.429.8894; or Shelly Weinzetl, 763.300.5055 or SteffesGroup.com.

Scott Steffes SD Broker #4762, Randy Kath MN47-007, Shelly Weinzetl SD-16049, MN86-79 TERMS: 10% down upon signing purchase agreement with balance due at closing in 45 days.

This is a 5% buyer’s premium auction. Details at SteffesGroup.com.

PAGE 28

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

021 Real Estate

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

THE LAND — JANUARY 12/JANUARY 19, 2018

020 Grain Handling Equip

034

Farm Implements

035 Farm Implements

100 Acre farm, 30 tillable, FOR SALE:Used grain bins, FOR SALE: (2) Demco 650 some organic eligible. floors unload systems, stigravity boxes, always shedLovely 4 bdrm home. Availrators, fans & heaters, aerded, no long hauls, $12,000 able October 2018, Crawation fans, buying or selleach. (507)459-1571 ford County, $475,000. Call ing, try me first and also 608-624-5787 call for very competitive FOR SALE: 48 JD loader w/no welds, bucket, $2,500. contract rates!

Office Sell your land or real estate (507)391-5127 hours 8am-5pm Monday – in 30 days for 0% commisFriday Saturday 9am - 12 sion. Call Ray 507-339-1272 FOR SALE: 725 JD loader, noon or call 507-697-6133 quick tach bucket, sharp, Ask for Gary Bins & Buildings 033 will fit 20 to 55 Series JD 2WD tractor. 507-220-0999 Stormor Bins & EZ-Drys. Wilson grain trailer 40', aluminum, new ag hoppers, 100% financing w/no liens elec roll tarp, elec traps, FOR SALE: Loftness 8' or red tape, call Steve at snowblower, 1,000 RPM. spring ride, $20,000. (641) Fairfax Ag for an appoint(507)399-3006 590-1102 ment. 888-830-7757

No�ce of Upcoming Mar�n County, Minnesota

110.9 ACRES +/‐ Silver Lake Township

FARMLAND AUCTION

Tuesday, January 23, 2018 @ 10:30 A.M. In case of very inclement weather ‐ “blizzard”, please check our web site at www.auc�oneeralley.com for details.

SALE LOCATION: The auc�on will be held at the Knights of Columbus Hall at 920 East 10th Street in Fairmont, Minnesota. Watch for auc�on signs on highway #15 on day of the sale.

PROPERTY LEGAL DESCRIPTION

Tile Injector 6" tile plow pull type tile plow, used very little, w/ new Intellislope GPS controls incl. base station, also new tile stringer, possibly would sell as separate items, $43,000. (641) 5901102 We buy Salvage Equipment Parts Available Hammell Equip., Inc. (507)867-4910

Have an upcoming

auction?

Call us today!

507-345-4523 800-657-4665 or talk to your auctioneer

Part of SE1/4 (Silver Lake Township) in 35‐101N‐30W Mar�n County, Minnesota. Containing 110.9 acres more or less.

The full legal descrip�on will be provided at the auc�on.

For property informa�on booklet & more informa�on go to

www.auc�oneeralley.com.

OWNERS: John Grabianowski Estate ATTORNEY FOR THE SELLER: Brandon Edmundson

SALE CONDUCTED BY

Wedel of

Krahmer, Shaffer & Edmundson, Ltd. A�orneys at Law Fairmont, MN. 923 N. State St. Suite 170 Fairmont, MN. 56031 507‐238‐4318

Auc�oneers Doug Wedel Fairmont, MN or 507‐236‐4255 (C) Dan Pike ‐ Jackson, MN. Kevin, Ryan & Allen Kahler, Dustyn Hartung Sherburn & Fairmont, MN. Dylan Kallemeyn

035

MARTIN COUNTY, MN FARMLAND AUCTION 200 DEEDED ACRES +/Wed., January 24, 2018 @ 7:00 PM To be held at the Trimont Community Center41 2nd Ave NW, Trimont, MN

LEGAL DESCRIPTION: 200 Acre Tract in the W1/2 SE1/4 & SE1/4 SE1/4 & E1/2 SW1/4 Sec. 28 of Cedar Twp., Martin Co., MN T104N, R33W. Located 3 ½ miles NW of Trimont, MN on blacktop.

INFORMATION: *Top producing tillable land with excellent soil types & salvage 5 to 9 ac. bldg. site that may be sold separately. Call for booklets or go to www.landservicesunlimited.com.

KENNETH A. WEST ESTATE

Kahlers, Hartung, Wedel, Pike & Hall Auctioneers

507-764-3591 • 507-236-7629 or 507-238-4318

Darwin Anthony, PR • Edman & Edman Law Firm, Paul Edman, Attorney

THE LAND — JANUARY 12/JANUARY 19, 2018 Tractors

036 Planting Equip

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

038 Tillage Equip

7810 JD PS 26mph, cab, 20.8- FOR SALE: 2005 1790 16-32 42 tires, 11,500 hrs, runs planter w/ liq. Fert., w/red good, $24,900 with 740 self ball system, 500 gal tank, leveling loader, $28,900. 715E-set planting unit, Yetter 223-3664 trash whippers, fluted coulters, smartbox insecticide, Case 2390, 1982, New engine pneumatic down pressure, 200 hrs, near new 12.5-54 inspected annually, & serduals & 11-16 fronts, 3spd power shift, AC, air seat, 3 viced at Kibble Equipment, remotes, 3pt hitch, 600 gal $55,000/OBO. 507-456-3007 saddle tanks, set up for 20” FOR SALE: JD 7100 rows, $20,500. (641) 590-1102 planter, 12R30”, JD moniFOR SALE: '69 JD 3020, gas, tor, lift assist wheels, corn 3pt, WF, 6900 hrs, $6,995; meters, soybean cups, '87 JD 2950, MFWD, 5200 $3,900. Delivery if possible. hrs, $13,500; '64 JD 4020, 320-220-3114 dsl, 3pt, WF, Sharp, $7,995; '83 IH 684, dsl, 3pt, QT ldr, Tillage Equip 039 $6,995. Can del. 320-543-3523 '02 Great Plains Turbo-Till NEW AND USED TRACTOR Vertical Tillage unit Model PARTS JD 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, TT 3000 Series I, center 55, 50 Series & newer tracweight package, hydraulic tors, AC-all models, Large wing down pressure, rolling Inventory, We ship! Mark spike tooth & basket harHeitman Tractor Salvage row, 30' working width, 715-673-4829 $15,000. (641) 590-1102

039

Machinery Wanted

040

FOR SALE: JD 2700 disk WANTED: 1 or 2 Brent wagons, around 644 bushel. ripper, 9x24” w/ Ryan Mfg (507)276-2839 rolling basket. 507-220-5153 Machinery Wanted

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 WANTED TO BUY: IH 3488 or H186 tractor. 320-352-3878

Spraying Equip

041

FOR SALE: '86 Freightliner Liquid Tender Truck Day cab, air ride, Tandem axle, 855 Cummins eng, 10spd trans, 1650 gal HD elliptical tank, 30 gal & 60 gal chem mix tanks, 120 gal rinse water tank, 2" bottom fill, 5hp x 2" transfer pump, $9,700. (641) 590-1102

Harvesting Equip

037 '97 DMI Field Cultivator 40.5' Tigermate I, Blue, $3,000 REBATE tandem wheels, 3 bar harrow, double fold, narrow ON NEW #1317 (1325 Bushel) center frame, gauge X-TREME Unverferth wheels, Nice unit, $11,500.

Grain Cart (2016) w/ Tarp & (641) 590-1102 Scale. Can Trade/Deliver.

Dealer 319-347-6282 Case IH 14 V-ripper, black

springs, nice, always shedJD 18R20 cornhead 90 series ded, one owner, asking row units, auger slow down $3,500. (507)847-2638 kit, JD poly snouts, Headsight height control, Truesight row guidance, knife Case IH 36R20 cultivator 36R20” cultivator set up for rolls, some extra parts, side dressing, 60' width, 2pt $32,000. (641) 590-1102 lift w/ rear assist wheels, double fold, double bar, Killbros 1800 grain cart 1000 gauge wheels, plumbed w/ bu, terra tires, scale w/ variable rate orifices, printer, roll tarp, red $15,000. (641) 590-1102 $18,000. (641) 590-1102

MARTIN COUNTY, MN FARMLAND AUCTION 177.95 DEEDED ACRES +/-

Thurs., February 1, 2018 @ 10:30 AM To be held at the Sherburn Legion-18 N Osborne St, Sherburn, MN.

LEGAL DESCRIPTION: 177.95 Acres in SE1/4 Sec 22(EX 19.10AC)& E1/2 NE1/4 Sec 27( EX 43.66AC) of Elm Creek Twp., Martin Co., MN T103N, R33W. INFORMATION: Good producing tillable land with good soil types. Call for

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

Upcoming Issues of THE LAND Southern MNNorthern MN Northern IA **Jan. 19, 2018 Jan. 26, 2018 Feb. 2, 2018 Feb. 9, 2018 Feb. 16, 2018 Feb. 23, 2018 Mar. 2, 2018 Mar. 9, 2018 Mar. 16, 2018 Deadlines are 1 week prior to publication with Holiday deadlines 1 day earlier ** Indicates Early Deadline

booklets or go to www.landservicesunlimited.com.

OWNER: SICKLER FAMILY

HARTUNG, KAHLERS, WEDEL & PIKEAUCTIONEERS 507-236-7629 or 507-238-4318

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

Edman & Edman Law Office-John Edman, Attorney

Ask Your Auctioneer to Place Your Auction in The Land!

PAGE 29

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

THE LAND — JANUARY 12/JANUARY 19, 2018

050 Livestock

054

ALFALFA, mixed hay, grass FOR SALE: Black Angus hay & feed grade wheat bulls also Hamp, York, & straw, med. square or Hamp/Duroc boars & gilts. round bales, delivery avail320-598-3790 able. Thief River Falls, MN 055 Call or text LeRoy Ose: Dairy (218)689-6675 WANTED TO BUY: Dairy heifers and cows. 320-235SEED AND HERBICIDE 2664 SAVINGS! Add up to $50,000 to your bottom line Cattle 056 on 500 acres of crop production. Top national corn hyFOR SALE OR LEASE brids for $112! Proven REGISTERED BLACK KLEENACRES herbicide ANGUS Bulls, 2 year old & programs save up to 50%. yearlings; bred heifers, Top yields, Kleen fields, calving ease, club calves & better bottom line! balance performance. Al Call 320-237-7667 or sired. In herd improvement WWW.KLEENACRES.COM program. J.W. Riverview Angus Farm Glencoe, MN Thank you for 55336 Conklin Dealer 320reading The Land 864-4625

irst Your F for Choice s! d ie if s Clas

Place d Your A 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 DEADLINE: Friday at 5:00 p.m. for the following Friday edition.

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THE FREE PRESS South Central Minnesota’s Daily News Source

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 Equipment  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

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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.

Cattle

056 Miscellaneous

090

Registered Texas Longhorn Blizzard 8611 Snowplow, Extends from 8 1/2' to 11', breeding stock, cows, Like New, Off of 2013 F350, heifers or roping stock, top $5,000. 715-234-1993 blood lines. 507-235-3467 WANT TO BUY: Butcher FOR SALE: 4x14 arch s.s. pans, bad tin 400 g.p.h RO. cows, bulls, fats & walkable Steam away tanks pails cripples; also horses, spiles. Fredric, WI 54837 sheep & goats. 320-235-2664 715-491-1861 Swine

065

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.

Compart's total program features superior boars & open gilts documented by BLUP technology. Duroc, York, Landrace & F1 lines.

Terminal boars offer leanness, muscle, growth. MaDRAINAGE ternal gilts & boars are PARMA PUMPS New pumps & productive, lean, durable. parts on hand.

Call MinAll are stress free & PRRS nesota's largest distributor free. Semen also available HJ Olson & Company 320through Elite Genes A.I. FOR SALE: 9 shorthorn 974-8990 Cell – 320-212-5336 Make 'em Grow! Comparts steers, 500-700 lbs., vacciBoar Store, INC. Toll Free: nated & poured. Renville, 877-441-2627 REINKE IRRIGATION MN (320) 894-6271 Sales & Service New & Used For your irrigation needs 888-830-7757 or 507-276-2073

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More readers = better results! Call The Land for more information. 507-3454523 • 800-657-4665 Winpower Sales & Service Reliable Power Solutions Since 1925 PTO & automatic Emergency Electric Generators. New & Used Rich Opsata-Distributor 800-343-9376

Get results FAST when you advertise in THE LAND! Call 507-345-4523 or 800-657-4665

THE LAND — JANUARY 12/JANUARY 19, 2018

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

PAGE 31

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.

ADVERTISER LISTING Ag Builders ............................................................................ 12 Agri-Systems .......................................................................... 17 Anderson Seeds ....................................................................... 14 Broskoff Structures ................................................................. 15 Compart's Boar Store ................................................................7 Courtland Waste ........................................................................6 Curt's Truck & Diesel ................................................................9 Dahl Farm Supply ................................................................... 16 Dan Pike Clerking ................................................................... 28 Diers Ag & Trailer Sales ......................................................... 16 Doda USA .............................................................................. 16 Farmward Cooperative ...............................................................5 Freudenthal Dairy & Mfg ........................................................ 19 Gehl Company ........................................................................ 21 Greenwald Farm Center ........................................................... 30 Grizzly Buildings .................................................................... 23 Hen-Way Mfg ...........................................................................8 Keith Bode .............................................................................. 30 Larson Implements ............................................................ 29, 30 Letcher Farm Supply ............................................................... 22 Litzau Farm Drainage .............................................................. 13 Mathiowetz Construction ......................................................... 12 Mid-American Auction ............................................................ 27 Mike's Collision ...................................................................... 26 Minnesota Soybean ................................................................. 11 Minnwest Bank .........................................................................4 Mustang Mfg .......................................................................... 20 NK Clerking ............................................................... 27, 28, 29 Northland Building ................................................................. 17 NuTech Seed .............................................................................4 Property Brokers ..................................................................... 27 Pruess Elevator ....................................................................... 31 Rohlf ing's of Cleveland .............................................................7 Schwartz Farms .........................................................................8 Schweiss ................................................................................. 29 SI Feeder/Schoessow ............................................................... 18 Smiths Mill Implement ............................................................ 31 Sonic Herbicide ........................................................................3 Southwest MN K-Fence ........................................................... 22 Spanier Welding ...................................................................... 10 Steffes Group .................................................................... 27, 28 Wahl Spray Foam .................................................................... 14 Wingert Realty ........................................................................ 27

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 — JANUARY 12/JANUARY 19, 2018

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

A grand old dam

T

he Pillager hydroelectric dam on the Crow Wing River in Morrison County still generates 1.5 megawatts of electricity today after 101 years of operation. It’s not easy to find so we asked at the Pillager City Hall which is actually in Cass County. They were happy to provide directions and we proceeded down a mile of winding and snowy narrow streets and country roads through a jack pine plantation.

At road’s end is a public access to the 500 acre Lake Placid reservoir, a small parking lot for Minnesota Power vehicles, and a road down to the rushing river below the dam. On an average day over a thousand cubic feet of water pours over the dam, through the power plants’ two generators, and back into the river. Listening to the water is soothing and hypnotic. Watching it swirl and race out of the power house is a little terrifying.

In the calm but not yet frozen water a hundred yards below the dam, a 50-bird gaggle of Canada geese bicker.

Overhead, a couple dozen Trumpeter Swans, long white necks stretched out, are heading upriver.

Minnesota Power owns the Pillager dam and three other century-old dams on the Crow Wing and Mississippi rivers in central Minnesota. One dam is in the Camp Ripley military reservation, another in the town of Little Falls, and the third and largest is on the Mississippi near Bowlus. They also own a number of dams in northeastern Minnesota. They were all built to provide electricity to the then growing iron mining industry and to provide economic development to the nearby communities.

Minnesota Power has cooperated with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources to provide a boat access for Lake Placid above the dam. The lot below the dam is large but unadorned. It provides for good dam, bird, and river watching but not much more. Access to fishing in the river is possible but treacherous. There is a rugged trail going down river through the woods.

If you want a higher quality recreational experience visit Little Falls’ attractive parks near the dam there. But if you want to see a piece of Minnesota’s early industrial history in the raw, visit the Pillager dam. v

Pillager, Minn.

Since Minnesota Power owns the dams but the river belongs to all of us, they are regulated by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. FERC requires that Minnesota Power provide access to the river and some level of recreation. Some dams have high quality recreational opportunities, but things are pretty basic at Pillager.

Page 4 - January 12, 2018

THE LAND, Advertising Supplement

Restore & Repair Your Metal Roof

Before

After

Before

After

© 2018

January 12, 2018

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

SOUTHERN EDITION

Air-seal your barns to prevent condensation and corrosion.

Eliminate Leaks • Tighten Fasteners • Prevent Rust Emergency & Scheduled Roof Repair REPAIR SERVICE IS AVAILABLE FOR:

Before

After

Spray Foam Roofs TPO Roofs EPDM Roofs

Built Up Roofs Metal Roofs

YOUR LOCAL MINNESOTA CONTRACTOR:

CALL REE TOLL F E HEDUL TO SC E A FRE ATE. ESTIM

greener world solutions

855-612-8038 www.greenerworldsolutions.com

MN LIC BC639351

Options available for: Hog • Dairy • Beef • Poultry Call 507-833-1320 for more information Before YOUR LOCAL MINNESOTA CONTRACTOR:

CALL REE TOLL F E HEDUL TO SC E A FRE ATE. ESTIM

greener world solutions

855-612-8038 www.greenerworldsolutions.com

MN LIC BC639351

Page 2 - January 12, 2018

THE LAND, Advertising Supplement

We make old metal buildings look new again A FRESH COAT OF PAINT

Before

Custom colors available

January 12, 2018 - Page 3

Renew in 1 Easy Step Before

greener world solutions

MN LIC BC639351

After

YOUR LOCAL MINNESOTA CONTRACTOR: CALL REE TOLL F E HEDUL TO SC E A FRE ATE. ESTIM

855-612-8038 www.greenerworldsolutions.com

Give your dooryard a fresh new look while sealing, insulating and protecting your metal building. This spray foam insulation and coating system eliminates leaks, prevents rust and adds insulation. Call for more information. 507-833-1320

Insulate, Coat & Seal

Brighten your dooryard with a fresh coat of paint specially designed for exterior metal buildings.

Custom colors available.

Call today for more information. 507-833-1320

YOUR LOCAL MINNESOTA CONTRACTOR: CALL REE TOLL F E HEDUL TO SC E A FRE ATE. ESTIM

THE LAND, Advertising Supplement

greener world solutions

855-612-8038 www.greenerworldsolutions.com MN LIC BC639351

Page 2 - January 12, 2018

THE LAND, Advertising Supplement

We make old metal buildings look new again A FRESH COAT OF PAINT

Before

Custom colors available

January 12, 2018 - Page 3

Renew in 1 Easy Step Before

greener world solutions

MN LIC BC639351

After

YOUR LOCAL MINNESOTA CONTRACTOR: CALL REE TOLL F E HEDUL TO SC E A FRE ATE. ESTIM

855-612-8038 www.greenerworldsolutions.com

Give your dooryard a fresh new look while sealing, insulating and protecting your metal building. This spray foam insulation and coating system eliminates leaks, prevents rust and adds insulation. Call for more information. 507-833-1320

Insulate, Coat & Seal

Brighten your dooryard with a fresh coat of paint specially designed for exterior metal buildings.

Custom colors available.

Call today for more information. 507-833-1320

YOUR LOCAL MINNESOTA CONTRACTOR: CALL REE TOLL F E HEDUL TO SC E A FRE ATE. ESTIM

THE LAND, Advertising Supplement

greener world solutions

855-612-8038 www.greenerworldsolutions.com MN LIC BC639351

Page 4 - January 12, 2018

THE LAND, Advertising Supplement

Restore & Repair Your Metal Roof

Before

After

Before

After

© 2018

January 12, 2018

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

SOUTHERN EDITION

Air-seal your barns to prevent condensation and corrosion.

Eliminate Leaks • Tighten Fasteners • Prevent Rust Emergency & Scheduled Roof Repair REPAIR SERVICE IS AVAILABLE FOR:

Before

After

Spray Foam Roofs TPO Roofs EPDM Roofs

Built Up Roofs Metal Roofs

YOUR LOCAL MINNESOTA CONTRACTOR:

CALL REE TOLL F E HEDUL TO SC E A FRE ATE. ESTIM

greener world solutions

855-612-8038 www.greenerworldsolutions.com

MN LIC BC639351

Options available for: Hog • Dairy • Beef • Poultry Call 507-833-1320 for more information Before YOUR LOCAL MINNESOTA CONTRACTOR:

CALL REE TOLL F E HEDUL TO SC E A FRE ATE. ESTIM

greener world solutions

855-612-8038 www.greenerworldsolutions.com

MN LIC BC639351