THE LAND ~ February 23, 2018 ~ Southern Edition

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

Februar y 23, 2018 March 2, 2018

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

Say goodbye to sun dogs

Think Spring

The Land previews the Central Minnesota Farm Show Marie Wood takes in GreenSeam’s legislative forum Kent Thiesse talks crop insurance PLUS: Hemp, Garlic, Honey, Markets and more!

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THE LAND — FEBRUARY 23/MARCH 2, 2018

Brighter days on horizon P.O. Box 3169 418 South Second St. Mankato, MN 56002 (800) 657-4665 Vol. XLII ❖ No. 4 48 pages, 1 section plus supplements

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Cover photo submitted by Kalene DeBoer

COLUMNS Opinion In The Garden Farm and Food File Cooking With Kristin Calendar of Events Readers’ Photos Mielke Market Weekly Farm Programs Marketing The Back Porch Auctions/Classifieds Advertiser Listing Back Roads

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For the past six months, I have been pared for the scenario that a 2018 farm watching the financial statistics on famibill will not be completed this year. His ly farms become more critical. Minnesota reasoning: Congress is dealing with an Department of Agriculture and the infrastructure bill and it’s not likely they University of Minnesota Extension have can get both done. However, Harold been offering resources to help farmers Wolle, corn and soybean farmer near St. facing financial challenges and stress.

James, tweeted from Washington, D.C., on Feb. 7: “Talking 2018 farm bill in D.C. With every article I write on farm It will happen!” finances, I include a box on available LAND MINDS resources: MDA’s Farm Advocates proFarmers know a few things about optigram (www.mda.state.mn.us/about/commism.

When I talked with several proBy Marie Wood missionersoffice/farmadvocates); ducers at MN AG EXPO, I asked them MDA’s Farm and Rural Helpline (833) how they make it. One man smiled 600-2670; University of Minnesota and said he really didn’t know how he Extension’s Farm Information Line for did it. Then he told a favorite joke free financial counseling (800) 232-9077. from an ag publication. It went something like this: The reporter asked Elmer, an old farmer who had On Feb. 8, I came across this post from the National Farmers Union on my Twitter feed: “From been farming forever, what were his best years in farming. He answered, “1958 and next year.” His 2013-2016, net farm income fell 50 percent, forcing friend added the modern version of this joke would 42,000 family farmers and ranchers to go out of business. The 2018 farm bill must provide meaning- be “2012 and next year.” ful support to keep family farmers on the land.”

Better days are on the horizon. I attended David Kohl’s presentation at the Ag Symposium, Jan. 30, At the MN AG EXPO, held late January in and he is looking forward to the next decade. Come Mankato, Kevin Paap of Minnesota Farm Bureau 2021, he sees a period of regeneration in agriculand Gary Wertish of Minnesota Farmers Union, talked of the importance for farmers to walk togeth- ture. See the full article on page 22. He identifies trends, as well as management tips, that can make er with other farmers, environmentalists and organizations fighting hunger in advocating for the new a difference in your bottom line. farm bill. “We’ve learned in agriculture working This winter, I attended a fair rental agreement together works,” Paap said. workshop from the University of Minnesota Paap added that we must expand beyond the farm Extension. Extension educator David Bau said that family to the nutrition community through our nat- in the last 15 years, for every acre, the landlord receives two-thirds and the farmer receives oneural connection of food. Since agriculture is all about the environment and sustainability, Paap said third of the net income on average. we must work the best we can with environmental In addition, I am reading articles on farmland groups. The goal is to not fight over the dollars. sales fetching millions of dollars. Steffes Group sent “When we come in fractured, it’s very easy to say a press release on a major sale of more than 1,371 no,” he said. acres of farmland in Minnesota and Iowa that resulted in total sales of $10.2 million. The auction Both leaders would like to see the farm bill included 922 acres in Mower County and 353 acres signed, sealed and delivered this spring before the in Fillmore County. The tillable land averaged election season heats up. A video message from $8,800 per acre. “Our sellers were very pleased with Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar said much the the outcome,” said Randy Kath of Steffes. same.

One bright spot, according to David Kohl, is the Then Blois Olson of Fluence Media took the stage at the annual lunch and told producers to be preSee LAND MINDS, pg. 5

OPINION

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

8 — Minnesota legislators discuss upcoming session at GreenSeam forum 9 — Welcome to the Central Minnesota Farm Show in St. Cloud 22 — Economist looks to next decade for regrowth in agriculture

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

S:9.792”

THE LAND — FEBRUARY 23/MARCH 2, 2018

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THE LAND — FEBRUARY 23/MARCH 2, 2018

Honoring long-time collaborator and partner Larry Hansen It is with a heavy heart that I tell you my partner of over 30 years has died. Larry was the photographer who took the majority of pictures used in this column. We were a good team and it was just five years ago that I began writing this column and using his photos to illustrate the subject matter.

Larry was instrumental in developing Valley View Gardens in Eagle Bend, Minn., where we live. He and I planted hundreds of trees and shrubs and worked together on making stone paths, putting up border fencing and installing fountains.

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All of Larry’s projects were done with precision and care from construction of a bordered flower garden where the mitered ends of the wooden edges fit perfectly to a bucket garden leveled to a quarter-inch precision.

Larry was a Vietnam veterIN THE GARDEN an and died from esophageal cancer that was diagnosed six

By Sharon Quale months ago. His final resting place will be at the State Veterans Cemetery at Camp Ripley in Little Falls, Minn.

As Larry approached the end of his life, he set an example for us all, leaving this earth with dignity and grace. He will be remembered and missed always.

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THE LAND — FEBRUARY 23/MARCH 2, 2018

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PAGE 5

Budget hypocrisy and spending: Time to choose It’s difficult to improve on ers.”

Mark Shields’ apt descripIn short, “Thanks, Mr. tion of today’s Trump White President, but we’re playHouse: “It’s like East ing through.”

Berlin,” observed Shields, a The brief (did it last even long-time political operative a day?) life of the adminisand pundit, during a recent tration’s plan did, however, interview, “there’s more peoshowcase how eyeball-deep ple wanting out than wantFARM & FOOD FILE in budget hypocrisy ing in.”

Congress and the White

By Alan Guebert That was true Feb. 12 House now live. Both talk after the White House endlessly about tomorreleased its 2019 budget row’s deficits, debt and titled, “An American coming despair. And both Budget: Efficient, Effective, nod, wink and spend like there’s no Accountable.” Within hours, however, tomorrow. few Americans (and strikingly few For example, if adopted, Trump’s Capitol Hill Republicans) saw the defi2019 budget would deliver a $984-bilcit-riddled plan as efficient, effective lion federal deficit (2017’s was $666 or accountable. billion) while adding $7 trillion to the The administration rightly anticipat- national debt in the coming decade. ed the budget antipathy. Shortly after (The Obama administration, handed a its release, the President began a financial meltdown and a global recesWhite House meeting to promote his sion, added $7.9 trillion to the nation’s equally dead-on-arrival, $1.5 trillion debt.) infrastructure plan that, remarkably, As noted here in a previous column, failed to note his just-released budCongress is equally drunk on debt. get’s 18 percent cut in Department of Last December, its GOP-led majority Transportation spending. passed a $1.4-trillion tax cut on nothThat’s Washington, D.C., in the post- ing more than discredited economic truth era — alternative facts yesterdogma. Then, a week before President day, alternative reality today.

Trump offered his now-zombie budget, The Republican bosses of the House Congress passed a short-term spendand Senate Ag Committees quickly ing plan that boosts federal outlays by rejected the president’s spending plan $300 billion this year and next. for the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

The Trump White House believes, “This budget,” they noted in a joint and many in Congress agree, that press release, “…will not prevent us much of this new debt can be paid for from doing (our) job” to write “a farm by deep cuts to federal programs used bill for the benefit of farmers, ranchprincipally by the poor, elderly, and ers, consumers and other stakeholdsick. As such, it proposes to cut $17

OPINION

billion next year in USDA’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and seeks a $213.5 billion cut, or 30 percent, to SNAP over the next 10 years.

Similarly, the White House wants to cut Medicaid, the poor’s principal path to health care, by $250 billion in the coming decade.

If enacted, both ideas will have profound and lasting impacts on rural America. Currently, 16 percent of all rural Americans (three percent more than city dwellers) rely on some level of SNAP for their monthly food needs.

That figure tops 20 percent in nearly a quarter of rural counties.

Likewise, 22.5 percent of all rural Americans — and 47 percent of all rural children — rely on Medicaid for health care. That number is higher in states that adopted Medicaid expansion under Obamacare. Also, rural hospitals receive, on average, 20 percent of all income from Medicaid and rural doctors receive nearly 25 percent all care payments from Medicaid.

Budget cuts or no budget cuts, rural

Americans — who are older, poorer and sicker than urban Americans — will continue to need food assistance and health care. If the federal government cuts its current responsibilities, who will step up to meet the still-present need?

Before Congress cuts one cent from one program to fund corporate or personal tax cuts (and yes, even farm programs) every rural American needs a simple, straightforward answer to that simple, straightforward question.

Boxes of government-mandated “shelf stable” food from a less-than svelte USDA boss and a Diet Coke gulping president (both, incidentally, enjoy government-sponsored health care) isn’t any answer to any question.

It is, however, a cynical way to score cheap political points if you’re more interested in winning elections than solving the nation’s problems.

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

From Ag Loans to Lines of Credit, We Have You Covered.

Non-farmers don’t understand LAND MINDS, from pg. 2 farm economy is in an asset bubble instead of the credit bubble of the 1980s. Within those land values, farmers find resiliency. For some, it means they can ride out the economic cycle.

For some, it means they can rent out their land. For others, it may mean they can sell the farm and retire comfortably.

When I talked to Ted Matthews, who counsels farmers for the Minnesota Department of Agriculture, he said that non-farmers don’t understand the plight of the farmer. “Farmers farm. …

It doesn’t matter what the land is worth unless they want to sell it. No farmer wants to sell their land.”

I have the easy job of sharing useful information with you. You have the hard job of combing through your financials, making adjustments, meeting with family members and bankers, reducing costs, watching trends and weighing difficult decisions.

Hang in there. The Land will hang in there too.

Marie Wood is the associate editor of The Land. She may be reached at mwood@thelandonline.com. v

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THE LAND — FEBRUARY 23/MARCH 2, 2018

Top of the recipes with a dash of luck for St. Patrick’s Day Sprinkle the filled potato shells with the cheese.

The saying goes: “There are only two Broil until the pesto is bubbly and the cheese is kinds of people in the world — the Irish melted and golden brown, 2 to 3 minutes. Serve the and those that wish they were.” On potato skins hot.

March 17 we’re all Irish for the day. In honor of St. Patrick’s Day here are some n recipes that will hopefully bring the luck This deli favorite is a great way to get a of the Irish your way. taste of the classic Irish-American corned n beef in a crispy Panini. If you’re a ’kraut fan like me, then feel free to add as much Start your St. Patrick’s Day feast off COOKING WITH KRISTIN kraut as your stomach can handle. I made right with this tasty appetizer that pairs these for the family and to my delight, the potatoes, pesto and broccoli together in a

By Kristin Kveno groans were minimal and the cheers were crispy appetizer that has just the right abundant! amount of green to be both tasty and healthy.

Reuben Panini https://everydaygoodthinking.com/2015/03/14/how-to-makePotato Skins with Broccoli Pesto www.foodandwine.com/recipes/potato-skins-with-broccoli-pesto reuben-sandwiches-two-ways/ 8 (1/2-inch thick) slices rye bread 2 medium russet potatoes 1/4 cup butter, softened 2 cups broccoli florets 1/4 cup Thousand Island dressing 1 garlic clove 1 pound corned beef, divided into four servings 1/4 cup packed fresh flat-leaf parsley leaves 2 cups sauerkraut 1/4 cup packed fresh basil leaves 4 slices Swiss cheese 1/2 tsp. finely grated lemon zest Preheat Panini press. Spread butter on one side of each slice of 1 tbsp. fresh lemon juice bread. Spread dressing on other side of bread. Place corned beef, 1 tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for brushing 1/2 cup sauerkraut, and 1 slice of Swiss cheese on each slice of Salt bread. Cover with remaining 4 slices of bread, butter side up.

Freshly ground pepper Place 2 sandwiches on Panini press. Close lid. Cook 3 to 5 min1/4 cup plus 2 tbsp. finely grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese Scrub the potatoes and prick all over with a fork. Microwave at utes or until desired brownness. Repeat with remaining sandhigh heat for 8 minutes, or until tender throughout. Alternatively, wiches. n bake the potatoes in a 350 F oven for about 1 hour. Transfer the potatoes to a work surface and let cool slightly. Meanwhile, in a Guinness stout is one of the most famous beer large pot of boiling salted water, cook the broccoli until tender brands in the world and happens to hail from the and bright green, about 4 minutes. Drain the broccoli, reserving great country of Ireland. This stew mixes Guinness some of the cooking liquid. In a food processer, process the gar- with beef and veggies, creating a delicious masterlic until minced. Add the broccoli and pulse until chopped. Add piece. the parsley, basil, lemon zest, lemon juice and 1 tbsp. olive oil Beef and Guinness Stew and puree until smooth, about 2 minutes; scrape down the side www.mrfood.com/Casseroles/Beef-and-Guinness-Stew-Fromof the processor bowl as needed. If the pesto seems dry, add Mr-Food some of the cooking liquid. Season with salt and pepper and transfer to a bowl. Preheat the broiler. Halve the cooled potatoes 3 slices raw bacon, chopped lengthwise. Using a small spoon or scoop, carefully remove some 1 tbsp. vegetable oil of the potato flesh from each potato half, leaving a shell about 2 pounds beef stew meat 1/4 inch thick. Cut each potato half crosswise into 3 equal piec- 1-1/2 cups (12 ounces) Guinness beer es. Put the potato pieces skin side up on a baking sheet and 3 cups beef stock brush the skins lightly with oil. Broil until crisp and golden in 2 cloves garlic, minced spots, about 2 minutes. Turn over the potato shells on the baking 1/2 tsp. salt sheet and fill each shell with about 1 tablespoon of the pesto.

1/2 tsp. black pepper 12 ounces baby carrots 4 celery stalks, sliced into 1/2-inch chunks 1 yellow onion, peeled and cut into half-moons 1 to 2 tbsp. all-purpose flour 1/3 cup water In a heavy soup pot or Dutch oven over high heat, cook bacon until crisp. Stir in oil and meat, and continue cooking 8 to 10 minutes, or until meat is browned. Stir in beer, beef stock, garlic, salt and pepper; reduce heat to low and simmer, covered, 30 minutes. Add carrots, celery and onion. Stir well and cook 1 hour, or until meat is tender. Mix flour with water, then stir into stew.

Cook 1 to 2 minutes or until sauce is thickened. n

Leprechauns have been part of Irish folklore for centuries. Why not try your luck in making this scrumptious Lucky Leprechaun Munch?

Lucky Leprechaun Munch www.julieseatsandtreats.com/lucky-leprechaun-munch/ 1 box (11.5 oz.) Lucky Charms cereal 6 cups Rice Chex 2 bags (12 oz. each) green candy melts 1/4 cup pastel sprinkles Pour the Lucky Charms out and take out all the marshmallows and set them aside. In a large mixing bowl, combine Rice Chex and 2 cups of the Lucky Charms cereal. Melt candy melts according to package directions. Pour over cereal mixture.

Spread mixture onto wax paper. Sprinkle reserved marshmallows over cereal mixture, slightly pressing into mixture to help them stick. Sprinkle the sprinkles over the mixture. Let sit until candy melts are set and dry. Break apart and store in airtight container. n No matter how you celebrate St. Patrick’s Day may your stomach and heart be full and may the luck of the Irish be with you today and always.

If your community group or church organization has printed a cookbook and would like to have it reviewed in the “Cooking With Kristin,” send us a copy to “Cooking With Kristin,” The Land, P.O. Box 3169, Mankato, MN 56002.

Please specify if you wish to have the cookbook returned, and include information on how readers may obtain a copy of the cookbook.

Submission does not guarantee a review. v

wants to hear from you!

Letters to the editor are always welcome.

Send your letters to: Editor, The Land P.O. Box 3169, Mankato, MN 56002 e-mail: editor@thelandonline.com All letters must be signed and accompanied by a phone number (not for publication) to verify authenticity.

THE LAND — FEBRUARY 23/MARCH 2, 2018

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

PAGE 7

Minnesota legislators plan to pass bonding bill

By MARIE WOOD The Land Associate Editor MANKATO, Minn. — A bonding bill will get done this session said a panel of Minnesota legislators to an audience of 200 people at the Rural Legislative Forum, sponsored by GreenSeam in Mankato on Feb. 15.

Gov. Mark Dayton has proposed a $1.5 billion bonding bill. Rep. Paul Anderson (R-Starbuck) and chairman of the House Committee on Agriculture Policy expects a bonding bill in the $800-$900 million range.

“It’s important for Greater Minnesota’s infrastructure,” Anderson said.

Rep. Rod Hamilton (R-Mountain Lake) is chairperson of the House Committee on Agriculture Finance. He expects that the Rural Finance Authority will receive another $20-$30 million. In February 2017, the program received $35 million. Hamilton said the money was being used quickly due to the down ag economy. RFA offers affordable loans and other programs to strengthen farms and communities.

Rep. Jeanne Poppe (DFL-Austin) is the DFL Lead of the House committee on Agriculture Finance. She expressed concern that the University of Minnesota is not fulfilling the mission of land grant universities to train agricultural educators for high schools and colleges.

She said students want to stay in Minnesota for college, but they are going to South Dakota, Iowa and Wisconsin instead. She added that Southwest Minnesota State University and University of Minnesota-Crookston offer ag education, but it’s not enough to fill the current shortage and replace retiring teachers.

“If we can keep them here, keep them in Minnesota, we will use them because we need ag educators,” Poppe said.

Anderson also is concerned that students are going out of state for ag college instead of the U of M. “Why in

some cases are we pricing our kids out of the market of going to school in our own state?” he asked.

South Central College ag student Mitch Wi d m e r o f N e w Prague said he comes H. James Mathiowetz from a line of U of M alumni. Widmer will be going out of state to college.

H. James Mathiowetz, Minnesota FFA Region VII president from Belle Plaine, plans to go to the University of Minnesota Mitch Widmer next year for agricultural education. He said U of M is $7,000-$8,000 more than going to South Dakota State University.

He and his family decided it’s worth it to go to U of M because they are better preparing their teachers, but that’s not an option for everybody and should be addressed. The majority of the extra cost is housing. He’s been to Bailey Hall, the ag school’s dorm.

“It’s not that great. It’s just another dorm,” said Mathiowetz.

He added that a major problem in agricultural education is the money is not there. He said his FFA advisor works 80-90 hours a week on occasion, but is only paid for 40 hours. “We’re not paying them enough to stay in the field,” he said.

With passion, Mathiowetz stated that FFA advisors are a father figure and role model to students in many schools. “The good teachers pour their hearts into these students and they can’t keep it going forever.”

Immigration An immigration program that allows people to legally work here through visas is key to a reliable agricultural

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workforce. The panel agreed that a pathway to legal citizenship is needed.

Hamilton represents Worthington where 70 different languages are spoken. There’s more to the story than being illegal, he said. He told of a man who came to the United States as an undocumented teenager. Today he and his wife have four children who are U.S. citizens. After more than 30 years here, he was picked up by law enforcement and deported back to Guatemala.

“It ripped the family apart. Absolutely devastating,” said Hamilton.

This is a federal issue, but to address it at a state level he signed on to the Minnesota Dream Act which offers instate tuition to undocumented students who have completed three years of high school in the state.

Ag issues Poppe would like to do something on

health care and other costs in order to relieve stress and improve the mental and physical health of people in farming and agri-business this year.

After conversations on emerging livestock diseases with the Department of Agriculture, Board of Animal Health and University of Minnesota, Hamilton said there will be an informational hearing on emerging diseases with all stakeholders. The goal is to review the process in place and identify holes.

For Anderson, the hot button ag issues are buffers, ditch mowing and the nitrogen rule. In ditch mowing, the biggest issue is the cutting date of Aug. 1 because the feed value goes down.

“Farmers are passionate about mowing their ditches. I’m not sure that we’re going to get resolution to that,” Anderson said. v

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THE LAND — FEBRUARY 23/MARCH 2, 2018

MFB policy director talks immigration, health care, taxes

By MARIE WOOD “How do we bring them out of the dark to The Land Associate Editor make sure that they continue to work on our farms?” she asked.

MANKATO, Minn. — When Amber Hanson Glaeser was 13, she testified at the state The biggest priority for the farm bill is Capitol for biodiesel. Even then, she knew she getting it done she said. The good news is wanted to be a “grass roots agricultural lobbythat the farm bill is evolutionary and only ist.” Today she is the policy director for the needs tweaks.

Minnesota Farm Bureau.

“We know we’re not going to get more Amber Hanson In an issues briefing at the Rural Legisla- Glaeser money in this farm bill,” she said. “How do tive Forum held Feb. 15 in Mankato, she said we move forward and protect the programs agriculture’s greatest market opportunity is in trade we have without hurting agriculture in rural Min— North American Free Trade Agreement and nesota?” exports to Asia and Cuba. She is concerned about the A bipartisan budget bill that passed allocating use of ag exports as a “shiny object” in negotiating money for dairy and cotton programs was a great deals. step forward, she said.

“Trade is really our safety net in agriculture,” HanHealth care remains the biggest issue among Farm son Glaeser said.

Bureau members since the individual market is so On immigration, she said the system is broken and costly. They hear from members who say the birth of agriculture has a very loud voice. Short-term, agri- their child was the happiest and scariest day of their culture needs labor for vegetable farmers; long-term, lives. With premiums and deductibles, a family is agriculture needs labor for livestock farms; and cur- $40,000 in before they see any money from insurrently we need to address the undocumented people ance, she explained. in our country.

Addressing affordability is critical to the farm

economy because so much money is going toward health insurance. Farmers are deciding whether they can afford those payments, she said.

“That’s a scary thing for a farmer to not have health insurance,” said Hanson Glaeser.

On property taxes, Hanson Glaeser said the 40 percent tax credit awarded to farmers and landowners to offset school bond levies was a good start. More work needs to be done on the inequities and structure of property tax in rural areas she said.

The forum panel discussed that the Minnesota Legislature needs to address state taxes due to the passage of the federal tax bill last year. One reason is the new federal law severely limits the deduction of state and local taxes on the federal return.

Hanson Glaeser noted that farmers are still able to deduct property tax as a business expense on their federal return.

She expects taxes and transportation to dominate the session.

She also expects discussions on mental health resources available to farmers as they struggle through these challenging times. v

Forum explores NAFTA from Canada’s viewpoint

By MARIE WOOD The Land Associate Editor MANKATO, Minn. — When it comes to agricultural trade, Minnesota’s largest export market is Canada and Mexico is the second largest. That’s why updating the North American Free Trade Agreement is so important.

At the Feb. 15 Rural Legislative Forum sponsored

by GreenSeam in Mankato, Paul Connors, Consul General of Canada stationed in Minneapolis shared his insights on NAFTA. “We equally like having free trade access to the United States,” Connors said.

In 2016, agricultural trade between Minnesota and Canada was $1.3 billion with Minnesota exporting $725 million to Canada and importing $604 million from Canada. That gives Minnesota a surplus to our northern neighbor if you’re counting.

Since 1994 when NAFTA lifted tariffs, the gross domestic product of all three countries has doubled, trade has tripled and ag trade has more than quadrupled, he said.

“NAFTA does what you expect a free trade agreement to do,” Connors said.

Canada and the United States share a symbiotic relationship. Connors said half of the oats used by General Mills and Quaker come from Canada. Mean-

It’s (NAFTA) a great, fantastic relationship between our countries.

— Paul Connors while Canadian farmers use U.S. farm equipment.

Our beef and pork industries are also integrated.

Most of the animal feed to grow Canada’s pigs and cattle come from the United States. Then Canada’s livestock goes to U.S. plants for processing.

Connors gave a Minnesota example. In 2016, Minnesota exported $100 million in animal feed to Canada. Canada exported $152 million in live animals to Minnesota. Then Minnesota exported $45 million in prepared meats to Canada.

“It’s a great fantastic relationship between our countries,” he said.

If we get rid of NAFTA, we will revert to trade with tariffs based on World Trade Organization rules.

Tariffs are 26.5 percent on commodities such as beef from Canada.

Canada also gets 99.4 percent of its ethanol from the United States, $126 million from Minnesota alone.

Negotiations NAFTA is heading into the seventh round of talks

Visit www.TheLandOnline.com

in Mexico City. It took five years to negotiate NAFTA, but little updates have been done since 1994. The three countries are rewriting all 19 chapters and adding a new chapter on e-commerce. The technical work is going well, Connors reported.

Connors explained the sticking points are proposals from the Trump administration. One is raising the percentage of North American content in dutyfree automobiles. Another proposal changes the dispute settlement mechanism from binding to advisory. A proposed sunset clause will require all three countries to proactively renew NAFTA every five years.

Canada and Mexico have made counter proposals that should aid negotiations, Connors said.

One criticism of NAFTA has been a loss of manufacturing jobs.

“Three quarters of that job loss is for a very positive economic reason. Technology is making you more productive,” he said.

Since U.S. ag companies and farm groups have spoken out in support of NAFTA, the needle has moved away from the narrow fixation on job loss, Connors said.

The deadline to renegotiate NAFTA is March 31.

While that may not be feasible, Connors expects the agreement to be negotiated by year-end.

He encourages farmers, farm groups and food companies to continue to speak out on the benefits of the trade agreement. v

THE LAND — FEBRUARY 23/MARCH 2, 2018

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

PAGE 9

See you at the Central Minnesota Farm Show Since opening its doors over five decades ago, the Farm Show has been a popular community event for Central Minnesota. Visitors can look for special product offers, entertainment, and educational opportunities from a variety of professional vendors. Learn more about agri-business and farming in the region, register for prizes, and check out what’s new and different in 2018!

The Central Minnesota Farm Show is Feb. 27-March 1 at River’s Edge Convention Center in St. Cloud. Doors open at 9 a.m. and close at 4 p.m. each day. The trade show offers over 390 booths of exhibitors and draws more than 3,500 visitors. The show is free to the public.

Free seminars are scheduled all three days. There is no cost to attend these presentations and reservations are not required.

Free seminars

Day 1: Tuesday, Feb. 27

Water Quality/Buffer Zone Panel This panel will represent the legal side, the farmer’s point of view, and the government agencies.

Day 2: Wednesday, Feb. 28

Feb. 27 - March 1 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.

River’s Edge Convention Center

Session 1: 10:30- 11:45 a.m.

Session 2: 1:30-2:45 p.m. (repeat) Market Trends on Equipment — Looking Forward Scott Steffes, Steffes Group, Inc. is a nationally recognized leader in the auction industry, engaged in the business of marketing farm equipment, construction equipment, industrial equipment and real estate at public auction. Their connection with the agri-business world gives them unique insight to what market trends are and where they are headed.

Day 3: Thursday, March 1

Estate Planning Part 1: 10:30 a.m.-noon Session 1: 10:30- 11:45 a.m.

Estate Planning Part 2: 1:30-3 p.m.

Session 2: 1:30-2:45 p.m.

Planning Your Legacy 10 S. Fourth Ave., St. Cloud Carrying the Load: Is your equipment fit for the Cathy Olson, senior business analyst, Compeer www.CentralMNFarmShow.com Financial; David Bau, University of Minnesota Extension road?

Dave Busse, commercial motor vehicle officer with educator; Brian J. Schoenborn, attorney, Stinson Leonard the Minnesota State Patrol will provide the latest Street; present key steps, tax strategies, and insights on rules and regulations on roadside inspections, load securement, transporting developing and implementing a successful farm transition plan. hazardous materials, road safety with farm equipment, federal farm exempThis article was submitted by the St. Cloud Area Chamber of Commerce. v tions and state statutes, and common paperwork and equipment violations.

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PAGE 10

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THE LAND — FEBRUARY 23/MARCH 2, 2018

Visit St. Cloud, Minn.

The St. Cloud area is a regional center of commerce in central Minnesota with deep agricultural and industrial roots and a modern history that dates back to the settlement of Sauk Rapids at the confluence of the Sauk and Mississippi rivers in 1851.

Enhanced by those rivers, the area’s natural resources guided the way to economic prosperity, with prominent activity early on in fur trading, farming, lumbering and printing industries.

Not long after St. Cloud was established in 1856, large granite deposits were discovered, prompting the establishment of many area granite compa-

nies. The rock and stone industry mushroomed after colored granite deposits were discovered in 1868, and the area is still recognized today as “Granite Country U.S.A.” St. Cloud is the third-largest metropolitan area in the state and one of the fastest-growing, featuring the best in living, education, health care, commercial, cultural and recreational offerings, not to mention expanding economic development that continues to raise the quality of life for residents and businesses alike.

This article was submitted by the St. Cloud Area Chamber of Commerce. v

Visit www.stcloudareachamer.com to learn more about St. Cloud!

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THE LAND — FEBRUARY 23/MARCH 2, 2018

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

PAGE 11

Central Minnesota Farm Show Fun You can enter free drawings at the Central Minnesota Farm Show. At the farm show, you can register to win: • $100 gift card from Arnolds of St. Cloud • iPad mini • Children’s toy Prize registration forms and boxes will be available at the information booth and at the exhibit featuring the prizes.

Enjoy free coffee and donuts from 9 to 11 a.m. each day of the show.

Scholarships Each year the Farm Show committee awards 10 Central Minnesota area high school students with a $500 scholarship. We are pleased to announce the 2017 Central Minnesota Farm Show Scholarship winners: High School: Andrew Wilwerding,

Melrose; Kylee Kohls, Litchfield; Anna Donnay, Kimball; Adam Kroll, Pierz; Katherine Gathje, Eden Valley/Watkins; Rachel Turck, Litchfield.

College: Morgan Erickson, South Dakota State University/Atwater; Rebecca Schubert, North Dakota State University/Sauk Rapids; Eric Branch, University of Minnesota/Alexandria; Austin Schmitt, University of Minnesota/Royalton.

The Central MN Farm Show committee is expanding the scholarship program for 2018. They will be matching dollar for dollar up to $5,000 for donations/sponsorships towards $1,000 scholarships for high school and postsecondary students going into an agrirelated field of study. The 2018 scholarship application period closed Feb. 2.

This article was submitted by the St. Cloud Area Chamber of Commerce. v

Triad Construction, Inc. Specializes in STAR Livestock Buildings

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THE LAND — FEBRUARY 23/MARCH 2, 2018

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Call K & S Millwrights for all your grain handling products and services!

THE LAND — FEBRUARY 23/MARCH 2, 2018

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

PAGE 13

Visit The Land at the Central Minnesota Farm Show Say hello to The Land staff in Booth A8 at the Central Minnesota Farm Show. Advertising representative Jerry Hintz will be there on Feb. 27 through March 1. Meet our newest advertising representative, Beth Plumley, on Feb. 27. The Land general manager Deb Petterson will be visiting with readers on Feb. Jerry Hintz 28.

Questions or comments? Tell us what’s on your mind. We love to hear what our readers have to say about farming, rural life and The Land.

“Best of Back Roads” The Land will be selling “Best of Back Roads: Stories of hidden gems in Minnesota and Iowa.” Our speBeth Plumley cial farm show price for this archival hardcover book is $25.

The “Back Roads” feature is a reader favorite that has appeared on the back page of every issue of The Land since 2003. Since then, “Back Roads” has taken readers to town festivals, country churches, pow-wows, small town cafes and farmers’ fields. “Best of Back Roads” celebrates rural life along with the Deb Petterson interesting people and unique places that define Minnesota and Iowa. Stop by our booth and bring “Best of Back Roads” home.

Our book also makes a great gift for The Land readers and all who value life in the country.

Daily Giveaway Enter to win a free copy of the “Best of Back Roads” book! No purchase necessary. We will be giving away a book each day of the show. You do not need to be present to win.

Booth #A8!

Subscription card Stop by and fill out your 2018 subscription card at our booth. You don’t want to miss a single issue of The Land in 2018. Your signed cards help us qualify for lower postage rates and ensure local and national advertisers that The Land is being requested by readers. Your subscription cards make it possible for us to publish The Land every week.

This year, you can win $400 in cash. When you return your subscription card by March 9, you will be entered in a drawing to win $400. No purchase necessary. If you haven’t sent your card in yet, you can fill it out at the show and you’re good.

As a bonus, readers with a returned subscription card receive a free basic classified line ad to run full circulation in The Land magazine. The offer is good on new ads only and for one run only. Ad must be seven lines or less (up to 25 words with phone number) and does not include photo, border or bold text.

Only one line ad per subscription address. Mention this offer when you call to place your ad. Offer expires April 30, 2018. Your ad must publish on or before May 25, 2018. v

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THE LAND — FEBRUARY 23/MARCH 2, 2018

Central Minnesota Farm Show Exhibitors

Here is the listing of the exhibitors scheduled for the 2018 Central Minnesota Farm Show. The list was submitted by the St. Cloud Area Chamber of Commerce.

A

Advantage 1 Insurance.........................A312 Ag Solutions.........................................A102 Ag Spray Equipment.............................A425 Ag Tech Drainage..................................A307 Agri-King, Inc........................................B913 Agri-Plastic and Silo Repair.......................A6 Agri-Systems, Inc. ..............................B1010 Albany Heating, A/C & Services, Inc...... A431 Albers Dairy Equipment, Inc..................A206 Aldrich Tractor Inc.................... C4007-4010, .C5000-5003 Alltech......................................................A5 American Door Works...........................B838 American Pressure, Inc.........................A315 AMPI ..................................................C7022 AMPS, Inc. ...........................................B810 Andy’s Towing............................... B905-906

Arnold’s of St. Cloud.................... B922-925, B1000-1003 Arnzen Construction and St. Rosa Lumber............C3011-3013, C4004-4006 Artex............................................. A316-317 Arvig...................................................C7011 Auto Value Parts Stores............. C7000-7001 Avon Ag Lime............................................A2

B

Bath Planet................................... B928-929 Bazooka Farmstar.... B817-820, B842, B921 Belgrade Co-op.....................................A508 Benton Ag/Country Acres....................B1031 Benton County American Dairy Association............................B1012 Besser’s Bike Barn........................ A400-403 Big Bear Genetics...............................B1018 Big Gain, Inc.........................................B823

THE LAND — FEBRUARY 23/MARCH 2, 2018

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THE LAND — FEBRUARY 23/MARCH 2, 2018

Central Minnesota Farm Show Exhibitors

BigIron Auction Company.................................................... B1025 Blue Horizon Energy.......................................................A404-406 Bongards Creameries......................................................... B1011 Boss Supply Inc.........................................................C7002-7003 Byron Seeds ........................................................................ A603

C

Carlson Wholesale, Inc......................... C2011-2012, C3004-3005 Catholic United Financial...................................................... A214 Cen-Pe-Co............................................................................ A518 Centra Sota Cooperative...................... C5009-5013, C6002-6006 CENTRAC - Central MN Trauma Advisory Committee............. A106 Central McGowan............................................................... C3003 Central Minnesota Credit Union............................................. A117 Central MN Corn Growers..................................................... B812 CHS Prairie Lakes................................................................. A202 Cloverdale Equipment.................................. B831-833, B910-912 Colorful Concepts Painting and Custom Finishing.................. B934 Compeer Financial.......................................................B821/B900 Complete Grain System.................................................B802-804 COUNTRY Financial........................................................A509-510 CowKuhlerz...............................................................B1033-1034 CSF Inc./Automation Plus.................................................... C7004 Cutco-Jill Sieben.................................................................... A12 Cy Pfannehstein music....................................................... B1030

D

Dairy Farmers of America..................................................... A122

Dairyland Seed, Inc............................................................... A600 Dairyland Supply...........................................A612-622, A700-010 Dairymaster USA ................................................................. A213 Dan’s Custom Welding Tables....................................B1006-1007 Department of Nursing Science, St. Cloud State University.... A203 Drinkall Family Forage Enterprises YES................................... A10

Granite Electronics................................................................ A200 Grassland Solutions................................................................ A11 Green Energy Products......................................................... A519 Greener World Solutions, LLC................................................ B806 Growers Mineral Solutions.................................................... A606

E

Hanson Silo Company.......................... C3007-3009, C4000-4002 Hoppe Sales............................................................................. A4 hotsyMinnesota.............................................................A715-716 Hubbard Feeds..................................................................... A713 Husky Spring Company......................................................... A105 Hydro Engineering................................................................ B834

Easy Fix Rubber Products North America............................... A602 Edward Jones..................................................................... B1023

F

F & S Ag LLC......................................................................... A318 Farm Bureau Financial Services............................................ B902 Farm Rite Equipment of St. Cloud, Inc............................A417-418 Farm System, Inc.......................................................B1026-1029 Farmers & Merchants State Bank......................................... A516 Feed Stuff Bagging............................................................... B828 Finken Companies.............................................................. C7024 Forward Farm Lines......................................A426-428, A503-505 Freeport State Bank.............................................................. B824

G

G3 Power Systems, LLC........................................................ A515 Garage Door Store................................................................ B830 Geringhoff......................................................................A412-416 Gilleland Chevrolet Cadillac............................................A113-114 Gilman Cooperative Creamery Assoc.......... B930-931, B100-1010 Gold Country Seed.............................................................. B1021

H

I

Innovative Basement Systems.......................................A103-104 Intellifarms Northern Division, Inc...................................A305-306

J

Johnson Seed & Ag........................................................B940-943 Jordan Ag Supply, Inc.......................................................... B1022

K

K&S Millwrights Inc.............................................................C2002 KASM-AM/KDDG-FM................................................................A1 Kuhn North America, Inc................................................ A300-304

L

LeafGuard/Minnesota Home Improvements, Inc.................. A1111 Leedstone, Inc...............................................................B932-933 Legend Seeds, Inc..................................................................... A3 Lemken USA ........................................................................ B835 Lifestyle Lumber, Inc. .......................................................... A719 Litzau Farm Drainage, Inc..................................................... A120 Lumber One ....................................................................... B1020

M

Mark J. Traut Wells, Inc......................................................... B809 Maverick Drone Systems...................................................... A205 McKay’s Dodge Chrysler Jeep Ram Fiat.................................. C4011-4013, C5004-5006 MEDA/Chem-Star..........................................................A500-501 Messer Repair and Fabricating.......................................A308-310 Midsota Manufacturing, Inc............................................A419-422 Midwest Machinery......................................A520-522, A608-610 Mies Outland ....................................................................... A112 Mimbach Fleet Supply.......................................................... A110 Minnesota Farm Guide.......................................................... A201 Minnesota Farmers Union..................................................... A314 Minnesota Veterinary Medical Reserve Corps........................ B836 Minnwest Bank..................................................................... B808 Modern Farm Equipment............................. B839-841, B918-920 Morton Buildings Inc. ........................................................... A607 Munson Hybrids, Inc.......................................................... C7006 Mustang Seeds................................................................ C20110

N

NAPA Central MN ................................................................ B816 National Farmers Organization........................................... C7013 Nelson Agri Structures & Ultimate Ag, LLC..................... A512-513 Nextire Inc................................................................C5007-5008 Northern Tool + Equipment........................................... A432-433

THE LAND — FEBRUARY 23/MARCH 2, 2018

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Central Minnesota Farm Show Exhibitors Northland Buildings.................................... B907 Northland Farm Systems, Inc...................... B829 Northwestern Mutual – Jared Smith............ A216

O

OK Track Solutions.................................... C3006 O’Reilly Auto Parts.................................... C7010

P

Pacif Ag, LLC ........................................... B1032 PAI Insurance............................................. B807 Patz Corp....................... B935-939, B1013-1017 Paul Mueller Company.................... C7018-7020 Paul’s Welding............................................ A101 Peterson Farms Seed...........................A217-218 Pluto Legal, PLLC........................................ A313 Polyshield Spray Foam Polyurea.................. B814 Powerhouse Outdoor Equipment................. B926-927, B1004-1005 Powerlift Doors by French Manufacturing, Inc...................................................A220-222 Prairie Brand Seed...................................... A109 Prinsco, Inc................................................. A116 Producers Hybrids ..................................... A712 Protexia...................................................... B903 Prudential Advisors................................... C7009

Q

Stearns Bank N.A.QC Supply................................................... B822 Equipment Finance Division.................... B917 Stearns County Farm Bureau.......................... A7 Quality Forklift Sales and Service, Inc..................................... B826-827 Stearns County SWCD................................. A121 Quality Sales & Service, Inc......................... B915 Stearns Electric Association........................ A423 Steffes Group, Inc....................................A14-15 R Sterling Water Inc., dba Culligan................. B825 R & S Tire Service................................A604-605 Stine Seed.................................................. A204 RDO Equipment Company...................A319-322, Structural Buildings.................................... A514 A407-410 Sunrise Ag Coop......................................... A714 Real Time Pain Relief.................................. B815 T Real Tuff, Inc. ......................................A717-718 The Boot Shack..........................................

A502 Redfield, LLC.............................................. A219 The Fine Twine Company............................

B837 Renk Seed.................................................. A208 RetroGreen Energy...................................... A100 The Land.................................................. A8 Rinke Noonan............................................. A118 Thomas Tool and Supply............................. A115 Rob-See-Co................................................ A424 Thunder Seed........................................... C7021 Roers Whitewashing and Steam Cleaning... B904 TransAgra....................................................... A9 Royalton Lumber, Inc. ................................ B914 Tri-County Foam Insulation....................... B1024

S

Sam’s Club............................................... B1012 Schaeffer Specialized Lubricants.............. C7014 Schlenner Wenner & Co.............................. B909 Silver Stream Shelters................................ A207 St. Cloud Surgical Center................ C7015-7016 St. Cloud Times........................................... A107 St. Cloud VA................................................ B908

TRS Industries ........................................... A601 Twin Valley Tire........................................... A119

U

University of Wisconsin-River Falls.............. A108

W

Weatherstar Company................................ B916 Weigh Rite Scale Co.................................... B813 Wieser Concrete......................................... A212 Woller Equipment...............A429-430, A506-507 Worms Lumber & Ready Mix....................... B811 WVAL Tri-County Broadcasting...................... A13 WW Osakis Silo Repair.............................. C6000

Y

Your Home Improvement Company............. A517

Z

Ziegler CAT......................................C2003-2006 Zip’s Diesel Injection Service, Inc. ............ C7005

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THE LAND — FEBRUARY 23/MARCH 2, 2018

Could garlic become Minnesota’s new cash crop?

By DICK HAGEN have been coming out of the woodwork.

The Land Staff Writer Some tell me they’ve been growing garlic for 20 years,” said Ford.

ST. CLOUD, Minn. — As farmers scramble for any particular crop which Ford said most Minnesota-grown might generate extra revenue, why not garlic is direct marketed meaning consider garlic? locally grown for local purchase. Some is sold through food stores, some Jerry Ford, network coordinator of through specialty stores, and some the Sustainable Farming Association, direct from the grower. chuckled when asked that question at the recent Minnesota Organic Ford has a 113-acre diversified farm Conference in St. Cloud. “Invariably, and his garlic patch occupies about when we talk growing garlic, people one-fifth of an acre. He has 6,000 tend to pinch their nose,” he said. “But plants on his mini-garlic farm. One when I share some of my own experibulb is one plant. Ford is finding garlic ences, they listen just a bit harder.” farming is a very positive cash flow.

Yes, garlic farming is for real. In fact, “On that two-tenths of an acre, I clear the Crow River SFA is doing a project $6,000 even while holding back 25 percalled the “Minnesota Premium Garlic cent of the crop for my seed stock,” he Project” which is funded by a specialty said. “I sold only about 4,000 bulbs. It crops grant through the Minnesota makes financial sense with premium Department of Agriculture. garlic to grow your own seed stock.”

“Over the next 30 months we’re going Conceivably, one acre could handle to encourage people to start growing Photo submitted 30,000 garlic plants. Even with 25 pergarlic,” said Ford. “We’ll be training Jerry Ford raised 6,000 garlic plants on his Minnesota farm last year. He keeps about cent of your harvest retained for seed, people how to do it; we’ll direct them to a third of his crop for seed stock. a $30,000 revenue potential might be local seed sources; and we’ll tell them generated from that single acre!

Minnesota already has a few garlic growers. “Since about expanding markets for Minnesota-grown garFord admitted growing garlic is labor intensive, but we started promoting this project, garlic growers lic.” only twice a year during fall planting (October) and a July harvest. Northern garlic varieties are perennials, but you replant each fall.

“If you don’t, it becomes what we call a weed,” Ford explained. “So you dig it up each fall and grow next year’s crop from your own seed stock. Which is good, because garlic seed stock is very expensive.”

Big catalog seed companies are pricing garlic seed at $22 per pound. “But if you buy locally from Minnesota growers, we’re averaging about $14 per pound. Get seed stock that acclimates to your soil, and you can be growing your own seed stock every year,” Ford said.

So who’s growing the garlic for today’s market?

Ford said most garlic sold in the United States today comes from China.

“The United States has a source in California, but it is a different kind of garlic than what we grow here. There are over 100 varieties of garlic. I would encourage new growers up here in the northland to grow northern garlic.”

Garlic originated in the mountain region of Uzbekistan in Siberia. Thus it acclimates very well to Minnesota’s environment Ford said. He suggests growing the hardier Porcelain and Purple Stripe varieties.

For more information on seed sources, growing garlic, population and fertility requirements, visit www. sfa-mn.org. Another excellent garlic source is Carol Rosen, University of Minnesota Soil Science Department at rosen006@umn.edu. v

THE LAND — FEBRUARY 23/MARCH 2, 2018

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PAGE 19

Teachers take ag experience from field to classroom

By KRISTIN KVENO The Land Correspondent Increasing agricultural literacy in schools across the state is the goal of Minnesota Agriculture in the Classroom. This program was developed by the Minnesota Department of Agriculture and the state’s agricultural and educational communities as an opportunity for students to better understand and appreciate agriculture in our everyday lives through core concepts.

Keri Sidle, education specialist with Minnesota Agriculture in the Classroom explains this idea includes the opportunity for teachers to travel to ag-based businesses and farms to see these concepts first hand.

This program initially began over four years ago when the MDA hosted the National Ag in the Classroom Keri Sidle conference. MAITC education specialist Sue Knott recalls that there were 11 different traveling tours in the conference and they were a huge success.

“We knew that the Summer Teacher Tours had the potential to positively impact teachers and our MAITC program,” Knott said.

The program was so successful the teacher tours have continued to be offered every summer. The tour locations have been chosen many times by Sidle simply sending e-mails out to agri-business and farmers in the area they would like to cover. Those in the agricultural community have shown their support of this effort by opening their businesses and farm sites to these educators.

Past tours stops have included The Minnesota Corn Growers Association in Shakopee; DuPont Pioneer Research Center in Mankato; Sovereign Estates Vineyard and Winery in Waconia; Mahoney Dairy of Cannon Falls and Wozupi Greenhouse in Prior Lake — just to name a few.

Impact on educators So far, over 270 teachers have participated in the tours. Teachers from all different schools in Minnesota have taken part in the tours. It’s a mix of rural and urban Sidle said. Though the tours aren’t just for teachers, according to the MAITC website, the tours are open to “educators at all K-12 levels, administrators, curriculum directors, and career and guidance counselors.”

From kindergarten to high school teachers, there are many that want this hands-on experience to see agriculture close up. There’s definitely an advantage in having “the dialogue with farmers,” Sidle said.

For Toni Maki, a first grade teacher at North Shore Community School in Duluth, this tour was a chance to get in those hours needed for licensure renewal.

Maki’s school had just built a greenhouse, so this tour seemed to be perfect fit. An interesting tour stop for Maki involved bees.

knowledge with a smaller group.

“It was fascinating learning about bees, and the different A tour last year included a breeds and the art of beekeepchance to drive a tractor around ing,” Maki said. the Farmamerica parking lot in Waseca.

This summer, Maki has attended the Summer Farmamerica will host a teacher Teacher Tour for the last two years day camp which will be held at and she has always come away the end of July. This camp focuses with something to bring back and on lessons and activities that share with the rest of our school. teachers can use in their class“It is so fun to learn about difrooms Sidle said. ferent parts of our state and Photo submitted Sidle is enthusiastic when she learning more about the garden Teachers participating in the Minnesota describes all of the possibilito table initiative,” Maki said.

Agriculture in the Classroom program It was her husband Pat, who learned about healthy corn roots during ties. Incorporating agriculture into concepts that are already told Krystal O’Connor about Ag one of last summer’s tours. taught, for example, in third in the Classroom. Pat is currently grade.

Instead of solely learning about the genetics of in the Minnesota Agriculture and Rural Leadership program and learned about the tour from a presenta- people, why not consider examining the genetics of tion in his class. For O’Connor, a fifth grade teacher cattle and field crops? Minnesota Agriculture in the at Halverson Elementary in Albert Lea, the tour fit Classroom has over 400 lessons for teachers to use.

While a 400-lesson offering is impressive, the ability in perfectly with a family vacation. to give these teachers the opportunity to get out in “I was ecstatic when we could go to the tour near the field and see a dairy operation up close or drive a Bemidji. Pat and I took one day away from our fam- tractor gives all those classroom lessons a real life ily resort to experience agriculture and education — experience and measurable meaning. two of our favorite things,” O’Connor said.

Those that are interested in the tour can sign up The tour in northern Minnesota offered O’Connor online beginning March 1 at https://minnesota. the opportunity see agriculture in a different part of agclassroom.org/programs/tour.cfm. v the state than where she lives.

“We vacation a few miles away from the berry farm we toured. I’ve been there several times. I learned more than expected on that tour, with a lot about the wonderful family behind the berries,” O’Connor said.

While O’Connor knows a lot about dairy cattle, she was able to tour a beef cattle ranch.

“It was great to spend part of the tour exploring a beef cattle ranch. I assumed beef cattle were selfsufficient; but the tour definitely taught me that it takes a village (of people and grazing ground) to raise a healthy herd of beef cattle,” she said.

“The tour is a very cost efficient and fun way to get CEUs (continuing education units) for any educator who wants to learn new things. I’m hoping I can talk several of my friends and colleagues into joining me on this year’s tour,” O’Connor added.

Farm to school The ultimate goal from the tours is for the teachers to utilize the newly gained information within their classrooms. Teachers also have the opportunity to receive continuing education credits and for an additional fee they can sign up for graduate level credits through Hamline University.

This summer, there will be single day tours in Carver County on June 20, in the Bemidji area on July 12, and a two-day tour in Martin County on July 26-27. The cost is $25 to $75 per person, depending on the tour. The maximum group sizes are 40 teachers. This gives the teachers the opportunity to ask questions and allows the farmers and agri-business people the ability to share their experience and

PAGE 20

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THE LAND — FEBRUARY 23/MARCH 2, 2018

Beekeepers, landowners need to improve habitat

By DICK HAGEN The Land Staff Writer MANKATO, Minn. — A hot topic at the recent MN AG EXPO in Mankato was treated seed and its impact on pollinators.

President of the Minnesota Honey Producers Association is Dan Whitney of Ottertail, Minn. A veteran commercial beekeeper, Whitney owns and operates Dan’s Honey Company. He has almost 2,000 colonies and delivers to big honey packers. His yearly production is about 150,000 pounds, which equates to four semi-truck loads of 55-gallon drums.

“I come north in mid-May with three truckloads of bees, almost 700 per load,” said Whitney. “I lose a semi-load of bees over the summer. In the fall, I send one load to my friend in California. The other load goes with me to Texas to rear queen bees and fill nooks for other beekeepers.

“I raise 20,000 un-hatched queen cells and sell a little over 4,000 mated queens. I sell brood in Texas and fill 500-1,000 hives for other beekeepers. We are a family business. Myself, my wife Jen and two Hondurans from the H2A visa work program.”

Whitney sells some honey locally at two local grocery stores and a couple of farmers markets. He’s also aware of a growing market to area restaurants and specialty gift shops. And there is room for considerably more honey production in Minnesota.

Commented Whitney, “We only produce about 40 percent of the honey consumed by the American population. But imported honey isn’t real tablegrade honey like we get out of Minnesota and the Dakotas. These importers take our honey and blend it with the inferior honey from third world countries.

And that’s what you see in your grocery stores. If you want real honey, buy it from a local producer with his name on the jar.”

Whitney’s Texan queen bees’ winter ration is corn syrup or a corn syrup/sucrose blend from ingredients grown right here in Minnesota including sugar beets in the Red River Valley. The queens also get a protein supplement called “pollen patties” with soy a big component of these patties.

Whitney is straightforward about why he has three different locales for his bees. “They go to California to make me money,” he said. “The Texas location is for brooding queen bees. Honey production for most Minnesotans is mostly a hobby. However, because of declining wild flowers and habitat, honey production per colony is now down to about 20 to 50 pounds.

Plus, price is a growing challenge. We can’t compete with imports from China and third world countries.

America is the dumping ground for their honey.”

Whitney sees the need of forage and habitat a growing concern. “We’re getting involved in the roadside mowing and baling stakeholder group,” he said.

“Finding some common ground on when to cut and bale, or even dispense with cutting would help our bees. We’re not so much about planting more flowers and legumes, but the timing of mowing and clipping is critical.”

With America’s appetite for sweets increasing, the desire for more sticky-sweet products is surging too.

According to a March 2017 U.S. Department of Agriculture honey report, U.S. honey production was up 3 percent from 2015 to 2016. And new markets are appearing.

Local restaurants are incorporating local honey into their recipes. For example, honey from The Bee Shed in Oronoco is used in some treats found at Café Steam in Rochester. Honey has health benefits too, like soothing a sore throat. Plus, honey acts as an aid in natural allergy relief. It is also a great moisturizer and is often used in lotions and soaps, giving them a nurturing texture and a sweet scent.

The Minnesota Honey Producers Association is a nonprofit organization made up of commercial and hobby beekeepers. Founded in 1907, its purpose is to promote the use of honey and to provide understanding of the role of honeybees throughout the Midwest.

The association currently has about 200 members of which about 50 are commercial beekeepers.

And you don’t learn this business overnight. “For someone with 10 or 20 colonies, it takes five to 10 years to gain a lot of bee knowledge,” Whitney said.

For more information, visit www.beelab.umn.edu.

For beekeeping classes, go to www.thebeeshed.com.

The Bee Lab also offers tips on filling green space with pollinator-friendly native wildflowers. For a listing of honey producers in Minnesota, as well as some fun facts and uses for honey, check out www. minnesotagrown.com/product/honey. v

Farmer sees honey bees as cash crop

By DICK HAGEN The Land Staff Writer MANKATO, Minn. — In addition to corn and soybeans, farmer Clinton Meyer of Kiester has undertaken a new livestock venture, about 300,000 honey bees. Meyer says being a beekeeper is hopefully making him a better crop farmer too.

I caught up with Meyer at the Pollinator Bees display at the MN AG EXPO, Jan. 24-25 in Mankato.

He participated in an information session on treated seeds and the potential impact on area bee hives.

“Treated seeds are likely okay,” Meyer said. “What are the alternatives, is my concern. I’m on that borderline between beekeeping and agriculture. My revenue comes from agriculture. I look at treated seed technology as a fabric with many different threads to both the problem and the solution. I don’t think there is a silver bullet that will solve either the ag side or the beekeeping side.”

Meyer has between five and 10 hives. Bees-perhive is always a floating number, but he’s hoping for at least 40,000 bees in a hive.

Farming in Faribault County, Meyer said keeping neighboring farmers informed of his bees is vital.

“It’s important for me to be talking with my neighbors about when they will be planting corn and

spraying their soybeans,” he said. “If they will be spraying soybeans for aphids in August, that probably means moving my hives for a few weeks.”

When does Meyer feed his bee livestock? “The feeding is done after the last pollen and nectar flow in the fall. When that stops, we start feeding right away until they stop eating. Then we button them up for the winter. Come January on a warmer day, we’ll take a peak and see if they need additional feed.

Also, we often have a feeder in each hive.”

So, bees for fun or profit or both? Meyer admitted, “With only 10 hives, not so much profit. But for me, an educational tool. And in view of the break-even squeeze on corn and soybeans these days, I’m on the verge of more bees as a stronger cash crop than my corn and soybeans.

“I’m selling every bit of my honey so far,” Meyer went on to say. “Price from me is variable. If people go straight to the retail counter, they’ll pay a higher price. However, I don’t want to sit each day at our local farmers market; so maybe I’ll wholesale to someone. Then they set their own price for the honey.

“I like bees. I know they are very important to the food production system. I just want to be part of this beekeeping world. If you know a little bit about bees, it changes how you farm. That is my experience so far and I’m liking it.” v

THE LAND — FEBRUARY 23/MARCH 2, 2018

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

Feb. 26 – Strategic Farming: Growing Soybeans that Out-Compete Weeds – Hutchinson, Minn. – Learn impacts of row spacing, plant population, pest pressure, weed biology, resistance and management – Visit www.extension.umn.edu/agriculture/crops/ events/strategic-farming/ or contact stah0012@umn. edu or (507) 372-3900

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

PAGE 21

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Feb. 26 – Nitrogen Smart Workshop – Pipestone, Minn. – Training program on maximizing economic return on nitrogen investments while minimizing nitrogen losses – Visit www.extension.umn.edu/agriculture/crops/events/nitrogen-smart/ or contact bcarlson@umn.edu or (507) 389-6745 Feb. 27 – 2018 Ag Summit – Austin, Minn. – Riverland Community College presents learning on innovation, global connections, niche markets and youth leadership – Visit www.riverland.edu or contact (507) 421-7167 Feb. 27 – Strategic Farming: Growing Soybeans that Out-Compete Weeds – Faribault, Minn.

Feb. 27-March 1 – Hawkeye Farm Show – Cedar Falls, Iowa – Latest agricultural technology and services with exhibitors, product lines, seminars – Contact (507) 437-7969 or visit hawkeyefarmshow.com Feb. 27-March 1 – Central Minnesota Farm Show – St. Cloud, Minn. – Trade show and free seminars – Contact farmshow@stcloudareachamber.com or (320) 656-3831 or www.centralMNFarmShow.com Feb. 28 – Start to Farm Beginning Farmer Workshop – Mason City, Iowa – Business planning discussion led by Iowa Extension – Contact reuken@ iastate.edu or (641) 923-2856 March 1 – Nitrogen Smart Workshop – Rosemount, Minn.

March 2 – Cover Crop and Soil Health Workshop – Saint Charles, Minn. – Learn how cover crops improve soil and economics – Contact UMN Extension at over028@umn.edu or (507) 457-6440 March 3 – Horticulture Day – Chaska, Minn. – Event focuses on growing food, native plants and pollinators – Contact Carver-Scott Extension Master Gardeners at klmock@umn.edu or (952) 466-5300 or www.carverscottmastergardeners.org/ March 3 – Horticulture Day-All Things Spring – Waseca, Minn. – UMN Southern Research and Outreach Center hosts a horticulture day on growing fruit, changing climate, pollinators and herbs – Contact (507) 835-3620 or visit sroc.cfans.umn.edu ©2018 Minnesota Soybean

PAGE 22

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

THE LAND — FEBRUARY 23/MARCH 2, 2018

David Kohl predicts spring thaw in farm economy

By MARIE WOOD The Land Associate Editor NORTH MANKATO, Minn. — “The Grinder” is what David Kohl is calling the economic cycle that farmers grinded through from 2013 to 2017.

David Kohl delivered the keynote to about 500 farmers and students at the 10th Ag Symposium at South Central College, North Mankato, on Jan. 30.

Kohl, professor emeritus in agricultural and applied economics at Virgina Tech, is well known for identifying trends and forces that impact agriculture. He travels across the nation and globe speaking and teaching.

He combs through FINBIN — farm management data from 50,000 farms in multiple states. “You will see the future in those databases,” he said.

He has found that trends in that data are two years ahead of U.S. Department of Agriculture data. He noticed that in 2011-12, the bottom third of producers in the database were making money.

“When the bottom third in any industry is making money, you’re going to have tough times usually about two to three years down the line because it brings the inefficient in. It was too easy to make money,” Kohl said.

He was right. Today, farmers are five years into “The Grinder.” He broke down our economic cycle into seasons.

The summer was the super cycle of 2006-12. Farmers made more money in these six years than in the previous 40 years, he said. Many factors came together: ethanol boom, demand from

Photo courtesy of South Central College, North Mankato Campus Foundation

David Kohl led a presentation for high school students at the Ag Symposium on Jan. 30 at South Central College, North Mankato. emerging nations, a weak dollar and technology.

Next came the fall or “The Grinder” years of 2013-17. This period is identified by commodity surplus, suppressed margins, farmers burning through capital, refinancing for liquidity and land retaining its value.

In the 1980s, Kohl explained that young Baby Boomers were taking over the farm from their parents and grandparents of the Great Depression. This created a credit bubble. Now we are in an asset bubble, which means today’s farmers have land equity, which brings resiliency.

The years of 2018-21 is the winter of this economic cycle defined by a widening gap of economic performance. The top 40 percent of producers are selectively growing their business.

Vendors are providing operating

credit, but this may tighten.

“Be careful. Always remember who you’re operating lender is because they can put you out of business very, very quickly,” Kohl said.

Spring and regeneration is coming in 2021-25, Kohl predicted. This period will require a balance between equity and tenure versus youth and growth.

“When you combine experience, tenure and equity with youth, innovation and management, you take the business to the next level,” Kohl said.

The market will be consumer, data and people driven and it will not be one single enterprise fits all.

“That makes agriculture very, very exciting,” Kohl said.

The consumer marketplace is splintered. Kohl pointed to the beer market filled with microbrews as a harbinger.

Millennial consumers want different and buy experience, he noted. They look for natural and organic. The market will differentiate between genetically modified organisms versus nonGMO. Knowing the origin of food is more important than local, he added.

Bob McConnell, a farmer from Armstrong, Iowa, attended the symposium with his two sons. McConnell was encouraged that Kohl is seeing improvements in 2021, even though waiting another three years is less than ideal.

“There’s light at the end of the tunnel,” said his son Caleb McConnell.

Top ag indicators Exports are the number one issue on Kohl’s radar these days. The next four months will be very critical for the North American Free Trade Agreement. Twenty percent of net farm income comes from exports and Canada is our number one trading partner, Mexico number three. Canada represents $21 billion; China, $20 billion; and Mexico, $18 billion in ag exports.

“If we tear it up, we could be in the 1980s very, very quickly,” Kohl said.

When the United States backed out of the Trans-Pacific Partnership in spring 2017, China came in and filled the void and Canada and Mexico joined. Three out of every seven customers in the world come out of Asia.

“Right now they are negotiating agreements without us at the table,” he said.

See KOHL, pg. 23

THE LAND — FEBRUARY 23/MARCH 2, 2018

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

PAGE 23

Asset light, efficiency are guiding tenets in management KOHL, from pg. 22 In China, President Xi Jinping has a timeline of 2030-50 to be the world’s economic and military leading power. The country’s biggest issue is natural resources — water quality, metal toxicity in the soil and air quality.

David Kohl “They have natural resource issues. That is our strategic advantage here in the United States of America,” Kohl said.

Kohl commended President Donald Trump for appointing former Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad as U.S. Ambassador to China. Branstad developed a friendship with Xi during his visits to Iowa in the 1980s.

“When you market with Asia, it’s about trust,” Kohl said.

While export markets create volatility in agriculture, volatility can also be opportunity.

“Volatility can be your enemy and it can be your friend. It’s all up to you and management,” Kohl said.

He is closely watching the growth of the U.S. economy and the stock markets that have been “hotter than a pepper sprout.” The Federal Reserve wants to go back to the normal interest rate of 6.5 prime, but that could pose a shock so the key will be how fast the increase will take place, Kohl noted.

Oil prices are low because the United States has gained energy independence through ethanol, wind, solar and fracking, he said. Kohl also is watching France and Germany because they want to outlaw gas-powered engines and replace them with electric vehicles by 2040. China is following suit.

“Your commodity prices will oftentimes follow that oil sector,” Kohl said.

Transitions in farms, along with the retirement of ag industry professionals, is accelerating rapidly, which means opportunity — even more opportunity when you consider that 21 percent of American farmers and ranchers do not have a next generation to take over, said Kohl.

Management Asset light and a drive toward efficiency is guiding business today, Kohl said.

For instance, one major trend on the farm are weather applications, providing weather forecasts right down to each field. The applications offer added efficiency when planting, fertilizing and spraying.

Farm management records show 40 percent of farmers are eking out a profit. “If they’re showing a loss, it’s a small loss.”

The producers in the middle are in denial, waiting

Resources University of Minnesota Extension Agricultural Business Management: www.extension.umn.edu/agriculture/business/ University of Minnesota 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 called Interpreting Financial Statements and Measures: https://www.cffm.umn.edu/products/ IFSaM.aspx for that bad weather event, Kohl said.

Meanwhile, the bottom 30 percent are managing their business by their income tax form. Then they might turn the financial management to someone else. They also tend to be paying more for marginal resources.

“Very few businesses ever fail by paying income taxes,” he said.

Since 2013, the top producers that have been making adjustments are doing OK, but the other group is dropping off.

The top 40 percent of producers are 5 percent better than the bottom 30 percent of producers. In 2018, he challenged the audience to look for three ways to be 5 percent better in production, marketing, finance or putting your system together to drive toward efficiency.

The top producers have a marketing advantage along with lower rent and input costs of $20-$50 per acre. He cautioned not to cut crop insurance to lower input cost.

Family living expenses also play a key role. He puts family expenses into two categories: high maintenance of $90,000-$125,000 and low maintenance of $40,000-$70,000 per year. Another issue is the farm may be supporting too many family members.

His five characteristics of a sound financial system are: know cost of production; make accrual adjustments; do trend analysis; benchmark against FINBIN data; and keep records in a safe, secure place.

One bright spot is boomerang farmers who are coming back to the farm, some from the ag industry, and applying systems to the family operation.

In talking with producers across the country, Kohl gathers wisdom. One farmer told him he calculates profitability by field, dropped 3,000 acres, and he put $300,000 on his bottom line.

“I am seeing more and more producers who are saying ‘Do I really need that leased land?’” Kohl said.

The same producer also dropped his family living expenses to $68,000 from $128,000.

Visit www.TheLandOnline.com

Volatility can be your enemy and it can be your friend. It’s all up to you and management.

— David Kohl Another farmer maintained 40 percent working capital which offers flexibility, opportunity to take advantage of discounts and the ability to self-finance.

Another farmer monitors his financials every two weeks with his chief financial officer, his wife.

“Managing those financials is an intense business,” he said.

Besides speaking on farm management and the economy, Kohl is part owner in Homestead Creamery, a dairy business in the Blue Ridge Mountains.

With four small dairies of 100-150 cows, the creamery markets milk in glass bottles, along with premium ice cream, egg nog and flavored milk. The products are distributed to retail outlets in 12 states and by home delivery to customers in Virginia.

A woman asked a question from her 8-year-old son: When will the milk price go up? Kohl said dairy margins have baffled him. He said we are losing four dairies a day and wished he had more positive news for her son. The solution for his creamery is marketing flavored milk.

“The future marketplace is going to be very entrepreneurial and very business and business-management wise,” Kohl said. v

PAGE 24

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

THE LAND — FEBRUARY 23/MARCH 2, 2018

Industrial hemp needs more demand, processors

By MARIE WOOD The Land Associate Editor Mike Zabel of Zabel Seeds near Plainview, Minn., grew industrial hemp in 2017 to produce certified industrial hemp seed in a fledgling industry. A participant of the Minnesota Department of Agriculture Industrial Hemp Pilot Program, Zabel plans to grow industrial hemp this year too.

“We planted and harvested it and got it in the bin. We haven’t proceeded to clean it and package it yet,” Zabel said.

He is doing preliminary testing on the seeds. His certified seed, to be branded as Legacy Hemp’s cultivar X-59 Hemp-Nut, will be needed at the end of May. The industrial hemp market is growing, but more demand is still needed as are processing facilities.

There are many uses for hempseed, also known as the grain, in the form of hemp hearts, protein powder, oil and skin care products. Food manufacturers pose a major market for this latest superfood that offers plant protein with healthy omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids.

Certified seed production requires more intensive management. Legacy Hemp was an excellent resource in Zabel’s first season.

“It wasn’t such a nightmare that we won’t do it again. We learned some things,” Zabel said. “Overall, from planting to harvest, the whole process is relatively simple and pain-free.”

Zabel researched the crop and visited Minnesota Hemp Farms during harvest. He talked to some Canadian farmers as the country has an established hemp industry. In fact, the

Photo by Kim Zabel

Mike Zabel of Plainview, Minn., grows industrial hemp for certified seed production.

majority of Minnesota farmers plant certified seed from Canada. Producing certified industrial hemp seed in the United States is a logical next step.

The Minnesota Crop Improvement Association board approved the guidelines for certified seed production for industrial hemp in 2017.

“Hemp is a prolific pollinator,” Zabel said. He added that when hemp becomes more of a commodity, isolation of fields for certified seed production will become an important issue.

Isolation is addressed in the guidelines.

The fertility in the fields were good to begin with so additional fertilizer was not applied.

Zabel used existing equipment, including his soybean head for harvesting. He said that harvesting is slow and tedious since you must clean the grain in the field prior to storage

because there is a large amount of foreign material with the seed. The seed must be dried as well.

“It’s imperative that you clean it before you put it in a bin for storage,” he said. “You either need to have equipment available to do that or you need to hire somebody with a mobile cleaning apparatus or facility.”

Zabel advises: “Before you plant it, make sure you’ve got a market for it.”

Minnesota is one of 34 states where farmers can grow hemp, but it is only one of about 14 that have a pilot program set up to study hemp.

According to the MDA’s Industrial Hemp Pilot Program annual report, none of the growers had reported any profits or had received money for their harvest. Growers reported a contract price of 50 cents a pound for conventional and $1.08-$1.18 per pound for certified organic. The report states that the average cost per acre was about $500, which does not include land rent. Across the 1,100 acres harvested, the average yield of cleaned grain was 790 pounds per acre, but some growers reported 2,000 pounds on the high end.

Key market findings from the report are: certified organic hemp grain is preferred over conventional grain in the food market; achieving food-grade purity was difficult for Minnesota hemp farmers; growers were frustrated at season-end when they had nowhere to sell their grain.

At this time, there are no industrial hemp processors in Minnesota and participants expect it will take time and money to establish an industry reported the MDA. U.S. hemp competes globally against

Photo courtesy of Legacy Hemp

During harvest, hemp grain goes through a density separator that blows out the foreign, green material before storage. This machine is shown at a Legacy Hemp operation.

Canada, European Union and China.

Building a hemp industry in the United States could offer another cash crop for American farmers.

Infrastructure The 2014 farm bill allowing industrial hemp production ushered in entrepreneurs who want to be on the ground floor of the industry. Ken Anderson of Prescott, Wis., founded Legacy Hemp which operates in Minnesota, Wisconsin, Kentucky and North Dakota.

See HEMP, pg. 26

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THE LAND — FEBRUARY 23/MARCH 2, 2018

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THE LAND — FEBRUARY 23/MARCH 2, 2018

Law must change for hemp to become traded commodity

HEMP, from pg. 24 Minnesota Industrial Hemp Pilot Program Legacy Hemp began in certified seed sales and The MDA released the Industrial Hemp Pilot Program production and moved into being a wholesale annual report. Participants were required to submit distributor of grains, selling to companies that agronomic, processing and marketing data. Out of will add it to food products or package for con1,210 acres planted, 1,100 acres were harvested. sumers. His focus is on certified organic hemp grains.

Visit www.mda.state.mn.us/industrialhemp for “We sell the farmer the seed. We contract the the full report and the University of Minnesota variacreage and we buy the whole yield back,” Anderety trials. The MDA is accepting applications to grow son said. hemp for the 2018 season. Growers must register in Photo courtesy of Legacy Hemp Anderson has been using a third party procesthe program to grow hemp. sor for the grain, but this year he is building a Legacy Hemp runs an industrial hemp operation near McVille, food-grade processing facility in Wisconsin. He N.D. has a target date of December to be operating His Field Theory hemp hearts are available in and processing this year’s grain. He plans to open will spoil,” Anderson said.

In fact, four growers in the pilot program reported major grocers and food cooperatives in the Twin Citthree satellite receiving areas to clean, dry and store grain. Organic farmers do not tend to have on-farm grain got hot and spoiled when it didn’t get on air ies. Hemp hearts are hulled hempseed known for their high nutritional value and nutty flavor. They immediately for dry down. storage, he noted. can be added to cereal, protein shakes and more.

The total retail value of all hemp products sold in Strohfus knows all aspects of hemp: seed sales, When talking with farmers, he estimates profits by yield and product. Anderson estimates $1,000 per the United States was estimated at $688 million in agronomy, harvest, processing and marketing. acre for organic grain and $200-$400 per acre for 2016, according to the Hemp Business Journal.

“We had a market this year. We are able to offer a conventional grain. The biggest profit comes with Besides a lack of processing facilities, Anderson market where we didn’t have one in 2016. That was growing certified seed. sees the need to expand the market so more Ameri- really through the work I had done since starting the Legacy Hemp has a waiting list of farmers who can farmers can grow it. company by developing relationships, partnerships wish to grow for the company. As Anderson continues “The better job that we do of expanding the mar- and business agreements,” he said. to get more contracts, he encourages farmers to ket, it will be sooner that it (hemp) will be treated as The biggest challenge he faces is food-grade cleanapply. Anderson is looking for capable farmers that a commodity. Right now it’s not the reality,” Andercan handle post-harvest cleaning, dry down and stor- son said. “If you grow, you better know who your ing of the grain. In fact, he said it may be more important to build a cleaning facility rather than a age. buyer is at the end of the day.” processing facility in Minnesota.

“The grain does really well while it’s on the plant.

By 2020, Anderson plans to establish stalk processIn addition to marketing hemp, Strohfus is studyIf you don’t handle it properly in a fast manner, it ing for industrial hemp building materials and texing the agronomy of hemp. He noted that the crop is tiles. “We want to make everybody profitable with nitrogen sensitive and likes well-drained soil as grain. Then we can put up fiber processing,” he said. opposed to heavy, wet clay soil.

In 2016 and 2017, entrepreneur John Strohfus, of “It’s an amazing plant. It will grow on most soil, Minnesota Hemp Farms near Hastings, grew hemp. but it doesn’t grow well on every soil type. It needs In 2018, he plans to grow 200 acres and contract a the proper nutrients and fertility to have a produccouple thousand acres. He contracts both conven- tive revenue,” he said. tional and organic grain.

Law In addition to growing, Strohfus is a certified seed Industrial hemp is a form of Cannabis sativa L. supplier for the Minnesota Industrial Hemp Pilot and classified as a Schedule I drug under the ConProgram. His business model is to buy back every trolled Substances Act of 1970. However, hemp conacre of seed he sells. tains less than 0.03 THC, the psychoactive ingredi“Our goal is to be the number one hemp bulk ingre- ent that gets people high. dient supplier in the United States in 2018,” said The Industrial Hemp Farming Act of 2017 is a Strohfus. bipartisan bill to remove hemp from the Controlled Substances Act and classify it as an ag commodity.

Photo courtesy of Previous legislative attempts have failed.

John Strohfus Anderson expects to see movement on this legislaJohn Strohfus tion this summer. The bill will put industrial hemp of Hastings, under the jurisdiction of the U.S. Department of Minn., sells Agriculture. When industrial hemp is no longer a certified seed, controlled substance, it can become a traded comgrows and modity, he said. contracts “If you are against industrial hemp, you are either industrial ignorant or corrupt. Farmers are not interested in hemp. growing drugs, and hemp does not produce any (drugs),” Anderson said. v

THE LAND — FEBRUARY 23/MARCH 2, 2018

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

PAGE 27

Life on the Farm: Readers’ Photos

Photo by Al Batt

A fox moves furtively through this yard in rural Hartland, Minn. Voles were on the menu.

Specialist in the Design, Installation, and Sales of

Photos submitted by Francis and Marie McNamara

Above: Last fall, this hot air balloon launched from the Covered Bridge Park in Zumbrota, Minn., floated over the farm in Belle Creek Township, near Goodhue. “I’ve lived here all my life and have never seen this sight greet me in the morning,” Francis McNamara, 96, said.

Below: After a September 2017 thunderstorm, a rainbow appeared by the corn bins of Francis McNamara’s nephews, Andy and Jim McNamara, in Belle Creek Township, near Goodhue, Minn.

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PAGE 28

MILKER’S MESSAGE

THE LAND — FEBRUARY 23/MARCH 2, 2018

Milk production up, domestic consumption weak

This column was written for the marketing week ending Feb. 16.

WE BUILD OUR STALLS RIGHT! The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s monthly Livestock, Dairy, Take a look at and Poultry Outlook, issued Feb. our tubing with 14, mirrored dairy projections in unequaled corrosion the Feb. 8 World Agricultural SupNews and information for Minnesota and Northern Iowa dairy producers protection! ply and Demand Estimates report. weakTubing in 2017.

The milk-feed ratio averaged 2.42 for the year, an use of dairy products was relatively It stated that milk production conFreudenthal has been MIELKE MARKET On a milk-fat basis, domestic useengineered increased only 0.3 increase from 2.26 in 2016,” for your specific tinued growing throughout 2017, WEEKLY percent from the previous year, quite remarkable requirements where strength increasing 1.7 percent over the The Outlook adds, “Relatively strong global and particularly corrosion resistancethe are

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On a skim-solids basis, year). Milk cows numbered 9.392 PROTECTION to the rise of prices in 2017, especially for proddomestic use decreased by 0.7 percent after three million head, on average, an increase of 64,000 from ucts with high milk-fat content. Consumer percepyears of growth. Domestic useComfort declinedTie for Stall all of the CS-60 2016. Milk per cow was 22,937 pounds, 1 percent tions of butterfat have changed in recent years as dairy products tracked by USDA Economic Research higher than 2016 (adjusted for leap year). several studies have indicated possible lower risks of Service except for butter, American-type cheese and The Toughest consuming butterfat and detrimental effects of alter“Along with higher milk prices through most of lactose.”

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THE LAND — FEBRUARY 23/MARCH 2, 2018

MILKER’S MESSAGE

PAGE 29

Midwest cheesemakers report short cheddar inventory MIELKE, from pg. 28 2008, a year of recession. The weak domestic use of 2017 is puzzling given the strengthening of the economy throughout the year. While higher wholesale prices compared to 2016 may have played a role in the relatively low quantities demanded, the price changes were likely not large enough to fully account for the observed statistics.”

Unfortunately, the Outlook’s feed price forecasts were raised from last month. The 2017-18 corn price forecast is $3.05-$3.55 per bushel, an increase of 5 cents at the midpoint of the range. The soybean meal price forecast is $305-$335 per short ton, an increase of $5 at the midpoint of the range. The alfalfa hay price was $148/short ton in December, unchanged from November but $21 higher than December 2016. n Matt Gould, analyst and editor of the Dairy and Food Market Analyst newsletter, echoed some of the Dairy Outlook’s remarks about domestic disappearance numbers in the Feb. 12 Dairy Radio Now broadcast.

“They were nothing to write home about,” Gould said, and that covered fourth quarter as well as the entire year. He cited butter as an example, pointing out that butter’s popularity has been rising — even featured on the cover of Time magazine. Fat is being considered healthy again, but the data shows U.S. butter consumption increased less than 1 percent last year and was essentially flat in fourth quarter.

Butter demand is not surging like we’ve been hearing, he said, but “while one blip isn’t a trend, it’s something we definitely have to watch.”

Other-than-American cheese, like mozzarella and other Italian-style cheeses, have seen demand slow as well, according to Gould. Growth was pretty flat in 2017, up about 1 percent in fourth quarter, he explained, “But these aren’t terrific growth rates.

Population growth is around 0.8 percent, so you’re seeing demand growth just barely above population growth.”

Demand for nonfat dry milk and dry whey was essentially flat last year as well, he said, “so broadly speaking, the U.S. dairy market is seeing domestic demand growth that is very meek and the market is looking for exports for support.”

When asked how things looked in January, Gould said that the Super Bowl helped cheese sales and butter sales pick up, after being weak in December.

“More and more, you’re seeing news about plantbased foods. So by most accounts, we’re not seeing any huge uptick in demand,” he concluded. n Cash block cheddar cheese closed Valentine’s Day week at a slightly more romantic $1.54 per pound, up 3 cents on the week but 4 cents below a year ago.

The barrels closed Feb. 16 at $1.48, up 12 cents on the week and 14 cents below a year ago, with 13

cars of block trading places and 38 of barrel.

Midwest cheesemakers are reporting some positive trends in cheese demand, according to Dairy Market News. “Barrel sellers have reported that inventories are limited, and buyers searching for loads produced as recently as early 2018 are out of

luck.” Cheddar demand, along with cheddar inventories, vary from plant to plant. Spot milk into cheese production was widely available, as it has been most of the year. Spot milk prices ranged from flat to $3 under Class III. See MIELKE, pg. 30

PAGE 30

MILKER’S MESSAGE

THE LAND — FEBRUARY 23/MARCH 2, 2018

CME is launching spot dry whey contract on March 12 MIELKE, from pg. 29 Cheesemakers in the West report relatively steady domestic demand. Although a few manufacturers have seen the typical seasonal slowdown of orders for finished goods, overall, cheese is moving without a lot of discounting. Higher cheese prices in the EU and Oceania are helping generate good sales opportunities in some international markets. Cheese production is active while there is an abundance of milk. Cheese inventories are generally heavy. n Butter had a better week after dipping to the low-

est price since November 2016 the previous week. It climbed to $2.15 per pound on Feb. 15, but lost a nickel the next day to close at $2.10. This is still up 7.25 cents on the week, but 5.75 cents below a year ago, with a whopping 72 cars unloaded on the week, 32 on Feb. 16 alone.

Dairy Market News says butter interest is trending up throughout the Central region. Current prices have garnered the attention of buyers, as butter producers report steady to increased sales this week. Cream remains available for butter churning, although there are some reports that cream suppliers are not offering as much.

Cash Grade A nonfat dry milk finished Feb. 16 at 70.5 cents per pound, down 3 cents, and 16.5 cents below a year ago, on 13 sales reported for the week.

The Chicago Mercantile Exchange will launch a spot dry whey contract starting March 12. HighGround Dairy says it’s “excited for the dairy industry to have a daily view at dry whey prices that we believe will accelerate participation in futures and options contracts as it did for non-fat dry milk a few years ago.” n A quick refresher on milk pricing: in most of the United States, milk prices are determined using complex formulas by the USDA. But the system has evolved over the years from a simple volume/butterfat basis to the current multiple component pricing — which takes into consideration volume, butterfat, protein and various other components of the milk, as well as where the milk is to be used.

There are four classes of milk. Class I is fluid in the bottle or jug and yields the highest rate of return to the farmer. Class II is milk that goes into ice cream, yogurt and cream cheese. Class III is milk that goes to cheese and dry whey, and Class IV is milk used in butter, nonfat, and whole milk powder.

It takes 9.6 pounds of milk to produce 1 pound of cheese, so every penny movement in the cheese price is equivalent to about 10 cents on the Class III milk price.

Dry whey is a bi-product from making cheese. One hundred pounds of milk will yield about 10 pounds of cheese and about six pounds of dry whey. A 1-cent movement in the dry whey price equals about 5.9 cents on the Class III price.

The Class IV price is driven by powder and butter.

One hundred pounds of milk yields about 8.6 pounds of nonfat dry milk and 4.2 pounds of butter.

A penny movement on the nonfat dry milk price will mean about 8.6 cents on the Class IV milk price and a penny movement on butter results in a 4.2 cent impact on the Class IV price.

Farmers receive a uniform or blend price, which is determined by their region of the country, based upon how much of that farmer’s milk went into the four different classes in his milk market order. Cali-

Just as Coke and Pepsi battle falling consumption, dairy industry woes continue in fluid milk consumption as well. fornia is currently not part of the federal order system and has its own milk classes and pricing formulas.

The California Department of Food and Agriculture announced its March Class I milk price at $15.20 per hundredweight for the north and $15.47 for the south. Both are down 27 cents from February and $3.42 below March 2017.

The three-month average stands at $15.58 for the north, down from $18.51 at this time a year ago and compares to $16.08 in 2016. The southern average, at $15.85, is down from $18.78 a year ago and $16.35 in 2016. The March federal order Class I base price will be announced by the USDA on Feb. 22.

Meanwhile, the process of forming a Federal Milk Market Order in California is on hold as dairy producers await the outcome of a Supreme Court decision in a court challenge regarding the use of administrative law judges. Such a judge presided over California’s September federal order hearing, so USDA says it is delaying its final decision on the federal order. A Feb. 13 USDA conference call reiterated the department’s reasoning to hold off its decision.

In a worst-case scenario, the process would have to start over from scratch. However, USDA says it will hire a judicial officer to review the record wordby-word. If he determines the record complete, he will ratify it (according to Western United Dairymen) and if not, he will seek additional feedback. n Just as Coke and Pepsi battle falling consumption, dairy industry woes continue in fluid milk consumption as well. USDA’s latest data pegs December packaged fluid sales at 4.1 billion pounds, down a hefty 4.0 percent from December 2016.

Conventional product sales totaled 3.9 billion pounds, down 4.1 percent from a year ago. Organic products, at 215 million pounds, were down 1.9 percent and represented about 5.2 percent of total sales for the month.

Whole milk sales totaled 1.3 billion pounds, down 0.4 percent from a year ago, but up 2.2 percent for the year. Whole milk sales made up 31.6 percent of total fluid sales in the month and 30.7 percent for the year. Skim milk sales fell to 338 million, down 11.7 percent from December 2016 and down 11.9 percent for all of 2017.

Total packaged fluid milk sales in 2017 slipped 48.1 billion pounds, down 2.2 percent from the same See MIELKE, pg. 31

THE LAND — FEBRUARY 23/MARCH 2, 2018

MILKER’S MESSAGE

PAGE 31

Dry cow nutrition is vital for dairy herd health ST. CLOUD, Minn. — Dry cows do not benefit from a “one size fits all” approach when it comes to their nutrition, but there are some common practices to keep in mind.

Consider the body condition score for each animal.

Using the 5-point scale, cows at or above a 3.5 BCS at calving are more susceptible to metabolic disorders and mobilize more fat after calving. Late lactation BCS should be around 3.25 at dry off.

There is research out of Illinois that found overfeeding energy for an 8-week period can lead to excessive internal fat and be harmful to cows. This is especially true during the transition period due to inflammation and impaired liver function. Internal fat is not always indicated in body condition score, and when thin cows are overfed they can respond as if they were fat.

Observe cows regularly and watch for various

symptoms. There are five key symptoms of overfeeding and/or excessive insulin resistance.

• Large decreases in intake as a cow approaches calving • Low intake or sluggish increases in intake in fresh cows • Excessive body weight or BCS gain during the dry period • Excessive body weight or BCS loss during early lactation • Higher incidence of subclinical and clinical ketosis and displaced abomasum.

There are two key components to dry cow nutrition that should help control BCS as well as body weight: maintaining dry matter intake through calving; and optimizing nutrient intake and supply.

Dry matter intake can be maintained, while en-

ergy intake is controlled by formulating diets appropriately for fiber and energy density. Typically, corn silage-based diets provide too much energy. Controlled-energy diets typically incorporate low-energy feedstuffs such as straw, grass hay or hay crop silage.

These feedstuffs allow cows to consume feed ad libitum without over-consuming energy.

Once dry matter intake is set, the diet can be formulated with protein feedstuffs to supply at least 1,100 grams per day of metabolizable protein. Meeting the protein requirements benefits immune function, mammary development and protein reserves.

Protein reserves are used for metabolic functions in the first few weeks of lactation when the cows experience negative protein balance along with negative energy balance.

This article was submitted by University of Minnesota Extension. v

MPP gets reforms, increased funding from new budget bill MIELKE, from pg. 30 period a year ago. The 2017 total was just 0.7 percent below 2016. Conventional products for 2017 totaled 45.5 billion pounds, down 2.3 percent.

Organic products, at 2.6 billion pounds, were virtually unchanged. Organic represented about 5.4 percent of total fluid milk sales in 2017. n Cooperatives Working Together accepted four requests for export assistance the week of Feb. 12 from cooperatives to sell 1.213 million pounds of cheddar cheese to customers in Asia and the Middle East. The product has been contracted for delivery through May. n In politics: as reported last week, lawmakers passed a budget bill that included enhancements to dairy’s Margin Protection Program. Effective immediately for the 2018 calendar year, the package reforms the MPP and provides access to additional risk management tools from USDA. National Milk Producers Federation says, “These key elements will create $1.2 billion in baseline spending for the next farm bill, paving the way for additional improvements to the MPP.” NMPF added, “The MPP reforms include raising the catastrophic coverage level from $4 to $5 for the first tier of covered production for all dairy farmers; adjusting the first tier of covered production to

include every dairy farmer’s first 5 million pounds of annual milk production (about 217 cows) instead of 4 million; a recognition of the growth in herd sizes across the country; and it reduces the premium rates, effective immediately, for every producer’s first 5 million pounds of production to better enable dairy farmers to afford the higher levels of coverage that will provide more meaningful protection against low margins.”

“The package modifies the margin calculation to a monthly (from bi-monthly) basis, to make the program more accurate and responsive in difficult months. It also waives the annual $100 administrative fees for underserved farmers; directs USDA to immediately reopen the program signup for 2018; and lifts the $20 million annual cap on all livestock insurance — including the Livestock Gross Margin program. This will allow USDA to develop a wider variety of additional risk management tools for dairy producers that can complement the MPP,” says NMPF. Legislation has also been introduced in the Senate that would keep dairy farms from having to provide air emissions data under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act. NMPF praised the Fair Agricultural Reporting Method Act, stating, “The CERCLA provisions in question were originally enacted to address accidental hazardous air emission emergencies from toxic

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

waste sites. However, because of recent court decisions, the CERCLA law soon will require farms to generate reports that regulatory agencies do not want and will not use, unless Congress legislates a change to the underlying law.” n Lastly, with tears in my eyes, I mourn the loss of my Dad, “Ken,” on Feb. 16. A World War II veteran who would have turned 95 on May 29, he now joins my wonderful mother, who the Lord took home six years ago, after they celebrated 64 wonderful years together. I am so grateful for the faith, heritage and legacy they both gave me, my children, and grandchildren.

Lee Mielke is a syndicated columnist who resides in Everson, Wash. His weekly column is featured in newspapers across the country and he may be reached at lkmielke@juno.com. v

PAGE 32

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

THE LAND — FEBRUARY 23/MARCH 2, 2018

Check all options when buying crop insurance During the next few weeks, many farm and soybean producers utilize RP policies. operators will be finalizing their crop However, in many years, the RPE policies insurance decisions for the 2018 crop year. can offer good protection at a lower preMarch 15 is the deadline to purchase crop mium cost. insurance for the 2018 crop year.

The actual production history yield Profit margins for crop production this guarantee, farm unit determinations, year remain very tight, which makes the insurance coverage selections (50 to 85 2018 crop insurance decisions even more percent), replant, and prevented planting critical. Producers have several crop coverage, etc. for RP and RPE policies are insurance policy options to choose from, FARM PROGRAMS the same as for yield protection policies. including yield protection policies and

By Kent Thiesse All RP and RPE prices are based on revenue protection policies, as well as Chicago Board of Trade futures pricseveral other group insurance policy es — not cash prices. options. There are also decisions with The higher of the base price or the using enterprise units versus optional units, and whether or not to take advantage of the harvest price is used to calculate revenue guarantee trend adjusted actual production history yields for per acre for RP policies; and the harvest price is used to determine the harvested crop value for RP and 2018.

RPE policies.

Yield protection insurance policies For 2018, most Midwest corn and soybean producYield protection policies provide protection from ers will have the opportunity to utilize the trendyield losses only. The price guarantee for yield proadjusted actual production history yield endorsetection policies for corn is the average settlement price for December Chicago Board of Trade corn ment, which has proven to be quite favorable. futures in February, and for soybeans is the average RP and RPE price calculations for corn and price for November soybean futures in February. soybeans Corn — base price for RP and RPE policies is the Producers may select coverage ranging from 50 to 85 percent of the actual production history or proven average settlement price for December CBOT corn yield to arrive at a yield guarantee. (Soybean exam- futures during the month of February. Harvest price ple: 55 bu./acre actual production history multiplied for RP and RPE policies is the average settlement by 85 percent (.85) equals a yield guarantee of 46.75 price for December CBOT corn futures in October bu./acre.) Replant and prevented planting coverage during the year of harvest, which may be used to set the guarantee for RP polies, but not RPE policies. apply to yield protection policies.

The harvest price maximum for RP is limited to the Indemnity payments are calculated by subtracting base price times 200 percent. (Example: $3.95/bu. the harvest yield on a farm unit from the yield guarantee and multiplying times the yield protection base price times 2 equals $7.90/bu. maximum) There market price minus the crop insurance premium. are no restrictions regarding downside price move(Soybean example: A 46.75 bu./acre guarantee minus ment. a 40.0 bu./acre harvest yield is 6.75 bu./acre. Multiply Soybeans — Base price for RP and RPE policies is 6.75 times the yield protection market price of $10/ the average settlement price for November soybean bu. Subtract the $8/acre crop insurance premium to futures during the month of February. arrive at a figure of $59.50/acre.)

Harvest price for RP and RPE policies is the averRevenue protection insurance policies age settlement price for November CBOT soybean The revenue protection and revenue protection futures in October during the year of harvest, which with harvest price exclusion (RPE) insurance poli- may be used to set the guarantee for RP polies, but cies function essentially in the same manner, except not for RPE. The harvest price maximum for RP is the guarantees on RPE policies are not affected by limited to the base price times 200 percent. (Example: harvest prices that exceed the base price. Most corn $10/bu. base price times 2 equals $20/bu. maximum.)

There are no restrictions regarding downside price movement.

FENC M E BUI O LDER 2018 yield protection, RP and RPE crop insurance S base prices will be finalized on March 1. As of Feb. 9, ST High U Tensil C e Fen the base prices are estimated at $3.93/bu. for corn; Speed cing rite E nergiz $10.01/bu. for soybeans; and $6.30/bu. for wheat. ers Water ing Sy stems F ENCE Comparing the results of similar RP to RPE Grazin g Sup IN YO US plies UR FU crop insurance policies: T TURE E ” Soybean loss example 1 (Where harvest price is “L lower than base price) using an 85 percent RP or 507-956-2657 Daniel & Terese Hall SOUTHWEST MINNESOTA Jeremy • Andy • Tony • Mike RPE insurance policy (enterprise units): Actual pro40133 - 620 Ave. duction history yield of 55 bu./acre; a 48 bu./acre BUTTERFIELD, MN 56120 harvest yield; a CBOT base price of $10/bu.; a CBOT

MARKETING

th

harvest price of $8/bu.; and premiums of $14/acre RP or $10/acre RPE. 55 bu./acre at $10/bu. times 85 percent equals a revenue guarantee of $467.50/acre. 48 bu./acre at $8/ bu. equals a harvested crop value of $384/acre. The revenue guarantee of $467.50/acre, minus the harvested crop value of $384/acre, minus the RP premium of $14/acre, equals an RP indemnity payment of $69.50/acre. Using the RPE premium of $10/acre, the RPE indemnity payment would be $73.50/acre.

Note: If the coverage level in the previous example is decreased to 75 percent, the revenue guarantee is decreased to $412.50. Assuming a harvested crop value of $384/acre and a premium cost of $5/acre for RP and $2.50/acre for RPE, the resulting indemnity payments would be $23.50/acre for RP and $26.00/ acre for RPE. Soybean loss example 2 (Where harvest price is higher than base price) using an 85 percent RP or RPE insurance policy (enterprise units): Actual production history yield of 55 bu./acre; a 40 bu./acre harvest yield; a CBOT base price of $10/bu.; a CBOT harvest price of $12/bu.; and premiums of $14/acre RP or $10/acre RPE. 55 bu./acre at $12/bu. times 85 percent equals an RP revenue guarantee of $561/acre. 55 bu./acre at $10/bu. times 85 percent equals an RPE revenue guarantee of $467.50/acre. A yield of 40 bu./acre times a CBOT harvest price of $12/bu. equals a harvested crop value of $480/acre. The RP revenue guarantee of $561/acre, minus the harvested crop value of $480/acre, minus the RP premium of $14/acre, equals an RP indemnity payment of $67/acre. Using the RPE revenue guarantee of $467.50/acre, minus the harvested crop value of $480/acre, minus the RPE premium of $10/acre, would result in a zero RPE indemnity payment.

Note: The scenario in example 2 really comes into play in a year of a major drought, such as in 2012, or national yield reduction from another cause, which results in a sharp increase in grain prices during the growing season. This situation did occur in 2012, which led to a wide discrepancy in crop insurance indemnity payments between RP and RPE policies, and has resulted in most producers not giving consideration to RPE policies in recent years. Since 2012, in most locations which received crop insurance indemnity payments, RPE payments have equaled or exceeded RP payments at comparable insurance coverage levels (percent coverage, units, TA yields, etc.).

The question to ask yourself is, “Are you willing to take on the risk of situation similar to the 2012 drought just to save a few dollars per acre in premium cost?”

The decision between enterprise units and optional units Enterprise units combine all acres of a crop in a See THIESSE, pg. 33

THE LAND — FEBRUARY 23/MARCH 2, 2018

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

PAGE 33

Analyze yield risk on each unit for determining coverage THIESSE, from pg. 32 given county into one crop insurance unit; while optional units allow producers to insure crops separately in each individual township section. Enterprise units usually have considerably lower premium costs (approximately $4-$7/acre) compared to optional units for comparable RP and RPE policies.

Producers should be aware that enterprise units are based on larger coverage areas. They do not necessarily cover losses from isolated storms or crop damage which affect individual farm units — such as damage from hail, wind or heavy rains. So additional insurance, such as hail or wind insurance, may be required to insure against these types of losses. It is also important for producers to run “what if” scenarios when analyzing the comparison between enterprise units and optional units.

MARKETING

2018 crop insurance premiums for most coverage levels of corn and soybeans in the Midwest should be similar or slightly lower than comparable 2017 premium levels. This is due to similar base price levels for both crops in 2018 and a relatively low volatility level compared to recent years.

Many times, producers automatically opt for enterprise units every year — due to the lower premium cost per acre for similar coverage — and probably not totally understanding the differences in coverage. It is important to analyze the yield risk on each individual farm unit when determining if paying the extra premium for insurance coverage with optional units makes sense. If a producer has uniform soil types and drainage, in a close geographical area, and is primarily concerned with a price decline, an RP or RPE policy with enterprise units is probably a good option. However, if a producer has farm units that are more geographically spread out, with more variation in soil types and drainage, and has greater concerns with yield variability, they may want to consider a RP policy with optional units.

Key items in 2018 crop insurance decisions 2018 crop insurance premiums for most coverage levels of corn and soybeans in the Midwest should be similar or slightly lower than comparable 2017 premium levels. This is due to similar base price levels for both crops in 2018 (based on early February estimates) and a relatively low volatility level compared to recent years.

There are a wide variety of crop insurance policies and coverage levels available. Make sure you are comparing apples to apples when comparing crop insurance premium costs for various options or types

of crop insurance policies. Recognize the limitations and the differences of the various crop insurance products.

Use caution in moving forward with area risk protection crop insurance plans. Some insurance companies and analysts have been promoting the ARP crop

insurance option for 2018 — due to the ability to purchase up to the 90 percent coverage level using the same price structure as RP policies. However, be aware that ARP policies use county-level yields for APH yield guarantees and final harvest yields, See THIESSE, pg. 37

PAGE 34

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

THE LAND — FEBRUARY 23/MARCH 2, 2018

MARKETING

Grain Outlook Argentina drought supports corn The following marketing analysis is for the week ending Feb. 16.

CORN — Not much has changed fundamentally since we last met. Traders are still concerned over dryness in Argentina, rain delays in safrinha corn planting, fund short covering, and decent demand for the cheapest corn in the world. The dryness in Argentina has had a bigger impact on soybean prices, but that strength has helped underscore support to corn prices. Rain has somewhat delayed soybean harvest in Brazil, and those acres are waiting to be PHYLLIS NYSTROM planted with corn — thus, the CHS Hedging Inc. underlying corn support. A St. Paul shrinking Argentine corn crop has also provided support.

Large speculators have been taking profits from the net short position they have been carrying for months and have now flipped from net short to net long. While they are not yet net long, their net short position has been cut significantly. U.S. corn is the cheapest source in the world. Weekly export sales reflected this fact with the second biggest weekly export sales number.

Weekly corn export sales were larger than anticipated at 77.7 million bushels. Total commitments at 1.4 billion bushels are 14 percent behind last year.

This is the smallest year-on-year deficit this marketing year. The U.S. Department of Agriculture is projecting this year’s exports at 2.05 billion bushels — a 10.6 percent year-on-year decrease. We need 21.6 million bushels of sales per week to hit the USDA estimate. Last year from this point through the end of the marketing year, we averaged 19.6 million bushels per week.

Weekly ethanol production fell 41,000 barrels per day to 1.016 million bpd. Stocks were 600,000 lower at 22.9 million barrels. Stocks are still 1.7 percent higher than last year. Margins were unchanged for the week at a positive 11 cents per gallon. Average gasoline demand over the last four weeks is up 6.5 percent from last year. The USDA is not expected to increase the corn for ethanol usage line on the March report with production below last year in four of the last seven weeks.

Brazil’s first corn crop was 17 percent harvested as of Feb. 14 vs. 15 percent last year. The safrinha corn See NYSTROM, pg. 35

Cash Grain Markets corn/change* soybeans/change*

Stewartville Edgerton Jackson Janesville Cannon Falls Sleepy Eye

$3.17 +.06 $3.19 +.04 $3.17 +.04 $3.28 +.03 $3.17 +.04 $3.15 +.06

$9.42 +.42 $9.47 +.42 $9.48 +.35 $9.51 +.38 $9.49 +.45 $9.52 +.40

Grain Angles Young farmers have optimism

As of the middle of the month of February, the cattle and hog markets seem to be going in opposite directions once again. The hog market is seeing the cash trade slip to lower levels as it did a year ago, while the cash cattle market continues to flourish just near the 130.00 cwt. level. It appears the supply of animals is the most predominant for both with ample hog supplies and tight cattle numbers at present.

Cattle have continued to find support for several reasons with the first being a lack of market ready cattle at the present time.

The futures market also continJOE TEALE ues to find support from the Broker managed money trade which has Great Plains Commodity Afton, Minn. entered the long side of the futures over the past several weeks. Also supporting the market has been a relatively steady beef cutout which has maintained in the mid-$200 cwt. level to the $210 area cwt. during the same period. All things considered, from a short outlook, this action may hold for a short period of time. However, given the fact that the last series of cattle-on-feed reports suggest that an ample supply of cattle does not seem to be a major problem in the intermediate future. Another consideration would be the competitive meat situation which is now experiencing lower price levels which could affect consumer preferences in the weeks ahead. Considering all these factors, producers should remain aware of the market conditions and protect inventories if needed.

Optimism … As I spoke with some young, beginning and small farmers at a recent conference, this theme kept coming up. Now I realize that you may be questioning my sanity when I say there is optimism in agriculture today; but it is out there if you’re willing to step aside from some of the coffee shop talk. We talked a lot about how to make their operations successful long term, reducing costs, taking advantage of marketing opportunities and planning for the future. We learned about finding our competitive advantage, and igniting our passion to fuel success. Along MIKE PATTERSON the way we also had a little fun, Compeer Sr. Financial getting to know some new people Services Executive and network with other producNorthfield, Minn. ers. It’s always great to hear things from another perspective and talk about what’s been working, what’s not working and gain new ideas and insights.

Best in class Michael Bohlje, senior associate at Centrec Consulting and professor at Purdue University shared a message entitled, “The Farm Economy: How Do You Win in Tough Times?” The piece of his program that seemed to resonate the most with farmers I spoke with was around how to be “Best in Class.”

In order to be successful in 2018 and beyond, producers need to have “intense cost control.” This isn’t just about being cheap. It is about being efficient and productive. You need to analyze each input and determine if spending that additional money will not just improve your yield but improve your yield enough to cover the marginal cost of the product.

Another key to being “Best in Class” is knowing your cost on a per-unit basis. You might say that you don’t know what your cost per unit is because you don’t know the yield you will get. That is true.

However, you do have an actual production history from your crop insurance, or a Dairy Herd Improvement Association report that shows your herd averages, don’t you? Use an average or expected production level to determine your cost per unit. The best producers I work with can tell me their cost of production for 2018 in less than 10 seconds. Do you know yours?

Finding your competitive advantage is another key

See TEALE, pg. 35

See PATTERSON, pg. 36

Average:

$3.19

$9.48

Year Ago Average: $3.18 $9.37 Grain prices are effective cash close on Feb. 20. *Cash grain price change represents a two-week period.

Livestock Angles Cash cattle market flourishes

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 — FEBRUARY 23/MARCH 2, 2018

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

PAGE 35

Argentine drought could open up soybean meal market NYSTROM, from pg. 34 in the center south was 19 percent planted compared to 32 percent last year. Mato Grosso was only 37 percent planted compared to 54 percent planted last year. Parana’s corn was just 6 percent planted vs. 23 percent last year, and Rio Grande do Sul was 7 percent planted vs. 21 percent last year. The Brazilian ag minister stated their second crop corn planting was delayed slightly, but “everything is going normally.” In Argentina, the Buenos Aires Grain Exchange said 58 percent of their corn crop was damaged by drought, but they left their production estimate unchanged at 39 million metric tons, the same as the USDA’s estimate. They rated their corn crop at 58 percent poor/very poor vs. 30 percent two weeks ago; zero percent excellent vs. 4 percent previously; 14 percent good vs. 35 percent previously; and 28 percent fair compared to 31 percent previously.

Outlook: Corn has gleaned strength from good demand of its own, spillover support from soybeans/ meal, and fund short covering. Large speculators as of Feb. 13 (the latest Commitment of Traders report) showed they are now carrying a net long position of 11,000 contracts. Further upside may be limited by ample U.S. supplies still to be priced by growers.

How South American weather shapes up will be a major factor in overall direction.

Due to President’s Day, the markets were closed during the day on Feb. 19. The night open could be wild, but the direction is unknown. For the week, March corn closed 5.5 cents higher at $3.67.5, July was up 5.25 cents at $3.82.75, and December corn gained 4.75 cents to settle at $3.97 per bushel.

The USDA Ag Forum will be held Feb. 22-23.

March options expire Feb. 23. China is on their Lunar Year holiday until Feb. 22 to celebrate the Year of the Dog. SOYBEANS — Buy until proven wrong! That has been traders’ mantra for the last few weeks. The next leg up began on Feb. 12, despite the announced cancellation of 455,000 metric tons of beans to China. Funds have turned their net short position into a net long on disappointing rainfall in Argentina.

Crop production forecasts for Argentina have been declining. Last week, the USDA cut their outlook to 54 mmt, which is likely the highest estimate out there. Argentina is the world’s largest exporter of meal. With meal buyers caught short, the meal market has taken the lead in the upswing in soybean prices. Nearby meal rallied to its highest price since July 2016. There will come a time when we have priced in Argentina’s lower bean production, and lower meal availability, but we haven’t hit it yet.

March soymeal closed higher for eight sessions in a row, before finally breaking it heading into the weekend. It also set fresh contract highs for five consecutive sessions.

Some traders are leaning toward an Argentine soybean crop of 47 mmt vs. the latest USDA forecast of 54 mmt. The Rosario Grain Exchange believes

MARKETING their soybean production may be capped at 50 mmt.

The BAGE left their Argentine soybean crop forecast at 50 mmt, after saying 56 percent of the crop had been damaged by drought. The BAGE rated their soybeans in the good/excellent category at 11 percent vs. 25 percent two weeks ago, 33 percent fair vs. 41 percent previously, and 56 percent poor/very poor compared to 37.6 percent in their last report. They indicated 75 percent of the crop is blooming, well behind the 85 percent average and 46 percent are setting pods vs. 57 percent on average.

Trying to translate this into how it may affect U.S. meal exports is a riddle. If Argentine meal supplies become tight, Brazil is likely next in line to be the world’s supplier, then Paraguay. The United States is considered a residual exporter of meal. The critical pod filling stage for most of Argentina’s soybeans is still ahead. Safras and Mercado pegged Brazil’s soybean harvest at 9 percent complete vs. the average of 13 percent. The main production region of Mato Grosso was 29 percent harvested vs. 28 percent on average. Parana was barely started at 2 percent complete vs. 17 percent average and Rio Grande do Sul had not started vs. 16 percent complete on average. Safras and Mercado continue to peg Brazil’s soybean crop at 114.6 mmt. The USDA is at 112 mmt. Brazil’s ag minster said they could see a repeat of last year’s record 114.1 mmt soybean crop.

The January National Oilseed Processors Association crush report showed 163.1 million soybeans were crushed during the month. This is a record crush for January and the second-largest monthly crush ever. However, it was also lower than the smallest trade estimate. Soyoil stocks at 1.728 billion pounds exceeded the highest pre-report estimate and was the largest since May. Stocks were also the highest for January in four years. We need to crush an average of 146.3 million bushels per month to reach the USDA’s record crush outlook of 1.95 billion bushels. Last year from this point forward, the monthly crush averaged 144.2 million bushels per month.

Weekly export sales were at the high end of expectations at 23.5 million bushels. This keeps us at 13 percent behind last year’s total commitments. With total commitments of 1.6 billion bushels, we need to average a record 16.5 million bushels of sales per week to hit the USDA 2.1-billion-bushel target. Last year from now through the balance of the marketing year, we averaged just 11.1 million bushels per week.

The USDA export target equates to a 3.4 percent decline in year-on-year exports. Next week’s sales may be disappointing as well with China on Lunar New Year holiday until Feb. 22. Total export commitments to China are 26.6 mmt vs. 33.8 mmt last year at this time. The United States has placed antidumping duties on Chinese pipe-fittings. This is in addition to duties on washing machines and solar panels. Will we see any retaliation from China?

Outlook: March soybeans pierced the December $10.27/bu. high this week, but were unable to close above it. If Argentina gets a soaking rain in the next couple of weeks, all bets are off. March soybeans closed higher in four out of the five trading sessions this week, fading on Feb. 16 on pre-holiday profit taking. March beans rallied a very impressive 38.5 cents this week to settle at $10.21.5, July soared 38.75 cents to $10.42.25, and November beans closed 22 cents higher at $10.11/bu. November soybeans came within a nickel of their $10.28.75 contract high. March meal hit a contract high of $379.30 before closing $29.50 higher for the week at $373.30/ ton. Meal broke its string of eight consecutive higher sessions before easing back into the weekend. As goes meal, so goes soybeans.

Nystrom’s Notes: Estimated contract changes for the week ending Feb. 16: Minneapolis March wheat was 1.75 cents higher at $6.05.25, Chicago rallied 8.75 cents to $4.57.75, and Kansas City jumped 13 cents higher to $4.78.5 per bushel. Crude oil moved $2.48 higher to $61.68, ULSD was 5.5 cents higher, RBOB a nickel higher, and natural gas down 2.5 cents. As of mid-afternoon on Feb. 16, the U.S. dollar index was down 1.319 for the week. v

Packers backing off live hog inventories TEALE, from pg. 34 The hog market is experiencing a sell off in the cash market which almost mirrors last year’s market. The cash trade has dropped over $7.00 in the last several weeks as supplies have more than met packer demand. This is quite surprising as kill capacity has been on the increase over the past year.

Packer margins for a brief time had narrowed to a point that the profit margin was endangered of going negative and at that point the packers backed off their aggressive bidding for live inventories. The pork cutout has backed off the highs of the year dur-

ing this recent sell off, which has aided in the negative attitudes in the hog trade as of late.

From the futures standpoint, the market is closing in on being oversold and considering the discount at present to the lean index, the market may be approaching some sort of low in the weeks ahead. Of course this will be dependent on the current supply and demand at any specific time. Therefore, producers should act accordingly to current market conditions and the outlook at the time and act accordingly to those conditions. v

PAGE 36

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THE LAND — FEBRUARY 23/MARCH 2, 2018

Communication is key to successful transfer of ownership PATTERSON, from pg. 34 to winning in tough times. What do you do better than anyone else? Focus on and intensify these things to do them even better. These aren’t new concepts, but more of a back-to-basics approach that will help you be successful.

Marketing Marketing is a topic for discussion at just about every farm meeting ever held. If every producer did it well, we wouldn’t be talking about it so much. Ed Usset, from the University of Minnesota’s Center for Farm Financial Management, talked about some of the common grain marketing mistakes and how to avoid them. Marketing has been a tough discussion item for a while, but there seems to be some life in commodity markets recently. Many young producers really know their stuff on marketing, and are waiting to take advantage of pricing opportunities. They have learned to be ready to act quickly as prime marketing windows have been short lived in past years.

Succession planning Another topic that is near and dear to the hearts of many farmers is retirement and succession planning. This is always a little bit of a difficult topic to handle in a large group since every situation is different. However, there are always some keys to making this process of transition of ownership work.

255 16th Street South St. James, MN 56081

MARKETING In talking with this group, I kept hearing that communication is key to this process working well.

Also, working with good professionals such as a consultant, attorney and accountant are keys to success. If you or your operation are in need of assistance, reach out to the professionals you are already working with to help steer you in the right direction.

Remember, putting together a good plan can take some time and effort, but a successful transition is worth it in the end.

Many times when we go to conferences, we just sit with the same people and talk to our same group of friends. Try searching out others who you don’t know as well to build your personal network. If you make a good connection, keep in touch to bounce ideas back and forth for your operations.

Overall, I would say our future is in great hands.

The young, beginning and small farmers I talk with are very optimistic for their future. The long term view for agriculture is positive, as every day there are more mouths to feed in this world. Many of those mouths are in developing countries that are growing their wealth. As they grow that wealth they will want to eat better, and that means increased demand for our agricultural products.

American agriculture has shown time and time again that we are up to the challenge of feeding a hungry world. These young producers are up to the challenge. They have passion, resiliency, and determination to be some of the best agricultural producers in the world — and they will be.

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

www.TheLandOnline.com

MDA farm advocates now totaling 10 ST. PAUL, Minn. — The Minnesota Department of Agriculture has added another farm advocate to its ranks. Steve Zenk joined the team earlier this fall, bringing the total number of statewide farm advocates to 10.

Farm advocates provide free, one-on-one assistance to Minnesota farmers facing crises caused by natural disasters or financial problems. Steve Zenk, owner and operator of Zenk’s Prairie Vine Farm, will serve the Renville County area.

“Working with farm families has been my life’s work,” said Zenk, now retired after 30 years of working as a Farm Business Management instructor.

“This is a tough time to be working in agriculture and I hope to be a good resource for farm families who are looking for help or guidance.”

The Farm Advocates Program has been supported by the MDA since 1984. The advocates receive continuing education and training in complex and everchanging issues relating to agriculture to help farmers make decisions.

“When a farm family is facing a crisis, they might not know where to turn,” said Zenk. “The Advocates are here to help farmers and their families find their way through the unique challenges they face.”

For more information about the Farm Advocates, including a list of contact information, visit www. mda.state.mn.us/about/commissionersoffice/ farmadvocates.

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

THE LAND — FEBRUARY 23/MARCH 2, 2018

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THE LAND — FEBRUARY 23/MARCH 2, 2018

Feeling rushed? Take time to sort out life’s ‘emergencies’ The language was colorful in the airLosing our way in life is an emergency. port waiting area at Gate E13. The Losing our relationship with our family woman with gray boots past her kneebecause we are too stressed, distracted caps called the place God-forsaken. A potand busy is disastrous. Losing the TV bellied, bald man grumbled expletives as remote is not. Searching through couch he engaged in a stare down with the cushions may test tired nerves, but it’s no plasma above the agent’s head. It was as emergency. if he believed his glare and growls could Passing opportunities to speak life into reverse the screen’s flight delay message. the next generation is more dangerous THE BACK PORCH than it appears. Passing by those who A delay here means a missed flight on the other end. A missed flight on the

By Lenae Bulthuis need food, shelter and a friend is tragic. other end means an even later arrival at Getting passed in traffic is not. And the final destination. But what I noticed in the though you may be the better driver and you’d like friendly travel agents and was seeking to remind to give the one who cut you off a piece of your mind, my own soul is truth. This is not an emergency. save your words. He can’t hear you. But your passengers can, and they are not your problem. Nor Engine failure is an emergency. A plane crash is your emergency. an emergency. Flight delays are not. They’re inconvenient and frustrating. But no emergency.

Needing air to breathe is indispensable. Having access to clean drinking water is essential. Coffee is And though I discerned this one, I’ve missed most. not. Nor is Diet Coke or chocolate. Or maybe these More often then I care to admit, I’ve set off false non-emergency reminders are just for me. alarms in my spirit. And when I get hooked on fiction instead of fact, it wreaks havoc on my soul and Author and speaker Ann Voskamp writes, “Go causes those near me to back away. slow. Life isn’t an emergency. It’s a gift. Only the slow see their lives. Which makes it seem longer

and richer.”

These are convicting words to those of us who walk fast, talk fast and want everything done yesterday. But they also apply to those who are so chilled they could be mistaken for comatose.

Because hurry has more to do with the pace and anxiety of the heart than the speed and length of our stride.

In his book, “The Life You’ve Always Wanted,” John Ortberg writes, “Hurry is the great enemy of spiritual life in our day. Hurry can destroy our souls. Hurry can keep us from living well.”

Hurried people think everything is an emergency.

Hurried people have a turbulent heart condition that can highjack their peace and shatter their soul.

But if we can slow down and rightly discern between true emergencies and false alarms, we’ll see and savor the gifts of grace that surround us.

Even at Gate E13.

Lenae Bulthuis muses about faith, family, and farming from her back porch on her Minnesota grain and livestock farm. She can be reached at lenaesbulthuis@gmail.com or @LenaeBulthuis. v

THIESSE, from pg. 33

counties in central and northern Minnesota are eligible for yield exclusion for corn and soybeans in some of the past 10 years. Most counties in southern and western Minnesota (except for the Red River valley) are not eligible for the yield exclusion for corn and soybeans. For information on which counties, crops and years are eligible for yield exclusion, go to the RMA web site at www.rma.usda.gov.

Consider the supplemental coverage option if eligible. The SCO crop insurance option is available in 2018 for corn and soybeans in most major producing counties. SCO is only available to producers that choose the price loss coverage option of the new farm program as part of the 2014 farm bill. Over 97 percent of the corn and soybean crop base acres in Minnesota and Iowa are enrolled in the ARC-CO farm program option, and thus are not eligible for SCO insurance coverage. Eligible producers should check with their crop insurance agent for details on SCO insurance coverage.

A reputable crop insurance agent is the best source of information to find out more details of the various coverage plans, to learn more about the TA-APH yield endorsement, to get premium quotes, and to receive assistance with finalizing 2018 crop insurance decisions. Some very good websites with crop insurance information are www.farmdoc.illinois.edu/ cropins/index.asp and www.rma.usda.gov.

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) 726-2137 or kent.thiesse@minnstarbank.com. v

Consider 85 percent coverage level in RP policies whereas RP policies utilize the farm APH yields to calculate the initial insurance guarantee. There also would be no yield protection against isolated yield losses on individual farm units with APH policies.

APH works best if your primary risk management concern is price protection; but not as well if you are also concerned with yield risk. In many cases, premium levels for a 90 percent ARP policy are as high or higher, compared to a standard 85 percent RP policy with enterprise units.

View crop insurance decisions from a risk-management perspective. Given the tight profit margins for crop production in 2018, some producers may have a tendency to reduce their crop insurance coverage in order to save a few dollars per acre. However, a producer must first decide, “How much financial risk can I handle if there are greatly reduced crop yields due to potential weather problems in 2018, and/or lower than expected crop prices?” RP crop insurance policies serve as an excellent risk management tool for these situations, and 2018 may not be the year to reduce insurance coverage.

Take a good look at the 85 percent coverage levels — especially when using enterprise units with RP insurance policies. Most Midwest corn and soybean producers have been utilizing a minimum of 80 percent RP coverage with enterprise units in recent years. 2018 may be the time to consider upgrading to the 85 percent coverage level — especially for soybeans. In many cases, the 85 percent coverage level offers considerably more protection with a modest

MARKETING increase in premium costs. Many producers will be able to guarantee near $550 to $650 per acre for corn; and near $350 to $450 per acre for soybeans at the 85 percent coverage level for 2018, when also utilizing trend-adjusted APH yields.

Compare the insurance coverage and premium costs of RP and RPE insurance policies. Remember, if the harvest price (average CBOT price in October) for corn or soybeans is lower than the base price (average CBOT price in February), the RP and RPE payment calculations function similarly. And RPE premium costs are slightly less than RP premiums at similar coverage levels. However, recognize the added risk of utilizing a RPE policy when the final harvest price exceeds the base price and your farm unit(s) have a yield loss that exceeds the insurance coverage level.

In most instances, utilize the trend-adjusted actual production history endorsement for 2018. Many producers in the upper Midwest have been able to significantly enhance their insurance protection in recent years by utilizing the TA-APH option — with only slightly higher premium costs. Using the TA-APH endorsement is a very good crop insurance strategy for most eligible corn, soybean and wheat producers.

Consider using the APH yield exclusion where available. The yield exclusion option allows specific years with low production to be dropped from crop insurance APH yield guarantee calculations. Several

THE LAND — FEBRUARY 23/MARCH 2, 2018

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After 95 years of successful farming, Owatonna, Minnesota based Festal Farms Co. (Lange Family) will retire from their farming operation and sell their complete line of farm machinery. AUCTION LOCATION: 1216 Cedar Avenue North, Owatonna MN 55060 (Farm shop address). AUCTION PARKING LOCATION: 1010 Hoffman Drive NW, Owatonna MN 55060.

All day shuttle service to auction site.

JOHN DEERE 1770 NT - JOHN DEERE 1760 PLANTERS 2009 JD 1770 NT, 24R 30" planter, Max Emerge Plus, row cleaner, corn & soybean, 600 liquid tanks, 2-row shut-off, 2004 1760 12R 30" Planter, liquid fert., row cleaner, Stanhay S870 9-row veggie planter & cult., (4) JD 856 RC cult., 12R 30.

Brad Olstad ND319

or from Steffes Group, Brad Olstad 701.238.0240 or 701.640.7131 Tadd Skaurud 701.729.3644, office 701.237.9173

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

All John Deere Tractors were bought new and serviced at Ag Power Inc., the John Deere store in Owatonna, MN. All tractors are in the best of condition and are field ready.

(12) LATE MODEL JOHN DEERE 4WD, MFWD AND 2WD TRACTORS, (4) SELLING W/LOADERS '12 JD 9410R 4WD, 1,523 hours, 46' duals at 90% rubber, '06 JD 9520 4WD, 3,221 hours, 46" duals at 50% rubber, '03 JD 9320 4WD, 4,215 hours, 42" duals, at 50% rubber, '11 JD 7530 Premium MFWD, 2,010 hours, 42" rubber at 95%, left-hand reverser w/JD 741 loader, '11 JD 8310R MFWD, 6,395 hours, 50" duals, 95%, 38" front duals, 94%, 3-pt. front & rear, '06 JD 8430 MFWD, 8,273 hours, 50" duals, 70%, 3-pt. front & rear, '03 JD 8420 MFWD, 7,370 hours, 47" duals, 80%, '06 JD 7820 MFWD, 4,168 hours, 20-speed, P.Q., 42" duals, 90%, (18) front weights, '04 JD 8320 MFWD, 7,371 hours, 46" duals, 80%, '01 JD 7810 Power Shift, 5,341 hours, 42" duals, 90%, w/JD 740 loader, '01 JD 7810 P.Q., 1,848 hours, 42" duals, 70%, '74 JD 4230 open station w/158 loader, Pallet forks, Front weights for 7000 & 8000 Series tractors.

TERMS: Cash, check, credit cards. All items selling as-is. All items paid in full day of auction. Call Maring Auction Co. for more details.

800-801-4502 or view online.

Can't attend the auction? Bid live online at www.proxibid.com/maringauction

proxibid

®

Go to www.maringauction.com for more photos

Festal Farms Co. We Sell the Earth & Everything On It.

MATT MARING AUCTION CO. INC. Kenyon, MN 55946 507-789-5421 • 800-801-4502

Matt Maring, Lic. #25-28 • 507-951-8354 Kevin Maring, Lic. #25-70 • 507-271-6280 Adam Engen, Lic. #25-93 • 507-213-0647 Allen Henslin • Gerry Webster

4.42” x 5”

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

4.417”

THE LAND — FEBRUARY 23/MARCH 2, 2018 Announcements

165.82ac of Sibley County Farm Land

Farm Machinery Auction

Tuesday, March 13th - 10 am Mages Auction Site 55780 Hwy 19 W, Winthrop, MN

Thursday, March 1st - 10:30 am

This is a live auction with online bidding available, See magesland.com for details Tractors & Bobcat: Case IH 9130, 7651 hrs, powershift, 225 hp, 18-4/38, bar axles, bareback - can add PTO kit; ’72 Farmall 1066 Turbo, 4993 hrs w/ 4 hyd outlets, 3rd arm, 18.4x38 rear & 11.4x15 front tires, Hiniker cab w/ newer radio & seat; JD B, NF Roll-o-Matic, gas, electric start, 6’ Arts-Way belly mower, straight tin, hitch, hyd inserts, manual; Case IH 656 w/ westendorf loader w/ hyd, 3pt & PTO; Bobcat 530 gas skidsteer, 2492 hrs w/ bucket, cage & lights; Farmall Super M, for parts; Equipment & Misc Items: J D 1610 chisel plow, 19’; JD 980 field cultivator, 44 ½’ w/ 3 bar harrow; Kewanee 21’ disk, new tires; JD 212 pickup head; NH 195 manure spreader, end gate, new apron included; Balzer tandem-quad axle manure spreader; new Stout equipment includes: 66-9 brush grapple, 72-8 brush grapple, 72-3 rock bucket grapple, add-on for grapple; 48” pallet forks; Patz round bale chopper on transport; Farm King 960 snowblower, 8’, 2-auger, hyd spout; Lorenz snowblower, 9’ double auger; New Built gravity box w/ 8 ton gear; Bradford 200 bu gravity wagon; Lindsay flare box; Sudenga 8”x55’ brush auger, PTO; 12’ bin sweep w/ motor; NI 400 hay rake; Schwartz 1600 Quick Tach loader w/ snow bucket, mounted lights; 70x144” tandem axle trailer w/ fenders & drop ramps; wooden trailer; hyd 2-way cylinder; 10 – round wheel weights; 3pt quick hitch; 18.4x38 tire chains; View terms, complete list & photos at: magesland.com

Auction held at: Gaylord American Legion 329 Main Ave, Gaylord, Minnesota

Directions to land: From Gaylord, go North on County Rd #21 approx. 2 miles. Land will be on both sides of the road. Parcel 1 to the Northeast, Parcel 2 to the Southwest. Watch for signs!

This property will sell as two parcels:

Location of property within Sibley County: Dryden Twp, Section 22, Range 28 Total of farm: 165.82 acres, approx. 140.05 acres tillable.

Productivity Index: 89.7 Parcel 1: 106.53 total acres, approx. 99.81 acres tillable.

Productivity Index: 90.6 Parcel 2: 59.29 total acres, approx. 40.24 acres tillable.

Productivity Index: 87.3 Note: All acres are published based on survey, Sibley County Online Records and FSA records.

In case of severe weather, listen to 860AM KNUJ at 8:30 the morning of the auction for postponement & rescheduling info. Blizzard Date is March 2nd ~ noon

Area Neighbors

Listing Auctioneer: Matt Mages, 507-276-7002 Lic 08-17-003

Auctioneers: Matt Mages, New Ulm Lic 08-17-003; Larry Mages, Lafayette; John Goelz 507-557-8394; Joe Wersal, Winthrop; Clerk: Mages Land Co. & Auction Ser vice, LLC. Terms: No Buyer ’s Premium.

Buyers of large equipment need to bring a letter of approval from your bank. magesland.com

magesland.com

Auctioneers: Ryan Froehlich 507-557-8394 & Joe Maidl 507-276-7749

Farm Equipment

AUCTION 2018

OPENS: THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 22 CLOSES: FRIDAY, MARCH 2

LOCATION: 11294 County Rd 22A, Adams, ND 58210.

PREVIEW: February 22 – March 1, 8AM-5PM / LOADOUT: March 2, 1-5PM and March 3 – 12, 8AM-5PM

TRACTORS / COMBINES / HEADS & HEADER TRAILERS / GRAIN CART AIR SEEDER / TILLAGE EQUIPMENT / SEMI TRACTOR / HOPPER BOTTOMS / PICKUPS / OTHER EQUIPMENT RON HOVE / 701.360.0033

or Brad Olstad of Steffes Group, 701.237.9173 or 701.238.0240

Steffes Group, Inc. 2000 Main Ave E, West Fargo, ND | 701.237.9173 | Brad Olstad ND319

COMPLETE TERMS, LOT LISTINGS AND PHOTOS AT

SteffesGroup.com

Real Estate

020

400 Head feed lot for sale. All cement yards, 10 automatic waterers, 2 ranch style houses, several silos, barns & machine sheds on 11 acres between Tony & Glen Flora, WI on US Hwy 8, more land available, $299,500. 608-412-5865

Auctioneers: Lar ry Mages, Lafayette; J oe Maidl, Lafayette; J ohn Goelz, Fr anklin Joe Wersal, Winthrop; Ryan Froehlich, Winthrop; Broker: Mages Land Co. & Auction Ser vice, LLC. Terms: No Buyer ’s Premium. Everything sold in “AS IS” condition.

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

Please like THE LAND on Facebook www.facebook.com/thelandonline

Real Estate Wanted

Farm Retirement WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 28 | 10AM

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

LOCATION: 14463 53 St SE, Enderlin, ND 58027

021

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

Both for relocation & investments.

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

(952)447-4700

Hay & Forage Equip

Tractors / GPS Equipment / Harvest Equip.

Grain Cart / Planter / Air Seeder Tillage Equipment / Semi Tractors, Truck & Pickup / Hopper Bottoms Trailers / Sprayer / Seed Tender & Grain Handling Equipment Hopper Bin & Feed Tank / Scrapers & Blade Laser Equipment / Skid Steer Loader Other Equipment / Radios / Parts Farm Support Items / Tanks

031

'04 Hesston 4760 Tandem, Applicator, Roller chute, Last Bale Eject, Knotter Fan, Auto Lube, 18,666 Bales, $32,500. 651-380-0799 '12 NH Big Baler 330 Crop cutter, Single Axle, Harvest Tech Applicator, 10,000 bales, $52,500. 651-380-0799

Steffes Group, Inc. | 2000 Main Ave E, West Fargo, ND | 701.237.9173

SteffesGroup.com

Brad Olstad ND319

KELLERMAN BROS.

010

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.

Land Auction

2018

PAGE 40

Wayne, 701.541.3375, Dave, 701.680.1753

WAYNE, DAVID & LARRY or Brad Olstad at Steffes Group, 701.237.9173 or 701.238.0240

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

'99 Case IH 8575 Baler Silage Special, Roller chute, Knotter Fans, Auto Lube, Applicator, 27,740 Bales, $26,500. 651-380-0799 FOR SALE: Buffalo 7800 bale mover, 34' dble row w/qtr turn arm, $9000.

(763) 682-1389 Haybuster bale shredder, saves on hay & bedding, rakes up frozen and dusty bales, used, starting at $6,250. 320-543-3523

THE LAND — FEBRUARY 23/MARCH 2, 2018 Bins & Buildings

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

033

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

Upcoming Issues of THE LAND Southern MNNorthern MN Northern IA Mar. 2, 2018 Mar. 9, 2018 Mar. 16, 2018 Mar. 23, 2018 Mar. 30, 2018 April 6, 2018 April 13, 2018 April 20, 2018 April 27, 2018

Stormor Bins & EZ-Drys.

100% financing w/no liens or red tape, call Steve at Fairfax Ag for an appointment. 888-830-7757 Grain Handling Equip

034

FOR SALE: REM Grain vacuum, needs some repair, $2,000. (507)445-3178 FOR SALE:Used grain bins, floors unload systems, stirators, fans & heaters, aeration fans, buying or selling, try me first and also call for very competitive contract rates!

Office hours 8am-5pm Monday – Friday Saturday 9am - 12 noon or call 507-697-6133 Ask for Gary

Deadlines are 1 week prior to publication with Holiday deadlines 1 day earlier ** Indicates Early Deadline

Wilson grain trailer 40', aluminum, new ag hoppers, electric roll tarp, electric traps, spring ride, $18,000.

(641) 590-1102

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

035

26' Glencoe soil finisher very good cond. Ken Brown, Elmwood, WI. 715-556-3641 FOR SALE: 542B Melroe Bobcat skid loader, good condition, $5200/OBO. (320) 522-1266 FOR SALE: Summers 28' 3rank mounted mulcher, good cond., $1,550; Ag Chem 250 gal saddle tanks w/universal mounts, $300, pics avail. (507)227-3428 Harms Mfg. Land Rollers, Brand New, 12'-$6,500; 14'$7,000; 16'-$7,500; 24'$14,000; 32'-$17,500; 42'$19,500. Others from 8' 62'. 715-234-1993 JD 435 baler, 4x6 bales, twine tie, Tucker wheels, $4,450; JD 670 rake, w/ dolly wheel, $1,350; JD 4255 tractor, QR, 18.4x38s, 3 hyds, 2500 hrs on JD reman eng, $26,750; Wil-Rich 2500 25' field cult, all walking tandems, 4 bar mulcher, $2,450; Parker 5500 650 bu gravity box, w/ roll tarp, $6,450; Sudenga 13' brush auger, hopper for 5500 Parker & 2500 Parker, $650. 320-769-2756 JOHN DEERE 30 Ft 9” #726 Mulch Finisher w/ 5 Bar Drag All Good Blades (19 3/4”) Real Good. Parker #6250 Grain Wagon w/ Tarp (625 Bu) (Shedded) Real Nice. 319-347-2349 Kubota LA2254 ldr works w/ Kubota 135 tractor, brand new, $8,000. 563-379-3745 MF 285 with loader, Batco 45' conveyor, 5000lb Cat forklift, 6"x51' electric auger, 2000-18000 grain bins, 25' Wilrich digger, 28" fan & burner. 320-760-1637 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) 590-1102 We buy Salvage Equipment Parts Available Hammell Equip., Inc. (507)867-4910

Classified Line Ads Work!

Call 507-345-4523

Ask Your Auctioneer to Place Your Auction in The Land!

PRO PUMPING ESTATE THURSDAY, MARCH 8 | 11AM

2018

Farm Implements

PAGE 41

LOCATION: Westport St., Villard, MN 56385 From Villard, MN, 5 miles east on County Road 28, on the north side of road.

AUCTIONEER’S NOTE: Major equipment begins selling at 11:15 AM. Live online bidding available on major equipment. Registration, terms, & details at SteffesGroup.com

MFWD TRACTORS / LAGOON CRAWLER / TRAILER-MOUNTED PUMPING STATIONS / TRUCK & TRAILERS / DRAG HOSE AND MAINLINE MANURE HOSE / HOSE REELS / HOSE MOVERS / APPLICATORS / FLOW METERS / AGITATORS / LARGE INVENTORY OF PARTS / ROAD CROSSINGS See SteffesGroup.com For Full List

Steffes Group, Inc., 24400 MN Hwy 22 South, Litchfield, MN 55355

320.693.9371

SteffesGroup.com

Ashley Huhn MN47-002

GIERKE FARMS LLC

For information contact Jean 320.293.5987 or Ashley Huhn at Steffes Group, 320.693.9371 or 701.238.1975

TERMS: All items sold as is where is. Payment of cash or check must be made sale day before removal of items. Statements made auction day take precedence over all advertising. $35 documentation fee applies to all titled vehicles. Titles will be mailed.

PAGE 42

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

Realignment LAND FOR SALE BY BIDS

OPENS: FEBRUARY 26 / CLOSES: MARCH 6

60± Acres • Martin County, Minnesota

Available for 2018 Crop Year!

2018

AUCTION

Bids due no later than Thursday March 8, 12:00 PM LOCATION: 2162 Co Rd 16, Breckenridge, MN

PREVIEW: February 21-March 6, from 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM LOADOUT: March 7-10, from 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Tractors / Combines / Heads / Planters Tillage Equipment / Semi Tractor, Truck & Pickup / Trailers / Sprayer / Chemical/ Fertilizer Equipment Other Equipment

SteffesGroup.com Scott Steffes MN14-51

RIVER VALLEY FARMS. Doug, 701.403.9011 or Dave Krostue at Steffes Group, 218.779.6865

• Good productive soil ~ Index is 92 of 100 • Close proximity to grain elevator and ethanol plant • Located in the NUMBER ONE hog producing county in Minnesota For additional bidding and property information, please contact:

Lee Williams, AFM/Broker Jeanne Williams, Agent

Business: (507) 341-0097 Business: (507) 340-6613

LWilliams@FarmersNational.com JWilliams@FarmersNational.com www.FarmersNational.com/ www.FarmersNational.com/ LeeWilliams JeanneWilliams Office: (507) 726-2280 • Lake Crystal, Minnesota

www.FarmersNational.com

Real Estate Sales • Auctions • Farm and Ranch Management Appraisal • Insurance • Consultation • Oil and Gas Management Forest Resource Management • National Hunting Leases Lake Management • FNC Ag Stock

L-1800257

Steffes Group, Inc. 2000 Main Ave E, West Fargo, ND | 701.237.9173

Farmers National Company PO Box 882 • Lake Crystal, Minnesota

Thank you for reading The Land ★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ Wed., March 14, 2018 ★ ★ Can’t attend the auction? Bid live online at ★ Retirement Auction: Case10IHAM& New Holland MFWD & proxibid ★ www.proxibid.com/houghton 4WD Tractors, NH Skid Loader, Like-New Kuhn Knight ★ ★ TMR & Manure Spreader, Planting & Tillage Equipment, Haying, Livestock Equipment, Tools ★ ★ ★ ★ www.houghtonauctions.com ★ ★ Mike & Jennifer Lehnertz ★ ★ 19407 Co. Rd. 114, Rollingstone, MN ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★ TERMS: All items sold as is where is. Payment of cash or check must be made sale day before removal of items. Statements made auction day take precedence over all advertising. $35 documentation fee applies to all titled vehicles. Titles will be mailed. Canadian buyers need a bank letter of credit to facilitate border transfer.

Houghton’s Auction Service

Red Wing, MN

Mike and Jennifer Lehnertz have sold their dairy herd and have leased out their land; therefore they will have a public auction. Location; 19407 Co. Rd. 114, Rollingstone, MN. From Rollingstone take Broadway which turns into Winona Co. #25 northwest 1.5 miles, turn left (west) on Winona Co. #114 and go 2.7 miles. From Altura, MN take Hwy. 248 north 2.4 miles, turn left (north) on Winona Co. #31 and go .8 miles, turn right (east) on Winona Co #114, go 1.5 miles; farm on right side of road. (Watch for Houghton auction signs)

LIKE-NEW KUHN KNIGHT TMR & KUHN KNIGHT MANURE SPREADER, FEATHERLITE LIVESTOCK TRAILER, LIVESTOCK EQUIPMENT & BULK BINS 2015 Kuhn Knight Vertical Maxx VT144 TMR, scale - Kuhn Knight Slinger 8124, tandem, cover - Schuld 3 ton bulk bin w/auger - Pax 2 ton bulk bin - 2010 Featherlite 20 ft. gooseneck tandem livestock trailer (very nice) - Houle pit pump, 5 hp elect motor - Pax 6 ton bulk bin w/auger - Schuld 6 ton bulk bin w/auger - (2) DeLavel elect. cow brushes wall mnt. - 11) 48" barn fans - 24" wall fans - (3) New J&D Mfg. 8 ft. sect. calf head locks - Wooden feed bunks - Sioux gates.

NEW HOLLAND DISCBINE & FARM MACHINERY NH 7450, 15 ft. discbine - Gehl WR520 10 wheel rake, hyd cart - NH 40 blower - Balzer 1500, 15 ft. stalk chopper - Dakon gravity wagon w/ fert. auger - 9' x 16' Wooden wagon w/MN 12 ton tandem gear - Running gear.

POLARIS ATV, RIDING MOWERS & FARM RELATED Polaris Sportsman 500, AWD, 2,861 miles, winch - Gravely 152Z, zeroturn, 52" deck - Cub Cadet LT1046, 330 hrs., 46" deck - Shop hardware & supplies - Hand tools - Farm related items. ®

TRACTORS & DEGELMAN SILAGE BLADE 2006 NH TS115A Plus, MFWD cab, heat, AC, radio, 8,400 hrs., 3pt. 3 hyd, 540 & 1000 PTO, like new 18.4 x 34 tires, 14.9R x 24 frts. - Case IH 9130, 4 WD, 7,243 hrs., 3pt. 3 hyd, PTO, 18.4R x 38 duals - Int. 5088 cab, AC, heat, 13,348 hrs., 3pt. dual hyd, PTO, like new 18.4 x 38 tires, ax. mnt duals, Mike's dad bought this tractor new, 4,000 hrs. on new engine, 3,200 hrs. on new trans. - Degelman 46/57 10 ft.

4 way blade (was mnt. on 7110) - Case IH 7110 MFWD, cab, AC, heat, radio, 11,343 hrs. 3pt. dual hyd, PTO, 18.4 x 42 duals, 16.9R x 28 frts.

SKID LOADERS & ATTACHMENTS 2011 NH L220 cab, heat, AC, radio, 4,500 hrs. - Case 1835B, dsl. (no cage) - Ammbusher 6 ft. rotary cutter - Pallet forks - Bale spear Berlon 72" bucket - Sand leveler.

PLANTING & TILLAGE EQUIPMENT 2011 Brillion Sure Stand SS112, 12 ft. seeder (like new) - JD 7200 Max Emerge 2 Vac, 6R planter, dry fert. cross auger - JD 8300, 12 ft. grain drill, grass seeder - Kent Series V, 18 ft. Disc o vator, soil finisher, walking tandems, 5 bar spike harrow.

AUCTIONEER'S NOTE: Make your plans to attend. Be on time. Not many small items.

TERMS: Cash, check, major credit cards

651-764-4285 www.houghtonauctions.com

Todd Houghton, MN Lic. #25-47, WI Lic. #181 Red Wing, MN - 651-764-4285 Brian Sander, Lic. #25-89, Red Wing, MN - 651-301-2344

Be on time! Selling what is listed - not many small items!

THE LAND — FEBRUARY 23/MARCH 2, 2018 Tractors

036 Tractors

036 Planting Equip

038

'07 MF 7490, 6735 Hrs, Dyna JD 8970 tractor, 4WD, 8,400 FOR SALE: White 6100 hrs, exc cond, $65,000/OBO. VT 33 MPH, 540/1000 PTO, 8R36” planter w/squeeze (320)396-3539 4 Remotes, Front & cab pump, fert tanks & moniSuspension, $49,000. 651-380tor, 525 gal leg tank, used NEW AND USED TRACTOR 0799 very little. (507)621-2288 PARTS JD 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 55, 50 Series & newer trac'13 JD 6210R 6600 Hrs, 50K tors, AC-all models, Large HYDRAULIC FLAT FOLD IVT Transmission, Front Inventory, We ship! Mark MARKERS. Will fit anylinkage and PTO, AutoTrac Heitman Tractor Salvage thing, $3,500. Ray's Maready, TLS, Coming in, 715-673-4829 chine Shop, call or text 712$84,500. 651-380-0799 297-7951 120 DAY SPECIAL Harvesting Equip 037 Case 2390, 1982, New engine 200 hrs, near new 12.5-54 FOR SALE: '11 Geringhoff JD 7000 Corn Planter 2R, duals & 11-16 fronts, 3spd 12R22 Rota-Disc CH, CIH 3pt, $1,800. Fert Avail. power shift, AC, air seat, 3 red, exc cond., $59,000. '04 $300/Row. 715-234-1993 remotes, 3pt hitch, 600 gal Case IH 1020 30' beanhead saddle tanks, set up for 20” field tracker, very good rows, $20,500. (641) 590-1102 cond., $6500. Also have Tillage Equip 039 header trlr. (507)240-0294 Case IH 8950, MFD, duals & wgts, choice of two, JD 18R20 cornhead 90 series $38,000/ea. Case IH 7230 row units, auger slow down '02 Great Plains Turbo Till Vertical Tillage unit Model 2WD, duals & wgts, choice kit, JD poly snouts, HeadTT 3000 Series I, center of two, $31,500/ea. Case IH sight height control, Trueweight package, hydraulic 7230, MFD w/duals & wgts, sight row guidance, knife wing down pressure, rolling $32,000. Case IH MX180, rolls, Hyd deck plates, spike tooth and basket harMFD, 5,000 hrs, duals & some extra parts, $32,000. row, 30' working width, wgts, $44,000.

JD 7600, (641) 590-1102 $15,000. (641) 590-1102 MFD, pwr shift, 10,000 hrs, $21,000. White 6124, 2WD, Planting Equip 038 Power Quad 42" rubber, $22,000. Call 608-574-7619 FOR SALE: JD 7100 12R 2016 -- 7 Shank Unverferth #132 Zone Builder (In-Line) vertical fold planter, corn Rental Unit (500 Acres) FOR SALE: 3294 Case trac& soybean units, monitor, with w/o Pull Hitch. 2015 tor, MFWD, 6700 hrs, LED liquid fertilizer, lift assist, Mandako 42 Ft Land Roller lights, hydraulic seat, 1000 shedded, good condition, (3” Shafts) Not 2 7/16”.

PTO, runs good. (507)472$6,250/OBO. 507-567-2442 or Both Like New. 319-347-6138 8412 507-456-8139

THE LAND — FEBRUARY 23/MARCH 2, 2018 Tillage Equip

039

Machinery Wanted

040

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

Spraying Equip

041

Feed Seed Hay

050 Feed Seed Hay

Case IH 36R20 cultivator WANTED: Case DC tractor Very nice TopAir 1100 ALFALFA, mixed hay, grass 36R20” cultivator set up for for grinding feed. 320-304sprayer w/1100 gal tank, 200 hay & feed grade wheat side dressing, 60' width, 2pt 0462 or 320-589-1908 gal rinse tank, 4 gal hand straw, med. square or wash tank, 60' boom w/hyd lift w/ rear assist wheels, round bales, delivery availfold, new Raven 440 monidouble fold, double bar, WANTED: Tractors, running able. Thief River Falls, MN or not running, salvage, retor w/new elect valves, hyd gauge wheels, plumbed w/ Call or text LeRoy Ose: pairables, prefer John driven pump, wide tires in (218)689-6675 variable rate orifices, Deere, will consider others, good shape, field ready, $15,000. (641) 590-1102 LIBERTY SOYBEANS 1990 & older, must be rea$8,200. (507)380-6001 $53.00 List sonably priced. Call anyFOR SALE: 32' IH field culL2.0 SWM 7 time. (507)317-6760 tivator w/3 bar drag, L1.2 SWM 7 $5,000/OBO. (715)410-5975 Wanted 042 515-321-5394 Spraying Equip 041 515-465-2122 FOR SALE: White 271 Tan1-800-383-6275 WANTED: Gleaner beandem disk, 24', rock flex, head, 8000 series, 25' or 30', MORTON OATS SEED, 98% $5000. Call after 6 p.m. good working condition. germ, 99.7 purity, 42 lbs.

(507)653-4548 (507)995-2513 Wild oat & rain free. Excellent variety for hay & seed prod. Delivery & samples Machinery Wanted 040 2010 JD 4730 Sprayer, 2883 WANTED: Heavy offset avail. Spencer Bina Seed, hrs, fully loaded, 100' boom, cushion gang disc, 10 or Park River, ND. Call or 15" nozzle spacing, stain12'; JD 6-row conservation All kinds of New & Used text, 701-331-9385. less tank, foamer, $115,000. planter. (320)630-7289 farm equipment – disc chis(507) 923-6735 els, field cults, planters, OPEN Pollinated Seed Corn. soil finishers, cornheads, Outproduces Hybrid for feed mills, discs, balers, Silage. $67/bushel plus shipClassified Line Ads Work! haybines, etc. 507-438-9782 ping. 217-857-3377

Call 507-345-4523

PAGE 43 050

SEED AND HERBICIDE SAVINGS! Add up to $50,000 to your bottom line on 500 acres of crop production. Top national corn hybrids for $113! Proven KLEENACRES herbicide programs save up to 50%.

Top yields, Kleen fields, better bottom line!

Call 320-237-7667 or WWW.KLEENACRES.COM Wheat straw 3x4x8 tops & btms, dried out, tops caramelled, exc feed & bedding when ground. $55/ton del. Also lg rnds 1st grass & 1st alfalfa, $90-$115/ton del.

Tim 320-221-2085 Livestock

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

320-598-3790

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FOR SALE: 30 head Holstein Reg. Holstein heifers bred w/ WANTED: Holstein bred FOR SALE OR LEASE FOR SALE: 18 Bred Red AnHOLSTEIN STEERS: Baby doll sheep, bred ewes, fresh 2 & 3 yr olds, parlor & heifers.

Short-breds to sexed Semen, Due March REGISTERED BLACK gus Cows & 8 Open Grade Groups ranging from 250-950 rams, butcher lambs. Fall free stall cows, herb on ofspringers. Call 715-897-1544 and April. 715-286-2905 ANGUS Bulls, 2 year old & Black Angus cows sired lbs, vaccination program, Creek, WI. 715-877-3222 ficial test, 30,000 lbs of yearlings; bred heifers, from bulls out of Eli and can sell & deliver any nummilk, 3.78% fat, 3.28% pro- WANTED TO BUY: Dairy Cattle calving ease, club calves & Dan Stassens herd in Marber. Jeff Twardowski (320) 056 tein, SCC 106,000, over balance performance. Al shall, MN. In Oconto, WI. 732-6259 heifers and cows. 320-235Swine 065 stocked. Call 715-495-1984 sired.

In herd improvement 920-604-1942 Bred heifers 14 Simmental & 2664 program.

J.W. Riverview Red Angus & Black Angus Sim-Angus Bred AI to easy Angus Farm Glencoe, MN FOR SALE: Grass fed local registered bulls for sale. Compart's total program calving Angus bulls, beef, no chemicals, halves features superior boars & 55336 Conklin Dealer 320Most w/700-800# weaning Schiefelbein effective & & quarter, straight hamopen gilts documented by 864-4625 weight. Care included in ABS 3F Epic for March burger $2.50/lb., or steers BLUP technology. Duroc, price until May 1st. Meadocalving. All Polled Black $4.00/lb., hanging weight.

York, Landrace & F1 lines.

West Farms. (715)664-8854 excellent quality. Also 3 FOR SALE: Registered AnRocky Meadow (Facebook) Terminal boars offer leangus bulls, 1-3 yr old, 4-2 yr bred cows & 6 Black Polled 715-896-1047 ness, muscle, growth. Maolds, good quality & size, AI excellent quality breeding Registered Texas Longhorn ternal gilts & boars are sired, also bred heifers due bulls. 50 yrs of AI breeding. breeding stock, cows, Thank you for reading productive, lean, durable. in April.

Miller Angus, Gerald Polzin Cokato. 320heifers or roping stock, top All are stress free & PRRS Kasson, MN (507)634-4535 286-5805 THE LAND! blood lines. 507-235-3467 free. Semen also available through Elite Genes A.I. WANT TO BUY: Butcher Make 'em Grow! Comparts cows, bulls, fats & walkable Boar Store, INC. Toll Free: cripples; also horses, 877-441-2627 sheep & goats. 320-235-2664

Please visit our website www.thelandonline.com

THE LAND — FEBRUARY 23/MARCH 2, 2018

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

irst Your F for Choice s! d ie Classif

Place d Your A y a Tod !

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.

Plus! Look for your classified ad in the e-edition.

• Reach over 259,000 readers

• Add more insertions • Get more coverage

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THE FREE PRESS South Central Minnesota’s Daily News Source

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

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.

                    

Wanted Farm Services Fencing Material Feed, Seed, Hay Fertilizer & Chemicals Poultry Livestock Dairy Cattle Horses Exotic Animals Sheep Goats Swine Pets & Supplies Livestock Equipment Cars & Pickups Industrial & Construction Trucks & Trailers Recreational Vehicles Miscellaneous

NOTE: Ad will be placed in the appropriate category if not marked.

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

THE LAND

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

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

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

PAPER(S) ADDED (circle all options you want): FN CT FP ($7.70 for each paper, and each time) issues x $7.70 =______________________ STANDOUT OPTIONS (THE LAND only) $2.00 per run:  Bold  Italic  Underline  Web/E-mail links =______________________ (Includes 1 Southern & 1 Northern issue)

NEW! Photo(THE LAND $10.00 run:per run: Photo (THEonly) LAND only)per $10.00

=______________________

Name ________________________________________________________ Address ______________________________________________________ City _____________________________ State_________ Zip __________ Phone ______________________________________ # of times _______ Card # _______________________________________________________ Exp. Date__________________

CHECK

Signature ____________________________________________________

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

SORRY! We do not issue refunds.

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.

Where farmers buy, sell and trade.

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

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THE LAND — FEBRUARY 23/MARCH 2, 2018 Trucks & Trailers

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Purebred English Shepherd '91 IH 8100 grain truck, Cummins L10, 9spd, white cab, puppies. Old Bear breedblue 20' Scott hoist & box w/ ing. 608-565-2633 tarp, steerable 3rd axle, solid, clean, good tires, drives nice, $30,000. Retiring from Classified Ads Work! farming. 507-381-7097

Call The Land today at 507-345-4523 800-657-4665

Thank you for reading THE LAND!

LAND FOR SALE BY BIDS

40± Acres • Blue Earth County, Minnesota

Available for 2018 Crop Year!

Miscellaneous

090

Cash paid for antique Harley Davidson, Indian or other motorcycles and related parts from 1900 thru 1970.

Any condition. Midwest collector will pick up anywhere. Phone 309-645-4623 Looking for 1000 gallon LP tank. Call 715-223-0445 One call does it all!

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

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

Miscellaneous

090

REINKE IRRIGATION Sales & Service New & Used For your irrigation needs 888-830-7757 or 507-276-2073 WANT MORE READERS TO SEE YOUR AD??

Expand your coverage area!

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

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

PARMA DRAINAGE Winpower Sales & Service Reliable Power Solutions PUMPS New pumps & Since 1925 PTO & automatparts on hand. Call Minic Emergency Electric nesota's largest distributor Generators. New & Used HJ Olson & Company 320Rich Opsata-Distributor 974-8990 Cell – 320-212-5336 800-343-9376

Bids due no later than Thursday, March 15, 12:00 PM Farmers National Company PO Box 882 • Lake Crystal, Minnesota • Tillable acres, mostly silty clay loam soils.

• Unique property - 78% tillable acres, includes woods and stream • Wildlife sanctuary with its own stream - plenty of deer and turkeys!

For additional bidding and property information, please contact:

Lee Williams, AFM/Broker Jeanne Williams, Agent

Business: (507) 341-0097 Business: (507) 340-6613

LWilliams@FarmersNational.com JWilliams@FarmersNational.com www.FarmersNational.com/ www.FarmersNational.com/ LeeWilliams JeanneWilliams Office: (507) 726-2280 • Lake Crystal, Minnesota

L-1800289

www.FarmersNational.com

Real Estate Sales • Auctions • Farm and Ranch Management Appraisal • Insurance • Consultation • Oil and Gas Management Forest Resource Management • National Hunting Leases Lake Management • FNC Ag Stock

THE LAND — FEBRUARY 23/MARCH 2, 2018

Classifie d deadlin

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

Get Results! Sell it FAST when you advertise in The Land!

Call us today at 507-345-4523 or 800-657-4665

ad

e is noon o n Mond ay

See you at the Central Minnesota Farm Show!

PAGE 47

If you haven’t already sent in your 2018 subscriber card for The Land, please take a minute and do so today. For your convenience, there’s a form on page 37.

ADVERTISER LISTING Ag Spray Equipment ........................................................................................10 Agri-Systems .................................................................................................... 4 Anderson Seeds ................................................................................................. 7 Blethen Gage & Krause ....................................................................................24 Courtland Waste ...............................................................................................27 Curt's Truck & Diesel .......................................................................................33 Custom Made Products .....................................................................................26 Dahl Farm Supply ............................................................................................20 Diers Ag & Trailer Sales ..................................................................................23 Doda USA .......................................................................................................36 Dow Sonic Herbicide ........................................................................................ 3 Excelsior Homes West ......................................................................................16 Faber Building & Supplies ...............................................................................10 Farm City Hub Club .........................................................................................18 Farmers National Co. ................................................................................. 42, 46 Fast Ag Solutions .............................................................................................13 Fiedler Pumping & Sales ..................................................................................15 Freudenthal Dairy & Mfg .................................................................................28 Gehl Company .................................................................................................29 Greenwald Farm Center ....................................................................................47 Grizzly Buildings .............................................................................................17 Ground Zero Services.......................................................................................19 Henslin Auction ......................................................................................... 41, 44 Houghton's Auction ..........................................................................................42 K & S Millwrights ...........................................................................................12 K-Bid Online Auctions ...................................................................................... 9 Kannegiesser Truck Sales .................................................................................22 Keith Bode .......................................................................................................46 Larson Implement ...................................................................................... 39, 46 Letcher Farm Supply ........................................................................................36 Litzau Farm Drainage .......................................................................................17 Mages Auction .......................................................................................... 39, 40 Maring Auction .......................................................................................... 39, 44 Mathiowetz Construction ................................................................................... 9 Maudal's Truck & Trailer Sales .........................................................................11 Mid-American Auction ............................................................................... 44, 45 Minnwest Bank ................................................................................................. 5 MN Soy Biodiesel ............................................................................................21 Northland Building ..........................................................................................31 Pruess Elevator ................................................................................................41 Red Horizon Equipment ...................................................................................10 Schlauderaff Implement ....................................................................................11 Schweiss ..........................................................................................................46 SI Feeder/Schoessow ........................................................................................30 Smiths Mill Implement .....................................................................................47 Southwest MN K-Fence ....................................................................................32 Steffes Group ............................................................................39, 40, 41, 42, 43 Triad Construction ...........................................................................................11 Whitcomb Brothers Grain Systems .................................................................... 6 Wieman Land & Auction ..................................................................................43 Wingert Realty .................................................................................................39 Ziegler ............................................................................................................. 25

507-345-4523 • 800-657-4665 PO Box 3169, Mankato, MN 56001 www.thelandonline.com

PAGE 48

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

THE LAND — FEBRUARY 23/MARCH 2, 2018

This week’s Back Roads is the work of The Land Associate Editor Marie Wood.

Photos by Audrey Gatchell.

Smell the flowers

V

isitors stroll through an English-style glass conservatory. They are amazed by a wall of orchids. They delight in a riot of spring bulbs in bloom. They breathe deeply and experience the scents, colors and textures of flowering gardens.

The Minnesota Landscape Arboretum presents “Fragrances of Spring, Essence of Paradise,” a spring flower show inside the Oswald Visitor Center and Snyder Building, through February.

The show is a “fragrant journey of discovery” in which garden vignettes are classified by scents.

Sculptures from Minnesota’s Paul Granlund grace the displays.

Always changing, a visit to the Arboretum is filled with wonder and surprising beauty. Spring is coming and the outdoor gardens will soon be awakening.

The University of Minnesota Landscape

Chaska, Minn.

Arboretum is located at 3675 Arboretum Drive, Chaska. Admission is $15 for visitors age 16 and older, free for children age 15 and younger.

Visitors are admitted free on the third Mondays of the month. Visitor center hours are 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday to Saturday. Sunday hours are 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m. The Arboretum is open seven days a week all year-long, closed only on Thanksgiving and Christmas.

For exhibits, maps, updates and other information, visit www.arboretum.umn.edu. v

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THE LAND, Advertising Supplement

© 2018

February 23, 2018 SOUTHERN EDITION

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

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THE LAND, Advertising Supplement

© 2018

February 23, 2018 SOUTHERN EDITION

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