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March 23, 2018 March 30, 2018
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Organic Outlook Is industry influencing organic standards? Tim King talks with Francis Thicke
Plus: Minnesota debates the nitrogen fertilizer rule The ARC-CO payment lowdown from Kent Thiesse and more!
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THE LAND — MARCH 23/MARCH 30, 2018
The shape of water P.O. Box 3169 418 South Second St. Mankato, MN 56002 (800) 657-4665 Vol. XXXVII ❖ No. 6 28 pages, 1 section plus supplements
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Cover photo by Paul Malchow
COLUMNS Opinion Farm and Food File In The Garden Cooking With Kristin The Back Porch Calendar of Events Swine & U Marketing Farm Programs Mielke Market Weekly Auctions/Classifieds Advertiser Listing Back Roads
2-3 3 4 5 6 6 7 8-11 10 12 20-27 27 28
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As the March sun slowly works on our “We define ‘community’ as anyone who remaining snow cover, you can hear the shares an aquifer,” said Gieseke. “The seasonal symphony of water trickling, bubwriting is on the wall where we need to bling and sometimes cascading toward think about limiting water usage. How lower ground. Sometimes we find ourselves many straws (in the aquifer) is too many? grumbling as this lower ground becomes a Who gets to be the last straw? At what soupy quagmire of mud. Even the finest point to we regulate water use? These are rural driveway can fall victim to the spring all issues a management partnership thaw and it takes local knowledge to deterwould look at.” mine where and where not to drive. LAND MINDS State statute prioritizes water usage Both Minnesota Governor Mark Dayton and is enforced by the DNR. Domestic By Paul Malchow and former Iowa Governor Terry users who consume less than 10,000 Branstad have kept water quality on gallons per day are given top water use the front political burner. Dayton’s conpriority. These users generally have troversial buffer legislation has recentthe shallowest wells and utilize aquily been replaced in the headlines by his regulations fers nearest to the surface. Agriculture has the next for nitrogen application. As with the buffer law, priority, followed by power production and industrial there are those who feel Dayton is pushing his use. Lawn watering has the lowest priority. agenda too fast and too soon. Marie Wood examines Gieseke said most wells tap into the larger aquiboth sides of the “groundwater protection rule” in fers. Smaller underground aquifers will drain into this edition of The Land. the larger aquifers, so unless wells begin to go dry, While everyone can agree on the importance of it is difficult to determine groundwater levels. water quality, the Minnesota Department of Natural One thing Gieseke does know, this current snow Resources is working hard on determining water melt is not replenishing the aquifers. “An aquifer quantity. DNR Ground Water Planner Tim Gieseke doesn’t go down because of drought,” he said. “I was in New Ulm on March 9 for the Farm-City think we’re de-watering our state.” Show. He presented a sobering look at the demands Gieseke said southwestern Minnesota is already being placed upon our state’s aquifer system. experiencing limited groundwater and is piping “Minnesota uses 475 billion gallons of groundwater water from the Missouri River. Communities may not each year,” Gieseke said. “That’s about the amount of be able to attract water-intensive industry. He sees water contained in the state’s 10 largest lakes.” drip irrigation as becoming the choice of growers and The demands placed on our aquifers come from a could become the only option for watering crops. variety of places. Gieseke said an 18-hole golf course “This is not an emergency,” he said, “but it is urgent.” will use 25 million gallons of water in a year. To irrin gate a 160-acre corn field with 8 inches of water It was great to meet the folks who stopped by The requires about 33 million gallons. A town of 2,000 Land booth at the North American Farm and Power people will use close to 80 million gallons in a year. Show in Owatonna (March 15-17). We really appreFive hundred head of cattle or 4,800 hogs will use about 2 million gallons of water per year. Fairly new ciate our subscribers and their willingness to share to the groundwater sweepstakes are ethanol plants their comments and opinions. which require three to four gallons of water to proThe Land gave away a copy of our “Back Roads” duce one gallon of ethanol. Gieseke said these book each day of the show. Thursday’s winner was plants have the deepest wells. Joanne Buck of Hayfield; Friday’s winner was Otis The DNR has been monitoring groundwater since Kunort of Ostrander; and Norman Bangert of Albert Lea was the lucky winner on Saturday. the 1940s, but the department is now stepping up its efforts to get the public involved in groundwater Thanks to everyone for their support and we look use. A pilot project near Benton is called CAMP for forward to being back to Owatonna next year. If you Community-based Aquifer Management can’t wait that long, we’ll be at Farmfest in Morgan, Partnership. The project brings four entities togeth- Minn., Aug. 7-9. er: public policy makers (government); private policy Paul Malchow is the managing editor of The Land. makers (companies tell producers how to use water); He may be reached at editor@TheLandOnline.com. v public practitioners; and private practitioners.
OPINION
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
16 — Gov. Dayton’s groundwater protection rule draws mixed reactions 17 — Francis Thicke: Industry is influencing USDA organic standards
THERE’S EVEN MORE ONLINE... @ TheLandOnline.com • “Calendar of Events” — Check out The Land’s complete events listing • “E-Edition” — Archives of past issues of The Land
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After 70 harvests, Nebraska farmer still has hope Shortly after he turns 86 on April 10, teau.” His neighbors, the vitality of his progressive Democrat, and his Nebraska colleague, Eugene Glock will begin planting his local communities, and a lot of topsoil, Sen. Chuck Hagel, a socially conservative 70th corn crop on the Butler County, however, are long gone. Republican, often disagreed on state and national Neb., farm he operates with his son. “He That clear-eyed view of modern agricul- policies. “In private, boy, they could really go after runs the place,” explains Gene by teleeach other,” he says. ture — that farmers seem prepared to phone, “and I’m the hired hand. I plant outbid and out-borrow neighbors in hopes But afterwards, also in private, “One or the other all the corn, though.” of out-lasting them — led Gene into offwould finally ask, ‘Well, what’s the bottom line you And, the Lord willing, he adds, he will farm efforts to influence commodity mar- need for us to go forward together?’ And they’d figharvest it all, too. ure out something neither liked but that both could FARM & FOOD FILE kets and farm policy. In the early 1970s, he helped form the Nebraska Soybean live with and the problem got fixed.” If so, Gene will use a trusty combine By Alan Guebert Association and was elected its first presnot quite half his age — a six-row, That wasn’t bipartisanship, Gene emphasizes, so ident. International Harvester 1460 he much as pragmatic leadership. “People had problems bought in 1978 for (you might want to It wasn’t a close race. “I left the and the senators’ job was to help. That’s what we did.” sit down) $23,000. That sum included meeting to use the restroom and when Ah, he sighs, not today. “Now everybody spends an 18-foot grain head, too. I came back, all of ’em said, ‘Welcome back, Mr. way too much time worrying about themselves and President!’” Even more remarkable, it’s a good bet that Gene not enough time worrying about the people coming and the machine have even more years ahead of In the late 1980s, when his son returned to the after us,” he offers. them. “My mother lived past 100,” he reports. farm, Gene made room by serving as Sen. Bob This spring, however, Gene sees some flickers of Kerrey’s statewide ag deputy from 1989 to 2001. It’s not the longevity of either him or his machinhope. “It’s those kids in Florida,” he explains, ery that makes most conversations with Gene inter- “He told me I had just two jobs: be his eyes and ears “they’re talking about change and making change. esting and insightful. It’s what he’s experienced and to all Nebraska farmers and ranchers, Democrats That’s a hopeful sign.” inspired across those decades that keeps you listen- and Republicans alike, and to tell him the truth.” And who knows more about hope than an 86-yearing, learning and laughing. During those 12 years, Gene drove 652,000 miles old farmer with a 40-year-old combine ready to across the state, often with the senator riding shot- plant his 70th crop? For example, he relates, “I planted my first corn crop while in high school for my FFA project. It was gun, to meet and help farmers and ranchers. “We The Farm and Food File is published weekly always talked about possibilities, rarely ever about 12 acres of my dad’s best creek bottom land, and I through the United States and Canada. Past colfailure.” used anhydrous ammonia that year — something umns, events and contact information are posted at my father never had. I raised 100 bushels an acre To illustrate, Gene explains that Kerrey, a socially www.farmandfoodfile.com. v and sold it all for $2.54 a bushel.” After splitting the windfall with his “landlord” father, Gene used his share to buy an “M Farmall and enough seed to plant 80 acres the following year.” Please take the time to come & visit our new 2018 models and enjoy savings That crop brought other memories, too. “My high school graduation speaker (I don’t remember his on all orders along with discounts on all stock models...13 models to view name) said we FFA fellows had the world by the tail PLEASE FEEL FREE TO COME IN ANYTIME...NO APPT. NEEDED because corn prices had reached a ‘new plateau’ and they’d always be high.” The words still echo across the decades. “The next year I sold corn for 90 cents. In my career, I’ve been Start to Finish Modular Solutions told corn prices ‘have reached a new plateau’ five different times and I’m still waiting for that pla-
OPINION
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You don’t need to live in tropics to grow vibrant palms Majesty palm, Ravena rivularis, is perhaps the most common of the numerous palms available for sale as houseplants. The local big box stores just got the first wave of these tropical giants in the stores and I could not resist bringing one home last week. What a pleasant change adding this big beauty
made in my house and in my mood. I repotted it and put it on a plant platform with wheels to make it easy to turn and move around. It instantly transformed my place by adding a touch of the tropics to the entryway. These palms are natives to Madagascar and the
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Comoros. They grow well in rain forests, swamps and along river banks in Florida. Their care includes: bright indirect light, consistently moist soil, temperatures between 45-85 F and a rich soil that drains well. Frequently, the tips of the IN THE GARDEN leaves will turn brown and that is a sign of too little By Sharon Quale moisture. If the leaves turn yellow, the probable cause is too much water. It is fine to snip the brown or yellow leaf tips off with a scissor and try to get the watering and humidity at a consistent level. Feed Majesty palms every two weeks with a balanced houseplant food. To add humidity, they can be misted daily or placed on a tray of pebbles and water. I usually put a palm in my outdoor shade garden every year to add height and texture and give the whole area a tropical feeling. Since the plants are inexpensive, I don’t try to keep them all winter. (It is OK to discard straggly and poor performing houseplants and get some new ones annually!) I calculate the cost at less than Photo by Sharon Quale two dollars a month if I enjoy the plant indoors as well as outside from March through September and this is a tiny sum to pay for a workhorse plant. Plants can improve the air quality when inside, can elevate moods and contribute to a sense of well-being. An added bonus is putting them on decks or outside gardens in the summer months. Palms are genetically related to grasses. Antarctica is the only continent that cannot grow palms. Palm leaves were used by the Romans to reward returning war heroes and winners of game competitions. Christians use palm leaves to symbolize victory and as a mark of rejoicing. I read that American churches use over 25 million palm fronds every year. Take a second look at the plants for sale the next time you shop and bring some home. While the wait for spring and “real dirt” gardening is getting shorter, buying some new, fresh green houseplants now will instantly elevate a mood. Imagine enjoying a cup of coffee while going through the newest nursery catalogs surrounded by a leafy green tropical-looking houseplant or a collection of plants. Sharon Quale is a master gardener from central Minnesota. She may be reached at (218) 738-6060 or squale101@yahoo.com. v
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Girl Scout cookie recipes: Think outside the box Preheat oven to 350 F. Line mufWe’re in over our heads at fin tin with paper liners or spray the Kveno house — over our with non-stick cooking spray. In heads with boxes and boxes the bowl of a stand mixer or a of Girl Scout cookies that is. large bowl with a hand mixer, add Our second grader, Claire, the cake and pudding mixes, sour started Girl Scouts this cream, oil, eggs, vanilla and year. So that meant we espresso water mixture or coffee. became a cookie distribution Mix on medium speed for about 2 center for over a month. COOKING minutes until all ingredients are Claire made her goal thanks WITH KRISTIN well combined and the batter is to very generous friends and mostly smooth. Spoon about 2 family (including my husBy Kristin Kveno tablespoons of batter into 24 cupband who bought cookies to cake wells. Add a Tagalong (or any stash anywhere and everyGirl Scout) cookie on top of the batter. Cover the where — including his fish house). cookie with one more tablespoon of batter in In the end, we bought a couple of each well. Bake in preheated oven for 18-22 cases of cookies. And while I love a minutes or until the tops of the cakes spring good Girl Scout cookie, I needed to back when lightly touched. Allow cupcakes to change it up a little. Get ready to cool inside muffin tins for about 10 minutes. never look at Girl Scout cookies the Remove cupcakes from muffin tins and allow to same again. These recipes just upped fully cool on a wire rack. the level of deliciousness. Once cupcakes are cool, prepare your frosting. Note: If you didn’t go crazy buying In a large bowl with a hand mixer, or the bowl of Girl Scout cookies like me, then you a stand mixer, cream butter and peanut butter can head to your favorite grocery store on medium speed until fluffy. Turn your mixer and pick up some Girl Scout-inspired down to low speed and slowly add in the concookies. Those work just as well in fectioner’s sugar, and continue mixing until well these recipes. blended. Add vanilla and 4 tablespoons of heavy n cream. Blend on low speed until moistened. Add This recipe uses one of my favorite an additional 1 to 4 tablespoons of heavy cream Girl Scout cookies, the Tagalong. This until you reach the desired consistency. Beat at cookie has a shortbread base with a high speed until frosting is smooth and fluffy. peanut butter middle layer all coated Pipe frosting onto cooled cupcakes. in chocolate. Now imagine taking this In a small saucepan over medium heat, warm tasty cookie and adding a whole lot the heavy cream until very hot. Do not more scrumptiousness and there you boil. Place chocolate pieces in a glass bowl. have the Tagalong cupcake. Pour the hot cream over the chocolate and Tagalong Cupcakes allow it to sit for about 5 minutes. Whisk the https://www.mybakingaddiction.com/tagalong cream and chocolate until smooth and thorcupcakes oughly combined. Whisk in the honey, corn 1 (18.25 ounce) package devil’s food cake mix syrup, and vanilla. Allow to cool for about 15 1 (5.9 ounce) package instant chocolate pudding minutes. Do not let the glaze sit for too long or it mix will harden up before you spoon it over the 1 cup sour cream frosting. Spoon the glaze on the tops of the 1 cup vegetable oil frosted cupcakes, allowing it to drip down the 4 eggs, lightly beaten sides a little bit. Don’t add too much glaze or it 2 tsp. pure vanilla extract will drip all over your liners. Top with half a Tag1 tbsp. instant espresso granules dissolved in 1/2 along cookie before the glaze hardens; other cup warm water or 1/2 cup warm coffee wise it will crack when you insert the cookie. 36 Tagalong cookies (24 for cupcake centers; n 12 each cut in half) for garnish Samoas. The name may be hard to 3 sticks unsalted butter, softened pronounce, but the cookie is delectable 1 cup creamy peanut butter to eat. Here’s a tasty dessert with the 2 tbsp. vanilla extract star of the show — the Samoas (aka 2 pounds confectioners’ sugar, sifted Caramel deLites). This recipe is found 6-8 tbsp. heavy cream (if using milk, amount will on the Girl Scouts website, so you be less) know it’s got to be good, as they know a 4 oz. bittersweet chocolate, chopped into very thing or two about creating some small pieces pretty awesome cookies. 1/2 cup heavy cream Dulce deLites 2 tbsp. honey http://www.girlscouts.org/en/cookies/all-about2 tbsp. light corn syrup cookies/Cookie-Recipes.html 2 tsp. pure vanilla extract
1/2 cup butter, softened 1/4 cup sugar 1 cup all-purpose flour 1/4 tsp. salt 10 Girl Scout Caramel deLites/Samoas cookies 1/2 cup coarsely chopped pecans 1/2 cup Dulce de leche Preheat oven to 350 F. Cream butter and sugar. Beat in flour and salt until well mixed (dough will be crumbly). Press evenly onto bottom of an ungreased 8-by-8-inch pan. Bake until edges are golden brown and top is lightly browned, 12-15 minutes. Cool 15 minutes. Chop Caramel deLites/Samoas cookies into quarter-inch pieces; combine with pecans. Microwave Dulce de leche on high until spreadable, 15-20 seconds. Sprea d Dulce de leche over cooled crust. Sprinkle chopped Caramel deLites/Samoas cookies and pecans evenly over Dulce de leche, pressing down firmly. Cool completely, about one hour, before cutting into squares. Note: This recipe was tested with Nestle La Lechera Dulce de leche (caramel flavored sauce). Look for it in the international foods section of your grocery store. If using Eagle Brand Dulce de leche, thicken according to package directions before using. n This recipe uses the tried and true Shortbread/Trefoil cookie as the base to this amazing cheesecake and the goat cheese just adds to the depth and flavor found in this dessert. Lemon Shortbread Cheesecake http://www.myrecipes.com/recipe/lemon-short break-cheesecake 7 oz. Shortbread/Trefoils 2 tbsp. plus 1 tsp. finely grated fresh lemon zest (from about 3 lemons), divided 1 cup sugar, divided 12 oz. fresh, mild goat cheese (such as Haystack Boulder Chèvre) 10 oz. cream cheese 1-1/2 tbsp. fresh lemon juice, divided 1 tsp. finely grated fresh orange zest 1/2 cup sour cream 1 tsp. vanilla 2 eggs 8 to 10 medium strawberries, stemmed Preheat oven to 325 F. Crumble cookies into a food processor and pulse until finely ground. In a medium bowl, toss 2 tbsp. lemon zest with 1-1/2 tbsp. sugar. Add cookie crumbs and mix well. Butter sides of an 8-inch pan with removable rim and press cookie mixture into bottom. Bake 15 minutes. Remove from oven and let cool in pan. Lower temperature to 275 F. In standing mixer fitted with paddle attachment, beat goat cheese and cream cheese until light and fluffy. Add remaining lemon zest, 1 tbsp. lemon juice, the orange zest, 3/4 cup sugar, the
sour cream, and the vanilla; beat well. Scrape bowl and add eggs; beat well. Pour batter onto crust and bake about 1 hour, or until set on the sides but still quite jiggly in the center and only slightly sticky. Turn oven off, crack oven door, and let cake cool in oven 2 hours. Remove and let cool completely; then chill, covered, at least 2 hours and up to overnight. Run a thin knife between cake and batter onto crust and bake about 1 hour, or until set on the sides but still quite jiggly in the center and only slightly sticky. Turn oven off, crack oven door, and let cake cool in oven 2 hours. Remove and let cool completely; then chill, covered, at least 2 hours and up to overnight. Run a thin knife between cake and rim of pan and remove rim. Thinly slice strawberries, then toss with remaining 2-1/2 tbsp. sugar and lemon juice. Arrange on cake. n Thin Mint cookies straight from the freezer are one of my all-time favorite things to eat. When I found this recipe using Thin Mints in truffles, I was instantly sold. I made these with the kids as the recipe was easy enough for my 6 year old to do. The truffles were a big winner. Just a tip: enjoy these sweet treats straight from the freezer and you will quickly jump aboard the Thin Mint band wagon. Thin Mint Truffles https://www.popsugar.com/food/Thin-MintTruffles-Recipe-40301523 1 package Girl Scout Thin Mints 4 oz. cream cheese 1 cup dark chocolate candy melts In a food processor, chop up Thin Mints until a fine crumb is reached. Pulse in cream cheese, scraping down sides as needed. The truffle mixture should look like a thick icing. Line a cutting board or sheet tray with parchment paper. Use a small scooper or two spoons to scoop 1-inch balls of the truffle mixture, spacing them out on the parchment paper. Place in the freezer for 15 minutes. Remove them from the freezer and roll into perfect balls using the palms of your hands. Return to the freezer for another 5 minutes or until firm. While the truffle balls are in the freezer, melt chocolate in a double boiler or microwave until melted smooth. Pull the truffles out of the freezer and dip into the chocolate, covering the truffle completely. Place back on parchment-paper-lined tray. Store truffles in the refrigerator to set the chocolate before transferring them into an airtight container. Truffles will last refrigerated for about a week. n Next time you buy a box of Girl Scout cookies, don’t just think of it as a box of cookies — rather a gateway into the world of so many divine dessert creations. v
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Prayer and generations require new perspective She was my next-door extra drip in someone else’s neighbor as a kid. Neighbor glass was a sure sign that for a farm family equates child was the favorite. living on the same section or But Geneva said I was the a half mile as the crow flies. one who was spoiled. From And though we hadn’t seen Geneva’s perspective it is each other for a few decades, frivolous to pay for panshe recognized me in the cakes that a grandma could truck-stop diner with Mike easily whip up at home. and three of our grandlittles. THE BACK PORCH From my perspective, this After a quick hello, she By Lenae Bulthuis Nana is happier and the told me I was spoiled. pancakes tastier when they Surely, she meant the grandkids were are served up at a diner rather than spoiled. They each just received root my kitchen. beer refills to go with their pancakes. There is power in perspective. Who allows kids to have root beer Grandson Jackson was 3 when he with pancakes? This is spoiled. got his first pair of glasses. That night And let’s talk soda. When I was the he sat on our daughter’s lap, looked at age of these kiddos, my mom split a her face and asked, “What’s that?” He 12-ounce can of root beer between my had never seen the colors of his mom’s brother, sister and me. We scrutinized blush or lipstick before. He had a new as she divided the drops between the perspective. matching Tupperware cups as if one
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His sister Reagan was only 2 when she donned her first pair of specs. And though she insists her glasses don’t work, the first thing she asks for when she exits her bedroom in the morning is her glasses. She never takes them off. It’s brought her world into focus. She has a new perspective. And as we face the future, I wonder how many of us need a new perspective? When our extended family gathers for Sunday dinner at my parents, we don’t eat until my dad reads a devotional and my mom prays. This is the pattern they’ve set since becoming empty nesters. At our last dinner, dad shared with the kids, grandkids and greats what he learned from a pastor during their month away as snowbirds. The pastor said that the baby boomers (born 1946-1964), Grandpa and Grandma’s age, were outnumbered by the millennials (born 1981-2001) which represented a number of the grandkids in the room. What was the pastor’s response to these stats? A call to pray! Anyone else figure that a millennial plus the future equals more prayer needed? When the pastor gathered the generations to do just that, he fully expected the older generation to pray for the younger. He figured wrong. It was the younger generation who prayed for the older! I sensed it was a new perspective for my dad. And he wasn’t the only one.
“I don’t want to put anyone on the spot,” said Dad. “We’ll still have Grandma pray today. But next time the floor is open for the younger generation to pray the blessing.” This is a new lens. A new perspective. And I love it. Should we pray for the next generation? Yes, and amen! Pray that their faith surpasses ours. Pray that He enlarges their hearts with love for God and others that is beyond anything we’ve seen or experienced. And should we give the millennials the opportunity to pray over us? Now more than ever. It matters for them, us and the future. Within Haydn Shaw’s book, “Generational IQ,” Christianity isn’t dying, millennials aren’t the problem, and the future is bright. Shaw encourages us to place the next generation in God’s hands. He writes, “If parents or grandparents can have conversations, engage with questions, and raise some of their own without freaking out, yelling or preaching too much, then we’re in a good place. But we can’t do that consistently unless we place our kids in God’s hands.” And from my perspective, I believe placing them in God’s hands includes asking them to fold their hands and pray for us. 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
Calendar of Events Visit www.TheLandOnline.com to view our complete calendar and enter your own events, or send an e-mail with your event’s details to editor@thelandonline.com. April 4 — Fun On The Farm: Agritourism Workshop — St. Cloud, Minn. — Best practices for human-animal contact, working farm safety issues, food licensing and handling requirements — Contact Minnesota Department of Health, carrie.klumb@ state.mn.us or (651) 201-5414 or visit http://www.health.state.mn.us/divs/ idepc/dtopics/animal/tour/ April 6 — All About Pollinators — Sauk Centre, Minn. — Featuring U of M Bee Squad, Extension educators
and a panel of female farmers on pollinator protection — Contact Sarah Schieck, Women in Ag Network at 320-235-0726 ext. 2004 April 11 — Women’s Agricultural Leadership Conference — Chaska, Minn. — Conference celebrates 20 years with keynote panel, breakouts on law, leadership, policy, advocacy, business, social media, marketing — Visit womensagleadership.org or contact doris@sunriseag.net or (612) 4147574
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Steps to reducing sow mortality in the farrowing room Mortality rates are highest in the farrowing room, whether it be for pigs or sows. A lot of farrowing room focus is put on pre-weaning mortality, but reducing sow mortality also needs to receive producer attention. When we include stillbirths, it is not uncommon to see three-quarters of growing pig mortality showing up before weaning. If we take this risk on a daily basis, a pig is 20 times likely to die on a day in the farrowing room than a day subsequent to that. Based on this higher risk, we have studied both stillbirth rates and pre-weaning mortality rates in great detail. We know that there are factors such as birth weight, colostral intake, facility design and facility factors that lead to higher and lower pre-weaning mortality rates. The rates of mortality for sows are also much higher in the farrowing room than in breeding or gestation. We can see daily rates that are eight times as high in the farrowing room than in breeding and gestation. The difference is that there has not been a particular emphasis on the study of this aspect of sow mortality in the same way that pre-weaning mortality has been emphasized as a separate category of mortality versus post-weaning mortality. With the levels of mortality seen in the farrowing stall, it may be useful to understand the processes that lead to sow death, as well as leading to additional compromised sows at time of weaning. There are additional pressures on the sow through parturition and lactation that appeared to result in a proportion of sows that are unable to cope with the added physical requirements. Moreover, it may be worth ques-
UniversityofMinnesota
EXTENSION
SWINE &U
tioning whether the physical environment in the farrowing SWINE & U stall is too biased toward the pigBy John Deen, DVM let rather than the stall. Though the studies are limited, it may be useful to start viewing the farrowing stall as a point of intervention to reduce sow mortality rates. Here are a few factors that are worth considering as we try to help the sow survive and thrive in the farrowing stall. Lameness: In our work, a sow that is lame at entry into the farrowing stall has a 40 percent higher mortality rate — even if the lameness appears to be minor. Moreover, these sows are also much more likely to be compromised at weaning so that they are culled at a higher rate. Analgesia: Though it is particularly true in lame sows, there is a positive effect of long-acting pain control in sows. Behaviorally, these sows are more likely to get up and eat and drink shortly after farrowing. Unfortunately, here in the United States, no such product is registered for use in sows. Off-feed events: We have shown that even one
MARL applications now accepted Applications are now being accepted for the Minnesota Agriculture and Rural Leadership (MARL) Class X. Up to 30 participants will be selected for Class X. Applications will be accepted through April 12. The first Class X session will be in November.
Apply online at www.marlprogram.org/application. Those unable to apply online may contact Olga Reuvekamp at (507) 537-6430, or Olga.reuve kamp@ smsu.edu. This article was submitted by Minnesota Agriculture and Rural Leadership. v
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day off feed can significantly increase the mortality rate and decrease the quality of sows at weaning. Heat: Hot, humid nights particularly result in higher sow mortality in the farrowing stall. Farrowing difficulties: Slow parturition is also an indicator of a sow that is having difficulty in coping and predicts higher levels of mortality. As any good herdsperson will point out, these are not independent subjects. The real problem is when these factors start coming together. A lame sow going into a farrowing stall during hot weather is much more likely to see those off-feed events and have trouble farrowing. It is in the multiplicative aspects that we truly identify at-risk sows. It is a cascade of events that leads to sow death in many cases, and catching sows in early stages of difficulty may be our best chance of providing an efficient intervention. However, there may be a need to also change some of our emphases in pig rearing. I would argue that there is a greater emphasis on reducing pre-weaning mortality in the farrowing room than reducing sow mortality. What is the optimal temperature for a farrowing room — especially when the sows are farrowing? The answers that I receive are usually more closely correlated with piglet comfort than with sow comfort. Sows would do best at a temperature of 60-65 F. Farrowing rooms are already places of intense activity and focus, and redirecting some of that effort toward the comfort and well-being of the sow may have real returns. John Deen is a Professor in the University of Minnesota’s College of Veterinary Medicine. He can be reached at deenx003@umn.edu. v
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MARKETING
Grain Outlook Corn rebounds after slow start
Cash Grain Markets
corn/change* soybeans/change* St. Cloud $3.19 -.24 $9.29 -.34 Madison $3.24 -.12 $9.35 -.24 Redwood Falls $3.20 -.15 $9.34 -.24 Fergus Falls $3.16 -.11 $9.19 -.22 $3.19 -.13 $9.27 -.25 The following marketing analysis is for the week Morris ending March 23. Tracy $3.20 -.18 $9.22 -.29 CORN — Big trading ranges bookended the week. Average: $3.20 $9.28 Corn began the week with a gap lower from the previous Friday’s low and moved sideways without Year Ago Average: $3.08 $8.41 much direction at mid-week. Grain prices are effective cash close on March 27. Funds were longer than antici*Cash grain price change represents a two-week period. pated on the Commitment of Traders report as of March 13. The week ended with a nice rebound after trading to its lowest level since early February. Prices on March 23 spiked below the 50-day moving average support line, but recovered and closed above it before the final PHYLLIS NYSTROM CHS Hedging Inc. bell for the week. St. Paul Improving weather in Brazil’s The livestock markets are in a quandary at the safrinha areas and spillover present time. The futures markets appear to be weakness from other products counteracted our staheading in one direction while the cash is headed in tus as the cheapest source of corn in the world. As of the opposite direction for both cattle and hogs. March 21, Brazil’s first crop corn harvest was 51 percent compete vs. 47 percent last year. Their saf- Obviously, the futures market is looking ahead to rinha or second crop corn planting was 93 percent what may be coming next to complete vs. 95 percent last year. Argentina’s corn these markets as far as price disharvest was 13.3 percent complete as of March covery. The weeks ahead could be 22 compared to 8 percent complete last year. The very interesting for the livestock Buenos Aires Grain Exchange put Argentina’s corn markets as to which direction crop at 32 million metric tons, down from their previ- each of the livestock markets ous 34 mmt estimate. The U.S. Department of take. The cattle market is at odds Agriculture is at 36 mmt. with the cash and futures trade. We are in the infant stages of a trade war with The cash trade has been firm for JOE TEALE China. The United States is proposing $60 billion weeks as packers continue to Broker worth of import tariffs and China has responded with a possible $3 billion in import tariffs of their accumulate cattle at basically Great Plains Commodity Afton, Minn. own on 128 different U.S. products. Pork was a stand- steady to higher cash. Margins are good enough that the packer out target, but no beans, corn, milo, or wheat were included on China’s list. Pork will have a 25 percent is willing to buy at the inflated prices as compared to import tariff imposed and a 15 percent tariff will be the declining futures prices. Obviously, the feedlots focused on wine, fruits and nuts. There will be a are willing sellers at the higher money if the cattle 30-day comment period for U.S. businesses to respond are hedged — which takes advantage of the very to President Trump’s list. China has not set a time- good basis. This phenomenon has occurred since the beef cutout has continued to inch higher week after line for their import tariffs to begin. week, improving that packer margin and allowing Weekly export sales were delayed a day this week the more aggressive bidding for live inventory. when Washington, D.C., experienced severe weather. The futures are reacting to the recent U.S. Weekly corn sales were good, but nothing spectacular at 57.9 million bushels. This was the lowest weekly Department of Agriculture Cattle on Feed reports sales number in eight weeks. Total commitments of which have indicated placements and on-feed num1.78 billion bushels are only 3 percent behind last bers have continued to expand. This indicates supyear. The USDA is projecting yearly exports at 2.225 plies should be more than adequate to meet current demand. See NYSTROM, pg. 11 See TEALE, pg. 9
Livestock Angles Futures, cash markets clash
Grain Angles Manage risk in organic transition In January 2018, the average farm gate price of organic corn in the United States was more than $10 per bushel while the price of conventional corn was slightly above $3. Is it any wonder that some farmers are looking at what it takes to transition to certified organic production? While prices for organic commodities look very attractive to farmers who are facing their fourth straight year of declining net farm income, the transition to organic is neither simple nor inexpensive. Also, a time of generally low farm income is not the ideal time to begin a transition PAUL DIETMANN that could reduce income even Compeer Senior more — at least in the short Lending Officer term. Prairie du Sac, Wis. The transition to organic production is much more than an economic decision. A farmer has to be willing to commit to a significant shift in production philosophy, not just a change in practices, or the transition will fail. Here are some things to consider as you contemplate a switch to organic production: Start planning at least a year before beginning the transition. Attend conferences and workshops, introduce yourself to experienced organic growers, and build a network that can provide support as you begin farming organically. Spend time with experienced organic growers at different times of the growing season and learn how they manage their production challenges. Figure out where you can buy organic seed, fertilizer, and any specialized equipment you might need. Begin discussing your plans with your lender early in the transition process. Explain your plans and get your lender’s thoughts. Your cash flow may change a lot during the transition. You’ll want to make sure you have enough operating capital to carry you through. You may need financing for some new equipment or grain storage. You may need to restructure some existing debt to free up borrowing capacity. Fortunately, a farmer transitioning now to organic production is much more likely to find an ag lender who has some experience with organic farms than farmers who switched 30 years ago. If your lender doesn’t have experience with organic production or isn’t supportive of your decision, you may need to find a new lender. See DIETMANN, pg. 9
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.
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Cash flow could be negative during first years of transition DIETMANN, from pg. 8 Don’t try to transition all acres at once. The learning curve for organic production can be steep as a farmer learns how to grow crops without the use of herbicides or standard commercial fertilizer. It often takes more time, labor and many more trips across the field to grow a crop organically. Planters and combines will need to be cleaned after leaving conventional fields and before entering organic fields. Start with a small enough acreage that it won’t present the farm with a financial hardship if crop performance is poor in the first year or two. Organic transition is a long-term investment. The net cash flow could very well be negative on transitioning acres during the first two or three years of the switch. As with any other long-term investment, cash is invested upfront with the expectation of a positive return in future years. Cash returns on organic production typically turn positive in the third or fourth year. Don’t lose sight of the potential returns in the future during the initial years of negative cash flow. It’s a great idea to create annual cash flow projections for five or six years beginning in the first year of transition, and calculate the internal rate of return resulting from the change in production. (There is an explanation of how to calculate internal rate of return in the book, “Fearless Farm Finances: Farm Financial Management Demystified.”) Keep variable costs low on transitioning acres. Variable costs are all of the costs that you wouldn’t have if you weren’t growing any crops. They include seed, soil amendments, fuel, crop insurance, operating interest, and the costs of harvesting, hauling and drying crops. These are all cash costs that have to be paid during the year as opposed to an overhead cost such as depreciation that doesn’t require the farmer to write a check. Consider ways in which those cash costs can be minimized on transitioning acres. For example, the variable costs to grow hay are roughly two-thirds of the variable costs of growing corn in the first year of the transition. Many transitioning farmers find the cash flow is easier to handle if they grow a crop like hay that requires lower out-of-pocket costs. Timeliness is especially critical in organic production. Organic crop production is weatherdependent to the extreme. A grower may find that there is only one or two days in the season that are fit for rotary hoeing or cultivating, and every acre of organic ground must be covered within that narrow window. Organics won’t be a good fit for someone with an off-farm job and an inflexible schedule. It may require investment in larger equipment that can cover more acres in a shorter timeframe. It may be difficult to hire custom operators to help with planting or harvest, which might also lead to more machinery investment. You may encounter insurmountable hurdles that thwart your plans. More than one organic grower has been forced back to conventional row-
MARKETING cropping by a virtually unbeatable nemesis such as giant ragweed. The cash flow squeeze tends to tighten the further you move down the timeline toward certification, and it could crush you before you get there. You may not be able to anticipate or overcome every hurdle that will appear in your path to organic certification. It’s likely to be a hard journey. Get expert advice. Growers in the upper Midwest are lucky to have some excellent resources close at hand. Midwest Organic and Sustainable Education Service (MOSES) has organic experts on staff that are available to answer questions from growers. The organization also offers field days and hosts the largest organic farming conference in the country every February in La Crosse, Wis. The Organic Grain Resource and Information Network (OGRAIN) was created in 2015 specifically to help conventional grain growers transition to organic. Finally, there are many experienced growers in the upper Midwest who have successfully transitioned and are willing to help others make the switch.
There is cost-sharing available. The U.S. Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service offers organic transition costsharing for a variety of practices through its Environmental Quality Incentives Program grants. Talk to your local NRCS staff and get on their list of farmers to contact when an EQIP signup is announced. The cost of organic certification is cost-shared through the USDA Farm Service Agency. Some states offer assistance with organic transition through their state departments of agriculture. It’s worth a call to your state department to see if they have an organic assistance program. The transition to organic grain production takes time, and cash flow may be negative for a few years. Get your lender on board with your plans early in the process. Keeping variable costs low and taking advantage of cost-sharing opportunities helps. There will be some tough times on the road to certification. A grower who starts the process thinking of it as a long-term investment will likely see their perseverance rewarded over time. For additional insights from Compeer industry experts or to learn more about Compeer’s programs, check out Compeer.com/education. v
Hog market seeing big swings TEALE, from pg. 8 Both the cash and futures appear to be at levels that could bring about corrections in their price trends. This would narrow the basis and bring futures and cash closer together as we move into the month of April. Producers should continue to monitor market conditions and use the positive basis to their advantage. The hog market has seen big basis swings so far this spring. The basis went from a premium to cash to a fairly large discount and back to a premium. Since the first weeks in February, the hog market has been under pressure as pork cutouts began to drift lower. This put a squeeze on the packers’ margin and
cash bids were dropped to save the profitability for the packing houses. Demand for pork has held fairly well through the price declines; and as the grilling season approaches, this could bring about a stronger demand for pork. The current break in prices seem to be a bit overdone at this time and some recovery might be expected. Considering the difference in price of the cutouts between beef and pork, this could help improve the demand in pork in the weeks ahead. Technically, both futures and cash are appearing to be oversold. This could bring about a recover rally in the weeks ahead. Producers should pay close attention to market conditions and protect inventories if needed. v
Register now for 2018 Farm Camp Farm Camp gives youngsters the opportunity to learn about today’s agriculture, where their food comes from, how it is grown and how farm products are used in our daily life. Registrations are now being accepted for the seventh annual Farm Camp Minnesota. Camp is designed for children entering grades three to six for the 2018-19 school year. This year, the one-day camp will be held in three different locations, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. each day. Preregistration is required. On July 17, the camp will be held at Meadowbrook Dairy near Sartell. Early bird registration is $15 per camper by June 15; $25 until June 22. On Aug. 13 and 14, it will be held in the Waseca area at Farmamerica. Early bird registration is $15
per camper by June 22. After that it is $25 until registration closes on July 23 or when filled. On Aug. 16, the camp will be held near Dundas at Wolf Creek Dairy. The Dundas camp has already filled. Anyone wishing to be on the waiting list, should e-mail Minnesota Farm Bureau. Registration includes lunch, snacks, a free t-shirt and a fun bag to take home. Space is limited. For more information or to register, go to farmcampminnesota.org or e-mail Farmcampmn@ outlook.com; postal mail at PO Box 93, Janesville, MN 56048; or call (507) 351-9348. This article was submitted by the Minnesota Farm Bureau. v
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THE LAND — MARCH 23/MARCH 30, 2018
2017 ARC-CO payment estimates in upper Midwest As farm operators finalize their cash multiplied by 86 percent (.86) to calculate flow estimates for 2018, they are the county revenue guarantee. wondering what level, if any, the 2017 The county BM corn yields in most ARC-CO payments for corn or soybeans Minnesota counties in 2017 increased will be in October. Most crop producers in significantly from 2016 BM yields, due to the upper Midwest are enrolled in the fairly strong average county yields in both county yield-based Agriculture Risk 2015 and 2016. The 2011 year was Coverage (ARC-CO) farm program choice dropped for the 2017 BM yield calculation, on their corn and soybean base acres for which was a lower corn yield year in most 2014-18 crop years. FARM PROGRAMS counties. The increased county BM corn Many producers in the region earned a yield for 2017 increases the potential for By Kent Thiesse significant 2014 corn ARC-CO payment, ARC-CO payments; however, that gain is while farm operators in some more than offset by the large counties also earned ARC-CO reduction in the BM price for 2017. payments on their corn base acres in Most 2017 county soybean BM 2015 and 2016. There were some yields also increased slightly, ARC-CO payments for soybeans in 2014; however, compared to 2015 to 2016 BM yields. Another fairly payments were quite widespread for the 2015 and solid yield year in 2017 in many areas of the upper 2016 crop years, due to above average soybean yields Midwest should again result in further increases in in most areas. county BM yields for the 2018 crop year. The corn benchmark (BM) price for the 2017 crop 2017 ARC-CO payments for a given crop are paid year is $3.95 per bushel, which is down from $4.79/ when the actual 2017 county revenue for the crop bu. in 2016, and $5.29/bu. in both 2014 and 2015. falls below the 2017 county BM revenue guarantee. The 2017 BM price for soybeans is $10.86/bu., which The actual county revenue is the final 2017 county is well below $11.87/bu. in 2016, or $12.27/bu. in Farm Service Agency yield times the final MYA price both 2014 and 2015. for 2017. The 2017 MYA price is the national average The BM prices are adjusted each year, using the corn or soybean price from Sept. 1, 2017-Aug. 31, USDA market-year average price for the preceding 2018, which will be finalized on Sept. 30. The MYA five years, then dropping the high and low MYA price is the 12-month national average price for a price, and averaging the other three MYA prices. The commodity, based on the average market price BM county yield for 2017 is calculated by taking the received by farm operators across the United average county yields for the previous five years States, which is then weighted at the end of the year, (2012-2016), dropping the high and low yield, and based on the volume of bushels sold in each month. then averaging the other three yields. The 2017 As of March 1, USDA is estimating the estimated county BM revenue for a given crop is the county 2017 MYA prices are $3.35/bu. for corn, and $9.30/ BM yield times the 2017 BM price, which is then bu. for soybeans. The USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service released the 2017 estimated average county yields for corn, soybeans, and other crops. The 2017 NASS county yields offer a good estimate of where final 2017 ARC-CO farm program payments are likely to end up, depending on the final 2017 MYA price level. The NASS yields may be adjusted slightly by USDA to arrive at the final 2017 county FSA yields which are used to calculate the 2017 ARC-CO payments. However, any adjustments in the final 2017 county yields will likely be lower than the 2017 NASS yield estimates which could potentially increase the likelihood or payment level for 2017 ARC-CO payments. The 2017 NASS county yields are available at www.nass.usda.gov. The relationship between the final 2017 county yield and the 2017 county BM yields is extremely important in calculating potential 2017 ARC-CO payments for corn and soybeans. Expressing the 2017 county yield as a “percentage of BM Yield” is actually more important than the final county yield in determining estimated ARC-CO payments. Guide on likelihood of 2017 ARC-CO payments at various percentage of BM Yield levels:
MARKETING
(Based on March 1, 2017, MYA price estimates of $3.35/bu. for corn, and $9.30/bu. for soybeans.) • Corn — Any county that has a percentage of BM yield of less than 90 percent will likely realize the maximum (100 percent) estimated 2017 ARC-CO payment for that county. • Corn — Counties with a percentage of BM yield of 90-95 percent will likely receive 51-99 percent of the maximum 2017 ARC-CO payment. • Corn — Counties with a percentage of BM yield of 96-101 percent will likely receive 1-50 percent of the maximum 2017 ARC-CO payment. • Corn — Counties with a percentage of BM yield of 102 percent or higher will likely not receive a 2017 ARC-CO payment. • Soybeans — Any county that has a percentage of BM yield of less than 90 percent will likely realize the maximum 2017 ARC-CO payment for that county. • Soybeans — Counties with a percentage of BM yield of 90-94 percent will likely receive 51-99 percent of the maximum 2017 ARC-CO payment. • Soybeans — Counties with a percentage of BM yield of 95-100 percent will likely receive 1-50 percent of the maximum 2017 ARC-CO payment. • Soybeans — Counties with a percentage of BM yield of 101 percent or higher will likely not receive a 2017 ARC-CO payment. Note: For 2016, the threshold level for counties to begin receiving ARC-CO payments was a percentage of BM yield of 120 percent or lower for corn, and 107 percent or lower for soybeans. Counties received the maximum level of 2016 ARC-CO payments at a percentage of BM yield level of 107 percent or lower for corn and 94 percent or lower for soybeans. This shows the impact of the significantly lower corn and soybean BM prices for 2017. Overall, 2017 ARC-CO payments for corn are not likely in most portions of the upper Midwest, due to above average 2017 corn yields in many areas, together with the much lower 2017 corn BM price of $3.95/bu. There are a few counties in northwest Minnesota, as well as some counties in both North and South Dakota, which were impacted by drought conditions, that are likely to receive a 2017 corn ARC-CO payment. Most counties in the rest of Minnesota and much of Iowa will not receive a 2017 corn payment. Several counties in the upper Midwest have received corn ARC-CO payments in 2014, 2015 and 2016. There is actually more potential for 2017 soybean ARC-CO payments than for corn payments in some locations, due to the increased county BM yields in 2017 and more moderate 2017 soybean yield levels. See THIESSE, pg. 12
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International Grains Council forecasts drop in world stocks NYSTROM, from pg. 8 billion bushels or a 3 percent decline year-on-year. We need to average 18.5 million bushels in weekly sales to achieve the USDA’s forecast. Weekly ethanol production was up 24,000 barrels per day, from 1.025 million bpd to 1.049 million bpd for the week that ended March 16. Ethanol stocks were down 500,000 barrels from 24.3 million barrels to 23.8 million barrels. Net ethanol margins were up 6 cents per gallon to 15 cents per gallon. President Trump signed the $1.3 trillion spending bill that will keep the government open. The unintentional consequences of 199A were reportedly fixed on the spending bill. Supposedly the fix will be something close to the old Section 199 deduction, repealing the 20 percent deduction on gross sales to co-ops that was in Section 199A. The International Grains Council is forecasting 2018-19 world grain stocks to fall by 46 mmt to 560 mmt, with 42 mmt of the decline to occur in corn. Corn ending stocks are projected at 265 mmt. World soybean stocks are expected to drop 3 mmt. A little history of the March Grain Stocks report: March 1 corn stocks have been above the average guess in five out of the last eight years. March 1 soybean stocks have been below the average guess in eight out of the last 11 years. Outlook: For the week, May corn was 5.5 cents lower at $3.77.25, July was down 5.25 cents at $3.85.75, and December fell 4.5 cents to $3.99.25 per bushel. The 50-day moving average may provide support ahead of the March 29 USDA reports, but the door has now been opened to additional weakness. The 100-day moving average at $3.68/bu. and the February low at $3.64.25/bu. are the shortterm support numbers. The gap left this week from $3.82 to $3.82.5 is nearby resistance. It’s a short trading week ahead with significant reports thrown in for good measure. We could be in for a rollercoaster week, but there seems to be a “buy the breaks” mentality. The Prospective Planting and Quarterly Grain Stocks reports will be released on March 29. The markets will be closed on March 30 in observance of Good Friday. The markets will reopen on April 1 at their normal time. SOYBEANS — Soybean prices got stung to begin the week, posting their largest one-day loss since August. Rain in Argentina may have helped curb further soybean production losses and crop estimates continue to climb for Brazil’s crop. The BAGE did cut its Argentine soybean crop estimate this week from 42 mmt to 39.5 mmt. Argentina’s soybean harvest usually begins at the end of March. There was trade chatter about the possibility of Brazil’s soybean crop exceeding 118 mmt! Safras and Mercado increased their Brazilian soybean estimate to 117.3 mmt vs. USDA at 113 mmt. Their Brazilian bean export number is 70 mmt compared to USDA’s 66.7 mmt figure. Brazil’s soybean harvest was
MARKETING pegged at 56 percent complete as of March 21 vs. 59 percent on average. The threat of a trade war with China that could eventually include a tariff on U.S. soybeans imports into China was a black cloud shrouding the market all week. Soybeans tried to rebound, but March 23 brought another sharp sell-off. Soybeans were able to rally off the new low for the move on March 23, but still posted significant losses for the week. Some food for thought on China and possible import tariffs on U.S. soybeans: if China puts a tariff on U.S. beans, more beans may be sourced from South America. However, some South American customers may be pushed to the United States for soybeans. If China puts tariffs on U.S. pork, they may source more pork from Brazil. Brazil’s demand for domestic meal may increase, and there could be less soybeans for export. This makes for an interesting chess game. Weekly export sales were on the low end of expectations at 27.9 million bushels. Total commitments of 1.8 billion bushels is down 7 percent from last year. The USDA is forecasting a year-on-year drop in exports of 5 percent to 2.065 billion bushels. We only need 10.5 million bushels of sales per week for the
balance of the marketing year to hit the USDA’s target. Outlook: For the week, May soybeans tumbled 21.25 cents to $10.28.25, July dropped 21 cents to $10.39.25, and November fell 14.5 cents to $10.26.5/ bu. May meal rallied $5 per ton to $377.90 and soyoil was 56 ticks lower at $.3142 per pound. May soybeans first level of support is the 100-day market average at $10.10 per bushel (as of the close March 23), then $10 per bushel. First resistance is the 10-day moving average (as of March 23) at $10.35, then $10.50 per bushel. A holiday-shortened trading week is ahead, which can lead to volatility leading into the USDA reports. March 1 soybean stocks have been below the average trade guess in eight of the last 11 years. March 1 corn stocks have been above the average trade estimate in five of the last eight years. Nystrom’s Notes: Contract changes for the week ending March 23: Minneapolis March wheat was 9 cents lower, Chicago fell 7.5 cents, but Kansas City plunged 20.25 cents lower. Nearby crude oil jumped $3.47 higher to $65.88 per barrel, ULSD rallied 10.5 cents, RBOB was 8.75 cents higher, and natural gas declined 9.75 cents. The U.S. dollar index retreated .782 points. The Dow is down 3,083 points since its high at 26,616 on Jan. 26. v
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MILKER’S MESSAGE
THE LAND — MARCH 23/MARCH 30, 2018
USDA reports milk output up, prices slip slightly This column was written for the marketing week ending March 23. The “Trade War” has begun. President Donald Trump fired the first salvo with $50 billion worth of tariffs on China. China responded with tariffs on 128 U.S. products. While dairy is not directly involved, it will be impacted in the coming weeks. n A mild February in most of the United States enabled milk output to best that
News and information for Minnesota and Northern Iowa dairy producers of a year ago for the 50th consecutive month and hit a bearish 15.9 billion pounds in the top 23 states. That’s up 1.8 percent from By Lee Mielke February 2017, according to preliminary data in the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s latest Milk Production report. February’s 50-state total, at 17 billion pounds, was also up 1.8 percent. Revisions added 9 million pounds to the January total, now put at 17.3 billion, up 1.8 percent. February milk cow numbers totaled 8.75 million head in the 23 states, up 1,000 from January and 49,000 more than a year ago. The 50-state total, at 9.4 million head, was up 1,000 from January and 45,000 above a year ago. Output per cow averaged 1,822 pounds in the 23 states, up 23 pounds from a year ago. FC Stone’s Dave Kurzawski cautioned in the March 26 Dairy Radio Now broadcast that “The behavior of the market is what you really want to watch, so it’s less about how the market reacts in that kneejerk moment; but more about how the market trades the day after and where it goes from there.” He added, “If the market doesn’t go down on bearish news, you have to question how bearish the
MIELKE MARKET WEEKLY
market really is.” Kurzawski admitted the report showed solid gains in milk output, but said “It’s nothing to really hold the market down at this moment as we shift into what appears to be decent demand here in March.” Dairy cow culling dropped sharply in February, but was still above February 2017. The latest Livestock Slaughter report shows an estimated 260,700 head were slaughtered under federal inspection, down 29,100 from January but 7,500 above a year ago. A total of 550,400 head have been “retired” from the business in the first two months of 2018, up 28,100 head or 5.4 percent from 2017. n The March 20 Global Dairy Trade auction saw its weighted average of all products offered drop 1.2 percent, following the March 6 decline of 0.6 percent. Skim milk powder led the losses, plunging 8.6 percent, and reversing a 5.5 percent advance last time. Cheddar cheese was down 3.9 percent, after gaining 1.7 percent. See MIELKE, pg. 13
Northwest could see ARC-CO payments THIESSE, from pg. 10 Potential 2017 soybean ARC-CO payments exist for some counties in west central and northwest Minnesota, as well as several counties in North and South Dakota. Very few counties in southern Minnesota and northern Iowa will receive a 2017 soybean payment, due to stronger 2017 soybean yield levels. Soybean ARC-CO payments were much more variable during the three previous years (2014-16) compared to corn payments. It is important to remember that the current 2017 corn and soybean ARC-CO payments are still estimates, which are based on the 2017 NASS county yield estimates and the current MYA prices. Final payments could vary, based on changes to the final 2017 corn and soybean MYA price, or any adjustments in final county FSA yields. There will likely again be a 6.8 percent federal sequestration reduction on all 2017 ARC-CO payments. Bottom line The bottom line is most counties in the southern two-thirds of Minnesota and northern half of Iowa will not receive any corn or soybean ARC-CO payments for 2017. A select few counties in the northern portion of Minnesota, as well as some
drought-stricken counties in portions of North and South Dakota, could potentially receive partial 2017 ARC-CO payments for corn, soybeans, and wheat in October. This news will certainly not help aid the very tight 2018 crop profit margins or very low farm income levels which currently exist in most counties across the upper Midwest. Previous county yields for corn, soybeans, and other crops, benchmark yields and revenues, FSA yields, 2014 and 2015 ARC-CO payment levels, and other farm program information are available on the FSA ARC-PLC web site at: www.fsa.usda.gov/arc-plc. Kent Thiesse has prepared an information sheet titled “Estimating 2017 Corn and Soybean ARC-CO Payments” which contains several tables relating to 2017 ARC-CO payments. He has also prepared 2017 ARC-CO Payment Estimate Tables for most counties in Minnesota and northern Iowa, as well as potions of North and South Dakota. To receive a free copy, please e-mail kent.thiesse@minnstarbank.com. Kent Thiesse is a government farm programs analyst and a vice president at MinnStar Bank in Lake Crystal, Minn. He may be reached at (507) 7262137 or kent.thiesse@minnstarbank.com. v
MARKETING
THE LAND — MARCH 23/MARCH 30, 2018
MILKER’S MESSAGE
PAGE 13
Dairy product inventories saw large gains in February MIELKE, from pg. 12 Whole milk powder was the only product in positive territory, but was only up 0.1 percent after slipping 0.8 percent last time. FC Stone equates the GDT 80 percent butterfat butter price to $2.3370 per pound U.S. Chicago Mercantile Exchange butter closed March 23 at $2.19. GDT cheddar cheese equated to $1.6369 per pound U.S. and compares to the March 23 CME block cheddar at $1.5450. GDT skim milk powder averaged 85.57 cents per pound, U.S. and whole milk powder averaged $1.4632. CME Grade A nonfat dry milk price closed March 23 at 69.25 cents per pound. n Dairy product inventories saw large gains in February, particularly on butter. The USDA’s latest Cold Storage report shows Feb. 28 butter stocks swelled to just under 277 million pounds. This is up 50.2 million pounds or 22.1 percent from January and 7 million or 2.6 percent above February 2017. Revisions added 2.8 million pounds to January’s total. American-type cheese grew to 762.7 million
pounds, up 20.9 million pounds or 2.8 percent from is trending up. “Manufacturers of most varieties and January and 18.1 million or 2.4 percent above a styles are reporting bullish ordering ahead of the year ago. Revisions added 3.6 million pounds to the spring holidays. OnWE theBUILD other hand, for someRIGHT! OUR STALLS January inventory. Midwestern producers, NortheasternTake weather a look continat ues to hinder sales as the fourth nor’easter in three The other cheese category totaled 523.5 million our tubing with weeks struck the densely populated customer base.” pounds, up 15.4 million pounds or 3 percent from unequaled corrosion January and 68.7 million or 15.1 percent above a Spot milk prices are in a tight and discounted $3 protection! year ago. That nudged the total cheese inventory to to $4 under Class, with no shortage of milk offers. 1.3 billion pounds, which is up 35.5 million or 2.8 Cheese inventories are generallyFreudenthal long, but vary from Tubing has been engineered for yourproducspecific percent from January and 87.7 million or 7.2 permanufacturer to manufacturer. Some barrel requirements strength cent above a year ago. ers are suggesting stocks are lighter thanwhere expected, and corrosion resistance are and that unpredictable buying practices of late have Auto Release Head Locks Panel CORROSION n critical design factors. deterred them from PROTECTION adding to production. After weighing the Milk Production and Cold The Daily Dairy Report’s Sarina Sharp warned in Storage reports, plus the March 20 GDT, traders CS-60 Comfort Stall the March 16 Milk Producers Council Tie newsletter took the cheddar blocks to a close on March 23 of that improved export demand has helped cheese $1.5450 per pound. This is down 4 cents on the The Toughest week and 3 cents below a year ago. The barrels fin- prices, “but domestic demand accounts for about 95 percent of cheese consumption. It’s going toStalls be hard ished at $1.51, down a nickel on the week and to make a dent in the massive cheese stockpile on the three-quarter cents below a year ago when they without a hearty domestic hunger for cheese.” • Provides superior lunge area plunged 10.25 cents. Four cars of block were sold market, • Much stronger than our and 12 of barrel. n guaranteed competitors’ beam systems Dairy Market News reports that demand for cheese See MIELKE, pg. 14 not to bend • No Stall mounts in the • Entire panel made of H.D. 10 gauge tubing concrete or sand are hot dippedWI galvanized after W. 6322 Cty. O,• Panels Medford, 54451 • Fully adjustable welding inside and out (715) 748-4132 • 1-800-688-0104 • Stall system stays high and Heaviest, • 6’, 8’, 10’, 12’ lengths dry, resulting in longer life www.freudenthalmfg.com Strongest, REMODELING, EXPANSION OR REPLACEMENT • 12’ panel weight 275 lbs. • Installation labor savings Custom Buy Direct From Manufacturer and SAVE! We Can Handle All Your Barn Steel Needs • Head-to-head and single row Cattle Diagonal Feed Thru Panel options available Auto Release Head Locks Panel Gates • Compare the weight of this on the system, heaviest available Elevated Dual Market on the market today
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PAGE 14
MILKER’S MESSAGE
THE LAND — MARCH 23/MARCH 30, 2018
Butter makers seeing abundant cream supplies MIELKE, from pg. 13 Cash butter finished the week at $2.19 per pound. This is down 2 cents on the week, but 6 cents above a year ago, with 39 carloads exchanging hands on the week. Butter producers report that demand is at or near
expectations, according to Dairy Market News. “Undoubtedly, spring holiday orders have been fulfilled and production is generally quieter. A number of Central butter makers are buying from the Western region where cream supplies, along with discounted spot loads, are abundant. Additionally, some
butter producers foresee the possibility of cream price declines next week ahead of the holiday weekend.” Western butter makers are “seeing the window of spring holiday demand starting to close,” says Dairy Market News. Manufacturers have made and shipped much of the print butter needed for the holidays. Export demand has been slow to develop. “Manufacturers are not overly concerned. However, with plenteous amounts of cream and active butter production, many expect butter inventories to grow.” n Spot Grade A nonfat dry milk closed March at 69.25 cents per pound. This is up three-quarter cents on the week, but 13 cents below a year ago, with three sales for the week at the CME. Cash dry whey closed its second week of existence at 28.75 cents per pound, down a half-cent on the week, with no sales reported. The latest Ag Market Service surveyed dry whey price dropped 1.4 cents to 24.06 cents per pound. While Class III futures prices have improved the past month, they still have a long way to go to cover production expenses. Sharp says, “Much depends on European milk production. Preliminary data from the Eurozone (assuming steady trends in Greece, Spain and Sweden, which have yet to report) shows January milk at 28.5 billion pounds. That is up 4 percent from a year ago and 2 percent greater than the formerly record-breaking output of January 2016. All of the top 10 major dairy nations reported yearover-year increases, although improvements in Spain are assumed rather than official.” “Growth is likely to slow going forward,” Sharp says. “Harsh weather in late February and March hampered milk production per cow. Also, since June, year-over-year growth percentages have been misleading, as they are building on milk volumes in 2016 and early 2017 that were lower than the prior year. Beginning this month, if Europe can achieve continued growth in milk production, it will be building on last year’s expansion — a surplus that the market may find difficult to absorb.” n The April Federal order Class I base milk price was announced by the USDA at $14.10 per hundredweight, up 74 cents from March but $1.95 below April 2017. That equates to $1.21 per gallon, up from $1.15 in March and compares to $1.45 a year ago. The four-month average is at $14.29, down from $16.78 a year ago and $14.30 in 2016. n In politics, while the president threatened a veto on March 23, the International Dairy Foods Association commended Congress for approving the 2,223 page omnibus appropriations bill that includes 12 major appropriations bills for fiscal year 2018 ending Sept. 30. See MIELKE, pg. 15
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MILKER’S MESSAGE
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Spending bill addresses labeling of non-dairy products MIELKE, from pg. 14 The bill also amends Section 199A of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act to, as IDFA put it, “resolve the unintended consequences that threatened to distort the dairy marketplace. The amended language levels the playing field for IDFA’s cooperative and non-cooperative members that produce milk and dairy products.” The National Milk Producers Federation praised the bill’s provision which directs the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to “take action against mislabeled imitation dairy foods, representing a major
victory for farmers and consumers.” “The massive omnibus spending bill to fund the government for the remainder of fiscal year 2018 includes report language instructing FDA to enforce labeling standards affecting dairy imitators. NMPF said the omnibus language builds on the Dairy Pride Act, a bipartisan bill introduced last year in both chambers of Congress to compel FDA to act against misbranded imitations.” “It’s high time that we end the blatant disregard for federal labeling standards by marketers of nutrition-
ally inferior imitation dairy products,” said NMPF CEO Jim Mulhern. “The language in the congressional budget bill will help ensure action on the matter by FDA after years and years of inaction. This measure is clear and unequivocal that honest labeling matters to Congress and consumers, and that FDA can no longer turn a blind eye toward fake foods that deliberately flout federal standards of identity.” Lee Mielke is a syndicated columnist who resides in Everson, Wash. He may be reached at lkmielke@ juno.com. v
Forage diets produce nutritionally-enhanced milk MORRIS, Minn. — In a collaborative research project including the University of Minnesota, Johns Hopkins University, Newcastle University in England, Southern Cross University in Linsmore, NSW Australia, and the Aarhus University Hospital in Denmark, researchers have found that cows fed a 100 percent organic grass and legume-based diet produce milk with elevated levels of omega-3 and CLA, providing a markedly healthier balance of fatty acids. The improved fatty acid profile in grass-fed organic milk and dairy products (also known as grassmilk) brings the omega-6/omega-3 ratio to a near 1 to 1, compared to 5.7 to 1 in conventional whole milk. Omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids are essential human nutrients, yet consuming too much omega-6 and too little omega-3 can increase the risk of cardiovascular disease, obesity and diabetes. Today, Americans consume 10 to 15 grams of omega-6 for every gram of omega-3. Previous studies have shown that consuming organic beef or organic dairy products lowers dietary intakes of omega-6, while increasing intakes of omega-3 and conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), another valuable, heart-healthy fatty acid. “With growing consumer demand for organic dairy products, producers may be able to expand their profitability and market share by converting to grass-based pasture and forage-feeding systems,”
said co-author Bradley Heins, associate professor of dairy science at the University of Minnesota’s West Central Research and Outreach Center. Findings from the study “Enhancing the Fatty Acid Profile of Milk through Forage-Based Rations, with Nutrition Modeling of Dietary Outcomes,” published in Food Science and Nutrition, compared the fatty acid profile of milk from cows managed under three systems in the United States: “Grassmilk” cows receive an essentially 100 percent organic grass and legume forage-based diet, via pasture and stored feeds like hay and silage. “Organic” cows receive, on average, about 80 percent of their daily dry matter intake from foragebased feeds and 20 percent from grain and concentrates. “Conventional” cows are fed rations in which forage-based feeds account for an estimated 53 percent of daily DMI, with the other 47 percent coming from grains and concentrates. Conventional management accounts for over 90 percent of the milk cows on U.S. farms. Grassmilk provides by far the highest level of omega-3s — 0.05 grams per 100 grams of milk (g/100 g), compared to 0.02 g/100 g in conventional milk — a 147 percent increase in omega-3s. Grassmilk also
contains 52 percent less omega-6 than conventional milk, and 36 percent less omega-6 than organic milk. In addition, the research team found that grassmilk has the highest average level of CLA — 0.043 g/100 g of milk, compared to 0.019 g/ 100 g in conventional milk and 0.023 g/100 g in organic. Daily consumption of grassmilk dairy products could potentially improve U.S. health trends. In addition to the well-established metabolic and cardiovascular benefits of omega-3 fatty acids and CLA, there are additional benefits for pregnant and lactating women, infants and children. Various forms of omega-3 fatty acids play critical roles in the development of eyes, the brain, and the nervous system. Adequate omega-3 intakes can also slow the loss of cognitive function among the elderly. The team analyzed over 1,160 samples of whole grassmilk taken over three years from on-farm bulk tanks prior to any processing. All samples came from farmer members of CROPP Cooperative and were tested by an independent laboratory. For more information, visit https://z.umn.edu/ whygrassmatters This article was submitted by University of Minnesota College of Food, Agriculture and Natural Resource Sciences. v
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THE LAND — MARCH 23/MARCH 30, 2018
Farmers, legislators challenge groundwater rule By MARIE WOOD The Land Associate Editor Gov. Mark Dayton’s groundwater protection rule, previously known as the nitrogen fertilizer rule, faces opposition from farmers and legislators. Intended to protect drinking water from nitrates, the rule restricts Kirby Hettver where fall nitrogen can be used. “My first reaction is they have taken seriously the comments that us and others offered last year,” Minnesota Corn Growers Association President Kirby Hettver said. Changes were made to the map which identifies vulnerable areas where fall nitrogen cannot be used. Overall, less acreage was identified as vulnerable. Hettver said the rule was fine tuned to target areas that might be more susceptible to leaching. “I think it was a good first step,” Hettver said. Vulnerable areas range from the central sands to the southeast corner. Northwest Minnesota received an exemption so farmers there can continue to apply fall nitrogen. Farmers have a small window to apply nitrogen fertilizer in the spring. “From a producer perspective, you have to balance the ability to get stuff on in a timely manner. It is a point that needs to be discussed,” Hettver said. He is proud of how state corn growers have reduced nitrate loss, including the Innovation Grant Program. Minnesota Corn Growers also funds Nitrogen Smart, now in its third year with workshops held statewide. Nitrogen Smart encourages spring over fall applications where it makes sense, Hettver noted. “Even on my farm, we have cut drastically back on fall nitrogen,” Hettver said. “On our operation, we are looking at nutrient resource efficiency.” The Minnesota Department of Agriculture held meetings last summer to gather input from farmers and landowners in the nitrogen fertilizer rule draft. Over 1,500 farmers and landowners attended the meetings and 820 written comments were received. Farmers questioned the use of private well testing to identify elevated nitrate levels. They said private well testing points out bad wells, not nitrate levels in groundwater. Minnesota Corn leaders questioned monitoring protocols and the absense of a dedicated monitoring network in mitigation areas. Part two of the rule outlines mitigation for elevated nitrate levels in drinking water. In areas where the public water supply has nitrate concentrations in excess of 5.4 parts per million, best management practices to reduce nitrate levels are voluntary. If levels increase, then BMPs will be mandatory and
Draft Groundwater Protection Rule The Minnesota Department of Agriculture will publish the draft groundwater protection rule in May. A 30-day public comment period will follow. Public hearings will be held this summer. The final rule will be submitted in December. It will go into effect January 2020. To learn more and view the map, visit www.mda.state. mn.us/nfr. additional practices may be required. In the revised rule, mitigation only applies to Drinking Water Supply Management Areas critical to public water supplies. Public water supply wells are monitored by the state Department of Health. Townships and private wells have been removed from regulatory mitigation efforts. However, private well testing will still continue under the state Nitrogen Fertilizer Management Plan on which the rule is based. Minnesota Deputy Commissioner of Agriculture Susan Stokes explained that in implementing the plan, MDA still will be designating elevated nitrate levels and working to promote best management practices on a voluntary basis. “We had a great engagement process this summer. Great feedback. The rule has substantially changed and we want to get the information out to everyone about it,” Stokes said. MDA plans to release the rule in May with a 30-day comment period to follow. On March 16, Minnesota Corn Growers sent a letter to the governor requesting the rule be released now, with a 90-day comment period and a detailed, interactive map. “There are a lot of questions on the process and the protocol. That’s one thing we hope is further detailed in the next draft,” Hettver said. Corn growers are also advocating for more transparency and legislative oversight to ensure the rule protects our state’s drinking water while maintaining productive farm operations. Bills were introduced in the state Legislature to ban the rule or require legislative approval. Minnesota Soybean Minnesota Soybean Growers Association President Michael Petefish of Claremont is looking for scientific evidence that Minnesota has a drinking water problem connected to nitrates. “This is a solution looking for a problem,” Petefish said.
Letters to the editor 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.
Michael Petefish
Gov. Dayton is looking to paint with a broad brush and get more legacy bills passed before he leaves office. — Michael Petefish
The limit for nitrate-nitrogen in drinking water is 10 ppm, which poses a health risk to pregnant women and infants under six months. Elevated nitrates can cause blue baby syndrome which can be fatal. In Minnesota, the last two incidents of blue baby syndrome occurred in the 1980s and one of those incidents was a wood-lined well in an old feed lot, Petefish said. “Since we’ve gone to well testing and solid pipe well drilling, we haven’t had an incident,” he said. When areas are in mitigation due to elevated nitrate levels, wells are tested every three years. Petefish is not convinced that nitrogen he applies to the surface would reach the aquifer in three years or that well testing will show changes he is making on his farm. “We could be regulating on nitrogen applied in 1970,” he said. Regarding private wells, he said people can send in water samples and they could be fraudulent, contaminated or not taken properly. Petefish criticized Dayton for combing through old laws — Groundwater Protection Act of 1989 in this case — to find new ways to interpret them and put environmental regulations on various groups. He said the rule is overly broad. “Gov. Dayton is looking to paint with a broad brush and get more legacy bills passed before he leaves office,” Petefish said. Petefish expressed concern that restricting fall nitrogen could actually hurt water quality. In his area, yield drops off when corn is planted after May 15. If fall nitrogen is not applied, farmers are likely to hire a co-op to apply urea-ammonium nitrate, which can easily move with water after a big spring rain into lakes, rivers and streams. On the other hand, anyhdrous ammonia applied in the fall makes a good bond with the soil, he noted. “I don’t think anyone’s looking at the science or really trying to understand the issue,” Petefish said. Farmers opposed to the law can submit comments during the formal comment period in May. “I would encourage people to write in, contact their legislators, the governor’s office, Department of Ag and tell them how this is not good. Give them some of the reasons,” he said. v
THE LAND — MARCH 23/MARCH 30, 2018
www.thelandonline.com — “Where Farm and Family Meet”
PAGE 17
Organic farmers losing influence with national board By TIM KING The Land Correspondent FAIRFIELD, Iowa — For decades, Francis Thicke has been an outspoken advocate for organic and sustainable agriculture. In 2013 he was appointed to U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Organic Standards Board. Francis Thicke The NOSB advises the USDA’s National Organic Program (NOP) on what agricultural practices and ingredients can be labeled organic under the 1990 law which established USDA’s organic certification program. An organic dairy farmer from Fairfield, Thicke’s term expired in January 2018. Last November he delivered his final remarks to the NOSB. He was particularly critical of the growing industry influence and the declining farmer influence at NOSB. “Industry has an outsized and growing influence on USDA and on the NOSB (including through NOSB appointments) — compared to the influence of organic farmers, who started this organic farming movement. Perhaps that is not surprising, given the growing value of organic sales. As organic is becoming a $50 billion business, the industry not only wants a bigger piece of the pie, they seem to want the whole pie.” Thicke was kind enough to spend a few minutes with The Land to share his views on the organics industry. Q: You say that industry has an outsized influence on the NOSB compared to organic farmers. Can you give me some specific examples of that? Thicke: Over years of deliberations by the NOSB, public comments on NOSB proposals and revisions, the USDA’S NOP issued the Organic Livestock and Poultry Practices standards. They were to be incorporated into the organic standards for certified livestock producers. The OLPP standards, also known as the organic animal welfare standards, covered a range of standards that ensured that organic livestock are treated humanely. One of the more controversial parts of the OLPP was minimum space requirements for poultry indoors and outdoors. A few very large poultry producers that are certified organic have up to 200,000 chickens in single buildings, with no real access to the outdoors. Those producers lobbied hard against the OLPP both with USDA and Congress. The OLPP standards were scheduled to go into effect this January but just before they went into effect, USDA issued a notice that they have been withdrawn. When the NOSB was deliberating on whether or not hydroponic production should be allowed to be certified organic, hydroponic growers strongly lob-
bied the NOSB and the NOP to allow hydroponics to NOSB chair specifically reserved for a farmer be certified. One of the largest hydroponic growers appointment have been industry representatives — that is certified organic testified to the Senate not farmers at all. That is unfair, and is probably Agricultural Committee that the industry does not illegal, and is one of the problems of the NOSB. have enough opportunity to influence NOSB and Q: Didn’t you expect this? Some people foreNOP. They said that industry in general needs more casted this as soon as USDA was put in charge representation on the NOSB and small organic farm- of a national organic standard. ers need to have less. Senator (Pat) Roberts, the comThicke: Some people were mittee chair, responded favorwary of getting the government ably to that request and we involved in the organic stanshouldn’t be surprised to see a I believe that the infludards from the beginning. move in the next farm bill to However, the problem then was ence of organic farmers weaken the NOSB. that there were many organic was greater in the early Q: You say that the sciencertifying organizations each years. As time went on tific process is rigorous when with their own standards. They and organic sales grew, a material or process is being all competed for business. That industry wanted a piece looked at by NOSB. If that’s made it difficult for organic of the organic pie and so, how does industry end up farmers and processors. For having excessive influence? they wanted to have it on example, if I were certified by their own terms as much certifier A and I bought grain for Thicke: The influence of as possible. industry has been most successmy cows from certifier B, my fully exerted in the enforcement — Francis Thicke certifier might not approve of of existing organic standards me buying grain certified by B. (like the grazing requirement Also, I think we need to realize that even if the for organic dairies) and in the approval of new stan- government had not gotten into organic certification, dards that clarify the original intent of the organic we would have faced major problems as sales grew standards, such as the OLPP. The industry also often and the conventional food and agriculture industries tries to influence the process of determining if materials petitioned for inclusion on the National List of See THICKE, pg. 19 Allowed and Prohibited Materials get accepted. When a synthetic material is petitioned for inclusion on the national list of allowed synthetic materials to be used in organic production, the NOSB does a thorough review of the scientific literature. NOSB considers the effects of the material on human health and the environment, on its compatibility with a system of organic and sustainable agriculture, and if it is necessary in organic production. The NOSB also invites comments from the public. Typically, lobbyists representing the petitioned material come to NOSB meetings and speak publicly and privately with NOSB members, as do members of the organic community. Sometimes, however, materials voted off the national list by the NOSB do not get taken off by USDA — presumably as a result of industry lobbying efforts. Q: Was the organic farmer influence greater in the early years of the board? Thicke: I believe that the influence of organic farmers was greater in the early years. As time went on and organic sales grew (now approaching $50 billion annually) industry wanted a piece of the organic pie and they wanted to have it on their own terms as much as possible. Q: As a farmer-member of the NOSB, were you able to grow the influence of organic farmers on the board? Thicke: There have been several strong farmer 255 16th Street South St. James, MN 56081 members of the 15-member NOSB. Unfortunately, some of the members who were appointed to fill an
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THE LAND — MARCH 23/MARCH 30, 2018
Successful organic farming requires patience, experience By DICK HAGEN The Land Staff Writer ST. CLOUD, Minn. — Getting a $3 bump over cash markets makes organic oats a worthwhile consideration for Joe Guiney, who farms in Mower County. But Guiney acknowledges that if his oats don’t meet quality standards for food usage, he’s probably taking a 50-cent hit selling it as a feed oat. Those quality standards are a high test weight and a nice-looking oat which is totally free of any insect residue. Guiney started his transition into organics in 1991 to reduce his input costs. “I was still using some chemicals,” he explained, “but it seemed good sense to just get off chemicals — or at least the conventional chemicals. When into organic crops, you need to manage all the different conditions that might happen during any season. That might mean using different types of fertilizers and pesticides. Aphids, for example, are one we’re having difficulty with in soybeans. We have different products we can use with different degrees of
success.” Some new seed varieties offer aphid resistance, but sometimes resistance breaks down and aphids are again a pest problem. Guiney mentioned some sprays with vinegar as a primary ingredient that work “somewhat,” depending upon environmental impacts like how soon it rains after doing the crop spraying. But different cultural practices are part of the process also. For example, Guiney hopes to grow his soybeans where there aren’t neighboring adjacent soybean fields. Guiney added having more crops in the rotation is a helpful strategy. “Fields with a rest and building up our soils seems to help a lot. It’s that adage of healthier plants is often the best preventative.” Guiney is also considering a split between two oat varieties — Dione and either Jim or Badger to see if he might detect a variety difference in response to pests. He’s expecting a 90-plus bushel yield because that’s what oats do in his area.
Corn With his organic corn acres, he’ll do 100 or 98-day maturities which is a few days earlier than normal in his area. But that might also depend on field conditions when it’s time to plant. “If I need to wipe out an early flush of weeds, I’ll do that first and then go with a 98-day variety.” Guiney’s primary weed control strategy is rotating crops. “I’m doing cold season and warm season crops in the same field to get weeds at different cycles. When I plant my oats and wheat, I’ll plant with a higher seed population, then underseed with a legume. “The oats and wheat germinate at a much cooler temperature,” Guiney went on to say, “so their early season growth throttles some of the early weeds, especially grasses and some early broadleaves too. I’ve found that to be fairly effective, plus the legume pumps some fertilizer nutrients into the soil for next season’s corn. “Corn is my warm season crop. With corn I can rotary hoe, cultivate, even consider a dragging of the field. It’s amazing what a good rotary hoeing will do. I travel about 12 miles per hour, so I can get quite a few acres in a relatively short time. And if I have time for a second rotary hoeing I’ll come back at a different direction.” With corn, Guiney expects to receive at least a $7 price. He’s confident he can grow 150-bushel organic corn if weather conditions are favorable. He’s well aware of higher input costs for his corn. For example, he fertilizes with compost and poultry litter. He buys from a Wisconsin firm that hauls and spreads. Cost is right at $100 per ton. He gets it spread at a rate of 0.6 ton per acre. Working in that legume from the previous year is an additional source of nitrogen plus he uses an inorganic starter fertilizer when planting. Industry Granted, he’s a small grower with only 100 acres; but Guiney has learned the do’s and don’ts of organic crops which are working and generating profit. However, he also has a full-time job as a social worker. This is often the
case with organic farmers because they didn’t have an acreage base to start out bigger. He chuckled, “I look at my farm work as a craft I haven’t yet fully resolved; but results are so visible. I like working with people too, but that’s a much more incremental process.” At this point, Guiney is not concerned about markets for his 2018 organic crops of corn and oats. “At this stage, I don’t have any specific contract in mind, but I know who I am most likely going to be selling to — both seed and feed dealers.” Guiney is President of the Minnesota Chapter 1 of the Organic Crop Improvement Association — one of about 36 associations across the country. Chapter 1 Administrator Lorri Hartel indicated Chapter 1 is largest in the nation with about 135 members currently. Other board members are Vice President Don DeWeerd of Pipestone; Secretary Carolyn Lane of St. Paul; Treasurer Denise Olson of Warren; and Directors Paul Wanderwoude, Pipestone; Dennis Week, Evansville; and Larry Luick, Fairmont, N.D. OCIA International is one of the world’s oldest and largest leaders in the organic certification industry. OCIA is a non-profit, member-owned organization. Its primary mission is providing the highest quality organic certification services and access to global markets. The OCIA International certification standards are OCIA’s private standard. Certification under these standards pre-date the National Organic Program and other national standards. Getting fields certified is a three-year process. Minnesota Chapter 1 produces a membership newsletter four times a year which includes all activities around the state, plus national updates on the constantly expanding world of organic farming. To learn more, visit OCIA’s web site at www.ocia.org. Joe Guiney was interviewed at the Minnesota Organic Conference in St. Cloud in January. v
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THE LAND — MARCH 23/MARCH 30, 2018
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PAGE 19
Francis Thicke: Not all organic standards enforced by USDA THICKE, from pg. 17 wanted part of that. Without government involvement, what would have prevented food companies from creating their own standards and defining whatever they wanted as organic? How confusing would that have been for consumers? Q: In your comments you talk about fraudulent organic grain shipments from abroad. What are you referring to? What has USDA’s response been? Thicke: Anyone caught selling conventional products as organic is fined. Because of organic certification paperwork requirements, it can be relatively easy to prove fraud in the U.S. However, organic grain shipments from overseas are often aggregated from many sources, and sometimes from several countries. The paperwork requirement for those kinds of grain shipments has been inadequate and the USDA oversight capabilities have been lacking. Several large shipments of “organic” grains have been proven to be fraudulent. The USDA is now trying to tighten up paperwork requirements and oversight. Q: Was hydroponic vegetable production discussed while you were on the NOSB? Thicke: In 2010, the NOSB recommended to the USDA that hydroponic production should be prohibited from organic certification. Unfortunately, USDA did not follow through with that recommendation by creating standards prohibiting hydroponics. Then, some USDA-accredited certifiers began to certify hydroponic operations with USDA’s tacit approval. Over time, more and larger hydroponic operations became certified organic. So, the short answer is that hydroponics is now allowed in organic production. A high percentage of organic tomatoes, peppers, and cucumbers are hydroponically grown. In the European Union, organic production is required to be in soil connected to the earth. Hydroponic and container production is prohibited.
Unfortunately, here in the United States, we have not been able to achieve that — due to the power of the hydroponics industry. Q: What does organic certification mean to you as an organic farmer? What do you think it means to your customers? Thicke: All of our farm products are certified organic. To our customers, it means that no antibiotics, synthetic hormones or other prohibited materials are used in producing our dairy products. It also means that our cows are out grazing during the grazing season. Of course, our customers can come out and visit our farm to see for themselves. As an organic farmer, organic means much more than what materials can or cannot be used. Organic farming is defined in the organic standards as an ecological system that fosters cycling of resources and conserves biodiversity. To me, organic farming is about creating healthy soil for healthy plant communities, for healthy animals, and for healthy people. Q: Does the current state of affairs at NOSB and the USDA threaten the substance of that meaning? Thicke: I do believe that the direction the National Organic Program is going is threatening the integrity of the organic seal. I think organic farmers need to create an add-on label that reaffirms the real meaning of organic. Q: As somebody that regularly buys certified organic products, an add-on label sounds really confusing. Can you explain what you have in mind? Thicke: I would like to see a simple add-on label created by organic farmers that reassures consumers that they are buying real organic. The add-on label would assure consumers that the food was grown in soil, not hydroponically; that cows producing organic milk and meat were out on pasture; and that poultry had legitimate access to the outdoors and pasture. v
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2018
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Real Estate
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020 Real Estate Wanted
021 Antiques & Collectibles
026
Bins & Buildings
033
THE LAND — MARCH 23/MARCH 30, 2018
Grain Handling Equip
034
Farm Implements
035 Farm Implements
035
FOR SALE OR RENT by WANTED: Land & farms. I Buying and Selling Gold & Stormor Bins & EZ-Drys. FOR SALE: Super B grain Equipment saddle tanks, 30' FOR SALE: To settle Es100% financing w/no liens dryer, SD375, continuous 3pt spray boom 3 zones; Silver, collector coins, diatate: '79 JD 4040, Sound sealed bid: 102 acres in have clients looking for or red tape, call Steve at flow or auto batch, Behlen Hiniker tunnel sprayer 6R monds, gold jewelry, silver Gard cab, air, heat, hyd Sect. 35 & 36 Blooming dairy, & cash grain operaFairfax Ag for an appointholding tank, 3750 bu. 507w/extra tunnels; Hiniker dollars, pocket watches, anseat, Sycro Range trans, Prairie twp, Steele Cty. tions, as well as bare land ment. 888-830-7757 278-4010 spray commander w/anhytiques, rare currency, any rock box, good tires, 4007 Send by Apr. 15 to: Darwin parcels from 40-1000 acres. gold or silver items. 350+ hrs, $20,000; JD 430 round drous; White 6R 5700 semiKnutson, 3510 49th St., MoBoth for relocation & inPlease support THE LAND mounted planter w/Hinker gold coins for sale. Will baler w/ monitor, $2,500; line, IL 61265 (309)373-2928 vestments. If you have Thank you for ridge cleaning units. travel to buy! 35 years advertisers with your patronage. Schweiss 8' dbl auger snoweven thought about selling Mapleton, MN, e-mail: same retail location. blower w/ hyd spout, $2,000. reading The Land contact: Paul Krueger, Classified line ads work! kcslmiller75@gmail.com Fairmont, MN, Phone 763-291-0429 Grain Handling Equip 034 Farm & Land Specialist, Call The Land today! (507) 524-4305 Kuehl's Coins, 507-235-3886 Edina Realty, SW Suburban Farm Implements 035 507-345-4523 FOR SALE:Used grain bins, Office, 14198 Commerce JD 4255 tractor, QR, 18.4x38 floors unload systems, sti- 42' Little Giant grain eleva- FOR SALE: Clark forklift, Ave NE, Prior Lake, MN Get Results! Advertise in tires, 3 hyd, 2600 hrs on re3pt hitch, 2 stage; also 43” Sell your land or real estate rators, fans & heaters, aer55372. tor PTO, $400/OBO; 32' bale man motor, $26,750; JD 120 silver steel Adkins sawmill The Land and sell it FAST! in 30 days for 0% commisation fans, buying or sellpaulkrueger@edinarealty.com elevator plus (2) 8' sec20' stalk chopper, exc cond, blade. 320-398-7112 sion. Call Ray 507-339-1272 (952)447-4700 ing, try me first and also tions, $500/OBO; (4) 16' $4450; Demco Conquest Hay & Forage Equip 031 call for very competitive steel kicker racks FOR SALE: Int'l 510 12' 1100 gal sprayer, 90' booms, contract rates! Office $1,000/ea/OBO; 3 PT head grain drill, w/ grass attach14.9x46 tires, $5750; 2 new FOR SALE: JD #328 baler w/ hours 8am-5pm Monday – mover, $500,OBO; RB 500 ment & press wheels; 1600 14.9x46 HD sprayer tires, #42 ejector, elec controls, Friday Saturday 9am - 12 grain dryer, $12,000; large gal heavy duty poly tank; on 10-bolt rims, $2400/pair; one owner retired, $9,500. noon or call 507-697-6133 straw bales, $35/ea. 608-539JD 3710 6 bottom pull type '12 Bobcat S770 skid ldr, 320-583-7062 or 320-327-2507 Ask for Gary 2100 plow. All good condition. 2500 hrs, A/C, 2 spd, 84” 507-766-5032 bucket, $29,500. (320)7692756
Please visit our website:
thelandonline.com
JD 7000 8x30 planter, liq fert, Yetter trash whippers, $3,900; Case IH 183 8x30 Vibra Tine cultivator, $775; NH 654 4'x6' round baler, auto-wrap twine tie, exc cond, $5,450; JD 670 rake w/dolly wheel, $1,350; HNH 1000 gal nurse tank w/pump, like new, $3,900; Degelman reel type rock picker, PTO drive, $2,450. (320)769-2756 JD 7300 12R30 planter, semi mounted, vertical fold, finger pickup, corn, Kinze bean units; Hardi sprayer, 60' boom, tall tires, flush & rinse foam markers. 320583-6967
Copy is 3.5 x 4.38
THE LAND — MARCH 23/MARCH 30, 2018 Farm Implements
NH 315 hay baler, w/kicker & auto bale tightener, great shape, $8,000/OBO; (3) kicker wagons, 9x16, w/8 ton running gears, extra wide track, great shape, $1,800/OBO; 50' Eagle small bale elevator, w/1 HP 220V motor & 50' cord, w/running gear, $1,600/OBO; IH 180 rotary hoe, used 1x on 50acre field, $2,000/OBO; (2) Ford 8N hoods, 1 new & in box, plus 1 used grill, $350/OBO for all. All above equip has always been shedded. Call & leave message (507)689-2308 NH 8260 115HP CAH, MFWD, 18spd, PS, reverser trans, 11,500 hours, $22,500/OBO or trade. 320543-3523 Oliver 618 Automatic reset plow w/ onland hitch, $12,000; 555 Versatile tractor w/ duals, $6,000; 28' Deutz-Allis digger w/harrow, $4,000; 5 shank subsoiler, $400. 715-825-2207 Retirement Sale: Tractors: 180 Allis w/ ldr, '82 JD 4440, '01 JD 8310 w/ triples & guidance system, Case 440 w/ triples. Trucks: '72 Ford 700, '74 GMC w/ a Convey-All grain fert tender, 575 United Farm Tool grain cart. Other Equip: 37' Case IH chisel plow, '83 Big Red grain dryer model 4FS12 240 BPH, JD model 7300 12R planter, 90' Ultimate sprayer, 42' JD model 960 cult, 42' John Blue N applicator, 235 8T Unverferth wagon, '97 24R H&S band sprayer. 218-4378120 Well kept up maintenance & shedded. For more info please call.
RETIRING RETIRING
A. L. BUSEMAN Industries Closing Doors In June!
20% DISCOUNT
On All Parts On Hand
Lots of Parts For Great Plains, Kent, Glencoe, Hiniker, Brady, Lundell, Etc. Used Farm Equip
www.albusemanind.com 319-347-6282
Riteway Model RR250 Rock picker, Like New, $6,950. 815-988-2074 We buy Salvage Equipment Parts Available Hammell Equip., Inc. (507)867-4910 Tractors
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PAGE 21
035
036
'01 JD 8110 MFWD. Just OH'd engine completely & went through MFWD. $15K spent on parts. Warranty through spring. Very nice tractor,$49,500. Call 507-7896049
Gregory / Fahey Auctioneers EQUIPMENT CONSIGNMENT AUCTION www.faheyraa.com 952-467-3799 info@faheyraa.com (e-mail)
Located @ Clearwater Co Fairgrounds, Bagley, MN SATURDAY, MAY 12, 2018 - 9:30 AM WE ACCEPT: Tractors, Skid Loaders, Farm, Construction, Landscaping & Logging Equipment, Trucks, Vehicles, Trailers, Hay, Straw, Snowmobiles, ATV’s, Farm Misc., Lawn & Garden, Tools CALL NOW TO CONSIGN YOUR ITEMS! Free Advertising Deadline is April 27, 2018
Dave Gregory: Auction Manager 218-766-7423, Shevlin, MN Ed Gregory: Auctioneer 612-282-5702 Belle Plaine, MN
Hay Auction Tuesday, April 10th, 2018 - 3 pm 55780 St Hwy 19, Winthrop, MN 1/4 mile west of Hwys 19 & 15 Intersection Mages Land & Auction Service will be hosting a hay consignment auction the second Tuesday of every month at 3 pm. Small or big squares and big rounds, all types and kinds of straw, hay & grass. Sellers are responsible for testing if they wish to. Bring your trailers! No Buyer’s Premium!
Auctioneers: Matt Mages 507-276-7002, Lic. 08-17-003 & Ryan Froehlich 507-380-9256 magesland.com
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THE LAND — MARCH 23/MARCH 30, 2018
PLANNING AN AUCTION?
get the best results when you advertise in the land!
2018
MONDAY, APRIL 2 | 10AM
AUCTIONEER’S NOTE: Mark & Sandy have decided to relocate their family. As a result, they are offering this wellmaintained line of farm equipment along with over 1,100 acres of farmland! The equipment auction will be on April 2nd followed by the land auction on April 3rd. Major equipment begins selling at 10:30 AM. Live online bidding available on major equipment. Registration, terms, & details at SteffesGroup.com.
TRACTORS & LOADER / GPS EQUIPMENT / HARVEST EQUIPMENT & HEADER TRAILER / GRAIN CART & GRAVITY WAGON / PLANTER / AIR DRILL / TILLAGE EQUIPMENT / BOX TRUCK & FLATBED TRUCK TRAILERS / HAY EQUIPMENT / LIVESTOCK EQUIPMENT SKID STEER LOADER & 3 PT. ATTACHMENTS / GRAIN BINS & HOPPER BIN / GRAIN HANDLING EQUIPMENT OTHER EQUIPMENT / JEEP WRANGLERS / UTV & BOAT LAWN TRACTOR & ATTACHMENTS / GENERATORS & SHOP EQUIPMENT / FARM SUPPORT ITEMS & PARTS
Steffes Group, Inc. | 1688 Hwy 9, Larchwood IA 51241
Tuesday, April 3 @ 11AM
Incredible opportunity to purchase a large chunk of land located around the eastern foothills of the Coteau des Prairies south of Sisseton, SD. Most of this land is productive cropland. Some of the tracts offered do have pasture and hay land acres. Additionally, several of the tracts offer major recreational appeal for deer hunting and other outdoor activities!
EQUIPMENT AUCTION APRIL 2! Mark & Sandy have decided to relocate their family. As a result, they are also auctioning their well-maintained line of farm equipment!
LOCATION: 45839 127th Street, Peever, SD 57257. From I-29 Exit 224 (Peever, SD), 2-1/2 miles west.
SteffesGroup.com
MARK & SANDY LEISETH Mark, 605.268.4073 or Chris Bair at Steffes Group, 605.271.7730
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.
2018
Roberts County, SD e g r a L
Farm Retirement
1,1 62 acres offered in 10 tracts
Land Located: 8 miles south of Sisseton, SD Auction Location: Peever Community Center 310 Main St, Peever, SD 57257 Mark & Sandra Leiseth, Owners
Steffes Group, Inc.
2000 Main Avenue East, West Fargo, ND 58078
SteffesGroup.com
For a detailed Buyer’s Prospectus with complete terms and conditions contact Max Steffes at Steffes Group, 701.237.9173 or 701.212.2849 or online at SteffesGroup.com Scott Steffes SD Broker License #4762, Max Steffes SD #16038 TERMS: 10% down upon signing purchase agreement with balance due at closing in 45 days.
THE LAND — MARCH 23/MARCH 30, 2018 Tractors
036 Tractors
Case IH 7210 MFWD, Duals 7100 hrs, very nice shape, from retiring farmer, $34,500. 815-988-2074 FOR SALE: '13 315 Magnum, 546 hr, orig owner, Michelin duals, allaround 95%, 700 monitor, big pump, susp cab, rockbox, leather, HD drawbar, looks brand new. (507)208-0031
036 Planting Equip
www.thelandonline.com — “Where Farm and Family Meet” 038 Planting Equip
038
FOR SALE: 15' Marliss no- FOR SALE: JD 7200 12R30 planter, hyd wings, monitill soybean drill, w/ coulter tor, trash whippers, seed cart, 10” row spacing; firmers, new bearings, 6”x12' hyd auger w/hoses, chains and sprockets. 320w/hopper for gravity box. 815-3495 (612)741-7949 Int'l 1586 tractor Exc condition, 42" tires w/ duals, Visit The Land online at FOR SALE: 45' Great Plains shifting is tight, rebuilt ensolid stand drill, 7.5” spacgine about 150 hrs ago, www.thelandonline.com ing. Marietta, MN (320)226Hour meter shows 6300, FOR SALE: White 5100 3837 Suitcase weights available 6R30” planter, dry fert, at extra cost. Approx. year herb. & insect. box, moniFOR SALE: JD 1780 front 1979, $13,500. (612) 221-4277 tor, corn & bean plates, fold Max Emerge Plus newer seed openers, drive 31R15”, corn & bean units, FOR SALE: JD 4520, fast liq fertilizer, shedded, field chain & seed brushes, field hitch, rock box, duals, 2 ready. 507-278-4010 ready, $4,000 (320)238-2281 hyds, cab, tires 65% - 70%. 320-967-4694
FOR SALE: '96 CIH 9350, 4WD, 6944 hrs., M11 Cumming eng, 4 hyd, 12spd, 3 rev manual trans, 20.8x42 tires w/duals, LED lights, no PTO, no 3pt hitch, good WANTED: 4630 JD w/bad motor otherwise in good cond, stored inside, $30,000. shape or IF you need a (320)905-5265 good motor for a 4630 JD. Call (715)235-9272 or (715) FOR SALE: 8300 JD, MFD, 308-2164 3400 hrs, duals, front wgts, 3 hyds, 3 PTOs. 507-639-5070 White 2-70 diesel tractor, very good condition, $5,500, w/implements.(608)712-6029 NEW AND USED TRACTOR PARTS JD 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 55, 50 Series & newer trac- Planting Equip 038 tors, AC-all models, Large Inventory, We ship! Mark Case-IH 5100 12' Grain Drill Heitman Tractor Salvage Double Disc Grass Seed 715-673-4829 Press Wheels, Excellent Condition, $4,900/OBO. 715307-4736 FOR SALE: JD 8650, 16spd Quad, 7460 hrs, PTO, Qwik Tach, 3 SCVs, OH'd at 5355 FOR SALE: 12 Martin til hrs, 23.1x34 tires & duals, single disc fertilizer coulnear St. Cloud, $23,500. 320ters, in good shape, 493-0878 $1,000/OBO. 320-293-3302
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THE LAND — MARCH 23/MARCH 30, 2018
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If you’re having a Farm Auction, let other Farmers know it! Upcoming Issues of THE LAND Southern MNNorthern MN Northern IA April 13, 2018 April 6, 2018 April 27, 2018 April 20, 2018 May 11, 2018 May 4, 2018 May 25, 2018 May 18, 2018 June 8, 2018 Deadlines are 1 week prior to publication with Holiday deadlines 1 day earlier ** Indicates Early Deadline
PO Box 3169 • Mankato, MN 56002 Phone: 507-345-4523 or 800-657-4665 Fax: 507-345-1027 Website: www.TheLandOnline.com e-mail: theland@TheLandOnline.com Ask Your Auctioneer to Place Your Auction in The Land!
041
HYDRAULIC FLAT FOLD Very nice TopAir 1100 MARKERS. Will fit anysprayer w/1100 gal tank, 200 gal rinse tank, handwash thing, $3,500. Ray's Machine Shop, call or text 712tank, 60' boom w/hyd fold, 297-7951 120 DAY SPECIAL new Raven 440 monitor w/new elect valves, hyd JD 7000 Corn Planter 2R, driven pump, wide tires in 3pt, $1,800. Fert Avail. good shape, field ready, $300/Row. 715-234-1993 $7,800. (507)380-6001 JD 7000 planter, 6R30”, dry fertilizer w/cross auger, Feed Seed Hay 050 monitor, bean meters & corn finger pickup, $8,250. 4x5 net wrapped rd corn (612)703-3710 stalks $25/ea; grass $50/ea; 900+lbs soybean stubble Tillage Equip 039 $50/ea; alfalfa. Call for inventory, possible del, qty #8326 GREAT PLAINS 2014 discounts. (320)905-6195 26 Ft 5” (Discovator/Finisher) (1800A) Almost New. OPEN Pollinated Seed Corn. Mandako 40 Ft (2015) Land Outproduces Hybrid for Roller 3” shafts, 4000A Like Silage. $67/bushel plus shipNew. 319-347-2349 Can Del ping. 217-857-3377 FOR SALE: '13 Case IH 200 37.5' field cultivator, w/2 SEED AND HERBICIDE SAVINGS! Add up to bar harrow, rolling baskets, $50,000 to your bottom line exc cond. (320)522-1637 on 500 acres of crop producOrganic Farm type IHC #461 tion. Top national corn hy4-38" row front mounted brids for $114! Proven cultivator. Factory "Blind KLEENACRES herbicide cultivation" crop row programs save up to 50%. shields gauge wheels. Fast Top yields, Kleen fields, hitch rear. Mint! 300-560 better bottom line! tractors. 715-247-3245 Call 320-237-7667 or WWW.KLEENACRES.COM WANTED TO BUY: Damaged corn, soybeans & othTiger Mate II 26.5', like new er grains. Call Schwieger condition, 4 bar harrow, no Cattle LLC. (507)236-5181 rust, $13,000. (612) 221-4277 Wheat straw 3x4x8 tops & btms, dried out, tops Machinery Wanted 040 caramelled, exc feed & bedding when ground. $55/ton All kinds of New & Used del. Also lg rnds 1st grass & farm equipment – disc chis1st alfalfa, $90-$115/ton del. els, field cults, planters, Tim 320-221-2085 soil finishers, cornheads, feed mills, discs, balers, haybines, etc. 507-438-9782 WANTED: Case DC tractor for grinding feed. 320-3040462 or 320-589-1908 WANTED: Good grinder mixer. 715-377-2655
www.thelandonline.com — “Where Farm and Family Meet”
Timed Online
Silver Lake, MN
Farm Retirement
AUCTION
OPENS: March 26 / CLOSES: April 4 LOCATION: 23161 Co. Rd. 2, Silver Lake, MN
AUCTIONEER’S NOTE: Gary has decided to retire after a lifetime of farming. Equipment is well maintained & always shedded. Complete terms, lot listings & photos at SteffesGroup.com. PREVIEW & LOADOUT: By appointment.
TRACTORS / PLANTER DRILL / TILLAGE EQUIPMENT / GRAVITY WAGONS & GRAIN CART / TRAILER HAY EQUIPMENT OTHER FARM EQUIPMENT / BINS LAWN & GARDEN SHOP EQUIPMENT, PARTS & MISC. ITEMS Steffes Group, Inc. 24400 MN Hwy 22 S Litchfield, MN
SteffesGroup.com Ashley Huhn MN47-002
GARY MALLAK | 320.224.5641
or Ashley Huhn at Steffes Group, 320.693.9371 or 701.238.1975
Farm Retirement
East Grand Forks, MN
WANTED: IH 550 manure spreader for parts or in working cond. (715)495-6804
Spraying Equip
041
FOR SALE: '95 53' Mono van trailer w/ sliding tandems, (3) 1500 gal tanks, 30 gal mixing cone, 5HP Briggs & Stratton pump w/ hose & valve, 2 side doors, $5,300. 507-327-1948 FOR SALE: 5000 gallon Ace Roto-Mold Vertical tank w/ 5HP Briggs & Strtton pump & valve, $2,600. 507-327-1948 FOR SALE: Century sprayer, 60' boom, tandem axle, 750 gal tank, hyd fold, height, pump, very good cond, always shedded, $4,300/OBO. 507-451-9614 FOR SALE: Hardi sprayer, 1100 gal, 100' booms, rinse tank, diaphragm pump, all controls; water truck, 28' van body water trailer, water tanks, pumps, chemical tanks; Int'l 300 Farmall tractor. All in good condition. 507-227-0213
THURSDAY, APRIL 12|11AM
2018
WANTED: Tractors, running or not running, salvage, repairables, prefer John Deere, will consider others, 1990 & older, must be reasonably priced. Call anytime. (507)317-6760
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2431 21st Ave NE, Martin, ND
Farm Equipment
LOCATION: 40454 130th Street SW, East Grand Forks, MN. AUCTIONEER’S NOTE: Due to health reasons, Mike is retiring from production agriculture. Most items were purchased new, with excellent maintenance, and always stored inside. Major equipment begins selling at 11:30 AM. Live online bidding available on major equipment. Registration, terms, & details at SteffesGroup.com.
TUESDAY, APRIL 3 / 10AM
2018
038 Spraying Equip
AUCTIONEER’S NOTE: Major equipment begins selling at 11:00 AM. Live online bidding available on major equipment. Registration, terms, & details at SteffesGroup.com. DIRECTIONS: From Martin, ND, 5 miles south on 22nd Ave. NE, .8 mile west on 24th St. NE.
TRACTORS / GPS EQUIPMENT / HARVEST EQUIPMENT / SWATHERS GRAIN CARTS / PLANTER / AIR SEEDER & DRILLS / TILLAGE EQUIPMENT SPRAYER / SEMI TRACTOR & TRUCKS / TRAILERS / BEAN & ROW CROP EQUIPMENT / NH3 TRAILERS / HAY, HOG & LIVESTOCK EQUIPMENT / GRAIN HANDLING EQUIPMENT / ROCKPICKERS / FARM SUPPORT ITEMS & PARTS Steffes Group, Inc. 2000 Main Ave E, West Fargo, ND | 701.237.9173
SteffesGroup.com
Scott Steffes ND81
DAVID D. & JUDY A. FRUEH CHARITABLE REMAINDER UNITRUST David, 701.693.5949 or Justin Ruth at Steffes Group, 701.237.9173 or 701.630.5583 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.
Farm Retirement
Buffalo, ND
TUESDAY, APRIL 10|10AM
2018
Planting Equip
2018
THE LAND — MARCH 23/MARCH 30, 2018
Location: 13833 34th St SE, Buffalo, ND. From Buffalo, ND, 1/2 mile west on 34th St SE (Old Hwy. 10). AUCTIONEER’S NOTE: Major equipment begins selling at 10:30 AM. Live online bidding available on major equipment. Registration, terms, & details at SteffesGroup.com.
Tractors / GPS Equipment / Harvest Equipment Air Seeder / Planter / Tillage Equipment Row Crop Equipment / Trucks / Sprayer Hopper Bins / Grain Handling Equipment Scraper, Box Blade, and Blade / Ditchers / Other Equipment
Tractors / GPS Equipment / Chopping Corn Head & Header Trailer Planter / Tillage Equipment / Row Crop Equipment / Semi Tractor Pickups / Trailers / Sprayer / Fertilizer & Chemical Equipment NH3 Tank / Hopper Bins / Seed Tender & Grain Handling Equipment Scraper, Blades & Laser Equipment / Other Equipment / Tank Shop Equipment, Farm Support Items, & Parts / Boat & ATV
Steffes Group, Inc. | 2000 Main Ave E, West Fargo, ND | 701.237.9173
Steffes Group, Inc. | 2000 Main Ave E, West Fargo, ND | 701.237.9173
SteffesGroup.com SteffesGroup.com Scott Steffes MN14-51
MIKE KREJCI 218.791.1558
Brad Olstad ND319
MARK & JOANNE JOHNSON 701.238.1843
or Tadd Skaurud at Steffes Group, 701.237.9173 or 701.729.3644
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.
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.
www.thelandonline.com — “Where Farm and Family Meet”
THE LAND — MARCH 23/MARCH 30, 2018
Farm Retirement
Fertilizer & Chem
2018
FRIDAY, APRIL 6 | 11AM
AUCTIONEER’S NOTE: All main equipment stored inside with an excellent maintenance program in place. Major equipment begins selling at 11:00 AM. Live online bidding available on major equipment. Registration, terms, & details at SteffesGroup.com. LOCATION: From west edge of Devils Lake, ND to mile marker 261 on Hwy. 2, 1-3/4 miles north on 75th Ave NE, 3/4 mile west.
TRACTORS / GPS EQUIPMENT / HARVEST EQUIPMENT / GRAIN CART AIR SEEDER / TILLAGE EQUIPMENT / SEMI TRACTORS / HOPPER BOTTOM TRAILERS & BINS / TRUCKS / SPRAYER / GRAIN HANDLING EQUIPMENT & OTHER EQUIPMENT
Steffes Group, Inc. | 2000 Main Ave E, West Fargo, ND | 701.237.9173
SteffesGroup.com Brad Olstad ND319
GARY FAGERLUND 701.230.2541 cell, 701.393.4408 home 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.
Farm Retirement
Hague, ND
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 4 | 11AM
051
Poultry
053
BIO-CALCIUM (this is larg- WANTED: Rouen ducks, 1 er font and bold if possible) drake, 3 hens; wild turkeys, When Bio Liquid Calcium is 1 hen, 1 tom; Siamese cats. cheaper and more effective James (507)237-5251 tan lime! Let us help fix PH and Hardpan problems! Also Avail. Organic certi- Livestock 054 fied Product Missed liming last fall, you are not out! FOR SALE: Black Angus Apply Calcium now! bulls also Hamp, York, & Fix hard pan. Hamp/Duroc boars & gilts. Call Gary at 715-533-0174 320-598-3790
2018
PAGE 26
AUCTIONEER’S NOTE: All items have been serviced, are field ready and always shedded. Major equipment begins selling at 11:00 AM. Live online bidding available on major equipment. Registration, terms, & details at SteffesGroup.com. LOCATION: 8855 22nd Avenue SE, Hague, ND.
TRACTORS & LOADER CATERPILLAR TRACKS & WEIGHTS / HIGH LIFT WHEEL LOADER / HEADS / GRAIN CART GPS EQUIPMENT / PLANTER FERTILIZER CART / TILLAGE & ROW CROP EQUIPMENT SKID STEER LOADERS & ATTACHMENTS / PICKUPS GRAIN HANDLING EQUIPMENT FORKLIFT / OTHER EQUIPMENT Steffes Group, Inc. | 2000 Main Ave E, West Fargo, ND | 701.237.9173
SteffesGroup.com Brad Olstad ND319
FRANCIS & KELLY KRUMM 701.851.0911 or 701.336.7727 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.
Fertilizer Equip: S/S 1650 gal 4 whl nurse caddy, $1,750; Dairy 055 S/S Adams 5T dry spreader, $1,950; John Blue LM 4955s grd dr pump w/ drive 5 Angus Holstein, Breed to calve Sept. 2018. Call (715) Like New, $895; Hutch En363-2456 terprises 40' 15 shank applicator, $3,995; John Blue 4455 grd drive pump, $3995; 9”x48” Kelborg duals 90%+ WANTED TO BUY: Dairy heifers and cows. 320-235w/ JD 9 bolt hubs, $995. 5072664 381-6719
THANK YOU FOR READING THE LAND!
THE LAND — MARCH 23/MARCH 30, 2018 Cattle
056 Cattle
www.thelandonline.com — “Where Farm and Family Meet”
056 Cattle
28 registered pure bred black FOR SALE: 4 yr old Red Angus bull, 3 yr old Black AnAngus cows and heifers. gus bull, calves on site, Dan at 715-559-2989 $2,500/each. Mike Korhonen (320)292-2947 FOR SALE OR LEASE REGISTERED BLACK ANGUS Bulls, 2 year old & FOR SALE: 400-500# Angus cross heifer calves. 507-236yearlings; bred heifers, 8883 calving ease, club calves & balance performance. Al FOR SALE: Registered Ansired. In herd improvement gus bulls, 1-3 yr old, 4-2 yr program. J.W. Riverview olds, good quality & size, AI Angus Farm Glencoe, MN sired, also reg bred heifers 55336 Conklin Dealer 320due in April. Miller An864-4625 gus, Kasson, MN (507)6344535 FOR SALE: 37 head of HerePolled Hereford bulls, exc ford cattle. Indianhead growth & calving ease, sePolled Hereford Associamen tested; also Hereford tion 2018 Spring Opportuniblack baldy replacement ty Sale; Sat., April 14, heifers. Jones Farms, 2018;UW-Mann Valley Lab LeSueur. (507)317-5996 Farm Auction 12 p.m. View Cattle at 10:30 a.m. Selling Reg. Charlois bulls, bred 5 bulls, 9 young cows heifers & yearling heifers. w/calves, 22 open heifers, 5 Exc. quality. Heifers bred embryo packages. One to A.I. calving ease bull. heifer to be raffled as a Call 715-556-0677 fundraiser. View or request catalog online at: Registered Texas Longhorn www.indianheadherefords.com breeding stock, cows, Or contact us at heifers or roping stock, top 715-760-2350 blood lines. 507-235-3467
056 Miscellaneous
090
Miscellaneous
PAGE 27 090
Miscellaneous
090
Miscellaneous
090
Nice small groups of feeder Cash paid for antique Harley FOR SALE: 990 gal fuel skid Patz barn cleaner head, 2 WANTED: Anything blacktanks, single walls; also 1 Davidson, Indian or other corner wheels. Kewanee 30' smith related, anvils, powcattle of both dairy & beef, high capacity pump w/memotorcycles and related hay & grain elevator w/ er hammers, swage blocks, all healthy & vaccinated & ter, always stored inside. parts from 1900 thru 1970. transport. 715-267-6753 cones, welton vises; Neil at ready to go. 608-214-3798 (612)202-4619 260-413-0626 Any condition. Midwest colWANT TO BUY: Butcher lector will pick up anycows, bulls, fats & walkable Winpower Sales & Service where. Phone 309-645-4623 PARMA DRAINAGE REINKE IRRIGATION cripples; also horses, Reliable Power Solutions PUMPS New pumps & Sales & Service sheep & goats. 320-235-2664 FOR SALE: 15 kva Katolight Since 1925 PTO & automatparts on hand. Call MinNew & Used alternator, 540 PTO. (952) ic Emergency Electric nesota's largest distributor For your irrigation needs 873-5566 Generators. New & Used Swine 065 HJ Olson & Company 320888-830-7757 or 507-276-2073 Rich Opsata-Distributor One call does it all! 974-8990 Cell – 320-212-5336 Compart's total program 800-343-9376 features superior boars & With one phone call, you can place your classified ad in open gilts documented by The Land, Farm News, BLUP technology. Duroc, AND The Country Today. York, Landrace & F1 lines. Call The Land for more Terminal boars offer leaninfo @ 507-345-4523 • 800-657ness, muscle, growth. Ma4665. ternal gilts & boars are productive, lean, durable. WANT MORE READERS All are stress free & PRRS TO SEE YOUR AD?? free. Semen also available Expand your coverage area! through Elite Genes A.I. The Land has teamed up Make 'em Grow! Comparts with Farm News, and The Boar Store, INC. Toll Free: Country Today so you can 877-441-2627 do just that! Place a classiFOR SALE: Yorkshire, fied ad in The Land and Hampshire, Duroc & have the option of placing it Hamp/Duroc boars, also in these papers as well. gilts. Excellent selection. More readers = better reRaised outside. Exc herd sults! Call The Land for health. No PRSS. Delivery more information. 507-345avail. 320-760-0365 4523 • 800-657-4665
ADVERTISER LISTING
Agri-Systems ............................................... 4 Anderson Seeds ............................................ 6 Courtland Waste ..........................................11 Dahl Farm Supply .......................................10 Doda USA ..................................................17 Excelsior Homes West .................................. 3 Fahey & Associates .....................................21 Freudenthal Dairy & Mfg ............................13 Gehl Company ............................................14 Greenwald Farm Center ...............................24 Hanson Auctioneers.....................................21 Hanson Silo ................................................. 7 Henslin Auction .............................. 20, 21, 23 K-Bid Online Auctions ................................18 Kannegiesser Truck Sales ............................15 Keith Bode ..................................................26 Kerkhoff Auction ........................................20 Larson Implement ................................ 20, 23 Mages Auction ............................................21 MS Diversif ied ...........................................23 Pruess Elevator ...........................................27 Schwartz Farms ...........................................22 Schweiss Doors ...........................................23 SI Feeder/Schoessow ...................................12 Smiths Mill Implement ................................27 Steffes Group .................................. 22, 25, 26 Ziemer Auction ........................................... 22 507-345-4523 • 800-657-4665 PO Box 3169, Mankato, MN 56001 www.thelandonline.com
PAGE 28
www.thelandonline.com — “Where Farm and Family Meet”
THE LAND — MARCH 23/MARCH 30, 2018
This week’s Back Roads is the work of The Land Correspondent Richard Siemers.
I
Sod sanctuary
grass and flowers. The family keeps a mown trail for people to reach the buildings. Stan loved talking about the authentic replicas and his sod cutter. After 16 years of living with Parkinson’s disease, he died in June of 2017. Virginia plans to keep the “Sod House on the Prairie” open for folks to take self-guided tours as a legacy to Stan. There is also a log playhouse Stan built for his children. It sits nearby, so visiting children can explore that, too. “Everything is hands-on,” Virginia said. “Stan didn’t want anything roped off.”
f you’ve ever wondered what it was like for pioneers to live in a sod house on the prairie, you can taste the experience near Sanborn. Stan McCone was intrigued that people built a sod house out of necessity, as his pioneer ancestors had done. Thirty years ago he decided to build a sod house on the acreage where he and his wife Virginia lived. He did his research, visited the Sod House Foundation in Colby, Kan., and converted some items into a sod cutter. “The project almost died for lack of sod,” Virginia said. But a friend had untouched prairie next to a slough, and the summer weather was dry enough that Stan was able to get in and cut sod.
Stan built a 36-foot by 21-foot house with 2-foot thick walls and the couple furnished it with period pieces. An 1886 Monarch cook stove sits on one end; two beds and a fainting couch at the other. A heating stove is in the middle of the oneroom building. Stan then built an “abandoned” dugout — an 18-by-18-foot shelter with a dirt floor, to illustrate the more primitive conditions pioneers first lived in on the prairie. “The hardest and longest project,” Virginia said, “was restoring the prairie.” The houses now sit among tall prairie
Sanborn, Minn.
That’s why you can use your imagination and put yourself back on the prairie, even imagine what it would be like to know that you had to live in these conditions and were not just a visitor. If you go away with a bit of knowledge and understanding, the McCones will know that their work has been worthwhile. Sod House on the Prairie is near Sanborn at 12598 Magnolia Avenue, a mile east of Highway 71, a mile south of Highway 14. It is open seasonally with a small admission charge. More information can be found at www.sodhouse.org. v
Page 4 - March 30, 2018
THE LAND, Advertising Supplement
© 2018
March 30, 2018
(800) 657-4665 www.TheLandOnline.com theland@TheLandOnline.com P.O. Box 3169, Mankato, MN 56002
NORTHERN EDITION
WINCHES
TRAILERS
YOU WORKYOUHARD. PLAY HARDER. DESERVE A HEWITT.
BUMPERS
DOCK & LIFT COOLERS
BUMPERS & ACCESSORIES
DOCK & LIFT DOCK PARTS
CAMPER STABILIZERS | www.camperstabilizers.com
G R E AT
www.glmarineproducts.com 1-800-541-9860
M A R I N E
YOUR MARINE BUMPER & ACCESSORY SUPPLIER
L A K E S
MARINE BUMPERS & ACCESSORIES
Dealer Inquires welcome.
Finding the Right Parts Has Never Been Easier.
SUPERIOR QUALITY
LARGE SELECTION
DOCKS | LIFTS | PONTOON LEGS | SWIM RAFTS STAIRCASES | CANOPIES | KAYAKS | ACCESSORIES
www.hewittrad.com | 1-800-544-2067
P R
Page 2 - March 30, 2018
THE LAND, Advertising Supplement
BUILDINGBUILDING MEMORIES SINCE 1971. MEMORIES SINCE 1971.
DOCKS | LIFTS | PONTOON LEGS | SWIM RAFTS STAIRCASES | CANOPIES | KAYAKS | ACCESSORIES
www.hewittrad.com | 1-800-544-2067
THE LAND, Advertising Supplement
March 30, 2018 - Page 3
MORE THAN JUST DOCKS & LIFTS HEWITT PONTOON LEGS, STAIRS & RAMPS
1-800-544-2067 www.hewittrad.com
Page 2 - March 30, 2018
THE LAND, Advertising Supplement
BUILDINGBUILDING MEMORIES SINCE 1971. MEMORIES SINCE 1971.
DOCKS | LIFTS | PONTOON LEGS | SWIM RAFTS STAIRCASES | CANOPIES | KAYAKS | ACCESSORIES
www.hewittrad.com | 1-800-544-2067
THE LAND, Advertising Supplement
March 30, 2018 - Page 3
MORE THAN JUST DOCKS & LIFTS HEWITT PONTOON LEGS, STAIRS & RAMPS
1-800-544-2067 www.hewittrad.com
Page 4 - March 30, 2018
THE LAND, Advertising Supplement
© 2018
March 30, 2018
(800) 657-4665 www.TheLandOnline.com theland@TheLandOnline.com P.O. Box 3169, Mankato, MN 56002
NORTHERN EDITION
WINCHES
TRAILERS
YOU WORKYOUHARD. PLAY HARDER. DESERVE A HEWITT.
BUMPERS
DOCK & LIFT COOLERS
BUMPERS & ACCESSORIES
DOCK & LIFT DOCK PARTS
CAMPER STABILIZERS | www.camperstabilizers.com
G R E AT
www.glmarineproducts.com 1-800-541-9860
M A R I N E
YOUR MARINE BUMPER & ACCESSORY SUPPLIER
L A K E S
MARINE BUMPERS & ACCESSORIES
Dealer Inquires welcome.
Finding the Right Parts Has Never Been Easier.
SUPERIOR QUALITY
LARGE SELECTION
DOCKS | LIFTS | PONTOON LEGS | SWIM RAFTS STAIRCASES | CANOPIES | KAYAKS | ACCESSORIES
www.hewittrad.com | 1-800-544-2067
P R