THE LAND ~ April 20, 2018 ~ Southern Edition

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

April 20, 2018 April 27, 2018

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

Turkey Club Kim Halvorson operates her Morristown farm while running Minnesota’s Turkey Research and Promotion Council

PLUS: Iowa hatchery concentrates on small flock producers Kura clover could give corn fields a break A farm bill update from Kent Thiesse

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P.O. Box 3169 418 South Second St. Mankato, MN 56002 (800) 657-4665 Vol. XLII ❖ No. 8 32 pages, 1 section plus supplements

THE LAND — APRIL 20/APRIL 27, 2018

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Cover photo by Paul Malchow

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

2-4 4 5 6 7 8 10 12 18 20-21 22 25-31 31 32

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It’s been a crazy, cold and snowy spring. later for a fact check, he told me “You’re Farmers are plowing long country drivelearning.” The highest compliment. ways instead of fields. I hope by the time Above all, I was the recipient of farm this issue comes out, you are out in the hospitality! One farm visit took me to field getting ready for planting.

Mike and Suzy Haubrich’s farm for a My mind also has turned to spring story on shops. Their sons joined us for an planting and “From The Fields.” Every interview, photos and lunch. Suzy made year, The Land follows several farmers tacos for lunch and a pan of bars for desfrom planting to harvest. We look for sert. Busy taking notes after lunch, I growers in different parts of the state. We didn’t eat a bar. Even two years later, I’m LAND MINDS always follow corn and soybean growers, still thinking about the gooey bar I left

By Marie Wood but we also follow sugarbeets, alfalfa, behind. And a kind retired farmer offered sunflowers, oats, wheat and other me a slice of cake at his place. Farmers crops. Plus we check in on the producreally do want to feed the world! er’s livestock — hogs, dairy, cattle, A shout out to the men and women at sheep. the local elevators across the state. Every week they While I will be kicking off “From The Fields,” I will gave me their cash prices for corn and beans with a not be able to follow the farmers and their crops “Have a good one” or “You bet.” When asked, they through harvest. I am leaving The Land at the end filled me in on weather, markets and farm chatter. of April as I have accepted a new position in the Working in the ag industry taught me about the communications field. global economy, commodity markets and farm policy.

I have covered agriculture since 2014. And it’s been Whenever I grab a gallon of milk or a package of a humbling experience. I didn’t grow up on a farm so pork chops at the grocery store, I have a deeper with every article I wrote — believe me — I learned appreciation for where my food comes from and how more than anybody who read the article. Thank you it got to me. to all of the farmers who answered my questions.

And thanks to The Land staff for making the office I loved learning about crop science. The University a great place to work most days! of Minnesota Extension field days and workshops Above all, thanks to you, our readers. Your notes were eye openers. I got schooled by scientists and and phone calls were encouraging. You’re why we do educators on nutrients, weeds, pesticides, yields, soil this. health, planting, tillage and so much more. The When I’m out on the “Back Roads,” I’ll be sure to Extension website was also a tremendous resource slow down for tractors and farm equipment. And I’ll on all things ag. always give a friendly wave. Best of luck to all of Dairy was a whole new world. On a visit to Wagner you!

Dairy near Litchfield, I met Julie Wagner-Thompson.

Marie Wood is the associate editor of The Land. She She appeared with a Jersey calf on our cover in may be reached at mwood@TheLandOnline.com until 1987. I did a follow-up story on the family dairy in April 26. v 2016. It was so cool to see the milking cows come to greet us. When I called her dad, Leonard Wagner,

OPINION

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

10 — Kura clover could be new tool to rebuild soil 12 — The importance of sustainability and your hog operation 14 — Kim Halvorson’s turkey operation keeps learning curve high 16 — Iowa hatchery specializes in healthy rare-breed chicks

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

THE LAND — APRIL 20/APRIL 27, 2018

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Land of 10,000 Opportunities for Soybean Growers? Today, Minnesota is becoming known around the world for our soybeans. Every day, the Minnesota Soybean Research and Promotion Council uses your checkoff dollars to open more new markets for Minnesota soybeans than you can imagine. Want to learn more? Visit mnsoybean.org.

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THE LAND — APRIL 20/APRIL 27, 2018

Wisdom should come with age, but tradition blocks way In May 1543, Nicolaus well today. Two words prove Copernicus, a Pole living in it: climate change.

Prussia, published “On the The biggest difference Revolutions of the Heavenly between the Copernican Spheres” — a book that fight of yore and today’s used mathematics and bloody fight over climate astronomy to postulate how change is that back then, the earth and the thenMedieval traditionalists known planets rotated on and Enlightenment-era their own axes as they FARM & FOOD FILE scientists could duke it out orbited a stationary sun. for generations with

By Alan Guebert Within days of its printing, nothing more than a few however, Copernicus wood pulp trees losing died. their lives.

His theory of With climate change, however, there “heliocentrism,” the first scientific are millions of lives and billions of challenge to Biblical and Greek livelihoods at stake. And no one, not teachings of an earth-centered even deniers, has any time to be silly, universe, almost died with him. quaint or dumb. In fact, it’s more than Assorted scholars and church officials likely we’ve squandered our best undermined his discovery for nearly chance to limit its devastating effects 200 years until, in a different era and while we’ve continued to waste time with all his critics dead, it finally fighting over its existence. became accepted science.

That, too, isn’t new. In 1632, 89 years As quaint, foolish or even dumb as after Copernicus died, the Catholic that long fight appears today, its basis Church put the Italian polymath — mankind’s inability to accept new, Galileo under house arrest for provable facts because of the unknown defending the Copernican theory. The change they carry — remains alive and

OPINION

Minnwest Bank Salutes Our Poultry Producers

church, of course, later apologized to Galileo for its wooden-headedness — in 1992, 360 years after he died.

Don’t laugh because history comes up a cropper compared to our wooden heads, tin ears, and greedy palms when we’re often confronted with plain facts we don’t like.

A perfect example was last December’s massive tax cut. The Trump Administration and GOP Congressional leaders sold it on the twin fictions that most cuts would aid the middle class (not true: in 2027, middle class taxpayers will average a $160 cut; a millionaire, $23,000) and, secondly, that the cuts would not add to the federal deficit.

That latter prediction wasn’t just fiction; it was science fiction. On April 9, the non-partisan Congressional Budget Office forecasted the federal deficit will top $1 trillion in 2020 and that total federal debt will rise from $21 trillion in 2018 to $33 trillion — a very un-conservative $12 trillion — within 10 years.

To be fair, part of the soaring debt is tied to a $1.3 trillion increase in federal spending, again pushed and passed by the GOP-led White House and Congress last month. Still, why did Americans swallow such empirically false budget swill not once, but twice, in just the last four months?

The answer isn’t that we can’t do math. The answer lies more in the fact that we have less trouble borrowing from our children and grandchildren

than our grandparents and parents had. We are, in a word, greedier now.

And, worse, we justify that greed far easier now than before. Excuses abound.

We’re feeding the world.

We’re extending our brand.

We’re improving our efficiency.

We can come up with a myriad of reasons (and most of them legal) to justify our growing use of our grandchildren’s soil, water, air, and money but not one of them adequately answers the question of why, with so much wealth, technology and time, we don’t stop consuming what is theirs.

The messiest food fight this year will be the partisan boxing match over SNAP changes Republicans want in the 2018 farm bill. It will suck up most of the oxygen in the farm bill debate; but none of it will make one cent of difference to future farming generations or our ballooning federal debt.

And, yet, we’re going to do it because that’s what we now do. We fight over our nickels, not the futures of those who follow us. We’re smarter, richer, and better fed than Copernicus and Galileo could have ever dreamed. But it seems we’re no wiser than their detractors.

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

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Kerry Doyle (right) was the lucky winner of The Land’s 2018 subscriber drawing.

Doyle receives his $400 prize from The Land General Manager Deb Petterson (left). Subscribers who sent in their 2018 subscription form by March 9 were automatically entered in the drawing. Doyle grows corn and soybeans on his farm near Easton, Minn. New subscribers have another chance at winning a prize later this year, so if you haven’t sent in your card, do it today!

THE LAND — APRIL 20/APRIL 27, 2018

Life on the Farm: Readers’ Photos Pete Bouman photographed his cows during the April 14 blizzard on his farm near Ruthton, Minn.

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A barn cat climbs up to greet Rachael Vlasak on the Vlasak family farm near Montgomery. Michelle Vlasak snapped this photo.

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THE LAND — APRIL 20/APRIL 27, 2018

Try growing edible microgreens for nutrient-packed flavor Microgreens are very small edible plants which can be harvested in as short of time as a week or two from seeding. They are miniature plants of greens, herbs and other vegetables that are grown until the first true leaves (cotyledons) emerge and then are harvested.

IN THE GARDEN I decided to grow some microgreens to shorten the

By Sharon Quale time before starting garden seed indoors. Microgreens also add some pizzazz to ordinary foods.

The most common seeds used for growing microgreens are: lettuce, kale, spinach, radish, beet, watercress, herbs and cabbage. Be sure the seeds you use are chemical-free.

Growing tips: Place an inch of seed starting mix in a shallow tray. (Clear plastic containers from fresh fruits with attached lids work great.) Scatter seeds over surface thickly. They can be crowded. Cover with a thin layer of starting mix and water with a fine mist sprayer. Cover with plastic wrap until germination. Place in a south facing window or under a grow light or fluorescent light about 5 inches from the light source. It is important to keep them moist,

so misting frequently during the day is needed for success. A heat source is desirable for speedy germination. (I use a heating pad set on the lowest setting.)

Greens are ready to harvest in one-four weeks. To use, cut the microgreens with a scissor just above the soil level. Rinse gently and dry slightly on paper towels. They can be incorporated and used like lettuce in wraps, salads and sandwiches. They can be blended into smoothies. Other uses are as garnishes on soups, omelets and even pizza. Gourmet restaurants use microgreens on most of the elaborately plated entrees adding color, texture as well as unique flavor. Once harvested, the greens can be stored in the refrigerator for up to three days.

Sprouts are not microgreens. They are another common vegetable available, but they differ from microgreens in several ways. Sprouts are germinated in water and rinsed several times a day. Both the seeds and the sprouts are eaten and they can be harvested in four-six days. Microgreens are harvested using the stems and the first true leaves and not the

seed itself. They need a few weeks of growth before being used.

The flavors of microgreens are more intense than the adult plants produce. Science shows that baby versions of plants like mescaline and radish can be more concentrated in nutrients. Nutrients and antioxidants are packed into the seeds and sprouts of these tiny plants.

Pea shoots taste like the freshest peas and radish greens have an incredible peppery flavor.

My trays were planted with radishes, lettuce, peas and cilantro.

Photo by Sharon Quale As I write this, the seeds have all sprouted and are unfurling their first leaves. The moisture and bottom heat produced optimum germination and I saw the sprouts begin to grow in 24 hours. This is a fun project. With minimal time and expense you can enjoy some gourmet microgreens.

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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THE LAND — APRIL 20/APRIL 27, 2018

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We will be remembered by the ‘line in-between’ Comedian Drew Carey Others rub us the wrong used to host an improv comway. Then there’s the line edy show called Whose Line that matters most. It’s the Is It Anyway? And though line on tombstones that the show is no more, lines defines our in between. It’s continue on. the dash between our birthdate and our death date. It’s Take Leroy. As a young the line we’re known for and girl, I remember his visits to will be remembered by. our family’s dairy farm. He THE BACK PORCH had the largest ears I had I can get my undies in a ever seen. And he knew it.

By Lenae Bulthuis bunch (a line I last heard in The line he told and retold high school) about all sorts to anyone with ears to hear of things I’d rather have was this: When the good Lord asked if I people forget about me. When I talked wanted two big ears I thought He said, about this and the troubles with waist“Two big beers.” And it was a yes from lines and timelines with a friend, Leroy!

Cindy reminded me that people don’t care about these things. She then Whenever I ask my dad how he’s shared her pastor’s recent words, doing, his line is always, “Any better “There are three things we’ll be and I’d be you.” Hubby Mike’s line is “Relax,” oldest daughter Elizabeth pep- remembered for: How we lived, how we loved, and how we left.” pers her stories with “Literally,” and when son-in-law Nic walks through the And it’s in the living, loving and leavfront door is asked about his day, his ing that lives are impacted today and line is, “Better now!” beyond our line. That’s Eric L. Motley’s story. In his book, “Madison Park A And there’s more. Maybe you’ve heard, read or said: “It is what it is.” “I Place of Hope,” he shares his story of growing up in an Alabama community was born ready.” “Awesome-sauce,” or, founded in 1880 by freed slaves. It’s an “okey-dokey.” Some lines are funny.

inspiring story about being raised by poor grandparents to becoming the youngest person to serve as a special assistant to President George W. Bush.

How did it happen? Through Eric’s determination and a family and community who lived given, loved beyond reason, and left generous — sharing all they had with him. And like us, most of the extraordinary moments of influence in Eric’s life happened in the most ordinary ways.

He wrote about the night he was on the porch swing with his grandpa retelling how he had reconfigured his carrot and strawberry garden. His grandpa patiently waited for the entire story to be told before he asked, “’Are you pleased? Is there any more you could do, or are you satisfied? Are six rows enough? Did you plant some to share?’

“But the answers were embedded in the questions — and by example. He made clear every day that life was about doing your best and planting enough to share. His convictions sustained him; they would sustain me too.”

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The lines his grandparents drew with their lives changed him. As did others in Madison Park — his neighbors, Sunday School teachers and more. Though many now have dates on both sides of their dash, Eric hasn’t forgotten the profound impact they had on his life.

With gratitude he lists their names on the lines of his diary and pays it forward. Though not in the garden, he’s still planting in order to share.

Farmers and gardeners always plant enough to share. It’s in their genetics.

And when we live with the same intentional, discipline above the dirt as they do in the dirt, what bears fruit after our line may well surpass what takes place on our line.

And if lines are exceptionally welllived and filled with love, generations yet to be will marvel and ask, “Whose line is this anyway?”

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 @LenaeBult huis. v

THANK YOU!

The Blue Earth County Corn and Soybean Growers would like to thank the many sponsors for their support this past year. These sponsors allow the local board to promote the important role corn and soybean farmers and their products play in the surrounding communities and throughout the state.

Platinum Sponsors

Guardian Energy Linder Farm Network Minnesota Soybean Research and Promotion Council Minnesota Corn Growers Association

Gold Sponsors Agri-Business Insurance Services Arnolds of Mankato Bruce Annis - Dekalb/Asgrow Compeer Financial Crystal Valley Coop D&K Tire Farmers Coop of Hanska Gislason & Hunter LLP Kibble Equipment

Lynch Tiling MinnStar Bank Nesbit Insurance POET biorefining Protein Sources St. Clair State Bank Smith’s Mill Implement Snell Motors

Silver Sponsors Ag Spray Equipment Alliance Bank Anchor Bank Big Gain Boesch—CRT Insurance Bremer Bank Central Farm Service Community Bank Creekside Ag Services, LLC D&M Seeds—Pioneer Seeds Digger Enterprises, LLP Grain Commerce Grover Grain & Seed—Pioneer Seed Hawk Alarm Systems, Inc. HUB (Int’l Mt. States Limited) Jones Seeds—Pioneer Seeds Kaduce Tire Kevin’s Repair Krengel Bros. Inc

Kyle Carey—Gold Country Seed Letcher Farm Supply Mankato Motors Mapleton Farm and Home McPherson Crop Management, Inc. Miller Connection Minnesota Building & Equipment Pioneer Bank Profinium Bank Rice Creek Farm Service Schaeffers Specialized Lubricants— (Al Honermann) Syngenta Ted Landsteiner—Pioneer Seed United Prairie Bank Thunder Bar & Restaurant Wingert Realty & Land Services, Inc.

Bronze Sponsors

C & S Supply Gartner Garage Keepers RV Center Kevin’s Repair Peterson Insurance Agency

Other Donations

Croplan Seed Kunkel Electric MN Pork Producers Mycogen/North Star - Ron Miller Perry Mortenson Construction Stine Seeds

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THE LAND — APRIL 20/APRIL 27, 2018

Enjoy authentic tastes from Mexico for Cinco de Mayo Feliz Cinco de Mayo! Conn trary to popular belief, May Nothing starts a good 5 is not the date of Mexico’s Mexican meal off right than independence from Spain a tasty salsa. This salsa is (that’s Sept. 16). It’s the date chunky, fresh and full of flaof the Mexican victory at the vor.

Battle of the Puebla over the Black Bean Salsa French empire. Now that we https://www.culinaryhill.com/ know what we’re celebratblack-bean-salsa/ COOKING ing, it’s time to get cooking!

WITH KRISTIN 1 (15 ounce) can black beans Mexican food is simply and drained and rinsed

By Kristin Kveno utterly delicious in my book.

1 (14 ounce) can corn drained From guacamole, to tamales, 1 medium tomato diced I love it all. Here are some recipes that 1 green bell pepper diced will make you feel like you’re kicking 1/2 cup red onion diced back south of the border!

1 clove garlic minced 2 tbsp. fresh cilantro chopped 1/4 cup olive oil 1/4 cup red wine vinegar 2 tbsp. fresh lime juice (from 1 lime) Salt and freshly ground black pepper In a large bowl, combine beans, corn, tomatoes, bell pepper, onion, garlic and cilantro. Add olive oil, red wine vinegar, and lime juice, 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Stir to combine. Cover and chill for 30 minutes prior to serving to let flavors blend. Serve with tortilla chips or as an accompaniment to grilled meats. n I have a refried beans fan in my house. It’s the only thing my daughter orders at our local Mexican restaurant and she considers herself a refried bean connoisseur. When I found this recipe I knew that I needed to give it a try. It’s simple, easy and it earned praise from my own refried bean expert.

Refried Beans http://thepioneerwoman.com/food-and-friends/ how-to-make-slow-cooker-refried-beans/ 1 pound dried pinto beans (or kidney beans, black beans) 1 onion, peeled and shredded 4 cloves garlic, minced 1 tbsp. ground cumin 2 tsp. sea salt 1/2 tsp. cayenne pepper 7 cups water salt and pepper, to taste Pour dried beans in the slow cooker. Add shredded onion, garlic, cumin, salt and cayenne pepper. For a richer flavor, add a ham bone or a couple of bacon strips to the crock. Pour the water over the top of the beans and cover tightly. Turn slow cooker on high and cook for 8 to 10 hours. You can also cook on low for 12 hours or longer. Depending on your slow cooker, you may have excess liquid in the crock. Scoop 1 ½ cups of the bean liquid out of the crock and reserve. Use an immersion blender or a potato masher to smash the beans into a relatively smooth texture. Add some of the bean liquid back in if needed to reach the right consistency.

Salt and pepper to taste. Serve as is or sprinkle with your favorite toppings. Serve warm. Note: Some optional topping suggestions include shredded cheese, sliced jalapenos, chopped green onions, sour cream and cayenne pepper.

n Chalupas. This food brings me back to my college years when my now-husband would take me out on the town and we would inevitably end up at his favorite place, Taco Bell. He would then order chalupas, many, many chalupas.

This recipe definitely isn’t the same as Taco Bell. This is the real deal. Authentic, full of flavor and filled with my favorite tastes of Mexico. Give this recipe a try to experience what a real chalupa taste likes.

Chalupas https://hispanickitchen.com/recipes/beefchalupas/ For beef: 1 pound flank steak 1 large white onion slice in half and reserve one half for later 2 cloves garlic, crushed 2 bay leaves water to cover beef salt to taste pepper to taste You will also need: 8 to 10 corn tortillas Oil for frying 3/4 cup salsa verde 3/4 cup salsa roja 1 onion diced fine 1/3 cup cilantro 1 cup guacamole 1 cup queso fresco crumbled Lime wedges For the beef, place all of the ingredients in the slow cooker. Cook on high for 4-6 hours or until beef is easy to shred. In a skillet, preheat ¾ cup of oil to medium heat for 6-7 minutes. Fry corn tortillas until crispy, turning as needed. Drain onto plate lined with paper towels. To plate, top half of the chalupas (tostadas) with salsa roja.

Then top the other half with salsa verde. Divide the shredded beef among them. Garnish with onion, cilantro, guacamole, queso fresco and lime. Serve right away. n After every good meal, you need a great dessert and this is one of the best. Flan is a delightful custard with yummy caramel on top just to sweeten the deal.

See COOKING, pg. 9

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Try this recipe for caramelly custard COOKING, from pg. 8 Flan https://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/the-perfectflan-1902 1 3/4 cups whipping cream 1 cup milk (do not use low-fat or nonfat) pinch of salt 1/2 vanilla bean, split lengthwise 1 cup sugar 1/3 cup water 3 large eggs 2 large yolks 7 tbsp. sugar Position rack in center of oven and preheat to 350 F. Combine cream, milk and salt in heavy medium saucepan. Scrape seeds from vanilla bean into cream mixture; add bean. Bring to simmer over medium heat. Remove from heat and let steep 30 minutes. Meanwhile, combine 1 cup sugar and 1/3 cup water in another heavy medium sauce pan. Stir over low heat until sugar dissolves. Increase heat to high and cook without stirring until syrup turns deep amber, brushing down sides of pan with wet pastry brush and swirling pan occasionally, about 10 minutes.

Quickly pour caramel into six 3/4-cup ramekins or custard cups.

Using oven mitts as aid, immediately tilt each ramekin to coat sides. Set ramekins into 13-by-9-by-2-inch baking pan. Whisk eggs, egg yolks and 7 tablespoons sugar in medium bowl just until blended. Gradually and gently whisk cream mixture into egg mixture without creating lots of foam. Pour custard through small sieve into prepared ramekins, dividing evenly (mixture will fill ramekins). Pour enough hot water into baking pan to come halfway up sides of ramekins. Bake until centers of flans are gently set, about 40 minutes. Transfer flans to rack and cool. Chill until cold, about 2 hours. Cover and chill overnight. (Can be made two days ahead.) To serve, run small sharp knife around flan to loosen. Turn over onto plate. Shake gently to release flan. Carefully lift off ramekin allowing caramel syrup to run over flan.

Repeat with remaining flans and serve. n Happy Cinco de Mayo! Whether you’re in the mood to celebrate by taking a siesta or having a fiesta, don’t forget to enjoy a taste of Mexico on May 5!

Adios!

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

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THE LAND — APRIL 20/APRIL 27, 2018

Kura clover pumps nitrogen for corn, lowers inputs

By MARIE WOOD The Land Associate Editor You may not have heard of it, but kura clover has the potential to be used as a living mulch in a continuous corn silage system or planted as a forage crop as an alternative practice for vegetative buffers.

University of Minnesota graduate student Jonathan Alexander is researching its potential. To earn his master’s degree in land and atmospheric science, he is working with professors from the USDA Agricultural Research Service on this project.

The system would be ideal in a dairy operation where continuous corn is needed for silage and then during a rest year, the kura could be used as a forage crop, Alexander explained.

In addition to buffers, kura clover

may be planted to meet the requirements to become a Minnesota Water Quality Certified Farm. Farms that meet this certification are deemed compliant for 10 years with any new water quality rules or laws, including the buffer law.

John Baker is an ARS research leader and adjunct professor at the University of Minnesota. He has been working with kura clover since 2006, but there is an older history here. In the 1980s and 1990s, the U.S. Department of Agriculture looked at it as an alternative to alfalfa. Then faculty at the University of Wisconsin began working with it as a living mulch in dairy systems.

Kura clover is a perennial crop which is one of its biggest advantages. Once established, a stand may last for 30 years or more. Kura clover could be an

Photo by Marie Wood

Jonathan Alexander (left) is working with soil scientist Rod Venterea to research the potential of kura clover as a living mulch in a corn silage system or as a vegetative buffer.

ideal choice for planting in environmentally sensitive areas where soil erosion is an issue.

“We were looking for something that a farmer could plant once and not have to do again,” Baker said.

Kura clover is also a high protein forage crop so it could be mowed for hay or grazed which is allowed under the state buffer law.

Nutrient benefits In the first year of this project, continuous corn for grain was grown in kura clover living mulch at the University of Minnesota plots in Rosemount.

For first year corn planted in established clover, yields reached 193 bushels per acre with no added nitrogen fertilizer. Second year corn after corn yielded 200 bu./acre using 40 percent less nitrogen than the University of Minnesota recommendations for corn

on corn.

Kura clover is a legume crop.

Legumes are known for nitrogen fixation so that less synthetic fertilizer is needed, Alexander said.

Rod Venterea, ARS soil scientist and adjunct professor at the university, explained that like soybeans, kura clover takes nitrogen gas from the atmosphere and converts it to plant available nitrogen.

“Normally we rely on fertilizer. But nitrogen fixation by the clover is happening naturally,” Venterea said.

He added that anytime you add less synthetic nitrogen, you potentially reduce nitrogen loss to the environment.

Another advantage to kura clover is that it’s a cold-hardy crop that actively grows in early spring.

See KURA, pg. 11

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

April 22-24 – Minnesota State FFA Convention – University of Minnesota, St. Paul and Minneapolis – FFA members and guests participate in general sessions, competitive events, educational tours, leadership workshops, college visits – Visit www.mnffa.org April 22-24 – Iowa FFA Leadership Conference – Ames, Iowa – FFA members and guests gather to learn about agriculture careers, compete in scholarships, volunteer and shape the future of

Iowa FFA – Visit www.iowaffa.com April 25 – Farm Bill Listening Session – Austin, Minn. – Staff for Sen. Tina Smith seek public comment on Minnesota’s priorities for the farm bill – Visit www.smith.senate.gov April 25 – Dealing with Farm Financial Stress – Rochester, Minn. – Meeting addresses resources, organizations and programs for famers dealing with financial stress – Visit www.landstew ardshipproject.org April 26 – Farm Bill Listening Session – St. Paul – Listening session on energy title with staff of Sen. Tina Smith at Minnesota Farmers Union state office – Contact Michelle Medina at michelle@mfu.org or visit www.mfu.org

THE LAND — APRIL 20/APRIL 27, 2018

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PAGE 11

Kura clover maintains soil carbon levels, builds structure KURA, from pg. 10 “In the early spring is when most of the nitrogen is lost through tile drainage and leaching. It can take up the nitrogen and keep it where it needs to be instead of being lost,” Alexander said.

As a system, Baker sees promise in giving the field a rest year from growing corn. Following a year when the soil is only growing kura, the nitrogen flush is greater after that year off.

“Our feeling is that the best way to manage is to grow corn for two or three years and then manage it as a forage for a year,” Baker said.

The kura will recover its vigor and when you come in with corn again, less nitrogen will be needed, he explained.

Kura clover spreads by rhizomes which are roots that grow horizontally so it fills in the thin spots. An alfalfa stand will thin out after three or four years, which is not an issue with kura.

“The challenge is to create space for the corn and soybeans each year,” Baker said.

The researchers have found that a rotary strip tillage unit creates a nice wide band in which to plant the corn. Competition for water between kura clover and corn can be an issue in dry years.

Kura clover also benefits the soil like cover crops.

In a conventional silage system, the soil loses carbon.

“By having the clover present, that will maintain soil carbon levels,” Baker said.

In addition, kura clover is excellent for building soil structure which reduces run off and increases infiltration, Baker explained.

Economics Alexander crunched the numbers to see if this system makes sense economically. It does.

In this project, they grew corn for grain, but harvesting the corn stover can generate more revenue so a producer can profit from grain and stover.

Break-even price on corn for grain is $3.50 per bushel. The break-even with grain and stover goes down to $2.80/bu., Alexander said.

“Conventional corn farmers are likely losing $70

per acre and we could be making $70 per acre,” Alexander said.

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Photo submitted Kura clover has potential to grow as a living mulch in corn.

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Having a marketable use for the stover is key, Baker added.

Either way, the stover must be removed.

“Modern corn cultivars generate so much stover and residue if we threw that back onto the surface, it would smother the clover. Stover could be an additional income stream,” Baker said.

When Alexander talks with farmers about this system, they are reluctant due to the intense management.

“I try to walk them through the management because it’s a relatively new system,” Baker said.

In fact, it’s so new there are no farmers in the state growing kura clover. Researchers were contacted by a farmer planning to give it a try in southeast Minnesota.

“We’re looking for farmers to collaborate on this project,” Alexander said.

They are recruiting producers who are willing to plant kura clover, possibly as a buffer. The plantings could be used as an on-farm demonstration.

Interested? Contact John Baker at jbaker@umn. edu or Jonathan Alexander at alexa564@umn.edu.

This research is supported by a grant from the Minnesota Corn Research and Promotion Council. v

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THE LAND — APRIL 20/APRIL 27, 2018

Sustainability is social, economic, environmental measures What is a sustainable animal agriculture system?

The answer depends on many things. At the heart of most agriculture sustainability definitions you find the following question: What are the current social, economic and environmental considerations that allow a system to continue to produce food, fuel and fiber for future generations? Every farm, company and industry has unique social, economic and environmental considerations. Ultimately, we can all be working towards sustainability, but the definition of what that looks like may differ. These broad areas of society, economics and environment are measured by very different means. How do we consider these unique aspects simultaneously? In order to meet the needs of future generations, we need to make some predictions of what is to come (or be overcome).

There are standards and fields of study devoted to sustainability definitions and processes. Agricultural industries and researchers have offered definitions, evaluations and products to align and help the industry and individual producers.

The “sustainability” conversation is something many of you are already having. It is important to continue these conversations with ourselves, within our industry and with the broader community.

From the planning stages to the day-to-day management of a farm, livestock producers are continuously making decisions which are influenced by our knowledge, experience, surroundings and values.

When it comes to decisions that affect the environment, some are further influenced by rules or standards (such as CAFO permit stipulations). Other times, decisions are based on the best available science, preferences, economics or simply the norm.

Environmental stewardship requires taking responsibility for one’s decisions. This involves understanding the environmental risks associated with situations or practices on a farm. Environmental risk can be decreased by eliminating or reducing discharges to water or air and maintaining a balance of nutrients entering and leaving the farm. Environmental stewardship also means following the rules and consider-

UniversityofMinnesota

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ing neighbors and the environment in each decision.

SWINE & U Sustainability is more of a continuous path vs. a final destinaBy Erin Cortus tion. That path can come with key performance indicators of success and ways to measure these indicators. The stronger these indicators are, the easier it is to understand and track progress.

The National Pork Board has taken part in multiple research projects to measure the carbon, water and land used to produce pork; which, collectively, make up the U.S. swine industry’s environmental footprint. The 2014 U.S. swine herd carbon footprint was 2.87 pounds of carbon dioxide equivalent per pound of live weight of pigs at the farm gate. Similarly, the water footprint was 18.7 gallons of water per pound of live weight of pigs at the farm gate.

Footprints are one useful method to evaluate environmental impact. A free online tool, the “Pig Production Environmental Footprint Calculator,” helps producers make these complex calculations specific to their own farm and conditions. Producers can compare footprints to the 2014 U.S. herd baselines as a reference point.

Regular soil and manure samples are critical for nutrient management planning and efficient use of manure as a fertilizer. Are soil nutrients, properties, or organic matter changing over time because of manure additions? Are the current levels and changes helpful or detrimental to long-term productivity by the land?

A swine producer influences feed sources and feed stuffs. These feed decisions can impact carbon, water and land use in varying ways. Lighting is typically a farm-based decision, and influences energy and carbon use; but has little impact on water and land use.

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We can evaluate where we are now, but does this current path work in the future? There are external forces we have little to no control over, which impact options and decision making. For example: climate variability including severe droughts or floods, economic crashes, disease outbreaks or new genetics.

The “Pig Production Environmental Footprint Calculator” can run a simulation with the historical weather files for any county in the United States.

Users can adapt these same calculations assuming a five-year drought period, for example. In this theoretical example, some factors would likely fluctuate widely — such as irrigation usage. Other factors would not — such as energy use for lighting. Model results can indicate how sensitive the farm is to changes in these outside forces.

While there are scientific, statistical and mathematical-based approaches to evaluate future risks; having the “what if” conversation is a good starting point.

This “what if” conversation can also help us evaluate potential changes. For example, how will changing the lights, pig diet, or adding solar panels affect the environmental footprint collectively?

It helps to have a personalized definition of sustainability. Determine what environmental, economic and social factors affect the farm’s ability to be productive for generations to come.

The “Pig Production Environmental Footprint Calculator” is available for download from National Pork Board at https://www.pork.org/environment/ environmental-impact-pig-farming/.

Erin Cortus is an assistant professor in the Bioproducts & Biosystems Engineering Department at the University of Minnesota. She can be reached at ecortus@umn.edu. v

THE LAND — APRIL 20/APRIL 27, 2018

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PAGE 13

Plant-based feed, water additives can improve flock health

By PAUL MALCHOW The Land Managing Editor MINNEAPOLIS — Cooks will tell you oregano and chicken go well together. Poultry producers are finding out oregano in chickens can bring important health benefits to their flocks.

Phytogenic feed additives was prevalent fodder for discussion at the Midwest Poultry Federation Convention held March 13-15 in Minneapolis.

These additives are derived from herbs, spices, other plants and their extracts — like essential oils.

As more producers commit to only selling antibiotic-free products, the use of phytogenic additives is being considered as an alternative option. Studies are showing phytogenic additives reduce toxin production and bacterial colonization — promoting what is commonly referred to as “gut health.”

Phytogenics are proving to help build birds’ immune system and also enable birds to better absorb the nutrients in their feed which promotes weight gain and enhances egg production.

Phytogenic feed additives do present some limitations — especially to operations which are transitioning into the system. Birds may find the additives less palatable. The additives have high fiber and protein contents which could inhibit birds’ ability to digest minerals such as iron.

Rather than incorporating feed additives, some producers are using waterbased phytogenics. The theory is some birds will eat more feed than others, meaning birds which eat less are not receiving the benefits of the additives.

Water consumption, however, is thought to be more even among the flock with all birds benefiting on a more equal level.

Eden Solutions out of Cheyenne, Wyo., produces Blue Gold — an organic

compound of herbs and minerals which is added to the flocks’ drinking water. A bit of a David among some of the animal nutrition Goliaths, Eden Solutions was at the Midwest Poultry convention.

A company representative said Blue Gold is achieving unexpected results backed by research studies conducted by the Southern Poultry Report.

Producers are seeing increased water hydration efficiency allowing birds to absorb more nutrients from their feed — boosting the immune system. Feed consumption actually dropped while at the same time, birds put on more weight. What is more surprising is the effect the herbs and minerals had on the temperament of the birds.

The stress level of the birds was reported to drop in just a few days.

Birds stopped plucking each other’s feathers out, flying into the walls and the equipment, and it became noticeably quieter in the barn. The manure smell was not as hot in the building. It seemed to compost faster and it was not hot when spread in the fields.

Though utilized in Europe for a number of years, sea algae is establishing itself in the United States as a nutritional source with animal health benefits. Brown, red and green algae each have their own beneficial qualities, but research is finding the brown algae best for antibacterial properties and stimulating the immune system. A whole new meaning behind the term, “chicken of the sea!”

One relatively new development in poultry science which generated quite a bit of interest at the Midwest Poultry convention was microalgae. High in protein and low in carbohydrates, microalgae are free-living tiny unicellular organisms found in marine environment and freshwater. Advanced technologies enable the algae growth

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industry to culture and process microalgae indoors. This controlled system allows a more consistent, stable and contaminant-free algae product.

Algae products are good sources of protein, vitamins, trace minerals, antioxidants, pigments, carbohydrates and fatty acids. More importantly, microalgae contains high amounts of the beneficial polyunsaturated fatty acids — commonly known as omega-3 fatty acids.

They also contain the essential amino acids which cannot be synthesized by the body and have to be acquired

through the diet.

Omega 3 fatty acids have been shown to enhance brain development, cardiovascular health and disease immunity.

Studies indicate feeding poultry microalgae transfers omega-3 fatty acids to the eggs and meat — making these products healthier for human consumption.

As consumers become more discerning about the quality of the food they buy, poultry producers will continue to explore natural avenues to improve the health of their flocks and the end-product of their labor. v

PAGE 14

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THE LAND — APRIL 20/APRIL 27, 2018

Halvorson Farms: Life in the land of 12,000 toms

By PAUL MALCHOW The Land Managing Editor MORRISTOWN, Minn. — “I raised three chickens in a box once,” said Kim Halvorson. “That was my experience in brooding. I needed help and I needed it fast!”

Halvorson is the matriarch of Halvorson Farms — a three-barn turkey operation on the outskirts of Morristown. Her homey office on a hill overlooks the barns which currently contain 12,000 birds and her 147th flock.

The road to those 147 flocks has had plenty of curves.

Halvorson and her husband Dennis built their first turkey finishing barn in 1988 and added a second in 1990. At that time, they were contract growers — paid a flat rate per pound of turkey raised. The Halvorsons bought out their contract in 1995, became independent growers, and built their brood barn in 1998.

“The industry was very welcoming,” Halvorson said. “I read everything I could get my hands on. I was never a brooding Photos by Paul Malchow expert. I believe it is an art and not a sci- Security is important at Halvorson Farms, but ence.”

Kim’s pack of dogs serve more of a role as welIn 2012 the Halvorsons started Bio Wood coming committee.

Processing in Faribault. The company farm. “I’ve always been the operaused scrap wood which would have normally ended tions person,” she said, “so it didn’t up in landfills to make mulch and animal bedding. take a big adjustment on my part.”

“It was the only indoor grinding operation in the The Bio Wood Processing facility state,” she said. “We were properly zoned and permitted, but people did not like the location or the opera- caught fire in the spring of 2016 which spelled the end of the entertion. It was a very difficult period.” prise.

While dealing with legal issues involving the Rice The Halvorsons have three daughCounty board and Bio Wood neighbors, the Halvorsons’ marriage dissolved in 2015. Suddenly ters: Breann, Benita and Greta; and Kim found herself running Bio Wood and the turkey a son, Bernt. While the daughters

have gone on to careers and families of their own, Bernt has returned to help out on the farm. He is the industrial arts and ag instructor at Bethlehem Academy in Faribault.

“I tried to push my kids off the farm to try other things,” Halvorson said. “No one can take (education) away from you. We all have tools in life and education is the hammer. You can use the hammer for a lot of different things. What you use it for is your choice.”

Every seven weeks, day-old chicks arrive at the Halvorson Farms brooding house.

Halvorson raises the Hybrid and Nicholas varieties of turkey — all toms. “The tom is the meat bird,” Halvorson explained. “Any ground turkey products or turkey parts are toms. The whole birds you buy in the store are hens because they’re smaller.

Have you ever seen anyone roast a 45-pound bird? Nobody’s going to do it. You can’t fit it in the oven. I’ve tried.”

The turkeys are rotated through the two finishing barns. After 20 weeks the birds are shipped out again for processing. In the course of a year, Halvorson Farms will produce about 100,000 birds which will consume 3.5 million pounds of corn and soybean meal.

“We have about 140 acres of tillable land,” Halvorson said. “We would need 6,000 acres to grow enough soybeans and corn to feed our turkeys.”

Halvorson Farms brokers turkey manure to farmers’ fields in six counties. “What we do here is a circle effect,” explained Halvorson. “The manure goes to the fields which grow corn and soybeans which See HALVORSON, pg. 15

THE LAND — APRIL 20/APRIL 27, 2018

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PAGE 15

Controlling temperature is main concern for a healthy flock HALVORSON, from pg. 14 comes back as food for the turkeys and so on. The manure is spread in the spring and fall. We work with an agronomist to build the soil and feed the plants. You want to leave the world a better place than when you came in.”

Before the birds are shipped out, one tom is culled from the flock for testing to make sure the bird is healthy and antibiotic-free. Blood samples are randomly taken from 20 other birds to ensure the flock is safe to enter the food system. The birds’ bedding is tested for salmonella.

Halvorson picked up a stack of papers off of her desk. She will be shipping out a batch of turkeys in a couple of weeks.

“These are the weight sheets which gives us an average weight for each bird. This tells us how many birds we can haul in one truck without being overweight. Plus, we can’t send all of the birds at once, because the plant can only process so many birds in a shift.”

that is just as important.”

Feed and water are obviously important when raising thousands of turkeys, but Halvorson said barn temperature is most critical. Chicks need the barns warmer while older birds prefer cooler temps. “Heat is an issue,” she admitted. “It’s a constantly-changing environment. Fifty-five degrees in the barn is the sweet spot you want to hit.

It’s actually easier in the winter. I have a choice of what the temperature is and it’s easier to control than in the summer.”

Halvorson Farms was fortunate to bypass the avian flu epidemic which crippled the turkey industry in 2015.

“Because of the flight patterns in this area, we knew we had a chance for avian flu,” Halvorson said. “In 2011-12 we were already talking about it — being careful about biosecurity, more careful in the finish barns. Our feed bins are filled outside so deliveries never enter the buildings. It is a very

dent of the Minnesota Turkey Research and Promotion Council. Check-off funded, the MTRPC has access to PAC funds and promotes research in feed and probiotics.

Halvorson also spent 15 years as a licensed child care provider (“I still keep in touch with some of them today”). For 30 years she broadcasted seven minutes of Morristown news on the local radio station. She is a member of the Faribault Area Chamber of Commerce, is a minority liaison with Farm Service Agency, and is the current vice-chair of the Rice County

District One Hospital Board of Directors. Halvorson is involved in the Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation and is vice president of the Farmamerica board of directors. An exRice County commissioner, Halvorson has served on the county board of adjustment and chaired the Rice County Planning and Zoning Commission.

“The only way to be part of the solution is being involved,” Halvorson simply stated. “I still like agriculture and I still read a lot. When I quit reading will be the day I croak.” v

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Halvorson’s turkeys are rotated through three barns as they grow. Chicks are in one barn and are moved at about 5 weeks old. After about seven weeks the birds are moved again before they ship out at 20 weeks. Feed bins are kept outside of the barns enabling them to be filled without coming in contact with the birds.

Halvorson is happy with the farm’s operation but is always looking for ways to improve. “We’ll try new equipment,” she said. “We recently put in new feed lines and my son wants to try a new watering system. He just computerized our tractors. We’ve managed to increase production by 25 percent.”

“I like to see things grow,” Halvorson went on to say. “We see what could be.

But you can get tunnel vision on one specific area and miss something else

enclosed system. People are bigger carriers than other birds so it depends on who comes in the barns.”

“I’ve had the opportunity to work with a lot of great people. Earl B (Olson — founder of Jennie-O) was very patient answering my questions. I also have a strong relationship with the University of Minnesota,” she said.

Halvorson has become quite a resource herself and is currently presi-

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THE LAND — APRIL 20/APRIL 27, 2018

Iowa hatchery urges proper care for baby chicks

By TIM KING The Land Correspondent BANCROFT, Iowa — Welp Hatchery is benefiting from the growing interest in small farm and backyard poultry flocks, according to Steve Wagner, Welp’s general manager of retail sales.

“The renewed interest in backyard and small farm flocks is what’s making our business grow,” Wagner said. “The large commercial hatcheries won’t deal with those small flocks. But being able to supply small quantities of chicks to backyard producers has helped small hatcheries like ours grow. That’s particularly true in the layer side of the business; but it’s also true in the broiler side.”

Plenty has changed in the poultry business since Joseph Welp founded his hatchery in this small north central Iowa town in 1929. Nowadays, the hatchery is part of an international poultry organization involved in producing fertilized eggs, broiler chickens, chicken feed and even poultry processing. But in Iowa, where Welp employs 50 people during the peak of its spring hatch, the small producer who buys 25, 50 or 100 baby chicks is still central to the company’s business.

Photos submitted “We ship all over the country from nearby Welp employees start their day at 5 a.m. to deliver chicks in a Minnesota, to Maine, Washington and even timely manner. Chicks are vaccinated, counted and put on a Alaska,” Wagner said. “In most cases, chicks plane or truck by 10 a.m.

At that time of day the chicks, which have been developing in incubated eggs for 21 days, are just emerging from the shell. They come out into a clean, bright room that is kept at 75 to 80 F. Then they are vaccinated, counted and put into boxes.

“By 7 or 8 a.m. we’re already putting those new chicks into the shipping boxes; and by 10 a.m. we usually have them on a temperature-controlled truck headed to the airport in Minneapolis so they can get them on an airplane or on a truck headed to customers’ locations,” Wagner said.

Since baby chicks can’t regulate their own body temperature very well, Welp works hard to keep them warm enroute to their new home. The trucks they are shipped on have generators designed to keep the chicks at 85 to 90 F. “In bad weather we even add hand warmers to the boxes to care for the chicks,” Wagner said.

Welp guarantees the customers’ chicks will arrive alive and that they will live for the first few days that you have them. As an insurance policy against accidental loss, each order always includes a few extra chicks. If no chicks die, the producer gets a few free chicks. If a couple do die, Welp is spared the trouble of providing credit for two or three chicks.

But when the customer receives the birds, they must be prepared to provide for their well-being and welfare, Wagner says. A heat lamp to continue to keep them warm is essential. So is that first drink of water when the chicks emerge from their box.

“The important thing to do when the customer receives the chicks is to get them on water first — because most of them are more dehydrated then hungry,” Wagner said. “You want to replenish their fluids first because if you add feed first, it takes moisture to digest.”

hatched in Iowa arrive at their destination in 24 to 48 hours. We send everything UPS Express and most zones that they ship to are two-day service. Since Mother Nature designed the chicks’ yolk sack for three to four days of nutrients, that works out well.”

To get live and healthy chicks into the hands of flockmistresses or flockmasters so quickly requires that the Welp crew be on the job early in the morning.

“We begin processing our chicks at 5 a.m,” Wagner See HATCHERY, pg. 17 said.

THE LAND — APRIL 20/APRIL 27, 2018

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PAGE 17

Chick behavior indicates proper temperature setting HATCHERY, from pg. 16 “Dip the chicks’ beaks into water to show them where it is,” he said. “If it’s a small order, you can dip them all. But if it’s a large order, you can dip one or two and the others will see those drinking and they’ll go over and learn how to do that surprisingly quickly.

They learn from each other.”

Every new batch of chicks must have a clean environment — including fresh dry bedding in the form of shavings, sawdust or shredded newspaper, according to Wagner. Keeping the temperature around 90 to 95 F is also important. Wagner recommends putting a thermometer in the pen and adjusting the heat lamp up or down as a way to maintain a healthy temperature. You can also watch chick behavior to learn if you’ve got the pen at the right temperature.

Allison Delperdang straps boxes of chicks in preparation for shipping. Chicks have been packed with hand warmers when shipped on cold days.

“If the chicks are running around and they’re not all huddled up you know that you’ve got the temperature adjusted correctly,” Wagner said. “But if they’re huddled up, it’s not warm enough for them.

On the other hand, if they are in corners as far from the lights as possible, they are too warm.”

Welp specializes in Cornish Rock hybrid broiler chickens; but they carry numerous other breeds of meat birds, dual purpose meat and egg-laying breeds, and fancy show varieties. Most of them are hatched at the Iowa hatchery but some are hatched elsewhere.

Welp’s other broiler-type birds include the Red Broiler, Slow White Broiler and the Freedom Ranger.

Their catalog has numerous breeds of layers including different Leghorn strains, California Gray and Buff Orpington. The company’s rare breeds include the Andalusian Blue and the Beatty White Leghorn.

Welp also sells supplies such as waterers and “I expect that will work itself out in time,” he said. chicken feather pluckers. Wagner said the company Wagner also encouraged people who process poultry plans to expand its line of supplies in the near future. for family and friends to learn how to do it in a safe One of the bottlenecks to continued growth in the and sanitary manner. There is a lot of poultry care small flock industry is a shortage of inspected poul- information at Welp’s website www.welphatchery.com. try processing facilities, according to Wagner. v

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THE LAND — APRIL 20/APRIL 27, 2018

Cheese demand is positive; milk output increasing This column was written for the marketthe lower NDM and butter price foreing week ending April 13. casts. It is estimated to average around $13.55, down a nickel from last month’s The U.S. Department of Agriculture left estimate, and compares to $15.16 in 2017 its 2018 milk production forecast in the and $13.77 in 2016. latest World Agricultural Supply and n Demand Estimates report unchanged.

Dairy prices saw more ups and downs the 2018 production and marketings remain second week of April. The cheddar blocks at 219 and 218 billion pounds respectivefinished April 13 at $1.605 per pound, up a ly. If realized, 2018 production would be MIELKE MARKET quarter-cent on the week and 13 cents up 3.5 billion pounds or 1.6 percent from WEEKLY above a year ago. The barrels closed at 2017.

By Lee Mielke $1.46, up a penny, 3.25 cents above a year The 2018 import forecast was ago, but still a higher-than-normal reduced slightly on a fat basis, but 14.5 cents below the blocks. Two cars unchanged on a skim-solids basis. of block were traded at the Chicago Exports on a fat basis were also Mercantile Exchange this week and unchanged, but skim-solids-basis exports were 29 of barrel. raised on stronger sales of nonfat dry milk and skim Cheese demand reports are generally positive milk powder and lactose. from Midwestern producers, according to Dairy The annual product price forecast for cheese was Market News. “There are some warm spots on the unchanged at the midpoint although the range was weather forecast ahead of grilling season, although narrowed. Butter prices are expected to increase parts of the upper Midwest were expecting heavy more slowly in the second half of the year and the snow over the weekend and into the following price forecast was reduced. The nonfat dry milk week.” price was reduced slightly on current prices. The Spot milk remains discounted, $2 to $3.50 under annual whey price forecast was lowered on larger Class. Some cheesemakers have turned up producsupplies and weaker demand. tion the past few weeks and are fortifying with nonThe expected Class III milk price average was fat dry milk in order to alleviate fairly heavy NDM lowered, based on the lower whey price forecast. stocks. Some questions arise with contacts regardLook for a 2018 average of around $14.45 per huning the relatively sizeable CME block-to-barrel price dredweight, down 15 cents from last month ’s progap, but generally central contacts view the markets jection, and compares to the 2017 average of $16.17 with a bullish eye, says Dairy Market News. and $14.87 in 2016.

“Western cheese output is increasing along the The Class IV price estimate was lowered, based on same trajectory as milk output,” says Dairy Market

MARKETING

News. Contacts say the spring flush has commenced within areas of the Western region and cheese makers have plenty of milk. Contacts report that demand has been strong for both blocks and barrels, but has recently subsided somewhat for barrel cheese, as suggested by the widening gap between CME prices. Inventories are heavy, but not necessarily burdensome at this point, “However,” warned Dairy Market News, “if U.S. and European cheese prices converge, manufacturers worry they may face the ineluctable realization that competition for export sales may become more fierce.”

Spot butter climbed to $2.32 per pound on April 9, but slipped 2 cents on April 12 and closed the next day at $2.2875 — unchanged on the week, but 20 cents above a year ago. On the week, 46 cars were sold, with 23 on April 10 alone.

Central butter plant managers are receiving more cream offers and butter sales are taking off — both on and off of the CME marketplace.

Some producers suggest there is strong interest from export purchasers in multiple global localities, as butter prices domestically are competitive.

Western butter output is strong. Many states are in the spring flush so abundant milk loads are clearing through Class IV utilization. Butter sales were steady compared to the previous week and spot demand seems to be strong.

Cash Grade A nonfat dry milk closed April 13 at 73.25 cents per pound, up a half-cent on the week but 11.25 cents below a year ago, with six sales on the week.

The spot dry whey closed April 13 at 30.5 cents per pound, down 1.5 cents. n On a brighter note, the U.S. Dairy Export Council reports U.S. dairy export volume reached an all-time high in February (on a daily-average basis), led by strengthening ingredient sales to Southeast Asia, record lactose exports to China and broad-based increases in overseas sales of cheese. Suppliers shipped 181,797 tons of milk powder, cheese, butterfat, whey and lactose during the month, up 19 percent from last February. U.S. exports were valued at $454 million, up 4 percent.

See MIELKE, pg. 19

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Milk Producers Federation lauds farm bill’s coverage levels MIELKE, from pg. 18

equation, everything looks like it’s going to Sales to Southeast Asia have been stay the same. There is robust in early 2018. Shipments plenty of milk everywhere in the of nonfat dry milk/skim milk powder world, and I don’ t see milk producers and dry whey to the region were up 71 in the U.S.A. letting up on the throttle percent vs. a year earlier. for at least another four to six months.

So why are U.S. milk prices where On the demand side, everything is they are? In the April 16 Dairy Radio kinda staying the same. It’s good, it’s Now broadcast, HighGround Dairy’s not exceptional, but it’s fairly steady — director of dairy market intelligence, here and around the world. We’re movLucas Fuess, blamed supply. Fuess ing product overseas and we’re moving stated the United States continues to product domestically. So that means produce a lot of milk — especially as prices are going to stay, pretty much you look to the Western states. He range-bound where they have been.” reminded us that U.S. output was up One final export note: The April 11 1.8 percent in January and February Daily Dairy Report says, “Dairy is a and says we’re close to a multi-year rapidly-growing market in Egypt. Five high on cow numbers. So “as long as of the top 10 food growth products in the milk continues coming, prices con- Egypt are dairy: condensed and/or tinue to be distressed.” sweetened milk and cream, butter, Fuess also warned of the consequenc- cheese, infant food, and food preparaes of losing those global markets, echo- tions — which often include dry milking comments made in the previous based ingredients,” according to a week’s broadcast by Jerry Dryer, anarecent report by USDA’s Foreign lyst and editor of the Dairy and Food Agricultural Service.”

Market Analyst newsletter. Dryer disn cussed some of his long-range forecasts In politics, the House Agriculture and stated, “On the supply side of the

Committee introduced its 2018 farm bill on April 12, which drew praise from the National Milk Producers Federation. An NMPF press release stated, “The bill introduced includes several changes we have advocated for, particularly in improving coverage levels and providing greater coverage flexibility for dairy producers. It also includes important language on price risk management, which NMPF has worked on closely alongside the International Dairy Foods Association.”

Highlights of the bill, according to Gray, include the fact that dairy producers can enroll between zero and 90 per cent of their annual production as opposed to the current 25 to 90 percent requirements. MPP payments will be calculated on a monthly basis as opposed to a bi-monthly basis, and it allows producers to use both the MPP and the Livestock Gross Margin Dairy Insurance Programs at the same time — as long as it does not cover the same milk. The Dairy Title changes the calculation for determining the Class I skim milk price by removing the “higher of” provision in setting the The IDFA said, “We’re hopeful that Class III and Class IV price under the our collaborative efforts will help to Federal Milk Marketing Orders. It smooth the passage of a farm bill that includes provisions designed to enhance adds an average of the advanced pricrisk management options for dairy pro- ing factors plus 74 cents, it extends the Dairy Forward Pricing Program, cessors and producers and establish a extends the Dairy Indemnity Program, retailer incentive program in the and extends the Dairy Promotion and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Research Program.

Program, or SNAP, that includes fluid milk.” Those SNAP provisions remain a Lee Mielke is a syndicated columnist source of contention, according to Bob who resides in Everson, Wash. His Gray’s April 13 Northeast Dairy weekly column is featured in newspaFarmers Cooperative’s newsletter. pers across the country and he may be reached at lkmielke@juno.com. v

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MARKETING

Grain Outlook Demand shores up corn The following marketing analysis is for the week ending May 13.

CORN — Another report week, this time the release of the monthly World Agricultural Demand and Supply Estimates report. The day before the report, May corn matched the previous week’s high at $3.92.5 per bushel. The neutral report didn’t provide a lot of price direction, but prices faded the balance of the week. Corn was caught between a rallying soybean market and weakening wheat markets.

Results of the March WASDE PHYLLIS NYSTROM report included a 50 million CHS Hedging Inc. bushel cut to feed/residual and a St. Paul 5 million-bushel reduction in Feed, Seed and Industrial.

Exports were unchanged at 2.225 billion bushels as was corn for ethanol at 5.575 billion bushels. Ending stocks for 2017-18 rose 55 million bushels to 2.182 billion bushels. The average trade estimate was 2.196 billion bushels. World ending stocks fell 1.39 million metric tons to 197.78 mmt, the smallest since 2013-14. The average estimate was 197 mmt.

Argentina’s corn crop was estimated at 33 mmt, down 3 mmt from last month. Brazil’s crop was cut 2.5 mmt to 92 mmt. The Buenos Aires Grain Exchange and the Rosario Grain Exchange are carrying Argentina’s corn crop at 32 mmt. Argentina’s corn harvest was estimated at 31 percent complete vs. 21 percent on average. Conab is pegging Brazil’s corn crop at 88.6 mmt. Brazil’s first corn harvest was pegged at 66 percent complete vs. 64 percent last year. The U.S. attaché in Brazil is forecasting their corn crop at 89 mmt, well below the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s 92 mmt outlook.

Weekly export sales were below the pre-report estimates at just 33.1 million bushels for old crop and 2.2 million bushels for new crop. The sales were above the 15.3 million needed per week to hit the USDA’s 2.225-billion-bushel target. We are just 2 percent behind last year’s total commitments when the USDA is projecting a 3 percent year-on-year decline in exports. Weekly ethanol production was down 4,000 barrels per day to 1.034 million bpd.

Stocks were 600,000 barrels lower at 21.8 million barrels. Margins improved 4 cents per gallon to 12 cents per gallon.

See NYSTROM, pg. 21

Cash Grain Markets corn/change* soybeans/change*

Stewartville Edgerton Jackson Janesville Cannon Falls Sleepy Eye

$3.22 +.01 $3.42 +.06 $3.33 -.03 $3.45 +.06 $3.26 -.06 $3.35 -.03

$9.60 +.48 $9.64 +.35 $9.68 +.13 $9.68 +.39 $9.62 +.13 $9.66 +.13

Grain Angles Weighing a spring weather market

Record April snowfall in many areas of the upper Midwest, along with colder than average temperatures, have kept many planters in the shed up until Average: $3.34 $9.65 now. The states in the upper Midwest will likely progress through the early planting season signifi Year Ago Average: $3.17 $8.79 cantly behind the five-year averGrain prices are effective cash close on April 17. age when it comes to the report*Cash grain price change represents a two-week period. ed U.S. Department of Agriculture crop progress reports. The market will consider a few different factors when digesting the information reported during this critical spring planting period.

First of all, there is little argument that the corn, soybeans GLENN WACHTLER Compeer Senior and wheat can get planted Lending Officer extremely quickly and more effiBaldwin, Wis. Finally some recovery in livestock prices after an ciently with larger equipment extended negative spring so far this year. Fear of that many farms utilize these trade wars which has dominated the markets as of days. Better hybrids can adapt to cooler conditions late seem to be subsiding which has most of the allowing for earlier planting — as well as planting futures discounts to either a premium or eased the through conditions that would have been impossible just a decade or two ago. discounts that had been present the past several weeks and or The planting window required to reach trend-line the past several months. The yields is narrower than ever before. In 2017, next question is: Will this recovMinnesota was able to plant 49 percent of their ery in livestock prices continue? intended corn acres with the extraordinary weather in the week ending on May 14, according to the 2017 The cattle market continues to USDA crop progress report. carry a wide spread between cash and futures as the trade Furthermore, the National Weather Service forecontinues to fear the onset of casts from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric numbers in the near future. It JOE TEALE Association will provide official weather data for the appears that some of the reason Broker traders to digest. More often than ever before, feewe have not found this wall of Great Plains Commodity based private forecasters and online weather sercattle is that there has been Afton, Minn. vices try to provide insiders and producers an edge many who have marketed cattle to trade the markets and develop weather based early to take advantage of the huge discounts that strategies. Many of the private and official forecasts their hedged positions to cash provided. There also are watching oceanic-atmospheric oscillations (such appears that many green cattle have been marketed as the El Nino Southern Oscillation) to identify as evidenced by the expanding gap between choice weather trends which can lead to above or belowand select over the past month. Because of this trend line crop yields. For the spring of 2018, the action of selling cattle before their desired weight consensus is we are in a weakening La Nina pattern. could possibly take the severity of the anticipated La Ninas are known for having a higher percentage large numbers of finished cattle being marketed over of below-trend line yields compared to El Nino or the next several months. Another prospect is because neutral phases of the ENSO in the South Pacific. of the dryness in many of the pasture areas, many Additionally, how commodity traders and endlightweight cattle were placed early in the feedlots. users are positioned can also have an impact on the Because of the change in moisture in many of these areas, the possibility arises that many cattle could potential for a price rally. Any potential increase in be put out to grass once again lowering the numbers price needs willing participants able to buy positions

Livestock Angles Livestock markets recover

See TEALE, pg. 21

See WACHTLER, pg. 21

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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PAGE 21

Argentine soybean purchase boosts market price NYSTROM, from pg. 20 The U.S. Climate Prediction Center is laying 70 percent odds for neutral La Nina conditions through July and 62 percent through July/August. Colorado State University’s first hurricane predictions for this year predict a greater-than-normal chance of a major storm hitting the United States, with three major systems reaching Category 3 or higher.

It may be safe to say we won’t have an earlier-thannormal planting season this year, but it’s probably too early to say we’ll have a late planting season. The average corn planting progress for April 15 is 15 percent complete. The average planting progress is 25 percent by April 22. As of April 8, corn planting in the United States was 2 percent complete, spot on with the average.

Outlook: Uncertain planting weather and underlying good demand likely prevented further losses in the corn market this week. For the week, May corn fell 2.25 cents to $3.86.25, July was down 2.5 cents at $3.94.5, and December dropped 1.75 cents to $4.10.75/ bu. U.S. planting weather will attract more attention in the coming weeks. If we continue to be delayed, prices should stay in the upper end of the recent trading ranges. The next WASDE report will be released May 10.

Hog export outlook improving TEALE, from pg. 20 of cattle on feed in the future reports.

Therefore, the next several weeks will likely determine the fate of the cattle market of whether we continue to hold these current cash prices or fall under increased supplies. Producers should be aware of market conditions and know that volatility will remain in the weeks ahead.

Hogs have been an adventure this past year as the market seems more like a roller coaster ride in price movement than a steady up or down in prices due to fundamental factors. The fact that the pork cutout appears to be making a bottom is encouraging for the possibility that this current downturn in cash prices may be ending. Also the fear of a trade war is beginning to wane and has improved the trade outlook for prices ahead.

The fact that the futures market has moved from a discount to a premium helps suggest that the bear market has subsided at least for a moment. From the prospective of an expansion of the hog herd over the next few months, this seems very unlikely until prices get back to a more profitable situation. This should to some degree help in the short term outlook for the cash prices as packers are likely to compete for inventories. Producers should continue monitor market conditions and keep current on marketing inventories. v

MARKETING SOYBEANS — Unlike corn, soybeans shot higher out of the chute to begin the week. Gains were cut going into the weekend on profit taking and a lack of fund buying. Strength was derived from good demand for U.S. soybeans, fading fears of a trade war with China, and a slightly bullish WASDE report. We have now rebounded back to pre-tariff talk price levels. The tariff threats pushed Brazilian soybean premiums higher and ultimately made them uncompetitive. Enter U.S. beans as the cheapest in the world.

Argentina bought 240,000 metric tons of new crop 2018-19 U.S. soybeans during the week, the first such sale since 2008-09! There was reportedly interest even from Brazil. However, as the concerns eased, so did Brazilian values. As I write, Brazilian soybeans are once again the cheapest in the world.

The March WASDE report showed few changes.

Crush was increased 10 million bushels to 1.97 billion bushels, seed and residual were each reduced 3 million bushels. Exports were left alone at 2.065 billion bushels. Ending stocks were up 5 million bushels to 550 million bushels. The average trade estimate was for a 20 million-bushel increase to 575 million bushels. World ending stocks decreased 3.6 mmt to 90.8 mmt. The average trade estimate was 90.8 mmt.

Argentina’s soybean crop estimate was slashed 7 mmt to 40 mmt and Brazil’s was pumped up 2 mmt to 115 mmt. The average trade estimates were 42.1 mmt and 115.6 mmt, respectively.

China imported 5.66 mmt of soybeans in March, up slightly from 5.42 mmt imported in February. In the first quarter of 2018, China has imported 19.57 mmt of soybeans, up just 0.2 percent from the previous year. In the first six months of the marketing year, China has imported 43.6 mmt of soybeans. The USDA is anticipating them to import 97 mmt this year. For them to reach that target, their monthly imports will need to be at record levels from here on out.

The BAGE pegged Argentina’s soybean crop at 38 mmt, unchanged from their previous estimate. The

Rosario Grain Exchange has it at 37 mmt. The USDA was at 40 mmt this past week. Argentina’s soybean crop was estimated at 28 percent harvested vs. 17 percent on average. Conab has Brazil’s bean crop at 114.96 mmt, in sync with the latest USDA number. Agroconsult is more optimistic with a 119 mmt crop outlook. Brazil’s soybean harvest was estimated at 79 percent complete vs. 81 percent on average.

Weekly export sales were record large for this week at 55.5 million bushels for old crop and an impressive 35.1 million bushels for new crop. The new crop sales were the largest for the year so far. Old crop total commitments are only 4 percent behind last year when the USDA is expecting a 5 percent decline in year-on-year exports. We need weekly sales of 6.8 million bushels to achieve the USDA’s 2.065 billionbushel forecast. New crop commitments are 122 million bushels vs. 98 million bushels on the books last year at this point.

Outlook: Support from Argentina’s purchases of U.S. soybeans this week helped propel prices higher.

Good demand in general was also supportive. If we see exports begin to fade, it will weigh on prices, so continue to monitor demand. Nearby soybeans hit new highs for the recent rally this week, before pulling back slightly into the weekend. For the week, May soybeans rallied 20.5 cents to $10.54.25, July was up 20.25 cents at $10.65, and November gained 16.25 cents at $10.49.5 per bushel. May meal fell $3.50 to $382.80 per ton and May soyoil was down a fraction at $0.3148 per pound. Weather and demand will be the drivers next week. We could still be in for a bumpy ride into the spring.

Nystrom’s Notes: Contract changes for the week ending April 13: Minneapolis May wheat was 9.75 cents higher at $6.17, Chicago was a quarter-cent higher at $4.72.5, and Kansas City fell 11 cents to $4.95.75/bu. Crude oil jumped $5.33 higher at $67.39, ULSD rallied 14.25 cents, RBOB gained 11 cents, and natural gas was up 3.5 cents. The U.S. dollar index was down .317 at 89.465 at mid-afternoon April 13. v

Late planting impacts crop insurance WACHTLER, from pg. 20 in the market. If traders and commercial buyers own much of the crop and supplies appear plentiful, they will not worry about aggressively buying additional contracts. In the near term, traders are most likely to change their net positions and have many contracts of corn already sold. They may be looking to buy contracts if there are any major disruptions to the supply.

Finally, if information overload has taken over and you want to keep it simple, take a look at the calendar. May 30 is the last day to plant corn in many

areas of the upper Midwest with a full crop insurance guarantee. June 10 marks the last day to plant soybeans with a full insurance guarantee. Consult your local crop insurance agent to verify these dates in your area and what that means for you policy. When those dates pass, it is more likely that acres will not get planted and could affect our ending carryout in the USDA supply and demand reports. Good luck to all this spring!

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

PAGE 22

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THE LAND — APRIL 20/APRIL 27, 2018

Ag committee chairman releases first farm bill details For the past two years, the intact. The proposed bill U.S. House and Senate have calls for increases in the been holding hearings and maximum allowable level listening sessions on the of Conservation Reserve next farm bill. The current Program acreage over the farm bill expires on Sept. 30. next five years. One change being proposed Release of specific farm bill would be to eliminate the proposals by Congress have current energy title with been quite slow. The first FARM PROGRAMS many of the provisions of proposed text for a new farm that title being covered by bill was recently released by

By Kent Thiesse other legislation. An early U.S. House Agriculture sticking point with Committee Chairman opponents of Mike Conaway. The text Conaway’s bill are will now be reviewed by changes proposed to the food and the entire House Ag Committee before nutrition program (SNAP) that would proceeding to the U.S. House for a affect food stamp recipients. vote. As of this writing, no new farm bill proposals have been released by Here are some of the highlights of the U.S. Senate. the proposed farm bill I would like to point out.

Conaway’s proposal keeps many of the existing farm bill titles and farm ARC-CO program programs in place for the 2019-23 crop Eligible farm operators would have years. The proposal includes tweaks to another one-time, five-year choice the current county level ag risk cover- between the ARC-CO and PLC proage (ARC-CO) and price-loss coverage gram for the crop years 2019-23 on a (PLC) programs, keeps the current commodity-by-commodity basis. crop insurance program pretty much The ARC-CO program would contin-

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ue to use 86 percent of the annually adjusted county benchmark revenue for a crop as the revenue guarantee for that crop. Beginning in 2019, the county yields used for the ARC-CO program would be based on Risk Management Agency average yields, which are based on reported crop insurance yields, rather than National Ag Statistics Service average yields. It is felt that the RMA average yields should be more accurate than the NASS yields. Also beginning in 2019, ARC-CO payments would be based on the physical location of the FSA farm unit. In the current farm bill, producers with farms in multiple counties could have all farm units counted for ARC-CO payments in the county that handled the FSA administrative work for the producer. This has created inequities where farm units in a county that was not eligible for ARC-CO payments would still receive payments for that crop — due to having a different FSA administrative county.

PLC program There will not be an across-theboard opportunity for producers to upgrade crop base acres or FSA program yields in the next farm bill.

However, there will be a one-time opportunity to update the FSA yields based on the average farm unit yields for the 2013-2017 crop years, which will only be available in counties that were severely impacted by long-term drought during the years of the previous yield update opportunity (20082012). This will not likely affect many areas of the upper Midwest.

The minimum PLC reference prices will remain the same as the current PLC reference prices, which are $3.70 per bushel for corn, $8.40 per bushel for soybeans, and $5.50 per bushel for wheat.

The House farm bill proposal would allow the PLC reference price for a given crop to increase above the minimum reference price if the five-year market-year average price for that crop, times 85 percent, exceeds the minimum reference price — up to a maximum of 115 percent of the minimum reference price for a that crop. U.S. House Ag Committee Ranking Member Collin Peterson, Minnesota Democrat, has proposed increasing the PLC reference prices by 10 percent. The proposed increase would raise the PLC reference prices to $4.07/bu. for corn, $9.24/bu. for soybeans, and $6.05/bu. for wheat. This proposal to increase the PLC reference prices was not included in the House Ag Committee proposal.

Other Title I programs Beginning in 2019, any crop base acres that have been planted to a FSA commodity crop since 2009 would no longer be eligible for farm program payments.

The Commodity Credit Corporation marketing loan program will continue similar to the current program, with national marketing loan rates unchanged from the current levels, which are at $1.95/bu. for corn, $5.00/ bu. for soybeans, and $2.94/bu. for wheat.

The cotton program will be part of Title I, which is a provision that was already included in the budget bill passed by Congress earlier this year.

Improvements were also made to the dairy safety-net program in the budget bill that was passed, but further enhancements in the dairy program were included in the U.S. House farm bill proposal.

The farm program payment limit would remain at $125,000 per eligible See THIESSE, pg. 23

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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 with a phone number (not for publication)

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PAGE 23

Conaway proposes FSA programs would remain untouched THIESSE, from pg. 22 farm operator, with very few changes proposed to farm program payment eligibility.

Very few changes were proposed for the sugar program.

Crop insurance The base concept of the federal crop insurance program would remain intact under the proposed new farm bill, including the harvest price option on revenue protection insurance policies. Some groups and members of Congress have called for eliminating the HPO option, as a method to save federal expenditures on the crop insurance program.

The proposal also did not put limits on the total dollar amount of premium subsidies available for crop insurance premiums, which has been proposed by some members of Congress.

The proposed farm bill does offer discounted crop insurance premiums to beginning farm operators, and expands insurance options to underserved commodities and livestock producers.

Conservation programs Conaway proposes to increase the maximum allowable Conservation Reserve Program acreage by one million acres per year, beginning in 2019, up to a cap of 29 million acres in 2023.

Three million CRP acres would be dedicated to grassland. This proposal is highly popular with wildlife and environmental groups, some ag organizations, and many members of Congress, as well as the general public.

To help generate more federal budget capacity for the added CRP acre-

age, the maximum CRP rental rate in a given county would be reduced to 80 percent of NASS average cash rental rate in a county for a given year — beginning in 2019.

NASS would be required to re-calculate the county-average rental rates on an annual basis. Currently, the maximum CRP rental rate is equal to the NASS average rental rate in a county, which some farm organizations feel is keeping cash rental rates in some areas artificially higher than they should be.

The proposed farm bill would merge the Conservation Stewardship Program with the Environmental Quality Incentives Program, with the goal of increasing efficiency in implementing the programs. Both programs target practices on working farms.

Existing CSP contracts will still be honored under the new farm bill.

Food and nutrition programs In order to receive benefits under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program in the proposed U.S. House farm bill, there would be a 20-hour per week work/training requirement for all work-capable adults (ages 18-59). This proposal would eliminate both the general work requirement and the “able-bodied adults without dependents” time limit.

There would be exemptions to the proposed requirements for specific populations, including the elderly, disabled persons, and women who are pregnant. States would be allowed a twoyear transition period to implement the revised SNAP requirements.

The proposed bill also provides funding to enhance current education and

training programs for SNAP participants.

Other programs The proposed Farm Bill sets up $450 million in funds to establish a National Animal Disease Preparedness and Response Program to help prevent and respond to a potential foot-and-mouth disease outbreak in the U.S., as well as to address additional livestock-related diseases such as avian influenza, porcine epidemic diarrhea virus and other pandemic diseases.

The proposed bill would maintain funding and most programs that are currently available through FSA direct and guaranteed loans, with some modest changes to eligibility requirements and maximum loan limits.

If Conaway’s legislation passes the

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U.S. House, it would then be up to the U.S. Senate to pass its version of a new farm bill. A conference committee would work out the differences in the House and Senate versions and the bill would again need to be approved by both houses of Congress, before being sent to President Trump for final approval.

Given political discord, together with the mid-term elections this year, completing a new farm bill in 2018 may be a tall order. If no new farm bill is completed in 2018, there is a possibility the current farm bill could be extended for the 2019 crop year.

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

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Full Year Voluntary Subscription:  $25  Other



I do not qualify but would like a one-year subscription.

Full Year Subscription:  $25

Important – Please check all boxes that best match your farming operation.

Acres Corn Soybeans Alfalfa Wheat Sugar Beets TOTAL ACRES

1-99

100-249

250-499

500-999

1000+

     

     

     

     

     

Hogs marketed  1-199  200-499 Sheep raised  1-49  50-199 Beef Cattle marketed  1-49  50-199 Dairy Cattle milked  1-50  51-99

Livestock Head  500-999

 1000-4999

 5000+

 200-499

 500-999

 1000+

 200-499

 500-999

 1000+

 100-199

 200+

Data will NOT be sold.

PLEASE PRINT

Mail to: THE LAND P. O. Box 3169 • Mankato, MN 56002

Name ______________________________________________________________________________ Mailing Address ____________________________________________________________________ City, State, Zip ______________________________________________________________________ County of Address __________________________Phone # ________________________________ E-mail Address _____________________________________________________________________ Signature __________________________________________________ Date __________________

ST. PAUL — Raising poultry, like chickens in the backyard, is increasingly popular across the country.

However, newcomers may not be aware of some risks for illness. These risks are greatest for children under 5 years old and people with weakened immune systems.

Since spring is a common time to purchase birds, the Minnesota Department of Health and the Minnesota Board of Animal Health are recommending a few simple steps for staying healthy around live poultry.

Be aware of the risks. Recent years have seen large nationwide outbreaks of Salmonella infections linked to live poultry in small flocks. Over the past three years, 84 Minnesotans and 2,267 people nationwide have become ill with Salmonella infections in these outbreaks. Although people love to cuddle baby poultry, this is a known way for people and poultry to share germs.

Keep poultry in their place, not yours.

Do not allow live poultry in your house or in areas where food or drinks are prepared, served, or stored. Dedicate a pair of boots or shoes for use in the poultry areas. Do not wear these boots anywhere other than your poultry area and store the boots outside.

Wash your hands. Wash your hands with soap and water after contact with poultry or their environment. Hand sanitizer can be used when soap and water are not readily available, but wash your hands with soap and water as soon as you can.

Purchase poultry only from licensed dealers. Poultry dealers must be licensed annually by the Minnesota Board of Animal Health. Dealers are required to keep records, have a clean facility, and get birds from a certified source. It is best to purchase poultry from a licensed dealer and keep receipts when you get your birds.

Keep your birds healthy. Poultry should be housed in a secure area with intact fences, barriers or buildings. If animals become ill, separate them from the healthy animals, and consult your veterinarian.

To learn more about healthy practices around poultry, please visit bit.ly/ MDHbackyardpoultry. You can also get information from your licensed dealer or by calling (651) 201-5414 or (651) 201-6826.

This article was submitted by the Minnesota Board of Animal Health. v

Irrigation permit needed for pesticides, fertilizer ST. PAUL — The Minnesota Department of Agriculture recently issued a reminder to those with irrigation systems: If you plan to apply fertilizer or pesticide through your irrigation system, you are required to obtain a chemigation permit from the MDA. A permit for chemigation is required where agricultural chemicals are applied through an irrigation system that is directly connected to a water supply. Agricultural chemicals include fertilizers and pesticides. A person operating the system is responsible for obtaining the permit and complying with all regulatory requirements.

Operators must complete an online application form and pay the required fee.

By filling out the application, the operator must certify that all antipollution requirements have been met; all antipollution devices are properly installed and functional prior to each use; and, other requirements intended to prevent surface and/or groundwater contamination are followed.

More information on a chemigation permit, including forms and fact sheets, can be found on the MDA website.

If you have questions, contact MDA Chemigation Program Consultants Jim Freilinger at (320) 243-7382 or Jeff Lorentz at (320) 223-6547.

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

THE LAND — APRIL 20/APRIL 27, 2018

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

PAGE 25

PLANNING AN AUCTION? ADVERTISE IT IN THE LAND FOR THE BEST RESULTS!!

HHHHHHHHHHHH H WEEKLY H H H H AUCTION H H Every Wednesday H H 4:30 PM - Firewood H H H Hay & Straw H H H H Homestead H H Sales, Inc. H H HWY 15 N, H HUTCHINSON, MN H H H H 320-433-4250 H homesteadsalesinc.com H H HHHHHHHHHHHH

Classifie d line ad

deadlin

e is noon o n Mond ay

5.84” x 4” Real Estate, Tractors, Tools & Equipment

Estate Auction

You can call us at 507-345-4523 to place your ad in The Land.

Saturday, May 5th - 10:00 a.m.

420 3rd St, Nicollet, MN

Directions: From US Hwy 14 at the State Hwy 111 exit, head North to the State Hwy 111/99 intersection, then turn West onto 3rd St. The auction will be on the North side of the street. DO NOT PARK in the Nicollet Fire Dept. Lot!

Timed Online Auction

Opens: Mon., April 23 / Closes: Thurs., May 3 | 6PM Land Located: From Wanamingo, MN, .5 miles east on Highway 60

112 acres

2018

Goodhue County, MN Land

Lender Owned

Plat approved 39 lots, plus additional large acreage outlots.

Investor, builders, developers, and area farmers take note! Opportunity on the river front, lender owned property within the city limits of Wanamingo, MN. You will be bidding on the entire 112± acres which currently is being farmed. All bidders must register with SteffesGroup.com as an online bidder to participate in the auction by Thursday, May 3 at 4:00PM. For a detailed Buyer’s Prospectus with complete terms and conditions contact Steffes Group, Shelly Weinzetl 763.300.5055, or Randy Kath 701.429.8894.

Steffes Group, Inc.

24400 MN Hwy 22 South, Litchfield, MN 55355

320.693.9371 | www.SteffesGroup.com Randy Kath MN47-007, Shelly Weinzetl MN86-79 TERMS: Ten percent down upon signing purchase agreement with balance due at closing in 45 days. This is a 5% buyer’s premium auction.

3 Bedroom Home in Nicollet: 420 3rd Street Nicollet, MN 56074

Home located in Nicollet, MN that has lots of storage space and many great possibilities! This home has 3 bedrooms, 1 full bath, large 2-stall detached garage with a lean-to and a pole shed.

Recently updated furnace. Large yard with many mature shade trees and a large backyard area.

5 ac of Nicollet Co. Land:

Directions to land: From Nicollet, head West for 3 mi. on US Hwy 14, tur n South onto 491st Ave for 1.8 mi. access to the land is on the West side of the road.

Location of property within Nicollet County: Courtland Twp, Section 24, Range 29 PID: 04.324.0900 2018 Taxes: $76 5.00 acres of wooded land with existing easement. This is a nice opportunity to own wooded acreage close to Nicollet, MN. You will not want to miss this chance!

Note: All acres are published based on Nicollet County Online Records and FSA records.

Tractors, Mowers & Equipment: IH 660 WF, diesel, 6204 hr s, hyd, fender s, wheel weights; Farmall 560, diesel, 4693 hrs, NF, hyd; Case 500 Standard, diesel, PTO, hyd, wheel weights, fenders; McCormick-Deering W-9 Standard, gas, PTO, wheel weights; Farmall 450, gas, NF, PTO, 2pt; Farmall Super M, NF, wheel weights, hyd; Farmall Super H, NF; Farmall H, NF; Ford 9N, PTO; Large Amount of parts for tractors & implements; JD D105 mower, 23 hrs; JD GX75 mower; Snapper SR130 mower; County Line 22-ton wood splitter; Trailer, Vehicles, Tools & Misc Items: ’08 Starlite 28’ gooseneck trailer; ‘86 Lund 16’ boat w/ ’05 Mercury EFI, 50 HP motor; ‘96 Dodge Ram 2500 Van, 71897 mi.; Honda EN2500 generator, 120V; DAKA 521 wood furnace; Remington HH-70T-KFA kerosene heater; St. Clair cabinet wood burning heater; Magna Force air compressor; drill press; Clarke sandblaster; bench grinder on stand; Black & Decker reciprocating saw; tool boxes; large assortment of tools;

Pat Antone Estate

Listing Auctioneer: Matt Mages, 507-276-7002 Lic 08-17-003 Broker: Mages Land Co. & Auction Ser vice, LLC. Terms: No Buyer ’s Premium. Everything sold in “AS IS” condition.

magesland.com

PAGE 26

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

THE LAND — APRIL 20/APRIL 27, 2018

THANK YOU FOR READING THE LAND! Real Estate

ASHLAND - HAYFIELD TWP / DODGE COUNTY, MN

880 ACRES + • 5 TRACTS SALE TO BE HELD AT EVENTS, 401 8TH ST SE, KASSON, MN

FRI., APRIL 27 @ 10 A.M.

#1628 ZAITZ TRUST, LLP

The Zaitz family is offering these beautiful farms at public auction on Friday, April 27th at 10:00. You will find no better land than this 880 acres. The CPI’s are all in the 90’s and pattern tiled!

Online Bidding Available

Tract 1: 154.63 Deeded acres / 145.69 Tillable acres / CPI - 93.8 / Open for 2018 crop year • Tract 2: 160 Deeded acres / 152.34 Tillable acres / CPI - 94.3 / Open for 2018 crop year • Tract 3: 245.97 Deeded acres / 222.61 Tillable acres / CPI - 91.8 • Tract 4: 163.09 Deeded acres / 159.43 Tillable acres / CPI - 93.2 • Tract 5: 156.38 Deeded acres / 138.01 Tillable acres / CPI - 95.2 • Terms: $50,000 down on each Tract the day of the sale, remainder due on or about June 15, 2018. 2% Buyer’s Fee will apply.

"The Experienced Farmland Professionals!"

www.1stop-realty.com www.landproz.com Broker Kirk Swenson 507-254-5468

Broker Wendy Forthun Auctioneer Greg Jensen 507-251-1637 507-383-1067

1 Stop Realty, 20 4th St. SE, Kasson, MN 55944 LandProz Real Estate, LLC. 111 East Clark Street, Albert Lea, MN 56007

026

Farm Implements

035 Farm Implements

035

Farm

AUCTION OPENS: TUESDAY, APRIL 17 CLOSES: TUESDAY, APRIL 24

2018

Visit The Land’s website: www.thelandonline.com

020 Antiques & Collectibles

FOR SALE BY OWNER: 2-late 1930's antique Cat doz- '93 12R22” Wic beet topper, AGCO 12-wheel V-rake ers for sale. Call for info.

Central WI Grade A Dairy model #41222, does have w/kicker wheel, bought (715)613-2744 Farm. 196 acres (approx scalpers, in good running new, used once, $4,500; NH 105 acres tillable). New cond, $3,000/OBO. (320)815144 windrow inverter, roof on house & barn, 51 1555 or (320)808-0324 $2,950; IH 490 33' disc, stall barn w/ pipeline, liquid Hay & Forage Equip $7,500.

(507)354-4804 or 031 manure pit, 2-18'x60' silos, (507)240-1339 FOR SALE to settle farm esheifer shed w/feed bunk, tate: OMC Owatonna self- FOR SALE: 2003 Wil-Rich 44'x8' machine shed w/shop, Forage Equipment: 18' propelled windrower model V957DDR 7 shank double & 5 BR, 1 BA house w/wood Miller Pro 5300 silage 29 ($300); Int'l 886 dsl tracdisk ripper, 26” blades, new & oil heat. (715)257-7350 wagon; NH F62B silage tor w/cab ($10,000); '84 NH points, excellent condition, blower; 18' Patz ring haybine model 489 ($4,000); $12,500. 507-478-4221 LAKE CABIN FOR RENT drive silo unloader; 14' JD BWA series Disc Harmodern: May - Sept $3,500, FOR SALE: 30' cargo water Patz silo unloader; 64' of row, 14' ($1,500); WinPowMonthly $1,500, Hayward trailer, (3) 1,000 gal tanks, new H bunks everything er Tractor driven alternaArea. 715-354-3363 15 gal inductor, 5HP gas in really good cond. tor ($1,000); Int'l 820 moldmotor w/2” hookups. (320) (507) 230-0990 board plow ($1,200); wagon Sell your land or real estate 269-9167 w/ H&S bale thrower rack in 30 days for 0% commis4500 watts ($1,500); JD roto FOR SALE: Fantini chopsion. Call Ray 507-339-1272 ping 8R & 12R CH; 70' tiller model 400, 12', Bins & Buildings 033 Elmer drag, Merritt alum ($1,200); Kewannee 9 tooth Please support the advertisers hopper grain trailers; '89 chisel plow model 180 or 190 that you see in THE LAND. Stormor Bins & EZ-Drys.

IH 1680 combine; 24R30” 9' ($1,200); bale spear-3 pt.

Tell them you noticed their ad!

100% financing w/no liens JD pl on Kinze bar; Big A ($200). Please call after or red tape, call Steve at floater; 175 Michigan ldr; 5PM. 715-367-7122 or 715Real Estate Wanted 021 Fairfax Ag for an appointIH 964 CH; White 706 & 708 530-4082 ment. 888-830-7757 CH & parts; White plows & WANTED: Land & farms. I parts; 54' 4300 IH field culFOR SALE: '10 JD 3955 have clients looking for tivator; JD 44' field cult; chopper; older 2RN corndairy, & cash grain opera- Grain Handling Equip 034 3300 Hiniker field cult; head; 7 1/2' hay head; both tions, as well as bare land header trailer. 507-380-5324 green Meyers 3516 chopper parcels from 40-1000 acres.

FOR SALE:Used grain bins, box w/12T MN running FOR SALE: Planter, Plow & Both for relocation & infloors unload systems, stigear; Meyers 4516 w/10T Ripper. Sunflower disc ripvestments.

If you have rators, fans & heaters, aerMeyers running gear; '08 per 4311, 7 shanks, new disc even thought about selling ation fans, buying or sellPatz LT 420 vertical mixerblades, sep hyds for disc & contact: Paul Krueger, ing, try me first and also left hand discharge w/3' exripper, rock flex, $10,500; Farm & Land Specialist, call for very competitive tension; 250' Berg Barn JD 7240 6R planter; dry Edina Realty, SW Suburban contract rates!

Office cleaner chain 16" counter fert w/box ext & hyd cross Office, 14198 Commerce hours 8am-5pm Monday – clockwise; Berg 400 Shoreauger, 3 bu seed boxes, 250 Ave NE, Prior Lake, MN Friday Saturday 9am 12 master drive unit; 430 monitor, trash whls, PTO 55372. noon or call 507-697-6133 Weaverline feed cart.

651pump for vacuum, 30" paulkrueger@edinarealty.com Ask for Gary 278-1449 rows, always shedded, (612)328-4506 $14,500; Case IH 720 6 bottom plow, on land hitch, black springs & coulters, $4,500. Call or text 320-3601809 IH 620 24' press drill, 6” spacings, $1,850; Wil-Rich 614NT 27' HD disc, 26” blades, 10” spacings, 385x22.5 tires, HD 3 bar harrow, exc cond, $27,750; '08 JD 7830 MFW tractor, 20spd PQ, 3 hyds, 540/1000 PTO, 4500 hrs, 18.4x46 w/ duals, $74,750; Demco Conquest 1100 gal 90' sprayer, $5,450; Kongskilde 28' Danish tine field cult, w/ Case IH harrow, $2,450. 320-7692756 JD 520 3pt drill, 20', markers, 10” spacings, Tru-V press wheels, exc cond, $4,900; JD 7000 6x30 planter, dry fertilizer, monitor, insecticide boxes, $4,750; 2000 gal fuel tank w/ HD pump, $1,950; Degelman reel type PTO drive LOCATION: 25570 County Road 8, Strathcona, MN rock picker, $2,250; JD 1065 PREVIEW: April 10-24, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM / LOADOUT: April 25-30, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM A running gear, w/ extension pole, $850. 320-769-2756 TRACTORS, LOADER, & LOADER ATTACHMENTS / GPS / CRAWLER DOZER / SKID STEER

LOADER & ATTACHMENTS / HEADS & SWATHER / GRAIN CART / PLANTER / TILLAGE EQUIPMENT / SEMI TRACTORS / TRAILERS / FEED TRUCK & GRINDER / LIVESTOCK EQUIPMENT / GRAIN HANDLING EQUIPMENT / OTHER EQUIPMENT / LAWN TRACTOR SHOP EQUIPMENT / RECREATION / TANKS / TIRES, PARTS & FARM SUPPORT ITEMS

NOAH LORENSON / 218.684.5001 or Dave Krostue at Steffes, 218.779.6865

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

COMPLETE TERMS, LOT LISTINGS AND PHOTOS AT

SteffesGroup.com Scott Steffes MN14-51

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

THE LAND — APRIL 20/APRIL 27, 2018 Farm Implements

035

8300 JD drill with grass seed, 13', $4,800. 612-390-2643 FOR SALE: Clark forklift, 3pt hitch, 3 stage; also 43” silver steel Adkins sawmill blade. 320-398-7112

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

PAGE 27

Please like The Land on FACEBOOK www.facebook.com/thelandonline.com

FOR SALE: Gehl 1540 blower. 715-896-1050 NH 8260 115HP CAH, MFWD, 18spd, PS, reverser trans, 11,500 hours, $22,500/OBO or trade. 320543-3523 Riteway Model RR 250 rock picker, like new, delivery avail, $6,950. 815-988-2074 We buy Salvage Equipment Parts Available Hammell Equip., Inc. (507)867-4910 Woods RM 59-3 grooming mower, gauge wheels, 3 pt, new belt, 2 sets blades, good condition, $500. (608) 525-2209 Tractors

Get

036

RESULTS Sell it

'00 JD 8310 MFWD, REMAN TRANSMISSION, Auto Trac Ready (Plug & Play), 7K hrs, 18.4R46 rears w/ duals, wgts, buddy seat, front fenders, 3 hyds, 1000 PTO & Quick hitch. Meticulously maintained, very nice! $63,900. Call (507) 789-6049

FAST!

EQUIPMENT

AUCTION FRIDAY, MAY 4 | 10AM

2018

Shevlin, MN

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

LOCATION: 27695 US Hwy 2, Shevlin, MN 56676. From Shevlin, MN, 2-1/2 miles east on US Hwy. 2.

2009 Case-IH Magnum 180 2008 New Holland T6070

1997 Case-IH 2188

2016 New Holland 560

When you advertise in The Land!

Call us today!

2007 New Holland TS125A 1984 Versatile 875 Series III

1991 IHC 8100 twin screw 2013 Maurer single axle, 24’

INCLUDES: MFWD & 4WD TRACTORS / HARVEST EQUIPMENT / DRILL / PLANTER / TILLAGE EQUIPMENT / TRUCKS / TRAILERS / HAY, FORAGE, LIVESTOCK, & GRAIN HANDLING EQUIPMENT Steffes Group, Inc. 2000 Main Ave E, West Fargo, ND | 701.237.9173

SteffesGroup.com

Brad Olstad MN14-70

WAYNE & TAMMY ESSIG / 218.766.9483 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.

507 345-4523 or

800 657-4665

PAGE 28

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

036 Tractors

036 Tractors

THE LAND — APRIL 20/APRIL 27, 2018 036 Tractors

036 Tractors

036

'98 JD 9400, 4WD, 24 spd, '68 JD 4020, 5,897 original FOR SALE: JD 2640 w/ 146 FOR SALE: JD 720D, nar- NEW AND USED TRACTOR 7400 hrs, 710x42 metric hrs, year round cab, good loader, 3100 hrs, new front row front, Best Offer. (507) PARTS JD 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, tires, tires 25-30%, deluxe shape, $10,900. 815-988-2074 tires, chains, hay spear, 330-6485 55, 50 Series & newer traccab, $58,000. (320)815-1555 bucket, excellent shape, tors, AC-all models, Large FOR SALE: JD 4640, poweror (320)808-0324 $13,250.

507-584-1241 Inventory, We ship! Mark FOR SALE: '09 Challenger shift, 3 outlet, 7840 hrs, Heitman Tractor Salvage MT675C, FWA, 320HP, 18.4x42 tires & duals, nice, 715-673-4829 loaded, $75,500. 507-376-3290 FOR SALE: JD 8650, 16spd $22,500. (507)330-4028 FOR SALE: '02 MTX 140 Quad, 7460 hrs, PTO, Qwik WANTED: John Deere modMcCormick, 3245 hrs, 2795 FOR SALE: C Farmall tracTach, 3 SCVs, OH'd at 5355 JD 6115D, MFD, w/JD H310 el 2510, 2520 or 3020 diesel Buhler ldr w/ 90” bucket, tor with new rubber & comhrs, 23.1x34 tires & duals, tractor for hobby farm. ldr, exc cond, $400; D19 Alhas duals, 3pt, power shift, pletely restored. Call 507near St. Cloud, $23,500. 320(320)632-3995 lis Chalmers gas tractor, exc condition. 507-276-3654 872-5407 493-0878 w/3pt hitch, good rubber & 037 tin, exc cond. (507)381-5781 Harvesting Equip JD 6125R, MFWD, w/ldr, FOR SALE: '08 Fantini 8R chopping cornhead, V/S 800+ hrs, premium tractor drive gear box, double guidance ready, IVT transtransmission drive, ear mission, very nice shape. saving side augers, set up (507)642-8028 for JD combine, one owner, John Deere Top Link Cat 3, low acres, field ready like new, $250. (507)724-1142 $23,500. 507-327-6430

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

Upcoming Issues of THE LAND Southern MNNorthern MN Northern IA April 27, 2018 May 4, 2018 May 11, 2018 May 18, 2018 May 25, 2018 June 1, 2018 June 8, 2018 June 15, 2018 June 22, 2018 Deadlines are 8 days prior to publication with Holiday deadlines 1 day earlier.

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!

THE LAND — APRIL 20/APRIL 27, 2018 Harvesting Equip

037 Planting Equip

www.thelandonline.com — “Where Farm and Family Meet” 038 Tillage Equip

039

Tillage Equip

039

FOR SALE: '15 McDon FD- JD 7000 planter, 6R30”, dry FOR SALE: Hiniker 1000 John Deere 22' model 220 disc. 715-896-1050 75, 35' draper head, AWS fertilizer w/cross auger, 12R30 cultivator, 17” air reel, one owner, low monitor, bean meters & sweeps, cutaway hoe acres, approximately 1900 corn finger pickup, $8,250. shields, exc cond, Machinery Wanted 040 acres, field ready, $66,900.

(612)703-3710 $4,000/OBO. (507)240-0714 507-327-6430 Tillage Equip 039 Do you need farm equipAll kinds of New & Used Planting Equip 038 farm equipment – disc chisment?

Look in THE LAND els, field cults, planters, Case-IH 5100 12' Grain Drill FOR SALE or RENT soil finishers, cornheads, Discovator/Finishers for the best deals around!

Double Disc Grass Seed Used feed mills, discs, balers, 2014 Great Plains #8326-26' Press Wheels, Excellent JOHN DEERE #2310 27 Ft 9” haybines, etc. 507-438-9782 Condition, $4,900/OBO. 715- 2013 Great Plains #8333-33' Mulch Finisher (2010) 2006 Great Plains #7336-36' 307-4736 Shedded, Like New. Farm WANTED: Gear box for '04 JD 726 Mulch Finisher 38' FOR SALE: 12 Martin til '97 JD 726 Mulch Finisher 30' King 13x95 Auger w/ Low H&S 260 manure spreader single disc fertilizer coul- New/Used Mandako Rollers Profile Hopper (2015) w/ or complete spreader. 507ters, in good shape, Power Mover. 319-347-2349 450-8554 A.L. Buseman 319-347-6282 $1,000/OBO. 320-293-3302 FOR SALE: 15' Marliss notill soybean drill, w/ coulter cart, 10” row spacing; 6”x12' hyd auger w/hoses, w/hopper for gravity box.

(612)741-7949 FOR SALE: 275 bushel Dakon gravity wagon with Seed Vac bulk seed transfer system with Briggs electric start motor, nice condition. 507-236-3138 FOR SALE: Planter 3600 Kinze 12R dry fertilizer cross auger row cleaners, field ready, $30,000/OBO. 715-797-1422. Black River Falls, WI HYDRAULIC FLAT FOLD MARKERS. Will fit anything, $3,500. Ray's Machine Shop, call or text 712297-7951 120 DAY SPECIAL JD 7000 6R-30, dry fert., trash whippers, finger pickup/Kinze bean units, w/monitor, exc cond. (952) 292-8347

PAGE 29

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

040

THE LAND — APRIL 20/APRIL 27, 2018 Farm Services

045

Feed Seed Hay

050 Cattle

WANTED: Youth 4 wheeler, Niesen's Silo Demolition WANTED TO BUY: Dam90cc, exc condition. 612-554- We pay cash for Harvestors, aged corn, soybeans & oth5673 charge for Stave silos. Turn er grains. Call Schwieger your old combines and maCattle LLC. (507)236-5181 chinery into cash.

Call Spraying Equip 041 Dennis 507-995-2331 Livestock 054 '10 Top Air 3pt sprayer, 80' 050 scissor fold, less than 3000 Feed Seed Hay FOR SALE: Black Angus acres, $3,000/OBO; CAT quality bulls also Hamp, York, & Challenger 55 spray tanks, FOR SALE: Dairy alfalfa hay, 2nd & 5th cutHamp/Duroc boars & gilts.

(2) 250 gal fiberglass tanks, ting, 3x3x8 squares. (507) 320-598-3790 $1,000/OBO. Both always 227-2602 shedded. 507-360-3173 Dairy 055 FOR SALE: Century OPEN Pollinated Seed Corn.

Outproduces Hybrid for sprayer, 60' boom, tandem Silage. $67/bushel plus ship- 35 cow herd, Holsteins and a axle, 750 gal tank, hyd fold, few mixed, 8 fresh in ping. 217-857-3377 height, pump, very good March and April, SCC 150 cond, always shedded, in AI breeding, selling enThank you for $4,300/OBO. 507-451-9614 tire herd only, selling bereading The Land! cause of owner's health.

715-326-0479 call/text FOR SALE: FAST 963P Wheat straw 3x4x8 tops & 60' boom & Demco Sidebtms, dried out, tops quest tanks, Three point Fresh Holstein caramelled, exc feed & bed- Fancy Fast boom and Demco Heifers and Springing ding when ground. $55/ton 500 gallon tanks, JD 8000 Heifers, AI sired, reasondel. Also lg rnds 1st grass & mounts, $7,500/ea. (712) able price, low SCC. 6081st alfalfa, $90-$115/ton del.

260-5077 214-3798 Tim 320-221-2085

056

10 or more springing pure bred Angus heifers and 2nd calvers. Excellent disposition and quality, $300. bonus program. 651-764-1281 FOR SALE OR LEASE REGISTERED BLACK ANGUS Bulls, 2 year old & yearlings; bred heifers, calving ease, club calves & balance performance. Al sired. In herd improvement program. J.W. Riverview Angus Farm Glencoe, MN 55336 Conklin Dealer 320864-4625 Polled Hereford bulls, exc growth & calving ease, semen tested; also Hereford black baldy replacement heifers.

Jones Farms, LeSueur. (507)317-5996

Polled Hereford Bulls, fertility tested, buy now we will hold until you need him.

608-235-9417 Purebred registered Limousin bulls red and WANTED TO BUY: Dairy blacks. Trails End cattle. heifers and cows. 320-235715-797-8062 2664 Registered Red Angus bulls, A.I. sired, semen tested, KTH Red Angus, (320)3846750 Registered Texas Longhorn breeding stock, cows, heifers or roping stock, top blood lines. 507-235-3467 Salers & Salers/Angus cross yearling bulls, low birth weights, good disposition, easy calving. Call Oakhill Farms (507)642-8028 WANT TO BUY: Butcher cows, bulls, fats & walkable cripples; also horses, sheep & goats. 320-235-2664 Horse

057

2 - Red Sorrel Belgium stud colts, full brothers, pulling bloodline, very stout made.

Yearling, $3,500 & 2 yr. old, $4,500. Call (715)308-7608

THE LAND — APRIL 20/APRIL 27, 2018 Sheep

060 Swine

www.thelandonline.com — “Where Farm and Family Meet” 065 Cars & Pickups

FOR SALE: Dorset & Suf- FOR SALE: Yorkshire, folk fall ram lambs, for Hampshire, Duroc & breeding or show. (952)466Hamp/Duroc boars, also 5876 gilts. Excellent selection.

Raised outside. Exc herd Goats 062 health. No PRSS. Delivery avail. 320-760-0365 FOR SALE: Registered Nigerian Dwarf newborn 075 kids and also adult does. Livestock Equip 608-606-1743 FOR SALE: Berg Barn Cleaner counter clockwise Swine 065 complete power head chute & 176' of chain. One round Compart's total program hog feeder, two farrowing features superior boars & crates, Priced reasonably. open gilts documented by 815-632-7254 or 815-535-5236 BLUP technology. Duroc, York, Landrace & F1 lines.

Terminal boars offer lean- Cars & Pickups 080 ness, muscle, growth. Maternal gilts & boars are speedwrench, productive, lean, durable. Sidewinder Size: 1/2”, Farmers 3/8” All are stress free & PRRS size, auto repair, ¼ small free. Semen also available eng design for hard to through Elite Genes A.I. reach area on eng repair Make 'em Grow! Comparts work, $29.95 on any size.

Boar Store, INC. Toll Free: For more info 507-230-0417 877-441-2627

080

FOR SALE: '04 F150 pickup, regular cab, long box, 4WD, 75,000 miles on new 5.4 engine, some rust, new tires, XLT. 507-236-4500 Miscellaneous

Miscellaneous

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090 WANT MORE READERS TO SEE YOUR AD??

FOR SALE: Approx 300 used Expand your coverage area! barn cleaner Berg links, no The Land has teamed up flights, $925/OBO for all. with Farm News, and The (507)621-2341 Country Today so you can do just that! Place a classiOne call does it all! fied ad in The Land and With one phone call, you can have the option of placing it place your classified ad in in these papers as well.

The Land, Farm News, More readers = better reAND The Country Today. sults! Call The Land for Call The Land for more more information. 507-345info @ 507-345-4523 • 800-6574523 • 800-657-4665 4665.

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

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

ADVERTISER LISTING

Ag Spray Equipment .................................................................... 23 Ahrens Bin Sales .......................................................................... 28 Anderson Seeds ............................................................................ 23 Broskoff Structures ........................................................................ 8 C & C Roof ing ............................................................................ 18 Charles Wilking ........................................................................... 30 Compeer Financial ......................................................................... 5 Courtland Waste Handling ............................................................ 13 Curt's Truck & Diesel ................................................................... 17 Dahl Farm Supply ........................................................................ 18 Diers Ag & Trailer Sales .............................................................. 18 Doda USA ................................................................................... 11 Greater MN Two Cylinder Club .................................................... 26 Greenwald Farm Center ................................................................ 28 Grizzly Buildings ......................................................................... 15 Ground Zero Services................................................................... 16 Hanson Silo ................................................................................. 12 Harrison Truck Centers .................................................................. 6 Henslin Auctions .......................................................................... 27 Homestead Sales .......................................................................... 25 K-Bid Online Auctions ................................................................. 19 Kannegiesser Truck Sales ............................................................. 14 Keith Bode ................................................................................... 30 LandProz ..................................................................................... 26 Larson Implement .................................................................. 26, 30 Letcher Farm Supply .................................................................... 16 Lundeen Auction .......................................................................... 27 Mages Auction ............................................................................. 25 Mid-American Auction ................................................................. 28 Miller Sellner............................................................................... 29 Minnesota Soybean .................................................................... 3, 7 Minnwest Bank .............................................................................. 4 MN Soy Biodiesel .......................................................................... 9 Northland Building ...................................................................... 11 Olsen Truck Service ..................................................................... 10 Property Brokers .......................................................................... 25 Pruess Elevator ............................................................................ 28 Schwartz Farms ............................................................................ 29 Schweiss Doors ............................................................................ 30 Smiths Mill Implement ................................................................. 31 Sorensen's Sales & Rentals ........................................................... 29 Southwest MN K-Fence ................................................................ 11 Steffes Group ....................................................................25, 26, 27 Swartz Brothers Associates ........................................................... 27

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

PAGE 32

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

THE LAND — APRIL 20/APRIL 27, 2018

This week’s Back Roads is the work of The Land Advertising Representative Beth Plumley.

Crafty artisans make what they like

“I

had a run-in with the router,” Mavis Brandenburg says, holding up her bandaged finger while standing in the workshop she and her husband share. “Maybe I should leave the cutting out to Kathy.”

The scent of sawdust is strong in the workshop, and crafts in various stages of construction cover a number of surfaces. Three intricately-painted wooden pumpkins sit on the table in front of her, as well as one roughly-cut watermelon slice that’s going to be adorned with a wooden silhouette of a crow.

Though she can’t remember exactly when she started, Brandenburg has been painting and selling wooden crafts out of her home and barn near Pemberton, Minn., since the 1980s. She began to hone her artistic skill as an employee of Viking Woodcrafts — a mail order crafting supplier in Waseca, Minn. In the early ‘80s, when artists would visit Viking to give classes or demonstrations, Brandenburg would listen from the back of the room and soak up the tips she heard.

“You can learn a lot from watching someone else,” she says. “I always enjoyed taking their ideas and changing them a little to make them my own.”

Eventually, she and three other Viking employees decided to try their hands at crafting themselves.

“It wasn’t anything I was going to get rich off of, obviously. But it was fun, getting ideas from each other,” she says.

Though she didn’t like drawing as a child, she seems to remember always having a knack for painting. In fact, she sold her first hand-painted craft as a junior in high school — a cream can with a detailed painting of a bonsai tree on it. She laughs thinking about it now. “It never even made it home. When I took it on the bus, the driver asked me about it, and I couldn’t believe it, but he wanted to buy it.” She doesn’t remember what he paid.

Brandenburg’s crafting came to a halt for nearly 15 years when she took a job at Itron in the late 1990s. After working her

usual shift, she didn’t have enough energy to spend time crafting. But after retiring four years ago, she contacted her friend Kathy Guse to see about getting back into the crafting game.

Similar to Brandenburg, Guse began crafting in the late 1980s. As a stay-at-home mom to four boys, it was a great way to earn an income because she could work it into her schedule. Both she and Brandenburg sold craftwork independently at an annual crafts show in Waseca; but the woman who ran the show moved away. As wooden crafts fell out of popularity in the 1990s, Guse was forced to take a break.

During the crafting hiatus, Guse poured her creativity into cake decorating. She always missed the wooden crafts, though.

“You have that creative part of you,” she says, “so I was happy when Mavis called four or five years ago.”

Today, Guse takes care of the cutting out and construction, while Brandenburg paints on the details. Neither admit to having a favorite project, though Guse is partial to snowmen because she can leave them out for so long. “I usually put them out after Thanksgiving and take them down before Easter,” she explains.

“Though this year I could have left them up a lot longer!”

For inspiration, the women use Brandenburg’s old Julie White pattern books, crafts they see on the internet (especially Pinterest), and the changing of the seasons. This past Christmas saw them prepare an array of elaborate Grinch-themed crafts. Brandenburg admits to having trouble coming up with spring-themed ideas. “It’s so hard to find stuff to do,” she says. “You can only do so many rabbits.”

When asked if they’d ever use the internet to turn their crafting into a business, Brandenburg brushes it aside. “I’ve never wanted to,” she says. “It would get so old making ten of the same thing. I’ll stick to making what I like.”

Brandenburg and Guse are planning a two-day home sale in Brandenburg’s barn Nov. 3 and 4. v

Pemberton, Minn.

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© 2018

April 20, 2018 SOUTHERN EDITION

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

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THE LAND, Advertising Supplement

© 2018

April 20, 2018 SOUTHERN EDITION

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