THE LAND ~ June 8, 2018 ~ Northern Edition

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

June 1, 2018 June 8, 2018

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

Dairy Month Making butter in Millerville for 90 years Kristin Kveno visits Bernadotte’s ‘Mooseum’ Meet western Iowa’s new dairy director

PLUS: Comments on the dairy industry by Lee Mielke All eyes are on Karen Schwaller Grain market teeters on Trump tariffs

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THE LAND — JUNE 1/JUNE 8, 2018

Israel and innovative agriculture P.O. Box 3169 418 South Second St. Mankato, MN 56002 (800) 657-4665 Vol. XXXVII ❖ No. 11 28 pages, 1 section plus supplements

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COLUMNS Opinion In The Garden Calendar of Events Farm and Food File Table Talk The Bookworm Sez: From The Fields Mielke Market Weekly Marketing Life on the Farm: Readers’ Photos Auctions/Classifieds Advertiser Listing Back Roads

2-6 4 4 5 7 8 12 16 18-19 21 22-27 27 28

STAFF

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Editor’s note: In late April, The Land tural budget. staff writer Dick Hagen journeyed to Advances in Israeli agriculture are Israel with his sister and a group from now helping to feed the world. Some the Family Research Council. This is the examples: second part of his report on the trip.

Israeli drip and micro-irrigation soluIsrael’s agriculture is the success story tions have rapidly spread worldwide. of the Middle East — surviving a long, The newest models are self-cleaning and hard struggle against adverse land and maintain uniform flow rate regardless of climate conditions. Over half of Israel’s water quality and pressure. The Israeli LAND MINDS saline soil is arid or semi-arid (only 20 company Netafim is a world leader in percent is arable). Even so, since Israel’s

By Dick Hagen drip irrigation. establishment in 1948, the country Thermal imaging is used for water has tripled its farming territory and status mapping of crops. This production has multiplied 16 times. involved the correlation between Today, Israel produces 95 percent of water status of the foliage and its temperature its own food requirements. Its current population (leaf temperatures rises under water stress). is 8.3 million people.

Netting of different colors is used for plant Over the years, Israel has evolved from an agrigrowth control. cultural-based economy to a more sophisticated, industrial-based economy with a diversified manuIsrael is studying the breeding of beneficial facturing base. Currently, Israel exports more than insects and mites for biological pest control; bum$2 billion dollars of fruit and vegetables each year. blebees for natural pollination in greenhouse and Israel is a major exporter of dates, avocado, olive open fields; and sterile fruit flies to control this oil, pomegranates and almonds and is a worldmajor pest in fruit trees. leader in agricultural technologies. However, Virtually all Israeli dairy farms utilize robotic Israeli farmers are concerned with government. milking systems. Feeding and manure handling They claim the right-wing Israeli government is systems are robotically controlled. not supporting Israeli agriculture. They wish the New strains of potatoes have been developed to government to immediately tackle the issues of the thrive in hot, cry climates and can be irrigated by price of water, foreign workers, “mark-up” by the saltwater. middleman, and the regulation of agricultural exports.

There is also much activity in the development of algae culture for fodder algae, dietary supplement, Over the years, Israel has given the world some veterinary pharmaceutical, cosmetics, bio-plastics amazing new agricultural products. For example, and fertilizer. the seedless, hardy Bet Alpha cucumber; the delicious Gallia melon; the spaghetti squash (high in Israeli technology has also developed aquaculture antioxidants); exotic and vitamin C-rich black — fish farming in the desert! The system pumps tomatoes; seedless peppers; a hardy mini basis tree low-quality brackish water from deep underground and the Anna apple (suitable for hot climates). This aquifers and fills land pools in the desert. The reflects Bible prophecy: Israel shall blossom and brackish, warm water is optimal for raising some bud, and fill the face of the world with fruit. Isaiah type of marine fish and shrimp. This system pro27:6 vides a new source of protein and income for desert The growth rate of Israel’s beef and veal produc- dwellers. As freshwater supplies dwindle, this type of fish farming is becoming increasingly important tion increased rapidly in the mid 1980’s — reachin the arid regions of the world. ing 65 percent in 1986. Today, nearly half of the country’s fresh beef supply is from local producers.

Israel’s total annual renewable natural resource Israel’s meat production amounts to about 40 perof fresh water is well below the U.N. definition of cent of Israel’s total agricultural output, of which water poverty. Israel’s surface water is concentrat17 percent is poultry. Cattle, much like America, ed mainly in the north and east — notably the Sea are mostly fed in confinement feed lots with roofof Galilee which is fed primarily from the Jordan ing to protect against the hot, searing winds. One River system. Rainfall in Israel has fallen to half interesting item: Israel’s cows produce the highest its 1948 average. In 2017, Israel’s water authority amounts of milk per animal in the world! Recall announced the Sea of Galilee water level was the that Israel was called out of Egypt “to a land flow- lowest of the century. Given this outlook, Israel ing with milk and honey” (Exodus 3:8) now makes extensive use of desalination plants; reuse of treated sewer water for agriculture; comIsraeli ag business people realize as world population grows, smart solutions for better agriculture puterized early-warning systems for leaks; and computerized drip irrigation and micro-sprinklers. and safer food storage are essential. Since 2004, Israel is a world leader in water reuse (86 percent) research and development expenditures have accounted for typically 17 percent of the agriculSee LAND MINDS, pg. 3

OPINION

THE LAND — JUNE 1/JUNE 8, 2018

Israel is a world leader in fresh water conservation LAND MINDS, from pg. 2 compared to say Australia (10 percent). So it may not be a surprise to learn that through these technologies, Israel is now a water surplus nation.

As of 2016, Israel had five desalination plants.

The largest (Sorek) producing over 600 million cubic meters of water per year. This plant alone provides enough drinking water to supply 1.5 million people. A downside of desalination is that it is energy intensive (consuming 3 percent of Israel’s electrical power output) and a by-product is very salty water.

Baptisms in the Dead Sea are infrequent simply because the Dead Sea is not clean water anymore.

However, my sister and I both chose to be baptized in the Sea of Galilee. Truly an experience of personal significance even though we were baptized in our rural church years back in Worth County, Iowa.

Also I chose to experience the Wailing Wall in Jerusalem. It was indeed a most somber occurrence. Two separate Walls for women and men and men were given special head gear to wear.

The age of information technology has placed Israel’s economy and particularly its hi-tech industries in the forefront of world development. A growing number of Israeli companies have been bought by top U. S. business conglomerates in multi-billion dollar transactions. The number of new start-ups is very high due to the extraordinary innovative talent in Israel, coupled with availability of highly skilled manpower. The growing presence of Israeli firms on Wall Street and the European stock exchanges is yet another measure of respect with which Israel’s hi-tech industry is regarded.

Tourists from around the world are attracted by Israel’s incredible history, its geographical diversity, its archeological and religious sites plus the almost unlimited sunshine and modern resort facilities on the Mediterranean, Lake Kinneret (Sea of Galilee), the Red Sea and the Dead Sea. In the year 2000, 2.41 million tourists visited the country compared to 33,000 in 1950, 1.18 million in 1980 and 1.34 million in 1990. Americans make up 26 percent of tourists in Israel, Russians are 15 percent and other European countries making up much of the rest.

If your bucket needs refilling, I recommend you add Israel. And hooking up with the Family Research Council tour of the Holy Lands is a good start. More information about FRC can be found at www.frc.org.

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

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THE LAND — JUNE 1/JUNE 8, 2018

Ornamental rhubarb not ebible, but is a feast for the eyes Ornamental forms of rhuOrnamental Rheum prebarb are cousins to the regufers a well-drained spot, lar old garden varieties of likes some shade in the this early vegetable and add afternoon as well as regua bold architectural statelar frequent watering. Hot ment to gardens. I have two summer days can find the plants of Rheum palmaentire plant wilted if not tum which have survived our watered. To accommounpredictable winters for date this thirsty giant, I IN THE GARDEN eight years. These ornamenhave a hose with a bubbler tals are not used for makbulb attached and place the

By Sharon Quale ing pies or sauces, but rathbubbler at the base of the er just enjoyed for their plant. I cover the hose with stunning very dramatic size and bark mulch and only need to turn the shape. spigot on for a half an hour every other day or when needed.

The reddish tropical-looking leaves emerge a reddish- bronze color and Shady water gardens benefit from later turn green. The fully unfurled the exotic energy this dramatic plant leaves are over two feet across and provides. Rheum palmatum plants have deeply jagged edges. After a few can be purchased from large garden years, the plants can reach a height of centers or can be grown from seed. If over seven feet and the clump can get you have the space, or wish to make to be five feet wide. The flowers space in your garden for this big, bold emerge as prehistoric-looking panicles and beautiful ornamental rhubarb, it (a branched cluster of flowers) — cov- will add years of beauty to your landered by bright red and then unfolding scape. to an airy white to pinkish color. These Readers ask: How many asparagus flowering spikes can be left on the plants do I need to plant for a family plant until late fall.

Photo by Sharon Quale

of four, how soon can it be harvested after planting, how long can it be harvested and how long do the plants live?

A good guide is ten plants (crowns) per family member and if you want to freeze some for later you will need more. Harvesting can begin the second or third year after planting the crowns. If starting asparagus from seed, it may take 4 years or longer before the spears can be used. When the plants are young, harvesting may be for only a few weeks. Mature plantings can extend the harvest to about 8 weeks. A rule of thumb is to quit harvesting the spears when their diameter decreases to the size of a pencil. A well cared-for asparagus bed can last for 15 to 30 years.

Sharon Quale is a master gardener from central Minnesota. She may be reached at (218) 738-6060 or squale101@yahoo.com. v

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

June 14 —West Central Dairy Days Cattle Show — Willmar, Minn. — Youth ages 5-19 (as of Jan. 1) can exhibit. There are classes for all six dairy breeds, Junior and Grand Champion Overall, plus Junior, Intermediate and Senior Showmanship. For entry forms contact your local 4-H extension educator — Contact Wade Gustafson at wade.gustafson@ridgewater.edu or (320) 222-5269 June 18-20 – Young Leaders in Agriculture Conference — Bloomington, Minn. — Minnesota Pork Board hosts conference for students 18-22 years old to gain perspectives on agriculture and food through speakers, workshops, networking and tours — Visit http://www.mnpork.com/porkyouth/youngleadersconference/ June 19 — Informational Meeting on Groundwater Protection Rule — Hutchinson, Minn. — Minn. Dept. of Agriculture is providing information on Groundwater Protection Rule. Meeting is informational only and not part of the official rulemaking process — Contact Margaret Hart at (651) 201-6131

June 19 — Integrated Pest Managment for Vegetable and Fruit Production — Alexandria, Minn. — Activities include insect and disease management for vegetables, mechanical and cultural methods for controlling weeds, optimizing sprayer performance, high tunnel production — Contact Susan Hickey at (612) 301-1206 June 22 — Leadership for Successful Employee Management — Freeport, Minn. — Workshop will feature a wide variety of employee management topics aimed at helping farms attract and retain employees.

Through hands-on activities, tool development and class discussions, participants will create an employee handbook and build leadership skills — Contact Nathan Hulinsky, UMN Extension at huli0013@umn.edu or (218) 236-2009 June 28 — Informational Meeting on Groundwater Protection Rule — St. Paul, Minn. — Contact Margaret Hart at (651) 201-6131

THE LAND — JUNE 1/JUNE 8, 2018

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Corporate meat packers are tanning cowboys’ hides Forty years ago, Waylon and Willie crisis: 100 years of Canadian cattle pricasked the nation’s mamas not to “let your es,” are both colorful and bruising. babies grow up to be cowboys” because A key finding shows that, from 1942 “… they’ll never stay home and they’re through 1989, Canadian cash cattle pricalways alone — even with someone they es stayed within the $1.50-to-$2.50 per love.” pound, or $150 to $250 per cwt.

That sage advice is even more true (Canadian dollars) inflation-adjusted after a spring cattle market that’s been price range. Interestingly, cattle prices too wild to forget and too brutal to want FARM & FOOD FILE spiked out of that range only three times to remember.

— and all to the high side.

By Alan Guebert In late February, August live cattle In 1989, however, that range shifted futures closed near $116 per hundredsubstantially downward. Prices began weight. By April 3, however, prices fell to toggle between $.80 and $1.60, or to $99.60. Prices did rebound to $104 $80 to $160 per cwt. Worse, prices have on April 27 but cracked again, to $98.25, on May 18. stayed within these limits since.

The roller coaster ride made cattle growers rightHow did the old bottom line, $1.50 per pound, fully sick. The hoped-for sale price for a 1,325-pound essentially become the new top line? Qualman dug slaughter steer went from $1,537 in late February deep for an answer. to $1,300 in mid-May. That $237 per-animal differ“Prices and profits are only partly determined by ence, according to Iowa State University breakeven supply and demand,” wrote the former Canadian calculations, cost feeders all their profit and then National Farmers Union researcher. “A larger factor some. is market power. It is this power that determines For example, cattle growers with 500 head of catthe allocation of profits within a supply chain.” tle saw their inventory devalue by $118,500 in less For Canadian — and also American — cattle than 90 days this spring. A feeder with 5,000 head growers, that means “In the late ‘80s and continuon feed witnessed a $1.185 million drop in value ing today, the power balance between packers and while a 50,000-cow commercial feedlot saw $11.85 farmers shifted as packers merged to become giant, million evaporate.

The mid-May price slump was just “paralyzing to the industry,” long-time cattle market analyst Walt Hackney told Iowa Public Television’s Market to Market audience May 18.

“What happened,” he explained, “was the opportunity for the buyers (meatpackers) to take a shot at the feedlots … and they did.” As a result, Hackney noted, “The packer was making a lot of money on the cattle.”

And almost every penny of it was from the cowboys’ hides.

That’s serious market power and it’s a hallmark of today’s highly integrated, highly concentrated cattle market, says Darrin Qualman, a graphicallyminded market analyst in Saskatchewan.

OPINION

global corporations … (Then) it shifted further as packers … began to utilize captive supplies (cattle they control by contract or ownership) and … shifted further still as trade agreements thrust farmers in every nation into a single, hyper-competitive global market.”

This massive shift in market power from “cattle farmers” to meatpackers, noted Qualman, had a “devastating” effect on farmers. “Since the late1980s, Canada has lost half its cattle farmers and ranchers.”

The story is the same on this side of the border and nearly everywhere else. Trade agreements, global meatpackers, captive slaughter supplies, and little-to-no competition among packer-buyers have made beef — be it Canadian, American, Brazilian or Martian — into an international commodity, not a regional or national product. That will not change.

Nor will the price at the grocery store. Lower cattle prices, predicted for the rest of 2018, will not bring lower retail meat prices because meatpackers, despite their name, are really in the market power business. And right now, business is very, very good.

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

MINNESOTA FARM & RURAL HELPLINE 833-600-2670

Free. Confidential. 24/7.

To prove it, Qualman charted a century of inflation-adjusted Canadian cattle prices. The results, explained in an April blog post titled, “The cattle

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THE LAND — JUNE 1/JUNE 8, 2018

Keeping dairy profitable is everyone’s business June is Dairy Month and also an annual reminder to consumers that the U.S. dairy industry supplies many trustworthy contributions to their health and well-being in the form of real milk, real cheese, real butter, ice cream, cream cheese, sour cream, yogurt and more. Never before has that “Real Seal” meant so much.

Dairy producers today are the bottle or jug. And if that hurting financially and haven’t isn’t enough, the growing popseen “rewarding prices” in four ularity of plant-based beveragyears. Rising feed prices are es calling themselves “milk” currently offsetting the slowly pose another threat. recovering milk prices. Global Fluid milk first lost the battrade disputes threaten a vital tle to soda; and while consumpart of dairy farm income. So ers have since lessened soda the road ahead is very uncerBy Lee Mielke consumption, fluid milk then But consumers assume and take for tain for many generation-old succumbed to bottled water. operations. Many have granted they will always find the Are the plant-based bevhad to sell their cows products they want at their grocery erages next? store. U.S. consumers have never seen and call it quits already.

Consumer habits and preferences A wonderful rural way of life for many a day that they walked in and found have indeed changed over the years. families is under great threat. an empty dairy case — and probably But the one thing that has not never will.

Solutions are few and far between — changed is the nutritional package even as Congress is going through the that is best found in natural cow’s Behind that full dairy case is the hardworking dairy farmer whose 24/7 weary toil of developing a new farm milk and real dairy products. bill. Political divisions in this country business often, like now, finds itself Increasing scientific studies support seem deeper than ever, and pose a receiving prices below the cost to prothe validity of the benefits of real grave threat toward a solution of a duce the milk. dairy and that story needs to be told. new farm bill.

And while consumer interest is The fake alternatives may call themDairy farmers also face many comgrowing substantially as to where selves by the names best known in the their food is coming from and how it is petitive challenges in the form of dairy case, but they are not and they produced, the concern is more self-cen- alternatives — especially in fluid cannot provide dairy’s nutrition. That sales. Changing consumer eating hab- is the unchanging bottom line. tered and not farmer-centered. It its and beverage choices continue to should be!

And, speaking of the bottom line, reduce the consumption of milk from dairy farmers deserve a fair share of

OPINION

the retail dairy dollar. How we go about achieving that would take up a lot more space than I have here. But, suffice it to say, a “cheap food policy” cannot come at the farmer’s expense — or we all lose.

Consumers who like to eat need to voice their thoughts and concerns about agriculture policy to their elected representatives and not just leave that to others.

If the day ever comes that we depend on other countries providing our food and fiber, our well-being and very existence will be in their hands, not ours, and that’s a vulnerability I don’t think we want to have.

So get involved in the conversation and drink up. Have another slice of pizza with extra cheese, then top it off with a bowl of ice cream and celebrate June Dairy Month. It’s your month to celebrate!

Lee Mielke is a syndicated columnist who resides in Everson, Wash. and is regularly featured in The Land. He may be reached at lkmielke@juno.com. v

Online tool times manure applications with weather ST. PAUL — The Minnesota Department of Agriculture has teamed up with the National Weather Service to design a tool that helps farmers and commercial applicators determine the best time to apply manure.

The “Runoff Risk Advisory Forecast” tool uses past and predicted weather data like precipitation, temperature and snow melt. It predicts the likelihood applied manure will run off fields in daily, next day, and 72-hour increments. Farmers and commercial applicators use an interactive map to locate their field and find the forecasted risk. Users can also sign up for email or text messages for their county that alert them to a severe runoff risk for that day.

“By providing this information, we hope to give our farmers and commercial manure applicators the tools they need to make well-informed decisions,” said Agriculture Commissioner Dave Frederickson. “By being able to better

predict times of high runoff risk, we can decrease the potential loss of manure to our waterways and increase farm productivity by saving nutrients on the land. It is a win-win situation based on an easy-to-use tool.»

The runoff risk is displayed on the interactive map in one of four categories: no runoff expected, low, moderate and severe. When the risk is moderate or severe, it is recommended that the applicator evaluate the situation to determine if there are other locations or later dates when the manure application could take place.

The forecasting tool can also be used by those looking for climate information including 2-inch and 6-inch soil depth temperatures.

State funding for the project was provided by the Clean Water, Land and Legacy Amendment.

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

THE LAND — JUNE 1/JUNE 8, 2018

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The eyes of the wild kingdom may be upon you It has plagued women for and then the woman of the years. It has sent women house might find herself on who never lived on the farm the business end of a clean(until they agreed to wear a ing rag, broom or vacuum wedding ring) up onto cleaner, and unearths the chairs and table tops — evidence. without even so much as a Mouse muffins. Rodent cat call or a big fat tip. bombs. Vermin raisins ...

You don’t have to come right out in plain sight parTABLE TALK from the city in order to allel to the base boards and

By Karen Schwaller behind the refrigerator. No need to garner enough guts to live on the farm. After all, matter what you call them, it’s a gutsy way of life. But they mean only one thing. sometimes what requires the guts is She either vacates the premises or that nagging feeling that someone ... creates a stand-off — the likes of or something you don’t even know ... is which have rarely been seen by the co-existing with you.

FBI or the ATF. In these days of technology (won’t It’s full-blown hand-to-hand combat that line be funny 30 or 40 years from ... if she has the guts. now? It might even be funny as soon Rodents make up one-third of all livas next month.) there are bazillions of ing mammal species. So of course, ways we can be watched. But nothing with that kind of overcrowding, they compares to being watched with two will find their way to a farm woman’s little beady eyes. doorstep. If only mouse governments I’m not talking about the occasional would allow mouse parents to only neighbor who happens to slip by just have one offspring … as I’m trying to hoist myself up into As rodents are lilted in song and our International cabover truck (as lore, I consider the “Three Blind Mice” you may have read about earlier). Now

Employee management workshop offered “Leadership for Successful Employee Management”, a labor management workshop, will be taught at Charlie’s Café in Freeport, Minn.

The workshop will feature a wide variety of employee management topics aimed at helping farms attract and retain employees. Through hands-on activities, tool development, and class discussions, participants will create an employee handbook and build leadership skills.

This workshop will help farmers develop leadership skills and risk management tools to set themselves up for successful labor management with an intended result in finding and keeping good employees.

Classes meet on June 22, July 3 and July 17. Each class meets from 9 a.m.3 p.m. Two one-hour webinars will be

held between the in-person sessions to discuss implementation of course tools and foster further learning. These dates will be determined in class.

Cost for the workshop is $45 per person and $70 per farm. Funding for the workshop has been provided by The Central Minnesota Credit Union.

North Central Extension Risk Management Education has provided grant funds.

Registration is open and space is limited. To register, visit: https://z.umn. edu/Freeport-Labor. For more information on the workshop, contact Nathan Hulinsky at (218) 236-2009 or via e-mail at huli0013@umn.edu.

This article was submitted by University of Minnesota Extension. v

www.TheLandOnline.com

story to be truly a mob situation for that poor farmer’s wife. And her only weapon was a carving knife.

Pity.

And as we are talking about being watched, here’s one for you.

It was a beautiful sunny summer day to lay out in the sun, with the yard work all caught up, no children yet, and a Saturday with nothing on the agenda and nowhere I had to be. I took advantage of a little down time and stretched out in a chaise lounge lawn chair, suntan lotion on and a soda under my chair — facing into the sun.

During the afternoon I heard traffic on our gravel road drive by slowly, but it didn’t matter. We had neighbors then who always drove slowly.

It was all fun and games until I began to get an eerie feeling — like when your underwear starts creeping up on you in church and you can’t figure out a way to fix it with people standing right behind you. I dismissed it for a short time before I decided to

investigate.

I opened my eyes, and there it was: a billy goat, standing directly over me, just watching me.

Apparently, either he was downwind or the hog dust had settled into my nose and rendered it inoperable.

Because, unfortunately, I didn’t smell him coming.

He scared the heck out of me and my sudden movement of tearing out of the lawn chair scared the heck out of him. He ran off in a full-blown gallop toward the barn, and I just stood there working to regain my strength and breath.

Then it occurred to me. I wonder how many of the people in those slowly-driving vehicles saw what I had going on there that afternoon? Ladies, we may think so, but we are not alone.

And as in all small towns, sometimes our neighbors know it before we do.

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

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THE LAND — JUNE 1/JUNE 8, 2018

Young readers will enjoy tales of Colorado homesteading Life is hard.

“Hardscrabble” Even as a kid, you’ve got things to

by Sandra Dallas worry about: getting good grades, getting along with your teacher, making friends, c.2018, Sleeping Bear Press making the team, dealing with Mean $15.95 / $19.95 Canada Girls, trying to be who you are. It isn’t 255 pages easy. But as you’ll see in “Hardscrabble”

by Sandra Dallas, things could be a whole lot worse. began cleaning their new THE BOOKWORM home. Belle couldn’t stop SEZ The prairie was awfully flat. thinking of the things they’d left behind

By Terri Schlichenmeyer in Iowa — which included all their From the train platform, 12-year-old Belle Martin could see for miles.

Christmas decorations, Carrie’s piano and a house with real floors.

It had been a long trip from Iowa and she knew Mama had missed Papa. After they lost the farm in But she couldn’t complain. Living on the prairie Ft. Madison and Papa went to stake a claim in had its rewards.

Colorado, they all missed him so. Now they had a The prairie sky was huge, new farm and a new home, and he’d sent for them: fields were beautiful, there were 15-year-old Carrie; Belle; eight-year-old Frank; places to play and room to run.

Becky, Sarah and Gully; Mama and a baby yetOne of the neighbors gave unnamed — all waiting for Papa in Mingo, Frank a pony and, though modColorado. ern young ladies in 1910 didn’t He was excited to see them too, and happy to have opportunities for such bring them to their new homestead on the prairie. things, Belle dreamed of being a He was extra-proud of the house he’d made of dirt cowgirl. Mama had a big garden (which he called a “soddy”) although Belle could tell and the family had even begun that Mama was disappointed. But nobody said anyto make good friends of the “Hardscrabble” thing. Mama wasn’t feeling well, yet she and Carrie neighbors who lived on homeauthor Sandra Dallas steads nearby.

Still, it was a hardscrabble life, which sometimes meant disaster. A homesteader might have a good crop ruined by hail or eaten by hungry grasshoppers. Poor soil could mean a bad harvest. Sickness

could strike and doctors were hours away.

Those were times when a homesteader found out just how helpful his neighbors really were.

Let’s just cut to the chase: your child is going to like “Hardscrabble.”

It could be impossible, in fact, for her to resist this modern, updated “Little House on the Prairie”-like tale of hardship and homesteading, set in the not-long-ago. But don’t think this is a tale of woe. The challenges of life in 1910 are not the focus here. Instead, author Sandra Dallas takes real situations from early twentieth-century American history — good, difficult, quaint and fun — and weaves them matter-offactly between characters that sparkle with relatability. Kids won’t get drama or sensationalism from this book, but they will get a sense of the way life just was.

For new generations of “Little House” fans and for their mothers who loved that series too, “Hardscrabble” will quickly become a favorite.

Getting your 8-to-13-year-old involved in this book truly shouldn’t be hard.

Look for the reviewed book at a bookstore or a library near you. You may find the book at online book retailers.

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

Funding for treating wild parsnip Financial assistance is available to skin and energized by ultraviolet light.

Stearns County landowners for treatMoisture from perspiration speeds ment and removal of wild parsnip as absorption. The sap is most potent well as two other noxious weeds: poison while the plant is flowering. No one is hemlock and common tansy. exempt. Symptoms usually take 24 – 48 hours to develop, but could take Wild Parsnip is a non-native plant longer. Mild exposure is similar to sunwhich grows 2-5 feet tall and has yellow burn. Severe exposure causes skin to flowers arranged in flat-topped umbrelblister. In many cases, the blisters will la-like clusters at the top of the plant. lead to brownish pigmentation that can The flowers bloom from mid-June to last for years.

August. This invasive plant thrives in a wide range of growing conditions. It If you have wild parsnip, poison hemquickly takes over roadsides, field edges lock or common tansy on your property, and prairies, replacing other desirable you are encouraged to contact the vegetation.

Stearns County agricultural inspector at (320) 656-6578; or the Stearns Wild parsnip can cause “phytophotoCounty Soil and Water Conservation dermatitis”, which happens when the District at (320) 251-7800 ext. 3 for sap of the plant, from broken stems and assistance in identifying and eradicatleaves, touches the skin and is exposed ing the plants on your property. to ultraviolet light (whether cloudy or sunny). Unlike poison Ivy, the reaction This article was submitted by the caused by contact with wild parsnip sap is not an Stearns County Soil and Water Conservation District.v allergic reaction. Toxin in the sap is absorbed by the

THE LAND — JUNE 1/JUNE 8, 2018

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PAGE 9

Veteran viticulturalist will never stop learning

By DICK HAGEN The Land Staff Writer BLOOMINGTON, Minn. — With 19 years in the grape growing business, one would think there isn’t much left to learn. But talk to anyone growing grapes and they quickly comment in this business one never stops learning.

Ray Winter of rural Janesville, Minn., is such a guy.

Growing corn and soybeans, selling seed corn and rearing his family with wife Lisa was Ray’s life until 1998.

That’s when the vineyard fever struck!

Today, the Winters have 14.5 acres of vines plus a root stock nursery — Winterhaven Vineyard and Nursery — for those wanting to start their own vineyard. The Winters also operate their own winery called Indian Island Winery.

The winery was built on a site which was a popular Native American summer hunting camp. This land was once nearly surrounded by water. Over the years of farming, this site has yielded artifacts of history now on display at the winery which sits next to the vineyard.

When asked if their expansion has ended, Winter responded, “Probably … at least for a while. But you never know … we’re still learning.”

Winter was interviewed at the Minnesota Grape Growers Association Cold Climate Conference held March 15-17 in Bloomington. Indian Island Winery was one of 45 exhibitors. This three-day event draws growers from six states including California.

Because they are seed stock growers, the Winters are well known with grape growers across the upper Midwest.

And as grape acres keep expanding, so does the reputation of Winterhaven Nursery. Because of their winter hardiness, Minnesota varieties are the bulk of their vineyard. Their seed stock nursery includes a few new varieties, some of other origins.

Frontenac, Frontenac Gris, Marquette, Itasca, LaCrescent and Brianna (all University of Minnesota origin) are their main core varieties.

“These varieties provide everything you need to make good, cold hardy wines,” Winter said. “Plus they handle sub-zero temps without a concern.”

With variations both in soil types and

weather conditions through4,000 to 6,000 pounds per out Minnesota, is selecting acre or more! And with a the proper variety critical? ratio of 17 to 18 pounds of grapes per gallon of wine, “Every variety is different,” spirits next winter season Winter stated, “and soils difshould be jolly indeed. fer too. The higher the pH of your soils, the touchier your Indian Island Winery is variety. Some can tolerate managed by winemaker the higher pH soils better (enologist is the term) and than others. But that’s not daughter Angie. The winery an issue on our land. We’re shuts down from January gently sloping soils. Grapes until the end of March. don’t like wet feet.”

Opening on weekends in April, they currently offer 20 Always a particular farmer different wines including during his crop farming days, eight white wines, six red Winter’s fields were models wines and six dessert wines. of near perfection — espeLive music plays every cially when the weatherman Photo by Dick Hagen Friday and Saturday from 6 cooperated. The Winters’ son Ray Winter attended the Minnesota Grape Growers Associa- to 8:30 p.m.

Tom is Indian Island’s vinetion Cold Climate Conference last March. yard manager and now pracThe winery provides wine tices the same perfection. tastings, a gift shop and Essentially, “Do it right or don’t do it” peratures hit a vineyard just as it initi- beautiful outdoor scenery with campates early budding stage. However, fires and a full kitchen menu. The outis the Winter creed.

Explaining their fertility program, Winter said 2017-18 was a good winter door seating covers over 5,600 square feet. Indian Island Winery also proWinter said they foliar feed as needed, for their vines.

“We had only one night with temps vides indoor seating for over 150 peoplus deep banding of phosphorus and potash alongside each row. Only a lim- down to minus 20 degrees. Right now ple. A special pride of this winery is ited amount of nitrogen is used because everything looks pretty good. Here at producing 100 percent Minnesotatheir heavier, dark soils are nutrient the conference, growers are telling me grown grape wines. this winter was relatively easy on their rich.

For more information, visit www.indivines.

So a good productive season anislandwinery.com. v With some vines now pushing 20 should be about to happen,” he said. years, do vines wear out? Ray respondFor the Winters, this means yields of ed, “They say they do. We’re not noticing any incidence of old age so far however. But pros in this business tell us you can expect 25 to 30 years before you might be needing some replacements.”

With nearly 10,000 vines, harvest can be a challenge. For the Winters, it used to be a hand harvest and that meant several volunteer helpers. But three years ago, thanks to a mechanical harvesting machine, those formerly labor-intensive days are history. These grape harvesting machines are good.

When properly adjusted, a virtual 100 percent harvest is accomplished.

Pruning, however, is still a hand operation. This task, done each fall after harvest, is critical to next year’s harvest. “It’s still a walking and cutting operation, but we’re seriously looking at purchasing a mechanical machine for that chore also.”

Even though Minnesota varieties are winter hardy, growers always have some questions — especially if late March and early April freezing tem-

To our customers, both current & past

THANK YOU for letting us serve your seed needs!

• Your Family-Owned Seed Source •

PAGE 10

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THE LAND — JUNE 1/JUNE 8, 2018

Cow items aren’t hard to ‘spot’ at Klossner’s Mooseum

By KRISTIN KVENO “now it fills the whole house.” The house is The Land Correspondent still Klossner’s residence and she gladly shares it with her collection.

BERNADOTTE, Minn. — How does one become the owner/curator/founder of The collection is extensive and so orgathe “Mooseum” — an 18,109-piece collecnized that Klossner can quickly pick out a tion of cow items? “By accident,” according piece and be able to tell the story of how to Ruth Klossner. That first purchase of a that piece came to her. In the mid-1980s, cow figurine at an auction in the 1970s “I got a spread sheet program.” Klossner was just something that caught Klossner’s was at piece number 150 at the time. She eye. She hasn’t stopped looking for cow has continued to catalog everything in the items ever since.

Mooseum by year.

Cows have always been an integral part As for how Klossner gets her cow items, of Klossner’s life. Growing up on a dairy she “buys some, get a lot as gifts.” One cow farm just north of New Ulm, Klossner wooden yard statue was given to her anonexcelled at dairy cow showmanship in 4-H ymously. To this day she still has no idea and “got my family started with registered who decided that cow needed to come live Holsteins.” That interest in cows continwith her. Klossner finds many of her cow ued after high school as Klossner began Photos by Kristin Kveno items at flea markets and garage sales. college at the University of Minnesota in One of the more prized posessions in Ruth Klossner’s collection is this In 2015, Klossner’s collection made the dairy science. But instead, she graduated creamer given to her by Hollywood star Tippi Hedren. history books (or the Guinness Book of with a degree in home economics. The World Records to be exact). Klossner’s colchange in majors was due to the fact that dairy scilection outnumbered the previous record holder by ence wasn’t a field which women were commonly a almost 12,000. Authenticating that record involved The collection is extensive and so part of in those days. lots of time, documentation, photographs and help organized that Klossner can quickly from some volunteers. Klossner had a retired area Klossner worked for 13 years in county extension pick out a piece and be able to tell after that she got her masters in agriculture. She ran judge and his wife count all the collection, which took the story of how that piece came to days to complete. When she received the Guinness a photography business and was the editor for the her. She has continued to catalog Lafayette Ledger until she retired from there in Book of World Records distinction, the collection was everything in the Mooseum by 2011. She still does writing and photography work. officially at 15,144, about 3,000 less than the Mooseum year.

It was in 1979 that Klossner moved to her ranchSee MOOSEUM, pg. 11 style home in the quaint town of Bernadotte, Minn.

At that time, “all the (cow) pieces fit in the stairwell.”

The collection didn’t just stay on the stairwell for long. It soon spread out, came upstairs in 1992 and

Klossner’s collection of over 18,000 items earned her recognition by the Guinness Book of World Records.

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PAGE 11

Busloads tour the Mooseum from as far as Sweden MOOSEUM, from pg. 10 currently has now. Klossner is hopeful that the number will be updated for the Guinness Book of World Records.

The Mooseum isn’t just known locally, it’s been featured in various forms of media across the nation and all over the world — including in Denmark and Poland.

As for what qualifies to be part of Klossner’s collection, “if it’s bovine, it’s fine!” The collection spans every room in Klossner’s house. Every nook and cranny is filled with cow items. From dishtowels to Christmas ornaments, to stuffed animal cows to even a 1950 8N Ford tractor in the garage that is painted with the distinctive black and white Holstein markings. Klossner has cows covered.

Klossner enjoys sharing her collection with visitors from near and far.

This year, three busloads of visitors have come so far — including farmers from Sweden. The most visitors to the Mooseum in one day came during September of 2015 when she “had

Klossner was hosting Hedren’s sister and her family for the weekend, so Hedren joined them and stayed at the Mooseum as well. Klossner and her guests “drank wine, laughed and carried on all night” around the kitchen table. Hedren enjoyed her visit so much that she gave Klossner the antique cow creamer which was a wedding gift from her marriage to Peter Griffith in 1952.

Stories like that make the Mooseum more than just the cow items found in it, it’s the people that Klossner meets along the way.

The collection is impressive, expansive and pretty dang interesting.

Though there is one drawback to having a Mooseum, “the dusting isn’t part of the fun.” When asked if Klossner ever gets tired at looking at all things cow in her house, Klossner quickly replied, “Naw, this is me. This house would be pretty empty without the cows.” The Mooseum will continue to add new pieces as “half of the fun is the hunt to find cow items.” The other part is “sharing it with people.”

If you’re interested in a very mooooving experience, make an appointment (507) 240-0048 or e-mail cowlady@centurylink.net to visit the Mooseum in Bernadotte. v

While Klossner has found many of the Mooseum’s artifacts on her own, this wooden statue anonymously appeared at her door.

about 500 people that day.” The open house was an event that “the community helped out.” Her guestbook has 6,000 signatures from Mooseum visitors throughout the years. While the Mooseum doesn’t have official hours, Klossner welcomes visitors, “all I ask is that it be by appointment.”

Klossner’s collection features many precious items near and dear to Klossner’s heart. One of those is a painting “based on a photo of my 4-H cow, Francis.”

Another item is a cow shaped creamer from the 1890s. While the cow creamer is a beautiful antique piece in itself, it’s the story behind it that makes it a treasure for Klossner. It was given to her by the screen legend, Tippi Hedren in 2014.

Klossner met Hedren (who was raised in Lafayette, Minn.) in 2000 Klossner’s 1950 Ford tractor makes the perfect vehi- when Hedren was in town the Lafayette cle statement for her Mooseum — complete with cow for Centennial Celebration. horns on the front.

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THE LAND — JUNE 1/JUNE 8, 2018

Crops are planted, it’s time to spray and hay



By KRISTIN KVENO, The Land Correspondent



Blair Horseth, Mahnomen, Minn., June 1

The fields “are looking pretty decent.” The corn is “pretty good” though the “weeds are growing Blair Horseth right along with it.” Hoseth started spraying corn a week earlier than usual this year. All the heat and moisture are pushing the weeds. Next week he’ll “probably start spraying beans.”

Hoseth started cutting hay last week. It’s “going very slowly” due to rain. This first cut is “pretty much on schedule.”

While the corn and beans seem to growing fast in this heat, it’s “a little warm for the wheat crop,” Hoseth said. The cooler temperatures next week will bring some relief to the wheat.

“We got some of the cattle out to pasture.” Though Hoseth pointed out that the pasture is “a little bit slower to grow” this spring — most likely due to the heat. He expects to bring more cattle to pasture next week.

The crops are in, spraying is ongoing and average temperatures are in the forecast. Things are definitely rolling right along on the Hoseth farm.



The sprayer has been out and in full force on the Beyer farm. The Land spoke to Jamie Beyer on June 1 as spraying corn and soybeans began the week before. “I think the heat is accelerating things.”

Blair Hoseth is checking things off his to-do list. The Land spoke with Hoseth on June 1 as he was pleased to report he finished planting soybeans a couple weeks ago and is “going to finish spraying corn today.” He’ll “start on (spraying) wheat this afternoon.”

It was “the warmest end of May that I can remember,” Hoseth said. With temperatures in the 90s, the corn and soybeans have really taken off in the heat. Though next week’s forecast calls for more moderate temperatures. There has been sporadic rain over the past two weeks.

There was lot of heat Memorial Day weekend and “we didn’t have any rain last week at all.” More hot weather is in the forecast for next week with temperatures in the 80s — which “is warm for us.”

Jamie Beyer

 FROM  THE  

FIELDS

Matt Haubrich, Danube, Minn., May 25

As fast as the crops are growing, the weeds are growing as fast or faster. So Haubrich will be checking fields to see if herbicide needs to be applied as he “wants to be on top of it.”

“A lot of scouting” is on the agenda next week for Haubrich — though he’ll have to do so in the heat, humidity and thunderstorms that are forecasted. With all of the crops in the ground, Haubrich is “feeling good, optimistic so far.”With a lot going on at the Haubrich farm and with no significant rain in the forecast, it looks like planting season will be wrapping up soon.

The crops have “definitely caught up and are maybe just a little ahead.”

Beyer expects the corn to be knee high by next week. The heat is expected to continue so that means that crops will continue to flourish along with the weeds. It’s that time of the growing season when herbicide application becomes a great priority out in the field.

Karson Duncanson, Mapleton, Minn., May 25 “The good Lord delivered on some dry weather for us.” The Land spoke to Karson Duncanson on May 25 as he was confident there was only a few days of planting left to do. “We’re on the home stretch.”

Duncanson finished planting corn on May 20 and started soybeans on May 21. So far, bean planting has gone “very well.” Duncanson has different planters for corn and beans and those are now solely being used for beans which has made bean planting go quickly. “With any luck, I’ll be done Sunday.”

The rain began two days after planting was done. There was heavy rain on May 24 which resulted in “some minor flooding” in a few fields.

The corn, “I just checked and it’s all up.” It’s currently at V2 stage. Once the fields dry up, Haubrich is “hoping in a couple of days we can travel these fields” to scout the corn.

As for the black cutworms that Haubrich found in sticky trips a few weeks ago, he will be “watching the perimeter of these fields to see if they’re nibbling on the corn plants.” Haubrich plans on treating as needed with insecticide.

“We’ll be spraying on and off the entire time until July 4,” Beyer said, or “until the corn reaches the V6 level.” Beyer knows “you cannot afford to let weeds get out of control. Weeds lead to yield loss.” Along with the fact, “customers demand a clean product.” How you spray matters to the bottom-line as “it saves money when we can do it ourselves and not have a plane apply it.”



“All is planted.” The Land spoke with Matt Haubrich on May 25 as he was happy to report that all the crops are in. He finished planting corn on May 13 and completed soybean planting on May 19 — at 9 p.m., to be exact. The bean planting “went well.” With no weather or machinery issues “we just went from field to field,” Haubrich said.

Matt Haubrich

Jamie Beyer, Wheaton, Minn., June 1

Karson Duncanson

The corn “stands are not as good as they were last year.” But the weather is certainly giving the corn a boost. “This heat is great.” Next week, Duncanson expects to start spraying corn.

As for how planting has gone overall, “we’ve had pretty good luck.” Duncanson is “pretty happy with how things are going.” The heat is expected to continue into the weekend which will help the corn. But Duncanson is hoping for a little rain on Sunday, right after he finishes getting the beans in the ground. The planting season is mere days away from being completed for Duncanson and he’s ready to finish up and look ahead to what’s next in the growing season.

THE LAND — JUNE 1/JUNE 8, 2018

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PAGE 13

New director guides western Iowa dairy producers

By RENAE B. VANDER SCHAAF The Land Correspondent ORANGE CITY, Iowa — Western Iowa Dairy Alliance recently celebrated 10 years of providing support to dairy farm families, promoting the dairy industry and its many nutritional products, and providing information to consumers and education to dairy farmers.

WIDA has a new director, Scott Schroeder (pronounced SHRAY-der), a recent graduate from South Dakota State University. Shroeder began his duties in November.

Schroeder was raised on a cow/calf, Scott Schroeder cattle feedlot and swine farm in Plymouth County, Iowa. He attended SDSU to gain a degree in Ag Business. The college courses he had taken while in high school had earned him thirty credits.

“I needed another degree to stay in college for four years,” explained Schroeder. “A college professor pushed me into speech. Besides the Ag Business degree, I have a degree in Speech Communications.”

The combination of these two degrees and his agriculture background aids Schroeder’s duties to continue WIDA’s good foundation.

“My goal is to educate the consumer about the dairy industry,” said Schroeder. “We sometimes forget that too many children think that milk just comes from the grocery stores.”

He has been devoting quite a bit of The WIDA office is located in the Sioux County time to reading anti-agriculture Extension Office in Orange City. Although a separate groups’ media. entity, WIDA works with extension in providing edu“They have a convincing message,” cation opportunities for dairy producers. said Schroeder. “Unfortunately, the “WIDA is an involved supporter of education promisinformed public believes it as grams,” said Schroeder. “ISU Dairy Days, the I-29 truth.”

Dairy Consortium Programs, NE Iowa Dairy It’s important to know what misin- Foundation Fall Dairy Tour.” formation is out there, so that all of Schroeder shares helpful and pertinent informaus in agriculture as a whole can work tion gleaned from his reading and studies with WIDA together to counteract it, said members. He is also receiving an education as he Schroeder. works.

Through the year WIDA is involved in many com“Since I didn’t grow up on a dairy farm, I have been munity outreach activities. In June they will host a given the opportunity to learn about the dairy indusdairy open house. They organize the Ag Prayer try and what their needs are for the future,” comBreakfast at the Central Plains Dairy Expo. mented Schroeder. “I also enjoy talking with producWIDA was prominent at the Siouxland Home Show ers and listening to their farming experiences and in Sioux City. They were part of a large agriculture where they see the future of dairy and agriculture display and the first booth home show attendees see going.” when they walk in the door. Each commodity had His close proximity to the family farm allows him educational displays about their products. Farmers to still be active — doing the work of a farmer. He were on hand to answer any questions a consumer enjoys SDSU sporting events, but saves some time may have. for playing cards — especially Euchre.

Steps for healthy calves this spring ST. CLOUD, Minn. —Spring is a busy time for farmers, but don’t forget about your calves. There are a number of things you can do to keep your calves healthy this spring and into summer.

Spring rains leave behind wet conditions, and we all know moisture can bring problems with it. If calves are housed outside in hutches, or something similar, make sure bedding is kept dry and clean.

Pay special attention if hutches are on dirt, as extra bedding or more frequent changing of it may be necessary. Moist, dirty conditions are ideal for many bacteria, so keeping things clean and dry can help prevent disease. Likewise, if calves are housed indoors, check for any leaks in the building. Wet spots can create a mess and increase the risk of bacterial growth.

Besides keeping calves’ bedding clean and dry, pay close attention to thoroughly cleaning feeding equipment — such as bottles, buckets, nipples and feeding tubes. If they are not well-cleaned, biofilm can form on them. Biofilms are home to bacteria, and once formed, they are harder to clean off and more likely to gather additional protein onto them.

Make sure your colostrum management is in tiptop shape as the temperatures rise. Because it’s warmer, colostrum needs to be cooled faster. The goal is to chill the colostrum to at least 60 degrees within

WIDA also provides an educational day on dairy as part of Sioux City’s LaunchPad Children’s Museum’s Farm-tastic Learning Classroom. In addition, the organization provides dairy products to community events and programs.

30 minutes of collection from the cow. Putting buckets or bottles of warm colostrum in the refrigerator or freezer will not cool them fast enough and could cause bacteria growth. Either an ice bath or ice containers in the colostrum will work. Pre-chilling like this, then refrigerating or freezing does slow down the multiplication rate for bacteria.

Finally, make sure you are feeding enough coccidiostat. Spring’s many weather and temperature changes can be extremely stressful on animals. Think of those days where we experience a 20-30 degree difference in temperature in a 24-hour period. This weather stress can cause immunosuppression — meaning a bug that calves would normally have no trouble combating can become difficult for the immune system to fight off. Oftentimes, spring weather changes can lead to an outbreak of coccidiosis. The coccidiostat level that is usually fed would normally control coccidia growth. But when calves are under extra stress, the coccidia can quickly grow and overwhelm the medication. If a coccidiostat isn’t already being fed with milk, consider adding it during the spring, or increasing the amount of it if you already use it. Coccidiostats do not require a veterinary feed directive.

This article was submitted by University of Minnesota Extension. v

WIDA has 43 dairy farm members and 67 industry partners. v

PAGE 14

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THE LAND — JUNE 1/JUNE 8, 2018

Hand-made Millerville butter has quite a following

By TIM KING The Land Correspondent MILLERVILLE, Minn. — Making butter at the 85-member Millerville Cooperative Creamery in central Minnesota is a team effort says Deidre Hubbard, the creamery manager. It’s also a lot of hard work and a bit of a labor of love for the creamery’s four employees.

Making an approximately 1,200-pound batch of butter starts with a phone call to the Land-O-Lakes creamery in Melrose.

“We have a food grade tote and when our inventory is getting low we call them and order cream,” Deidre says. “We have to order a week in advance.”

“The cream is right around 46 percent butterfat,” says Mark Thoennes, who has been making Millerville Creamery butter for four decades. “We buy between 2,100 to 2,200 pounds of cream.”

As soon as the cream arrives in Millerville from Melrose, Thoennes transfers it from the tote to the stainless steel pasteurizer. The pasteurizer is a vat heated by steam made from an old (but efficient) boiler.

“Making a batch of butter takes us three to four days — depending on what is going on,” said Thoennes, who also makes custom hydraulic hoses and chains and oversees customers’ mechanical

255 16th Street South St. James, MN 56081

On butter-making day three, the butter is cut into one pound blocks, wrapped and put into Millerville’s distinctive yellow and red box.

“We cut and wrap by hand,” Hubbard said. “It’s a three-person job.”

Once the butter is boxed and into the cooler, there are only two jobs left.

“My shoulders get really sore from scrubbing out the pasteurizer,” Thoennes, who is in charge of creamery sanitation, said.

Then there is distribution.

The hand-made and hand-wrapped Millerville butter is popular and a lot is sold directly from the creamery.

“Somebody from Alaska came by yesterday and got Photos by Jan King some,” Hubbard said. “We don’t advertise, so they Millerville Cooperative Creamery Manager Deidre heard about us through word of mouth.”

Hubbard stands by the boiler used to pasteurize the The butter is also available at the Millerville liquor butter. store; at three locations in nearby Brandon; at needs.

Sandy’s in Parkers Prairie; and at Eldens’ grocery “On day one we pasteurize it at 189 degrees and store and Trumm Drug in Alexandria. then cool the cream overnight,” he said. “On day Then there is two we pump the cream into the churn and Millerville’s Butter Days churn it for between 40 minutes to an hour.” held in late July in con“Mark watches the butter churn really junction with the church carefully,” Hubbard said. festival of Our Lady of “The first thing that you see is little balls of butter Seven Dolors. form. They look like popcorn. Pretty soon those get There is a parade, of bigger.” course, and very likely a When Thoennes decides that the butter is ready, he street dance and a church drains the butter milk and churns in a little salt. bazaar and plenty of other Then the hard work of taking the butter out of the activities. churn and pressing it into the Friday boxes starts.

See MILLERVILLE, “I don’t know why we call them Friday boxes,” pg. 16 Thoennes said. “Maybe they used to make butter on Fridays.”

Friday boxes are heavy stainless steel boxes that hold 90 pounds of butter.

“We put on plastic gloves and hairnets and pack the butter in the boxes by hand,” Hubbard said. “You have really push it in there. You can’t have any air pockets.”

THE LAND — JUNE 1/JUNE 8, 2018

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THE LAND — JUNE 1/JUNE 8, 2018

USDA: Feed cost increases negate milk price gains This column was written for the marThe tough times on the farm were more keting week ending June 1. evident in the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s latest Ag Prices report. The Happy June Dairy Month — though it’s report showed another gain in the U.S. not too happy for dairy producers strugAll Milk price average, but that was overgling to make ends meet. whelmed by a sharp rise in the alfalfa The May federal order Class III benchhay price and increases in corn and soymark milk price was announced May 31 beans. This sent the April milk feed price at $15.18 per hundredweight. This is up ratio lower for the fifth month in a row.

71 cents from April, but still 39 cents MIELKE MARKET The April ratio is at 1.90 — down from below May 2017, though it is the highest WEEKLY 1.97 in March and compares to 2.22 in Class III price since December 2017. It April 2017.

By Lee Mielke equates to about $1.31 per gallon, up The index is based on the current from $1.24 in April. milk price in relationship to feed The five-month Class III average prices for a dairy ration consisting of stands at $14.25, down from $16.05 51 percent corn, 8 percent soybeans at this point a year ago, but compares to $13.53 in and 41 percent alfalfa hay. In other words, one 2016. pound of milk today purchases just 1.9 pounds of Class III futures late morning on June 1 portend a dairy feed containing that blend.

June Dairy Month Class III price of $15.51 per cwt.; The U.S. All-Milk price averaged $15.80 per cwt., July, $16.22; and August at $16.79, with a peak of up 20 cents from March but that’s still 70 cents $16.94 in September. below April 2017.

The May Class IV price is $14.57, up $1.09 from April corn averaged $3.58 per bushel, up 7 cents April, 8 cents above a year ago, and the highest it from March and 15 cents per bushel above April has been since October 2017. Its five-month average 2017. Soybeans averaged $9.83 per bushel, up 2 is at $13.42, down from $14.92 a year ago and com- cents per bushel from March and 50 cents per bushpares to $13.06 in 2016. el above a year ago. Alfalfa hay averaged $183 per ton, up $17 from March, and $33 per ton above a n year ago.

MARKETING

The U.S. milk-over-feed margin is down 15 cents from March to $6.62 per cwt. based on the dairy Margin Protection Program calculation. The Daily Dairy Report says the margin was the lowest since June 2016’s $5.75 per cwt.

Looking at the cow side of the ledger, the April cull price for beef and dairy combined averaged $67.50 per cwt. This is down $1.40 from March, $4.70 below April 2017 and $4.10 below the 2011 base average of $71.60 per cwt. n The cash dairy markets ended the Memorial Day holiday-shortened week with block cheddar at $1.5975 per pound. This is down 1.25 cents on the week, 10.25 cents below a year ago, and 6.25 cents lower than it was on May 1, as the week’s global politics may have influenced traders some. More on that ahead. The barrels finished at $1.52, down 2.5 cents on the week, 3 cents above a year ago, but 8.25 cents below its May 1 perch. There were seven cars of block that traded hands on the week at the Chicago Mercantile Exchange and 26 of barrel.

Cheese demand reports suggest a steady-to-slower market for most types of processors, according to Dairy Market News, with the exception of cheese curd makers. The seasonal return of fairs and street festivals has renewed cheese curd buying vigor.

See MIELKE pg. 17

Public tries their hand at butter carving during Butter Days MILLERVILLE, from pg. 14 And there is butter carving.

It’s not quite on the scale of Princess Kay and the Minnesota State Fair; but it’s more democratic.

Anybody who wants to try their hand at butter carving is welcome to do so. There are some basic rules, however.

“Each person gets a pound of butter to carve,” Thoennes said. “They each have to carve the same thing. The committee decides what contestants will carve.”

At some point, a winner is chosen, a photo is taken and prizes are distributed. Win or lose, each contestant gets to take their butter — or what’s left of it — home. They can freeze their carving for their grandchildren to marvel at or they can put it on their morning toast.

Butter is important to the Millerville Cooperative Creamery Association’s identity and business. That’s because it’s one of very few creameries still making butter the old-fashioned way. Cooperative members are proud of that and they’ve voted to continue making butter the Millerville way.

But the cooperative is more than butter.

The co-op sells seed and fertilizer and has spray rigs that will apply your herbicide. They have a large

Mark Thoennes has been making Millerville butter for four decades. He is holding a “Friday box” which is packed with 90 pounds of butter after it comes from the churn.

line of farm supplies including oil, filters, belts, fencing supplies and hydraulic fittings. There are nuts and bolts and veterinary supplies. Millerville Cooperative is a full-service farm supply. Just for good measure there are two freezers with Schwann’s ice cream and pizza.

The cooperative works with its neighbor, JB Tractor, to make sure it’s mechanics can find the odd part quickly. They also work with the municipal liquor store to make sure that people looking for butter after the creamery closes don’t leave Millerville empty-handed.

“A lot of people come through here on the weekend on the way to the lakes in Ottertail County,” Hubbard said. “We make sure that the liquor store is wellstocked with butter for our customers.”

Hubbard says the cooperative is considering installing gas pumps and expanding its auto repair business. Since there are no gas pumps in Millerville, the co-op would be providing an important service to the community.

Whether it’s providing new services to its members and the community, or continuing a nearly 90-year tradition of butter making, the Millerville Cooperative Creamery Association intends to continue serving the community for years to come. v

THE LAND — JUNE 1/JUNE 8, 2018

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

PAGE 17

Mexico likely to focus tariffs on U.S. cheddar and gouda MIELKE, from pg. 16 Although heat and humidity in the Midwest had some contacts questioning near term milk availability, there was no shortage during Memorial Day week. A growing amount of cheesemakers took to the spot milk market, as loads ranged $4 to $5 under Class.

Cheese production is ramping up as a result, but the market tone is “somewhat stable,” according to Dairy Market News.

Western cheese output is active as some of the available fluid milk clears to cheese plants. But the cheese market seems to be balanced, says Dairy Market News. Prices have been up and down during the last weeks, but they haven’t deviated much. Cheese inventories are up, but staying manageable.

Domestic and international sales are solid and the U.S. cheese market is currently very competitive as U.S. prices continue below international prices. However, some contacts are worried an upsurge in the exchange rate might negatively affect export demand. Others believe the price gap between the EU and the United States is big enough that an increase in the value of the dollar won’t have much effect on export sales. n FC Stone’s Dave Kurzawski provides an interesting sidelight in his May 29 Early Morning Update. “rBST is almost history across the country,” Kurzawski said. “Several major cheese manufactures have recently pulled their producers off of rBST. This time around, western dairy producers will be taking the brunt of the hit.

Producers with Jersey herds will be impacted much more dramatically than their Holstein herd peers. It will take several months to get a good idea of the overall impact, but this should curb surplus milk production from these producers supplying processors.

Although one thing is clear, the past few years of mediocre milk prices has caused the U.S. dairy producer to only become more efficient at milking cows.” n Cash butter climbed to $2.4250 per pound on May 29, but closed June 1 at $2.3775. This is down 3.75 cents on the week, 10.75 cents below a year ago (when it jumped 12.5 cents), but is 1.75 cents above where it was on May

1. A whopping 65 cars were sold on the week at the CME — 32 on June 1 alone.

Dairy Market News says the butter markets reacted to the National Agricultural Statistics Service’s cold storage increases as many contacts expected them to, “indifferently, if not bullishly.” Upper Midwest butter makers report that cream is unexpectedly tight and buying interest remains generally healthy in both salted and unsalted varieties.

Western butter remains active.

Although ice cream manufacturers are pulling more cream, there is still plenty to keep the churns busy. Butter inventories are growing along seasonal patterns and contacts say current domestic demand is solid.

International demand ebbs and flows.

Inquiries from global buyers are not unlimited, and “U.S. butter makers feel there is a lot of tire kicking going on. The U.S. butter price may be favorable when compared to international butter prices. However, the work involved with converting the butterfat to a form acceptable to international interests gives some U.S. manufacturers a pause,” says Dairy Market News.

Spot Grade A nonfat dry milk closed the week at 82.5 cents per pound.

This is down 1.75 cents on the week, 12.25 cents below a year ago, and dead even with its May 1 price. There were six cars that exchanged hands on the week.

The CME’s newest addition, dry whey, had a good week, hitting a new high of 39 cents per pound on May 31.

But it inched back on June 1 to close at 38.5 cents, 1.25 cents higher on the week, with nine cars being sold the four days of trading. n In politics, the words “Trade War” have returned — and with them, retaliatory tariff threats, following the Trump Administration’s decision to lift exemptions on steel and aluminum imports from Canada, Mexico and the EU. Mexico specified retaliatory tariffs on steel, pork legs, sausages, apples, grapes, cranberries and various cheeses effective June 1.

FC Stone points out, “This is the first time in the Trump era that cheese is

on the negotiating table. Will it matter?

We don’t know yet.”

The May 31 Daily Dairy Report stated, “If history serves as a guide, Mexico would likely focus its tariffs on cheddar and gouda from the United States.

Through the first quarter of this year, the United States has shipped 26,638 metric tons, or 58.7 million pounds of cheese to Mexico, which accounted for 27.6 percent of total exports. Mexico remains the top cheese trade partner for the United States.”

A second vote on the farm bill is scheduled for June 22. National Milk’s Chris Galen says the expectation is that by then, immigration legislation (which conservatives who voted against the farm bill want to have dealt with first) will get a vote. He says we should know more once the House and Senate return from the Memorial Day break.

The Senate and the agriculture committee have been working more slowly than the House, according to Galen, but a vote in committee is likely in

MARKETING

June as well.

Proposed changes to the dairy title of the farm bill don’t hold a lot of hope for dairy producers, according to Arden Tewksbury, manager of the Progressive Agriculture Association.

Tewksbury points out, “With prices being paid to dairy farmers still lingering far behind the national average cost of producing milk, and where it appears there is no real effort being made to give dairy farmers a fair price for their milk, Pro-Ag is therefore urging the Senate Agriculture Committee to immediately take appropriate action to place a floor price under milk that is used to manufacture dairy products.”

The proposal would establish a floor price at $16 per cwt. on July 1, 2018, followed by the price being set at $18 per cwt. on Sept. 1, and $20 on Nov. 1.

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

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THE LAND — JUNE 1/JUNE 8, 2018

MARKETING

Grain Outlook Trade, tariff talk stalls grain prices The following marketing analysis is for the week ending June 1.

CORN — It’s all about weather and politics, and each had their hand in this week’s price action. Hot weekend weather initially supported prices, but comments from the White House weighed on prices as traders returned from the Memorial Day weekend. The “trade truce” between the United States and China was shattered by the White House announcement that the United States would continue trade actions against China.

By June 15, a list of $50 billion worth of Chinese goods which will be subject to a 25 percent import tariff will be released. By PHYLLIS NYSTROM the end of June, the United CHS Hedging Inc. States will announce investment St. Paul restrictions and “enhanced export controls” for Chinese individuals and entities “related to the acquisition of industrially significant technology.”

Concerns over Italy’s economy and whether they may leave the Eurozone was also a negative for world markets. A key reversal lower resulted in corn and soybeans, which was extended by a bearish crop report.

As the week progressed, politics again reared their ugly head. This time, it was the announcement the United States would not extend the 25 percent steel import tariff and 10 percent aluminum import tariff waiver for Canada, Mexico and the European Union which expired May 31. All three countries quickly responded they were prepared to retaliate in kind.

Mexico said their import tariff targets would include some laminated steel and pipe products, lamps, berries, grapes, apples, cold cuts, pork chops and various cheese products “up to an amount comparable to the level of damage” they believe will be caused by the U.S. tariffs.

Canada indicated they would put on dollar-fordollar tariffs on U.S. goods, and the EU said they would also impose tariffs — although nothing was specified. Canada is the largest supplier of steel and aluminum products to the United States.

Mexico is the top importer of U.S. corn, pork and pork products. They accounted for 25-28 percent of U.S. corn exports in 2017-18. The U.S. Department of See NYSTROM, pg. 19

Cash Grain Markets

corn/change* soybeans/change* St. Cloud $3.41 -.16 $9.21 -.21 Madison $3.37 -.22 $9.31 -.25 Redwood Falls $3.35 -.21 $9.31 -.29 Fergus Falls $3.29 -.21 $9.09 -.33 Morris $3.36 -.21 $9.16 -.19 Tracy $3.42 -.16 $9.23 -.26 Average:

$3.37

$9.22

Year Ago Average: $3.00 $8.46 Grain prices are effective cash close on June 5. *Cash grain price change represents a two-week period.

Livestock Angles Hogs, cattle going opposite ways The cattle and hog markets have performed a closing of the gaps between cash and futures the past couple of weeks. Cash cattle have slipped in price while the futures market has posted a moderate rally closing the discount that the futures market has experienced over the past several months. For the hogs, it was the reverse. The premium the futures have maintained during the past several months has narrowed as futures dropped and the cash trade continues to improve. As we approach the month of June both cattle and hog markets should continue moving to parity with either the cash trade or — in the case of the JOE TEALE hogs — the lean index.

Broker The cattle market has been on Great Plains Commodity Afton, Minn. the defensive all spring as the trade has worried about the wall of cattle that was projected by previous cattle-onfeed reports. Despite these projections, the cattle market (at least on the cash side) had remained firm as packers were aggressive in accumulating live inventory. All the while, the futures market kept the defensive attitude and remained deep discount to the actual cash trade. It appears that the wall of cattle is now upon us. Cash prices near the end of May have begun to drop fairly rapidly. On May 25, the U.S. Department of Agriculture released the monthly Cattle-on-Feed report which indicated a neutral to slightly friendly report — especially for the fall months. The placement number was indicated at 92 percent of a year ago, while the on-feed See TEALE, pg. 19

Grain Angles Evolution of the U.S. pork industry There is no question that the pork industry has evolved a great deal over the past 30 years. The changes have not only made U.S. pork a better and safer product for consumers, but has reduced the resources used to produce it. Efficiencies in pork production and the entire agriculture industry has meant more consumers are increasingly removed from the world of food production.

We likely have not done a good enough job of reaching out to the public with facts — causing a bit of public uncertainty to remain. I thought it might be useful to discuss some of the changes which have revolutionized our industry and what that means to the future of pork production and demand KENT BANG for our product. In addition, lookCompeer Vice President ing into the future and the changof Swine Lending es that are likely to continue.

Mankato, Minn.

The evolution, driven by factors such as producer innovation, consumer demand and economic forces, have changed the industry. While at the same time, these factors have allowed us to be more competitive on the global market, which has left some production methods and producers in the wake of change.

Genetic evolution A key driver of change has been genetics and the continuous evolution of the pig itself. In the early 1990’s, the drive to meet consumer demand for a leaner product drove the industry to leaner pigs. The consumer was willing to pay for a leaner, healthier product. The packer, in turn, devised carcass merit programs that paid the producer to deliver. Producers benefited not only from carcass merit programs for lean pigs, but also from the efficiencies of lean gain vs. putting fat on pigs. The change to leaner genetics was rapid and effective. Based on today’s pig, we likely don’t need leaner pigs, and we have a great product (boneless loins) that isn’t very forgiving when overcooked due to the low fat content.

Higher prolific sows have been one key to improving pigs weaned per litter from 7.76 in 1987 to 10.63 in 2017. That is a 37 percent increase in 30 years!

Management, health, nutrition and housing are all important to make these gains, but genetics has been one of the key drivers.

Management evolution Production has become extremely specialized over See BANG, pg. 20

Information in the above columns is the writer’s opinion. It is no way guaranteed and should not be interpreted as buy/sell advice. Futures trading always involves a certain degree of risk.

THE LAND — JUNE 1/JUNE 8, 2018

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

PAGE 19

Good political news would inspire soybean buyers NYSTROM, from pg. 18 Agriculture’s ag attaché in Mexico expects Mexico to import 16.4 million metric tons of corn from the United States in 2018-19, with their total corn exports at 16.7 mmt. Mexico imported an estimated 15.2 mmt of U.S. corn in 2017-18. This is all happening with North America Free Trade Agreement negotiations going on in the background. The NAFTA negotiations hit a stumbling block when the United States insisted upon a 5-year sunset clause.

Weekly export sales were very good at 39.1 million bushels for old crop and 5.8 million bushels for new crop. Old crop total commitments at 2.1 billion bushels are 1 percent above last year! The USDA may need to increase its 2.225-billion-bushel export projection for this year. The USDA is forecasting a 3 percent decline in year-on-year exports. New crop sales commitments edged above last year at this time to 104.4 million bushels vs. 102.9 million last year.

Weekly export inspections were above expectations at 67.1 million bushels. We need to average 44.5 million bushels per week to hit the USDA’s 2.225 billion bushels export target. Weekly ethanol production fell 13,000 barrels per day to 1.041 million bpd, while stocks dropped 800,000 barrels to 21.3 million barrels. Net margins held steady for the third week in a row at 14 cents per gallon.

We will likely have some weather scares before the crop is made, but for now it’s looking pretty good. In the first initial crop rating of the season, corn was rated 79 percent good/excellent. This tied the secondhighest initial rating in 27 years. Keep in mind, the initial rating has no correlation to the final yield.

Last year, we were at just 65 percent good/excellent and went on to record yields. In 2012, we had the second-highest initial rating since 2000 and had a poor yield. Emergence as of May 27 was 72 percent vs. 69 percent on average.

MARKETING Outlook: Poor technical chart action this week and bulls want hot/dry weather before buying again.

Short-term forecasts look favorable for U.S. crop development. Politics will remain front and center in the action — NAFTA, China, Mexico, Canada, European Union! Demand for corn remains firm. Based on history, we could see another rally in mid-June (usually weather inspired) to play catch-up on sales. The next monthly World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates report will be released June 12. More important will be the June 29 release of the Planted Acreage and Grain Stocks reports. For the week, July corn tumbled 14.5 cents to $3.91.5 and the December contract dropped 13.25 cents to $4.11.75 per bushel.

SOYBEANS — As the trade issues between the United States and China flared up again, prices plunged lower early in the week — but not before the November soybean contract set a new high at $10.60.5 per bushel. The plague of bad trade news continued later in the week when the United States announced they would not extend the previous waiver from the new 25 percent import tariff on steel and 10 percent tariff on aluminum imports to Canada, Mexico and European Union. Mexico is the secondbiggest buyer of U.S. soybeans and meal. Quick retaliation comments ensued from Canada and Mexico — all while NAFTA talks continue.

The truckers strike in Brazil negatively affected their economy more than initially thought. Poultry was being slaughtered for lack of feed, export houses ran low on bean and meal supplies, milk was being dumped for lack of transportation off the farm, fuel was scarce everywhere — grinding most everything to a halt. The government announced last week they had given the truckers everything they had asked for —

For marketing news between issues ... visit www.TheLandOnline.com

Cattle futures see mild rally TEALE, from pg. 18 number was pegged at 105 percent and marketed at 106 percent of the previous year.

The futures market responded with a mild rally — particularly in the deferred contracts. For the short run, cash prices are still likely to weaken as more than adequate market-ready cattle are available at the current time. Producers are urged to stay in touch with current market conditions and stay current in marketing inventories.

The hog market has seen a fairly consistent rally since the middle of April — taking the lean index from the near $53 cwt. basis lean to near the $70 cwt. at the time of this writing.

During the same time frame, the pork cutout has improved nearly $9.50 cwt. showing good demand for pork products. The question now is, will the pork cutout continue to improve or meet resistance as we approach the $80 cwt. area? In the past, this level has produced some resistance by the consumer and the importers of pork to shy away from acquiring pork because of price. From a seasonal standpoint, the hog market typically has produced a top in price around the end of spring to early summer which we are currently approaching. This pattern would suggest that producers should be very aware of market conditions from this time forward and protect inventories if needed. v

including dropping diesel prices 12 percent for 60 days; a minimum fare to be paid to truckers for freight; and toll operators would not charge for rear axles not in use. But the original motive for the strike seemed to expand to government corruption overall. It took several days for all the roadblocks to be cleared.

It’s rumored China has been purchasing Brazilian soybeans for March/April/May 2019 time frame!

In Argentina, the government announced they will increase their export tax on biodiesel from 8 percent to 15 percent, effective July 1. There are still rumors the Argentine government is considering reinstating export tariffs on corn and wheat to raise revenue, and may pause their monthly 0.5 percent tax cut on soybean exports. The USDA ag attaché in Argentina is projecting their 2017-18 bean crop at 39 mmt (same as USDA), but has their 2018-19 soybean crop at 57.5 mmt compared to the USDA’s 56 mmt outlook.

Weekly export sales were at the low end of expectations for old crop, but new crop sales were the secondhighest of the year. Old crop sales were 10 million bushels, bringing total commitments to 2.038 billion bushels. This is down 5 percent from last year, which is in line with the USDA’s year-on-year forecast. New crop sales were an impressive 28.3 million bushels.

Total new crop sales are 232.5 million bushels — over double last year’s 106.6 million bushels sold at this point. Weekly export inspections were on the low end of expectations at 21.2 million bushels. We need 21.5 million bushels of inspections per week to achieve the USDA’s 2.065 billion bushels export forecast.

As of May 27, soybean planting was 77 percent complete — well ahead of the 62 percent average.

Emergence was 47 percent vs. 44 percent on average.

The first crop rating is expected June 4.

Outlook: What happens with the Chinese trade talks and NAFTA will be increasingly important to the direction of soybean prices. Political winds come and go, and it has been extremely difficult to even try to predict the next turn. We need some good political news to inspire buyers, as the crop is off to a good start. July soybeans plunged 20.25 cents this week to $10.21.25, and the November soybean contract slid 15.75 cents lower to $10.37.75 per bushel. July soymeal fell $6.10 to $374.20 per ton and July soyoil was 15 ticks lower at $.3119 per pound. Without good demand, the bean market will be reliant on weather and politics for direction.

Nystrom’s Notes: Contract changes for the week ended June 1: Minneapolis July wheat tanked 40.5 cents lower to $6.04, Chicago was down 19.75 cents at $5.23.25, and Kansas City was 23.25 cents lower at $5.40.75 per bushel. Crude oil plummeted $2.07 to $65.81 per barrel, ULSD and RBOB each retreated 3 cents lower, and natural gas was flat. The U.S. dollar was essentially unchanged for the week. The May jobs report was friendly with 223,000 jobs added vs.

190,000 expected. The unemployment rate fell to an 18-year low of 3.8 percent. v

PAGE 20

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

THE LAND — JUNE 1/JUNE 8, 2018

Labor shortage continues to challenge hog production BANG, from pg. 18 the past 30 years — from a time when family members and perhaps an employee or two did all the jobs on the farm. Today, specialized breeding, farrowing, nursery and finishing technicians do an effective and efficient job of managing the production and wellbeing of the animals. The dedication to do the right thing and drive better pig performance through people comes down to strong management teams running a large share of production in the United States.

The ability of owners/managers to instill a vision within the team of doing the right thing for the pigs, their co-workers and the communities in which they live is inspiring.

The challenge we have today is with a tight labor supply. The drive to continually improve the labor efficiency is paramount. The processing industry is utilizing robotics at a higher level; egg production is highly mechanized; the dairy industry is beginning to employ milking robotics; and although the pig production tools today are much more efficient, we will find ways to improve pig care with tools which will also save labor. I am not sure what they are, but our industry can and must find those tools in the future.

Health improvement evolution Management of pig health has always been a concern of producers. One of the first improvements came decades ago when we reduced the co-mingling of pigs from a variety of sources through feeder pig auctions. We still co-mingle some pigs, but generally when the source farm health status is known. The next evolution came with all-in, all-out production technology. Managing pigs of the same age and health status allowed us to more effectively prevent transmission of disease and control the outcome.

MARKETING Due to advances in health management and all-in, all-out production, contract finishing has grown to become the norm. Today, the trend leans towards moving sow farms into sparsely populated areas or using filters on incoming air to control disease that can enter the building airborne. This technology is proving to be quite effective, but requires significant initial investment and ongoing maintenance. As the industry continues to face pressure for reduction in antibiotic use, developing and employing technology will be crucial for future success.

Housing evolution The changes in pig housing over the past 30 years has been astounding. Today’s facilities feature large farrow-to-wean facilities designed to provide the best environment possible for the pigs, while making it safe and efficient for the herdsmen. Recent changes in facilities have signified a move to group housing for sows in late gestation and larger farrowing pens to accommodate larger litters weaned at a later age.

This provides value to both the sow (in terms of reproductive performance) and to the pig through production. Controllers, inlets and fans used to manage the inside environment have been improved to provide more consistent air movement with minimum drafts and better control of the temperature throughout the day. Modern facilities are designed for pig care — reducing stress on the animals which also improves performance. Producers need to educate the consumer in this area.

We still use a substantial amount of individual maternity pens for sow housing. I remember when the move was made to this type of housing from out-

door sow housing. The move was made for the welfare of the animals and the herdsmen. But in the move, we left the consumer out of the discussion — knowing we were doing the best for the animal if it could be justified from a cost standpoint.

Results The results from the evolution of the hog industry has been global competitiveness. This is evident by the growth in exports: from being a net importer of pork in 1994 to exports of 5.4 billion pounds of pork (25.7 million pigs) and nearly $6.5 billion ($53.47 per head). We have also increased pork consumption domestically from 17.7 billion pounds in 1994 to 20.2 billion pounds in 2017. Value is not only gained by the increase in pork exports, but by the specific products that are exported to provide the needed products to the domestic market. Hams to Mexico, loins to Japan and variety meats that have minimal value in the United States are shipped to China. These exports make the products consumed in the United States more economical.

The U.S. industry produces the safest pork on the planet and does it with a higher standard of animal welfare than ever before. At the same time, productivity increases are achieved from genetic improvement, better housing, nutrition and management.

We have a great story to tell regarding sustainability, in reducing the natural resources used, feed grains, land, and water to improve the carbon footprint of pork production. We just need to continue to tell it.

For more insights from Kent Bang and the rest of the swine industry specialist team; or to find out more information about our upcoming Pork Industry Outlook meetings, visit Compeer.com. v

Landowners beware when planting conservation areas ST. PAUL — The Minnesota Department of Agriculture is issuing a warning to landowners: Be cautious when buying and planting seed — especially for conservation plantings.

Recently, the MDA has encountered several issues with seed sold in the state. In 2016 and 2017, the highly invasive weed Palmer amaranth was introduced through conservation seed mixes. The department found seed mislabeled with improper information regarding the contents of the mix. Also, seed has been sold with very low germination rates. All of these issues are violations of state law.

“Minnesota’s seed industry is very important to agriculture and conservation efforts,” said Agriculture Commissioner Dave Frederickson. “We are fortunate to have many reputable native seed producers that benefit conservation and pollinator habitat. However, a few bad players can bring in invasive weeds. It is important we are vigilant as we try to better our landscapes.”

When selecting a vendor to plant a conservation area, ask the seed vendor to provide you a copy of the seed label before buying the seed. Be sure the seed has been tested and confirmed free of Palmer amaranth. Make sure the contract with the seeding contractor covers your risks as a landowner. If prohibited noxious weeds are introduced during the project, the vendor should be accountable for their eradication.

At the time of planting, have someone on site when planting to ensure the vendor is performing the work agreed to in the contract. Count the number of bags of each seed source and compare that to the invoice. Reject any unlabeled seed. Examine and keep all seed labels used in a specific planting.

If any noxious weed seeds are listed on the label, verify that only restricted noxious weed seeds are present at a rate of less than 25 seeds per pound.

Reject any seed with prohibited noxious weed seeds listed on the label. Require the seeding contractor provide planting records. The records should

note which seed lots were planted in specific locations, the planting procedures used, site preparation, and equipment used and how that equipment was cleaned. Retain the invoice and all paperwork for the project.

When the conservation plantings begin to grow, note that you are seeing the species that should be there. If a plant looks suspicious, contact the MDA’s Arrest the Pest line at (888) 545-6684 or your county ag inspector.

Landowners with any questions or concerns should consult with their local conservation staff associated with the specific conservation program. They may also contact the MDA for advice and assistance by calling Denise Thiede at (651) 201-6531 or emailing her at denise.thiede@state.mn.us.

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

THE LAND — JUNE 1/JUNE 8, 2018

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

Life on the Farm: Readers’ Photos Australia also has a “Land” magazine and from time to time we receive e-mails intended for our counterpart down under. Because we solicit readers’ photos, this submission may have been sent to us on purpose. Robyn Rapsey sent a number of photos of 5-year-old Kaley and this short note:

“Kerrie Rapsey took some photos on Wednesday when doing some sheepwork and her daughter just loves her animals. Thought I would send you some you just might be interested. The lambs wouldn’t come when called by kerrie (kaley’s mother) but Kaley called them and they came running. No feed or anything, just a little girl’s love and a pat.

Also, Kaley sitting on the tractor with one of her chickens. She absolutely loves her animals. She has chickens follow her about, she picks them up. Kaley is a little lamb whisperer, a friend calls her.

Kaley’s mother plays an important role in the stock section of the wodonga abbittoirs.”

PAGE 21

Keep the photos coming E-mail your Life on the Farm photos to editor@thelandonline.com.

Your photo may be published in our next issue!

Al Batt of rural Hartland snapped this photo of an indigo bunting.

The Land, a weekly farm and rural life magazine has an IMMEDIATE OPENING for an

Outside Sales Representative

For the Southern Minnesota Territory Candidates should have professional sales skills to service existing clients and develop new businesses in a designated territory. Also essential are strong organizational and communication skills, along with attention to detail.

Interested candidates should email their resume, salary requirements and a cover letter to Michelle Vlasak captured the beauty of a neighboring farm under a dramatic sky in Le Sueur County.

Deb Petterson, General Manager at: dpetterson@thelandonline.com Deadline is June 22, 2018

PAGE 22

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

THE LAND — JUNE 1/JUNE 8, 2018 TH

Copy is 3 x 5.16

• 5/8” drum roller wall thickness • 42” drum diameter wall thickness • 4”x8” frame tubing 3/8” thick • Auto fold

Taking Consignments For:

Summer Consignment Auction

Tuesday, July 17, 2018 9:00 am 55780 St Hwy 19, Winthrop, MN 1/4 mile west of Hwys 19 & 15 Intersection

Advertising deadline is June 19th, 2018 Matt

Auctioneer taking Consignments: Mages 507-276-7002 Lic. 08-18-002 magesland.com

Retirement Auction

Thursday, June 14th - 4:30 pm 101 S. Broadway, New Ulm, MN

Auctioneer’s Note: Do not miss this retirement auction! Lots of great items including a ‘77 GMC Sierra Grande 35 w/ Holmes wrecker bed, tools, automotive equip. & more!

Tow Truck & Equipment: ’77 GMC Sierra Grande 35 w/ Holmes H475T wrecker bed, 107563 mi, motor rebuilt 8000 mi ago, manual, 4WD, Briggs & Stratton 16 hp generator; ’08 Supreme Heat 1750 waste oil heater/furnace, 175,000 BTU; Tebben Pro-Groomer, 6’ land scraper; ROHN 100’ communication tower; tandem axle running gear w/ 850 gal tank; 500 gal fuel barrel; 300 gal fuel barrel on stand; 2’ x 8’ metal work benches; Clarke HD Plus tool chest; 11.2-38 tractor tire chains; Tools, Testers & Parts: Snap-on wheel balancer w/ weight set; Snap-on Counselor MT1665 digital oscilloscope; Motor-Vac EEFS100C carbon clean system; Snap-on Ethos diagnostic tester; Snap-on MT2500 diagnostic tester; Associated 8500 alternator-starter tester; Marquette 6-12V battery servicer; Car Quest 7300 battery charger; Graco retractable lube system; Smith torch kit cart w/ tanks; topside creeper; Snap-on SVTS262A cooling system tester; assortment of quality used tires; lg assortment auto parts; tap & dye set; welding supplies; large selection of hand tools including: wrenches, socket sets, screwdrivers, bits, pliers, pry bars, crimpers, pullers, hammers; Signs, Radio Equip & Misc Items: Lg sign faces fr om main sign include: “Dick’s Auto Repair & Towing inc.”, “Discount for Cash” & fuel prices; numbers for gas price sign; signage from fuel pumps; full service & self serve signage; parts & labor signage; Marfak chassis lubrication sign; Interstate Batteries hood wall-hanging; Skelly Oil Company photo; 8 - Wurth 2’ swimsuit calendars; Dayco thermometer; Snap-on van clock; light-up open sign; Cobra 150 GTL DX CB Radio; Galaxy DX 959 AM/SSB CB Radio; Uniden 2-way radio w/ base unit & 2 mobile units; View terms, complete list & photos at: magesland.com

Dick’s Auto Repair & Towing Inc.

Auctioneer: Matt Mages - 507-276-7002 Lic. 08-18-002

Auctioneers: Matt Mages, New Ulm Lic 08-18-002; Larry Mages, Lafayette; Joe Wersal, Winthrop; Joe Maidl, Lafayette; John Goelz, Franklin; Ryan Froehlich, Winthrop; Clerk: Mages Land Co. & Auction Ser vice, LLC. Terms: No Buyer ’s Premium.

Notes: The sign str uctures & fuel pumps will not be sold. Sales tax may apply on some items.

magesland.com

MANDAKO

FOR THE BEST DEAL ORDER NOW!

12’-60’ LONG ROLLERS

GREENWALD FARM CENTER • 320-987-3177 5.16” x Greenwald, 5” 14 miles MN So. of Sauk Centre ~ NEW EQUIPMENT/BIG INVENTORY ~ Port-A-Hut Shelters:

• All Steel Shelters for Livestock & Other Uses • • • • • • • • • •

JBM Equipment:

Feeder Wagons - Several Models Self-locking Head Gates • HD Feeder Panels Self-locking Bunk Feeders Tombstone Horse & Horned Cattle Feeders Skid Feeders • Bunk Feeders Bale Wagons • Bale Thrower Racks Flat Racks for big sq. bales Self-locking Feeder Wagons Fenceline Feeders Several Types of Bale Feeders

Smidley Equipment:

• Steer Stuffers • Hog Feeders • Hog Huts • Calf Creep Feeders • Lamb & Sheep Feeders • Cattle & Hog Waterers • Hog & Sheep Scales – We Rebuild Smidley Cattle & Hog Feeders –

Sioux Equipment: • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Gates • Calving Pens • Haymax Bale Feeders Cattle & Feeder Panels • Head Gates Loading Chute • Hog Feeders Squeeze Chutes & Tubs • Calf Warmer

Notch Equipment:

Rock Buckets • Grapple Forks • Manure Forks Bale Spears • Hi-Volume Buckets & Pallet Forks Bale Transports & Feeder Wagons, 16’-34’ Adult & Young Stock Feeders & Bale Feeders Land Levelers

For-Most Livestock Equipment:

Squeeze Chutes - Head Gates Large & Small Animal Tip Chutes Open Bar Corral Tub Round & Square Calving Pens Tub & Alley Chutes • Crowding Tubs

S-I Feeders:

• Mid-Size and Full-Size Bunks • One-Sided Juniors and Adult Bunks • Arrow Front 4-Wheel Feeders, 12’-36‘

Mar-Weld Sheep & Goat Equipment: • • • • •

Lambing Pens • Crowd Tub Grain Feeders • Scale Round & Square Bale Feeders Sheep Head Locks Spin Trim Chute • Creep Feeders

• “Farm Built” Hay Feeders w/roof • Poly “Hay Huts” New Items • • • • • • • • • •

DR POWER EQUIPMENT ®

GT (Tox-O-Wik) Grain Dryers, 350-800 bu.

150 Bu. Steel Calf Creep w/wheels Bohlman Concrete Waterers Calftel Hutches & Animal Barns R&C Poly Bale Feeders Ameriag Poly Mineral Feeders Snowblowers ~ Special Prices Miniature Donkey & Fainting Goats Scottish Highland Cattle

~ WANTED TO BUY ~ • Calf Creep Feeders w/ or w/out Wheels • 2 Wheeled Manure Spreaders • Grinder/Mixer w/ or w/out Scale • Rotary Hoe • Smidley Steer Stuffers & Hog Feeders • Cattle Steel Bunks • Sheep & Goat Equipment • Lilliston Rolling Cultivator • GT (Tox-O-Wik) Grain Dryers • Cattle Tub & Alley

Lot - Hwy. 7 E

Office Location - 305 Adams Street NE Hutchinson, MN 55350

320-587-2162, Ask for Larry

THE LAND — JUNE 1 /JUNE 8, 2018 Real Estate

Feed Seed Hay

Sell your land or real estate in 3x4x8 straw bottoms & tops, 30 days for 0% commission. dry, 100-45 bale lds, $35/ton, good feed & bedding, also Call Ray 507-339-1272 2016-17-18 grass in rds, net, grind & bunk, delivery avail.

Real Estate Tim (320)221-2085 Wanted

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

Bins & Buildings

Farm Equipment

SILO DOORS Wood or steel doors shipped promptly to your farm stainless fasteners hardware available.

(800)222-5726 Landwood Sales LLC

FOR SALE: Fantini chopping 8R & 12R CH; 70’ Elmer drag, Merritt alum hopper grain trailers; 24R30” JD pl on Kinze bar; Big A floater; 175 Michigan ldr; IH 964 CH; White 706 & 708 CH & parts; White plows & parts; 54’ 4300 IH field cultivator; JD 44’ field cult; 3300 Hiniker field cult; header trailer.

507-380-5324

Alfalfa, mixed hay, grass hay, WANTED: Land & farms. I and feed grade wheat straw. have clients looking for Medium squares or round dairy, & cash grain opera- bales. Delivery available.

Farm Equipment tions, as well as bare land Call or text LeRoy Ose. 218parcels from 40-1000 acres. 689-6675 Case 1470TK 5725 hrs, very Both for relocation & investgood cond, $14,500; 2-2600 Thank you for reading The Land! ments. If you have even Classified Line Ads Parker gravity boxes, 350 thought about selling conFOR SALE: JD 3955 forage bu, flotation tires, $2,800/pr; tact: Paul Krueger, Farm & harvester, w/7’ hayhead, 2-Dakon 350 bu gravity boxLand Specialist, Edina Re36” cornhead, $18,000; H&S es, 12T running gear w/exts, Call 507-345-4523 alty, 138 Main St. W., New HD 7+4 forage box, $6,000; $2,200; C-60 -’63, 16’ box Prague, MN 55372.

(2) H&S 7+4 forage boxCereal Rye, 2000# totes, 96% & hoist, runs good, $1,650; paulkrueger@edinarealty.com es, $4,000/box; Sitrix 9whl germination, $.25/pound.

61’x8” Hutchinson elec dry (612)328-4506 rake, $850. All exc cond.

Call (507)317-9948 corn auger, very little use, Fred (218)232-3431 or Bud WANTED TO BUY: Dam- $4,000; Kewanee 21’ tandem (218)829-4572 aged corn, soybeans & other disk, $600; ‘98 Chevy 1/2 4x4 with a classified line ad! grains. Call Schwieger Cat180, 700mi, runs good, $1,650. FOR SALE: 310 Bobcat skid Call us today tle LLC. (507)236-5181 All equipment always shed- loader, 16HP Kohler engine, ded, except auger. 507-317- 36” quick attach bucket that 507-345-4523 or has been rebuilt, $2,500/ 1482 800-657-4665 Bins & Buildings OBO. 507-822-0234

WORK!

SELL IT FAST

Antiques & Collectibles

Old horse drawn 2R cultivator, would work well for lawn ornament, $375. Johnnie Shetler, W15099 Post Rd, Taylor, WI 54659

PAGE 23

Steffes Auction Calendar 2018

For more info call 1-800-726-8609 or visit our website: SteffesGroup.com Opens May 30 & Closes June 12 Rebarcheck Construction Retirement, Grand Forks, ND Opens June 6 & June 13 June Online Auction, Upper Midwest Locations, Opens June 7 & Closes June 14 Potato & Farm Equipment Excess Inventory Reduction, Long Prairie, MN, Timed Online Auction Opens June 10 & Closes June 20 David Myllykangas Estate Auction, Litchfield, MN, Timed Online Auction Opens June 11 & Closes June 18 Noah Lorenson Auction, Strathcona, MN, Timed Online Auction Opens June 11 & Closes June 19 Logistics 1 Trucking Auction, Litchfield, MN, Timed Online Auction Opens June 11 & Closes June 21 Litchfield Farm Auction, Litchfield, MN, Timed Online Auction Opens June 11 & Closes June 21 Gary Nordlund Antique Tractor Auction, Cokato, MN, Timed Online Auction

Please recycle this magazine.

Thursday, June 12 at 1PM Robert & Gloria Larson Farm Retirement, Kathryn, ND Opens June 12 & Closes June 19 DCR Machine Shop Retirement, West Fargo, ND, Timed Online Auction Wednesday, June 13 at 10AM Dassel Lake Home & Personal Property, Meeker County, MN Thursday, June 14 at 10AM Farm Equipment Auction, Ames Farm, Wimbledon, ND Friday, June 15 at 1PM Hennepin County, MN, Hobby Farm & Land Auction, Greenfield, MN Friday, June 15 at 1 PM Roger & Joanne Kris Moving Auction, Sauk Rapids, MN Wednesday, June 20 at 10AM Jack & Corrine Kaiser Farm Retirement, Fairmount, ND Thursday, June 21 at 10AM Terry Ricks Farm Retirement, Norcross, MN Friday, June 22 at 10AM Wolfer Farms, Farm Equipment Auction, Argusville, ND Opens July 9 & Closes July 19 Anderson Family Antique Tractor Auction, Bertha, MN, Timed Online Auction Tuesday, July 17 at 10AM Robert “Bob” & Virginia “Ginny” Buck Farm Retirement Auction, Wahpeton, ND Wednesday, August 1 at 9AM Aglron West Fargo Event, Red River Valley Fairgrounds, Deadline to Consign is June 29th!

PAGE 24

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

After the morning chores... it’s a cup of coffee, The Land Magazine and you!

Farm Equipment

THE LAND — JUNE 1/JUNE 8, 2018 TH Farm Equipment

Farm Equipment

Tillage Equip

FOR SALE: International 181 JD 568 baler, net & twine wrap, To settle Farm Estate all FOR SALE: Case IH 4800 field rotary hoe, 6 row, like new. MW P/U, lg tires, $14,900; machinery has always been cultivator, 26’, adjustable (507)334-9333 JD 670 5-bar rake w/dolly shedded. 1-IH 886 Dsl Trac- 3-bar harrow, low acres, tor w/ Cab, 360 eng, 5,700 paint above average, excelFOR SALE: JD 510 round bal- whl, $1,350; B&B 1,000 gal nurse tank w/pump & mix- hrs. ($9,000); 1 NH Haybine lent cond, $6950. (507)847er, good cond., $1,850 O/BO ing cone, $3,900; 2006 JD 530 Model 489 ($2,500); 1-Mold- 2710 (952)873-6483 Plow-semi mnted 10’ disk mower/cond, $7,950; board Read The Land’s e-edition www.thelandonline.com Blumhardt red Trailmaster ($1,000); 1-Kewanee Chisel online at 1,000 gal sprayer, 80’ booms, Plow, model 180 or 190, 9’, www.thelandonline.com It’s Getting Late! can be 90’, Raven controls, ($900); 1-OMC Owatonna Closing Sat June 9th windrower, $2,450; IH 16x22 folding cul- self-propelled Planting Equip 20% Discount Model 29 w/ Wisc eng model tivator, $1,950. (320)769-2756 On Parts On Hand VHAD 4 cyl; 1-JD Roto tiller Disc Blades 18-20-22-24” Metal Fach 3 point bale wrap- model 40, 12’, ($300);1-Win JD 7000 Corn planter, 2R 3 M&W Parts per. Wrapped 135 bales. 28” power tractor driven. Alter- pt w/ fertilizer, adj. Rows, Sweeps, Bearings, Hyd Hose Wood Brothers thrashing nator 45,000 watts, ACa800 $1,800. 715-384-3586 Etc GREAT PLAINS Parts machine. Very good cond. RPMs ($1,000); 1-wagon Ship Speedy-Closing June 9 1928 JD GP on rubber. 715- w/ H&S bale thrower rack Harvesting Equip A. L. Buseman Industries ($1,200); 1-Owatonna wag741-7651 319-347-6282 Let It Ring on 10T w/ flat rack & Hoist ($500); 1-300 gal Dsl Tank FOR SALE: 12’ JD grain pick($100). Please call after 5PM up, 5 belt, nice shape, fits 100 or 20 series combine, 715-367-7122 or 715-530-4082 6600/6620 etc. (507)227-2651 We buy JD 4400 diesel, 3307 hrs, 443 Salvage Equipment cornhead, 2 - 16 bean heads, Parts Available always shedded, good conHammell Equip., Inc. dition, all for $4,500. Also, (507)867-4910 2 hay baskets, $500/ea. 507Classified line ads work! 276-2839

WANTED

DAMAGED GRAIN STATEWIDE

EQUIPMENT FOR SALE ‘01 JD 8110 MFWD, 380/90R50 duals, 540/1000 PTO, 42.5 GPM hyd. pump, 4 remotes, auto-trac ready, 10,300 hrs, just through service program............................................................................................ $45,000 ‘13 JD 6150R MFWD, 20 speed auto quad plus transmission, 520/85R42 single tires, TLS front axle, loader ready 3280 hrs .......................... $72,500 ‘12 JD 7200R MFWD, 20 speed auto quad transmission, 380/90R50 duals, 6600 hrs, through service program ...................................... $62,000 ‘67 JD 5020 row crop tractor, 18.4X38 duals ............................... $7,500 ‘14 Case SV250 skid steer, cab with air, 2 speed, high flow, 320 hrs ............................................................................................. $31,000 ‘03 JD 9650STS combine, contourmaster, 18.4R42 duals, tank ext., chopper, 3,100 sep. hrs, nice combine ........................................... $42,500 ‘16 Case SV280 skid steer, cab with air, 2 speed, 520 hrs ......... $31,500 '13 CIH Magnum 290, 520/85R46 rear duals, front duals, HID lights, high capacity hyd. pump, 6 remotes, 3690 hrs, just through CIH service program............................................................................................ $86,000 ‘14 JD 7210R, 20 speed command quad transmission, new 480/80R46 duals, 380/85R34 single fronts, 3 remotes, 540/1000 PTO, 4565 hrs, just through service program, warranty ................................................. $81,500 ‘14 CIH Magnum 280, 620/70R42 rear duals, 19 speed powershift, HID lights, 5271 hrs, new rear inside and front tires, engine rebuild and tractor inspection just completed by CIH dealer ........................................ $79,500

We pay top dollar for your damaged grain. We are experienced handlers of your wet, dry, burnt and mixed grains.

Trucks and vacs available.

Immediate response anywhere.

CALL FOR A QUOTE TODAY

PRUESS ELEV., INC. 1-800-828-6642 If you’re having a Farm Auction, let other Farmers know it!

Upcoming Issues of THE LAND Southern MNNorthern MN Northern IA June 22, 2018  July 6, 2018 June 15, 2018 June 29, 2018 July 20, 2018 July 13, 2018 August 3, 2018 July 27, 2018 August 17, 2018 Deadlines are 8 days prior to publication with Holiday deadlines 1 day earlier.  Indicates early deadline.

– AgDirect Financing Available – Please call before coming to look.

Keith Bode

Fairfax, MN 55332 507-381-1291 • www.keithbodeeq.com

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!

Call 507-345-4523 Tractors

MF 860 combine, 20’ beanhead, 8 row cornhead, $4,500 O/BO. (507)472-8436

Grain Handling

Equipment Mpls. Moline UTS-LP tractor, compl., good rubber, $1,250. FOR SALE:Used grain bins, Also, IH 460, NF, Good Tires floors unload systems, sti& Tin, $2,850. 712-288-6442 rators, fans & heaters, aerNEW AND USED TRACTOR ation fans, buying or selling, PARTS JD 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, try me first and also call for 55, 50 Series & newer trac- very competitive contract tors, AC-all models, Large rates! Office hours 8am-5pm Inventory, We ship! Mark Monday - Friday Saturday 9am - 12 noon or call 507-697Heitman Tractor Salvage 6133 Ask for Gary 715-673-4829

Wanted

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

Cattle

Cattle

Cattle

fieldAll kinds of New & Used farm Limousin bulls, 2 yr olds Performance Tested Two year WANTED TO BUY: Dairy able equipment - disc chisels, field & yearlings. John Goelz, old & Yearling Bulls, Semen heifers and cows. 320-235res, cults, planters, soil finishers, Franklin, MN (507)557-8394 Tested, AI Sired, High Do- 2664 cel- cornheads, feed mills, discs, cility. Deliver when needed.

847- balers, haybines, etc. 507- Please support the advertisers you see here.

Contact Willard 507-450-5841 Tell them you saw their ad in The Land!

438-9782 Sim-Angus bulls, black polled, Performance tested two-year good disposition, exc qualold & Angus yearling bulls, ity, easy calving, Sires are Livestock semen tested, AI sired, high Final Answer, Upgrade, and docility, deliver when need- Dream On. 5 long yearlings, FOR SALE: Black Angus ed. Contact Willard (507)450- choice for $1,995. Gerald bulls also Hamp, York, & 5841 Polzin Cokato 320-286-5805 Hamp/Duroc boars & gilts.

R 3 320-598-3790 ws,

Shop online at TheLandOnline.com

USED PARTS LARSON SALVAGE Good selection of tractor parts - New & Used All kinds of hay equipment, haybines, balers, choppers parted out.

New combine belts for all makes.

Swather canvases, round baler belting, used & new tires.

Dairy

WANT TO BUY: Butcher cows, bulls, fats & walkable ick- cripples; also horses, sheep fits & goats. 320-235-2664 ine, 51

Cattle 443 ads, on-Big, thick, Polled Hereford lso, bulls. Semen tested. AI Delivery available.

507- sired.

Also, Hereford & Shorthorn cow/calf pairs. 715-597-2036 an500

6 miles East of

CAMBRIDGE, MN 763-689-1179

We Ship Daily Visa and MasterCard Accepted

FOR SALE: Registered Angus bulls, 2-yr olds & yearlings, fertility tested, guaranteed.

Miller Angus, Kasson, MN (507)634-4535 For Sale - Yearling & 2YO Registered Polled Hereford Bulls. Call for details, Jerry 715-377-2940

TIMED ONLINE

AUCTION OPENS: MON., JUNE 11 / CLOSES: TUE., JUNE 19

LOCATION: Steffes Group Facility

EXCESS INVENTORY REDUCTION

AUCTION

THURSDAY, JUNE 14 | 10AM

Location: 26299 Hwy 71, Long Prairie, MN 56347 / From Long Prairie, MN 2.5 miles north on Hwy 71

PREVIEW: By Appointment, Mon-Fri, 9AM-3PM LOADOUT: Thurs, June 14 & Fri, June 15 9AM-3PM / Free forklift for loading.

cultivator 4200, Johnson live COMBINE John Deere 9650 Lockwood 4500 bottom box 1979 Ford 9000, 20’, potato harvester TRACTORS Minneapolis Moline Dahlman live bottom box POTATO WASHING & G706, MFWD 1973 AMC M812, 24’ PACKAGING Minneapolis Moline Dahlman live bottom box EQUIPMENT 2003 Volmpack 12000 GBD, 2WD 1971 IHC Fleetstar packing machine SKID STEER LOADER tandem axle, 20’ Bobcat 863 skid steer Dahlman live bottom box Mayo double stinger unload loader 1973 Ford 800 TRAILER tandem, 20’ Lockwood Harriston 240 clod hopper 2009 Magnum Mfg live bottom box Wash/drying plant tri-axle live bottom 1973 Ford 880 POTATO BOX TRUCKS tandem, 20’ Dahlman Complete wash, grading,& 1983 Ford 9000 live bottom box sizing line Louisville, Lockwood POTATO HILLER & live bottom box HARVESTERS 1977 International Harriston 2025 hiller Complete terms, lot listings & photos at

Kerian M50 speed sizer SEWING & BAGGING EQUIPMENT (2) Tri-Steel sewers Walthambury 320SW bagger Fischbein sewer, 7’ Tri-Steel end feed, 7’ Fischbein sewer, L-belt (2) 3-Bag carousel bag holders Hamer 355 bagger McCuskey bagger AND MUCH MORE!!

SteffesGroup.com Eric Gabrielson MN47-006

Steffes Group, Inc. | 24400 MN Hwy 22 S, Litchfield, MN | 320.693.9371 JCP FARMS | John 320.760.5531 or Eric Gabrielson at Steffes Group, 320.693.9371 or 701.238.2570 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.

TIMED ONLINE

Ag Equipment, Construction, Recreation, & More!

24400 MN Hwy 22 South Litchfield, MN 55355 PREVIEW: Monday - Friday 8-5PM / LOADOUT: Monday - Friday 8-5PM

CONVENTIONAL TRUCKS 2011 Kenworth T660 2005 Western Star 4900EX 2004 Kenworth T600 1999 Kenworth W900 1998 Freightliner 1997 Freightliner FLD 120 1995 Ford L9000 HOPPER BOTTOM TRAILERS 2014 Wilson Commander, 43’x72” 2014 Wilson Commander, 43’x68” 2012 Cornhusker 800 Ultra-Lite 42’43’x78”

2012 Wilson Pacesetter,42’x72” 2012 Wilson Commander, 41’x66” 2012 Wilson Commander, 41’x66” 2008 Wilson Commander, 40’x66” APU UNITS (5) Idle Time ITA 4250 APU units

FOR SALE: Red Angus yearling bulls, $1,400. Oehler Red Angus (507)931-5758

Complete terms, lot listings & photos at

Hereford bulls, fertility tested, raised in rotational grazing, buy now will hold until needed. 608-235-9417

Steffes Group, Inc. | 24400 MN Hwy 22 S, Litchfield, MN | Ashley Huhn MN47-002

SteffesGroup.com Ashley Huhn at Steffes Group 320.693.9371 or 701.238.1975

OPENS: Wednesday, June 6 CLOSES: Wednesday, June 13

2018

FOR SALE: (6) two yr old black Aberdeen (lowline) & belted Galloway cross heifers w/their six calves at side (4 heifers & 2 bulls). Norm Anderson, 10108 150th Ave, Foreston, MN (320)294-5752

TRUC K I NG

2018

ins, stiaer-FOR SALE: Retired from ng, dairy & selling my heifers for as they are ready to calve. act A dozen Jersey & Jersey pm X Holstein cross springers day ready to go! Many years 697- of selective AI breeding for high milk components. Located near Duluth, MN. Call 218-427-2651

PAGE 25

2018

THE LAND — JUNE 1 /JUNE 8, 2018

Watch for multiple online consignment auctions coming soon!

SteffesGroup.com Scott Steffes ND81, MN14-51, WI2793-52

West Fargo, ND 701.237.9173

Grand Forks, ND 701.203.8400

Litchfield, MN 320.693.9371

Mt. Pleasant, IA 319.385.2000

Ames, IA 515.432.6000

Sioux Falls, SD 712.477.2144

For consignor information & location, complete terms, full lot listing & photos visit SteffesGroup.com

PAGE 26

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

Place d Your A ! y a d o T

irst Your F for Choice ds! ie Classif

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

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

• Reach over 150,000 readers • Start your ad in The Land

THE FREE PRESS South Central Minnesota’s Daily News Source

• Add more insertions • Get more coverage

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

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

CHECK ONE:  Announcements  Employment  Real Estate  Real Estate Wanted  Farm Rentals  Auctions  Agri Business  Farm Services  Sales & Services  Merchandise  Antiques & Collectibles

 Lawn & Garden  Feed Seed Hay  Fertilizer & Chemicals  Bins & Buildings  Farm Equipment  Tractors  Tillage Equipment  Planting Equipment  Spraying Equipment  Hay & Forage Equipment  Harvesting Equipment

 Grain Handling  Horses & Tack  Exotic Animals Equipment  Livestock Equipment  Pets & Supplies  Wanted  Cars & Pickups  Free & Give Away  Industrial &  Livestock Construction  Poultry  Trucks & Trailers  Dairy  Recreational Vehicles  Cattle  Miscellaneous  Swine NOTE: Ad will be placed in the  Sheep appropriate category if not marked.  Goats

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

THE LAND

1 run @ $19.99 = ___________________________________ (Includes 1 Southern & 1 Northern issue) 2 runs @ $34.99 = ___________________________________ 3 runs @ $44.99 = ___________________________________ Each additional line (over 7) + $1.40 per line per issue = ___________________________________ EXTENDED COVERAGE - must run the same number of times as The Land FARM NEWS (FN) - Serving farmers in Northwest Iowa, 21,545 circ.

THE COUNTRY TODAY (CT) - Serving farmers in Wisconsin, 21,000 circ.

THE FREE PRESS (FP) - Serving south central Minnesota, 19,025 circ.

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

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

Name ______________________________________________________________________________________________ Address ____________________________________________________________________________________________ City _________________________________________________State _______________ Zip ______________________ Phone ______________________________________________# of times ____________________________________ CHECK

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

THE LAND — JUNE 1/JUNE 8, 2018 TH Swine

Industrial & Construction

Swine

Compart’s total program fea- FOR SALE: Yorkshire, Hamptures superior boars & open shire, Duroc & Hamp/Duroc gilts documented by BLUP boars, also gilts. Excellent technology. Duroc, York, selection. Raised outside.

Landrace & F1 lines. Ter- Exc herd health. No PRSS. minal boars offer leanness, Delivery avail. 320-760-0365 muscle, growth. Maternal gilts & boars are productive, GENERATORS Used, low lean, durable. All are stress Goats hour take-outs. 20 kW - 2000 free & PRRS free. Semen kW. Diesel, propane, & natalso available through Elite Genes A.I. Make ‘em Grow! 120 Saanen & Alpine doe kids. ural gas. CAT, Cummins/ Comparts Boar Store, INC. All or groups of at least 20. Onan, Kohler, Detroit Diesel, Disbudded. Weaned. Asking & more. www.abrahaminToll Free: 877-441-2627 $195/ea in May/June. 920- dustrial.com. (701) 371-9526 Please recycle this magazine.

565-3796

Like The Land on Facebook 4WD TRACTORS

ROW CROP TRACTORS CONT.

‘13 C-IH 260, 577 hrs , 540/1000 PTO, 3pt, 4 hyd hi -flow, ‘14 JD 9560R, 1045 hrs, 800x38 duals, 5 hyd valves, wheel wgts .......................................................................... $212,000 front wgts, 420x46” tires & duals............................. $110,000 ‘13 JD 9360R, 1799 hrs, 1000 PTO, 4 hyd valves, 620x42” ‘12 C-IH 260, 1784 hrs, 1000 PTO, 3pt hitch, suspended front tires & duals ............................................................. $159,000 axle, 4 hyd valves, hi-flow, front duals, front wgts, 480x50” rear tires & duals ...................................................... $105,000 JD 9320, 5341 hrs, power shift, 1000 PTO, 8 new 18.4x46 tires, JD ATU steering w/globe .................................. $89,000 ‘04 C-IH MX 285, 8540 hrs, 3 pt, 18.4x46 tires & duals, 1000 ‘11 NH T9.390, 905 hrs, power shift, HID lights, big pump, 480x50 tires & duals ................................................ $123,000

PTO, 4 hyd valves, front wts, eng overhauled-0 hrs . $59,000

‘94 C-IH 9270, 8533 hrs, power shift, 4 hyd valves, 650x42” tires & duals ............................................................... $34,000

COMBINES

‘13 JD 660 4X4, 1598/1066 sep hrs, 2630 display, ‘92 C-IH 9270, 9969 hrs, 12spd gear drive, 4 hyd valves, 520x42” tires & duals ................................................. $25,000 ContourMaster, chopper, 520x42” duals ................ $145,000 ‘13 JD 660, 1180/892 sep hrs, 2WD, ContourMaster, chopper, ‘13 Versatile 2375, 1482 hrs, 1000 PTO, 12spd gear drive, 710x42” tires & duals, Outback auto steer ............. $115,000 HID lights, 520x38 duals ......................................... $145,000

TRACK TRACTORS

‘97 JD 9760 4x4, sep hrs, ContourMaster, chopper, bullet rotor, 3901 eng hrs/2618 sep hrs, 520x42” tires & duals .......................................................................... $65,000

‘14 C-IH 340 Mag Row trac, 287 hrs, luxury cab, suspended front, 18” tracks, 6 hyds, 1000 PTO, 76” track ‘94 HD 9760, 2WD, 3460/2268 sep hrs, ContourMaster, spacing ..................................................................... $185,000 chopper, bin ext, 480x42” tires & duals ................... $58,000 ‘15 C-IH 340 Mag Row trac, CV tranny, 1108 hrs , 30” tracks ‘01 JD 9650STS, 4325/3014 sep hrs, ContourMaster, chopper, w/ 200 hrs , 4 hyd valves, hi-flow, 120” track 520x38” tires & duals ................................................ $44,000 spacing ..................................................................... $183,000 ‘14 5130, 928/660 sep hrs, rock track, Tracker, chopper, 900, ‘04 Cat Challenger MT 755, 4844 hrs, 16” tracks, 4 hyd, 3 pt, 5x32 single tires ...................................................... $142,000 1000 PTO, JD ATU steering wheel ............................ $65,000 ‘11 C-IH 5088, 1743/1541 sep hrs, rock trap, chopper, 30.5x32 tires ............................................................... $93,000

ROW CROP TRACTORS

‘12 JD 8235, 2WD, 1235 hrs, cab, air, power shift, 3pt, 1000 PTO, 4 hyd valves, 18.4x46 duals .......................... $110,000

‘15 Claas Lexion 750TT, 853 eng/492 sep hrs, 4x4, 35” tracks auto pilot, chopper, chaff spreader ......................... $225,000

‘03 JD 8120, cab, air, 3832 hrs, 3 hyd valves, 540/1000 PTO, ‘11 Claas Lexion 740, 1466 eng/1899 sep hrs, 4x4, chopper, new front tires, 18.4x46 rear tires & duals................. $80,000 520x42” duals ......................................................... $105,000 ‘11 Versatile 305, MFWD, 690 hrs, 4 hyds, 3pt, 1000 PTO, HID lights, front wgts, 480x46 tires & duals .............. $98,000

TILLAGE EQUIPMENT

‘13 NH T8360, 1150 hrs, luxury cab, 4 hyd, 1000 PTO, 3pt, Summers 45’ super roller, 42” drums ............................. $25,500 480x50 duals, auto steer complete ......................... $115,000 JD 637, 29’ 3” rock flex disc w/harrow ......................... $16,000 ‘13 C-IH 290, 1250 hrs, 1000 PTO, 3pt, 4 hyd valves, big pump, front duals, rear 480x50 tires & duals .......... $113,000 JD 980, 31’ field cultivator, w/harrow ............................ $11,500

LARSON IMPLEMENTS 5 miles east of Cambridge, MN on Hwy. 95 763-689-1179

Look at our Web site for pictures & more listings www.larsonimplements.com

THE LAND — JUNE 1 /JUNE 8, 2018 Trucks & Trailers

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

Miscellaneous

2014 20’ Lamar trailer w/wood PARMA DRAINAGE PUMPS deck, steel frame & ramps. New pumps & parts on hand.

Used less than 100 miles, like Call Minnesota’s largest disnew, $3,500 (320)974-8368 or tributor (320)220-3535 HJ Olson & Company 320-974-8990 Cell - 320-212-5336

Miscellaneous

low 000FOR SALE: Country Clipper nat- zero turn 60” mower, Chalins/ lenger 510 commercial grade sel, w/24 HP Kawasaki engine, min- hand rail & joystick, 32 hrs 526 of use, 2014 model, excellent condition, $5,500. (507)2943373 Read The Land’s e-edition online at www.thelandonline.com

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

Call 507-345-4523 to place your auction ad in The Land

NEW AND USED TRACTOR Winpower Sales & Service PARTS JD 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, Reliable Power Solutions 55, 50 Series & newer trac- Since 1925 PTO & automatic tors, AC-all models, Large Emergency Electric GenerInventory, We ship! Mark ators. New & Used Rich Opsata-Distributor Heitman Tractor Salvage 715-673-4829 800-343-9376

USED TRACTORS

NEW Versatile 500 w/ PS ........................................ Call ‘03 Versatile 2310, PS ..................................... $85,000 ‘06 Buhler 2210 w/ auto steer......................... $88,500 ‘12 Buhler 280...............................................$109,000 NEW Massey GC1715 w/loader ............................. Call NEW Massey 7722 FWA CVT ................................. Call NEW MF 1754 CAB, LDR...................................... CALL NEW MF 1736L, LDR ............................................ CALL ‘05 CIH MX210 ................................................ $98,500 NEW NH T4.75, T4.90, T4.120 w/loader.. ...... On Hand NEW NH T9.645, w/Smart Trac .............................. Call NEW NH Workmaster 60, 50, 35’s/loaders ... On Hand NH T8.275, 495 hrs ....................................... $155,000 ‘08 NH 8010 .................................................. $110,000 ‘96 White 6175 FWA....................................... $49,500 JD 4650 FWA .................................................. $32,000

TILLAGE

Sunflower 4610, 9-shank ................................ $45,000 10’ Sunflower 4412-07 .................................... $31,000 DMI 530B ................................................................ Call ‘95 JD 726, 30’ ................................................ $21,500 10’ Wilrich QX2 37’ w/basket.......................... $38,500

PLANTERS

NEW White Planters ............................................... Call White 8182 12-30 w/liq .................................... Coming ‘12 White 8186, 16-30 w/liq. fert. .................... $59,000 ‘11 White 8516 CFS, Loaded .......................... $85,000 White 8186 16-30 w/liq .................................... Coming

CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT

New NH W80C wheelloader .......................... On Hand New NH E37C mini excavator ....................... On Hand New NH E26C mini excavator ....................... On Hand New NH track & wheeled skidsteers............. On Hand NH 230 w/cab & heat ...................................... $37,900

COMBINES

NEW Fantini chopping cornhead ........................... Call ‘14 CIH 7230 .................................................. $190,000 ‘94 Gleaner R62 ............................................... $38,000 ‘12 Gleaner S77............................................ $205,000 ‘10 Gleaner R76, Loaded .............................. $195,000 Gleaner 3308 chopping corn heads ...................... Call 12’ Gleaner S67, 532 sep hrs ....................... $235,000

MISCELLANEOUS

NEW Salford RTS Units .......................................... Call NEW Salford Plows................................................. Call NEW Unverferth Seed Tenders .............................. Call NEW Westfield Augers ........................................... Call NEW REM VRX vacs. .............................................. Call NEW Hardi Sprayers............................................... Call NEW Riteway Rollers .............................................. Call NEW Lorenz Snowblowers ..................................... Call NEW Batco Conveyors ........................................... Call NEW Brent Wagons & Grain Carts ......................... Call NEW E-Z Trail Seed Wagons .................................. Call NEW Rock Buckets & Pallet Forks ......................... Call REM 2700, Rental ................................................... Call Pre-Owned Grain Cart ................................... On Hand

HAY TOOLS

New NH Hay Tools - ON HAND

All Equipment available with Low Rate Financing

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

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

PAGE 27

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 Anderson Seeds ........................................................ 9 Courtland Waste Handling ...................................... 11 Dahl Farm Supply .................................................. 13 Diers Ag & Trailer Sales ........................................ 10 Doda USA ............................................................. 14 Factory Home Center ............................................... 8 Greenwald Farm Center .......................................... 22 Henslin Auction ..................................................... 23 K-Bid Online Auctions ............................................. 4 Keith Bode ............................................................. 24 Larson Implement ............................................. 25, 26 Mages Auction ....................................................... 22 Minnwest Bank ........................................................ 7 MN Agricultural Aircraft Assoc ................................ 6 MN Dept of Agriculture ........................................... 5 MN Soy Biodiesel .................................................... 3 NK Clerking .......................................................... 23 Pride Solutions ...................................................... 24 Pruess Elevator ...................................................... 24 Schweiss Doors ...................................................... 24 Smiths Mill Implement ........................................... 27 Sorensen's Sales & Rentals ..................................... 22 Spanier Welding ..................................................... 12 Steffes Group .................................................... 23, 25 507-345-4523 • 800-657-4665 PO Box 3169, Mankato, MN 56001 www.thelandonline.com

PAGE 28

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

THE LAND — JUNE 1/JUNE 8, 2018

This week’s Back Roads is the work of The Land Correspondent Richard Siemers.

Breakfast and a book

T

he Vesta Café may be the only café in Minnesota (in the country?) that hosts a Summer Reading Program. But then, the Vesta Café is not a typical small town café. It is also the town library.

“The library is very well used,” said Molly Wagner, who purchased the café in 2016, and was managing it in 2012 when the library got started. It began outside the front door as a Little Free Library.

According to “Minnesota Prairie Roots,” a blog of Audrey Helbling, Helbling knows Todd Bol — co-founder of the Little Free Library movement. Knowing her hometown of about 300 people had no such amenity, she encouraged Bol to place his libraries in small towns that had no library. His organization came up with the Little Free Libraries for Small Towns initiative, and Bol himself came to Vesta to install one by the café’s front door.

It just grew from there, Wagner said. People started donating books and she would pick some up at sales. The collection has passed 300 books.

You encounter two bookshelves by the front door.

Three other bookshelves and a reading area are across the room.

There is no checkout system. People take a book and either return it or replace it with another. The

Vesta, Minn.

only items that don’t leave the café/library are children’s books and puzzles. They would be too easily lost.

Wagner’s daughter, Sarah Mertens, who teaches history (and other subjects) at BOLD High School in Olivia, helps her out some weekends and during the summer. She always liked to read when she was little, and these days reads to her own child. That gave her an idea.

“I have my summers off, and come to Vesta anyway,” Mertens said. “Their nearest library is 15 minutes away, so I thought I would try offering a Summer Reading Program here. I didn’t know if it would work, maybe just five kids and myself.”

Thirty children signed up and came to the weekly times of reading, snacks and crafts in 2017. Mertens plans to offer a reading program again this summer.

The Vesta Café is a community gathering spot.

Coffee groups play cards, the Lions Club and American Legion meet there. But its most distinctive quality is that it serves as the town’s library and encourages reading among Vesta’s children.

The Little Free Library in Vesta isn’t so little any more. v

Page 4 - June 8/June 15, 2018

THE LAND, Advertising Supplement

© 2018

O G T ’ N O D R E H T O N A H T I W R A E Y G N I K A E L A L A T ME ROOF

June 8/June15, 2018 (800) 657-4665 www.TheLandOnline.com theland@TheLandOnline.com P.O. Box 3169, Mankato, MN 56002

Before

Q: Why insulate your DAIRY barn?

After

Before

After

Before

After

A: Spray foam prevents condensation and rust.

Call for more info:

Eliminate Leaks • Tighten Fasteners • Prevent Rust

greener world solutions CALL E HEDUL TO SC E A FRE ATE ESTIM

855-612-8038 www.greenerworldsolutions.com A Minnesota Family-Owned Business

MN LIC BC639351

855-612-8038 33908 128th Street Waseca, MN 56093 www.greenerworldsolutions.com

MN LIC BC639351

Page 2 - June 8/June 15, 2018

THE LAND, Advertising Supplement

THE LAND, Advertising Supplement

June 8/June 15, 2018 - Page 3

Q: Why insulate your BEEF barn?

Q: Why insulate your HOG barn?

A: Spray foam prevents condensation and rust.

A: Proper insulation prevents condensation and rust.

Call for more info:

Call for more info:

855-612-8038 33908 128th Street Waseca, MN 56093 www.greenerworldsolutions.com

855-612-8038 33908 128th Street Waseca, MN 56093 MN LIC BC639351

www.greenerworldsolutions.com

MN LIC BC639351

Page 2 - June 8/June 15, 2018

THE LAND, Advertising Supplement

THE LAND, Advertising Supplement

June 8/June 15, 2018 - Page 3

Q: Why insulate your BEEF barn?

Q: Why insulate your HOG barn?

A: Spray foam prevents condensation and rust.

A: Proper insulation prevents condensation and rust.

Call for more info:

Call for more info:

855-612-8038 33908 128th Street Waseca, MN 56093 www.greenerworldsolutions.com

855-612-8038 33908 128th Street Waseca, MN 56093 MN LIC BC639351

www.greenerworldsolutions.com

MN LIC BC639351

Page 4 - June 8/June 15, 2018

THE LAND, Advertising Supplement

© 2018

O G T ’ N O D R E H T O N A H T I W R A E Y G N I K A E L A L A T ME ROOF

June 8/June15, 2018 (800) 657-4665 www.TheLandOnline.com theland@TheLandOnline.com P.O. Box 3169, Mankato, MN 56002

Before

Q: Why insulate your DAIRY barn?

After

Before

After

Before

After

A: Spray foam prevents condensation and rust.

Call for more info:

Eliminate Leaks • Tighten Fasteners • Prevent Rust

greener world solutions CALL E HEDUL TO SC E A FRE ATE ESTIM

855-612-8038 www.greenerworldsolutions.com A Minnesota Family-Owned Business

MN LIC BC639351

855-612-8038 33908 128th Street Waseca, MN 56093 www.greenerworldsolutions.com

MN LIC BC639351