THE LAND ~ June 22, 2018 ~ Northern Edition

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

June 15, 2018 June 22, 2018

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

House of History Dedicated volunteers restored this grand home built by 1890’s land developer John Lund

PLUS: Plastic recycling service aids dairy farmers, environment Kent Thiesse weighs in on farm bill proposals Milker’s Message, soil health, market updates, tips for growing hostas and more!

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

THE LAND — JUNE 15/JUNE 22, 2018

Will our history be history?

P.O. Box 3169 418 South Second St. Mankato, MN 56002 (800) 657-4665 Vol. XXXVII ❖ No. 12 28 pages, 1 section plus supplements

www.TheLandOnline.com facebook.com/TheLandOnline twitter.com/TheLandOnline

Cover photo by Richard Siemers

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

2-3 3 4 5 5 6 8-9 11 16 20 22-27 27 28

STAFF

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

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Because of the nature of articles appearing in The Land, product or business names may be included to provide clarity. This does not constitute an endorsement of any product or business. Opinions and viewpoints expressed in editorials or by news sources are not necessarily those of the management.

The Publisher shall not be liable for slight changes or typographical errors that do not lessen the value of an advertisement. The Publisher’s liability for other errors or omissions in connection with an advertisement is strictly limited to publication of the advertisement in any subsequent issue or the refund of any monies paid for the advertisement.

Classified Advertising: $19.99 for seven (7) lines for a private classified, each additional line is $1.40; $24.90 for business classifieds, each additional line is $1.40. Classified ads accepted by mail or by phone with VISA, MasterCard, Discover or American Express. Classified ads can also be sent by e-mail to theland@TheLandOnline.com.

Mail classified ads to The Land, P.O. Box 3169, Mankato, MN 56002. Please include credit card number, expiration date and your postal address with ads sent on either mail version. Classified ads may also be called into (800) 657-4665. Deadline for classified ads is 5 pm on the Friday prior to publication date, with holiday exceptions. Distributed to farmers in all Minnesota counties and northern Iowa, as well as on The Land’s website. Each classified ad is separately copyrighted by The Land. Reproduction without permission is strictly prohibited.

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

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Every once in a while The Land likes to Museums are closing. Historic buildings step away from the Zantac world of agriare in disrepair. New Ulm’s iconic culture to provide readers with more Hermann the German is just one examentertaining fare. As you’ve by now ple of sites enjoyed by generations now noticed, our cover photo does not have a squeezed by issues of age and funds. cow, chicken, horse, tractor or combine in Many counties have historical societies sight. This week we are presenting a litto keep precious artifacts safe and in the tle history for your reading enjoyment. public eye. But these organizations’ memLong-time contributor to The Land, bers are aging as well. Time will tell if LAND MINDS Richard Siemers, paid a visit to Canby, the next generation picks up the mantle.

Minn. and the historic Lund-Hoel house.

By Paul Malchow Even though historic landmarks disapJohn Lund made his fortune selling pear, memories and their legacies can land in the Canby area during the late continue to be passed along. In the 1800s. (Today, $1,000,000 is a lot of book, “To Bechyn and Back,” Barbara money. In 1890, $1,000,000 was A LOT Kodet Mages chronicles her life in the era of the of money.) He and his wife Flora built their spectac- Depression and World War II. ular house.

Raised on a farm in Renville County, Mages One problem with having an opulent home in a recalls the days of life without electricity and runsmall farming community (current census: about ning water. Surviving the scarlet fever scare of the 1,700 citizens) is what to do with it when you’re 1930’s, Mages shares her stories of 63 years of marready to move. The buyers pool is probably pretty riage and raising 16 children. shallow in Canby. Lund’s sister and her husband Kristin Kveno reviews Mages’ book in this issue of moved in after John and Flora left for Minneapolis.

The Land. “She writes with a folksy way that makes The house was occupied in one manner or another it feel like you’re sitting right in front of her,” Kveno until 1975 when a citizens group purchased it and said. began the arduous task of refurbishing the residence to its former glory.

The lives of Mages and the Lunds are polar opposites of Minnesota history. Mages’ poverty and hardThe point Siemers makes in his feature is the ship existed side-by-side with Lund’s wealth and importance of preserving history and the gigantic opportunity — separated by a distance of about 50 efforts required to do so. miles. Both families’ stories carry meaning and lesFor those old enough to do so, look at the towns sons for us and future generations. It is important you grew up with and see the changes which have those stories stay alive. taken place over the last 40 years. Federal “urban We seem to live in a time of disposability. We use renewal” programs in the late 1960s/early 1970s things and throw them away: diapers, dining utensounded the death knell for tens of thousands of sils … even appliances. (Does anybody know a good homes and buildings throughout Minnesota and TV repairman?) I wonder what antique dealers will Iowa. Brick buildings with oiled plank floors gave collect from the 21st century. way to big windows and steel siding. Quaint neighborhood groceries are now super stores. In a rush to History goes back as far as … well, history. But it become modern, our ancestors’ labors and dreams is important to keep in mind history is still being were reduced to rubble. created today. Without preserving that history, it will be gone forever — like the typewriter and the Obviously, there is no going back — which makes rotary dial phone. (I’m old enough to remember historic nuggets like the Lund-Hoel house all the party lines.) Those who will live in Canby and more valuable. Just as important (if not more so) Bechyn and Anytown 100 years from now need a are the herculean efforts of the people dedicated to fair and accurate picture of our lives today. preserving this heritage.

Let’s make history.

Outstate communities, already facing a long list of issues such as jobs, infrastructure and economy. are Paul Malchow is the managing editor of The Land. also struggling to maintain historic assets.

He may be reached at editor@TheLandOnline.com.v

OPINION

INSIDE THIS ISSUE 7 — Book looks at farm life in rural Minnesota 10 — Building soil health is an ongoing educational process

THERE’S EVEN MORE ONLINE... @ TheLandOnline.com • “Calendar of Events” — Check out The Land’s complete events listing • “E-Edition” — Archives of past issues of The Land

THE LAND — JUNE 15/JUNE 22, 2018

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On the road (and in the air): Ireland’s farms, food and future Dublin, even in June suner, greets us like a local and shine, can’t entirely shake drives us to a pub for some its smoky, troubled past. cold pints and warm “craic,” Bullet holes the size of or fun. grapes still pockmark the Gracie and Andrew arrive pillars and walls of the genthe next day with a grand eral post office — the epiitinerary and beautifully center of the 1916 Easter grand (“grand” is Ireland’s Rebellion and its cobblefavorite adjective) summer stone side streets look more FARM & FOOD FILE weather.

18th century than 21st.

By Alan Guebert Our first stop is Still, it’s sunny and Ballymaloe Cookery warm and Dublin’s School and its adjoining streets are packed with organic farm and gardens. people, buses and pedCatherine and Gracie revere one of its dlers. The lovely Catherine and I are founders, Darina Allen (the Julia Child there, too — walking along its central of Ireland) for her cookbooks and slow artery, the River Liffey, near the pubfood advocacy. lined Temple Bar neighborhood.

But Ballymaloe is more. Darina and We’re in Ireland to visit Catherine’s brother Rory started the school in brother, their Irish cousins, and every 1983. Her in-laws transformed their Guinness-pouring pub I stumble onto manor house into a restaurant in 1964 between Dublin and Dingle. Soon our and, later, a hotel. Son Toby greets daughter (and my editor) Gracie and guests in the gift shop and husband her husband, Andrew, will join us in Tim manages the farm and livestock Cork to visit the rugged southern and enterprises. western coast.

Tim is our private guide of the farm’s Since our last visit in 2008, Dublin bucolic 100 acres. His lively banter and seems to have gone global. Our hotel deep knowledge quickly reveal he’s a clerk is Latvian, our dinner waitress hands-in-the-dirt advocate for regenerBrazilian, the restaurant cashier ative agriculture as well as the chief Chinese. We don’t hear a word of supply officer for the school and resGaelic anywhere. taurant. Sustainable agriculture, he Likewise, Cork (a small university offers, is the key to “feeding our nation city two hours southwest of Dublin) is well, not the world badly.” more cosmopolitan than any American A late lunch at Ballymaloe House is city its size. We arrive on a mid-Sunday a celebration of garden fresh vegetatrain. Bill, Catherine’s youngest broth- bles, made-on-the-spot butter and

OPINION

breads, and delicate, delicious seafood.

Dinner that night in coastal Crookhaven is equally late, equally grand, and unequal in craic. A foamy visit to the village’s only pub, O’Sullivan’s, follows and brother-inlaw Bill introduces me to John and Jackie — a husband and wife dairying team with 50 grass-fed Friesians.

Over pints, John shares how a “lovely” (sip) 2017 was followed by the worst winter anyone (sip) had seen in 50 years. “We’re hanging on,” says Jackie, “but we don’t want to get any bigger. Bigger just means bigger problems.” (Sip.) “Still, only the Lord knows what comes next, Alan.”

Amen. (sip) Next, for us, means four sunny days on County Kerry’s broad, blue Dingle Bay. Our rental house has everything — including bleating lambs and everlistening ewes on thousands of acres of steep mountain pasture out our back door. We day-trip around Kerry; visit locals on rural walks; and enjoy Catherine, Gracie and Bill’s cooking.

Too soon, though, we’re off to visit

Catherine’s cousins, P.J. and Bridie, who are horse farmers in County Roscommon. When we arrive, however, we find only Bridie. 81 year-old P.J. has taken a “pony” (they breed soughtafter Connemaras) to a nearby show.

“Horses are a disease for some people,” Bridie says as she pours tea for her visitors. ‘Tis. The next day, the lovely Catherine and I return to the United States while Gracie and Andrew side-trip to London. A young American banker seated next to me on the plane notes that we visited Ireland during the best stretch of weather he had seen in three years of living there.

The weather holds until we slide into our Illinois bed 20 hours after rising in Dublin. An hour later, a blistering thunderstorm strikes and drops three inches of rain in an hour.

Ah, the luck of the Irish.

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

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Disaster recovery reopened The U.S. Department of Agriculture began accepting disaster assistance program applications on June 4. The program is designed to assist agricultural producers who suffered livestock, honeybees, farm-raised fish and other losses due to natural disasters.

FSA will accept new applications for losses for calendar year 2017 or 2018.

In February, Congress passed the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018, which made several changes to these two disaster programs, including: Removing ELAP’s $20 million fiscal year funding cap, enabling FSA to pay producers’ 2017 applications in full and their 2018 applications as soon as they are approved.

Removing the per-person and legal entity annual program payment limitation of $125,000 for LIP for 2017 and future years.

Changing LIP to allow producers to receive a payment for injured livestock that are sold for a reduced price due to an eligible event.

Producers who already submitted applications and received decisions for these years do not need to file again; but they can reapply if they have additional losses or their application was disapproved because it was filed late.

Learn more at https://www.usda.gov/ disaster.

This article was submitted by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. v

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THE LAND — JUNE 15/JUNE 22, 2018

Hosta varieties ensure to provide a favorite for everyone A recent count of hosta plants growing in my gardens totaled 210. That may sound like a lot, but I have only twelve different cultivars and these have been divided over the years to bring the total to over 200 specimens.

A friend of mine is a confirmed hostaholic and always buys the IN THE GARDEN newest “hosta of the year” to add to her collection. She also

By Sharon Quale belongs to hosta associations and travels around — visiting shade gardens for inspiration and gardener camaraderie.

“Hostaholic” does not apply to me, but I do have favorites and appreciate the wide range of colors now available: green, chartreuse, blue, gold, creamy white and combinations of these shades in variegated foliage. All hostas like some shade and a good rule to follow when planting them is the lighter color the foliage, the brighter the sun they will tolerate. The variegated varieties need more sunlight to keep their white and gold stripes bright. Blue hosta has a layer of wax called bloom and that gives it the bluish color. This waxy layer can be washed away by excessive water and exposure to sun, so plant in the shade to ensure a blue coloration.

One favorite hosta of mine Deer, voles and slugs are hosta is “Glacamole.” As the name enemies. Deer are nasty munchimplies, it is a gorgeous avocado ers and can go down a garden of color with lime and apple green hostas and feast randomly. Deer wide stripes on the leaves. It repellent sprays are somewhat grows 2 feet high and about 4 effective, but it is a chore to feet across and will reach matukeep up a good spraying schedrity in about three years. This ule. Voles have not been an cultivar can thrive in four hours issue for me because the cats of morning sun. The flowers like voles. Slugs are an annual on Glacamole are very fragrant problem. If left untreated, these and can perfume the garden in shelless snails can eat enough late summer. Their aroma is so holes in leaves to make them pleasant, a bouquet of them is a look like Swiss cheese. The slug sensory treat in any room in the and snail eliminator products house. Many hostas have rather (including Diatomaceous Earth) nondescript and scraggly-lookcan be applied to the base of the ing bloom stalks which most plant at regular two to threegardeners remove from the week intervals and are effective. plant. Guacamole blossoms are To view over 300 varieties of so pretty and fragrant I let hostas, I suggest visiting the them stay on the plants until MacMillan Hosta Glade at the Photos by Sharon Quale they start to fade. Three years University of Minnesota landGlacamole hostas ago, we edged the north facing scape arboretum. It is considpatio with divisions ered one of the finest public disof Glacamole and they now have formed a graceful- plays of hosta in the upper Midwest. looking hedge.

Sharon Quale is a master gardener from central To grow large hostas, resist the urge to divide Minnesota. She may be reached at (218) 738-6060 or them. Unlike many other perennials, they do not squale101@yahoo.com. v need frequent division to thrive. One garden writer stated, “if you let them grow into a single large Send your letters to: Editor, The Land clump, it will be so spectacular after a number of years you will probably want to put them in your P.O. Box 3169, Mankato, MN 56002 will to pass along to your heirs”. That made me e-mail: editor@thelandonline.com laugh! The thought of my two sons getting hosta All letters must be signed and accompanied by a phone plants as inheritance would surely make them laugh number (not for publication) to verify authenticity. too.

USDA resumes CRP enrollment

255 16th Street South St. James, MN 56081

The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced June 1 it will resume accepting applications for the voluntary Conservation Reserve Program. Eligible farmers, ranchers, and private landowners can sign up at their local Farm Service Agency office between June 4 and Aug. 17.

For this year’s signup, limited priority practices are available for continuous enrollment. They include grassed waterways, filter strips, riparian buffers and wetland restoration. To view a full list of practices, visit https://www.fsa.usda.gov FSA will use updated soil rental rates to make annual rental payments, reflecting current values. It will not offer incentive payments as part of the new signup.

USDA will not open a general signup this year.

However, a one-year extension will be offered to existing CRP participants with expiring CRP contracts of 14 years or less. Producers eligible for an extension will receive a letter with more information.

FSA stopped accepting applications last fall for the CRP continuous signup (excluding applications for the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program and CRP grasslands). This pause allowed USDA to review available acres and avoid exceeding the 24 million-acre CRP cap set by the 2014 farm bill. CRP enrollment currently is about 22.7 million acres.

Additionally, FSA established new ranking criteria for CRP Grasslands. To guarantee all CRP grasslands offers are treated equally, applicants who previously applied will be asked to reapply using the new ranking criteria. Producers with pending applications will receive a letter providing the options.

Producers wanting to apply for the CRP continuous signup or CRP grasslands should contact their USDA service center. To locate your local FSA office, visit https://www.farmers.gov. More information on CRP can be found at www.fsa.usda.gov/crp.

This article was submitted by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. v

THE LAND — JUNE 15/JUNE 22, 2018

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Variations of campfire staple leave you wanting s’more Warm summer evenings at the lake just Speaking of Girl Scouts, one of my wouldn’t be complete without a campfire. favorite s’mores I ever had was at Camp It invokes memories of days (evenings) Sacajawea in Apple Valley when I was gone by — enjoying the glowing flames, seven. This was a day camp which Girl the peaceful crackle of the logs burning Scouts could attend and on the last day and stuffing my face full of s’mores. I we got to camp overnight there. I learned firmly believe that it should be a crime to two things at that overnight camp: 1. A have a campfire without s’mores. That delicious s’more recipe that I still gooey, chocolatey, graham cracker masteruse today; and 2. I don’t like camping.

COOKING piece is what summer nights are all n WITH KRISTIN about.

Here’s the simplest s’mores you’ll ever

By Kristin Kveno The origin of s’mores isn’t exactly make; but the combination of salty and known; though in 1927 the first pubsweet makes this a s’more you won’t ever forget. It’s lished recipe for “Some Mores” was in the publicaso simple it doesn’t have a name. But it’s so good tion “Tramping and Trailing with the Girl Scouts.” that it doesn’t need one.

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

June 28 — Farm(Her) to Farm(Her) Workshop — Glencoe, Minn. — Topics include pollinators, honey production and butterfly gardens — Contact Sarah Kern at Sarah.Kern@mn.usda.gov or (320) 864-5178 June 28 — Informational Meeting on Groundwater Protection Rule — St. Paul, 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 29 — Small Grain Field Day — Kimball, Minn. — Program provides tools needed to make small grains a successful crop. Includes production agronomics, variety selection, disease identification, fungicide use, fertility and economics. Includes a tour of current research plots and discussion of on-farm experiences — Contact Jared Goplen at gople007@ umn.edu or (320) 589-1711 ext. 2128 June 30 — Garlic Growers Field Day — Kenyon, Minn. — Minnesota Premium Garlic Project is holding events to improve premium garlic production in Minnesota — Contact jerry@sfa-mn.org, July 2 — Small Grain Field Day — Benson, Minn.

— Program provides tools needed to make small grains a successful crop. Includes production agronomics, variety selection, disease identification, fungicide use, fertility and economics. Includes a tour of current research plots and discussion of on-farm experiences — Contact Jared Goplen at gople007@ umn.edu or (320) 589-1711 ext. 2128 July 3 — Leadership for Successful Employee Management — Freeport, Minn. — Workshop will feature a wide variety of employee management topics aimed at helping farms attract and retain employ-

ees. Through hands-on activities, tool development and class discussions, participants will create an employee handbook and build leadership skills — Contact Nathan Hulinsky at huli0013@umn.edu or (218) 236-2009 July 7 — Midwest Garlic Project Field Day — Chokio, Minn. — Tour Big Stone Garlic and learn about field trials on mulch, fertilizer and planting times — Contact Jerry Ford at jerry@sfa-mn.org July 10 — Summer Beef Tour — Windom, Minn.

— Minnesota State Cattlemen’s Association and Cottonwood Area Cattle Producers invite you to visit some of the state’s most innovative cattle producers — Contact Jana Piotter at cottonwoodcattleproducers@ gmail.com or (507) 822-3188 or visit www.mnsca.org July 17 — Farm Camp 2018 — St. Cloud, Minn.

— Meadowbrook Dairy hosts campers entering thirdsixth grades to connect with agriculture and food — Visit www.farmcampminnesota.org July 19 — Garden and Landscape Bus Tour — St. Cloud, Minn. — Tour begins with stop at research display gardens at U of m. West Central Research and Outreach Center in Morris, Minn. After lunch visit Morning Sky Greenery in Morris — Contact (320) 968-5077 July 25 — Public Hearing on Proposed Groundwater Protection Rule — St. Cloud, Minn.

July 26 — Public Hearing on Proposed Groundwater Protection Rule — Park Rapids, Minn.

July 27 — DGA Summer Fling Pasture Walk — Brandon, Minn. — Main focus on pasture production to improve farm economics. Brief discussion on current dairy farming pressures. Hear study results on financial performance of dairy grazing farms in four states; a discussion on grazing when wet; renovating bluegrass dominated sward — Contact Bonnie Haugen at bonnie@dga-national.org or (507) 421-7170

6 unwrapped caramels 12 saltines s’more sticks Roast the caramel on the s’more sticks until soften, place in between two saltines and enjoy. n Bacon makes everything better — even s’mores.

Here’s a tasty take on the original with some salted caramel and bacon thrown in to make it even more scrumptious.

Salted Caramel Bacon S’mores https://www.foodlion.com/recipes/salted-caramel-bacon-smores/ 2 graham crackers 1 slice of bacon One-half milk chocolate bar 1 marshmallow 1 tablespoon salted caramel Place chocolate bar on one graham cracker. Toast marshmallow. Once marshmallow is to your liking, place on top of chocolate bar. Top with bacon, salted caramel and second graham cracker. n Traditional s’mores are good, but these s’mores are really, really good. The addition of peanut butter and caramel takes these s’mores to the next level.

Candy Bar S’mores https://ourbestbites.com/candy-bar-oven-smores/ Large marshmallows Graham crackers Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups and/or Rolos Roast marshmallow over open flame then top with one peanut butter cup or two Rolos. If you want, you can pop the baking sheet back into the oven for another minute or so to melt the chocolate. Top with another graham cracker square and serve. n These s’mores are more like a pie — a lemon meringue pie to be exact. The tart goodness is a refreshing twist on the classic s’more recipe.

Lemon Meringue S’mores http://www.makelifelovely.com/2017/05/mix-lemon-meringuesmores-recipe-html 2 graham crackers 1 marshmallow 1 tablespoon lemon curd Spoon lemon curd onto one of the graham crackers. Roast marshmallow then place on top of graham cracker half. Put both halves together and enjoy!

Grab some sticks, gather around the campfire and create some wonderful memories and delicious s’mores too!

Kristin Kveno scours the internet, pours over old family recipes and searches everywhere in between to find interesting food ideas for feeding your crew. Do you have a recipe you want to share? You can reach Kristin at kristin_kveno@yahoo.com. v

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THE LAND — JUNE 15/JUNE 22, 2018

‘Halftime’ is prime time for touching others’ lives viewed was Dallas Willard, At what age do you look one of my favorite authors. back and ask, “What the And when he asked for heck happened?”

Dallas’ advice for those in It was the question Steve the halftime of life, Dallas Harvey posed on Wednesday said, “My prescription is night’s episode of Family that you should devote the Feud. rest of your life to doing “Fifty,” I said. Fifty was those things which you the number one answer.

THE BACK PORCH know to be good and profitAnd it wasn’t hard for me to able for humanity, and that

By Lenae Bulthuis means especially for the imagine since that day was only days away. human beings who live around you. You should devote yourThough I’m the oldest of five, I’ve always lived in the middle. The middle self to advancing their well-being.”

Which is exactly what Dallas did to of a country mile. From birth into a his own finish line, May 8, 2013.* dairy farm family to life married to Mike on our grain and livestock farm, Dallas’ advice is exactly what I want I have lived in three farm homes that for my own story, but can we keep it span the distance of seven Minnesota real? Easier said than done. When our miles. And each home is located in the girls were in the home, we stayed middle of the mile. active and engaged in school, church and community. But without the But now the middle isn’t a house. pressing need to lead and attend their It’s life. And whether you find fifty to be something years into your future or activities, it’s easier to disengage than to be devoted; to be self-absorbed than look back and think, “You’re just a to be selfless. kid!” it’s important to decide what to do with it.

And though it’s simpler and more convenient to check out, it’s essential Some define fifty as over the hill. that we do anything but. Yes, ability Others call it past your prime. In his book, “Finishing Well—The Adventure and agility will make a difference in how we devote ourselves to the good of of Life Beyond Halftime,” Bob Buford others; but it should never determine calls it Life II or Halftime. And he interviews role models who have made if we do good for others. Even if those we serve and devote ourselves to may the transition from Life I to Life II — not appreciate or value it at the time. from success to significance.

In her book, “10 Ultimate Truths One of the people Buford inter-

MPP deadline extended The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced on June 12 the re-enrollment deadline for the Margin Protection Program for dairy will be extended until June 22.

The re-enrollment deadline was previously extended through June 8. The deadline is being extended a second time to offer producers preoccupied with field work an additional opportunity to come into their local office to sign-up.

The next margin under MPP, for May 2018, will be published on June 28.

Therefore, all coverage elections on form CCC-782 and the $100 administrative fee, unless exempt, must be submitted to the county FSA office no later than June 22.

All dairy operations must make new coverage elections for 2018 during the re-enrollment period, even if the operation was enrolled during the previous 2018 signup. Coverage elections made for 2018 will be retroactive to January 1. MPP payments will be sequestered at a rate of 6.6 percent.

To learn more about the Margin Protection Program for dairy, contact your local FSA county office or visit www.fsa.usda.gov.

USDA encourages producers contemplating enrollment to use the online web resource at www.fsa.usda.gov/ mpptool to calculate the best levels of coverage for their dairy operation.

This article was submitted by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. v

Girls Should Know,” Kari Kampakis tells a story about Donna Greene.

Donna spent 40 years ministering to teenage girls. And at a wedding reception of the one of the girls she mentored, she moved from table to table reconnecting and encouraging young women she had poured into over the years.

Then something interesting happened. Unaware until it was too late, she became fully encircled by young men who stood shoulder to shoulder, making it difficult for her to escape.

The spokesman in the group introduced himself and said, “’We just wanted you to know that when we were in high school, we had an I-HateDonna-Green Club.”

Donna looked at the young man perplexed. What on earth was he saying? “’We’d get together and talk about you,” the young man continued, because all those girls of yours wouldn’t do anything with us.”

He didn’t explain himself — what he meant or where this conversation was leading. But before she could figure

out how to respond, the men held out their hands in unison so they could shake hers!

“Thank you, Donna,” the leader explained, “because these are the girls we’re marrying.”

You may or may not receive thanks for investing in others on this side of the finish line, but that won’t diminish the difference you are making. May we never retire from doing good. Give, pray, encourage, serve, listen and cheer others on. Let them know you are for them and believe in them.

Because we are never too young or too old to do a world of good, one person at a time. * To read his inspiring life story, see Gary W. Moon’s biography, “Becoming Dallas Willard — The Formation of a Philosopher, Teacher and Christ Follower.”

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

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Back Roads features interesting people and unique places across rural Minnesota and northern Iowa. Part travel guide and part history lesson, “Best of Back Roads” makes a great gift for yourself and people who value rural life and for readers of The Land.

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THE LAND — JUNE 15/JUNE 22, 2018

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

PAGE 7

Book brings memories of life’s hardships, rewards

By KRISTIN KVENO The Land Correspondent “To Bechyn and Back” We all have beloved family stories of days gone by by — stories which bring us back to what seems to be Barbara Kodet Mages simpler times. As the years pass though, those stories begin to fade. It’s difficult to remember all of the details, the dates, the places and the people. For author veggies, jellies, fruit sauces, Barbara Kodet Mages, she’s intent on keeping those beef and chicken was also done memories alive for future generations of her family. to make sure there would be In the book “To Bechyn and Back,” Mages paints a enough food during those cold literary picture of her childhood during the Great months when heading to town to Depression through adulthood. Mages was encour- get supplies wasn’t possible due aged by one of her children to write down these sto- to treacherous winter conditions. ries for her family to have and the stories were just There was no television for Mages growing up. A too good to not share in a book for all. battery-operated radio provided the entertainment in Each chapter in the book explores a time in Mages’ listening to radio programs, news and country music. life. It gives the reader the opportunity to understand Mages writes about all the work her mother did in people’s mindset during that era, the man power, running the house. Wash day on Mondays meant her mother would fill the copper boiler the night before. horse power and sheer will used daily on the farm.

In the early morning, homemade Mages was born in 1929 and soap would be added and heated grew up on a farm with no running until it was soft. The washing began water or electricity in a family of early that morning followed by ironnine children near the small town ing to be done the next day. The days of Bechyn, Minn., located 10 miles during that time in the house were north of Redwood Falls. She writes filled sewing, cleaning, cooking and of the joys on the farm along with baking. the hard work like in preparing for In 1936, Mages recalls being quarthe long winters ahead. That antined when scarlet fever hit her included ensuring there were country school. Because of the serienough corn cobs stockpiled in the ous nature of this illness, school was basement — later to be used as Author Barbara Kodet Mages closed for six weeks. The family came fuel for the cook stove. Canning

Safety grant program helps farmers Minnesota’s OSHA Workplace Safety Consultation Safety Grant Program continues to support projects intended to reduce the risk of occupational injuries and illnesses. The program awards matching-funds up to $10,000 to qualifying employers — including farmers who implement projects designed to reduce the risk of injury and illness to their employees.

Grant projects are based on findings and recommendations of a written hazard assessment. Qualified applicants must be able to initially fund the project.

The safety grant program award provides a reimbursement of matching funds after the project is completed.

During state-fiscal-year 2016 (July 1 through June 30), employers submitted 235 safety grant applications. Of these, 142 grants were awarded. A total of $1,024,474 was awarded in reimbursed funds.

Examples of equipment purchased include: fall protection; safe patient-handling; material handling; workplace violence prevention; exhaust ventilation system; logging; trenching and excavating; machine guarding; specialized personal protective; loading dock restraining; and confined-space entry.

Grants were also awarded for a number of projects

that reduced the risks of musculoskeletal disorders associated with manual lifting and material handling.

To access the online safety grant application, visit www.dli.mn.gov/Wsc/Grants.asp.

Links are also provided to help applicants prepare their information and improve their odds of receiving a grant award.

If you have questions about the application, contact the safety grants administrator at (651) 284-5338, (800) 731-7232 or dli.grants@state.mn.us.

Minnesota OSHA Workplace Safety Consultation (WSC) provides free voluntary and confidential workplace safety and health assistance to Minnesota businesses, with a priority for farms and small businesses.

WSC provides a wide variety of free services, including on-site safety surveys, training, education and outreach. Services are provided by safety and health experts who are highly qualified occupational safety and health professionals.

This article was submitted by the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry. v

down with scarlet fever and as Mages writes, with the illnesses and the brutal weather conditions, “what a long, tough winter that was!”

Mages writes about the family’s memories of the Armistice Day blizzard on Nov. 11, 1940, what it was like on the home front during World War II, family tragedies and triumphs. She writes with a folksy way that makes it feel like you’re sitting right in front of her as she regales the stories of her life.

Four chapters of the book cover the courtship, engagement and wedding of Mages and her husband, Alphonse. They spent 63 wedded years together and raised 16 kids. While Alphonse passed away in 2009, his legacy as a husband, father and farmer live on in the pages of this book.

Mages fills the last pages of the book with photos of her life, of special memories with family she holds dear. She also includes photos from a family trip in 2012 to Bechyne, Czechoslovakia. The trip included the opportunity to visit the graves site of relatives in Czechoslovakia.

Mages is a story teller with many fascinating stories to tell. She allows the readers a glimpse into her life from childhood into adulthood. While sadness and adversity is part of her story, she focuses on the simple, beautiful memories that are such an integral part of her life.

If you’re from the Bechyn area, this would be a wonderful stroll down memory lane as it gives locations and places of time gone by. This book affords the reader a better understanding of what life was like in rural Minnesota decades ago. While technology has changed so much in our lives today; it is the family and friends that connect us that will never change. v

PAGE 8

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

THE LAND — JUNE 15/JUNE 22, 2018

MARKETING

Grain Outlook Corn, soybeans look for rebound

Cash Grain Markets

corn/change* soybeans/change* St. Cloud $3.09 -.32 $8.09 -1.12 Madison $3.09 -.28 $8.21 -1.10 Redwood Falls $3.08 -.27 $8.19 -1.12 Fergus Falls $3.03 -.26 $7.97 -1.12 Morris $3.08 -.28 $7.95 -1.21 The following marketing analysis is for the week Tracy $3.12 -.30 $8.14 -1.09 ending June 15. $3.08 $8.09 CORN — Like a band-aid, we’ll just pull it off quick- Average: ly to try and avoid the pain. July corn dove 16.5 cents this week to $3.61.25 and December corn broke 15.25 Year Ago Average: $3.14 $8.90 cents lower to $3.82.75 per bushel. December corn put Grain prices are effective cash close on June 19. in its contract high of $4.29.5 on May 24 and now has *Cash grain price change represents a two-week period. its contract low of $3.76.25 (set in August 2016) in the cross-hairs.

July corn traded as low as $3.55.25 this week and December as low as $3.77.75 per bushel.

Weather has not been an issue for crop development, but it’s still early in the season. The ugliness in the soy complex and wheat markets spilled into corn, PHYLLIS NYSTROM The past couple of weeks in the livestock markets dragging it down with them.

CHS Hedging Inc. have been positive for both cattle and hog prices.

Corn has closed lower for three St. Paul Both cash and futures prices have advanced for each consecutive weeks as funds market signifying a possible low for cattle and a reduced their net long position. continuation of the present advance for the hog marThe June 12 World Agricultural Supply and ket. The next several weeks will likely be critical for Demand Estimates report was friendly and delivered both markets as to whether each a very short-lived rally in corn — before fund liquidacontinues the positive bull martion and political influences wiped out any bullishket trend. ness. On the 2017-18 U.S. corn balance sheet, imports The cattle market has respondwere cut 5 million bushels and exports were raised 75 million bushels to 2.3 billion bushels. Ending ed to the positive cash price stocks were lowered 80 million bushels to 2.102 bil- movement as packers have lion bushels and the stocks to use ratio fell from 14.8 become more aggressive in percent to 14.2 percent. The average trade guess for acquiring live inventory in recent ending stocks was 2.163 billion bushels and last days. This in the face that the “wall of cattle” which was anticimonth we were at 2.182 billion bushels.

JOE TEALE pated seems to be waning as we Broker On the U.S. 2018-19 balance sheet, the yield was moved into the month of June. Great Plains Commodity steady at 174 bushels per acre, acreage at 88 million Some signals are mixed however, Afton, Minn. acres and production at 14.04 billion bushels. Feed/ as the beef cutout has been residual was cut 25 million bushels, ethanol usage slumping lately and packer margins are declining. increased 50 million bushels to 5.675 billion bushels, Therefore, the next several weeks will be very interand exports were left unchanged at 2.1 billion bushesting as to the longer-term future direction of the els (an 8.7 percent year-on-year decline). Including cattle market price. If in fact we have worked the 80 million-bushel smaller carry-in, ending stocks through that wall of cattle and demand remains dropped 105 million bushels to 1.577 billion bushels. good, the outlook will remain positive. On the other This was below the average trade guess of 1.642 bilhand, if the supply of cattle remains high without a lion bushels and is a 525-million-bushel year-on-year strong demand for beef, this will only project to a decline in ending stocks. short-term recovery. So producers should carefully On the world scene, the 2017-18 ending stocks monitor current market conditions and respond to came in at 192.7 million metric tons vs. the average any change in those conditions. estimate of 193.4 mmt. Brazil’s corn crop was pegged The hog market has continued its upward climb at 85 mmt, down 2 mmt from May; but still 1-5 mmt over the past several weeks led by a strong cash higher than private estimates. Argentina’s corn was See NYSTROM, pg. 9 See TEALE, pg. 9

Livestock Angles Cash, future prices advance

Grain Angles Make technology work for you Technological innovations the agriculture industry has seen over the last several decades are astounding. Producers are continuing to increase production with less land and resources, while providing consumers with a safer and more reliable product.

However, with prices and expenses being where they are, profit margins continue to tighten and many producers are seeing shortages in cash flow. As new technologies continue to be released into the marketplace, I often get asked by the producers that I work with which services they should be investing their time and money into.

With tighter margins, it may not be feasible to be investing large amounts into the latest and ERIC MADSEN greatest technologies. Rather, Compeer look at what products and techFinancial Officer nologies you may already have at Mankato, Minn. your disposal and using them to your advantage.

When people talk about the latest and greatest, you may automatically think of the fancy new gadget in the cab of your tractor, or the newest piece of equipment sitting on the lot of your local implement dealer. However, I would encourage you to look no further than your home office.

During a time of low prices and tight margins, little is more important than knowing your finances on a very detailed level. Using financial software packages will allow you to track your expenses with a higher accuracy. Investing in something like QuickBooks, Farm Business Management Programs, or even managing an Excel spreadsheet will allow you to track expenses, determine trends, better budget plan, and compare month-over-month on an annual basis.

I know record keeping isn’t the most fun thing to do. But during challenging times like these, knowing your numbers and knowing them well is extremely important. One of my favorite quotes is to “be a student of your own business.” Continue to learn about your business. By better understanding your financials, you can become more efficient and proactive in making decisions.

We hear it over and over: know your cost of production. In order to do that, you should combine what technologies you already have in your equipment and utilize it to its fullest potential. For example, what are you doing with your planter? I have seen See MADSEN, pg. 10

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 15/JUNE 22, 2018

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

PAGE 9

It’s political wait-and-see while soybeans plunge NYSTROM, from pg. 8 unchanged from May at 33 mmt, but was slightly higher than the 32.4 mmt estimate. World ending stocks for 2018-19 were 154.7 mmt. This is spot-on with traders’ estimates, but a 38 mmt year-on-year decline and the lowest in six years.

The U.S. dollar index hit an eight-month high this week as the Federal Reserve raised interest rates a quarter-percent to a range of 1.75-2.0 percent. Many traders expect two more rate increases this year — one in September and one in December. The European Central Bank said they will keep rates at present levels through 2019 at least. The higher U.S. dollar usually is bearish to commodity prices.

Weekly exports were at the high end of projections at 36.9 million bushels for old crop and 9.5 million for new crop. Old crop sales are now 3 percent ahead of last year and we only need 6.7 million per week to hit the new U.S. Department of Agriculture forecast for 2.3 billion bushels. New crop sales commitments total 130.4 million bushels, well ahead of last year’s 108.4 million by this date. Weekly ethanol production was up 12,000 barrels per day at 1.053 million bpd. Inventories were up 300,000 barrels at 22.2 million barrels while margins fell a penny to 13 cents per gallon.

Outlook: Corn ended the week on a soft note, but may be trying to find a short-term bottom. How much more risk premium will be removed when we have most of the growing season ahead of us? Can the political news get worse? These unknowns will keep volatility in the market, but should also give us an opportunity for some rallies to catch up on pricing.

It’s still unknown what level a rally would originate from. The crop is off to a very good start with 77 percent of the crop rated good/excellent as of June 10.

June 29 will bring the USDA Planted Acreage and Grain Stocks as of June 1 reports. The June corn acreage number has been higher than trade expectations in five of the last seven years. June 1 corn stocks were above trader estimates in three of the last four years. Average trade estimates will come out closer to the report date.

SOYBEANS — There’s no easy way to say it. July soybeans this week plunged 63.75 cents to $9.05.5 and November soybeans crashed 59.25 cents to $9.30.5 per bushel. Beans have closed lower for three weeks in a row and in nine out of the last ten trading sessions in the July contract. November soybeans matched their contract high on May 29 at $10.60.5 per bushel and are now closer to their contract low at $8.65 per bushel that was set back in September 2015. The low this week in July beans was $9.03 and $9.27.25 in the November contract. July soymeal crumbled $18.90 per ton to $338.90 and July soyoil was down just over a penny a pound at $0.2950 per pound.

Nearly perfect weather and fund liquidation got things going in pre-WASDE trading, before politics captured center stage once again. The elephant in the room all week was the uncertainty as to whether the United States would actually go through with imple-

MARKETING menting tariffs against China. When it looked more likely we would, the question of retaliation came up.

As we headed home on June 15, the United States had announced a 25 percent tariff on $50 billion of Chinese goods. The first stage would begin with $34 billion worth of items on July 6. In response, China announced matching tariffs, including U.S. soybeans, corn, wheat, sorghum, and various meat and dairy products. China also took back its offer to buy $70 billion of U.S. ag and energy products. Will this escalate? Possibly. We have until July 6 to see if an agreement can be reached before the first wave of tariffs takes effect.

The June 12 WASDE report was left in the dust quickly with the focus returning to China/U.S. trade relations. The crop report was neutral/bullish on its face for soybeans, but did nothing to stop the slide lower. The U.S. 2017-18 balance sheet raised crush 25 million to 2.015 billion bushels, which translated directly to the bottom line. Ending stocks were cut 25 million to 505 million bushels. This was much lower than the pre-report estimate for 523 million bushels.

The 2018-19 balance sheet kept acreage at 89 million acres, yield at 48.5 bushels per acre, and production at 4.28 billion bushels. The only usage change was a small 5 million-bushel increase to the crush to 2.0 billion bushels. Exports were unchanged at 2.29 billion bushels for a 10.9 percent year-on-year increase.

Including the 25-million-bushel decline in the carryin, ending stocks were cut 30 million bushels to 385 million bushels. This was sharply lower than the trade guess of 435 million bushels. The stocks-to-use ratio fell from 9.4 percent to 8.7 percent for 2018-19.

World ending stocks for 2017-18 of 92.5 mmt were slightly higher than the 91.2 mmt trade estimate.

Brazil’s soybean production was raised 2 mmt to 119 mmt and Argentina’s was lowered 2 mmt to 37 mmt.

World ending stocks for 2018-19 at 87 mmt were slightly higher than the expectations for 86.3 mmt.

The May National Oilseed Processors Association crush report was a new monthly record, for the seventh time in a row, at 163.6 million bushels. This was lower than the 165.1-million-bushel trade estimate,

but higher than 161 million bushels in April.

Argentina signaled they intend to keep the monthly 0.50 percent reduction in soybean export taxes in place. At least one well-respected consultant on South America expects both Brazil and Argentina to increase soybean acres this fall. A general trucker strike in Argentina is planned to begin June 25.

Weekly export sales were better than expected at 19.1 million bushels for old crop and 10.7 million for new crop. Old crop sales commitments remain 5 percent behind last year, but were the highest in eight weeks. New crop commitments total 244.5 million bushels, nearly double last year’s 126.3 million bushels by this time.

Outlook: Funds were heavy sellers of beans this week, adding to their net short position. Combined with the negative political undertones, soybeans didn’t stand a chance this week. Pending trade wars (with not only China, but also Mexico, EU and Canada) will make it a challenge for soybeans to retrace all the recent losses. Mexico is considering $4 billion in tariffs on U.S. goods — including corn and beans. However, there will come a point where the bearish news has been factored into prices and we can experience some sort of rally.

Politics are impossible to predict, but the crop is off to a solid start (74 percent good/excellent as of June 10), which we need with record usage forecast for 2018-19. I hate to repeat, but continue to monitor political events and summer weather forecasts for an indication of where and when we could see a bounce.

Looking ahead to the June 29 USDA Planted Acreage and Grain Stocks as of June 1 reports: soybean acres have been higher than the March estimate in seven of the last nine years and June 1 stocks have been above the trade estimate in seven of the last 11 years.

Nystrom’s Notes: Contract changes for the week ended June 15: Minneapolis July wheat crashed 21.75 cents lower to $5.70.75, Chicago lost 20.5 cents to $4.99.5, and Kansas City tumbled 18.5 cents to $5.19.75 per bushel. Crude oil was down 68 cents at $65.06, ULSD dropped 7.75 cents, RBOB dove 9.25 cents, and natural gas rallied 13.25 cents. v

Cash, futures on pork not overbought TEALE, from pg. 8 market. Pork cutouts have also advanced during this period keeping packer margins still positive.

The futures market also continues to maintain a positive premium as we head into the June futures expiration on June 14. There are several items which could change the overall friendly picture for the hog market in the weeks ahead. Seasonally, we normally see a high in prices in the late spring or early summer months we are currently in.

The pork cutout is approaching areas which have

proven to be where demand begins to wane. Another potential is that we are nearing an area where both cash and futures markets have stopped an advance in the past.

The positive at the present time is that the cash and futures are not technically considered overbought — except maybe on a very short-term basis.

All things considered, producers should continue to pay close attention during the upcoming weeks and protect inventories if the current patterns begin to warrant action. v

PAGE 10

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THE LAND — JUNE 15/JUNE 22, 2018

Building soil health an ongoing educational process

By DICK HAGEN The Land Staff Writer An east coast native raised in the New England area, where good soils are indeed a scarce commodity, Francis Casey is complimentary about North Dakota farmers and their stewardship of their soils.

Casey is the Director of the School Francis Casey of Natural Resource Sciences at North Dakota State University.

Because of the intensity of crop production today, Casey sees Dakota farmers very much tuned into better ways of growing crops. “But we’re still learning”, he cautioned.

“The big issue around here is soil salinity,” Casey stated. “It seems the common solution is more intensive tillage to make these “white” areas in a field go under. But is that a necessary strategy?”

Are applications of lime the answer? No, said Casey, but he offered, “Laying off the land (fewer trips across a field) is one of the better things you can do to regenerate the soil.”

When asked about one-pass, strip tillage systems, Casey responded, “Minimum tillage basically boils down to what the producer is willing to do and is able to do. For some who’ve gone into a continuous corn program, you have to do something with the residue, but avoid fall tillage. That’s additional compaction and leaves soils bare and exposed to winter wind erosion issues. Here in the (Red River) valley, we have considerable wind erosion.”

So are cover crops an enhancement? Casey responded, “I don’t yet know enough about various cover crops and how they fit the variety of soil types and crop rotations we have in North Dakota. But we know cover crops harvest certain nutrients in the soil and through the mineralization process return these nutrients into the soil in a more useable form for crop usage. So there will be some lag time between when you plant cover crops and when nutrients are available to the growing crop. My advice: talk with seed handlers who provide different cover crop seeds and proceed with what seems most doable for your situation.”

Seeds are better these days and Casey said that makes minimum tillage less risky. “Corn vigor is more evident. When I first started here in 2000, we had little corn in the valley. Today, corn is even common into southern Canada — thanks to strong hybrids of 85-day maturity, even earlier. And soybeans have exploded across North Dakota in recent years. I have been pleased to see the expansion of minimum tillage too. Farmers are just simply smarter about their farming strategies.

“Driving these major shifts are commodity prices.

But with corn and soy beans being in the tank these days, its understandable wheat and small grains are seeing a rebound.”

Casey completed his master’s and doctorate studies at Iowa State University. He credits his work at ISU as being transitional for his move into the North Dakota agricultural landscape. Chief topics on his agenda these days at NDSU are soil salinity issues, water resource management and weed control tem-

pered with concerns about the increasing resistance capability of various weeds to several herbicides.

He’s concerned the tremendous increase in tile drainage might be a contributing factor to increasing water quality — particularly nitrate content.

“Working more variety into crop rotations is often a fix to certain weeds, and that would include wheat in this area. Dicamba concerns mostly relate to the inversion issues of the chemistry of the product. It’s a matter of following label restrictions and that means attention to air patterns and air temperatures.”

In view of delayed plantings over much of the upper Midwest this spring, are there any tillage shortcuts to speed planting? “Good seed to soil contact is the objective,” Casey replied. “So always keep that in mind regardless the crop.”

Casey credits the extension and research education efforts of his university as being a major factor in the continuing improvements in crop technology. “We’ve got a great team of faculty here in the Soils Department at NDSU,” he said. “They’ve been doing a tremendous job of getting the message out. Plus, farmers today are very innovative. They’re listening.

They’re asking questions. And they are practicing what we are preaching. Plus, private industries are stepping up to the plate too. Seed companies and chemical firms these days very much realize the marketing success of their products to American farmers hinges on the agronomic education they also provide to farmers.”

Casey can be reached via e-mail at francis.casey@ ndsu.edu. v

Incorporating technology doesn’t have to be expensive MADSEN, from pg. 8 variable seed planting become an increasingly popular practice. By understanding which fields have good soil or lighter soils, you can set prescriptions for your planter in order to save on seed costs and allow for greater product placement.

On the opposite side of the growing season, how are you tracking your yield at harvest? Do you have your yield monitor calibrated correctly? Or are you relying on bin measurements once you get your crop off of the fields? If you do have yield monitoring capabilities, I would strongly suggest you take the time to ensure they are set up correctly. You need to be in the field in order to calibrate, which leaves a small window once harvest starts rolling to get that done. Be as proactive as possible in making that happen.

If yield monitors are calibrated correctly, you should be able to be within 1 percent of the grain you deliver. This allows you to be more confident in marketing ahead of time. By utilizing farm business management programs, combined with technologies you may already have (like variable seed planting or yield monitoring), you can strive to know your cost of

MARKETING production at a field-by-field level. This will allow you to assess what land is most valuable, what land may not be valuable enough to hold on to, or even help you in negotiating rent prices.

Additional technologies to take advantage of, which are extremely low-cost or even free, come from what many of us have in our pockets — a smart phone.

What apps are you currently using on your phone?

There is a wide array of apps available to you — dependent on what information you wish to gain.

There are weather apps to tell you what the week ahead looks like. This might help you determine a schedule for spraying, planting, harvesting, etc. In addition, you can download apps which give you upto-the-minute information on grain pricing, market data and available bids.

Some grain elevators have started offering apps to help centralize a lot of that information. Others, along with crop insurance companies or financial services providers, allow you sign up for text alerts

with important deadline information or important notices on what’s on the forefront. If you don’t know what apps would be most useful to you, reach out to your buyers, seed reps, financial officer or crop insurance agent for some suggestions which would work best for you in your area.

During tight financial times, it may be hard to justify (or even impossible) to invest in the technologies which are coming out. By doing your homework now, and doing your research on what technologies are available, you will know what you want to invest in and can act on it when prices turn around. But remember, this shouldn’t be something you take on by yourself. Anytime you are considering a larger investment, it’s important to bring in your team of trusted advisors. They are there to help you navigate that decision, to help make a decision that is best suited for your operation. By utilizing these different tools, and researching additional options to implement in the future, you can continue to become a better student of your business.

For additional insights from Eric and the rest of the Compeer team, visit Compeer.com v

THE LAND — JUNE 15/JUNE 22, 2018

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

PAGE 11

Corn looking ‘excellent,’ soybean spraying underway



By KRISTIN KVENO, The Land Correspondent



Blair Hoseth, Mahnomen, Minn., June 15

“Temps were a little cooler the last few weeks.” The Land spoke with Jamie Beyer on June 15 as she was enjoying the more seasonable weather. Spraying is almost finished except for a little soybeans left to get done.

“I just finished a round in the corn.” The Land spoke with Blair Hoseth on June 15 as he was in sprayer mode — getting corn sprayed, then onto spraying dicamba on soybeans today. Getting all the spraying done has been a little tricky as “we’ve been getting a little bit of rain all along.”

Hoseth “got up all the first cutting alfalfa.” He wet wrapped it, which involved baling hay wet and putting it in long tubes. “When you take it out, it’s still wet but not moldy.” For Hoseth “it worked really well.” While it costs more and takes more time, the hay is “good quality.”

Blair Hoseth

Jamie Beyer

Hoseth “sprayed the bugs in the second cutting alfalfa yesterday.” With more rain in the forecast, it’s go-time for the sprayer. “Today’s the last day to spray,” before the rain.

Overall, it’s been “pretty good weather for this time of year.”

The crops are “looking decent; average, probably,” Hoseth said. While rain has been falling periodically this growing season, “we don’t gave a surplus of moisture underneath.”

It’s not all time on the farm for Hoseth. He heads down to Shakopee, Minn. for a Minnesota Corn Growers Association committee meeting on June 20. He also is ready for some good fair fun at the Mahnomen County Fair June 28-30. Hoseth enjoys helping out with a few leadership clubs there.



 FROM  THE  

Matt Haubrich, Danube, Minn., June 8



Haubrich plans to keep “watching fields, watching weed pressure.” He’s still picking rocks as well. It’s not all time in the field, though. Haubrich is spending today at his desk getting caught up with paperwork.

Some rain fell today, “picked up a small amount - two-tenths,” which gave Haubrich the opportunity to get some much needed office time in.

The fields are “getting adequate rain.” The decent moisture coupled with “a little above average (temperatures)” has been good for the corn. Haubrich is thankful there’s been “no large amounts of rain or flooding.”

“Everything emerged good.” Haubrich is seeing “a good even stand.” Overall, “everything’s looking pretty good.”

2006 PETERBILT 379EXHD

“A lot of standing water in a lot of places.” The Land spoke with Karson Duncanson on June 8 as precipitation was the news of the day with the rain amount “at least one and a half inches, maybe more.”

Karson Duncanson

Duncanson finished planting soybeans on Memorial Day. “Everything went in pretty good.” For the 10 year planting average, this year is “pretty normal.” Though for the five year planting average, this year was “a week or so behind.”

In the next few weeks Duncanson plans on spraying beans, he has until June 20 for dicamba spraying. He “sprayed pre-emerge on all our beans, it seems to be holding well.” The beans are “looking good.” Duncanson “wrapped up spraying (corn).” The early planted corn “looks really good.”

The later planted corn looks “excellent.” While there is some stand issue in lower spots overall it’s all looking great.

Though the fields may currently be wet, things seem to moving right along this growing season for Duncanson. The forecast calls for sun next week, which means puddles will be drying up and Duncanson will head back to the field to get the side dressing done.

MACK eng, 460hp, 13spd trans, tandem rear axles, OH’d, Jake, cruise, tilt & telescoping, PW, PL, power & heated mirrors, AR cab, air slide 5th, 50% brakes & drums, 70% of steer tires & 85% of drive tires remain, 944,562 miles

For Sale Price: $51,000

For Sale Price: $22,500

Karson Duncanson, Mapleton, Minn., June 8

2004 MACK VISION CX613

CAT eng, 490hp, 13spd trans, new cam, clutch & both rear ends recently, all virgin rubber 90%, brakes at 80%, drums at 90%, 11R22.5 tires, tandem rear axles, 265” WB, 10” dual exhaust, 909,552 miles.

2013 MAURER AG HOPPER

Beyer knows, “farmers are under stress.” With prices and tariff talk in full swing, Beyer understands the stress and frustration. Both those things are fluid and can change quickly. But what doesn’t change is the appreciation of a good healthy crop and beautiful weather.

With additional rain possible over the weekend, Duncanson won’t be in the field then. Though he expects to start side dressing corn early next week.

Haubrich baled hay yesterday; it “went really well.” He expects to spray soybeans next week. His brother will scout the fields this weekend first though.

Electric tarp, 2 sight windows, ladder & cat walks, 2 hoppers, spring suspension, 40’ length, 96” width, tandem rear axles, alum wheels,11R24.5 tires, front tires 65%, rear tires 45%, new brakes, drums are 70%.

Beyer’s focus has been “cleaning out the planter,” as well as putting seed and fertilizer away. She plans on equipment repairs soon if needed. She’s “hauling corn to the ethanol plant.” Beyer “had some of our buffers planted this week.” Eight acres were planted at that time by the Soil and Water Conservation District.

“Corn is knee high” and looking nice. The beans are “looking good.” Beyer plans on scouting in the next few weeks as neighbors are having some issues with iron deficiency in bean fields. Beyer drove to Mankato recently and observed a “real variety of how tall the beans are.” Wet field conditions this spring delayed planting. That delay is evident when you see the variation of bean growth in the area.

FIELDS

“All things are good.” The Land spoke with Matt Haubrich on June 8. He was thrilled to report, “all crops are up.” Spraying corn is almost complete as Haubrich “did a week of spraying corn and wheat.” He has a quarter-section of corn left to spray and he plans on getting that done on Monday. “Our pre-emerge has been working very well.”

Matt Haubrich

Jamie Beyer, Wheaton, Minn., June 15

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For Sale Price: $10,000

PAGE 12

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

THE LAND — JUNE 15/JUNE 22, 2018

Dedication rebuilt Canby’s historic Lund-Hoel house

By RICHARD SIEMERS The Land Correspondent CANBY, Minn. — The Lund-Hoel House Museum in Canby seems less like a museum and more like a step back in time.

What catches the eye when driving through town on U.S. Highway 75 is the busy exterior with multiple gables, decorative woodwork, balconies, and a turret dome — a dark green emerald enhanced by white trim. But according to Betty Hanna, one of the current board members of the museum house, its significance goes beyond its style. It points to an individual who played a significant role in the settlement of the Canby area.

John Lund grew up in Canby, and at age 20 started the Lund Land Agency.

His success was phenomenal. He was already a wealthy realtor in 1891 when he and his wife Flora built a substantial house across from a park. By 1900 he was a bona fide millionaire having sold hundreds of thousands of acres of land and brought many people to the area. It was then that they added the turret, balconies, gingerbread trim and field stone fence which make the house so distinctive.

They did not enjoy it for long. Lund moved his land office to Minneapolis in 1903 and sold the house to his sister, Mary, and brother-in-law, Rev. Olaf Hoel. Hoel, like a circuit rider, provided services to multiple congregations in Minnesota and South Dakota. The couple lived there, cared for by their young-

Photos by Richard Siemers

Thanks to a dedicated band of volunteers, the Lund-Hoel house was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1978. est daughter Nella, until their deaths.

Shortly afterwards, Nella married Andrew Berg and moved to Minneapolis in 1931 — taking from the house everything that could be transported.

The house was rented for a while, then sold to Bill and Minnie Richter to become a board and care home for the elderly. When state regulations became too much to keep up with, the facility was closed.

In 1975, the house was for sale. A

The entry area features the organ Mrs. Hoel played for wedding ceremonies which took place in the house.

group of citizens recognized the historical significance of the house and its builder. The citizens incorporated as “The Museum Encompassing the Canby Community Area” (MECCA), and purchased the house. In was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1978.

MECCA began the restoration with the help of matching grants, said Hanna. It has continued through the years with generous donations and

Wallpaper in the house’s dining room was steamed and removed to find the original layer. The pattern was replicated for the wallpaper which hangs in the room today.

thousands of hours of volunteer labor.

In the past decade, a major refurbishing has taken place — everything from shingles and redoing the decorative trim down to replacing the back porch.

“A lot of local love and volunteerism has gone into this house,” Hanna said.

One can get the full impact of that labor of love only by taking a tour, but here are some examples: Layers of wallpaper were stripped and soaked to get to the original design. Then, similar patterns were found to repaper all of the rooms. Unable to find original tiles matching those which had been in the bathroom, a couple of volunteers spent a summer cutting red, tan and black tiles into smaller squares and hexagons to recreate the bathroom floor.

The cast iron tub, used as a flower planter in the yard, was restored.

In addition, many folks have donated period items, like John Lund’s complete set of Charles Dickens works.

What really makes this 15-room house an authentic step back in time are the original furnishings which Nella had stored in Minneapolis.

“When she left the house she took everything with her,” Hanna said.

“When we got the house she was very interested in having her family home redone.”

Nella and her husband, Andrew Berg, donated much furniture and many personal items. With Nella’s guidance, the See HOUSE, pg. 13

Nella Berg taught piano lessons to Canby area students in the house’s living room.

THE LAND — JUNE 15/JUNE 22, 2018

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

PAGE 13

Family members contributed many items inside the house HOUSE, from pg. 12 furniture was placed as it was during the Hoel’s 28-year residency.

For example, a number of weddings took place in the pastor’s home. In the parlor is a horsehair settee on which Rev. Hoel would seat the bride and groom for instruction on a good marriage. Next to it is the organ Mrs. Hoel played for the service, which ended at the library table in the living room where the marriage rite was performed.

Also in the living room is the piano on which Nella gave piano lessons to numerous Canby area children.

The Lunds’ original carriage house fell into such disrepair it needed to be demolished. A replica was constructed and features the cupola from the original structure.

Inside the carriage house is a large display of tools (below) used during the Lund’s and Hoel’s era.

An extension of the original living room features curved glass windows.

When the balconies were added to the house in 1900, the living room was extended and became an L-shaped room. The carpet they had woven to fit the room is back in place. Nella had rolled it up and taken it with her.

In the kitchen is the original gas stove. There also is a cookstove. They cooked with gas in the summer, then turned to burning cobs and wood in the winter for additional heat.

The windows are themselves a museum. Original stained glass, leaded glass,

This balcony off the master bedroom on the second floor was added in the early 1900s. cut glass and etched glass windows grace the walls. There are even curved glass windows in the living room addition.

Other Hoel family descendants also contributed items, and MECCA was able to purchase a few items at the Berg’s estate sale. These include the

Practice biosecurity, protect your farm ST. CLOUD, Minn. — As we move from spring into summer, chances are you may be visiting a farm other than your own. Whether it’s for “Breakfast on the Farm,” an Extension field day, or just to visit a neighbor, it’s important to keep biosecurity in mind. Biosecurity is an important piece to keeping your livestock safe.

First, know where you are buying animals from. Does that farm have a disease history you should be aware of?

Diseases like Johne’s can easily be brought into herds by new animals with the producer being completely unaware. Don’t be afraid to ask the tough questions or even require negative test results before the transaction is complete. Ideally, newly purchased animals should be quarantined upon their arrival at the farm.

The most recognizable source of a potential biosecurity breach could be

vehicles and equipment coming to and from the farm. Some regular visitors to your farm may include the milk truck, the feed truck, your veterinarian, and farming equipment from entities doing custom work. There are also less-regular visitors who may be driving onto the farm. Whenever possible, direct vehicles to a designated parking area that is away from your livestock. For vehicles which may need to come farther onto the farm, consider marking an area near the entrance/exit for incoming and outgoing vehicles to disinfect their tires.

Similar to vehicles, you will have a core group of people who visit your farm on a regular basis. These people should be aware of your biosecurity practices — including wearing clean clothing and footwear. Similar to having an area to disinfect tires, you should have an area where boots can be

buffalo skin coat and the black wool mink-lined fur coat that Olaf and Mary wore when they rode in their open buggy to conduct winter worship services for South Dakota congregations.

“It kind of seems like the house was meant to be a museum,” Hanna said, reflecting on all of the original items which have found their way back home.

washed and disinfected. Most of your regular visitors will have their own buckets and soap. They just need access to water. A designated hose for washing up will encourage disinfecting of footwear and is a nice courtesy. For farm visitors who don’t regularly come to your farm, post a sign that your farm is a biosecure area and direct them to an office or area on the farm where they should check in.

Biosecurity is everyone’s responsibility, and it starts with you. Making sure animals are in a clean, safe environment and are administered regular preventative vaccinations can ensure there is never a disease outbreak on your farm. If you have questions about biosecurity practices or are curious about preventative measures, contact your veterinarian.

This article was submitted by University of Minnesota Extension. v

Outside, MECCA reconstructed the small windmill and found someone to rebuild the field stone wall. The carriage house was not salvageable, except for the cupola, and was rebuilt according to original plans. It now serves as an interpretative center — housing items from John Lund’s office, from Canby’s founder John Swenson, and other local notables. There is also a large display of old tools.

The home’s clawfoot cast iron bathtub — used for a while as a planter in the yard — is back inside the house.

Displaying many items from Canby’s history, the building and grounds give a sense of the life of a significant family in the town’s early days. Tour guides tell a more complete story of the restoration.

Located at Highway 75 and 4th Street, the Lund-Hoel House Museum is open for tours in the summer months.

Check their website for details, www.

CanbyMuseums.org. v

PAGE 14

MILKER’S MESSAGE www.thelandonline.com — “Where Farm and Family Meet”

THE LAND — JUNE 15/JUNE 22, 2018

Company provides recycling of farm plastic waste

By DICK HAGEN The Land Staff Writer LITCHFIELD, Minn. — “We want to do the right thing!” That straightforward comment by Eric Johnson sets the stage for the recent adoption of First District Association’s on-farm ag plastic recycling program involving over 250 of their 850-member milk producers in central Minnesota. Johnson is the coordinator of Environmental Health, Safety and Sustainability at FDA which is headquartered in Litchfield, Minn.

Handling 5.5 million pounds of milk daily, FDA is one of the major milk processors in Minnesota. FDA is also concerned about the landscape of the environment of its producers and the sometimes negative community impact of discarded white plastic wrappings.

Plus, trash plastic is a cumbersome, difficult item to handle. It blows, it tears, it shreds, it’s a mess! And burning it isn’t the answer.

Explained Johnson, “Agricultural plastics is a huge new initiative for FDA and our dairy producers. We’ve engaged with Revolution Plastics, an Arkansas and Texas firm big in the recycling of on-farm plastics which have become big environmental issue with livestock farmers especially dairy producers - across the Midwest.”

Big indeed! This Arkansas/Texas outfit now has over 4,400 eight-yard capacity dumpsters in Minnesota and Wisconsin from which they are collecting discarded bunker covers, silage Eric Johnson wrappings, used bags, drip tape, greenhouse film, even boat film. And this collection service of discarded plastics is free. Each dumpster holds about 2,000 pounds of recyclable plastics.

Said Johnson, “Currently, about onethird of our producers are participating.

Some don’t qualify because they are not in the pickup route of the collection trucks. However, an estimated 200,000 pounds of ag plastics are being collected from our 250-plus member farms each month. Annualized, that’s an estimated 2.4 million pounds of discarded ag plastics being kept out of landfills just from our FDA producers!”

Photos by Dick Hagen

Euerle Vaughn (left) started using the plastic recycling program last year. Pictured with Vaughn are (left to right)daughter Anna, grandson William, wife Joan and grandson Ryker.

FDA Board member and Litchfield area 80-cow dairy farmer Euerle Vaughn likely spoke for all when asked why he signed up for the plastic recycling service. “I was just getting tired of burning it or trying to find something to do with it.” He started in the spring, of 2017, so now has over a year’s experience. When his dumpster is full, his wife simply calls the pickup service and a truck arrives to empty the dumpster.

Like most dairy farmers, Vaughn’s primary use of plastic wrap is on haylage or silage in bunker silos, plus some wrapped bales. Wife Joan mentioned the type of plastic is important. “It can only be a silage type plastic or bale wrap plastic,” she said. “They don’ take net-wrapped plastics. Most people won’t haul this discarded plastic to recycling centers. This is simply so convenient. We just call when the dumpster is full.”

And the Vaughn’s don’t cheat on what gets tossed in the dumpster. “Absolutely nothing else. We’re very good about making certain we put in there only what we’re supposed to do. This is a great service. We don’t want to jeopardize this service. We’re just excited to have the service,” summed up Joan.

ing storage losses,” he explained. “It’s an air-tight seal. No oxygen goes through the silage. It’s kind of like it saran wraps itself.”

Barka, 42, is board chairman of FDA and started milking right out of high school in 1995. His dad was a feed salesman. His grandfather was a dairy farmer. “If I wanted to farm, I knew I needed cash flow,” Barka recalled. “I had pigs and sheep and beef in high school voc ag programs.”

Barka is much aware of the cost-price squeeze of the dairy industry right now.

But he keeps a positive attitude “… by looking ahead to the future.” His open barns use a compost manure system which gets 4-5 inches deep each fall before cleanout. It helps keep the lid on investment costs per cow. Outside of some starter nitrogen, he buys no additional fertilizer.

And he enjoys being Board Chair of FDA saying, “Its fun. It’s a good break from the daily chores of the dairy farm.

It helps keep my mind open to the realities of the world; the importance of dairying in our state economy and world trade.”

How do you make certain you’ve got a full dumpster?

Vaughn uses his skid loader to tamp in the plastics until he has a really full dumpster. “The more we pack in, the fewer stops for the dumpster truck.”

Energetic dairy farmer Josh Barka, about 8 miles south of Litchfield, is big on covering plastics for his 360-cow dry lot dairy operation. He uses three big plastic rolls per year - each 66 feet wide and 1,000 feet long. “We can reuse our bale plastics sometimes, Barka uses three rolls of plastic each year to help but not our bunker covers,” maintain the nutrient quality of the silage he feeds to Barka said. his herd.

Barka has two dumpBarka is very complimentary about sters. “This recycling service is just the best. It’s clean, it’s easy. We’re not his help, perhaps because his dad finalburning it; we’re not burying it. Each ly quit selling feed and is now key help month we call and their truck shows up on his son’s dairy farm. He has some hired help and his daughter, Natalie, is to empty the dumpsters.” a dynamite assistant. Natalie just Dairy farmers know maintaining the graduated from high school and was feed quality of forages is enhanced with awarded the Minnesota FFA Star proper storage. And that’s the job of the Achievement Award in Dairying for plastic wraps. Barka uses a vapor seal 2018. on his bunker-stored silage. “That’s a no-brainer when it comes to minimiz- See RECYCLING, pg. 16

THE LAND — JUNE 15/JUNE 22, 2018

MILKER’S MESSAGE www.thelandonline.com — “Where Farm and Family Meet”

PAGE 15

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THE LAND — JUNE 15/JUNE 22, 2018

USDA: Total cheese, butter use is up over last year This column was written for the marketing week ending June 15.

Just as history was made in the meeting between North Korea’s Kim Jong Un and President Donald Trump, who would have thought that dairy pricing would get the attention it received after the meeting of the G-7 nations in Quebec. The president is critical of Canada’s age-old quota supply-management program.

World trade and politics appear to be

News and information for Minnesota and Northern Iowa dairy producers “trumped” in turmoil, but the fallout may not be as great as some predict. FC Stone dairy broker Dave Kurzawski said in the

By Lee Mielke June 18 Dairy Radio Now broadcast that he doesn’t think the Mexican buyer has much of an alternative as, “the U.S. is probably the most attractively-priced — given current levels and proximity.”

Kurzawski referenced the 2009 trucking dispute with Mexico when tariffs were imposed on U.S. NOW! cheese and said exports fell about 26 percent for the 14-month period. If the same scenario would develop today, “We’d be talking about 4.7 million pounds MIELKE MARKET WEEKLY

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of cheese and since we price fresh cheddar in the U.S., and Mexican imports tend to be other than fresh cheddar, in rough numbers we’re talking for every 1 million pounds of lost cheddar exports to Mexico, it could knock about a penny per pound off the price of cheese. So 4.7 million pounds, we’re talking about 4 cents on the CME spot market. I don’t think that’s a game changer,” he said.

Kurzawski also reported that April American cheese demand was up 0.1 percent from March, but 5.8 percent above a year ago, according to U.S. Department of Agriculture’s latest data. Demand See MIELKE, pg. 17

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RECYCLING, from pg. 14 Barka says he’s done expanding - at least for now.

A double 16 walk-through dairy parlor is the newest addition to Barka Dairy.

Revolution Plastics has a recycle/reuse program for these discarded plastics. They have a patented cleaning process at locations in Wisconsin and Minnesota.

Cleaned plastics are wrapped into bales and trucked to their Arkansas plant where the plastic is shredded into small particle sizes and then reconstructed into new plastic bags for trash collection.

Some strict rules come with this free collection service. As mentioned, the dairy farmer has to be in the collection route of a pickup vehicle and produce at least 2,000 pounds of waste plastic per pickup on a regular monthly cycle. Old tries, junk batteries or any trash other than on-farm ag plastics isn’t permitted. You’ll get dumped from the service real quick if you try!

“Being good stewards of our environment is at the core of this program,” said Johnson. Current expansion of First District Association will move them up to 7.5 million pounds of milk processing capacity.

And as FDA expands, it works more diligently with its producer members. “We’re all in this environment together, so we work with producers - assisting with environmental issues as needed.”

Director of Operations for Revolutions Plastics Price Murphy said this recycling program started back in 1996 in Stuttgart, Arkansas. Stuttgart was home base for Delta Plastics - the parent company which was manufacturing irrigation tubing for the cotton farms of the southland.

Explained Murphy, “Farmers would buy the tubing.

Then at the end of the season, they would roll it up

but didn’t have any logical storage. Our owner is very big on preservation and conservation so he created a process to recollect this plastic tubing, recycle it and put it back into the process. That dates back 21 years. ”Now we have multiple locations across the United States,” said Murphy. “We have 700 employees and are now recycling in excess of 250 million pounds of used ag plastics every year.”

Recycling film for the greenhouse industry has gotten big. So too is drip tape from organic farms. “Our California operation does almond and grape film,” said Murphy. “We do the irrigation tubing for southern agriculture. But this uptick by the agricultural market has become our specialty.”

Current numbers are about 5,000 dairy farms in the program. “Everything has gone well thus far.

We’re very pleased to have the dairy industry in this effort to clean up America,” summed up Murphy.

At this stage, Murphy says Revolution Plastics has zero competitors. Right now the company is enhancing their availability by introducing recapture bags for smaller farmers who have just a few head of livestock but still have to deal with plastic wraps for feed and forage preservation. “It would take a year or more for a small farm to fill up a dumpster. But with these much smaller plastic bags, when a farmer has five bags filled up, our trucks will do the collection.

We’ve got about a thousand famers using those bags now and its working great. These too are reusable and recyclable.”

For more information on Revolution Plastics, visit their web site at www.RevolutionPlastics.com or email Murphy at pmurphy@revolutionplastics.com.

Eric Johnson can be reached by calling (320) 2211550 or via email at ejohnson@firstdistrict.com. v

THE LAND — JUNE 15/JUNE 22, 2018

MILKER’S MESSAGE www.thelandonline.com — “Where Farm and Family Meet”

PAGE 17

Report states non-fat dry milk, lactose exports are ‘robust’ MIELKE, from pg. 16

218.0 and 217.1 billion pounds respectively. This is “Fat basis imports for 2018 and 2019 were raised down 700 million pounds from last month’s estion higher imports of butterfat products, while skimfor “other” cheese was down 2.7 percent from March, BUILDfor OUR STALLS RIGHT! mates on production and down 600 million pounds solids basis importWE forecasts 2018 and 2019 were but increased 0.5 percent from 2017. Total cheese on marketings. If realized, 2018 output would be up reduced on lower imports of milk proteins and a Take a look at use was down 1.6 percent from March, but up 2.6 2.5 billion pounds or 1.2 percent from 2017. number of other dairy products. our tubing with percent from a year ago. Year-to-date, total cheese 2019 production and marketings were estimated “The 2018 cheese price was unchanged the miduse was up 3.4 percent from 2017. unequaledatcorrosion at 221.1 and 220.1 billion pounds respectively, down point of the range, but raised for 2019.

The 2018 protection!

Butter demand was off 14.3 percent from March 400 million pounds on both. If realized, 2019 probutter price forecast was raised, but reduced slightand 0.1 percent below a year ago; though year-toTubing forehas been duction would be up 3.1 billion pounds or 1.4 perly for 2019. Nonfat dry milk andFreudenthal whey price date it’s up 3.6 percent. Nonfat dry milk was up 9.8 engineered for your specific cent from 2018. casts were raised for both 2018 and 2019 on strong percent from March, up 25.1 percent from a year requirements where strength demand and a reduced production forecast.”

“Fat basis exports for 2018 were raised from the ago, and up 20.4 percent year-to-date. and corrosion resistance are Auto Release Head Locks Panel CORROSION previous month as second-quarter exports are The 2018 Class IIIPROTECTION milk price forecast raised critical designwas factors. n strong and continued strength in sales of a number on the stronger whey price. Look for a range of The USDA again lowered its 2018 milk production of fat-containing products will largely mitigate the $15.05-$15.45 per hundredweight, up Tie 15 cents CS-60 Comfort Stall on forecast in the latest World Agricultural Supply and impacts of Mexico’s tariffs on U.S. cheese,” the the high end and compares to $16.17 in 2017 and Demand Estimates report on slightly lower cow WASDE stated. “For 2019, the fat basis export fore- $14.87 in 2016. The 2019 average is projected to The Toughest numbers and slower expected growth in milk per cast was lowered. Skim-solids basis export forecasts range $15.30-$16.30, up 50 cents from last month’s Stalls cow. No change was made to the 2019 cow herd, but for 2018 and 2019 were raised from the previous estimate. on the the milk production forecast for 2019 was also lowmonth on robust demand for non-fat dry milk and The Class IV price forecasts reflects higher butter • Provides superior lunge area ered from last month on continued slow growth in market, lactose thus far in 2018, and this strength is expect- and NDM prices and is expected to range $14.30milk per cow. ed to carry into 2019.• Much stronger than our guaranteed competitors’ beam systems See MIELKE, pg. 18 2018 production and marketings were projected at not to bend • No Stall mounts in the • Entire panel made of H.D. 10 gauge tubing concrete or sand are hot dippedWI galvanized after W. 6322 Cty. O,• Panels Medford, 54451 • Fully adjustable welding inside and out (715) 748-4132 • 1-800-688-0104 • Stall system stays high and Heaviest, • 6’, 8’, 10’, 12’ lengths dry, resulting in longer life www.freudenthalmfg.com Strongest, REMODELING, EXPANSION OR REPLACEMENT • 12’ panel weight 275 lbs.

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PAGE 18

MILKER’S MESSAGE www.thelandonline.com — “Where Farm and Family Meet”

THE LAND — JUNE 15/JUNE 22, 2018

Cheese demand is up one week, down the next MIELKE, from pg. 17 $14.80, up 45 cents on the high end and compares to $15.16 in 2017 and $13.77 in 2016. Look for the 2910 Class IV average to range $13.70$14.80, up a nickel from last month’s projection. n The WASDE says the U.S. corn outlook for 2018-19 is for reduced beginning stocks, lower feed and residual use, greater corn used for ethanol production, and lower ending stocks.

Beginning stocks are down largely reflecting a 75-million-bushel increase

in projected exports for 2017-18 to 2.30 billion bushels — which if realized, would be the highest since 2007-08.

This month’s U.S. soybean supply and use projections for 2018-19 include lower beginning stocks, slightly higher crush, and lower ending stocks. Lower beginning stocks reflect higher crush for 2017-18. Soybean crush for 2017-18 was raised 25 million bushels to 2.015 billion, reflecting an increase in projected soybean meal domestic disappearance and exports.

Higher soybean meal domestic disappearance reflects stronger-thanexpected use for the marketing year

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through April. Soybean meal exports were raised based in part on commitments through May, says USDA. Meanwhile, the latest Crop Progress report shows that 94 percent of the nation’s corn has emerged as of the week ending June 10. This is up 1 percent from that week a year ago and 2 percent ahead of the five-year average.

It also shows 77 percent of the corn is rated in good to excellent condition, up from 67 percent a year ago.

The report shows 93 percent of the soybeans have been planted, up from 91 percent a year ago and compares to 85 percent in the five-year average.

There is 83 percent of the crop emerged, up 9 percent from a year ago and 14 percent ahead of the five-year average. Condition wise, 74 percent is rated good to excellent. n The cash dairy markets didn’t have a lot to feed on the week of June 11, in terms of USDA reports regularly monitored, but moved lower. The Chicago Mercantile Exchange cheddar blocks closed the week at $1.5950 per pound, down 4 cents and 2 cents below a year ago. The barrels closed June 15 at $1.45. This is down 11.5 cents, 7 cents above a year ago, but the lowest CME price since April 5, and an unsustainable 14.5 cents below the blocks. 12 cars of block sold on the week at the CME and 24 of barrel Midwestern process cheesemakers report that demand is up one week and down the next, according to Dairy Market News. The grilling season has done little to quell irregular buying, but cheese curd sales are positive.

Milk discounts remain for cheesemakers open to the spot market. Offers increased the week of June 11 and spot milk prices ranged $1.50 to $3.50 under Class. Cheese production varies from plant to plant. Midwestern cheesemakers are aware of the trade and tariff concerns, “but are not anxious about the health of the overall cheese market,” says Dairy Market News.

Western cheese output remains steady, but some plants are planning to slow output in the coming weeks.

Cheese inventories are in balance with current needs, but a few sellers are starting to feel the impact of the new tariff regulation on sales. Others say that most Mexican buyers have

already purchased or contracted the amount of cheese they need for the remainder of this year. Therefore, exports to Mexico are unlikely to change much in the short term.

“Nevertheless, uncertainty about other trade issues lingers,” says Dairy Market News, but “Cheddar inquiries from the Middle East are rising.”

Cash butter closed June 15 at $2.3525 per pound. This is down 3.75 cents, and 20.75 cents below a year ago, with 13 carloads finding new homes on the week.

Dairy Market News says some butter producers who recently relayed tightness in cream in their area are suggesting that supplies have loosened.

Butter demand is steady and sales of both salted and unsalted butter are “meeting or above expectations” but, “The market tone is a little cloudy.”

Western butter inventories are a little higher than typical for this time of year, according to some contacts.

Production has been driven by ample amounts of affordable cream, according to Dairy Market News, but a few would like to slow their butter output and begin to sell off some cream.

Processors report demand which had been strong throughout the spring is easing slightly. “Butter makers say that while production has been in generally good balance with sales, to churn at previous rates may likely overwhelm demand and cause stocks to balloon.” n Cash Grade A nonfat dry milk closed June 15 at 78.75 cents per pound, down 1.75 cents on the week and 12.25 cents below a year ago, on nine sales reported.

The spot dry whey hit a record high 41.75 cents per pound on June 11, but saw a June 15 close at 41 cents. This is a quarter-cent lower on the week and ended six consecutive weeks of gain. There were four cars sold on the week at the CME. California’s July Class I milk price was announced by the California Department of Food and Agriculture at $16.86 per cwt. for the north and $17.13 for the south. Both are down 33 cents from June, $1.59 below July 2017, and reverse three months of gain.

See MIELKE, pg. 19

THE LAND — JUNE 15/JUNE 22, 2018

MILKER’S MESSAGE www.thelandonline.com — “Where Farm and Family Meet”

PAGE 19

Farm bill legislation extends Dairy Forward Pricing program MIELKE, from pg. 18 The seven-month average stands at $16.12 for the north, down from $17.77 a year ago and compares to $15.37 in 2016. The southern average, at $16.39, is down from $18.04 a year ago and compares to $15.64 in 2016. Only three more Class I announcements will come under California’s long standing state order. Dairy producers there have voted to join the Federal Milk Market Order system. n Farm milk production varies throughout the nation, according to the USDA’s weekly update. Mountain states are at the top of the spring flush which is typical for this time of

the year in that region. Northeast milk output is also trending higher.

Milk intakes are steady or decreasing in the Southeast, Midwest, and Southwest — mainly due to higher temperatures.

Milk components (butterfat/protein) continue decreasing nationwide.

Meanwhile, bottled (fluid) milk sales are down as many educational institutions are closed. Cream volumes are mixed throughout the country, but are expected to decrease in the next few weeks. Cream demands from ice cream and frozen desserts are ramping up ahead of the summer season needs. n In politics, the Senate Agriculture

Committee approved its version of the farm bill with a 20-to-1 vote. The International Dairy Foods Association praised the measure, stating that it “allows for greater access to risk management tools for dairy processors and producers to address price fluctuations.”

The legislation extends the Dairy Forward Pricing program to 2023, improves the safety net for dairy farmers and creates a new milk incentive program within the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program to improve participants’ diets by increasing fluid milk consumption.

“Managing price risk and increasing consumption are the dairy industry’s key priorities, and we commend Chairman Pat Roberts, R-Kan., and Ranking Member Debbie Stabenow, D-Mich., for drafting a farm bill that will provide increased health benefits to consumers while empowering dairy processors and producers to help fuel the American economy,” said IDFA 60 degrees within 30 minutes of collec- President and CEO Michael Dykes. tion from the cow. Putting buckets or The committee included an IDFAbottles of warm colostrum in the refrig- endorsed proposal from Senator Joni erator 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. Prechilling 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

Take steps for healthy calves this summer 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 wellcleaned, 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 tip-top 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

Ernst, R-Iowa, that would encourage SNAP participants to buy more milk and gain nutrients essential to good health that many Americans are missing in their diets.

The bill is expected to come to the Senate Floor after the 4th of July recess while the House version is being held hostage to negotiation over immigration legislation, which may come up for a vote the week of June 18.

Lastly, U.S. Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue announced yet another extension of the deadline for signup in the Margin Protection Program — now set for June 22. He stated, “Last week we re-opened enrollment to offer producers preoccupied with field work an additional opportunity to come into their local office to sign-up. We did get more than 500 new operations enrolled but want to continue to provide an opportunity for folks to participate.”

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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PAGE 20

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

THE LAND — JUNE 15/JUNE 22, 2018

Compromise needed for farm bill proposal success The United States Senate released the initial version of a new farm bill on June 8, which will now be considered by the U.S. Senate Agriculture Committee, and ultimately by the entire U.S. Senate. The U.S. House FARM PROGRAMS version of the farm bill that was released in April

By Kent Thiesse was approved by the House Ag Committee on a partisan vote along party lines, but was later rejected by a floor vote in the U.S. House. Leaders in the U.S. House hope to bring the new farm bill proposal back for another vote later in June.

The U.S. Senate version of a new farm bill is very similar to the current farm bill in most instances, which is by design, according to U.S. Senate farm bill leaders. The Senate farm bill is also very similar to the House farm bill for many of the programs (see table). However, there is a large difference in the nutrition title of the farm bill between the two proposals. There are also some differences in maximum acreage for the Conservation Reserve Program and other programs in the conservation title.

The U.S. Senate version of the new farm bill proposes very few changes to current food and nutrition programs (Title IV) that exist in the current farm bill. The U.S. House farm bill proposed some fairly major changes to Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) requirements. Under the House proposal, in order to receive SNAP benefits, there would be a 20-hour per week work/training requirement for all work-capable adults (ages 18-59). This proposal would eliminate both the general work requirement and the “able-bodied adults without dependents” time limit that exists in current legislation. There would be exemptions to the proposed requirements for specific populations which are receiving SNAP benefits, including the elderly, disabled persons and women who are pregnant. States would be allowed a two-year transition period to implement the revised SNAP requirements.

The proposed revisions to the SNAP program in the U.S. House farm bill were very unpopular with many members of Congress. This challenged the usual bi-partisan nature of passing a farm bill, and ultimately was one of the main reasons that the new farm bill was defeated on the U.S. House floor.

If the U.S. House keeps the new SNAP requirements in the farm bill, this will likely be a major sticking point if the U.S. Senate and House versions of a new farm bill go to a conference committee, and could make it difficult to get adequate votes to ultimately pass a new farm bill in 2018.

The U.S. Senate and House versions of a new farm bill also had some differences in proposals for

MARKETING

New Farm Bill Comparison Table Title I — Commodity Programs

U.S. House Farm Bill • 5-year choice between PLC and ARC-CO • Eliminates ARC-IC • Same as current benchmark and payment calculations • Use RMA as primary yield data rather than NASS • ARC-CO payments based on the physical location of the farm (not FSA office) • No changes in crop base acres or PLC yields • Current PLC prices are the minimum, could increase • CCC Loan program would be same as current • Cotton program will be in Title I (already approved) • Enhancements to the Dairy program • Keeps maximum payment at $125,000 per operator • Keeps AGI limit at $900,000

U.S. Senate Farm Bill • 5-year choice between PLC and ARC-CO • Keeps ARC-IC program • Same as current benchmark and payment calculations • Use RMA as primary yield data rather than NASS • ARC-CO payments based on the physical location of the farm (not FSA office) • No changes in crop base acres or PLC yields • Current PLC prices would be set for 5 years • CCC Loan program would be same as current • Cotton program will be in Title I (already approved) • Enhancements to the Dairy program • Keeps maximum payment at $125,000 per operator • Changes AGI limit to $700,000

U.S. House Farm Bill • Increases CRP max. from 24 to 29 million acres • 3 million CRP acres for Grassland • Max. CRP rental rate at 80% of NASS County ave.

• Phase-out the CSP program and combine with EQIP

U.S. House Farm Bill U.S. Senate Farm Bill • Would add a 2-hour per week work/training • No major changes to SNAP or other programs. requirement to receive SNAP benefits for work-capable adults, as well as other requirements

Title II — Conservation

U.S. House Farm Bill • Eliminate the Energy Title U.S. House Farm Bill • Same as current program

U.S. Senate Farm Bill • Increases CRP max. from 24 to 25 million acres • 40% of CRP acres targeting water quality • Max. CRP rental rate at 88.5% of NASS Co. ave.

• Keep the Conservation Security Program (CSP).

Title IV — Nutrition

Title IX — Energy

U.S. Senate Farm Bill • Keeps the Energy Title.

Title XI — Crop Insurance

U.S. Senate Farm Bill • Same as current program.

Other Programs

U.S. House Farm Bill • Establish Livestock Disease Program to fight pandemic diseases with $450 million in funding

conservation programs (Title II). The U.S. Senate proposes to increase the maximum allowable CRP acres by one million acres per year to 25 million acres, compared to the current maximum level of 24 million acres. The U.S. House farm bill proposes to increase the maximum CRP acres by one million acres per year, beginning in 2019, up to a cap of 29 million acres in 2023. Proposals to increase CRP acres are highly popular with wildlife and environmental groups, some ag organizations and many members of Congress, as well as the general public.

To help generate more federal budget capacity for the added CRP acreage, the maximum CRP rental rate in a given county would be reduced to 80 per-

U.S. Senate Farm Bill • Establish Livestock Disease Program to fight pandemic diseases with no authorized funding. cent of National Agricultural Statistics Service average cash rental rate in a county for a given year in the U.S. House bill, and 88.5 percent in the U.S. Senate bill. NASS would be required to re-calculate the county-average rental rates on an annual basis.

Currently the maximum CRP rental rate is equal to the NASS average rental rate in a county, which some farm organizations feel is keeping cash rental rates in some areas artificially higher than they should be, given the current farm economy.

The U.S. House farm bill proposal would merge the Conservation Stewardship Program with the Environmental Quality Incentives Program, with See THIESSE, pg. 21

THE LAND — JUNE 15/JUNE 22, 2018

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

PAGE 21

Proposed bills feature changes in conservation programs THIESSE, from pg. 20

could have all farm units counted for ARC-CO payments in the county that handled the FSA administhe goal of having more efficiency in implementing trative work for the producer. This has created ineqthe programs, since both programs target practices uities where a few producers with farm units in a on working farms. Existing CSP contracts would county that was not eligible for ARC-CO payments still be honored under the new farm bill, but no new for a given crop could still receive ARC-CO payCSP contracts would written. The U.S. Senate farm ments for that crop — due to having a different FSA bill would keep the CSP program intact, and would administrative county, when other producers could keep it separate from the EQIP program. not receive a payment.

Both the Senate and House versions of the new Neither farm bill proposal offers an across-thefarm bill would give eligible farm operators another board opportunity for producers to upgrade crop one-time, five-year choice between the Agriculture base acres or FSA program yields in the next farm Loss Coverage-County (ARC-CO) and Price Loss bill, such as existed during sign-up for current farm Coverage (PLC) program for the crop years 2019bill. The Senate farm bill PLC reference prices will 2023, on a commodity-by-commodity basis. The price remain the same as the current PLC reference pricand yield formulas used to calculate benchmark reves, which are $3.70 per bushel for corn, $8.40 per enues and payments for the ARC-CO program would bushel for soybeans, and $5.50 per bushel for wheat. remain the same as the current farm bill. Under The House farm bill proposal would set these prices both farm bill versions, the county yields used for as a minimum for the PLC program, but would allow the ARC-CO program would be based on Risk the PLC reference price for a given crop to increase Management Agency (RMA) average yields, which above the minimum reference price, if the five-year are used for crop insurance calculations, rather than “Olympic-average” market year average price for the NASS average yields that are currently used. that crop, times 85 percent, exceeds the minimum Both versions of the new farm bill would base reference price — up to a maximum of 115 percent future ARC-CO payments on the physical location of of the minimum reference price for a that crop. the Farm Service Agency farm unit. In the current Both versions of the new farm bill continue the farm bill, producers with farms in multiple counties Commodity Credit Corporation marketing loan pro-

Early weaning can benifit cow herd ST. CLOUD, Minn. — For some cow/calf producers, early weaning has become a more common management practice in recent years due to drought conditions. It has proven to be a successful management tool in other situations as well. “Early weaning” is generally defined as weaning calves when they are 3 to 5 months of age as compared to the more common 6 to 8 months.

Indirectly, early weaning can improve pasture management. When cows cease milk production, their consumption decreases — providing less stress on pastures. Weaning calves can cut forage consumption by as much as 50 percent. However, if calves are not sold directly after weaning, there is a need for facilities where calves can be fed a concentrate.

There are also advantages involving cow reproduction. Studies have indicated cows not being suckled will have increased fertility. Studies have also shown that cows in good body condition will rebreed sooner.

If calves are weaned before the breeding season begins, cows will have a chance to gain some condition and potentially increase fertility.

There are some concerns with early weaning related to calf health. Calves weaned early will still have passive immunity from their dams. If early weaned calves are vaccinated one month prior to weaning and again at 6 months of age, they are healthier throughout the feeding period than conventionally weaned calves. There are theories that fence line weaning decreases stress in young calves, which will help their immunity.

Creep feeding calves before they are weaned will assist in the transition and will also contribute to fewer health problems. Calves should be fed a highgrain, high-protein diet that includes an ionophore.

This will increase input costs, so the economics need to be evaluated.

There is also potential for an advantage at the feedlot with early-weaned calves. Calves weaned early have an improved feed efficiency and similar yield grades as conventionally-weaned calves. Earlyweaned calves can also have improved meat quality, with a greater percentage grading low choice or better. These economic benefits can best be captured if ownership is retained through the finishing phase or if calves are sold at a premium.

There are also other considerations when thinking about early weaning. There is the option to early wean only part of the cow herd. Cows which make good candidates, such as thin cows, two and threeyear-old cows, late calvers, and cows which will be culled in the fall, could be weaned while other calves remain on cows.

Measuring characteristics of early-weaned calves at the time the conventionally-weaned calves were weaned, early-weaned calves had a similar or greater body weight and similar or higher ADG than conventionally-weaned calves.

This article was submitted by University of Minnesota Extension. v

gram in a similar manner to the current program, with national marketing loan rates unchanged from the current levels. These levels are $1.95 per bushel for corn, $5.00 per bushel for soybeans, and $2.94 per bushel for wheat. The farm program payment limit would remain at $125,000 per eligible farm operator for commodity and conservation programs, with very few changes proposed to “activelyengaged” rules for farm program payment eligibility.

The U.S. Senate farm bill would reduce the maximum allowable adjusted gross income to $700,000 per year to be eligible for farm program payments, while the House bill maintains the current $900,000 maximum adjusted gross income.

There are still a lot of hurdles to clear before a new farm bill is finalized. Once a new farm bill passes both houses of Congress, there will need to be a conference committee to work out the differences in the House and Senate versions of the bill. The compromise farm bill would need to again be approved by both houses of Congress, before being sent to President Trump for final approval, in order for the new legislation could be implemented for the 2019 crop year. Given the political discord which currently exists in Congress, together with the midterm elections this year, completing a new farm bill in 2018 could be challenging. If no new farm bill is completed in 2018, there is a possibility that the current farm bill could be extended for the 2019 crop year, which could end up being quite costly to many Midwest farm operators.

Kent Thiesse is a government farm programs analyst and a vice president at MinnStar Bank in Lake Crystal, Minn. He may be reached at (507) 726-2137 or kent.thiesse@minnstarbank.com. v

PAGE 22

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

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

THE LAND — JUNE 15/JUNE 22, 2018 TH

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Upcoming Issues of THE LAND Southern MNNorthern MN  July 6, 2018 Northern IA June 29, 2018 July 20, 2018 July 13, 2018 Aug. 3, 2018 July 27, 2018 Aug. 17, 2018 Aug. 10, 2018 Aug. 31, 2018 Deadlines are 8 days prior to publication with Holiday deadlines 1 day earlier.  Indicates early deadline.

PO Box 3169 • Mankato, MN 56002 Phone: 507-345-4523 or 800-657-4665 Fax: 507-345-1027 Website: www.TheLandOnline.com e-mail: theland@TheLandOnline.com Ask Your Auctioneer to Place Your Auction in The Land!

THE LAND — JUNE 15 /JUNE 22, 2018 Bins & Buildings SILO DOORS Wood or steel doors shipped promptly to your farm stainless fasteners hardware available.

(800)222-5726 Landwood Sales LLC

Farm Equipment

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

Tractors

JD 4630 150HP, duals, field FOR SALE: 1964 IH 706, narready, $11,900 OBO. 612-400- row front end, dual PTO, runs good, new paint, new 5285 torque & clutch, $7,000 O/BO. Retired farmer w/mostly JD (507)642-8391 equip for sale. Call & see if we have what you need. Check out THE LAND online www.thelandonline.com (507)744-2472 FOR SALE: 1953 Super C over-

WANTED TO BUY: JD 620F hauled Woods Bros. 72” mower or 625F bean platform w/ deck. air rail. FOR SALE: JD 4420 Case 1470TK 5725 hrs, very combine, rice tires, 3500 hrs, Mpls. Moline UTS-LP tractor, good cond, $14,500; 2-2600 runs good, $2,500. (507)720- compl., good rubber, $1,250.

Also, IH 460, NF, Good Tires Parker gravity boxes, 350 1186 & Tin, $2,850. 712-288-6442 bu, flotation tires, $2,800/pr; 2-Dakon 350 bu gravity boxWe buy NEW AND USED TRACTOR hay, es, 12T running gear w/exts, Salvage Equipment PARTS JD 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, aw. $2,200; C-60 -’63, 16’ box Parts Available 55, 50 Series & newer tracund & hoist, runs good, $1,650; Hammell Equip., Inc. tors, AC-all models, Large ble. 61’x8” Hutchinson elec dry (507)867-4910 Inventory, We ship! Mark 218- corn auger, very little use, Heitman Tractor Salvage $4,000; Kewanee 21’ tandem 715-673-4829 Tractors 6% disk, $600; ‘98 Chevy 1/2 4x4 nd. 180, 700mi, runs good, $1,650.

All equipment always shed- FOR SALE: Used Oliver & Tillage Equip ded, except auger. 507-317- White tractor parts, includam- 1482 ing wide front for 77-880, FOR SALE: Case IH 4800 field her Cat-FOR SALE: Fantini chopping $375; engine block for 1955D, cultivator, 26’, adjustable 8R & 12R CH; 70’ Elmer $500; 3spd over & under for 3-bar harrow, low acres, drag, Merritt alum hopper 105 White, $700. Also lots of paint above average, excelgrain trailers; 24R30” JD pl other parts for Olivers & lent cond, $6950. (507)8472710 on Kinze bar; Big A floater; Whites. (218)564-4273 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

Farm Equipment

Steffes Auction Calendar 2018

FOR SALE: 310 Bobcat skid loader, 16HP Kohler engine, 36” quick attach bucket that has been rebuilt, $2,500/ OBO. 507-822-0234 FOR SALE: Case IH 1830, 12RN cultivator, Vibra shank, late model, rolling shields, very nice, always shedded. 507-236-3138 FOR SALE: IH 183 12R narrow cultivator, very good shape; Hiniker 12R narrow cultivator, w/lift assist wheel.

(507)427-3561 FOR SALE: JD 709 Gyro mower, 7’ wide, heavy duty, always shedded, exc shape, $2,600 O/BO. (507)317-5828 FOR SALE: JD 510 round baler, good cond., $1,850 O/BO (952)873-6483

For more info call 1-800-726-8609 or visit our website: SteffesGroup.com

Friday, June 22 at 10AM Wolfer Farms, Farm Equipment Auction, Argusville, ND Friday, June 22 at 10AM Rye’s Nursery & Tree Service Retirement, Portor, MN Opens June 26 & Closes July 10 Lake Willie RE Auction, Litchfield, MN 57+/- Acres, Timed Online Auction Opens July 4 & Closes July 11 July Online Auction, Upper Midwest Locations Opens July 9 & Closes July 19 Anderson Family Antique Tractor Auction, Bertha, MN, Timed Online Auction Wednesday, July 11 at 5PM Curtis Jahnke Moving Auction, Durbin, ND Friday, July 13 at 1PM George Besser Estate Auction, St. Cloud, MN

Harms Mfg. Land Rollers, Brand New, 12’-$6,800; 14’-$7,000; 16’-$7,800; 24’-$14,800; 32’-$17,500; 42’-$20,500.

Others from 8’-62’.

715-234-1993

Tuesday, July 17 at 10AM Robert “Bob” & Virginia “Ginny” Buck Farm Retirement Auction, Wahpeton, ND

JD 7000 Corn Planter 2 Row 3PT $1,800 Fert Avail. $300/Row 715-234-1993

Wednesday, August 1 at 9AM Aglron West Fargo Event, Red River Valley Fairgrounds, Deadline to Consign is June 29th!

Wednesday, July 18 at 10AM Steve Breuer Farm Retirement, Mooreton, ND

PAGE 23

If you’re going to have an auction be sure to advertise it in The Land for the best results! Call us at 507-345-4523.

AHRENS BIN SALES

70010 320TH ST • MORTON MN 56270 • 507 697 6133 (WEBSITE) WWW.USEDBINSALES.COM

GARY IS RETIRING!

Auction will be held Friday, August 3, 2018 at 10am at above address Auction held by Henslin Auctions, Bird Island, MN www.henslinauctions.com Lots of inventory discounted if bought before auction Bins still available 4000 bu – 33,000 bu.

Bins purchased by 7-10-18 have guaranteed completion date Sept. 15, 2018 if labor up is needed

PAGE 24

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

THE LAND — JUNE 15/JUNE 22, 2018 TH

irst Your F or f Choice ds! ie Classif

Place d Your A Today!

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

To submit your classified ad use one of the following options: Phone: 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 DEADLINE: Friday at 5:00 p.m. for the following Friday edition.

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

South Central Minnesota’s Daily News Source

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THE FREE PRESS

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• Reach over 150,000 readers • Start your ad in The Land • Add more insertions • Get more coverage

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 Equipment  Livestock Equipment  Wanted  Free & Give Away  Livestock  Poultry  Dairy  Cattle  Swine  Sheep  Goats  Horses & Tack  Exotic Animals  Pets & Supplies  Cars & Pickups  Industrial & Construction  Trucks & Trailers  Recreational Vehicles  Miscellaneous

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

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

THE LAND (Includes 1 Southern & 1 Northern issue)

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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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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.

A m ar fin co in am o T

THE LAND — JUNE 15 /JUNE 22, 2018 Hay & Forage Equipment

Harvesting Equip

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

The Land will be closed on Wednesday, July 4th.

Please note that the early deadline for classifed line ads for the July 6th issue is noon on Thursday, June 28th.

Grain Handling Equipment

FOR SALE: ‘05 NH small square hay baler, w/ bale thrower, very little use, always shedded, wide pickup, exc condition, looks like new, SE MN $14,500. 507-259-7687

One Call Does It All! With one phone call, you can place your classified line ad in The Land, Farm News and Country Today.

Call The Land for more information 507-345-4523 • 800-657-4665 FOR SALE: Hesston 4590 small square baler, very good, always shedded.

(320)288-8028 FOR SALE: NH 268 small square baler, works good, always shedded, Madison, MN area, $800. (605)272-7444

FOR SALE: Two 1999 Demco ‘04 Pickett One-step 6-30, 650 gravity wagons $5,750/ 6R w/ tractor dividers, semi- ea. Please call (507) 274-5210 end delivery, 8-bar pickup, cushion shank, shedded, Thank you for reading The Land! nice condition, $12,500. JD pick-up head w/ Westwood FOR SALE:Used grain bins, 388 pickup, $3,500. ‘79 JD floors unload systems, sti6620 combine, 5000 hrs, new rators, fans & heaters, aerengine, concave & raspbars, ation fans, buying or selling, good belts, shedded & nice try me first and also call for very competitive contract shape, $6,500. 763-218-2797 rates! Office hours 8am-5pm MF 860 combine, 20’ bean- Monday - Friday Saturday head, 8 row cornhead, $4,500 9am - 12 noon or call 507-6976133 Ask for Gary O/BO. (507)472-8436

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.

23451 County Road 26, Badger, MN

TIMED ONLINE

OPENS: Thu. June 28 / CLOSES: Fri. July 6

2018

Farm

PREVIEW: Monday, June 18 – Friday, July 6, 8 AM – 5 PM. LOADOUT: Friday, July 6 – Friday, July 13th, 8 AM – 5 PM.

TO INCLUDE: Track, 4WD, MFWD Tractors, GPS Equipment, Combines, Flex Draper & Flex Heads, Pickup & Other Heads, Swathers, Grain Cart & Gravity Boxes, Air Drills, Planter, Vertical Tillage & Land Roller, Field Cultivators, Tillage Equipment, Semi Tractors, Pickups, Trailers, Self-Propelled Sprayer & Fertilizer Applicator, Grain Handling Equipment, Excavator & Tiling Equipment, Scraper & Ditcher, Row Crop Equipment, Other Equipment, ATVs, Farm Support Items

SteffesGroup.com 2000 Main Avenue East, West Fargo, ND Steffes Group, Inc.

PAGE 25

Scott Steffes MN14-51

KASEY SOLBERG, 701.741.0417 / RICHARD SOLBERG, 218.686.7715

or Dave Krostue at Steffes Group, 218.779.6865 Complete terms, lot listings & photos at SteffesGroup.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.

6 miles East of

CAMBRIDGE, MN 763-689-1179

We Ship Daily Visa and MasterCard Accepted

PAGE 26

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

WANTED

Wanted

DAMAGED GRAIN

Cattle

Cattle

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.

Thank you for reading The Land.

We appreciate it!

CALL FOR A QUOTE TODAY

PRUESS ELEV., INC. 1-800-828-6642

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

ROW CROP TRACTORS CONT.

‘14 JD 9560R, 1045 hrs, 800x38 duals, 5 hyd valves, wheel ‘13 NH T8360, 1150 hrs, luxury cab, 4 hyd, 1000 PTO, 3pt, wgts .......................................................................... $212,000 480x50 duals, auto steer complete ......................... $110,000 ‘13 C-IH 290, 1250 hrs, 1000 PTO, 3pt, 4 hyd valves, big ‘14 JD 9360R, 2550 hrs, 5 hyd valves, 480x50 tires & duals, ext warranty to 3/27/2020 or 4,000 hrs ................... $140,000 pump, front duals, rear 480x50 tires & duals .......... $113,000 ‘13 C-IH 260, 577 hrs , 540/1000 PTO, 3pt, 4 hyd hi -flow, ‘13 JD 9360R, 1799 hrs, 1000 PTO, 4 hyd valves, 620x42” tires & duals ............................................................. $159,000 front wgts, 420x46” tires & duals............................. $110,000 ‘02 JD 9320, 5341 hrs, power shift, 1000 PTO, 4 hyd valves, 8 ‘12 C-IH 260, 1784 hrs, 1000 PTO, 3pt hitch, suspended front new 18.4x46” tires, auto steer ................................... $89,000 axle, 4 hyd valves, hi-flow, front duals, front wgts, 480x50” rear tires & duals ...................................................... $105,000 ‘13 NH T9.390, 2557 hrs, 1000 PTO, power shift, diff lock, 480x50 duals ............................................................ $120,000 ‘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, PTO, 4 hyd valves, front wts, eng overhauled-0 hrs . $59,000 480x50 tires & duals ................................................ $123,000 ‘94 C-IH 9270, 8533 hrs, power shift, 4 hyd valves, 650x42” tires & duals ............................................................... $34,000

COMBINES

MANDAKO 12’-60’ LONG ROLLERS

Greenwald, MN • 320-987-3177 14 miles So. of Sauk Centre

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

‘14 C-IH 340 Mag Row trac, 287 hrs, luxury cab, suspended ‘97 JD 9760 4x4, sep hrs, ContourMaster, chopper, bullet front, 18” tracks, 6 hyds, 1000 PTO, 76” track rotor, 3901 eng hrs/2618 sep hrs, 520x42” tires & spacing ..................................................................... $185,000 duals .......................................................................... $65,000 ‘15 C-IH 340 Mag Row trac, CV tranny, 1108 hrs , 30” tracks ‘94 HD 9760, 2WD, 3460/2268 sep hrs, ContourMaster, w/ 200 hrs , 4 hyd valves, hi-flow, 120” track chopper, bin ext, 480x42” tires & duals ................... $58,000 spacing ..................................................................... $179,000 ‘01 JD 9650STS, 4325/3014 sep hrs, ContourMaster, chopper, ‘04 Cat Challenger MT 755, 4844 hrs, 16” tracks, 4 hyd, 3 pt, 1000 PTO, JD ATU steering wheel ............................ $65,000 520x38” tires & duals ................................................ $44,000

ROW CROP TRACTORS

FOR THE BEST DEAL ORDER NOW!

GREENWALD FARM CENTER

‘14 JD 680, 2WD, 1169 eng/821 sep hrs, contur master, ‘92 C-IH 9270, 9969 hrs, 12spd gear drive, 4 hyd valves, 520x42” tires & duals ................................................. $25,000 chopper, power bin ext, 520x42” duals ................... $169,000

TRACK TRACTORS

Swine

All kinds of New & Used farm Big, thick, Polled Hereford Limousin bulls, 2 yr olds Compart’s total program feaequipment - disc chisels, field bulls. Semen tested. AI & yearlings. John Goelz, tures superior boars & open Delivery available. Franklin, MN (507)557-8394 gilts documented by BLUP cults, planters, soil finishers, sired. technology. Duroc, York, cornheads, feed mills, discs, Also, Hereford & Shorthorn Landrace & F1 lines. Terbalers, haybines, etc. 507- cow/calf pairs. 715-597-2036 Read The Land’s e-edition minal boars offer leanness, 438-9782 online at Please recycle this magazine. muscle, growth. Maternal www.thelandonline.com gilts & boars are productive, FOR SALE: Registered Angus bulls, 2-yr olds & yearlings, Shorthorn yearling bulls. Reg- lean, durable. All are stress fertility tested, guaranteed. istered, quality A-I sired, free & PRRS free. Semen Miller Angus, Kasson, MN polled. Call Keystone Short- also available through Elite Genes A.I. Make ‘em Grow!

(507)634-4535 horns. 715-202-0594 Comparts Boar Store, INC. FOR SALE: 2 Highlander Sim-Angus bulls, black polled, Toll Free: 877-441-2627 yearling heifers, 1 black, 1 good disposition, exc qualLivestock brown, gentle, nice, $660/ea, ity, easy calving, Sires are Check out THE LAND online Ellsworth, WI 715-220-8732 www.thelandonline.com Final Answer, Upgrade, and FOR SALE: Black Angus FOR SALE: Red Angus year- Dream On. 5 long yearlings, FOR SALE: Berkshire boars bulls also Hamp, York, & ling bulls, $1,400. Oehler Red choice for $1,995. Gerald & Berkshire cross boars.

Hamp/Duroc boars & gilts. Angus (507)931-5758 Polzin Cokato 320-286-5805 (320)583-3490 320-598-3790

STATEWIDE

4WD TRACTORS

THE LAND — JUNE 15/JUNE 22, 2018 TH

MS

DIVERSIFIED

Fairfax, MN 320-848-2496 or 320-894-6560

www.ms-diversified.com | monte@ms-diversified.com

‘14 5130, 928/660 sep hrs, rock track, Tracker, chopper, 900, 5x32 single tires ...................................................... $142,000

‘11 C-IH 5088, 1743/1541 sep hrs, rock trap, chopper, ‘12 JD 8235, 2WD, 1235 hrs, cab, air, power shift, 3pt, 1000 PTO, 4 hyd valves, 18.4x46 duals .......................... $110,000 30.5x32 tires ............................................................... $93,000 ‘03 JD 8120, cab, air, 3832 hrs, 3 hyd valves, 540/1000 PTO, ‘15 Claas Lexion 750TT, 853 eng/492 sep hrs, 4x4, 35” tracks new front tires, 18.4x46 rear tires & duals................. $78,000 auto pilot, chopper, chaff spreader ......................... $225,000

‘16 JD S670 2-WD, 290 Hrs, 520/85R42’s, Std Bin Ext., Chopper, Serviced ..................... $244,500

‘12 JD 9360R 4-WD, 1168 Hrs, 480/80R50’s, PTO, Hi-Flow-78 Gal Pump, Serviced......... $179,500

‘13 JD 9410R 4-WD, 1480 Hrs, 620/70R42’s, PTO, Hi-Flow-78 Gal Pump, Serviced......... $199,500

‘10 JD 9770 STS 2-WD, 1650 Hrs., 520/85R42’s, Maurer Ext, Thru Combine Progam ... $115,000

‘11 Versatile 305, MFWD, 690 hrs, 4 hyds, 3pt, 1000 PTO, ‘11 Claas Lexion 740, 1466 eng/1899 sep hrs, 4x4, chopper, HID lights, front wgts, 480x46 tires & duals .............. $98,000 520x42” duals ......................................................... $105,000

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 15 /JUNE 22, 2018 Industrial & Construction

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

Miscellaneous

PARMA DRAINAGE PUMPS eaNew pumps & parts on hand. pen Call Minnesota’s largest disUP tributor ork, HJ Olson & Company Ter320-974-8990 Cell - 320-212-5336 ess, nal Thank you for reading The Land! ive, essGENERATORS Used, low men hour take-outs. 20 kW - 2000 lite kW. Diesel, propane, & natow! ural gas. CAT, Cummins/ NC. Onan, Kohler, Detroit Diesel, & more. www.abrahamindustrial.com. (701) 371-9526

ars ars.

Miscellaneous

Miscellaneous

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

Winpower Sales & Service Reliable Power Solutions Since 1925 PTO & automatic Emergency Electric Generators. New & Used Rich Opsata-Distributor 800-343-9376

CAll todAy!

Find it in the Classifieds!

2011 Stoughton grain trailer, air ride, roller gates, farmer owned, used very little, always shedded, $22,000 O/BO. (651)463-4521 or (651)3872085

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 ................................................ $89,500 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 DMI/NH 48’ FC w/bskt .................................... $32,500 ‘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

Look for our annual FARMFEST section inserted in The Land on July 27 and August 3, 2018.

Call 507-345-4523 for advertising information.

ADVERTISER LISTING

Trucks & Trailers

USED TRACTORS

Please recycle this magazine.

PAGE 27

Ahrens Bin Sales ........................................................23 Dahl Farm Supply ....................................................... 7 Diers Ag & Trailer Sales ............................................21

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 Gleaner R65 ................................................... $105,000 ‘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 ‘98 Gleaner R62 .............................................. $79,500

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

Doda USA .................................................................. 4 Freudenthal Dairy & Mfg ...........................................17 Gehl Company ...........................................................18 Greenwald Farm Center ..............................................26 K-Bid Online Auctions ................................................ 3 Kannegiesser Truck Sales ...........................................11 Keith Bode .................................................................22 Kerkhoff Auction ................................................. 23, 25 Larson Implement ................................................ 23, 26 MS Diversif ied ..........................................................26 Pride Solutions ..........................................................27 Pruess Elevator ..........................................................26 Schweiss Doors ..........................................................25 SI Feeder/Schoessow ..................................................16 Smiths Mill Implement ...............................................27 Steffes Group ....................................................... 23, 25 Triad Construction .....................................................19 Trocke Auctioneers ....................................................22

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

PAGE 28

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

THE LAND — JUNE 15/JUNE 22, 2018

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

The mystery of the Viking sword

W

hen Hans Hansen unearthed the sword. its tip was broken from the rusty blade. Hansen was a farmer near Ulen in the Red River valley. The year was 1911. When Hans pulled the sword from its dark resting place, he was trying an experiment. Years ago he’d broken the prairie sod on his farm using shallow plowing. Experts at that time said deep plowing would provide better yields. So Hans plowed deep and plowed up a 16-inch sword that has mystified scholars and Ulen area residents for more than a century.

The broken sword (a replica of which can be found at the Ulen Historical Society) was first thought to be a Viking sword. Professor H.R. Holand, of the University of Wisconsin, built a convincing case that the sword was connected with Norse activity near the town of Kensington dating to the year 1362. The Ulen sword was called “The Viking Sword” for decades. But, in the 1960s, Scandinavian researchers established that The Viking Sword wasn’t a Viking sword. More recently, research has dated the sword to the late 18th or early 19th centuries —possibly made by an American manufacturer.

But who brought it to the western prairie as early as 1810 or ’20 or possibly as late as 1870. Who broke the tip? Why? And how did it get buried under a foot of virgin prairie soil?

Dale Holman of the Ulen Historical Society has some interesting sword theories.

“They are just stories,” he admits. “We don’t really know.”

Dale knows a lot of stories about the other 2,000 artifacts in the bright Main Street museum.

“Now, you take this griddle here,” he said. “The person that gave it to us said a relative of his got a job working as a cook for James J. Hill. Hill was building the railroad through central Minnesota and she cooked for him. But he ran out of money

Ulen, Minn.

and couldn’t pay the workers.

She got the griddle for her pay.”

“Our barber invented this cash register,” Dale said. “If he gave a haircut for fifteen cents, he’d put a ticket in the top and the cash drawer would open. At the end of the day he’d balance his tickets against his cash.

There are stories about quilters, wood carvers, the town newspaper, violins, and so on.

You can come and see the sword and other artifacts and hear the stories from Dale or another volunteer any Friday through Sunday afternoon. Dale would really like it if you came up for the big Ulen turkey barbecue.

It’s the third Saturday in August. v

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