THE LAND ~ September 21, 2018 ~ Southern Edition by The Land

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September 21, 2018 September 28, 2018

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INSIDE THIS ISSUE:

The importance of manure management Dick Hagen and a touch of the grape Iowa’s oldest organic orchard Swine and safety PLUS: From The Fields, Table Talk, Back Roads and more!

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THE LAND — SEPTEMBER 21/SEPTEMBER 28, 2018

God made McNamara

P.O. Box 3169 418 South Second St. Mankato, MN 56002 (800) 657-4665 Vol. XLII ❖ No. 19 40 pages, 1 section plus supplements

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Cover photo by Paul Malchow

COLUMNS Opinion Farm and Food File Table Talk Calendar of Events The Bookworm Sez From The Fields Swine & U Marketing Mielke Market Weekly Auctions/Classifieds Advertiser Listing Back Roads

2-5 5 6 6 8 14 22 24-25 28 31-39 39 40

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: Danny Storlie: theland@TheLandOnline.com James McRae: jmcrea@TheLandOnline.com Office/Advertising Assistants: Joan Compart: theland@TheLandOnline.com Deb Lawrence: auctions@TheLandOnline.com For Customer Service Concerns: (507) 345-4523, (800) 657-4665, theland@TheLandOnline.com Fax: (507) 345-1027 For Editorial Concerns or Story Ideas: (507) 344-6342, (800) 657-4665, editor@TheLandOnline.com National Sales Representative: Bock & Associates Inc., 7650 Executive Drive, Minneapolis, MN 55344-3677. (952) 905-3251. 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: $19.79 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. Call (507) 345-4523 to subscribe. Periodicals postage paid at Mankato, MN. Postmaster and Change of Address: Send address changes to The Land, P.O. Box 3169, Mankato MN 56002-3169 or e-mail to theland@TheLandOnline.com.

Yes, abstaining from political commenHarvey’s famous radio commentary, “God tary is a challenge these days — even at made a farmer.” Harvey’s message printfriendly environments such as the Round ed on Larry’s funeral program reads: Table at the Chatter Box Café in Olivia, And on the 8th day, God looked down Minn. Sure, we wander into political chiton his planned paradise and said, “I need chat virtually every day it seems. But a caretaker.” just like the chattering from Washington, So God made a farmer. D.C., none of us really listen to each other at the Chatter Box. Even after the God said, “I need somebody willing to third cup of coffee, it’s obvious no one has get up before down, milk cows, work all LAND MINDS changed their mind. And if they did, they day in the fields, milk cows again, eat By Dick Hagen certainly aren’t going to let any of us supper, then go to town and stay past know of any conversion. It’s a big midnight at a meeting of the school table, and fortunately its round. So board.” usually, at least eight of us are solving So God made a farmer. world issues each day. “I need somebody with arms strong enough to rusBut The Land Managing Editor Paul Malchow tle a calf and yet gentle enough to deliver his own sort of opened the door with his Sept. 7 Land Minds grandchild; somebody to call hogs, tame cantankertitled “Political asylum.” Staying out of a political ous machinery, come home hungry, have to wait rut is indeed a challenge. Paul mentioned I spin lunch until his wife’s done feeding visiting ladies, Paul Harveyesque tales, or trips to Israel, or chatter then tell the ladies to be sure and come back real about Olivia Lions and Corn Capital days. But even soon — and mean it.” these wanderings have a short shelf span. So God made a farmer. Not so, however, the funeral service of a long-time God said, “I need somebody willing to sit up all Bird Island area farmer friend. Sept. 7 was the night with a newborn colt, and watch it die, then final farewell to Lawrence McNamara — Larry to dry his eyes and say, ‘Maybe next year.’ I need someall of his acquaintances. body who can shape an ax handle from a persimLarry punched out with 89 years of a life filled mon sprout, shoe a horse with a hunk of car tire, with treasures, family joy, community achievement, who can make harness out of haywire, feed sacks and a huge service and commitment to agriculture and shoe scraps; who, planting time and harvest —especially the sugar beet industry here in season, will finish his forty-hour week by Tuesday Renville County and across the entire sugar beet noon, and then pain’n from tractor back, put in belt. another seventy-two hours,” Larry was a founding member of the Southern So God made a farmer. Minnesota Beet Sugar Co-op — serving as director God had to have somebody willing to ride the ruts and later president. Today, this facility is the largest at double speed to get the hay in ahead of the rain sugar beet processing facility in America. He also clouds, and yet stop in mid-field and race to help was president of the American Sugar Growers when he sees the first smoke from a neighbor’s place Association. Needless to say, a chat with Larry about world trade and President Trump’s current So God made a farmer. tariff and embargo issues would have been most God said, “I need somebody strong enough to clear interesting. trees and heave bails, yet gentle enough to tame Larry enjoyed his ‘winter retreat’ in Florida with lambs and wean pigs and tend the pink-combed pulother members of the McNamara clan. Golf, travel, lets; who will stop his mower for an hour to splint winter cruises, playing cards and visiting with his the broken leg of a meadow lark.” It had to be many friends were priority items. He is survived by somebody who’d plow deep and straight and not cut his four children, eight grandchildren, a greatcorners; somebody to seed, weed, feed, breed and grandchild, his sister and two brothers. rake and disc and plow and plant and tie the fleece A fitting tribute to Larry McNamara was Paul See LAND MINDS, pg. 4

OPINION

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

17 — Wills organic orchard is much more than just apples 19 — Irrigation organization looks to change public’s perception

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 — SEPTEMBER 21/SEPTEMBER 28, 2018

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THE LAND — SEPTEMBER 21/SEPTEMBER 28, 2018

Paul Harvey’s message a fitting farewell

Wherever your path leads,

WE’RE WITH YOU.

LAND MINDS, from pg. 2 and strain the milk and replenish the self-feeder and finish a hard week’s work with a five-mile drive to church; somebody who would bale a family together with the soft strong bonds of sharing, who would laugh, and then sigh, and then reply, with smiling eyes, when his son says he wants to spend his life “doing what dad does.” So God made a farmer.

Agriculture isn’t just a market we serve. It’s what we’re founded on. It’s who we are. Our mission goes far beyond farm loans and insurance offerings. We are passionate about the hopes and dreams of rural America and are always evolving to meet the needs of the communities we serve to build for the future. Let’s get started today.

You younger folks don’t recall Paul Harvey, a Tulsa, Okla. native who first got into radio in 1933. Joining with ABC radio, his 10 p.m. news time in the 1950s became a ‘most listened’ radio show in America. His unique voice captured and held listeners. We seniors remember Paul Harvey well. His radio presentation of “So God made a Farmer” endeared him to all farmers and much of America. Check him out on the internet. “Paul Harvey God Made a Farmer” will get you there. And those of us attending Larry’s funeral agree: Paul Harvey’s message 30 years ago were most fitting for this final farewell to our dear friend! Dick Hagen is staff writer of The Land. He may be reached at rdhagen35@gmail.com. v

We wish you a safe and bountiful harvest.

Letter: Is federal debt forgotten? To the Editor, I am surprised the Republican candidates for Congress don’t mention anyting about the federal debt — which get larger every day. They were carping about it during the Obama presidency and now we hear nothing. Rodney Hermann Litchfield, Minn.

Letters to the editor are always welcome.

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

THE LAND — SEPTEMBER 21/SEPTEMBER 28, 2018

Solutions slipping away There are never enough Johnson … boosted spenddays in September for farming on the Vietnam War…” ers, ranchers and pennantThe easiest ways to avoid chasing baseball teams. such an inflationary — and, Every day, whether spent in later, choking interest rate a combine, pasture or bat— future is to either raise ter’s box, brings change to taxes (not happening) or what’s real today and reduce spending. what’s possible tomorrow. Congressional Republicans FARM & FOOD FILE claim to be focusing on the And it happens fast; September days don’t pass, latter. By Alan Guebert they evaporate. Enter the 2018 farm Congress, however, bill. seems not to notice days, Like the federal budmonths or even possibiliget, Congress must act by Oct. 1 to ties. It continues its slow, circular either pass the 2018 farm bill or march to some legislative nowhere. extend the 2014 farm bill. Current That’s worrisome for two reasons. negotiations on the new bill remain First, Congress needs to pass a fedstuck in conference over two major diferal budget by Oct. 1 to avoid a federal ferences: stiff, House-inspired work government shutdown. Republican requirements to receive federal food Congressional leaders believe a budget assistance and deep House cuts to condeal with Democrats is possible if servation programs that include elimiPresident Donald J. Trump allows nation of the popular, effective them negotiating leeway on his much- Conservation Stewardship Program. demanded U.S.-Mexico border wall. Farm bill negotiators have circled But that leeway was not forthcoming both issues and each other for more by mid-month and only seven legislathan six weeks with no discernible tive working days remain until the movement toward compromise. House Sept. 30 deadline. leaders continue to growl about growLeeway or not, the border wall is just ing federal deficits — that they helped fuel — as cause for ag spending cuts. one of the budget’s problems. Another enormous problem is its projected defi- Senate leaders, however, have no taste to cut either food assistance or consercit — a whopping $985 billion, or $90 vation. billion over the current budget’s red ink which itself is a staggering 32 perSo the standoff continues and cent over the 2017 budget deficit. September leaks away. How can Republican leaders who The delay has supplied oxygen to thunder on the need for fiscal conserrevive other ag-related issues. A big vatism continue this debt-laden binge one is the long-simmering need for spending? immigration reform to, hopefully, address U.S. agriculture’s pressing They simply believe you hate Democrats more than deficits. Do you? labor shortage. This fight, like the food assistance and conservation fights, is You better, because GOP leaders mostly between GOP factions who hope to push another costly tax cut can’t agree on how tough to make new through Congress before November’s rules on immigrant labor. mid-term election, or less than a year Tough is fine, but punishing leads to after approving their completely debtindignity, inequality, and (at least on financed, $1.5 trillion tax cut. the immigration issue on Capitol Hill) All this deficit spending, history inaction. shows, will end very badly. In June, But that’s where we are in Congress the International Monetary Fund and as a nation. We’re now more reminded us just how badly. focused on punishment rather than Last year’s tax cut, it reported, couparticipation, on tariffs not trade, and pled with our increased federal spendon more debt and delays instead of ing, will cause the U.S. deficit to balsimple fairness and straightforward loon to “4.5 percent of GDP [gross solutions. domestic product] by next year — nearThe problems aren’t going away; ly double what it was just three years September, however, is. v ago.” That’s the largest percentage, the IMF noted, “since President Lyndon

OPINION

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THE LAND — SEPTEMBER 21/SEPTEMBER 28, 2018

Farm wife wedding anniversaries Not long ago my husband and I celeman if he could recommend a good place brated our wedding anniversary — numto wine and dine a wife of 32 years on ber 32 on the way to a lifetime together. their anniversary, following a two-and-aquarter hour drive to buy stalk stompers That’s a long time to clean up after the for the corn head. farmer and all of his animals, a lot of seed corn caps to wedge into the closet, a lot of There we dined on cuisine that was betmending, and a whole lotta water under ter than the ham sandwiches and potato that bridge. salad we served our wedding guests all those years ago. We could afford a little As the sun rose, the day was ours to TABLE TALK better meal now than we could then. We plan. The farm wife knows that any plans also did the math and determined that in By Karen Schwaller to be made will be made at the last minanother 32 years, we’ll be in our 90s. It ute, since the “last minute” arm is the was a little creepy to think about, knowonly one that seems to work on the face of ing Medicare is just around the bend for us. her husband’s watch. We drove home in the dark and quiet, with our It reminds me of the singer Roger Miller’s quote newest treasure of corn head stalk stompers behind that he was always, “...15 minutes ahead of his us, and a tinge of heartburn working us over now. time.” Only a few years ago we drove home from everyAs we dined on grilled burgers and fresh home where with hearts full and children in the back. garden produce for lunch, my husband announced All that’s left of that time now are the memories. that he needed some new stalk stompers for the corn head he had just purchased. He had known of This past anniversary may not have gone down in some for sale that he could inspect after a couplethe halls of romance, but it was familiar and comhour drive, so he proposed that I come with him and fortable. And if there is anything a farmer likes, it’s then go out to eat for our anniversary. people and situations that are familiar and comfortSo when the time came, we emptied the truck bed able. of its contents. It’s amazing what you can find in the I’m just wondering what implement he will buy back of a farmer’s pickup. To date, we have not ever next year. found anything with less than four legs living back Karen Schwaller brings “Table Talk” to The Land there. Yeesh. from her home near Milford, Iowa. She can be Once we deemed it vacant enough to hold the reached at kschwaller@evertek.net. v stalk stompers (if we bought them), we dusted and deloused ourselves, climbed into the pickup and began our journey. It was going to be nice to have a couple of hours to talk about the things we had accomplished in 32 years. Visit www.TheLandOnline.com to view our complete With the crops being as they are this year, my calendar & enter your own events, or send an e-mail husband found it most interesting to observe how with your event’s details to editor@thelandonline.com. different they all looked as we drove. What started Sept. 25 — 40 Square Community Meeting — out to be a couple of hours to reminisce was turning Le Sueur, Minn. — 40 Square offers health plans to into 100 miles of commentary and analysis of agroMinnesota’s agricultural communities and their nomic conditions in a five-county area. employees. Open enrollment will take place NovemI began to think our anniversary trip was really a ber 1 - December 19, 2018 with coverage effective farm trip. I’m just sharp that way. January 1, 2019. The presentation will take approxiWe arrived at the farm to find the stalk stompers mately one hour. You do not need to be a member of in good shape and just what he was looking for. any cooperative to attend — Contact Kathy Watson They had a little rust on, but my husband said, “I’m at info@40square.coop or (844) 205-9579 not afraid of a little rust.” Sept. 28 — NREM Seminar — Ames, Iowa — That is how farmers who started out with nothing Contact Sally Carullo at scarullo@iastate.edu or sound as they continue to build their legacy for gen(515) 294-7991 erations down the line that he won’t even know. A Sept. 29 — Backyard Chicken Basics Class — little rust will help ensure that Schwallers for genSt. Paul, Minn. — This class will cover all aspects of erations will be associated with the vocation of backyard flock management in an urban setting: getfarming — just as generations before us had been ting permits, choosing suitable varieties, raising — and who had probably also known their share of chicks, coop and run requirements, feed and nutrirust. tion, common health issues, predators, cold-climate We exchanged conversation and a little cash, and care, chickens in the garden, composting chicken were ready to begin our trek back west. I got in the waste, etc. — Contact Egg|Plant Urban Farm Suppickup, but my husband stayed behind to ask the ply, 1771 Selby Ave., St. Paul, Minn.

Calendar of Events

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‘Desolation Mountain’ is thrilling

Thank You Buyers

39th Anniversary Purple Ribbon Auction Grand Champion Market Beef: $34,000 (*) Exhibitor: Maxwell Ehrich, Faribault County Buyer: Ames Construction Reserve Champion Market Beef: $15,600 (*) Exhibitor: Ben Freking, Jackson County Buyer: MN Farmers Union Industries and Minnesota State Fair Concessionaires Grand Champion Dairy Steer: $18,000 (*) Exhibitor: Makenna Jacobs, Freeborn County Buyer: American Foods Group, Central Livestock Assn., and O & S Cattle Co. Reserve Champion Dairy Steer: $11,000 (*) Exhibitor: Tyler Jax, Mower County Buyer: American Foods Group Grand Champion Market Barrow: $13,000 Exhibitor : Gretta Anderson, Goodhue County Buyer: Cargill Animal Nutrition Reserve Champion Market Barrow : $13,000 Exhibitor: Thomas Freking, Jackson County Buyer: Hormel Foods, Lockton Companies, EPS, Nutra-Blend, Wilson Trailer, Hog Slat, Triple V Concrete and Becks Hybrids Grand Champion Market Gilt: $13,000 Exhibitor: Payten Benda, Jackson County Buyer: Cemstone Reserve Champion Market Gilt: $12,500 Exhibitor: Addie Nielson, Freeborn County Buyer: MN Farmers Union Foundation, Farmers Union Agency, and Farmers Union Industries Grand Champion Market Lamb: $8,300 Exhibitor: Lauren Arthur, Steele County Buyer: MN Farmers Union Foundation, Farmers Union Agency, and Farmers Union Industries Reserve Champion Market Lamb: $6,550 (*) Exhibitor: Kelsey Hermanson, Houston County Buyer: Michael Wood Entertainment and Houston County Businesses Grand Champion Meat Goat: $5,250 Exhibitor: Elizabeth Krause, Olmsted County Buyer: Minnesota Farmers Union, Farmers Union Agency, and Farmers Union Industries Reserve Champion Meat Goat : $5,200 Exhibitor : Anna Ridenour, Dodge County Buyer: Dodge County 4-H Supporters Grand Champion Dairy Meat Goat: $6,250 (*) Exhibitor: Marshall Johnson, Fillmore County Buyer: LongCheng Hmong Meats, Fillmore County Market Auction, and Rushford Business Assn. Other “Champion Buyers’ Club” Donors ($5,000.00 or more in contributions): • • • • • • • • •

Compeer Financial MN Farm Bureau Boehringer Ingelheim Supreme International Old National Bank Featherlite Trailers Steele County Purple Ribbon Club Jackson County Purple Ribbon Club Mower County Purple Ribbon Club

(*) denotes a new record pice in 2018

Total 2018 Auction Premiums = $700,000 (*) 106 4-H Exhibitors – Over 1,250 Auction Buyers 80 percent of the proceeds from the Purple Ribbon Livestock Auction go to the 106 youth participants, with the balance of the funds used to fund special youth animal science projects and programs throughout the year, as well as to help fund the Auction scholarship program. In 2018, three outstanding 4-H junior leaders received $4,000 scholarships, thirteen received $2,000.00 scholarships, and twenty-four received $1,000 scholarships, for a total of 40 scholarships and $62,000 awarded through the Purple Ribbon Auction.

2018 4-H Auction Scholarship winners and Sponsors $4,000 Scholarship:

Name:

Kendrick Bickett, Nobles Co. Ryan Franz, Cottonwood Co. Brett Neel, Freeborn Co.

Name:

Sponsor:

Skyride DMC, Don McClure Cargill Animal Nutrition Cargill Animal Nutrition

$2,000 Scholarship:

John Altendorf, Goodhue Co. Hannah Berg, Pipestone Co. Lincoln Bryan, Goodhue Co. Michael Carroll, Mower Co. Sydney Chicos, Freeborn Co. Kyra Flom, Rice Co. Emelia Melson, Martin Co. Gabrielle Nemitz, Yellow Medicine Co. Madeline Patterson, Goodhue Co. Bailey Ruen, Fillmore Co. Carmen Saxton, Martin Co. Haley Schwecke, Sibley Co. Austin Weckwerth, Sibley Co.

Name:

THE LAND — SEPTEMBER 21/SEPTEMBER 28, 2018

Sponsor:

LA-CO Industries Pipestone Grain Midwest Machinery Albert Lea Seed House MN Pork Board Boehringer Ingelheim Cargill Animal Nutrition Riverview, LLP/ Wulf Cattle Boehringer Ingelheim MN Farmers Union Compeer Financial Independent Community Bankers of MN Michael Dove, Gislason Law Office & Gary Koch, Christensen Farms

$1,000 Scholarship:

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The dream is one you’ll never forget. It’s dark, and scary, and it wakes you with pounding heart and dry mouth, a scream on your lips as your eyes slam open. It makes you afraid to go back to sleep. Like most dreams, it doesn’t make THE BOOKWORM any sense. And, as in the new SEZ thriller “Desolation Mountain” By Terri Schlichenmeyer by William Kent Krueger, it keeps coming back. That’s how it happened with Stephen O’Connor. The dream came to him, sometimes many times in a week: a boy who was him-not-him shot an eagle from the sky before seeing something so malevolent, so terrifying, that it woke Stephen violently. He was certain it was a vision; but even his mide, Henry Meloux, couldn’t help him sort it out. Cork O’Connor knew that this vision was bothering his son. Stephen just wasn’t himself. But he was a man now. Stephen would ask for help when he needed it. So, for now, Cork turned his attention to other matters. A large corporation was trying to gain the rights to minerals and ores beneath “the rez,” and Tamarack County was split between the Ojibwe Indians who wanted the land left untouched, and local men who wanted better jobs. Tensions were high and Minnesota Senator Olivia McCarthy was on her way to speak to the people of Tamarack County about the issue and to gain some insight. But it never happened. Senator McCarthy’s plane went down in the pines near Desolation Mountain. There were no survivors. But nothing about this crash made any sense. Some claimed that there was no “black box,” but Cork knew better. Then people in the community started to disappear, pet dogs were found shot, a woman was killed, and roads were blocked off by officials who didn’t act very official. And when a face from Cork O’Connor’s past showed up in Tamarack County, Stephen O’Connor’s vision-dream intensified. “Desolation Mountain” is edgier than the other in this series. It’s dirtier, a little more current, and author William Kent Krueger delves much deeper into Native American spirituality than he ever has. Mixed with something that resembles today’s political atmosphere, that may seem odd — but it works. The Bookworm is Terri Schlichenmeyer. Terri has been reading since she was 3 years old and never goes anywhere without a book. She lives in Wisconsin with three dogs and 10,000 books. v

THE LAND — SEPTEMBER 21/SEPTEMBER 28, 2018

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

PAGE 9

Microbes are backbone to manure management By DICK HAGEN The Land Staff Writer MORGAN, Minn. — Clean up soybeans with manure? Sure, the idea sounds a bit preposterous. However, a Farmfest visit with Doug Rohlik of C & G Custom Services in Seaforth, Minn. suggested some big benefits when Doug Rohlik becoming a “Manure Master.” Rohlik is candid, but also cautious. “There’s a lot of manure treatment products out there I wouldn’t use if they gave them to me,” he said. Rohlik should know. He’s logged 21 years in custom manure applications and today operates one of the larger manure management businesses in Minnesota. C & G pumps, hauls and spreads manure for many livestock producers in west central Minnesota. And he is technically well-connected. Dr. Jim Ladlie, president of ProfitProAg in Albert Lea, Minn. is his mentor. Rohlik commented, “I handle about 40 million gallons of liquid manure a year and have about 60 clients. I started with two 6750s in 2004 and averaged 764,000 gallons every 24/7. Now I’m using two new tanks, each 8,700 gallons, and now am hauling right at a million gallons every 24/7.” “I started about 10 years ago because of the dangers of manure storage. Every year, manure is being subjected to more dangerous conditions. You almost have to treat if you are going to minimize dangers, or fires or worse yet, death. “Ten years ago when I was a 10 million gallon hauler I started treating half my clients. I don’t advertise. I don’t have a business card — not even a phone number in the phone book. But clients that I was treating were telling their neighbors. I soon went to a 20 million gallon business. “My wife said, ‘If it’s good for half our clients, why aren’t we treating all of them? Darn good logical question. So the next year I started treating all my clients and now we’re at 40 million gallons.” And there’s no debating the costs. “They don’t have a choice,” Rohlik explained. “If they want us to haul, their manure is going to be treated. There’s also an environmental bonus. It stabilizes nitrogen in the manure and considerably reduces the volatility of that manure into the atmosphere. Nature takes three to four months to break down manure in the soil; but these microbes do the same in the manure pit before we start hauling. The manure I’m applying is available to the crop on Day 1. An hour after we’ve applied manure you can put seed in the ground.” D & G Custom will surface apply or incorporate. “I automatically incorporate because I tell my neighbors, ‘If you don’t see me hauling, you will not have any smelling.’ It completely takes odor out of the picture. You don’t have any flies with this procedure either”. Rohlik incorporates 3 to 4 inches deep with a double disk unit — confirmed by Iowa research as the best

system. “The P and K isn’t going anyplace — regardless the injection; but your nitrogen is volatile.” Rohlic doesn’t agitate manure pits before pumping. “Nothing is taken out of suspension,” he said. “These microbes added into the manure pit create a liquid profile uniform from top to bottom. I used to test the top third, the middle third and the bottom third for nutrient measures. I don’t do that anymore. Because of the microbes, everything stays in suspension — even 20-year old hard rock phosphates. “It’s amazing what these microbes do. Instead of wasting time and fuel, these microbes do all the work for me. ProfitPro microbes even digest salt molecules. They will minimize ammonia down to one-third of its previous content. Salt is measured in EC units. Generally, raw manure in a finisher barn is around 30. With these microbes, I can take that all the way down to around 12. Net result is you also clean up alkali ground. “Where you had anemic yellow soybeans, that ground gets cleaned just from the microbes being applied in the manure!” So does Rohlik have a variety of microbe suppliers trying to get into his business stream? “I started out with ProfitPro products and that continues my primary source,” he replied. “But I do use a combination of different products to add extra strings of microbes. ProfitPro stays on the cutting edge, so I’m not shopping for others.” “They have about 100 microbes in their current manure management program. Each microbe does a different job. Some work on flies, some on odor, some on sludge, some for better sediment decomposition.” Perhaps not a surprise, Rohlik gets the most positive feedback from the wives. “They’re way more sensitive to smells and fly irritation,” he admitted. “When

More proactive... I was also able to speak with Dr. Jim S. Ladlie, president of ProfitProAg. He had this to say about treating ag waste products: “We’ve been in business over 35 years. Even though livestock markets are down, we are seeing tremendous growth in both the swine and dairy industries — plus beef facilities moving into slotfloored facilities. This is generating more pushback from environmentalists about odors, flies, reduction in land values, etc. Anyone putting up a building is facing pushback. “I have these thoughts: As an industry we need to be more proactive! I’ve visited several vertical integrators the last few months. They have a vested interest in this technology of manure management if they want to grow and expand. This involves brand value, risk management, community and industry image, neighbor relations, grower retention and I’m talking about profitability. See LADLIE, pg. 26

I started treating my brother’s manure pit 10 years ago, he had used every conceivable product under the sun — even air purifying machines from Rio Ranch. He had the first five-barn site in Redwood County. To eliminate odors and flies they would spend up to $5,000 a year just treating those five barns. “I stumbled on this manure treatment program of ProfitPro about 12 years ago and started using it at my brother’s setup as a test. They said, let’s use it on all five barns. Well, I’m still the dumb farm boy and have got to prove this to myself first. So I told my brothers, ‘You keep using whatever in two of the barns; I’ll treat two barns and we’ll leave one barn that we don’t do anything to. “Well, the funniest thing happened. My youngest sister — who does all the daily walk-throughs in each hog barn — came to my brothers and said, ‘I don’t know what you are doing in barns 3 and 4, but you need to do the same in those other three barns. There’s no fly irritation for the pigs. The air is so much cleaner. I can now load pigs out of these barns without wearing a mask!’” According to Rohlik, this treatment is dissolving all the liquid solids — creating a more “pudding-like” substance which is drawing all the dead pig dander and feed dust into that liquid. There’s nothing building up in that surface area and it’s cleaning up the hydrogen sulfate problem also. “I’ve got meters that monitor all this. So when I come into a new site, I take readings right away. And then each additional treatment we get a meter reading. This cuts down the ammonia, the carbon monoxide, the methane … all those health issues become a moot point.” So how soon should you treat your pit before you pump? Rohlik said you can see a benefit within two weeks of treating. “I like to be treating year-round. With my own clientele, when we pull a pump out we add the treatment. So from the floor up, it’s got a treatment going.” Rohlik doesn’t charge for the pit treatments or the manure analyses he does on each pit being pumped. “I think that’s part of my job assignment,” he stated. “Instead, I try to educate my growers (clientele) that it doesn’t pay to be wasting anything — especially their livestock manure. Because at some point, the State may come in and handcuff you and say, ‘you’ve been over-spreading. You better let this sit five years before you try it again.’ You don’t want to get yourself in that predicament. I’ve learned through the Custom Haulers Association, (Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, EPA) … if you’re at 3,000 gallon per acre with finisher manure, they’ll never question that. But anything over that sends up a red flag. So I’ve gotten 90 percent of my clients into that 3,000-gallon range with no issues from state agencies … or nuisance flies!” Rohlik’s invoices are 1.5 cents per gallon right off the site to the center of the field up to the first mile. For every half-mile beyond that, he adds two-tenths of a cent. “I come full of fuel,” he said. “I leave full of fuel. So these refills on fuel are my clients’ expense.v

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

THE LAND — SEPTEMBER 21/SEPTEMBER 28, 2018

Helping Farmers Succeed ™

ARE NEMATODES ROBBING YOUR FIELDS OF YIELD? NEMATODES ARE SILENT KILLERS in a farmer’s ﬁeld, causing damage that can’t always be seen and robbing yield along the way. When trying to combat these difﬁcult pests, farmers need solutions that offer impactful results.

symptoms do occur because of signiﬁcant infestation, they are often sporadic and imitate other production related issues, like drought stress or fertility deﬁciency. Controlling nematode populations early can greatly diminish the potential for yield loss.”

“Damage to plants occur when nematodes feed on roots, which can heavily impact plant growth. Unfortunately, this doesn’t always develop above-ground symptoms,” says Jim Schwartz, director of PFR and Agronomy for Beck’s Hybrids. “Even if above ground

Prevalent in both corn and soybeans, there are many types of nematode species. Ectoparasite species exist in the soil and may move around and “graze” on roots. Endoparasite species spend most of their lives feeding inside the roots. Different species are more popular in different soil types, for instance, ectoparasitic species are more common in sandier soils. No matter the species, all nematodes can lead to moisture and nutrient uptake restrictions and lead to yield-robbing diseases, like root rot.

Beck’s newest addition to Escalate®, Nemasect ™, offers farmers an effective way to manage nematodes in their fields. • As a biological, it’s safe to handle and safe for the environment • Multiple modes of action against the most common nematode species: lesion, stunt, dagger, and stubby root • Controls nematodes within 24 to 48 hours • A broad spectrum nematicide with activity on many soildwelling insects • Delivers an additional yield protection advantage of 12.2 Bu./A. in corn and 3.5 Bu./A. in soybeans**

Each year, nematodes are responsible for more than $3 billion loss due to crop damage*. While many nematode species feed on both corn and soybeans, soybean specific species do not typically feed on other plant types. Soybean cyst nematode (SCN) infestations can cut yields as much as 30 percent and not only cause stunting, yellowing, early death, reduced nodulation and lower yields, but can also serve as an entry point for other diseases. SCN is the number one cause of yield loss in soybeans and is prevalent in majority of the soybean acres in the United States. Schwartz says the most critical time to control nematodes is in the first 30-45 days the seed goes in the ground. Nemasect™ controls nematodes within 24 to 48 hours and impacts both egg and juvenile nematode populations for up to 60 days. But this revolutionary nematicide doesn’t stop there. With its multiple modes of action, it also acts as a powerful insecticide and has activity on many soil-dwelling insects. Management practices like crop rotation, eliminating winter annual weed species, planting resistant varieties, planting early, minimizing growth stresses, and using seed treatments can all aid farmers in the fight

“Damage to plants occur when nematodes feed on roots, which can heavily impact plant growth. Unfortunately, this doesn’t always develop aboveground symptoms.” against nematodes. Farmers should take advantage of the tools at their disposal to control damaging nematodes and protect yields, especially when one offers the effectiveness of Nemasect. A revolutionary nematicide and insecticide, Nemasect comes standard as part of Beck’s Escalate® seed treatment on corn and soybeans. The best part? It comes at no additional charge, so it’s putting even more money back into farmers’ pockets. Farmers can be confident their crops have an added defense against nematodes and insects, and can look forward to additional yield protection. *Society of Nematologists. “Information on Nematology.” 2018. Web. https://nematologists.org/resources/information-on-nematology/ **Corn results from two-year field trials at 50 locations (2016 and 2017) vs. competitive standard. Corn trials conducted in nematode infested fields in NE, MN, MO, IA, IL, IN, OH and AL. Soybean results from two-year field trials at 124 locations (2016 and 2017) vs. competitive standard. Soybean trials conducted in nematode infested fields in IN, IL, IA, OH, WI, MN, NE, KY, VA, NC, GA, AL, LA, MS, AR. Individual results will vary based on nematode pressure in each field.

Beck’s is an industry leader in providing the corn, soybean, wheat, elite alfalfa, small seeds and other tools farmers need to succeed. Nemasect™ and Escalate® are trademarks of Beck’s Superior Hybrids, Inc.

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THE LAND — SEPTEMBER 21/SEPTEMBER 28, 2018

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

PAGE 11

PAGE 12

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

THE LAND — SEPTEMBER 21/SEPTEMBER 28, 2018

Potter: 2018 could be record year for aphids

By DICK HAGEN The Land Staff Writer LAMBERTON, Minn. — Other than bragging rights at the local coffee shop, it’s pretty obvious soybean aphids enjoyed another bumper crop. If you have aerial applicators in your area, you’ve noted the aerial guys are also having a good season. At the Bruce Potter Olivia airport, four airplanes were busy this cropping season! First, some Internet history on this atrocious pest: Soybean aphid, Alphis glycines Matsumura, a native of eastern Asia, was first discovered in North America in July 2000 in Wisconsin. By September it was identified in 10 north-central states. Currently, soybean aphids are in 20 U.S. states and three Canadian provinces — thus putting 60 million acres of soybean at risk to crop injury caused by this exotic insect. An Aug. 15 visit with my favorite ‘bug man,’ Dr. Bruce Potter of the Southwest Research and Outreach Center in Lamberton, Minn., shared some Minnesota history on the entry and explosion of the soybean aphid. Potter’s professional title is “Integrated Pest Management Specialist.” And now you understand why ‘bug man’ works just as well. NS Please read attached email Potter said aphids first showed up in Minnesota in 2000. He saw his first soybean aphid at Lamberton in “But 2003 big ‘blow-up’ year. This MES2001. ALREADY ON was AD theTHE LAND 3.7461 x ”year, aphid populations (at least here in southwest Minnesota) might be matching that 2003 explosion.” “We have normal and several heavy insecticide trials here at the station. This was a good season for seeing how well the various insecticide products per-

formed both for initial control and their residual effect. None lasted very long this year,” he noted. “But this year, lots of evidence of growing resistance to the pyrethroid class of insecticides … here at Lamberton and throughout most of western Minnesota. We first noticed some of this in 2015 in three or four area counties. However, this year, test plots ranged from good control to virtually no control. It depends upon which females started those colonies. “Bob Cook’s lab ran essays on aphids here at Lamberton and across the state. Depending upon the pyrethroid insecticide, he found 60 to 70 percent of the aphids surviving! That potentially suggests lots of offspring in a hurry and those offspring like to travel. When that population develops wings, that resistant trait is moving across the countryside.” There’s no simple solution, said Potter, because of the limited groups of insecticides. “We basically have the pyrethroids and they are the ones now struggling. We’ve got the neonicitinoids used in seed treatment. Plus we have chlorpyrifos (e.g. Lorsban and other generics) which again are under regulatory scrutiny. We have a couple new compounds — Siovaonto is one. It’s expensive but it seems fairly effective. Hopefully, we can get a label for Transform back again. Toxicity to honey bees is why they were pulled off the market.” Yes, 250 bugs per plant is still the threshold count for spraying. Potter acknowledged if you average 250 aphids per plant, your parasites and predators are not keeping aphids under control. That is when you should “pull the trigger” on your spraying. He said 2018 has been a phenomenal year for aphids. “They got started in a relatively small area north of Willmar where soybeans got planted earlier. Here in Lamberton area, we had all those heavy rains. We too had aphids early, but they just couldn’t hang in there because of the rainfall. But lots of winged aphids coming out of that Kandiyohi/Stearns County areas got down here too. With winds, they could travel 100 or more miles quickly. The point being, these aphids can cover a big area in a short time.” So if insecticides don’t do the job, is genetic resistance a possibility?

Potter cautiously said there are a number of genes which provide aphid resistance. “So we’re working to develop pyramids of one of these genes. That’s the focus of the North Central Soybean Research project here at Lamberton and the breeding program at our St. Paul campus. With increasing problems with insecticide resistance, hopefully we can develop more genetic-resistant varieties to reduce the stress on everybody in this soybean business.” Unfortunately, geography seems to dictate locations of aphids. Minnesota, northern Iowa counties and eastern Dakotas tend to have the most consistent problem. Aphids are also common in Manitoba and Ontario. China, being the country of origin, has concerns. However, because of natural enemies, it is only a sporadic pest. “One issue making aphids such a problem here is that we don’t have many natural enemies in their native habitat. We’re got an attractive environment with large areas planted to soybeans and plenty of buckthorn where soybean aphid eggs overwinter.,That is why Minnesota is the focus of this troubling pest.” But don’t get the impression the aphid is the only challenge to soybeans. There’s the ‘wooly bear’ caterpillars, Japanese beetle, and more recent issues like brown marmorated stink bug, and a tiny fly maggot called the gall midge. Potter credits farmers concentrating on building soil health. “Growing a high-yield crop helps perpetuate soil health. And don’t forget that time-tested recipe: Be clever on how you rotate your crops. And that may include throwing in a small grain or alfalfa into that sequence.” Even cover crops such as winter rye or oats can potentially help reduce aphids. But there are some insect risks associated with cover crops. Complete elimination of buckthorn, the host plant for early aphid mutations, isn’t a logical answer. Potter noted that when aphids do their fall migration to buckthorn, parasitic wasps, the fungal diseases and other predators move with them. “So just maybe that buckthorn has a bit of a beneficial role in managing aphids. Since we can’t get rid of all the buckthorn, maybe hosting these beneficial predators going through the winter is important.” v

Soybean Association offers scholarship Darin Zanke

New Ulm/Mankato Area

David Baldner Austin, MN

Michael Terry Fairbault, MN

ST. LOUIS — The American Soybean Association is offering a $5,000 scholarship to a high school senior interested in pursuing agriculture. The Soy Scholarship is a one-time award presented to a high school senior who plans to pursue agriculture as an area of study at any accredited college or university in the 2019-20 academic year. High school seniors may apply online until Nov. 19. The scholarship is awarded in $2,500 increments (one per semester) for the 2019-20 school year. The student must maintain successful academic progress and be in good standing with the college or univer-

sity to receive the full amount of the scholarship. In addition to the scholarship, BASF will provide the winner and one parent or guardian with a trip to attend Commodity Classic in Orlando, where they will receive special recognition at the BASF booth and the ASA awards banquet. For more information, visit soygrowers.com/awardprograms/soy-scholarship. This article was submitted by the American Soybean Association. v

THE LAND — SEPTEMBER 21/SEPTEMBER 28, 2018

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

PAGE 13

Large farm equipment may need a road escort Sgt. Troy Christianson of the Minnesota State Patrol reminds farmers that farm equipment may be driven or towed to the left of the center of a roadway only if it is escorted at the front by a vehicle displaying hazard warning lights visible in normal sunlight. The equipment also must not extend into the left half of the roadway more than is necessary. If someone is not being escorted, it would be required to remove the header and tow it on the highway. Motorists traveling on Minnesota highways this fall need to be aware of large farm equipment transporting crops to markets, grain elevators and processing plants. Because farm equipment is large and heavy, it can be difficult for operators to accelerate, slow down and stop. The machines also make wide turns and sometimes cross over the center line. In addition, farm vehicles can create large blind spots, making it difficult for operators to see approaching vehicles. All of these factors can cause serious crashes. During 2015-17, 386 traffic crashes took place on Minnesota roads involving at least one farm vehicle, resulting in 6 fatalities and 166 injuries. Of the 6 fatalities, three were farm vehicle riders; of the 166 injuries, 57 were farm vehicle riders. The biggest factors contributing to farm equipment/vehicle crashes are inattention, and speed. Motorists should always slow down and use caution when approaching farm equipment.

Motorists should watch for debris dropped by trucks hauling crops. It is safer to brake or drive through debris than to veer into oncoming cars or off the road. Farm equipment operators should use lights and flashers to make equipment more visible. Use slow-

moving vehicle emblems on equipment traveling less than 30 mph. Consider using a follow vehicle when moving equipment, especially at night. This article was submitted by the Minnesota State Patrol. v

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THE LAND — SEPTEMBER 21/SEPTEMBER 28, 2018

Soybean harvest to commence soon, crop looks good



By KRISTIN KVENO, The Land Correspondent



Blair Hoseth, Mahnomen, Minn., Sept. 7

“Everything looks excellent.” The Land spoke with Jamie Beyer on Sept. 7 as she reported that harvest is just around the corner. Beyer expects to start soybeans next week — which would be an earlier-than-usual start to bean harvest. “This is only the second time since 1997 we have combined beans this early.” Beyer’s looking forward to it. “It will be a fun harvest.”

Blair Hoseth is in the midst of seeding triticale into wheat stubble. The Land spoke with Hoseth on Sept. 7 as he was using a 42-foot no-till planter and will “hopefully finish tomorrow.”

The weather has been close to ideal these past few weeks with temperatures in the 40s and 50s at night and getting into the 70s during the day. Two inches of rain has fallen in the past two weeks. This was a welcome sight for Hoseth as the moisture is “making the pastures start livening up a little bit.”

The corn is “starting to get black layer.” This is two weeks ahead of average. Cercospara that was spotted on sugar beets is now under control. Beyer has drivers ready for pre-lift, which will begin on Sept. 24. Grape harvest and fourth cutting alfalfa will both begin next week.

Jamie Beyer

Blair Hoseth

Hoseth air-seeded cover crop on soybean fields last week. He estimates that bean harvest is 10 days to two weeks away. That would be around the average harvest date as Hoseth “usually gets started in the third week of September.”

The cows are feeding on pasture ground as well as the fresh sugar beet pulp that Hoseth hauled in for them. “They love it.” Before bean harvest starts, Hoseth is heading out to the Red River Valley fairgrounds in West Fargo, N.D. to go to Big Iron. He has gone “every year since 1980.” Hoseth enjoys the sights and sounds of this expansive ag show. “It is big.” He then will drive down to Shakopee, Minn. to attend a Minnesota Corn Growers meeting on Sept. 12. Overall for the crops, “I think the two inches of moisture definitely helped.” It was good timing for planting the cover crops these past few weeks. Though the rain may have come a little too late for the beans, in 10 days to two weeks, Hoseth will know for sure.



Matt Haubrich, Danube, Minn., Sept. 14

Haubrich has “been arranging fall help, getting everyone on board. We got a great group” as he’s had the some of these same fall employees for years.

“Hay season is over for us.” Haubrich finished fourth cutting on Sept. 10. Because of the rain this year’s hay “was a challenge, conditions were not ideal.” As summer’s wrapping up and fall approaches “I’m looking forward to the bean harvest. That one looks the most attractive, but we’ll find out.”

Steer Self Feeder

Beyer met with a consultant who puts together soil zone maps and “just got moisture sensors on one of our fields.” This is fairly new as “there’s a big learning curve on some of this technology.” The goal in doing soil zone mapping is “unlocking this door to understand what’s happening below the ground.”

FIELDS

The corn is “in full black layer right now.” Haubrich is “worried about the stock strength” due to stress on the corn. He’s also observed that “disease is out there.” On good note, the crop has “gotten its heat units.”

500 Bushel Grain Dump

Beyer is “going to have some cover crop flown on next week” on bean and corn fields. She has found that glyphosate is instrumental in cover crop success along with seed technology. Adding cover crops “is very new” to Beyer’s farming operation. Because the land there is flat, soil erosion isn’t such an issue. But with cover crops, the “advantage is soil health.” In the area, it’s “not as common here yet.”

 FROM  THE  

Below ground, above ground, all signs so far point to an exciting harvest on the Beyer farm.



“We’re working on some last minute things for soybean harvest.” The Land spoke with Matt Haubrich on Sept. 14 as he was in the midst of harvest preparations. “We have some earlier maturity beans that may be ready to go.” He plans on taking some samples tomorrow to see where the beans are at, with the hopes of starting full harvest on Sept 24. There is rain in the forecast for next week which is why Haubrich would like to get in the field now to see how the beans are running.

Matt Haubrich

Jamie Beyer, Wheaton, Minn., Sept. 7

Karson Duncanson, Mapleton, Minn., Sept. 14

“I think we’re going to be pleasantly surprised with beans.” The Land spoke with Karson Duncanson on Sept. 14 as he reported that while he’s looking forward to seeing what the yields are for soybeans; harvest is still at least two weeks away. Though “with the weather we had this past week things are turning fast.” Duncanson expects the beans to be pretty close to proven yields as “we had about perfect temps.” Duncanson sees that’s “there’s a lot of variability in the beans as you drive down the road.”

Karson Duncanson

“We’re still a ways out in corn.” Some of the earlier corn is now at black layer. Just like the beans, the “corn is going to be variable.” Duncanson expects to get start harvesting it around the first of October.

In the meantime, he’s has been finalizing machinery as well as hauling manure to the barns he owns and operates. He’s also doing some “final prep on grain bins.” With harvest right around the corner, Duncanson wants everyone on the roads to “be safe. Not only farmers, but anyone driving down the road.” For the non-farm vehicles, please “take your time — give them (farm implements) the space.” That’s a good reminder to us all this harvest season.

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Minnesota grape industry has room to meet demand By DICK HAGEN The Land Staff Writer BLOOMINGTON, Minn. — As marketing director and five-year board member of the Minnesota Grape Growers Association, Steve Unverzagt understands the current and future status of the Minnesota grape growing industry. He provides consulting services to several Minnesota vineyard and winery operations. Unverzagt attended the Minnesota Grape Growers Association Cold Climate Conference held March 15-17 in Bloomington. When asked if the Minnesota grape and wine industry is outgrowing consumer demand, Unverzagt responded, “It will be a while before we are in balance with consumer demand.” He said there are 15-20 wineries buying local grapes from additional local vineyards because they cannot produce enough cold hardy grapes from their own vineyard. Minnesota wineries also purchase juice from California, Oregon, Washington and New York grape processors to supplement their Minnesotagrown grapes — especially in years when severe weather substantially reduces yields. Because of growing markets at Minnesota’s licensed wineries (over 50 currently), Unverzagt said consumers are virtually buying out wineries every year. “So sourcing grapes is often a concern for several Minnesota wineries.” He noted most wineries process multiple grape varieties because there are taste differences when blending grape juices. “Almost all French red wines from Bordeaux are technically blended wines. Like wine-making processes found in other parts of the world, blending local wines adds complexity in the glass. Many winemakers say their consumers are used to tasting a more complex flavor profile. However, when it comes to blended wines, Minnesota regulations are more strict. For example, for a Minnesota winery to call a wine “Marquette,” (one of Minnesota’s most popular varieties) there needs to be at least 75 percent Marquette wine in the bottle,” he said. A few Minnesota wineries now produce their entire vintage from Minnesota-grown grapes. One such winery is Indian Island Winery in

Janesville, which prides itself on producing 100 percent Minnesota grape wines. Minnesota’s five widely-grown, winter-hardy varieties are Frontenac, Frontenac Gris, LaCrescent, Marquette and its newest release Itasca. “There are a handful of varieties from other breeders, but these five releases from the University of Minnesota’s horticulture program very likely now dominate the Minnesota vineyard industry,” Unverzagt said. He noted grape production worldwide is located around the 42 degree latitude belt. “That particular location crosses directly over the major grape areas of France and Europe, the northern U.S. area of Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, New York and Oregon. Unbeknown to most of us, that same belt also correlates to the grape growing regions across China. Currently, Chinese plantings of grapes are outpacing all the other plantings on the planet,” he said. That 42 degree latitude also applies to grape production in the southern hemisphere which explains why you

see wines from Australia, New Zealand and South America. Grape cultivars developed by Minnesota researchers can be grown successfully around the world in this 42 degree latitude area. “Frontenac, released in 1996, two years ago passed the 1 million vines planted mark,” Unverzagt said. “Marquette, released in 2002, already has eclipsed the 1 million planting. So just these two University of Minnesota releases now number over 2 million vines planted — many in Minnesota, but also by vintners around the globe.” Why is there remarkable acceptance of these winter-hardy Minnesota varieties? These two words: extreme winters! The extensive testing program at the University of Minnesota Horticulture Research Center, puts new vines through 20 years of field testing before being approved. Unverzagt is keenly aware of the steep learning curve for most newcomers in establishing a vineyard. But he credits the grapevine’s remarkable ability to thrive on a variety of landscapes — especially south-facing hillsides — as the primary reason vineyards are now sprouting across

Minnesota Extension now has grape educator By DICK HAGEN The Land Staff Writer BLOOMINGTON, Minn. — Minnesota’s first vineyards date back 45 years and Minnesota’s first wineries appeared almost at that same time. Annie Klodd Today, there are an estimated 845 acres of grapes grown in Minnesota and an estimated 200 vineyards producing for 47 licensed wineries. The Minnesota grape and wine industry is now a projected $112 million business employing an estimated 3,000 or more people. The grape and wine business are enjoying enviable growth. And finally, the University of Minnesota has an extension educator for fruits, vegetables and vineyards. Now state grape farmers have an Extension information specialist.

Meet Annie Klodd, who was introduced at the Minnesota Grape Growers Association’s Cold Climate Conference held March 15-17 in Bloomington. Klodd has offices at the University of Minnesota Horticultural Research Center and the Regional Extension office in Andover. Klodd didn’t say specifically that grapes and vineyards would be her specialty. But she grew up on an Iowa farm that just happened to have a vineyard too. “My position covers fruits and vegetables for the entire state. But since my background is in viticulture, vineyards will be one of my focus areas,” Klodd said. Klodd’s farm background was on her parent’s corn and soybean farm near Indianola which included a 2-acre planting of grapes. The Klodds established the vineyard in 1997 which has See EXTENSION, pg. 16

Minnesota’s various landscapes. That is why he also speculates vineyards established 20 to 25 years ago likely have had some serious replanting issues. Those older varieties were not fully cold hardy and suffer cold and freeze damage every year. The 2017 passage of Sunday liquor sales was a home run for the Minnesota wine industry. Although Unverzagt ventured that the additional day of purchase hasn’t made a huge increase in state liquor sales, wines included. “It’s mostly a matter of convenience for the customers. And the ratio of California wines vs. Minnesota wines hasn’t changed much either. Also, farm wineries in Minnesota were already allowed to sell wine on Sunday. Retail locations, however, are selling more Minnesota wine than ever before,” he said. Currently pending is a proposal for a tax on imported wines being sold in Minnesota from other states (particularly California) which get shipped directly to the consumer without any tax being collected by the state. However, 36 other states currently collect tax on wines purchased from other states. “The repeal of prohibition in 1933 gave states the individual right to control liquor sales,” explained Unverzagt. “But so far, Minnesota is lagging behind the cultural curve. Our bill would track the incoming wines sold in our state and tax those wines, plus a permit application would be required for the privilege of selling their wines in Minnesota.” This could generate around $2 million of new tax revenue for various uses within the state, including promotions of the Minnesota wine industry, which is now funded primarily by the nonprofit Minnesota Grape Growers Association. This bill could also establish resources to build a wine advisory council which could use revenue for many marketing and research functions within the grape industry. This could include financial aid and grants to startup grape growers, winemakers and to the Minnesota Grape Growers Association. Currently MGGA has 60 paid members. To learn more, visit www. mngrapes.org. v

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Firm sells blankets to tuck in grapes for winter By DICK HAGEN Preparation for installing the blanket is preThe Land Staff Writer pruning the vines, then laying out the fabric and attaching it to your fruit wire (providing it BLOOMINGTON, Minn. — A display of is only about 20 inches above ground level). The blankets for winter protection of vines captured blanket is almost 6 feet wide, so you have a tent high interest at the Minnesota Grape Growers about 3 feet wide sealed to the ground with soil. Association Cold Climate Conference held March 15-17 in Bloomington. The company also featured assorted equipment to facilitate about every chore in the The blankets were featured at Dubois maintenance of a vineyard including bird conAgrinovation out of Quebec. trol netting. “In Canada, we are now into our seventh year Bird control netting is common these days in with these blankets,” spokesman Richard Minnesota vineyards. Originally, a single net Tessier said. “Our birds learned long ago to fly draped over the top of each row of grapes was to the warmer south. But our vines rooted in the the spoiler to keep birds away. Then side nets soil are unable to escape Quebec’s winter. came along because they are easier to hang up. “So to help them out, we have little tents that But coverage ideas keep expanding. Tessier has protect them by creating thermal insulation a client now using netting that is 60 feet wide against ambient air. When temperatures drop and covers six rows! “Already some Canadians outside, the fabric confines a cushion of air are covering five rows with a single net,” said heated up by the ground kept bare. This cushion Tessier. “Take proper care of the net and they Photo by Dick Hagen keeps a temperature high enough to prevent Canadian Richard Tressier has experience in nurturing grape vines will last up to 10 years.” losing primary fruiting buds.” This was the first year for Dubois Agrinovation through long winters. He explained the blankets’ fabric tie system at the Cold Climate Conference. “Interest has “Now we are able to grow the grape-type vines no been good. I welcome coming down here again next has tie rails mounted on each spike and a stretched wire running at the base of the tents on matter the cold we have,” said Tessier explaining year,” said Tessier with a distinctly French-Canadian each side of the row. Once stretched, this system cre- that even with minus 25 F outdoor temperature, tem- accent. v ates a heat transfer environment while maximizing peratures under the blanket consistently are in the 15 to 20 F range. the tents’ imperviousness on the ground.

Pruning remains a common issue for Minnesota growers EXTENSION, from pg. 15 since increased the size to 15 acres and likely will keep expanding. When asked what she thinks will be a common issue with Minnesota vineyards, she said proper pruning. “This relates directly to the health of vineyards and the quality of grapes,” she said. She suggested most vineyard operators are likely doing a good job with their seasonal trimming of vines, “But there are factors, year by year that might impact what pruning intensity is needed.” She added that growers should be inspecting their vines mid-summer to see if some shoot thinning is needed or if they should alter their pruning for next

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“We have tremendous space for growth,” she said. “We are no longer in our infancy. We are now an established industry. The university’s breeding and development program at the Horticultural Research Center is recognized nationwide.” The University of Minnesota is recognized as one of the top wine grape research programs in the country. Today, more than 12,000 experimental vines are cultivated on 12 acres. More than 100 U of M selections are in advanced testing as well as more than 400 selections from other breeding programs around the world. Marquette was introduced in 2006 and is now planted on over 400 acres of Minnesota’s vineyards. Annie Klodd can be reached at kloddann@umn.edu or via Twitter at @MNFruitLady. v

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year. “Here in Minnesota, another probable issue is cold weather damage. A late spring frost creates a multitude of issues, some immediate, some lasting throughout the season,” she said. Klodd’s parents’ vineyard has mostly Minnesota varieties with winter hardy vigor. “I love the Midwest grape industry. It is one of my passions and I’ll always be a huge advocate for Minnesota and Midwest wines,” Klodd said. Klodd is a Grinnell College graduate with a master’s degree studying viticulture from Penn State. She expects the Minnesota and upper Midwest grape industry to continue to grow.

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Organic orchard isn’t just about apples By TIM KING The Land Correspondent ADEL, Iowa — Wills Family Orchard in Dallas County is Iowa’s oldest certified organic orchard. Maury Wills, who started the orchard with his wife in the early 1990s, says the family has about five acres of apple trees, an acre of peaches, and 30 to 35 cherry trees in production.

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Mary (left) and Maury Wills started their orchard in the early 1990s. It is the oldest certified organic orchard in Iowa.

Maury, who is also the bureau chief for the State of Iowa’s Agricultural Diversification and Market Development Bureau, says the orchard probably has a few more varieties of apples than the dozen listed at the orchard’s website. The dozen listed varieties however, reflect the both the orchards disease control strategy and its marketing strategy. “When we started, we did a lot of research looking for scab-immune varieties,” Wills said. “That’s why we have varieties that aren’t your typical grocery store variety. Over the years we’ve also selected varieties that are resistant to cedar apple rust which is a disease that challenges us. We also chose varieties that span a harvest season from August through October.” Cedar apple rust is a fungus that attacks apple trees and apple scab can attack not only the tree, but cause significant damage to the fruit. Orchards generally rely on fungicide sprays to control both diseases. Organic orchards don’t have that option. Redfree, an apple grown and harvested at Wills See ORCHARD, pg. 18

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Pesky weevils are causing problems in the fruit orchard ORCHARD, from pg. 17 Family Orchard in mid-August, has been bred to be immune to apple scab and also resistant to cedar apple rust. In addition, Redfree, which was bred in a cooperative project between Purdue University and the New Jersey Agricultural Research Station, is also an attractive and tasty apple. “It’s a red apple with some yellow blush to it,” Wills said. “It’s a very good multi-purpose early season apple that can be used for apple sauce or apple pie and is also a good fresh eating apple.” Liberty, a dark red dessert apple, is

also grown at the Wills orchard and is harvested in mid-September. It is scab immune. Enterprise is a red late-season apple, harvested by the Wills in mid-October. Purdue University, which also cooperatively developed this scab-immune and cedar apple rust resistant variety, speaks very highly of Enterprise’s quality after a few months in storage. So does Maury Wills. “Enterprise is a great keeper,” he said. “It’s better after it’s been in storage for a month or so and it will keep until April or May.”

Wills said his family originally plant- family in both the crops they grow as ed most of its apple varieties on semi- well as the products they market. Early dwarf root stock. However, over the in the orchard’s history, they made the years, that strategy has changed. decision to have a licensed commercial “We’ve migrated to a dwarf root stock kitchen in the basement of their home. called B.9,” he said. “It’s my favorite Recently they’ve moved the kitchen root stock for a number of reasons. Part into an attractive red multi-purpose of the reason we went to dwarfing root barn. stock is so we do less ladder work and In the kitchen they make strawberry, less pruning. I believe it will give us a peach, blueberry, and tart cherry fruit much more productive orchard.” spreads. They also make apple sauce, Over the years, the Wills family has apple butter and apple pie. had significant success in keeping a “We don’t skimp on the apples,” Wills disease-free organic orchard. Recently, said. however, a new problem The kitchen crew also has risen. turns out apple cider “Plum Curculio is our donuts, fresh caramel, newest challenge,” Wills cherry filled sweet rolls said. “We are trying and caramel apples. everything except Wills works with anothstanding on our heads er Iowa orchard to press to get rid of this insect.” and bottle fresh apple Plum Curculio is a cider. At the end of the small weevil which lays season he has a batch of its eggs under the skin that cider made into the of apples, plums and orchard’s Panther Creek peaches. Wills has yet to Gold apple wine. discover an organic conAll of these products are trol for the pest. sold through the orchard’s The Wills’ popular fruit The Wills family spreads add a bit of diveron-farm store along with seems to like a chal- sity to their orchard opera- honey, chrysanthemums, lenge — whether it’s tion. jack-o-lanterns and decokeeping destructive disrative gourds that are eases out of the orchard, controlling grown or produced at the orchard. pesky weevils, or growing peaches in a Wills Family Orchard is open with challenging environment. variable hours for the August apple “We’re pushing the limit on the north- harvest and has regularly scheduled ern edge of the peach production range,” Friday through Sunday hours in Wills said. “Last year, we had some September and October. The apple and peaches. And the year before, we did pumpkin festival starts in late pretty well. But this year we won’t September. have any.” “Every weekend that we’re open from Central Iowa’s cold winters are the late September into October is a festireason for the 2018 peach crop failure. val weekend,” Wills said. “Those week“You get to where it’s 14 below zero in end are when the kitchen is open and the winter and that pretty much takes we have interactive activities for chilout your fruit buds,” Wills said. “Last dren and adults.” winter we were down to -21 F and the Wills says they work hard to come up year before we hovered around -14 or with activities that reflect their farm -15. The year we had a good harvest we values. There are no plastic inflatable weren’t anywhere near those tempera- bouncing houses, for example, but there tures. I suspect that we will get peach- is a corn maze and a smaller hay bale es a couple years in a row and then maze. There’s also a corn pool, gourd we’ll go a year or two without them. painting, hay rides, and of course apple That’s OK with us, because they ad picking. diversity to our orchard and when we Learn more about the Wills Family do harvest them the flavor is wonder- Orchard by visiting their website or ful.” calling (515) 321-1847. v Diversity is important to the Wills

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Irrigators on the defense for watering practices By DICK HAGEN The Land Staff Writer RICE, Minn. — To learn about the implementing and popularity of irrigation in the state, a good start is Alan Peterson, who is president of the Irrigators’ Association of Minnesota. The Irrigators sponsored a tour on Aug. 1 at the shop of Prairie Alan Peterson Farm Inc. north of Rice, Minn. My first question to Peterson: How big today is the Minnesota Irrigators Association? He replied, “We have approximately 400 paid members and approximately 600,000 irrigated acres in Minnesota. Not all irrigators have joined IAM, but a steady expansion of irrigation across Minnesota continues to happen.” Is finding reliable sources of water an issue? Peterson explained, “The State of Minnesota is fortunate. We have a quality aquifer under our landscape virtually everywhere. Yes, some areas have access iron in that water, but for the most part, we are blessed with good water. We are not part of the Ogallala reservoir which is so big for Nebraska irrigators. That reservoir is now experiencing some recharge issues. We recharge very fast here in Minnesota. We’re very conscious of that recharge fact and monitor it closely wherever irrigation is happening in Minnesota.” In view of this new era of agriculture, when someone is always pointing their finger at agriculture, is it smooth sailing with Minnesota irrigators? Peterson responded quickly, “We always have to defend the fact that we irrigate. Everyone thinks that we are wasting water. Or depriving villages that are expanding and don’t seem to have enough water for their own expansions. The facts are that in some areas, irrigation is the single biggest builder of their local economy.” Peterson mentioned some small changes they’d like, such as cutting down on permit transfer rules; but for the most part, Minnesota legislators are not challenging the irrigation industry. Peterson thinks corn is the biggest percentage of total irrigated acres, but he mentions soybeans and potatoes as also being major irrigated acres. Many crops are now using irrigation — crops like kidney beans and other edible bean crops. Peterson farms in Clear Lake, Minn. which is in Sherburne County, about 20 miles southeast of St. Cloud. Peterson is a dark red kidney bean producer under irrigation. “In my area, green beans are contracted, and sweet corn is contracted,” Peterson said. “I think more new crops will keep emerging partly because of this emerging interest by consumers of laboratory-generated new foods. Companies like to come to our irrigated areas for their potential ‘new food’ items because we irrigators can control so much more of the total nutrient content of that crop. “Consumers are particular about the looks of these food crops. The consumer wants a perfectly red potato. By being able to control the water and the nutri-

ents that crop is getting, we can control the looks of that red potato so much better. Even the Russets (white potatoes) appearance can be improved with irrigation.” Irrigation gives growers some leverage when the weatherman doesn’t cooperate. For example, frequent and access rains seemed the pattern over much of Minnesota early this spring. But not on Peterson’s fields. “Some of our small grains are doing poorly as we harvest now. May was so dry we actually had to water to sprout some of our crops this spring. Then June turned wetter. We barely used our system. July was spotty, but we’re getting dry again so we’re watering a little more regularly.”

We always have to defend the fact that we irrigate. Everyone thinks that we are wasting water ... The facts are that in some areas, irrigation is the single biggest builder of their local economy. — Alan Peterson Expierenced irrigator that he is, does Peterson still rely on sensors? He thinks they are good tools to use. “We do lots of field scouting,” Peterson admitted. “It sounds strange perhaps, but we still go out into each field with a spade, dig a hole and use our ‘finger touch’ to see how wet that soil is.” That’s a 6-inch to 12-inch depth he’s checking. “I actually use a soil probe to more easily get these soil indicators. But when we don’t get rain from Mother Nature, we do on a schedule — depending on the crop — with an inch of water every 5 to 7 days.” Though fertilizing through irrigation systems is fairly common, Peterson has fields with low spots where “fertigation” might not be best. Instead, his crew split-applies fertilizers as needed. Peterson stated the use of sub-surface irrigation depends upon where you live and your soil structure. “Where we farm, you dig down 10-12 inches and you’re pure gravel. You need a clay layer underneath to hold that water up near the roots of the growing crop,” he said. Peterson admitted irrigation is keeping him sustainable financially. “Yes, it most certainly is. I wouldn’t be farming today if it weren’t for irrigation. We went through some terrible droughts in 1964, ‘76. In 1976 is when irrigation really started to take off in this area. And we all know the 1988 drought that virtually scoured the fields. Yields for us would have been virtually pointless. “I now have my oldest son farming with me. My youngest son is talking about coming back. Irrigation is what is making this possible. In my area, we have seed corn fields also for seed companies. Anymore they only contract with irrigated producers. We got into kidney beans in the mid ‘90s. They’ve been good revenue. As you can see, other options besides just

corn and soybeans is what keeps us going. I love to grow different things. If the opportunity is there, I take it. Plus, these changes in our rotation are good for soil health too.” Obviously, getting into irrigation costs some big bucks. Peterson said money-down payments can vary — depending upon the potential supplier of the equipment. But a 10 percent down payment gets the paperwork started. Once your well is dug and the center pivot installed, another 75-80 percent of the balance is likely. Once the system is operational, that supplier is likely expecting final payment. Warranties on center pivot systems are generally at least one year on piping and water distribution systems. But gear boxes might depend on the quality of what you buy. Peterson suggests “good, better or best” are the options when buying gear boxes and the best could have up to seven-year warranties. Depending on the technology and sophistication of the system, Peterson indicated estimated costs of $2,500 to $3,500 per irrigated acre. Memberships to the Irrigators’ Association of Minnesota are $100 per year or $275 for three years. Twenty farmers make up the IAM board of directors; plus four advisors: Lee Hanson, legal; Bruce Kleven, ag lobbyist; Grant Anderson, AFREC representative; and Jerry Wright, technical advisor and membership director. v

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Safety on the swine farm is a year-round effort September is a busy and favorite time of year for all of us in agriculture. Harvest is near, there’s a lot to be done in crisp fall weather, and most farm families are working through repeated long days and short nights. September 16-22, is National Farm Safety and Health Week, and it’s a good time to review some of the most important safety issues facing swine producers. UMASH on the front lines Working to educate and inform both farmers and the public is the Upper Midwest Agricultural Safety and Health Center. UMASH is a consortium of five research and health care institutions. University of Minnesota’s School of Public Health and College of Veterinary Medicine collaborates with the Minnesota Department of Health, the National Farm Medicine Center in Marshfield, Wisc., and the Migrant Clinicians Network, based in Austin, Texas, to provide occupational health and safety education in agriculture. In addition, UMASH is on the front lines to address emerging health and safety issues in agriculture. UMASH focuses on Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, and North and South Dakota agriculture. So much of the work they do relates to swine and dairy employee safety and health. They provide train-the-trainer programs for rural firefighters and for immigrant farm employees. Their fact sheets and resource materials are available in both English and Spanish to assist farm employers in reaching all of their animal handlers. UMASH is closely affiliated with the University of Minnesota and can be found on the internet at umash.umn.edu. Swine farm safety equals special challenges Livestock farmers must address different types of farmer safety issues beyond those of the modern crop producer. When working with swine, caretakers deal with an intelligent, gregarious being with a long memory. Calm treatment and regular positive inter-

UniversityofMinnesota

EXTENSION

SWINE &U

action quickly establish the pigs’ good behavior habits. A 2006 12-week study showed that when a human walked through the pigs’ pens three times a week, 50 percent of them showed reduced SWINE & U flight behavior in seven weeks. Only 20 percent of the pigs By Diane DeWitte who had been walked through one time per week exhibited reduced flight response in seven weeks. Swine producers know that slowly walking pens regularly will help pigs become accustomed to positive interactions with people. Some stages of swine production produce different kinds of safety issues.

pigs should keep a sorting panel close to block the sow from causing injury. With the exception of young piglets and nursery pigs, most of the animals on the hog farm outweigh the caretaker. Steel-toed footwear is a must. In both Pork Quality Assurance Plus (PQA+) and Transport Quality Assurance (TQA) certification education for producers, the most highly recommended animalhandling implement is a solid sorting panel. The panel ensures the safety of both caretaker and pig. Although many swine operations today conduct reproduction through artificial insemination, most still have a few boars on the farm for heat detection. A large sexually-mature male animal on the farm should be moved and handled with caution and protection. Again, the solid sorting panel is the tool of choice when moving boars. Injections UMASH statistics show that over 80 percent of Livestock farmers must address differfarm workers and 73 percent of swine veterinarians ent types of farmer safety issues have accidentally stuck themselves with a needle beyond those of the modern crop prowhile giving injections to livestock. Most accidental ducer. When working with swine, needlestick injuries are minor; but secondary results caretakers deal with an intelligent, could be skin infections, allergic reactions or a wound gregarious being with a long memory. which might need surgery. Calm treatment and regular positive Vaccines are the most common product animal interaction quickly establish the pigs’ handlers inject into themselves. In swine farrowing good behavior habits. settings, hormone products used to induce labor in pigs carry a warning against exposure to, or accidenWorking with live animals tal injection by pregnant humans. If possible, in the Handling piglets during post-farrowing health care pig barn, pregnant employees should not handle can cause the sows to become agitated. If the pigs hormones. begin to squirm and make noise, the sow will respond to protect her young. Caretakers working with young See SWINE & U, pg. 23

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Livestock emergency response is available to transporters SWINE & U, from pg. 22 In addition to medical issues caused by rushed or thoughtless needle handling, mechanical problems can occur. Bent needles should never be straightened and used needles should be disposed of in proper sharps containers. Appropriate low-cost sharps containers are empty plastic detergent or fabric softener bottles with the lid screwed on tightly. Milk jugs are too flimsy for sharps containment and should not be used. When the sharps container is full, it should be tightly capped, sealed with heavy tape and labeled that it contains sharps. Different counties have differing recommended methods for sharps disposal. A call to the county environmental services department can provide information for producers’ sharps disposal. UMASH has been at the forefront of the needlestick injury issue by providing bilingual fact sheets and producing videos to help farmers teach their animal caretakers. Needlestick prevention posters and more are available to producers on the internet at umash.umn. edu/needlestick-prevention. Zoonotic diseases A zoonotic disease is one which can pass from animal to human or vice versa. A common example in cattle and small ruminants is ringworm — the skin fungus which spreads easily. While ringworm in pigs is possible, it’s not much of an issue. More common is the chance of influenza spreading from caretakers to pigs or back. The influenza viruses found in swine can infect humans, although it isn’t a common risk. However, human influenza viruses can infect pigs and can cause the outbreak of new viruses in the herd. Swine health professionals lament that in many large herds, influenza is present on a regular basis. For this reason, producers vaccinate against swine influenza. Human caretakers must also get a seasonal flu vaccination to reduce the chances of variant viruses forming and infecting the swine herd. Additional influenza information for swine producers can be found on the

U.S. Center for Disease Control website at www.cdc.gov/flu/swineflu/ Manure handling safety Now that it’s September, we will soon see plenty of semi-truck manure tankers on the roadside and tractors moving through the fields across our counties. As harvest progresses and the soil temperature decreases, pig farmers and commercial manure applicators will be working quickly to get hog manure applied and incorporated into the crop residue in the fields. As drivers share the road with the large equipment needed to do this work, it’s important attention is paid to what’s moving on the road and how fast. For drivers in farm country, this is also a time to be patient. The operator has limited speed capabilities and may not even know that a driver is behind the equipment. Back in the barn, the manure handler has to be extra careful when pumping the pits. Methane, ammonia and hydrogen sulfide is released as the stored manure is agitated and pumped. They are naturally-occurring gases, but they pose serious safety risks and can quickly overcome a human or a pig. Producers should sure hog buildings are fully ventilated when moving manure from the pits beneath. Use of the STOP tag on barn doors will alert everyone that manure is being pumped. These STOP tags can be obtained by contacting the Minnesota Pork Board at 1-800-537-7576 or University of Minnesota Extension swine educators Diane DeWitte (stouf002@umn.edu) or Sarah Schieck (schi0466@umn.edu). More information about safe manure handling can be found on the University of Minnesota Extension manure management website at www.extension. umn.edu/manure under the “safety” heading. Pigs on the road National Pork Checkoff reports that more than one million pigs are transported on U.S. roads daily. Our Minnesota contribution to that number is substantial, and the overwhelming majority get to their destination safely. Pig transport requires the driver to be

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

alert and undistracted, to recognize his/her own symptoms of fatigue, and to know how to prevent or manage it. In the event of a pig hauling incident on the road, the Minnesota Pork Board and Minnesota’s Region 5 Emergency Management put seven emergency response trailers at strategic fire departments. The trailers contain equipment for handling and containing animals at an accident site — including gates, chains, tarps and wire. Currently, the livestock emergency response trailers are housed with fire departments at Adams, Buffalo Lake, Fairmont, Granite Falls, Pipestone, Sleepy Eye and Worthington. In the event of a livestock-hauling accident,

responders can contact the nearest livestock emergency response host fire department. Department personnel will deliver a trailer to the site and assist with roadside training to get the animals contained. Safety first — all year long September is the time when we see more farm machinery traffic on the road and in the field, but safety is on farmers’ minds year-around. Knowing how to work safely with swine, machinery and other caretakers prevents loss or injury of humans and pigs! Diane DeWitte is an Extension swine educator with the University of Minnesota Extension. She can be reached at stouf002@umn.edu. v

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MARKETING

Grain Outlook Yield estimates drop corn price

Cash Grain Markets

Grain Angles Are you in position to grow?

corn/change* soybeans/change* Stewartville $2.68 -.25 $6.89 -.35 Edgerton $2.88 -.20 $7.24 -.20 Jackson $2.81 -.25 $7.21 -.32 Janesville $2.86 -.25 $7.23 -.32 Editor’s Note: Joe Lardy, CHS Hedging research Cannon Falls $2.71 -.23 $6.69 -.41 analyst, is sitting in this week for Phyllis Nystrom, Sleepy Eye $2.85 -.21 $7.14 -.30 the regular “Grain Outlook” columnist. Average: $2.80 $7.07 The following marketing analysis is for the week ending Sept. 14. Year Ago Average: $2.94 $9.06 CORN — The big bombshell in the corn market this Grain prices are effective cash close on Sept. 18. week was the World Agricultural Supply and Demand *Cash grain price change represents a two-week period. Estimates report, so let’s get right to it. The U.S. Department of Agriculture increased the corn yield to a whopping 181.3 bu./acre. This was almost 4 bu./acre higher than the average guess. In the USDA’s executive briefing slides, they noted corn weights and ears per acre were both at historic highs which generated the record yield. The livestock markets appear to be trying an JOE LARDY Old crop corn stocks stayed above attempt to end the downtrends they have been in for CHS H edging Inc. the 2 billion bushel mark. The big several months. All three of the live cattle, feeder St. Paul yields also pushed new crop stocks cattle and the live hog markets have rallied into the up to a comfortable 1.774 billion middle of September. bushels. World stocks were bigger Two things have elevated these than analysts were guessing, so that added to the burdensome domestic situation. December corn futures markets: one being weatherlost 15 cents on report day and weren’t able to recover related problems; the other being livestock disease in other counany of that loss the rest of the week. tries. These events have cataThe corn market is fundamentally bearish and techpulted the futures markets which nically bearish as well. The July contract expired on in turn aided the overall cash contract lows. The September contract expired this trade during the past few weeks. week right on contract low as well. This is not bullish There seems to be a change in scenario at all and would indicate that there is more JOE TEALE the attitude in the cattle market downside potential for the December contract now. Broker primarily in the futures market Corn harvest is underway. The first harvest report Great Plains Commodity during the past several weeks. of the season showed it at 5 percent complete. This is Afton, Minn. The futures have gone from a slightly ahead of the five-year average of 3 percent. discount to cash to a premium. The weather looks conducive for harvest to really This is a turnaround in the psychology of the market pick up over the next couple of weeks. Corn condiover the past several months which had been a beartions improved this week with a 1 percent increase to ish outlook. 68 percent in the good/excellent category. Several things appear to have changed that bearish Export data was very weak for corn this week. tone to a positive tone. That being increased interest Inspections of only 30 million bushels were well in the export market as exports have picked up in below expectation of 40 to 55 million bushels. Export recent weeks. Another item that seems to be changsales in the Sept. 13 report didn’t fare much better. ing is the wall of cattle that has plagued the market Sales of 30.5 million bushels were under the lowest is slowly decreasing. The fact that the beef cutouts expectation. The USDA increased old crop exports by seem to be attempting to bottom is also suggesting 25 million on the WASDE despite the weekly export things are changing to a more positive outlook for the data indicating a cut was warranted. cattle market. Outlook: The direction of the corn market will The caveat to all of this has been the rapid increase come from harvest results in the next few weeks. in the futures market over the cash price which

Are you in a position to grow your business? Now I know you may think I’m crazy for even asking that question, given the current ag economy, but the opportunities are still there. In order to determine whether you are in a position to grow your operation, you must first understand what additional risk you are able to take on. For those who remained conservative during times of higher prices, they are seeking out those opportunities for growth. But how to determine whether now is the time for you? And to answer that question, there are three areas to focus on in considering your answer. Do you have the capacity? One of the first questions you should answer when considering growing your operation is whethBOB FOERDER er you have the capacity to do so. Compeer If you are in the position to grow, Financial Officer you likely are in that position by Rock Falls, Ill. doing a great job running your operation. If you choose to grow your operation, I encourage you to do so in a way that wouldn’t negatively impact your current performance, or altering the processes in place which have allowed your operation to remain successful over time. Look at the equipment you currently have. Would your current equipment inventory have the means to service your growth? And if not, do you have the capital available to purchase additional equipment? In addition, one of the largest challenges ag faces when it comes to capacity is a strong, reliable labor force. Do you have labor in place to handle additional growth? And, if not, do you have access to good labor? Remember that having to train a new labor force, or onboarding new employees into your operation requires additional resources — including time and money — to get them up to speed. Infrastructure is another factor to consider when looking at your capacity to grow. Is your operation equipped to handle any additional overhead? Whether it is your own infrastructure in grain storage capacity, or looking at your access to grain elevators in your area to handle additional inventory. Financial ability to grow. Experiencing any kind of growth requires reflection on your current financials. Does your current financial position support the ability to add additional debt? Taking on risk in a downturn, even with current strong financials, still requires extra examination and thought.

See LARDY, pg. 25

See FOERDER, pg. 25

Livestock Angles Futures market is volatile

See TEALE, pg. 25

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 — SEPTEMBER 21/SEPTEMBER 28, 2018

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PAGE 25

Soybean market rallies despite bearish headlines LARDY, from pg. 24 There are many out there who are in disbelief of the 181.3 bu./acre yield. They will want to see big numbers off the combines in order to be converted. If harvest numbers look small, there are many who would love to see a rally. SOYBEANS — The WASDE report for beans was a surprise to many as well. The USDA increased the soybean yield to 52.8 bu./acre. Although there were a few guesses above 53, this was still above the average guess of 52.3 bu./acre. New crop ending stocks were pushed up to a record 845 million bushels. South American production was also raised slightly. The USDA indicated that pod weights were the biggest ever by a big margin. You put all of these changes together, and one would think that the market would have sold off sharply with so much bearish news. The bean market did go a little lower but rallied to close higher by about 8 cents. The tariff war is ongoing and President Trump is

ready to impose sanctions on another $200 billion of Chinese exports to the United States. Soybeans continue to feel the pressure of those actions despite the tariff already being in place from the initial volley. There does not appear to be an urgency by either country to meet at the negotiating table. China’s ag minister said that they expect to import about 10 million tons fewer beans next year. This is due to China finding alternative sources for their feed needs. Soybean crop conditions showed a nice 2 percent increase to 68 percent in the good/excellent category. This increase is helping to support the big yield in the latest WASDE report. Export sales were ok this week with sales just over 25 million bushels. National Oilseed Processors Association crush numbers will be released on Sept. 17 and it is expected that we see another record crush. Outlook: The soybean market will be watching harvest results very closely to see if the current 52.8 bu./acre yield will be getting bigger or smaller. Plus,

TEALE, from pg. 24 might slow the futures and then slow the cash increase at the same time. Because fear has dominated the market for several weeks, sudden changes and a more volatile market may ensue in the weeks ahead. This will require that producers should be aware of any changes that could affect cattle prices and protect inventories if needed. Hogs have seen a rapid turnaround over the past couple of weeks as the result of a African flu virus which has developed in Asian hog herds. This has resulted in the idea that the United States’ export of hogs will increase because of that situation and prices have increased at a rapid rate. Another big

influence has been hurricane Florence which has disrupted large hog packing plants in the Carolinas. Thus, pork production could possibly be reduced for several weeks. The hog futures market, like the cattle futures market, has moved from a discount to a large premium as a result of all the possible changes in future world pork production. As like the cattle market, the possibility of rapid changes in market conditions could result in extreme volatility in the price of hogs. Therefore, producers should maintain a close eye on market conditions and consider protection of inventory if necessary. v

African flu news boosts hog market

there is always the wildcard with the tariff war. If a true compromise looks likely the bean market will stage a rally. But the big question is whether or not that happens. v

Funding for sustainable projects ST. PAUL — The Minnesota Department of Agriculture is currently accepting applications for Agricultural Growth, Research and Innovation sustainable agriculture and demonstration (SAD) grants. Grants provides funding for projects which explore new ways of conserving natural resources, enhancing farm profitability, increasing energy efficiency and improving life in rural communities. In the past, SAD grants have funded a wide range of projects; such as exploring farm diversification, cover crops and crop rotation, conservation tillage, and input reduction strategies and alternative energies like wind, methane, and biomass. Projects are published annually in the MDA’s Greenbook, which provides a summary of each project along with results, management tips, and other resources. Applications from farmers receive priority, but the program also funds Minnesota nonprofit and educational organizations as long as Minnesota farmers are involved in the project. Projects last two to three years and may be funded at up to $50,000. Grant applications are due by 4:00 p.m. Dec. 12. For more information and to apply, visit with www. mda.state.mn.us/sustagdemogrant. This article was submitted by the Minnesota Department of Agriculture. v

Crop insurance should never be viewed as an option FOERDER, from pg. 24 Things that your lender will certainly want to examine include your working capital and equity position, as well as your history of profitability. As an operation who is looking to grow and expand, a lender will want to see evidence of you being able to consistently generate profits throughout these challenging times. I would encourage you to focus on getting better before getting bigger. Rarely does a business grow its way into profitability simply by growing. Having a strong risk management strategy in place is also important when expanding and taking on additional risk. Things like a solid crop insurance policy and a grain marketing plan are vital to any risk management strategy. During times of downturn, when producers may be looking to cut costs, crop insurance should never be viewed as an option. It is a requirement. Work with your financial services provider to help develop these plans. Having them in

writing, rather than just floating around in your head, will help you stick to the plan and make decisions more efficiently. Plus, having these plans well organized and documented will give you the ability to more easily share them with your lender. Taking advantage of opportunities. Operations can always grow, but the question is, should they? As opportunities present themselves, evaluate whether they are the right one to accept; and whether they will be a benefit to the operation in just the shortterm, rather than a long-term business play. In my experience, this is one of the most difficult decisions producers struggle with — determining which opportunities to take advantage of. It is just as important to know when to walk away from a bad opportunity as it is to take advantage of a prosperous one. For example, accepting additional land could be a good opportunity. But don’t overextend yourself by committing to rent that is above what you can reasonably afford,

or that may tie you into a long-term lease that prevents you from taking advantage of other options. Non-traditional opportunities are also an option, like finding alternative revenue streams. I have seen producers find a niche market to enter into, or create a unique arrangement that provides value to your operation while complimenting your grain enterprise. In conclusion, even during times of downturn, be on the lookout for opportunities for growth. Evaluate those opportunities. Understand your financial position as best you can by keeping up-to-date and accurate financials so that when those opportunities present themselves, you can act more quickly if the fit is right. Understand your current capacity to know what level of growth you can handle. And of course, always reach out to your trusted partners to help you navigate those changes. For additional insights from Bob Foerder and the rest of the Compeer team, visit Compeer.com v

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THE LAND — SEPTEMBER 21/SEPTEMBER 28, 2018

U of M Extension: Some crop diversity will be needed By DICK HAGEN The Land Staff Writer MORGAN, Minn. — In view of the continuing crunch on making a dollar growing corn and soybeans, are alternative crops an absolute necessity? And if so, what are the alternatives? Those questions were posed at the Dave Nicolai University of Minnesota Extension Service’s tent during Farmfest and certainly generated lots of chatter. Hard, convincing answers from University people weren’t evident, but Extension Information Specialist Dave Nicolai was willing to share comments with The Land. Said Nicolai, “There has to be a certain amount of diversification. Sugar beets are sometimes an alternative — depending upon location relative to a sugar beet processing plant. Somewhat the same for canning crops, especially sweet corn and canning peas. We’re so dependent upon these two crops; yet we know consumers are using less canned products and more freezer-packaged products. “But perhaps carrots are an alternative. Why? Because it breaks the pest cycle when we are doing soybeans in a short rotation. Also, it appears more non-GMO and/or organic crops need to be considered. But having a market lined up before you plant is needed. Much the same for edible beans. “These crops and others will keep expanding. But two key questions before you decide: ‘Can you automate your production?’ and ‘Is labor going to be a critical issue?’ Yes, with organic you get a much better price, but it’s a three-year process just to become certified. No, you don’t need to become a certified grower to become organic. It seems a good choice for dairy producers — providing they can deliver to a milk handler already into organic dairy products.” Nicolai feels strongly a third and fourth crop is needed “….because I don’t think we’ll be sustainable with just corn and soybeans. We’re too subject to politics, the farm bill, apparently trade tariffs too. We need to generate more research — both within the University system and the seed industry — on viable new alternatives.” Addressing the on-going battle with soybean aphids, Nicolai indicated University research is iden-

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tifying a few soybean lines that resist aphids. He noted none are 100-percent aphid resistant, but they do help. “Predators can help too, but because the aphid situation widely fluctuates from area to area and season to season, we may soon be looking at severe insecticide resistance,” Nicolai cautioned. “That potentially could become a major challenge to the soybean industry. Commercial insecticides are becoming more numerous because this is such a huge issue. Also, parasitic wasps and other natural predators need to be addressed. “Aphids are going to be a problem whether you are organic, or non-GMO. Research dollars are so vital in this area. Thanks to Minnesota Soybean Growers Association, some private seed industry companies, and the University of Minnesota plant pathology department, we’ve got to stay on top of this issue.

And keep researching new alternative crops also,” summed up Nicolai. Is there a particular question that seems highest priority in the minds of Minnesota farmers? Nicolai chuckled, “Besides the question of how do I make a buck in farming, challenges in weed control continue high on the list. We’re seeing some serious water hemp issues this year, plus more really weedy fields of soybeans. Yes, we can mostly blame wet conditions which pretty much eliminated spraying with ground rigs. But with soybeans barely a break-even crop this year, farmers didn’t much want to spray. Fertility is always an issue. Again, what’s the least amount I can get by with? Specifically with water hemp, it appears both pre-emerge treatment followed by a post emergence are needed … and that could include two shots of a pre.” v

Livestock industry needs to wake up LADLIE, from pg. 9 “Too often these integrator/investors tend to disconnect themselves from these issues when it comes to handling of the waste products of these facilities. This produces a major impact on perception. The point being, we can effectively mitigate a lot of these concerns by properly managing and treating manure biologically. We can mitigate virtually all issues surrounding manure while still maintaining pig capacity. And we can improve this product as an agronomic fertilizer. “We just attended an Iowa meeting on manure management and manure safety. We listened to University of Iowa specialists discuss a beef barn at Hanover, Iowa. In 2009, the young man, Jason Johnson, lost his father and a worker to hydrogen sulfide. A chain fell into the pit after pumping. His dad went down after it and didn’t come up. A worker went down after it and didn’t come up. The wife was going to go down but her dad pulled her away. In that same barn in 2016 they lost 23 head ready to go to market. At that point the University of Iowa got involved and started monitoring these sites because of a rash of cattle being killed over slatted floors because of hydrogen sulfide. “The stories this University of Iowa registered nurse told us were devastating and sad of people dying the last 10 years. What people don’t understand is that putrefied manure generates a lot of different toxic gases. Hydrogen sulfide is easy to produce in a beef barn because of finishing rations that contain a lot of DDGs (Distillers dried grains from the ethanol production process). When we start pumping those pits, 500 parts per million of hydrosulfide will kill you in two breathes! “We all need to become educated on these toxic issues. The cost of treating manure in a swine operation is like $4.50 an acre! You are getting multiples of that back in fertilizer value. We retain most of the nitrogen, the potassium, the phosphate, the trace elements. We get rid of putrefactions. You’re putting preprocessed manure into the soil and this all fosters soil health. The microbes in our cultures will continue

their work in the soils — improving the soils and reducing the toxicity of the salts. We’ve measured up to a 50 percent increase in yields after 2 to 3 years of treated manure applications to these fields. “The livestock industry is facing two groups of people: Those who are concerned about their neighborhood; and those who are just simply opposed to concentrated livestock production regardless. “The industry needs to wake up. Just watching television you’ll note about every fifth ad is an attorney waiting for someone to call him on an asbestos or drug issue or foul air concerns. The same thing is going to happen with concentrated livestock production facilities because these groups see them as a honey hole and they’re coming after it. Right now, if you have an odor problem and a fly problem and your neighbor sues, you’ve got a 90 percent chance of losing! “When you treat manure with microbes they produce enzymes. Enzymes are catalyst. Catalysts speed up chemical reactions in the growing of things or in the tearing down and recycling of things. Manure digestion is a microbial enzymatic process. Every microbe produces one or two enzymes to digest certain things in the manure. It may be salts, it may be carbohydrates/proteins. The native population of microbes in that manure are overwhelmed with the diversity of things getting into manure like DDGs, disinfectants, antibiotics — even discarded bakery goods. This stuff passes through the hog gut into the manure and this needs attention. “This is why we are continually looking at new cultures of microbes to handle these increasingly difficult situations. The first task of these microbes is to take out toxicities; second is to balance the manure. This happens in the pit before manure is pumped and hauled to the fields. These microbes take away these negative attributes making the manure a more valuable fertilizer.” For more information, visit www.profitproag.com. Ladlie can be reached at (507) 383.1325 or via emailat jladlie@profitproag.com. v

THE LAND — SEPTEMBER 21/SEPTEMBER 28, 2018

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THE LAND — SEPTEMBER 21/SEPTEMBER 28, 2018

WASDE: Dairy export forecasts lowered for 2019 or 1.5 percent from 2018. Fat basis export forecasts for 2018 and 2019 were reduced from the previous month on slowing shipments of whey products and a number of other dairy products; while fat basis import forecasts for both years were MIELKE MARKET raised on higher purchases WEEKLY of imported butterfat prodBy Lee Mielke ucts and cheese. On a skim-solids basis, export forecasts for 2018 and 2019 were lowered on weaker whey products sales 2018 production and marketings to China. Skim-solids basis import were projected at 217.8 and 216.8 bil- forecasts for 2018 and 2019 were raised lion pounds respectively, down 100 mil- on continued strong purchases of lion pounds from last month’s esti- cheese and other miscellaneous dairy mates. If realized, 2018 production products. Commodity Credit would still be up 2.3 billion pounds or Corporation donations reflected the 1.1 percent from 2017. recent pre-solicitation notice for the 2019 production and marketings Trade Mitigation Food Purchase and were estimated at 221.0 and 220.0 bil- Distribution Program. lion pounds respectively, up 100 million Cheese, non-fat dry milk and whey pounds on both. If realized, 2019 pro- prices were forecast higher for 2018 duction would be up 3.2 billion pounds while butter prices were lowered from This column was written for the marketing week ending Sept. 14. The U.S. Department of Agriculture lowered its 2018 milk production estimate in the latest World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates report, due to slightly lower milk cow numbers and a slower rate of growth in milk per cow in the third quarter. 2019 estimates were higher on slightly higher cow inventories.

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the previous month. The 2018 Class III milk price forecast was raised on higher forecast cheese and whey prices. Look for the Class III price to average $14.85-$15.05 per hundredweight. This is up 35 cents from last month’s projection and compares to a 2017 average of $16.17 and $14.87 in 2016. The 2019 average is now expected to range $15.20-$16.20, which is up 25 cents from what was projected a month ago. The Class IV price was raised as higher forecast nonfat dry milk prices more than offset lower butter prices. It is predicted to average $14-$14.30 per cwt. in 2018, up a nickel from last month’s estimate and compares to $15.16 in 2017 and $13.77 in 2016. Non-fat dry milk and whey prices for 2019 were raised while the butter price forecast was reduced from last month. The 2019 cheese price forecast was unchanged. The 2019 Class IV price is projected to average $14.30-$15.40, up 55 cents from what was expected a month ago. n This month’s 2018-19 U.S. corn outlook is for larger production, increased domestic use, greater exports and higher ending stocks, according to the WASDE. The Crop Production report forecasts corn production at 14.827 billion bushels, up 241 million or 2 percent from August and up 2 percent from last year on an increased yield forecast. Corn supplies are higher from last month, as a larger crop more than offsets a small decline in beginning stocks due to higher estimated exports for 2017-18. Feed and residual use for 2018-19 was raised 50 million bushels with a larger crop and lower expected prices. Corn used for ethanol was raised 25 million bushels. Soybean production was projected at a record 4.693 million bushels, up 107 million or 2 percent from August and up 7 percent from last year on a record yield forecast of 52.8 bushels per acre. Yields are expected to average a record high 52.8 bushels per acre, up 1.2 bushels from last month and up 3.7 bushels from last year. Area for harvest in the United States is forecast at 88.9 million acres, unchanged from August, but down 1 percent from 2017. Soybean supplies were raised with

higher production only partly offset by lower beginning stocks. With soybean crush up 10 million bushels and exports unchanged, ending stocks are projected at 845 million bushels, up 60 million from last month. The 2018-19 U.S. season-average soybean price is forecast at $7.35 to $9.85 per bushel, down 30 cents at the midpoint. Soybean meal prices were lowered $5.00 at the midpoint to $290 to $330 per short ton. Soybean oil prices were unchanged at 28.0 to 32.0 cents per pound. n A 5.4 magnitude earthquake hit Japan on Sept. 6, and in a region that provides about half of the country’s milk supply. Additional quakes followed and the Daily Dairy Report says the northern region lost power to 50 percent of the island, according to Bloomberg. The power loss affects farms, which of course can be supplied by generators but processors unable to handle the milk may lead to milk being dumped and shortages for milk and dairy products to consumers. New Zealand and Europe are the largest suppliers of butterfat to the Japanese market, as well as skim milk powder, according to the Daily Dairy Report, but is also a good customer of the United States. The farmer-funded Cooperatives Working Together export assistance program reported a major milestone this week topping 1 billion pounds worth of milk so far in 2018. The sum represents 50 percent of the overall rise in U.S. milk production through August of this year, according to CWT. To date, 2018 CWT export sales total 49.64 million pounds of American-type cheeses, 12.96 million pounds of butter (82 percent milkfat) and 45.7 million pounds of whole milk powder to 34 countries on five continents. These sales are the equivalent of 1.083 billion pounds of milk on a milkfat basis and compares to an estimated total increase in U.S. milk production of 2.095 billion pounds during the first eight months of 2018, vs. the same period last year. n Checking the markets, mid-September cheese prices were down again. Chicago Mercantile Exchange cheddar blocks closed Sept. 14 at $1.6050 per pound, down 5.75 cents on the week See MIELKE, pg. 29

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Demand is strong, but cash market prices continue to slip MIELKE, from pg. 28 and a half-cent below a year ago. The barrels finished at $1.42, down 8 cents, 3 cents below a year ago, and 18.5 cents below the blocks. Twelve cars of block traded hands on the week and 30 of barrel. FC Stone said in its Sept. 12 Early Morning Update, “Favorable milk production weather in the west and forecasts for that to continue may be creeping into the market’s mind as we wait for additional fundamental data.” The Sept. 14 edition added, “U.S. milk production in July was only up 0.4 percent — which initially looked friendly to prices, but behind the scenes fat and protein components in the milk have been growing significantly over the past few years. Higher components mean we have higher cheese yields which combined with more processing capacity has kept the cheese markets in check.” n Cheese demand reports in the Central region are generally positive, according to Dairy Market News. “Fresher cheese stocks, namely colby and cheddar, are moving well. Italian-style cheesemakers are also pointing to a continued steadiness, with some expected hiccups from the impending hurricane in the east affecting orders from that region.” Food service demand is seeing an uptick as schools have reopened in the Midwest. But cheese producers are not expecting orders to remain as steady following market drops as buyers may hold off and wait for further declines. Milk availability was mixed on the week. Most spot milk prices reported were at a premium, but there were some flat market prices reported as well. Western cheese makers report retail orders are strong, and with most educational institutions back in session, some food service accounts are pulling a little more cheese. Contacts say discounted milk loads are not as readily available, but they are having no trouble getting the milk they need. Cheese inventories, while heavy, are not burdensome; but some contacts are a bit perplexed, says Dairy Market News. “They see steady supply and demand signals, but are trying to fathom the driving force behind the slippage of prices on the cash market. As a result, a few end users are wanting to take a wait and see approach. Until the market provides clearer price signals, they are willing to work through inventories a little more rather than make new purchases.” n Spot butter fell to $2.1975 per pound on Sept. 12, rallied the next day, and closed Sept. 14 at $2.2350. This is up a half-cent on the week, but 21.25 cents below a year ago, with 15 sales reported for the week. Cream was a little tighter this week, according to butter makers. There was not a scarcity, but offers were lighter. Churning activity was similar to the previous week, steady to a bit higher with the exception of plants temporarily closed due to recent floods in Wisconsin. Butter interest is reportedly strong,

MARKETING although markets are uncertain. Some contacts suggest larger volumes of imported butter may put some downward pressure on domestic markets in the near term. The western butter market is defined as firm, according to Dairy Market News. Butter production remains active, now that cream stock offerings are more available. Retail requests for butter are going on at a stable rate. The seasonal baking season is also adding up to butter sales and contributing to reducing inventories which are higher compared to the previous year. Despite good market conditions, butter sellers reveal that prices are still lower, says Dairy Market News. Grade A nonfat dry milk closed Sept. 14 at 87.5 cents per pound. This is down 3.5 cents on the week, but 5.25 cents above a year ago, with five cars sold. The dry whey market kept getting bid to new record highs until a car was finally sold on Sept. 12 and one on the next day. It closed on Sept. 14 at 52.25 cents per pound, up three-quarter cents on the week. n In politics, lawmakers have returned to Capitol Hill from their August recess to tackle several issues before adjourning for the fall campaign season. Funding for government agencies is set to expire when the fiscal year ends Sept. 30. National Milk Producers Federation reports, “to avoid a government shutdown, Congress must pass a continuing resolution to extend current spending levels into the expected post-election lame duck session of Congress. However, the two chambers may complete work in the coming weeks on several appropriations measures for the 2019 fiscal year, lessening their workload after the November election.” September is also a critical period for finalizing work on the 2018 farm bill, as the current bill expires Sept. 30. The joint House-Senate conference committee held its first official public meeting on Sept. 5, and leaders from both House and Senate Agriculture Committees began meeting informally during last month’s recess, “underscoring the urgency of the situation,” says NMPF. Congress may also hold a vote on immigration legislation in September. NMPF says it has worked with House Judiciary Committee Chairman Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.), House Agriculture Committee Chairman Mike Conaway (R-Texas) and Ranking Member Collin Peterson (D-Minn.), as well as Rep. Dan Newhouse (R-Wash.), to advance the AG and Legal Workforce Act (H.R. 6417). The measure would create a new H-2C guest worker program for agricultural workers — including year-round dairy workers, coupled with new enforcement measures including E-Verify. This legislation was introduced before the August recess and NMPF says it has been working to build support for action on the measure in Congress yet this year.

A new ruling issued by a U.S. District Judge in South Carolina in mid-August has revived the 2015 Waters of the United States regulation for some states, though the rule does not apply in other states where court actions have stayed its implementation. NMPF says this most recent legal turn comes just after it submitted comments to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency that said the 2015 rule must be permanently rescinded and the prior version of the regulation re-codified to provide better clarity for dairy farmers. Details are posted on NMPF’s website. 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

Notice of Sale Via Sealed Bid Auction LYNDON KUNKEL FARM Sealed bids must be received by: WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 2018, AT NOON Date of sealed bid auction: FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 2018 @ 9AM Location for receipt of sealed bids and auction (only registered bidders may attend): Blethen Berens 100 Warren Street, Suite 400 Mankato, MN 56001 RAPIDAN FARM 88.91 acres +/88.66 FSA tillable acres Productive and system tiled Section 4, Rapidan Township, Blue Earth County, MN Tax Parcels: R48.13.04.451.001 / R4813.04.478.003

HOME FARM/SITE 68.06 acres +/18839 and 18581 552nd Ave. Good Thunder, MN 56037 Section 10, Rapidan Township, Blue Earth County, MN Tax Parcels: R48.13.10.300.005 / R48.13.10.300.006 Productive/well drained tillable acres (56.80 FSA tillable acres) Grain facilities/machinery storage building 2,400 total head hog finishing barns (4) Modern newly renovated home FOR TERMS, SEALED BID FORM, ADDITIONAL PROPERTY INFORMATION AND VIEWING APPOINTMENT CONTACT: Kimberly K. Kunkel 507-317-2013 farmg22@gmail.com or Christopher M. Roe 507.380.3862 croe@blethenlaw.com

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THE LAND — SEPTEMBER 21/SEPTEMBER 28, 2018

The future of agriculture depends on our youth By DICK HAGEN The Land Staff Writer MORGAN, Minn. — Today’s younger generation continues to be curious about farms and where their food originates. That quest led to a Mary Buschette most unique venture at the University of Minnesota Extension tent at Farmfest which took place Aug. 7-9. Explained Mary Buschette, Director of Alumni Constituent Relations, “We decided to let these younger people explore agriculture. And what better place than Farmfest, where dozens of agricultural vendors were on display telling people what they were all about. So we decided to let the kids conduct their own agricultural short course. “We got kids from elementary to high school to stop at different tents at Farmfest to ask questions. Like at the Minnesota Soybean Growers tent, we suggested they ask ‘What is agronomy?’ And, ‘why are soybeans important in our lives?’ Or at a machinery exhibit

ask ‘Why are your tractors so big?’ Or ask, ‘What is a combine?’ Or, ‘is it really true these machines can drive themselves across the fields?’ Or at the Corn Growers tent ask, ‘What is this stuff called ethanol?’ And, ‘is it really made from corn?’ “We’re hoping these kids start realizing there’s all kinds of things connected to this thing call farming. And just maybe some will start seeing their own future in this world of agriculture.” Buschette noted several FFA chapters in Minnesota now have more female students than male students. And a growing number of FFA chapters have more non-farm students than farm kids taking agricultural training programs offered in Minnesota high schools. “This is so good to see this happening,” she said. “There is a USDA/Purdue University study that showed there is a 30,000 person gap in employees in the agricultural food and natural resources industry. I think that’s critical … so many job opportunities and so few agriculturally trained students to fill them.

“I think too many people make the assumption that kids in the Twin Cities don’t have any interest in learning about where their food comes from. That’s true even in greater Minnesota where every community is surrounded by farms and farmers. This disconnect is only going to produce an even larger gap for employers wanting to hire young people to work in the thousands of jobs our vast agricultural industry has to offer.” Buschette challenges students and parents to get interested about the food chain and take more science classes. She even remembered a theme tag: “If

you eat, you are involved in agriculture.” She’s a champ about continuing education too — a two-year community college training or a four-year program leading to a college degree. “There are so many opportunities. Even the kids who did their own ag short course stops at various Farmfest exhibitors were excited when they came back to our Extension tent. “I’m passionate about the future for young kids who begin to understand just how big their future might be if they make agriculture their ambition,” summed up Buschette. v

Prepare horse pastures now for healthy start next year ST. CLOUD, Minn. — While many of us think about crops and harvesting them, fall is also an important time of year for pasture care — especially for horse owners. Here are some things to do now to keep your pasture looking great and giving it a boost for next year. Seed pasture grasses. Mid-August to mid-September is the best time of year to seed or reseed your pastures because there is usually adequate moisture, less weed competition, and cool, desirable weather conditions. Take soil samples. See if your pastures need any nutrients. Any time from now until the ground freezes is a good time to take samples because the soils are drier and more stable. Dispose of manure and fertilize. If you are going to fertilize your pastures with manure, sample the manure first so you know how much you should spread. Only spread manure on your pastures if you have more than two acres per horse. You can also use a commercial fertilizer. Test your soils first so you know how much you need. If you want to control perennial

weeds with an herbicide, now is the time. Perennial plants are storing nutrients for winter in their roots. As the nutrients go into the roots, so will the herbicide, giving the best chance for a successful kill. Make sure your fences are in good shape before the snow flies. Fix any broken posts before they are frozen into the ground. Also clear out any debris or trash from pastures. Rest the pasture. If you have a pasture that is over-grazed, rest it for the remainder of the year. This will give the grass a chance to store up nutrients for next year, so the pasture will be healthier in the spring. On average, a pasture needs 30 days of rest after 1-2 weeks of grazing. Remove animals during frosts, Hoof traffic after a frost can damage grasses. Have a sacrifice area set aside where the horses can be held until the grass thaws. This article was submitted by University of Minnesota Extension. v

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Real Estate Blue Earth Co. Farm For Sale: Judson Township NE 1/4 Sec. 14, SE SW 1/4 Sec. 11. 187.9 tillable. Contact Agricultural Resource Management Co. John Murphy Broker PO Box 4097 Mankato, MN 56002 507-625-1363 Sell your land or real estate in 30 days for 0% commission. Call Ray 507-339-1272

Real Estate Wanted WANTED: Land & farms. I have clients looking for dairy, & cash grain operations, as well as bare land parcels from 40-1000 acres. Both for relocation & investments. If you have even thought about selling contact: Paul Krueger, Farm & Land Specialist, Edina Realty, 138 Main St. W., New Prague, MN 55372. paulkrueger@edinarealty.com (612)328-4506

Antiques & Collectibles Buying and Selling Gold & Silver, collector coins, diamonds, gold jewelry, silver dollars, pocket watches, antiques, rare currency, any gold or silver items. 350+ gold coins for sale. Will travel to buy! 35 years same retail location. Fairmont, MN, Kuehl’s Coins, 507-235-3886

Feed Seed Hay Alfalfa, mixed hay, grass hay, and feed grade wheat straw. Medium squares or round bales. Delivery available. Call or text LeRoy Ose. 218689-6675 WANTED TO BUY: Damaged corn, soybeans & other grains. Call Schwieger Cattle LLC. (507)236-5181

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THE LAND — SEPTEMBER 21/SEPTEMBER 28, 2018

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THE LAND — SEPTEMBER 21/SEPTEMBER 28, 2018 Bins & Buildings SILO DOORS Wood or steel doors shipped promptly to your farm stainless fasteners hardware available. (800)222-5726 Landwood Sales LLC

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Farm Equipment

(2) Killbros 1055 550 bu grav- 2005 Nuhn 6750, hyd drive, 5 ity boxes, green, made by disc incorp, flow meter, 440 Unverferth, $10,750 ea.; JD Raven monitor, 30.5/32 tires, 9510 combine, 2,275 sep hrs, $27,000/OBO. (507)236-6149 duals, long auger, big motor, $32,900; ‘03 JD 925F full fin- 9500 JD Combine 1996 model. ger flexhead, $9,450; JD 643 4x4 Green Star rebuilt, like 6x30 cornhead, knife rolls, new tires, 4500 & 6600 hours, oil bath, $3,750; ‘06 Loftness nice, $16,500; 4560 JD Trac22’ stalk chopper, exc cond, tor MFD hub duals, 11500 hours, power shift, $24,500. $5,900. (320)769-2756 Call 715-772-4255

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Farm Equipment

THE LAND — SEPTEMBER 21/SEPTEMBER 28, 2018

Farm Equipment

Brent 1082 grain cart w/ tarp & DMC 30 foot stir-ator, 3 screw, FOR SALE: C-IH 3900 disk, FOR SALE: JD 6600 dsl com- FOR SALE: JD 27 stalk chop- JD 680 15’ chisel plow, tru heavy bearings, bine, JD 220 flex head, JD per, 15’; (2) 6” augers - 1 is depth shanks, Summer 3pt scale, 900x32 tires, $24,500; good condition, $16,000/OBO. 25.5’, $13,000; C-IH 7500 6-bottom 643 cornhead. JD 7720 com- 21’ & 1 is 29’. (952)492-6144 Parker 5500 600 bu gravity 715-572-1234 HD harrow, $7,900; Westenvari-width plow, w/coulters, bine. JD 8300 grain drill. All box w/ tarp, 445x22.5 tires, dorf 400 bu gravity box, 12T, $5,900; Brent 440 gravity FOR SALE: Fantini chopping $5,500, both good cond. (507) excellent condition. 320-583w/ 16.5x16.1 tires, $2,250; box w/ 15x22.5 tires, $4,250; 8R & 12R CH; 70’ Elmer 557-8357 JD 2700 3pt 4x18 spring re2751 set plow, $1,250; JD 2700 Balzer 2000 20’ stalk chop- drag, Merritt alum hopper FOR SALE: Geringhoff 830 3pt 6x18 spring re-set plow, per, good knives, $3,450; JD grain trailers; 24R30” JD pl rota disk, C-IH mts; ‘75 JD FOR SALE: ‘17 Soucy tracks, $1,350; JD 443 cornhead, w/ 635 35’ disc, rock flex w/ JD on Kinze bar; Big A floater; 4630, 4500 hrs, 2 owner trac- came off JD 690, will fit JD knife rolls, $2,450; Wil-rich harrow, $10,900; JD 924 flex- 175 Michigan ldr; IH 964 tor; Balzer 2000 20’, 8-30 or Int’l combines, like new 614NT 27’ disk, 26” blades, head, $1,900; JD 843 corn- CH; White 706 & 708 CH & mtd; Wil-Rich 6600 4 shank condition, $53,000. 320-2698719 or 320-226-0296 head, $3,250; Maurer 30’ parts; White plows & parts; disk ripper. 507-920-3313 GENERATORS Used, low 385x22.5 tires, HD 3 bar harhead trailer w/ lights, $2,900. 54’ 4300 IH field cultivator; hour take-outs. 20 kW - 2000 row, $26,900; 320-769-2756 FOR SALE: 230 JD 21’ tandem FOR SALE: Artsway 240B 8R 320-769-2756 kW. Diesel, propane, & nat- JD4020 DSL3PT JDW, $7,995; JD 44’ field cult; 3300 Hinidisc, new tires, good blades; stalk chopper/flail mower, ural gas. CAT, Cummins/ JD2940DSL New tires with ker field cult; header trailer. excellent condition, $3,000. 7’ Tebben heavy duty 3pt roPlease recycle this magazine. Onan, Kohler, Detroit Diesel, loader, $11,500; JD2955 CAH 507-380-5324 Call 507-274-5162 tary cutter. (507)640-0146 & more. www.abrahamin- overhauled, $11,900; all good dustrial.com. (701) 371-9526 runners. 320-543-3523 International Model 55 25’ New Idea #325 corn picker; chisel plow; 7 bottom Inter- Little Giant portable elenational spring reset mold vator; 170 bu barge box JD wagon & hoist. (320) 587-5823 board plow. (507)859-2766

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THE LAND — SEPTEMBER 21/SEPTEMBER 28, 2018

tru 3pt en12T, 50; re700 ow, w/ rich des, har-

Farm Equipment We buy Salvage Equipment Parts Available Hammell Equip., Inc. (507)867-4910

Tractors

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Tillage Equip

FOR SALE: 2008 New Holland ‘09 3710 JD plow 7 bottom, Boomer TC45DA, construc- hasn’t been used since 2015, tion tires, front assist w/su- exc condition, plowed averper steer, 740 hrs, one owner, age of 500 acres per year, always shedded, never used $29,500/OBO. (507) 951-5237 in winter mos. Call Jim (605) 637-5319 or leave mess. DMI 6 bottom variable width plow, in furrow, works good, FOR SALE: Oliver 880 used never plugs in corn stalks, parts - good wide front, above average condition, ex$375.00; narrow front end w/ tra parts, $700. 507-317-1482 PS, $350.00; good sheet metal, wheel weights, & parts FOR SALE: JD 235 30’ cushfor other Oliver models 60- ion gang disc, $4,900. 5072255. (218) 564-4273 327-6430

95; with AH FOR SALE: 1030 Case Comood Harvesting Equip ‘00 JD 8410T track tractor, fort King, straight pin, good Auto Trac Ready (plug & rubber, Dynoed, 93HP. 507ker; play) 120” wide stance W/ 841-0085 1994 Gleaner R-52, 2085 eng ele- 24” Camoplast belts (80%), hrs, 1250 sep hrs, clean maJD undercarriage good, 3 pt & JD 4240 powershift, 5800 hrs, chine, always shedded, will 3 outlets, 18.4/38 Firestone 823 PTO. Many new parts-excelcome with 6R cornhead & 20’ lent mechanical condition, rears (75%), matching duals beanhead, $32,000. (507)524(40%), 4 rib front (80%+), $57,500. Call 507-789-6049 rock box, quick hitch, clean 4754 or (507)995-8110 cab, $23,700/OBO. (507) 451- 2013 C-IH 3020 35’ flexhead, ‘63 JD 4010, gas, 6126 hrs, wide front, 3 pt, cab, Westendorf 9614 or (507) 213-0600 w/Crary airbar, exc cond, TA25 ldr, needs TLC, $4,500/ $32,500. (507) 430-2639 NEW AND USED TRACTOR OBO. (641) 324-3270 Call afPARTS JD 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, FOR SALE: JD 115 15’ Flail ter 4 p.m. or leave mess. 55, 50 Series & newer trac- Shredder, ‘02 model, one ‘68 JD 3020, 148 ldr, gas, syn- tors, AC-all models, Large owner, chopped a total of cro/range, good tires; ‘68 JD Inventory, We ship! Mark 1800 acres of corn stalks, 4020 diesel, syncro/range, Heitman Tractor Salvage like new condition, $10,500 715-673-4829 retired farmer. (952)466-9818 or make offer. (763) 497-7353

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THE LAND — SEPTEMBER 21/SEPTEMBER 28, 2018

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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.

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THE LAND — SEPTEMBER 21/SEPTEMBER 28, 2018 Harvesting Equip

Harvesting Equip Massey Agco 8000 30’ flex head, will fit Gleaner, Massey Ferguson & Challenger combines. Was used on 9690 Massey last fall. U-2 reel, sch sickle, electric fore/aft, single point hook up, $6,000/OBO. Call or text 320-248-2070

FOR SALE: ‘12 JD 618C 18R22”, chopping corn head, Contour Master, hyd deck RETIRED: CIH 2366 combine, plates, bought new, always 1,687 sep hrs, 2,666 eng hrs, shedded, 2000 acres on specialty rotor, long unloadcomplete rebuild, exc cond, ing auger, field tracker, grain $74,900. 715-377-2940 loss monitor, header control, heavy duty final drives, FOR SALE: ‘82 JD 6620 side- chain oilers. 605-359-6205 hill combine, 3885 hrs, AC converted to R134A, 643 low Grain Handling tin oil bath cornhead, 216 Equipment bean head, 212 5 belt pickup head, always shedded, quit FOR SALE: Burchland drive farming, $19,750. (763)497- over pit, 10” auger, belly or 7353 side dump, hydraulic drive, FOR SALE: IH 1083 cornhead, good condition, $8,750; Loftness 20’ stalk chopper, 1 yr old gear box, new hoods & knives, $6,300. 507-461-3835 FOR SALE: JD combine, diesel, good shape, 216 grain head, 444 cornhead, $4,000 for all. 763-856-4220 FOR SALE: 20’ Loftness stalk chopper, like new, $10,500. (320) 220-1138 FOR SALE: C-IH 2020 beanhead, 25’, header height control, exc cond. (507) 530-8875 Gleaner 8200 30’ flex head, 2 SCH sickles, Crary air rail, fore/aft single point hookup, EZ Trail transport. (507)8674692 IH 1460 combine, IH engine, 3100 hrs, 28Lx26 tires, $8,000 in updates, field ready, exc shape, always shedded, w/1063 cornhead, exc shape, $14,500. (507) 533-4620 or (507) 951-5071 JD 3300 gas combine, w/2R36” cornhead, new drive tires; JD 4420 combine, diesel, w/12’ beanhead, both exc cond, field ready. (320) 2520674 JD 9600 combine, 2500 hrs, like new front to back, $32,000. (507)478-4221 Late model 9550 JD combine, fully equipped w/ most options, Contour Master, 240HP eng, always shedded, very good shape; 893 CH w/ hyd deck plates, header hgt control, Contour Master. 507236-3138 or 507-236-5394

stored inside, very nice. 507236-5394

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Grain Handling Equipment

New 10” power sweep for 36’ New 10HP single phase centrifugal fan w/ transition and bin, $2,200. (507) 697-6133 Leave message if no answer. controls, $2,400. 507-697-6133

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Livestock Equipment

Livestock

THE LAND — SEPTEMBER 21/SEPTEMBER 28, 2018 Swine

FOR SALE: (7) s/s tube hog FOR SALE: Black Angus Spot, Duroc, Chester White, feeders 5’ (8) s/s tube hog bulls also Hamp, York, & Boars & Gilts available. feeders, 7’, (3) s/s tube hog Hamp/Duroc boars & gilts. Monthly PRRS and PEDV. Delivery available. Steve feeders 9 1/2’; (2) 10T feed- 320-598-3790 Resler. 507-456-7746 er livestock bulk pens, (1) 8T AP bulk pen, (2) 1 1/2-2T Swine plastic bulk pens. 507-848Cars & Pickups 4623 Compart’s total program feaSwine Feeders: Used Thorp tures superior boars & open Wet/Dry Feeders, 84”, Good gilts documented by BLUP FOR SALE: ‘91 Ford F250 Lariet, standard cab, 7.3 diesel, Cond, $125. (507)381-2290 technology. Duroc, York, 5 spd, spring hitch, 5th whl Landrace & F1 lines. Ter- ball, brake control & toolbox, minal boars offer leanness, good tires & recent brake Wanted muscle, growth. Maternal work done, $2995/OBO. (320) gilts & boars are productive, 760-0692 or (320) 239-2761 All kinds of New & Used farm lean, durable. All are stress equipment - disc chisels, field free & PRRS free. Semen Trucks & cults, planters, soil finishers, also available through Elite Trailers cornheads, feed mills, discs, Genes A.I. Make ‘em Grow! balers, haybines, etc. 507- Comparts Boar Store, INC. 1973 Mack truck Model Toll Free: 877-441-2627 438-9782 DM685, w/20’ grain box & FOR SALE: Yorkshire, Hamp- Knapheide hoist. (507)459shire, Duroc & Hamp/Duroc 0376 boars, also gilts. Excellent selection. Raised outside. FOR SALE: ‘90 Freightliner Exc herd health. No PRSS. day cab, N-14, 9spd, 192” WB, jb, alum wheels, 90% Delivery avail. 320-760-0365 rubber & brakes, 661K miles, excellent, farmer owned, $6,000. 507-381-3840

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FOR SALE: ‘79 Ford LN800 twin screw, 475 gas, Allision transmission, 19 1/2’ steel box & hoist, roll tarp & no rust, $9,995. 507-220-2834 FOR SALE: ‘74 IH 1800 tandem truck, 20’ box & hoist. 507-427-3561

Sell your livestock in The Land with a line ad. 507-345-4523

Recreational Vehicles FOR SALE: ‘02 Itasca Suncruiser, 32’ w/ 2 slide outs, PLUS a pull behind ‘95 Saturn car, both in excellent condition. 507-456-1868

Miscellaneous PARMA DRAINAGE PUMPS New pumps & parts on hand. Call Minnesota’s largest distributor HJ Olson & Company 320-974-8990 Cell - 320-212-5336 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

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THE LAND — SEPTEMBER 21/SEPTEMBER 28, 2018

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

Holdingford has it covered

he town of Holding’s Ford was founded in Stearns County Minnesota by Randolph Holding in the 1870s. It was called Holding’s Ford, presumably, because it was a pretty good place to cross Two Rivers River which come out of Two Rivers Lake not too far away. When the railroad came through town in 1907, they built a pretty long bridge over Two Rivers. That likely put an end to the need for a ford across the river; but folks continued to call the place Holding’s Ford. They called it that until the 1930s at which time they changed it to, simply, Holdingford. During those years the town also earned the moniker, “Moonshine Capitol of Minnesota” due to its copious production of Minnesota 13 — an illicit adult beverage made from a corn variety of the same name. Well, history moved on and the train that crossed the river loaded with cases of amber-colored Minnesota 13 in the 1930s blew its whistle for the last time late in the last century. Across Minnesota there was a frenzy of track and tie removal. Towns and counties were stuck with thousands of miles of railroad right-of-way and hundreds of bridges. In those days, Minnesotans could still agree with each other. They came up with the crazy idea of a trails network for bicyclists, walkers and snowmobilers. Thanks to that

Holdingford, Minn.

vision, Minnesota now hosts a remarkable statewide network of trails that criss-cross the state. The Soo Line Bicycle Trail travels through Holdingford and crosses over Two Rivers River on the old Soo Line railroad bridge. Now, as I mentioned, that bridge is a pretty long bridge. But there are longer bridges in the trail system. One day, early in this century, Holdingford Mayor Rosemary Scepaniak had a superlative idea. Why not turn our pretty long bridge into Minnesota’s longest covered bridge. Crazy! Audacious! Brilliant! So it was that Holdingford’s gifted mayor worked with the Holdingford Lion’s Club and the Army Corp of Engineers to construct, in 2008, Minnesota’s longest covered bridge near Randolph Holding’s old ford on Two Rivers River. Now-a-days, young athletic bicyclists travel from afar, ride through Holdingford’s pretty park, past the tin man sculpture, to the bridge where they have themselves photographed at Minnesota’s longest covered bridge. They come from nearby St. Cloud, far away Montana, and even from London England. Many of them sign the guest book. “Worth the journey,” the Londoner wrote. v

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THE LAND, Advertising Supplement

Sept. 21/Sept. 28, 2018

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

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THE LAND, Advertising Supplement

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THE LAND, Advertising Supplement

Sept. 21/Sept. 28, 2018

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