THE LAND ~ April 26, 2019 ~ Northern Edition

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April 19, 2019 April 26, 2019

Poultry!

We look at grass-fed hens, turkey egg production and family-owned operations throughout The Land region

ALSO INSIDE:

A late snow brings down the roof Bringing aid to a flooded Nebraska Dick Hagen makes maple syrup

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THE LAND — APRIL 19/APRIL 26, 2019

Chatter from the Chatterbox

P.O. Box 3169 418 South Second St. Mankato, MN 56002 (800) 657-4665 Vol. XXXVIII ❖ No. 8 24 pages, 1 section plus supplements

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COLUMNS Opinion Farm and Food File The Back Porch Table Talk In The Garden Cooking With Kristin Mielke Market Weekly Farm Programs Marketing Auctions/Classifieds Advertiser Listing Back Roads

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Recognizing it was my turn for Land good shepherd ignored their comments Minds, I woke up this morning (March and reminded us that sheep are making 26) thinking about a Q & A session at the good money today. “There’s more and more Round Table. I’m speaking of our mornethnic people across the country — even ing coffee sessions at the Chatterbox here in this area — who only eat lamb Café — the venerable ‘intelligence center’ meat. Wool is in demand too.” of Renville County.

Smokey, our Ohio migrant, got into So now it’s 8:30 a.m. Six at the Round trucking after retiring from Southern Table (now referenced as the RT), plus a Minnesota Sugar Co-op. He was primarily couple of late arrivals. I shared my hauling seeds — both corn and sugar beet LAND MINDS intentions. Our good waitress refilled seed. Olivia is the corn center of

By Dick Hagen three coffee pots and away we went!

Minnesota and at one time had four different brands of seed corn produced in the With big snow piles still around the area. Also, Southern Minnesota Sugar Chatterbox parking lot, my obvious Cooperative is the world’s largest. lead question was, “When will planting start this year?” With eight seated at the RT (three These 2,000-mile trucking runs gave him a bird’s retired farmers plus five others retired, but not eye view of agriculture. “Midwest farmers are the farmers) I’m using only first names to protect the best,” Smokey claimed. “And the best money-making innocent — of which there are zero in this bunch. farmers are the Mennonites, the Amish and the However, our group features two Bobs, so I referHutterites. I recall stopping at a Nebraska ence them as Older Bob and Younger Bob. Both Hutterite irrigated farm. The only thing he was irriBobs have sons now running their farms. gating was his pasture. Why I asked? That’s the only crop making me money. If I got water left I’ll Older Bob ventured, “It looks no sooner than late April to me”. Younger Bob said, “That sounds likely then water my corn too.”

— providing no more snow storms or heavy rains.”

I asked my RT veterans why dairy farms have disappeared from Renville County … only three left.

Larry, our retired Olivia city crew member chuckQuick response was dairy cows left because that’s led, “Bob, you just retired. You said your son was doing the farming. You were just going to make cer- hard work. Jim recalled his dad had eight cows. “20 tain you got your dock in early.” Jim, retired plumb- cows was a good-sized farm herd 40 years ago.” Jim left the farm three years ago, moving into Olivia. So ing supply sales man ventured, “I just look out my window. If I see Jim in his field I figure it’s time for the Chatterbox is only a 5-minute drive. me to plant radishes.”

So my next question to these grizzled veterans: “Will your sons do a good or better job running the Smokey, our Ohio immigrant who ventured to the Renville, Minn. sugar beet plant from Ohio sugar pro- farm than you did?” Jim responded quickly. “Well, I cessing work was specific. “I would say maybe 15th to certainly hope so.” But he added his cell phone rings whenever his son needs some help. Younger Bob 16th.” That prompted Howard, a 59-year shearing sheep veteran, ”You sugar beet guys … always precise admits turning the operation over to his son has been a bit of a mental challenge. “But he’s college to the day. How the hell do you know?” educated, has had good work experience with a But reality spiked when table talk turned to neighboring farmer, and I’m providing him a full money. “Sounds like a few won’t be farming this line of good equipment. We had those 5-6 years of year,” was the gloomy comment of all three retired good money, but the past three haven’t been so good. farmers and echoed by Tom and Jim. “And it looks And 2019 sounds like another financial challenge.” like it’s catching the full range. Both younger and Sheepman Howard to the rescue. “Make certain older guys getting squeezed out.” they are Triple A farmers,” he said, “April, August Younger Bob talks with bankers frequently (social and Arizona!” Yep, even the RT crew agreed with chatter he claims). His bankers tell him a few area that wisdom! Smokey said he’d heard markets yesfarmers aren’t getting operating loans this year. terday on the Linder Farm Network. July corn priced “And they don’t want to chew up any more of their at $2.79. “Get enough yield and there might be some retirement equity, so they’re electing to quit farming.” profit” was consensus of the three retired farmers.

But the consensus of the brain trust at the RT was, City employee Larry recalled when he was a kid there’s always a few farmers willing to take on more acres if they can rent for $200 or less. And that’s the doing farm work he was getting $2 a day. Thirdgeneration farmer Jim prompted, “When my anceschallenge: land owners still wanting $250 or more. tors decided to quit being cave men, they turned to Are more sheep the answer? That suggestion styfarming. And that’s how I got to Minnesota, my pedmied the table. But Howard, our sheep shearing vet- igree tells me.” eran (with an estimate of a little over 900,000 shorn Tom related his family history dates back to sheep), said he couldn’t recall a sheep farmer ever Germany coming to America in 1846. “They were going broke! The seven non-sheep guys around the table guffawed that comment. “Howard, you got some two brothers, settled just west of Milwaukee. They of that sheep wool lodged in your brain.” Yep, the RT had six sons and needed more land. They heard crew isn’t bashful about biting back. However, our See LAND MINDS, pg. 3

OPINION

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PAGE 3

Round Table discussion quiet on the future of farming LAND MINDS, from pg. 2 about land being available at Wells, Minn., so they walked the 500 miles to check. Found some land they could homestead. Staked it and then walked back to Milwaukee. The next spring they picked up all their belongings and walked again the 500 miles to Wells to start their new farming life.”

Tom’s great grandparents farmed till 1899 in the Wells area. Meanwhile, a railroad to Chicago was built through the area and farmers could send their wheat to Chicago. Wheat prices zoomed. “My greatgrandfather had a 160-acre farm; bought another 80 acres. Then sold the 240 acres and came up to Bird Island. Land was cheap and he bought a total of 1,050 acres. Taxes were 10 cents an acre, but it was all wetland, often underwater. Bird Island was an island during high rainfall periods. But In the ‘20s, the big ditch was dug in and taxes jumped to $10 an acre to pay for the ditch!

“Plus they had three years of drought,” Tom went on to say. “It was so dry that third year they couldn’t pay taxes and lost the farm. There were no government programs in those days to bail you out when crops failed. Grandpa had six sons who needed work, so they went into custom farming. They would provide the equipment and labor to get fields planted and harvested for other farmers. They owned a threshing machine. Lots of labor in these operations too.”

The RT guys agreed it was in the late 1920s the Kercher clan started digging Renville County drainage ditches to get the prairie drained so crop farming would work. “Steam powered dredges in those days. Sometimes they had to get mats laid over the soils to support these big digging machines.”

After two and three coffee refills, it’s time to wrap up table talk. The general agreement was that unless a major weather disaster occurs somewhere, farm income was in the tank for 2019 too. So who would be farming Renville County in the future?

Would socialized agriculture happen?

Jim reminded, “This farming is a cyclical business, always has been and that continues. I started farming in 1967. Rent was $30 an acre and you couldn’t make any money. It’s no different now except there’s another zero behind that $30. Rent is $300 and you can’t make any money. If rent was $100 the younger guys could make that work.”

Younger Bob said $250 rent is where we’re at today, but land costs have dropped from those $12,000 highs just 4-5 years ago to $6,000-$8,000 today. “Interest is more reasonable, but we do need some kick in our commodity markets,” he said.

So how long can the financially-strapped survive?

There is usually lots of chatter on such a question, but today even the RT guys were cautious. Smokey ventured, “My guess is the government will let it get lower and then come on with a program to keep them on the land until things get better again.”

Jim was asked how long will your son last before he needs to be bailed out? “He may need that off-farm income,” Jim admitted. “There’s gobs of jobs available.”

Younger Bob ventured, “Sometimes it doesn’t take too much to get that worm turned around. Like right now, both sides of the Missouri River from Sioux City on south into Missouri are flooded. And from Nashville and down the Mississippi, farm lands are flooded. But a week of rain-free weather can make huge differences. However, if lots of these flooded acres don’t get planted, then we’d have a price bump.

We asked Jim, the retired plumbing supply guy, will every acre get planted in Renville County regardless of whether it cash flows? “Sure, it always does,” he replied. “We’ve got some high-caliber farmers around here. One way or another, they find a way to get things done.”

Looking at American politics, is socialism inevitable even in American agriculture? Speaking for virtually every member of the RT, younger Bob retorted, “I don’t think socialism has a place in America … and certainly not in agriculture. We thrive on the competitive spirit. That’s what makes American agriculture such a power worldwide!”

Jim thinks younger people really are embracing socialism. Tom cautioned, “If we really want socialism all we need do is vote in this age 16 voting.”

Jim, who has been to Cuba, reminded, “In Cuba the voting age is 16. And Cuba is a mess.“ Can you imagine 16-year-old kids voting in America? “That’s scary!” was the consensus opinion of the RT on March 26. And these guys ain’t going to change!

“Get the energy power people to increase ethanol usage 5 percent in America would be a big boost to the ag industry,” said Younger Bob. “That special wavier to protect the oil refineries is just plain political favoritism of the worst kind.”

Nope, the RT doesn’t agree with a 20-cent gas tax increase. But yes, they agree a lesser amount, like maybe 5 cents is doable and wouldn’t slow down the economy.

Now it was time to shake dice. Larry was the loser — buying eight cups at $1.50 each. A $12 tuition this morning. So there you have it: wisdom from the Round Table! And a few wry comments too. Like Smokey, who jested, “I thought getting older would take longer!”

Howard probably spoke for all when he said, “Behind every angry woman stands a man who has absolutely no idea what he did wrong.” Jim chimed in, “Some things are just better left unsaid. And I usually realize it right after I say them.” To which Larry muttered, “A wise man once said nothing.”

Then he added, “Respect your elders. They graduated school without the internet.”

One comment with 100 percent agreement: Keep God in your hearts every day!

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

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Forecast for Trump trade talks: More snow, maybe ice If what we’re seeing now Republican, could approve. is the Trump trade “strateFor example, White House gy” — cram trade talks officials are currently sugbetween the United States gesting any trade deal with and China; the United China may be just a “memStates and Japan; and the orandum of understanding,” United States and or MOA — not a treaty.

European Union into an This difference isn’t ever-tightening window — export-dependent American FARM & FOOD FILE semantic. To take effect, trade treaties must be ratifarmers and ranchers are

By Alan Guebert fied by Congress. An in serious trouble for sevMOA, however, is a deal eral reasons. between negotiators, not The first reason is the nations, so Congress relentless calendar. Trade talks can’t vote on it. require years to negotiate. The updatThere’s no way Congress, nor you, ed NAFTA 2.0, for example, missed its would accept a diminished — or, in U.S.-imposed deadline and, in fact, this case, no — role on a vitally imporremains in limbo because its hasty negotiation left unanswered questions. tant deal sight unseen before it becomes law.

A second troublesome reason is more But that’s not all. The Trump consequential. Election Day 2020 is Administration, with China’s consent, just 18 months away. Can you think of may drop the World Trade any circumstance (short of Divine Intervention) where House-controlling Organization as the arbiter of disputes Democrats will pass any legislation — that might arise after a deal is struck. including any trade deal — that gives Undermining the WTO, an oft-stated Donald J. Trump a political victory in Trump goal, is a terrible idea because an election year? Me either. it wipes out the strongest force On a purely tactical level, though, it American farmers and ranchers have to level any trading inequity. may not matter because the Trump Administration appears to be working And that’s just the China talks. The hard to deliver trade deals no Capitol U.S.-E.U. talks began under a cloud as Hill majority, Democratic or the Trump Administration insisted

talks include agriculture and the E.U. repeatedly reminded the U.S. it only agreed to talks if they excluded ag.

Then there are the U.S.-Japan talks which began (before they actually began) with U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue telling reporters April 12 “that after a meeting with (U.S. Trade Representative Robert) Lighthizer, he is hoping for a quick, ag-only deal ahead of a broader free trade agreement with Japan,” according to Agri-Pulse.

There was a small problem, though: “…one government official tells AgriPulse that USDA is not scheduled to play a role in the talks next week....”

Golly, why would Secretary Sonny sandbag reporters on U.S.-Japanese trade talks before they even started?

Three days later, the Wall Street Journal offered a big clue.

“In January and February,” it reported, “Japanese beef imports rose 25 percent ... driven by a 51 percent surge in frozen beef imports. The particular beneficiaries are Canada and New Zealand, which logged 345 percent and 133 percent growth in total beef exports.”

The reason America’s chief beef competitors are doing so well in Japan is simple: “Much of the U.S. interest in

No Gimmicks - No Games We like to keep your seed buying experience simple

To the Editor, The green renewable energy fans are pleased that the state’s electrical industry has surpassed the reduced carbon mandate years ahead of schedule. Now the liberal metro legislators have plans to pass a mandate with a much higher reduction of CO2. Be careful what you wish for.

The “polar vortex” of Jan. 30 and 31 with extremely low temperatures caused the electric industry great concerns to “keep the lights on.”

Renewables were not working. Wind turbines with little or no wind, plus 20 below temperatures required them to

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the Trans-Pacific Partnership dried up after the U.S. backed out in 2016.”

Recall that President Trump nailed the TPP door shut only days after taking office.

Worse, the flood of competitor beef into Japan is about to trigger import tariffs on all imported beef, explained the Journal. That will boost tariffs on U.S. beef from “38.5 to 50 percent for a year…” TPP signees (not us) will be “unaffected, placing the burden on the U.S. practically alone and hitting American agricultural competitiveness hard.”

That emerging “hard hit” means the U.S. all but handed the Japanese beef market to competitors last year as, equally likely, we’re handing the Chinese soybean and pork markets to competitors this year.

It also confirms what White House trade critics have long maintained: the White House has no clear trade strategy.

Other than more snow and perhaps even ice, that is.

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

Letter: Renewable energy unreliable in polar vortex be shut down for equipment safety.

The many thousands of solar panels generated no electricity as they were covered with snow for many days.

Electric generation came from natural gas, oil and coal fired turbines. The industry had many tense moments those days as millions of customers in the north central region enjoyed their warm homes.

Renewable energy sounds great until you add the word “unreliable.” Let us make sure that much higher noncarbon mandates do not become law.

Don Buck Zumbrota, Minn.

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.

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Circumstances piled up along with the snow After multiple snowstorms during the and went to get a tractor so he could pull winter of 2019, Mike and I grew skeptical his skid loader out. of meteorologists. Surely the next big It was an easy pull, but a short-lived storm won’t be as big as the last one. But victory. While the skid steer was now

by Saturday noon, what we hoped was free, the tractor that pulled it out was hyperbole became reality. It was snowing. now stuck in the snow in front of an open Again. gate. Mike then climbed out of the tracI looked out the window at our steer tor, to get a pickup so he could pull his yard and said, “At least the cattle are tractor out.

THE BACK PORCH enjoying the snow.” The 1,300-pound It was about this time that I stepped steers were frolicking in the winter wonBy Lenae Bulthuis into my shoes to follow my hunch. Things derland like newborn calves on their first were taking longer than Mike’s usual day out of the barn. It took about 90 seconds for minute.

Mike to sit with that thought before he stepped into I found Mike hooking a rope to the back of the his shoes to follow his hunch. He had a sense that pickup. “The tractor is stuck,” he said. “Can you pull snow wasn’t the only thing that was falling. me out?”

He was right. The cattle shed roof had collapsed.

It was an easy pull, but a short-lived victory. While Phone calls were made. Gracious people weathered the tractor was now free, when I parked the pickup, the storm to help us weather ours. What a gift! By I hit a trailer. The good news is that it’s a very small nightfall they did what they could and then headed dent. The best news is that in the scope of our to the warmth and safety of their own homes. storm, Mike said nothing.

Mike told me to go into the house, too. “I’ll be In the end, we lost a barn and eight cattle. And we there in a minute,” he said as he climbed into his weren’t the only ones. Our insurance adjustor apoloskid steer. gized for not getting back to us right away. “My A minute is all it should take to bed down homephone has been ringing non-stop,” he said. “I think I less steers for the night. But when he saw the growing mound of snow against the fence, he decided to pull some of it back. Which is the moment when minutes multiplied and things moved from bad to The Land is pleased to welcome worse.

Ryan Landherr to our advertising The skid loader slipped and tipped against the sales staff. Landherr resides in Eagle fence. The front door was pinned shut and the buck- Lake, Minn. and will serve clients in et was in the air, so he couldn’t push himself back. the central belt of Minnesota.

The skid loader was stuck. And so was Mike.

Landherr grew up and graduated No problem. He’d call one of his guys. But the cell from high school in Prior Lake, phone call dropped. He then called me. Call Minn. He attended Gustavus dropped. Even text messages failed to send. Which Adolphus College, studying business Ryan Landherr is when you’re thankful for whoever implemented and exercise physiology. His interest the idea to put an emergency back window in the in sales and marketing led him to his position at The back of skid steers. Mike removed his, climbed out, Land. “I wanted to utilize my personal skills and

had 150 claims over the weekend.”

You don’t have to be a meteorologist, insurance adjustor, or farmer to know that life is full of storms. At a recent simulcast with author and speaker Priscilla Shirer, she shared that all of us are either in the middle, on the way in, or on the way out of a storm.

Life is hard. And while roofs may cave under the weight of snow, the greatest loss is when people cave under the weight of their storm.

What keeps people standing in the middle of a storm?

Priscilla shared that it’s what takes place while life is good. Those who stay standing in the storm are the ones who put spiritual muscles on their bones before the storm. A foundation of faith will keep your soul well. Because, like Priscilla testified, “Even if it is not well with your circumstances, it can be well with your soul.”

Lenae Bulthuis muses about faith, family, and farming from her back porch on her Minnesota grain and livestock farm. Her blog can be found online at www.lenaebulthuis.com and she can be reached via email at lenaesbulthuis@gmail.com. v

Landherr joins The Land staff

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sales strengths,” he said. “This is a good fit for me.”

A fan of all Minnesota sports teams, Landherr also enjoys spending time with his friends and relaxing in Wisconsin’s lake country.

“Don’t judge me, I’m a cat person,” laughed Landherr who owns two cats.

Landherr can be reached on his cell phone at (612) 860-1763 and via email at thelandrnl@gmail.com.

When he’s not out on the road, you may also be able to catch him at his desk at (507) 344-6332. v

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THE LAND — APRIL 19/APRIL 26, 2019

Midwest flooding disaster: Iowa hearts, Nebraska strong an American flag announcing their brothAnyone who has ever watched “Mr. erhood.

Rogers’ Neighborhood” has heard it.

As the caravan proceeded through the Fred Rogers would tell his young viewmain street of our hometown on a ers, “When bad things happen, just look Saturday morning, local police escorted for the helpers.” It’s one thing to look for them out of town. Air horns blared and the helpers, but it’s another thing to be people waved. Truck drivers observed one of them. with misty eyes as they saw motorists This story all began quite mistakenly pull over alongside the highway as they actually — with a wrong number.

TABLE TALK passed by, as if out of respect. People took Following the flood devastation, and

By Karen Schwaller pictures and videoed the convoy spectacle after seeing images of the hurting people all the way to their destination. of Nebraska, South Dakota and Iowa, our Along the way, the group stopped in sons and one of their friends decided to try to help Hartington, Neb. for a truck fill and some food. their colleagues in agriculture with some hay and When it came time to pay for it all, the man behind some fence building and repair supplies. the counter would not accept any money.

After making contact with a Nebraska man whose “This is a wonderful thing,” he told them. “It gives place would serve as a drop-off point, they then got me shivers down my spine.” to work securing hay and those other supplies, linApproaching Concord, Neb., it became clear that ing up trucks, drivers and soliciting cash donations from any business or individuals who would contrib- the person our son had spoken with was not on the ute to their cause. They purchased those repair sup- same page as our son regarding the drop-off point there. Turns out it was a wrong number situation plies with that cash, and a gazillion phone calls from the start, and the man there said he never clogged their phone lines. Even their fuel would be needed any hay.

100 percent donated.

With 13 trucks waiting and our sons at the helm, Finally, the day came to leave. Seven local trucks they began to panic a little. One son got on the were to meet up with six more trucks of hay from the Sioux Center area on their way to Concord, Neb. phone and after a few minutes, found a legitimate drop-off point at Verdigre, Neb. It would be a regulation, bona fide convoy with round bales announcing their compassion for their Ten miles out (at the county line) they were unexbrothers and sisters in agriculture. Bales featured pectedly met with a sheriff’s vehicle, which escorted spray painted messages: hearts, “Iowa” and them into Verdigre — where hurting people again “Nebraska Bound,” “America Needs Farmers” and waved and took pictures.

And cried.

Their hearts were full, and so were the hearts of those behind the wheels. Farm and ranch families there had weathered the storm, even if some of their livestock could not. And now in the aftermath of Mother Nature’s unforgiving late-winter grip, they were — with heavy and grateful hearts — accepting the donated hay from their Iowa brothers.

Some called it “hay from heaven” or “loads of hope.” Others had no words. But when there are no words, hearts communicate more effectively than words ever could.

When the chips are down, we stand as one nation under God. Fifty stars on the flag means 50 states all united under one flag. And in this time of crisis, hay and supplies were coming to them from all over the nation. It’s in our darkest hour that we stand tallest.

I’m not sure our sons and their friend anticipated the possibility of the project becoming larger than life. But then, no decent project worth doing ever came without its headaches.

It was that still, small voice in their hearts that asked them not to just look for the helpers, but to be the helpers. They and those helping will always remember that day — the day they not only could do something to help, but did.

That’s not just “Iowa Strong,” that ... is “Farmer Strong.”

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

Use willows to make elixir for starting plants Willow trees are fast-growing and have frequently been maligned by some who don’t appreciate their unique properties. Often I hear complaints about their messiness and how much work it is picking up small branches that have fallen off during the winter. I say, let’s IN THE GARDEN talk about their beauty in all seasons and consider the effort

By Sharon Quale put into cleaning up the fallen branches as free exercise.

Folklore from Medieval times suggests that it is bad luck to tell a secret under a willow because when the wind blows it will reveal the secret to everyone through the leaves. Another belief was that striking an animal or child with a willow twig would stunt their growth.

Bark from the willow was chewed thousands of years ago to reduce fever and inflammation. The bark of white willow contains salicin which is a chemical used to develop aspirin.

Willow bark has natural growth hormones and

can be used to stimulate root growth when propagating from cuttings as well as stimulating root growth when transplanting plants.

Willow cuttings should be from new twigs taken in early spring when the leaf buds are just emerging. Cut twigs about the width of your finger into pieces about 10 inches long. Immerse these twigs in about five inches of water and watch the roots develop in a few week’s time. These rooted cuttings can be planted in their permanent location or put into pots to be planted later.

Willows like lots of water and are used in constructing wetlands and wildlife habitat. Riparian buffers that prevent chemicals from entering streams, lakes or ponds often include willows.

One of the amazing attributes of willows is their rapid growth. Coppicing (cutting back to ground level) will result in many rods growing from the base — forming a shrub-like plant that can reach four or five feet in one year. The naturally-occurring hormones can be used to make “Willow Water” — an extract which increases the rate of root growth in cuttings.

Procedure for making “Willow Water”: 1. Collect young pencil-sized willow twigs that have green or yellow bark and remove the leaves.

2. Cut the twigs into short 1-inch pieces and place in a container filled with water (enough to cover all the twigs).

3. Let this mix soak for five days and then pour the mix through a strainer to remove the willow pieces. Pour the liquid into a jar that has a tight-fitting lid.

4. Label the jar and put the date on it and refrigerate. This will be good to use for two months.

To use, pour the brew into a small jar and place plant cuttings in the mixture until the roots form.

The mixture diluted with half plain water can also be used to water new plants when transplanting them to give them an initial boost. This garden potion is all-natural — no purchased synthetic chemicals and best of all, it is free.

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

THE LAND — APRIL 19/APRIL 26, 2019

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PAGE 7

These hot dog recipes are a home run in a bun Cut a slit in hot dogs. Place hot The baseball season is dogs and buns in grill pan and upon us. There’s optimism cook for about a minute on each that this could FINALLY be side. Place a hot dog in each bun; the year that the Twins go add 2 slices of bacon and 1/4 of big. the cheese to each one. Close While we’ll have to wait buns and press down with a spatawhile to find out whether ula to flatten them some. Turn heat there’ll be more wins than down to medium-low and cook losses this year, one thing is COOKING until cheese is melted. certain: baseball season WITH KRISTIN n equals hot dog time.

By Kristin Kveno Baseball and hot dogs go Imagine a good hot dog. Now together … well, like ketchadd jalapeños, bacon, cream cheese and chips. up and mustard. Here are some What’s this crazy concoction? It’s the Seattle unique, delicious and fun-tastic hot dog of course and it’s a taste treat for the sensdog recipes. Get ready to have a ball es. with these tasty dogs.

Seattle Hot Dog The classic grilled cheese sandwich is pretty https://showmetheyummy.com/seattle-hot-doghard to beat. The melty cheese, the crisp buttery recipe/ bread — it’s simple, but there’s just nothing like 1 small yellow onion halved and sliced it. Try adding a hot dog and some bacon to the 1 tablespoon unsalted butter mix, and — voila’ — a grilled cheese dog is 2 splashes dry white wine born. We gave this a try at my house and this 6 all beef hot dogs recipe was a grand slam with the hometown 6 hot dog buns crowd.

4 jalapeño peppers Grilled Cheese Hot Dogs 1 (8 oz.) tub Philadelphia bacon cream cheese https://spicysouthernkitchen.com/grilledJalapeño Kettle Chips cheese-hot-dogs/ Melt butter in a pan, then add in sliced onion 4 hot dogs and cook for about 15-20 minutes, or until gold4 buns en brown and caramelized. In the last minute or 8 slices bacon, cooked two, deglaze the pan with a couple splashes of 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese dry white wine. Cook until the wine has 1/2 cup shredded Pepper Jack cheese absorbed. Preheat your grill to high heat. Cook 3 tablespoons butter, melted hot dogs until warmed through. Toast buns until 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder golden brown (this won’t take long).

Place jalapeños on the grill and cook for about Heat a grill pan or griddle over medium-high heat. Add garlic powder to melted butter. Brush eight minutes, turning every few minutes. Take outsides and insides of buns with melted butter. one toasted bun and smear on bacon cheese

CSP signup deadline May 10 The next deadline for Conservation Stewardship Program applications to be considered for funding this year is May 10. The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service plans to invest up to $700 million for new enrollments and contract extensions in fiscal year 2019. The 2018 farm bill made several changes to this conservation program.

NRCS now enrolls eligible, highranking applications based on dollars rather than acres. For fiscal 2019, NRCS can spend up to $700 million in the program, which covers part of the cost for producers implementing new conservation activities and maintaining their existing activities.

Higher payment rates are now available for certain conservation activities, including cover crops and resourceconserving crop rotations.

Also, CSP now provides specific support for organic and for transitioning to organic production activities and a special grassland conservation initiative for certain producers who have maintained cropland base acres.

While applications are accepted throughout the year, interested producers should submit applications to their local NRCS office by May 10 to ensure their applications are considered for 2019 funding.

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

cream. Place hot dog in the bun and top with caramelized onions, jalapeños and kettle chips. n Seafood and mac ‘n’ cheese? That sounds pretty good. Well, take that and put it on a hot dog and now it’s a Baltimore Orioles Crab Mac ‘n’ Cheese Dog. You definitely don’t need to be an Orioles fan to cheer for this dog.

Crab Mac ‘n’ Cheese Dog www.rachaelraymag.com/recipe/crab-mac-ncheese-dog hot dogs buns macaroni ’n’ cheese lump crabmeat Old Bay seasoning Cook store-bought mac ’n’ cheese according to package directions. Top hot dogs with mac ‘n’ cheese and lump crabmeat, then dust with Old Bay seasoning. n Buffalo sauce is one of my all-time favorite condiments. There really isn’t any savory food that I don’t put this on — I love it that much.

When I came across this buffalo sauce-topped hot dog delight, I felt like I hit a homerun!

Buffalo Hot Dogs www.lemontreedwelling.com/buffalo-hot-dogs/ 8 hot dogs 8 hot dog buns 1/2 cup ranch dressing 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese 1-1/2 cups buffalo mayo (mix 1 cup mayo with ½ cup buffalo sauce) 1/4 cup blue cheese 2 sliced green onions Place hot dogs in buns in 9x13-inch baking dish. Top each hot dog with 1 tablespoon ranch dressing and 1 tablespoon shredded cheddar cheese. Cover with foil and bake at 350 degrees 15 to 20 minutes. Remove from oven. Top with 1 to 2 tablespoons buffalo mayo, 1/2 tablespoon blue cheese and sliced green onions.

Get yourself to a ball game to cheer on the Twins but before you do make one of these hot dog dishes and hit dinner out of the park at your house.

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

PAGE 8

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THE LAND — APRIL 19/APRIL 26, 2019

Hawk Creek Watershed program sees jump in participation

By DICK HAGEN The Land Staff Writer Emeritus OLIVIA, Minn. — When you’re talking about soil conservation, actions always speak louder than words. And one of the pack leaders in this vital and amazing technology of taking better care of our agricultural landscape is the Hawk Creek Heidi Watershed Program which includes Rauenhorst Kandiyohi, Chippewa and Renville counties. The mission statement of HCWP reads, “Improving the water quality/quantity issues in the watershed, while also promoting a healthy agriculture, industrial and recreational based economy for the region.”

Great words, but are there results? Well, how’s this for starters? Since 1999, HCWP has worked with over 950 landowners on over 1,650 projects aimed to reduce erosion and improve water quality. Now into its fourth year of promoting the cost-share program for cover crops, over 1,900 acres were signed up in 2018.

Heidi Rauenhorst, HCWP coordinator at the organization’s Olivia, Minn. office, explained, “We just have a dedicated staff who likes to see things happen. Good conservation projects are simply that much better when it’s a team effort. We have a lot of projects that are shovel ready.“

We have a winner…

Rauenhorst mentioned Hawk Creek Planner and Field Technician Dean Dambroten. “He works whenever he needs too — weekends, nights, as needed.

Meeting with land owners when it best works for them. It takes team work; lots of partnerships. We partner with SWCD and other entities as needed.

We work a lot with MPCA (Minnesota Pollution Control Agency). They pat us on the back and say we are the example around the state of a local agency that really does good work.”

Dambroten has been with Hawk Creek since 2000.

Jordan Austin, another HCWP staffer is a water quality/outreach technician and has been with Hawk Creek since 2012 At a Hawk Creek Watershed information and appreciation meeting on March 14, the postcard invitation read, “ 9 a.m., coffee and rolls; 9:30, Heidi Rauenhorst with HWCP Update; 10:35, Kevin Kruize, Land O’Lakes Sustain; 11:20 Ethan Jenzen, MN NNR, Hydrology of Hawk Creek Watershed; 12 noon, Lunch.”

Even with foggy weather, nearly 50 people attended — including some licensed crop applicators who earned soil and water continuing education credits.

Anticipating the start of crop year 2019 will likely be slow, wet and tedious because of an intense winter of heavy snows, deep frost penetrations, and scads of fall work that imply didn’t get done last fall.

Rauenhorst acknowledges HCW may not get all of its scheduled 208 projects completed either. At least not at the most desirable time frame. “Like farmers getting crops planted, we work projects as weather prescribes. But I know we will get much accomplished this year too.”

So why the acceptance of the many best management practices? Are farmers in this tri-county area just simply better informed? In this era of the budget squeeze, don’t conservation technologies get squeezed off the “must-do” list?

Rauenhorst thinks much the opposite tends to happen. It also helps that cost-share funds are available for up to 75 percent of total BMP costs. “Once we get just even a few farmers into a particular project that reduces erosion, improves water quality and builds soil health to produce even better production, the word travels well amongst farmers. Yes, more farmers are tuned in to the pluses of reduced tillage and less erosion.

“But give the farm press credit too — especially Bill Smith of West Concord, Minn. (right) was the lucky The Land. You’ve done several stories on strip tillage, winner of The Land’s subscriber prize giveaway. Any- cover crops and other new ideas that save both fuel one who sent in a 2019 subscription card before March and soils, and improve soil health. I really give farm9 became eligible to win $400 in cash. Smith admitted he wasn’t even aware of the drawing. He said he just sent in the form so he wouldn’t miss an issue. Smith farms about 850 acres of corn and soybeans; and keeps 45 head of steers as well. He said he was pleased to get through 2018 relatively unscathed and was looking forward to getting back in the field this spring. Presenting Smith with his prize is The Land General Manager Deb Pettersen.

ers a blue ribbon for picking up so rapidly on soil health. They enjoy talking about it. They ask lots of questions. And fortunately, farmers already into some of these new systems aren’t bashful either.”

Rauenhorst mentioned farmers really appreciate reliable help. “Building relationships with our local farmers is really key to our own efforts,” she admitted. “They quickly realize that we are here to help, not to point fingers. They understand that when we come out and dig in their dirt they can learn a bit more by digging in their own dirt too. We’re seeing just a lot of new interest in rebuilding soils. It pays dividends both in terms of a cleaner environment for everyone, and a better balance in their own checkbook.”

Yes, March 14 was too early to make predictions about getting the 2019 crop planted. But the universal agreement is, there will be challenges. Speaking of the continued expansion of cover crops, Rauenhorst related to last fall when a lot of farmers wanted to get cover crops seeded, but the late season just didn’t permit. Or they switched to just a single seeding of cereal rye rather than a diverse multi-species of cover crops seedlings. “The interest is out there.

Since our first cover crop seeding in 2016, we’ve seen just about a tripling of new acres every year. We’re seeing more fields everywhere — some not even a cost-share planting. It’s not a fad. As more farmers try it, they see the benefits on their own land. And no better sales person for a new conservation program than one farmer talking to another farmer.

Rauenhorst reminds that aerial seeding of cover crops isn’t recommended since seed sprouting is often very questionable. Also, multiple species in cover crops is recommended simply because you then have more species doing different jobs in the soil.

“However, last year some just seeded cereal rye. But the benefit is you still have your soil covered all winter and you won’t be concerned about wind erosion, or surface runoff in the spring time. So even just cereal rye keeps your soil in place. But more species is the better route.”

“Yes, coffee shop talk we think is often a productive environment. We’ve heard about the ‘round table’ chatter at the Chatter Box Café Olivia, as the local ‘intelligence center’. If that’s where the seed is planted we simply say ‘Hurray….now give us a call for details.”

In Chippewa County, Hawk Creek Watershed can be reached at (320) 269-2139, ext. 3; Kandiyohi County, (320) 235-3906; Renville County, (320) 523-1550, ext.

3 v

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PAGE 9

Brey farm’s success is based on ‘good employees’

By KRISTIN KVENO The Land Staff Writer SLEEPY EYE, Minn. — Being in the turkey business for over 32 years, Loren Brey knows that when it comes to his flock, “bird health is the number one priority.”

Brey and his wife, Brenda, own Loren Brey Brey Farms, located outside of Sleepy Eye, Minn. Brey grew up on a farm, but it wasn’t a poultry farm. Dairy was once his way of life. Brey was raised on a dairy farm near New Ulm, Minn. After

Photos submitted

Brey Farms raise 20,000 breeder hens a year at their facility near Sleepy Eye, Minn.

high school, he needed to look for putting in the automatic nests employment off the farm and he has made Brey’s operation run found it at Paul and Norman smoother.

Krienke’s farm — picking eggs A few years ago, Brey’s farm 32 years ago. It was almost eight was featured in the video, “A Day years ago when he purchased in the Life of a Turkey Farmer.” the turkey operation from the The video was created by the Krienke brothers and became Minnesota Turkey Growers proud owner.

Association. Brey wanted to be Brey “grows 20,000 breeder part of the video “mainly to get hens a year,” as well as 2.5 milour voice out there.” As a prolion fertilized eggs which get ducer of the food people eat, hauled to the Select Genetics Brey knows that farmers like hatchery in Wilmar, Minn. That himself have “accountability to all means “there’s a lot of handsthe consumer. We’re two percent on labor.” Brey has between of the population feeding the seven to nine full and part-time world.” Along with being a part workers. They inseminate four of the video, Brey is on the days a week and pick eggs seven Minnesota Turkey Research and days a week.

Brey’s hens will each lay about 110 eggs Promotion Council board of directors.

Brey gets the birds when during a 31-week period. they’re a day old. At 29 weeks Minnesota is number-one in they’re in egg production until they reach 60 weeks turkey production in the United States with 450 turwhen they’re sold. Each hen lays 110 eggs during key farms. Of those 450 farms, according to Brey that 31-week period. Brey’s putting poults down there are only 40 to 45 breeder farms like his. every 17 weeks between his two barns.

Raising turkeys for as long as he has, Brey believes Bird health has always remained a top priority one of the keys to his longevity in turkey production since Brey got into the turkey business. That includes is the employees, “I’ve got great employees.” Brey everything “from bio security, to ventilation, to nutri- feels that “the employees make the business.” tion, to vaccinations.” Over the years, “the biosecurity Brenda Brey does all of the bookkeeping for the end has drastically changed.” Brey believes salmo- operation. His daughters Courtney, a seventh grader nella is the biggest issue for turkey producers. On and Morgan, a 12th grader, are still unsure of their Brey’s farm they utilize “shower in, shower out facili- career paths. But there’s interest in turkey producties.” For Brey, this practice means he can be shower- tion. Where that will lead is still unknown. ing eight to 10 times a day. That is needed to ensure Brey points out this isn’t an easy profession. “It’s contaminates do not enter the facilities which house seven days a week,” he admitted. “There’s no holithe turkey operation. days, no vacation days.” Still, Brey wouldn’t want it Three years ago, Brey put in automatic nests. “The any other way. It’s been a source of pride for 32 years nest will push the bird and sweep the egg onto the and counting. “The turkey business has been good to egg belt.” Utilizing this system has meant less labor me.” v is needed. Finding workers is always a challenge and

Taking Your Corn Yields from Good to Great …

What do the NCGA Yield Contest winners do?

MARTY LOVRIEN Field Agronomist Alexandria, MN First and foremost, not every technique and management plan is suited for every operation in every field for every situation.

Each field is unique and requires both intimate knowledge,constant care and vigilance in order to achieve contestwinning yields. The National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) National

Yield Contest provides a benchmark for yields that are attainable under optimal conditions and management, usually at, or exceeding, 300 bu/A. Selecting the right hybrid for a given field is likely the most important management decision made by contest winners. In addition to that, growers have control over several critical management practices that influence yield.

Crop Rotation Of the 300 bu/A NCGA yield contest entries from 2013-2018, two-thirds were planted into a field with a crop other

Insights for helping growers increase yields through better crop management

PIONEER® AGRONOMY NEWS

than corn in the previous season. Rotated corn generally has a better than average ability to tolerate yield-limiting stress than continuous corn. However, more than 30 percent of the NCGA entries exceeding 300 bu/A were corn following corn.

Planting Date High-yielding plots are generally planted as early as practical for a given geography. This lengthens the growing season and moves pollination earlier, reducing the effects of heat and moisture stress. The most common planting dates for NCGA entries exceeding 300 bu/A in

the central Corn Belt are from mid-April to very early May. Nitrogen Management Micronutrients

and

A 300 bu/A corn crop requires roughly 336 pounds of nitrogen per acre. Nitrogen application rates varied in the 300 bu/A entries, but the majority ranged from 200 pounds per acre to 300 pounds per acre. More than 80 percent of the 300 bu/A entries applied nitrogen in-season, as either a side-dress application or through irrigation.

entries applied a micronutrient. The most common micronutrients were sulfur, zinc and boron.

For more information, contact your local Pioneer sales representative or visit Pioneer ® agronomy at pioneer.com/ agronomy.

Sign up to receive the latest agronomy updates for your geography from Pioneer at pioneer.com/signup.

Along with nitrogen, almost half the

The foregoing is provided for informational use only. |

Trademarks and service marks of Dow AgroSciences, DuPont or Pioneer, and their affiliated companies or their respective owners. © 2019 PHII. 3015

TM ® SM

PAGE 10

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THE LAND — APRIL 19/APRIL 26, 2019

Prices inch higher at Global Dairy Trade auction This column was written for the marketing week ending April 19.

The April 16 Global Dairy Trade auction registered its 10th consecutive session of gain, inching 0.5 percent higher on the weighted average of products offered. That compares to the April 2 News and information for Minnesota and Northern Iowa dairy producers rise of 0.8 percent, 1.9 percent on March 19, and 3.3 percent on March 5. Sellers Cheese contacts continue to report bullGrade A nonfat dry milk closed April 18 at $1.00 MIELKE MARKET brought 16.2 million pounds of product ish demand in the Midwest, according to per pound, the highest CME price since Feb. 6. This WEEKLY to the market, down from 17.9 million Dairy Market News. Curd, mozzarella and is up 1.25 cents on the week, and 19.5 cents above a

By Lee Mielke on April 2. specialty cheesemakers say there has been year ago, with only three cars finding new homes on a seasonal push from buyers. Cheese inven- the week.

The gains were led by anhydrous tories are generally in good balance though long milkfat, up 4.2 percent, following a 3.7 percent rise The spot dry whey closed the week at 34 cents per inventories remain a concern nationally. Midwest April 2. Butter was right behind, up 3.5 percent, pound, down 1.75 cents, but 2.5 cents above a year contacts report that more and more dairy farms after it climbed 5.8 percent last time. Cheddar was ago, on 17 trades recorded for the week at the CME. calling it quits and question what that means for up 1.4 percent, following a 3.2 percent boost, and n upcoming milk availability. skim milk powder was up 0.2 percent, after rising The Daily Dairy Report’s Sarina Sharp wrote in 1.8 percent in the last event.

Western cheese output remains active with plenty the April 12 Milk Producers Council newsletter, of milk going to the vats. Some processors are The losses were led by lactose, down 3.4 percent, “Concern is growing among NDM buyers that milk attempting to control massive growth in supplies rennet casein, down 2.4 percent, and whole milk powder prices could reach into the $1.15 range, if through planned output reduction. With demand powder was off 0.7 percent, after a 1.3 percent not higher later this year.” She added, “The market not as good as they want and more milk available, descent last time. sentiment now is that the longer prices remain in cheese production control seems one of the best FC Stone equates the GDT 80 percent butterfat ways to manage inventories from building too much. the high 90-cent range this spring, the higher prices butter price to $2.4533 per pound U.S., up 7.5 cents could move up later this year.”

Cheese sales are reported as a bit mixed and the from the last session. Chicago Mercantile Exchange tenor of the western cheese market is “somewhat Sharp adds, “This year will be the first year in five butter closed April 18 at $2.2825. GDT cheddar unsettled.” years that market prices have not been weighed cheese equated to $1.9593 per pound, up 3.2 cents down by an overhang of EU Intervention skim milk n from the last event and compares to April 18’s CME powder stocks. If the higher nonfat dry milk price block cheddar at $1.6675. GDT skim milk powder Cash butter saw an April 18 finish at $2.2825 per levels materialize, they could result in some of the averaged $1.1169 per pound, and compares to pound. This is up 2.5 cents on the week, but 3.25 highest-Class IV milk prices in a long time for west$1.1194 last time. Whole milk powder averaged cents below a year ago, with nine cars sold on the ern dairy producers, which would be much-needed $1.4829, down from $1.4910 last time. CME Grade A week. good news.” nonfat dry milk closed April 18 at $1.00 per pound.

Butter makers are still receiving sufficient cream May Class I milk prices will rise, driven by n supplies at similar prices to the previous week. strength in cheese. The U.S. Department of Speaking of trade, the April 17 Daily Dairy Report They do not expect this to last much longer as Agriculture announced the May Federal order Class cream has tightened recently and is expected to con- I base price at $16.42 per hundredweight, up 66 says, “U.S. dairy product exports in February were mixed, with cheese and butterfat exports higher and tinue this path. Retail sales are down somewhat, as cents from April, $1.98 above May 2018, and the late holiday orders ebbed. Still, butter makers say nonfat dry milk/skim milk powder and whey lower. highest Class I price since December 2017. This is demand is up on average, year-over-year.

U.S. dairy exports to Canada and China have sufthe price that each Federal order adds its Class I fered since trade disputes began last summer, but Western butter makers suggest pre-holiday orders differential to, to determine its Class I price. exports of nonfat dry milk and cheese to Mexico which had been going strong have “evaporated” The five-month Class I average is at $15.72, up continue to grow. Despite retaliatory tariffs targetwhile bulk butter demand is “generally steady.” from $14.32 at this time a year ago, but compares to ing cheese, U.S. exporters shipped 71.7 million Contacts relay that production levels are stable. $16.47 in 2017. pounds of cheese. This is up from 62.1 million They are getting offers of extra cream, but so far, it This is the first Federal order Class I price not pounds a year ago and the highest total for any has not been the flood of cream that is sometimes February in the past decade,” according to the Daily expected at this point in the year. But butter stocks using the “higher of” value of milk that goes to cheese or butter-powder, in determining the Class I Dairy Report. are building somewhat, according to Dairy Market value. This “higher of” practice has been in place for News.

Cash dairy prices meanwhile were mixed in the nearly 20 years, but one that put processors at a Good Friday holiday shortened week as traders Interestingly, the Daily Dairy Report states Japan disadvantage. absorbed the April 16 GDT and anticipated the has increased its tariff rate quotas for butter, but The Milk Producers Council’s Geoff VandenHeuvel April 22 release of the March Milk Production reduced them for nonfat dry milk for the country’s report. The 40-pound cheddar blocks closed April 18 current fiscal year. “Japan’s Ministry of Agriculture, explains in his April 12 newsletter the reasons for at $1.6675 per pound, up 2.25 cents on the week Forestry and Fisheries announced Japan intends to the problem and how processors and producers agreed to solve the issue. Long complicated story and 6.5 cents above a year ago. The 500-pound bar- import 20,000 metric tons of butter — up 7,000 short, the advanced Class III and Class IV pricing rels finished at $1.5150, down a disappointing 10.25 from last year — due to lingering supply impacts factors will now be averaged together and 74 cents cents on the week but 1.5 cents above a year ago. from a September 2018 earthquake in southern Fourteen cars of block traded hands on the week at Hokkaido and growing domestic demand for milkfat will be added to that in the formula. the CME and 10 of barrel. from the food processing industry,” the Daily Dairy n Report says.

See MIELKE, pg. 11

THE LAND — APRIL 19/APRIL 26, 2019

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

PAGE 11

FSA still processing Margin Protection Program payments MIELKE, from pg. 10

on the decline. For the season which began in July, “When it comes to the new Dairy Margin 2018, Australia has experienced a 6.4 percent drop Coverage program, I want to make sure dairy farmU.S. dairy margins were relatively flat over the WEknow BUILDwhat OURthe STALLS RIGHT! in milk collections. A persistent drought has deciers and their lenders point of the first half of April with limited movement in the milk mated pastures and raised feed costs substantially. program is.

It isn’t to get a bunch of money out Take a look at of and feed markets, according to the latest Margin Production has also declined in Argentina due to the federal government every year;our it’stubing to make withsure Watch from Chicago-based Commodity and poor economic conditions while it has been flat in that dairy farmers have an adequate safety net unequaled corrosion Ingredient Hedging LLC. New Zealand.” when they need it.” protection!

The Margin Watch stated, “The milk market has “Along with the United States, milk production Geiger quickly added, “This is a time when they shown a firmer tone of late with some features that Freudenthal Tubing has been could increase up to 2.5 percent in the EU without need it,” and he reported that House and Senate may be positive for prices longer-term. First, poor engineered for your specific offsetting the combined milk production deficit from members have called on Agriculture Secretary Sonny margins throughout 2018 and early 2019 have requirements where strength the other major dairy exporters which has prevailed Purdue to get the program rolled out “right now.” accelerated the pace of dairy herd contraction, with Auto Release Head Locks Panel CORROSION and corrosion resistance are since November. This dynamic has been slowing criticalindesign factors.

The farm bill was PROTECTION signed into law December, the number of licensed dairy herds dropping to whittling away at the global dairy product surplus.” but one of the hold-ups is at the Farm Service 37,468 last year from 40,199 in 2017 according to n Agency offices because CS-60 the farm bill included USDA. The 6.8 percent year-over-year contraction is Comfort Tie Stalla refund of premium payments under the old Margin the worst percentage decline since the data series Safety nets have been a part of dairy’s financial Protection program.

“Believe it or not,” says Geiger, began in 2003, with that pace likely increasing in The Toughest landscape for many years, but the net has changed “they were done on paper and not electronically, early 2019 based on year-to-date dairy cow slaughStalls so since the old Price Support program and keeps ter which is up 8.4 percent in the Midwest region changing. Hoard’s Dairyman managing editor Corey it all needs to be entered into the electroniconformat the before proceeding.” and 5.6 percent in Eastern states.”

• Provides superior Dairy lunge areaMargin Geiger talked about the current market, 22 Dairy Radio Farmers who sign up for the program will see a “Meanwhile, although U.S. milk production on the Coverage in the April• Much stronger than our Now broadguaranteed Agriculture Committee January Tier 1 premium, which is for the first 5 whole has been increasingly slightly with more effi- cast and quoted Housecompetitors’ beam systems not to bend Chairman, Rep. Colin• No Peterson (D-Minn.). ciency in the dairy herd, global milk production is Stall mounts in the • Entire panel made See of H.D. MIELKE, 10 gauge tubing pg. 12 concrete or sand are hot dippedWI galvanized after W. 6322 Cty. O,• Panels Medford, 54451 • Fully adjustable welding inside and out (715) 748-4132 • 1-800-688-0104 • Stall system stays high and Heaviest, • 6’, 8’, 10’, 12’ lengths dry, resulting in longer life www.freudenthalmfg.com Strongest, REMODELING, EXPANSION OR REPLACEMENT • 12’ panel weight 275 lbs.

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PAGE 12

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THE LAND — APRIL 19/APRIL 26, 2019

Kadejan covers all of the bases for raising poultry

By TIM KING also like the fairly slow and low-tech processing and Hatchery, in Iowa, and hatch them at their facility in The Land Correspondent the air-cooling of the processed birds.

Glenwood.

GLENWOOD, Minn. — Kadejan, Inc. is a 30 year “The typical way for cooling processed poultry is an “We’re very satisfied with Welp,” Gienger said. old poultry processing operation operated by the fam- ice water bath,” Gienger said. “With air cooling “There are only two or three hatcheries in the counily of Pete Thorfinnson, the company’s founder. there’s quite a lot of cold air moving across the birds try, so it’s really important to establish a relationship “We are small by industry standards,” said Weston in the refrigerator. That process improves quality with a hatchery to assure consistently high-quality Gienger, Thorfinnson’s son-in-law. “We process because they don’t have all that extra water going eggs. We’re a small company so we have to do that. If we do that, the hatchery will go out of their way to between 400,000 to 500,000 birds per year. The big into them.” help us. If we have a bad hatch it guys in the industry can do that can really affect our operation.” pretty much in one day.”

The Kadejan hatchery incubates Gienger says that Kadejan’s relthe eggs for seventeen days. Then atively small size, along with the the eggs are placed in a hatcher for family ownership, are one of the four more days. When they hatch, reasons chefs, Twin Cities food the short trip from the hatchery to cooperatives, and Kowalski’s grothe contract farms is less stressful cery store chain choose to cook for the little birds then the long and purchase Kadejan birds. trip from Iowa had been.

The business has a long history Over the years, Kadejan has of working with restaurant chefs. continued to try and raise birds In the late 1980s Thorfinnson was that are of high quality and that raising pheasants. He had them appeal to those high end chefs and processed locally and sold them to food cooperative customers high-end Twin Cities chefs. That Thorfinnson sold to when he startwent well, but he thought he could ed his business. To that end, in make a better profit by processing Photo submitted 2017, Kadejan opened its own feed his own birds. With that in mind, Pete Thorfinnson (center, wearing a t-shirt) stands with his extended family and the Kadejan mill. The objective was to continue he opened Pope County Poultry crew. refining its poultry ration and to Processing so he could process his go cold turkey on GMO corn and soy. own fowl. He also began custom processing poultry In 1995 West Central Game Birds expanded it’s proand fowl for other people in the area.

“My brother-in-law runs the feed mill,” Gienger cessing facility and renamed itself Kadejan, which is “One day he was delivering pheasants to a cus- an acronym based on the letters in the names of Pete said. “The previous feed mill was doing a good job, tomer and the customer asked him if he could get Thorfinnson’s children. By then, the company was no but we can control our costs better this way and it allows us to go through our ration with a fine tooth him a free range hen,” Weston Gienger said. “Pete longer doing custom processing for area farmers. comb and ask if an ingredient is really necessary or said sure, but what’s a free range hen?”

During the company’s early years it established if there’s a better product out there.”

That was in 1990. By 1992 Thorfinnson, under the relationships with four family-run farms to produce The company’s goal was to have 100 percent GMOname of West Central Game Birds, was processing chickens for the Kadejan processing facility. Most of free corn and soy this summer; but Gienger says findand selling free ranging barn-raised chickens to their the contract farmers are members of the extended ing locally grown and price competitive GMO-free first retail customers.

Thorfinnson family. grain has been somewhat challenging. But Kadejan “We started right off raising and selling chickens “The farmers own the barns and we sell them the farmers have noticed more than just positive marketthat used no antibiotics or growth stimulants,” chicks,” Weston Gienger said. “When the birds are ing results by transitioning off of GMO grain.

Gienger said. “We use organic oregano to help our ready for processing we buy them back.”

“A big benefit to switching over is that we’ve really birds stay healthy.”

Initially, Kadejan purchased chicks to resell to the noticed that we have healthier birds,” Gienger said.

Customers such as the Wedge Cooperative in the contract farmers. Then, in 2008, the company turned More about the Kadejan poultry operation can be Twin Cities and La Ferme restaurant in Alexandria its old processing facility into a Kadejan-owned egg found at kadejan.com. v appreciate the drug-free production practices. They hatchery. Now they purchase fertile eggs from Welp

Study: Only 1.5 percent of Americans work in agriculture MIELKE, from pg. 11 million pounds of milk, of $1.51 per cwt., according to Geiger, and that January DMC payment will basically pay for the premiums for the entire year of 2019. He adds that February’s projected payment is $1.28 and says farmers will be able to sign up at their local FSA office by June 17.

He also reported the Office of the Chief Economist is working with the University of Wisconsin’s Dr. Mark Stevenson to develop a “decision tool” to assist

dairy farmers and says it should be ready by May 1.

Geiger says Rep. Peterson stated, “One of my biggest priorities as chairman is to grow demand for U.S. dairy products so that dairy farmers can get all their income directly from the marketplace. But until that is the case, the DMC will be there so dairy farmers have a chance to keep going when times are tough.”

Lastly, I read with interest a very telling statistic in the April 14 Parade magazine which is an insert

in my local Sunday paper. It talked of technology’s impact in the workplace every 100 years and showed the number of Americans who worked in agriculture in 2012 at just 1.5 percent, contrasted to the year 1850’s 58 percent. It is no wonder most consumers know little about what goes on down on the farm.

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

THE LAND — APRIL 19/APRIL 26, 2019

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

PAGE 13

Grass-fed chickens bring green to young Iowa family

By TIM KING The Sneads don’t actually bring The Land Correspondent grass to the chickens. They bring the chickens to the grass by using CARLISLE, Iowa — Spring is what is commonly called a chickan extra busy season for all farmen tractor - which is not a tractor ers. It’s no different at Graze at all. It’s a mobile pen.

Company, in rural Carlisle not far from Des Moines.

“We started off last year by building our own portable 8x12“Right now we are busy planfoot chicken tractors,” Nate said. ning for our second full year in “We would move them everyday business,” writes Kelsey Snead, to new pasture. Towards the end who says she is a bit too busy to of the year, when we had increastalk by phone. “We are planning ing demand, we bought a mobile how many batches of how many range coop from Polytech. It’s a chicks we will need to meet 30 x 20 hoop house on skids.” demand this year. We are also spending every spare moment Nate says that by bringing Photos by Ana Woods chickens to fresh grass every day making improvements to our space and reworking things that Raising the next generation of Graze they eat 20-30 percent of their didn’t work last year — like over- Company are Nate and Kelsey Snead. diet in grass. And, as the chicken hauling our brooder and figuring Their sons are (left to right) Jackson, tractors are moved from place to Samuel and Tucker. out feed storage.” place, they are not only raising extra-healthy chickens, but Graze Co. is not a big corpothe chicken manure enriches rate operation. It consists of and enlivens the soil. Building Kelsey, her husband Nathan, healthy soil is important to and their three boys: Samuel, Graze Co. They say they want Tucker, and Jackson. Kelsey to go beyond a sustainable points out that they will soon be agriculture that merely aims joined by another family memto keep the soil as it is to an ber since, as of the end of March, agriculture that regenerates she was eight months pregnant. the soil.

The Snead family does not “Regenerative agriculture is have a farm background. Like this approach to food and farmmany young people today they ing where we use our animals dream about escaping the to actually increase or regenerconfines of sedentary urban life The Sneads like to move the chickens daily for a more expansive and to provide fresh grass and also build the soil. ate soil health,” Kelsey said. “The theory is as we healthier rural life. The increase the nutritional status of the soil. By doing physical challenges of their youngest son taught them that we pretty much automatically increase biodiverthat life is for dreaming but also for living your dream. sity, improve water cycles, enhance the local ecosysSo, they decided to buy some land and raise chick- tem, and actually increase our yields as a result.” ens. To learn to raise chickens Kelsey and Nate While the Snead family is working to build soil and attended You Tube University. family health, Kelsey and Nate are trying to restore “We learned a lot of what we know about farming something they feel like they were losing. by watching YouTube videos and reading agricultur“For the most part, people our age all grew up playal blogs,” Kelsey said. “Some things worked and some ing outside and technology was still non-existent,” things didn’t. This is just another aspect of farming Kelsey said. “We can remember this simpler way of that our kids love to be involved with. Whatever work can be done together we do it that way, even if it is life and if we are all being honest, it was superior in harder. The long term goal of being united as a fam- many ways to what we have now. We are finding that ily and passing this vision on to our kids is our first the longing Nate and I both had to return to that is pretty much shared across the board and we think it priority.” is important to use social media to share what we are After all those videos and blogs, Kelsey and Nate doing to encourage others our age to go for it. If not decided to raise Cornish Cross broiler chickens. to farm, at least to go back outside. But, that being “We went with this breed because of our customers’ said, I told Nate right off the bat that if me constantfamiliarity with it,” Nate said. “It’s the breed you ly posting on social media was what it took for the typically find in the store. One important thing with business to be successful, then it wasn’t worth it to this specific breed is that it is vitally important to me. I am not naive and I understand the tech is part bring fresh grass to the Cornish cross everyday. They of a successful business these days, but my plan is to are a slow-moving, not very active chicken.” keep it to a minimum.”

Graze Co.’s regenerative and restorative farming method has paid off so far. Customers appreciate the pastured poultry that eat grass and are supplemented with a GMO-free grain ration.

“A large part of our sales are done through our local Iowa Food Co-op,” Kelsey said. “The Iowa Food Co-op is an online store that provides Iowa with year-round access to hundreds of food and non-food products directly from Iowa farmers and artisans. We also have a fully functioning store on our website and provide free delivery over a certain amount. We have also been so pleased with the number of customers who want to come out to the farm to pick up their orders. We love showing people around and letting them see exactly where their money is going.” v

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THE LAND — APRIL 19/APRIL 26, 2019

2018 ARC-CO payments will be limited in many counties 2018 ARC-CO payments for a given Most crop producers in the Upper and $8.60 per bushel for soybeans. The USDA price crop are paid when the actual 2018 coun- estimates are updated on a monthly basis in the Midwest are enrolled in the county yieldty revenue for the crop falls below the based Ag Risk Coverage (ARC-CO) farm USDA World Agricultural Supply and Demand 2018 county benchmark revenue guaran- Estimates report, which is usually released around program choice on their corn and soytee. The 2018 benchmark revenue guarbean base acres for the 2014 to 2018 crop the middle of each month. The USDA National antee is the 2018 county benchmark yield Agricultural Statistics Service recently released the years. Many producers in the region are times the 2018 benchmark price times 86 2018 estimated average county yields for corn, soywondering if there will be any 2018 ARCpercent (.86). The actual county revenue CO payments for corn and soybeans in beans and other crops. The 2018 NASS county is the final 2018 county FSA yield times October this year. Producers earned a yields offer a good estimate of where final 2018 significant 2014 corn ARC-CO payment, ARC-CO farm program payments are likely to end FARM PROGRAMS the final market-year average price for 2018. while farm operators in some counties up, depending on the final 2018 market year averBy Kent Thiesse also earned payments on their corn base age price level.

The 2018 market year average acres in 2015 and 2016, with very price is the national average corn or The NASS yields may be adjusted slightly by few payments in 2017. ARC-CO paysoybean price from Sept. 1, 2018 to USDA to arrive at the final 2018 county FSA yields ments for soybeans have been quite Aug. 31, 2019, which will be finalthat are used to calculate the 2018 ARC-CO paywidespread for 2014-2017 in most areas. ized on Sept. 30. The market year average price is ments. However, any adjustments in the final 2018 the 12-month national average price for a comThe corn benchmark price for the 2018 crop year county yields are usually quite small and will likely modity, based on the average market price received be lower than the NASS yield estimates. This could is $3.70 per bushel, which is down from $3.95 per bushel in 2017, $4.79 per bushel in 2016, and $5.29 by farm operators across the United States, which potentially increase the likelihood or amount for per bushel in both 2014 and 2015. The 2018 bench- is then “weighted” at the end of the year, based on 2018 ARC-CO payments in some counties. The 2018 the volume of bushels sold in each month. mark price for soybeans is $9.63 per bushel, which NASS county yields are available on the NASS web is well below $10.86 per bushel in 2017, $11.87 per site at http://www.nass.usda.gov/.

As of April 1, USDA is estimating the 2018 marbushel in 2016, or $12.27 per bushel in both 2014 ket year average prices at $3.55 per bushel for corn, The relationship between the final 2018 county and 2015.The benchmark prices are adjusted each yield and the 2018 county benchmark yields is year, using the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s extremely important in calculating potential 2018 market-year average price for the preceding five ARC-CO payments for corn and soybeans.

2018 Corn ARC-CO Payment Estimates years, then dropping the high and low market year Expressing the 2018 county yield as a percentage of (All payments listed are per Corn Base acre.) average price, and averaging the other three marbenchmark yield is actually more important than Iowa ket year average prices. The lower benchmark pric- Minnesota the final county yield in determining estimated es reduce the potential for ARC-CO payments.

Brown Co. = $ 9 Clay Co. = $30 ARC-CO payments.

The benchmark county yield for 2018 is calculated Faribault Co. = $45 Emmett Co. = $41 Following is guide on the likelihood of 2018 ARCby taking the average county yields for the previous CO payments at various percentage of benchmark

Jackson Co. = $10 Humboldt Co. = $24 five years (2013-2017), dropping the high and low yield levels (Based on April 1 market year average Martin Co. = $56 Palo Alto Co. = $27 yield, and the averaging the other three yields. The price estimates of $3.55 per bushel for corn, and 2018 county benchmark revenue for a given crop is Redwood Co. = $ 3 $8.60 per bushel for soybeans.): the county benchmark yield times the 2017 benchWatonwan Co. = $61 (Maximum 2018 payment level) Corn — Any county that has a percentage of mark price, which is then multiplied by 86 percent benchmark yield of 78 percent or less will likely All other counties in Minnesota, northern Iowa, eastern North and South (.86) to calculate the “County Revenue Guarantee.”

Dakota are estimated to receive a zero 2018 corn ARC-CO payment. realize the maximum (100 percent) estimated 2018 Most county revenue guarantees for corn and soyARC-CO payment for that county. Counties with a Notes: These estimates are based on 2018 NASS county yield estimates, beans have declined somewhat for 2018, due to the and a 2018 market year average corn price of $3.55 per bushel (as of percentage of benchmark yield of 79 to 83 percent sharp drop in the benchmark prices for both crops.

April 1).These ARC-CO payment estimates do not include counties with no will likely receive 51 to 99 percent of the maximum NASS yield data. Final payment levels could change slightly by Sept. 30, The county benchmark corn and soybean yields 2018 ARC-CO payment. Counties with a percentage based on county yield and market year average price adjustments. Any 2018 for 2018 in many Upper Midwest counties has of benchmark yield of 84 to 87 percent will likely ARC-CO payments will be paid in October, 2019. 2018 ARC-CO payments increased somewhat from 2017 yields — due to fairreceive 1 to 50 percent of the maximum 2018 ARCwill likely be subject to a 6.8 percent federal sequestration reduction. ly strong average county yields in recent years, Table prepared by Kent Thiesse, Farm Management Analyst CO payment. Counties with a percentage of benchprior to 2018. The mark yield of 89 percent or increased county benchhigher will likely not 2018 Soybean ARC-CO Payment Estimates mark yields for 2018 receive a 2018 ARC-CO (All payments listed are per Soybean Base acre.) increases the potential for payment.

Minnesota Iowa North Dakota South Dakota ARC-CO payments.

Soybeans — Any county However, that gain is more Kittson Co. = $1 Emmett Co. = $26 Eddy Co. = $26 (Maximum 2018 payment level) Lincoln Co. = $5 that has a percentage of than offset by the large Martin Co. = $28 Palo Alto Co. = $17 Pembina Co. = $ 2 benchmark yield of 85 perreduction in the benchcent or less will likely real Watonwan Co. = $ 4 Pocahontas Co. = $10 Towner Co. = $ 2 mark corn and soybean ize the maximum 2018 price. 2018 was a highly Wells Co. = $15 ARC-CO payment for that variable yield year in many All other counties in Minnesota, Northern Iowa, Eastern North and South Dakota are estimated to receive a zero 2018 soybean ARC-CO payment. county. Counties with a areas of the Upper Notes: These estimates are based on 2018 NASS county yield estimates, and a 2018 market year average soybean price of $8.60 per bushel (as of April 1). percentage of benchmark Midwest, which will likely These ARC-CO payment estimates do not include counties with no NASS yield data. Final payment levels could change slightly by Sept. 30, based on county yield of 86 to 90 percent result in a wide variation yield and market year average price adjustments. Any 2018 ARC-CO payments will be paid in October, 2019. 2018 ARC-CO payments will likely be subject will likely receive 51 to 99 of potential 2018 ARC-CO to a 6.8 percent federal sequestration reduction.

Table prepared by Kent Thiesse, Farm Management Analyst payments.

See THIESSE, pg. 17

MARKETING

THE LAND — APRIL 19/APRIL 26, 2019

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

PAGE 15

MARKETING

Grain Outlook Corn trades lower for second week

Cash Grain Markets

corn/change* soybeans/change* St. Cloud $3.16 -.09 $7.69 -.37 Madison $3.24 +.01 $7.72 -.27 Redwood Falls $3.19 -.01 $7.80 -.36 Fergus Falls $3.03 -.09 $7.48 -.37 The following marketing analysis is for the week Morris $3.12 -.09 $7.62 -.37 ending April 19.

Tracy $3.26 -.06 $7.77 -.37 CORN — I believe traders were thankful for the Average: $3.17 $7.67 holiday-shortened week which gave them a break from rehashing the same old news. Corn closed lower for the Year Ago Average: $3.40 $9.65 second week in a row in lackluster trading after a good Grain prices are effective cash close on April 23. start to the week. Fresh news was scarce with eyes *Cash grain price change represents a two-week period. glued on weather forecasts and for any hint of a trade deal with China that would generate new sales. This week’s trading range came within 1.5 cents of the contract low which was set in the previous week. For the week, May corn fell 2.5 cents to $3.58.5, July was off 2.25 cents at $3.67.25, and December was down 2.75 cents at PHYLLIS NYSTROM $3.86.25 per bushel.

The livestock markets have not lost their zest for CHS Hedging Inc. U.S. corn planting as of April volatility especially in the hog market. To a lesser St. Paul 14th was 3 percent complete, degree, the cattle market seems to be in entrapped in slightly behind the 5 percent a sideways trading range awaiting some news to average. It is still early to be overly concerned about breakout one direction or the other. With the advent late planting, but weather forecasts will be top of of spring, this usually brings about increased demand mind as we head toward May. The average planting for meat products as the grilling pace as of April 21 is near 14 percent. season gets underway.

Note: for the last five years, the United States has The month of April has seen had above trendline corn and soybean yields regard- nothing more than the cattle less of planting date. Last year, corn planting by May market moving sideways in all 5 was 39 percent complete, 62 percent complete by aspects of the market. Cash has May 12, and 81 percent complete by May 19. Soybean been struggling back and forth planting last year was 15 percent complete by May 5, just under the $130 level while 35 percent by May 12, and 56 percent by May 19. the futures have been moving JOE TEALE Weekly export sales were above expectations at sideways in the mid-$120 range.

Broker It appears that the market is 37.3 million bushels. Total commitments stayed 9 Great Plains Commodity waiting for a signal on which percent behind last year at 1.76 billion bushels. The Afton, Minn.

U.S. Department of Agriculture’s target is 2.3 billion direction it wants to move. bushels. New crop sales were just 700,000 bushels, The fundamentals appear to be bringing total new crop sales to 79.9 million bushels. strengthening ever so slowly as the beef cutout has This is on par with last year when we had sold 80.2 been inching higher with some increasing volume. million bushels.

The futures awaiting the signal to breakout of the Weekly ethanol production increased 14,000 bar- trading range. This may come from the increasing rels per day to 1.016 million bpd. Ethanol stocks fell demand for beef, along with the fact the optimism seems to be growing by the trade that numbers and 517,000 barrels to 22.7 million barrels. weights are declining. One thing helping the attiSouth American crop estimates are growing. tudes is the strength in the hog market suggesting Argentina’s government is forecasting a corn crop of 55 that the demand for meat protein is rising worldmillion metric tons, over 11 mmt higher than last wide due to the African swine fever which has encomyear’s drought-hit crop. The USDA’s last outlook was passed Asia. The next few weeks will possibly give 47 mmt. Part of the discrepancy in Argentina’s number the signal of which way the market will move. includes corn for silage. Celeres put Brazil’s corn crop Producers should closely monitor market conditions at 97.9 mmt. The USDA has Brazil’s corn at 96 mmt. and protect inventories if required.

See NYSTROM, pg. 16 See TEALE, pg. 17

Livestock Angles Demand for beef is increasing

Grain Angles Make adjustments in challenging times Springtime represents a new start as we prepare for a new crop-growing season and get ready to hit the fields. With the ongoing challenges facing the agriculture industry, clients often ask what practices I see being implemented by top producers. Here are a few of the adjustments top producers are making during challenging times.

Know your numbers — It’s likely you’ve heard this multiple times, but it bears repeating. Top producers know their numbers — including cost of production, actual production history, financial ratios and others. Knowing your numbers well will allow you to make business decisions more BRIAN POSTIN efficiently, because you have the Compeer Financial Officer data to support them. Use your Monmouth, Ill. numbers to benchmark against operations in your area.

Universities and other ag organizations can provide that information. You can use it to help find opportunities for cost savings or increased revenue.

Evaluate your strengths and weaknesses — As a farmer, you deal with issues related to seed, fertilizer, chemical and machinery, which are all constantly changing. Grain farmers also have to know the marketing and strategic planning aspects of their business. Is there an area that you are particularly strong in? Are there things that you aren’t very good at or that you don’t enjoy doing?

Performing an honest evaluation of strengths and weaknesses will help you in preserving or correcting them. The best producers aren’t afraid to use outside resources to improve themselves. If you’re a poor marketer, seek the help of a professional marketing advisor. If you struggle with bookkeeping, visit with a CPA to assist in evaluating the current state of your business. Not an expert in agronomy? Utilize the expertise of an input supplier. In tough economic times, we often focus on cutting expenses wherever possible. But sometimes, improving on our weaknesses can provide a direct increase in profitability.

Adjust capital purchases — A common adjustment I see producers make when margins are tight is to modify capital purchases. However, some capital purchases can make a lot of sense – even in difficult times. For some, it may be additional grain storage to better manage basis and shrink. While the savings of commercial storage and the potential marketing See POSTIN, pg. 16

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.

PAGE 16

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

THE LAND — APRIL 19/APRIL 26, 2019

Without news, soybean traders stay on the sidelines NYSTROM, from pg. 15 China this week has confirmed they will review the tariffs they currently have on U.S. DDGs and consider removing them.

Outlook: When looking at selling opportunities for old crop, don’t forget to look down the pricing curve at new crop for both 2019 and 2020. December 2020 corn settled at $4.14.5 per bushel on April 18.

Without a weather event or additional purchases from some source, significant rallies will be difficult.

The magnitude of the fund short in corn may generate ideas that they have to cover at some point, but no one can predict when that will happen. Funds hold a record to near record net short position in corn and they have not shown any sign of covering in recent weeks. Weather and planting progress will be drivers in the coming week, but we could be poised for a bounce if rains persist into the first half of May. SOYBEANS — Soybeans began the week on a firm note, but retreated to prices not seen since November by the middle of the week. Trade talk news ebbed and flowed, but without a solid plan in place traders took to the sidelines. Even if a trade deal is done, it may be a case of too little, too late for it to have much of a lasting positive influence on soybeans. Production estimates out of South America continue to rise after earlier cuts to forecasts.

There haven’t been any solid developments in our trade talks with China. At present, it’s reported we will return to China the week of April 29 to continue negotiations and they will come to Washington the following week. The White House has not confirmed this meeting schedule. The latest hope is for a deal by the end of May. In any event, the trade is tired of waiting for something to happen. For soybeans, South American crop estimates are rising, and they are cheaper than U.S. origin. If China makes new soybean purchases from the United States, it will

likely be a goodwill gesture and those beans will go to government reserves. It is also uncertain how many more soybeans they need to buy. The United States has asked China to shift $50 billion in ag tariffs to other products. No other information was available on this issue.

African swine fever has taken a toll on China’s pig crop and it’s believed the problem has been underreported. China produces 433 million pigs, according to the USDA, and there have been estimates they could lose up to 200 million pigs. China announced they will now allow large pig farms to buy ASF testing kits and do the tests themselves. Previously, it was illegal to buy the kits. Once ASF was discovered, government officials would be called in to do the testing. Their Ag Ministry has suggested pork prices could skyrocket 70 percent in the last half of 2019 as supplies dwindle and demand rises during the holiday seasons.

The situation could also push a lifting of the ban China has on U.S. poultry and eggs. This was implemented in 2015 when we had an avian influenza outbreak. A stumbling block for poultry is China’s ban on the growth hormone ractopamine, which is used in approximately half of U.S. hog operations.

The American Feed Industry Association’s Dr. Davis believes if ASF were found in the United States, it would have an $8 billion impact on the industry in the first year.

Can an increase in demand for pork and/or poultry, i.e. feed, make up for the loss of soybean exports?

Time will tell. Argentina’s beef exports are expected to kick up to a 10-year high in 2019 due to increased demand from China. Brazil is in talks with China to increase their beef exports to the country.

In the Argentine government’s first crop estimate of the season, they pegged the crop at 55.9 mmt, up 18 mmt from last year. This surpasses the USDA’s 55

POSTIN, from pg. 15 gains won’t immediately add to your bottom line, once the loan is paid off, farm profitability will improve in the long term.

Another option is to look at making strategic capital purchases with another producer. For example, a grain farmer may not be able to justify having his own sprayer. Two farmers partnering together to buy a sprayer may be more economical, as opposed to paying a retailer to spray their crops.

In contrast, if you need to generate cash flow to reduce some debt, a capital asset sale may be a good plan. Evaluate the inventory on your operation and see if there are pieces of equipment or machinery that aren’t being fully utilized. Keep in mind that there may also be rental or leasing options that would allow you to get the necessary equipment.

Evaluate land costs — In many cases, rental

rates for land are too high to generate a profit and producers need extremely strong yields just to break even. For many, the strategy has been to hang on to farms even if the rent is too high, and hope that the rent will be lowered in the future or that prices will rebound. Landowners are often slow in bringing down their rent figures.

Keep communication with your landowners open and direct, and share your cost of production numbers for that particular piece of land. Include actual expenses to plant and harvest crop on that ground, plus overhead expenses for machinery, insurance, labor, etc. that often gets overlooked. This will help you paint them a better picture of what it is you are dealing with, and how the rental price impacts that.

Flex lease options can provide the landowner with some upside potential if things are good, but also give the producer some benefit if income is down. If you can’t come to a profitable rental agreement, letting

mmt projection. Argentina’s soybean harvest is just getting going (20 percent complete on April 15) as Brazil’s wraps up (89 percent complete). Celeres raised their Brazilian bean crop from 113.8 mmt to 115.8 mmt. The USDA is carrying Brazil’s beans at 117 mmt.

Weekly export sales were a meager 14 million bushels. Total sales of 1.6 billion bushels are 18 percent behind last year. New crop sales were 700,000 bushels. Total new crop commitments are 28.4 million bushels vs. 162 million bushels sold last year at this time. The March National Oilseed Processors Association crush report was the second-largest for any March at 170 million bushels vs. 168 million estimated. This is down 1 percent from last year, but year-to-date the crush is up 2.5 percent from last year. Pork export sales for the week to China were a healthy 23,500 metric tons. Pork export sales don’t have to be reported daily, so we only see these once a week.

Outlook: For the week, May soybeans tumbled 14.75 cents to $8.80.5, July fell 14.5 cents to $8.94.25, and the November contract was 14.25 cents lower at $9.13.5 per bushel. Without a crop threat somewhere in the world or a trade deal that can turn traders bullish, the current downtrend stays intact. Bulls need to be fed, and the cupboard has been empty.

However, bounces are always possible, and with the fund short in place, a bounce could be larger than expected.

Overall for corn and soybeans, we have plentiful world supplies, U.S. commodities are not competitive with South America, we don’t have any trade agreements in place, and no one is panicking over planting weather. However, any change could trigger a biggerthan-justified jump in prices if fund short covering ensures. If not, prepare for weaker prices down the road. v

Renters may seek flex lease options with landowners the farm go may be in your best interest.

Think outside the box — A strategy of hoping prices improve isn’t really a strategy. If your operation is struggling to make payments and working capital is tight, you may need to be creative in finding solutions. Perhaps it’s getting an off-farm job or finding a value-added product to sell. Some producers may have the ability to work with a neighbor and share labor or equipment. Or plan a new specialty crop that can be grown on a few acres.

Change is rarely easy and isn’t always fun. As we continue to navigate through these challenging times, it is time to evaluate any ways which will help you succeed into the future. Don’t let the discomfort of some short-term tough decisions stop you from keeping a close eye on the big picture.

For additional insights from Postin and the Compeer team, visit Compeer.com v

THE LAND — APRIL 19/APRIL 26, 2019

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

PAGE 17

NASS yield figures could see a slight adjustment THIESSE, from pg. 14 percent of the maximum 2018 ARC-CO payment.

Counties with a percentage of benchmark yield of 91 to 95 percent will likely receive 1 to 50 percent of the maximum 2018 ARC-CO payment. Counties with a percentage of benchmark yield of 96 percent or higher will likely not receive a 2018 ARC-CO payment.

Note: For 2016, the threshold level for counties to begin receiving ARC-CO payments was a percentage of benchmark yield of 120 percent or lower for corn, and 107 percent or lower for soybeans. Counties received the maximum level of 2016 ARC-CO payments at a percentage of benchmark yield level of 107 percent or lower for corn and 94 percent or lower for soybeans. This shows the impact of the significantly lower corn and soybean benchmark prices for the 2018 crop year.

Overall, 2018 ARC-CO payments for corn and soybeans are not likely in many portions of the Upper Midwest, due to 2018 crop yields that were close to or slightly above benchmark yields in many areas.

There are some counties in southern Minnesota and northern Iowa which were impacted by excessive rainfall during the 2018 growing season and are

likely to receive a 2018 corn ARC-CO payment.

Most other counties in the rest of Minnesota and northern Iowa, as well as eastern North and South Dakota are not likely to receive a 2018 corn payment. There are only a few counties in the four states who are likely to receive a 2018 soybean ARC-CO payment.

Remember that the 2018 corn and soybean ARCCO payments are estimates, which are based on the 2018 NASS county yield data, and the current market year average prices (as of April 1). Final 2018 ARC-CO payments could vary, based on the following situations: Corn and soybean market year average price levels could be adjusted between now and Aug. 31. If market year average prices decline, the likelihood of the level of ARC-CO payments increases, and viceversa if the market year average price increases.

Based on recent history, any movements in the final market year average corn and soybean prices for the 2018-19 marketing year will likely be quite small following the April 1 estimates.

The USDA could make adjustments to the announced NASS yields to arrive at the final 2018 FSA county yields, which are used to calculate 2018

Swine fever has hog market on fire TEALE, from pg. 15 The hog market has been on fire as prices have vaulted higher as the African swine fever outbreak in Asia has dominated the news as of late. Exports of pork to China have been a dominate feature in recent weeks and has provided much of the upward thrust in hog prices. This has vaulted prices back near the 2017 highs reached in July of that year.

Currently, the market is overbought and with the large premium in the futures, the market could be

susceptible to a correction in the near term. However, as long as the swine fever problem persists, demand for pork will keep underlying support to the market.

One would expect to see a continuation of volatility in the hog market in the weeks ahead due to the unsettle information regarding the impact of the swine fever in the world markets. Obviously, producers should be aware of current and long-term aspects of the hog market and protect inventories as needed. v

Palmer amaranth seed found in feed

ST. PAUL — The Minnesota Department of Agriculture has found a new route for the invasive weed Palmer amaranth to enter and spread through Minnesota: grain and seed screenings used as feed.

After an investigation into a Palmer amaranth find in Redwood County, the MDA determined the weed found its way into a soybean field through cattle manure. The cattle had been fed screenings from contaminated sunflower seed.

The MDA has since sampled screenings throughout the state and has found Palmer amaranth seed in numerous screenings — some containing as much as 250 Palmer amaranth seeds per pound of screenings.

Palmer amaranth can grow 2 to 3 inches a day, typically reaching 6 to 8 feet, or more, in height. Left uncontrolled, a single female Palmer amaranth plant typically produces 100,000 to 500,000 seeds. It is resistant to multiple herbicides, can cause substantial yield losses, and greatly increase weed management costs.

The MDA is encouraging farmers — especially those that have manure from feedlots spread on their land — to look for Palmer amaranth and report suspect plants. Take pictures of the plant — including close-ups of the stem and inflorescence. Provide pictures and contact information to the MDA through the Arrest the Pest line at 1-888-545-6684 or arrest. the.pest@state.mn.us. Save the plant material for testing. Fresh material can be saved in a plastic bag in the refrigerator, and dry material can be stored in a paper bag at room temperature. It is best to keep the whole plant including leaves and flowers.

For more information on the identification and control of Palmer amaranth, visit the University of Minnesota Extension website: https://extension.umn. edu This article was submitted by the Minnesota Department of Agriculture. v

ARC-CO payments. However, any adjustments in the final 2018 county yields will likely be quite small, and the yields will likely lower than the 2018 NASS yield estimates. This could potentially increase the likelihood for 2018 ARC-CO payments, or could increase the estimated payment level.

There will likely be a 6.8 percent federal sequestration reduction on all 2018 ARC-CO payments that are paid in October, 2019 — similar to previous years.

Any 2018 ARC-CO payments will be paid in October, 2019. Producers must be enrolled in the ARC-CO program for corn and soybeans in order to be eligible for 2018 ARC-CO payments. 2018 benchmark yields and revenues, previous county yields for corn, soybeans and other crops, 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2017 ARC-CO payment levels, and other farm program information are available on the FSA ARCPLC web site, which can be found at www.fsa.usda. gov/arc-plc.

Kent Thiesse has prepared an information sheet titled, “Estimating 2018 Corn and Soybean ARC-CO Payments”, which contains several tables relating to 2018 ARC-CO payments. He has also prepared 2018 ARC-CO payment estimate tables for most counties in Minnesota and Northern Iowa, as well as portions of eastern North and South Dakota. To receive a free copy of the information sheet and the payment tables, send an e-mail to: kent.thiesse@minnstarbank.com.

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

507-826-3463 507-383-4931

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PAGE 18

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THE LAND — APRIL 19/APRIL 26, 2019

Making maple syrup is a sweet deal for this retired farmer

By DICK HAGEN The Land Staff Writer Emeritus “I sure wouldn’t have tried this when I was a fulltime farmer. But now I’ve got the time. And we’ve got about 30 maple trees in our ‘shelter belt’ planting that we did in 1977. So why not give it a try?”

That statement came from Jim Zenk, a frequent member of the Chatterbox Café “Round Table” intelligence center in Olivia, Minn. And I, being a ‘news hound,’ plus a regular at the Chattterbox, thought to myself “……that sounds like an interesting story.”

Zenk is a bit shy about publicity, but agreed to meet me at the farm on April 3.

Jim now lives in Olivia. He became a ‘city slicker’ two years ago when his son Robb took over the farm located 3 miles north of Olivia.

Zenk’s maple syrup operation doesn’t require much equipment: a battery- powered electric drill, two 1-gallon plastic buckets, some plastic tubing, ball peen hammer and half a dozen spiles (metal spikes specialordered by Grizzly Hardware, in Danube, Minn).

The spiles are inserted into the tree’s trunk by drilling 3-inch deep holes. By the time I arrived, eight trees already had been spiked. Plastic buckets placed at base of each tree were gathering the sap dripping from the plastic tube. Zenk said he tapped his first trees about two weeks ago and thought sap flow might discontinue after this weekend.

“Cool nights and warm sunny days gets the sap flowing, especially if there is still snow on the ground.

Today it’s really flowing.

But now we’re looking at a week of warm weather without the temp dropping below freezing each night so sap flow will likely slow — maybe even stop.”

Zenk admitted it talks This maple tree grew with a lot of sap to make two trunks and Zenk taps syrup. ”It’s about 40 to them both.

1,” he said, “So about 40

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fired boiler like they did in the ‘olden days’. But then I’d need a larger boiling pot. And it would definitely be more labor intensive. Now that I’m retired, anything labor intensive doesn’t fit my menu anymore!”

“Time has become very generous in my retirement life. I do the (processing) on the north side of the house. Don’t want all my neighbors wondering what I’m up to now. But that takes some watching. A couple times I’ve forgotten and burned the entire pan, so there wasn’t even any syrup. When all the water is boiled off, you have just the liquid syrup remaining. I think store-bought maple syrup uses just a little maple syrup for flavoring and lot of corn syrup to make it gooey. What I end up with barely flows.

“Some think I must add lots of sugar to my syrup cause it’s so sweet. But no sugar is added…..what I get is what’s left after boiling off all the water content.”

So does Zenk see his newest venture as the answer to profitable farming? “Maybe,” he chuckled, “but I think I’d have to charge about $100 a pint! You can see why it’s not something everyone wants to do. I guess I’m not yet ready to be a full time city slicker. It’s sort of fun to be out here poking a few holes in my maple trees.”

Photos by Dick Hagen

Jim Zenk taps into this 42-year-old maple tree to collect the sap.

gallons of sap might get you 1 gallon of syrup. It’s looking like 4 to 5 gallons per tree is the yield this three-week season.” That means lots of boiling. He said it takes about four hours to boil off 1 gallon of sap.

He hasn’t figured his break even price on the syrup.

However, his machinery investment for his new venture is very minor. And for a farmer that’s rare! A good example is his boiling machine — a $3 electric baking pan purchased at local used junk store. “I guess I’m not energy efficient with this electric fry pan. I know when figuring break evens in crop production, you’re supposed to include energy cost too.

So I imagine a cheaper process would be using a wood

Facts about Maple Syrup: Maple syrup has less calories than honey, sugar, or corn syrup and it has no fat or cholesterol.

Maple syrup has about 50 calories per tablespoon.

Pure maple syrup has calcium, potasium, magnesium, phosphorus and iron. Also it has trace amounts of B2 (riboflavin), B5 (pantothenic acid) niacin, and folic acid.

Right out of the tree, sap is about 97 percent water.

Currently there are 46 Minnesota maple syrup farms.

10 gallons of sap makes one jar of syrup.

About 14,000 gallons of Minnesota maple syrup produced annually.

Zenk keeps equipment costs low, cooking his tree sap in a $4 electric fry pan. He checks his pails three or four times a day and boils off the sap in between inspections.

Zenk’s trees are silver maples, which were common years back when local Soil and Water Conservation Districts were providing both the trees and the tree planters for shelterbelts on hundreds of Minnesota farms. “These trees weren’t even supposed to last this long,” said Zenk. “My ash trees are dying off from the leaf borer disease, but these maples are looking healthy. So the good Lord willing I may be out here poking holes in these maples again next March,” summed up Zenk. v

THE LAND — APRIL 19 /APRIL 26, 2019

Employment

Feed Seed Hay

WANTED: Grain farm manager to plant, spray and combine corn. Full time year round employment.

Full benefits. Semi driver, no DDL required. For more info please call 507-370-1590

ALFALFA, mixed hay, grass hay & feed grade wheat straw, medium square or round bales, delivery available.

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Real Estate

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

Farm Equipment

Farm Equipment

FAST side dress applicator FOR SALE: Case IH 28 1/2’ 24R22” or 16R30”, 1600 gal 4800, $5,500; 2005 REM tank, $21,000. Olivia MN 320- grain vac with hoses, 137 hours, $13,000; Donahue 523-1099 trailer, $1,300. 507-520-1002 FOR SALE: Fantini chopping FOR SALE: EZ-Flo trailer 8R & 12R CH; 70’ Elmer drag, Merritt alum hopper with Sudenga brush auger; grain trailers; 24R30” JD pl Mel-Cam rock picker; CIH on Kinze bar; Big A floater; 183 12R30” cultivator. 507175 Michigan ldr; IH 964 640-0146 CH; White 706 & 708 CH & FOR SALE: John Deere loadparts; White plows & parts; er backhoe, 544B, good con54’ 4300 IH field cultivator; dition, shedded. 320-761-8147 JD 44’ field cult; 3300 Hiniker field cult; header trailer. FOR SALE: Mobility skid loader w/forks & bucket, 507-380-5324 shedded. 507-822-2509 FOR SALE: ‘01 JD 8110, 2WD, 5k hrs, new 480x46; ‘02 Wil- Gehl 100 Grinder - Mixer Mill Rich V957DDR 7 shank rip- 100 bu mill, good condition, per, 26” blades. Both excel- $8,500. (320) 587-5357 lent condition. 507-478-4221 Harms Mfg. Land Rollers, New. 12’-$6,800; FOR SALE: 5100 8R fold 30” Brand White planter; IH 8R 30” 14’-$7,000; 16’-$7,800; 24’32’-$17,500; 42’fold cultivator; IH 45 vibra $14,800; shank digger, 18.5’ with a $20,500. Others from 8’-62’.

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WANTED: Land & farms. I have clients looking for Bins & Buildings dairy, & cash grain operations, as well as bare land parcels from 40-1000 acres. Stormor Bins & EZ-Drys.

Both for relocation & invest- 100% financing w/no liens or ments. If you have even red tape, call Steve at Fairthought about selling con- fax Ag for an appointment. tact: Paul Krueger, Farm & 888-830-7757 Land Specialist, Edina ReFOR SALE: Schuster 5th whl IH 2350 Mount-O-Matic Loadalty, 138 Main St. W., New 350 bu grain trailer, 3 axle, er with Quick tach and 7’ Farm Equipment Prague, MN 55372. hyd hoist & tarp, shedded. material bucket, $3,750. paulkrueger@edinarealty.com 507-822-2509 (651) 387-2085 (612)328-4506 Chandler 22’ PTO poultry litter spreader, tandem flotaLooking for something special? tion tires, like new, $17,500.

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

Upcoming Issues of THE LAND Southern MNNorthern IA May 3, 2019 May 17, 2019 *May 31, 2019 June 14, 2019

Northern MN May 10, 2019 May 24, 2019 June 7, 2019 June 21, 2019 *July 5, 2019

Deadline is 8 days prior to publication.

Indicates early deadline, 9 days prior to publication.

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PAGE 19

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

Please call before coming to look.

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

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THE LAND — APRIL 19/APRIL 26, 2019

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Opening April 19 & Closing April 29 Dale Heinle Equipment Auction, Hebron, ND, Timed Online Auction Opening April 19 & Closing April 29 James Schaaf Equipment Auction, Glen Ullin, ND, Timed Online Auction Opening April 22 & Closing April 30 Berube Inc. Going Out of Business Auction, Lisbon, ND, Timed Online Auction Friday, April 26 at 10 AM David & Gloria Lee Retirement and John David & Carla Lee Farm Auction, Georgetown , MN Opening April 29 & Closing May 9 Swenson Farms Inventory Reduction Auction, Park Rapids, MN, Timed Online Auction Opening May 3 & Closing May 8 Online Steffes Auction - 5/8, Upper Midwest Locations, Timed Online Auction Opening May 10 & Closing May 20 Sletten Excavating Excess Equipment Auction, Center, ND, Timed Online Auction Opening May 13 & Closing May 22 Jim Oelfke Inventory Reduction Auction, Hamburg, MN, Timed Online Auction Tuesday, May 14 at 12 PM Quality Tested Hay Auction, Steffes Group Facility, Litchfield, MN Opening May 14 & Closing May 21 Steffes Construction Consignment Auction, West Fargo, ND, Timed Online Auction Tuesday, May 28 at 11 AM Harvey Sand & Gravel Auction, Harvey, ND Tuesday, May 28 at 12 PM Quality Tested Hay Auction, Steffes Group Facility, Litchfield, MN Wednesday, June 5 at 11 AM Gadberry Farms Farm Retirement Auction, Grandin, ND Opening June 10 & Closing June 18 Zych Estate Farm Auction, Beardsley, MN, Timed Online Auction Tuesday, June 11 at 12 PM Quality Tested Hay Auction, Steffes Group Facility, Litchfield, MN Friday, June 17 at 12 PM Jon & Alison Ragatz Farm Auction, Cassville, WI Tuesday, June 18 at 10 AM Steven & Jennifer Kahlbaugh Farm Retirement Auction, Mahnomen, MN Wednesday, June 19 at 10 AM Morris Vigen Estate Farm Equipment Auction, Adams, ND Thursday, June 20 at 10 AM Morris Vigen Estate Collectible Auction, Adams, ND Thursday, June 27 at 10 AM Short & Sweet Farms Inc. Retirement Auction, Grandin, ND Wednesday, July 10 at 10 AM Don Hanson Farm Retirement Auction, Hillsboro, ND

Farm Equipment IH 756 gas tractor, 3pt, 18.4x38, fenders, $4,750; JD 1710 12x30 3pt planter, liq fert, Mudsmith gauge whls, TW, 250 mon, $9,750; JD 9300 20’ press drill w/ grass seeder, $2,750; JD 980 44’ field cult w/ JD harrow, $6,900; JD 400 30’ hyd fold, rotary hoe, $4,500; Parker 510 grain cart, 24.5x32 tires, $5,900. 320-769-2756 JD 2210 38’ field cult, w/ JD harrow, $18,900; JD 1760 12x30 hyd fold planter, 3 bu boxes, Yetter row cleaners, flex frame, 250 mon, $11,900; JD 4240 tractor, QR, 3pt, 18.4x38 at 90%, $14,900, 725 ldr is available for $5,900; JD 337 small sq baler, exc cond, $5,750. 320-769-2756 We buy Salvage Equipment Parts Available Hammell Equip., Inc. (507)867-4910

Tractors FOR SALE: ‘72 JD 4020, front weights, rear axle weight w/ axle duals, very nice, $17,500; JD 1520 bean drill, 10” spacings w/ hyd down pressure & JD markers, $6,500. 320-226-3453 FOR SALE: 2001 440 Case STX tractor, 4490 hours, guidance system, P.S., 4 hydraulics, triples, 520-85R42s, front 6 are brand new. 218437-8120 FOR SALE: JD 3020 gas, WF, 6200 hrs, 18.4x34 tires; Arps snowblower, still works good, on 3pt hitch. 507-249-3411 JD 4650 1988, MFWD, 8400 hrs., 42” duals, 3 SCVs, QH, front fenders, serviced and field ready, excellent condition, $36,000/OBO (or best offer). (641) 231-1077 JD 3010, gas, good condition wide front, good tires, no 3pt, new fuel pump, shedded. 320-587-9207 NEW AND USED TRACTOR PARTS JD 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 55, 50 Series & newer tractors, AC-all models, Large Inventory, We ship! Mark Heitman Tractor Salvage 715-673-4829

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THE LAND — APRIL 19 /APRIL 26, 2019 Tillage Equip

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Hay & Forage Equipment

Planting Equip

3pt,2004 JOHN DEERE 38 Ft #726 50; Late Model Mulch Finisher ter, (Hvy Shanks) New Blades & uge Sweeps Shedded Real Good.

50; 2016 MANDAKO 42 Ft Land w/ Roller (Low Acres) Like 980 New. 319-347-6282 Shop ow, Planter Kinze 2000 Corn/Bean old,DMI Tigermate Field cultiPlanter: “15 Row-15” Beans ker vator 30.5’ with 5-bar spike And 8 Row - 30” Corn Inres, harrow, walking tandems and gauge wheels, 7.5” cludes Kinze Monitor, Insecsweeps, 6” spacing, sharp, ticide, Finger Pick-Up For JD field ready, $11,500. (651) Corn Units, Seed Box Extension, $15,000. (320) 980-3021 1760 387-2085 bu ers,FOR SALE: 2009 JD 200 00; crumbler soil finisher, 30.5’, Spraying Equip 3pt, exc cond, used very little, 725 $7,000/OBO. 952-556-5562 or FOR SALE: 60’ or 66’ big whl 00; 952-426-2428 excFOR SALE: Case IH disc, sprayer w/Top Aire bi-fold #3950, 32’, always shed- booms w/breakaways, 1000 ded, looks like new, asking gal poly tank, Tee Jet controller, PTO or hyd pump, $23,000. 507-822-2429 adj whl width, short hitch, good for side hills, bottom fill, pics avail, $4,200. 507Planting Equip 227-3428

FOR SALE: Late model JD Water trailers, 1000 gal S/S on 750 no till drill, 15’, 10” spac- trailer, $2,300; 1000 gal Ag ings, very clean, always Systems poly tank on trailer, $2,300; 500 gal S/S tank on ont shedded, $13,500. 507-438trailer, $1,200; 150 gal poly ght 0630 tank w/ saddle, $150. Olivia ice,FOR SALE: DMI track MN 320-523-1099 rill, scratcher, good condition, own $275, delivery if possible.

Hay & Forage ers, 320-220-3114

Equipment

MEMORIAL DAY The Land office is closed.

EARLY DEADLINES for the May 31st issue of THE LAND

WORK!

OR 50, racrge ark age

Display Ads: copy is due on Wednesday, May 22 Classifed Line Ads: copy is due on Thursday, May 23

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

tion no ed-

MANDAKO 12’-60’ LONG ROLLERS

Livestock

Cattle

FOR SALE: New Holland 1047 All kinds of New & Used farm FOR SALE: Black Angus Polled Hereford bulls. Big self propelled bale wagon equipment - disc chisels, field bulls also Hamp, York, & growthy yearlings, and 1 stacker, 120 bale capacity, cults, planters, soil finishers, Hamp/Duroc boars & gilts. calving ease 2 year old. Semen tested, delivery availw/ cab, shedded, $8,500. 952- cornheads, feed mills, discs, 320-598-3790 able. Jones Farms Le Sueur balers, haybines, etc. 507484-3431 MN 507-317-5996 438-9782 FOR SALE: Owatonna 260 14’ Dairy draper windrower w/ condi- WANTED TO BUY: IH 986 Swine tioner, Ford engine; NH 852 1086, 1486, 4386; also looking WANTED: Holstein Heifers. round baler. 507-859-2766 for 7000, 7100 planters; 9400, Opens & Breds. 715-897-1544 FOR SALE: Yorkshire, Hamp9500, 9600 combines. ‘99-’03 shire, Duroc & Hamp/Duroc FOR SALE: BushHog heavy F550 w/ a 7.3 engine, cab & boars, also gilts. Excellent duty rotary flail mower, 15’. chassis or cab & flatbed. 320Cattle selection. Raised outside.

507-859-2766 760-6050 Exc herd health. No PRSS. Haybuster 2564 Bale shred- WANTED: Pull type sickle FOR SALE: Complete herd Delivery avail. 320-760-0365 der with blower. Dry or wet mower, for IHC model 100 or of 21 registered & purebred bales, blows 60’, $14,950. Call 1100 or New Holland 455, in British white cows & heifers. Spot, Duroc, Chester White, Boars & Gilts available.

320-543-3523 good working cond. 763-682- Some with calves at side. Monthly PRRS and PEDV. 2124 18 yrs of outcross breeding. Delivery available. Steve This is a group worth the Resler. 507-456-7746 Harvesting Equip WANTED: 9610 or 9650 Walk- drive. $1,750/ea. 320-815-5192 er combine, must have low Trucks & separator hours, excellent FOR SALE: Angus Salers OpIH 1680 combine, 6 row narTrailers condition. 320-760-1169 timizer bulls, yearlings & 2 row cornhead, w/new eng yr olds, easy calving, good FOR SALE: 1974 International under 500 hrs, call for deWANTED TO BUY: 14’ silage disposition good thick bulls. truck, 1800 twin screw, 20’ tails. 507-276-3893 conveyor. 320-396-2436 Oakhill Farms. 507-327-1030 box & hoist. 507-427-3561

FOR SALE: JD 7000 Corn ase Planter 2R 3PT $1,800; Fert. 50’ bale conveyor; 570 NH, urs, Avail. $350/Row. 715-234-1993 like new; 9 x 18 bale rack w/ JD tandem running gear, alhy42s,FOR SALE: JD LL press ways shedded. 507-732-4415 218- grain drill w/ grass seeder, 15’. 507-859-2766 FOR SALE: 1130 Hesston haybine, $3,250; H&S hay tedWF, Classified Line Ads der, $1,000; Gehl 865 choprps per, 2 heads, $3,500/OBO; od, Gehl 1580 blower, $1,000. 952217-9907 Call 507-345-4523

400 QH, and ndibest

Wanted

PAGE 21

FOR THE BEST DEAL ORDER NOW!

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

USED TRACTORS

‘03 Versatile 2310, PS ..................................... $82,000 ‘12 Buhler 280...............................................$109,000 NEW Massey GC1715 w/loader ............................. Call NEW Massey 7722 FWA CVT ................................ Sold NEW NH T4.75, T4.90, T4.120 w/loader.. ...... On Hand NEW NH Workmaster 60, 50, 35’s/loaders ... On Hand NH T8.275, 495 hrs ....................................... $145,000 ‘08 NH 8010 .................................................. $110,000 ‘96 White 6175 FWA....................................... $49,500 New Massey 4710 w/cab and loader ............ On Hand New Massey 4710 rops/loader...................... On Hand New Massey 6713 w/cab and loader .............On hand New Massey 1735 w/cab and loader ............ On Hand 09 Versatile 435 3000hrs ...................................just in

HAY TOOLS

New NH Hay Tools - ON HAND

CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT

New NH W80C wheelloader .................................. Sold New NH E37C mini excavator ....................... On Hand New NH E26C mini excavator ....................... On Hand New NH track & wheeled skidsteers............. On Hand New NH W50C wheelloader .................................. Sold

COMBINES

‘15 Gleaner S88 ................................................ Coming ‘12 Gleaner S77 ................................................ Coming Gleaner R65 ................................................... $105,000 ‘12 Gleaner S77............................................ $205,000 ‘03 Gleaner R65 ............................................... Coming ‘98 Gleaner R62 .............................................. $79,500 TILLAGE ‘98 Gleaner R62 ...................................................... Call 14’ Sunflower 4412-05.....................................$32,500 Gleaner 3308 chopping corn heads ...................... Call 10’ Sunflower 4412-07 .................................... $31,000 NEW Fantini chopping cornhead ........................... Call Geringhoff parts & heads available ‘95 JD 726, 30’ ................................................ $21,500 10’ Wilrich QX2 37’ w/basket.......................... $38,500 MISCELLANEOUS Wilrich QX 55’5 w/bskt............................................ Call NEW Salford RTS Units .......................................... Call CIH 730b cush. w/ leads ................................ $19,500 NEW Salford Plows................................................. Call ‘03 NH ST250 40’FC w/Bskt ........................... $34,500 NEW Unverferth Seed Tenders .............................. Call

PLANTERS

NEW White Planters ....................................Let’s White 8182 12-30 w/liq ................................Let’s ‘12 White 8186, 16-30 w/liq. fert. .................Let’s ‘11 White 8516 CFS, Loaded .......................Let’s ‘15 White 9816FS 16-30 w/Agleader ...........Let’s ‘06 White 8516 cfs .......................................Let’s

Deal Deal Deal Deal Deal Deal

JD 7200 8-30 w/dry fert ...............................Let’s Deal

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

All Equipment available with Low Rate Financing (507) 234-5191 (507) 625-8649

smithsmillimp.com Hwy. 14, 3 miles West of Janesville, MN

Mon.-Fri. 7:30-5:00 • Sat. 7:30-Noon

PAGE 22

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

THE LAND — APRIL 19/APRIL 26, 2019

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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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Ads running longer than 25 words will incur an added charge.

CHECK ONE:  Announcements  Employment  Real Estate  Real Estate Wanted  Farm Rentals  Auctions  Agri Business  Farm Services  Sales & Services  Merchandise  Antiques & Collectibles  Lawn & Garden  Feed Seed Hay  Fertilizer & Chemicals  Bins & Buildings  Farm Equipment  Tractors  Tillage Equipment  Planting Equipment  Spraying Equipment

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

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

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ADVERTISING NOTICE: Please check your ad the first week it runs. We make every effort to avoid errors by checking all copy, but sometimes errors are missed. Therefore, we ask that you review your ad for correctness. If you find a mistake, please call (507) 345-4523 immediately so that the error can be corrected. We regret that we cannot be responsible for more than one week’s insertion if the error is not called to our attention. We cannot be liable for an amount greater than the cost of the ad. THE LAND has the right to edit, reject or properly classify any ad.

Each classified line ad is separately copyrighted to THE LAND. Reproduction without permission is strictly prohibited.

Trucks & Trailers FOR SALE: 46’ Ravens flatbed semi trailer, new lights & wiring harness, excellent condition, $8,750. 507-2613042 FOR SALE: Ford 7.3 diesel engines & automatic transmissions, low mileage, tested with guarantee. Parts and service also. 320-583-0881

Thank you for reading THE LAND! Miscellaneous Barn and Quonset Roofing and Straightening. Also polebarn repair and giving more head room. Kelling Silo. 1-800-3552598 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 WANTED FREON R12.

We pay CA$H. R12 R500 R11. Convenient.

Certified professionals. www.refrigerantfinders.com 312-291-9169 Winpower Sales & Service Reliable Power Solutions Since 1925 PTO & automatic Emergency Electric Generators. New & Used Rich Opsata-Distributor 800-343-9376

Looking for something special?

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Call The Land today!

507-345-4523 or 1-800-657-4665

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Put a classified ad in Classifieds work! 507-345-4523 • 800-657-4665

THE LAND — APRIL 19 /APRIL 26, 2019

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ad ?

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

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

4WD TRACTORS

‘13 JD S660, 892 sep/1180 eng hrs, Contour-Master, chopper,

‘11 NH T9.390, 905 hrs, pwr shift, 4 hyd valves, hi-flow, HID lights, 480x50 tires &

520x38 tires & duals ....................................................$135,000

duals ........................................................................................................... $120,000

‘04 JD 9760, 2268 sep/3460 eng hrs, Contour-Master, chopper,

‘18 C-IH 370 HD, 670 hrs, 1000 PTO, 3pt hitch, 5 hyd valves, hi-flow, 480x50” tires

480x42 tires & duals ......................................................$54,000

& duals, warranty until May 2020 ................................................................ $194,000

‘01 JD 9750, 3013 sep/4156 eng hrs, Contour-Master, chopper,

‘14 C-IH Steiger 370 HD, 7052 hrs, 1000 PTO, big hyd pump, 710x38 tires ............$79,000

520x38 tires & duals ......................................................$42,000

‘90 Ford 876, 12spd, 8253 hrs, 520x38 duals ............................................... $25,000

‘01 JD 9650 STS, 3014 sep/4325 eng hrs, Contour-Master,

‘12 JD 8235, 2WD, 1235 hrs, pwr shift, 3pt, 1000 PTO, 4 hyd valves, 18.4x46 duals, extra clean ................................$109,000 ‘13 C-IH Magnum 290, 1250 hrs, 1000 PTO, 3pt, 4 hyd valves,

Anderson Seeds ...............................................................4 Beck's Hybrids ................................................................1 Courtland Waste Handling ...............................................3 Dahl Farm Supply ......................................................... 17 Freudenthal Dairy & Mfg .............................................. 11 Greenwald Farm Center ................................................. 21 Keith Bode .................................................................... 19 Larson Implement ......................................................... 23

COMBINES

‘13 JD 9360R, 1970 hrs, 1000 PTO, pwr shift, 620x42 tires & duals .......... $150,000

ROW CROP TRACTORS

ADVERTISER LISTING

PAGE 23

chopper, 520x38 tires & duals ........................................$39,000 ‘00 JD 9650 STS, 2645 sep/3623 eng hrs, single point hookup, chopper, bin ext. .............................................................$42,000 ‘14 C-IH 5130, 660 sep/928 eng hrs, rock trap, chopper, tracker, 700 monitor, 900x32 single tires ......................$132,000 ‘15 C-IH 6140, 810 eng/685 sep hrs, rock trap, chopper,

big pump, 480x50 tires & duals, front duals & wgts ....$110,000

tracker, pro 700 monitor................................................$155,000

‘12 C-IH Magnum 260, 1784 hrs, susp front, 1000 PTO, 3pt,

‘11 C-IH 7120, 2200 eng/1610 sep hrs, rock trap, chopper,

4 hyd valves, 480x50 rear tires & duals, front duals ......$99,000 ‘11 Versatile 305, MFWD 690 hrs, 3pt, 4 hyd valves, 1000 PTO,

tracker, 600 monitor, 520x42 duals .................................$95,000 ‘10 C-IH 8120, 2250 eng/1650 sep hrs, rock trap, chopper, tracker, 60 monitor, 520x42 duals. ..................................$92,500

HID lights, 480x46 tires & duals .....................................$95,000

‘09 C-IH 7088, 1275 sep/1807 eng hrs, rock trap, chopper,

‘11 Challenger MT665C, 2703 hrs, MFWD, 5 hyd, CVT trans,

tracker, HID lights, Pro 600 monitor, 520x42” duals ......$92,000

3pt, complete auto steer syst, 540/1000PTO .................$82,500

CORN HEADERS

INDUSTRIAL EQUIPMENT ‘11 Bobcat E45EM excavator, 10000 lb machine, cab air, 2964

‘13 Drago 6R30 chopping, fits JD combine ..........................$25,000

hrs, Quick Tach bkt, dozer blade, aux hyd, track rubber ...$32,000

‘09 Drago 6R30 chopping, fits JD combine ......................$19,000

‘12 JD 710K, 2424 hrs, ldr backhoe, 4x4, cab, air...........$79,000

‘06 Drago 8R30 chopping, fits flagship C-IH combine ...........$14,500

‘11 JD 850J LGP Dozer, 6926 hrs, blade ...........................$95,000

‘13 C-IH 3408 8R30, hyd deck plates, fits flagship combine ..$21,000

‘11 JD 290LC, 3350 hrs, 42” bucket ...............................$120,000

‘08 C-IH 2408 8R30, hyd deck plates,

‘11 JD 672G, 5720 hrs, 14’ blade ...................................$110,000

fits flagship combine .......................................................$12,500

‘11 JD 624K wheelloader, 4450 hrs, cab air, 3.5 yd Quick Tach bkt .. $92,000

‘02 C-IH 2208 8R30, hyd deck plates,

‘11 JD 624K wheelloader, 4450 hrs, w/ quick coupler, w/

fits older 1600-2000 series C-IH combines ....................$11,500

TRACK TRACTORS

bkt, ride control ..................................................... $92,000 ‘12 Volvo L50F wheelloader, w/quick coupler & bkt .........$65,000 ‘06 Volvo G960, 6460 hrs, 14’ blade..................................$65,000

‘15 C-IH 500 Quadtrac, 2750 hrs, 36” tracks, cab susp, HID

‘17 Case LX57C excavator, 336 hrs, cab air, 13000 lb machine,

Minnwest Bank ...............................................................7

lights ..............................................................................$169,000

19” bkt, aux hyd, push blade, 15.5” rubber tracks like

‘15 C-IH 370 Rowtrac Quadtrac, 918 hrs, 1000 PTO,

new ..................................................................................$53,000

Pioneer Agronomy ...........................................................9

80” spacing, 4 hyd valves, hi-flow, ...............................$159,000

‘11 Case 580N, 2540 hrs, ldr backhoe, 4x4, cab, air .......$42,500

‘14 C-IH 350 Rowtrac Quadtrac, 1865 hrs, 1000 PTO, 120”

‘11 Case CX300C, 2658 hrs, 54” bucket .........................$117,000

Pruess Elevator ............................................................. 19

spacing, 18” tracks, 4 hyd valves, hi-flow ....................$152,000

Schweiss Doors ............................................................. 19 Smiths Mill Implement .................................................. 21 Spanier Welding ..............................................................5 Steffes Group ................................................................ 20

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

‘14 C-IH 340 Magnum Rowtrac, 290 hrs, lux cab, susp front axle, 18” belts, 6 hyd valves, 1000 PTO, 3pt ........................$180,000

‘06 ASTEC RT960 trencher, 3000 hrs .................................$18,500 12 Cat 924K wheelloader, 3355 hrs, quick coupler, w/bkt, ride control ............................................................. $91,000

TILLAGE

‘08 Cat D6T XW dozer, 5860 hrs, blade, winch ...............$132,000

JD 512 5 shank disc ripper ................................................ $9,500

‘10 Kawasaki 65ZV-2 wheelloader, 6510 hrs, w/2.5 yd pin on bkt...$54,000

‘08 JD 512 5 shank disc ripper .........................................$11,500

‘08 Kawasaki 80ZV wheelloader, 5773 hrs, 4.25 yd pin on bkt .. $65,000

‘06 ASTEC RT960 trencher, 3000 hrs .................................$18,500

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

Look at our website for pictures & more listings: www.larsonimplements.com

PAGE 24

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

THE LAND — APRIL 19/APRIL 26, 2019

This week’s Back Roads is the work of The Land Managing Editor Paul Malchow.

The Chapel of Peace

A

150-year-old church carries with it many memories. Roxie Mell-Brandts took it upon herself to hopefully add many more. Mell-Brandts purchased the First Baptist Church in Garden City, Minn. and in 2017 began an extensive restoration project. She renamed the church the “Chapel of Peace,” and rents the building for weddings and social gatherings.

Mell-Brandts grew up in rural Garden City and has fond memories of attending the church. “One of my earliest memories is of my mom making lunch in the addition,” she recalled. (The First Baptist congregation built an addition onto the original church in 1958-59.)

The church was originally designed to be a wood structure. A member of the congregation owned a saw mill and agreed to cut the lumber for free. Trees were felled in the fall and the logs were to be sent to the saw mill in the spring. Unfortunately, spring flooding carried the logs downstream — never to be seen again.

So in 1868, workers took sand out of the river and made bricks on site to construct the church, which is double-walled (two layers of bricks deep).

By November of 2013, the First Baptist congregation had dwindled to just 11 members and maintaining the aging church was simply too expensive. Experienced in home restoration, Mell-Brandts decided to step in and bring the structure back to life.

The north wall of the

Garden City, Minn.

church was in bad shape and recreating the bricks to restore it was cost-prohibitive. So instead, MellBrandts enclosed the back wall with a breezeway connecting the church and the addition. All of the windows in the sanctuary were replaced, the entryway was rebuilt and enlarged, cracks were patched, walls were painted, the attic was insulated, the church’s balcony was opened up, and the exterior was sealed to prevent deterioration.

Workers found bags from the Hubbard mill which were used to plug cracks and insulate the church. They also found an old wooden bucket which had “W.B. Garden City Minn.” painted on the bottom. Some of the original school-house lights which were in the church were put back in. Windows from the original church were installed in the breezeway. Also visible in the breezeway are the enormous wooden beams which frame the church.

The beams are held in place with large wooden pegs.

The church is on the National Register of Historic Places listings in Blue Earth County.

The Chapel of Peace has already housed baby showers, graduation parties and a wedding reception.

Bathrooms have been updated and the addition has a complete kitchen. Mell-Brandts is hopeful more people will make use of the unique historical setting.

The chapel has a site on Facebook. Interested parties can reach Mell-Brandts at (507) 382-8304. v

Page 4 - April 19/April 26, 2019

THE LAND, Advertising Supplement

© 2019

April 19/April 26, 2019

(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

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April 19/April 26, 2019 - Page 3

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THE LAND, Advertising Supplement

© 2019

April 19/April 26, 2019

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