THE LAND ~ December 27, 2019 ~ Southern Edition

“Since 1976, Where Farm and Family Meet”

© 2019

P.O. Box 3169, Mankato, MN 56002 • (800) 657-4665

www.TheLandOnline.com • theland@TheLandOnline.com

December 27, 2019 Januar y 3, 2020

Handled with care A hobby farm with ‘a few’ animals is now a home for rescued creatures

PLUS: Dick Hagen talks with MCGA’s Kirby Hettver and Kent Thiesse gives the lowdown on 2019 and 2020 farm programs

K O LO E D INfoSr yIour

rd! a c n o i t p IN subscri AIL IT M T S U YOU M EP RECEIVING TO KE E LAND! TH

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

THE LAND — DECEMBER 27, 2019/JANUARY 3, 2020

Pass the word P.O. Box 3169 418 South Second St. Mankato, MN 56002 (800) 657-4665 Vol. XLIII ❖ No. 26 32 pages, 2 sections plus supplements

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

Cover photo by Richard Siemers

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

2A-3A 3A 4A 5A 6A-7A 8A 12A 13A 15A-19A 19A 20A 5B 11B

STAFF

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

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Subscription and Distribution: Free to farmers and agribusinesses in Minnesota and northern Iowa. $29 per year for non-farmers and people outside the service area. The Land (USPS 392470) Copyright © 2019 by The Free Press Media is published biweekly by The Free Press, 418 S 2nd Street, Mankato, MN 56001-3727. Business and Editorial Offices: 418 S. 2nd Street, Mankato, MN 56001-3727, Accounting and Circulation Offices: Steve Jameson, 418 S 2nd Street, Mankato, MN 56001-3727. Call (507) 345-4523 to subscribe. Periodicals postage paid at Mankato, MN. Postmaster and Change of Address: Send address changes to The Land, P.O. Box 3169, Mankato MN 56002-3169 or e-mail to theland@ TheLandOnline.com.

Allen Ludden never had it this crazy. “princess” was not far behind and “ashLudden was the host of the game show ley” was not far behind princess. I’m not “Password” (showing my age again). On making any judgements, just stating the show, two teams – each composed of facts. “charlie” was the first boys’ name to a celebrity player and a contestant – appear on the list at number 34. attempt to convey mystery words to each “michael” was not far behind. From there other using only single-word clues, in the names are predominantly female: order to win cash prizes. Ludden sup“nicole,” “jessica,” “hannah,” “michelle” plied the words, made sure the rules of and “maggie” are all in the top 50.

LAND MINDS the game were followed, and chipped in In a nod to our distant relatives, “monwitty quips. key” is the 30th most common password.

By Paul Malchow Of course, “Password” in the 1960s “soccer,” at 33, far out-distanced both and early ‘70s was pre-home computer. “football” and “baseball.” “softball Today, anyone who logs in to a website appeared at number 134 and “hockey” or computer software looks at “password” in a comweighed in at 161. “superman” logged in at 59. “batpletely different light. man” was 125. Ouch. The lone profanity appearing When passwords first came on the computer scene on the list came in at 66. “summer” was number 61.

Winter did not make the list. to access e-mail accounts, it was kind of cool.

Choosing the right password was a creative endeavThere were lots and lots of names. One out of or and seemed more of a formality than a security every four passwords on the list was someone’s first measure. name. “paul” was not one of them. “jesus” did not appear until number 151.

But that was then and this is now. I recently received a release from NordPass listing the 200 It was nice to see “chocolate” at 48; “cookie” was most commonly used passwords. NordPass is a sub- 74; and “chicken” at 135. That was about it for food scription security service which remembers and items. Pork, beef, dairy, wheat, soybeans or corn did autosaves all your complex passwords, autofills not make the list. online forms, and assists with generating strong Experts in the field suggest using a variety of long passwords. The release states independent anonypasswords with capital letters, numbers and symbol mous researchers shared the most popular passkeys. Some passwords look like Sgt. Snorkel chewwords that were leaked in data breaches in just this ing out Beetle Bailey in the comics. Experts also say past year. The list was compiled from a database of to change your passwords regularly – especially if 500 million passwords. you suspect your account has been tampered with.

The most commonly-used password, at 2,812,220, Because passwords are so complex and so many in was “12345” — closely following at 2,485,216 was number, I keep a secret code book listing all of my “123456.” Over a million users went farther across passwords, log-in names and answers to the account the number keys with “123456789.” Just over half a verification questions. million users dropped the 9 for their password. Only Yes, Allen Ludden, one-word clues no longer suf329,341 added the zero. fice in today’s world.

Those more letter-bound (359,520 of them) liked You don’t need a secret password to receive The the four keys: “asdf.” Just behind in 10th place was Land, but we do need your signature. In this issue “qwerty.” There were two passwords listed in the top you will find an easy subscription form. In order to 10 which didn’t make sense to me: “zinch” (483,443 keep receiving The Land in 2020, you must send in users) and “g_czechout” (372,278). If anyone knows, the form – with your signature. Make it a new drop me a line. year’s resolution. In five minutes time you’ll be good The password “password” came in at 830,846. for the whole year. We appreciate our subscribers’ Nearly one million users preferred the password loyalty and look forward to a great 2020. “test1.” “test2” did not make the list, but “passOr maybe that should be !2oTWentee$. word1” did at 92,009.

Paul Malchow is the managing editor of The Land.

Many of the top 20 passwords were variations of He may be reached at editor@TheLandOnline.com. v numbers and/or letters; but farther down the list the entries become more personal. For the romantics, “iloveyou” was number 14 with 141,657 users.

OPINION

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

10B — Plans are already underway for 2020 corn crop

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

THE LAND — DECEMBER 27, 2019/JANUARY 3, 2020

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Howard’s priceless gift of simple giving Editor’s note: Everyone needs a little Silence hung in the stale air. I reckoned Dairyman in the glow of the Christmas lights I saw break during the holidays and Alan that if you had bached it for 40 years a man of great warmth, vast wealth and pure honGuebert is no exception. Guebert’s regular silence wasn’t a void that needed to be esty. He didn’t have a checking account or credit “Farm and Food File” column this week is filled so I sipped my wine and said noth- card but he was far richer than the condescending a reprint of a 1994 offering. “This is easily ing. Howard reached for his pipe and the college boy on his sofa. the most requested column I’ve ever writbig, red can of Velvet tobacco that had “Well Hoard,” I said a very quiet minute later, “I ten,” said Guebert. “Merry Christmas.” been my Christmas gift to him that better go. We both need to be at the barn morning.

The Christmas tree was a scrub cedar early tomorrow.” hacked from the edge of the woods that “You want to roll yourself a smoke, FARM & FOOD FILE He led me to the back door. “Don’t forget,” he said bordered the farm. Big-bulbed lights, Allie? I got some papers here.” as I headed for the truck, “we’ll call those calves

By Alan Guebert strung in barber pole fashion, generated I shook off the offer.

Mary and Joseph.” almost as much heat as the nearby “Yep,” Howard said as if to himself, Almost 30 Christmas Nights later, I have not forwood stove. Yellowed Christmas cards, “that’s the prettiest tree I’ve ever had. gotten two calves named Mary and Joseph and saved over the years and perched like And this is shaping up to be the nicest Howard’s priceless gift of simple giving. doves in the untrimmed branches, served as ornaChristmas I’ve ever had because you came by.” ments.

The Farm and Food File is published weekly I looked at the tree and then at the old man through the United States and Canada. Past col“I believe this is the prettiest tree I’ve ever had,” umns, events and contact information are posted at Howard proclaimed as we stood in its glow. “And its ringed in tobacco smoke staring at it and I felt sad.

Not for him.

I felt sad for me.

I had agreed to come www.farmandfoodfile.com. v smells good, too.” to his house to accommodate him, a favor for a hired The only scent evident to me was a mixture of man.

Send your letters to the editor to: wood smoke and the remains of a fried pork supper But he had not wanted a favor.

All he had wanted Editor, The Land but I lied and said, “Sure does.” was the chance to share his Christmas good fortune P.O. Box 3169 Howard beckoned me to sit. We had shared with me. He had some new wine, a warm fire, his Christmas Day in the dairy barn and it was his Mankato, MN 56002 best Christmas tree ever, and week’s worth of tobacrequest that we share a bit of the night, also. He e-mail: editor@thelandonline.com co. He was happy and he wanted to give me some of knew I was alone because my family, his employer, that happiness.

All letters must be signed and accompanied by a was visiting relatives. I knew he was alone because phone number (not for publication) to verify authenticity.

As I stared at the silhouette of Hoard the he was always alone, a bachelor for nearly 40 years.

“I’ll get us some Christmas cheer,” he offered as I sank into the sofa. In untied work shoes he shuffled toward the kitchen. A minute later, he returned with two water glasses filled with rhubarb wine.

“It’s been a good Christmas, ain’t it Allie-Boy?” he asked as he sat in a ladderback chair by the stove.

He had called me Allie Boy for as long as I could remember. I had taken to call him Hoard the Dairyman, after the title of a farm magazine my father subscribed to.

I nodded. It had been a good day. Two wobbly newborn calves greeted us when we arrived at the dairy barn early that morning. Wet and shivering, we dried them with the past summer’s straw before showing them how to find breakfast at their mamas’ side. One was a bull, the other a heifer.

“We ought to name ‘em Mary and Joseph,” Howard now said as we rehashed the day, “on account of them being born today.”

Mary and Joseph?

Generally, Howard had only one name for all cows: Succum. None of us knew what it meant or where it came from, but from the time he arrived on the • Stainless steel 7500 gal. tanker trailer • Remote hydraulic controls farm in 1965 every cow was always Succum and • 8” high flow Off-load system (3700 GPM) • Stainless baffles every heifer was always Little Succum. A group of • 30’ boom • Many other options and sizes available cows or calves were simply Big Succums or Baby Succums.

“Mary and Joseph they will be,” I said approvingly. www.courtlandwaste.com

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THE LAND — DECEMBER 27, 2019/JANUARY 3, 2020

Everyone can find strength in a ‘stone of help’ If you need a fun and easy voice, which reverses play game for all ages, this in the opposite direction. If might be it: Zip Bong. players mess up and say Everyone sits in a circle and “Zip” when it’s not their uses their lips to cover their turn, or if they don’t say teeth, pretending to be “Zip” after a “Bong” changelderly. If you’re elderly, you es the direction, or if they have a clear advantage ‒ no show their teeth, they’re acting for you. out.

THE BACK PORCH Someone begins the game While the Zip Bong game by saying, “Zip!” If it sounds

By Lenae Bulthuis brings laughs, it’s anything funny, you’re doing it right! but laughable when the Play continues around the circle to the name of the game describes your life. right, “Zip . . . Zip . . . Zip,” until some- How is it that we zipped from January one chooses to say “Bong!” in a loud to December? Am I the only one who

feels as if the year has slipped by, and somehow, we’re now only moments away from the bong of midnight that begins a New Year.

Though we can’t turn back time or hold it in our hands, it is possible to live it with more stick and less zip. It’s a stick that gives roots to moments instead of them flying into days and years like bees’ wings at harvest.

Research suggests that marking moments makes life feel as if it slows down. Remembering gives life more meaning.

It’s what God said from the very beginning! And He gave it a name: Ebenezer.

Now, I don’t mean the “Bah, humbug!” Ebenezer Scrooge in Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol. Instead, it’s the Ebenezer you may have sung about in the hymn written by Robert Robinson in 1758, “Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing.”

“Here I raise my Ebenezer; Here by Thy great help I’ve come; And I hope, by Thy good pleasure, Safely to arrive at home.”

It’s the Ebenezer that causes little children to pull on their parents’ coat sleeves for a modern translation, “How do I raise my Ebenezer?”

The answer is as simple as a box of rocks. Ebenezer means “stone of help.”

In the first half of the Bible, it was a stone. It was a memory rock that helped people remember that God helped them in the past, and He would be there for them in the future as well.

People still use Ebenezer reminders today. I read about an older woman who keeps an old suitcase by her front door to remind her that this world is not her home; she’s living in heaven one day.

I have a stuffed bunny near my computer where I write. It’s ratty and worn after 46 years. It was a gift from my dad when I was five years old and very sick in the hospital. During my nine-day hospitalization, that bunny stayed by my side. Today it’s an Ebenezer that daily reminds me of my dad’s love and my Heavenly Father’s healing.

Best-selling author Ann Voskamp encourages readers to use Ebenezers for their efforts. “Mark little milestones! Celebrate! The little things! A treat at the end of the day, end of the week, end of the project, end of the term. Take a happy, thumbs up picture to mark your progress! Make an album of a year, of the process, of the overcoming.”

We raise our Ebenezer every time we mark moments and remember.

Whether we use memory rocks, milestones, take pictures, or stick pen to paper and write one sentence of gratitude a day, it is the stick that slows the zip as we savor the life gifted to you and me.

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

Register for poultry school BUFFALO, Minn. — The Poultry Health Management School recently announced attendee registration and sponsorship opportunities will open Jan. 6. The school is broken into two classes: turkey/broiler health and layer health, and is set for May 18-21. The topic theme this year is vaccines and medications.

Turkey and Broiler Health Management School takes place May 18–19.

Layer Health Management School will be held May 20–21.

Each school is limited to 75 attend-

ees. A waiting list will be made available once the initial 75 seats are filled.

Only five attendees per company will be accepted to each school. All separate locations count as one total company.

All details regarding the event, including registration, hotel reservations, school agendas and sponsorships, can be found at www.

PoultryHealthSchool.com.

Direct all questions to Rebecca Groos at rgroos@minnesotaturkey.com or call (763) 682-2171.

This article was submitted by Minnesota Turkey. v

THE LAND — DECEMBER 27, 2019/JANUARY 3, 2020

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

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Try these favorite drink recipes to toast the new year serve, garnish with whipped cream The holidays are here, and cinnamon. you’re busy preparing menus, baking cookies and n getting ready for merriA light slightly bubbly drink feament-a-plenty. Don’t overturing apple and cranberry is perlook one big item though — fect accompaniment to any holiday the beverages. A good bevmeal. It’s also a hit with kids and erage can elevate your holiadults alike. The sprig of rosemary day gathering to the next COOKING on top gives the drink the perfect level. Here’s some traditionWITH KRISTIN adornment. al and unique holiday By Kristin Kveno drinks that will put a smile Apple Cranberry Spritzer on everyone’s face! www.townandcountrymag.com/ leisure/drinks/g3122/christmas-mocktail-reciThe classic eggnog; it seems that people pes/ either love it or hate it. At my house, everyone loves this thick, rich, taste treat; we just can’t apple juice get enough of it. Here’s a delicious recipe for cranberry juice homemade eggnog.

Sprite cranberries Classic Eggnog rosemary www.delish.com/cooking/recipe-ideas/recipes/ a50609/classic-eggnog-recipe/ In a glass mix equal parts apple juice and cranberry juice. Add a dash of Sprite. Garnish 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract with cranberries and a sprig of rosemary.

6 large egg yolks 1/2 cup granulated sugar n 1 cup heavy cream Bellinis are yummy with that delectable peach 1/3 cup bourbon or rum (optional) flavor and some bubbles. This drink features the whipped cream, for serving same taste but without the alcohol so the whole In a small saucepan over low heat, combine family can enjoy this fun beverage. A Baby milk, cinnamon, nutmeg and vanilla and slowly Bellini would be the perfect drink for a fun bring mixture to a low boil. Meanwhile, in a brunch. large bowl, whisk egg yolks with sugar until Baby Bellini yolks are pale in color. Slowly add hot milk mix- www.thespruceeats.com/baby-bellini-mocktailture to egg yolks in batches to temper the eggs recipe-760358 and whisk until combined. Return mixture to 2 ounces peach nectar or juice saucepan and cook over medium heat until 2 ounces sparkling cider or ginger ale (or more slightly thick (and coats the back of a spoon) but does not boil. (If using a candy thermometer, to fill glass) optional garnish: peace slice mixture should reach 160 degrees.) Remove from heat and stir in heavy cream and, if using, Pour the peach nectar into a champagne flute. booze. Refrigerate until chilled. When ready to Slowly add the sparkling cider. Garnish with a

peach slice, if available. n If drinking your dessert is wrong, then I don’t want to be right. This isn’t regular hot chocolate, this is thick chocolate that you drink. It’s not sweet like milk chocolate but rather a dark chocolate taste. It’s rich, it’s decadent and it’s delicious.

Thick and Rich Drinking Chocolate www.eatingwell.com/recipe/249396/thick-richdrinking-chocolate/ 2-1/4 cups nonfat milk 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder 1/4 cup sugar 1-1/2 tablespoons cornstarch Combine milk, cocoa, sugar and corn starch in a large saucepan. Cook over medium heat,

MDA seeks candidates As winter rolls in and outdoor work gives way to paper work and year-end books, how about taking a few minutes to become a candidate for election to the Minnesota Soybean Research & Promotion Council ?

It’s that time of year again, and the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) is seeking candidates for commodity council elections.

There are five Council seats up for election in 2020. Interested participants must fill out a candidate certification form and a candidate biography form.

Benefits of becoming a MSR&PC director include: The chance to make an impact and assist in the future of Minnesota soybean farmers; input into

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whisking often until steaming. Continue to cook, whisking constantly until it comes to a boil, then remove from heat.

This time of the year calls for the perfect beverage to accompany a table full of wonderful food. Don’t forget to add one of these tasty drinks to your menu this holiday season. They provide just the right amount of pizazz to any gathering.

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 kkveno@thelandonline.com. v

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the investment of Minnesota soybean checkoff dollars; an opportunity to be recognized as a leader in the field of soybean agriculture; the ability to attend one national USB board meeting per year; and the opportunity to develop and enrich your strategic business management skills.

Interested candidates can download the necessary forms at mnsoybean.org/ msrpc (scroll down to the bottom of the page).

All biographical and candidate certification forms are due to the Minnesota Soybean office by Jan. 27, 2020.

This article was submitted by the Minnesota Soybean Growers Association. v

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THE LAND — DECEMBER 27, 2019/JANUARY 3, 2020

MARKETING

Grain Outlook Corn market in a holiday mood Because of holiday deadlines, the following marketing analysis is for the week ending Dec. 19.

CORN — The euphoria over a trade deal with China announced last week carried over into this week. Corn had a streak of four higher closes before taking a break at mid-week on profit taking. While details have not officially been released, announcements from U.S. trade representatives point to China agreeing to purchase $40 billion of U.S. agricultural products in each of the next two years. The agreement is expected to be signed early next year and further details may not be released until then. The onus before the trade deal was announced was on the PHYLLIS NYSTROM market to provide funds with a CHS Hedging Inc. reason to cover their net short St. Paul positions. Post-announcement, the market has provided that reason and it’s now up to the funds to decide whether to defend a short position.

March corn jumped to its highest price since Nov. 8, topping out at resistance of $3.90.5 per bushel.

Weekly export sales were a marketing-year high due to the previous week’s tremendous sales to Mexico.

Sales were 67.3 million bushels, but we are still running 42 percent behind last year’s pace. Total commitments of 677.1 million bushels is the secondlowest figure for mid-December in 33 years. We need to average 29.9 million bushels of sales per week to reach the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s forecast for 1.85 billion bushels of exports. Last year we averaged just 21.6 million bushels per week from this point forward.

Weekly ethanol production broke its 11-week streak of higher production, falling 8,000 barrels per day to 1.064 million barrels. So far this marketing year, ethanol production is averaging 5.32 billion bushels of corn compared to the USDA outlook for 5.375 billion bushels of corn for ethanol. Stocks fell a measly 17,000 barrels to 21.8 million barrels.

Margins were squeezed tighter, going from 9 cents down to 3 cents per gallon. Margins have dropped over 30 cents in the last three weeks.

The U.S.-Mexico-Canada trade agreement was scheduled to be passed in the House this week, with the Senate following in 2020, after the United States and Mexico worked through some last-minute disSee NYSTROM, pg. 7A

Cash Grain Markets corn/change* soybeans/change*

Stewartville Edgerton Jackson Janesville Cannon Falls Sleepy Eye

$3.45 +.16 $3.91 +.14 $3.65 +.11 $3.71 +.12 $3.51 +.14 $3.58 +.11

$8.61 +.27 $8.78 +.32 $8.78 +.27 $8.86 +.34 $8.63 +.27 $8.68 +.27

Grain Angles Setting goals for the year ahead

The past several weeks in the livestock markets in the futures markets have relatively quiet. Cash markets were fairly active for the most part. The interesting thing about it was that the cash market was going opposite the futures market. For example, the cash cattle market was moving higher through the aforementioned period, while the futures were drifting lower.

The opposite was happening in the hogs. Cash was slipping lower while the futures were moving higher. The anticipation of upcoming U.S. Department of Agriculture reports for both — plus the continued talk regardJOE TEALE ing the Chinese potential buying Broker of U.S. ag products has kept Great Plains Commodity these markets on edge.

Afton, Minn.

The cash market for cattle has been on a strong move higher finally breaking through the $120 level just before the USDA Cattle on Feed report which was released on Dec. 20. The results were a little negative as the placements were a tad higher than expected. This likely going to affect the deferred contracts in the live cattle futures the feeder futures prices.

At this time, with the Christmas holiday and the New Years holiday in the middle of the next several weeks, interest by the packers is likely going to be light as they appear to have surrounded themselves with plenty of live inventory. The futures market is more than likely to follow in a fairly quiet trade until after the first of the new year. It is very possible that

As we inch closer to a new decade and close out the 2010s, it seems like the perfect time to reflect back on the past decade and recognize all the changes that have taken place.

At the top of that list is the tremendous changes in the commodity markets and technology. From the technology in the equipment we drive, the seeds we plant, and the way we conduct business, there is little doubt about the amount of change that has taken place.

Remember in 2010 when the top-rated cell phones were the iPhone 4, Motorola Droid X, and the BlackBerry Pearl? What does that have to do with operating your business? It has a tremendous impact on how you plan where your business is headed. If AHNNA COMPART Compeer Senior we look in the rearview mirror Credit Officer we can see the change that has Mankato, Minn. happened. From there we can look forward and anticipate the rapid amount of change will continue and perhaps even happen at a faster pace.

In the next ten years, if you don’t make any changes, what will your operation look like? Is it larger or smaller; more or less diversified from where it is today; have the owners remained the same or has it been transferred to the next generation? Year-end and certainly the end of a decade is a great time to reflect on past years; but also a time look forward to set goals and make plans.

Before beginning the goal setting process, it’s important to have the right people in the room: husband, wife, son, daughter, brother, owners, key employees, etc. should all be considered.

When setting goals for the year(s) ahead here are some steps to follow: Step One. Reflection — Reflect on where you’ve been in the past and perform a Strength, Weakness, Opportunity, and Threat (SWOT) analysis. Write down the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats of your business. During this time, I also would encourage you to reflect on previous decisions you have made and the ‘why’ behind them. Knowing what you do now, would you make that same decision today or is it time to make some changes.

Asking these questions can help you shape where you are going. Remember it’s okay to change a past

See TEALE, pg. 7A

See COMPART, pg. 14A

Average:

$3.64

$8.72

Year Ago Average: $3.31 $7.99 Grain prices are effective cash close on Dec. 20. *Cash grain price change represents a two-week period.

Livestock Angles Livestock futures quiet thru holidays

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

THE LAND — DECEMBER 27, 2019/JANUARY 3, 2020

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

PAGE 7A

Weekly soybean export sales better than anticipated NYSTROM, from pg. 6A crepancies early in the week.

The proposed 2020 biofuels mandate is a disappointment to ethanol producers. The plan replaces gallons of lost demand due to waivers given to small refineries based on the Department of Energy recommendations instead of actual waivers given. The Environmental Protection Agency has been issuing more waivers than what the EPA has been recommending. The government did reinstate the biodiesel $1 per gallon tax credit, retroactive to 2018 and good through 2022.

In Brazil, Conab raised their ethanol from sugar cane production to 8.94 billion gallons, up from their August estimate of 8.36 billion gallons. Corn-based ethanol production was revised to 446 million gallons, significantly higher than last year’s production of 209 million gallons. A joint venture of three companies in Brazil are planning to build a new cornbased ethanol plant. Most of the ethanol there is made from sugar cane; but economics have made corn-based ethanol production attractive. There are currently eight plants which use corn to produce ethanol, but six more are under construction and seven more in the planning stage. There are 349 sugar cane-based ethanol plants. It was rumored this week that Brazil may have to import 1-2 million metric tons of corn in the first quarter of 2020 due to their heavy corn exports in 2019.

Outlook: It’s feeling like holiday-mode trading has taken hold of the market without any fresh details on the trade deal with China. March corn has moved its trading range up to $3.80 to $3.95 per bushel. The December 2020 contract to back above $4.00 per bushel. Our window of opportunity for additional exports gets smaller every day as South America gets closer to harvest. As of the close Dec. 19, March corn was up 5.5 cents for the week at $3.86.5; July up a

MARKETING nickel at $3.98.75; and December 2020, at $4.00.25 per bushel, was 5.25 cents higher.

Looking ahead, a private research firm, IEG Vantage, pegged 2020 U.S. corn acreage at 94.1 million acres, up 4.2 million acres from 2019. Using a yield of 178 bushels per acre vs. 167.4 bu./acre in 2019, production was forecast at 15.4 billion bushels.

This compares to 13.568 billion this year. This doesn’t paint a very friendly picture for prices in 2019 without a production problem in the United States or South America.

SOYBEANS — With the announcement of a trade deal that prevented additional tariffs being put on Dec. 15 and China’s intention to buy $40 worth of U.S. agricultural goods, soybeans staged a nice rebound. In 2017, China imported $24 billion worth of U.S. ag products. January soybeans reclaimed over 62 percent of the decline from the high in October to the low in December. As of this writing, funds were still in the process of covering their net short position in soybeans. Bear in mind, China still has their 30 percent tariff on U.S. soybeans in place, 25 percent on corn and wheat, and 40 percent on ethanol, but they are issuing tariff free quotas periodically.

The question of how China could accomplish the $40 billion level of purchases has prompted a few theories in the trade. China may purchase commodities for state reserves. They could buy commodities and donate them to other countries. Or they could make purchases and then divert them to Hong Kong so China could get credit to go against the $40 billion commitment. This could amount to $10 billion.

Currently, Hong Kong’s purchases are not counted against China. How or when this can be accomplished has many putting pencil to paper. China did

Cutout prices keep lid on hog market TEALE, from pg. 6A the cattle market will be quiet in all aspects during the period. The futures will be possibly the more active in response to the cattle on feed report — especially in the deferred contracts. Producers should monitor the market and protect inventories as needed.

The hog market is beginning to act very sluggish as pork cutout prices have slipped in the past few weeks. The cash prices have been relatively steady, but if the pork cutout continues to weaken, expect cash to follow to lower levels.

The futures are carrying a fairly large premium to the cash at the current time and appear vulnerable to narrowing the gap unless packers become more aggressive in acquiring inventories.

The USDA Hogs and Pigs report will be released Dec. 23 and expectations are that there will be a 3 percent increase in the hog herd. Also expected kept for breeding an increase of 2 percent while the kept for marketing is anticipated at a 2 percent increase.

All things considered, with the large premiums in the hog futures, they would appear vulnerable if these numbers are correct. The premiums have been built in anticipation of further China’s buying of pork. But if no sales appear in the next few weeks, the hog market is once again vulnerable because of that premium.

Producers are urged to pay close attention to the Hogs and Pigs report and the Chinese interest in the pork market and act accordingly to protect inventories. v

issue more tariff-free quotas for U.S. soybeans and the USDA announced a new sale of 126,000 metric tons of U.S. soybeans to China late in the week.

However, U.S. soybeans are not competitive with Brazilian origin after January/February at today’s prices. Some have surmised China only needs to purchase another 1 mmt to bridge the gap before Brazil’s new crop soybeans become available.

Turning to South America, Brazil’s weather continues to be generally favorable for crop development.

There is, however, a small area in the northeast that has been experiencing drying. This area is not considered significant at this time. Argentina’s dry areas in the south have been shrinking due to recent beneficial rainfall. It’s estimated only 25 percent of Argentina is dry compared to 33 percent in the previous week. Any losses in Argentina may be covered by gains in Brazil. In Argentina, export taxes were raised on corn and wheat from 7 to 12 percent, then another increase to 15 percent was proposed. For soybeans, the initial increase was from 25 to 30 percent, with the new proposal kicking it up to 33 percent. There is also language to lower export taxes on valued added products, i.e. meal.

Weekly export sales in soybeans were better than expected at 52.6 million bushels. This brings total commitments to 1.044 billion bushels and 3 percent ahead of last year. Sales need to average 20.2 million bushels per week to hit the USDA target of 1.775 billion bushels. Last year, we averaged 21.1 million bushels of sales from now until the end of the marketing year.

The November National Oilseed Processors Association crush was quite a bit lower than expected at 164.9 million bushels vs. 172 million estimated by traders.

Outlook: Depending on how the trade deal purchases are structured, soybeans likely have further upside as funds are under pressure to reduce their short position exposure. The upcoming Jan. 10 World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates crop report and Grain Stocks as of Dec. 1 could easily result in either fireworks or nothing at all. As of the close Dec. 19, January soybeans were up 17 cents for the week at $9.24.25, July 14.5 cents higher at $9.62, and November up 15.25 cents at $9.66.25 per bushel.

IEG Vantage is looking for U.S. 2020 soybean acreage to climb 13 percent to 86.3 million acres. With a yield forecast of 51 bu./acre, compared to 46.8 bu./ acre this year, production would hit 4.355 billion bushels vs. 3.54 billion in 2019. As in corn, we will need increased demand and/or weather problem in the United States or South America to keep carryouts in check.

Nystrom’s Notes: Contract changes as of the close Dec. 19. Chicago March wheat rallied 12.75 cents to $5.45.25, Kansas City jumped 17.75 cents higher to $4.60.5, and Minneapolis was up 15.5 cents at $5.41.25 per bushel. v

PAGE 8A

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

THE LAND — DECEMBER 27, 2019/JANUARY 3, 2020

Analyzing 2019 and 2020 farm program decisions The farm program choices which are part of the 2018 farm bill have been discussed for a long time, and the time to make the initial farm program decisions for 2019 and 2020 has now arrived.

Important details regarding 2019 and 2020 Farm FARM PROGRAMS Program sign-up Enrollment for the 2019 and

By Kent Thiesse 2020 farm program is from now until March 15 at local U.S. Department of Agriculture Farm Service Agency offices. Producers have until June 30 to sign-up for the 2020 program. Farm program sign-up for the 2021-2023 crop years will be from October (the previous year) through March 15 (program year).

Eligible crops include corn, soybeans, wheat, oats, barley, grain sorghum, long grain rice, medium/short grain rice, temperate japonica rice, seed cotton, dry peas, lentils, large and small chickpeas, peanuts, sunflower seed, canola, flaxseed, mustard seed, rapeseed, safflower, crambe, and sesame seed.

Eligible producers will be able to choose between the price-only Price Loss Coverage (PLC) and revenue-based Ag Risk Coverage (ARC) program choices for the 2019 and 2020 crop production years.

Beginning with the 2021 crop year, producers will be able to make an annual election between the ARC and PLC program choices. The ARC program choice includes both the county-yield based ARC-CO program choice and the ARC-IC program, which is based on farm-level yields.

The farm program choice between the PLC and ARC-CO farm program choices will be specific to each eligible crop, and the choice can vary from farm

PUBLIC NOTICE Public Notice by the Minnesota Pork Board and the National Pork Board The election of pork producer delegate candidates for the 2021 National Pork Producers (Pork Act) Delegate Body will take place at 10:00 AM, Monday, January 27, 2020 in conjunction with a Board of Directors meeting of the Minnesota Pork Board at 1001 Marquette Avenue South in Minneapolis, Minnesota. All Minnesota pork producers are invited to attend.

Any producer, age 18 or older, who is a resident of the state and has paid all assessments due may be considered as a delegate candidate and/or participate in the election. All eligible producers are encouraged to bring with them a sales receipt proving that hogs were sold in their name and the checkoff deducted.

For more information, contact: Minnesota Pork Board Office, 151 St. Andrews Court, Suite 810, Mankato, Minnesota Telephone: (507) 358-8814.

unit to farm unit for the same crop.

The ARC-IC program must be applied to all covered commodities on a given farm unit, and all farm units in a State that are enrolled in ARC-IC must be considered together in one calculation.

Crop base acres will remain at current levels for all

crops on most farms. The only adjustments in base acres will be for crop acres that were added via land purchases or land rental agreements, for unassigned generic base acres from the last farm bill, or for acres that are no longer eligible for farm program pay-

MARKETING

See THIESSE, pg. 9A

2019 and 20-20 Farm Program Decision Cheat Sheet

A guide to aid in farm program decisions for the 2019 and 2020 crop years

Reasons to Choose Reasons to Choose CROP PRICE LOSS COVERAGE (PLC) AG RISK COVERAGE (ARC-CO)

(Price only) (Yield and Price using County Yields)

Think that the final market year average corn price Feel that final county average yields in 2019 and 2020

will be below $3.70 per bushel in 2019 or 2020. will be 15 percent or more below county benchmark yields.

2019 USDA market year average estimate = A yield reduction of 25 percent or more

$3.85/bushel. will likely result in a maximum ARC-CO payment.

Corn Early USDA projection for the 2020 market Think that the final market year average corn price will be

year average price is $3.40/bushel. above $3.70/bushel in 2019 and 2020.

Price protection from $3.70 to $2.20 Final market year average price was $3.70/bushel or lower

per bushel (higher maximum payment). from 2014 to 2018.

Feel that final county average yields in 2019 and

2020 will be less than 15 percent below county

benchmark yields.

Think that the final market year average Feel that final county average yields in 2019 and 2020 will be

will be below $8.40/bushel in 2019 and 2020. slightly below county benchmark yields (3 to 5 bushels/acre)

2019 USDA market year average estimate = A yield reduction of 15 percent or more will

$4.85/bushel likely result in maximum ARC-CO payment.

Soybeans Early USDA projection for the 2020 market year Think that the final market year average soybean price

average price is $8.85/bushel. will be above $8.40/bushel in 2019 and 2020.

Want price protection from $8.40 to Final market year average price was above

$6.20/bushel (higher maximum payment) $8.40/bushel from 2014 to 2018.

Feel that final county average yields in 2019 and

2020 will be near or above county benchmark yields

Think that the final market year average wheat Feel that final county average yields in 2019 and 2020 will be

price will be below $5.50/bushel in 2019 or 2020.

15 percent or more below county benchmark yields.

2019 USDA market year average estimate = A yield reduction of 25 percent or more

$4.55/bushel. will likely result in a maximum ARC-CO payment.

Wheat Early USDA projection for the 2020 market year Think that the final market year average wheat price will be

average price is $4.80/bushel. above $5.50/bushel in 2019 and 2020.

Want price protection from $5.50 to $3.38/bushel Final market year average price was $5.50/bushel

(higher maximum payment). or lower from 2015 to 2018.

Feel that final county average yields in 2019 and

2020 will be less than 15 percent

below county benchmark yields.

Reasons to choose ARC-IC (Yield & Price using Farm Yields) ...

• Separate FSA farm units with 100 percent prevent plant acres in 2019 are likely to receive the max. ARC-IC payment.

• FSA farm units with a single crop that had very low yields in 2019.

• FSA farm units with low yields in 2019 in a county not likely to receive 2019 ARC-CO payments.

Remember ... All crops raised on an individual FSA farm unit are factored together for ARC-IC revenue calculations. All FSA farm units in a State are calculated together for IRC-IC determination.

Table developed by Kent Thiesse.

THE LAND — DECEMBER 27, 2019/JANUARY 3, 2020

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

PAGE 9A

Producers have more program flexibility in 2019 and 2020 THIESSE, from pg. 8A ments.

Producers will have the opportunity to update their FSA farm program payment yields beginning with the 2020 crop year. Yield updates will be based on the average farm yields for the 2013 to 2017 crop years on planted acres for eligible crops, which will be factored down to 81 percent for corn and soybeans, and 90 percent for wheat. If the updated yields are lower than current levels, producers can choose to keep their current FSA program yields. The farm program yields are used to calculate PLC payments on individual FSA farm units.

Risk Management Agency yields that are used for crop insurance yield calculations, which will be calculated at the county-level, will now be used for determining ARC-CO benchmark and actual county yields for ARC-CO payments. The National Ag Statistics Service yields, which were the primary yield source in the last farm bill, will now be used as a secondary yield data source. The RMA yields will include “trend-adjusted” yields for county calculations.

ARC-CO payments will be based on the county where an FSA farm unit is located, rather than the county of the FSA administrative office of the producer (as existed in the last farm bill). For producers with FSA administrative farm units in multiple counties, ARC-CO revenues will be “weighted” according to the base acres that are physically located in a county.

Calculations for county benchmark prices and yields will no longer include the data from the previous year, due to the annual farm program choice. For example: 2019 benchmark prices and yields are based on the “olympic average” (drop the high and low) for 2013-2017.

The reference prices for PLC and ARC-CO programs will be established at the greater of the minimum (current) reference prices or 85 percent of the market year average price for the most recent five years, excluding the high and low year. The reference price can not exceed 115 percent of the minimum reference price. Due to lower market year average price levels in recent years, the 2019 and 2020 reference prices for corn, soybeans, and wheat will be at the minimum levels, which are: corn, $3.70/bushel; soybeans, $8.40/bushel; and wheat, $5.50/bushel.

Calculation formulas, etc. for the PLC, ARC-CO and ARC-IC programs will remain similar to the farm programs in the last farm bill. PLC payments are made when the final market year average price falls below the reference price for a crop. ARC-CO

MARKETING payments are made when the final county revenue (county yield times market year average price) falls below the benchmark revenue for a given crop.

Calculations for the ARC-IC program are the same as for ARC-CO, except ARC-IC uses farm-level yield data and considers all crops on a farm unit together.

PLC and ARC-CO payments are paid on 85 percent of crop base acres, and ARC-IC payments are paid on 65 percent of base acres.

Calculation formulas for the PLC and ARC-CO programs are as follows: PLC payment per crop base acre equals (reference price minus market year average price) times FSA program yield multiplied by 85 percent. (If the final market year average price is higher than the reference price, there is no PLC payment.)

ARC-CO benchmark revenue guarantee per acre equals county benchmark yield times benchmark price multiplied by 86 percent. Final ARC-CO revenue per acre equals final county yield multiplied by final market year average price. ARC-CO payment per base acre equals (benchmark revenue guarantee minus final revenue) multiplied by 85 percent. (If the final revenue is higher than the benchmark revenue, there is no ARC-CO payment.)

Key points to remember about the 2019 and 2020 farm program decision Producers will have more flexibility by being able to make an initial farm program choice is for 2019 and 2020, followed by making an annual choice from 2021-2023.

Producers can change the farm program choice on different FSA farm units for the same crop.

Producers can make a different fam program choice for each crop on a FSA farm unit, if they choose either the PLC or ARC-CO program choice.

If ARC-IC is chosen on a FSA farm unit, the benchmark and actual revenue for all crops raised during that year on that farm unit are considered in calculations. If multiple FSA farm units are enrolled in ARC-IC, all farm units in a state are considered in ARC-IC calculations. Farm units with 100 percent prevent plant acres in 2019 are likely to receive the maximum ARC-IC payment.

The expected ARC-CO and ARC-IC benchmark prices for 2019 and 2020 are: corn, $3.70/bushel (2019), $3.70/bushel (2020); soybeans, $9.63/bushel (2019), $9.25/bushel (2020); wheat, $5.66/bushel (2019), $5.50/bushel (2020).

For marketing news between issues ...

See GOATS, pg. 16 visit www.TheLandOnline.com

ARC-CO benchmark yields in counties for 2019 may vary significantly from the previous benchmark yields (2018) in some crops, due to the switch to using RMA yield data, rather than NASS yield data.

In addition, RMA “trend adjustments” will be used for county benchmark yield calculations.

Please refer to the 2019 and 2020 Farm Program Cheat Sheet table developed by Kent Thiesse to help analyze farm program decisions.

For more information on the PLC and ARC programs, and other details, go to the FSA farm program website at www.fsa.usda.gov/programs-andservices/arcplc_program/index.

Here are some good farm program web-based decision tools to assist producers: North Dakota State University (www.ag.ndsu.edu/farmmanagement/ farm-bill); Kansas State University (www.agmanager.info/ag-policy/2018-farm-bill); Texas A & M Calculator (www.afpc.tamu.edu/tools/farm/farmbill/2018/); and University of Illinois FarmDoc website (https://farmdocdaily.illinois.edu/category/areas/ agricultural-policy/farm-bill).

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

Saint Peter Toy Show January 25th & 26th 2020 Saturday 9am-4pm Sunday 9am-3pm

Held at the St Peter Fair Grounds Johnson Hall, 400 West Union Street, St Peter MN Admission: $3.00 Farm toys; cars; trucks & various collectables Concessions by Nancy to be available More information call: Wendy: 507-381-8234 • Jim: 507-381-8235

PAGE 10A

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

THE LAND — DECEMBER 27, 2019/JANUARY 3, 2020

THE LAND — DECEMBER 27, 2019/JANUARY 3, 2020

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

IT TAKES HEART.

Family tradition got you here.

Hope for the future will keep you going.

You were made for this.

PAGE 11A

PAGE 12A

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

THE LAND — DECEMBER 27, 2019/JANUARY 3, 2020

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

presents

Linder Farm Network 2020 AG Outlook Meetings The Linder Farm Network will hold their 19th annual Agricultural Outlook Meetings across Minnesota this January. The meetings will focus on management and marketing strategies for the coming year, and will feature some of the top experts in the country.

Registration will be at 8:00 a.m. and the forums start promptly at 9:00. The programs wrap up by 2:00 p.m. Cost is $25 per person.

Coffee and a noon brunch are provided.

Date

Locations

Tuesday, January 7th 2020

Ramada

Address 1500 East College Dr. Marshall, MN

Wednesday, January 8th 2020

2100 Hwy 12 East Willmar, MN

Thursday, January 9th 2020

901 Raintree Rd. Mankato, MN

Best Western Plus

Courtyard by Marriott Morning Sessions 9:00 AM Welcome

Agenda

Outlook for 2020 spring planting weather.

Dan Lemke, Ag Weather Specialist (Linder Farm Network)

Afternoon Sessions 11:00 Brunch What’s ahead for commodity prices, and how do farmers adapt to the changing market.

Jim Emter, Van Ahn & Co., Alexandria, MN

Outlook for U.S. Agriculture in 2020 and how world events are shaping what we grow, how we grow and our bottom lines.

John Baize, International Ag Consultant

The cost is $25 per person, and includes coffee and brunch. For information contact the Linder Farm Network at 507-444-9224 or www.linderfarmnetwork.com

Jan. 7 — ISU Crop Advantage Meeting — Storm Lake, Iowa — Topics include market outlook for 2020; weather and climate trends; grain drying and storage; insect pests; nitrogen management; corn and soybean disease issues; and fertilizer application technology. — Contact Paul Kassel at kassel@ iastate.edu or (712) 260-3389.

Jan. 8 — Farm Bill Crops Education Meeting — St. Charles, Minn. — Meeting will help crop producers understand decisions regarding the 2018 farm bill reauthorization of ARC and PLC programs. — Contact Katie Carr at katiec@umn.edu or (612) 625-1964.

Jan. 8 — Farm Bill Crops Education Meeting — Zumbrota, Minn. — Contact Katie Carr at katiec@ umn.edu or (612) 625-1964.

Jan. 9-10 — Minnesota Organic Conference — St. Cloud, Minn. — Breakout session topics include marketing; organic seed; growing asparagus; animal welfare; weed control; grazing; pest control; cover crops; hemp cultivation; and food safety. Also features trade show exhibits. — Contact Cassie Dahl at Cassie.Dahl@state.mn.us or (651) 201-6134.

Jan. 9 — Women in Ag Network: How to get $4 corn — Mankato, Minn. — Attendees will explore three steps towards getting $4 - or more - for their corn: price grain before harvest; at harvest, store grain and hedge forward to spring; with a better spring basis, price and deliver grain. — Contact Megan Roberts at meganr@umn.edu or (507) 389-6722.

Jan. 9 — Farm Crisis Community Forum — Granite Falls, Minn. — Panelists will provide information and advice for farm families who are making important short and long-term decisions. — Contact Scott DeMuth at sdemuth@landstewardshipproject. org or (320) 269-2105.

Jan. 10 — ISU Crop Advantage Meeting — Mason City, Iowa — Contact Angie Rieck-Hinz at amrieck@iastate.edu or (515) 231-2830.

Jan. 10 — Farm Bill Crops Education Meeting — Windom, Minn. — Contact Katie Carr at katiec@ umn.edu or (612) 625-1964.

Jan. 13 — Farm Bill Crops Education Meeting — Olivia, Minn. — Contact Katie Carr at katiec@ umn.edu or (612) 625-1964.

Jan. 13 — Farm Bill Crops Education Meeting — Maynard, Minn. — Contact Katie Carr at katiec@ umn.edu or (612) 625-1964.

Jan. 14 — Produce Safety Alliance Grower Training — Emmetsburg, Iowa — Topics include worker health, hygiene and training; soil amendments; wildlife, domesticated animals and land use; agricultural water; post-harvest handling and sanitation; and developing a farm food safety plan. — Contact Ellen Johnsen at (515) 294-6773.

THE LAND — DECEMBER 27, 2019/JANUARY 3, 2020

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

PAGE 13A

Global Dairy Trade auction ends five sessions of gain This column was written dry milk closed Dec. 20 at for the marketing week end$1.25 per pound. ing Dec. 20. n The U.S. Department of In other trade news, the Agriculture reported preHouse passed the U.S.liminary November output Mexico-Canada trade at 17.4 billion pounds, up a agreement 385 to 41 this bullish 0.5 percent from week and now awaits November 2018. Output in Senate action next year.

MIELKE MARKET the top 24 states totaled The United States and WEEKLY 16.7 billion pounds, up 0.9 China will reportedly sign

By Lee Mielke percent. Revisions reduced their Phase One trade pack the original 50-state in January.

October total by 60 The USDA’s Dairy million pounds, now World Markets and put at 18.0 billion, up 1 Trade report issued Dec. 17 says, percent from October 2018 instead of “Prospects for U.S. dairy exporters the 1.3 percent originally reported. have improved markedly as 2020 Cow numbers were unchanged in exports of skimmed milk powder are November. The 50-state count totaled expected to grow by 5 percent to reach 9.331 million head, though the October 718,000 tons. count was revised up 4,000 cows, but is The fiscal year trade forecast was 27,000 head below November 2018. raised by $300 million to $5.8 billion Output per cow averaged 1,869 pounds, down 65 pounds from October — largely as a result of higher export volumes and prices for skimmed milk but 15 pounds above a year ago. products such as skimmed milk pown der and whey. The report states while The last Global Dairy Trade auction the volume shipped has lagged last of 2019 ended with a loud thud on year’s pace, the value of U.S. exports of Dec. 17, as the weighted average of skimmed milk powder are up 12 perproducts offered plummeted 5.1 percent year-over-year through September cent following the 0.5 percent loss on 2019, and accounted for about 25 perDec. 3, ending five consecutive sescent of the total value of U.S. dairy sions of gain. exports. “A key factor for higher values has been the persistent rise in the Powder pulled the market lower, led price of skimmed milk powder in the by whole milk powder, down 6.7 perUnited States and international marcent, following a 0.1 percent uptick on Dec. 3. Skim milk powder was down 6.3 kets since early 2018,” says USDA. percent following a 1.9 percent gain n last time. Butter contributed as well, CME cheese price declines reversed down 2.4 percent after losing 4.9 perthe week before Christmas with the cent, and anhydrous milkfat was off 0.3 blocks closing the week at $1.86 per percent following a 5.1 percent drop. pound, up 6.25 cents and 47 cents Rennet casein led the gains, up 2.6 above a year ago. The barrels, after percent. GDT cheddar was up 1.7 per- diving 53.25 cents the previous week, cent after jumping 2.7 percent last fell to $1.57 on Dec. 17 (the lowest time, and lactose was up 0.6 percent. since June 12), but finished Dec. 20 at $1.6650. This is 3 cents below the preFC Stone equated the GDT 80 pervious Friday, 37 cents above a year cent butterfat butter price to $1.7199 ago, but 19.5 cents below the per pound U.S., down 4.3 cents from blocks. Twelve cars of block traded the last event. Chicago Mercantile hands on the week at the CME and 35 Exchange butter closed Dec. 20 at $2.0050. GDT cheddar cheese equated of barrel — the highest barrel count since the week of Aug. 26. to $1.7550 per pound, up 3.3 cents, and compares to Dec. 20’s CME block Cheese traders will have a new tool cheddar at $1.86. GDT skim milk pow- to use in 2020. The CME will begin der averaged $1.3004 per pound and listing block cheese futures and compares to $1.3918 last time. Whole options beginning Jan. 12. milk powder averaged $1.4059, down I like how the Daily Dairy Report’s from $1.5108. CME Grade A nonfat

MARKETING

Sarina Sharp put cheese prices in perspective. Writing in the Dec. 13 Milk Producer Council newsletter, she said, “For cash-strapped dairy producers, sky-high cheese prices were nice while they lasted, and they lasted for a surprisingly long time. But in the long run, it’s healthier to have cheese at prices that pay the bills but don’t kill demand. Steady profits are better for the industry than another boom and bust cycle.”

Central region cheese contacts tell Dairy Market News they were hesitant to lock down milk agreements for the end of the year in November, due to the block/barrel price spread being so “atypical of usual market behavior.”

Contracted cheese sales have been steady, but manufacturers say spot sales are quiet. Retailers have most of their seasonal cheese needs.

Processors think buyer interest may return after the holidays if the lower prices stabilize. There is plenty of cheese available, milk is abundant, and handlers are preparing to juggle loads in the next few weeks. Plants are running at or near capacity.

n Butter topped $2 per pound again, closing Dec. 20 at $2.0050. This is up 4.5 cents on the week, but 20 cents below a year ago, with seven cars trading hands on the week.

Most western retail stores have replenished butter stocks and butter inventories are sufficient. Production is ongoing, but expected to increase Christmas week as more cream will be clearing through the churns.

Grade A nonfat dry milk closed Dec. 20 at $1.25 per pound, down 1.5 cents on the week but 31 cents above a year ago, with nine sales reported for the week.

CME dry whey finished at 31.5 cents per pound, down 2.25 cents on the week and 17.5 cents below a year ago, on 34 sales for the week.

The USDA announced the first Federal order Class I base milk price of 2020 this week at $19.01 per hundredweight. This is down 32 cents from December, $3.89 above January See MIELKE, pg. 14A

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PAGE 14A

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

THE LAND — DECEMBER 27, 2019/JANUARY 3, 2020

Dairy margins suffer as feed prices increase MIELKE, from pg. 13A 2019, and the highest January Class I price since 2014. It equates to $1.63 per gallon, up from $1.30 a year ago.

Dairy margins deteriorated over the first half of December as a sharp drop in milk prices combined with increased feed costs — particularly in nearby marketing periods, according to the latest Margin Watch from Chicago-based Commodity and Ingredient Hedging LLC. “Forward margins are still projected over the 80th percentile of the past 10 years. However, throughout 2020, with first quarter margins above the 90th percentile of historical profitability,” according to the Margin Watch, “there is still reason for optimism heading into 2020.”

n The National Milk Producers Federation commended Congress for including language in the report accompanying the final 2020 government funding measure to “urge the Food and Drug Administration to finally enforce dairy-product standards of identity.”

“Both the House and Senate versions of the Agriculture-FDA bill report included language reaffirming bipartisan congressional concern with mislabeled imitation dairy products and directing FDA to enforce its own rules on labeling. The House and Senate passed the final compromise funding bill this week,” says NMPF. “We hope that the bipartisan, bicameral reminder from Congress, coupled

with Dr. Stephen Hahn’s confirmation as FDA Commissioner earlier this month, will give FDA momentum to finally enforce standards of identity for dairy products,” said Jim Mulhern, president and CEO of NMPF. “Plantbased mislabeling intentionally misleads consumers into purchasing nutritionally inferior products that bear dairy’s good name. It’s long past time for FDA to right this wrong, and we hope this message from Congress helps make it happen.”

The growing selection of plant-based beverages and food products has prompted an update on the dairy industry’s Real Seal trademark.

NMPF unveiled a redesigned website to “help consumers find real dairy foods in an increasingly confusing retail marketplace.”

“The website, www.realseal. com offers a buyer’s guide to steer shoppers to those brands that feature the REAL Seal and use only real milk,” says a NMPF press release. “It is the first significant change in the online presence for the REAL Seal since NMPF first assumed management of the seal in 2012. The new website will contain more content to educate consumers about why they should look for the REAL Seal on the foods they buy, while also continuing to help those companies using the seal to enhance their product marketing.”

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

Think of the big picture when establishing goals COMPART, from pg. 7A decision. It’s important to be agile in an industry that is under constant transformation.

Step Two. Think big picture to create your goals — When creating goals it can be helpful to start with the end result in mind. What is the big picture of where you want to be headed? After looking back on the journey that brought you to where you are today, you may have a clearer picture of where you want to be in the future.

Think of step one as the starting point on your road map and this second step as your ending point the main goal.

Next, identify some pit stops. Develop a mission statement to help guide you to the big picture and use objectives as your pit stops to take a moment and

evaluate where you’re at periodically.

Step Three. Create objectives — Objectives are general statements which give direction on areas to focus on in the pursuit of achieving the goal.

They are an important part of the goalsetting process, and can be viewed as smaller steps to track and manage your progress.

Many have heard of SMART goals: specific, measurable, attainable, realistic, and time-based. However, I like to have SMART objectives and broad goals.

You can also outline the objectives by when, who, will do what, by how much.

Step Four. Prioritize goals and objectives — After you’ve created your list of goals and objectives, you need to prioritize them. This can be done by asking

yourself questions like: Which of these goals are most important to my family or farm? Do any of these goals conflict with my personal goals? Are any of these goals incompatible with other goals? Are any of these goals so important they should be implemented even if they prevent me from reaching other goals?

Answering these questions may help you reassess and refine your original goals or objectives.

Let’s look at some examples: Goal: To obtain profitability to sufficiently cover our family living costs and bring our son into the operation as an employee within 24 months.

On a monthly basis, husband and wife will monitor family living expenses and work to reduce unnecessary costs. Focus on ‘day-one’ piglet care to decrease prewean mortality from 15 to 10 percent over the next 12 months, review on a weekly basis. Explore the option of raising non-GMO soybeans, food-grade soybeans, or organic soybeans for 10-15 percent of acres in 2020 and potential increase in 2021. In the next six months, owner will create job description for position which will be offered to son to outline expectations of his return to the farm.

Goal: To increase communication amongst owners and key employees to reduce the amount of confusion and follow-up needed.

Key employees or owners will email weekly reports to outline production, financials and important decisions made in the last week. Risk management will be assessed on a weekly basis outlining market trends, as compared to the risk management plan (open orders, filled orders, bushels to sell, etc.) Owners to meet on the second Tuesday of every month from 1-2 p.m.

Agenda will be set prior to the meeting.

Step Five. Share your goals — Share your goals with those who will hold you accountable. Not only does it level set the entire team working to achieve the goals, but also provides an opportunity for conversation and check points.

Step Six. Review your goals — Finally, it’s important to review your goals on a regular basis and revise them as needed. The new year shouldn’t be the only time of year you look at and work on goal setting, but rather it should be done with more frequency.

Those in agriculture never seem to stop moving. But I encourage you to take some time to yourself and focus on the positives. Take time this holiday season to celebrate all that has been accomplished over the last year, and the last decade.

Ahnna Compart is a Senior Credit Officer with Compeer Financial. For additional insights from Compart and the Compeer team, visit Compeer.com.v

THE LAND — DECEMBER 27/JANUARY 3, 2020

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

PAGE 15A

AUCTIONS & CLASSIFIEDS Real Estate Wanted

Real Estate

Sell your land or real estate in WANTED: Land & farms. I 30 days for 0% commission. have clients looking for Call Ray 507-339-1272 dairy, & cash grain operations, as well as bare land parcels from 40-1000 acres.

Both for relocation & investments. If you have even thought about selling contact: Paul Krueger, Farm & Land Specialist, Edina ReGet the best results alty, 138 Main St. W., New when you advertise in Prague, MN 55372.

For information brochures CALL 1-800-730-LAND (5263) or paulkrueger@edinarealty.com visit www.Wingert Realty.com. Only registered bidders may attend.

(612)328-4506

PLANNING AN AUCTION?

THE LAND 507-345-4523

Please recycle this magazine.

#1807 Beniak Family Farm

66 ACRES +/- DODGE COUNTY, MN • Jan 10 @ 10 am

L A RG E T OY & FA R M C O L L E C T I B L E Land Specialists

Happy Holidays!

GREAT INVESTMENT FOR FUTURE DEVELOPMENT

ONLINE BIDDING AVAILABLE Total Deeded Acres: 65.9 Total Cropland Acres: 65.39 CPI Soil Rating: 94.3

Section 35 of Wasioja Twp Open to Farm in 2020

Terms and Conditions on landproz.com. 2% Buyers fee will apply.

BRIAN HAUGEN

MN, SD, IA, WI, IL - BROKER Zumbrota, MN 507-208-0791 brianhaugen@landproz.com

KELLY BOLIN

MN Land Agent Goodhue, MN 651-380-2857 kellybolin@landproz.com

Visit www.WingertRealty.com.

1-800-730-LAND (5263) 1160 Victory Drive South, Suite 6 • Mankato, MN 56001 • 507-345-LAND (5263)

Charles Wingert, Broker # 07-53

CLIP & SAVE

Retirement Farm Machinery Auction 1710 510th St., Elmore, Minnesota

February 12, 2020 • 9:30 a.m.

Tractors: 2016 JD 8345R FWA. 2012 JD 9510RT, 2010 JD 8320R FWA Combine & Heads: 2018 JD S780 2WD Combine w/Duals, 2018 JD 12R Mod. 712F Corn Head, 1999 JD Mod. 925 Bean Head Pickups & Semis Grain Handling Equipment Tillage Equipment Misc.

Auction Terms - Terms will be posted on our website.

Statements made on auction day take precedence over all printed and internet statements.

Letter of Credit will be required.

600+ Lots of tractors, combines & machinery to include John Deere, JD Precision, Case, Oliver, International, Farmall, MM, Massy Harris, Collector Cars, Trucks, Model Train Set & other small toys. Most toys are NIB and range in scale model of 1/16, 1/18, 1/24, 1/32 & 1/64.

LIVE AND ON-LINE BIDDING AVAILABLE AT WWW.KERKHOFFAUCTION.COM

Live and Online Bidding • Online Simulcast through Proxbid Video of Equipment on our YouTube Channel - Clark Auction Video

Eldon & Jean Beenken Beenken Farms (Owners)

Complete line of Farm Equipment Broker Greg Jensen - MN, IA / Broker Brian Haugen - MN, SD, IA, WI, IL / Broker Amy Willett - MO LandProz Real Estate, LLC. 111 East Clark Street, Albert Lea, MN 56007

MONDAY, January 6TH @ 12:00P.M.

LOCATED AT: KERKHOFF AUCTION CENTER - 1500 E BRIDGE ST REDWOOD FALLS

View all available properties for sale on our website.

Lunch on Grounds • Snow Date: Feb. 19, 2020

Auction Location - AMERICAN LEGION, DODGE CENTER, MN

AU C T I O N

www.clarkauctions.com

AUCTIONEERS: Doug Kerkhoff - 507-829-6859 Zac Kerkhoff - 507-829-3924 1500 E. Bridge Street Redwood Falls, MN 56283 Office - 507-644-8433

PAGE 16A

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

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THE LAND — DECEMBER 27/JANUARY 3, 2020

Feed Seed Hay

Bins & Buildings

Farm Equipment

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

Thief River Falls, MN. Call or text LeRoy Ose: 218-689-6675

Barn and Quonset Roofing and Straightening.

Also polebarn repair and giving more head room.

Kelling Silo. 1-800-355-2598

Combines: JD 9500 2,500 Hrs, $18,900; JD 9510 2,900 Hrs, $26, 900; JD 9650 STS 2,700 Hrs, 34,900. All Excellent Appearance & Mechanically Sound. 815-988-2074

FOR SALE: 2 pole shed doors and tracks, 10’ high, 15’ JD 4255 2WD tractor PS 3pt wide, very good condition 7400 hrs, exc cond, $35,900; SAVE BIG ON 2020 SEED and very reasonable. 651- JD 1760 12x30 hyd fold plantAND HERBICIDE. VISIT 564-0606 er, 3 bu boxes, Yetter TWs, KLEENACRES.COM for 250 monitor, $12,750; Case Stormor Bins & EZ-Drys. top performing Midstate IH 1830 12x30 flat fold vibra Genetics seed and Kleena- 100% financing w/no liens or shank cult, $4,750; Schweiss cres herbicide solutions OR red tape, call Steve at Fair- 9’ 2 auger 3pt snowblower, CALL 320-237-7667 “FOR A fax Ag for an appointment. $3,950; JD 2210 44’ double 888-830-7757 BETTER BOTTOM LINE!” fold field cult w/ rolling baskets, $27,900. 320-769-2756

Did you know you can place a classified ad online?

www.TheLandOnline.com

MF 8780 combine w/ 863 6R CH, nice, $35,000; MF 9750 25’ BH w/ trailer, very good, $6,850; 6122 Agco White 12R30” planter w/ liq fert & monitor, 540 PTO hyd pump, very good cond. 507-340-1001

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

Tractors

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2010 JD 6330 PREMIUM MFWD tractor-LOADED with options! 3450 hrs, 24spd Power Quad W/LH reverser, front suspension, Auto Trac Ready, RH door, extra light pkg. Very nice all around. $46,900 Call 507-789-6049

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

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Phone us at 956-682-7495 or 515418-3214. Email info@j5rvparktexas. com Tom and Donna Tuttle, Managers (MCN)

MANDAKO 12’-60’ LONG ROLLERS

FOR THE BEST DEAL ORDER NOW!

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

THE LAND — DECEMBER 27/JANUARY 3, 2020 Tractors

Wanted

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

Livestock

This is the season to give THANKS to all those that helped make 2019 another successful year!

To the buyers/sellers, our customers, friends, advertisers and co-workers..... you are all appreciated by our auction and real estate team!

We wish you all a warm and safe holiday season!

Hrs,FOR SALE: ‘11 JD 8235R, WANTED: JD 856 16x30 culti- FOR SALE: Black Angus Hrs, MFWD, SturdE Built HD vator, also want large DMC bulls also Hamp, York, & 700 rock box, 1000/540 PTO, or Sukup grain screener. Hamp/Duroc boars & gilts. ent 50” rears and 38” fronts, 320-894-3303 320-598-3790 ally 2100 one owner hrs, asking WANTED: Patz counter $112,500. 320-894-3303 clockwise chain, must be in Cattle 3ptFOR SALE: Oliver tractor good shape. 320-309-4609 00; used parts, for most models FOR SALE: Fresh Holstein ant- & years. Call 218-639-0315 heifers. Genetics. Free stall Ws,NEW AND USED TRACTOR Classified line ads work! broke. 715-897-1544 ase PARTS JD 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, Call 507-345-4523 bra 55, 50 Series & newer traceiss tors, AC-all models, Large wer, Inventory, We ship! Mark uble Heitman Tractor Salvage bas- 715-673-4829

Steffes Auction Calendar 2019

6R Tillage Equip 750 od, hite1997 DMI Tigermate II-t & 36 1/2 Ft Field Cult w/ Harmp, row, Real Good. 2015 Great 001 Plains #5109--9 Shank Turbo Chisel w/ Leveler, Rental Unit 400 Acres New Cond.

Retiring 319-347-6150 LM. NEW MANDAKO 62 Ft Land Roller--5 Section 3” Shafts (Not 2 7/16”) 5/8 Wall x 42” All Hyd List Price $84,900 Cash Price $58,900.

NEW HEAVY Duty Rock Picker 5 Ft Wide (Heavier Tines) Pull Type All Hyd List Price $18,900 Special $9,500.

Retiring Dealer 319-347-6282 Let It Ring

Planting Equip

UM ED John Deere 1760 planter, ‘08 spd John Deere planter, 3 bu ser, boxes, cable drive, trash rac whippers, 350 monitor, ght planted about 400 acres a nd. year. $29,900/OBO (or best offer) (507) 276-2387

Grain Handling Equipment FOR SALE: 2020 Neville built aluminum grain trailers, 38.5’, new condition. For photo and information call or text 218-791-3400

Wanted All kinds of New & Used farm equipment - disc chisels, field cults, planters, soil finishers, cornheads, feed mills, discs, balers, haybines, etc. 507438-9782 WANTED TO BUY: Older diesel utility tractor w/ 3pt & power steering in good condition. 507-236-3099

Henslin Auctions, Inc. & Henslin Real Estate & Land

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

Opening December 18 & Closing December 30 Oscar Heffta Jr. Estate Farm Equipment Auction, Adams, ND, Timed Online Auction Opening January 3 & Closing January 8, 2020 Online Steffes Auction - 1/8, Upper Midwest Locations, Timed Online Auction Opening January 17 & Closing January 22, 2020 Online Steffes Auction - 1/22, Upper Midwest Locations, Timed Online Auction Tuesday, January 28 at 12PM Quality Tested Hay Auction, Steffes Group Facility, Litchfield, MN Opening February 3 & Closing February 12, 2020 at 7PM Multi-Party Ammo & Accessories Consignment Auction, Steffes Group Facility Litchfield, MN, Timed Online Auction Opening February 3 & Closing February 13, 2020 at 7PM Multi-Party Firearm Consignment Auction, Steffes Group Facility Litchfield, MN, Timed Online Auction Opening February 10 & Closing February 19, 2020 Traverse County, MN Farmland Auction, 302± Acres, Wheaton, MN, Timed Online Auction Tuesday, February 11 at 12PM Quality Tested Hay Auction, Steffes Group Facility, Litchfield, MN Opening February 18 & Closing February 25, 2020 Russell Trust Farm Retirement Auction, Palmer, NE, Timed Online Auction Opening February 18 & Closing February 25, 2020 at 7PM Randy & Mary Wilson Farm Retirement Auction, Round Lake, MN, Timed Online Auction Opening February 25 & Closing March 5, 2020 at 7PM Byro Farms Retirement Auction, Winthrop, MN, Timed Online Auction Tuesday, February 25 at 12PM Quality Tested Hay Auction, Steffes Group Facility, Litchfield, MN Opening February 26 & Closing March 4, 2020 at 4PM Anoka County, MN Rural Residential Development Land/Investment Opportunity Auction 98± Acres, Elk River, MN, Timed Online Auction Tuesday, March 10 at 12PM Quality Tested Hay Auction, Steffes Group Facility, Litchfield, MN Opening March 20 & Closing March 30, 2020 Eugene & Delores Undem Farm Retirement Auction, Rogers, ND, Timed Online Auction

PAGE 17A

COMBINES

ROW CROP TRACTORS

‘15 JD 690, 4x4, 1745/1160 sep hrs, CM, chopper, 650x38 tires & duals ................... $179,000 ‘14 JD 680, 2211 Eng/1561 sep hrs, CM, chopper, 650x38 duals ............................... $109,000 ‘13 JD 660, 892/1180 CM, chopper duals.............. $129,000 ‘04 JD 9760, 2268/3460 CM, chopper duals............ $50,000 ‘01 JD 9650 STS, 3014/4325 CM, chopper, duals .... $37,000 ‘00 JD 9650 STS, 2645/3623 chopper, duals ............ $37,000 ‘01 JD 9750 STS, 3013/4156 CM, chopper, duals .... $39,000 ‘14 Case/IH 5130, 660/926, Tracker, Rt, chopper ... $125,000 ‘11 Case/IH 8120, 1650/2250 Tracker, Rt, chopper, duals ................................................ $92,500 ‘11 Case/IH 7120, 1610/2200 Tracker, Rt, chopper, duals ................................................ $92,500 ‘10 Case/IH 7120, 1650/2250 Tracker, Rt, chopper, duals ................................................ $92,500 ‘09 Case/IH 7088, 1275/1807 Tracker, Rt, chopper, duals ................................................ $89,000

4WD TRACTORS ‘90 Ford 876, 8523 hrs duals .................................... $24,500 ‘15’ Case/lH 370 HD, 895 hrs, 1000 PTO, full guidance, 4850 tires & duals ....................... $169,000 ‘14 Case/IH 370 HD, 7065 hrs, 1000 PTO duals ....... $75,000 ‘08 Case Steiger 435, 2460 hrs, power-shift, complete auto steer system, 800x38 duals... .................... $108,000

TRACK TRACTORS ‘14 Case 350 Rowtrac, 1865 hrs, 120” spacing, 1000 PTO ............................................ $149,000 ‘15 Challenger MT 765E, 2217 hrs, 3 pt, 1000 PTO, 25” tracks, 72”-88” spacing... ................... $110,000 ‘15 Challenger MT 765E, 972 hrs, 3 pt, 1000 PTO, 25” tracks, standard gauge, 72”-88” spacing ................................................. $149,000 ‘15 Challenger MT 755E, 965 hrs, 3 pt, 1000 PTO, 25” tracks, standard gauge, 72”-88” spacing ................................................. $145,000

MOTORGRADERS ‘08 CAT 12M VHP, 3568 hrs, 14’ blade .................... $100,000

TRACTOR LOADER BACKHOES

‘11 Case 580N, 4x4 cab 2540 hrs ............................. $42,000

TILLAGE JD 512, 5 shank disc ripper ........................................ $8,500 ‘10 Wishek 862NT-30, disc 30’ rock flex, good blades .......................................................... $24,000

‘14 NH T8330, 2140 hrs, MFWD 1000 pts, 3 pt 4 Valves, 380x54 rear tires & duals, 320x42 front tires & duals ..................................... $95,000 ‘12 JD 8235, 2WD, 1235 hrs, ps, 1000 PTO duals . $109,000 ‘13 Case/IH 290, 1400 hrs, 1000 PTO duals ........... $109,000 ‘12 Case/IH 260, 1784 hrs, loaded, 1000 PTO duals ............................................................. $98,000 ’11 Versatile 305, 690 hrs, 1000 PTO duals ............. $95,000

CORN HEADERS ‘09 Drago 6R, 30” chopping fits JD .......................... $17,500 ‘06 Drago 8R, 30” chopping fits Case/IH Flagship ................................................................ $14,500 ‘13 Case/IH 3408 8R, 30” for Flagship ...................... $19,500 ‘08 Case/IH 2408 8R, 30” fits Flagship ...................... $11,500 ‘02 Case/IH 2208 8R, 30” fits 1400-2000 series combines ................................................... $11,000 Case/IH 1083 8R, 30”................................................... $7,900

WHEEL LOADERS

‘15 JD 644K, 3410 hrs, quick coupler & bkt ........... $125,000 ‘15 Volvo 90G, 4927 hrs, quick coupler & bkt .......... $85,000 ‘12 Volvo 50F, 5785 hrs, QC, 2 yd bucket ................ $65,000 ‘13 Case 821F, 6485 hrs, quick coupler, 4.5 yd bucket, aux. hyd. ...................................... $79,000 ‘12 Cat 938K, 6854 hrs, quick coupler & bkt ........... $89,000 ‘09 Cat 938H, 7174 hrs, quick coupler & bkt ........... $62,500

EXCAVATORS

‘15 Cat 323 FL, 3768 hrs, 40” bkt wired for grade control ...................................................... $125,000 ‘14 Komotsu PC 138US-10, 1881 hrs, quick coupler, 42” bkt, hyd thumb ..................................................... $89,000 ‘11 JD 290GLC, 3347 hrs, 12’6” stick, 42” bucket .......................................................... $110,000 ‘11 Case CX300C, 2658 hrs, 12’ stick, 54” bucket .. $110,000

SMALL EXCAVATORS ‘17 Case CX57C, cab & air, 333 hrs rubber tracks ........................................................ $50,000 ‘11 Bobcat E45EM, cab & air, 2965 hrs, rubber tracks ........................................................ $30,000

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 18A

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

First Your e for Choic ! ifieds Class

THE LAND — DECEMBER 27/JANUARY 3, 2020

our Place Y ! ay Ad Tod

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.

*

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

THE FREE PRESS South Central Minnesota’s Daily News Source

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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.

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

PAGE 20A

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

THE LAND — DECEMBER 27, 2019/JANUARY 3, 2020

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

Something to crow about

W

h o e v e r thought a crow could be so handsome. Even though some folks may not admire crows (though we should, the crow being one of the smartest creatures on earth), it would be hard not to like the 18-foot high black bird that reigns high above Belgrade Centennial Park.

After Belgrade’s centennial celebration in 1988, the Centennial Committee wanted a lasting tribute to the people who built the community and those who continue to work that it may prosper. The park was the outcome.

The crow will grab the attention of travelers, but the open expanse with a semicircular memorial wall and flags flying everywhere give more reason for people to stop — and for those with a local connection to return more than once.

The crow stands closest to the highway, perched on a 31-foot long branch, all atop a 24-foot pedestal.

The pedestal houses a small museum with a guestbook.

Swinging around behind the crow is the wall with thousands of bricks engraved with the names of past and present residents.

The

Belgrade, Minn.

wall was made large enough for future generations to continue adding their personalized bricks.

Stretching away from the wall is an avenue of flags, with every state in the union represented. There are seven concrete picnic tables beneath the flags of the nations represented by early settlers in the Belgrade area: Denmark, Germany, Ireland, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland and Sweden.

Many have wondered, Why a giant statue of a crow? A brochure suggests that the crow, an adaptable bird that has survived, even thrived, in the company of humans, is a symbol of the settlers who adapted and survived. Others suggest it is fitting when Belgrade is situated among “crow” named geographical features like Crow River and Crow Lake.

Whatever the reason, the crow is an impressive welcome to whomever wishes to picnic, search for names on the wall, or just walk around and relax.

B e l g r a d e Centennial Park is located on the west side of Highway 71 across from the southwest corner of Belgrade. v

SECTION B

December 27, 2019

Stromwall animals live out their days in comfort

By RICHARD SIEMERS Next came a quartet of The Land Correspondent goats (which they named after the Golden Girls: EDEN VALLEY, Minn.

Blanche, Sophia, Dorothy — You won’t find an animal and Rose; and say they at Broken Roads Ranch have personalities to that doesn’t have a name. match) from a woman who The livestock currently had cancer and did not includes 12 goats, three want them sold for slaughminiature donkeys, two ter. pigs, eight roosters, one duck, two dogs, and enough Others followed. A miniacats that any mouse headed ture donkey and two other in that direction should goats from a couple who consider an alternate route. initially rescued them from a farmer who was going to Jeff and Charlene dispose of them, but had Stromwall operate Broken grown too old to care for the Roads Ranch as a rescue animals and wanted to find and sanctuary for farm aniPhotos by Richard Siemers a “forever home” for them. mals whose owners no lon- Charlene and Jeff Stromwall Two more miniature donger want them or are no keys that had been used as pack animals on trail longer able to care for them. They moved to their Eden Valley farm site in 2015 and filled to capacity rides. A miniature pig that was rooting up its owner’s backyard. quicker than they anticipated.

(Each of their animals comes with a story, some of “It was meant to start slow,” Jeff said. which are told at their website: brokenroadsranch.

The plan was to get built up and ready to run at full org.) throttle when he retired from the road as a trucker.

When the Stromwalls first started their enterprise, In preparation, they researched sanctuaries and got some folks looked suspiciously at them as animal their 501(c)3 status from the Internal Revenue activists.

The Stromwalls emphasize they don’t supService. Charlene set up a web page and published it. port the activities of such organizations, and Jeff said They weren’t expecting the response. he isn’t even a vegetarian. They just want animals to “It went crazy — exploded,” Charlene said, “call be treated well, and they are dedicated to providing after call.” for animals that others no longer want.

They knew when they moved to the farm that they The animals at Broken Roads Ranch are not wanted animals, maybe “a hobby farm with a couple worked or used to make money. (The one exception animals,” Charlene said. Jeff grew up with horses would be bagging and selling donkey manure, if Jeff and always wanted a donkey. He credits Charlene can find a system to dry it.) Nor are they a petting with making the suggestion that if they were going zoo, though they will welcome visitors by appointto have animals, why not provide a home for farm ment. They like to educate visitors about animals. animals that someone else no longer wanted or could Jeff and Charlene find working with the animals to not care for. be therapeutic. After being out in the “rude world” of “Everyone wants a cute animal,” Jeff said, but trucking, Jeff likes to take a cup of coffee and sit with eventually the animal grows up and no longer fits in the animals to regain a sense of normality. There is the family. Their menagerie arrived under varying one person with a traumatic past who will come to sit circumstances. and pet the goats “for therapy.” Charlene is contemJeff did not want the first animal they received to plating events for senior citizens and nursing home find itself alone in the barn, so they purchased two residents — many of whom have a farm background. goats — Willy and Waylon — to be “ambassadors” to For the Stromwalls, this is all about the animals, the rescued animals and to give Charlene experience and seeing that they are able to live out their lives in at caring for livestock. The first rescue was Popsicle, a peaceful environment. They consider Broken Roads a Muscovy duck, found half-frozen by a freeway with See STROMWALL, pg. 2B an injured leg.

Popsicle the Muscovy duck was the first rescue adopted by the Stromwalls. It was found along a freeway, injured and half-frozen.

Ernie the rooster would attack the owner’s husband when he went near the hens, so Ernie found a new home at Broken Roads Ranch.

Theodore is a miniature pig who outgrew its owners when it started to root up their back yard.

These miniature donkeys were once used as pack animals on trail rides before the Stromwalls took them in.

PAGE 2B

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

THE LAND — DECEMBER 27, 2019/JANUARY 3, 2020

Proper veterinary care is a big expense for the ranch STROMWALLS, from pg. 1B Ranch as being a retirement home for the animals. And like a retirement home, it can be expensive. One of their largest expenses, along with feed costs and electricity, is veterinary bills.

“The minute I even think an animal has something wrong, it’s a vet call,” said Charlene.

These are not typical calls for local veterinarians. Goats are not a common animal in the area. Even more, most

ON THE COVER: Charlene tends to a miniature donkey who had already been rescued by one party who had grown too old to properly care for the animal.

vets are not accustomed to treating elderly animals.

“Treating goats that are two to three years old, they usually don’t make it that long,” Jeff said. Nor do pigs — like their 500-pound sow, Wilma.

The Stromwalls are impressed how their local veterinarians have risen to the challenge. They’ve gone on the internet to tap the experience of other vets. One now carries a book on goats in her truck. The numerous calls and all of this time and effort is expensive.

That is why they are set up as a nonprofit, so they can receive taxdeductible contributions. They are grateful that a post on Facebook about some expense will bring a donation from someone they do not know. They have one annual fundraising event, a Lemonade Social, which includes a garage sale and bake sale.

Many people dropped off donations for the garage sale.

“We’re not a national organization,” Jeff said, “just a little farm in Eden Valley, Minn. and these people come from everywhere and give us money

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Wilma, a 500-pound sow, loves treats and attention – untying the Stromwalls’ shoes while they are feeding her. because they love what we’re doing.”

The Stromwalls also love what they are doing — even if it means less material benefits for them. Charlene said, “We decided when we started this we could either live a moderate life, or be poor. When you are a real rescuer, you are financially poor. We don’t have money, but we’re rich in a whole different way.”

As for the name, Broken Roads Ranch, that was inspired by a country song, “Bless the Broken Road,” which includes the words: “This much I know is true, that God blessed the broken road that led me straight to you.”

Jeff explained, “The reason it’s called Broken Roads Ranch is because of her and I, the broken roads we came from.

Our two broken roads brought us together … broken roads led us to each other which led us to do this.”

“And every animal here came from a broken road,” Charlene added.

How much of a difference can one couple on a small acreage in central

Minnesota make? There are many animals out there and only a limited number of farm animal sanctuaries, so you have to stay focused on what you can do.

“We can’t save them all,” Jeff said, “but if you go talk to Baxter (a miniature donkey), it makes a difference to him. He has a good life. It made a difference to Sage (an Appaloosa mare) for the last year of her life.”

Jeff and Charlene Stromwall are dedicated to what they can do because they know it is making a difference to each animal to whom they are giving a home to live out its life. And if the animals are happy, they’re happy.

Their website is brokenroadsranch. org. Visitors are welcome if they have scheduled ahead of time. Please don’t just drop in. Email is brokenroadsranch@gmail.com.

Follow the Stromwalls on Facebook at facebook. com/brokenroadsranch. To find organizations in Iowa and Minnesota involved in similar work, go to farmanimal.rescueshelter.com and click on the state. v

www.TheLandOnline.com

THE LAND — DECEMBER 27, 2019/JANUARY 3, 2020

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

PAGE 3B

Sjostrom: Dairy profit margins are hard to find

By Tim King The Land Correspondent Editor’s note: In June, The Land interviewed Lucas Sjostrom, the executive director of Minnesota Milk Producers Association. Much has happened in the dairy industry since then and Sjostrom agreed to update readers on some of the questions we asked in mid-year.

The Land: When we talked last, the Minnesota Legislature had just passed MMPA-supported legislation to help small and medium sized dairies sign up for the Dairy Market Coverage Program under the new farm bill. Have farmers been taking advantage of that? How has the state rebate program been working out? How about the federal Market Coverage program?

Sjostrom: Minnesota farmers did take advantage of the state DAIRI program, and the federal Dairy Margin Coverage program. With final payments coming in November, the DAIRI program should end up returning about $40 per cow to Minnesota’s dairy farmers with less than 700 or so cows, which enticed them to pay $225 per cow over five years into the federal Dairy Margin Coverage program. That new federal insurance program (DMC – Dairy Margin Coverage) has also paid dairy farmers back who enrolled at the highest levels this year. Hopefully, it won’t need to be used again over the next four years, but about 1,800 of Minnesota’s 2,500 dairy farms have enrolled in both programs to my knowledge.

The Land: In June we talked about MMPA’s interest in supporting all dairies — large, medium, and small. When Secretary Perdue spoke at the World

Dairy Expo he seemed to be saying dairy operators should get big or get out of the business. Do you continue to believe there is still a place in the industry for small and medium sized operators? Why or why not?

Sjostrom: From the additional information I read, including people who were there, I don’t think Secretary Perdue’s wording was used in context. We do think it is true that this is the fastest-changing time in the dairy industry in a long time; maybe ever. Dairy farmers are stretching their minds and checkbooks to figure out how to stay in business, or figuring out how to exit, unfortunately.

There are many ways to make a margin in the dairy business, but increasingly that secret formula is difficult to find. For some it might be changing the size of their dairy and acreage; for others it might be doing custom work or finding non-dairy income; and for some it might simply be doing things a little bit better in the way they are already doing it.

Minnesota Milk wants to provide risk management tools to help dairy farmers succeed through whatever way they think is best, but we do not believe you can categorize a dairy farm into size categories.

What dairy farms have for cow numbers, labor, machines/technology, young stock, steers, cooperative equity, acreage, and trucking varies so greatly that we cannot just imagine that every “100-cow dairy” — or fill in the blank at any size — is the same as the next one.

The Land: Are you still hopeful for a new NAFTA? Labor seems opposed to the new deal. Why can’t agriculture and labor get on the same page?

Tips for pasture cattle in cold weather ST. CLOUD, Minn. — With snow on the ground, it’s a good time to think about cold weather preparedness for pasture cattle. This has become an important topic after the tragic losses caused by winter storms around the country in recent years. Ten of thousands of cattle have been lost, and the economic impact on ranchers is still being felt.

Although farmers cannot control the weather, there are many steps that can be taken to ensure pasture cattle are ready for the winter.

First, ensure there is some form of shelter or windbreak for your cattle. Whether it is a tree line or simple three-sided shed, cattle will actively seek out coverage from the wind-so it’s important to have something provided for them.

As the temperatures drop, cattle’s energy needs increase, as they need to work harder to keep them-

selves warm. Some cattle will eat twice the amount of feed they do in the warmer months. At the very least, ensuring there is a higher density of energy in the feed will help cattle maintain their body temperature.

In addition to feed, keep in mind that cattle still require a lot of water. If you do not have a heated waterer, make a point to manually provide warm water several times a day to your cattle.

Lastly, if you are expecting any calves in the colder months, make sure you are ready to promptly care for newborn calves. Keep expecting cows and heifers close, or check on them several times a day. Calves should be dried off as soon as possible to prevent hypothermia and other cold-related illnesses.

This article was submitted by Emily Wilmes, University of Minnesota Extension. v

Sjostrom: We have been following the new NAFTA/USMCA very closely. It feels like there should be a positive vote if the vote were taken today, but unfortunately that hasn’t happened yet. Labor and agriculture have different interests. I do not think we are on opposing sides, but we definitely look at Lucas Sjostrom trade agreements differently when it comes to what any trade deal might do to potential sales, economic activity, wages, tax revenue, and jobs in our specific sectors. This tension is pretty natural, and I think there is room for agreement as things keep working.

The Land: What are MMPA’s legislative priorities for the next year or two?

Sjostrom: Minnesota Milk will finalize our 2020 legislative priorities at our annual meeting, exposition and convention at Treasure Island Resort and Casino on Dec. 4. However, besides continuing efforts to enhance U.S. dairy trade and make dairy labor more available, at the state level we are hopeful that we have better Minnesota tax conformity on Sections 179 and 199A — the Domestic Production Activities Deduction — as well as more credit within state and federal conservation programs for the alfalfa that cattle farmers grow. Our Clean Water Fund in Minnesota produces about $220 million per biennium, and we believe if more of that was returned to farmers we would be enhancing our land and water even faster.

The Land: In June you said Minnesota’s dairy farmers were struggling, in part, because it was difficult to find financing. Has the overall outlook for the dairy industry changed since June? If so, are things better or worse?

Sjostrom: The 2019 outlook for dairy farming improved significantly in October and early November as cheese prices saw a swift uptick. However, this gets most farms just above breakeven, and has not started to account for the years of extended loans of lines of credit for many farmers. So unfortunately, some farms may show an on-paper profit this year while actually being deeper in debt; and that is causing concern among lenders. Again, each farm is in a different situation in terms of animals and acres, but also where their debt situation stands. v

d

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PAGE 4B

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

THE LAND — DECEMBER 27, 2019/JANUARY 3, 2020

Everyone seemed to dig the 2019 Ploughing Championship

By TIM KING The Land Correspondent, Editor’s note: Back in January, Tim King spoke with Gene and Hailey Gruber who were preparing for the 2019 World Ploughing Championship which was taking place in Minnesota. King recently checked in with the Grubers to hear their tournament experiences.

RICHMOND, Minn. — The 2019 World Plowing contest was held Aug. 30-31 near Baudette, Minn. on the Lake of the Woods which spans both the Canadian Province of Ontario and the State of Minnesota. Gene Gruber, from Richmond, Minn., and his daughter Hailey both participated in the event which was attended by around 2,000 people from across the globe.

Gene Gruber, who won the plowing contest in 2017 when it was held in Kenya, took third in the contest — finishing behind first place winner Andrew B.

Mitchell of Scotland, and secondplace winner Eamonn Tracey of Ireland.

“My dad finished second in both grass and stubble ground, taking third over all,” Hailey said.

Hailey, who took sixth place last year when the contest was held in Hofgut Einsiedel Germany, did not compete. Hailey, who is now seventeen, was happy to be a member of the host country team that worked in the background to make sure that things went smoothly.

“I helped organize the competition along with other members of the United States Ploughing Organization,” she said. “We were in charge of making sure all of the ploughmen, coaches and other out-of-country people had what they needed. We were also in charge of having all the land ready to be ploughed.”

The efforts of the hosts paid off. International visitors seem to have been happy with the event.

“The weather was super for all of the event,” Anna Marie McHugh, General Secretary of the World Plowing Organization in County Kildare, Republic of Ireland, said. “There was dew in the morning, but then it was perfect. I would suspect that all the visitors had a superb experience at Lake of the Woods. It was quite a unique and remarkable place and the soil was beautiful for ploughing too.”

Following the international competition, the U.S. Ploughing Organization held its annual national competition. Jacob Loehr, of Belgrade, Minn. took first place in Senior Open Class and Lyle Grimm, of North English, Iowa, took first place in Senior Antique Class.

“My father and I did not compete in Nationals due to the fact that we were very busy helping the other countries pack up their tractors and ploughs into the containers and trailers,” Hailey said.

The 2020 World Plowing Contest will be held in St. Petersburg, Russia. Hailey isn’t going to that competition.

“I am aiming to make it to the contest in Ireland in 2021,” she said. v

Concerns are common and many at MFU Convention

By DICK HAGEN The Land Staff Writer Emeritus “Yes, we’ve still got the trade issues; the small refinery exemptions from ethanol. But this year more so than past years, health issues are generating lots of conversations.

Struggling to make cash flow in our farming ventures was exasperated Gary Wertish with extreme weather conditions the entire season — plus commodity prices that just aren’t working for most farmers. I think there will be the majority of us farmers who will shrug our shoulders and say, ‘glad to see this year behind us.’ Yes, 2019 was indeed a challenge.”

Those comments came courtesy of Minnesota Farmers Union President Gary Wertish during the MFU convention in Minneapolis. The annual event took place Nov. 22-24.

Thank You for your business. We look forward to working with you in 2020.

Happy Holidays!

Wertish also noted the need for infrastructure spending to get broad-band internet service developed state wide; or more spending to fix roads and bridges. “There’s always a lot of issues. We have to always be looking to the future. We can’t just ask ‘what can you do for me now?’ But for us farmers, something of immediate concern is simply getting some commodity prices that are dependable and above break-even categories.

“As a farmer, we can’t really look to the future if there’s no opportunity in today’s markets. It gets down to the bottom line and that’s simply that we need a price to make a living!”

Policy direction initiated during voting sessions at both county and state meetings gets directed to the National Farmers Union headquarters in Washington D. C. “Whatever we advocate today at our state convention becomes guiding factors in the policies being discussed in D.C. And from there we get our marching orders which guide us and influence our actions back here in Minnesota. Every voice counts. We’re a strong national organization with a strong voice in Congress, in treaty negotiations, and in social and

mental health issues to help relieve issues at the farm family table,” said Wertish.

Also attending the MFU convention was Minnesota’s Commissioner of Agriculture Thom Petersen. “I think this ag crisis is worse than people think and I’m concerned,” he Thom Petersen said. Petersen added he takes several calls each day from farmers struggling to make ends meet. “They’re asking me what can we do about financial aid, programs around suicide prevention, even legislation that would help them buy a few bales of hay.”

“I have a big heart and want to help everybody,” Petersen went on to say. “It’s hard to hear these troubles. I just feel like I can’t always help people.”

But the Minnesota Department of Agriculture now has two state-contracted rural mental health counselors who said they’ve heard from hundreds of farmers, family members, friends and others calling to learn more about resources for stress and anxiety. v

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PAGE 5B

Christmas cacti remain beautiful for many years Gifts of flowering plants are welcomed by everyone. The bright blossoms give a cheerful lift to any room. I get many questions about caring for specialty plants after the holidays and the blossoms have faded.

In previous columns I have written about caring for poinIN THE GARDEN settias, amaryllis and orchids.

Another popular flowering gift

By Sharon Quale plant is the Christmas cactus.

Schlumbergera bridgesii is the botanical name for Christmas cactus. The long green arms of the plant are attractive — even when it is not in bloom. Red and pink are the most common blossom colors, but newer cultivars come in a rainbow of colors. These plants can live for many years if well cared for and frequently are passed down from generation to generation.

Thanksgiving cactus (Schlumbergera truncata), and Easter cactus (Rhipsalidopsis gaertneri) are two more popular houseplants, and differ from the Christmas cactus mainly in their time of bloom and in the shape of their leaves.

People often complain about the lack of flower blooms on a Christmas cactus. The need for high

humidity, bright but filtered light, and soil kept relatively moist most of the year sets these plants apart from the majority of cacti and succulents.

In order for the flower buds to set, Christmas cacti need 14 hours or more of continuous darkness per day. Keep them in a room where the lights are not on at night. After the flower buds have set, the plants can withstand light at night.

Over-watering will kill Christmas cacti, but they like to be misted on a daily basis. Watering is recommend only when the soil is dry to the touch. Mist the leaves daily to maintain humidity around the plant. Too much or too little water and dramatic temperature swings can cause flower buds to drop.

Maximize your specimen›s blooming period by paying attention to these factors: Soil: Use a quality potting soil rich in humus and other nutrients.

Temperature: Maintain an optimal climate of 65 degrees.

Light: Place the cactus in an east-facing window for moderate light and some direct sun.

Fertilization: Apply a high potassium fertilizer every two weeks once buds form.

Transplantation: Re-pot your cactus each year

after flowering.

Holiday cacti can be very long-lived. It is possible for these plants live over 50 years. Propagating new plants is relatively easy. Take a four-inch cutting from the mother plant after it has finished blooming and put the cuttings in moist potting soil. Cover loosely with plastic wrap and let the new roots develop for a few weeks. Plant in a small planter filled with cactus potting soil. Share the new plants with friends and family to begin a new tradition.

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

The secret to getting your Christmas cactus to bloom ST. CLOUD, Minn. — This is the time of year when your Christmas cactus should be blooming. Or should it? Many people may wonder why their Christmas cactus is blooming at Thanksgiving or even earlier. There are actually several popular holiday cacti; the Thanksgiving, Christmas, and the less popular Easter cactus. Despite the name cactus, these plants are not from the desert. Instead, the Thanksgiving and Christmas cacti are native to the tropical forests of Brazil.

A more definitive way to tell the difference between a Thanksgiving cactus and a Christmas cactus is by looking at the segments of the leaves. The

Thanksgiving cactus’ leaf segments have a pointed, jagged edge, while the Christmas cactus’ leaf segments are smooth and rounded. Another way is to look closely at the flower parts of the plant. The anther, pollen-bearing part of the flower, is yellow on the Thanksgiving cactus and purplish-brown on the Christmas cactus.

After the cactus is done blooming, they benefit from a “resting” period. Allow the soil to dry out between watering, but do not allow the leaves to shrivel.

Thanksgiving and Christmas cactus bloom best when slightly pot-bound. The best time to repot is in spring when new growth begins. The best potting

medium is well-drained with good aerations, such as a mix of two-thirds potting soil with one-third perlite or course sand. Do not use a cactus soil mixture.

Take a close look at your holiday cactus. Is it a true Christmas cactus or is it a Thanksgiving cactus?

Regardless, with the proper care this plant will bloom for six to eight weeks each year for many, many years. For more information on all houseplants visit www.extension.umn.edu/garden/yard-garden/ houseplants.

This article was submitted by Katie Winslow, University of Minnesota Extension. v

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THE LAND — DECEMBER 27, 2019/JANUARY 3, 2020

AURI decorticator will aid Minnesota hemp growers

By DICK HAGEN The Land Staff Writer Emeritus MINNEAPOLIS — At the Nov. 6 AURI Conference, “Building an Industrial Hemp Industry in Minnesota,” in Minneapolis, conversations varied on the future of the hemp industry in Minnesota.

By 1943, prompted by WW II demands for rope, Minnesota had 11 hemp plants located across its farming landscape.

All those Minnesota hemp processing plants of World War II shut down quickly after the war. There suddenly was no military demand, and U.S. products — especially cotton, rapidly launched.

So what’s happening now? Why the intense interest in hemp farming today? Is it driven by the food industry? By the medical world? By other uses?

That’s a good question for Harold Stanislawski, AURI spokesperson who has willingly become a key answer man for many pondering what’s driving the hemp industry.

Said Stanislawski in a brief visit with The Land at the hemp conference, “The food side is a big one. Industrial hemp for food oil and hemp hearts is on the market and going great. But what we’re talking about here today is the future of hemp in the expanding CBD introduction into foods. It does not have FDA approval, but this was big talk here at this conference. So we need to be very careful about not overstepping their bounds.”

So isn’t hemp’s value as a ‘health tonic’ now a major driver? “Yes, there are a lot of people into CBD for pain relief. I know a lot of people personally that get some benefit from that. A life with less pain is good, right?”

Stanislawski even admits the Minnesota brewers using hemp to add flavor to the Minnesota brew are making progress also.

But the Nov. 6 event focused on the many rules and regulations which both entice and discourage Minnesota farmers wanting to take a serious look at adding hemp into their crop rotations.

So what’s ahead?

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Stanislawski answered carefully, “I think it’s figuring out all these rules and regulations and trying to set a platform that could be a regulatory environment for hemp long term. But it’s also Harold for farmers wanting to Stanislawski diversify their income by putting a new crop into their landscape. That’s a noble cause, potentially economically rewarding, and we should do everything we can to support that ambition.”

But is the State of Minnesota so concerned about having the right rules in place that farmers who want to be entrepreneurs with this new crop are getting turned off?

Yes, Stanislawski admits to hearing some of those comments. “But I think the State of Minnesota has a good idea and understanding of what can be done. The Department of Ag has done a good job of explaining and informing people what can be done here in our state. So I do believe we have a good platform for grower success. But federally, there are still questions to be answered.”

Remarking to his slide presentation earlier, which noted 46 states are working with hemp production programs, Stanislawski added, “I would expect crowds like we have here today are showing up at all the other states now launching their own industrial hemp programs. I was at a North Dakota event last week which had 200 people attending.”

So can MDA keep up with the applications to become a licensed hemp grower?

“I think they have ways of working that through,” Stanislawski thought. “I have all the confidence our Commissioner and his staff will get the job done.working with local units of government if they have to. They’ll figure it out.”

AURI now has a decorticator machine coming to its Waseca lab. The decorticator is a machine that separates the hemp stem from the inner core. By breaking these stems apart, you can get to the usable fibers of that stalk, explained Stanislawski. “That machine now at Waseca will let us do this process for area hemp growers so they have a more knowledge of the value of their product which eventually will end up in an end-user market.” v

Annie’s Project program to be offered in St. Cloud ST. CLOUD, Minn. — University of Minnesota Extension and Compeer Financial are committed to supporting women in agriculture and the unique opportunities and challenges they face.

Their collaboration with Annie’s Project brings these women together to gain valuable insights into important matters affecting their lives — all while building a network of supportive peers.

Annie’s Project covers five specific risk management topics and facilitate discussions relevant to their farm business and community. Course topics will include financial reporting, human resources, legal, market risk, and production metrics.

six sessions. Classes are Tuesday evenings from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. with a meal served at 5:30 p.m. Dates for the classes are Jan. 21 and 28, Feb. 4, 11, 18 and 25. All classes will be held at the UMN Extension Regional Office in St. Cloud, located at 3601 18th St. S #113.

The course fee is $50 and includes all meals and materials.

To register, visit compeer.com/anniesproject or call (844) 426-6733. Register as early as possible as space is limited.

If you have questions about the course, contact Emily Wilmes or Katie Drewitz at 320-255-6169.

This article was submitted by Emily Each class of the course will be held Wilmes, University of Minnesota one day per week for six weeks. Extension. v Registrants should plan to attend all

THE LAND — DECEMBER 27, 2019/JANUARY 3, 2020

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PAGE 9B

DryMAX uses radio waves to dry hemp

By DICK HAGEN The Land Staff Writer Emeritus ST. CLOUD — Excitement was stirring the air at the Minnesota Hemp Association’s Hemp Expo on Dec. 3. The event took place at the River’s Edge Convention Center in St. Cloud. Both morning and afternoon breakout sessions featured Kevin Eichhorn panel presenters touching base on virtually everything underway in the almost-booming Minnesota hemp industry. There was also a covey of exhibitors ramping up additional interest about seeds, harvesting procedures, processing and marketing.

Joe Radinovich, executive director of the Minnesota Hemp Association, provided the opening welcome. ”It is with great pride MHA says ‘hello’ to the 300-plus attendees from across the industry and state,” he said. “This conference is a testament to not only the rapid growth of our state’s hemp industry but also its increasing maturation. Since its establishment in May of this year by a small but dedicated group of leaders from across the industry, MHA has grown to over 150 members and a central vision that includes three priorities: mitigating risk in the hemp industry; expanding markets for hemp; and developing

processing capacity in Minnesota to drive future growth.”

“Putting together a conference of this magnitude is no small feat,” Radinovich went on to say. “Thus I thank the speakers for their time and expertise; the exhibitors and sponsoring organizations for their generous financial support; and our events teams for their hours of work. Most importantly, however, I thank all you conference attendees since you are the foundation for our industry’s success.”

A good example of the diversity of exhibitors at this hemp conference was DryMAX with the intriguing tax line “Disruptive Drying Systems.” DryMAX dries hemp with radio waves! DryMAX founder Kevin Eichhorn shared a few minutes with The Land.

Obviously, my first question was, what’s the advantage of drying with radio waves? Eichhorn responded, “Heat dries from the outside in. High heat can damage product … cracked corn is a common signature. High heat destroys the oils in hemp.”

“Radio waves are a low cost, low energy, very gentle solution. We can push water out faster than heat — and with no damage. We’re simply turning liquid water into water vapor; separating the molecules. I think of it as the reverse of using a magnet which attracts particles. With radio waves we’re pushing them apart.”

Is radio wave drying cost competitive? Much cheaper was Eichhorn’s reply. “We’re not using much energy. And it’s all electric energy which is cheaper than propane or natural gas.”

Plus, you might even avoid the financial pain of having to buy your own dryer. Eichhorn is considering custom drying directly on the farm. Mounted on flatbed trailers, his rigs can run directly to your farm.

He’s much aware that drying hemp can be a challenge.

“So we’re doing mobile units that can set up for three days, or a week if needed, and eliminate the drying hassle of hemp farmers. We’ve been doing this with corn and soybean farmers. This was our first year to go commercial with hemp.”

And what do your hemp farmers have to say?

“They’ve loved it so far,” Eichhorn admitted. “We’ve dried in Minnesota and Colorado. We’ve dried good stuff that’s been clipped; also stuff that’s got all the stalks still attached. We’ve even dried bale stuff, but I wouldn’t encourage that process. Bales are simply that much harder to dry.”

For more information, visit the website www.drymaxsolutions.com; e-mail Eichhorn at Kevin@drymaxsolutions.com; or call (612) 770-4189. DryMAX is located at 7674 Washington Ave. S, Eden Prairie. MN 55344. v

Winter forage meeting provided much information FOLEY, Minn. — The Tour de Forage meeting was held in Greenwald, Minn. on Dec. 5. The meeting provided a review on alfalfa management, plus a great opportunity to learn something new. Speakers presented on a variety of topics from winterkill management to growing and feeding forage sorghums.

Jared Goplen, regional crops Extension educator from Morris, Minn., spoke on management strategies for winterkill. Topics included proper variety selection, soil fertility, fall cutting management and stubble height, and having a plan for older stands.

Since alfalfa stands are expected to cover multiple years, it is important to select varieties based on traits like winter survival, disease resistance and yield potential. It is also important to soil test and fertilize accordingly — paying special attention to potassium levels. Potassium is important for high forage yields, but applications over the UMN guidelines do not hold any economic or biological advantage.

Fall cutting management included raising the cutter bar and avoiding the no-cut window. Goplen outlined three steps for dealing with winterkill. First, evaluate your forage and animal inventory to see if

you need more hay or if you can change your ration or reduce animal inventory. Next, see if you need to rotate the field in question to something else. Finally, investigate your opportunities to beef up the alfalfa stand or fill in the blank spots.

Both baleage and cover crops used as forages have been gaining ground in recent years. Eric Mousel of the UMN North Central Research and Outreach Center in Grand Rapids, Minn. was on hand to speak on both topics. With baleage, important points were to wrap bales within the first 24 hours, use highquality plastic, and feed within about three days of opening the bag. There was also emphasis on storage site selection and putting bags where wildlife will be less likely to rip holes in the plastic.

Cover crops used for forages was approached from the angle of beef cattle performance. Cover crops provide more utility on top of the soil, benefiting water and nutrient management. For growers who find themselves short on feed, cover crops are potential options. Things to consider when selecting cover crop species include moisture content, carbon to nitrogen ratio, grazing efficiency and type of cattle. Generally,

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the higher carbon to nitrogen ratio, the more fiber and the less digestibility. Small grains and corn stalks are great examples of forage crops with high carbon to nitrogen ratios.

If you would like more information and details on the meeting, contact Nathan Drewitz at ndrewitz@ umn.edu or (320) 968-5077.

This article was submitted by Nathan Drewitz, University of Minnesota Extension. v

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PAGE 10B

Plans already being made for next year’s corn crop

By DICK HAGEN The Land Staff Writer Emeritus WILLMAR, Minn. —Hemp is creating big chatter with Minnesota farmers these days. But not yet for Kirby Hettver, a DeGraff, Minn. farmer and past president of the Minnesota Corn Growers Association. 2019 was not a good Kirby Hettver year for any crop in most Minnesota farming area and that includes hemp.

Interviewed at the MCGA Pre-Resolution’s Meeting in Willmar, Minn. on Dec. 4, Hettver said, “We looked at (hemp) for our operation; but at this stage, too many risks which we can’t mitigate. Not only growing the crop, but processing, delivery and most important, revenue. Marketing appears the issue.

But I’ll admit the potential for the crop with all its many uses does make it intriguing. Big thing now is CBD oil. Looking at industrial options down the road might make hemp a more scalable crop. There needs to be a lot of settling within the industry. There’s no doubt we can figure out how to grow the crop. The struggles are harvesting and where is the market place?”

But Hettver is always ready to talk corn. So this question for starters: What’s the breakeven for corn going to be in 2020 — especially if you struggle with wet fields again next spring?

“We farmers are an optimistic bunch,” Hettver replied. “As we make plans for 2020, we have to assume we’ll get our crop planted. So at this stage we’re proceeding with the usual plans of getting our crops in the ground. But I am worried some of the prevent plant acres from this year will be repeated for next year. Too many guys I talk with who did prevent plant last year, and tried for a hay crop or a cover crop for better soil health, couldn’t even get their prevent plant ground worked this fall. Still too wet. There’s a realistic shot we could be facing the same challenge next spring.”

How do you read the mood of farmers these days?

Are some reconsidering an earlier departure from farming because of continuing market uncertainties?

“That’s obviously an individual decision, but we’re starting to see what I think will be a big transition

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is funding, specifically to see how we can do in-season seeding of cover crops.”

“I’ve had the good fortune of sitting in on some committees with cover crop experts. That simply helps.

There’s not much of that being done in our area. But being able to talk with someone who has done it already and who is willing to share the strategies to make it work is very important to me.”

Yes, biofuels, ethanol and ongoing controversies over the oil industry not fulfilling their obligations are predictable chatter at any meeting of corn growers. And now electric cars and their impact on future ethanol sales are included. So I asked Hettver, Is your wife going to talk you into buying an electric car for her?

He chuckled, “She’s much more into biofuels because she understands how much that product impacts us and our commitment and 24,000 Minnesota corn farmers to the Minnesota corn industry producing food, feed and fuel.”

In fact, Hettver had some issues discussing the ramifications of electric power for America’s auto industry. “I think the day that happens is when my wife and I decide retirement is where we’re at and we may not be located in a rural area — such as a metro area — where our annual mileage isn’t what it is out here in rural Minnesota.”

So will electric cars never be in the Hettver lifestyle? “Never say never,” he cautioned, “but it’s not likely until/if we move to a city.”

How will the wanna-be younger folks find a way into production agriculture?

“It’s going to be tough,” replied Hettver. “I touched on the big transition likely to happen with older farmers getting out of agriculture. The capital costs of getting into farming for some of these younger people will be the biggest roadblock. It’s prohibitive to a lot of younger people who might want to enter into farming.”

Is niche-farming going to be a bigger factor? Are small farming operations just producing some meats, or eggs and vegetables for local families more likely?

“The market is there because the demand is in place, and likely to be growing,” Hettver acknowledged.

“But we’re going to let the consumer decide if that niche needs to grow or not.” v

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in the next few years,” Hettver said. “Lots of guys out there who have done a phenomenal job building their farm over the years. But if they don’t have a transition plan, like a child ready to take over, they’re beginning to think this isn’t fun anymore. What are my options?”

Hettver is already underway with transition planning. “We’re just completing that with the generation before my brother and I. So hopefully we’ll get that paperwork done in the next 6 to 9 months. Hopefully I’ve got 20 years left, but it’s time now to start developing for that next transition.”

How does Hettver look at the 2020 crop year? “It’s too easy to second-guess yourself,” he admitted.

“Some years forward pricing worked good; some years it didn’t. We’re trying to maintain some consistency in how much we pre-price. We use our crop insurance as a gauge. When we see the market giving us opportunity we’ll make sales up to that point.

Hopefully the over-production above our APH will let us play a little bit more with those bushels. But the bottom line for us: consistency in our marketings.”

The Hettvers do not own shares in an ethanol plant, so pre-determined corn deliveries aren’t in their play book. “But we deliver a lot of our corn to end users,” he said. “We have the benefit of selling some of our corn crop directly as forage to some of the nearby dairies. We also have a haylage market with these operations. So what doesn’t get fed to livestock, a large part of our yearly production goes to the ethanol market.”

There’s an added benefit of selling to a big dairy operation. A lot of the manure from that dairy farm gets back to Hettver farmland. “We do our best to work with the dairies to match our needs up with theirs. That means coming up with a plan each year that works for both of us. We try to be flexible. And that can mean flexing in alfalfa acres, silage acres to best meet their needs as well.”

Are cover crops included in this overall strategy?

Yes, indeed. Hettver simply said, “We’re committed to improving the overall health of our soils and cover crops are part of that process. On our prevent plant acres this year we used cover crops. In fact they are still out there. We will strip till those fields in the spring when or if the fields are fit. Then we will plant corn. But we’re looking at some of the research, the innovation grant stuff that Minnesota Corn Growers

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The weather? Frightful.

But “Snow” is delightful Your shovel has been sibly get. We need it waxed. because it can boggle the mind. It’s true that no two You’ve got good boots and snowflakes are alike, for six bags of animal-safe sidethree basic reasons. We walk salt, so nobody’s gonna need snow for the fun, the slip on any ice. There are history, and for the chalfresh spark plugs in the lenge. snowblower, logs for the fireplace, and you’re good to And so, we live with it – THE BOOKWORM go. They say it’s going to be to a point. Some 50 million SEZ a long winter, but with square kilometers of Earth some hot cocoa and “Snow: By Terri Schlichenmeyer are snow-covered and most A Scientific and Cultural of that’s uninhabited. We Exploration” by Giles Whittell, you’ll live with it – for now, anyway, says be ready.

Whittell. By the end of this century, the world’s average snow “Snow: A Scientific and Cultural Exploration” depth is predicted to be “halved”…

by Giles Whittell If you’re someone who’s c.2019, Atria eager for the first good $25.00 / $34.00 Canada snow, that’s sobering, but 256 pages Whittell doesn’t leave you completely discouraged.

As a self-described lover Science has hypotheses. of snow, Whittell recalls Culture has requirements. There’s the day his mother read a flake or two of hope inside “Little House in the Big “Snow.”

Woods” to him, because In explaining our snowball’s it struck him so. They were chance and more, Whittell is seriliving in Nigeria then, and the story ously scientific — but in a more lightseemed like “air conditioning in book hearted way that isn’t intimidating. form...”

No, there’s an avalanche of informaFrom that tale sprung a fascination tion inside here, and each page invites with cold, white stuff. readers to learn something new and But wait. “White” isn’t really the astounding, possibly life-saving, part proper way to describe snow, he says. geeky, part charming, and part eyeSnow is actually translucent. It’s also opening. Readers in snow country — somewhat of a miracle that it falls at especially those who grumble over ten all, since it “requires a special set of gentle flakes — will especially delight circumstances” to be what it is, “as if in knowing how residents in equatoriin defiance of the cosmos.” al climates deal with their lack of the Another miracle: more than 300 bil- white stuff. lion trillion snowflakes fall on this The biggest decision you have now is planet every year, drifting down some- this: go outside and enjoy the winter, where every day, all day. We should be or stay inside by the fire and read glad for that, says Whittell. Without “Snow.” Either way, don’t let this book snow, there would be no ice caps, glaslip through your fingers. ciers or water stores for drier areas.

Look for the reviewed book at a bookWe complain about having to shovel store or a library near you. You may snow, in other words, but we need it. also find the book at online book retailWe need it, he says, for outdoor ers. activities — so much so, that countries The Bookworm is Terri without it are happy to make it for Schlichenmeyer.

Terri has been reading skiing and snowboarding. We need it, since she was 3 years old and never even though there’s a lot we don’t goes anywhere without a book. She know about it. We don’t know, for instance, how big a snowflake can pos- lives in Wisconsin with three dogs and 10,000 books. v

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DAIRYLANDSEED.COM

/DairylandSeed

@DairylandSeed

/DairylandSeed

Contact your local Dairyland Seed rep today!

BLUE EARTH CO. Letcher Farm Supply 507.549.3168

FILLMORE CO. Dan Schmidt 507.251.7013

HOUSTON CO. Irvin Schansberg 507.450.9463

MARTIN CO. Wendell Owens 507.236.3513

OLMSTED CO. Jay Miller 507.951.1971

RENVILLE CO. Destiny Hoffman 320.905.2170

WABASHA CO. Josh Ulland 507.481.5047

BROWN CO. Wayne Rossbach 507.220.3378

FREEBORN CO. Kara Grant 507.440.7693

LYON CO. David Kirk 507.828.1440

NICOLLET CO. Mark Legare 507.276.8115

REDWOOD CO. John Christensen 507.828.5695

STEELE CO. Dylan Tuerk 507.475.2350

COTTONWOOD CO. Marty Espenson 507.830.0661

Paul Rognes, DSM 507.383.3927

Enemark Seed 507.828.3695

Zimmerman Seeds 507.217.7066

Richard Swanson 507.828.0698

Caleb Hagen 507.383.7843

WINONA CO. Haase Sales & Service 507.459.5398

GOODHUE CO. Kevin Dankers 651.380.2829

Broken Prairie Farm 712.898.6410

NOBLES CO. BLT Seed 507.360.5326

Milan Stage 507.829.7232

Karl Steckelberg, DSM 507.475.0365

FARIBAULT CO. Matthew Warmka 507.327.3541

® SM Trademarks and service marks of Dow AgroSciences, DuPont or Pioneer, and their affiliated companies or their respective owners. © 2019 Corteva.

TM

Ron Irlbeck & Sons 507.640.1446 Kirk Engen, DSM 507.240.0034

David Vanderzee 507.313.8474 Kenneth Bergler 507.429.5238 Ben Verthein 507.459.3779

Page 4 - December 27, 2019/January 3, 2020

THE LAND, Advertising Supplement

© 2019

Dec. 27, 2019/Jan. 3, 2020

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

MN AG EXPO is FREE to attend Register today at mnagexpo.com

FOOD FOR THOUGHT KEYNOTE SPEAKER Dr. Cindra Kamphoff is a keynote speaker, marathoner, and professor who is a high performance coach for leaders, businesses and championship teams.

She helps them master their mindset so they can gain the high performance edge. She has a Ph.D. in performance psychology. She has spoken for some of the largest companies including Target, Wal-Mart, and Verizon Wireless.

Cindra also works with the Minnesota Vikings, where she works individually with the players to help them train their mind.

Cindra published her first book in September titled ‘Beyond Grit: Ten Powerful Practices to Gain the High Performing Edge,’ which is an Amazon Bestseller.

Join us on Thursday, January 23 for lunch to hear Dr. Cindra Kamphoff’s keynote “Beyond Grit.”

YOUR MN AG EXPO PARTNERS Minnesota Corn Growers Association works closely with the Minnesota Corn Research & Promotion Council. MCGA identifies and promotes opportunities for Minnesota’s 24,000 corn farmers while building connections with the non-farming public.

Find out more at www.mncorn.org The Minnesota Soybean Growers Association (MSGA) monitors government policies to improve the profitability of soybean farmers throughout the state. Simply put, MSGA looks out for the best interest of soybean farmers in St. Paul and Washington, D.C. Visit www.mnsoybean.org for more information.

January 22-23, 2020

Mankato Civic Center

Register at mnagexpo.com

Mankato, Minn.

Driving Innovation

Page 2 - December 27, 2019/January 3, 2020

THE LAND, Advertising Supplement

2020 EXHIBITOR LIST Adrian Seed Co. Ag Focus Ag Solutions, LLC Ag Spray Equipment AGI SureTrack Agnition AgXplore Archer Daniels Midland Company AURI Azgard Solar Inc. Beck’s Hybrids Blethen Berens Blue Horizon Energy Brushvale Seed, Inc. Calyxt CHS CFS Corteva Agriscience Country Financial Country Enterprises Croptomize DEKALB ASGROW - Bayer Ellingson Water Management Environmental Tillage Systems

Evo Roof Technologies Global Ag Risk Solutions Gold Country Seed Grain Millers, Inc Green Energy Products Green Shield Overspray Barrier Heads Up Plant Protectants Inc. Hefty Seed Houston Engineering ISG LandProz Linder Farm Network Litzau Farm Drainage Minnesota Agriculture in the Classroom Minnesota Agriculture & Rural Leadership (MARL) Minnesota Agriculture Water Quality Certification Program MAWRC MNDOT Minnesota Farm Bureau Minnesota Farmers Union, Farmers Union Insurance Minnesota FFA Foundation MN Corn Growers Association Minnesota Propane Association

MN Soybean Growers Association MN Soybean Research & Promotion Council MN State Southern Agricultural Center of Excellence Mycogen Seeds Novel Energy Solutions Pheasants Forever Pipeline Foods Precision Ag Reviews Prinsco Profinium Renk Seed Co Rinke Noonan Attorneys at Law SB&B Foods Specialty Soya and Grains Alliance Steffes Group The ARC Group The LAND University of MN Extension U.S. Meat Export Federation Ziegler CAT 40 Square Cooperative Solutions

THE LAND, Advertising Supplement

Wednesday Schedule 8AM 9AM 10AM 10AM NOON 12:30PM 1:45PM 3:00PM 4PM 5:15PM 7PM

Featuring speaker sessions from: Farm Babe Dr. Cindra Kamphoff Dr. David Kohl and Davis Michaelsen

MN AG EXPO is FREE to attend.

Thursday Schedule 7AM 7:30AM 8AM 8:15AM 9AM 10AM 11AM 12:30

Register today at www.mnagexpo.com

Registration Open MSGA Delegate Session & Annual Meeting Opening Keynote - “Farm Babe” Michelle Miller sponsored by FMC and American Soybean Association Trade Show Open Buffet Lunch sponsored by Profinium Beck’s Hybrids Learning Session - Making Small Adjustments to your Agronomic Strategy Can Lead to Increased ROI Blue Horizon Solar Energy Panel Profinium Learning Session - Top 10 Things You Need to Know About Protecting your Family Farm MCGA Reception & Silent Auction Dinner featuring Davis Michaelsen of Pro Farmer sponsored

by MCGA and MN Pork MSGA Carnival

December 27, 2019/January 3, 2020 - Page 3

Registration Open MCGA PAC Breakfast Trade Show Open Positioning for Success in the Economic Reset with Dr. David Kohl sponsored by MSR&PC MCGA Delegate Session & Annual Meeting Gislason & Hunter Learning Session with Attorney Kaitlin Pals Houston Engineering Learning Session - Impaired Waters: What Does It Mean & How Do You Engage?

Lunch keynote Dr. Cindra Kamphoff sponsored by Houston Engineering

All attendees must register at mnagexpo.com.

Badge is required to enter the trade show.

Page 2 - December 27, 2019/January 3, 2020

THE LAND, Advertising Supplement

2020 EXHIBITOR LIST Adrian Seed Co. Ag Focus Ag Solutions, LLC Ag Spray Equipment AGI SureTrack Agnition AgXplore Archer Daniels Midland Company AURI Azgard Solar Inc. Beck’s Hybrids Blethen Berens Blue Horizon Energy Brushvale Seed, Inc. Calyxt CHS CFS Corteva Agriscience Country Financial Country Enterprises Croptomize DEKALB ASGROW - Bayer Ellingson Water Management Environmental Tillage Systems

Evo Roof Technologies Global Ag Risk Solutions Gold Country Seed Grain Millers, Inc Green Energy Products Green Shield Overspray Barrier Heads Up Plant Protectants Inc. Hefty Seed Houston Engineering ISG LandProz Linder Farm Network Litzau Farm Drainage Minnesota Agriculture in the Classroom Minnesota Agriculture & Rural Leadership (MARL) Minnesota Agriculture Water Quality Certification Program MAWRC MNDOT Minnesota Farm Bureau Minnesota Farmers Union, Farmers Union Insurance Minnesota FFA Foundation MN Corn Growers Association Minnesota Propane Association

MN Soybean Growers Association MN Soybean Research & Promotion Council MN State Southern Agricultural Center of Excellence Mycogen Seeds Novel Energy Solutions Pheasants Forever Pipeline Foods Precision Ag Reviews Prinsco Profinium Renk Seed Co Rinke Noonan Attorneys at Law SB&B Foods Specialty Soya and Grains Alliance Steffes Group The ARC Group The LAND University of MN Extension U.S. Meat Export Federation Ziegler CAT 40 Square Cooperative Solutions

THE LAND, Advertising Supplement

Wednesday Schedule 8AM 9AM 10AM 10AM NOON 12:30PM 1:45PM 3:00PM 4PM 5:15PM 7PM

Featuring speaker sessions from: Farm Babe Dr. Cindra Kamphoff Dr. David Kohl and Davis Michaelsen

MN AG EXPO is FREE to attend.

Thursday Schedule 7AM 7:30AM 8AM 8:15AM 9AM 10AM 11AM 12:30

Register today at www.mnagexpo.com

Registration Open MSGA Delegate Session & Annual Meeting Opening Keynote - “Farm Babe” Michelle Miller sponsored by FMC and American Soybean Association Trade Show Open Buffet Lunch sponsored by Profinium Beck’s Hybrids Learning Session - Making Small Adjustments to your Agronomic Strategy Can Lead to Increased ROI Blue Horizon Solar Energy Panel Profinium Learning Session - Top 10 Things You Need to Know About Protecting your Family Farm MCGA Reception & Silent Auction Dinner featuring Davis Michaelsen of Pro Farmer sponsored

by MCGA and MN Pork MSGA Carnival

December 27, 2019/January 3, 2020 - Page 3

Registration Open MCGA PAC Breakfast Trade Show Open Positioning for Success in the Economic Reset with Dr. David Kohl sponsored by MSR&PC MCGA Delegate Session & Annual Meeting Gislason & Hunter Learning Session with Attorney Kaitlin Pals Houston Engineering Learning Session - Impaired Waters: What Does It Mean & How Do You Engage?

Lunch keynote Dr. Cindra Kamphoff sponsored by Houston Engineering

All attendees must register at mnagexpo.com.

Badge is required to enter the trade show.

Page 4 - December 27, 2019/January 3, 2020

THE LAND, Advertising Supplement

© 2019

Dec. 27, 2019/Jan. 3, 2020

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

MN AG EXPO is FREE to attend Register today at mnagexpo.com

FOOD FOR THOUGHT KEYNOTE SPEAKER Dr. Cindra Kamphoff is a keynote speaker, marathoner, and professor who is a high performance coach for leaders, businesses and championship teams.

She helps them master their mindset so they can gain the high performance edge. She has a Ph.D. in performance psychology. She has spoken for some of the largest companies including Target, Wal-Mart, and Verizon Wireless.

Cindra also works with the Minnesota Vikings, where she works individually with the players to help them train their mind.

Cindra published her first book in September titled ‘Beyond Grit: Ten Powerful Practices to Gain the High Performing Edge,’ which is an Amazon Bestseller.

Join us on Thursday, January 23 for lunch to hear Dr. Cindra Kamphoff’s keynote “Beyond Grit.”

YOUR MN AG EXPO PARTNERS Minnesota Corn Growers Association works closely with the Minnesota Corn Research & Promotion Council. MCGA identifies and promotes opportunities for Minnesota’s 24,000 corn farmers while building connections with the non-farming public.

Find out more at www.mncorn.org The Minnesota Soybean Growers Association (MSGA) monitors government policies to improve the profitability of soybean farmers throughout the state. Simply put, MSGA looks out for the best interest of soybean farmers in St. Paul and Washington, D.C. Visit www.mnsoybean.org for more information.

January 22-23, 2020

Mankato Civic Center

Register at mnagexpo.com

Mankato, Minn.

Driving Innovation