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Februar y 7, 2020 Februar y 14, 2020
Keeping Swine Safe
Two university students developed a monitor to battle piglet mortality
PLUS: Dick Hagen at the Minnesota Pork Congress Evaluating sows to strengthen genetic stock Karen Schwaller reflects on early pig farming days
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THE LAND — FEBRUARY 7/FEBRUARY 14, 2020
There’s no biz like Biztown biz
P.O. Box 3169 418 South Second St. Mankato, MN 56002 (800) 657-4665 Vol. XXXIX ❖ No. 3 32 pages, 1 section plus supplements
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COLUMNS Opinion Farm and Food File Table Talk The Bookworm Sez: Calendar of Events Mielke Market Weekly Swine & U Marketing Auctions/Classifieds Advertiser Listing Back Roads
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My daughter is applying to be the CEO bars as an adult, I chuckle thinking back of Delta Airlines. She has to create a on my perception of what being a grownresume and prepare for an interview for up meant. the position. Did I mention that she’s Giving our youth a firm grasp on the only 12 years old? skills needed as adults gives them a jump This is all part of the experience of start to being successful grownups. spending a day in Junior Achievement’s Students from all over the state of BizTown. JA is business curriculum Minnesota have had the opportunity to go taught by volunteer community profesto BizTown and take part in this enrichLAND MINDS sionals who give of their time to come ment activity. Once the students get to By Kristin Kveno into classrooms. The purpose of JA is preBizTown, they have a town hall meeting pare young people for success in the where the student mayor makes a few global economy. statements and then the students are off and running. They work on their At New Ulm Middle School the stubusiness the whole time they are there — except for dents have been working for weeks on getting ready a few breaks where they can go to the bank to to head to BizTown in St. Paul, Minn. Preparation deposit their paycheck, patronize other businesses includes applying and interviewing for jobs, underand grab a snack at the café. standing their role in business there, what they need to accomplish, along with the skills and tools I helped with the newspaper last time I was at that are needed to accomplish those goals. BizTown and the kids were awesome. They each had a specific task and worked hard to accomplish what BizTown is a 12,000 square foot stimulated town — complete with a town square, government offices, was expected of them. My role there was to assist a post office, etc. — everything that a bustling town the students in any questions they had or issues that may have arisen. As volunteers, we were not to needs. There are 18 businesses in BizTown with an do the work for them and I don’t think the kids emphasis on Minnesota companies like Cargill, would’ve wanted that to happen. They wanted to Cambria and Polaris; though the most popular is complete the tasks on their own and worked dilithe town café where students can purchase snacks gently to get that done. with the “money” they received from working their BizTown job. I only wish that BizTown would have an agricultural component. Having the chance to be a farm Students have the opportunity to be a part of runproducer would be a great BizTown career option for ning the business, taking care of personal finances city and rural kids alike — allowing students the (like using a debit card and banking online), stimulating the economy by purchasing goods and servic- chance to learn how to purchase inputs and market their crop. This would give them a little taste of the es from businesses and choosing health insurance. complexities of running a farming operation. I’ll defI helped out at BizTown two years ago and I was initely be asking about the possibility of adding this in awe of the vast array of opportunities the stuwhen I head to BizTown. dents have to get a sense for what it’s like to be a As my daughter prepares her resume and works part of a business and a thriving member of society. on her interviewing techniques, she’s gaining real I wish we had BizTown and the JA program when life skills that will not only serve her now, but also I was young. It’s a chance to really get a glimpse later in life. into adulthood — the good, bad and the confusing I sure hope she gets the Delta CEO position. parts like choosing the right health insurance plan There’s got to be some free flying perks for her dear option. old mom, right? When I was my daughter’s age, I distinctly For more information on Junior Achievement and remember that I decided being a grown up meant BizTown, visit https://www.jaum.org/programs/. no one can tell me “no” to all those delicious looking candy bars prominently displayed near the grocery Kristin Kveno is the staff writer of The Land. She store checkout line. While my ever-slowing metabo- may be reached at kkveno@TheLandOnline.com. v lism hasn’t allowed me to indulge in all those candy
OPINION
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
7 — Young Farmers Coalition shares experiences and resources 12 — Transitioning to organics has challenges and rewards
THERE’S EVEN MORE ONLINE... @ TheLandOnline.com • “Calendar of Events” — Check out The Land’s complete events listing • “E-Edition” — Archives of past issues of The Land
THE LAND — FEBRUARY 7/FEBRUARY 14, 2020
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In ag business, going green is about getting green One thing Big Ag has gotAgreement. ten very good at over the While most farmers and last two decades is fighting ranchers cheered these what it sees as the “green” deregulatory actions, invasion of do-good outsidupstream food and fiber ers into American farming users were busy identifying, and ranching. buying, packaging, and You know who I’m talking retailing clothing, food, and about; these tie-dyed, righ- FARM & FOOD FILE beverages that mostly teous interlopers of Eastern younger, more affluent cusBy Alan Guebert Elites and Left Coast Libs tomers saw as “green” or riding impossibly white “sustainable” or “regenerunicorns into battle in ative.” defense of climate In short, they were change, natural resources, governmen- demanding — and getting — through tal environmental rules and — warntheir purchasing power the exact ing: hum loudly if you don’t want to opposite of what U.S. farmers and hear this one — over-population. ranchers and their commodity lobbyFor the most part, however, Big Ag’s ing groups were actively fighting powerful lobbying arms have grabbed against. these environmental anarchists and In late January, Tyson Foods, Inc. tossed them and their Birkenstocks joined the fight on the side of its cusaside. This is especially so since the tomers by announcing it would help beginning of the deregulation-driven form and fund, according the to Wall Trump Administration. Gone or made Street Journal, “a world-wide coalition toothless is the Waters of the U.S. rule, of protein producers, academics and the Clean Water Act, the Endangered environmental and human-rights Species Act, and the Paris Climate groups to work together on social and
OPINION
environmental issues.” Wring the PR from that sentence and what Tyson hopes to do is take on animal agriculture’s biggest problems: an enormous greenhouse gas footprint, increasing water pollution, an at-best spotty record on animal rights and worker rights; so it can tell its customers, “We care about the same things as you do so buy Tyson protein.” And Tyson has a lot of protein to sell. Each week the big-shouldered butcher, according to 2018 data, slaughters 37 million chickens, 408,000 hogs, and 133,000 head of cattle in 50 U.S. facilities. Little wonder then that a new Tyson heir, 29-year-old John R. Tyson, returned to the family business (after acquiring a MBA from Stanford University) as the company’s new chief sustainability officer. He knows that in the long run, an environmentally greener Tyson means a profitably greener Tyson, too. Tyson isn’t the only major food company to see green. Last November, Maple Leaf Foods, Canada’s leading animal and plant protein purveyor, announced it was the “first major food company in the world to be carbon neutral.” It did so as a way to “acknowledge… the urgent need for transformative change” in “the global food system…” A big part of the change, explained Sylvain Charlebois, writing in the Nov. 28 Manitoba Co-operator, is that in today’s hyper-competitive, global
marketplace, “…everything in on the table.” And, added the professor of food distribution and policy at Nova Scotia’s Dalhousie University, Maple Leaf Foods is “becoming a completely different company” in order to “adapt to a wider variety of customer situations” it now faces due to environmental challenges. Players in other industries are feeling the same urgent environmental concerns as their customers. It’s been widely reported that Nestle SA intends to cut its use of oil-based plastic by one-third. Microsoft Corp. recently said it intends to cut its carbon emissions to zero. Curiously, however, as these customer-driven, globe-spanning giants move into greener pastures, American farmers and ranchers are openly celebrating (what almost certainly will be) their short-lived, rule-tossing victories that will make rural America and what it grows less green and less customer friendly. Worse, in today’s world of perverse politics, these farmers and ranchers — and their powerful allies in Congress and the White House — believe they are winning the day for themselves when, in fact, they’re losing the future for all who follow. The Farm and Food File is published weekly through the United States and Canada. Past columns, events and contact information are posted at www. farmandfoodfile.com. v
Letter: Meetings not held at convenient times To the Editor, I wonder how it is that all the farm organizations say they want/need to get younger farmers involved. Ninety percent of these meetings are held on Wednesday at 10 in the morning — i.e. the upcoming (MN) Ag Expo.
I know several young guys that would love to get more involved, but work full time in town and farm on the side. All these organizations need to remember that a lot of us still have a 8-to-5, then do our chores. Nate Johnson Nicollet, Minn.
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Letter: Schwaller column reached many readers To the Editor, Concerning the Nov. 15/22 issue of The Land, I really enjoyed the article written by Karen Schwaller. I am now 98 years old (that’s why you have to excuse my messy letter here). I lived on farms all my life until Aug. 5, 2015 when I moved to the independent living campus of the Chosen Valley Care Center. Now I’m in the assisted living campus. When I wrote to you a few months ago, I told you I was sharing The Land. So I passed the Nov. 15 issue to the usual ones. All of them loved (Schwaller’s) article. One told me he called his son in Duluth and read it to him over the phone. When he finished, his son said, “I can identify with everything she said.” So I ended up passing it around here for the residents, the help and families. One of my friends who owns and lives on a farm I lived on from 1934-1937 took a copy to show her family and asked for the cost and address of The Land publisher. Her name is Roberta Copeman. She said she planned to send for it. So, thought you would like to sell rather than have me share mine. Well, if she ordered, that’s one sold and I forgot to mention the price change if one is actively farming. I’m still interested in industrial hemp. I think it could be a great crop for farmers in the future if they read up on the laws and growing it. Tell Karen I know at least 40 people here enjoyed her article. Wouldn’t it be fun to see a similar one about growing up in the city? By the way, through all of this I discovered it was time to renew my subscription again. I hope you are optimistic about all the people you are helping to be happy with your magazine. Marjorie Scott Chatfield, Minn.
OPINION
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The good, the bad and the ugly: The truth about pigs The truth is, there are and I quickly learned my more pigs in Iowa than own limitations after witthere are people. nessing that birthing strategy out in the farrowing For some of us, there are house. times when we have a hard time discerning who are There had been a lot of pigs and who are people. stinky and uncomfortable But that’s a conversation jobs for us over nearly we’ll have another day. three decades of raising TABLE TALK hogs back in the 1980s, ‘90s My dad was a pork proand early 2000s — during By Karen Schwaller ducer. It used to amaze me the early years of our maras a kid when I would see riage and while our chilhim clean out the hog dren were growing up. waterers — scooping out green scum, hay remnants, straw, weeds or whatThere were hog loading days when ever else landed in there — with his the dust created a fog in the lean-to. bare hands. And after the pigs had There were hot, humid days when we been drinking out of it. had to go out and spray the sows down several times a day. And days Yeesh. when we had to power-wash the farBeing all grown up now, I know that rowing house after the farrowing wasn’t the worst thing Dad probably cycle. ever had to do while raising pigs. I It was a day when singing opera have laughed at my husband over the while you worked was a very bad tastyears about his near-inability to ing idea. change a dirty diaper. But on the other hand, as a pork producer who There were days of grinding hog ran a farrow-to-finish operation, he feed when the sub-zero weather made was able to be up to his elbow in the it such a miserable job; and days back end of his sows and gilts, pulling when the hogs escaped their confines pigs. — creating an all-out family emergenI would have been passed out on the cy. (When we got some four-wheelers around, that job became considerably floor if had to do that. easier; but nonetheless, we hoofed it We all have our gifts and talents, for many years behind hogs that were
on the loose.) There was cleaning out the barn with a shovel or skid loader; cleaning out the flooded barn after someone left the hydrant running (disclaimer: this example may or may not blatantly expose my faultiness). There was going head-to-head with territorial sows and boars and having the wisdom to know they really did run the show — although you couldn’t let them know it. There were fences and pens to fix, water lines to repair, and in one instance at our farm, when an entire nursery full of young pigs had to be hauled out one at a time and left for the rendering truck because of some mysterious overheating malfunction that happened overnight. It was gut-wrenching to see, let alone think about the cash flow issue that was coming. One day, as my husband and I were talking about our farm story, he said he couldn’t remember when we stopped raising pigs. One of our sons chimed right in. He said, “We (he and his brother) were freshmen. I remember it well.” Well of course he remembered. What kid wouldn’t mark that as a national holiday? And for all the times we’ve had a
love/hate relationship going on with our herd, it was a sad day early-on in our marriage when the last of our hogs left the farm during a financially tough time for a beginning farmer in the 1980s — a time when so many were struggling. That Christmas, Dad and Mom provided the net underneath of us. They let us take home some of their bred sows to farrow, asking only that they got the sows back. We could keep all the piglets. That act of compassion and kindness got us back into the hog business. It was a Christmas miracle that no amount of bacon-love could equal. So the truth about pigs is, we can love them or we can hate them. But a world without pigs would mean there would be more people in the world than pigs. And I’m not entirely sure that would mean a nicer world overall. And … there would be no pig swagger to teach us confidence. And there would be no bacon. And a world without bacon would just be wrong. Karen Schwaller brings “Table Talk” to The Land from her home near Milford, Iowa. She can be reached at kschwaller@evertek.net. v
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Age not an issue for Young Farmers Coalition By TIM KING opportunities for farmer to farmer interacThe Land Correspondent tion on the local level. MILACA, Minn. — Young and beginning “We host potlucks at each others’ farms farmers face an obstacle course of knowlduring the growing season as folks are able,” edge, access to credit, land, and other Sannerud said. “When we gather at each resources established farmers don’t necesothers’ farms, we share a meal, socialize, and sarily encounter. As a partial response to take a farm tour at some point during the those obstacles, a group of young farmers visit. This year we intend to also spend time formed the Central Minnesota Young working as a group on a project of the host Farmers Coalition in 2016. The founders farm’s choosing during out potluck meetings. raised a wide variety of farm products The idea is for us to learn more about how including livestock, row crops, hops, vegetaindividual members operate their farms and ble, and flowers. Although they didn’t have a to help each other out.” lot in common when it came to the crops Although most members of the Coalition they grew, their common bond was their fit the conventional definition of “young,” youth and recent entry into agriculture. their actual definition of a young farmer is “Though there are many strong farm orgavery inclusive. nizations around the state, of which our “For our chapter, we see a young farmer as members are also active in, we felt that someone who has been farming for less than none offered focused advocacy on the parPhotos submitted ten years, or is below the average age of a ticular challenges we face as young farmers, Members of the Young Farmers Coalition gathered at the Midwest farmer which is currently 58 years old,” or space to gather and build community Organic and Sustainable Education Service (MOSES) conference last Sannerud said. “We welcome the young in among young farmers,” Rachel Sannerud, February. experience and young at heart. The United the organization’s current presiStates needs more farmers overall dent and a flower farmer from to replace those who are aging Milaca, said. “We wanted a narout, so by no means do we turn rowly focused organization that away folks who are interested in could serve our needs as a comgetting involved — no matter munity, so it made the most sense their age.” to become a chapter of National There is no membership fee for Young Farmers Coalition, which is the local chapter. However, memnarrowly focused on young and bers are encouraged to pay an beginning farmers’ issues.” Members of the Young Farmers Coalition met annual $35 fee to support the Sannerud, who joined the National Coalition’s work. The with Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and Ag Coalition members attended an FSA loan Coalition in 2017, says that Central Minnesota Young Farmers through the Coalition she’s built a workshop in 2017 at York Farm in Hutchinson, Commissioner Thom Petersen during the Coalition has a leadership team group’s “Day on the Hill” earlier this year. community of farmer friends and Minn. that is elected by the members. learned new skills while doing so. The leadership team prepares a schedule of events The new skills include growing her capability and increase funding for programs geared towards young for the season. confidence in grass roots organizing around issues of and beginning farmers, Sannerud said. For more information, you can reach Sannerud via importance to young farmers. In the past, the National Coalition has worked with email at cmnyfc@gmail.com or you can connect with “Some of the needs or issues we face as young and the local chapter to host a Farm Service Agency loan the Coalition via Facebook at https://www.facebook. beginning farmers include access to land — both in workshop which gave an introduction to resources com/cmnyfc/. its availability as well as its price,” she said. “We also that FSA offers to young and beginning farmers. The Coalition’s next meeting is Feb. 20 at 6 p.m. at have concerns about affordable housing, health care, “We had farmers who have used loan programs and climate change, and access to resources such as loan other resources available through the Farm Service Back Channel Brewing Company in Spring Park, Minn. There are also Coalition chapters in the programs, capital, equipment and markets.” Agency, speak to the group,” Sannerud said. “And we Duluth area and the Driftless region in southeast Part of the grass roots organizing and advocacy had Farm Service Agency employees speak about the Minnesota and western Wisconsin. v that the Central Minnesota Young Farmers Coalition different programs they offer. We found many nondoes included a 2017 lobbying effort for Minnesota’s members came to this workshop because it is a resource that can be hard for a new or young farmer Beginning Farmer Tax Credit. “It was passed by the legislature!,” Sannerud to access due to lack of understanding and experisaid. “The Minnesota Beginning Farmer Tax Credit ence with using these programs.” The national organization also offers resources for provides tax credits for the rent or sale of farm land or a variety of farm assets to beginning farmers. It is navigating food safety regulations, crop insurance a big asset for young and beginning farmers looking and finding farmland — in addition to publishing resources for organizing, reports on surveys filled out to gain access to land and equipment.” The Central Minnesota chapter is a member of the by young farmers, and guides to organic certification, National Young Farmers Coalition. On a national according to Sannerud. The local chapter provides members access to the level, the National Young Farmers Coalition lobbies for reforms to the federal Farm Bill to provide or resources of the National Coalition plus plenty of
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THE LAND — FEBRUARY 7/FEBRUARY 14, 2020
‘Animalkind’ is a delight for all animal lovers Your dog says he hates the “Animalkind: Remarkable Discoveries about Animals and new food you bought him. Revolutionary New Ways to Show Them Compassion” The ball, though, that’s by Ingrid Newkirk and Gene Stone perfect. He likes the squeak. He says he’d like it better if c.2020, Simon and Schuster you could play tonight; but he understands that you $27.00 / $36.00 Canada have stuff to do, so he’ll go 294 pages lay on his bed … thanks for THE BOOKWORM that. If he could read SEZ tively complicated tasks. baboon capers, “Animalkind” by Ingrid By Terri Schlichenmeyer Newkirk and Gene Stone, Even in the barn, animals swimming elephants and of porcine cuddles. he’d have a lot more to say. have more smarts than You’ll read tales of many humans will admit they have. But then again, you already knew pigeon romance and why you should Horses can learn to indicate a preferthat. Anybody who loves an animal ence for a blanket when given a choice never want to approach a sweaty, knows dogs don’t just bark and cows smelly bull elephant. They tell tales of don’t just moo, but that each vocaliza- between several. Mules are notorious intelligence and sentience and love for problem-solving in the barntion means something — whether it’s yard. One farmer reported to research- among animals. to you or to another creature. ers that a cow he owned gave birth to And they tell us what we can do at Scientists and researchers learn twins, then relinquished one home, at work, at school, shopping, more every day about the lives of aniand secretly hid the other — possibly cooking and dressing to ensure “the mals. And not just the critters we live because the farmer had removed a calf animals who share this planet with with, but the ones we live near, too. from her once before and she rememus” are given the respect and care Birds, for example, communicate in bered, unwilling to lose both babies. they’re finally due… rich layers through vocalization which Newkirk and Stone write of octopusThe very first thing you need to know mimics human speech patterns. about “Animalkind” is that it’s not going Furthermore, when tested, some birds es who learn to outwit their captors, and of monogamous birds. They tell of to change anyone’s mind. Skeptics perform better than monkeys at rela-
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(read: people without pets) will still scoff at the very idea that animals could be compared to humans. Folks with pets will find examples to the contrary. Nothing new on this front. Speaking only to the latter, then, this book is a delight. Authors Newkirk and Stone share story after story and scientific fact after laboratory study of animals who love, nurture, communicate, seek revenge, and play tricks on their humans. These tales are like snack food to an animal-lover: it’s impossible to stop wanting more. In fact, you may think this book isn’t thick enough. Also nice is that the last half here offers ways to match your hustle with your heart. Readers who think an animal is just an animal, keep on walking. This book isn’t for you, but for animal-lovers and those who are ecology-minded, “Animalkind” is one you’ll enjoy. Your dog would agree. The Bookworm is Terri Schlichenmeyer. Terri lives in Wisconsin with three dogs and 10,000 books. v
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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. Feb. 17 — Nitrogen Smart Meeting — Parkers Prairie, Minn. — Program consists of a three hour training on how Nitrogen behaves in the environment and how this affects nitrogen fertilizer management, as well as environmental concerns. Contact Brad Carlson at bcarlson@umn.edu or (507) 389-6745. Feb. 19 — Small Grain Workshop — Cold Spring, Minn. — Topics include production agronomics; variety selection and economics; plus an open-forum discussion on related topics and experiences. — Contact Joe Krippner at (320) 980-2915. Feb. 19 — Small Grain Workshop — Mora, Minn. — Contact Jared Goplen at (320) 589-1711 Ext. 2128. Feb. 19 — The Scoop on Soils Class — Morris, Minn. — Learn how to choose the proper growing media for your containers. Tips provided in fertilizing, watering and disease control. — Contact Esther Jordan at ejordan@umn.edu or (320) 589-1711. Feb. 27 — Nitrogen Smart Meeting — Pine City, Minn. — Contact Brad Carlson at bcarlson@umn.edu or (507) 389-6745..
Feb. 28 —Nitrogen Smart Meeting — Annandale, Minn. — Contact Brad Carlson at bcarlson@umn.edu or (507) 389-6745.. March 2 — Nitrogen Smart Meeting — Willmar, Minn. — Contact Brad Carlson at bcarlson@umn.edu or (507) 389-6745.. March 4 — Farm Transition and Estate Planning Workshop — Olivia, Minn. — Topics include farm goal setting, business structures, business succession, estate planning and retirement and family communication. — Contact Megan Roberts at meganr@umn.edu or (507) 389-6722. March 5 — SFA Midwest Soil Health Summit — Elk River, Minn. — Stay on the leading edge of regenerative agriculture by attending this summit. — Contact Jason Walker at jason@sfa-mn.org. March 7 — Gardening Education Day — St. Joseph, Minn. — Breakout session topics include landscaping, lawn care, vegetable and soil, pest control, container gardening. Vendors on hand to offer a wide variety of services. — Contact U of M Extension at (320) 255-6169 ext. 1. March 10 — Produce Safety Rule Training — Willmar, Minn. — Topics include produce safety regulatory requirements; best practices related to worker health and hygiene; crop inputs and soil amendments; domes-
Compeer Financial organic bridge loan SUN PRAIRIE, Wis. — Compeer Financial, a member-owned Farm Credit cooperative based in the Upper Midwest, has announced the launch of a new loan product that provides financing options for farmers transitioning their conventional grain operations to certified organic. “When farmers transition all or part of their operation from conventional production to certified organic, they are more likely to experience an initial decline in cash flow due to changing yields and increased costs related to the adoption of new organic farming practices,” said Paul Dietmann, senior lending specialist at Compeer Financial. “Our organic bridge loan addresses these specific needs, helping farmers to bridge cash flow shortfalls during the organic transition period.” With Compeer’s organic bridge loan, clients pay only interest on their loan for the first two to three years, with a declining balance operating loan while they are working toward organic certification. The loan converts to a standard five-year intermediate term loan with fully amortized principal and interest payments after a client has achieved organic certification. Learn more at compeer.com/. This article was submitted by Compeer Financial.v
tic and wild animals; water use and testing. Training is required for farms covered by the FSMA produce safety rule. — Contact U of M Extension at (651) 539-3648. March 10 — Irrigation Clinic — Glenwood, Minn. — Topics include introducing regenerative ag to a conventional operation; soil health; irrigation and water quality research in central Minnesota; and variable rate irrigation technology. — Contact Holly Kovarik at (320) 634-5327. March 11 — Farm Transition and Estate Planning Workshop — St. Cloud, Minn. — Topics include farm goal setting, business structures, business succession, estate planning and retirement and family communication. — Contact Megan Roberts at meganr@ umn.edu or (507) 389-6722. March 12 — Dairy Farmers Night Out: Nutritionist Panel — Winthrop, Minn. — Insight on how to manage current and future feed inventory and answer questions about nutrition-related challenges. — Contact Karen Johnson at ande9495@umn.edu or (320) 484-4303. March 14 — Farmer to Farmer Fruit and Vegetable Growers — Dassel, Minn. — Connect with fellow fruit and vegetable growers to reflect on the 2019 growing season, share insights and new ideas, learn about ongoing research in fruit and vegetables. — Contact Natalie Hoidal at hoida016@umn.edu.
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AM1 – Optimum® AcreMax® 1 Insect Protection System with an integrated corn rootworm refuge solution includes HXX, LL, RR2. Optimum AcreMax 1 products contain the LibertyLink® gene and can be sprayed with Liberty ® herbicide. The required corn borer refuge can be planted up to half a mile away. AM – Optimum® AcreMax® Insect Protection system with YGCB, HX1, LL, RR2. Contains a single-bag integrated refuge solution for above-ground insects. In EPA-designated cotton growing counties, a 20% separate corn borer refuge must be planted with Optimum AcreMax products. AMT – Optimum® AcreMax® TRIsect ® Insect Protection System with RW,YGCB,HX1,LL,RR2. Contains a singlebag refuge solution for above- and below-ground insects. The major component contains the Agrisure® RW trait, the YieldGard® Corn Borer gene, and the Herculex® I genes. In EPA-designated cotton growing counties, a 20% separate corn borer refuge must be planted with Optimum AcreMax TRIsect products. AMX – Optimum® AcreMax® Xtra Insect Protection system with YGCB, HXX, LL, RR2. Contains a singlebag integrated refuge solution for above- and below-ground insects. In EPA-designated cotton growing counties, a 20% separate corn borer refuge must be planted with Optimum AcreMax Xtra products. AMXT (Optimum® AcreMax® XTreme) – Contains a single-bag integrated refuge solution for above- and below-ground insects. The major component contains the Agrisure ® RW trait, the YieldGard® Corn Borer gene, and the Herculex® XTRA genes. In EPA-designated cotton growing counties, a 20% separate corn borer refuge must be planted with Optimum AcreMax XTreme products. Q (Qrome®) – Contains a single-bag integrated refuge solution for above- and below-ground insects. The major component contains the Agrisure® RW trait, the YieldGard® Corn Borer gene, and the Herculex® XTRA genes. In EPA-designated cotton growing counties, a 20% separate corn borer refuge must be planted with Qrome products. Qrome ® products are approved for cultivation in the U.S. and Canada. For additional information about the status of regulatory authorizations, visit http://www.biotradestatus.com/. YGCB,HX1,LL,RR2 (Optimum® Intrasect ®) – Contains the YieldGard® Corn Borer gene and Herculex® I gene for resistance to corn borer. YGCB,HXX,LL,RR2 (Optimum® Intrasect ® Xtra) – Contains the YieldGard® Corn Borer gene and the Herculex XTRA genes for resistance to corn borer and corn rootworm. RW,HX1,LL,RR2 (Optimum® TRIsect®) – Contains the Herculex I gene for above-ground pests and the Agrisure® RW trait for resistance to corn rootworm. AML – Optimum® AcreMax® Leptra® products with AVBL, YGCB, HX1, LL, RR2. Contains a single-bag integrated refuge solution for above-ground insects. In EPA-designated cotton growing countries, a 20% separate corn borer refuge must be planted with Optimum AcreMax Leptra products. AVBL,YGCB,HX1,LL,RR2 (Optimum® Leptra®) – Contains the Agrisure Viptera® trait, the YieldGard Corn Borer gene, the Herculex® I gene, the LibertyLink® gene, and the Roundup Ready ® Corn 2 trait. HX1 – Contains the Herculex® I Insect Protection gene which provides protection against European corn borer, southwestern corn borer, black cutworm, fall armyworm, lesser corn stalk borer, southern corn stalk borer, and sugarcane borer; and suppresses corn earworm. HXRW – The Herculex® RW insect protection trait contains proteins that provide enhanced resistance against western corn rootworm, northern corn rootworm and Mexican corn rootworm. HXX – Herculex® XTRA contains the Herculex I and Herculex RW genes. YGCB – The YieldGard® Corn Borer gene offers a high level of resistance to European corn borer, southwestern corn borer and southern cornstalk borer; moderate resistance to corn earworm and common stalk borer; and above average resistance to fall armyworm. LL – Contains the LibertyLink® gene for resistance to Liberty ® herbicide. RR2 – Contains the Roundup Ready® Corn 2 trait that provides crop safety for over-the-top applications of labeled glyphosate herbicides when applied according to label directions. AQ – Optimum® AQUAmax® product. Product performance in water-limited environments is variable and depends on many factors, such as the severity and timing of moisture deficiency, heat stress, soil type, management practices and environmental stress, as well as disease and pest pressures. All products may exhibit reduced yield under water and heat stress. Individual results may vary. Herculex® Insect Protection technology by Dow AgroSciences and Pioneer Hi-Bred. Herculex® and the HX logo are registered trademarks of Dow AgroSciences LLC. YieldGard®, the YieldGard Corn Borer Design and Roundup Ready ® are registered trademarks used under license from Monsanto Company. Liberty ®, LibertyLink® and the Water Droplet Design are trademarks of Bayer. Agrisure ® and Agrisure Viptera® are registered trademarks of, and used under license from, a Syngenta Group Company. Agrisure ® technology incorporated into these seeds is commercialized under a license from Syngenta Crop Protection AG.
Pioneer ® brand products are provided subject to the terms and conditions of purchase which are part of the labeling and purchase documents. TM ® SM Trademarks and service marks of Dow AgroSciences, DuPont or Pioneer, and their affiliated companies or their respective owners. © 2020 Corteva. PION9CORN075
THE LAND — FEBRUARY 7/FEBRUARY 14, 2020
Solar displays can fill many needs By DICK HAGEN The Land Staff Writer Emeritus MINNEAPOLIS — At almost any farm show exhibit hall you can find a growing number of solar panel vendors — and the Minnesota Pork Congress in Minneapolis was no exception. Faced by tight margins, farmers are looking for any way to Barry trim expenses, and energy costs are a Thompson big one. I caught up with Barry Thompson of Blue Horizon Energy at the Jan. 28-29 Pork Congress and asked, “Is solar energy growing more rapidly than any other energy source?” Thompson replied, “Gosh, I would think so; but I don’t track others so I don’t know what they are doing. Commercial sites utilizing huge wind turbines perhaps generate more sales volume. But at least 90 percent of our sales are in agriculture. Yes, some commercial buildings also, but they too may be in agricultural supply business.” Do your farm sales also generate electricity into the area grid? “Most of our farm installations are for their own supply,” said Thompson. “The net metering law in Minnesota limits sales into the grid to 40 kilowatts maximum. The display panel here at our booth is a 39.6 kw on the DC side.” (The installation on display at the Blue Horizon booth was installed for Mike Buer of Grove City, Minn. He has six tracking units which were installed five years ago this fall.) “These are dual access tracking installations. These panels turn to the sun each day.” Said Buer, “I believe my Blue Horizon Energy solar system has matched my expectations. I wanted to make a long-term investment that would benefit our farm, but also our three children in the future. I am thankful we chose Blue Horizon Energy. The entire process — from beginning to end — was easy. I recommend their services to anyone wanting to lessen their electrical energy costs on their farm.” Tracking panels generate about 35 percent more yield than stationary panels. “Pointing at the sun all day 365 days of the year boosts the productivity of these solar units,” stated Thompson. “Yes, these foggy days of late February lessen the energy being generated, but the solar rays are still being captured. You can get sunburned even on a cloudy day you know. Solar radiation is a constant occurrence whenever you have sunlight.” Thompson said all Blue Horizon Energy panels are U.S. built. “Most are Panasonic made in New York. We also buy from a Florida supplier.” Obviously energy cost savings drive most solar installations. But Thompson points out that for multi-generational professions like farming, farmers realize their families can benefit too. “Yes, the farmer will enjoy a big tax shield. When he retires, someone down the line can enjoy that energy production as well.”
So is solar energy now the dominant source of renewable energy? Thompson hesitates briefly saying, “I don’t know where we stack up against other sources — such as the continual increase in wind turbines along the Buffalo Ridge corridor and a few other selected wind energy farms. Yes, wind installations have a higher energy yield, but you’re not going to get the wind to blow everywhere. Yes, there are certain areas in Minnesota with better wind reliabilities; but for the most part, anywhere in Minnesota you get good to very good solar gradients.” Are solar installations seasonally oriented? “It kind of is,” said Thompson, explaining “…farmers during the winter months have time to do business planning. They often figure what they are going to build in 2020 so we do a lot of our work in the spring and late winter. Before they get into their fields we have most of our inquiries. Then once into summer when they get a chance to take a breather, we do a lot of meetings on energy talk. By then, people have a little better ‘crystal ball’ look at how their season might work out. They’re doing some more tax planning and that is often a big reason farmers get into solar energy. Even later in the year, when some farmers realize they may want to get rid of a tax problem, they call us up again. We call this a ‘solar coaster’ effect. They’re up and down in business cycles so we respect those issues. They’re not going to have time for us sometimes and we understand that. I grew up on a farm so can relate to these ups and downs, thus our slogan of the ‘solar coaster’ effect!” So what’s the payback on solar installations? “We tell our farmers it’s usually in that 7 to 8-year time frame,” replied Thompson. “By then you’ve got a positive ROI (return on investment) and only costs are yearly insurance payments on your installation. But most importantly, you’ve made a major — sometimes even total elimination — of your electrical costs from your local utility.” What’s the life span of solar panels these days? “The panels we’re using have a 25-year guarantee from Panasonic Solar which says your panels will still have a 90.76 percent of what it did when brand new. We like to say 40 years is realistic, however. To someone who puts in a system in 2020, if they did another in 2030, it might perform a little better; but the 2020 one is now paid off. That’s when your out-ofpocket expenditures for electrical energy are essentially over. Yes, things will evolve. There will be changes. There will likely be improvements, but your 2020 installation will still be doing what it was forecast to do,” summed up Thompson. Founded in 2009, Blue Horizon has now delivered over 400 turn-key energy systems. They can design and install systems engineered to fit a particular requirement. For more information, visit the Blue Horizon website at www.BlueHorizonEnergy.com. Thompson can be reached via email at Barry@bluehorizonenergy. com; or by phone at (952) 944-5900. v
THE LAND — FEBRUARY 7/FEBRUARY 14, 2020
www.thelandonline.com — “Where Farm and Family Meet”
PAGE 11
HATS. To succeed in farming, you have to wear many hats. Congratulations, not just to the NCGA corn yield contest winners, but to all farmers. Pioneer is proud to work alongside you in the most complex and rewarding industry on earth.
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For the full list of National Corn Growers Association 2019 National Corn Yield Contest winners, visit pioneer.com/NCGA. *All Pioneer products are hybrids unless designated with AM1, AM, AMRW, AML, AMT, AMX, AMXT and Q, in which case they are brands. **Corn Belt States: IL, IN, IA, MN, MO, OH, WI. Pioneer® brand products are provided subject to the terms and conditions of purchase which are part of the labeling and purchase documents. TM ® SM Trademarks and service marks of Dow AgroSciences, DuPont or Pioneer, and their affiliated companies or their respective owners. © 2020 Corteva. PION9CORN075
PAGE 12
www.thelandonline.com — “Where Farm and Family Meet”
THE LAND — FEBRUARY 7/FEBRUARY 14, 2020
Market availability led Schueler to grow organics By DICK HAGEN The Land Staff Writer Emeritus ST. CLOUD, Minn. — While attending the Minnesota Organic Conference in St. Cloud on Jan. 9, my first visit was with a long-time farming friend, Sherman Schueler. His early start was dairy farming with emphasis on quality forage Sherman Schueler — especially alfalfa. Schueler, who lives in Minnesota’s Kandiyohi County, was attending this big organic farming event because he’s now in the process of becoming a certified organic farmer. However, the spring of 2020 could be a bit of a challenge for Schueler. “All of the mechanical tillage we had planned didn’t work because Mother Nature wouldn’t let us into our fields,” he explained. “We rented a flamer. I now recognize that for us organic farmers, a flamer plays the same role as a sprayer when it comes to weed control in corn.” Schueler rented his flamer from an organic farmer last year. The same guy is now building an 18-row flamer for Schueler Farms this year. And though he admits to being a rookie of weed control, with flaming he’s learned the important point is to be out there when weeds are young. “We can broadcast flames at about 5 to 6-inch corn and also come in at 2-foot corn and flame in the row under the canopy.” Schueler got out of military service in 1972, so credits 1973 as his start-up year in farming. He related, ”My brother had the dairy going, so I got into hogs and corn/soybean crop production. Then the 80s hit. Things got really difficult in farming. I was already a licensed commercial airline pilot, so thankfully I got back into the aviation world and flew for Sun Country Airlines for 18 years.
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“That helped provide the financial resources to build a 250-cow free stall dairy operation. We became a corporate farming business. And we also learned that we were feeding our cows into oblivion if we continued the directions of the feed company we were working with. So we had to break from their program and find our own way. That set us up to learn what it’s like to work with nature rather than against nature.” And that was Schueler’s gradual transition into the intriguing world of becoming an organic farmer. After bowing out of being a dairy farmer in 2011, he went into the production of commercial hay. “And I quickly learned that hay is not much more profitable than growing corn. Maybe not quite the same cycles, but it put us right at the edge of making money,” chuckled Schueler. He didn’t have a pre-arranged lineup of hay-buying dairy farmers. Instead, he relied on the proven marketing expertise of Steffen’s Auctions in Litchfield, Minn.
There is definitely a push within the food trade industry for more organic corn produced by American farmers. More consistent quality would be the reason. — Glen Borgerding Ag Resource Consulting
tinue this turkey manure fertility program using some organic fertilizers to fill in the gaps. “When we were dairy farming, cow manure was the primary source of fertility. So our soils have good organic matter content.” His organic corn hybrid seed will likely be purchased from Byron Seeds of Indiana since he is already a Byron dealer. Schueler says several seed outfits offer organic seed corn. He intends to be planting 95-day hybrids or earlier. He’s optimistic about marketing. “Right now there is a strong demand for organic corn. This winter I’ve been trucking various feeds and it seems there isn’t enough organic corn to fill the demand. I’m convinced at this stage the market for organic corn for this broiler industry is insatiable and will stay above conventional corn markets for quite some time.” Schueler said a big majority of organic corn is now being imported. “And we don’t know the validity of this imported corn.” Glen Borgerding of Ag Resource Consulting in Albany, Minn., confirms that about half of the organic corn being used in America is imported — mostly from South America and Asia. “But there is definitely a push within the food trade industry for more organic corn produced by American farmers. More consistent quality would be the reason,” said Borgerding. He observes a change occurring right now across the corn belt for getting more farmers producing organic corn, soybeans and oats. “Organic wheat is softening right now,” he said. “Organic corn with our customers is the most consistent and dependable crop. And pricing looks good … $8 to $10 on corn. However, five to 10 years down the road could be a different scenario.” According to Borgerding, about 70 percent of their clientele are into organic farming. He noted several other agricultural service companies are now getting into organic farming information services. “This is rapidly becoming a consumer-driven industry. And that is why the emphases is on American farmers becoming the major provider of these organic grains. I would see imports of organic corn declining. Invariably, in the food business, whoever can deliver the cheapest will be the provider.” Schueler has some concerns about the equipment costs of getting into organic row crops. “At this stage, our plans are to get into cover crops and eliminate fall tillage entirely. We’re going to do like the Amish farmers where most tillage is just ahead of the corn planter. We’ll be using cover crops as a good green manure crop.” “Cover crops are key! We’ll use them to activate our soils with greater biological activity just before we plant.“ “Yes, I’m much aware of a growing choice of cover
So why now the ambition to get into organic farming and the production and marketing of organic corn? Schueler related that several years ago an Olivia area farmer called him. He knew Schueler already was into commercial hay production and suggested they get into organic pea farming. “But I cautioned him — saying it takes three years to get certified and we’ve been using commercial fertilizers and have been spraying for weevils so getting certified would take some time. He didn’t call me back, but his call made me think about this business of organic farming. So I researched organic sweet corn. That looked pretty good. Then last year I came to this organic farming conference and a farmer told me, ‘Don’t go into sweet corn. It’s much more profitable to grow organic field corn!’ So I did some more research and found that to be true. Also, that works into our system where I can hire a neighbor whom we’ve worked with for many years to do our planting and harvesting.” So how many acres of organic corn this year? Schueler says he plans for 250 acres and his goal is corn yields of 150 bushels per acre. This past year his 70-acre field of organic corn only produced 135 bushels per acre. “But at $8 a bushel, that isn’t too bad.” After three years of commercial hay production, Schueler sees the only significant change to get certified will be a switch from commercial fertilizer to turkey litter for fertility. Once organic, they will con- See SCHUELER, pg. 14
THE LAND — FEBRUARY 7/FEBRUARY 14, 2020
www.thelandonline.com — “Where Farm and Family Meet”
PAGE 13
Coronavirus has traders apprehensive, prices dip This column was written for the marpowder was down 5.2 percent and anhyketing week ending Feb. 7. drous milkfat was down 4.5 percent, after falling 2.6 percent last time. Skim The U.S. Department of Agriculture milk powder was down 4.2 percent after announced the first Federal order Class inching up 0.7 percent. III benchmark milk price of 2020 at $17.05 per hundredweight. This is down Gains were led by rennet casein and $2.32 from December, but $3.09 above GDT cheddar — both up 6 percent after January 2019 and the highest January the cheddar was up 0.6 percent higher Class III price since 2014. last time. Butter inched 0.2 percent highMIELKE MARKET er, following a 5.5 percent jump in the Feb. 7 Class III futures portended a WEEKLY last event. February price of $17.07; March, $17.35; By Lee Mielke April, $17.44; May, $17.37; and June at FC Stone equated the GDT 80 percent $17.48. The peak was $17.80 in butterfat butter price to $1.8841 per September. pound U.S., up fractionally from the last event. Chicago Mercantile The January Class IV price is Exchange butter closed Feb. 7 at $1.8325. GDT $16.65, down a nickel from December but $1.17 cheddar cheese equated to $1.9513 per pound, up above a year ago and the highest January Class IV 11.5 cents, and compares to Feb. 7’s CME block price since 2014. cheddar at $1.93. GDT skim milk powder averaged Powder and butterfat values pulled the third $1.3186 per pound and compares to $1.3770 last Global Dairy Trade auction of 2020 down, reversing time. Whole milk powder averaged $1.3786, down the previous two upticks as apprehensive traders from $1.4663. CME Grade A nonfat dry milk closed await the continuing fallout of the coronavirus outFeb. 7 at $1.25 per pound. break. The weighted average of products offered fell n 4.7 percent, following the 1.7 percent rise on Jan. 21 and 2.8 percent on Jan. 7. Speaking of the global market, the USDA’s latest Whole milk powder led the declines, down 6.2 per- data shows December dairy exports topped year ago cent, after it gained 2.4 percent Jan. 21. Buttermilk levels for the fourth consecutive month. Nonfat dry
MARKETING
milk and skim milk powder were up 37.4 percent in December from a year ago, though year-to-date exports were off 1.7 percent from 2018. Whole milk powder exports were up 156.9 percent from a year ago while year-to-date exports were down 15.6 percent. Dry whey was down 6.3 percent in December with year-to-date down 30.4 percent, much of that due to the drop in purchases from China, due to African swine fever. HighGround Dairy says nonfat dry milk exports were the second strongest for the calendar year in December, but recorded losses to Mexico (the number-one U.S. export destination) for the third consecutive month. There was growth in exports to Indonesia and Vietnam and exports to Egypt were the highest since April 2013, says HighGround Dairy. South American demand also helped boost U.S. sales. “The whole milk powder figure sticks out,” says HighGround Dairy, as the United States shipped the strongest December volumes since 2002 — driven by demand from Colombia and Saudi Arabia (an all-time high for the Saudis) as product has become tight from New Zealand. Volumes to Mexico were at a multi-year high. See MIELKE, pg. 14
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THE LAND — FEBRUARY 7/FEBRUARY 14, 2020
Dairy product output figures jumped in December MIELKE, from pg. 13 Total cheese exports amounted to 57.6 million pounds in December, down 9.3 percent from a year ago, but were 2.7 percent higher year-to-date than in 2018. HighGround Dairy says December cheese exports were the lowest for the month since 2015 due to losses into South Korea, Japan, and China, adding, “The U.S. priced itself out of the global marketplace from August through December, hampering export opportunities throughout fourth quarter.” Butter exports were down 41.5 percent in December and down 29.4 percent year-to-date. December butter imports were down 53.3 percent in December, but year-to-date imports were up 16.7
MARKETING percent. n The United States continues to move product offshore via the Cooperatives Working Together program. Member cooperatives accepted nine offers of export assistance this week to sell 559,974 pounds of cheese, 83,776 pounds of butter, 330,693 pounds of whole milk powder, and 37,479 pounds of cream cheese. The products will go to Asia, Central and South America, and Oceania through April and raised CWT’s 2020 sales to 1.326 million pounds of American-type cheeses, 328,489 pounds of butter (82 percent milkfat), 644,852 pounds of cream cheese and 644,852 pounds of whole milk powder. In other trade news, China announced this week that it will halve the additional tariffs it imposed last September on $75 billion worth of U.S. imports — even as it deals with the escalating coronavirus outbreak there. China imports a lot of dairy products but most originate from New Zealand and the EU. However, easing trade relations with the trading giant holds great potential for the U.S. dairy industry. n The United States has plenty of product to offer. December total cheese output crept up to 1.114 billion pounds, up 1.3 percent from November but just 0.2 percent above December 2018, according to the
USDA’s latest Dairy Product report. Total 2019 cheese output amounted to a record 13.12 billion pounds, up just 0.7 percent from 2018. Wisconsin produced 280.2 million pounds of the December total, down 1.4 percent from November and just 0.2 percent above a year ago. California output fell to 202.8 million pounds, down 6.9 percent from November and 8.3 percent below a year ago. The Golden State produced 25.5 percent less cheddar in December than a year ago. Idaho contributed a total of 88.7 million pounds of cheese, up 15 percent from November and 4.1 percent above a year ago. Italian type cheese totaled 470.7 million pounds, down 0.7 percent from November and 1.7 percent below a year ago. Year-to-date output came to 5.7 billion pounds, up 1.9 percent. American cheese totaled 456.7 million pounds, up 5 percent from November and 1.9 percent above a year ago. Year-to-date, American is at 5.2 billion pounds, down 0.6 percent. Mozzarella output slipped to 370.9 million pounds, down 1.6 percent, with year-to-date hitting 4.5 billion pounds, up 3.2 percent. Milk was moved from Mozzarella to cheddar, the cheese traded at the CME. Cheddar output hit 331.6 million pounds, up 20.5 million pounds or 6.6 percent from November and 5.5 million or 1.7 percent above December 2018. The year’s cheddar output came in at 3.72 billion pounds, down 2.1 percent from 2018. See MIELKE, pg. 15
Weed control in soybeans a concern SCHUELER, from pg. 12 crop seeds,” Schueler continued. “Cereal rye seems a favorite of just about everybody. But multi-species are also coming on to further increase the enzyme and biological activity in the soil. There’s a host of choices. We’ll be picking and learning as we get further into this new way to rebuilding our soils. I think there’ll be a ton of learning, but lots of exciting things happening too.” Yep, this isn’t an overnight transition. Lots and lots of learning; cleaning up mistakes; starting over again as needed — if needed. “We’re hearing it’s at least a five-year learning curve to get into the techniques and hands-on wisdom of organic farming,” Schueler admitted. “Transitioning into organic farming isn’t into the public domain very much. Cover crops are now big however … almost like the new byword for farming today.” Schueler says, “My difficulty might be learning how to maintain weed control — especially in soybeans. I see the key to making this work is diversity … being willing to grow multiple crops in a programmed crop rotation sequence. We’re not going to
be just corn and soybeans. Alfalfa also will be in there. Maybe even wheat and then cover crops. The more different crops growing in your soils, the more micro-organisms in your soil also. And that is the essence of healthy soils. “Our soils mostly have a four-plus organic matter content. We’re okay, but recognize there’s room for improvement. I’ve learned three main things can negatively affect soil health: tillage, chemicals and sun (on bare soils). At 90 degree soil temps on bare soil, only about half of those soil micro-organisms will survive. And that’s why swift growing cover crops are vital to this rebuilding process of your soils. This spring Schueler will be planting in 22-inch row widths. Corn populations at 34,000 seeds per acre. “Last spring we didn’t use treated seeds so germinations weren’t so good. Our field last year had the problems of most corn fields — wet soils and cool temps. A wet year is always a challenge … maybe even more so when we’re into organic seeds. But we’ll be living and learning as we move along.” v
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Feed price ratio hit by low milk price, higher feed costs MIELKE, from pg. 14 Butter production totaled 177.2 million pounds, up a hefty 21.7 million pounds or 14 percent from November and 6.8 million pounds or 4 percent above a year ago. This is the seventh consecutive month butter output topped that of a year ago. Year-to-date, butter amounted to a record 1.9 billion pounds, up 0.8 percent from 2018. Dry whey totaled 79.8 million pounds, up 6.3 percent from November and 7.1 percent above a year ago, with year-to-date at 974.2 million pounds, down 2.5 percent. Stocks totaled 72.3 million pounds, down 8.4 percent from November but 2 percent above those a year ago. Nonfat dry milk production totaled 164.3 million pounds, up 22.6 million pounds or 15.9 percent from November and 21.8 million or 15.3 percent above a year ago. Year-to-date, powder is at 1.8 billion pounds, up 4.1 percent from 2018. Stocks climbed to 248.4 million pounds, up 25.7 million or 11.5 percent from November but were 28.1 million pounds or 10.2 percent below the 2018 level. Skim milk powder output climbed to 52.8 million pounds, up 9.1 million
pounds or 20.8 percent from November and 2.5 million pounds or 5 percent above a year ago. Year-to-date, skim hit 518.5 million pounds, down 8.5 percent from a year ago. n Dairy prices at the Chicago Mercantile Exchange came under some downward pressure the first week of February. The cheddar blocks fell to $1.8950 per pound on Feb. 6, but rallied to close the next day at $1.93 — up a penny on the week and 40.25 cents above a year ago. The barrels lost 4.5 cents on Feb. 3, falling to the lowest level since March 13, 2019, and set a new record spread of 46.5 cents. After losing 11 cents the previous week, they closed at $1.4775, down another 2.25 cents, 10.5 cents above a year ago, but at an unsustainable 45.25 cents below the blocks. Twelve cars of block traded hands on the week and 40 of barrel. Cheese plant managers cite the drastic shift in markets since fall 2019 and how they are negatively affecting orders, according to Dairy Market News. Others suggest 2020 sales have been steady. But one certainty is the
availability of milk. A growing number of contacts are pushing spot milk loads back onto the market to keep cheese production in balance with demand, says Dairy Market News. The record-breaking block over barrel CME price gap is also cited as “not being helpful to cheesemakers” and a growing number of contacts suggest it has become “the veritable ursine elephant in the room.” Heavy milk supplies are also heading to western vats and cheese output is at or near full capacity. Inventories are relatively stable and able to cover most buyer needs; but contacts suggest demand is steady. Market participants are eager to see what fundamentals can shrink the gap between block and barrel prices. Cash butter saw its Feb. 7 closing at $1.8325. This is 6.75 cents lower on the week and 46.25 cents below a year ago. Eighty-four loads exchanged hands on the week. n Central butter output has been higher this year compared to previous years, according to plant managers. With the bountiful abundance of
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cream from western and midwestern sources, churns are busy with cream trucks lined up outside. Butter stores are available and growing as producers prepare for the expected uptick in demand for springtime baking and holiday-related retail. Western butter production is also active. Cream supplies are reportedly tighter than they have been, but there is still plenty to keep the churns full. Butter inventories are growing and adequate to meet any near term need, says Dairy Market News. Grade A nonfat dry milk fell to $1.2150 on Feb. 4, but closed Feb. 7 at $1.25. This is up a penny on the week and 25.5 cents above a year ago, with 13 sales reported. CME dry whey finished at 39 cents per pound, up 2.5 cents on the week, all on unfilled bids, and 2.5 cents above a year ago. A lower All Milk price and higher feed prices pulled the December milk feed price ratio down, ending five consecutive months of gain. The USDA’s latest Ag Prices report put the ratio at 2.55, down from 2.61 in November and See MIELKE, pg. 16
Proper ventilation is crucial for healthy calves ST. CLOUD, Minn. — Having proper and adequate ventilation for your calves is crucial for overall health and the prevention of respiratory disease. With winter on its way, it’s a good idea to review your ventilation now so you can avoid problems down the road. A component of ventilation sometimes overlooked is the stocking density of your calf pens. Just like cows, calves of all ages have space requirements which need to be met in order to keep them comfortable and healthy. Simply measure your pens and calculate total square footage, then divide by the number of animals in the pen. Baby calves, age 0-2 months, need a minimum of 30 square feet per animal. Weaned calves aged 2-4 months also need about 30 square feet. Heifers aged 4-8 months require 40 square feet of space per head, and heifers aged 8-12 months require 50 square feet. Those square footage measure-
ments are for a bedded pen or pack area, and do not include feeding area. For weaned calves, feeding area requirements are 18 inches with slant bar dividers. For 4 to 8-month-old heifers, it’s 15 inches per animal and for 8 to 12-month old heifers it is 17 inches per animal. Another important component of ventilation (and the one we probably think of the most often) is ventilating rates. Ventilating rates vary based on the age of the animal and the current weather conditions. The following rates are given in cubic feet per minute and measures the velocity of airflow. For baby calves age 0-2 months, the CFM requirements are 15 in cold weather, 30 in mild weather, 65 in warm weather, and 100 in hot weather. Note that these requirements are per calf, so if you have 15 calves in your barn at this age during cold weather, they would all together
require 225 CFM. For calves and heifers aged 2-12 months, CFM requirements are 20 in cold weather, 40 in mild weather, 90 in warm weather, and 130 in hot weather. So if you have 15 older calves in hot weather, their CFM requirement is 1,950. Calf ventilation plays an important
role in keeping your calves healthy. Knowing what your calves’ space and ventilation requirements are is the first step in making sure they are properly ventilated. This article was submitted by Emily Wilmes, University of Minnesota Extension. v
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Milk consumption down, other dairy products seeing growth MIELKE, from pg. 15 compares to 2.07 in December 2018. The index is based on the current milk price in relationship to feed prices for a dairy ration consisting of 51 percent corn, 8 percent soybeans and 41 percent alfalfa hay. Today, one pound of milk purchases 2.55 pounds of dairy feed containing that blend. The U.S. All-Milk price averaged $20.70 per hundredweight, down 30 cents from November but $4.10 above December 2018. California’s All Milk price was $19.80, up 30 cents from November and $3.27 above a year ago. Wisconsin, at $21.30, was down $1.10 from November, but $5.10 above a year ago. The national average corn price averaged $3.71 per bushel, up 3 cents from November and 17 cents per bushel above December 2018. Soybeans averaged $8.70 per bushel, up 11 cents from November and 14 cents per bushel above a year ago. Alfalfa hay averaged $175 per ton, up $2 from November but $4.00 per ton below a year ago.
Looking at the cow side of the ledger, the December cull price for beef and dairy combined averaged $59.30 per cwt., up $1.60 from November, $7.50 above December 2018, but is $12.30 below the 2011 base average of $71.60 per cwt. National Milk adds, “The margin for December 2019 under the Dairy Margin Coverage program was $11.95 per cwt., 26 cents lower than the November DMC margin, with falling milk prices more than offsetting a drop in feed costs. The margin remains well above the trigger necessary for DMC assistance.” n It was American author, Samuel Clemens, better known as Mark Twain, who was once asked by a reporter to comment on a rumor that he was dead, to which Twain replied, “Reports of my death have been greatly exaggerated.” You might say the same about the dairy industry, according to Hoards
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Dairyman managing editor Corey Geiger. Reporting in the Feb. 10 Dairy Radio Now broadcast, Geiger discussed a presentation by International Dairy Foods Association CEO Dr. Michael Dykes, on how the media covered the bankruptcies of Dean Foods and Borden, insinuating that the dairy industry is dead. Dykes reported dairy product consumption has risen sharply since 1975, according to USDA data. But, he said reporters see the dairy industry as a glass of milk that you drink and, while fluid milk consumption is indeed down a whopping 41 percent, that milk is still being consumed via hard products like butter, cheese and yogurt. Those sales are up 71 percent from 1975, he said. Consumer demands have changed, according to Dykes, they want “grab and go, easy convenience,” Geiger stat-
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ed, and “fortunately, dairy can do that.” Also adding to the “dairy is dead mentality” are the plant-based products that call themselves after dairy names and plant-based meats, which Geiger admitted has a growing market. But, the founder of Chobani, Hamdi Ulukaya, was at the Forum and told attendees, while his company has an oat product, it refrains from using dairy terms to describe it because “There is a difference. All it is, is a couple nuts with a bunch of water mixed in with it,” he said, “and it doesn’t have the same nutrients as dairy.” 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
Tips for managing 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 themselves 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
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Always follow stewardship practices in accordance with the Product Use Guide (PUG) or other product-specific stewardship requirements including grain marketing and pesticide label directions. Varieties with BOLT® technology provide excellent plantback flexibility for soybeans following application of SU (sulfonylurea) herbicides such as DuPont™ LeadOff ® or DuPont™ Basis® Blend as a component of a burndown program or for double-crop soybeans following SU herbicides such as DuPont™ Finesse® applied to wheat the previous fall. Always follow grain marketing, stewardship practices and pesticide label directions. Varieties with the Glyphosate Tolerant trait (including those designated by the letter “R” in the product number) contain genes that confer tolerance to glyphosate herbicides. Glyphosate herbicides will kill crops that are not tolerant to glyphosate. Always follow grain marketing, stewardship practices and pesticide label directions. Varieties with the Genuity® Roundup Ready 2 Yield® (RR2Y) trait contain genes that confer tolerance to glyphosate, the active ingredient in Roundup ® brand agricultural herbicides. Roundup ® brand agricultural herbicides will kill crops that are not tolerant to glyphosate. Genuity®, Roundup ® and Roundup Ready 2 Yield® are registered trademarks of Monsanto Technology LLC used under license. Individual results may vary, and performance may vary from location to location and from year to year. This result may not be an indicator of results you may obtain as local growing, soil and weather conditions may vary. Growers should evaluate data from multiple locations and years whenever possible. Varieties with the DuPont™ STS® gene (STS) are tolerant to certain SU (sulfonylurea) herbicides. This technology allows post-emergent applications of DuPont™ Synchrony® XP and DuPont™ Classic® herbicides without crop injury or stress (see herbicide product labels). NOTE: A soybean variety with a herbicide tolerant trait does not confer tolerance to all herbicides. Spraying herbicides not labeled for a specific soybean variety will result in severe plant injury or plant death. Always read and follow herbicide label directions and precautions for use. Varieties with the LibertyLink® gene (LL) are resistant to Liberty® herbicide. Liberty®, LibertyLink® and the Water Droplet Design are trademarks of Bayer. DO NOT APPLY DICAMBA HERBICIDE IN-CROP TO SOYBEANS WITH Roundup Ready 2 Xtend® technology unless you use a dicamba herbicide product that is specifically labeled for that use in the location where you intend to make the application. IT IS A VIOLATION OF FEDERAL AND STATE LAW TO MAKE AN INCROP APPLICATION OF ANY DICAMBA HERBICIDE PRODUCT ON SOYBEANS WITH Roundup Ready 2 Xtend® technology, OR ANY OTHER PESTICIDE APPLICATION, UNLESS THE PRODUCT LABELING SPECIFICALLY AUTHORIZES THE USE. Contact the U.S. EPA and your state pesticide regulatory agency with any questions about the approval status of dicamba herbicide products for in-crop use with soybeans with Roundup Ready 2 Xtend® technology. ALWAYS READ AND FOLLOW PESTICIDE LABEL DIRECTIONS. Soybeans with Roundup Ready 2 Xtend® technology contain genes that confer tolerance to glyphosate and dicamba. Glyphosate herbicides will kill crops that are not tolerant to glyphosate. Dicamba will kill crops that are not tolerant to dicamba. Roundup Ready 2 Xtend® is a registered trademark of Monsanto Technology LLC used under license. Varieties with Enlist E3™ technology (E3) are jointly developed by Dow AgroSciences and MS Technologies™, L.L.C. The Enlist weed control system is owned and developed by Dow AgroSciences LLC. Enlist Duo and Enlist One herbicides are not registered for sale or use in all states or counties. Contact your state pesticide regulatory agency to determine if a product is registered for sale or use in your area. Enlist Duo and Enlist One herbicides are the only 2,4-D products authorized for use in Enlist crops. Always read and follow label directions. P = Plenish® high oleic soybeans for contract production only. Plenish® high oleic soybeans have an enhanced oil profile and are produced and channeled under contract to specific grain markets. Growers should refer to the Pioneer Product Use Guide on www.pioneer.com/stewardship for more information. SCN = Resistant to one or more races of soybean cyst nematode.
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To protect assets, more are employing farm security systems By DICK HAGEN The Land Staff Writer Emeritus MINNEAPOLIS — One of the many vendors at the Minnesota Pork Congress was David Nelson of Atwater, Minn. The annual Congress took place Jan 29-30 at the M i n n e a p o l i s Convention Center. I caught up with Nelson at the Ag Tech Security booth. Farm and home security systems are a big part of Nelson’s life these days. David Nelson “Yes, (security systems) getting to be big business for us,” said Nelson, indicating installing farm and commercial biosecurity systems are keeping him busy. “A growing business because of the simple fact that vandalism, theft and biosecurity issues are becoming a growing concern throughout rural Minnesota and America.” Nelson pointed out because livestock numbers keep increasing, as does valuable farm shop tools and equipment, farmers more and more recognize they need a monitoring system to keep the unscrupulous people away from their farms and their feedlots; or videotape their activities if these unsavory elements are intent on stealing. It works like this: Land owners and/or farmers contact Ag Tech Security. “We then drive to your farm; make a walk-through inspection of the barns, the farm shop and any other buildings you might wish to interconnect. We can then network your farm; install cameras as needed. Cameras will feed back to a main hub recording any/all activities taking place. And the cam-
eras don’t make mistakes. If you’re there and you’re not supposed to be, that camera has nailed you.” Nelson says the cost of installing a system mainly depends upon how many cameras are needed. “On a fourcamera system, we’re in the ball park of about $4,500 including installation. We have a three-year warranty on our cameras and now have systems out there Photo by Dick Hagen 6 and 7 years without problems. We’re not into this business long enough yet; but we haven’t had any cameras fail.” Cameras are made in China, but corporate ownership of these manufacturing facilities is American stockholders. “So this is extremely dependable equipment. We’ve got to give the Chinese people credit … their security camera equipment is the best. And shipments from China are quick — about one-and-ahalf weeks,” said Nelson. Installation on your farm is then merely a one to two-day deal. “Always a first response is farmers telling us they are overwhelmed with the quality of the pictures these cameras generate,” said Nelson. “And many compliments on our service too.” Customers can even access video activity via their cell phone so they can see what’s going on at the home farm wherever there is internet access. More information on Ag Tech Security can be found at http://agtechbusiness.com. v
World Pork Expo is back in Des Moines DES MOINES — The 2020 World Pork Expo is back at the Iowa State Fairgrounds for its 32nd year. The expo will take place on June 3-5, providing pork professionals with three full days of education, innovation, and networking. “We’re excited to welcome all members of the pork industry back to Des Moines after a brief hiatus in 2019,” said David Herring, NPPC president, and pork producer from Lillington, N.C. “The 2020 Expo gives us an opportunity to connect across the industry to share knowledge and discuss the state of the industry together.” Out of an abundance of caution, the 2019 World Pork Expo was canceled due to reports of African
swine fever in China and other countries. Professionals in the pork industry worked together across the globe to understand the situation and evaluate risks presented with ASF. The 2020 Expo will have increased biosecurity onsite during the show. Additional changes to the 2020 World Pork Expo include the decision to relocate the live swine show to reduce an already negligible risk. Registration will soon be available online for those who plan to attend the 2020 World Pork Expo. The Expo’s website is https://worldpork.org/. This article was submitted by World Pork Expo. v
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University project tackles issue of piglet mortality By KRISTIN KVENO How to get the sow to move off The Land Staff Writer the piglet, however, was a challenge, Rooda tried an electrical Piglet mortality is an unfortustimulus which wasn’t effective. nate fact of life, but Matthew “It stressed out the sow.” They Rooda was frustrated with the then tried using a Tens-Unit, a sheer number of piglets being transcutaneous electrical nerve crushed by sows. So much so stimulation which worked to get that he decided to take matters the sow to move or stand up — into his own hands and try to but didn’t stress the sow. “We reduce piglet mortality rates. had to develop something to put Rooda’s drive and ingenuity is on the sow.” Rooda tested 60 difpart of his DNA. He came from a ferent adhesives and in doing so long line of pork producers who discovered that a medical adhesought creative solutions for sive stayed on the sow the best. obstacles found in pork producThe end product is called tion. That passion for caring for SmartGuard. pigs was ingrained in him at an SwineTech wanted to try out early age. Raised near Pella, SmartGuard, and worked with Iowa, Rooda had a strong interKansas State University in Photos submitted est in animal agriculture but “I was kind of encouraged to do While working at a farrow-to-finish oper- November, 2017 on behavior trisomething else.” Rooda decided ation in Waterloo, Iowa, Matthew Rooda als. The results showed that SmartGuard worked in producthat becoming an obstetrician was frustrated with the inability to prevent piglets from being crushed by ing a less stressful response in would be a great profession as he sows. He and Abraham Espinoza devel- the sows. It took two years to enjoyed animal husbandry and oped the SmartGuard system which refine the technology in the sysworking with people, and that alerts sows when a potential crushing tem. The end product is the meshed the two well. situation arises. SmartGuard system that reads It was while attending data to accurately locate and Hawkeye Community College in 2013, Rooda became alert the sow, via vibration through the wearable assistant manager of a farrow-to-finish operation in device adhered to the animal, to move if a piglet is Waterloo, Iowa. While Rooda was managing that getting crushed. The system also has automated pen operation he became frustrated there wasn’t really heating, is portable and waterproof. anything that could stop piglets from being crushed Rooda believes the only competitor to SmartGuard by the sows. “I wanted to find a way to solve it.” is 24-hour staffing in an operation, having someone After receiving his associates of liberal arts degree, there to constantly check on the piglets to ensure Rooda went on to the University of Iowa where he they aren’t being crushed by the sows, and would majored in genetics and biotechnology. Rooda and his virtually eliminate piglet deaths. However, having best friend, Abraham Espinoza, set out to create a 24-hour staffing simply isn’t feasible for all hog solution to reduce piglet crushing deaths and started operations. Rooda feels that SmartGuard is the alterSwineTech in August, 2015. This desire to engage in native to having eyes and ears 24/7 in the hog barn. finding a meaningful solution to piglet mortality led Rooda admits that SmartGuard isn’t right for all Rooda to focus his career ambitions to animal agrihog confinements. If the facility has a very low piglet culture innovations. Rooda and Espinoza’s presentation at the 2015 John Pappajohn Founders Club Fair, where University of Iowa students showcase their businesses, earned them first place and allowed them the ability to continue in their quest to develop their ideas further. In doing research they discovered that 92 percent of the pork producers surveyed were interested in finding a way to stop piglet crushing in their pork operation. “Producers asked for a proactive tool, and that’s what we did,” Rooda said. Through their company, SwineTech, Rooda and Espinoza partnered with John Rourke to continue in their advancement of improving piglet mortality rates. Rourke developed an algorithm for the sound a piglet makes when being crushed. They also worked to figure out how to decipher where the piglet that The SmartGuard warning system warns sows to move was being crushed was located in the barn. before piglets are crushed.
mortality rate, then SmartGuard wouldn’t make that much of an improvement in piglet survival. “For the average 80 percent of the industry we’re going to make a big difference.” Producers who are interested in the product reach out to SwineTech directly. “We’ll conduct a site survey.” The site survey along with a cost analysis will help the producer see if SmartGuard would be the right addition to their swine safety arsenal. SmartGuard has been sold to producers in eight states and in one province in Canada. SwineTech began with three people and there are currently 12 people now part of the company which is located in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. “Every person you bring on brings new incredible experience,” Rooda said. He has hired individuals from many different sectors — from Boeing to the Pentagon. Rooda believes their wide range of depth and skill has been an asset to SwineTech. One of the biggest joys of creating SmartGuard is the satisfaction of making a difference. “Saving our first pig was really exciting,” Rooda said. The latest study shows a 25.3 percent reduction in pre-weaning piglet mortality when using SmartGuard at day five. According to their data, SmartGuard has now protected over 1,000,000 piglets. Rooda attributes the success of SwineTech to the people who are part of the company. “There’s a lot of joys around the team.” While research and development of products can at times be frustrating, Rooda has learned to celebrate the good stuff along the way. “It’s recognizing the small things, the small wins. It’s a great place to work.” In September, SwineTech was given the THRIVEForbes Innovation Icon Award. According to Forbes, “The THRIVE Midwest Challenge is a pitch competition for startups developing ag biotechnology, livestock and animal health and digital crop technology relevant for Midwest farmers and producers.” Along with the award, SwineTech was presented a $100,000 investment from SVG Ventures and advertising in Forbes magazine. Rooda will always be a farm kid at heart — working to create a better, safer environment for sows and piglets. Reducing piglet mortality was once a dream of his; but through dedication and unending effort, the SmartGuard system is a reality and one that Rooda feels is not only saving piglets but allowing pork producers to have another tool in efficiency which could help with their overall bottom line. “No better group of people in my mind that we could be serving. Today, we can help solve problems.” For more information on SwineTech, visit swinetechnologies.com. v
THE LAND — FEBRUARY 7/FEBRUARY 14, 2020
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Factors in reducing sow mortality in the farrowing room Mortality rates are highest in the farrowing room, whether it be for pigs or sows. A lot of farrowing room focus is put on pre-weaning mortality, but reducing sow mortality also needs to receive producer attention. When we include stillbirths, it is not uncommon to see three-quarters of growing pig mortality showing up before weaning. If we take this risk on a daily basis, a pig is 20 times likely to die on a day in the farrowing room than a day subsequent to that. Based on this higher risk, the University of Minnesota has studied both stillbirth rates and pre-weaning mortality rates in great detail. We know there are factors such as birth weight, colostral intake, facility design and facility factors which lead to higher and lower pre-weaning mortality rates. The rates of mortality for sows are also much higher in the farrowing room than in breeding or gestation. We can see daily rates which are eight times as high in the farrowing room than in breeding and gestation. The difference is, there has not been a particular emphasis on the study of this aspect of sow mortality in the same way that pre-weaning mortality has been emphasized as a separate category of mortality vs. post weaning mortality. With the levels of mortality seen in the farrowing stall, it may be useful to understand the processes that lead to sow death, as well as leading to additional compromised sows at time of weaning. There are additional pressures on the sow through parturition and lactation that appeared to result in a proportion of sows unable to cope
with the added physical requirements. Moreover, it may be worth questioning whether the physical environment in the farrowing stall is too biased toward the SWINE & U piglet rather than the stall. Though By Dr. John Deen the studies are limited, it may be useful to start viewing the farrowing stall as a point of intervention to reduce sow mortality rates. Here are a few factors that are worth considering as we try to help the sow survive and thrive in the farrowing stall. Lameness — In our work, a sow that is lame at entry into the farrowing stall has a 40 percent higher mortality rate — even if the lameness appears to be minor. Moreover, these sows are also much more likely to be compromised at weaning so they are culled at a higher rate. Analgesia — Though it is particularly true in lame sows, there is a positive effect of long-acting pain control in sows. Behaviorally, these sows are more likely to get up and eat and drink shortly after farrowing. Unfortunately, here in the United States, no such product is registered for use in sows. Off-feed events — Even one day off feed can significantly increase the mortality rate and decrease the quality of sows at weaning. Heat — Hot, humid nights particularly result in higher sow mortality in
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the farrowing stall. Farrowing difficulties — Slow parturition is also an indicator of a sow having difficulty in coping and predicts higher levels of mortality. As any good herdsperson will point out, these are not independent subjects. The real problem is when these factors start coming together. A lame sow going into a farrowing stall during hot weather is much more likely to see those off-feed events and have trouble farrowing. It is in the multiplicative aspects where we truly identify at-risk sows. It is a cascade of events which leads to sow death in many cases, and catching sows in early stages of difficulty may be our best chance of providing an efficient intervention. However, there may be a need to also change some of our emphases in pig rearing. I would argue there is a greater emphasis on reducing preweaning mortality in the farrowing room than reducing sow mortality. An illustration I use in this argument is asking, “what is the optimal temperature for a farrowing room — especially when the sows are farrowing?” The answers I receive are usually more closely correlated with piglet comfort than with sow comfort. Sows would do best at a temperature of 60-65 F. Farrowing rooms are already places of intense activity and focus, and redi-
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recting some of that effort toward the comfort and well-being of the sow may have real returns. As an epidemiologist, I urge producers to start measuring and recording pathologies and seeing how they affect subsequent performance of the sow. Many think small sow size predicts small litter size. My argument is that there is something driving that small litter size which is common to both of those events. When we have studied lameness and when we have studied sow condition — especially skinny sows — we have seen that as a better predictor of poor litter performance. Understand the true cost of mortality and imagine what investments are justified. It’s not only a cost in terms of replacing the animal, there’s an opportunity cost because it results in empty space in the sow herd. Often these affected sows who are producing litters not only end up dying, but before that, they have progeny who have poor performance. Once we start adding up all of these factors and outcomes from a sow herd with high sow mortality, we see that there’s a huge opportunity to increase productivity and especially in the quality of progeny. John Deen is a Professor in the University of Minnesota’s College of Veterinary Medicine. He can be reached at deenx003@umn.edu. v
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THE LAND — FEBRUARY 7/FEBRUARY 14, 2020
MARKETING
Grain Outlook Corn market unlikely to budge
Cash Grain Markets
corn/change* soybeans/change* St. Cloud $3.44 -.07 $8.15 -.10 Madison $3.57 -.04 $8.23 -.04 Redwood Falls $3.70 -.01 $8.25 -.03 Fergus Falls $3.27 -.02 $7.85 -.10 $3.43 -.03 $8.05 -.10 The following marketing analysis is for the week Morris Tracy $3.73 -.08 $8.30 -.03 ending Feb. 7. CORN — Corn continues to navigate the trading Average: $3.52 $8.14 range it’s been in since mid-December from $3.75.25 to $3.94 per bushel. It is balancing a combination of Year Ago Average: $3.34 $8.16 decent demand, limited farmer selling, and high aniGrain prices are effective cash close on Feb. 11. mal numbers against an upcoming large South *Cash grain price change represents a two-week period. American crop, strong U.S. dollar, and a surge in U.S. corn acres this spring. This combines for a boring market for the average trader. New crop corn prices have slipped well under $4.00 per bushel that many deemed not high enough to sell earlier. While we still have a long way to go to PHYLLIS NYSTROM As we move into the month of February, the livenew crop, and could very well see CHS Hedging Inc. stock markets are under pressure to say the least. St. Paul rallies in the next few months, it Fear is the dominate feature to this situation as maswill be more difficult to work our sive liquidation has taken place in the futures marway back to the $4.05 - $4.10 per bushel area in December corn without a significant ket. This has taken the live cattle, the feeders and the live hogs futures from a premium to a discount in weather or political event. a very short time. This fear is The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced mainly due to the coronavirus this week the Feb. 11 World Agricultural Supply and that is sweeping China and Demand Estimates report will not factor specific spreading to other countries. The details of the Phase 1 trade deal with China into the belief is that world commerce report, but they will consider the broader goals of the will be greatly affected; which in agreement. This leads me to believe they will con- turn will cause demand for agrisider what information has been made public, but no cultural products for export to commodity specific numbers have been made avail- greatly slow. This has put most able. agricultural-related futures marJOE TEALE An update on the elephant in the room, the novel kets in a short term oversold Broker coronavirus: over 31,000 people have been infected, condition at the start of a new Great Plains Commodity over 630 people in China have succumbed to the dis- month. Afton, Minn. ease. At last count, 27 countries have confirmed The cattle market has seen live cases. There were reports of a breakthrough in a vac- prices as well as beef cutout prices beginning to cine to combat the virus, but the World Health slump in the past few weeks. Concern over the interOrganization said there is “no known effective thera- national problem of the coronavirus was a major facpeutics” against the coronavirus. tor in the selling that developed during this period. China will release nearly 3 million metric tons of However, the fact that cash prices began to slump reserve corn to meet feed shortfalls in the south as along with the beef cutout slipping lower, helped in the effects to battle the virus have disrupted logistics assisting the futures weakness in the latter days of within the country. It is too early to say with any January. conviction how this will affect the global economy — The U.S. Department of Agriculture released the specifically China’s. There are concerns China will bi-annual Cattle Inventory report on Jan. 31, which delay U.S. purchases which were agreed to in the indicated a slightly lower number of cattle overall in Phase 1 trade deal due to the coronavirus. However, the United States. This was in line with analyst on Feb. 7, Chinese President Xi told President Trump guesses prior to the release of this report and should that China would meet their obligations under the
Livestock Angles Livestock futures market slumping
See NYSTROM, pg. 23
See TEALE, pg. 23
Financial Focus Better passwords, better security I recently ran across a meme on social media. It was a monkey sitting in front of a computer impatiently pounding on a keyboard with the caption, “Me trying to remember my password.” No truer words my banana-loving friend, no truer words. We all have so many passwords for different sites and programs that it gets harder and harder to come up with anything new. Then, after you do create a new password, the challenge of remembering it kicks in (insert monkey meme here). So why do we need to create such elaborate passwords? It’s hard enough learning all the new levers and switches on the new combine let alone remembering passwords. Research has proven GAIL INGLEDEW it takes 120 hours of work to get Vice President of your identity back, once stolen Operations — 120 hours! There is no farmer Profinium out there who has that sort of time. We do need to find a way to protect our passwords while out on the farm. Super computers (a.k.a. computers designed to decipher enormous amounts of data quickly) can figure out eight-character passwords in as little as 22 seconds. Nine-character passwords take up to two hours to break. Ten-character passwords take up to a week and 11-character passwords take two years. The good news is, if you make the password over 12 characters, you’re looking at 200 years’ worth of security. Time estimates vary, but you get the idea. As you build out your 12-plus character passwords, here are some common rules to follow to protect your information. Create passphrases instead of passwords. Individual words — even with slight variations — are easy to guess; but a series of words in a passphrase make them more secure. Consider making the passphrase or password longer than the minimum limit. Longer passphrases are harder to break than shorter, complex passwords. Mix letters, symbols and numbers in a phrase that means something to you. For instance, I love my dogs; so I might use B0stonTerriersarethebe$t. Do not use the same password for multiple systems, websites or accounts. Use of the same password for multiple sites or programs means if a password for one is compromised, they all are. See INGLEDEW, pg. 24
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 — FEBRUARY 7/FEBRUARY 14, 2020
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PAGE 23
Coronavirus, South American crop holds soybeans prices NYSTROM, from pg. 22 agreement. Weekly export sales were very good at 49.1 million bushels. We are 37 percent behind last year with total commitments of 897.2 million bushels. We need to average 27.4 million bushels of sales per week to reach the USDA’s forecast of 1.775 billion bushels of exports. The Buenos Aires Grain Exchange lowered Argentina’s corn rating 1 percent to 59 percent good/ excellent; but recent rains should limit further downside for the time being. Their corn is 99 percent planted vs. 96.4 percent on average. China’s tariff reduction this week did not include corn since the only tariff on corn was put on in July 2018 at 25 percent and only the tariffs put on in September were affected. Weekly ethanol production indicated good demand this week. Production increased 52,000 barrels per day to 1.081 million bpd. This was the biggest weekly production increase of the year. Ethanol stocks fell 700,000 barrels to 23.5 million barrels, down 3.2 percent week-on-week. Margins improved a nickel to a positive 1 cent per gallon. The average trade guess for U.S. ending corn stocks on the Feb. 11 balance sheet is 1.864 billion bushels. This is down slightly from the January 1.892 billion-bushel forecast. World ending stocks are estimated at 297.2 mmt vs. 297.8 mmt last month. Brazil’s corn crop is estimated at 100.85 mmt compared to 101 mmt last month and Argentina’s crop at 50 mmt, unchanged from January. Outlook: March corn has traded from $3.75.25 to $3.94 since Dec. 12. The next support level on the downside is the low made in December at $3.71 per bushel with next resistance at the magical $4.00 level. Growers become disengaged in the lower half of the range and only limited selling has been seen in the middle. Basis levels have remained firm to attract bushels into the pipeline as demand has been improving. Without something significant to kick prices out of this range, it feels like we will be stuck
MARKETING here for a while longer. U.S. corn is the cheapest on the world scene, but a big South American crop is right around the corner. December corn will continue to deal with the assumption of a large increase in U.S. corn acres this spring and a year-on-year carryout increase to over 2 billion bushels. For the week, March corn gained 2.25 cents to $3.83.5, July managed a 1.25 cent higher close at $3.92.25, and December rallied 3.25 cents to $3.94 per bushel. SOYBEANS — Soybean prices started the week on the defensive and fell to their lowest level since last May before gaining traction. The week’s low was set on Feb. 3 at $8.68.75 per bushel before bouncing and closing higher every day this week. In a goodwill gesture ahead of any Phase 2 trade talks, China announced they would rollback 50 percent of the tariff increases on $75 billion worth of U.S. goods which were part of the September retaliatory tariff increase. For soybeans, this means the tariff will be reduced from 30 percent to 27.5 percent. The original 25 percent tariff put on in July remains in effect and is included in the 27.5 percent rate. This is not enough to make U.S. soybeans competitive with Brazilian soybeans in the near term. This also coincides with a January decision by the United States to cut tariffs on $120 billion worth of Chinese goods from 15 percent to 7.5 percent. Traders want to see actual Chinese purchases of U.S. soybeans or at least a tariff-free quota released before becoming confident buyers. There is concern that China may delay purchases of U.S. goods due to the coronavirus outbreak — which could reduce demand and/or weaken their economy. There is a clause in the Phase 1 trade agreement which would allow China breathing room on making U.S. purchases due to circumstances beyond their control. These concerns were addressed when Chinese President Xi assured President Trump they would meet their obligations despite any delays associated with the coronavirus. In the first four
Hog futures deeply oversold TEALE, from pg. 22 have little or no effect on the market immediately. It is quite likely we are seeing a short-term top in prices until the fear subsides in the market. However, we could see a short-term short covering rally develop — relieving the pressure due to the short term oversold condition of the market. There is a good chance we have seen a seasonal high made here in the first quarter of the new year, so producers should monitor market conditions in the weeks ahead. The hog market has taken the brunt of the selloff since the first of the year and is currently deeply oversold on the futures market. It has gone from a
large premium to a discount to cash in six trading days — which is very unusual and extremely fast. China and its problems would account for many of the concerns in the hog market for this quick descent in prices. This would help explain the rapid drop in the pork cutout which dropped almost $8 in one week in the last week of January. Because the market is so oversold, a recovery rally is likely in the near term. A cash rally and an improving pork cutout will be the signal that the hog market might settle down and get back to a normal trade with less volatility. v
months of the marketing year (September through December), China has accounted for 43 percent of U.S. soybean exports or 9.6 mmt. In South America, recent rains in Argentina have reduced the dry areas. In Brazil, rains have slightly delayed soybean harvest and as a result, slowed the planting of the second or safrinha corn crop. In general, crops are benefiting from the moisture, but the export boat line-up is growing. Trade talk during the week included suggestions that China purchased 20-25 soybean cargoes from Brazil. Brazil’s soybean harvest was 16 percent complete as of Feb. 7 vs. 8 percent on average and last year’s speedy 17 percent completion rate. Brazilian soybeans have been running at least 20-25 cents/bushel cheaper than U.S. origin as the U.S. dollar traded to four-month highs and the Brazilian real slipped to all-time lows vs. the dollar. The strong U.S. dollar and weak ocean freight market are not helping our case for China to buy U.S. origin. Safras and Mercado put Brazil’s soybean crop at a new record of 124.6 mmt. The U.S. ag attaché in Brazil upped the soybean estimate to 124.5 mmt vs. the January USDA figure of 123 mmt. The BAGE pegged Argentina’s soybean crop at 53.1 mmt, — in line with the USDA’s 53 mmt forecast. Weekly export sales of 25.9 million bushels were within expectations but dropped us to 7 percent behind last year. Total commitments are 1.2 billion bushels and need to average 19.3 million bushels of sales per week to hit the USDA’s current 1.775 billion target. The average trade estimate for the February WASDE report’s U.S. ending stocks number is 443 million bushels, down from 475 million in January. World ending stocks are pegged at 96.9 mmt vs. 96.67 mmt last month. Brazil’s soybean crop is estimated at 123.65 mmt vs. 123 mmt last month. Argentina’s soybean crop is projected at 53.15 mmt compared to 53.0 mmt last month. Outlook: We need to see a pickup in soybean demand or at least a bigger move by China to buy U.S. origin to get the market excited. As in corn, soybeans are facing a huge South American crop ready to hit the market and an expected significant increase in U.S. soybean acres this spring. Soybeans may be poised for a technical bounce and from spillover strength from corn and wheat. For the week, March soybeans were up 9.5 cents at $8.82 per bushel. This is the first higher weekly close in four weeks. July soybeans were 7.5 cents higher at $9.08 and November was 6.25 cents higher at $9.18.5 per bushel. Nystrom’s Notes: Contract changes for the week as of the close Feb. 7: Chicago March wheat was a nickel higher at $5.58.75, Kansas City gained 7 cents at $4.72.5, and Minneapolis was 2 cents higher at 5.35.75 per bushel. v
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THE LAND — FEBRUARY 7/FEBRUARY 14, 2020
Milk and manure keep dairy operation moving forward By DICK HAGEN The Land Staff Writer Emeritus ST. CLOUD, Minn. — Cochrane, Wis. dairy farmer John Rosenow sells a lot of milk. Pick up time is 5 a.m. each day for over 5,000 gallons. His 600 cows get milked every nine hours. His milking crew is 17 employees. John Rosenow Nine Mexicans from four families are part of this contingent. Rosenow provides housing and health insurance. “My highest employee earns about $40,000,” said Rosenow, “the lowest paid employee would be about $30,000.” Rosenow also handles a lot of cow dung. He composts the stuff and sells “Cowsmo,” his trademark name for potting soil! At the Minnesota Organic Conference in St. Cloud, Minn. on Jan. 9, Rosenow shared a few minutes with The Land. And those few minutes became one of my most unique dairy stories ever encountered. Here’s an example: He’s been to Mexico nine times to visit families and villages of his Mexican cow milkers! He says this is important for a better understanding of his Mexican employees — such as vacation time when they can travel home to their Mexican villages for a few days. But when taking vacation, that particular employee has to provide his own replacement worker. “In this day of cell phone communications, they simply call a family member or friend in their home village who then travels to our farm and takes over the duties of his vacationing friend. We even cater to their eating tastes. A local lady comes to our dairy farm once a week to offer Mexican breakfasts to our employees. Her delivery van carries lots of Mexican spices and other Mexican taste treats. Our employees appreciate this gesture. They tell me so … and I’m liking these Mexican breakfasts myself,” chuckles Rosenow. “I’ve partially learned their language; I have a really good relationship with them and enormous respect for them,” added Rosenow. So one can only wonder if there are any particular labor issues for this Wisconsin dairy farmer. “I have none,” was his direct response. “I tell each employee
when he is hired that he owns his job. If he leaves for a few days it is his duty to find a replacement, and he better be good. If he’s not, my employee understands his own job may be gone too. I don’t do any hiring anymore. My employees do it all!” That sounds incredibly risky; but for Rosenow, this system is working wonderfully well. So with $17 milk prices, is dairying financially rewarding for Rosenow? Yes, 5,000 gallons of milk each day generates a good-sized monthly check. His milk goes to Plainview Milk Products in LaCrosse, Wis. — about 50 miles from the farm. After bottling, the milk goes to Kwik Trip service stations across the Midwest. But despite these strong numbers, dairying is barely a break-even enterprise for Rosenow. And most other dairy farmers too. However, for Rosenow, Cowsmo is the frosting. So what is Cowsmo? Composted cow manure. Yes, 600 cows and 500 heifers produce a lot of cow manure!
We’ve done this now for 30 years and we’ve learned a few tricks on how to manage our composting windrows – regardless of the weather. — John Rosenow A 3.5-acre blacktop is the composting factory. “We build windrows of this cow dung,” explained Rosenow. “Whenever the temperature gets over 131 F we turn this compost pile with our compost turner. These windrows are 14-feet wide, 6 feet tall and about 300feet long. Every time we turn them we take the inside and put it on the outside … in essence we invert the windrow. That adds oxygen to the windrow which aids the composting process.” So how critical is this 131 F temperature? “Composting reduces the volume, concentrates the nutrients, gets rid of the organisms that you don’t want, and also gets rid of the smell. But you don’t want that temperature to get too high or you kill all the beneficial organisms.” Yes, composting is a science (and almost a yearround activity) at Rosenow Dairy. Composting activity shuts down for a couple months each winter. His fields instead get the dairy manure benefit. So how did things go this fall with nothing but super wet and cold conditions? Experience helps. “We’ve done this now for 30 years and we’ve learned a few tricks on how to manage our composting windrows — regardless the weather,” said Rosenow. Pardon Rosenow’s bias, but he absolutely says cow manure makes the best compost. “Because a cow has four stomachs which can digest just about anything. They have microbes in their stomachs which are beneficial to all soil organisms … which then make nutrients even more available to your flowers and garden vegetables. Yes, your corn and soybean crops too.”
Rosenow said weed seeds are generally decomposed with the heat of the composting process. Yes, his potting soil products are widely marketed. Semi trucks make bulk delivery to garden centers across America. “We’re currently delivering into 17 states and four countries,” stated Rosenow. “We ship to a buyer at a west coast or east coast port. Then they package and export to their overseas customers. This past summer we shipped eight pallets of compost to a New York buyer. He put it on a boat and shipped it to Grenada.” About 80 percent of Cowsmo product gets shipped out in bulk deliveries to garden centers and organic vegetable farmers. “We also have bags and tote deliveries which we sell to different garden centers. Plus we also blend some to make potting soils.” Rosenow said Cowsmo products are a continually growing market … so much so that he’s worried about having enough product to meet the demand. They added another 100 cows into their factory last year. “We just signed up a smaller dairy farm so cow manure from his farm will help us out. We figure about 20 semi loads from him. A cow producing 80 pounds daily milk is producing 120 pounds of manure each day. That’s about 108,000 pounds of manure per year (600 cows, 300 yearly heifers).” Rosenow is not an organic crop farmer. “I am a conventional farmer making organic products,” he said. “Follow the rules of the NOP standards in your composting procedures and your product will meet organic standards.” So why does milking take place every nine hours? “Because it generates more income,” was Rosenow’s response; plus he added they weren’t yet big enough to get into 3x milking schedules. Even with his Cowsmo business, Rosenow is concerned about the outlook for dairy farmers. “I keep lots of cost accounting records. For the past 20 years it’s been a growing struggle financially for all dairy farmers. Our break even — with the composting facility — is $17.09. We’re really tight. Most dairy farmers don’t have another business like we have here. But because farmers are struggling that doesn’t make them less valuable. We need to realize that. Our dairy farmers are wonderful people yet they are not to be blamed for switching careers to keep their families going.” To adapt to the challenges, Rosenow Dairy is now forward pricing their milk sales using options which are subsidized by the government. “We can’t trust that things are going to be normal any more,” summed up Rosenow. “The tariff wars hurt us enormously. With Class 3 pricing at $17 … where it’s been for some time … with volume and quality premiums, we’re at $18 to $18.25. At that price we’re making a profit.” Rosenow’s phone number is (608) 626-2571. More information on Cowsmo products can be found online at www.cowsmocompost.com. v
THE LAND — FEBRUARY 7/FEBRUARY 14, 2020
www.thelandonline.com — “Where Farm and Family Meet”
Stearns County SWCD awarded funds
WAITE PARK, Minn. — The Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources recently awarded Stearns County Soil and Water Conservation District $1.3M in grants to address water quality concerns. With these funds, the SWCD will improve water quality in lakes, rivers, and streams and ensure that residents have safe and clean drinking water. The $1.3M of funds are from four separate grants. Central Stearns County Cover Crop Demonstration ($195,500) — This grant will prevent detrimental runoff by increasing establishment of cover crops to hold soil and nutrients in place. The focus area between Saint Martin and Saint Joseph contains more than 38,000 acres of cropland. Riverside Avenue/County Road 1 Stormwater Improvement Project ($294,950) — In conjunction with the planned reconstruction of Riverside Avenue along the Mississippi River in Sartell, the project will construct up to ten stormwater Best Management Practices and stabilize up to 400 feet of streambank.
St. Cloud Lime Filtration Project ($613,100) — To reduce the containments, the City of St. Cloud will treat 935 acres of currently untreated urban stormwater. The lime filtration structure will capture the material and remove excess phosphorus and sediment prior to discharge into the river just upstream of the drinking water intake. Stearns County Highly Vulnerable Drinking Water Supply Management Areas: Nitrogen management practices for safe drinking water ($202,450) — The focus of the project will be to implement nitrogen Best Management Practices such as cover crops, nutrient management, and irrigation management in the Drinking Water Supply Management Areas, which will recharge municipal public water supply wells, throughout Stearns County. For more information, contact the Stearns County Soil and Water Conservation District at (320) 2517800, ext. 3. This article was submitted by the Stearns County SWCD. v
Limit information you put on social network
INGLEDEW, from pg. 22 Do not use single words found in the dictionary of any language. Password cracking tools often come with dictionary lists that can try thousands of common words. Cracking a password is not done by a person, but by software which constantly runs for the hacker. Do not use passwords that include personal information that could be easily accessed or guessed. This includes your birth date, your Social Security or phone number, or names of family members. This is also a perfect time to share a side note tip with your children. When the grandkids arrive, it is so cute to see the little buddle of joy announced on social media. However, when they say, “Welcome to the world (insert first middle and last name) born on this month day and year”, they have just
given hackers the equivalent of your grandchild’s social security number. In the end, how are we supposed to remember all these passwords? Use Secure Password Providers to help manage your passwords. Password Safe and others such as LastPass, Dashlane, RoboForm, KeePass Password Safe, or Sticky Password can even generate passwords for you. Do not store your list of passwords in a plain text file on your computer or in a notebook at your desk. Gail Ingledew is the Vice President of Operations and Information Security Officer at Profinium. To learn more about how Profinium is a full financial health solutions center offering banking, mortgage, insurance, trust and wealth planning services in Southern Minnesota, visit Profinium.com. v
PAGE 25
Featured Recipe from
“Recipes from
”
APPLE CRISP Cindy Brouwer Mankato, MN
½ c. flour ¼ c. butter 1 tsp. cinnamon
5 c. apples, thinly sliced ¼ c. water 1 Tbsp. lemon juice 1 c. sugar
Arrange apples in greased 8 x 8 x 2 pan. Combine water and lemon juice, pour over apples. Blend sugar, flour, butter and cinnamon; sprinkle over top of apples. Bake at 375º for 45 minutes. Serve warm with cream or ice cream.
Recipes from Volume IV Sponsored by
Only
12
$
Save the S&H fee by picking up your copy at The Free Press, 418 S. Second St., Mankato during regular business hours or complete the coupon below and have it mailed to you. I want __________ cookbooks at $12.00 + $3.00 s&h = $15.00 ea. Total enclosed $ ___________________ Credit Card #________________________________ Exp. Date (mo/yr) ________________ Name _______________________________________________________________________ Address ______________________________________________________________________ City _________________________________________ State__________ Zip _____________ Phone # _____________________________________________________________________ Check Enclosed
Mail to:
THE LAND • P.0. Box 3169 • Mankato, MN 56002
Or call: 507-345-4523 with your credit card information
and order over the phone.
PAGE 26
www.thelandonline.com — “Where Farm and Family Meet”
THE LAND — FEBRUARY 7/FEBRUARY 14, 2020 TH
LOCATED: E5210 1040th Avenue, Wheeler, Wisconsin. EXCELLENT LARGE JD EQUIPMENT SPECIAL CORVETTE & HARLEY ON-LINE AUCTION BIDDING: Sale starts to end on Wednesday, March 4, 2020 at 7:30 PM. www.hagerauction.com OPEN HOUSE: February 29, March 1 and March 4 from 10:00-2:00. NOTE: Bill was a very successful, well respected farmer. Meticulous in every aspect. machinery has been through the shop and is field ready. Many 1-owner items with low hours. You can buy with complete confidence! 3 SHARP LOW-HOURED JD TRACTORS - JD 4455 Tractor only 2926 hours, JD 4455 Tractor, new 18.4-42 rubber, 4896 actual hours; JD 3020 D Tractor, PS, 3 pt. 2 JD COLLECTOR TRACTORS: JD G Tractor, restored, JD A Tractor, restored. SPRING EQUIPMENT: 2013 JD DB 66 Planter, 36 Row, 22” Row Command, in furrow fertilizer, precision e-set meters, only 563 hours; 2012 Salford 570 RTS, 41' Verticle Till, 7” spacings; Great Plains 4000 Turbo Max, 40'; Krause TL6200 45' Soil Finisher; Case 870 13 Shank Ripper; JD 2100 9 Shank inline Ripper, Like New; Friesen Seed Express 240RT w/Trailer; (2) Semi Drop Deck w/poly tanks, pump; Case IH 800 SAR 12 Bottom On-Land Hitch Plow; JD 22' Rotary Hoe; (2) Lilliston 24 Row Rolling Cultivators; (2) Elmer’s 18/22 Row Cultivators; JD 235 30' Dura-Cushion Disk; Concord 1100 Air Cart. SPECIAL CORVETTE CONVERTIBLE & HARLEY: 1960 Corvette Convertible, 15,021 miles, has hard top; '12 Harley Davidson Tri-Glide Ultra Classic Trike, 3,600 Miles. TRUCKS: Mack E7-460 Elite CL Quad Axle Grain Truck; Volvo Semi Tractor; Chevy 2500 HD Service Truck, auto, 4x4, 92,000 miles; 1985 GMC Grain Truck w/20' Box; 2005 GMC 2500 SLE Pickup, 57,000 miles; 2005 GMC 2500 4x4 D Pickup, 222,000 miles; 2004 Chevy Truck, 2500, 143,000 miles; Tempe Grain Hopper Bottom; Wilson Beaver Tail Trailer. TRACK GRAIN CARTS: Brent 1084 Avalanche Track Grain Cart w/ Roll Tarp; Brent 1194 Track Grain Cart w/ scale & roll tarp. JD HEADS: JD 612C Chopping Corn Head, 12R 22”; JD 618C Chopping Corn Head; EZ Trail 672 Head Cart, 22'; Unverferth HT25 Head Cart. FORKLIFT: Cat T80D STR Forklift, sideshift, 3 stage, 8000# Lift. AUGERS & BELT CONVEYORS: Westfield MKX130-114 Auger; Westfield MK 100-71 Auger w/swing auger; (5) Batch Belt Conveyors. JD GPS EQUIPMENT: Starfire Monitors & Radios. FARM MACHINERY & MISC: JD Batwing HX15 Rotary Mower; 8' Dakon Twin Auger 3pt Snow Blower; DMI 3200 3 pt 12RN Folding Tool Bar w/ No-till Coulters. EX RIDING MOWER: 2015 JD X730 Riding Lawn Mower, 168 hours. RECREATIONAL ITEMS: Arista Craft 12' Wood Boat & Trailer; Merc 300 Boat Motor; 2000 Polaris 600 Snowmobile; Alum Snowmobile Trailer; (2) Jet Skis - Polaris SL1050 & Sea-Doo; Alum Jet Ski Trailer. TERMS: 5% Buyer’s fee. Cash or bankable check.
SEE FULL LISTING: www.hagerauction.com WILLIAM (BILL) BESKAR ESTATE PAULINE BESKAR - Owner
WHEELER, WISCONSIN SALE CONDUCTED BY: HAGER AUCTION SERVICE 715-273-4638 BARRY HAGER & TIM PRUSAK,Reg WI Auctioneers #105 & 479
THE LAND — FEBRUARY 7 /FEBRUARY 14, 2020 Real Estate
Feed Seed Hay
www.thelandonline.com — “Where Farm and Family Meet”
Farm Equipment
Farm Equipment
PAGE 27
WANTED
DAMAGED GRAIN
Sell your land or real estate in OPEN Pollinated Seed Corn. ‘76 JD 4230 Cab, Air, Quad, Harms Mfg. Land Rollers, 30 days for 0% commission. Produces more high quali- 5986 Hours, Sharp Original Brand New, 12’-$6,800; Call Ray 507-339-1272 ty silage on less acres than Paint, Mechanically Sound, 14’-$7,000; 16’-$8,000; 24’hybrid. $67/bushel plus ship- $15,900. 815-988-2074 $14,800; 32’-$17,500; 42’ping. High feed value grain. $21,500. Others from 8’-62’. Real Estate Located at Teutopolis, IL FOR SALE: JD 2210 38 1/2’ 715-234-1993 Wanted field cult, very nice, $23,500; 217-857-3377 JD 200 crumbler, 39’, like www.thelandonline.com WANTED: Land & farms. I new, $15,000; JD 1750 8R30” have clients looking for planter, e-sets, wave seed JD 2210 L.L. 38.5’ field cult, Bins & Buildings dairy, & cash grain operatubes, Air Command down- single pt depth control, 3 tions, as well as bare land pressure system, 2020 mon- bar harrow, $17,900; JD 1760 parcels from 40-1000 acres. Barn and Quonset Roofing itor, low acres, very nice, 12x30 hyd wing fold plantBoth for relocation & investand Straightening. $23,500; Loftness stalk chop- er, 3 bu boxes, Yetter floatments. If you have even Also polebarn repair and per, like new, $15,000. 320- ing T.W. HD down pressure CALL FOR A QUOTE TODAY springs, 250 mon, $12,750; giving more head room. thought about selling con424-1601 JD 1075 running gear, 12.5x16 tact: Paul Krueger, Farm & Kelling Silo. 1-800-355-2598 FOR SALE: JD 1765 12R30 tires, $1,150; IH 756 gas tracLand Specialist, Edina Realty, 138 Main St. W., New Stormor Bins & EZ-Drys. planter, Seed Star II, row tor, HDWF, 3pt fenders, Prague, MN 55372. 100% financing w/no liens or command, L. fertilizer w/ $4,250; 3pt 9’ blade, hyd adpaulkrueger@edinarealty.com red tape, call Steve at Fair- Yetter openers, 1700 acres; justable, $1,750. 320-769-2756 (612)328-4506 fax Ag for an appointment. Hardi 750 sprayer, 60’ w/ all Mark ZIEMER Brian ZIEMER options. 320-360-1240 888-830-7757 New London, MN (320) 979-4044 New London, MN (320) 979-4044 Feed Seed Hay Auctioneer Auctioneer WANTED TO BUY: 5,000 to FOR SALE: JD combine 7720, 10,000 bu cone bottom bins. 3800 hrs, shedded, excelN N e w M , London don lent shape; JD pickup head, , MN 507-327-6430 New Lon ALFALFA, mixed hay, grass $1,500; New Holland 311 balThe Following Described Property Will Be Sold At Farm Located at 15401 7th St NE New London, MN 3 Miles West Of hay & wheat straw, medier, shedded, excellent shape, New London On Kandiyohi Co Rd #40 Then 1 Mile South On US Hwy 71 And 1 1/2 Miles West And South On 7th St NE um square or round bales, $5,000. 507-524-4637 Farm Equipment Saturday February, 22nd • 10:00 AM delivery available. Thief River Falls, MN. Call FOR SALE: Big snowblower, TRACTORS HAY EQUIPMENT COMBINE & HEADS or text LeRoy Ose: ‘05 Hardi Navigator 1000M 8’ w/ 2 blowers, excellent JD 7700 Combine RWA, Hydro, 218-689-6675 Sprayer, 60’ All Hydraulic condition, 1000 PTO, $3,800/ 4798 Hrs S/N 26462, JD 643 6 Row Boom, Foamer and Monitor, OBO. 712-260-8003 Narrow High Tin Corn Head, JD 4 Nice Shape, $6,950/OBO. 815Belt Grain Pickup Head Classified line ads work! 988-2074
STATEWIDE
We pay top dollar for your damaged grain. We are experienced handlers of your wet, dry, burnt and mixed grains. Trucks and vacs available. Immediate response anywhere.
PRUESS ELEV., INC. 1-800-828-6642
Thank You Farmers!
Farm Retirement
LOCATION: 33131 Wass Ave., Round Lake, MN 56167
AUCTION From Round Lake, MN, 2 miles south on Wass Ave.
OPENS: TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 18
2020
CLOSES: TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 25 | 7PM
TILLAGE EQUIPMENT 2015 Case-IH Tigermate 200 field cultivator, 35-1/2’ AUCTIONEER’S NOTE: Randy & Mary have farmed together for 44 years and have decided to Case-IH 527B disc ripper retire. All equipment purchased new. Equipment is Sunflower 1435 disc, 30’ GRAVITY BOXES shedded and well maintained. (2) Brent 757 gravity box MFWD TRACTORS (2) Brent 744 gravity box 2014 Ford New Holland T8.360,1,741 hrs. Parker 2600 gravity box 2013 Ford New Holland T8.330, 2,941 hrs. SPRAYER 2WD TRACTORS Hardi Navigator 4000 sprayer 2004 Case-IH JX65 Maxxima, 2,500 hrs. 1965 Allis Chalmers 180 wide front, 8,001 hrs., John Deere 6000 self-propelled sprayer low hrs. on engine major AUGER COMBINE & HEADS Westfield MK100-71 auger 2012 Case-IH 5130 combine, 1,167 sep. hrs., TILE EQUIPMENT 1,512 engine hrs. Zor Plow tile plow 2012 Case-IH Terra Flex 3020 flex head, 25’ Waynes Pro bumper hitch tile cart 2012 HarvestTec 5306C chopping corn head, OTHER FARM EQUIPMENT 6x30” MISC. ITEMS PLANTER Case-IH 1240 pivot split row planter, 12x30” or 23x15” PREVIEW: By appointment LOADOUT: By appointment
SteffesGroup.com
Steffes Group, Inc. 24400 MN Hwy 22 S Litchfield, MN 55355
RANDY & MARY WILSON | RANDY 507.360.1334
or from Steffes Group, 320.693.9371,Eric Gabrielson 701.238.2570 or Ashley Huhn 701.238.1975 Complete terms, lot listings and photos at SteffesGroup.com - Eric Gabrielson MN47-006, Ashley Huhn MN47-002
CATTLE EQUIPMENT Real Tuff Trimming Chute, 15 - 8 Ft Cement H Bunks, Hanson 16 Ft JD 4450 MGWD Diesel Tractor, Cab, Vermeer 605 M Round Baler Surface Silo Unloader, Spanier HD Hay Powershift, 3 Pt, PTO 3 Hyd 460Wide Pickup, Net & Twine Wrap, & Feed Bunk, 2 Round Bale Feeders, 85-38 Tires & Duals, Front Weights S/N 1VRV1618751000895, JD 3 - Spanier Square HD Bale Feeders, 8800 Hrs, S/N P009257, JD 4440 MoCo 946 14 Ft Disc Bine S/N Calf Head Gate, Spanier 24 Ft Bale Diesel Tractor, Cab, Power Shift, 3 Pt, E00946T340454, New Holland 273 Feeder Bunk w/ Front Dolly Wheel PTO, 2 Hyd, Rock Box, 520-85-38 Square Baler w/ Thrower, IH #56 Tires & Duals, 5623 Hrs Showing Silage Blower, IH #600 Forage MILKING EQUIPMENT S/N 012830, JD 6400 Diesel Tractor Blower, Gehl 520 12 Wheel Hyd Agro-Matic Flat Barn Parlor 12 Stall, Power Quad, PTO, 2 Hyd, Rock Box, V Rake, New Holland #166 Hay 12 - Surge Claw Units, Surge 1350 10,352 Hrs, S/N P102200, JD 4000 Inverter, New Holland 256 Roll-A- Gallon Bulk Tank w/ 5 HP Compressor, Diesel Tractor Synero, Side Console, Bar Rake, Round Bale Trailer w/ MN Surge Arc Energy Convertor, Delaval 3 Pt, PTO, 2 Hyd, 18.4x38 Rubber, 12 Ton Tandem Axle Running Gear, Plate Cooler, Surge 3x3x3 Milk Jar, S/N 242291, w/ Farmhand F-258 Anderson RB 9000 Bale Wrapper, Delaval 50 lb Pail Bucket Loader, Farmall 300 Gas Tractor, 2 H&S Bale Thrower Wagons w/ GRAVITY BOXES Wide Front, Single Hyd, PTO, Case Running Gears, Highline 6600 Bale Demco 300 BU Gravity Box w/ EX SC Gas Tractor w/ Narrow Front and Processor, PTO Drive, MN 6 Ton Trail Running Gear, Parker 250 BU Good Rear Rubber Running Gear w/ 24’ Bale Rack Gravity Box w/ Kewanee Running Gear, MN 250 BU Gravity Box w/ MN GRAIN BINS GRAIN TRUCK 1200 Bushel Cone Type Bin, 3 1974 IH 1800 Gas Grain Truck, Twin 10 Ton Running Gear, Lundell 200 BU Butler 3000 Bushel Grain Bins Screw, 5&4 Speed Transmission, 18 Gravity Box w/ Running Gear, Dakon 200 BU Gravity Box w/ Running Gear Steel Box w/ Roll Tarp Bid Live & Live Online! Proxibid Items Begin at 11:00 am.To Bid Online Visit www.proxibid.com/hilbrands
For Full Listing go to: www.ziemerauctions.com
Waterview Dairy - Steve & Amy Combs • Owners AUCTIONEERS
Mark Ziemer, Lic. 34-46 New London, 320-354-4312 Cell: 320-979-4044 Brian Ziemer, New London 320-354-5308 Terry Hilbrands, 239-777-3120
Not responsible for accidents Lunch on grounds Number system used www.ziemerauctions.com or midwestauctions.com, click on Ziemer Follow Ziemer Auctioneers on Facebook!
Usual Auction Terms (Cash or Approved Check Day of Sale).
No Items Removed Until Settled For. Everything Sold As Is. Ziemer Auction Service 3176 198th Ave. NW New London, MN 56273
PAGE 28
www.thelandonline.com — “Where Farm and Family Meet”
Steffes Auction Calendar 2020
For more info, call: 1-800-726-8609 or visit our website: SteffesGroup.com Opening February 10 & Closing February 19 Traverse County, MN, Farmland Auction, 302± Acres, Wheaton, MN, Timed Online Auction Opening February 10 & Closing February 20 at 7PM Jones Farms Online Hay Auction, Bath, SD, Times Online Auction
WE NEED YOUR SUBSCRIPTION CARD!
Opening February 18 & Closing February 25, 2020 at 7PM Randy & Mary Wilson Farm Retirement Auction, Round Lake, MN, Timed Online Auction Opening February 21 & Closing February 26 Online Steffes Auction - 2/26, Upper Midwest Locations, Timed Online Auction Opening February 21 & Closing March 2 Chuck & Mary Brock Farm Retirement Auction, Clarkfield, 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 Thursday, February 27 at 10AM Butenhoff Farms Retirement Auction, Barnesville, MN Opening February 27 at 8AM & Closing February 27 at 12PM Ransom County, ND Land Auction - 137± Acres, Enderlin, ND, Timed Online Auction
Tractors
ONLINE ONLY
Olivia, MN
Over 600 Lots
COMPLETE LIQUIDATION
AUCTION
Begins Noon Friday, Feb. 14, 2020 Closes 6 p.m. Monday, Feb. 24, 2020 Last lot to close at 9 p.m. Pick-up Only! Inspection date: Thurs.,Feb. 20 • 1-4 p.m.
Including: Industrial Mitsubishi Model FG 35 gas forklift, 2012 P&J 32’ tandem dual gooseneck equipment trailer, Artic Cat snowmobile & 4-wheeler. Lots of dimensional lumber and plywood, siding, trim, doors & windows, drill bits & brand new store inventory and hardware building supplies, paint inventory including shaker and mixer and much more! -------------------------------------------------------------------------------For full listing, more information, check out our website at:
www.henslinauctions.com
HENSLIN AUCTIONS, INC. License #65-25 • 320-365-4120 100 Main Street, BIRD ISLAND, MN 55310 Allen Henslin • 65-57 FrAnk roering • 320-290-8490 lADon Henslin • BrAD DAllmAnn
FARM RETIREMENT
Weights, Very Good Shape, $105,900. 320-894-3303 $34,900. 815-988-2074 NEW AND USED TRACTOR PARTS JD 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, We buy 55, 50 Series & newer tracSalvage Equipment tors, AC-all models, Large Parts Available Inventory, We ship! Mark Hammell Equip., Inc. Heitman Tractor Salvage (507)867-4910 715-673-4829
Sell your farm equipment in The Land with a line ad. 507-345-4523
H HHHHHHHHHHHH H H H WEEKLY H H AUCTION H H H Every Wednesday H H H Hay & Straw H H 4:30 PM H H Homestead H H H H Sales, Inc. H H HWY 15 N, HUTCHINSON, MN H H H 320-433-4250 H H homesteadsalesinc.com H H HHHHHHHHHHHH H BARNESVILLE, MN
14319 150th St S, Barnesville, MN 56514. From Barnesville, MN, 3-1/2 miles west on Old Hwy. 52, south side of road.
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 27 | 10AM
2020
Opening February 18 & Closing February 25, 2020 Russell Trust Farm Retirement Auction, Palmer, NE, Timed Online Auction
Farm Equipment
The 2020 subscription card for The Land was inserted in January. If you haven’t already sent it back, please do it JD 4640, Cab, Air, Power Shift, FOR SALE: IH 5488, MFD, 8,300 hours, 18x42 Axle Du- very nice. 320-292-4284 soon. If you misplaced your card you can call the office als, New Cab Interior, Runs at 507-345-4523 to request a new one or you can fill one and Drives Good, $15,900. JD 9520 4WD, 3975 hrs, new out online. Visit our website at www.thelanonline.com.On 800x38 metric tires, recent March 6 we will draw from all the subscription cards we have 815-988-2074 wheel bearing and plantery received in 2020 and one lucky subscriber will win $400! JD 4555 2WD, Power Shift, work done, wgt pkg, 2nd Thank you for reading The Land. We appreciate it! 5,100 Hours, Duals and owner since 500 hrs, asking
Opening February 13 & Closing February 20 at 1PM Multi-Party Farm Consignment Auction, Various Locations in SD, Timed Online Auction Opening February 17 at 8AM & Closing February 19 at 12PM Cass County, ND Land Auction - 468± Acres, Hunter, ND, Timed Online Auction
THE LAND — FEBRUARY 7/FEBRUARY 14, 2020 TH
AUCTIONEER’S NOTE: Major equipment begins selling at 10:30 AM. Live online bidding available on major equipment. Registration, terms, & details at SteffesGroup.com.
Opening March 2 & Closing March 11 Albertville, MN, Investment Opportunity Auction - 1.66± Acres, Albertville, MN, Timed Online Auction Opening March 2 & Closing March 11 at 7PM Tree Toad Tree Spade Auction, Steffes Group Facility, Litchfield, MN, Timed Online Auction Thursday, March 5 at 10AM Tim Brakke Farm Retirement Auction, Aneta, ND Opening March 6 & Closing March 12 Online Steffes Auction - 3/12, Upper Midwest Locations, Timed Online Auction
Tillage Equip FOR SALE: DMI TigerMate II 27 1/2’, has 3 bar harrow and rear hitch, can be downsized to 24 1/2’, $12,000; JD 200 soil finisher 27 1/2’, $6,000; load units very nice, and stored inside. 320-269-6653
Planting Equip FOR SALE: Older Minnesota 250 gravity wagon with Sudenga hydraulic driven brush auger, 10 ton running gear, Syntex roll tarp, reason for selling, Retired, $1,500. J. Pemble 507-381-7097 FOR SALE: JD LLA press grain drill, always shedded. 320-894-9707 JD 7000 Corn Planter, 2 Row 3PT, $1,800; Fert. Avail. $350/Row. 715-234-1993 WANTED: JD 12R30” front fold planter, not wingfold, 7000, 7200, 1770 finger or vac 250 monitor, insecticide. 507276-6052
Opening March 2 & Closing March 10 Miles Lacs County, MN Tillable Farmland Auction - 28± Acres, Milaca, MN, Timed Online Auction Opening March 2 & Closing March 10 Tjosvold Equipment Auction, Granite Falls, MN, Timed Online Auction
WANTED TO BUY: 4250 or 4255 JD Tractor, a low hour tractor. (320) 630-7220
Grain Handling Equipment INCLUDES: Track Tractors, MFWD & 2WD Tractors & Loaders, Utility Tractor & Attachments, GPS Equipment, Combines, Heads & Header Trailers, Grain Carts, Planters, Tillage Equipment, Row Crop Equipment, Semi Tractors, Tri-Axle Box Trucks, Hopper Bottom Trailers, Side & End Dump Trailers, Other Trailers, Sugarbeet Equipment, Sprayers, Fertilizer Equipment, Seed Tenders, Conveyor & Augers, Scraper & Blades, Ditchers & Laser Trailer, Skid Steer Loader & Attachment, Other Equipment, Pickup & Car, Recreation Items, Business Band Radios, Poly & Fiberglass Tanks, Fuel Tanks, Tracks & Tires, Parts, Shop Equipment & Farm Support Items
SteffesGroup. com Steffes Group, Inc., 2000 Main Avenue East, West Fargo, ND
BUTENHOFF FARMS | DENNIS & BRADY Brady, 701.212.3256 or at Steffes Group, 701.237.9173, Brad Olstad at 701.238.0240, or Tadd Skaurud at 701.729.3644
TERMS: All items sold as is where is. Payment of cash or check must be made sale day before removal of items. Statements made auction day take precedence over all advertising. $35 documentation fee applies to all titled vehicles. Titles will be mailed. Canadian buyers need a bank letter of credit to facilitate border transfer. Brad Olstad MN14-70
Continuous Flow Grain Dryer Wanted To Buy. (320) 6307220 FOR SALE: 2010 Westfield MK100-61 auger, good paint, nice condition, foam filled swing hopper tires, $5,000. Reason for selling, Retired. John Pemble, East of Mankato. 507-381-7097 FOR SALE: 2020 Neville built aluminum grain trailers, 38.5’, new condition. For photo and information call or text 218-791-3400
THE LAND — FEBRUARY 7 /FEBRUARY 14, 2020 Livestock Equipment
Swine
www.thelandonline.com — “Where Farm and Family Meet”
Pets & Supplies
FD,FOR SALE: 2011 32’ Wilson Spot, Duroc, Chester White, Surprise your loved one for Livestock Trailer, well main- Boars & Gilts available. Valentines Day, GOLDEN tained. 507-459-6412 Monthly PRRS and PEDV. DOODLE PUPPY, Faminew Delivery available. Steve ly raised, indoors, children. ent Resler. 507-456-7746 Non shedding, shots/wormery Wanted ing done. 507-219-0018 2nd Sell your livestock in The Land ing All kinds of New & Used farm with a line ad. 507-345-4523 Trucks & equipment - disc chisels, field Trailers OR cults, planters, soil finishers, Horses & Tack 50, cornheads, feed mills, discs, FOR SALE: Ford 7.3 pwr rac- balers, haybines, etc. 507stroke engines & transmisrge 438-9782 FOR SALE: 3 Male Miniature sions, all years, low mileage ark Donkeys, 2 Gray, 1 Red, $150 & tested, parts & service ageWANTED TO BUY: Kinze 12R Each. 920-378-4336 also available. 320-583-0881 wide planter, 7000, 7100; IH tractor, 686, 786, 986, 1086, or 1486, 4386, 88 Series. Need our repair is okay. JD 6600, 7700, 6620 7720, 8820 or 9500, 9600 combines. 320-760-6050
Get the best results when you advertise in THE LAND! Tell your auctioneer or call our friendly staff at
507-345-4523 or 800-657-4665
• 5/8” drum roller wall thickness • 42” drum diameter wall thickness • 4”x8” frame tubing 3/8” thick • Auto fold
MANDAKO 12’-60’ LONG ROLLERS
FOR THE BEST DEAL ORDER NOW!
Greenwald, MN • 320-987-3177
andWANTED: Single row ear zed corn picker. 507-524-3279 or soil 507-995-3054 oad red
14 miles So. of Sauk Centre
Livestock
FOR SALE: Black Angus bulls also Hamp, York, & Hamp/ Duroc boars & gilts. Alfred eso- Kemen 320-598-3790 with ven ing Cattle son . J. Purebred Black Angus Bred Heifers to Aged Cows, Exess cellent Quality and Disposied. tion, High Value Marketing Plan available. 651-764-1281
Please recycle this magazine.
PLANNING AN AUCTION?
GREENWALD FARM CENTER
WANTED: JD 200 soil finisher, or similar type, 30’ to 32’, e II nice condition. 320-269-6653
RowRegistered Hereford bred ail. heifers pasture bred to registered calving-ease Hereford bulls for 60 day calvont ing season. 5 to calve late old, February and early March. vac 4 to calve in April. Preg507checked, all shots including breeding shots for 2020 and ScourGuard 4KC, poured with dectomax, magnets. KLAGES HEREFORDS Ortonville, Mn (605)880-0521 yer 630-Registered Polled Hereford Bull, 18 months old, Very Gentle. 715-879-5766 field int, lled Swine 000. Ret ofFOR SALE: Yorkshire, Hampshire, Duroc & Hamp/Duroc boars, also gilts. Excellent uilt selection. Raised outside. ers, Exc herd health. No PRSS. For Delivery avail. 320-760-0365 call
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If you’re having a Farm Auction, let other Farmers know it! Upcoming Issues of THE LAND Southern MNNorthern IA Feb. 21, 2020 March 6, 2020 March 20, 2020 April 3, 2020
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Northern MN Feb. 28, 2020 March 13, 2020 March 27, 2020 April 10, 2020 April 24, 2020
Deadline is 8 days prior to publication. Indicates early deadline, 9 days prior to publication.
USED TRACTORS
HAY TOOLS
NEW NH T4.75, T4.90, T4.120 w/loader.. ...... On Hand NEW NH Workmaster 60, 50, 35’s/loaders ... On Hand NEW NH T9.645 ............................................. On Hand NEW Versatile 570DT trac .................................Just In NEW Massey 4710 w/cab and loader ........... On Hand NEW Massey 4710 rops/loader ..................... On Hand NEW Massey 6713 w/cab and loader ........... On Hand NEW Massey 1735 w/cab and loader ................... Sold Massey 8690 CVT.............................................Coming ‘13 NH T8.275, 495 hrs ................................. $145,000 ‘12 Buhler 280..................................................$99,500 ‘09 Versatile 435 3000 hrs ............................ $128,000 ‘08 NH 8010 .................................................. $110,000 ‘08 Agco DT180 CVT...................................... $89,500 ‘03 Versatile 2310, PS ..................................... $79,500 ‘96 White 6175 FWA....................................... $41,500
New NH Hay Tools - ON HAND
TILLAGE ‘14 Sunflower 4412-05.....................................$30,000 ‘13 Wilrich QX2 60’FC w/Bskt......................... $47,500 ‘10 Wilrich QX2 37’ w/basket.......................... $38,500 ‘09 Wilrich QX 55’5 w/bskt.............................. $37,500 ‘05 CIH 730b cush. w/leads............................ $16,500 ‘03 NH ST250 40’FC w/Bskt ........................... $30,500 JD 512 9-24 blades ......................................... $12,500 JD 512 7-30 blades ............................................$8,500 Krause 6164 24” .............................................. Coming
PLANTERS ‘15 White 9816FS 16-30 w/Agleader .............. $75,000 ‘12 White 8186, 16-30 w/liq. fert. .................... $53,000 ‘12 White 8524-30 CFS. .................................. $52,000 ‘11 White 8516 CFS, Loaded .......................... $70,000 ‘06 White 8516 cfs .......................................... $45,000 White 6122 w/bean unit ................................. $12,500
CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT NEW NH E26C mini excavator ...................... On Hand NEW NH track & wheeled skidsteers............ On Hand NEW NH L228/L220/L232 wheeled units ...... On Hand NEW NH C227/C237 track units.................... On Hand 17’ NHL234 cab H/A ....................................... $32,000
COMBINES NEW Fantini chopping cornhead ........................... Call ‘15 Gleaner S88 ............................................ $230,000 ‘12 Gleaner S77 ............................................ $200,000 ‘03 Gleaner R65, CDF ..................................... $85,000 ‘98 Gleaner R62 .............................................. $62,000 ‘98 Gleaner R62 .............................................. $59,000 Geringhoff parts & heads available
MISCELLANEOUS NEW Salford RTS Units .......................................... Call NEW Salford Plows................................................. Call NEW Unverferth Seed Tenders .............................. Call NEW Westfield Augers ........................................... Call NEW REM VRX Vacs. .............................................. Call NEW Hardi Sprayers............................................... Call NEW Riteway Rollers .............................................. Call NEW Lorenz Snowblowers ..................................... Call NEW Batco Conveyors ........................................... Call NEW Brent Wagons & Grain Carts ......................... Call NEW E-Z Trail Seed Wagons .................................. Call NEW Rock Buckets & Pallet Forks ......................... Call REM 2700, Rental ................................................... Call Pre-Owned Grain Cart ................................... On Hand New Horsch Jokers ....................................... On Hand
Thank You For Your Business! PO Box 3169 • Mankato, MN 56002 Phone: 507-345-4523 or 800-657-4665 Fax: 507-345-1027 Website: www.TheLandOnline.com e-mail: theland@TheLandOnline.com Ask Your Auctioneer to Place Your Auction in The Land!
(507) 234-5191 (507) 625-8649
smithsmillimp.com Hwy. 14, 3 miles West of Janesville, MN
Mon.-Fri. 7:30-5:00 • Sat. 7:30-Noon
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www.thelandonline.com — “Where Farm and Family Meet”
THE LAND — FEBRUARY 7/FEBRUARY 14, 2020 TH
Place d Your A Today!
irst Your F for Choice ds! ie Classif
Livestock, Machinery, Farmland... you name it! People will buy it when they see it in The Land! To submit your classified ad use one of the following options: Phone: 507-345-4523 or 1-800-657-4665 Mail to: The Land Classifieds P.O. Box 3169, Mankato, MN 56002 Fax to: 507-345-1027 Email: theland@TheLandOnline.com Online at: www.thelandonline.com
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Over $10K in Debt? Be debt free in 24 to 48 months. No upfront fees to enroll. A+ BBB rated. Call National Debt Relief 855-995-1557. (MCN) ARE YOU BEHIND $10k OR MORE ON YOUR TAXES? Stop wage & bank levies, liens & audits, unfiled tax returns, payroll issues, & resolve tax debt FAST. Call 855-211-8684 (MCN) Struggling With Your Private Student Loan Payment? New relief programs can reduce your payments. Learn your options. Good credit not necessary. Call the Helpline 855-238-4594 (Mon-Fri 9am-5pm Eastern) (MCN) FOR SALE: 2016 John Deere CombineModel S670, excellent condition, 600 separator hours, well equipped. Located in Southern Minnesota. 507-236-6538 (MCN) Trailer Sale! Spare tire just $20.00 with purchase of Any single axle Trailer. 6’X12’ V-nose Ramp door cargo $3,299.00; 7’X16’ V-nose ramp door $5,199.00; CM 3 Horse Aluminum SlantClose-Out $12,399.00; Tow Dollies: TriState Carports, Barns & Garages Now Availble! 140 trailers In-Stock for prices & information goto: www. FortDodgeTrailerWorld.com or 515-9724554. (MCN) Stay in your home longer with an American Standard Walk-In Bathtub. Receive up to $1,500 off, including a free toilet, and a lifetime warranty on the tub and installation! Call us at 1-855-3723080 or visit www.walkintubquote.com/ midwest (MCN) Are you or a loved one suffering from Depression, Anxiety, PTSD, OCD, Bipolar Disorder, Addictions or other mental or behavioral disorders? Our inpatient treatment services can help you reclaim your life and get back on track. We work with most PPO insurances. Please call 319-900-6879 (MCN) Full Spectrum, CBD Rich Hemp Oil. Known to help reduce stress & anxiety, improve sleep, manage chronic pain. Lab Tested. USA Grown not Overseas. 100% Money Back Guarantee. Save Over 33% CALL NOW: 1-877-233-4232 (MCN) **STOP STRUGGLING ON THE STAIRS** Give your life a lift with an ACORN STAIRLIFT! Call now for $250 OFF your stairlift purchase and FREE DVD & brochure! 1-877-3580034 (MCN) DENTAL INSURANCE from Physicians Mutual Insurance Company. NOT just a discount plan, REAL coverage for 350 procedures. Call 1-855-973-9175 for details. www.dental50plus.com/midwest 6118-0219. (MCN)
Portable Oxygen Concentrator May Be Covered by Medicare! Reclaim independence and mobility with the compact design and long-lasting battery of Inogen One. Free information kit! Call 844-716-2411. (MCN) NEW AUTHORS WANTED! Page Publishing will help you self-publish your own book. FREE author submission kit! Limited offer! Why wait? Call now: 855623-8796 (MCN) Become a published author! Publications sold at all major secular & specialty Christian bookstores. CALL Christian Faith Publishing for your FREE author submission kit. 1-888-981-5761. (MCN) DONATE YOUR CAR TO CHARITY. Receive maximum value of write off for your taxes. Running or not! All conditions accepted. Free pickup. Call for details. 855-752-6680 (MCN) FREE AUTO INSURANCE QUOTES for uninsured and insured drivers. Let us show you how much you can save! Call 855-648-7642. (MCN) A PLACE FOR MOM has helped over a million families find senior living. Our trusted, local advisors help find solutions to your unique needs at no cost to you. Call 1-888-894-7038 (MCN) Unable to work? Denied benefits? We Can Help! Strong recent work history needed. Call to start your application or appeal today! 1-866-276-3845 --Steppacher Law Offices LLC Principal Office: 224 Adams Ave Scranton PA 18503. (MCN) SAVE BIG on HOME INSURANCE! Compare 20 A-rated insurances companies. Let us do the shopping & save you time & money. Get a quote within minutes. Average savings of $444/year! Call 855-697-1892. (M-F 8am-8pm Central). (MCN) PROTECT YOUR HOME AND FAMILY with Vivint Smart Home. Call 844500-8711 today to receive a FREE $50 GIFTCARD with your purchase. Use promo code: FREE50. (MCN) Meet singles right now! No paid operators, just real people like you. Browse greetings, exchange messages and connect live. Try it free. Call now: 855-651-0114. (MCN) SPRING TRAVEL SPECIAL! 7 Day / 6 Night Orlando + Daytona Beach Vacation with Hertz Rental Car Included. Only $398.00. Call 844-277-5137 to Reserve. 12 Months to use. (MCN) Buying and selling any gold and silver items, collector coins, diamonds, gold jewelry, silver dollars, rare currency. No collection too big. Kuehl’s Coins, Fairmont, Minnesota, 507-235-3886, 507399-9982, open 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. (MCN)
THE LAND — FEBRUARY 7 /FEBRUARY 14, 2020 Miscellaneous
Miscellaneous
PARMA DRAINAGE PUMPS New pumps & parts on hand. Call Minnesota’s largest distributor HJ Olson & Company 320-974-8990 Cell - 320-212-5336
REINKE IRRIGATION Sales & Service New & Used For your irrigation needs 888-830-7757 or 507-276-2073
www.thelandonline.com — “Where Farm and Family Meet”
Miscellaneous
We need your subscription WANTED FREON R12. We pay CA$H. R12 R500 R11. card. Fill it out online at Convenient. Certified profeswww.thelandonline.com sionals. 312-291-9169 or call 507-345-4523 and RefrigerantFinders.com/ad we’ll mail one to you.
Winpower Sales & Service Reliable Power Solutions Since 1925 PTO & automatic Emergency Electric Generators. New & Used Rich Opsata-Distributor 800-343-9376
Classified Line Ads
PAGE 31
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.
WORK!
Call 507-345-4523
“One man’s junk is another man’s treasure.” Get rid of stuff you don’t need and make some $$$. Call The Land today! 507-345-4523 or 1-800-657-4665 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 ................................................ $89,500 ‘11 Case/IH 7120, 1610/2200 Tracker, Rt, chopper, duals ................................................ $89,500 ‘10 Case/IH 7120, 1650/2250 Tracker, Rt, chopper, duals ................................................ $89,500 ‘09 Case/IH 7088, 1275/1807 Tracker, Rt, chopper, duals ................................................ $87,000
4WD TRACTORS ‘90 Ford 876, 8523 hrs duals .................................... $24,500 ‘15’ Case/lH 370 HD, 895 hrs, 1000 PTO, 480x50 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
TRACTOR LOADER BACKHOES ‘11 Case 580N, 4x4 cab 2540 hrs ............................. $42,000
‘14 NH T8330, 2140 hrs, MFWD 1000 pts, 3 pt 4 Valves, 380x54 rear tires & duals, 320x42 front tires & 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 ‘02 Case/IH 2208 8R, 30” fits 1400-2000 series combines ................................................... $11,000 Case/IH 1083 8R, 30”................................................... $7,900
WHEEL LOADERS ‘18 JD 824K II, ride control, 7847 hrs, 6.25 yd bucket, warranty left.............................................................. $155,000 ‘14 JD 724 K, 9587 hrs, third valve, w/ medford pipe forks................................................... ................ $82,000 ‘13 JD 644 K, 5520 hrs, quick coupler, 4.25 yd bucket, new tires ................................................................... $115,000 ‘15 Volvo 90G, 4927 hrs, quick coupler & bkt ................ $89,000 ‘12 Cat 938K, 6854 hrs, quick coupler & bkt ................. $89,000 ‘09 Cat 938H, 7174 hrs, quick coupler & bkt ................. $69,000 ‘16 Komotsu WA 270-7, 8193 hrs, quick coupler, 4 yd bucket ................................................................ $75,000 ‘16 Komotsu WA 320-7, 6936 hrs, quick coupler, 3.5 yd bucket ............................................................. $83,000 ‘14 Komotsu WA 470-7, 11223 hrs, w/ pipe forks, w/top clamp ............................................................... $72,000
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
TILLAGE JD 512, 5 shank disc ripper ........................................ $8,500 ‘10 Wishek 862NT-30, disc 30’ rock flex, good blades .......................................................... $24,000
‘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
ADVERTISER LISTING AARP Auto Insurance .......................................................... 24 Agri Systems/Systems West .................................................. 16 Anderson Seeds ...................................................................... 6 Asbestos Disease LLC .......................................................... 12 Beck's Hybrids ....................................................................... 1 Factory Home Center ............................................................. 4 Courtland Waste Handling ...................................................... 9 Fladeboe Land ..................................................................... 26 Greenwald Farm Center ........................................................ 29 Hager Auction ...................................................................... 26 Henslin Auctions Inc ............................................................ 28 Homestead Sales .................................................................. 28 Kannegiesser Truck .............................................................. 21 Larson Brothers Implement .................................................. 31 Litzau Farm Drainage & Boring .............................................. 8 Minnwest Bank ...................................................................... 3 Nachurs Alpine Solutions ..................................................... 13 North American Farm & Power Show .................................... 17 Pioneer ........................................................... 5, 10, 11, 18, 19 Pruess Elevator Inc .............................................................. 27 Schweiss Doors .................................................................... 29 Skarpohl Pressure Washer Sales Inc ...................................... 15 Smiths Mill Implement Inc ................................................... 29 Steffes Group ................................................................. 27, 28 Whitcomb Brothers ................................................................ 7 Ziemer Auction .................................................................... 27
507-345-4523 • 800-657-4665 PO Box 3169, Mankato, MN 56001 www.thelandonline.com
PAGE 32
www.thelandonline.com — “Where Farm and Family Meet”
THE LAND — FEBRUARY 7/FEBRUARY 14, 2020
This week’s Back Roads is the work of The Land Correspondent Richard Siemers.
Colossal Camden
T
he Redwood River originates on the Coteau des Prairies and flows 127 miles across the flat prairie to enter the Minnesota River. Southwest of Marshall, between the towns of Lynd and Russell, it cut a deep, wooded valley in that prairie. Archeological digs have uncovered evidence that it was a gathering place for Native Americans. When settlers from Camden, New Jersey arrived, they found it an attractive place to establish a settlement which they named after their home town. The village existed about a decade. In 1934, the State of Minnesota developed a 458-acre state park which preserves this anomaly on the prairie for all to enjoy. Camden State Park headquarters are along State Highway 23.
Lyon County
When you leave there to drive to the lower picnic and campground, you realize you are entering a new world. Park Supervisor Bill Dinesen said there is a 180foot elevation difference between the entrance and the valley. When you drive into the valley, you notice a change in climate and vegetation. There you will find an RV campground, picnic areas and a swimming pond. The Veterans Conservation Corps was brought in to develop what is now a National Historic District. They constructed roads, infrastructure and trails. They excavated the “cool” spring-fed swimming area. Their buildings included a picnic shelter, restrooms and bathhouse — all of which have stonework and are on the National Register of Historic Places.
One part of their work which did not survive was the stone bridges over the Redwood River. The steel gusset bridges that were brought in for the Lyon County road that runs into the park from the north eventually needed to be replaced. In a cooperative effort between the Lyon County Highway Department and the Department of Natural Resources, the three new bridges were built with a historic look. The concrete piers were impressed and stained to match the stone work on the buildings. With heavy plank side rails, they fit into the environment and are reminiscent of one of the original bridges.
The park has since been extended up out of the valley. This area has another RV campground and a horse camp with trails. Man-made Brawner Lake, in a hollow and protected from the wind, has bass and bluegill fishing and allows only non-motorized craft. (The lake is currently dry while the water control structure is replaced.) Trout fishing is available in the Redwood River. Recently, the historic caretaker’s house has become Redwood Lodge and will be available to rent. The 15 miles of paved trails within the park now connect with the Camden Regional Trail which takes hikers and bikers to Marshall 10 miles away. Everyone who passed that way knew a good thing when they saw it. Camden State Park makes this good thing available to all. The park entrance is along State Highway 23 between Lynd and Russell. Information on this and other state parks is found at www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks. v
Page 4 - February 7/February 14, 2020
THE LAND, Advertising Supplement
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SPRAY FOAM ROOF BARRON, WI ROOF REPAIR & TANK INSULATION NEW RICHLAND, MN
SPRAY FOAM INSULATION & WEATHER BARRIER PRESCOTT, WI
YOUR LOCAL MINNESOTA CONTRACTOR: CALL REE TOLL F E HEDUL TO SC E A FRE ATE. ESTIM
greener world solutions
Metal roofs can be repaired and recoated to look and perform like new. Call today for a free quote. 855-612-8038 CALL TODAY TO SCHEDULE A NO-OBLIGATION CONSULTATION.
855-612-8038
855-612-8038 | www.greenerworldsolutions.com
www.greenerworldsolutions.com MN LIC BC639351
Serving Minnesota, South Dakota, North Dakota, Wisconsin and Iowa.
MN LIC BC639351
Page 2 - February 7/February 14, 2020
THE LAND, Advertising Supplement
Spray foam insulation prevents condensation in barns.
February 7/February 14, 2020 - Page 3
THE LAND, Advertising Supplement
Spray foam insulation for shops and sheds.
Call today for a free quote. 855-612-8038
Call today for a free quote. 855-612-8038
CALL TODAY TO SCHEDULE A NO-OBLIGATION CONSULTATION.
CALL TODAY TO SCHEDULE A NO-OBLIGATION CONSULTATION.
www.greenerworldsolutions.com
www.greenerworldsolutions.com
855-612-8038
Serving Minnesota, South Dakota, North Dakota, Wisconsin and Iowa.
855-612-8038
MN LIC BC639351
Serving Minnesota, South Dakota, North Dakota, Wisconsin and Iowa.
MN LIC BC639351
Page 2 - February 7/February 14, 2020
THE LAND, Advertising Supplement
Spray foam insulation prevents condensation in barns.
February 7/February 14, 2020 - Page 3
THE LAND, Advertising Supplement
Spray foam insulation for shops and sheds.
Call today for a free quote. 855-612-8038
Call today for a free quote. 855-612-8038
CALL TODAY TO SCHEDULE A NO-OBLIGATION CONSULTATION.
CALL TODAY TO SCHEDULE A NO-OBLIGATION CONSULTATION.
www.greenerworldsolutions.com
www.greenerworldsolutions.com
855-612-8038
Serving Minnesota, South Dakota, North Dakota, Wisconsin and Iowa.
855-612-8038
MN LIC BC639351
Serving Minnesota, South Dakota, North Dakota, Wisconsin and Iowa.
MN LIC BC639351
Page 4 - February 7/February 14, 2020
THE LAND, Advertising Supplement
Proudly insulating the Midwest for 10 years.
SPRAY FOAM & BLOW-IN CELLULOSE BARN INSULATION ACROSS MINNESOTA, WISCONSIN, NORTH DAKOTA, SOUTH DAKOTA, IOWA, INDIANA, NEBRASKA & MISSOURI
© 2020
Feb. 7/Feb. 14, 2020 (800) 657-4665 www.TheLandOnline.com theland@TheLandOnline.com P.O. Box 3169, Mankato, MN 56002
Don’t replace your metal roof. We can repair it.
SPRAY FOAM INSULATION MANKATO, MN
SPRAY FOAM ROOF BARRON, WI ROOF REPAIR & TANK INSULATION NEW RICHLAND, MN
SPRAY FOAM INSULATION & WEATHER BARRIER PRESCOTT, WI
YOUR LOCAL MINNESOTA CONTRACTOR: CALL REE TOLL F E HEDUL TO SC E A FRE ATE. ESTIM
greener world solutions
Metal roofs can be repaired and recoated to look and perform like new. Call today for a free quote. 855-612-8038 CALL TODAY TO SCHEDULE A NO-OBLIGATION CONSULTATION.
855-612-8038
855-612-8038 | www.greenerworldsolutions.com
www.greenerworldsolutions.com MN LIC BC639351
Serving Minnesota, South Dakota, North Dakota, Wisconsin and Iowa.
MN LIC BC639351
