THE LAND ~ April 10, 2020 ~ Northern Edition

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April 3, 2020 April 10, 2020

It’s spring all year in Wadena Greenhouse provides students with knowledge and fresh veggies

PLUS: Veterinarians explain why the coronavirus is different

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THE LAND — APRIL 3/APRIL 10, 2020

Work-from-home experts P.O. Box 3169 418 South Second St. Mankato, MN 56002 (800) 657-4665 Vol. XXXIX ❖ No. 7 24 pages, 1 section plus supplements

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COLUMNS Opinion Farm and Food File Table Talk Marketing Farm Programs Swine & U Mielke Market Weekly Auctions/Classifieds Advertiser Listing Back Roads

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I suspect many of The Land’s rural duce might be in season at the time. She readers conjure up a wry smirk over the always seemed busier than my dad, but it latest craze sweeping the country: work was probably the fruits of her labor were from home. Farmers have worked from more immediate. Lunch was eaten at home since there were farmers. noon and dinner at 5:30 p.m. (actually, dinner was lunch and supper was dinner; Surprisingly, this “how-to” resource has but that’s another subject for another yet to be tapped by our urban brethren. time). Dad planted his crops in the spring Making time for home life and a career for results in September – a much longer — while at the same time getting plenty LAND MINDS process. of fresh air and exercise — are not new concepts beyond the cul-de-sacs and Mom’s other duty was being a buffer for

By Paul Malchow mini-malls. By the time this virus cridad. If we wanted permission for somesis passes, we all might find a little thing we went to mom. School supisolation from time to time is a good plies, report cards, clothing repair thing. needs: mom.

The Malchows had the double work-from-home “Mom! I’m going outside to play!” parent combo. However they had worked it out “Don’t bother your father!” early on, the line of duty was clearly drawn at our From a distance, my dad’s workday look more house. You would never see my mom on a tractor relaxed than my mom’s. While maintaining or and you would never see my dad in the kitchen. repairing a piece of machinery, he’d stop, light up a The worst thing a child could say around our Winston and inspect his handiwork. Of course I had household was “I’m bored” or “there’s nothing to do.” no concept of the monetary costs involved in operatMy mom made sure my siblings and I had plenty of ing a farm; or the responsibility of making enough activities to choose from. The household was mom’s money to provide for a wife and four kids. I thought domain and we were at her disposal. If my dad it seemed idyllic – driving a tractor back and forth would be working on machinery and wasn’t appreci- across ripe fields in the late spring sun. ating the juvenile supervision, you would probably Dad would take a break when he wanted; yet he hear a terse, “Go help your mother.” didn’t take very many breaks. And that’s the thing Chores may have been mundane and at someI’m going to remember over the next weeks. times unpleasant, but never more than we could For the time being, yours truly has joined the handle. The homestead wasn’t a slave camp by any work-from-home ranks. At precisely the same time, imagination. We had free time to explore our intertemperatures are nudging the 60s, yards and garests – as long as those interests had nothing to do dens have emerged from the snow banks, and the with the television set. There was no loitering and no moping. The key was already looking busy so you siren song of the great outdoors calls without mercy.

Of course, since my supervisors may be reading this, weren’t given something else to do.

I will be diligently be keeping my nose to the grindI always thought my mom worked a lot on food – stone and limit my breaks to 15 minutes ... 60 minpreparing meals and preserving the harvest. She utes tops. made two hearty meals each day for hungry men Paul Malchow is the managing editor of The Land. and growing kids; baked numerous loaves of bread He may be reached at editor@TheLandOnline.com. v every Saturday; and canned and froze whatever pro-

OPINION

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

8 — Recent CARES Act could bring good news to agriculture 12 — Wadena schools battle short growing season with greenhouse 14 — Grain bin safety featured at New Ulm Farm-City show 16 — Organization helps bring tradespeople into the workforce

THERE’S EVEN MORE ONLINE... @ TheLandOnline.com • “Nuts and Bolts” — News and new products from the ag industry • “Calendar of Events” — Check out The Land’s complete events listing • “E-Edition” — Archives of past issues of The Land

THE LAND — APRIL 3/APRIL 10, 2020

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

World is changing, we must too Coronavirus, a farmer in a recent news story noted, “is the straw that broke the camel’s back.”

It may feel that way now; but, honestly, that backbreaking straw hit the camel decades ago when the nation’s top agricultural, academic and political leaders embraced dollardriven efficiency over safety-centered resiliency as the overarching goal of FARM & FOOD FILE American farm policy.

By Alan Guebert We could have had both … and, in fact, still can. But today’s events continue to tie us to the past — even as the world and markets are shifting under our unsteady feet.

For example, an aggie Twitter discussion in late March centered on whether a 570-horsepower, $500,000 tractor was powerful enough to pull a pictured, $565,000 corn planter through the field at 10 miles per hour.

Astonishingly as out of touch as that might seem, the chat occurred only three days after Congress and the White House empowered the U.S. Department of Agriculture to spend nearly $49 billion to support farmers and ranchers through the Covid-19 infected season ahead.

And that deal arrived only hours after the biofuels industry warned Washington that the ethanol market, which consumes about 40 percent of the U.S. corn crop, is facing crippling shutdowns as it tries to ride out what already is a demand-devastated year.

Then, on March 31, USDA announced American farmers would plant 97 million acres of corn this year. That’s an eight percent increase over 2019 despite ethanol’s bleak future and growing evidence that other nations are shutting their markets to protect pandemic-threatened food supplies.

So, while USDA prepares to spend nearly $50 billion subsidizing domestic agriculture, corn farmers (some with $1-million-plus planting rigs) are preparing to grow a record crop at record subsidies for a government-protected ethanol market already melting as other markets around the world begin to shut down.

The only way any of these actions make actual sense is to remember the world has changed dramatically in the past month, but human nature hasn’t. Signs abound everywhere.

We continue to hoard food despite knowing there’s plenty for everyone if no one hoards.

OPINION

See GUEBERT, pg. 7

®

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THE LAND — APRIL 3/APRIL 10, 2020

Letter: Wind turbines hurt rural economic development To the Editor, Agricultural states that produce corn, beans, and livestock, feed the world. Our agricultural productivity is the engine of all rural communities and businesses.

Wind energy is not an agricultural commodity as hogs, cattle, and grain are. It is not a product that supports rural economic development. It does not revitalize communities, it damages them.

Around the world, industrial wind turbines have driven people away from homes due to their noise, flicker, and adverse health effects. Businesses flee or avoid communities that host wind, taking with it any chance of future growth. Homes and community businesses become devalued.

Raising livestock is a complete lifecycle tied to many local businesses. Livestock is fed corn and soybeans, and manure is applied to fields to fertilize crops. Livestock feeds the crops and the crops feed the livestock. Each piece of that lifecycle has local businesses tied to it. The wind industry does not create a lifecycle of economic development.

The daily operations of grain and livestock production involve a large network of people.

Agricultural dollars turn over in rural communities many times. The wind energy companies cannot say the same.

OPINION

Rural communities should not suffer from noise, shadow flicker, adverse health effects, and devalued homes because of wind turbines.

The wind is promoted as free, but the true costs of the wind industry are not.

Is our goal the elimination of rural communities and create a vast industrial scale, corporate agindustrial mini-state?

Kim Brenneman Parnell, Iowa

Letter: Take advantage of opportunities To the Editor, I usually read Alan Guebert’s “Farm & Food File” with mild amusement. To say his opinion is typically 180 degrees from my views would probably be accurate. To be fair, Alan at least gets people thinking.

After reading Alan’s March 20 column, I couldn’t help but laugh out loud. His article focused on the current crash in crude oil process (and it certainly has been shocking). Alan asked readers to consider what would happen to rural America’s economy if cash soybeans fell from $9 per bushel to $4.50 or if corn prices dropped from an already-low $3.60 per bushel to $1.80.

Excuse me Alan, but most of us active farmers have been living the nightmare of slashing our prices by half for quite some time. It’s not that long ago that $7.20 corn was a reality, only to be cut in half to the $3.60 you quoted. It’s even been some time since your $9 soybeans have been around, but $15

soybeans of not that long ago are now roughly half that lofty price. I don’t have to imagine what would happen to our finances if our prices were cut in half, I’m already living it! I would agree that taking another 50 percent cut would be chaotic, but so would $15 per barrel for crude oil.

I don’t pretend to have many answers. I will say this: I’ve been around long enough to know that high prices cure high prices, and low prices cure low prices. Basically, the free market works. Almost everything operates in cycles. I might suggest, rather than running around in fear of the current situation, try to take advantage of opportunities while they exist. The sun will eventually shine. And someday, after a very lpong, painful string of supporting Democrats, Minnesota will vote for a Republican President of the United States.

Paul Platz Lafayette, Minn.

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Experienced farmers write the book with advice for FFA’ers In one of his lesser romantic notions, ”Practice having positive outcomes in my husband once asked me to accompany your life — expectations influence outhim to Des Moines for a day-long seminar comes.” on what’s coming down the pike in agri”Farming is a way of life (and) a busiculture today. ness. Manage your farm like a business.”

Having married a former FFA chapter ”You miss 100 percent of the shots you president, I guess I should not expect any don’t take.” more in the ways of romance. Not that “Over the years Grandpa and Dad much has changed, really. Thirty years TABLE TALK always expected us to know certain ago he would ask me to accompany him things about farming. This is a good thing to the farrowing house to help scrape it

By Karen Schwaller because if you are expected to know out, or to the barn to load pigs. I guess in something, you will learn it.” a way I’ve moved up the ladder, if only slightly — coming back from a day together not ”It’s never too late to come back and pursue your smelling like something I had to scrape or power dream.” wash. ”Adopt new technology early.”

I know that for most ladies, a trip to the capital ”Take care of the land and it will take care of you. city might sound pretty inviting; but going to an all- It’s a privilege to be a steward of the land. Let’s be day seminar on the outlook of American agriculfaithful stewards and pass it on to the next generature? tion.”

Please. ”Business goes where it is invited and stays where But for the farm wife who has come through a it is served.” couple of serious farm crisis years, I felt like my ”Try again next year.” time was better spent beside my husband, learning ”Learn from your mistakes and improve.” about all those things, too. ”To grow 300 bushel corn we have to think 300 While I didn’t soak in every nugget that he did, I bushel corn.” was very intrigued by one of the things the group did while they were there. At one point the organiz“God and hard work.” er held up a book of blank pages and asked each ”Agriculture is the optimistic science. Ten percent farmer to write some kind of advice they would give of life is what happens to you. Ninety percent of life to today’s FFA members. The leaders of the day is how you deal with it.” would then write up a summary and distribute ”Too soon old, too late smart.” (Old German saying) them to various FFA chapters. ”Treat people you do business with the way you It was a stellar idea and I couldn’t wait for the want to be treated.” book to come around to us, to see what other farmers had to say to their much younger counterparts ”Farming takes everything you’ve got — financialin agriculture. Here is a sampling of what we read ly, physically, emotionally and spiritually. You can and wrote as a group: manage them all by always keeping your head in the game.”

Farmers are not showy people. They are hard workers who are more willing to listen to others than they are to give advice. Most don’t feel qualified to give advice — after all, most farmers have had at least one bad year or made at least one bad decision.

But maybe stumbling at least once in this business gives us the right to be able to reach into the depths of our hearts and think of what we would tell someone just getting into this business that has offered us to much satisfaction — and so much pain some years.

These great words of advice are straight from the farmer’s heart, given with hope to the next generation of American farm families. History tells us that we’re destined to repeat the mistakes of our forefathers if we don’t learn from them. This is an outreach from today’s farmers to not only teach their own children what they know about sustaining the land and being successful at what they do, but to teach your children about it as well.

It takes a village to raise a child ... as well as tomorrow’s farmers.

Looking back at that day in Des Moines … it was way better than shopping.

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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Cover crop survey input needed Farmer insights are now being sought for the sixth nationwide cover crop survey by the Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education, the Conservation Technology Information Center and the American Seed Trade Association. The online questionnaire is now open at https://bit.ly/ CCSurvey2020.

The survey takes about 10 to 15 minutes to complete. Participants who complete the survey can enter a drawing for Visa gift cards worth $100 and $200.

“Since 2012, the SARE/CTIC/ASTA Cover Crop Survey has provided very important perspective into why and how farmers use cover crops—or why some don’t—and has helped guide resources in research, communications and policy around cover crops,” said Mike Smith, project director for CTIC. “The Cover

Crop Survey has been a key tool for farmer organizations, conservation and extension service personnel, seed companies and other agribusinesses, and it has even been cited in testimony to Congress. This is a great opportunity to hear farmers’ voices on cover crops.”

Smith noted that the survey seeks answers not just from long-time cover crop fans, but also from new users and farmers who have not planted cover crops at all.

The survey will be open until April 12 at https://bit. ly/CCSurvey2020. Previous Cover Crop Survey reports are available online.

This article was submitted by the Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education program. v

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THE LAND — APRIL 3/APRIL 10, 2020

MARKETING

Grain Outlook Corn falls to new contract lows

Livestock Angles Futures expect further decline

The following marketing The weekly ethanol report cutout to move rapidly higher To say volatility has been analysis is for the week endindicated ethanol stocks at a present in the livestock mar— which in turn caused pricing April 3. record level at 25.7 million kets lately would be a serious es paid for cattle to move barrels, a weekly increase of quickly higher. understatement — especially CORN — As we complete 1.6 million barrels. Ethanol in the past three weeks. Fear our third week of working As soon as supplies were production fell 165,000 bar- has dominated the market remotely, I’m beginning to replaced, prices paid for catrels per day to 840,000 bpd. due to the coronavirus panmiss my daily commute and tle began to weaken as well This was the largest weekly demic and has sent prices having a change of scenery. as the beef cutouts. This drop on record and the lowest (both cash and futures) in But we will get past this. A reflected in the futures droplevel since either direction during this JOE TEALE few generations ago, people PHYLLIS NYSTROM production ping once again in fear of a September 2013. Margins above mentioned period.

Broker were asked to go to war, we’re lack of demand. This activity CHS Hedging Inc. improved 11 cents to a negaGreat Plains Commodity of sharp moves in either direcasked to sit at home. I think St. Paul This fear dominating the Afton, Minn. tive 22 cents per gallon. markets will not likely settle we can do it. Our sympathies tion are likely to continue in Gasoline demand is the lowto all the families who have to the future. Therefore, expectdown until the spread of this est since January 1994 at just virus slows in the weeks ahead. It ed sharp moves in either direction until been directly impacted by coronavirus 6.6 million bpd and down nearly 30 seems the fundamentals have taken a the coronavirus begins to subside and thank you to all the frontline workers that are helping us get through it. percent from last year. back seat to fear and until this changes worldwide.

Weekly export sales were excellent at the livestock markets will continue to Our grain markets have suffered the The hog market has experienced the 42.3 million bushels, narrowing the move rapidly in either direction. ripple effects of the global slowdown. same results as the other livestock The ethanol industry reported slow- gap to last year to 26 percent behind.

Currently, all livestock futures mar- markets — including a short-term rally downs and closings as energy prices Mexico was the largest buyer, followed ket prices are reflecting discounts to which quickly turned lower after the swooned lower. A glimmer of hope by Japan. Total commitments stand at the cash trade in anticipation of fur- rush to accumulate pork by the public appeared late in the week when 1.25 billion bushels. The U.S. ther decline in the cash trade. was over.

President Trump tweeted that he Department of Agriculture’s export In the midst of this very erratic marAfter making a quick recovery from expects and hopes that Saudi Arabia forecast is 1.725 billion bushels. We the initial sell off from the beginning of ket, the U.S. Department of Agriculture need to average 18.8 million bushels and Russia will come to an agreement March, the cattle market has once released the quarterly Hog and Pigs to cut crude oil production by 10 to 15 per week to hit the USDA’s number. again turned lower. The mad rush to report on March 26. The report indimillion barrels per day. Crude oil trad- The export line is expected to be accumulate beef because of the stay-in- cated that all hogs were 1 percent ed briefly below $20 per barrel at mid- unchanged on the April 9 World place order caused a public panic to larger than expected. Hogs kept for week before the news popped crude oil Agricultural Supply and Demand buy food supplies and cleared out the breeding were lower than expected, prices by 30 percent. Saudi Arabia Estimates report. meat supplies of most grocery stores. while hogs kept for marketing were in called an urgent meeting of OPEC and Argentina’s corn harvest is 22 per- This created a short strong demand for line with expectations. This sent partners to discuss possible production cent complete and conditions steady at cattle by the packers to replenish the futures and cash prices sharply lower cuts on April 6. This strength initially See NYSTROM, pg. 7 supply of beef. This caused the beef as well as pork cutouts from the report. spilled over to corn as we headed into The likelihood of the extreme volatility the weekend, but it wasn’t enough as in the hog market appears to be in the corn prices fell to new contract lows. near future until we see the fear subEarlier in the week, corn prices side in regards to the pandemic which plunged on the March 31 Prospective has encompassed the world. v

corn/change* soybeans/change* Planting and Grain Stocks as of March St. Cloud $2.92 -.15 $7.90 -.37 1 reports. Corn acreage was reported at Madison $2.92 -.17 $7.97 -.31 97 million acres, up from 89.7 million

Redwood Falls $2.95 -.30 $8.00 +.05 last year. This was significantly higher Fergus Falls $2.66 -.05 $7.65 -.22 than the 94.328-million-acre average Morris $2.81 -.06 $7.87 -.25 trade projection and the largest since 2012. In May of 2019, farmers were Tracy $2.82 -.23 $7.97 -.24 intending to plant 92.8 million acres.

Average: $2.85 $7.89 The corn stocks number was friendly at 7.953 billion bushels vs. 8.125 billion Year Ago Average: $3.22 $8.03 anticipated by the trade. Last year, Grain prices are effective cash close on April 7.

March 1 stocks were 8.892 billion bush*Cash grain price change represents a two-week period. els.

Cash Grain Markets

For marketing news between issues ... visit www.The LandOnline.com

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 — APRIL 3/APRIL 10, 2020

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PAGE 7

Mexico was the largest soybean buyer this week NYSTROM, from pg. 6 32 percent good/excellent, according to the Buenos Aires Grains Exchange. They are carrying their corn production at 50 million metric tons. Grain traders in the Ukraine are pegging their corn production at 36.8 mmt, up from their previous forecast for 34.3 mmt.

Outlook: Demand doubts and higher corn acres than expected are keeping a lid on corn rally attempts. Corn is trying to balance the loss of ethanol demand vs. decent export/feed demand. Corn has closed lower for six consecutive sessions and set new contract lows despite China making their second big U.S. corn purchase of the year on April 3. China’s purchase of 2.5 million bushels of old crop corn and 19.8 million bushels for new crop will show up on next week’s sales. This comes despite China purchasing a cargo of old crop corn and 10 cargoes on new crop corn late in the week.

The May contract traded to a new contract low at $3.28 and the December contract dropped to a new low at $3.46.75 per bushel. Rallies will need a steady stream of friendly news to sustain gains. Until the world gets back to work and absorbs the excess gasoline, ethanol plants won’t have much incentive to increase their grind. As for new crop, even if only 95 million acres are planted vs. the 97 million indicated, we may still be pushing a 3-billion-bushel carryout next year.

For the week, May corn tumbled 15.25 cents to close at $3.30.75, July declined 15 cents to $3.36.75, and December fell 13.5 cents to $3.50.75 per bushel.

May crude oil rallied $6.83 to $28.34 per barrel, nearly a 32 percent increase.

There are no markets on April 10 in observance of Good Friday.

SOYBEANS — Soybeans held their own as the week began, but posted three consecutive lower closes into the weekend. The USDA reports on March 31 were mostly neutral for the soybean complex, but there are expectations soybean prices need to rally vs. corn to attract acres.

The March 31 Prospective Planting report pegged U.S. planted acreage this year at 83.5 million acres.

The average trade guess was 84.865 million acres and last year we planted 76.1 million acres. On the May 2019 report, soybean planting intentions were 84.6 million acres. March 1 soybean stocks were 2.253 billion bushels vs. 2.2451 billion bushels expected. Forty-five percent of the stocks were on farm and 55 percent off farm. March 1 stocks last year were 2.109 billion bushels.

Weekly export sales at 35.2 million bushels exceeded expectations. Mexico was the largest soybean buyer this week. Total commitments of 1.35 billion bushels are 15 percent behind last year. The USDA is forecasting a 4.4 percent increase in year-on-year exports.

Weekly sales need to average 20.9 million bushels to reach the USDA’s 1.825-billion-bushel target.

Brazil’s soybean exports in March were a record at 13.1 mmt thanks to the completion of BR-163, the soybean highway. Agroconsult lowered their Brazilian soybean estimate .8 mmt to 123.5 mmt. Safras lowered their estimate from 124.5 mmt to 124.2 mmt.

The USDA’s May number was 126 mmt. Brazil’s soybean harvest was 76 percent complete on March 31 vs. 72 percent on average. The BAGE lowered their soybean production estimate from 52 mmt to 49.5 mmt due to dryness with harvest only at 8 percent complete. Harvest is normally 9.7 percent complete by now. The last USDA Argentina soybean figure was 54 mmt. Shipping in both Argentina and Brazil is continuing, but there are still worries that strikes could be called as unions would like to see tighter coronavirus protocols.

Outlook: Despite smaller crop estimates coming out of Brazil and Argentina, soybean prices continue to struggle from the effect of the coronavirus around the globe. U.S. soybeans just aren’t competitive on the world stage with weak South American currencies and ample supplies. Soybeans closed lower for

the final three sessions of the week. When will Phase 1 Chinese buying surface? Likely not until South American supplies begin to be depleted or U.S. prices become competitive. Purchases may also be delayed due to world pandemic effects.

For the week, May soybeans plunged 27.25 cents to $8.54.25, July down 25.75 cents to $8.59.5, and November down 15.25 cents to $8.61.5 per bushel.

Nystrom’s Notes: Contract changes for the week as of the close April 3: Chicago March wheat dropped 22 cents to $5.39.25, Kansas City down 14 ¾ cents to $4.72, and Minneapolis lost 12 ½ cents at $5.24 ½ per bushel. All wheat planted acreage was forecast at 44.7 million acres on the March 31 report. This is the lowest seeding number in recorded history. Wheat stocks as of March 1 were 1.412 billion bushels, in line with expectations. U.S. non-farm payrolls plunged 701,000 in March, driving up the unemployment rate to 4.4 percent. v

Letters to the editor are always welcome.

Send your letters to: Editor, The Land P.O. Box 3169, Mankato, MN 56002 e-mail: editor@thelandonline.com

All letters must be signed and accompanied by a phone number (not for publication) to verify authenticity.

Worst of Covid-19 yet to come GUEBERT, from pg. 3 We don’t stay home despite knowing Covid-19 is rapidly spread by people who don’t stay home.

Our weak, short-changed rural systems like education, internet infrastructure and a long-failing healthcare network, are now being shown for what they always were: weak, shortchanged and long failing.

And, even worse, few political leaders answer straight, honest questions with straight, honest answers. Some can’t even muster the courage to shut down golf courses to limit the spread of the disease.

Golf courses, for crying out loud.

One of the more sane voices I’ve heard in the last 10 days came from a farmer who, like me, questioned the size, cost and wisdom of the massive corn planter we both saw on Twitter.

“I wonder,” he asked in a retweet, “what the price of corn would be if we still had 8-row planters?”

We may find out soon because we know the worst of Covid-19 is still ahead and we have little idea what it will bring other than more woe.

Nor do we know how USDA will spend billions of our dollars to address the unknowns facing farmers and ranchers as another planting and calving season begins.

It will, however, require more thought than just throwing money at fading industries and bloated monocultures. We must consider paths that deliver more resilience and more food, not fewer farmers and more exports.

So far, our strategy is very discouraging. Tossing out longstanding environmental laws and laying aside corporate merger issues now is just pouring salt into our gaping wounds. It’s shameful and almost as harmful to rural America as Covid-19.

One final note: You hold in your hands the product of caring professionals who believe in your right to hard facts and honest opinion. They don’t grind axes; they give you axes so you, not them, can decide the best way forward for your family and community. Please support them.

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

PAGE 8

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THE LAND — APRIL 3/APRIL 10, 2020

What the CARES Act means for agriculture On March 27 President Trump signed payments to specific crop and livestock the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic producers, as well as to fund other USDA Security (CARES) Act into law, following programs. The aid package also authorizes unanimous passage by both the U.S an additional $9.5 billion emergency fund House and Senate. The CARES Act authothat is targeted toward dairy and liverizes up to $2.2 trillion in aid and finanstock producers, fruit and vegetable growcial assistance do deal with the health ers, and fresh food markets. and economic impacts from the Covid-19 The CARES Act provides $15.5 billion virus pandemic in the United States. This in additional funding for the USDA is one of the largest and most comprehen- FARM PROGRAMS Supplemental Nutrition Assistance sive financial bills ever passed by Program (SNAP) and an additional $8.8

By Kent Thiesse Congress. The legislation will impact billion for child nutrition programs. While nearly every citizen of the United not providing direct assistance to States and most aspects of the U.S. farmers, added funding for these economy in some shape or manner, programs will help maintain and including farm families, rural comincrease demand for certain ag products. The dairy munities, and the U.S. agriculture industry. industry and fresh food markets have been hit espeOverall, the CARES Act provides approximately cially hard by the lack of demand due to school clo$48.9 billion for United States Department of sures and the shutdown of restaurants across the Agriculture programs. An important portion of this United States. The legislation also provides some funding, $14 billion, is allocated as additional fundadded support to rural hospitals and medical servicing authority for the USDA Commodity Credit es, as well as for other local government functions.

Corporation (CCC). The CCC funds were used to Many farm families may also qualify for the direct make the 2018 and 2019 market facilitation program cash payments to families and individuals that are

MARKETING

included in the CARES Act. Any individual who earned less than $75,000, based on the adjusted gross income in either their 2018 or 2019 federal tax return, would receive a direct payment of $1,200 from the federal government. Married couples with an adjusted gross income of less than $150,000 would receive a payment of $2,400. There would be an additional payment of $500 for every child claimed on the 2018 or 2019 tax return. These direct aid payments are expected to be made in April.

The CARES Act allocated $350 billion to the U.S. Small Business Administration for emergency loans to help small businesses keep employees working and to keep their businesses operating during these challenging times. The portion of the SBA relief package getting the most attention is the Payment Protection Program (PPP) which provides 100 percent federally guaranteed loans to small businesses to assist with those efforts. It appears that many farm operations and ag related businesses will likely qualify for the PPP loans — especially those with monthly payroll payments and those which have regular funds withdrawn for ownership and manSee THIESSE, pg. 9

Payment Protection Program loan application details Who is eligible to apply for the PPP loans?

All small businesses with 500 or fewer employees are eligible for the SBA PPP program, as well as certain businesses that exceed that level. The program is also available to sole proprietorships, selfemployed individuals, and independent contractors, as well as nonprofits, veteran’s organizations, and tribal concerns.

How do small businesses and others apply for the PPP loans?

The PPP loan application process began April 3 for small businesses and sole proprietorships and on April 10 for most others. PPP loan applications must be made by June 30. Applications can be made through any SBA approved lending institution, including farm credit institutions. A list of banks and lenders participating in the PPP loan applications can be found on the SBA website at: https://www.sba.gov/funding-programs/loans/coronavirus-relief-options/paycheck-protection-program-ppp What can the PPP loans be used for?

The loans can be used to cover up to eight weeks of payroll and salary costs, including costs for medical insurance, retirement plans, sick leave, and some other benefits, as well as state and local taxes assessed on payroll expenses. Payroll expenses are capped at $100,000 per employee. Sole proprietors and independent contractors can include wages, commissions, self-employment net earnings not to exceed $100,000 on an annual basis for each employee. The loan can also be used for working

capital expenses, such as utility bills, rental payments, and mortgage interest payments, provided that these expenditures were in place prior to Feb. 15.

What is the maximum amount that can be borrowed with a PPP loan?

The maximum amount that any small business, sole proprietor or other entity can borrow through the PPP loan program is 250 percent of the average monthly payroll expenses that were identified earlier. The intent is to cover eight weeks of payroll and other expenses. The eight-week period may be applied to any time frame between Feb. 15 and June 30.

What are the terms and requirements for the PPP loans?

All PPP loans will have the same terms, regardless of the lender or borrower. Loan applicants simply need to complete the PPP loan application and submit it to a participating bank or lender.

Applicants may also need to provide necessary payroll documentation to verify the loan qualification. No collateral or personal guarantees are required to apply for the PPP loans, and there will be no SBA fees charged on these loans.

What is the criteria to have a PPP loan forgiven?

If a small business or approved entity retains all employees and uses the funds for appropriate payroll expenses and other working capital expenses (defined earlier), it is possible to have the entire PPP loan forgiven at the end of the eight-week

loan period. The payroll expenses must comprise at least 75 percent of the loan expenditures in order to qualify for full forgiveness of the PPP loan. If the PPP loan is forgiven after the designated eightweek period, there is no interest or principal due on the PPP loan.

What happens to the PPP loan if the payroll or number of employees are reduced?

If total payroll costs are reduced by more than 25 percent during the eight-week period of the PPP loan, the amount of the PPP loan forgiveness will be reduced by a corresponding amount. If employees have already been laid off, it is possible to still get the full PPP loan forgiven, if the employees are rehired by June 30.

What happens to the portion of the PPP loan that is not forgiven?

Any portion of the PPP loan that is not forgiven becomes a 100 percent SBA guaranteed loan with the cooperating lender. The remaining loan will be for two years at an interest rate of 1 percent. The first required loan payment will be deferred for six months from the origination date of the loan.

For more information of the PPP loans, small businesses or individuals should contact their local bank or lender, or visit the SBA website at: https://www.sba.gov/funding-programs/loans/coronavirus-relief-options/paycheck-protection-program-ppp.

— Kent Thiesse

THE LAND — APRIL 3/APRIL 10, 2020

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

PAGE 9

Lower prices could impact 2019 farm program payments THIESSE, from pg. 8

fund which is targeted toward dairy agement payments. PPP loan applica- and livestock producers and others.

What strategies can be utilized tions are made through SBA-approved following the sharp price decline banks and lending institutions. for unsold 2019 corn and soybeans The CARES Act also provides funding for SBA Economic Injury Disaster that are still in storage on the farm?

Loans (EIDL) for small businesses Many farm operators have a considthat incur financial hardship as a erable amount of unsold 2019 corn and result of the coronavirus outbreak. As soybeans in farm storage. Following of this writing, there was a considerthe coronavirus outbreak in the United able uncertainty regarding the potenStates, there was an immediate sharp tial eligibility of farm-related busidrop in local grain prices — resulting nesses for these SBA loans. Loans in cash corn prices to drop 70-80 cents through the EIDL program are made per bushel in just a few weeks at many directly by SBA and do not require Midwest locations.

In addition, many approval by a local bank or lender. For ethanol plants and other local grain more information on the EIDL promarkets are currently not accepting gram or to make on-line EIDL applicacorn or only doing so on a limited tions, businesses should go to the SBA basis. One strategy farmers could utiwebsite at https://www.sba.gov/fundlize to get some temporary revenues ing-programs/disaster-assistance from their unsold grain in storage is to Ag-related Questions utilize the CCC commodity loan program through local Farm Service Does the added CCC funding in the new CARES Act automatically Agency offices. The length of CCC commodity loans has been temporarily mean there will be a third round extended from 9 months to 12 months. of MFP payments (or something Local CCC loan rates vary from counsimilar) in 2020? ty-to-county. Loan rates are generally Not necessarily. The 2018 and 2019 slightly over $2.00 per bushel for corn MFP payments were related to lost and $6.00 per bushel for soybeans in income due to the trade war with many areas of the Midwest. The curChina and other countries. It is not apparent if the coronavirus will neces- rent interest rate in April on CCC grain loans is only 1.625 percent. Be sarily impact the new trade agreeaware that due to the coronavirus, ment with China or ag trade with most FSA transactions need to be comother countries. However, given the pleted via phone or e-mail. added funding provided to the USDA and the CCC through the emergency Will the decline in cash grain legislation and the financial challeng- prices impact 2019 farm program es facing farm operations, it is highly payments? likely that some form of assistance Any 2019 farm program payments similar to MFP will be made available for the PLC, ARC-CO and ARC-IC proto farmers and ranchers in the coming grams will be based on the final 2019 months. The aid package will likely market year average prices for corn, look different than the 2018 and 2019 soybeans and other crops. The 2019 MFP payments, and the aid will likely market year average price for corn involve more commodities — especial- and soybeans is based on national ly with the added USDA emergency average monthly farm-level prices

Join

from Sept. 1, 2019 through Aug. 31, 2020, which are weighted for the percentage of bushels sold in each month.

The USDA 2019 market year average price projections as of March 1 were $3.80 per bushel for corn and $8.70 per bushel for soybeans. However, many analysts expect the final 2019 market year average prices to decline slightly in the coming months. Further declines in the market year average prices would potentially enhance the amount of 2019 ARC-CO and ARC-IC payments for producers who are already likely to qualify for payments if they have not reached the maximum payment level. It could also make a few more counties potentially eligible for some 2019 corn and soybean ARCCO payments. Corn and soybean PLC payments for 2019 still appear unlikely at this time, as do ARC-CO payments for corn in many counties.

Why is it important to communicate with your ag lender, farm management advisors and family partners during financial challenges we are currently facing?

View ag lenders, farm business man-

agement instructors, marketing advisors, and other consultants as informal partners in a farm business. Ag lenders and others can be a valuable resource in making management decisions and understanding some of the emergency financing tools which may be available.

It is best to include all partners and family members who are part of the farm operation in the discussion process so all key players are “on the same page” regarding financial decisions and adjustments which may affect the farm business. The added financial difficulties being brought on by the coronavirus also adds a lot of personal stress for farm operators and their families. Families are encouraged to utilize the free resources which are available at the state and local level to assist in these situations.

Kent Thiesse is a government farm programs analyst and a vice president at MinnStar Bank in Lake Crystal, Minn. He may be reached at (507) 7262137 or kent.thiesse@minnstarbank. com. v

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THE LAND — APRIL 3/APRIL 10, 2020

Viruses are viruses and they are all the same, true?

Editor’s note: This article appeared in the March 18 University of Minnesota Swine News.

Well, no, that is not true. There are UniversityofMinnesota many different kinds of viruses in the EXTENSION world — those that infect people, those that infect animals, and those to a lemon, both fruits in the family Rutaceae, that infect plants. The viruses, Genus Citrus. But even a child can tell that an because there are so many of orange is quite different from a lemon. So, too, are them, are grouped into different coronaviruses of pigs and people quite different. kinds or categories based on a classification system. The classiBelow, we tell the story of porcine epidemic diarfication system has many levels, rhea virus (PEDv), an alphacoronavirus, to show a few of which are class, order, how a different virus, SARS-CoV-2 (a betacoronavifamily, genus and species. This rus and the cause of COVID-19) can spread globally. same classification system, the Most importantly, we share what we can all learn to SWINE & U Linnaean system, is used to improve the health of the world’s human and aniBy Marie Culhane group all living things in the mal populations.

DVM, PhD world, like animals, plants, bacLessons from PED virus teria, and yes, viruses.

The year was 2013. A coronavirus entered the U.S. We bring this up, not to bore you with details, but pig population and devastated the U.S. swine industo make the point that even though an apple and an try. That virus was PEDv and it was first detected orange are both fruits, in the class Magnoliopsida, in April. they are very different. That’s why people use that In nine months, it spread to most of the pig farms common phrase, “It’s like comparing apples to across the United States. A second, very similar oranges,” when someone tries to compare two things strain of PEDv then spread globally and rapidly, that are quite different. affecting many of the pig producing countries within It may be more appropriate to compare an orange a year. In the United States alone, PEDv affected

more than 50 percent of the breeding herds and reduced the number of pigs slaughtered by more than 5 million.

The PEDv epidemic changed how the swine industry looked at new disease introduction into the United States. The U.S. swine industry learned just how vulnerable and unprepared we were for the introduction of a novel disease into our naïve pig population.

Similarities to COVID-19 Fast forward to 2020 and we can draw some parallels to the new human coronavirus that SWINE & U emerged in 2019 and that now is spreading across the world —

By Montae Torremorell disrupting global distribution chains and raising financial DVM, Phd market alarms.

In just three months, Covid-19 disease, caused by SARS-CoV-2 (a betacoronavirus with wild animal origins that was picked up by people) has spread to more than 147 countries. When it comes to transmission, Covid-19 has parallels to some of the pig coronaviruses we know, and also to influenza viruses, which we all know too well.

SWINE &U

See SWINE & U, pg. 11

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PAGE 11

Viruses don’t easily go away and can return at any time SWINE & U, from pg. 10 Covid-19 spreads rapidly among people, mostly through the respiratory route, resembling the spread of influenza. To a lesser degree, Covid-19 can also be shed in feces although it is unclear how much this route of transmission is contributing to the spread of Covid-19. Direct close contact, aerosol spread through droplets and contaminated fomites are considered the main routes of transmission. It is estimated that one infectious person will infect two or more susceptible individuals resulting in major outbreaks most of the time.

Flu is fast too Some similarities also exist with influenza.

Influenza is a zoonotic disease transmitted by direct contact of respiratory secretions, aerosols and fomites. Transmission is rapid in susceptible populations. The median reproduction number for the 2009 H1N1 influenza pandemic was 1.46, meaning that between one and two susceptible people will get infected if they come in contact with an infected individual.

When that H1N1 influenza virus emerged in 2009, a pandemic was declared in less than a month, resulting in the first pandemic of the 21st century.

Pandemic influenza spread rapidly during summer 2009 given the lack of immunity in the population.

In every other year of the 21st century including 2020, influenza spreads commonly and seasonally

with higher incidence during the cooler seasons of the year. Influenza in pigs is also seasonal with infection peaks in the cooler seasons, although many farms have endemic year-round influenza in their pigs. Similarly, pig coronaviruses, like PEDv and TGEv (transmissible gastroenteritis virus), are considered seasonal with higher incidence in the fall and winter in the United States, although they can also remain endemic in immune populations yearround (think endemic TGE in the 20th century).

In general, influenza viruses and coronaviruses are susceptible to hot temperatures and don’t transmit as well during summer. But just relying on a change in the weather won’t help us control disease spread In a recent Washington Post article, Harry Stevens provided a simulation of the random and exponential spread of disease through a population when no measures are taken to reduce its spread versus different levels of quarantine put into place. The article can be found at https://www.washingtonpost. com/graphics/2020/world/corona-simulator/ Hard work ahead We have many examples where we have eliminated coronaviruses in pigs. But that requires discipline, hard work and stopping the movement and introduction of susceptible individuals into infected populations. Easier said than done when it comes to people. Our veterinary experience and our public-

private partnerships as One Health professionals throughout the world certainly can help think through containment and prevention protocols.

If Covid-19 resembles influenza in its ability to cause infections season to season, then it will become yet another endemic human coronavirus in people, just like the common cold is endemic.

Hopefully, this will not be the case for Covid-19.

However, if our knowledge of endemic pig coronaviruses and influenza applies here, it reminds us that the viruses don’t go away easily and may come back in the fall each year.

Even though Covid-19 is a human disease problem right now and our focus remains on protecting the health and safety of our family, friends, and coworkers, it serves as a reminder of how important it is to keep stringent biosecurity measures in place, and that we remain prepared for any new disease threat.

If we learned anything from the PEDv introduction into the United States in 2013, it was that the industry was unprepared and not ready to deal with a devastating new disease. Since then, thankfully, significant efforts have been put in place to prepare our industry to prevent the introduction of diseases such as African swine fever. Still, more needs to be done.

It seems similar lessons will be learned for Covid19 and for those of us who care for pigs, it will serve as a reminder of how important people and pig movements are when trying to control disease spread.

Marie Culhane and Montse Torremorell are with conditions for drying. the University of Minnesota Department of Veterinary Do not warm grain that is already dry if you intend Medicine Population Medicine. Dr. Culhane can be to keep storing it. Instead, run aeration cycles in cool reached at grame003@umn.edu and Dr. Torremorell’s weather to maintain grain temperature below 40 email address is torr0033@umn.edu. v degrees. A large drying fan can cool a bin in about 15 hours, while an aeration fan will take close to a week to cool a bin.

ARE YOU A If grain temperature is well below freezing, such as 20 degrees, gradually warming it to just above freezing may prevent excessive condensation and frozen chunks this spring or summer.

With the potential for poor quality grain in the bin, it is especially important to use good grain safety WORKER? practices. Poor quality grain can cause problems such as surface crusting, hollow spots in the grain mass, If You or a Loved One grain that won’t flow when unloading and sidewall buildup in the bin. Do not enter a bin if any of these Have Been Diagnosed with occur, and instead attempt to work on the grain from Mesothelioma or Lung Cancer above by poking and prodding it.

If you have good-quality grain and you must enter a bin, have an observer with you, use a life harness, and lockout/tagout grain equipment to keep it off.

Even if you have been turned down before This article was submitted by Kristina TeBockhorst and Shawn Shouse, Iowa State University Extension and Outreach. v

Dry or remove wet grain from bins soon Many farmers put grain in the bin wetter than normal last fall and were somewhat rescued by the cold weather.

In the coming weeks, as spring starts to bring warmer temperatures, grain held through the winter at a high moisture content should be dried or marketed as soon as possible to prevent quality loss and mold growth.

Monitor grain condition and act fast if hot spots, a musty/moldy smell or elevated CO2 levels (above 600 parts per million and rising) are observed.

Grain held this winter at a very high moisture content (above 20 percent) may have already used its safe allowable storage life. For this grain, it may not be advised to attempt to store it any longer after drying it this spring. Be sure to account for a shorter allowable storage time with low test weight and lowquality grain.

Wet grain should be dried as soon as spring temperatures start to warm. Conditions become suitable for natural air/low-temperature bin drying when average daily temperatures are above 40 degrees.

The air dewpoint temperature gives a good indication of whether air has much capacity to dry. A 20-degree difference between the air temperature and the air dewpoint temperature indicates good

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THE LAND — APRIL 3/APRIL 10, 2020

Greenhouse provides students knowledge and food

By TIM KING The Land Correspondent WADENA, Minn. – Caroline Venis says she has the best job she’s ever had.

“I love it,” said Venis, who is the greenhouse coordinator for the Wadena-Deer Creek deep winter greenhouse and season extending high tunnel.

She says each morning, when she opens the door to the greenhouse and is greeted by the smell of moist soil and the sight of green and flowering plants, she is inspired.

Wadena-Deer Creek’s 32-by-24-foot deep winter green house was completed in 2013 with broad financial support from the community. The total cost was just shy of $25,000, according to Richard Muckala, who was - and still is - the agricultural instructor.

Muckala says that agriculture in Central Minnesota has been diversifying in recent decades and a greenhouse as a teaching resource made sense. Even though he’d had experience with an all season green house while teaching in Upsala, Muckala didn’t

Seed still available for the 2020 growing season.

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Wadena-Deer Creek’s 32-by-24-foot deep winter green house was completed in 2013.

Photo submitted

jump into building one in Wadena.

“The instructor teaches some international cooking and she appreciates having these different flavors,” “I did a lot of research before building the Wadena Venis said. greenhouses,” he said “With assistance of Ed Lewis and Dave Ebert, of the area economic development Venis also has a couple of flats of pea seedlings office, we toured several greenhouses in the Brainerd which have just germinated. area. We also visited greenhouses in Foley, Ashby, “The kids really love the peas,” she said.

Perham, Staples and Spring Valley.”

The greenhouse they built rests on a heat sink of rock with buried pipes that pull heat from the peak and recirculate it through the ground and back up through the soil, according to Venis.

What they built works well, she says.

“I have five growing beds in the soil,” Venis said. “I plant tomatoes and cucumbers in late January to start harvesting in late April or early May. Those go to the cafeterias for lunches. I have had lettuce, spinach and bunching onions growing most of the winter.”

By early March, those tomatoes and cucumbers are flowering and growing vigorously in the wellPhotos by Jan King composted raised beds Caroline Venis is the Greenhouse Coordinator for the Wadena-Deer Creek deep which Venis manages winter greenhouse and season extending high tunnel. using organic methods. A new crop of leaf lettuce is also coming along as are a In fact the students love the home grown sweetness row of recently transplanted pepper plants. In a cor- of the carrots, cherry tomatoes and everything else ner is a planting of nasturtiums climbing up a trellis that comes from the greenhouse. They can be sure and producing plentiful flaming orange flowers. the carrots were harvested in the greenhouse because “I planted these in the middle of winter because I they come in different colors, Venis says. Some stuwanted some flowers,” Venis said. “There’s not enough dents have a deeper relationship with the carrots flowers for the cafeterias, so I gave some to the FACS than merely eating them. class for salads.”

“The kindergarten class comes in early November The sweet peppery flavor of the nasturtium flowers to pull the carrot crop,” Venis said. “They love crawlprobably was a new experience for most of the FACS ing in the dirt to find the carrots and discover students. Venis also grows Genovese basil, parsley worms.” and sage for the FACS students.

See GREENHOUSE, pg. 13

THE LAND — APRIL 3/APRIL 10, 2020

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PAGE 13

Students growing Teddy Bear Sunflowers for Mother’s Day may use their experiences and hours for their FFA Supervised Agricultural Experience.”

Muckala says that working with plants in the green house is a great opportunity for students that don’t do well in traditional classroom settings.

Special needs students also thrive while gardening and learning in the green house.

The gardening project at Wadena Deer Creek schools expanded when the unheated 30-by-72-foot high tunnel was completed in 2015. Venis starts a variety of crops under row tunnels in

GREENHOUSE, from pg. 15 The kindergarten students aren’t the only ones to take home lessons from the greenhouse.

“At the end of March every elementary student plants seeds to give their mothers for Mother’s Day,” Venis said. “They plant the seeds and I raise them and give them back before Mother’s Day. This year we are growing Teddy Bear Sunflowers.”

Then there are the giant cabbages.

“I enroll all third graders in a cabbage program,” Venis said. “They

The peppery flavor of nasturtium flowers sometimes find their way into students’ salads. receive a giant cabbage seedling in May to take home and plant. In August the best and biggest cabbage is entered in a contest against other cabbages grown in the state.”

Muckala points to Venis’ educational projects with the greenhouse as proof that the greenhouse and hoop house have a multitude of educational opportunities.

“We have several student service workers and students who use the Students grow tomatoes and cucumgreenhouse for employment,” he said. bers in late January to start harvesting in late April or early May. They also grow “Caroline also sells produce during the lettuce, spinach and bunching onions. summer using these students. Students

early March in the high tunnel. She gardens in that space until November when that structure freezes out.

“I plant five to seven crops in each of the 16 beds in the high tunnel throughout the season,” she said.

Venis, who became the school’s greenhouse coordinator in 2018, also has a summer gardening program for elementary students. That program is outdoor gardens.

“I think all schools should have a greenhouse and gardening program,” she said. v

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In addition to helping farmers secure financing, the Rural Finance Authority offers programs designed to help new

farmers purchase land, restructure debt, invest in farm improvements, and finance livestock production facilities.

Minnesota farmers interested in learning more about the assistance offered by the Rural Finance Authority should visit the Minnesota Department of Agriculture website (www.mda.state. mn.us) or contact (651) 201-6004.

This article was submitted by the Minnesota Department of Agriculture.v

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THE LAND — APRIL 3/APRIL 10, 2020

New Ulm farm show is a community endeavor

By DICK HAGEN The Land Staff Writer Emeritus NEW ULM, Minn. – Every Farm Show needs a ‘go to’ person just because. For New Ulm’s Farm-City Show, Michele Schroeder fits the label. She related, “I’m told the show started at the old Holiday Inn at the south end of town. Back in the ‘80s it Michele would feature Princess Kay of the Schroeder Milky Way and the State Pork Queen.

A couple years ago we decided to bring Princess Kay back again. This year’s Princess Kay is Amy Kyllo of Byron. The State Pork Ambassador is coming tomorrow. We have 87 vendors this year. Yes indeed, the New Ulm Civic Center is ‘plum full’.”

Schroeder is an appraiser for Upper Midwest Management. She hesitated to report on what’s happening to farm land values these days, but acknowledged some down pressure is happening. “It’s continually changing,” she admitted. “Much depends upon the area and the cropping success in recent years. However, hunting land is doing really well.

Seems to follow the economy ... if economy is buoyant, hunting land prices are also buoyant.”

But she reminded that particular upward pressure isn’t being generated by farmers. She also noted a recent reduction in interest rates by the Federal Reserve Bank. And new grant programs geared towards younger beginning farmers assist with farm land purchases. Schroeder and husband Jason live on a small farm. Livestock Development Grants from the Minnesota Department of Agriculture helped them start a 3,000 head facility growing feeder pigs for Wakefield Pork.

Jason works as a Farm Management Instructor at South Central College. He puts particular emphasis in teaching cost of production data for crops and livestock production programs. He also instructs younger people about Minnesota’s ag tax credit program for beginning famers and ag land/asset owners.

Continuing with the ‘go-to’ lady, I asked Schroeder, “Is New Ulm really the ‘old time’ music capital of Minnesota? She chuckled, then recalled, “When I moved to town, my dad said he used to go to George’s Ballroom back in those days. I like polka music, I like old time music. KNUJ radio still plays lots of old time music. I’m even seeing some younger folks doing some soft-shoe shuffling to those sounds. So we don’t mind being the old time capital.”

I asked Schroeder about the unique name of the New Ulm Farm-City Hub Club. “I was told they wanted to bring farm and city together because they wanted city cousins to co-mingle with their farming cousins.”

Any farm show is an educational experience. This New Ulm show might be exceptional. Farm safety was the spotlight this year, highlighted by grain extraction demos which occurred hourly. A speciallyequipped NECAS demonstration trailer provided by Northeast Community College even featured a grain bin with shelled corn. Bank Midwest helped sponsor this unique ‘hands-on’ demonstration; plus the safety gear, hearing protection, safety glasses and other components of farm safety. On March 7, 18 area fire department teams were invited for special training on grain bin rescue procedures and equipment needed to facilitate these life saving measures.

A March 6 attraction was Tom Lyden, investigative reporter for FOX 9, KMSP-TV. He was discussing “The Last Harvest,” a unique 60-minute show telling the story of the 2019 farming season in Minnesota.

Lyden said the story started with a focus on the dismal economics of the dairy industry; then expanded to look at the growing incidence of farm suicides, climate change and the fickle whims of weather in a year like none other for Minnesota farmers.

Despite all the adversities facing farmers, Lyden said he was genuinely impressed with the honesty and open-hearted commentary of the farmers he visited with. He indicated KMSP is now encouraging him to do more rural Minnesota stories. “They realize their total audience very much appreciates the challenges of Minnesota agriculture and farm families,” said Lyden.

A special attraction on March 7 was the 10 a.m. commissioner forum which included Minnesota Agriculture Commissioner Thom Peterson and Minnesota DNR Commissioner Sarah Strommen.

The duo answered questions and discussed issues which matter to rural Minnesota. State Senator Nick Frentz of Mankato moderated this session. Rest assured, the friendly but energetic folks at this Farm-City Hub Club event had plenty of questions on agriculture and natural resources. v

Seconds count for a successful grain bin rescue

By DICK HAGEN The Land Staff Writer Emeritus NEW ULM, Minn. – You don’t go to a March farm show expecting to meet the National Education Director for Agricultural Safety. But I did at the New Ulm Farm-City Show. Dan Neenan and three others were demonstrating the precise equipment available for rescuing a Dan Neenan person entrapped in a grain bin – a dreadful accident which continues claiming lives across the cornbelt.

In a few minutes, Neenan explained, “We’re demonstrating grain bin rescue procedures. There are six

different rescue tubes on the market. Here today we are using a six-panel system. Each 5-foot steel panel weighs 23 pounds. You start by inserting the first panel into the corn, then interlocking the next panel while pressing both panels into the grain. Once all six panels are interlocked and surround the entrapped victim, you have a 36-inch diameter steel tube protecting the trapped person.

“There’s a tremendous amount of pressure on the body of the entrapped. You can’t just yank that person out. If entrapped up to the waist, there’s about 460 pounds of pressure around the body. So now you want to remove some of this grain. You can start with See GRAIN BIN, pg. 16

THE LAND — APRIL 3/APRIL 10, 2020

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PAGE 15

Big Ideas: Securing the next generation of skilled people

By DICK HAGEN The Land Staff Writer Emeritus NEW ULM, Minn. – This fall, there were nearly 250,000 fewer students enrolled in college than a year ago, according to the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center. Over the past eight years, college enrollment nationwide has fallen about 11 percent. But are jobs available for young people without college degrees?

A vendor at the New Ulm Farm-City farm show has some answers. The words “BIG IDEAS” on their vendor display banner sounded intriguing. The tag line read, “Our goal is to reverse the shortage of skilled trades people.”

Big Ideas, Inc. spokesperson Bob Westlund explained, “There’s a lack of work these days for construction trade people. So our goal is to provide training classes on everything from welding to brick work, carpentry, masonry, even GPS training. In essence, get the next generation of people trained and excited about skilled labor.”

How much training is involved to become a skilled welder? Surprisingly, not very long. Westlund said with training systems now available it could be a matter of just a few evenings. Today’s top line technology trains people to learn quickly. And the Big Ideas program is gender neutral. “We even have young ladies taking welding training,” said Westlund.

Only two years old, Big Ideas’ training programs are taking place in just a few Minnesota localities, plus some contacts in western Wisconsin. “We’re getting some traction in both states as we build our team.”

A new team member is Chris Montgomery. He’s a Marine Corps veteran who was deployed to Afghanistan in 2010. He lost both his legs when he stepped on a ground-implanted IED (Improvised Explosive Device).

“We’re getting young people just out of high school, or veterans recently returned from military service,

Photo by Dick Hagen

The Big Ideas Inc. team was spreading the word at the New Ulm Farm-City show. Pictured are Bob Westlund, Chris Montgomery and Mary Ann Christenson. involved in any of our skilled training programs,” Montgomery said, “anything from welding to plumbing to masonry work. Being in this condition, I do capture their attention more quickly. And if they see me getting involved, maybe that would inspire them.

I’ve taken a couple of welding classes – not yet very good at welding. But our instruction system is so students learn the skill more rapidly.”

Montgomery is an Alabama lad, but now lives in

2012 FREIGHTLINER

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Minnetrista, Minn. in his new work with Big Ideas.

“I joined the Marine Corps right out of high school.

I’m now 32 and already this work is giving me a new lease on life. I know it will be rewarding to see the quick success of many young people getting involved with our program.”

Mary Ann Christenson is the president and cofounder of Big Ideas, Inc. “We’re a 501-3C Incorporated Foundation formed in 2017 to promote trades,” she explained. “We provide learning opportunities to young people to discover, explore and learn skill trades. We’ve all heard that ‘Necessity Is The Mother Of Invention’ by Plato. Two moms – my business partner Rebacca Fliszar and I – were dismayed that our children were not being taught that trades are a career. Out of high school, their options were pursuing a four-year degree career path or find whatever work might be available. We were discouraged that our kids weren’t being taught the many ‘hands on’ opportunities in the trades. Instead they were learning trades are kind of a dead-end job. So Becky and I decided we wanted to do something about this growing deficiency in our high school education programs.

It’s been crazy ever since!”

Christenson said they find trades people in various communities to do the actual training. “We do not credit; we do not certify; we do not license ... we only provide an introduction to a useful trade. Most high schools today don’t have ‘grandma’s kitchen’ of home economics teaching; nor a grandpa’s shop teaching mechanical skills, wood working and plumbing.

Today’s reality is a two parent working household with limited garage space for carpentry, left over electric fans and old lawn motors to learn small engine mechanics. Kids mostly just don’t have the opportunity to tinker the way we did when we were growing up.”

She continued, “We’ve grown into a system easily adapted by any motivated sponsor within a local community. A good example is Wisconsin Power, a

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PAGE 16

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THE LAND — APRIL 3/APRIL 10, 2020

A person can be completely submerged in 30 seconds GRAIN BIN, from pg. 14 just a couple of plastic grain scoops. But that takes time and lots of work – like about 15 minutes to clear grain from the belly button down to the knees.

Instead, we use the grain rescue augur – a four-inch tube which we hook up a brushless electric drill. That auger will remove the same amount of grain in about three minutes.

“Once we get the corn cleaned out down to his knees there’s still about 300 pounds of grain around his feet and legs. Now we ask him to grab the highest rung he can reach and pull up – taking ‘baby steps.’ This way he can stair step his body up and out of the tube.”

Timing is always critical. If the unloading augur is on, a person is pulled to their waist in 15 Photo by Dick Hagen seconds and can be completely submerged in 30 seconds. Then Grain bin rescue demonstrators latch together it’s too late for the rescue tubes. steel panels which surround the victim trapped Instead, holes are cut into the in grain. side of the bin to let the grain pour out and hopefully still rescue the in Peosta, Iowa, provides hands-on trapped person. “There is breathable training covering lockout/tagout proceoxygen in that grain so even if totally dures and extraction of a fully engulfed immersed, it doesn’t mean instant and partially engulfed victim.

Neenan said so far they have trained death,” explained Neenan. “If you are wearing a baseball cap, we instruct 19 fire departments and some already you to put that cap around your face have used this equipment to rescue over your mouth and nose. There is entrapped farmers. He noted that over oxygen in that grain. A person can sur- 900 grain bin incidents have been vive 4 to 6 minutes even if the face is reported across the United States totally covered with grain. However, since 1964, with 62 percent resulting that cap over your face gives you addi- in a fatality. With a late harvest in 2019, and stored grain having high tional minutes.”

Cost for the six panels plus 6 feet of moisture levels, there is concern that conveyor tube cost about $1,800 to 2020 could be a bad year for grain $2,600 and that cost falls on rural fire engulfments.

During the two-day New Ulm Farm departments to purchase this equipment. The National Education Center Show, six drawings were held to prov for Agricultural Safety, headquartered vide six sets of this equipment. at Northeast Iowa Community College

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PAGE 17

Futures reach levels not seen since 2008 This column was written for the mar2008-09 dairy market selloff. While curketing week ending April 3. rent futures market projections do not predict sub- $10 per hundredweight U.S. milk prices are coming down. The Class III prices like those seen in 2009, U.S. Department of Agriculture Class III could drop below $13 for the announced the March Federal order first time since 2016. However, it has Class III price at $16.25 per hundredbeen more than a decade since Class IV weight, down 75 cents from February, but dropped below $12, with prices likely to still $1.21 above March 2019 and the hit levels not seen since 2009.” highest March Class III since 2014. The MIELKE MARKET three-month average stands at $16.77, up There is help available for farmers in WEEKLY from $14.30 a year ago, and compares to the $2 trillion stimulus package dubbed $13.87 in 2018. But that average will be the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic

By Lee Mielke falling as well.

Security Act (CARES). The bill includes $9.5 billion to assist agriThe Covid-19 outbreak has resultculture producers impacted by the ed in Class III futures being pulled coronavirus — including specialty sharply lower. On April 3, the April price was at crop producers; producers who support local food $14.05; May, $12.22; June at $13.11; with a peak in systems such as farmers markets, schools and resOctober of $15.01 — a price that weeks ago topped taurants; and livestock and dairy producers. The $17.00 National Milk Producers Federation is developing The March Class IV price is $14.87, down $1.33 recommendations for the USDA on how to best help from February and 84 cents below a year ago and dairy producers and have called for reopening signthe lowest Class IV price since September 2018. Its up in the Dairy Margin Coverage program for calenthree-month average is at $15.91, up from $15.68 a dar year 2020. year ago and $13.01 in 2018.

Hemorrhaging continued in the dairy markets Using futures market expectations as of March 31, during the April Fool’s Day week, due to the CovidHighGround Dairy says, “the Class III and Class IV 19 epidemic. The cheddar blocks saw nine consecuare estimated to decline at rates similar to the tive days of decline and closed April 3 at $1.15 per

MARKETING

pound. This is down 44 cents on the week, lowest price in 11 years (July 2009) and 51 cents below a year ago.

The barrels saw a close at $1.13.75, 20.25 cents lower on the week (and the lowest since July 2009), 43.75 cents below a year ago, and 1.25 cents below the blocks. Only two cars of block exchanged hands on the week, 19 for the month of March, down from 31 in February. There were 34 cars of barrel that found new homes on the week, 79 in March, down from 80 in February.

Cheese contacts are hopeful for a quick turnaround to the Covid-19 situation, says Dairy Market News, as retail accounts have slowed along with ailing food service orders. Milk is plentiful in the Midwest and, at mid-week, only discounted prices were reported. Cheesemakers say milk handlers are calling regularly as plentiful milk is equating to a growing cheese supply.

Orders from food service and international buyers are stable to lower. Cheese outputs are steady but milk is abundant. Several cheese makers took additional milk if they had the space for its processing.

Cheese inventories were less tight than the previous week but are “sufficient to fill all needs.”

Butter’s meltdown also continued, closing the week See MIELKE, pg. 18

Christenson: ‘Industry loves what we are doing’ BIG IDEAS, from pg. 15 major rural utility cooperative, that joined with us as a prototype on electrical training.”

Christenson indicated two age groups are emerging: the high school teenager trying to decide what they want to do when they grow up and the late 20s, early 30s age group who still haven’t decided if they want to make a career out of their current job. “Often we get comments they’d like to at least consider another trade before they jump ship. And that’s what we do. We provide introductory-level courses in twohour classes, 6:30 to 8:30 in one-night or two-night or four-night increments taught by local trades people in particular skills ... be that masonry, carpentry, small engine repairs, electrical appliances, etc.

“We find trades people right in the local community.

Often he or she donates their time to be the hands-on specialist doing the training. Even a local service club like Lions or Kiwanis has members who could be that skilled trainer from within their own ranks. We like to start with a useful ‘take home’ project – like in carpentry, a 14x14-inch planter. It’s ‘hands on’ to build, but the important learning is this volunteer trainer talking about his work ... like ‘what is a good day? And what is a bad day?’ These conversations help student learners better grasp the total scope of learning what this particular skill might entail,” explained Christenson adding, “For example, plumbing is very much misunderstood. We think about

water leaks, plumber’s cracks and dirty toilets. But you have options in industrial work, residential or commercial buildings. It can take you all around the country. People don’t understand the scope of what and where various trade skills can take you. And the good wages that can be earned.”

She indicated the number of training evenings for a particular trade is pretty much up to the individual tradesperson doing the training. But Big Ideas has now expanded into working with 4-H specialty clubs and various industries within a given community looking for specially-trained people. They now have three virtual reality welders which can teach even if there is no facility. “And we have now contracted to buy a virtual paint sprayer which came out of the defense industry,” Christenson said. “The quality is unbelievable. Next on the agenda is special training in robotics and drones. We start with the low-hanging fruits ... like right now, lots of jobs are available in welding and painting; and the robotics and GPS training for jobs with farm supply firms.”

“We’re pledged to stay lean and motivated,” Christenson went on to say. “Our sole purpose is to help individual students get started in their new business career. We guarantee our instructors.

Industry loves what we are doing. Some will even provide their own instructors for some basic training in job skills they need. They get a first look at people they may be willing to hire. It’s a win-win situation.”

And what would it cost if I were to invite Mary Ann Christenson to make a presentation about Big Ideas?

“Absolutely nothing just for me,” she replied. “If we were to bring a display and two or three of our staff people – such as we have here at this farm show – there would be a cost.”

She concluded, “What God leads you to He also leads you through.”

Besides 22 Wisconsin communities, Big Ideas now has 19 Minnesota contacts underway – plus calls from the country of Tanzania.

With a small staff of six, Big Ideas home base is New Ulm, Minn. The company can be found on the internet at www.bigideasusa.org; and reached by phone at (866) 992-4443. v

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MIELKE, from pg. 17 at $1.28 per pound, down 20.75 cents on the week, 99 cents below a year ago, and the lowest it has been at since October 2009. Twenty-two cars were sold on the week, 38 on the month, down from a whopping 231 in February.

Grade A nonfat dry milk saw its close at 86.25 cents per pound on April 3. This is down 5.75 cents on the week, 12.5 cents below a year ago, and the lowest it has been since November 2018. Forty-three sales were reported on the week, 195 for the month of March, up from 105 in February.

CME dry whey was the one exception in the falling markets, and held at 33 cents per pound for 11 consecutive sessions, 1.5 cents below a year ago. Nothing was sold on the week, but 23 loads for the month, up from eight in February. n How low prices will go is anybody’s guess. FC Stone’s Dave Kurzawski reminded us in his March 31 Early Morning Update, “The United States did away with the price support system in the 2014 farm bill and switched to a system where the government would buy dairy commodities and donate them to people in need when farm gate margins fell to low levels. However, that program was dropped in the 2018 farm bill. The $2 trillion aid package passed by Congress does allocate $450 million for purchases of commodities to be donated to food shelves and you can be sure dairy will be part of that; but we do not have a hard floor directly under U.S. prices,” Kurzawski warned.

He adds, “dumping of milk is happening around the US,” and while that’s very disheartening to producers, he warned of the longer term consequences. “This is the time of year we normally make a lot of milk and dairy products and put them in coolers,” he said, and not doing that will have ramifications later in the year.

“If the U.S. economy gets humming again, and that is a wild card, but two, three, or four months down the road, we’re going to walk into a shortfall of inventory if we’re dumping milk today,” he concluded.

n You’ll recall that February U.S. milk output (adjusted for the extra Leap Day) was up 1.5 percent from February 2019. The USDA’s February Dairy Products report shows where the milk ended up.

February cheese output totaled 1.03 billion pounds, down 1 percent from January (when adjusting for the leap day) but 0.1 percent above February 2019. That put the two-month output up 0.6 percent from a year ago.

American cheese totaled 415.0 million pounds, up 1.4 percent from January and 2.5 percent above a year ago, with year-to-date up 1 percent.

Cheddar output, the cheese traded at the CME, was up 1 percent from January, up 3.7 percent from a year ago, with year-to-date up 1.2 percent.

Butter production came in at 179.2 million pounds, down 0.9 percent from January but 5.2 percent above a year ago. This is the ninth consecutive month butter output topped that of a year ago.

Dry whey for human consumption totaled 75.0 million pounds, down 3 percent from January and 1.7 percent below a year ago. Year-to-date is up 1 percent.

Nonfat dry milk output totaled 156.1 million pounds, down 5.3 percent from January and 2 percent below a year ago, with year-to-date powder up 0.1 percent.

Skim milk powder amounted to 40.4 million pounds, up 7.7 percent from January and 9.6 percent above a year ago, with year-to-date up 5.2 percent.

FC Stone notes, “Nonfat dry milk and skim milk powder had a bearish tilt in February. We saw production drop by some 9 million pounds but stocks increased 37 million pounds.

Butter production was 7 million pounds higher than forecast and cheddar production had 18 million pounds more than expected.”

Lee Mielke is a syndicated columnist who resides in Everson, Wash. His weekly column is featured in newspapers across the country and he may be reached at lkmielke@juno.com. v

THE LAND — APRIL 3 /APRIL 10, 2020

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’17 Kubota M7-151, cab air, MFWD, 545 hrs, front axle suspension, 3pt PTO,

w/ Kubota loader .................................................. $84,000 ’04 McCormick MTX125, 2) 3415 hrs, cab air,

’09 Cat 938H, 7174 hrs, quick coupler & bkt ................. $69,000 ’16 Komatsu WA 270-7, 8193 hrs, Q.C., 4 yd bkt........... $72,000 ’16 Komatsu WA 320-7, 6936 hrs, Q.C., 3.5 yd bkt........ $83,000 ’13 Komatsu WA320-7, 7267 hrs, cab air, quick coupler & bkt ................................................... $78,000 ‘12 Komatsu 380-7, 8850 hrs, 4.25 yd bkt ..................... $69,900 ’14 Kawasaki 70Z7, 7628 hrs, cab air, quick coupler & bkt ................................................... $69,000 ’10 Kawasaki 65Z V, 6682 hrs, cab air, ride control, w/ bkt ......................................................................... $51,000

EXCAVATORS ’15 Cat 323 FL, 3768 hrs, 40" bkt............................ $119,000 ’14 Komatsu PC 138US-10, hyd thumb, 36" bkt ........ $80,000

320X54 rear tires & duals, 540/1000 PTO, 3 hyd,

’11 JD 290GLC, 3347 hrs, 12'6" stick,42" bkt .......... $110,000

3 pt ....................................................................... $32,000

’11 Case CX300C, 2658 hrs, 12' stick, 54" bucket .. $110,000

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

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

PAGE 20

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

THE LAND — APRIL 3/APRIL 10, 2020

Steffes Auction Calendar 2020

For more info, call: 1-800-726-8609 or visit our website: SteffesGroup.com Opening March 6 & Closing April 17 at 7PM CASH FOR CARS: We Buy Any Condition Vehicle, 2002 and Newer.

Competitive Offer! Nationwide FREE Pick Up! Call Now For a Free Quote! 888366-5659(MCN) DONATE YOUR CAR, TRUCK OR BOAT TO HERITAGE FOR THE BLIND. Free 3 Day Vacation, Tax Deductible, Free Towing, All Paperwork Taken Care Of. CALL 1-855-977-7030 (MCN) $1,380 WEEKLY or more mailing our sales letters from home. FT/PT No experience needed. All supplies provided.

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Reliable High Speed. Fiber Optic Technology. Stream Videos, Music and More! Call Earthlink Today 1-855-6797096 (MCN) DISH TV $59.99 For 190 Channels + $14.95 High Speed Internet. Free Installation, Smart HD DVR Included, Free Voice Remote. Some restrictions apply. 1-844-316-8876. (MCN) High-Speed Internet. We instantly compare speed, pricing, availability to find the best service for your needs. Starting at $39.99/month! Quickly compare offers from top providers. Call 1-855-399-9295 (MCN) COMPUTER ISSUES? FREE DIAGNOSIS by GEEKS ON SITE! Virus Removal, Data Recovery! 24/7 EMERGENCY $20 OFF ANY SERVICE with coupon 42522! Restrictions apply.

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Start Now! Need farm help/ CDL / OTR No smoking. Full- time Call Stan 785545-5966. (MCN) Over $10K in Debt? Be debt free in 24 to 48 months. No upfront fees to enroll. A+ BBB rated. Call National Debt Relief 855995-1557. (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 855211-8684 (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) Trailer Sale: 20,000lb. bumper-pull skid loader trailer; 6X12 V-nose ramp door: Single axle Steel & Aluminum utility trailers; DUMP trailers 13 models instock. 135 trailers in-stock and ready to go! www.FortDodgeTrailerWorld.com for prices & information or 515-972-4554.

(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) 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) 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) Lung Cancer? Asbestos exposure in industrial, construction, manufacturing jobs, or military may be the cause.

Family in the home were also exposed.

Call 1-866-795-3684 or email cancer@

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Valuable settlement moneys may not require filing a lawsuit. (MCN) Arthritis, COPD, Joint Pain or Mobility Issues on the Stairs? **STOP STRUGGLING** Give Your Life A Lift!

An Acorn Stairlift is a perfect solution! A BBB Rating. Call now for $250 OFF your purchase. FREE DVD & brochure. 1-877358-0034 (MCN) NEW AUTHORS WANTED! Page Publishing will help you self-publish your own book. FREE author submission kit!

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RLP Services LLC Online Auction, Steffes Group Facility, Litchfield, MN, Timed Online Auction

Opening April 6 & Closing April 17 Ken & Sharon Erickson Farm Retirement Auction, Cambridge, MN, Timed Online Auction

Opening April 6 & Closing April 14 at 7PM Larry & Linda Wanous Farm Retirement Auction, Cokato, MN, Timed Online Auction

Opening April 7 & Closing April 14 Kevin Tweed Farm Retirement Auction, Binford, ND, Timed Online Auction

Tuesday, April 10 and Closing April 14 at 1PM Quality Tested Hay Auction, Steffes Group Facility, Litchfield, MN

Opening April 10 & Closing April 21 Sunrise Construction & Services LLP Auction, Steffes Group Facility, West Fargo, ND, Timed Online Auction

Opening April 13 & Closing April 23 at 7PM Secured Lender Farm Auction, Steffes Group Facility, Litchfield, MN, Timed Online Auction

Opening April 14 at 8AM and Closing April 14 at 12PM Cass County, ND, Land Auction - 160± Acres, Arthur, ND, Timed Online Auction

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)

Opening April 15 & Closing April 24

FREE AUTO INSURANCE QUOTES for uninsured and insured drivers. Let us show you how much you can save! Call 855-648-7642. (MCN)

Wednesday, April 22 at 10AM

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)

Opening, April 30 & Closing May 7

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)

Sibley County, MN - Home w/Outbuildings, Hunting Ground, Tillable Farmland Auction - Multiple Tracts — 240± Acres, Henderson, MN, Timed Online Auction

Eliminate gutter cleaning forever!

LeafFilter, the most advanced debrisblocking gutter protection. Schedule a FREE LeafFilter estimate today. 15% off Entire Purchase. 10% Senior & Military Discounts. Call 1-855-577-1268. (MCN)

Benz Farm Retirement Auction, Steele, ND, Timed Online Auction

Opening April 17 & Closing April 22 Online Steffes Auction, 4/22, Upper Midwest Locations, Timed Online Auction Dean’s Landscaping & Nursery Inc. Auction, Wahpeton, ND

Tuesday, April 28 at 12PM Quality Tested Hay Auction, Steffes Group Facility, Litchfield, MN Steffes Construction Consignment Auction, Upper Midwest Locations, Timed Online Auction

Opening, May 1 & Closing May 6 Online Steffes Auction - 5/6, Upper Midwest Locations, Timed Online Auction

Opening, May 4 & Closing May 12 at 3PM Opening, May 4 & Closing May 14 Douglas County, MN, Gravel Pit/Farmland Auction 71± Acres, Alexandria, MN, Timed Online Auction

Opening, May 11 & Closing May 19 at 3PM Douglas County, MN, Recreational/Hunting Land & Tillable Ground Auction — Multiple Tracts - 98± Acres, Osakis, MN, Timed Online Auction

Opening, May 27 & Closing June 3 Paul & Rosemary Patrick Farm Retirement Auction, Wilton, ND, Timed Online Auction

FREE CASH That’s right! WE will send you $5.00 by cash app free right now! Text the words SAPA CASH to 706-761-1745.

(MCN)

Opening, June 5 & Closing June 15

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)

Kyle & Stacy Marschke Farm Retirement Auction, Alice, ND

Eugene & Delores Undem Farm Retirement Auction, Rogers, ND, Timed Online Auction

Tuesday, June 9 at 10AM Opening, June 9 & Closing June 18 at 7PM Tod & Renee Becker Farm Retirement Auction, Park Rapids, MN, Timed Online Auction

Farm Equipment For Sale: JD9600 31 ft Digger; JD2810 7 bottom variable width onland plow; 24 1/2 ft.

JD digger; Agco 3743 manure spreader; 14 ft. Hiniker chisel plow; IH600 blower.

507-621-1279 FOR SALE: Case IH #3450 round baler; Massey Harris 2R cornpicker; Massey Harris flipper combine; Massey Harris manure loader. All shedded. 952-873-6496 FOR SALE: Fast side dress applicator for 16R30” or 24R22”, $21,000. 500 gallon stainless steel tank on skid, $1,500. Olivia MN 320-5231099 FOR SALE: JD 960 field cultivator, 36 1/2’, walking tandems, 3 bar harrow, 7” knock-on sweeps, all good, new shank bushings and tires, $2,900. 507-451-9614 FOR SALE: EZ Flo gravity wagon w/ Sudenga brush auger; Melcam fork style rock picker. 507-640-0146 FOR SALE: 1000 gal fuel tank, dual wall w/ pump, like new, $2,800. 320-583-3131 FOR SALE: Notch feeder wagon, 16’ long. 320-583-7550 IHC 6500 disc chisel, 11 shank hyd disk lift, 12’, good condition, field ready. 763-682-2124 JD 7300 12x30 planter w/ lift assist, 250 Monitor, row cleaners & insecticide boxes, $4,750; Krause 4612 12x30 flat fold cult, exc cond, $3,450; Case IH 1830 12x30 flat fold cult, $4,450; IH 756 gas tractor, 18.4x38 tires, 3pt, 2 hyds & fenders, $4,250; JD 1010 24’ flat fold field cult w/ walking tandems, 3 bar JD harrow, $1,450; 18.4x46 10 bolt duals, 90% rubber, $2,600/pr. 320-769-2756 JD 7830 MFD IVT, Duals, Front Suspension, auto steer, active seat, higher hours, very clean, $40,900/offer.

715-574-4561 JD 8430 MFD IVT, Dual 50” tires, auto steer, HID lighting, 5,035 hours, nice, $79,900. 715-572-1234 Kovar Tine Weeder 40-Ft Tine Weeder. Mounted on JD 845 tool bar. New paint, excellent condition, $8,000. Call Matt at (320) 296-4100

Thank You Farmers!

THE LAND — APRIL 3 /APRIL 10, 2020 Farm Equipment

Tractors

Tillage Equip

Hay & Forage Equipment

Planting Equip

Classified line ads work!

507-345-4523

NEW AND USED TRACTOR Great Plains (2004) 30 Ft JD 7000 6 row narrow, w/ 60 FOR SALE: John Deere 328 PARTS JD 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, Turbo-Till w/ New Rolling Monitor, liquid fertilizer, her- square baler, with #40 ejec55, 50 Series & newer trac- Harrow & Reel Last Year bicide & insecticide. 320-583- tor, always shedded. 320-248tors, AC-all models, Large w/ 4 New Tires Very Good. 2587 1360 Inventory, We ship! Mark $29,500/OBO. 2015 Mandako Heitman Tractor Salvage 40 Ft Land Roller (Heavy Minneapolis Moline (Model Duty 3” Bearings) 5000 E?) 12’ rubber tire drill w/ 715-673-4829 Acres A-One Cond. $28,500/ grass seed, converted to 3pt hitch, $950. 507-381-6719 Retiring. For Sale: NH TM165 OBO. Retiring. 319-347-6150 tractor, 2WD, auto steer, duals, wgts, 2074 hrs, planter Wil-Rich V957DDR, 2004, 26” Spraying Equip & sprayer tractor, always blades, new points, good shedded, excellent. 507-640- harrow, shedded, ex. cond., $8,900.00. Call 507-478-4221 0146 ‘96 Century sprayer, 750 gal., 60’ boom, 20” tip spacing, hyd. pump, tandem axle, Planting Equip Tillage Equip Hiniker 8160 controller, $6,000. 507-327-3476 ‘93 7200 MaxEmerge planter, 2013 Great Plains 33 Ft Morden, Canada Series 8 Finisher w/ Hi-Res- 12R30, precision corn me- Please recycle this magazine. idue Harrow (Long Tines) ters, soybean meters, liq April 15, 2020 10AM CDT Nice, $24,500??. Glencoe fert & insect, front fold, Pre- H HHHHHHHHHHHH H H 1990 28 Ft #3500 5 Bar Field cision 2020 monitor, $15,000; H ONLINE BIDDING ONLY H Cult w/ 4 Bar Harrow (New Marless no-till drill w/ coulter H H H Tines) Real Good, $5,900??. cart, 15’, 10” spacing, $5,000.

2004 Class 870 JAGUAR SP 4WD Chopper Both always shedded. 612- H Every Wednesday H Retiring. 319-347-6282 3970 eng. hrs. 3090 cutting hrs., H H 741-7949 or 612-701-7901 Hay & Straw power unit sells first, then heads.

H H FOR SALE: 45’ Wil-Rich 6:00 PM Quad 5 field cultivator, 210 FOR SALE: Older John Deere H H For full listng - See: Homestead lb shanks, 9” sweeps, field 10 ft. grain drill, good tires, H H hand lift, very clean, always www.billklassen.com ready. 507-351-0257 H H Sales, Inc. shedded. Retired 10 years H H HWY 15 N, ago. $100.

Call 320-598-3506 FOR SALE: JD 960 field culti-

AUCTION

Petkau Enterprises

WEEKLY AUCTION

fuel vator, 25 1/2’ fully mounted, FOR SALE: JD 7100 6 row like 2-Super 99 Detroits, complete, 3 bar mulcher, $3,000. 507- rear mounted corn planter, $3,500/OBO. 507-330-2808 not restored; 1-950, Nice- 440-2988 der Eng. 6 cyl/Waukasha; 3-HD LOCATION: Steffes Group Facility, 24400 MN Hwy 22 S, Litchfield, MN 55355 550 drawbars-2 w/ tongues; 1-set 99 fenders; 2-rear rims for ank above/primer condition; ndi- 1-steering sector. Plus more, 2124 Must take all! Located in SE lift Minnesota $23,700.00 Call OPENS: MONDAY, APRIL 13 row David 612-374-1933 box-‘89 Versatile 876 tractor, w/ duPREVIEW: Monday - Friday 8:00-5:00PM / LOADOUT: Monday - Friday 8:00-5:00PM 4612 als, new clutch, 280hp, 8,000 nd, hrs. 612-741-7949 or 612-701x30 7901 756 res,FOR SALE OR TRADE: 5088 wide front, 4,693 hrs. semen & embryos bucket 2WD TRACTORS 50; IH tractor w/ IH 2355 ldr, 1976 A.I. breeding kit Virning bale fork John Deere 4430 1957 John Deere 520 cult 7’ bucket, also w/ Case IH 2WD, 10,361 hrs. wide front, shows (45) Free standing Pallet forks 000012 hrs. panels, 24’ Meads hyd. drive PTO bar snowblower, 6292 hrs, good 1970 John Deere 2520 1938 John Deere GP-B (4) Free standing panels, conversion 2WD, 5,674 hrs. x46 shop recond, good cond, wide front 24’, w/swing gate Blade ber, $27,000 for all. 507-432-0644 ANTIQUE TRACTORS 1950 John Deere A (9) Gates Double receiver 1958 John Deere 420, narrow front (10) Hi Qual slant bar Fairmont MN OTHER FARM EQUIPMENT 2,553 hrs. feed thru panels TRAILERS 1957 John Deere 320 & SUPPORT ITEMS Easy Way mineral feeder als,For Sale: Case IH 2096, 5000 wide front 2010 ABU tandem axle Water trailer Feed bunks Southern brush mower eer, hrs, $18,500. JD 24’ 9300 1937 John Deere GP-B bumper hitch flatbed (4) (5) Livestock water tanks (3) Plows trailer w/dovetail urs, press drill & transport, wide front 2006 Wilson DSCN-5724T Branding 1951 John Deere B (2) John Deere 3 pt. arms fer. $2,750. IH 710 5x16 & 720 7x18 narrow front 5th wheel tandem axle Cattle prod Agromatic floor fan Spool of cable AR plows $1,750 & $3,750. IH 1945 John Deere A wide livestock trailer RECREATIONAL Livestock show supplies front LIVESTOCK 2250 Mount-O-Matic loader, ITEMS SKID STEER LOADER 1938 John Deere GP-B ual EQUIPMENT $1,750. Call 320-808-0392 Polaris Ranger XP800 wide front & ATTACHMENTS HID Kuhn Knight Maxx 5135 side-by-side, 1,077 hrs.

1954 John Deere 40 Bobcat S185 skid steer Ez-Go K-101 golf cart vertical TMR ice,For Sale: JD 3010, gas, good utility tractor loader, 4,543 hrs.

For-Most livestock SHOP ITEM Bobcat 15C auger condition, good tires, wide 1958 John Deere 320 working chute Finishing nailer utility tractor front, shedded, new fuel 1936 Tru-Test livestock scale Shop-Built auger bucket John Deere GP-A Tine Prime snow bucket MVE Millennium 2000 pump, no 3pt., low hours, wide front 845 XC-20 semen tank w/ (2) Material buckets new diaphragm in carb., 1958 John Deere 530 Shop-Built grapple ent $4,100. 320-587-9207 Matt

Farm

AUCTION

2020

CLOSES: THURSDAY, APRIL 23 | 7PM

FOR SALE: 1947 W6 International, restored, asking $2,500. 320-285-5433

PAGE 21

SteffesGroup.com

Steffes Group, Inc. | 24400 MN Hwy 22 South, Litchfield, MN 55355

For information contact Randy Kath at Steffes Group, 320.693.9371 or 701.429.8894 Complete terms, lot listings and photos at SteffesGroup.com / Randy Kath MN47-007

HUTCHINSON, MN H H H 320-433-4250 H H homesteadsalesinc.com H H HHHHHHHHHHHH H

We Can Deliver

Bill Klassen Auctioneers

204-325-4433 or Call: 204-325-6230

TIMED ONLINE Farm Retirement

2081 357TH AVE. NW, CAMBRIDGE, MN

From Cambridge, MN, 6 miles west on Hwy 95, 2.5 miles north on Cty Rd 1, 1/2 mile east on 357th Ave NW.

AUCTION OPENS: MONDAY, APRIL 6

CLOSES: FRIDAY, APRIL 17 | 10AM

AUCTIONEER’S NOTE: Ken has decided to retire and will sell his entire line of equipment. Equipment is well maintained and mostly low houred.

MFWD TRACTOR 2009 John Deere 7330 Premium MFWD, 1,530 hrs.

2WD TRACTORS 1989 John Deere 4055 2WD, 5,749 hrs.

1981 John Deere 4640 2WD, 10,511 hrs.

1980 John Deere 4440 2WD, 10,118 hrs.

1967 John Deere 4020 2WD, 3,005 hrs.

TRACTOR ATTACHMENTS John Deere 260 all hyd. loader Bale spear Material bucket Round bale spear COMBINE & HEADS 2008 John Deere 9570 combine, 1,534 preharvest

sep. hrs., 2,629 preharvest 1976 IHC 1600 Loadstar engine hrs. single axle grain truck, 2013 John Deere 620F flex 32,245 miles head Horst header trailer 2013 John Deere 606C Ez-Trail 680 header trailer chopping corn head GRAIN HANDLING DRILLS EQUIPMENT John Deere 450 grain drill GSI Airstream 110 grain John Deere grain drill dryer PLANTER Westfield MK100-61 auger John Deere 1750 MaxEmerge Hutchinson auger Plus planter Westfield WR80-61 auger TILLAGE EQUIPMENT Mayrath auger 2018 Mandako LR-5842 Farm King jump auger land roller Feterl grain cleaner 2009 Sunflower 4213 chisel GRAIN BINS plow Micada grain bin 2006 John Deere 726 soil Sioux grain bin finisher Sioux grain bin John Deere 637 disc (3) Sioux bulk feed bin, 2 ton John Deere row crop GRAVITY BOXES cultivator Unverferth 630 gravity box ROCKPICKER Killbros 1065 gravity box PFM 500 reel-type rockpicker Killbros 387 gravity box GRAIN TRUCK & TRAILERS (2)Parker 5250 Grain Chariot 2009 Featherlite 8107 tandem gravity box axle bumper hitch livestock trailer

2020

er;MF 4880 4WD Tractor; JD able 8110 MFD; 2 Compartment 2 ft. Parker Gravity Box with ma- Brush Auger; 80/50 KW PTO ker Generator and others; 28” wer. Fan and Burner; 21’ and 18’ Grain Bins some air floors; Walk Behind Trencher; 9’ 450 and 10’ Ag Baggers; PJ 26’ rris Gooseneck Trailer. Call 320Har- 760-1634 sey AllRavon 440 spray controller w/ Garmin Astro speed control, brand new, never used, ess $500 firm; IH 720 5-18s plow or w/ coulters onland hitch w/ llon new shears and land slides, kid, $2,500/OBO. 320-309-0952 523WANTED: Meyer pull type hay conditioner, complete or cul- for parts. 507-673-2458 ing WANTED TO BUY: Pull type 7” culti-packer. 320-493-3394 od, and We buy Salvage Equipment Parts Available vity Hammell Equip., Inc. au(507)867-4910 ock

Tractors

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

HAY EQUIPMENT 2011 John Deere 468 round baler, 4,852 bales 2000 MacDon 4000 mower conditioner 2018 JBM Mighty Bale Hauler LIVESTOCK EQUIPMENT Tru-Test Ez-Weight livestock scale Gehl 1309 Scavenger manure spreader Hog farrowing pens Sioux gates Sioux bunk feeders Sioux slant bar feeder panels Misc. hog & livestock equipment MISC. FARM SUPPORT ITEMS Farm King 1410 liquid fertilizer applicator Jeffers quick hitch Goodyear 18.4-34 band duals w/hardware TANKS & SHOP ITEMS

SteffesGroup.com

Steffes Group, Inc. 24400 MN Hwy 22 S Litchfield, MN 55355

KEN & SHARON ERICKSON | KEN 763.221.9866

or Randy Kath at Steffes Group, 320.693.9371 or 701.429.8894

Complete terms, lot listings and photos at SteffesGroup.com / Randy Kath MN47-007

PAGE 22

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

First Your e for Choic ieds! if Class

THE LAND — APRIL 3/APRIL 10, 2020

our Place Y ! ay d Ad To

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

To submit your classified ad use one of the following options: Phone: 507-345-4523 or 1-800-657-4665 Mail to: The Land Classifieds, P.O. Box 3169, Mankato, MN 56002 Fax to: 507-345-1027 Email: theland@TheLandOnline.com Online at: www.thelandonline.com DEADLINE: Friday at 5:00 p.m. for the following Friday edition.

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

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The ad prices listed are based on a basic classified line ad of 25 words or less. Ads running longer than 25 words will incur an added charge.  Antiques & Collectibles  Harvesting Equipment  Goats  Lawn & Garden  Grain Handling Equipment  Horses & Tack  Feed Seed Hay  Livestock Equipment  Exotic Animals  Fertilizer & Chemicals  Wanted  Pets & Supplies  Bins & Buildings  Free & Give Away  Cars & Pickups  Farm Equipment  Livestock  Industrial & Construction  Tractors  Poultry  Trucks & Trailers  Tillage Equipment  Dairy  Recreational Vehicles  Planting Equipment  Cattle  Miscellaneous  Spraying Equipment  Swine NOTE: Ad will be placed in the  Hay & Forage Equipment  Sheep appropriate category if not marked.

CHECK ONE:  Announcements  Employment  Real Estate  Real Estate Wanted  Farm Rentals  Auctions  Agri Business  Farm Services  Sales & Services  Merchandise

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

THE LAND

1 run @ $19.99 2 runs @ $34.99 3 runs @ $44.99 Each additional line (over 7) + $1.40 per line per issue EXTENDED COVERAGE - must run the same number of times as The Land FARM NEWS (FN) - Serving farmers in Northwest Iowa, 21,545 circ.

THE COUNTRY TODAY (CT) - Serving farmers in Wisconsin, 21,000 circ.

THE FREE PRESS (FP) - Serving south central Minnesota, 19,025 circ.

PAPER(S) ADDED (circle all options you want): FN CT FP $7.70 for each paper and $7.70 run each issues x $7.70 STANDOUT OPTIONS (THE LAND only) $2.00 per run:  Bold  Italic  Underline  Web/E-mail links (Includes 1 Southern & 1 Northern issue)

oto (THE LAND only) $10.00 perper run:run  Border $10.00 each

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Grain Handling Equipment

FOR SALE: 2020 Neville built FOR SALE: Yorkshire, Hampaluminum air, seeder special shire, Duroc & Hamp/Duroc grain trailer, 38.5’, new con- boars, also gilts. Excellent dition. For photo and infor- selection. Raised outside. mation call or text 218-791- Exc herd health. No PRSS. 3400 Delivery avail. 320-760-0365 Spot, Duroc, Chester White, Boars & Gilts available.

Monthly PRRS and PEDV. All kinds of New & Used farm Delivery available. Steve equipment - disc chisels, field Resler. 507-456-7746 cults, planters, soil finishers, cornheads, feed mills, discs, Pets & Supplies balers, haybines, etc. 507438-9782 Australian Shepherd Blue-Merle, Red-Merle, Livestock Black & Red. First Come, First Pick.

507-390-4619 FOR SALE: Black Angus bulls Leave Message. also Hamp, York, & Hamp/ Duroc boars & gilts. Alfred Kemen 320-598-3790 Your ad

Wanted

Poultry Young Brown Hens For Sale: Ready to Go April 1, $11 Each Call or Text 715-828-1829

could be here!

507-345-4523 Trucks & Trailers

Cattle

‘03 Ford F450, 7.3 diesel, auto, 15’ alum cargo box w/ Tommy Lift, rust free truck in Indianhead Hereford Sale, April 11th, Viewing at 10:30 excellent condition, $8,900. a.m., Sale starts at Noon 320-583-0881 Clipping Demo at 9:30 a.m.

1989 Chevy Dually service University of River Falls truck w/ side boxes, excelMan Valley Lab Farm No. 2 lent runner, $2,700. 507-327For Information Call Mark 6430 715-760-2350 Registered Polled Hereford FOR SALE: 40’ End dump Springing Heifers, excellent trailer electric tarp, $15,000.

Crysteel 500 bu pup trailer, quality. Call 715-781-7056 $2,500/OBO. 715-410-5975

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

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

THE LAND — APRIL 3 /APRIL 10, 2020 Miscellaneous

mp-PARMA DRAINAGE PUMPS roc New pumps & parts on hand. ent Call Minnesota’s largest diside. tributor HJ Olson & Company SS. 65 320-974-8990 Cell - 320-212-5336

ite, ble.

DV. eve

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

WANTED FREON R12. We pay CA$H. R12 R500 R11.

Convenient. Certified profeserd sionals. 312-291-9169 rle, RefrigerantFinders.com/ad me, 4619Winpower Sales & Service Reliable Power Solutions Since 1925 PTO & automatic Emergency Electric Generators. New & Used Rich Opsata-Distributor 800-343-9376

uto, omin 900.

vice cel327-

mp 000. ler,

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

Looking for New or Used FARM EQUIPMENT? Check out The Land classifieds first!

WANTED

DAMAGED GRAIN

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.

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.

CALL FOR A QUOTE TODAY

PRUESS ELEV., INC.

www.thelandonline.com

1-800-828-6642

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 NH TL100 w/cab ................................................22,500 NEW Massey 4710 w/cab and loader ................. SOLD NEW Massey 4710 rops/loader........................... SOLD NEW Massey 6713 w/cab and loader ........... On Hand Massey 8690 CVT..........................................$135,000 Massey 1552 w/loader .................................... $21,500 ‘13 NH T8.275, 495 hrs ................................. $133,000 ‘12 Buhler 280..................................................$99,500 ‘09 Versatile 435 3000 hrs ............................ $128,000 ‘08 NH 8010 .................................................... $99,500 ‘08 Agco DT180 CVT...................................... $89,500 ‘07 Massey 1533 ............................................. $11,000 ‘03 Versatile 2310, PS ..................................... $79,500 ‘96 White 6175 FWA....................................... $41,500 ‘96 White 6175 2wd ........................................ $27,500

New NH Hay Tools - ON HAND

TILLAGE ‘14 Sunflower 4412-05.....................................$30,000 ‘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 JD 512 9-24 blades ......................................... $12,500 JD 512 7-30 blades ............................................$8,500

PLANTERS

PAGE 23

‘12 White 8186, 16-30 w/liq. fert. .................... $53,000 ‘11 White 8516 CFS, Loaded .......................... $70,000 ‘06 White 8516 cfs .......................................... $45,000 ‘06 White 8186 w/fert ....................................... Coming ‘95 White 6722 loaded .................................... $11,500 White 6122 w/bean unit ................................. $12,500 White 8202 12 row .......................................... Coming

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 2-’12 NH 225 C/H ............................................. Coming

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!

(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

ADVERTISER LISTING Anderson Seeds .................................................................... 12 Asbestos Disease LLC ...........................................................11 Beck's Hybrids ....................................................................... 1 Courtland Waste Handling .................................................... 13 Generac ............................................................................... 17 Greenwald Farm Center ........................................................ 19 Homestead Sales .................................................................. 21 Kannegiesser Truck .............................................................. 15 Klassen Auctions .................................................................. 21 Larson Brothers Implement .................................................. 19 MSU College of Business ....................................................... 9 Nachurs Alpine Solutions ....................................................... 4 Pruess Elevator Inc .............................................................. 23 Pumps Motor & Bearings LLC ............................................... 5 Schweiss Doors .................................................................... 19 Smiths Mill Implement Inc ................................................... 23 Steffes Group ..................................................................20, 21 Thunder Creek ....................................................................... 3 Wakefield Pork .................................................................... 10

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

PAGE 24

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

THE LAND — APRIL 3/APRIL 10, 2020

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

Flute fabricator

T

he fascination of a kaleidoscope is that with each turn there is something new and wonderful to see. While one cannot make a straight comparison between a kaleidoscope and Kalani Sa, he is a kaleidoscopic person in background, experience, and his quest to see new possibilities.

It begins with his multi-ethnic heritage which includes native Hawaiian (where he was born) and Native American mixed in with other nationalities. Then there is the variety in his living experience. After leaving Hawaii as a child, he has lived in at least eight states, from Alaska to Pennsylvania — plus two years in South Africa. Those travels ended 19 years ago when his engineering profession took root in Marshall, Minn.

Kalani himself keeps turning the “kaleidoscope” in his desire to see and learn something new. After other hobbies, he settled into woodworking. He made small furniture like tables and benches for friends; but six years ago turned to more detailed work: musical instruments.

“One day I got a video of a Native American playing a flute and I fell in love with the sound,” he said. “I thought, I wonder how hard it is to make them.”

He watched instructional videos on You Tube and applied his woodworking skills. He points to a pile of his first attempts that didn’t work. After

more research and effort, he now produces beautiful flutes out of maple and cherry.

The exterior may be left plain, or decorated with carving or woodburning. Most flutes include a totem, a small carved animal which is not decoration, but an integral part of the instrument. Not satisfied with success, he still seeks new techniques to expand his knowledge — often exploring other cultures.

Having responded to his Native American heritage, three years ago he was drawn to his Hawaiian heritage.

“I know my Hawaiian grandmother played the ukulele in Hawaii on the radio when she was growing up. I like the sound of it, so back I went to You Tube.”

He made the specialized tools needed for soaking, steaming and forming wood, and produces handsome instruments. He said the learning curve for producing a good-sounding ukulele has been steeper than that for a flute.

He bought a ukulele and is learning to play to help his design efforts.

Kalani is still mastering the intricacies of building a string instrument.

He sells the flutes, but won’t sell the ukuleles until he gets it correct. Given his interest, determination, and desire to expand his skills, that is only a matter of time.

Kalani Sa can be contacted at (507) 828-7042 or by email at flksa@hotmail.com. v

Marshall, Minn.

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March 6/March 13, 2020 (800) 657-4665 www.TheLandOnline.com theland@TheLandOnline.com P.O. Box 3169, Mankato, MN 56002

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© 2020

March 6/March 13, 2020 (800) 657-4665 www.TheLandOnline.com theland@TheLandOnline.com P.O. Box 3169, Mankato, MN 56002