THE LAND ~ April 24, 2020 ~ Northern Edition

“Since 1976, Where Farm and Family Meet”

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April 17, 2020 April 24, 2020

Chicks ahoy!

Spring means a fresh batch of layers for L&R Poultry and Produce

INSIDE THIS ISSUE:

Family Farm Defenders Executive Director John Peck What you should know about Fulvic acid

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THE LAND — APRIL 17/APRIL 24, 2020

2019 could have been worse (not much) P.O. Box 3169 418 South Second St. Mankato, MN 56002 (800) 657-4665 Vol. XXXIX ❖ No. 8 24 pages, 1 section plus supplements

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COLUMNS Opinion Farm and Food File From My Farmhouse Kitchen Cooking With Kristin The Bookworm Sez Mielke Market Weekly Marketing Auctions/Classifieds Advertiser Listing Back Roads

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The word just came out on April 2. In agement instructor at the Moorhead office case you were wondering, Minnesota of Northland Community and Technical farmers continued to struggle with low College. “Add to that the extra costs of profitability in 2019. harvesting in difficult field conditions, and this spring, our producers will have The University of Minnesota Extension to deal with those poor field conditions for and the Agricultural Centers of planting, which increases their costs.”

Excellence within Minnesota compiled the latest figures released in the April 2 With turmoil in the political arena’s report. The analysis includes 2,167 partariffs and trade deals, crop prices were LAND MINDS ticipants in Minnesota State Farm on a roller coaster for much of the year.

Business Management programs and 106 Corn improved at $3.62 per bushel, up

By Paul Malchow members of the University’s Southwest from $3.33 in 2018. Soybean prices, Farm Business Management more impacted by trade issues, were Association. Participating farmers rep$8.48 per bushel, down from $9.04 the resent approximately 10 percent of previous year. Wheat seemed especialMinnesota’s commercial farmers. ly volatile — jumping and dropping several cents Stating the obvious, the report does not exactly send per bushel on a weekly basis. farmers into the upcoming growing season brimOn the animal front, the report stated profits for ming with optimism. participating dairy farms improved in 2019. The “Farming as a business is far from profitable,” said median dairy farm earned $64,144 compared to Keith Olander of the Minnesota State Northern $15,434 in 2018. The average milk price, at $18.81 Agricultural Center of Excellence. “Minnesota farm- per hundred pounds, was the highest since record ers are in need of a good year.” prices in 2014.

The report states that last year, 28 percent of farms Healthier milk prices were not enough to save lost money; 45 percent lost working capital; and 46 many dairy operations, however. The number of parpercent did not earn enough to cover scheduled debt ticipating dairy farms decreased by 13 percent, as payments. Median net farm income was up slightly many producers liquidated their herds. It is interfrom the previous year at $36,211, but was still his- esting to note the USDA reports an increase in the torically low. number of cows in Minnesota. “Get big or get out” “The average producer did a little better, but seems to be the trend. inside the numbers there was a lot of diversity,” said “2019 is really a tale of halves,” said Nate Dale Nordquist of the University of Minnesota’s Converse, farm business management Instructor at Center for Farm Financial Management. “More than the Staples campus of Central Lakes College. “The in most years, earnings depended on where you first six months were similar to 2018 with Class 3 lived, how much it rained and how much your com- prices averaging $15.25. Then in July, Class 3 prices modities were impacted by trade issues.” started to rise and finished the year strong. Even It’s hard to say where many operations would with increased profitability, 33 percent of dairy have finished 2019 without the Market Facilitation farms had negative debt repayment margins.”

Program (MFP). The U.S. Department of Agriculture The threat of African swine fever kept U.S. hog provided payments to producers of commodities producers on edge during 2019 — along with a marimpacted by trade-related losses. ket which saw regular swings in losses and gains.

“It is likely that 20 percent of our producers would Producers expected 2019 to be very profitable, as not have gotten operating credit for next year’s crop disease forced China to liquidate more than one milwithout the MFP payments,” said Ron Dvergsten, lion pigs. However, China later imposed high tariffs farm business management instructor at Northland on pork imports, blunting much of that gain.

Community and Technical College in Thief River Nonetheless, pork producer earnings rebounded Falls. “Those payments were critical to keep many with the median producer earning $96,245 — up of the producers we work with in business.” from $27,799. Wean-to-finish producers made $5 per The other factor in keeping farm operations afloat head after losing over $8 in 2018. was crop insurance. Crop yields were below trend in Hog and dairy producers both received MFP payall regions. A number of growers chose to take the ments to partially offset trade-related impacts. prevented planting crop insurance option, providing Those raising beef also fared a little better in at least some income in exchange for leaving fields 2019. Median net farm income for beef producers unplanted. was just under $7,000, up from just $4,000 in 2018.

The sugar beet region of the Red River Valley However, beef cow-calf producers lost over $140 per experienced some of the worst weather-related har- cow. Cattle finishers made just over $10 per head. vest conditions in the state.

To my knowledge, farm income forecasts have not “There were lots of sugar beets left in the ground been revised in light of the global coronavirus epilast fall and we still have a lot of unharvested corn See LAND MINDS, pg. 3 in the fields,” said Josh Tjosaas, farm business man-

OPINION

THE LAND — APRIL 17/APRIL 24, 2020

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Opinion: We need a farm foreclosure moratorium Over the past month, Minnesota and our country overall have been focusing on two co-occurring crises: the Covid19 public health emergency, and an economy on life support. Our state is taking the necessary steps to maintain public health by extending our “stayat-home» order, and has taken significant steps to help small businesses by providing SBA loans and by expanding unemployment insurance to make sure frontline workers who contract Covid-19 on the job have access to workers’ compensation.

But a number of our rural colleagues in the farming profession beset by plunging prices and the added stress of Covid-19 need another precious support: time. Specifically, an additional 180-day window to work through mediation before banks foreclose on their farm business.

This economic crisis comes at a time when requests for farm mediation are at their highest levels since the farm crisis of the 1980’s. In recent years, 85 percent of farmers who have entered the mediation process have been able to make a deal with creditors to consolidate debts, avoid foreclosure and keep farming. Right now, as we all are working to protect our own health and the health of our communities by

maintaining social distance — a farmer cannot have that critical face-toface meeting with creditors. As a result, if a notice from a creditor is received, it is much more likely that a foreclosure is imminent. Right now, we farmers need more time in that process. It would enable us to have these face-to-face meetings safely, reach agreement with creditors, and keep farming.

The recently passed CARES Act has provided farmers some protections to counterbalance the current depressed markets. A bright spot in this package is a dedicated pool of funding for farmers raising food for local markets. We need this now more than ever. These farmers, representing a new and more diverse generation of farmers among us, are not as well protected by farm bill support programs as their more traditional farm colleagues. They continue to create and build the local foods infrastructure based on community resilience and connection during this challenging time when we are advised to keep a distance.

The CARES Act also steers financial support from the Commodity Credit Corporation to traditional family livestock and dairy farms, although just how this will be used and where it will

Letters to the editor are always welcome.

be directed is not yet clear. The need, however, is critical. The outbreak of Covid-19 has exacerbated the farm crisis that traditional small to mid-sized crop and livestock farm families have been navigating for over six years. The prices that farmers are getting for their products have been dropping across the board, with the largest loss being felt by milk producers who’ve felt recent price drops of up to 36 percent — even while demand for milk is high. A similar situation is affecting beef producers. Processor margins have leapt with the soaring demand for beef due to the shelter-in-place orders, yet farmers that raise this beef are operating at a net loss. Add to this an alarming disconnect between cattle cash and futures markets as well as a continued uphill fight by farmers for Country of Origin Labeling in order to gain more market access in a U.S. meat industry where just four companies control 85 percent of the marketplace. That adds another layer of stress weighing on farmers who are now talking to lenders in an attempt to farm another season.

At risk in this pandemic are the foundations of our rural communities — traditional small and mid-sized family farms, as well as a newer generation of farming professionals knitting together a stronger local foods

economy. We need to work together to ensure support from our public treasury during this crisis builds the type of food and farming system we want to see on the land.

During this crisis, we have seen some incredible examples of leadership from our Governor, local officials and a Legislature working in an unprecedented bipartisan manner to address and support those among us hardest hit by Covid-19. We now look for that to continue and ask the Governor and Legislature to impose an immediate time-out on farm foreclosures so that farm families can focus on staying healthy and weathering the worst of the depressed prices as they look to another farming season. Again, 180 days for farmers in mediation to demonstrate a positive cash flow and come to an agreement with lenders could make all the difference.

We all need more farmers, not less.

And Covid-19 should not be the reason that farmers already in economic crisis have to call it quits.

Leon Plaetz, Wabasso Nick Olson, Litchfield Tom Nuessmeier, Le Sueur Mike Gilles, Ridgeway Joel Odie Jansen, Danube Land Stewardship Project farmer members:

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.

A change would do us good LAND MINDS, from pg. 2

occasional blast of snow).

There is plenty of catching up to do. demic. As of the release of the report, the USDA was still expecting net farm Some acres still contain corn. Fields with leftover sugar beets will need income to be up slightly in 2020. additional attention to prepare for this Higher receipts are forecast for hog, dairy, beef and poultry producers. Crop year’s planting. Those who were able to harvest left behind compacted soil receipts are forecast to remain and deep ruts in their fields. unchanged, while government payments are expected to decline. Corn It seems like it’s been so long since and soybean associations both forecast we’ve experienced a normal crop year, an increase in acreage in 2020. I’m not a normal crop year would be abnorsure how that works. mal. Let’s face it … a change would do us good.

What will happen in 2020 at this point is anyone’s guess. Weather wise, Paul Malchow is the managing edithe stage is set for early access to the tor of The Land. He may be reached at fields (although the northern regions editor@TheLandOnline.com. v of Minnesota continue to receive the

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THE LAND — APRIL 17/APRIL 24, 2020

Laughter is no longer the best medicine One reason (there were The joke, as it turns out, others) for my departure was on us. from farm magazine writIn 1985, federal policying was laughter. Let me makers (led by Big Ag), explain. responded to the crisis as In the early 1980s, the they always had. They spent world, like now, was headed billions to remodel and to hell in a hurry and agrirepaint old policies instead culture was leading the FARM & FOOD FILE of daring to create new ones. parade. U.S. interest rates Two were genuine golden

By Alan Guebert were a crushing 14 percent, oldies: ethanol and the farmland prices were on CRP, or Conservation their way to plunging 40 Reserve Program. CRP percent in just five years, was sold as a 10-year soil and grain prices were poised to fall off conservation tool and ethanol as a a cliff. short-term alternative to use up an In the middle of this calamity, I sug- enormous corn carryover. gested to Successful Thirty-five years later, both tempoFarming’s managing editor, a devoted rary programs remain. pipe smoker, that I write a story on In the 1990s, more market woes the aching need for “a national delivered the “revolutionary” Freedom coordinated food policy.” to Farm (F2F) law. The revolutionary My words hit his brain just as a drag part, it turned out, was that it susof tobacco smoke hit his lungs and his pended economic reality. Under F2F, laughter and coughing were so convul- farmers received government checks sive that all he could do was wave me to — literally — outbid, outspend and out of his office. He then laughed every out-produce their neighbors. time he saw me the following week.

OPINION

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And boy, did they. F2F went from being a seven-year, $50-billion concept to being a six-year, $143-billion farm policy train wreck.

In the 2000s, Congress really jumped into the breach with crop insurance — another worn tire from the past. This time, though, they supercharged it with enormous subsidies to entice farmers to use it. What was left out, critics warned, was an effective tool to lift farm income should a big production/low price spiral hit. Relax, Congress said, this’ll work.

And it did until it didn’t. By 2016, net farm income had collapsed 30 percent from just three years prior.

Without an escape hatch, farmers did the only thing they could: they grew more to boost gross revenue.

That, in turn, pushed commodity prices even lower and the downward spiral steepened.

Which is where we are today … despite, according to the U.S. of Department of Agriculture statistics, having spent $1.067 trillion (2019 dollars) on federal farm programs since 1933, when they were institutionalized.

More surprising, one-third of that total, or $364 billion, has been spent in just the last two decades — despite 2011 through 2015 having been one of the most profitable five-year periods ever in American agriculture.

On the plus side, the money has underwritten the cheapest, safest, most abundant food supply in the history of the world. No small achievement. It has also fed millions more around the world and helped plant peace in some of its darkest corners.

But that cheap abundance isn’t looking cheap anymore. Foreign companies — some tied to domestic corruption or unfriendly governments — sit atop our meat, seed, fertilizer and chemical supply chains. As such, they shackle us to their corporate needs, not our national interests.

At the same time, those remnants of rural America which haven’t been run over, paved over, or turned over to corporate ag — local butchers, small flour mills and community-supported ag groups and farmers — are now overwhelmed with new business during the Covid-19 crisis.

The lesson here is obvious.

Meanwhile, Congress and the USDA, their lessons still unlearned, are gearing up to spend another $30 billion — and maybe far more — to remodel, repaint and rename more boom-andbust ag policies from the past.

No one, however, is laughing anymore.

The Farm and Food File is published weekly through the United States and Canada. To learn more, see www.farmandfoodfile.com. v

Opinion: Remind yourself tough times don’t last The year was 1986. Ronald Reagan was the president. Corn was selling for $1.50 a bushel and hogs were forever stuck in the 30 cents a pound range. Land values had fallen to less than half of what they were just a few years before during the go-go times of the seventies. To top it all off, shortterm interest rates had approached 20 percent. The Classy Canary sported pages upon pages of farm auctions as bankers attempted to liquidate upsidedown balance sheets. Rural America was in the midst of the worst farm crisis since the Great Depression.

On this early spring day, an impressive lineup of late model John Deere equipment was being auctioned off by

one of the best In the business: Abner Jacobson. Abner was a short witty Norwegian with a big booming voice.

That day he was selling out the machinery of a couple of brothers who had got in over their heads.

We arrived late (as usual) and walked over a half mile past parked pickup trucks. We picked up a bidding number (in the 800’s) from the clerk.

We came to watch (and maybe bid) on a pair of low-houred 8640’s. They were the biggest four wheel drive tractors that John Deere made until 1981. We thought we were going to see them sell for less than the cost of a new riding lawnmower.

See OPINION, pg. 5

THE LAND — APRIL 17/APRIL 24, 2020

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Try a little King Solomon during these troubling times Over the last few weeks But what if it is as bad as we have undergone changes the experts say it can be? to our lives that very few of Life right now is not a us ever expected to see or picnic and is very much out wanted to experience. It’s of our control. Sports game much easier to read about scores have been replaced troubling times like this in with up-to-date numbers history books or view a docand graphs of suspected umentary than to be watchcases, reported cases and FROM MY ing the currents events deaths appearing regularly FARMHOUSE unfold on any media outlet on our screens.

KITCHEN right now.

We realize that we are

By Renae B. Our emotions have run unprepared for any major Vander Schaaf the gauntlet of anger, selfcrisis. We are also realizing ishness, worry and panic. It scares us we can’t handle the situation ourjust a mite to realize how we are selves, too many unknowns and what reacting to the current events. We we do know isn’t all that pleasant. operate between hysteria, despair and Instead of the occasional funeral to the belief that ‘yes, with the right preremind us that life on this earth is cautions I will survive. In a week or temporary, we are being vividly two all will be back to normal, and it can’t be as bad as they are predicting.’ reminded daily that death can occur at any time.

Perhaps in the back of our minds, we knew that when we walked out the door in the morning there was no guarantee we would return. There might be an accident, or a sudden health issue that would cause our demise. We never gave much thought to the Death Angel before.

But now we can’t escape the reality.

We are constantly bombarded with photos and numbers. We look for assurance.

For many of us, we go to the Bible where we find our favorite scripture passages to turn to in troubling times.

Mine this time happens to be the book of Ecclesiastes. A book in the Bible written by a very wise man, King Solomon. He possessed power, wealth beyond imagination and anything this world could offer.

OPINION, from pg. 4 After selling many of the smaller pieces, Abner finally got to the pair of big tractors. Abner described their attributes and then offered them choice to the crowd of more than 1,000 for a starting price of $28,000. Less than a minute later, he was backed up to $20,000 and there were no takers.

Suddenly, Abner’s voice stopped. He turned and asked a young farmer standing in the front row for a smoke.

A few seconds later, he asked the young man for a light. Now Abner had everyone’s attention. You could have

That day was one of the many lessons we learned from the eighties.

Things like faith and family are as important as financial success. Cash flow planning is a necessity. We don’t need everything today. It’s OK to wait until tomorrow. Emotional and financial depression is sometimes a state of mind. Tough times don’t last. Tough people do.

We have just lived through one of the most challenging farming years of poor weather and low prices since the 1980’s farm crisis. Now we are in the midst of the worst health crisis our

Yet he pondered the purpose of life in a very somber, thoughtful way. He seemed very perplexed at times.

The conclusion to this book has the perfect ending, of course. Here are the last two verses of Chapter 12. Oh wait, I don’t want to spoil it for you.

It would be better for you to open your own Bibles to Ecclesiastes Chapter 1. Yes, you need to start at the very beginning because the verses probably won’t have the same effect.

So do yourself a favor, read the book of Ecclesiastes slowly aloud without peeking at the ending. It doesn’t really take that long as it’s only 12 chapters.

Renae B. Vander Schaaf is an independent writer, author and speaker.

Please contact her at (605) 530-0017 or agripen@live.com. v

Faith and family are as important as financial success

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heard a pin drop as Abner took what seemed like an eternity to smoke that cigarette.

After rubbing out the cigarette butt with his foot, Abner’s voice cackled on the PA system with the words “This young man just offered me twenty thousand dollars for the tractor. The boy’s face turned beet red as Abner began coaxing the crowd for the next bid. A few seconds later someone raised their hand for $20,500. By the time the bidding stopped, Abner had sold the tractor for $28,000 — almost half of what a new tractor was worth.

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nation has seen in 100 years. We question the future of our own well-being and the ability of our economic system to absorb the disruptions caused from fighting Covid-19.

In time we will find a way to contain, treat or prevent the virus.

Beyond that, we will need more people like Abner Jacobson to lead us out of the economic darkness and give us faith that there will be better days ahead.

Jim Anderson Belgrade, Minn.

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THE LAND — APRIL 17/APRIL 24, 2020

Everyone could use a little comfort during trying times As I write this column, we’re in the Slow Cooker Lasagna middle of the statewide stay home execu1 pound ground beef tive order in Minnesota. While many of 1 jar spaghetti sauce you are trying to balance working from 1 can tomato paste home, helping children with distance 1/2 package lasagna noodles learning, others are busy doing field 1 jar alfredo sauce work. We all are trying to wrap our heads 12 ounces mozzarella around what’s going on with this pan1/4 cup Parmesan demic and doing our best to navigate the Brown ground beef in skillet, drain. Spray slow COOKING unknown.

WITH KRISTIN cooker with non-stick spray. Spread 3/4 cup pasta We still need to eat though, so I’ve comsauce in bottom of slow cooker. Stir remaining

By Kristin Kveno piled some of my favorite recipes which sauce into ground beef. Layer three noodles over are perfect if you’re staying in the house sauce, breaking noodles as necessary. Top with one-third of the — or need an easy meal to take with you in the alfredo sauce and spread out. Sprinkle with 1 cup of mozzarella tractor. and then top with a third of the ground beef spread evenly in I made this soup last week for the family and it was a success, slow cooker. Repeat layers twice. Top with Parmesan cheese, cover and cook on low heat for 3-1/2 to 4 hours.

EVERYONE loved it. It was the perfect comfort food when we all could use a little comfort. n Cauliflower Soup This recipe is called Best Ever Meatloaf for a reason — it’s 1 medium cauliflower, break into pieces really that good. This meatloaf is great in a sandwich, so it’s the 2 cans chicken broth perfect on-the-go planting meal. Slice the meatloaf, put it on 1/4 cup butter some bread, add some ketchup and enjoy!

2 teaspoons chopped onion Best Ever Meatloaf 3 celery ribs, minced 2 pounds ground beef 1/4 cup flour 2 eggs 3 cups milk or half & half 1 cup cornflakes, crushed (2 cups whole) salt and pepper to taste 1 onion, chopped dash of paprika 1/2 teaspoon pepper grated Parmesan cheese 2 tablespoons minced parsley 3/4 package (6 oz.) of cream cheese 1/2 cup ham, chopped Cook cauliflower in chicken broth until tender, about 10-15 minutes. Drain, reserving broth. Cook onions and celery in butter until soft. Add flour, stir until smooth. Add cauliflower, milk and reserved broth. Cook until thick. Add cream cheese, salt, pepper and ham. Just before serving, sprinkle with Parmesan cheese. n It is tempting to turn horses out into spring pastures at the first sight of green grass — especially Life is still hectic, so give yourself a break and make lasagna after a long winter. However, spring grazing should the easy way. This slow cooker recipe is delicious and simple. be introduced slowly and delayed until grasses reach 6 to 8 inches to optimize both the health of the horse and pasture.

When horse pastures reach 6 to 8 inches, begin grazing for 15 minutes, increasing the grazing time each day by 15 minutes until 5 hours of consecutive The Land office will be closed grazing is reached. After that, unrestricted grazing on Memorial Day can occur.

Even though hay and pasture are both forms of forages, there are significant differences. Dried hay is approximately 15 percent moisture compared to for The Land on May 29 fresh pasture which is 85 percent moisture. The horse is a hind-gut, fermenting herbivore which DISPLAY ADS - Ad copy due relies extensively on the microbes present in its gasWednesday, May 20 trointestinal tract to be able to process forages. If the feedstuffs the microbes are utilizing change suddenCLASSIFIED LINE ADS - Ad copy due ly, there may be too little time for the microbial popuThursday, May 21 lations to adjust to the change. Instead, large numbers of them die, while others flourish, setting up a at Noon situation where toxins may be absorbed by the horse

sauce: 1/2 cup ketchup 1/3 cup brown sugar, packed 2 tablespoons cider vinegar 1-1/2 teaspoons brown mustard 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Prepare sauce in a bowl and set aside. Combine meatloaf ingredients with hands. Add half of sauce with meat. Pour remaining sauce over top. Bake two hours or until meat reaches 160 degrees. n Let the kids join in on the cooking tasks with this wonderfully easy recipe. Bonus, it makes your house smell oh-so-good!

Slow Cooker Applesauce

10 apples 1/2 cup water 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon 3/4 cup sugar Peel apples, core and cut into chunks. Put them in the slow cooker along with all the other ingredients. Cover and cook on high for 3-4 hours or low for 8-10 hours. Take a potato masher and mash. This can be eaten warm or cold. Refrigerate the remaining sauce.

While we’re amid this stay home order and are having plenty of time together, whether that’s in the field or at home, give these recipes a try with your family today. Stay well!

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

When to start spring grazing

EARLY DEADLINES

— resulting in digestive dysfunction and possibly colic. A gradual change from one feedstuff to another provides enough time for the microbial populations to adjust.

Additionally, pasture grasses need sufficient growth before grazing is allowed. Photosynthesis (the process of converting solar energy to chemical energy) occurs mainly within the leaves of plants. If the leaves are grazed too early (prior to 6 inches tall) or too often, plants can lose vigor, competitiveness and root structure due to the lack of photosynthetic ability. This will lead to eventual die back and overgrazed areas being replaced by undesirable plant species or weeds.

Grazing should cease when forages have been grazed down to 3 to 4 inches. At this time, move horses to another paddock or a dry lot. Grazing can resume when grasses regrow to 6 to 8 inches tall. On average, about two acres of well-managed pasture can provide the forage needs for one horse during the grazing season.

This article was submitted by Dr. Krishona Martinson of the University of Minnesota. v

THE LAND — APRIL 17/APRIL 24, 2020

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Go to the ‘head’ of the class with this beer book Here’s mud in your eye.

“In Praise of Beer” Salud! Bottoms up! Here’s to the ones

by Charles Bamforth we’ve loved and lost. Cheers, and all those other things you say as you hoist a c.2020, Oxford University Press few with your pals in a pub. Drink up. To $24.95 / $32.95 Canada friendship. To love. To health. Actually, 165 pages here’s to you, then let’s raise a glass to “In Praise of Beer” by Charles Bamforth. barley is Idaho) and how to process THE BOOKWORM It may not be exactly summer yet. It it into liquid (Bamforth says dairy SEZ might not be hot outside, or 5 o’clock somewhere, but imagine a glass in front By Terri Schlichenmeyer cows love “spent grains”). The brewer has to know about local water sources, of you, filled with something “cold, hops and yeasts, the kind of packaging bright, and fizzy...” and caps he’ll use (cans are best; brown bottles are Thirsty yet? So what do you order? a close second), and then he’ll have to know how to Says Bamforth, who has worked with the brewing put all this information together. industry for over 40 years, the answer often boils And that will determine the kind of beer you’ll down to a preference between craft beer and the big ultimately get in your frosty glass, whether it’s a brands. What many beer drinkers don’t understand “top fermentation” or a “bottom fermentation” beer, is that, increasingly, the big brands own many of or something else, like a shandy or dry beer. On those so-called craft beers. Still, to be a true craft that note, Bamforth is not a fan of odd ingredients brewery, there are rules... in the making of his beer.

Another thing beer aficionados don’t generally Know that it’s essential for you to “pour with know is that making beer is much more complicated vigor.” Please don’t stuff garbage into an empty botthan making wine. A brewer must first decide on tle. Foam is important, so pay the right kind of the grain he’ll use (the main location for growing attention to it. Keep in mind that beer can accompa-

Marketing assistance loan maturity extended Agricultural producers now have more time to repay Marketing Assistance Loans as part of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s implementation of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act of 2020. The loans now mature at 12 months rather than nine, and this flexibility is available for most commodities.

Effective immediately, producers of eligible commodities now have up to 12 months to repay their commodity loans. The maturity extension applies to nonrecourse loans for crop years 2018, 2019 and 2020. Eligible open loans must in good standing with a maturity date of March 31 or later, or new crop year (2019 or 2020) loans requested by Sept. 30. All new loans requested by Sept. 30 will have a maturity date 12 months following the date of approval.

The maturity extension for current, active loans will be automatically extended an additional three months. Loans which matured March 31 have already been automatically extended by USDA’s Farm Service Agency. Producers who prefer a nine-month loan will need to contact their local FSA county office. Loans requested after Sept. 30 will have a term of nine months.

These loans are considered nonrecourse because the commodity is pledged as loan collateral. Producers have the option of delivering the pledged collateral to the Commodity Credit Corporation for repayment of the outstanding loan at maturity.

Under the new maturity provisions, producers can

still repay the loan as they would have before the extension. Market Assistance Loans may be repaid on or before the maturity date. They can be repaid upon maturity by delivering or forfeiting the commodity to CCC as loan repayment; or after maturity and before CCC acquires the farm-stored commodity by repaying the outstanding loan principle and interest.

A Marketing Loan Gain occurs when a Market Assistance Loan is repaid at less than the loan principal. If market gain is applicable during the nowextended loan period, producers can receive a gain on the repayment made before the loan matures.

For more information on Market Assistance Loans, contact the nearest FSA county office. USDA Service Centers, including FSA county offices, are open for business by phone appointment only, and field work will continue with appropriate social distancing.

While program delivery staff will continue to come into the office, they will be working with producers by phone and using online tools whenever possible.

All Service Center visitors wishing to conduct business with the FSA, Natural Resources Conservation Service, or any other Service Center agency are required to call their Service Center to schedule a phone appointment. More information can be found at farmers.gov/coronavirus.

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

ny fine dining. And remember: beer is good – and it’s also “good for you.”

Much like an icy-cold but thoroughly new-to-you brew on a blistering-hot day, “In Praise of Beer” is a truly refreshing surprise. Reading this book, in fact, is like sitting in an adult classroom, and the instructor’s brought a six-pack to share.

Author Charles Bamforth teaches, but his experience also allows him to entertain with facts that only an insider would know; peeks at brews, breweries, and beer-drinking overseas; and sneaky humor of the LOL kind, but not so much that it makes you spit out your beer.

This is all packaged in a skinny book that talks the talk plainly in a way that avoids high-brow nonsense by treating average beer drinkers like the connoisseurs they are.

“In Praise of Beer” isn’t going to make you an expert on your favorite drink, but you’ll learn enough to make you better appreciate what’s in your mug. Get this book, pull up a seat, and take a sip.

Look for the reviewed book at a bookstore or a library near you. The Bookworm is Terri Schlichenmeyer. Terri never goes anywhere without a book. She lives in Wisconsin with three dogs and 10,000 books. v

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THE LAND — APRIL 17/APRIL 24, 2020

Tips for spring management of prevent plant acres The spring planting season is soon upon us. Prevent plant acres, or fields which were too wet to be planted to a cash crop last year, may need some special attention this season. As final preparations are made for planting, suggested strategies will depend on how these areas were managed in 2019.

In fields where a cover crop was planted, be sure to have a termination plan for cover crops which overwintered, such as cereal rye. To protect yield, a general guideline is to terminate the cover crop 10 to 14 days prior to planting the cash crop — particularly if planting corn, since an overwintering cover crop can create a “green bridge” for insect and disease pests.

This timing can be less stringent for soybean, although it is recommended to terminate the cover crop prior to planting to minimize risk.

If a non-winter hardy cover crop was planted like oats, the cold temperatures of winter should have taken care of termination. Sometimes, however, some radish or turnips can survive the winter, or seeds will germinate in the spring instead of the previous year.

Check fields for survivors and apply an appropriate burndown herbicide around planting time as needed to ensure these plants do not compete with the cash crop.

If an herbicide is used for termination, apply when the cover crop is actively growing and use an appropriate rate for the cover crop growth stage.

For more details on spring management of cover crops and termination tips, see https://extension.umn.edu/ cover-crops/spring-management-cover-crops.

As far as planting into cover crop residue this spring, most planters are well equipped to handle moderate levels of residue. Be sure to check for good seed-to-soil contact, planting depth, seed placement and any other issues, and be prepared to make adjustments if necessary. Useful tips for planting into higher residue situations can be found at https:// crops.extension.iastate.edu/encyclopedia/equipmentmaintenance-planters.

If you used cover crops for the first time in a prevent plant situation, but like what you’re seeing in terms of soil conditions, 2020 could be a year to expand your experiment to different species or planting methods. The Midwest Cover Crop Council and University of Minnesota Extension have cover crop recipes and a species selector tool to help you make a plan for cover crops in 2020 (http://mccc.msu.edu/).

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Fallow syndrome is a risk in fields where there was little to no plant growth last year. Fallow syndrome occurs when populations of “good fungi,” called vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizae (VAM), are dramatically reduced because VAM fungi need actively growing roots to survive. VAM fungi assist in the uptake of phosphorus, zinc and other nutrients with limited mobility in the soil.

Corn is at the greatest risk of yield loss due to fallow syndrome, while soybean is at low risk. If you are planning to plant corn in a field at risk of fallow syndrome, the best course of action is to band phosphorus and chelated zinc directly on the seed as a starter at planting. A normal application of 10-34-0 at a rate of five gallons per acre should be sufficient.

Be sure to not apply too high of a rate directly with the seed due to risk of root damage to corn (and especially soybean).

For more information on preventing fallow syndrome in corn see https://blog-crop-news.extension. umn.edu/2020/03/how-to-prevent-fallow-syndromein-corn.html In fields or areas where management was not possible (e.g. too wet, inaccessible with equipment) and weeds took over, a tremendous contribution to the weed seedbank was likely made. Although tillage would help bury weed seeds, burial can help enhance

survivability of weed seeds and subsequent tillage operations will bring weed seeds back to the soil surface. Leaving seeds on the soil surface by avoiding tillage this spring will leave them more susceptible to predation and decay, thus lowering weed seedbank levels.

A burndown herbicide may be needed in these areas to target early-emerging weeds, and an application of a preemergence herbicide at the full labeled rate is recommended. Be sure to scout these fields and utilize a layered approach where you apply another preemergence herbicide with the postemergence herbicide application about 30 days after planting, as needed. Apply to small (less than 3 inches), actively growing weeds, and ensure you have good coverage where weed populations are thick. Be sure to check herbicide labels for recommended rates and application restrictions.

The University of Minnesota and North Dakota State University have compiled pre-emergence and post-emergence diversification strategies for key problem weeds. They can be found at https://drive. g o o g l e . c o m / f i l e / d / 1 Q o r Ya i n b B j I a c 9 P t T o 2 VfK5a3TDS2HtR/view.

This article was submitted by Lizabeth Stahl and Lisa Behnken, University of Minnesota Extension. v

Grazing practice funds available The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, in partnership with the Minnesota Natural Resources Conservation Service, has made up to $360,000 available for projects which advance production management on grazing lands in central and northwestern Minnesota.

Projects are sought which will hire field conservation professionals to deliver technical assistance to assist private landowners in implementing conservation practices and increase participation in federal

farm bill programs on grazing lands.

Priority will be given to projects which accelerate the development and implementation of grazing plans, promote innovative grazing approaches, improve soil health, increase wildlife habitat benefits or improve water quality on working lands.

For application information, visit www.nfwf.org.

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

Volunteers wanted to monitor rainfall The Minnesota Climatology Office is looking for volunteer rainfall monitors for the Community Collaborative Rain, Hail and Snow Network (CoCoRaHS). The network includes more than 20,000 volunteers nationwide who measure precipitation in their backyards using a standard four-inch rain gauge.

Climatologist and state CoCoRaHS coordinator Pete Boulay said the data from backyard rain gauges are helpful and important in many ways.

“The information provided by volunteers helps to verify high rain totals after big events, monitor drought and flooding, make our precipitation maps more accurate, and it provides needed guidance on Minnesota’s changing climate,” Boulay said. “We

need more volunteers to help fill gaps where people aren’t observing and reporting precipitation values.”

Volunteers are particularly needed outside the immediate Twin Cities metro area. Volunteers receive training on how to observe weather trends and how to submit their precipitation and weather event reports. All training material is available online.

They must purchase or provide a standard 4-inch rain gauge (available at discount through CoCoRaHS), and have internet access to submit reports.

To sign up or for more information, visit CoCoRaHS. org or contact Boulay at peter.boulay@state.mn.us This article was submitted by the Community Collaborative Rain, Hail and Snow Network. v

THE LAND — APRIL 17/APRIL 24, 2020

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

PAGE 9

Chicks rule the roost this time of year for Rusnak

By KRISTIN KVENO The Land Staff Writer Rae Rusnak has been around ducks and chickens her whole life. Originally from Plymouth, Minn. it was her grandfather who initially got her interested in raising chickens as he had a large poultry operation in addition to being a high school teacher.

Located half-way between the Cannon River and Zumbro River, on the rolling woodland hills of Goodhue County near Kenyon, Minn. you’ll find L&R Poultry and Produce. Owner Rusnak started her poultry business 17 years ago during the dawn of consumers’ growing interest in sustainably and Photos submitted locally-produced food. She began selling her eggs at Every March, Rae Rusnak introduces new chicks to the Northfield farmer’s market in 2003. “Demand L&R’ flock of 600 birds. kept getting bigger and bigger,” Rusnak said.

long has been a wonderful opportunity for Rusnak. “It’s been nice, we know each other well.” Rusnak is proud that all the eggs produced on her farm are utilized, which is part of her commitment to sustainability.

“We don’t have wasted eggs.”

“I’ll keep birds until they are three years old.” Keeping layers that long is unusual in commercial egg facilities. It takes six months for adult hens to lay eggs on a regular basis. “We get our babies in March, because the peak of the egg selling is fall-winter,” Rusnak said.

In addition to the egg business, Rusnak grows seven acres of vegetables. She follows organic practices, though L&R produce is not certified organic. “Everything is direct seeded.” She raises potatoes, a variety of summer and winter squash, root veggies, sweet corn, pumpkins and rhubarb.

Rusnak has contracts with the St. Paul and Minneapolis public school districts. She sells thou-

Rusnak used to sell broiler chickens but is now concentrating on layers. As it was a challenge to have broilers and layers together. “The meat birds will overpower the layer hens.”

“I still have people purchase directly from the farm.” Otherwise, all her eggs are contracted. “We really have the perfect blend of wholesale accounts.”

All Rusnak’s good nest eggs have gone to the Ferndale Market in Cannon Falls since 2006. The cracked eggs, floor-layed eggs, thin-shelled eggs, all go to Raw Bistro Pet Fare in Cannon Falls since 2012. See L&R POULTRY, pg. 10 Working with both these local businesses for this

JCB does the

Heavy Lifting Rusnak displays one of L&R’s prize kohl rabi plants.

Rusnak’s chickens are free-range. “There are no fences.” The birds are primarily in the woods. “They find a tremendous number of beetles, grubs and worms,” she said.

Rusnak currently has a flock of 600 chickens, with 300 chickens and 300 chicks. “I raise all my own replacement chickens,” she said. Rusnak has a variety of bird breeds — including Calico Princess, Rhode Island Red, Sapphire Gem and Barred Rock. These breeds do well in Minnesota winters.

For Rusnak, it’s more about quality of the egg over the quantity. It’s important the breeds at L&R Poultry and Produce are tough enough to handle the wide range of weather we have in the state.

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

THE LAND — APRIL 17/APRIL 24, 2020

Rusnak also taps 100 sugar maple trees each year L&R POULTRY, from pg. 9 sands of pounds of produce to the school districts including 7,000 pounds of squash and 6,000 pounds of kohlrabi. She also has sold produce to Northfield, Kenyon-Wanamingo, Goodhue, Red Wing and Pine Island school districts. It’s a win-win for the school districts and for Rusnak, as the districts know where the produce is grown and who grows it and Rusnak feels that it’s easier to sell to schools as she knows in advanced how much produce is contracted. It’s vital for Rusnak to maintain good communication with school districts to let them know when the crop will

be harvested and ready for delivery.

“We’ve grown to get a lot better in knowing our buyers.” From selling to grocery stores, schools, at farmers markets and on the farm, each have unique needs. “We need to help educate them on what we can and can’t do.”

In addition to eggs and veggies Rusnak produces and sells maple syrup. She taps 100 sugar maples.

Rusnak appreciates the sustainability of making maple syrup as the taps and jars are reusable. The timing of tapping trees and making syrup in March is during Rusnak’s slower part of the year for produce and eggs. “Most of the farm sales are during the summer months.” Rusnak started taping her maple trees right away in March this year. She had four weeks of straight sugaring. Rusnak sells the maple syrup in half pints, 12 ounces, pints, quarts and half gallon sizes. It’s available in both bulk or in retail.

Rusnak sells the maple syrup at a multitude of

places including Good Acres in St. Paul and the Sogn Valley Art Fair in Cannon Falls.

Raising chickens, making maple syrup and growing veggies isn’t a one-woman show. Rusnak is proud to be running her farming operation with her son, Leo Rusnak; sister, Paula Hoisve; and father, Milo Hoisve.

“We want to work with the environment, we don’t want to hurt it,” Rusnak said. That extends to the attention which goes into raising and tending her flock. “We take care of our birds; we love our birds.

Caring for the fields, the chickens and the people L&R Poultry and Produce serve is vital. The relationships forged through that process is truly gratifying for Rusnak. “There’s no substitute” for fresh produce and eggs. “Customers like to see us and get to know us.”

To learn more about L&R Poultry and Produce, visit their website at http://lrpoultryproduce.com/. v

Organic board nominees sought

L&R Poultry and Produce sells 7,000 pounds of squash each year to the St. Paul and Minneapolis public school districts.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) seeks nominations of qualified individuals for five open seats on the National Organic Standards Board (NOSB). The 15-member advisory board considers and makes recommendations on the National List of Allowed and Prohibited Substances and other issues involved in the production, handling and processing of USDA certified organic products.

Each member serves a five-year term and represents specific sectors of the organic community. Current openings for positions beginning January 2021 include two individuals who own or operate an organic farming operation, or employees of such individuals; two individuals who represent public interest or consumer interest groups; and one individual who is a USDA-accredited certifying agent.

Nominations of qualified candidates may also be made to fill future unexpected vacancies.

Focus on Corn Emergence and Spacing this Planting Season

Members attend two in-person meetings each year and participate in bi-monthly subcommittee conference calls. USDA reimburses NOSB members for approved travel and associated lodging expenses.

Nominations must include a resume and an AD-755 application form. Nominations may also include an optional cover letter and letters of reference. Please identify the position to which you are applying.

Nominations may be emailed to Michelle.

Arsenault@usda.gov at the National Organic Program or mailed to: USDA-AMS-NOP, 1400 Independence Avenue S.W., Room 2642-S., Ag Stop 0268, Washington, DC 20250-0268. The deadline for nominations is June 1.

Electronic submissions are preferred.

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

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THE LAND — APRIL 17/APRIL 24, 2020

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

PAGE 11

Family Farm Defenders provide solidarity in policy

By TIM KING The Land Correspondent MADISON, Wis. – The Land recently interviewed John Peck, the Executive Director of Wisconsinbased Family Farm Defender. FFD is a domestic and international farm advocacy group currently focusing on blocking the proposed Deans/DFA dairy merger and incorporating food sovereignty and agroecological proposals on a just transition for a Green New Deal.

The Land: Family Farm Defenders started in the mid-1990s as an effort to end the mandatory check off on raw milk and to demand labeling for rBGH Milk. Are those struggles still relevant today or have you moved on?

Peck: We were indeed started in the early 1990s

by Wisconsin dairy farmers as part of a grassroots rural resistance movement to the mandated USDA dairy check-off program. That program requires all dairy farmers to pay into a corporate controlled commodity marketing programs over which they have little say. It’s a classic case of taxation without representation. We also resisted the aggressive taxpayer subsidized promotion of rBGH which was a huge moneymaker for Monsanto and facilitated rapid expansion of factory farms.

While corporate agribusiness control and patented industrialized technologies remain a problem for many farmers and a core focus of our group, by the late 1990s Family Farm Defenders had expanded its mission and membership to include those who support sustainable agriculture, farm/food worker rights, animal welfare, consumer safety, fair trade and food sovereignty.

This shift was in large part due to the influence of La Via Campesina (LVC), which crafted its food sovereignty principles in 1994 in response to the pas-

sage of NAFTA and the growing threat of neo-liberal globalization. FFD had adopted those principles by 1999.

The Land: How was it that those early efforts defended family farms? Why did you call yourself that?

Peck: Many of the family farmers who founded FFD were survivors of the 1980s farm crisis. They had been involved in the AAM Tractorcade to (Washington) DC, had attended the first Farm Aid concerts, and they saw that the cultural identity and economic viability of rural America was being destroyed by the imposition of an industrialized factory farm agribusiness model in which family farmers lost their autonomy and were reduced to being modern day peasants.

Increasing monopoly control of commodity markets at the Chicago Mercantile Exchange meant that family farmers could no longer get a parity price, and they were under the thumb of processor contracts, bank loans, patent rules, and so many other constraints on their decision-making. Many of them were also looking for better alternatives that they found in new trends such as organic certification, rotational grazing, and direct marketing.

I think the founders of FFD liked the term “family farm” since that provided a contrast with the “get big or get out” policy being promoted by then USDA Secretary Earl Butz. That approach meant a vertically integrated factory farm under nominal “farmer” management; but was entirely dependent upon outside capital investors, oppressed farmworker labor, rampant animal abuse, and integration into global corporate commodity markets.

The Land: FFD talks about food sovereignty. What the heck is food sovereignty? What has it got to do with defending family farmers?

Peck: Food sovereignty is a concept coined by LVC in 1994 and which FFD has adopted. It emerged from

Extension announces new cow podcast The University of Minnesota Beef and Dairy Teams are now producing a cow podcast called The Moos Room. The podcast is hosted by Joe Armstrong, Brad Heins and Emily Krekelberg, and is made for both beef and dairy producers.

The Moos Room is free to stream or download and available on Apple Podcasts (z.umn.edu/themoosroomapple) and Google Podcasts (z.umn.edu/the-

moosroomgoogle). The cattle-focused podcast discusses relevant topics to help Minnesota beef and dairy producers be more successful. The information is evidence-based and presented as an informal conversation between the hosts and guests.

This article was submitted by University of Minnesota Extension. v

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struggles in the global south as an alternative to the dominant “food security” concept being pushed by Henry Kissinger and other proponents of the larger neoliberal capitalist agenda. According to food security, lack of food is not a political problem but a technical challenge that will be solved by privatizing common property, global market integration, patented biotechnologies, and the like.

In contrast, food sovereignty sees the perpetuation of hunger as a political issue. Economic inequality caused by privatization, commodification, and globalization are the root causes of the problem.

LVC is the largest family farmer, hunting/fishing/ herding/gathering, and indigenous community umbrella organization in the world, and FFD is proud to be an active member. In the U.S. farm context we often explain food sovereignty as being democratic local control over agriculture. However, for native tribes in the U.S. we do not have to really explain the concept of sovereignty since they have been struggling for that for more than 500 years.

The Land: Who was John Kinsman and why do you have a prize in his name?

Peck: John Kinsman was one of the founding members of FFD and an amazing pioneer of both the organic movement and the global food sovereignty struggle. John was among the first to raise the alarm about the insidious dangers of genetically modified organisms and his foresight continued in his opposition to global free trade, the military industrial complex, factory farming, carbon trading, land grabbing – name the issue, and John was probably involved in one manner or another. He passed away in 2014 on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day and to honor his legacy we launched the John Kinsman Beginning Farmer Food Sovereignty Prize.

See PECK, pg. 12

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

THE LAND — APRIL 17/APRIL 24, 2020

Dairy industry awaiting news from Department of Agriculture This column was written for the marketing week ending April 17.

Much of the United States and world remains virtually paralyzed under the unseen enemy, Covid-19, and there is no person or industry not affected. The only “normal” ahead may be a setting on a clothes dryer. U.S. dairy prices have been decimated with Chicago Mercantile Exchange cheese falling to levels not seen in 20 years. As I outlined last week, the National Milk Producers Federation and the International Dairy Foods Association have joined to propose steps Uncle Sam should take to save America’s dairy farmers and dairy processors.

Chicago-based HighGround Dairy stated in its April 13 Morning Huddle, “There is plenty of speculation in the marketplace for USDA-government intervention for U.S. farmers; but there has not been confirmation on the actions USDA will take,” however, “The market is lacking directional fervor “There is little upside to this market as long as most restaurants across the country remain closed to dine-in service, with social distancing measures likely to persist for another few

News and information for Minnesota and Northern Iowa dairy producers weeks,” HighGround Dairy warned.

By Lee Mielke “While details on government intervention remain unclear, cooperatives in regions across the country are taking steps to implement base programs that reduce the milk price on additional milk volumes produced throughout the flush; cooperatives are trying to encourage farmers to reduce production to limit milk dumping as processing capacity remains stressed.”

HighGround Dairy also points out that the National Restaurant Association says its industry has lost three million jobs and $25 billion in sales since March 1. Spokeswoman Vanessa Sink said, “Three percent of restaurants have closed permanently and another 11 percent are expect to MIELKE MARKET WEEKLY

do so by the end of the month.” n Considering the sharp declines of the past three to four weeks, one would think dairy prices had nowhere to go but up the week after Easter; but most didn’t, though there were signs of hope.

Cheddar cheese fell to $1 per pound on April 15, lowest since February 2003, but closed April 17 at $1.0125.

This is down 4.25 cents on the week, the fifth week of decline, and 65.5 cents below a year ago.

The barrels climbed to $1.0325 on April 15, but relapsed and closed April 17 at $1.0050. This is still up a halfcent on the week, but 51 cents below a year ago. Seven cars of block and 34 of barrel were traded on the week at the CME.

Looking for direction, there’s a boatload of data coming to traders the week of April 20 — including the March Milk Production and Global Dairy Trade auction on April 21 and the March Cold Storage and Slaughter reports on April 22.

Midwest cheese producers continue to report that food service accounts are very slow. Retail-based production is busy and some plant managers say retail ordering is busier week to week, but still lower compared to previous years. Milk remains plentiful, with many loads being dumped. Cheese production is still busy with the abundant milk supply and prices are steeply discounted. Cheese inventories continue to grow and cold storage space is becoming a concern.

See MIELKE, pg. 13

Organization has members in all 50 states PECK, from pg. 14 The Land: Every politician in rural America used to make empty claims about supporting family farms. They don’t so much anymore. I think that’s because there’s not many of us left. Is the relatively small number that are left really worth supporting or defending or whatever you want to call it?

Why? Peck: Well, we have more prisoners than farmers in the U.S. now - and you don’t hear many politicians advocating for prisoners either. So, yes, the steady decline of family farmers has certainly

reduced their power to influence public policy. In Wisconsin alone we’ve lost half of our dairy farms over the last decade. So, 7,000 family dairy farmers, or 20,000 inmates, don’t have much sway on their own in a state of 5.8 million. But that is where solidarity comes in. Family farmers are not alone in this struggle, and FFD has many allies among consumer advocates, environmental activists, labor unions, and indigenous communities.

John Kinsman used to joke about how he did not want to be the last family farmer on display in the Smithsonian Museum. And now we do have many

ATTENTION ADVERTISERS: Please note that The Land sales representative, James McRae, is no longer working for The Land.

We are presently trying to contact all of his accounts to let them know of this change. If you normally worked with James and need immediate assistance, please call The Land office at

507-345-4523.

new farmers who are not only hoping to survive this current crisis, but serve as an inspiring role model for others. These new farmers often do not reflect the older white male stereotype.

They are more likely to be women, people of color, recent refugees or immigrants who are operating smaller more diversified operations. These farms may also not be in a rural area, but on the edge or even within larger cities. How we define “family” is also changing. The majority of U.S. households are not two parents with two kids anymore and that is also true for folks producing our food.

The Land: Somebody said that you’re from a Minnesota farm family. Is that true and if so, what the heck are you doing in Wisconsin?

Peck: Yes, I grew up on a 260-acre family farm in central Minnesota, in Stearns County, surrounded by dozens of family dairy farms. I was one of only a handful of students from my school that did not join the military. I went off to college instead. Thanks to tuition

reciprocity I ended up at UW-Madison in the College of Agriculture for my graduate school work. I got a PhD in Land Resources from the Gaylord Nelson Institute of Environmental Studies. For two decades now I’ve been the part-time staff person for FFD, while also teaching economics and environmental studies part-time at Madison College. For the last three years my partner and I have been owners of a one and a half acre farm, called Yellow Dog Flowers and Produce, near Edgerton, Wis. The Land: You have members in Minnesota and Iowa, right? Where else?

Peck: Over half of FFD’s 2,500 members are in the Midwest, but we have members in all fifty states, as well as in Canada, Mexico, Australia, Europe, and other parts of the world.

You can contact John Peck at P.O. Box 1772, Madison, WI 53701 or by phone at (608) 260-0900. The website is familyfarmdefenders.org. v

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

THE LAND — APRIL 17/APRIL 24, 2020

PAGE 13

Butter production is active, inventories are growing Surplus cream is plentiful. As ed for the week. vs. January’s dismal performance; but manufacturers move on from the American-style disappearance was Dry whey closed the week at 39 WE BUILD OUR STALLS RIGHT! much-needed holiday retail sales, down vs. the prior year for the worst cents per pound, up 4 cents and a Take a look at struggles continue with virtually non- nickel above a year ago, with eight start to a year since 2017.” existent sales from food service. Retail cars exchanging hands. our tubing with to Butter disappearance amounted orders were somewhat lower this unequaled corrosion 125.0 million pounds, down 1.2 pern week, with holiday support now past. cent from January and protection!

8.9 percent Some plant managers say that half of The latest commercial disappearance below a year ago, and HighGround Freudenthal Tubing has been their production is going to freezers. data doesn’t give much to cheer about Dairy says, “Year-to-date are engineeredvolumes for your specific Western butter markets also remain and that was before the pandemic. down vs. both 2018requirements and 2019 levels — where strength Total cheese disappearance hit 978.5 mostly absent of food service orders. a poor start to the and year from a demand corrosion resistance are CORROSION Release Headfrom Locks Panel million pounds,Auto up 0.8 percent Production is active because cream is perspective — and critical especially bearish design factors.

PROTECTION January and just 0.4 percent above plentiful and inventories growing. for prices as butter production and Retail demand, while higher than nor- February 2019. Cheese exports hit inventoryCS-60 levelsComfort are burdensome.”

Tie Stall 68.2 million pounds, up 18.2 percent mal, has receded according to Dairy Butter exports, at 3.6 million from January, but 8 percent below a Market News.

The from Toughest pounds, were up 13.2 percent year ago, with year-to-date exports Grade A nonfat dry milk fell to 85 January, but 27.6 percent below a year Stalls down 4.4 percent from 2019. cents per pound on April 14, the lowago — the 12th consecutive month on the HighGround Dairy points out est CME price since Aug. 16, 2018,• but they lagged the year ago level. Add to Provides superior lunge area American-style cheese disappearance closed April 17 at 85.50, down 4.25• Much stronger than our that an already large amountmarket, of butter is “struggling and weighing on cheese guaranteed cents on the week and 14.5 cents competitors’ beam systems See MIELKE, pg. 14 not to bend below a year ago, with 17 sales report- prices. February demand was stronger • No Stall mounts in the • Entire panel made of H.D. 10 gauge tubing concrete or sand are hot dippedWI galvanized after W. 6322 Cty. O,• Panels Medford, 54451 • Fully adjustable welding inside and out (715) 748-4132 • 1-800-688-0104 • Stall system stays high and Heaviest, • 6’, 8’, 10’, 12’ lengths dry, resulting in longer life www.freudenthalmfg.com Strongest, REMODELING, EXPANSION OR REPLACEMENT • 12’ panel weight 275 lbs.

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MIELKE, from pg. 12 Western inventories are also growing — especially for cheeses that go to food service — while inventories of processors who primarily serve the retail sector are “tight to balanced.”

Cheese sales are generally strong for retailers, but low for other channels.

Transportation costs have increased since the beginning of Covid-19 as refrigerated containers were hard to find for a time.

Butter fell to $1.14 per pound on April 15, the lowest it has been since February 2009, but rallied to close April 17 at $1.1875. This is 6 cents lower on the week and $1.0950 below a year ago. There were 26 cars that exchanged hands this week.

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PAGE 14

THE LAND — APRIL 17/APRIL 24, 2020

Cheese, butter consumption has dropped 21 percent 507-345-4523 • 800-657-4665 email: theland@thelandonline.com

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MIELKE, from pg. 13

percent, with a similar drop in butter consumption,” according to Gould’s on hand and not being consumed in estimates.

America’s restaurants and schools.

The silver lining, he said, is the solid Nonfat dry milk and skim milk powpizza sales, “as people are ordering in, der disappearance totaled 39 million plus we are close to reopening at least pounds. This is up 41.8 percent from parts of the country. As those restauJanuary, but 14.2 percent below a year rants turn back on, those pipelines ago, with year-to-date disappearance will have to be refilled.” down 50.1 percent.

The April 15 Daily Dairy Report Combined exports totaled 120.1 milechoed that sentiment, stating pizza lion pounds, down 16.3 percent from delivery restaurants appear to be most January and down 4.6 percent from a unaffected

by Covid-19. “Pizza Hut, year ago. HighGround Dairy stated, Papa John’s and Dominos have all “Exports ended their five-month streak announced they will increase their of strong performance and declined into workforce this year, creating 60,000 February,” and warned, “The export outnew jobs.” look is bleak as global demand sinks But it’s not as if Covid-19 hasn’t due to Covid-19 concerns.” given us enough to be concerned about. n Another threat is appearing in the U.S. Matt Gould, editor and analyst with meat supply, due to shortages of help. the Dairy and Food Market Analyst The issue comes just as dairy farmers newsletter, talked about it in the April are or will be incentivized to reduce 20 Dairy Radio Now broadcast and their milk production the fastest and addressed the negative media reports most efficient way by culling cows. of farmers dumping milk.

The April 16 Daily Dairy Report The simple explanation is we eat says, “The livestock slaughter industry more dairy when we eat at restauis straining to process the nation’s catrants than when we eat at home, he tle, hogs and poultry due to waves of said. “The shutting down of cities and Covid-19 infections in their workforcrestaurants has resulted in a drop in es. Even in plants that have not contotal cheese consumption of around 21 See MIELKE, pg. 15

Education, equipment grants available Compeer Financial is now accepting applications for its Agriculture Education and Classroom Equipment Grant Program. The grants support agricultural education by funding equipment or programs for high school agriculture classrooms. High school agriculture programs in Compeer Financial’s 144-county territory are eligible to apply for up to $3,000 per school. $153,000 is available in funding this year.

Schools that received this grant in the previous two years are not eligible to apply this year.

“Developing agricultural education in our schools is one of the best ways to open new doors for students,” said

Melanie Olson, Corporate Giving Specialist. “This grant was created to help school agriculture programs stay on the cutting edge of new technology in the agriculture industry and broaden students’ perspectives on what agriculture can be.”

In 2019, 60 schools were awarded Agriculture Education & Classroom Equipment Grants totaling $152,452.

These grants directly impacted the lives of 8,004 students and touched the lives of 1,528,878 people in rural community school systems.

To apply for this grant, visit compeer. com/giving-back.

This article was submitted by Compeer Financial. v

THE LAND — APRIL 17/APRIL 24, 2020

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Shutdown of Mexican exports avoided across the globe, and rising dairy surpluses in export regions will keep firmed presence of the virus, many downward pressure on global markets employees are staying home rather through much of 2020.” than risking infection.” Thus, several “The rate of growth in surplus milk major meatpacking facilities in the will be restrained,” says Rabobank, United States and Canada are idled and “lower commodity prices in the or below capacity according to the face of weaker economic growth will Daily Dairy Report. support buyers in price-sensitive n regions that are not dependent on oil Heading off another threat, the U.S. revenue. Based on the forecast fundamentals through 2020, this should Dairy Export Council reports how it lead to a down cycle in global dairy avoided a shutdown of dairy exports to Mexico when the Mexican Ministry markets,” Rabobank warned. of Health (COFEPRIS) issued a decree n on March 26 halting all administraThe U.S. Department of Agriculture’s tive action, including the issuance of latest Livestock, Dairy and Poultry about 6,000 import permits for dairy Outlook, issued April 15, mirrored milk products. price and production projections in the The action was taken in an effort to April 9 World Agricultural Supply and prevent the spread of Covid-19 in Demand Estimates report and stated, Mexico, and the impact on dairy “It is clear that the Covid-19 pandemic imports was an unintended side effect, has brought about disorderly market says USDEC, but would have meant conditions in dairy markets.” about $120 million (U.S.) in lost U.S. The Outlook said, “The extent of the dairy export sales. The issue was problems is highly uncertain and the resolved and details are posted at situation continues to evolve. Although USDEC’s website. price data for milk and dairy products Meanwhile, Rabobank reports, “The are available for March and April, onset of the coronavirus in China and supply and use data are not yet availthe permeation across the globe have able. Domestic demand for dairy prodbuyers and sellers scrambling to ucts has declined due to the crisis. assess the market impact,” according Americans facing financial hardship to the latest RaboResearch Dairy have likely scaled back consumption of Quarterly titled “The Corona some dairy products.”

Hangover.” RaboResearch Senior The Outlook confirmed what others Dairy Analyst Michael Harvey writes, are saying. “Americans typically con“Global dairy commodity prices have sume high proportions of cheese, butalready priced-in the uncertainty but ter, and other dairy products through a less-than-favorable expected finish food service establishments,” but to the New Zealand production season “With the shift to a greater proportion is providing some price support.” of at-home food consumption, people “Rabobank anticipates China’s conare eating less of these products.” sumer buying patterns to normalize “Demand for fluid milk had been very by second half 2020, with evidence of strong a few weeks ago due to the retail improvement in some supply chains rush related to Covid-19, but demand already visible,” says Harvey. But he has since slowed drastically and the warned, “The risk of a setback or a overwhelming imbalance between supdelayed economic recovery in China ply and demand has caused considerpresents a major downward price risk able handling problems,” the Outlook to Rabobank’s current forecasts. stated.

“For milk that would usually be Against this backdrop, global milk pooled on a FMMO but currently has production from the Big 7 is rising.” no market, USDA is providing flexibili“The combination of reduced ty at the request of the farmChinese imports, significant supply ers’ cooperative or non-cooperative milk chain disruptions, including extreme See MIELKE, pg. 17 competition for shipping containers MIELKE, from pg. 14

PAGE 15

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THE LAND — APRIL 17/APRIL 24, 2020

MARKETING

Grain Outlook Good corn news is hard to come by

Livestock Angles Finally! Positive news in the futures market

The following marketing time record of 27.5 million barprognosticators. The interestThe past several weeks analysis is for the week endrels. Net margins improved 9 ing thing about this is, beef ing April 17. cents to a negative 6 cents per have played havoc on the livemovement has picked up the stock markets — all from the gallon. Crude oil plummeted to past several weeks which CORN — Negative attiits lowest price in 19 years fear of the coronavirus. All of indicates the sale of beef at tudes abound, and any fresh when it traded to $17.31 per the livestock markets at every the retail level is still fairly positive inputs seem to be barrel! In November 2001 it level have literally collapsed good. quickly discarded. On-going during this period and each traded as low as $16.70 per reports of ethanol plant closThere is some fear if beef barrel. Gasoline demand futures market has been at ings or slowing grinds, packing house employees get extreme discounts to cash — demand destruction in the PHYLLIS NYSTROM showed an increase week-to- even with cash moving lower JOE TEALE infected with the virus, some week, but the four-week CHS Hedging Inc. feed sector with packing plant Broker may cease operations. This demand is down 31.6 percent at the same time.

St. Paul Great Plains Commodity would back up cattle ready for closures, and other Covid-19 from a year ago.

Finally, at the close of busiAfton, Minn. influences pressed prices to market. ness on April 9 (which was new contract lows and their Weekly corn export sales Most everything is just conjecture at lowest price in four years. were within expectations at 35.7 mil- the end of the week due to the Easter holiday), the futures markets closed this time. Supply and demand will still lion bushels.

Sales are 22 percent Decent weekly export sales and declinhigher for the week. This in part was dictate which direction prices will take ing production estimates from South behind last year with total commit- due to the better news regarding the in the future. With the cattle market America weren’t enough to bring buyers ments at 1.36 billion bushels. Weekly spread of the virus in the United States. summered in rumors and fear, producto the plate. Fund selling in thin mar- sales need to average 15.2 million The question is, will this continue to ers should remain diligent and pay kets was the feature and ruled the week. bushels to ring the bell on the U.S. help firm prices in the future; or is this close attention to market developThe “hope” for a weather issue (please, Department of Agriculture outlook for just a correction from being so over- ments. just not here) or a sign the world has 1.725 billion bushels of exports. sold?

The hog cutout has literally plumplans to get back to “normal” may be the Rabobank estimates that every 10 percent decline in restaurant spending The futures market has been extreme- meted over the past several months — only lifesaver on the horizon. equates to just a 3 percent increase in ly discount to the cash price of cattle reflecting the increase in hog numbers We ended the week with a glimmer of grocery sales. for quite some time as fear has domi- and the fear of the effects of slowing hope after President Trump revealed nated the market. The fear has been demand because of the coronavirus.

Dryness is expected to continue in phase-in guidelines for getting people based on the fact that restaurants have southern Brazil, putting stress on the During the week ending April 9, the back to work; but leaving the when and been required to close to in-house din- hog futures actually closed higher for safrinha corn crop.

The Buenos Aires how up to state governors. There was ing and the demand for beef will be the week after setting a new weekly news of a drug therapy for Covid-19 Grains Exchange pegged Argentina’s decreased. corn harvest at 33 percent complete vs. low in over 10 years. This could signal that was showing promise in clinical Because of reduced demand, the sup- an end to the collapse of prices since trials. The anti-viral drug is being test- 24 percent on average. The crop is rated ply of market-ready cattle is expected the beginning of the year. Fear of too ed in some Chicago hospitals and treats See NYSTROM, pg. 17 to increase in the near term by many many hogs and weakening demand the severe symptoms of coronavirus. because of the virus were the major Results of tests aren’t expected until contributing weakness. mid-May, but it gives us a sliver of hope that there’s light at the end of the tunInteresting enough has been the nel. Equity markets responded with a recent increase in the movement of

corn/change* soybeans/change* push higher into the weekend, which pork — suggesting pork prices have St. Cloud $2.69 -.23 $7.66 -.24 lent a modicum of support to corn. dropped enough to entice the purchase Madison $2.67 -.25 $7.73 -.24 of pork by the public.

Weekly ethanol production plunged

Redwood Falls $2.72 -.23 $7.68 -.32 to its lowest level since early in the hisWith summer grilling season now Fergus Falls $2.44 -.22 $7.46 -.19 tory of the industry. Production fell to approaching, demand for pork is Morris $2.54 -.27 $7.63 -.24 570,000 barrels per day, down 102,000 expected to increase in the weeks Tracy $2.57 -.25 $7.87 -.10 bpd from the previous week. For comahead. This could result in further parison, at the end of February, ethanol strength in the short run for pork and Average: $2.61 $7.67 production was 1.079 million bpd! A potential higher prices for hogs.

University of Missouri study suggests Producers should monitor market con Year Ago Average: $3.17 $7.67 demand for corn for ethanol may fall ditions and respond accordingly to Grain prices are effective cash close on April 21.

500 million bushels this year. Ethanol price movements. v *Cash grain price change represents a two-week period. stocks rose 378,000 barrels to an all-

Cash Grain Markets

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 17/APRIL 24, 2020

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

PAGE 17

Soybean meal price keeps sinking, China silent so far NYSTROM, from pg. 16 35 percent good/excellent compared to 55 percent last year. The Rosario Grains Exchange has Argentina’s corn crop at 49.8 mmt, down .2 mmt from their last forecast. The USDA has Argentina’s corn crop at 50 mmt. U.S. corn planting as of April 12 was in-line with expectations at 3 percent complete vs. 4 percent on average.

Outlook: A depressing market for growers didn’t improve this week. Corn closed lower in four out of the five trading sessions as funds added to their net short position, demand from the ethanol sector is waning, and feed demand is suspect. It was also disappointing we missed South Korean business for late summer to South America.

Most on the front lines are standing aside for the moment and don’t trust that any rally can hold. For perspective, on the continuous corn chart, corn hit $3.01 in August 2016. If the world can begin to get back to work and demand for everything picks up (or even better, the anti-viral drug is successful) we could see a bounce even as farmers hit the fields.

It’s too early to have any definite numbers, but we are hearing of corn and cotton acres being switched to soybeans due to wet conditions. The Trump administration has convened a council to develop guidelines to get the United States back to work. It’s a delicate balance between reviving the economy and preventing further coronavirus outbreaks.

For the week, May corn lost 9.5 cents

to settle at $3.22.25; July was 7.5 cents lower at $3.29.25; and the December contract was down 7.25 cents at $3.43.5 per bushel.

SOYBEANS — Soybeans broke out of its consolidation to the downside this week with new fund selling, slaughterhouse closures, and on a lack of new export business. China was reportedly buying Brazilian soybeans this week. This came despite a record National Oilseed Processors Association Soybean Crush report and declining South American crop estimates. Soybeans closed lower every day of the week, but held above contract lows. A weak Brazilian currency kept U.S. soybeans out of the summer export mix into China. Trade talk that China was buying Brazilian soybeans for the July-September time frame also kept prices at bay. Argentina is contending with low water levels which is hindering loading vessels to maximum capacity. The lack of space for soyoil storage has pressured some U.S. crushing plants to hold off selling meal for summer slots. Demand for biodiesel has faded, but not quite to the extent that ethanol demand has. The lack of available dried distiller grains, due to a slowing ethanol grind, has increased demand and prices for meal. Packing plant closures lend pressure on concerns for decreased feed demand.

Weekly export sales were a marketing year low at a measly 9 million bushels. Total commitments are 15 percent behind last year at 1.38 billion bushels. Weekly sales need to be an aggressive 19.6 million bushels per

week to hit the USDA forecast for 1.775 billion bushels. China didn’t show up as a buyer this week as boats from Brazil begin to arrive in China after being delayed by early wet weather.

The March NOPA Crush report was an all-time record at 181.4 million bushels crushed. This was well above the 175.2-million-bushel projection.

Soyoil stocks were a surprise at 1.9 billion pounds compared to an outlook for 1.067 billion pounds.

Argentina’s soybean harvest is 38 percent complete vs. 28 percent on average, according to the BAGE. Crop conditions were 29 percent good/excellent vs. 54 percent last year. The BAGE left their Argentine crop estimate at 49.5 million metric tons. The Rosario Grains Exchange cut their outlook 1 mmt to 50.5 mmt. The USDA’s latest Argentine soybean figure is 52 mmt.

Brazil’s soybean harvest is estimated at 90 percent complete with an amazing 80 percent sold! AgRural has Brazil’s soybean production at 123.8 mmt but will revise it in early May. Brazil is on pace to export a record 14.5 mmt of soybeans in April. The current record is from May 2018 at 12.4 mmt.

China imported 4.28 mmt of soybeans in March, the lowest monthly total since April 2013. February and March are usually the slowest time of year for their soybean imports.

China imported $3.1 billion of U.S. soybeans and $430 million of pork in the first quarter of this year. Their total U.S. ag imports in quarter one were $5 billion, up 110 percent from last year. China’s economy fell 6.8 percent

in the first quarter, very close to the 6.5 percent decline expected. This was the first contraction since they began reporting quarterly numbers in 1992.

China’s pork production in quarter one was 29 percent below last year. They are rebuilding their pig herds, but they also are finding new cases of African swine fever.

Jobless claims in the week ended April were up 5.2 million, slightly less than the 5.5 million expected. This brings total claims in the past month to over 22 million, essentially erasing the 21.5 million jobs added since 2008-09.

Outlook: Where will demand be when the world gets back to “normal?”

Will end users be waiting in the wings seeking supplies — especially after Brazil has heavily sold bushels early in the season? The same reasons listed in corn will impact the next direction for soybeans. Soybeans may be due for a corrective bounce on any hint of friendly news.

For the week, May soybeans plunged 31 cents to $8.32.5 and posted a weekly key reversal lower; July was down 28.75 cents at $8.42.25; and November fell 24.75 cents to close at $8.51 per bushel.

Nystrom’s Notes: Contract changes for the week as of the close April 17: Chicago March wheat down 23 cents at $5.33.5; Kansas City off 13.25 at $4.78.75; and Minneapolis dropped 25.75 cents to $5.06.75 per bushel.

Nearby crude oil retreated $6.82 to $18.27 per barrel. Jobless claims were up 5.2 million in the week ended April 11. v

Milk cow numbers expected to decline the rest of the year MIELKE, from pg. 15 handler. This milk may remain pooled on the FMMO, though the handler still bears the loss of the manufacturing value of that milk. If that handler is a farmer cooperative, as is most common, that loss is borne by its farmer-owners together.”

Dairy forecasts for 2020 milk cow number estimates reported by the National Agricultural Statistics Service for January and February were higher than expected. As a result, the milk cow forecast for the first quarter of 2020 has been revised

upward to 9.365 million head, 15,000 higher than last month’s forecast. Due to the downturn in prices, milk cow numbers are expected to contract through the rest of the year. The annual average for the 2020 is 9.35 million head, 5,000 higher than last month’s forecast. Lower expected prices will likely affect yields. Average milk per cow for 2020 is forecast at 23,765 pounds, a decrease of 15 pounds per cow. n The USDA’s second Crop Progress report of the season shows that, as of

the week ending April 12, 3 percent of the U.S. corn crop has been planted in the top 18 states, which accounts for 91 percent of the 2019 corn acreage.

That’s dead even with a year ago and 1 percent behind the five-year average.

Cooperatives Working Together members accepted 32 offers of export assistance from CWT this week to help capture sales contracts for 2.07 million pounds of cheese, 275,578 pounds of butter, 134,482 pounds of anhydrous milkfat, and 1.314 million pounds of whole milk powder.

Following the release of the joint

“Milk Crisis Plan” designed by National Milk and the IDFA, NMPF also developed a social-media campaign geared toward dairy farmers and their allies, #dairyneverstops, to “underscore the urgency in dairy country for a federal plan that can mitigate catastrophic economic damage that is expected to worsen for producers over the next several months.”

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

PAGE 18

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

THE LAND — APRIL 17/APRIL 24, 2020

Fluvic acid stimulates intake of minerals in the soil

By DICK HAGEN The Land Staff Writer Emeritus “Once the guys use it they put it with pretty much every crop they grow. It’s getting better utilization of the fertilizer materials they are purchasing. It simply boils down to getting more bang from each dollar you spend to enrich your crops”.

Tyson What is “it?” Fulvic acid, said Sonnenberg Tyson Sonnenberg of AGVantage Inc. “Fulvic acid is a natural chelator for mineral uptake in various crops,” Sonnenberg explained. “You can use it in furrow; you can use it as a foliar. It opens

the cell walls of the plant — helping uptake of the nutrients or herbicides. If you put it in furrow with your liquid fertilizer, it will bring over 60 mineral and trace elements into that plant because its small molecular structure stimulates plant metabolism and that boosts nutrient uptake. It boosts cation exchange capacity so your crops access more nutrients” “I’ve been using it going on nine years now and am seeing great responses. You can use it in different applications. Some cattle guys use it to clean up scouring problems in their young calves. Just a couple ounces in the water with your milk replacer, then pour it into a bottle and run it through the scouring calves. Basically it helps repair cells that are disturbed in the intestinal tract. Some use this product for human consumption too! They drink it to help settle their guts. It helps repair some of those disturbed body cells in the GI tract.”

But I wanted to learn how this product helps build soil health. “Yes, between Fulvic acid and Humates, two main things should be considered: stimulate your soil bacteria and also stimulate nutrient uptake by your crop,” said Sonnenberg.

With these amazing virtues, how expensive is the product? ”Depending on how much you use, your cost per acre would be in that $3 to $4 bracket. So it’s very affordable and if rebuilding soil health is on your agenda in 2020, this is a good way to start,” said Sonnenberg.

How quickly does it go to work in your soil? I got a bit more of a chemistry lesson from Sonnenberg.

“Humic acid has a large molecular structure, so it can’t penetrate the cell walls of the root system readily. Fulvic acid, however, has a small molecular structure which gets into the root system quickly. That’s why we urge the usage of both products. Humates starts the biological activity of the bacteria in your soil. The Fulvic acid stimulates the uptake of the minerals that the bacteria have broken down.”

You can purchase these products in either liquid or dry formulas. “Some guys don’t want to mess with handling a dry product, so we bring it out to them liquid. We’ll take care of their needs either way.”

Sonnenberg reports the product has been doing very well in various field trials. He’s a farmer, but not a certified organic farmer — preferring instead the label of ‘sustainable farmer’.

“Since all my crops go into my animals, I haven’t felt the need to be certified because I’m not selling the meat for that purpose.”

Yes, he’s a farmer-to-consumer beef man. Customers buy his beef critters because they know his farming operation. “They like to know the environment of the beef they are putting into their bodies from the meats they purchase.”

Sonnenberg has also noted the growing conversations about nitrate levels building up in soil due to excessive rates of nitrogen being used on corn; and the runoff from these soils into streams and waters.

“If you have a sandy loam, you’ll have more leaching than from clay loam soils,” Sonnenberg explained.

“Some of the sands around my area have a leach capability of around 12. You get into those heavier valley-area soils and you’re looking at 20 to 30 total exchange capacities. Humic acid will aid in holding that nitrate nitrogen in place. So if you side dress with 28 percent you should be adding a carbon source. Nitrogen is looking for a carbon source to attach to the soil particles. These Humates chemically change the fixation properties of the soil so you are getting better use of your nitrogen … maybe you can even cut back on the amount of nitrogen fertilizer application rates.”

Sonneberg grew up on a livestock farm — both beef and sheep. He chuckles, “I graduated from the ‘Keystone College’ and majored in Beach.” So how does he approach farmers this spring when they likely are already grouchy about this 2020 farming year?

He said, “Farmers are some of the most optimistic people on this planet, regardless the weather or the price of corn. Just watch … they’re going to get it done this year too!”

AGVantage Inc. is headquartered in Vergus, Minn. (about 10 miles south of Detroit Lakes). Sonneberg, 31 , farms his 115-acre hobby farm in Ottertail County and has four salesmen assisting him. He started with AGVantage in 2014, but was putting their products to work on his own farm six years prior to joining the firm. “We’re all trying to make a better world for everyone else.”

For more information, Sonneberg can be reached at (218) 841-8252; or via email at tysonagvantage@ gmail.com. v

The Land Office is currently closed to walk-in customers.

Due to the Coronavirus, our new office hours are 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday. Our goal is to continue serving our readers. For assistance with advertising orsubscriptions, call (507) 345-4523. Please leave a message and someone will get back to you as soon as possible.

nnnnnn THE LAND

— APRIL 17 /APRIL 24, 2020

Real Estate

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

Feed Seed Hay

Farm Equipment

Sell your land or real estate in OPEN Pollinated Seed Corn. ‘05 Hardi Navigator, 1000-m 30 days for 0% commission. Produces more high quali- Sprayer, 60 ft all hydraulic ty silage on less acres than boom, foamer and monitor, Call Ray 507-339-1272 hybrid. $67/bushel plus ship- nice shape, $6,950/OBO. Deping. High feed value grain. livery Available. 815-988-2074 Real Estate Located at Teutopolis, IL Wanted 2014 Bobcat S750 skidload217-857-3377 er, S.J. controls, 2spd, air WANTED: Land & farms. I & heat, new tires, 4100 hrs, have clients looking for $23,500; JD 7300 12x30 Bins & Buildings dairy, & cash grain operaplanter, lift assist, insect, tions, as well as bare land trash whippers, 250 monparcels from 40-1000 acres. Barn and Quonset Roofing itor, $4,900; Case IH 1830 Both for relocation & investand Straightening.

12x30 flat fold vibra shank ments. If you have even Also polebarn repair and cult, $4,450; Case IH 1830 thought about selling congiving more head room.

8x30 cult, like new, $2,450; tact: Paul Krueger, Farm & Kelling Silo. 1-800-355-2598 JD 1075 10T running gear Land Specialist, Edina Rew/ 12.5x16 tires, $1,150; JD alty, 138 Main St. W., New 265 7’ 10” disk mower, good Prague, MN 55372. cond, $4,750. 320-769-2756 paulkrueger@edinarealty.com (612)328-4506 Agritech INP - We have your lining needs & fertilizer program! Bio-liquid Cal, cheapFeed Seed Hay er & more effective. Call Gary, soil advisor. 800-972ALFALFA, mixed hay, grass Stormor Bins & EZ-Drys. 1029 or 715-533-0174 100% financing w/no liens or hay & wheat straw, medired tape, call Steve at Fairum square or round bales, “One man’s junk is fax Ag for an appointment. delivery available. another man’s treasure.”

888-830-7757 Thief River Falls, MN. Call Get rid of stuff you don’t or text LeRoy Ose: WANTED: 5,000 - 6,000 bush218-689-6675 el cone bottom bin. 507-327- need and make some $$$.

Call The Land today!

FOR SALE: Round bales, 6430 507-345-4523 grassy hay. La Crosse Co. www.thelandonline.com 608-526-4195 or 1-800-657-4665

SILO REMOVAL 507-236-9446

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

MANDAKO 12’-60’ LONG ROLLERS

FOR THE BEST DEAL ORDER NOW!

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

PAGE 19

ATTENTION ADVERTISERS

Please note that sales representative James McRae is no longer working for The Land magazine.

We are presently trying to contact all of his accounts to let them know of this change. If you normally worked with James and need immediate assistance, please call The Land office at 507-345-4523.

USED TRACTORS

HAY TOOLS

NEW NH T4.75, T4.90, T4.120 w/loader.. ...... On Hand NEW NH Workmaster 60, 50, 35’s/loaders ... On Hand NEW NH T9.645 ............................................. On Hand NEW Massey 6713 w/cab and loader ........... On Hand NEW Versatile 610 Wheeled .......................... On Hand NEW Versatile DT610 trac ............................. On Hand NH TL100 w/cab ................................................22,500 Massey 8690 CVT..........................................$135,000 Massey 1552 w/loader .................................... $21,500 ‘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 ‘96 White 6175 FWA....................................... $41,500 ‘96 White 6175 2wd ........................................ $27,500

New NH Hay Tools - ON HAND

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

TILLAGE

MISCELLANEOUS

‘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

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

PLANTERS ‘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 8202 12 row .......................................... Coming

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

PAGE 20

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

THE LAND — APRIL 17/APRIL 24, 2020 Farm Equipment

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Farm Equipment

Farm Equipment

Field cultivator DMI, 41’, 3 bar FOR SALE: BJ model C9000 FOR SALE: JD 1765 12R30 harrow, $14,500; White plant- scale/mixer feed wagon, 3 planter, Seed Star II, row er 8202, 12R, Sunco trash augers, extra scale head command, liquid fertilizer w/ whippers, 540 pro pump, 700 available; JD 5 belt grain Yetter openers, 1700 acres; acres on new discs, $22,000; windrow pickup, fits 69” Hardi 750 sprayer, 60’ w/ all 4840 JD tractor, 18.4x46 feeder houses. 507-859-2766 options. 320-360-1240 tires, $19,000; Jet trailer, 38’, or 507-530-0208 FOR SALE: JD 960 field cul$17,000; Harms roller, 42’, like new, $17,000; Westfield FOR SALE: 32’ 6” Allied au- tivator, 36 1/2’, walking 10’x61’ swing hopper auger, ger on transport, $1,000/ tandems, 3 bar harrow, 7” like new, $6,000; Frontier 40’ OBO; 4R38 Glencoe rear knock-on sweeps, all good, steel grain trailer, like brand mount Danish cultivator for new shank bushings and new, always shedded, never parts, $500/OBO. 320-328- tires, $2,900. 507-451-9614 used in winter, $22,000. 507- 5501 FOR SALE: 42’ Blue Jet an317-6201 hydrous tool bar, $3,500/ Please recycle this magazine.

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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!

Summers Herman culti harrow, hyd, 70’ w/ new teeth; White 8100 planter, 8R30” w/ liq fertilizer; White 5100 planter no fertilizer; MM 14’ tandem disk w/ harrow; White model 2-180 tractor w/ 20.8x38 tires. All in good condition. 320-630-1777 We buy Salvage Equipment Parts Available Hammell Equip., Inc. (507)867-4910

Tractors 1974 IH #1466 w/ Cab, 20.8x38 (60%) w/ Axle Mount Duals (5700 Hrs) Runs Great! w/ Westendorf TA46 Heavy Loader/Big Bucket. 1998 Maurer 8.5x38 Ft Flat Bed Heavy Duty Tandem Duals (20,000# Load). All Real Good. Retiring. 319-347-6282

Sell your farm equipment in The Land with a line ad.

507-345-4523

THE LAND — APRIL 17 /APRIL 24, 2020 Tractors

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

Spraying Equip

Cattle

Pets & Supplies

R302-Super 99 Detroits, complete, For Sale: Ag Chem sprayer, FOR SALE: Puppies, Borrow not restored; 1-950, Nice- 750 gal., 60 ft. boom, PTO, der Collie Blue Heeler cross, r w/ Eng. 6 cyl/Waukasha; 3-HD pump, tandem axle, $2,350. born 1/10/2020, 3 males and 2 res; drawbars-2 w/ tongues; 1-set 507-995-9676 females, $200/each. 507-383all 99 fenders; 2-rear rims for 6701 above/primer condition; Grain Handling 1-steering sector. Plus more, Trucks & Equipment cul- Must take all! Located in SE Trailers ing Minnesota $23,700.00 Call FOR SALE: 2020 Neville built 7” David 612-374-1933 aluminum grain trailer, ag 1989 Chevy Dually service POLLED HEREFORD od, hoppers, aluminum outside registered yearling bulls truck w/ side boxes, exceland‘89 Versatile 876 tractor, w/ dulent runner, $2,700. 507-327for sale. All shots, Dectoals, new clutch, 280hp, 8,000 wheels, 38.5’, new condition.

6430 max, semen tested. Halter hrs. 612-741-7949 or 612-701- For photo and information call or text 218-791-3400 an- 7901 broke. Delivery available.

500/ Klages Herefords. OrMiscellaneous nalNEW AND USED TRACTOR tonville, MN. (320) 273Wanted tor, PARTS JD 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 2163(h) (605) 880-0521(c) 55, 50 Series & newer tracPARMA DRAINAGE PUMPS tors, AC-all models, Large All kinds of New & Used farm Polled Hereford Bulls New pumps & parts on hand. ck; Inventory, We ship! Mark equipment - disc chisels, field Yearlings and (1) two year Call Minnesota’s largest disow, Heitman Tractor Salvage cults, planters, soil finishers, old, semen tested. Also, Her- tributor new 715-673-4829 cornheads, feed mills, discs, eford and Black Baldy heifHJ Olson & Company res. balers, haybines, etc. 507- ers. Jones Farms, Le Sueur 320-974-8990 Cell - 320-212-5336 MN 507-317-5996 438-9782

Tillage Equip

onRegistered Polled Hereford WANTED TO BUY: CIH Mag- Springing Heifers, excellent ohn FOR SALE: Salford 6 botnum 215 tractor or equivaair. tom moldboard plow, on- lent, Also 8 or 12RN plant- quality. Call 715-781-7056 land hitch, 18” bottoms w/ er, & Farmall 504 tractor ator coulters, new 2013, excellent complete or for parts. FOR Swine ap- condition. Arlington MN 507- SALE: Red Angus bull, ser237-2247 viceable age. 320-282-4846 FOR SALE: Yorkshire, HampGreat Plains (2006) 36 Ft old, shire, Duroc & Hamp/Duroc (H.D. ger Discovator/Finisher boars, also gilts. Excellent Livestock eci- Shanks) w/ Hi-Residue Drag selection. Raised outside. ad 5 (Long Teeth) Double Fold Exc herd health. No PRSS. ag; Real Good. 2015 Heavy Duty FOR SALE: Black Angus bulls Delivery avail. 320-760-0365 old, Rock Picker Extra Wide 5 also Hamp, York, & Hamp/ heel Ft Latest Model New Condi- Duroc boars & gilts. Alfred Spot, Duroc, Chester White, Kemen 320-598-3790 Boars & Gilts available.

All tion. Retiring 319-347-6676 Monthly PRRS and PEDV. etirDelivery available. Steve Cattle Planting Equip Resler. 507-456-7746 hareth;‘93 7200 MaxEmerge planter, FOR SALE: Polled Black 30” 12R30, precision corn me- Registered Simmental, Sim 100 ters, soybean meters, liq Angus bulls, top AI sires. with a classified line ad!

Call us today MM fert & insect, front fold, Pre- Semen checked. Also, June ow; cision 2020 monitor, $15,000; calving pairs. John Volz 507507-345-4523 or r w/ Marless no-till drill w/ coulter 520-4381 800-657-4665 on- cart, 15’, 10” spacing, $5,000.

Both always shedded. 612741-7949 or 612-701-7901

SELL IT FAST

WANTED

Badger liq manure pump, model BN104, used in 8’ pits, modified for tractor hookup, approx 40’ of 6” hose w/ fitting; Adams 5T S/S fert spreader compl recond. $3,995/OBO/EA. 507-381-6719

x38JD 7000 6 row narrow, w/ 60 Du- Monitor, liquid fertilizer, hereat! bicide & insecticide. 320-583avy 2587

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PAGE 21

Steffes Auction Calendar 2020

For more info, call: 1-800-726-8609 or visit our website: SteffesGroup.com Opening April 20 & Closing May 4 Jeremy & Sara Jennen Farm Equipment Auction, Hillsboro, ND, Timed Online Auction

Opening April 24 & Closing Tuesday, April 28 Quality Tested Hay Auction, Steffes Group Facility, Litchfield, MN

Opening April 28 & Closing May 5 Jeff Almen Retirement Auction, Graftion, ND, Timed Online Auction

Opening, April 30 & Closing May 7 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 Sibley County, MN - Home w/Outbuildings, Hunting Ground, Tillable Farmland Auction - Multiple Tracts — 240± Acres, Henderson, MN, Timed Online Auction

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

Opening May 7 & Closing May 15 at 7PM RLP Services LLC Online Auction, Steffes Group Facility, Litchfield, MN, Timed Online Auction

Opening May 8 & Closing May 18 Rush River Farms Equipment Auction, Hunter, ND, Timed Online Auction

Opening May 11 & Closing May 19 Vercon Construction Auction, Menahga, 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

TRACTORS '04 JD 7920 MFWD

40K IVT Tranny, NEW 46’s, Greenstar, Deluxe cab with command arm & active seat. Recent engine work – new bearings, water pump, turbo & injectors. Used on our farm this past yearfield - LOOKS AND RUNS GREAT! ............................ Only $54,600

‘01 JD 8210 MFWD .......$59,600 ‘01 JD 7920 MFWD .......$54,600 LD .......$38,900 ‘04 JD 7420 MFWD SO ‘08 JD 6430 MFWD w/ 673 loader & grapple ........................$57,500 LD .......$21,900 ‘83 JD 2950 SOMFWD ‘04 JD 5420 2WD with JD 520M loader.............................$24,500

NO-TILL DRILLS LD JD 1590 NT $$CALL SODrill............

JD 1560 NT Drill............ $$CALL JD 750 NT Drill.............. $$CALL

507-789-6049 WWW.SKYBERGIRON.COM

Opening May 11 & Closing May 20 at 3PM Isanti County, Cambridge, MN, 6.5± Acre Wooded Lot Auction, Cambridge, MN, Timed Online

Opening May 19 & Closing May 21 at 12PM Clay County, MN, Real Estate Auction - 3.34± Acres, Moorhead, MN, Timed Online Auction

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

Opening June 1 & Closing June 8 R&J Farms of Perley Partnership Estate & Farm Retirement Auction, Perley, MN, Timed Online Auction

Opening, June 5 & Closing June 15 Eugene & Delores Undem Farm Retirement Auction, Rogers, ND, Timed Online Auction

Tuesday, June 9 at 10AM Kyle & Stacy Marschke Farm Retirement Auction, Alice, ND

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

Wednesday, June 10 at 11AM Andringa Brothers Inc. Farm Retirement Auction, Crookston, MN

Thursday, June 11 at 10AM Mark C. Muellenberg Estate Farm Equipment Auction, Rockham, SD

Opening June 15 & Closing June 22 at 1 PM 384156-1

K&D Krueger Farms Crop Plan Adjustment Auction, East Grand Forks, MN, Timed Online Auction

PAGE 22

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

THE LAND — APRIL 17/APRIL 24, 2020

irst Your F or f Choice ds! ie Classif

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

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

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

South Central Minnesota’s Daily News Source

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THE FREE PRESS

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

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.

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

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

NOTE: Ad will be placed in the appropriate category if not marked.

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

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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

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

THE LAND — APRIL 17 /APRIL 24, 2020

FREE CLASSIFIED LINE AD

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

IN THE LAND MAGAZINE

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

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

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for subscribers who return their 2020 subscription form to The Land.

Mention this ad when you call The Land at 507-345-4523 for one free basic classified line ad to run full circulation in The Land Magazine.

Retail value is $19.99. Ad must be 7 lines or less (up to 25 words including phone number) and does not include photo, border or bold text. Ad must publish on or before May 29, 2020. Good for one run only. Must mention this offer while placing the order. Offer good for new ads only. Limit one line ad per subscription. Valid only if 2020 Land subscription card has been returned.

Offer expires 4/30/20.

COMBINES

’15 JD 690, 4x4, 1745/1160 sep hrs,

CM, chopper, 650x38 tires & duals ................... $175,000 ’04 JD 9760, 2268/3460 CM, chopper duals............ $50,000 ’01 JD 9650 STS, 3014/4325 CM, chopper, duals .... $37,000 ’00 JD 9650 STS, 2645/3623 chopper, duals ............ $37,000 ’01 JD 9750 STS, 3013/4156 CM, chopper, duals .... $37,000 ’11 Case/IH 8120, 1650/2250 Tracker, Rt, duals ....... $89,500 ’11 Case/IH 7120, 1610/2200 Tracker, Rt, duals ....... $89,500 ’10 Case/IH 7120, 1650/2250 Tracker, Rt, duals ....... $89,500

TRACK & 4WD TRACTORS ‘10 Case IH 535 Quadtrack, 3977 hrs, full auto steer, big pump .................................... $135,000 ’90 Ford 876, 8523 hrs duals .................................... $24,500 ’14 Case/IH 370 HD, 7065 hrs, 1000 PTO duals ....... $75,000 ’14 Case 350 Rowtrac, 1865 hrs, 120” 1000 PTO ... $147,000

TRACTOR LOADER BACKHOES

’11 Case 580N, 4x4 cab 2540 hrs ................................$42,000 ‘11 Case 580 SN, 4X4 cab,3322 hrs, extend-a-hoe ������������� $42,000 ‘16 Cat 420 F2, 4x4, 1088 hrs, cab extend-a-hoe ..... $69,000

ROW CROP TRACTORS

’17 Kubota M7-151, cab air, MFWD, 545 hrs, front axle suspension, 3pt PTO, w/ Kubota loader .................................................. $84,000 ‘09 JD 7830 MFWD, 6185 hrs, 3PT PTO, 4 hyd, 20 speed auto quad, 48050 tires & duals ........................................ $77,000

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.

ADVERTISER LISTING Anderson Seeds ...................................................................... 3 Asbestos Disease LLC ...........................................................11 Beck's Hybrids ....................................................................... 1 Courtland Waste Handling ...................................................... 9 Freudenthal Dairy ................................................................ 13

SMALL EXCAVATORS

Generac ................................................................................. 8

’11 Bobcat E45EM, cab & air, 2965 hrs ..................... $30,000

Greenwald Farm Center ........................................................ 19

’17 Case CX57C, cab & air, 333 hrs........................... $49,000

’13 JD 660, 892/1180 CM, chopper duals.............. $129,000

PAGE 23

WHEEL LOADERS

’18 JD 824K, 7980 hrs, cab air, ride control, 6.25 yd bkt ............................................................... $149,000 ’14 JD 724 K, 9587 hrs, third valve, w/ medford forks ... $82,000 ’13 JD 644 K, 5520 hrs, quick coupler, 4.25 yd bkt .... $115,000 ’15 Volvo 90G, 4927 hrs, quick coupler & bkt ................ $89,000 ’12 Volvo L50F, 5733 hrs, cab air, quick coupler & bkt .. $65,000 ‘15 Cat 930 M, 6599 hrs, ride control, w/ quick coupler & bucket ........................................ $85,000 ’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 ‘13 Case 721 F, 4717 hrs, ride control, quick coupler w/bucket ............................................. $75,000

EXCAVATORS ’15 Cat 323 FL, 3768 hrs, 40" bkt............................ $119,000 ’14 Komatsu PC 138US-10, hyd thumb, 36" bkt ........ $80,000 ’11 JD 290GLC, 3347 hrs, 12'6" stick,42" bkt .......... $110,000

Larson Brothers Implement .................................................. 23 Pioneer ................................................................................ 10 Pruess Elevator Inc .............................................................. 21 Pumps Motor & Bearings LLC ............................................... 7 Schweiss Doors .................................................................... 20 Skyberg Iron ........................................................................ 21 Smiths Mill Implement Inc ................................................... 19 Spanier Welding ..................................................................... 5 Steffes Group ....................................................................... 21

’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

Thinlight Technologies ........................................................... 4

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 17/APRIL 24, 2020

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

Staples by rail

W

hen a train passes the passenger platform at the Amtrak depot in Staples, the ground vibrates and then there is thunder — and speech is no longer heard. As the engine passes the depot, the engineer gives a couple of hoots, we wave, and then car after car roars by only feet from the depot door.

“About sixty of them come by every day,” Tom Kajer says.

Kajer is the president of the Staples Historical Society and the Society has owned the depot for 12 years. The depot is one of five Amtrak stops in Minnesota and is on the National Register of Historic Places. In 2019 over 6,000 passengers used it. Even so, when the Society took ownership of the 110-year-old building, it was in serious disrepair.

“The first thing we did was have a new roof put on,” Kajer said.

In the last decade, the Society has completed nearly 30 restoration projects ranging from a new heating system, new bathrooms, restored lighting, new oak doors, and the refinishing and reinstallation of 25 grand oak-framed windows.

The large windows in the lobby of the threestory depot, along with the high ceiling and white terrazzo floor, make for a bright and uplifting space.

As a special touch, Kajer has got a dozen or so thriving house plants in the lobby. Along the walls are historical railroad photos and a large dynamite proof safe.

Staples, Minn.

“Did you know that Staples had a stock yard?” Kajer asked, pointing to a photo of cattle in pens. “The ranchers from Montana would ride the train with their cattle to Staples. The cattle and ranchers would stay overnight before heading to South Saint Paul or Chicago.”

The Society has a mini-museum next to the lobby. There visitors can see railroad artifacts such as dramatic photos of the 1969 blizzard which covered the tracks in towering drifts, the bell off the last Northern Pacific steam engine, an 1870s conductor’s lantern, a widow maker, and more.

The depot lobby and restrooms are open all the time. During Railroad Days, which is a weekend in late August, the museum is open all day. Normally, Kajer comes in every morning to clean the immaculate depot and sanitize door handles and other frequently touched surfaces, however it would be best to call (218) 894-2906 for an appointment to visit the museum itself.

If you want to take Amtrak from Staples, the daily Seattle-bound train leaves at 1:26 a.m. The Chicago-bound Amtrak leaves at 4:14 a.m. Amtrak was operating as of late March. No tickets are sold in Staples. v

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IT IS ALWAYS THE RIGHT TIME TO CONTROL COSTS AND LOCK-IN LONG-TERM SAVINGS. WE'VE HELPED HUNDREDS OF BUSINESSES AND FARMS ACROSS THE MIDWEST SAVE THOUSANDS ANNUALLY BY TAKING ADVANTAGE OF SOLAR ENERGY. WE CAN SHOW YOU HOW.

RECEIVE A FREE CONSULTATION TO DETERMINE HOW SOLAR ENERGY CAN BEST WORK FOR YOUR SPECIFIC SITE, CIRCUMSTANCES, AND NEEDS.

©2020 BLUE HORIZON ENERGY

©2020 BLUE HORIZON ENERGY

507.424.0001 INFO@BLUEHORIZONENERGY.COM WWW.BLUEHORIZONENERGY.COM

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CUSTOMER

HIGHLIGHT

SOLAR ENERGY FOR

FARMS AND BUSINESSES

ELIMINATE YOUR ENERGY BILLS AND PLAN FOR THE FUTURE

TAKE CONTROL OF YOUR ELECTRICITY EXPENSES AND GIVE YOUR FARM A NEW ELEMENT OF FINANCIAL PREDICTABILITY WITH YOUR OWN SOLAR ENERGY SYSTEM

FROM OUR FAMILY TO YOURS WE’RE IN THIS TOGETHER.

Solar energy is more than clean energy, it’s financial stability, predictability, and independence.

We know the challenges of planning for the future, and we’re here to help you take control of what you can. Blue Horizon Energy works with the best suppliers and partners in the solar industry so you can rest easy knowing that you can trust your solar system to support your family, farm, and business for decades to come.

WE LET OUR CUSTOMERS SPEAK FOR THEMSELVES. WANT TO HEAR WHAT OUR CUSTOMERS HAVE TO SAY? JUST ASK!

©2020 BLUE HORIZON ENERGY

CONTACT US AT: 507.424.0001 INFO@BLUEHORIZONENERGY.COM

507.424.0001

INFO@BLUEHORIZONENERGY.COM

©2020 BLUE HORIZON ENERGY LLC