THE LAND ~ December 18, 2020 ~ Northern Edition

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December 11, 2020 December 18, 2020

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Glad tidings!

Wishing everyone a safe and blessed holiday season...

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THE LAND — DECEMBER 11/DECEMBER 18, 2020

Much to be thankful for

P.O. Box 3287 418 South Second St. Mankato, MN 56002 (800) 657-4665 Vol. XXXIX ❖ No. 25 24 pages, 1 section plus supplements

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

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This Thanksgiving was a unique one at ball with my brother and cousins in the the Kveno house. We didn’t travel to the front yard of my grandparents bungalow Twin Cities to spend the holiday with my in Chicago, excited for the next day as parents. We stayed home. In my whole we’d always head downtown to see the life I can’t remember a single Marshall Field’s window displays. I fondThanksgiving where we celebrated with ly remember walking in the woods just immediate family. Growing up, holiaround my in-laws’ farm with bellies full days were filled with cousins, trips to the of Thanksgiving turkey and exploring grandparents’ houses in either White with friendly barn cats in tow.

LAND MINDS Bear Lake, Minn. or Chicago.

After stuffing our faces this

By Kristin Kveno Thanksgiving this year started out with Thanksgiving, we joined my parents over a quiet walk around town. New Ulm Facetime for a rousing game of bingo. was silent, no hustling or bustling There was laughter, joy, and of course could be found. Then I helped my husa technical problem or two. It wasn’t band Seth get the turkey into the fryer. If you can’t the same as being with them in-person, but it was a gather with all of your family you should at the close second. There’s simply so many wonderful very least do something fun like fry a turkey, so we memories of Thanksgivings. I will definitely add did. Seth had never prepared a turkey this way. But this year’s to that list. man — was it tasty and quick! In only 45 minutes My kids are currently doing distance learning. we had a flavorful and delicious turkey ready to eat. They’re in the first week of it and so far, so good.

The usual Italian fare made it’s appearance on the The house is quiet in the morning with everyone in Thanksgiving table: lasagna, sausage, meatballs their rooms in Google Meets. In the late afternoons and Sicilian stuffed artichokes. My daughter — at we’ve incorporated Christmas baking into our rouonly 13 years old — can make a mean pot of tine. I didn’t think this through when I told each mashed potatoes, so she was in charge of that dish child to pick out their favorite cookie recipe for us to this year. bake. Since we won’t be seeing any family or friends for the foreseeable future, we’re going to be left with We sat down, just the six of us, ready to eat. But lots and lots of cookies. A date with the treadmill is first we prayed, then went around the table to say already overdue for me and these tempting sweet what we were thankful for. It was in that moment that instead of feeling sad for what we were missing treats in the kitchen won’t help matters in that department. But the memories we’re making count, out on, we were filled with gratitude for what we and calories really shouldn’t during a pandemic, have. We have each other. That’s something that right?!? should never be taken for granted, but I’m often guilty of doing. I was grateful for memories of past I know that we are all trying hard to stay positive Thanksgivings with dear family members crowded in what feels like an endless plight. I don’t have any around the table. So many of them are no longer sage words of wisdom, but I do have lots and lots of with us. cookies and that feels like a plate of joy right now.

Happy Christmas cookie eating to one and all! I’d I remember making pumpkin martinis one year better go … I hear that treadmill calling me! and my Grandpa (hard to please when it came to food and beverages) having two of them — exclaimKristin Kveno is the staff writer of The Land. She ing it was the best drink he’d ever tasted before may be reached at kkveno@TheLandOnline.com. v requesting yet another refill. I recall playing foot-

OPINION

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

5 — Le Sueur County farm recognized for sustainable practices 8 — MCGA President Tim Waibel weighs in on topics for 2021 9 — Strip tillage saves farmer time and money 10 — Things to consider when transporting hogs in cold weather

THERE’S EVEN MORE ONLINE... @ TheLandOnline.com • “Nuts and Bolts” — News and new products from the ag industry • “E-Edition” — Archives of past issues of The Land E-mail your Life on the Farm photos to editor@thelandonline.com.

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THE LAND — DECEMBER 11/DECEMBER 18, 2020

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

AT THE HEART OF IT. FOR SOME, IT’S ABOUT COMMUNITY. LIVING THE LIFE YOU WERE MEANT TO LIVE. WHILE WE ALL MAY DO IT FOR DIFFERENT REASONS, THERE IS ONE THING THAT UNITES US. ONE THING THAT WILL NEVER CHANGE. AT THE HEART OF IT, WE’RE ALL FARMERS.

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THE LAND — DECEMBER 11/DECEMBER 18, 2020

Political democracy is guardian of economic democracy In early 1999, I wrote a column about unchecked by government, were integratlions and gazelles. ing “producers” (previously known as farmers) into their “supply chains” More precisely, I wrote a column on through contracts which ensured suphow, in the 1990s, American livestock plies at capped prices. farmers had become “gazelles… in the brutal world of global agriculture.”

That meant “fatter lions in 1999.”

What that meant was, “Every morning The spark for the column came in the gazelle awakens knowing it must run January of 1999 when Senate Ag FARM & FOOD FILE Committee Chairman Richard Lugar faster than the fastest lion to live to see tomorrow,” while “the lion awakens (R-Ind.) during a … “hearing on concenBy Alan Guebert knowing it must run only as fast as tration in agriculture, urged his colthe slowest gazelle...” leagues to keep their noses out” of Cargill’s recent offer to buy competitor As such, that era’s low-profit hog, Continental’s grain business. cattle and dairy sectors were slow, easy targets for packers and processors who, The buyout, declared Lugar, “is a question more for ‘lawyers,’ not ‘legislatures.’”

It turns out Lugar, who died in 2019, is right — finally.

Some of the biggest AgBiz lions — Tyson Foods, Dairy Farmers of America, Bayer, Pilgrim’s Pride, Kroger, Cargill, JBS USA, and even the U.S. Department of Agriculture — now face a blizzard of price-fixing probes and other market-related litigation.

In fact, as a friend pointed out on Twitter shortly after Thanksgiving, “Turkey is now the only meat in (U.S. flag emoji) right now not under investigation for price-fixing.”

That should infuriate all Americans for two reasons: First for what it says about today’s largely dysfunctional livestock and poultry markets; and secondly, that it has taken 20 years for end users to confront Big Meat over how it uses its sledgehammer market power to suck unearned profits out of both livestock growers and meat buyers.

Equally infuriating is how Lugar’s edict for “legislatures” to stay out of Big Agbiz’s biz has remained in effect — despite mountains of evidence the corporatization of key ag sectors has cost farmers, ranchers, rural America, and consumers billions of dollars and an untold number of jobs.

And that’s on top of what boneheaded farm poli-

OPINION

cies advocated by AgBiz (like 1996’s Freedom to Farm) cost taxpayers. From 1997 to 2002, F2F cost taxpayers $122 billion, or three times its projected cost.

Many of these policies also took down antitrust fences and, shortly thereafter, consolidation in ag inputs, production and processing went into overdrive.

The move was so swift that in one generation, according to research published Nov. 19 by Hendrickson et al. (a link is posted at farmandfoodfile.com), “… the midpoint of sale” — where half U.S. herds were each side of the divide — in hogs “has increased from 1,200 to 51,300 head and, in dairy, …from 80 to 1,300 cows” from 1987 to 2017.

This industrialization hasn’t helped rural America: “Agrifood consolidation reduces farmer autonomy and redistributes costs and benefits across the food chain, squeezing farmer incomes.”

Recently, a friend telephoned to discuss how rural America had become so deeply — almost savagely — split on existential issues like climate change and resource conservation. My reply was a lengthy letter that, I’m pretty sure, didn’t answer his questions or allay his fears.

Two weeks later, however, I pulled a slim volume of Wendell Berry essays off a shelf and found a much better answer in far fewer words.

“Political democracy,” wrote Berry in the foreword to his 1995 book, Another Turn of the Crank, “can endure only as the guardian of economic democracy … A democratic government fails in failing to protect the integrity of ordinary lives and local communities.”

That wisdom bears repeating: We will continue to fail if we continue to fail “to protect the integrity of ordinary lives and local communities.”

Just ask a gazelle — if you can find one.

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

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THE LAND — DECEMBER 11/DECEMBER 18, 2020

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Le Sueur organic, sustainable farm gets national attention

By TIM KROHN The Free Press Mankato LE SUEUR, Minn. — When Tim and Tom Nuessmeier were growing up on the family farm east of Le Sueur, the terms “organic” and “sustainable” weren’t really a recognized concept. But their parents liked to farm as naturally as possible.

“My parents farmed conventionally,” Tim Nuessmeier said. “But they were reluctant to use agricultural chemicals and things of that sort. But my father wasn’t interested in making the jump to organic farming — that wasn’t even on the radar then.”

pork, beef and lamb and is the largest network in North America to be certified humane. They sell meats to restaurants and grocers.

“It’s a nice recognition,” Nuessmeier said. “I admire the company for trying to encourage wild land restoration and things of that sort. I think it’s much needed.”

The Nuessmeier farm, going on 150 years in the family, is a haven for livestock, animals and bugs.

In the 1990s the brothers installed terraces to reduce erosion. They put land in the Conservation Reserve Program where they have seen robust pollinator life. They have dubbed the area a “songbird commons” because of the many ground-nesting songbirds among the native plants.

“We have always believed that wild nature — birds, insects, mammals — should have a place to coexist on a working farm,” Nuessmeier said.

Their pigs are pampered. “To be ‘sustainably raised’ you have a number of protocols — no antibiotics, no animal byproducts in the feed, animals need to be able to go indoors and outdoors and have straw to nest on.”

The Nuessmeiers didn’t take the added step of raising “organic” hogs, which would also require they eat only organic feed, something that is twice the cost of normal feed.

They do raise organic crops, which they market to a number of buyers in the Midwest With just 200 acres of land, the family members who have a hand in the farm all work off the farm. “A lot of people say you can’t make a farm this small work, but we regarded it as a challenge to see if we could make a go of it on that Photos submitted size farm,” Nuessmeier said. He said Left to right: Tom, Judy, Claire and Tim Nuessmeier are part of the the premium price paid for organic and family farm. humane-raised crops and livestock proBut the respect for the land and love of bees and vides the added income needed to make it work. songbirds and animals were passed on to the brothWith the brothers in their early 60s, they’re not ers. When Tim took over the main operations, he and exactly sure who will have a hand in the farm in the several other family members involved went organic future. Tim and his wife, Judy, have a daughter, and sustainable. Their commitment to pampered Claire, who is attending college and has a deep conhogs, growing organic grain and providing critical nection to the farm. “She would be the sixth generahabitat for pollinators and birds recently earned tion. But it’s too early to tell if she’ll be an active them the first ever Niman Ranch Sustainable Farmer participant in the farm or not.” of the Year Award.

Organic network Last year Colorado-based Niman Ranch announced Nuessmeier said the many businesses that supply a $200,000 fund to help farmers in the network various organic and sustainable inputs to farmers expand or adopt new sustainable farming practices are a good resource for organic farmers, particularly to protect pollinators, build soil health and preserve those just starting out. One of the suppliers he relied water quality. Niman works with more than 750 on was the staff at Albert Lea Seed, which sells independent family farmers and ranchers who raise organic seed.

Nuessmeiers’ philosophy for raising hogs involves indoor and outdoor space and plenty of bedding.

Co-owner Mac Ehrhardt said his grandpa started Albert Lea Seed in 1923 and in the late ‘90s they added organic seed to their inventory. That was a few years before the USDA even had an organic seed certification program.

“We were maybe a little too ahead of our time. That first year we had one organic customer,” Ehrhardt said. “Now about half of all the seed we sell goes to organic farms.”

He said they like to be a resource for starting organic farmers but are careful not to give advice on topics they’re not knowledgeable about.

“We talk about agronomics and crop rotations and that side of it. There are a lot of resources available to organic farmers now, a lot more than there used to be.”

Albert Lea Seed gets most of its organic seeds from area growers, but for some seed they have to source from other states, Europe and Brazil.

Ehrhardt said farming will always be dominated by large operations, but he thinks the growth in demand for organics, including from small and medium farms is promising.

“I think it’s good for rural America to have more smaller organic farms.”

The Free Press and The Land are sister publications owned by The Free Press Media. v

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THE LAND — DECEMBER 11/DECEMBER 18, 2020

The swimming pool, the tree and Santa’s flight pattern If we had any inkling at all about how “Hey you guys … do you see that tree short childhood is while we are still chilover there? The one with the big hole in dren, we would have appreciated it so the top?” I asked. much more — instead of being in such a Sooner or later they all spotted it. hurry to grow up.

“You know why there’s a hole in the Often when kids finally get there, it’s a top of that tree?” I asked, trolling for bitter disappointment with all the their attention. responsibility and job commitments that Of course, they didn’t know why the come along with being able to do ‘whatevTABLE TALK tree top had a hole in it, so what followed er we want.’ Perhaps having to still was possibly the best story I ever made answer to someone is the best-kept secret By Karen Schwaller up to advance the magic of Christmas. of adulthood.

Or, for at least as long as they ‘believed.’

I am reminded of the magic of childhood “That big hole is where Santa flies in on his every year when I begin our Christmas preparations sleigh every Christmas. When Santa and his rein—especially when I open totes and find tree ornaments made by the awkward and unskilled hands of deer get to those trees they have to start to land so our (then) elementary school children. We have years they can end up on top of our house,” I said. of popsicle stick photo frames and Christmas stars How very lucky that the trees were northeast of that are the primary reason why glue factory workour house, advancing the believability of the story ers can carry on yet today with complete job securiall the more as they grew and began to ask questy; and other such creations which could have benetions. After all, every child knows Santa Claus fitted from an eight-year-old with a working protrac- comes from the north. tor and a good blackmail scheme.

I should have gotten an Oscar award for my perOne of the best stories that came out of the formance. They fell for the whole story.

Schwaller Christmas was born one summer when Three young faces looked towards the trees in our elementary-aged children were enjoying an utter amazement, maybe because I had kept this afternoon in the fiberglass swimming pool I had set up and filled one hot summer afternoon. I was in the pool with them when we got to talking about the trees at our farm and how old they were, and how important trees are.

WORTHINGTON, Minn. — University of As we talked about the trees I looked up and hap- Minnesota Extension has scheduled several Zoom pened to see a tree with a grouping of branches that meetings to discuss some of the key issues and queshad a very large ‘hole’ of sorts within them. It tions around crop production. Sessions run from 8:30 almost looked as if some branches had been cut out to 9 a.m. on Wednesdays, Jan. 6 through March 24. to make way for power lines, though that never hapSessions will be very informal and open to all interpened. ested. Each session will start with a brief presentaIt was then that I thought I could use that tree — tion (about 10 minutes) followed by 20 minutes of and our conversation — to create some wonder, so I discussion. started in.

Jan. 6 — Corn hybrid selection. Jeff Coulter, Extension corn agronomist, Dean Malvick, Extension plant pathologist and researcher Tom Hoverstad.

Jan. 13 — Soybean variety selection. Seth Naeve, Extension soybean agronomist and Malvick.

Early deadline for ads in The Land Jan. 20 — Herbicide technology traits. Debalin Due to the Christmas and New Year Holidays, Sarangi, Extension weed specialist and Tom Peters, The Land office will be closed on Extension Sugar beet agronomist Friday, Dec. 25th and Friday, Jan. 1, 2021.

Jan. 27 — Broadcasting versus banding P & K. Jeff Vetsch, researcher and Dan Kaiser, Extension nutrient management specialist Feb. 3 — Third crops ready to work for you. Jochum Wiersma, Extension small grains specialist and Craig Sheaffer, forage specialist Feb. 10 — The latest on cover crop research and Deadline for The Land’s Deadline for The Land’s tools you can use. Axel Garcia y Garcia, Sustainable Jan. 8, 2021 issue is Jan. 1, 2021 issue is Cropping Systems, Anna Cates, Extension state soil Tues., Dec. 22th Tues., Dec. 29th health specialist and Gregg Johnson, Biomass at noon. at noon.

Cropping Systems

incredible secret for so long. How could a kid get to be in the first and third grades and not have received this important, classified, North Pole-based memo?

After that day, summer pool-side afternoons in coming years often included conversations about that tree top and how Santa and the reindeer had worn a hole in the tree top because the branches were in the way of their flight pattern.

All too soon they knew the truth, and the magic was gone. It’s sad when that happens.

The hole in the tree top is still there. Today our sons live on that place, and someday maybe they can tell that story to their own children who could be living there someday. And the story will be just as amazing to them then as it was to our children on that very warm summer afternoon when they were first aware of how Santa and the reindeer were able to land on our roof top by pushing through the top of the trees on our farm.

The only thing more breathtaking than Christmas magic is the very brevity of the childhood in which that magic exists.

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

Extension to host ag topics on Zoom

NOTICE

Feb. 17 — Adjusting soil pH to maximize crop production. Dan Kaiser, Extension nutrient management specialist and Jeff Vetsch, researcher Feb. 24 — The nuts’n bolts of on-farm research — Doin’ it right. R.L. (Bob) Nielsen, Extension corn specialist and Naeve.

March 3 — Making every acre pay. Naeem Kalwar, Extension soil health specialist, Tanner Bruse, Minnesota Ag and Conservation Programs manager, Pheasants Forever and Alan Lepp, NRCS March 10 — What insects are bugging your corn this year? Ken Ostlie, Extension entomologist and Bruce Potter, Extension integrated pest management specialist March 17 — SCN: So tough a threat, it warrants a coalition. Greg Tylka, nematologist, Naeve, and Samuel Markell, Extension broadleaf plant pathologist,.

March 24 — Stand establishment for corn and soybean. Naeve, Coulter and Malvick.

For details and to register, go to https://z.umn.edu/ strategic-farming. You need only register once for the whole program series. There is no charge to participate, and sessions will be recorded and posted for viewing later at your convenience.

This article was submitted by University of Minnesota Extension. v

THE LAND — DECEMBER 11/DECEMBER 18, 2020

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PAGE 7

Variety makes these appetizers a hit for the holidays to do with it as I’m not a fig person. But the combiThis year, holidays will look a little difnation of bacon, goat cheese and figs creates a flaferent. No large family gatherings, no vor profile that can’t be beat. hugs from Grandma, no office Christmas parties. This year is like no other. Instead Bacon Wrapped Figs with Herb Goat of making the traditional Thanksgiving Cheese and Christmas meals, why not shake it https://www.joyfulhealthyeats.com/bacon-wrappedup when it comes to food? stuffed-figs-herb-goat-cheese/ We are planning on doing all appetizers 25 dried figs for Christmas eve. It will be just the six COOKING 8–9 strips of bacon, cut into thirds of us, so a large meal isn’t necessary (and WITH KRISTIN 3 ounces goat cheese to be honest, we have picky eaters that 1 teaspoon fresh rosemary, chopped By Kristin Kveno won’t want to eat it anyway). Having an 1 teaspoon fresh thyme, chopped appetizer night allows each family member to make 1 teaspoon fresh sage, chopped an appetizer of their liking. My kids have gotten 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder pretty good at being innovative in their food crePreheat oven to 375 degrees. Fill a medium saucepan with ations, so I’m looking forward to seeing what they water.

Bring to a boil. Add dry figs to saucepan. Remove from will come up with. heat and let figs sit for 5-10 minutes, until they are plump.

Here’s a few of my favorite holiday appetizers.

Remove figs from water and place on a paper towel lined plate.

Some have been my tried-and-true for years now.

Pat dry.

If you’ve never had bacon wrapped figs, please try this recipe In a small bowl, add goat cheese, rosemary, thyme, sage and at once. The first time I heard of this appetizer, I wanted nothing garlic powder. Using a fork mix everything together.

Snip the stems of the figs and cut a slit in the figs (enough to stuff it with cheese) about a ½ inch. Stuff each fig with the goat cheese mixture, then wrap with pre-sliced bacon and secure with a toothpick in them. Place wrapped figs on parchment paper lined baking sheet seam side down. Repeat process until all figs are stuffed and wrapped. Bake for 15-20 minutes or until bacon ST. PAUL — A pivot from an in-person event to a is crispy. virtual one didn’t prevent the 79th annual Minnesota n Farmers Union convention from sparking fruitful My husband already has picked out the appetizer he’s making conversation on agriculture and rural policy.

The Nov. 21 event, held via Zoom, featured an for Christmas: Armadillo Eggs. While no armadillos are actually in abbreviated agenda consisting of rules and bylaws the recipe (thank goodness) the rest of the ingredients come together in these crispy and delectable appetizers. change discussion, current policy and debate.

Peterson, Poppe recognized by MFU

MFU formally recognized outgoing Congressman Collin Peterson and State Rep. Jeanne Poppe with the Leadership in Agriculture Award by a unanimous vote of the delegates.

Rep. Peterson, a Democrat from Minnesota’s 7th District, has served as either Chair or Ranking Member on the House Agriculture Committee for much of his 30-year tenure in Congress. Rep. Poppe, a DFLer from Austin, has been Chair of the Minnesota House Agriculture Committee for the past two years and has long championed agricultural policy and education. Both lost bids for re-election this fall.

The Special Orders of Business passed by MFU members are as follows: Affordable Health Care; Resilient Agricultural Markets; Expanding Meat and Poultry Processing; Promoting Biofuels and Ending Attacks on the RFS; Pandemic Recovery and Broadband Investment; Climate-Smart Agriculture; and Affirming Agricultural Community.

Several guest speakers addressed the convention including Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz; and U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith.

This article was submitted by the Minnesota Farmers Union. v

4 ounces feta 4 ounces canned artichoke hearts, chopped 2 teaspoons minced garlic 1 package dry ranch salad dressing mix In a large bowl, combine the cream cheese, spinach, feta, artichokes, garlic and ranch dressing. Mix together with hands until well blended, form into a ball or log and set on a serving plate. n Cowboy Caviar seems to be a hit with everyone. Making it a day in advance brings out the flavors and marries all the ingredients into a taste sensation.

Cowboy Caviar 2 cans Rotel 2 cans white corn 2 cans black beans (drain all cans) 1 tomato, chopped 1 green pepper, chopped 8-10 green onions, chopped 1 tablespoon chopped garlic 16 ounce bottle Italian dressing Mix all ingredients. Serve with Frito Scoops.

Whether you’re creating an elaborate holiday feast or ordering pizza, these recipes can add some flare to any holiday gathering, no matter the size. Happy eating everyone!

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

Armadillo Eggs

https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/33950/armadillo-eggs/ 24 jalapeno peppers 1 pound sausage 2 cups all-purpose baking mix 1 (16 ounce) package Cheddar cheese, shredded 1 tablespoon crushed red pepper flakes 1 tablespoon garlic salt 1 (16 ounce) package Monterey Jack cheese, cubed Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Lightly grease a medium baking sheet. Cut a slit in each jalapeno pepper. Remove and discard seeds and pulp. In a medium bowl, mix sausage, baking mix, Cheddar cheese, crushed red pepper and garlic salt. Stuff jalapenos with the Monterey Jack cheese cubes. Shape sausage mixture around the jalapenos to form balls. Arrange jalapeno balls on the prepared baking sheet. Bake 25 minutes in the preheated oven, until lightly browned. n You can never go wrong with a cheese ball, especially if artichokes are involved. I’ve been making this recipe for years, it’s simple and delicious.

Spinach Artichoke Feta Ball 8 ounces cream cheese 10 ounces frozen chopped spinach, thawed and squeezed dry

LG Seeds, Legacy Seeds, Rob-See-Co Corn: Conv to BT

Soybeans: Conv, Enlist & RR2X

Great Products and Prices Enduraplas Poly Tanks, Nurse Trailers, UTV Sprayers Chemicals: Major and Generic

"IT PAYS TO SHOP AND COMPARE"

CHRIS DAHL

27296 730th Avenue • Albert Lea, MN 56007 507-383-4931

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THE LAND — DECEMBER 11/DECEMBER 18, 2020

Waibel believes there’s plenty of room for corn’s future

By KRISTIN KVENO The Land Staff Writer COURTLAND, Minn. — With his many goals and priorities in tow, Tim Waibel was elected president of the Minnesota Corn Growers Association. His term began Oct. 1 and will last one year. What started as Waibel filling a vacancy on the Tim Waibel MCGA board in 2012 has led him to serve as secretary, treasurer and now president.

Waibel is ready to take on the challenges and opportunities in growing demand for Minnesota corn in the state and beyond.

Waibel and his wife, Mary have been farming full time since 1994 and are the parents of five children.

They now farm alongside sons Justin and Jonathan and raise 24,000 pigs a year in a wean-to-finish operation. The Waibels also grow corn and soybeans near Courtland, Minn.

E15’s future is now Waibel’s number-one goal as MCGA president is to move E15 forward. “It’s such a no-brainer to do it.”

He believes the time has come for implementation of E15. Waibel points out the E15 plants are in rural communities, offering not only an economic boost to the farmers but to their neighbors as well. “Ethanol cleans up the environment, it helps the local farmer,” Waibel said.

Advances in corn-based products There have been many new innovations when it comes to the usage of corn. According to Waibel, researchers from the University of Minnesota Center for Sustainable Polymers have developed tires made from corn-based rubber instead of a petroleum-base.

The research also continues in utilizing corn-based plastics on a broader scope. Waibel would like to see the corn industry be part of the creation of more plastics. He’s proud of the ongoing collaborative effort that the MCGA and the University of Minnesota

have for broadening the usage of corn in everyday products.

Cover crops, not right for all With many farmers growing cover crops to improve soil health, Waibel sees both the benefit and the challenging logistical situations cover crops offer. “We don’t use cover crops on our farm.”

Waibel covers 700 to 800 acres with hog manure.

The state prohibits manure application until the soil temperature is below 60 degrees. A cover crop won’t work on Waibel’s farm as he wouldn’t have enough time in the fall to get the manure applied and plant the cover crops before the temperatures drop. “I hope the state never mandates us to grow cover crops.”

Waibel recognizes that each farm is unique, and a one-size-fits-all mandate wouldn’t work in this situation. “My farm certainly isn’t the same as a farm 30, 40, 50 miles away from us,” Waibel said.

Issue with U.S.D.A. corn totals Does the United States grow too much corn? Waibel doesn’t think so. The numbers released by the USDA have been confusing though. “The USDA got some numbers wrong.” Whether that was the usage numbers or the inventory numbers. “It’s frustrating as a producer. We’d like to go into harvest with our bins empty.” Those overestimated numbers earlier in the year led to farmers having to hold onto supply until later on when the market improved.

On the political front Waibel believes losing lawmakers who stood strong for agriculture is a tough blow for Minnesotans. That sentiment has certainly been felt by many with the defeat of Rep. Collin Peterson in the November elections. Waibel felt that Rep. Peterson had extensive knowledge on ag issues. “He understood ag policy on the federal level.” On Rep. Peterson’s side of the aisle,

ASSUMPTION, Ill. — For farmers, evaluating their grain system following harvest is a sound strategy to make any necessary upgrades for the following season.

“That’s especially true this season, considering the big yields experienced in many parts of the country,” said Gary Woodruff, GSI district manager and grain management expert. “Having an efficient, properly sized grain system is key to protecting grain quality and maximizing profitability.”

Woodruff suggests that farmers grade their systems based on these criteria: Storage space — Determine if existing bin capacity is sufficient or if you need to improve your grain storage position. “Many farmers not only lacked enough on-farm storage this harvest, but also found

that their local elevators were full,” he said. “This meant they were forced to find temporary storage or rely on unconventional storage solutions which can sacrifice grain quality.” Woodruff said if farmers want to add storage, they should contact their dealers as soon as possible because many are getting booked quickly.

Drying capacity — If your wet storage bin was full before the end of each day during harvest, it may be time to increase drying capacity.

Grain handling — High yields put additional stress on grain receiving equipment. “Yields continue to grow every year,” Woodruff noted. “If your existing dump pit and bucket elevator can’t keep up with the inflow of grain, the result will be a bottleneck to your harvest. Increasing the capacity of your grain han-

many looked to him regarding decision making in ag legislation.

At the state level, Rep. Jeanne Poppe (District 27B), chair of the Minnesota Agriculture and Food Finance and Policy Division lost her re-election bid. “She was a strong voice for the corn farmer.” Waibel explains that the MCGA will continue to work on forging strong connections with legislative representatives. “We’ve always had good relationships with our policy makers.”

Waibel encourages lawmakers from the Twin Cities metro area to come out and visit a farm or two and ask questions. MCGA tries to get policymakers out to farms and Waibel notes they have had great success in that. “We have hosted a lot of people.” Having the opportunity to share concerns, talk about the issues and explore solutions have all happened while simply having a chat in the field. “Everyone wants to make Minnesota a better place.”

Last March, Waibel went to Washington D.C. to meet with Minnesota lawmakers. The trip started with handshakes; but in those next few days Covid19 surged, the handshakes quickly ended. That was the last trip to Washington D.C. Waibel has been on so far this year. While virtual meetings are the norm for now, that in-person connection is something Waibel has certainly missed in these last nine months. “There’s nothing better than going into someone’s office and visiting with them.” He doesn’t hold out much hope that the annual meeting with Minnesota senators and representatives will happen next March. He is optimistic that Corn Congress and congressional visits can happen in July.

The opportunities for corn continue to grow, along with the challenges. Waibel is excited for the future of corn and is proud of MCGA’s strong role in that fut ure. v

www.TheLandOnline.com Give your grain system a post-harvest performance review

dling equipment will improve harvest speed and efficiency.”

Safety — Post-harvest is also a good time to consider possible safety enhancements while it is fresh in your mind. “This can include installing roof stairs or peak platforms on bins, checking to see if bin safety cages are secure, and making sure all safety shields on motor drives and dump points are in good condition,” he said.

For more information, Woodruff encourages farmers to contact their grain system dealer or consult ag university or other industry resources.

This article was submitted by Grain Systems Inc., a global brand of AGCO. v

THE LAND — DECEMBER 11/DECEMBER 18, 2020

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

Strip tillage generates soil, dollar benefits

By DICK HAGEN The Land Staff Writer Emeritus Several things influence the use of insecticides, herbicides, seeding rates, timing, and especially technology tillage systems in today’s agriculture. The Minnesota Association Water Resources Council hosted a “Virtual 4R Technology Review” on Brian Ryberg Nov. 11. The 4R’s of nutrient stewardship, or nutrient management, are commonly referred to when talking about proper nutrient application. The 4R’s stand for right source, right rate, right time, and right place and serve to guide farmers to the management practices which help keep nutrients on and in the field.

Brian Ryberg is now a six-year veteran of zero tillage on his Renville County farm. During the Nov. 11 virtual review, Ryberg shared some of his experiences.

A key component to Ryberg’s system is a Soil Warrior, manufactured at Faribault, Minn. This machine can be used in the fall and/or spring. For fall tillage, 30-inch diameter cogwheels and serrated coulters produce a 10-inch wide tilled zone 8 to 12 inches deep. The coulters and cogwheel also mix fertilizer and residue with the soil. In the spring, each cogwheel is taken off and replaced with two 20-inch diameter wavy coulters. These smaller coulters till the soil only 2 to 6 inches deep in the same 10-inch wide zone.

MAWRC spokesperson Warren Formo commented, “Brian has become an innovator in strip tillage and cover crops. USDA Census of Agriculture data indicates strip till and no till/ridge till increased about 30 percent in a five-year period (2012 to 2017). Cover crop acres increased about 40 percent during that same time frame. So we know a lot of farmers are innovating new strategies in their faming. And Brian, with five year’s experience, has lots to share.

Those 4 R’s of time, rate, source and place continually come into play … and fewer field trips are a big player for the Rybergs.”

“Yes, the way we farm is somewhat unique I suppose … my word, though others might have different words,” said Ryberg. “I respect their judgment and know many are curious about how we make it work.

We run a 24-row, 22-inch row-width machine. With the Warrior each fall, we do our P and K and microbes; then in the spring behind our corn planter we do our liquid nitrogen program — two or three applications.

“We’ve been playing around with cover crops for seven or eight years, primarily after our sugar beet acres (corn, soybeans, sugar beets is the rotation).

See RYBERG, pg. 11

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PAGE 9

PAGE 10

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THE LAND — DECEMBER 11/DECEMBER 18, 2020

Many factors to consider with cold weather transportation Fall 2020 was a prime example of the drastic temperature changes we can expect to experience in the upper midwest. On multiple occasions, parts of Minnesota went from significant accumulations of snow to above 60 F temperatures in less than a week’s time. It’s seemingly harder and harder to find anything resembling “normal” in the world today, and that sentiment extends to weather patterns. With this in mind, transporters will need to take necessary steps in order to protect pigs from the elements, prevent stress, and bring them safely to their destination — especially as we move into winter months and colder temperatures.

Many factors are taken into consideration when planning to move pigs from one location to another, ranging from contract obligations, available space, or farm employee/transporter schedule.

Perhaps the most important factor, and one that should first be considered, is whether or not the animal is in the correct physical position to be transported. According to Effect of Transport on Meat Quality and Animal Welfare of Cattle, Pigs, Sheep, Horses, Deer and Poultry (2004), Temple Grandin concluded that one of the two main factors which contribute to the most serious animal welfare problems was the loading of unfit animals. Unfit animals, as defined by Grandin, The National Pork Board, and various other animal welfare organizations, would include those which are sick, injured or fatigued;

temporarily unable to stand or bear weight on each leg; those which cannot be moved without causing additional suffering; pregnant animals during the final 10 percent of SWINE & U the gestational period at the planned

By Jason Ertl time of unloading; females traveling without young who have farrowed within the past 48 hours; newborns with unhealed navels; or those whose body condition would result in poor welfare because of the expected climatic conditions.

Depending on the symptoms and severity, some pigs will have the ability to recover and would be able to be loaded onto trucks at a later time.

Additional influences, such as poor handling practices, or those in combination like the presence of the stress gene and high doses of ractopamine, can exacerbate underlying conditions and influence an animal’s fitness to travel. In a situation where pigs are non-ambulatory and show a low probability of recovery (even with treatment) transportation is not recommended and they should be humanely euthanized on the farm.

How many pigs to load?

The Transport Quality Assurance (TQA) handbook has a table with helpful information about space recommendations for pigs, providing an idea of space requirements in square feet based on average weight of the animal.

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While helpful, this table does not take into account temperature considerations, requiring transporters to adjust these numbers with respect to current weather conditions.

It may be reasonable to assume that during colder temperatures, adding more pigs onto a truck or trailer would generate more body heat and lead to a more comfortable mirco-environment.

This concept, however, is incorrect.

While there may be more body heat generated, movement within the trailer space would be limited and those pigs against the sidewalls of the trailer are more likely to experience colder temperatures and a higher likelihood of frostbite.

While being nuanced, there are other ways to recognize when a loading density is too high — including responses like abnormally high amounts of vocalization; or squealing, fidgeting, or fighting within compartments.

Travel time must also be taken into account. It is recommended to provide additional space per pig for trips lasting longer than three hours — regardless of temperature. Using resources like the TQA handbook, having an understanding of pig behavior, and previous experience with the hauling equipment used will enable transport-

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ers to achieve optimal load densities given weather conditions.

Movement of pigs between the different production phases can sometimes include traveling significant distances and across different weather conditions. This makes it essential for transporters to know the current and future forecast. Today’s technology allows us to have these live and local updates at our fingertips through smartphone apps; but at a minimum, dialing in to local radio stations or local news will provide at least an idea of what to expect throughout the route.

During the winter months, the combination of cold temperatures and wind speed create windchill. A table in the TQA handbook shows the relationship of wind and temperature on pigs and provides the period of time, in minutes, for frostbite to occur if pigs are left unprotected.

Pigs are similar to humans in a number of different ways, including our sensitivity to cold temperatures.

We both lack the warm, insulative coat which protects many other livestock species from the elements.

Transporters, then, have the responsibility to provide an environment that will protect pigs from those conditions, See SWINE & U, pg. 11

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THE LAND — DECEMBER 11/DECEMBER 18, 2020

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PAGE 11

EQIP provides assistance to address environmental concerns RYBERG, from pg. 9 I’ve seen too many open winters with winds moving dirt. We started with cereal rye in our regular program and continued with rye when we transitioned into strip till six years ago. Cereal rye continues our basic cover crop; though mixes are now intermingled with other options depending upon the field. Cereal rye you can’t actually plant till late August and early September because it won’t survive summer heat. We use an annual rye in a five-way mix. And if you get enough snow cover it usually survives our winters.

“With cover crops we’ve had mixed results doing interseeding. Used with corn in our 22-inch rowwidth configuration, that corn canopy often shuts out sunlight. That slows photosynthesis which drastically slows growth of your cover crop. We’re seeing better results with cover crops between our soybean rows.

“We’re trying interseeding between our sugar beet rows — which are also in 22-inch rowsm” Ryberg went on to say. “So far, haven’t found anything surviving wheel damage from the beet lifting process, so maybe giving up on that idea. Some guys have tried late oats in August and I’ve heard some okay results.”

“Our budget shows a $15-an-acre expense for cover crops. Sure, we’re after better soil health, but that $15 cash flow is real with no direct ROI to cover. So you have to convince yourself, and perhaps your lender, that you’re doing this cover crop strategy for the right reasons.

“We’ve been involved with the EQIP programs,” Ryberg said. (The Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) provides financial and technical assistance to agricultural producers to address natural resource concerns and deliver environmental benefits such as improved water and air quality, conserved ground and surface water, increased soil health and reduced soil erosion and sedimentation, improved or created wildlife habitat, and mitigation against drought and increasing weather volatility. To learn more about EQIP, contact your local Natural Resource Conservation Services office.) “This year I signed up some acres to help offset some of the cover-crop costs.

But after we finished our seeding we found out they had run out of funding — so no payments. Guess I’ll chalk that up as a cost-of-learning experience.”

“We’ve used multiple vendors for these cover crop seeds. Yes, seed costs do vary, so our advice: Do some shopping around when adding cover crops into your cropping program.”

Ryberg stated maintenance costs have not been an issue on the Soil Warrior. “It’s a bit pricey up front.

Ours was about $300,000 six years ago with all the bells and whistles we put on. Yes, a substantial amount of money, but partially offset by a substantial amount of equipment we could then sell.

“So definitely a higher-priced machine; but considering the fewer field trips and overall reductions in manpower per acre compared with our field cultivator, ripper and other equipment we formerly needed,

the economics worked. Plus the big bonus: significant rebuilding of soil health mostly due to these fewer field trips.’’

How does Ryberg measure soil health?

“My explanation would be cover crops take up those additional nutrients floating around in your soil profile.

These cover crops tie them up; and then as that cover crop dies, those nutrients get released for the following crop. And cover crops don’t just gather up nitrogen.

They gather all soil nutrients that might enhance your own subsequent crop. Plus this additional bonus: cover crops keep these nutrients from leaching into ground water supplies and public water ways.

“Cover crops are doing a lot of root health activities too. Cereal rye’s root mass is amazing. Agronomists tell us that if cereal rye grows one-inch tall, its root mass stretches two feet deep. That much root mass in your soil profile means your soil textures are being enriched in many ways. Cereal rye sort of works like tile in the soil profile.”

Speaking of tile, Ryberg said he still has some tiling to do. “Yes indeed, still a lot of ground waiting to be tiled. We bought our own tile plow a couple years back. We can’t get enough in the ground. If we had an open winter like our Illinois farmers often have, we’d likely be tiling all winter.”

The Minnesota Association Water Resources Council’s “Virtual 4R Technology Review” is available for viewing on YouTube. v

looked areas in the transportation process.

Producers and transporters should work cooperatively to make sure these locations are bedded in a manner which provides proper footing to animals as they enter and exit the trailer.

Hauling and transporting pigs is a process which involves many new experiences to pigs. They face physical requirements such as moving up and down alleys, chutes and through doorway thresholds. They can be mixed with other animals without a previously-established hierarchy, and can be subject to handling techniques or equipment different from that to which they are accustomed.

On top of that, like humans, pigs can experience motion sickness — with some being more tolerant to transport than others. When combined with processes associated with transportation stress, the environmental stressors such as exposure to cold temperatures can increase their levels of discomfort and have effects on meat quality.

In a U.S. National Pork Benchmarking Study, packers indicated weather was the largest influence upon carcasses or wholesale cuts exhibiting undesirable pale, soft exudative pork. This research serves as a reminder that while efficiency or convenience may be important in transportation practices, producers and transporters need to consider the effects

these stressors will have on the pigs, and in how those results will be passed on to the consumer.

By following some of the concepts described above, we can ensure the safety and quality of the pork entering the food chain, and provide consumers with the pleasurable eating experiences which keep them returning to the pork section of the meat case.

The National Pork Board has been at the forefront of the livestock industry when it comes to establishing producer and consumer standards. Programs like Pork Quality Assurance Plus (PQA+) and Transport Quality Assurance (TQA) provide caretakers, handlers and haulers with the resources to build a stronger industry and define the best practices for production, management and transportation of swine in the United States. This all impacts pig well-being and pork quality for the consumer.

For more information about the PQA+ and TQA Programs, or to locate a local quality assurance certification advisor, visit pork.org.

Refer to an updated TQA manual for further information about cold weather transportation. The manual can be found at www.pork.org/certifications/ transport-quality-assurance/ v

Transportation stressors can impact the quality of meat SWINE & U, from pg. 10 and can do so in a few different ways.

One of the major ways to reduce cold stress or the potential for frostbite would be closing trailer vents and gaps with boarding or paneling. Even on the calmest of days, traveling down the road at speed will create a chilling effect within an unprotected trailer. Again, the TQA handbook has a table with truck set-up procedures — including recommendations for side-slat coverage over different temperature conditions. It is important to note these recommendations never exceed 95 percent closure. Even on the coldest of days, some air exchange is necessary to improve air quality within the trailer, decrease humidity, and decrease the potential for suffocation.

Information about bedding can also be found within the TQA handbook. In the previously mentioned wind chill table, recommendations for appropriate amounts of bedding during specific outdoor temperatures will achieve the primary goal of keeping animals dry, in addition to absorbing moisture and providing footing to reduce the amount of slips or injury.

While 50-pound bales are used as standard measure for bedding, the addition of straw will provide an added layer of insulation during the trips.

Chutes and other load-out alleys are often over-

PAGE 12

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THE LAND — DECEMBER 11/DECEMBER 18, 2020

Watson Hunting Camp: One visit and you’re hooked!

By DICK HAGEN The Land Staff Writer Emeritus WATSON, Minn. – That title aptly fits a Sept. 30 visit with Chuck Ellingson, the incredible chap who brought Watson Hunting Camp & Bar into fruition. Located on the prominent landscape overlooking the huge Lac Qui Parle State Reservoir in western Minnesota, his enterprise is billed as Minnesota’s Largest Waterfowl Outfitter.

So at the behest of my wife’s sister, Ione and husband Doug Parson (frequent fifth-wheel trailer campers at this western Minnesota recreation hangout) we ventured west from Olivia on U.S. Hwy. 212 to Granite Falls, then northwest a few miles to Montevideo, then a few additional miles to Watson and the entrance to the upper campground of the Lac Qui Parle State Reservoir.

With the Parsons to guide us, we motored only another mile or so to the welcome sign of “WATSON HUNTING CAMP & BAR.” Yep, already the invite is enticing! Apparently what used to be

an older farmstead now sports five structures – each appropriately painted to compliment the colors of this prairie country.

After parking, immediately capturing our eyes was what appeared to be a vintage-era prairie barn – but now dressed up with steps leading to an outdoor balcony beneath the precipice of the old hay mow door. Up the balcony we went, then opened a door to a mostinviting dinning/beverage area ringed with gorgeous deer heads, assorted Canadian geese, wild turkey and pheasants. Yes, already lots to see and soon to enjoy and taste as well.

However, my first mission was an interview with Chuck Ellingson about his significant enterprise created out here in the western prairie of Minnesota. Yes, I quickly thought, ‘one could write a book.’ However, in my few minutes with Chuck, here’s a few glimpses of his amazing adventure.

The Land: What launched your ambition to create this hunting, fishing and recreational bonanza?

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Chuck: It’s a long story. Back in 1996 I graduated from high school at Eden Prairie.

Yes, a Minneapolis suburb.

But I grew up hunting and fishing out here since I was just a kid. Fortunately my Dad was able to teach me everything he knew about the two sports.

The Land: Your age at that time?

The Land: And that certainly helped your early ambitions?

Chuck: Yes, certainly did. I grew up just having a ball out here at my grandparents’ farm. In fact, back in 1996 I started guiding out here. My Dad had a small business in Eden Prairie, but he had a lot of customers. And he’d favor them with goose hunting trips out here. I was guiding hunters from 3-M, Super Valu and such. I was 18 years old. And we would lodge in the basement of my grandparents’ house.

So I’d have four or five hunters out here, and my grandparents would be helping me. My grandfather would wake us up; my grandmother, after our hunt, would have pancakes and spam.

It was just a wonderful time and those memories I will cherish forever.

The Land: So what proceeded from that early indoctrination?

Chuck: My grandfather has about 400 acres of what we called ‘down below.’ It was all river bottom land. He used to farm all of it; now I’ve put it all into CRP programs for habitat and wildlife restoration. It’s like a full game preserve down there. Each season I place some pheasants on that patch of ground so people can come in for a pheasant hunt too. I don’t raise my own pheasants ... that requires too much work and we’re plenty busy around here already.

Time out ... Chuck got interrupted for a few minutes. Yep, when you’re serving the public, interruptions are a welcomed thing. So instead I mosied over to the bar, and what luck: Here were two of Chuck’s hired game bird guides.

Their day was complete, they were winding down – much like the tendency of most sportsmen after a recreational hunting and/or fishing day.

The Land: You tell me you are from the Paynesville area and now are regular guides for Chuck?

Guides: I’m Sam Thompson, this other guy is Matt Ginter. This is our first year guiding. And yes indeed, every day is different. When the entire agenda is ‘wake up and go hunting,’

Chuck: I was 8, maybe 7. I used to sit in the deer stand with my Dad. The Land: And your first deer kill?

Chuck: I was 11 ... shot a little doe just like about every kid does. But it was very likely the best day in my life.

My grandparents farmed out here. So it was the logical place for my Dad to take me for my early hunting and fishing experiences too. So my choice to eventually move out here was early in my thoughts.

The Land: Why the name Lac Qui Parle lake?

Chuck: It’s French for “The Lake That Speaks” or I’m told more appropriately “Lake Which Talks.” Back in the ‘30s, this lake was just a river. During the Depression an earthen coiffure dam was built in front of the concrete structure built in the 1950s. This was a Corps of Engineers project. Now what you see is the 36th largest lake in Minnesota. And it also turned into a big refuge. Back in the ‘50s and ‘60s, a farm adjacent to the reservoir had lots of geese hanging around. I’m told some wildlife specialists clipped the wings on 250-300 of these geese so they just swam around this farm island all summer and fall. And these geese soon attracted flying geese looking for a resting stop on their migrations. The DNR guys even positioned a record player with big speakers honking and honking. And you better believe that attracts wayward geese looking for a stop. That particular record is on display at the DNR center here at the park. At one time I’m told 150,000 to 200,000 Canadian geese were making this a resting point on their onwards migrations to the south lands. I remember at my Granddad’s house, my Dad and I would stand on the deck and shoot geese. It was that amazing and so much fun.

See HUNTING CAMP, pg. 14

THE LAND — DECEMBER 11/DECEMBER 18, 2020

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

PAGE 13

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THE LAND — DECEMBER 11/DECEMBER 18, 2020

Guides scout the night before a hunt to locate birds HUNTING CAMP, from pg. 12 that’s hard to beat.

The Land: And your daily agenda?

Guides: Wake up about 4:30 or 5 o’clock – depending upon how far we hunt from here. Leave here about 6 a.m., then go hunt until late morning. We scout every evening with one of Chuck’s ATVs so we pretty much know where bird activity will likely be the following morning.

The Land: And the geese will soon be in full flight around here?

Guides: We’re seeing the early migrators coming in now; so in just a few more days the flocks will be overhead.

And now back to Chuck who has returned to our table.

The Land: Chuck, what precipitated your move here?

Chuck: My Dad grew up out here. He graduated from Milan High School in 1962; then four years of college; then he signed up in a Navy ROTC program and had a 32-year career in the Navy. He’s retired.

Some health issues at 75 have sidelined him. In the Navy, my Dad captained one of those Swift Patrol Boats that ran the canals of Vietnam. At the time I was an auto mechanic in the Cities and getting out here for weekend guiding work. But I got sick and tired of that routine and wanted out. I talked to my Dad. Unfortunately, both of my grandparents died within a month and one-half of each other in 2002.

They were married for 67 years. My Dad asked me what I wanted to do? I told him, “Dad, I want to buy a farm out here and start a guiding business.” He said okay, so in early 2003 we found this place. It was for sale, just two miles down from my grandparents farm ... and its even closer to the lake and it’s not on Hwy. 7 where dogs get run over. So it was a no-brainer. It was just an old, empty farmstead. This barn we’re sitting in right now was built in 1911; that old house was built in 1908. Old newspapers were stuffed in the walls for insulation. Today it’s all knotty-wood pine interiors.

The Land: So what’s the story on this old barn that we’re enjoying in comfort today?

Chuck (laughing): It was raining the day I bought the place. Rain even pouring right through this roof up there. So it took some resurrecting since it was leaning over too. Knocked the old silo down. Now we’ve got a full bar and grill up here (the old hay loft area) and seven hotel rooms downstairs; bath and shower house in the main lodge. That’s where all my RV customers and campers stay. Two years ago we built a big event center, 60 x 100 feet which now host all sorts of events: weddings, family reunions, you name it and we’ve done it. And with the Covid-19 situation I’ve even done a few funerals too ... because it’s an outdoor venue.

The Land: What use for the event center building in this season?

Chuck: Now, it’s filled up with my duck boats, my trucks, my special bus, my jeep, my everything else just to keep from the weather. So this event center facility is rapidly proving to be a totally useful structure. I truly enjoy being around people. I especially enjoy taking young children hunting with their dads ... or their moms. I’ve had so many people ... like four times with Ron Schara out here doing his Minnesota Bound television shows. Mike Max, WCCO sports guy, has been out here. I’ve had WCCO’s “Going to the Lakes” here. I’ve hosted two governor hunts in 2011 and in 2016. Mark Dayton was one of the governors. A very nice guy, but I think he couldn’t hit the side of a barn.

The Land: Tell us about your family.

Chuck: My wife’s name is Melea. My kids are Matthew, age 5, and Mason, who turned 7 just today.

Yes, in my opinion this is a perfect environment for my wife and I to be rearing our children. My wife grew up in the Pelican Rapids area, two hours north of here. She’s the high school guidance counselor here at the Montevideo School District.

The Land: I presume your client list keeps expanding?

Chuck: Yes, and I am grateful. This week customers from Indiana, Florida, Alabama. Next week I’ve got folks coming in from Colorado, Arizona, and more and more Minnesotans too. I think all the money I’ve spent on advertising has been a big help, but mostly now it’s word of mouth and that absolutely is the best. I used to spend thousands of dollars on Facebook ads, some travel books, etc. I don’t spend a nickel anymore. Now I put something up like a picture of some wild game hanging from a string held up by some happy kids. Just like that, I win.

My brother-in-law Doug Parsons chimed in, “I’ve fished all over Minnesota and Canada. Lac Qui Parle in October is, in my opinion, the best walleye lake anywhere.”

Chuck added, “When I have people come out here this is what I tell them: Bring your fishing poles and in the afternoon to go down by the dam, or the two bridges down there and you will catch walleyes. So they do. If you want a 10-pound walleye for your wall mount, the Milan Bridge is one of the best spots in Minnesota.”

The Land: So with all this fishing and hunting success, who does the cleaning?

Chuck: I’ve got a cleaning station for fish and game. We clean their catch, we package and put their names on the packages, even their hunting-license number on the package, and send them on their way.

The Land: You have customers of all ages – even we senior citizens who sometimes get accused of hunting and fishing trips for other reasons.

Chuck: Sure, and that too (he winked back to me).

Right now I have a grandfather, a son, and a grandson from Indiana. They’re here a few days just for that

special three-generation experience. They’re having a ball. They want their kid to shoot first. The kid might miss, but they don’t care. They just enjoy watching their grandkid having a great experience, hit or miss.

I take my son Mason dove hunting with me. He brings his BB gun and fires away at every dove that flies by.

Next year I’ll move him up to a .410 shotgun. Then I think he’ll likely knock down a few.

The Land: So is your camp also in the fly pattern for doves?

Chuck: We’re in the fly pattern for doves. The state legalized dove hunting in 2006. I’ve been promoting dove hunting ever since and now have perfected it. I’ve got wheat fields, trees and water. Have those three and you have doves. We’ve had morning hunts where we’ve shot 350 doves by 9 o’clock in the morning!

The Land: Is this your epitome of good life on the prairie’?

Chuck: Yep, sure is. I’ve been on the Milan Fire Department for 12 years. Ever since way back to my early kid days with my Granddad out here, I’ve always really enjoyed this country. If it wasn’t for friends, and farmers, and landowners out here, I wouldn’t have a business. Seems the good Lord is always lending a hand too. Plus, I know our local service stations and bars and restaurants – even food stores and liquor stores get some added volume from our traffic in and out of here also.

The Land: What’s your staff size? Considering all the service you render, I recognize this is at times a 24/7 occupation?

Chuck: I have four bartenders; four guides plus two part-time guides. Plus four brand-new Minnesota Built Ice Fishing Castles ... each with fishing portals in the floor, sleeps four, TV, etc. Plus a spear house.

My routine is 4:30 wake up and about 10 o’clock bed time. But from mid-December until early January, I can sleep in too. That’s when I transition from end-of -hunting season to the start of fishing season. Now I’m looking for a motel to haul in and set up for more accommodations. Now I’m even renting out my ice house fishing castles as sleepers too.

The Land: When you and I quit chattering, we’re into your Wednesday evening hamburger special menu. What other offerings do you provide?

Chuck: I also do smoke ribs, Friday and Saturday nights during the summer. Also, occasionally steak cook outs. also.

The Land: But no Lutefisk feeds?

Chuck (without even smiling): I’d rather eat a tire.

My grandparents could handle it. It’s just something about that Norwegian dish that I can’t enjoy. But also this closure…you see that wall mount with just the butt-end of a deer? My Dad would have all his buddies come out deer hunting with him. And that’s the only end of the deer my Dad would ever see! So his hunting friends had that mounted and gave it to me when we opened this place. v

THE LAND — DECEMBER 11/DECEMBER 18, 2020

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

PAGE 15

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THE LAND — DECEMBER 11/DECEMBER 18, 2020

WASDE report forecasts dip in cheese and butter prices This column was written for the marketThe 2020 Class III milk price forecast ing week ending Dec. 11. was lowered due to the weaker cheese price more than offsetting higher whey More milk is on the way. The U.S. price projections. The 2020 Class III Department of Agriculture raised its 2020 average was projected at $18.20, down 35 milk production forecast for the fourth cents from last month’s estimate, and consecutive month in the latest World compares to $16.96 in 2019 and $14.61 in Agricultural Supply and Demand 2018. The 2021 average was projected at Estimates report — citing higher projected $15.60, down $1.65 from what was anticicow numbers. Ditto for the 2021 estimate. pated a month ago.

MIELKE MARKET 2020 production and marketings were WEEKLY The Class IV price was also lowered estimated at 222.7 and 221.7 billion from last month on the lower butter

By Lee Mielke pounds respectively, up 200 million price. Look for the 2020 Class IV to averpounds on both from the November age $13.45, down a nickel from last estimate. If realized, 2020 production month’s estimate, and compares to would be up 4.3 billion pounds or 2 $16.30 in 2019 and $14.23 in 2018. percent from 2019.

The 2021 average was projected at $13.60, down 40 2021 production and marketings were estimated cents from last month’s estimate. at 226.3 and 225.3 billion pounds respectively, up This month’s 2020-21 U.S. corn supply and use 400 million pounds on both. If realized, 2021 prooutlook was unchanged from last month. The production would be up 3.6 billion pounds or 1.6 perjected season-average farm price was unchanged at cent from 2020. $4.00 per bushel. The global coarse grain production The 2020 fat basis import forecast was reduced on forecast was virtually unchanged at 1.448 million lower imports of butterfat products while the fat tons. The foreign coarse grain outlook was essentialbasis export forecast was lowered on weaker foreign ly unchanged production, greater trade, and smaller cheese demand. The 2020 skim-solids basis import ending stocks relative to last month. forecast was unchanged, but the export forecast was U.S. oilseed production was projected to total raised on strong global demand for whey and whey 123.7 million tons, down from last month on lower products. cottonseed production. The soybean crush was The 2021 fat basis import forecast was reduced on increased 15 million bushels to 2.195 billion, on lower expected imports of a number of dairy prodstrong crush margins and record early season crush. ucts, but the export forecast was raised. The skimWith exports unchanged, soybean ending stocks solids basis import forecast was unchanged, but the were projected at 175 million bushels. If realized, export forecast was raised on larger shipments of ending stocks would be the lowest since 2013-14. nonfat dry milk powder and dry whey products.

Soybean and soybean product prices were forecast Based on recent price movements, 2020 cheese and higher. The U.S. season average soybean price was butter price forecasts were lowered, but the whey price projected at $10.55 per bushel, up 15 cents. The soywas raised. Nonfat dry milk was unchanged. Cheese bean meal price was projected at $370 per short ton, and butter price forecasts for 2021 were reduced on up $15. The soybean oil price was forecast at 36 weaker expected demand and larger supplies, but non- cents per pound, up 1.5 cents, with cash prices fat dry milk and whey prices were raised. reaching the highest level in the past six years,

MARKETING

according to the USDA. The 2020-21 global oilseed supply and demand forecasts include lower production, higher exports, and lower ending stocks. Global oilseed production was projected at 595.7 million tons, down 1.6 million from last month, with lower soybeans, rapeseed, sunflower seed, and cottonseed.

The cotton outlook included lower production, higher exports, and lower ending stocks. Production, at 15.9 million 480-pound bales, was down 1.1 million or 7 percent from last month’s estimate, mainly due to a 900,000-bale reduction in Texas, and is down 20 percent from 2019. Domestic mill use was unchanged.

Exports were raised 400,000 bales, to 15 million, as world consumption and U.S. export sales rise. n U.S. dairy exports reached a four-month high of 17 percent of U.S. milk production in October, according to the Dec. 4 Dairy and Food Market Analyst.

This is up from 15.3 percent of milk solids exported in September and 14.9 percent one year earlier.

Topping the gains was dry whey, which totaled 53 million pounds, up 145 percent from October 2019.

China took just over 29 million pounds of that total, up from just 2.6 million a year ago. HighGround Dairy reported the United States also exported an all-time high amount of whey to Vietnam.

“October was an exceptional month for nonfat dry milk/skim milk powder,” says HighGround Dairy, “totaling 169.3 million pounds, second-highest ever, up 8.6 percent from a year ago.”

But, “it was not a result of any gains derived from the number one U.S. customer, Mexico,” says HighGround Dairy. “Instead, gains were reported to Southeast Asia for the 14th consecutive month.”

Mexico may soon be back up to par as the Analyst reports the Peso has strengthened against the dollar, giving Mexican buyers more purchasing power.

See MIELKE, pg. 19 Agronomic insights and innovations for forward-thinking farming.

Rotating Resistances to Manage Soybean Cyst Nematode

For more information, contact your local

If you haven’t encountered a severe soybean

varieties and only a small number use

Rotating to dif ferent resistant varieties

against SCN are currently available and

cyst nematode (SCN) infestation in recent

PI548402 or PI437654. Unfortunately, recent

such as Peking is recommended if SCN

can provide added protection when used

Pioneer sales representative or visit Pioneer®

years, now is the time to learn and prepare

years have seen the most common resistance

populations are increasing. The Peking

with a SCN-resistant soybean variety. These

agronomy at pioneer.com/agronomy.

for this widespread and yield-robbing pest.

lose effectiveness as a management tool.

source of SCN resistance was identified

nematicide seed treatments are intended

from an older soybean cultivar and has

to supplement current SCN management

been associated with yield drag, but luckily,

strategies, not replace them.

The most important management tactic for SCN has been in using soybean varieties with a genetic resistance.

The first step to managing SCN is to test your fields and determine the level of infestation.

S oyb e an sp e cialists n ow re co m m e n d

Pioneer has been using molecular markers to isolate Peking genes and eliminate

Finally, rotation to non-host crops is helpful to reduce SCN pressure. Corn, alfalfa and

There are currently three main sources for

retesting infested fields every six years. Be

genetic resistance to SCN in commercially

sure to Sample at the same time of year and

available soybeans: PI88788, PI548402

following the same crop each time – SCN

You should also consider seed treatments

choices for reducing SCN numbers. While this

(Peking), and PI437654 (Hartwig and CystX).

populations vary during the growing season

as an added layer of protection. Several

will reduce pressure, it will not fully eliminate

PI88788 is used in most existing SCN-resistant

and in response to host and non-host crops.

nematicide seed treatments with activity

it as SCN may persist in soil for many years.

yield drag associated with the trait.

small grains are the most common non-crop

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

KRISTIE SUNDEEN Field Agronomist Brocket, ND

PIONEER® brand products are provided subject to the terms and conditions of purchase which are part of the labeling and purchase documents. TM ® SM Trademarks of Corteva Agriscience and its affiliated companies. © 2020 Corteva. 41216

agronomy

THE LAND — DECEMBER 11/DECEMBER 18, 2020

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

PAGE 17

MARKETING

Grain Outlook Market seems to be in ‘holiday mode’

Livestock Angles Livestock market awaits news from USDA

past couple of weeks under The livestock markets lighter movement which indiappear to be struggling as we cates resistance to the higher moved into the month of costs to the retailer — thus December. Prices have faded the public — for beef prodoff of recent highs. Both cattle ucts. and feeder cattle — along with the hogs — have met The supply of market-ready resistance in prices paid by cattle also appears to be more the packer as well as the than adequate to meet retailer. This has funneled JOE TEALE demand at the present, which Broker down to the producer level gives the packer the advanover the past several weeks Great Plains Commodity tage at the present time. The Afton, Minn. and has also been reflected in outlook does not appear to be the futures prices. It is likely as defensive as the shortwe are now in a corrective price type of term outlook as placements have been situation in livestock markets for the declining over the past few cattle on foreseeable future at least in the short feed reports. It suggests the longer term. term outlook will eventually have a One positive fact which can help sta- more positive outlook than the short bilize markets is the export market has term. remained fairly positive. The U.S. dolThe hog market has been the leader lar has remained weak, encouraging as far as weakness in all facets of the foreign buyers to be more active in industry. Since October, prices in all acquiring inventory of meat products. facets have been weakening until One factor which seems to coincide recently when the futures steadied with the weakness in meat demand is while the cash prices still were falling. the recent increase in Covid infections. This in effect narrowed the discounts This may just be coincidental, but is which were present in the nearby still a consideration.

December contract to closer to the lean Cattle do appear to have reached index. their pinnacle in prices in futures as we Product movement has increased just moved into the month of November slightly as prices have come down — while cash prices slipped off their highs indicating interest in pork products are in the start of December. Beef cutouts increasing due to the decline in the have dropped well off their highs in the cutouts. Supply will be the key on the future direction of the market from the current levels. A big factor in the supply number will come on Dec. 22 in the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Cold

corn/change* soybeans/change* Storage report; and Dec. 23 in the St. Cloud $3.80 +.04 $11.14 +.22 USDA Hogs and Pigs report. These two Madison $3.92 +.08 $11.25 +.17 reports will give further direction to Redwood Falls $3.89 +.04 $11.24 +.22 hog prices into next year from a supply Fergus Falls $3.82 +.04 $11.14 +.22 point of view. v Morris $3.90 +.06 $11.14 +.16 Tracy $3.87 +.09 $11.17 +.21

The following marketing mately 11 mmt of U.S. corn analysis is for the week endfor 2020-21. Curious why the ing Dec. 11.

USDA didn’t raise U.S. corn exports to China beyond the CORN — Corn moved side13 mmt forecast. Before the ways in trading leading up to publication of the WASDE the Dec. 10 monthly World report, China’s National Agriculture Supply and Bureau of Statistics put their Demand Estimates report. A corn production at 260.67 mixed bag of inputs as weathmmt (USDA is at 260 mmt), PHYLLIS NYSTROM er conditions showed improvedown a nominal 100,000 metCHS Hedging Inc. ment in northern Brazil while ric tons from last year. This S t. Paul forecasts continued to indiwas interesting considering cate dry conditions in their problems this year with Argentina and southern Brazil. Funds liquidated a portion of flooding and typhoons. The Chinese Ag their length across the ag complex and Ministry has corn production at 264.7 seemed to move to “holiday mode.” We mmt and demand at 288.17 mmt, did see Mexico step in to buy 23.6 mil- resulting in a gap of 23.46 mmt. They lion bushels of corn in new sales this kept their corn imports at a seemingly week. U.S. corn is the cheapest source implausible 7 mmt. of the feed grain on the world stage and Corn found a friendly face in the there was trade talk that China had an wheat markets this week. Russia’s interest in corn for the spring months. SovEcon consultancy slashed their The overall WASDE report was wheat production estimate to 76.8 mmt viewed as neutral and prices continued from 81 mmt. There were already to consolidate within the previous rumors that Russia was considering week’s range. The U.S. Department of adding a new export tax on wheat Agriculture did not change a single ($27.30 per ton) in addition to the proitem on the U.S. balance sheets this posed wheat export quota which is set month. As is usual, no U.S. production to run from mid-February through changes were made on the December June. Russia’s food inflation in report. Ending stocks remained at September was up 4.9 percent com1.702 billion bushels which were slight- pared to September 2019. A Russian ly larger than the 1.691 billion bushel weather forecaster put 22 percent of See NYSTROM, pg. 18 trade estimate.

World ending stocks were down 2.4 million metric tons from last month to a seven-year low at 289 mmt. This was in line with the trade estimate of 289.3 mmt. Argentina’s corn production was cut 1 mmt to 49 mmt vs. 49.3 mmt estimated. Brazil’s corn production was untouched at 110 mmt compared to 109.1 mmt estimated. Earlier in the day, Conab lowered their Brazilian corn production number 2.3 mmt to 102.6 mmt. That’s quite a range of estimates.

The USDA raised China’s corn imports 3.5 mmt to 16.5 mmt. Many private estimates believe this number should fall between 25 and 30 mmt.

China has already purchased approxi-

Cash Grain Markets

Average:

$3.87

$11.18

Year Ago Average: $3.52 $8.58 Grain prices are effective cash close on Dec. 15. *Cash grain price change represents a two-week period.

For marketing news between issues ... visit www.TheLandOnline. com

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

PAGE 18

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

THE LAND — DECEMBER 11/DECEMBER 18, 2020

Uptrend in soybean market is still intact NYSTROM, from pg. 17 Russia’s winter grain in the poor category. SovEcon said their wheat crop went into this winter in the worst shape since 2009-10. A rising tide raises all boats and corn was a recipient of spillover strength.

Weekly export sales were in the upper half of expectations at 53.6 million bushels. Total commitments of 1.56 billion equate to 59 percent of the USDA’s 2.65 billion bushel export outlook. We need 27.4 million bushels of export sales per week to achieve the forecast. This looks doable and some expect this number to increase on the January WASDE report.

Weekly ethanol production rose 17,000 barrels per day to 991,000 bpd and the highest since March.

Ethanol stocks also increased by 843,000 barrels to 22.08 million barrels. Ethanol margins fell to a negative 4 cents per gallon. Gasoline demand was down 373,000 bpd to 7.6 million bpd and the lowest since May. The four-week average demand is down 12 percent from the same period last year.

Outlook: The uptrend was bent a little this week, but not broken. December can be a mundane month when traders begin to move to the sidelines ahead of the holidays, month-end, and year-end. More sideways action may be in the cards for the balance of the month, depending on how weather events in South America pan out. U.S. corn is the cheapest source at least through May. Demand has been strong and should continue to provide underlying support. For the time being, March corn feels comfortable between $4.15 and $4.40 per bushel. For the week, March corn was 3 cents higher at $4.23.5, July was 4.25 cents higher at $4.28.25, and December 2021 gained 2 cents at $4.12.25 per bushel.

The markets close early on Dec. 24 and won’t reopen until Dec. 27. Markets will trade normal hours on Dec. 31 and will be closed on Jan. 1.

SOYBEANS — Beneficial rain across most of Brazil lent pressure to the soybean complex in the first half of the week, but prices recovered before the uptrend was broken. Stress in many areas of Brazil was alleviated, but not entirely erased, and conditions will continue to be monitored with La Niña still in the picture. The Climate Prediction Center put the odds at 50/50 that La Niña will continue through March with the odds roughly 50/50 it will weaken in the spring vs. continuing. Argentina and southern Brazil continue to be stressed due to below-normal rainfall. It was disappointing to go another week without any new direct soybean export sales announcements to anyone. A late week soymeal sale to the Philippines was friendly. U.S. soybeans are the market through January/February, and we are getting close to being competitive with Brazil for July.

Brazilian farmers are estimated to have sold 65 percent of the crop they are growing and 15 percent on next year’s crop. Most of these sales were made well below current prices. There has been chatter about Brazilian growers trying to figure out to roll some

sales forward to be able to take advantage of better prices this crop year. Whether this talk has any merit is unknown as it raises the question why an exporter would agree to this.

This month’s WASDE report was neutral to slightly bearish for soybeans. The U.S. balance sheet saw an increase in the crush of 15 million bushels. This translated directly to a cut in ending stocks of 15 million bushels to 175 million bushels. If accurate, this would be the smallest carryout number since 201314. Traders had been anticipating an increase in exports, which they didn’t get. Ending stocks were estimated at 168 million bushels. The average farm price was increased 15 cents per bushel to $10.55 per bushel.

World ending stocks were neutral at 85.6 mmt vs.

85.1 mmt estimated and 86.5 mmt in November.

Brazil’s soybean production was unchanged 133 mmt vs. 132.3 mmt estimated by traders. Before the USDA report, Conab lowered their Brazilian soybean production from 135 mmt to 134.45 mmt with exports at 83.6 mmt. USDA has Brazil’s exports at 85 mmt.

AgRural also decreased their Brazilian bean estimate from 132.2 mmt to 131.6 mmt. Argentina’s soybean production was lowered 1 mmt to 50 mmt vs.

50.4 mmt estimated. China’s soybean imports were left alone at 110 mmt. Prior to the release of the WASDE report, China issued their own balance sheet that showed soybean imports at 95.1 mmt.

Weekly export sales were mid-range of estimates at 20.9 million bushels. This is above the 7.2 million bushels of sales per week needed to hit the USDA’s 2.2 billion bushel forecast. Total commitments of 1.95 billion bushels are 88.3 percent of the export target.

This week’s report included 16.8 million bushels which were switched from unknown to China. This brings Chinese total purchases to 1.117 billion bush-

els for the 2020-21 marketing year.

Argentina’s oilseed workers and grain inspectors have extended their 24-hour strike indefinitely after wage talks did not move forward. Dryness in Brazil has lowered water levels on the Parana River.

Bushels moving to export have switched to truck transportation and experiencing up to 15-day delays going through a small customs crossing, driving up costs. Brazil may find getting farmers there reluctant to sell additional bushels. Their food inflation in November was up nearly 16 percent from November 2019.

Outlook: Upside momentum has slowed, but the uptrend is still intact. Traders will be looking to South American weather for their next move. A sideways pattern may emerge without food for the bulls, but weather and uncertainty ahead of the next WASDE report should provide limited downside.

Corrections are healthy for a market. Soybeans haven’t been able to push through the $12.00 ceiling and until they do, a dull market may ensue.

Looking ahead, what will U.S. farmers plant this spring? What will U.S. weather look like? Lots of fieldwork was done this fall, so that shouldn’t be an issue this spring. How much demand has China covered? January soybeans need fresh news to move it out of the $11.50 to $12.00 per bushel range.

For the week, January soybeans fell 2.5 cents to $11.60.5, July was 5.25 cents higher at $11.66, and November jumped 14.5 cents to $10.52.75 per bushel.

Nystrom’s notes: Contract changes for the week as of the close on Dec. 11: Chicago March wheat soared 39 cents to $6.14.5, Kansas City followed with a 38.5 cent rally to $5.81.25, and Minneapolis surged 19.5 cents higher to $5.70 per bushel. v

The January 2021 Iowa Pork Congress will look much different than the 48 previous events hosted by the Iowa Pork Producers Association. The IPPA board of directors decided to cancel the Iowa Pork Congress trade show, which would have taken place Jan. 27 and 28.

“We are disappointed to cancel the trade show and to postpone some other events typically held during Iowa Pork Congress,” said IPPA president Mike Paustian of Walcott, Iowa. “We simply relied on our We Care Iowa core values: caring for the people in our communities and working together to solve the big issues our communities face, and today that big issue is coronavirus.”

As scheduled, IPPA will hold its annual meeting on Jan. 26, at the Iowa Events Center in Des Moines.

“We have worked closely with the Iowa Events Center staff in planning this required in-person event so that social distancing can be maintained throughout the day,” Paustian said.

The day will also include the Master Pork Producers Awards program, as well as the announcement of the 2021 Iowa Pork Youth Leadership Team. Both the awards program and announcement of the Youth Leadership Team will be seated events held in rooms that allow social distancing. They will also be streamed online for those who chose to watch the events from their homes.

The educational seminars held during Iowa Pork Congress and the Iowa Pork Foundation Auction will both move to virtual formats. More information will be shared as they develop on IowaPorkCongress.org.

Additionally, the Taste of Elegance restaurant event that usually kicks off Iowa Pork Congress, and the youth swine judging contest that occurs at the end, have both been postponed until later in 2021.

The 2022 show is scheduled for Jan. 26-27, 2022.

This article was submitted by National Hog Farmer. v

Pork Congress trade show cancelled

THE LAND — DECEMBER 11/DECEMBER 18, 2020

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

PAGE 19

USDA will purchase $110 million in butter, fluid milk in 2021 MIELKE, from pg. 16 U.S. fat exports reached the highest levels since August 2018, according to HighGround Dairy, and “while Canada remained the top destination, the growth was derived from the Middle East, most notably Bahrain.”

Butter exports only totaled 5.1 million pounds, but that’s up 30.7 percent from a year ago, while cheese exports totaled 54.4 million, down 12.8 percent from a year ago.

The Dec. 7 Daily Dairy Report says, “South Korea’s demand for both cheese and butter is building,” and “The U.S. dairy industry has a solid foothold in the Korean market, according to two recent Global Agricultural Information Network reports.

Since 2000, the country’s cheese imports have more than tripled, and 80 percent of South Korea’s cheese needs are imported. The United States supplies nearly half, or 47 percent of those needs.” n Exports will be badly needed in a troubled domestic market as more restaurants are shutting down again. The National Restaurant Association reports since the Covid-19 pandemic began in March, 17 percent — or about 110,000 restaurants — have closed either permanently or long-term; and 10,000 have closed in the last three months alone. That has huge ramifications for the crop and livestock industries — including dairy — and that with the spring flush not too far away.

But, the thinking is changing on Capitol Hill despite the current political logjam, according to StoneX Dairy Group broker Dave Kurzawski.

Speaking in the Dec. 14 “Dairy Radio Now” broadcast, Kurzawski said there are increasing expectations that more government aid will be forthcoming — including renewed Food Box programs in 2021 because there are a lot of people unemployed.

“The U.S. government is going to look at this much the same way they looked at it back in March and April,” Kurzawski said, “and they’re going to say we have to pull out the stops here and do something.”

That will surely be needed for dairy, according to Kurzawski, because we already have spring flushlike milk production in December in certain parts of the country.

Meanwhile, the USDA announced it will purchase $110 million worth of butter and fluid milk in 2021 using Section 32 funds. $50 million will be spent on butter and $60 million for fluid milk.

The Analyst says, “This purchase could remove nearly half of the butter stock overhang; and, at $2.00 per pound, the purchase works out to 25 million pounds of butter or about 4.5 days-worth of U.S. consumption.” n Chicago Mercantile Exchange cheddar block cheese climbed to $1.6425 per pound on Dec. 8, but

closed Dec. 11 at $1.6175. This is still up 3.25 cents on the week and 18 cents below a year ago when it fell 17 cents. The barrels saw a $1.4425 per pound close, 4.25 cents higher on the week, 25.25 cents below a year ago when they plunged 53 cents, and 17.5 cents below the blocks. Twenty-six cars of block were sold and 25 of barrel.

Milk availability is nearing the overwhelming mark in the Midwest, according to Dairy Market News. Cheese demand is mixed. Barrel producers say broker interest is intermittent. Curd makers are seeing notable slowdowns with more Covid restaurant/bar restrictions. Pizza cheese and specialty cheesemakers have seen steady to returning sales.

Plant staffing concerns remain.

Western cheese output remains active, as there are no issues getting milk, but processors are closely watching inventory. Demand from the pizza sector is strong. Retail and some international buyers are engaging more as prices have relaxed. Both are good signs for cheese but food service demand is still a concern. With many sit-down restaurants restricted in capacity and schools in a mixture of in-person and virtual learning, institutional use is “less than normal.” Fast food and carryout service are using healthy amounts of cheese, says Dairy Market News, but that does not make up the difference. n After jumping 12 cents the previous week, cash butter climbed to $1.5350 on Dec. 8 (the highest since Sept. 22) but closed Dec. 11 at $1.48. The price was unchanged on the week and 48 cents below a year ago. Forty-nine cars traded hands on the week.

Central butter makers say cream is widely available and many warn that cream stocks could become overwhelming in upcoming weeks. Covid-19 is still affecting plant workers and staff, but absences were subsiding. Retail butter sales remain robust but food service continues to remain under a “bearish raincloud, with more questions than answers regarding upcoming food service demand.”

The abundance of milk is causing moderate bumps in western cream for butter making, according to Dairy Market News. Ice cream demand has narrowed and is expected to coast through the remainder of the year, likely increasing surplus cream. Retail print butter sales are strong as stores restock, but sources note there is a generous amount of butter in inventory. Export demand is stable and the butter market undertone is conditionally bullish in the near term.

Grade A nonfat dry milk closed Dec. 11 at $1.1275 per pound, down 2.25 cents on the week and 13.75 cents below a year ago, with eight sales reported.

Dry whey hit 47 cents per pound on Dec. 10 (the highest since Jan. 18, 2019) but it closed the next day at 46.75 cents per pound, a half-cent higher on the week and 13 cents above a year ago, on two sales for the week.

The Dec. 9 Daily Dairy Report says, “China has been scrambling to procure enough whey to feed its growing pig herd, which the country has been racing to repopulate after the herd was decimated by African swine fever. At the same time, a pull for dry whey from both animal and human applications in the United States has amplified pressure on the market.”

Thanksgiving week saw 45,200 dairy cows sent to slaughter. This number is down 13,500 from the previous week, and 3,700 or 7.6 percent below a year ago. The four-week rolling average was 55,100 head, down 4,225 or 7.1 percent from 2019. n In politics, Joe Biden has picked Tom Vilsack as his Secretary of Agriculture. The former Governor of Iowa occupied that post in the Obama Administration and is currently Chief Executive Officer of the U.S. Dairy Export Council.

The National Milk Producers Federation called on USDA to extend signup for the 2021 Dairy Margin Coverage to Jan. 30, allowing dairy farmers to make better-informed choices. The current signup deadline was Dec. 11.

The U.S. Trade Representative announced this week it will initiate official consultations with Canada to examine the administration of its dairy Tariff Rate Quota obligations under the U.S.-Mexico-Canadian trade agreement.

The announcement was praised in a joint press release by the USDEC and National Milk. The two organizations, with bipartisan backing from Congress, have long raised the alarm about the need to ensure the USMCA is fully enforced, due to Canada’s history of undermining its trade commitments.

The press release stated, “the USMCA was designed to improve trade with Canada, while modifying some of Canada’s trade-distorting dairy policies. We knew from day one that enforcement would be key to bringing the intended benefits home to America’s dairy industry,” according to NMPF and the USDEC. 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

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THE LAND — DECEMBER 11/DECEMBER 18, 2020

WANTED

Employment

STATEWIDE

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Real Estate

Sell your land or real estate in 30 days for 0% commission.

Call Ray 507-339-1272

Why hang on to stuff you don’t use? Put a line ad in The Land and sell those things for some extra cash. It makes sense.

Call The Land at 507-345-4523

GRAIN CARTS & GRAVITY WAGONS

’13 Case IH 9230, 36” track, rear wheel assist, 2108 hrs, ’13 Brent 557, 550 bushel, 4 wheel brake, fenders, tarp ..$13,250 1562 sep hrs, fully loaded w/ full guidance, 2 sets of concaves ........................................................ $150,000 ’13 JD 660, 892/1180 CM, chopper duals................. $123,000 ’13 Gehl RS5-19, 1972 hrs, cab heat, 5500# lift, 19’ lift hgt, 48” ’13 JD S680 4WD, 1881 hrs, 1427 sep hrs, C/M, 5 speed chopper, forks. ......................................................................... $38,000 26ft auger, 650x38 tires & duals ............................. $120,000 ’13 JLG G12-55A, 6694 hrs, cab air, 12,000# lift cap, 55’ lift hgt, ’01 JD 9750 STS, 3013/4156 CM, chopper, duals ....... $32,500 outriggers, 60” forks ................................................. $52,000

TELEHANDLERS

TRACK & 4WD TRACTORS

’14 Case IH 370 HD, 7065 hrs, 1000 PTO duals........... $72,000

COMBINE HEADS

’02 Case IH 2208, corn head 8 row 30” ....................... $10,000 ’05 Versatile 2335, 5002 hrs, power shift, PTO ........... $62,000 ’04 JD 630F, 30’ flex head, high dam ............................ $7,000 ’06 Drago, 8 row 30” chopping corn head .................. $12,000 ’09 Case IH 3412 corn head 12 row 30” ...................... $19,000 2010 White 8500, 24 row, 22” spacing, yetter row cleaners, ’13 Case IH 3162 40’ flex draper ................................. $29,000 markers, corn, soybean, sugar beets disc, very clean ..$29,000 ’13 Case IH 3020 35’ flex head, 3” sickle.................... $18,000

PLANTERS

ROW CROP TRACTORS ’18 JD 6155R MFWD, 385 hrs, 3PT PTO, front hyd, TLS front susp., elec joystick, 14.9x46 tires & duals ............. $129,000 ’18 JD 6130R MFWD, 640 loader, elec joystick, 3 hyd 540/1000 PTO, HID lights, 420x38 rear tires..... ....................... $94,000 ’09 JD 7930 MFWD 3487 hrs, auto guide ready, 3pt. 540/1000 PTO, adaptable, 3 hyd valve, 20 speed auto quad with left hand reverser, 18.4x46 tires & duals.... .................... $95,000

EXCAVATORS ’15 Cat 323 FL, 3768 hrs, 40" bkt ............................... $105,000 ’11 JD 290GLC, 3347 hrs, 12'6" stick,42" bkt.............. $105,000 ’11 Case CX300C, 2658 hrs, 12' stick, 54" bucket ...... $105,000

WHEEL LOADERS ’16 JD 824KII, 7480 hrs, RC, 6 yd bkt.............................. $134,500 ’15 JD 544K, 4177 hrs, 3yd pin on bkt, RC........................ $92,000 ’14 JD 724K 6980 hrs, 4.75 yd pin on bkt, RC .................. $95,000 ’13 JD 644 K, 5520 hrs, quick coupler, 4.25 yd bkt ........ $105,000 ’15 Cat 950M, 7205 hrs, RC, 4.5 yd pin on bkt................. $110,000 ’14 Cat 938M, 8416 hrs, 3.5 yd pin on bkt, RC................. $82,000 ’18 Komatsu WA 270-8, 995 hrs, 3.5 yd pin on bkt..... ..... $105,000 ’16 Komatsu WA 270-7, 8193 hrs, Q.C., 4 yd bkt .............. $70,000 ’16 Komatsu WA 320-7, 6936 hrs, Q.C., 3.5 yd bkt ........... $72,000 ’14 Kawasaki 70Z7, 7628 hrs, QC & bkt ............................ $69,000 ’16 Case 621G, 7435 hrs, QC w/ 3 yrd bkt ............................. $72,000 ’12 Case IH 721F, 3254 hrs, RC, 3.5 yd pin on bkt ................ $69,000 ’11 Case IH 721F 7650 hrs, QC 3 yd bkt, Aux hyd, 4 new 20.5 Rx25 tires ................................................................................. $69,000

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

454301-1

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

THE LAND — DECEMBER 11 /DECEMBER 18, 2020 Real Estate Wanted

Farm Equipment

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

Farm Equipment

Tractors

WANTED: Land & farms. I 20 Heavy Duty Steel Jigs For JD 7000 Corn Planter, 2Row, FOR SALE: Allis 8070, PowSheep & Goats To Make have clients looking for 3PT, $1,800; Fert. Avail. er Shift, 540/1000 PTO, 4100 Turning Cradles Sorting & $350/Row. 715-234-1993 actual hrs, 18.4x42 tires and dairy, & cash grain operaSliding Gates, Corral & Run duals, Nice, $22,000/OBO. tions, as well as bare land We buy Panels, Mineral Feeders, 320-220-1138 parcels from 40-1000 acres.

Salvage Equipment Bale Feeders, Etc. PLUS 40 Both for relocation & investNEW AND USED TRACTOR Parts Available Pieces Of Inventory. ments. If you have even PARTS JD 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, Hammell Equip., Inc. $7,500/OBO. RETIRING. thought about selling con55, 50 Series & newer trac(507)867-4910 319-347-6282 or 319-269-4226 tact: Paul Krueger, Farm & tors, AC-all models, Large Land Specialist, Edina ReInventory, We ship! Mark alty, 138 Main St. W., New 2009 Corn Pro 16’ Livestock Tractors Heitman Tractor Salvage Trailer w/ center gate $3,800.

Prague, MN 55372.

715-673-4829 715-317-0645 Ellsworth, WI paulkrueger@edinarealty.com FOR SALE: 2006 JD 7830 (612)328-4506 FOR SALE: 2013 Yetter rotary hoe, 40’ flat fold, $9,800; tractor/FWA, w/ 2014 WestYour ad 2013 Einbock tine weeder, 80’ endorf loader w/ forks, 3920 l Feed Seed Hay hrs, excellent condition folding, excellent condition, could be here! n $83,900. 507-327-6430 $29,000. 507-327-6430 .

507-345-4523 d ALFALFA, mixed hay, grass FOR SALE: Hardi sprayer, hay & wheat straw, mediRanger 2200, w/ diaphragm um square or round bales, pump, 60’ boom, triple nozdelivery available. zles, 2500 Controller.

Thief River Falls, MN. Call 320-583-3131 or text LeRoy Ose: 218-689-6675 Harms Mfg. Land Rollers, n .Alfalfa Hay - Dairy or stock Brand New, 12’-$6,000; 14’$7,000; 16’-$8,000; 24’$14,800; cow quality. Big square 32’-$17,500; 42’-$21,500; Othbales. Delivered from South ers from 8’-62’. 715-234-1993 Dakato. John Haensel 605351-5760 JD 4255 2WD tractor, 2R, 14.9x46 tires, 3 hyds, 3 pt, 507 FOR SALE: Alfalfa, mixed hrs showing, $29.750; Case hay, grass hay, straw and in- IH T.M. 200 34.5’ field cult, 4 dividually wrapped baleage. bar harrow, w/ Case IH rear Medium or large square hitch, $22,750; Red Devil 8’ bales. Delivery available. 2 auger snowblower, $1,950; Zumbrota, MN. Call or text JD 7000 8x30 planter, w/ liq Ray Leffingwell 763-286-2504 fert, & 150 Computer Trac monitor, $2,750; Batco 13High Quality Western Alfalfa 35 belt conveyor, exc cond, Hay delivered by the semi $5,450. 320-769-2756 load. Also low potassium grass hay & clean straw. JD 8110, 2001, 2WD, 5k hours; Don Christianson 608-781- Two Brent 640 wagons; Wil7765. 40 years of satisfied Rich V957 DDR 7 shank disc customers. ripper. 507-478-4221

Thank You Farmers!

Bins & Buildings Barn and Quonset Roofing and Straightening. Kelling Silo. 1-800-355-2598

SILO REMOVAL 507-236-9446 Stormor Bins & EZ-Drys.

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SELL IT FAST

with a classified line ad!

Call us today 507-345-4523 or 800-657-4665

PAGE 21

Steffes Auction Calendar 2020 For more info, call: 1-800-726-8609 or visit our website: SteffesGroup.com

Opening December 11 & Closing December 18 at 1PM Terry and Tammy Ebeling Retirement Auction, Owatonna, MN, Timed Online Auction Opening December 11 & Closing December 21 at 12PM Kibble Equipment Auction, Steffes Group Facility, Larchwood, IA, Timed Online Auction Opening December 11 & Closing December 21 at 1 PM Badlands Power Fuels Equipment Reduction Auction, Watford City & Stanley, ND, Timed Online Auction Opening December 14 & Closing December 22 Transcan Motorsports Group Inc. Equipment Auction, Steffes Group Facility, West Fargo, ND, Timed Online Auction Opening December 18 & Closing December 22 at 12:30PM Online Hay Auction Quality Tested - Ring 2, Steffes Group Facility, Litchfield, MN, Timed Online Auction Opening December 18 & Closing December 23 Online Steffes Auction - 12/23, Upper Midwest Locations, Timed Online Auction Opening December 18 & Closing December 31 Billy Johnson Farm Equipment Auction, Donnybrook, ND, Timed Online Auction Opening December 21 & Closing December 28 at 7PM M&L Custom Works Inventory Reduction Auction, Albany, MN, Timed Online Auction Opening Monday December 21 & Closing December 29 at 7PM Inventory Reduction Farm Auction, Glencoe, MN, Timed Online Auction Opening December 21 & Closing December 30 at 7PM Jones Farm Hay Auction, near Bath, SD, Timed Online Auction Opening December 22 at 8AM & Closing December 22 at 12PM Norman County, MN Land Auction - 160± Acres, Shelly, MN, Timed Online Auction Opening December 22 & Closing December 29 at 7PM Emanuelson Family Farms Excess Inventory Auction, Dray ton, ND, Timed Online Auction Tuesday, December 22 at 12PM Live Hay Auction Quality Tested - Ring 1, Steffes Group Facility, Litchfield, MN Opening December 29 at 8AM & Closing December 29 at 12PM Dunn County, ND Land Auction - 200± Acres, Dodge, ND, Timed Online Auction Opening January 4 & Closing January 13 at 7PM Honeyman Firearms Collection Auction, Steffes Group Facility, Litchfield MN, Timed Online Auction Opening February 9 at 8AM & Closing February 9 at 12PM Walsh County, ND Land Auction - 732± Acres, Edinburg, ND, Timed Online Auction Opening February 18 & Closing February 25 David & Aileen Clough Farm Retirement Auction, Fessenden, ND, Timed Online Auction Opening February 20 & Closing March 1 Satrom Grain Farms, LLC Equipment Auction, Oriska, ND, Timed Online Auction Opening March 1 & Closing March 9 John & Kari Gramith Farm Retirement Auction, Norwood, MN, Timed Online Auction Opening March 1 & Closing March 11 at 7PM Richard Gabrielson Estate Farm Equipment Auction, Darwin MN, Timed Online Auction Tuesday, March 9 at 9AM James P. & Debra D. Coughlin Trust Farm Retirement Auction, Iroquois, SD Opening March 9 & Closing March 18 at 7PM Darwin & Kris Panning Farm Retirement Auction, Hamburg , MN, Timed Online Auction Opening March 11 & Closing March 16 Kenneth Stadick Farm Retirement Auction, Underwood, ND, Timed Online Auction

PAGE 22

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

First Your e for Choic ! ifieds Class

THE LAND — DECEMBER 11/DECEMBER 18, 2020

our Place Y ! ay d Ad To

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

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

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

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Planting Equip

FOR SALE: JD 7000 6R30” planter, liq fert w/ squeeze pump, Yetter row cleaners, precision meters w/ insect boxes, also JD monitor, always shedded, $8,000/OBO. WANTED TO BUY: 1760 JD planter, 12R30” w/ liq fert, in good shape, always shedded.

952-292-2019

Livestock Equipment

FOR SALE: Hog Equipment: 5’ x 7’ Tenderfoot with stands $250 each; stainless steel scrapers with stainless cables; 8’ x 10’ aluminum V front snowmobile trailer with ramps. 320-260-1638

Wanted

All kinds of New & Used farm equipment - disc chisels, field cults, planters, soil finishers, cornheads, feed mills, discs, balers, haybines, etc. 507438-9782

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

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

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Buying and selling any gold & silver items, collector coins, diamonds, gold jewelry, silver dollars, rare currency.

No collection too big. Kuehl’s Coins, Fairmont, Minnesota, 507-235-3886, 507-399-9982, open 10:30 a.m. – 6:30 p.m.

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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.

FOR SALE: 2014 CIH Tigermate 200, 26 ft field cultivator with 4 bar drag, with original shovels, $24,000.

320-249-8556

FOR SALE: Wil-rich 513 SoilPro, 9 shank, 24” spacing, very nice shape, only used on 3,500 acres. 507-456-4012

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

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Tillage Equip

507-345-4523 800-657-4665 TheLandOnline.com

WANTED DAMAGED CORNLIGHT TEST WEIGHT & HIGHER MOISTURE CORN- PAYING COMPETITIVE PRICES DEPENDING QUALITY. ZANE HANSON (507) 459-8653

Wanted to Buy: JD725 6, 8 & 12 row - front mount cultivators; Stanhoist and Bushhog steel barge boxes; Gehl and Lorentz grinder/mixers; plus all types of farm machinery.

507-251-2685

WANTED TO BUY: CIH 3900 or 3950. 320-352-3878 Looking for something special?

Put a line ad in The Land and find it!

Call 507-345-4523

THE LAND — DECEMBER 11 /DECEMBER 18, 2020 Wanted

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

Pets & Supplies

Please recycle this magazine.

.

Swine D Miscellaneous n .Spot, Duroc, Chester White, Boars & Gilts available. PARMA DRAINAGE PUMPS Monthly PRRS and PEDV. New pumps & parts on hand.

Delivery available. Steve Call Minnesota’s largest distributor Resler. 507-456-7746 HJ Olson & Company 320-974-8990 Cell - 320-212-5336 www.thelandonline.com -

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FOR THE BEST DEAL ORDER NOW!

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

Get the best results when you advertise in THE

LAND!

USED TRACTORS

PLANTERS

NEW NH T4.75, T4.90, T4.120 w/loader.. ...... On Hand NEW NH Workmaster 60, 50, 35’s/loaders ... On Hand ’17 NH T4.65 ................................................... $42,000 ’13 NH T8.330 w/auto steer .......................... $143,000 JD 4450PS W/148 LOADER............................ $39,500 ’84 JD 4850 FWA ............................................ $37,500 NEW Versatile 610 4WD ................................ On Hand NEW Versatile DT610 Quad........................... On Hand ’09 Versatile 435 3000 hrs ............................ $120,000 Farmall 340 wf w/mower.................... ................$4,250 ’07 Massey GC2300 w/loader........ ................. $13,900 ‘11 NH T8.300 ....................................................94,500 WHITE 2-88 W/LOADER ....................................16,500

’11 White 8516 CFS, Loaded .......................... $68,000 ’06 White 8516 cfs .......................................... $39,000 ’06 White 8186 w/fert ...................................... $28,000 ’95 White 6722 loaded ....................................... $7,500 ’96 White 6222 forward fold w/liq ................... $10,500

TILLAGE

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

Miscellaneous

-WANTED TO BUY: FOR SALE: Tri-colored pureREINKE IRRIGATION - John Deere 1765 12-row, 30” bred border collie pups; Sales & Service h Planter with Row Command Blue, Brown & Red MerNew & Used . Clutches and 3 bushel boxes. le pups, all vet checked & For your irrigation needs 320-269-6653 current vacc, extremely in888-830-7757 or 507-276-2073 -WANTED: Used LP propane telligent, working parents, exc cattle dog/pet.

Ready to , tank, 18,000 gallons or larggo Mid to Late December. Winpower Sales & Service d er. 507-327-6420 Reliable Power Solutions (651)206-8307 Since 1925 PTO & automatic FOR SALE: Australian cattle Emergency Electric GenerLivestock dog Heeler puppies. 4 red ators. New & Used males available. 4 1/2 months Rich Opsata-Distributor old. Shots are current. Farm 800-343-9376 FOR SALE: Black Angus bulls ” raised. Parents are papered. e also Hamp, York, & Hamp/ $200/ea. 651-214-8510 , Duroc boars & gilts. Alfred t Kemen 320-598-3790

PAGE 23

ADVERTISER LISTING

Agri Systems/Systems West .....................................12 Beck's Hybrids ......................................................1, 3 Dahl Farm Supply .................................................... 7

COMBINES

Dairyland Seed Co., Inc. .........................................13

NEW Fantini chopping cornhead ........................... Call Gleaner R52 w/cummins ................................. Coming ’12 Gleaner S77 ............................................ $179,000 ’03 Gleaner R65 .............................................. $72,000 ’90 Gleaner R40 w/heads ............................... $17,500 ’98 Gleaner R62 .............................................. $59,000 ’89. R60 w/both heads .................................... $15,500 Geringhoff parts & heads available

Greenwald Farm Center ...........................................23

NEW Wilrich 513 9-24 .................................... On Hand MISCELLANEOUS ’14 Sunflower 4412-05.....................................$30,000 ’10 Wilrich QX2 37’ w/basket.......................... $34,500 ’09 Wilrich QX2 55’5 w/bskt............................ $34,000 NEW Salford RTS Units .......................................... Call ’05 CIH 730B w/lead ....................................... $16,500 NEW Unverferth Seed Tenders .............................. Call ’13 Wilrich 513 5-30................. ..........................31,500 NEW Westfield Augers ........................................... Call NEW REM VRX Vacs. .............................................. Call CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT NEW Hardi Sprayers............................................... Call NEW Riteway Rollers .............................................. Call NEW NH E26C mini excavator ...................... On Hand NEW Lorenz Snowblowers ..................................... Call NEW NH E37C mini excavator ...................... On Hand NEW Batco Conveyors ........................................... Call NEW NH L318/L320/L328 wheeled units ...... On Hand NEW Brent Wagons & Grain Carts ......................... Call NEW NH C327/C337/C345 track units .......... On Hand NEW E-Z Trail Seed Wagons .................................. Call ’17 NH L234 C/H/A.......................................... $32,000 NEW Rock Buckets & Pallet Forks ......................... Call ’12 NH 225 C/H ............................................... $27,000 REM 2700, Rental ................................................... Call Pre-Owned Grain Cart ................................... On Hand HAY TOOLS New Horsch Jokers ....................................... On Hand

New NH Hay Tools - ON HAND

Thank You For Your Business!

(507) 234-5191 (507) 625-8649

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

Mon.-Fri. 7:30-5:00 • Sat. 7:30-Noon

Henslin Auctions, Inc. .............................................21 Inogen ....................................................................19 Kannegiesser Truck .................................................10 Larson Brothers Implement .....................................20 MN Dept of Agriculture .........................................15 Pioneer ...................................................................16 Pruess Elevator, Inc. ...............................................20 Rush River Steel & Trim .......................................... 4 Schweiss Doors .......................................................21 Smiths Mill Implement, Inc. ....................................23 Steffes Group ..........................................................21 Syngenta .................................................................. 9 507-345-4523 • 800-657-4665 PO Box 3287, Mankato, MN 56002-3287 www.thelandonline.com

PAGE 24

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

THE LAND — DECEMBER 11/DECEMBER 18, 2020

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

Christmas by car

F

Unlike previous years, members will no longer get in free on general admission nights (Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays). Instead, they can reserve free tickets on Wednesday, the dedicated membership night. This decision was made in an effort to recoup more of the event’s expenses.

or the past three years the University of Minnesota Landscape Arboretum has treated visitors with a holiday light show and 2020 is no exception. This year however, patrons won’t be able to leisurely stroll the grounds; but will be confined to their vehicles instead.

The botanical-themed “Winter Lights 2020: Winter in Bloom” is taking place through Jan. 3 at the Arboretum in Chaska.

Missing from the Arboretum’s usual Christmas fare is the famous indoor poinsettia tree as well as other decorated trees. Outdoors, though, there will be more lights for people to admire — including a 22-foot tent of lights, a display of large lotus blossoms in lights, and an apple which celebrates the 100th anniversary of the University of Minnesota’s first apple introduction.

Visitors are required to remain inside their vehicles and follow the one-way paths. Tickets have been significantly limited and vehicles will only be allowed one pass through the Arboretum course.

Admission is limited to 80 people per half hour.

General admission is from 4 p.m. - 10 p.m. Friday, Saturday and Sunday through Jan. 3. Tickets are $15/non-member, $10/member and free for children 15 and under.

Visit arbwinter.umn.edu for more details. v

Chaska, Minn.