THE LAND ~ January 22, 2021 ~ Southern Edition

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Januar y 22, 2021 Januar y 29, 2021

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2021 is the new 2014

P.O. Box 3287 418 South Second St. Mankato, MN 56002 (800) 657-4665 Vol. XLV ❖ No. 2 24 pages, 1 section plus supplements

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

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From liberty to abundance; Rarely can one look back upon ancient ‘words of wisdom’ and find those very From abundance to complacency’ same words fit almost perfectly the politiFrom complacency to apathy; cal tempest likely to soon be unraveling across America. Here’s my message from From apathy to dependence; a Land Minds I wrote on Nov. 3, 2014.

From dependence back into bondage.”

You be the judge.

Professor Joseph Olson of Hamline With U.S. 2014 elections now behind us, University School of Law, St Paul, perhaps it’s time to reflect on a lesson believes the United States is now someLAND MINDS from history. I’m not suggesting the where between the “complacency and apadecline of democracy is inevitable. But thy” phase of Professor Tyler’s definition

By Dick Hagen continuing trends across our American of democracy and with some forty perlandscape raise serious questions about cent of the nation’s population already how do we patch the many potholes. having reached the “governmental Liberals contend the growing gap dependency’ phase.” He contends that if Congress between the ‘haves and the have not’s is the root grants amnesty and voting rights to 20 million problem of America. Excuse my bias but to me the immigrant aliens then we can say “Goodbye to the basic issue of our country is the simple fact that peo- USA’” in fewer than five years. Pending the 2016 ple who vote for a living now outnumber those who presidential election, Olson suggests the USA work for a living. We too rapidly are developing an Tombstone could read: Born 1776; Died 2016. ‘entitlement society’ which in plain terms is socialProfessor Olson points out some interesting facts ism. concerning the last Presidential election: Number of Perhaps Winston Churchill put it better when he states won by Obama: 19; Romney: 29. Square miles said, “The inherent vice of capitalism is the unequal of land won by Obama: 580,000; Romney: 2,427,000. sharing of the blessings. The inherent blessing of Population of counties won by Obama: 127 million; socialism is the equal sharing of the misery.” Or the Romney: 143 million. Murder rate per 100,000 resigreat sage Mark Twain who commented, “The only dents in counties won by Obama: 13.2; Romney: 2.1. difference between a tax man and a taxidermist is Professor Olson adds, “In aggregate, the map of the that the taxidermist leaves the skin.” From President Ronald Reagan, “The government is like a territory Romney won was mostly the land owned by the taxpaying citizens of the country … Obama terribaby’s alimentary canal, with a happy appetite at tory most encompassed those living in low income one end and no responsibility at the other.” tenements and living off various forms of governWhen half the people get the idea that they do not ment welfare.” have to work, because the other half is going to take Wrapping up, it seems the ‘buck passing’ of this care of them; and when the other half gets the idea Congress will continue. The truth of the matter is that if does not good to work because somebody is going to get what they work for, that is the beginning that our U.S. Congress has become an insult to us of the end of any nation! Perhaps what this country taxpayers and a source of embarrassment to our friends and allies in other parts of the world. needs are more unemployed politicians.

Shades of socialism started disrupting our vision In 1887 Alexander Tyler, a Scottish history professome time ago and each additional entitlement prosor at the University of Edinburgh, had this to say vision further clouds our future. about the fall of the Athenian Republic some 2,000 Farmers, 2020 provided extreme challenges of volyears prior: “A democracy is always temporary in atile weather, volatile crop prices and volatile operanature: it simply cannot exist as a permanent form tional costs which was my exact wording six years of government. A democracy will continue to exist up until the time voters discover they can vote them- ago. Still fits today. Most of you experienced surselves generous gifts from the public treasury. From prisingly good yields and a mostly perfect fall harvest and tillage season. However, even with posithat moment on, the majority always votes for the tive commodity markets and healthier livestock outcandidates who promise the most benefits from the public treasury, with the result that every democracy looks, your cash flow for 2021 will be most challenging. Why? Because your costs have been doing some will finally collapse over loose fiscal policy, (which ramping up too. is) always followed by a Dictatorship.”

Your success primes the pump for the rest of us.

Tyler continued, “The average age of the world’s So stay Covid-free; be cautious but cagey as circumgreatest civilizations has been about 200 years. stances dictate; stay in touch with the Lord; and During those 200 years, these nations progressed come Fall 2021, let’s all enjoy the richness of this through the following sequence: great treasure … America — Land of the free, home From bondage to spiritual faith; of the brave.

From spiritual faith to great courage; Dick Hagen is the staff writer emeritus of The Land.

From courage to liberty; He may be reached at rdhagen35@gmail.com. v

OPINION

THE LAND — JANUARY 22/JANUARY 29, 2021

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THE LAND — JANUARY 22/JANUARY 29, 2021

My Christmas cactus reminds me of Grandpa’s struggles A person would have to be blooming more than once a blind to not know that a year as a hint that special day is coming. While Christmas should be celemost decorations are placed brated more often. in prominent locations to be With all the changes in seen; some of these visual people who live in this signs can be found in house this year, oh … that unusual places. In my farmcensus taker just loved us. house, one will find one of Because depending on the FROM MY these indicators in an day, it may be one or eight FARMHOUSE almost-unused bathroom. or more — who could keep KITCHEN “Why there?” is a perfectcount? But one day, all the

By Renae B. ly logical question. Well, let plants in this upstairs bathVander Schaaf me tell you. I have this room disappeared.

Schlumbergera Cactaceae from my Winter’s cold temperatures are detrimother-in-law. Of course she called it mental to a houseplant’s health. When a Christmas cactus. It’s a beautiful it came time this fall to find homes for plant — especially when it is blooming all the plants, I had to get creative. (which her plant always did). She was Where to find new places for plants so more than willing to share a start of it my farmer wouldn’t realize my plant with me. addiction?

Well, this plant she thought was so For once my brain actually worked. simple anyone could grow has given Placing that cactus in the upstairs me fits through the years. My children bathroom was pure genius. It has an started new plants from it and would east window and that is where my you believe they bloomed? Every year, children always kept their cactus. right on time. Sometimes I think my Sure enough, early this December the children were able to trick it into

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buds began appearing with just a bit of color. Now, pink fluorescent flowers are a marvelous sight to behold.

Does that mean I am smart as my children? Or was their blooming success part of their bloodline? This is possible as this cactus which came from my mother in law, was given to her by her mother, who was given it by her mother. I am not sure how many mother and daughters have loved this cactus, but it is a great plenty.

My husband’s ancestors seem to have a passion for gardening that continues to this day. These roots go deep. (Ha! Ha! I just couldn’t resist typing that.)

But seriously, being an excellent gardener may have saved the life of one of his great (many greats) grandpas.

It seems that in the old country (the Netherlands) there were quite the social caste. Either you were upper class or down below somewhere. That’s where we fall in. Social mobility didn’t really happen.

Anyhow, this man (I think it was Jacob Cleveringa, because the family history notes indicate he was a gardener) was employed as a gardener for a family of the elite. It was his job to make the estate look beautiful with formal gardens and grow fruits and vegetables for everyone who dined at the castle’s table.

His master liked him because of the fresh strawberries which appeared on the table out of season. Jacob was very learned and adept in using a greenhouse.

Yet circumstances dictate he should have been fired.

Grandpa Cleveringa was a member of a church which had left the state church because they believed the Bible wasn’t being preached there. When the state church ministers preached Biblical untruths and wouldn’t listen to their objections, they seceded from their churches.

This gave way to persecution which included beatings, imprisonment, and loss of employment. If you owned a business, state church members were encouraged not to shop there. It was not good for these men and women who believed in Jesus Christ.

Because his employer liked his gardening skills — especially the berries — Grandpa Cleveringa remained on the job until he came to America. In the new land his gardening skills most

likely were put to good use again to keep his own family from starvation.

Therefore, it has been easy for me to wonder if this Christmas cactus started with him; as I have seen it in many Cleveringa homes. When it blooms at Christmas, I am reminded of this grandpa who believed in the miracle of Christmas … that the Savior who is Jesus our Lord was born to save us from our sins.

Isaiah 9:6 “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

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

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

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Blood washes away; lies will be remembered Like any schoolboy, I was both giddy end of Pennsylvania Avenue for fact or them to make a grab for power American citizens and awed when I walked into the U.S. truth to have a fighting chance in any had not given them through either vote or voice.

Capitol for the first time. Here Abraham debate, let alone a riot.

But many of the mob will pay for that mistake Lincoln walked and John Kennedy laid.

What was shocking, however, was the with the loss of the very thing they were told was at This is where Henry Clay and Daniel pure hatred the attackers carried from stake: their freedom. That, too, was a lie.

Webster debated, where wars were the White House to the Capitol. They The real mobsters, the elected officials who plantdeclared, peace was cherished, and believed that killing Vice President Mike ed, then fueled, what they clearly knew were lies democracy watered.

Pence and murdering Speaker of the about “voting irregularities,” now want to deflect Only I wasn’t a schoolboy; I was nearly FARM & FOOD FILE House Nancy Pelosi would somehow keep attention from their treason with calls for unity and 30 years old and I was playing hooky Donald Trump in office after Jan. 20. bipartisanship.

By Alan Guebert from covering dull farm bill hearings in Where did they get such a crazy These are lies, too. They don’t want unity; they the House Ag Committee. My press idea? Had they never been to the U.S. want cover. They want America to see them as pass, I discovered, was a passkey to Capitol before that day? peacemakers when, in fact, they’re the soulless demalmost every room on Capitol Hill.

Had they not heard how its statues agogues powered by only ambition and lies. They’re The U.S. Capitol was the first star attraction I still call every American to defend both liberphonies. explored. It was as solid as the government it ty and the rule of law?

But the Capitol riot was real; so are its shattered housed and as breathtaking as the ideals it repreHad they never read the words — some given as windows, splintered wood, and bloodstained floors. sented. I was unprepared, however, for its solemnity. last words — of Americans who believed so deeply All will be swept, scrubbed, and repaired.

I heard whispers, not words; saw directions gesin free elections that they died so even fools and tured, not spoken; and encountered guards with The stain left by the public servants too cowardly traitors could walk in their shadows as free people? to tell the truth to the mob they inflamed, however, folded hands, not crossed arms.

Did they not see the pall their rioting cast on the can best be purged at the ballot box in the next fair The Capitol seemed more a church than citadel, a honored dead of Concord, Gettysburg, Iwo Jima, and free election. place where the voices of American saints, our patriKhe Sanh, or Fallujah? ots, prayed for us, the living. My heart heard them.

The Farm and Food File is published weekly No public building, before or since, ever affected me If not, that’s truly tragic because their first visit to through the United States and Canada. Past collike it. the U.S. Capitol came as pawns in service of soulumns, events and contact information are posted at less demagogues and accomplished liars who used www.farmandfoodfile.com. v When news broke on Jan. 6 that an anger-fueled mob was kicking in its doors and windows and attacking its police, employees, and members of Congress, I was sure the building would endure.

The Capitol, after all, had seen its share of thugs (Sen. Joseph McCarthy), despots (President Richard M. Nixon…), and crooks (take your pick) come and go.

Nor was I surprised that the mob mobilized after given what sounded to it like orders by the White House. After four years of lies upon lies (“The pandemic will be gone by Easter.” “This is the best econAll letters must be signed and accompanied omy ever.” “We won the election by a landslide.”) by a phone number (not for publication) to verify authenticity. there simply wasn’t enough oxygen left on either

OPINION

Letters to the editor are always welcome.

Send your letters to: Editor, The Land P.O. Box 3287, Mankato, MN 56002 e-mail: editor@thelandonline.com

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THE LAND — JANUARY 22/JANUARY 29, 2021

Good old recipes help remember the good old days 1 loaf rye cocktail bread I’m feeling extra nostalgic this holiday season. Remembering all the family gathPlace Velveeta in a bowl and microwave three to erings from days long gone, days when four minutes or until melted. Mix Jimmy Dean sauwe could all gather together and share sage and Velveeta together. Top the rye cocktail laughter, splendid stories — and, of bread with the mixture and broil until golden brown. course, food. n Food has that intrinsic way of bringing Who doesn’t love a seven layer dip? This one feayou right back, invoking memories by tures all the favorites and is always a welcome just the aroma of a favorite dish. Here’s a COOKING sight at the table. few appetizers I absolutely loved growing WITH KRISTIN up. We’ve made a few of these recently, Seven Layer Dip

By Kristin Kveno and man — did it bring me back to those Best 7 Layer Dip Recipe - How To Make 7 Layer Dip good old days. Here’s hoping these recipes will put a (delish.com) smile on your face as well.

1 (16-oounce) can refried beans No holiday was complete in the ‘80s and ‘90s in my family 2-1/2 cups guacamole without a good spinach dip in a hollowed-out sourdough round.

1 (16-ounce) jar chunky tomato salsa There’s something so divine about scooping that delicious sour2-1/2 cups sour cream dough bread in that tasty spinach-y dip that just worked so well 2 tablespoons taco seasoning together. juice of 1/2 lime 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese Spinach Dip www.food.com/recipe/spinach-dip-9974 1 (10 ounce) package frozen spinach, thawed and drained 1 cup sour cream 1 cup mayonnaise (not Miracle Whip) To the Editor, 1 (1 ounce) package Knorr vegetable soup mix (or onion soup Happy new year one and all! Be mix) blessed as you continue The Land mag1 (8 ounce) can water chestnuts, drained and chopped (optional) azine. Let’s all pretend we are here for a nice sunHalf an onion, chopped shiny week and be refreshed in our thoughts and Let set in the fridge for a couple hours before serving. Serve dip spirits. inside a hollowed-out round loaf of bread.

God bless you all.

“The Farmer’s Land” n The Lord said, “Farmer, give me your hand, My Grandma was proud of family AND her deviled eggs. Family for I am lending you this piece of land. gatherings were an opportunity for her to showcase her legendWhile you are here, do your best, ary deviled eggs. She would savor all the oohs and aahs that on some pieces of land we need to invest. came her way. Grandma always said she made the absolute best To sow the seed, then to kill the weed, deviled eggs, and I can attest to that as I’ve never had a better knowing this is for the people that we feed. one yet.

You are the chosen few and blessed to farm.

Loyalty to the land your position with some country Deviled Eggs Classic Deviled Eggs Recipe - BettyCrocker.com 6 hard-cooked eggs, peeled 3tablespoons mayonnaise or salad dressing 1/2 teaspoon ground mustard To the Editor, 1/4 teaspoon salt Electric cars boast zero emissions; 1/4 teaspoon pepper but that is not the case. First, the paprika, if desired energy to produce the car. One-third of the lifetime Cut eggs lengthwise in half. Slip out yolks and mash with fork.

CO2 emissions from an electric car comes from the Stir in mayonnaise, mustard, salt and pepper. Fill whites with egg energy used to make the car itself — especially the yolk mixture, heaping it lightly. Sprinkle with paprika, if desired. battery. The mining of lithium is not a green activiCover and refrigerate up to 24 hours. ty. When an electric car rolls off the production line it has already been responsible for more than n 25,000 pounds of CO2. The amount for producing a This appetizer made an appearance at any and all family gettogethers. It’s simple to make and a hit with both kids and adults conventional car, 16,000 pounds.

But that’s not the end of their emissions. They alike. This can be assembled ahead of time and frozen until don’t use gasoline, but they do use electricity. A ready to broil.

Nissan Leaf will put out about 31 metric tons of Jimmy Dean Cheesy Bread CO2 in its 90,000-mile lifetime which includes pro1 pound Jimmy Dean sausage, browned duction, electricity consumption and scrapping. A 1 pound Velveeta cheese CDI 160 Mercedes over 90,000 miles (including pro-

1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese 2 cup shredded lettuce 1/2 cup quartered grape tomatoes 1/4 cup sliced black olives corn chips, for serving Spread refried beans in an even layer in the bottom of your serving dish. If making from scratch, prepare guacamole and spread in an even layer on top of the bean layer. Top with a layer of salsa. In a medium bowl, stir together sour cream, taco seasoning, and lime juice. Spread in an even layer on top of the salsa. Sprinkle Monterey Jack and cheddar in an even layer over the sour cream. Top with shredded lettuce, tomatoes and black olives. Serve with corn chips.

It’s time to bring back some good memories with these tasty recipes from days gone by.

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

Letter: Thoughts for a new year

charm.

Not all farmers’ pockets are deep, believe me, farming is far from cheap!

Yet most all our hearts are rich you see … going to church, serving the Lord is our true destiny.

Corn and beans, hay or straw, livestock in the barns, always work to do!

Most farms work very hard, loving the Lord’s land and animals too!

God bless America with this new year and the farmers’ land, reaching up and making sure to listen and to hold God’s hand.

Reta Bakke Draayer Albert Lea, Minn.

OPINION

Letter: Electric cars still need energy duction, electricity consumption and scrapping) will produce 34 metric tons of CO2. The Tesla produces 44 metric tons in its lifetime and an Audi A7 Quattro will produce 49 tons of CO2. So throughout the life of an electric car it will emit just 3 to 5 tons less than a conventional car.

The U.S. government gives electric car buyers a subsidy of up to $7,500. That doesn’t include the billions more in grants, loans and tax writeoffs. Today, the U.S. gets 14 percent of its electricity from renewables. By 2040 they estimate renewables will produce 17 percent of our electricity. Fossil fuels produce 65 percent of our electricity and it will be 64 percent by 2040.

Ted Pederson Farwell, Minn.

OPINION

THE LAND — JANUARY 22/JANUARY 29, 2021

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This new year, let your actions support your words Actions speak louder than to assist their neighbors — words. We’ve all been though hundreds of miles taught this from early on. away — delivering tons of As an adult, trials and hay to aid those in need. adverse situations have Sometimes, the simple act taught me that empty of making a meal for somewords are useless unless one experiencing hardship they are backed by action. can offer much needed In disciplinary situations relief. These deeds are DEEP ROOTS with my kids, I often find done with no expectation of myself saying, “I hear you

By Whitney Nesse any type of return. They saying that you’re sorry are done out of the goodand I need to see your actions change.” ness of the heart. These are the people There are heaping doses of grace that I want to surround myself with. go along with my saying this, especialIn the age of social media and news ly when it involves kids. traveling at the speed of light, if our We learn through trial and error. actions speak louder and are more Through trial and error I have learned profound than our words, it may my words matter, so I need to choose behoove us to take a step back from them wisely. More so than my words, conveying messages with words and my actions matter. Do my actions let our actions do the talking. This match the words flowing from my message might be more for me than mouth or are my actions proving my anyone else! I want to be known as a words to be untrustworthy? person of action rather than a person of idle speech and empty promises. I One of the things I love most about want to be known as a person who is the farming community is how often willing to jump into the rough, sticky, farmers are willing to help a strugmessy and unlovable places to lend a gling neighbor. We often see and hear stories of a farmer who falls ill during hand or a shoulder to cry on. I want to planting or harvest and the neighbors be known as a person who quietly offers helpfulness, not someone who band together to get fieldwork done. blaringly speaks obtrusive, unsolicited Recently, when neighboring states words. When I do choose to speak, I were in a severe drought, farmers found themselves with no hay for feed- want my words to be invited and meaningful — communicating love ing their livestock. Those in the agriand truth. cultural community pooled resources

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“Today, more than 80 certified organic crops can be insured, and there are a number of unique options and considerations for organic policies,” said Kate Hansen, a Center policy assistant who worked with crop insurance agents and farmers to develop the resource guide.

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“Conversations from the Field” is available at cfra.org/publications.

This article was submitted by the Center for Rural Affairs. v

One of my favorite Bible passages comes from Exodus. Moses is believed to be the author of Exodus, so he would be giving a firsthand account of the happenings in this book. In chapter 17, Moses and the Israelites were battling Amalek. Moses, Aaron and Hur were positioned at the top of a hill while Joshua and his chosen army fought. “Whenever Moses held up his hand interceding in prayer on behalf of the Israelites, Israel prevailed.

Whenever he lowered his hand weary from interceding, Amalek prevailed (Exodus 17:11, emphasis mine). Aaron and Hur, who were undoubtedly interceding as well, noticed Moses’ weariness and sprang to action. They found a rock to put under Moses so he could sit and they held up his hands! These three men knew the value of being interdependent, dependent on one another and on God! If Moses, Aaron and Hur operated independently; or if Aaron and Hur

only offered their opinions on what Moses should do in order to not grow weary; Israel would surely have been defeated. Aaron and Hur knew the value of being helpers. Their words would have done nothing to bring relief to a weary friend. It was their actions which were profound!

My goal for this new year is threefold: to be a more active helper, more interdependent and a greater intercessor. My hope is that, rather than adding to a world full of noise, being a quiet helper who is willing to intercede on behalf of others will speak volumes and to continue to build an interdependent community around myself. A community where we can rely on one another and build each other up with prayer, truth and love.

Whitney Nesse is a sixth-generation livestock farmer who is deeply rooted in her faith and family. She writes from her central Minnesota farm. v

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THE LAND — JANUARY 22/JANUARY 29, 2021

Book shows Roosevelt’s accomplishments and flaws The hike you took felt really good.

“Leave It As It Is: A Journey Through Theodore Roosevelt’s American Wilderness” The sun rose as you left, and so did

by David Gessner your spirits; your mind unclenched and you breathed in scenery no camera could c.2020, Simon & Schuster ever capture. It was just what you need$28.00 / $37.00 Canada ed. To thank the one who made it possi339 pages ble, you may have to hike back over a century — as you’ll see in “Leave It As It Is” by David Gessner. national parks and protecting author David Gessner’s writing is THE BOOKWORM western lands was likely a done lovely — as though a poet guided his SEZ Not quite two years after he took office, deal the minute the idea entered fingers in writing this book. You may, the President of the United States disBy Terri Schlichenmeyer TR›s mind. in fact, forget you›re reading a history missed his Secret Service agents and book, rather than one that›s more about went camping with a man he barely knew.

Admittedly fascinated by nature. Furthermore, Gessner’s admiraIt was May, 1903, and Theodore Roosevelt had wil- Roosevelt, Gessner uses a road trip in the tion of Roosevelt is wide; but so is his president›s honor as the glue to hold this derness on his mind. Not long before, he’d asked willingness to humanize TR with flaws book together. He knew, of course, of his hero›s leganaturalist John Muir to be his guide at Yosemite; — an honesty that’s somewhat rare in books cy; but he also knew TR as a fallible human who and Muir was eager to have the ear of the about bigger-than-life people.

President. No one knows the details of their discus- held racist views — and there were other controversies.

Roosevelt was bold and cocky, a hunter and Together, the two sides to this story are good; but sions during three days together in the outrancher, as well as a president.

But he also knew better if you›re a history buff, an outdoorsy-type, or doors; but shortly after they returned, Roosevelt business.

And, says Gessner, “for a brief three-day you have a deep interest in nature. “!Leave It As It was convinced that Yosemite needed the protection window in May 1903, the business of the United Is” holds a fine story; but for the wrong reader, it Muir wanted it to have.

States was nature.” may be quite a hike.

“TR” had already been thinking about such things.

Reading “Leave It As It Is” is somewhat like hikLook for the reviewed book at a bookstore or a After visiting the Grand Canyon earlier that month, ing through the woods blindfolded. library near you. You may also find the book at he gave a speech in which he told a crowd there was online book retailers. no way anyone could make the canyon better.

You know where you›re going eventually, but you›ll backtrack and retrace your footprints and The Bookworm is Terri Schlichenmeyer. Terri has “Leave it as it is,” he said, undoubtedly with force take a lot of questionable steps to get there.

It›s been reading since she was 3 years old and never and conviction. confusing sometimes, hard to follow, but equally goes anywhere without a book. She lives in That’s how TR did things, says Gessner: he bowled interesting.

Wisconsin with three dogs and 10,000 books. v them over with brashness. Few people ever said Remove the blindfold, however, and you›ll see that «no» to Roosevelt and made it stick. Creating

Virtual garden education series held on Thursdays The McLeod County Extension Master Gardeners welcome you to participate in this year’s virtual garden education series. The series will take place via Zoom on the second and fourth Thursdays from Jan. 14 through April 8 at 7: 00 p.m.

Jan. 14 — House plant care; Jan. 28 — New annual and perennials; Feb. 11 — Demystifying hydrangeas;

Feb. 25 — Growing vegetables in gardens, raised beds and containers; March 11 — Growing irises; March 25 — Tree identification; and April 8 — Choosing and growing daylilies This garden series is free to attend. Registration is required by noon on the day before the event at z.umn.edu/wintergardeninged. All sessions will be

recorded and emailed out to participants to watch their own convenience. The flyer is available https://z.umn.edu/mgwinterseries.

For further information, contact Karen Johnson (320) 484-4303 or ande9495@umn.edu.

This article was submitted by University Minnesota Extension.

at at at of v

‘Gardening from the Ground Up’ webinar series offered ST. CLOUD, Minn. — University of Minnesota Extension Educators present the second annual Gardening from the Ground Up webinar series. This free webinar series will take place Feb. 16-19 from 1-2:30 p.m. each afternoon. The series will cover a wide variety of topics that are important for any gardener (or homeowner with a yard) to understand.

Feb. 16 — “Starting a Garden from Scratch.” Set your garden up for success from the beginning.

Extension Educators Troy Salzer and Claire LaCanne will discuss selecting a site for a new garden and preparing the site for your plants, as well as practices you can use to get your garden off to a good start.

Feb. 17 — “Selecting and Starting Plants for Your Garden.” Join Extension Educators Robin Trott and Shane Bugeja for a review of seed starting, plant propagation, and selecting the right plant for the right place.

Feb. 18 — “Tree and Shrub Maintenance.” Extension Educators Adam Austing and Karen Johnson will cover some of the best practices to keep plants in your yard healthy and beautiful.

Feb. 19 — “Lawn Care and Pest Management.”

Extension Educators Katie Drewitz and Claire LaCanne will talk through best management practices for establishing and maintaining a lawn in

Minnesota. Topics will include seeding, mowing, fertilization, watering and weed control. Methods for disease and insect pest management will also be discussed.

To join all or one of these webinars, go to z.umn. edu/GardenUp to register. Pre-registration is required to receive the webinar link. Recordings of the webinars will be sent out at the conclusion of the series.

If you have questions about the webinar series or need assistance with registration, please call Katie Drewitz at wins0115@umn.edu or (507) 951-6609.

This article was submitted by University of Minnesota Extension. v

THE LAND — JANUARY 22/JANUARY 29, 2021

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

PAGE 9

Rugosas perform well despite Minnesota’s harsh winters When planning your garden, save room All roses need six hours of full sun, for a rose bush. Roses are hardy and preferably between nine in the morning easy to grow if you select the right kind and four in the afternoon. Plant them in of rose. Unfortunately, the hybrid tea a location where they will not be in roses which produce the long stem roses standing water during our spring meltbought in florist’s shops do not grow well ing periods. They also prefer good air cirin this area because of our cold winters. culation and should not be planted too close to the side of a building. They also GREEN AND There are several kinds of roses which need at least one inch of water each GROWING will grow well here. My favorites are the week. Adding some fertilizer in the rugosa roses which are well-suited for

By Linda G. Tenneson spring is also recommended. Many rugozone 4 and some as far north as zone 2. sa roses are resistant to Rugosa roses grow in salt spray. One cultivar shrub or climber forms aptly named “Pavement” and will survive with litwas bred to grow and tle care. (The word survive close to roadclimber is a bit of a misways. nomer because those roses put out long canes Each spring, prune off which need to be tied to any dead areas or a support — such as a branches which are fence or trellis.) growing where they will rub against each other.

The deep pink John Varieties which grow Cabot climber and long canes may be William Baffin roses are pruned to keep them at examples of this. They a desired height and will benefit from winter width. Deadheading is protection; but usually the term for removing all, except for the very blooms as they begin to tops of the canes will fade, and this promotes survive without it. The repeat blooming. light pink roses Frau Deadheading should be Dagmar Hastrup and stopped about midTherese Bugnet do not August so that the plant grow as tall, but are also can produce rose hips winter hardy. These are The John Cabot rose likes sun and plenty of air. and prepare for winter. cultivars that I have Roses will produce suckpersonally grown. There are many others which ers or baby plants which may be cut off or dug up have red, white or yellow blooms; with single, double or semi-double petal forms. The blooms usually and planted elsewhere once they are big enough to survive. grow in bunches on shorter stems and are best displayed indoors as single blooms placed in short Rugosa roses do suffer from fungal diseases such vases. Rugosa roses are usually fragrant, with as black spot, powdery mildew, and rust. Remove wrinkled dark green leaves that have serrated or the damaged leaves, keep the plant well-watered jagged edges. and allow it to recover. There are sprays and chemi-

Just a reminder to send in your subscription card to

cals which may be applied to prevent these conditions; but while these fungi cause the leaves to be unattractive, they usually do not kill the plant. The same is true for insect infestations such as aphids and spider mites. A spray with insecticidal soap or plain water will remove the insects.

Rose petals are edible as are the rose hips which form from each bloom. However, remove the hairy seeds from the hips because they will cause irritation if eaten. Rose hips may be eaten fresh, made into a jam or syrup, or dried for tea.

Linda G. Tenneson is a University of Minnesota master gardener and tree care advisor. v

PAGE 10

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

THE LAND — JANUARY 22/JANUARY 29, 2021

MARKETING

Grain Outlook Be on the lookout for corn running out of steam

Livestock Angles Feed costs will guide the direction of livestock market

The following marketing So far this new year, the will take. Currently the supMinnesota’s corn yield was analysis is for the week ending livestock markets have seen ply of market-ready cattle are sliced 10 bu./acre to 192 Jan. 15. a downward price moveabundant, so until we work bu./acre; Illinois down 3 ment which is a change in through the current numbers, bu./acre to 192 bu./acre; CORN — The new year has direction from the end of last supply will be the negative.

Iowa lowered 6 bu./acre to gotten off to a stellar start for year. The resurgence of the 178 bu./acre; and Nebraska growers with corn, soybean, The feeder market has sufdown 4 bu./acre to 181 bu./ pandemic contributed to the and wheat prices soaring to fered from the sharp increase weakness. The closure of resacre. multi-year highs. Corn locked in feed prices — particularly taurants across the nation up the 25-cent daily limit (a 5 the price of corn. However, On the usage side, feed JOE TEALE percent daily move) on Jan. PHYLLIS NYSTROM was down 50 million, and hurt domestic demand. the corn market is very overCHS Hedging Inc. Broker 12 report day. Gains continued The export market was a bought at the present time ethanol usage was 100 milSt. Paul through the balance of the lion lower at 4.95 billion saving grace as movement to Great Plains Commodity and is likely to have a correcAfton, Minn. week with March corn trading foreign countries increased. tion in the near future. As bushels. Exports were to a new contract high of This held the prices relatively that happens, the feeder mardecreased 100 million to $5.41.5 per bushel. And not to lose 2.55 billion bushels. Ending stocks stable during the decline in prices paid ket should experience a recovery in sight of new crop, December 2021 corn slipped 150 million bushels to 1.552 for live inventories. price. So it really comes down to this: reached $4.65.5 per bushel. On the con- billion bushels. The trade was anticiAnother influence in the price decline we are at a crossroads in the cattle tinuous chart, corn traded to its high- pating ending stocks at 1.599 billion was the grain prices which have surged market, and supply and demand will est level since July 2013 during which bushels with a huge range of trade to new highs not seen in years. With dictate the direction of the cattle marthe front-month hit $7.30 with a estimates from 1.4 to 1.782 billion feed costs rising, livestock marketing ket in the spring months. monthly trading range of $7.30 to bushels. The ending stocks-to-use was pushed ahead of schedule to avoid Currently, the hog market is in a $4.88.25 per bushel. Talk about volatil- ratio fell nearly 1 percent to 10.6 per- the increased cost of feeding. The sideways trade as prices have been conity! Nearby corn has closed higher for cent month on month and the small- demand for meat appears to be gaining fined to a narrow range in price since six straight weeks. New daily sales est since 2013-14. The average farm some momentum as continued low the month of November. Demand for were announced during the week and price for the 2020-21 crop year prices seem to be gathering attention pork has been very good and it appears weekly export sales were above expec- increased 20 cents to $4.20 per bush- from consumers both here and abroad. the supply of hogs are not overwhelmtations signaling that we are not done el.

Cattle have struggled for years in a ing to that demand. A lot of the current rationing yet.

The January U.S. Department of range of approximately $130 cwt. to a demand is coming from the export marThe 2019-20 balance sheet showed Agriculture reports also included low near $80 cwt. since 2017. Currently ket, much like the beef market. one change this month with a cut to Grain Stocks as of Dec. 1. This report we are near the middle of this range As the dollar has fallen in recent feed/residual of 76 million bushels. showed on-farm corn stocks of 7.046 which brings up the question: Which months, this — plus the relatively low This reduction was reflected directly in billion bushels (62.2 percent of the direction from these current prices? price of pork — has enticed many to ending stocks which increased to 1.919 total) and 4.276 billion bushels (37.8 import pork product from the United Demand for product will likely be the billion bushels. This was an unexpected See NYSTROM, pg. 11 key as to which direction the market States. revision.

Obviously, since the market has not The 2020-21 balance sheet was the been able to exit the trading range focus of the reports. Beginning at the which has been prevalent for several top, planted acres were lowered 200,000 months, it is quite possible that a acres to 90.8 million acres and yield change in either the supply or the

corn/change* soybeans/change* was slashed 3.8 bushels per acre to 172 demand will be required to move the Stewartville $4.71 +.27 $13.15 +.35 bu./acre. This was a tremendous surmarket out of this sideways market. v Edgerton $4.89 +.33 $13.33 +.41 prise since the trade was anticipating a Jackson $4.88 +.37 $13.13 +.24 small .5 bu./acre decrease to 175.3 bu./ Janesville $4.89 +.37 $13.06 +.31 acre. This yield decline was a record Cannon Falls $4.79 +.32 $13.15 +.34 from the November to final crop report.

Sleepy Eye $4.88 +.31 $13.30 +.39 Production came in at 14.182 billion

Cash Grain Markets

bushels which was below the lowest pre-report estimate and the biggest miss ever by the trade on this report.

This was a massive 325 million bushel production cut when production expectations were for 14.47 billion bushels.

Average:

$4.84

$13.19

Year Ago Average: $3.66 $8.49 Grain prices are effective cash close on Jan. 19. *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.

THE LAND — JANUARY 22/JANUARY 29, 2021

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

PAGE 11

Soybean export sales hit eight-week high this week NYSTROM, from pg. 10 percent) held off-farm for a total of 11.322 billion bushels. These percentages did not surprise anyone since this fall’s markets favored holding corn on the farm and selling soybeans. The average trade estimate was 11.951 billion bushels and Dec. 1 stocks in 2019 were 11.327 billion bushels.

World ending stocks were 283.83 million metric tons compared to the estimate for 283.53 mmt and 288.96 mmt last month. China’s corn imports were raised 1 mmt to 17.5 mmt which still seems too low given that they have already purchased more than that from all sources. Private estimates range closer to 25-30 mmt. China’s estimate is only 10 mmt.

Argentina’s corn was pegged at 47.5 mmt, in line with estimates and down 1.5 mmt from last month.

Brazil’s corn was lowered 1 mmt to 109 mmt and above the 107.74 mmt trade expectation. The Rosario Grains Exchange is pegging Argentina’s corn crop at 46 mmt.

Weekly export sales topped expectations at 56.6 million bushels and were the highest in the last month. We need to average 22 million bushels of sales per week to reach the new 2.55 billion bushel USDA forecast. Total commitments at 1.78 billion bushels are 70 percent of the target.

Weekly ethanol production was up 6,000 barrels per day to 941,000 bpd. Production is meeting the average needed to meet the USDA’s forecast. Ethanol stocks rose 408,000 barrels to 23.7 million barrels.

This was a 35-week high and a record for this week.

Gasoline demand at 7.5 million bpd is down 12 percent from the same week last year and 11 percent on the four-week average.

Outlook: Bull markets can have setbacks and not change the direction of the trend. Corn raced to 7.5year highs in post-World Agriculture Supply and Demand Estimates report trading. The next upside target is in the $5.50-$5.60 and beyond range for March corn. The trade may now need to consider tighter supplies to go along with excellent demand after this week’s numbers were released.

The uptrend is alive and well, but be on the lookout for signs if it’s running out of steam. If the market can’t rally on friendly news, demand numbers begin to be disappointing (basis retreats significantly), funds exiting long positions, or any sign South American production is increasing. Argentina lifted their corn export license ban after farmers staged a strike this week. None of these signs are present, but I thought I’d point them out as a caution.

Yes, it seems everyone is leaning to one side of the boat, but you could have said that anytime over the last few months. U.S. corn is the cheapest on the world scene until at least the summer. We’ve shown we can bend this bull market, but so far it hasn’t been broken.

Corn hit 7.5-year highs this week. The March contract climbed to $5.41.5 before settling 35.25 cents

MARKETING higher for the week at $5.31.5 per bushel. July corn did even better, up 37.25 cents at $5.32 per bushel.

The December corn rose 19.5 cents to $4.40.5 while setting a new contract high at $4.65.5 per bushel.

Markets were closed on Jan. 18 for Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. SOYBEANS — The soybean WASDE report was neutral to bullish this month, but buyers were eager to extend the uptrend as they pushed prices to fresh 6.5-year highs. U.S. ending stocks for soybeans were cut 35 million bushels to 140 million bushels. This was in line with trade expectations, although many believe this number is still too high.

Weather in South America saw improvement during the week with rain in Argentina and Brazil.

Argentina’s weather forecast for the last half of January turns hotter and drier than normal, but Brazil’s outlook continues to show rain in most areas except for southern regions. Argentina has settled all their strikes but a trucker’s strike is scheduled to begin Jan. 16 in Brazil. The trucker’s union is warning this strike may be worse than the one in 2018.

The monthly WASDE report didn’t hold any major surprises — either for the bull or the bear this month. The 2019-20 balance sheet saw a 2 million bushel increase in ending stocks to 525 million bushels (accounting for rounding). This was accomplished by reducing the residual 7 million bushels and increasing exports 6 million bushels.

The 2020-21 balance sheet began by lowering the yield by .5 bu./acre to 50.2 bu./acre and slightly lower than the 50.5 bu./acre pre-trade estimate. Acreage was unchanged. Production at 4.135 billion bushels was down 35 million from last month and vs. 4.158 billion estimated. Imports were raised 20 million to 35 million. No shock from this as we know supplies will be tight. The crush was increased 5 million to 2.2 billion, exports were raised 30 million to a record 2.23 billion, and residual decreased 13 million (to keep the carryout from moving even lower?). Ending stocks at 140 million bushels were down 35 million from last month. This was in-line with the 139 million bushel estimate. Ending stocks-to-use ratio at 3.1 percent is the lowest since 2013-14 and the second-lowest on record. The average farm prices jumped 60 cents to $11.15 per bushel. There was nothing in these numbers that was a shock, but they did confirm how tight our stocks are.

Dec. 1 soybean stocks were 2.933 billion bushels.

Last year we had 3.252 billion and the average trade guess was 2.92 billion. Again, no surprises. Of the total, 1.3 billion bushels were on-farm and 1.625 billion were held off-farm.

World ending stocks were 84.3 mmt vs. 82.66 mmt estimated. Argentina’s soybean production fell 2

mmt to 48 mmt, slightly lower than the 48.44 mmt estimate. Brazil’s soybean production at 133 mmt was unchanged from last month and despite the estimate that was down at 131.42 mmt. The Rosario Grains Exchange expects Argentina to produce 47 mmt soybeans. Conab updated their Brazilian soybean production outlook to 133.7 mmt, down from 134.5 mmt last month. China’s imports were unchanged this month at 100 mmt. China’s soybean import outlook was raised this week to 98.1 mmt from 95.1 mmt.

Weekly export sales surpassed expectations and hit an eight-week high at 33.4 million bushels, bringing total commitments to 2.05 billion bushels. This equates to 91.7 percent of the 2.23 billion bushel export outlook for the entire marketing year! We need to average just 6.1 million bushels of sales per week to achieve the forecast. Meal export sales were the largest of the marketing year at 337,000 metric tons. For the 2021-22 marketing year, we saw 11.9 million of new soybean sales to bring the total to 44.7 million bushels. This compares to just 6.7 million bushels of new crop sales on the books last year at this time.

The December National Oilseed Processors Association soybean crush report on Jan. 15 was 183.2 million bushels compared to 185.2 million expected. This is the largest crush on record for December and the second-largest for any month.

Soyoil stocks were at a six-month high at 1.7 billion pounds compared to 1.71 billion estimated.

Outlook: The role of the market is to ration demand. We saw daily export sales flashes for old crop soybeans for four straight business days ending Jan. 13. Brazil’s trucker union is on tap to begin a strike on Jan. 16. At a time when the market can’t afford any glitch in logistics to get new crop soybeans to the market, this situation will be monitored closely. There was a lot of chatter this week about Chinese interest in U.S. February and August soybeans, keeping the market supported. U.S. soybeans are the cheapest in the world through February-March and we have seen no signs of rationing yet.

March soybeans flew 42 cents higher to close at $14.16.75 with a new contract high at $14.36.5 per bushel. July soybeans rallied 43 cents to $14.01 per bushel. November soybeans hit a new contract high at $12.03 before settling 36 cents higher for the week at $11.97.75 per bushel.

Nystrom’s notes: Contract changes for the week as of the close on Jan. 15: Chicago March wheat rallied 36.75 cents to $6.75.5, Kansas City soared 48.25 cents to $6.43, and Minneapolis gained 35.5 cents at $6.43.25 per bushel. New contract highs were seen on all March wheat contracts. v

PAGE 12

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

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Producers of pullets and turfgrass sod also now are eligible for CFAP payments. The commodities were not explicitly included in the initial CFAP 2 rule.

Payments are based on eligible sales, and the payment calculation in the updated rule includes crop insurance indemnities, Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program, and Wildfire and Hurricane Indemnity Program – Plus payments.

Similarly, FSA adjusted the payment calculation to use the producer’s eligible 2019 calendar year sales, and 2019 crop insurance indemnities, NAP, and WHIP+ payments, multiplied by the applicable payment rate for all sales commodities, which include specialty crops, aquaculture, tobacco, specialty livestock, nursery crops and floriculture, for CFAP 2.

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THE LAND — JANUARY 22/JANUARY 29, 2021

Producers who applied during the sign-up period that closed Dec. 11, 2020, can modify an existing CFAP 2 application by Feb. 26.

Additionally, FSA adjusted the payment calculation for certain row crops for CFAP 2, specifically those for which a producer had crop insurance coverage but not an available 2020 Actual Production History approved yield. FSA is now using 100 percent of the 2019 Agriculture Risk Coverage-County Option benchmark yield to calculate payments when an APH is not available rather than 85 percent, which was in the original CFAP 2 calculations. This calculation change is only for producers with crop insurance coverage who grow barley, corn, sorghum, soybeans, sunflowers, upland cotton and wheat.

Producers who applied during the sign-up period that closed Dec. 11, 2020, can modify an existing CFAP 2 application.

FSA is providing an additional CFAP 1 inventory payment for swine to help producers who face continuing market disruptions from changes in U.S. meat consumption due to the pandemic. Swine producers with approved CFAP 1 applications will soon automatically receive a “top-up” payment of $17 per head increasing the total CFAP1 inventory payment to $34 per head.

Newly eligible producers who need to submit a CFAP 2 application, or producers who need to modify an existing one can do so by Feb. 26. New applicants can also obtain one-on-one support with applications by calling (877) 508-8364.

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

MDA to host industrial hemp forum ST. PAUL — The Minnesota Department of Agriculture invites anyone interested in hemp and hemp production to its 2021 Industrial Hemp Forum.

The two-day virtual evert will be held Feb. 10 and 11 from noon to 4 p.m. each day. The event is free to attend.

Forum topics include federal and state regulations, plant breeding and agronomy, and market opportunities.

This will be the first time Minnesota’s Industrial Hemp Program will operate under a new, federally approved state plan that governs production and regulation. When the 2018 federal farm bill legalized

hemp as an agricultural commodity, it also required states and tribal nations to submit plans to the U.S. Department of Agriculture if governments wanted to oversee their own commercial program. In July 2020, USDA approved the state of Minnesota’s plan. Prior to 2021, Minnesota had been operating under a pilot program.

For more information on the 2021 Industrial Hemp Forum and to register, visit www.mda.state.mn.us/ hempforum.

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

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THE LAND — JANUARY 22/JANUARY 29, 2021

S:9.417" www.thelandonline.com — “Where Farm and Family Meet”

NAMES OVER NUMBERS. What’s behind the numbers? You. Your aspiration. Your determination. Your innovation.

Your brain. And most of all, your name. To win the NCGA yield contest, you’ve got to do more than join the Corn Revolution. You’ve got to be a revolutionary.

2020 NCGA CORN YIELD CONTEST RESULTS RANK

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ROGER VOLZ

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For the full list of winners, visit pioneer.com/NCGA2020.

*All Pioneer products are hybrids unless designated with AM1, AM, AMRW, AML, AMT, AMX, AMXT and Q, in which case they are brands. **Corn Belt States: IL, IN, IA, MN, MO, OH, WI Pioneer® brand products are provided subject to the terms and conditions of purchase which are part of the labeling and purchase documents. TM ® SM Trademarks and service marks of Corteva Agriscience and its affiliated companies. © 2020 Corteva.

PAGE 13

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

THE LAND — JANUARY 22/JANUARY 29, 2021

Registration for PorkBridge and SowBridge now open WILLMAR, Minn. — Registration for both PorkBridge and SowBridge distance education programs is now open. PorkBridge is for those who own, manage or work in swine grow-finish facilities.

SowBridge is for people involved in managing or caring for sows, and/or their litters, and boars — including operation owners, caretakers, technicians, managers and technical service providers. Both programs begin in early February.

University of Minnesota Swine Extension Educator Sarah Schieck Boelke said the programs offer accurate and timely information on a variety of topics through a regular schedule that is delivered via teleconference.

“Producers and others in the industry can get the information they need without the hassle of traveling or giving up a whole day to attend a meeting,” Schieck Boelke said. “Participants in the PorkBridge and SowBridge programs can take part where it works best for them whether at home, in an office or in the swine unit. And whether or not they can participate in the live session, all sessions are recorded and audio files are available for download from each session for later use.”

The PorkBridge program has six sessions generally offered on the first Thursday of every other month starting in February 2021. All sessions start at 11:15 a.m. and will last a maximum of 60 minutes, which includes time for questions. Cost for the series is $100 for the first registration from an entity and $50 for each subsequent registration from the same entity.

PorkBridge 2021 sessions are as follows: Feb. 4 — “How to Handle Activists on Farms.” Jen Sorenson, Iowa Select Farms.

April 1 — “Mental Health for Pig Barn Workers.”

Monica McConkey, Rural Mental Health Specialist, Minnesota Department of Agriculture.

June 3 — “In-barn Impacts on Pork Quality.”

Matt Ritter, Provimi Aug. 5 — “Water Management to Maximize Performance.” Nat Stas, PIC Oct. 7 — “Biosecurity for Grow-Finish Production.”

Jeff Blythe, DVM, Pipestone Veterinary Services Dec. 2 — “Interventions to Reduce Mortality:

Postweaning.” Chris Rademacher, Iowa State University.

Registration information for PorkBridge can be found on the University of Minnesota Extension webpage under courses and events at z.umn.edu/ PorkBridgeRegistration.

The SowBridge program has 12 monthly sessions throughout the year generally scheduled for the first Wednesday of the month. All sessions start at 11:15 a.m. and last no longer than 60 minutes, which includes time for questions. Cost for the series is $200 for the first registration from an entity and $100 for each subsequent registration from the same entity.

SowBridge 2021 sessions are as follows: Feb. 3 — “Day One Sow Care.” Ashley Johnson, DVM, Zoetis.

March 3 — “Preventing Covid-19 on Swine Farms.”

Erin Ehinger, Provimi North America April 7 — “Mental Health of Barn Workers.” Robin Tutor Marcom, North Carolina Agromedicine Institute.

May 5 — “Gilt Development.” Steve Brier, Smithfield.

June 2 — “How to Handle Activists on Farms.” Jen Sorenson, Iowa Select Farms.

July 7 — “Litter Size Adjustment Strategies.” Steve Horton, Thomas Livestock.

Aug. 4 — “Sow Lifetime Productivity Findings.”

Jennifer Patterson, University of Alberta.

Sept. 1 — “Pig Farm Safety Practices.” Melissa Millerick-May/ Beth Ferry, Michigan State University.

Oct. 6 — “Gilt Synchronization Tools and Techniques.” Tim Safranski, University of Missouri.

Nov. 3 — “Economics of Mortalities on Sow Farms.”

Caleb Shull, The Maschhoffs.

Dec. 1 — “Interventions to Reduce Mortalities: Preweaning.” Kara Stewart, Purdue University.

Jan. 5, 2022 — “Sow Lameness.” Benny Mote, University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

Registration information for SowBridge can be found on the University of Minnesota Extension webpage under courses and events at z.umn.edu/ SowBridgeRegistration.

Before each session, subscribers will receive an email message with links to download materials for that session. During the scheduled time, participants call in to listen to and interact with the presenter.

To get a sample of each program, people can view a PorkBridge and SowBridge session from 2017 at https://z.umn.edu/PB-sample and https://z.umn.edu/ SB-sample respectively.

This article was submitted by University of Minnesota Extension. v

www.TheLandOnline.com

Extension to offer farm safety webinar University of Minnesota Extension is partnering with North Dakota State University Extension to offer a series of farm safety webinars this winter. The purpose of these webinars is to prioritize safety on the farm. The webinar series will be on Thursdays at 11 a.m. Each webinar will last one hour.

Feb. 4 — Tractor and Equipment Safety. Session will cover PTO use and safety, roadway safety, and have a conversation with North Dakota farmers Scott and Elizabeth Huso and their employee Chase Frederick, who was in an accident on their farm in the past. They will be joined by David Kraft, safety consultant for North Dakota Workforce Safety and Insurance.

Feb. 18 — Youth Farm Safety. Webinar will feature a panel discussion moderated by Emily Krekelberg, Farm Safety and Health Extension Educator with University of Minnesota Extension.

The panelists include Marsha Salzwedel with the National Children’s Center for Rural and Agricultural Health and Safety, Jana Davidson with Progressive Agriculture Foundation, and Diane Rohlman with University of Iowa College of Public Health. They

will cover various resources and programs available for families with young farmers.

March 4 — Livestock Safety. UMN Extension Cattle Production Extension Educator Joe Armstrong, DVM will discuss and demonstrate proper animal handling in both confinement and pasture systems.

March 18 — Mental Health. Emily Krekelberg will be conducting QPR Training. QPR (Question, Persuade, Refer) is a one-hour suicide prevention program that helps individuals learn the three steps anyone can take to help prevent suicide. This training is tailored toward agricultural communities.

The Farm Safety Webinar Series is offered free of charge. Participants must pre-register by visiting z. umn.edu/FarmSafetyWebinars. Participants can choose to attend any or all sessions of interest.

For more information, contact Emily Krekelberg at krek0033@umn.edu or Angie Johnson at angela.b.johnson@ndsu.edu.

This article was submitted by University of Minnesota Extension. v

THE LAND — JANUARY 22/JANUARY 29, 2021

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

PAGE 15

Farm program enrollment period ends March 15 The U.S. Department of Agriculture has announced sign-up details for the 2021 commodity farm program, which is part of the Agricultural Improvement Act of 2018 (the 2018 farm bill). The farm programs for 2021 will function very similarly to the farm programs in the 2019 and 2020 crop years. However, there were some significant changes in the price and yield dynamics for certain crops in some areas.

FARM PROGRAMS

By Kent Thiesse

Important details regarding 2021 farm program sign-up Enrollment for the 2021 farm program is from now until March 15 at local USDA Farm Service Agency offices. Farm program decisions and sign-up for the 2021-2023 crop years will be on an annual basis at FSA offices.

Eligible cops include corn, soybeans, wheat, oats, barley, grain sorghum, long grain rice, medium/short grain rice, tem-

2021 Farm Program Decision Table

Crop

Reasons to Choose Price Loss Coverage (PLC) (Price only)

Think that the final MYA corn price will

below $3.70 per bushel for 2021. (*)

2020 USDA MYA estimate = $4.20/bu.

2019 final MYA price = $3.56/bu.

Want price protection from $3.70 to

$2.20/bu. (PLC has a higher maximum

Corn payment than ARC-CO or ARC-IC).

Feel that final county average yield in

2021 will be 15 percent or less below

County benchmark yield.

Reasons to Choose Ag Risk Coverage (ARC-CO) (Yield and price using county yields)

Feel that the final county average yield in 2021 could be 15 percent or more below the county benchmark yield.

A yield reduction of 30 percent or more will likely result in a maximum ARC-CO payment.

Think that the final MYA corn price will above $3.70/bu. for 2021. (*) Final MYA price was $3.70/bu. or lower from 2014 to 2019.

(MYA price will likely be above for 2020.)

Think that the final MYA soybean price

Will below $8.40/bu. for 2021. (*)

2020 USDA MYA estimate is $11.15/bu.

Final 2019 MYA price is $8.57/bu.

Likely result in maximum ARC-CO payment.

Soybeans Want price protection from $8.40 to

$6.20/bu. (Higher maximum payment)

Feel that final county average yield in

2021 will be 15 percent or less below

the county benchmark yield.

Feel that the final county average yield in 2021 could be 15 percent or more below the county benchmark yield.

A yield reduction of 25 percent or more will

Think that the final MYA wheat price

will be below $5.50/bu. for 2021. (**)

2020 USDA MYA estimate is $4.85/bu.

Final 2019 MYA price is $4.58/bu.

Wheat Want price protection from $5.50 to

$3.38/bu. (Higher maximum payment)

Feel that final county average yield in

2021 will be 10 percent or less below

the county benchmark yield.

Feel that final county average yields in 2021 could be 10 percent or more below the county benchmark yield.

A yield reduction of 20 percent or more will likely result in maximum ARC-CO payment.

Think that the final MYA soybean price will be above $8.40/bu. for 2021.

Final MYA price was above $8.40/bu. from 2014 to 2019. (*) (MYA price will be above for 2020.)

Think that the final MYA wheat price will be above $5.50/bu. for 2021. (**) Final MYA price was $5.50/bu. or lower from 2015 to 2019.

(MYA price will likely be below for 2020.)

(*) 2021 MYA price for corn and soybeans is calculated from Sept. 1, 2021 to Aug. 31, 2022 and finalized on Sept. 30, 2022. (**) 2021 MYA price for wheat and other small grains is calculated from June 1, 2021 to May 31, 2022 and finalized on June 30, 2022.

This table was developed by Kent Thiesse.

perate japonica rice, seed cotton, dry peas, lentils, large and small chickpeas, peanuts, sunflower seed, canola, flaxseed, mustard seed, rapeseed, safflower, crambe, and sesame seed.

Eligible producers will be able to choose between the price-only Price Loss Coverage (PLC) and revenue-based Ag Risk Coverage (ARC) programs for the 2021 crop production year. The ARC program choice includes both the county-yield based ARC-CO program choice (which is most popular) and the ARC-IC program, which is based on farm-level yields.

The farm program choice between the PLC and ARC-CO farm program choices will be specific to each eligible crop, and the choice can vary from farm unit to farm unit for the same crop. If the ARC-IC program is chosen, it must be applied to all covered commodities on a given farm unit; and all farm units in a state which are enrolled in ARC-IC must be considered together in one calculation.

Crop base acres will remain at 2019 and 2020 levels for all crops on most farms. The only adjustments in base acres will be for crop acres which were added via land purchases or land rental agreements or acres no longer eligible for farm program payments.

Producers had the opportunity to update their FSA farm program payment yields beginning with the 2020 crop year. These yield updates will be based on the average farm yields for the 2013 to 2017 crop years on planted acres for eligible crops, which will be factored down to 81 percent for corn See THIESSE, pg. 18

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PAGE 16

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THE LAND — JANUARY 22/JANUARY 29, 2021

WASDE report indicates increase in milk production This column was written for the marketing week ending Jan. 15.

U.S. dairy farmers are indeed “milking it for all its worth,” prompting the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s first World Agricultural Supply and Demand News and information for Minnesota and Northern Iowa dairy producers Estimates report of 2021 to raise its milk production estimates for the fifth consecutive month, citing growth in bushels, down 324 million from the previous The cotton outlook shows higher exports and MIELKE MARKET milk per cow and higher dairy cow projection, due to a lower yield and slight lower production and ending stocks. Production was WEEKLY numbers. reduction in harvested area. Total corn use lowered nearly 1 million bales to 15 million, led by a

By Lee Mielke was cut 250 million bushels to 14.575 bil500,000-bale decline in Texas. U.S. mill use was 2020 production and marketings were lion.

Exports are expected to be down 100 reduced 100,000 bales, but exports were raised estimated at 222.9 and 221.9 billion million bushels, reflecting sharply lower supplies 250,000 as rebounding world demand helps sustain pounds respectively, up 200 million pounds on both and higher expected prices. Corn used for ethanol a strong export pace. With lower production and from the December estimate. If realized, 2020 prowas also lowered and feed and residual use was higher demand, U.S. ending stocks are 1.1 million duction would be up 4.5 billion pounds or 2.1 perreduced 50 million bushels to 5.65 billion. bales lower relative to last month, at 4.6 million cent from 2019. We’ll get December data on Jan. 25. bales or 26 percent of use. The upland season-averCorn stocks were lowered 150 million bushels to 2021 production and marketings were estimated age price received by U.S. farmers was projected 3 1.55 billion, and the season-average corn price at 226.7 and 225.7 billion pounds respectively, up received by producers was raised to $4.20 per bushel. cents higher, at 68 cents per pound.

400 million pounds on both. If realized, 2021 pron duction would be up 3.8 billion pounds or 1.7 perSoybean production was estimated at 4.135 billion cent from 2020. bushels, down 35 million, led by reductions for USDA’s 2020 Crop Production Summary estimates Minnesota, Iowa and Kansas. Harvested area was corn production at 14.2 billion bushels, up 4 percent Dairy product price estimates for 2020 reflected estimated at 82.3 million acres, up slightly from the from the 2019 estimate. The average yield was estiDecember price data. Cheese, butter, nonfat dry mated at 172 bushels per acre, 4.5 bushels above milk, and whey price forecasts for 2021 were raised previous report; but yield was estimated at 50.2 the 2019 yield of 167.5 bushels. Area harvested for from last month on firm domestic demand. The 2021 bushels per acre, down a half bushel per acre.

Class III milk price and Class IV prices were raised With higher imports and slightly higher beginning grain was estimated at 82.5 million acres, up 1 percent from 2019. from the previous month on higher product prices. stocks, soybean supplies were lowered 14 million bushels from last month. The soybean crush foreSoybean production totaled 4.14 billion bushels, Look for a 2021 Class III average of $16.90 per cast was raised 5 million bushels to 2.2 billion, up 16 percent from 2019. The average yield per acre cwt., up $1.30 from what was projected a month reflecting improved prospects for soybean meal was estimated at 50.2 bushels, up 2.8 bushels from ago, and compares to the 2020 average of $18.16, exports due to a lower export forecast for Argentina, 2019. Harvested area was up 10 percent from 2019 $16.96 in 2019, and $14.61 in 2018. which has experienced weeks of dry weather. The to 82.3 million acres.

The Class IV average was estimated at $14.10, up soybean export forecast was raised 30 million to a Cotton production was estimated at 15 million 50 cents from last month’s projection, and compares record 2.23 billion bushels. The lower supplies and 480-pound bales, down 25 percent from 2019. The to $13.49 in 2020, $16.30 in 2019, and $14.23 in increased use projected ending stocks at 140 million U.S. yield was estimated at 825 pounds per acre, up 2018. bushels, down 35 million from last month’s forecast. two pounds from last year. Harvested area, at 8.7 This month’s U.S. corn outlook is for lower producSoybean prices were projected at $11.15 per bush- million acres, was down 25 percent from 2019. tion, reduced corn used for ethanol, smaller feed el, up 60 cents as cash prices in central Illinois Meanwhile, in the week ending Jan. 2, 108,600 and residual use and exports, and decreased ending reach six-year highs. The soybean meal price was dairy cows were sent to slaughter according to the stocks, according to the WASDE. The report porprojected at $390 per short ton, up $20. The soybean USDA. This was up 64,500 head from the previous tends higher prices ahead. oil price was forecast at 38.5 cents per pound, up 2.5 week, but 4,700 or 4.1 percent below a year ago. cents, according to the WASDE. Corn production was estimated at 14.18 billion n Cheddar block cheese climbed to $1.9625 per pound on Jan. 11. This is the highest Chicago Mercantile Exchange price since Nov. 12, but closed Sustainable Farming Association recently Closing the conference will be Minnesota Attorney the third Friday of 2021 at $1.83, 8.75 cents lower announced its annual conference will be held virtu- General Keith Ellison on the state’s response to on the week and 13.25 cents below a year ago. ally from Feb. 8 through Feb. 13. meatpacker concentration and antitrust enforceThe barrels closed at $1.5725, down 8 cents on the week, a penny above a year ago, and 25.75 cents Session topics include the economics of silvopas- ment. ture; agriculture in the metro area; NRCS programs; SFA members may register for free and nonmembers below the blocks. Thirteen cars of each were sold at the CME. soil health and more. for $40.

The USDA announced this week that it will purAlso planned are plenary sessions with state offiFor a complete schedule and registration, visit sfachase $40 million in cheddar and processed cheese cials on meat processing and packing. On Feb. 13, mn.org/conference.

Minnesota Department of Agriculture Commissioner This article was submitted by the Sustainable and another $40 million in butter for distribution to Thom Petersen will discuss initiatives and challeng- Farming Association. v food nutrition assistance programs under the authority of Section 32. The Section authorizes es in expanding processing opportunities laid bare by Covid-19.

See MIELKE, pg. 17

SFA conference to take place virtually

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

THE LAND — JANUARY 22/JANUARY 29, 2021

PAGE 17

Butter price continues to have trouble getting traction Western cheesemakers are also contending with decline, and 59 cents below a year ago. There were plenty of milk and trying to determine the best 23 sales of butter on weekOUR at the CME.RIGHT! WEthe BUILD STALLS course of action. The food box announcement proStoneX stated in their Jan. 11 “Early TakeMorning a look at pelled cheese prices upwards and prompted a few Update,” “We’ve got seven weeks to bring old crop manufacturers to up production; but contacts say our tubing withmade butter to the exchange after which only butter there is hesitancy to push too far. Cheese is readily unequaled corrosion Dec. 1 or later may be brought. We have plenty of available and some have set cheese aside in anticiprotection! milk and cream in the country, but much of the butpation of filling some government allocation. ter brought to the exchange recently wasTubing produced Freudenthal has been Market demand outside program purchases is before Dec. 1. If there is to be a pop on the butter engineered for your specific sluggish, says Dairy Market News. Retail sales are market, the old crop/new crop dynamic a requirementsmay whereplay strength softer following the holidays and food service sales more pronounced roll this year.” and corrosion resistance are Auto Release Head Locks Panel CORROSION remain weak. Pizza sales and short order food sercritical design factors.

PROTECTION Butter producers continue to see plentiful cream vice sales are clearing decent volumes of cheese but supplies, says Dairy Market News. With food service cannot overcome the decrease in other sectors so CS-60 Comfort Tieextra Stall cream demand remaining somewhat quiet, the manufacturers are cautious to extend cheese prois going to bulk production. Butter stocks are growduction and expose themselves to price volatility.

Toughest ing and some contend that market tones The may show n little to no improvement until the March 1stStalls “new butter” deadline. on the Butter continued its meltdown, bottoming at superior lungelowest area since May $1.2875 per pound on• Provides Jan. 13, (the Western butter plants are also seeing an market, increase Much than close our of $1.29. This in production. Inventories are heavier than 7) then climbed back •to a stronger Jan. 15 needed guaranteed beam systems is down 9 cents on thecompetitors’ week, third week in a row of See MIELKE, pg. 18 not to bend • No Stall mounts in the • Entire panel made of H.D. 10 gauge tubing concrete or sand are hot dippedWI galvanized after W. 6322 Cty. O,• Panels Medford, 54451 • Fully adjustable welding inside and out (715) 748-4132 • 1-800-688-0104 • Stall system stays high and Heaviest, • 6’, 8’, 10’, 12’ lengths dry, resulting in longer life www.freudenthalmfg.com Strongest, REMODELING, EXPANSION OR REPLACEMENT • 12’ panel weight 275 lbs.

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MIELKE, from pg. 16 USDA to support prices of commodities in surplus by purchasing them in the marketplace and authorizes USDA to distribute such commodities.

StoneX Dairy points out, “On a relative basis, $40 million of butter purchases has a bigger impact on the butter market than $40 million of cheddar purchases will have on the cheese market; but this announcement is a departure from how we interpreted the earlier announced Section 32 purchases focused on fluid milk and butter. The legislation authorizes the funding of these activities with money collected from customs receipts.”

Midwestern cheesemakers tell Dairy Market News sales are ticking up for some producers, but East Coast customers are still slow as Covid restrictions continue to curb food service/restaurant business.

Producers who weeks ago had some extra loads now relay that they are booked through first quarter.

Cheese output has picked up since the holidays as milk is plentiful.

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PAGE 18

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THE LAND — JANUARY 22/JANUARY 29, 2021

Domestic nonfat and skim milk powder consumption up MIELKE, from pg. 17 and cream supplies are readily available. Retail sales are soft but manufacturers point to global demand as an outlet for reducing inventory. Food service channels in the west continue to feel the heavy impact of Covid. Drive-up restaurant activity is growing and inquiries for bulk butter are “budding” says Dairy Market News, as buyers hope to fill their needs through third quarter.

Grade A nonfat dry milk finished at $1.20 per pound, up a penny on the week but 9 cents below a

year ago, with 43 cars sold, the highest since early October.

Whey was unchanged for three successive sessions, then added a penny on Jan. 13 and 2 cents on Jan. 15 to close at 53 cents per pound. This is the highest since Oct. 19, 2018, and 16.25 cents above a year ago, with four sales reported. n The USDA’s latest commercial disappearance data shows November total cheese disappearance at 1.125 million pounds, down 1.2 percent from

November 2019, the second consecutive month of decline, according to HighGround Dairy, with exports down 15.8 percent.

Butter, at 219.8 million pounds, was up 0.1 percent, a normal seasonal trend, says HighGround Dairy, and the strongest monthly disappearance of the year, but exports were down 3.2 percent.

Nonfat and skim milk powder disappearance hit 191.4 million pounds, up 4.2 percent from 2019, thanks to a 54.8 percent gain on domestic disapSee MIELKE, pg. 19

Crop insurance yields calculated at the county level THIESSE, from pg. 15

$8.40/bu.; and wheat, $5.50/bu.

Calculation formulas for the PLC, ARC-CO and and soybeans, and 90 percent for wheat. If the updated yields were lower than 2014-2018 farm pro- ARC-IC programs remained similar to the farm programs in the last farm bill. PLC payments are made gram yields, producers were able to keep the previwhen the final market year average price falls ous FSA program yields. The farm program yields below the reference price for a crop. ARC-CO payare used to calculate PLC payments on individual ments are made when the final county revenue FSA farm units. (county yield multiplied by market year average Risk Management Agency (RMA) yields used for price) falls below the benchmark revenue for a given crop insurance yield calculations (which will be calcrop. Calculations for the ARC-IC program are the culated at the county-level) are now being used for same as for ARC-CO, except ARC-IC uses farm-level determining ARC-CO benchmark and actual county yield data and considers all crops on a farm unit yields for ARC-CO payments. The National Ag together. PLC and ARC-CO payments are paid on Statistics Service yields, which were the primary 85 percent of crop base acres, and ARC-IC payments yield source in the last farm bill, are now be used as are paid on 65 percent of base acres. a secondary yield data source. The RMA yields will Calculation formulas for the PLC and ARC-CO include trend-adjusted yields for county calculaprograms are as follows: tions.

PLC payment per crop base acre is the reference ARC-CO payments will be based on the county where an FSA farm unit is located, rather than the price minus the market year average price, multiplied by the FSA program yield, times 85 percent. county of the FSA administrative office of the pro(If the final market year average price is higher ducer (as existed in the last farm bill). For producers with FSA administrative farm units in multiple than the reference price, there is no PLC payment.) counties, ARC-CO revenues will be weighted accordARC-CO benchmark revenue guarantee per acre ing to the base acres which are physically located in is the county benchmark yield multiplied by the a county. benchmark price, times 86 percent.

Calculations for county benchmark prices and Final ARC-CO revenue per acre is determined by yields will no longer include the data from the prethe final county yield multiplied by the final market vious year, due to the annual farm program choice. year average price.

(For example, 2021 benchmark prices and yields are ARC-CO payment per base acre is calculated by based on the “olympic average” (drop the high and subtracting the final revenue from the benchmark low) for the 2015-2019 crop years. Due to variability revenue guarantee and multiplying that figure by in crop yields in recent years, there may be some 85 percent.

(If the final revenue is higher than the variation in county benchmark yields compared to benchmark revenue, there is no ARC-CO payment.)

2020.

Key points to remember about the 2021 farm proThe reference prices for PLC and ARC-CO program decision grams will be established at the greater of the miniProducers will be able to make a farm program mum (current) reference prices, or 85 percent of the choice for 2021 while having the flexibility to market year average price for the most recent five update that choice for the 2022 and 2023 crop years. years, excluding the high and low year. The referProducers can change the farm program choice on ence price cannot exceed 115 percent of the minidifferent FSA farm units for the same crop. mum reference price. Due to lower market year average price levels in recent years, the 2021 referProducers can make a different farm program ence prices for corn, soybeans and wheat will be at choice for each crop on a FSA farm unit if they the minimum levels: corn, $3.70/bu.; soybeans, choose either the PLC or ARC-CO program choice.

If ARC-IC is chosen on a FSA farm unit, the benchmark and actual revenue for all crops raised during that year on that farm unit are considered in calculations. If multiple FSA farm units are enrolled in ARC-IC, all farm units in a state are considered in ARC-IC calculations. Some farm units with 100 percent prevent plant acres in 2019 received significant ARC-IC payments. However, the likelihood of potential ARC-IC payments for 2021 is less likely and much harder to predict.

The ARC-CO and ARC-IC benchmark prices for 2021 are: corn, $3.70/bu.; soybeans, $8.93/bu.; and wheat, $5.50/bu.

Final 2021 market year average prices for corn and soybeans will be calculated from Sept. 1, 2021 to Aug. 31, 2022, so the current major upswing in corn and soybean prices may have very little impact on 2021 farm program decisions. Final 2021 market year average prices for wheat will be calculated from June 1, 2021 to May 31, 2022.

Refer to the table, “2021 Estimated Farm Program Payments” to help analyze farm program decisions for the PLC and ARC-CO program choices.

For more information on PLC and ARC-CO programs, and other farm program details, go to the FSA farm program website: www.fsa.usda.gov/arcplc.

Following are some good web-based farm program decision tools to assist producers: North Dakota State University — https://www.ag.ndsu.edu/farmmanagement/farm-bill; Kansas State University — http://www.agmanager.info/ag-policy/2018-farm-bill; University of Minnesota Extension —https://extension.umn.edu/business/farm-bill; and the University of Illinois FarmDoc website —https://farmdocdaily. illinois.edu/category/areas/agricultural-policy/farmbill.

Remember to sign up for the 2021 farm program

by March 15 at local FSA offices.

Kent Thiesse is a government farm programs analyst and a vice president at MinnStar Bank in Lake Crystal, Minn. He may be reached at (507) 726-2137 or kent.thiesse@minnstarbank.com. v

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

THE LAND — JANUARY 22/JANUARY 29, 2021

PAGE 19

Climate change will be dairy’s top priority in 2021 MIELKE, from pg. 18 pearance compensating for a 7.7 percent decline in exports.

Dry whey totaled 71.5 million pounds, down 5.4 percent, due to weak domestic sales, according to HighGround Dairy, however whey exports were up 35.7 percent. n You’ll recall I recently raised the issue of changing the formulas by which we price milk in this country, citing the continuing frustration by many dairy farmers short-changed by large producer price differentials and de-pooling by processors.

The Jan. 8 Dairy and Food Market Analyst reported that changing the Class I milk pricing formula is “gaining traction.”

“A new pricing formula for Class I skim milk went into effect in May 2019 and has contributed to the frequent de-pooling of milk in federal milk marketing orders,” stated the Analyst. “Dr. John Newton, chief economist at Farm Bureau, says the leading ideas are currently to change the formula back to the previous calculation, or raise the Class I skim milk price by another 94 cents, or make the formula

equal to Class III plus $1.25.”

Speaking in the Jan. 18 “Dairy Radio Now” broadcast, Analyst editor Matt Gould said the National Milk Producers Federation, Farm Bureau, and the International Dairy Foods Association are currently discussing the issue.

Switching to the USDA’s WASDE, Gould said corn and soybean prices shot higher following the report.

As to the predicted increase in milk output, Gould said we’re already seeing that and it’s overwhelming processing capacity to the point that milk is already being dumped in California and Wisconsin, prior to the flush.

Corn and soybean prices are at the highest levels in about five years, according to Gould, and have increased dairy feed costs and cost of production. He warned that when he estimates what 2021 feed costs and margins look like, compared to 2020, it looks like farm level feed costs will be about $2 per hundredweight more this year than last year because of the higher corn and soybean prices.

Government support “kind of saved the day in 2020 and farms had a decent financial year,” Gould concluded, but “2021 is going to be an uphill battle at

the farm level as you fight those higher feed costs.” n In politics, we await huge changes in Washington, D.C. with a new administration and the 117th Congress now totally controlled by Democrats. Bob Gray, editor of the Northeast Dairy Farmers Cooperatives newsletter, warned one of the first major issues lawmakers will be tackling will be climate change.

“This has been a major priority with both the House and Senate Democratic leadership as well as the incoming Biden administration,” writes Gay. Congresswoman Kathy Castor (D-Fla.), who returns as Chair of the House Climate Crisis Committee, was recently quoted saying her focus would be on the “urgent task of addressing climate change.”

Senator Chuck Schumer of New York, incoming Senate Majority Leader, also says climate change legislation will be of the highest priority in the new Congress.

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

Farmland rental rate information available online WORTHINGTON, Minn. — At the end of 2020, several farmland rental rate workshops were held virtually due to the Covid-19 virus.

In the table below you can see the average rent for 14 counties in southwest Minnesota, paid by farmers in the adult farm management programs.

The estimated rents for 2020 and 2021 are listed in the last two columns. The 2020 and 2021 estimated

Counties Brown Cottonwood Jackson Lincoln Lyon Martin Murray Nicollet Nobles Pipestone Redwood Rock Sibley Watonwan Average

rental rates were determined using actual rental data through 2019 on the FINBIN farm financial database.

Trends from FINBIN for rents from 2018 to 2019 changed by a negative .4 percent and utilizing a decline of .4 percent, multiplied by the 2019 rental rates to determine an estimate for 2020. The 2021 estimate used the estimated change in rents from

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014 2015

2016

2017 2018

154 148 157 163 140 181 154 169 146 136 158 180 192 165 160

176 164 167 167 168 210 168 197 168 150 173 193 203 177 177

207 174 209 168 185 254 237 223 182 223 187 232 245 218 210

208 196 219 165 218 274 265 251 207 219 211 202 262 256 225

211 200 223 168 223 272 268 263 202 236 213 205 263 239 228

210 196 214 155 197 245 230 231 201 229 198 190 252 225 212

207 184 195 175 202 234 225 223 191 202 197 190 237 215 206

205 192 213 159 222 255 238 245 200 213 207 195 250 238 217

179 187 205 149 198 232 220 206 191 208 203 201 232 214 202

2019 to 2020 (0 percent), based on U.S. Department of Agriculture estimated rents, to determine 2021 rents.

Several originally scheduled in person sessions were changed to virtual as well. If you would like to watch a recorded video from one of these sessions for various locations across the state, they can be found at z.umn.edu/LandRentVideos.

The materials presented at the workshops, can be Est. COPY 2021 INSTRUCTIONS Est. 2019 2020 AD Please read attached email found at https://extension.umn.edu/business/farmland-rent-and-economics.

Here you can find a state195 194 194 AD COPY INSTRUCTIONS Please read attached email wide read mapattached with rental AD COPY INSTRUCTIONS Please email rates, a spreadsheet by county CODE AND ALREADY ON AD THE LANDfor3.7461 193 192 192 REPofNAMES cropland rental rates and worksheets land- x CODE AND REP NAMES ALREADY ON AD THE LAND and FREE PRESS lords and farmers to fill out, to help determine what 3 196 AND 195REP NAMES 195 ALREADY CODE ON AD LAND and FREE is a fair rental rate THE for 2021.

Also listed arePRESS pasture 3 172 171 171 rental rates.

192 191 191 This article was submitted by Dave Bau of the University of Minnesota Extension. v 233 232 232

208 216 191 216 199 190 219 215 203

207 215 190 215 198 189 218 214 202

207 215 190 215 198 189 218 214 202

Local Sales Rep Michael Luft: Worthington David Baldner: Austin-Rochester

MN Lic #BC04861 IA Lic C088675

PAGE 20

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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.

USED TRACTORS

PLANTERS

NEW Versatile 610 4WD ................................ On Hand NEW NH T4.75, T4.90, T4.120 w/loader.. ...... On Hand NEW NH Workmaster 60, 50, 35’s/loaders ... On Hand ’13 NH T8.330 w/auto steer ................................. SOLD ’11 NH T8.300 ................................................. $94,500 JD 4450PS W/148 LOADER............................ $39,500 ’84 JD 4850 FWA ............................................ $37,500 JD 8310T 5400 hrs ......................................... $62,500 Farmall 340 wf w/mower.................... ................$4,250 Massey 1715........ ................................................ SOLD ’07 Massey GC2300 w/loader........ ................. $13,900

JD 520 20’ 20” sp..............................................$3,900 ’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

COMBINES

NEW Geringhoff chopping cornhead .................... Call ’14 Gleaner S78 ............................................... Coming ’12 Gleaner S77 ............................................ $179,000 ’03 Gleaner R65 .............................................. $72,000 TILLAGE ’98 Gleaner R62 .............................................. $59,000 ’95 Gleaner R52 w/cummins .......................... $32,500 ’14 Sunflower 4412-05.....................................$30,000 ’89 R60 w/both heads ..................................... $15,500 ’13 CIH 870 9-24 ............................................. $38,500 ’90 Gleaner R40 w/heads ............................... $17,500 ’13 Wilrich 513 5-30................. ..........................31,500 Geringhoff parts & heads available ’10 Wilrich QX2 37’ w/basket.......................... $34,500 ’09 Wilrich QX2 55’5 w/bskt............................ $34,000 MISCELLANEOUS Glencoe 7400 9sh ..............................................$6,500 NEW Salford RTS Units .......................................... Call CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT NEW Unverferth Seed Tenders .............................. Call NEW Westfield Augers ........................................... Call NEW NH E26C mini excavator ...................... On Hand NEW REM VRX Vacs. .............................................. Call NEW NH E37C mini excavator ...................... On Hand NEW Hardi Sprayers............................................... Call NEW NH L318/L320/L328 wheeled units ...... On Hand NEW Riteway Rollers .............................................. Call NEW NH C327/C337/C345 track units .......... On Hand NEW Lorenz Snowblowers ..................................... Call ’12 NH 225 C/H ............................................... $27,000 NEW Batco Conveyors ........................................... Call NEW Brent Wagons & Grain Carts ......................... Call HAY TOOLS NEW E-Z Trail Seed Wagons .................................. Call NEW Rock Buckets & Pallet Forks ......................... Call New NH Hay Tools - ON HAND REM 2700, Rental ................................................... Call Pre-Owned Grain Cart ................................... On Hand New Horsch Jokers ................................................ Call

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

THE LAND — JANUARY 22/JANUARY 29, 2021 T

Real Estate

Feed Seed Hay

Bins & Buildings

Prime Farmland 80 acres near Fairfax MN & St Hwy 19. Renville Cty property ID 31-00170-00. Well drained and well tiled, production rating 91. Incredible investment opportunity to own prime farmland w/ development potential in close proximity to city limits. For more info contact 507-201-9636 or email hunter2003mn@ yahoo.com

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

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

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

Stormor Bins & EZ-Drys.

100% financing w/no liens or red tape, call Steve at Fairfax Ag for an appointment.

FOR SALE: Alfalfa, mixed 888-830-7757 hay, grass hay, straw and individually wrapped baleage.

Farm Equipment Medium or large square bales. Delivery available.

Zumbrota, MN. Call or text FOR SALE: 2013 Yetter rotary hoe, 40’ flat fold, $7,900; Ray Leffingwell 763-286-2504 2013 Einbock tine weeder, 80’ Sell your land or real estate in FOR SALE: Mixed grass hay, folding, excellent condition, 30 days for 0% commission. small squares, no rain, no $26,900. 507-327-6430 Call Ray 507-339-1272 chemicals, no dust, no chem- Harms Mfg. Land Rollers, icals, no dust. Heavy bales. Brand New, 12’-$6,800; Call 507-334-6377 or 507-210- 14’-$7,000; 16’-$8,000; 24’Real Estate 1158 Wanted $14,800; 32’-$17,500; 42’-

High Quality Western Alfalfa $21,500; Others from 8’-62’.

WANTED: Land & farms. I Hay delivered by the semi 715-234-1993 have clients looking for load. Also low potassium JD 960 24 1/2’ field cultivator; dairy, & cash grain operagrass hay & clean straw. Tye green drill; 15’ Yetter tions, as well as bare land Don Christianson 608-781- rotary hoe; JD 7100 corn parcels from 40-1000 acres.

7765. 40 years of satisfied planter, 6x30; 1000 gal fuel Both for relocation & investcustomers. barrel; Gehl 100 grinder/ ments. If you have even thought about selling con- OPEN Pollinated Seed Corn. mixer; Wheat seed for sale tact: Paul Krueger, Farm & Produces more high quali- and gravity box & wagon.

Land Specialist, Edina Re- ty silage on less acres than 320-587-5823 alty, 138 Main St. W., New hybrid. $67/bushel plus ship- JD beanhead, 525F with air Prague, MN 55372. ping. High feed value grain. reel, like new, $24,000. JD paulkrueger@edinarealty.com Located at Teutopolis, IL 810 mounted plow, 3 bottom, (612)328-4506 217-857-3377 $600. 320-583-3131

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

MANDAKO 12’-60’ LONG ROLLERS

FOR THE BEST DEAL ORDER NOW!

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

THE LAND — JANUARY 22/JANUARY 29, 2021 Farm Equipment

Tractors

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

Tractors

Planting Equip

JD 7000 Corn Planter, 2Row, 2012 CIH 235, one owner, NEW AND USED TRACTOR John Deere 7000 6x30 plant3PT, $1,800; Fert. Avail. 18.4R46 rear tires w/ du- PARTS JD 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, er, liquid fertilizer, monitor, $350/Row. 715-234-1993 als, fronts 14.9R34 tires, 4 55, 50 Series & newer trac- corn and Kinze bean meters, remotes valves, 3pt, fac- tors, AC-all models, Large $7,800; John Deere RM 6x30 We buy tory auto steer, 321 hrs, P/ Inventory, We ship! Mark cultivator, $500. 507-364-8740 Salvage Equipment Shift, never seen hard work, Heitman Tractor Salvage Parts Available like new, always shedded, 715-673-4829 Hammell Equip., Inc. Wanted cutting back on farming.

(507)867-4910 $136,500. 651-503-5087 Planting Equip All kinds of New & Used farm (8)Used Tractor Tires, 480-80equipment - disc chisels, field R46, same size as 18.4 R46, $650 for all or $100 each. 507- JD 7000 8RN planter, liq fert, cults, planters, soil finishers, precision meters, bean cornheads, feed mills, discs, 754-5587 cups, row cleaners, insect, balers, haybines, etc. 507FOR SALE: JD 4020D, good Kinze fold-over markers, 438-9782 g Get the best results tires, recent clutch and in- row cleaners, insect, Dickg when you advertise in jectors, duals and chains, ey John population monitor, WANTED TO BUY: 16’ or 18’ skid loader trailer, must be needs paint, $6,000. 507-639- $4,000. 507-365-8625 in good condition. D.O.T. 5070 Evenings . able. Call 507-276-5733 www.thelandonline.com r .

PLANNING AN AUCTION?

THE LAND 507-345-4523

FARM EQUIPMENT FOR SALE

; ’ ,

2013 John Deere 8260R, IVT transmission, 1500 front axle, 380/90R54 front duals, 380/80R38 front duals, 60 GPM hyd. pump, 5 remotes, front weights, HID lights, active seat, 5,000 hours .............. $98,500

, ; .

; r n l / e .

NEED LISTINGS - HAVE BUYERS! RACINE: 10,000 sq. ft. building on 2.12-acres. Multiple uses! MLS# 5247299

Full Farm Management Services

including Rental Rates, Government Programs, & Environmental Issues Randy Queensland • 507-273-3890 • randy@lrmrealestate.com Ryan Queensland • 507-273-3000 • ryan@lrmrealestate.com 435543-1 Grand Meadow, MN • 800-658-2340

Opening January 18 & Closing January 25 Matt’s Automotive, Excess Equipment Auction, Fargo, ND, Timed Online Auction Friday, January 22 at 5PM Barnes County, ND Farmland For Rent, Valley City, ND Opening January 22 & Closing January 26 at 12PM Online Hay Auction - Quality Tested, Litchfield, MN, Timed Online Auction Friday, January 29 at 5PM Cass County, ND Farmland For Rent, Gardner, ND Opening February 1 & Closing February 9 Transcan Motorsports Group Inc. Equipment Auction, Steffes Group Facility, West Fargo, ND, Timed Online Auction Opening February 2 & Closing February 9 at 1OAM Bremmon Farms Inventory Reduction Auction, Britton, SD, Timed Online Auction Opening February 4 & Closing February 9 at 12PM Walsh County, ND Land Auction - 732± Acres, Edinburg, ND, Timed Online Auction Opening February 5 & Closing February 9 at 12PM Online Hay Auction - Quality Tested, Litchfield, MN, Timed Online Auction Opening February 5 & Closing February 10 Online Steffes Auction - 2/10, Upper Midwest Location, Timed Online Auction Opening February 9 & Closing February 16 Dakota Valley Growers Inventory Reduction Auction, Bathgate,ND, Timed Online Auction Opening February 10 & Closing February 17 at 1PM Traverse County, MN Tillable Farmland - 320± Acres, Traverse County, Taylor Township, MN, Timed Online Auction

1996 John Deere 8200 MFWD, 18.4X46 duals, 380/90R34, single fronts, 3780 hours........... $62,500

Opening February 12 & Closing February 22 Juliuson Partnership Farm Equipment Auction, Hope, ND, Timed Online Auction

2017 Deere 324E skid steer, EH controls, 2-speed, cab with heat and air, 12X16.5 tires, 550 hours ....... $32,500 NEW LISTING! Racine: $299,000. 3 BA 1 BA Country Acreage close to Rochester! 10 acres on blacktop road, very well maintained. MLS# 5701169 Mower County: Approx. 193 acres of Prime Farmland. CPI of 86.6. Well tilled. Sargeant Twp. MLS# 5695397 Mower County: Approx. 121 acres, 80% Pattern tiled. Good tenant in place. SE of Austin. MLS# 5689546

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

Opening February 11 & Closing February 23 Bryan Albertson Excess Equipment Auction, Foxhome, MN, Timed Online Auction

2017 CIH Magnum 250, 19-speed powershift, 480/80R50 duals, 420/85R34 single fronts, 4880 hrs. ........... $72,500

r D ,

Steffes Auction Calendar 2020

2006 New Holland TJ380 tractor, powershift, 710/70R42 duals, 4 remotes, 3066 hours .... $87,500

2009 John Deere 1770 1770NT planter, row cleaners, liquid fertilizer ................................ $34,500

2012 John Deere S680 combine, 2WD, 520/85R42 duals, power fold tank ext., power cast tailboard, 1880 sep. hours, through service program .. $95,000 1998 John Deere 9610 combine, 18.4R42 duals, yield monitor with display, chopper, chaff spreader, tank extension, 2750 sep. hours, nice machine ..... $29,000

AgDirect financing available, rates as low as 2.99% fixed.

Please call before coming to look at equipment.

Keith Bode

70786 510th St. • Fairfax, MN 55332 507-381-1291 • www.keithbodeeq.com

PAGE 21

Opening February 12 & Closing February 22 at 12PM Colfax Farmers Elevator Equipment Auction, Colfax, ND, Timed Online Auction Opening February 15 & Closing February 23 at 1PM Brown County, MN Tillable Farmland - 100± Acers, Brown County, MN, Timed Online Auction Opening February 18 & Closing February 25 David & Aileen Clough Farm Retirement Auction, Fessenden, ND, Timed Online Auction Opening February 19 & Closing February 24 Online Steffes Auction - 2/24, Upper Midwest Locations, Timed Online Auction Opening February 19 & Closing February 23 at 12PM Online Hay Auction - Quality Tested, Litchfield, MN, Timed Online Auction Opening February 19 & Closing February 23 Willard Onchuck Estate Collectible Toy Auction, Steffes Group Facility, West Fargo, ND, Timed Online Auction Opening February 20 & Closing March 1 Satrom Grain Farms, LLC Equipment Auction, Oriska, ND, Timed Online Auction Opening February 23 & Closing March 2 at 7PM Gudajtes Family Farm Excess Equipment Auction, Minto, ND, Timed Online Auction Opening March 1 & Closing March 9 John & Kari Gramith Farm Retirement Auction, Norwood, MN, Timed Online Auction

PAGE 22

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First Your e for Choic ! ifieds Class

THE LAND — JANUARY 22/JANUARY 29, 2021 T

WANTED

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.

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

THE FREE PRESS South Central Minnesota’s Daily News Source

DAMAGED GRAIN STATEWIDE

We pay top dollar for your damaged grain. We are experienced handlers of your wet, dry, burnt and mixed grains.

Trucks and vacs available.

Immediate response anywhere.

CALL FOR A QUOTE TODAY

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PRUESS ELEV., INC. 1-800-828-6642

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

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THE LAND — JANUARY 22/JANUARY 29, 2021 Wanted

Wanted

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Pets & Supplies

Miscellaneous

Miscellaneous

PAGE 23 Miscellaneous

WANTED: John Deere Gauge WANTED: Yetter 2x2 fertiliz- PUPPIES FOR SALE: Bor- FOR SALE: Boss SK 10’ box PARMA DRAINAGE PUMPS Winpower Sales & Service Wheels for John Deere 845, er discs for John Deere 1770 der Collie/Blue Heeler cross, snow plow, used very little New pumps & parts on hand. Reliable Power Solutions 875 or John Deere 400 rotary planter. 507-227-2602 born 12/19/20, have shots and on skid loader, Paid $5,000, Call Minnesota’s largest dis- Since 1925 PTO & automatic hoe. 507-227-2602 dewormed, $200/each. 507- Sell for $2,300. Moved to tributor Emergency Electric Gener383-6701 town. Robert Benz, Cannon HJ Olson & Company ators. New & Used WANTED: Tile stringer cart Livestock Rich Opsata-Distributor Falls. 612-770-3659 320-974-8990 Cell - 320-212-5336 in good condition. Home800-343-9376 Trucks & FOR SALE: Set of 2 18.4-46 made okay.

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Classified Line Ads Sales & Service also Hamp, York, & Hamp/ traction, 45 to 50%, asking New & Used WANTED TO BUY: Steel rect- Duroc boars & gilts. Alfred Ford 7.3 Power Stroke diesel $750. 507-227-2602 For your irrigation needs used engines & trans, tested angular corn crib with roof. Kemen 320-598-3790 888-830-7757 or 507-276-2073 & guaranteed, parts & ser- Please recycle this magazine.

320-587-5823 Call 507-345-4523 vice also. 320-583-0881 Swine WANTED: Snow Machines snowblower, (Blue), need gear box. Call 507-383-7858 Spot, Duroc, Chester White, with a classified line ad!

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ADVERTISER LISTING Agri Systems/Systems West ..........................................4 Beck's Hybrids .............................................................1 Dahl Farm Supply ...................................................... 15 Freudenthal Dairy ...................................................... 17 Greenwald Farm Center .............................................. 20 Grizzly Buildings, Inc. .................................................7 Keith Bode ................................................................ 21 Land Resource Management ....................................... 21 Minnwest Bank ............................................................3 Nano Hearing Aids ..................................................... 14 Northland Buildings ................................................... 19 Pioneer ................................................................ 12, 13 Pruess Elevator, Inc. .................................................. 22 Rush River Steel & Trim ..............................................9 Schweiss Doors .......................................................... 22 Smiths Mill Implement, Inc. ....................................... 20 Spanier Welding ...........................................................5 Steffes Group ............................................................. 21 Wingert Realty & Land Services ................................. 21 507-345-4523 • 800-657-4665 PO Box 3287, Mankato, MN 56002-3287 www.thelandonline.com

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PAGE 24

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

THE LAND — JANUARY 22/JANUARY 29, 2021

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

We will never forget...

J

ust outside of Faribault, Minn. on State Hwy. 60 is Shager Park. Located on the shore of Cannon Lake, the park features a swimming beach, boat landing, fishing pier and other amenities which would make it perfect for a Back Roads story. And perhaps someday it will.

But this week’s Back Roads takes us to a spot not far from Shager Park on Rice County Road 39. There is no sign advertising its location. It’s not gaudy, polished or trendy, there’s nothing for sale. In fact, it would be easy enough to drive right on past it.

The big-city folks would probably label the roadside display “folk art.”

By any measure it is an interesting and eclectic mixture of art, patriotism, kitsch and fun.

Star-spangled letters form an arch, proclaiming to all, “We will never forget.”

On the left is a painting of a group of soldiers holding up a flag pole Iwo Jimalike. The pole definitely is a flag pole; but on this day Old Glory is not on display. On the right is another painting — this one of three firefighters looking up to the sky. This art is also accompanied by an unused flag pole.

In the middle of the two works of art is a third: a round painting of a farm.

In the foreground of the painting is a silhouette of a soldier on one knee — next

to the rifle, boots and helmet of a possibly fallen comrade.

Around the outer edge of the painting is the phrase: “They gave their live’s for our freedom.” The unneeded apostrophe is a nice homey touch.

In itself, the three pieces of art would be eye-catching enough without the gorilla statue.

Yes, a respectable distance away from the tribute to heroes is a fairly life-size statue of a crouching gorilla. Perched on a ridge, it glares past the road into the now-vacant fields. There will be no monkey business on his watch.

Directly behind the three paintings is a simple cross with Christmas lights on it. The lights weren’t lit that day and the cross is so slight it is barely visible from the road. With the paintings splashed with flood lights and the illuminated cross, the display’s evening hours must be quite impressive.

Arched over the entire operation are nine birdhouses of unique design.

Does the number nine have any meaning? What is the story behind the gorilla? Has the family lost a member in the military? Is the owner a firefighter? Who is the artist? These questions remain unanswered as no one came to the door that day. Serenaded by the loyal dog’s gruff barks, I drove off — traveling more back roads. v

Rice County, Minn.