THE LAND ~ March 19, 2021 ~ Southern Edition

“Since 1976, Where Farm and Family Meet”

© 2021

418 South Second St., Mankato, MN 56001 • (800) 657-4665 www.TheLandOnline.com • theland@TheLandOnline.com

March 19, 2021 March 26, 2021

No soil is safe.

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Wearin’ o’ the green Cover crops are peeking out as soil temps begin to climb.

INSIDE: Organic fruit growers partner with pigs Seed dealers are happy clients are saving their own Kent Thiesse looks at family farms Dick Hagen chats with Machinery Pete and more!

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THE LAND — MARCH 19/MARCH 26, 2021

Our mailbox (and hearts) are full 418 South Second St. Mankato, MN 56001 (800) 657-4665 Vol. XLV ❖ No. 6 28 pages, 1 section plus supplements

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

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allow another misleading and inept artiWell, the Farm Show season was a noncle by Alan Guebert grace your newspaevent this year and it showed you don’t per,” one reader wrote. “I sure wish you know what you’ve got ‘til it’s gone. would suspend his garbage writings and Sitting in The Land booth and meeting employ more of Dick Hagen’s jottings.” our readers is not only fun, but thankfully our readers are quite willing to share On the other hand, there’s this one: their opinions as to how we’re doing our “Tell Alan Guebert he is a straight shootjob. It seems like forever since the 2020 er and I appreciate his opinion column.”

North American Farm and Power Show Or this comment: “Alan is not an ag was scrapped because of Covid-19. (Come LAND MINDS writer. He’s just another left wing politito think of it, it has been forever.) And

By Paul Malchow cal hack.” how strange to be sitting at home the first week of August instead of touring The Land writer Dick Hagen has the Farmfest grounds. accumulated many fans over the years.

No subscribers labeled him a “right Readers of The Land did not disappoint, however, as we received many comments dur- wing political hack,” but Hagen’s conservative outlook and fierce patriotism strikes a chord with ing our recent subscription drive. Some were writmany readers. “Commend Dick Hagen,” one wrote. ten on scraps of paper or the back of a used enve“Keep up the good work.” lope, some on store-bought cards and stationery, some on little note pads the author probably picked Another subscriber urged us to “stop stroking up at a farm show. Some are short notes written on Donald Trump!” I would have thought the recent a big sheet of paper; some are rather lengthy comelection would have put him/her in a better mood. ments in tiny writing on a post-it note. The vast And then there was this short note from a submajority are hand written. scriber and regular “Letter to the Editor” writer: Looking at the numbers in the plus column and “Thoroughly enjoy your paper because it is nonthe numbers in the minus column, The Land swalpolitical.” lowed hard and increased the price of a year’s subSo there you have it. scription. If you’re a farmer, our way of saying Many of The Land’s regular columnists are women “thanks” is to make the subscription fee optional. To writers and they all received glowing praise in our our pleasant surprise, not only were readers genermailbox. A woman from Raymond, Minn. confessed, ous about the price increase, many farmers sent a “I don’t read the entire paper, but enjoy the colcheck along as well. umns. My husband reads the rest.”

Yes, we had a reader quit his subscription, urging Some notes are good food for thought. One reader us to use “common sense” and rethink the subscripsuggested we write more about “real farmers and tion hike. Another reader took us down memory lane when The Land subscription was ten bucks. I’d not corporate employees.” Which got me thinking, what makes a “real farmer?” I suppose if you’re an like a lot of things to be the same as they were 40 years ago: my weight, my energy, my phone bill, my employee you don’t have the skin in the game that an owner would. But I’ve met a number of people ability to sleep through the night. But things from all areas of the ag world — from big grain prochange. Last year, in an age of text messages and ducers to five-acre CSA owners; FFA teachers, emails, I still spent over $100 on postage stamps.

Extension educators. They all have different roles, Judging by the response from our readers, they but they also all have pride in what they do. And it’s seem to feel they’re getting their money’s worth. real.

Many letter writers like to tell us their age — at In January The Land General Manager Deb least the ones in their 80s and 90s. One reader who Petterson asked for readers’ help in filling out the is nearer 100 than 90 wrote a wonderful complisubscription card and mailing it back in. Thousands mentary note. She asked for a primer on the modern farm equipment she sees in the field these days of you did just that and many were generous with and marvels at the size of these machines. “I know I sending some dollars our way. “I was amazed by the response — especially with the pandemic and was 99 on Oct. 28, but I’m still interested in industhings being so tight this year,” she said. “I’m truly trial hemp,” she writes. “It has turned out to be grateful for the support of our subscribers.” quite a crop if farmers follow rules.”

Yes, The Land is a business and not all business Now there’s a letter I never thought I’d see 10 decisions are fun or popular. But through the course years ago. of over 40 years The Land is also a family of sorts.

An 85-year-old subscriber loves the paper and is And like the writers and the advertisers, our sub“…afraid our government is running our country scribers are part of that family. And like all good into the ground.” families, we want everyone to have their say. So Whether it is the heat of the recent election or the keep the notes, letters and thoughts coming. helplessness of pandemic America, politics reigned in many of the letters we received. “Once again you See LAND MINDS, pg. 10

OPINION

THE LAND — MARCH 19/MARCH 26, 2021

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THE LAND — MARCH 19/MARCH 26, 2021

‘Who do we blame for not farming the way we now know we should?’

The tree-lined streets of the University possible to farm in a way that is little of Massachusetts and hallowed hallways more than slow strip-mining.” of Yale University are two places most In fact, today’s obsessive devotion to farmers would not expect to find a hot economics — money — has flipped an debate over soil erosion. “old (and in big ag circles, forgotten) And, yet, late this winter, staff at both maxim that good farmers don’t really campuses attacked agriculture’s ongoing think about raising crops: they think failure to protect farmland. Don’t worry, about improving soil.” no ivory tower was toppled. The standard FARM & FOOD FILE It’s also led to industrial farming and Midwestern view of soil loss — that it’s a “Industrial farming is like holding up the

By Alan Guebert cost of production like seed or fertilizer grocer at gunpoint for a head of lettuce — took a long-overdue hit, though.

— ‘efficient’ in the short term, but The examination began in mid-Febeventually disastrous,” says ruary when Yale Environment 360, an Klinkenborg. online magazine published by the university’s And disaster is where we now are in topsoil, School of Environment, highlighted a December explain UMass researchers. To measure today’s soil UMass study that showed “more than a third of status, the researchers used high-definition satellite farmland in the U.S. Corn Belt” (or about 30 million imagery, “soil spectral data,” and recent soil carbon acres) “has completely lost its carbon-rich topsoil indexing to measure how much “A-horizon” soil, topdue to erosion…” soil, has been lost on intensely-farmed Midwestern To anyone needing to eat a generation from now, land. that’s stop-the-presses news.

What they found, says Klinkenborg, was “shockAnd it was; but not in the corn-and-soybean ing:” that “the A-horizon [soil] has been completely Midwest. Instead, the soil loss numbers caught the removed from 35 percent,” plus or minus 11 percent, attention of one-time Iowa farmboy Verlyn “of the cultivated area of the Corn Belt.”

Klinkenborg, a lecturer at Yale and, from 1997 to Plus or minus “11 percent is a large range of 2013, a member of the New York Times editorial uncertainty,” he admits. “But its meaning is plain. board.

At best, 24 percent of the topsoil in the Corn Belt In a March 1 essay titled “How the Loss of Soil Is has been completely removed by farming. At worst, Sacrificing America’s Natural Heritage,” 46 percent has been lost.”

Klinkenborg politely chided the UMass geoscienBoth numbers are terrible and both point to how tists for narrowing the research’s shattering news “modern” farming must change to remain viable on “catastrophic” topsoil loss into the mollifying lan- and, simultaneously, regenerative as climate change guage of ag economics: soil loss is about today’s dol- — not “efficiency” — impacts all farmers. The hopelars, not tomorrow’s lives. ful part is that we already know what we must do “Inevitably, the paper goes on to calculate the eco- and we know how to do it. nomic implications of these findings,” he writes.

First, however, we’ll waste precious time on the “And that’s how the agricultural press (which has blame game. barely noticed this study so far) has read it: The “It’s easy to blame the old farmers,” writes loss of topsoil on 30 million acres may result in a Klinkenborg, “the ones who broke the prairie and possible $3 billion loss to ‘Midwestern farmers.’” their immediate descendants, for not farming in a It’s what we do in agriculture, isn’t it? We put pric- way that conforms to what we know now. But we es on priceless items like topsoil, clean water, and ourselves aren’t farming the way we now know we clean air so we can continue to abuse these “irreshould. Who do we blame for that?” placeable resources” until we’re forced to change.

Who, indeed.

Besides, $3 billion isn’t that much, right?

The Farm and Food File is published weekly If we can do that to “an essential part of our com- through the United States and Canada. Past colmon heritage,” topsoil, then it’s no surprise that “(t) umns, events and contact information are posted at he narrowness of these assumptions… has made it www.farmandfoodfile.com. v

OPINION

Letters to the editor are always welcome.

Send your letters to: Editor, The Land, 418 South Second St., Mankato, MN 56001 e-mail: editor@thelandonline.com All letters must be signed and accompanied by a phone number (not for publication) to verify authenticity.

THE LAND — MARCH 19/MARCH 26, 2021

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GreenSeam’s State of Ag report released March 23 The agriculture and food industries are important to all of us, especially in southern Minnesota. However, the extent of that importance and the factors which impact regional businesses are once again being examined by GreenSeam in its 2021 State of Ag report.

GreenSeam is an organization working to elevate the region as a worldclass agribusiness epicenter; and to shape the future of agriculture, businesses and communities in the region.

Data gathering for the 2021 report started in January with eight focus groups consisting of participants from across the state that included agribusiness professionals, farmers, government officials, and ag educators. The focus groups generated three main themes which were then used to generate a number of questions for the survey for deeper analysis such as talent/jobs, COVID-19, supply chain, and finance.

The findings of recent focus groups and survey will be released on March 23 — which just happens to be National Ag Day. The release of the State of Ag survey will be live-streamed starting at 3:00 p.m.

Special guests commenting during the release include Thom Petersen, Commissioner of Minnesota Department of Agriculture; Andrew Herr, President Glen A. Taylor Farms; Val Johnson, Vice President Christensen Farms; Brad Schleosser, Executive Director of the Southern Agriculture Center of Excellence; and Sam Ziegler, Director of GreenSeam.

The previous year’s State of Ag report brought to the forefront a number of issues impacting agriculture. However, the results were released right as Covid-19 was starting last March.

Thus, this year’s report will also take

into consideration the effect of the pandemic on the agriculture industry.

The main theme emerging from all eight focus groups centered around attracting talent and the lack of available employees. Covid-19 had an impact on the industry. The need for employees was the one consistent barrier to growth, and communities are taking different approaches to address the issue.

An encompassing theme also appeared which was the messaging about the agriculture and food industry.

Participants indicated the agriculture industry as a whole needs to do a better job promoting the numerous opportunities within the ag and food industry.

For example, in the Faribault area, there is an abundance of blue-collar jobs in the food processing and manufacturing industries. The community recognized the increase of unemployed and furloughed people in other industries because of the pandemic and began promoting the opportunities to take parttime or gig jobs in the food industry.

Similar to the Faribault focus group, participants gathered from across Minnesota by AgriGrowth noted as farmers struggle to have ends meet, more are looking towards gig opportunities.

Disruptions in the pork industry caused by Covid-19 were highlighted in most of the focus groups, just as they were in the media early in the pandemic. However, at the time of the interviews, most of the issues in the pork industry were being addressed.

Participants noted the ability of organizations, businesses and government to work together to address the issues as a positive outcome.

The pork industry was not the only part of the food industry supply chain to change abruptly. Others included milk,

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cheese, poultry, restaurants, and the small numerous rural businesses which provide support. It was also mentioned that the pandemic not only brought to the forefront gaps in the supply chain, but the increased exposure to the positive aspect of the importance of food in our lives and where it comes from.

Another less-publicized Covid-19 impact brought out in a focus group was the increase in rural EMT calls related to alcohol and drugs and mental health issues.

These issues as well as other topics will be examined in more detail through the survey results. It should be noted, even though the State of Ag report covers all of Minnesota, the majority of the respondents came from the southern and west central parts of the State which are denser in traditional agriculture and food processing.

To take part in the State of Ag report event, go to www.greenseam.org or search the GreenSeam Facebook page

for the link.

Minnesota State University, Mankato is also participating in National Ag week with two events open to the public. First, the weekly One Million Cups entrepreneurship event will focus on agriculture with two start-ups in the industry. That event takes place March 24 at 8:30 a.m. and can be viewed online at https://www.1millioncups. com/mankato.

Later in the day, at 3:30 p.m., the College of Business has its annual Richard Schmitz Food Entrepreneurship Series. Kristin Duncanson, owner and partner of Highland Family Farms, and Sheryl Meshke, CEO of Associated Milk Producers, Inc. will showcase how innovation is survival in an ever-changing agriculture world — especially during a pandemic.

To register for the event go to cob. mnsu.edu/food.

This article was submitted by GreenSeam. v

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THE LAND — MARCH 19/MARCH 26, 2021

As daylight gets longer, do not fear the dark I always look forward to daylight savthat the short days and long nights of ings time in spring where we get to winter are over. I have found that there “spring ahead” and have an extra hour of are treasures in the dark season of winlight at the end of the day. I love the ter. Winter seems to be a season where promise of spring that brings new life, we slow down. There are cozy evenings of longer days and warmth. popcorn and family movies. Jigsaw puzzles can take up space for a lengthy time When I was growing up, our summer as passers-by put a few pieces together routine consisted of getting all of our here and there. An earlier bedtime durwork done around home as early as possiDEEP ROOTS ing the winter months is a favorite of ble so we could spend the rest of the day

By Whitney Nesse mine. And then, ever so gradually, the in the pool. The summer routine of my light lingers longer and longer each day. youth still continues with my own family today. During the week, the kids and I get all of our All too often, I view darkness as a threat rather jobs done at home and then head over to my sister’s than savoring darkness for what it is. As an adolesfor long afternoons of swimming and playing in their cent, I recall (on rare occasions) being alone in the pool. Our weekends look much the same, only we farmhouse of my childhood. When darkness would trade the pool and deck for a lake and pontoon and befall, I would tear through the house, groping my husband is able to join us. The kids spend hours around in the inky blackness of night, looking to flip swimming, fishing, snacking, tubing, kayaking and on every light switch that I could find. With the flip of kneeboarding on a handful of lakes in our area. a switch, the darkness would instantly vanish and I would be momentarily blinded by the sudden change.

With myself primarily being a homemaker, I love Light meant safety. I was convinced that there was a the long daylight hours and warmer temperatures. boogeyman somewhere that wouldn’t come out if the Longer days means more outdoor play for the kids lights were on. My folks would come home and tease, and outdoor bathrooms for my three boys. That “Is this Motel 6, because they’ll leave the light on for means less housework for me! With warmer temps, all five kids wear less clothing and spend about half ya?!” after the old Motel 6 radio ads. of their time in their swimming suits. That makes About six years ago, I went through a very dark less laundry for me too! season emotionally. I felt as though I were falling But there is always a sense of sadness in knowing into a pit with no way out. When I reached rock bottom (metaphorically speaking), my instinct was to start groping around in the cataclysmic darkness WHAT YOU SEED which surrounded me — searching for a light IS WHAT YOU GET switch to flip and instantly drive out the darkness.

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God, the Lord spoke to me through Isaiah 45:3 saying, “I will give you the treasures of darkness and the riches hidden in secret places, so that you may know that I am the LORD, the God of Israel, who calls you by name.”

It was then that the eyes of my heart were opened to the idea that if I were to quit groping around in darkness looking for a quick fix; if I chose to quit striving and trust that God would not allow this darkness I was feeling to consume me; I just might find treasures.

As I survey my life now, I can see the treasures that I found in that place of emotional darkness. I learned that striving only leads to exhaustion, a lesson which I treasure. I learned that in the age of instant gratification, being willing to persevere through hard things is a treasure. I found that the few moments at the start of my day, when all is quiet in my home, are moments I treasure. I noticed that these treasures were found in the secret, hidden places of my heart, life and home. It didn’t take long for me to start finding these treasures once I allowed myself to get used to the darkness. And once that happened, I began to hear the quiet, unintrusive voice of the Lord calling me by name “out of the darkness and into his marvellous light” (1 Peter 2:9). I chose to follow that voice and ever so gradually, my darkness dissipated. A light shone in my soul and lingered just a bit longer each day.

Friends, darkness is not always a threat. There are times that treasures are waiting in the darkest moments of our lives. If we are willing to allow ourselves to stop groping, striving and fumbling around for a switch, treasures may be nearer than we think.

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

Letter: New technology has drawbacks To the Editor, Electric cars — are they a joke or an automotive revolution? In a recent letter to this publication, an electric car owner said he was very satisfied with his car. A subsequent letter writer said in response, “Supposedly, the 200-mile charge is now less than 100 miles providing you do not use your radio and heat!”

I am inclined to believe the car owner’s experience rather than a statement possibly derived from personal beliefs.

I googled “Alaska electric car owners” and the results of various Alaskan news outlets and other Alaskan organizations were interesting. Winter temperatures of 30-40 degrees below zero are typical in some areas of Alaska. Engines have difficulty starting and fuel efficiency suffers. Electric cars have reduced driving range. However, Alaskan electric car owners are very satisfied with their vehicles — even in such harsh conditions.

The second letter writer wrote, “It will be interest-

ing to see how many EVs can be charged in 2055 when renewable electricity providers experience polar vortex conditions (snow-covered solar panels and wind turbines turned off so they don’t selfdestruct).” Winterizing these renewable resources has proven effective. There is a big problem: “The sun doesn’t always shine and the wind doesn’t always blow.” NREL.gov highlights various methods of renewable energy storage. They include ice, pumped hydropower, heat, chilled water and electrochemical.

Other storage technologies are on the horizon.

Were there nay-sayers when the Wright brothers invented their frail, dangerous-looking airplane? Did anyone have the slightest inkling what aviation would be in 2021? Was a 1935 John Deere B or a 1932 Farmall F-12 better than a team of horses? Are today’s electric cars, renewable energy sources and energy storage just the beginning of a technological revolution? I suppose it depends on who you ask.

Galen Naber Roseville, Minn.

THE LAND — MARCH 19/MARCH 26, 2021

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The Wall Street Journal describes type of farmer needed My trip to town last week was delayed For others, farming was foreign to for a half hour or so as I waited for my them. They may have read something farmer to finish up something he wanted that planted a seed in their minds. The me to bring to town. Now, that inconvedesire to grow their own food, have a few nience really turned out to be a good dairy cows, grow a heritage pork breed or thing — because when I turned to go be a grain or livestock farmer was so down Main Street there came a line of strong it couldn’t be squashed. tractors. The local Holland FFA chapter Whatever the reason for farming, it at MOC-Floyd Valley was celebrating FROM MY doesn’t take long for anyone to discover agriculture.

FARMHOUSE that farming isn’t as simple as having KITCHEN The enthusiasm of youth is something the desire and willpower to make it hapto be admired. Why not? If it wasn’t for pen.

By Renae B. young people interested in food producVander Schaaf Decisions can affect not only our own tion, we are going to get mighty hungry. lives, but also those who we are married The available fields of work vary greatly, from jour- to and our children crop up frequently. nalists, research, seed and equipment suppliers, co-op employees, veterinarians, and more to someone who actually does the hands-on labor in the barn or field.

Agriculture sectors are intertwined and also competitive with each other. A grain farmer (yes, I like the word farmer over producer) usually rejoices in a limit up day; whereas a livestock farmer may need look more closely at his balance sheets.

Farm to farm differs greatly. There are the large operators who employ many people. Someone has to pick the ripe strawberries grown in the USA and are now appearing on our store shelves.

Government programs and money handouts have changed the landscape immensely. Rare these days The work on some farms is done by me, myself is there an independent farmer. Yet this ‘free’ money and I. can cause ill feelings between those who qualify and Even as size and types of farm differ, so does the those who do not. reason behind farming. For many of us, we are fond The United States imports more food than ever; of saying (and I think it is partially true when I which hurts any nation. Cheaper imports make an consider my farmer, our sons and brothers) it is in impact.

Last year I was told by an Aronia berry our blood. We know or care about nothing else. We farmer that they didn’t harvest their berries grew up working alongside our parents and grandbecause there was no market for the fruit. Berries parents and just grew into it.

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from other countries were less expensive to purchase. While I haven’t been able to confirm this elsewhere, I have no reason to doubt the person who told me. If true, many dreams turned into nightmares because evidently we American farmers aren’t as indispensable as we like to think.

Cyber attacks have been successful into infiltrating businesses that purchase our raw products — causing many major headaches and more stress.

Many uncertainties exist. We all remember what Covid-19 shutdowns did to our livestock that were ready for market.

Despite all that is negative in the world today, I do applaud anyone who wants to farm. And you have my congratulations and encouragement to work on your goal with all that is in you.

I still think a farm is the best place to live and to raise a family.

With every sunrise and sunset, we are reminded that there is a God in heaven and how dependent we are on Him for everything — including our next breath.

Yes, there are many different ways to be involved in agriculture and many different types of farmers. I do think The Wall Street Journal in 1947 aptly describes the type of farmer we need today: “What America needs more than railway extension, western irrigation, a low tariff, a bigger cotton crop, and a larger wheat crop is a revival of religion, the kind that our fathers and mothers used to have; a religion that counted it good business to take time for family worship each morning right in the middle of the harvest, a religion that made men quit work a half hour earlier on Wednesday so the whole family could get ready to prayer meeting.”

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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THE LAND — MARCH 19/MARCH 26, 2021

MARKETING

Grain Outlook Corn market leaking air, but strong

Cash Grain Markets corn/change* soybeans/change*

Stewartville Edgerton Jackson Janesville Cannon Falls Sleepy Eye

$5.09 +.09 $5.27 +.12 $5.30 +.10 $5.33 +.28 $5.12 +.06 $5.26 +.15

$13.62 +.11 $13.88 +.10 $13.79 +.10 $13.64 +.07 $13.66 +.12 $13.83 +.23

Financial Focus Pay yourself is longterm commitment

The following marketing analysis is for the week ending March 12.

CORN — Corn started with a bang out of the blocks to begin the week with December corn hitting a new contract high at $4.85.75 per bushel. The March World Agriculture Supply and Demand Estimates report was a bust as the U.S. Department of Agriculture disappointed traders by not changing a thing on the corn balance sheet. Prices drifted sideways through the balance of the week testing the lower end of the $5.30 - $5.60 trading range. There were no export sales announcements for corn, soybeans or wheat this week. Rumors of China buying PHYLLIS NYSTROM 1-2 million metric tons of U.S. CHS Hedging Inc. corn in the previous week went St. Paul unconfirmed.

Dry conditions extended through Argentina during the week, but rain is in the forecast for the week of March 15. The Buenos Aires Grains Exchange cut their Argentine corn estimate 1 mmt to 45 mmt. The USDA this week was at 47.5 mmt. Corn conditions in Argentina fell 8 percent to 17 percent good/excellent as of March 11. Early corn harvest was 3 percent complete vs. 5 percent on average.

In Brazil, over half of the safrinha corn crop was planted outside the “ideal” window which ended on Feb. 20. The rain-delayed soybean harvest pushed safrinha corn planting back. This pushes corn pollination into the hotter part of the summer. AgRural pegged Brazil’s safrinha corn planting at just 54 percent complete vs. 80 percent complete last year.

There were hints out of Brazil that the government was going to give growers incentives to plant more acres to first crop corn next year, possibly more credit or crop insurance, but no details were released.

The March WASDE report left U.S. corn ending stocks at 1.502 billion bushels when the trade was expecting a decline to 1.471 billion bushels. Although there were no changes to the U.S. corn balance sheet, we saw adjustments made to others that merit mentioning. Argentina’s corn production was lowered .5 mmt to 47.5 mmt and vs. estimates of 47 mmt.

Brazil’s corn was unchanged at 109 mmt. Conab this week put Brazil’s corn at 108.1 mmt, up from 105.5 mmt previously. China’s corn imports were kept at

The livestock markets have been an interesting study since the beginning of the year. Some markets higher and some lower; and each testing either significant highs or lows for the past several years or months. This could either mean we have breakouts of past monthly or weekly highs or lows; or we have reached the end of the current trends — whether higher or lower, depending on the current direction of the underlying contract.

This suggests there are changes ahead for livestock prices in the days ahead. The question to try to answer is which direction JOE TEALE will each take. This should likeBroker ly increase the volatility of each one of the markets as we approach Great Plains Commodity Afton, Minn. any direction changes.

As for the cattle market, the futures have continued to hang onto a fairly good premium to the cash prices during the past several months as optimism has been at the forefront of the current rallies. The cash market has slipped in the past few weeks and the beef cutouts have begun to decline, so there is a slight disconnect at the present time.

The bottom line is that the outlook still depends on the supply and demand for beef whether it be domestic or foreign. However, it would appear the direction of cattle prices will likely be determined in the next several weeks for the outlook into the summer months.

Each month, you settle down to pay bills. You pay your mortgage lender. You pay the electric company.

You pay the trash collector. But do you pay yourself?

One of the most basic tenets of sound investing involves the simple habit of “paying yourself first” – in other words, making your first payment of each month a deposit into your savings account.

The saving patterns of Americans vary widely. And too often, short-term economic trends can interrupt long-term savings programs. For example, the U.S. Personal Savings Rate jumped from 3.5 percent to nearly 8 percent in May 2008 during the housing and banking crisis. According MARISSA to the Federal Reserve Bank of St. JOHNSON Louis, it then rose and fell spoProfinium radically as the economic environInvestment Advisor ment appeared to stabilize. It Fairmont, Minn. peaked in December 2012 at 12 percent. As of 2019, the average rate has ranged between approximately 8 to 9 percent.

The genius of “Pay Yourself First” Anyone who has ever managed their own finances knows that saving can be a challenge. There seems to be an endless stream of expenses which demand a piece of each month’s paycheck. Herein lies the genius of paying yourself first: you get the cream at the top of the bucket, and not the leftovers at the bottom.

The trick is to prioritize. Make it a point to put your future first. At first, saving may mean a small lifestyle change. But most individuals want to see their net worth increase steadily. For them, finding ways to save becomes more of a long-term commitment than a short-term challenge.

Putting your money to work What will you do with the money you save?

If retirement is your priority, consider taking advantage of tax-advantaged investments. Employersponsored retirement plans, such as 401(k)s, can be a great way to save because the money comes out of your paycheck before you even see it. Also, as an added incentive, some employers offer to match a percentage of your contributions.

Under the SECURE Act, in most circumstances, you must begin taking required minimum distributions from your 401(k) or other defined contribution

See NYSTROM, pg. 9

See TEALE, pg. 9

See JOHNSON, pg. 10

Average:

$5.23

$13.74

Year Ago Average: $3.14 $7.71 Grain prices are effective cash close on March 16. *Cash grain price change represents a two-week period.

Livestock Angles Prepare for market readjustments

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 — MARCH 19/MARCH 26, 2021

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

PAGE 9

Little news limits soybean market movement NYSTROM, from pg. 8 24 mmt although traders would say it is more likely to fall between 25-28 mmt. World carryout was viewed bearishly with stocks rising from 286.53 mmt in February to 287.67 mmt in March and vs. 284.23 mmt expected.

Weekly export sales were below estimates for old crop at 15.6 million bushels, bringing old crop sales to 2.343 billion bushels. This equates to 90.1 percent of the USDA’s 2.6 billion bushel forecast. Sales need to average a modest 8.6 million bushels per week to hit the target. We have shipped 42 percent of the USDA export forecast. New crop sales were a nice surprise at 11.3 million bushels. Total new crop commitments are 61.2 million bushels compared to 63.1 million bushels last year by this date.

Weekly ethanol production picked up after the frigid temperatures moved out. Production was up 89,000 barrels per day at 938,000 bpd. The four-week average is 20.4 percent lower than last year. Ethanol stocks fell 355,000 barrels to 22.1 million barrels.

Margins were up a penny to a positive 10 cents per gallon. Gasoline demand improved to 8.7 million bpd.

The four-week average is down 11.2 percent from last year.

Here’s some encouraging news, three vessels of U.S. ethanol were headed to China with each carrying 240,000 barrels. There were reports last month that China’s imports of U.S. ethanol were going to increase this year.

Outlook: Looking toward the end of the month when the big Prospective Planting and Grain Stocks as of March 1 reports are released, I expect the stocks number may have a bigger impact on prices. The stocks number is static and tells us what’s out there while the planting number can change. May corn has fallen into a $5.30 - $5.60 trading range and has held above the 50-day moving average technical support on a closing basis. Further consolidation may be where we trend through the end of the month.

MARKETING December corn closed lower for the week but is still just 7 cents off the contract high. For the week, May corn retreated 6.5 cents to close at $5.39, July dropped 5.5 cents to $5.28.5, and December was 2.75 cents lower at $4.78.75 per bushel.

A look at history: March 1 corn stocks were higher than the average trade guess in four of the last five years. Corn acreage on March 31 was higher than the average trade guess in three of the last five years.

SOYBEANS – New contract highs were seen across the board when traders returned Sunday night, but prices leaked lower the balance of the week on a lack of fresh bullish news. The USDA pushed the can down the road this week when they kept the U.S. balance sheet unchanged on the March WASDE report. The trade was expecting a small cut to ending stocks to 117 million bushels from 120 million bushels. However, the 120 million stayed in place and traders will turn their attention to the March 1 Grain Stocks report to be released March 31 for confirmation that stocks will decrease on future reports.

How widespread is the current outbreak of African swine fever in China? China’s Dalian meal futures had their largest one-day decline in over two years this week. Reports of additional cases have surfaced, but we haven’t heard any solid, reliable culling numbers.

South American weather has not disappeared as a market factor. Rain in Brazil continues to hinder soybean harvest which raises questions about soybean quality. There has been some flooding reported as well. Any delay in soybean harvesting runs downhill and delays the planting of the safrinha corn crop.

In Argentina, it’s another story. It’s been a lack of rainfall that’s been the concern. The Buenos Aires Grains Exchange lowered their soybean estimate 2 mmt to 44 mmt. The Rosario Grain Exchange put

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

Demand for pork has been very good TEALE, from pg. 8 The hog market has been on a run to higher prices since the beginning of the year. The demand for pork has been very good as well as some supply problems due to the extreme weather conditions which prevailed during late January and February.

The export market has been a leader in that demand for pork products as the supplies around the world have also diminished. This has taken the hog prices to levels not seen for two years as prices have

reached the $90 range in the futures market in the past few weeks. At the same time pork cutouts are nearing the $100 level which also has not been seen in several years.

The caveat is, the market is extremely overbought at the present time and the likelihood of a correction looms large in the days ahead. The next several days and weeks could determine which direction the hog prices go into the summer. The supply and demand for pork will continue to determine that price direction. v

Argentina’s soybean figure at 45 mmt this week. The USDA’s latest figure is 47.5 mmt. They dropped soybean conditions 4 percent to 6 percent good/excellent vs. 10 percent in the previous week.

World vegetable oil markets continued their swing higher this week with palm oil hitting 13-year highs and closing higher eight days in a row; new contract highs in soyoil; Dalian soyoil and palm oil; Paris rapeseed and canola. An anticipated increase in biodiesel demand has played an underlying role in the move, as well as tighter palm oil stocks. On the flip side, U.S. meal futures moved into a downtrend.

During the week, China’s meal market fell to a twomonth low on African swine fever worries.

The March WASDE report was a non-event with the U.S. soybean balance sheets unchanged. U.S. ending stocks were left at 120 million bushels vs. 117 million expected. Brazil’s soybean crop was increased 1 mmt to 134 mmt and Argentina’s crop was cut .5 mmt to 47.5 mmt for a net increase of .5 mmt. Conab raised their Brazilian soybean number from 133.8 mmt to 135.1 mmt. World ending stocks were neutral at 83.7 mmt compared to the trade estimate of 82.7 mmt and last month’s 83.4 mmt. China’s soybean import estimate was steady at 100 mmt.

Weekly export sales were better than expected for the old crop at 12.9 million bushels. This brings total export commitments to 2.22 billion bushels, nearly reaching the USDA’s forecast for 2.25 billion bushels of exports this year. We only need to average a meager 2.7 million bushels of sales per week through the balance of the marketing year. Another staggering number is we have shipped 88 percent of the USDA export outlook! New crop sales were good at 7.8 million bushels to bring total sales to 186.5 million bushels vs. just 12.7 million last year.

Outlook: Traders will be watching South American weather developments, estimates for the March 31 reports, and any sign that African swine fever is spreading in China for market direction. Just how severe is the ASF outbreak? While prices eased lower throughout the week, we held above technical support into the weekend. We could be in for more consolidation-type trading through the end of the month.

For the week, May soybeans set a new contract high at $14.60, but closed 16.75 cents lower for the week at $14.13.25 per bushel. July soybeans were down 11.25 cents to settle at $14.02.5 and November fell only 3.5 cents at $12.43.75 per bushel after hitting $12.65.25 for a new contract high.

History for the March 31 reports: bean acreage has been below the average trade estimate in all the last three years. Soybean stocks have been higher than the average trade estimate in all the last four years.

Nystrom’s notes: Contract changes for the week as of the close on March 12: Chicago wheat fell 14.5 cents to $6.38.5, Kansas City tumbled 22.75 cents to $6.03.5 with rain in the plains, and Minneapolis was 11.5 cents lower at $6.33.75 per bushel. v

PAGE 10

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THE LAND — MARCH 19/MARCH 26, 2021

Up and down, the machinery market is on fire again

By DICK HAGEN The Land Staff Writer Emeritus Hottest machinery market in 30 years! That’s the assessment of Machinery Pete. And he should know —he’s been on the farm equipment beat for that many years. In a March 8 report on the Linder Farm Radio network, Peterson commented, “In my 31 years tracking this stuff, we’re now in one of the three highest periods I have ever seen.”

Since 1989, Greg Peterson, known to the industry as Machinery Pete, has compiled more than 500,000 auction prices on used farm and construction equipment sold throughout North America. He has built a network of 1,000 regional auctioneers, 600 ag lenders, 2,000 implement dealers and thousands of farmers throughout the U.S. and Canada.

Peterson recalls when ethanol fuels took off (midNovember 1907 into early 2008) auction prices just skyrocketed. Later, from December 2012 into March 2013, things exploded again. “That Spring 2013 was the hottest market I’ve ever been a part of. Now, however, Fall 2020 and early 2021 are beginning to rival Spring 2013. It’s incredible.”

And it matters not what part of U. S. agriculture you are referencing. “Examples are coming in from all over,” said Peterson. “Like last Saturday (March 6) down in Arkansas, one of the softest areas for auction pricing. A John Deere 8210T track tractor, just under 5600 hours, brought $71,000. That’s the highest auction price in 16 years on that model. You go back to an auction at Clara City, Minn. on Nov. 24 for comparable pricing on that tractor.”

Peterson also noted a Kansas sale on March 4. An Apache sprayer generated the highest price in the

past seven years. “And March 6 in Ohio we had a John Deere 8110 tractor hit highest price in seven years. Then, 10 days back in Iowa, a John Deere 8400 went for the highest I’ve seen in nine years. Color doesn’t matter, and to some extent neither does type of equipment. If it’s in good condition, values are just up.”

Peterson lists these key reasons for unprecedented demand: The level of used equipment on dealer lots is down; new equipment inventories are also down; and manufacturers slowed production — wondering how many buyers there would be.

Paap will not seek MFBF re-election Minnesota Farm Bureau Federation President Kevin Paap announced on March 8 he will not seek re-election in November.

This is Paap’s 16th year as MFBF’s head and he is the 13th president in the organization’s 102-year history.

“I have been fortunate to have the opportunity to serve Minnesota Farm Bureau and affiliated companies for 24 years,” said Paap. “It has been a tremendous honor to be part of the Farm Bureau family. The face of the MFBF President may change, but the mission and the strength of Farm Bureau will not.”

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A new president will be elected to a two-year term at the MFBF annual meeting of voting delegates which will take place Nov. 19 in Bloomington, Minn.

Paap and his wife Julie own and operate a fourthgeneration family farm in Blue Earth County. The Paaps raise corn, soybeans and have two sons, Matt and Andy; and a daughter-in-law Samantha, along with grandson Lennox.

This article was submitted by the Minnesota Farm Bureau. v

www.TheLandOnline.com

Good habits will pay off down the road JOHNSON, from pg. 8

LG Seeds, Legacy Seeds, Rob-See-Co

Reflected Peterson, “In this tumultuous pandemic year, who’s going to buy anything? So now you’ve got less new product, less good used (equipment) on the dealer lot. Nobody was forecasting commodity prices to take off like they did last fall. And now everybody wants something.

“That’s the recipe we’re in right now. Mix it up and take a number if you want to buy something new from a dealer. And if you want to buy it at auction, get ready to pay more than you thought you would have to.” v

plan in the year you turn 72. Withdrawals from your 401(k) or other defined contribution plans are taxed as ordinary income, and if taken before age 59½, may be subject to a 10 percent federal income tax penalty.

For money you may want to access before retirement, consider placing the funds in a separate account. When the balance hits your target, you may want to move the money into investments which offer the potential for higher returns. Of course, this may mean exposing your money to more volatility, so you’ll want to choose vehicles which fit your risk tolerance, time horizon, and long-term goals.

In the pursuit of growing wealth, sound habits can be your most valuable asset. Develop the habit of “paying yourself first” today. The sooner you begin, the more potential your savings may have to grow.

Securities and insurance products are offered through Cetera Investment Services LLC (doing insurance business in CA as CFG STC Insurance Agency LLC), member FINRA/SIPC. Advisory services are offered through Cetera Investment Advisers LLC. Neither firm is affiliated with the financial institution where investment services are offered.

Investments are not FDIC/NCUSIF insured, may lose value, are not financial institution guaranteed, are not a deposit and are not insured by any federal government agency.

The content is developed from sources believed to be providing accurate information. The information in this material is not intended as tax or legal advice.

It may not be used for the purpose of avoiding any federal tax penalties. Please consult legal or tax professionals for specific information regarding your individual situation. This material was developed and produced by FMG Suite to provide information on a topic that may be of interest. FMG Suite is not affiliated with the named broker-dealer, state- or SEC-registered investment advisory firm. The opinions expressed and material provided are for general information, and should not be considered a solicitation for the purchase or sale of any security. Copyright 2021 FMG Suite.

To learn more about how Profinium is a full financial health solutions center offering banking, mortgage, insurance, trust and wealth planning services in southern Minnesota, visit Profinium.com. v

THE LAND — MARCH 19/MARCH 26, 2021

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

PAGE 11

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Qrome® products are approved for cultivation in the U.S. and Canada. They have also received approval in a number of importing countries, most recently China. For additional information about the status of regulatory authorizations, visit http://www.biotradestatus.com/ Agrisure® is a registered trademark of, and used under license from, a Syngenta Group Company. Agrisure® technology incorporated into these seeds is commercialized under a license from Syngenta Crop Protection AG. Roundup Ready® is a registered trademark used under license from Monsanto Company. Liberty®, LibertyLink® and the Water Droplet Design are trademarks of BASF. 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. © 2021 Corteva. PION1CORN008

PAGE 12

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THE LAND — MARCH 19/MARCH 26, 2021

An overview of today’s U.S. farm operations Ask ten people to describe a family Off-farm occupation farms — Small farm and you will probably get ten differfarms whose principal operator reports a ent definitions. Some will likely be simiprimary occupation other than farming. lar to each other and some will be totally There were 833,450 farms or 41.4 perdifferent. cent of the total farms in this category.

How a “family farm” is defined probably Farming occupation farms — Small is a big guide toward people’s attitudes farms whose principal operators report about today’s U.S. agriculture industry. In farming as their primary occupation.

December of 2020, The U.S. Department There are two sales classes listed under FARM PROGRAMS this category: Low sales (farms with a of Agriculture’s Economic Research Service issued a report titled “America’s GCFI of less than $150,000); and moderBy Kent Thiesse Diverse Family Farms,” which was based ate sales (farms with a GCFI of between on U.S. farm data from 2019 and $150,000 and $349,999). There were offered some definitions of different 653,716 farms, or 32.4 percent of the types of farms. total farms, in the low sales category.

There were 103,058 farms or 5.1 The USDA ERS definition for a family farm is the percent of the total farms classified in the moderate following: “Any farm where the majority of the busisales category. ness is owned by the principal operator and individuals related to the principal operator, who are the Midsize family farms (GCFI between $350,00 persons most responsible for making the day-to-day and $999,999) decisions on the farm.”

There were 107,316 family farms or 5.3 percent of the total farms in this category.

USDA defines a farm as any place where at least $1,000 of agricultural products are produced and Large-scale family farms (GCFI of $1 million sold in a given year, or are normally produced duror more) ing a year. The ERS measures farm size by the Large farms — Family farms with a GCFI of “gross cash farm income (GCFI), which includes between $1,000,000 and $4,999,999. There were sales of crops and livestock, government payments, 48,339 farms or 2.41 percent of the total farms in and other farm-related income. this category.

Based on the 2020 ERS report, there were just Very large farms — Family farms with an annual over 2 million farms in the United States, with just GCFI of $5,000,000 or more. There were 5,780 under 90 percent of the farms being categorized as farms or 0.3 percent of the total farms in this cate“small family farms.” gory.

Following is a breakdown of the criteria that ERS Non-family farms used to categorize U.S. farms, along with the numThis category describes any farm where the prinber and percentage of farms in each category: cipal farm operators do not own a majority of the farm business. (Many times, these types of farms Small family farms (less than $350,000 GCFI) Retirement farms — Small farms whose principal are referred to as “corporate farms.”) There were 47,451 farms or 2.4 percent of the total farms in operator is retired, but they continue to operate a farm on a small scale. There were 215,959 farms or this category.

10.7 percent of the total farms in this category.

As was pointed out earlier, 89.6 percent of U.S.

MARKETING

farms (as defined by USDA) were categorized as small family farms, 5.3 percent were midsize family farms, 2.7 percent were large-scale family farms, and 2.4 percent were non-family farms. Based on the 2019 ERS data, following is a review of some other characteristics of these various categories of U.S. farms and other farm operator demographics: Percentage of land operated — 48.8 percent of farm land was operated by small family farms, 22.6 percent of land was operated by midsize family farms, 20.7 percent operated by large-scale family farms, and 7.9 percent by non-family farms.

Percentage of the value of farm production — Large-scale family farms accounted for 43.8 percent of the value of U.S. farm production in 2019, which was followed by small family farms at 21.5 percent, midsize family farms at 21.1 percent, and non-family farms at 13.6 percent.

Large-scale family farms accounted for over twothirds of U.S. dairy production, 61 percent of U.S. cotton production, and 54 percent of the production of high value crops — which includes fruits, vegetables, nuts and nursey crops. This category of farm operators also accounted for 39 percent of U.S. cash grain production, 44 percent of hog production, and nearly 43 percent of beef production.

Small family farms accounted for over 45 percent of poultry and egg production and hay production.

However, this category of farms accounted only 21 percent of cash grain production, 26 percent of beef production, 23 percent of hog production, and less than 9 percent of dairy production.

Midsize family farms accounted for approximately one-third of cash grain production and nearly 39 percent of poultry and egg production. However, this category of farms accounted for less than 17 percent of beef, hog, and dairy production.

Non-family farms accounted for over 30 percent of See THIESSE, pg. 13

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agronomy

THE LAND — MARCH 19/MARCH 26, 2021

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PAGE 13

Nearly three-fourths of farms are considered ‘high risk’ 20 percent of non-family farms.

Government payments the production of high value crops, as well as just 81 percent of USDA commodity farm programs in under 17 percent of beef production and just under 16 percent of hog production. However, this category 2019 went to large-scale farms, midsize farms and of farms accounted only 7 percent of cash grain pro- small farms with moderate sales, which is exactly the same as the percentage of crop land operated by duction, 8 percent of cotton production, and less these three categories of farms. These groups also than 9 percent of dairy production. received a large majority of the USDA conservation Operating Profit Margin (OPM) payments on working lands (CSP, EQIP, etc.).

Nearly three-fourths of all farms had an OPM of By contrast, 80 percent of Conservation Reserve less than 10 percent, which USDA considers “high Program payments, which are paid to farm owners to risk.” Small family farms ranged from 62 to 81 pertake crop land out of production, went to retirement cent in the “high risk” category, depending on the farms, low-sales farms, and farm owners with offfarm type (described earlier). Interestingly, nearly farm occupations. Approximately 69 percent of farms 70 percent of non-family farms were also in the received no government payments in 2019. “high risk” category, compared to 47 percent for midsize family farms and less than 38 percent for Women in agriculture large-scale family farms. Nearly 40 percent of large Women played a key role in over half of U.S. farm family farms and over 31 percent of midsize family operations in 2019. A higher percentage of women farms had an OPM above 25 percent in 2019, comwere either the principal operator or a co-operator of pared to only14 percent of all farms and just over livestock and dairy operations, as well as high value

THIESSE, from pg. 12

Foods and Farmers Expo is March 27 MADELIA, Minn. — The Local Foods and Farmers Expo is an annual event highlighting local growers, producers and farmers in southern Minnesota. The 2021 edition takes place March 27 from noon to 4 p.m. via Zoom.

The Expo is a space for regional farmers to share information about their farm, the products they sell and connect with potential customers in their community. It’s also a space for customers to make connections with the folks who grow their food.

This year, due to pandemic restrictions, the event will be held virtually on Zoom. This virtual event will highlight the region’s local farms, provide breakout rooms for farmers to connect directly with customers interested in their products, and showcase keynote speakers from the region. In the future, this event will certainly be held in person and act as an annual show-

case for local farmers and future customers alike.

The Expo is designed to be for everyone. Whether you›re the main grocery shopper for your family or the produce buyer for a restaurant, these small farms have offerings for you! Learn about buying a quarter cow or half a pig, CSA programs, farm tour days, all of the great restaurants and co-ops that feature local products, and so much more. Connect with local growers and get to know who produces the food you feed your family. The farmer vendors are eager and ready to get to know you and meet the needs of your family or business.

Those interested in taking part in the Expo can register online at https://www.sfa-mn.org/local-foodsfarmers-expo/.

This article was submitted by the Sustainable Farming Association. v

Corn rootworm webinar Is March 26 AMES, Iowa — Farmers and other agricultural professionals are invited to attend a corn rootworm management webinar on March 26 at 10 a.m.

Webinar topics include a background and a research update on corn rootworms by Erin Hodgson, professor and extension specialist in entomology at Iowa State.

Other topics will include Bt resistance and corn rootworm management by Nick J. Seiter, assistant professor and field crop entomologist, University of Illinois; and diversifying corn rootworm management to delay Bt resistance by Bryan Jensen, entomologist with the Integrated Pest Management Program at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

This webinar is free and open to the public and will be offered through ZOOM. While there is no charge to attend, registration is required and can be completed by going to https://go.wisc.edu/p8c11n.

After registering, participants will receive an email with instructions and a link for joining the webinar.

Participants may join through their web browser, mobile phone or tablet.

For more information, questions or assistance with registration, contact Virgil Schmitt at (563) 263-5701 or vschmitt@isu.edu.

This article was submitted by Iowa State University Extension and Outreach. v

crop farms other than general cash grain operations.

Farms operated by minority groups There were 112,451 Spanish, Hispanic and Latino farm operators in 2019, which is up by 13 percent since 2012, as well as 45,508 African American farm operators, which increased by 2 percent since 2012.

Even though farms have increased in size, and the structures of many farm business have changed and evolved over the past few decades, approximately 98 percent of U.S. farms are still categorized as “family farms.” The family farm still accounts for over 86 percent of U.S, farm production. The family farm comes in many shapes, sizes and types — including increasing diversity of farm operators, which helps explain some of the confusion over understanding the definition of a family farm.

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

PAGE 14

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

THE LAND — MARCH 19/MARCH 26, 2021

Dairy farmers seeing double-digit increases in costs This column was written for the marketing week ending March 12.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture lowered its estimate on 2021 milk production in the latest World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates report “as a higher expected cow inventory News and information for Minnesota and Northern Iowa dairy producers was more than offset by slower growth in milk per cow.”

2021 production and marketings were reprieve.”

MIELKE MARKET estimated at 227.3 and 226.3 billion pounds WEEKLY 2020 production and marketings were The March 5 Dairy and Food Market Analyst adds, respectively, down 100 million pounds on finalized and estimated at 223.2 and “Concerns about inflation are dominating our conBy Lee Mielke production. If realized, 2021 production 222.2 billion pounds respectively, up versations. In addition to higher feed costs, which would still be up 4.1 billion pounds or 1.8 100 million pounds on production from equal more than $2.00 per cwt, dairy farmers are February’s estimate. 2020 production was up 4.8 bil- percent from 2020. now reporting double-digit percentage increases in lion pounds or 2.2 percent from 2019.

The annual cheese price forecast was unchanged the prices of fuel, parts and fertilizer. A year ago, from last month as weaker prices in the first part of $15.75 per cwt Class III milk prices were close to 2021 were offset by expected improved demand break-even for many farmers in the country. Today later in the year. That resulted in the 2021 Class III that number is $18.00 per cwt and rising.” milk price average being projected at $16.75 per Farmers who signed up for USDA’s Dairy Margin cwt., up 15 cents from the February estimate, and Coverage program can expect a payout for January compares to $18.16 in 2020 and $16.96 in 2019. if they protected a margin between milk prices and Butter, nonfat dry milk, and whey price forecasts feed costs of $7.50 per cwt. of milk or above, accordwere raised from last month with expected improve- ing to the March 9 Capital Press. USDA’s calculated ments in both domestic and export demand. Thus margin above feed costs was $7.14 per cwt. for the Class IV price was pegged at $14.45, up 75 January. cents from last month’s estimate, and compares to a n $13.49 average in 2020 and $16.30 in 2019.

Uncertainty seems to never end in the dairy This month’s 2020-21 U.S. corn supply and use industry and right now dairy farmers face some outlook was unchanged from last month. The prochallenging contrasts. U.S. milk output is rising as jected season-average farm price was unchanged at we enter the spring flush, but will rising demand $4.30 per bushel. The U.S. season-average soybean and exports offset that? U.S. milk prices are price was projected at $11.15 per bushel, unchanged strengthening but will rising feed costs offset that, from last month. and what will government food purchases look like The March 9 Daily Dairy Report warned that feed in Covid relief under the new Administration? costs have climbed to their highest levels since 2014 StoneX dairy broker Dave Kurzawski pointed out and “continue to squeeze dairy producer margins in the March 15 “Dairy Radio Now” broadcast that and even record or near-record large crops this year See MIELKE, pg. 15 will likely not be big enough to provide much price

Dairy Technology Field Day April 14 AMES, Iowa — The Iowa State University Extension and Outreach dairy team is hosting a field day focused on dairy technology on the farm. The April 14 field day will feature two farm visits where attendees can see automated feeding and milking system technology in action and learn about calf barn management, ventilation and feeding calves with a milk taxi.

The first farm visit will be from 10:30 a.m. to noon at Honey Creek Dairy, 1636 400th St., Strawberry Point, Iowa. Honey Creek Dairy recently installed a Lely Vector automated feeding system as well as three Lely Astronaut automated milking units.

Co-owner Dan Venteicher will be on hand to explain how the automated feeding system works and answer questions about the new facilities and equipment.

The second farm visit will be from 1-2:30 p.m. at the Putz family dairy at 1368 310th Ave., New

Vienna, Iowa. Two years ago, the Putz family built a new naturally ventilated calf barn with individual pens and a supplemental positive pressure tube ventilation system. The facility also uses a milk taxi system for feeding calves. Brad Putz will be available to discuss how the milk taxi works and answer questions about the facility. A fogger demonstration will be performed on the ventilation system at 1:45 p.m.

Attendees are asked to practice social distancing at the farms. Lunch will be on your own between the two farm visits. There is no fee for the field day, but RSVPs are appreciated.

If you have questions or would like to RSVP, contact Brian Dougherty at brian1@iastate.edu or (563) 239-7070.

This article was submitted by Iowa State University Extension and Outreach. v

THE LAND — MARCH 19/MARCH 26, 2021

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

PAGE 15

U.S. dairy exports to Mexico continue to be sluggish MIELKE, from pg. 14

for dairy farmers on the buy side.” starting to hit hard on the Chinese herd. Since the start of the year about 8 million pigs have been n rising demand is the key point because “Demand is WE BUILD OUR STALLS RIGHT! killed and if new variants cannot be contained it primarily responsible whenever we see $2 cheese or Speaking of exports, January fell to an 18-month at could hurt overall demand for wheyTake useda look for feed.” $2 butter.” low, according to the latest data, slipping to 14 pertubing up with81.9 Butter exports totaled 6.2 millionour pounds, cent of U.S. milk solids, down from 14.1 percent in He said that we have seen stronger than normal unequaled corrosion Canada, retail demand for the past 12 months or so and that December and 14.9 percent a year ago. Volume was percent, primarily due to demand from protection!

Egypt and Bahrain.

HighGround Dairy says this below prior year levels for the third consecutive will come up against stronger food service demand butter shipments Freudenthal Tubing has been month, says HighGround Dairy, “even as shipments was the strongest January for U.S. as cities and states reduce restaurant restrictions in seven years. engineered for your specific marked the second strongest January on record due to Covid. But, “We don’t know what that requirements strength after 2020. Losses were notable on cheese and nonButter imports were up 7.7 percent andwhere cheese reopening will mean,” he cautioned, though he and corrosion resistance are fat dry milk.” imports were up 8.5 CORROSION percent. believes it will be “a shock to the supply chain Auto Release Head Locks Panel critical design factors.

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Dry whey exports showed strong gains from 2020, Cheese exports totaled 55.6 million pounds, down 9.9 percent from a year ago, though cheddar exports Grocery stores and foodservice will be fighting for totaling 40.3 million pounds, up 34.4 percent from CS-60 Comfort Tie Stall January 2020, mainly thanks to China. HighGround were up 1.9 percent. the same stomach space, he explained, and “In the fog of war you can have higher prices.” That will set- Dairy reported China’s market share jumped to 56 Nonfat dry milk/skim milk powder shipments, at The Toughest percent vs. 33 percent one year ago, with the second 138.6 million pounds, were down 9.6 percent, as voltle down in the next year or two, he said, “But for Stalls largest destination being Japan. the next six months, you’re in the fog of war on the ume fell to Southeast Asia and Mexico, according to on the demand side.”

But StoneX warned• Provides in its superior March 5 “Early Morning HighGround Dairy. Nonfat exports to Mexico were lunge area Update” that “While international whey demand the lowest for the month in three years. market, It underscores the need to lock in milk prices, he • Much stronger than our guaranteed has been strong, one thing to be cognoscente of is concluded. “With the higher feed costs, it’s about See MIELKE, pg. 16 competitors’ beam systems the new variant of African swine fever which is profit margin,” he said. “But it will be a tough year 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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PAGE 16

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THE LAND — MARCH 19/MARCH 26, 2021

Food service demand for butter is picking up MIELKE, from pg. 15

service demand has been rare the past 12 months, but there has been a notable shift in March. Spot The March 5 Daily Dairy Report says, “Exports of milk availability varies, but there were some flat consumer-ready dairy products from the U.S. to Class prices reported for the first time in 2021.

Mexico limped along. The country’s struggling econ- Cheese production rates are reflecting the increased omy and a downturn in tourism have weighed heav- orders and, for the most part, cheese market tones ily on demand from foodservice and rising milk out- have “regained some bullish vigor recently,” says put in Mexico has reduced the need for imported Dairy Market News, though inventories are reportdairy products.” edly growing, as well.

The Daily Dairy Report says Mexico imported just Retail cheese demand in the west remains steady, 9.6 million pounds of U.S. cheese in January, a nine- though some contacts believe it may decrease due to year low, and 49 percent less than a year ago. loosening Covid restrictions on eating out. Contacts However, “South Korea took Mexico’s usual place as have seen a slight uptick in food service demand. the top market for U.S. cheese exports in January.

Mozzarella cheese continues to move well but South Korean imports jumped 38.5 percent yearcheese inventories remain heavy and buyers are over-year, to 12.5 million pounds.” receiving a lot of offers from manufacturers, espen cially for cheddar-style cheeses. Milk is plentiful and cheese production is running at or near capaciChicago Mercantile Exchange block cheddar ty, according to Dairy Market News. climbed to $1.7950 per pound on March 11 (the highest since Jan. 19) but closed the next day at n $1.79. This is up 5.75 cents on the week after gainButter closed March 12 at $1.7150 per pound, up ing 11.5 cents the previous week, but 8.25 cents 2.5 cents on the week, following its 22-cent leap the below a year ago. previous week, but was 9.75 cents below a year ago, The barrels finished at $1.5525, 4.5 cents higher, with 14 sales reported on the week.

5.25 cents above a year ago, but 23.75 cents below Midwestern butter producers report stronger food the blocks. Only three cars of barrel were sold on service demand in recent weeks and are hopeful the the week at the CME. trend continues deeper into second quarter, as bullMidwestern cheesemakers are reporting stronger ish food service demand tones have seldom been cheese sales, says Dairy Market News. Positive food positive since the onset of Covid. Butter churning is

at a brisk clip, as demand has strengthened and export demand reports are notably rising. Butter market tones have steadied since the unexpected surge following the “new crop” rule on the CME, says Dairy Market News.

Cream is abundant in the west, but has had no problem finding a home. Butter makers have ramped up production for several weeks to meet spring holiday demand. Retailers are comfortable with price levels and are placing heavy orders but expect that to cool as prices increase. Food service demand is beginning to pull a little harder as dinein restrictions continue to loosen.

Butter makers and food service buyers are having difficulty forecasting butter needs and butter makers are getting more inquiries from international buyers. So they’ve opted to make 82 percent butter.

Sales of butter and anhydrous milkfat into export channels and domestic ice cream production are pulling more heavily at cream supplies but butter inventories are still heavy.

Grade A nonfat dry milk finished the week at $1.17 per pound, down 0.75 cents, but 11.75 cents above a year ago, on eight sales for the week.

Spot dry whey set a new record high in its short three-year lifespan on March 8, hitting 59.5 cents per pound, but closed March 12 at 59.25. This is up See MIELKE, pg. 17

By Dave and Ann Buck Minnesota’s dairy farmers have long known the important role they play in the health of Minnesotans. Containing nutrients such as calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, vitamin D, and protein, dairy products support good health — especially the health of developing children.

Ironically, a few years ago, the tie between dairy and health was hotly debated. The findings of studies about the impact of dairy products on health were all over the map. Fruits, vegetables and whole grains were in the limelight and dairy was forced to a position off stage.

Bill is that it will help to increase sales of dairy products in Minnesota. This will, in turn, help increase income to dairy producers — something that is vitally needed right now. And as we all know, every new dollar in the pocket of a dairy farmer helps to support the rural community he or she lives in.

Minnesota health and medical groups are standing with dairy farmers in support of this legislation and vice-versa. That likely would not have occurred 10 years ago. It shows how attitudes have shifted — changed for the better.

As dairy producers, we’ve always known that dairy products like milk are good for you and that consuming dairy products as part of a well-balanced meal is important to health in children and adults.

You can sum up that long-held knowledge with a new take on the old Barbara Mandrell song: “We were dairy even when dairy wasn’t cool.”

Drinking milk is not only becoming cool once again, that “coolness” holds significant health and economic benefits. And that’s a good thing for all of Minnesota.

Dave and Ann Buck are dairy producers in Goodhue County. Dave is a Minnesota Milk board member and immediate past president, and Ann is active in school lunch and other dairy-health-related initiatives. v

Dairy and health: Back in the limelight where it belongs OPINION

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Like a lot of health findings that are often surpassed by new conclusions, the findings of recent studies on the health impacts of dairy products have now generally agreed that dairy is not only good for you, it’s recommended that you consume dairy products daily. The important vitamins and nutrients that dairy products contain cannot be easily replicated through other food sources. Dairy is making a comeback and none too soon.

An example of this changing attitude is bipartisan legislation that’s been introduced in the Minnesota Legislature this year. Known as the Healthy Kid’s Meal Bill, the legislation would make healthy drinks such as milk and water the default beverages when ordering kids meals in restaurants. The legislation is designed to try to reduce the amount of pop and other sugary drinks kids are consuming these days, and the negative health impacts of those drinks.

Not only is the legislation meant to help improve the health of Minnesota’s children, but also to make it easier for parents to encourage their kids to choose healthier foods. If you are a parent, you know too well how challenging those kids’ meals drink orders can be. Under this proposal, pop is not banned. You can still order those drinks; but they just aren’t automatically included in the kids’ meal.

An important side benefit of the Healthy Kids Meal

THE LAND — MARCH 19/MARCH 26, 2021

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

PAGE 17

Canada still not living up to trade agreements with U.S. MIELKE, from pg. 16 1.25 cents on the week and 24.5 cents above a year ago, with only one sale for the week.

In the week ending Feb. 27, 71,600 dairy cows were sent to slaughter, up 12,000 from the previous week and 8,000 or 12.6 percent more than that week a year ago. n Checking demand on the home front, the USDA’s January data showed a lot of positive news. Total cheese disappearance, at 1.14 billion pounds, was up from a year ago for the first time since September, topped January 2020 by 3.3 percent.

HighGround Dairy points out that American-style cheese did the heavy lifting, with both domestic and export demand stronger vs. prior year.

Butter disappearance totaled 155.2 million pounds, up 12 percent, and topped the year ago level for the third consecutive month, according to HighGround Dairy, “an encouraging sign as production and stocks remain burdensome.”

Nonfat dry milk disappearance increased for the third consecutive month, hitting 215.6 million pounds, including skim milk powder, strongest January since 2018. n

In politics, House and Senate Democrats passed the Administration’s pork- loaded $1.9 trillion “stimulus” bill with no Republican votes, and the President signed the measure. The pricy legislation includes direct payments of up to $1,400 for hundreds of millions of Americans, jobless aid of $300 a week to last through the summer, money for distributing coronavirus vaccines, and relief for states, cities, schools, and small businesses suffering from the pandemic.

Meanwhile, the U.S. Dairy Export Council, National Milk Producers Federation and International Dairy Foods Association issued a joint press release this week regarding Canada’s Phase II Consultations on its Comprehensive Review of the Allocation and Administration of Tariff Rate Quotas for Dairy, Poultry, and Egg Products.

The three organizations have repeatedly expressed concern about Canada’s failure to align its TRQ conditions with its commitments in the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement, and stated that they are united in their insistence that Canada “dramatically reform its policies regarding the administration and allocation of its TRQs.” “USMCA negotiations resulted in clear new access for the U.S. dairy industry,” the press release stated.

“In contrast with virtually all other sectors of the U.S.-Canadian economies, the level of dairy access is tightly prescribed by the agreement. That makes it

all the more important that our industry can benefit from the full value of those dairy commitments,” stated Krysta Harden, President and CEO of USDEC. “Canada needs to stop manipulating its dairy TRQs; its actions have not only negatively impacted U.S. dairy farmers and manufacturers, but also constrained many Canadian companies from being able to make use of these new TRQs to expand their supply options. USMCA lays out clear requirements on TRQ procedures and we urge the U.S. government to ensure full compliance by Canada with those commitments.”

Speaking of the USDEC, we join them in mourning the loss of Alan Levitt, who passed away March 7 after a courageous fight with leukemia. He was 59. Alan was a talented writer and well versed in the dairy industry. He operated his own communications business and authored the Daily Dairy Report for the CME for a time. I often interviewed Alan on my “DairyLine Radio” program. Alan recently retired as Vice President, Communications and Market Analysis of the USDEC. Our sympathies and prayers to Alan’s wife Angie, and family.

He will be sadly missed.

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

March gardening gives you a jump for a longer season

Warm weather may inspire gardeners to One gardening book advised starting plant to develop stronger stems. go outside and start work, but it is early more seeds than needed in case some do Plants may be planted outdoors earlier if protecto do some things. Fall blooming shrubs not germinate or survive to reach full tive covers are placed over them when the overnight may be pruned now. Spring blooming size. Seeds may be sown in small trays temperature is predicted to be close to freezing. shrubs such as lilacs should not be and then later transplanted to individual Frost resistance differs from plant to plant. Any pruned until they have finished blooming. pots. Heating mats manufactured for support structure that holds air in but does not Pruning now would reduce the number of seed starting are one method for keeping touch the plant itself can provide protection. Plants blooms that have already formed on the the soil warm which encourages germina- started AD COPY INSTRUCTIONS Please read attached GREEN AND indoors in potsemail may be placed in wagons and stems. Avoid walking on damp areas of tion. Plastic covers or film may be placed wheeled outdoors during the day and indoors at GROWING the lawn and garden because an individuover the top of the trays or individual night until afterON theAD last frost Gardening supCODE ANDare REP NAMES ALREADY THEdate.

LAND and FREE PR

By Linda G. Tenneson pots to retain moisture. al’s body weight can compress the soil If these pliers also sell various covers for individual plants and make it harder for plant roots to used, check the containers each day and that provide protection when placed over plants at absorb water and nutrients. Inspect trees and prune remove the covers once the seeds have sprouted. As night and removed during the day. crossing or rubbing branches and/or to remove those soon as the baby plants have produced their second Linda G. Tenneson is a University of Minnesota that have been damaged during the winter. set of leaves, they may be transplanted into individmaster gardener and tree care advisor. v ual pots. A spoon is a good tool to use to scoop the Begonia, Petunia, Pansy, Salvia, Vinca and cool baby plant out of the germination tray while disseason vegetables are often started indoors and turbing the roots as little as possible. then transplanted when the weather warms. For starting seeds indoors, check the information on Plants grown indoors should be kept under lights seed packets and start seeds under lights the recfor twelve to fourteen hours each day. While lights ommended number of weeks before the expected may be adjusted to keep them a few inches above last frost. In area zone four, that may be as late as the plants, and encourage them to grow evenly on Call a Northland Sales Rep today for the best value in economical post June 1. Plants may be started earlier if they are each side, it is more difficult to regulate the light frame buildings! started in, or later transplanted to, pots big enough reaching windowsill grown plants. They often end to hold the larger and taller plant. They should be up tall and somewhat spindly unless rotated daily. under a lighting system that will encourage the Plants started indoors will benefit from a fan plant to grow without becoming too tall (often blowing air across them for a period each day. The referred to as being “leggy.”) fan mimics the force of the wind and encourages the

PAGE 18

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

THE LAND — MARCH 19/MARCH 26, 2021

Company preserves seeds along with their heritage

By TIM KING continued. “They’ve been select- clean tomato seeds at their website, northcirleseeds.

The Land Correspondent ed for the past seven years in Fargo, com. It’s under the “About” menu item. where he grows them with the VERGAS, Minn. — It may be an Saving bean or pea seeds is a little simpler than Growing Together (community gar- saving tomato seeds, Paige says. Like tomatoes, both odd business model, but North den) project.”

Circle Seeds wants you to grow are self-pollinated and don’t tend to cross with neighyour own vegetable seeds.

Like the Zebra eggplant, most of boring varieties. Additionally, they are large, easy-tothe seeds in the North Circle Seed plant seeds which are harvested once they are comThey’d like you to buy their seeds, catalog, now in its second season, pletely dry on the plant. After that, the seed saver of course, but then they’d like you to have stories and cultural signifi- merely has to separate the seeds from the dry pods. save some seeds at harvest time so cance associated with them. you can plant them next year.

Corn varieties are more challenging to save because The Russian tomato heirloom they are wind pollinated and do tend to cross with North Circle Seeds is so commitvariety known as Gypsy, for exam- their neighbors. Nevertheless, North Circle grows out ted to clients learning how to grow ple, was developed in the USSR a number of corn varieties in isolation and includes their own seeds that Zachary Paige, during the Soviet era and intro- them in their catalog. Rustler, a white dent corn a company founder, conducts workduced into the United States over advertised in a Minnesota seed catalog in 1888, is Photos submitted shops to teach you and your friends 20 years ago. It was named for the one of them. the ins-and-outs of seed saving and Zachary Paige is holding the Arikara sunflower from his Vergas farm.

Gypsies who live in parts of Russia. preservation.

“Rustler traces back a few hundred years and more It is an indeterminate variety to Native American tribes in the North Dakota terriAll of the seeds North Circle has which produces heavy yields of small, six-ounce, on sale can be saved. “We only sell seeds from open mahogany to deep brown/purple round tomatoes tory,” Paige said. “It is considered foundation stock of early white dent corns and known for its short season pollinated varieties,” Paige said. with green shoulders (according to North Circle’s and hardiness in cold climates.

When planted, open pollinated seeds — unlike catalog). It has outstanding flavor with a good balPaige is trying to preserve the genetics of Rustler hybrids and genetically modified seeds — will grow ance between sweet and acidic with an almost smoky because of their historical significance; but he’s workinto plants nearly identical to their parents. In addi- flavor. ing to improve the tion to being open pollinated, North Circle Seeds are Saving seeds from genetics of some other certified organic. open pollinated tomato corn varieties.

Their selection of open pollinated varieties pretty varieties is a two-step “We’re growing a few much encompass the entire range of what would be process, according to orange-colored crops found in the home garden. There are 11 varieties of Paige. that are high in beta tomatoes, three varieties of squash and pumpkin, six “If you have just a carotene like the varieties of hot and sweet peppers, a Cherry Belle few tomatoes you can orange corn blend and Radish, and two varieties of Asian greens, among squeeze your tomato Ukrainian Squash,” he other familiar garden crops. For the adventurous, into a mason jar and said. “We breed for there’s Pinky Popcorn and the multi-colored add a little water over nutrient dense genetics Magnificent Popcorn or you can try the pretty green- time,” he said. “A film in a number of our and-white striped African Zebra Eggplant. of healthy bacteria will varieties and are lookPaige describes Zebra Eggplant as having a deli- form on top and that’s ing to add a purple cious, unexpectedly semi-sweet flavor. when you know you’re corn to our catalog next “The fruit are versatile and can be eaten raw, done. It should take year that has anthocyboiled, sautéed, or in soups,” he said. “Many tradi- three days to a week anin antioxident levels tional African recipes can be found online; but they — depending on how that are through the By teaching seed saving workshops, Paige hopes to preserve more also are excellent simply grilled or sautéed with hot your house is.” roof. heritage vegetables. other veggies. The rich flavor lends itself well to spicy Once you’ve got your “We breed using dishes. Young leaves can be cooked down into stews.” film of bacteria you’ll want to do what Paige calls classical organic methods to increase vigor to these “The seeds for this variety originate from Simeon water winnowing. open-pollinated varieties by crossing open-pollinated Bakunda, an immigrant from Congo in Africa,” he “All the good seeds will fall to the bottom and every- varieties together in varietal populations seen in our thing else will rise to the top, so you slowly pour off blue and orange corn blends,” he continued. the dirty water,” he said. “You do this a number of North Circle’s Orange Corn Blend, which is grown times and eventually you’ll have clear water with for them by Riverbend Farm near Delano, Minn., your seeds at the bottom and then you pour them out includes varieties originating from Argentina, Italy into a sieve. After that, I put them into a dehydrator and Mexico. dryer rack with some parchment paper so the seeds You can learn more about North Circle’s certified don’t fall through. I don’t turn the heat on because that could damage the seeds, just let room tempera- organic and open pollinated seeds, their workshops, and other educational services by visiting their webture air flow over them.” site or calling (631) 807-5163. They are also on If you don’t have a dehydrator, you can put the Facebook. v seeds on parchment paper on top of the refrigerator where it’s warm and likely safe from curious pets.

North Circle Seeds has an excellent video on how to

THE LAND — MARCH 19/MARCH 26, 2021

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

PAGE 19

Hochs provide steady supply of food and employment

By TIM KING The Land Correspondent LA CRESENT, Minn. — There’s more going on at Hoch Orchard and Garden than the name suggests.

Harry and Jackie Hoch raise over 50 apple varieties on their farm, two acres of wine grapes, cherries, plums, raspberries, strawberries, blueberries and apricots — all organic. There is also a herd of swine.

The farm is intended to be a pretty complex operation, admit the Hochs. They call the complexity “biodiverse” and it goes beyond the wide diversity of crops.

“We time the mowing in our orchards to allow ground cover plants to always be flowering,” Harry said. “Regular mowing selects for a few species of grasses, but our orchard floor is covered with many types of plants in addition to grasses. The flowering plants are a pollen and nectar source for insects that are beneficial to the orchard. Greater diversity of plants and insects makes for a healthier orchard.”

The Hochs also rotate pigs through the orchards.

“The pigs clean up fallen apples and that stops the life cycle of apple pests that go through part of their development in the fallen fruit,” Harry said. “Pigs will also cultivate the soil under the trees. Their fresh manure fertilizes the soil and attracts soil organisms that loosen and aerate the soil.”

Building up the health and biological diversity of the soil is the key to a healthy organic and bio-diverse orchard Harry and Jackie Hoch which produces delicious fruit.

“We focus on building a strong soil and apply compost tea to enhance the proper biology in the soil,” Harry said. “Adding nitrogen with synthetic fertilizers or commercial composts can increase apple growth too much and basically water down the flavor components in the apples. We do not add fertilizer or commercial compost to the orchards.”

Another soil health measure practiced by the Hochs is to shred pruning from the trees and leave them in place rather than haul them away.

“Prunings decompose quickly when chopped with a flail mower,” Harry said. “There are a lot of nutrients in small branches. The woody material enhances the fungal portion of the soil organisms.”

Following all these ecological practices doesn’t mean that Hoch Orchard and Garden doesn’t have insect and disease problems.

“The last few years the challenge has been figuring out how the high heat and record rainfall will affect

the pest activity,” to ripen into early Harry said. “We September overlapalready use weathping the summer er data loggers and apples. The high computer modeling quality fall apples and insect monitorbegin in mid ing to pinpoint the September and timing of pesticide then the winter applications. Even apples are harvestwith that, getting ed in October. the necessary Winter apples are organic pesticides kept cool and crisp applied between in our refrigerated the rains has been storage and are challenging.” sold into January.”

Aerial view of Hoch Orchard and Garden.

Some apple varieties simply don’t do well in an The crop diversity and the long harvest and storage organic orchard in southeastern Minnesota. So they season have another advantage. are simply eliminated from the orchard.

“Small fruit production requires a lot of labor,” “There are some fruits and some varieties of apples Harry says. We can hire workers eight to ten months that require too many inputs in an organic system in in a year with a diversity of crops. With only apples our climate,” Harry says. “It’s not worth it in that we would have to hire a bunch of people for only a case. The solution to that problem is don’t try to grow few weeks. This is an ethical question for us. Do you crops that are not well design your business to require short term migrant adapted to our region.” workers or for more stable employment for people “McIntosh and Cortland from your community?” are common varieties, but Harry says the extra paper work and more intenvery susceptible to apple sive, and sometimes more expensive, management of scab,” he said. “Gold Rush is fruit crops are well worth it. That’s especially true immune to apple scab but since organic shoppers recognize the value of the highly susceptible to cedar organic label and are willing to pay a premium price apple rust.” for it.

Significant portions of The website for Hoch Orchard and Garden those varieties have been is hochorchard.com. v removed from Hoch’s although Henry Photos submitted orchard, says there are still a few here and there on the farm.

Biological and crop diversity make for a healthier and more resilient orchard. The crop diversity also makes good business sense, according to Harry.

“We are delivering fresh fruit from June through October, and stored fruit through the winter,” he said.

“As a consequence we utilize our equipment and facilities almost all season long.”

That means that Hoch’s customers (which include area food cooperatives as well as the regional distributor Coop Partners) are supplied with fresh, locally-produced fruit for more than half the year.

Harry does point out some fruits and apple varieties are only available seasonally and supplies may be limited later in the season.

“We start harvesting strawberries in late May or early June,” Harry said. “Before the strawberries finish, we start on red raspberries and then blueberries.

The black, purple, and yellow raspberries come after the early reds. Cherry plums overlap the berries and then the American hybrid plums start and continue

www.TheLandOnline.com

Saint Peter Toy Show March 27th & 28th 2021 Saturday 9am-4pm Sunday 9am-3pm

Held at the St Peter Fair Grounds Johnson Hall, 400 West Union Street, St Peter MN Admission: $3.00 Farm toys; cars; trucks; Literature & Various Collectibles Limited Concessions by Nancy to be available For More Information Call: Wendy: 507-381-8234 • Jim: 507-381-8235

PAGE 20

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

THE LAND — MARCH 19/MARCH 26, 2021 T

Real Estate

HUGE SWANVILLE-LITTLE FALLS, MN AREA FARM RETIREMENT AUCTION SATURDAY MARCH 27th, 2021 • 10:00 A.M. LOCATED: 4 MILES EAST OF SWANVILLE, MN ON CABLE RD. (COUNTY #12) TO #4731 NOTE: VERY CLEAN LINE OF WELL MAINTAINED EQUIPMENT. ONLINE BIDDING AVAILABLE THROUGH PROXIBID. FOR COMPLETE LISTING SEE: www.midamericanauctioninc.com OR PH. 320-760-2979 10 MFWD & TWO WHEEL DRIVE TRACTORS ‘98 CIH 8910 2 WHL. DR. RECENT OH; ‘89 CIH 7130 MFWD 7258 HRS; ‘96 CIH 7240 MFWD, 7531 HRS; ‘86 CIH 2096 2 WHL. DR; ‘83 VERSATILE 875 4 WHL. DR., 6873 HRS; ‘68 JD 4020; ‘79 CASE 2590; ‘74 CASE 1270; NICE MF 444 W/ WF & 3PT, STANDARD TWIN 2 CYL. W/ ATTACH.

COMBINE-HEADS, NH LARGE SQUARE BALER, PLANTING, TILLAGE, GENERAL EQUIPMENT ‘90 CIH 1680 AX. FLOW COMBINE 5383 HRS; ‘95 CIH 1020 FLEX HEAD; IH 1044 4RW CH; JD 244 SNAPPER HEAD; NH BB9060 SQUARE BALER, LOADED, BALED 13K BALES, NICE. ‘16 NH PRO 10-22, 10 WHEEL RAKE; JD 820 9’ MO-CO; NH 166 INVERTER; NH 499 HAYBINE; SEVERAL FLAT RACKS AND HD WAGONS; 10 GRAVITY BOXES UP TO 365 BU W/ HD GEARS; CIH 496 18’ CU. GANG DISC; HUTCH 18’ HD OFF SET DISC; JD 1750 MAX EMERGE 4 ROW WIDE PLANTER; 2(2) GT 580 DRYERS; SUDENGA 10 X 61 AUGER LIKE NEW; MEYERS M-350 TANDEM AX. MANURE SPREADER; IH 10’ DRILL, (3) IH ON LAND AND IN FURROW PLOWS; HARROWS; SNOW BLOWER; 10’ BRILLION SEEDER; 6 X 10’ ROCK TRAILER; PLUS MORE MACHINERY AND LARGE AMOUNT OF LIVESTOCK EQUIPMENT AND FARM RELATED ITEMS.

LEE, BUNNY, SHANNON & LEAH JOHNSTON OWNERS/ PH. 320-630-6111 4731 CABLE ROAD, SWANVILLE, MN

MID-AMERICAN AUCTION CO., INC. AL WESSEL LIC #77-60 PH. 320-760-2979 KEVIN WINTER 320-760-1593 AUCTIONEERS

Real Estate Wanted

Real Estate

Prime Farmland 80 acres, 1 mile from Fairfax, Minnesota. Renville County property ID 31-00170-00.

Sect 06, Range 32, Fairfax City Township. 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

SELL YOUR LAND OR REAL ESTATE IN 30 DAYS FOR 0% COMMISSION. Call Ray 507-339-1272

One Call Does It All! With one phone call, you can place your classified line ad in The Land, Farm News and Country Today.

Call The Land for more information 507-345-4523 • 800-657-4665

USED TRACTORS

NEW NH T4.75, T4.90, T4.120 w/loader.. ...... On Hand NEW NH Workmaster 60, 50, 35’s/loaders ... On Hand ’13 NH T9.610 ............................................... $159,000 ’11 NH T8.300 ................................................. $94,500 ’14 NH T7.210 .................................................. Coming ’13 NH T8.390 .................................................. Coming ’14 NH T8.350 ................................................. Coming ’83 JD 4450PS W/148 LOADER...................... $34,500 ’84 JD 4850 FWA ............................................ $32,000 Farmall 340 wf w/mower ....................................$4,250 ’07 Massey GC2300 w/loader........ ................. $13,900 New Massey Tractors .................................... On Hand Massey 1660 cab/loader........................................ Sold

TILLAGE

WANTED: Land & farms. I have clients looking for dairy, & cash grain operations, as well as bare land parcels from 40-1000 acres.

Both for relocation & investments. If you have even thought about selling contact: Paul Krueger, Farm & Land Specialist, Edina Realty, 138 Main St. W., New Prague, MN 55372. paulkrueger@edinarealty.com (612)328-4506

Thank You Farmers!

PLANTERS

JD 1770 24-30 boxed w/liq.. ........................... $27,000 JD 520 20' 20" sp. ................................................. Sold ’11 White 8516 CFS, Loaded ................................. Sold ’06 White 8516 cfs ................................................. Sold ’95 White 6722 loaded ....................................... $7,500

COMBINES NEW Geringhoff chopping cornhead .................... Call ’12 Gleaner S77 ............................................ $179,000 ’03 Gleaner R65 .............................................. $72,000 ’95 Gleaner R52 w/cummins .......................... $32,500 ’89 Gleaner R60 w/both heads ....................... $15,500 ’90 Gleaner R40 w/heads ............................... $17,500 Geringhoff parts & heads available

’11 Sunflower 4412-07.....................................$28,000 ’13 CIH 870 9-24 ............................................. $38,500 MISCELLANEOUS ’13 Wilrich 513 5-30 ........................................ $31,500 ’10 Wilrich QX2 37' w/basket .......................... $34,500 NEW Salford RTS Units .......................................... Call ’09 Wilrich QX2 55'5 w/bskt ............................ $34,000 NEW Unverferth Seed Tenders .............................. Call Glencoe 7400 9sh .................................................. Sold NEW Westfield Augers ........................................... Call NEW REM VRX Vacs. .............................................. Call CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT NEW Hardi Sprayers............................................... Call NEW Riteway Rollers .............................................. Call NEW NH E26C mini excavator ...................... On Hand NEW Lorenz Snowblowers ..................................... Call NEW NH E37C mini excavator ...................... On Hand NEW Batco Conveyors ........................................... Call NEW NH L318/L320/L328 wheeled units ...... On Hand NEW Brent Wagons & Grain Carts ......................... Call NEW NH C327/C337/C345 track units .......... On Hand NEW E-Z Trail Seed Wagons .................................. Call ’12 NH 225 C/H ...................................................... Sold NEW Rock Buckets & Pallet Forks ......................... Call REM 2700, Rental ................................................... Call HAY TOOLS Pre-Owned Grain Cart ................................... On Hand New Horsch Jokers ................................................ Call

New Disc Mowers - 107,108,109 New Disc Mower Cond. - 10', 13' New Wheel Rakes - 10,12,14 New NH Hay Tools - ON HAND

Thank You For Your Business!

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

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

Mon.-Fri. 7:30-5:00 • Sat. 7:30-Noon

THE LAND — MARCH 19/MARCH 26, 2021 Feed Seed Hay

Feed Seed Hay

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

PAGE 21

Feed Seed Hay

2000+ small square bales, FOR SALE: Alfalfa, mixed High Quality Western Alfalfa oats straw for sale, $4.50 per hay, grass hay, straw and in- Hay delivered by the semi bale. Phone 507-227-2251 dividually wrapped baleage. load. Also low potassium Medium or large square grass hay & clean straw.

ALFALFA, mixed hay, grass bales. Delivery available. Don Christianson 608-781hay & wheat straw, mediZumbrota, MN. Call or text 7765. 40 years of satisfied um square or round bales, Ray Leffingwell 763-286-2504 customers. delivery available.

Thief River Falls, MN. Call Sell your farm equipment Classified line ads work! or text LeRoy Ose: in The Land with a line ad.

218-689-6675 Call 507-345-4523 507-345-4523

I r d . n & w

HUGE FREEPORT, MN, AREA FARM EQUIPMENT AUCTION SATURDAY APRIL 3rd, 2021 • 10:30 A.M. LOCATED: EXIT I-94 AT THE FREEPORT, MN, EXIT. THEN 2.5 MI. SOUTH ON COUNTY #11.

THEN 1 MILE EAST ON CO. RD. 30 TO FARM 26974.

NOTE: FOR COMPLETE LISTING, SEE: www.midamericanauctioninc.com OR PHONE: 320-760-2979. ONLINE BIDDING ON MAJOR ITEMS THROUGH PROXIBID.

TRACTORS, COMBINE, SELF-PROPELLED FORAGE HARVESTER, FARM MACHINERY ’96 MF 6150 MFWD, DYNA SHIFT, 4237 HRS.; ’92 MF 3690 MFWD - DYNA SHIFT, 6311 HRS.; ’96 MF 6180 2 WHL. DR. DYNA SHIFT, 4853 HRS.; ’66 JD 4020 WHEATLAND DIESEL; ’92 JD 9500 COMBINE, 3448 ENGINE HRS.; ’97 JD 925F BEAN HEAD; JD 643 CH; JD 5400 SP FORAGE HARVESTER; JD 3R30" CH; JD 7' HH; 25' HEADER TRAILER; JD 716 & 716A FORAGE BOXES ON HD GEARS; ’89 JD 435 ROUND BALER; ’07 JD 946 13' HYDRA. SWING MO-CO; WHITE 281 – 13' OFF SET DISC, NICE; WILRICH 24' FIELD CULT.; JD 7100 12 R X 30 PLANTER; WHITE 183 12 R X 30 FLAT FOLD CULTIVATOR; WHITE 598 5 BOT. VAR. WIDTH PLOW; GEH 100 MIX-ALL GRINDER MIXER; KNIGHT 8018 SLINGER SPREADER; JD TWA 15' HD TANDEM DISC; PLUS: FULL LINE OF FARM EQUIPMENT, STOCK TRAILER, LIVESTOCK EQUIPMENT AND MUCH MORE.

ELMER & KRISTAL JOB, OWNERS / PH. 320-260-4084 26974 COUNTY 30, FREEPORT, MN

MID-AMERICAN AUCTION CO., INC. AL WESSEL LIC #77-60 PH. 320-760-2979 KEVIN WINTER 320-760-1593 AUCTIONEERS

PAGE 22

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

Steffes Auction Calendar 2021 For more info, call: 1-800-726-8609 or visit our website: SteffesGroup.com

Opening March 15 & Closing March 23 at 7PM Johnson Family Estate Auction, Litchfield, MN, Timed Online Auction Opening March 15 & Closing March 24 at 1PM Swift & Chippewa Counties Tillable Farmland/Building Sites - 587± Acres, Swift & Chippewa County, MN, Timed Online Auction Opening March 17 & Closing March 24 Lawren & Lynette Wold Farm Retirement Auction, Glenburn, ND, Timed Online Auction Opening March 18 & Closing March 25 at 1PM Nickeson-Hoistad Inventory Reduction Auction, Forman, ND & Veblen, SD, Timed Online Auction Opening March 19 & Closing March 23 at 12PM Cass County, ND, Land Auction - 312± Acres, Argusville, ND, Timed Online Auction Opening March 19 & Closing March 23 at 12PM Online Hay Auction - Quality Tested, Litchfield, MN, Timed Online Auction Opening March 19 & Closing March 24 Online Steffes Auction - 3/24, Upper Midwest Locations, Timed Online Auction Opening March 19 & Closing March 29 at 12PM Kibble Equipment Auction, Steffes Group Facility, Larchwood, IA, Timed Online Auction Opening March 22 & Closing March 29 Mike Nelson Farm Equipment Auction, Rothsay, MN, Timed Online Auction Opening March 22 & Closing March 30 at 12PM J&K Skovholt Ltd. Partnership Sugarbeet Equipment Auction, Mooreton, ND, Timed Online Auction Tuesday, March 23 at 1 OAM Gary & Cindy Haman Farm Retirement Auction, Rolette, ND Opening March 23 & Closing March 30 Gunderson Farms Inc. Farm Retirement Auction, Fessenden, ND, Timed Online Auction Opening March 23 & Closing March 30 at 10AM MST Joseph C. Michels Farm Retirement Auction, Beach, ND, Timed Online Auction Opening March 23 & Closing April 1 Darron & Kadie Benson Farm Retirement Auction, Kennedy, MN, Timed Online Auction Opening March 24 & Closing MArch 30 Manure Pumping & Handling Auction, Steffes Group Facility, Litchfield, MN Timed Online Auction

Feed Seed Hay

Bins & Buildings

LARGE LITTLE FALLS, MN AREA FARM RETIREMENT AUCTION FRIDAY MARCH 26TH, 2021 - 11:00 AM LOCATED: 6.5 MILES EAST OF SWANVILLE, MN ON COUNTY #12, 1 SOUTH ON COUNTY #1, ½ MILE EAST ON 90TH ST. NOTE: VERY CLEAN LINE OF WELL MAINTAINED EQUIPMENT, FOR COMPLETE LISTING SEE: www.midamericanauctioninc.com OR PHONE 320-760-2979. ONLINE BIDDING THROUGH PROXIBID

TRACTORS, SKID LOADER, CLEAN HAYING AND GENERAL FARM EQUIPMENT ‘94 WHITE 6125 TWO WHEEL DRIVE DIESEL TRACTOR, P. SHIFT, 42” RUBBER, HUB DUALS, 3 REMOTES, 3927 HRS. VERY CLEAN; ‘77 WHITE 2-135 DIESEL, O/U, 38” RADIALS, HUB DUALS, 3681 HOURS, SHARP; OLIVER 1855 DIESEL, CAB, 3 PT.; ‘67 OLIVER 1850 DIESEL, OPEN STATION; CASE 1845 DIESEL SKID LOADER; ‘11 MASSEY/HESSTON 2846 NET WRAP/TWINE BALER, 3000 BALES, LIKE NEW; ‘13 MASSEY/HESSTON 1366 9’ 7” DISC STYLE MOWER COND, ONE OWNER, LIKE NEW; WHITE

Opening March 24 & Closing March 31 Steffes Construction Consignment Auction, Upper Midwest Locations, Timed Online Auction

CHISEL; WHITE 271 20’ 8” CUSHION GANG DISC;

Thursday, March 25 at 10AM Dean Spaeth Farm Retirement Auction, Mahnomen, MN

GRAVITY BOXES; JD VB 10’ GRAIN DRILL; FK 8’ 3 PT.

Opening March 26 & Closing April 6 at 10AM Steve & Cheri Nicolai Farm Retirement Auction, Minor, ND Timed Online Auction Opening March 26 & Closing April 6 at 7PM Trim Bel Dairy Inventory Reduction Auction, Beldenville, WI, Timed Online Auction Opening March 30 & Closing April 1 at 12PM Clay County, MN Development Land Auction – 320± Acres, Moorhead, MN, Timed Online Auction

Farm Equipment

Tractors

OPEN Pollinated Seed Corn. Stormor Bins & EZ-Drys. FOR SALE: White 8100 8R30” 2012 CIH 235, one owner, Produces more high quali- 100% financing w/no liens or planter w/ liq fert; White 5100 18.4R46 rear tires w/ duty silage on less acres than red tape, call Steve at Fair- 8R30” planter for beans; 70’ als, fronts 14.9R34 tires, 4 hybrid. $67/bushel plus ship- fax Ag for an appointment. hyd Herman culti harrow w/ remotes valves, 3pt, facnew tines; IH 14’ press drill tory auto steer, 321 hrs, P/ ping. High feed value grain. 888-830-7757 Located at Teutopolis, IL w/ grass seeder; 50’ Wil- Shift, never seen hard work, 217-857-3377 Rich field cult w/ 3bar har- like new, always shedded, Farm Equipment row; White 2-180 tractor w/ cutting back on farming.

4412 hrs, 2.8x38, duals avail- $136,500. 651-503-5087 2870 Case tractor, duals, re- able. Retiring. 320-630-1777 Bins & Buildings FOR SALE: JD 4430 3pt P/S, cent eng OH, $8,500; 1830 Case IH 12R30” cult, $3,750; FOR SALE: 27’ John Deere new a/c, $12,900; ‘66 JD 4020 Barn and Quonset Roofing Case IH 5300 grain drill, 24’ 960 cultivator, light kit, anhy- dsl, 3pt, JDWF, $7,200; ‘70 and Straightening. Kelling tandem unit, $7,000; 3pt fork drous hitch, good condition, MF 20 industrial, gas, loadSilo. 1-800-355-2598 lift, 3 stage, 20’ reach w/ 4x8 $4,500/OBO. John Deere 24T er, 3pt, LPTO, pwr steering, platform, $2,500. 507-240- w/ kicker, very good, $1,750/ box blade, $4,250/BO. 320Please recycle this magazine.

543-3523 0294 OBO. 952-217-9907

Opening March 24 & Closing March 31 Terry Guttormson Farm Retirement Auction, Hendrum, MN, Timed Online Auction

Friday, March 26 at 10AM Stan Brunmeier Estate Farm Equipment Auction, Stanton, ND

THE LAND — MARCH 19/MARCH 26, 2021 T

FOR SALE: 1937 Allis ChalmFOR SALE: Top Aire pull ers A, with start lights, very type sprayer, 60’ boom, 1000 good original condition, gallon tank, tandem axle, $14,500. 507-429-8990 hydraulic pump, $2,500. 507456-8139 NEW AND USED TRACTOR PARTS JD 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, Harms Mfg. Land Rollers, 55, 50 Series & newer tracBrand New, 12’-$7,600; tors, AC-all models, Large 14’-$8,075; 16’-$8,550; 24’- Inventory, We ship! Mark $17,000; 32’-$20,300; 42’- Heitman Tractor Salvage $23,550; Others from 8’-62’. 715-673-4829 715-234-1993 JD 4760 MFW tractor P/S, Tillage Equip 8700 hrs, 18.4x42 w/ duals, 3pt w/ quick hitch, front fenders, recent work order, 2013 GREAT PLAINS 33 Ft 5” Discovator/Finisher $43,750; JD 720 QT loader, 7’ #8533 QT bucket, was on JD 4230, (blades 19 1/2”) (20” new.) $4,450; Case IH 183 12x30 Like new, $26,500/OBO. Reflat fold vibrashank cult w/ tiring. 1990 Glencoe 28 Ft rolling shields, $2,350; IH 720 #3500 (Five Bar Frame) w/ 4 5x18 auto re-set plow, $1,350. Bar Harrow (16” New Tines) $5,900. Good One. Retiring.

320-769-2756 319-347-6282 Or 319-269-4226 JD 7000 Corn Planter, 2Row, 60’ Wil-rich Quad-X digger, 3PT, $1,800, Fert. Avail. double springs on shanks, w/ $350/Row. 715-234-1993 tine drag & rolling baskets + Wil-rich air seeder, press We buy wheels, + 1,000 gal waSalvage Equipment ter tank on Wil-rich seeder Parts Available frame, w/ monitors. Always Hammell Equip., Inc. shedded, not used for last 5 (507)867-4910 yrs. Retired. 507-220-7910

6100 8RX30” PLANTER; WHITE 445 11 SHANK DISC SANDS 8X10 TANDEM AXLE ROCK TRAILER; 3 CLEAN SNOW BLOWER; PLUS: OTHER FARM MACHINERY, TOOLS & MISC. WAYNE & LOIS NOTSCH OWNERS PH. 320-260-1771 7637 90TH ST. LITTLE FALLS, MN

MID-AMERICAN AUCTION CO., INC. AL WESSEL LIC #77-60 PH. 320-760-2979 & KEVIN WINTER LIC #77-18, 320-760-1593, AUCTIONEERS

“America’s Best Brokerages”

&

“Top Auction Houses”

- The Land Report, the magazine of the American Landowner

Visit our website to view upcoming auctions & available properties

1-800-730-LAND(5263) www.WingertRealty.com

Charles Wingert, Broker #07-53 Local company serving Minnesota & Iowa landowners since 1976

THE LAND — MARCH 19/MARCH 26, 2021 Tillage Equip

Planting Equip

,FOR SALE: 2009 JD 2210 FOR SALE: JD 7000 planter, - field cult, 28 1/2’, permalock 8x30, liquid fertilizer, Kinze 4 quick change shovels, 4 bar bean meters, row cleaners, - harrow; JD 400 20’ rotary insecticide, JD 100 moni/ hoe; Alloway 8R30” Danish tor, stored inside, used on , spring tooth cult. All items 80 acre farm last 20 years, , low acres, very good cond, $2,500. 507-234-5282 . shedded. Retiring 507-828FOR SALE: 5810 Buffalo corn 6 row planter ,FOR SALE: 960 JD field cul- and cultivator, $1,000 or best 0 tivator, 34 ft, 6” spacing, offer. Call 952-492-6681 0 knock-on 7” shovels, 3R FOR SALE: Case IH 900 - spring tooth drag, excellent 12R30” mounted vertical fold condition, $4,500.

507-276, planter, $7,500/OBO. 320-221- 8345 3574 FOR SALE: BMI 32 1/2’ field - cultivator, 3 bar mulcher Harvesting Equip y with rolling baskets. Sun, flower 4412 ripper, 5 shank.

FarmFan CFAB 190 dryer. FOR SALE: 2002 CASE 2366, 507-381-0193 engine hours 1673, separator R hours 1270, 1063 cornhead, FOR SALE: 30’ IH field cul, 1020 25’ bean head, Horst tivator with nearly new 7” transport, Ag Leader, nice, sweeps, 3 bar tine harrow, e $70,000. 507-382-8457 field ready, $5,250/OBO. 651k e 503-5087 John Deere 1000 field cultivaWanted tor, 24 1/2’ with John Deere coil tine harrow, $900; John All kinds of New & Used farm Deere 6 row 30” RM cultiva- equipment - disc chisels, field tor, $300. 507-271-1538 cults, planters, soil finishers, ” cornheads, feed mills, discs, r balers, haybines, etc. 507Planting Equip ) 438-9782 tFOR SALE: JD 1998 corn WANTED: single phase grain 4 planter, model 1760, 12R30”, dryer; 12RN corn planter; ) Martin trash whippers, 3 Brent large gravity box. . bushel boxes, 250 monitor, FOR SALE: Farmall super 3 sets of seed disks, $18,500. MTA dsl; 1973 Chev C60 flat Retired. Contact Bill at 507- bed truck w/ hoist; 240 Int’l , 847-4693 utility tractor. 320-282-4845 / s s r s 5

GRAND MEADOW $600,000 Beautiful turn-key acreage with 4 BR 3BA rambler, 5 sheds, abundant fencing and pasture on approx. 18.7 ac.

MLS#5718863 NEW LISTING! STEWARTVILLE: $575,000. Great location 4 BR 2 BA picturesque rambler on approx. 24 acres. Oversized 2 stall garage with 2 storage sheds just minutes to Rochester! MLS# 5716953 NEW LISTING! RACINE: $299,000. 3BR, 1BA, on 10-acres. MLS# 5701169 PENDING MOWER COUNTY: Approx. 193-acres. MLS# 5695397 PENDING MOWER COUNTY: Approx. 120-acres. MLS# 5705409 SOLD MOWER COUNTY: Approx. 108-acres. MLS# 5705429 SOLD

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 Grand Meadow, MN • 800-658-2340

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

PAGE 23

WANTED

Are you ready to sell some

DAMAGED GRAIN

used farm equipment?

STATEWIDE

Place an ad in The Land classifieds!

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

Trucks and vacs available.

Immediate response anywhere.

CALL FOR A QUOTE TODAY

PRUESS ELEV., INC. 1-800-828-6642 233 Acres of Bare Crop Land in Freeborn County, MN 222 Tillable Acres • Selling in Two Separate Parcels • Good CPI

M AT T M A R I N G CO.

We Sell the Earth & Everything On It.

Auction Location: 300 Central Ave. Hollandale, MN 56045 (Former Mr. Machinery Parking Lot)

Monday, March 29, 2021 10:00 A.M. CDT FOR COMPLETE DETAILS GO TO

www.maringauction.com

LAND AUCTION 160 ACRES+/- FREEBORN COUNTY, MN #1990 Farm

Auction Location:

TB3’s Bar & Grill, Freeborn, MN

Hollandale, MN – Prime Class A Crop Land ***Parcel 1***

117.19 Acres in Section 33 of Geneva Township, Freeborn County, MN

MAR.

26 10:00 AM

Auction Location: TB3’s Bar & Grill, Freeborn, MN

LIVE & ONLINE BIDDING

These two tracts are top-notch farms, great soils, excellent location and an opportunity to own the best. TRACT 1 Deeded Acres: 80 Acres. Legal Description: NW ¼ of SE ¼ of Section 15 & NW ¼ of NE ¼ of Section 22 in Freeborn TWP in Freeborn County, MN. CPI Soil Rating: 92.7 Tillable Acres: 80.37 Corn Base Acres: 45.90 PLC Yield 168 bu Bean Base Acres: 32.76 PLC Yield 43 bu TRACT 2 Deeded Acres: 80 Acres Legal Description: S ½ of NE ¼ Section 22 in Freeborn TWP in Freeborn County, MN. CPI Soil Rating: 93.1 Tillable Acres: 78.25 Corn Base Acres: 45.52 PLC Yield 168 bu Bean Base Acres: 32.48 PLC Yield 43 bu TERMS: $100,000 down earnest money for each tract. Please have your finances lined up prior to bidding. 2 options for closing dates. Close on or before May 1, 2021 to start receiving rent -ORclose on October 1, 2021. 2% buyer’s premium will apply. Anything thing said day of auction takes precedence over prior statements and sellers can accept or reject any and/or all bids.

GREG JENSEN

LANDPROZ BROKER / AUCTIONEER – 24-21 Minnesota and Iowa 507-383-1067 gregjensen@landproz.com

*** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** ***

PID #R17.033.0080, Zoned Ag NHSTD Taxes For 2020 Were $7,030 Area: 117.19 Acres Tillable Acres: 114.26 Patterned Drain Tile: 78,320 Feet Total Crop Productivity Index: 77.3 To Be Sold 117.19 x $ Bid Can be Operated by New Owner in 2021 Season Direction to Farm trom Hollandale, MN: Go West on MN Highway 251 approximately Two Miles, Then North on 810th Ave.

***Parcel 2***

116.55 Acres in Section 1 of Riceland Township, Freeborn Co., MN *** *** *** *** *** *** *** ***

PID# R12.001.0020 Zoned Ag NHSTD Taxes For 2020 Were $7,244 Area: 116.55 Acres (Surveyed) Tillable Acres: 109.56 Acres Crop Productivity Index: 83.3 To Be Sold 116.55 x $ Bid Can be Operated by New Owner in the 2021 Season Directions To Farm: East of Hollandale, MN on State Highway 251 Approximately One Mile

Thomas Harris Trust Dan & Carol Harris, Sellers

Terms: $40,000 Down, per parcel the day of the auction. The balance is due and payable in full to the sellers on or before April 20, 2021, at which time the buyer shall receive a clear and marketable title and possession. All real estate is selling as-is condition with no warranties or guarantees expressed or implied. All real estate taxes are due in 2021 shall be paid by the buyer(s). All bidders & buyers shall have all their finances in order prior to auction day.

BROKER: MARING AUCTION & REALTY INC., LIC# 40241191 M AT T M A R I N G

LandProz Real Estate, LLC / LandProz Country Living, LLC • LandProz Heartland Real Estate, LLC / LandProz of Indiana, LLC Broker Brian Haugen - MN, SD, IA, WI, IL, KS • Broker Amy Willett – MN, IA, MO • Broker Auctioneer Beau Jensen - MN, IA – 24-108 • Broker Auctioneer Greg Jensen - MN, IA – 24-21 • Broker Chad Stavnes – MN • Broker Tim Young – OH

CO.

We Sell the Earth & Everything On It.

MATT MARING AUCTION CO. INC. PO Box 37, Kenyon, MN 55946 507-789-5421 • 800-801-4502

Matt Maring, Lic. #25-28 • 507-951-8354

PAGE 24

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

THE LAND — MARCH 19/MARCH 26, 2021 T

Your First Choice for Classifieds!

r Place You ! y a d o T Ad

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, 418 South Second St., Mankato, MN 56002 Fax to: 507-345-1027 Email: theland@TheLandOnline.com / Online at: www.thelandonline.com

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

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DEADLINE: Friday at 5:00 p.m. for the following Friday edition.

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The ad prices listed are based on a basic classified line ad of 25 words or less. Ads running longer than 25 words will incur an added charge.

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

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Merchandise Antiques & Collectibles Lawn & Garden Feed Seed Hay Fertilizer & Chemicals Bins & Buildings Farm Equipment Tractors Tillage Equipment Planting Equipment

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Spraying Equipment Hay & Forage Equipment Harvesting Equipment Grain Handling Equipment Livestock Equipment Wanted Free & Give Away Livestock Poultry Dairy

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Cattle Swine Sheep Goats Horses & Tack Exotic Animals Pets & Supplies Cars & Pickups Industrial & Construction Trucks & Trailers

 Recreational Vehicles  Miscellaneous

Wanted WANTED DAMAGED CORNLIGHT TEST WEIGHT & HIGHER MOISTURE CORN. PAYING COMPETITIVE PRICES DEPENDING QUALITY. ZANE HANSON (507) 459-8653 WANTED: JD 336 or 327 baler; NH 315 baler; also NH 479 or 488 haybine; JD 1209 or 1219 haybine. All items any condition. 320-630-8131 WANTED: JD 450 or 780 manure spreader, good or parts; NH 718 chopper; also JD 7000 4 row planter. 320630-8131

Livestock FOR SALE: Black Angus bulls also Hamp, York, & Hamp/ Duroc boars & gilts. Alfred Kemen 320-598-3790

Sell your livestock in The Land with a line ad. 507-345-4523

Cattle

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

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

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

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

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

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SORRY!

CHECK We do not issue refunds.

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.

Polled Hereford registered yearling bulls for sale.

Have had all shots. Will be semen tested, poured and fly tags before delivery.

Halter broke and broke to lead. Several heifer bulls available. Fantastic growth E.P.D.’s. Delivery available. Klages Herefords, Ortonville, MN 320-273-2163(H) 605-8800521(C)

Swine FOR SALE: Yorkshire, Hampshire, Duroc, cross bred boars, gilts & 4-H pigs.

Top quality. Excellent herd health. No PRSS. Delivery available. 320-760-0365 Spot, Duroc, Chester White, Boars & Gilts available.

Monthly PRRS and PEDV. Delivery available. Steve Resler. 507-456-7746

Tell your auctioneer to advertise your auction in The Land 80 ac of Brown County Farm Land

Land Auction

Thursday, March 25th ~ 11:00 am

, s . d y

, . . e

Farm Retirement 5.16” x 4.5”

1973 140th St, Kennedy, MN 56733

TIMED ONLINE

2013 CASE-IH 600

OPENS: Tuesday, March 23

CLOSES: THURSDAY, APRIL 1 | 10AM

Auction held at: Mages Sleepy Eye Office 229 W. Main St, Sleepy Eye, MN 56085

Directions to land: From Comfrey, head west on Co Rd 17 for

0 1 1/2 miles, turn north onto 380th Ave, Land will be on the east r side of the road. Watch for signs! o -

s / d

PAGE 25

This property will sell as one parcel: Location of property within Brown County: Bashaw Twp, Section 33, Range 34 Total of farm: 80 total acres, approx. 77.76 acres tillable.

Productivity Index: 94.5

Note: All acr es ar e published based on Br own County Online Recor ds and FSA r ecor ds.

Dolores A. Honl Trust

Listing Auctioneers: Joe Wersal 507-220-5561 & Matt Mages 507-276-7002 ~ Lic #52-20-018

Auctioneers: Lar r y Mages, Lafayette; J oe Maidl, Lafayette; J ohn Goelz, Fr anklin Joe Wersal, Winthrop; Ryan Froehlich, Winthrop; Broker: Mages Land Co. & Auction Ser vice, LLC. Terms: No Buyer’s Premium. Ever ything sold in “AS IS” condition.

magesland.com

2012 CASE-IH 8230

2013 CASE-IH 4430

2015 CASE-IH 290

PREVIEW: Tuesday, March 23 – Thursday, April 1 from 8AM – 5PM LOADOUT: Thursday, April 1 – Monday, April 12 from 8AM – 5PM INCLUDES: Track Tractors, MFWD & 2WD Tractors, GPS Equipment, Harvest Equipment, Header Trailers, Grain Cart, Planter, Air Drill, Sprayer & Tires, Tillage Equipment, Sugarbeet & Row Crop Equipment, Semi Tractors, Box Trucks, Pickups, Hopper Bottom Trailers, End Dump, Dry Van, & Other Trailers, Hopper Bin, Grain Handling Equipment, Scrapers & Ditching Technology, Tractor Loader Backhoe, Other Equipment, Tanks, Tires, Parts & Farm Support Items

SteffesGroup.com Steffes Group, Inc., 2000 Main Ave East, West Fargo, ND

DARRON & KADIE BENSON | 218.686.2745 or Brad Olstad at Steffes Group, 701.237.9173 or 701.238.0240

All items sold as is where is. Payment of cash or check must be made sale day before removal of items. Statements made auction day take precedence over all advertising. $35 documentation fee applies to all titled vehicles. Titles will be mailed. Canadian buyers need a bank letter of credit to facilitate border transfer. Brad Olstad MN14-70

1526 210th St, Mahnomen, MN

Farm Retirement THURSDAY, MARCH 25 | 10AM

2016 JOHN DEERE 9570RT

2009 & 2011 JOHN DEERE 9770

2017 JOHN DEERE 635FD

2021

H 9 s

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2021

THE LAND — MARCH 19/MARCH 26, 2021

2002 CASE-IH MX220

PREVIEW: By Appointment | LOADOUT: Removal is two weeks from auction date. For loadout contact Dean Spaeth, 218.261.0612 | AUCTIONEER’S NOTE: Major equipment begins selling at 10:00 AM. Live online bidding available on major equipment. Registration, terms, & details at SteffesGroup.com

INCLUDES: Track Tractors, Tractors & Loader, GPS Equipment, Harvest Equipment, Grain Cart, Planter, Press Drills, Tillage Equipment, Sprayers/Spray Trailer & Saddle Tanks, Semi Tractors, Hopper Bottom Trailers, End Dump Trailers, Grain Handling & Aeration Equipment, Scraper, Blade & Rockpicker, SUV, Tanks, Tracks & Tires, Parts

SteffesGroup.com Steffes Group, Inc., 2000 Main Ave E, West Fargo, ND

DEAN SPAETH | Dean, 218.261.0612

or Justin Ruth at Steffes Group, 701.237.9173 or 701.630.5583 All items sold as is where is. Payment of cash or check must be made sale day before removal of items. Statements made auction day take precedence over all advertising. $35 documentation fee applies to all titled vehicles. Titles will be mailed. Canadian buyers need a bank letter of credit to facilitate border transfer. Justin Ruth MN14-041

PAGE 26

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

Farm Retirement

1141 175th Ave, Hendrum, MN 56550

TIMED ONLINE

OPENS: WEDNESDAY, MARCH 24

2021

CLOSES: WEDNESDAY, MARCH 31 | 10AM

THE LAND — MARCH 19/MARCH 26, 2021 T

Pets & Supplies

Miscellaneous

Miscellaneous

FOR SALE: 9 week old pure- PARMA DRAINAGE PUMPS Winpower Sales & Service bred collie pups, $600/each. New pumps & parts on hand. Reliable Power Solutions 507-521-2560 Call Minnesota’s largest dis- Since 1925 PTO & automatic tributor Emergency Electric GenerPUPPIES FOR SALE: BorHJ Olson & Company ators. New & Used der Collie/Blue Heeler cross, 320-974-8990 Cell - 320-212-5336 Rich Opsata-Distributor born 12/09/20, have shots and 800-343-9376 dewormed, $200/each. 507REINKE IRRIGATION 383-6701 SELL IT FAST Sales & Service with a classified line ad!

New & Used Please support the advertisers Call us today For your irrigation needs you see here. Tell them you 507-345-4523 or 888-830-7757 or 507-276-2073 saw their ad in The Land!

800-657-4665

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

2013 JOHN DEERE 8310RT

2012 JOHN DEERE S680

2012 WIL-RICH QX2

Upcoming Issues of THE LAND

PREVIEW: Wednesday, March 24 – Wednesday, March 31 from 8AM – 5PM LOADOUT: Wednesday, March 31 – Saturday, April 10 from 8AM – 5PM

Southern MN - Northern IA April 2, 2021 April 16, 2021 April 30, 2021 May 14, 2021

INCLUDES: Track Tractors, MFWD & 2WD Tractors, Harvest Equipment, Header Trailers, Grain Cart, Planter, Air Drill, Tillage Equipment, Row Crop Equipment, Semi Tractors, Pickups, End Dump Trailers, Detach & Car Trailers, Sprayer, Nurse & Sprayer Trailers, & Fertilizer Tanks, Seed Tender, Grain Handling Equipment, Excavator, Scrapers, Blade & Laser Trailer, Skid Steer Loader, Other Equipment, UTV & Airboat, Lawn & Garden, Fuel Tanks

SteffesGroup.com

Northern MN March 26, 2021 April 9, 2021 April 23, 2021 May 7, 2021

Deadline is 8 days prior to publication. *Indicates early deadline, 9 days prior to publication.

Steffes Group, Inc., 2000 Main Ave East, West Fargo, ND

418 S. Second Street • Mankato, MN 56001 Phone: 507-345-4523 or 800-657-4665 Fax: 507-345-1027

TERRY GUTTORMSON

contact Brad Olstad at Steffes Group, 701.237.9173 or 701.238.0240 All items sold as is where is. Payment of cash or check must be made sale day before removal of items. Statements made auction day take precedence over all advertising. $35 documentation fee applies to all titled vehicles. Titles will be mailed. Canadian buyers need a bank letter of credit to facilitate border transfer. Brad Olstad MN14-70

Ask Your Auctioneer to Place Your Auction in The Land!

THIS AUCTION CLOSING: MARCH 24 Agriculture & Construction Equipment, Recreation, & More!

Whenever you’re ready to sell, we’re here with your opportunity.

Advertising Deadlines are the 1st & 15th of every month!

2014 JOHN DEERE 9410R

2001 CASE-IH

2003 JOHN DEERE 1890

2005 PETERBILT 378

1999 IHC 9100

Garner, IA

Mapleton, ND

Eureka, SD

Garner, IA

Comstock, MN

1995 JOHN DEERE 9500

1990 DORSEY TANDEM AXLE

FABWURX 4536

SUMMERS HYD. FOLD, 60’

1960 JOHN DEERE 830

Eureka, SD

Comstock, MN

Comstock, MN

Wahpeton, ND

Devils Lake, ND

SteffesGroup.com For consignor info & location, terms, lot listing & photos visit SteffesGroup.com | 701.237.9173

No Transport Cost!

No Geographical Limits!

Weather-Proof!

Insures Top Value!

Our online auctions allow successful bidding anytime, anywhere, & any place!

West Fargo, 701.237.9173 | Grand Forks, 701.203.8400 | Watford City, 701.580.2426 Sioux Falls, 712.477.2144 Scott Steffes ND81, MN14-51 Litchfield, 320.693.9371 Lexington, 308.217.4508 Mt. Pleasant, 319.385.2000 | Mason City, 641.423.1947 | Ames, 515.432.6000

THE LAND — MARCH 19/MARCH 26, 2021

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

THANK YOU FOR READING THE LAND! Please support the advertisers that you see in The Land.

e s c -

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MANDAKO 12’-60’ LONG ROLLERS

PAGE 27

ADVERTISING NOTICE: Please check your ad the first week it runs.

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

FOR THE BEST DEAL ORDER NOW!

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

ADVERTISER LISTING

Auctioneer Alley ................................................................................... 21 Beck's Hybrids ........................................................................................ 1 Blue Sky Financial .................................................................................. 5 Dahl Farm Supply ................................................................................. 10 Freudenthal Dairy ................................................................................. 15 Greenwald Farm Center ......................................................................... 27 Grizzly Buildings, Inc. ............................................................................ 5 Ground Zero Services ............................................................................ 13 Hamm Seeds ........................................................................................... 6 Henslin Auctions, Inc ...................................................................... 21, 25 Land Resource Management .................................................................. 23 LandProz.com ....................................................................................... 23 Mages Auction Service .......................................................................... 25 Matt Maring Auction Co. ....................................................................... 23 Mealman, Wendy ................................................................................... 19 Mid American Auction .............................................................. 20, 21, 22 Minnwest Bank ....................................................................................... 3 MSU College of Business ........................................................................ 4 Northland Buildings .............................................................................. 17 Pioneer ........................................................................................... 11, 12 Pruess Elevator, Inc. ............................................................................. 23 Rush River Steel & Trim ....................................................................... 14 Schweiss Doors ..................................................................................... 23 Scott Buboltz ........................................................................................ 18 Smiths Mill Implement, Inc. .................................................................. 20 Spanier Welding ...................................................................................... 7 Steffes Group ............................................................................ 22, 25, 26 Wingert Realty & Land Services ............................................................ 22 YMT Vacations ..................................................................................... 16 507-345-4523 • 800-657-4665 418 S. Second Street, Mankato, MN 56001 www.thelandonline.com

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PAGE 28

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

THE LAND — MARCH 19/MARCH 26, 2021

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

M

Fishin’ in the dark

innesotans had to pull their fish houses off the ice several weeks ago at the end of the Walleye and Northern Pike fishing season. You can still angle through the ice for sunfish and crappies; but you’ll have to wait until next year to spear for Northerns or angle for Walleyes from the relative comfort of your fish house.

We call them fish houses, although they aren’t; but who wants to call them little houses that we fish from?

We also close the door tight and put a covering over the windows. We call those dark houses. But even with the window and door sealed tight, it’s magically light in there. If you live in Minnesota and haven’t looked at the bottom of a lake through a hole in the ice while sitting in your dark house with a fire in the stove, you must do that next winter. It’s just as cool as watching the northern lights shimmer in the sky.

I know that you serious fisher-persons disagree with me, but I’d say just looking down into that hole and watching the occasional school of Perch go through is a special treat all by itself.

Now, if you add a decoy dancing up and down six feet below you, you’ve truly got something way-better than You Tube.

Some Northern Pike hit that decoy so fast and hard you never see them coming and you barely saw them go. They leave your heart beating, your adrenaline juiced up, and your spear where it was before that wild green tiger of a fish roared through your spear hole.

Northerns are like tigers for their ferocity. Also because they lay and wait patiently for their prey and leap on it in an explosion of movement. That Northern which surprised you so much that you almost fell in your hole had been waiting, just outside your vision, to ambush your decoy for some time.

The Northerns that ease slowly into your hole, gills moving, tail flicking ever so gently, are the ones you want. You’re an ambush predator too — and you wait, spear half into the water, and NOW! There is a swirl of silt on the lake bottom and you’ve got it.

If you want to try your luck at dark house fishing, or just peering through a hole, the Minnesota Dark House and Angling Association has plans for an inexpensive shelter on their website. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has lots of good advice (and fishing regulations) at its website: www.dnr.state.mn.us. v

10,000 Lakes

Page 4 - March 19/March 26, 2021

THE LAND, Advertising Supplement

100± Auction Events

© 2021

March 19/March 26, 2021

Scheduled for Spring 2021

(800) 657-4665 www.TheLandOnline.com theland@TheLandOnline.com 418 South Second St., Mankato, MN 56001

The 2021 Spring Auctions catalog contains 44 pages of auctions and a special market trends update from Scott Steffes, President of Steffes Group, Inc.

Auctions included in the catalog are land, ag equipment, construction equipment, trucks & trailers, hay & forage, firearms, and more. With over 90 auction events scheduled & counting, you’re bound to find that unique item or parcel of land for which you have been searching.

2021

Spring Auctions

Looking to have an auction and would like to be featured in the next auction catalog?

Contact a local representative today to discuss the best options for you.

S T E F F E S G R O U P, I N C.

Selling Land & the Equipment to Farm It Since

1960

2021

Spring Auctions

Have a great Spring!

Contact a location near you to receive our next auction catalog or sign up at

SteffesGroup.com

Steffes Group, Inc. is a nationally recognized leader in the auction industry.

We perform On-Site & Online Auctions, Large AgIron Events, Farm Real Estate Auctions, Land Brokerage & Auctions, Farm Asset Management, and Equipment Appraisals.

West Fargo, ND 701.237.9173

Grand Forks, ND 701.203.8400

Watford City, ND 701.580.2426

Litchfield, MN 320.693.9371

Sioux Falls, SD 712.477.2144

Lexington, NE 308.217.4508

Mt. Pleasant, IA 319.385.2000

S T E F F E S G R O U P, I N C.

Mason City, IA 641.423.1947

Ames, IA 515.432.6000

Selling Land & the Equipment to Farm It Since 1960

Page 2 - March 19/March 26, 2021

THE LAND, Advertising Supplement

UPCOMING Timed Online Auctions in Red with Closing Date

March 19/March 26, 2021 - Page 3

THE LAND, Advertising Supplement

AUCTIONS

APRIL EQUIPMENT

MARCH EQUIPMENT Live On-Site

Donavan VanderVoort Farm Retirement Auction Friday, March 19 @ 10AM Hector, MN

Live On-Site

Timed Online

Gary & Cindy Haman Farm Retirement Auction

Tuesday, March 23 @ 10AM Rolette, ND

Live On-Site

Nickeson-Hoistad Inventory Reduction Auction

Ron & Mary Smith Farm Retirement & Firearm Collection Auction

CLOSES: Thursday, March 25 @ 1PM Forman, ND & Veblen, SD

Thursday, March 25 @ 11AM DeWitt, IA

Myrtle Laughlin Estate Farm Equipment Auction Multi-Party Construction Equipment Auction Tom & Jeani Smith Farm Retirement Auction Johnson Family Estate Auction Lawren & Lynette Wold Retirement Auction Online Steffes Auction - 3/24 Lyndall Winter Farm Equipment Auction Ron & Mary Smith Farm Retirement & Firearm Collection Auction Steve & Susan Booth Farm Retirement Auction Stan Brunmeier Estate Farm Equipment Auction Mike Nelson Farm Equipment Auction Manure Pumping & Handling Auction Joseph C. Michels Farm Retirement Auction J&K Skovholt Ltd. Partnership Sugarbeet Equipment Auction Robert Carns Farm Retirement Auction Terry Guttormson Farm Retirement Auction RC Kellogg Farms Retirement Auction

Live On-Site

Dean Spaeth Farm Retirement Auction

Thursday, March 25 @ 10AM Mahnomen, MN

MARCH/APRIL/JUNE REAL ESTATE Muscatine County, IA Land Auction 80± Acres Ft. Madison, IA Real Estate Auction Burlington, IA Commercial Real Estate Auction Griggs County, ND Land Auction 160± Acres Walsh County, ND Hideaway Lodge & Recreational Land Auction

Timed Online

Kibble Equipment Auction CLOSES: Monday, March 29 @ 12PM Larchwood, IA

March 24 / 4PM

Muscatine, IA

March 30 / 4PM

Fort Madison, IA

April 6 / 3PM

Burlington, IA

June 9 / 12PM

Binford, ND

June 17 / 1PM

Edinburg, ND

Live On-Site

TLM Farms Inc. Retirement Auction

Wednesday, March 24 @ 10AM Duncombe, IA

Timed Online

Timed Online

Cass County, ND Land Auction - 312± Acres

CLOSES: Tuesday, March 23 @ 12PM Argusville, ND

CLOSES: Wednesday, March 24 @ 1PM Chippewa & Swift Counties, MN

Timed Online

Steffes Construction Consignment Auction

CLOSES: Wednesday, March 31 @ 10AM Upper Midwest Locations

West Fargo / 701.237.9173 | Grand Forks / 701.203.8400 | Watford City / 701.580.2426

Timed Online

Swift & Chippewa Counties Tillable Farmland/Building Sites - 587± Acres

Timed Online

Darron & Kadie Benson Farm Retirement Auction

CLOSES: Thursday, April 1 @ 10AM Kennedy, MN

Litchfield / 320.693.9371

Clay County, MN Development Land Auction - 320± Acres

CLOSES: Thursday, April 1 @ 12PM Moorhead, MN

Timed Online

Wapello, IA

March 23 / 10AM

Mt. Pleasant, IA

March 23 / 1PM

Hartford, IA

March 23 / 7PM

Litchfield, MN

March 24 / 10AM

Glenburn, ND

March 24 / 10AM

Midwest Locations

March 24 / 3PM

Blue Grass, IA

March 25 / 11AM

DeWitt, IA

March 26 / 10AM

Batavia, IA

March 26 / 10AM

Stanton, ND

March 29 / 10AM

Rothsay, MN

March 30 / 10AM

Litchfield, MN

March 30 / 10AM

Beach, ND

March 30 / 12PM

Mooreton, ND

March 30 / 10AM

Cuba City, WI

March 31 / 10AM

Hendrum, MN

March 31 / 11AM

Tama, IA

Hausladen Inventory Reduction Green Ag Services Inventory Reduction Auction Online Steffes Auction - 4/7 Corey & Joan Refshaw Farm Retirement Auction Chester McKillip Farm Retirement Auction Matt Fischer Farm Retirement Auction John W. Bailey Jr. Estate & Others Farm Equipment Auction Farden Construction Equipment Reduction Auction Kelly & Colette Giffey Farm Retirement Auction Witt Consulting Business Liquidation Auction Scott Muscha Estate Farm Auction EnRec Solutions Equipment Auction Gerald W Nepodal Estate Farm Equipment Auction Buhler Versatile Willmar Factory Liquidation Auction Moberg Energy Retirement Auction Mark Heck Estate Auction Online Steffes Auction - 4/21

April 1 / 10AM

Mt. Sterling, IA

April 2 / 10AM

Muscatine, IA

April 2 / 1PM

Melrose, IA

April 6 / 1PM

North Liberty, IA

April 6 / 4PM

Burlington, IA

April 6 / 7PM

Beldenville, WI

April 6 / 7PM

Fisher, MN

April 7 / 10AM

New Germany, MN

April 7 / 10AM

Mohall, ND

April 7 / 10AM

Midwest Locations

April 7 / 10AM

Mahnomen, MN

April 7 / 10AM

Muscatine, IA

April 8 / 10AM

Mercer, ND

April 8 / 1PM

Marshalltown, IA

April 8 / 10AM

Maxbass, ND

April 9 / 10AM

Roseglen, ND

April 9 / 10AM

Monango, ND

April 13 / 10AM April 14 / 10AM

Harvey, ND Chippewa Falls, WI

April 14 / 10AM

Platte, SD

April 14 / 7PM

Willmar, MN

April 16 / 10AM April 21 / 10AM April 21 / 10AM

Watford City, ND Graceville, MN Midwest Locations

Complete lot listings & photos at

Steve & Cheri Nicolai Farm Retirement Auction

CLOSES: Tuesday, April 6 @ 10AM Milnor, ND

Sioux Falls / 712.477.2144

March 19 / 1PM

ELCAM Farms, Inc. Equipment Auction Darly & Wendy Sywassink Farm Retirement Auction Nathan & Rebecca Sarver Row Crop Retirement Auction City Tractor Co. Pre-Season Inventory Reduction Auction Delbert Holtkamp Estate Auction 4 Rings Trim Bel Dairy Inventory Reduction Auction Dale & Eric Sorenson Retirement Auction

Lexington / 308.217.4508

SteffesGroup.com Mt. Pleasant / 319.385.2000 | Mason City / 641.423.1947 | Ames / 515.432.6000

Page 4 - March 19/March 26, 2021

THE LAND, Advertising Supplement

100± Auction Events

© 2021

March 19/March 26, 2021

Scheduled for Spring 2021

(800) 657-4665 www.TheLandOnline.com theland@TheLandOnline.com 418 South Second St., Mankato, MN 56001

The 2021 Spring Auctions catalog contains 44 pages of auctions and a special market trends update from Scott Steffes, President of Steffes Group, Inc.

Auctions included in the catalog are land, ag equipment, construction equipment, trucks & trailers, hay & forage, firearms, and more. With over 90 auction events scheduled & counting, you’re bound to find that unique item or parcel of land for which you have been searching.

2021

Spring Auctions

Looking to have an auction and would like to be featured in the next auction catalog?

Contact a local representative today to discuss the best options for you.

S T E F F E S G R O U P, I N C.

Selling Land & the Equipment to Farm It Since

1960

2021

Spring Auctions

Have a great Spring!

Contact a location near you to receive our next auction catalog or sign up at

SteffesGroup.com

Steffes Group, Inc. is a nationally recognized leader in the auction industry.

We perform On-Site & Online Auctions, Large AgIron Events, Farm Real Estate Auctions, Land Brokerage & Auctions, Farm Asset Management, and Equipment Appraisals.

West Fargo, ND 701.237.9173

Grand Forks, ND 701.203.8400

Watford City, ND 701.580.2426

Litchfield, MN 320.693.9371

Sioux Falls, SD 712.477.2144

Lexington, NE 308.217.4508

Mt. Pleasant, IA 319.385.2000

S T E F F E S G R O U P, I N C.

Mason City, IA 641.423.1947

Ames, IA 515.432.6000

Selling Land & the Equipment to Farm It Since 1960