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March 19, 2021 March 26, 2021
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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. XL ❖ No. 6 24 pages, 1 section plus supplements
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COLUMNS Opinion Farm and Food File Deep Roots From My Farmhouse Kitchen Green & Growing Marketing Farm Programs Mielke Market Weekly Auctions/Classifieds Advertiser Listing Back Roads
2-5 4 6 7 8 10-11 12 13 18-23 23 24
STAFF
Publisher: Steve Jameson: sjameson@mankatofreepress.com General Manager: Deb Petterson: dpetterson@TheLandOnline.com Managing Editor: Paul Malchow: editor@TheLandOnline.com Staff Writer: Kristin Kveno: kkveno@thelandonline.com Staff Writer Emeritus: Dick Hagen: rdhagen35@gmail.com Advertising Representatives: Joan Streit: (507) 344-6379, jstreit@thelandonline.com Deb Petterson: dpetterson@TheLandOnline.com Office/Advertising Assistants: Joan Compart: theland@TheLandOnline.com Lyuda Shevtsov: auctions@thelandonline.com For Customer Service Concerns: (507) 345-4523, (800) 657-4665, theland@TheLandOnline.com Fax: (507) 345-1027 For Editorial Concerns or Story Ideas: (507) 344-6342, (800) 657-4665, editor@TheLandOnline.com Because of the nature of articles appearing in The Land, product or business names may be included to provide clarity. This does not constitute an endorsement of any product or business. Opinions and viewpoints expressed in editorials or by news sources are not necessarily those of the management. The Publisher shall not be liable for slight changes or typographical errors that do not lessen the value of an advertisement. The Publisher’s liability for other errors or omissions in connection with an advertisement is strictly limited to publication of the advertisement in any subsequent issue or the refund of any monies paid for the advertisement. Classified Advertising: $19.99 for seven (7) lines for a private classified, each additional line is $1.40; $24.90 for business classifieds, each additional line is $1.40. Classified ads accepted by mail or by phone with VISA, MasterCard, Discover or American Express. Classified ads can also be sent by e-mail to theland@TheLandOnline.com. Mail classified ads to The Land, 418 South Second St., Mankato, MN 56001. Please include credit card number, expiration date and your postal address with ads sent on either mail version. Classified ads may also be called into (800) 657-4665. Deadline for classified ads is 5 pm on the Friday prior to publication date, with holiday exceptions. Distributed to farmers in all Minnesota counties and northern Iowa, as well as on The Land’s website. Each classified ad is separately copyrighted by The Land. Reproduction without permission is strictly prohibited. Subscription and Distribution: Free to farmers and agribusinesses in Minnesota and northern Iowa. $49 per year for non-farmers and people outside the service area. The Land (USPS 392470) Copyright © 2021 by The Free Press Media is published biweekly by The Free Press, 418 S 2nd Street, Mankato, MN 56001-3727. Business and Editorial Offices: 418 S. 2nd Street, Mankato, MN 56001-3727, Accounting and Circulation Offices: Steve Jameson, 418 S 2nd Street, Mankato, MN 56001-3727. Call (507) 345-4523 to subscribe. Periodicals postage paid at Mankato, MN. Postmaster and Change of Address: Send address changes to The Land, 418 South Second St., Mankato MN 56001-3727 or e-mail to theland@TheLandOnline.com.
Well, the Farm Show season was a nonevent this year and it showed you don’t know what you’ve got ‘til it’s gone. Sitting in The Land booth and meeting our readers is not only fun, but thankfully our readers are quite willing to share their opinions as to how we’re doing our job. It seems like forever since the 2020 North American Farm and Power Show was scrapped because of Covid-19. (Come to think of it, it has been forever.) And how strange to be sitting at home the first week of August instead of touring the Farmfest grounds.
helplessness of pandemic America, politics reigned in many of the letters we received. “Once again you allow another misleading and inept article by Alan Guebert grace your newspaper,” one reader wrote. “I sure wish you would suspend his garbage writings and employ more of Dick Hagen’s jottings.” LAND MINDS By Paul Malchow
OPINION
Readers of The Land did not disappoint, however, as we received many comments during our recent subscription drive. Some were written on scraps of paper or the back of a used envelope, some on storebought cards and stationery, some on little note pads the author probably picked up at a farm show. Some are short notes written on a big sheet of paper; some are rather lengthy comments in tiny writing on a post-it note. The vast majority are hand written. Looking at the numbers in the plus column and the numbers in the minus column, The Land swallowed hard and increased the price of a year’s subscription. If you’re a farmer, our way of saying “thanks” is to make the subscription fee optional. To our pleasant surprise, not only were readers generous about the price increase, many farmers sent a check along as well. Yes, we had a reader quit his subscription, urging us to use “common sense” and rethink the subscription hike. Another reader took us down memory lane when The Land subscription was ten bucks. I’d like a lot of things to be the same as they were 40 years ago: my weight, my energy, my phone bill, my ability to sleep through the night. But things change. Last year, in an age of text messages and emails, I still spent over $100 on postage stamps. Judging by the response from our readers, they seem to feel they’re getting their money’s worth. Many letter writers like to tell us their age — at least the ones in their 80s and 90s. One reader who is nearer 100 than 90 wrote a wonderful complimentary note. She asked for a primer on the modern farm equipment she sees in the field these days and marvels at the size of these machines. “I know I was 99 on Oct. 28, but I’m still interested in industrial hemp,” she writes. “It has turned out to be quite a crop if farmers follow rules.” Now there’s a letter I never thought I’d see 10 years ago. An 85-year-old subscriber loves the paper and is “…afraid our government is running our country into the ground.” Whether it is the heat of the recent election or the
On the other hand, there’s this one: “Tell Alan Guebert he is a straight shooter and I appreciate his opinion column.” Or this comment: “Alan is not an ag writer. He’s just another left wing political hack.”
The Land writer Dick Hagen has accumulated many fans over the years. No subscribers labeled him a “right wing political hack,” but Hagen’s conservative outlook and fierce patriotism strikes a chord with many readers. “Commend Dick Hagen,” one wrote. “Keep up the good work.” Another subscriber urged us to “stop stroking Donald Trump!” I would have thought the recent election would have put him/her in a better mood. And then there was this short note from a subscriber and regular “Letter to the Editor” writer: “Thoroughly enjoy your paper because it is nonpolitical.” So there you have it. Many of The Land’s regular columnists are women writers and they all received glowing praise in our mailbox. A woman from Raymond, Minn. confessed, “I don’t read the entire paper, but enjoy the columns. My husband reads the rest.” Some notes are good food for thought. One reader suggested we write more about “real farmers and not corporate employees.” Which got me thinking, what makes a “real farmer?” I suppose if you’re an employee you don’t have the skin in the game that an owner would. But I’ve met a number of people from all areas of the ag world — from big grain producers to five-acre CSA owners; FFA teachers, Extension educators. They all have different roles, but they also all have pride in what they do. And it’s real. In January The Land General Manager Deb Petterson asked for readers’ help in filling out the subscription card and mailing it back in. Thousands of you did just that and many were generous with sending some dollars our way. “I was amazed by the response — especially with the pandemic and things being so tight this year,” she said. “I’m truly grateful for the support of our subscribers.” Yes, The Land is a business and not all business decisions are fun or popular. But through the course of over 40 years The Land is also a family of sorts. And like the writers and the advertisers, See LAND MINDS, pg. 4
THE LAND — MARCH 19/MARCH 26, 2021
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2019 Qrome® product performance data is based on the average of comparisons on corn-on-corn acres made in the United States through Nov. 1, 2019. Comparisons are against all competitor triple-stack products, segment matched, and within a +/- 3 CRM of the competitive brand. Product responses are variable and subject to any number of environmental, disease and pest pressures. Individual results may vary. Multi-year and multi-location data are a better predictor of future performance. DO NOT USE THIS OR ANY OTHER DATA FROM A LIMITED NUMBER OF TRIALS AS A SIGNIFICANT FACTOR IN PRODUCT SELECTION. Refer to www.pioneer.com/products or contact a Pioneer sales representative or authorized dealer for the latest and complete listing of traits and scores for each Pioneer ® brand product. 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
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THE LAND — MARCH 19/MARCH 26, 2021
Figuring the odds on USDA’s Prospective Plantings report If you’re a corn and soybean farmer or corn, soybeans and wheat — driven by an ag commodity futures trader, one of shrinking U.S. supplies and continued the biggest make-or-break days of the high demand globally — are putting in year looms: On March 31, the U.S. their strongest performances in years. Department of Agriculture will issue That means U.S. farmers might be able its Prospective Plantings report. to do what they do best — plant big acres The much-anticipated report is the and deliver big crops without prices fallworld’s first look at USDA’s best estiing to knee-shaking levels. mates for the upcoming year’s planted FARM & FOOD FILE Just how big? acreage of major U.S. crops like corn, soyBy Alan Guebert USDA offered a preview of 2021 plantbeans, wheat and cotton. Market bears ed acres in its mid-February Outlook and bulls usually find enough news in Forum. In round numbers (none tied to the report to rattle prices for weeks. actual survey data) it guessed U.S. This March’s numbers are even more farmers could plant 92 million acres of corn, 90 milanticipated than usual because key ag markets like lion acres of soybeans, and 45 million acres of winter and spring wheat. If accurate, the combined acreage for corn and soybeans, at 182 million, would top 2017’s record 180.3 million acres. More importantly, USDA’s 2021 soybean estimate is 6.9 million acres more than what U.S. farmers planted in 2020. While that’s an enormous boost, (the overall crop, at an estimated 4.5 billion bushels, would be up nine percent from last year) USDA guesses 2021-22 soybean prices will average $11.25 per bushel, or “slightly” better than last year, 30 COLORS 26-29 GAUGE Standard all around because more farmers will use today’s good futures durability prices to price tomorrow’s crop. Well, it can hope. Where soy gets the acres is equally hopeful. USDA believes today’s strong prices will draw some Northern Plains spring wheat acres to soybeans (likely) and almost 2 million acres of planned cotton will, instead, be planted in soybeans. (Equally likely.) Also, the “unusually high level” of unplanted acres 30 COLORS 26-29 GAUGE Standing seam architecture look for half the price across the Midwest in the last two years will return to “normal” and soybeans will sprout on many of them. (This is what USDA sounds like when it guesses.) That’s the February, no-farmers-surveyed case. The March, farmers-surveyed Prospective Plantings report may confirm that bias, say market seers. If so, today’s November futures market, Residential and round roof 30 COLORS 26-29 GAUGE applications
OPINION
dancing around $12.50 per bushel, appears comfortable with an estimated 90 million acre soybean crop on the horizon. Of course, if USDA finds more than a 90 million acre crop in the offing, futures prices could take a hit. The silver lining to that cloud, however, is that added soybean acres means fewer corn acres because the acres have to come from somewhere. So, what’s bad for beans will be good for corn. But will farmers give up corn acres to grow more soybeans in 2021? That might be a hard fight, write Brent Gloy and David Widmar in a March 15 blog for their firm, agricultural economic insights, or aei. The straightforward math (using 2021 Purdue University crop budgets) show a clear, $20-per-acre profit advantage to grow soybeans over corn — mostly because variable costs to grow beans ($249/ acre) are considerably less than corn ($436/acre). But what happens to that advantage when corn and soybeans are both enjoying strong markets like this year, and — for argument’s sake — you encounter a stellar production year? In other words, what’s “the operating leverage” of one crop over the other in good years? To the aei team, the advantage then falls to corn. They say it this way: “In 48 percent of the observations, or about half the time, corn would generate a larger contribution margin than soybeans, even with soybeans’ ‘on average’ advantage.” Most farmers state this concept differently. They put it this way: “just prefer to plant corn, all things being equal,” because, in fact, in years like 2021, all things aren’t equal: corn can be a big winner. But betting on that would be like betting on the Prospective Plantings report. No thanks, but good luck. The Farm and Food File is published weekly through the United States and Canada. Past columns, events and contact information are posted at www.farmandfoodfile.com. v
There’s still time to subscribe LAND MINDS, from pg. 2 our subscribers are part of that family. And like all good families, we want everyone to have their say. So keep the notes, letters and thoughts coming.
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One of those notes was scribbled on the outside of the envelope — almost like a last-minute thought before putting it in the mail. “Enjoy your freedom while you still have it!” A quick note before everyone heads out into the fields: If you haven’t sent in your subscription form,
it’s not too late. The form is available on our website thelandonline.com. It’s important for us to have these forms on file when the post office wants us to prove we actually have subscribers. Naturally, we’d also like you to send a check. Me? I like the notes. Paul Malchow is the managing editor of The Land. He may be reached at editor@TheLandOnline.com. v
THE LAND — MARCH 19/MARCH 26, 2021
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Dairy and health: Back in the limelight where it belongs 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. 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
OPINION
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.
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 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
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.
Letter: New technology has drawbacks
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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 savpieces together here and there. An earlier ings time in spring where we get to bedtime during the winter months is a “spring ahead” and have an extra hour of favorite of mine. And then, ever so gradulight at the end of the day. I love the ally, the light lingers longer and longer promise of spring that brings new life, each day. longer days and warmth. All too often, I view darkness as a threat When I was growing up, our summer rather than savoring darkness for what it routine consisted of getting all of our is. As an adolescent, I recall (on rare occawork done around home as early as possisions) being alone in the farmhouse of my DEEP ROOTS ble so we could spend the rest of the day childhood. When darkness would befall, I By Whitney Nesse would tear through the house, groping in the pool. The summer routine of my youth still continues with my own family around in the inky blackness of night, today. During the week, the kids and I get all of our looking to flip on every light switch that I could find. jobs done at home and then head over to my sister’s With the flip of a switch, the darkness would instantfor long afternoons of swimming and playing in their ly vanish and I would be momentarily blinded by the pool. Our weekends look much the same, only we sudden change. Light meant safety. I was convinced trade the pool and deck for a lake and pontoon and that there was a boogeyman somewhere that wouldn’t my husband is able to join us. The kids spend hours come out if the lights were on. My folks would come swimming, fishing, snacking, tubing, kayaking and home and tease, “Is this Motel 6, because they’ll leave kneeboarding on a handful of lakes in our area. the light on for ya?!” after the old Motel 6 radio ads. With myself primarily being a homemaker, I love About six years ago, I went through a very dark the long daylight hours and warmer temperatures. season emotionally. I felt as though I were falling Longer days means more outdoor play for the kids into a pit with no way out. When I reached rock botand outdoor bathrooms for my three boys. That tom (metaphorically speaking), my instinct was to means less housework for me! With warmer temps, start groping around in the cataclysmic darkness all five kids wear less clothing and spend about half which surrounded me — searching for a light of their time in their swimming suits. That makes switch to flip and instantly drive out the darkness. less laundry for me too! Fumbling around in the emotional darkness of the But there is always a sense of sadness in knowing pit I had found myself in, searching for an instant that the short days and long nights of winter are fix, proved only to be exhausting. One evening, as I over. I have found that there are treasures in the was searching scripture, looking for a quick fix from dark season of winter. Winter seems to be a season God, the Lord spoke to me through Isaiah 45:3 saywhere we slow down. There are cozy evenings of ing, “I will give you the treasures of darkness and popcorn and family movies. Jigsaw puzzles can take the riches hidden in secret places, so that you may up space for a lengthy time as passers-by put a few
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
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Enrollment is now open for Minnesota’s Walk-In Access program, which pays private landowners to allow public hunting on their lands. This year, landowners can receive $18 per acre enrolled. And the program is expanding to include more counties. Landowners who are interested in enrolling their land must meet the following criteria: Parcels must be at least 40 acres in size or it must be contiguous with another WIA parcel that is 40 acres or more in size. Priority is given to lands enrolled in a conservation program such as the federal Conservation Reserve Program or the state Reinvest in Minnesota Reserve Program, or other state and federal conservation programs. Lands not enrolled in a conservation program may be eligible if high quality natural cover exists and is maintained by the landowner. Lands within 500 feet of a home or corral occupied by livestock cannot be enrolled, unless they are occupied by the cooperator or his/her livestock. The enrolled parcel must be accessible from a public road.
The habitat must be maintained through the enrollment period. Landowners, or the state, may terminate the contract at any time (effective 30 days after written notice of termination received). Hunters must purchase a $3 permit with a hunting license to access enrolled land. Walk-In Access parcels are marked with highly visible signs posted by DNR staff. Participating hunters can access Walk-In Access land Sept. 1 through May 31. Hunting laws are enforced by DNR conservation officers. Landowners are not required to purchase additional liability insurance. Landowners can sign up for the program at their local soil and water conservation district office or by contacting Troy Dale, program coordinator, at (507) 537-6616. More information is available at mndnr.gov/walkin. This article was submitted by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. v
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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, Government programs and money handouts have co-op employees, veterinarians, and more to somechanged the landscape immensely. Rare these days one who actually does the hands-on labor in the is there an independent farmer. Yet this ‘free’ money barn or field. can cause ill feelings between those who qualify and Agriculture sectors are intertwined and also com- those who do not. petitive with each other. A grain farmer (yes, I like The United States imports more food than ever; the word farmer over producer) usually rejoices in a which hurts any nation. Cheaper imports make an limit up day; whereas a livestock farmer may need impact. Last year I was told by an Aronia berry look more closely at his balance sheets. farmer that they didn’t harvest their berries Farm to farm differs greatly. There are the large because there was no market for the fruit. Berries operators who employ many people. Someone has to from other countries were less expensive to purpick the ripe strawberries grown in the USA and chase. While I haven’t been able to confirm this are now appearing on our store shelves. elsewhere, I have no reason to doubt the person who The work on some farms is done by me, myself told me. If true, many dreams turned into nightand I. mares because evidently we American farmers aren’t as indispensable as we like to think. Even as size and types of farm differ, so does the reason behind farming. For many of us, we are fond Cyber attacks have been successful into infiltratof saying (and I think it is partially true when I ing businesses that purchase our raw products — consider my farmer, our sons and brothers) it is in causing many major headaches and more stress. our blood. We know or care about nothing else. We Many uncertainties exist. We all remember what grew up working alongside our parents and grandCovid-19 shutdowns did to our livestock that were parents and just grew into it. ready for market.
Local Foods and Farmers Expo 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 showcase 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
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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March gardening gives you a jump for a longer season Warm weather may inspire gardeners to One gardening book advised starting go outside and start work, but it is early more seeds than needed in case some do to do some things. Fall blooming shrubs not germinate or survive to reach full may be pruned now. Spring blooming size. Seeds may be sown in small trays shrubs such as lilacs should not be and then later transplanted to individual pruned until they have finished blooming. pots. Heating mats manufactured for Pruning now would reduce the number of seed starting are one method for keeping blooms that have already formed on the the soil warm which encourages germinaGREEN AND stems. Avoid walking on damp areas of tion. Plastic covers or film may be placed GROWING the lawn and garden because an individuover the top of the trays or individual By Linda G. Tenneson pots to retain moisture. If these are al’s body weight can compress the soil and make it harder for plant roots to used, check the containers each day and absorb water and nutrients. Inspect trees and prune remove the covers once the seeds have sprouted. As crossing or rubbing branches and/or to remove those soon as the baby plants have produced their second that have been damaged during the winter. set of leaves, they may be transplanted into individual 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 June 1. Plants may be started earlier if they are started in, or later transplanted to, pots big enough to hold the larger and taller plant. They should be under a lighting system that will encourage the The Minnesota Department of Agriculture has plant to grow without becoming too tall (often made one change to the state’s 2021 noxious weed referred to as being “leggy.”) list. The designation of the non-native subspecies of phragmites (Phragmites australis spp. australis) has changed from Restricted to Prohibited Control. The regulations do not apply to Minnesota’s native subspecies of phragmites (Phragmites australis spp. americanus). The Minnesota Aquatic Invasive Species Research Center has information on distinguishing between the two subspecies. You may also Pump work with your local county agricultural inspector and for help in determining which subspecies you may have observed. Motor Parts Prohibited Control weeds are more widespread On Hand than Prohibited Eradicate weeds. Prohibited Control weeds must be eliminated before they mature and spread through seeds, cuttings and other plant parts. Efforts must be made to prevent seed maturation and dispersal of plants into new areas. Additionally, Designed for no transportation, propagation, or sale of these plants is allowed. LongLife n Parts and Service Non-native phragmites is a semi-aquatic perennial and Reliable n Warrick Control Systems grass that grows in wetlands, lakeshores, streamn Low Maintenance Preformance banks, and marshy areas. It can reach heights of 15 n Handles Trash feet and forms dense clonal stands. The stems are n Automatic Operation hollow, ridged, and rough in texture. Flowers develop n Simplicity & Versatility in August and form dense, feathery clusters that are Baldor? typically purple in color. Roots and rhizomes (undern Setting Lengths 4’ to 20’ US Motor? ground stems) can spread more than 10 feet horizonIt Doesn’t Pumps, Motors & Bearings, LLC tally and several feet deep. It also produces a high Matter ... number of seeds. With its extensive underground 1411 4th St. SW • Waseca, MN 56093 We service & sell system and seed production, it outcompetes native 507-835-9147 • office all brands of plant species and degrades wetlands by reducing the 507-461-2539 • cell electric motors movement of sediment.
each side, it is more difficult to regulate the light reaching windowsill grown plants. They often end up tall and somewhat spindly unless rotated daily. Plants started indoors will benefit from a fan blowing air across them for a period each day. The fan mimics the force of the wind and encourages the plant to develop stronger stems. Plants may be planted outdoors earlier if protective covers are placed over them when the overnight temperature is predicted to be close to freezing. Frost resistance differs from plant to plant. Any support structure that holds air in but does not touch the plant itself can provide protection. Plants started indoors in pots may be placed in wagons and wheeled outdoors during the day and indoors at night until after the last frost date. Gardening suppliers also sell various covers for individual plants that provide protection when placed over plants at night and removed during the day. Linda G. Tenneson is a University of Minnesota master gardener and tree care advisor. v
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Non-native phragmites growing on the edge of a pond in Wright County.
Management of non-native phragmites can be challenging. A combination of mowing, herbicide treatments, and following up with additional herbicide treatments and controlled burns have been successful. Make sure to check state pesticide laws if applying herbicide near water. To treat phragmites submerged in water, obtain a permit from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. To view the updated Noxious Weed List and to learn more about the category definitions, go to https://www.mda.state.mn.us/plants-insects/minnesota-noxious-weed-list. This article was submitted by the Minnesota Department of Agriculture. v
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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 auc-
tion 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. 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
The World Pork Expo set for June 9-11 DES MOINES — The 2021 World Pork Expo will take place at the Iowa State Fairgrounds in Des Moines, Iowa from June 9-11. “We’re more than thrilled to be hosting World Pork Expo this year,” said NPPC President Jen Sorenson, communications director for Iowa Select Farms in West Des Moines, Iowa. “We look forward to connecting with our fellow producers, business partners and others who contribute to our nation’s essential pork production system.” NPPC will continue to monitor developments in COVID-19 guidelines (local, state, federal) for
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the World Pork Expo to ensure the health and safety of all participants. NPPC will provide guidance to exhibitors and attendees. “A safe event is our number one priority,” said Sorenson. “We will implement appropriate precautionary measures to ensure a great experience for all World Pork Expo participants.” Registration information will soon be available online for those who plan to attend. This article was submitted by the World Pork Expo. v
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MARKETING
Grain Outlook China keeps corn market humming
Cash Grain Markets
corn/change* soybeans/change* St. Cloud $5.19 +.11 $13.63 -.17 Madison $5.18 +.07 $13.82 .00 Redwood Falls $5.31 +.09 $13.83 -.07 Fergus Falls $5.18 +.05 $13.58 -.07 Morris $5.17 +.04 $13.68 -.12 Tracy $5.24 +.07 $13.89 -.12
Financial Focus Pay yourself is longterm commitment
Editor’s Note: Joe Lardy, CHS Hedging research analyst, is sitting in this week for Phyllis Nystrom, the regular “Grain Outlook” columnist. The following marketing analysis is for the week ending March 19. CORN — Old crop corn continues to feel supported. The May contract posted its highest weekly closing level, and the May/July spread has widened out to a crazy 19 cent inverse. The big driver for the strength in the corn market stems from another round of solid Chinese buying. We saw flash sale announcement on March 16 JOE LARDY through 19. The sum of those CHS Hedging Inc. sales 3,876,000 tons or 153 milSt. Paul lion bushels. That total is just slightly behind the record weekly sales we saw at the end of January. This will push total commitments to China at just over 23 million tons. Wow. This latest round is going to push the U.S. Department of Agriculture to take a hard look at export sales. The USDA has been reluctant to make big adjustments because they cite Chinese TRQ policy. TRQs are Tariff Rate Quotas. That means anything in excess of the TRQ will be very expensive for them to import. The USDA has said until we see better shipments or a change in Chinese policy, we will be slow to make export adjustments. China was the third-largest destination in terms of shipments behind Mexico and Japan. It would not be a surprise to see an export adjustment in the April World Agriculture Supply and Demand Estimates report. Another driver for the corn market is the rebound in ethanol. Production increased again this week by 33,000 barrels per day to 971,000 bpd. This is just 6 percent behind last year’s pace. Data on gasoline usage showed gains again this week and gasoline demand is just about a percent behind last year’s pre-pandemic levels. As more vaccines are administered and people resume travel and going back to the office, then gasoline demand and ethanol production will be nicely supported. Safrinha corn planting in Brazil is at 75 percent this week vs. 89 percent last year. Planting is outside of the ideal window which should elevate concerns about production potential the whole year. One
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 Great Plains Commodity Afton, Minn. approach 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 LARDY, pg. 11
See TEALE, pg. 11
See JOHNSON, pg. 11
Average:
$5.21
$13.74
Year Ago Average: $3.01 $8.12 Grain prices are effective cash close on March 23. *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
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PAGE 11
Soybean market movement waiting for month-end reports LARDY, from pg. 10 municipality in Mato Grosso has declared a state of emergency due to excessive rainfall. Despite all of the challenges so far in Brazil, most crop estimates have held steady. This year’s crop is going to be even more dependent on the end of the rainy season. Outlook: The corn market will be looking ahead to the huge reports coming out at the end of the month. The stocks report has been a wild card in past years so this can no longer be discounted. But the big numbers will come from the prospective plantings report.
MARKETING Both corn and soybeans need the acres due to tight balance sheets, so it will be a market moving release. SOYBEANS — It was a choppy week for soybeans with the May contract able to squeak out a gain of 3 cents. November soybeans were down 23.75 cents as the market continue to see spreads widen out. Corn tried to steal all the grain market’s attention this week with the flash sale announcements. We haven’t seen a soybean flash sale since Jan. 29.
Demand for pork has been very good TEALE, from pg. 10 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
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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.
Rainfall monitoring network seeks volunteers
The state climatology office in the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources needs volunteer rainfall monitors for the Community Collaborative Rain, Hail and Snow Network (CoCoRaHS). The network includes more than 20,000 volunteers nationInvestments are not FDIC/NCUSIF insured, wide who measure precipitation in their backyards may lose value, are not financial institution using a standard four-inch diameter rain gauge. guaranteed, are not a deposit and are not Volunteers perform rainfall monitoring activities at insured by any federal government agency. home and submit their reports online. The data are The content is developed from sources believed to used to verify high rain totals after big events, monibe providing accurate information. The information tor drought conditions and inform projections about in this material is not intended as tax or legal advice. floods, make precipitation maps more accurate, and It may not be used for the purpose of avoiding any provide needed guidance on Minnesota’s changing federal tax penalties. Please consult legal or tax pro- climate. fessionals for specific information regarding your Volunteers are particularly needed outside of the individual situation. This material was developed immediate Twin Cities metro area. To participate, and produced by FMG Suite to provide information rainfall monitors must purchase or provide a stanon a topic that may be of interest. FMG Suite is not dard four-inch diameter rain gauge (available at affiliated with the named broker-dealer, state- or discount through CoCoRaHS) and have internet SEC-registered investment advisory firm. The opin- access to submit reports. CoCoRaHS provides online ions expressed and material provided are for general training on how to observe weather trends and how information, and should not be considered a solicita- to submit precipitation and weather event reports. tion for the purchase or sale of any security. Copyright To sign up to become a CoCoRaHS rain observer or 2021 FMG Suite. for more information, visit https://www.cocorahs.org/ To learn more about how Profinium is a full finan- application.aspx or contact Luigi Romolo at luigi. cial health solutions center offering banking, mort- romolo@state.mn.us. gage, insurance, trust and wealth planning services The website includes lesson plans for STEM stuin southern Minnesota, visit Profinium.com. v dents and instructional videos for all participants.
Good habits will pay off down the road
JOHNSON, from pg. 10
The export sales total this week was only 7.4 million bushels. However, total commitments are already on top of the USDA number. Sales only need to be 880,000 bushels each week. Unless we start seeing some massive outright cancellations, the USDA is going to need to raise the export number. There is half of the marketing year left to go, the USDA needs to reflect that. The soybean harvest in Brazil continues to be slow going. Overall, beans are 46 percent harvested vs. 59 percent last year. In the main growing region of Mato Grosso, the soybeans are 80 percent harvested compared to the average of 88 percent. Most of the production estimates have stabilized after an up and down growing season. Outlook: Soybean price action is going to be defined by the prospective plantings report. The soybean balance sheet is ridiculously tight at 120 million bushels and if exports get increased, the ending stocks figure is even tighter. Beans need to buy acres plain and simple. v
PAGE 12
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An overview of today’s U.S. farm operations Ask ten people to describe Following is a breakdown a family farm and you will of the criteria that ERS probably get ten different used to categorize U.S. definitions. Some will likely farms, along with the numbe similar to each other and ber and percentage of farms some will be totally differin each category: ent. Small family farms (less How a “family farm” is than $350,000 GCFI) defined probably is a big Retirement farms — FARM PROGRAMS Small farms whose princiguide toward people’s attitudes about today’s U.S. pal operator is retired, but By Kent Thiesse agriculture industry. In they continue to operate a December of 2020, The farm on a small scale. U.S. Department of There were 215,959 Agriculture’s Economic farms or 10.7 percent Research Service of the total farms in issued a report titled “America’s this category. Diverse Family Farms,” which was Off-farm occupation farms — Small based on U.S. farm data from 2019 farms whose principal operator and offered some definitions of differreports a primary occupation other ent types of farms. than farming. There were 833,450 The USDA ERS definition for a fam- farms or 41.4 percent of the total ily farm is the following: “Any farm farms in this category. where the majority of the business is Farming occupation farms — Small owned by the principal operator and farms whose principal operators individuals related to the principal report farming as their primary occuoperator, who are the persons most pation. There are two sales classes responsible for making the day-to-day listed under this category: Low sales decisions on the farm.” (farms with a GCFI of less than USDA defines a farm as any place $150,000); and moderate sales (farms where at least $1,000 of agricultural with a GCFI of between $150,000 and products are produced and sold in a $349,999). There were 653,716 farms, given year, or are normally produced or 32.4 percent of the total farms, in during a year. The ERS measures the low sales category. There were farm size by the “gross cash farm 103,058 farms or 5.1 percent of the income (GCFI), which includes sales of total farms classified in the moderate crops and livestock, government paysales category. ments, and other farm-related income. Midsize family farms (GCFI Based on the 2020 ERS report, there between $350,00 and $999,999) were just over 2 million farms in the There were 107,316 family farms or United States, with just under 90 per- 5.3 percent of the total farms in this cent of the farms being categorized as category. “small family farms.” Large-scale family farms (GCFI of
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$1 million or more) Large farms — Family farms with a GCFI of between $1,000,000 and $4,999,999. There were 48,339 farms or 2.41 percent of the total farms in this category. Very large farms — Family farms with an annual GCFI of $5,000,000 or more. There were 5,780 farms or 0.3 percent of the total farms in this category. Non-family farms This category describes any farm where the principal farm operators do not own a majority of the farm business. (Many times, these types of farms are referred to as “corporate farms.”) There were 47,451 farms or 2.4 percent of the total farms in this category. As was pointed out earlier, 89.6 percent of U.S. farms (as defined by USDA) were categorized as small family farms, 5.3 percent were midsize family farms, 2.7 percent were largescale 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 largescale 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 two-thirds 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 pro-
duction 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 the production of high value crops, as well as just under 17 percent of beef production and just under 16 percent of hog production. However, this category of farms accounted only 7 percent of cash grain production, 8 percent of cotton production, and less than 9 percent of dairy production. Operating Profit Margin (OPM) Nearly three-fourths of all farms had an OPM of less than 10 percent, which USDA considers “high risk.” Small family farms ranged from 62 to 81 percent in the “high risk” category, depending on the farm type (described earlier). Interestingly, nearly 70 percent of non-family farms were also in the “high risk” category, compared to 47 percent for midsize family farms and less than 38 percent for largescale family farms. Nearly 40 percent of large family farms and over 31 percent of midsize family farms had an OPM above 25 percent in 2019, compared to only14 percent of all farms and just over 20 percent of non-family farms. Government payments 81 percent of USDA commodity farm programs in 2019 went to large-scale farms, midsize farms and small farms with moderate sales, which is exactly the same as the percentage of crop land operated by these three categories of farms. These groups also received a large majority of the USDA conservation payments on working lands (CSP, EQIP, etc.). By contrast, 80 percent of Conservation Reserve Program payments, which are paid to farm owners to take crop land out of production, went to retirement farms, low-sales farms, and farm owners with off-farm See THIESSE, pg. 13
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PAGE 13
Recent USDA report shows more cows, more milk
Freudenthal MANUFACTURING
This column was written for the marketing week ending March 19. WE BUILD OUR STALLS RIGHT! The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Take a look at preliminary data reports February milk our tubing with output hit 17.63 billion pounds, down unequaled corrosion 1.5 percent from February 2020. It News and information for Minnesota and Northern Iowa dairy producers protection! should be noted February 2020 had 29 Freudenthal Tubing has been days of production instead of the 28 this 81,000 from February 2020. with California at 20.9 billion pounds. just MIELKE MARKET engineeredBut for your specific year. Adjusting for Leap Day, February three years later, California production surpassed WEEKLY requirements where strength February output per cow averaged 1,864 output was really up 2 percent from that Locks of Wisconsin, the nation’s top and milk corrosionproducing resistance are pounds, up 22 pounds or 1.2 percent a Head 2020. Output in the top 24 states was CORROSION Autofrom Release Panel By Lee Mielke state for over a century. Today, 28 years critical designlater, factors. PROTECTION year ago. up 2.3 percent when adjusted. California and Wisconsin still rank number one and Minnesota’s February output was up 5.8 percent Revisions in January output were a big factor of two respectively, with California at 40.5 CS-60 Comfort Tiebillion Stall interest in this report as January’s preliminary esti- on a 51-pound gain per cow and 12,000 more cows. pounds and Wisconsin at 30.6 billion. The data may seem bearish. However, demand mate was raised by 155 million pounds to 19.3 bilThe Toughest California accounted for nearly 19 percent of the lion, up 2.4 percent, instead of the originally report- dynamics, including rising food service sales, retail milk produced in the United States in 2019 with Stalls sales and exports, will help swallow some of that ed 1.6 percent increase. Wisconsin at 14 percent. on the February cow numbers were up for the eighth con- extra milk. • Provides superior lunge area In the week ending March 6, 70,400 dairy cows market, An interesting footnote: the March 12 Milk secutive month, totaling 9.46 million head in the 50 • Much stronger than our were sent to slaughter, down 1,200 from the previguaranteed Producers Council newsletter reported that in 1990, states, up 3,000 from January’s count which was competitors’ beam systems Wisconsin produced 24.4 billion pounds of milk, revised up 5,000 head. The February herd was up See MIELKE pg. 14 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. • Installation labor savings Custom Buy Direct From Manufacturer and SAVE! We Can Handle All Your Barn Steel Needs • Head-to-head and single row Cattle Diagonal Feed Thru Panel options available Auto Release Head Locks Panel Gates • Compare the weight of this on the system, heaviest available Elevated Dual Market on the market today
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PAGE 14
MILKER’S — MESSAGE www.thelandonline.com “Where Farm and Family Meet”
THE LAND — MARCH 19/MARCH 26, 2021
Dairy prices weaken as shipping issues increase MIELKE, from pg. 13 ous week, but 5,400 or 8.3 percent more than that week a year ago. The four week rolling average hit 66,325 head, up 1,200 or 1.8 percent from a year ago. n This week’s Global Dairy Trade auction reversed gears as Event 280’s weighted average fell 3.8 percent, following the March 2 leap of 15 percent. The dip ended eight consecutive sessions of gain and was the first slippage since Nov. 3. Traders brought 59.2 million pounds of product to market, up from 56.3 million in the last event, as some added volume of powder pulled on the market. The average winning price was $4,089, down from $4,231 on March 2. The dive was led by whole milk powder, down 6.2 percent, after it led the gains last time with a 21 percent jump. Butter was down 2.8 percent after posting a 13.7 percent rise, but anhydrous milkfat was up 3.7 percent following a 7.4 percent advance last time. Gains were led by lactose, up 8.6 percent, which followed a 4.9 percent rise. Skim milk powder was up 0.7 percent after a 3.5 percent gain. There was no volume traded on cheese. StoneX Group says the GDT 80 percent butterfat butter price equates to $2.5043 per pound U.S., down 7.4 cents from the last event, after jumping 30.8 cents last time, and compares to Chicago
Mercantile Exchange butter which closed March 19 at a bargain $1.6650. GDT skim milk powder averaged $1.5197 per pound, up from $1.4976, and whole milk powder averaged $1.8521 per pound, down from $1.9795. CME Grade A nonfat dry milk closed March 19 at $1.1525 per pound. n Speaking of global trade, Western United Dairies’ weekly newsletter reports that export containers remain in extreme short supply at California’s ports, according to a report from Noble Wolf, Blimling and Associates. “Although many products are being directly impacted with a tight domestic export market, major challenges have affected dairy products and their downstream supply chains. There aren’t enough containers in the right place at the right time. Today, too many containers are sitting on idled ships just waiting to be unloaded at U.S. ports. And, once docked, the unloading process is taking longer than usual because of reduced workforces due to Covid flare-ups at the ports.” HighGround Dairy’s Lucas Fuess talked about it in the March 22 “Dairy Radio Now” broadcast, saying while whole milk powder prices tumbled at the GDT, they’re still at a sky high levels due to very strong Chinese demand. Skim milk powder prices, or nonfat dry milk as we call it in the United States, are much higher in Europe and New Zealand because they are able to get product to China, he said. He speculated that U.S. nonfat dry milk would be more aligned with
Creating conditions for calves to thrive ST. CLOUD, Minn. — At their core, dairy calves need several things to thrive. Appropriate quality and quantity of food and water, as well as a good environment. What is the current ventilation in the barn at calf level (when the calf is standing or laying down)? Does ventilation vary throughout the barn? By establishing this baseline, we can gauge improvements. All animals naturally produce heat, moisture, and gases. Without an outlet, these can stay close to our animals creating a perfect environment for pathogen growth. For calves that are in the process of building their immune system, this increased pathogen load can pose a challenge to their health. The goal of ventilation is to bring outside air in and evenly distribute it throughout the barn. This flow will take outside air and mix it with the in-barn air that contains moisture, dust, pathogens, gases and heat. Appropriate ventilation will also provide an outlet, allowing “old” air to escape while pulling in “new” air. During winter, a six-room volume exchange per hour is recommended for calf barns. Naturally, this recommendation will change based on the time of year or the temperature outside. This rate allows “old” air to leave the barn; but is not so high as to
create a draft for our dairy calves. Having appropriate humidity will assist in keeping animals warm and dry during the cold winter months. Providing deep, dry bedding will provide a warm environment for animals to nestle down into. After building that supportive micro-environment, the goal should be to keep the buildings humidity lower than outside levels. Keep in mind that controlling air flow will also assist in monitoring humidity. Barn ventilation, regardless of an animal’s size, is never a one-and-done situation. It changes based on the size of the animal, immune status, time of year, or even time of day! It is a valuable piece of your overall management plan and warrants continual evaluation. Now is the time to take a look at your existing ventilation and how it can be utilized to improve your farm and animals’ overall success. If you would like more information about dairy calf ventilation, visit: https://dairy-cattle.extension.org/ role-of-facility-design-and-ventilation-on-calfhealth/. This article was submitted by Dana Adams, University of Minnesota Extension. v
prices in Europe and New Zealand “if we could find shipping containers to ship it.” Fuess also addressed rising U.S. milk output, warning of “burdensome volumes — especially across the Upper Midwest.” That will push more milk into cheese, powder and butter, he said. However, the stimulus bill should boost the economy and perhaps dairy demand, so back half of the year milk prices may be brighter. n CME dairy prices were weaker with the exception of dry whey which set a new record high. The cheddar blocks closed March 19 at $1.79 per pound, unchanged on the week but 4.75 cents below a year ago. They have advanced 25.25 cents in four weeks. The barrels rolled downhill to a close of $1.4525, down a dime on the week, still 2.25 cents above a year ago, but a whopping 33.75 cents below the blocks. There were six sales of block and 13 of barrel on the week at the CME. Cheese demand reports are mixed, according to Dairy Market News, but Midwestern cheesemakers are reporting busier tones, with some having trouble keeping up with demand. Cheese inventories vary, but some are balanced to tight. Export interests, renewed school lunch programs, and spring holidays have all helped to keep market tones somewhat bullish. Retail cheese demand in the west has been slowing slightly, while demand for cheese at food service has been picking up. Buyers are finding that there is plenty of cheese available. Mozzarella is moving well, says Dairy Market News, and with the upcoming March Madness and other televised spring sports tournaments, some contacts expect demand to pick up as viewers purchase both restaurant carry out and grocery pizzas. Cheese is being produced in high volumes in the west, with plenty of milk available. International interest has lessened meanwhile as prices increase. Port issues have improved but still not back to normal, says Dairy Market News. Cash butter saw its March 19 finish at $1.6650 per pound, down a nickel on the week and 9 cents below a year ago, with only five sales reported for the week. Central cream is tightening, according to butter producers, but churning is ongoing. Cream is nearing the peak of affordability for churners, says Dairy Market News, but butter availability remains bountiful with some bulk loads nearing one year in age. Butter market tones have retained solidity, thanks to consecutive weeks of positive food service demand which is described as “reminiscent of preCovid buying,” according to Dairy Market News, plus interest continues from export customers. Spring flush is early in the west, says Dairy See MIELKE, pg. 17
THE LAND — MARCH 19/MARCH 26, 2021
www.thelandonline.com — “Where Farm and Family Meet”
PAGE 15
Company preserves seeds along with their heritage
By TIM KING minate variety which produces their neighbors. Nevertheless, North Circle grows out The Land Correspondent heavy yields of small, six-ounce, a number of corn varieties in isolation and includes mahogany to deep brown/purple them in their catalog. Rustler, a white dent corn VERGAS, Minn. — It may be an round tomatoes with green shoul- advertised in a Minnesota seed catalog in 1888, is odd business model, but North ders (according to North Circle’s one of them. Circle Seeds wants you to grow catalog). It has outstanding flavor your own vegetable seeds. “Rustler traces back a few hundred years and more with a good balance between sweet to Native American tribes in the North Dakota terriThey’d like you to buy their seeds, and acidic with an almost smoky tory,” Paige said. “It is considered foundation stock of of course, but then they’d like you to flavor. early white dent corns and known for its short season save some seeds at harvest time so Saving seeds from open pollinatand hardiness in cold climates. you can plant them next year. ed tomato varieties is a two-step Paige is trying to preserve the genetics of Rustler North Circle Seeds is so commitprocess, according to Paige. because of their historical significance; but he’s workted to clients learning how to grow “If you have just a few tomatoes ing to improve the genetics of some other corn variettheir own seeds that Zachary Paige, you can squeeze your tomato into a ies. a company founder, conducts workPhotos submitted mason jar and add a little water shops to teach you and your friends “We’re growing a few orange-colored crops that are over time,” he said. “A film of high in beta carotene like the orange corn blend and the ins-and-outs of seed saving and Zachary Paige is holding the Arikara sunflower from his Vergas farm. healthy bacteria will form on top Ukrainian Squash,” he said. “We breed for nutrient preservation. and that’s when you know you’re dense genetics in a number of our varieties and are All of the seeds North Circle has done. It should take three days to a week — depend- looking to add a purple corn to our catalog next year on sale can be saved. “We only sell seeds from open ing on how hot your house is.” that has anthocyanin antioxident levels that are pollinated varieties,” Paige said. Once you’ve got your film of bacteria you’ll want to through the roof. When planted, open pollinated seeds — unlike do what Paige calls water winnowing. “We breed using classical organic methods to hybrids and genetically modified seeds — will grow “All the good seeds will fall to the bottom and every- increase vigor to these open-pollinated varieties by into plants nearly identical to their parents. In addicrossing open-pollinattion to being open pollinated, North Circle Seeds are thing else will rise to the top, so you slowly ed varieties together in certified organic. pour off the dirty varietal populations Their selection of open pollinated varieties pretty water,” he said. “You do seen in our blue and much encompass the entire range of what would be this a number of times orange corn blends,” he found in the home garden. There are 11 varieties of and eventually you’ll continued. tomatoes, three varieties of squash and pumpkin, six have clear water with North Circle’s Orange varieties of hot and sweet peppers, a Cherry Belle your seeds at the botCorn Blend, which is Radish, and two varieties of Asian greens, among tom and then you pour grown for them by other familiar garden crops. For the adventurous, them out into a sieve. Riverbend Farm near there’s Pinky Popcorn and the multi-colored After that, I put them Delano, Minn., includes Magnificent Popcorn or you can try the pretty green- into a dehydrator dryer varieties originating and-white striped African Zebra Eggplant. rack with some parchfrom Argentina, Italy Paige describes Zebra Eggplant as having a deli- ment paper so the and Mexico. cious, unexpectedly semi-sweet flavor. seeds don’t fall through. You can learn more “The fruit are versatile and can be eaten raw, I don’t turn the heat on about North Circle’s because that could boiled, sautéed, or in soups,” he said. “Many tradicertified organic and tional African recipes can be found online; but they damage the seeds, just open pollinated seeds, also are excellent simply grilled or sautéed with let room temperature By teaching seed saving workshops, Paige hopes to preserve more their workshops, and heritage vegetables. other veggies. The rich flavor lends itself well to air flow over them.” other educational serspicy dishes. Young leaves can be cooked down into If you don’t have a dehydrator, you can put the vices by visiting their website or calling (631) 807stews.” seeds on parchment paper on top of the refrigerator 5163. They are also on Facebook. v “The seeds for this variety originate from Simeon where it’s warm and likely safe from curious pets. Bakunda, an immigrant from Congo in Africa,” he North Circle Seeds has an excellent video on how to continued. “They’ve been selected for the past seven clean tomato seeds at their website, northcirleseeds. years in Fargo, where he grows them with the com. It’s under the “About” menu item. Growing Together (community garden) project.” Saving bean or pea seeds is a little simpler than saving tomato seeds, Paige says. Like tomatoes, both Like the Zebra eggplant, most of the seeds in the North Circle Seed catalog, now in its second season, are self-pollinated and don’t tend to cross with have stories and cultural significance associated neighboring varieties. Additionally, they are large, easy-to-plant seeds which are harvested once they with them. are completely dry on the plant. After that, the seed The Russian tomato heirloom variety known as saver merely has to separate the seeds from the dry Gypsy, for example, was developed in the USSR dur- pods. ing the Soviet era and introduced into the United Corn varieties are more challenging to save because States over 20 years ago. It was named for the they are wind pollinated and do tend to cross with Gypsies who live in parts of Russia. It is an indeter-
PAGE 16
www.thelandonline.com — “Where Farm and Family Meet”
THE LAND — MARCH 19/MARCH 26, 2021
Hochs provide steady supply of food and employment By TIM KING strong soil and apply comThe Land Correspondent post tea to enhance the proper biology in the soil,” Harry LA CRESENT, Minn. — said. “Adding nitrogen with There’s more going on at synthetic fertilizers or comHoch Orchard and Garden mercial composts can than the name suggests. increase apple growth too Harry and Jackie Hoch raise much and basically water over 50 apple varieties on down the flavor components their farm, two acres of wine in the apples. We do not add grapes, cherries, plums, raspfertilizer or commercial comberries, strawberries, bluepost to the orchards.” berries and apricots — all organic. There is also a herd Another soil health meaPhotos submitted of swine. sure practiced by the Hochs Harry and Jackie Hoch is to shred pruning from the The farm is intended to be a pretty complex operation, admit the Hochs. They trees and leave them in place rather than haul them call the complexity “bio-diverse” and it goes beyond away. the wide diversity of crops. “Prunings decompose quickly when chopped with a “We time the mowing in our orchards to allow flail mower,” Harry said. “There are a lot of nutrients ground cover plants to always be flowering,” Harry in small branches. The woody material enhances the said. “Regular mowing selects for a few species of fungal portion of the soil organisms.” grasses, but our orchard floor is covered with many Following all these ecological practices doesn’t types of plants in addition to grasses. The flowering mean that Hoch Orchard and Garden doesn’t have plants are a pollen and nectar source for insects that insect and disease problems. are beneficial to the orchard. Greater diversity of “The last few years the challenge has been figuring plants and insects makes for a healthier orchard.” out how the high heat and record rainfall will affect 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 which produces delicious fruit. “We focus on building a Aerial view of Hoch Orchard and Garden. CRIMSON CANYONS & MESAS NATIONAL PARKS TOUR 10 days, departs June - Sep 2021 TM
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the pest activity,” Harry said. “We already use weather data loggers and computer modeling and insect monitoring to pinpoint the timing of pesticide applications. Even with that, getting the necessary organic pesticides applied between the rains has been challenging.” Some apple varieties simply don’t do well in an organic orchard in southeastern Minnesota. So they are simply eliminated from the orchard. “There are some fruits and some varieties of apples that require too many inputs in an organic system in our climate,” Harry says. “It’s not worth it in that
case. The solution to that problem is don’t try to grow crops that are not well adapted to our region.” “McIntosh and Cortland are common varieties, but very susceptible to apple scab,” he said. “Gold Rush is immune to apple scab but highly susceptible to cedar apple rust.” Significant portions of those varieties have been removed from Hoch’s orchard, although Henry 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 to ripen into early September overlapping the summer apples. The high quality fall apples begin in mid September and then the winter apples are harvested in October. Winter apples are kept cool and crisp in our refrigerated storage and are sold into January.” The crop diversity and the long harvest and storage season have another advantage. “Small fruit production requires a lot of labor,” Harry says. We can hire workers eight to ten months in a year with a diversity of crops. With only apples we would have to hire a bunch of people for only a few weeks. This is an ethical question for us. Do you design your business to require short term migrant workers or for more stable employment for people from your community?” Harry says the extra paper work and more intensive, and sometimes more expensive, management of fruit crops are well worth it. That’s especially true since organic shoppers recognize the value of the organic label and are willing to pay a premium price for it. The website for Hoch Orchard and Garden is hochorchard.com. v
THE LAND — MARCH 19/MARCH 26, 2021
www.thelandonline.comMILKER’S — “WhereMESSAGE Farm and Family Meet”
PAGE 17
Canada still not living up to trade agreements with U.S. MIELKE, from pg. 14 Market News, and cream is plentiful. Ice cream makers are pulling more heavily on cream but butter makers have ample cream supplies. And, there is a lot of butter in the cooler. Export interest is strong, food service demand is showing growth as restrictions relax, and retail accounts are building inventory to prepare for the upcoming spring holiday advertised sales. Grade A nonfat dry milk closed March 19 at $1.1525 per pound, down 1.75 cents on the week but 16.50 cents above a year ago when the powder fell 6.5 cents. There were 11 sales for the week. Spot dry whey continued its record-breaking trek in small daily gains and reached its March 19 summit at 61.25 cents per pound, up 2 cents on the week and 28.25 cents above a year ago, with just two sales reported at the CME. n Dairy margins continued to improve in the first half of March as milk prices continued higher while feed costs held generally steady, according to the latest Margin Watch from Chicago-based Commodity and Ingredient Hedging LLC. The Margin Watch reported “Strong export
demand is providing support to the market along with ongoing domestic demand from the Farmers to Families Food Box Program. Export shipments have been particularly strong to the Philippines, Vietnam and China since the beginning of the year.” Speaking of feed costs, StoneX Dairy warned in its March 15 “Early Morning Update” that “Dairy farmers can no longer expect to have $3.50 corn and $3 bean meal. This increase in feed price has brought dairy margins below the 25 percent historical price index, presenting a challenge for dairy farmers if there were to be any further shocks to the market.” The April Federal order Class I base milk price was announced by the USDA at $15.51 per hundredweight, up 31 cents from March, $1.13 below April 2020, and equates to about $1.33 per gallon, down from $1.43 a year ago. Unfortunately, U.S. fluid sales have returned to “normal,” meaning they fell again. The latest data shows 3.9 billion pounds of packaged fluid products were sold in January, down 4.9 percent from January 2020, and follows a 1.5 percent gain in December. Conventional product sales totaled 3.6 billion pounds, down 5.7 percent from a year ago. Organic products, at 255 million pounds, were up 8.1 per-
cent, and represented 6.6 percent of total sales for the month. Whole milk sales totaled 1.3 billion pounds, down 2.7 percent from a year ago, and made up 33 percent of total fluid sales in January; while skim milk sales, at 225 million pounds, were down 15.3 percent from a year ago. The figures represent consumption in Federal milk marketing order areas, which account for approximately 92 percent of total fluid milk sales in the United States. The March 15 Daily Dairy Report states however, “Demand from bottlers is steady to strong in most parts of the country. Stay-at-home orders have driven strong fluid milk consumption over the past year; but as students return to classrooms to varying degrees, fluid milk demand from educational institutions is likely to grow. Class I utilization among the federal milk marketing orders in January was 33.9 percent, the highest it has been for that month since 2012.” 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
Nearly three-fourths of farms are considered ‘high risk’ THIESSE, from pg. 12 occupations. Approximately 69 percent of farms received no government payments in 2019. Women in agriculture Women played a key role in over half of U.S. farm operations in 2019. A higher percentage of women were either the principal operator or a co-operator of livestock and dairy operations, as well as high value 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 18
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THE LAND — MARCH 19/MARCH 26, 2021 T
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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
SELL YOUR LAND OR REAL ESTATE IN 30 DAYS FOR 0% COMMISSION. Call Ray 507-339-1272
PLANNING AN AUCTION? Get the best results when you advertise in THE
LAND!
WANTED: Land & farms. I 2000+ small square bales, have clients looking for oats straw for sale, $4.50 per dairy, & cash grain opera- bale. Phone 507-227-2251 tions, as well as bare land parcels from 40-1000 acres. ALFALFA, mixed hay, grass hay & wheat straw, mediBoth for relocation & investum square or round bales, ments. If you have even delivery available. thought about selling conThief River Falls, MN. Call tact: Paul Krueger, Farm & or text LeRoy Ose: Land Specialist, Edina Re218-689-6675 alty, 138 Main St. W., New Prague, MN 55372. FOR SALE: Alfalfa, mixed paulkrueger@edinarealty.com hay, grass hay, straw and in(612)328-4506 dividually wrapped baleage. Medium or large square bales. Delivery available. Your ad Zumbrota, MN. Call or text could be here! Ray Leffingwell 763-286-2504
507-345-4523
(507) 234-5191 (507) 625-8649
smithsmillimp.com Hwy. 14, 3 miles West of Janesville, MN
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• 5/8” drum roller wall thickness • 42” drum diameter wall thickness • 4”x8” frame tubing 3/8” thick • Auto fold
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!
Feed Seed Hay
MANDAKO 12’-60’ LONG ROLLERS
FOR THE BEST DEAL ORDER NOW!
GREENWALD FARM CENTER Greenwald, MN • 320-987-3177 14 miles So. of Sauk Centre
Cleaning out your attic or shed? Put a classified ad in Classifieds work! 507-345-4523 • 800-657-4665
THE LAND — MARCH 19 /MARCH 26, 2021 Feed Seed Hay
Farm Equipment
www.thelandonline.com — “Where Farm and Family Meet”
Farm Equipment
Tractors
FOR SALE: Nice grass ditch FOR SALE: White 8100 8R30” JD planter, mounted, model FOR SALE: 18.4x46 tires, hay, made very early in planter w/ liq fert; White 5100 1700 MaxEmerge Plus, 8R w/ Firestone radial all traction 3x3x8 bales $60 per bale. 507- 8R30” planter for beans; 70’ fert tanks on lift assist. Fast 23 degree, 40% tread. Good 227-2602 hyd Herman culti harrow w/ 6400 sprayer, 60’, tall wheels. for duals. Asking $600/pair. High Quality Western Alfalfa new tines; IH 14’ press drill JD 4520. JD rotary hoe, 20’. 507-227-2602 Hay delivered by the semi w/ grass seeder; 50’ Wil- 8R cultivators. Grain vac. FOR SALE: John Deere 3020; load. Also low potassium Rich field cult w/ 3bar har- 507-227-0222 also gravity boxes; hay grass hay & clean straw. row; White 2-180 tractor w/ JD 7000 Corn Planter, 2Row, racks; 8x54 augers. 701-412Don Christianson 608-781- 4412 hrs, 2.8x38, duals avail- 3PT, $1,800, Fert. Avail. 8910 able. Retiring. 320-630-1777 7765. 40 years of satisfied $350/Row. 715-234-1993 customers. FOR SALE: Minneapolis MoFOR SALE: Top Aire pull We buy line R tractor, NF. J 3pt OPEN Pollinated Seed Corn. type sprayer, 60’ boom, 1000 Salvage Equipment track scratcher, $20/OBO. Produces more high quali- gallon tank, tandem axle, Parts Available 320-760-5382 ty silage on less acres than hydraulic pump, $2,500. 507Hammell Equip., Inc. hybrid. $67/bushel plus ship- 456-8139 (507)867-4910 NEW AND USED TRACTOR ping. High feed value grain. PARTS JD 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, Located at Teutopolis, IL Harms Mfg. Land Rollers, 55, 50 Series & newer tracBrand New, 12’-$7,600; 217-857-3377 Tractors tors, AC-all models, Large 14’-$8,075; 16’-$8,550; 24’, Inventory, We ship! Mark $17,000; 32’-$20,300; 42’r Heitman Tractor Salvage Bins & Buildings $23,550; Others from 8’-62’. FOR SALE: Four Allis 715-673-4829 715-234-1993 Chalmers tractor wheel Barn and Quonset Roofing JD 4760 MFW tractor P/S, weights. Donut shaped, and Straightening. Kelling 8700 hrs, 18.4x42 w/ duals, came from AC8050. Will fit Tillage Equip Silo. 1-800-355-2598 other AC models. Approxi3pt w/ quick hitch, front mately 400lbs each. $400/ Stormor Bins & EZ-Drys. fenders, recent work order, OBO (or best offer) (320) 4800 Case IH Field Cultivator, 100% financing w/no liens or $43,750; JD 720 QT loader, 7’ 32 ft., $5,700. (320) 368-0485 226-8180 QT bucket, was on JD 4230, red tape, call Steve at Fairfax Ag for an appointment. $4,450; Case IH 183 12x30 FOR SALE: BMI 32 1/2’ field flat fold vibrashank cult w/ FOR SALE: ‘66 JD 4020 dsl, cultivator, 3 bar mulcher d 888-830-7757 3pt, JDWF, $7,200; ‘70 MF 20 rolling shields, $2,350; IH 720 with rolling baskets. Sun5x18 auto re-set plow, $1,350. industrial, gas, loader, 3pt, flower 4412 ripper, 5 shank. . LPTO, pwr steering, box Farm Equipment 320-769-2756 e FarmFan CFAB 190 dryer. blade, $4,250/BO. 320-543. 507-381-0193 3523 Please recycle this magazine. t1988 JD 4850 MFD with Duals & 3 point; 9’ &10’ Ag bagger model 6070; Parker 2 Compartment gravity box & J&M gravity box with brush W/W Werk Weld: Port-A-Hut Shelters: augers; 1978 GMC Tandem • Bale Feeders • Calf Shelters • All Steel Shelters for Livestock & Other Uses green truck, Diesel, Auto• Wind Breaks • Creep Feeders • Feed Bunks • Fence Line Bunks matic. 320-760-1634 JBM Equipment: • Bottomless Bunks • Towable Handy Hoppers • Feeder Wagons - Several Models 2006 Great Plains (36 Ft 9”) • Self-locking Head Gates • HD Feeder Panels 3 Brands of Cattle & Calf Feeders: Discovator/Finisher Hi-Trash • Self-locking Bunk Feeders • Smidley Steer Stuffers, Waterers, Hog Feeders & Huts Drag (Long Tines) Double • Tombstone Horse & Horned Cattle Feeders • Bergman Tongue & Groove wood and One Piece Roof • Skid Feeders • Bunk Feeders Fold (Original Blades) (18 • W/W All Steel Cattle & Calf Feeders • Bale Wagons • Bale Thrower Racks 3/4) 4 New Tires $18,500/ Sioux Equipment: • Flat Racks for big sq. bales OBO. Real Good. Retiring • Gates • Calving Pens • Haymax Bale Feeders • Self-locking Feeder Wagons 319-347-6282 or 319-269-4226 • Cattle & Feeder Panels • Head Gates • Loading Chute • Fenceline Feeders • Several Types of Bale Feeders • Hog Feeders • Squeeze Chutes & Tubs • Calf Warmer 2870 Case tractor, duals, reMar-Weld Sheep & Goat Equipment: • “Farm Built” Hay Feeders w/roof • Lambing Pens • Crowd Tub cent eng OH, $8,500; 1830 • Poly “Hay Huts” (Saves Hay) • Grain Feeders • Scale Case IH 12R30” cult, $3,750; • Round & Square Bale Feeders • Sheep Head Locks Case IH 5300 grain drill, 24’ • Ritchie Live Stock Waterers • Spin Trim Chute • Creep Feeders tandem unit, $7,000; 3pt fork • Easy Way Cattle Care Oilers & Scratchers For-Most Livestock Equipment: lift, 3 stage, 20’ reach w/ 4x8 • DR® Power Equipment: • Squeeze Chutes Head Gates platform, $2,500. 507-240• GT (Tox-O-Wik) Grain Dryers, 350-800 bu. • Large & Small Animal Tip Chute 0294 • Sunfire Radiant Heaters • Open Bar Corral Tub • Round & Square Calving Pens
~ LARGE INVENTORY IN STOCK ~
Case IH 1230 row crop cultivator, $6,750; Ag Leader 750 gal sprayer, 60’ boom, $2,350; (2) 18x34 tires, 35% tread, $175/each. 507-995-9676 FOR SALE: Placo free stall hog farrowing crates, Best Offer. Snowblower for John Deere front mounted commercial mower, $2,800/OBO. 320-573-2614 or 320-360-2117
Sell your farm equipment in The Land with a line ad. 507-345-4523
• Tub & Alley Chutes • Crowding Tubs
Notch Equipment:
• Rock Buckets • Grapple Forks • Manure Forks • Bale Spears • Hi-Volume Buckets & Pallet Forks • Bale Transports & Feeder Wagons, 16’-34’ • Adult & Young Stock Feeders & Bale Feeders • Land Levelers
S-I Feeders:
• Mid-Size and Full-Size Bunks • One-Sided Juniors and Adult Bunks • Arrow Front 4-Wheel Feeders, 12’-36‘
• Bohlman Concrete Waterers • Calftel Hutches & Animal Barns • R&C Poly Bale Feeders • Ameriag Poly Mineral Feeders • Miniature Donkey & Fainting Goats • Conestoga Compact Manure Spreaders • 3pt PTO or Skid Steer Snowblowers
Wanted To Buy: Good Used Manure Spreader,
Crowding Tubs, Steer Stuffers, Feed bunks, Squeeze Chutes, Sheep & Goat Equipment, Good Bale Thrower Rack with Good Wagon
320-587-2162 Ask for Larry
Lot - Hwy. 7 E Office Location - 305 Adams Street NE Hutchinson, MN 55350
sorensenssalesandrentals.com
PAGE 19
Steffes Auction Calendar 2021 For more info, call: 1-800-726-8609 or visit our website: SteffesGroup.com
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 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 Opening March 24 & Closing March 31 Terry Guttormson Farm Retirement Auction, Hendrum, MN, Timed Online Auction Opening March 24 & Closing March 31 Steffes Construction Consignment Auction, Upper Midwest Locations, Timed Online Auction 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 29 & Closing April 7 Hausladen Inventory Reduction, New Germany, MN, Timed Online Auction Opening March 30 & Closing April 1 at 12PM Clay County, MN Development Land Auction – 320± Acres, Moorhead, MN, Timed Online Auction Opening March 30 & Closing April 6 at 7PM Dale & Eric Sorenson Retirement Auction, Fisher, MN, Timed Online Auction Opening March 31 & Closing April 7 Green Ag Services Inventory Reduction Auction, Moholl, ND, Timed Online Auction Opening April 1 & Closing April 8 Matt Fischer Farm Retirement Auction, Mercer, ND, Timed Online Auction Opening April 1 & Closing April 9 Kelly & Colette Giffey Farm Retirement Auction, Roseglen, ND, Timed Online Auction Opening April 1 & Closing April 9 Witt Consulting Business Liquidation Auction, Monango, ND, Timed Online Auction Opening April 2 & Closing April 7 Online Steffes Auction - 4/7, Upper Midwest Locations, Timed Online Auction Opening April 2 & Closing April 12 Jim Oelfke Farm Retirement Auction, Hamburg, MN, Timed Online Auction Opening April 5 & Closing April 13 Peter Hanson Estate Auction, River Falls, WI, Timed Online Auction Opening April 5 & Closing April 15 Meeker County, MN Land Auction - 80+ Acres, Meeker County, MN, Timed Online Auction
PAGE 20
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
THE FREE PRESS South Central Minnesota’s Daily News Source
DEADLINE: Friday at 5:00 p.m. for the following Friday edition. Plus! Look for your classified ad in the e-edition.
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FOR SALE: 2009 JD 2210 field cult, 28 1/2’, permalock quick change shovels, 4 bar harrow; JD 400 20’ rotary hoe; Alloway 8R30” Danish spring tooth cult. All items low acres, very good cond, shedded. Retiring 507-8285810 FOR SALE: 30 1/2’ John Deere model 726 soil finisher, has knock on shovels, disc blades good. 218-6399304 or 320-815-1040
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FOR SALE: JD 1998 corn planter, model 1760, 12R30”, Martin trash whippers, 3 bushel boxes, 250 monitor, 3 sets of seed disks, $18,500. Retired. Contact Bill at 507847-4693
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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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Cattle Swine Sheep Goats Horses & Tack Exotic Animals Pets & Supplies Cars & Pickups Industrial & Construction Trucks & Trailers
Recreational Vehicles Miscellaneous
NOTE: Ad will be placed in the appropriate category if not marked.
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THE LAND
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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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FOR SALE: Eight Stainless Fertilizer tubes off a 1770 John Deere planter for the back of the planter, 2” off the side, asking $18 each. 507-227-2602 FOR SALE: Buffalo corn 6 row planter and cultivator, $1,000 or best offer. Call 952-492-6681
Harvesting Equip FOR SALE: 2002 CASE 2366, engine hours 1673, separator hours 1270, 1063 cornhead, 1020 25’ bean head, Horst transport, Ag Leader, nice, $70,000. 507-382-8457
Wanted
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ADVERTISING NOTICE: Please check your ad the first week it runs. We make every effort to avoid errors by checking all copy, but sometimes errors are missed. Therefore, we ask that you review your ad for correctness. If you find a mistake, please call (507) 345-4523 immediately so that the error can be corrected. We regret that we cannot be responsible for more than one week’s insertion if the error is not called to our attention. We cannot be liable for an amount greater than the cost of the ad. THE LAND has the right to edit, reject or properly classify any ad. Each classified line ad is separately copyrighted to THE LAND. Reproduction without permission is strictly prohibited.
All kinds of New & Used farm equipment - disc chisels, field cults, planters, soil finishers, cornheads, feed mills, discs, balers, haybines, etc. 507438-9782 Buying and selling any gold and silver items, collector coins, diamonds, gold jewelry, paying $25-$30 for silver dollars, rare currency. No collection too big. Kuehl’s Coins, Fairmont, Minnesota, 507-235-3886, 507-399-9982, open 10:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. WANTED DAMAGED CORNLIGHT TEST WEIGHT & HIGHER MOISTURE CORN. PAYING COMPETITIVE PRICES DEPENDING QUALITY. ZANE HANSON (507) 459-8653
THE LAND — MARCH 19 /MARCH 26, 2021 Livestock
0Wanted to Buy: JD725 6, 8 & FOR SALE: Black Angus bulls k 12 row - front mount cultiva- also Hamp, York, & Hamp/ r tors; Stanhoist and Bushhog Duroc boars & gilts. Alfred y steel barge boxes; Gehl and Kemen 320-598-3790 h Lorentz grinder/mixers; plus s all types of farm machinery. Cattle , Wanted: also JD 4430 1975 or - newer. 507-251-2685
WANTED: single phase grain n dryer; 12RN corn planter; - Brent large gravity box. , FOR SALE: Farmall super - MTA dsl; 1973 Chev C60 flat bed truck w/ hoist; 240 Int’l utility tractor. 320-282-4845
Wanted: International 540 & 550 spreaders for salvage n or use. Also JD 4430 and , 4230 tractors. Call 507-2513 2685 , .WANTED: JD 336 or 327 bal- er; NH 315 baler; also NH
479 or 488 haybine; JD 1209 s or 1219 haybine. All items 0 any condition. 320-630-8131 eWANTED: JD 450 or 780 f manure spreader, good or . parts; NH 718 chopper; also JD 7000 4 row planter. 320630-8131
r Put an ad in The Land and t find it fast! 507-345-4523
m d , , -
d r r o s , ,
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WANTED
DAMAGED GRAIN STATEWIDE
We pay top dollar for your damaged grain. We are experienced handlers of your wet, dry, burnt and mixed grains. Trucks and vacs available. Immediate response anywhere. CALL FOR A QUOTE TODAY
PRUESS ELEV., INC. 1-800-828-6642
Classified line ads work! Call 507-345-4523
THANK YOU FARMERS!
AUCTION
TIMED ONLINE TRIM BEL DAIRY INVENTORY REDUCTION
OPENS: FRIDAY, MARCH 26
CLOSES: TUESDAY, APRIL 6 | 7PM
2021
, r , t ,
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)
PAGE 21
TIMED ONLINE FARM RETIREMENT
AUCTION OPENS: FRIDAY, APRIL 2
CLOSES: MONDAY, APRIL 12 | 10AM
2021
Wanted
www.thelandonline.com — “Where Farm and Family Meet”
LOCATION: N6669 State Road 65 Beldenville, WI 54003 / PREVIEW: By Appointment / LOADOUT: Friday, April 9AM - 4PM MFWD TRACTOR Case-IH 140 Magnum Pro - CAH, 8,990 hrs. PICKUP HEADER Krone Easy-Flow 3801 - pickup head, 123’ DRAPER HEADER Stainless steel receiver jar CORN HEADER - STANDARD Krone - corn head, 8 row TILLAGE Case-IH 530 C - Ecolo-Tiger disc ripper Glencoe Soil Saver 7400 - disc chisel
Case-IH 4300 - field cultivator Case-IH 183 - row crop cultivator CONVENTIONAL TRUCK W/O SLEEPER Kenworth T-800 - silage truck, shows 20,654 miles PICKUP 2004 Ford F350 XLT Super Duty - pickup, 218,617 miles GRAIN CARTS & GRAVITY BOXES (2) Demco 365 - gravity box PULL-TYPE SPRAYERS & SPREADERS Calhoun - dry fertilzer spreader
Krone Big X 650 - self-propelled BALERS forage harvester, 4,026 eng. Vermeer 604M - silage round hrs., 2,813 cutter hrs. baler Miller Pro 5100 - forage box, 18’ John Deere 327 - small square LIVESTOCK EQUIPMENT baler GRAIN SCREENER BALE HANDLING ACCESSORIES AUGERS & DRILL FILLS Columbus - small square MOWERS thrower rack MANURE HANDLING Hay Buster 2655 - shortcut bale EQUIPMENT / AUTOMOBILES processor FUEL TANKS Meyers - 18’x9’ TRACTOR/IMPLEMENT TIRES Meyers - small square thrower AND MUCH MORE! rack FORAGE PROCESSING Case-IH 600 - forage blower
SteffesGroup.com
Steffes Group, Inc., 24400 MN Hwy 22 South, Litchfield, MN 55355 | 320.693.9371 TRIM BEL DAIRY INVENTORY REDUCTION AUCTION | JIM 715.222.7200 or Randy Kath at Steffes Group, 320.693.9371 or 701.429.8894 Complete terms, lot listings and photos at SteffesGroup.com / Randy Kath MN47-007
LOCATION: 35603 170th Street Hamburg, MN 55339 / PREVIEW: Fri., April 9 from 10AM-3PM / LOADOUT: Wed., April 14 from 9AM - 4PM GPS & NAVIGATION EQUIPMENT 4WD TRACTORS 464,252 miles FLEX HEADER 2009 John Deere 9530 2000 John Deere 930F GRAIN CARTS & GRAVITY BOXES SHREDDERS, FLAIL CHOPPERS ATVS, SNOWMOBILES, BOATS, 4WD, 3,581 hrs. CORN HEADER - STANDARD FLAT TRAILERS / HOPPER RECREATION / ROUGH TERRAIN MFWD TRACTORS 2003 John Deere 893 BOTTOM TRAILER / LIVESTOCK FORKLIFT / SKID STEER LOADER 1997 John Deere 8400 DRILLS TRAILER / HEADER TRAILERS ATTACHMENTS / TRACTOR MFWD, 7,974hrs. John Deere 8300 - grain drill SPRAY TRAILERS / PULL-TYPE IMPLEMENT TIRES / BINS & 2WD TRACTORS PLANTER SPRAYER CHEMICAL HOPPER BIN / AERATION 1970 John Deere 3020 John Deere 1770NT FERTILIZER ACCESSORIES EQUIPMENT / MISCELLANEOUS 1969 John Deere 4020, 7,200 hrs. TILLAGE HAY RAKE / ROUND BALER PARTS / MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS 1990 John Deere 4055 John Deere 2700 - disc ripper LIVESTOCK EQUIPMENT FARM SUPPORT ITEMS 2014 John Deere 6615 - open Wil-Rich QX2 - field cultivator PNEUMATIC GRAIN EQUIPMENT station, 4,000 hrs. John Deere 400 - rotary hoe AUGERS & DRILL FILLS COMBINE ROLLING PACKERS BLADE / SNOWBLOWER OTHER 2000 John Deere 9550, 3,192 eng. Brillion XL144 - packer EQUIPMENT / MISCELLANEOUS CONVENTIONAL TRUCK W/ SLEEPER hrs., 2,376 sep. hrs. SHOP EQUIPMENT / MANURE 2000 IH 9200i - semi, pro-sleeper, HANDLING EQUIPMENT
SteffesGroup.com
Steffes Group, Inc., 24400 MN Hwy 22 South, Litchfield, MN 55355 | 320.693.9371
JIM OELKE FARM RETIREMENT AUCTION | JACOB 952.913.1433 OR BEN 612.387.0611 or Randy Kath at Steffes Group, 320.693.9371 or 701.429.8894
COMPLETE TERMS, LOT LISTINGS AND PHOTOS AT STEFFESGROUP.COM / RANDY KATH MN47-007
PAGE 22
www.thelandonline.com — “Where Farm and Family Meet”
THE LAND — MARCH 19/MARCH 26, 2021 T Cattle
JD 2032R Utility Tractor, Hydrostatic w/ H130 Loader & 62D Drive On Motor Deck, 512 hrs, 3 pt, PTO
2000 Ford F250, 4 x 4, Approx 80k on replaced engine, powder coat undercarrage, 2016 box 2016 Polaris Ranger, 730 Mi.
1995 Ford Aeromax 900 Semi Tractor, Single Axle, M11, Fuller 7 sp Transmission 6’ x 8’ Tagalong Utility/Car Hauler Trailer
2002 Polaris Sportsman 400 4 x 4 ATV
Thank You Farmers!
FARM RETIREMENT AUCTION TRACTOR
C Allis w/ Belly Mower & New Paint 2003 Hillsboro 24’ Tandem Axel gooseneck trailer with beaver tail, 10,000 lb axels with heavy duty ramps
LIVE AUCTION
4 1/2 miles south of Kimball on Hwy 15, then 1/4 mi, west on 345th st, and north on 717th Ave
TILLAGE
PLANTER
JD Gator 2011, 625i with 523 hrs
Hyster Heavy Duty Imlement Trailer, 95 x 24’ Dual, 6’ Beaver Tail, HD Ramps, Tandem Axle, Air Brakes, Pintl Hitch
Many items from Redwood Co HWY Department
Miscellaneous
POLLED HEREFORD FOR SALE: 9 week old pure- PARMA DRAINAGE PUMPS BULLS, yearlings and 2 year bred collie pups, $600/each. New pumps & parts on hand. olds, low birth weight, high 507-521-2560 Call Minnesota’s largest disperformance, semen testtributor ed and delivery available. PUPPIES FOR SALE: BorHJ Olson & Company Jones Farms, Le Sueur, MN. der Collie/Blue Heeler cross, 320-974-8990 Cell - 320-212-5336 born 12/09/20, have shots and 507-317-5996 dewormed, $200/each. 507REINKE IRRIGATION 383-6701 Sales & Service Swine Looking for something special? New & Used Put a line ad in The Land and find it! For your irrigation needs Call 507-345-4523 FOR SALE: Yorkshire, 888-830-7757 or 507-276-2073 Hampshire, Duroc, cross Trucks & bred boars, gilts & 4-H pigs. Winpower Sales & Service Trailers Top quality. Excellent herd Reliable Power Solutions health. No PRSS. Delivery Since 1925 PTO & automatic FOR SALE: 1984 GMC 7000 Emergency Electric Generavailable. 320-760-0365 single axle semi tractor, 3208 ators. New & Used Spot, Duroc, Chester White, CAT diesel, 5x2 transmisRich Opsata-Distributor Boars & Gilts available. sion, very good rubber, ex800-343-9376 Monthly PRRS and PEDV. cellent shape, always shedDelivery available. Steve ded, very clean, $2,400/OBO. Resler. 507-456-7746 507-213-0600
Tuesday April 6th • 10 am 34926 717th Ave. - Kimball, MN
1979 Cornhusker 42’ Semi Trailer
For more pictures and additions go to kerkhoffauction.com
Pets & Supplies
Honda 400 4 x 4 Ranger, 70 Original Miles
Case IH 140 Maxxum 16x16 power shift, 18.4x42 duals, 14.9x30, 3 remotes, air seat, cold weather start, PCF hyd pump, w/L755 front loader, 92” bucket, two function joystick, 1195 hrs, sn ZCBE17005 - ONE OWNER (purchased in 2012)
GRAIN HANDLING EQUIPMENT
Unverferth 325 gravity box w/extensions and Killbros auger, 13 ton (only used for seed) J&M 385-SD gravity box w/extensions and brakes J&M 350-SD gravity box J&M 350-20 gravity box Dakon gravity box w/JD 1065A gear, flotation tires and much more!
Krause Kahn Landsaver 4800-11 chisel plow, 14’ w/3 bar harrow one owner (purchased in 2013)
SEE WEBSITE FOR
JD 1750 MaxEmerge XP 6 row planter, 30” trash wheels, w/dry fertilizer, sn A01750R73048T - one owner (purchased in 2009)
COMPLETE LISTING! Terms are Cash, Check or Credit card, a 3% convenience fee will be applied on card transactions
THE LAND 507-345-4523
Where Farmers buy, sell and trade.
THE LAND — MARCH 19 /MARCH 26, 2021
S . -
6
e s c -
www.thelandonline.com — “Where Farm and Family Meet”
If you’re having a Farm Auction, let other Farmers know it!
Upcoming Issues of THE LAND Southern MN - Northern IA April 2, 2021 April 16, 2021 April 30, 2021 May 14, 2021
Northern MN April 9, 2021 April 23, 2021 May 7, 2021 May 21, 2021
PAGE 23
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.
Deadline is 8 days prior to publication. *Indicates early deadline, 9 days prior to publication. 418 S. Second Street • Mankato, MN 56001 Phone: 507-345-4523 or 800-657-4665 Fax: 507-345-1027
Ask Your Auctioneer to Place Your Auction in The Land!
ADVERTISER LISTING
Beck's Hybrids ................................................................ 1 Blue Sky Financial ........................................................ 12 Dahl Farm Supply ........................................................... 6 Freudenthal Dairy ......................................................... 13 Greenwald Farm Center ................................................. 18 Hamm Seeds ................................................................... 7 Kerkhoff Auction .......................................................... 22 Lampi Auctioneers ........................................................ 22 MSU College of Business ................................................ 9 Pioneer ..................................................................... 3, 17 Pruess Elevator, Inc. ..................................................... 21 Pumps Motor & Bearings LLC ........................................ 8 Rush River Steel & Trim ................................................. 4 Schweiss Doors ............................................................. 21 Scott Buboltz ................................................................ 15 Smiths Mill Implement, Inc. .......................................... 18 Sorensen's Sale & Rentals ............................................. 19 Spanier Welding .............................................................. 5 Steffes Group .......................................................... 19, 21 YMT Vacations ............................................................. 16 507-345-4523 • 800-657-4665 418 S. Second Street, Mankato, MN 56001 www.thelandonline.com
INVESTIGATE BEFORE YOU INVEST! Midwest Free Community Paper Association does not knowingly accept fraudulent or deceptive advertising. Readers are cautioned to thoroughly investigate all classifieds and other ads which require an investment. (MCN) DONATE YOUR CAR TO CHARITY. Receive maximum value of write off for your taxes. Running or not! All conditions accepted. Free pickup. Call for details. 855-752-6680 (MCN) DONATE YOUR CAR, TRUCK TO HERITAGE FOR THE BLIND. Free 3 Day Vacation, Tax Deductible, Free Towing, All Paperwork Taken Care Of. CALL 1-855-977-7030 (MCN) CASH FOR CARS: We Buy Any Condition Vehicle, 2002 and Newer. Competitive Offer! Nationwide FREE Pick Up! Call Now For a Free Quote! 888-366-5659. (MCN) BEST SATELLITE TV with 2 Year Price Guarantee! $59.99/mo with 190 channels and 3 months free premium movie channels! Free next day installation! Call 855-824-1258. (MCN) High-Speed Internet. We instantly compare speed, pricing, availability to find the best service for your needs. Starting at $39.99/month! Quickly compare offers from top providers. Call 1-855-399-9295 (MCN) AT&T TV - The Best of Live & On-Demand On All Your Favorite Screens. CHOICE Package, $64.99/mo plus taxes for 12months. Premium Channels at No Charge for One Year! Anytime, anywhere. Some restrictions apply. W/ 24-mo. agmt (TV price higher in 2nd year.) Regional Sports Fee up to $8.49/mo. is extra & applies. Call IVS 1-866-387-0621. (MCN)
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PAGE 24
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