THE LAND ~ February 4, 2022 ~ Southern Edition

“Since 1976, Where Farm and Family Meet”

© 2022

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

Februar y 4, 2022 Februar y 11, 2022

FOUNDED in faith . forged in america .

TM

Hoofs on the hill...

Catching a little afternoon sun in Rice County, Minn.

INSIDE THIS ISSUE:

Early birds will get the worm when it comes to fertilizer; and Dick Hagen reports from the MN Ag Expo.

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THE LAND — FEBRUARY 4/FEBRUARY 11, 2022

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

Baby, it’s cold outside

418 South Second St. Mankato, MN 56001 (800) 657-4665 Vol. XLVI ❖ No. 3 24 pages, 1 section plus supplements

www.TheLandOnline.com facebook.com/TheLandOnline twitter.com/TheLandOnline

Cover photo by Paul Malchow

COLUMNS Opinion Farm and Food File From My Farmhouse Kitchen The Bookworm Sez Table Talk Calendar of Events Mielke Market Weekly Swine & U Marketing Auctions/Classifieds Advertiser Listing Back Roads

2-7 3 4 6 7 8 13 15 16 19-23 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: Sebastian Barton: (507) 344-6379, thelandsb@gmail.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.

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The current temperature is minus 13 F, which, today happens to be National with a wind chill of minus 32. I’m sipping Plan a Vacation Day. I am sold. After coffee in my home office, trying to think numerous attempts these past two years warm thoughts. My kids are bundled in of planning a getaway to have it canceled their beds, still snoozing away as we were due to pandemic issues, I’m optimistic notified last night that school would start that travel with more ease will soon be two hours late due to the cold weather. on the horizon. We have an upcoming vacation to California planned that I’m There’s no question that it’s hard to top keeping my fingers crossed, goes off witha beautiful summer’s day in Minnesota.

LAND MINDS out a hitch. My family hopes to hike, Alas, that seems like an eternity away as explore and not hear a mention of wind

By Kristin Kveno we battle cold, snow, ice and WIND. Now, chill for a few days. it’s just survival mode in these temperatures. I love Minnesota; it’s where I When we travel to other states, I was born and raised. It’s about this enjoy looking at farms and production time of year I inevitably agriculture. I love seeing asked my husband the the cows on the giant same question: “Why do foothills in California we live here?” chewing their cud while perching precariously.

It has to be because It’s quite a sight. We’ve we’re tough, hardy folks seen research stations in who love a challenge. But, Hawaii and watched the the saying goes, “take the backbreaking labor bitter with the sweet.” We involved in strawberry got plenty of the bitter production near Solvang, right now — bitter temCalif. Watching that peratures, that is. makes me appreciate Before I get too whiney the arduous work and about our cold temperaeffort that goes into gettures, did you know that ting those strawberries according to “Minnesota from the field to the groFun Facts,” Alaska, cery store. My kids know North Dakota and Maine and understand agriculall have lower average ture in Minnesota but temperatures than seeing it in other states Minnesota? Maybe that’s is good for them. It why Maine lobster tastes Kristin and her mother-in-law, Kim, trying to embrace the beauty allows them to see firstso good; it’s all that cold of winter’s day at the family’s farm in northwestern Minnesota. hand how vital it is all water those guys inhabit! over our country.

This is one ranking that’s good NOT to be #1!

Whether you are getting away to warmer climates While today’s temperatures across the state are or embracing the depths of frozenness that we call a impressively cold, it’s nowhere near the coldest tem- Minnesota winter, remember that spring is around perature for Minnesota. On Feb. 2, 1996, that hapthe corner. That corner may feel like a long, long, pened near Tower, Minn., where the thermometer long way away, but there’s a corner. Until then, bundipped down to minus 60 F. Uff da! dle up, Land friends!

After all this cold weather talk, I need to refill my Kristin Kveno is the staff writer of The Land. She coffee and dream of warmer days. Speaking of may be reached at kkveno@TheLandOnline.com. v

OPINION

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

9 — Dairy goat operations thrive in southeastern Minnesota 10 — Fertilizer prices likely to remain high 15 — Things to remember if butchering livestock at home

THERE’S EVEN MORE ONLINE... @ TheLandOnline.com • “Nuts and Bolts” — News and new products from the ag industry • “Calendar of Events” — Check out The Land’s complete events listing • “E-Edition” — Archives of past issues of The Land

THE LAND — FEBRUARY 4/FEBRUARY 11, 2022

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

PAGE 3

Getting MAD, Mutually Assured Digesters, is always a bad idea If today’s California is what the rest of dependence on CAFOs (confined animal America will look like tomorrow, you feeding operations) and animal ag’s growmight want to brace yourself for too little ing role in global climate change. water, too much animal manure, and Or at least it did until manure digest$4.65-per-gallon gasoline. ers were built and monitored. Their early And weird, too, because in California results were worse than poor, according these too-little, too-much, and too-expento a January report on manure digesters sive elements have been combined to creby Reuters. In fact, the results were disate what was thought to be a partial cure FARM & FOOD FILE mal. for climate change.

“In 2009,” the story noted, “the Obama

By Alan Guebert The first, water, is precious. The administration and an industry group, same amount of municipally-supplied the Innovation Center for U.S. Dairy, water that costs $23 a month in pledged to reduce the industry’s greenNebraska costs $65 a month in the house gas emission by 25 percent by Golden State. Only 20 percent of all water, however, 2020 over levels in 2007, in part by expanding fedflows to 39 million Californians. Agriculture gulps eral support for new digesters.” the other 80 percent.

“Instead, methane emissions in the sector have Thirsty crops, right? More like thirsty livestock: risen more than 15 percent, in part driven by “47 percent of California’s water footprint is associ- growth in herd size…” In short, one solution — ated with the production of meat and dairy,” reports methane-making manure digesters — led to a secthe Sacramento-based Comstock’s Magazine. ond, bigger problem: more manure-making cows.

Animals and water — no matter the livestock or That’s just basic ag economics, explained Rebecca the state — means manure. In California, that com- Wolf of Food and Water Watch, an environmental bination also means taxpayer subsidies to build watchdog group, in the Reuters story: “If you start manure handling systems to capture methane genmaking money off of pollution, you’re not going to erated in anaerobic digesters to be burned by vehistop polluting.” cles or put into the natural gas grid.

Indeed, pollution grows with digesters because That recipe sounds like a “two birds with one livestock numbers grow with digesters. stone” solution to ag’s two growing problems: States like Iowa, however, are choosing to ignore increased methane pollution from a deepening the acrid evidence. Recently, Iowa enacted a digester-promoting law that, according to the Cedar Rapids Gazette, not only doesn’t worry about livestock expansion, it “allows Iowa animal feeding operations to exceed confinement capacity if [farmers] install an anaerobic digester to treat all manure…”

Uncle Sam wants in on the bigger CAFOs/bigger With the new year digester game, too. The Biden Administration›s stillthere is a new face in unpassed, $1 trillion-plus Build Back Better prothe office of The Land. gram contains a river of federal subsidies to proYou may have had a mote “climate mitigation” strategies like manure chance to meet him at digesters in the coming years. the MN Ag Expo.

Some ag researchers, however, want to flatten that Sebastian Barton has rising trend. joined the publication to help service our In a Dec. 14 podcast titled “On biodigesters — are advertisers. they a real win-win technology?” three University of Iowa research professors, Silvia Secchi, Chris Jones Originally from and Dave Cwiertny, agreed that Iowa’s new focus on Eagan, Minn., Barton digesters as a solution to the state’s overwhelming is embarking on a livestock manure problem almost guarantees more new life in Mankato and bigger CAFOs in Iowa and even more unmanas a single dad with ageable manure. two sons. During his few spare moments of free time, he is a sports “If this is such a winning proposition for farmers,” enthusiast who likes to play video games and go for noted Secchi, an economist and geographer, “why walks. should public money be spent on it? Why not private investment?”

Barton can be reached via email at sbarton@ TheLandOnline.com or by calling (507) 344-6379.

Secchi goes on to add, “We are rushing headlong into these so-called solutions because they have this

OPINION

New sales rep joins The Land

‘feel-good’ factor like ‘soil health;’ but don’t yet have the results to prove it.”

California, however, now faces some digester indigestion. Recently, noted Reuters, “Environmental groups petitioned the California Air Resources Board to make [manure digesters] ineligible for [state] credits, arguing their presumed role in combating climate change was inflated and that the credits encourage making more manure.”

Which California — and the rest of the United States and its taxpayers — neither need nor want.

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

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THE LAND — FEBRUARY 4/FEBRUARY 11, 2022

Memorizing is child’s play (and I’m working on it) Last summer I thought I had packed developing their skills. So perhaps a litaway a story book in my suitcase when I tle exercise to my hippocampus, amygdawent to visit my granddaughters who live la, and cerebellum would be a good discifurther away. Instead, the book I hurriedpline to develop. ly grabbed was the “Childcraft Volume As I recollect, my school teachers did One Poems of Early Childhood” (1939 not expect me to memorize short or long copyright, The Quarrie Corporation, poems. By that time, educators no longer Chicago). considered it important to memorize. If I At first I was a bit disappointed as I recalled enough information to pass a FROM MY FARMHOUSE always looked forward to our evenings of test, we were both satisfied.

KITCHEN book reading during my visits. This poem Which is rather sad, because it is true book was the only book I had taken that young children brains are little

By Renae B. along. Rather than bemoan my error, we sponges waiting to soak up knowledge.

Vander Schaaf took on a “make do with what we have” I’m always amazed at how much my attitude. Apparently it was time to introduce my barely-past-toddler-age grandchildren know. young granddaughters to poems.

It turned out for the best. They learned a new word and definition: poem. They discovered poems were entertaining and fun.

Since words which rhyme make memorizing easy, we decided to put our noggins to good work to see how well we could memorize poems. We often added actions to go along with the recitations.

The first poem we learned was entitled “The Little Turtle.” It was written by Vachel Lindsay. (Yes, the poet’s name is Vachel with a V.) “The Little Turtle” There was little turtle.

He lived in a box.

He swam in a puddle.

He climbed on the rocks.

He snapped at a mosquito, He snapped at a flea, He snapped at a minnow, And he snapped at me.

He caught the mosquito, He caught the flea, They are generally quicker He caught the minnow, to memorize than us older folk. That point was proven to me last summer.

But he didn’t catch me!

In 1911, the American Book Company still considOn this cold day, just remembering our time memered memory work important. Throughout their text orizing this poem has made me smile. Now when I book, “The Expressive Readers Third Reader,” go back to visit, the girls want me to bring my poem poems were included. Footnotes challenged the stubook along. dents to memorize; to think about what they are This little memorizing exercise was good for me. learning; and to recite them with expression.

From my own experience, I realize not everyone is The poems spaced between stories were someblessed with a good memory. Sometimes I wonder times witty, while others were thoughtful. Some how much my own lack of mental retention is mine were rather lengthy, while others were short. Some own fault. reference nature, others a holiday, all a pleasure to Is it possible that I haven’t spent much time read. Can you tell I enjoy poetry? teaching my brain to retain information, so my cerebrum hasn’t reached its full potential? Most great athletes and musicians have some natural ability to perform well; but they spend many hours

Here is an example of a poem that is in the school book.

Speak The Truth Speak the truth!

Speak it boldly, never fear; Speak it so that all may hear; In the end it shall appear Truth is best in age and youth Speak the truth.

Speak the truth!

Truth is beautiful and brave, Strong to bless and strong to save; Falsehood is a cowardly knave; From it turn thy steps in youth— Follow truth.

The teacher, no doubt, would have appreciated all the students learning this poem. Hopefully it would come to mind in situations when lying might have deceitfully appeared as the easy way out.

When my father-in-law was in his last years of life, he often recited the 23rd Psalm in Dutch — the language he had learned it as a child. It was comforting to us all — to hear his voice strongly proclaim these words which were still hidden in his heart.

That memory got to me wondering if any scripture would come to my mind in any situation. (Probably not, as my mind is too filled with other stuff.)

Anyway, to remedy this, I determined last year it would be profitable to learn Psalm 138.

The best way to remember something is to write it down — as told in the latter verses of Deuteronomy 17. The king himself was instructed to write copies of the law in a book. I may not be a king, but I do have grandchildren I want to instruct in the ways of the Lord. So with a pen I wrote Psalm 138 out on several notecards.

By having multiple copies there should be always one available to read. Of course, a note card can easily be slipped into my purse. They also make good bookmarks. Often times, when rolling out pie dough, a card was placed close by for memorizing.

I’m still working on hiding it in my heart; but already have found that at different times, a verse of the psalm will come back to me. ‘Tis good.

Renae B. Vander Schaaf is an independent writer, author and speaker. Contact her at (605) 530-0017 or agripen@live.com. v

THE LAND — FEBRUARY 4/FEBRUARY 11, 2022

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

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Letter: Thoughts on The Land, farm shows and politics Dear Deb Petterson and all of The Land staff, I greet you today in the mighty precious name of Jesus from which all blessings flow!

Deb, I was looking forward to you printing my letter to the editor that we discussed thoroughly the first day of Farmfest. Yeeesh it was rather quiet at The Land booth and I thought we had a rather total and complete conversation. Being I come from a very ultra conservative ideology — life and viewpoint. I was wearing a very bright red Trump hat and yeeesh a very descriptive Trump 2024 tee shirt. You had mentioned that even you felt and thought you were leaning more conservative with being older and your son’s military experience and accomplishments.

Paul, yours and my conversation were much more somber at Farmfest than any of your articles or content thereof. Yeeesh I realize the very descriptive Trump paraphernalia — tees, shorts, cap — stating Trump 2024 does for certain most of the time a conversation whether it’s Farmfest, church, farm equipment dealer for parts or tractor, combine purchase of the grocery store.

Yeeesh when I met Dick Hagen more than once on the Farmfest grounds it was always with a smile and keep the faith. I please suggest that being MN Ag Expo being held in the liberal swamp city of

Mankato that entire Land staff attend featured speakers and get “all” of the materials from Nate Firle and Jodi DeJong-Hughes on just how God intended for us farmers were suppose to conduct our lives and practices of God’s holy land the soil.

Other speakers that are a must would be Jack Zimmerman and Amanda Radke and get all of their info and materials. Listen, us super patriots attempted to address Tim Walz at Farmfest about his abrasive approach on California clean air – clean cars, trucks etc. and trust me … he was totally surrounded 100 percent ushered away by body guards!

Please Jack Zimmerman and Amanda Radke are very common favorable western Minnesota and all North and South Dakota.

Trust me … Governor Kristi Noem South Dakota attends events like S.D. State Fair, Sturgis – world attended motorcycle bike rally with family – riding their horses or walking and oh yeeesh Kristi supports two pistol – side arms strapped and oh no need ever

OPINION

Letter: We need local newspapers

To the Editor, Thank you for asking your readers for a voluntary subscription! I greatly appreciate getting your magazine. One of my greatest concerns, is the rapid loss of newspapers due to the digital age. So many local newspapers are either disappearing or merging together. When that happens, it can diminish the quality of news for our local communities and especially for agriculture.

In your latest issue, Alan Guebert’s article on climate change was extraordinary. I so appreciate your willingness to run his opinion columns. If I had anything to say about it, I’d run him for president. I also appreciate Dick Hagen’s articles — even though I may not agree with him very often. I think it’s important that you continue to present two sides of issues so that we can be informed readers.

Like most people, I’m bombarded with information on my Smart phone so much so that I tend to ignore most of it. I rely on your profession to provide accurate information.

I hope your readers will honor your request to submit their subscriptions so we can keep these high-quality newspapers in business!

Darrel Mosel Gaylord, Minn.

for a body guard as she is loved and appreciated!

Yeeesh Alan Guebert is not found in the most prestigious North or South Dakota farm publications. However, I find Alan very informed with info provided – just so he leaves his liberal – social global politics ideology home.

Yeeesh Whitney Nesse and Karen Schwaller are great contributors.

Listen … “Slick Willy” and “Witch Hillary” – OB”O”ma O’Biden – Pelosi do not keep or fulfill promises. Please … Trump kept every single promise and yeeesh fulfilled them! The Global Elites – who created the Deep State in DC. Yeeesh control the world’s $s and flow of those $s.

I am a very decorated Vietnam veteran with Agent Orange issues!! Please LBJ or Tricky Dickie Nixon could ever give a rip! I am a bond servant of our Lord Jesus Christ!

Roger L. Krueger Tracy, Minn.

Letter: Corn predictions To the Editor, The Jan. 21/28 issue of the The Land contained a positively petrifying precise prediction from Zumbrota: $4 to $7 gasoline is coming! Is that regular grade or premium grade?

In addition to gasoline prices, other predictions and observations were made. Today I will limit myself to this gasoline prediction which encouraged me to make one of my own: $5 to $8 corn is coming!

Wait a minute. Corn is down today. Make that $4 to $8 corn.

One maxim, without fail, or so it seems, proves true. If I sell corn, prices will subsequently soar and if I don’t sell corn, the price will subsequently dive.

Let’s hope we get some timely rains in the 2022 growing season — no predictions there.

Galen Naber Roseville, Minn.

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THE LAND — FEBRUARY 4/FEBRUARY 11, 2022

This book of short stories isn’t just for Western lovers Drums or hooves?

• Old George Simmons never wanted “Law of the Land: Stories of the Old West” trouble.

He just wanted to cook for the Here’s the answer: nothing’s better by Elmer Kelton Slash R cowboys and be unbothered. So in than the pound of a horse’s hooves, as “Biscuits for a Bandit,” an outlaw rider c.2021, Forge Books heard from a saddle. They can sound like learns that it’s best not to rile the camp a dance, a drumstick skittering over a $27.99 / $37.99 Canada cookie. snare drum. A lively trot reminds you of 306 pages bongos; a good run, like a bass kick. It’s • Everybody knew the Apache One-Ear music to a cowpoke’s ears and in the was ferocious. Lieutenant Monte Fowler THE BOOKWORM short-story collection, “Law of the Land” • All Grant Caudell already lost many soldiers to One-Ear’s band in SEZ

by Elmer Kelton, you’ll find a treat for wanted was his money a massacre the likes of which Fowler wasn’t your eyes. eager to repeat. But One-Ear was still out there

By Terri Schlichenmeyer back, now that he’d caught up with “Slack” causing trouble, and in “Apache Patrol,” Fowler • There aren’t a lot of things a lawman Vincent. Vincent had is the only man who can lead G Troop to stop likes better than crossing a name off a “wanted” list tricked Caudell out of his money; him. and Fitz Battles was about to do that. Giles and without it, Caudell would lose Pritchard was an outlaw. And to Fitz, that made • A pretty little girl like Rachel should never have his family’s farm. The problem was, the Pritchard just plumb worthless. Problem was, been brought to Texas. She should’ve stayed back sheriff had the outlaw locked up and in “Jailbreak,” East; but it was already too late: the Comanches Pritchard had help — and in “The Fugitive Book,” Vincent was about to hang — unless there was a that meant more no-good outlaws for Fitz to elimiwere outside their door. Her husband, Matthew, was little more trickery... nate. ready to fight. But in “The Last Indian Fight in Kerr County,” Rachel had a few ideas up her pretty little sleeve.

Zero and a hundred. In “Law of the Land,” that’s what you can expect: zero political correctness, one hundred percent old-school, classic western tales.

Letter to Alan Guebert, needs to be a real, quantifiable, beneficial result.

And yet, there’s something else that’s interesting Not merely a theory that sounds good but doesn’t In commentary on the for readers to look for here... deliver on its promises. recent article in In many of the 16 short stories inside this book, “Opinion” offering entitled “The New Agriculture Thank you for raising the questions and opening there’s a fiendish twist at the end, as if the late Alchemy: Gold from Gas:” (The Land, Jan. 28) I up discussion channels to spur people to explore don’t often hold the same views as you on many this subject further. Perhaps there are solutions fur- author Elmer Kelton consulted with the late Rod Serling on each tale’s crafting. Many are so things; but I do need to thank you for this recent ther back in the process that can deal with this sitarticle speaking on the subject of pipelines for uation before it becomes a “problem”. Speaking as a Twilight-Zone-ish, in fact, they almost don’t seem entirely like westerns. enabling CO2 sequestration at remote sites. seasoned farmer, we know that there is great benefit in keeping the cows in the pasture rather than And yet, they are. There are cowpokes and sherThere are many pie-in-the-sky ideas out there letting them get out and then having to chase them iffs in these tales; purdy gals; worn saddles and with the promise of saving the planet which are litback in again. beloved horses; outlaws and rifles and bloodthirsty tle more than cash-in-the-pocket schemes and that killers. Readers are taken across arroyos, through discussion is debated daily. I will agree that if there David Bergeson mountain passes and inside corrals. The shoot-outs Dawson, Minn. is a real benefit beyond enrichment of a select few you expect are here. So are the white-hatted heroes. then we should explore those avenues; but there Despite the lack of modern PC-ness, the twists in these tales may bring old-fashioned westerns to a new audience. For sure, if you’re already an oater fan, getting “Law of the Land” would behoove you.

To the Editor, Sanders, AOC, Omar, Harris, Pelosi and Trump have Look for the reviewed book at a bookstore or a ceased to exist in my day-to-day world. It felt good Could everyone take a deep breath and realize library near you. You may also find the book at struggling to come up with those names just now. that life in America has never been better than it Good riddance to all of them. I had zero control over online book retailers. is today? Is America perfect? No, never was and what they did anyway.

The Bookworm is Terri Schlichenmeyer. Terri has never will be. been reading since she was 3 years old and never My annual two-week motorcycle trip to the mounStop listening to the commercial news outlets and goes anywhere without a book. She lives in tains out west confirmed my suspicions.

People take a honest look around you. Did Trump destroy Wisconsin with three dogs and 10,000 books. v everywhere are living and enjoying life in America the little guy and allow evil corporations to rule just like they always have. California turned out to America? No. Did eight years of Obama solve any be an amazingly rural, conservative state with the racial problems as expected? No. Has Biden turned exception of the metro and coastal areas. into a socialist dictator in his first year as predictEditor, The Land ed? No. Look around you, believe what you see, not the 418 South Second St., Back in July, I removed all forms of news from my media. Take back control of your thoughts and Mankato, MN 56001 thank God daily for the freedom He blesses us with! life, including hours spent each week grumbling e-mail: editor@thelandonline.com with the guys about how “they” are destroying this Tom Haak All letters must be signed and accompanied by a phone country. It only took a few weeks to sleep better and Wood Lake, Minn. number (not for publication) to verify authenticity. see how great we have it in America. Names like

Letter: Theory doesn’t alway deliver OPINION

Letter: Ignorance is bliss?

Send your letters to:

THE LAND — FEBRUARY 4/FEBRUARY 11, 2022

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PAGE 7

Winter didn’t stop farm kids from having fun There comes a time after slide on the ice. It was a the turkey has offered up little slice of peace on its life for the benefit of the earth amid her mountain elastic industry, the of laundry, mending, cookChristmas wrapping paper ing in the days without a has been ravaged by excited microwave oven, mopping hands of all sizes and the the floors and polishing chimney features only hints the silverware and all the of Santa’s descent, when shoes.

TABLE TALK kids have to settle in to find When you have older something else to focus on.

By Karen Schwaller brothers, playing King of It can be a brutal time the Hill can be a firstwhen nothing exciting is time lesson in “tuck and happening, following the overstimula- roll.” And yet those humongous snow tion of the sweet trifecta of Halloween, piles Dad created with the tractor and Thanksgiving and Christmas happen- loader beckoned us like the forbidden ing nearly back-to-back, and all the cinnamon rolls Mom was saving in the wishing and daydreaming that comes freezer one time. with it.

There as only one left in the pan Growing up on the farm — when when she went to fetch them to feed there was nothing else to do — and hungry corn shellers one day. Living when you live 10 miles from town and ten miles from town, it wasn’t like she your friends can’t just come out to could just run and get something else play with you because of it, you learn in those days. My brothers’ sticky finto play with your siblings and make gers were the smoking gun with that your own fun. story.

We lived near a creek (or ‘crick,’ as It was every man for himself when we used to call it). Oh, the sweet joy of we played King of the Hill, and how sliding on the ice in our rubber boots. none of us broke our necks is more There was plenty of surface area for than I’ll ever know. I’m certain some of seven children. We looked like the those tosses were first created on opening of “A Charlie Brown snow piles by kids before they were Christmas,” and I think of that every ever used in WWF wrestling. And time I see that show. those climbs back to the top gave us great cardio workouts, if not the origiHow my mother must have loved it nal “buns of steel.” when we all decided to go out and

was left were the stories, tired smiles, red cheeks, wet and tangled hair, wet Growing up on the farm — and smelly farm coats and boots that needed drying out — along with wet when there was nothing else to do — and when you jeans, socks and underwear; bread sacks that were in our boots, and the live 10 miles from town and your friends can’t just water puddles on the basement floor come out to play with you from snow that had melted off of our boots and clothing. Mix in a little hog because of it, you learn to smell with all of that and the aroma play with your siblings and emanating from the basement left a make your own fun. little to be desired some winter nights.

For Mom, I’m certain there were When you live out in the middle of days when she would just as soon nowhere on hilly gravel roads, what better place to go sledding? How glori- have sold us to the highest bidder ous it was to drag our sleds to the hill, rather than let us come in and make position ourselves, then take off to feel all that mess in the basement. the wind and snow on our faces, just There was once a simpler life, before inches from the road surface, as the all the organized activities kids have runners glided along. It was kind of a today, that didn’t require parents to drag to pull the sled back to the top of drive kids anywhere. Those cold winthe hill, but that great ride down was ter weekends of playing in the snow worth it. We spent entire afternoons and cold were some of the most winter doing that, then pulling the sleds half fun I can remember … and just with a mile home. my siblings.

We used to make tractor tracks As farm kids—without even having around the yard with our boots, snow watched many Christmas movies then, angels and participate in snowball we all knew better than to put our fights. Again, with older brothers that tongues on the frozen flagpole at throw at torpedo speed, it’s a girl’s school — even if someone triple-dogfirst lesson in learning to throw a ball dared us. There were probably some like a boy. Championship softball frosty gates around the farm that teams have to be anchored by pitchers could tell the rest of that story. who grew up with brothers and particKaren Schwaller brings “Table Talk” ipated in many snowball dog-fights. from her home near Milford, Iowa. She can When the playing was over, all that be reached at kschwaller@evertek.net. v

Letter: Ethanol supports carbon sequestration

To the Editor, Ethanol has been a cornerstone of the Minnesota economy for decades.

However, with small-refinery waivers, electric vehicles, and the pandemic hampering the industry, the future of Minnesota biofuels is full of obstacles.

Considering ethanol contributes roughly $5 billion to Minnesota’s GDP and supports 12,686 jobs statewide, its viability must remain a top priority.

Fortunately, despite the challenges facing ethanol, there is light on the horizon as producers seek new markets. Consumer trends are evolving across the country, and several states are now willing to pay a premium for low-carbon fuel.

Through carbon capture and sequestration, ethanol plants can lower their emissions and become competitive for decades to come. Six Minnesota plants have already partnered with a project to capture carbon dioxide from the fermentation process, transport the material to North Dakota, and safely store it underground.

The project developer, Summit Carbon Solutions, understands agriculture and is based in the Midwest. It plans to employ up to 17,000 workers during construction, create hundreds of permanent jobs, and pay property taxes along the project’s entire route.

So far, more than 30 plants across five states have signed agreements with Summit Carbon Solutions.

OPINION

Minnesota stands to benefit tremendously. With more E85 stations than any state in the U.S. and nearly half of our corn crop going to ethanol, our state’s success is closely tied to the ethanol industry. As ethanol thrives, so does Minnesota.

I encourage all Minnesotans to support Summit Carbon Solutions as it works to create a brighter future for ethanol, agriculture, and Minnesota.

Steve Veverka Marshall, Minn.

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PAGE 8

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

THE LAND — FEBRUARY 4/FEBRUARY 11, 2022

Canola proving to be a worthy contender in crop rotation

By DICK HAGEN The Land Staff Writer Emeritus The Past is your Lesson; the Present is your Gift; the Future is your Motivation.

Those choice words mostly direct my life these days (plus occasional nudging by my wife).

But that’s why my one-day visit (Jan. 20) to the MN Ag Expo in Mankato, Minn. was such a gift.

The Expo drew lots of folks, so lots of interview opportunities … such as Ed Walsh of Roseau, Minn. (11 miles from Canadian border).

“We grow canola and rye grass,” Ed Walsh Walsh told me. Both crops are now generating good income. “Yes, both creating more interest too,” Walsh added.

It was dry in Walsh’s part of the country in 2021. ”Very dry — we only got half a crop. It didn’t rain until after we finished harvesting. But we got a pretty good recharge in September; so it looks like we’ll be good to go this spring,” he said.

I asked Walsh about the renewed interest in rye.

“Rye flourished — despite our droughty season,” he explained. “Blue grass seed is maybe a better income crop; but seed is getting expensive. Rye grass seed is cheaper. Most rye seed is grown in state of Washington … with producers getting $1 per pound — which is phenomenal with 800 to 1,000-pound yields.”

Walsh also informed me rye is usually underseeded with wheat — though sometimes bare-footed into wheat stubble. “It’s drill-planted in six-inch rows. It’s a quick-growing crop with harvest in late July to early August. Usually, a growth regulator is applied so the rye crop doesn’t get too tall. It’s a thick, hard grass to cut so you need a good swatter to get it ready for combining.”

“Yes, I’ve raised canola for years,” Walsh continued.

“Mine is a vegetable oil producing variety which I market through Bunge. It has a very high flash point which makes it excellent for food items. We get good yields — with proper fertilization 2,000 to 2,500 pounds per acre. However, west to Langdon, N.D. area there’s a ‘honey spot’ where 4,000-pound yields are common. They’d rather raise canola than soybeans!”

Walsh looks to continue with canola and rye again in 2022; but also some oats. “I got a $5 contract, so oats got added to our agenda this spring too. I couldn’t ignore that opportunity.” v

SFA conference moves date to March 18 With safety and being able to meaningfully connect in person as top priorities, the Sustainable Farming Association has made the decision to move the date of its annual conference to March 18.

The conference venue will remain the College of Saint Benedict in St. Joseph.

For those already registered, your registration

transfers to the new date. Contact Jason Walker at jason@sfa-mn.org if you need to cancel your registration. A refund will be issued.

SFA’s current Conference COVID policy will remain in effect.

This article was submitted by the Sustainable Farming Association. v

Calendar of Events Visit www.TheLandOnline.com to view our complete calendar & enter your own events, or send an e-mail with your event’s details to editor@thelandonline.com.

Feb. 8 — Dairy Day: Profitable Dairy Practices — Orange City, Iowa — Program will explore methods of euthanasia, composting mortalities, farm personalities, transition cow nutrition, milk marketing and industry updates. Contact Fred Hall at fredhall@ iastate.edu or (712) 737-4230 Feb. 9 — Strategic Farming: Let’s Talk Crops — Online — Cover crops - Termination timing and planting green: U of M sustainable cropping systems specialist Axel Garcia y Garcia and state soil health specialist Anna Cates will provide information based on up-to-date research to help optimize crop management strategies for 2022. Register at z.umn.edu/ strategic-farming.

Feb. 9 — Industrial Hemp Forum — Online — Topics include updates on MDA’s hemp licensing requirements, new inspection requirements, and opportunities in fiber production. Register at www. mda.state.mn.us/hempforum2022 Feb. 9 — I-90 Soil Health Tour — Albert Lea, Minn. — Focus of workshop are soil health practices that benefit the soil, environment and crop yield.

Contact Lindsey Zeitler at lindsey.zeitler@mn.nacdnet.net or (507) 320-3728.

Feb. 10 — Alternative Land Access for Specialty Crop Growers — Online — Webinar format will

include a video interview with an LSP member farmer followed by a live Q&A session. There will also be an opportunity for peer-to-peer dialogue. Contact Nick Olson at nicko@landstewardshipproject.org Feb. 10 — Livestock Webinar: Chickens — Online — Farmers will discuss the production model they utilize, the pros and cons of that, as well as the processing and marketing opportunities and challenges. Contact Katie Feterl at info@sfa-mn.org Feb. 11 & 12 — Farm Couple Retreat — Thief River Falls, Minn. — Learn about creative communication skills, personality differences, and resources to help each couple reach their goals and attain better management of the stresses of farming and family relationships. Contact Leah M Bischof at leahbischof@gmail. com or (320) 429-0611.

Feb. 12 — Gardening Knowledge for Free — St. Cloud, Minn. — Sessions include native orchids, growing flowers for pollinators, favorite sun perennials, seed starting, and culinary herbs. Contact Stearns County Extension Master Gardeners at z.umn.edu/GKFF or (320) 255-6169.

Feb. 12 & 19 — Produce Safety Rule grower training — Online — Must attend both days to satisfy FDA requirements. Learn about produce safety, good agricultural practices and the FSMA Produce Safety Rule.

Register at www.mnd.state.mn.us/fsmatraining. Contact the MDA at (651) 539-3648.

Feb. 14 — Small Grain Workshop — New Prague, Minn., Rochester, Minn. — Workshop will focus on production agronomics, variety selection and economics. Also includes an open forum discussion on related topics and on-farm experiences. Contact Shane Bugeja at (515) 708-3486.

Feb. 15 & 16 — 2022 Minnesota Pork Congress — Mankato, Minn. — The state’s largest swine-specific trade show features exhibits, seminars and networking. Contact Lauren at lauren@mnpork.com.

Feb. 16 — Strategic Farming: Let’s Talk Crops — Online — Tar spot of corn - status and options: Plant pathologists Dean Malvick and Nathan Kleczewski will provide information based on up-to-date research to help optimize crop management strategies for 2022.

Register at z.umn.edu/strategic-farming.

Feb. 16 — Nitrogen Smart Program — Dassel, Minn. — Learn sources of nitrogen for crops; how nitrogen is lost from soil; how to manage nitrogen in drainage systems; Minnesota’s nitrogen fertilizer management plan; and practices to refine nitrogen management. Contact Adam Austing at aausting@ umn.edu or (763) 682-7381.

Feb. 17 — Small Grain Workshop — Slayton, Minn. — Workshop will focus on production agronomics, variety selection and economics. Also includes an open forum discussion on related topics and on-farm experiences. Contact Melissa Runck at (507) 8366927.

THE LAND — FEBRUARY 4/FEBRUARY 11, 2022

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

PAGE 9

Meat boosts milk income for Minnesota goat farm

By DICK HAGEN The Land Staff Writer Emeritus MANKATO, Minn. — While hanging out at The Land booth on Jan. 20 at the MN Ag Expo, I had the chance to meet Eli Hochstetler from Utica, Minn.

Hochstetler is a goat farmer. Being naturally snoopy, I was curious why a goat farmer was at a corn and soybean conference. I sensed a story opportunity and Hochstetler was gracious enough to answer a few questions.

Hochstetler has been raising goats for four years since moving here from Ohio. “We’re now milking 60 head, by hand, but we also raise meat goats too … some 30 nannies. So right now we have about 300 goats including the babies.”

The Hochstetlers have eight children and five can help with the milking. “We milk 60 goats in about an hour,” he said, adding a good goat will produce about eight pounds of milk a day. Some of Hochstetler’s goats are into their eighth lactation. “It’s a five month pregnancy,” Hochstetler said, “so num-

bers can multiply fairHochstetler said ly rapidly. We put the when the nannies no billies (male-goats) in longer give enough with the nannies milk, much like a cow (female goats) in July; dairy farm, away they the babies come late go. “A guy at Millville December or early is paying $1.75 a pound January. So right now, for culled nannies — babies are two weeks which is great!” he of age.” said. “You can’t afford to milk a goat if she’s With a lot of mouths not milking 4 pounds.” to feed, the Hochstetlers right now have over As a dairy goat nov100 babies on bottles ice, I asked Hochstetler for a few days until what is the dressing they are back being percentage on a dairy nursed by the mothers. goat? “Dairy goats only do about 42 to 45 perIn addition to the cent,” he replied. “Meat milking, managing the Eli Hochstetler goats will hit 50 to 55 herd is quite an underpercent.” taking. “We keep all the nannies for replacement,” Hochstetler explained.

So what’s the tastiest cut of goat “The billies we wether (castrated male meat? “I don’t eat goat, so I don’t even goat) and sell at 60 to 80 pounds hang- know!” Hochstetler chuckled. “They’re ing weight on the rail to Geneva Meats in Geneva, Minn. (just off Interstate 35 between Albert Lea and Owatonna).

www.TheLandOnline.com Compeer Financial offers scholarships SUN PRAIRIE, Wis. — The Compeer Financial Fund for Rural America, Compeer Financial’s corporate giving program, is offering 123 scholarships to students this year. High school seniors who have an agriculture or rural background, or plan to major in an agriculture-related field at a college, university or technical school are encouraged to apply.

Each scholarship recipient will receive $1,500 for educational tuition expenses. Qualified applicants must live in Compeer Financial’s 144-county territory and have a 3.0 grade point average or higher. Recipients will be selected based on academic achievement, agricultural and community organization involvement and essays.

“The high school scholarship program aims to encourage students’ commitment to pursuing a career path in

agriculture – it’s a signature investment in the future,” said Karen Schieler, senior corporate giving specialist at Compeer Financial. “Our goal is to contribute to the future of agriculture across our territory, which includes metro areas where more and more students are interested in exploring careers in agriculture. We hope to inspire those students as they pursue their future careers.”

Students can find the scholarship application at compeer.com/scholarships. Applications can be emailed to scholarships@compeer.com; mailed to P.O. Box 1219, Lakeville, MN 55044; or submitted in person at a local Compeer Financial office. The deadline for applications is March 15.

This article was submitted by Compeer Financial. v

too spendy for me to eat!”

He added that customers come directly to his farm and buy off the hanging rail. “Yes indeed, that’s a growing business.”

Hochstetler said there are 14 Amish farms with goats in the Utica area. To maintain organic status, his herd requires a special feeding program.

“For organic, we have to provide 30 percent pasture and only organic feeds — so lots of paper work. I buy 50 percent of my hay; all of my corn. I only have 23 acres. I’d like to have more acres and I’d like to grow to 110 goats … so that’s our goal. We milk in an older facility; but are building a new parlor that will accommodate 44 milkers.”

Interested in trying goat meat at your table? Check the Geneva Meat Market at (507) 256-7214. v

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PAGE 10

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

THE LAND — FEBRUARY 4/FEBRUARY 11, 2022

Fertilizer prices unlikely to relax any time soon

By TIM KING The Land Correspondent SAUK CENTRE, Minn.

— When a representative of his local elevator approached Gene Loxterkamp during last fall’s Harvest, Loxterkamp was all ears.

Loxterkamp farms with his son north of El Rosa, Minn. — a small Stearns County community. The rep told Loxterkamp, who is a long-time customer, that fertilizer prices had been going up and he expected the trend to continue into the new year.

He encouraged Loxterkamp to book his 2022 fertilizer as soon as possible.

“The price was already going up last fall, so we went ahead and ordered our urea then,” Loxterkamp, who doesn’t use anhydrous ammonia, said. “We usually order our fertilizer at the end of the year.”

Fertilizer suppliers made a lot of visits like the one to the Loxterkamp farm last summer and fall.

“We started selling in June and July,” said an elevator representative. “We are now about 85 percent booked.”

According to the source, prices had softened a little in mid-January. He quoted a spot price for urea of $895 per ton on Jan. 19. That compared to a price of $859 at the end of November, according to ag analyst Kent Thiesse.

Thiesse said the November price was a 140 percent increase over the price a year earlier.

Loxterkamp’s elevator said phosphate was selling for $875 per ton — which was actually down from the $911 Thiesse reported in late November.

Fertilizer prices historically follow rising corn prices, according to the University of Minnesota. The relationship is so reliable that University of Minnesota researcher Jeffery Vetsch uses it in a nitrogen rate calculator to advise farmers on the best economic nitrogen rate for corn.

“I compared prices of both over the last 14 years and the period from 2011 through 2015 had strong corn prices and generally high nitrogen prices,” Vetsch said. “There is often a lag; as one rises before the other and may decline before the other. Also, 2019 follows that pattern. The only year that doesn’t is 2020

when corn prices had a spring/summer rally and nitrogen and most fertilizer prices were at very low levels throughout the year.”

The Agricultural and Food Policy Center at Texas A&M University found the same relationship in a study called, “Economic Impact of Higher Fertilizer Prices on AFPC’s Representative Crop Farms” which was released in mid-January.

“As part of this study, we conducted a historical analysis going back to 1980 and found that fertilizer costs tend to go up when corn revenues increase,” wrote Professor Joe Outlaw of the Center. “Notably, these prices tend to

go up exponentially even after accounting for natural gas prices and higher demand.”

The exponential increase in prices has caused some rumbling in Minnesota and Iowa farm circles; and have caused some waves along the Potomac in Washington DC. “I write to call on the Justice Department to investigate concerns raised by America’s farmers about possible anti-competitive activity and market manipulation in the fertilizer industry,” Iowa’s Senator Charles Grassley wrote to U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland on Dec. 15. “I have heard numerous concerns from Iowans and member organizations expressing concerns that fertilizer companies are colluding and unfairly raising the price of their products.”

By Jan. 19, Sen. Grassley had not heard back from the attorney general and has taken no further action on the matter, according to Megan Behrends, Grassley’s assistant press secretary.

If there were market manipulation by fertilizer companies, it would be extremely difficult to separate it from a myriad of factors — such as skyrocketing natural gas prices, trade barriers, Covid slow-downs, and last winter’s breakdown of the electrical transmission system in Texas which caused fertilizer plants in Texas, Louisiana and Oklahoma to shut down temporarily.

Across the Atlantic, European wholesale gas prices surged as much as 700 percent this year; and in mid-January, the European benchmark was 570 percent higher than at the start of 2021, according to the Reuters news service. Large amounts of natural gas are required to produce nitrogen and those sky-high gas prices caused a number of European fertilizer plants to shut down this fall and early winter. Because of production cuts, European farmers were scrambling to buy nitrogen products at high prices.

But by early January, Reuters reports, some European plants were coming back on line because high nitrogen prices made producing it profitable — even in the face of high natural gas prices.

See FERTILIZER, pg. 11

THE LAND — FEBRUARY 4/FEBRUARY 11, 2022

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

PAGE 11

Canada concerned with phosphate levels in Red River

By DICK HAGEN The Land Staff Writer Emeritus MANKATO, Minn. — At the MN Ag Expo in Mankato on Jan. 20, I was visiting with Minnesota Corn Growers Association Director John Swanson.

Our conversation started about the new Ag Innovation Center now under construction in Crookston, Minn.

But Swanson’s comments took a quick turn to Minnesota’s fertilizer predicament. “Phosphates are a real concern to Canada,” Swanson noted.

“Conversely, going south down the Mississippi River, nitrogen is the big question mark. Canadian folks think phosphates discharged into the north-flowing Red River are a problem. And the algae blooms in Lake Winnipeg pretty well confirm that is true. I have a good friend in Canada. He’s a good researcher, but strongly disagrees with Minnesota’s policy of ditches with grassways. So to answer his questions about Minnesota famers discharging phosphates into the Red River, I think we need some answers.”

“And that’s part of what this Ag Innovation project will tell us,” Swanson returned to the subject.

“Grasses break down phosphate and phosphate moves in water.” At this time, Swanson is unsure how long it might take to gather information from the Crookston campus. “This project only starts to answer that question because it’s really based on the amount of tile drainage being implanted into our prairie soils. Monitoring tile drainings at the Crookston station will be the detection system.”

“Most waterway systems now require a berm to

prevent rain water from sloshing topsoil into the waterway,” Swanson went on to say. “Minimizing these topsoil losses is important to the farmer, and to the total environment. That’s our best soil. It’s our future and vital to continued food production for all humanity.”

Swanson lives in Mentor, Minn. He started farming in 1971 after military service. His farm was homesteaded in the 1860s by his great grandfather and a sixth-generation grandson is next in line.

John says the operation is about 2,500 acres with corn, soybeans, sunflowers and wheat in a rotational mix of a broadleaf and a grass crop. “Diversity of crops does two things: It lets you break up the normal cycle of insects and diseases; plus it enables you to use different herbicides — which avoids herbicide

resistance building up in your soils. Plus, broadleafs and grasses are great to rotate because they have quite different problems. We should probably have more than the four-year cycle on these four crops; but financially that doesn’t work very well.”

Swanson expects soil moisture this spring vs. last year to be “Way better! Last season prior to August we had 6 inches total including snow. So last season was the poorest crop I’ve seen in my 40 years of farming! This year we’ve had almost 12 inches from the end of August to freeze-up at the end of November.”

“Agriculture for me has been a most interesting career,” Swanson concluded. “Now it’s rewarding to have grandsons asking lots of questions about this most dynamic industry — Minnesota agriculture.” v

University of Minnsota seeks survey help The University of Minnesota needs your help to learn more about the use of mortality composting in the horse industry. We hope to apply what we learn to make humane and respectful disposal options available for horse owners.

This short survey should take under five minutes to complete, and is available at https://umn.qualtrics. com/jfe/form/SV_9FxVLmZGQxHNTKe The University is also seeking owner perceptions and knowledge about post-mortem examinations.

The goal is to learn more about horse owners’ under-

standing of the procedure and how they decide when to have the procedure performed.

We hope to better guide horse owners’ decisionmaking and improve the quality of care for horses.

This survey should take less than 10 minutes to complete, is open to all horse owners over the age of 18, and is available at https://umn.qualtrics.com/jfe/ form/SV_1HxevgAcw6SrILY. This article was submitted by University of Minnesota Extension. v

FERTILIZER, from pg. 10

fertilizer are cautioned against waiting for further price softening.

“We’re expecting a March price spike; so farmers should lock things in or at least most of it now,” a source said. “There are some product shortages now.

Another factor is transportation. Shipping on both trains and trucks is way behind.”

He went on to say next summer should see prices which are more friendly for farmers’ pocket books. As a result, elevators are going to want to get rid of every last ton of their high-priced inventory. v

Iowa offers on-farm Fertilizer future hinges on Chinese jobs and training AMES, Iowa — Practical Farmers of Iowa has 18 on-farm paid job openings with farmers across the state who are committed to providing additional training on what it takes to run a farm business.

The jobs are being offered through Practical Farmers’ Labor4Learning program, which features experienced farmers from a range of farm systems and enterprises who have agreed to offer training on topics such as record-keeping, marketing and other skills beginning and aspiring farmers might not otherwise be exposed to.

All positions are paid, and most trainer farms offer competitive wages, plus other perks and benefits.

Complete job descriptions and program details can be found at practicalfarmers.org/labor4learning.

To participate as a trainee in Labor4Learning, applicants should submit resumes and references directly to the trainer farm. If hired, participants are given a Practical Farmers of Iowa membership, opportunities to network with other beginning and aspiring farmers and discounts to PFI learning events.

This article was submitted by Practical Farmers of Iowa. v

To complicate the production side of the equation, China — which is the world’s largest producer of nitrogen — has cut back on many industrial operations in an effort to have blue skies during the Winter Olympics.

“A lot depends on what the Chinese do,” a representative from Loxterkamp’s elevator said.

The United States is the world’s second-largest nitrogen producer; but still imports large quantities of it. What happens in China and Europe will have a major impact on the lives of farmers here.

Increased demand for nitrogen, beyond what had been forecasted, is also affecting prices.

“Expectations for the newest 2021-22 fiscal year moved from original estimates of 189 million metric tons to 195.6 mmt — an increase of 3.5 percent. The gap of expected demand between July 2020 and November 2020 is the shortage of supply that production plants are working to make up and fulfill,” Shelby Myers and Veronica Nigh, economists for the Farm Bureau, wrote in mid-December.

Minnesota or Iowa farmers who have yet to book

PAGE 12

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

THE LAND — FEBRUARY 4/FEBRUARY 11, 2022

Stanislawski doesn’t see much change in 2022 crop rotation

By DICK HAGEN The Land Staff Writer Emeritus MANKATO, Minn. — A visit with Harold Stanislawski is always a good visit. Stanislawski is Project Director at Minnesota’s Agricultural Utilization Research Institute (AURI). And that is why Stanislawski is always a good visit: he’s always in Harold the know it seems on what’s pending Stanislawski in new agricultural ventures in Minnesota.

I caught up with Stanislawski at the MN Ag Expo on Jan. 20 and he agreed to field a few questions.

The Land: In these tumultuous times, is agriculture going to survive the topsy/turvy economic squeezes currently occurring?

Stanislawski: There are always challenges in agriculture; but in my visits with farmers here at the Ag Expo, I’m certain once again all Minnesota’s farm land will get planted again this spring. Yes, we’re much aware of positive markets trends for virtually all Minnesota farm products — both grains and livestock. And also the continuing increase in input costs as well. But at the end of the day, there’s reason for optimism in agriculture for 2022.

The Land: More corn or more soybeans planted this new season?

Stanislawski: Many are asking the question. My response is, I think much the same as last year. Sure, there likely will be some changes on individual farms; but most farmers will stick with the same strategies that worked for them last year — both agronomically and sustainably.

The Land: Will there be enough nitrogen?

Stanislawski: A most frequent question this winter, perhaps exasperated by the huge increase in nitrogen costs. But I expect nitrogen will put applied as needed for their particular situations. Farmers are very smart. They know what happens if plant food becomes limiting. They’re tuned into their own cost/ price scenarios … often on field-by-field basis. So I suspect even with higher prices for 2022 corn and soybean crops, these guys won’t chisel down their nitrogen applications just to save a few dollars on their production costs They’ll likely find other ways to farm smarter. Sure, like most farmers, I’m optimistic about 2022 … plus good moisture recharge in most areas.

The Land: Was there enough tillage last fall so spring tillage won’t likely be an issue?

Stanislawski: In my area of Ottertail County and western/northwest Minnesota, pretty much all the tillage got done. Fields are in good shape. Come spring, everyone will be ready to roll.

I’m seeing more and more farmers into precision agriculture. For some, that even means on-the-go adjustments of planting rates. All inputs into the soil are very precise these days. I’m speaking of genetic traits of their seeds; depth of planting; ground speed of their planting rigs.

And up here, lots more tiling also … squeezed along by the increasing costs of farm land. But also guided by common sense: If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it! Today I sense more farmers striving to increase the productivity of their existing acres rather than competing against each other in that seemingly eternal quest of more land. Expanding isn’t always the answer.

Making the best of what you already have is definitely the thinking of wise farmers today.

The Land: My last question: you’ve stayed tuned in to new crops for Minnesota — especially hemp, which used to be fairly prevalent even in Renville County. In Olivia, we have Prairie Producers with Tim and Paul Seehusen talking about constructing a hemp processing facility. What’s ahead for hemp?

Stanislawski: As we so well know, end users are the key to that crop’s future … and more and more products come into the market from various components of this remarkable crop. But as more entrepreneurs develop more uses, I would say hemp too will evolve into a vibrant sector of our Minnesota agricultural economy. v

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Things to remember before and after severe weather events In December, Minnesota was hit with tornados, strong winds, and severe thunderstorms rarely seen in the winter months. This prompted many questions from concerned horse owners, including should they turn horses out or keep them inside when tornados and strong winds are predicted.

Unfortunately, the answer is: it depends. There is no “right answer for all,” and no option is without risks. In general, if horses are kept in a semi-rural environment with multiple buildings and little natural cover, a sturdily-constructed barn may provide the most shelter from flying debris.

Of course, if the barn is directly in the path of the tornado, or collapses, horses may be trapped inside.

In this situation, remove or secure anything that can become a flying projectile (e.g. pitchfork).

If horses are kept in a more rural area with good fences and natural cover, they may be better off outside and may be able to flee from the storm. However, horses can become entrapped in fencing, or can pose a public safety risk if fences are down and they become loose.

Regardless of the time of year, here are a few other

things to consider as you prepare for tornados and straight line winds: Be weather aware and sign up for free weather notifications. Being informed provides the best chance of preparing accordingly.

Personal safety must be the priority. If severe weather is imminent, all people should take cover.

Only try and move animals if you are not at personal risk. Otherwise, seek shelter. Stressed behavior may make moving horses much more difficult and put individuals in harm’s way.

Identification of animals is important. The most permanent means of identification is a microchip.

Alternatively, using luggage tags woven into the mane, adding a phone number to the horse via livestock paint, or including a phone number using permanent markers on hooves may help in recovery.

Keep copies of your horse’s identification papers and photos in several locations and in waterproof containers. If your horse is missing, contact your local law enforcement, animal control, and/or animal response teams. Social media is another great way to ask for assistance in locating a missing horse.

Avoid leaving halters on unless they are breakable as animals may become entrapped.

Most animals (and people) are injured due to flying debris. Take care to ensure debris around your farm is minimized. Move trucks and trailers to open areas where trees would not fall on them. Fill water tanks ahead of severe weather in case of power outages and ensure you have at least a three day supply of hay, feed and medications. Finally, ensure your horse is up to date on its tetanus vaccination.

Keeping your first aid kit up-to-date and stocked can help provide your horse with immediate assistance. Other items needed during an emergency include extra halter and lead ropes, a pocket knife, a flashlight with fresh batteries, leather gloves, and repair items (e.g. chainsaw, wire cutters, duct tape).

Once the weather has cleared, carefully inspect your horses for injuries. Check all fences for damage and look for, but do not approach, downed power lines. Clear paddocks and fields of debris and for insurance purposes, take pictures of damage.

This article was submitted by University of Minnesota Extension. v

THE LAND — FEBRUARY 4/FEBRUARY 11, 2022

PAGE 13

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

Americans chewed through plenty of butter in December percent on 5,000 fewer cows and This column was written for the marketunchanged output per cow. Minnesota ing week ending Jan. 28. was up 1.7 percent on 5,000 more cows U.S. milk production was slightly below and a 10-pound gain per cow. New that of a year ago in December, according Mexico was down 15 percent on a drop of to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s 45,000 cows and 40 pounds less per cow. latest Milk Production report. Preliminary New York was down 1.7 percent on data put output at 18.8 billion pounds, 6,000 fewer cows and a 15-pound drop down just 0.15 percent from December per cow. Oregon was up 0.5 percent on a 2020. The top 24 producing states’ total MIELKE MARKET 10-pound gain per cow and no change in was 18 billion pounds, down 0.2 percent.

WEEKLY cow numbers. Pennsylvania was down Revisions lowered the original 50-state 2.6 percent on 8,000 fewer cows and 15

By Lee Mielke November estimate by 11 million pounds, pounds less per cow. South Dakota now put at 18 billion, down 0.4 perwas up 2 percent, thanks to 29,000 cent from a year ago. more cows offsetting a 10-pound December cow numbers totaled drop per cow. Texas was up 3.4 per9.375 million, down 7,000 from cent on 12,000 more cows and a 30-pound gain per November. It is the seventh consecutive month they cow.

Vermont was down 1.4 percent on a 25-pound were down from the previous month, and were drop per cow.

Cow numbers were unchanged.

67,000 head below a year ago. The November count Washington State was down 7.3 percent on a loss of was revised 3,000 head lower. The U.S. milking herd 18,000 cows and 20 pounds less per cow than a year has dropped 132,000 head from its peak in May. ago.

Output per cow averaged 2,008 pounds, up 11 pounds or 0.6 percent from a year ago.

The preliminary data shows 2021 milk output As an industry we weren’t putting totaled 226.3 billion pounds, up 1.4 percent from expensive butter into inventory 2020. Cow numbers averaged 9.45 million head, up and that likely continued into 60,000 or 0.6 percent from 2020, with output per the first half of January but there cow up an average of 173 pounds or 0.7 percent are indications that stocks are now from 2020. USDA’s latest projections show 2022 starting to build seasonally. milk output will be up 0.7 percent from 2021.

— Dave Kurzawski December milk output in the number-one producing state, California, totaled 3.5 billion pounds. This The Jan. 24 Daily Dairy Report points out that is up 75 million or 2.2 percent from a year ago, herds in New Mexico and Washington state shrunk thanks to a 45-pound gain per cow offsetting 1,000 fewer cows. Wisconsin put 2.65 billion pounds in the “as co-ops began to manage supply and cows were relocated to states with fewer restrictions and tank, up 46 million or 1.8 percent. Cow numbers newer facilities.” No doubt, weather and local ecowere up 16,000 and output per cow was up 10 nomics also contributed. pounds.

StoneX viewed the report as slightly bullish; but Idaho was up 1.7 percent on 6,000 more cows and pointed out that components were very strong, with 15 pounds more per cow. Michigan was down 1.2

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protein up 3.32 percent vs. 3.28 percent last year, and butterfat at 4.16 percent vs. 4.11 percent a year ago.

In the week ending Jan. 15, 62,100 dairy cows were sent to slaughter. This is down 900 from the previous week, and 5,300 head or 7.9 percent below a year ago.

The amount of market share that dairy cows account for in the total cattle market has shifted slightly lower; but still accounts for just over 10 percent of the beef market, according to StoneX, and may signify the end of the dairy herd decline. n Americans chewed through plenty of butter in December, as evidenced in the USDA’s latest Cold Storage report. The Dec. 31 butter inventory fell to 199.1 million pounds, down 11.4 million or 5.4 percent from November. This is the sixth consecutive month butter lost ground, and the lowest level since December 2019. Stocks were 74.7 million pounds or 27.3 percent below those in December 2020, the third month in a row to fall short of the previous year.

American-type cheese added 11.5 million pounds or 1.4 percent from November, and was 44.6 million pounds or 5.6 percent above a year ago.

The “other” cheese category grew to 576.8 million pounds, up 10 million or 1.8 percent from November, and 2.1 million pounds or 0.4 percent above a year ago.

The total cheese inventory hit 1.445 billion pounds, which is up 22.8 million pounds or 1.6 percent from November, and a plentiful 48.8 million or 3.5 percent above a year ago.

StoneX viewed the data as neutral to cheese but bullish for butter, adding “As an industry we weren’t putting expensive butter into inventory and that likely continued into the first half of January but See MIELKE, pg. 14

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PAGE 14

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THE LAND — FEBRUARY 4/FEBRUARY 11, 2022

Dairy prices, milk futures weak; but above this time last year MIELKE, from pg. 13

remained under flat market and was keeping some plants busy. there are indications that stocks are now starting to Western cheese demand was holding steady at build seasonally.” retail while food service demand was lower this Broker Dave Kurzawski said the market did what week. Rising Covid cases in parts of the West are it was designed to do in the Jan. 31 “Dairy Radio contributing to declines in food service sales. Sales Now” broadcast — especially on butter. Physical of mozzarella are strong thanks to football playdemand pushed it to top $2.90 per pound, he said, offs. International demand remains steady with and then plunged; but the futures market never continuing notable interest from Asian markets. went up with the spot market.

Port congestion, a shortage of truck drivers, and labor shortages continue causing delays. Cheese Some believe that, if the spot market is well output is steady to higher, as plants are running above the futures market, the futures market is busy schedules to work through available milk right and the price has to come down, Kurzawski said, and in this case that was kind of true. “There supplies. was physical tightness and the spot market should n be the highest price on the board to dis-incentivize anybody who makes the product from putting it in storage. Bring it to the market now, we need it. We The U.S. dollar has been strong this can debate why the price is up where we had it, week and breaking out above the but bring the butter, bring the cheese to the marhigh water mark established in ket.”

November and December 2021. The The Milk Production and Cold Storage reports strength is a function of Fed comlikely fed the bulls more than the bears. However, ments about raising interest Kurzawski suspects they were “already baked into rates, but the point is a stronger the market.” He explained that cheese and butter dollar may be a limiting factor, not had moved higher through the middle of January, necessarily a death knell, for a basand the news was bullish for butter, but the cheese ket of commodity prices. This is the side saw stocks build from November to December, point of course as the Fed gears up which is typically when we draw stocks down by for battle with inflation about 14-15 million pounds. Cheese was neutral to slightly bearish, he said.

— StoneX Add to that, “Milk production has not fully recovered here; so, yes the bulls were fed a little, but the After jumping 21 cents the previous week, the markets had already adjusted to the upside. Now butter appeared to be on its way to $3 per pound we had to take some of that premium out,” he conplus. But it started the week dropping almost 9 cluded. cents, then kept falling. It regained a nickel Jan. 28 to finish at $2.54, down 39.5 cents on the week but n $1.295 above a year ago. Twenty-four cars sold on Dairy prices and milk futures end January weak- the week, 19 on Jan. 28. er, but still above a year ago. After losing 11.25 StoneX reported that the USDA put out a solicitacents the week before, the cheddar blocks fell to tion to buy 82,080 pounds of salted print butter for $1.73 per pound on Jan. 26. The brakes got applied April to June delivery, but no one offered any. “Not a the next day and they actually regained 6 cents on Jan. 28 on a sale to close at $1.79. This is down 1.75 market moving quantity either way,” says StoneX, cents on the week, but 21.5 cents above a year ago. “but interesting to note.”

There are likely several reasons for the price fall, The barrels, after dropping 14.75 cents the previaccording to StoneX. “The main dynamic is a slump ous week, fell to $1.6625 per pound on Jan. 26 (the lowest since Dec. 28, 2021) but were bid higher over in demand due to Omicron and seasonality coupled with supply chain issues. If shipping were easy, perthe next two days to close Jan. 28 at $1.7425. This haps exports would be stronger. If people were not is 7 cents lower, 35.25 cents above a year ago, and 4.75 cents below the blocks. There were five sales of out with Omicron, perhaps cheese converters would be pulling more cheese through their facilities each on the week at the Chicago Mercantile instead of pushing back some onto manufacturers.

Exchange.

The dynamic today isn’t necessarily long-term and “Bearish cheese prices snuggled up to demand eventually we’ll get to a price where buyers really tones this week,” according to Dairy Market News, want to own cheese.” but contacts relayed that customers were waiting Add to that, “The U.S. dollar has been strong this on further price drops before committing to anyweek and breaking out above the high water mark thing outside their contractual needs. That said, a established in November and December 2021. The number of plant managers admitted while sales strength is a function of Fed comments about raishave slackened, they were down only a small pering interest rates, but the point is a stronger dollar centage and production was still busy. Spot milk

may be a limiting factor, not necessarily a death knell, for a basket of commodity prices. This is the point of course as the Fed gears up for battle with inflation,” StoneX concluded.

Cream availability remains similarly priced for butter producers from week to week, according to Dairy Market News, although offers were beginning to quiet. Butter plant managers say Midwestern loads are not as abundant as they have been since the holiday weeks. Bulk butter is tight, but there are loads available for end users willing to pay relatively hefty premiums. Some bulk loads changing hands are recently produced, which speaks to the general shortness of availability. As spring holiday preparations are underway, churning remains active.

Cream inventories are available in the West amid steady demand as well as continued interest from Midwest purchasers. Transportation issues have caused some contracted cream loads, intended for other regions, to become available for spot purchase. Demand for butter is strong in both domestic and international markets. Inventories are tight and butter output is steady, but below capacity. Plants continue to cite labor shortages and delays to deliveries of production supplies as the reason.

Grade A nonfat dry milk fell to $1.775 Jan. 27, but closed the next day at $1.805. This is down a penny on the week, but 63.25 cents above a year ago, on 17 sales.

Dry whey set another new record, closing Jan. 28 at 84 cents per pound. This is up 4 cents on the week and 30.5 cents above a year ago, with four sales reported. n Dairy producers no doubt watched the disheartening fall in Class III futures prices. The break-even milk price today is around $19.30 per hundredweight, according to estimates by the Dairy and Food Market Analyst.

That’s up from $18.77 a year ago, says the Analyst, and $3.33 higher compared to before the pandemic. Last year, with feed costs elevated, many farms lost money. But now, with some Class IV futures above $24.00 per cwt, the outlook for farmlevel margins in the USA is plainly positive.

The Analyst warned, “The expected farm-level profitability also means we will see a milk supply response begin to build. Anecdotally, we have heard our first indications: milk becoming modestly more available in the West. As it always does, it will take time to ramp up. We estimate by midyear the country’s dairy herd may finally exceed 2021 levels.”

Much of the dairy industry was in California this week for the International Dairy Foods Association’s See MIELKE, pg. 18

THE LAND — FEBRUARY 4/FEBRUARY 11, 2022

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

PAGE 15

Refresher points for butchering a pig for home use Have you tried to make an appointment to get a pig butchered by a local meat processor and realized they are booked solid for months? The cramped schedules of 2020 have eased somewhat, but farmers continue to sell live pigs directly to consumers for home butchering.

Individual consumers who wish to butcher a pig need some information before they begin. A step-bystep tutorial on butchering a pig for home use was created by University of Minnesota Extension swine team members Sarah Schieck Boelke, Ryan Cox, Lee Johnston, and U of M meat lab supervisor, Dallas Dornick. In addition to providing the basics of home pig processing, it also included human safety, pig welfare and food safety discussions.

The video is still relevant today when local meat processors continue to be booked out for months.

The video is posted on University of Minnesota Extension Swine YouTube channel at https://z.umn. edu/HowToButcherPigVideo.

Rules and regulations to know before butchering a pig Before a person begins the butchering process, there are a few things both the farmer and individual purchasing the animal should know. The Minnesota Department of Agriculture has a onepage fact sheet explaining the regulations of butchering animals on farms. This fact sheet is located at https://z.umn.edu/FarmButcherGuide.

First, individuals should check the availability of meat processors near them. The Minnesota Department of Agriculture has an interactive map of all meat processors in the state to help people locate butchers near them. The map of Minnesota meat processors is located at z.umn.edu/ MDAmeatprocessors. These meat processors are regulated by the Minnesota State Meat, Poultry, and Egg Inspection Program and either have Custom Exempt Meat Processing or “Equal to” Meat Processing status. With that, these facilities follow specific food safety-standards and requirements to ensure meat products produced are safe.

There are laws, both Federal (9 CFR 303.1) and State (Minn. Stat. 31A.15) laws, concerning butchering on-farms. These laws say an animal can be butchered legally on farm if the farmer is butchering an animal they raised. The laws also define that the farmer will exclusively use the meat themselves or the meat will be used by members of the farmer’s household, nonpaying guests and employees.

The farmer could also butcher an animal on-farm, then bring the meat to a custom exempt permitted facility to further cut and process. In this situation too, the farmer must exclusively use the meat along with members of the farmer’s household, nonpaying guests and employees.

A farmer cannot sell an animal to an individual who would then butcher the animal on-farm. The farmer cannot butcher an animal for the individual

UniversityofMinnesota

EXTENSION

SWINE &U

purchasing the animal for meat.

If an individual buys an animal from a farmer for meat purposes, the animal must leave the farm alive. The individual purchasing the animal can butcher the animal himself or herself provided it be not on the farm where the animal was raised. In addition, ONLY the individual who purchased the animal, along with members of their household, can use the meat.

The carcass remains (hide, head, internal organs, etc.) of the pig will need to be properly disposed of according to Minnesota Board of Animal Health’s carcass disposal guidelines. These guidelines are found at https://www.bah.state.mn.us/emergencycarcass-resources.

A person buying a pig to butcher — either themselves or at a local meat processor — should be prepared with appropriate freezer space until the pork can be consumed. A pig weighing 250 to 270 pounds will yield approximately 120 to 140 pounds of pork.

A space of 2.25 cubic feet can fit about 50 pounds of meat. Another comparison is that pork from half a hog weighing between 250 to 270 pounds can fit into an empty, average-sized home freezer.

Quantities of meat will depend on the size of the live animal. If the pig has a live weight greater than 270 pounds, more than 140 pounds of pork can be expected. Infographics explaining the amount of meat to expect from pigs and other farm animals are located at https://z.umn.edu/ BuyingAnimalsforMeat.

Items needed to butcher a pig for home use Prior to beginning the butchering process, gather these necessary tools and equipment. The average person will not have the same equipment as meat processors, but items listed below are tools most folks should be able to round up.

Firearm for stunning the pig. A low caliber firearm like a .22 rifle works well. Larger caliber firearms may present a ricochet hazard if they penetrate the animal and hit surfaces beyond.

Siding knife, which is a broader styled knife.

Boning knife, which is narrow with a little more flex to it.

Saw, either reciprocating handsaw or an electric reciprocating saw like a sawzall.

Honing steel to help keep knife blade straight.

Sharpening stone to keep knives sharp. Sharp blades are safer than dull knives which require SWINE & U

By Sarah Schieck Boelke

more pressure to cut, increasing chance of injury.

Gambrel, which is basically a pipe or stick to spread the carcass apart if the carcass will be hung by the hind legs. Hanging the carcass will make processing easier, but is not necessary.

Chain or rope to hang the carcass.

Folding table or plywood and clean tarp to process the carcass on if the carcass will not be hung during processing. The flat surface will also be good to use when cutting the carcass into primal cuts.

Garden hose to provide a water source to help keep surfaces and the area clean.

Keep food safety in mind Proper sanitation when processing food of any kind is important. It is important to think about food safety, even before the pig is stunned and bled out.

Food safety regulators use the Food and Drug Administration’s eight key sanitation conditions when evaluating food-processing procedures. The eight conditions to consider where the butchering will take place (home, garage, backyard).

Safety of the water that comes in contact with food or food contact surfaces. Water will be needed to clean the surfaces, tools and equipment but if the water itself is not clean, contamination will occur.

Condition and cleanliness of food contact surfaces, including utensils, gloves, and outer garments.

Think about every surface the carcass will have contact with.

Prevention of cross-contamination. Crosscontamination can happen when things not considered food contact surfaces. These other areas are the outer garments of those butchering the pig and the utensils used, etc.

Maintenance of hand washing, sanitizing, and toilet facilities. Proper hand washing is extremely important because improper handwashing or improper personal hygiene can be the cause of cross-contamination.

Protection of food, food packaging materials, and food contact surfaces from contamination with lubricants, fuel, pesticides, cleaning compounds, sanitizing agents, and other chemical, physical, and biological contaminants.

Where a pig is butchered matters because it is extremely important to prevent the introduction of unwanted material in the meat.

See SWINE & U, pg. 16

PAGE 16

THE LAND — FEBRUARY 4/FEBRUARY 11, 2022

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

MARKETING

Grain Outlook Corn market watching Russia

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 Jan. 28.

Corn — It was a volatile week in the corn market, although a positive one. March corn closed at $6.36.25, up 20 cents on the week. March corn is very close to the contract high of $6.40.5.

On an interesting technical note, Jan. 25’s price action formed a perfect gravestone doji. This is a bearish pattern that suggests a reversal followed by a downtrend in prices. These are usually pretty strong patterns, but the market steamrolled this — going above Jan. 25’s high. Trading volumes have been very good the entire JOE LARDY month of January, but Jan. 25’s CHS Hedging Inc. activity was almost twice as much St. Paul as we’ve been seeing on a daily basis.

The corn market started out the week with some outstanding inspection numbers. This was a marketing year high at over 56.5 million bushels. Inspections have been consistently running above the five-year average.

Cash Grain Markets corn/change* Stewartville Edgerton Jackson Hope Cannon Falls Sleepy Eye Average:

$5.97 $6.20 $6.21 $6.05 $6.08 $6.20

+.22 +.32 +.27 +.32 +.30 +.31

soybeans/change* $14.79 $14.54 $14.21 $14.60 $14.98 $14.63

+1.52 +1.53 +1.24 +1.72 +1.60 +1.48

$6.12

$12.63

Year Ago Average: $5.04

$12.92

Grain prices are effective cash close on Feb. 1. *Cash grain price change represents a two-week period.

Ethanol production dropped off and still in line with pre-Covid levels. Jan. 24 also brought us a flash sales announcement of 150,000 tons of corn to unknown. This week’s export sales were very solid at just over 55 million bushels. This is the third-best total of the marketing year.

The tensions between Russia and Ukraine has also been a supportive factor for the corn market. The Ukraine is the world’s fourth-largest corn exporter, so a military conflict could have serious implications on the world corn trade. The market is making sure there is enough risk premium for that.

IHS Markit updated their planting estimates. They have corn acreage at 91.489 million which is down 89,000 acres from last month.

Outlook: The Russia/Ukraine tension will continue to provide direction to the market. The stock market has also been very volatile and if we continue to see inflationary talks, money could very well contin-

ue to flow in the commodity space.

SOYBEANS — March soybeans had a very solid week rising 56 cents to close at $14.70. This is a new contract high, and the current price level is well above all of the moving averages.

Soybean inspections were ok at 58.5 million bushels. This total is just a little bit above the five-year average, but well below last year. China continues to be the main destination. There were flash sale announcements on Jan. 24 and Jan. 28. The Jan. 28 sales were large and not picked up in this week’s export sales data. Speaking of that, this week’s sales total was the very good with the best total of the past six weeks. China accounted for half of the old crop sales total.

The soybean market has been supported by production losses in South America. Rains in the driest areas of Argentina have materialized and there is more rain in the forecast. Brazil is also picking up precipitation, but there is now a growing concern about too much rain during harvest. Many analysts are also believing the production losses are built in and non-reversible and have the Brazilian crop moving towards 130 million tons. I don’t believe it’s that low, and also think these rains can claw back a small amount of production increases.

IHS Markit updated their planting estimates. They have soybean acreage at 87.805 million which is down 1 million acres from last month.

Outlook: Getting a good read on the South American weather situation is going to be a critical price driver. As harvest picks up, yield reports will be closely watched. There was also some unplanned downtime at two large crush facilities; so let’s see if they get back up and running next week in a timely fashion. v

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.

University of Minnesota video details butchering process SWINE & U, from pg. 15 Proper labeling and storage of the meat product is important. Prepare to have adequate space to store the meat product at a safe temperature.

The health condition of the individuals doing the butchering is important to food safety too. A person coughing and sneezing while butchering could result in microbiological contamination of food, food packaging materials, and food contact surfaces.

Exclusion of pests from the food. If butchering outdoors, pests such as flies, ants or birds can spread bacteria and other contaminants to the meat.

Proper handling of the pig The condition in which a pig is handled prior to

butchering impacts its well-being. In addition, research has shown that poor or improper handling can cause adverse effects on the quality of the pork from that pig. A stressed and agitated pig will also be much more difficult to handle. When handling a pig, it is recommended to have sorting panels or solid plywood to help guide the pig in the direction you want it to go.

The sorting board can be used to restrain a pig’s movement, for example, to restrain the pig along a gate or side of a pen for stunning. When doing this, it is important to use sturdy gating and ensure that the pig has good footing to minimize chance of the pig slipping. If a firearm is used to stun the pig, plan and think about human safety in terms of the surrounding area and flooring the pig is on to minimize the chance of the bullet ricocheting off objects

if the pig is missed or the bullet goes through the pig.

Although this article has covered many details of human safety, pig welfare and food safety, the video, “How to butcher a pig for home use,” created by the University of Minnesota Extension Swine Team, explains these points and more. It also shows the butchering process from bleed-out through the cutting of the carcass into primal cuts.

Check it out if you plan to butcher a pig (https://z. umn.edu/HowToButcherPigVideo).

Sarah Schieck Boelke is a University of Minnesota Extension Educator based in the U of M Extension office in Willmar, Minn. Sarah can be reached by telephone at (320) 235-0726 ext. 2004, or by email at schi0466@umn.edu. v

THE LAND — FEBRUARY 4/FEBRUARY 11, 2022

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

Environmentalist sees need to have convictions

PAGE 17

By JORDAN SMITH “Farmers are taking more out of the soil Mankato Free Press than they’re putting back in,” she said.

When Katy Wortel thinks about her “And some of them, I think, probably decades of environmental activism, which understand that even,” she added. “It’s just include six years as a Blue Earth County that they’re caught in this system. And so commissioner, she initially seems preoccuthen it’s back to: How can we change the pied with regrets. She knows many people whole system and get farmers uncaught in came to dislike her. it? And that’s where we maybe could have worked together and not had the butting of Wortel was shocked to win the county heads so much.” board’s District 3 seat in 2002. She ran as an ardent environmentalist who made a modest Wortel won reelection to the county board living farming pumpkins and gourds on Pohl in 2004 and served until 2008, when conserRoad, where she and her husband own 12 vative businessman Mark Piepho unseated acres and have lived in a brown brick coloher with a better-funded campaign. nial home for about 40 years.

After decades of striving to uproot or The county board was neglecting negative reform flawed systems, Wortel understands outcomes of agricultural land use to soil, the plight of younger activists who protest water and air quality, she felt. She saw a lack the robust fossil fuel industry. That detriof commitment to being responsible stewmental, human-caused climate change is ards of nature. now a widely accepted reality is evidence of their progress, she thinks.

“I had some notoriety, good and bad, so I ran and I surprised myself and everyone else Unless they’re an “expert in human psyin town that I won,” she said. “It was the chology,” she said half-jokingly, any advocate Photo by Pat Christman may have to live with the contempt of those most surprise election, I think, that we’ve Katy Wortel, an area environmentalist who from 2003 to 2008 served as a Blue ever had in this area.” who resist change.

Earth County commissioner, fills a feeder with bird seed at her Pohl Road property.

Since she was in elementary school, Wortel, Wortel only now sees why the disparity now 72, has been argumentative. An indebetween her own righteous cause and that of pendent spirit led her to frequent spats with her environmental advocacy groups such as Mankato farmers — feeding their own and many other famiparents. Fueled by her autonomy, she didn’t fear Area Environmentalists and the Southcentral lies — ended in discord. Differing root motivations Minnesota Clean Energy Council, for which she is led to hostile disagreements. unpopular stances.

Fittingly, she was alone in her first instance of vol- now a representative.

Making a difference, she has learned, seems ineviWortel carried strong convictions into her tenure as tably to lead to making enemies. unteering to better the environment.

Before households had recycling bins, she said, a county commissioner, often struggling to make “Sometimes when you’re working for change it people would bring glass, metal and plastic to the compromises that conflicted with her values, she doesn’t matter how good you are,” Wortel said. “A Hy-Vee store in downtown Mankato. A frequent recy- said. change-maker is always given a rough time, really.”

“I like to argue and take the sometimes unpopular cler herself, Wortel noticed how cluttered the public She sees room, however, for respect and empathy position, which may, by the way, have been the right bin became. for one’s ideological opponents. In her case she said it She decided one day to clean it up, sort items into position,” she said. “But I never was a person of much should have entailed more acknowledgment of farmtheir proper categories and remove any garbage. Her finesse.” ers’ stress about how to earn money.

Her independent mindset prevented some accomeffort lasted a few years until the increased volume As she recedes into retirement and works with a plishments that might have been viewed as “baby of recyclables made the work overly tedious. lower profile on environmental causes, Wortel sees Her public activism began in the 1980s when the steps” toward substantive change, she said. But it that on the whole she made positive change. company operating the local Wilmarth coal power also motivated her to keep pursuing larger goals.

And she hasn’t lost faith in the power of small gesThe conflict she regrets most from her term is backplant proposed that it be converted to a waste-burnSee WORTEL, pg. 18 lash against her aims to move the area toward more ing facility serving the Twin Cities. sustainable farming practices.

Wortel is blunt: “I did She formed a coalition of concerned citizens who opposed it, arguing that the cities needed to do more a really poor job at that. I was a little farmer, and the to reduce and reuse waste before the Mankato plant big farmers don’t really look at a little farmer as a farmer.”

Find the right senior agreed to burn it and risk pollution. living option with our For that reason she doubts whether she was the The effort didn’t stop the conversion. To this day right person to forge ahead against predominantly personalized process the Wilmarth plant, now operated by Xcel Energy, male farmers who abide by what she calls an Our service is free, as we’re paid by burns waste at temperatures which the county says our participating communities and are high enough to destroy or remove nearly all pol- “entrenched” agricultural system. providers.

But the facts of the system, she says, remain grim. lutants while producing electricity.

1-877-580-3710 Despite the outcome, Wortel was emboldened. She A trend toward large-scale monocropping of corn and came to serve on a Minnesota Pollution Control soybeans has depleted soil health and eroded the market for smaller properties that seek to rotate Agency task force monitoring garbage incinerators. crops and encourage plant diversity, Wortel said.

Throughout the 1990s and early 2000s she founded

PAGE 18

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THE LAND — FEBRUARY 4/FEBRUARY 11, 2022

U.S. exports hampered by supply chain issues Return your 2022 subscription card for a chance to win $400! Random prize drawing will be held on March 4, 2022 from all cards received by then. No purchase necessary.

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MIELKE, from pg. 14

containers; defining agreed terms for exporters using empty containers curannual Dairy Forum. One of the highrently languishing at U.S. ports; and lights was an announcement by IDFA, establishing guarantees to fix and surthe Port of Los Angeles, and CMA pass ghost bookings.”

CGM (a world leader in shipping and IDFA’s Michael Dykes said, “U.S. logistics) of the formation of a “Dairy Exports Working Group aimed at iden- dairy exports reached a near-record $6.4 billion in 2020 and continued to tifying and addressing supply chain set a blazing pace in 2021 due to surgissues hampering U.S. dairy product ing global demand, but the United exports.”

States could be exporting much more A joint press release stated, “The to destinations around the world if group will focus on seaports on the there was more reliability and predictwest coast of the United States, where ability in the supply chain.” a majority of dairy products begin Port of Los Angeles Executive their export journey, as well as opporDirector Gene Seroka stated, tunities to streamline the movement “American dairy exporters have been of products from the interior of the hard hit by supply chain challenges United States to the west coast.” and trade policy that have made it dif“It will also examine several ocean ficult to get their goods to global marshipping and rail challenges and solukets. I’m pleased to collaborate with tions,” according to the press release, our dairy industry partners and the “including exploring ways to aggregate CMA CGM Group to launch this workand streamline U.S. dairy exports from ing group and find solutions that will multiple suppliers to ensure more conbenefit not only the dairy industry, but solidated and attractive bookings; all American exporters.” working to increase rail availability in Lee Mielke is a syndicated columnist the interior of the United States to reach non-coastal exporters; determin- who resides in Everson, Wash. His weekly column is featured in newspaing viability of implementing a ‘fast pers across the country and he may be lane’ concept for vessels agreeing to reached at lkmielke@juno.com. v depart full or with fewer empty cargo

Wortel’s efforts may be too late WORTEL, from pg. 17 tures that may improve the environment and bring more people to the work.

Her pandemic project was to clear common buckthorn, an invasive species, from the tract of woods behind her home. In her side yard she is growing a garden for pollinators and a swath of prairie plants. With the new year she hopes to create a pond in the place of her former pumpkin patch to reduce the surrounding area’s water runoff into the Minnesota River.

She avidly composts her food waste.

She bought an electric car, a Nissan Leaf. She continues to reduce waste and recycle; on a walk around her property, she stopped several times to pick up plastic bags strewn about by a previous day’s strong winds.

Perhaps as important as fighting the well-funded forces that drive climate change, she knows, is combating the hopelessness induced by a realization that it’s likely too late to avoid serious consequences.

Her advice is to take the next step, the one you know to be moral, even when future measures are unclear.

Of the planet’s irreversible warming, she concedes, “We’re all gonna maybe have broken spirits for a while. But we need to heal and keep going.”

“It’s not time to give up yet,” she added with a forced cheer. She paused.

“If ever.”

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

THE LAND — FEBRUARY 4/FEBRUARY 11, 2022

Real Estate Wanted

Feed Seed Hay

Farm Equipment

FOR SALE: Four tires and WANTED: Land & farms. I WANTED TO BUY... have clients looking for HAY: Round or square bales, rims for Bobcat 10 ply, about dairy, & cash grain opera- Dairy and Beef Quality. Call half thread. 507-317-2817 tions, as well as bare land or text 218-689-2696 JD 7200 12x30 wing fold plantparcels from 40-1000 acres. er, liq fert, Yetter trash Both for relocation & investwhippers, 250 monitor, Bins & Buildings ments. If you have even $9,450; Horvick 1000 gal tanthought about selling condem axle tender w/ pump, tact: Paul Krueger, Farm & SILO take-down & clean 235x16 tires, $3,750; JD 9300 Land Specialist, Edina Reup - Specializing in, but 32’ press drill, w/ factory alty, 138 Main St. W., New not limited to, silos in markers & transport, $2,900; Prague, MN 55372. congested areas.

‘01 JD 30’ 980 field cult, new paulkrueger@edinarealty.com 507-236-9446 style shanks, & JD rear (612)328-4506 hitch, $16,900. J&M 500 diStormor Bins & EZ-Drys. vided gravity box w/ tarp & 100% financing w/no liens or hyd brush auger, $4,750. 320Feed Seed Hay red tape, call Steve at Fair- 769-2756 fax Ag for an appointment.

HAY FOR SALE: 1st, 2nd, 888-830-7757 We buy 3rd, 4th & 5th crops availSalvage Equipment able, RFV 120-181, 16-25% Parts Available Farm Equipment protein. Dry hay or baleHammell Equip., Inc. age available in squares or (507)867-4910 rounds. Trucking available.

FOR SALE: Massey Harris Call or text Jim 507-254-4807 self propelled corn picker; Tractors OPEN Pollinated Seed Corn. Massey Ferguson #37 hay rake; Massey Harris #6 maProduces more high quality silage on less acres than nure loader. Phone 952-873- FOR SALE: Farmall Super MTA diesel tractor. WANThybrid. $67/bushel plus ship- 6496 ED: JD 1460 or 1465 planter, ping. High feed value grain.

FOR SALE: Three 10x16.5 - 8 good condition. 320-282-4845 Located at Teutopolis, IL bolt pattern implement rims 217-857-3377 or 217-343-4962 with mounted 12x16.5 road FOR SALE: John Deere 8310 tires; also, 3 extra 12x16.5 original lights, $125. 507-227road tires. 507-673-2458 2602

Thank You Farmers!

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

MANDAKO 12’-60’ LONG ROLLERS

PAGE 19

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

FOR THE BEST DEAL ORDER NOW!

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

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

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

USED TRACTORS NEW NH T4.75, T4.90, T4.120 w/loader.. On Order NEW NH Workmaster 60, 50, 35’s/loaders. On Order NEW NH 25S Workmasters……......…..On Order NEW NH T5.140….................................On Order NEW Massey Tractors ........................... On Order NEW Versatile DT610 ………......…….On Hand NEW Versatile 610 w/800LSW………..Jan. 2022 NEW Massey 4710 w/loader…………Jan. 2022 White 2-105…….........................…………$15,500 MF 5470 FWA………………......…...……$67,000 14’ NH T8.390 …....................…………..$159,900

PLANTERS ’05 White 8222 w/liq/ins. …….................…….$29,900 White 8222 loaded……….....................………$35,000 White 6531 31R-15”…...............................……Just In Taking 2023 New Spring Orders COMBINES NEW Geringhoff chopping cornhead ....................Call ’98 Gleaner R62………........................……….$57,500 ’89 Gleaner R60 w/both heads ....................... $15,500 Gleaner R50/320,630……....................……….$13,500 Gleaner R6 w/20’…..............…...……………$12,000 Geringhoff parts & heads available

TILLAGE ’11 Sunflower 4412-07.................................$28,000 MISCELLANEOUS JD 980 44’5 w/3bar……….................……..$8,500 NEW Salford RTS Units ........................................ Call ’14 CIH 875 9-24w/bskt……………....…..$69,000 NEW Unverferth Seed Tenders .............................. Call ’06 CIH MRX 690………………..………$16,500 NEW Westfield Augers .......................................... Call CIH 490 30’ disc……............................……$4,950 NEW REM VRX Vacs. .......................................... Call NEW Hardi Sprayers ............................................. Call NEW Riteway Rollers ........................................... Call CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT NEW Lorenz Snowblowers ................................... Call NEW NH L318/L320/L328 wheeled units ....... On Hand NEW Batco Conveyors ......................................... Call NEW NH C327/C337/C345 track units ........... On Order NEW Brent Wagons & Grain Carts ....................... Call NH L228 low hours………..............……….Just Trd’ed NEW E-Z Trail Seed Wagons ................................ Call NEW Rock Buckets & Pallet Forks ...................... Call REM 2700, Rental ................................................. Call HAY TOOLS Pre-Owned Grain Cart .................................. On Hand New Disc Mowers - 107,108,109 New Horsch Jokers ................................................ Call New Disc Mower Cond. - 10’, 13’ New Wheel Rakes - 10,12,14 NOW HIRING PARTS TECHS New NH Hay Tools - ON HAND

Thank You For Your Business!

(507) 234-5191 (507) 625-8649 Hwy. 14, 3 miles West of Janesville, MN

Mon.-Fri. 7:30-5:00 • Sat. 7:30-Noon

PAGE 20

THE LAND — FEBRUARY 4/FEBRUARY 11, 2022

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

First Your e for Choic ! ifieds Class

our Place Y ! ay d Ad To

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

To submit your classified ad use one of the following options: Phone: 507-345-4523 or 1-800-657-4665 Mail to: The Land Classifieds, 418 South Second St., Mankato, MN 56001 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.

Tractors

Planting Equip

FOR SALE: Pair of Firestone FOR SALE: 3000 Kinze radial all traction 18.4x46 8-30” planter, w/ interplants set-up tires, good enough for (15R15”) w/ no till coulters, duals $225/each. 507-227-2602 $22,500. Call 651-380-6921 or 651-564-0606 NEW AND USED TRACTOR PARTS JD 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, John Deere 290 planter w/ 55, 50 Series & newer trac- markers, greased, ready tors, AC-all models, Large to go, $925; Horse sprayer, Inventory, We ship! Mark steel wheels, wood barrel Heitman Tractor Salvage tank, $500; Planter plates, $5; John Deere cast planter 715-673-4829 lids, $100. 320-583-1613

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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.  Antiques & Collectibles  Harvesting Equipment  Goats CHECK ONE:  Announcements  Lawn & Garden  Grain Handling Equipment  Horses & Tack  Employment  Feed Seed Hay  Livestock Equipment  Exotic Animals  Real Estate  Fertilizer & Chemicals  Wanted  Pets & Supplies  Real Estate Wanted  Bins & Buildings  Free & Give Away  Cars & Pickups  Farm Rentals  Farm Equipment  Livestock  Industrial & Construction  Auctions  Tractors  Poultry  Trucks & Trailers  Agri Business  Tillage Equipment  Dairy  Recreational Vehicles  Farm Services  Planting Equipment  Cattle  Miscellaneous  Sales & Services  Spraying Equipment  Swine NOTE: Ad will be placed in the  Merchandise  Hay & Forage Equipment  Sheep appropriate category if not marked.

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1 run @ $19.99 2 runs @ $34.99 3 runs @ $44.99 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.

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

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This is NOT for businesses. Please call The Land to place line ads.

Name _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Address _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ City ________________________________________________________________________________State ______________________ Zip _________________ Phone ________________________________________________________# of times __________________________ Card # ________________________________________________________Exp. Date __________________________ Signature _________________________________________________________________________________________

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CHECK We do not issue refunds.

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

Harvesting Equip

2001 White 6000 series 24R22”.

Martin row cleaners. Tru- 1975 IH 915 combine with Count air clutches. Tubelar 1020 20’ bean head, hydro in furrow starters. Hydrau- air mudhog rear axle, 1300 lic driven starter and seed hours on rebuilt DT436 enpopulation. Stored in heated gine Vesco header control, buildings. 320-583-5324 $7,000. 507-365-8625

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

THE LAND — FEBRUARY 4/FEBRUARY 11, 2022 Harvesting Equip

Wanted

Trucks & Trailers

Cattle

e1998 Parker 510 grain cart. Wanted to Buy: JD 4430 and FOR SALE: Thirty (30) mixed s Diamond tread tires. Well 4440, 1975 or newer. JD 725 6, age stock cows. 507-639-2974 , maintained and stored in- 8 & 12 row - front mount cultivators; Stanhoist and Bush- Sell your livestock in The Land r side. 320-583-5324 hog steel barge boxes; Gehl FOR SALE: 2013 Case IH 3412 and Lorentz grinder/mixers; with a line ad. 507-345-4523 / cornhead 12R30” AHHC, plus all types of farm may $24,500. 507-383-3447 Leave chinery. 507-251-2685 Swine , Message WANTED TO BUY... l SALE: Yorkshire, ,FOR SALE: John Deere 9510 HAY: Round or square bales, FOR r original cab lights and side Dairy and Beef Quality. Call Hampshire, Duroc, cross lights, $125. 507-227-2602 or text 218-689-2696 bred boars, gilts & 4-H pigs.

Top quality. Excellent herd WANTED TO BUY: Duetz health. Delivery available.

Allis rock flex disks. 507-251- 320-760-0365 Wanted 2685 Spot, Duroc, Chester White, All kinds of New & Used farm h Boars & Gilts available. equipment disc chisels, field Livestock o Monthly PRRS and PEDV. 0 cults, planters, soil finishers, Delivery available. Steve - cornheads, feed mills, discs, FOR SALE: Black Angus bulls Resler. 507-456-7746 balers, haybines, etc.

507, also Hamp, York, & Hamp/ 438-9782 Duroc boars & gilts. Alfred Pets & Supplies Buying and selling any gold (Mike) Kemen 320-598-3790 and silver items, collector FOR SALE: 5 purebred collie coins, diamonds, gold jewelCattle puppies, 1 female, 4 males, ry, paying $20-$30 for silver asking $200/OBO, 12 weeks dollars, rare currency. No collection too big. Kuehl’s FOR SALE: 10 Registered old, make great farm dogs.

Coins, Fairmont, Minnesota, Shorthorn beef heifers born 507-822-2111 507-235-3886, 507-399-9982, spring 2021 at Verndale MN Please recycle this magazine.

218-924-2337 open 10:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m.

Get Results! Sell it FAST when you advertise in The Land!

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

Timed Online / Mcleod Co., MN / Hassan Valley Township

OPENS: MONDAY, FEBRUARY 14 CLOSES: THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 24 at 1PM

2022

FARMLAND AUCTION Mcleod County 165± Acres Hassan Valley Township LAND LOCATED From Hutchinson, MN, 3.7 miles east on MN-7. Land is on the south side of the road.

AUCTIONEER’S NOTE Looking to expand your farming operation, check out this highly productive parcel of farmland coming up for public auction. Located only approximately 3.7 miles east of Hutchinson, MN.

165± acres

SteffesGroup.com | 320.693.9371 Steffes Group, Inc. | 24400 MN Hwy 22 S, Litchfield, MN 55355

For a detailed Buyer’s Prospectus with complete terms and conditions, contact Eric Gabrielson at Steffes Group 320.693.9371 or 701.238.2570 Eric Gabrielson MN47-006, Scott Steffes MN14-51

PAGE 21

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

FARMLAND AUCTION 160 Acres +/- in Rome Twp., Faribault County, MN

Parting Out. ‘97 & ‘02 Ford 7.3 diesels, 74K & 37K miles. Installation available. 320-5830881

Tuesday, February 22, 2022 @ 10:00 AM

Auction to be held at Average Jo’s Bar & Grill at 115 E 6th St, Blue Earth, MN *Blizzard Date 2-25-22 @ same time

Miscellaneous

PROPERTY LOCATION: From Blue Earth, MN: Go 6 miles South on Hwy-169 to 40th Street then 7 miles East to 460th Avenue then 2 miles South. From Buffalo Center, IA: Go 9 miles North on R20 to 20th St then West 1/2 mile.

PARMA DRAINAGE PUMPS New pumps & parts on hand.

Call Minnesota’s largest distributor HJ Olson & Company 320-974-8990 Cell - 320-212-5336

PROPERTY LEGAL DESCRIPTION: 160 Deeded Acres located in the NW 1/4 in Section 34, Township 101 North, Range 26 West, Faribault County, Minnesota.

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

For full flyer, informational booklet and bidding details, visit www.landservicesunlimited.com!

OWNER: STENZEL FAMILY

We pay for Harvestor Silos.

We charge to take down cement staves. Neisen Silo Demo 952-292-5255

AUCTIONEERS AND SALES STAFF DUSTYN HARTUNG-507-236-7629 LEAH HARTUNG 507-236-8786 KEVIN, ALLEN, RYAN & CHRIS KAHLER, DOUG WEDEL & SCOTT CHRISTOPHER

Your ad could be here!

507-345-4523 Mark ZIEMER New London, MN (320) 979-4044 Auctioneer

Brian ZIEMER New London, MN (320) 979-4044 Auctioneer

Willmar, MN

Bid Live and Live Online! Visit: www.ziemerauctions.com Online Items Begin at 11:30 AM

The following described property will be sold at 2459 Kandiyohi Co Rd #9 NE Willmar, MN. East edge of Willmar, MN 2 miles North of US Hwy 12 on Kandiyohi Co Rd #9

Saturday, February 26 • 10:00 A.M.

TRACTORS JD 8200 MFWD Diesel Tractor Good Cab, Power Shift 15 Speed, 3 Hyds, Good Rear 18.4x46 Rubber, Front 3S0-85R-34 Front Rubber, Hub Duals, 9552 HrsS/N ROAH256049798; New Holland Versatile 9682 4 Wheel Drive Diesel Tractor Good Cab, Bare Back, Rear & Front Weights, Cummins N-14 Engine, Good 20.8x42 Rubber & Duals, 6584 Hrs; White 140 Diesel Tractor Cab 3 Hydraulics, 540/1000 PTO, 18.4x42 New Rear Rubber, 8500 Hrs, 5/N 403903; Oliver 770 Gas Tractor Narrow Front, Fenders; White 2-105 Diesel Tractor Cab, 3 Pt, Dual Hyd, Rock Box 540/1000 PTO, 1S.4x38 Good Rear Rubber, 7200 Hrs, S/N 28919406; Oliver 1600 Gas Tractor Wide Front, 3 pt, Fenders; Massey Harris 22 Gas Tractor, PTO, Narrow Front w/Fenders.

AND MUCH MORE!

PLANTING & TILLAGE

COMBINE & HEADS

White 5100 12 Row 30” Vertical Fold Planter, Dry Fertilizer, Herbicide, Insecticide Boxes, Disc Row Cleaners; JD 520 Grain Drill 7” Spacing, Mounted; JD 230 24 Ft Cushion Gang Tandem Disk; Wilrich 40 ft Double Spring Field Cultivator w/ Knock-off Shovels and 5 Bar Spike Tooth Drag S/N 432726; Wilrich 28 Ft Field Cultivator w/ 2 Bar Mulcher; Melroe #420 30 Ft Multi Weeder, White 445 16 Ft Disk-Ripper w/ Hyd Disks Pull Type; JD 2800 5 Bottom Variable Width Mounted Plow; Yetter 20 Ft Rotary Hoe; Oliver 241 13 Ft Tandem Disk; 10 Ft Pull Type Cull-A-Packer; JD 583 2x14 Plow; White 435 16 Ft Disk Ripper w/Hyd Disks, Pull Type; Oliver 3x16 Mounted Plow; Lindsay 7 Section Spring Tooth Drag On Cart; Wetherall 12 Row 30” Danish Tooth Mounted Cultivator; Melroe Rock Picker; 8 Ft Pull Type Digger w/ Manual Lift; White 588 5 Bottom Reset Plow; 5 Section Spike Tooth Drag on Hydraulic Fold Cart.

AND MUCH MORE!

JD 9560 STS Combine Rear Wheel Assist, Bullet Rotor, Contour Master, Grain Tank Extension, 800/65R/32 Front Rubber, 2982 Engine Hrs, 2041 Separator Hrs S/N H095605720829 (Nice); JD 606 C Stalk Master 6 Row 30” Chopping Corn Head Stalk Stompers, Poly Snouts, SN/ H0606C0730114; JD 212 5 Belt Grain Pickup Head; JD 630 Hydro Flex Bean Head, Stainless Pan, S/N H00630F716705 w/ Running Gear Header Trailer; May Wes Quick-Fit Trailer for Combine Heads (Corn or Bean)

For Full Listing go to: www.ziemerauctions.com

AND MUCH MORE!

Alan & Nancy Loge – Owners • Alan – 320-212-5578 AUCTIONEERS

Mark Ziemer, Lic. 34-46 New London, 320-354-4312 Cell: 320-979-4044 Brian Ziemer, New London 320-354-5308 Terry Hilbrands, 239-777-3120

Not responsible for accidents Lunch on grounds Number system used www.ziemerauctions.com or midwestauctions.com, click on Ziemer Follow Ziemer Auctioneers on Facebook!

Usual Auction Terms

(Cash or Approved Check Day of Sale).

No Items Removed Until Settled For. Everything Sold As Is.

Hilbrands Auctions 239-777-3120

PAGE 22

THE LAND — FEBRUARY 4/FEBRUARY 11, 2022

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

Steffes Auction Calendar 2022 For more info, call: 1-800-726-8609 or visit our website: SteffesGroup.com

Opening February 4 & Closing February 8 at 12PM Online Hay Auction – Quality Tested, Litchfield, MN, Timed Online Auction Opening February 4 & Closing February 9 Online Steffes Auction – 2/9, Upper Midwest Locations, Timed Online Auction Opening February 8 & Closing February 15 at 10AM Brocket, ND American Legion Real Estate Auction, Brocket, ND, Timed Online Auction Opening February 9 & Closing February 17 at 1PM Erickson/Anderson Farm Equipment Auction, Glenville, MN, Timed Online Auction Opening February 14 & Closing February 21 at 12PM Weckerly Farms Equipment Update Auction, Hurdsfield, ND, Timed Online Auction Opening February 14 & Closing February 22 at 12PM Larry & Susan Richard Farm Retirement Auction, Horace, ND, Timed Online Auction Opening February 14 & Closing February 24 at 7PM Zavoral Family Farmland/Recreational Land Auction - 160± Acres, McLeod County, MN, Timed Online Opening February 15 & Closing February 24 at 7PM Darwin Manufacturing & Turbo Service Liquidation Auction, Darwin, MN, Timed Online Auction Opening February 18 & Closing February 22 at 12PM Online Hay Auction – Quality Tested, Litchfield, MN, Timed Online Auction Opening February 18 & Closing February 23 at 10AM Online Steffes Auction – 2/23, Midwest Locations, Timed Online Auction Opening February 22 & Closing March 3 at 10AM Mcleod County, MN Tillable Land Auction 37± Acres, Silver Lake, MN, Timed Online Auction Opening February 23 & Closing March 2 at 7PM Darrell & Linda Bassen Farm Retirement Auction, Lamoure, ND, Timed Online Auction Opening February 28 & Closing March 8 at 1PM Grain Storage & Handling Auction, Atwater, MN & Lakefield, MN, Timed Online Auction Opening February 28 & Closing March 9 at 6:30PM Dennis Jones Farm Retirement Auction, Bath SD, Timed Online Auction Opening March 1 & Closing March 8 at 12PM Walsh & Ramsey County, ND Land Auction 406± Acres, Lawton, ND, Timed Online Auction Opening March 2 & Closing March 9 at 6:30PM Randy & Lisa Hajek Farm Retirement Auction, Davenport, ND, Timed Online Auction Opening March 3 & Closing March 10 at 7PM Mark and Noreen Fahsholz Farm Retirement Auction, Walcott, ND, Timed Online Auction Opening March 4 & Closing March 8 at 12PM Online Hay Auction – Quality Tested, Litchfield, MN, Timed Online Auction Opening March 4 & Closing March 14 at 12PM Kibble Equipment Auction, Steffes Group Facility, Sioux Falls, Timed Online Auction

LAND AUCTIONS Feb 9 • 151.44 ± ac • Traverse/Oshawa Twps, Nicollet Co

Did you know you can place a classified ad online?

www.TheLandOnline.com

Feb 11 • 144.91 ± ac • Medo Twp, Blue Earth Co March 1 • 154.90 ± ac • St. James Twp, Watonwan Co

March 3 • 134.30 ± ac • MN Lake Twp, Faribault Co March 4 • 229.97 ± ac • Madelia Twp, Watonwan Co March 4 • 344.00 ± ac • Delafield Twp, Jackson Co Only registered bidders may attend

For property brochures, contact Hertz at 507-345-LAND (5263) WWW.HERTZ.AG 151 St. Andrews Court #1310, Mankato MN 56001

#07-53

Kenyon Area Farmers, Lenders & Construction Spring Consignment Auction M AT T M A R I N G

Farmland Auction in Yellow Medicine County Auction in March of 2022 80+/- Deeded Acres, 61.20+/- Tillable Acres, 13.47 CRP Acres; CPI=94.7 N 1/2 of the NW 1/4 of Sec 14, Twp 114, Range 43, Burton Twp., Yellow Medicine Co. Radel Family, Owners Visit FladeboeLand.com for more details & drone video to be coming soon!

Kristine Fladeboe Duininck 320-212-9379 Kristine@FladeboeLand.com Dale Fladeboe, Lic 34-12 Award Winning Auctioneers

CO.

We Sell the Earth & Everything On It.

LOCATED AT MARING AUCTION LOT Highway 56 North • Kenyon, MN 55946

Saturday, March 12, 2022 www.maringauction.com

9:00 A.M.

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

MLS#5718863 NEW LISTING! STEWARTVILLE: $549,900 locationturn-key 4 BRrambler 2 BA picturesque rambler STEWARTVILLE: $575,000.

Great location 4 BR Great 2 BABeautiful picturesque GRAND MEADOW $600,000 acreage with 4 BR 3BA on MOWER COUNTY: Approx.

32 Ac. MLS#6107695 PENDING! on approx. 24 acres.approx.

Oversized stall garage with2 2fencing storage sheds 24 25acres.

Oversized stall garage withjust 2 storage sheds justac. minutes to rambler, sheds, abundant and pasture on approx.

18.7 minutes to Rochester!Rochester!

MLS# 5716953 LISTING! MLS# 5716983 PRICE 135 REDUCED! MLS#5718863 NEW Approx.

LISTING! MOWER COUNTY: Ac. MLS# 6093275 SOLD! 0 TRACTORS 0 COMBINES STEWARTVILLE: $575,000.

Great location 4 BR 2 BA with picturesque rambler GRAND MEADOW $600,000 Beautiful turn-key acreage 4 BR 3BA rambler RACINE: $299,000. 3BR, 1BA, on 10-acres.

MLS# 5701169 PENDING 0 SEMI TRACTORS 0 SEMI TRAILERS on approx.

24 acres.

Oversized 2 stall with 2 storage 5 sheds, abundant fencing and pasture ongarage approx.

18.7 ac. sheds just MOWER COUNTY: Approx.

193-acres.

MLS# 5695397 PENDING 0 PLANTING & TILLAGE EQUIPMENT minutes to Rochester!

MLS# 5716953 NEW LISTING! MLS# 5718863 PENDING! MOWER COUNTY: Approx.

120-acres.

MLS# 5705409 SOLD 0 LIVESTOCK MACHINERY 0 PICKUPS RACINE: $299,000.

3BR, on 10-acres.

MLS# 5701169 PENDING RACINE: $299,000.

3BR, 1BA, onSOLD 10-acres.

MLS# 5701169 PENDING including Rental Rates, Government Programs & Environmental Issues 0 CARS 0 ATVS 0 SKID LOADERS MOWER COUNTY: Approx. 108-acres. MLS# 1BA, 5705429 MOWER COUNTY: Approx.

193-acres.

MLS# 5695397 PENDING 0 ATTACHMENTS & TOOLS RACINE: 10,000 sq. ft. building on “Need 2.12-acres.

Multiple uses!

MLS#qualified 5247299 buyers!” listings!

We have MOWER COUNTY: Approx.

80 Ac. MLS# MLS# 5705409 6093197SOLD SOLD! MOWER COUNTY: Approx.

120-acres.

Call Today to Consign Your Items and Take Advantage of Our Full Advertising Campaign MOWER COUNTY: Approx.

193-acres.

MLS# 5695397 PENDING MOWER COUNTY: Approx.

108-acres.

MLS# 5705429 SOLD Full Farm Management Services MOWER COUNTY: Approx.

80 Acres MLS# 6117469 SOLD! MOWER COUNTY: Approx.

120-acres.

MLS# 5705409 www.maringauction.com RACINE: 10,000Programs sq. ft. building on 2.12-acres.

MultipleSOLD uses! MLS# 5247299 including Rental Rates, Government & Environmental Issues MOWER COUNTY: Approx. 108-acres. MLS# 5705429 SOLD M AT T M A R I N G Randy Queensland •“Ne 507-273-3890 • randy@lrmrealestate.com RACINE: 10,000 sq.tings ft. building on ha 2.12-acres.

Multiple uses! MLS#5247299 lis !W ed Full Farm Management Services e ve qualif ed buyers!”

Ryan Queensland •including 507-273-3000 • ryan@lrmrealestate.com CO. RentalFarm Rates, Government Programs Services & Environmental Issues Full Management We Sell the Earth & Everything On It. MNRates, • 800-658-2340 Matt Maring Auction Co. Inc., Kevin Maring 507-271-6280 Grand Meadow, including Rental Programs & Environmental Issues Randy Queensland •Government 507-273-3890 Randy Queensland • 507-273-3890•• randy@lrmrealestate.com randy@Irmrealestate.com 800-801-4502 Adam Engen 507-213-0647 Ryan Queensland • 507-273-3000 •ryan@lrmrealestate.com ryan@Irmrealstate.com Randy Queensland • 507-273-3890 ••randy@Irmrealestate.com Ryan Queensland • 507-273-3000 or 507-789-5421 Matt Maring 507-951-8354 Grand Meadow, MN • 800-658-2340 Ryan Queensland • 507-273-3000 • ryan@Irmrealstate.com Grand Meadow, MN • 800-658-2340 Grand Meadow, MN • 800-658-2340

Full Farm Management Services

HAVE AN UPCOMING AUCTION? For the best results place your auction ad in The Land!

Talk to your auctioneer or our friendly staff.

507-345-4523 or email: theland@thelandonline.com

THE LAND — FEBRUARY 4/FEBRUARY 11, 2022

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

PAGE 23

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

Upcoming Issues of THE LAND Southern MN/Northern IA February 18, 2022 March 4, 2022 March 18, 2022 April 1, 2022

Northern MN February 11, 2022 February 25, 2022 March 11, 2022 March 25, 2022

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!

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Auctioneer Alley ........................................................... 21 A Place For Mom .......................................................... 17 Beck's Hybrids ................................................................ 1 Fladeboe Land .............................................................. 22 Greenwald Farm Center ................................................. 19 Grizzly Buildings, Inc. .................................................... 9 Hertz Farm Management .............................................. 22 Kannegiesser Truck ....................................................... 13 Land Resource Management .......................................... 22 Mathiowetz Construction Co. .......................................... 7 Matt Maring Auction Co. ............................................... 22 Mike's Collision & Repair Center .................................... 5 Northland Buildings ...................................................... 11 Pruess Elevator, Inc. ..................................................... 20 Rush River Steel & Trim ................................................. 3 Schweiss Doors ............................................................. 20 Smiths Mill Implement, Inc. .......................................... 19 Steffes Group .......................................................... 21, 22 Ziemer Auction ............................................................. 21 507-345-4523 • 800-657-4665 418 South Second Street, Mankato, MN 56001 www.thelandonline.com

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PAGE 24

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

THE LAND — FEBRUARY 4/FEBRUARY 11, 2022

This week’s Back Roads is the work of The Land Staff Writer Kristin Kveno.

Axe marks the spot

D

owntown Fertile, Minn. was quiet on a Thursday night; most buildings were dark as businesses were closed for the evening. However, one spot had a glowing light and many sharp objects inside — just ready to be thrown. On the corner of Mill St. and Washington Ave., you’ll find the Bearded Axe Company.

Put on your closed-toe shoes and head inside for some axe-throwing merriment. The Bearded Axe Co. opened its doors in September 2021. Since then, people have enjoyed throwing axes there while celebrating all occasions like birthdays, bachelor/bachelorette parties, football game wins or just because you need to throw an axe.

You’re not just limited to throwing axes, though; they have other sharp objects for you to hurl at the targets.

There are throwing stars, machetes, spoons, shovels and meat cleavers, to name a few.

In addition to axe throwing, there’s indoor virtual trap shooting as well.

Bearded Axe Co. is one of only two

Fertile, Minn.

axe-throwing businesses in northern Minnesota. The goal at Bearded Axe is to grow fun in Fertile. There are only so many options for entertainment in the winter in a small town. Throwing axes is another option for folks in Fertile. It’s owned and operated by Fertile residents Reid Jensrud and Jasper Olson.

The quick rules for axe throwing are that the person must be 12 feet away from the target when throwing; you may throw using one hand or two. The World Axe Throwing League states that one foot must be on the floor when throwing an axe. That’s about it — it’s simple and lots of fun.

The walls at Bearded Axe are lined with wood which is harvested locally.

It provides an outdoorsy ambiance without being outside in the frigid winter climate. There’s pop and water for purchase, plus complimentary freshly popped popcorn for snacking on between throws.

It doesn’t matter the weather; throwing axes is always in season.

For more information, visit https:// www.thebeardedaxeco.com/ v