THE LAND ~ February 11, 2022 ~ Northern 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 FOUNDED in in faith faith. . forged forged in in america america. .

TM

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.

PAGE 2

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. XLV ❖ 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 Table Talk The Bookworm Sez 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.

Classified Advertising: $19.99 for seven (7) lines for a private classified, each additional line is $1.40; $24.90 for business classifieds, each additional line is $1.40. Classified ads accepted by mail or by phone with VISA, MasterCard, Discover or American Express. Classified ads can also be sent by e-mail to theland@TheLandOnline.com. Mail classified ads to The Land, 418 South Second St., Mankato, MN 56001. Please include credit card number, expiration date and your postal address with ads sent on either mail version. Classified ads may also be called into (800) 657-4665. Deadline for classified ads is 5 pm on the Friday prior to publication date, with holiday exceptions. Distributed to farmers in all Minnesota counties and northern Iowa, as well as on The Land’s website. Each classified ad is separately copyrighted by The Land. Reproduction without permission is strictly prohibited.

Subscription and Distribution: Free to farmers and agribusinesses in Minnesota and northern Iowa. $49 per year for non-farmers and people outside the service area. The Land (USPS 392470) Copyright © 2022 by The Free Press Media is published biweekly by The Free Press, 418 S 2nd Street, Mankato, MN 56001-3727. Business and Editorial Offices: 418 S. 2nd Street, Mankato, MN 56001-3727, Accounting and Circulation Offices: Steve Jameson, 418 S 2nd Street, Mankato, MN 56001-3727. Call (507) 345-4523 to subscribe. Periodicals postage paid at Mankato, MN. Postmaster and Change of Address: Send address changes to The Land, 418 South Second St., Mankato MN 56001-3727 or e-mail to theland@ TheLandOnline.com.

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

Ag economics: Making pork chops flow uphill For more than 40 years my father The first is a 10-chapter, 201-page book farmed within a mile of where the of “proceedings” conducted by the U.S. Kaskaskia River met the Mississippi Department of Agriculture’s Office of the deep in southern Illinois. That meant he Chief Economist. It hired ag “policy had two lifetime partners: the river and research centers” to address “current the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers — issues in cattle markets — including the landlords of the levees which guarded structure of the industry, price discovery, our wedge of the Great American purchasing mandates, and barriers to Bottoms. entry…”

FARM & FOOD FILE Dad never argued with the river; but he Conveniently, the Texas A&M ag econoBy Alan Guebert never stopped arguing with the Corps. mists (who rode shotgun on the project) “Those engineers,” he’d say whenever capsulize its major findings in its prefthe Corps’ management of the levees ace: “While we offer these findings — was discussed, “not only will tell you which can largely be characterized as water can run uphill, they’ll pull out their pencils urging caution before changing a system that has and prove it.” resulted in cattle producers capturing significant value over the last three decades — we acknowledge I’m starting to feel the same towards many ag the palpable frustration of many producers througheconomists — our pocket-protected servants of calout the country.” culus and convention.

“In many cases,” it continues, “their frustration That revelation arrived in two recent reports: one seemingly stems from feeling like they aren’t receivcommissioned in August 2020 by the House Ag Committee, the other sponsored by the National Pork ing the prices they think they should and the fact that economists often simply urge caution instead of Producers Council, which defend the market power offering finite answers.” gained by U.S. meatpackers in the last 30 years.

Well ... that’s interesting. Cattle producers just feel The studies are a prelude to threatened federal like they “aren’t receiving the prices [they] think action to trim the power packers have in cattle, hog [they] should” despite having captured “significant and poultry markets. Both analyses rely heavily on value” in the last 30 years. It could be because (and the soft ivy of academia: theory, math and intellectual certitude; and a lubricating, almost patronizing we’re just spitballin’ here) we “economists often simply urge caution instead of offering finite answers.” “you-don’t-want-to-hear-this-but” tone as each explains why packers dominate.

On second thought, not really … because we “economists are generally quite comfortable saying that price discovery is still quite robust … [even though] we can’t pinpoint the point at which that would cease to be the case.”

So, just to clarify: You’re comfortable until you’re not comfortable but you can’t “pinpoint the point” where that discomfort begins.

With the new year there is a new face in That’s the level of blinding insight which encourthe office of The Land. aged me to leave ag econ for ag journalism.

You may have had a The NPPC’s report is the shorter, pork side of a chance to meet him at similar analysis constructed on years-old data, comthe MN Ag Expo. parisons to other concentrated industries like brewSebastian Barton has eries and cat food, and a chart of pork chop prices joined the publication around the world. Combined, all hope to build a to help service our case that meatpacker “concentration has not signifiadvertisers. cantly increased over the past 15 years.”

Originally from But neither report examines the enormous impact Eagan, Minn., Barton meatpackers’ rising clout has had on rural America is embarking on a over the last 30 years. That impact has been unmisnew life in Mankato takable: Independent, cash-based livestock and as a single dad with poultry markets (a key element to promote competitwo sons. During his tion and ensure farmers and ranchers received a few spare moments of free time, he is a sports fair price) were virtually wiped out. enthusiast who likes to play video games and go for When farmers and ranchers asked their farm, walks. political, and university leaders — all of whom have Barton can be reached via email at sbarton@ seen their ties to Big Ag deepen over the same periTheLandOnline.com or by calling (507) 344-6379. od — for answers, most were told these new “efficiencies” were common to “maturing markets.”

OPINION

New sales rep joins The Land

And, according to ag economists, efficiency in this ballgame is the whole ballgame; right down to the last penny-per-pound you may have to concede to the transnational meatpacker for it to stay in the game — even if it kills you.

But don’t worry. According to the NPPC’s meatpacker study, you’ll still get a pork chop almost twice as cheap as any Australian.

Or, as my father might add, at least until the levee breaks.

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

PAGE 4

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

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”

PAGE 5

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

OPINION

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.

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.

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 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: Theory doesn’t alway deliver Letter to Alan Guebert, In commentary on the recent article in “Opinion” offering entitled “The New Agriculture Alchemy: Gold from Gas:” (The Land, Jan. 28) I don’t often hold the same views as you on many things; but I do need to thank you for this recent article speaking on the subject of pipelines for enabling CO2 sequestration at remote sites.

There are many pie-in-the-sky ideas out there with the promise of saving the planet which are little more than cash-in-the-pocket schemes and that discussion is debated daily. I will agree that if there is a real benefit beyond enrichment of a select few then we should explore those avenues; but there needs to be a real, quantifiable, beneficial result.

Not merely a theory that sounds good but doesn’t deliver on its promises.

Thank you for raising the questions and opening up discussion channels to spur people to explore this subject further. Perhaps there are solutions further back in the process that can deal with this situation before it becomes a “problem”. Speaking as a seasoned farmer, we know that there is great benefit in keeping the cows in the pasture rather than letting them get out and then having to chase them back in again.

David Bergeson Dawson, Minn.

Letters to the editor are always welcome.

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

PAGE 6

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

THE LAND — FEBRUARY 4/FEBRUARY 11, 2022

Letter: We need local papers 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.

OPINION

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.

2022 Subscription Form Please complete the form below.

Sign and date, include your check and put it in the mail.



I own or operate 80+ acres of Minnesota and/or Northern Iowa ag cropland, raise 25+ head of livestock or am actively involved in agribusiness.

Full Year Voluntary Subscription:  $49  Other



I do not qualify but would like a one-year subscription.

Full Year Subscription:  $49

Important – Please check all boxes that best match your farming operation.

Acres Corn Soybeans Alfalfa Wheat Sugar Beets TOTAL ACRES

1-99

100-249

250-499

500-999

1000+

     

     

     

     

     

Hogs marketed  1-99  100-249 Sheep raised  1-99  100-249 Beef Cattle marketed  1-99  100-249 Dairy Cattle milked  1-50  51-99

Livestock Head  250-499

 500-999

 1000+

 250-499

 500-999

 1000+

 250-499

 500-999

 1000+

 100-199

 200+

Data will NOT be sold.

Mail to: THE LAND 418 South Second Street • Mankato, MN 56001 PLEASE PRINT Name ______________________________________________________________________________ Mailing Address ____________________________________________________________________ City, State, Zip ______________________________________________________________________ Phone # ____________________________________________________________________________ E-mail Address _____________________________________________________________________ Signature __________________________________________________ Date __________________

This form MUST BE signed and dated to meet postal regulations.

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.

Letter: Ignorance is bliss?

To the Editor, Could everyone take a deep breath and realize that life in America has never been better than it is today? Is America perfect? No, never was and never will be.

Stop listening to the commercial news outlets and take a honest look around you. Did Trump destroy the little guy and allow evil corporations to rule America? No. Did eight years of Obama solve any racial problems as expected? No. Has Biden turned into a socialist dictator in his first year as predicted? No. Back in July, I removed all forms of news from my life, including hours spent each week grumbling with the guys about how “they” are destroying this country. It only took a few weeks to sleep better and see how great we have it in America. Names like

Sanders, AOC, Omar, Harris, Pelosi and Trump have ceased to exist in my day-to-day world. It felt good struggling to come up with those names just now. Good riddance to all of them.

I had zero control over what they did anyway.

My annual two-week motorcycle trip to the mountains out west confirmed my suspicions. People everywhere are living and enjoying life in America just like they always have. California turned out to be an amazingly rural, conservative state with the exception of the metro and coastal areas.

Look around you, believe what you see, not the media. Take back control of your thoughts and thank God daily for the freedom He blesses us with!

Tom Haak Wood Lake, Minn.

THE LAND — FEBRUARY 4/FEBRUARY 11, 2022

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

PAGE 7

This book of short stories isn’t just for Western lovers

Drums or hooves? what you can expect: zero political correct“Law of the Land: Stories of the Old West” ness, one hundred percent old-school, clasHere’s the answer: nothing’s better than

by Elmer Kelton sic western tales. the pound of a horse’s hooves, as heard c.2021, Forge Books from a saddle. They can sound like a And yet, there’s something else that’s dance, a drumstick skittering over a snare interesting for readers to look for here... $27.99 / $37.99 Canada drum. A lively trot reminds you of bongos; In many of the 16 short stories inside this 306 pages a good run, like a bass kick. It’s music to a book, there’s a fiendish twist at the end, as cowpoke’s ears and in the short-story colif the late author Elmer Kelton consulted THE BOOKWORM lection, “Law of the Land” by Elmer rider learns that it’s best with the late Rod Serling on each tale’s crafting.

SEZ Kelton, you’ll find a treat for your eyes. not to rile the camp cookMany are so Twilight-Zone-ish, in fact, they • There aren’t a lot of things a lawman By Terri Schlichenmeyer ie. almost don’t seem entirely like westerns. likes better than crossing a name off a • Everybody knew the And yet, they are. There are cowpokes and “wanted” list and Fitz Battles was about to do that. Apache One-Ear was ferocious. sheriffs in these tales; purdy gals; worn saddles Giles Pritchard was an outlaw. And to Fitz, that Lieutenant Monte Fowler already and beloved horses; outlaws and rifles and made Pritchard just plumb worthless. Problem was, lost many soldiers to One-Ear’s bloodthirsty killers. Readers are taken across Pritchard had help — and in “The Fugitive Book,” band in a massacre the likes of which Fowler arroyos, through mountain passes and inside corthat meant more no-good outlaws for Fitz to elimiwasn’t eager to repeat. But One-Ear was still out rals. The shoot-outs you expect are here. So are the nate. there causing trouble, and in “Apache Patrol,” white-hatted heroes.

Fowler is the only man who can lead G Troop to • All Grant Caudell wanted was his money back, Despite the lack of modern PC-ness, the twists in stop him. now that he’d caught up with “Slack” Vincent. these tales may bring old-fashioned westerns to a Vincent had tricked Caudell out of his money; and • A pretty little girl like Rachel should never have new audience. For sure, if you’re already an oater without it, Caudell would lose his family’s farm. The been brought to Texas. She should’ve stayed back fan, getting “Law of the Land” would behoove you. problem was, the sheriff had the outlaw locked up East; but it was already too late: the Comanches The Bookworm is Terri Schlichenmeyer. Terri has and in “Jailbreak,” Vincent was about to hang — were outside their door. Her husband, Matthew, was been reading since she was 3 years old and never unless there was a little more trickery... ready to fight. But in “The Last Indian Fight in goes anywhere without a book. She lives in Kerr County,” Rachel had a few ideas up her pretty • Old George Simmons never wanted trouble. He Wisconsin with three dogs and 10,000 books. v little sleeve. just wanted to cook for the Slash R cowboys and be unbothered. So in “Biscuits for a Bandit,” an outlaw Zero and a hundred. In “Law of the Land,” that’s

Winter didn’t stop farm kids from having fun There comes a time after the turkey slice of peace on earth amid her mounhas offered up its life for the benefit of tain of laundry, mending, cooking in the the elastic industry, the Christmas wrapdays without a microwave oven, mopping ping paper has been ravaged by excited the floors and polishing the silverware hands of all sizes and the chimney feaand all the shoes. tures only hints of Santa’s descent, when When you have older brothers, playing kids have to settle in to find something King of the Hill can be a first-time lesson else to focus on. in “tuck and roll.” And yet those humonIt can be a brutal time when nothing gous snow piles Dad created with the TABLE TALK exciting is happening, following the overtractor and loader beckoned us like the stimulation of the sweet trifecta of

By Karen Schwaller forbidden cinnamon rolls Mom was savHalloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas ing in the freezer one time. happening nearly back-to-back, and all There as only one left in the pan when the wishing and daydreaming that comes with it. she went to fetch them to feed hungry corn shellers Growing up on the farm — when there was nothone day. Living ten miles from town, it wasn’t like ing else to do — and when you live 10 miles from she could just run and get something else in those town and your friends can’t just come out to play days. My brothers’ sticky fingers were the smoking with you because of it, you learn to play with your gun with that story. siblings and make your own fun.

It was every man for himself when we played We lived near a creek (or ‘crick,’ as we used to call King of the Hill, and how none of us broke our it). Oh, the sweet joy of sliding on the ice in our rub- necks is more than I’ll ever know. I’m certain some ber boots. There was plenty of surface area for seven of those tosses were first created on snow piles by children. We looked like the opening of “A Charlie kids before they were ever used in WWF wrestling.

Brown Christmas,” and I think of that every time I And those climbs back to the top gave us great carsee that show. dio workouts, if not the original “buns of steel.”

How my mother must have loved it when we all When you live out in the middle of nowhere on decided to go out and slide on the ice. It was a little hilly gravel roads, what better place to go sledding?

How glorious it was to drag our sleds to the hill, position ourselves, then take off to feel the wind and snow on our faces, just inches from the road surface, as the runners glided along. It was kind of a drag to pull the sled back to the top of the hill, but that great ride down was worth it. We spent entire afternoons doing that, then pulling the sleds half a mile home.

We used to make tractor tracks around the yard with our boots, snow angels and participate in snowball fights. Again, with older brothers that throw at torpedo speed, it’s a girl’s first lesson in learning to throw a ball like a boy. Championship softball teams have to be anchored by pitchers who grew up with brothers and participated in many snowball dog-fights.

When the playing was over, all that was left were the stories, tired smiles, red cheeks, wet and tangled hair, wet and smelly farm coats and boots that needed drying out — along with wet jeans, socks and underwear; bread sacks that were in our boots, and the water puddles on the basement floor from snow that had melted off of our boots and clothing.

Mix in a little hog smell with all of that and the aroma emanating from the basement left a little to be desired some winter nights.

See TABLE TALK, pg. 9

PAGE 8

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

THE LAND — FEBRUARY 4/FEBRUARY 11, 2022

Compeer Financial offers scholarships to high school seniors 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

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. 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.

Feb. 18 — Small Grain Workshop — Cold Spring, 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 Nathan Drewitz at (608) 515-4414 Feb. 18 — Small Grain Workshop — Benson, 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 Scott Lee at (320) 760-6129.

Feb. 21 — Carver County Dairy Expo — Norwood Young America, Minn. — Trade show and breakout sessions with a dairy tract, farm transition tract and crop tract. Contact Colleen Carlson at trax1042@ umn.edu or (507) 521-3540.

Feb. 22 — Produce Safety Rule grower training — Online — Learn about produce safety, good agricultural practices and the FSMA Produce Safety Rule.

Register at www.mnd.state.mn.us/fsmatraining. Contact the Minnesota Department of Agriculture at (651) 5393648.

Feb. 22 — Cover Crop Seminar — Faribault, Minn.

— Panel of experienced farmers will discuss interseeding, diverse cover crop mixes, full season forage and grazing cover crops. Contact Land Stewardship Project at (612) 722-6377.

Feb. 22 — Gardening From The Ground Up: Nutrient Management — Online — Join Extension educators to discuss how to best manage your fertilizer, soil and garden in extreme weather conditions. Contact z.umn.edu/GardenUp. Feb. 23 — Strategic Farming: Let’s Talk Crops — Online — Small grains management update: Extension small grains specialist Jochum Wiersma 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. 24 & 25 — USDA Agricultural Outlook Forum — Online — Program includes 30 breakout sessions.

Topics include climate mitigation and adaptation; production innovations; trade and global markets; a commodity outlook; supply chain resilience; and equity and inclusion. Register at usda.gov/oce/ag-outlook-forum.

Feb. 25 — Data-driven Dairy Cattle Management — Online — Dairy herd manager Chris Szydel will share his experiences using a dairy cattle health monitoring system and how it has changed management practices on the dairy farm. Contact Alex Scanavez at alex.scanavez@altagenetics.com March 2 — Strategic Farming: Let’s Talk Crops — Online — Soybean gall midge - knowns and unknowns: Extension pest management specialist Bruce Potter, Extension soybean entomologist Bob Koch and research assistant Gloria Melotto will provide information based on up-to-date research to help optimize crop management strategies for 2022. Register at z.umn. edu/strategic-farming.

March 5 — Gardening Education Day — St. Joseph, Minn. — Breakout sessions include perennials, flower design, garlic, food safety in the garden, orchids and hydroponics. Keynote speaker is director of operations at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum.

Vendors will be on hand with products. Contact Stearns County Extension at (320) 255-6169 ext. 1.

March 9 — Strategic Farming: Let’s Talk Crops — Online — Getting ready for corn insects in 2022: Extension integrated pest management specialist Bruce Potter will provide information based on up-todate research to help optimize crop management strategies for 2022. Register at z.umn.edu/strategicfarming.

March 10 — Whole Farm Resiliency Planning 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 March 16 — Strategic Farming: Let’s Talk Crops — Online — Can we store carbon in a production ag system? State soil health specialist Anna Cates and Extension water quality educator Jodi DeJongHughes will provide information based on up-to-date research to help optimize crop management strategies for 2022. Register at z.umn.edu/strategic-farming.

March 16 & 17 — Produce Safety Rule grower training — 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 Minnesota Department of Agriculture at (651) 539-3648.

March 18 — Sustainable Farming Association annual conference — St. Joseph, Minn. — Session topics include garlic production and marketing; examples of winter feeding; pastured pork and poultry production; conservation resources; elderberry and hazelnut production and marketing; climate change; and winter greenhouses. Contact Katie Feterl at katie@sfa-mn.org

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 Eli Hochstetler 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 numbers can multiply fairly rapidly. We put the billies (malegoats) in with the nannies (female goats) in July; the babies come late December or early January. So right now, babies are two weeks of age.”

With a lot of mouths to feed, the Hochstetlers right now have over 100 babies on bottles for a few days until they are back being nursed by the mothers.

In addition to the milking, managing the herd is quite an undertaking. “We keep all the nannies for replacement,” Hochstetler explained. “The billies we wether (castrated male goat) and sell at 60 to 80 pounds hanging weight on the rail to Geneva Meats in Geneva, Minn. (just off Interstate 35 between Albert Lea and Owatonna).

Hochstetler said when the nannies no longer give enough milk, much like a cow dairy farm, away they go. “A guy at Millville is paying $1.75 a pound for culled nannies — which is great!” he said. “You can’t afford to milk a goat if she’s not milking 4 pounds.”

As a dairy goat novice, I asked Hochstetler what is

the dressing percentage on a dairy goat? “Dairy goats only do about 42 to 45 percent,” he replied. “Meat goats will hit 50 to 55 percent.”

So what’s the tastiest cut of goat meat? “I don’t eat goat, so I don’t even know!” Hochstetler chuckled.

“They’re 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

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 Ed Walsh from Canadian border).

“We grow canola and rye grass,” 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

Cold and snow didn’t stop the fun TABLE TALK, from pg. 7 For Mom, I’m certain there were days when she would just as soon have sold us to the highest bidder rather than let us come in and make all that mess in the basement.

There was once a simpler life, before all the organized activities kids have today, that didn’t require parents to drive kids anywhere. Those cold winter weekends of playing in the snow and cold were some of the most winter fun I can remember … and

just with my siblings.

As farm kids—without even having watched many Christmas movies then, we all knew better than to put our tongues on the frozen flagpole at school — even if someone triple-dog-dared us. There were probably some frosty gates around the farm that could tell the rest of that story.

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

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

PAGE 11

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

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 home-

steaded 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

www.TheLandOnline.com 2022 central Minnesota crop and pest management updates

FOLEY, Minn. — Growers in central Minnesota should plan to attend the 2022 central Minnesota crop and pest management updates. This year, sessions will be looking back at issues from 2021 and forward to what that means for 2022.

There will be three locations covering topics important to the region and specific location.

On March 3 in Cold Spring, Minn., Dean Malvick will discuss tar spot and SDS management; Dave Nicolai will cover waterhemp and barnyardgrass management; Ken Ostlie will take on corn rootworm management; Ed Usset will share his insights on grain marketing; and Taylor Becker rounds out the day speaking on nitrogen management.

Many of the same topics will be featured on March 10 in Dassel, Minn. Nicolai will handle the subject of tar spot and SDS management; Debalin Sarangi will discuss waterhemp and barnyardgrass management; the corn rootworm management session will be led

by Anthony Hansen; grain marketing insights will come from Nathan Hulinsky; and Becker returns to talk about nitrogen management.

Two additional topics will be included in the March 17 session in Little Falls, Minn. In addition to Malvick presenting on tar spot and SDS management, Sarangi speaking on waterhemp and barnyardgrass management and Hansen reprising his corn rootworm management presentation; Jochum Wiersma will give a small grains update and Troy Salzer will talk about annual covers for forages.

Lunch will be sponsored at each location and preregistration is required for lunch and to help with

planning. Presentations at all three sites will begin CentralMNCropUpdates. at 10 a.m. and sessions conclude at 1:30 p.m.

This article was submitted by Nathan Drewitz, To preregister, visit z.umn.edu/ University of Minnesota Extension. v

Fertilizer future hinges on Chinese FERTILIZER, from pg. 10 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

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

Find the right senior living option with our personalized process Our service is free, as we’re paid by our participating communities and providers.

1-877-580-3710

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

Facebook.com/TheLandOnline • Twitter.com/TheLandOnline Instagram@thelandmagazineonline

Join Online!

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”

Global Dairy Trade auction prices see healthy jump This column was written for the marketbargain $1.90. GDT skim milk powder ing week ending Feb. 4. averaged $1.8375 per pound, up from $1.7977. Whole milk powder averaged The U.S. Department of Agriculture $1.9614 per pound, up from $1.8517. announced the first Class III benchmark CME Grade A nonfat dry milk closed at milk price of 2022 at $20.38 per hundred$1.8325 per pound on Feb. 4. weight for January. This is up $2.02 from December, $4.34 above January 2021, and Shedding some light on what is going on the highest Class III price since November in the global market, the Daily Dairy 2020.

Report’s Monica Ganley wrote in the Jan. MIELKE MARKET 28 Milk Producers Council newsletter, Late morning on Feb. 4, Class III futures WEEKLY “European (milk) production is trailing portended a February price at $20.45;

By Lee Mielke prior year levels with some of the greatest March, $21.31; April, $21.39; May, $21.30; losses seen in major dairy nations like and June at $21.22.

Germany and France. In the Southern The January Class IV price is Hemisphere, the New Zealand milk $23.09 per cwt., up $3.21 from production season continues to disapDecember, $9.34 above a year ago, and the highest point with December output down 5 percent comClass IV price since August 2014. pared to prior year. Argentina is still posting strong International dairy prices remain strong. The Feb. production figures, but the volumes are modest and 1 Global Dairy Trade auction saw the weighted logistical challenges are preventing the resulting average jump 4.1 percent following the 4.6 percent dairy products from making a dent in global demand. increase on Jan. 18. The average metric ton price As such, global milk supplies are lacking and are genclimbed to $4,630 U.S., up from $4,463 and the erally expected to support prices at higher than hishighest in eight years. torical levels over the coming months.”

All products offered were again in the black, led December milk equivalent exports out of New by buttermilk powder, up 9.7 percent. It did not Zealand were down 0.1 percent from December trade in the last event. Whole milk powder was up 2020, according to StoneX, and a little weaker than 5.8 percent following a 5.6 percent rise last time, the 0.8 percent increase they were expecting. “It’s and skim milk powder was up 2.1 percent after estimated that stocks have been pulled down 4 to 5 jumping 5 percent. Butter was up 3.3 percent after percent compared to the previous year, but stocks a 5 percent boost, and anhydrous milkfat moved 1.4 weren’t pulled down quite as much as was expected. percent higher after a 0.6 percent advance. GDT Shipments to China being down 14 percent yearcheddar was up 2.4 percent after a 1.1 percent gain over-year is a little concerning, but lines up with the last time. weak official import numbers for China in StoneX Dairy Group says the GDT 80 percent but- December. We’ll see if that bounces back for January,” StoneX concludes. terfat butter price equates to $2.8140 per pound U.S. The price is up 8.9 cents after jumping 12.8 n cents on Jan. 18, and compares to Chicago Dairy traders in Chicago pretty much ignored the Mercantile Exchange butter which closed Feb. 4 at GDT and CME prices to start February mixed, as a $2.50. GDT cheddar, at $2.5783, was up 6.3 cents massive winter storm hit the nation’s midsection — and compares to Feb. 4’s CME block cheddar at a covering nearly 2,000 miles with freezing tempera-

MARKETING

18 New Holland Boomer

Very clean, front wheel assist, joy stick, 1 remote, 3 pt, PTO, 4x4 trans, 5 front weights, shuttle shift, good tires

For Sale Price $25,000

2010 TOYOTA 8FGU32

6,000lb, side shift, air tires, new front tires, clean, good shape, Hours:11,550, 6,000 lb. Used, Stock Number: 3096

For Sale Price $16,000

tures and heavy snow. Traders were also anticipating the December Dairy Products report issued on the afternoon of Feb. 4.

The cheddar blocks recovered the previous week’s losses and then some — ending three weeks of decline and closing Feb. 4 at $1.90 per pound. This is up 11 cents on the week, highest since Jan. 14, and 26 cents above a year ago.

The barrels finished at $1.895, which is 15.25 cents higher on the week. It is the highest since Jan. 19, 39.5 cents above a year ago, and a half-cent below the blocks. There was one sale of block reported for the week at the CME and seven of barrel.

Midwest cheesemakers continue to tell Dairy Market News that milk availability is generally balanced; but cheese plant downtime, due to logistic and staffing shortages, kept discounts on hand.

Prices at report time ranged from Class to $2 under.

Supplies are stalled in shipping and plants are thus prone to downtime. Cheese demand remains slower than it was in late fall, at least partially due to market price downward pressure; but markets experienced some bullish correction this week. Inventories have grown, but are not at concerning levels.

Steady demand for cheese remains in western retail markets while food service demand has declined, says Dairy Market News. Many restaurants in the region reportedly remain closed due to Covid concerns and labor shortages. International demand remains strong but exports continue to face delays due to port congestion but alternative transportation is being sought. Delays also continue due to a shortage of truck drivers. Stocks are available and cheese output is steady though some plants are running below capacity due to labor shortages. n After plunging 39.5 cents the previous week, the butter fell to $2.4525 per pound Feb. 2 (the lowest since Dec. 30) but closed two days later at $2.50, See MIELKE, pg. 14

1987 Allied Tanker

45 foot all aluminum tandem axle, spring suspension with 5 compartments, tires at 70-80%, brakes at 70%, top or bottom load, was used for oil

Call for price

1975 International Loadstar

250 HP, 392 International. Just in, clean, frontier box 18.5x96x60” sides, twin cylinder scissor hoist, tilt hood, 70% steers, drives at 90%, brakes and drums at 90%, 154,571 miles

Call for Price

Clark GC S25MB

Fresh tune up, new lift cylinder, new battery, clean tight machine, 5,000 lb, G138MB0504-6072FA. Used, Stock Number: 72FA

For Sale Price: $3,500

2018 Flexi-Coil S65

80’, 1000-gallon tank, walking tandems, hydraulic pump, foam markers, wind screen, hydraulic fold, Raven SCS 440 motor, auto rate control

For Sale Price: $4,000

PAGE 14

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

THE LAND — FEBRUARY 4/FEBRUARY 11, 2022

Legislation will provide more dairy variety in school lunches release, and will “set up a new ‘pop-up’ site at the port dedicated to easing the loading of empty condown 4 cents on the week and $1.2325 above a year tainers with agricultural exports. The new site will ago. Eighteen sales were reported. also have a dedicated gate with the ability to preCream is readily available in the Midwest, accord- cool refrigerated shipping containers in order to reduce bottlenecks at the main entrance to the port. ing to Dairy Market News, and a lot of it is moving The new arrangement should be available beginto churns. Plant managers suggest sales in retail ning in March.” and food service have slowed; but is giving them opportunity to build spring holiday inventory.

“Congestion in and around U.S. ports is one of a series of export supply chain challenges undercutMarket tones are undecided despite the bullish ting dairy exporters’ ability to reliably meet the Cold Storage report, says Dairy Market News, and needs of overseas customers for high-quality U.S. double digit leaps and falls in the latter half of dairy products,” said USDEC’s Krysta Harden. “This January have buyers hesitant. new partnership should help alleviate some of those Western cream demand is unchanged but labor challenges.” shortages are causing some churns to run below Meanwhile, legislation was introduced in the capacity. Strong demand for butter is present in domestic and international markets. Port congestion Senate this week that would also help. Sponsored

by Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) and John and a shortage of truck drivers continues to cause Thune (R-S.D.), the Ocean Shipping Reform Act (S. delays. Butter output is steady to lower as labor 3580) is the Senate response to the House version shortages and delayed deliveries are causing (HR 4996) passed by a wide bipartisan vote (364 reduced schedules, says Dairy Market News.

Grade A nonfat dry milk fell to $1.7975 per pound 60) in December.

The International Dairy Foods Association also on Feb. 2, then reversed gears and closed Feb. 4 at gave the legislation a thumbs-up and touted a $1.8325. This is up 2.75 cents on the week and 71.25 cents above a year ago, with 28 sales reported. USDA final rule IDFA says will “maintain low-fat, Dry whey kept pushing its record higher, finishing flavored milk and other needed flexibilities in Feb. 4 at 85.75 cents per pound, up 1.75 cents on the USDA child nutrition program meal requirements week and 32.25 cents above a year ago, on two sales. through the 2023-24 school year” “Today’s announcement clears up several years of StoneX says high protein whey demand has confusion and takes a positive step toward restoring improved as gyms closings aren’t a concern anymore more varieties of milk to the school meals program. and people look to get back into shape.

The final rule allows schools to continue to serve n milk that students prefer to drink while remaining consistent with the Dietary Guidelines,” according The Jan. 28 Dairy and Food Market Analyst gave to the IDFA. “The rule gives clarity to school meals some insight on why butter prices crashed the last week of January, stating, “Domestic foodservice sales have taken a hit from the latest surge in (Omicron) cases. According to technology firm Open Table, restaurant traffic fell to a nearly nine-month The U.S. Department of Agriculture recently low during the second week of January, down 30 announced a new USDA market news mobile applipercent from pre-pandemic levels. Since then, sales have only recovered modestly with the latest weekly cation, providing instant access to current and hisdata showing restaurant traffic down 23 percent — torical market information. The initial version of the free app includes nearly 800 livestock, poultry, and a level comparable to April 2021.”

Editor and analyst Matt Gould also reported there grain market reports, with additional commodities added throughout the coming year. was much talk at the International Dairy Foods “USDA is focused on building more resilient and Association’s Dairy Forum about the supply chain transparent markets and is taking steps to promote shortages affecting manufacturers. “From minor ingredients, to trucking, to packaging, to labor, man- competition and fairer prices from farmers to consumers,” said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. ufacturers are managing through extreme supply “This new Market News app helps create a more chain challenges,” Gould said. level playing field for small and medium producers Port congestion is another continuing issue and prompted U. S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack to by delivering critical market information to them where they are, when they need it.” announce a new program to help deal with it. The Producers and other users can search for markets initiative was addressed at a webinar of agriculture based on their location, by state, or by commodiindustry and policy leaders hosted by the National ty. They also can add market reports to their favorMilk Producers Federation and the U.S. Dairy ites for easier access, share reports via text or email, Export Council. subscribe to reports, and receive real-time notificaThe program was launched in partnership with tions when a new report is published. For additional the Port of Oakland, according to a joint press MIELKE, from pg. 13

professionals and food makers as they plan ahead amid supply chain challenges, and it will improve students’ access to dairy products, particularly milk and its 13 essential nutrients, and cheese as a nutrient-rich protein alternate.” NMPF also praised the final rule. n A higher December All Milk Price offset higher corn, soybean, and hay prices to nudge the December milk feed ratio higher for the fourth month in a row. The USDA’s latest Ag Prices report has the ratio at 1.98, up from 1.94 in November, but well below last year’s 2.17.

The index is based on the current milk price in relationship to feed prices for a ration consisting of 51 percent corn, 8 percent soybeans and 41 percent alfalfa hay. In other words, one pound of milk would purchase 1.98 pounds of dairy feed of that blend.

The U.S. All Milk Price averaged $21.80 per cwt., up $1.00 from November and $3.50 above December 2020.

The December national average corn price added another 20 cents, jumping to $5.47 per bushel and is $1.50 per bushel above December 2020.

Soybeans averaged $12.50 per bushel, up another 30 cents from November and $1.90 per bushel above December 2020.

Alfalfa hay averaged $213 per ton, up $3 from November and $47 per ton above a year ago.

Looking at the cow side of the ledger, the December cull price for beef and dairy combined averaged $69.10 per cwt., down a dime from See MIELKE, pg. 17

USDA introduces market news app

data analysis, the app lets you share the source data behind the reports via email as well.

“One of the best features of the app is its simplicity,” Under Secretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs Jenny Lester Moffitt said. “The USDA Market News app was designed with small producers in mind. Regardless of whether you market livestock throughout the year or once a year, you can navigate through this easy-to-use tool and access the information you need on your mobile phone. Built-in tutorials help first-time users get the most out of their experience.”

There are both iOS and Android versions available to download through the Apple and Google Play stores. The iOS version is available now and the Android version will be available later this week.

Search for “USDA Market News Mobile Application” to download the app.

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

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. 17

PAGE 16

THE LAND — FEBRUARY 4/FEBRUARY 11, 2022

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

MARKETING

Grain Outlook Corn market not for faint of heart The following marketing analysis is for the week ending Feb. 4.

CORN — Chart action in corn wasn’t encouraging to begin the week when a new contract high was established; but we closed near the day’s low. The trading ranges were large during the week and at mid-week March corn posted a key reversal lower when prices tested, but couldn’t push through, the contract high. Technically, this week’s action was not friendly.

Fundamentally, corn has been supported by the strength in soybeans and the December contract continues to fight for acres.

The December corn made a new contract high at $5.80.25 before pulling back.

The uncertainty between PHYLLIS NYSTROM Ukraine, Russia, and NATO CHS Hedging Inc. nations seems to have stabilized St. Paul until after the Olympics which end Feb. 20. The countries mentioned all signed an agreement that China introduced to the United Nations to not do anything until a week after the Olympics end.

The Feb. 9 World Agriculture Supply and Demand Estimates report will answer some of the lingering questions about Chinese demand and South American production. The U.S. Department of Agriculture attaché in Beijing cut his old crop Chinese corn import forecast to 20 million metric tons compared to the January USDA projection at 26 mmt. That’s a difference of 236.2 million bushels. Will the USDA follow suit? Last year, China imported 29.5 mmt. The attaché also put China’s ending stocks at 214.2 mmt compared to the USDA estimate of 210.2 mmt.

It was a surprise late in the week when the USDA announced China canceled nearly 15 million bushels of old crop corn purchases. This was the largest single-day cancellation of U.S. corn in at least seven years! This leaves them with 338 million bushels of unshipped old crop U.S. corn purchases. This will show up on next week’s weekly export report.

Weekly export sales were within expectations at 46.3 million bushels. Total commitments at 1.8 billion bushels are now 20 percent behind last year. We need to average 20.2 million bushels of sales per week to hit the USDA’s 2.425 billion bushel bullseye.

Last year at this time, China was heavily buying U.S. corn. Japan and Mexico were the leading buyers for the week ended Jan. 27.

Cash Grain Markets corn/change* St. Cloud $6.22 +.12 Madison $6.14 +.14 Redwood Falls $6.17 +.07 Fergus Falls $6.17 +.17 Morris $6.17 +.13 Tracy $6.16 +.10 Average:

soybeans/change* $15.14 $15.29 $15.09 $15.29 $15.29 $15.09

+1.52 +1.47 +1.46 +1.62 +1.57 +1.54

$6.17

$15.20

Year Ago Average: $4.88

$13.03

Grain prices are effective cash close on Feb. 8. *Cash grain price change represents a two-week period.

Weekly ethanol production was up 6,000 barrels per day to 1.04 million bpd. Ethanol stocks jumped 1.4 million barrels to 25.8 million barrels and are at record levels for late January as well as the highest since April 2020. Days of usage on hand are reportedly the highest since May 2020. Gasoline demand fell from 8.5 million bpd to 8.2 million bpd. Margins however did recover 11 cents to a positive 5 cents per gallon.

The average trade estimates for the Feb. 9 WASDE report: U.S. corn carryout at 1.512 billion bushels vs.

1.540 last month; world ending stocks at 300.32 mmt vs. 303 mmt in January; Argentina’s crop at 52.16 mmt vs. 54.00 mmt last month; Brazil’s corn crop at 113.63 mmt vs. 115 mmt last month. The Buenos Aires Grain Exchange lowered its Argentina corn rating 4 percent to 28 percent good/excellent with planting 99 percent complete.

In other news, Russia plans to ban exports of ammonium nitrate for two months beginning immediately. China and Russia signed a 30-year natural gas deal. The two countries issued a joint statement calling for a halt to any NATO expansion. Russia expressed support for China’s “One China” policy concerning Taiwan. China will allow wheat and barley imports from all parts of Russia, lifting restrictions which were on for parts of Russia. This could mean larger shipments to China through the Black Sea. Outlook: Where is your risk? That is a more important question to ask yourself about unsold old crop bushels and yet-to-be-grown new crop bushels. Fear of missing out shouldn’t drive your marketing plan.

There are ways to participate in a rally/protect against a price decline without leaving yourself open to a black swan sell-off.

The February WASDE, what happens in the Black Sea region, and how Brazil’s safrinha corn crop develops will be the headlines to watch. Technically, the charts are still in an uptrend; but short indicators suggest a pull back. We’ll need fresh food for the bulls to climb to the next level. Where will it come from: inflation fears, lower estimates out of South America? This market isn’t for the faint of heart, but

you still need to manage your risk. Be flexible and pay attention to what early acreage estimates surface.

For the week, March corn was 15.5 cents lower at $6.20.5, July declined 7.75 cents at $6.18.5, and the December contract was 4.25 cents higher at $5.73.75 per bushel.

SOYBEANS — Soybeans were a wild ride this week as prices rose dramatically before finally snapping a seven-session winning streak in the last half of the week. From the recent low on Jan. 24 to the contract high on Feb. 2, March soybeans rallied $1.81.5! Price spikes were experienced at times during the week in both the night and day sessions. This makes traders cautious. Case in point, on Feb. 3 at 5:33 a.m., volume in March soybeans jumped to 5000 contracts and prices surged over 20 cents in a minute. At that time of the morning, the volume was shocking. Why the action? Someone made a mistake?

Unable to meet a margin call? We’ll never know, but it shows the volatility.

South American weather has improved over the last couple of weeks, but heat is expected to move back into Argentina in the middle of February.

Estimates for Brazil’s soybean crop continue to shrink with the lowest estimate I’ve seen at 125 mmt. Last fall, most estimates were in the 144 mmt area. What we’re trying to determine now is what losses are irreversible. We may not have that answer until well after their harvest is complete. Soybean offers out of Brazil are thin and farmer selling has slowed as they see higher prices and may be unsure what percentage of their crop has been sold. China was on holiday for the entire week for Lunar New Year celebrations, but this didn’t mean we didn’t see business from them.

Trade estimates for the February WASDE report: U.S. carryout at 310 million bushels vs. 350 million in January; world carryout at 91.51 mmt vs. 95.2 mmt last month; Argentina’s crop at 44.51 mmt vs. 46.5 mmt last month; Brazil’s soybean crop at 133.65 mmt vs. 139 mmt last month. The BAGE lowered its Argentine soybean production 2 mmt to 42 mmt and the Rosario Grain Exchange is at 40 mmt. The BAGE pegged the soybean rating at 37 percent good/excellent, down 1 percent from the previous week. Last year’s conditions were rated at 17 percent good/excellent. Conab will update its Brazilian crop production forecast the day after the WASDE report.

Weekly export sales were a marketing year high in soymeal and at the upper end of expectations in soybeans. Soybean sales were 40.3 million bushels, bringing total commitments to 1.66 billion bushels.

We are running 23 percent behind last year when the USDA is projecting a 9.5 percent decline year-onyear. We need 12.8 million bushels of sales per week to achieve the USDA’s 2.05 billion bushel goal.

Mexico was the biggest buyer and China had net See NYSTROM, pg. 17

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

THE LAND — FEBRUARY 4/FEBRUARY 11, 2022

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

PAGE 17

Farmers not expecting Dairy Margin Protection payments MIELKE, from pg. 14 November, $11 above December 2020, but is $2.50 below the 2011 base average of $71.60 per cwt.

Dairy economist Bill Brooks, of Stoneheart Consulting in Dearborn, Mo., stated in the Feb.7 “Dairy Radio Now” broadcast there will be no Dairy Margin Coverage payment for December, ending 12 straight months. The Farm Service Agency announced the December 2021 milk margin above feed costs at $9.53 per cwt., Brooks said, up 39 cents from November, 99 cents above December 2020, and just 3 cents above the maximum coverage. “This is the first time since November 2020 that producers with coverage at $9.50 per cwt, will not receive a payment on eligible production,” according to Brooks.

Based on his Feb. 2 estimates, Brooks does not see a payment the rest of 2022, adding the caveat, that markets have a tendency to change quickly so the program is still one that producers need to consider and make sure they’re active in. He said the 2022 fundamentals look like there will be a small cushion between the rising costs producers are seeing; but more than likely, it won’t be enough for some producers, as rising interest rates on operating loans come into play.

He doesn’t see a big incentive for producers to add cows. However, he concluded, “At any level, somebody is making money milking cows and somebody’s losing money, so there probably will be some producers who will add cows. But in general, if they do, it’s probably not going to have a massive impact on increasing our herd size here this year.”

In the week ending Jan. 22, 62,500 dairy cows were sent to slaughter. This is up 400 from the previous week, but 5,400 head or 7.95 percent below a year ago. n The Consortium for Common Food Names requested the U.S. government “further its efforts to

proactively secure firm and explicit commitments from trading partners to preserve the rights of common name users and strongly combat the EU’s misuse of geographical indications to monopolize generic food and beverage terms.”

The request comes in comments filed this week by CCFN with the U.S. Trade Representative as part of the agency’s annual Special 301 Report on Intellectual Property Protections comment process.

More than 160 Members of Congress have already called on USTR to take similar steps.

“The EU’s deliberate campaign of misusing the GI system to confiscate common food and beverage names is nothing more than a thinly veiled attempt to stifle legitimate competition and cut American producers out of the EU and third country markets,” said Jaime Castaneda, CCFN executive director.

Lee Mielke is a syndicated columnist who resides in Everson, Wash. His weekly column is featured in newspapers across the country and he may be reached at lkmielke@juno.com. v

Fight for spring acres is underway NYSTROM, from pg. 16 cancellations of 1 million bushels. China has 91.8 million bushels of unshipped bushels on the books.

This week, between China and unknown destinations, we saw USDA export sales flashes of 25.7 million bushels for old crop and 8.75 million bushels for new crop; so the appetite for soybeans remains in place. In January, China and unknown combined to purchase 69.8 million bushels of new crop soybeans.

Total new crop export commitments are 76.4 million bushels. The December National Agricultural Statistics Service Oilseed Crush was a record 198.2 million bushels and above expectations. Soyoil stocks were below estimates at 2.466 billion pounds but were the highest in nine years.

In other news, OPEC+ said they will stay with the plan to increase 400,000 bpd in March. Crude oil surpassed $90 this week.

Outlook: Watch the WASDE report for where Brazil’s soybean production comes in as this may be the highlight of the report. The market will also be looking for any new business when China returns from its holiday. Have the smaller South American crop estimates and possible increased demand for

U.S. soybeans this summer already been factored into prices? Have we rationed demand at this price level? It doesn’t seem like we have yet; but unless something fresh pops up, we could expect a period of consolidation as farmers weigh their decisions for U.S. spring planting. We can’t afford any problems with this year’s soybean crop — either on acreage or with the weather.

The fight for spring acres is gaining attention.

November soybeans set a new contract high at $14.00 per bushel this week and December corn at $5.80.25 per bushel. This summer has the earmarks for continued high volatility with traders hypothesizing “what if” scenarios if Brazil’s bean crop is below 125 mmt.

For the week, March soybeans rallied 83.5 cents to $15.53.5, July jumped 80 cents to $15.53.5, and November was 44.25 cents higher at $13.95.75 per bushel.

Weekly price changes in March wheat for the week ended Feb. 4: Chicago wheat dropped 23 cents to $7.63.25, Kansas City fell 16.5 cents to $7.85.75, and Minneapolis was 7.25 cents lower at $9.13 per bushel. v

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

PAGE 18

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

THE LAND — FEBRUARY 4/FEBRUARY 11, 2022

Environmentalist sees need to have convictions

By JORDAN SMITH Mankato Free Press When Katy Wortel thinks about her decades of environmental activism, which include six years as a Blue Earth County commissioner, she initially seems preoccupied with regrets. She knows many people came to dislike her.

Wortel was shocked to win the county board’s District 3 seat in 2002. She ran as an ardent environmentalist who made a modest living farming pumpkins and gourds on Pohl Road, where she and her husband own 12 acres and have lived in a brown brick colonial home for about 40 years.

The county board was neglecting negative outcomes of agricultural land use to soil, water and air quality, she felt. She saw a lack of commitment to being responsible stewards of nature.

“I had some notoriety, good and bad, so I ran and I surprised myself and everyone else in town that I won,” she said. “It was the most surprise election, I think, that we’ve ever had in this area.”

Since she was in elementary school, Wortel, now 72, has been argumentative. An independent spirit led her to frequent spats with her parents. Fueled by her autonomy, she didn’t fear unpopular stances.

Fittingly, she was alone in her first instance of volunteering to better the environment.

Before households had recycling bins, she said, people would bring glass, metal and plastic to the Hy-Vee store in downtown Mankato. A frequent recycler herself, Wortel noticed how cluttered the public bin became.

She decided one day to clean it up, sort items into their proper categories and remove any garbage. Her effort lasted a few years until the increased volume of recyclables made the work overly tedious.

Her public activism began in the 1980s when the company operating the local Wilmarth coal power plant proposed that it be converted to a waste-burning facility serving the Twin Cities.

She formed a coalition of concerned citizens who opposed it, arguing that the cities needed to do more to reduce and reuse waste before the Mankato plant agreed to burn it and risk pollution.

The effort didn’t stop the conversion. To this day the Wilmarth plant, now operated by Xcel Energy, burns waste at temperatures which the county says are high enough to destroy or remove nearly all pollutants while producing electricity.

Despite the outcome, Wortel was emboldened. She came to serve on a Minnesota Pollution Control Agency task force monitoring garbage incinerators.

Throughout the 1990s and early 2000s she founded environmental advocacy groups such as Mankato Area Environmentalists and the Southcentral Minnesota Clean Energy Council, for which she is now a representative.

Wortel carried strong Wortel only now sees convictions into her tenwhy the disparity ure as a county commisbetween her own righsioner, often struggling teous cause and that of to make compromises farmers — feeding their that conflicted with her own and many other values, she said. families — ended in discord. Differing root “I like to argue and motivations led to hostake the sometimes tile disagreements. unpopular position, which may, by the way, Making a difference, have been the right she has learned, seems position,” she said. “But inevitably to lead to I never was a person of making enemies. much finesse.”

“Sometimes when Her independent you’re working for mindset prevented some change it doesn’t matter accomplishments that how good you are,” might have been viewed Wortel said. “A changePhoto by Pat Christman as “baby steps” toward maker is always given a substantive change, she Katy Wortel, an area environmentalist who from 2003 to 2008 rough time, really.” served as a Blue Earth County commissioner, fills a feeder with said. But it also moti- bird seed at her Pohl Road property.

She sees room, howevvated her to keep pursuer, for respect and empaing larger goals. thy for one’s ideological opponents. In her case she The conflict she regrets most from her term is back- said it should have entailed more acknowledgment of lash against her aims to move the area toward more farmers’ stress about how to earn money. sustainable farming practices. Wortel is blunt: “I did a As she recedes into retirement and works with a really poor job at that. I was a little farmer, and the big lower profile on environmental causes, Wortel sees farmers don’t really look at a little farmer as a farmer.” that on the whole she made positive change.

For that reason she doubts whether she was the And she hasn’t lost faith in the power of small gesright person to forge ahead against predominantly tures that may improve the environment and bring male farmers who abide by what she calls an more people to the work. “entrenched” agricultural system.

Her pandemic project was to clear common buckBut the facts of the system, she says, remain grim. thorn, an invasive species, from the tract of woods A trend toward large-scale monocropping of corn and behind her home. In her side yard she is growing a soybeans has depleted soil health and eroded the garden for pollinators and a swath of prairie plants. market for smaller properties that seek to rotate With the new year she hopes to create a pond in the crops and encourage plant diversity, Wortel said. place of her former pumpkin patch to reduce the sur“Farmers are taking more out of the soil than rounding area’s water runoff into the Minnesota River. they’re putting back in,” she said.

She avidly composts her food waste. She bought an “And some of them, I think, probably understand electric car, a Nissan Leaf. She continues to reduce that even,” she added. “It’s just that they’re caught in waste and recycle; on a walk around her property, she this system. And so then it’s back to: How can we stopped several times to pick up plastic bags strewn change the whole system and get farmers uncaught about by a previous day’s strong winds. in it? And that’s where we maybe could have worked Perhaps as important as fighting the well-funded together and not had the butting of heads so much.” forces that drive climate change, she knows, is comWortel won reelection to the county board in 2004 bating the hopelessness induced by a realization that and served until 2008, when conservative business- it’s likely too late to avoid serious consequences. man Mark Piepho unseated her with a better-funded Her advice is to take the next step, the one you campaign. know to be moral, even when future measures are After decades of striving to uproot or reform flawed unclear. systems, Wortel understands the plight of younger Of the planet’s irreversible warming, she concedes, activists who protest the robust fossil fuel industry. “We’re all gonna maybe have broken spirits for a That detrimental, human-caused climate change is while. But we need to heal and keep going.” now a widely accepted reality is evidence of their “It’s not time to give up yet,” she added with a progress, she thinks. forced cheer. She paused. “If ever.”

Unless they’re an “expert in human psychology,” The Free Press and The Land are sister publications she said half-jokingly, any advocate may have to live owned by The Free Press Media. v with the contempt of those who resist change.

THE LAND — FEBRUARY 4 /FEBRUARY 11, 2022

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

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 19

PAGE 20

THE LAND — FEBRUARY 4/FEBRUARY 11, 2022

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

Real Estate Wanted

Farm Services

Feed Seed Hay

Bins & Buildings

Farm Equipment

Tractors

WANTED: Land & farms. I We pay for Harvestor Silos. HAY FOR SALE: 1st, 2nd, SILO take-down & clean JD 7200 12x30 wing fold planthave clients looking for We charge to take down 3rd, 4th & 5th crops avail- up - Specializing in, but er, liq fert, Yetter trash 250 monitor, dairy, & cash grain opera- cement staves. Neisen Silo able, RFV 120-181, 16-25% not limited to, silos in whippers, tions, as well as bare land Demo 952-292-5255 protein. Dry hay or bale- congested areas. $9,450; Horvick 1000 gal tanparcels from 40-1000 acres. age available in squares or dem axle tender w/ pump, 507-236-9446 rounds. Trucking available.

235x16 tires, $3,750; JD 9300 Both for relocation & investFeed Seed Hay Call or text Jim 507-254-4807 Stormor Bins & EZ-Drys. 32’ press drill, w/ factory ments. If you have even 100% financing w/no liens or markers & transport, $2,900; thought about selling contact: Paul Krueger, Farm & FOR SALE: Large round OPEN Pollinated Seed Corn. red tape, call Steve at Fair- ‘01 JD 30’ 980 field cult, new 2000 John Deere 7610 Land Specialist, Edina Re- bales of grass hay. 320-587- Produces more high quali- fax Ag for an appointment. style shanks, & JD rear 2WD tractor w/ 18.4R38 ty silage on less acres than 888-830-7757 alty, 138 Main St. W., New 5823 hitch, $16,900. J&M 500 di- rears(90%) 19 speed power hybrid. $67/bushel plus shipvided gravity box w/ tarp & shift, 3 hyd remotes, 540/1000 Prague, MN 55372. ping. High feed value grain. paulkrueger@edinarealty.com hyd brush auger, $4,750. 320- PTO, 3-point hitch, 6900 hrs, Sell your livestock in The Land Located at Teutopolis, IL Farm Equipment (612)328-4506 769-2756 Excellent original condition!

217-857-3377 or 217-343-4962 with a line ad. 507-345-4523 Asking $54,500/OBO. Call We buy 507-789-6049 WANTED TO BUY...

Salvage Equipment HAY: Round or square bales, Parts Available Your ad FOR SALE: Farmall Super Dairy and Beef Quality. Call Hammell Equip., Inc. MTA diesel tractor. WANTcould be here! or text 218-689-2696 (507)867-4910 ED: JD 1460 or 1465 planter, 507-345-4523 good condition. 320-282-4845 Please recycle this magazine.

Sell your farm equipment

Classifie d ad dea line d li

ne is noon o n Mond ay

in The Land with a line ad. FOR SALE: Pair of Firestone FOR SALE: Hiniker front 507-345-4523 radial all traction 18.4x46 mounted snowblower, in set-up tires, good enough for OWNER RETIRING very good condition, $3,500 duals $225/each. 507-227-2602 ‘89 JD 8760 4WD, 300hp, barecash; John Deere 4010 gas, back, 3 remotes, 20.8/38 NEW AND USED TRACTOR completely OH’d, new tires, Year-Round cab, partly re- w/ duals fronts 80%, rears PARTS JD 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 50%, 24spd, 7403 hrs, very 55, 50 Series & newer tracstored, $19,000. 507-744-2472 good cond, $39,900; ‘13 White tors, AC-all models, Large FOR SALE: 66” ACC unlimit- 8222 planter, 12-30” center Inventory, We ship! Mark ed skid loader now blower, flex, 3 bu boxes, hyd wing Heitman Tractor Salvage $4,895; Tebben 3pt tractor fold, liq fert. (2) 200 gal 715-673-4829 fork lift, $2,795; 88” Bobcat tanks John Blue pump, Yetskid loader snow bucket, ter row cleaners, very good cond, $39,500; JD 980 field $1,395. 507-276-8823 Planting Equip cult, 38.5’, 3 bar harrow, Haybuster 2800 round or large knock-on sweeps, bushings square bales shredder, very replaced, walking tandems, 2001 White 6000 series 24R22”. good condition, $16,900 - new rear hitch, very good cond, Martin row cleaners. Truone costs $37,000; NH 555 $11,900; DMI Crumbler 40’, Count air clutches. Tubelar skidsteer diesel, 40HP, 1700 adjustable hitch, double fold, in furrow starters. Hydraulift, good condition, $8,995. very good cond, $6,900. 320- lic driven starter and seed population. Stored in heated 320-543-3523 241-8074 buildings. 320-583-5324

Outside Sales Representative

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

The Land, a weekly farm and rural life magazine going strong for over 40 years, is looking for an Outside Sales Representative. Candidates should have professional sales skills to service existing clients and to prospect and develop new businesses in a designated territory.

Also essential is self-confidence, strong organizational habits, keen attention to detail and superior written and verbal communication skills. This position requires reliable transportation and a good driving record. The successful candidate must have a motivation for sales and may be allowed to work primarily from their home office. A company laptop will be provided. This position is full time, salary plus commission, mileage allowance, and other benefits.

Upcoming Issues of THE LAND

Interested candidates should email their resume, salary requirements and a cover letter to

Deb Petterson, General Manager at: dpetterson@thelandonline.com

Southern MN/ Northern IA February 18, 2022 March 4, 2022 March 18, 2022

*

Northern MN February 25, 2022 March 11, 2022 March 25, 2022 April 8, 2022

Deadline is 8 days prior to publication.

Indicates early deadline, 9 days prior to publication.

418 South Second Street • Mankato, MN 56001 Phone: 507-345-4523 or 800-657-4665 Fax: 507-345-1027 Website: www.TheLandOnline.com e-mail: theland@TheLandOnline.com Ask Your Auctioneer to Place Your Auction in The Land!

FOR SALE: Amvac smart boxes and brackets from John Deere planter, 8 units with wiring harness and monitor. $1,200/OBO. Call 612-756-4277

Harvesting Equip 1998 Parker 510 grain cart.

Diamond tread tires. Well maintained and stored inside. 320-583-5324

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

Looking for something special? Put a line ad in The Land and find it! Call 507-345-4523 today!

THE LAND — FEBRUARY 4 /FEBRUARY 11, 2022 Wanted

Livestock

THANK YOU FOR READING THE LAND!

Swine

Please support the advertisers that you see in The Land.

Buying and selling any gold FOR SALE: Black Angus bulls Spot, Duroc, Chester White, and silver items, collector also Hamp, York, & Hamp/ Boars & Gilts available. coins, diamonds, gold jewel- Duroc boars & gilts. Alfred Monthly PRRS and PEDV. Delivery available. Steve ry, paying $20-$30 for silver (Mike) Kemen 320-598-3790 Resler. 507-456-7746 dollars, rare currency. No collection too big. Kuehl’s Cattle Coins, Fairmont, Minnesota, Pets & Supplies 507-235-3886, 507-399-9982, 0 open 10:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m.

FOR SALE: 10 Registered 8 Wanted to Buy: JD 4430 and Shorthorn beef heifers born FOR SALE: 5 purebred collie r 4440, 1975 or newer. JD 725 6, spring 2021 at Verndale MN puppies, 1 female, 4 males, 0 asking $200/OBO, 12 weeks 8 & 12 row - front mount cul- 218-924-2337 , tivators; Stanhoist and Bush- FOR SALE: Thirty (30) mixed old, make great farm dogs. !

507-822-2111 hog steel barge boxes; Gehl age stock cows. 507-639-2974 l and Lorentz grinder/mixers; plus all types of farm maMiscellaneous Swine r chinery. 507-251-2685

-WANTED TO BUY...

PARMA DRAINAGE PUMPS , HAY: Round or square bales, FOR SALE: Yorkshire, New pumps & parts on hand.

Dairy and Beef Quality. Call Hampshire, Duroc, cross Call Minnesota’s largest disbred boars, gilts & 4-H pigs. tributor e or text 218-689-2696 HJ Olson & Company 6WANTED TO BUY: Duetz Al- Top quality. Excellent herd r lis rock flex disks. IHC 715 health. Delivery available. 320-974-8990 Cell - 320-212-5336 320-760-0365 combine. 507-251-2685 REINKE IRRIGATION RETIREMENT SALE For R Sales & Service Sale: Used stainless steel , Classified Line Ads New & Used feeders & waterers, other For your irrigation needs miscellaneous equipment. e 888-830-7757 or 507-276-2073 Albert Lea, MN 507-383-7858 k Call 507-345-4523 e

t m s d l

WORK!

If you’re going to have an auction be sure to advertise it in The Land for the best results! Call us at 507-345-4523.

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

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

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.

. l -

m d , , -

2022

. r d d

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”

Farms Are Selling!

In 2021 we helped our clients sell/buy over $526 million dollars worth of farmland covering 53,403 acres in the Midwest!

We sell farm properties by private listing, public auction and sealed bid sale methods. We also assist investors in locating farmland that fits their requirements.

Caring for You and Your Farm®

Serving the Midwest with 14 office locations in Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota and Nebraska

We have enjoyed and appreciated the opportunity to be of service this past year. We look forward to assisting land owners and buyers with their real estate needs in 2022.

From all of us at Hertz - We Wish you a Happy, Healthy and Prosperous 2022 151 St. Andrews Ct., Ste. 1310 • Mankato, MN, 56001 • 507-345-5263 • www.Hertz.ag

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

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 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

WANTED

DAMAGED GRAIN STATEWIDE

THE LAND — FEBRUARY 4/FEBRUARY 11, 2022 CLASSIFIED LINE ADS WORK! THE LAND subscribers can get a classified line ad FREE! Call today for details.

507-345-4523

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

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

$85,000 for all equipment 3-12,000 bushel bins 27ft 10 ring 2-18,000 bushel bins 30ft 10 ring 1-5,000 bph 100ft grain leg with 10 hole distributor

350ft of down spouting

8in diameter 70ft of 8in u-trough

Call Dan 507-327-1903 CONSIGNMENT EVENT

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

Advertising Deadline

FEB.28

This is a large Multi-Ring Event with many items already consigned! Tractors, Combines, Heads, Trucks, Semis, Tillage, Construction Equipment, Hay & Livestock Equipment, and More!

Auction will be held on Thurs., March 31, 2021

Opening March 4 & Closing March 14 at 12PM Kibble Equipment Auction, Steffes Group Facility, Sioux Falls, Timed Online Auction Opening March 7 & Closing March 15 at 10AM Kenny and Julie Hendricks Retirement Auction, Beardsley, MN, Timed Online Auction Opening March 7 & Closing March 15 at 7PM R&L Farms Antique Tractor Auction, Lake Crystal, MN, Timed Online Auction

320.693.9371

CONSIGN NOW! Litchfield@SteffesGroup.com

Steffes Group Facility Litchfield, MN

THE LAND — FEBRUARY 4 /FEBRUARY 11, 2022

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

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

MANDAKO 12’-60’ LONG ROLLERS

FOR THE BEST DEAL ORDER NOW!

WRIGHTZ AUCTION CO. “Your Locally Owned, Full Service Auction Company” MACHINERY CONSIGNMENT SALE, MARCH 7, 9 AM. Consign Early by February 18, for Complete Advertising. CONSIGN TODAY, 641-398-2218, Hwy 218, Floyd, IA. www.wrightzauctionco.com (mcn)

The COVID crisis has cost us all something. Many have lost jobs and financial security. Have $10K In Debt?

Credit Cards. Medical Bills. Car Loans.

Call NATIONAL DEBT RELIEF! We can help! Get a FREE debt relief quote: Call 1-866-552-0649.(mcn)

DONATE YOUR CAR, TRUCK TO HERITAGE FOR THE BLIND. Free 3 Day Vacation, Tax Deductible, Free Towing, All Paperwork Taken Care Of. CALL 1-855-977-7030 (mcn)

Green Roads’ Pain Relief Cream. Great for backaches, arthritis, muscle aches & more. Get pain relief exactly where you need it most. Use code: PAIN to get three FREE gifts! Visit http://greencbdtoday. com/midwest (mcn)

GREENWALD FARM CENTER

DONATE YOUR CAR TO CHARITY. Receive maximum value of write off for your taxes. Running or not! All conditions accepted. Free pickup. Call for details.

855-752-6680 (mcn)

14 miles So. of Sauk Centre

CASH FOR CARS! We buy all cars!

Junk, high-end, totaled – it doesn’t matter!

Get free towing and same day cash!

NEWER MODELS too! Call 1-855-5485240 (mcn)

Greenwald, MN • 320-987-3177

SAVE MONEY ON EXPENSIVE AUTO REPAIRS! Our vehicle service program can save you up to 60% off dealer prices and provides you excellent coverage! Call for a free quote: 877-3853047 (Mon-Fri :9am-4pm PST) (mcn)

ADVERTISER LISTING A Place For Mom ....................................................... 11 Beck's Hybrids .............................................................1 Dan Osborne .............................................................. 22 Fladeboe Land ........................................................... 19 Greenwald Farm Center .............................................. 23 Hertz Farm Management ........................................... 21 Kannegiesser Truck .................................................... 13 Kerkhoff Auction ....................................................... 22 Pruess Elevator, Inc. .................................................. 22 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

DIRECTV for $69.99/mo for 12 months with CHOICE Package. Watch your favorite live sports, news & entertainment anywhere. One year of HBO Max FREE. Directv is #1 in Customer Satisfaction (JD Power & Assoc.) Call for more details! (some restrictions apply) Call 1-866-2961409.(mcn)

Stroke and Cardiovascular disease are leading causes of death, according to the American Heart Association. Screenings can provide peace of mind or early detection! Contact Life Line Screening to schedule your screening. Special offer - 5 screenings for just $149. Call 1-866-7427290 (mcn) Portable Oxygen Concentrator May Be Covered by Medicare! Reclaim independence and mobility with the compact design and long-lasting battery of Inogen One. Free information kit! Call 844-716-2411.(mcn) DENTAL INSURANCE from Physicians Mutual Insurance Company.

Coverage for 350 plus procedures. Real dental insurance NOT just a discount plan.

Do not wait! Call now! Get your FREE Dental Information Kit with all the details!

1-855-973-9175 www.dental50plus.com/ https://www.dental50plus.com/midwest #6258 (mcn)

Earthlink High Speed Internet. As Low As $49.95/month (for the first 3 months.) Reliable High Speed Fiber Optic Technology. Stream Videos, Music and More! Call Earthlink Today 1-855-6797096. (mcn)

Aloe Care Health, medical alert system.

The most advanced medical alert product on the market. Voice-activated! No wi-fi needed! Special offer! Call and mention offer code CARE20 to get $20 off Mobile Companion. Call today! 1-855-654-1926. (mcn)

DISH Network. $64.99 for 190 Channels! Blazing Fast Internet, $19.99/ mo. (where available.) Switch & Get a FREE $100 Visa Gift Card. FREE Voice Remote. FREE HD DVR. FREE Streaming on ALL Devices. Call today!

1-855-434-0020 (mcn)\

Hero takes the stress out of managing medications. Hero sorts and dispenses meds, sends alerts at dose times and handles prescription refill and delivery for you. Starting at $24.99/month. No initiation fee. 90-day risk-FREE trial! Call 1-855-484-6339. (mcn)

BEST SATELLITE TV with 2 Year Price Guarantee! $59.99/mo with 190 channels and 3 months free premium movie channels! Free next day installation! Call 855-824-1258. (mcn)

Become a published author! Publications sold at all major secular & specialty Christian bookstores. CALL Christian Faith Publishing for your FREE author submission kit. 1-888-981-5761 (mcn)

DirecTV Satellite TV Service Starting at $59.99/month! Free Installation! 160+ channels available. Call Now to Get the Most Sports & Entertainment on TV! 844558-1767 (mcn)

Eliminate gutter cleaning forever!

LeafFilter, the most advanced debrisblocking gutter protection. Schedule a FREE LeafFilter estimate today. 15% off Entire Purchase. 10% Senior & Military Discounts. Call 1-855-577-1268. Promo Code 285. (mcn)

COMPUTER & IT TRAINING PROGRAM! Train ONLINE to get the skills to become a Computer & Help Desk Professional now! Grants and Scholarships available for certain programs for qualified applicants. Call CTI for details! 1-844843-2771 (mcn) TRAIN ONLINE TO DO MEDICAL BILLING! Become a Medical Office Professional online at CTI! Get Trained, Certified & ready to work in months! Call 833-751-0776. (M-F 8am-6pm ET) (mcn) Full-time agricultural advertising sales representative wanted in Southern Minnesota and Northern Iowa. Email resume to joyce.f@star-pubs.com. (mcn) STOP worrying! SilverBills eliminates the stress and hassle of bill payments.

All household bills guaranteed to be paid on time, as long as appropriate funds are available. Computer not necessary. Call for a FREE trial or a custom quote today.

SilverBills 1-866-918-0981(mcn)

GENERAC Standby Generators provide backup power during utility power outages, so your home and family stay safe and comfortable. Prepare now. Free 7-year extended warranty ($695 value!). Request a free quote today! Call for additional terms and conditions. 1-877-228-5789 (mcn) Wesley Financial Group, LLC Timeshare Cancellation Experts. Over $50,000,000 in timeshare debt and fees cancelled in 2019. Get free informational package and learn how to get rid of your timeshare! Free consultations. Over 450 positive reviews. Call 877-326-1608. (mcn) Looking for assisted living, memory care, or independent living? A Place for Mom simplifies the process of finding senior living at no cost to your family. Call 1-877-580-3710 today! (mcn)

PAGE 23

The Generac PWRcell, a solar plus battery storage system. SAVE money, reduce your reliance on the grid, prepare for power outages and power your home.

Full installation services available. $0 Down Financing Option. Request a FREE, no obligation, quote today. Call 1-877381-3059. (mcn) LONG DISTANCE MOVING: Call today for a FREE QUOTE from America’s Most Trusted Interstate Movers.

Let us take the stress out of moving! Speak to a Relocation Specialist, call 877-3270795. (mcn) FREE AUTO INSURANCE QUOTES for uninsured and insured drivers. Let us show you how much you can save! Call 855-995-2382 (mcn) NEED NEW FLOORING? Call Empire Today® to schedule a FREE in-home estimate on Carpeting & Flooring. Call Today! 844-785-0305 (mcn) UPDATE YOUR HOME with Beautiful New Blinds & Shades. FREE in-home estimates make it convenient to shop from home. Professional installation. Top quality - Made in the USA. Call for free consultation: 866-970-3073. Ask about our specials! (mcn) BATHROOM RENOVATIONS. EASY, ONE DAY updates! We specialize in safe bathing. Grab bars, no slip flooring & seated showers. Call for a free in-home consultation: 855-836-2250. (mcn) Never Pay For Covered Home Repairs Again! Complete Care Home Warranty COVERS ALL MAJOR SYSTEMS AND APPLIANCES. 30 DAY RISK FREE. $200.00 OFF + 2 FREE Months! 1-844596-1237. Hours Mon-Thu, Sun : 9:30 am to 8:00 pm Fri : 9:30 am to 2:00 pm (all times Eastern). (mcn) Need IRS Relief $10K - $125K+ Get Fresh Start or Forgiveness Call 1-877-2581647 Monday through Friday 7AM-5PM PST (mcn) Never clean your gutters again!

Affordable, professionally installed gutter guards protect your gutters and home from debris and leaves forever! For a FREE Quote call: 877-761-1449 (mcn) PROTECT YOUR HOME AND FAMILY with Vivint Smart Home. Call 866-243-6022 today to receive a FREE $50 GIFTCARD with your purchase. Use promo code: FREE50 (mcn) DISCOUNT AIR TRAVEL. Call Flight Services for best pricing on domestic & international flights inside and from the US. Serving United, Delta, American & Southwest and many more airlines. Call for free quote now! Have travel dates ready! 866-538-0071(mcn) PAYING TOP CA$H FOR MEN’S SPORT WATCHES! Rolex, Breitling, Omega, Patek Philippe, Heuer, Daytona, GMT, Submariner, Speedmaster.. Call: 866-314-9742. (mcn) TOP CA$H PAID FOR OLD GUITARS! 1920-1980 Gibson, Martin, Fender, Gretsch, Epiphone, Guild, Mosrite, Rickenbacker, Prairie State, D’Angelico, Stromberg. And Gibson Mandolins / Banjos. 866-470-1643. (mcn) Wanted: Antique Bicycles from 1930’s-50’s. Deluxe or unusual models with horn tanks, headlights, etc. Also buying Schwinn Stingray bikes from 1960’s-70’s. Top prices paid. Will pick up anywhere. 309-645-4623 (mcn)

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