Table Talk

Was there anything bad Yes, someone had to exeabout growing up on the cute the execution of the farm in the 1960s and strutting fowl that would 1970s? I guess not too much soon be the object of our … unless you were me and baited forks and numerous you had to clean chickens. wish bone-possession fights. How I despised that time every summer. It took a lot of food to feed a family of nine; and part of that involved “putting up” chickHow glorious it was to have fried chicken for dinner; but how dreadful it was to get it from the farm to the fry pan. ens. Doing “the deed” was a As much as I despised it, I think of my poor mother — who blew in from Boston to Kansas City to northwest Iowa, and arrived on the job only Dad could do. We all had to help catch the chickens (as if they were common street criminals) to help get the process started. farm straight out of the church with a Once all of that was finished, the brand new diamond ring, mice in that plucking began. Even that wasn’t so old house, work to do and a whole lot awful, but my sister knew how to work to learn about farm life. the system. She was meticulous, and She was our own version of Lisa Douglas of “Green Acres” fame; except Mom was much prettier than Ava would clean only one chicken while the rest of us carried the load of actually moving the entire project forward. Gabor. I suppose Mom learned a lot about Dad was the man of the hour to start the process. He would bring in tall buckets from outside, fill them with water and heat them on the stove. That combination brought the hog house aroma into the kitchen, and was a bouquet I didn’t mind packing away when I left for college. all of us kids as we stood around the upside-down cow tank which served as our table of deprivation, and listened to our teen and tween stories and sass. She even bore the scars of having to listen to our brand of music — mostly as a peace offering. (She longed to hear the Mills Brothers, but usually got The Doobie Brothers.)When all conditions were met, Dad would do “the deed.” Mom and us girls processed the birds for freezing. I can still recall the

TABLE TALK By Karen Schwaller

Register for MFU camps

ST. PAUL — Registration is now open for Minnesota Farmers Union summer leadership camps.

MFU’s leadership camp is open to youth ages 8 to 18. Youth need not be connected to agriculture to attend camp.

MFU’s leadership camp is held in two locations in Minnesota: June 20-24 for ages 8 to 11 near Erskine, Minn.; June 27-July 1 for ages 11 to 14 near Erskine, Minn.; July 11-15 for ages 8 to 11 near New London, Minn.; July 18-22 for ages 11 to 14 near New London, Minn.; and July 24-29 for ages 14 to 18 near New London, Minn.

MFU leadership camp curriculum promotes leadership development while teaching youth about agriculture, cooperatives and Farmers Union. The camps attract about an equal number of youth from rural Minnesota and the Twin Cities metropolitan area, giving them all an experience in diversity and informing the state’s future leaders about the essential role of agriculture.

COVID-19 vaccinations will not be required to attend camp this year, but students will be screened upon arrival and there will also be daily health screenings. Enhanced cleaning protocols are in place and there will be multiple hand washing stations around camp.

The Farmers Union five-day, fournight leadership camps are priced at $115 to $140.

To learn more, visit mfu.org/camp.

This article was submitted by the Minnesota Farmers Union. v feeling of reaching inside the cavity. I liken it to sticking your hands into the brains at the haunted house.

Still, I don’t remember Mom complaining about doing the same thing, even though this was certainly a job she didn’t come from the big city knowing how to do. Looking back, I wonder if she ever regretted not reading the fine print on her marriage license. Who would sign up for such a fowl-smelling (pun intended), greasy and disgusting annual ritual?

As kids, I used to always be amazed that when the fried chicken was passed around the table, Dad always took the back. It didn’t have much meat on it—you’d think he’d stick his fork into other plump pieces that offered a hunger-taming mouthful of juicy, poultry-lovers’ delight.

It was many years later when it occurred to me that, while we kids devoured all those sumptuous, plump pieces, Dad took the pieces that no one else wanted to eat. It had to be true — otherwise, why would someone who worked as hard as he did choose to eat those pieces that looked as if they had already been eaten? And every time?

It was after that epiphany that I sorrowfully thought of Dad every time I heard my own thighs rub together when I walked. It was fallout from all those summer days spent in the grove, starting the process of fattening us all up, once the chickens had selflessly completed their part in the first leg of that journey.

Fast forward to when I was married, and we agreed to let my mother-in-law raise some chickens on our farm. When the day came time to clean them, we invited both sets of parents here to ensure the job got done quickly. None of them minded the work, really; but they both had different thoughts on how the job should be done. I think you know the rest.

I don’t mind saying it was a glorious moment when we saw tail lights in front of us.

And I think I understood how Mom and Dad must have felt when us kids all left home.

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

Farmers asked to take survey

In a new research project, University of Minnesota Extension is exploring how row crop management systems change soil response to rain, and farmer access to fields after rain.

Extension will be monitoring pairs of farms using contrasting management for soil structure and moisture for two growing seasons.

Any crop farmer in Minnesota is invited to participate in a survey to collect information including farm characteristics, how farming practices impact workable field days, and the impact this has on farmer stress and overall quality of life.

The survey should take no longer than 10 minutes to complete and can be completed online at https://z.umn. edu/FieldworkSurvey.

Questions about the survey can be directed to Anna Cates at catesa@umn. edu or (612) 625-3135.

This article was submitted by University of Minnesota Extension. v

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By TIM KING

The Land Correspondent

MELROSE, Minn. — Pete Rothfork’s family has been raising turkeys near Melrose, Minn. for three generations. It started 1959 when Pete’s father Harold, along with his partner Frank Maleska, opened the Melrose Feed Mill. Then, in the 1960s, the two men started raising turkeys.

“Through the 70’s and 80’s, they increased production to seven farms — all in Stearns County,” Rothfork said. “I worked on turkey farms through high school and after college. In 1988 I was hired as manager of Melrose Feed Mill. My father died in 1992, and I took over management of his farms and bought out my siblings. In 2013 Frank retired, and I bought his farms.”

Rothfork, who has been a leader in both the state and national turkey industries, ushered his farm through the avian influenza epidemic of 2015 with help and support from family members and loyal employees.

The Land: You told me that other members of your family have joined the business since you took over from Frank and your father. Who is involved in the business today?

Rothfork: My daughter Jessica Westbrock started working with me in the office. Shortly after that, her husband Andy started working the live production side for us. We bought our eighth farm together, with some key employees, in 2019. My grandson Peyton Linn has wanted to be a turkey farmer since he was six. He now works with us, training for my job. That’s generation four!

The Land: Your family’s farm was hit pretty hard in 2015. What did you do to keep your spirits up?

Rothfork: In 2015 we got Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) on four of our largest farms. We lost 180,000 birds — 120,000 to the disease, and 60,000 to depopulation because they were on infected sites. The depopulation of healthy birds is the hardest part of dealing with this disease.

At the same time, our feed business went to 30 percent of what it was. When I went to the mill workers and told them we would be very slow, they all volunteered to help with the HPAI clean-up. The workers on the healthy farms continued to raise their birds, and the rest of us worked on clean-up and virus elimination. With everyone working together, we were able to keep everyone’s spirits up. A strong faith that things would get better also helped. I was told “if you’re worried, pray. And if you pray, why worry?”

The Land: When you talked to Minnesota Public Radio in June 2015 you described that epidemic as a large bump for Minnesota’s turkey industry. How long did it take the industry to recover from that? What was necessary to accomplish that?

Rothfork: The Minnesota industry was hit hard in 2015; but we were able to work through it. We knew we had to get back running so we would have birds for Thanksgiving. The turkey industry is the only industry that 18 percent of our annual production is purchased for one day! Thirty percent is consumed between Thanksgiving and Christmas. The Minnesota industry worked with the regulators to get as many birds as possible placed on farms in June, July and August so we had flocks to sell for Thanksgiving. The next year, turkey prices went up, and the industry was able to recoup some of the money lost in 2015.

The Land: I’ve read that farmers were more prepared this year than in 2015. What was done to be prepared?

Rothfork: After the outbreak in 2015, the industry — along with the Minnesota Turkey Growers, the University of Minnesota, and the National Turkey Federation — developed biosecurity guidelines to help us better cope with an outbreak. These included, but are not limited to installing Danish Entries on all our barns, installing screens to keep wild birds out, and being very vigilant to rodent control.

The Land: Is your farm ok so far this time around?

Rothfork: We were hit in early April this year and have lost 94,500 birds on two farms. Unfortunately, 24,000 of those were healthy birds that had to be depopulated. We are composting the birds and have started on virus elimination and disinfection of the premises. We hope to repopulate the barns in six to ten weeks from the infection date.

The Land: Some farms which have healthy flocks but are near an infected flock can’t move their birds. Do you have any advice for farmers with healthy flocks inside a quarantine zone?

Rothfork: When a farm is infected with HPAI, a ten kilometer — or about six miles — control zone is established. A quarantine is established and no birds are allowed in or out. However, permits may be obtained from USDA to move within the control zone. The control zone can be lifted 14 days after composting begins and outside virus elimination has been done.

If someone is in a control zone they should contact the Minnesota Board of Animal Health to see how to handle any bird movements. Anyone who owns birds — either commercially or backyard — should also contact the Board. If you have a backyard flock, please keep them indoors at least until the end of May.

Younger growers or owner operators can contact the Minnesota Turkey Growers Association if they have any questions or need help. MTGA can steer them in the right direction and get them the resources they need.

The Land: How is this epidemic different then 2015?

Rothfork: This strain of HPAI is different from the strain in 2015. In 2015 we were pretty sure that waterfowl were the carriers; but they did not get sick from it. This new strain is actually killing waterfowl. Another difference is that in 2015 the virus attacked mature birds. We got hit hard because we raise mostly 20-week-old Tom turkeys. The other growers in central Minnesota that raised 14-week-old hens were not hit. This new strain is hitting old and young birds also. I’ve heard of turkey flocks as young as six weeks getting sick this year. It also can make chicken broilers sick. That did not happen in 2015.

The Land: Has the epidemic an effect on sales at Melrose Feed Mill?

Rothfork: Melrose Feed Mill only feeds the turkeys raised by my family and our partners. Our business at the mill has dropped by 30 percent. Normally we make 225 ton of feed a day; but now we are making about 150 ton per day. v

Survey shows farming practice costs

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HAMPTON, Iowa — In order to help producers and custom operators examine the market, Iowa State University Extension and Outreach publishes the Iowa Farm Custom Rate Survey. This year’s survey includes 122 responses and nearly 3,400 custom rates for tasks related to tillage, planting and seeding, spraying, harvesting, farm labor and more. It can be found at https://www.extension.iastate.edu/agdm/ crops/pdf/a3-10.pdf.

Most custom rates saw an increase of 3 to 10 percent, according to Alejandro Plastina, associate professor in economics and extension economist at Iowa State, and one of the authors of the report.

The cost for labor increased almost 14 percent, reflecting the challenges of a tight labor market nationwide.

Plastina said the information in the survey is meant to be a starting point for farmers and agribusiness to engage in conversations and negotiations.

For more information, Plastina can be reached at (515) 294-6160 or plastina@iastate.edu.

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

By RENAE B. VANDER SCHAAF

The Land Correspondent

SIOUX CENTER, Iowa — On March 22 the Sioux Center Chamber of Commerce hosted their annual ag event at the Terrace View Event Center. There was good conversation at the tables as 250 farmers and local business people enjoyed steak sandwiches and sides. FFA chapters from Rock Valley, Sioux Center, Unity Christian (Orange City) and Dordt University agricultural students were also in attendance.

Matt Nice, AgriVision store manager in Sioux Center emceed the event. “Today is National Ag Day,” said Nice. “This year’s theme is ‘Growing A Climate For Tomorrow.’ We want to recognize our area producers and the work they do. Agriculture has a great effect on our overall economy. We are happy to see students here as a way to connect with others involved in agriculture.”

The Rev. Jesse Henkle, pastor at the Central Reformed Church, talked about the changes that he has seen in his lifetime in agriculture. “God doesn’t change,” said Henkle. “Nor does our need for water.” (The snow coming down added to the festive feeling of the day, as it has been very dry in northwest Iowa.) Henkle then prayed, thanking God for the good land, His care and for the people involved in agriculture.

Iowa’s Secretary of Agriculture, Mike Naig, then addressed the audience. “We used the word unprecedented at historic levels in 2021,” said Naig. “Already in 2022 we have felt effects from Canada’s Pacific Rail strike, interest rates and inflation.”

“Last year we saw the food supply chain interrupted,” Naig went on to say. “Rarely before in America’s history have store shelves been empty. Mike Naig, Iowa Secretary of Ag Day reminds Agriculture, enjoys talking Americans of the impor- about agriculture. tance of agriculture.”

“I’m thankful to live in Iowa,” said Naig, “where our legislature talks about the challenges in our economy. We are working to develop a state brand program, Choose Iowa. Happy Ag Day!”

While introducing the next speaker, Brad Kooima of Kooima Kooima Varilek Trading, Nice injected a bit of farmer humor: “We agree on everything,” said Nice, “except the color of tractors he drives.”

Kooima had his first pen of cattle on feed when he

Photos by Renae B. Vander Schaaf LeAnn Englin (Central Vet) was busy serving steak sandwiches. Christine Smit (Prime Bank) dished up the beans.

was just 16 years old in 1974. He still feeds cattle with his son. “I am passionate about working for the independent beef producer,” said Kooima. “I say this humbly, but God has provided people to walk alongside me. He also gave me the skills to join in the fight to keep the cattle industry from becoming vertically integrated.”

“It wasn’t that many years ago,” explained Kooima, “that almost everyone had some reference point to agriculture. It may have been a grandparent or uncle. It’s becoming common to see a third generation that has never had manure on their boots. This matters. I was interviewed by the New York CBS national news station while in Minneapolis. During the question and answer time, someone from the crowd asked, ‘What does he mean by meat? I get mine from the grocery store.’”

“If the consumer wants sustainability, we know all about sustainable agriculture,” said Kooima. “No one does cattle like we do here. We plant the seed, tend to it as it grows, harvest it, feed it and return natural fertilizer to nourish the soil.”

Kooima is a member of the Iowa Cattlemen’s Association because he said he believes the organization is on the right track. For a long time he wasn’t a member of the NCBA because he didn’t believe they represented the independent producer. “But then I remembered my dad’s words,” said Kooima. “When I complained about something, he would remind me in his soft-spoken voice, ‘you are either part of the solution or part of the problem’.”

Kooima has the joined the NCBA and is now part of the Livestock Marketing Committee and the six member Triggers Committee. He also a member of the Feedlot Council for the ICA. This involvement provides him with opportunities to speak out and be an influence. “I have had manure on my boots,” he said. “I do have the ability to throw the bull***t flag at the all-knowing muckety-mucks at meetings.” “My goal is to slow down vertical integration,” Kooima stated. “When Walmart has 65,000 cows, this move towards corporate feeding isn’t good for the independent producer.”

This was made quite evident during two recent Black Swan events. The Covid-19 pandemic which caused closures or reduced slaughter numbers at packing plants; and the fire at the Tyson plant in Holcomb, Kan. in 2019; had a big impact on marketing cattle.

“I had cattle ready for market,” said Kooima. “But I could not get a bid for six weeks. Market-ready cattle cannot be stored like grain in a bin. Expenses go up, as these cattle still need to eat. Health issues can start. The independent producer was the lowest guy on the totem pole.”

Kooima explained a large slaughter packing plant might offer a cattle feeder who has 100,000 head on feed $2.00 over market price if the feeder sells them all of his cattle. This same packing plant often doesn’t return a call to a smaller producer. This makes it very difficult for the smaller Cookies decorated to resem- independent producer to ble eggs, donated by Center compete. Even though Fresh Eggs, were served as cattle from the Midwest the dessert. generally score at 90 percent choice grade over a southern-raised beef that often grades 65 percent choice, it has become a matter of quantity of quality. “I plan to keep fighting my butt off,” said Kooima. “The right idea at the right time can effect change. I’m proud to be part of the cattle business.” v