The Land - November 25, 2022

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Mankato, MN 56001 (800) 657-4665 Vol. XLVI ❖ No. 24 40 pages, 1 section plus supplements

Cover photo by Paul Malchow

COLUMNS

Opinion 2-4

Farm and Food File 4

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Legislative crumbs

For the most part, the dust from the November elections has settled; and pharmaceutical companies have reclaimed the advertising high ground on your television set.

While the Democrats in Minnesota cel ebrated their victories, the gloating seemed to be kept to a minimum. The looming Red Wave never materialized, but the Dems seemed to know they averted disaster; and like anyone experi encing a brush with catastrophe, seemed content to whistle past the graveyard. With all of the troubles Minnesota has experienced in the past few years: Covid shut-downs, crime, inflation and total inactivity concerning $9 billion of taxpayers’ money, the Dems dodged a bullet earlier this month. Republican candidates who survived the 2022 election claim they will hold the Democrats’ feet to the fire to make good on DFL campaign pledges. Without the pesky Republican-controlled state sen ate standing in the way, Democrats claim our heads will spin with all of the laws and programs coming down the pike in the next legislative session. Time will tell, but I don’t see a historically inept state leg islature suddenly turning on a dime. I hope I’m wrong.

LAND MINDS

By Paul Malchow

And farm policy has a big menu item on the horizon: The 2023 Farm Bill slugfest is about to commence. The new Republican voting block in the Midwest is presently on the outside looking in. Democrats have the ear of Biden and the U.S. Department of Agriculture; and many DFL agriculture heavyweights are from the two coasts. California Representative Jim Costa is considered to be a contender to lead the House Agriculture Committee.

While climate-friendly issues such as biofuels have bipartisan support, Farm Bill mainstays such as conservation programs and crop insurance impact the Midwest much more than their costal counterparts. How much influence will Republican representatives have on these vital programs?

On the national scene, the Republican party was also left dazed and wondering what exactly hap pened. President Biden’s popularity numbers aren’t exactly through the roof. Groceries and utility bills are climbing at dizzying rates while IRAs are head ing in the opposite direction. The Republicans did manage to gain control of the U.S. House of Representatives, but it was hardly the mandate they were forecasting.

An interesting trend which was solidified in the 2022 election is a Republican stranglehold on the Midwest. The “F” in DFL may still stand for Farmer, but Iowa, Nebraska, and North and South Dakota are anything but blue. All of these states are send ing only Republicans to the U.S. Congress and Senate — not one Democrat among them. Indiana will have just two Democrats in their delegation of nine representatives. And even Minnesota — fresh from its 2022 election euphoria — is split in Congress four and four.

“My farmers have gone so hard to the GOP, I don’t know how to get them back,” confessed DFLer and former agriculture policy giant Colin Peterson. “That is a huge problem. It’s hard to do farm policy with one party.”

The Farm Bill has a lot less “Farm” in it these days. Social and health programs such as the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC); and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (com monly referred to as the food stamp program) gob ble up the lion’s share of the Farm Bill allotment. According to the USDA, of the Farm Bill programs covered by nutrition, SNAP accounts for 95 percent of all spending. Overall, nutrition spending makes up 80 percent of the total budget for the Farm Bill.

Statistics from the 2022 election indicate urban voters fueled the DFL’s success. Geographically, large areas of the country voted Republican; but it was the concentration of voters in urban areas which swayed the outcome. For example, Minnesota’s District 2 Congress incumbent Angie Craig did well in Dakota County — a metropolitan area with the largest number of voters in the dis trict — while her opponent Tyler Kistner carried the more rural regions of district. It didn’t hurt Craig the district boundaries were re-drawn before the election. Returning Governor Tim Walz was the victor in only 13 of Minnesota’s 87 counties.

It is certainly up for debate whether or not this is “fair” representation. It only stands to reason the interests of the voting majority will receive the most attention. But what is being lost in such great geo graphic disparity? As “urban” issues continue to grab more pieces of the pie, are rural issues relegat ed to the crumbs? Will rural America continue to have a seat at the table? And for how much longer?

Paul Malchow is the managing editor of The Land. He may be reached at editor@TheLandOnline.com.

10 — Dumont, Minn. farmer reports on his high oleic soybean crop

Adventure on the Mississippi for two young boys

As widespread rains begin to slowly refill lakes, reservoirs, and rivers, Thanksgiving thoughts turn back to the southern Illinois dairy farm of my youth where the Mississippi River (running just a mile from our dairy barn) was a con stant — often dominating — presence.

Except, that is, in the late summer months when everything around the farm — cows, hired men, and even the river — moved in a slow granny gear. That was especially so on Saturday evenings where nearly a hundred panting Holsteins and an airless milk ing parlor promised a sweaty session of steamy drudgery.

FARM & FOOD FILE

By Alan Guebert

OPINION

Those languid Saturdays were, however, the per fect time for two young adventurers (my older brother David and me) to ask our overheated moth er if we could “go camp on the river.”

It was a rhetorical question. Two fewer sulking teenagers for supper and another long night in an un-air conditioned farm house? The answer came quickly — “Go!”

Like most Tom Sawyers, we traveled light. Two cotton sleeping bags, some frozen hot dogs, potato chips, butter, a handful of sliced bread, a black skil let, and a half-dozen eggs were breakfast, supper, and sleep. A rinsed chlorine jug from the dairy barn held a gallon of water; and, of course, we each car ried a pocket knife and matches.

We never took a tent because we didn’t have a tent.

Ten minutes later we were crossing the heifer pas ture to climb the levee which shouldered the west ern bank of the Kaskaskia River. Our “trail” was the levee and its biggest danger was a sleepy dry cow or two blocking the way. When the Kaskaskia levee married the Mississippi River levee, David and I left it for a short hike through a forest of silver maples,

rattling cottonwoods, and swaying wil lows.

Adventurous as it sounds (and it was for us), the simple geographic fact remained that had we backtracked to the levee we could have seen the dairy barn, dry cows, and Mom’s clothesline in the distance.

Still, we were in the middle of our own personal kingdom: a massive sandbar at the meeting point of the brown, lazy Kaskaskia River and the wide, roiling Mississippi. Here was enough drift wood for an all-night fire and acres of sugary sand on which to make our starlit beds.

In no time at all, we were Marquette and Joliet, or Lewis and Clark — risking our sacred lives, used baling twine, and fast-melting butter by walking through a forest of ancient trees, uncharted creeks, and hordes of hot dog-hungry opossums and rac coons.

And we were free; the kind of free farm boys only felt when there were no cows or alfalfa fields within sight. We were buccaneers on a free-flowing river with the freedom to go anywhere.

Except into the water. Our mother’s only condition to get us out of her frazzled hair was no swimming in either the Kaskaskia (a lazy, oversized creek most summers) or the broad, secretive Mississippi. And we never did. Honest.

Life on the Farm: Readers’ Photos

Cari Bulthuis of Roseland, Minn. sent in these harvest photos last week, courtesy of daughter Chloe (12 years old). “Even though she’s a pre-teen, she still loves riding in the combine with her dad and grandpa,” Cari writes. “Harvest went really fast this year with the weather we had.”

But we explored the nearby woods, ran barefoot through the sand, and sat for long silent minutes watching the Mississippi flow around the next bend. Supper was hot dogs roasted on the end of sharp ened willow branches. Breakfast was eggs cracked, scrambled, and eaten from the skillet, and toast made over the still-hot fire. Butter soaked both.

Nights were the best, though. We always made a roaring campfire to ward off all things real and imagined. Often we were awakened by towboats’ drumming diesel engines as they clawed their way up the Big River’s strong current. Other times their powerful searchlights, looking for channel markers, lit our camp like the noon sun.

The next morning, after more dangerous deepwoods explorations and less dangerous sandbar sit ting, we’d slowly make our way home. Somehow we always arrived a few minutes after the rest of the family had departed for church, another sweat-drip ping event we never regretted missing.

Now, though, that would be a small price to pay for two old men to meet back on Old Man River for one more starlit, lazy night amid the sand, willows, and memories.

Happy Thanksgiving.

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

A familiar scent brings a flood of memories and tears

Climbing into one of our old pickup trucks recently, I inhaled deeply to settle in. As I did, I caught a hint of something familiar in the air. I inhaled again a sec ond and third time and my heart warmed as I recognized the scent: Brut aftershave — the kind my grandfather wore.

It must have been the combination of cold, fresh air and an assortment of Little Trees dangling in odd places that smelled like my late Grandpa Dale. In that moment, I relaxed and let the memories reel as a smile crossed my face and tears streamed down my cheeks.

DEEP ROOTS

By Whitney Nesse

ment was woodworking. He could make just about anything! He and my grandma would take in various craft fairs — gath ering ideas for all kinds of woodworking projects. From napkin holders to shadow boxes, if he saw it, he could build it.

loud, booming voice I had come to recognize. We held hands and chatted briefly before I departed.

Immediately I pictured him in my mind’s eye wearing his bright red, wool v-neck sweater with a white turtleneck underneath — and beneath that, a Hanes undershirt and suspenders. He began wear ing suspenders when his slacks no longer stayed put on their own and his waistline was descending under a belly full of hearty laughs and sweets! He always had a peppermint or butterscotch hard candy to share, change jingling in his pocket, and he was never without Lip Ivo lip balm.

I thought of my son Easton, who shot his very first buck this year. (A dandy too!) Grandpa Dale, who was an avid outdoorsmen himself, would have been so proud!

My grandpa was a hunter and fisherman. From the vast open spaces of South Dakota hunting pronghorn, to fishing Lake of the Woods in extreme northern Minnesota, to goose, duck and white-tailed deer hunting everywhere in between, he loved the outdoors. He was never short of stories from his out door adventures either!

Grandpa Dale was a busy body, never letting the grass grow beneath his feet. Whether he was mow ing lawns, making chicken on the grill, carving up a ham, cleaning fish or sharpening knives, he was in motion. One of the hobbies he enjoyed in his retire

During my growing up years, Grandpa and Grandma Payne never lived close by. They did, however, visit often. When they did, Grandpa Dale would play endless games with us. Among our favorites were 31, Catch Phrase, Jenga and Skip-Bo. He always had time to play games with us. Anytime one of his grandkids beat him, he always had the same expression. “You monkey!” he would chuckle.

I can remember my last visit with my grandpa. He was in hospice care. Cancer had overtaken his body after he cared so tenderly for my grandma during her last years with dementia. I was 19 years old and in my first year of college. It had been a few months since I had seen Grandpa Dale. I walked into his room and sitting in a wheelchair was a man I hardly recognized. His once-strong and stout body was thin and frail. His voice was soft — unlike the

I wish I could go back and tell my 19-year-old self that would be the last time I would sit with my grandpa. I wish I could have realized he would never see me get married or meet his great-grand children. Had I known that, I would have lingered, soaking up my time with him.

However, now I have the great blessing of remem bering and speaking of him fondly. I have photo graphs and memories to share with my family. I have the pleasure of telling my son how proud Grandpa Payne would be of his buck.

I have my personal memories too. I can still hear his voice, smell his aftershave and feel his great big arms wrap me in a tight hug. I am not sure if Brut aftershave still exists; but if it does, I might buy a bottle so I can relive the memories of my grandpa more often.

Whitney Nesse is a sixth-generation livestock farm er who is deeply rooted in her faith and family. She writes from her central Minnesota farm. v

Pesticide instruction course offered

HAMPTON, Iowa — Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Franklin County office will be offering two opportunities to attend the Private Pesticide Applicator Continuing Instruction Course led by Extension Field Agronomist Angie Rieck-Hinz. The first session is scheduled for Dec. 8 at 1:30 p.m. at the Youth for Christ building located at 420 4th St. SE, Hampton, Iowa.

The course will be offered again on Feb. 2, 2023 at 9:30 a.m., at the Youth for Christ building in Hampton.

Pre-registration is required for both sessions by calling (641) 456-4811. Walk-ins on the day of the program will only be admitted if room allows. The

registration fee is $30, cash or check payable at the door.

The course will fulfill 2022-2023 recertification requirements for private pesticide applicators. Topics to be covered include personal protective equipment; afe handling and storage of pesticides; and pests, pest management and pesticides

For more information, contact Traci Kloetzer at (641) 456-4811 or tkloetze@iastate.edu

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

Wild rice dishes a true Minnesotan can love

Wild rice, Minnesota’s state grain, makes a perfect addition to your table this time of year, and can fea ture in more than just side dishes. Below are a variety of recipes incorporating wild rice — perfect for everyday or holiday gather ings.

KITCHEN CLASSICS

For an excellent overview of our region’s wild rice her itage, harvesting, and importance to indigenous communi ties, I recommend the Minnesota Historical Society’s Fall 2022 issue of Minnesota History.

By Diane Lochner

1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

1/4 cup chicken broth

2 cups wild rice, cooked according to the package directions

Coat a 3-quart casserole dish with non-stick cooking spray. In a large skillet over medium heat, melt the butter. Add the shallots, garlic, thyme, and sage, and cook, stirring, until fragrant and the shal lots have softened, about 4 min utes. Add the cranberries, salt, pepper, and broth and bring to a boil. Stir in the wild rice. Transfer to the prepared dish and cover with aluminum foil.

Wild rice muffins

Wild Rice Cooking: History, Natural History, Harvesting, and Lore, by Susan Carol Hauser, 2000

1 cup cooked wild rice (cooked according to package directions)

3 eggs, lightly beaten

7 tablespoons oil

1 cup milk

1-1/4 cups whole wheat flour

1 tablespoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

2 tablespoons sugar

1/2 cup chopped walnuts

Wild rice with mushrooms and almonds

Betty Crocker’s Cookbook: New and Revised Edition, 1982

1 cup uncooked wild rice

1/2 cup slivered almonds

2 tablespoons snipped chives or chopped green onion

1 can (8 ounces) mushroom stems and pieces, drained

1/4 cup margarine or butter

3 cups chicken broth

Cook and stir wild rice, almonds, chives, and mushrooms in margarine (or butter) until almonds are golden brown, about 20 minutes. Heat oven to 325 F. Pour wild rice mixture into ungreased 1-1/2 quart casserole. On the stove, heat broth to boiling; stir into wild rice mixture. Cover and bake until all liquid is absorbed and wild rice is tender and fluffy, about 90 minutes. Serves 6 to 8.

Cranberry wild rice

Perfect Party Food, by Diane Phillips, 2005

1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter

1/2 cup finely chopped shallots

1 clove garlic, minced

1 teaspoon dried thyme

1/2 teaspoon dried sage

1 cup unsweetened dried cranberries

1/2 teaspoons salt

Do-Ahead: At this point, you can refrigerate for up to 3 days. Bring to room temperature before baking.

Bake until heated through, about 20 minutes.

Serves 10 to 12 as a side dish. Makes great leftovers to send home with guests. Make it vegetarian by swapping the chicken broth for vegetable broth.

Fried wild rice bowl

The Sioux Chef’s Indigenous Kitchen, by Sean Sherman and Beth Dooley, 2017

2 tablespoons sunflower oil

1/2 cup minced squash (butternut, zucchini, or summer squash)

1/2 cup minced turnip

1 cup fresh wild onion or ramps

3 cups cooked wild rice

2 tablespoons maple syrup mixed with 1/3 cup water

Salt to taste

In a large skillet, heat the oil over medium to high heat and sauté the squash, turnip, and onion until tender, about 5 to 8 minutes. Add the rice and cook for about 1 minute, then sea son with the maple syrup and salt. Optional: serve topped with roasted vegetables, smoked meats, or anything of your choice. Substitute one leek (white part, cleaned and minced) for the wild onion or ramps.

Stir wild rice with eggs, oil, and milk. Mix flour, baking powder, salt, and sugar. Stir liquid ingredients into dry, mixing thoroughly. Stir in walnuts and spoon batter into paper muffin cups. Bake at 425 F for 15-18 minutes or until muffins are lightly browned. Makes 12 muffins.

Wild rice meat loaf

Wild Rice Cooking: History, Natural History, Harvesting, and Lore, by Susan Carol Hauser, 2000

1 pound ground beef

3 eggs, beaten 2 cups cooked wild rice, cooked according to package directions

2 stalks celery, chopped 3/4 fresh mushrooms, chopped 1 teaspoon salt 1/4 teaspoon pepper

Meat loaf: Combine all ingredients and mix well. Put into a 9 x 5 x 3-inch loaf pan. Bake at 350 F for one hour. Let cool in pan for 10 minutes. Drain excess juices and turn loaf out onto serving platter. Slice and top with cheese sauce.

Cheese sauce: 2 tablespoons butter

2 tablespoons flour

1 cup milk

1 cup grated cheddar cheese

Melt butter over low heat and stir in flour, blending well. Slowly stir in milk, cooking and stirring constantly. Cook until smooth and thick ened. Add cheese and stir until cheese is melted.

Serves 4 to 6.

Midwest wild rice salad

Perfect Party Food, by Diane Phillips, 2005

Dressing: 1 cup vegetable oil

1/2 cup distilled white vinegar

1/4 cup sugar

1 teaspoon curry powder 1 clove garlic, mashed

To make the dressing, in a medium size bowl, whisk together the dressing ingredients until thickened. [Do ahead: at this point, you can cover and refrigerate for up to three days].

Salad:

4 cups cooked long grain white rice, cooled 1 cup cooked wild rice, cooled 2 cups frozen corn kernels, defrosted 1 medium size red bell pepper, seeded and chopped 4 scallions (white and tender green parts), chopped

To make the salad, combine the rices, corn, bell pepper, and half of the scallions in a large salad bowl. Pour in some of the dressing, and toss to coat, adding more if necessary. [Do ahead: At this point, you can cover and refriger ate the salad and remaining dressing for at least one hour and up to 24 hours].

Remove the salad from the refrigerator 30 minutes before serving, toss with additional dress ing if needed, and garnish with the remaining scallions.

Diane Lochner is a librarian and home cook, living on a century farm in rural Minnesota. She can be reached at 507bookcook@gmail.com v

Buckthorn is easily identifiable this time of year

Are there green leaves showing up when most trees and shrubs are dor mant and have dropped their leaves? The green leaves may be buckthorn.

Buckthorn was brought into the United States in 1849 as an ornamental plant. However, it is inva sive, grows thickly and crowds out native plants. There are no natural controls, insects or diseases that keep it from spreading, and it is listed as invasive on the Department of Natural Resources’ Restricted Noxious Weeds list.

GREEN AND GROWING

By Linda G. Tenneson

female plants and contain seeds which may survive in the soil for two or three years before germinating. The root system is exten sive and makes eradication difficult. The oval leaves are bright green and have ser rated edges. The leaves appear early in the spring and remain green much longer than other deciduous plants in the fall.

Buckthorn is a host to crown rust fungus and soybean aphid. It is illegal to import, sell or transport this plant in Minnesota. It is found in this area and in much of the central and south ern parts of the state

Common buckthorn may grow as high as 25 feet with several stems emerging from the roots. There are male and female plants. The bark is gray or brown and had light-colored corky projections, similar to native plum and cherry trees. The twigs may have thorns.

The name comes from terminal buds around a thorn that looks like a min iature deer hoof. It has small flowers which appear in May or June. Its ber ries are eaten by birds and then spread when the birds defecate the seeds in other locations. The black quarter-to-half-inch fruits appear on

Mid to late fall is a good time to remove buckthorn. However, the plant should be eradicated any time it is identified. Sap in the plant flows down to the roots in the fall which will help herbicide to be carried through the plant. Unfortunately, this plant is adaptable and can grow in sun and shade and will accommodate various soil conditions.

There are two kinds of buckthorn: common and glossy. Glossy buckthorn has shiny leaves and common buck thorn may be shiny or dull.

Small sprouts of buckthorn can be pulled by hand; but larger plants need to be treated with a herbicide. Glyphosate and Triclopyr are common ingredients used in herbicide products. There is a mechanical tool called a weed wrench which can be used to pull large roots out of the ground. Because the plant is such a survivor, it may take multiple years to eradicate a buckthorn thicket. Larger shrubs may be sawn off at ground level and the stumps treated with herbicide. The stumps are then covered with plastic or tin cans to ensure that the herbi

cide will remain and be effec tive. Once large plants have been removed, cleared areas should be monitored for new sprouts for several years. Frequent mowing is one way to continue control. Goats and other livestock are brought into some areas to eat the plant and avoid chemical applications. Controlled burns have been used and been mod erately successful. However, repeated burns may be required.

The web site extension.umn.edu/ identify-invasive-species/commonbuckthorn has pictures and videos to aid in buckthorn identification. The Minnesota DNR also has a detailed web page with buckthorn information located at dnr.state.mn.us/invasives/ terrestrialplants/woody/buckthorn/con trol.html.

Linda G. Tenneson is a University of Minnesota master gardener and tree care advisor. v

Integrated Crop Management conference set

AMES, Iowa — The Integrated Crop Management Conference is scheduled for Nov. 30 and Dec. 1.

This year’s conference will feature 34 workshops to choose from; with topics like utilizing ag retailer data to mea sure conservation practice adoption; waterhemp control; precision nitrogen technologies for corn production; west ern corn rootworm resistance manage ment; and the impact of tar spot of corn and management options.

Additional topics include weather and crop market outlooks, carbon mar kets, fertilizer prices, conservation

practices, soil compaction, updates to fertilizer recommendation guidelines and weed and crop disease manage ment updates.

To register, visit www.aep.iastate. edu/icm. Pre-registration is required to attend. No registrations will be accept ed at the door

For more information, contact ANR Program Services at anr@iastate. edu or (515) 294-6429.

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

Huisman Farms developed income sideline piece by piece

By WHITNEY NESSE The Land Correspondent

When outputs are not enough to off set inputs, or the number of families a farm needs to support increases, many farmers look for ways to diversify. Whether it be custom farming, truck ing in the offseason, or growing a niche crop, most will do whatever it takes to make ends meet. Such is the story for Huisman Farms of Atwater, Minn.

In the mid-2000’s, Tim Huisman and his father, Jim, purchased an unas sembled Salford brand vertical tillage implement from Haug Equipment — a local, family-owned dealership. It was delivered to their farm in crates and the Husimans went to work assem bling it. “We’ve owned seven different models [of Salford vertical tillers] and we’ve set all of ours up,” said Tim. This has led to Huisman Farms assembling many pieces of Salford implements for Haug Equipment.

“A few years ago, farming was pretty tough. In 2019, 2020 and 2021 it was hard to make money,” recalled Rod Lothert, an employee of Huisman Farms. “By setting up our own equip ment from the factory, we really learn how it’s built. Then, if we have to problem-solve something, we can,” Tim said. This has helped Huisman Farms to keep repair costs at a minimum.

What got Tim Huisman into assem bling his own equipment was his desire to learn. “I just like to learn and figure things out, to see how it all works. I like a challenge and I like to play around in the shop,” Tim gleamed. Huisman said assembling equipment has also given him bonding time with his young sons who like to tag along and help out.

In 2015, Huisman Farms built a shop where they are now able to assemble Salford tillers for Haug Equipment year-around. “[Our shop] is what makes it possible. We’ve got room, everything can be laid out — which makes it effi cient. It’s air conditioned and heated so it doesn’t matter if it’s 95 degrees out side, it’s 68 degrees in here,” Huisman said.

Over the years, Husimans have pur chased a few extra pieces of equipment for assembling the Salfords; but most of the tools needed they already owned. Assembling Salford tillers also helps Huisman Farms use their workforce more efficiently and keep them

employed all year, Tim said. In the past 18 months Huismans, along with Lothert, Tyler Slinden and Cole Weseman have put together over 30 implements. Each model has different attachments and variations and takes approximately 50 to 120 hours to assemble, Lothert added.

Each imple ment comes with a manual and Huisman Farms has developed their own mark ing system. Then, when everything is measured out and marked, they begin assembly. Tim said he likes to stage everything in the shop in groups in the order in which it is going to be used. “That way, if I find I’m missing something, I can get it shipped in right away,” he said.

Lothert and Huisman both said they

are getting more and more efficient with each implement they assemble. “Everyone has their own job,” said Lothert. “It’s become easier and more efficient when the same person does the same job”

“Salford makes a product I would consider the Swiss army knife [of till

guys who this is all they use for fall. They’ve gone away from all rippers,” Husiman said.

Huisman Farms did not use their Salford this spring for tillage, but they used it a lot in the spring of 2021, Tim said. “For ourselves, we use the 2200 model for all of our cornstalks and bean ground behind the combine. We have a 5200 model we use on a third of our lighter, cornstalk tillage. It mixes trash very well,” Tim said.

“Our crop consultant has coached us on how to use [our vertical tiller] and when not to use it, and that’s huge. Just like with any tillage tool, you need to use them correctly or you can make a mess!” mentioned Tim.

Lothert and Huisman both comment ed that with the Salford vertical tillers they use, the excellent job of breaking down trash and the fact that they can pull them at over ten miles per hour in the field makes vertical tillage desir able. “From what we’ve seen, our verti cal tiller can be managed over any soil type — even severe rock conditions. Whenever someone thinks speed, they think, ‘I can’t use it because I have rocks.’ We’ve proven that rocks are not a problem for these things. They have been designed to handle rocks,” Huisman explained. Another advan tage, Tim said, is that the Salford prod ucts have all individually-mounted discs rather than gangs.

Over the years, the team at Husiman Farms has gotten to know the ins and outs of each Salford they have assem bled. “We are the ones that do the call backs for the dealer since we assembled it,” said Tim. “We go out and look at whatever the farmer is questioning.”

In the last 15 years, Huisman has only had two call backs. “We take pride in our work,” he said. When the tillers leave their shop, they leave looking neat and tidy.

age implements]. There are so many options of how you can use their prod uct. We’ve heard of people who use them completely for spring. This is their field cultivator, their field prep for spring before planting. And we have

Huisman Farms hasn’t limited them selves to only assembling Salford’s for Haug Equipment. “We’ve set up snow blowers, augers, planters — it’s not just Salford’s. We’ll try whatever!” Tim shared. “We want to be ready and available for whatever Haug Equipment needs us to do. We appreciate being able to deal with a hometown company.

It’s challenging, it’s fun and it’s a lot of work,” Tim said with a smile. v

Photos submitted

Pictured left to right are Rod Lothert, Jim Huisman and Tim Huisman.

Nov. 28 — What is a Fair Farm Rental Agreement — Owatonna, Minn. — Workshop will share exam ples, factsheets and worksheets to determine a farm rent price reasonable for both parties. Contact Claire LaCanne at lacanne@umn.edu or (507) 3300447.

OTHER DATES AND LOCATIONS:

Nov. 28 — Faribault, Minn.

Nov. 29 — Gaylord, Minn.

Nov. 29 — Hutchinson, Minn.

Dec. 2 — Preston, Minn.

Dec. 2 — Caledonia, Minn.

Dec. 7 — Litchfield, Minn.

Dec. 7 — Buffalo, Minn.

Dec. 8 — Blooming Prairie, Minn.

Dec. 8 — Elko New Market, Minn.

Dec. 15 —Willmar, Minn.

Jan. 12 and Jan. 26, 2023 — Online

Nov. 29-30 — Women in Ag Leadership Conference — Ames, Iowa — With nearly 30 speakers to be in attendance, “Together We Lead” is the theme of the sixth annual confer ence. Contact Madeline Schultz at schultz@iastate.edu or (515) 294-0588.

Nov. 30, Dec. 1 — Integrated Crop Management Conference — Ames, Iowa — Workshops will provide crop production professionals with informa

tion and research updates on the past growing season and the tools to prepare for 2023. Contact ANR Program Services at anr@iastate.edu or (515) 294-6429.

Dec. 1 — Annual Dairy Discussions Seminar —Orange City, Iowa — This year’s focus is on cybersecurity issues for food producers including farmers, manufacturers, and processors. Contact Fred Hall at fredhall@iastate.edu or (712) 737-4230.

Dec. 1 — GreenSeam’s 39th Rural Forum —Mankato, Minn. — This year’s topic is Global Partnerships: Integrating People, Businesses, & Governments. For more information, please visit https:// greenseam.org/forum22.

Dec. 3 — State National Farmers Organization Convention — Olivia, Minn. — Some issues expected to be discussed will be the next farm bill, con solidation in agricultural markets, food security in dairy and livestock industries, and Country of Origin Labeling. Contact John Zschetzsche at johnzschetzsche@ outlook.com

Dec. 8 — Private Pesticide Applicator

Continuing Instruction Course — Hampton, Iowa — Topics to be covered include: Personal protective equipment, Safe handling, Storage of pesticides, and Pests, pest management and pesticides. Contact Traci Kloetzer at tkloetze@ iastate.edu or (641) 456-4811.

Dec. 9-10 — Minnesota Cattle Industry Convention & Trade Show — Willmar, Minn. — The 2022 convention will feature MSCA’s annual Cattlemen’s College series with timely topics and speakers. Other highlights include MSCA and MN Cattlewomen annual meetings, live & silent auctions, setting 2022 legis lative priorities, and networking opportu nities. For more information, visit www. mnsca.org/events/convention.

Dec. 10 — Dairy Goat Management Seminar —Orange City, Iowa — This year’s focus is on goat health, feeding, and milk marketing. Contact Fred Hall at (712) 737-4230 or fredhall@iastate.edu

Dec. 15-16 — Soil Management Summit — St. Cloud, Minn. — Learn how heavier, colder soils aren’t neces sarily the challenge they’re made out to be. Hear from long-time, reduced tillage and cover crop farmers as they share their experiences. Contact Jodi DeJongHughes at dejon003@umn.edu or (320) 235-0726 ext. 2006.

Jan. 3 — Crop Advantage Series — Sheldon, Iowa — Iowa State University Extension and Outreach specialists will provide updated management options and recommendations on crop produc tion issues. Meeting will also include continuing education credits for Certified Crop Advisers and pesticide applicator recertification. Contact ANR Program Services at anr@iastate.edu or (515) 294-6429.

OTHER DATES AND LOCATIONS:

Jan. 4 — Storm Lake, Iowa

Jan. 10 — Okoboji, Iowa

Jan. 11 — Webster City, Iowa

Jan. 12 — Cedar Falls, Iowa

Jan. 13 — Mason City, Iowa

Jan. 24 — Le Mars, Iowa

Jan. 10, 17, 24, 31, Feb. 7 and 14

— Annie’s Project — Owatonna, Minn. — Course topics will include financial reporting, human resources, legal, market risk and production met rics. Contact Claire LaCanne at lacanne@umn.edu or (507) 444-7691.

Jan. 18-19 — MN Ag Expo — Mankato, Minn. — Learn what researchers are discovering about new uses for corn. The Expo will also include learning sessions focused on carbon credits, nitrogen, state regula tions, and the 2023 farm bill. Contact MN Ag Expohttp://mnagexpo.com

Jan. 26, Feb. 2, 9, 16, 23, and Mar. 2 — Annie’s Project - Education for Farm Women — St. Cloud, Minn. — Course topics will include financial reporting, human resources, legal, market risk, and production metrics. Contact Anthony A. or Dana Adams at (320) 255-6169.

Feb. 2 — Private Pesticide Applicator Continuing Instruction Course — Hampton, Iowa — Topics to be covered include: Personal protec tive equipment, Safe handling, Storage of pesticides, and Pests, pest manage ment and pesticides. Contact Traci Kloetzer at tkloetze@iastate.edu or (641) 456-4811.

TruSoya soybeans are a healthy bet for Minnesota

By TIM KING The Land Correspondent

MANKATO, Minn. — TruSoya, a high oleic soybean developed collaboratively by the University of Minnesota, the Minnesota Soybean Research & Promotion Council, and the United Soybean Board, came one step closer to commercialization in the summer of 2022 when Tom Frisch, a Dumont, Minn. area farmer and vice chair of MSR&PC, harvested 160 acres of the new bean.

and the Red River Valley of the Dakotas and northwestern Minnesota has a wellestablished infrastructure to preserve the identity of a new soybean.

“For the past 50 years, the Soybean Council has funded much of the research for food grade soybeans in that area,” Nill said. “Minnesota, largely in the Red River Valley, has the most acreage in identity preserved food grade soybeans of any state in the county.”

This

“The beans look phenomenal,” Frisch told the Soybean Council at a field day on his farm in August. “There was a need for someone to grow TruSoya and it worked for me to fill the gap. I believe that if we all do our part, we can help advance agri culture.”

High oleic soy beans have grown in popularity since their commercial introduction in 2012 because their oil provides a trans-fat-free replacement for partially hydrogenated oil thereby making them heart health friendly.

“U.S. soybean farmers have lost food-oil demand annually since the onset of mandatory trans-fat labeling,” writes the United Soybean Board at its website. “High oleic soybeans offer U.S. farmers an opportunity to gain nine billion pounds of that demand for soybean oil from food, industrial and export customers.”

Kim Nill, Director of Market Development at MSR&PC, says that TruSoya does offers the cardio vascular health advantages of other high oleic variet ies already on the market. He also points out that University of Minnesota soybean breeders, primarily Dr. Aaron Lorenz, took TruSoya to an even higher level of heart health with the encouragement of their partners at the MSR&PC.

The University of Minnesota bred the TruSoya to not only be high in oleic acid, a fatty acid known to benefit heart health as well as other aspects of human health, but to have a one-to-one balance of two other fatty acids important to human health, omega-6 (linoleic acid) and omega-3 (linolenic acid), according to Nill.

Those unique properties brought TruSoya to the attention of biomedical researchers at the National Institutes of Health in Maryland.

“We got a call out of the blue from NIH asking us to send two soy oils to them,” Nill said. “They wanted us to send oil from conventional soy beans along with TruSoya oil.”

The NIH fed the conventional and TruSoya oil, along with oil from the CORTEVAS herbicide-resis tant high oleic soybean PLENISH, to three groups of specially-bred laboratory mice that mimic the human lifecycle during their short life. The mice, known as humanized or LDLR deficient mice, were fed a diet

which contained as its lipid (vegetable oil) source one of the three oils. They then sacrificed the mice and conducted autopsies on them.

The result was that the cardiovascular system of the mice fed conventional soybean oil had high levels of life threatening plaque buildup. The mice fed PLENISH, a high oleic soybean, had reduced but modest levels of plaque. The mice fed TruSoya oil had the healthiest blood vessels with almost no plaque build-up.

The NIH scientists recently published their find ings in the International Journal of Molecular Sciences. Their results were also highlighted at Frisch’s August field day.

Most of Frisch’s TruSoya harvest will be sent to Chile to be grown out and harvested in the southern hemisphere’s summer growing season to further increase the quantity of the seed. Brushvale Seeds, of Breckenridge Minn., will continue to increase the seed in our summer of 2023 and will eventually release the TruSoya seed for commercial production. Nill encourages farmers — especially those in the Red River Valley area — to contact Brushvale Seeds if they are interested in exploring contracts to grow TruSoya.

Preserving the identity of TruSoya seed is critical to the success of the new variety. Brushvale Seed has a long history of identity preservation of soybeans

Companies in the Red River Valley, such as Brushvale, routinely pay farm ers a premium for contracts to grow thousands of acres of identity preserved varieties of specialty soybeans for foods such as tofu, miso and natto.

The companies work closely with the farmers, from planting to delivery to the elevator, to grow a top quality crop of identity preserved soybeans, Nill said. They have as much interest in identity preservation as the farmers.

“The elevators for these beans are so clean you could eat off the floor,” Nill said.

TruSoya, with its relatively short maturity date, will fit nicely into the well-developed identity preser vation infrastructure.

Nill says new oilseed crops such as TruSoya often fail because of the cost of going from small bench size oil pressings to large industrial quantities of oil.

MSR&PC’s Agricultural Innovation Campus, cur rently under construction near Crookston, will remove that stumbling block for TruSoya and other oilseed crops being developed.

The campus will include an intermediate size crushing and oil extraction facility and Nill expects a portion of Frisch’s 2022 TruSoya harvest will be the first seed to be run through the plant when it is com pleted in the first half of next year.

The meal created from that crushing will be fed to trout which are being raised in aquaculture ponds. Ongoing research suggests that the high omega-3 in the meal can be passed on to the trout. v

Water quality publication for pork producers

AMES, Iowa — Understanding water quality and how to interpret water test results is valuable for producers, managers and consultants.

Water Quality in Swine Barns – How Do We Define It? highlights the parameters pork producers should focus on when testing drinking water in pig barns.

Iowa State University Extension and Outreach swine specialist Matt Romoser hopes the content can help producers better understand what their water test results mean. It also can help when troubleshoot ing production issues, and determining which situa tions need corrective actions to improve water quality.

The publication reviews elements and substances commonly assessed in a water quality test. It also explains recommendations and research results for specific substances, the impact on pig performance and at what level producers should use mitigation strategies.

Download the three-page pdf publication IPIC 204 at no charge from the Iowa State University Extension store.

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

Photo submitted

photo was taken at the Frisch field day in August. Tom Frisch is standing second from right.

Plumeless thistle not originally from these parts

I don’t know about you, but I’m already missing seeing all the purple flowers of July and August! The fall weather is making me nostalgic for watching all the new blooms of native plants each week in the summertime. One purple flower that always catches my eye is that of a thistle. It’s mostly the non-native thistles that catch my eye, though it is always a fun “treat” to stumble upon a native thistle.

In Minnesota, there are several species of thistle that are native to the state. The native thistle species are great pollinator plants and are often overlooked in restoration plantings. The simplest way to distin guish between native and nonnative thistles is by touch: you will be able to touch native thistles with out hurting too much! Though, this is not the only distinguishing characteristic, so be sure to do some additional research. Check out the Xerces Society for a guide to native thistles in the United States.

Perhaps more widespread are the nonnative this tles, of which we also have several species in Minnesota — including the plumeless this tle, Carduus acanthoides.

Plumeless thistle is a biennial species, meaning it grows in two-year lifecycles. Its first year after ger mination is spent gathering resources as a basal rosette. A basal rosette is a great adaptation for sur vival, exhibited by many weeds and native plants alike. The outspread leaves shade out competition, grab drops of rain, and absorb the maximum amount of sunlight for a plant to later send up a flower.

Plumeless thistle blooms in its second year. It is per haps the spiniest thistle in the state, and in its sec ond year, has deeply lobed leaves that are up to eight inches long with sharp winged spines all along the leaf margins.

Plumeless thistle is closely related to another nonnative thistle, the nodding or musk thistle ( C. nutans), though the flowers are a third of the size. Stems of both species differ from native thistle spe cies because they are very spiny as a result of the leaf bases attaching directly to the stems and extending downward, often referred to as “spiny wings”. Touching the stem of both plumeless and nodding thistles without heavy gloves for protection is never a good idea! Flowers of nodding thistle are

www.TheLandOnline.com

Industrial hemp applications now being accepted

ST. PAUL — Online applications are now open for anyone wishing to grow or process hemp in Minnesota in 2023. A license from the Minnesota Department of Agriculture is required for individuals and busi nesses.

Applications must be submitted by April 30, 2023, and a license is good for the 2023 calendar year. Those actively growing hemp plants indoors past Dec. 31, 2022, must renew their license before expira tion at the end of the year.

The application can be found on the MDA website at www.mda.state.mn.us/industrialhemp. Along with the online form, first-time applicants need to submit fingerprints and pass a criminal background check.

Growers are required to complete a Farm Service Agency 578 form for all hemp varieties and locations planted. This must be submitted no more than days

10 after planting to the county FSA office (or offices) where the hemp is grown.

Growers are responsible for submitting a planting report and harvest report to the MDA.

A grower license no longer includes one regulatory sample for pre-harvest THC testing. Each official regulatory sample collected by MDA will cost $100.

License fees will remain the same. The minimum cost of a grower license is $400. A processing license is a minimum of $500.

The MDA will continue random inspections of pro cessor locations.

Questions should be sent to hemp.mda@state.mn. us or (651) 201-6600.

This article was submitted by the Minnesota Department of Agriculture. v

2-3 inches in size, and disk-like, while flowers of plu meless thistle are smaller and tear-dropped in shape at 1 inch in size. Flowers of plumeless thistle occur singularly or in clumps of two to five.

Plumeless thistle is detrimental for grazing agri culture, can disrupt the native ecosystem, and is listed as a Prohibited Noxious Weed on the Control list in Minnesota. Landowners should actively scout for plumeless thistle on their properties and prevent plants from going to seed and spreading. For more information, and additional identifying characteris tics and photos, visit www.mda.state.mn.us.

This article was submitted by Maggie Barnick, Minnesota Department of Agriculture v

Prepare your backyard chickens for winter weather

ST. CLOUD, Minn. — Many central Minnesota farms and homesteads have poultry on their proper ty. With winds howling and the temperature dipping steadily lower, bird owners may ponder if their birds are ready for winter.

Water is always important to all forms of livestock, and that pattern persists in poultry. It’s important in digestion, temperature regulation, and incidentally in egg production. (Eggs are 70 percent water.) Each bird will generally drink about one quart of water for every pound of feed they eat. Birds should have access to fresh water daily, which on days regularly below freez ing can be a challenge. Heated bases for waterers and highly-insulated water containers can assist in keep ing warm water unfrozen for several hours. (Rubber pans can also be employed to easily remove ice

Birds will consume a considerable amount of feed — especially to keep warm in the cold. High-energy feeds (for example, grain and oilseeds) can be used to supply extra energy. Be mindful to not oversupply, as excess energy can result in feather-pecking. (To stop this behavior, consider using a balanced feed.) An underappreciated focus of chicken management is coop ventilation. Chickens water consumption inevitably leads to waste. This waste manifests as moist droppings; and with insufficient ventilation, results in wet litter which can produce harmful ammonia for the chickens and even the caretakers.

These damp conditions can even increase incidences of respiratory diseases. Large birds and large flocks can produce enough body heat collectively to not war rant additional ventilation. Small birds will most likely need some assistance. Poor ventilation can result in reduced egg production, increased feed con sumption, frostbitten tissues, and overall, very uncomfortable birds. Be sure your coop has dry, deep bedding, insulation and adequate ventilation.

Safety is routinely cited as a concern when consid ering supplemental heat. Barn fires are startlingly real. When evaluating heat sources, great care should be taken to keep them clean, dust free, and shielded from the flock.

Regardless of flock size, ventilation should be evaluated, allowing fresh air in, and moist air out, without creating a draft.

After addressing your flock’s food needs, water con sumption, and shelter, there are still demands which need to be tended to. Lighting plays a role in dictating a chicken’s laying cycle. This becomes very apparent in the winter when natural light significantly decreas es. Hens typically lay eggs when days are long (spring and early summer), molting and stopping laying eggs when day length shortens (fall and winter).

For those interested in collecting eggs when the weather is a little cooler, artificial lights can be used to make the day length the necessary 14 hours (start

ing around Sept. 1). Consider using supplemental lighting and a timer in the morning before sunrise. This strategy supports chickens’ poor vision in the dark, avoiding a chicken being stranded on the floor overnight that could result from evening light. The light should not be overly bright (excessively bright lights can increase incidences of pecking), with an appropriate brightness of one to three foot-candles. A good guideline to follow: You should be able to read a newspaper in an appropriately lit pen.

Many small-scale chicken owners can forget about flock safety until animals are directly threatened. This aspect of animal management should not be forgotten because many hungry predators clearly remember these waiting chicken dinners. Ventilation openings can be an open door for predators to access your birds. These openings should be covered with sturdy wire or screens. Not only chickens, but stored feed may be on the menu. Pest proof your animal’s water sources and feed against rodents, wild birds and predators with secure containers. Preventing them access will pay dividends — not only in flock safety, but towards quality biosecurity for your flock.

This article was submitted by Dana Adams, University of Minnesota Extension. v

Women in Ag Leadership Conference announced

AMES, Iowa — “Together We Lead” is the theme of the sixth annual Women in Ag Leadership Conference organized by Iowa State University Extension and Outreach. The conference takes place Nov. 29-30 at the Gateway Hotel and Conference Center in Ames, Iowa.

Nov. 29’s events run from 1-8 p.m. Attendees can choose from five campus tours including the horse farms, poultry farms and feed mill, agricultural and biosystems engineering, student innovation center, and a steam tunnel and history tour. Beginning at 8:30 a.m., Nov. 30’s events continue through 4 p.m.

Session topics include leadership, managing your cyber ecosystem, the new rules of remote work, agri cultural carbon credit markets, strategic planning, and unconventional health tips.

The cost to attend is $90 for adults and $45 for students. A limited number of attendance scholar ships are available by emailing schultz@iastate.edu

For more information, visit the conference website at https://www.regcytes.extension.iastate.edu/wom eninag/ or contact Madeline Schultz at schultz@ iastate.edu or (515) 294-0588.

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

Land rental agreements can benefit growers and landlords

Arriving at equitable land rental rates is always an ongoing challenge for farm operators and landlords alike; and will likely be an even bigger challenge for the 2023 growing season.

Many times, land rental rates for a coming crop year are based on the profitabili ty in crop production in the previous year or two before. In some cases, this can present profit ability challenges for farm operators if grain prices drop or there are yield challenges. On the other hand, there can be extra profit for farm operators in years with above-average yields and higher levels of crop prices. Many landlords have gradually been increasing cash rental rates since 2019.

FARM PROGRAMS

By Kent Thiesse

MARKETING

bushel for corn and $13.30 per bushel for soybeans. (Market year average pric es are the average farmlevel prices calculated from Sept. 1 in the year of har vest until Aug. 31 of the fol lowing year.) The market year average prices in recent years for corn were $4.53 per bushel in 2020-21, $3.56 in 2019-20, $3.61 in 2018-19, and $3.36 in 2017-18 Recent market year average soy bean prices were $10.80 per bush el in 2020-21, $8.57 in 2019-20, $8.48 in 2018-19, and $9.33 in 2017-18. As of Nov. 1, USDA is estimating the market year aver age prices for the 2022-23 mar keting year at $6.80 for corn and $14.00 for soybeans.

acres for overhead expenses, which includes machinery costs, hired labor, insurance, and other ongoing expens es; but does not include any net return to the farm operator. Most farm man agement analysts expect total direct and overhead expenses for corn pro duction to increase by 15 to 20 percent in 2023, with an increase of 10 to 15 percent for soybean production.

be approximately $5.71 per bushel, which would drop to $5.00 per bushel with a corn yield of 200 bushels per acre. If a $60 per acre allocation for labor and management (family living expenses) is included, the corn price breakeven levels would rise to $6.05 per bushel with a 175 bushel per acre yield, and $5.30 per bushel with a 200 bushel per acre yield. If the cash rent al rate or other expenses are $50 per acre higher than estimates, breakeven levels increase to $6.34 per bushel at 175 bushels per acre and to $5.55 per bushel at 200 bushels per acre.

Approximately two-thirds of the farmland in the upper Midwest is under some type of cash rental agree ment. Based on farm business man agement land rental data compiled by the University of Minnesota, average rental rates from 2015 to 2019 in Minnesota declined by 10-20 percent after showing an average increase of 40 to 50 percent from 2010 to 2014. Based on the U of M data, average land rental rates in the region for 2020 and 2021 increased by 5 to 10 percent. According to a U.S. Department of Agriculture Cash Rental Summary released in late August, average cash rental rates in most counties increased by 5 to 10 percent in 2022 compared to average 2021 rental rates, and have increased by 15 to 20 percent since 2019. Farm management analysts expect 2023 cash rental rates to again show a sig nificant increase in most areas, given the current strong corn and soybean prices.

The commodity prices for corn and soybeans in 2022 reached the highest levels since 2012-13, due to increased domestic usage and higher export lev els of U.S. corn and soybeans — along with associated decreases in the nation’s grain supplies.

The final USDA national market year average crop prices for the 20212022 marketing year were $6.00 per

Current cash corn prices for Fall delivery for the 2023 crop year are near $5.50 to $5.75 per bushel at many locations in the upper Midwest; while 2023 cash soybean prices are near $13.00 to $13.50 per bushel. The USDA Farm Service Agency is using $5.40 per bushel for corn and $12.40 per bushel for soy beans as 2023 planning prices for FSA-based annual farm loans. However, FSA is using only $4.00 per bushel for corn and $10.00 per bushel for soybeans as planning prices on FSA loans longer than one year.

Many farm operators will have sig nificantly higher crop input costs in 2023 compared to 2022 or 2021, and could face some challenging breakeven price levels next year if 2023 land rental rates are set at high levels. Based on Southern Minnesota Farm Business Management records, the average total direct cost in 2021 for seed, fertilizer, chemicals, fuel, etc. (excluding land rents) on cash rental corn acres was near $460 per acre; and was near $245 per acre on cash rented soybean acres. Average direct expenses for 2022 increased consider ably for many farm operators — main ly due to higher fertilizer, chemical, fuel, labor and repair expenses. The 2021 FBM records showed an average of $106 per acre on cash rented corn acres and $68 per acre on soybean

According to a U.S. Department of Agriculture Cash Rental Summary released in late August, average cash rental rates in most counties increased by 5 to 10 percent in 2022 compared to average 2021 rental rates, and have increased by 15 to 20 percent since 2019. Farm management analysts expect 2023 cash rental rates to again show a significant increase in most areas, given the current strong corn and soybean prices.

Typically, southern and western Minnesota farm operators use average yields between 175 and 200 bushels per acre for corn and 50 to 60 bushels per acre for soybeans for cash flow planning purposes. If the direct expenses for corn are $600 per acre, with overhead expenses of $120 per acre, and a land rental rate at $280 per acre, the total expenses — before any allocation for labor and manage ment — would be $1,000 per acre. With a corn yield of 175 bushels per acre, the breakeven price to cover the cost of production and land rent would

Similarly, with soybeans, using direct expenses of $300 per acre, overhead expenses of $85 per acre, and land rent of $280 per acre, total costs would be $665 per acre. The breakeven soybean price to cover the cost of produc tion and land rent would be about $13.30 per bushel with a yield of 50 bushels per acre, which would decline to $11.08 per bushel with a yield of 60 bushels per acre. If a $60 per acre allocation is included for labor and management, the soy bean breakeven price increases to $14.50 per bushel at a 50 bushel per acre yield, and $12.08 per bushel at a 60 bushel per acre yield.

There can be big differences in crop yields and expenses from farm-tofarm, which can cause breakeven pric es to vary compared to the average. Based on 2021 FBM records for south ern Minnesota, the average breakeven price for corn on cash rented land to cover direct expenses and overhead

Grain Outlook Corn sees slight surge; soybeans no

The following marketing analysis is for the week ending Nov. 18.

CORN — Happy Thanksgiving! After a slightly soft start last week, Nov. 15’s headline that a missile landed in Poland and killed two people shook up the market. Thankfully, cool heads prevailed before any retaliation was undertaken. It was determined the missile was errantly fired by Ukrainian air defenses and was an accident, not an intentional attack against Poland by anyone.

In the last half of the week, the United Nations, Russia and Ukraine agreed the Black Sea grain corridor would be extended beyond the Nov. 19 end date for another 120 days. The UN and Ukraine had been hoping for a full-year extension. The current deal’s details will be maintained; but Russia says they still have issues which need to be addressed concerning remov ing barriers to their grain and fertilizer exports.

Russia’s bombardment of Ukraine’s energy grid and infrastructure continued — regardless of the grain agreement.

Rail logistics moving forward are in flux. This week, the smallest union — the International Brotherhood of Boilermakers — rejected the pro posed contract. Negotiations are continuing; but if one union strikes, other unions have indicated they will not cross a picket line. The two largest unions are expected to announce voting results on Nov. 21. All 12 unions need to approve the contract. If a strike occurs, the earliest date I’ve seen it could occur is Dec. 9.

Water levels on the U.S. river system have improved with recent rains. The situation has not been solved, however. For now, barge drafts and tow sizes have been increased. CIF and barge values have declined as the upper Mississippi River prepares for its win ter closure. Demand for barges has subsided on other rivers as harvest completes and bin doors slam shut.

Mexico made the fifth-largest single-day corn purchase on record this week of 73.5 million bushels. Of the total, 48.9 million was for this year and 24.6 mil lion bushels for next year. This was a little interest ing since Mexico has said they won’t accept GMO corn beginning in 2024. In another purchase, Mexico bought 9 million bushels of U.S. corn for this year.

Cash Grain Markets

corn/change* soybeans/change*

Stewartville $6.26 -.02 $13.98 -.02

Edgerton $6.86 -.02 $14.52 -.08

Jackson $6.68 +.01 $14.34 -.06

Hope $6.47 +.01 $14.15 -.13

Cannon Falls $6.24 -.04 $13.97 -.06

Sleepy Eye $6.59 -.12 $14.32 -.03

St. Cloud $6.30 -.11 $14.17 -.13 Madison $6.45 -.13 $14.32 -.08

Redwood Falls $6.60 -.06 $14.27 +.87

Fergus Falls $6.30 -.20 $14.02 +.55

Morris $6.44 -.12 $14.32 -.18 Tracy $6.65 -.06 $14.32 -.08

Average: $6.49 $14.23

Year Ago Average: $5.57 $12.31

Grain prices are effective cash close on Nov. 21. *Cash grain price change represents a two-week period.

Weekly export sales were a marketing year high; but were within expectations at 46 million bushels with Mexico as the largest buyer. Total commitments of 626 million bushels are down 52 percent from last year. Commitments as a percentage of the U.S. Department of Agriculture outlook are 29 percent and the lowest since 1994. We need to average 35.3 million bushels of sales per week to hit the USDA’s 2.15 billion bushel export projection.

Brazil’s first corn planting is 86 percent complete and just ahead of the 83 percent average.

Outlook: Corn had a decent technical week by holding above its 100-day moving average and post ing two outside, higher days. The $6.50 per bushel level is seen as the next support level with $6.80 as the first resistance and trading range bounded by the 50 and 100-day moving averages. Seasonally, corn trends moderately higher through the end of the year. The U.S. dollar had some big swings during the week, but was in a sideways trend. We seem to be trading headlines that incorporate macro influences. Expectations are the Federal Reserve will raise interest rates another 75 basis points in December and we could be headed to a recession may limit the upside.

For the week, December corn was 9.75 cents higher at $6.67.75, July gained 4.25 cents at $6.62.5, and December 2023 eked out a three-quarter-cent higher close at $6.10.5 per bushel.

Price action around Thanksgiving shows March corn has only moved a dime in either direction once since 2011. In seven of the last 11 years, March corn has moved in the opposite direction the day after Thanksgiving vs. the day before.

The grain markets will trade normal hours on Nov. 23, and then don’t reopen until 8:30 a.m. on Nov. 25 and will close early that day at 12:05 p.m. December options expire at the close on Nov. 25.

Expectations are the Federal Reserve will raise interest rates another 75 basis points in December and we could be headed to a recession may limit the upside.

Weekly ethanol production fell by 40,000 barrels per day to 1.01 million bpd. This was the first pro duction downtick in seven weeks to a five-week low and 4.6 percent below last year. Stocks fell 894,000 barrels to 21.3 million barrels, the lowest since December 2021. Margins dropped 35 cents to 36 cents per gallon. Gasoline demand declined by 269,000 barrels to 8.74 million barrels. The fourweek average gasoline demand is down 5.3 percent from last year.

Short-term rain events have helped Argentina’s crop as seen by the Buenos Aires Grain Exchange rating their corn at 11 percent good/excellent and up 2 percent from last week. The BAGE put corn plant ing at 24 percent vs. 36 percent on average while the Ag Secretary put it at 32 percent complete vs. 48 percent complete on average. More rain will be needed going forward as drier conditions are expect ed to return in the next two weeks.

SOYBEANS — Rainfall in South America put a damper on soybean prices to begin the week and pressure extended throughout the week. January soybeans were led lower by a very weak soyoil mar ket despite the highest soybean weekly export sales report of the marketing year. The only fresh daily export sale announcement this week was to Mexico which bought 9.6 million bushels of U.S. soybeans.

The extension of the Black Sea deal keeps sun flower oil exports alive. A strong ringgit and per ceived competition for exports setback Malaysian palm oil to a one-month low. These factors in combi nation with weaker energy markets shot soyoil prices to their lowest since late October.

At the G20 Summit, the presidents of China and Argentina met. China committed to deepening its cooperation with Argentina in the areas of infra structure, agriculture, energy, and aviation. Trade chatter includes Argentina considering offering a special exchange rate for agricultural products beyond soybeans. This has not been confirmed and is still a rumor. Covid cases in China are on the rise and raise concerns about Chinese demand for about everything. Citizens in Beijng were urged to stay home over the weekend.

Recent rain in Brazil and Argentina were most welcome and leaves Brazil in generally good shape. Argentina will need additional rains as a return to

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.

PHYLLIS NYSTROM CHS Hedging inC St. Paul

Put all flexible land lease agreement details in writing

THIESSE, from pg. 13

costs, plus about a $50 per acre return to manage ment, was $4.09 per bushel, with a range of $3.57 per bushel to $4.66 per bushel. The 2021 FBM aver age breakeven price for soybeans was $7.74 per bushel, with a range of $6.53 to $10.00 per bushel. The 2021 FBM average yields were 203 bushels per acre for corn and 62 bushels per acre for soybeans, which were above-average yields.

Considerations for flexible cash leases

An alternative to a flat cash rental rate which may be difficult to “cash flow” would be for produc ers and landlords to consider using a “flexible cash lease” rental agreement. Flexible cash lease agree ments allow the final cash rental rate to vary as crop prices and/or yields vary; or as gross revenue per acre exceeds established targets. The use of a flexible cash rental lease is potentially fairer to both the landlord and the farm operator, depending on the situation, and how the flexible lease is set up.

A “true” flexible cash lease allows for the landlord to receive additional land rental payments above a base land rental rate if the actual crop yields and/or market prices, or the gross revenue per acre, exceed established base figures. It would also allow for the base rent to be adjusted downward if the actual crop yields and prices per acre fall below the estab lished base figures.

Most flexible leases have been modified in recent years into a “bonus rent” agreement. This type of flexible lease uses a reasonable base rental rate which can flex upward with an added rental pay ment to the landlord if the base crop yield and/or base crop prices, or the base crop revenue per acre, are exceeded. However, the final rental rate does not drop below the base rental rate.

There are many variations to setting up a flexible lease agreement between a landlord and farm oper ator — including using yield only, price only, a base crop revenue compared to a harvest crop revenue. The big key, regardless of the flexible lease agree ment, is that both the landlord and tenant fully understand the rental agreement and the calcula tions used to determine the final rental rate. It is also very important that flexible lease agreements, as well as all land rental contracts, be finalized with a written agreement.

Flexible leases can work well for newer or younger farm operators who may not be able to afford the higher cash rental rates for farmland. A flexible lease makes it easier for producers to utilize risk management tools such as crop revenue insurance policies and forward pricing of grain. A flexible lease, with a fair base rental rate, allows landlords the security of a solid base rental rate, while having the opportunity to share in added profits when crop prices and/or yields exceed expectations — such as occurred in many areas in 2021 and 2022. Flexible

leases are a nice alternative for landlords who want to continue to work with long-standing farm opera tors on multi-year rental contracts, without setting cash rental rates too high to keep the current ten ants.

Utilizing flexible cash lease agreements between farm operators and landlords can be a good man agement strategy as an alternative to extremely high straight cash rental rates. However, these agreements need to be fair and equitable to all par ties. Landlords also need to be willing to adjust the base cash rental rates lower as necessary if crop margins become quite tight, as occurred from 20152019.

It is extremely important that all aspects of a flex ible land rental lease agreement be detailed in a written rental contract signed by all parties. The agreement should include the base rent and yield, price determination, as well as other provisions of a flex lease. Successful flexible cash lease agreements — just as any other long-term cash rental agree ment — have always involved cooperation, trust and

good communication between the farm operator and the landlord.

Iowa State University has some very good resourc es on flexible cash leases and written cash rental lease contracts, including sample cash rental con tracts, which are available on their “Ag Decision Maker” web site,: http://www.extension.iastate.edu/ agdm/. The University of Minnesota puts out an annual publication on annual rental rates and has some worksheets available for determining equita ble land rental rates and evaluating flexible lease examples — as well as sample cash rental leases which are available at https://extension.umn.edu/ business/farmland-rent-and-economics. For addi tional information on flexible rental leases, land rental rates, and 2022 crop budgets, as well as sam ple lease contracts, contact me via e-mail at kent. thiesse@minnstarbank.com

Kent Thiesse is a government farm programs ana lyst and a vice president at MinnStar Bank in Lake Crystal, Minn. He may be reached at (507) 726-2137 or kent.thiesse@minnstarbank.com. v

Good weather in South America will hold down soybean price

NYSTROM, from pg. 14

drier conditions is predicted in the next two weeks.

This week’s October National Oilseed Processors Association Soybean Crush report was almost exact ly as expected. The crush was 184.5 million bushels and was the second largest crush for October and the fourth-highest on record for any month. Soyoil stocks were 1.528 billion pounds. Crush margins have declined, but are still historically strong which will help limit the downside in soybeans. The flat price will need to be high enough to keep bushels moving in the pipeline.

Safras and Mercado raised its Brazilian soybean production estimate by 3 million metric tons to 154.5 mmt compared to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s 152 mmt outlook.

The BAGE put Argentina’s soybean planting at 12 percent complete vs. 28.7 percent last year and 31 percent on average; but the Argentine Ag Secretary put it at 32 percent complete. There are concerns Argentina’s soybean acres could be smaller than expected if conditions don’t get better.

Weekly export sales were a marketing year high and the highest since September 2020 at 111.3 mil lion bushels! Over half the total was to China. This moved total commitments from 1 percent behind last year to 4 percent ahead of last year at 1.3 billion bushels. Total commitments as a percentage of the USDA target are 64.6 percent and the biggest since

2020. We need to average 18.2 million bushels of sales per week to reach the USDA’s 2.045 billion bushel export forecast.

Outlook: January soybeans dropped to their low est since Oct. 31 on weaker vegetable oil and energy prices and recent rain in South America. January soybeans have once again moved to the lower end of the recent $14.00 to $14.70 per bushel trading range. Its 100-day moving average is near $14.13 per bush el.

If South American weather is favorable and China’s Covid cases continue to increase, the upside may be limited. At least one weather forecaster believes La Niña’s effects are fading, which if true would lead to expectations that Argentina’s losses may be limited and Brazil would be on pace for a record crop.

For the week, January soybeans dropped 21.75 cents to $14.28.25, July tumbled 17.75 cents to $14.42.25, and November 2023 was 13.75 cents lower at $13.73.5 per bushel.

March soybean price action around the Thanksgiving holiday is a mixed bag. In four of the last five years, prices have moved in the opposite direction the day after the holiday vs. the day before.

Weekly price changes in December wheat for the week ended Nov. 18: Chicago wheat fell 10.5 cents to $8.03.25, Kansas City fell 9.25 cents to $9.34.25, and Minneapolis rallied 5.75 cents to $9.51.5 per bushel. v

Ag education programs lead way to new careers

By TIM KROHN Mankato Free Press

Since before statehood, farmers have been working the rich soils of south-central Minnesota. The grains and livestock produced in the Mankato region con tinue to provide a major economic benefit and south ern Minnesota is one of the leaders in Minnesota and U.S. ag production.

As farms have grown and flourished so has the agribusiness sector in and around Mankato. Soybean oil crushing, food processing, ag technology compa nies, ag banking and many more are attracted to and growing steadily in the local area.

Shane Bowyer, director of the AgriBusiness and Food Innovation Program at Minnesota State University, said the ag dominance in the area prompted the university a few years ago to start agribusiness programs. “We have a lot of alumni in the agribusiness world who wanted us to do more.”

The program, in MSU’s business department, got up and running last year. There is also a new Agricultural Sciences program in the college of sci ence, engineering and technology.

Bowyer said that while the programs are young, the university’s goal is to create a school of ag. “We want to let students know they don’t have to go out of state to get an ag degree. We want to get to a point where we don’t just have a few majors, but really partner with industries.”

While the University of Minnesota has a school of ag and Southwest Minnesota State University in Marshall has a small program, many students seek a school of ag out of state.

“South Dakota State, Iowa State, U of M and River Falls have them. We’re right in the middle of all those, in ag country,” Bowyer said.

A good harvest

While southern Minnesota went into the fall in a deep drought, the harvest, while varied based on location, was good and crop prices remained rela tively strong.

As Mapleton area farmer Pat Duncanson was har vesting in October, he said it was apparent some areas were blessed with timely rains over the summer and some weren’t.

“It’s location, location, location. If you’re in the

neighborhoods where the rain was just right, the yields are very good.”

Kent Thiesse, farm management analyst and vice president at MinnStar Bank in Lake Crystal, said he was impressed with the corn and soybean yields he was hearing about, but said some areas got more timely rains over the summer.

“Some areas only had 8 to 10 inches from May 1 through September and they’re still getting average yields. In central and southern Blue Earth County and down to Iowa, they picked up 15 to 20 inches of rainfall in that period so it was highly variable.”

But in northern Nicollet County, and to the north and west of there, they didn’t see as much rain and saw more variation in yields.

Duncanson said he believes that farming practices his family has been involved in in recent years is also producing better yields, while protecting the soil and water.

“We’re happy to see some of our soil resiliency prac tices are continuing to pay off. Reduced tillage, and almost no till in some cases, and cover crops on some farms,” Duncanson said.

“That’s just an overall shift in our farming practice — much less intensive tillage.”

Supply-chain snags

The biggest story for farmers the past year was supply-chain issues and Duncanson expects they will continue.

“We’ve gotten used to the supply issues. There’s almost an expectation that things like parts or any thing will be delayed. That’s a fundamental shift. We used to get things the next day or two routinely but not anymore.

“Sometimes we’re starting to get more things in a timely manner, but there’s just an apprehension that we don’t know how the supply chain is going to work.”

Prices hold up

Thiesse said crop prices, although lower than early in the summer, were still strong as the harvest was in full swing.

Duncanson said that after Russia invaded Ukraine in February grain prices shot up but then there was

a pretty severe drop in early summer. Since then, with reports of lower yields nationwide, prices regained about half of what was lost in the early summer.

Corn sold locally out of the field at about $6.50 per bushel and soybeans at about $13 a bushel.

“Those are nice numbers,” he said.

Hog prices the past year have been relatively good, but Duncanson said the higher price of corn used to feed hogs has made it an “OK” year for hogs.

And for the first time in a long time, there has been almost no new construction of hog facilities. “High construction costs and higher interest rates means projects just don’t work financially,’’ Duncanson said. “But things will change. It’s not doom and gloom.”

Ag education a focus

Bowyer said the agribusiness and food innovation major in the business department and the agricul tural sciences major out of the college of engineering and technology are new, but he sees a lot of growth and potential.

“It’s starting to pick up and it’s exciting. We’re just continuing to put it together to show we do have ag.”

Bowyer said there are a lot of well-paying and varied degrees related to ag, but students and their parents may not know about them.

“We have to work at showing all the potential and good jobs there are. We have a lot of students from rural areas but farms are getting fewer. We have a lot of students from the Twin Cities who think ag and think farms and farm labor.

“So we were intentional about our name — ag inno vation and food innovation — because then students can see how it funnels into a lot of different indus tries.”

He said agribusiness degrees work into a variety of careers, including ag lending, marketing, accounting, crop insurance, implement manufacturing and more.

On the ag science site, careers include agronomy, soil and nutrient analysis, food processing and a vari ety of other science-based ag careers.

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

FSA elections open this week

The U.S. Department of Agriculture is mailing bal lots for the Farm Service Agency county and urban county committee elections to all eligible agricultural producers and private landowners across the country. Elections are occurring in certain Local Administrative Areas for these committee mem bers who make important decisions about how feder al farm programs are administered locally. Producers and landowners must return ballots to their local FSA county office or have their ballots be postmarked by Dec. 5 in order for those ballots to be counted.

Newly elected committee members will take office Jan. 1, 2023.

Producers can find out if their LAA is up for elec tion and if they are eligible to vote by contacting their local FSA county office. Eligible voters who do not receive a ballot in the mail can request one from their local FSA county office. For more information, visit fsa.usda.gov/elections.

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

Anderson Seeds

A172E3

Relative Maturity: 1.7

Enlist E3 Soybean

Very good stress tolerance. High yield potential. Very nice season long appearance. Strong full package variety.

A182E3

Relative Maturity: 1.8

Enlist E3 Soybean

Very versatile variety. Very good stress tolerance, with very good SDS tolerance. Great standability.

Asgrow

www. dekalbasgrowdeltapine. com

AG005XF3

Relative Maturity: .05

Early maturing .05 RM soybean that han dles heavy soils well with good tolerance to Phytophthora root rot.

AG007XF3

Relative Maturity: .07

Medium-tall plant with good branching and excellent yield potential. Has shown very good tolerance to Phytophthora root rot.

AG009XF3

Relative Maturity: .09

Tall and early-maturing .09 RM soybean with excellent yield potential. Offers good drought stress tolerance.

AG01XF3

Relative Maturity: .1

Medium-tall, bushy plant with excellent yield potential. Offers protection from Phytophthora root rot.

AG06XF3

Relative Maturity: .6

Medium to medium-tall plant with good standability. Offers resistance to soybean cyst nematode, very good Phytophthora pro tection, tolerance to white mold and average tolerance to iron deficiency chlorosis.

AG08XF3

Relative Maturity: .8

Average-height plant that stands well. Offers resistance to soybean cyst nematode, gene resistance and field tolerance to Phytophthora rot, and tolerance to iron defi ciency chlorosis and white mold.

AG09XF3

Relative Maturity: .9

Good emergence and standability. Offers resistance to soybean cyst nematode and Phytophthora rot, and tolerance to white mold. Avoid placement on soils with a history of severe iron deficiency chlorosis.

AG12XF3

Relative Maturity: 1.2

Good agronomic package with average dis ease resistance and excellent yield potential. Has shown potential to handle moderate iron deficiency chlorosis pressure and offers yield stability under stressed growing conditions.

AG13XF3

Relative Maturity: 1.3

Medium-tall plant with good standability. Offers stacked Phytophthora genes for highlevel disease resistance, tolerance to iron deficiency chlorosis, resistance to soybean cyst nematode and good tolerance to sudden death syndrom and brown stem rot.

AG16XF3

Relative Maturity: 1.6

Strong emergence and good standability. Provides resistance to soybean cyst nematode and Phytophthora rot, tolerance to iron deficiency chlorosis and very good tolerance to sudden death syndrome.

AG19XF3

Relative Maturity: 1.9

Medium-tall plant that stands well. Offers very good tolerance to Phytophthora rot, soybean cyst nematode resistance and tol erance to sudden death syndrome, brown stem rot and iron deficiency chlorosis.

AG21XF1

Relative Maturity: 2.1

Broad acre fit with good agronomics. Has shown very good tolerance to white mold, great tolerance to brown stem rot and pro tection for Phytophthora root rot. Treat with

Bringing TECH to the FIELD

FROM

RESEARCH TO RESULTS

There is a great deal that goes into every single seed before it even gets to you. Being on the forefront of science, Renk Seed has been in the agriculture industry for 175 years. Renk customers can be confident in our products, knowing that we are committed to delivering the very best technology to the field.

an ILEVO seed treatment to help with sudden death syndrome protection.

AG22XF3

Relative Maturity: 2.2

Medium-tall plant with excellent emer gence. Offers resistance to soybean cyst nematode, very good field tolerance to Phytophthora rot and excellent tolerance to brown stem rot. Average white mold and sudden death syndrome tolerance.

AG23XF3

Relative Maturity: 2.3

Average plant height and good standabil ity. Offers soybean cyst nematode resistance, good tolerance to sudden death syndrome and brown stem rot, and resistance to Phytophthora rot. Avoid soils with a history of severe iron deficiency chlorosis.

AG25XF3

Relative Maturity: 2.5

Great agronomic package that performs well in high yield environments. Medium-tall plant with excellent standability. Very attrac tive line with an upright canopy. Avoid high pH soils.

AG27XF3

Relative Maturity: 2.7

Amazing yield potential. Well adapted to lighter, variable and well-drained fields. Above-average tolerance to iron deficiency chlorosis. A great fit for high pH soils. Belowaverage tolerance to sudden death syn drome — manage accordingly.

AG29XF3

Relative Maturity: 2.9

Medium-tall plant with good standability and outstanding yield potential. Offers excel lent emergence and very good tolerance to Phytophthora root rot. Below-average toler ance to sudden death syndrome — manage accordingly with placement on well-drained soils.

Beck’s Hybrids

www.beckshybrids.com

BECK 1447XF Brand

Relative Maturity: 1.4

This variety is the agronomic leader for the mid-Group I maturity. With fantastic SWM and SDS tolerance and a double stack of PRR genes, this is a must-plant soybean variety.

BECK 1887XF Brand

Relative Maturity: 1.8

This exciting soybean demonstrates the ability to move across soils with consistency. It is an excellent variety from the start of the season to the finish line with its strong emergence and harvest standability.

BECK 2007XF Brand

Relative Maturity: 2.0

This tall, robust plant style has the poten tial for improved yield potential in stressed conditions. This variety can travel across the tougher Minnesota acres.

BECK 1440E3 Brand

Relative Maturity: 1.4

This agronomic standout delivers a stacked Phytophthora package with consistent per formance across different environments. The SDS, Phytophthora, and Soybean White Mold tolerances will allow for maximizing your return on investment.

Dahlman Seed

www.dahlmanseed.com

7301XF

Relative Maturity: 0.1

XtendFlex soybeans

7301XF is a tall variety that stands tall at harvest time with excellent iron deficiency chlorosis tolerance. 7301XF is brown spot rot resistant and is a great choice for the variable soils of the Red River Valley. 7301XF is susceptible to soybean cyst nematode.

7304XF

Relative Maturity: 0.4

XtendFlex soybeans

7304XF is a medium height variety that performs well on northern soils with iron deficiency chlorosis and Phytophthora root and stem rot history. Plus very high yield potential on the better soils. 7304XF has very good soybean white mold tolerance and excellent emergence and standability.

7308XF

Relative Maturity: 0.8

XtendFlex soybeans

7308XF is a medium height variety with excellent stress tolerance that’s resistant to brown spot rot and stem canker. 7308XF stands tall and straight and hits top perfor mance levels in the mid group 0 zone plus strong western performance movement.

7315XF

Relative Maturity: 1.5

XtendFlex soybeans

7315XF is a medium tall variety that has excellent standability and field appearance. 7315XF has a solid overall disease and agro nomic package. The iron deficiency chlorosis tolerance is average with excellent early vigor and stress tolerance. Yield performance vs. mid group 1 competitors is outstanding!

1317E3N

Relative Maturity: 1.7

Enlist E3 soybeans

1317E3N has the PEKING soybean cyst nematode race resistance and is a mediumtall plant with excellent standability and good soybean white mold tolerance. 1317E3N exhibits solid overall agronomic and disease packages and excels on all soil types includ ing variable soils.

AE1930

Relative Maturity: 1.9

Enlist E3 soybeans

AE1930 is a medium tall plant with excel lent emergence and sudden death syndrome tolerance plus good soybean white mold tol erance. AE1930 moves east to west very nicely adapting to most environments while exhibiting a very strong tolerance to stress.

Dairyland Seed

www.dairylandseed.com

DSR-0220E

Relative Maturity: 0.2

A new 0.2 RM, Next Gen Dairyland Seed brand Enlist E3 soybean. High yield poten tial, with superb emergence and solid soybean cyst nematode protection for races 3 and 14. Solid agronomics with good Phytophthora root and stem rot field toler ance and the Rps1k gene

DSR-0757E

Relative Maturity: 0.7

A new 0.7 RM, Next Gen Dairyland Seed brand Enlist E3 soybean. Excellent white mold tolerance and all-around good agro nomics. Solid yield potential in a defensive bean for your tough acres.

DSR-1121E

Relative Maturity: 1.1

An exciting new 1.1 RM Enlist E3 soybean release with outstanding yield potential. Good white mold tolerance and respectable Phytophthora root and stem rot field toler ance. A medium-bush plant type with a medium-short height at harvest.

DSR-1505E

Relative Maturity: 1.5

A new 1.5 RM, Next Gen Dairyland Seed brand Enlist E3 soybean. Excellent white mold and outstanding sudden death syn drome tolerance. A rugged soybean that excels at handling tough conditions. Shorter plant type with a medium canopy.

DSR-1919E

Relative Maturity: 1.9

A new 1.9 RM, Next Gen Dairyland Seed brand Enlist E3 soybean. Strong yield potential in a Peking soybean cyst nematode line. Outstanding emergence allows this bean to get off to a good start. Great color, stature and standability.

DSR-2023

Relative Maturity: 2.0

A new 2.0 RM conventional soybean with very good looks and standability. Salt excluder for chloride concerns. Rps1c and respectable Phytophthora root and stem rot field tolerance. Manage appropriately in known white mold areas.

DSR-2188E

Relative Maturity: 2.1

A new 2.1 RM, Next Gen Dairyland Seed brand Enlist E3 soybean. Exceptional emergence for tough planting conditions. A Peking soybean cyst nematode line with very good yield potential and tremendous tolerance to iron deficiency chlorosis.

DSR-2562E

Relative Maturity: 2.5

A new 2.5 RM, Next Gen Dairyland Seed brand Enlist E3 soybean. Consistent top per formance across the yield spectrum. Elite tolerance to sudden death syndrome, solid tolerance to white mold and awesome standability. This is a lead product across our geography.

DSR-2502

Relative Maturity: 2.5

A new 2.5 RM conventional soybean with widely adaptable defensive genetics. Strong emergence, very good white mold tolerance and good sudden death syndrome and brown stem rot tolerance. A medium-short plant type with a medium canopy.

DSR-2717E

Relative Maturity: 2.7

A new 2.7 RM, Next Gen Dairyland Seed brand Enlist E3 soybean. A Peking soybean cyst nematode line that is all about the yield potential. Good brown stem rot tolerance with great frogeye leaf spot defense.

Hefty Seeds www.heftyseed.com

H10XF3

Relative Maturity: 1.0

XtendFlex Variety

Hefty Brand 10XF3 is a versatile soybean with broad acre placement potential. Solid all-around defense and very good yields, with great uniformity and good stress toler ance.

H13XF3

Relative Maturity: 1.3

XtendFlex Variety

With great yield and agronomics, H13XF3 should be on just about everyone’s crop plan due to high yield potential and solid defense. Quick emergence and strong early vigor lead to great standability in this variety.

H14XF3

Relative Maturity: 1.4

XtendFlex Variety

Hefty Brand 14XF3 brings forth diverse genetics that make it a great fit in historical white mold areas. Plus, its upright stand ability allows for easier management of weeds and diseases throughout the season.

Z1603E

Relative Maturity: 1.6

Enlist E3 Variety

This Zinesto soybean makes big yields, and its advanced white mold protection and standability make it a broad acre play. Z1603E also has great defensive character istics with excellent stress tolerance, good iron deficiency chlorosis protection, and great Phytophthora root rot protection.

H18E3

Relative Maturity: 1.8

Enlist E3 Variety

With dominating performance in variable soils, H18E3 is a whole field yield king that handles many stresses well, with Peking resistance to soybean cyst nematode, strong tolerance to iron deficiency chlorosis and phytophthora, and very good tolerance to frogeye.

H20E3

Relative Maturity: 2.0

Enlist E3 Variety

This variety is as close to a complete pack age as you’re going to find at a 2.0 maturity. Very good defensive characteristics will allow you to place H20E3 anywhere on your farm, with Peking soybean cyst nematode resistance, Rps 1K phytophthora resistance, strong iron deficiency chlorosis tolerance, and above average tolerance to sudden death syndrome and frogeye, as well.

H22XF3

Relative Maturity: 2.2

XtendFlex Variety

Hefty H22XF3 may be one of your favorite beans by harvest. It’s easy to raise, quick out of the ground, keeps great standability throughout the season, and finishes with big yields at harvest while handling tough stresses like brown stem rot, soybean cyst nematode, iron deficiency chlorosis, and even white mold!

Z2303E

Relative Maturity: 2.3

Enlist E3 Variety

This exciting new bean has an excellent combination of stress tolerance, standability and white mold protection. With stacked resistance genes for phytophthora and high yield performance, Zinesto 2303E is a great all-around bean for both offense and defense.

Legend Seeds

www.legendseeds.net

13E245N

Relative Maturity: 1.3

Brand: IMPACT — distributed by Legend Seeds

If high yield and great iron deficiency chlorosis protection is what you’re after, this is your bean. 13E245 Enlist E3 traited soybean is a salt excluder to help with iron deficiency chlorosis and also has great sudden death syndrome tolerance. On highly-productive soils, this a great yielder also.

17E335N

Relative Maturity: 1.7

Brand: IMPACT — distributed by Legend Seeds

This New Enlist E3 bean brings it all! This variety high yield combined with good white mold and iron deficiency chlorosis protection and great sudden death syndrome tolerance.

20E343N

Relative Maturity: 2.0

Brand: IMPACT — distributed by Legend Seeds

20E343N is a new high-yield contender with impressive emergence on no-till acres and very good sudden death syndrome toler ance. This Enlist E3 variety also has good iron deficiency chlorosis and white mold scores.

Renk Seed Co.

www.renkseed.com

G0170E

Relative Maturity: 0.1

A new 0.1 E3 soybean that features broad adaptability with strong iron deficiency chlo rosis tolerance and excellent Phytophthora protection.

G0570E

Relative Maturity: 0.5

This new .5 RM E3 soybean variety brings together a combination of high yield poten tial and a strong disease package along with extremely strong stress tolerance. It features 1K and 3A for Phytophthora along with strong stem canker scores.

G1070E

Relative Maturity: 1.1

A new addition to the Renk lineup, this 1.1 RM, E3 soybean features strong stress toler ance along with excellent brown stem rot tolerance and high yield potential with above average white mold tolerance.

G1750E

Relative Maturity: 1.7

This new 1.7 RM E3 soybean brings a strong combination of yield and disease tol erance. It has the 3A gene for Phytophthora as well as great standability lending to overall great white mold tolerance.

G1970E

Relative Maturity: 1.9

This showy looking 1.9 RM, E3 soybean brings improved sudden death syndrome tolerance over previous products. It also has great yield stability and stress tolerance, making it a must have for 2023.

G2270E

Relative Maturity: 2.2

A new offering for Renk in the 2.2 RM, this E3 soybean brings solid sudden death syn drome and stress tolerance along with con

sistent high yields. It will work extremely well on most yield environments, but thrives especially well in lower yield environments.

G2570E

Relative Maturity: 2.5

An extremely attractive, new 2.5 RM offer ing for Renk Seed Company, this E3 soybean brings vastly improved sudden death syn drome tolerance along with consistent high yields. This larger bushy plant type lends well to 30-inch row applications.

RS053NXF

Relative Maturity: 0.5

This new .5 RM XtendFlex brings a step change in improved yield over previous products. Disease ratings are strong overall, providing broad adaptability across most yield environments.

RS073NXF

Relative Maturity: 0.7

A new .7 RM XtendFlex offering for Renk Seed, this is a strong standing product that will handle most yield robbers such as iron deficiency chlorosis and white mold. It is also very strong for brown stem rot and Phytophthora lending to high yield potential.

RS153NXF

Relative Maturity: 1.5

This new, attractive looking 1.5 RM XtendFlex variety is a broadly adaptable, stress tolerant soybean that will work on most yield environments. It also has accept able white mold tolerance with strong brown stem rot coverage.

RS183NXF

Relative Maturity: 1.8

New for 2023, this 1.8 RM XtendFlex prod uct provides improved yield over previous strong Xtend varieties, while bringing broad adaptability and strong disease tolerance to go anywhere.

RS233NXF

Relative Maturity: 2.3

This new 2.3 RM XtendFlex soybean is an attractive, bushy plant type that will work well across most yield environments. Strong Phytophthora and brown stem rot tolerances, enhance strong yield potential making this is a must use for 2023.

RS253NXF

Relative Maturity: 2.5

This showy 2.5 RM XtendFlex variety brings very good stress tolerance, white mold, brown stem rot and iron deficiency chlorosis tolerance to the table. Its broad adaptability provides for use across many different yield environments.

DS-3900AM™ 256.7 212.5 44.2 Minnesota Southwest - Early Truman, MN

1 of 42 DS-4510Q™ 276.5 258.8 17.7 Minnesota Southeast - Full Cannon Falls, MN 2 of 32 DS-2919AM™ 222.6 203.9 18.7 Red River Central - Full Felton, MN

2 of 30 DS-3550AM™ 272.6 246.6 26.0 Minnesota Southeast - Ultra Early Cannon Falls, MN

2 of 30 DS-3550AM™ 248.1 228.5 19.6 Minnesota Southeast - Ultra Early Summary

2 of 45 DS-3601AM™ 205.1 192.6 12.5 Minnesota West Central - Early Summary

2 of 45 DS-3727AM™ 218.9 194.4 24.5 Minnesota West Central - Early Lester Prairie, MN

2 of 72 DS-3900AM™ 244.0 214.6 29.4 Minnesota Southeast - Early Dexter, MN

2 of 72 DS-3900AM™ 267.4 222.9 44.5 Minnesota Southwest - Early Easton, MN

2 of 41 DS-4018AM™ 232.6 207.5 25.1 Minnesota West Central - Full Kerkhoven, MN

2 of 72 DS-4219AM™ 266.6 235.6 31.0 Minnesota Southwest - Early Jackson, MN

2 of 72 DS-4219AM™ 215.2 187.3 27.9 Minnesota Southwest - Early Lamberton, MN

2 of 72 DS-4219AM™ 236.5 210.9 25.6 Minnesota Southwest - Early Summary

2 of 41 DS-4219AM™ 230.7 215.0 15.7 Minnesota West Central - Full Montevideo, MN

3 of 40 DS-2531AM™ 186.4 167.4 19.0 Red River Central - Early East Grand Forks, MN 3 of 32 DS-3022AM™ 220.1 203.9 16.2 Red River Central - Full Felton, MN 3 of 30 DS-3203AM™ 236.8 214.9 21.9 Minnesota Southeast - Ultra Early Dexter, MN 3 of 30 DS-3203AM™ 245.5 226.6 18.9 Minnesota Southeast - Ultra Early Eyota, MN 3 of 30 DS-3550AM™ 247.7 229.9 17.8 Minnesota Southeast - Ultra Early Kasson, MN 3 of 30 DS-3550AM™ 244.6 224.3 20.3 Minnesota Southeast - Ultra Early New Richland, MN 3 of 45 DS-3550AM™ 212.0 194.8 17.2 Minnesota West Central - Early Belgrade, MN 3 of 45 DS-3601AM™ 215.8 199.0 16.8 Minnesota West Central - Early Clinton, MN 3 of 41 DS-3959Q™ 227.8 207.5 20.3 Minnesota West Central - Full Kerkhoven, MN 3 of 72 DS-4219AM™ 262.4 240.5 21.9 Minnesota Southeast - Early Kasson, MN

BLUE EARTH CO.

Letcher Farm Supply Inc (507) 549-3168

CARVER CO.

Dave Richter, DSM (320) 248-1794

DODGE CO. Aaron Laumann (507) 251-7221

DOUGLAS CO. Bruce Wussow (320) 766-8548

FREEBORN CO. Nielsen Seed (507) 473-0108

GRANT CO. Bruce Wussow (320) 766-8548

HOUSTON CO.

Irv Schansberg (507) 724-2445 (507) 450-9463

JACKSON CO. Ackermann Farms, Jacob (507) 840-0112

LE SUEUR CO. Howie Mack Whitewater Creek Grain & Feed Inc (507) 362-4777

Tye Scott, DSM (605) 824-0559

LINCOLN CO. Enemark Seeds (507) 828-3695

LYON CO. Enemark Seeds (507) 828-3695

MARSHALL CO. Northland Ag (218) 779-2711

MCLEOD CO.

Tom Maiers Seed (320) 583-4564

MOWER CO. Aaron Laumann (507) 251-7221

Nielsen Seed (507) 473-0108

NICOLLET CO. Mark Legare (507) 276-8115

Voges Seeds (507) 766-0202

Zimmerman Seeds (507) 217-7066

OLMSTED CO. Aaron Laumann (507) 251-7221

OTTER TAIL CO. Bruce Wussow (320) 766-8548

POLK CO. Northland Ag (218) 779-2711

REDWOOD CO. Hoffman Seed (320) 579-0936

Kirk Engen, DSM (507) 240-0034

Swanson Seed Center (507) 828-0698

RENVILLE CO. Dale Filzen (320) 894-7480

Hoffman Seed (320) 579-0936

RICE CO. Howie Mack Whitewater Creek Grain & Feed Inc (507) 362-4777

SIBLEY CO. Mark Legare (507) 276-8115 Merlin Schwecke (507) 276-6900

STEELE CO. Karl Steckelberg, DSM (507) 475-0365

TODD CO. Bruce Wussow (320) 766-8548

TRAVERSE CO. Chad Birchem, DSM (320) 815-8980

WASECA CO. Howie Mack Whitewater Creek Grain & Feed Inc (507) 362-4777

WILKIN CO. Minn-kota Ag Products (218) 643-6130

WRIGHT CO. Austin Benzing, DSM (763) 312-0743

YELLOW MEDICINE CO. Hoffman Seed (320) 579-0936

Data based on 2022 F.I.R.S.T. (Farmers’ Independent Research of Seed Technologies) corn grain trials. No product recommendation by F.I.R.S.T. is implied.

TM ® Trademarks of Corteva Agriscience and its affiliated companies. © 2022 Corteva.

CROP YEAR 2023 TO-DO: OUTGROW OUTPERFORM OUTYIELD

X X X

AG06XF3 AG23XF3 AG27XF3 AG33XF3 AG39XF3 AG46XF3

Asgrow® brand farmers had a lot to celebrate last season. But the only season we care about is the next one. So, we’re back to work. Advancing our breeding and genetics some more. And expanding our broad seed portfolio even further. All to move the industry forward. Again.

Follow our pursuit of The Next Bushel at Asgrow.com

High prices are sinking domestic butter use

This column was written for the mar keting week ending Nov. 18.

Americans chewed through a lot of cheese in September, says the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s latest Dairy Supply and Utilization report. Total consumption hit 1.18 billion pounds, up 3.6 percent from Sept. 2021, the second consecutive month to top year ago levels, and the strongest year-over-year gain since March, according to HighGround Dairy

Domestic consumption hit 1.1 billion pounds, up 3.5 percent. Exports totaled 78.8 million, up 5.1 percent, and up 12.5 percent year-to-date — thanks to low U.S. prices.

Butter usage totaled 162 million pounds, 151.3 million of that in domestic use, down 18.4 percent from a year ago. This is the lowest volume since June, due to the high prices, no doubt. Exports totaled 10.7 million, up a whopping 48.6 percent and up 40.9 percent year-to-date.

Nonfat-skim milk powder totaled 219 million pounds, down 6.2 percent, with exports down 7.1 percent. Total utilization remained below prior year levels for the fourth consecutive month, says HighGround Dairy, nega tively impacted by both domestic and export demand.

Dry whey utilization totaled 79.5 million pounds, off 0.3 percent from 2021. While domestic usage was down 23.8 percent, exports were up 22.4 percent — much of that thanks to China’s increased purchases for its rebounding hog herd.

It was powder that reversed the Nov. 8 Global Dairy Trade. The weighted average climbed 2.4 percent (the big gest gain since Sept. 6) and followed a 3.9 percent decline on Nov. 1, a 4.6 percent decline on Oct. 18, and 3.5 percent drop on Oct. 4. Traders brought 63.9 million pounds of product to market, up from 63.6 million on Nov. 1. The average metric ton price crept to $3,623 U.S., up from $3,537 last time.

Powders led the gains after leading the declines on Nov. 1. Skim milk and whole milk powder were both up 3.1 percent, following an 8.5 percent plunge on skim milk powder and a 3.4 percent decline on whole milk powder

last time.

MIELKE MARKET WEEKLY

By Lee Mielke

Anhydrous milk fat was up 2.7 percent after falling 1.7 per cent, but butter was down 0.8 percent following a 0.2 percent rise last time. GDT cheddar was down 1.3 percent after a 0.9 percent gain, and lactose was down 4.6 percent after dropping 1 percent.

StoneX Dairy Group says the GDT 80 percent butterfat butter price equates to $2.1371 per pound U.S., down 1.7 cents after dropping 5.8 cents in the last event, and compares to Chicago Mercantile Exchange but ter which closed Nov. 18 at $2.81. GDT cheddar, at $2.1527, was down 2.5 cents after losing 9 cents last time, and compares to Nov. 18’s CME block cheddar at $2.2325. GDT skim milk powder averaged $1.3864 per pound, up from $1.3479. Whole milk powder averaged $1.5410 per pound, up from $1.4875. CME Grade A nonfat dry milk closed Nov. 18 at $1.4275 per pound.

European purchases more than dou bled from the last event, says analyst Dustin Winston, as buyers tripled their market share. North Asia pur chases, which includes China, decreased from the last event and last year, says Winston.

Broker Dave Kurzawski stated in the Nov. 21 “Dairy Radio Now” broad cast that dairy demand is typically strong this time of the year; but the question becomes “Is it sustainable?” He said the economy appears strong and the labor market is tight, but the inflationary environment is yet to be slowed by the Fed increasing interest rates. Government spending needs to be cut, he said, but he warned, “Holiday demand will dry up, orders will drop off, and speculators will take their ball and go home.”

Regarding the GDT, Kurzawski said China will be back, but it’s going to

take time. Americans were “chomping at the bit to get out from under Covid,” he explained, but “People are more fearful in China. It’s a different culture; plus China seems to change its tune week to week on this matter.”

He said the GDT was up because the prior three events were down and the lower prices attracted buyers. “Is that a sustainable change in trend? Not yet,” he concluded.

The Wall Street Journal reported, “China’s economy sank into a deeper funk last month as the weight of strict zero-Covid measures, a real-estate downturn and sinking export demand underscored the difficulties of rekin dling growth.” I believe the take-away here is that the GDT won’t be bailed out by China any time soon.

n

CME prices were mixed the week before Thanksgiving. After jumping 19 cents the previous week, the cheddar blocks closed Nov. 18 at $2.2325 per pound, up 3.25 cents on the week, highest since June 10, and 3.75 cents above a year ago.

The barrels finished at $1.9275, 13.5 cents lower on the week, 40.75 cents above a year ago, and a whopping 30.5

cents below the blocks. There were no sales of block on the week, the gains were on unfilled bids, with eight sales of barrel.

Midwestern cheesemakers are run ning full or close to full production, according to Dairy Market News, alongside steady demand. Milk availability has stayed in a similar range to previous weeks, not stray ing far from Class in either direc tion. Some cheese producers already locked in milk pricing for Thanksgiving week.

Demand for cheese is mixed in the West. Contacts reported strengthening food service demand while retail is softening. International purchasers continue to buy cheese, thanks to U.S. competitive prices. Milk production is trending higher in the region and cheesemakers are utilizing the milk to run busy schedules. Labor shortages and delayed deliveries of supplies however continues to prevent operat ing full schedules, according to Dairy Market News.

CME butter, with one exception, saw six consecutive sessions of gain until losing 1.25 cents on Nov. 17, and then

Milk price recovery strengthens dairy margins

MIELKE, from pg. 17

suffered a 13-cent meltdown Nov. 18, closing at $2.81 per pound, down 9.5 cents on the week. That’s still 76.25 cents above a year ago when it topped $2 per pound for the first time since June 4, 2020. There were seven sales reported at the CME this week, five on Nov. 18.

Butter producers say demand has not shifted much the past two weeks. Sales are meeting or beating expectations and on par with pre-Covid years. Churning is at the max and butter invento ries are available, but are newer production. As cream access continues to grow, butter makers are taking more of it but expectations are that cream will tighten following the holiday.

Western cream volumes are available amid strengthening milk output and cream demand is steady. Butter makers ran busier schedules this week, though some are below capacity due to contin ued labor shortages. Retail butter demand is steady to higher as some grocers are looking past Thanksgiving to stock butter for end of year holi days. Food service and bulk demands are unchanged.

Grade A nonfat dry milk climbed to $1.465 per pound on Nov. 15 (the highest since Oct. 18) then gave back 2.5 cents the next day and closed Nov. 18 at $1.4275. This is down a quarter-cent on the week and 12.75 cents below a year ago, on 16 sales.

Whey held all week 44 cents per pound, 26 cents below a year ago, on two trades.

n

Dairy margins strengthened the first half of November on a recovery in milk prices while feed costs moved lower, according to the latest Margin Watch from Chicago-based Commodity and Ingredient Hedging LLC.

“Continued strong demand for cheese in both the U.S. domestic and export markets is helping to sup port Class III prices,” the Margin Watch stated, and detailed U.S. September dairy exports and dairy product production.

The Margin Watch also expressed concern over the health of the Chinese economy and uncertainty

about the extent to which the government will relax its zero-Covid policy.

The USDA’s latest Crop Progress report shows the U.S. corn harvest is 93 percent completed as of the week ending Nov. 13. This is up from 87 percent the previous week, 3 percent ahead of a year ago, and 8 percent ahead of the five-year average. Soybeans were at 96 percent, up from 94 percent the previous week, 5 percent ahead of a year ago, and 5 percent ahead of the five-year average.

The herd was projected 10,000 cows fewer in 2023 at 9.415 million. Output per cow was 24,350 pounds, up 30 pounds from last month’s report.

nIn politics, the USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service announced proposed changes to the foods prescribed to participants in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children. The revisions incorporated recommenda tions from the National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine and the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2020-2025.

Russia agreed to extend the Black Sea grain export agreement, an extension that came under question this week when stray missiles, thought to be from Russia, had hit Poland. It appears they were an accident from Ukraine.

Culling in the week ending Nov. 5 totaled 60,000 dairy cows, up 600 from the previous week, and 100 or 0.17 percent above a year ago. Year-to-date is up 2.5 percent.

n

The USDA’s monthly Livestock, Dairy, and Poultry Outlook, issued Nov. 16, mirrored milk price and production projections in the Nov. 9 World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates.

The Outlook also stated that, based on recent milk production data for third quarter, the dairy herd size forecast for fourth quarter was adjusted down ward, but output per cow was raised. Milk cows for 2022 are projected to average 9.405 million head, 5,000 cows fewer. The average milk output per cow was projected at 24,130 pounds per head, up 20 pounds from a month ago.

The announcement drew fire from the National Milk Producers Federation and the International Dairy Foods Association. A joint press release stat ed, “It is unfortunate for WIC participants that the proposed rule would decrease access to dairy prod ucts and the unique nutrient profile they provide — especially considering the current Dietary Guidelines for Americans note that a staggering nearly 90 percent of the U.S. population does not consume enough dairy to meet dietary recommenda tions. At a time of rising food costs and high food insecurity, we should focus on increasing access to a wide variety of healthful, nutrient-dense, and affordable foods — including both fresh produce and dairy products. It’s disappointing that the proposed rule would limit WIC family purchasing power for nutritious dairy foods — particularly at a time like this.”

Meanwhile, National Milk also called on the U.S. Food and Drug Administration this week to “use existing legal authority to modernize its regulations allowing faster approval of animal-feed additives that reduce greenhouse gas emissions … enhancing dairy’s role as a climate solution.”

“Innovative and voluntary solutions are needed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, including methane,” said Dr. Jamie Jonker, NMPF’s chief sci ence officer. “Enteric emissions directly from cows currently account for roughly one third of all GHG emissions from dairy farms and present an impor tant area of opportunity for methane reductions. Feed composition changes can directly or indirect ly reduce enteric emissions resulting from live stock.”

n

The October Consumer Price Index for all food was 315.3, up 10.9 percent from 2021. The dairy products index was 269.4, up 15.5 percent from a year ago. Fresh whole milk was up 13.2 percent; cheese, up 12.4 percent; and butter was up 26.7 per cent.

U.S. milk production is mostly steady throughout the country, according to the USDA’s weekly update, as pockets of higher output show up in

National Milk also called on the U.S. Food and Drug Administration this week to “use existing legal authority to modernize its regulations allowing faster approval of animal-feed additives that reduce greenhouse gas emissions … enhancing dairy’s role as a climate solution.”

MILKER’S MESSAGE

European buyers are paying high prices for milk

MIELKE, from pg. 18

some areas. Class I milk sales are steady to higher with the addition of seasonal eggnog purchases. The Florida market was preparing for another hurricane.

European milk output is at or near its low point for the typical milk production season, says Dairy Market News. “But as the continental milk output approaches the low point, typically in mid-November, farmers are pushing their cows to produce more milk. Milk buyers have kept pay prices at high levels in efforts to keep their farmers under contract. Inflation is taking a bite of dairy and food sales. Food and beverage prices in the UK jumped 14.6 percent in September, from September 2021.”

Eastern European milk output is nearing its low point for the year, says Dairy Market News, “but has maintained a year-over-year increase for much of the year. So far, Ukraine has been able to export

approximately 14.3 million tons of grain, down 30.7 percent from the amount exported at this point in the last grain season.”

Dairy Market News reports Australia’s farmers continue to wrestle with extensive flooding in the midst of labor issues and production costs. Market analysts see these as significant obstacles that affect increases in Australia’s near term milk pro duction and dairy export volumes. The recent milk production report shows output fell 5.9 percent in August, compared to 2021. “Sources report that cheese production, currently Australia’s primary export focus, is pressured by low milk output. Meanwhile, butter, skim milk and whole milk pow der are expected to suffer reductions in the coun try’s 2023 export market,” according to Dairy Market News.

New Zealand’s dairy industry has “sprinted into November,” according to Dairy Market News, and “indications are for an optimistic trend. Warmer-

than-average conditions and periods of dry spells are forecasted for the month across the country, which some say could be another La Niña weather pattern in development. Meanwhile, market demand is a growing concern with the declines in dairy commodity spot prices. Sources note that the reductions in China’s imports drives the lower pric es; but the least uptick in demand may sway the current bearish sentiment.”

Last, but not least of all, a happy Thanksgiving to one and all. We indeed have much to be thankful for and praise and thank the God who has given it!

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

Iowa sees measurable snow during the week of Nov. 13

Reports from the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship reflect data collected from 7:00 a.m. central time on Nov. 14 through 7:00 a.m. central time on Nov. 20.

Wintertime conditions blanketed Iowa over the reporting period with the first widespread snowfall for the state. General totals were in the two to fourinch range with most stations measuring at least 0.50 inches. Unseasonable cold also persisted with departures of up to 15 degrees below normal; the statewide average temperature was 23.8 degrees, 13.2 degrees below nor mal.

Cloud cover gradually cleared through Sunday afternoon (Nov. 13) with winds blowing out of the south east and daytime highs lingering in the upper 20s to mid 30s. Overnight lows into Monday (Nov. 14) did not drop appreciably, holding in the upper 20s north to low 20s south as clouds returned. Light snow showers formed over northwest Iowa but dissipated by early afternoon with temperatures still below normal but warming into the low

40s.

A broader shield of light to moderate snow pushed into Iowa overnight, reducing visibilities and creating slick road conditions. Snow continued over much of Iowa through Tuesday (Nov. 15) as afternoon conditions remained overcast with temperatures in the 20s. There was a brief lull in snow showers into the evening hours with light snow redeveloping over most of the state, lending to another morning of treach erous driving conditions.

Event snow totals measured at 7:00 am on Wednesday (Nov. 16) were high est over a north-to-south swath of cen tral Iowa where nearly 120 stations observed at least two inches of wet snow; Mount Ayr (Ringgold County) observed 4.5 inches while an observer in Swea City (Kossuth County) report ed 5.9 inches with a statewide average of 1.8 inches. Another wave of light snow moved southeast through the later afternoon and evening hours, leaving behind a few tenths of an inch at the majority of stations reporting snow; Webster City (Hamilton County)

measured 2.0 inches with 1.5 inches in Algona (Kossuth County).

Thursday (Nov. 17) saw blustery northwesterly winds develop with scat tered, light snow showers persisting across portions of northern Iowa. Morning conditions were mostly cloudy with lows in the upper teens and 20s; high temperatures peaked around noon before beginning a steep fall through the day and nighttime hours.

Pockets of snowflakes continued to fly into Friday (Nov. 18) morning with single-digit temperatures in western Iowa while low 20s were reported far ther east. Winds shifted to a westerly direction through the day with after noon temperatures remaining in the upper teens to upper 20s. The state wide average high was 25 degrees, 20 degrees below normal. An upper-level disturbance brought light snow over northern Iowa after midnight with southerly winds and clearing skies in southern Iowa; Sioux City Airport (Woodbury County) picked up 0.2 inches of snow.

Blustery northwesterly winds devel

oped through Saturday (Nov. 19) with clearing skies and highs ranging from the upper teens north to the upper 20s south. Stars were visible overnight as a swing to southerly winds indicated a shift to warming temperatures.

Morning lows reported at 7:00 a.m. on Sunday (Nov. 20) held in the teens under mostly clear skies.

Weekly precipitation totals ranged from no accumulation at several south western Iowa stations to 1.08 inches in Waterloo (Black Hawk County). The statewide weekly average precipitation was 0.20 inches while the normal is 0.45 inches. Donnellson (Lee County) reported the week’s high temperature of 45 degrees on Nov. 14, six degrees below normal. Mason City Municipal Airport (Cerro Gordo County) reported the week’s low temperature of five degrees on Nov. 19, 18 degrees below normal. Four-inch soil temperatures were in the low 30s north to upper 30s south as of Nov. 20.

This article was submitted by the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship. v

Compeer Financial to host GrainVantage event

Compeer Financial, a member-owned Farm Credit cooperative, will host its annual GrainVantage meeting virtual ly on Dec. 1.

At GrainVantage, farmers will learn about trends in the used farm equip ment markets, insights into risk man agement and advice on dominant weather features to watch for in the upcoming growing season. At the end of the event, attendees will leave with a leg up on 2023.

The event features speakers Eric Snodgrass, atmospheric scientist for Nutrien Ag Solutions, Ryan Moe, regional director at StoneX and Greg “Machinery Pete” Peterson, founder of Machinery Pete marketplace.

“GrainVantage offers crop producers the chance to gain an edge in 2023,”

said Joe Springer, managing director of core markets at Compeer. “As we wrap up another year, now is the time to look at the bigger picture and see how your operation fits in with the latest chang es in our industry.”

GrainVantage begins at 9:00 a.m. and wraps up at 12:30 p.m. There is no cost to attend, but attendees are encour aged to register ahead of the event.

Registration will be open until the day of the event. The meeting will also be recorded and available on demand for those who register.

To register or for more information, visit compeer.com/grainvantage or call Compeer Financial at (844) 426-6733.

This article was submitted by Compeer Financial. v

Fillmore, Houston County land rent survey results are in

An equal percentage of landowners from each zip code were sent surveys along with land owners who live outside of Fillmore and Houston Counties. Sixtythree surveys representing 70 parcels of land were returned in Fillmore County while Houston County saw a return rate of 71 surveys representing 86 par cels. All surveys were anonymous.

According to our survey results, 2022 land rental rates in Fillmore County averaged $218.16 per acre with a range of $57 to $425 per acre. The weighted average was $226.42 per acre and the mode (most commonly reported) was $200 per acre.

In Houston County, the rent average was $188.36 per acre and ranged from $80 to $425 per acre. The weighted average in Houston County was $195.57 per acre and the mode was $150 per acre.

The predicted average for 2023 land rental rates in Fillmore County is $221.16 per acre and in Houston County is $190.98 per acre. Surveys were sent to 400 randomly selected landowners in each county. These landowners own at least 40 acres in the designated county.

The results are intended to be used as one piece of the discussion during land rent negotiations, not as specific values suggested by the University of Minnesota Extension. Individual parcels may war rant a land rent value above or below the presented average based on production potential, tenant and landlord relationships, economic goals, and other fac tors. It is the responsibility of the landlord and ten ant to consider all of these factors when negotiating land rent agreements. There are resources available

at each county Extension office to aid in these con versations.

This year’s local land rent meetings are being held on Dec. 2. One meeting will be held in Preston from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at the Fillmore County Office Building Room 108, 902 Houston Street NW, Preston MN 55965. The second meeting that day will be in Caledonia from 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Criminal Justice Center, basement meeting room, 306 South Marshall St., Caledonia MN 55921. Visit https://z. umn.edu/farmland-rental-workshop for more infor mation on these workshops.

This article was submitted by Katie Drewitz, University of Minnesota Extension. v

Farmer’s share of Thanksgiving food dollar announced

WASHINGTON, D.C. — National Farmers Union recently released the 2022 Farmer’s Share of the food dollar for several items typically served for the Thanksgiving holiday.

“Corporate profits and consumer food costs contin ue to go up and up, but the share of the farmer’s share of the food dollar remains low,” said NFU President Rob Larew. “Thanksgiving is a time of fam ily and community, often centered around food, but thanks to price gouging by corporate monopolies in the food system, that meal is getting increasingly dif ficult to afford. NFU will continue to push back against harmful anti-competitive practices and for policies that bring fairness to farmers and consumers alike.”

Even though consumers are paying more for food this year, almost none of that increase is being passed on to America’s family farmers and ranchers.

Multiple waves of mergers and acquisitions during the last several decades resulted in agriculture and food supply chains that are not only uncompetitive and fragile but also underpay farmers.

Included in the 2022 Thanksgiving Farmer’s Share numbers are:

Turkey: Retail price, $1.99 per pound; Farmer’s share - $0.06/pound

Sweet Corn, 16 oz. frozen: Retail price, $2.59; Farmer’s share, $0.44

Stuffing, 12 oz. box: Retail price, $3.59; Farmer’s share, $0.13

Boneless Ham, 2 lb.: Retail price, $12.98; Farmer’s share, $1.00

Mashed Potatoes, 5 lb. bag: Retail price, $5.99; Farmer’s share, $1.30

Apple Pie Filling, 21 oz. can: Retail price, $4.99; Farmer’s share, $1.03

Farmer’s share data is derived from U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service’s “Agricultural Prices”. Retail prices based on Washington, D.C.-based Safeway locations.

This article was submitted by the National Farmers Union. v

The Future of Agriculture Begins Here.

Funding helps new farmers

ST. PAUL — Governor Tim Walz and Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan recently announced a new grant program to support Minnesotans purchasing their first farm. The grant program will be managed by the Minnesota Department of Agriculture and will offer dollar-for-dollar matching up to $15,000 for qualified small farmers to purchase farmland.

MDA’s Rural Finance Authority will award this funding using a first-come, first-served application process which will open at 9 a.m. on Jan. 4. The RFA expects to award between 30 and 40 grants in this cycle, depending on the size of requests. A second cycle of $750,000 in funding has been secured and will be made available on July 1.

Farmers must be Minnesota residents who will earn less than $250,000 annually in gross agricul tural sales and plan on providing the majority of the day-to-day physical labor on the farm for at least five

years. Applicants must not have previous direct or indirect farmland ownership.

Applications will continue to be accepted until a waitlist of 100 applicants forms, or May 15 — which ever comes first. Approved applications will remain valid for purchases closing within 90 days of approval or until May 15, whichever comes first.

The RFA will host two informational webinars about the grant opportunity, with Spanish, Hmong, and Somali interpretation available. Applications and more information will be made available as they become ready at https://www.mda.state.mn.us/downpayment-assistance-grant-program.

Send requests and other questions to RFA.loan@ state.mn.us.

This article was submitted by the office of Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz. v

We build the foundation for tomorrow’s farmers, business professionals, economists, scientiests, technicians, agronomists, analysts, and more.

Contact Nick Schiltz • 507-402-6175 nick.schiltz@riverland.edu riverland.edu/ag

A member of Minnesota State.

Real Estate Wanted

WANTED: Land & farms. I have clients looking for dairy, & cash grain opera tions, as well as bare land parcels from 40-1000 acres. Both for relocation & invest ments. If you have even thought about selling con tact: Paul Krueger, Farm & Land Specialist, Edina Re alty, 138 Main St. W., New Prague, MN 55372. paulkrueger@edinarealty.com (612)328-4506

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Stormor Bins & EZ-Drys. 100% financing w/no liens or red tape, call Steve at Fair fax Ag for an appointment. 888-830-7757

Farm and Family Meet” THE LAND...since 1976

Bidding Opens Monday, November 28th @10:00 a.m. & Starts Closing @ 6:00 p.m.Tuesday, December 6th

Located: Hamilton Auction Co. off Interstate 90 at Dexter, MN exit #193 then 1/4 mile east on Hwy 16 (130 State Hwy 16) Check out www.hamiltonauctioncompany.com for complete and up-to-date listing and pictures! More items being added daily!

’01 JD 9650 STS; ‘81 White 9720; Case IH 1063 CH; ‘80 JD 843 CH; Case IH 2208 CH; JD 930 Bean Head; JD 216 Bean Head. TRACTORS: JD 4840; ‘97 JD 4230; JD 4240; JD 4640; Allis Chambers D-17; Farmall M w/Ldr; Allis Chalmers WD45 w/Ldr; ‘69 JD 4020. GRAIN CARTS/WAGONS: ‘15 Kinze 1300 Grain Cart w/ Tracks; ‘09 Unverferth 9250 Grain Cart; ‘07 Brent 1194 Grain Cart w/Tracks; Unverferth 1110 Grain Cart w/Tracks; Unverferth 5000 Grain Cart; 2000 & 2002 Unverferth 644 Gravity Wagons; Brent 876 Grain Cart. TILLAGE: ‘19 Case IH 335 VT Barracuda; Kuhn Krause 6200 Landsman 45ft Soil Finisher; Landoll 2320 Weatherproofer II; ‘13 Case IH 870 Ecolo-Tiger Ripper; Case IH 9300 Disc Ripper; Krause Dominator 4850 Ripper; JD 2100 Inline Ripper; Wil-Rich V957 7 Shank DDR Ripper; JD 12R Liquid Fertilizer Applicator w/Coulters; Hiniker 1000 Hi-Speed Cult.; Brillion 16ft Stalk Chopper; JD 27 Stalk Chopper; JD 3710 8 Bottom Moldboard Plow. PLANTERS: ‘05 JD 1770 NT CCS 24R30”; ‘06 Case IH 1200 PT 12R30”; 2000 Kinze 3600 16R30”; ‘97 Kinze 2000 8R30”; ‘04 Kinze 3600 16R30”; ‘97 Kinze 2700 24R30”; Kinze 2700 24R30” Corn; Kinze 2200 12R30”; ‘04 Case IH 1200 16R30”; Case IH 955 16R30”. FARM

MACHINERY: Demco 1250 Sprayer; Stine Seed Wagon; Friesen 330 Seed Tender; Rite-Way Hyd. Reel Rock Picker; NH 36 Green Chopper; ‘10 Meyers 3750 Spreader; JD 455 Hydro Push Spreader; New Idea Front End Loader; Gehl 175 Manure Spreader; Swartz Manure Spreader; New Idea Manure Spreader. TRAILERS: ‘13 Trail King 48ft Step Deck; ‘08 Merrit 42ft Ag Hopper; ‘04 Merritt Hog Trl; ‘87 Timpte, 42ft; ‘01 B&B 14ft 9 Yard Gooseneck Dump Trl; ‘14 Sure-Trac 18ft + Beavertail Car Trl; ‘04 Roadmaster Road Boss 18ft Car Trl w/Sides; ‘98 Ruco Flatbed Trailer 8ftx16ft. GRAIN TRUCKS/SEMIS: ‘13 Volvo Day Cab Semi; ‘73 Int’l Loadstar 1600; ‘87 Int’l S1900 Grain Truck; ‘92 Int’l 9400 Eagle Fertilizer Truck; ‘06 Freightliner Roll Back Truck; 77 Chevy 366 SR4 Twin Screw; ‘86 Int’l S Series; ‘54 Dump Truck. AUGERS/CONVEYORS: Westfield 8”x 30ft; Grain King 8”x 62ft; Westgo 1210 8”x 50ft; Feterl 8”x 66ft; 6”x 36ft; Buhler Jump w/Hopper; Bazooka 8”x 56ft; 6”x 11ft Hyd. Drive; R&R Industries 30ft x 2ft Belt Conveyor; Brandt 1515 Under Trailer Conveyor; Sudenga 8”x 36ft; Westfield 10”x 51ft. HAY EQUIPMENT: Massey Ferguson 12 Square Baler; NH 269 Haybine; NH Kicker for Baler; NH 849 Round Baler w/parts; New Idea 255 Sickle Mower; Vermeer 605F Round Baler; JD Sickle Mower; Hay Racks/Hay Rack Tops. FARM MISC: Berkley Tailwater Tile Pump, 6”, 22,000-gal Aluminum Liquid Storage Unit; 1500-gal Water Tank; (2) Fuels Tanks off 8440; Plastic Hopper; Silage Shoot Hop per; (2) 60” Barn Fans; Planter Discs for 7200; 12 & 8ft Feed Bunks. SKID LOADERS/BACKHOE/FORKLIFT: ‘18 NH L228 Skid Loader; ‘18 NH C227; ‘96 Case 1845C Skid Loader; ‘86 NH L454 Skid Loader; Rounder L600 Skid Loader; Bobcat 742 Skid Loader; ‘02 NH 575E Backhoe; Clark LP Forklift. SNOW REMOVAL/LAWN & GARDEN: ‘18 Titan 10ft Snow Pusher; Loftness 84” Snow Blower; Schweiss 96” 3pt Snow Blower; 8ft Snow Blower; Farm King 8ft Snow Blower; Farm King 8ft Snow Blower; Skid Loader Mount Snow Pushers; Snow Blade for 1-Ton Truck; (2) Hiniker 8’6” V Plow; Hiniker 8’6” Scoop Plow; 84” Skid Loader Snow Bucket; Farm King 5ft Snow Blower; JD 2 Bag Bagger for 42” & 48” Decks; Berkley Wheel Horse Lawn Mower; Pull-Type Box Scrapers. VEHICLES: ‘11 Buick Regal; ‘01 Lincoln Town Car; ‘58 Buick Wagon; ‘95 GMC Z71 1500 Pickup; ‘93 Dodge Dakota; ‘97 Ford F350 Service Truck; ‘99 GMC 1 Ton Dually Dump Bed; ‘97 Chevy Z-71; ‘97 Chevy 3500. RECREATIONAL: JD 6x4 Gator; ‘02 Polaris SKS700; ‘03 Yamaha RX1. MISC: ‘07 Vertical Cardboard & Misc Baler; 40ft High Cube Multi-Door Container; (2) 8ft Containers; (2) 9ft Containers. SHOP: Multiple Brand-New Work Benches; Nipco’s; Tools and much more!

website: SteffesGroup.com

Opening November 21 & Closing November 30 at 12PM

Kevin & Candace Lunde Farm Retirement Auction, Lake Park, MN, Timed Online Auction

Opening November 21 & Closing November 30 at 1PM

BRR Farm Equipment Auction, Olivia, MN, Timed Online Auction

Opening November 21 & Closing November 30 at 7PM

Mike & Cindy Portner Farm Retirement Auction, New Ulm, MN, Timed Online Auction

Opening November 22 & Closing November 29 at 1PM

Spurley Dairy Farm Retirement Equipment Auction, Linden, WI, Timed Online Auction

Opening November 22 & Closing November 29 at 7PM

Adrian Farms Equipment Auction, Mountain Lake, MN, Timed Online Auction

Opening November 22 & Closing December 1 at 1PM

Les Rolfson Farm Retirement Auction, Pine Island, MN, Timed Online Auction

Opening November 23 & Closing November 30 at 11AM

Richard & Wendy Jones Parts & Inventory Auction, Brownsdale, MN, Timed Online Auction

Opening November 23 & Closing November 30 at 7PM

John & Lynn Labat Farm Equipment Retirement Auction, Milroy, MN, Timed Online Auction

Opening November 25 & Closing December 5 at 12PM

Kibble Equipment Auction, Steffes Group Facility – Sioux Falls, SD, Timed Online Auction

Opening November 26 & Closing December 1 at 7PM

Loren & Susan Kohls Farm Retirement Auction, Delano, MN, Timed Online Auction

Opening November 28 & Closing December 5 at 10AM

Bidne Family Trust Retirement Auction, Kiester MN, Timed Online Auction

Opening November 28 & Closing December 8 at 1PM

Arnold Companies Inc – St. Cloud Location, St. Cloud, Timed Online Auction

Opening November 28 & Closing December 13 at 7PM

Princeton Area Grain Handling Equipment Auction, Princeton, MN, Timed Online Auction

Opening November 30 & Closing December 7 at 7PM

Stan Barklow Equipment Auction, Jeffers, MN, Timed Online Auction

Thursday, December 1 at 10AM

Hagen Brothers Partners Farm Retirement Auction, Sacred Heart, MN

Friday, December 2 at 11AM

Richard & Wendy Jones Farm Retirement Auction, Brownsdale, MN

Opening December 2 & Closing December 8 at 10AM

Online Steffes Auction 12/8, Upper & Midwest Locations, Timed Online Auction

Opening December 5 & Closing December 12 at 12PM

Adam Schiller Farm Retirement Auction, Crookston, MN, Timed Online Auction

Opening December 5 & Closing December 13 at 7PM

1-D Ranch Bred Beef Cow Auction, Dassel, MN, Timed Online Auction

Opening December 5 & Closing December 14 at 7PM

George Mastey Construction Auction, Foley, MN, Timed Online Auction

Tuesday, December 6 at 10AM

Keith & Brenda Stanton Farm Retirement Auction, Worthington, MN

Opening December 6 & Closing December 13 at 1PM

Mark & Mandy Westrom Grain Handling Equipment Auction, Elbow Lake, MN, Timed Online Auction

Friday, December 9 at 11AM

Howell Brothers Farm Retirement Auction, Truman,

TRACTORS: ‘18 JD 9620 RX Tractor, 36’’ Belts, 1,566 hrs, Powershift Trans., 5 hyds, Deluxe Cab w/Leather Seat, 10’’ Display, Premium Cab w/ Suspension, Premium Lighting, Poly mid rollers, Refrigerator; ‘13 JD 8360R Tractor MFD, 2,685 hrs, IVT Transmission, 5 hyds w/ Power Beyond, Front Independent Suspension, 480/80R50’’ Tires & Duals, 380/80R38’’ Front Tires & Duals, 22 Front Wgts, JD Active Seat, Premium Cab, 60 GPM Hyd. Pump, HID Lighting ; ‘07 JD 9430, PTO, 480/80R50’’ Triples, High Flow Hyd. 78 GPM, PTO, 6 hyds., Powershift Transmission, 6,293 hrs, JD Active Seat, HID Lights; ‘08 JD 7330 MFD w/JD 741 Loader, Power Quad Trans, 460/80R48’’ Tires, 380/80R28’’ Tires, 3 hyds., Joystick Controls, 3,549 hrs; ‘67 JD 4020, Dsl, 3pt, PTO, 18.4x 34’’ tires, 1 hyd.; ‘66 JD 4020, Dsl, 2 hyds., 3pt, PTO; ‘62 JD 3010 Tractor, Gas, 1 hyd., 15.5x38’’ Tires. COMBINES: ‘17 JD S680 Combine, 650/85R38’’ Tires & Duals, 750/65R26’’ Rear Tires, Crary Hopper Extension, Power Cast Tail Board w/ SI Rear Power Fan, 1797 Engine hrs, 1468 Sep hrs, Premium Cab, LED Lights, GS3 2630, Armrest, 26ft auger, Dual Tilt Fore & Aft Feeder House; ‘02 JD 9650 STS Combine, 20.8x38 Tires & Duals, 18.4 R26 Rear Tires, Hopper Extension, Lateral Tilt Feeder House, JD Auto Trac Steering Unit, 3,078 Engine hrs, 2,195 Sep hrs, Single Point Hookup, Heavy Duty Variable Speed Feeder House, Hi Capacity Lift Cylinders, 20ft Unloading Auger. HEADS/ TRLS: ‘12 JD 630F w/ Crary Wind System, Fore & Aft Reel, Single Point Hookup, 50 Series Drives, Full Finger Auger, Low Dam; ‘20 JD 740FD Draper Head, 40ft, w/Crary Wind System, Flip Over Reel; ‘18 JD 712C Corn Head Stalkmaster, Chopping, Contour Master, Lankota Stalk Stompers, Intermeshing Knifes Rolls; Industrias America 842 R Head Trailer, Dolly Wheel w/Tandem Axles, Brakes, Front Bar Adjustment; Unverferth HT 30 Head Cart, 7.5x10’’ NHS; Unverferth HT 30 Head Cart trailer, 7.50x 10’’ tires. GRAIN TRUCKS/SEMIS: IH Loadstar 1600 Grain Truck, Single Axle, 38,000 miles, 16ft Box & Hoist, Roll Tarp, Seed Auger Hyd. Drive; ‘94 Freightliner FLD120 Day Cab, Cummins, 9 Spd Trans, Air Ride; EQUIP MENT: ‘14 Nitromaster 8500 Anhydrous Applicator, 62.5 ft, 25 shank, Dual Coolers, Green Star Rate Controller, Heavy Duty Spring Packs & Shanks, 3 Rear Hitches, ‘14 JD 1775 NT CCS 24 row 30’’ Hi Speed Planter, Liquid Fert with Section Control, Red Ball Monitor, Electric Drive, Electric Meter, Belt Delivery Speed Tubes, Pneumatic Down Pressure, Shark Tooth Row cleaners, Corn & Soybean Units; ‘18 Brent V1300 Grain Cart, 42” Equalizer Track System, Camera System, Scale, Roll Tarp; ‘20 Sunflower 1550 Disc 50ft, Hyd Tilt, 9’’ Spacing; ‘2021 JD 2230 FH Field Cultivator, 69’6’’, Tru-Set w/Single Point Depth Control, Pro Finish Harrow Leveling System, 7 1/2’’ Knock On Sweeps; Agri-Drain Max Stringer, Elec. over Hyd. Dump or just Hyd., Hyd. Brake; Wil-Rich V957 DDR Disc Ripper, 7 Shank 30’’; ‘12 JD 4830 Sprayer, 90ft Booms w/ Auto Boom Hgt, 20’’ Spacings, 7 sections, JD Row Guidance, 2,152 hrs, 380/80R46’’ Tires, 2630 included w/ the Sprayer, 3’’ Fill; JD 400 Rotary Hoe, 40ft, Newer Spoons; Nitro Master 8000 Anhydrous Applicator, 52 ½ ft, 21 Shank, 30’’, Ra ven Cooler & Controls, New Knives; Mauer Pull-Type Tile Plow, 6 ½ft Shank, Walking Tandems, Laser Controls; ‘98 Case 580 Super L Series 2 Backhoe, MFD, Extended Hoe, 4,663 hrs., 24’’ bucket; Riteway 62ft Land Roller, 42 ‘’ Drums; Feterl 9ft Snowblower, 2 Stage Blower, 1000 PT0, w/JD Logos; Woods BW 180 Series 2 Batwing Mower, Cal-U-Dry Grain Dryer, LP Gas, 50hp Fan, 3 Phase; PFM Rock Picker, Hyd. Tongue; Demco Side Quest 500-gal Tanks w/8000 Series Brackets, UFT Rock Picker, Chain Basket; (4) Rock Wagon w/JD Gears, 3pt Heavy Duty Blade, Hyd. Angle & Tilt; Pallet Forks fits JD 741 Loader. RECREATIONAL: JD 825i Gator, Hyd. dump, 6,233 miles, 1,067 hrs; JD 625i Gator, Hyd. dump, tach replaced, 700 hrs approximate hours; JD ATV Sprayer, 100-gal Tank, 12ft Boom.

FOR SALE: Farmall B trac tor, 2 new large tires & tubes, electrical switch, $2,500; Super M IH hood and radiator cover, $150/ea; JD metal wheel rake, $200. All shedded. 320-693-8405

buy Salvage Equipment

Parts Available Hammell Equip., Inc. (507)867-4910

Tractors

FOR SALE: 1957 John Deere 820, looks good and runs fine. $9,500. 651-380-2738

NEW AND USED TRACTOR

PARTS JD 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 55, 50 Series & newer trac tors, AC-all models, Large Inventory, We ship! Mark Heitman Tractor Salvage 715-673-4829

Planting Equip

FOR SALE: KINZE 3200 late model 12R30” planter w/ trash whippers, very low acres, very nice condition, asking $43,000. 507-227-2602

Planting Equip

FOR SALE: Case IH 900 8R30” planter, pull type w/ insecticide, nice condition, asking $5,000. 507-227-2602

Harvesting Equip

Livestock Equipment

Lou Hog feeders, 8’, 10 hole, 7 1/2” holes, Stainless Steel. Also, Tractor chains, 18-4-34, like new. 507-380-4856

Wanted

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

Wanted

WANTED: Older 300HP tractor (tracks perferred), smaller automatic grain dry er, 25-30’ Case IH flex head, strip till rig/fertilizer cart. 218-428-6525

WANTED: 365 to 750 bushel gravity boxes. JD 115 stalk chopper. All good condition. 320-266-6878

WANTED: Newer JD or NH square baler, 90’ sprayer, 4x6 baler w/ net, land roller/ brillion packer. 651-500-4420

2014 JOHN DEERE 640FD 40 ft Flex Draper, Dual Knife Drive, Flip Over Reel $55,000 (320) 510-0468

Livestock Equipment

Calf Jackets, Heavy Duty, Waterproof, Washable, 2 Siz es, With 2” velcro in front $34; With 2” buckle in front $35. 10 or more is free ship ping. Call for more informa tion. Millers Canvas Shop 920-787-1994

Buying and selling silver bars, silver dollars, rare coins, gold coins, gold jewelry, col lector coins. No collection too big. Kuehl’s Coins, Fair mont, Minnesota. 507-235-3886

Livestock

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

Tractors

CIH 9380 4WD, 6367 Hrs., 710/80R38 Duals, 855 Cummins, PS, 3pt., 4 Hyd., Weights, Clean; CIH Farmall 75C MDWD, 327 Hrs., 420/85R30, Weights, CIH L62 Loader, Joystick, LH Reverser; Case 2390 2WD, 4117 Hrs., PS, 20.8x38 Duals, 1000PTO, Weights; JD 2640 2WD, Open Station, 2000 Hrs. Showing, 3pt., PTO; JD 6300 2WD, Open Station, 6275 Hrs., JD 620 Loader, Joystick; JD 4230 2WD, Open Station, 9100 Hrs., 3pt., JD 148 Loader & Bucket; Oliver 1800 Gas Tractor, W/F; JD 720 Gas, W/F, 15.9x38, 3pt., New Clutch; JD 620 Gas, W/F, 13.6x38; McCormick WD-9 Diesel, Restored, 14x34, Weights, Hyd. Pump, Runs Good

Zero Swing, Cab, 147HP; JD 770BH Motor Grader, PS, 14’ Moldboard, Hyd. Side Shift, 1025 Hrs. On Engine Overhaul, Cab, 12’ Snow Wing; ‘07 Ford F550 XL, 11’ Service Body, 2WD, Auto, Power Stroke, Dually, 216,250 Miles

Livestock Equipment, Balers, Manure Spreaders, TMR ~ ‘18 JD 560R Round Baler, 8627 Bales, 1000PTO, Net, ISO, Looks New; Mills 850U Power Spreader Box Spreader, Vertical Beaters, Tandem, Poly, Hyd. Drive, 1000PTO; H&S 5126 Top Shot Tandem Axle Manure Spreader, 1000PTO, Side Discharge; Patz 1200 - 420 TMR, LH Discharge, Full Set Of Knives, 34” Screw, Magnet, Scale, 1000PTO; ‘18 JD 560R Round Baler, 18,260 Bales, Net, ISO, 1000PTO; NH 310 Baler, One Owner; OMC 229 Haybine, 9’ Cut, 540PTO ; (4) Steel & Poly Feed Bunks, Like New; (200) LB White Guardian LP Gas Heaters; (2) Smidly Steer Stuffers; NH 354 Mixer Mill; Haybines, Balers, Rakes and Hay Wagons; Skid Loader Buckets & Attachments; Gehl 1065 Forage Harvester, 2R Corn Head; Gehl 18’ Chopper Box, 12T Tandem Gear; H&S 501 Chopper Box, 16’, 10T Gear; CIH 600 Silage Blower Collector Farm Machinery IHC #16 Slat Bottom Plow, 3x16’s; IHC #16 Hyd. Lift Plow, 4x14’s;

Sprayer,

Westfield Augers, Ripper, Seed Tender,

Grain Drill Hardi NAV950 Sprayer, Twin Force, 1000 Gal., Triple Nozzle, Inductor, 60’ Booms, 20” Spacing, 13.6x38 Tires, Monitor; CIH 870 Ripper, 9 Shank, Levelers; CIH 730C Ripper, 7 Shank, Lead Shanks, Leveler; Easi Load Double Hopper Seed Tender, Tarp, Inoculator; Christianson Bulk Seed Tender, 4 Pro-Box Frame, Conveyor; Wilmer 800 Fertilizer Spreader; JD 750 No-Till Drill, 20’, 15” Spacing, SI Meters; Shop Built 30’, 12R30” 3pt. Side Dressing Bar, Raven Controls; Westfield MK130-74 Swing Shopper Auger, Like New; Westfield MK100-71 & MK100-61 Swing Hopper Augers; Balzer 16’ Stalk Chopper, 1000PTO; JD 28’ Donahue Trailer, Excellent Condition; Demco 1100 Gal. Sprayer, 80’ Booms, Raven Controls, PTO; JD 630 Disk, 15’, 21” Blades; JD 1100 FC, 15’, Harrow; IHC 720 Plow, 4x18’s; Field Cultivators, Disks, Rippers, Plows, Row Crop Cultivators

Travel Trailer, Semi, Grain Trucks, Pickups and Trailers

‘14 Cedar Creek 30’ 5th Wheel Travel Trailer, 3 Slide Outs, Leather Furniture, Clean; ‘97 Mack CH600 Day Cab, E7 454, 8LL Trans, Wet Kit, Air Ride, Jake Brake; ‘69 Dodge 700 Grain Truck, 16' Box & Double Cylinder Hoist, V8, Single Axle; ‘77 City Aluminum End Dump, 26', Tri Axle w/Air Pusher; ‘12 Ford F250 Pickup, 4x4, 146,000Miles, WEX80 8’ Snowplow; ‘99 Ford F550, 7.3L, Auto, 9’ J-Craft Flatbed, Dually, 9’ Western Snowplow; ‘05 Chevy 2500HD, 4x4, 6.0L Gas, Auto, 9’2” Snowplow, 110 Gal. Fuel Tank, 222,950 Miles; ‘96 Chevy 2500, 4x4, 350 V8, 9’2” V-Plow, New Trans.; ‘14 United 7’x16’ V-Nose Enclosed Trailer, Tandem Axle; ‘17 Big Tex Flatbed Trailer, 17’,

Auctioneers Note: Excellent Line of Mostly One Owner, Low Houred, Low Acreage Farm Machinery, Most Always Shedded ONE OWNER CIH 3394 & IHC 1066 CIH 3394 MFWD, 2392 Hrs, 20.8x38, 18 Front Weights, 24 Sp. PS, 3 Pt., 3 Hyd., 1000 PTO ; IH 1066 2WD, 4905 Hrs, Good TA, 18.4x38, 3 Pt., 2 Hyd., 540/1000 PTO, Very Nice

VERY CLEAN GRAIN TRUCKS

‘91 Ford L-8000 Dsl Grain Truck, 7.8L, Tandem Axle, 220,782 Miles, 7 Speed, Twin Screw, 22.5 Tires, 20’ Steel Box and Hoist, Roll Tarp, Very Sharp; ‘78 Chevy C-65 Grain Truck, 366CI V8 Gas, 5x2 Sp., 86,565 Miles, Twin Screw, J-Craft 19’ Steel Box and Hoist, Roll Tarp, Very Clean ; ‘72 GMC 5500 Single Axle Grain Truck, 350CI V8 Gas, 4x2 Sp., 51,530 Miles, 16’ Road King Box, Very Clean

EXCELLENT TILLAGE, PLANTING & SPRAYING EQUIPMENT

CIH 3900 Rock Flex 26.5’ Disc, 21” Blades, Scrapers, Harrow, Like New, ; CIH 4800 Field Cult., 28.5’, Walking Tandems, 7.5” Sweeps, Harrow, Excellent Condition ; White 6122 Planter, 12R30”, Vertical Fold, PTO Pump, Liquid Fert., Row Cleaners, Demco Thumper Pump, SM 3000, Corn and Soybean Plates, One Owner; JD 825 Row Crop Cult., 6R30”, Stabilizer Disc, Rolling Shields; JD RM 6R30” Row Crop Cult., Rolling Shields ; DMI 500 Ecolo-till 3 Pt. In-Line Ripper, 3 Shank, New Shanks & Points; Orthman Strip Till Bar, 8R30”, Row Cleaners; Kewanee 295 Disc, 11 Shank. Disc Chisel, Rock Flex Gangs; RiteWay RR100 Rock Picker, Hyd. Reel & Dump; (2) 550 Gallon Poly Nurse Tank ; JD 27 Stalk Chopper, 15’, 1000 PTO; (3) JD 400 Rotary Hoe, 20’, 15’ & 14’; IH 710 Plow, 5x18’s, Auto Reset; Bush Hog 12 Shank Chisel Plow; JD 10’x6” Grain Drill, Hyd. Lift, Grass Seeder; (2) JD 4 & 5 Section Drags

Terms: Cash, Check, All Credit Cards, All sales Final. All Sales Selling as Is, Where Is. All Items Must Be Paid for in Day of Auction, Loading Available Day of Auction

RESTORED FARMALL COLLECTOR TRACTORS & IMPLEMENTS

Farmall 400 Gas, NF, Fast Hitch, Front & Rear Wheel Weights, Belt Pulley, 14.9x38, Good TA, Featured in Red Power Magazine ; Farmall Super C, NF, Fast Hitch, Clam Shell Fenders, 11.2x36, Front & Rear Wheel Weights, Featured in Red Power Magazine ; Farmall Super MTA, Good TA, PS, Front & Rear Wheel Weights, Clam Shell Fenders; IH 210 Roll-Over Plow, 2x16’s; IH 2 Row 40” Planter, Fert. and Seed Boxes, with Check Wire, Fast Hitch; IH 2x14’s Plow Slat Bottom, Fast Hitch; IH 2 Blade Discing Plow, Fast Hitch; IH 70 Plow, 3x16’s, Hyd. Lift; IH 7’ Disc, Fast Hitch, Disassembled; (2) IHC Fast Hitch, Carry All Frame (1 Small Tang, 1 Large Tang)

JOHN DEERE 4020, 3020, 730 DIESEL

JD 4020 Dsl, Synchro, 7935 Hrs, 18.4x34, 3 Pt., 540/1000 PTO; JD 3020 Dsl., Side Console, Fenders, 16.9x34, 2 Hyd., 540/1000 PTO, 3 Pt., 9659 Hrs, One Owner, JD 46A Loader, Joystick; JD 730 Diesel, Elec. Start, 5359 Hrs, Air Stack, 3 Pt., Fenders, 2 Hyd.; (2) JD Wheel Weights ; JD Double Front Weight; Set of JD Fenders

GOOD FARM EQUIPMENT, MOTORCYCLE, SNOWMOBILES

JD MX7 Rotary Mower, 7’ ; Dakon 150 Bu Gravity Box, Running Gear ; 210 Gal. Slide in Pickup Box Poly Tank ; JD 9W Sickle Mower, 3 Pt.; 110 Gal. Fuel Tank, Hand Pump ; Farm King 960 Snowblower, 540 PTO, Dual Augers, Hyd. Spout; Speed Co Cat 2, Quick Hitch; JD 45 Manure Spreader; Woods 3 Pt. Rear Blade, 8’; For-Most Livestock Headgate; Livestock Gates and

Swine

FOR SALE: Yorkshire, Hamp shire, Duroc, cross bred boars, and gilts. Top quality. Excellent herd health. No PRSS. Delivery available. 320-760-0365

Spot, Duroc, Chester White, Boars & Gilts available. Monthly PRRS and PEDV. Delivery available. Steve Resler. 507-456-7746

Horses & Tack

3 Reg. Arabian mares: bay straight Egyptian - bred to black straight Egyptian. A chestnut & black- both open. Asking $3,000 each. 608-297-2021 leave message

Pets & Supplies

English Shepherd Puppies. Great w/ kids & animals. Born Oct 6. Puppies are be ing raised outside so will be used to cold weather. $250/ ea. 507-362-4567 for more de tails & to request photos.

Pets & Supplies

Rat terrier puppies for sale, born 10/11/22. Make great pets and good mouse and rat dogs. 3 males and 3 females. 952-292-8347

Miscellaneous

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

PARMA DRAINAGE PUMPS New pumps & parts on hand. Call Minnesota’s largest dis tributor

HJ Olson & Company 320-974-8990 Cell - 320-212-5336

REINKE IRRIGATION Sales & Service

New & Used For your irrigation needs 888-830-7757 or 507-276-2073

Tree trimming, cutting and removal. Boom Truck & Insured. Call or Text Josh Linder 507-995-7081

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Agri Systems/Systems West 7

Auctioneer Alley

23

Beck's Hybrids 1

Blue Horizon Energy Cover Wrap

Crystal Valley Coop 4

Dan Pike Clerking

22

Freudenthal Dairy 19

Greenwald Farm Center 29

Hamilton Auction Service ................................................................................ 24, 26

Hanson Silo 9

Hertz Farm Management 23

Hughes Auction & Real Estate

22

Kerkhoff Auction 25

Landproz 23

Mathiowetz Construction Co.

6

Matt Maring Auction Co. 27, 28

Northland Buildings 16

Omaha Steaks

18

Pioneer 3

Pruess Elevator, Inc. 28

Ranch & Farm Auctions 27, 28

Riverland Community College

21

Rush River Steel & Trim 11

Safe Step 18

Schweiss Doors

27

Smiths Mill Implement, Inc. 29

Snirt Stopper, LLC 13

Spanier Welding

5

Steffes Group 24, 25, 29

Sullivan Auctioneers 26

Wealth Enhancement Group

Asgrow

Beck's Hybrids S4, S5

Dairyland Seed Co., Inc.

Don and Dave’s Store, which is at the inter section of County Road 26 and the Long Prairie River in Moran Township, Todd County Minnesota, celebrated 65 years of continuous business last Oct. 1. Operated first by Don and June Noska, then Don and his son Dave, and for the last 48 years just Dave, the store started as Don’s dream to have a place in the middle of nowhere — too far from nearby Staples and too far from Browerville — for local people to gas up their cars, grab a beer or pop, and maybe an ice cream cone for the kids. There was a counter and stools and there were some booths to relax a bit, or visit with neighbors after a day putting up hay or maybe an early November morning on a deer stand.

The booths are gone now; but the counter, worn in a warm and friendly way, and ice cream and gas and beer are still there. And so is the feel that this is a neighborhood store.

“My customers are my boss,” Dave, now 76, says. “This is not a corporate store. I treat my customers right and take care of them and they keep coming back.”

Be Dave’s boss

Dave, who says he works to make every day a good day, sees the peo ple who come to get gas or groceries or deli-meat, as more than custom ers. He’s known most of them, young and old, for years. Take the older fellow in denim coveralls who Dave has been chatting with.

“He comes in once or twice a year,” Dave said. “He just bought a deer license like he does every year. I like my customers to walk out of here with a smile on their face.”

Don and Dave’s is not a conve nience store — although it is conve nient for the neighborhood that it’s there. Dave says it’s a “gas and gro ceries” store and it is that for sure. But it has things like wooden clothes pins, brooms, baking pans, milk, motor oil, frozen stew meat, night crawlers, snacks, office and school supplies, canning lids, and a very long list of items that only Dave and his customers know are there. As Dave might say, his customers, or many bosses, determine what he has in inventory.

Don and Dave’s is open from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. every day. If you do stop by, be sure to check out the beautiful barn quilt made by Dave’s wife Mary. It’s got an ice cream cone in the center. v

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

Todd