The Land - February 17, 2023

COLUMNS

Your land

Back in September of 1976, The Land began appearing in mailboxes throughout southern Minnesota. To show what comes around goes around, the headline story on the first edition of The Land was about the current drought conditions and its impact on area farmers.

In 2023, drought is still in the news along with other weather-related topics such as climate change and the impact of record-breaking rain and wind events on area farms. Erosion and deteriorating water quality has spawned an entirely new glossary of farm issues: runoff, buffers, silvopastures, CSP, cover crops and vertical tilling.

The 2008 Farm Bill introduced the Conservation Stewardship Program — a voluntary program where farmers implement practices which expands on the benefits of cleaner water and air, healthier soil and better wildlife habitat, all while improving agricultural operations.

STAFF

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Because of the nature of articles appearing in The Land, product or business names may be included to provide clarity. This does not constitute an endorsement of any product or business. Opinions and viewpoints expressed in editorials or by news sources are not necessarily those of the management.

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LAND MINDS

By Paul Malchow

But through it all, over the years, one constant has remained — the basic backbone of farming: the land. Back in the days of my youth, no one ever talked about soil health. It was simply common sense to take care of the precious few acres each farm had to earn a living. Crops were regularly rotated, pasture land was plentiful — as were the number of farm homesteads in every township.

Over the years, pastures were plowed, sloughs were drained, forests were cleared and a landscape once filled with barns and chicken coops became large expanses of black dirt. Top soil fell victim to Minnesota’s harsh winter winds.

The economic crisis of the 1980s dealt the final fatal blow. Double-digit interest rates left many farmers hopelessly in debt with nowhere to turn. Foreclosures and auctions were as common as bib overalls and the core of small rural towns was changed forever.

The 1985 Farm Bill was a landmark lifesaver for those still able to farm. It allowed lower commodity price and income supports and established a dairy herd buyout program. It also gave birth to today’s conservation practices. The Conservation Reserve Program made its debut in the 1985 bill. The program provided incentives for landowners to put a portion of their acreage into conservation — particularly on lands which would be more productive as wildlife habitat than they would be for crops.

In 1987, 15 million acres were enrolled in CRP, and by 1990 more than 30 million acres were enrolled. But by 2007 the Conservation Reserve Program was losing its allure. Increased use of corn for ethanol production and higher export volumes of soybeans made crop farming more profitable. Farmers could make more money growing grain or renting acreage than having land sit idle for the 10-15 year CRP agreement.

States in the central portion of the U.S., from North Dakota down through Texas, make up the vast majority of CRP acres in 2022. But the steep decline (over 12 million acres) in CRP enrollment was doing little to deal with an ongoing need for conservation farming practices.

CSP offers annual payments for implementing these practices and operating and maintaining existing conservation efforts. Annual payments range from $1.56 to $14.06 per acre as reward for past conservation efforts and maintenance costs, plus enhancement payments for adding certain conservation management practices. In addition, 50 percent costshare is available for other new conservation practices. CSP contracts are for five years. Farmers who successfully fulfill the initial contract and agree to achieve additional conservation objectives can apply to renew the contract.

A recent survey by the Center of Rural Affairs of 421 farmers and ranchers in Nebraska, Iowa, South Dakota, Minnesota and Kansas indicates CSP has promise. Nearly 79 percent of respondents identified the program’s ability to improve the affordability of conservation practices. More than 70 percent of participants said the program improved or is improving the financial health of their operations. About 77 percent of respondents said CSP-supported conservation efforts have improved or are improving their soil health.

Feedback in the survey also showed there are areas in need of improvement within the program. Under 50 percent of respondents reported that CSP has or is helping them understand the nutrient levels in their fields, which shows there’s a need for the Natural Resources Conservation Service to expand its support services for soil testing and data interpretation. More than 58 percent of respondents believe there should be more practices from which to choose. Nearly 75 percent believe they should be able to expand on previous practices in their renewal contract.

Additionally, respondents said the program becomes less accessible after the first five-year contract has been renewed. The renewal process, according to their feedback, was more difficult than their initial CSP contract and would like to see this change.

In President Biden’s recent State of the Union address, the “climate crisis” received a fair amount of air time although the agricultural aspects did not. However, all indications show conservation practices will be a major component of the upcoming Farm Bill.

How big of a piece of the Farm Bill pie will go to further finance conservation efforts is a big question. The enormity of the bill and the services it provides already carries a hefty price tag. The 2018

Your farm, your legacy

Your notes are appreciated

LAND MINDS, from pg. 2

Farm Bill clocked in at $428 billion. Inflation and a growing number of eligible recipients is expected to balloon funding for the bill’s nutrition programs alone.

It’s encouraging to see farmers lauding the benefits of conservation and soil health. It looks promising for the long haul. Whether U.S. taxpayers and their congressional representatives share that enthusiasm remains to be seen.

“This land is your land…”

The Land’s mailbox has been loaded with subscription renewals and we are certainly thankful for that. Some of our readers send along comments and suggestions and we are thankful for those as well.

A number of subscribers were gracious with their praise for The Land’s feature articles. “The Land has brought me so many smiles and chuckles over the years,” one person wrote. “Your staff writers’ articles are looked forward to every issue. Thanks again and happy new year to the entire staff!”

“We enjoy your magazine at home and then share it with others at the local nursing home,” another subscriber wrote. “Thank you for your great articles!”

Richard Martinson commented on a photo which accompanied Renae B. Vander Schaaf’s “From My Farmhouse Kitchen” column. “In regards to your Twin City KT tractor: it was a great surprise to see it in the paper. I have a Twin City also; but my tractor is a KTA. The KTs were made from 1929 to 1935 and my Twin City KTA was made the last half of 1935 to 1939. Minneapolis Moline bought out Twin City.”

And sometimes the little things mean a lot. A reader from Zumbrota, Minn. wrote, “I really enjoy the Word Find you have in the magazine.”

The Land is truly blessed to have talented writers and equally blessed to have such loyal readers. We think we have many more interesting articles to share in 2023 and hope you enjoy them all.

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

Farming is a way of life and a family’s valuable legacy. With a well-planned charitable gift of your farmland to the University of Minnesota, you can make a lasting difference for future generations. You may designate your gift to benefit any program, college, or campus you choose, to be used in a way that’s most meaningful to you.

Like each farm, each farm gift is unique. Contact the University of Minnesota Foundation planned giving staff to discuss your options.

Letter: Guebert’s column a surprise

To the Editor,

It looks like a little investigative reporting happened at The Land newspaper. Alan Guebert’s article titled “The Great Carbon Boondoggle” (The Land, Feb. 3) is one of very few that expose the carbon sequestration hoax.

nauseam of the benefit of carbon sequestration without data to back carbon measurements. It is reported, however, that farmers haven’t bought into the carbon programs yet. Why? We are critical thinkers! We use common sense! The biggest threat to the “local oligarchs and distant financiers”, as Alan Guebert calls them.

612-624-3333 | 800-775-2187

plgiving@umn.edu

z.umn.edu/farmgift

I’m surprised that you would even allow this article to be printed because it doesn’t follow the narrative of manmade climate change reported by almost every other media outlet. It’s very difficult to find any stories that report an opposing view of climate change, an eerie parallel to Covid and the vaccine hoax. I’m honestly surprised that the Oakland Institute hasn’t been censored or that Alan Guebert is able to refer to the Oakland Institute.

Agriculture magazines report ad

Don’t you find it ironic that back in 2013, OSHA warned us of wearing N-95 masks for more than 15 minutes can be hazardous to our health because of the toxic build-up of the poisonous levels of CO2? But yet we force a whole society to wear them for two years.

Wake up folks, a lot of farmers aren’t buying “The Greatest Carbon Sequestration Boondoggle”.

Chip Callister Cannon Falls,

Minn.

Didn’t everyone ‘fall’ plow in mild, warm February?

Winter’s icy winds, stinging snow, and below-zero temperatures finally found our slice of the upper Midwest late last month. Unlike northern winters of the past, this Arctic blast was a quick slap of shattering cold followed by a warm, 40-degree hug of sunshine to melt its accompanying snow and icy heart.

A fast, almost 50-degree turnaround in temperature isn’t anything new to this aging southern Illinois farmboy. Mild winters (and, granted, sultry summers) defined the bottom third of the Prairie State during my youth. In fact, I never knew farmland froze solid during the Illinois winter until I migrated 200 miles north to the Big U.

FARM & FOOD FILE

By Alan Guebert

OPINION

to any other man or beast. Finally, in a mid-1960s barn remodel, Dad splurged and had a gas furnace installed in the feed room above the parlor. Its blower pumped warm, dry air directly on Dad and into an adjoining milk room.

Howard, our long-time herdsman, loved the upgrade. After it was installed, forever glass-half-full Howard spent every spare winter moment (when he wasn’t milking, feeding, or cleaning up after Holsteins) looking out the south-facing windows of the now-toasty milk room puffing on his pipe in warm, happy silence.

creature that knew how to build a dry, warm winter nest from fine wheat straw hand-delivered by some nice man blowing his nose in a red handkerchief.

Dad’s straw line of defense did, however, keep the water lines to our home’s only bathroom from freezing whenever the temperature dropped under 25 degrees. Of course, you had to keep the room’s propane stove lit and the water running (both hot and cold, please) to ensure the morning delivered you back into the same century you had left the night before.

It was a revelation: What, no one in central Illinois fall plowed in February? We did almost every old (or was it new?) crop year.

Indeed, my great Uncle Honey, an experienced mangler of semi-mounted plows no matter the season, never waited for any “spring thaw” to finish our fall plowing. If there was dirt to turn, Honey and his 1850 Oliver (one swaddled in layers of denim, the other in Heat-Houser canvas) throttled-up and hit the dead furrow.

My father was just the opposite. He loved spring, welcomed summer, relished fall, but despised winter. “It’s easy to cool off,” he said by way of explanation, “but it’s hard to warm up.”

His strong opinion was shaped by decades — sixhours-a-day at a time — in an icy, concrete-block milking parlor. No matter the weather, from November through March, that parlor was, as Dad would say, “colder than a well digger’s foot.”

For a dozen or so of those winters, the only heat in the wet, cold parlor came from steaming cows and an open-flamed, propane-fueled stove the size of a small suitcase. It warmed the barn cats and an adult’s knees perfectly fine; but offered little comfort

Our home got a coal oil furnace a few years before the dairy barn. It was undersized and wheezed air that smelled like burned coal oil; but it raised the overall temperature in our drafty farmhouse to, maybe, the high-50s on sunny winter afternoons.

Dad tried to improve its performance by placing a row of straw bales on the house’s perimeter. Since most of the house was built on piers (its only cellar was under the kitchen), every cold, uninsulated downstairs floor was made even colder by winter air and snow blowing under the house. Enter the strawbale strategy.

And so too enter every mouse, opossum, raccoon, hibernating turtle, salamander, toad, and any other

Then, seemingly, as soon as everyone began to tire of cold cows, cold bedrooms, and cold feet, Mother Nature threw southern Illinois a sunny, warm February softball and temperatures would climb to 40, 50 and — more times than I can count — even 60 degrees.

My father would smile and cautiously expose a bare arm or two. My mother would smile and hang laundry — dozens of cotton gloves and heavy overalls — on her backyard clotheslines. Howard would smile, light his pipe, and haul manure.

And Uncle Honey would take his ear muffs off, fuel up, and plow and plow and plow.

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

Scraps of paper in my kitchen: ‘It’s not just a recipe’

I opened the small cupboard above my stove and was immediately met by a flutter of papers falling on my head. I felt as though I was in Times Square at the stroke of midnight on New Year’s when the confetti cannons were shot off!

Scattered all around me were handwritten recipe cards and recipes written on scraps of paper which had fallen out of the folder they were kept in. As I picked up all the recipes from the floor, I was reminded how my husband had suggested I go digital with my recipes — keeping them in a computerized file rather than haphazardly placed in a file folder in an equally cluttered cupboard. I also remembered why I turned his suggestion down.

DEEP ROOTS

By Whitney Nesse

available: an envelope with a recipe on it.

Last year, I had the joy of sitting at my mother’s kitchen table and going through her recipe cards with her. We laughed and cried while shuffling through the recipes, recalling people and places.

One of the recipes my mother possesses has a note written on it, in a child’s handwriting, which reads, “Mom, Ange is being mean.” My mother laughed as she told the story of the note. She was on the telephone, and one of us kids needed her attention. So rather than interrupting her call, one of us (which one she could not remember) wrote her a note to let her know that our sister, Ange, was being mean.

I thoroughly enjoy a new cookbook. I like sitting down and paging through the books, picking out recipes my family might enjoy, and looking at the delicious pictures. But there is nothing I like more than a handwritten recipe from a loved one.

Looking at recipe cards, or recipes written on strange pieces of paper, is like paging through history. I can remember who gifted me the recipe, what was going on in my life at the time (good or not-sogood) and whether it was a “keeper!” For example, one of my recipes for refrigerator pickles is written on an old envelope, and on the back is a list of times. The times are listed because I was counting the minutes between contractions when I was pregnant with my second child. I remember Karl and I were sitting at our dining room table, playing a game, when I decided to time the contractions I was having. So I reached for the only piece of paper

My mother and I chuckled as we looked at the recipe for a Swedish Rice Ring in my grandma Lorraine’s handwriting. No one in our family liked Swedish Rice Rings, but my grandma always made them, and the recipe is kept nonetheless.

The most cherished recipes I have are the ones handwritten by loved ones. The ones my grandmothers wrote in their squiggly cursive that my kids cannot read are a piece of our heritage. My Grandma Sanken’s handwriting was swift, curvy and light — just like a former school teacher’s should be. In contrast, my Grandma Payne’s handwriting was tiny, angular, and painful, which matched the arthritis in her joints. My recipe for Ranch Beans gives a sample of my mother’s exquisite handwriting — beautiful cursive written so clearly you could read it from a mile away. Recipes written by my neighbor (lovingly known to us as Grandma Pat) are in both cursive and print — usually adorned with a smiley face

sticker — and are thoughtful, just like she is.

When I charge one of my children to pull out a recipe for me, I tell them what to look for. For example, my recipe for Special K bars is written on scrap paper with “Hudson Physicians” at the top. Or my recipe for sugar cookies is photocopied. On one side is the Sanken recipe, and on the other is the Payne version. I can picture each of them!

Is it any wonder that Christ and the founders of the early church put such an emphasis on eating together? Or that current research suggests families who sit down to eat together every week are more strongly bonded? Eating together with family and friends is a holy activity … and the recipes have to come from somewhere!

When I reflect on the recipes I have been given, it triggers a thankfulness in me. I am thankful for my son (even though the contractions I recorded on the refrigerator pickle recipe fizzled). I am grateful for my longest friendship when I look at my BBQ beef recipe in her handwriting. I am thankful for my neighbor, who has been like another grandma to my family. I am grateful for my grandparents and parents, who raised me the best they could. Finally, I am thankful for a heritage of hard-working, meat and potatoes-eating people who depended on the Lord.

For now, I will skip going digital with my recipes. Instead, I will stroll through history when I shuffle through recipes.

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

Here’s what you’ll need to successfully start seeds

February is early to start seeds indoors, but it is not too early to collect equipment, order seeds and do some planning.

Seeds are best started indoors under lights. Seeds may be started in windowsills, but the containers need to be rotated daily to avoid creating plants that grow too tall and lean in one direction. Artificial lighting placed directly above the seed container encourages plants to grow straight up. Light fixtures should have the ability to be raised as needed, keeping them an inch or two from the highest plant.

ing the seed bed and creating a closed greenhouse effect above the soil surface. Plastic yogurt containers, either the single or multiple serving sizes are also useful. It is easy to cut drainage slits in the bottom of these containers with a small knife.

GREEN AND GROWING

By Linda G. Tenneson

Seed starting equipment does not need to be expensive. Seeds may be started in any container that can hold soil or a seed-starting medium and has drainage holes in the sides or bottom. Recycled household food containers such as clear plastic trays with lids used for vegetable leaves or bread products will work well. Save the covers to use for cover-

Lights do not need to be items sold specifically for plant use. Fluorescent lights have been used in the past, but LED lights are a better choice. Any light that is used should not produce heat. Seeds will benefit from some heat, but it should be applied from the bottom of the containers, not applied to new leaves. Heating pads manufactured for soothing muscle pain may be too warm to use to heat seed containers. Lights are best controlled with timers. The timers used with outdoor holiday lighting are safer to use around moisture and plants.

Garden soil is often too heavy for seeds to germi-

nate and push through to the soil surface. Soil used for starting seeds should be sterile. This is one area where purchased soil is a good idea. Garden soil that has been pulverized and heated for a period of time to sterilize it is an alternative. This web site from the University of Pennsylvania provides directions: extension.psu.edu/how-to-pasteurize-mediumand-sterilize-containers-and-tools.

All containers should be clean. Those which have been used in previous growing seasons should be rinsed with a solution of nine parts water and one part bleach to remove any pathogens which could cause damping off or other diseases when reused for new plants. Spoons used to scoop up baby plants for transplanting them into larger containers should also be clean and disinfected.

Spray bottles are a good way to dampen soil without disturbing tiny seeds. Plastic film used for storing food may be used to stretch over the top of new-

MILKER’S MESSAGE

WASDE report forecasts drop in Class III price

This column was written for the marketing week ending Feb. 10.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture lowered its 2023 milk production forecast in the Feb. 8 World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates report stating, “Weaker forecast milk prices are expected to result in lower cow inventories.” It also referenced the Cattle report’s dairy cow inventory and lower heifer numbers, and slightly reduced the forecast milk output per cow for 2023.

2023 production and marketings were estimated at 228.3 and 227.3 billion pounds respectively, down 900 million pounds on both from a month ago. If realized, 2023 production would be up 1.7 billion pounds or 0.75 percent from 2022.

Cheese was projected to average $1.86 per pound in 2023, down 7 cents from January’s estimate, and compares to $2.1122 in 2022, $1.6755 in 2021, and $1.9236 in 2020.

The 2023 butter price average was estimated at $2.33 per pound, unchanged from a month ago, and compares to $2.8665 in 2022, $1.7325 in 2021, and $1.5808 in 2020.

Nonfat dry milk is expected to average $1.225 per pound, down 11.5 cents from last month’s estimate, and compares to $1.6851 in 2022, $1.2693 in 2021, and $1.0417 in 2020.

Dry whey will average 36.50 cents per pound in 2023, down a nickel from the January estimate, and compares to 60.35 cents in 2022, 57.44 cents in 2021, and 36.21 cents in 2020.

Class III milk will average $17.90 per hundredweight in 2023, according to the WASDE, down 95 cents from last month’s estimate, and compares to the $21.96 average in 2022, $17.08 in 2021, and $18.16 in 2020.

The 2023 Class IV average was projected at $18.25, down $1 from last month’s estimate, and compares to $24.47 in 2022, $16.09 in 2021, and $13.49 in 2020.

Prices were lowered for cheese as stocks remain relatively large and domestic demand is expected to remain generally soft, according to the WASDE. Butter was unchanged as higher early-year prices are offset by weaker prices later in the year. Nonfat dry milk and whey prices were low-

MIELKE MARKET WEEKLY

By Lee Mielke

ered on expectations of increased export competition and somewhat softer international demand.

Corn used for ethanol production was reduced 25 million bushels in the WASDE. Ending stocks were up 25 million bushels from last month and the season-average corn price was unchanged at $6.70 per bushel.

The soybean crush was forecast at 2.23 billion bushels, down 15 million from last month, and the global crush was reduced 3.4 million tons. Ending stocks were forecast at 225 million bushels, up 15 million. The U.S. season-average soybean price for 2022-23 was forecast at $14.30 per bushel, up a dime from last month. Soybean meal was forecast at $450 per short ton, up $25. The soybean oil price forecast was unchanged at 68 cents per pound.

U.S. dairy exports ended 2022 on a strong note and added much value to U.S. dairy farm incomes. The data shows 18 percent of total U.S. milk solids left our shores, according to HighGround Dairy President Eric Meyer in the Jan. 13 “Dairy Radio Now” broadcast. The third straight year of record exports.

Nonfat-skim milk powder exports totaled 139.7 million pounds, up 8 percent from December 2021, although down 6.2 percent on the year from 2021. Gains to Mexico accounted for most of the December increase, according to HighGround Dairy, but there were notable gains to China, partially offset by declines to Vietnam and Philippines.

Dry whey exports totaled 39.3 million pounds, up 17.9 percent from Dec. 2021, while down 0.2 percent for the year. Exports to China were the highest ever for December.

The United States exported 78.9 million pounds of cheese, up 16.4 percent in December, and up 12.1 percent for

all of 2022. December cheddar exports, at 14.5 million pounds, were up 40.3 percent from a year ago, and up 58.2 percent for the year.

Butter exports, at 7.5 million pounds, were down 2.8 percent from December 2021, but were up 48.5 percent for the year.

Unfortunately, prospects for 2023 are not so rosy, Meyer warned, as European prices have fallen considerably, making the United States less competitive. He urged listeners to look at risk management options to make sure they’re covered for any major downswing. He agreed China remains the “elephant in the room” as to exports; but said, “There’s not a lot of information out of that country which is now in a post-Covid era like we were.” And, “While there’s rumors that consumer spending is rising, we’re not seeing any massive buying interest of, not only dairy commodities but other commodities, so there’s still a lot of uncertainty,” he said.

You’ll recall December U.S. milk production was up just 0.8 percent from 2021. The latest Dairy Products report indicates that cheese vats and butter churns saw most of the milk.

Cheese output totaled 1.202 billion pounds, up 4.2 percent from November, and was up 2.2 percent from December 2021. It’s the highest monthly production since March and the 26th consecutive month output topped that of the previous year. Output for all of 2022 totaled 13.95 billion pounds, up 1.8 percent from 2021.

Wisconsin produced 300.3 million pounds of December’s total, up 5.3 percent from November and 1.4 percent above a year ago. California added 209 million pounds, up 1.3 percent from November and 2 percent more than a year ago. New Mexico supplied 84.1 million pounds, up 3.4 percent from November but 0.8 percent below a year ago. Idaho produced 86.9 million, up 16.6 percent from November, but 1.5 percent below a year ago.

Italian cheese totaled 513.8 million pounds, up 5.1 percent from November and 3 percent above a year ago. Italian output for the year hit 5.9 billion pounds, up 2.8 percent.

American-type cheese climbed to 481.9 million pounds, up 4.1 percent from November, and 2.6 percent above a year ago. Year-to-date output, at 5.6 billion pounds, was off 0.1 percent.

See MIELKE, pg. 8

Global Dairy Trade buyers are stepping up activity

Mozzarella output grew to 404.9 million pounds, up 4.1 percent from a year ago, with output for 2022 hitting 4.7 billion pounds, up 3.8 percent from 2021.

Cheddar production shot up to 338.5 million pounds, up 18.2 million pounds or 5.7 percent from November’s count, which was revised up 1.3 million pounds, and was up 4.8 million pounds or 1.4 percent from December 2021. Cheddar output totaled 3.9 billion pounds in 2022, down 0.8 percent from 2021.

Butter output jumped to 187.0 million pounds, up 16 million pounds or 9.4 percent from November, and was up 7 million pounds or 3.9 percent from a year ago. Butter output for all of 2022 totaled 2.1 billion pounds, down 0.7% from 2021.

Yogurt totaled 361.0 million pounds, down 2.6 percent from a year ago, with year-to-date output at 4.6 billion pounds, down 2.7 percent.

Dry whey production climbed to 76 million pounds, up 4.1 million pounds or 5.7 percent from November’s total which was revised down 2.7 million pounds, and was virtually unchanged from a year ago. Whey output for 2022 totaled 948.4 million pounds, up 1.5 percent from 2021.

Stocks climbed to 78.6 million pounds, up 5.6 million or 7.7 percent from November, and up 21.5 million pounds or 37.7 percent from 2021.

Nonfat dry milk output jumped to 179 million pounds, up 20.8 million pounds or 13.2 percent from November, and up 11.2 million or 6.7 percent above a year ago. Powder output for the year totaled 1.97 billion pounds, down 2.4 percent from 2021.

Stocks grew to 264 million pounds, up 5 million pounds or 1.9 percent from November, and up 11.3 million pounds or 4.5 percent from a year ago.

Skim milk powder output totaled 48.9 million pounds, up 8.5 million or 21.1 percent from November, and just 300,000 pounds or 0.7 percent above a year ago. Skim milk powder output for all of 2022 amounted to 536.2 million pounds, down 23.2 percent from 2021.

Feb. 7’s Global Dairy Trade saw its weighted average jump 3.2 percent, biggest increase since Sept. 6, 2022, and followed the 0.1 percent slippage on Jan.

17, and two successive declines prior to that. Traders brought 71.8 million pounds of product to market, up from 70.3 million on Jan. 17, and the average metric ton price climbed to $3,456 U.S., up from $3,393.00 on Jan. 17.

The gains were led by butter, up 6.6 percent after slipping 0.6 percent on Jan. 17. Anhydrous milkfat was up was up 4.8 percent following a 0.9 percent slippage. Whole milk powder was up 3.8 percent after inching 0.1 percent higher, and skim milk powder was unchanged, after a 0.3 percent loss. Cheddar was up 2.3 percent after jumping 4 percent.

StoneX Dairy Group says the GDT 80 percent butterfat butter price equates to $2.0999 per pound U.S., up 13.1 cents from Jan. 17, and compares to Chicago Mercantile Exchange butter which closed Feb. 10 at $2.4125. GDT cheddar, at $2.2591, was up 4.9 cents, and compares to Feb. 10’s CME block cheddar at $1.8625. GDT skim milk powder averaged $1.2834 per pound, down from $1.2891, and whole milk powder averaged $1.5101 per pound, up from $1.4598. CME Grade A nonfat dry milk closed Feb. 10 at $1.2650 per pound.

Dustin Winston reported buyers from many regions stepped up their activity. “North Asian purchases, which includes China, were higher than both last event and last year, as the region returned to their normal market share of more than 50 percent. Purchases by European, African, and North American participants were also stronger than last year and last event.”

After falling 9.5 cents the previous week, CME block cheddar fell to $1.835 per pound on Feb. 7 (the lowest since Sept. 6) but closed Feb. 10 at $1.8625. This is down a quarter-cent on the week and 4.5 cents below a year ago.

The barrels finished at $1.575, down 5.5 cents on the week, 33.5 cents below a year ago, and 28.75 cents below the blocks on seven sales of block and 26 of barrel for the week.

Retail cheddar and some Italian style cheesemakers reported steady to strong interest this week, according to Dairy Market News. Timing is optimal for increasing demand, says Dairy Market News, as milk availability has been more than adequate since

late 2022. Spot milk prices were again at the $10 under Class level but milk is not overwhelming plants, though cheese production is “very active.”

Western cheese demand was steady into retail and food service though some report softer sales. Pizza sales are lagging some and export sales are softening, as cheese produced in European is being sold below U.S. prices. The lighter export demand has caused some cheesemakers to shift from blocks to barrels.

After jumping 10.25 cents the previous week, cash butter closed at $2.4125 per pound Feb. 10, up 3.75 cents on the week but 34.25 cents below a year ago when it gained 25.5 cents. There were only nine sales reported on the week.

Butter producers say demand is “not gangbusters,” but customers are coming back after a somewhat slow start to the quarter. Production is very busy, as cream remains widely available in the region and from Western suppliers.

Cream is also plentiful in the West with demand steady to higher. Butter output is strong. Butter inventories are outpacing current demand but holders want to assure coverage for midyear demand, says Dairy Market News. Retail demand is light.

Grade A nonfat dry milk closed Feb. 10 at $1.265 per pound, up 2 cents on the week, highest in three weeks, but 63.25 cents below a year ago. There were 10 loads that exchanged hands on the week.

CME dry whey finished Feb. 10 at 42.5 cents per pound, up a penny on the week but 39.75 cents below a year ago, with two sales reported at the CME for the week.

In politics, the USDA has proposed changes to nutrition standards for school meals, which could impact chocolate milk consumption, warns the Feb. 6 Daily Dairy Report. The Report says USDA put two options forward, both including a reduction in sugar in flavored milks, such as chocolate.

The National Milk Producers Federation and the International Dairy Foods Association expressed “optimism” for the updates, “specifically USDA’s plans to maintain low-fat flavored milk for students.

“Children having access to the healthful foods they need in school is a key priority for dairy farmers,” said NMPF’s Jim Mulhern. “We are pleased USDA is maintaining low-fat flavored milk in schools, but we question why USDA would propose school meal options that could limit a child’s access to these nutrients and we urge instead that they expand access to dairy options.”

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

up with experts helps insure financial success

Dealing with inflation, fluctuating interest rates, volatile commodity prices and a possible recession may leave some feeling uncertain about how to best navigate finances in the future. Times like these underscore the importance of working with the right team of financial advisors to help guide your journey.

TALENT IN THE GREENSEAM

By Naomi Mortensen

Luckily for farmers and ag businesses located in the GreenSeam, the area isn’t just rich in farmland. It’s also rich with people who understand agriculture, rural communities, and what it takes to run a family farm.

The GreenSeam, which is both a nonprofit and a region that spans southern Minnesota, is home to more than 1,000 ag and ag-related businesses as well as nearly 8,000 people working in finance-related industries. These employees may only make up about 2.8 percent of the total job market here, but their services are intertwined with nearly every sector of the marketplace.

These lenders, accountants, tax advisors and financial investors are immersed in ag and rural issues, stay on top of changes and are ready to dig in and help you find solutions. Here are just a few examples of how they team up to support financial success.

Building your financial team

Community banks are full of people who are committed to supporting the success of the customers they serve.

“We’re invested in our communities and the region in every way possible,” explained David Krause, CEO of Pioneer Bank and past chair of GreenSeam. “Local deposits create local loans that in turn create profits and positive cash flow that lead to deposits. The money stays here, supporting local farmers and businesses, creating local jobs, improving local schools, benefitting local churches, local non-profits and local civic organizations committed to this region.”

Pioneer Bank is just one example with a deep connection to agriculture in the GreenSeam. It has been part of the Mankato area for 130 years and its employees see the value ag brings to the community.

“We were born in the heart of some of the world’s richest farmland and the agriculture industry is the number one industry we serve. GreenSeam’s mission of growing the food and ag industry in our region matches ours. When our number one industry succeeds, the people who live here succeed too,” said Krause.

Compeer Financial is another institution with locations across Minnesota, as well as Wisconsin and Illinois. Unlike community banks, Compeer is a member-owned farm credit cooperative which only serves agriculture and rural communities through loans, leases, risk management and other financial services.

While Compeer mainly focuses on financing solutions for production agriculture, its supply chain, and processors, Chris Fitzloff is excited to explore more opportunities with small town entrepreneurs and amplify rural vitality in the future. Fitzloff serves as Vice President of Core Markets at Compeer Financial and is a GreenSeam board member.

“Rural communities need capital to thrive, and we are excited to be more active and visible partners in those areas,” said Fitzloff. “A strategic imperative for Compeer is to raise regional and national awareness of the importance of rural vitality and to advocate for rural America — both locally and in Washington, D.C.”

In addition to partnering with a bank that knows your business, it’s important to round out your team with tax advisors, estate planners and wealth management experts to protect your assets for the future. CPA and consulting firms like EideBaily house all that expertise under one roof.

“For farmers, nearly everything they do from a transition or transaction standpoint has a tax consequence,” explained Ryan Spaude, certified financial planner and principal at EideBailly. “Having both the tax/ accounting side of the equation and the investment/financial planning side of the equation married together in one place is helpful.”

Spaude has been offering financial

advice to farmers and business owners for 26 years. He grew up on a farm in the GreenSeam, his in-laws farm and he’s proud to work for a national company that respects agriculture and small-town values.

“One of our biggest advantages is our rural roots,” said Spaude. He appreciates that part of the GreenSeam’s mission is attracting, developing and retaining talent. This gives the next generation of aspiring accountants the opportunity to earn degrees, work, and raise their families here too. No matter how you choose to do it, the experts agree that having the right team in place is the first step to creating a strong financial future. After that, it’s all about taking time to know your margins, investing in improvement and putting together a roadmap for retirement.

“The best of the best relentlessly invest in improving their businesses,” said Fitzloff, who believes that with the global marketplace and fast changing technology, the next generation of farmers will need to think of

farming more as a business than a lifestyle. “Margin management, networking with peers, and paying attention to the details is how future farms will thrive.”

Another important step is to start planning for retirement and farm transitions early. “Giving yourself a long runway can give you more time for tough decisions and adjust for issues that are out of your control,” explained Spaude. He recommends starting farm transitions at least five years out from your intended retirement age or even in your early 50s if you can.

So even when the future seems uncertain, you can step forward with confidence knowing you have a financial planning team in the GreenSeam. GreenSeam believes working together as an agricultural community will help us better navigate the workforcerelated challenges experienced today. Naomi Mortensen is part of GreenSeam’s branding and promotions committee and grew up in the region. v

SOTU guest Molitor made the most of her trip

By LAURA COLE

The Land Staff Writer

Hannah Molitor, Stearns County Farm Bureau President and fourth-generation dairy farmer, received an unexpected invitation on Feb. 2 to attend the State of the Union address as one of Majority Whip Tom Emmer’s guests. On Feb. 7, the morning of the address, Molitor was boarding a plane for a whirlwind experience she described as “such an incredible opportunity.”

Molitor grew up on a dairy farm near St. Cloud which her dad and uncle continue to operate. For the past three and a half years, she has been employed with the Minnesota Dairy Herd Improvement Association collecting milk samples as a field representative. She also volunteers with 4-H and FFA; and when she is able, returns back to the farm for herdsman duties. Molitor was elected Stearns County Farm Bureau President in 2022.

Molitor had previously traveled to Washington D.C. on the Farm Bureau’s annual Farmers to D.C. trip when she served on the Young Farmers and Ranchers committee. But attending the State of the Union address was a brand new experience. Congressman Emmer also invited recently retired Saint Cloud Police Chief Blair Anderson. Before the evening’s events, Molitor and Anderson met with Emmer in his office, along with Emmer’s wife, Jacquie.

“As a young farmer, he was really

interested in hearing my story of my farm background and current involvement of agriculture,” Molitor said. She also remarked, “He has done so much for agriculture.”

Congressman Brad Finstad stopped by Emmer’s office, along with Wisconsin Congressman Derrick Van Orden. Both are members of the House Committee on Agriculture. Molitor stated she was grateful to meet with Finstad as besides serving on the Ag Committee, he is a farmer himself.

Prior to the State of the Union,

Molitor and Anderson were invited to attend the Speaker of the House reception. They were able to speak with members of Congress and hear their guests’ stories.

During the address, Molitor was seated in the gallery and stated to be in attendance was “an honor.” She remarked the House chamber is smaller than it looks on television and she was close in proximity to President Biden. The guests she sat near were from a variety of states including Alabama, Maryland and New York.

Molitor referenced feeling like her agricultural background was “the true 2 percent of America,” and also found the people she spoke with were very interested in “a day in the life of Hannah Molitor.” Other questions, she recalled, were geared toward farm facilities and manufacturing.

The following day was busy with meetings, which Molitor attended along with Minnesota Farm Bureau’s Director of Public Policy, Pierce Bennett. “We started the day at the American Farm Bureau building — meeting folks there. As a county president, to me, that was almost the most intimidating meeting!” Molitor said.

Throughout the day, Molitor met,

among others, Senator Tina Smith, Congresswoman Angie Craig, and Congresswoman Michelle Fischbach. She commented, “Minnesota has huge representation,” as Craig is a member of the House Committee on Agriculture, along with Finstad. Molitor stated they also met with staff members of Senator Amy Klobuchar, Congressman Pete Stauber, and Congressman Finstad. A highlight for Molitor included meeting Ag Committee Chairman and Pennsylvania Congressman GT Thompson. Molitor noted it was especially interesting to be a part of the meetings as it is a Farm Bill year. She stated there was a lot of discussion around this year’s priority issues for the Minnesota Farm Bureau which are: beginning and emerging farmers, clean energy and sustainability, healthcare accessibility, research and investment, rural connectivity, and rural vitality. Molitor had already experienced the Farm Bureau’s engagement with commissioners on a county level at a variety of local events. To see the interactions progress to a state level, and now on a federal level, she stated, is “impactful.”

For the cherry on top, Hannah’s last day in D.C. also happened to be her birthday. Although there was no opportunity for downtime and the following morning back in Minnesota was business as usual, the trip presented her with memories to last a lifetime. v

www.TheLandOnline.com

Seed packets provide starting time guidelines

GARDEN, from pg. 6

Join GreenSeam, Minnesota Ag Commissioner, and other key leaders on National Ag Day, March 21 at Minnesota State University, Mankato from 2pm-4pm for the release of the 2023 State of Ag report which dives into the results of the survey, along with findings from the series of focus groups which will provide deeper insight into the future of agriculture.

ly-planted containers to retain moisture. This creates a greenhouse effect with moisture collecting on the lower side of the film and then dropping down onto the soil surface. This keeps the soil damp until germination occurs. Once seedlings have appeared, remove the film to prevent mold from occurring.

Lastly, read all the information on seed envelopes for the recommended timing for starting seeds. Plants started earlier than the recommended times before the anticipated last frost may need to be transplanted into larger containers and maintained indoors for a longer time.

Photo submitted

Minnesota’s Stearns County Farm Bureau President Hannah Molitor is pictured with 6th District Congressman Tom Emmer. Molitor was Emmer’s guest at President Biden’s State of the Union address on Feb. 7.

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

U of M’s small farm swine health survey is underway

The University of Minnesota has Animal Science faculty who have successfully studied group sow housing, organic pigs and alternative swine production for several years. Readers here are familiar with Dr. Yuzhi Li’s work at the U of M’s West Central Research and Outreach Center conducting university-based, peer-reviewed studies of organic pig farming. Li and Dr. Lee Johnston, both U of M Department of Animal Science faculty, have spent more than a decade developing projects which have measured how well pigs raised in non-traditional or alternative production systems grow, take care of their piglets, and survive.

SWINE & U

By Diane DeWitte

UniversityofMinnesota EXTENSION

SWINE&U

Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education grant, the team has launched its project to learn more about how non-traditional pig farms in Minnesota deal with disease and health issues.

Li, Johnston, and a varied team of faculty from agronomy, economics, nutrient management and Extension are currently 18 months into a complex study of organic hybrid rye — grown for feed and bedding of organic pigs raised at WCROC. Funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture, this project is an ambitious look at the economics of raising organic grain and pigs, along with the environmental impacts of an organic crop and livestock management system. Preliminary data is being shared this winter at U of M Extension Small Grains workshops. Upcoming workshops where hybrid rye will be discussed will take place in Le Center on Feb. 21 at 9:00 a.m., and Feb. 23, in Slayton, at 1:00 p.m. Locations and more details can be obtained by emailing U of M Extension Small Grains Specialist Jochum Wiersma at wiers002@umn.edu.

New alternative and outdoor research

The organic and alternative pig farm research done at the University of Minnesota so far has focused on parasite control, herd management and nutrition. However, a team at the U of M College of Veterinary Medicine, in the Department of Veterinary Population Medicine’s swine group, has been considering the medical side of outdoor and alternative pig production in Minnesota. Funded by a

The study is the PhD project of Miranda Medrano, DVM, working with Marie Culhane and Cesar Corzo. Miranda has an interesting background. A native of California’s Central San Joaquin Valley, she raised various livestock species in 4-H and FFA, and developed a passion for livestock and the agriculture industry. She left California and earned her bachelor of science degree in Animal Science at Cornell University in upstate New York — after which she earned a DVM and a Masters of Public Health degree at the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine in Blacksburg, Va. She had exhibited pigs in 4-H and FFA back in California, but it was during a vet school rotation with a veterinarian in Nebraska that she sharpened her interest in the swine industry, in production management, biosecurity and infectious disease.

August 2020 brought Miranda to the University of Minnesota to complete a PhD. Her focus is helping farmers keep their livestock healthy — in particular, epidemiology and fighting infectious disease.

How alternative and outdoor farmers manage

To learn more about how specific farmers raise their pigs, the research team has developed a survey. The survey will be offered to alternative and outdoor pig farmers, and data collected will be compiled into the results of the study.

In discussing the study, Medrano notes, “Of course we have our more traditional pig production systems; but there are a lot more smaller farms that raise pigs specifically being outdoors. This survey is to collect information about this population and

about the farmers who raise these pigs. We’re interested in better describing their production and management practices, and those aspects which include biosecurity. We’re also interested in learning about marketing practices and different certifications the farm has — such as being certified organic or PQA+ (Pork Quality Assurance Plus) certified.”

The survey has also received funding from the Swine Disease Eradication Center at the University of Minnesota’s College of Veterinary Medicine. This support will allow Medrano to provide disease testing on participating farms.

While other U of M alternative swine research pinpointed nutrition and parasite control, this study is focused on some of the viruses which may be circulating in this population of pigs.

Unfortunately, a lot of the information known about the health status and production practices of pigs raised outdoors are from Europe and the UK. This study will add to the “institutional knowledge” of U of M’s research — to learn more about what’s going on in the disease profile of these alternative and outdoor pig farms. This project is to better define, describe, and characterize these practices, as well as the pigs’ health statuses on farms that raise outdoor pigs in Minnesota specifically, and be able to better understand how that again might impact the pigs’ health status.

In the survey, Medrano is focusing

on four different practice areas: production, management, biosecurity and marketing practices. The team asks questions about where the farm is located, and it can be as simple as the county name. The team is also interested in learning what type of pigs the farm has — specifically their age and where exactly those pigs are being moved from. Are they coming in from out of state? Are they being sold out of state?

In addition to better describing and characterizing the farm management practices, Medrano will also use the information provided to form a model which might be used to estimate what disease spread could look like in this population. “It’s really focusing on any preventative measures that can be taken within the population, again, to better help decrease the spread or transmission of diseases,” she said.

Participate in the survey

A very important consideration from the outset of this project has been protection of the participating farmer’s anonymity. The team wants participants and farmers to be comfortable sharing information, and so there are many steps required by the University of Minnesota which were to be met before the survey was ready for distribution.

After survey data is collected, the team will follow protocols which protect the farmer. Use of U of M’s online network protections when analyzing data, and housing the data behind protected firewalls are part of the procedures to protect the security of participants. Additionally, if any of the participants do not want any of their research results to be used for any

Find the survey online

SWINE & U, from pg. 11

other aspect of this project, they can notify the team and the information will be destroyed.

The survey was launched in early January, and can be found at https://z. umn.edu/OutdoorSwineSurvey. Incentives are provided for participants: All farmers who raise pigs outdoors continuously or partially during the year in Minnesota, and complete the survey, will receive a $25 Visa gift card. In addition, free disease testing will be provided for participants who want it.

Potential participants can visit with Medrano in person at the University of Minnesota’s booth at the Minnesota Pork Congress in Mankato, Minn. on Feb. 21-22, or contact her by email at medra036@ umn.edu or by phone at (612) 440-5859.

Diane DeWitte is an Extension Educator specializing in swine for the University of Minnesota Extension. Her e-mail address is stouf002@umn.edu v

Calendar of Events

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

March 1 — Business of Soil Health: Profitability and Weather Resiliency Meeting — Renville, Minn. — Topics will include economics of using cover crops and reduced tillage, the economic and weather resiliency advantages with regenerative ag, and the benefits and biology of regenerative soil health. Contact jordan@hawkcreekwatershed.org or (320) 523-3666.

March 1, 8, 15 — Minnesota Irrigator Program — Farmington, Minn. — Programming will include a discussion of irrigation systems, how to use soil moisture sensors on your farm, irrigation scheduling, and special topics like variable rate irrigation and remote sensing. Contact Taylor Herbert at therbert@umn.edu or (612) 394-5229.

March 2 — Midwest Covers & Grains Conference — Cedar Rapids, Iowa — Formerly two separate events, the new combined conference brings together farmers, supply chain buyers and researchers from across the Midwest to promote successful farming with extended rotations and cover crops. Contact Taylor Hintch at taylor. hintch@practicalfarmers.org or (515) 232-5661.

March 4 — Gardening Education Day — St. Joseph, Minn. — The keynote speaker will be presenting “The

Future of Gardenscaping: Environmental Trends Near & Far Collections.” Breakout sessions will cover everything from perennials to houseplants, to maple syrup, to backyard bugs, to starting seeds, to native plants and so much more. Contact Stearns County Extension office at (320) 255-6169.

March 9 — North Central Iowa Research Association

Annual Meeting — Clarion, Iowa — The annual meeting will feature an update on farm activities, along with presentations on the growing season outlook and climate implications, as well as soil nitrogen supply, crop N use and optimum N rates. Contact Matt Schabel at (641) 7623247.

March 9 — The Sweet Taste of Success: Safe, ValueAdded, Maple Products — Online — Receive guidance on food safety planning for food businesses using maple sugar in products such as maple-flavored sauces and dressings, sparkling maple water, and infused maple syrup. Contact Jessica Jane Spayde at spayde@wisc. edu.

March 11 — Fruit Tree Grafting Class — Mankato, Minn. — Attendees will learn how to propagate their own apple trees. Each participant will take home 3 newly grafted apple trees to be planted on their own property. Contact info@alternativerootsfarm.com or (507) 4127605.

Fruits of farm provide nourishment and experience

By WHITNEY NESSE The Land Correspondent

On the southernmost shores of Otter Lake in rural Hutchinson, Minn., lies Good Courage Farm, an organic farm which grows 14 varieties of perennial food crops.

Rev. Kerri Meyer is the Executive Director of Good Courage Farm, which was established in 2019. “We just finished our fourth growing season, so we are still on a steep learning curve,” said Meyer. “We’ve got such a great community of organic growers out here who are so generous with their wisdom, support and encouragement. So, things are going alright!”

Meyer grew up in the Midwest in an agricultural community. Although her family was two generations removed from farming, she felt a strong connection to agriculture and rural communities. Meyer spent several years working as a high school teacher in various rural communities before joining the priesthood of the

Episcopal Church. From there, she worked as a priest in large cities such as Minneapolis and St. Paul, Oakland and San Francisco. “Being from the Midwest, Minnesota felt like home,” said Meyer. So when the opportunity to return to Minnesota came up, Meyer took it.

Currently, Good Courage Farm grows apples, pears, plums, apricots, rhubarb, wine and table grapes, raspberries, gooseberries, mushrooms, elderberries, red and black currants, and tart cherries. They also raise livestock, including Alpine goats, dual-purpose ducks and chickens, and a peacock. “We’re doing a CER [Community-Engaged Research] grant-funded research project on running ducks under our vineyard — kind of like they do out West. We’re trying to see if that is an effective practice for the climate and conditions we have here,” explained Meyer, referring to the practice of using ducks as a form of pest control.

“We were here for one season before Covid hit,” she said. During that time, the crops were sold at local farmers markets and directly to restaurants. When 2020 came around, Covid-related causes had restaurants and farmers markets closed. “Our second year, we sold directly to customers. We did door-to-door delivery through an online sales platform. That went really well,” Meyer said.

Meyer said the original intent of Good Courage Farm was not to be a lucrative fruit-producing farm. Instead, she said she wanted to focus on growing high-quality, organic produce to share with folks who wouldn’t otherwise have access to these foods. Meyer is focused on food ministry.

Not only does Good Courage Farm want to provide quality foods for others, but they also want to provide learning opportunities for folks from non-agricultural backgrounds. Meyer said they want to work to make something new.

Good Courage Farm invites the public to come and experience all aspects of the farm and share the fruits of their labor with the local community.

You can visit their website at www.goodcourage. farm or their social media pages on Facebook and Instagram to learn more. v

It takes a trustw or th y champion with the f lexibility and skill to build bridges, collaborate and conquer challenges, year af ter year. That’s advocacy. That’s the Minnesota Corn Growers Association. We’re

Photo submitted

Rev. Kerri Meyer holds some of the apples grown at Good Courage Farm.

Grain Outlook Brazil pegged as leading corn exporter

The following marketing analysis is for the week ending Feb. 10.

CORN — Corn trended sideways into and out of the February World Agriculture Supply and Demand Estimates report. March corn posted a key reversal lower the day after the report with little fresh news to trade, but reversed that action to close out the week on a positive note. We have a decent idea of corn supply; but how the demand side plays out is questionable. Looking ahead, what will U.S. farmers’ replies show us on the March 31 Prospective Planting report?

The Feb. 8 WASDE report was viewed as neutral with a cut in the corn for ethanol usage category by 25 million bushels to 5.25 billion bushels. This reduction can be justified since we have been running behind what is needed on the weekly ethanol report all year.

Exports were surprisingly unchanged at 1.925 billion bushels. Traders will likely expect that to be reduced on the next report since weekly sales are running 41 percent behind last year and the U.S. Department of Agriculture is expecting just a 22 percent decline in exports year-on-year.

The ethanol change was reflected directly in the ending stocks which are now forecasted at 1.267 billion bushels. This was in line with the average trade estimate of 1.266 billion bushels. The stocks-to-use ratio increased slightly to 9.1 percent. The average farm price was unchanged at $6.70 per bushel.

On the world global balance sheets, world corn ending stocks were pegged at 295.28 million metric tons and slightly higher than the 294.71 mmt estimate.

Argentina’s corn production was slashed by 5 mmt to 47 mmt but is still on the high side compared to other estimates. Its exports were lowered by 3 mmt to 35 mmt. The Buenos Aires Grain Exchange has Argentina’s corn production at 44.5 mmt and lowered the corn rating by 2 percent to 20 percent good/excellent. The Rosario Grain Exchanged lowered their Argentine corn estimate by 2.5 mmt to 42.5 mmt.

Brazil’s corn production forecast was unchanged at a record 125 mmt with feed usage decreased by 3 mmt at the expense of higher exports. Brazil’s corn exports were increased by 3 mmt to 50 mmt (1.97 billion bushels) which would make Brazil the world’s leading corn exporter. Conab pegged Brazil’s corn

Cash Grain Markets

in the aftermath of the Chinese surveillance balloon incident. In quick post-report trading, March soybeans spiked to their lowest since Jan. 26 but managed to stay above $15.00 per bushel before closing higher on the day. The balance of the week pushed prices higher to test recent highs near $15.40 per bushel. November soybeans edged sideways through the week but finished the week with a strong close above its 100-day moving average for the first time since Jan. 17.

The February WASDE unexpectedly cut the crush by 15 million bushels to 2.23 billion bushels, which is still a record crush. This was interesting since crush margins have been impressive all year. We may see some of that come back on subsequent reports. Ending stocks increased by a corresponding 15 million bushels to 225 million bushels. This was higher than the 211 million bushel trade estimate. The stocks-to-use ratio rose from 4.8 to 5.2 percent and the average farm price increased by a dime to $14.30 per bushel.

production at a record 123.7 mmt but down from their previous estimate of 125.1 mmt. Brazil’s safrinha corn crop accounts for 76 percent of its total corn production and is harvested June through August.

Weekly export sales were at the top of expectations at 45.7 million bushels. Total export commitments stand at 1.055 billion bushels and are down 41 percent from last year. We need to average 27 million bushels per week to hit the USDA’s 1.925 billion bushel target.

Weekly ethanol production was down 28,000 barrels per day to 1 million bpd. Ethanol stocks were down 25,000 barrels at 24.4 million barrels. Net ethanol margins improved 8 cents to 16 cents per gallon. Gasoline demand at 8.4 million bpd was down 7.6 percent from last year and the four-week average demand was down 2.8 percent from a year ago.

On Jan. 30 the United States requested Mexico provide by Feb. 14 the science it is using to ban GMO corn and glyphosate herbicide imports. This is allowed under the U.S.-Mexico-Canada agreement.

Outlook: We will continue to monitor how small Argentina’s corn crop may shrink, Brazil’s safrinha corn planting progress, China’s corn needs and political events, and what the USDA Outlook Conference on Feb. 23-24 may indicate for this year’s acreage. That’s a lot of juggling in addition to monitoring the U.S. dollar and money flows. March corn ended the week with an outside, higher session which keeps it in its $6.70 to $6.85 per bushel recent trading range. The December contract hasn’t been able to muster a close above $6.00 per bushel since Jan. 18.

For the week, March corn was 3 cents higher at $6.80.5, July was up 1.75 cents at $6.66.5, and December was unchanged at $5.96 per bushel.

SOYBEANS — March soybeans traded lower in the days leading up to the February WASDE report

On the global stage, world ending stocks were as expected at 102.03 mmt compared to 103.52 mmt last month. China’s soybean imports were steady at 96 mmt. Brazil’s soybean production was unchanged at 153 mmt; but exports increased by 1 mmt to 92 mmt. Conab is carrying Brazil’s soybean production at 152.9 mmt. Argentina’s soybean production was slashed by 4.5 mmt to 41 mmt compared to trade estimates of 42.34 mmt. Argentina’s exports decreased by 1.5 mmt to 4.2 mmt. The Rosario Grain Exchange has Argentina’s soybean production at 34.5 mmt (the lowest in 14 years) and the BAGE is using 38 mmt. The BAGE raised Argentina’s soybean rating by 1 percent to 13 percent good/excellent with 57 percent flowering vs. 74 percent on average and 31 percent setting pods vs. 41 percent on average.

Weekly export sales were at the low end of expectations at 16.9 million bushels. Total commitments at 1.754 billion bushels are running 2 percent ahead of last year. We only need to average 8.2 million bushels of sales per week to achieve the USDA’s 1.99 billion bushel forecast.

Outlook: The weather pattern in Argentina over the next few weeks will continue to be a focus for traders, as well as how quickly Brazil can harvest soybeans. Political events between the United States and China may increase in importance if it pushes China to South America even more than before. A strong domestic meal market propelled nearby meal futures close to $500 per ton which lent underlying support to soybeans. The USDA Outlook Conference later this month will focus on the acreage mix this spring in the United States.

For the week, March soybeans rallied 10.5 cents to $15.42.5, July gained 6 cents to $15.22.5, and November jumped 9 cents to $13.78.75 per bushel.

Weekly price changes in March wheat for the week ended Feb. 10: Chicago wheat surged 29.25 cents higher to $7.86, Kansas City soared 36 cents higher to $9.09, and Minneapolis managed an 8.75 cent gain to $9.30.25 per bushel. v

PHYLLIS NYSTROM CHS Hedging inC St. Paul

Deadline to purchase crop insurance is March 15

The deadline for farm operators to purchase crop insurance for the 2023 growing season is March 15. The 2023 Spring prices for corn and soybean are likely to be similar to the base price levels last year, which should result in some favorable crop insurance guarantees again in 2023. Premium costs for 2023 should also be comparable to a year ago for similar crop insurance products.

Producers have several crop insurance policy options to choose from, including yield protection policies and revenue protection (RP and RPE) policies, supplemental crop option, enhanced coverage option, and other private insurance policy options.

By Kent Thiesse

Table A — Comparison of Revenue Protection and Yield Protection Insurance Coverage for Corn

These figures are based on an actual production history of 200 bushels per acre; an 85 percent yield protection bushel guarantee of 170 bushels per acre; a yield protection market price of $5.90 per bushel; a revenue protection Spring base price of $5.90 per bushel; and an 85 percent revenue protection minimum guarantee of $1,003 per acre.

In recent years, most farm operators have chosen revenue protection insurance policy options, which provide a guaranteed minimum dollars of gross revenue per acre. This minimum guarantee is based on yield (actual production history) history on a farm unit times the Spring (base) price. This price is the average of the Chicago Board of Trade prices during the month of February for December corn futures and November soybean futures. As of Feb. 8, the 2023 estimated crop insurance Spring prices in the Upper Midwest for yield protection and revenue protection policies were estimated at $5.96 per bushel for corn and $13.60 per bushel for soybeans. The 2023 crop insurance Spring prices will be finalized on March 1. The current 2023 base price estimates compare to 2022 base prices of $5.90 per bushel for corn and $14.33 per bushel for soybeans. The final crop revenue for 2023 will be the actual yield on a farm unit times the final crop insurance harvest price.

Another insurance option that is a lower premium than a typical revenue protection policy with harvest price protection is a RPE policy (harvest price exclusion), which functions similar to a standard revenue protection policy except that the guarantees on RPE policies are fixed at the base price level and are not affected by harvest prices that exceed the base price.

Table B — Comparison of Revenue Protection and Yield Protection Insurance Coverage for Soybeans

The revenue guarantee for standard revenue protection policies is increased for final insurance calculations, if average CBOT prices during the month of October are higher than the February CBOT prices, which is what occurred for corn and soybeans in both 2020 and 2021 and for corn in 2022. In situations with major yield loss in a rising price environment, the use of an RPE policy vs. a standard revenue protection insurance policy can result in significantly reduced indemnity payment potential for the year.

Many producers in the upper Midwest have been able to enhance their insurance protection by utilizing the trend-adjusted yield endorsement, with only slightly higher premium costs. The actual production history

yield exclusion option allows specific years with low production to be dropped from crop insurance actual production history yield guarantee calculations. For information on counties, crops, and years are eligible for yield exclusion, go the U.S. Department of Agriculture Risk Management Agency web site (https://www.rma.usda.gov)

An analysis for the past 15 years (2007-2022) shows the final crop insurance harvest price for corn has been lower than the Spring base price in 10 of the 16 years, including from 2013-2019. That trend has been reversed in the past three years (2020-2022) when the harvest price for corn has risen above the Spring price by 11 cents per bushel in 2020, 79 cents in 2021, and by 96 cents in 2022 (from $5.90 per bushel to $6.86 per bushel). The only other years which saw an increase in the harvest price were 2010, 2011 and 2012. The range has been from an increase in the harvest price of $1.82 per bushel in 2012 to declines of $1.26 and $1.27 per bushel in 2013 and 2008, respectively.

For soybeans, the harvest price has increased in seven years (2007, 2009, 2010, 2012, 2016, 2020 and 2021), decreased in eight years (2008, 2011, 2014 through 2019, and 2022) and stayed the same in 2013. The range has been from an increase of $2.84 per bushel in 2012 to a decline of $3.00 per bushel in 2008. In 2022, the harvest price was $13.81 per bushel, which was a decrease of 52 cents per bushel from the Spring price of $14.33 per bushel.

Enterprise units combine all acres of a crop in a given county into one crop insurance unit, while optional units allow producers to insure crops separately in each individual township section. Enterprise units usually have considerably lower premium costs (approximately $8-$12 per acre) compared to optional units for comparable revenue protection and RPE policies.

Producers should be aware that enterprise units are based on larger coverage areas and do not necessarily cover losses from isolated storms or crop damage which affect individual farm units, such as damage from hail, wind or heavy rains. So addition-

2023 Subscription Form

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Sign and date, include your check and put it in the mail. I own or operate 80+ acres of Minnesota and/or Northern Iowa ag cropland, raise 25+ head of livestock or am actively involved in agribusiness. Full

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SCO coverage also available

THIESSE, from pg. 15

al insurance, such as hail or wind insurance, may be required to insure against these types of losses. It is also important for producers to run “what if” scenarios when analyzing the comparison between enterprise units and optional units.

Many times, producers automatically opt for enterprise units every year, due to the lower premium cost per acre for similar coverage, while probably not totally understanding the differences in coverage between enterprise units and optional units. It is important to analyze the yield risk on each individual farm unit, when determining if paying the extra premium for insurance coverage with optional units makes sense. If a producer has uniform soil types and drainage, in a close geographical production historical area, and is primarily concerned with a price decline, a RP policy with “enterprise units” is probably a good option. However, if a producer has farm units that are more spread out geographical production historically, with more variation in soil types and drainage, and has greater concerns with yield variability, they may want to consider a revenue protection policy with optional units.

The Supplemental Coverage Option coverage is only available to producers who choose the Price Loss Coverage farm program option for the 2023 crop year. The deadline for 2023 farm program sign-up is March 15 — which is the same as the enrollment deadline for 2023 crop insurance. As a result, farm operators will need to consider SCO insurance coverage at the same time they are finalizing their 2023

farm program choice. The federal government subsidizes 65 percent of the premium for SCO coverage, so it may be a viable option for producers who choose the Price Loss Coverage farm program option.

SCO allows producers to purchase additional county-level crop insurance coverage up to a maximum of 86 percent coverage. For example, a producer that purchases an 80 percent revenue protection policy could purchase an additional 6 percent SCO coverage.

SCO is a county revenue-based insurance product somewhat similar to some of the area risk protection crop insurance products available. The calculations for SCO function very similarly to revenue protection insurance policies, since they utilize the same crop insurance base price and harvest price. The biggest difference is that SCO uses county level average yields, rather than the farm-level actual production history yields that are typically used for most revenue protection and yield protection policies. As a result, the SCO and revenue protection insurance policies may achieve different results.

The Enhanced Coverage Option (ECO) was a new crop insurance option in 2021 and will again be available for 2023. ECO provides areabased insurance coverage from 86 percent up to 95 percent coverage, utilizing county yields similar to SCO coverage. Producers can choose between 90 or 95 percent ECO coverage. Unlike SCO coverage, the purchase of ECO coverage is available with the selection of either the Price Loss Coverage or Agriculture Risk ARC-CO farm pro-

Be sure to compare ‘apples to apples’ for costs

THIESSE, from pg. 16

gram choice for 2023. Producers can utilize both ECO and SCO together, in addition to their underlying revenue protecion, RPE, or yield protection insurance policy.

It is possible for a producer to collect on an individual revenue protection policy, but not collect on a SCO or ECO policy — or vice versa. For example, a producer with an 80 percent revenue protectin policy may have a loss which qualifies for an insurance indemnity payment on a farm unit, while the county as a whole may not meet the threshold to qualify for a SCO or ECO payment. It could also be possible to collect a SCO or ECO payment for a countylevel revenue loss, while not qualifying for a revenue protection insurance indemnity payment at the farm-level. Interested producers should check with their crop insurance agent for details on SCO and ECO insurance coverage and premiums for 2023.

Key items to consider

There are a wide variety of crop insurance policies and coverage levels available. Make sure you are comparing “apples to apples” when comparing crop insurance premium costs for various options or types of crop insurance policies, as well as recognizing the limitations and the differences of the various insurance products.

2023 crop insurance premiums for most coverage levels of corn and soybeans in the Midwest will be comparable 2022 premium levels, due to somewhat similar crop insurance guarantees available for 2023.

increase in premium costs. Many producers will be able to guarantee near $800 to over $1,000 per acre for corn, and near $500 to over $700 per acre for soybeans at the 85 percent coverage level for 2023. Refer to Tables A and B for 2023 corn and soybean examples with revenue protection and yield protection insurance coverage.

Evaluate SCO, ECO and other “buy-up” insurance options. In addition to the government-subsidized SCO and ECO county-based insurance products which allow insurance coverage up to 95 percent coverage, there are also “buy-up” private policies using farm-level yields up to 95 percent coverage. Private companies also offer separate wind and hail insurance endorsements. Of course, any of the “buyup” or “add-on” insurance options add to the premium cost. Producers need to ask, “What mix of crop insurance products gives me the best risk protection for the premium amount that I am willing to spend for protecting my 2023 crop investment?”

A reputable crop insurance agent is the best resource to find out more details of the various crop insurance coverage plans, and premium quotes, as well as to receive assistance with putting a sound risk management program in place for the 2023 crop year. Write to me for a free copy of an information sheet titled, “2023 Crop Insurance Decisions.” at kent.thiesse@minnstarbank.com.

There are also some very good web sites with crop insurance information: USDA http://www.rma.usda. gov/; University of Illinois http://www.farmdoc.illinois.edu/cropins/index.asp; Kansas State University, https://agmanager.info/crop-insurance; and Iowa State University, https://www.extension.iastate.edu/ agdm/

Editor’s note: Kent Thiesse recently received the “Golden Pitchfork” award at the recent Minnesota Farm Bureau Federation Young Farmer and Rancher Leadership Conference. “The Golden Pitchfork Award is presented to someone who is not afraid of hard work and heavy lifting,” the Farm Bureau said. “Thiesse has excelled in helping young farmers and ranchers succeed over his throughout 40-year career. Over the past few years, he has taken the time to assist with the Farm Bureau Achievement Award contest at the state and national level, helping competitors showcase their opportunities and accomplishments. Thiesse has also provided timely farm management information to assist young farmers across the State, as well as giving leadership to the excellent educational forums at Farmfest each year.”

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

Please read attached email

ALREADY ON AD THE LAND 3.417 x2”

View crop insurance decisions from a risk management perspective. Given the significantly higher crop input costs in 2023 and the high degree of crop price volatility, it may be more important than ever to have adequate crop insurance coverage. A producer must decide, “How much potential profit margin do I want to risk if there are greatly reduced crop yields due to potential weather problems in 2023 and/or lower than expected crop prices by harvest time?”

Take a good look at the 80 or 85 percent coverage levels — especially when using enterprise units. In many cases, the 85 percent coverage level offers considerably more protection, with a modest

The Land

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

TRACTORS

NEW NH T4.75, T4.90, T4.120 w/loader On Order

NEW NH Workmaster 60, 50, 35’s/loaders On Order

NEW NH 25S Workmasters ...…......…. On Order

NEW Massey Tractors ........................... On Order

NEW Massey 4710 w/loader ….......... COMING

New NH Boomer 40w/loader ….......… On Hand

3-New Massey GC1725 ……..................... Just In

Bobcat CT440 w/loader ……........… Just trd’d

’11 Massey 7475 Nice ………..........……. $99,500

’13 NH Workmaster w/loader ………...…. $18,500

’16 Massey 4608 rops w/loader …............. $43,900

’17 NH T4.75 w/loader ……..................… $53,000

’18 NH T4.75 w/loader .............................. $54,000

’21 NH T7.260 ………........……………… Just in NH 8970 ………………….....………… Just trd’d

TILLAGE

Sunflower 4610 9-24 …….........……… COMING

Sunflower 4412-05 ……......................…… Just in

CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT

NEW NH L318/L320/L328 wheeled units ....... On Hand

NEW NH C327/C337/C345 track units .......... On Order

NH L228 low hours ............................................ $44,900

HAY TOOLS

New Disc Mowers - 107,108,109

New Disc Mower Cond. - 10’, 13’

New Wheel Rakes - 10,12,14

New NH Hay Tools - ON HAND

Frontiern WR1010 wheel rake …….............……… $5,950

’13 NH BR7090 ……………….........…………… $25,900

PLANTERS

JD 7200 12-30 w/LF ………........................…… $21,000

White 6186 16-30 w/liq …....…...................……. $15,900

Taking 2023 New Spring Orders

COMBINES

NEW Geringhoff chopping cornhead Call

’02 Gleaner R62 …...............................……… $53,500

’02 Gleaner R62 ……………...................……. $35,000

’94 Gleaner R72 ………….......................…… $27,000

Gleaner R65 ……...............................…….. COMING

Geringhoff parts & heads available

MISCELLANEOUS

NEW

Announcements

Reminder...

Get one FREE classified line ad if you return your 2023 LAND subscription card. Call us at 507-345-4523 for more details. Thank you for reading THE LAND!

Real Estate Wanted

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

Agri Business

FOR SALE: PTO generator on wheels with cord, Winpower tested regularly, $2,000. 507274-5249 or cell 507-360-5600 www.thelandonline.com

Feed Seed Hay

FOR SALE: Grass Hay 5X5 Rounds, asking $50/per bale. Also 3x3x8 Big Squares, asking $95/each. 507-227-2602

OPEN Pollinated Seed Corn. Produces more high quality silage on less acres than hybrid. $67/bushel plus shipping. High feed value grain. borriesopenpollinatedseedcorn.com 217-857-3377 or 217-343-4962

Fertilizer & Chemical

Glyphosate 5.4 totes, $23.50 w/ free shipping; Gen Liberty totes, $49; Enlist 1 totes, $51. We ship most everywhere & all tote prices include Free Delivery to your farm or business. Please call or text for any other chemical needs. Phone 612-210-3685

Bins & Buildings

SILO

Take-down & clean up Specializing in silos in congested areas.

FULLY INSURED mobile concrete crushing. 507-236-9446

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

888-830-7757

Farm Equipment

FOR SALE: Fast 40’ 3pt sprayer, $3,000; Century 750 gal tank & chassis w/ oscillating tandem wheels, $2,500; 2012 Grant 744 wagon, fenders, used only at bin site, $22,000. 515-570-3617 Manson, IA.

Farm Equipment

FOR SALE: Forklift Hyster H20E, LP, 3 wheels, side shift, 2 sets of forks, $3,500. 4 ft electric heater w/ thermostat, $50. 507-732-4415

FOR SALE: JD BWF 14’ disc; Tye press drill, 15’; JD Cat #3 narrow quick hitch. 320-587-5823

FOR SALE: Lorenz snow blower, 3pt hitch, Model 838, 96” cut, 2 augers, hyd spout, $5,000. 507-317-5159

FOR SALE: New Industries America heavy duty 120R 8 way box blade, $7,500. 320293-1432 or 320-260-2213

We buy Salvage Equipment Parts Available Hammell Equip., Inc. (507)867-4910

RENVILLE COUNTY FARMLAND SEALED BID AUCTION

428.97 ± acres of prime Renville County farmland

Parcel 1: 40± ac. with 35.30 till. ac. and 1± ac. of county ditch buffer enrolled into RIM land. CPI rating of 86.4. Parcel 2: 80± ac. with 79.9 till. ac. CPI rating of 92 1 Parcel 3: 80± ac with 78 9 till ac and 0 5± ac of county ditch buffer enrolled into RIM land CPI rating of 92 6 Parcel 4: 148 97± ac with 134 55± till ac and 3 5± ac of county ditch buffer enrolled into RIM land CPI rating of 89 County & private tile. Combination of Parcels 1-4: 348.97± ac. with 328.65± till. ac. CPI rating of 90. 5 ± acres of county ditch buffer enrolled into RIM. Parcel 5: 80± ac. with 78.5± till. ac., excellent farmability. CPI rating of 92.4.

Private tile

Farm Location: 9 miles southwest of Olivia, MN or 8 miles north of Redwood Falls, MN

Date & Time: Sealed bids due 5pm on Monday, February 27, 2023. Live bidding on Wednesday, March 1, 2023, at 10:00 AM at Max’s Grill in Oliva, MN. Must be registered to attend.

AKC REG. COCKER SPANIEL

PUPS. Big Litters! ½ PRICE! 3-M, 6-F. Shots and wormed. 920-563-3410 mornings. (#268588) (mcn)

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HOMES FOR RENT! In Your Area. Call Toll Free. 1-833-985-1450. (mcn)

PAYING TOP CA$H FOR MEN’S SPORT WATCHES! Rolex, Breitling, Omega, Patek Philippe, Heuer, Daytona, GMT, Submariner, Speedmaster.. Call: 866-314-9742. (mcn)

TOP CA$H PAID FOR OLD GUITARS! 1920-1980 Gibson, Martin, Fender, Gretsch, Epiphone, Guild, Mosrite, Rickenbacker, Prairie State, D’Angelico, Stromberg. And Gibson Mandolins / Banjos. 866-470-1643. (mcn)

Buying and selling silver bars, silver dollars, rare coins, gold coins, gold jewelry, any gold-silver items, collector coins. Kuehl’s Coins, Fairmont, Minnesota, 507-235-3886. (mcn)

Tractors

FOR SALE: 1996 JD 8870, 7402 hrs, 1 owner tractor, 71070R-38 tires, 800 hours on tires since new, LED lights, & rock box. Asking $56,000. 320-522-1495

FOR SALE: John Deere 620, new paint, runs good, carburetor redone; John Deere 530, runs good, NF; 3 and 4 bottom plows for sale. 507-380-4380

for

reading

Tractors

NEW AND USED TRACTOR

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

Why hang on to stuff you don’t use? Put a line ad in The Land and sell those things for some extra cash. It makes sense. Call The Land at 507-345-4523

Planting Equip

FOR SALE: 2008 John Deere 1750 corn planter, 8R30”, finger pickup, dry fertilizer, row cleaners, John Deere monitor 350, low acres. 320-583-3131

Hay & Forage Equipment

FOR SALE: NH 1034 stack liner, very nice condition, always shedded. asking $12,000/OBO. 507-227-2602

Grain Handling Equipment

DMC air transfer system model 1700, about 300 ft of 5” tubing, 2-10HP motors, single phase, new in 2001, only used once in last 10 yrs, stored inside off -season, current new approx. $34,000. $19,000/OBO (952)451-2315

Wanted

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

Classified line ads work! Call 507-345-4523

If

March

March 17, 2023

March 31, 2023

Sullivan Auctioneers and BigIron Auctions are the best choice for online land and equipment auctions. With a combined bidder base of half a million, we bring national exposure to your land and equipment that you can’t get from anyone else.

Contact your local representative today!

SCAN TO VIEW OUR UPCOMING AUCTIONS!

DAN SULLIVAN JIM SULLIVAN JOHN SULLIVAN BILL SULLIVAN MICHAEL SULLIVAN

Full Farm Management Services

Ensure Asset Preservation, Conservation, Negotiate Leases and Terms to Fit Ever Changing Industry Trends. Call Randy or Ryan today for more details!

MOWER COUNTY: Approx. 160 acres MLS# 6181690 SOLD!

MOWER COUNTY: Approx. 233 acres. MLS# 6175747 SOLD!

OLMSTED COUNTY: Approx. 35 acres. MLS# 6160091 SOLD!

“Need listings! We have qualifed buyers!”

Randy Queensland • 507-273-3890 • randy@Irmrealestate.com

Ryan Queensland • 507-273-3000 • ryan@Irmrealstate.com Grand Meadow, MN • 800-658-2340

February 28

March 10

March 21

Only registered bidders may attend

Livestock

FOR SALE: 60 farrowing crates with tri-bar and tender foot flooring; also 160 6-stall for sows & drop buckets. 320-583-9877

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

Sell your livestock in The Land with a line ad. 507-345-4523

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

For

Did you know... you can place your classified ad online at www.TheLandOnline.com or email theland@TheLandOnline.com

Swine

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

Sheep

20 H.D. Steel Jigs For Sheep & Goats To Make Turning Cradles Sorting & Slide Gates, Corral & Run Panels, Mineral Feeders, Bale Feeders, Etc. PLUS 35 Pieces Of Inventory. RETIRING 319269-4226

A BIG THANK YOU

to everyone who sent in the 2023 LAND subscription card. We really appreciate it! If you haven’t done it yet you’ll find one on page 16 of this issue. Please take a minuteand do so today. Fill it out, sign & date it, add your payment and mail it back. It’s that simple.

Miscellaneous

PARMA DRAINAGE PUMPS

New pumps & parts on hand. Call Minnesota’s largest distributor

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

Eagle Lanes keeps rolling along...

Not too long ago, a woman in a wheel chair came to Eagle Lanes in Eagle Bend, Minn. with members of her family. The idea was, Grandma was going to spend some time watching her grandkids bowling. That sounds like a good way for a 102-year-old woman to spend some time.

But Al Woida, a former cream can truck driver and grandpa of 24, thought he had a better idea.

Woida, who has owned Eagle Lanes with his wife Betty, for 30 years, is convinced anybody can have fun bowling. The emphasis is on the fun. So, he asked the lady if she’d like to bowl. She, of course, declined. After all, 102 and in a wheel chair … how could she?

Well, with a series of assistive ramps, Al got her down on the lane rolling a ball in the general direction of the pins. Apparently she was whooping and giving high fives. The kids and grandkids said they hadn’t heard her laugh so much for a long time.

Al told that story on a Saturday open bowling afternoon. Kristine Blommel was bowling with her husband and two children. Kristine belongs to one of the numerous winter leagues at Eagle Lanes. Her kids enjoy bowling on Saturdays and dancing to the music from the juke box.

Eagle Bend, Minn.

Scott, Al’s son, is taking over the business since his dad is just shy of his 80th birthday. He says the leagues are a big draw for not only local people like Kristine.

“We have people come from as far away as West Fargo and Albertville, near the Twin Cities, for our tournaments and leagues,” said Scott — who put in new lanes, bumpers and gutters in 2022.

Those people from afar are serious bowlers; but bowlers come for the fun as well as for the bowling. Woidas have a series of games and contests involving specially-colored pins and complex bowling contests. Attempts to win a dollar bill from Al keep bowlers laughing and whooping it up like a 102 year old.

Eagle Lanes serves pizza, soda and beer; and has ample seating for nonbowlers, people waiting to bowl, and pool players. Scott is also glad to host groups who want to have a special bowling outing or party.

Scott said if you’re interested in learning how to join a league or throw a bowling party, call him at (218) 234-1949 or email him at scottwoida@ yahoo.com.

Eagle Lanes is on Facebook and closes during the summer. v