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Much to be thankful for
P.O. Box 3287 418 South Second St. Mankato, MN 56002 (800) 657-4665 Vol. XLIV ❖ No. 25 28 pages, 1 section plus supplements
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COLUMNS Opinion Farm and Food File Table Talk The Bookworm Sez: Cooking With Kristin Swine & U Mielke Market Weekly Marketing Auctions/Classifieds Advertiser Listing Back Roads
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Publisher: Steve Jameson: sjameson@mankatofreepress.com General Manager: Deb Petterson: dpetterson@TheLandOnline.com Managing Editor: Paul Malchow: editor@TheLandOnline.com Staff Writer: Kristin Kveno: kkveno@thelandonline.com Staff Writer Emeritus: Dick Hagen: rdhagen35@gmail.com Advertising Representatives: Joan Streit: (507) 344-6379, jstreit@thelandonline.com Deb Petterson: dpetterson@TheLandOnline.com Office/Advertising Assistants: Joan Compart: theland@TheLandOnline.com Lyuda Shevtsov: auctions@thelandonline.com For Customer Service Concerns: (507) 345-4523, (800) 657-4665, theland@TheLandOnline.com Fax: (507) 345-1027 For Editorial Concerns or Story Ideas: (507) 344-6342, (800) 657-4665, editor@TheLandOnline.com Because of the nature of articles appearing in The Land, product or business names may be included to provide clarity. This does not constitute an endorsement of any product or business. Opinions and viewpoints expressed in editorials or by news sources are not necessarily those of the management. The Publisher shall not be liable for slight changes or typographical errors that do not lessen the value of an advertisement. The Publisher’s liability for other errors or omissions in connection with an advertisement is strictly limited to publication of the advertisement in any subsequent issue or the refund of any monies paid for the advertisement. Classified Advertising: $19.99 for seven (7) lines for a private classified, each additional line is $1.40; $24.90 for business classifieds, each additional line is $1.40. Classified ads accepted by mail or by phone with VISA, MasterCard, Discover or American Express. Classified ads can also be sent by e-mail to theland@TheLandOnline.com. Mail classified ads to The Land, P.O. Box 3169, Mankato, MN 56002. Please include credit card number, expiration date and your postal address with ads sent on either mail version. Classified ads may also be called into (800) 657-4665. Deadline for classified ads is 5 pm on the Friday prior to publication date, with holiday exceptions. Distributed to farmers in all Minnesota counties and northern Iowa, as well as on The Land’s website. Each classified ad is separately copyrighted by The Land. Reproduction without permission is strictly prohibited. Subscription and Distribution: Free to farmers and agribusinesses in Minnesota and northern Iowa. $29 per year for non-farmers and people outside the service area. The Land (USPS 392470) Copyright © 2019 by The Free Press Media is published biweekly by The Free Press, 418 S 2nd Street, Mankato, MN 56001-3727. Business and Editorial Offices: 418 S. 2nd Street, Mankato, MN 56001-3727, Accounting and Circulation Offices: Steve Jameson, 418 S 2nd Street, Mankato, MN 56001-3727. Call (507) 345-4523 to subscribe. Periodicals postage paid at Mankato, MN. Postmaster and Change of Address: Send address changes to The Land, P.O. Box 3287, Mankato MN 56002-3169 or e-mail to theland@TheLandOnline.com.
This Thanksgiving was a unique one at ball with my brother and cousins in the the Kveno house. We didn’t travel to the front yard of my grandparents bungalow Twin Cities to spend the holiday with my in Chicago, excited for the next day as parents. We stayed home. In my whole we’d always head downtown to see the life I can’t remember a single Marshall Field’s window displays. I fondThanksgiving where we celebrated with ly remember walking in the woods just immediate family. Growing up, holiaround my in-laws’ farm with bellies full days were filled with cousins, trips to the of Thanksgiving turkey and exploring grandparents’ houses in either White with friendly barn cats in tow. LAND MINDS Bear Lake, Minn. or Chicago. After stuffing our faces this By Kristin Kveno Thanksgiving this year started out with Thanksgiving, we joined my parents over a quiet walk around town. New Ulm Facetime for a rousing game of bingo. was silent, no hustling or bustling There was laughter, joy, and of course could be found. Then I helped my husa technical problem or two. It wasn’t band Seth get the turkey into the fryer. If you can’t the same as being with them in-person, but it was a gather with all of your family you should at the close second. There’s simply so many wonderful very least do something fun like fry a turkey, so we memories of Thanksgivings. I will definitely add did. Seth had never prepared a turkey this way. But this year’s to that list. man — was it tasty and quick! In only 45 minutes My kids are currently doing distance learning. we had a flavorful and delicious turkey ready to eat. They’re in the first week of it and so far, so good. The usual Italian fare made it’s appearance on the The house is quiet in the morning with everyone in Thanksgiving table: lasagna, sausage, meatballs their rooms in Google Meets. In the late afternoons and Sicilian stuffed artichokes. My daughter — at we’ve incorporated Christmas baking into our rouonly 13 years old — can make a mean pot of tine. I didn’t think this through when I told each mashed potatoes, so she was in charge of that dish child to pick out their favorite cookie recipe for us to this year. bake. Since we won’t be seeing any family or friends for the foreseeable future, we’re going to be left with We sat down, just the six of us, ready to eat. But lots and lots of cookies. A date with the treadmill is first we prayed, then went around the table to say already overdue for me and these tempting sweet what we were thankful for. It was in that moment that instead of feeling sad for what we were missing treats in the kitchen won’t help matters in that department. But the memories we’re making count, out on, we were filled with gratitude for what we and calories really shouldn’t during a pandemic, have. We have each other. That’s something that right?!? should never be taken for granted, but I’m often guilty of doing. I was grateful for memories of past I know that we are all trying hard to stay positive Thanksgivings with dear family members crowded in what feels like an endless plight. I don’t have any around the table. So many of them are no longer sage words of wisdom, but I do have lots and lots of with us. cookies and that feels like a plate of joy right now. Happy Christmas cookie eating to one and all! I’d I remember making pumpkin martinis one year better go … I hear that treadmill calling me! and my Grandpa (hard to please when it came to food and beverages) having two of them — exclaimKristin Kveno is the staff writer of The Land. She ing it was the best drink he’d ever tasted before may be reached at kkveno@TheLandOnline.com. v requesting yet another refill. I recall playing foot-
OPINION
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
8 — Le Sueur County farm recognized for sustainable practices 9 — Strip tillage saves farmer time and money 10 — MCGA President Tim Waibel weighs in on topics for 2021 12 — Things to consider when transporting hogs in cold weather
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Choose an ag secretary with experience and boldness It’s a challenge to find one 100,000 employees while person with the combined dealing with everything skills of a farmer, rancher, from soup to nuts. forester, food aid adminisEmphasizing soup and trator, tribal leader, attornuts isn’t accidental because ney, economist, conservathe biggest program area tionist, miner, insurance within USDA doesn’t deal expert, food scientist, and with farms, ranches or forfinance specialist to fill the ests. Instead, it’s nutrition about-to-open job of the sec- FARM & FOOD FILE assistance — by far. retary of agriculture. By Alan Guebert How far? In fact, that person — Intergalacticly far. described in part by the According to its “FY titles of the eight under 2021 Budget Summary” secretaries and 11 specialist “offices” (if anything 112 pages-long can be within the U.S. Department of called a summary), USDA will spend Agriculture — doesn’t exist. $98.9 billion of its $151 billion budget Still, USDA boss is a plum job with — 65 percent — on its three biggest excellent pay ($210,700 in 2019), med- food assistance programs: the ical benefits, a defined pension, and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance sweet perks like an office on the Program (SNAP), the National School National Mall, invitations to White Lunch Program, and the Women, House parties, and first class travel to Infants, and Children program, or WIC. … well, anywhere. By contrast, it will spend $33.2 bilBut running USDA isn’t all state lion on “Farm, Conservation, and fairs and Farm Bureau conventions. Commodity Programs” this fiscal year, It’s a daunting task to manage 33 or one-third of what SNAP, School agencies, 4,300 offices, and more than Lunch, and WIC will cost.
OPINION
Little wonder, then, why so many food advocates often mumble about renaming the Department of Agriculture to something like Department of Food, Nutrition, and Agriculture. Despite farm programs taking a back seat to assistance programs, six of USDA’s seven 2021 “strategic goals” have little-to-nothing to do with its biggest program and its biggest cost, food aid. It’s not that the six (which include areas like farm production, ag exports and rural development) aren’t important; they absolutely are. There is, after all, no life without food and little food without farmers, ranchers, and rural America. Still, many of USDA’s current “strategic” goals sound like something out of the 1970s (“Maximize the ability of American agricultural producers to prosper by feeding and clothing the world.”) rather than a hard focus on how to sustainably grow more food in an infinitely more complex environment and increasingly competitive world market. And that’s true whether or not you overlook USDA’s own “customer” (the favorite metric of current Secretary Sonny Perdue) numbers that show, at best, farm programs (like crop insurance, direct subsidies, etc.) impact about 5 million Americans every year while SNAP, the School Lunch Program, and WIC are used by a whopping 71.4 million Americans, most daily. None of this comes as a surprise to
farmers, ranchers, or most ag organizations that have fought to keep a “farmer” in charge of USDA — despite rising consumer and food aid dominance. Now, however, they face a change they’ve known was coming for decades. Congresswoman Marcia Fudge, a 20-year veteran of the House Ag Committee, an attorney and former prosecutor, the first Black mayor of Warrensville, Ohio, and a noted expert on child nutrition and food aid programs, is angling to the be the next secretary of agriculture. If government experience, farm policymaking, and expertise in USDA’s largest program area are any measures, Fudge is a highly-qualified candidate. Any shortcoming on, say, the inner workings of crop insurance or the Forest Service, can be addressed as they have been by every past secretary: choosing area specialists as undersecretaries or deputy undersecretaries. Will Marcia Fudge be the next secretary of agriculture? On the face of it, she should be a shoo-in. Her resume, expertise and politics perfectly align with what USDA needs; and what Joe Biden, the president-elect, preaches. It would, however, be a bold choice. Are we as a nation and we in agriculture that bold? The Farm and Food File is published weekly through the United States and Canada. Past columns, events and contact information are posted at www. farmandfoodfile.com. v
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The swimming pool, the tree and Santa’s flight pattern If we had any inkling at all about how I should have gotten an Oscar award short childhood is while we are still chilfor my performance. They fell for the dren, we would have appreciated it so whole story. much more — instead of being in such a Three young faces looked towards the hurry to grow up. trees in utter amazement, maybe because Often when kids finally get there, it’s a I had kept this incredible secret for so bitter disappointment with all the long. How could a kid get to be in the responsibility and job commitments that first and third grades and not have come along with being able to do ‘whatevreceived this important, classified, North TABLE TALK er we want.’ Perhaps having to still Pole-based memo? answer to someone is the best-kept secret By Karen Schwaller After that day, summer pool-side afterof adulthood. noons in coming years often included conI am reminded of the magic of childhood versations about that tree top and how every year when I begin our Christmas preparations Santa and the reindeer had worn a hole in the tree —especially when I open totes and find tree ornatop because the branches were in the way of their ments made by the awkward and unskilled hands of flight pattern. our (then) elementary school children. We have years All too soon they knew the truth, and the magic of popsicle stick photo frames and Christmas stars that are the primary reason why glue factory workers can carry on yet today with complete job security; and other such creations which could have benefitted from an eight-year-old with a working protracWORTHINGTON, Minn. — University of tor and a good blackmail scheme. Minnesota Extension has scheduled several Zoom meetings to discuss some of the key issues and quesOne of the best stories that came out of the tions around crop production. Sessions run from 8:30 Schwaller Christmas was born one summer when to 9 a.m. on Wednesdays, Jan. 6 through March 24. our elementary-aged children were enjoying an afternoon in the fiberglass swimming pool I had set Sessions will be very informal and open to all interup and filled one hot summer afternoon. I was in ested. Each session will start with a brief presentathe pool with them when we got to talking about tion (about 10 minutes) followed by 20 minutes of the trees at our farm and how old they were, and discussion. how important trees are. Jan. 6 — Corn hybrid selection. Jeff Coulter, As we talked about the trees I looked up and hap- Extension corn agronomist, Dean Malvick, Extension pened to see a tree with a grouping of branches that plant pathologist and researcher Tom Hoverstad. had a very large ‘hole’ of sorts within them. It Jan. 13 — Soybean variety selection. Seth Naeve, almost looked as if some branches had been cut out to make way for power lines, though that never hap- Extension soybean agronomist and Malvick. Jan. 20 — Herbicide technology traits. Debalin pened. Sarangi, Extension weed specialist and Tom Peters, It was then that I thought I could use that tree — Extension Sugar beet agronomist and our conversation — to create some wonder, so I Jan. 27 — Broadcasting versus banding P & K. Jeff started in. “Hey you guys … do you see that tree over there? Vetsch, researcher and Dan Kaiser, Extension nutrient management specialist The one with the big hole in the top?” I asked. Feb. 3 — Third crops ready to work for you. Jochum Sooner or later they all spotted it. Wiersma, Extension small grains specialist and “You know why there’s a hole in the top of that Craig Sheaffer, forage specialist tree?” I asked, trolling for their attention. Feb. 10 — The latest on cover crop research and Of course, they didn’t know why the tree top had a tools you can use. Axel Garcia y Garcia, Sustainable hole in it, so what followed was possibly the best Cropping Systems, Anna Cates, Extension state soil story I ever made up to advance the magic of health specialist and Gregg Johnson, Biomass Christmas. Or, for at least as long as they ‘believed.’ Cropping Systems “That big hole is where Santa flies in on his Feb. 17 — Adjusting soil pH to maximize crop prosleigh every Christmas. When Santa and his reinduction. Dan Kaiser, Extension nutrient managedeer get to those trees they have to start to land so ment specialist and Jeff Vetsch, researcher they can end up on top of our house,” I said. Feb. 24 — The nuts’n bolts of on-farm research — How very lucky that the trees were northeast of Doin’ it right. R.L. (Bob) Nielsen, Extension corn our house, advancing the believability of the story specialist and Naeve. all the more as they grew and began to ask quesMarch 3 — Making every acre pay. Naeem Kalwar, tions. After all, every child knows Santa Claus Extension soil health specialist, Tanner Bruse, comes from the north. Minnesota Ag and Conservation Programs manager,
was gone. It’s sad when that happens. The hole in the tree top is still there. Today our sons live on that place, and someday maybe they can tell that story to their own children who could be living there someday. And the story will be just as amazing to them then as it was to our children on that very warm summer afternoon when they were first aware of how Santa and the reindeer were able to land on our roof top by pushing through the top of the trees on our farm. The only thing more breathtaking than Christmas magic is the very brevity of the childhood in which that magic exists. Karen Schwaller brings “Table Talk” to The Land from her home near Milford, Iowa. She can be reached at kschwaller@evertek.net. v
Extension to host ag topics on Zoom Pheasants Forever and Alan Lepp, NRCS March 10 — What insects are bugging your corn this year? Ken Ostlie, Extension entomologist and Bruce Potter, Extension integrated pest management specialist March 17 — SCN: So tough a threat, it warrants a coalition. Greg Tylka, nematologist, Naeve, and Samuel Markell, Extension broadleaf plant pathologist,. March 24 — Stand establishment for corn and soybean. Naeve, Coulter and Malvick. For details and to register, go to https://z.umn.edu/ strategic-farming. You need only register once for the whole program series. There is no charge to participate, and sessions will be recorded and posted for viewing later at your convenience. This article was submitted by University of Minnesota Extension. v
NOTICE
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Deadline for Deadline for Deadline for The Land’s The Land’s The Land’s Dec. 25th issue is Jan. 1, 2021 issue is Jan. 8, 2021 issue is Tues., Dec. 15th Tues., Dec. 22th Tues., Dec. 29th at noon. at noon. at noon.
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Books are still a great gift in a topsy-turvy year The holidays this year are going to be The short-story lover will enjoy “Cat … well, unique. Person and Other Stories” by Kristen Roupenian, a collection of creepy, odd Some family members won’t be there. tales that doubles as a gift of shivers. Others are coming, regardless of whatevCan’t go wrong if you pair it with “The er’s going on in the country. Still others Faceless Old Woman Who Secretly Lives are sending their regards and a box of in Your Home” by Joseph Fink and presents — which is something you Jeffrey Cranor. Doesn’t the title tell you might do, too. And here’s the good news: everything you need to know? books are easy to wrap, easy to box, and THE BOOKWORM easy to ship. Why not try one of these Lovers of family-drama-type novels will SEZ great books for that person who can’t whoop when they open “Louisiana Lucky” make it to your table this holiday season? By Terri Schlichenmeyer by Julie Pennell. It’s the tale of three sisters and a big lottery pay-out that will Does anybody need another book about a natural disaster? Ha, of course they do! So that’s make all their dreams come true. Or not. Pair it with “Betty,” by Tiffany McDaniel, a lovely novel of why you should look for “The 2084 Report: An Oral family and what happens when you learn things History of the Great Warming: A Novel” by James about them you don’t want to know. Lawrence Powell. Yes, it’s set in the future. You can hope so, anyhow.... The giftee who loves a good historical mystery will relish “The Streel: A Deadwood Mystery” by Mary Surely, there’s someone on your gift list who’s Logue. Set in Deadwood, S.D., this story sees a teenwished at some point this year that they could be age Irish immigrant whose brother is involved in a cloned. Wrap up “The Mirror Man” by Jane kerfuffel and she’s got to clear his name. The probGilmartin with a “careful what you wish for” note. lem? He has a gold claim and it ain’t no small thing. Wrap it up with “The Operator” by Gretchen Berg, Historical mystery lovers will also love “The Day the story of a woman who wishes she’d never overLincoln Lost” by Charles Rosenberg, a thriller-type heard what she did. novel that asks “What if...?” For the giftee who loves to be surprised, wrap up Is there someone on your list who craves a good “The Book of Hidden Wonders” by Polly Crosby. It’s scare? Then look for “Demonic Foes” by Richard the story of a girl whose father entertained her with Gallagher, MD. He’s a psychiatrist who specializes a story in which she’s a character, and it becomes a in the paranormal, particularly in demonic possesbig bestseller. Good for her, right? Or not so much. sion. You can feel the shivers from here. Wrap it up with “The Falling Woman” by Richard Farrell, a book about a woman who supposedly died The new or about-to-be parent on your gift list in a plane crash — only she didn’t, but she wants to will love having “Calm the H*ck Down” by Melanie stay “dead.” Dole. It’s filled with common-sense parenting that will help your giftee take a big and much-needed The person on your list who loves a good family drama will want “The Lost Orphan” by Stacey Halls breath. Wrap it up with “How Babies Sleep” by Sofia under the tree this year. It’s the story of two women Axelrod, PhD. And wish them a nighty-night. and one little girl, and a secret that won’t be able to It’s been an unusual year. So show your giftee that be kept for long. Pair it with “The End of the Day” it’s possible to buck up and survive by wrapping by Bill Clegg, a novel of friendship, relationships, “Why Fish Don’t Exist” by Lulu Miller. It’s the story and the resolution of long-buried secrets. of an early 20th century scientist and the day he watched his life’s work as it literally shattered. No doubt, there’s a historical fiction fan on your What he did was astounding, and a great lesson for list, so there’s no doubt that you’ll want to wrap up 2020. Wrap it up with another book on what’s “Bonnie: A Novel” by Christina Schwarz. Yep, it’s a underwater: “Monsters of the Deep” by Nick fictionalized tale of Bonnie Parker, and how she Redfern. This book is more cryptozoology than biogbecame one of the early 20th-century’s most iconic raphy, but for fishing fans, that’s fine. outlaws. Wrap it up with “The Big Finish” by Brooke Fossey, a novel about two outlaws that you’d Here’s an idea from dad to son or the other way never put together and their great escape. around: “A Better Man” by Michael Ian Black takes a look at masculinity and what it means to “be a If you’ve got a big reader on your list, it’s hard to man” in the 21st century. Wrap it up for your son or find something they haven’t already seen. That’s son-to-be, who’ll get there someday. Wrap it up for why you should wrap up “Layoverland” by Gabby Noone. It’s the tale of a woman who lives a life she’s Dad, to thank him for the guidance, paired with not proud of, so when she dies, she goes to purgato- “The Toughest Kid We Knew” by Frank Bergon, a story of the “New West,” California, and life in small ry. There’s a chance for her to go to heaven, but it involves helping the guy who killed her. Pair it with towns and ranches of today’s West. “The Midnight Library” by Matt Haig, the story of a Armchair scientists will be happy to see “The possible place that offers a re-do of life. It’s a spot Handy Physics Answer Book, Third Edition” by between living and dying, but it’s not what your Charles Liu, Ph.D. beneath the tree. This Q-and-A giftee thinks it is... format is easy to read, easy to browse, and fun to
use. Wrap it up with another science-y book: “The Human Cosmos: Civilization and the Stars” by Jo Marchant, a book about how looking at the night sky makes us human. Do you have a person on your list who has a serious case of wanderlust? Then wrap up “Spirits of San Francisco: Voyages Through the Unknown City” by Gary Kamiya, drawings by Paul Madonna. It’s an easy-to-browse book of things to look for when you’re looking for somewhere different to visit. Pair it with “The Change: My Great American, Postindustrial, Midlife Crisis Tour” by Lori Soderlind, the story of one woman, one elderly dog, and a road trip to remember. The DIY woman on your gift list (and the one who craves self-sufficiency) will love having “Girls Garage” by Emily Pilloton. It’s a super-helpful book about using tools, fixing things, understanding do-itherself language, tackling projects, and getting it DONE. There’s someone on your list who loves gardening, and will love to see “The Language of Butterflies” by Wendy Williams under the tree. It’s the story of butterflies, why we love them, what scientists are learning about them, and how the world would be the lesser without them. Is your political animal a little sorry to see the election over? Then wrap up “Fight House” by Tevi Troy, a book about the back-stabbing, fang-baring tumultuousness and rivalries inside the White House in the last century or so. Pair it with another great history book: “Union: The Struggle to Forge the Story of United States Nationhood” by Colin Woodard. For the lover of sports, sort of, “Loving Sports When They Don’t Love You Back” by Jessica Luther and Kavitha A. Davidson is the right book to wrap up. It explores and discusses all the sports-related things that make your giftee take pause: loving teams that lose, racist mascots, paying for that new stadium, owners who are unethical... You can’t possibly go wrong when you wrap up “We Are Santa: Portraits and Profiles” by Ron Cooper this Christmas. It’s a book filled with Santas from around the eastern and central sides of the country, and how they became Jolly Old Elves. Release dates change, titles change, nothing’s set in stone, and books can get canceled. If you need help finding these titles or something like them, raise a flag, wave your hand, and throw yourself at the mercy of your favorite friendly bookstore owner or librarian. If you don’t have a favorite, it’s imperative that you treat yourself to a favorite bookstore owner or librarian today because they know all the secrets of the literary universe. They are, indeed, magical beings when it comes to books. Season’s Readings, y’all! v
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Variety makes these appetizers a hit for the holidays This year, holidays will look a little difn ferent. No large family gatherings, no My husband already has picked out the appetizer hugs from Grandma, no office Christmas he’s making for Christmas: Armadillo Eggs. While no parties. This year is like no other. Instead armadillos are actually in the recipe (thank goodof making the traditional Thanksgiving ness) the rest of the ingredients come together in and Christmas meals, why not shake it these crispy and delectable appetizers. up when it comes to food? Armadillo Eggs We are planning on doing all appetizers https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/33950/armadilfor Christmas eve. It will be just the six COOKING lo-eggs/ of us, so a large meal isn’t necessary (and WITH KRISTIN 24 jalapeno peppers to be honest, we have picky eaters that By Kristin Kveno 1 pound sausage won’t want to eat it anyway). Having an 2 cups all-purpose baking mix appetizer night allows each family member to make 1 (16 ounce) package Cheddar cheese, shredded an appetizer of their liking. My kids have gotten 1 tablespoon crushed red pepper flakes pretty good at being innovative in their food cre1 tablespoon garlic salt ations, so I’m looking forward to seeing what they 1 (16 ounce) package Monterey Jack cheese, cubed will come up with. Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Lightly grease a medium baking Here’s a few of my favorite holiday appetizers. sheet. Cut a slit in each jalapeno pepper. Remove and discard Some have been my tried-and-true for years now. seeds and pulp. In a medium bowl, mix sausage, baking mix, If you’ve never had bacon wrapped figs, please try this recipe Cheddar cheese, crushed red pepper and garlic salt. Stuff jalapeat once. The first time I heard of this appetizer, I wanted nothing nos with the Monterey Jack cheese cubes. Shape sausage mixto do with it as I’m not a fig person. But the combination of ture around the jalapenos to form balls. Arrange jalapeno balls on bacon, goat cheese and figs creates a flavor profile that can’t be the prepared baking sheet. Bake 25 minutes in the preheated beat. oven, until lightly browned. Bacon Wrapped Figs with Herb Goat Cheese n https://www.joyfulhealthyeats.com/bacon-wrapped-stuffed-figsYou can never go wrong with a cheese ball, especially if artiherb-goat-cheese/ chokes are involved. I’ve been making this recipe for years, it’s 25 dried figs simple and delicious. 8–9 strips of bacon, cut into thirds Spinach Artichoke Feta Ball 3 ounces goat cheese 1 teaspoon fresh rosemary, chopped 8 ounces cream cheese 1 teaspoon fresh thyme, chopped 10 ounces frozen chopped spinach, thawed and squeezed dry 1 teaspoon fresh sage, chopped 4 ounces feta 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Fill a medium saucepan with water. Bring to a boil. Add dry figs to saucepan. Remove from heat and let figs sit for 5-10 minutes, until they are plump. Remove figs from water and place on a paper towel lined plate. Pat dry. In a small bowl, add goat cheese, rosemary, thyme, sage and garlic powder. Using a fork mix everything together. Snip the stems of the figs and cut a slit in the figs (enough to stuff it with cheese) about a ½ inch. Stuff each fig with the goat cheese mixture, then wrap with pre-sliced bacon and secure with a toothpick in them. Place wrapped figs on parchment paper lined baking sheet seam side down. Repeat process until all figs are stuffed and wrapped. Bake for 15-20 minutes or until bacon is crispy.
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4 ounces canned artichoke hearts, chopped 2 teaspoons minced garlic 1 package dry ranch salad dressing mix In a large bowl, combine the cream cheese, spinach, feta, artichokes, garlic and ranch dressing. Mix together with hands until well blended, form into a ball or log and set on a serving plate. n Cowboy Caviar seems to be a hit with everyone. Making it a day in advance brings out the flavors and marries all the ingredients into a taste sensation.
Cowboy Caviar 2 cans Rotel 2 cans white corn 2 cans black beans (drain all cans) 1 tomato, chopped 1 green pepper, chopped 8-10 green onions, chopped 1 tablespoon chopped garlic 16 ounce bottle Italian dressing Mix all ingredients. Serve with Frito Scoops. Whether you’re creating an elaborate holiday feast or ordering pizza, these recipes can add some flare to any holiday gathering, no matter the size. Happy eating everyone! Kristin Kveno scours the internet, pours over old family recipes and searches everywhere in between to find interesting food ideas for feeding your crew. Do you have a recipe you want to share? You can reach Kristin at kkveno@thelandonline.com. v
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THE LAND — DECEMBER 11/DECEMBER 18, 2020
Le Sueur organic, sustainable farm gets national attention By TIM KROHN The Free Press Mankato LE SUEUR, Minn. — When Tim and Tom Nuessmeier were growing up on the family farm east of Le Sueur, the terms “organic” and “sustainable” weren’t really a recognized concept. But their parents liked to farm as naturally as possible. “My parents farmed conventionally,” Tim Nuessmeier said. “But they were reluctant to use agricultural chemicals and things of that sort. But my father wasn’t interested in making the jump to organic farming — that wasn’t even on the radar then.”
pork, beef and lamb and is the largest network in North America to be certified humane. They sell meats to restaurants and grocers. “It’s a nice recognition,” Nuessmeier said. “I admire the company for trying to encourage wild land restoration and things of that sort. I think it’s much needed.” The Nuessmeier farm, going on 150 years in the family, is a haven for livestock, animals and bugs. In the 1990s the brothers installed terraces to reduce erosion. They put land in the Conservation Reserve Program where they have seen robust pollinator life. They have dubbed the area a “songbird commons” because of the many ground-nesting songbirds among the native plants. “We have always believed that wild nature — birds, insects, mammals — should have a place to coexist on a working farm,” Nuessmeier said. Their pigs are pampered. “To be ‘sustainably raised’ you have a number of protocols — no antibiotics, no animal byproducts in the feed, animals need to be able to go indoors and outdoors and have straw to nest on.” The Nuessmeiers didn’t take the added step of raising “organic” hogs, which would also require they eat only organic feed, something that is twice the cost of normal feed. They do raise organic crops, which they market to a number of buyers in the Midwest With just 200 acres of land, the family members who have a hand in the farm all work off the farm. “A lot of people say you can’t make a farm this small work, but we regarded it as a challenge to see if we could make a go of it on that Photos submitted size farm,” Nuessmeier said. He said Left to right: Tom, Judy, Claire and Tim Nuessmeier are part of the the premium price paid for organic and family farm. humane-raised crops and livestock proBut the respect for the land and love of bees and vides the added income needed to make it work. songbirds and animals were passed on to the brothWith the brothers in their early 60s, they’re not ers. When Tim took over the main operations, he and exactly sure who will have a hand in the farm in the several other family members involved went organic future. Tim and his wife, Judy, have a daughter, and sustainable. Their commitment to pampered Claire, who is attending college and has a deep conhogs, growing organic grain and providing critical nection to the farm. “She would be the sixth generahabitat for pollinators and birds recently earned tion. But it’s too early to tell if she’ll be an active them the first ever Niman Ranch Sustainable Farmer participant in the farm or not.” of the Year Award. Organic network Last year Colorado-based Niman Ranch announced Nuessmeier said the many businesses that supply a $200,000 fund to help farmers in the network various organic and sustainable inputs to farmers expand or adopt new sustainable farming practices are a good resource for organic farmers, particularly to protect pollinators, build soil health and preserve those just starting out. One of the suppliers he relied water quality. Niman works with more than 750 on was the staff at Albert Lea Seed, which sells independent family farmers and ranchers who raise organic seed.
Nuessmeiers’ philosophy for raising hogs involves indoor and outdoor space and plenty of bedding. Co-owner Mac Ehrhardt said his grandpa started Albert Lea Seed in 1923 and in the late ‘90s they added organic seed to their inventory. That was a few years before the USDA even had an organic seed certification program. “We were maybe a little too ahead of our time. That first year we had one organic customer,” Ehrhardt said. “Now about half of all the seed we sell goes to organic farms.” He said they like to be a resource for starting organic farmers but are careful not to give advice on topics they’re not knowledgeable about. “We talk about agronomics and crop rotations and that side of it. There are a lot of resources available to organic farmers now, a lot more than there used to be.” Albert Lea Seed gets most of its organic seeds from area growers, but for some seed they have to source from other states, Europe and Brazil. Ehrhardt said farming will always be dominated by large operations, but he thinks the growth in demand for organics, including from small and medium farms is promising. “I think it’s good for rural America to have more smaller organic farms.” The Free Press and The Land are sister publications owned by The Free Press Media. v
THE LAND — DECEMBER 11/DECEMBER 18, 2020
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PAGE 9
Strip tillage generates soil and dollar benefits By DICK HAGEN The Land Staff Writer Emeritus Several things influence the use of insecticides, herbicides, seeding rates, timing, and especially technology tillage systems in today’s agriculture. The Minnesota Association Water Resources Council hosted a “Virtual 4R Technology Review” on Brian Ryberg Nov. 11. The 4R’s of nutrient stewardship, or nutrient management, are commonly referred to when talking about proper nutrient application. The 4R’s stand for right source, right rate, right time, and right place and serve to guide farmers to the management practices which help keep nutrients on and in the field. Brian Ryberg is now a six-year veteran of zero tillage on his Renville County farm. During the Nov. 11 virtual review, Ryberg shared some of his experiences. A key component to Ryberg’s system is a Soil Warrior, manufactured at Faribault, Minn. This machine can be used in the fall and/or spring. For fall tillage, 30-inch diameter cogwheels and serrated coulters produce a 10-inch wide tilled zone 8 to 12 inches deep. The coulters and cogwheel also mix fertilizer and residue with the soil. In the spring, each cogwheel is taken off and replaced with two 20-inch diameter wavy coulters. These smaller coulters till the soil only 2 to 6 inches deep in the same 10-inch wide zone. MAWRC spokesperson Warren Formo commented, “Brian has become an innovator in strip tillage and cover crops. USDA Census of Agriculture data indicates strip till and no till/ridge till increased about 30 percent in a five-year period (2012 to 2017). Cover crop acres increased about 40 percent during that same time frame. So we know a lot of farmers are innovating new strategies in their faming. And Brian, with five year’s experience, has lots to share. Those 4 R’s of time, rate, source and place continually come into play … and fewer field trips are a big player for the Rybergs.” “Yes, the way we farm is somewhat unique I suppose … my word, though others might have different words,” said Ryberg. “I respect their judgment and know many are curious about how we make it work. We run a 24-row, 22-inch row-width machine. With the Warrior each fall, we do our P and K and microbes; then in the spring behind our corn planter we do our liquid nitrogen program — two or three applications. “We’ve been playing around with cover crops for seven or eight years, primarily after our sugar beet acres (corn, soybeans, sugar beets is the rotation). I’ve seen too many open winters with winds moving dirt. We started with cereal rye in our regular program and continued with rye when we transitioned into strip till six years ago. Cereal rye continues our basic cover crop; though mixes are now intermingled with other options depending upon the field. Cereal rye you can’t actually plant till late August and early
September because it won’t survive summer heat. We use an annual rye in a five-way mix. And if you get enough snow cover it usually survives our winters. “With cover crops we’ve had mixed results doing interseeding. Used with corn in our 22-inch rowwidth configuration, that corn canopy often shuts out sunlight. That slows photosynthesis which drastically slows growth of your cover crop. We’re seeing better results with cover crops between our soybean rows. “We’re trying interseeding between our sugar beet rows — which are also in 22-inch rowsm” Ryberg went on to say. “So far, haven’t found anything surviving wheel damage from the beet lifting process, so maybe giving up on that idea. Some guys have tried late oats in August and I’ve heard some okay results.” “Our budget shows a $15-an-acre expense for cover crops. Sure, we’re after better soil health, but that $15 cash flow is real with no direct ROI to cover. So you have to convince yourself, and perhaps your lender, that you’re doing this cover crop strategy for the right reasons. “We’ve been involved with the EQIP programs,” Ryberg said. (The Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) provides financial and technical assistance to agricultural producers to address natural resource concerns and deliver environmental benefits such as improved water and air quality, conserved ground and surface water, increased soil health and reduced soil erosion and sedimentation, improved or created wildlife habitat, and mitigation against drought and increasing weather volatility. To learn more about EQIP, contact your local Natural Resource Conservation Services office.) “This year I signed up some acres to help offset some of the cover-crop costs. But after we finished our seeding we found out they had run out of funding — so no payments. Guess I’ll chalk that up as a cost-of-learning experience.” “We’ve used multiple vendors for these cover crop seeds. Yes, seed costs do vary, so our advice: Do some shopping around when adding cover crops into your cropping program.” Ryberg stated maintenance costs have not been an issue on the Soil Warrior. “It’s a bit pricey up front. Ours was about $300,000 six years ago with all the bells and whistles we put on. Yes, a substantial amount of money, but partially offset by a substantial amount of equipment we could then sell.
d
“So definitely a higher-priced machine; but considering the fewer field trips and overall reductions in manpower per acre compared with our field cultivator, ripper and other equipment we formerly needed, the economics worked. Plus the big bonus: significant rebuilding of soil health mostly due to these fewer field trips.’’ How does Ryberg measure soil health? “My explanation would be cover crops take up those additional nutrients floating around in your soil profile. These cover crops tie them up; and then as that cover crop dies, those nutrients get released for the following crop. And cover crops don’t just gather up nitrogen. They gather all soil nutrients that might enhance your own subsequent crop. Plus this additional bonus: cover crops keep these nutrients from leaching into ground water supplies and public water ways. “Cover crops are doing a lot of root health activities too. Cereal rye’s root mass is amazing. Agronomists tell us that if cereal rye grows one-inch tall, its root mass stretches two feet deep. That much root mass in your soil profile means your soil textures are being enriched in many ways. Cereal rye sort of works like tile in the soil profile.” Speaking of tile, Ryberg said he still has some tiling to do. “Yes indeed, still a lot of ground waiting to be tiled. We bought our own tile plow a couple years back. We can’t get enough in the ground. If we had an open winter like our Illinois farmers often have, we’d likely be tiling all winter.” The Minnesota Association Water Resources Council’s “Virtual 4R Technology Review” is available for viewing on YouTube. v
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THE LAND — DECEMBER 11/DECEMBER 18, 2020
Waibel believes there’s plenty of room for corn’s future By KRISTIN KVENO The Land Staff Writer COURTLAND, Minn. — With his many goals and priorities in tow, Tim Waibel was elected president of the Minnesota Corn Growers Association. His term began Oct. 1 and will last one year. What started as Waibel filling a vacancy on the Tim Waibel MCGA board in 2012 has led him to serve as secretary, treasurer and now president. Waibel is ready to take on the challenges and opportunities in growing demand for Minnesota corn in the state and beyond. Waibel and his wife, Mary have been farming full time since 1994 and are the parents of five children. They now farm alongside sons Justin and Jonathan and raise 24,000 pigs a year in a wean-to-finish operation. The Waibels also grow corn and soybeans near Courtland, Minn. E15’s future is now Waibel’s number-one goal as MCGA president is to move E15 forward. “It’s such a no-brainer to do it.” He believes the time has come for implementation of E15. Waibel points out the E15 plants are in rural communities, offering not only an economic boost to the farmers but to their neighbors as well. “Ethanol cleans up the environment, it helps the local farmer,” Waibel said. Advances in corn-based products There have been many new innovations when it comes to the usage of corn. According to Waibel, researchers from the University of Minnesota Center for Sustainable Polymers have developed tires made from corn-based rubber instead of a petroleum-base. The research also continues in utilizing corn-based plastics on a broader scope. Waibel would like to see the corn industry be part of the creation of more plastics. He’s proud of the ongoing collaborative effort that the MCGA and the University of Minnesota
have for broadening the usage of corn in everyday products. Cover crops, not right for all With many farmers growing cover crops to improve soil health, Waibel sees both the benefit and the challenging logistical situations cover crops offer. “We don’t use cover crops on our farm.” Waibel covers 700 to 800 acres with hog manure. The state prohibits manure application until the soil temperature is below 60 degrees. A cover crop won’t work on Waibel’s farm as he wouldn’t have enough time in the fall to get the manure applied and plant the cover crops before the temperatures drop. “I hope the state never mandates us to grow cover crops.” Waibel recognizes that each farm is unique, and a one-size-fits-all mandate wouldn’t work in this situation. “My farm certainly isn’t the same as a farm 30, 40, 50 miles away from us,” Waibel said. Issue with U.S.D.A. corn totals Does the United States grow too much corn? Waibel doesn’t think so. The numbers released by the USDA have been confusing though. “The USDA got some numbers wrong.” Whether that was the usage numbers or the inventory numbers. “It’s frustrating as a producer. We’d like to go into harvest with our bins empty.” Those overestimated numbers earlier in the year led to farmers having to hold onto supply until later on when the market improved. On the political front Waibel believes losing lawmakers who stood strong for agriculture is a tough blow for Minnesotans. That sentiment has certainly been felt by many with the defeat of Rep. Collin Peterson in the November elections. Waibel felt that Rep. Peterson had extensive knowledge on ag issues. “He understood ag policy on the federal level.” On Rep. Peterson’s side of the aisle,
ASSUMPTION, Ill. — For farmers, evaluating their grain system following harvest is a sound strategy to make any necessary upgrades for the following season. “That’s especially true this season, considering the big yields experienced in many parts of the country,” said Gary Woodruff, GSI district manager and grain management expert. “Having an efficient, properly sized grain system is key to protecting grain quality and maximizing profitability.” Woodruff suggests that farmers grade their systems based on these criteria: Storage space — Determine if existing bin capacity is sufficient or if you need to improve your grain storage position. “Many farmers not only lacked enough on-farm storage this harvest, but also found
that their local elevators were full,” he said. “This meant they were forced to find temporary storage or rely on unconventional storage solutions which can sacrifice grain quality.” Woodruff said if farmers want to add storage, they should contact their dealers as soon as possible because many are getting booked quickly. Drying capacity — If your wet storage bin was full before the end of each day during harvest, it may be time to increase drying capacity. Grain handling — High yields put additional stress on grain receiving equipment. “Yields continue to grow every year,” Woodruff noted. “If your existing dump pit and bucket elevator can’t keep up with the inflow of grain, the result will be a bottleneck to your harvest. Increasing the capacity of your grain han-
many looked to him regarding decision making in ag legislation. At the state level, Rep. Jeanne Poppe (District 27B), chair of the Minnesota Agriculture and Food Finance and Policy Division lost her re-election bid. “She was a strong voice for the corn farmer.” Waibel explains that the MCGA will continue to work on forging strong connections with legislative representatives. “We’ve always had good relationships with our policy makers.” Waibel encourages lawmakers from the Twin Cities metro area to come out and visit a farm or two and ask questions. MCGA tries to get policymakers out to farms and Waibel notes they have had great success in that. “We have hosted a lot of people.” Having the opportunity to share concerns, talk about the issues and explore solutions have all happened while simply having a chat in the field. “Everyone wants to make Minnesota a better place.” Last March, Waibel went to Washington D.C. to meet with Minnesota lawmakers. The trip started with handshakes; but in those next few days Covid19 surged, the handshakes quickly ended. That was the last trip to Washington D.C. Waibel has been on so far this year. While virtual meetings are the norm for now, that in-person connection is something Waibel has certainly missed in these last nine months. “There’s nothing better than going into someone’s office and visiting with them.” He doesn’t hold out much hope that the annual meeting with Minnesota senators and representatives will happen next March. He is optimistic that Corn Congress and congressional visits can happen in July. The opportunities for corn continue to grow, along with the challenges. Waibel is excited for the future of corn and is proud of MCGA’s strong role in that fut ure. v
www.TheLandOnline.com Give your grain system a post-harvest performance review dling equipment will improve harvest speed and efficiency.” Safety — Post-harvest is also a good time to consider possible safety enhancements while it is fresh in your mind. “This can include installing roof stairs or peak platforms on bins, checking to see if bin safety cages are secure, and making sure all safety shields on motor drives and dump points are in good condition,” he said. For more information, Woodruff encourages farmers to contact their grain system dealer or consult ag university or other industry resources. This article was submitted by Grain Systems Inc., a global brand of AGCO. v
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THE LAND — DECEMBER 11/DECEMBER 18, 2020
Many factors to consider with cold weather transportation Fall 2020 was a prime example of the drastic temperature changes we can expect to experience in the upper midwest. On multiple occasions, parts of Minnesota went from significant accumulations of snow to above 60 F temperatures in less than a week’s time. It’s seemingly harder and harder to find anything resembling “normal” in the world today, and that sentiment extends to weather patterns. With this in mind, transporters will need to take necessary steps in order to protect pigs from the elements, prevent stress, and bring them safely to their destination — especially as we move into winter months and colder temperatures. Many factors are taken into consideration when planning to move pigs from one location to another, ranging from contract obligations, available space, or farm employee/transporter schedule. Perhaps the most important factor, and one that should first be considered, is whether or not the animal is in the correct physical position to be transported. According to Effect of Transport on Meat Quality and Animal Welfare of Cattle, Pigs, Sheep, Horses, Deer and Poultry (2004), Temple Grandin concluded that one of the two main factors which contribute to the most serious animal welfare problems was the loading of unfit animals. Unfit animals, as defined by Grandin, The National Pork Board, and various other animal welfare organizations, would include those which are sick, injured or fatigued;
temporarily unable to stand or bear weight on each leg; those which cannot be moved without causing additional suffering; pregnant animals during the final 10 percent of SWINE & U the gestational period at the planned By Jason Ertl time of unloading; females traveling without young who have farrowed within the past 48 hours; newborns with unhealed navels; or those whose body condition would result in poor welfare because of the expected climatic conditions. Depending on the symptoms and severity, some pigs will have the ability to recover and would be able to be loaded onto trucks at a later time. Additional influences, such as poor handling practices, or those in combination like the presence of the stress gene and high doses of ractopamine, can exacerbate underlying conditions and influence an animal’s fitness to travel. In a situation where pigs are non-ambulatory and show a low probability of recovery (even with treatment) transportation is not recommended and they should be humanely euthanized on the farm. How many pigs to load? The Transport Quality Assurance (TQA) handbook has a table with helpful information about space recommendations for pigs, providing an idea of space requirements in square feet based on average weight of the animal.
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While helpful, this table does not take into account temperature considerations, requiring transporters to adjust these numbers with respect to current weather conditions. It may be reasonable to assume that during colder temperatures, adding more pigs onto a truck or trailer would generate more body heat and lead to a more comfortable mirco-environment. This concept, however, is incorrect. While there may be more body heat generated, movement within the trailer space would be limited and those pigs against the sidewalls of the trailer are more likely to experience colder temperatures and a higher likelihood of frostbite. While being nuanced, there are other ways to recognize when a loading density is too high — including responses like abnormally high amounts of vocalization; or squealing, fidgeting, or fighting within compartments. Travel time must also be taken into account. It is recommended to provide additional space per pig for trips lasting longer than three hours — regardless of temperature. Using resources like the TQA handbook, having an understanding of pig behavior, and previous experience with the hauling equipment used will enable transport-
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ers to achieve optimal load densities given weather conditions. Movement of pigs between the different production phases can sometimes include traveling significant distances and across different weather conditions. This makes it essential for transporters to know the current and future forecast. Today’s technology allows us to have these live and local updates at our fingertips through smartphone apps; but at a minimum, dialing in to local radio stations or local news will provide at least an idea of what to expect throughout the route. During the winter months, the combination of cold temperatures and wind speed create windchill. A table in the TQA handbook shows the relationship of wind and temperature on pigs and provides the period of time, in minutes, for frostbite to occur if pigs are left unprotected. Pigs are similar to humans in a number of different ways, including our sensitivity to cold temperatures. We both lack the warm, insulative coat which protects many other livestock species from the elements. Transporters, then, have the responsibility to provide an environment that will protect pigs from those conditions, See SWINE & U, pg. 13
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THE LAND — DECEMBER 11/DECEMBER 18, 2020
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PAGE 13
Is it time to look at how we price milk in the U.S.? This column was written for the marketDec. 7 “Dairy Radio Now” broadcast if it’s ing week ending Dec. 4. time to restructure how we price milk in this country. He said it’s a decades-old The U.S. Department of Agriculture question; and one of the issues is the recently announced the November Federal complexity of the Federal order program. order Class III milk price at $23.34 per “When dairy farmers don’t understand hundredweight. This is up $1.73 from exactly how their milk is being priced, October, $2.89 above November 2019, and there is some resistance to the system,” the highest Class III since July. he said. The 2020 Class III average stands at MIELKE MARKET Federal orders also make export con$18.39, up from $16.74 at this time a year WEEKLY tracts more difficult, according to Fuess, ago and $14.69 in 2018. The Dec. 4 late By Lee Mielke and “Exports will be a key driver of dairy morning Class III futures contract was product disappearance and higher trading at $15.38, which would porprices for farmers. Hopefully, in the tend an $18.14 average for 2020. future, federal orders can be The Class IV price is $13.30, down tweaked to allow longer term con17 cents from October and $3.30 below a year ago. tracts to happen.” That put the 11-month average at $13.50, down As to negative PPDs, Fuess said, “They’re a reflecfrom $16.26 a year ago and compares to $14.15 in tion of volatility in milk; and for some farmers who 2018. are not necessarily seeing those negative PPDs, The large gap between October and November depending on the region, they have been extremely Class III and Class I prices again likely led to prothankful for record high cheese prices.” cessor de-pooling and huge producer price differen“Ultimately, it’s the hope — and the system is tials — resulting in dairy farmers in many regions designed — so PPDs average out close to the zero losing millions of dollars in revenue. mark over the long term,” Fuess reasoned. “If there I asked HighGround Dairy’s Lucas Fuess in the
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is something that can be done to even those out better on a month to month basis and allow farmers to receive the higher value of that cheese milk, maybe there is something that could be looked at there.” The system has been around since the 1930s, he said, and has prioritized Class I milk. “Perhaps a discussion can be had around having just one manufacturing class to allow milk to move to its highest value overall.” “Federal orders have not been revised in any sort for more than 10 years,” Fuess said, “with make allowances being the same since prior to 2010, and there’s a question there as to what those numbers should be as well.” It’s important for dairy farmers to consider every risk management tool available, Fuess concluded. “Farmers also have the power to vote orders out or processors can take a look at make allowances to see if there are other tweaks that could be made to the system that would benefit everyone.” n You’ll recall October milk output hit 18.56 billion pounds, up 2.3 percent from 2019. The October See MIELKE, pg. 14
Transportation stressors can impact the quality of meat SWINE & U, from pg. 12 and can do so in a few different ways. One of the major ways to reduce cold stress or the potential for frostbite would be closing trailer vents and gaps with boarding or paneling. Even on the calmest of days, traveling down the road at speed will create a chilling effect within an unprotected trailer. Again, the TQA handbook has a table with truck set-up procedures — including recommendations for side-slat coverage over different temperature conditions. It is important to note these recommendations never exceed 95 percent closure. Even on the coldest of days, some air exchange is necessary to improve air quality within the trailer, decrease humidity, and decrease the potential for suffocation. Information about bedding can also be found within the TQA handbook. In the previously mentioned wind chill table, recommendations for appropriate amounts of bedding during specific outdoor temperatures will achieve the primary goal of keeping animals dry, in addition to absorbing moisture and providing footing to reduce the amount of slips or injury. While 50-pound bales are used as standard measure for bedding, the addition of straw will provide an added layer of insulation during the trips. Chutes and other load-out alleys are often overlooked areas in the transportation process. Producers and transporters should work cooperatively to make sure these locations are bedded in a manner which provides proper footing to animals as
they enter and exit the trailer. The National Pork Board has been at the forefront of the livestock industry when it comes to establishHauling and transporting pigs is a process which ing producer and consumer standards. Programs involves many new experiences to pigs. They face physical requirements such as moving up and down like Pork Quality Assurance Plus (PQA+) and alleys, chutes and through doorway thresholds. They Transport Quality Assurance (TQA) provide caretakers, handlers and haulers with the resources to can be mixed with other animals without a previbuild a stronger industry and define the best pracously-established hierarchy, and can be subject to tices for production, management and transportahandling techniques or equipment different from tion of swine in the United States. This all impacts that to which they are accustomed. AD COPY INSTRUCTIONS Please read attached email pig well-being and pork quality for the consumer. On top of that, like humans, pigs can experience For more information about the PQA+ and TQA motion sickness — with some being more tolerant to CODE AND REP NAMES ALREADY ONaAD LAND 3.7461 x ” Programs, or to locate local THE quality assurance certransport than others. When combined with processtification advisor, visit pork.org. es associated with transportation stress, the environmental stressors such as exposure to cold temRefer to an updated TQA manual for further inforperatures can increase their levels of discomfort and mation about cold weather transportation. The have effects on meat quality. manual can be found at www.pork.org/certifications/ transport-quality-assurance/ v In a U.S. National Pork Benchmarking Study, packers indicated weather was the largest influence upon carcasses or wholesale cuts exhibiting undesirable pale, soft exudative pork. This research serves as a reminder that while efficiency or convenience may be important in transportation practices, producers and transporters need to consider the effects these stressors will have on the pigs, and in how those results will be passed on to the consumer. By following some of the concepts described above, we can ensure the safety and quality of the pork Local Sales Rep entering the food chain, and provide consumers Michael Luft: Worthington MN Lic David Baldner: Austin-Rochester with the pleasurable eating experiences which keep #BC048615 IA Lic them returning to the pork section of the meat case. C088675
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THE LAND — DECEMBER 11/DECEMBER 18, 2020
October cheese and butter production up over September MIELKE, from pg. 13 Dairy Products report shows that more milk went into powder and butter. Cheese output totaled 1.13 billion pounds, up 3.2 percent from September, but 0.6 percent below October 2019. Year-to-date total cheese sits at 10.96 billion pounds, up just 0.4 percent from a year ago. Wisconsin produced 286 million pounds of that October total, up 2.8 percent from September, but 0.9 percent below a year ago. California output hit 200.6 million pounds, up 4.1 percent from September but 7.1 percent below a year ago. Idaho, with 86 million pounds, was down 1.2 percent from September and 1 percent below a year ago.
Italian-type cheese totaled 469.2 million pounds, up 1.3 percent from September but 3.4 percent below a year ago. Year-to-date, Italian was at 4.7 billion pounds, down 1.2 percent. American-type cheese totaled 461.1 million pounds, up 6.1 percent from September and 3.5 percent above a year ago. Year-to-date, American was at 4.4 billion pounds, up 2 percent. Mozzarella output was at 366 million pounds, down 4.8 percent from a year ago, with year-to-date at 3.7 billion pounds, down 1.4 percent from 2019. Cheddar, which trades daily at the Chicago Mercantile Exchange, climbed to 326.9 million pounds, the highest October volume ever. It is up 19.9 million pounds or 6.5 percent from September and 17.3 million or 5.6 percent above October 2019. Year-to-date, cheddar is at 3.2 billion pounds, up 2.7 percent from a year ago. Butter churns produced 164.9 million pounds, up 13.3 million pounds or 8.8 percent from September and 2 million pounds or 1.2 percent above a year ago. Year-to-date, butter is at 1.7 billion pounds, up 5.9 percent from 2019. Yogurt production totaled 382.9 million pounds, up 7.1 percent from a year ago, with the year-to-date total at 3.8 billion pounds, up 2.3 percent.
Whey totaled 80.2 million pounds, up 5.4 million or 7.2 percent from September, but 10.6 million or 11.8 percent below a year ago, with year-to-date at 810.6 million, down 1.5 percent. Dry whey stocks totaled 68.1 million pounds, down 14.3 percent from September and 14.2 percent below a year ago. Nonfat dry milk climbed to 138.4 million pounds, up 12.4 million pounds or 9.8 percent from September and 5.7 million or 4.3 percent above a year ago. Year-to-date, powder sits at 1.6 billion pounds, up 2.1 percent from 2019. Stocks, at 234.9 million pounds, were up 1.6 million or 0.7 percent from September, but 17 million or 7.8 percent above a year ago. Skim milk powder output fell to 57.2 million pounds, down 15.3 million pounds or 21.1 percent from September, but 9.8 million pounds or 20.7 percent above a year ago. Year-to-date, skim milk powder is at 510.2 million pounds, up a hefty 11.7 percent from a year ago. StoneX called the report “bearish on cheese and non-fat dry milk and neutral butter. Cheese and nonfat dry milk were bearish for different reasons. Cheese production has been weak this year, which would not normally be bearish except it is currently See MIELKE, pg. 16
Are your livestock ready for winter? Animals in general have three different processes to prepare themselves for winter. Livestock can grow long, thick coats to provide insulation against cold weather. If livestock are not exposed to the cold such as in a warm barn, they acclimate to the temperature of their given environment. The hair coat needs to stay clean and dry to provide the best insulation protection. Also, livestock tend to put on more weight in the winter months. Be sure to talk with your nutritionist ahead of time to make sure your livestock have enough energy in their diet to help protect them from the cold weather. Lastly, animals naturally adjust their metabolic rate to help produce more heat to help maintain their core body temperature. This need for energy takes these resources away from other body functions — such as milk production — if a higher energy diet is not provided. What are some things that we can do as farmers to get ready for winter? Think about the basic needs of all living things and apply them to your livestock: Food, water and shelter. Nutrition — Livestock need more calories to keep themselves warm — especially during some of the bitter cold winters we experience in Minnesota. Discuss with your nutritionist or feed dealer the ideal options for your herd and facilities. You may consider sorting out thin animals in order to provide them more specialized care such as a higher energy ration and less crowded, draft-free shelter.
Water — Be sure to be checking your waterer or water tanks regularly for frozen water. Frozen water or excessively cold water significantly limits water and feed intake of livestock. Animals, like humans, prefer the temperature of the water to be between 40 and 65 F. Consider utilizing a thermometer to determine if tank heaters and waterer heating elements are in proper working order. Shelter — Provide a shelter for livestock to get them out of the elements. A wind break is one solution; providing a roof is ideal. Providing deep, clean, dry bedding is essential to help keep the animals warm. Remember that a clean dry hair coat provides significantly better insulation than a dirty, wet hair coat. Also take time to evaluate your building for drafts which can create a problem. Look around doors, windows and curtains for areas that should be sealed. Keep in mind livestock which remain healthy throughout winter can fare cold temperatures more efficiently. Work with your veterinarian to keep livestock in tip top shape and up-to-date on their vaccinations. The other thing to consider is that with cold temperatures comes ice! Ice creates unsafe walking surfaces for both your livestock and yourself. Consider ruffing up the surface and adding sand or gravel for traction. This article was submitted by University of Minnesota Extension. v
THE LAND — DECEMBER 11/DECEMBER 18, 2020
www.thelandonline.com — “Where Farm and Family Meet”
AT THE HEART OF IT. FOR SOME, IT’S ABOUT COMMUNITY. LIVING THE LIFE YOU WERE MEANT TO LIVE. WHILE WE ALL MAY DO IT FOR DIFFERENT REASONS, THERE IS ONE THING THAT UNITES US. ONE THING THAT WILL NEVER CHANGE. AT THE HEART OF IT, WE’RE ALL FARMERS.
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Jump in U.S. all-milk price offsets higher feed costs MIELKE, from pg. 14
tions on food service establishments due to Covid-19 will have further impact on sales. Market tones coupled with weak demand. Non-fat and skim milk remain “hobbled after a resolutely bearish powder, on the other hand, have showed processors November,” says Dairy Market News. “Markets are have been very willing to produce powder, which under pressure, but Midwestern contacts have yet to has added on big volume to current stocks. Butter’s relay strong concerns regarding inventory growth.” neutral reading comes as production came in below Western cheese output is also active. Heavy milk our expectations. Demand for butter is not good, but volumes from the week of Thanksgiving kept facilifat continues to flow increasingly into ice cream, ties full and most plants were already at or near sour cream and yogurt.” capacity. Manufacturers are hesitant to add much n cheese to their inventories while milk prices are Market bulls got some fodder in the Dec. 1 Global strong and cheese prices are falling. Some suggest buyer interest is slowly returning as market prices Dairy Trade auction. The event’s weighted average have fallen. Demand for cheese from retail and was up 4.3 percent, the biggest gain since July 7, and followed the 1.8 percent rise on Nov. 17, and a 2 pizza sectors is steady and solid, but food service demand is lacking. percent descent Nov. 3. n Every product offered saw strong gains, led by lactose, up 13.5 percent, after plunging 18.8 percent on Butter saw daily gains and closed at $1.48 per Nov. 17. Whole milk powder was up 5 percent after pound, up 12 cents on the week, highest since Oct. rising 1.8 percent last time, and skim milk powder 20, but 43.5 cents below a year ago, on 34 sales was up 3.6 percent following a 2.5 percent rise. reported. Butter was up 3.8 percent after inching 0.4 percent Some central butter producers report fall volumes higher, and anhydrous milkfat was up 2.6 percent are moving quickly. Government orders have receded following a 4.1 percent rise. GDT cheddar was up so they are focusing more on retail customers. Food 2.4 percent after dropping 3.5 percent last time, and service remains slow and contacts are still waiting buttermilk powder was up 1.3 percent. for the full impact of Covid restaurant closures and StoneX equated the GDT 80 percent butterfat but- restrictions. Cream has been, and is, widely availter price to $1.7638 per pound U.S., up 6.5 cents able at declining prices and producers are unconfrom the last event. CME butter closed Dec. 4 at cerned about finding cream for the rest of the month $1.48. GDT cheddar cheese equated to $1.6935 per or year. Butter market tones were improving day to pound, up 4.2 cents, and compares to Dec. 4’s CME day this week, but fall has been anything but bullish block cheddar at $1.5850. GDT skim milk powder for the typically stalwart market. averaged $1.3103 per pound, up from $1.2696, and Western contacts expected lots of cream to be whole milk powder averaged $1.4435, up from available over the Thanksgiving holiday weekend $1.3774. CME Grade A nonfat dry milk closed Dec. due to manufacturing facilities closing. As butter 4 at $1.15 a pound. makers shift to end of year holiday orders, the n underlying focus is to manage stocks. Requests for Rising global prices and a weak dollar are making holiday print butter remain active but inventories U.S. dairy exports increasingly attractive to import- appear to be quite adequate. Manufacturers will get a clearer picture of butter needs starting the posters, according to the Daily Dairy Report. “As holiday week as some buyers have adjusted purdemand rises globally, as evidenced both by the chases around their immediate needs. Bulk butter sharp GDT price advances and recent strong demand is quiet, says Dairy Market News. demand from China, U.S. exporters could begin to move larger shipments overseas, which could offer a Grade A nonfat dry milk climbed to $1.1575 per lift to U.S. dairy product values — especially milk pound on Dec. 3 (the highest since Feb. 21) but and whey powders.” closed the next day at $1.15, still 5.5 cents higher on the week and 11.75 cents below a year ago. Most CME dairy prices entered December a little stronger — except cheese. The cheddar blocks closed There were 25 sales reported on the week. Dec. 4 at $1.5850 per pound, the lowest since Aug. CME dry whey climbed to a 46.25 cents per pound 11. That’s down 9.5 cents on the week and 38.5 close, up 3.25 cents on the week, highest since Jan. cents below a year ago. The barrels finished at 22, 2019, and 9.5 cents above a year ago, with five $1.40, down 2.25 cents, 82.75 cents below a year sales reported on the week. ago, and 18.5 cents below the blocks. Eight cars of n block sold on the week at the CME and 23 of barrel. A sharp jump in the U.S. All-Milk price offset Midwest cheesemakers reported widely available higher corn and soybean prices to push the October spot milk the week after Thanksgiving, according to milk feed price ratio higher. The latest Ag Prices Dairy Market News, and “wholly discounted.” report has the ratio at 2.50, up from 2.28 in Cheese producers say demand is steady to intermi- September and 2.42 in October 2019. tent, with concern expressed that further restric-
The index is based on the current milk price in relationship to feed prices for a dairy ration consisting of 51 percent corn, 8 percent soybeans and 41 percent alfalfa hay. One pound of milk could purchase 2.50 pounds of dairy feed of that blend in October. The U.S. All-Milk price averaged $20.20 per hundredweight, up $2.30 from September and 20 cents above the October 2019 average. California’s All-Milk price jumped to $21.20, up $2.50 from September and $2.30 above a year ago. Wisconsin, at $21.50, was up $3.80 from September and 80 cents above a year ago. The national average corn price averaged $3.61 per bushel, up 21 cents per bushel from September, but 24 cents per bushel below October 2019. Soybeans averaged $9.63 per bushel, up 39 cents from September and $1.03 per bushel above a year ago. Alfalfa hay averaged $171 per ton, unchanged from September, but $6 per ton below a year ago. Looking at the cow side, the October cull price for beef and dairy combined averaged $60 per cwt., down $6.60 from September, 90 cents below October 2019, and $11.60 below the 2011 base average of $71.60 per cwt. In the week ending Nov. 21, 58,700 dairy cows were sent to slaughter, unchanged from the week before but 5,600 head or 8.7 percent below a year ago. The U.S. cotton harvest was at 84 percent as of the week ending Nov. 29. This is up 2 percent from the same week a year ago and 5 percent ahead of the five-year average. n In politics, the National Milk Producers Federation congratulated Representative David Scott (D-GA) on being elected by his colleagues to serve as the Chairman of the House Agriculture Committee in the 117th Congress. Scott has served on the committee since coming to Congress in 2003. He was chairman of the Dairy Subcommittee during the 2009 dairy market collapse and has supported bipartisan legislation to enhance milk consumption in schools, says NMPF. Meanwhile, the Washington State Supreme Court has ruled farm workers must receive overtime pay after 40 hours. The ruling effectively struck down the state’s decades-old exemption and will mean huge increases in labor expense. The Washington State Dairy Federation stated, “While we believe the court erred in its opinion, this case involves a state constitutional question, and there is no venue to appeal it beyond the state Supreme Court. Our advice is for dairy farmers to begin paying workers time-and-a-half for overtime immediately.” 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
THE LAND — DECEMBER 11/DECEMBER 18, 2020
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PAGE 17
One visit and you’re hooked! By DICK HAGEN The Land Staff Writer Emeritus WATSON, Minn. – That title aptly fits a Sept. 30 visit with Chuck Ellingson, the incredible chap who brought Watson Hunting Camp & Bar into fruition. Located on the prominent landscape overlooking the huge Lac Qui Parle State Reservoir in western Minnesota, his enterprise is billed as Minnesota’s Largest Waterfowl Outfitter. So at the behest of my wife’s sister, Ione and husband Doug Parson (frequent fifth-wheel trailer campers at this western Minnesota recreation hangout) we ventured west from Olivia on U.S. Hwy. 212 to Granite Falls, then northwest a few miles to Montevideo, then a few additional miles to Watson and the entrance to the upper campground of the Lac Qui Parle State Reservoir. With the Parsons to guide us, we motored only another mile or so to the welcome sign of “WATSON HUNTING CAMP & BAR.” Yep, already the invite is enticing! Apparently what used to be an older farmstead now sports five structures – each appropriately painted to compliment the colors of this prairie country. After parking, immediately capturing our eyes was what appeared to be a vintage-era prairie barn – but now dressed up with steps leading to an outdoor balcony beneath the precipice of the old hay mow door. Up the balcony we went, then opened a door to a mostinviting dinning/beverage area ringed with gorgeous deer heads, assorted Canadian geese, wild turkey and pheasants. Yes, already lots to see and soon to enjoy and taste as well. However, my first mission was an interview with Chuck Ellingson about his significant enterprise created out here in the western prairie of Minnesota. Yes, I quickly thought, ‘one could write a book.’ However, in my few minutes with Chuck, here’s a few glimpses of his amazing adventure. The Land: What launched your ambition to create this hunting, fishing and recreational bonanza? Chuck: It’s a long story. Back in 1996 I graduated from high school at Eden Prairie. Yes, a Minneapolis suburb. But I grew up hunting and fishing out here since I was just a kid.
Fortunately my Dad was able to teach me everything he knew about the two sports. The Land: Your age at that time? Chuck: I was 8, maybe 7. I used to sit in the deer stand with my Dad. The Land: And your first deer kill? Chuck: I was 11 ... shot a little doe just like about every kid does. But it was very likely the best day in my life. My grandparents farmed out here. So it was the logical place for my Dad to take me for my early hunting and fishing experiences too. So my choice to eventually move out here was early in my thoughts. The Land: Why the name Lac Qui Parle lake? Chuck: It’s French for “The Lake That Speaks” or I’m told more appropriately “Lake Which Talks.” Back in the ‘30s, this lake was just a river. During the Depression an earthen coiffure dam was built in front of the concrete structure built in the 1950s. This was a Corps of Engineers project. Now what you see is the 36th largest lake in Minnesota. And it also turned into a big refuge. Back in the ‘50s and ‘60s, a farm adjacent to the reservoir had lots of geese hanging around. I’m told some wildlife specialists clipped the wings on 250-300 of these geese so they just swam around this farm island all summer and fall. And these geese soon attracted flying geese looking for a resting stop on their migrations. The DNR guys even positioned a record player with big speakers honking and honking. And you better believe that attracts wayward geese looking for a stop. That particular record is on display at the DNR center here at the park. At one time I’m told 150,000 to 200,000 Canadian geese were making this a resting point on their onwards migrations to the south lands. I remember at my Granddad’s house, my Dad and I would stand on the deck and shoot geese. It was that amazing and so much fun. The Land: And that certainly helped your early ambitions? Chuck: Yes, certainly did. I grew up just having a ball out here at my grandparents’ farm. In fact, back in 1996 I started guiding out here. My Dad had a small business in Eden Prairie, but he had a lot of customers.
And he’d favor them with goose hunting trips out here. I was guiding hunters from 3-M, Super Valu and such. I was 18 years old. And we would lodge in the basement of my grandparents’ house. So I’d have four or five hunters out here, and my grandparents would be helping me. My grandfather would wake us up; my grandmother, after our hunt, would have pancakes and spam. It was just a wonderful time and those memories I will cherish forever. The Land: So what proceeded from that early indoctrination? Chuck: My grandfather has about 400 acres of what we called ‘down below.’ It was all river bottom land. He used to farm all of it; now I’ve put it all into CRP programs for habitat and wildlife restoration. It’s like a full game preserve down there. Each season I
place some pheasants on that patch of ground so people can come in for a pheasant hunt too. I don’t raise my own pheasants ... that requires too much work and we’re plenty busy around here already. Time out ... Chuck got interrupted for a few minutes. Yep, when you’re serving the public, interruptions are a welSee HUNTING CAMP, pg. 18
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THE LAND — DECEMBER 11/DECEMBER 18, 2020
Guides scout the night before a hunt to locate birds HUNTING CAMP, from pg. 17
bought the place. Rain even pouring right through this roof up there. So it took some resurrecting since comed thing. So instead I mosied over to the bar, it was leaning over too. Knocked the old silo down. and what luck: Here were two of Chuck’s hired Now we’ve got a full bar and grill up here (the old game bird guides. Their day was complete, they hay loft area) and seven hotel rooms downstairs; were winding down – much like the tendency of bath and shower house in the main lodge. That’s most sportsmen after a recreational hunting and/ where all my RV customers and campers stay. Two or fishing day. years ago we built a big event center, 60 x 100 feet The Land: You tell me you are from the which now host all sorts of events: weddings, family Paynesville area and now are regular guides for reunions, you name it and we’ve done it. And with Chuck? the Covid-19 situation I’ve even done a few funerals too ... because it’s an outdoor venue. Guides: I’m Sam Thompson, this other guy is Matt Ginter. This is our first year guiding. And yes The Land: What use for the event center building indeed, every day is different. When the entire in this season? agenda is ‘wake up and go hunting,’ that’s hard to Chuck: Now, it’s filled up with my duck boats, my beat. trucks, my special bus, my jeep, my everything else The Land: And your daily agenda? just to keep from the weather. So this event center facility is rapidly proving to be a totally useful Guides: Wake up about 4:30 or 5 o’clock – Photos by Dick Hagen structure. I truly enjoy being around people. I espedepending upon how far we hunt from here. Leave The Ellingson family is (left to right) Mason, Chuck, Melea cially enjoy taking young children hunting with here about 6 a.m., then go hunt until late morning. and Matthew. their dads ... or their moms. I’ve had so many people We scout every evening with one of Chuck’s ATVs so we pretty much know where bird activity will here for weekend guiding work. But I got sick and ... like four times with Ron Schara out here doing his tired of that routine and wanted out. I talked to my Minnesota Bound television shows. Mike Max, WCCO likely be the following morning. sports guy, has been out here. I’ve had WCCO’s The Land: And the geese will soon be in full flight Dad. Unfortunately, both of my grandparents died “Going to the Lakes” here. I’ve hosted two governor within a month and one-half of each other in 2002. around here? They were married for 67 years. My Dad asked me hunts in 2011 and in 2016. Mark Dayton was one of Guides: We’re seeing the early migrators coming what I wanted to do? I told him, “Dad, I want to buy the governors. A very nice guy, but I think he couldn’t in now; so in just a few more days the flocks will be a farm out here and start a guiding business.” He hit the side of a barn. overhead. said okay, so in early 2003 we found this place. It was The Land: Tell us about your family. And now back to Chuck who has returned to our for sale, just two miles down from my grandparents Chuck: My wife’s name is Melea. My kids are farm ... and its even closer to the lake and it’s not on table. Matthew, age 5, and Mason, who turned 7 just today. Hwy. 7 where dogs get run over. So it was a no-brainThe Land: Chuck, what precipitated your move er. It was just an old, empty farmstead. This barn Yes, in my opinion this is a perfect environment for here? we’re sitting in right now was built in 1911; that old my wife and I to be rearing our children. My wife Chuck: My Dad grew up out here. He graduated house was built in 1908. Old newspapers were grew up in the Pelican Rapids area, two hours north from Milan High School in 1962; then four years of stuffed in the walls for insulation. Today it’s all of here. She’s the high school guidance counselor here at the Montevideo School District. college; then he signed up in a Navy ROTC program knotty-wood pine interiors. and had a 32-year career in the Navy. He’s retired. The Land: I presume your client list keeps expandThe Land: So what’s the story on this old barn Some health issues at 75 have sidelined him. In the ing? that we’re enjoying in comfort today? Navy, my Dad captained one of those Swift Patrol Chuck (laughing): It was raining the day I See HUNTING CAMP, pg. 21 Boats that ran the canals of Vietnam. At the time I was an auto mechanic in the Cities and getting out
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PAGE 19
MARKETING
Grain Outlook Post-Thanksgiving corn price hits a lull
Livestock Angles Livestock market awaits news from USDA
past couple of weeks under The livestock markets The following marketing need to import 33 million lighter movement which indianalysis is for the week endmetric tons of corn in 2021 appear to be struggling as we cates resistance to the higher ing Dec. 4. and 55 mmt by 2023. The moved into the month of costs to the retailer — thus December. Prices have faded USDA is officially expecting CORN — March corn ran the public — for beef prodoff of recent highs. Both cattle China to import 13 mmt of to a new contract high when ucts. and feeder cattle — along corn this year, but other most traders returned after with the hogs — have met sources are projecting as high The supply of market-ready the Thanksgiving weekend, resistance in prices paid by as 20-25 mmt. cattle also appears to be more but it couldn’t hold the gains the packer as well as the than adequate to meet as November closed its doors. Weekly ethanol production retailer. This has funneled JOE TEALE demand at the present, which As has been typical the last PHYLLIS NYSTROM was down 16,000 barrels per Broker down to the producer level CHS Hedging Inc. few months, corn pulled back day to 974,000 bpd. This is over the past several weeks Great Plains Commodity gives the packer the advanS t. Paul tage at the present time. The early in the new month before the fifth week we’ve managed and has also been reflected in Afton, Minn. outlook does not appear to be recovering to keep the to keep production above the the futures prices. It is likely as defensive as the shortuptrend intact. We have to weekly 960,000 bpd average we are now in a corrective price type of term outlook as placements have been see if this verifies this month after this needed to achieve the USDA forecast. situation in livestock markets for the declining over the past few cattle on week’s action didn’t exactly break the Corn for ethanol usage on the Dec. foreseeable future at least in the short feed reports. It suggests the longer uptrend, but it didn’t help it either. 10 World Agriculture Supply and term. term outlook will eventually have a After a key reversal lower on Nov. 30 Demand Estimates report is expected One positive fact which can help sta- more positive outlook than the short and setting a new contract high at to decline slightly from the current $4.39.5, March corn consolidated in the 5.05 billion bushel estimate. Stocks bilize markets is the export market has term. $4.15-$4.30 area. were 374,000 barrels higher at 21.2 remained fairly positive. The U.S. dolThe hog market has been the leader lar has remained weak, encouraging as far as weakness in all facets of the Weather in South America has million barrels and the highest in 24 foreign buyers to be more active in industry. Since October, prices in all improved with recent rains in Brazil weeks. Ethanol crush margins improved acquiring inventory of meat products. facets have been weakening until by 4 cents per gallon to a positive 4 and parts of Argentina, but it is too One factor which seems to coincide recently when the futures steadied early to say the crop is made. Any delay cents per gallon. U.S. gasoline demand with the weakness in meat demand is while the cash prices still were falling. fell 156,000 bpd to 7.97 million bpd. to Brazil’s soybean planting and subsethe recent increase in Covid infections. This in effect narrowed the discounts This is the lowest demand in the last quent harvest pushes back their second This may just be coincidental, but is which were present in the nearby 24 weeks. Over the last three weeks, crop corn planting. U.S. corn is the still a consideration. December contract to closer to the lean cheapest source of corn through April gasoline demand is down 11.2 percent from the same period last year. Ethanol Cattle do appear to have reached index. and a weaker U.S. dollar adds to that advantage. The U.S. dollar index sank exports so far this calendar year their pinnacle in prices in futures as we Product movement has increased just to fresh 32-month lows during the through October are down 8 percent moved into the month of November slightly as prices have come down — week. China’s corn on the Dalian from 2019. In October, ethanol exports while cash prices slipped off their highs indicating interest in pork products are in the start of December. Beef cutouts increasing due to the decline in the Exchange traded to $10.24 per bushel See NYSTROM, pg. 20 have dropped well off their highs in the cutouts. Supply will be the key on the for May. Rumors were abundant during the week of Chinese interest in U.S. future direction of the market from the corn through April, but traders were current levels. A big factor in the supdisappointed with no confirmation ply number will come on Dec. 22 in the announcements. U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Cold corn/change* soybeans/change* Storage report; and Dec. 23 in the Weekly export sales were very good Stewartville $3.75 -.13 $10.80 -.36 USDA Hogs and Pigs report. These two at the high end of expectations at 54 Edgerton $3.85 -.11 $10.76 -.45 reports will give further direction to million bushels. Total commitments of Jackson $3.94 -.06 $10.83 -.50 hog prices into next year from a supply 1.5 billion bushels are 162 percent Janesville $3.92 +.02 $10.76 -.45 point of view. v ahead of last year and account for 57 Cannon Falls $3.79 -.12 $10.93 -.50 percent of the U.S. Department of Sleepy Eye $3.83 -.03 $10.88 -.43 Agriculture’s record 2.65 billion bushel projection. We need to average 28.2 Average: $3.85 $10.83 million bushels of sales per week to Year Ago Average: $3.51 $8.43 ring the bell. New sales announcements during the week included 13.5 Grain prices are effective cash close on Dec. 8. million bushels of corn sold to unknown. *Cash grain price change represents a two-week period. Goldman Sachs is projecting China will
Cash Grain Markets
For marketing news between issues ... visit www.TheLandOnline. com
Information in the above columns is the writer’s opinion. It is no way guaranteed and should not be interpreted as buy/sell advice. Futures trading always involves a certain degree of risk.
PAGE 20
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THE LAND — DECEMBER 11/DECEMBER 18, 2020
Brazilian soybean crop estimates ‘all over the board’ NYSTROM, from pg. 19 were 126.5 million gallons with 28 percent going to Canada. Dried distilled grain exports are up 1 percent year-on-year. In October, dried distilled grain exports were 951,100 metric tons with Mexico the top destination. Outlook: A disappointing finish to the week after setting new contract highs in post-holiday trading. Traders’ attention will be looking at the Dec. 10 monthly WASDE report for any significant change to ethanol usage, U.S. exports, and Chinese corn imports. China’s corn imports were last pegged at 13 mmt; but based on what they have purchased so far that number is expected to edge toward 20 mmt. Demand and South American weather will remain in the headlines, but the markets felt heavy this week. Bulls need to be fed regularly. What is your risk if prices fall? If they rise? Even if you just write down on a piece of paper how low prices need to fall (or increase) before you add to sales (or purchases), that’s better than nothing. There are several tools to use to help you accomplish your marketing goals. Here’s something to put in the back of your mind to watch: the U.S. drought monitor shows the drought extending across central Illinois and into Indiana. The new contract high in March corn this week was $4.39.5 per bushel. After four weekly higher closes, March corn closed 13.25 cents lower this week at $4.20.5 per bushel. The July contract lost 13.25 cents at $4.24 and December 2021 was 4.25 cents lower at $4.10.25 per bushel. SOYBEANS — The focus of the market hasn’t changed; although momentum has slowed down with a lack of daily export sales announcements, a modest level of stress-relieving rain in South America, and a modicum of month-end profit taking. Soybeans did not make new contract highs this week as the magic $12 level remains a stubborn resistance level. Post-holiday trading coincided with month-end. In recent months, this has meant a pullback either just before or after the calendar change, and then a resumption of the uptrend. January soybeans lost nearly 40 cents in the first three days of the week, closing lower all three sessions, before finding its footing and recovering nearly 40 percent of those losses in a single session before moving lower again into the weekend. Areas of concern in South America are southern Argentina, southern Brazil, and Mato Grosso — Brazil’s major soybean producing region. I don’t think it’s ever been a matter of a crop failure in South America, but more a matter of how large the crop will be and when will exportable supplies be available. Argentina’s forecast for the last half of December is mostly dry, along with southern and northeastern Brazil. Conab is expected to cut their Brazilian 135 mmt soybean production on their Dec. 10 update.
MARKETING Weekly export sales were within expectations, but on the low end of expectations and a marketing year low. Sales totaled just 15 million bushels. This amounts to just 20 percent of what sales have been averaging over the last 12 weeks. Total commitments stand at 1.923 billion bushels or 87.4 percent of the USDA’s 2.20 billion bushels forecast. We need to average just 8 million bushels of sales per week to meet the outlook. The October National Agriculture Statistics Service Crush report showed a record 196.6 million bushels of soybeans were crushed. Lending support to the oil side, StatsCan cut their canola crop to 18.7 mmt, the smallest in five years. In addition, Indonesia revised their palm oil export levy system to generate more money to support their biodiesel production and use goals. They are going to a sliding scale where the tax increases if prices exceed certain levels vs. a flat rate previously. This will make their oil more expensive to world buyers. Palm oil hit new contract highs late in the week. Also, of interest this week was the announcement from China that they were preparing a new law which would extend the government’s management of local state grain reserves. The move would push local governments to build reserves of grains and oils that would be used in times of major grain shortages, significant price moves, natural disasters and other emergencies in areas with medium large cities. Previously, the government involved was centered around major centers. On the U.S. side, President Trump was expected to sign a law, passed by both houses, which would
exclude foreign companies from being listed on U.S. exchanges if they don’t comply with U.S. Public Accounting Oversight Board audit for three years. President-elect Biden this week stated he would not immediately remove tariffs on Chinese goods implemented under President Trump. He would also like to review the Phase 1 trade deal with China. Outlook: Soybean production estimates for Brazil are all over the board, from 129 mmt to 135 mmt. The crop is not made and weather forecasts for both Brazil and Argentina will continue to dominate price direction. This week’s rain helped alleviate some dryness but has not erased overall concerns. Strength in edible oil markets lent a supportive tone this week and likely helped lighten losses. Where, oh where is China? We haven’t seen any daily export sales flashes for any destination since Nov. 9, but the weekly reports show their continued buying. Markets like to be fed daily and without it we could see money managers lighten up their length. Know where your risk is and manage it accordingly, not the other way around. January soybeans also broke a four-week string of higher closes by closing 28.75 cents lower this week at $11.63 per bushel. July soybeans were 26 cents weaker at $11.60.75 and November 2021 fell 19 cents to settle at $10.38.25 per bushel. Nystrom’s notes: Contract changes for the week as of the close on Dec. 4: Chicago March wheat plunged 30.5 cents to $5.75.5, Kansas City tumbled 22.5 cents to $5.42.75, and Minneapolis fell 19.5 cents to settle at $5.50.5 per bushel. v
Pork Congress trade show cancelled The January 2021 Iowa Pork Congress will look much different than the 48 previous events hosted by the Iowa Pork Producers Association. The IPPA board of directors decided to cancel the Iowa Pork Congress trade show, which would have taken place Jan. 27 and 28. “We are disappointed to cancel the trade show and to postpone some other events typically held during Iowa Pork Congress,” said IPPA president Mike Paustian of Walcott, Iowa. “We simply relied on our We Care Iowa core values: caring for the people in our communities and working together to solve the big issues our communities face, and today that big issue is coronavirus.” As scheduled, IPPA will hold its annual meeting on Jan. 26, at the Iowa Events Center in Des Moines. “We have worked closely with the Iowa Events Center staff in planning this required in-person event so that social distancing can be maintained throughout the day,” Paustian said. The day will also include the Master Pork Producers
Awards program, as well as the announcement of the 2021 Iowa Pork Youth Leadership Team. Both the awards program and announcement of the Youth Leadership Team will be seated events held in rooms that allow social distancing. They will also be streamed online for those who chose to watch the events from their homes. The educational seminars held during Iowa Pork Congress and the Iowa Pork Foundation Auction will both move to virtual formats. More information will be shared as they develop on IowaPorkCongress.org. Additionally, the Taste of Elegance restaurant event that usually kicks off Iowa Pork Congress, and the youth swine judging contest that occurs at the end, have both been postponed until later in 2021. The 2022 show is scheduled for Jan. 26-27, 2022. This article was submitted by National Hog Farmer. v
THE LAND — DECEMBER 11/DECEMBER 18, 2020
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PAGE 21
Peterson, Poppe recognized at virtual MFU Convention ST. PAUL — A pivot from an in-person event to a virtual one didn’t prevent the 79th annual Minnesota Farmers Union convention from sparking fruitful conversation on agriculture and rural policy. The Nov. 21 event, held via Zoom, featured an abbreviated agenda consisting of guest speakers, rules and bylaws change discussion, current policy and debate. MFU formally recognized outgoing Congressman Collin Peterson and State Rep. Jeanne Poppe with the Leadership in Agriculture Award by a unanimous vote of the delegates. Rep. Peterson, a Democrat from Minnesota’s 7th District, has served as either Chair or Ranking Member on the House Agriculture Committee for much of his 30-year tenure in Congress. Rep. Poppe, a DFLer from Austin, has been Chair of the Minnesota House Agriculture Committee for the past two years and has long championed agricultural policy and education. Both lost bids for re-election this fall.
“Chair Peterson and Chair Poppe have been reliable lawmakers when we need to get things done for family farmers,” MFU President Gary Wertish said. “They’ve consistently worked across the aisle and held up agriculture’s reputation as a bipartisan policy area. We will miss working with them but know their work will be meaningful for years to come. MFU thanks them for their dedicated service with the Leadership in Agriculture Award.” The Special Orders of Business passed by MFU members are as follows: Affordable Health Care; Resilient Agricultural Markets; Expanding Meat and Poultry Processing; Promoting Biofuels and Ending Attacks on the RFS; Pandemic Recovery and Broadband Investment; Climate-Smart Agriculture; and Affirming Agricultural Community. “While it’s harder to have robust discussion about policy over Zoom than in person, our members did an excellent job,” President Wertish said. “I thank all our delegates for conducting such a respectful debate;
HUNTING CAMP, from pg. 18 Chuck: Yes, and I am grateful. This week customers from Indiana, Florida, Alabama. Next week I’ve got folks coming in from Colorado, Arizona, and more and more Minnesotans too. I think all the money I’ve spent on advertising has been a big help, but mostly now it’s word of mouth and that absolutely is the best. I used to spend thousands of dollars on Facebook ads, some travel books, etc. I don’t spend a nickel anymore. Now I put something up like a picture of some wild game hanging from a string held up by some happy kids. Just like that, I win. My brother-in-law Doug Parsons chimed in, “I’ve fished all over Minnesota and Canada. Lac Qui Parle in October is, in my opinion, the best walleye lake anywhere.” Chuck added, “When I have people come out here this is what I tell them: Bring your fishing poles and in the afternoon to go down by the damn, or the two bridges down there and you will catch walleyes. So they do. If you want a 10-pound walleye for your wall mount, the Milan Bridge is one of the best spots in Minnesota.” The Land: So with all this fishing and hunting success, who does the cleaning? Chuck: I’ve got a cleaning station for fish and game. We clean their catch, we package and put their names on the packages, even their hunting-license number on the package, and send them on their way. The Land: You have customers of all ages – even we senior citizens who sometimes get accused of hunting and fishing trips for other reasons. Chuck: Sure, and that too (he winked back to me). Right now I have a grandfather, a son, and a grandson from Indiana. They’re here a few days just for that
special three-generation experience. They’re having a ball. They want their kid to shoot first. The kid might miss, but they don’t care. They just enjoy watching their grandkid having a great experience, hit or miss. I take my son Mason dove hunting with me. He brings his BB gun and fires away at every dove that flies by. Next year I’ll move him up to a .410 shotgun. Then I think he’ll likely knock down a few. The Land: So is your camp also in the fly pattern for doves? Chuck: We’re in the fly pattern for doves. The state legalized dove hunting in 2006. I’ve been promoting dove hunting ever since and now have perfected it. I’ve got wheat fields, trees and water. Have those three and you have doves. We’ve had morning hunts where we’ve shot 350 doves by 9 o’clock in the morning! The Land: Is this your epitome of good life on the prairie’? Chuck: Yep, sure is. I’ve been on the Milan Fire Department for 12 years. Ever since way back to my early kid days with my Granddad out here, I’ve always really enjoyed this country. If it wasn’t for friends, and farmers, and landowners out here, I wouldn’t have a business. Seems the good Lord is always lending a hand too. Plus, I know our local service stations and bars and restaurants – even food stores and liquor stores get some added volume from our traffic in and out of here also. The Land: What’s your staff size? Considering all the service you render, I recognize this is at times a 24/7 occupation? Chuck: I have four bartenders; four guides plus two part-time guides. Plus four brand-new Minnesota Built Ice Fishing Castles ... each with fishing portals in the floor, sleeps four, TV, etc. Plus a spear house.
MFU General Counsel Dave Velde for chairing the debate once again; and the MFU Policy Committee for their time and effort crafting the Special Orders. They were based on the myriad policy resolutions we received from county unions this fall, as we do every year. We will work for these grassroots policy resolutions in the next legislative session and beyond.” Several guest speakers addressed the convention attendees in live Zoom appearances. They included Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz; U.S. Senators from Minnesota Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith, members of the Senate Agriculture Committee; Congresswoman Angie Craig from Minnesota’s 2nd District (a member of the House Agriculture Committee); NFU President Rob Larew and Vice President Patty Edelburg; and Minnesota Agriculture Commissioner Thom Petersen. This article was submitted by the Minnesota Farmers Union. v
Fish are cleaned and packaged for customers My routine is 4:30 wake up and about 10 o’clock bed time. But from mid-December until early January, I can sleep in too. That’s when I transition from end-of -hunting season to the start of fishing season. Now I’m looking for a motel to haul in and set up for more accommodations. Now I’m even renting out my ice house fishing castles as sleepers too. The Land: When you and I quit chattering, we’re into your Wednesday evening hamburger special menu. What other offerings do you provide? Chuck: I also do smoke ribs, Friday and Saturday nights during the summer. Also, occasionally steak cook outs. also. The Land: But no Lutefisk feeds? Chuck (without even smiling): I’d rather eat a tire. My grandparents could handle it. It’s just something about that Norwegian dish that I can’t enjoy. But also this closure…you see that wall mount with just the butt-end of a deer? My Dad would have all his buddies come out deer hunting with him. And that’s the only end of the deer my Dad would ever see! So his hunting friends had that mounted and gave it to me when we opened this place. v One solution for oxygen at home, away, and for travel Introducing the INOGEN ONE – It’s oxygen therapy on your terms No more tanks to refill. No more deliveries. No more hassles with travel. The INOGEN ONE portable oxygen concentrator is designed to provide unparalleled freedom for oxygen therapy users. It’s small, lightweight, clinically proven for stationary and portable use, during the day and at night, and can go virtually anywhere — even on most airlines. Inogen accepts Medicare and many private insurances! Reclaim Your Freedom And Independence NOW!
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THE LAND — DECEMBER 11/DECEMBER 18, 2020 TH
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’11 CIH 7120, 1948 Sep/2780 Eng Hrs, 620/70R42, Field Tracker, Pro 600 Monitor, All Poly Lined Augers, SN: YAG210405, Field Ready; ’16 CIH 4408, 8R30�, Hyd Deck Plates, Dual PTO, SN: YFH632200; ’14 MacDon FD-75S 35’ Flex Draper, CIH Hookups, SN: 253729; ’13 Parker 1048 Cart, Tarp, Scale, 35.5/L32; ¡ :HVWÀHOG 0. 3OXV +RSSHU :DONHU ¡ :HVWÀHOG 0. 61 Swing Hopper; Yetter Stalk Devastators; Aeration Floor Grates
CIH 1240, LAND ROLLER & TILLAGE
’11 CIH 1240 Early Riser, 16R30� Center Pivot, Central Fill, 20/20 Air Force, Tru-Count Air Clutches, Coulters, AFS Units Corn & Bean, PTO Pump, SN: YAS008729; ’11 CIH 330 Turbo Till 25’, 20� Blades, 9� Spacings, Rolling Basket; ’08 Mandako LR42, 40’ Land Roller, 3 Section; WilRich Quad 5 FC, 46.5’ 4 Bar Harrow; 12 CIH Insect Boxes For 1240 Planter
Opening December 8 & Closing December 15 at 12PM Gully, MN C-Store & Fuel Storage Real Estate Auction, Gully, MN, Timed Online Auction
*** Address Of Farm: XXXX 240th Street East, Kenyon, MN. Go Southwest Of Kenyon On Co. Rd. 12 This Turns Into Rice Co. RD 19, Continue 3/4 Of A Mile, Property On South Side Of Road. *** PID# 16.24.2.75.001, Taxes For 2020 $6,700.00 *** Area: 154+/- Deeded Acres *** Tillable Acres: 148.77 Acres According To Rice County FSA *** Crop Productivity Index: 92.6 Average *** Great Soils, Lays Excellent, Field Driveways Off Of 240th Street & Lamb Ave. *** 52,000+ Feet Of Drain Tile With Maps *** Buyer Can Operate In 2021 Growing Year *** Farm Has Been Tilled Back *** Selling By The Acre: 154 x $ Bid
Bette Marcuson Trust
CO.
Opening December 8 & Closing December 15 Jeff Leidholm Retirement Auction, Washburn, ND, Timed Online Auction
Opening December 10 & Closing December 15 Roland Lere Conservatorship Personal Property Auction, Marion, ND & West Fargo, ND, Timed Online Auction
Call Today for an Informational Packet 800-801-4502
M AT T M A R I N G
Opening December 7 & Closing December 17 at 7PM Mies Outland Remaining AG Equipment Auction, Watkins, MN, Timed Online Auction
154Âą Acres of Prime Class “Aâ€? Crop Land, Sec. 24, Richland Twp, Rice Co. MN
Terms: $40,000 down the day of the auction, which is nonrefundable if the buyer fails to close on the property. The balance is due and payable in full to the sellers on or before January 21, 2021, at which time the buyer shall receive a clear marketable deed and possession. All real estate taxes due in 2021 shall be paid by the new buyer. All real estate is selling in as-is condition with any and all faults. All real estate is being sold with no warranties or guarantees whatsoever. All bidders and buyers must have their ďŹ nancing prior to auction date. No buyers fee.
Holty Farms Inventory Reduction Auction
For more info, call: 1-800-726-8609 or visit our website: SteffesGroup.com
Opening December 8 & Closing December 17 at 7PM Dave Brelje Excess Inventory Auction, Brownton, MN, Timed Online Auction
Feed Seed Hay Alfalfa Hay - Dairy or stock cow quality. Big square bales. Delivered from South Dakato. John Haensel 605351-5760
Steffes Auction Calendar 2020
Opening December 8 & Closing December 16 Tom Shirek Estate Farm Equipment Auction, Adams, ND, Timed Online Auction
One Call Does It All!
With one phone call, you can place your classified line ad in The Land, Farm News and Country Today.
PAGE 23
CLAAS 870 JAGUAR & HEADS
’06 Claas 870 Jaguar 4WD Forage Harvestor, 3704 Eng/3186 Cutter +UV KS $XWR /XEH &ODDV .3 5RFN 6WRS 0RQLWRU 1HZ .QLYHV Claas RU450 Xtra Corn Head, 15’; Claas PU380 HD Hay Head, 12’6�, 1HZ &DPV %HDULQJV .RRLPD $GDSWHU 3ODWH )RU &KRSSHU
LIVESTOCK & HOPPER TRAILERS
’14 Eby Alum Ground Load Livestock Trailer, 53’x102�x92�, 5 Comp, Tandem Axle, 22.5; ’07 Wilson Hopper Bottom Trailer, 40’x66�x96�, All Alum Rims, 24.5, Elec Roll Tarp; ’02 Wilson Super Star Alum Gooseneck Livestock Trailer, 24’x7’, 3 Comp, 8000lbs Tandem Axle
ARTS-WAY MIXER MILLS, NH 195
’13 Arts-Way 6520 Mixer Mill, 1000PTO Hyd Orbit Drive, Excellent .QLYHV ;/ 6FDOH 8VHG 7R 0L[ 1RW *ULQGLQJ $UWV :D\ $ Mixer Mill, 1000PTO, Hyd Orbit Drive, Rebuilt, 640 Scale; NH 195 Spreader, Tandem, Dual Beater, Slop Gate, Poly; Valmetal Model 121215 & 1215 Hammer Mill, 10hp; Valmetal Vertical Unload Auger 12’; J&M 350 Gravity Box W/ J&M 12 Ton Gear; Manure Tire Scraper Special Note: The Holtys are known for the great care and maintenance given to their machinery Terms: Cash and check. All sales are ďŹ nal. All items are selling as-is condition. All items must be paid for in full same day as auction.
www.maringauction.com
HOLTY FARMS JIM HOLTY 507-429-7973• RON HOLTY 507-429-7963 OWNER/ SELLERS
MATT MARING AUCTION CO. INC. • PO Box 37, Kenyon, MN 55946 507-789-5421 800-801-4502 Matt Maring, Lic. #25-28 • 507-951-8354 Kevin Maring Lic 25-70 & Adam Engen Lic# 25-93
Opening December 11 & Closing December 18 at 1PM Terry and Tammy Ebeling Retirement Auction, Owatonna, MN, Timed Online Auction Opening December 11 & Closing December 21 at 12PM Kibble Equipment Auction, Steffes Group Facility, Larchwood, IA, Timed Online Auction Opening December 11 & Closing December 21 at 1 PM Badlands Power Fuels Equipment Reduction Auction, Watford City & Stanley, ND, Timed Online Auction Opening December 14 & Closing December 22 Transcan Motorsports Group Inc. Equipment Auction, Steffes Group Facility, West Fargo, ND, Timed Online Auction Thursday, December 17 at 10AM Aglron Litchfield Event, Steffes Group Facility, Litchfield, MN Thursday, December 17 at 10AM Gerald Thissen Estate Farm Equipment Auction, Steffes Group Facility, Litchfield, MN Opening December 18 & Closing December 22 at 12:30PM Online Hay Auction Quality Tested - Ring 2, Steffes Group Facility, Litchfield, MN, Timed Online Auction Opening December 18 & Closing December 23 Online Steffes Auction - 12/23, Upper Midwest Locations, Timed Online Auction Opening December 18 & Closing December 31 Billy Johnson Farm Equipment Auction, Donnybrook, ND, Timed Online Auction Opening December 21 & Closing December 30 at 7PM M&L Custom Works Inventory Reduction Auction, Albany, MN, Timed Online Auction Opening Monday December 21 & Closing December 29 at 7PM Inventory Reduction Farm Auction, Glencoe, MN, Timed Online Auction Opening December 21 & Closing December 30 at 7PM Jones Farm Hay Auction, near Bath, SD, Timed Online Auction Opening December 22 at 8AM & Closing December 22 at 12PM Norman County, MN Land Auction - 160Âą Acres, Shelly, MN, Timed Online Auction Tuesday, December 22 at 12PM Live Hay Auction Quality Tested - Ring 1, Steffes Group Facility, Litchfield, MN Opening December 29 at 8AM & Closing December 29 at 12PM Dunn County, ND Land Auction - 200Âą Acres, Dodge, ND, Timed Online Auction Opening January 4 & Closing January 13 at 7PM Honeyman Firearms Collection Auction, Steffes Group Facility, Litchfield MN, Timed Online Auction
PAGE 24
www.thelandonline.com —”Where Farm and Family Meet”
First Your e for Choic ! ifieds Class
THE LAND — DECEMBER 11/DECEMBER 18, 2020 TH
our Place Y ! ay Ad Tod
Livestock, Machinery, Farmland... you name it! People will buy it when they see it in The Land! To submit your classified ad use one of the following options: Phone: 507-345-4523 or 1-800-657-4665 Mail to: The Land Classifieds, P.O. Box 3169, Mankato, MN 56002 Fax to: 507-345-1027 Email: theland@TheLandOnline.com Online at: www.thelandonline.com DEADLINE: Friday at 5:00 p.m. for the following Friday edition. Plus! Look for your classified ad in the e-edition.
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• Reach over 150,000 readers • Start your ad in The Land • Add more insertions • Get more coverage
THE FREE PRESS South Central Minnesota’s Daily News Source
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The ad prices listed are based on a basic classified line ad of 25 words or less. Ads running longer than 25 words will incur an added charge. Antiques & Collectibles Harvesting Equipment Goats CHECK ONE: Announcements Lawn & Garden Grain Handling Equipment Horses & Tack Employment Feed Seed Hay Livestock Equipment Exotic Animals Real Estate Fertilizer & Chemicals Wanted Pets & Supplies Real Estate Wanted Bins & Buildings Free & Give Away Cars & Pickups Farm Rentals Farm Equipment Livestock Industrial & Construction Auctions Tractors Poultry Trucks & Trailers Agri Business Tillage Equipment Dairy Recreational Vehicles Farm Services Planting Equipment Cattle Miscellaneous Sales & Services Spraying Equipment Swine NOTE: Ad will be placed in the Merchandise Hay & Forage Equipment Sheep appropriate category if not marked.
Now... add a photo to your classified line ad for only $10.00!! THE LAND
1 run @ $19.99 2 runs @ $34.99 3 runs @ $44.99 Each additional line (over 7) + $1.40 per line per issue EXTENDED COVERAGE - must run the same number of times as The Land FARM NEWS (FN) - Serving farmers in Northwest Iowa, 21,545 circ. THE COUNTRY TODAY (CT) - Serving farmers in Wisconsin, 21,000 circ. THE FREE PRESS (FP) - Serving south central Minnesota, 19,025 circ. PAPER(S) ADDED (circle all options you want): FN CT FP $7.70 for each paper and $7.70 run each issues x $7.70 STANDOUT OPTIONS (THE LAND only) $2.00 per run: Bold Italic Underline Web/E-mail links (Includes 1 Southern & 1 Northern issue)
oto (THE LAND only) $10.00 perper run:run Border $10.00 each
Photo (THE LAND only)
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TOTAL
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This is NOT for businesses. Please call The Land to place line ads.
Name _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Address _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ City ________________________________________________________________________________State ______________________ Zip _________________ Phone ________________________________________________________# of times __________________________ Card # ________________________________________________________Exp. Date __________________________ Signature _________________________________________________________________________________________
SORRY!
CHECK We do not issue refunds.
ADVERTISING NOTICE: Please check your ad the first week it runs. We make every effort to avoid errors by checking all copy, but sometimes errors are missed. Therefore, we ask that you review your ad for correctness. If you find a mistake, please call (507) 345-4523 immediately so that the error can be corrected. We regret that we cannot be responsible for more than one week’s insertion if the error is not called to our attention. We cannot be liable for an amount greater than the cost of the ad. THE LAND has the right to edit, reject or properly classify any ad. Each classified line ad is separately copyrighted to THE LAND. Reproduction without permission is strictly prohibited.
Feed Seed Hay
Farm Equipment
ALFALFA, mixed hay, grass hay & wheat straw, medium square or round bales, delivery available. Thief River Falls, MN. Call or text LeRoy Ose: 218-689-6675
Harms Mfg. Land Rollers, Brand New, 12’-$6,000; 14’$7,000; 16’-$8,000; 24’$14,800; 32’-$17,500; 42’-$21,500; Others from 8’-62’. 715-234-1993
FOR SALE: Hardi sprayer, Ranger 2200, w/ diaphragm High Quality Western Alfalfa pump, 60’ boom, triple nozHay delivered by the semi zles, 2500 Controller. load. Also low potassium 320-583-3131 grass hay & clean straw. Don Christianson 608-781- JD 7000 Corn Planter, 2Row, 7765. 40 years of satisfied 3PT, $1,800; Fert. Avail. $350/Row. 715-234-1993 customers.
Bins & Buildings Barn and Quonset Roofing and Straightening. Kelling Silo. 1-800-355-2598
SILO REMOVAL 507-236-9446
We buy Salvage Equipment Parts Available Hammell Equip., Inc. (507)867-4910
Sell your farm equipment in The Land with a line ad. 507-345-4523
Tractors
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 2009 Corn Pro 16’ Livestock Trailer w/ center gate $3,800. 715-317-0645 Ellsworth, WI JD 8110, 2001, 2WD, 5k hours; Two Brent 640 wagons; WilRich V957 DDR 7 shank disc ripper. 507-478-4221
’01 JD 8210 MFWD tractor- AUTO TRAC READY (PLUG & PLAY), like new 46” rears w/ duals, new 14.9R34 fronts, recently rebuilt tranny at JD dealer, big hyd pump, MFWD just gone through, 4 hyd remotes, 1000 PTO & 3-pt. 9400Hr. Exc mech cond & sharp. $59,600/ OBO. Call 507-789-6049
THE LAND — DECEMBER 11/DECEMBER 18, 2020 Tractors
Planting Equip
www.thelandonline.com — “Where Farm and Family Meet”
PAGE 25
Livestock Equipment
Hog Equipers,NEW AND USED TRACTOR FOR SALE: Case IH 955 FOR SALE: 14’- PARTS JD 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 12R30” pull type planter with ment: 5’ x 7’ Tenderfoot with 00; 55, 50 Series & newer trac- liquid fertilizer, row shutoff, stands $250 each; stainless Oth- tors, AC-all models, Large trash whippers, monitor. steel scrapers with stainless 93 Inventory, We ship! Mark Nice condition and paint. cables; 8’ x 10’ aluminum V front snowmobile trailer Heitman Tractor Salvage 320-808-9506 with ramps. 320-260-1638 715-673-4829
ow,2013 Great Plains 33 Ft 5” ail. model #8333 Discovator/Finisher (Current Model) Real Good. Glencoe 28 Ft #3500 (5 Bar Frame) w/ 4 Bar Harrow (Long Tines) Real Good. Retiring. 319-347-6282/ 319-269-4226 FOR SALE: 2014 CIH Tigermate 200, 26 ft field cultivator with 4 bar drag, with original shovels, $24,000. 320-249-8556
Planting Equip
FOR SALE: JD 7000 6R30” planter, liq fert w/ squeeze pump, Yetter row cleaners, precision meters w/ insect boxes, also JD monitor, always shedded, $8,000/OBO. WANTED TO BUY: 1760 JD rac- planter, 12R30” w/ liq fert, in DY good shape, always shedded. new 952-292-2019 new rebig one 000 Exc 600/
Harvesting Equip
Wanted
JD7720 Combine, $8,500; JD643 Cornhead, $3,500; All kinds of New & Used farm JD920 Bean Head with trail- equipment - disc chisels, field er, $8,250; JD27 Stalk Chop- cults, planters, soil finishers, per, new hood, $2,000; JD cornheads, feed mills, discs, Chisel Plow, $500; Interna- balers, haybines, etc. 507tional 6200 Grain Drill, 14 ft. 438-9782 - 7” spacing, $1,200; JD960 27.5’ Field Cultivator, $4,500. Grain Dryer Wanted: LookCall 507-220-0487 ing to buy newer used grain dryer such as a GSI 1112 or SUKUP T-12. Four Grain Handling or five inch air system. Equipment 3000 to 3500 bushel hopper bottom bin. All must be in Used 2015 Westfield TFX2 100excellent condition. (952) 36 auger ser# 273942, PTO 356-7796 belt drive, tires were new when purchased, handy auger, nice condition, $4,500. 15 WANTED DAMAGED miles SE of Janesville, MN. CORNLIGHT TEST Retired. John 507-381-7097 WEIGHT & HIGHER MOISTURE CORN- PAYING COMPETITIVE PRICES DEPENDING Your ad QUALITY. ZANE HANcould be here! SON (507) 459-8653
507-345-4523
Please recycle this magazine.
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.
TIMED ONLINE
LOCATION: 4098 AUSTIN ROAD OWATONNA, MN 55060
OPENS: FRIDAY, DECEMBER 11
CLOSES: FRIDAY, DECEMBER 18 | 1PM
2020
Tillage Equip
ALSO TO INCLUDE:
JOHN DEERE S660 COMBINE
JOHN DEERE 8295R
• 2012 John Deere 9560RT, 2258 hrs • 2010 Brent 782 Grain Cart, 18” • 2013 John Deere 608C • 2018 John Deere 635F • Horst CHCF 4-wheel Header trailer, 36’ • Unverferth HT-25 4-wheel Header trailer, 25’ • John Deere 2630 controller • Starfire 3000 globe • International 490 Disc • 2016 John Deere 2730 Disc Ripper, 18’ • 2008 John Deere 2210 field cultivator, 45 1/2’ AND MORE! For a full list of items visit www.SteffesGroup.com
JOHN DEERE 1770NT
BRENT 782 GRAIN CART
SteffesGroup.com
Steffes Group, Inc., 24400 MN Hwy 22 S, Litchfield, MN 55355 | 320.693.9371
TERRY AND TAMMY EBELING RETIREMENT AUCTION | TERRY EBELING, 507.456.5268 or Brock Skov at Steffes Group, 320.693.9371 or 507.272.4818 Complete terms, lot listings and photos at SteffesGroup.com / Ashley Huhn MN47-002
PAGE 26
www.thelandonline.com —”Where Farm and Family Meet”
THE LAND — DECEMBER 11/DECEMBER 18, 2020 TH
Thank you for reading THE LAND!
If you’re having a Farm Auction, let other Farmers know it! Upcoming Issues of THE LAND Southern MNNorthern MN Northern IA December 18, 2020 *December 25, 2020 *January 1, 2021 January 15, 2021 *January 8, 2021 January 29, 2021 *January 22, 2021 February 5, 2021 February 12, 2021
*
Deadline is 8 days prior to publication. Indicates early deadline, 9 days prior to publication.
Between issues, visit www.thelandonline.com WANTED
LeRoy: $159,900 1 BR 1.5 BA on 6 acres MLS #5650834 PENDING! Grand Meadow: $259,900 3 BR 2.5 BA on 6.29 acres MLS #5564994 SOLD!
NEED LISTINGS - HAVE BUYERS! NEW LISTING! Mower County: Approx. 121 acres, 80% Pattern tiled. Good tenant in place. SE of Austin. MLS# 5689546 RACINE: 10,000 sq. ft. building on 2.12-acres. Multiple uses! MLS# 5247299
PO Box 3287 • Mankato, MN 56002 Phone: 507-345-4523 or 800-657-4665 Fax: 507-345-1027 Website: www.TheLandOnline.com e-mail: theland@TheLandOnline.com Ask Your Auctioneer to Place Your Auction in The Land!
Full Farm Management Services including Rental Rates, Government Programs, & Environmental Issues Randy Queensland • 507-273-3890 • randy@lrmrealestate.com Ryan Queensland • 507-273-3000 • ryan@lrmrealestate.com 435543-1 Grand Meadow, MN • 800-658-2340
DAMAGED GRAIN STATEWIDE
We pay top dollar for your damaged grain. We are experienced handlers of your wet, dry, burnt and mixed grains. Trucks and vacs available. Immediate response anywhere. CALL FOR A QUOTE TODAY
PRUESS ELEV., INC. 1-800-828-6642
Did you know... you can place your classified ad online at www.TheLandOnline.com or email theland@TheLandOnline.com
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2020 | 10AM AUCTIONEER’S NOTE: Auctioneers will run multiple rings with live online bidding available on major equipment. Contact auctioneers for owner information, new consignments, or changes at 320.693.9371. Registration, terms, & details at SteffesGroup.com.
! s U LITCHFIELD AGIRON n i o J
CONSIGNMENT AUCTION EVENT
Over 375 lots to bid on! New items added daily. Three Complete Farm Lines included along with Consigned Farm Equipment, Hay Equipment, Trucks, Recreational Items and Construction Equipment. For Complete terms, lot listings and photos visit SteffesGroup.com
SteffesGroup.com
Steffes Group, Inc. | 24400 MN Hwy 22 S, Litchfield, MN 55355 | 320.693.9371 Ashley Huhn MN47-002,, Randy Kath MN47-007, Eric Gabrielson MN47-006, Shelly Weinzetl MN47-017, Scott Steffes MN14-51, Brad Olstad MN14-70, Bob Steffes MN14-09, Max Steffes MN03-57
TERMS: All items sold as is where is. Payment of cash or check must be made sale day before removal of items. Statements made auction day take precedence over all advertising. $35 documentation fee applies to all titled vehicles. Titles will be mailed. Canadian buyers need a bank letter of credit to facilitate border transfer.
THE LAND — DECEMBER 11/DECEMBER 18, 2020 Wanted
Livestock
www.thelandonline.com — “Where Farm and Family Meet”
Pets & Supplies
Miscellaneous
PAGE 27
Miscellaneous
Wanted to Buy: JD725 6, 8 & FOR SALE: Black Angus bulls FOR SALE: Tri-colored pure- PARMA DRAINAGE PUMPS Winpower Sales & Service 12 row - front mount cultiva- also Hamp, York, & Hamp/ bred border collie pups; New pumps & parts on hand. Reliable Power Solutions Duroc boars & gilts. Alfred Blue, Brown & Red Mer- Call Minnesota’s largest dis- Since 1925 PTO & automatic tors; Stanhoist and Bushhog Kemen 320-598-3790 le pups, all vet checked & tributor steel barge boxes; Gehl and Emergency Electric GenerHJ Olson & Company Lorentz grinder/mixers; plus current vacc, extremely inators. New & Used telligent, working parents, 320-974-8990 Cell - 320-212-5336 Rich Opsata-Distributor all types of farm machinery. Sell your livestock exc cattle dog/pet. Ready to 507-251-2685 800-343-9376 in The Land go Mid to Late December. REINKE IRRIGATION WANTED TO BUY: Looking for something (651)206-8307 with a line ad Sales & Service John Deere 1765 12-row, 30” special? Put a line ad in New & Used 507-345-4523 Planter with Row Command FOR SALE: Australian cattle The Land and find it! For your irrigation needs Clutches and 3 bushel boxes. dog Heeler puppies. 4 red Call today! 507-345-4523 888-830-7757 or 507-276-2073 320-269-6653 males available. 4 1/2 months Swine old. Shots are current. Farm WANTED TO BUY: CIH 3900 raised. Parents are papered. or 3950. 320-352-3878 Spot, Duroc, Chester White, $200/ea. 651-214-8510 Boars & Gilts available. WANTED TO BUY: Case IH Magnum 7120 or Monthly PRRS and PEDV. Please support the advertisers you see here. Tell them you 7130 model, front wheel Delivery available. Steve saw their ad in The Land! Resler. 507-456-7746 assist. Call 320-260-8446
ADVERTISER LISTING
Agri Systems/Systems West ........................................... 17 Auctioneer Alley ........................................................... 25 Beck's Hybrids .......................................................... 1, 15 Dahl Farm Supply ........................................................... 9 Dairyland Seed Co., Inc. ................................................. 3 Freedom Home Care ........................................................ 4 Greenwald Farm Center ................................................. 22 Henslin Auctions, Inc. ................................................... 25 Inogen .......................................................................... 21 Kannegiesser Truck ....................................................... 12 Land Resource Management .......................................... 26 Larson Brothers Implement ........................................... 22 Matt Maring Auction Co. ............................................... 23 Mike's Collision & Repair Center .................................... 7 MN Dept of Agriculture ............................................... 11 Northland Buildings ...................................................... 13 Pioneer ......................................................................... 18 Pruess Elevator, Inc. ..................................................... 26 Rush River Steel & Trim ............................................... 14 Schweiss Doors ............................................................. 24 Smiths Mill Implement, Inc. .......................................... 22 Southwest MN K-Fence ................................................... 9 Steffes Group .................................................... 23, 25, 26 Wingert Realty & Land Services .................................... 23 507-345-4523 • 800-657-4665 PO Box 3287, Mankato, MN 56002-3287 www.thelandonline.com
FILL YOUR CHRISTMAS with holiday goodness! LEFSE, SANDBAKKEL, GOODIE BALLS--Made in Minnesota! Lefse, 3/$3 or 13/$12. Sandbakkel, Dozen/$10. Goodie Balls, Dozen/$12. DeliveryCresco, IA, Rochester, MN, Other Locations. Call today. 218-791-1713. MCN. INVESTIGATE BEFORE YOU INVEST! Midwest Free Community Paper Association does not knowingly accept fraudulent or deceptive advertising. Readers are cautioned to thoroughly investigate all classifieds and other ads which require an investment. (MCN) DONATE YOUR CAR TO CHARITY. Receive maximum value of write off for your taxes. Running or not! All conditions accepted. Free pickup. Call for details. 855-752-6680 (MCN) DONATE YOUR CAR, TRUCK TO HERITAGE FOR THE BLIND. Free 3 Day Vacation, Tax Deductible, Free Towing, All Paperwork Taken Care Of. CALL 1-855-977-7030 (MCN) CASH FOR CARS: We Buy Any Condition Vehicle, 2002 and Newer. Competitive Offer! Nationwide FREE Pick Up! Call Now For a Free Quote! 888-366-5659. (MCN) BEST SATELLITE TV with 2 Year Price Guarantee! $59.99/mo with 190 channels and 3 months free premium movie channels! Free next day installation! Call 855-824-1258. (MCN) EARTHLINK High Speed Internet. As Low As $14.95/month (for the first 3 months.) Reliable High Speed. Fiber Optic Technology. Stream Videos, Music and More! Call Earthlink Today 1-855-679-7096 (MCN) DISH TV $59.99 For 190 Channels + $14.95 High Speed Internet. Free Installation, Smart HD DVR Included, Free Voice Remote. Some restrictions apply. 1-844-316-8876. (MCN)
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Portable Oxygen Concentrator May Be Covered by Medicare! Reclaim independence and mobility with the compact design and longlasting battery of Inogen One. Free information kit! Call 844-716-2411. (MCN)
AT&T TV - The Best of Live & On-Demand On All Your Favorite Screens. CHOICE Package, $64.99/ mo plus taxes for 12 months. Premium Channels at No Charge for One Year! Anytime, anywhere. Some restrictions apply. W/ 24-mo. agmt TV price higher in 2nd year. Regional Sports Fee up to $8.49/mo. is extra & applies. Call IVS 1-866-387-0621. (MCN)
MobileHelp, America’s Premier Mobile Medical Alert System. Whether You’re Home or Away. For Safety and Peace of Mind. No Long Term Contracts! Free Brochure! Call Today! 1-855-385-9770. (MCN)
Attention Active Duty & Military Veterans! Begin a new career and earn your Degree at CTI! Online Computer & Medical training available for Veterans & Families! To learn more, call 855-960-0997. (MCN) The COVID crisis has cost us all something. Many have lost jobs and financial security. Have $10K In Debt? Credit Cards.Medical Bills. Car Loans. Call NATIONAL DEBT RELIEF! We can help! Get a FREE debt relief quote: Call 1-866-5520649.(MCN) Trailer Sale: Just in DUMP TRAILERS 10’, 12’ & 14’. 24’ Enclosed race car or Show car trailer was $22,999.00 Now $19,500.00. 6’X12’ V-nose, ramp door, 7’X12’ V-nose ramp door. UTV (side by side) ATV, Mower, Utility trailers in both steel & aluminum. www. FortDodgeTrailerWorld.com or 515972-4554. (MCN) Stay in your home longer with an American Standard Walk-In Bathtub. Receive up to $1,500 off, including a free toilet, and a lifetime warranty on the tub and installation! Call us at 1-855-372-3080 or visit www.walkintubquote.com/midwest (MCN)
NEW AUTHORS WANTED! Page Publishing will help you selfpublish your own book. FREE author submission kit! Limited offer! Why wait? Call now: 855-623-8796 (MCN) Become a published author! Publications sold at all major secular & specialty Christian bookstores. CALL Christian FaithPublishing for your FREE author submission kit. 1-888-981-5761. (MCN) Eliminate gutter cleaning forever! LeafFilter, the most advanced debrisblocking gutter protection. Schedule a FREE LeafFilter estimate today. 15% off Entire Purchase. 10% Senior & Military Discounts. Call 1-855-5771268. Promo Code 285. (MCN) Two great new offers from AT&T Wireless! Ask how to get the new iPhone 11 or Next Generation Samsung Galaxy S10e ON US with AT&T’s Buy one, Give One offer. While supplies last! CALL 1-844290-8275. (MCN) DO WARM WINTERS SOUND GOOD?? Bring your RV down to the warm Rio Grande Valley. J-5 RV Park in Mission Tx. will welcome you with a country setting and friendly people. We have a special for 1st time visitors. We are following guidelines to keep everyone healthy and taking precautions to protect our community. Phone us at 956-682-7495 or 515-4183214. Email info@j5rvparktexas.com Tom and Donna Tuttle, Managers. (MCN)
PAGE 28
www.thelandonline.com — “Where Farm and Family Meet”
THE LAND — DECEMBER 11/DECEMBER 18, 2020
This week’s Back Roads is the work of The Land Managing Editor Paul Malchow.
Christmas by car
F
Unlike previous years, members will no longer get in free on general admission nights (Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays). Instead, they can reserve free tickets on Wednesday, the dedicated membership night. This decision was made in an effort to recoup more of the event’s expenses.
or the past three years the University of Minnesota Landscape Arboretum has treated visitors with a holiday light show and 2020 is no exception. This year however, patrons won’t be able to leisurely stroll the grounds; but will be confined to their vehicles instead.
The botanical-themed “Winter Lights 2020: Winter in Bloom” is taking place through Jan. 3 at the Arboretum in Chaska. Missing from the Arboretum’s usual Christmas fare is the famous indoor poinsettia tree as well as other decorated trees. Outdoors, though, there will be more lights for people to admire — including a 22-foot tent of lights, a display of large lotus blossoms in lights, and an apple which celebrates the 100th anniversary of the University of Minnesota’s first apple introduction. Visitors are required to remain inside their vehicles and follow the one-way paths. Tickets have been significantly limited and vehicles will only be allowed one pass through the Arboretum course.
Admission is limited to 80 people per half hour. General admission is from 4 p.m. - 10 p.m. Friday, Saturday and Sunday through Jan. 3. Tickets are $15/non-member, $10/member and free for children 15 and under. Visit arbwinter.umn.edu for more details. v
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