THE LAND ~ May 21, 2021 ~ Northern Edition

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May 14, 2021 May 21, 2021

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INSIDE: Training dogs to herd sheep Hawkins’ lambs are a family affair Minnesota’s only custom woolen mill is still thriving

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THE LAND — MAY 14/MAY 21, 2021

Home is where you make it 418 South Second St. Mankato, MN 56001 (800) 657-4665 Vol. XL ❖ No. 10 24 pages, 1 section plus supplements

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How far did you roam? I ended up 88 clearly remember when cordless phones miles from where I grew up. College took were introduced and how my brother and me to the faraway locale known as Fargo, I wanted my parents to get one so we N.D., then on to Grand Forks and could take the phone anywhere in the Hillsboro. But in 2004 we moved back to house and not have to worry about how the Land of 10,000 Lakes and have been far that cord stretched. here ever since.

Around that same time, my mom took a In 2008, Pew Research reported that in girls trip to New York City. She did some the Midwest, nearly half of adults say shopping on Canal Street which was LAND MINDS they have spent their entire lives in their infamous for knock-off purses and other

By Kristin Kveno hometown. In comparison, fewer than “great deals.” While perusing the items one-third of people in Western states she and my aunts found cordless still live in their hometown. phones for an amazing bargain. They each bought one — still in the boxes. I We are creatures of habit and comremember my mom proudly showing us the box fort. It’s no surprise half of us live where we grew up. With a large number of people now able to work when she got back from the trip. from home due to the pandemic, how we work and Initially, joy ensued when she opened it, but the where we work is changing. Those who yearned to smile quickly faded from her face. The “new” phone come back home to rural America, but were faced had other people’s numbers written on the back of with the dilemma of having a job in a big city, now it, some hair attached to the receiver and was suddenly don’t have to choose. Working from home dreadfully dirty. My mom suddenly realized that the has allowed people to now live where they want — phone may have had a questionable past. We never regardless of where their job is located. used that phone. My parents decided getting one at Target was a better, cleaner option. That crazy People are on the move. With low interest rates, phone started our family’s foray into the world of houses go on the market and sell in no time.

According to Redfin, home prices in Minnesota were cordless communication. up 9.5 percent year-over-year in March. The number Kids these days will never know what it’s like to of homes sold rose 5.7 percent while the number of trip on a phone cord; or have your mom bring home homes for sale fell 51.4 percent. It is definitely a a cordless phone which may have unknowingly been seller’s market out there. It will be interesting to stolen goods. Times have changed and as the saying see whether housing demands in rural Minnesota goes, the only constant is change. continue to pick up as the job landscape evolves.

Those memories of home though, they are yours Stories from our homes where we grew up are forever. Whether you still live right where you grew some of my kids’ favorites to hear. When my husup or thousands of miles away, there really is no band and I share tales from our youth with our chil- place like home. dren, they marvel at the “archaic” ways we used to Kristin Kveno is the staff writer of The Land. She live. Like how we each grew up with kitchen phones may be reached at kkveno@TheLandOnline.com. v sporting incredibly, ridiculously-long cords which stretched to just about every one of the rooms. I

OPINION

Where is your county fair?

Reports are trickling in concerning the return of county fairs in 2021. Is your county planning a fair this summer? Drop us a line at editor@thelandonline.com or call us at (507) 345-4523 and let us know.

We want to help spread the word!

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

7 — Patience is key when training dogs to herd sheep 8 — Young family is finding success with sheep and lambs

THERE’S EVEN MORE ONLINE... @ TheLandOnline.com • “Nuts and Bolts” — News and new products from the ag industry • “E-Edition” — Archives of past issues of The Land

THE LAND — MAY 14/MAY 21, 2021

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PAGE 3

China’s buying binge continues… until it doesn’t China is even hungrier, richer, and — to China’s consumption of soybeans surged the delight of almost every American from 20 million metric tons to 114 milfarmer — more impatient in today’s globlion in 2020-21…” al food market than anyone thought posThat’s an “average annualized 7.6 persible even a decade ago. cent” growth rate. As a result, China In fact, according to the data crunchers quickly grew to become the big dog in the at Agricultural Economic Insights (aei), global bean business. Now, it buys “more China now imports “about 100 million than 60 percent of globally imported soyacres worth of crop production, or roughly FARM & FOOD FILE beans.”

25 percent of total crop consumption.”

The growth picture for Chinese corn

By Alan Guebert Think about that — one in four imports is similar. From the 1970s bushels of any grain like soybeans, onward, “Production and consumption rice, corn, wheat and sorghum used in have been essentially in lock-stop …

China today is not grown in In the last three years, however, China today. Part of the reason is that the nation’s domestic consumption has outpaced production … farming acreage, explains aei, “has remained mostly [and] for the 2020-21 marketing year, China purstable since 1990.” chased 13 percent of the globally traded corn…”

Another key reason, of course, is that the country’s In fact, China’s grocery list is so long, say the aei population has been anything but stable. In 1990, analysts, it now purchases “85 percent of global China was a nation of 1.13 billion; today it’s home trade” in sorghum, “more than 60 percent of the to 1.41 billion people, or 18 percent of the world’s global trade in dry milk powder,” and “nearly 30 population. percent of global beef trade.” (A decade ago, it “essentially imported zero beef.”)

Put another way, since 1990, China has added as many people as now live in Indonesia, 280 million, And that’s not all. the world’s fourth most populous nation.

China now composes “10 percent of the global This wild, continuous growth, however, is over. chicken trade,” and, with the onset of its devastatAccording to the May 10 New York Times, only 12 ing African swine fever outbreak in 2019, China million children were born in China last year, the moved from buying “roughly 20 percent of global lowest birth total since famine-ravaged 1961. The [pork] trade… to nearly 50 percent for 2020-21.” slowing birth rate indicates China “faces a demoWith a cash buyer like that roaming global grographic crisis that could stunt growth in the world’s cery markets, little wonder any food production second-largest economy.” glitch — like a run of dry weather in South America This change, however, can’t change China’s demo- or a crop-flattening wind in Iowa — sends many graphic challenge in the coming decade: it still has commodity markets to once-in-a-decade highs. too many people to feed from too little land.

But can China’s big (and perhaps overly big) marIn the past, notes aei in a May 10 post, that matket influence last? tered less. For example, from the 1970s through the Big, probably … overly big, probably not.

1990s, “China’s production and consumption of soy“…China likely holds strong growth in consumpbeans was nearly lock-step.” tion and more reliance on imports,” aei analysts Of course, balancing the books back then often forecast. “But trends will also be impacted by concame with the wave of an autocrat’s hand, not the sumer preferences and habits, policies, trade disrupmarket’s free hand. tion, and global events…”

Soon thereafter, though, a growing, more trade“In short,” aei concludes, “it will become harder to dependent economy took root and “(a)round 2000…

OPINION

point to China and make a blanket statement about strong demand for agricultural commodities.”

That’s a prudent reading of today’s ag export markets. There are reasons — like China’s binge buying and today’s weather-tightened supplies — why commodity prices soar. Once those reasons flatten or disappear, so too do the once-in-a-decade markets.

Or, as a now near-90 year old farmer once told me: “I’ve been through four or five ‘new market plateaus’ in my life and not one ever became an ‘old’ market plateau.”

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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Letter: Use patience on the road To the Editor, It’s that time of the year again as the tractors and equipment take to the road. As impatient drivers drive past giving the one-finger salute, I would like to remind them. As you pull yourself up to the dinner table, remember

OPINION

that we do this work because we want to, not because we have to. There is a difference!

Larry Otto Lester Prairie, Minn.

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

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THE LAND — MAY 14/MAY 21, 2021

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PAGE 5

Humans or animals, Moms have a special place in this world About a week ago my oldest daughter rump of a goat.

Abby’s goat welcomed a set of triplets This poor ole girl was becoming even into the world. It was an exciting time for more irritated with my presence. all of us! We did not have an exact breedGrabbing a rubber glove from my pocket, ing date for this specific doe, only a range I decided to manually check and see of days she had been exposed to a buck. what was going on. Sure enough, upon We knew she was getting close, however, inspection, I found the little bulb-shaped as the poor girl’s midsection had become noggin of a kid. I quickly removed the so large she was no longer as agile as she aforementioned stitch and headed inside DEEP ROOTS once was. Most of her days were passed to wake my slumbering adolescent by finding a comfortable lying position as

By Whitney Nesse (which is not normally an easy task). close to the feed and water as possible so Abby and I, armed with dry towels, excitedly went she would not have to get up to grab a bite to eat. back to the barn where we found the first kid already On many occasions I would find Lady lying down on the ground. My budding veterinarian went right to with her head in her feed bucket, snacking away as work, vigorously drying the tiny Pygmy doeling off as she was waiting for the birth of her kids.

I assisted with the birth of the next two, slightly largIt was a long month of waiting. This particular er, bucklings. doe needed a bit more special attention because a Once all three kids were safely delivered, dried, few weeks prior, she had the beginnings of a vaginal and attempting to take their first steps, Abby, in an prolapse stitched up. With that said, we had to be “Johnny on the spot” when it came to her kidding to excited whisper exclaimed, “This is so amazing! I’m shaking because I am so excited!” It was indeed an prevent further complications. It had become my exciting moment to experience with my daughter. nightly routine to run out to the barn around 10 p.m. to check on the expecting doe before turning in Today I stood and watched Lady with her trio, and for the night. For a month, each nightly run seemed couldn’t help but relate to her as I think many mothmuch like the last. I would find Lady sleepily chew- ers would. The moment she stands up from even the ing her cud with no signs of labor. shortest rest, her kids start tugging on her, nudging I was expecting much of the same on that particu- her as they look for food. I watched as Lady patiently stood for a few minutes and she licked and bonded lar evening run to the barn — only this time, Lady with her young. She then gracefully and gently was not sailing off into dreamland. Rather, she walked away, her bouncing triplets underfoot, as she seemed a bit irritated as she was standing and quickly ate and drank before lying down to rest stomping the ground underneath her. I strode behind her looking for any changes toward her rear again. Upon lying down, the three snuggled into their Momma as close as possible; and again, Lady but saw nothing significant. Grabbing a flashlight gracefully held her head as she quietly chewed her to take another look, I found the slightest streak of cud and every so often would nudge or lick her kids. blood near her backside. It seemed insignificant. I questioned whether or not I was seeing clearly in Much like Lady and her kids, my children are conthe dimly-lit barn; or if my eyes were still adjusting stantly looking for something to eat from the to the sudden bright flashlight shining on the pink moment their feet hit the floor in the morning.

Staring into a refrigerator or pantry full of things to eat they exclaim, “Mom, we don’t have anything to eat!” As a mother, a moment of privacy seems impossible. Even when stealing away for a run to the bathroom with the door closed, tiny fingers wiggle underneath the thin gap between the bottom of the door and the floor, along with shrieks of, “MOM! Are you done?” And at the end of the day, when this Momma is tired out and sits down, there could be seating for thousands, but the littles sit as close to Mom as possible. Truth be told, myself and most Moms rarely refuse the snuggles, hugs and kisses from their kids and are equally as generous in handing them out.

Whether you are a dog mom, boy mom, toddler mom, plant mom, mom of teens, grand-mom or the neighbor of a mom, you are precious. Our world would be null and void if it were not for the gentle love and care of a Mom. Moms in the thick of raising toddlers, tweens and teens: hang in there. You were made for such a time as this. Moms of cows who are in the middle of calving season, you are resilient, keep up the good work. Moms who are empty nesters, those of us with full nests need you.

We need your wisdom and encouragement. Use this next stage of your life to share your hope. Neighbors of Moms, check on your Mom neighbors. You just might be the sunshine on a cloudy day.

Moms of all ages, stages, breeds and species; thank you for your grace, kindness and love. There is not enough ink in the world to express the gratitude and importance of mothers out there. Happy Mother’s Day! Whitney Nesse is a sixth-generation livestock farmer who is deeply rooted in her faith and family. She writes from her central Minnesota farm. v

USDA approves Minnesota’s hemp plan ST. PAUL — The U.S. Department of Agriculture has approved the state of Minnesota’s revised hemp production plan. The plan governs the production and regulation of hemp in Minnesota and needed federal approval as part of USDA’s U.S. Domestic Hemp Production Program.

This will be the first year Minnesota’s program will be operating under a new, federally approved state plan that governs production and regulation. Some changes in the revised plan include: A hemp crop must be tested no more than 30 days before harvest to ensure the plants fall below the 0.3 percent total tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) level. This is an increase from the previous 15-day testing window.

Random sampling of fields will now be based on risk factors of the crop, allowing for more inspection flexibility.

Remediation is allowed if hemp plants exceed the 0.3 percent total THC threshold but test under 1 percent total THC. A grower cannot be assessed more than one negligent violation in a year. The previous plan allowed an unlimited number of assessed violations. The penalty for violations is unchanged. Those with three negligent violations in five years will be ineligible for a license for five years.

A license from the MDA is required for individuals and businesses to grow, process, research, or breed hemp in the state. The MDA received 454 applications for 2021 licenses. Applications were due April 30.

Questions about the MDA’s Industrial Hemp Program should be sent to hemp.mda@state.mn.us or (651) 201-6600.

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

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THE LAND — MAY 14/MAY 21, 2021

Should ranchers pay attention to plant-based meat?

By TIM KING The Land Correspondent MINNEAPOLIS —”Our mission is to completely replace the use of animals as a food technology by 2035. We’re dead serious about it and we believe it’s doable. I was confident that we would succeed when I launched this company, and now I’m completely confident. It’s game over for the incumbent industry — they just don’t know it yet.”

That statement was made by Pat Brown in a recent interview at a gathering called The Web Summit.

Brown is the founder and CEO of the synthetic meat product called Impossible Foods.

Impossible Foods product line includes two products. One is the well-known Impossible Burger, which is available as a cooked burger at many McDonalds and Starbucks stores; or as synthetic ground beef at chains such as Target and Trader Joes. The other product is a seasoned synthetic sausage product.

Ben Lilliston, the Director of Rural and Climate Strategies at the Institute for Agricultural and Trade Policy in Minneapolis, believes Brown’s specific claim may not need to be taken seriously; but beef farmers and their allies should pay attention to the spirit of the comment.

“It’s hard to see animal agriculture disappearing by 2035, but changes in the industry are likely to be driven by consumers, farmers interest in regenerative systems, climate change and new technology,” he said.

Some of those new technologies will likely include a variety of red meat look-alikes.

“I think this trend is something farmers should pay attention to, at least partially, because there is a lot of money behind the move toward synthetic and plant-based meat — including from the meat industry itself. You have companies like Tyson and Cargill that have invested in the lab-grown Memphis Meats.

JBS and Cargill are invested in plant-based meats

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and Silicon Valley is also very interested in this technology,” Lilliston said.

The money from the corporate goliaths is following consumer trends, Lilliston says. He points to a recent survey, conducted by Cargill, which indicates consumers are more and more concerned about the environment and the intersection between climate and food.

Although the report shows consumers trust agriculture to be a solution to climate disruption, the meat industries reputation has been tarnished recently.

“The dominant form of animal production, the large-scale CAFO (concentrated animal feeding operation) is associated with water and air pollution and climate concerns — and not just by consumers, but also by rural residents that are not part of the industry,” Lilliston said. “From the meatpackers’ perspective, the recent labor issues around Covid-19 in meatpacking plants points to another vulnerability in the industry.”

The Land asked a group of climate disruption activists in the Twin Cities whether or not they ate Impossible Meats products. A dozen responded and all but one had eaten them.

“I eat Impossible Burgers,” Michelle Shaw, a climate disruption activist from the Twin Cities, said.

“It’s between those and Beyond Meat patties and it just depends on what’s on sale that week at Target.

What I’ve been doing as of late is making vegan Juicy Lucys with them, and they’re absolutely delicious.”’

“I’ve had the impossible burger multiple times. I’ve eaten it in restaurants, fast food, and cooked it myself at home,” said Lisa Chou, a climate disruption activist from the environmental group MN350. “The taste has sometimes been nearly identical to a beef burger in flavor and texture and other times a little different. They’ve had two formulations over the years, a 1.0 and 2.0 version. The 2.0 definitely was an improvement in texture.”

Some we had spoken with told The Land they didn’t want to consume the genetically modified soy

and yeast in the Impossible Meat products.

The Center for Food Safety has sued the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for allegedly not adequately testing the genetically modified components in Impossible Meats products before approving them for consumption.

“This is the first time that people have consumed this product,” Jaydee Hansen, the Policy Director for the Center for Food Safety, wrote in the organizations blog. “The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is supposed to require testing in this situation to make sure that this novel protein does not cause allergic reactions in people. Unfortunately, instead of requiring Impossible Foods to file a new food additive petition, FDA allowed the company to use a weak regulatory process called “Generally Recognized As Safe” (GRAS) where the company does its own research and chooses its own reviewers to self-certify that its product is safe for human consumption.”

Impossible Foods is forging ahead, regardless of legal challenges. On April 6 it announced a national advertising campaign for the Impossible Burger. As part of its announcement, the company made it clear it was going to continue its growth at the expense of the livestock industry.

“Following a year of epic growth, Impossible products are now in about 20,000 grocery stores and 30,000 restaurants, with up to 82 percent of sales coming at the direct expense of animal-derived products,” Impossible Foods said in its April 6 press release.

Two days later, on April 8, the Reuters news service reported Impossible Foods was planning a $10 billion initial public stock offering sometime in 2021.

“This would be substantially more than the $4 billion the company was worth in a private funding round in 2020. It would highlight growing demand for plant-based meat products, driven by environmental and ethical concerns among consumers,” Reuters reported. v

Extension to host beef webinar series

The University of Minnesota Extension is hosting a webinar series, “Summer Beef Essentials.” Zoom meetings will be held from 8 to 9 p.m.

Farmers, 4-H members, ag business professionals who work with farmers, and those interested in beef cows are invited to attend.

May 24 — Pasture and Fence Line Weed Control Management Strategies. Topics to be discussed include the implementation of chemical, mechanical, and cultural weed management practices to control persistent annual, biennial, perennial and woody species in pasture and fence line systems. We’ll also discuss the management of noxious weeks, and how to increase stocking rate through the utilization of intensive mob grazing.

May 27 — Extending the Grazing Season. Topics to be discussed include options to extend the grazing season through practices such as grazing cover crops and crop residues, use of stockpiled forages, perennial grass, standing corn, and millet. We’ll also discuss soil fertility recycling, improving forage utilization, how to utilize perennial grass to improve grazing distribution, and considerations for water access and fencing within crop fields.

Pre-registration is required. Register at z.umn.edu/ SummerBeef by 5 p.m. the day before each event. If you are unable to attend the live sessions, you will receive the recordings for all the sessions via email.

For more information, contact Brenda Miller at nels4220@umn.edu. v

THE LAND — MAY 14/MAY 21, 2021

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

PAGE 7

Training dogs to herd sheep requires time and patience

By TIM KING The Land Correspondent JORDAN, Minn. — The North Country Cheviots at Sheepy Corner Farm live the pastoral life; but actually pull double duty at the Jordan, Minn. farm. “Our sheep are dual purpose in that we train dogs, ours and students, and we raise them as meat lambs,” Susane Hoffman said.

Susane and her husband raise North Country Cheviots along with a few hair sheep crosses. The dogs they raise and train are Border collies, which are well known for their herding abilities.

Although a well-trained dog can work with any sheep breed, North Country Cheviots thrive on grass forage and make for an excellent dog-training flock, according to Susane.

“Cheviots satisfy my need to have sheep that will not get so dog broke that they get combative; or so numb to the dogs that all they do is follow the handler around regardless of what the dog does or doesn’t do.” Susane said. “The Cheviots are also clever and, especially as yearlings, provide enough of a challenge to allow a dog to grow in their training and understanding of how to handle sheep.”

There a few breeds which don’t work well for training purposes. “The breeds of sheep that are more difficult for training purposes are those that don’t flock well or that are combative or are excessively flighty,” she said. “Suffolks can be quite difficult — especially for an inexperienced dog; and Shetlands and Finns are two others that I wouldn’t recommend using for starting and training dogs on.”

Susane says that she likes to work her experienced trained dogs with Suffolks just to keep them on their toes, however.

Having sheep that are dog broke, but not too dog broke, is important at Sheepy Corners. The sheep, along with the grazing paddocks, are the instructional aids in Susane’s classroom.

“I currently have about 20 regular students and a few that I fit in when I have an opening in my schedule,” Susane said. “I teach two and a half days a week as long as the weather and ground allow it.”

Susane’s students, and their dogs, are taking advantage of an opportunity to learn from an experienced dog handler.

Photo by Great Dane Photography

Said Susane, “Duce was the dog that took me from novice to multiple wins and placements in open competition in United States Border Collie Handlers Association trials (the gold standard for herding competition in this country). He is gone now, but I have his semen stored and am hoping to some day get a pup from him.”

Susane has had multiple wins and placements in the Open class in United States Border Collie Handlers Association trials and occasionally serves as a judge for American Kennel Club herding trials.

“The Open Class for United States Border Collie Handlers Association trials is the gold standard for herding competition in this country,” she said.

Susane’s training sessions involve teaching both the dog and its owner.

“For someone with a new dog that is new to working stock, I will start the dog until it has the basics down and is fairly well under control,” she said. “There are times when a new dog is quite nervous about the situation and in those instances I have the owner come into the training paddock with me to give their dog a bit more confidence. Typically, once the dog’s instincts kick in, the owner can step out and watch from outside the fence.”

“We also spend time talking about basic dog behavior and what things the owner should be working on at home,” she continued. “For owners that don’t have their own livestock, that centers on obedience and building a partnership. If the owner works the dog in other sports we talk about things that may conflict with behaviors you want

to encourage in a herding dog. For owners that have stock, we talk about what they should and should not do at home.”

Not all dogs, even if they are a Border collie, are going to make reliable herding dogs. That is true even if the dog took first place at the local county fair.

“When it comes to working dogs, there is only one way to determine what the dog actually is, rather than what it appears to be,” Susane said.

“There is no other way to consistently produce good working dogs than to continually test that working ability and then only breed those dogs that are solid workers. Conformation showing only measures what the dog looks like with no way of measuring the herding qualities that actually matter.”

Once you’ve got a good herding dog and created a productive and rewarding relationship with it, you need to be sure it’s healthy and well cared for. Susane has spent years studying dogs’ dietary needs and various rations. She, in particular, recommends avoiding low quality dry kibble. One of the advantages of dry dog food is that it’s convenient for humans. But, if you›re serious about dog care, your dog deserves better.

“In the early 2000s I switched all the dogs to a totally raw diet,” Susane said.

“I was guided by two books: “Switching to Raw” by Susan K. Johnson and Monica Segal’s “The K9 Kitchen: The Truth Behind the Hype.”

Last year she switched to a hybrid diet of mixed raw poultry, fruit, vegetables, and a high quality kibble called NutriSource. The dogs get the NutriSource topped with lightly boiled ground beef for their evening meal.

Susane also uses a sled dog food called

Photo by Laurie Erickson

Susane Hoffman and her dogs: Duce, peeking out under Toss who she is hugging and Toss’ daughter Soot.

Blue Titan.

“When feeding kibble you get what you pay for,” she says. “If it’s cheap to buy, its quality is questionable. Read the ingredient label. Ingredients are listed by either weight or volume so the ingredient that’s listed first will be the important part.”

In addition to training herding dogs, Sheepy Corner sells whole and half lambs which are 95 percent grass-fed.

They also occasionally sell breeding stock and are happy to take an order for a fleece. Fleeces from North Country Cheviots are excellent for hand spinning.

The Sheepy Corner website is sheepycorner.com and their phone number is (612) 710-3281. v

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

THE LAND — MAY 14/MAY 21, 2021

Lamb operation a good fit for the Hawkins family

By RENAE B. VANDER SCHAAF The Land Correspondent AKRON, Iowa — What’s nicer on a spring day than watching young lambs play? Or what’s noisier than mama sheep and their babies at feeding time?

What’s the best part of raising sheep?

Travis and Kaylene Hawkins will say, “working together on our farm is something we both enjoy and having our sons by our sides.”

It has been almost 30 years since Travis got his first sheep. He had joined 4-H in 1993 and needed a fair project. His mother thought cattle were too big for him to show, so she suggested sheep. Six feeder lambs were purchased.

“We laugh,” said Kaylene. “Because he still must not be big enough for cattle, because he continued with the sheep.”

In 1998, Travis got serious with sheep and began his breeding ewe flock. The first lambs arrived in the spring of 1999.

“Genetics from those first ewes can still be found in my flock,” said Travis, “as no new females have been brought to the flock since 2001.”

Travis graduated from Le Mars Community High School in 2001. Three years later, he received his Animal Science Degree from South Dakota State University and his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from Iowa State University in 2008. A job offer brought him to Akron, Iowa where he purchased acreage and continued raising sheep as a hobby alone — until he met a stranger from Husker Land.

Kaylene always said she would marry a farmer or a rancher … probably envisioning the cattle her grandparents raised in Nebraska. Her parents were school teachers. She lived in town during the school year, but spent her summers at her grandparents’ farms.

She attended Doane College majoring in Mass Communications and Religious Studies and was commissioned as a Signal Officer in the U.S. Army in 2005.

Kaylene came back to Nebraska and joined the Nebraska National Guard in 2009. In addition, she got busy and earned her Masters in History from the University of Nebraska at Kearney in 2012.

That was quite the year, as she married Travis Hawkins in June.

“We both changed our maternal characterisoriginal ideas of what tics. We believe that we wanted to do after spending more on a ram college,” said Kaylene. with proven genetic “Our first careers were potential has paid off.” to be associated with Although the number our education, and our of their ewes doesn’t second career farming. require three rams, the But we learned that our Hawkins do use three desires leaned more rams in the breeding towards farming rather program for specific reathan the other.” sons. The Polypay is for In 2011 Kaylene improving maternal resigned her military genetics; a terminal sire commission.

Travis for producing more went into farming crops meaty animals. and sheep full time in Currently they are 2016. using a Texel/Suffolk cross to obtain their goal Sheep are a good fit of fast-growing lambs for the Hawkins in which are lean and yield many ways. They are bigger cuts of meat. A smaller and take up smaller breed ram is less space, which is necused on the ewe lambs. essary as they have only about five acres.

During the summer, Photos by Renae B. Vander Schaaf It’s possible to keep the sheep are grazed on Travis, Richard, Kaylene and John Hawkins. quite a few sheep in a pastures of their own, small area without rented from friends and overcrowding. Sheep family. In the fall, the will eat a lot less than Hawkins try to put cattle — which is perewes on corn stalks fect for their acreage where cover crops have located in a small valbeen planted. In the ley in Plymouth County. winter the animals are in dry lots at the A lamb requires five Hawkins ranch. months from conception to birth, whereas a The Hawkins have a calf needs nine months. closed flock except for They are also very effipurchased rams. “All cient as it takes about our lambs are born here five to six months to on our farm,” said obtain market weight.

Kaylene. “They are Cattle take about 18 to raised on a ration of 20 months. alfalfa hay, protein supWhether tagging lambs with Travis (left) or weighing lambs with Kaylene (middle), plement and corn. The Travis told Kaylene Richard (right) is involved in the Hawkins enterprise. alfalfa is grown at when they began datAgriculture sanctioned facility, so the Travis’s parents’ farm ing that he lived at Sheep Valley Ranch. meat processed there can be sold any- about 30 miles away.”

Adding the Hawkins name to it when where — including their farm. they went into direct meat selling only The Hawkins continue to upgrade The Hawkins weren’t always satis- their facilities to work smarter, not seemed natural. fied with the quality of meat they were harder. In 2014 a hoop barn was added.

“We started marketing lamb meat producing, so they began selecting A series of pens — small and large — because my uncle, Ron Muth, owned sheep which were meatier and leaner. come in handy when working sheep or the One Stop Meat Shop in Sioux City,” “We raise what we call ‘mutt sheep’ keeping units separate. said Travis. “In 2014 he needed some more lamb meat and we were able to as we have utilized a variety of breeds,” Security cameras in the lambing barn fill that gap before becoming regular said Kaylene. “Our ewes are more of a allow the Hawkins to monitor what is Polypay type. The last few years we going on. By adding apps to their tabsuppliers.” have utilized purebred Polypay rams lets, they can keep an eye on things All the lambs are processed at Hudson with National Sheep Improvement even if they aren’t home.

Meats and Sausage located nearby at Program genetic numbers to improve See HAWKINS, pg. 10 Hudson, S.D. It is a U.S. Department of

THE LAND — MAY 14/MAY 21, 2021

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

PAGE 9

The Land’s “From The Fields” reporters for 2021 After a year of Wettergren trying FROM THE FIELDS  distance, Honseth corn with later looking forward to maturity this year  meetings   Crop variety is the hallmark of Wertish family farm The Land welcomes back Blair Hoseth of Mahnomen, Minn. as a From the Fields reporter for 2021. Hoseth first became a FTF producer in 2018, so much has changed in those three years. We’ve dealt with a pandemic, low commodity prices and rising commodity prices this spring.

Hoseth is a fourth-generation producer on land that was first farmed by his family in the 1890s. It’s still all about family as he farms with his wife Deb and son, Marty. They grow soybeans, corn, wheat and alfalfa and also run a 150-head cow-calf operation.

The Land spoke with Hoseth on May 4 as he was digging ground north of Faith, Minn. “Last Friday we started beans,” he said. The field conditions were a little on the dry side. His wheat is all in the ground.

Hoseth planted that two weeks ago. “We haven’t planted corn yet; we’re going to plant that at the end of the week.”

Hoseth is trying something new with the beans this year. “We’re going with seven-and-a-half-inch spacing in our beans.” The goal with the closer spacing is to get a quicker canopy.

In addition to running his farm operation, Hoseth is a Mustang seed dealer. He is also in his second term serving on the state board of the Minnesota Corn Growers Association. Hoseth represents District 6 in northwestern Minnesota. He looks forward to connecting with in-person MCGA meetings this sumSee HONSETH, pg. 10

Compiled by KRISTIN KVENO, The Land Staff Writer

Just three miles south of Olivia, Minn. you’ll find the Wertish family farm. “My brother and I grew up on the place where we have our office,” Steve Wertish said. Having been raised on the farm, it was a natural progression for Wertish to farm after graduating from college and that’s what he did.

“I got out of college in the ‘80s and started farming.”

Unfortunately, that didn’t last long as farming in the 1980s was tumultuous. After hitting a rough patch farming, Wertish changed course and ran a navy bean plant in Olivia for 22 years. The opportunity arose to start farming with his brother, Tim, in 1995 and they have farmed together ever since.

“We’re fairly diverse.” Wertish this year will grow sugar beets, corn, soybeans, seed soybeans, peas, sweet corn and he usually plants navy beans as well.

While the Wertish farm is diverse when it comes to what they put in the ground, they stick solely to things they can plant. “My dad (Bob) quit livestock in ’79-’80.” They haven’t had any livestock around since



See WERTISH, pg. 10

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For four generations, the Wettergrens have farmed the land three miles west of St. Peter, Minn. Mark Wettergren always knew he wanted to farm, though he’s worn other hats as well throughout the years. In addition to farming, Wettergren was a United States Postal Service rural carrier for 25 years, retiring in 2018; and a seed dealer for 27 years until 2005. Through it all, farming has always been Wettergren’s constant in life.

Wettergren, along with his wife, Jackie, have been farming with his brother, Richard and his wife Janet, since 1985. They started growing corn, soybeans, peas, sweet corn and wheat. They also raised a small herd of beef cattle until 1993, when he started his job as rural carrier.

This year, the Wettergrens will be growing corn and beans. Instead of planting 98 to 104-day corn, they went with something different. “We did go with a little bit later variety this year,” he said. Wettergren is planting 101 to 108 day corn this spring.

The Land spoke with Wettergren on April 28 as he reported he started planting corn on April 24. “There was a lot of activity before that in the area.” Once in the field, Wettergren was pleased with the conditions. “The ground worked up nice.” A little rain stopped planting for a day, but the moisture was welcomed. “The top couple of inches were dry.”

Wettergren started on corn last year on April 22. “We should finish up with corn Wednesday or Thursday.”

Next up is beans. Wettergren plans on planting those in a few days — right after the corn is in the See WETTERGREN, pg. 10

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

HOSETH, from pg. 9 mer. “We have done more virtual meetings than you could imagine.” The annual trip out to Washington D.C. this July is planned to speak to state leaders.

Hoseth can’t wait as he misses those face-to-face connections in-person meetings offer.

Deb and Blair were honored last year when they were named 2020 Farm Families of the Year for Norman County. “The families were chosen, one per county, by local University Blair Hoseth of Minnesota Extension committees based on their demonstrated commitment to enhancing and supporting agriculture,” according to the University of Minnesota Extension.

Looking ahead to the growing season, Hoseth is eager to see how the crops fare. “I think everybody’s cautiously optimistic. I think this year will be our gravy year.” While commodity prices are rising, inputs are unfortunately going up. “The big thing we’ll see is the volatility in the markets,” Hoseth said. With that he expects big swings in the market.

“There’s going to be a lot of uncertainty in the next year or two.”

As planting continues for Hoseth, he will continue to remain optimistic this year will be a good one in terms of high yields, high prices and plenty of inperson meetings! v

WERTISH, from pg. 9 then, though Wertish jokes that his brother has a nice herd of farm cats.

When The Land spoke with Wertish on April 26, he was taking a break from planting due to rain that morning. He was able to get all the sugar beets planted the week before.

“Everything we planted was in just about perfect condition. We’re just about half done with corn.”

What are the field conditions like this spring? “We’re Steve Wertish drier this spring than we’ve been in quite a while.” Wertish welcomed the rain which fell that morning. “We’ll be back in by Wednesday afternoon at the latest.” It’s time for Mother Nature to turn on the heat, as Wertish noted that it’s been on the colder side during planting this spring.

Getting in the field in good planting conditions and seeing the markets higher than they’ve been in quite some time, makes Wertish excited for the possibilities this fall. “It hasn’t been this fun in quite a while.”

In addition to farming, Wertish is a seed dealer. He works on seed orders in the mornings this time of year before heading out to the field. His corn seed is almost all distributed and soybean seed distribution is just about to begin.

As Wertish continues to put seed in the ground in the next few weeks, he’s grateful for an excellent spring so far and looks forward to seeing what shapes up in the field and in the commodity markets this year. v

THE LAND — MAY 14/MAY 21, 2021

WETTERGREN, from pg. 9 ground. “We like to start the first week of May.” He may be a few days ahead of schedule this year. “If we can get four or five days of weather, we could be done with beans.”

As planting is in full swing, Wettergren is looking forward to seeing how both the crops and the commodity markets do. “The commodity prices are certainly warranted to be optimistic. There’s some marketing opportunities for new crop.”

“I’m very optimistic, you have to be. We’ve been blessed with really nice crops the last four or five years,” Wettergren said. He pointed out that those good crops were imperative as the commodity prices were low. With good prices and the solid planting conditions, the growing season is off to a wonderful start on the Wettergren farm. v

Mark and Jackie Wettergren

Hawkins keep good records for retaining ewes HAWKINS, from pg. 8

explained Kaylene. “The first number is 1 this year for 2021, indicat“We maintain good records,” said ing the year it was born. We don’t Travis. “We also cull fairly heavily. have any ewes 10 years old. The We don’t like sheep that can’t raise next one or two numbers indicates their young, don’t have milk, or prowhere the lamb fell into line — lapse. Our notes dictate what is whether it was the 14th girl or 15th saved for replacement ewe. If a ewe boy lamb born. had any issues, her lambs will not For spotting the sex of the lamb be retained.” quickly, a male lamb receives a green Lambing begins at the end tag, a female’s tag is yellow. Travis February and continues into March. tagged the 40th ewe lamb while we When a ewe gives birth, the sheep talked. The lambs are never given family is put into a bonding pen any growth-promoting hormones. (sometimes called a jug) which is in The Hawkins are content to be liva heated area kept at about 45 F. In ing a lifestyle similar to that of their a day or two, after lambs have been grandparents — where faith, family weighed and tagged and any other and farm are their main focus. They Don’t let size fool you.

John is necessary work done, the ewe and named their two sons Richard and handy when it comes to chores. her lambs move out to the hoop John after very special grandfathers barn. The lambs will stay in the and great grandfathers. hoop barn after they are weaned.

They honor their family legacy in agriculture with “Tags have three numbers written on them,”

a photo arrangement on the wall. The Hawkins farm photo is surrounded by four photos from parents and grandparents farms.

While they are carrying on the tradition of farming, the meat they are raising is not ordinarily found on many tables in America.

“It’s an unfamiliar meat for many people,” said Kaylene. “That is rather unfortunate, because it is naturally nutrient rich and low in calories. American lamb is an excellent source of protein that is easier to prepare than most people think. Many of our customers who try it come back and want more.”

Hawkins Sheep Valley Ranch retails their meat through Woudstra Meat Market in Orange City, Iowa and at their family farm. Their porch has turned into a mini store where customers will find frozen cuts of lamb, recipes from the American Lamb Board, cooking advice from the Hawkins along with a friendly visit with the farm family who raised the lamb.

The Hawkins can be reached at (712) 568-2662 or through their Facebook page: Hawkins Sheep Valley Ranch. v

THE LAND — MAY 14/MAY 21, 2021

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

Custom work: Woolen Mill founded in 1867

By KATIE ROIGER The Free Press Mankato ST. PETER, Minn. — Does wool processing make you think of a beloved granny hunching over her spinning wheel by the light of a roaring fireplace?

Think again. Founded in 1867, Minnesota’s only custom woolen mill is alive and well, boasting a proud history of four generations of family management and thousands of luxurious and comfortable products.

“There’s not very many of us around who are doing this type of work,” said manager Pat Johnson.

She has fond memories of growing up in the woolprocessing business. As a young girl, she would come home from school, change out of her good clothes, and head over to the mill to run machines, wrap packages and mail pickup notices to customers.

After graduating from nursing school, Johnson realized she wasn’t completely satisfied with her new career. Back home in St. Peter, her father was pursuing other business ventures and was looking for someone qualified to run the woolen mill. Johnson immediately volunteered.

“That was 43 years ago,” she said, laughing. During that time, she not only took over responsibility for the business, she also purchased the mill from her father.

It was a decision Johnson has never regretted.

Keeping the family business alive has given her plenty of opportunity to meet a variety of clients, whom she said she really enjoys. Overseeing the everyday mill operations also lets her put her analytical skills to work.

“I like problem-solving, like figuring out how to fix a machine and getting grease up to my elbows!”

Woolen mill machinery has made some significant advances since 1978, but the general principles of operation remain the same. The bulk of St Peter Woolen Mill’s day-to-day work still comes from custom processing.

Clients bring raw wool to the mill, where Johnson

Photos by Pat Christman

St. Peter Woolen Mill’s Pat Johnson checks on orders in the mill’s storage area.

and her employees clean it of oil, dirt and other debris. The next step is carding the fibers, a process in which huge machines make the material into thick, light batting to be used in comforters and pillows. If desired, the Woolen Mill will hand-tie or machine-stitch its customers’ preferred covers onto the batting or return the batting in a cheesecloth so that the clients can finish the comforter themselves.

Renewable resource In an age of planet-saving initiatives, wool batting is the ultimate renewable, recyclable product.

“The wool that’s inside of (comforters and pillows) can be reprocessed,” Johnson said. “The covers wear out and you bring the wool back to the mill and have it washed and re-carded. The carding process fluffs it up like new again, ready to put new coverings on it and go another 10, 20 or 30 years.”

In addition to producing reusable goods, Johnson said that the St. Peter Woolen Mill’s processing is clean and ecologically responsible. Customers can feel good about the products they use in their bedrooms and other cozy spaces.

“We don’t do any chemical processing on any of the wool. It’s all natural.”

When she became manager, Johnson decided to

PAGE 11

explore wholesale manufacturing of woolen products.

In 2009 she began visiting trade shows and bringing samples. The mill’s brand, Nature’s Comfort, grew exponentially during the next 12 years and can now be found in more than 30 stores nationwide.

In Johnson’s experience, woolen goods suppliers have been one of the few types of businesses to be positively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Many people took advantage of shutdowns and quarantines to purchase or replace household décor, linens, and furniture. Comforting items such as quality blankets and pillows, continue to be in especially high demand.

“Our sales increased due to the fact that people were staying home and doing more around their houses and looking for more creature comforts,” Johnson said. The benefits of adding a little woolen hygge to a home are likely to last well beyond the pandemic.

“Even though we sell a high-end product, it’s something that you’ll have for the rest of your life,” Johnson said.

Woolen goods can also be used year-round, not just in the depths of winter. Unlike many other materials, wool fiber breathes. Many desert populations choose to wear wool thanks to its dual cooling and heating properties.

After years of running the mill, Johnson considered selling it. She offered it to family members first and after they declined, she accepted an offer from MN Mills, a Minnesota-based company. In 2016, MN Mills took over ownership but chose to retain Johnson and her longtime employees as the mill’s managers, a decision she appreciates.

“I’m not looking to retire,” Johnson said. “I really enjoy what I do and I’m still doing the same thing I’ve always done, which is run the mill. I’m on board until probably the day I die.”

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

PAGE 12

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

THE LAND — MAY 21, 2021

THE LAND — MAY 21, 2021

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

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PAGE 14

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

THE LAND — MAY 14/MAY 21, 2021

MARKETING

Grain Outlook Corn finally takes the plunge

Cash Grain Markets

corn/change* soybeans/change* St. Cloud $6.60 -.37 $15.59 +.26 Madison $6.68 -.26 $15.29 -.11 Redwood Falls $6.68 -.33 $15.74 +.21 Fergus Falls $6.73 -.22 $15.49 +.37 Morris $6.68 -.34 $15.29 +.11 Tracy $6.66 -.29 $15.62 +.01

Financial Focus How the Federal Reserve works

The following marketing analysis is for the week ending May 14.

CORN — Whoever predicted we would use the 40-cent daily trading limit in corn this week may have been using a crystal ball. How do you spell volatility? C-O-R-N. Money ran for the exit the day after the report with massive fund selling and many were left wondering why, why today?

One hypothesis was the halting of barge traffic on the Mississippi River at Memphis due to a structural crack in the bridge on I-40. If the stoppage is prolonged and we can’t ship commodities, does that help solve the tight supply situation? Within 48 PHYLLIS NYSTROM hours river traffic was back up CHS Hedging Inc. and running with no restrictions.

St. Paul Priority was being given to any traffic related to the Department of Defense, fuel for Nashville, passenger vessels, southbound traffic, and then northbound traffic.

Another idea was the World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates report wasn’t bullish and weakness was extended. Whatever pushed the button gathered herd mentality and prices blazed lower.

However, China continues to buy U.S. new crop corn and Brazil’s safrinha corn crop continues to shrink with dry conditions. Some of this was offset amid ideas for increased U.S. corn acreage with good planting weather. Grower sales were nearly nonexistent on the slide with many hoping now for “when we get back there” to add to new crop sales.

This week’s action drives home how much risk you have in a market that hit eight-plus year highs. I’m not saying we have seen the top, but it illustrates how quickly things can change.

The much anticipated May 12 WASDE report made a few changes to the 2020-21 balance sheet: Food, Seed and Industrical was down 5 million and exports raised 100 million to 2.775 billion bushels. Ending stocks were down 95 million at 1.257 billion bushels vs. estimates for 1.275 billion bushels. The first official 2021-22 balance sheet used the March 30 acreage number of 91.1 million planted acres, up 300,000 acres from last year. Using a yield of 179.5 bushels per acre (3 bu./acre above trendline), they pegged this fall’s crop at 14.95 billion bushels. Year-on-year ethanol usage at 5.2 billion bushels is up 225 million bushels.

The livestock markets have experienced a very choppy trade over the past few weeks as prices moved at times very erratically. Overall, the live cattle and the hog have moved higher over the past few weeks as the cash and product markets rallied.

The exception was the feeder cattle market which reacted to the increasing corn market which put pressure on price in both the cash trade and the futures trade. Overall, the next few weeks in these markets could set the tone for the livestock markets as for the direction in price direction into the summer months.

JOE TEALE Cattle — both futures and cash Broker — have rallied since the start of the month of May. The cash trade Great Plains Commodity Afton, Minn. has been the catalyst of the advancement as packers became slightly more aggressive in accumulating inventories. This was primarily due to the increasing boxed beef prices paid by the end users.

One noticeable problem is as prices have gone up in the boxed beef trade, the volume has gone down. This may portend that at some point the boxed beef prices may top, which in turn could top the prices paid by the packer for cattle.

At this time, the number of cattle available appear to be more than adequate to meet the packer’s needs.

Therefore, the possibility for a top in a further price advancement in the cattle market are getting less likely in the days ahead. If the demand for beef were

Have you ever taken a close look at paper money?

Each U.S. bill has the words “Federal Reserve Note” imprinted across the top.

But many individuals may not know why the bill is issued by the Federal Reserve and what role the Federal Reserve plays in the economy. Here’s an inside look.

The Federal Reserve, often referred to as “the Fed,” is the country’s central bank. It was founded by Congress in 1913 to provide the nation with a safer, more-flexible, and more-stable monetary and financial system.

Prior to its creation, the U.S. economy was plagued by frequent epiMARISSA sodes of panic, bank failures and JOHNSON limited credit.

Profinium The Fed has four main roles in Wealth Management the U.S. economy (source: Advisor FederalReserve.gov, 2020).

Economy watch — In addition to its other duties, the Fed has been given three mandates with the economy: maintaining maximum employment, maintaining stable price levels, and maintaining moderate, long-term interest rates.

It’s important to remember the Fed cannot directly control employment, inflation, or long-term interest rates. Rather, it uses a number of tools at its disposal to influence the availability and cost of money and credit. This, in turn, influences the willingness of consumers and businesses to spend money on goods and services.

For example, if the Fed maneuvers short-term interest rates lower, borrowing money becomes less expensive, and people may be motivated to spend.

Consumer spending may stimulate economic growth, which may cause companies to produce more products, and potentially, increase employment. When short-term rates are low, the Fed closely monitors economic activity to watch for signs of rising prices.

On the other hand, if the Fed pushes short-term rates higher, borrowing money becomes more expensive, and people may be less motivated to spend. This may, in turn, slow economic growth and cause companies to decrease employment. When short-term rates are high, the Fed must watch for signs of a decline in overall price levels.

Supervise and regulate — The Fed establishes and

See NYSTROM, pg. 15

See TEALE, pg. 19

See JOHNSON, pg. 19

Average:

$6.67

$15.50

Year Ago Average: $2.74 $7.78 Grain prices are effective cash close on May 18. *Cash grain price change represents a two-week period.

Livestock Angles Grain prices temper optimism

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

THE LAND — MAY 14/MAY 21, 2021

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

PAGE 15

Soybean demand waning; South American beans cheaper NYSTROM, from pg. 14 Exports at 2.45 billion bushels would be down 325 million bushels year-on-year. Ending stocks for 2021-22 came in at 1.507 billion bushels. This would be up 250 million bushels from this year and was higher than the trade estimate of 1.344 billion bushels.

Many expect the corn acreage number to increase, but it’s early to have an abundance of confidence in the corn yield this high. 2021-22 stocks-to-use ratio is 10.2 percent vs. 8.5 percent this year. The average farm price rose from $4.35 this year to $5.70 per bushel for 2021-22. At the end of the week, a wellrespected and established private consultant put the U.S. corn acreage this year at 96.8 million acres which would be the highest since 2012. Its production forecast is 16 billion bushels.

World ending stocks for 2020-21 were 283.53 million metric tons vs. 279.47 mmt estimated. For 202122, world ending stocks were pegged at 292.3 mmt compared to 283.06 mmt estimated. The USDA made a significant cut to Brazil’s corn crop to 102 mmt from 109 mmt and slightly under the 103 mmt estimate. Conab’s updated number is 106.4 mmt, down 3 mmt from their previous figure. However, this is still high when compared to private estimates suggesting something closer to the 90-95 mmt range. Argentina’s corn crop was 47 mmt, unchanged from last month.

China’s corn imports for 2020-21 were increased 2 mmt to 26 mmt, which is also below the 28-30 mmt expectation from private analysts. For 2021-22, China’s corn imports are anticipated to also be 26 mmt. In South America for 2021-22, Brazil’s corn is expected at 118 mmt and Argentina at 51 mmt.

Weekly export sales were mixed with poor old crop sales and excellent new crop sales. Old crop sales showed the first week of net cancellations of 4.5 million bushels. Total commitments are 96 percent of the USDA’s updated export forecast of 2.775 billion bushels. China has an estimated 437 million bushels of old crop U.S. corn left to ship. New crop sales were an impressive 82 million bushels. Including this week’s new crop sales, total commitments are estimated at a record as of May 14 of approximately 400 million bushels. This equates to 16 percent of the USDA’s 2.45 billion bushel projection. China is estimated to have purchased 200.8 million bushels of new crop U.S. corn since May 7.

Weekly ethanol production was a 22-week high at 979,000 barrels per day. Ethanol stocks fell 1 million barrels to 19.4 million barrels. Net margins jumped 20 cents to 25 cents per gallon. U.S. gasoline demand at 8.8 million bpd is down 3.8 percent from 2019 (preCovid).

In international news, an influential Chinese agricultural data provider, Cofeed, has suspended operations without explanation. Since 2002 they have provided information used by foreign and domestic traders on China’s grains and oilseeds. Reuters reported doors at the company’s address were sealed by police on April 29. The leader of another firm was

also recently jailed for reportedly revealing too much information on China’s corn needs. If companies are being prevented from releasing this type of information, does this mean China’s needs run deeper than they are forecasting publicly?

The Colonial Pipeline restarted this past week after a ransomware attack by the DarkSide. The pipeline feeds the southeast and the east coast. Some gas stations did run out of fuel. Reportedly, the company paid $4 million in cryptocurrency within hours of the attack, which is untraceable, but shut down operations as a precaution.

Outlook: Now everyone knows what a wild market we have, and we haven’t even entered the “silly season” of weather. The action this week likely drove weak longs out of the market and bull markets need corrections from time to time. Direction for the balance of the month will be driven by weather forecasts in the United States and updates on Brazil’s safrinha corn crop. The upside may be more of a grind than a shooting star, but further downside may attract demand that we may not be prepared to meet. Caution and patience are words to the wise. You’ve seen how fast and far markets may move without a solid headline behind it. Manage your risk with various marketing tools available either through cash or alternatives.

Headlines to watch for: U.S. weather and acreage, Brazil’s safrinha crop, Chinese interest in U.S. corn, inflation fears. July corn may struggle to regain the $7.00 per bushel level we were beginning to get used to. December corn will likely need a weather issue to extend rallies above $6.00 per bushel.

For the week, July corn traded a $6.41.75 to $7.32.5 range. For the week it plunged 88.5 cents to close at $6.43.75 per bushel. December corn’s weekly range was $5.41.25 to $6.31.25 per bushel. For the week, December corn collapsed 93.75 cents to settle at $5.42.75 per bushel.

SOYBEANS — Soybeans raced to a fresh eightand-a-half-year high on report day with funds seeing no reason to trim their length with a mostly neutral WASDE report and strong demand amid tight supply. Adding underlying support were record prices in palm oil and new contract highs in soyoil and meal.

At least that’s the way it looked until the latter half of the week. Technical fund selling surfaced the day after the report to slam prices back to support levels.

Price changes for the week in soybeans seemed mild in light of tremendous losses in corn and wheat.

The May WASDE report was mostly neutral for soybeans except for a bearish 2021-22 world ending stocks figure. There were no changes on the 2020-21 U.S. soybean balance sheet. Ending stocks were 120 million bushels vs. 117 million expected. On the 2021-22 balance sheet, acreage was 87.6 million acres, up 4.5 million from last year. They used a yield of 50.8 bu./acre compared to 50.2 bu./acre last year.

Crush was 2.225 billion bushels and exports at 2.075 billion bushels. The export number is down 205 million bushels compared to this year. If the USDA had

used the February Forum Outlook number for exports of 2.2 billion bushels ending stocks would have been an unrealistic 15 million bushels! Ending stocks are expected to increase moderately year-on-year to 140 million bushels. This is the smallest initial May ending stocks forecast ever.

The stocks-to-use ratio is expected to rise from 2.6 percent this year to 3.2 percent next year. The average farm price is forecast to jump from $11.25 to $13.85 per bushel year-on-year. A prominent private consultant is anticipating U.S. soybean acres this year at 88.5 million which would be the highest since 2018. Its production forecast is 4.47 billion bushels.

On the world stage, 2020-21 ending stocks of 86.5 mmt were spot on the average guess. Brazil’s soybean production this year was unchanged at 136 mmt on this report. Argentina’s production was lowered .5 mmt to 47 mmt. For 2021-22, ending stocks at 91.1 mmt was above the 88.1 mmt estimate.

Brazil’s 2021-22 bean crop is initially estimated at 144 mmt and 52 mmt for Argentina.

Weekly export sales were the fourth lowest of the marketing year at 3.5 million bushels, bringing total commitments to 2.255 billion bushels. The USDA’s export target is 2.28 billion bushels. China is estimated to have 721,000 metric tons of U.S. old crop soybeans left to ship. New crop sales were a measly 3.8 million bushels to bring total commitments to 254.4 million bushels or 12 percent of the 2021-22 USDA export forecast of 2.075 billion bushels. China is estimated to have bought 3.1 mmt of U.S. new crop soybeans.

Inflation fears may be adding fuel to the fire. The April Consumer Price Index was up 4.2 percent from a year ago.

Outlook: The latest from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is the La Nina event has ended and there’s a 66 percent chance of neutral conditions for the Midwest this summer, i.e. favorable growing conditions in the Midwest. However, current forecasts show rain stays south of I-80, leaving the Dakotas and increasingly Minnesota, Wisconsin and Michigan needing timely rains into the growing season. Domestic demand for soybeans continues to find solid support from products and crush margins, but we’re not seeing big pushes that were common earlier. Export demand has slowed with South America the cheapest option for sourcing bushels. Prices may be finding a new range to trade until we are more confident on acreage lost to corn, then we focus on weather. The general situation hasn’t changed in soybeans, we still have tight carryouts year-on-year with no room for any problems.

For the week, July soybeans traded a range from the new contract high at $16.67.5 to a low of $15.73.25 per bushel. It settled the week down just 3.5 cents at $15.86.25 per bushel. November soybeans traded from a new contract high at $14.61 to $13.65 per bushel. For the week, November soybeans lost 32.75 cents to close at $14.00.75 per bushel. v

PAGE 16

MILKER’S MESSAGE www.thelandonline.com — “Where Farm and Family Meet”

THE LAND — MAY 14/MAY 21, 2021

Feed costs look to have major influence on herd sizes This column was written for the marketing week ending May 14.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture raised its estimate on 2021 milk production and gave us our first peak at 2022 output in the latest World Agricultural Supply and Demand News and information for Minnesota and Northern Iowa dairy producers Estimates report. The report cited 2022 production and marketings were per cwt., up 60 cents from last month’s estimate, higher cow inventories for the gain in MIELKE MARKET estimated at 230.3 and 229.2 billion pounds and compares to $18.16 in 2020 and $16.96 in 2019.

2021 output and continued gains in WEEKLY respectively. If realized, 2022 production The 2022 average is projected at $16.85, due to milk per cow more than offsetting a

By Lee Mielke would be up 2.4 billion pounds or 1.1 perexpected weaker cheese and whey prices. slight reduction in the dairy cow herd cent from 2021. for 2022.

The 2021 Class IV price is estimated to average Fat basis exports were raised on higher expected $15.75, also up 60 cents from a month ago, and comPredicting milk output in the coming months will exports of butterfat products. The skim-solids basis pares to $13.49 in 2020 and $16.30 in 2019. The be a challenge, considering the rising costs of feed. export forecast was lowered as weaker-than-previ2022 average was projected at $15.70, as lower nonMany operations are already pinched from recent ously-expected nonfat dry milk/skim milk powder fat dry milk prices more than offsets higher butter high producer price differentials and de-pooling. prices, according to the USDA. Eyes will be on culling rates and if they climb much, sales more than offset higher expected whey-product exports. Fat basis and skim-solids basis import U.S. milk output could slip. But no one can guess Commercial fat basis exports for 2022 were foreforecasts were raised from last month on recent how much. cast lower as the department believes higher import data and higher expected second-quarter domestic butter prices will reduce competitiveness The WASDE’s 2021 production and marketings butterfat imports. in world markets but strong global demand and were estimated at 227.9 and 226.8 billion pounds Cheese, nonfat dry milk and whey prices were weaker domestic prices for cheese, nonfat dry milk respectively, up 200 million pounds on production raised from last month’s report, but butter was low- and whey are expected to support slightly higher and up 100 million pounds on marketings. If realized, 2021 production would be up 4.7 billion pounds ered. Class III and Class IV milk prices were raised. exports on a skim-solids basis.

The 2021 Class III average was pegged at $17.70 or 2.1 percent from 2020.

Fat basis imports were forecast lower on lower expected imports of butterfat products and cheese, while skim-solids basis imports are expected to decline, mainly on lower cheese imports.

Butter prices were forecast higher, but cheese was Dairy Calf and Heifer Association’s May 25 webi- weaned calves, a quick diagnosis of coccidiosis is nar features “Your Calves Are Shedding Cocci: The often made and treatment begins. But what if it’s the forecast lower as an increased proportion of milk is Magnitude of the Problem.” This free, one-hour edu- wrong treatment? What if the problem isn’t coccidio- expected to move into cheese production. Nonfat dry cational offering starts at 2 p.m. sis? While diarrhea is a common symptom of coccid- milk and whey prices were lowered reflecting comDuring this webinar, Gerald Mechor, a technical iosis, its occurrence in calves does not always equate petition in international markets. n consultant at Elanco Animal Health, will discuss the to coccidia. Bacteria, viruses, parasitic infections and importance of a thorough examination and diagnos- dietary changes are other common causes of diarrhea Switching to the crop and feed side of the report, tic testing to help confirm a positive case of coccidio- in weaned calves. some of the USDA’s data differed from what many sis, as well as prevention tips to keep calves healthy To register for the webinar, go to http://bit.ly/ had expected and may have shifted the market tone during this critical growth stage. Coccidiosis remains DCHARUMENSIN2021 and follow the prompts. As slightly lower, according to HighGround Dairy’s a common disease pathogen present on all dairies the webinar approaches, you will receive an e-mail Lucas Fuess. Speaking in the May 17 “Dairy Radio with the potential to significantly impact calves and with information on how to log in to participate.

Now” broadcast, Fuess warned that dairy producers heifers.

This article was submitted by the Dairy Calf and will likely see the highest costs in almost a decade.

Mechor notes that when diarrhea is present in Heifer Association. v The U.S. feed-grain outlook for 2021-22 is for greater production and domestic use, lower exports, and increased ending stocks. The corn crop was projected at 15 billion bushels, up 5.7 percent from last National Mastitis Council’s next webinar features molecular methods; and interpretation of results and year, with a yield projection of 179.5 bushels per acre. With beginning stocks down sharply from a “From Dairy Lab to Veterinary Lab: The Do’s and use in management decisions. year ago, total corn supplies were forecast to Don’ts of Mastitis Diagnostics.” This free, one-hour To register for this webinar, go to http://bit.ly/ increase only modestly to 16.3 billion bushels. educational offering starts at 2 p.m. on June 24.

June24NMCwebinar and follow the prompts. As the Total U.S. corn use was forecast to decline from a During the webinar, Justine Britten, an NMC webinar approaches, registrants will receive an board member and laboratory director at Udder e-mail with information on how to log in to partici- year ago as greater domestic use is more than offset Health Systems of Meridian, Idaho, will discuss mas- pate. If you are an NMC member and cannot attend by lower exports. Food, seed and industrial use was titis diagnostics, including microbiological culture, the live program, you may access the webinar at projected to rise 220 million bushels to 6.6 billion.

With the total U.S. corn supply rising and use molecular methods and on-farm culture. Key topics www.nmconline.org after July 12. declining, ending stocks are up 250 million bushels include primary differences between most on-farm This article was submitted by the National Mastitis from last year. Stocks relative to use at 10.2 percent labs and commercial milk quality labs; complexity Council. v would be above a year ago, says USDA, but still levels of diagnosing mastitis pathogens; advantages See MIELKE, pg. 17 and disadvantages of culture-based methods versus

Webinar focuses on coccidiosis

Mastitis diagnostics is subject of webinar

MILKER’S MESSAGE www.thelandonline.com — “Where Farm and Family Meet”

THE LAND — MAY 14/MAY 21, 2021

PAGE 17

Inflation, commodity shortages muddy cash dairy outlook MIELKE, from pg. 16 below the average in 2016-17 to 2019-20.

The outlook for U.S. soybeans is for lower supplies, lower exports, higher crush, and higher ending stocks. The soybean crop was projected at 4.4 billion bushels, up 270 million or 6.5 percent from last year. With lower beginning stocks, soybean supplies are projected down 3 percent from 2020-21. Total U.S. oilseed production was forecast at 130.3 million tons, up 7.9 million. U.S. soybean crush was projected at 2.2 billion bushels, up 35 million from the 2020-21 forecast.

With lower soybean supplies and higher crush, the U.S. export share of global soybean trade is expected to decline to 33 percent from 36 percent in 2020-21.

U.S. soybean ending stocks were projected at 140 million bushels, up 20 million from the 2020-21 forecast. With prices for fall delivery above $14.00 per bushel in some locations, the season-average soybean price was projected at $13.85 per bushel, up $2.60. Soybean meal prices were forecast at $400 per short ton, according to the USDA, down $5.00

from the revised forecast for 2020-21.

The barrels fell to $1.69 per pound on May 11, hit $1.78 on May 13 and closed the next day at $1.73.

Fuess also cited the USDA’s May hay stocks data.

WE higher BUILD on OUR RIGHT! This is a quarter-cent theSTALLS week and a He warned that western hay stocks are lower than Take a look at penny above a year ago when they gained 45 cents. a year ago, and signifies some tightening, driven by new homes tubing with draught conditions, exports to China, and a variety The week saw 35 cars of block findour (highest since the week of Jan. 4) and 19 barrel. unequaledofcorrosion of other factors.

Some cheese plants have been running six-day protection!

The report showed 25 percent of the cotton crop workweeks throughout 2021 to keep up with orders, planted, 5 percent behind a year ago, and 1 percent Freudenthal Tubing has been according to Dairy Market News,engineered and milk availabilbelow the five year average. for your specific ity is “holding steady.” requirements where strength n and corrosion resistanceuntil are Some contacts milk to remain available CORROSION Auto Release Head Locks Panel expect Cash dairy prices looked for direction the second design factors. the Memorial Day holiday.

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THE LAND — MAY 14/MAY 21, 2021

Packaged fluid milk sales down 7.5 percent from last year MIELKE, from pg. 17 costs and are a concern for cheese buyers, warned Dairy Market News, and some have begun to look for other avenues of transportation. With the high availability of milk in the region cheese plants are running full schedules but market tones are “firm.”

Dairy farmers remain grateful to pizza, in particular pizza restaurants, which have upheld cheese sales. Pizza outlets fared the best in the Coviddriven demise of a huge percentage of U.S. restaurants that closed their doors last year.

The pizza industry is still doing well. The May 7 Dairy and Food Market Analyst reported, “Papa John’s system-wide sales were up 26 percent yearover-year in North America and up 23 percent in international markets. Compared to two years ago, North American sales grew by 33 percent and international sales increased by 26 percent. Domino’s said their sales were up 15 percent year-over-year in the United States and up 13 percent in international markets during the quarter.”

But, U.S. cheese output is increasing due to expanded existing plants as well as new ones being built around the country. The investment is huge.

However, American cheese consumption is rising and hopefully stays ahead of production. n Cash butter had a good week climbing daily to a week’s end close of $1.875 per pound, up 10.5 cents and 23 cents above a year ago when it gained 35.5 cents. There were five sales reported on the week.

Butter producers tell Dairy Market News inquiries for bulk salted butter have increased. Cream is not regarded as tight, but butter plant managers do not report it as loose, either. Some butter makers are clearing cream from Western suppliers, despite increasing freight costs. Food service butter demand has rebounded some but general demand is mixed as retail sales are seasonally quiet. Butter producers are using the time to churn ahead for fall demand. Some contacts expect butter market tones to continue strengthening for the near-term.

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Inventories throughout the region are stable.

Retail demand is steady to lower. Food service orders are trending strong but level, although there is some variation at the state and even county level. Butter sellers note their food service partners placing either smaller and more frequent just-intime replenishment orders or placing and working through larger and less frequent orders. Accurately forecasting butter demand remains a challenge, says Dairy Market News, for both dairy manufacturers and food service customers.

Grade A nonfat dry milk had some ups and downs but softened to a May 14 close at $1.30 per pound.

This is down 2.25 cents on the week but still 36.5 cents above a year ago when it jumped 11 cents.

There were 12 sales reported for the week.

Dry whey finished the week at 64 cents per pound, up 1.25 cents and 25 cents above a year ago, with two sales reported at the Chicago Mercantile Exchange. n U.S. fluid milk sales took a hit. USDA’s latest data shows 3.9 billion pounds of packaged fluid products were sold in March, down 7.5 percent from March 2020.

Conventional product sales totaled 3.7 billion pounds, down 8 percent from a year ago. Organic products, at 255 million pounds, were up just 0.2 percent and represented 6.5 percent of total sales for the month.

Whole milk sales totaled 1.25 billion pounds, down 14.5 percent from a year ago, with year-to-date consumption down 7.1 percent from a year ago. It represented 32.6 percent of total milk sales for the three-month period.

Skim milk sales, at 224 million pounds, were down 13.9 percent from a year ago and down 15.5 percent year-to-date.

Total packaged fluid milk sales for the three months amounted to 11.4 billion pounds, down 5.3 percent from 2020. Conventional product sales totaled 10.6 billion pounds, down 5.9 percent.

Organic products, at 736 million pounds, were up 4.8 percent and represented 6.5 percent of total milk sales for the period. The figures represent consumption in Federal milk marketing order areas, which account for approximately 92 percent of total fluid milk sales in the United States.

In the week ending May 1, 55,700 dairy cows were sent to slaughter, down 3,400 from the previous week and 2,900 or 4.9 percent less than that week a year ago.

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

Dairy Nutrition, Management Conference ST CLOUD, Minn. — Learn the latest information in dairy nutrition and management by attending the virtual 2021 Four-State Dairy Nutrition and Management Conference on June 9-10.

The conference will feature live morning sessions designed to promote interaction and discussion between participants and the speakers. General sessions will have a live component with speakers providing a 5-minute live summary of their recorded presentation. This will be followed with a question and discussion period between session speakers and participants. Breakout session will not have a live component, but you will be able to contact speakers directly with your questions.

The June 9 morning session will feature Dr. Bill Weiss, Ohio State University discussing updated energy systems for dairy cows. Dr. Jim Drackley, University of Illinois will be be explaining a new system for determining the nutrient requirements of young dairy calves. This will be followed by a panel discussion of how we will be feeding cows in the future.

The June 10 session will feature a discussion on hypocalcemia treatment and prevention featuring

Dr. Jesse Goff, Iowa State University, and Dr. Laura Hernandez, University of Wisconsin. Another morning session will focus on improving lactation performance using high digestible forage featuring Dr. Kan Kalscheur, USDA Forage Research Center discussing their lactation research on reduced lignin alfalfa. Dr. Luiz Ferreretto, University of Wisconsin will discuss corn silage fiber digestibility.

Select breakout topics include using lung ultrasound to identify a “calories-out” problem in calves; new passive immunity guidelines; optimizing the use of sexed semen; nutritional strategies for alleviating heat stress in dairy cows; dairy heifer coccidiosis research; using summer to winter ratios to evaluate summer slump; what is happening in the gut in the scouring calf and effective fluid therapy; and mineral bioavailability.

The conference registration fee is $100. For details and to register, visit http://fourstatedairy.org/ or contact Jim Salfer at salfe001@umn.edu or (320) 2036093.

This article was submitted by University of Minnesota Extension. v

THE LAND — MAY 14/MAY 21, 2021

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

PAGE 19

Stand assessments guide replant decisions FOLEY, Minn. — With drier weather, concerns about corn and soybean emergence may be warranted. Since it has been a few years since we have dealt with potential stand issues, a short review of stand counts and potential replanting was in order. Much of this information can be found in greater detail at extension.umn.edu/crop-production under the Corn

and Soybean tabs.

The first step is to determine the current population of what was planted. For both corn and soybean this is approximately the same. Choose a row length is 1/1000 of an acre per your planting row width and count the healthy plants in that section of row. This makes scaling your calculations up to one full acre

Higher pork prices are hurting demand TEALE, from pg. 14 to suddenly pick up, there would be a possibility for the current recovery rally to extend. The next few weeks will set the tone for the cattle market; but at this juncture the facts are trying to point to lower prices.

The hog market has been on fire since the beginning of the year. Demand for pork products has been the major factor behind the current — along with the

decreased number of available market ready animals. However, as the prices have risen, the demand for pork has slightly decreased; which may signal an end to the recent rally.

Technically, the market is overbought and could be subject to a correction. Historically, the hog market tops in this time period from May to July. Therefore, the next few weeks and months could be very interesting and we may see some changes to the hog market.v

Fed can serve as lender of last resort JOHNSON, from pg. 14

enforces the regulations which banks, savings and loans, and credit unions must follow. It works with other federal and state agencies to ensure these financial institutions are financially sound and consumers are receiving fair and equitable treatment.

When an organization is found to have problems, the Fed uses its authority to have the organization correct the problems.

Financial system — The Fed maintains the stability of the financial system by providing payment services. In times of financial strain, the Fed is authorized to step in as a lender of last resort, providing liquidity to an individual bank or the entire banking system. For example, the Fed may step in and offer to buy the government bonds owned by a particular bank. By so doing, the Fed provides the bank with money it can use for its own purposes.

Banker for banks, U.S. government — The Fed provides financial services to banks and other depository institutions as well as to the U.S. government, directly. For banks, savings and loans, and credit unions, it maintains accounts and provides various payment services, including collecting checks, electronically transferring funds, distributing new money, and receiving and destroying old, worn-out money. For the federal government, the Fed pays Treasury checks; processes electronic payments; and issues, transfers, and redeems U.S. government securities.

Each day, the Fed is behind the scenes supporting the economy and providing services to the U.S. financial system. And while the Fed’s duties are many and varied, its focus is to maintain confidence in banking institutions.

A decentralized central bank The Federal Reserve System consists of 12 inde-

pendent banks that operate under the supervision of a federally appointed Board of Governors in Washington, D.C. Each of these banks works within a specific district.

Securities and insurance products are offered through Cetera Investment Services LLC (doing insurance business in CA as CFG STC Insurance Agency LLC), member FINRA/SIPC. Advisory services are offered through Cetera Investment Advisers LLC. Neither firm is affiliated with the financial institution where investment services are offered.

Advisory services are only offered by Investment Adviser Representatives.

Investments are: *Not FDIC/NCUSIF insured *May lose value *Not financial institution guaranteed *Not a deposit *Not insured by any federal government agency.

The content is developed from sources believed to be providing accurate information. The information in this material is not intended as tax or legal advice.

It may not be used for the purpose of avoiding any federal tax penalties. Please consult legal or tax professionals for specific information regarding your individual situation. This material was developed and produced by FMG Suite to provide information on a topic that may be of interest. FMG Suite is not affiliated with the named broker-dealer, state- or SEC-registered investment advisory firm. The opinions expressed and material provided are for general information, and should not be considered a solicitation for the purchase or sale of any security. Copyright 2021 FMG Suite.

To learn more about how Profinium is a full financial health solutions center offering banking, mortgage, insurance, trust and wealth planning services in Southern Minnesota, visit Profinium.com. v

easier. Also, finding the length of 1/1000 of an acre per your row width is as simple as looking at tables provided online. For narrow row or solid seeded soybeans, use a hoop either 22.75 inches or 32-inches in diameter and use the table provided at the UMN Extension soybean page to help determine plant population. When taking these stand counts, randomly select multiple locations throughout the field.

You will also need to take notes of uniformity of stand and seedling vigor which leads into the next step.

Investigate the problems associated with emergence. In the case of this season, dry weather is the primary concern. However, you will also want to check for potential issues with herbicides, fertilizer, disease and insects. As with many early season emergence issues, some may need correction this growing season and others may need to be considered for next season.

As for replanting decisions, it is time to combine the above information. First look at the population and uniformity of the existing stand. Keep in mind that uneven emergence does not necessarily mean a significant drop in yields and may not be profitable to replant. Potential yields for both corn and soybeans should be calculated. Tables containing potential yields based on planting populations and dates for both corn and soybeans are useful in this case and can be found at the Extension website.

Next, factor in the costs of replanting including seed, labor and fuel. Keep in mind that if the cost of replanting outweighs the added yield, then replanting will likely not be economical.

Finally, check the labels of any pesticides used to ensure replanting can occur.

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

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

Real Estate Wanted

Antiques & Collectibles

Feed Seed Hay

WANTED: Land & farms. I have clients looking for dairy, & cash grain operations, as well as bare land parcels from 40-1000 acres.

Both for relocation & investments. If you have even thought about selling contact: Paul Krueger, Farm & Land Specialist, Edina Realty, 138 Main St. W., New Prague, MN 55372. paulkrueger@edinarealty.com (612)328-4506

FOR SALE: Early 1950’s Massey Harris 44 diesel, running condition, wide front, power steering, changed to 12 volt, oil and filter just changed, pictures available.

Call or text 507-822-0234

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

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

THANK YOU

Real Estate SELL YOUR LAND OR REAL ESTATE IN 30 DAYS FOR 0% COMMISSION. Call Ray 507-339-1272

SELL IT FAST

with a classified line ad!

Call us today 507-345-4523 or 800-657-4665

THE LAND — MAY 14/MAY 21, 2021 T

Call The Land at 507-345-4523

FOR READING THE LAND!

Feed Seed Hay

Feed Seed Hay

FOR SALE: Alfalfa, mixed OPEN Pollinated Seed Corn. hay, grass hay, straw and in- Produces more high qualidividually wrapped baleage. ty silage on less acres than Medium or large square hybrid. $67/bushel plus shipbales. Delivery available. ping. High feed value grain.

Zumbrota, MN. Call or text Located at Teutopolis, IL Ray Leffingwell 763-286-2504 217-857-3377

If you haven’t sent in your subscription card to The Land you may not receive it much longer. Fill out and send in the card on page 4 today.

Bins & Buildings

SILO REMOVAL 507-236-9446

WANTED

USED TRACTORS NEW NH T4.75, T4.90, T4.120 w/loader........... On Hand NEW NH Workmaster 60, 50, 35’s/loaders........ On Hand ’14 NH T8.350 ................................................... $152,000 ’13 NH T9.610 .....................................................$159,000 ’13 NH T8.390 .................................................... $169,500 ’84 JD 4850 FWA .....................................................SOLD ’83 JD 4450PS W/148 LOADER .............................SOLD Farmall 340 wf w/mower .........................................$3,000 New Massey Tractors ......................................... On Hand ’07 Massey GC2300 w/loader.................................. SOLD White 6195 FWA....................................................$45,000

TILLAGE ’11 Sunflower 4412-07...........................................$28,000 ’13 CIH 870 9-24 ................................................. $38,500 ’13 Wilrich 513 5-30 ............................................ $31,500 ’02 DMI TMII 34’ 4bar..........................................$19,000

PLANTERS ’11 White 8831 31-15...................................... $78,000 ’09 White 8816 cfs .......................................... $58,000 ’05 White 8186 DF......................... avail. after season Taking 2022 New Spring Orders COMBINES NEW Geringhoff chopping cornhead ....................Call ’12 Gleaner S77 ..............................................$179,000 ’03 Gleaner R65 .............................................. $72,000 ’95 Gleaner R52 w/cummins ........................... $32,500 ’89 Gleaner R60 w/both heads ........................ $15,500 Geringhoff parts & heads available

MISCELLANEOUS

NEW Salford RTS Units ........................................ Call NEW Unverferth Seed Tenders .............................. Call NEW Westfield Augers .......................................... Call NEW REM VRX Vacs. .......................................... Call NEW Hardi Sprayers ............................................. Call CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT NEW Riteway Rollers ........................................... Call NEW NH L318/L320/L328 wheeled units ........ On Hand NEW Lorenz Snowblowers ................................... Call NEW NH C327/C337/C345 track units ............. On Hand NEW Batco Conveyors ......................................... Call ’13 L225 EH 937hrs.............................................. $33,500 NEW Brent Wagons & Grain Carts ....................... Call NEW E-Z Trail Seed Wagons ................................ Call HAY TOOLS NEW Rock Buckets & Pallet Forks ...................... Call New Disc Mowers - 107,108,109 REM 2700, Rental ................................................. Call New Disc Mower Cond. - 10’, 13’ Pre-Owned Grain Cart .................................. On Hand New Wheel Rakes - 10,12,14 New Horsch Jokers ...................................... ......... Call New NH Hay Tools - ON HAND

Thank You For Your Business!

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

Hwy. 14, 3 miles West of Janesville, MN

Mon.-Fri. 7:30-5:00 • Sat. 7:30-Noon

Farm Equipment FOR SALE: Case IH #60 stalk shredder, re-built with hoods, knives & pins, $3,500.

Top Aire 500 gal sprayer, hyd x-fold, 60’ boom, Raven controller, $5,000/OBO. Will separate. 507-276-5733

Please recycle this magazine.

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

MANDAKO 12’-60’ LONG ROLLERS

(507) 234-5191 (507) 625-8649

Stormor Bins & EZ-Drys.

100% financing w/no liens or red tape, call Steve at Fairfax Ag for an appointment.

888-830-7757

FOR THE BEST DEAL ORDER NOW!

GREENWALD FARM CENTER Greenwald, MN • 320-987-3177 14 miles So. of Sauk Centre

THE LAND — MAY 14 /MAY 21, 2021 Farm Equipment

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

Planting Equip

Wanted

Steffes Auction Calendar 2021

Wanted

FOR SALE: Brandt model JD 7000 6R30” planter with All kinds of New & Used farm WANTED: 1909-1940 Ford 5200EX grain vac; Brandt Kinze bean cups, dry fertiliz- equipment - disc chisels, field Cars & Parts, Old Tin, Por10x70 grain auger w/ swing er and Dickey John monitor. cults, planters, soil finishers, celain & Neon Signs, Old Gas hopper; Demco 750 bu grav- Good shape, field ready. Al- cornheads, feed mills, discs, Pumps & Globes, Old Oil ity box w/ tarp; New Idea ways shedded. 952-353-2414, balers, haybines, etc. 507- Cans & Bottles, Other Old round baler, model 4865, Leave message.

438-9782 Car Related Items. Please twine & net wrap; Tebben Call 507-665-6893 3pt 9 shank, 30” spacing JD 7200 16 row Max-Emerge www.thelandonline.com w/ cover boards; OMC 595 planter, in furrow liquid ferround baler w/ twine tie; (2) tilizer with 425 gallon tank, Hiniker 8R30” cultivators, 1 row cleaners, JD 350 moniblack 1 gray. All in good con- tor, $14,000. (320) 630-6340 dition. Retiring. 320-630-1777

Spraying Equip .FOR SALE: Case IH 8860 14’ - haybine, cab, air, 815 hrs n in excellent condition; (2) FOR SALE: 60’ sprayer with 8R30” Hiniker cultivators, 750 gallon new tank, with one grey, one black; 70’ hyd 440 Raven spray controller, .

Herman culti-harrow w/ new with radar, complete. 507L tines; 50’ Wil-Rich field cult 640-0189 w/ 3 bar harrow; Rock-OMatic reel type rock pickers, FOR SALE: Hardi high wheel PTO driven. All in Good con- sprayer, 80’ boom, 950 gallon tank, rinse tank, hand wash diton. Retiring. 320-630-1777 tank, field ready, 3 way nozFOR SALE: JD 643 CH, like zles. Retiring. 507-822-2188 new, combined less than 20 acres per yr; also, Farmall Grain Handling original White Cub w/ clipper Equipment mower; 240 utility tractor, Super MTA D; Wanted Brent FOR SALE: MC model CF720 gravity box. 320-282-4845 grain dryer, 3 phase, with 2240 hours, $18,000; (3) 6” . augers with 3 phase motors, Your ad r $2,500/all 3. 507-456-3136 could be here! .

507-345-4523 MAHNOMEN COUNTY

776

FOR SALE: Klondike grain vac. Best Offer. 715-410-5975 Harms Mfg. Land Rollers, Brand New, 12’-$8,325; 14’-$8,825; 16’-$9,350; 24’$18,700; 32’-$22,450; 42’$26,000; Others from 8’-62’.

715-234-1993 We buy Salvage Equipment Parts Available Hammell Equip., Inc. (507)867-4910

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

T2

Opening May 21 & Closing May 26 Online Steffes Auction – 5/26, Upper Midwest Locations, Timed Online Auction Opening May 21 & Closing May 27 Transcan Motorsports Group Inc. Equipment Auction, Steffes Group Facility, West Fargo, ND, Timed Online Auction

Opening May 28 & Closing June 7 at 12PM Gene & Mavis Haugom Farm Retirement Auction, McIntosh, MN, Timed Online Auction Opening May 31 & Closing June 8 at 7PM Aho Brothers Inventory Reduction Auction, Frazee, MN, Timed Online Auction Opening June 1 & Closing June 8 at 1PM Davidson Grain Retirement Auction, Creston, IL, Timed Online Auction

To be sold in 5 tracts!

LAND AUCTION CLOSES: TUESDAY, JUNE 8 | 12PM

T3

Opening May 21 & Closing May 25 at 12PM Online Hay Auction – Quality Tested, Litchfield, MN, Timed Online Auction

Opening May 28 & Closing June 3 Myron & Paulette Bosch Farm Retirement Auction, Devils Lake, ND, Timed Online Auction

TIMED ONLINE

From the Jct. of US Hwy. 59 & Co. Hwy. 11, 2 miles south of Mahnomen, east 10 miles on Co. Hwy 11

T4

Opening May 18 & Closing May 25 at 6PM Lupine Construction Inc. Equipment Reduction Auction, Alexander, ND, Timed Online Auction

Tuesday, May 25 at 10AM Lupine Construction Inc. Equipment Reduction Auction, Alexander, ND

Opens: June 3, 8AM

T1

For more info, call: 1-800-726-8609 or visit our website: SteffesGroup.com

Opening May 21 and Closing May 31 at 12PM Ihry Hogs LLLP Cattle & Hay Equipment Auction, Hope, ND, Timed Online Auction

2021

FOR SALE: John Deere 3970 forage harvester with iron guard, cornhead and hay head, $5,000. Best Offer. 7150 410-5975 h .FOR SALE: Auger hydraulic d spiral 9”, 12” and 18”, bits - attachment to skid loader.

- 952-466-5538

PAGE 21

T5

AUCTIONEER’S NOTE: Public opportunity to purchase a slice of prime hunting land! This auction includes over 750 heavily wooded acres which will be sold in 5 tracts ranging in size from 80 acres to 260 acres. This land is split by a county road and is only 2-1/2 miles from a hard surfaced road.

This land is located on the forest transition line and boasts some of the best hunting opportunities in the region. Enrolled in SFIA program, providing direct incentive payments to encourage sustainable use of forest lands. SFIA payments are transferrable to buyer and have historically offset about 75% of property taxes. Detailed maps and Forest Management Plan available. Some timber has been harvested to improve forest health. Take advantage of this opportunity to purchase hunting land that has been in the Viker family for decades.

La Garde Township - Sections 15, 22 & 23 Total Acres: 776.4± • Tract 1 (260±) - E2 NW4 SE4; E2 SE4; NE4 Section 15-144-40 • Tract 2 (196.4±) - LOT 1; NE4 SW4; SW4 NE4; NW4 SE4; SE4 NW4 Section 22-144-40 • Tract 3 (160±) - E2 NE4; E2 SE4 Section 22-144-40 • Tract 4 (80±) - S2 NW4 Section 23-144-40 • Tract 5 (80±) - E2 NE4 Section 23-144-40

Opening June 1 & Closing June 8 at 7PM Andrew & Barb Schiltz Moving Auction, Rosholt, SD, Timed Online Auction Opening June 2 & Closing June 9 at 6PM Edward Karel Estate Firearm Auction 1 of 3, Firearms, Litchfield, MN, Timed Online Auction Opening June 2 & Closing June 10 at 1PM Edward Karel Estate Firearm Auction 2 of 3, Gun Smithing and Barrel, Litchfield, MN, Timed Online Auction Opening June 2 & Closing June 10 at 6PM Edward Karel Estate Firearm Auction 3 of 3, Litchfield, MN, Ammunition, Timed Online Auction Opening June 3 & Closing June 8 at 12PM Mahnomen County, MN Recreational & Hunting Land Auction – 776.4± Acres, Mahnomen, MN, Timed Online Auction Opening June 3 & Closing June 9 at 2PM Norman County, MN Recreational Land Auction, Fertile, MN, Timed Online Auction Opening June 4 & Closing June 9 at 10AM Online Steffes Auction – 6/9, Upper Midwest Locations & Mt. Pleasant IA, Timed Online Auction Opening June 7 & Closing June 9 at 12PM Griggs County, ND Land Auction - 160± Acres, Binford, ND, Timed Online Auction Opening June 7 & Closing June 17 EnRec Solutions Excess Equipment Auction, Chippewa Falls, WI, Timed Online Auction

SteffesGroup.com

Opening June 8 & Closing June 15 at 1PM Steffes Truck & Transportation Auction, Mt. Pleasant, IA, Timed Online Auction

Viker Enterprises Inc. Contact Max Steffes at Steffes Group, 701.237.9173 or 701.212.2849 or visit at SteffesGroup.com

Opening June 8 & Closing June 16 at 7PM Litchfield Farm Equipment Auction, Litchfield, MN, Timed Online Auction

Steffes Group, Inc., 2000 Main Ave E, West Fargo, ND

Max Steffes MN14-031, Scott Steffes MN14-51, Brad Olstad MN14-70. TERMS: 10% down upon signing purchase agreement with balance due at closing in 45 days.

This is a 5% buyer’s premium auction.

PAGE 22

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

First Your e for Choic ! ifieds Class

THE LAND — MAY 14/MAY 21, 2021 T

our Place Y ! ay d Ad To

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, 418 South Second St., Mankato, MN 56001 Fax to: 507-345-1027 Email: theland@TheLandOnline.com Online at: www.thelandonline.com

• 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

DEADLINE: Friday at 5:00 p.m. for the following Friday edition.

Plus! Look for your classified ad in the e-edition.

Wanted

Swine

WANTED TO BUY: 1960 John FOR SALE: Yorkshire, Deere 730 diesel, pony start.

Hampshire, Duroc, cross 507-831-1308 bred boars, gilts & 4-H pigs.

Top quality. Excellent herd WANTED: John Deere 25A health. No PRSS. Delivery Flail Mower. 507-525-2784 available. 320-760-0365 Spot, Duroc, Chester White, Boars & Gilts available.

Monthly PRRS and PEDV. FOR SALE: Black Angus bulls Delivery available. Steve also Hamp, York, & Hamp/ Resler. 507-456-7746 Duroc boars & gilts. Alfred Kemen 320-598-3790

Livestock

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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)

Classified line ads work!

Call 507-345-4523 Cattle

450 ewe lambs from OPP tested negative flock. 605-8648811 or 605-997-2060

Sell your livestock in The Land with a line ad. 507-345-4523 Registered Hereford yearling bulls for sale. Have had all shots, semen tested, poured and fly tags.

Halter broke and broke to lead. Fantastic growth E.P.D.’s. Delivery available. Klages Herefords, Ortonville, MN 320-2732163(H) 605-880-0521(C)

= __________________________________________ = __________________________________________ = __________________________________________ = __________________________________________

Miscellaneous FREON WANTED: We pay $$$ for cylinders and cans of R12 R500 R11 R113 R114.

Convenient. Certified Professionals. Call (312)291-9169 or visit RefrigerantFinders.com

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

Upcoming Issues of THE LAND Southern MN/ Northern IA May 28, 2021 June 11, 2021 June 25, 2021 *July 9, 2021

= __________________________________________ = __________________________________________ = __________________________________________

TOTAL

20 Heavy Duty Steel Jigs For Sheep & Goats To Make Turning Cradles Sorting & Slide Gates, Corral & Run Panels, Mineral Feeders, Bale Feeders, Etc. PLUS Approx 40 Pieces Of Inventory. $7,500/OBO. RETIRING. 319-347-6282 or 319-269-4226

= __________________________________________

This is NOT for businesses. Please call The Land to place line ads.

Name _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Address _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

*

Northern MN *June 4, 2021 June 18, 2021 July 2, 2021 July 16, 2021 July 30, 2021

Deadline is 8 days prior to publication.

Indicates early deadline, 9 days prior to publication.

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.

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

THE LAND — MAY 14 /MAY 21, 2021

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

Miscellaneous

,PARMA DRAINAGE PUMPS s New pumps & parts on hand. . Call Minnesota’s largest disd tributor y HJ Olson & Company 320-974-8990 Cell - 320-212-5336

, . . e

REINKE IRRIGATION Sales & Service New & Used For your irrigation needs 888-830-7757 or 507-276-2073

Winpower Sales & Service Reliable Power Solutions Since 1925 PTO & automatic r Emergency Electric Genere ators. New & Used & Rich Opsata-Distributor n 800-343-9376 , S Looking for something special?

- Put a line ad in The Land and find it!

Call The Land today! .

507-345-4523

-

y s . r

ADVERTISER LISTING Auctioneer Alley .....................................................21 Beck's Hybrids ......................................................... 1 Blue Sky Financial ................................................... 7 Dahl Farm Supply .................................................... 5 Freudenthal Dairy ...................................................17 Greenwald Farm Center ...........................................20 Karsten Nursery ................................................ 12, 13 Leaf Filter ..............................................................18 Pioneer ................................................................... 11 Pruess Elevator, Inc. ...............................................20 Rush River Steel & Trim .......................................... 3 Schweiss Doors .......................................................23 Scott Buboltz ..........................................................19 Smiths Mill Implement, Inc. ....................................20 Spanier Welding ....................................................... 9 Steffes Group ..........................................................21 507-345-4523 • 800-657-4665 418 S. Second Street, Mankato, MN 56001 www.thelandonline.com

PAGE 23

ADVERTISING NOTICE: Please check your ad the first week it runs.

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PAGE 24

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

THE LAND — MAY 14/MAY 21, 2021

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

T

Long before Lindbergh

here is a short section of a log lying on its side not far from the parking lot at Charles A. Lindbergh State Park, just down river from Little Falls, Minn. The log has been laying there for nearly four decades and is somewhat decayed. Yet it is still more than half as high as a tall person. The White Pine which grew the log was killed by a lightning strike in the mid-1980s. Before that, the Works Progress Administration workers (who built the new parks’ 5,000-gallon stone water tower and the peeled log picnic shelter) held the giant tree in such reverence they built traffic barriers around it to protect it from the automobiles which had become common by the 1930s.

Before that, teen-aged Charles Lindbergh, who had dropped out of high school in 1916 to supervise the family farm along the Mississippi River, called the pine the Sentinel Tree because he could see it towering above all the other trees anywhere on the farm.

Before that, the tree somehow escaped the rapacious saws of the logging baron Charles A. Weyerhaeuser, whose mansion is just across the river and down the road a bit.

Before that … well, nobody remembers. But foresters say the Sentinel Pine that once towered over Pike Creek was probably growing strong at the time Paul Revere made his renowned ride.

The Lindbergh farm and house make up a historic district along the Mississippi. The house is managed by the Minnesota Historical Society and the farm is managed by the Department of Natural Resources as a state park with ample camp and picnic grounds, as well as an extensive network of hiking trails.

The Lindberghs donated it all to the state in the late 1920s, shortly after Charles’ 1927 transatlantic flight in the “Spirit of St. Louis.”

During his brief stint as a teen-aged farmer, Lindbergh, Jr. (his dad was also Charles A.) worked with an elderly farmhand to construct a swaying suspension bridge over Pike Creek — just upriver from its confluence with the Mississippi. The suspension bridge is said to have been held up, in part, by strands of barbed wire. There’s a photo of the bridge at the park and it appears crossing it would have challenged the athletic abilities of most of today’s Americans.

We easily crossed the wide stable bridge which is there today; and, just past it, found a little patch of White Trout Lilies. On the ridge above us, a grove of White Pine, not yet so big as the Sentinel Tree, towered over us. v

Little Falls, Minn.

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