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November 26, 2021 December 3, 2021

Bu./A. Over 135 Acres

Robert and Justin Goettl | Le Center, MN

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New automation system allows farmers to drop off grain in Herman, Minn. at any time.

INSIDE THIS ISSUE:

The Land’s 2022 Soybean Seed Guide

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THE LAND — NOVEMBER 26/DECEMBER 3, 2021

Supply chain dilemma ‘intriguing’ 418 South Second St. Mankato, MN 56001 (800) 657-4665 Vol. XL ❖ No. 24 40 pages, 1 section plus supplements

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COLUMNS Opinion Farm and Food File Deep Roots Cooking With Kristin Green & Growing Calendar of Events Mielke Market Weekly Marketing Farm Programs Auctions/Classifieds Advertiser Listing Back Roads

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with textured detail.” Also available is Hardly a day goes by without hearing the latest Diego The Donkey which “blurts out a welcoming example of breakdowns in the U.S. supply hee-haw.” Imagine the battle of the barnchain. These reports are often accompyard sounds if you owned both. For $59.99 anied by aerial footage of huge ships apiece, I would expect them to be life-sized; anchored off U.S. coastlines and harried but alas, they only stand a little over a port workers looking for trucks to haul foot tall. away stacks of shipping containers.

My question is, when your combine sits The gridlock is being blamed for shortidle because the computer chip ages or the non-existence of pretty much it needs is sitting on the Pacific Ocean, everything eager U.S. consumers are looking why is it possible to get your hands to purchase — especially with the looming on a “Basket Head” game? holidays. Well, almost everything. (“Fasten on the one-size-fits-all hoop Nothing quite says “retail excess” like the and toss the 20 balls into the basket.”) gift catalogs which arrive almost daily in Call me Ebenezer Scrooge, but it seems the mail. One which recently caught my eye the needs of our nation are not being met claimed to be “The source for intriguing LAND MINDS anywhere in this 80-page catalog — gifts, clever products and much more!” free shipping or not.

By Paul Malchow Much more indeed. Eighty pages n were filled with hundreds of things I It might be a little old news, but I never even knew I wanted. For examwanted to give a tip of the cap to longple, the “Hilarious Surprised Elf time news colleague Ruth Klossner of Lafayette, Garden Sculpture” is a 13-and-a-half-inch statue of an elf with its pants down to its knees, appearing to Minn. In June of 2018 The Land’s Kristin Kveno be urinating on a tree — only $39.99, free shipping. visited Klossner’s famed “Moo-seum” — a Guinness World Record collection of all things bovine.

One can only guess who gets the bigger laugh: the recipient of this gift or the people who are sending More recently, in a surprise announcement made it to your house. during the 4-H dairy show at the 2021 Minnesota State Fair, Klossner was presented with the Bruce Is 40 bucks a little pricey?

Cottington Friend of Dairy award.

For only $8.99 you can get a box of Bacon Strip Bandages.

Minnesota Milk Producers Association, the grass“Each tin has 15 high quality roots organization for Minnesota’s dairy industry, sterile” (thankfully) “bacon presents the award in select years to individuals shaped bandages,” the catalog who have gone above and beyond the call of duty touts. “Includes a prize to help fostering the goals and ideals of Minnesota Milk take your mind of your boothrough their own personal efforts. In typical fashboo.” No mention of what that ion, when Klossner’s award was being announced prize might be; or if the banduring the 4-H dairy show in the Coliseum, Ruth dages actually smell like bacon. was at her usual post — taking photos of the champion, reserve champion, and purple ribbon 4-H aniSince The Land is an agriculmals. It’s a role she’s held for 38 years, dating back tural publication, I would be to 1983. remiss to not mention “Clarabelle The Calf Motion Sensor Sculpture.” As you might guess, Clarabelle She photographs not only the 4-H dairy show, the moos when motion is detected nearby. “Realistically See LAND MINDS, pg. 4 sculpted from durable polyresin and hand painted

OPINION

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

8 — Book makes useful primer for building healthier soil 11 — Seed dealer provides cleaning service for combine owners 12 — Propane prices climb as United States continues to export the commodity.

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

THE LAND — NOVEMBER 26/DECEMBER 3, 2021

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Neil Harl: The smartest person in the room We all know a few people who think of In 1981, as his national reputation was themselves as the smartest person in the soaring, Harl did one of the most couraroom. We also know a handful of people geous things I’ve ever seen: he put everywho actually are the smartest person in thing he had — his career, the accolades, the room. and his impeccable reputation — on the line to predict that fast-expanding farm Neil Harl was the latter; he was the debt and the just-passed Reagan tax cuts smartest person in the room wherever he would bring economic calamity to rural went and everyone either already knew America. it or quickly discovered it. More FARM & FOOD FILE importantly, Harl knew it, too, and he It wasn›t a guess; it was an act of conBy Alan Guebert often used his fierce intellect and equally science. In August 1981, he would write a quick smile to dominate public debates decade later in his book “The Farm and charm dinner guests.

Debt Crisis of the 1980s,” he had spent weeks studying the Reagan Harl died Nov. 4 in Ames, Iowa — the home of Iowa State University and his academic Administration’s new tax cuts to update lecture notes. What he learned though … when combined home since his freshman days there in 1951. His record is legendary: a bachelor’s degree, two years of with the tight money policy of Paul Volker’s Federal military service, one year as an ag editor, then a law Reserve … troubled him. degree, a Ph.D. in economics, and a full professorHe soon sounded the alarm through speeches, ship and endowed chair at ISU by 1976. opinion editorials, and conversations with reporters.

During that remarkable rise, Harl also made him- Harl supplied the facts, figures and forecasts; the newspapers supplied the gongs. self into the most published, most sought-out ag attorney/ag economist in the nation. During his His warnings, however, were met by scowls from career he would publish 29 books and give more ag bankers and rural politicians. All were certain than 3,400 presentations in 43 states and 17 foreign that the 1970s’ fat times would continue to roll nations. under the White House’s “supply side,” free market And, of course, he kept an immaculate record of it philosophy all.

OPINION

“What are you trying to do to our president?” he was asked by “a flying wedge of Republican stalwarts” at a 1981 banking conference in Des Moines, Harl later wrote.

“I assured the phalanx of critics,” he explained “… that I was indeed a loyal Republican (and that) there was just one thing worse than borrowing money, and that was voting Democratic.”

It made no difference. The hatchets were out for Harl and they were sharp, powerful and relentless.

Harl stayed on message, however, and by 1984 everything Harl had said would happen had either happened or was happening. Ag banks were bleeding bad loans, many Farm Credit banks needed federal bailouts, and thousands of farmers and ranchers were either closing their barn doors for good or having lenders foreclose ‘em. It was the biggest U.S. farm crack-up since the Great Depression.

Harl didn’t waste his or rural America’s time gloating; he went to work on ways to ease the debt which was crushing farmers and banks alike. His specialties — law and economics — gave him unique insights on how lenders and the government could work together to develop new strategies and assistance programs to work through mountains of farm debt while healing broken markets.

See GUEBERT, pg. 5

We can’t help your daughter get straight A’s, but we can help you get the best genetics for your farm.

Scan to watch the video

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THE LAND — NOVEMBER 26/DECEMBER 3, 2021

Christians remain true in the button jar of life “And then when something old needed a uncles and cousins; along with a large new button, or when something newlyphotograph of my grandparents in their made needed a set of buttons, the button classic “church directory” pose. On the box provided. Grandma’s button box was lower portion were sagging bookshelves an old shoe box, better than half full of containing a myriad of books, games, buttons of all sorts. It was a pleasure just magazines, newspapers and telephone to run your fingers through, like running books. On the right there was a small your fingers through a bucket of shelled bathroom and a tiny closet with sliding corn.” doors constructed of plywood. In that DEEP ROOTS closet was a vacuum cleaner; and on the “Andy Catlett Early Travels” top shelf there was an old glass jar (with By Whitney Nesse

by Wendell Berry half of a Miracle Whip label still stuck to A dimly lit, narrow hallway led from a spacious it) that contained my grandmother’s buttons. living room into a bedroom. On the left, lining the I loved getting out the button jar, dumping out all upper part of the wood grain wainscoted wall was a of its contents and looking at the buttons. There telephone and dozens of photographs of my aunts, were hundreds of buttons, all of different sizes, shapes, colors and textures. Some were plastic, some glass, and some wood. Some had a smooth, pearly sheen and some were rough and sandpaper like. I would sort them into piles by color or size or by the number of thread holes. At some point, I am sure that I tried to count them, finding that they were too numerous for a youngster to keep track of.

I specifically remember two buttons. One of the two was a half-dollar sized, very 1970’s flair, flower.

It was a coat button with a single shank hole and had a rough texture. It looked like a daisy, with white petals and a pink center. I do not particularly recall thinking it was very beautiful or glamorous.

In fact, I remember thinking that it was ugly! But it always caught my eye and I was able to sort it out of the rest of the buttons quickly.

The other button I remember was a brown coat button which resembled a root beer barrel. Maybe it was the likeness to the hard candy that caused the button to catch my eye, maybe not. But it always seemed to surface rather quickly. I believe that brown button came off of a gray tweed suit coat my grandpa wore.

Every button in my grandma’s button jar was just that … a button. They all commingled in the same

space at the same time, but there were two that stood out to me. They were both buttons; but they possessed different qualities, a different representation. They were not like the rest.

For the last number of weeks I have been studying with a group of women as to how people of the Christian faith can best engage with the culture when faith and culture collide. What I am finding, as I study the letters from the Apostle Paul to the Colossian church and to Titus is that, as followers of Christ, we can engage with the world and actively participate in our faith. As people who have heard and accepted the simple Gospel of Christ, we do not have to run from the cultures of the world nor do we have to embrace all of the cultural practices. As Christians, we are a walking representation of the Gospel. As we mature in our personal relationship with the Lord, we will approach life differently.

We see Jesus exemplify this throughout His ministry. Jesus was fully engaging with the culture when He was celebrating a wedding in John chapter 2. In John chapter 3, Jesus met with a Pharisee named Nicodemus. It was there He participated in an intriguing conversation, engaging with the cultural and religious norms — yet firmly upholding the truth. We never saw Jesus conform to the culture when the culture misrepresented the truth.

Rather, we saw Him as the walking representation of the Gospel and engaging with the culture. Jesus was a human being — yet unlike any human being who had ever walked the earth.

As Christians, to engage with the culture, we must engage with the culture as individuals who are actively participating in our faith. As people who are walking representations of the Gospel, we will approach life differently and possess different qualities — just like those two buttons in my grandma’s button jar: commingled yet outstanding.

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

Klossner is true dairy ambassador A prolific writer, Klossner has served the local newspaper as writer, photographer and later editor dairy judging contest, and the Dairy Showcase, but for 27 years. Although she retired 10 years ago, she the dairy and meat goat shows, the sheep show, the proudly proclaims, “I flunked retirement in just a poultry show, the general livestock judging contest, month” and has kept busy with organizations and and the lama show. publications since then.

Klossner has been the announcer of the Nicollet In a time when media-bashing is a popular sport, County 4-H, open class and FFA shows for many Klossner has forged an iron-clad reputation as a fair years. She has been a member of the county fair and talented journalist. Congratulations, Ruth. It is board, president and secretary of the county recognition well deserved.

Holstein association. Klossner is involved in the Paul Malchow is the managing editor of The Land.

Lafayette Lions Club, New Ulm Farm-City Hub He may be reached at editor@TheLandOnline.com. v Club, Connecting Nicollet County, Nicollet American Legion Auxiliary, and Bernadotte Lutheran Church/ Fields of Grace Parish.

LAND MINDS, from pg. 2

THE LAND — NOVEMBER 26/DECEMBER 3, 2021

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Thanksgiving leftovers? More is not a chore with these recipes The turkey has been carved, the potatoes mashed, and the pumpkin pie served. Now all the Thanksgiving leftovers are sitting in your refrigerator.

Sure, a regular turkey sandwich is tasty; but what if Thanksgiving leftovers can be just as delicious as the day it was first served. These recipes may make your leftovers the real stars of the holiday!

Once you make Turkey Tetrazzini you’ll always buy a bigger bird for Thanksgiving — just for the leftovers! This creamy pasta dish is great comfort food on a chilly fall day.

You’ve mashed potatoes … lots of potatoes … maybe too many potatoes. Now that Thanksgiving is over what can you do with all the leftovers?

Make Fried Mashed Potato Balls, of course! These are seriously good … like, better-than-the-original good.

Fried Mashed Potato Balls

https://www.delish.com/cooking/recipe-ideas/ a22566735/fried-mashed-potato-balls-recipe/ 3 cups leftover mashed potatoes 3 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled

By Kristin Kveno 2/3 cups shredded cheddar cheese 2 tablespoons thinly sliced chives 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder Turkey Tetrazzini kosher salt Recipe courtesy of Sarah Johnson Malchow ground black pepper 12 ounces mushrooms, sliced (about 4-5 cups) 2 eggs, beaten 1/2 cup chopped onion 1-1/3 cups panko breadcrumbs 1/2 cup chopped celery vegetable oil, for frying 7 ounces spaghetti In a large bowl, combine mashed potatoes with cooked bacon, 3 cups coarsely chopped cooked turkey cheddar, chives and garlic powder and season with salt and pep1 can cream of chicken soup per. Stir until all ingredients are incorporated.

1 cup sour cream 1 cup white wine Place eggs and panko in separate shallow bowls. Use a small 1 tablespoon “Better Than Bouillon” chicken stock cookie scoop to scoop 1” to 2” balls of mashed potato mixture.

1/4 teaspoon tarragon Roll into a ball in your hands, then dredge first in egg and then in 1 teaspoon thyme panko. Repeat until all mashed potatoes are used.

1 teaspoon turmeric Heat 3 inches of oil in a large cast-iron skillet until the candy Salt and pepper to taste thermometer reads 375 F. Fry potato balls in batches until golden 1 cup Parmesan cheese on all sides, 2 to 3 minutes. Drain on a paper towel-lined plate Preheat oven to 300 F. Break spaghetti into one-inch pieces and season immediately with more salt. and boil for 8 minutes. Spaghetti can be slightly undercooked. n Reserve 1/4 cup of the pasta water. In a heavy skillet, sauté onions and celery in butter. Add the mushrooms and continue Sure, turkey sandwiches can be good, but why settle for good cooking until all the liquid the mushrooms give off has evaporat- when you can have great? This recipe makes a great turkey ed. Add soup, sour cream, wine, chicken stock and spices. Bring sandwich. The Brie, bacon and cranberry perfectly pair with the to a simmer and cook over medium-low heat, stirring constantly, turkey creating an excellent way to enjoy that Thanksgiving turfor about 5 to 8 minutes. Add cooked turkey, spaghetti and pasta key for days. water. Transfer mixture to a buttered casserole dish. Sprinkle Leftover Turkey, Brie, Bacon and Cranberry Parmesan over the tetrazzini and bake in the middle rack for 40 Sandwich minutes or until it is bubbling, and the top is golden. https://www.countryliving.com/food-drinks/recipes/a34226/turn key-brie-bacon-cranberry-sandwich-recipe-wdy1113/ COOKING WITH KRISTIN

www.TheLandOnline.com Being right didn’t help 1980s farm crisis GUEBERT, from pg. 3

in the room. It did, however, make him one of the most courageous … and, sure, more than just And, slowly (far too slowly for far too many) the immodest. laggards finally listened to what the farmboy proIt made him, in fact, Neil Harl. fessor was saying. Harl had been right all along; and only later, decades after the calamity had The Farm and Food File is published weekly passed, would he acknowledge his critics had been through the United States and Canada. Past colwrong. Dead wrong, in fact. umns, events and contact information are posted at v But saying it didn’t make him the smartest person www.farmandfoodfile.com.

4 slices rye bread 4 tablespoons cranberry sauce 4 ounces sliced turkey 2 ounces Brie 4 pieces crisp bacon 1/2 cup baby spinach Place rye bread on a broiler-proof baking sheet. Top two slices with cranberry sauce, sliced turkey and Brie. Broil until the cheese melts, about 1 minute. Top the cheese with crisp bacon and baby spinach. Sandwich with the remaining bread slices. n You’re in a dessert quandary. You love milkshakes, but you also love a slice of pumpkin pie. Have no fear, you don’t have to make that arduous choice. You can have them both. Introducing the Pumpkin Pie Milkshake — all the flavors of pumpkin pie because there’s a whole slice of pumpkin pie in the shake, creaminess of ice cream and a little bourbon (for some kick) all blended in a symphony of flavors. This one has to be tried to be believed!

Pumpkin Pie Milkshake

https://www.thepioneerwoman.com/food-cooking/recipes/ a37038168/pumpkin-pie-milkshake-recipe/ Pie method: 1 slice pumpkin pie (about 1/8th of the pie) 1 cup vanilla ice cream 1 cup milk 1-1/2 ounces bourbon or aged rum, optional No-pie method: 2 cups vanilla ice cream 1 cup milk 2/3 cup pumpkin puree 2 tablespoons maple syrup 1/4 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice, plus more for serving 1 large graham cracker sheet, plus more for serving 1-1/2 ounces bourbon or aged rum, optional Whipped cream, caramel sauce, and/or pumpkin pie spice, for serving Pie Method: In the base of a blender, combine the slice of pie, ice cream, milk and bourbon or rum, if using. Blend on low for 15 seconds, then increase to high for 30 more seconds, or until creamy and smooth. Transfer to 1-2 tall glasses and top with whipped cream, caramel sauce and a sprinkle of pumpkin pie spice (or extra pie crust crumbs if you’ve got them!)

No-Pie Method: In the base of a blender, combine the ice cream, milk, pumpkin, maple syrup, pumpkin pie spice, graham cracker and bourbon or rum, if using. Blend on low for 15 seconds, then increase to high for 30 more seconds, or until creamy and smooth. Transfer to 1-2 tall glasses and top with whipped cream, a drizzle of caramel, and a sprinkle of pumpkin pie spice and extra graham cracker crumbs.

If you’ve found yourself with container after container of Thanksgiving leftovers, consider yourself lucky. You have the opportunity to turn those leftovers into tasty masterpieces that will bring oohs and aahs to your table.

Kristin Kveno scours the internet, pours over old family recipes and searches everywhere in between to find interesting food ideas for feeding your crew. Do you have a recipe you want to share? You can reach Kristin at kkveno@thelandonline.com. v

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THE LAND — NOVEMBER 26/DECEMBER 3, 2021

Flowering holiday cacti add beauty and color to your home Is your Thanksgiving or Christmas hanging baskets or placed on a stand.

Cactus blooming yet?

Branches may be pinched back to keep the plant a manageable size.

The two popular houseplants are related plants from the same species.

All three varieties of this plant are as Schlumbergera truncate is commonly long-lived as peonies — meaning they called the Thanksgiving cactus and the may be passed down from one generation Schlumbergera bridgesii is commonly to another. An easy-to-grow house plant, GREEN AND called the Christmas cactus. They have these cacti like being pot bound; but GROWING slightly different shapes to what we when repotted, prefer well-drained soil or might call leaves; but actually are elongrowing medium. They are not true cacti

By Linda G. Tenneson gated stems. The stems which have sharp and enjoy regular watering when allowed points on the sides are the Thanksgiving variety to dry slightly between watering. and the stems which have rounded edges are the This cactus may be grown indoors all year round Christmas cactus. or moved outdoors to a shady location in the spring The Easter cactus (Schlumbergera gaertneri) also and summer. Be sure to move them indoors before has rounded stem edges; but as the common name the temperature falls below 50 F. Blooming is trigindicates, blooms later in early spring. gered by short days and lower temperatures. Keep The identification issue may be further confused if the plants in a room where the lights are off for approximately 14 hours at night and the temperathese plants have been crossbred with each other. ture stays in the 60s. Once the buds appear to be The blooms may be pink, white, cream, peach, set or are starting to open, the plant may be moved orange, purple, light or dark red. They may have a to a slightly warmer location where its beauty may darker color on the outer edges, but with white or be appreciated. Blooms appear on the ends of the cream at the base. Curved petals emerge from all sides of the bloom with the anthers that contain the stems and can last for several weeks. pollen in the middle. The main bloom times are as These cacti are easy to propagate. Simply remove the common names indicate. However, a few blooms four or more inch long stem sections from the parmay appear later in the season as well. The pollen ent plant and insert the cut end in potting soil. bearing anthers on the Thanksgiving variety are Water and cover with a plastic bag — creating a yellow where the Christmas plant has purplishgreenhouse effect — until new growth is seen. brown or pink anthers.

Potential problems include root rot caused by The plants are native to the mountains of southexcessive watering; and insects such as mealybugs, eastern Brazil. They grow in the trees where soil soft brown scale, red spider mites, aphids and funand rainwater collect in the crotches of tree branch- gus gnats. es. When grown in a container, young plants may be The University of Minnesota Extension website six to ten inches high; but well-established plants (https://extension.umn.edu/houseplants/holiday-cacmay reach eighteen inches in height and spread two ti) contains pictures and additional information. or three feet in width.

Linda G. Tenneson is a University of Minnesota Older plants with long branches display well in master gardener and tree care advisor. v

Cover crops field guide released AMES, Iowa — Cover crops can enhance soil health by capturing nutrients, slowing erosion and reducing the need for herbicides. Growers face many different decisions in the field, and the latest edition of the “Cover Crops Field Guide” will assist in some of those choices.

The pocket-sized, in-field reference guide helps growers select, use and grow cover crops effectively.

Topics covered in the guide include everything from cover crop selection to cropping system recommendations and the impacts of different cover crops.

This 162-page guide includes nearly 30 pages of new material, including cover crop suggestions for common rotations, up-and-coming cover crop species,

effects on yields, climate considerations and more.

The species section of the guide has also been expanded to include white clover, forage brassicas, balansa clover and several cover crops that are commonly used in a mix.

The third edition field guide costs $6 and a 10 percent quantity discount is available on boxes of 25. It is available to purchase through the Iowa State University Extension Store at https://store.extension.iastate.edu/product/14198.

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

THE LAND — NOVEMBER 26/DECEMBER 3, 2021

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

GROW OUR BEST. GROW THEIR BEST. COMPARE RESULTS. The corn revolution is here. That means strong results in on-farm trials near you. Pioneer.com/harvest

NUMBER OF PERCENTAGE COMPARISONS OF WINS

PIONEER YIELD ADVANTAGE (BU/A)

PIONEER® HYBRID/BRAND

CRM

COMPETITOR HYBRID/BRAND

P8736AM™ brand

87

DeKalb

10

90%

16.8

P9193AM™ brand

91

DeKalb

32

53%

4.7

P9489AM™ brand

94

DeKalb

39

62%

3.6

P9492AM™ brand

94

DeKalb

46

67%

4.5

P9540AM™ brand

95

DeKalb

59

75%

8.7

P9823Q™ brand

98

DeKalb

172

79%

9.4

P0075Q™ brand

100

DeKalb

253

69%

6.1

P0404Q™ brand

104

DeKalb

179

79%

9.8

Contact your local Pioneer sales representative to learn more.

Data is based on an average of 2021 comparisons made in Minnesota through November 17, 2021. Comparisons are against any number of products of the indicated competitor brand, unless otherwise stated, and within +/- 4 CRM of the competitive brand. Product responses are variable and subject to any number of environmental, disease and pest pressures. Individual results may vary. Multi-year and multi-location data are a better predictor of future performance. DO NOT USE THIS OR ANY OTHER DATA FROM A LIMITED NUMBER OF TRIALS AS A SIGNIFICANT FACTOR IN PRODUCT SELECTION. Refer to www.pioneer.com or contact a Pioneer sales representative or authorized dealer for the latest and complete listing of traits and scores for each Pioneer® brand product.

Pioneer® brand products are provided subject to the terms and conditions of purchase which are part of the labeling and purchase documents. TM ® SM Trademarks and service marks of Corteva Agriscience and its affiliated companies. © 2021 Corteva. 21D-1467-73_TLN_corn_1203_CU2

PAGE 7

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

THE LAND — NOVEMBER 26/DECEMBER 3, 2021

Stickler and rebuilding soil:

‘The fate of the human race literally depends on us figuring these processes out.’

By TIM KING The Land Correspondent Dale Strickler is the author of three books including “The Complete Guide to Restoring Your Soil” which was published in 2021 by Storey.

He’s also a beef rancher, professional agronomist, and a former college educator in Kansas.

Dale Strickler The Land: In the early pages of “The Complete Guide…” you write about your college experience. You write, “I was taught in my soils class that it is virtually impossible to raise soil organic matter content on a widespread scale on a permanent basis.” Is that still being taught?

Strickler: I value my education. But a true education is a preparation for lifelong learning of continually changing of ideas as new information comes available. It is not the simple memorization of never changing facts. Yes, unfortunately that idea is still being taught. So much of what we call education is simply a teacher parroting what they were taught, so misinformation gets passed down without being questioned. It’s harder to correct misinformation than to learn new information.

Joseph Goebbels, Hitler’s propaganda minister, said that a lie repeated often enough will eventually become presumed to be truth. I once heard a story called the talking duck theory. If your university professor says that ducks cannot talk, you of course believe him. But it only takes listening to one duck talk to make you question the rest of your education.

Let’s just say I’ve listened to a lot of talking ducks the last few years. So much of what I have seen happen on many farms and ranches, including my own, is what I was told was not possible, just like that statement of the impossibility of raising soil organic matter.

On my own farm, I raised my soil organic matter in one field from 1.9 to 8.7 percent in only 15 years.

That is a level higher than native prairie in the area.

Think of the implications of that feat. If that were duplicated on even a fraction of the world’s cropland, we could suck enough carbon dioxide out of the air to completely offset all the additional CO2 added to the atmosphere since the Industrial Revolution begin.

When that statement about the impossibility of raising soil organic matter was first uttered, we were in an era where moldboard plowing and a lengthy fallow period between crops was normal practice. At the time, mycorrhizal fungi were conspicuously absent from cropland and we thought organic matter mostly originated from decaying crop residue. That statement was based on studies in which they added varying amounts of manure to soil and measured the increase in soil organic matter in a cropping system featuring moldboard plowing and a lengthy fallow. It took huge amounts of manure additions in that system to raise organic matter any appreciable amount.

Now we know tillage destroys soil organic matter and we realize that most organic matter arises not

from decaying crop residues but rather from microbes that live on root exudates. We know that mycorrhizal fungi produce the most persistent form of soil organic matter and that fallow will cause a drastic decline in organic matter. If we eliminate moldboard plowing with no-till; replace fallow with cover crops; re-introduce mycorrhizal fungi to our soils; and graze livestock on them to self-spread fresh manure instead of spreading it mechanically; it is amazing what can be done to increase organic matter. A lot has changed in our agronomic practices, but that fallacy of the impossibility of raising soil organic matter persists.

Fertilizer works quite well at increasing yields. Without it we would likely be looking at massive worldwide starvation. But fertilizer comes with an ever-increasing price tag. That’s a problem for all farmers, but particularly for the small landholders who farm ten acres or less but manage 70 percent of the world’s cropland.

— Dale Strickler

realize that they, too, have much to learn. I converse regularly with university professors and there are some brilliant people there; but there are real knotheads as well.

The Land: I mean really, why should I care about this soil health silliness when I can get good yields with fertilizers recommended by my elevator?

Strickler: Ha-ha … good question. Anyone today in a developed country has that option. Don’t misunderstand me, I am not necessarily telling farmers to go cold turkey and forgo fertilizer. Fertilizer works quite well at increasing yields. Without it we would likely be looking at massive worldwide starvation. But fertilizer comes with an ever-increasing price tag.

That’s a problem for all farmers, but particularly for the small landholders who farm ten acres or less but manage 70 percent of the world’s cropland. Also, most of our fertilizer materials are derived from fossil fuels or from mined materials that are finite in nature. We can already see that these materials will one day run out. We will have to find alternate fertility strategies out of necessity.

Finally, we are now discovering the application of water-soluble fertilizers has been suppressing natural mechanisms that would otherwise release fertility from soils at no cost to the farmer. If we learn to harness these mechanisms, fertilizer may become unnecessary.

The Land: Thinking about the value of practical experience, you have a short side bar in your chapter on Minerals called “Seeing is Believing.” It talks about the yield comparison of irrigated corn vs. corn following alfalfa. What did you observe? What was going on in the soil?

Strickler: In the summer of 1993 we had rain all summer with water standing in the fields for weeks on end as adjacent rivers overflowed into neighboring fields. I actually caught some very large fish by chasing them down between corn rows and grabbing them by hand.

The standing water created anaerobic conditions in the soil. In anaerobic soils bacteria strip the oxygen out of nitrate molecules and turn it into gaseous forms of nitrogen that leaves the soil in a process called denitrification.

This was taking place in all the corn fields that received nitrogen fertilizer. That corn was yellow and yielded about 40 percent of normal. But where corn was planted on old alfalfa fields, yields were normal under the same conditions. This is because these

The Land: Those early pages of the book seem like a general critique of college learning and a celebration of practical experience. In fact, you tell readers that your Dad told you that you weren’t smart enough to farm. Is there a place for the University, and University trained agronomists, in this work of regenerating our soils? Who are the leaders? Who should they be?

Strickler: I think the best statement I have heard regarding a university education is that the purpose of an education is not to teach you, but to prepare you to be taught for the rest of your life — and to be your own teacher in that process. If education stops when you walk across the stage in a cap and gown, then you’re not truly educated.

There is absolutely a place for universities in this field. I value the education I received; but it is critical we realize that science is never settled and our ideas change over time. It was once “settled science” that the sun revolved around the earth and the first person to propose otherwise was tortured into retracting his statement.

There is a certain amount of arrogance that often comes with a PhD. That needs to be dispelled and replaced with humility. When I left college with an advanced degree I thought I was pretty much allknowing when it came to agronomy. It took me a lot of humbling experiences to learn how ignorant I was.

There are multiple sources of learning. The university is a valuable one; but it isn’t the only one.

Unfortunately, when a good idea originates outside of a university, there is often an initial rejection to the idea and sometimes even hostility towards it from the anointed experts. A truly educated person will See STRICKLER, pg. 12

THE LAND — NOVEMBER 26/DECEMBER 3, 2021

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

PAGE 9

Water quality certification tops the 800,000 acre mark

By DICK HAGEN prised by the generous yields in many Minnesota landThe Land Staff Writer Emeritus scapes this fall. “Yes, we had some moisture recharge this fall. But I’d like to see some blankets of white Yes, ‘quality’ best describes Minnesota farmers who ground this winter. I credit Minnesota farmers for are awarded the Minnesota Water Quality Certified their unique skills in making the best of questionable Farm designation. Since the program’s launching by weather this season. They adjust as needed. And of the Minnesota Department of Agriculture in 2016, course that’s why I encourage using the MAWQCP to there are now 1,130 Minnesota farms proudly disgauge your progress in protecting water quality while playing the MWQCF designation. saving money and ensuring future generations of Brad Jordahl Redlin, Water Quality Certified Farm dependable food supplies. And that’s why the USDA Program Manager, shared some tidbits on Nov 4 at sets aside a pot of money just for growers in our prothe Minnesota Ag and Food Summit. “We’re at about gram. We have a yearly grant of $5,000 that lets par800,000 acres right now and steadily growing,” he ticipants do ‘quick hitters’ on projects needing immedisaid. “These are folks who are doing just outstanding ate attention. Being flexible and farmers working stewardship of their lands. We are just proud to rectogether with our country SWCD specialists is what ognize them for their efforts in protecting Minnesota makes this work.. And growers very much appreciate lands and streams, rivers and lakes.” being able to take care of this one little nuisance with“Getting certified in the Minnesota Agricultural out the time-consuming Federal process.”

Water Quality Certification Program shows the com“It’s working and I’m loving Minnesota,” says munity we are doing our part to protect our natural Redlin, a native of the wheat, barley and oats farmresources,” say Chuck and Deb Uphoff. ing agriculture of eastern Montana. He admires the Adds Andrew Schock, another certified farmer, “If innovative attitudes of Minnesota farmers plus their Photo by Dick Hagen ‘sustainability credence.’

I’m going to be in business and carry the farm to the next generation, I have to push toward the edge of Brad Jordahl Redlin To learn more about the Minnesota Water Quality excellence in all aspects of farming: farm manage- proud of the teamwork at state, county and local Certified Farm program, visit mda.mawqcp@state. ment, marketing and conservation.”

SWCD’s to make these things happen.” mn.us v MWQCF is a voluntary program. There is no fee to Like all agriculturists, Redlin was somewhat surget certified. It starts by contacting the local county soil and water conservation district office. Explained Redlin, “They will work with you to collect information like field characteristics, nutrient management, tillage practices. Our specialists will even complete online field-by-field water quality risk assessment.

In essence they work with you to identify practices that mitigate water quality risks and make sense for your farm operation.”

Send your letters to: Editor, The Land Participants in the program can even obtain desig418 South Second St., Mankato, MN 56001 nated technical and financial assistance to implee-mail: editor@thelandonline.com ment specific practices that promote water quality.

“MDA helps with funding allocations to cover the All letters must be signed and accompanied by a phone number (not for publication) to verify authenticity. costs of some of these projects,” Redlin said. “I’m very

wants to hear from you!

Letters to the editor are always welcome.

Feeder Wagon Call for Price

PAGE 10

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THE LAND — NOVEMBER 26/DECEMBER 3, 2021

Automated elevator system is in the cards at Herman

By TIM KING the industry and are used at other The Land Correspondent grain elevators.

HERMAN, Minn. — The new 1.4 The RFID card, which is attached million bushel CHS elevator here is to the incoming truck, sends its moving toward readying a highly signal identifying the truck and automated testing and delivery owner. Then an automated grain system which will make life for probe takes a number of samples farmers and elevator staff a lot less from the truck and sends them to stressful during busy harvest seathe office for analysis. Moving forsons. The new elevator, which comward, the truck is weighed and pleted construction in October 2020 directed to proceed to an available and is receiving grain during the dump pit. Before dumping, the 2021 harvest, is an addition to the grain type is automatically verified 2 million bushels of storage at the along with, once again, the truck’s original Herman elevator. identity. Once the grain is dumped, the truck is weighed and identified Changing conditions in agricula final time. ture brought about the need for an elevator expansion in this small Kramer says that the automation west central Minnesota town on system evolved with three goals in the BNSF railroad. “The original mind. elevator in Herman was built dur“First, this creates a more flexiing the 1970s when the majority of ble delivery schedule with our very the crops grown in the area were diverse patron base. Everyone’s small grains,” Jerry Kramer, genschedules are busy, so by providing Photos submitted eral manager for CHS at Herman, a broader delivery period, we allow Automation and the spacious three-truck bay helps drivers move through the unloading process quickly. said. “The transition to primarily our patrons to be more efficient,” he corn and soybean acres — along Tags mounted on grain trailers and RFID key cards are used at checkpoints to ensure grain is being delivsaid. “The second goal is to provide ered to the right dump pit and credited to the correct customer account.

Systems are in place to call out with improved seed genetics resultour employees with a better workinconsistent data. ing in increased yields — had a big life balance. The ability to receive impact on the need for increased storage capacity. operating, delivery of grain goes more quickly and grain without employees always on-site allows greatSimultaneously, the increased harvest speed of area CHS says they can receive and store grain more straer opportunity for staff to have more flexible schedulfarmers and increasing technology made the existing tegically. ing than is currently available in a nights-weekendselevator less able to provide the delivery speed and holidays industry like agriculture.”

“This new facility adds three additional high-speed experience our customers expect.” dump pits to the two existing pits. Along with the “Safety is a core value and strategic focus of CHS,” Now, with the extra capacity from both elevators added storage capacity and latest technology, all conKramer went on to say, “and these automation capatribute to being better able to serve our patrons,” bilities continue to evolve a safe working environON THE COVER: The new grain elevator in Herman, Minn., Kramer said. “The increase in dump pits, offering ment, which is our third goal. Grain employees can has 1.4 million bushels of upright storage with three dump pits three delivery bays, and faster receiving speed at up put in long shifts — such as during train loading and capable of receiving grain at 75,000 bushels per hour. to 75,000 bushels an hour all work towards creating harvest — which can lead to fatigue and increased Behind the scenes, the elevator has been automated to allow a more efficient delivery process.” risk of injury. Automated delivery allows for some for delivery any time day or night.

Combined, the two CHS elevators in Herman now needed time off for employees during these peak seahave five dump pits with receiving capacity over sons. That will reduce fatigue and accident risk without slowing or stopping grain deliveries for our cus100,000 bushels per hour. tomers.”

One of the automated features at the elevator is an Although the new and expanded elevator at RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) card which Herman has been taking grain since October of last uses a tiny radio transponder on an incoming load to EARLY DEADLINE year, the fully automated system has not been made communicate with the elevator. available to the public yet.

Deadline for Dec. 24, 2021issue The RFID card, which is about the size of a credit is Tues., Dec. 14th at noon.

“The system was in development after the physical card, contains information about the customer who is hauling grain — including their personal or business structure was finalized,” Kramer said. “It was sucname, truck license number, and number of axles on cessfully used during test deliveries in August 2021; Deadline for Dec. 31, 2021issue but, due to the timing of 2021 harvest and ongoing the truck. is Tues., Dec. 21st at noon. refinements, the automated delivery system has “This card is an interface with our accounting sys- been used only for internal deliveries using CHS tem and an important part of what allows us to be trucks with RFID cards. Once it’s tested by a pilot fully automated throughout our system,” Kramer group of farmers, it is expected to be available for use Deadline for Jan. 7, 2022 issue said. “We do not need one of our employees to enter by area farmers following this year’s harvest.” is Tues., Dec. 28th at noon. farmer information, as it’s automatically entered Once that happens, farmers and CHS staff at when the card is read.”

Due to the Holidays, THE LAND office will be closed Herman can look forward to even more efficient and Kramer points out that RFID cards are not new to less stressful grain handling. on Friday, Dec. 24th and Monday, Jan. 3rd, 2022. v

THE LAND Christmas & New Year

THE LAND — NOVEMBER 26/DECEMBER 3, 2021

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

PAGE 11

Custom combine cleaning service is seed dealer’s perk

By DICK HAGEN tives to further assist in reducing crop The Land Staff Writer Emeritus production expenses. “Helping growers be more profitable is always the OLIVIA, Minn. — On the morning goal,” she stressed. of Nov. 9, I motored north on Renville County Road 21 about for about five Back to this custom combine cleanmiles. I was looking for combines. ing service, Brad related, “Each fall after harvest I would hire Norm’s And there they were: red ones and Repair Service in Montevideo to come green ones, parked conveniently at out clean my machine, adjust and the edge of a large harvested soybean make repairs as needed. Soon a few field waiting for their ‘dust down’ so of my customers where asking about to speak. I was at the Brad and Julie this same service. So that’s how it Link farm, a veteran corn/soybean Photos by Dick Hagen operation of about 1,000 acres. Brad Fourteen combines lined up to have crop debris blown out from every nook and cranny of the big started. This three-man crew cleaning is also a long-time Legend seed deal- machines. Brad Link provides the free service for seed customers. Link anticipates his crew will ser- our combines does about 100 combines each season.” er. vice 100 combines this fall.

“Then we started hearing feedback A few years ago, Brad hired a firm from machinery dealer mechanics using high-pressure air hoses to clean saying, ‘Hey, we appreciate the cleanup his combine after harvest. A neighup work you are doing. It’s a time and bor stopped, asking Brad if he’d do labor saver in our own shops. Our the same for his rig? Brad is a kindly, mechanics appreciate this service.’ I courteous guy. And he knows the used to say, ‘Do you want your free value of being a good neighbor. jacket or your combine cleaned?’ I Yep, that neighbor’s combine showed don’t bother with that question anyup at Brad’s farm and it got cleaned more,” smiled Brad. spick and span. Then Brad wondered, In fact, now when harvest gets in ”Why not consider this as a custom gear, Brad’s customers are texting service to my customers?” him — asking when does combine cleaning start and issues.”

But wonder no longer. Fourteen wanting to be on that list again. combines were sitting there when I As China hopefully continues to be a major buyer This is a totally free service with even a few more pulled up at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday of U. S. corn and soybeans, production costs for treats too … like a customer appreciation supper in morning; Brad said another dozen farmers have ramped up considerably for the 2022 August.

“We do all the seed treatments right here at would be on deck Wednesday. season. Hansen said Legend Seeds is adjusting to this new economy. “We, like other seed companies, See COMBINE CLEANING, pg. 16 And I’m certain I was viewing the had to make some adjustments,” she admitted. first custom combine cleaning ser“Seed production costs are trending upwards. vice in the state of Minnesota! We However, our sales also continue upwards. Quality adjourned to Brad’s farm shop, a Brad Link dealers providing the best service and quality prodspacious layout with a generous table (coffee and sweet rolls conveniently accessible) ucts is our future. And Brad Link is a perfect for a Q & A session. Also present was Kelsey Hansen, example of such.”

Legend Accounts Manager living at Gibbon.

So now a few words from Brad Link: Said Brad, “Legend started about 31 years ago in DeSmet, S.D. I asked Hansen what she thought

by Glen and Janet Davis. Today they are probably of Brad’s unique customer service. the third largest independent seed company in “I think it’s absolutely amazing,” Saturday 9 am - 5pm America … and 100 percent employee-owned (about Hansen exclaimed. “I’ve never 100 employees currently).” heard of such. It’s most impressive; Sunday 10am - 3pm undoubtedly Brad’s customers are Brad is also a seed grower for Legend. Soybean thankful indeed. Looks to me he’s seed is grown by Legend dealers and/or customers grandfathered something unique in Minnesota, North and South Dakota, and 400 South State Street, Fairmont, MN within our company. This definite- Kelsey Hansen Wisconsin. Corn seed is processed at Platville, Wis. ly jumps above and beyond the

by Grower’s Alliance. Market geography of Legend Farm Toys, Cars, Trucks usual dealer chores.”

Seeds today is basically the Dakotas, Minnesota, & Various Collectibles Corn and soybean seed are benchmarks of Legend Wisconsin and Michigan, plus northern Iowa and Seeds; but Hanson stressed the company offers more. eastern Nebraska.

For more information, contact: “We also have conventional seed products, silage A new addition is the recent startup of their own Jim Mealman 507-381-8235 products and assist with marketing outlets of the biological company called Yield Master Solutions. (leave a message please) production from these conventional fields also. These Yield Master offers seed treatment packages such as newer trends in seed offerings are showing up every- a nitrogen fixating product which portends lower where these days … generated I suspect by the ongo- rates of applied nitrogen and cheaper fertility expensing consumers changes in their health and taste es. Hanson also mentioned a couple of soybean addi-

FAIRMONT

TOY SHOW December 11 & 12, 2021 Five Lakes Centre

PAGE 12

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

THE LAND — NOVEMBER 26/DECEMBER 3, 2021

Higher exports drive up propane price here at home

By TIM KING The Land Correspondent INVER GROVE HEIGHTS, Minn. — In midOctober, corn in central Minnesota was coming into the elevators drier than normal; and, as a result, farmers weren’t feeling the bite of rising costs for propane for drying the harvest.

“The crop is very dry this year so little propane is being used by farmers for drying,” Jim Hlatky, the General Manager of Pro Ag Farmers Cooperative in Parkers Prairie, Minn. said. “It’s maybe 20 percent of normal. The bigger issues are lack of access to pipeline supplies and that we are now a net exporter of propane overseas.”

Pro Ag has elevators in a number of communities in Todd, Douglas and Ottertail counties in central Minnesota. CHS, based in Inver Grove Heights, is a propane supplier to Pro Ag. Dennis St. Aubin, the CHS Director of Propane Sales and Marketing, agrees with Hlatky’s analysis.

St. Aubin says a high percentage of propane inventories are stored in underground caverns throughout the United States.

“It used to be that inventories of propane were built up during the summer when demand was low and drawn down in the winter when demand increased,” he said. “That has changed as markets for plastics

and other petrochemical products in Asia, as well as heating demand in Europe, have turned to propane as a reliable feedstock. Propane isn’t the only feedstock, but is currently the most affordable.”

As a result of the changing market, several large export terminals have been built in the Gulf of Mexico and on both coastlines over the last decade. If prices in the United States are low, propane which would have been used to build up inventories for winter heating use has been shipped overseas in an effort for producers to capture highest return on this commodity.

St. Aubin said that CHS is paying producers about three times as much for propane this year as they did last year. His experience is reflected across the country, according to a report from the U.S. Energy Information Administration.

“Propane markets are experiencing low inventory levels and high prices heading into the winter heating season. As of Oct. 1, wholesale propane spot prices at the Mont Belvieu hub, near Houston, were up $1.00 per gallon (204 percent) from the same time in 2020.” the EIA wrote in its Winter Fuels Outlook released on Oct. 13. “U.S. propane (including propylene) inventories were 72.3 million barrels on Oct. 1, or 20 percent less than the five-year average and 29 percent less than at the same time last year.”

The EIA pointed out that propane exports increased by 13 percent last year. reaching record levels of exports. The Agency predicts retail propane will increase by 65 percent a gallon in the Midwest this winter, making it the biggest price increase since 2013-14 heating season.

“The U.S. propane market has tightened because of the increase in exports, and wholesale U.S. propane prices have risen in line with wholesale propane prices in overseas markets. U.S. exports of propane during the first half of 2021 accounted for 60 percent of total U.S. propane demand when we combine domestic consumption and exports, up from 58 percent in the first half of 2020. We forecast that net exports of HGLs from the United States will remain high through the end of the year and then gradually decline as OPEC+ crude oil production rises, resulting in increased global production of associated propane and other natural gas plant liquids,” the EIA wrote.

“I’m afraid the days of propane being under a dollar are done,” Hlatky said.

Dennis St. Aubin, at CHS, recommends that farmers visit with their local propane retailer during the summer and early fall months to let them know what anticipated needs will be and to see what programs they have to assist farmers. v

Book details Strickler’s ‘screw-ups’ to help other farmers

STRICKLER, from pg. 8 fields had an abundance of protein from the decaying alfalfa residue and the microbial breakdown of that protein released nitrogen in plant available forms throughout the year, slowly over time and in synchrony with plant demands.

Protein does not turn into gaseous forms and leave the soil in flooded conditions nearly as readily as nitrogen derived from synthetic sources. The lesson here is that by creating a system of farming in which the nitrogen needs of a crop are met by decaying protein rather than synthetic nitrogen, we can create a more weatherproof system.

The Land: In your book you ask, “how will we grow crops in the future without the synthetic fertilizers on which we’ve become dependent?” How would you answer your own question? Do you actually think that’s possible?

Strickler: It is quite possible. Biological processes can release fertility from soil particles and pull nitrogen from the atmosphere to create fertility — if we can create a soil microbiological population sufficient enough. We know that. It occurs all the time in natural ecosystems.

The bigger questions, however, are: How do we need to change our management in agricultural soil to build this type of microbiology? How long will it take to build it to sufficient levels to provide all of our soil fertility?

And finally, how do we do this without going broke in

the meantime? Those are the questions to which I have no answers; just educated guesses and what I feel are good plans to achieve that kind of biology.

The fate of the human race literally depends on us figuring these processes out.

The Land: The more I page through your book the more it gets me to thinking. There’s a lot of information. How would you suggest readers with a growing interest in soil health use your book?

Strickler: I would start with the table of contents, then move to the chapter summaries. Skim the illus-

trations and the photos and read the stories in the sidebars. Then dive into the pages that pique your interest.

Probably the best stories are the ones in which I talk about some of the bigger screw-ups I made on my farm and explain how the reader can avoid making those same mistakes.

“The Complete Guide to Restoring Your Soil” is available at garden centers and bookstores; or visit https://www.storey.com/books/the-complete-guide-torestoring-your-soil/ v

Emerald ash borer spread continues ST. PAUL — The Minnesota Department of Agriculture has confirmed emerald ash borer in Nicollet and Redwood counties.

An MDA employee noticed ash trees with signs of EAB at Sailors and Soldiers Memorial Park Campground in Sanborn, Redwood County, and across the Minnesota River from New Ulm in Lafayette Township, Nicollet County. Both sites are less than 10 miles from previously confirmed EAB infestations.

Virtual informational meetings are scheduled for Dec. 15 at 10-11 a.m. and a second from 6:30-7:30 p.m. Register at www.mda.state.mn.us/eab.

The public will also have an opportunity to provide

input on the proposal to add Nicollet and Redwood counties to the state formal quarantine. The MDA is taking comments now through Jan. 6. The proposed quarantine language can be found at www.mda.state.mn.us/eab.

Comments can be made during the virtual meeting or by contacting Kimberly Thielen Cremers, Minnesota Department of Agriculture, 625 Robert St. N., St. Paul, MN 55155; or via email at kimberly.tcremers@state.mn.us There is more EAB information on the MDA website at www.mda.state.mn.us/eab.

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

THE LAND — NOVEMBER 26/DECEMBER 3, 2021

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

PAGE 13

FFA President Matejka excited about the future’s potential

By DICK HAGEN The Land Staff Writer Emeritus MINNEAPOLIS — Meet Minnesota’s State FFA President.

Her name is Emily Matejka. “I’m a sophomore at South Dakota State University majoring in Ag Communications,” she said. “My ambitions are to continue an agricultural career — be that in mar- Emily Matejka keting, ag economics, communications. I’m not really certain at this stage. Suffice to say, I am rapidly learning that American agriculture is an ever-expanding dimension.”

Matejka admitted she was pleased to hear membership in FFA is growing. “The past two years we’ve seen the second-largest membership growth of any state in America. We were previously around that 10,000-11,000 mark, but we’ve now jumped to just over 12,600 members. Partly that’s because we’ve sprouted about nine new FFA chapters in the state.

And that stems from the growing desire for continuing education in our society as a whole.”

Matejka credits existing ag instructors for much of the growth. “Plus I sense more and more FFA alumni want to see younger folks in their communities learn-

ing about agriculture and the exciting careers ahead in many, many different fields of work,” she said.

“Plus, it is really gratifying to see the added push from communities themselves — sensing the positive growth for their entire community if a vocational agriculture program becomes part of their local community school. It’s exciting what’s happening.”

With a couple of years left before graduating from college, Matejka isn’t making any plans for a graduate program. “At this time I’m possibly looking into it,” she admitted. “But I’m eagerly seeing how the rest of my Bachelor’s degree here at SDSU concurs.

I’d love to jump right into my career — whatever that might be. We’ll just have to wait and see where the future takes me.”

While still in high school, Matejka’s Supervised Agricultural Experince project focused on agri-business; so she was employed at her local hardware store in Trimont. “That project entailed logging all the hours worked, all the special education that I learned through product knowledge I gained.

Through that I was able to work myself up for Proficiency Application. That tagged along with my state degree application rewarded me with the ‘State Star in Business Degree’ at our recent Minnesota State FFA convention.

I commented Matejka sounded like a Dutch origin name; but she corrected me. “It’s Czechoslovakian … a European, Polish, Czech denomination I’m told. My family name goes back five or six generations and we still have some family with the home country.”

Recently home from the November National FFA Convention in Kansas City, Matejka reported 60,000 registered for that final session — an incredible twoday event bursting with the pride of thousands of American young guys and young gals choosing to enrich their lives with the leadership training inherent in FFA events across America. “It is an awesome experience for any and all who attend,” claimed Matejka. “I am so proud to be a part of our Minnesota delegation.”

Obviously, the future will be potentially huge for this young lady … generous in demeanor yet disciplined in achieving further accomplishments. And how about a job in Washington D.C.? “Yes,” Matejka confessed, “I’ve thought about that just a bit. I’m convinced FFA has given, and continues to give me, an exciting future. And I will do my best to earn it with dignity and appreciation for the gifts of my parents, my fellow students, my good Lord, and the thousands of friends continually adding zest into being an American.” v

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

Dec. 4 — Christmas in the Village — Montevideo, Minn. — Artisan booths, bake sale, old-fashioned radio show and a visit from Santa. Contact the Chippewa County Historical Society at chippewahistory@outlook.com or (320) 269-7636.

Dec. 7 — Annual GrainVantage Meeting — Online — Gain insights into ag policy, learn about supply chain happenings in fertilizer and an update on carbon marketplace. Contact compeer.com/grainvantage or call (844-426-6733.

Dec. 7-9 — Crop and Pest Managment Shortcourse — Minneapolis, Minn. — Trade show and sessions including corn rootworm, chlorpyrifos replacements, waterhemp control, gall midge and soybean agronomics. Visit https://mcpr-cca.org/ for more information.

Dec. 8 —Farmland Rental Workshop — Litchfield, Minn. — Topics include local historic and projected farmland rental rate trends, current farmland values and sales, and a worksheet that will help determine a fair rental agreement. Contact Dave Bau at bauxx003@umn.edu or (507) 360-0664.

Dec. 8 —Farmland Rental Workshop — Olivia, Minn. — Contact Dave Bau at bauxx003@umn.edu

or (507) 360-0664.

Dec. 9 — Agricultural Market Situation and Outlook Webinar — Online — Hear from North Dakota State University Extension economics specialists on a variety of timely issues related to agricultural markets.

Contact david.ripplinger@ndsu.edu.

Dec. 10 — Crop Management Input Seminar — Hutchinson, Minn. — Topics include weed control; improving fertilizer return on investment; managing corn rootworm; and markets. Contact Karen Johnson at ande9495@umn.edu or (320) 484-4303 Dec. 11 — FEAST! Festival — Rochester, Minn. — 100 regional food businesses on display. Most use locally-grown ingredients. Contact Elena Byrne at elena@rtcinfo.org or (608) 712-8340 Dec. 11 — Dairy Goat Management Program — Orange City, Iowa — Program will focus on dairy goat housing and ventilation, milking equipment maintenance, milk quality and milk efficiency. Contact Fred Hall at fredhall@iastate.edu or (712) 737-4230.

Dec. 14 & 15 — Soil Management Summit — Mankato, Minn. — The Summit features presentations and Q&A sessions with researchers, farmers and agricultural advisors, information from sponsors and conversations with farmers experienced in different soil health practices. Contact Jodi DeJong-Hughes at dejon003@umn.edu

Jan. 21 & 22 —Farm Couple Retreat — Faribault, Minn. — Learn about creative communication skills, personality differences, and resources to help each couple reach their goals and attain better management of the stresses of farming and family relationships. Learn how to communicate with your partner and children more effectively and enjoy a mini-vacation as a couple from the farm. Contact Leah M Bischof at leahbischof@gmail.com or (320) 4290611.

Jan. 21 & 22 — Practical Farmers of Iowa annual conference — Ames, Iowa — 61 sessions featuring farmers as presenters discussing organic field crops, small grains, horticulture, livestock and on-farm habitat. Contact Tamsyn Jones at tamsyn@practicalfarmers.org or (515) 232-5661.

Feb. 4 & 5 — Farm Couple Retreat — St. Cloud, Minn. — Contact Leah M Bischof at leahbischof@ gmail.com or (320) 429-0611.

Feb. 11 & 12 — Farm Couple Retreat — Thief River Falls, Minn. — Contact Leah M Bischof at leahbischof@gmail.com or (320) 429-0611.

Feb. 15 & 16 — 2022 Minnesota Pork Congress — Mankato, Minn. — The state’s largest swine-specific trade show features exhibits, seminars and networking. Contact Lauren at lauren@mnpork.com.

PAGE 14

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

THE LAND — NOVEMBER 26/DECEMBER 3, 2021

Labor, port shortages expected to continue into 2022 This column was written for the marketing week ending Nov. 24.

I hope you had a blessed Thanksgiving. One of my frequent prayers is “Lord, grace me with an attitude of gratitude.” We all have had our News and information for Minnesota and Northern Iowa dairy producers share of trials and challenges the last two years, but Thanksgiving must remain a part of our psyche. before during the month of October. month in a row. Prior to September, that hadn’t hapMIELKE MARKET pened since June 2019.

WEEKLY This year’s feast was an expensive The “other” cheese category slipped to one however, as costs were up about 14 584.2 million pounds.

This is down 7.7 milThe Oct. 31 butter inventory fell to 281.5 million

By Lee Mielke percent according to National Farm lion pounds or 1.3 percent from September, pounds, down 42.9 million or 13.2 percent from Bureau. Dairy economist Bill Brooks, but was 19.1 million or 3.4 percent above a September and is 18.2 million or 6.1 percent below with Missouri-based Stoneheart Consulting, blamed year ago. a year ago. The September count was revised down the turkey in the Nov. 29 “Dairy Radio Now” broad5.7 million pounds from last month’s data.

The total cheese inventory stood at 1.45 billion cast. Costs were up some 24 percent from a year pounds, down 6.6 million pounds or 0.5 percent from U.S. butter production was down 1.7 percent in ago, he said, and pie crust was next — as wheat September, but a whopping 109.9 million or 8.2 per- August and down 4.9 percent in September, as milk prices shot higher due to production shortfalls. cent above October 2020. was diverted from the churn to the vat.

Dairy product costs were up slightly, Brooks said, n but weren’t leading the charge, and still provided a lot of value to the food budget.

Cash dairy prices at the Chicago Mercantile Demand for some retail and food Exchange didn’t see a lot of change in the shortened Brooks expects food inflation to continue “for a service cheesemakers has eased Thanksgiving holiday week. There wasn’t a lot for while,” due to production shortfalls and transportasomewhat in recent weeks. traders to feed on in the three days of trading, other tion issues — which includes energy costs. “We’ve Contacts were not overly concerned than Monday’s Cold Storage report. all seen it at the gas pump. Energy costs affect because it gives them time to catch everything that we do,” Brooks said.

After gaining 27.25 cents in the previous two up on back orders. Some opine that weeks, the 40-pound cheddar blocks held steady at Dairy stocks are well supplied; and while butter cheese market tones are on “shaky $1.8575 per pound. This is unchanged in the three exports have helped support domestic prices (as ground,” citing the block-barrel days of trading and 17.75 cents above a year ago. international prices are well above ours), Brooks price gap being atypically large. says the increased cheese output we have seen The 500-pound barrels closed Nov. 24 at $1.525, doesn’t bode well for helping milk prices. That spells up a half-cent on the week, 10.25 cents above a year Looking back, milk output in August was up just concern for a cost price squeeze on dairy farmers ago, but 33.25 cents below the blocks. Only one car 0.6 percent while cheese output was up 4.4 percent. of barrel was sold on the week. dealing with slightly higher milk prices vs. rapidly September milk was unchanged while cheese output increasing input costs going into 2022.

Cheese plant managers reported variant milk was up 3.3 percent. n availability in their respective areas, according to HighGround Dairy concludes, “Until shipping Dairy Market News. Some said they received no disThe October Milk Production report lit a shortlanes open up for more expanded access to export; counted milk offers ahead of the holiday, while othlived fire under cheese prices the Thursday and ers saw loads from Class to $2 under early in the Friday before Thanksgiving; but this week’s October and more important, labor challenges improve to allow converting facilities to maximize their output, week. Managers had to process the extra milk, Cold Storage report pretty much put the fire out. expect range bound cheese markets through the end working with limited staff through the holiday American-type cheese stocks climbed to 845.6 mil- of 2021 and potentially spilling over to the first few weekend. lion pounds. This is up 1.5 million pounds or 0.2 months of 2022.”

Demand for some retail and food service cheesepercent from September, and a hefty 89.4 million The story was a little more encouraging on butter makers has eased somewhat in recent weeks. pounds or 11.8 percent above those a year ago. as stocks fell for the fourth consecutive month and Contacts were not overly concerned because it gives HighGround Dairy says American stocks hit their remained below those a year ago for the second See MIELKE, pg. 15 highest point in 2021, which has never happened

IDF launches 15th edition of Animal Health Report The International Dairy Federation recently cators for mastitis and udder health, biosecurity and released its 15th edition of the Animal Health Report milk quality.

2021 which is available to download for free on the This edition of the Animal Health Report is also a IDF website. reminder that dairy production looks very different The yearly edition is dedicated to animal health across our global member countries, and just like the and welfare and illustrates the importance of ade- challenge of feeding our growing world population, quate animal care of dairy animals for sustainable there is no one size fits all dairy production system. production. The 15th edition will dive into key top- The report will pinpoint countries from various conics such as the power of the welfare language, cooling tinents like Nigeria, New Zealand, Chile, Israel, as dairy cattle and providing appropriate shelter, indi- well as across the EU, and what we can learn from

their solutions to track mastitis and milk quality, biosecurity, disease detection and antimicrobial use and resistance. There is also a special chapter on antimicrobial use in animals by the OIE and another one of the SDGs and animal welfare.

The report is now available to download from the IDF website: https://fil-idf.org/publications/.

This article was submitted by the International Dairy Federation. v

www.thelandonline.comMILKER’S — “WhereMESSAGE Farm and Family Meet”

THE LAND — NOVEMBER 26/DECEMBER 3, 2021

PAGE 15

Butter makers eye cream shortages for holiday demand MIELKE, from pg. 14

producers were utilizing available milk supplies to run busy schedules, though some were running them time to catch up on back orders. Some opine below capacity due to short staffing. that cheese market tones are on “shaky ground,” citThankfully, ocean freight rates are declining, ing the block-barrel price gap being atypically large. according to the Nov. 19 Dairy and Food Market They also contend that producers are inclined to Analyst, and at the lowest level since August due to offer loads at lower prices due to the increasing slowing export volumes out of China. costs of transport. n Demand for cheese at retail and food service remains strong in the West. Cheese prices are favorSpot butter backed down from its $2 per pound able to international purchasers who continue to plus level in the shortened week, closing Nov. 24 at look to the United States to meet current market $1.99. This is down 5.75 cents on the short week, demand. The ongoing truck driver shortage in the but 63 cents above a year ago. There were three region was causing delays, while export loads were sales reported for the week. facing further delays due to on-going port congesButter plant managers were securing cream at tion. holiday level prices early in the week as questions Strong international demand and tight spot avail- arose as to whether cream would be available. ability for blocks have reportedly worked to push Contacts said some plants would be near capacity block prices higher. Contrary to what the Cold heading into the weekend so churns may be busier Storage report showed nationally, Western cheese than expected into the following week. Demand stocks are tight as purchasers continue to gobble up tones are “steadily hearty” says Dairy Market News, loads to meet increased holiday demand. Cheese and contacts expect that to remain into mid-Decem-

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Cream availability was mixed in the West, though contacts said enough is available to meet current needs. Demand for cream is strong throughout the region, though some loads were reportedly facing delays due to the continuing shortage of truck drivers. Retail butter demand is trending upwards as consumers prepare for the holidays. Food service demand is steady and contacts report strong purchasing for export. Spot butter availability is tight. Delayed deliveries of production supplies and labor shortages are causing some butter makers to run below capacity, according to Dairy Market News.

Grade A nonfat dry milk closed Nov. 24 at $1.5625 per pound. This is up three-quarter cents on the week and 46.75 cents above a year ago, with seven sales reported.

Weaker powder output from all three key global exporting regions coupled with persistent demand from many parts of the world is what is supporting See MIELKE, pg. 16

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

THE LAND — NOVEMBER 26/DECEMBER 3, 2021

Floods are crippling Washington State and British Columbia MIELKE, from pg. 15 prices, according to HighGround Dairy’s analysis.

CME dry whey held at 70 cents per pound for five consecutive sessions, 27 cents above Thanksgiving week a year ago, with only one sale reported on the week. n In trade news, China’s October import volumes were mixed and mostly below a year ago, according to HighGround Dairy, although China forward purchased its needs earlier.

Whole milk powder imports totaled 71.9 million pounds, down 10.4 percent from a year ago, though year-to-date imports are up 38.9 percent.

HighGround Dairy attributes the smaller purchase to less availability from New Zealand.

Skim milk powder totaled 72 million pounds, up 28.4 percent from a year ago, with year-to-date up 33.7 percent. HighGround Dairy says the largest increase was from Sweden, followed by France and the United States.

Whey product imports amounted to 110.1 million pounds, down 9.7 percent from 2020, but year-todate imports are up 25.1 percent.

HighGround Dairy says the data is measured against a strong prior year with volumes still well above the prior five-year average for this time of year. The United States held the strongest market share at 47 percent.

Butter imports totaled 11.7 million pounds, up 18.7 percent from a year ago, with year-to-date up 21.7 percent. Cheese imports, at 17.5 million pounds, were down 5.3 percent, but year-to-date is

up 38.3 percent. n Dairy cow culling fell from the previous month and was below a year ago in October, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s latest Livestock Slaughter report. The data shows an estimated 256,200 head were sent to slaughter under federal inspection in October, down 8,400 from September and 2,800 or 1.1 percent below October 2020. Culling in the 10-month period totaled 2.59 million head, up 32,600 or 1.3 percent from a year ago.

The Washington State Dairy Federation reports 1,200 homes were damaged in border town Sumas and 75 percent of businesses and homes were damaged in Everson. Dairies were completely flooded, livestock was lost, cattle stranded, and workers were unable to reach farms. A local feed plant was left inoperable.

The USDA’s latest Crop Progress report shows 95 percent of U.S. corn is harvested as of the week ending Nov. 21. This is down from 97 percent a year ago, but 3 percent ahead of the five-year average.

Soybeans were at 95 percent harvested, down 3 percent from a year ago, and 1 percent behind the fiveyear average. n

Recovery continues in the Pacific Northwest and lower mainland of British Columbia, Canada where historic flooding took a huge toll on people and animals. The Nov. 19 Dairy and Food Market Analyst reported 75 percent of British Columbia’s milk production was stranded for several days because of the floods, according to the British Columbia Dairy Association.

“The provincial marketing board has been working to return to normal operations, but the flood destroyed infrastructure, including road access between farms and plants,” the Analyst stated.

“British Columbian dairy farmers produce about 5.0 million pounds of milk per day. Local officials estimated the dairy cow death toll totaled 2,000 head.”

The Washington State Dairy Federation reports 1,200 homes were damaged in border town Sumas and 75 percent of businesses and homes were damaged in Everson. Dairies were completely flooded, livestock was lost, cattle stranded, and workers were unable to reach farms. A local feed plant was left inoperable.

“Supply chains were further troubled by 15 breaks in the BNSF rail line and conditions are worse in Canada,” says the Federation. “More than 100,000 milking cows, additional dry cows, and young stock were at risk of running short of feed.”

Contributions can sent to the Washington State Dairy Federation, with checks marked “emergency fund.” Mail to P.O. Box 1768, Elma, WA 98541.

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

Strong yields keep Link’s customers coming back

COMBINE CLEANING, from pg. 11 our farm shop. And in two weeks we’ll be having a big pancake breakfast feed out here too. Obviously customers are the bread and butter of my dealership.

So this is our thank you to them. Wives are welcome too and that’s why ‘seed talk’ is minimized. But I’m also aware some farm wives are tuning in to this genetic and biodiversity chatter too. Perhaps they too want to better understand the turmoil of this exciting profession called farming. And we are grateful indeed,” sums up Brad.

And despite the drought-related stress conditions of this 2021 growing season, is Brad satisfied — yes even surprised with his yields? “Tremendously pleased how the Lord has favored us again this year.

We had some timely rains and lots of growing degree days this season. I feel confident this was my best year ever with soybeans … and maybe so with our corn yields too. I am humbled … and blessed indeed.”

For Brad Link, that means lots of 70-plus bushel soybeans and even 250-plus yields on some corn. “We

just yesterday hauled 10,000 bushels of seed beans to Finish Line Seeds (formerly Ziller Seeds) in Bird Island. Weights on corn have been amazing … lots of 60-plus pound corn. Sometimes when you market a bin, low test weight knocks you with fewer bushels than expected. Not so this year.”

So does Brad now get 100 percent of his customer’s total seed needs? One would think so in view of his tremendous services.

But he’s also a realist. ”It’s only human nature to try a few bushels of Brand X. Well okay then, 90 percent with us and 10 percent something else. We keep growing and that tells me field performance is still the determiner.”

Brad starts seed deliveries in March — either bagged or boxed (50 units per box). He and his wife Julie start seed treatments also in March. And bulk deliveries are definitely the trend with soybeans.

Brad turned 50 a few years back. “I don’t even want to slow down,” he claimed. “We’re having a good time. Despite the many political shenanigans in America these days, I’m a firm believer in the future of the U.S.A. And though not a doctor, a few words with God each day is always good medicine too!” v It takes about one hour to blow clean all of the nooks and crannies of a smaller combine and 90 minutes for the bigger rigs.

THE LAND — NOVEMBER 26/DECEMBER 3, 2021

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

PAGE 17

MARKETING

Grain Outlook

Wheat market up, corn along for the ride The following marketing analysis is for the week ending Nov. 24.

CORN — This week’s article only covers through Nov. 24 due to the Thanksgiving holiday. The market was open for a short session on Nov. 25, but I opted to take a long weekend.

The markets headed into the holiday week with a bang, led by the wheat markets! Chicago wheat rallied to nine-year highs!

Corn was pulled along despite the strongest U.S. dollar in 16 months and little news of its own to drive prices. March corn pushed out of its recent range to the upside the day before PHYLLIS NYSTROM CHS Hedging Inc. Thanksgiving, but was unable to St. Paul close there. The March corn had been confined from $5.73.5 to $5.89.5 since Nov. 11 but surged to $5.96.75 before fading into the holiday. This was its highest level since mid-August when it hit $5.99.75 per bushel.

Ethanol margins continue to be strong and support domestic demand. Weekly export inspections were disappointing at 24.3 million bushels and the lowest in nine weeks. Cumulative inspections are down 18.2 percent from last year when the U.S. Department of Agriculture is forecasting year-on-year exports to be down just 9.2 percent. China has 433 million bushels of unshipped corn on the books compared to 322.8 million bushels left last year by this date. The only fresh export sale announcement was 3.9 million bushels to Mexico in routine business. Weekly export sales were not reported until the day after Thanksgiving.

Much of the corn action was attributed to the soaring wheat markets. Excessive rain in Australia has delayed their harvest and thrown quality into uncertainty. In the next week, eastern Australia may receive another 4 to 5 inches of rain. Low protein is now a risk as well as lower production. Dryness in the U.S. Plains is being monitored.

Political tensions are rising between Ukraine and Russia as Russia builds up troops along the border.

Declining soft red winter wheat production is expected after a wet eastern soybean harvest (wheat is planted on soybean acres in many cases). Canada is battling logistical issues due to flooding.

Cash Grain Markets

corn/change* soybeans/change* St. Cloud $5.47 -.04 $11.82 -.39 Madison $5.53 -.04 $11.92 -.36 Redwood Falls $5.58 -.03 $11.97 -.34 Fergus Falls $5.52 -.04 $11.87 -.34 Morris $5.52 -.04 $11.92 -.34 Tracy $5.52 -.07 $11.84 -.46 Average:

$5.52

$11.89

Year Ago Average: $3.81 $10.98 Grain prices are effective cash close on Nov. 30. *Cash grain price change represents a two-week period.

Ukraine this week raised their corn production estimate for this year to a record 40 million metric tons compared to 37.1 mmt previously. The USDA is projecting their crop at 38 mmt. The Ukraine corn harvest is 80 percent complete.

High input costs have traders watching for signs that corn acres may fall more than expected this coming spring; or that less fertilizer may translate into lower yields. In the end, we will likely see erratic markets into the end of the year as we enter the holiday season.

Futures will need help from South American weather, export demand, wheat prices, and/or the U.S. dollar to make the next leg higher. Limiting the short-term downside is good domestic demand, strong wheat prices, and a long way to go before the crop is better defined in South America. March corn’s first resistance is $6.00 per bushel, which it hasn’t traded above since July 2. First support is in the $5.75 area, then closer to $5.60 per bushel.

December 2022 corn made a new contract high at $5.65 per bushel this week.

SOYBEANS — Soybeans made a move higher to begin the week before settling into consolidationtype trade. January soybeans have been trapped within the Nov. 17 range of $12.50.75 to $12.89.25 per bushel.

Weather in South America has been a non-event, but possible dryness in Argentina and southern Brazil bears monitoring. The welcome rain which has been received in Argentina is being used to get the crop in and up; but any prolonged period of dryness may quickly translate into talk of a smaller crop.

The USDA announced the sale of 12.1 million bushels of soybeans to unknown and 30,000 metric tons of soyoil to India in its daily flashes this week. Weekly export inspections were 61.9 million bushels, as expected, but were the lowest in seven weeks. China has 231.5 million bushels of outstanding U.S. soybean purchases vs. 422.5 million bushels left to ship last year by this date. Weekly export sales were released after this writing.

In the first three days of the holiday week, meal closed lower every day and soyoil closed higher every day.

The shortage of the livestock feed additive lysine had pushed meal higher before we saw a pullback in the shortened holiday week. If the United States ran out of lysine, it could increase meal usage by 50 percent. But that would be a worst-case scenario according to a news article quoting a swine nutritionist.

The supply of dry lysine is tight, but not catastrophic at this time. Lysine is an amino acid used in pig, poultry and dairy feed to improve performance. This week’s decline in meal prices may be signaling the lysine issue may be overblown at this time.

President Biden announced the United States would release 50 million barrels of crude oil from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve in conjunction with 30 million barrels from China, 5 million from India, and 10 million each from Japan and South Korea. This would be the largest U.S. release since 2011. The 50 million barrels from the United States represent approximately two-and-a-half days of U.S. consumption. OPEC will honor their 400,000 bpd production increase for December, but any further increases will be under discussion when they meet on Dec. 2.

According to GasBuddy, the average gasoline price

Weekly ethanol production increased 19,000 barrels per day to 1.08 million bpd — the highest production in three weeks and above the pace needed to hit the USDA forecast. Ethanol stocks were 83,000 barrels higher at 20.16 million barrels. Stocks are the lowest in five years for this date. Gasoline demand was 9.3 million bpd vs. 9.2 million bpd in the previous week. Demand is 14.8 percent higher than last year for this week and over the last four weeks it is up 11.6 percent vs. last year. Margins jumped 19 cents per gallon to $1.60 per gallon!

Outlook: Concerns over rising inflation may be behind a portion of the buying in agricultural commodities and growers’ reluctance to sell; but strong crushing margins in both corn and soybeans also contributed to strength. Spillover support from the wheat market may limit short-term pressure, but short-term conditions are getting overbought.

High input costs have traders watching for signs that corn acres may fall more than expected this coming spring; or that less fertilizer may translate into lower yields. In the end, we will likely see erratic markets into the end of the year as we enter the holiday season. Basis level may have to remain firm to attract bushels into the pipeline as bin doors get See NYSTROM, pg. 19 welded shut.

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

PAGE 18

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THE LAND — NOVEMBER 26/DECEMBER 3, 2021

Challenges for setting 2022 land rental rates are many Arriving at equitable land rental rates bushel. This is lower than the current is always an ongoing challenge for farm USDA projections for the 2021-22 maroperators and landlords alike and will keting year (listed earlier). likely be an even bigger challenge for the Most farm operators do not begin for2022 growing season. Many times, land ward pricing their corn and soybean crop rental rates for a coming crop year are until the year production, so there has based on the profitability in crop producbeen very little forward pricing of the tion in the previous year or two before.

2022 crop at this point. Many farm operaIn some cases, this can present profittors will have significantly higher crop FARM PROGRAMS input costs in 2022 as compared to 2021, ability challenges for farm operators if grain prices drop or there are yield chaland could face some challenging breakevBy Kent Thiesse lenges. On the other hand, there can be en price levels next year if 2022 land extra profit for farm operators in rental rates are set at quite high levyears with above-average yields and els. higher levels of crop prices.

Many landlords reduced land rental rates from 2015-2018 and would like to return to higher rates.

Most farm operators do not begin Approximately two-thirds of the farmland in the forward pricing their corn and soyUpper Midwest is under some type of cash rental bean crop until the year production, agreement. Based on farm business management so there has been very little forland rental data compiled by the University of ward pricing of the 2022 crop at Minnesota, average rental rates from 2015 to 2019 this point. Many farm operators declined by 10 to 20 percent after showing an averwill have significantly higher crop age increase of 40 to 50 percent from 2010 to 2014. input costs in 2022 as compared to Based on the U of M data, 2020 average land rental rates in the region were steady to slightly higher.

2021, and could face some chalAccording to a U.S. Department of Agriculture Cash lenging breakeven price levels next Rental Summary released in late August of 2021, year if 2022 land rental rates are average cash rental rates in most counties set at quite high levels. increased by 5 to 10 percent in 2021 as compared to average 2020 rental rates. Farm management anaBased on Southern Minnesota Farm Business lysts expect 2022 cash rental rates to show a fairly Management records, the average total direct cost significant increase in most areas compared to 2021 in 2020 for seed, fertilizer, chemicals, fuel, etc. rental rates, given the current strong corn and soy(excluding land rents) on cash rental corn acres was bean prices. very near $425 per acre, and was near $225 per acre The commodity prices for corn and soybeans in on cash rented soybean acres. The average direct 2021 reached their highest levels since 2013, due to expenses for 2021, excluding land rent, increased increased domestic usage and higher export levels slightly for most farm operators — mainly due to of U.S. corn and soybeans and the associated slightly higher fertilizer, fuel and repair expenses. decreases in the nation’s grain supplies. The final The 2020 FBM records showed an average of nearly USDA national market year average crop prices for $100 per acre on cash rented corn acres and $65 per the 2020-21 marketing year were $4.53 per bushel acre on soybean acres for overhead expenses, which for corn and $10.80 per bushel for soybeans. (The includes machinery costs, hired labor, insurance, market year average prices are the average farmand other ongoing expenses, but does not include level prices calculated from Sept. 1 in the year of any net return to the farm operator. Most farm harvest, until Aug. 31 of the following year.) The management analysts expect total direct and overmarket year average prices in recent years for corn head expenses for corn production to increase by 15 were $3.56 per bushel in 2019-20, $3.61 per bushel to 20 percent in 2022, with an increase of 10 to 15 in 2018-19, $3.36 per bushel in both 2017-18 and percent for soybean production.

2016-17, and $3.61 per bushel in 2015-16. Recent Typically, southern and western Minnesota farm market year average soybean prices were $8.57 per operators use average yields between 175 and 200 bushel in 2019-20, $8.48 per bushel in 2018-19, bushels per acre for corn and 50 to 60 bushels per $9.33 per bushel in 2017-18, and $9.47 per bushel acre for soybeans for cash flow planning purposes. If in 2016-17. USDA is estimating the market year the direct expenses for corn are $500 per acre, with average prices for the 2021-22 marketing year at overhead expenses of $115 per acre, and a land $5.45 per bushel for corn and $12.10 per bushel for rental rate at $250 per acre, the total expenses soybeans (as of Nov. 1). (before any allocation for labor and management) Current cash corn prices for fall delivery for the would be $865 per acre. With a corn yield of 175 2022 crop year are near $4.50 to $5.00 per bushel at bushels per acre, the breakeven market price to many locations in the Upper Midwest; while 2022 cover the cost of production and land rent would be cash soybean prices are near $11.25 to $12.00 per approximately $4.94 per bushel, which would drop

MARKETING

to $4.33 per bushel with a corn yield of 200 bushels per acre. If a $50 per acre allocation for labor and management (family living expenses) is included, the corn price breakeven levels would rise to $5.23 per bushel with a 175 bushel per acre yield, and $4.58 per bushel with a 200 bushel per acre yield. If the cash rental rate or other expenses are also $50 per acre higher, the breakeven levels increase to $5.51 per bushel at 175 bushels per acre and to $4.83 per bushel at 200 bushels per acre.

Similarly, with soybeans, using direct expenses of $250 per acre, overhead expenses of $85 per acre, and land rent of $250 per acre, total costs would be $585 per acre. The breakeven soybean price to cover the cost of production and land rent would be about $11.70 per bushel with a yield of 50 bushels per acre, which would decline to $9.75 per bushel with a yield of 60 bushels per acre. If a $50 per acre allocation is included for labor and management, the soybean breakeven price increases to $12.70 per bushel at a 50 bushel per acre yield, and $10.58 per bushel at a 60 bushel per acre yield.

There can be a big difference in crop yields and expenses from farm to farm, which can cause breakeven prices to either increase or decrease, compared to the average. Based on 2020 FBM records for southern Minnesota, the average breakeven price for corn on cash rented land, in order to cover direct expenses and overhead costs, was $3.58 per bushel, with a range of $3.08 per bushel to $4.16 per bushel. The 2020 FBM average breakeven price for soybeans was $8.32 per bushel, with a range of $7.23 per bushel to $10.03 per bushel. The 2020 FBM average yields were over 205 bushels per acre for corn, and nearly 60 bushels per acre for soybeans, which were above average.

Considerations for flexible cash leases An alternative to a flat cash rental rate which may be difficult to “cash flow” would be for producers and landlords to consider using a “flexible cash lease” rental agreement. This allows the final cash rental rate to vary as crop prices and/or yields vary, or as gross revenue per acre exceeds established targets. The use of a flexible cash rental lease is potentially fairer to both the landlord and the farm operator, depending on the situation, and how the flexible lease is set up. A true flexible cash lease allows for the landlord to receive additional land rental payments above a base land rental rate if the actual crop yields and/or market prices, or the gross revenue per acre, exceed established base figures. It would also allow for the base rent to be adjusted downward if the actual crop yields and prices per acre fall below the established base figures.

Most flexible leases have been modified in recent years into a “bonus rent” agreement. This type of flexible lease uses a reasonable base rental rate which can flex upward with an added rental payment to the landlord if the base crop yield and/or See THIESSE, pg. 19

THE LAND — NOVEMBER 26/DECEMBER 3, 2021

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

PAGE 19

Soybean market keeping a close eye on South America NYSTROM, from pg. 17 in the United States on Nov. 22 was $3.40 per gallon — up $1.30 from last year. There is talk Brazil may increase biodiesel pump blends from B10 to B13 in January.

In other news, Dollar Tree said they will permanently raise prices from $1.00 to $1.25 on many of their products in the first quarter of 2022. General Mills has told customers prices will be going up in mid-January, some as much as 20 percent.

Outlook: Soybeans this week were tugged back

and forth by the products with higher soyoil and lower meal. A drier forecast for southern Brazil and northern Argentina over the next week will be watched for any developing longer-term problems. As of Nov. 19, Brazil’s soybean planting was 86 percent complete and their first corn crop planting was 91 percent complete. Argentina’s soybean planting was 28 percent complete and its corn planting at 29 percent complete. For now, conditions have been favorable for the South American soybean crop.

U.S. crushing margins continue to entice production and keep available supplies headed to them.

China is thought to be under-bought. However, Brazil’s export season is anticipated to begin about a month earlier than last year due to better planting weather. China’s soybean imports from the United States in October were down 77 percent from last year and from Brazil down 22 percent. China’s total soybean imports in October were down 41 percent from October 2020.

Limiting the downside may be interest in commodities as a hedge against inflation, but soybeans will need something to push to the next higher level. v

Many modern rental agreements contain ‘bonus rent’ THIESSE, from pg. 18

higher cash rental rates for farmland. A flexible lease makes it easier for producers to utilize risk base crop prices, or the base crop revenue per acre, management tools such as crop revenue insurance are exceeded. However, the final rental rate does policies and forward pricing of grain. A flexible not drop below the base rental rate. lease, with a fair base rental rate, allows landlords There are many variations to setting up a flexible the security of a solid base rental rate, while having lease agreement between a landlord and farm oper- the opportunity to share in added profits when crop ator, including using yield only, price only, a base prices and/or yields exceed expectations — such as crop revenue compared to a harvest crop revenue, occurred in many areas in 2021. Flexible leases are and many more. The big key, regardless of the flexi- a nice alternative for landlords who want to continble lease agreement, is that both the landlord and ue to work with long-standing farm operators on tenant fully understand the rental agreement and multi-year rental contracts, without setting cash the calculations used to determine the final rental rental rates too high to keep the current tenants. rate. It is also very important that flexible lease Utilizing flexible cash lease agreements between agreements, as well as all land rental contracts, be farm operators and landlords can be a good managefinalized with a written agreement. ment strategy as an alternative to extremely high Flexible leases can work well for newer or younger straight cash rental rates. However, these agreefarm operators who may not be able to afford the ments need to be fair and equitable to all parties.

Tips for selecting your Christmas tree ST. CLOUD, Minn. —With a few from the National Christmas Tree Association, you can keep a Christmas tree healthy throughout the season.

Take time to measure your intended space. Be sure to choose a location that is away from heat sources such as vents and fireplaces which will cause your tree to dry out more quickly. Also know the size of your base. You do not want a trunk that is too big to fit in your tree stand. Take the tape measure with you.

You can find local tree farms at www.minnesotagrown.com. If you start with an unhealthy tree, it will be very hard to keep it alive through the holiday season. One easy way to check a tree’s health is to run a branch through your lightly enclosed hand. If the branch loses a lot of needles, the tree is not healthy or it has been cut for too long. You can also check the branch to see if it is brittle. Brittle branches are a sign of an unhealthy tree.

Many locations offer a variety of tree types. A Scots pine is going to be your most economical option and they tend to have the best needle retention. Scots pines are also good if you use heavy ornaments. If

you long for that really strong pine smell you should consider a Balsam Fir. These trees are usually midrange in price and have a bit of a silvery tinge.

However, their branches will not support a lot of weight. Fraser Firs have the sturdiest branches of the firs, but are still not ideal for heavy ornaments.

Colorado Spruce are great for heavy ornaments.

Once your tree is home you will want to trim the trunk right before putting it into the stand. If you cut your tree fresh you only need to trim about 1-2 inches. If your tree has been sitting on a lot, you will want to trim more. This will ensure that your tree is able to take up water.

Finally, be sure to keep your tree well-watered.

Depending on the size of your tree it may need to be watered more than once per day to keep it healthy.

Fresh trees will drink about 1 quart of water per inch of trunk diameter. Therefore, if your tree trunk is 4 inches in diameter it will drink approximately one gallon of water per day.

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

Landlords also need to be willing to adjust the base cash rental rates lower as necessary if crop margins become quite tight, as occurred from 2015 to 2019. It is extremely important all aspects of a flexible land rental lease agreement be detailed in a written rental contract signed by all parties. The agreement should include the base rent and yield, price determination, as well as other provisions of a flex lease.

Successful flexible cash lease agreements, just as any other long-term cash rental agreement, have always involved cooperation, trust, and good communication between the farm operator and the landlord.

Iowa State University has some very good resources on flexible cash leases and written cash rental lease contracts, including sample cash rental contracts, which are available on their “Ag Decision Maker” web site, http://www.extension.iastate.edu/ agdm/. The University of Minnesota puts out an annual publication on annual rental rates and has a computer spreadsheet titled “Fair Rent” which is an excellent resource for determining equitable land rental rates and evaluating flexible lease examples, and is available at https://www.cffm.umn.edu/products/FairRent.aspx. For additional information on flexible rental leases, land rental rates, and 2022 crop budgets, as well as sample lease contracts, you can e-mail me at kent.thiesse@minnstarbank.com.

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

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THE LAND — NOVEMBER 26/DECEMBER 3, 2021

Stanislawski: Farmers will continue to persevere

By DICK HAGEN The Land Staff Writer Emeritus MINNEAPOLIS — Strolling around the Minneapolis Convention Center on Nov. 4 at the Minnesota Ag and Food Summit, I corralled Harold Stanislawski — always a good interview. Stanislawski is the Agricultural Utilization Research Harold Institute (AURI) Business Stanislawski Development Director and one of my favorite ‘off the cuff’ guys. To break the ice, I started off with a powder-puff question like this one: What’s ahead for the Minnesota hemp industry?

I, and many other ag writers, have been writing with jangling ecstasy what the rebirth of this oncefabled crop might add to the future of Minnesota agriculture.

“One of the biggest projects right now is the Erosion Control Mat program with the Minnesota Department of Transportation,” Stanislawski revealed. “That program is all about using hemp in hydro-mulch erosion control mats and erosion logs. This is a three-year project funded by LCCMR (Legislative-Citizen

Commission on Minnesota Resources) funds from the state of Minnesota. If proven successful, this could open a pretty good market for hemp fiber.”

“We are fortunate in Minnesota,” Stanislawski went on to say. “We have three erosion control companies in our state and another close by in Wisconsin.

I think we are working with some of the finest private sector folks in the industry. Plus working with Minnesota Transportation Department engineers and Riley Gordon in our AURI lab makes this a goodlooking project at this stage.”

I asked Stanislawski about any new developments in the hemp-crete product arena. “We intend to soon be working with a building project in the FargoMoorhead area,” he said. “They’re talking a tiny home made out of hemp-crete. I don’t have dimensions, but this will be a live-in home in the downtown Fargo-Moorhead area. So lots of things continuing with this crop.”

The ag economy is always a bumpy road — none so more than the past couple of years. Stanislawski’s take on what’s ahead is brimming with positive tones. “Yes, some challenges in the supply chain these days,” he admitted, “but come spring, we’ll be

planting another crop and we’ll harvest another crop.

And we’re going to get through current malarkey with some battles here and there. But we’ll get through it … because we have too! That’s the American spirit.”

“I’m a firm believer the innovative abilities of rural America will always carry us through. We’re going to work our way through these current issues … even improve on the good things we’re doing right now.”

I knew Stanislawski wouldn’t duck around a tough question, so I asked him if there is still a future of imitation meats? “I think branded meats — from local, sustainable farms — have a bright future.

We’re involved right now in mobile meat slaughtering where you can do slaughtering right on the farm with state and federal inspection — both poultry and meats. Poultry we already have a viable network in place; and soon we hope to launch a project with one of our beef collaborators. And yes, USDA inspectors are right there on site.”

With that I let Stanislawski go on his way, confident he and AURI will be developing more new products and markets in the future; and we’ll have more to talk about next time we meet. v

States prepares for federal infrastructure money

By TREY MEWES The Free Press Mankato A recent $1 trillion federal infrastructure bill is set to secure billions of dollars in public works projects for Minnesota over the next few years, but just how that money will divvy up remains a mystery.

Lawmakers planning work on an infrastructure bill next spring say they’re not sure yet how federal dollars will impact state plans to borrow money for projects.

Minnesota will receive about $6.8 billion over the next few years for a variety of infrastructure projects. About $4.5 billion will go toward road projects, with another $302 million for bridge work and $818 million toward improving the state’s public transportation. The state will get about $68 million to help build an electric vehicle charging station network.

For water and sewer infrastructure, Minnesota secured $680 million. Another $297 will go toward airport projects, while the state is set to get $100 million in broadband funding, $20 million to address wildfires and $17 million for cybersecurity upgrades.

All of this money comes from varying federal programs and will be distributed over the next few years, but Minnesota can also apply for project money from funding pots spelled out in the recent infrastructure package. That includes a $25 billion grant program for electric vehicle networks, $12.5 billion in a bridge project program and another $16 billion for major roadway projects that “will deliver substantial economic benefits to communities,” according to federal officials.

Yet it’s still unclear to local and state officials what requirements are built into the funding. Only about $550 billion in new spending is included in the bill (the rest is previously planned funding) but some of that money may come with rules over matching grants, application processes or other means of stretching those dollars. That means more uncertainty for cities and counties looking to prioritize public works projects over the next few years.

Democratic Sens. Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith have lauded the $1 trillion infrastructure package as long overdue and key for Minnesota. “Our 21st century economy demands 21st century infrastructure, and by passing this legislation, we are helping to make that a reality,” Klobuchar said in a release.

Smith said Friday the bill is “the greatest uptick in spending on road improvements that we’ve seen in many, many, many years.

Smith also pointed to a large increase in broadband funding as key for rural areas in south-central Minnesota.

U.S. Rep. Jim Hagedorn, R-1st District, voted against the infrastructure package over concerns it included too much excess spending on unnecessary projects. He said in a statement infrastructure has been one of his biggest priorities but the recent infrastructure package didn’t properly address those needs.

State agencies such as the Minnesota Department of Transportation will get a majority of federal funds to use at their discretion, which some lawmakers take issue with as they’d like to see more legislative control over federal funding. In addition, it’s yet unclear whether some of those funds will carry man-

dates for states to match the federal money spent on projects.

Senate Finance Committee chair Julie Rosen, R-Fairmont, said last week she expects next year’s state infrastructure bill to be similar in size to a $1.9 billion package the Minnesota Legislature passed in October 2020. Yet she acknowledged it will be a challenge to determine how much a future infrastructure bill will be funded by state or federal dollars.

State infrastructure requests are steadily increasing as decades-old infrastructure in many areas across Minnesota have started to fail. A 2019 analysis

by The Free Press shows Minnesota needs more than $70 billion over the next 20 years to keep up with infrastructure demands, or about $4 billion each year.

Minnesota has a borrowing capacity of about $3 billion to pay for public infrastructure, which lawmakers say compounds the issue.

Sen. Nick Frentz, DFL-Mankato, said he expects House Democrats to bring forth an infrastructure proposal that will be closer to $2.5 billion next year to tackle the state’s project backlog. Lawmakers likely won’t agree to a bill that size, however, as some question borrowing money for a bill that size.

Still, Frentz is optimistic a larger public works bill will pass in 2022. He said he’s noticed lawmakers are more willing to pass infrastructure packages than they were even a few years ago as many acknowledge the growing need to fix or replace Minnesota’s public works.

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

THE LAND — NOVEMBER 26/DECEMBER 3, 2021

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2022 New Soybean Hybrids

SEED SELECTION GUIDE

PAGE 21

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

Albert Lea Seed www.alseed.com Virtue V1821

Relative Maturity: 1.8 Conventional variety Strong yield performance across environments, excellent emergence and standability. Strong disease and cyst nematode resistance.

Viking O.0821N

Relative Maturity: 0.8 Organic variety Great emergence and standability. Maintains height and bushiness moving south out of zone. Yields with full-season beans in southern Minnesota and northern Iowa.

Viking O.1718N

Relative Maturity: 1.7 Organic variety Excellent yielding organic bean with great emergence and good branching ability. Strong disease resistance to white mold, brown stem rot and iron deficiency chlorosis.

THE LAND — NOVEMBER 26/DECEMBER 3, 2021

Viking O.3118N

Relative Maturity: 3.1 Organic Variety Tremendous yield potential on a medium-bushy tall bean. Excellent emergence and good standing all season long.

Asgrow

www.dekalbasgrowdeltapine.com AG03XF2

2022 New Soybean Hybrids

SEED SELECTION GUIDE

Relative Maturity: 0.3 Medium height plant with very good standability.

AG07XF2 Resistance to soybean cyst nematode and PhytophRelative Maturity: 0.7 thora rot. Tolerance to white mold. Very good tolerance Medium tall plant with good standability. Resistance to iron deficiency chlorosis. to soybean cyst nematode. Phytophthora protection from the Rps1k gene and good field tolerance. TolerAG04XF2 ance to iron deficiency chlorosis, white mold and Relative Maturity: 0.4 brown stem rot.

Tall plant with good growth on heavier soils. Resistance to soybean cyst nematode and Phytophthora rot. AG11XF2 Tolerance to white mold and brown stem rot. Average Relative Maturity: 1.1 tolerance to iron deficiency chlorosis.

Average height plant that stands well and provides good canopy. Rps3a gene for Phytophthora rot protection. Soybean cyst nematode resistance. Tolerance to iron deficiency chlorosis.

AG14XF2

Relative Maturity: 1.4 Good emergence and early growth. Resistance to soybean cyst nematode. Good defensive package against Phytophthora rot. Iron deficiency chlorosis tolerance.

AG15XF2

Relative Maturity: 1.5 Average height plant with good standability. Resistance to soybean cyst nematode. Gene resistance and field tolerance to Phytophthora rot. Good tolerance to brown stem rot.

AG17XF2

Relative Maturity: 1.7 Medium tall plant with medium bushy canopy. Good standability. Very good Phytophthora rot package. Soybean cyst nematode resistance. Good tolerance to iron deficiency chlorosis.

AG21XF2

Relative Maturity: 2.1 Medium tall plant with good emergence and canopy.

Resistance to soybean cyst nematode. Tolerance to iron deficiency chlorosis. Avoid placement in poorly drained fields prone to Phytophthora rot.

THE LAND — NOVEMBER 26/DECEMBER 3, 2021

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PAGE 23

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AG27XF2

Relative Maturity: 2.7 Average height plant with good emergence. High level resistance to soybean cyst nematode. Very good tolerance to Phytophthora rot. Excellent brown stem rot tolerance.

2022 New Soybean Hybrids

SEED SELECTION GUIDE

Brevant Seeds www.brevant.com B131EE

Relative Maturity: 2.2 Medium tall plant with good emergence and standability. Resistance to soybean cyst nematode. Good Phytophthora rot protection. Tolerance to brown stem rot.

Group I Relative Maturity: 1.3 An Enlist E3 soybean variety that combines yield potential, agronomics and defensive traits to deliver across most acres. Good iron deficiency chlorosis and white mold tolerance for high risk acres. A good choice for acres with risk to sudden death syndrome. Solid emergence and late-season standability.

AG23XF2

B181EE

AG22XF2

Relative Maturity: 2.3 Medium tall plant that stands well. Very good tolerance to Phytophthora rot. Resistance to soybean cyst nematode. Tolerance to iron deficiency chlorosis.

Group I Relative Maturity: 1.8 Leader combination of agronomics and top-end yield potential. An Enlist E3 soybean variety with very good emergence for no-till or early planting. Good tolerance to white mold and iron deficiency chlorosis.

THE LAND — NOVEMBER 26/DECEMBER 3, 2021

B211EE

Group II Relative Maturity: 2.1 An Enlist E3 soybean variety with impressive yield potential backed by agronomics. Excellent emergence and standability. A great Phytophthora package with field tolerance for poorly drained soils.

Dahlman Seed www.dahlmanseed.com 7201XF

XtendFlex Relative Maturity: 0.1 Above-average iron deficiency chlorosis tolerance, moderate brown stem rot resistance plus aggressive lateral branches. 7201XF is a medium tall variety with great standability that adapts well to soils east and west.

7203XF

XtendFlex Relative Maturity: 0.3 A tall variety with excellent iron deficiency chlorosis tolerance that’s brown stem rot resistant. 7203XF is a rugged variety for all soils but performing exceptionally well on marginal and heavy soils. 7203XF is susceptible to soybean cyst nematode.

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7210XF

7220XF

7213XF

12006E3N

XtendFlex Relative Maturity: 1.0 A medium tall variety with excellent stress tolerance and moderate resistance for brown stem rot. 7210XF has large dark green leaves and superb standability all season long. Substantial lateral branches load up with pods and a strong ability to top cluster is the reason for its top end yield potential.

XtendFlex Relative Maturity: 1.3 A medium tall variety that covers the row rapidly and has great standability for excellent late season harvestability. 7213XF has a solid overall disease and agronomic package. Iron deficiency chlorosis is average but will recover quickly from yellowing. Early vigor is average and catches up by V3. Plant into good soil conditions.

7218XF

XtendFlex Relative Maturity: 2.0 Has a strong disease and agronomic package with a very high yield potential. Aggressive lateral branches close the row rapidly and should be managed for soybean white mold. Consistent multiyear performance data across South Dakota and Minnesota is head and shoulders over competitive products.

PAGE 25

2022 New Soybean Hybrids

SEED SELECTION GUIDE

Enlist E3 Relative Maturity: 0.06 A medium-tall, thin plant with a uniform look and ments. Including solid iron deficiency chlorosis tolergood standability. 12006E3N is a very early line with good stress tolerance, very strong iron deficiency chlo- ance. 1213E3N has very good stress tolerance and the plant style will catch your eye every time you drive rosis and brown stem rot resistant. past it.

1201E3N

Enlist E3 Relative Maturity: 0.1 Could easily be one of the highest yielding Enlist E3 varieties you’ve planted on your farm! 1201E3N has very good iron deficiency chlorosis tolerance and stress tolerance.

XtendFlex Relative Maturity: 1.8 Very high yield potential with a uniform look down the row and across the top. Great standability for excellent late season harvestability. 7218XF fits a large 1213E3N Enlist E3 range east to west with consistent performance and Relative Maturity: 1.3 appeal across all yield environments. Brown stem rot Has a solid agronomic package that promotes top resistant. end performance potential in high or low yield environ-

1215E3N

Enlist E3 Relative Maturity: 1.5 Has very few weak ratings! A strong overall disease and agronomic package allows for high yield potential across a wide variety of environments. 1215E3N has excellent standability, emergence and stress tolerance as well as solid sudden death syndrome tolerance. The oil content is above average compared to the vast majority of varieties.

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THE LAND — NOVEMBER 26/DECEMBER 3, 2021

ance, emergence and white mold. Enlist E3 soybean with added STS herbicide tolerance.

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Mustang Seeds Always follow stewardship practices in accordance with the Product Use Guide (PUG) or other product-specific stewardship requirements including grain marketing and pesticide label directions. Varieties with BOLT® technology provide excellent plant-back flexibility for soybeans following application of sulfonylurea (SU) herbicides such as DuPont™ LeadOff ® or DuPont™ Basis® Blend as a component of a burndown program or for double-crop soybeans following SU herbicides such as DuPont™ Finesse® applied to wheat the previous fall.

Always follow grain marketing, stewardship practices and pesticide label directions.

Varieties with the Glyphosate Tolerant trait (including those designated by the letter “R” in the product number) contain genes that confer tolerance to glyphosate herbicides.

Glyphosate herbicides will kill crops that are not tolerant to glyphosate.

Varieties with the Roundup Ready 2 Yield® (RR2Y) trait: ALWAYS READ AND FOLLOW PESTICIDE LABEL DIRECTIONS. Roundup Ready ® technology contains genes that confer tolerance to glyphosate, an active ingredient in Roundup ® brand agricultural herbicides.

Agricultural herbicides containing glyphosate will kill crops that are not tolerant to glyphosate.

Roundup Ready 2 Yield® is a trademark of Bayer Group.

Varieties with the STS® trait are tolerant to certain sulfonylurea (SU) herbicides. This technology allows post-emergent applications of DuPont™ Synchrony ® XP and DuPont™ Classic ® herbicides without crop injury or stress (see herbicide product labels). NOTE: A soybean variety with a herbicide tolerant trait does not confer tolerance to all herbicides.

Spraying herbicides not labeled for a specific soybean variety will result in severe plant injury or plant death. Always read and follow herbicide label directions and precautions for use.

Varieties with the LibertyLink® (LL) gene are resistant to Liberty ® herbicide.

Liberty ®, LibertyLink® and the Water Droplet Design are registered trademarks of BASF. DO NOT APPLY DICAMBA HERBICIDE IN-CROP TO SOYBEANS WITH Roundup Ready 2 Xtend® technology unless you use a dicamba herbicide product that is specifically labeled for that use in the location where you intend to make the application. IT IS A VIOLATION OF FEDERAL AND STATE LAW TO MAKE AN IN-CROP APPLICATION OF ANY DICAMBA HERBICIDE PRODUCT ON SOYBEANS WITH Roundup Ready 2 Xtend® technology, OR ANY OTHER PESTICIDE APPLICATION, UNLESS THE PRODUCT LABELING SPECIFICALLY AUTHORIZES THE USE. Contact the U.S. EPA and your state pesticide regulatory agency with any questions about the approval status of dicamba herbicide products for in-crop use with soybeans with Roundup Ready 2 Xtend® technology.

ALWAYS READ AND FOLLOW PESTICIDE LABEL DIRECTIONS. Soybeans with Roundup Ready 2 Xtend® technology contain genes that confer tolerance to glyphosate and dicamba.

Glyphosate herbicides will kill crops that are not tolerant to glyphosate. Dicamba will kill crops that are not tolerant to dicamba. Roundup Ready 2 Xtend® is a registered trademark of Monsanto Technology LLC used under license.

Varieties with Enlist E3® technology (E3): The transgenic soybean event in Enlist E3 ® soybeans is jointly developed and owned by Corteva Agriscience and M.S. Technologies L.L.C. The Enlist ® weed control system is owned and developed by Dow AgroSciences LLC. Enlist Duo® and Enlist One® herbicides are not registered for sale or use in all states or counties.

Contact your state pesticide regulatory agency to determine if a product is registered for sale or use in your area. Enlist Duo and Enlist One herbicides are the only 2,4-D products authorized for use with Enlist crops. Always read and follow label directions. Consult Enlist herbicide labels for weed species controlled.

P = Plenish® high oleic soybeans for contract production only. Plenish® high oleic soybeans have an enhanced oil profile and are produced and channeled under contract to specific grain markets. Growers should refer to the Pioneer Product Use Guide on www.pioneer.com/stewardship for more information.

SCN = Resistant to one or more races of soybean cyst nematode.

2022 New Soybean Hybrids

SEED SELECTION GUIDE

1219E3N

Enlist E3 Relative Maturity: 1.9 Is a taller plant with good soybean white mold tolerance exhibiting a strong ability to top cluster. Iron deficiency chlorosis is better than 1014E3N and about the same as 1019E3N plus a huge upgrade in sudden death syndrome and soybean white mold tolerance.

Dairyland Seed www.dairylandseed.com DSR-0220

Relative Maturity: 0.2 New 0.2 RM soybean with superb emergence, solid soybean cyst nematode protection for races 3 and 14.

Good Phytophthora root rot field tolerance and the Rps1k gene.

DSR-0660E

Relative Maturity: 0.6 New 0.6 RM soybean with excellent yield potential.

Above average emergence and standability, plus good Phytophthora root rot field tolerance.

DSR-0757E

Pioneer ® brand products are provided subject to the terms and conditions of purchase which are part of the labeling and purchase documents. TM ® Trademarks of Corteva Agriscience and its affiliated companies. © 2021 Corteva. PION0LOCL055

www.mustangseeds.com XF009422

XFLEX Relative Maturity: 0.09 Very good emergence score. Medium tall branching plant type adaptable to all row widths. Rps1k phytophthora resistance along with cyst resistance.

XF03312

XFLEX Relative Maturity: 0.3 Very good iron deficiency chlorosis rating and above average white mold rating. Tawny medium-tall robust plant. Susceptible to cyst, lower plant populations offer consistent late season standability.

XF07722

XFLEX Relative Maturity: 0.7 Sets a yield bar at this maturity group. Very solid agronomic package with this soybean. Medium height with great emergence.

XF10102

XFLEX RELATIVE MATURITY: 1.0 Good fit for southeast North Dakota. Solid iron deficiency chlorosis tolerance. Medium plant structure, good standability.

XF10522

XFLEX Relative Maturity: 1.0 Very good emergence and standability. Will move east and west in the 1.0 maturity group . Above-average white mold and iron deficiency chlorosis.

Relative Maturity: 0.7 New 0.7 RM soybean with all around good agronom- XF11922 ics and solid yield potential. Beautiful light tawny with XFLEX purple flowers. Excellent white mold tolerance. A Relative Maturity: 1.1 defensive bean for your tough acres.

Strong emergence. Thin plant structure, adapts well to narrow rows. Cyst resistant with Rps1c and DSR-1010E H-Rps3a.

Relative Maturity: 1.0 New 1.0 RM soybean. Shorter plant with above XF18922 average Phytophthora root rot field tolerance. Moder- XFLEX ately tolerant to brown stem rot.

Relative Maturity: 1.8 Cyst protection with solid phytophthora field tolerDSR-1290E ance.

Good stress with above-average white mold ratRelative Maturity: 1.2 ing.

Great emergence with good standability.

New 1.2 RM soybean with phenomenal yield potential. Solid scores for Phytophthora root rot field toler-

THE LAND — NOVEMBER 26/DECEMBER 3, 2021

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

PAGE 27

GROW OUR BEST. GROW THEIR BEST. COMPARE RESULTS. Pioneer® brand Enlist E3® soybeans have had strong results in on-farm trials near you. Pioneer.com/harvest

COMPETITOR NUMBER OF PERCENTAGE VARIETY/BRAND COMPARISONS OF WINS

PIONEER YIELD ADVANTAGE (BU/A)

PIONEER® VARIETY/BRAND

RM

P13T47E™ brand

1.3

All Competitors

40

73%

2.6

P14T81E™ brand

1.4

All Competitors

49

78%

4.2

P16T05E™ brand

1.6

All Competitors

41

71%

3.0

P16T58E™ brand

1.6

All Competitors

38

63%

2.0

P18T91E™ brand

1.8

All Competitors

61

59%

2.0

P21T72E™ brand

2.1

All Competitors

56

75%

3.0

Contact your local Pioneer sales representative to learn more.

Data is based on an average of 2021 comparisons made in Minnesota and Wisconsin through November 18, 2021. Comparisons are against all competitors unless otherwise stated, and within +/- 3 RM of the competitive brand. Product responses are variable and subject to any number of environmental, disease and pest pressures. Individual results may vary. Multi-year and multi-location data are a better predictor of future performance.

DO NOT USE THIS OR ANY OTHER DATA FROM A LIMITED NUMBER OF TRIALS AS A SIGNIFICANT FACTOR IN PRODUCT SELECTION. Refer to www.pioneer.com or contact a Pioneer sales representative or authorized dealer for the latest and complete listing of traits and scores for each Pioneer® brand product.

Pioneer® brand products are provided subject to the terms and conditions of purchase which are part of the labeling and purchase documents. TM ® SM Trademarks and service marks of Corteva Agriscience and its affiliated companies. © 2021 Corteva. 21D-1467-74_TLN_soybeans_1203_CU2

PAGE 28

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THE LAND — NOVEMBER 26/DECEMBER 3, 2021

MN AG Expo mn ag expo january 19-20, 2022 mayo clinic health system event center = mankato, mn 2022 FEATURED Speakers speakers

Amanda Radke Afternoon Keynote Wednesday, January 19th

Comedian Todd Andrews Dinner Wednesday, January 19th

Jack Zimmerman Food for Thought Thursday, January 20th

MN AG EXPO is back in 2022 with the latest in soybean and corn research, top notch speakers and a variety of agriculture exhibitors to improve your farm's profitability, strengthen your knowledge and challenge the way you do business.

For the latest news on MN AG EXPO, visit www.mnagexpo.com.

Register Now at www.mnagexpo.com

THE LAND — NOVEMBER 26/DECEMBER 3, 2021

XF18552

XFLEX Relative Maturity: 1.8 Fits western Minnesota and South Dakota well. Very high yields in research trials. Above-average emergence, solid standability.

XF21722

XFLEX Relative Maturity: 2.1 Key line excellent performance in upper Midwest, moving east and west. Rps3a with great field tolerance and very good stress tolerance. Cyst resistant and good white mold and iron deficiency chlorosis ratings.

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

XF28822

XFLEX Relative Maturity: 2.8 Very strong yields. Excellent emergence. Rps1k phytophthora.

07E242 E3

Relative Maturity: 0.7 Very good iron deficiency chlorosis rating. Strong yielding 0.7 soybean. Good lateral branching with pods.

AE0611 E3

Relative Maturity: 2.0 Very good emergence and standability. Medium plant height with good standability. Very good emergence with good iron deficiency chlorosis rating.

AE0720 E3

Relative Maturity: 1.5 Very good emergence and standability. Good white mold rating and iron deficiency chlorosis score. Top yields and above-average stress tolerance.

AE1220 E3

Relative Maturity: 1.7 Medium-tall soybean with big yields. Rps1c with good field tolerance and good iron deficiency chlorosis.

Excluder gene reducing negative salt effect on yield.

2022 New Soybean Hybrids

SEED SELECTION GUIDE

Renk Seed Co. www.renkseed.com G0660E

Relative Maturity: 0.6 An Enlist bean that will work well in higher pH environments like the Red River Valley in Minnesota. Has the 3A gene for Phytophthora, along with great overall tolerance. It will work East and West, but take care on soils prone to white mold.

AE1520 E3

Relative Maturity: 2.0 Rps3a Phytophthora with great field tolerance, very good stress tolerance. This is a bean for east and west performance. Good iron deficiency chlorosis, resistant to stem canker and brown stem rot.

AE 1720 E3

XF24822

XFLEX Relative Maturity: 2.4 This soybean provides a great upside. Medium-tall with nice standbility and strong emergence. Phytophthora gene, good white mold, iron deficiency chlorosis rating and stress tolerance.

XF26622 XFLEX Relative Maturity: 2.6 Branchy soybean, medium tall, loaded with pods.

Very good stress tolerance. Offers consistently strong yields.

PAGE 29

Relative Maturity: 2.2 This bean set the high yield mark in this maturity.

Rps3a with soybean cyst nematode resistance.

Medium plant with very good stress tolerance.

AE 2020 E3 Relative Maturity: 2.2 Rps1k Phytophthora with very nice stress tolerance.

Soybean will work on variable environments. Mediumtall plant with added yield on lateral branches.

AE 2520S E3

Relative Maturity: 2.2 Great yield and will move south well. Proven years of top performance. Good iron deficiency chlorosis average, white mold and good stress tolerance.

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PAGE 30

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THE LAND — NOVEMBER 26/DECEMBER 3, 2021

G1560E

canker tolerance, making it broadly adaptable for the Relative Maturity: 1.5 upper Midwest.

This new Enlist soybean has a rock solid disease package for both Phytophthora and sudden death syn- G2460E drom that allows movement south into Iowa. Take cau- Relative Maturity: 2.4 This new 2.4 maturity Enlist soybean is a very stress tion on soils prone to white mold. tolerant variety with a generally strong disease packG1760E age. It is best used on highly productive soils, where Relative Maturity: 1.7 maximum yields are desired.

A new Enlist soybean that brings a solid one-two G2960E punch for both stress and disease. This bean possesses 3A gene for solid Phytophthora tolerance allow- Relative Maturity: 2.9 A new Enlist offering, this strong standing, stress toling it to work on most soil types and giving it a nearly erant soybean is a must use in 2022, with a two five bushels per acre advantage over our previous G0760E bushel per acre advantage over previous products. It product.

Relative Maturity: 0.7 possesses a strong rating for Frogeye and Stem canG2060E A new Enlist soybean with great stand ability that ker, making it a variety that will move South very well. provides a good white mold score. The overall disease Relative Maturity: 2.0 This new Enlist soybean is made for high yield envi- RS142NXF package allows movement into most soils, making it ronments.

It has a good overall disease package, but Relative Maturity: 1.4 more broadly adapted than G0660E. This new XtendFlex has a strong disease package, is going to thrive on well-drained, better yielding G1250E along with good stand ability. It is a great drilling farms. This product is a great companion with G2150E. Relative Maturity: 1.2 option due to its “thinner” plant profile and it works G2260E New Enlist soybean with vastly improved sudden better on highly productive soils. death syndrome ratings. This broadly adapted variety Relative Maturity: 2.2 RS212NXF A new Enlist soybean that primarily excels on high has fantastic stand ability and is a step up in yield veryielding environments. It has outstanding stress toler- Relative Maturity: 2.1 sus other beans in the same maturity.

A new XtendFlex variety this bean offers solid disance along with brown stem rot resistance and stem ease ratings for Phytophthora, iron deficiency chlorosis and brown stem rot. Great stress tolerance for the most of Iowa into Minnesota.

2022 New Soybean Hybrids

SEED SELECTION GUIDE

Agriculture has changed a lot in the last 150 years. Renk Seed has always been there to meet the needs of farmers by investing in

technology at every step of the process to keep our products at the top of the industry.

Dealership Opportunities Available

ROOTED IN TECHNOLOGY FROM RESEARCH TO RESULTS

RS242NXF

Relative Maturity: 2.4 This new 2.4 XtendFlex bean works extremely well on high yielding environments. With a broad disease package, including stem canker, this product has great performance in Iowa and east.

RS282NXF

Relative Maturity: 2.8 A new 2.8 maturity offering on the XtendFlex platform, this is one of the best XtendFlex products out there. It has a strong overall disease package with brown stem rot resistance and 1C for phytophthora along with better stand ability than previous offerings.

THE LAND — NOVEMBER 26/DECEMBER 3, 2021

24

TOP 10 FINISHES IN 2021 MINNESOTA F.I.R.S.T. SOYBEAN TRIALS

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

PAGE 31

BRAND

TRIAL NAME

RANK

YIELD TEST AVG ADVANTAGE

DSR-0847E™

Minnesota North Central - Early (Summary)

1 of 37

57.3

41.4

15.9

DSR-0847E™

Minnesota North Central - Early (Royalton)

1 of 37

57.3

41.4

15.9

DSR-0847E™

Red River Central - All (Georgetown)

1 of 71

66.4

59.2

7.2

DSR-1290E™

Red River South - Full (Summary)

1 of 43

75.5

68.7

6.8

DSR-1820E™

Minnesota South Central - Early (Nerstrand)

2 of 52

78.7

72.9

5.8

DSR-1450E™

Red River South - Full (Summary)

2 of 43

74.8

68.7

6.1

DSR-1450E™

Minnesota Central - Early (Lester Prairie)

3 of 42

69.1

59.2

9.9

DSR-1290E™

Minnesota North Central - Full (Albany)

3 of 54

41.0

35.0

6.0

DSR-1450E™

Minnesota North Central - Full (Royalton)

3 of 54

67.3

58.9

8.4

DSR-0119E™

Red River North - All (East Grand Forks )

3 of 53

63.6

55.3

8.3

DSR-0920E™

Red River South - Early (Summary)

4 of 44

70.3

67.2

3.1

DSR-1450E™

Minnesota North Central - Full (Summary)

5 of 54

58.2

51.6

6.6

DSR-1010E™

Red River South - Early (Summary)

5 of 44

69.9

67.2

2.7

DSR-2040E™

Minnesota Central - Full (Lester Prairie)

6 of 54

62.1

55.3

6.8

DSR-1450E™

Minnesota Central - Early (Summary)

7 of 42

59.0

54.1

4.9

DSR-1450E™

Minnesota North Central - Full (Albany)

7 of 54

39.4

35.0

4.4

DSR-0847E™

Red River Central - All (Summary)

7 of 71

57.0

52.4

4.6

DSR-1010E™

Red River Central - All (Summary)

7 of 71

57.0

52.4

4.6

DSR-1673E™

Minnesota Central - Early (Canby)

8 of 42

53.9

48.9

5.0

DSR-1450E™

Minnesota North Central - Full (Wendell)

8 of 54

49.0

44.3

4.7

DSR-2030E™

Minnesota South - Early (Lamberton)

8 of 53

51.9

48.5

3.4

DSR-1820E™

Minnesota South - Early (Lamberton)

9 of 53

51.7

48.5

3.2

DSR-2040E™

Minnesota South Central - Full (Winthrop)

9 of 54

66.6

62.7

3.9

DSR-1707E™

Minnesota Central - Full (Canby)

10 of 54

62.0

58.1

3.9

See how our strongest lineup ever performs in your area at DairylandSeed.com or call one of our local reps: BENTON CO. Scott Heilig, DSM (320) 250-4545 CARVER CO. David Richter, DSM (320) 248-1794

CLAY CO. Agri Seed Solutions (701) 238-4650

MARSHALL CO. Northland Ag Nathan Wesolowski (218) 779-2711

OTTER TAIL CO. J & L Nutritional Consulting LTD (218) 346-7487

POLK CO. Northland Ag Nathan Wesolowski (218) 779-2711

RENVILLE CO. Dale Filzen (320) 894-7480

SIBLEY CO. Merlin Schwecke (507) 276-6900 TRAVERSE CO. Chad Birchem, DSM (320) 815-8980

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

Data based on 2021 F.I.R.S.T. (Farmers’ Independent Research of Seed Technologies) soybean trials. No product recommendation by F.I.R.S.T. is implied.

TM ® Trademarks of Corteva Agriscience and its affiliated companies. © 2021 Corteva.

PAGE 32

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THE LAND — NOVEMBER 26/DECEMBER 3, 2021 T

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

Upcoming Issues of THE LAND

Southern MN/Northern IA December 10, 2021 *December 24, 2021 *January 7, 2022

Northern MN December 17, 2021 *December 31, 2021 January 14, 2021

Deadline is 8 days prior to publication. *Indicates early deadline, 9 days prior to publication.

418 S. Second Street • Mankato, MN 56001 Phone: 507-345-4523 or 800-657-4665 Fax: 507-345-1027 Ask Your Auctioneer to Place Your Auction in The Land!

The Land, a weekly farm and rural life magazine has an IMMEDIATE OPENING for an

Outside Sales Representative

Candidates should have professional sales skills to service existing clients and develop new businesses in a designated territory.

Also essential are strong organizational and communication skills, along with attention to detail. Full-time position with base pay plus commission and complete benefits package. Candidate must have reliable transportation and a valid driver’s license to be considered.

Interested candidates should email their resumes, salary requirements and a cover letter to Deb Petterson, General Manager at: dpetterson@thelandonline.com

THE LAND — NOVEMBER 26 /DECEMBER 3, 2021 Real Estate NOTICE OF SALE 124 Acre Farm Offering.

116.25 Tillable Acres in McLeod County, Winsted Township. No buildings.

Property ID: R14.027.1650.

116.25 acres of tillable land in one unobstructed field of well drained prime farmland. Good field access. Real Estate Taxes: $6,458 in 2021 (Non-Homestead). For information on submitting a sealed bid contact: Hanson Law Office, Lee W. Hanson, 130 Division St. Ste 118, Waite Park, MN 56387; lee@hanlawoffice.com. Bids will be received until December 10, 2021. Offers must be accompanied by a cashier’s check or money order of $10,000, together with evidence of financial ability to close on a cash sale.

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

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

Feed Seed Hay 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 FOR SALE: Certified organic wheat straw bales. 81-5x5 net wrapped bales. Dawson MN. Call or text 320-226-5253

Classified line ads work!

507-345-4523

Feed Seed Hay

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Bins & Buildings

FOR SALE: Alfalfa, mixed Stormor Bins & EZ-Drys. hay, grass hay, straw and in- 100% financing w/no liens or dividually wrapped baleage. red tape, call Steve at FairMedium or large square fax Ag for an appointment. bales, round bales. Delivery 888-830-7757 available. Zumbrota, MN. Call or text Ray Leffingwell Farm Equipment 763-286-2504

“ONE MAN’S JUNK IS ANOTHER MAN’S TREASURE.” Get rid of stuff you don’t need or use anymore and make some $$$.

Put a classified ad in THE LAND today!

507 345-4523 or 800-657-4665 • 5/8” drum roller wall thickness • 42” drum diameter wall thickness • 4”x8” frame tubing 3/8” thick • Auto fold

WANTED TO BUY...

HAY: Round or square bales, Auxiliary hydraulic pump, 540 Dairy and Beef Quality. Call PTO, almost new, $500. 320963-5377 or text 218-689-2696

Bins & Buildings

SILO REMOVAL 507-236-9446

FOR SALE: 88” Bobcat snow bucket for skid loader, $1,395; Like new Red Demco 750 grain cart, 30.5-32 tires, hydraulic spout, $29,900. 507276-8823

Sell your farm equipment in The Land with a line ad.

507-345-4523

WANTED

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

PAGE 33

MANDAKO 12’-60’ LONG ROLLERS

FOR THE BEST DEAL ORDER NOW!

GREENWALD FARM CENTER Greenwald, MN • 320-987-3177 14 miles So. of Sauk Centre USED TRACTORS NEW NH T4.75, T4.90, T4.120 w/loader.. On Order NEW NH Workmaster 60, 50, 35’s/loaders. On Order NEW NH 25S Workmasters……......…..On Order NEW NH T5.140….................................On Order NEW Massey Tractors ........................... On Order JD 5400 w/loader…..............................…..$29,500 White 2-105……........................…………$15,500 MF GC1725M w/loader…......................…$18,900 MF 5470 FWA………………......…...……$67,000 TILLAGE ’11 Sunflower 4412-07.................................$28,000 JD 2210 44.4 w/4bar…....…............………$39,500 JD 714 11sh Discchisel…….............……..$18,500 ’14 CIH 875 9-24w/bskt……………....…..$69,000 ’06 CIH MRX 690………………..………$16,500 CIH 490 30’ disc……............................……$4,950

PLANTERS ’14 White 9824VE CFS loaded…..........…….$155,000 ’05 White 8222 w/liq/ins. …….................…….$29,900 White 8222 loaded……….....................………$35,000 Taking 2022 New Spring Orders COMBINES NEW Geringhoff chopping cornhead ....................Call ’98 Gleaner R62………........................……….$57,500 ’89 Gleaner R60 w/both heads ....................... $15,500 Gleaner R50/320,630……....................……….$13,500 Gleaner R6 w/20’…..............…...……………$12,000 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 NEW Riteway Rollers ........................................... Call CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT NEW Lorenz Snowblowers ................................... Call NEW NH L318/L320/L328 wheeled units ........ On Order NEW Batco Conveyors ......................................... Call NEW Brent Wagons & Grain Carts ....................... Call NEW NH C327/C337/C345 track units ............. On Order NEW E-Z Trail Seed Wagons ................................ Call NEW Rock Buckets & Pallet Forks ...................... Call REM 2700, Rental ................................................. Call HAY TOOLS Pre-Owned Grain Cart .................................. On Hand New Disc Mowers - 107,108,109 New Horsch Jokers ................................................ Call New Disc Mower Cond. - 10’, 13’ New Wheel Rakes - 10,12,14 New NH Hay Tools - ON HAND NOW HIRING PARTS TECHS

Thank You For Your Business!

(507) 234-5191 (507) 625-8649 Hwy. 14, 3 miles West of Janesville, MN

Mon.-Fri. 7:30-5:00 • Sat. 7:30-Noon

PAGE 34

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HAVE AN UPCOMING AUCTION? For the best results place your auction ad in The Land!

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THE LAND — NOVEMBER 26 /DECEMBER 3, 2021 Farm Equipment

Tractors

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Tillage Equip

Wanted

Haybuster 2800 round or FOR SALE: 1967 MM mod- Wanted to Buy: 816 Hiniker All kinds of New & Used farm square bale processor, el 670 Super diesel w/ 3pt Chisel plow. (507) 402-4631 equipment - disc chisels, field shreds & spreads hay & 18.4x34 tires, MM mounted cults, planters, soil finishers, Looking for something special? bedding, 40’ “Light useage” duals, 2spd 540 & 1000 PTO, cornheads, feed mills, discs, Put a line ad in The Land and find it! new, $45,000, priced to sell, in very good condition. Also, balers, haybines, etc. 507Call 507-345-4523 set of 11 White suitcase wgts. consider trade. 320-543-3523 438-9782 Retiring. 320-630-1777 Hiniker 1000 12 row cultivator Wanted to Buy: JD 4430 and Spraying Equip JD 4010 gas tractor, OH’d with Acura Trac Guidance 4440, 1975 or newer. JD 725 6, System in excellent condi- engine, new tires rear, frt 8 & 12 row - front mount cultion, $10,500/OBO. 507-440- tires 95%, Hiniker front mtd Redball 670 90’ pull type boom tivators; Stanhoist and Bushsnowblower, $21,500 cash en- sprayer, 1200 gal tank, 3 sec- hog steel barge boxes; Gehl 4525 tire pkg. JD 1350/1450 6 bttm tion boom control, 320/90R46 and Lorentz grinder/mixers; JD 2800 6 bottom plow; 15’ 18” plow. Both very good. tires, aux tank, flush tank, plus all types of farm machisel plow; 32’ Batco con- $3,585 cash. 507-330-2808 (2) Raven SCS450 controls, chinery. 507-251-2685 veyor like new; JD 30’ sickle NEW AND USED TRACTOR hyd pump, very good cond, Ag bagger, parts, new gear www.thelandonline.com PARTS JD 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, $9,500/OBO. 507-381-8280 box & etc.; Wilrich 24’ field 55, 50 Series & newer trac★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★ cultivator. 320-760-1634 tors, AC-all models, Large ★ ★ WANTED: 20’ stalk chopper, Inventory, We ship! Mark ★ OUTSTANDING RETIREMENT AUCTION ★ Heitman Tractor Salvage mounted or pull type, must ★ Late Model John Deere & Case Ih Tractors, John ★ be in good condition. 320-226- 715-673-4829 ★ Deere S660 Combine & Heads, Planting & Tillage ★ 7796 We buy Salvage Equipment Parts Available Hammell Equip., Inc. (507)867-4910 Please support the advertisers you see here.

Tell them you saw their ad in The Land!

Tillage Equip FOR SALE: Case International 4800 field cultivator, 34’, nice sweeps, always shedded, $7,500. 507-338-0992

Please recycle this magazine.

TIMED ONLINE | NO-RESERVE

FARM RETIREMENT AUCTION

BIDDING CLOSES: FRIDAY, DECEMBER 10TH AT 10:00 A.M. PHYSICAL ADDRESS: 1010 90TH AVE NE, CLARA CITY, MN 56222

INSPECTION: TUES., DEC. 7 • 9:00 A.M. - 3:00 P.M. OR BY APPOINTMENT HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE: 2015 Case-IH 620 QuadTrac track tractor, 2,220 hours; 2008 Case-IH 485 QuadTrac track tractor, 2,791 hours; 2009 Case-IH 245 Magnum MFWD tractor, 3,011 hours; 1961 Farmall 460 2wd tractor; 2012 Case-IH 7230 4wd combine, 1,490 eng./1,173 sep. hours; Drago S12TR 12 row 22" corn head; 2013 Case-IH 3020 TerraFlex 35' ex platform; Unverferth HT36 36’ head trailer; Case-IH TigerMate 200 44’ eld cultivator; Summers 44’ coil packer; (2) John Deere 2700 9-shank disc-rippers; Ezee-On 4600 26’ disk; Case-IH 800 11/18 plow; IH 720 6/18 plow; J&M 750 grain cart; White 6700 24 row 22" planter on MooreBuilt stack-fold 3-pt. toolbar; JD 7300 7300 12 row 22" planter stack-fold 3-pt. planter; JD 856 24 row 22" cultivator; Alloway 12 row 22" cultivator; 2002 International 9400i daycab truck; 2000 International 9100i daycab truck; 1995 Kenworth T600 daycab truck; 2005 Timpte Super Hopper 40’ hopper bottom trailer; 1997 Wilson PaceSetter DWH-400 43’ hopper bottom trailer; 1982 Timpte 42’ hopper bottom trailer; 1996 Ford Aeromax tandem grain truck; 1977 Ford 9000 tandem grain truck; 1988 Ford L8000 atbed truck; 1997 Ford F-150 XL 4wd pickup; 1994 Ford F-250 XL 4wd pickup; Also selling farm support items.

STEVE & GRETCHEN HILBRANDS

Equipment Questions: Steve (320) 220-4440 • Larry (320) 905-4820 AUCTION MANAGER: ALLEN HENSLIN (320) 979-1808

SULLIVAN AUCTIONEERS, LLC • TOLL FREE (844) 847-2161 www.SullivanAuctioneers.com • IL Lic. #444000107 HENSLIN AUCTIONS, INC. • PHONE (320) 365-4120 www.HenslinAuctions.com • Lic. # MN 65-57

★ Equip., Semi, Hopper Bottom Trl. Shop Equip. Tools ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ RED WING, MINNESOTA ★ HOUGHTON'S AUCTION SERVICE ★ ★ Make your plans to attend, outstanding line of always sheded, field ready ★ ★ equipment. Location: 23663 Co. Rd. 39, St. Charles, MN. From St Charles ★ ★ take Hwy 74 north 2.5 miles, turn right (east) on Co Rd 39 and go 1/4 mile. ★ ★ Friday, December 10, 2021 9:30 a.m. ★ ★ Live auction w/live online bidding www.proxibid.com/houghton ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ LATE MODEL TRACTORS, DISPLAY & GLOBE ★ ★ ★ 2010 JD 8270R, MFWD 2,606 Hrs. Frt. & rear duals; 2011 ★ ★ Case IH Magnum 275, MFWD, 3,072 hrs. AFS Pro 700, Frt & ★ ★ rear duals; JD 4000, Dsl. NF, Eng overhaul; JD GSD4 display ★ ★ w/processor - 2014 JD starfire 3000 receiver ★ ★ ★ JOHN DEERE COMBINE & HEADS ★ 2013 JD S660, 1,092 Sept. 1,603 Eng Hrs.; 2012 JD 606C ★ ★ stalk master; 2009 JD 625F Hydra flex ★ ★ FREIGHTLINER SEMI, WILSON HOPPER BOTTOM ★ ★ 2003 Freightliner Century Class, day cab, 686K; 2014 Wilson ★ ★ Pace Setter 38’, ag hoppers, hopper bottom Trl. ★ ★ ★ PLANTING & TILLAGE EQ. ★ ★ ★ 2012 Case IH 1240, 12R bulk fill, liq. center pivot; 2012 JD ★ 311/2’ field cult.; 2013 Great PlainsNP30, Anhyd. ★ 2210, ★ applicator; DMI 530B ripper; 2011 Travis seed tender; 2009 ★ Brent 880 grain cart; 2017 JD MX8, rotary mower; 1999 Dodge ★ ★ 2500 Dsl. 4x4 Alum flat bed; Shop Eq. & Tools ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ BILL LOPPNOW: 507-696-5970 ★ ★ ★ ★ WWW.HOUGHTONAUCTIONS.COM TO VIEW PICTURES AND FULL LISTING ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ RED WING, MN 651-764-4285 ★ Todd Houghton, MN Lic. #25-47, WI Lic. #181 ★ ★ Red Wing, MN - 651-764-4285 ★ ★ ★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★

Loppnow Brothers, Inc

PAGE 35

Steffes Auction Calendar 2021 For more info, call: 1-800-726-8609 or visit our website: SteffesGroup.com

Opening November 29 & Closing December 6 at 7PM Merle Schmidt Estate Auction, West Fargo, ND, Timed Online Auction Opening November 29 & Closing December 7 at 7PM Dennis & Anne Heggeseth Retirement Auction, Minneota, MN, Timed Online Auction Opening November 29 & Closing December 7 at 7PM Litzau Farm Drainage Inventory Reduction Auction, Atwater, MN, Timed Online Auction Opening November 29 & Closing December 8 at 1PM Meeker County, MN Tillable/Recreational Land Auction - 113± Acres, Meeker County, MN, Timed Online Auction Opening November 29 & Closing December 8 at 7PM Brian Paumen Estate Auction, Litchfield, MN, Timed Online Auction Opening November 29 & Closing December 9 Arnold Companies, Inc. Auction, St. Cloud, Glencoe & Arden, MN, Timed Online Auction Opening November 29 & Closing December 9 at 7PM Chuck Johnson Farm Retirement Auction, Truman, MN, Timed Online Auction Opening December 1 & Closing December 7 at 11AM David Skattebo Farm Retirement Auction, Wallingford, IA, Timed Online Auction Opening December 1 & Closing December 8 at 7PM Larry Woitalla Estate Logging Equipment Auction, Pierz, MN, Timed Online Auction Opening December 1 & Closing December 9 at 1PM Don Fiedler Farm Retirement Parts Auction, Stanchfield, MN, Timed Online Auction Opening December 1 & Closing December 14 at 7PM Blue Earth Grain Bin Auction, Blue Earth, MN, Timed Online Auction Opening December 2 & Closing December 7 at 1PM Todd & Diane Johnson Farm Retirement Auction, Pelican Rapids, MN, Timed Online Auction Opening December 2 & Closing December 9 at 2PM Wilkin County, MN Land Auction 160± Acres, Foxhome, MN, Timed Online Auction Opening December 3 & Closing December 8 Online Steffes Auction – 12/8, Upper Midwest Locations, Timed Online Auction Opening December 6 & Closing December 13 West Central MN Farmers Inventory Reduction Auction, Multiple Locations in West Central, MN, Timed Online Auction Opening December 6 & Closing December 14 at 7PM Steve Nielsen Farm Retirement Auction, Luck, WI, Timed Online Auction Opening December 6 & Closing December 15 at 1PM Jon White Retirement Auction, Morris, MN, Timed Online Auction Opening December 8 & Closing December 15 at 10:30AM South Central SD Multi-Party Consignment Auction, Armour, Delmont, Mitchell, Parkston & Platte, SD, Timed Online Auction Opening December 8 & Closing December 15 Steffes Construction Consignment Auction, Upper Midwest Locations, Timed Online Auction Friday, December 10 at 10AM Don Fiedler Farm Retirement Auction, Stanchfield, MN Opening December 10 & Closing December 14 at 12PM Online Hay Auction – Quality Tested, Litchfield, MN, Timed Online Auction Thursday, December 16 at 10AM AgIron Litchfield Event, Litchfield, MN

PAGE 36

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

THE LAND — NOVEMBER 26/DECEMBER 3, 2021 T

irst Your F or f Choice ds! ie Classif

Place d Your A Today!

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

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

South Central Minnesota’s Daily News Source

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THE FREE PRESS

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• Reach over 150,000 readers • Start your ad in The Land • Add more insertions • Get more coverage

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.

CHECK ONE:  Announcements  Employment  Real Estate  Real Estate Wanted  Farm Rentals  Auctions  Agri Business  Farm Services  Sales & Services  Merchandise  Antiques & Collectibles  Lawn & Garden  Feed Seed Hay  Fertilizer & Chemicals  Bins & Buildings  Farm Equipment  Tractors  Tillage Equipment  Planting Equipment  Spraying Equipment

 Hay & Forage Equipment  Harvesting Equipment  Grain Handling Equipment  Livestock Equipment  Wanted  Free & Give Away  Livestock  Poultry  Dairy  Cattle  Swine  Sheep  Goats  Horses & Tack  Exotic Animals  Pets & Supplies  Cars & Pickups  Industrial & Construction  Trucks & Trailers  Recreational Vehicles  Miscellaneous

NOTE: Ad will be placed in the appropriate category if not marked.

Now... add a photo to your classified line ad for only $10.00!!

THE LAND (Includes 1 Southern & 1 Northern issue)

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

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

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Name ____________________________________________________________ Address __________________________________________________________ City ___________________________________State_________ Zip__________ Phone __________________________________________ # of times _______ Card # ____________________________________________________________ Exp. Date__________________

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SORRY! 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.

THE LAND — NOVEMBER 26 /DECEMBER 3, 2021

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

Timed Online OPENS: MONDAY, DECEMBER 6 2021

CLOSES: THURSDAY, DECEMBER 16 | 10AM LITCHFIELD AGIRON TIMED ONLINE CONSIGNMENT AUCTION

BID ON: 2WD TRACTOR / COMBINES / DRAPER HEADERS / CONVENTIONAL TRUCK W/O SLEEPER / PULL-TYPE SPRAYERS & SPREADERS INLINE BALERS / GRAIN CARTS & GRAVITY BOXES / ATVS, SNOWMOBILES, BOATS, RECREATION / WHEEL SKID STEER LOADERS & MORE! AUCTIONEER’S NOTE: Contact auctioneers for owner information, new consignments, or changes at 320.693.9371.

Registration, terms, & details at SteffesGroup.com.

320.693.9371 | SteffesGroup.com Steffes Group, Inc. | 24400 MN Hwy 22 S, Litchfield, MN 55355 | 320.693.9371 Complete terms, lot listings and photos at SteffesGroup.com / Ashley Huhn MN47-002, Randy Kath MN47-007, Eric Gabrielson MN47-006, Scott Steffes MN14-51

Where farmers buy, sell and trade.

507-345-4523 • www.thelandonline.com

PAGE 37

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

THE LAND — NOVEMBER 26/DECEMBER 3, 2021 T

December 7th Consignment Auction Tuesday, Dec. 7th 2021 • Starts closing @ 6:00 p.m.

PLANTERS - 2014 John Deere 1760 12 Row 30” Planter, 2012 Case IH 1250 Planter 16 Row 30”, 2005 John Deere 1770 NT Planter, 16 row, 30”, Case IH 900 Planter 12 Row 30”, John Deere 7000 Planter 8 Row 30”, John Deere 290 2 Row Planter TRACTORS - 2000 Case IH 9380 Quad Trac, International 656 Hydro Tractor, John Deere 520 tractor & loader, 1977 JD 8430 Tractor, 1948 John Deere B Tractor, 1959 Farmall M, MM UT 100D, FARM TRAILERS - (2) 2012 Timpte 40ft Grain Trailer, 1987 Wilson 42ft Grain Trl, 2009 Wilson Pacesetter 43ft Grain Trl, 1980 Wilson 42ft Grain Trl, 1978 Wilson 40ft Grain Hopper Trl, 2006 20ft Jett Grain Trl, 1996 Neville 20ft Grain Trl, 2015 Unververth 3 axle Tender Trl, 1992 Great Dane 36ft Spray Trl, 625 Bale Trl SEMIS/GRAIN TRUCKS/TRUCKS - 2011 Peterbilt 386 Semi, 1989 Freightliner FLD120 Straight Truck, 2005 International Single Axle Semi, 2010 International Single Axle Semi, 1990 International 4900 Tender Truck, 1994 Freightliner FLD120 Liquid Tender Truck, 2013 International Pro Star Semi, FARM MACHINERY - Bourgault 4350 Air Cart, 2008 612C Stalk Master, 2013 612C Stalk Master, New Holland 477 Haybine, John Deere 220 Bean Head, New Holland 74C 30ft Bean Head, Case IH 8 Row 30” Corn Head, Riteway 250 Rockpicker w/3 Bat reel, Schulte 2500 Gaint Rock picker, Hardi 1000 Commander Sprayer, Demco Field Sprayer, John Deere MX10 Rotary Cutter, (2) John Deere Pull Behind Sickle Mowers, 19ft x 6” Unverferth seed auger, Mayrath 10”x71ft Auger, Vermeer 605K Twine Round Baler, John Deere 568 Round Baler TILLAGE EQUIPMENT - 2018 Degleman Protill 40, 2010 Case IH 870 Ripper, DMI 530 Ripper, Blue Jet 7 Shank In-Line Ripper, John Deere 726 Soil Finisher, Nitro Master 8000 47ft Anhydrous Bar, 3pt Rome Tool Bar, 3 pt Liquid Applicator Bar, Blu-Jet Hand Walker NH3 bar, Ag Systems Nitro Master 52’ Liquid Applicator, Hiniker 1000 12 Row cultivator w/rolling shields, John Deere 960 24ft 3pt Cult, Wil-Rich 52ft Field Cult, John Deere 120 Stalk Chopper, John Deere 1610 Chisel Plow, International Vibra Shank Digger, Case IH 4700 Vibra Tiller, Glencoe Soil Saver, 3pt 2 Bottom Plow, Pull-Type 3 Bottom Plow, (2) John Deere 560 Hyd. reset plow, John Deere Pull-Type Disc, John Deere 5 Shank 3pt In-Line Ripper, John Deere 3 Bottom 3pt Mounted Plow, John Deere 44 2 Bottom Trip Plow WAGONS/GRAIN BOX - 2013 Brent 757 Wagon, Husky 225 Gravity Box, 24ft Truck Grain Box, John Deere Running Gear, Running Gear w/Duals, Westendorf Running Gear, FARM MISC - Lindsey L348 Loader, Artsway 12ft 6-way hyd. angle blade, Degelman 12ft Push Blade, Custom Made 10ft Push Blade, CAT 70 Dirt Scraper w/hyd. conversion, Farmhand 27A Loader w/JD 4020 Mounts, CAT VFS50 Track Under Carriage w/Brackets, (14) 5x6 Cornstalk Bales, 4 section drag with pull type bar, (10) JD 8000 Series Suitcase Weights, (8) JD 40-60 Series Suitcase Weights. (6) JD New Gen Wheel Weights, (2) JD 8000 450# Wheel Weights VEHICLES - 2007 GMC Sierra 3500 Duramax, 2003 Chevy Silverado 2500HD, 1985 Ford F250, 2014 Ford Explorer Police Interceptor, 2012 Dodge Caravan, 1999 Volkswagen Jetta, TRAILERS - 2018 PJ 24ft Tilt Bed Trl, 2009 XL RGN Double Drop Trailer, 2013 MANAC 48ft Step Deck, 2011 Trail King 48’ Step Deck, 1993 DCT Gooseneck Tandem Axle Trl, 8ft HMDE Car Trl, John Deere Implement Trl, Haulette Tandem 5th Wheel Trl, Farm Trl – NO title RECREATIONAL/MOWERS - 2001 Simplicity Legacy Lawn Tractor, 36-volt Electric Golf Cart, 2006 Cherokee 5th Wheel Camper SNOW REMOVAL - Fair 848A Snow Blower, 7 1/2ft Snow Blade w/Skid Loader Quick Tach, Renegade 96” 3pt Snowblower, Hiniker Snowblower, 8ft Feterl Snowblower w/Hyd. Spout, John Deere 84” Snowblower MISC - Horizon Shenandoah 315, Water Tank, Water Tank w/Trl,10ft, Spring Tine Drag, 3pt Mount, 4” x 16” Planks - 10’5” long, 3” x 12” Planks 8’5” long, 6” x 6” Posts 12’ long, 3” x 12” & 4” x 16” Blocks, Driveway Drag, 1,000-Gal Fuel Barrel, Electric Motor, Nova Engine, Traffic Cones, (4) 83-Gal Fuel Tanks, 12ft x 14ft Insulated Garage Door, 20ft x 12ft Garage Door, 11ft x 10ft Garage Door, Posthole Digger, Blower System for Semi, Chainsaw, Tire Chains, Wood Stove, working, oil dripper, Hyd. dump flatbed, 6ft Add-a-Boot for CAT 320 or 330, 12ft Falls Snow Wing JD Motor Grader, 14ft CAT Snow Wing SHOP TOOLS - Bolt Cutters, Pipe Wrenches, Squares, Misc Tools, Punches, Chisels, Pliers, Hammers, Wrenches, Battery Charger, Jig Saw, Work benches & carts, 8” & 4” portable stairs, Sawhorses, Battery Charger, Creepers, Storage Shelves, Ladders, Pipe Cutter

Looking for New or Used FARM EQUIPMENT? Check out The Land classifieds first!

Live

&O Bid nline din g

300+Lots of tractors, combines & machinery to include John Deer, JD Precision, JD Prestige, Case, International, MM, JD Race Cars,Trucks, Old Collector Cars & Trucks, Trains, Airplane Belt Buckles, Pedal & Other Small Toys. Some toys are NIB and range in scale model of 1/16, 1/18, 1/24, 1/32 & 1/64.

Check our website for more pictures, to get a complete listing or to request a catalog.

130 State Hwy. 16 Dexter, MN 55926 Phone: 507-584-0133

Information. Education. Insight.

The Land has it all for you!

THE LAND — NOVEMBER 26 /DECEMBER 3, 2021 Wanted

Swine

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

Miscellaneous

WANTED TO BUY...

FOR SALE: Yorkshire, PARMA DRAINAGE PUMPS HAY: Round or square bales, Hampshire, Duroc, cross New pumps & parts on hand.

Dairy and Beef Quality. Call bred boars, gilts & 4-H pigs. Call Minnesota’s largest disor text 218-689-2696 Top quality. Excellent herd tributor health. No PRSS. Delivery HJ Olson & Company available. 320-760-0365 320-974-8990 Cell - 320-212-5336

Livestock

Spot, Duroc, Chester White, Boars & Gilts available.

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

PAGE 39

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ADVERTISER LISTING

Beck's Hybrids ...................................................... 1, 3, 24 Blue Horizon Energy ....................................... Cover Wrap Dairyland Seed Co., Inc. ............................................... 31 Fladeboe Land .............................................................. 34 Freudenthal Dairy ......................................................... 15 Generac ........................................................................ 19 Greenwald Farm Center ................................................. 33 Hamilton Auction Service .............................................. 38 Henslin Auctions, Inc. ................................................... 35 Houghton's Auction Service ........................................... 35 Kerkhoff Auction .......................................................... 38 Mealman Wendy ............................................................ 11 MN AG EXPO .............................................................. 28 Pioneer .......................................................... 6, 7, 26, 27 Pruess Elevator, Inc. ..................................................... 33 Renk Seed ..................................................................... 30 Rush River Steel & Trim ................................................. 4 Schweiss Doors ............................................................. 33 Smiths Mill Implement, Inc. .......................................... 33 Spanier Welding .............................................................. 9 Steffes Group .......................................................... 35, 37 Syngenta ....................................................................... 23 The Occasions Group .................................................... 32 507-345-4523 • 800-657-4665 418 South Second Street, Mankato, MN 56001 www.thelandonline.com

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PAGE 40

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

THE LAND — NOVEMBER 26/DECEMBER 3, 2021

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

C

Old pros with boughs

ommercial Christmas wreathmaking has been tradition in Long Prairie for more than a half century.

In 2008 Tony and Mary Borgheiinck, the owners of Custer Floral, agreed to take over the Christmas wreath making business from the local Methodist church. The church had the business because the Custer family brought it to the congregation as a fund raiser when they sold the floral business to the Borgheiincks in 1970.

“The Custers didn’t want to sell that part of the business then,” Tony said.

Tony recalls picking up the balsam, white pine, and cedar greens near Deer River, Minn. that first year. They took their delivery van but didn’t realize how many big bundles it takes to make 250 or so wreaths.

“We took some apart and stuffed them in corners in the van,” Tony said. “Then the crew that cut them helped us tie some to the top of the van.”

The harvesters that helped Tony and Mary decorate their van like a rolling Christmas tree are licensed to harvest greens on tribal and state land.

“I have to have a copy of their permit to show that they were harvested legally,” Tony said.

Now days Tony, with help from his son, has a better system for hauling the greens.

And once they get to the floral shop (which the Borgheiincks closed several years ago), Mary, Tony and a long-time holiday helper set to work making two sizes of wreathes and a swag.

The helper, hands flying efficiently, cuts a small spray of greens, assembles them, and wires them onto a heavy wire wreath frame.

“I really enjoy doing this,” she said. “It smells good.”

If an order requires it, the assistant attaches pine cones which were gathered by Mary and Tony during the summer. Then Tony and Mary make the ribbons and cedar sprays and attach them to the wreathes.

“I’ve been assigned the job of making the swags,” Tony says.

“We use about 1,000 yards of ribbon and 700-800 pine cones each year,” Mary, who can make a big red velvet ribbon in the time it takes to say this, said.

Since they closed the flower shop, the Borgheiincks have cut production down to around 200 wreathes a year. Retail sales declined and most of their sales are wholesale — including the Peace Methodist church which continues to sell them as a fund raiser.

Mary says she’ll be happy to connect anybody who wants a wreath with the church. She’s at (320) 732-3663. v

Long Prairie, Minn.