Spring Agriculture

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Friday, March 29, 2019

AY, MARCH PAGE 229, | AGRICULTURE 2019 | FRIDAY, MARCH 29, 2019

Governor emphasizes mental Minnesota farm hits historic low healthincome support for farmers go back that far, but it is very likely added to the picture, the average farm FARMERSCHANGING STRUGGLED that worth increased by almost that 2018 was lowest income year for family’s netand Bythe Sam Wilmes bring new farmers.”

Minnesota farms since the early 1980s,” $30,000. sam.wilmes@albertleatribune.com THE WORLD Mayo Clinic Health System consultant LOW PRICES AND LOW said Dale Nordquist of the Center for psychiatrist Ashok Seshadri said he is ONE KERNEL AT A TIME Financial Management the Dairy industry struggles Professionals say at consistently low treating several farmers, adding farmPROFITABILITY IN 2018 Farm University of Minnesota. “That said, as families grow weary

farm prices, uncertainty and other ing — especially dairy farming — has POET offers competitive corn prices, five years notfor much Dairy farms have been particularly After adjusting for inflation, factors are towere blame mental health experienced difficult times as prices diversified marketingMinneprograms the andprevious better, so many Minnesota farms have hard hit by low prices in recent years. sota farms earned the lowest median issues for farmers. have dropped. specialty contracts, and we’re ready of low-income years and Over-production and trade issues haveof the proaccept grain. farm income in the to past 23 your years of had a string Minnesota Agriculture Commissioner He said the uncertainty financial and emotional weighed onfession milk prices many data tracked by University of Minne- that has both Thom Petersen acknowledged farmers causescausing stress and farmers are Foragricultural information regarding impacts.” are undergoing mental health problems dairy farmsisolated to sell their herds.

In 2018, sota Extension and Centers pricing, to an extent.

He noted more or deliveryState. of corn at The economic pain widespread. medianmachines dairy farm these farm of Excellence withinsale Minnesota areinnow used in farming, because of was sustained low farmthe prices, RTS POET Biorefining – Glenville TARTS The mediancausing producer in all four of Minmanagement programs earned less than less faceIn 2018, the reported median net call: farmers to eat into equity.

He resulting in farmers having 507.448.3923. products $15,000, frominteraction $43,000 in 2017.

MERS ARMERS income was $26,055, down 8 percent nesota’s primary said heagricultural recently received notice in onedown to-face withMilk other people. earned a net farm income of lessMinnesota than prices were down 7 percent in 2018—and from the previous year.

Farmers in hour of two northeast farmSeshadri said the stigma of mental rd work. We’re ork. the We’relowest 20 percent reported losing $31,000. “It’s to suicide. understand down 33 percent from their in 2014. of young ers important committing health care andhighs the pressure he insurance surance small businesses don’t has been a realtostruggle many generation $72,000. The analysis examined that these are“When I hear ofthat some farmer“Itthat farmers carry onfor multiple ul thatnearly you pay themselves a salary,took so that netlife, farmthat’s you of our dairyfarming farms,” operations said Nate Converse, data ultimately their very add to stress levels. etput on our from 2,209 participants in farm what they business business management programs, as income reflects on our concerning, and made so wefrom want toCentral contin- Lakes HeCollege added farm farmers undergoing a feed their sure families,” added well as 101 members of the Southwest the farm toue management instructor.

“Dairy farmers to make that the resources are mental health crisis need to ask for who is also anfarmers Extension ag arework Minnesota Farm Business Management Nordquist,available reallyhelp, hard and to see earnings for who strugadding notlow doing so worsens the economist.gling,” he said.

Association. and, in a lot situation. of cases loses, year after year On a more positive note, farm balance Participating producers represent hasstate worn on them and their families.

As who has He noted a bill this year at the Local farmer Ryan Hajek, not deteriorate substantialapproximately 10 percent of Minneso- sheets did Legislature would double the number ofmany grown cornhave and soybeans with his father a result, of them decided they Mutual” are registered years. professionals The averagefor farmers ta’s commercial farmers. Notably, the ly from previous mental health north of Myrtle, not knowing future can’t wait for things to turnsaid around.” onna Yokiel © urance Company. ratio increased number of participating dairy farms de- farm’s debt-to-asset ny, 2019. to two and increase funding for farming crop prices can weigh on farmers. He 36 percent,who stillassist a relatively creased by 15 percent in 2018, largely slightly to advocates noted did he works full-time with a stable farmers undergoBeef and pork not fare better l” are registered 507.448.3923 position largely supreflecting the number of participating strong financial ing difficult times. income a non-farming job in addition e Company. © In 2017, the pork at industry was the one POET.COM/Glenville 019. dairies that sold their ported by farmland maintained herds.

“Rightthat now,has with prices tough, some toMinnesota part-time agriculture. farming. But bright spot in “We don’t have consistent numbers its value. When non-farm earnings farmers do face mentalare health pres-the median Hajek saidproducer farmersearned sometimes quesin 2018 pork sures, and we want to make sure tion whether the stress is worth it, onlythat $27,739, down from over $101,000 they know that there are resources noting the Pork profession a 24/7 job. in the previous year. pricesis were available for them if they’redown strugHeagain said he hopes impacted crop prices increase.

9 percent, largely gling,” Petersen said. “Like I said, He added weather limited nitrogen bywe’re trade issues.

The average hog finisher going to do everything we can tolost keep$11.50 all placement lasttofall, likely causing the per head sent market.

PROVIDED of our farmers that want to be farming price of nitrogen to increase Low profits continued for beef produc-this spring. ers. The median beef participating beef in 2018, a slight increase from the previfarm earned just over $6,000, virtually ous year but still historically low earnunchanged from the very low profitabil- ings. Southern Minnesota producers esity of the previous year. Beef finishers pecially struggled to get their crops in lost almost $30 per head marketed. with persistent spring rains; local spring flooding forced many to replant fields Crop farms: lower yields more than once. Corn production was and prices, trade issues hit especially hard, with average corn Crop farmers struggled with weather, yields down 20 percent across the replace farm structures and septic and The Rural Finance Authority Board tradesystems, issues inas2018.

The well as replace cropissued a disaster declaration prices for theandwater producer $30,650 See INCOME, Page 3 state, which now makes low median interest crop ping inputs, earned feed, and livestock. The loans available for Minnesota farmers program offers affordable financing to whose operations suffered barn collaps- repair existing agricultural buildings to Our Promise es or other damage due to the record pre-disaster conditions. Eligible farmers winter snowfall. According to a press must have received at least 50 percent of To provide the highest level of Peterson, Kolker, Haedt & Benda, Ltd. release from the Minnesota Pollution their annual gross income from farming service, advice, communication Control Agency, Gov. Walz signed a bill for the past three years and will work and commitment we can deliver allowing the RFA to declare a disaster through their bank to secure the loans with integrity and care. due to excessive snowfall. The funds are from the RFA. available to farmers for expenses not More information on the Disaster Recovered by insurance. covery Loan is on the Minnesota DepartWe do everything we can to help The Disaster Recovery Loan Program ment of Agriculture website at https:// our clients build the personal and can be used to help clean up, repair, or www.mda.state.mn.us/.

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FRIDAY, MARCH 29, 2019 | AGRICULTURE | PAGE 3

INCOME Continued from Page 2

southern part of the state. Yields were higher in the Red River Valley.

Low prices persisted for all major crops. Soybean prices especially were impacted by trade issues. “It could have been a lot worse,” said Aaron Brudelie, a Minnesota West Community and Technical College farm business instructor.

“The federal Market Facilitation Program was the main reason soybean producers showed any profits this year.

Producers are using those profits to help offset another year of losses in corn production in southern Minnesota.” USDA’s Market Facilitation Program provided direct payments to producers of certain commodities that were impacted by retaliatory tariffs by foreign countries.

Wide variation in earnings

Not every operation struggled. Across all farms, the farms earning the highest net incomes, those in the top 20 percent, earned an average of $184,000. “There are still a lot of farms out there that are successful,” said Josh Tjosaas, Northland Community and Technical College farm business management instructor.

“And it is not just larger farms that are profiting. We work with profitable farms of all sizes and types. But in this environment, it takes outstanding management in all phases of the operation, good timing and, maybe, a little luck to make that happen.”

Across all farms, 34 percent lost money on their farming operations in 2018, and 40 percent lost net worth after family living expenses and taxes.

Fifty-three percent lost working capital. “The working capital picture would have been worse,” said Tjosaas, “but many farms were forced to restructure debt, moving short-term debt down the balance sheet and securing it with land and other collateral. Thankfully, our agricultural lending industry has been sticking with farmers when they can.”

Looking ahead, USDA recently came out with a projection of somewhat higher profits for agriculture in 2019. “At this point, there are way too many variables to know where we will be a year from now,” Nordquist said. “On the cropping side, costs are projected to be higher and there is no relief yet on prices, so it is a little hard to see where that increase might come from. Hopefully, we will see some improved profitability in dairy and livestock agriculture.”

Farmers urged to prepare for spring flooding With spring flooding in the forecast, if you live in a flood-prone area, you can tap into state and local resources to help reduce damage and aid in any clean-up.

Given current conditions, state emergency management officials estimate flooding could develop in the first part of April.

If you live in a rural area or operate a feedlot where flooding is a possibility, the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) says there are simple things you can do to minimize pollution threats.

Secure all propane and liquid fuel tanks so they will not tip over or float

away in floodwaters. If possible, liquid fuel tanks should be emptied by your petroleum provider until floodwaters recede.

Move household and farm chemicals to an area that is safe from floodwaters. If that is not possible, make sure they are in secure containers that will not leak, rupture or float off.

Smaller livestock operations that spread solid manure must ensure that it doesn’t run off with snowmelt flowing to surface waters. If possible, farmers should refrain from spreading manure during periods of rapid snow melt.

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Loans available to help Minnesota farmers restructure, refinance debt Minnesota farmers may seek assistance from the Rural Finance Authority’s (RFA) Restructure Loan program if they have good credit but are having trouble with cash flow.

The Restructure Loan program is available for refinancing debt related to agricultural activities only and requires collateral of a first mortgage on farm real estate.

“This may be a good option for Minnesota farmers who are in good standing with their local lender but are struggling with cash flow,” said RFA Senior Loan Officer Ryan Roles. “The current interest rate is 4.25 percent and the participation term may be up to a maximum of ten years.”

The RFA will participate on 45 percent of a qualifying loan up to a maximum of $525,000. There is a $50.00 nonrefundable application fee on all loans.

An applicant must meet the following requirements: • Be a resident of Minnesota, a Minnesota domestic family farm corporation or family farm partnership.

• Be the principal operator of the farm.

• Not be a current or previous participant in an RFA farm debt reorganization program.

• Have a total net worth that does not exceed $1,777,000 (indexed for inflation).

• Have received 50 percent of their gross income from farming over the past three years.

• Have expenses that do not exceed 95 percent of income.

Information on the Restructure Loan Program and all RFA loan programs is available at www.mda.state.mn.us/ restructure.

Farmer directs donation to local FFA chapter County farmer Ryan Hajek, directed $2,500 to Glenville Emmons FFA through America’s Farmers Grow Communities, sponsored by the Bayer Fund.

Celebrating its 10th year, America’s Farmers Grow Communities partners

with farmers to support nonprofit organizations strengthening rural communities. The program offers farmers the chance to direct a $2,500 donation to a nonprofit of their choice. It has awarded more than $33 million to over 8,000 nonprofits across rural America.

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PAGE 4 | AGRICULTURE | FRIDAY, MARCH 29, 2019

‘Learn to live with nature instead of fight it’ WELLS AREA ORGANIC FARMER USES FLAME TO TAME WEEDS

By Sarah Kocher

sarah.kocher@albertleatribune.com

WELLS — When it comes to weed prevention in his corn fields, Dennis Lutteke fights fire with fire — literally with fire.

In the mid-’80s, a friend and fellow farmer returned from the South with an early model Lutteke used as inspiration for the LP Weed Burners he now manufactures at his farm and sells nationwide.

“One farmer knew another farmer, and they talk,” Lutteke said.

Lutteke’s burners — referred to by some as flamers or torches, he said — are cowbell-shaped, propane-fueled weed toasters. They convert liquid propane into gas, which is lit on fire and used to torch emerging weeds. The burners are configured differently depending on how the farmer would like them to be used, then attached to a beam and pulled along behind a tractor.

“It seems this does work for us and it works for a lot of farmers,” Lutteke said.

When the corn is less than 6 inches tall, its growing point is still underground. At that time, burning the leaves does not kill the corn plant. Within two to three days, the corn will have new leaves. Many of the weeds Lutteke aims to eliminate are broadleaf — pigweed, lambsquarters, waterhemp — which do die in the fire because their growing point is higher. Lutteke’s goal is to use the weed burners when the corn has two leaves on it, but farming does not always go according to plan. If the plant grows tall enough that the growing point breaks the surface, he redirects the burner to the sides of the plant rather than the leaves and the plant will still

Dennis Lutteke fires up a demonstration pair of weed burners, which he has used for presentations. SARAH KOCHER/ALBERT LEA TRIBUNE survive, he said.

“It isn’t 100 percent, but it helps,” Lutteke said.

After using the burners once, he is able to use cultivators for row upkeep, Lutteke said.

“If we can control the weeds that come up with the corn, then we’ve got threefourths of our problem licked,” he said.

Because the burners do rely on flames, operators need to be alert when they use

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it. Areas of risk could include dead grass in road ditches next to fields. Lutteke carries a shovel when he uses it. He said he stops when he sees smoke and shovels dirt onto the area.

“When you play with fire, you’ve got to kind of watch what you’re doing,” he said.

Seeing possibility

While he has sold a few of his burners

to conventional farmers, Lutteke said his customer base is largely organic farmers.

Lutteke himself is an organic farmer, living and working on the land he purchased from his great-great-aunt and moved onto in 1972. Though he began with conventional farming, he began making the transition to organic in 1978.

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Dennis Lutteke said he aims to manufacture Dennis Lutteke 1,000 saidweed he aims LP Weed to manufacture Burners annually.

1,000 wee

BURNER

He considered the farm to beHe comconsi BURNER pletely organic in 1982. The farm pletely wasorg

certified or Lutteke used one of the burners Lutteke his friend brought up for aofseason, then tinbrou He looked at the ingredients He of the looked at the ingredients the friend with it the winter.kered with products he was using on his fields. products hekered was using onduring his fields.

“We (saw)on there wasand some “We (saw “You read the labels on the can“You and itread the labels the can it possibility it,” he on it,” he sa wasn’t very nice,” he said. wasn’t veryon nice,” hesaid. said. was from the 1940s, The and mod He thought about his children, he He said, thought The aboutmodel his children, he said, since chemical became chem and how they walked on the same and how soil they walked on the application same soil since he spread those chemicals on. he spread those chemicals on.

“It bothered me,” he said.

“It bothered me,” he said. See BURNER, Page 7 Continued from Page 4

certified Continued from Page 4 organic in 1995.

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Dennis Lutteke said the broadcaster Dennis configuration Lutteke said ofthe weed broadcaster burners isconfiguration becoming more of weed burners is becoming more popular, rather than having burners popular, targetrather rows than specifically havingand burners leaving target gapsrows of weeds. specifically and leaving gaps of weeds.

With the price of corn, a broadcaster With can the beprice peace ofof corn, mind. a broadcaster SARAH KOCHER/ALBERT can be peace LEA TRIBUNE of mind. SARAH KOCHER/ALBERT LEA TRIBUNE

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AY, MARCH PAGE 629, | AGRICULTURE 2019 | FRIDAY, MARCH 29, 2019

emphasizes mental sota farm income hits Governor historic low health support for farmers CHANGING THE WORLD

that go back that far, but it is very likely added to the picture, the average farm almost that 2018 was the lowest income year for family’s net worth increased byBy Sam Wilmes and bring new farmers.”

Minnesota farms since the early 1980s,” $30,000. sam.wilmes@albertleatribune.com Mayo Clinic Health System consultant said Dale Nordquist of the Center for psychiatrist Ashok Seshadri said he is ONE KERNEL AT A TIME Farm Financial Management at the Dairy industry struggles Professionals say consistently low treating several farmers, adding farmUniversity of Minnesota. “That said, as families grow weary farm prices, uncertainty and other ing — especially dairy farming — has POET offers competitive corn prices, farms have and been particularly ion, Minne- the previous five years were not much factors are to blame for mental health experienced difficult times as prices diversifiedDairy marketing programs hard hit by low prices in recentissues years.for farmers. est median better, so many Minnesota farms have have dropped. specialty contracts, and we’re ready Over-production and trade issuesMinnesota have accept your grain.

3 years of had a string of low-income years and to Agriculture Commissioner He said the uncertainty of the promany y of Minne- that has both financial and emotional weighed on milk prices causing Thom Petersen acknowledged farmers fession causes stress and farmers are For information regarding dairy farms to sellpricing, their herds. In ral Centers impacts.” are2018, undergoing mental health problems isolated to an extent. He noted more ormedian delivery of corn at The economic pain was widespread. sale the dairy farm in these farm of sustained low farm prices, machines are now used in farming, sota State. because TOMORROW STARTS POETmanagement Biorefining – Glenville call: earned less than TOMORROW STARTS median producer in all four of Minprograms median net The causing farmers to eat into equity. He resulting in farmers having less face507.448.3923. nesota’s primary agricultural products $15,000, down from $43,000 in 2017.

EARLIER FOR FARMERS EARLIER FOR FARMERS 8 percent saidMilk he recently received notice in one to-face interaction with other people. a net farm income of less than prices were down 7 percent in 2018—and Farmers in earned hour of two northeast Minnesota farmSeshadri said the stigma of mental Thank you for all of your hard work. We’re Thank you$31,000. for all of your hard work. We’reto understand “It’s important down 33 percent from their highsers in 2014. rted losing committing suicide. health care and the pressure of young proud to provide you with the insurance proud to provide you with insurance that these are the small businesses that don’t “It has been a real struggle for many s examined “When I hear of some farmer that farmers to carry on multiple generation you need, and we're grateful that you themselves a salary, so that net farm of our dairy farms,” said Nate Converse, you need, pay and we're grateful that you nts in farm ultimately took their life, that’s very farming operations add to stress levels. provide us with the food we put on our reflects tables. in Tomorrow.

Central Lakes College farm business ograms, as usincome provide with Trust the food we putwhat on ourthey made from concerning, and so we want to continHe added farmers undergoing a ® theinfarm to feed their families,” added management instructor. “Dairy farmers Southwest ue to make sure that the resources are mental health crisis need to ask for tables. Trust Tomorrow. anagement Nordquist, who is also an Extension ag work really hard and to see low earnings available for farmers who are strug- help, adding not doing so worsens the economist. and, in a lot of cases loses, year after yearhe said. situation. gling,” Wells Insurance Agency On a more positive note, farm balance represent has worn on them and their families.

As He noted a bill this year at the state Local farmer Ryan Hajek, who has Subsidiary of CCFBank sheets did not deteriorate substantial- a result, many of them have decided f MinnesoLegislature would double the number of grown corn and soybeans with his father they 888-814-7801 | www.ccf.us Tomorrow.” and “Grinnell Mutual” are registered ly infrom previous years.

The average can’t wait for things to turn around.”

Notably, the “Trust mental health professionals for farmers north of Myrtle, said not knowing future Agents: Chuck Schulenberg andReinsurance Donna Company.

Yokiel © trademarks of Grinnell Mutual farm’s debt-to-asset y farms de- Grinnell Mutual Reinsurance Company, 2019. ratio increased to two and increase funding for farming crop prices can weigh on farmers. He slightly to 36 percent, still a relatively Beef and pork did not fare better 18, largely advocates who assist farmers undergo- noted he works full-time with a stable “Trust in Tomorrow.” and “Grinnell Mutual” are registered 507.448.3923 financial position rticipating times. income at a non-farming job in addition trademarks of strong Grinnell Mutual Reinsurance Company. ©largely supIn 2017, the pork industry wasing the difficult one Grinnell Mutual Reinsurance 2019.that has maintained POET.COM/Glenville ported byCompany, farmland s.

“Right bright spot in Minnesota agriculture.

But now, with prices tough, some to part-time farming. nt numbers its value. When non-farm earnings are in 2018 the median pork producerfarmers Hajek said farmers sometimes quesearned do face mental health pressures, and we want to make sure that tion whether the stress is worth it, only $27,739, down from over $101,000 they know that there are resources noting the profession is a 24/7 job. in the previous year. Pork prices were available for them if they’re strugHe said he hopes crop prices increase. down 9 percent, again largely impacted by trade issues. The average hoggling,” finisherPetersen said. “Like I said, we’re He added weather limited nitrogen going to do everything we can to keep all placement last fall, likely causing the lost $11.50 per head sent to market.

PROVIDED our farmers that want to be farming price of nitrogen to increase this spring.

Low profits continued for beef of producers. The median beef participating beef in 2018, a slight increase from the previfarm earned just over $6,000, virtually ous year but still historically low earnunchanged from the very low profitabil- ings. Southern Minnesota producers esity of the previous year. Beef finishers pecially struggled to get their crops in lost almost $30 per head marketed. with persistent spring rains; local spring flooding forced many to replant fields Crop farms: lower yields more than once. Corn production was and prices, trade issues hit especially hard, with average corn Crop farmers struggled with weather, yields downAuthority 20 percentBoard across the replace farm structures and septic and The Rural Finance prices and trade issues in 2018.

Thea disaster declaration for the water systems, as well as replace cropissued median crop producer earned state, $30,650 See INCOME,ping Pageinputs, 3 which now makes low interest feed, and livestock. The loans available for Minnesota farmers program offers affordable financing to whose operations suffered barn collaps- repair existing agricultural buildings to es or other damage due to the record pre-disaster conditions. Eligible farmers winter snowfall. According to a press must have received at least 50 percent of evel of Peterson, Kolker, Benda, Pollution Ltd. releaseHaedt from the&Minnesota their annual gross income from farming nication Control Agency, Gov. Walz signed a bill for the past three years and will work deliver allowing the RFA to declare a disaster through their bank to secure the loans due to excessive snowfall. The funds are from the RFA. available to farmers for expenses not More information on the Disaster Recovered by insurance. covery Loan is on the Minnesota Departn to help The Disaster Recovery Loan Program ment of Agriculture website at https:// onal and can be used to help clean up, repair, or www.mda.state.mn.us/.

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FRIDAY, MARCH 29, 2019 | AGRICULTURE FRIDAY,| PAGE MARCH 7 29

INCOME

BURNER

“IIfavailable somebody made Loans to help them work before, farmers we canrestructure, make it work re

“And it is not just larger farms that are profiting. We work with profitable farms of all sizesContinued and types.

Continued from Page 2 fromBut Pagein5 this environment, it takes outstanding managephases of thein operation, southern part of the state. Yields were ment in allwidespread the ’70sgood and ’80s, he timing and, maybe, little luckanymore. to make higher in the Red River Valley. could notafind them Minnesota farmers may seek assisAn appl Low prices persisted for all major that happen.”

“If somebody made them work tance from the Rural Finance Author- requirem Across before, all farms, 34 percent we can make it lost work again, crops. Soybean prices especially were ity’s (RFA) Restructure Loan program • Be a r their farming operations in heif impacted by trade issues. “It could have money onjust maybe a little bit better,” said. they have good credit but are having nesota do — Dennis Lutteke, organic farmer, lost net worth been a lot worse,” said Aaron Brudelie, 2018, and 40 It percent was not smooth sailing right away. trouble with cash flow. tion or fa weed burner manufacturer and taxes. a Minnesota West Community and Tech- after family Hisliving first expenses model wouldn’t hold a flame; • Be th The Restructure Loan program is percent lost working capithe wind would blow the fire out.available for refinancing debt related farm. nical College farm business instructor. Fifty-three mid-’90s.

They are all made to propane capital would he to “I made a lotpicture of mistakes,” said.

“The federal Market Facilitation Pro- tal. “The working • Not be agricultural activities only and reindustryof standards, he said. worse,” said Tjosaas, “but didn’t happen right away.” gram was the main reason soybean have been“It quires collateral a first mortgage on pant in an Lutteke and his son try to spend four wereafter forced to restructure producers showed any profits this year. many farmsBut that, he found morefarm suc- real estate. tion prog to five in thefor shop working• Have on short-term debtfirst down Producers are using those profits to help debt, moving cess.

He sold his tothe a farmer“This in may be ahours good option Minneburners somenot days and securing it with land offset another year of losses in corn pro- balance sheet Wisconsin in 1986. exce sota farmers whoevery are in day, goodthough standing their attention needed elsewhere, as duction in southern Minnesota.” USDA’s and other collateral.

Now, he hasThankfully, sold close toour 40,000 units, with their local lender is but are struginflation) they also runsaid an RFA organic dairy farm industry has been Market Facilitation Program provided agricultural he lending said. Most of his weed burnersgling stay with • Have cash flow,” Senior and grow farmers when can.” Ohio direct payments to producers of certain sticking with in Minnesota, Iowa,they Michigan, and Officer Loan Ryanedible Roles.black “The beans, cur- edible gross inc greenrate peas, alfalfa and oats. has LookingIndiana. ahead, USDA recently came commodities that were impacted by reHe and his son, Chris,rent aiminterest is 4.25 percent and He past thre also grown sweet into the out with a projection of somewhat higher taliatory tariffs by foreign countries. to sell about 1,000 units every the year. participation term maycorn be up a past.• Have The burners profits forRecently, agriculture inaverage 2019. “Atorders this are the for maximum of ten years.”are one of the ways 95Lutpercen tekewill maintains his crops — and mainpoint, there are way too many enough burners forvariables 12 to 16 rows, LutWide variation in earnings The RFA participate on 45 perInform them organically. we will be a year from teke said.

Not every operation struggled. Across to know where cent of atains qualifying loan up to a maxi- Program “We’veThere got to is learn to live with nature said.

“Onof thefeedback, cropping Lutteke After years all farms, the farms earning the highest now,” Nordquist mum of $525,000. a $50.00 nonis availab of fightfee it,” are projected to behe higher and on in to a model settled the instead net incomes, those in the top 20 percent, side, costs came refundable application onhe allsaid. loans. restructu earned an average of $184,000. “There there is no relief yet on prices, so it is are still a lot of farms out there that are a little hard to see where that increase successful,” said Josh Tjosaas, North- might come from. Hopefully, we will land Community and Technical College see some improved profitability in dairy farm business management instructor. and livestock agriculture.”

County farmer Ryan Hajek, direct- with farm ed $2,500 to Glenville Emmons FFA ganizatio through America’s Farmers Grow munities.

Communities, sponsored by the Bayer the chanc Fund. to a nonp With spring flooding in the forecast, if away in floodwaters. If possible, liquid Celebrating its 10th year, America’s awarded you live in a flood-prone area, you can fuel tanks should be emptied by your Farmers Grow Communities partners 8,000 non tap into state and local resources to help petroleum provider until floodwaters reduce damage and aid in any clean-up. recede.

Given current conditions, state emerMove household and farm chemicals to

gency management officials estimate an area that is safe from floodwaters. If flooding could develop in the first part that is not possible, make sure they are in secure containers that will not leak, of April.

While you’re on vacation, If you live in a rural area or operate rupture or float off. a feedlot where flooding is a possibility, Smaller livestock operations that donate your subscription to the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency spread solid manure must ensure that

(MPCA) says there are simple things you it doesn’t run off with snowmelt flowing

to surface waters. If possible, farmers can do to minimize pollution threats.

Dennis Lutteke lights the propaneSecure gas used burn away does refrain from spreading manure

should alltopropane andweeds. liquidThe fuelflame

Call Melissa at 507.379.3421 The burners can be configured differently. These burners are set up in row formation. burn the corn, but is aimed to miss its growing SARAH TRIBUNE periods of rapid snow melt. tanks so theypoints. will not tip KOCHER/ALBERT over or float LEAduring

again, just maybe a little bit better.”

Farmer directs donation to lo

Farmers urged to prepare for spring flooding

Going on Vacation?

Newspapers in Education.

Did you know? YOUR SOURCE FOR Ventura Foods in Albert Lea uses approximately AG FINANCING 19.5 million bushels of soybeans grown by local farmers every year to make our product!

Produce State Bank

109 W. Park Ave. 919 E. 14th St. Hollandale Albert Lea, MN (507) 889-4311

373-2431

www.venturafoods.com FDIC

Member

220 E. William St. Albert Lea (507) 373-5500

2401 Brige Ave. Albert Lea (507) 373-8600

Hometown Family Owned Since 1926! www.producestatebank.com

BRICELYN INSURANCE AGENCY Come in and visit with Ron Erickson or Ann Jensen for all your insurance needs.

Located in the back of Farmer’s Trust and Savings Bank Box 367 • Phone 653-4400

A Touchstone Energy® Cooperative

2501 Main St. East, P.O. Bo Albert Lea, MN 56007 507-373-6421 www.fmcs.coop

This institution is an equal opportunity provide

Page 8 | agriculture | Friday, march 29, 2019

THE FSB TEAM DEDICATED TO LOCAL AG FINANCING!

Mike Budach

Ashton Voigt

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COMMUNITY OWNED • COMMUNITY FOCUSED ALBERT LEA OFFICE 507-373-1945 HARTLAND OFFICE 507-845-2233 FREEBORN OFFICE 507-863-2371 www.fsbmn.bank Member FDIC NMLS 554275