5-11-13-zone2

Page 4 • Dairy Star • Saturday, May 11, 2013

USED EQUIPMENT SAUK CENTRE TRACTORS

NEW! NH TS6.140. ..........................In Stock NEW! NH T8.330 ..............................In Stock NEW! NH T9.560. .............................In Stock NEW! NH Boomer 35, FWA, Hydro, Loader ...................................... In Stock NEW! NH Boomer 50, FWA, Shuttle F/R Trans, Loader ..................... In Stock Ford 6610, 2 WD, open station, 1 owner, sharp.......................... $15,900 NH T6020 Elite, super steer, 2000 hrs., sharp ................... Coming In NH T8040, 305 HP, 1875 hrs., front susp., front duals, front/rear weights, all new rubber, auto guidance.............$164,500

SKID LOADERS

NH L175, 2000# lift, cab, heat, 350 hrs., LD 12.00x16.5 tires SO ....................... $34,500 New L230, 3000# lift, cab/heat/ac, 2 spd. ....................................... In Stock NH LS170, 1750# lift, cab/heat, hyd. detach., 10.00 tires, low hrs., new style body .......................... $15,900 NH LS170, 1750# lift, cab/heat, hyd. detach., 10.00 tires ........... $14,900

NEW T6 SERIES TRACTORS:

TAILOR-BUILD YOUR PERFECT COMBINATION

AUGERS

WE SELL WESTFIELD AUGERS Farm King 8x56............................ $2,500 Westfield MK 12x111 w/”flex” hopper option, like new, consigned ...... $28,500

New Holland T6 Series tractors are a natural fit wherever hard work is done. Every model features a clean-running engine with ECOBlue™ SCR technology that delivers a minimum 10% fuel savings*. And every model gives you the ultra-quiet comfort of the spacious Horizon™ cab to keep your productivity at maximum level all day. After that, you can specify your T6 tractor with the features you need to meet the exact requirements of your operation:

CONSIGNED

Kinze 2100 mounted 12-30, JD corn meters, in-furrow, liquid fert., Sunco row cleaners ............................... $7,500

TILLAGE

New - Salford 7206, 6 bottom, on-land, coulters ...................... In Stock New - Salford 9811 19’ HD disc ripper ................................ In Stock JD 512 9 shank disc LD ........ $27,500 SOripper Kent Discovator, 22’, red, 5 bar SOLD spike harrow....................................$4,950 Wilrich 3400 FC, 36’, 4 bar coil harrow, consigned ........................ $11,250

CHOOSE YOUR ENGINE: 4-OR 6-CYLINDER, 90 TO 120 PTO HP CHOOSE YOUR TRANSMISSION: 16FX16R, 24FX24R, 17FX16R ECONOMY OR FAST MOVER CHOOSE YOUR HYDRAULIC SYSTEM: 18-GPM OPEN CENTER OR 26-GPM CCLS CHOOSE YOUR FRONT AXLE: STANDARD FWD, SHARP-TURNING SUPERSTEER™ FWD, OR ULTRA-SMOOTH TERRAGLIDE™ FWD CHOOSE YOUR REAR AXLE: 98” BAR AXLE OR HEAVY-DUTY FLANGE CHOOSE YOUR CAB ROOF: LOW ROOF FOR LOW CLEARANCE OR DELUXE HIGH ROOF

HAY

NH BR7060, 4x5, roto cut, twine/net ...Just In NH 1411, 1000 RPM, std. hitch Coming In NH 1411, 1000 RPM, std. hitch, nice........................ Coming In NH BR780, 5x6, 1000 RPM, net wrap, no stalks, nice ...................... Coming In NH 1475, 14’ HS head, low acres, shedded, like new..................... $17,900 NH BR740A, 4x5, wide pickup, twine/net, nice .......................... $19,500 NH 1431 13’ discbine, drawbar swivel hitch .............................. $22,900 CIH 8370, 14’, 540 PTO ............... $2,500 NH BR7070, roto cut, 4x6 bale, roller wind guard, rubber teeth, clean $28,500 NH 644, 4x5, auto wrap, 1 owner, sharp ........................................ $10,900 NH 590 3x3, preser., consigned . $34,500 NH 565 small sq. baler, 72 belt thrower, NICE, low bales, consigned........ $9,900 Massey Ferguson 124 small sq. baler, above avg. .................................. $2,500 Sitrex RP2, 3 pt., 2 wheel windrow turner ............................... $450 Pro Quality hay basket, 105 bales $2,650

IN STOCK T6.140 and T6.160 *When compared to New Holland T6000 Series (Tier 3) tractors. © 2012 CNH America LLC. New Holland is a registered trademark of CNH America LLC.

MODERN FARM EQUIPMENT www.modernfarmequipment.com

SAUK CENTRE, MN

320-352-6543 • Hwy. 71 South

PIERZ, MN

(formerly Morrison County Tractor & Equipment Inc.)

320-468-2161 Hwy. 27 West

Store Hours: Monday-Friday 8-5, Saturday Seasonal

PIERZ

TRACTORS

New T6.160, cab, FWA ............... In Stock NH T8.275, FWA, cab, suspension............................... In Stock NH TC35DA, FWA, SS, hydro, cab, ldr., 35 HP ................................ $19,600 Ford TW35, FWA, duals, SOLD 1000 PTO ................................. $24,500 CIH Farmall 55A w/ldr., 460 hrs................................. Coming In

SKID LOADERS

Bobcat Toolcat 5400, 1600 hrs., cab/heat/ AC, high flow hyd., road kit ...... $34,500 NH L230, 3000#, cab/heat/AC, air seat, 2 spd., boom ride control ......... In Stock NH L175, 2 spd., hi-flow, cab, ht. ..................................... $18,900 NH L170, cab, ht., 1900 hrs. ...... $21,500 NH LS150, 1350# lift, cab/heat, hand controls .................................... $12,500 NH L150,cab/heat, 1050 hrs., 2009 model .................................Just In Bobcat S205, cab, ht./ac ............ $18,500

BALERS

NH BB940, 3x3, applicator, single axle ............................ Coming In NH BR7090, net, twine, XS, 5x6 . $24,800 NH BR780A, auto wrap, XS, 5x6 $18,500 NH BR780A, net, twine, 5x6 ....... $19,500 NH BR7070, net, twine, XS, 4x6 . $24,800 NH 678, 5x5, auto wrap, crowder wheels ........................ $11,500 NH 654, net, twine, wide PU, 4x6 ............................ $11,500 NH BR780A, net, twine, XS ........ $22,700 NH BR780A, AW, ex. sweep PU, 5x6 ........................................... $18,500 NH BR780, 5x6, auto. wrap, std. pickup ............................... $14,900 NH BR 740, 4x5, auto. wrap, wide pickup .............................. $14,000 NH 565 sq. baler, thrower............. $7,800 Vermeer 554XL, twine, accu., 4x5 $9,800

HAY TOOLS

NH 1411, 16’ discbine, 540 PTO $15,250 NH 1431, 13’ discbine, drawbar swivel hitch .............................. $18,500 NH 1441 discbine, 15’, swivel .... $13,000 NH 1475 haybine, 14’, 2300 HDR ................................ $10,500 NH 499 haybine, 12’, swing ......... $6,800 NH 499 haybine, 12’, swing ......... $3,500 JD 820, 9’ sickle........................... $6,800 NH 1038 bale wagon, 105 bales... $7,900

SPREADERS

Gehl 1410 (NH 195), 410 bu. upper beater, endgate ................. $7,500 New NH M2080, 353cu. ft. ......... In Stock New NH Hydra Box 550V, vert. beater, 442 cu. ft. .............. In Stock

TILLAGE

New Salford 7206 plow, 6 bottom, on land, coulters ...................... In Stock JD 215 tandem disc, 15’, 22” blades, dual wheels ................................ $5,500

WE SELL REINKE CENTER PIVOT IRRIGATION

MODERN FARM EQUIPMENT 320-352-6543 Sauk Centre, MN

FARM RAISED.

320-468-2161 Pierz, MN

KRONE HAY AND FORAGE EQUIPMENT KRONE BiG Pack Large Square Balers demonstrate excellence with:

When time is of the essence

To learn more about Krone hay and forage equipment, log on to www.krone-northamerica.com

Variable Filling System: Best bale flaking and lowest leaf loss.

HDP High Density Press: Puts the weight of a 4x4 bale in a 3x4 package.

CamLess Pickup: Fewer moving parts, less wear.

Gearboxes: Instead of chains, gearboxes are used making your operation more efficient, more reliable and reducing costs.

Models Available: • Big X 700 • Big X 850 • Big X 1100

Ask us about our hay tedder features!

KRONE ROTARY TEDDERS

KRONE offers an extensive range of high-quality and dependable rotary tedders. These machines stand out for high-quality work and plenty of innovations such as the maintenance-free OctoLink finger clutches and liquid grease rotor drives.

MODERN FARM EQUIPMENT www.modernfarmequipment.com

SAUK CENTRE, MN 320-352-6543 • Hwy. 71 South

PIERZ, MN 320-468-2161 • Hwy. 27 West

Krone Big X Self-Propelled Forage Harvester EasyCollect Corn Header has lower weight and reduced maintenance cost.

Maximum efficiency and optimum fuel economy

Page 14 • Dairy Star • Saturday, May 11, 2013

Dairy Star • Saturday, May 11, 2013 • Page 17

LIQUID MANURE TANKS, PUMPS AND AGITATORS S AgiPompe Powerful PTO Pumps & Agitators To Handle Liquid Manure

Electric Pump

Alley Scrapers

Steerable Axles

Manure Separators

Ask Dairyland Supply about the Houle product line, the right choice when it comes to manure handling.

Spreading Excellence!

The Best Equipment For Rent!

Grain Vacs

VERTICAL OR HORIZONTAL BEATERS 2600 Vacuum Tank

2) 420 Bu. Spreaders Tub Grinder

2) Prop Mixers 32’ & 42’

Pump For Lag Lagoons!

2) 32’, 2) 42’ & 2) 52’ Lagoon Pump/Agitators

IT’S BIG!

Manufactured in Redwood Falls, MN

Designed to be versatile enough to utilize one piece of equipment for a variety of applications!

Our rental equipment is all new and is serviced daily to ensure you the best value in rental equipment that is trouble free!

1) 4300 Gal. and 3) 5250 Gal. Steerable Tanks

DELIVERY AVAILABLE

2) 7300 Gal. Steerable Spreader Tanks

• Minimum soil disturbance • Low rate soil compaction • Reduced stress on tractor • 4 wheel disc brakes • Fast unloading • Hydraulic suspension

Try it!

You won’t believe how easy it tows!

www.dairylandsupply.com

DAIRYLAND SUPPLY INC. 320-352-3987 • 1-800-338-6455

SAUK CENTRE S

OFF I-94 ON THE CORNER OF HWY. 28 & 71 SOUTH

Dairy Star • Saturday, May 11, 2013 • Page 19

“… tickled with our results.”

— Steve King

KING DAIRY FARM, Piney Flats, TENNESSEE THE KING FAMILY: Steve and Teresa, son John, daughter Lauren 200 cows — 225,000 SCC average “Last year, we were concerned about somatic cell counts running high. We bought a Mas-D-Tec® conductivity meter to use alongside other tests for 11 months. We found it as reliable in detecting subclinical mastitis and much easier to use,” says Steve King of Piney Flats, Tennessee. He and his wife Teresa, son John and daughter Lauren have a 200-cow milking herd and farm the land that has been in the family since 1778.

“We do this for 3 to 5 days after calving. It pays to be proactive. We don’t have as many animals to treat, those we treat recover faster, our SCC is consistently lower, and we reduced our worries about withholding milk,” says Steve. “We are tickled with our results.”

“We just strip a squirt or two of milk in the top, and it gives us a quick reading. Then we can go right on to the next quarter or cow. This is so important to our quality management that we bought a second MasD-Tec so our milkers always have one in the apron to check any quarter that seems off. We also use it to check the herd once a month.

“The Mas-D-Tec helps us be proactive. When a situation develops, we can jump on it quickly to make decisions.

Another thing the Kings do proactively is to spray Udder Comfort™ on the udders of the fresh cows and heifers.

uddercomfort.com — 1.888.773.7153 — masdtec.com

Dairy Star • Saturday, May 11, 2013 • Page 21

1.9%

FOR

72 MONTHS ON USED SELF-PROPELLED

FORAGE HARVESTERS

65 hrs 0 1 , 0 3 2 9 2008, JD ,000

573 hrs , T 0 3 6 9 D 2011, J ,000

$305 ,0

$195 ,

84374

86 hrs 4 , R 0 1 3 8 2012 JD ,000

$229 ,0

91148

97931

Over 900 items with pictures updated daily • Go to www.midwestmachineryco.com

(1) = GLENCOE 320-864-5571 800-558-3759 4561 HWY 212, GLENCOE, MN 55336

(2) = HOWARD LAKE 320-543-2170 866-875-5093 5845 KEATS AVE. SW, HOWARD LAKE, MN 55349

(3) = STEWART 320-562-2630 800-827-7933 78412 CO RD 20, STEWART, MN 55385

(4) = ST. CLOUD 320-252-2010 800-645-5531 1035 35TH AVE. NE, SAUK RAPIDS, MN 56379

(5) = GLENWOOD 320-634-5151 888-799-1495 1710 N FRANKLIN GLENWOOD, MN 56334

(6) = SAUK CENTRE 320-352-6511 888-320-2936 1140 CENTRE ST, SAUK CENTRE, MN 56378

(7) = ALEXANDRIA 320-763-4220 888-799-1490 5005 STATE HWY 27 E, ALEXANDRIA, MN 56308

(8) = PAYNESVILLE 320-243-7474 866-784-5535 725 LAKE AVE. S, PAYNESVILLE, MN 56362

(9) = PRINCETON

763-389-3453 800-570-3453 3708 BAPTIST CHURCH RD, PRINCETON, MN 55371

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ROW CROP TRACTORS Case 2290 2wd, 5,049 hrs, 1979................$17,500 JD 4050 2wd, 10,609 hrs, 1983..................$16,500 JD 4440 2wd, 9,800 hrs, 1980....................$18,900 JD 4450 2wd, 11,707 hrs, 1988..................$29,500 JD 4850 2wd, 11,000 hrs, 1985..................$29,500 JD 7400 MFWD w/ ldr, 7,500 hrs, 1994.....$46,900 JD 7410 MFWD, 7,639 hrs, 1997...............$46,000 JD 7420 MFWD, IVT, 5,500 hrs, 2003........$67,000 JD 7420 2wd, 1,268 hrs, 2007....................$72,500 JD 7610 MFWD, 5,225 hrs, 1997...............$62,000 JD 7810 MFWD, 3,744 hrs, 1997...............$85,000 JD 7230 2wd, 250 hrs, 2010.......................$83,000 JD 6140R MFWD, 250 hrs, 2012..............$109,900 JD 7330 MFWD w/ ldr, 1,750 hrs, 2008. . .$104,900 JD 7330 MFWD, 600 hrs, 2010................$116,900 JD 7330 MFWD, 160 hrs, 2012................$122,000 JD 7200R MFWD, 150 hrs, 2011..............$152,500 JD 7230R MFWD, IVT, TLS, 300 hrs, ‘12..$200,000 JD 7260R MFWD, IVT, TLS, 171 hrs, ‘12..$192,500 JD 8130 MFWD, 3,200 hrs, 2007.............$133,000 JD 8230 MFWD, 2,000 hrs, 2008.............$154,000 JD 8320 MFWD, 4,135 hrs, 2002.............$122,500 JD 8225R MFWD, 500 hrs, 2010..............$176,000 JD 8235R MFWD, 112 hrs, 2012..............$175,000 JD 8235R MFWD, 146 hrs, 2012..............$182,000 JD 8235R MFWD, IVT, 500 hrs, 2012.......$202,000 JD 8245R MFWD, 1,200 hrs, 2010...........$167,000 JD 8245R MFWD, 1,000 hrs, 2010...........$167,000 JD 8260R MFWD, 737 hrs, 2012..............$180,000 JD 8270R MFWD, 1,350 hrs, 2010...........$174,000 JD 8270R MFWD, 1,250 hrs, 2010...........$178,000 JD 8270R MFWD, IVT, 2,178 hrs, 2010....$179,000 JD 8285R MFWD, 353 hrs, 2012..............$198,000 JD 8285R MFWD, 31 hrs, 2012................$215,000 JD 8295RT , 1,350 hrs, 2010....................$212,000 JD 8310R MFWD, ILS, 974 hrs, 2012......$227,000 JD 8310R MFWD, ILS, 668 hrs, 2012......$230,000 JD 8310RT, 800 hrs, 2011........................$225,000 JD 8335R MFWD, ILS, 360 hrs, 2011......$243,000 JD 8335R MFWD, ILS, 137 hrs, 2012......$250,000 JD 8335R MFWD, IVT/ILS, 309 hrs, ‘12. . .$265,000 JD 8345R MFWD, IVT/ILS, 1300 hrs, ‘10 $250,000 JD 8345R MFWD, IVT/ILS, 852 hrs, ‘10. . .$265,000 JD 8360RT, IVT, 598 hrs, 2011.................$273,000

8 8 1 3

4WD TRACTORS Ford 9280 , 4,832 hrs, 1994.......................$55,000 JD 8760, 5,337 hrs, 1992...........................$63,500 JD 8970, 6,900 hrs, 1993...........................$73,500 JD 9220, 2,600 hrs, 2004.........................$152,500

7 3 1 3 3 5 3 6 5 4 4 3 2 3 3 1 2 1 5 8 4 8 3 2 3 6

JD 9230, 1,325 hrs, 2008...........................$195,000 JD 9330, 647 hrs, 2011..............................$255,000 JD 9400, 4,395 hrs, 2000...........................$111,900 Steiger 480, 2,400 hrs, 2007.....................$178,500 JD 9430, 1,100 hrs, 2009...........................$239,900 JD 9430, 302 hrs, 2011..............................$252,000 JD 9520T, 6,930 hrs, 2003.........................$114,900 JD 9520, 3,918 hrs, 2003...........................$159,000 JD 9530, 400 hrs, 2011..............................$262,000 JD 9530, 400 hrs, 2011..............................$267,000 JD 9530T, 1,314 hrs, 2011.........................$278,000 JD 9530T, 1,108 hrs, 2011.........................$269,000 Case IH STX485, Trk, 1,642 hrs, 2009.......$250,000 JD 9620, 3,220 hrs, 2006...........................$193,500 JD 9630, 762 hrs, 2011..............................$272,000 JD 9630, 740 hrs, 2011..............................$275,000 JD 9630T, 792 hrs, 2010............................$272,000 JD 9630T, 573 hrs, 2011............................$305,000 JD 9460R, 110 hrs, 2012...........................$289,000 JD 9460R, 200 hrs, 2012...........................$315,000 JD 9510RT, 1,000 hrs, 2012......................$315,000 JD 9510RT, 151 hrs, 2012.........................$335,000 JD 9560R, 397 hrs, 2012...........................$315,000 JD 9560R, 199 hrs, 2012...........................$328,000 JD 9560RT, 1,000 hrs, 2012......................$325,000 JD 9560RT, 196 hrs, 2012.........................$361,000

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SKID STEERS JD 320, 455 hrs, ‘05.....................................$23,000 JD 325, 1875 hrs, ‘07...................................$22,900 JD 318D, 74 hrs, ‘12.....................................$32,900 JD 318D, 360 hrs, ‘11...................................$33,900 JD 318D, 110 hrs, ‘12...................................$33,900 Case SR220, 200 hrs, ‘11............................$33,500 JD 320D, 500 hrs, ‘12...................................$33,750 JD 320D, 394 hrs, ‘12...................................$34,000 JD 320D, 350 hrs, “13..................................$34,000 JD 320D, 241 hrs, ‘12...................................$34,900 JD 320D, 390 hrs, ‘11...................................$35,900 JD 320D, 50 hrs, ‘12.....................................$36,500 JD 326D, 2850 hrs, ‘11.................................$27,900 JD 326D, 221 hrs, ‘11...................................$36,500 JD 326D, 40 hrs, ‘12.....................................$39,500 JD 326D, 50 hrs, ‘12.....................................$40,900 JD 328D, 400 hrs, ‘12...................................$42,500 JD 332D, 1157 hrs, ‘11.................................$39,750 JD 332D, 1381 hrs, ‘12.................................$39,900 JD 332D, 247 hrs, ‘12...................................$44,500 JD 332D, 194 hrs, ‘12...................................$45,900 JD 332D, 64 hrs, ‘12.....................................$46,900 JD 332D, 50 hrs, ‘12.....................................$49,500 Bobcat S750, 32 hrs, ‘13..............................$46,900

4 4 4 7

JD CT322 track loader, 885 hrs, ‘06............$24,000 JD CT322 track loader, 650 hrs, ‘06............$29,900 JD 319D track loader, 583 hrs, ‘11..............$33,900 JD 319D track loader, 30 hrs, ‘11................$38,900

1 8 2 4 5 5 4 2 4 6 9 5 2 9 3

PLANTERS JD 7200, 12R30, 1.6 bu ‘89 .........................$13,750 Case 955, 16R22..........................................$15,000 White 6300, 16R30......................................$22,000 JD 1730, 12R22, 1.6 bu, ‘97.........................$31,900 JD 1780, 24R20, ‘98.....................................$38,000 JD 1770, 16R30, 3 bu, ‘00............................$43,500 JD 1770, 16R30, 3 bu, ‘01............................$45,000 JD 1770, 16R30, 3 bu, ‘00............................$68,500 JD 1760, 12R30, 3 bu, ‘13............................$70,000 Case 1250, 16R30, CCS, ‘10........................$89,900 JD 1770NT. 16R30, CCS, ‘11.....................$108,000 JD 1770NT, 16R30, CCS, ‘12.....................$112,500 JD 1770NT, 16R30, 1.6 bu, ‘12..................$109,000 JD 1770NT, 16R30, CCS, ‘12.....................$127,000 JD 1770NT, 24R30 CCS, ‘12......................$162,500

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HAY EQUIPMENT Hesston 4900 Sq baler, ‘98.........................$25,000 NH BR780, rd baler, ‘03................................$16,490 NH BR780, rd baler, ‘04................................$17,500 NH BR7070 rd baler, ‘09..............................$28,000 JD 458 rd baler, ‘09.....................................$25,000 JD 467 rd baler, ‘02.....................................$19,900 JD 467 rd baler, ‘06.....................................$22,000 JD 468 rd baler, ‘07.....................................$25,900 JD 468 rd baler, ‘10.....................................$28,500 JD 468 rd baler, ‘11.....................................$29,500 JD 468 rd baler, ‘12.....................................$29,900 JD 468S rd baler, ‘09...................................$24,000 JD 468S rd baler, ‘12...................................$33,000 JD 568 rd baler, ‘11.....................................$38,000 JD 568 rd baler, ‘12.....................................$38,900 JD 568 rd baler, ‘12.....................................$39,900 JD 568 rd baler, ‘12.....................................$40,500 JD 854 rd baler, ‘10.....................................$28,500 JD 4995 windrower, ‘05, 14.5’ hd................$72,500 JD 4995 windrower, ‘04, 14.5’ hd................$73,000 NH H8080 windrower, ‘11, 16’ hd..............$101,000 JD R450 windrower, ‘11, 995 hd...............$122,000 JD 535 MoCo, imp, ‘07.................................$17,900 JD 735 MoCo, rolls, ‘05................................$19,950 JD 735 MoCo, imp, ‘05.................................$20,350 JD 946 MoCo, rolls, ‘11................................$29,800 JD 946 MoCo, rolls, ‘12................................$31,500 JD 956 MoCo, rolls, ‘07................................$19,800 JD 956 MoCo, rolls, ‘03................................$20,500

(1) = GLENCOE (2) =HOWARD LAKE (3) = STEWART (4) = ST. CLOUD (5) = GLENWOOD (6) = SAUK CENTRE (7) = ALEXANDRIA (8) = PAYNESVILLE (9) = PRINCETON

1200 hrs , R 5 4 2 8 D 2010, J ,000

$167

97916

52 hrs , D 6 2 3 D J 2012, 500

$39, 5

91567

, 196 hrs D 2 3 3 D J , 2012 900 98032

$45, 9

1076 hrs , R 5 4 2 8 2010, JD 7 , 0 0 0 93484 6

$1 6

Signs of spring are a fallacy

There are probably a million ways people have of predicting when spring nally arrives.

Not that it matters much; this year, spring has proven all those old adages Getting Kerry’d Away to be a saturated tissue of lies. (That’s my favorite quote from my upcoming appearance in a community theatre production.)

Other than using the astronomical calendar, nature and humanity provide us with many signs that spring has arrived.

One evidential sign of spring is the melting snow.

By Kerry Hoffman This year the sun melts the Columnist snow, then the snow reappears, then melts, then reappears, then melts again. You get the idea.

The wild birds and animals are running around in circles. They have absolutely no clue as to hide their food in the bark of the tree or just eat it. Really, I have seen some confused ladder back wood peckers this year.

The geese still y, but I swear I saw the exact same group twice in one day. The rst time I observed them, they were heading north, which is the proper direction. Later, they were heading south. I think they said, “To heck with Minnesota. We’re going back to Texas.”

Wouldn’t surprise me any if the Minnesota retirees who reside in the South for the winter turn around and stay until next April. We’ll miss you.

Another predictor I have heard is this: If all of a sudden you step on the scale and you have dropped ve pounds, it’s spring. Apparently, us Midwesterners gain a few pounds over the winter. Well, this year, and I can attest to this, we gained more than a few pounds; there were a few days when I needed that extra insulation.

Hey, weight gain could be an accurate sign of spring, as I yet have to t into last summer’s clothes.

I have my own theories about the arrival of spring, which varies greatly from scientic evidence.

It’s purely observational.

My rst sign of spring involves the cows.

Cows get stupid when the sun starts warming things to a comfortable temperature. They tend to moo a lot and want to run and jump a bit more than they do during the dregs of winter.

In fact, Sunday afternoon the cows totally loved the spring weather, so they decided to bust through their gates, then run north on 140th Avenue, until they happened upon 190th Street. They stopped there; for they didn’t have a clue as to where in the heck they were.

Russell learned that no matter how early you return home after prom the night before, you still have to get out of bed to round up cows when your mother is the only other person home.

Having my entire yard aerated with huge cow prints is another sign of spring. I like to think of it as an environmentally friendly way of aerating the lawn.

I don’t have to use any gas – although cows give off signicant amounts of methane in the form of running

Dairy Star • Saturday, May 11, 2013 • Page 27

farts – because each foot a cow puts on the ground This year, he has only been in the mode for one leaves a hole large enough for rabbits to build nests in. consecutive day.

That is true. I have seen footprints used for this You read that right. We planted one 12-acre eld purpose. of corn on one day.

This year, I am going to use those holes for a It snowed Wednesday. We’re right back in the landscaping feature; koi included. middle of winter.

F questions, or comments, Another sign of spring For is my passage into Steve’s H e-mail me at kahoffman@ Having i my entire i yard d aerated d newulmtel.net.

World of Obliviousness.

Kerry and her husband, Steve, I mean, I could be sit- with huge cow prints is along with their teenage sons, ting on the couch in a hot- another sign of spring.

JJoey and Russell, operate a 100pink body cast and the man ccow dairy farm south of New wouldn’t even take notice.

It’s like he’s the star in the 1980s Dunkin Donut’s Ulm, Minn. In her spare time, she likes to read, read and read some more. They have three dogs, one gecko, one guinTime to Make the Donuts commercials.

“Time to plant the seed corn. Time to plant the ea pig and one house cat that is insane. The 11 barn cats are normal – except for Mitch. There’s something wrong with seed corn.” that cat.

“Farming.

It’s what we do.”

It’s what we do that makes it more profitable.

As a dairy farmer, you know that hard work and care for the farm today will ensure that it will be there for tomorrow. You also know that a helping hand can make it more profitable.

For over thirty years, Alltech has been working with dairy farmers around the world to ensure their feed produces the best results. Alltech knows that providing the correct diet for your cows can bring you closer to your goal of 2,200 extra pounds of milk.

Dakota

Bedding 701-297-9742

WORKS WELL FOR COMPOST BARNS!

Nominate your dairy hero at DairyHeroes or alltech.com/dairy/heroes

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Photography: Paul Mobley

The Alltech on-farm program is designed to help you along the way. Contact us and see what we can do… together.

Page 40 • Dairy Star • Saturday, May 11, 2013

CowScout™S

CowScout™S is a new form of activity monitoring, backed by the equipment and service expertise of GEA Farm Technologies. A leg or neck tag measures activity and sends

ACTIVITY MONITORING SYSTEM

data to a wireless receiver. In turn, activity alerts are sent to your computer or mobile device. With lower installation requirements, CowScout™S is less expensive and easier to implement in any size operation. Reduce labor and increase your herd’s reproductive performance. From cow to cloud to you — know now with CowScout™S.

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Call us for more information: Advanced Dairy Solutions Richland Center, WI 608-647-4488 • 800-772-4770 Centre Dairy Equipment Sauk Centre, MN 320-352-5762 • 800-342-2697 Eastern Iowa Dairy Systems Epworth, IA • 563-876-3087

Hobert Sales Inc. Cokato, MN 320-286-6284 • 800-820-6455 (milk) Fitzgerald, Inc. Elkader, IA • 563-245-2560 Fuller's Milker Center, Inc. Lancaster, WI • 800-887-4634 www.fullersmilkercenter.com

Midwest Livestock Systems Menomonie, WI • 715-235-5144 Pine Island, MN • 800-233-8937 Sioux Falls, SD • 800-705-1447 Beatrice, NE • 800-742-5748 Fullerton, NE • 402-920-1217 Monroe Westfalia Surge Monroe, Wisconsin 608-325-2772 jcraigo@tds.net

Sioux Dairy Equipment, Inc. Rock Valley, IA 712-476-5608 • 800-962-4346 Colton, SD Service 800-944-1217 Edgerton, MN Chemical Sales 507-920-8626 Leedstone Melrose, MN 320-256-3303 • 800-996-3303 Glencoe, MN 320-864-5575 • 877-864-5575 www.leedstone.com