Farming in the Heartland Spring 2015

Supplement to The Freeborn & Mower County Shoppers/Tuesday, April 14, 2015/Page 20

www.agpowerjd.com Belle Plaine, MN 1051 Old Hwy 169 Blvd (952) 873-2224

Hollandale, MN West Hwy 251 (507) 889-4221

Owatonna, MN 3555 SW 18th St (507) 451-4054

STRONGEST

IN THEIR

NEW LOCATIONS Northwood, IA Osage, IA 806 Central Ave 2197 Hwy 218 E (641) 324-1154 (641) 732-3719

FIELD.

From material handling to planting, seeding and tillage, the John Deere 6M and 6R Series Tractors (105–210 hp†) are big machines that can handle big challenges. Efficient PowerTech™ engines offer high torque and fuel economy. Multiple PowerQuad™, AutoQuad™ and IVT™ transmissions are available, with operator stations built for comfort and control. And during Deere Season, you’ll get special financing or cash discounts.

g n i m Far

SPRING 2015

in the

D N A L T R A E H PLANTING THE SEED FOR 2015

An Agricultural, Farming & Rural Development Supplement Covering Freeborn County, Mower County & Surrounding Areas 6M SERIES UTILITY TRACTORS 105 to 170 hp† engines

6R SERIES UTILITY TRACTORS 105 to 210 hp† engines

Real Estate Sales and Farm Management For all of your agricultural landowner needs, contact your local land professionals.

OFFER ENDS APRIL 30TH!

Doug Bergemann, AFM Farm Manager/Agent

Jeanne Williams, Agent

(507) 420-8328

JWilliams@FarmersNational.com

Austin, Minnesota

DBergemann@FarmersNational.com

www.FarmersNational.com/DouglasBergemann

Lake Crystal, Minnesota

(507) 340-6613

www.FarmersNational.com/JeanneWilliams

Manufacturer’s estimate of power (ISO) per 97/68/EC.

†

(507) 341-0097

• Built strong from the core • Produces all bale sizes • Designed for silage customers, hobby farmers and commercial operators

LGabriel@FarmersNational.com

www.FarmersNational.com/LowellGabriel

LWilliams@FarmersNational.com

www.FarmersNational.com/LeeWilliams

To find out about all of FNC’s quality services, contact:

Sam Kain, ALC, National Sales Manager www.FarmersNational.com

85 Years

in

t

1-800-798-4509 • SKain@FarmersNational.com West Des Moines, Iowa

Togeth ing er rk

cy

9 SERIES ROUND BALERS

Lake Crystal, Minnesota

Con

ww.northstarpowersports.com

(507) 383-0295

Alden, Minnesota

to

Visit Our Website At:

Lee Williams, AFM Farm Manager/Agent

ue

ga

507-373-9000 2120 Consul St. • Albert Lea

Lowell Gabriel Agent/Auctioneer

Wo

BETTER HAY STARTS WITH BETTER EQUIPMENT.

e Yo u r L

Real Estate Sales • Auctions • Farm and Ranch Management • Appraisal • Insurance • Consultations Oil and Gas Management • Timber Resource Management • National Hunting Leases • Lake Management • FNC Ag Stock

Supplement to The Freeborn & Mower County Shoppers/Tuesday, April 14, 2015/Page 2

Protect what matters most.

Store Hours: M-F 7:30 am-9:00 pm Sat 8:00 am-7:00 pm Sun 9:00 am-6:00 pm

1400 18th Avenue NW, Austin, MN 55912 • 507.433.7437

Our Departments

Runnings

in Austin features an expanded Sporting Goods selection, including firearms.

• Air Compressors • Bird Feeding • Equine • Footwear • Housewares • Plumbing • Toys

Supplement to The Freeborn & Mower County Shoppers/Tuesday, April 14, 2015/Page 19

• Animal/Pet Care • Clothing • Farm • Hardware • Lawn & Garden • Power Equipment • Welding

• Automotive • Electrical • Food & Candy • Heating & Cooling • Paint • Sporting Goods • Tools

Our customized interactive security systems protect your home and farm with video surveillance, temperature monitoring, door sensors, and more.

We proudly carry these brands....

1-888-264-6380

Grain Bin Engulfment Rescue Aluminum, Yellow Rescue Tube Durable No Tools Required Clamps together

  

Owned by:

Red Rescue Tube

heartlandss.com

Unloads quickly Uses a std 1/2” power drill

 

Poly Platforms

Aids rescuers Improves Footing

  We cultivate relationships one farm at a time.

Meet Our AG Team



Serving you in two locations

217 S Newton, Albert Lea 507-377-7000

195 N Broadway, Alden 507-379-6060

1.800.527.8775

NOT designed for engulfment prevention NOR rescue  Filters dust  Grain Dust Explosion Proof

1.800.KC.SUPPLY

Frontier Communications supports Farm Safety and wishes all farmers a safe and successful planting season. Keep in touch with family members.

Welcome

Perfect

Place for the end of your day.

to the

deck

Where downtime is about relaxation, family, friends.

www.kcsupply.com

Life Safety Building

105 E. Oakland Ave, Austin, MN • 507-440-5733 Pam Hollrah-Asleson, RN, CLNC, QP

phollrah-asleson@RNCandC.com www.LifeSafety4-U.com

EMERGENCIES HAPPEN! B-PREPARED. Farmer Emergency Upcoming Weekends

Free Demo of Personal Alarms for the Farm (both tethered and untethered alarms with Help Button, LLC) Untethered Alarms have GPS to LOCATE YOU quickly and bring help!

Don’t Risk Life or Limb...know what to do!

Protect Yourself and Your Family with CPR and First-Aid! CPR 2 & 8 Hr classes will be offered each weekend (check website www.LifeSafety4-U.com or call for dates/options)

Stacyville • Lyle • Adams • Brownsdale & other towns in southern MN Call for information to set a date for your community’s Farmer Weekend

kcsupply@kcsupply.com

Minnesota Department of Agriculture Farm Safety Tips Farm Equipment Safety

stop before dismounting equipment.

Large and powerful equipment can be

Keep bystanders and others away from equipment operation area.

found all over a farm. This equipment is also a source of many injuries. By developing a “safety first” attitude and following some basic equipment safety guidelines, you can stay out of harm’s way and set a good example for others.

And life is inspired.

Freeborn Lumber Co. 917 Plaza Street W Albert Lea, MN 56007 507-377-4284

Respirator Helmet

Pay attention to all safety information.

Read operator’s manual and warning decals.

Inspect the equipment and correct any hazards before operating.

Identify hazardous areas on equipment and make sure you stay away from moving parts. Beware of pinch points, shear points, wrap points, pull-in areas, thrown objects, crush points, stored energy hazards and freewheeling parts.

Shut down equipment, turn off the engine, remove key and wait for moving parts to

Personal Farm Safety Don’t wear loose clothing around equipment or work areas.

Use safety equipment the way it was intended. That means appropriate gloves, hearing protection and safety eyewear, not to mention face masks and respirators when working in dusty conditions.

Always have a helper nearby when entering grain bins, breeding pens or other high-risk areas.

Discuss safety concerns with children as you explain safe handling and operating procedures. Practice what you preach, and they will practice it, too.

Supplement to The Freeborn & Mower County Shoppers/Tuesday, April 14, 2015/Page 18

Supplement to The Freeborn & Mower County Shoppers/Tuesday, April 14, 2015/Page 3

Overhead Power Lines

Congratulations Cole and Katie Pestorious!

The 2015 Farm Family of the Year!

Northwood, Iowa Serving No. Iowa & Southeran MN • Family Owned & Operated Since 1954

We specialize in underground solutions for farmers, landowners, municipalities and contractors.

2015 Farm Family of the Year Cole & Katie Pestorious & Family

Entanglement with overhead power lines and farm equipment is one of the most common electrical hazards on the farm. Many types of farm equipment can come in contact with overhead power lines. Tractors with front-end loaders, portable grain augers, fold-up planters, dump truck beds and sprayer booms are all examples of equipment that can easily get caught in overhead power lines.

Recommendations: • LOOK UP! before moving or transporting equipment especially around buildings, grain bins or entrance/exiting fields and farms.

• Power lines should be at least 18 feet above the highest point of grain bin with which portable augers or other portable filling equipment are used.

• Considering burying electric lines to reduce the risk of accidental contact.

Don’T STArT The worK wIThouT

the right tools.

Got a new challenge on your jobsite? Or a special project at home? Find the answer by visiting your local rental dealer with the most comprehensive fleet of compact equipment.

Authorized Bobcat Dealer

2317 Consul St, Albert Lea, MN SANCO 507-377-1631 EQUIPMENT

• Remember some equipment during transportation is actually taller than when in use.

10060 MN-30 Blooming Prairie, MN

507-583-6661

2015 Farm Family of the Year

54685 175th St Austin, MN

Congratulations to Cole & Katie Pestorious and Children Danica, Bridget & Cael Co-Owners of Frontier Family Farms

• Septic Compliance Inspections • Design & Install

2000

$

**

Customer Instant Rebate!

www.fmcs.coop

P&L Excavating Forrie: 507-319-6664

Your First Tractor Is a Big Deal

PLUS UP TO

Brought to you by:

• Complete Septic Service!!

pandlexcavating.com Kyle: 507-383-3385

$0 down, 0.0% for 60 Months*

If your equipment becomes entangled in power lines, stay in the tractor or truck unless the tractor or truck starts on fire.

Jump as far from the tractor as possible but land on both feet.

Then hop with feet together to get to safety!

If on fire, contact 911…if you are staying in the vehicle, contact FMCS Operations at 800-734-6421.

SEPTIC PUMPING

• Pumping & Maintenance • Licensed & Insured

www.bobcatofalbertlea.com

• Always stay alert and never take unnecessary risks.

507-437-2644

Cole and Katie Pestorious accepted the award at the 10th annual Albert Lea-Freeborn County Chamber of Commerce Agriculture Luncheon at the Fairlane Building at the Freeborn County Fairgrounds.

Bobcat®, the Bobcat logo and the colors of the Bobcat machine are registered trademarks of Bobcat Company in the United States and various other countries. 15-B034

• Another thing you need to be careful of is bumping into the guide wires on electrical poles. This will cause sagging in the overhead lines and will make entanglement more likely.

MN License #3133

2501 Main Street East, Albert Lea, MN This institution is an equal opportunity employer and provider.

STANDARD L SERIES COMPACT TRACTORS

L3901 shown as example only.

SANCO EQUIPMENT

2317 Consul St Albert Lea, MN 56007 507-377-1631 • BobcatOfAlbertLea.com *$0 down, 0.0 % A.P.R. financing for up to 60 months on purchases of new Kubota L Series equipment available to qualified purchasers from participating dealers’ in-stock inventory through 6/30/2015. Example: A 60-month monthly installment repayment term at 0.0% A.P.R. requires 60 payments of $16.67 per $1,000 financed. 0.0% A.P.R. interest is available to customers if no dealer documentation preparation fee is charged. Dealer charge for document preparation fee shall be in accordance with state laws. Inclusion of ineligible equipment may result in a higher blended A.P.R. Not available for Rental, National Accounts or Governmental customers. 0.0% A.P.R. and low rate financing may not be available with customer instant rebate offers. Financing is available through Kubota Credit Corporation, U.S.A., 3401 Del Amo Blvd., Torrance, CA 90503; subject to credit approval. Some exceptions apply. Offer expires 6/30/2015. See us for details on these and other low-rate options or go to www.kubota.com for more information.** $2,000 Customer Instant rebate includes two separate instant rebates available on L3901 or L4701 with the purchase of two qualifying implements. The first offer is for a Customer instant rebate (C.I.R.) of $1,000 are available on cash or finance purchases of new Kubota 3901 or L4701 Series tractors to qualified purchasers from participating dealers’ in-stock inventory through 4/30/2015. The second offer is for a Customer instant rebates(C.I.R.) of $1,000 available on cash or finance purchases of new Kubota L3901 or L4701 Series with two or more qualifying new Kubota or Landpride implements qualified purchasers from participating dealers’ in-stock inventory through 4/30/2015. Dealer subtracts rebates from dealer’s pre-rebate selling price on qualifying purchases. Sales to Rental, National Accounts or Governmental customers do not qualify. C.I.R.s not available after completed sale. Financing is available through Kubota Credit Corporation, U.S.A., 3401 Del Amo Blvd., Torrance, CA 90503; subject to credit approval. Some exceptions apply. Offer expires 4/30/2015.KCDA-04-TK

Supplement to The Freeborn & Mower County Shoppers/Tuesday, April 14, 2015/Page 4

Supplement to The Freeborn & Mower County Shoppers/Tuesday, April 14, 2015/Page 17

Micro-Loan Program The Farm Service Agency (FSA) developed the Microloan (ML) program to better serve the unique financial operating needs of beginning, niche and small family farm operations.

FSA currently has a borrowing limit for the microloan

15330 580th Avenue Wells, MN 56097

program of $50,000. The loan features a streamlined application process built to fit the needs of new and smaller producers. This loan program will also be useful to specialty crop producers and operators of community supported agriculture (CSA).

Eligible applicants can apply for a maximum amount of $50,000 to pay for initial start-up expenses such as hoop houses to extend the growing season, essential tools, irrigation and annual expenses such Adam J. Gritz as seed, fertilizer, utilities, land rents, marketing, and USDA Farm Service Agency distribution expenses. As financing needs increase, Fillmore County Farm Loan Manager applicants can apply for a regular operating loan up to “This is a great update for Minnesota producers.” the maximum amount of $300,000 or obtain financing from a commercial lender under FSA’s Guaranteed Loan Program.

Individuals who are interested in applying for a microloan or would like to discuss other farm loan programs should call the Farm Loan Team in Preston, MN at (507) 765-2123.

R & S Grain Systems, Inc.

Mark Nowak Contact me for the following services:

• Financial Analysis • Ratio Analysis • Cash Flow Plans • Ultra Farm Record Keeping • Marketing Strategies

Shopper

The

and

Nowak Ag Consulting Helping farmers succeed in South Central Minnesota for over 40 years

Offering you today’s technology at your fingertips - www.ffmbank.com

Freeborn County

Shopper The Mower County

Would like to remind all our area farmers to be alert to the dangers and practice farm safety this season!

MORRISON WELL DRILLING

Manufacturing & Fabrication

We have 3 office locations Algona, IA Morris, MN & Hartington, NE with additional locations in Albert Lea, MN and Sac City, IA.

Serving Freeborn & Mower Counties

25863 650th Ave., Dexter, MN 55926 Phone: 507-584-6794 • Fax: 507-584-6634 • rsgrain.com

We Have on Hand:

Belts • Bearings • Electric Motors • Nuts & Bolts Hubs • Pulleys • Dodge Gear Drives • Roller Chain

507-391-4472 mark@nowakagconsulting.com

Mr. Charlie Gilles 507-582-3253 15740 665th Avenue • Adams, MN

• Residential • Municipal Wells • Geothermal Wells • Sealing Old Wells

• Well Drilling • Well Pump Repair • Backhoe Trenching

60 YEARS EXPERIENCE

www.morrisonwelldrilling.com 373-5411 ALBERT LEA/AUSTIN

874-2600 863- 2455 ALDEN

FREEBORN

Express Pressure Washers, Inc.

A swineexclusive veterinary clinic offering customized solutions for your business.

Algona: 515-295-8777

15880 SE 74th Avenue, Blooming Prairie, MN 55917

Morris: 320-589-0111 Parts * Accessories * Soap * Repair * On-site Service

ALL OUR MACHINES ARE 100% SATISFACTION GAURANTEED

Open Monday to Friday from 8:00 to 5:00 and Saturday 8:30 to 12:00 Phone: 507-583-2703 Fax: 507-583-2060 service@expresspressurewashers.com www.expresspressurewashers.com Join us on Facebook!

“Professional Auctioneering - It’s What We Do”

Call me for all your auction needs.

Col. Frank Fox, Cell: 641-420-3243

www.foxauctioncompany.com

Innovative Swine Veterinary Services Helping our clients achieve success in the swine industry.

Hartington: 402-254-2444

Website: suidaehp.com 1128151

Supplement to The Freeborn & Mower County Shoppers/Tuesday, April 14, 2015/Page 16

Supplement to The Freeborn & Mower County Shoppers/Tuesday, April 14, 2015/Page 5

USDA Announces Changes to Fruit, Vegetable & Wild Rice Planting Rules Kirk W. Phelps USDA Farm Service Agency Mower County Executive Director

Farm Service Agency (FSA) has announced fruit, vegetable and wild rice provisions that affect producers who intend to participate in certain programs authorized by the Agricultural Act of 2014.

Producers who intend to participate in the Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) or Price Loss Coverage (PLC) programs are subject to an acre-foracre payment reduction when fruits and nuts, vegetables or wild rice are planted on the payment acres of a farm. Payment reductions do not apply to mung beans, dry peas, lentils or chickpeas. Planting fruits, vegetables or wild rice on acres that are not considered payment acres will not result in a payment reduction. Farms that are eligible to participate in ARC/PLC but are not enrolled for a particular year may plant unlimited fruits, vegetables and wild rice for that year but will not receive ARC/PLC payments for that year. Eligibility for succeeding years is not affected.

What is Farmamerica?

The Minnesota Agricultural Interpretive Center (Farmamerica) was established by the Minnesota legislature in 1978 to preserve the state’s rich agricultural heritage. We started out with a few acres, donated by Roy Lukken in the late 1970’s and, with the help of the local community, legislators and contributors, built the center into a 360-acre site which includes an impressive Visitor Center (built in 2000), a pond and prairie restoration, many external historical buildings, plus a large collection of antique tractors and farm equipment.

Planting and harvesting fruits, vegetables and wild rice on ARC/PLC acreage is subject to the acre-foracre payment reduction when those crops are planted on more than 15 percent of the base acres of a farm enrolled in ARC-CO or PLC. Planting violations no longer apply. A farm or producer does not need to have a history of vegetable planting under the new rules.

Our primary focus has always been education. It is important to us that we teach schoolchildren about our rural history and how farms in Minnesota helped to provide food for the nation and the world. In many cases, their visit to Farmamerica is the first time they see live farm animals up close. Research shows that 90% of kids living in rural areas today have never had a farming or agricultural experience.

Fruits, vegetables and wild rice that are planted in a double-cropping practice will not cause a payment reduction if the farm is in a doublecropping region as designated by the USDA’s Commodity Credit Corporation.

7367 - 360th Avenue, Waseca, MN 56093 507-835-2052 Directions: 2 mi W of Waseca just off HWY 14 on CR 2 or 17

Rates Self-guided tours: Free Will Donation Call for guided group tour rates, Free parking.

Farmamerica is an IRS 501 (c)(3) not-for-profit public charity.

Jun 3, 2015 - Aug 29, 2015 About Changes in agriculture, 1850s to the present.

Historic farm sites, country school, country church, blacksmith shop, feed mill, historic gardening and field cropping; monthly events; Self-guided walking tours available June 2 - August 30 - Tuesday - Friday - 9 am - 2 pm and Sunday’s Noon - 4 pm; group tours available by appointment School Tours Farmamerica offers fun and educational tours for school groups for grades 3 to 6. We can only accept the first 200 students for each date, so call 507-835-2052 or email info@ farmamerica.org and book now to make sure you get the date you want! Further information about our school tours, including the agenda for the day, is available in our 2015 School Tours Brochure.

Spring & Fall 2015 SPRING: Full day school tours:

Heating • Ventilating • Air Conditioning Electrical • Plumbing

308 West Main Street, Adams, MN

R

www.viafield.com

Your cooperative providing growing opportunities for producers and consumers at locations in northern Iowa and southern Minnesota

Agronomy • Energy Feed • Grain Toll-Free 888-788-7671 Area Locations: Clermont • Randalia • Sumner Arlington • Maynard • Winthrop Oelwein • Lamont • Elgin Marble Rock • Rudd • Rockford Manly • Grafton • Northwood Carpenter • Myrtle • London

May 5, 7, 14, 19, 20, 21, 26, 28 and 29 SPRING: 1850’s day (tour will be of the 1850’s site only): May 15 FALL: September 23, 24, 29, October 1 and 6 Fall Fair FREE Admission and FREE Parking!

Sat. & Sun., Sept. 12 & 13, 10am - 4pm The annual Fall Fair is your best opportunity to experience all Farmamerica has to offer, and for the first time, admission is free! See the Sheriffs Posse Wagon Train Saturday and theAntique Tractor Pull Sunday. Visit an early 19th century Peddlers Grove tent city with demonstrations of Native American and pioneer traders, trappers and settlers crafts and games, black muzzle loader and bow and arrow shooting demonstrations. Take a tram ride around the beautiful Time Lane with 10 historic sites including 1850s settlers houses, an 1881 church, one-room schoolhouse, a 1930s farmstead, Agri-Hall with antique tractors and farm equipment, and more.

Interpreters at each site share the stories and experiences of the settlers and farmers who established agriculture in Minnesota.

The 2015 Fall Fair will also have a Bounce

See Us for Your Next

House, Corn Maze, and Vincent the Gypsy Horsefor kids; Bee Hut Ice Cream Parlor on the 1930s farmstead; and an 1860s Mankato Baltics baseball game. tractor_pullPlus special guests, threshing and corn harvest demonstrations, lessons about the prairie, wildlife, and restoration. Breakfast Sunday morning featuringDad’s Belgian Waffles from 8:30 am – 12:30 pm for $7.50, with proceeds going to the Waseca High School Band.

Admission and parking are free. Donations are appreciated, to advance Farmamerica’s ongoing agriculture education program.

This event is made possible in part by a generous grant from DuPont Pioneer.

AGRICULTURE LOAN

• Operating Lines • Farm Land Loans • Farm Equipment • Local Approval • Flexible Terms • Competitive Rates Albert Lea 437 Bridge St. 373-1481

507-582-3528

www.securitybankmn.com

Pat Gavle Ag Lender NMLS #921688

Member FDIC

Emmons 201 Main St. 297-5461

See Us For All Your Farm Tire Needs We Offer On-Site Repair

Water Management Solutions Since 1972 Contact James Becvar at 507.438.7676 or james@centurypipe.com or jbnme2341@gmail.com for more information.

505 E. MAIN ST. • ALBERT LEA, MN • 507-373-0636

Freeborn County Government Center 411 South Broadway | Albert Lea, MN 56007 | (507) 377-5660

Supplement to The Freeborn & Mower County Shoppers/Tuesday, April 14, 2015/Page 6

Supplement to The Freeborn & Mower County Shoppers/Tuesday, April 14, 2015/Page 15

Long Row To Hoe

Let’s be honest, you can never predict what the weather in Minnesota is going to do next. In the last few years we’ve had more intense and frequent weather events like large rain or snow falls and temperature extremes.

This last June one of our volunteer rain gauge recorders near Clarks Grove reported 10.6” of rainfall in just one week, and 3.3” of that fell in one day.

For most people these events are just an annoyance. But for local producers and landowners these unpredictable weather patterns can cause some anxiety.

Terraces that follow the contour of the field are an excellent way to prevent sheet and rill erosion. Reduced tillage and cover crops can help reduce the amount of storm runoff by increasing the soil’s ability to absorb rain. The SWCD can assist in determining the best and most cost efficient solution to the current issue, develop a design, and oversee the construction of the practice to ensure it’s built to standards. It can all start with a simple visit into our office located at 1400 West Main Street in Albert Lea.

In particular, large rain or snow melt events can wreak havoc on agricultural fields. Some of the main problems we see are large gullies on hillsides, sheet and rill erosion that moves precious topsoil from hilltops into local water bodies, and large areas of ponding in fields. All of these issues can have an impact on the productivity of their crops. Erosion moves the soil and its nutrients to locations that plants can no longer use them and often areas where we don’t want it. Areas of ponding prevent farmers from planting crops or drown out crops that are already there. There are a number of conservation practices that can help fix existing problems and several others that can help prevent future issues.

The Freeborn SWCD can offer cost share for a number of practices to help fix existing erosion problems; grassed waterways, water and sediment control basins and grade stabilization structures are all ways to help gully erosion.

Locally Owned & Owner Operated

Means Personal & Timely Service Residential & Commercial Route Service Serving - Albert Lea, Ellendale, Geneva, Clarks Grove, Hollandale, Alden, Freeborn, Hartland, New Richland, Conger, Glenville, Emmons, Wells & Austin Farming is your livelihood, andHayward, it’s our business to help protect that.

1-8 yd. Dumpsters – 10 yd. to 30 yd. Rolloff Containers

Farm/Ranch Commercial Ag Crop OFFICEBusiness 256-4370 Succession

THOMPSON SANITATION 108 W. MAIN PO BOX 154 • CLARKS GROVE, MN

I make it simple to help you select the coverage that’s right for you today and provide options for the future of your growing operation.

Farming is your livelihood, and it’s ourCall business today to to seehelp howprotect I make that.

insurance simple. Succession Farm/Ranch | Commercial Ag | Crop | Business

I make it simple to help you select the coverage that’s right for you today and provide options for the future of your growing operation.

Darrell Ingvaldson, Darrell 100 SIngvaldson Mill Street

100Brownsdale, S Mill StreetMN 55918 Brownsdale, MN 55918

Call today to see how I make insurance simple.

507-567-2296

507-567-2296

Farm Bureau Property & Casualty Insurance Company,* Western Agricultural Insurance Company,* Farm Bureau Life Insurance Company*/West Des Moines, IA. *Company providers of Farm Bureau Financial Services PC044‐ML‐1 (12‐14)

As we are preparing to plant yet another crop in the coming weeks, I remember sitting in the planter tractor one of the more recent seasons and Mike Merten, CCA letting my mind Pioneer Sales Professional wonder just a bit as the vehicle steers itself from end to end, time after time, across the field. Not that there aren’t enough things to occupy my time as I traverse across the landscape.

All the technological gadgets we have installed to keep us constantly abreast of what’s happening behind the tractor on the planter is really quite amazing and, I might add very expensive. That alone is enough to obligate me to pay close attention. And of course all the information on display is very valuable. The consequences of not knowing these things, especially if something goes wrong, can have a direct impact on how well the crop will yield in the end.

Sediment deposited at the bottom of a hill after a large rain event in 2013.

Dr. Amy Swain Wants Everyone to Hear Better Call 1-800-804-3361 today for FREE Hearing Aid Consultation Amy Swain Hearing Centers

Rejuvenate your hearing aid for free!

This coupon is good for a free 4 minute rejuvenation of your hearing aid in the Ultra Vac. The Ultra Vac cleans out debris and removes moisture from your hearing aids. This will make your hearing function better and sound better, clearer and crisper!

Hearing aids need not have been purchased at Amy Swain Hearing Center in order to take advantage of this offer!

Bring this coupon to any office!!

AUSTIN: 608 1st Ave SW 507-433-4144 WASECA: 118 North State Street (same building as Waseca Family Dentistry) 507-521-2758 OWATONNA: 685 Bridge St. Suite 1B (by Torey’s Restaurant) 507-451-3879

And of course I am constantly preparing for

But I digress. There still are a few moments here and there when things are working properly that I find time to think in between.

For instance as I was planting the last field of the season I thought I would calculate how far I had actually driven the tractor during the season. This takes a little of the high school math that I so disliked when I was in class. Remember those days? How often we said “why in the world will I ever need this knowledge in the real world?” Well here I am using it to figure out something that is probably just as useless except for some entertaining and interesting trivia.

So, okay let’s see, if I take the total acres planted (this year it was 2150 acres including all corn and soybean acres) and multiply that times 43,560 (the number of square feet in an acre) I come up with 93,654,000 square

Also Buying

Auto

I-35 Recycling

the next operation needed to keep planting such as refilling the planter with seed (including which hybrid to have the guys deliver), filling the tank with starter fertilizer, swapping out the insecticide boxes with full ones, watching the fuel tank for the next fill needed, figuring which field will be ready to plant next, and so on and so forth.

Aluminum,

(NO ALUMINUM CANS)

Brass & Copper

Highest Prices for Scrap Cars, Trucks, Farm Machinery, Iron & Steel Pick Up Service & Roll Off Boxes Available Exit #18 (Clarks Grove) East 100 Yards Then North 1 Mile on Co. Rd. 45 (4 miles North of Albert Lea)

507-256-7375

CO. RD. 45

Extreme Weather Events & Conservation

CLARKS GROVE IT

EX

18

feet planted. Then if I divide this number by my planter width of 40 feet (feet² = length x width) I should have the total number of feet traveled, right? It comes to 2,341,350 feet.

And by dividing this by 5280 feet in a mile, I discover that during the entire planting season I drove this thing over 443 miles! And all that at a maximum speed of 5.2 miles per hour! Wow, that’s a long ways. It would take me well into Canada for a fishing trip, or to Grand Island Nebraska to see how the crops look, or to Grand Forks, North Dakota to seewell I’m not sure what there is to see there but you get the point.

Then I took it one step further and figured out if I took all the 30 inch rows planted this year and strung them out into one continuous line, how far would this row go?

Thirty inches equals 2.5 feet so applying the same formula, 93,654,000 square feet divided by 2.5 is 37,461,600 feet. And dividing this by 5280 feet in a mile, it comes to 7095 miles of row planted- Holy Smokes! This row of corn or soybeans would reach from southern Minnesota to Hawaii and back to California.

Or it would cover the round trip distance from Austin, Minnesota to Seattle, WA., down to Los Angeles, CA. over to Miami, FL.,

then up to New York, NY. and back to Austin again. Quite a trip! On a celestial scale, this distance is almost equivalent to the diameter of the earth itself! Or if you remember the Apollo moon missions, it would make more than one complete orbit around the moon as our astronauts did in the sixties. Amazing!

Okay, so enough of the fun math and back to the job of planting. As you are reminded many times in all the farm magazines and seed company publications, be sure all your equipment is ready to go this coming season.

Your Pioneer Sales Professional has lots of useful information such as a check list to prepare both the equipment and all the monitors necessary to complete the job as efficiently and effectively as possible. And take that extra time to be safe. One little saying I like to express to all the help around our operation is “be carefully thorough and thoroughly careful.” This kind of covers everything.

And if you get a couple minutes to let your mind wonder, have some fun with your calculator and a little math. In the words of an old song writer named Jim Stafford, you can “take a trip and never leave the farm”.

BRICELYN INSURANCE AGENCY Covering All Your Farm Insurance Needs Crop Farm Policies & More Ron Erickson, Agent Ann Jensen, Agent

BRICELYN INSURANCE AGENCY

Farmer’s Trust & Savings Bank Building Bricelyn, MN 507-653-4440 or Toll Free 800-779-0490

Thinking of Selling Your Equipment or Land?

Consider Thompson Auction Service to Offer Your Items Locally and Worldwide

PO BOX 87 • Lansing, MN 55950 Cell: 507-438-9646 Home: 507-433-6784

Dave Thompson Broker/Auctioneer ThompsonAuctionService.com

Supplement to The Freeborn & Mower County Shoppers/Tuesday, April 14, 2015/Page 14

Call or stop in today! w a P n s ’ S ho p We Buy Ron I90 Exit 178A & Service 2203 4thFull St. Sales NW, Austin, MN 55912

or Loan Call or stopOn: in today!

Money

for

Now Selling New and Used Guns Hours: Tues.-Fri 10-6;Handling Sat. 10-2 • 437-1301 Grain

Full Sales & Service for

Equipment

HI-POINT MODEL CF380 CALIBER .380

$150 NEW

Grain Handling Equipment

Guns - Gold TVs - VCRs/DVDs Stereos - US Tools RON’S Digital Cameras ELECTRIC Coins

RON’S MOTOR REPAIR

Call or stop in today!

ELECTRIC Call or stop in today!

MOTOR REPAIR Call or stop in today! Full Sales Call or stop today! orinstop today!

1005 N.in Main St., Blue Earth, MN 56013 &Call Service 1005 N. Main St., Blue Earth, MN 56013 24-Hour Emergency Service UL Listed 507-526-3060

for Full Sales & Service for Full Sales & Service Full Sales for & Service Grain Handling Equipment Grain Handling for Equipment Grain Handling Equipment

Grain Handling RON’S Equipment

ELECTRIC MOTOR REPAIR

24-Hour Emergency Service UL Listed 507-526-3060

RON’S RON’S ELECTRIC ELECTRIC RON’S MOTOR REPAIR 1005 N. Main St., Blue Earth, MN 56013 MOTOR REPAIR ELECTRIC 24-Hour Emergency Service 1005 N. Main St., Blue Earth, MN 56013 RON’S UL Listed 507-526-3060 24-Hour Emergency Service MOTOR REPAIR UL Listed 507-526-3060

ELECTRIC Get Ready MOTOR for Spring REPAIR

1005 N. Main St., Blue Earth, MN 56013 24-Hour Emergency Service UL Listed 507-526-3060

1005 N. Main St., Blue Earth, MN 56013 24-Hour Emergency Service UL Listed 507-526-3060

N. Main St., Blue Earth, MN 56013 SAVE on Spring1005Construction!

24-Hour Emergency Service

Supplement to The Freeborn & Mower County Shoppers/Tuesday, April 14, 2015/Page 7

Introducing the Freeborn County Soil Health Team

DIESEL REPAIR • TRAILER REPAIR

M

IDWEST DIESEL

Sales & Service, L.L.P.

(507) 437-6394

GARY LETENDRE

24 Hour Emergency Service

Authorized Dealer

I 90 EXIT 178 A 2409 - 4TH STREET NW AUSTIN, MN 55912

Did you hear about when the banker, soil scientist, farmer, and seed salesman met in Albert Lea to talk about Soil Health? It sounds like a set-up for a lame joke but it actually describes the Freeborn County Soil Health Team meetings. This group is a conglomerate of private businesses, local producers, and local government organizations with an interest in improving our soil health and water quality right here in Freeborn County Minnesota. The team was organized just over a year ago and meets about once a month to discuss community outreach and ways to improve the health of soils and the quality of water in and around the Freeborn County area.

The Freeborn County Soil Heath Team focuses on four key principles to increase soil health: • Keep the soil covered • Reduce soil disturbance • Keep living roots as long as possible • Increase crop diversity Join us for an informational field day to gain hands on experience regarding soil health on Saturday, May 30th 2015 from 9am-12pm. The host farm is located three miles south of Geneva, MN on County Road 45. The producer has spent over 30 years

We have your back.

You need a farm insurance company that knows the area and your individual needs.

UL Listed 507-526-3060 an RAM C r You! o F ll A Do It g - Concrete tin Excava - Plumbing HVAC l Services a Electric scaping Land

Mower-Freeborn Co FARMING edition

We have protected area farmers for decades with quality insurance coverages and friendly, local service.

Agents: Chuck Schulenberg and Donna Yokiel

Wells Insurance Agency

53 SW | Wells, 56097 | 507-553-6644 We1st have protected area MN farmers for decades with quality insurance coverages and friendly, local service.

www.rambuildings.com

Specializing in Post Frame and Steel Frame Buildings

Agricultural • Equestrian • Storage • Commercial • Hangars • Residential

Stop In & Check Out Our Full Service Retail & Deli Counter 5” x Meat 2.5” Sept

State & National Grand Champion

CUSTOM PROCESSING At It's Best!

SMOKED MEATS Best in Show

Beef • Pork • Lamb

SUMMER SAUSAGE

You need a farm insurance company that knows the area and your individual needs.

320-485-2844 800-710-4726

implementing the four key principles of soil health in his corn-soybean operation.

The producer has successfully implemented cover crops into his corn-soybean rotation the past four years. If you are curious how soil health practices can fit into your operation, help increase net profits and improve plant vigor you will want to attend this field day! For more information on this field day contact the NRCS at 507-373-5607 extension 3.

A Policy of Working Together

202 Ash Ave. S. New Richland, MN 507-465-3888

DOUG’S PAINTING & SANDBLASTING

Find out why a Northland building is your best value in post-frame construction! We’ve been building agricultural buildings for 20 years!

Trust in our experience and quality!

N12-27 2 columns x 5 inches

• Farm & Industrial Equipment • In-Shop Painting • Interior & Exterior Refinishing/Painting • New & Existing Commercial Buildings

FREE ESTIMATES | DOUG, JASON & DAN EVANS 2190 S. Lincoln Ave. | Albert Lea, MN 56007 | 507.377.1508

Local Sales Consultants

Dave Baldner, Austin Steve Schwebke, Fairmont

Built on your level site.

Supplement to The Freeborn & Mower County Shoppers/Tuesday, April 14, 2015/Page 8

HEATH REINDAL 507-874-3863 507-473-0345

HEATH REINDAL For All Your Electrical Needs -874-3863 507-473-0345

Supplement to The Freeborn & Mower County Shoppers/Tuesday, April 14, 2015/Page 13

IRLBECK Grain, Inc.

72670 State Hwy 16, Grand Meadow, MN 55936

507-754-5247

|

Fax 507-754-5267

DRIVERS NEEDED

We are accepting applications for full/part time drivers pulling 53’ dry vans. Providing service to our customers in the Midwest with the ability to be home weekends. All drivers must be CDL Class A qualified, have a minimum of 2 years verifiable driving experience with an acceptable MVR and meet all pre-qualifying testing and hiring requirements.

Drivers must possess customer service skills as well as a safe, dependable background.

Irlbeck Grain offers great pay with incentives, a sign-on bonus, paid vacation and the opportunity for 401K. Qualified drivers may inquire at our office: 72670 State Hwy 16, Grand Meadow, MN 55936 or email resume to irlbeckadmin@hmtel.com

Hamilton Auction Co. Call for all your Auction needs!

Matt Ulwelling, owner

507-584-0133 • 130 State Hwy 16 Dexter, MN

www.hamiltonauctioncompany.com

Support Our Farmers!

IS YOUR AIR CONDITIONER READY FOR SUMMER? 24 Hour Service

SPECIALIZING IN SEPTIC SYSTEMS DESIGN~INSTALLATION~SEEDING

• Conservation Construction • Land Drainage • Wildlife Ponds • Road Boring • Backhoeing • Consulting

37 Years in Service

Free Estimates

For more info: w w w. a r m s t r o n g a i r. c o m

PHILLIP OR MARK MORREIM 71610 263rd St. • Albert Lea • Office (507) 826-3449 Marks Cell (507) 383-6550 or Phil’s Cell (507) 330-1889

105 3rd St S • Rose Creek, MN

License #062813PM

Paid by Citizens for Sparks. 2009 7th Ave. SE, Austin, MN 55912

Employee Owners Providing Manufacturing Solutions

lawn & garden 07 stacey

See us for all your LP Gas needs

Chris & Holly Dahl

We do installation, leak detection, and testing.

Ag Chemicals - Gold Country & LG Seeds - Liquid Fertilizer - Seed Tenders - Nurse Trailers - Enduraplas Poly Tanks - Traeger Grills

We can help with your fertilizer and chemical needs.

We also offer variable rate fertilizer.

- Kevin Reed

27296 730th Ave. 507-826-3463 or 507-383-4931 Albert Lea, MN 56007 www.dahlfarmsupply.com

® Contract Engineering and Manufacturing

U l t r a P r e c i s i o n E x t r u s i o n s®

Hi Yield Products Inc. 23282 620th Ave • Alden, Minnesota 56009 Bus: (507) 874-3750 Cell: (507) 383-0874 Email: kevin@hiyieldmn.com

4 Companies 1 300+ Team Owners

® 507-528-2228 • www.hodgmandrainage.com

Contract Engineering and Manufacturing

505 W. Front St. Albert Lea, MN 56007U l t r a 507-377-8910 • innovance.com

P r e c i s i o n E x t r u s i o n s®

“Draining your fields for higher yields”

Supplement to The Freeborn & Mower County Shoppers/Tuesday, April 14, 2015/Page 12

Supplement to The Freeborn & Mower County Shoppers/Tuesday, April 14, 2015/Page 9

STROUP & LEWISON DISTRIBUTING, LLC.

Kibble Equipment is proud to serve farmers and families like yours. We work to keep operations productive and thriving season after season.

High Pressure Cleaning Equipment Dealer Sales and Service *Hot & Cold Washers

Putting the Farmer First!

*KO Cleaning Products

102 3rd St S, Rose Creek, MN 55970

507-433-2227

Chemical • Fertilizer • Feed • Grain • Seed • Soil Sampling • LP • Refined Fuels

Make the Most of Your Farmland Investment Farmland Sales & Acquisitions • Farm Auctions Appraisals • Professional Farm Management Serving the Midwest for almost 70 years.

Grand Meadow 507.754.5125 • Rochester 507.289.4086 Ostrander 507.657.2236 • Leroy 507.324.5347 • Elkton 507.754.5041 Spring Valley 507.346.7261 • Wykoff 507.352.5281 • Chester, IA 563.565.2415

www.KibbleEq.com

Now hiring for the following positions: drivers and owner operators, diesel mechanic, customer service manager and freight brokers.

Drivers please contact our recruiter, Mike, for more information; all other positions contact Kristi in HR.

Member of Independent Equipment Dealers Association

73137 State Hwy 16, Grand Meadow, MN 55936 800-657-4910 www.valleytransinc.com

+

The same tradition of hard work and innovation that has made POET one of the world’s largest producers of ethanol and other biorefined products, is the same tradition that makes Glenville a great place to live and work.

We’re proud to call Glenville home.

507.373.8895 POET.COM/GLENVILLE

www.Hertz.ag

Call Us Today for A Quote

Doors & Floors, Inc. 101 11th St. SE Austin • 433-3420

Mon-Fri 8am-5pm • Thurs 8am-6pm • Closed Saturdays

A SAFE PLANTING SEASON Sales | Service | Parts

"Our Goal Is To Help You Reach Yours"

at the expense of our outdoor environment.

WISHING OUR LOCAL FARMERS

2800 4th St. SW, Suite 7 Mason City, IA 50401

641.423.9531

a beautiful home environment should never come

WITH ALLOC LAMINATE FLOORING Alloc laminate flooring creates a warm environment inside your home without compromising the environment outside.

We use sawdust and wood scrapings that would otherwise be discarded to craft our superior performance flooring.

We manufacture responsibly by diverting 100% of our waste from landfills and utilizing it as energy.

Our authentic wood looks are achieved through eco-friendly printing processes, and 100% of our aluminum and packaging comes from recycled materials.

Albert Lea Seed Home of Viking Corn, Soybeans and Alfalfa please visit us for both farm and home projects call for our free 52 page catalog 800-352-5247 or 507-377-2372

Albert Lea Seed House ww.alseed.com

1414 W. Main, Albert Lea, MN 507-377-2372 800-352-5247

biorefining

Supplement to The Freeborn & Mower County Shoppers/Tuesday, April 14, 2015/Page 10

Minnesota’s Largest County Fair

Supplement to The Freeborn & Mower County Shoppers/Tuesday, April 14, 2015/Page 11

Go BIG

Minnesota’s Largest County Fair

with Michelin AG Traction. Tread Life. Comfort.

Save BIG with a Rebate today!

Get a $100 per tire rebate on any purchase of Michelin or Kleber ®

Checking • Savings • Loans • CDs • IRAs HSAs • Safe Deposit Boxes • Debit/Credit Cards ATMs • Internet/Telephone Banking

®

brand ag tires during the Spring 2015 AgVantage promotion.

August 18-23 August 18-23

PICK UP A REBATE FORM FROM AN AUTHORIZED MICHELIN DEALER AND START SAVING TODAY. Offer from 2/1/2015 to 4/30/2015.

Must be postmarked See your dealer for for complete terms and conditions.

Offer valid extended to 6/30/2015.

Claims must postmarkedby by5/15/2015.

7/15/2015.

See your dealer complete terms and conditions.

©2015 MNA. All rights reserved. The Michelin Man is a registered trademark of Michelin North America, Inc.

24/7 Commercial Roadside Assistance Dealer Imprint Area

On-site Ag Assistance

SCFF and Gold Star Amusements Present David Smith Jr. Human Cannonball

Passenger and Light Truck Tire and Mechanical Needs

Alignments, brakes, belts, bearings and exhaust work*

Buy 5 oil changes, get 1 free ($24.95 standard oil change)

*most vehicles

watonna, MN • www.scff.org or 800-423-6466

Owatonna, MN • www.scff.org or 800-423-6466

507-373-6469

1353 SE Broadway, Albert Lea, MN

Maximize Your Acres with Northern Country Coop’s Precision Ag & Agronomy * Planter Data Management * Yield Data Processing * Technical Service * Grid Sampling * Tissue Testing * Stalk Nitrate Testing * Nitrate Nitrogen Testing

* Crop Scouting * Composite Soil Sampling * Micronutrient Packages * GPS Field Boundary Mapping * Nitrate Nitrogen Grid Sampling * Variable Rate Planting, Fertilizer & Nitrogen

Check us out online www.ncountrycoop.com

Adams, Alden, Brownsdale, Conger, Emmons, Lansing, LeRoy, Lyle, Oakland, Rose Creek, Stacyville, Toeterville

Farmers Feed the World

Partnering With Farmers For More Than 37 Years

1-507-438-7857

FDIC

81’ x 200’ x 19’ Contact us for a FREE consultation!

KASSON, MN • 507-634-6640 MANKATO, MN • 507-625-5170 HUMBOLDT, IA • 515-332-9825 WAVERLY, IA • 319-352-9497

Change Your World For The Better!

We Provide Hearing Solutions to Meet Every Budget!

Watch for our upcoming Hearing Healthcare Events in Austin and Albert Lea.

Map 3.5x3.5 WWW.CRYSTALVALLEY.COOP

process

36’ x 56’ x 10’

PROTECTING WHAT YOU VALUE! Cleary Building Corp. designs, manufactures, delivers and constructs high-quality commercial, equine, farm, suburban and residential pre-engineered structures.

Herb Dowse Precision Ag Specialist 507-481-5449 hdowse@ncountrycoop.com

www.producestatebank.com

MEMBER

Paid for by the POPPE for the People committee.

Center For Hearing Excellence

109 W. Park 220 E. William Ave. St. 109 W Ave. Park Ave. 2401 Bridge Ave.2401 Bridge Hollandale, MN 56045 Albert Lea, MN 56007 AlbertMN Lea,56007 MN 56007 Albert Lea, Hollandale, MN 56045 (507)(507) 889-4311 (507) 373-5500 889-4311 (507) 373-8600 (507) 373-8600

Serving the community since 1926!

rep.jeanne.poppe@house.mn

608 1st Dr. NW, Austin 507-433-6214 1707 W Main St, Ste 7 Albert Lea 507-373-1318 Toll free 877-333-6125

Offices at:

24’ x 40’ x 16’

800-373-5550 • ClearyBuilding.com

Agronomy | Energy | Feed | Grain

DARFUR ELYSIAN HOPE JANESVILLE LASALLE LAKE CRYSTAL MADELIA NICOLLET VERNON CENTER WALDORF

Supplement to The Freeborn & Mower County Shoppers/Tuesday, April 14, 2015/Page 10

Minnesota’s Largest County Fair

Supplement to The Freeborn & Mower County Shoppers/Tuesday, April 14, 2015/Page 11

Go BIG

Minnesota’s Largest County Fair

with Michelin AG Traction. Tread Life. Comfort.

Save BIG with a Rebate today!

Get a $100 per tire rebate on any purchase of Michelin or Kleber ®

Checking • Savings • Loans • CDs • IRAs HSAs • Safe Deposit Boxes • Debit/Credit Cards ATMs • Internet/Telephone Banking

®

brand ag tires during the Spring 2015 AgVantage promotion.

August 18-23 August 18-23

PICK UP A REBATE FORM FROM AN AUTHORIZED MICHELIN DEALER AND START SAVING TODAY. Offer from 2/1/2015 to 4/30/2015.

Must be postmarked See your dealer for for complete terms and conditions.

Offer valid extended to 6/30/2015.

Claims must postmarkedby by5/15/2015.

7/15/2015.

See your dealer complete terms and conditions.

©2015 MNA. All rights reserved. The Michelin Man is a registered trademark of Michelin North America, Inc.

24/7 Commercial Roadside Assistance Dealer Imprint Area

On-site Ag Assistance

SCFF and Gold Star Amusements Present David Smith Jr. Human Cannonball

Passenger and Light Truck Tire and Mechanical Needs

Alignments, brakes, belts, bearings and exhaust work*

Buy 5 oil changes, get 1 free ($24.95 standard oil change)

*most vehicles

watonna, MN • www.scff.org or 800-423-6466

Owatonna, MN • www.scff.org or 800-423-6466

507-373-6469

1353 SE Broadway, Albert Lea, MN

Maximize Your Acres with Northern Country Coop’s Precision Ag & Agronomy * Planter Data Management * Yield Data Processing * Technical Service * Grid Sampling * Tissue Testing * Stalk Nitrate Testing * Nitrate Nitrogen Testing

* Crop Scouting * Composite Soil Sampling * Micronutrient Packages * GPS Field Boundary Mapping * Nitrate Nitrogen Grid Sampling * Variable Rate Planting, Fertilizer & Nitrogen

Check us out online www.ncountrycoop.com

Adams, Alden, Brownsdale, Conger, Emmons, Lansing, LeRoy, Lyle, Oakland, Rose Creek, Stacyville, Toeterville

Farmers Feed the World

Partnering With Farmers For More Than 37 Years

1-507-438-7857

FDIC

81’ x 200’ x 19’ Contact us for a FREE consultation!

KASSON, MN • 507-634-6640 MANKATO, MN • 507-625-5170 HUMBOLDT, IA • 515-332-9825 WAVERLY, IA • 319-352-9497

Change Your World For The Better!

We Provide Hearing Solutions to Meet Every Budget!

Watch for our upcoming Hearing Healthcare Events in Austin and Albert Lea.

Map 3.5x3.5 WWW.CRYSTALVALLEY.COOP

process

36’ x 56’ x 10’

PROTECTING WHAT YOU VALUE! Cleary Building Corp. designs, manufactures, delivers and constructs high-quality commercial, equine, farm, suburban and residential pre-engineered structures.

Herb Dowse Precision Ag Specialist 507-481-5449 hdowse@ncountrycoop.com

www.producestatebank.com

MEMBER

Paid for by the POPPE for the People committee.

Center For Hearing Excellence

109 W. Park 220 E. William Ave. St. 109 W Ave. Park Ave. 2401 Bridge Ave.2401 Bridge Hollandale, MN 56045 Albert Lea, MN 56007 AlbertMN Lea,56007 MN 56007 Albert Lea, Hollandale, MN 56045 (507)(507) 889-4311 (507) 373-5500 889-4311 (507) 373-8600 (507) 373-8600

Serving the community since 1926!

rep.jeanne.poppe@house.mn

608 1st Dr. NW, Austin 507-433-6214 1707 W Main St, Ste 7 Albert Lea 507-373-1318 Toll free 877-333-6125

Offices at:

24’ x 40’ x 16’

800-373-5550 • ClearyBuilding.com

Agronomy | Energy | Feed | Grain

DARFUR ELYSIAN HOPE JANESVILLE LASALLE LAKE CRYSTAL MADELIA NICOLLET VERNON CENTER WALDORF

Supplement to The Freeborn & Mower County Shoppers/Tuesday, April 14, 2015/Page 12

Supplement to The Freeborn & Mower County Shoppers/Tuesday, April 14, 2015/Page 9

STROUP & LEWISON DISTRIBUTING, LLC.

Kibble Equipment is proud to serve farmers and families like yours. We work to keep operations productive and thriving season after season.

High Pressure Cleaning Equipment Dealer Sales and Service *Hot & Cold Washers

Putting the Farmer First!

*KO Cleaning Products

102 3rd St S, Rose Creek, MN 55970

507-433-2227

Chemical • Fertilizer • Feed • Grain • Seed • Soil Sampling • LP • Refined Fuels

Make the Most of Your Farmland Investment Farmland Sales & Acquisitions • Farm Auctions Appraisals • Professional Farm Management Serving the Midwest for almost 70 years.

Grand Meadow 507.754.5125 • Rochester 507.289.4086 Ostrander 507.657.2236 • Leroy 507.324.5347 • Elkton 507.754.5041 Spring Valley 507.346.7261 • Wykoff 507.352.5281 • Chester, IA 563.565.2415

www.KibbleEq.com

Now hiring for the following positions: drivers and owner operators, diesel mechanic, customer service manager and freight brokers.

Drivers please contact our recruiter, Mike, for more information; all other positions contact Kristi in HR.

Member of Independent Equipment Dealers Association

73137 State Hwy 16, Grand Meadow, MN 55936 800-657-4910 www.valleytransinc.com

+

The same tradition of hard work and innovation that has made POET one of the world’s largest producers of ethanol and other biorefined products, is the same tradition that makes Glenville a great place to live and work.

We’re proud to call Glenville home.

507.373.8895 POET.COM/GLENVILLE

www.Hertz.ag

Call Us Today for A Quote

Doors & Floors, Inc. 101 11th St. SE Austin • 433-3420

Mon-Fri 8am-5pm • Thurs 8am-6pm • Closed Saturdays

A SAFE PLANTING SEASON Sales | Service | Parts

"Our Goal Is To Help You Reach Yours"

at the expense of our outdoor environment.

WISHING OUR LOCAL FARMERS

2800 4th St. SW, Suite 7 Mason City, IA 50401

641.423.9531

a beautiful home environment should never come

WITH ALLOC LAMINATE FLOORING Alloc laminate flooring creates a warm environment inside your home without compromising the environment outside.

We use sawdust and wood scrapings that would otherwise be discarded to craft our superior performance flooring.

We manufacture responsibly by diverting 100% of our waste from landfills and utilizing it as energy.

Our authentic wood looks are achieved through eco-friendly printing processes, and 100% of our aluminum and packaging comes from recycled materials.

Albert Lea Seed Home of Viking Corn, Soybeans and Alfalfa please visit us for both farm and home projects call for our free 52 page catalog 800-352-5247 or 507-377-2372

Albert Lea Seed House ww.alseed.com

1414 W. Main, Albert Lea, MN 507-377-2372 800-352-5247

biorefining

Supplement to The Freeborn & Mower County Shoppers/Tuesday, April 14, 2015/Page 8

HEATH REINDAL 507-874-3863 507-473-0345

HEATH REINDAL For All Your Electrical Needs -874-3863 507-473-0345

Supplement to The Freeborn & Mower County Shoppers/Tuesday, April 14, 2015/Page 13

IRLBECK Grain, Inc.

72670 State Hwy 16, Grand Meadow, MN 55936

507-754-5247

|

Fax 507-754-5267

DRIVERS NEEDED

We are accepting applications for full/part time drivers pulling 53’ dry vans. Providing service to our customers in the Midwest with the ability to be home weekends. All drivers must be CDL Class A qualified, have a minimum of 2 years verifiable driving experience with an acceptable MVR and meet all pre-qualifying testing and hiring requirements.

Drivers must possess customer service skills as well as a safe, dependable background.

Irlbeck Grain offers great pay with incentives, a sign-on bonus, paid vacation and the opportunity for 401K. Qualified drivers may inquire at our office: 72670 State Hwy 16, Grand Meadow, MN 55936 or email resume to irlbeckadmin@hmtel.com

Hamilton Auction Co. Call for all your Auction needs!

Matt Ulwelling, owner

507-584-0133 • 130 State Hwy 16 Dexter, MN

www.hamiltonauctioncompany.com

Support Our Farmers!

IS YOUR AIR CONDITIONER READY FOR SUMMER? 24 Hour Service

SPECIALIZING IN SEPTIC SYSTEMS DESIGN~INSTALLATION~SEEDING

• Conservation Construction • Land Drainage • Wildlife Ponds • Road Boring • Backhoeing • Consulting

37 Years in Service

Free Estimates

For more info: w w w. a r m s t r o n g a i r. c o m

PHILLIP OR MARK MORREIM 71610 263rd St. • Albert Lea • Office (507) 826-3449 Marks Cell (507) 383-6550 or Phil’s Cell (507) 330-1889

105 3rd St S • Rose Creek, MN

License #062813PM

Paid by Citizens for Sparks. 2009 7th Ave. SE, Austin, MN 55912

Employee Owners Providing Manufacturing Solutions

lawn & garden 07 stacey

See us for all your LP Gas needs

Chris & Holly Dahl

We do installation, leak detection, and testing.

Ag Chemicals - Gold Country & LG Seeds - Liquid Fertilizer - Seed Tenders - Nurse Trailers - Enduraplas Poly Tanks - Traeger Grills

We can help with your fertilizer and chemical needs.

We also offer variable rate fertilizer.

- Kevin Reed

27296 730th Ave. 507-826-3463 or 507-383-4931 Albert Lea, MN 56007 www.dahlfarmsupply.com

® Contract Engineering and Manufacturing

U l t r a P r e c i s i o n E x t r u s i o n s®

Hi Yield Products Inc. 23282 620th Ave • Alden, Minnesota 56009 Bus: (507) 874-3750 Cell: (507) 383-0874 Email: kevin@hiyieldmn.com

4 Companies 1 300+ Team Owners

® 507-528-2228 • www.hodgmandrainage.com

Contract Engineering and Manufacturing

505 W. Front St. Albert Lea, MN 56007U l t r a 507-377-8910 • innovance.com

P r e c i s i o n E x t r u s i o n s®

“Draining your fields for higher yields”

Supplement to The Freeborn & Mower County Shoppers/Tuesday, April 14, 2015/Page 14

Call or stop in today! w a P n s ’ S ho p We Buy Ron I90 Exit 178A & Service 2203 4thFull St. Sales NW, Austin, MN 55912

or Loan Call or stopOn: in today!

Money

for

Now Selling New and Used Guns Hours: Tues.-Fri 10-6;Handling Sat. 10-2 • 437-1301 Grain

Full Sales & Service for

Equipment

HI-POINT MODEL CF380 CALIBER .380

$150 NEW

Grain Handling Equipment

Guns - Gold TVs - VCRs/DVDs Stereos - US Tools RON’S Digital Cameras ELECTRIC Coins

RON’S MOTOR REPAIR

Call or stop in today!

ELECTRIC Call or stop in today!

MOTOR REPAIR Call or stop in today! Full Sales Call or stop today! orinstop today!

1005 N.in Main St., Blue Earth, MN 56013 &Call Service 1005 N. Main St., Blue Earth, MN 56013 24-Hour Emergency Service UL Listed 507-526-3060

for Full Sales & Service for Full Sales & Service Full Sales for & Service Grain Handling Equipment Grain Handling for Equipment Grain Handling Equipment

Grain Handling RON’S Equipment

ELECTRIC MOTOR REPAIR

24-Hour Emergency Service UL Listed 507-526-3060

RON’S RON’S ELECTRIC ELECTRIC RON’S MOTOR REPAIR 1005 N. Main St., Blue Earth, MN 56013 MOTOR REPAIR ELECTRIC 24-Hour Emergency Service 1005 N. Main St., Blue Earth, MN 56013 RON’S UL Listed 507-526-3060 24-Hour Emergency Service MOTOR REPAIR UL Listed 507-526-3060

ELECTRIC Get Ready MOTOR for Spring REPAIR

1005 N. Main St., Blue Earth, MN 56013 24-Hour Emergency Service UL Listed 507-526-3060

1005 N. Main St., Blue Earth, MN 56013 24-Hour Emergency Service UL Listed 507-526-3060

N. Main St., Blue Earth, MN 56013 SAVE on Spring1005Construction!

24-Hour Emergency Service

Supplement to The Freeborn & Mower County Shoppers/Tuesday, April 14, 2015/Page 7

Introducing the Freeborn County Soil Health Team

DIESEL REPAIR • TRAILER REPAIR

M

IDWEST DIESEL

Sales & Service, L.L.P.

(507) 437-6394

GARY LETENDRE

24 Hour Emergency Service

Authorized Dealer

I 90 EXIT 178 A 2409 - 4TH STREET NW AUSTIN, MN 55912

Did you hear about when the banker, soil scientist, farmer, and seed salesman met in Albert Lea to talk about Soil Health? It sounds like a set-up for a lame joke but it actually describes the Freeborn County Soil Health Team meetings. This group is a conglomerate of private businesses, local producers, and local government organizations with an interest in improving our soil health and water quality right here in Freeborn County Minnesota. The team was organized just over a year ago and meets about once a month to discuss community outreach and ways to improve the health of soils and the quality of water in and around the Freeborn County area.

The Freeborn County Soil Heath Team focuses on four key principles to increase soil health: • Keep the soil covered • Reduce soil disturbance • Keep living roots as long as possible • Increase crop diversity Join us for an informational field day to gain hands on experience regarding soil health on Saturday, May 30th 2015 from 9am-12pm. The host farm is located three miles south of Geneva, MN on County Road 45. The producer has spent over 30 years

We have your back.

You need a farm insurance company that knows the area and your individual needs.

UL Listed 507-526-3060 an RAM C r You! o F ll A Do It g - Concrete tin Excava - Plumbing HVAC l Services a Electric scaping Land

Mower-Freeborn Co FARMING edition

We have protected area farmers for decades with quality insurance coverages and friendly, local service.

Agents: Chuck Schulenberg and Donna Yokiel

Wells Insurance Agency

53 SW | Wells, 56097 | 507-553-6644 We1st have protected area MN farmers for decades with quality insurance coverages and friendly, local service.

www.rambuildings.com

Specializing in Post Frame and Steel Frame Buildings

Agricultural • Equestrian • Storage • Commercial • Hangars • Residential

Stop In & Check Out Our Full Service Retail & Deli Counter 5” x Meat 2.5” Sept

State & National Grand Champion

CUSTOM PROCESSING At It's Best!

SMOKED MEATS Best in Show

Beef • Pork • Lamb

SUMMER SAUSAGE

You need a farm insurance company that knows the area and your individual needs.

320-485-2844 800-710-4726

implementing the four key principles of soil health in his corn-soybean operation.

The producer has successfully implemented cover crops into his corn-soybean rotation the past four years. If you are curious how soil health practices can fit into your operation, help increase net profits and improve plant vigor you will want to attend this field day! For more information on this field day contact the NRCS at 507-373-5607 extension 3.

A Policy of Working Together

202 Ash Ave. S. New Richland, MN 507-465-3888

DOUG’S PAINTING & SANDBLASTING

Find out why a Northland building is your best value in post-frame construction! We’ve been building agricultural buildings for 20 years!

Trust in our experience and quality!

N12-27 2 columns x 5 inches

• Farm & Industrial Equipment • In-Shop Painting • Interior & Exterior Refinishing/Painting • New & Existing Commercial Buildings

FREE ESTIMATES | DOUG, JASON & DAN EVANS 2190 S. Lincoln Ave. | Albert Lea, MN 56007 | 507.377.1508

Local Sales Consultants

Dave Baldner, Austin Steve Schwebke, Fairmont

Built on your level site.

Supplement to The Freeborn & Mower County Shoppers/Tuesday, April 14, 2015/Page 6

Supplement to The Freeborn & Mower County Shoppers/Tuesday, April 14, 2015/Page 15

Long Row To Hoe

Let’s be honest, you can never predict what the weather in Minnesota is going to do next. In the last few years we’ve had more intense and frequent weather events like large rain or snow falls and temperature extremes.

This last June one of our volunteer rain gauge recorders near Clarks Grove reported 10.6” of rainfall in just one week, and 3.3” of that fell in one day.

For most people these events are just an annoyance. But for local producers and landowners these unpredictable weather patterns can cause some anxiety.

Terraces that follow the contour of the field are an excellent way to prevent sheet and rill erosion. Reduced tillage and cover crops can help reduce the amount of storm runoff by increasing the soil’s ability to absorb rain. The SWCD can assist in determining the best and most cost efficient solution to the current issue, develop a design, and oversee the construction of the practice to ensure it’s built to standards. It can all start with a simple visit into our office located at 1400 West Main Street in Albert Lea.

In particular, large rain or snow melt events can wreak havoc on agricultural fields. Some of the main problems we see are large gullies on hillsides, sheet and rill erosion that moves precious topsoil from hilltops into local water bodies, and large areas of ponding in fields. All of these issues can have an impact on the productivity of their crops. Erosion moves the soil and its nutrients to locations that plants can no longer use them and often areas where we don’t want it. Areas of ponding prevent farmers from planting crops or drown out crops that are already there. There are a number of conservation practices that can help fix existing problems and several others that can help prevent future issues.

The Freeborn SWCD can offer cost share for a number of practices to help fix existing erosion problems; grassed waterways, water and sediment control basins and grade stabilization structures are all ways to help gully erosion.

Locally Owned & Owner Operated

Means Personal & Timely Service Residential & Commercial Route Service Serving - Albert Lea, Ellendale, Geneva, Clarks Grove, Hollandale, Alden, Freeborn, Hartland, New Richland, Conger, Glenville, Emmons, Wells & Austin Farming is your livelihood, andHayward, it’s our business to help protect that.

1-8 yd. Dumpsters – 10 yd. to 30 yd. Rolloff Containers

Farm/Ranch Commercial Ag Crop OFFICEBusiness 256-4370 Succession

THOMPSON SANITATION 108 W. MAIN PO BOX 154 • CLARKS GROVE, MN

I make it simple to help you select the coverage that’s right for you today and provide options for the future of your growing operation.

Farming is your livelihood, and it’s ourCall business today to to seehelp howprotect I make that.

insurance simple. Succession Farm/Ranch | Commercial Ag | Crop | Business

I make it simple to help you select the coverage that’s right for you today and provide options for the future of your growing operation.

Darrell Ingvaldson, Darrell 100 SIngvaldson Mill Street

100Brownsdale, S Mill StreetMN 55918 Brownsdale, MN 55918

Call today to see how I make insurance simple.

507-567-2296

507-567-2296

Farm Bureau Property & Casualty Insurance Company,* Western Agricultural Insurance Company,* Farm Bureau Life Insurance Company*/West Des Moines, IA. *Company providers of Farm Bureau Financial Services PC044‐ML‐1 (12‐14)

As we are preparing to plant yet another crop in the coming weeks, I remember sitting in the planter tractor one of the more recent seasons and Mike Merten, CCA letting my mind Pioneer Sales Professional wonder just a bit as the vehicle steers itself from end to end, time after time, across the field. Not that there aren’t enough things to occupy my time as I traverse across the landscape.

All the technological gadgets we have installed to keep us constantly abreast of what’s happening behind the tractor on the planter is really quite amazing and, I might add very expensive. That alone is enough to obligate me to pay close attention. And of course all the information on display is very valuable. The consequences of not knowing these things, especially if something goes wrong, can have a direct impact on how well the crop will yield in the end.

Sediment deposited at the bottom of a hill after a large rain event in 2013.

Dr. Amy Swain Wants Everyone to Hear Better Call 1-800-804-3361 today for FREE Hearing Aid Consultation Amy Swain Hearing Centers

Rejuvenate your hearing aid for free!

This coupon is good for a free 4 minute rejuvenation of your hearing aid in the Ultra Vac. The Ultra Vac cleans out debris and removes moisture from your hearing aids. This will make your hearing function better and sound better, clearer and crisper!

Hearing aids need not have been purchased at Amy Swain Hearing Center in order to take advantage of this offer!

Bring this coupon to any office!!

AUSTIN: 608 1st Ave SW 507-433-4144 WASECA: 118 North State Street (same building as Waseca Family Dentistry) 507-521-2758 OWATONNA: 685 Bridge St. Suite 1B (by Torey’s Restaurant) 507-451-3879

And of course I am constantly preparing for

But I digress. There still are a few moments here and there when things are working properly that I find time to think in between.

For instance as I was planting the last field of the season I thought I would calculate how far I had actually driven the tractor during the season. This takes a little of the high school math that I so disliked when I was in class. Remember those days? How often we said “why in the world will I ever need this knowledge in the real world?” Well here I am using it to figure out something that is probably just as useless except for some entertaining and interesting trivia.

So, okay let’s see, if I take the total acres planted (this year it was 2150 acres including all corn and soybean acres) and multiply that times 43,560 (the number of square feet in an acre) I come up with 93,654,000 square

Also Buying

Auto

I-35 Recycling

the next operation needed to keep planting such as refilling the planter with seed (including which hybrid to have the guys deliver), filling the tank with starter fertilizer, swapping out the insecticide boxes with full ones, watching the fuel tank for the next fill needed, figuring which field will be ready to plant next, and so on and so forth.

Aluminum,

(NO ALUMINUM CANS)

Brass & Copper

Highest Prices for Scrap Cars, Trucks, Farm Machinery, Iron & Steel Pick Up Service & Roll Off Boxes Available Exit #18 (Clarks Grove) East 100 Yards Then North 1 Mile on Co. Rd. 45 (4 miles North of Albert Lea)

507-256-7375

CO. RD. 45

Extreme Weather Events & Conservation

CLARKS GROVE IT

EX

18

feet planted. Then if I divide this number by my planter width of 40 feet (feet² = length x width) I should have the total number of feet traveled, right? It comes to 2,341,350 feet.

And by dividing this by 5280 feet in a mile, I discover that during the entire planting season I drove this thing over 443 miles! And all that at a maximum speed of 5.2 miles per hour! Wow, that’s a long ways. It would take me well into Canada for a fishing trip, or to Grand Island Nebraska to see how the crops look, or to Grand Forks, North Dakota to seewell I’m not sure what there is to see there but you get the point.

Then I took it one step further and figured out if I took all the 30 inch rows planted this year and strung them out into one continuous line, how far would this row go?

Thirty inches equals 2.5 feet so applying the same formula, 93,654,000 square feet divided by 2.5 is 37,461,600 feet. And dividing this by 5280 feet in a mile, it comes to 7095 miles of row planted- Holy Smokes! This row of corn or soybeans would reach from southern Minnesota to Hawaii and back to California.

Or it would cover the round trip distance from Austin, Minnesota to Seattle, WA., down to Los Angeles, CA. over to Miami, FL.,

then up to New York, NY. and back to Austin again. Quite a trip! On a celestial scale, this distance is almost equivalent to the diameter of the earth itself! Or if you remember the Apollo moon missions, it would make more than one complete orbit around the moon as our astronauts did in the sixties. Amazing!

Okay, so enough of the fun math and back to the job of planting. As you are reminded many times in all the farm magazines and seed company publications, be sure all your equipment is ready to go this coming season.

Your Pioneer Sales Professional has lots of useful information such as a check list to prepare both the equipment and all the monitors necessary to complete the job as efficiently and effectively as possible. And take that extra time to be safe. One little saying I like to express to all the help around our operation is “be carefully thorough and thoroughly careful.” This kind of covers everything.

And if you get a couple minutes to let your mind wonder, have some fun with your calculator and a little math. In the words of an old song writer named Jim Stafford, you can “take a trip and never leave the farm”.

BRICELYN INSURANCE AGENCY Covering All Your Farm Insurance Needs Crop Farm Policies & More Ron Erickson, Agent Ann Jensen, Agent

BRICELYN INSURANCE AGENCY

Farmer’s Trust & Savings Bank Building Bricelyn, MN 507-653-4440 or Toll Free 800-779-0490

Thinking of Selling Your Equipment or Land?

Consider Thompson Auction Service to Offer Your Items Locally and Worldwide

PO BOX 87 • Lansing, MN 55950 Cell: 507-438-9646 Home: 507-433-6784

Dave Thompson Broker/Auctioneer ThompsonAuctionService.com

Supplement to The Freeborn & Mower County Shoppers/Tuesday, April 14, 2015/Page 16

Supplement to The Freeborn & Mower County Shoppers/Tuesday, April 14, 2015/Page 5

USDA Announces Changes to Fruit, Vegetable & Wild Rice Planting Rules Kirk W. Phelps USDA Farm Service Agency Mower County Executive Director

Farm Service Agency (FSA) has announced fruit, vegetable and wild rice provisions that affect producers who intend to participate in certain programs authorized by the Agricultural Act of 2014.

Producers who intend to participate in the Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) or Price Loss Coverage (PLC) programs are subject to an acre-foracre payment reduction when fruits and nuts, vegetables or wild rice are planted on the payment acres of a farm. Payment reductions do not apply to mung beans, dry peas, lentils or chickpeas. Planting fruits, vegetables or wild rice on acres that are not considered payment acres will not result in a payment reduction. Farms that are eligible to participate in ARC/PLC but are not enrolled for a particular year may plant unlimited fruits, vegetables and wild rice for that year but will not receive ARC/PLC payments for that year. Eligibility for succeeding years is not affected.

What is Farmamerica?

The Minnesota Agricultural Interpretive Center (Farmamerica) was established by the Minnesota legislature in 1978 to preserve the state’s rich agricultural heritage. We started out with a few acres, donated by Roy Lukken in the late 1970’s and, with the help of the local community, legislators and contributors, built the center into a 360-acre site which includes an impressive Visitor Center (built in 2000), a pond and prairie restoration, many external historical buildings, plus a large collection of antique tractors and farm equipment.

Planting and harvesting fruits, vegetables and wild rice on ARC/PLC acreage is subject to the acre-foracre payment reduction when those crops are planted on more than 15 percent of the base acres of a farm enrolled in ARC-CO or PLC. Planting violations no longer apply. A farm or producer does not need to have a history of vegetable planting under the new rules.

Our primary focus has always been education. It is important to us that we teach schoolchildren about our rural history and how farms in Minnesota helped to provide food for the nation and the world. In many cases, their visit to Farmamerica is the first time they see live farm animals up close. Research shows that 90% of kids living in rural areas today have never had a farming or agricultural experience.

Fruits, vegetables and wild rice that are planted in a double-cropping practice will not cause a payment reduction if the farm is in a doublecropping region as designated by the USDA’s Commodity Credit Corporation.

7367 - 360th Avenue, Waseca, MN 56093 507-835-2052 Directions: 2 mi W of Waseca just off HWY 14 on CR 2 or 17

Rates Self-guided tours: Free Will Donation Call for guided group tour rates, Free parking.

Farmamerica is an IRS 501 (c)(3) not-for-profit public charity.

Jun 3, 2015 - Aug 29, 2015 About Changes in agriculture, 1850s to the present.

Historic farm sites, country school, country church, blacksmith shop, feed mill, historic gardening and field cropping; monthly events; Self-guided walking tours available June 2 - August 30 - Tuesday - Friday - 9 am - 2 pm and Sunday’s Noon - 4 pm; group tours available by appointment School Tours Farmamerica offers fun and educational tours for school groups for grades 3 to 6. We can only accept the first 200 students for each date, so call 507-835-2052 or email info@ farmamerica.org and book now to make sure you get the date you want! Further information about our school tours, including the agenda for the day, is available in our 2015 School Tours Brochure.

Spring & Fall 2015 SPRING: Full day school tours:

Heating • Ventilating • Air Conditioning Electrical • Plumbing

308 West Main Street, Adams, MN

R

www.viafield.com

Your cooperative providing growing opportunities for producers and consumers at locations in northern Iowa and southern Minnesota

Agronomy • Energy Feed • Grain Toll-Free 888-788-7671 Area Locations: Clermont • Randalia • Sumner Arlington • Maynard • Winthrop Oelwein • Lamont • Elgin Marble Rock • Rudd • Rockford Manly • Grafton • Northwood Carpenter • Myrtle • London

May 5, 7, 14, 19, 20, 21, 26, 28 and 29 SPRING: 1850’s day (tour will be of the 1850’s site only): May 15 FALL: September 23, 24, 29, October 1 and 6 Fall Fair FREE Admission and FREE Parking!

Sat. & Sun., Sept. 12 & 13, 10am - 4pm The annual Fall Fair is your best opportunity to experience all Farmamerica has to offer, and for the first time, admission is free! See the Sheriffs Posse Wagon Train Saturday and theAntique Tractor Pull Sunday. Visit an early 19th century Peddlers Grove tent city with demonstrations of Native American and pioneer traders, trappers and settlers crafts and games, black muzzle loader and bow and arrow shooting demonstrations. Take a tram ride around the beautiful Time Lane with 10 historic sites including 1850s settlers houses, an 1881 church, one-room schoolhouse, a 1930s farmstead, Agri-Hall with antique tractors and farm equipment, and more.

Interpreters at each site share the stories and experiences of the settlers and farmers who established agriculture in Minnesota.

The 2015 Fall Fair will also have a Bounce

See Us for Your Next

House, Corn Maze, and Vincent the Gypsy Horsefor kids; Bee Hut Ice Cream Parlor on the 1930s farmstead; and an 1860s Mankato Baltics baseball game. tractor_pullPlus special guests, threshing and corn harvest demonstrations, lessons about the prairie, wildlife, and restoration. Breakfast Sunday morning featuringDad’s Belgian Waffles from 8:30 am – 12:30 pm for $7.50, with proceeds going to the Waseca High School Band.

Admission and parking are free. Donations are appreciated, to advance Farmamerica’s ongoing agriculture education program.

This event is made possible in part by a generous grant from DuPont Pioneer.

AGRICULTURE LOAN

• Operating Lines • Farm Land Loans • Farm Equipment • Local Approval • Flexible Terms • Competitive Rates Albert Lea 437 Bridge St. 373-1481

507-582-3528

www.securitybankmn.com

Pat Gavle Ag Lender NMLS #921688

Member FDIC

Emmons 201 Main St. 297-5461

See Us For All Your Farm Tire Needs We Offer On-Site Repair

Water Management Solutions Since 1972 Contact James Becvar at 507.438.7676 or james@centurypipe.com or jbnme2341@gmail.com for more information.

505 E. MAIN ST. • ALBERT LEA, MN • 507-373-0636

Freeborn County Government Center 411 South Broadway | Albert Lea, MN 56007 | (507) 377-5660

Supplement to The Freeborn & Mower County Shoppers/Tuesday, April 14, 2015/Page 4

Supplement to The Freeborn & Mower County Shoppers/Tuesday, April 14, 2015/Page 17

Micro-Loan Program The Farm Service Agency (FSA) developed the Microloan (ML) program to better serve the unique financial operating needs of beginning, niche and small family farm operations.

FSA currently has a borrowing limit for the microloan

15330 580th Avenue Wells, MN 56097

program of $50,000. The loan features a streamlined application process built to fit the needs of new and smaller producers. This loan program will also be useful to specialty crop producers and operators of community supported agriculture (CSA).

Eligible applicants can apply for a maximum amount of $50,000 to pay for initial start-up expenses such as hoop houses to extend the growing season, essential tools, irrigation and annual expenses such Adam J. Gritz as seed, fertilizer, utilities, land rents, marketing, and USDA Farm Service Agency distribution expenses. As financing needs increase, Fillmore County Farm Loan Manager applicants can apply for a regular operating loan up to “This is a great update for Minnesota producers.” the maximum amount of $300,000 or obtain financing from a commercial lender under FSA’s Guaranteed Loan Program.

Individuals who are interested in applying for a microloan or would like to discuss other farm loan programs should call the Farm Loan Team in Preston, MN at (507) 765-2123.

R & S Grain Systems, Inc.

Mark Nowak Contact me for the following services:

• Financial Analysis • Ratio Analysis • Cash Flow Plans • Ultra Farm Record Keeping • Marketing Strategies

Shopper

The

and

Nowak Ag Consulting Helping farmers succeed in South Central Minnesota for over 40 years

Offering you today’s technology at your fingertips - www.ffmbank.com

Freeborn County

Shopper The Mower County

Would like to remind all our area farmers to be alert to the dangers and practice farm safety this season!

MORRISON WELL DRILLING

Manufacturing & Fabrication

We have 3 office locations Algona, IA Morris, MN & Hartington, NE with additional locations in Albert Lea, MN and Sac City, IA.

Serving Freeborn & Mower Counties

25863 650th Ave., Dexter, MN 55926 Phone: 507-584-6794 • Fax: 507-584-6634 • rsgrain.com

We Have on Hand:

Belts • Bearings • Electric Motors • Nuts & Bolts Hubs • Pulleys • Dodge Gear Drives • Roller Chain

507-391-4472 mark@nowakagconsulting.com

Mr. Charlie Gilles 507-582-3253 15740 665th Avenue • Adams, MN

• Residential • Municipal Wells • Geothermal Wells • Sealing Old Wells

• Well Drilling • Well Pump Repair • Backhoe Trenching

60 YEARS EXPERIENCE

www.morrisonwelldrilling.com 373-5411 ALBERT LEA/AUSTIN

874-2600 863- 2455 ALDEN

FREEBORN

Express Pressure Washers, Inc.

A swineexclusive veterinary clinic offering customized solutions for your business.

Algona: 515-295-8777

15880 SE 74th Avenue, Blooming Prairie, MN 55917

Morris: 320-589-0111 Parts * Accessories * Soap * Repair * On-site Service

ALL OUR MACHINES ARE 100% SATISFACTION GAURANTEED

Open Monday to Friday from 8:00 to 5:00 and Saturday 8:30 to 12:00 Phone: 507-583-2703 Fax: 507-583-2060 service@expresspressurewashers.com www.expresspressurewashers.com Join us on Facebook!

“Professional Auctioneering - It’s What We Do”

Call me for all your auction needs.

Col. Frank Fox, Cell: 641-420-3243

www.foxauctioncompany.com

Innovative Swine Veterinary Services Helping our clients achieve success in the swine industry.

Hartington: 402-254-2444

Website: suidaehp.com 1128151

Supplement to The Freeborn & Mower County Shoppers/Tuesday, April 14, 2015/Page 18

Supplement to The Freeborn & Mower County Shoppers/Tuesday, April 14, 2015/Page 3

Overhead Power Lines

Congratulations Cole and Katie Pestorious!

The 2015 Farm Family of the Year!

Northwood, Iowa Serving No. Iowa & Southeran MN • Family Owned & Operated Since 1954

We specialize in underground solutions for farmers, landowners, municipalities and contractors.

2015 Farm Family of the Year Cole & Katie Pestorious & Family

Entanglement with overhead power lines and farm equipment is one of the most common electrical hazards on the farm. Many types of farm equipment can come in contact with overhead power lines. Tractors with front-end loaders, portable grain augers, fold-up planters, dump truck beds and sprayer booms are all examples of equipment that can easily get caught in overhead power lines.

Recommendations: • LOOK UP! before moving or transporting equipment especially around buildings, grain bins or entrance/exiting fields and farms.

• Power lines should be at least 18 feet above the highest point of grain bin with which portable augers or other portable filling equipment are used.

• Considering burying electric lines to reduce the risk of accidental contact.

Don’T STArT The worK wIThouT

the right tools.

Got a new challenge on your jobsite? Or a special project at home? Find the answer by visiting your local rental dealer with the most comprehensive fleet of compact equipment.

Authorized Bobcat Dealer

2317 Consul St, Albert Lea, MN SANCO 507-377-1631 EQUIPMENT

• Remember some equipment during transportation is actually taller than when in use.

10060 MN-30 Blooming Prairie, MN

507-583-6661

2015 Farm Family of the Year

54685 175th St Austin, MN

Congratulations to Cole & Katie Pestorious and Children Danica, Bridget & Cael Co-Owners of Frontier Family Farms

• Septic Compliance Inspections • Design & Install

2000

$

**

Customer Instant Rebate!

www.fmcs.coop

P&L Excavating Forrie: 507-319-6664

Your First Tractor Is a Big Deal

PLUS UP TO

Brought to you by:

• Complete Septic Service!!

pandlexcavating.com Kyle: 507-383-3385

$0 down, 0.0% for 60 Months*

If your equipment becomes entangled in power lines, stay in the tractor or truck unless the tractor or truck starts on fire.

Jump as far from the tractor as possible but land on both feet.

Then hop with feet together to get to safety!

If on fire, contact 911…if you are staying in the vehicle, contact FMCS Operations at 800-734-6421.

SEPTIC PUMPING

• Pumping & Maintenance • Licensed & Insured

www.bobcatofalbertlea.com

• Always stay alert and never take unnecessary risks.

507-437-2644

Cole and Katie Pestorious accepted the award at the 10th annual Albert Lea-Freeborn County Chamber of Commerce Agriculture Luncheon at the Fairlane Building at the Freeborn County Fairgrounds.

Bobcat®, the Bobcat logo and the colors of the Bobcat machine are registered trademarks of Bobcat Company in the United States and various other countries. 15-B034

• Another thing you need to be careful of is bumping into the guide wires on electrical poles. This will cause sagging in the overhead lines and will make entanglement more likely.

MN License #3133

2501 Main Street East, Albert Lea, MN This institution is an equal opportunity employer and provider.

STANDARD L SERIES COMPACT TRACTORS

L3901 shown as example only.

SANCO EQUIPMENT

2317 Consul St Albert Lea, MN 56007 507-377-1631 • BobcatOfAlbertLea.com *$0 down, 0.0 % A.P.R. financing for up to 60 months on purchases of new Kubota L Series equipment available to qualified purchasers from participating dealers’ in-stock inventory through 6/30/2015. Example: A 60-month monthly installment repayment term at 0.0% A.P.R. requires 60 payments of $16.67 per $1,000 financed. 0.0% A.P.R. interest is available to customers if no dealer documentation preparation fee is charged. Dealer charge for document preparation fee shall be in accordance with state laws. Inclusion of ineligible equipment may result in a higher blended A.P.R. Not available for Rental, National Accounts or Governmental customers. 0.0% A.P.R. and low rate financing may not be available with customer instant rebate offers. Financing is available through Kubota Credit Corporation, U.S.A., 3401 Del Amo Blvd., Torrance, CA 90503; subject to credit approval. Some exceptions apply. Offer expires 6/30/2015. See us for details on these and other low-rate options or go to www.kubota.com for more information.** $2,000 Customer Instant rebate includes two separate instant rebates available on L3901 or L4701 with the purchase of two qualifying implements. The first offer is for a Customer instant rebate (C.I.R.) of $1,000 are available on cash or finance purchases of new Kubota 3901 or L4701 Series tractors to qualified purchasers from participating dealers’ in-stock inventory through 4/30/2015. The second offer is for a Customer instant rebates(C.I.R.) of $1,000 available on cash or finance purchases of new Kubota L3901 or L4701 Series with two or more qualifying new Kubota or Landpride implements qualified purchasers from participating dealers’ in-stock inventory through 4/30/2015. Dealer subtracts rebates from dealer’s pre-rebate selling price on qualifying purchases. Sales to Rental, National Accounts or Governmental customers do not qualify. C.I.R.s not available after completed sale. Financing is available through Kubota Credit Corporation, U.S.A., 3401 Del Amo Blvd., Torrance, CA 90503; subject to credit approval. Some exceptions apply. Offer expires 4/30/2015.KCDA-04-TK

Supplement to The Freeborn & Mower County Shoppers/Tuesday, April 14, 2015/Page 2

Protect what matters most.

Store Hours: M-F 7:30 am-9:00 pm Sat 8:00 am-7:00 pm Sun 9:00 am-6:00 pm

1400 18th Avenue NW, Austin, MN 55912 • 507.433.7437

Our Departments

Runnings

in Austin features an expanded Sporting Goods selection, including firearms.

• Air Compressors • Bird Feeding • Equine • Footwear • Housewares • Plumbing • Toys

Supplement to The Freeborn & Mower County Shoppers/Tuesday, April 14, 2015/Page 19

• Animal/Pet Care • Clothing • Farm • Hardware • Lawn & Garden • Power Equipment • Welding

• Automotive • Electrical • Food & Candy • Heating & Cooling • Paint • Sporting Goods • Tools

Our customized interactive security systems protect your home and farm with video surveillance, temperature monitoring, door sensors, and more.

We proudly carry these brands....

1-888-264-6380

Grain Bin Engulfment Rescue Aluminum, Yellow Rescue Tube Durable No Tools Required Clamps together

  

Owned by:

Red Rescue Tube

heartlandss.com

Unloads quickly Uses a std 1/2” power drill

 

Poly Platforms

Aids rescuers Improves Footing

  We cultivate relationships one farm at a time.

Meet Our AG Team



Serving you in two locations

217 S Newton, Albert Lea 507-377-7000

195 N Broadway, Alden 507-379-6060

1.800.527.8775

NOT designed for engulfment prevention NOR rescue  Filters dust  Grain Dust Explosion Proof

1.800.KC.SUPPLY

Frontier Communications supports Farm Safety and wishes all farmers a safe and successful planting season. Keep in touch with family members.

Welcome

Perfect

Place for the end of your day.

to the

deck

Where downtime is about relaxation, family, friends.

www.kcsupply.com

Life Safety Building

105 E. Oakland Ave, Austin, MN • 507-440-5733 Pam Hollrah-Asleson, RN, CLNC, QP

phollrah-asleson@RNCandC.com www.LifeSafety4-U.com

EMERGENCIES HAPPEN! B-PREPARED. Farmer Emergency Upcoming Weekends

Free Demo of Personal Alarms for the Farm (both tethered and untethered alarms with Help Button, LLC) Untethered Alarms have GPS to LOCATE YOU quickly and bring help!

Don’t Risk Life or Limb...know what to do!

Protect Yourself and Your Family with CPR and First-Aid! CPR 2 & 8 Hr classes will be offered each weekend (check website www.LifeSafety4-U.com or call for dates/options)

Stacyville • Lyle • Adams • Brownsdale & other towns in southern MN Call for information to set a date for your community’s Farmer Weekend

kcsupply@kcsupply.com

Minnesota Department of Agriculture Farm Safety Tips Farm Equipment Safety

stop before dismounting equipment.

Large and powerful equipment can be

Keep bystanders and others away from equipment operation area.

found all over a farm. This equipment is also a source of many injuries. By developing a “safety first” attitude and following some basic equipment safety guidelines, you can stay out of harm’s way and set a good example for others.

And life is inspired.

Freeborn Lumber Co. 917 Plaza Street W Albert Lea, MN 56007 507-377-4284

Respirator Helmet

Pay attention to all safety information.

Read operator’s manual and warning decals.

Inspect the equipment and correct any hazards before operating.

Identify hazardous areas on equipment and make sure you stay away from moving parts. Beware of pinch points, shear points, wrap points, pull-in areas, thrown objects, crush points, stored energy hazards and freewheeling parts.

Shut down equipment, turn off the engine, remove key and wait for moving parts to

Personal Farm Safety Don’t wear loose clothing around equipment or work areas.

Use safety equipment the way it was intended. That means appropriate gloves, hearing protection and safety eyewear, not to mention face masks and respirators when working in dusty conditions.

Always have a helper nearby when entering grain bins, breeding pens or other high-risk areas.

Discuss safety concerns with children as you explain safe handling and operating procedures. Practice what you preach, and they will practice it, too.

Supplement to The Freeborn & Mower County Shoppers/Tuesday, April 14, 2015/Page 20

www.agpowerjd.com Belle Plaine, MN 1051 Old Hwy 169 Blvd (952) 873-2224

Hollandale, MN West Hwy 251 (507) 889-4221

Owatonna, MN 3555 SW 18th St (507) 451-4054

STRONGEST

IN THEIR

NEW LOCATIONS Northwood, IA Osage, IA 806 Central Ave 2197 Hwy 218 E (641) 324-1154 (641) 732-3719

FIELD.

From material handling to planting, seeding and tillage, the John Deere 6M and 6R Series Tractors (105–210 hp†) are big machines that can handle big challenges. Efficient PowerTech™ engines offer high torque and fuel economy. Multiple PowerQuad™, AutoQuad™ and IVT™ transmissions are available, with operator stations built for comfort and control. And during Deere Season, you’ll get special financing or cash discounts.

g n i m Far

SPRING 2015

in the

D N A L T R A E H PLANTING THE SEED FOR 2015

An Agricultural, Farming & Rural Development Supplement Covering Freeborn County, Mower County & Surrounding Areas 6M SERIES UTILITY TRACTORS 105 to 170 hp† engines

6R SERIES UTILITY TRACTORS 105 to 210 hp† engines

Real Estate Sales and Farm Management For all of your agricultural landowner needs, contact your local land professionals.

OFFER ENDS APRIL 30TH!

Doug Bergemann, AFM Farm Manager/Agent

Jeanne Williams, Agent

(507) 420-8328

JWilliams@FarmersNational.com

Austin, Minnesota

DBergemann@FarmersNational.com

www.FarmersNational.com/DouglasBergemann

Lake Crystal, Minnesota

(507) 340-6613

www.FarmersNational.com/JeanneWilliams

Manufacturer’s estimate of power (ISO) per 97/68/EC.

†

(507) 341-0097

• Built strong from the core • Produces all bale sizes • Designed for silage customers, hobby farmers and commercial operators

LGabriel@FarmersNational.com

www.FarmersNational.com/LowellGabriel

LWilliams@FarmersNational.com

www.FarmersNational.com/LeeWilliams

To find out about all of FNC’s quality services, contact:

Sam Kain, ALC, National Sales Manager www.FarmersNational.com

85 Years

in

t

1-800-798-4509 • SKain@FarmersNational.com West Des Moines, Iowa

Togeth ing er rk

cy

9 SERIES ROUND BALERS

Lake Crystal, Minnesota

Con

ww.northstarpowersports.com

(507) 383-0295

Alden, Minnesota

to

Visit Our Website At:

Lee Williams, AFM Farm Manager/Agent

ue

ga

507-373-9000 2120 Consul St. • Albert Lea

Lowell Gabriel Agent/Auctioneer

Wo

BETTER HAY STARTS WITH BETTER EQUIPMENT.

e Yo u r L

Real Estate Sales • Auctions • Farm and Ranch Management • Appraisal • Insurance • Consultations Oil and Gas Management • Timber Resource Management • National Hunting Leases • Lake Management • FNC Ag Stock