Nicollet County Ledger January 19, 2023

Festival

Lafayette City Council Approves Solar Project and Finalizes Rezoning LCS

By Robert Lawson Publisher 612-460-5851

The Lafayette City Council met on Monday, January 9 at 7 p m in the city council chambers on Main Ave The meeting included a public hearing regarding the DSI solar project, an update on the RO water project and rezoning the former Lafayette Charter School property (Ordinance 141)

A zoning permit for the conditional use permit (CUP) for Development Services Inc (DSI) was approved at the meeting DSI plans to build a solar installation of 367 kilowatt (KW) in Lafayette This project is

Lafayette Get $1M for Water Upgrade

By Robert Lawson Publisher 612-460-5851

United States Senators Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith both congressional Democrats, said last week they were successful at securing $1 million in federal funding to improve water quality in Lafayette through the Fiscal Year 2023 Lafayette City Utility Superintendent Al Fox has been working on grant proposals and other tasks associated with this RO water project consistently through each phase Fox said this is all part of a $2 7 million reverse osmosis project

Klobuchar, who once ran for president, made the announcement to the media and on her website

“By expanding access to drinking water and wastewater infrastructure, this project will help boost the health and safety

of so many families in Lafayette Klobuchar said I am proud to have worked with local leaders to secure this funding, and I know that these resources will make a real difference in Lafayette ” Tina Smith also made remarks about the success of the funding for the water project

“Keeping our water clean and safe is important for safeguarding public health,” said Smith Securing this funding for water treatment infrastructure will benefit people living in Lafayette by lowering costs and keeping their water free from contamination I am proud of the work we did with local leaders to make this project possible ” Soil testing was done this past week according to Fox who provided the Lafayette City Council with further updates at their January 9 meeting The next meeting of the

Lafayette City Council will be on Monday January 23 at its regular meeting place in Council Chambers on Main Ave in Lafayette

Fox has also worked on low interest loans and has worked on securing funds from Minnesota Public Facilities Authority (PFA)

Fox has said the PFA usually has at least 100 requests and can typically fund 30 to 50 of the submitted proposals it receives Under the point scale that is used by PFA, Lafayette ranks 25th

Fox regularly provides updates to the City of Lafayette about the RO Water Project, which is a major infrastructure project for this community of around 500 residents It is a mostly rural area of Nicollet County

Fox also sought funding through mall Communities Planning Grant The project also includes storm water upgrades

approved for a community solar program, which allows customers to lease power from the solar installation and get rebates on their power bill The community solar installation will take up 3 5 acres near Highway 15

The RO project was also discussed with the council Al Fox, who is overseeing the project, said soil testing was done that week On Friday, it was announced that the city would receive funding from the state for this project (see Lafayette Receives $1 Million for Water Upgrade)

Ordinance 141 was also discussed This ordinance provides for rezoning of the Continued on Page 3

Pavement Project in County Gets National Award + Industry Recognition

By Robert Lawson Publisher 612-460-5851 info@nicolletcountyledger com

A concrete paving project in Nicollet County has received a national award The American Concrete Paving Association recognized the Nicollet County State Aid Highway 13 from 506th Street to Highway 99 project with the 2022 Excellence in Concrete Pavement Award in the Streets and Roads Overlays category This was the first time the county has received such an award There was a national ceremony in Nashville, Tenn at the ACPA annual conference The county did previously

win the 2021 County Overlays Award from the Minnesota Department of Transportation and the Concrete Paving Association of Minnesota, according to the Mankato Free Press Nicollet County Public Works, along with Croell Inc , a New Hampton, Iowabased contractor, worked on the $4 9 million project The project was ongoing from June to September 2021 and was for road surface rehabilitation More than five miles of road was paved with seven inches of concrete The pavement will likely last 30 years or so before it needs to be repaired again The shoulder was repaved too, a cost-effective measure

Photo by Pixabay

Photo by Tom Shamberger

MnSure Scams

MnSure

ST PAUL, Minn MNsure, Minnesota s health insurance marketplace, encourages consumers to be aware of scams targeting Minnesotans who need health insurance during the open enrollment period that runs through January 15, 2023 Scammers may use high-pressure phone calls or misleading websites to obtain personal information or try to fool Minnesotans into purchasing products that do not provide comprehensive coverage

Pastor's Corner Column

By Pastor Micah Plocher Trinity Lutheran Church

Blessed are those whose ways are blameless, who walk according to the law of the Lord Blessed are those who keep his statutes and seek him with all their heart (Psalm 119:1-2)

Maybe you’ve noticed that the more you play a board game, the less the game you play looks like the game you bought At first, of course, when you open the game up for the first time, you read the rules to make sure you re doing things right make sure the game is working as designed But after you re familiar with how the game feels, it’s almost inevitable that you start to develop house rules You change something here to make it more fun, make it so your brother can’t do that there - in short, you make the rules your own It seems like that s the way human nature just is The more familiar we get with the way things are the way things work, the more we want to push the limits It happens at your job as you learn what slides with your boss and what doesn’t It happens in a marriage when the things you agreed to and put effort into at the beginning melt away into a comfortable (and lazy?) routine It happens anywhere we settle into the way things are done here Those are just a few examples, but can anyone truthfully say that they haven’t got their own set of “house rules” for life? Even as Christians - we have the Bible, we have God’s law, but maybe it’s because we’re so familiar with it that we’re so comfortable treating it as flexible “This part of God’s Word makes me feel guilty, so I m going to pretend like I never read it This section really challenges me to do something that would take effort, so I’m just going to ignore it ” “This section seems like it confirms what I want to believe, so I’m going to cherry pick it to show that I’m right ” We treat God’s Word like a buffet where we can take what we want and leave what we don’t

But God s law isn t a buffet There is no flexibility It speaks in no uncertain terms: only those who fully obey, who walk perfectly according to the law of the LORD are blameless When we try to follow our own “house rules,” we twist and forsake what God has set up as the only way to “play the game ” What we end up doing is playing our own game, and completely losing out on the prize God set up for his It doesn’t work out so well when we follow our own rules, but what if God’s the one who changes the game? What if he’s the one who follows the rules for us? What if he’s the one who wins the prize? What if he’s the one who turns around to give that prize to us and makes a new decree, a new command: Not “Do!” but “Receive!”

Then, dear friends, you are blessed! Through Jesus, God gives the gift of forgiveness, the gift of reconciliation the gift of heaven to you Despite the fact that you haven’t kept the rules despite the fact that you superimpose your own on top of his, you own a perfect record And the only command is, “Take! Because I love to freely give ” How could we not love that law? How could we not rejoice to obey that command? Remain steadfast in God s decrees that your ways are blameless And it s he who makes it so

Watch out for unsolicited calls especially those that require immediate payment MNsure has a statewide network of certified brokers and navigators who can help Minnesotans apply and enroll in health coverage, but they provide this help for free MNsure will never cold call you to try and sell you health insurance or give your phone number to a broker without your prior permission, and MNsure will never call and ask for a Social Security number, credit card or bank account number

Check the website URL Make sure to click on MNsure org if using a search engine or type MNsure org into the address bar

Take advantage of MNsure’s free and anonymous cost estimates online MNsure org has a cost estimator tool that allows you to shop for health plans without submitting your contact information Be careful with websites that insist on collecting your telephone number to provide you with an estimate Providing your telephone number to these websites may lead to numerous unwanted calls

Make sure you’re buying comprehensive coverage All plans sold on MNsure org include essential health benefits and important consumer protections – anything less may leave you in a lurch if you get sick or have to go to a hospital Plans available outside of MNsure may not include the same benefits and protections

For example, if you search for “MNsure” online, you may see ads or websites that appear to be the official MNsure website but are not Some of these sites collect your contact information and may bombard you with phone calls Scammers also may claim they can find you a better plan for less money or threaten that your coverage will be discontinued if you don’t re-enroll Here are four tips to verify you’re working with MNsure and purchasing comprehensive health care coverage: 1 2 3 4 More tips to protect against

Alan C Page

18 The

a

a

the continuing struggle for civil rights in the United States and around the world Gustavus was honored to be joined by Justice Page the first African-American Supreme Court Justice of Minnesota As a justice of 23 years, as well as a former college and NFL football player, Page is well-versed in the realities of racism in the worlds of athletics and the judicial system Page was born August 7 1945 in Canton Ohio He graduated from Canton Central Catholic High School in 1963 and received his B A in political science from the University of Notre Dame in 1967 and his J D from the University of Minnesota Law School in 1978 After graduating from law school, Alan Page worked as an attorney for a law firm in Minneapolis, then served seven years as an attorney in the office of the Minnesota Attorney General He sought election to the Minnesota Supreme Court in 1992 and won becoming the first African American on the court and one of the few associate justices ever to join the court initially through election rather than appointment by the governor When Justice Page was reelected in 1998, he became the biggest vote-getter in Minnesota history He was reelected in 2004 and 2010 and served until he reached the mandatory retirement age of 70 in 2015 In 2018, Alan Page was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom Law was Alan Page’s second career; he was first known for his skills in football both in college and in the NFL At Notre Dame, Alan Page led the school’s storied football program to the 1966 national championship, and in 1993 he was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame Alan Page was a first-round draft choice of the Minnesota Vikings in 1967 and he played for the Vikings until 1978 The last three years of his football career were with the Chicago Bears 1978–1981 During his career Alan Page played in 218 consecutive games, earning All-Pro honors six times, and was voted to nine consecutive Pro Bowls In 1971 he was named the NFL’s Most Valuable Player, becoming only the second defensive player in history to be named MVP In 1988 Alan Page was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame Also in 1988 Justice Page and his late wife Diane founded the Page Education Foundation which assists Minnesota students of color in their pursuit of post-secondary education To date, the foundation has awarded $16 million in grants to 8,000 students

Mediacom Communications reported today that it enrolled more than 40 000 customers in the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), a new federal program which provides eligible households $30 per month off their internet bills

WASECA, MN – January 10, 2023

Among Mediacom customers receiving the ACP benefit today, over 2,300 are Minnesota residents living in smaller cities and towns across the state where the company’s fiber network delivers broadband service With more economically vulnerable families eligible to use the ACP benefit, Mediacom is expanding its efforts to raise awareness for the program that just celebrated its one-year anniversary

The ACP benefit is offered through the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) It provides qualifying households with a monthly credit of up to $30 toward service from participating Internet Service Providers (ISPs) The ACP credit can be applied to any residential service Mediacom offers

To deliver maximum cost savings to families, Mediacom created a $30 internet plan called Connect-2-Complete Plus (C2C+) Mediacom waives installation and equipment fees for ACP-eligible customers subscribing to this plan When paired with the $30 ACP credit, this allows households to receive Mediacom’s C2C+ service at no cost

“On a daily basis, people need to access online resources for work, school and healthcare,” said Mediacom Regional Vice President Bill Jensen “A home connection is essential, and that’s why our technicians connect more people every week who can use the ACP benefit with Mediacom to gain reliably-fast internet and Wi-Fi in their homes ”

Jensen explained that Mediacom’s network reaches residents and businesses in 185 Minnesota communities and townships, with customers across 47 counties currently using the ACP benefit

“Mediacom was founded on the idea that America’s small communities deserve the same or better telecommunications services as our nation’s large, metropolitan areas Acting on this mission, we’ve connected thousands of families in communities from border-to-border across Minnesota Jensen said

Justice Page and his daughter Kamie Page have written four children s picture books Bee Love (Can Be Hard) (2020) Grandpa Alan s Sugar Shack (2017) The Invisible You (2014) and Alan and His Perfectly Pointy Impossibly Perpendicular Pinky (2013) In November 2018, Justice Page received the Presidential Medal of Freedom

visited Gastavus Adolphus College as

visitor for

Martin Luther King Day holiday in Saint Peter on January

annual Rev Dr Martin Luther King Jr Celebration emphasizes

Lafayette City Council Continued from Page 1

Governor Walz, Lt. Governor Flanagan Announce Appointments

Governor Tim Walz and Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan today announced the following appointments to the Board of Optometry, Board of Veterinary Medicine, Compensation Council, Legislative Salary Council, and Technology Advisory Council

Shari Koll – Springfield, MN

Board of Optometry

Public Member

Effective: January 18, 2023

Term Expires: January 4, 2027

Reappointment

Sam Villella – Blaine, MN Board of Optometry

Optometrist

Effective: January 18, 2023

Term Expires: January 4, 2027

Reappointment

About the Board of Optometry: The Board of Optometry licenses optometrists, adopts rules, and investigates complaints

Additional information about the Board of Optometry can be found on theSecretary of State’s website

Julie Dahlke – West St Paul, MN

Board of Veterinary Medicine Veterinarian Member Effective: January 18, 2023

Term Expires: January 4, 2027

Reappointment

John Howe – Grand Rapids MN Board of Veterinary Medicine Veterinarian Member Effective: January 18, 2023 Term Expires: January 4, 2027

Replacing: Michelle Vaughn About the Board of Veterinary Medicine: The Board of Veterinary Medicine licenses and regulates veterinarians, registers veterinary corporations, and investigates complaints against veterinarians and

and unlicensed persons practicing veterinary medicine

Additional information about the Board of Veterinary Medicine can be found on theSecretary of State’s website Noah Hobbs – Duluth, MN

Compensation Council

Member Effective: January 18 2023

Term Expires: April 3, 2023

Reappointment Samuel Kaplan –Minneapolis MN Compensation Council Member Effective: January 18, 2023 Term Expires: April 3 2023 Reappointment Amy Koch – St Paul, MN Compensation Council Member Effective: January 18, 2023 Term Expires: April 3, 2023 Replacing: James Fox Amanda Matchett – Blaine, MN Compensation Council Member Effective: January 18, 2023

Term Expires: April 3, 2023

Reappointment Amber Naqvi – Eagan, MN Compensation Council Member Effective: January 18, 2023 Term Expires: April 3, 2023 Replacing: Sean Dowse Jason Resseman –Lanesboro, MN Compensation Council Member Effective: January 18 2023

Term Expires: April 3, 2023

Replacing: Kathleen Meyerle Scott Van Binsbergen –Montevideo, MN Compensation Council Member Effective: January 18 2023

Term Expires: April 3, 2023

Reappointment Charles Weaver –Minneapolis MN Compensation Council Member Effective: January 18, 2023

Term Expires: April 3, 2023

Reappointment

Gov. Walz Reappoints Patricia Milun to Workers’ Comp Court of Appeals

ST PAUL MN – Governor Tim Walz and Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan today announced the reappointment of the Honorable Patricia J Milun as a judge of the Minnesota Workers’ Compensation Court of Appeals (WCCA) for a six-year term Governor Walz also redesignated her as chief judge

I am excited to announce the reappointment of Chief Judge Milun to the Workers’ Compensation Court of Appeals,” said Governor Walz “Her leadership has been vital to the court’s stability and strong reputation, and I am confident that she will continue to serve with distinction for years to come ”

I applaud Chief Judge Milun’s reappointment to the Workers’ Compensation Court of Appeals,” said Lieutenant Governor Flanagan “Her commitment to public service and proven leadership skills will continue to benefit the court in its important work ” Chief Judge Patricia Milun serves as the chief judge of the Minnesota Workers Compensation Court of Appeals Governor Mark Dayton initially appointed her to the WCCA in 2011, designating her as chief judge at the same time Governor Dayton reappointed her to both positions in 2017 She previously served as the

Chief Workers Compensation Settlement Judge at the Department of Labor and Industry Chief Judge Milun has also served as a workers compensation and administrative law judge at the Office of Administrative Hearings Her community involvement includes mentoring students at the University of St Thomas School of Law and the University of Minnesota Law School Chief Judge Milun also serves on the Customer Experience Certificate Program Advisory Panel at Minnesota State University, Mankato She earned her B A from the College of St Benedict and her J D from William Mitchell College of

Law

Workers’ Compensation Court of Appeals is an independent agency in Minnesota s executive branch The WCCA reviews workers’ compensation cases decided by the Office of Administrative Hearings and the

Lafayette City Council 2023 Meetings Schedule

January 9 7:00 pm

February 13 7:00 pm

March 13 7:00 pm

April 10 6:30 pm * Local Board Appeals & Equalization (LBAE) hearing April 10 6:30 pm * council meeting will proceed after hearing May 8 7:00 pm

June 12 6:00 pm *City Blight tour prior to the council meeting

July 12 7:00 pm * (Wednesday)

August 14 7:00 pm

August 21 7:00 pm

September 12 7:00 pm *(Tuesday)

October 9 7:00 pm

November 13 7:00 pm

December 5* 7:00 pm *(Tuesday)

December 11 7:00 pm

Public Notices

INTERIM

AN INTERIM ORDINANCE

Findings

consumption provided

462 355, subd 4 provides that if a municipality has authorized a study related to potential adoption or amendment to an official control, the city council may adopt an interim ordinance for the purpose of protecting the planning process and the health, safety, and welfare of its citizens An interim ordinance may regulate, restrict, or prohibit any use within the city for a period of up to one (1) year

462 355, subd 4 provides that if a municipality has authorized a study related to potential adoption or amendment to an official control, the city council may adopt an interim ordinance for the purpose of protecting the planning process and the health, safety, and welfare of its citizens An interim ordinance may regulate, restrict, or prohibit any use within the city for a period of up to one (1) year

the City for the purpose of protecting the health and safety of Courtland s residents 1

the health and safety of the residents of Courtland

Minnesota Statutes, section

The City Council believes that studying the sales and distribution of THC Products is necessary to evaluate the regulatory options available to

The City Council believes that studying the sales and distribution of THC Products is necessary to evaluate the regulatory options available to

This interim ordinance is necessary to preserve the public peace health morals, safety, and welfare because of the inherent risk of injury to persons related to the recently legalized sale of edible cannabinoid products containing THC A prohibition on uses related to the sale of such products is necessary to ensure that the City has sufficient time to study potential regulations that will protect

Continued next page

The

Workers’ Compensation Division at the Department of Labor and Industry

of Courtland

Section 3 Moratorium The following moratorium is established:

1

No business person or entity may establish or continue a use that includes or involves the sale or distribution of THC Products for a period of up to one (1) year from the effective date of this Ordinance or until the Council repeals this Ordinance whichever occurs first

1 1

During the term of this Ordinance, the City staff will not issue any license or permit, nor accept or process any applications for uses related to the sale or distribution of THC Products

This moratorium does not apply to the sale of products that were lawfully sold in the City prior to the July 1, 2022 effective date of the Amendment

Section 4 Enforcement In addition to any criminal penalties allowed by law, the City may enforce this Interim Ordinance by injunction or any

other appropriate civil remedy in any court of competent jurisdiction A violation is also subject to any general penalty in the City's ordinances

Section 5 Severability Every section, subsection, provision, or part of this Ordinance is declared severable from every other section, subsection, provision, or part If any section, subsection, provision, or part of this interim ordinance is adjudged to be invalid by a court of competent jurisdiction, such judgment shall not invalidate any other section subsection provision or part

Section 6 Effective Date; Duration This emergency ordinance shall become effective immediately upon publication as provided by law It shall be effective until the earlier of the following events: (a) one (1) year from the effective date of this Ordinance or (b) the date upon which the City Council adopts an ordinance repealing this Ordinance

Section 7 Summary The Council approves the following summary for publication to clearly inform the public of this Ordinance:

The Ordinance authorizes a study related to the sales or distribution of recently legalized consumable cannabinoid products Staff will make a recommendation to the City Council about whether to amend its zoning, businesslicensing, or other general ordinances During the term of this Ordinance, no business, person, or entity may establish or continue a use that includes or involves the sale or distribution of consumable cannabinoid products legalized on July 1, 2022 by the amendment to Minnesota Statutes, section 151 72

HyVee Recall Continued From Page 1

Product Details

RNDC Appoints Its Six New Commissioners

10

directors and the commissioners Commissioners guide the work of the RNDC staff by representing the interests of their respective counties

The appointees are Patty O’Connor representing Blue Earth County, Eagle Lake Mayor Lisa Norton representing Blue Earth County cities under 10,000, Kiester Mayor Doug Trytten representing Faribault County cities under

County cities under 10,000 Five of the appointees are serving on the commission for the first time and Trytten is returning to the commission after a brief hiatus RNDC serves a nine-county region in Southern Minnesota and is governed by a board of

Finstad Cosponsors Legislation to Audit the U.S. Federal Reserve Bank

WASHINGTON

C

One of the fundamental responsibilities of Congress is to conduct oversight over federal agencies and programs, which includes the Federal Reserve,” said Congressman Finstad “The Fed is ultimately responsible for determining the monetary policy that directs the world s largest economy and ought to be accountable to the people’s representatives I support the Federal Reserve Transparency Act because Americans deserve transparency from the institution that is responsible for managing the nation’s money supply ”

Since 1972, being a partner for progresshasledtothedevelopment of programs and identification of solutions in the areas of community development, economic development, transportation, healthy communities, business development, and leveraging regionalresources

Passed by the City Council this 5th day of January 2023

Al Poehler, Mayor Julie Holm, City Clerk

D

– Congressman Brad Finstad (MN-01) joined Rep Thomas Massie (KY-04) and 28 House Republican colleagues to cosponsor H R 24, the Federal Reserve Transparency Act Known as Audit the Fed this legislation would require the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to conduct a full examination of the Federal Reserve Board and the Federal Reserve banks

Mankato MN- Region Nine Development Commission (RNDC) appointed six commissioners during its January meeting

000 Mary Milbrath representing Nicollet County townships, Bob Nielsen representing Sibley County townships and Paul Harris representing Watonwan

DNR looking to fill 200 paid summer internships

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is looking for passionate and dedicated students interested in learning more about natural resource careers through paid summer internships DNR summer interns gain valuable training, build meaningful experience and share their knowledge and perspectives to help create a healthy, sustainable, and inclusive Minnesota

The DNR is an equal opportunity and veteran-friendly employer We celebrate diversity equity and inclusion To request an accommodation or alternative format of the applications, please contact us at: ADAdiversityDNR@statemnus; 651-259-5016; or call using a preferred telecommunications relay provider

The DNR has a wide variety of internship opportunities throughout the state, including in fisheries, forestry, park operations, watercraft inspections communications and more Interns work 20 to 40 hours per week and are paid $15 per hour To be considered for an internship applicants must be enrolled students fulfilling an academic requirement or receiving academic credit

Applicants will be accepted through Jan 31 Positions will start in May and June

DNR Photo

Focus on Ag

By KENT THIESSE Farm Management Analyst Vice President, MinnStar Bank

The monthly USDA World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates (WASDE) report released on Jan 12 was viewed as bullish by most grain marketing analysts and had an immediate positive effect on corn and soybean prices The January WASDE Report, which is often known as a market mover showed some noteworthy adjustments to final 2022 corn and soybean production and supply number; however, the report also showed a slight decrease in corn and soybean demand for the coming year The immediate market reaction following the release of the WASDE report for corn and soybean prices on the Chicago Board of Trade (CBOT) was quite positive

Corn

The final National Ag Statistics Service (NASS) 2022 Crop Production Report was also released on Jan 12 The report estimated the final 2022 U S average corn yield at 173 3 bu /acre, which increased by one bushel per acre from the December estimate The 2022 corn yield estimate compares to 176 7 bushels per acre in 2021 and 171 4 bushels per acre in 2020 Minnesota is estimated to have a final 2022 statewide average corn yield of 195 bushels, while Iowa is projected to have a final corn yield of 200 bushels per acre for 2022 Other estimated average corn yields for 2022 included Illinois at the record yield of 214 bushels per acre, Indiana at 190 bushels per acre, Ohio at 187 bushels per acre, Wisconsin at 180 bushels and North Dakota at 131 bushels per acre The drought-stricken states of Nebraska and South Dakota are projected to have final 2022 corn yields of 165 and 132 bushels per acre respectively The latest WASDE report showed a slight decrease in the total 2022 U S corn production, which is now estimated at 13 73 billion bushels This is a decrease of 200 million bushels from the December estimate and is over 1 3 billion bushels below 2021 corn production level The latest USDA

USDA Provides Bullish WASDE Report on Jan. 12 (FOCUS ON AG) Continued From Left

reportalsoputthetotaldemandforcornusagein2022-23atjustover139billionbushels,whichisadecreaseofoveronebillionbushels from2021-22cornusagefigures Cornexportlevelsareprojectedtodecreaseby546millionbushelsin2022-23 alongwithadecreasein cornusedforfeedof443millionbushelsandadecreaseof51millionbushelsincornusedforethanolproductioninthecomingyear The JanuaryUSDAreportlistedthetotalavailablesupplyofcornavailableat15157billionbushels,whichcomparesto16333billionbushelsin Januaryof2022

TheUSDAisnowestimating2022-23US cornendingstocksat1242billionbushels whichisadecreaseof15millionbushelsfromthe DecemberWASDEreport TheUSDAwasprojecting2021-22cornendingstocksatjustover15billionbushelsayearagointheJanuary WASDEreport;however,thefinal2021-22endingstocksclosedatanestimated1377billionbushelsonAug 31,2022 TheUS cornstocksto-useratioisnowestimatedat89%for2021-22,whichwouldbejustbelowthe92%ratiofor2021-22andjustabove83%in2020-21 The recentratioscomparetocornstocks-to-useratiosof137%for2019-20,146%for2018-19,and145%in2017-18 Thismeanstherecould bepotentialforshort-termralliesinthecashcornmarketinthecomingmonths,especiallyinareasoftheUS withtightsuppliesandhigh localcorndemand

TheUSDAiscurrentlyestimatingtheUS averageon-farmcashcornpricefor2022-23at$670perbushel,whichisatthesamelevelasthe Decemberestimate Theprojected2022-23marketyearaverage(MYA)cornpricerepresentsthehighestWASDEestimatedaveragecorn priceinnearlyadecade The2022-23USDApriceestimatesaretheexpectedaveragefarm-levelpricesforthe2022cropfromSept 1,2022, toAug 31,2023;however,theydonotrepresentestimatedpricesforeitherthe2022or2023calendaryear Thecurrentprojected2022-23 averagepriceof$670perbushelcomparestonationalaveragecornpricesof$600perbushelin2021-22,$453perbushelin2020-21, $357perbushelfor2019-20,$361perbushelfor2018-19,and$336perbushelforboth2017-18and2016-17

Soybeans

ThelatestNASSreportestimatesthefinal2022US averagesoybeanyieldat495bushelsperacre,whichisdownfromthefinalUS averageyieldsof517bushelsperacrein2021and51bushelsperacrein2020 TotalUS soybeanproductionfor2022isnowestimatedat 4276billionbushels,whichisadecreaseof189millionbushelsfromfinal2021productionlevels TherecentWASDEreportestimatestotal soybeandemandat4355billionbushelsforthe2022-23marketingyear whichisadeclineof109millionbushelsfrom2021-22soybean demand levels Soybean crush levels are expected to increase by 41 million bushels in the current marketing year; however, soybean exportlevelsareexpectedtodeclineby168millionbushelsduring2022-23

TheUS soybeanendingstocksforthe2022-23marketingyearinthelatestWASDEReportareestimatedat210millionbushels,whichwas adecreaseof10millionbushelsfromtheDecemberWASDEreport Theprojected2022-23soybeanendingstocksareadecreaseof23% fromtheestimated2021-22carryoutlevelof274millionbushels Theprojected2022-23soybeanendingstockscomparetootherrecent year-endcarryoutlevelsof257millionbushelsfor2020-21,525millionbushelsfor2019-20,913millionbushelsfor2018-19,and438million bushelsfor2017-18

Thesoybeanstocks-to-useratiofor2022-23isnowestimatedat48% whichwouldbethelowestlevelsince26%in2013 Theprojected 2022-23 ratio compares to tight ratios of 61% for 2021-22 and 57% in 2020-21; however, the current ratio is considerably lower than soybean stocks-to-use ratios of 23% for 2018-19 and 133% for 2019-20 The expected rather tight soybean supply may offer some opportunitiesforcontinuedstrongcashsoybeanpricesinthecomingmonths,especiallyifweatherissuesdevelopinSouthAmericaor withthe2023US soybeancrop

TheUSDAisnowprojectingtheUS averagefarm-levelsoybeanpriceforthe2022-23marketingyearat$1420perbushel,whichwasan increaseof$20perbushelfromtheDecemberestimate Theestimated2022-23US averagesoybeanpricewouldbethehighestinnearly adecade The2022-23soybeanpriceestimatecomparestootherrecentyearlyaveragesoybeanpricesof$1330perbushelfor2021-22, $1080perbushelfor2020-21,$857perbushelfor2019-20,$848perbushelfor2018-19and$935perbushelfor2017-18

MarketingDecisions

Manyfarmoperatorswilltellyouthatgrainmarketingdecisionsareoneofthehardestpartsoffarming,whichisespeciallytrueduring periodsofhighlyvolatilemarketssuchaswehaveexperiencedthepasttwoyears Ayearago,DecembercornfuturesontheCBOTwere below$560perbushelfornewcrop2022corn,withlocal2022fallharvestpricesinSouthernMinnesotaatjustabove$5perbushel By May,thefuturespricehadrisentonear$750perbushelandthelocalharvestcashcornpricetoover$7perbushel,withonlyaslightprice declineforthebalanceof2022 Similarly,CBOTNovembersoybeanfuturesfor2022werejustover$13perbushelinJanuarylastyear,with alocalSouthernMinnesotaharvestpricenear$1250perbushelforthefallof2022 ByJune,theCBOTNovemberfuturespriceandsome localcashsoybeanbidshadrisenabove$15perbushelbeforedecliningslightlytojustover$1450perbushelbyyear-end During2021and2022manyfarmersbegansellingtheiranticipatedcornandsoybeanproductionquiteaggressivelyearlyintheyear,once thelocalcashpricegotintoaprofitablepricerange,thusmissinghigherpotentialpricesthatoccurredlaterintheyear Giventhescenarios thatexistedpriortoplantinginbothyears,thesewerenotbadmarketingdecisionstosellsomeoftheanticipatedcropproductionat profitablelevelsinordertoreducerisk Nowproducersarewonderingwhattodoaboutprotectingpricesforthe2023cornandsoybean crop Beingabletolockinlocal2023cashpricesnear$550perbushelforcornandover$13perbushelforsoybeansofferssomeofthe bestpre-plantmarketingopportunitiesthatwehaveseeninmanyyears