Benton Ag Plus - May 15, 2021

PHOTOS BY NATASHA BARBER

Soil mounds pinpoint a pocket gopher run May 12 in a field in rural Rice. A single Plains pocket gopher can create a tunnel system that extends 200 to 2,000 square feet.

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Sauk Rapids Herald | Saturday, May 15, 2021

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SAUK RAPIDS – Accidents involving tractors injure hundreds of people every year.

Tractors and large field equipment are the most common causes of farm accidents, injuries and deaths, including those caused by roadway crashes and rollovers, according to Emily Krekelberg, a farm safety and health educator for the University of Minnesota Extension who presented a video and webinar series on farm safety in February and April.

While tractors are a necessary part of farm work, exercising caution while using them is vital to preventing accidents, Krekelberg said.

Spring field work is underway across the region, and farm equipment is commonly seen on the road.

Tractor safety page 6B

on the run s r Gophe Sowada traps farm-field nuisance for more than 35 years

BY NATASHA BARBER STAFF WRITER

RICE – They primarily live in solitude, only coming together to reproduce or raise young.

A mature animal ranges 5 to 14 inches from nose to tail tip.

The gestation period is roughly 20 days.

A person does not need to know everything about pocket gophers in order to rid their land of the burrowing rodents.

But, for rural Rice resident Dennis Sowada, education is key.

“Any time you’re trapping any animal, read the behaviors of the animal,” Sowada said.

“Learn as much as you can about the animal, and that’ll help you trap.

These are not that difficult to trap once you have it down.”

Sowada has been trapping Plains pocket gophers for more than 35 years.

“I didn’t trap gophers until I moved out here,” Sowada said. “The farmers knew I trapped, so they asked if I could come trap their gophers.

That’s when I started.”

G r o w ing up near Elmdale, Sowada trapped animals alongside his father Alphonse.

He continued the pastime of harvesting beaver, fox, coyote and more for their pelts through adulthood and added pocket gophers to his list in the early 1980s after moving into a home on County Road 78 with his wife Jan. “I don’t like to kill animals for no reason,” said Sowada, a member of the Minnesota Trappers Association and a slew of other sportsmen organizations.

Pocket gophers are rodents named for their fur-lined cheek pouches used for transporting forage into underground tunnel systems. They prefer

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to build their burrows in loose, sandy soil that has edible plant cover, but the small animals have been known to establish themselves alongside rocky roadways and in heavier ground.

In addition to chewing through utility wires and eating the roots of small trees, the pocket gophers’ extensive tunnel system can be a nuisance

Dennis Sowada, of rural Rice, uncovers a pocket gopher set May 12 in rural Rice.

Sowada has been trapping gophers for area farmers for more than 35 years.

for farmers and home- soil can wreak havoc on owners. The crescent- farm and lawn equipment. shaped mounds where the Sowada page 2B animal rids its tunnels of

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“If they didn’t make mounds nobody would care,” Sowada said. “But farmers come out here and they’ve got to cut hay, and they’re hitting these humps. Farmers don’t like them in the hay fields and I can see why.”

One farmer broke an axle while traveling across his infested alfalfa field.

“In a month, I took out 263 gophers out of that 40 acres of land,” Sowada said. “Every three to four days, I was moving 70 to 80 sets. There were so many mounds, I didn’t know where to set them.”

Sowada has regular accounts he traps gophers for each year, and word of mouth is the only way he has added to his hobby workload. His bounty is rewarded with payment from both farmers and the townships from which he catches the animals.

Fully eradicating gophers is not likely as new animals move in, Sowada said, but consistency is key to remedying problem fields.

“I usually hit them about three times,” said Sowada, who typically traps in spring, after the first cut of alfalfa and in fall. “If you trap fields

PHOTOS BY NATASHA BARBER

Pocket gophers are named for fur-lined pouches near their cheeks that allow them to transport forage underground into their burrows. The animals overwinter deep beneath the surface and forage stashes help them survive through Minnesota’s winters.

three times a year, within a couple years, you should have almost (all of them).”

Mounds of soil are indicators of gopher runs but do not pin-point the runway the rodent is using. Gophers burrow past their tunnel system, using lateral tunnels to rid their system of soil. The gopher will backfill this area to close it off from the system.

Sowada uses a 12inch Craftsman screwdriver to puncture the soil near the mound as he looks for the main runway. He has been using this same tool since he

started trapping gophers.

“If you look at it, it’s been used,” Sowada said of the tool which now has a round and flattened end head, similar to a butter knife.

Once he finds a run, Sowada cuts a square of sod with an equally-worn shovel that belonged to his father. He places two stainless-steel traps – one

in each pathway – of the run, pushing them into the soil.

“If you only put one trap and he comes from the backside, he’ll push your trap out and you won’t have him,” Sowada said. “And, this hole will be packed solid with sand.”

Sowada page 3B

Dennis Sowada, of Rice, stands near a gopher mound with a shovel that was handed down from this father, Alphonse.

The fabricated shovel, which Alphonse also used for trapping, has been reinforced over time due to its many years of use.

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Dennis Sowada holds a stainlesssteel trap, known as the Gophinator, May 12 in rural Rice.

The trap is the only brand Sowada uses after trying flat traps and foot hold traps.

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Sowada covers the sets with a repurposed aluminum sign to keep daylight out of the burrow as well as wildlife from

tampering with his hole.

Some days, Sowada may set up to 80 traps. He has studied an elusive gopher for nine days, been bit reaching into a hole and has even stabbed a gopher through the soil while searching for a run.

Dairy nutrition, management conference goes virtual June 9-10 Watch ahead, come with questions ST. CLOUD – Learn the latest information in dairy nutrition and management by attending the virtual 2021 Four-State Dairy Nutrition and Management Conference June 9-10. The new format is designed to improve the participant experience.

June 9 and 10 will feature live morning sessions designed to promote interaction and discussion between participants and speakers. All presentations will be pre-recorded and will be made available to participants for viewing before the conference and for 60 days after the conference. General sessions will also have a live component with speakers providing a five-minute live summary of their recorded presentation. This will be followed with a 45-minute to one-hour question and discussion period between session speakers and participants. We encourage participants to watch the recorded presentation before the conference and come with questions. Breakout session will not have a live component, but viewers will be able to contact speakers directly with questions.

The June 9 morning session will feature Dr. Bill Weiss, Ohio State University, discussing updated energy systems for dairy cows. Dr. Jim Drackley, University of Illinois, will be explaining a new system for determining the nutrient requirements of young dairy calves. This will be followed by a panel discussion featuring Weiss, Drackley and nutritionists sharing

their ideas of how to feed cows in the future.

The June 10 session will feature a discussion on hypocalcemia treatment and prevention featuring Dr. Jesse Goff, Iowa State University, and Dr. Laura Hernandez, University of Wisconsin. Another morning session will focus on improving lactation performance using high digestible forage featuring Dr. Kan Kalscheur, United States Department of Agriculture Forage Research Center, discussing their lactation research on reduced lignin alfalfa. Dr. Luiz Ferreretto, University of Wisconsin, will discuss corn silage fiber digestibility.

Select breakout topics include: – Lackluster calves: Using lung ultrasound to identify a calories-out problem.

– Interpretation and use of new passive immunity guidelines.

– Optimizing the use of sexed semen.

– Nutritional strategies for alleviating heat stress in dairy cows.

– Dairy heifer coccidiosis research with novel egg antibodies and essential oils.

– Using summer to winter ratios to evaluate summer slump.

– What is happening in the gut in the scouring calf and effective fluid therapy.

– Mineral bioavailability.

For details and to register, visit http:// fourstatedairy.org/ or contact Jim Salfer at salfe001@umn.edu or 320-203-6093.

This conference is a collaborative effort of Iowa State University Extension, University of Illinois Extension, University of Minnesota Extension and University of Wisconsin-Extension.

When asked how often he gets skunked, Sowada was quick to answer.

“When I set traps?

Never,” he said chuckling. “After the first set, I’ll have gophers. There’s going to be gophers in there; I know that.”

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The traps are anchored using a cable and a utility flag, which helps Sowada find his sets when he returns to check the outcome. He also details the field and number of sets in a logbook in order to keep track of his investment.

Behind the sets, he baits the gopher using forage such as dandelions, milkweed, alfalfa or

PHOTO BY NATASHA BARBER

A piece of sod marked with a utility flag sits atop a set trap in rural Rice May 12. The flag serves two purposes: They allow Dennis Sowada to pinpoint his gopher sets and anchor the traps into the group.

BENTON AG

Page 6B | SATURDAY, MAY 15, 2021| SAUK RAPIDS HERALD

The planting in our area has progressed nicely, and many farmers are wrapping up getting the crop in the ground.

I encourage farmers who are completed with planting to call the office and set up a time to complete the Farm Service annual acreage report Agency News soon. Beat the rush

by Ryan Brunn, executive director and get copies of refor Benton and ports and maps for Mille Lacs counties crop insurance.

The Farm Service Agency administers programs that have specific safety net benefits for producers of honeybees and honey. The Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honeybees and Farm-Raised Fish Program assists producers when disasters impact honey production or damage or destroy colonies, hives or honeybee feed.

ELAP covers colony losses, honeybee hive losses (the physical structure) and honeybee feed losses in instances where the colony, hive or feed has been destroyed by a natural disaster or, in the case of colony losses, because of colony collapse disorder. Colony losses must be in excess of normal mortality.

Both the NAP and ELAP programs require a report of the number of colonies in production

by Jan. 2, 2022. You must notify FSA within 30 calendar days of changes in the total number of colonies or when honeybees are moved to another county.

For both programs, you must notify FSA within 15 calendar days of when a loss occurs or from when the loss is apparent.

To learn more about programs for honey and honeybee producers, contact the Benton County and Mille Lacs County USDA Service Center at 320-968-5300, Ext. 2 or visit fsa.usda.gov.

Acreage reporting Maps are now available at the Benton-Mille Lacs County Farm Service Agency office for acreage reporting purposes. Those wishing to receive maps by e-mail or pick them up at the office should call 320-968-5300, Ext. 2 or email mnfoley-fsa@one.usda.gov.

The following acreage reporting deadlines are relevant for Benton-Mille Lacs County: – May 1: Asparagus (NAP).

– May 31: Nursery crops (NAP).

– July 15: Spring seeded crops including hemp and wild rice.

In order to maintain program eligibility and benefits, you must file timely acreage reports.

Failure to file an acreage report by the crop acreage reporting deadline may cause ineligibility for future program benefits. FSA will not accept acreage reports provided more than a year after the acreage reporting deadline.

Producers are encouraged to file their acreage reports as soon as planting is completed.

For more information, contact the Benton-Mille Lacs County United States Department of Agricultural Service Center at 320-968-5300, Ext. 2.

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Farmers in the field

PHOTOS BY NATASHA BARBER

(Above) Jerry Molitor, of J & J Molitor Dairy, plants corn on a field near the farmstead May 12 in Mayhew Lake Township. Central Minnesota received a stretch of fair weather for spring planting; however, cool and dry weather has delayed germination of crops and activation of pre-emergence herbicides, according to University of Minnesota Extension Educator Nathan Drewitz. (Left) Gerard Holtz, of Royalton, compacts the soil in Mayhew Lake Township May 12 after the field has been planted with corn. Holtz was working the field for Scott Janson.

Tractor safety from page 1B “Tractors and other farm equipment are big, slow and can cause traffic back-ups,” Krekelberg said. “Whether you’re operating the equipment or sharing the road with it, safety is paramount.”

Routine, pre-trip inspections are a great way to ensure safety, according to Krekelberg. Before approaching equipment for inspection or repair, shut it down, turn off the engine, remove the key and wait for all moving parts to stop.

“This is the only time operators should be removing any safety devices, such as shields, from the equipment,” she said.

When work on equipment is completed, safety devices should be put back on.

Inspections should include checking electrical systems, oil and gas levels, tire inflation and visibility and checking that loads are properly secured.

Equipment should also be inspected for safety hazards, including moving parts, pinch points, crush points, pull-in areas and free-wheeling areas. In addition, Krekelberg recommends making sure fire extinguishers and first-aid kits are on board.

Tractors and farm equipment should have safety features, including a slow-moving vehicle sign.

“The sign should be prominently displayed on the back of the tractor and the equipment,” Krekelberg said.

It is Minnesota law for

all vehicles traveling Rebates offered under 30 mph for rollover on public protective roadways structures to display A a slowrollover moving protecvehicle t i v e sign and structo use ture is an lights and operator flashers to c ompartEm r ment strucensure vise ily ibility. It is recK r e ke l b ture, usually a ommended to use cab or rollbar, inescort vehicles when mov- tended to protect farmers ing large pieces of equip- from injuries caused by ment, especially at night. rollovers. When used with While using farm a seatbelt, it is 99% effecequipment, keep bystand- tive in preventing injury ers, especially children, or death in the event of an away from the operation overturn, according to the area, Krekelberg said.

University of Minnesota She stressed the impor- Extension. tance of driving responsiA national program bly on public roadways. called ROPS is available “Proper safety precau- to help Minnesota farmers tions on the roads keep not add a rollover protective only you safe but other structure to their tractor. In people using the road as 2016, the Minnesota Legiswell,” Krekelberg said. lature appropriated a one“Slow down, think twice time amount of $250,000 and be safe.” for this program. AdditionWear a seatbelt, be at- al contributions came from tentive to other drivers, agribusinesses. pull onto roads slowly The program provides and cautiously, and avoid rebates for 70% of the cost distractions such as cell of purchasing and installphone use and loud music, ing a rollover protective Krekelberg advised. Smart structure or rollbar kit. The and safe farm machinery rebate covers the kit (rolloperation starts with good bar and seatbelt), shipping habits at home, such as get- and professional installating proper sleep, she said. tion, if desired. The maxi-

g

FSA offers safety net for honeybee producers

mum cost for Minnesota farmers is $500, with the average out-of-pocket cost being $391.

Minnesota tractor owners can apply for funding by calling 1-877-7677748 and selecting option 2, or by visiting www.ropsr4u.com.

Youth tractor and farm safety certification The University of Minnesota Extension offers a self-paced, one- to two-week youth tractor and farm safety certification program. The two-part program is made of an online learning experience and two days of in-person, hands-on training in the summer. It is open to youth 14 years and older.

Students will work hands-on with full-sized tractors and implements, receive training in farmrelated basic first aid and learn about farm safety from a range of experienced community members.

Students who complete this program will receive a U.S. Department of Labor certificate of training. This certificate is required for 14- and 15-year-olds who intend to work with equipment with over 20 horsepower on their family farm or homestead.

Tractor rollover facts – Each year, nearly 27 of every 100,000 American farmers die on the job.

– The tractor is the leading cause of death on a farm. The most frequent cause of tractor-related deaths are side and rear overturns, causing about 96 deaths per year.

– 80% of deaths caused by tractor rollovers happen to experienced farmers.

– 1 in 7 farmers involved in overturns are permanently disabled.

– About half of tractors in the United States do not have rollover protection.

– Rollover protection kits are 99% effective in preventing injury or death in the event of an overturn when used with a seatbelt, and 70% effective when used without a seatbelt.

Source: National Tractor Safety Coalition/National ROPs Rebate Program