BENTON AG Plus
Sauk Rapids Herald | Saturday, July 2, 2022
Scouting for soybean aphids, armyworms
Serving rural Benton, Morrison, Mille Lacs and Kanabec counties
Blanks named Benton County Farm Family of the Year Foley cattlemen count on each other to keep dream alive BY MAURA WENNER STAFF WRITER
University of MN Extension
by Nathan Drewitz
Despite the late start to the planting season, we are seeing soybean aphids and armyworms starting to pop up in southern Minnesota. While these issues are not widespread across central Minnesota yet, this is the time to start scouting for these pests. Now with alfalfa weevils still oating around, one might think we aren’t quite far enough along to be concerned with other pest issues. However, it is the alfalfa weevil that is currently out of its usual timeframe and not the aphids or armyworms. With second cutting started across the state, remember to use your cutting timing to your advantage if you are seeing alfalfa weevils. Unfortunately, we don’t have such tools for these other two pests.
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Pests page 3B
T
he members of the Blank family were lled with delight when the University of Minnesota Extension named them the 2022 Benton County Farm Family of the Year. “I was surprised,” Kristi Blank said. “I did not expect it.” Kristi and her husband, Jeremy, have lived on their rural Foley farm since 2006 when they purchased the Glendorado Township property at an auction. The Blanks built a house on the land, and two years later they moved in with their ve children, Emily, 21, Megan, 19, Gracie, 17, Austin, 16, and Owen, 13. “We were always looking for a farm,” Kristi said. “I grew up on a farm with dairy cows, steers and pigs. My family still farms full time.” Kristi takes care of 650 head of mostly Holstein steers that the family purchases between 250-300
PHOTOS BY MAURA WENNER
(Above) The Blank family – Owen (front, from left), Kristi, Megan and Gracie; (back, from left) Austin, Jeremy and Emily – are the 2022 Benton County Farm Family of the Year. The family owns a cattle finishing operation in Glendorado Township and rely on each other to ensure the farm’s success. (Right) Owen Blank touches cattle June 27 at the Blank family farm in rural Foley. In addition to their cattle finishing operation, the Blanks have housed a variety of animals over the years including goats and horses. pounds and raises to nish at 1,500 pounds. She also cares for the family’s 20 cow-calf pairs. Additionally, she sells
the beef directly to customers and is in charge of the dayto-day chores. She has cared for a variety of other animals
including chickens, horses, dogs, cats, rabbits and pigs.
Blanks page 4B
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