THE LAND ~ Jan. 6, 2017 ~ Northern Edition

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“Since 1976, Where Farm and Family Meet” © 2017

Januar y 6, 2017

NORTHERN EDITION

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App(le)ealing Pork Hoch Orchards are patrolled by pigs to promote healthy apples and animals — See page 11 PLUS: MFU president retires • Heirloom cider • Dairy nutrition • Seed research

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Words to live by

THE LAND, JANUARY 6, 2017

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P.O. Box 3169 418 South Second St. Mankato, MN 56002 (800) 657-4665 Vol. XXXVI ❖ No. 1 32 pages, 1 section plus supplements

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COLUMNS Opinion Farm and Food File The Back Porch In The Garden Calendar of Events Marketing Mielke Market Weekly Auctions/Classifieds Advertiser Listing Back Roads

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“Advice is like snow — the softer it falls, I’m expecting wisdom and knowledge to the longer it dwells upon us, and the prevail. None of these Cabinet choices have deeper it sinks into the mind.” Poet Sampolitical history getting in the way. They uel Taylor Coleridge created that beautidon’t owe anything to anyone! ful message. I think it’s a gem anytime Actions of this new Republican Congress and particularly today in view of the might be even a bigger surprise than rather abundant snow that has cascaded doings and comments of Mr. Trump. upon our Minnesota landscape these past Republican control of both houses should few weeks. I’m assembling my thoughts generate compromise. That should happen on Dec 17. Outside temp here at Olivia, LAND MINDS in the Minnesota Legislature also. After Minn., is zero at noon, but tonight and health care issues, property taxes, corpoBy Dick Hagen tomorrow apparently we’ll be exploring rate income taxes and huge amounts of some new record lows for December. That new money for roads and bridges, will predicted wind chill of minus 35 tomorrow will be a peace still exist between the two parties? I think so. character test to say the least.

Yes, a painful transition for Democrats but our How can you not avoid some thoughts on the Nov. democracy goes through this awkward cycle every 8 election and a few things since that earth-shatterfour years. And I do believe a newer and stronger ing event? I can’t, so tread with me a few minutes America will dominate the Washington, D.C., agenda and maybe we’ll agree on a comment or two. starting with a significant cutback of federal bureaucracies across the board.

You will be the captain of your destiny said Mr. Trump at his Iowa thank you tour. What remarkable Our Congress has become a bit of an insult to us taxadvice. If we needed anything to stir our ambitions, payers and a source of embarrassment to our friends yes our imaginations too, those words should kickand allies. We are still an amazing democracy, but start most of us. For too many years it seemed the America we can do better. Shades of socialism started majority of us had become content with our federal disrupting our vision some time ago. Each additional government being the captain. We were just along for entitlement provision further clouds our future. the ride with virtually no say in the destiny of this How will agriculture weather this potential storm? vessel other than pay our taxes so the captain could Some marketing agreements may be history includkeep dreaming up new adventures for his crew. I pre- ing the Trans-Pacific Partnership. Our various comfer to call them new entitlements. modity groups are directed by common-sense people Speaking of Trump’s thank you tours, what a willing to compromise if that is the doable solution. remarkable public relations coup? Total coverage by And who’s to say that Mr. Trump can in fact make Fox News as we would expect. But significant menbetter deals? His promises are strong. Will he deliver? tion by much of the remaining media too. Our presiShutting the door on immigrants will be a slippery dent-elect certainly knows how to milk a cow when slope. According to Minnesota AgriGrowth, Minnethe cow is willing. And apparently much of America sota immigrants earned $12.2 billion in 2014 and tuned in even though rhetoric was somewhat repeat- paid $1.1 billion in state and local taxes plus $2.2 able from stop to stop. billion in federal taxes. Their data indicated immiYou Iowa folks certainly jammed that Wells Fargo grants make up 8 percent of Minnesota’s population Arena in Des Moines for his Iowa visit. And with the and 6 percent of its entrepreneurs. Also half of Minright connections, seating was convenient. Imagine nesota’s immigrants are naturalized citizens. my surprise sitting in my Olivia home when I Stress seems to be on everyone’s agenda these noticed my Iowa farmer cousin and his bride just a days. Perhaps that is why Sunday school Christmas few seats behind Mr. Trump! Cousin Gordy apparprograms are such genuine sources of pleasure, and ently enjoyed Trump’s message as he stayed wide relief. Our kids both sing the message and practice it awake during the entire 56-minute presentation! too: Peace on earth, good will to men.

Regardless of how you voted, people are listening You’ve now wrapped up 2016. An incredible year to our new leader. Like you, I’m intrigued about with incredible yields; often negative margins for all those first 100 days unwrapping Jan. 20. With four your work and investment, and unfortunately little generals in his Cabinet, positive things should happen. With so much business experience in that crew, See LAND MINDS, pg. 4

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

14 — Cold Spring cidery uses many varieties of apples

25 — Minnesota Milk Producer President sounds off THERE’S EVEN MORE ONLINE... @ TheLandOnline.com

19 — Dairy nutrition can be a matter • “SHOP” — Search for trucks, farm of common sense equipment and more

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THE LAND, JANUARY 6, 2017

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New year’s forecast: hard numbers, hard politics The calendar may have big, 480-million bushel carrychanged, but the numbers over into the new crop year — all U.S. farmers will work added to above-normal 2017 with this new year are acres and back-to-normal little different from the yields — will drain market numbers everyone prices. USDA sees little worked with last year. chance of a price breakout. It forecasts 2017-18 beans to For example, 2016’s average a dismal $8.75 per corn production was FARM & FOOD FILE bushel. baked-in last fall and so

By Alan Guebert too are most of 2017’s Wheat’s coming year will be options. We grew a stagmarginally better. Market gering 15.3 billion forecasters see this year’s bushels last year, will average price climbing use 11.0 billion bushfrom a bleak $3.90 per els here this year, will export 2.2 bilbushel to a little less bleak $4.50 per lion bushels, and will still have 2.4 bil- bushel next year. lion bushels in the bin when the new But it could get worse, cautioned harvest begins.

USDA in its Nov. 30 issue of Outlook Which means, forecasts the U.S. for U.S. Agricultural Trade. “The elecDepartment of Agriculture, cash corn tion of Donald Trump as U.S. prices will average a thin $3.30 per President has introduced an element bushel during the current marketing of uncertainty as the emphasis of the year. next administration’s economic policy The numbers for the coming 2017-18 agenda is unknown,” it explained. crop year, according to USDA foreA month later, it remains unknown. casts, improve only slightly: 1.1 billion Christmas brought no farm and ranch bushels less production, 1 billion news from the Trump team — no bushels less domestic usage, a relanational economic plan, no secretary tively small (300 million bushels) drop of agriculture, no global trade plan. in exports, and an average projected Moreover, USDA sees Presidentprice of $3.60 per bushel. elect Trump’s better-known views just That’s what 2.4 billion bushels of as troubling as his unknown ones: “A 2016 carryover does to the 2017-18 change in the U.S. trade relationship market — its long, long tail irritates with China and Mexico is of particular prices for a long, long time. concern for agricultural competitiveness. Together, these two countries Soybean forecasts for 2016-17 are were the destination for an average of equally bland: 4.3 billion bushels proalmost one-third of total U.S. agriculduction, 1.9 billion bushels crushed tural exports from 2013-2015.” domestically, and 2.0 billion bushels exported. As such, cash prices are In fact, USDA’s analysts add, “China forecasted to average a very modest alone was the destination for roughly $9.20 per bushel for the year. And 60 percent of U.S. soybean exports, on that’s the good news. average, during this period.”

The bad news is, that the relatively How do U.S. farmers and farm

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groups reconcile what appears to be a growing breach between one of their biggest, best food customers and their about-to-be inaugurated president? Two ways.

First, most write off President-elect Trump’s tough China talk as campaign-fueled overstatement that will become, they hope, more diplomatic once he assumes the presidency.

Perhaps, but two-thirds through the transition he continues to confirm (most recently through a tweet on a submersible U.S. drone China already had said it would return) that his hard China line isn’t softening. Indeed, the word still used to explain his China policy is “reset,” not “return.”

The second way, again hopefully, is that Trump’s apprentice ambassador, Iowa’s Gov. Terry Branstad, will keep the grocery pipeline to China open

and full no matter his boss’s rhetoric because of Branstad’s “extensive ties to China and a personal friendship with Chinese President Xi Jinping that dates back decades,” noted the Dec. 7 Washington Post.

That’s the way it’s supposed to work, sure. Given the earth-rattling, precedent-shattering politics of 2016, however, is anyone willing to bet that it will work like that in the new year?

Either way, American agriculture has a lot riding on Donald Trump in an already tough-looking 2017. Any hiccup, stumble, or tweet — either intentional or accidental — will carry a steep cost for everyone.

The Farm and Food File is published weekly through the United States and Canada. Past columns, events and contact information are posted at www.farmandfoodfile.com. v

Thank producers, families for their dedication LAND MINDS from pg. 2 excitement about positive cash flow anywhere in this ag sector for 2017.

Cash corn in Olivia is $2.96 today; soybeans $9.47.

But survive you do. And we thank you producers and your families for your dedication. Agriculture in 2017 will continue to be challenging and we hope profitable too. Weather appears to be the unknown that might alter this pending economic crisis.

Psalm 118:24 reads “This is the day that the Lord has made. Let us rejoice and be glad in it.” That message doesn’t impact your breakevens for 2017, but those precious words can be a guiding influence.

My ag teacher kept this message on his bulletin board: Always keep your words soft and sweet just in case you have to eat them. That is still good advice. At our morning coffee we’re sometimes guilty of trying to outdo each other with words of wisdom. One of my retired farmer friends provided this gem: Remember your sole purpose in life may be simply to serve as a warning to others.

Keep smiling. A French author Victor Hugo wrote: “Laughter is the sun that drives winter from the human race.” Let’s pray for lots of sunshine.

Best to you in 2017.

Dick Hagen is staff writer of The Land. He may be reached at rdhagen35@gmail.com. v

Letters to the Editor are welcome Let us know what you think!

Send your letters to: Editor, The Land P.O. Box 3169, Mankato, MN 56002 e-mail: editor@thelandonline.com All letters must be signed and accompanied with a phone number (not for publication)

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Limiting your wardrobe to 15 items can be liberating the junior high basketball team, their already small team got smaller still, thanks to a nasty flu bug. Elizabeth’s team had six players. The opposing team had 23. The benchwarmers couldn’t even fit on one bench!

She was unnerved, as were teammates. But their coach wouldn’t stand for it. “Girls, I don’t care if they have 53 players,” she said. “Each team can only have five players on the court at one time. We have that and we can win.” And those young girls had enough of what was needed to do just that.

As we enter into a New Year we will pray and hope and strive for more of

Letter: Columnist was right about Minnesota DNR

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To the Editor: To start, one thing I greatly appreciate about this magazine is that they have the backbone to print all sides of any given issue, nearly unheard of in a farm magazine.

Moving along, nearly everything I care about on this earth is regulated and or overseen by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. I’ve had many intersections in my life with

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all that is good and right. Which is good and right! But in the longing for more, there is a needed place for words like enough and sufficiency. Think of what living in the reality of self-control and contentment could mean to our culture’s need for financing, fitness centers, and thrift stores. No debt. No flab. No rubbish.

No way! Maybe less really can mean more.

Lenae Bulthuis muses about faith, family, and farming from her back porch on her Minnesota grain and livestock farm. She can be reached at lenaesbulthuis@gmail.com or @LenaeBulthuis. v

THE LAND, JANUARY 6, 2017

They are best of friends and when we wore the same business partners, and thing again and again, couldn’t be more different who would be clueless from one another. Something I and who would judge? found oddly beautiful.

And if they judged, why Intrigued, I leaned in as they did we care so much? shared their passion for fashAlecia merged this ion with our small group. First challenge into her life they talked color — what to without drawing attenwear and what to avoid — THE BACK PORCH tion to her brake pedal. I dependent on the color of hair, did not. In my extreme

By Lenae Bulthuis eyes, and skin. Then they nature (my sisters call spoke of accessories and havme a swinging pendulum, ing a 27-hanger capsule wardand my hubby and chilrobe. Count it out. Twenty-seven items dren would agree) I removed every of clothing (minus undergarments and single piece of clothing from my closet uniforms) that would be your wardexcept the 15 I could wear. The closet robe for a season. They were serious. looked sickly. Starved if that were a The blonde sitting across from me thing. But its emptiness contained couldn’t wrap her mind around it. Not gain. that she said it aloud. I simply It now took a minute or less to watched her jaw drop to her chest and decide what to wear — be it morning, knew she disagreed. evening, or anytime, anywhere. There The blonde to my left did not. She was no time wasted putting things on looked at me and then told our shared and off again, tossing things on the story. A few years back we were chalbed and returning them back to hanglenged through work to limit our cloth- ers. What was there was there. Put it ing to 15 items for one month. And on or go naked. Something even the though we found the request extreme, homeless do not do. we did it. And it changed us, though And though it looked like lack, it temporarily. provided abundant freedom and conWe got meticulous with our wardtentment. I learned what it is to see robe. If we were only going to wear 15 the sufficiency of what is in hand. items for the next 30 days, what items What was there was enough — adecould mix and match? What outfits quate and good. could be dressed up and down? And When our oldest daughter was on

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Marigold is only boring when planted row by row January is a gardener’s time for cozy ter choices. Yummy Mummy changed all reflections about successes and failures of of that wrong thinking! the last growing season. It is a time to The cultivar Yummy Mummy’s scienearnestly look through all the garden cattific details include the botanical alogs, make some lists and decide what name: African Marigold; genus: Tagetes; new varieties to try. and the species: Erecta. The very name A flower I grew for the first time last conjures visions of an edible sarcophagus, summer was a marigold named ”Yummy but don’t think edible. Think splendid, Mummy.” The seed was provided by the spectacular chrysanthemum-like flowers University of Minnesota Extension and on an easy to grow marigold.

IN THE GARDEN was given to Master Gardeners who parRuffled blooms with curved tubular ticipated in a pollinator study.

By Sharon Quale petals when fully open can reach a Not many pollinators visited the test spread of 5 inches. Strong stalks average plot, but a beautiful tiny tree frog spent about 12 to 18 inches in height. Bloom an entire afternoon in a blossom and appeared to time is continuous and dead heading is minimal so relish his place in the sun. This green frog is a Hyla this is a reliable performer. The blooms can be Versicolor and can be colored gray to creamy white shades of orange, yellow and gold. These make great but can change colors from grayish green to solid container specimen plants as well as impressive green. Though these frogs are associated with woods choices for borders. They also can be tucked into and swamp land, they frequently are in residential open spots in a vegetable garden. They germinate in areas and can climb nearly anything using their toe a week or less and give great results when seeded pads. directly in the garden.

Marigolds used to be on my list of “very ordinary The marigold is a native of Southern United States and very common” plants. Frequently they were and regions in Mexico. There are well over 50 species planted in monotonous rows of the same colored cul- being cultivated. Uses include: treating skin ailtivar. How boring, I thought. I hesitated to have ments, relieving swelling, making yellow dyes, use as many in the garden, wrongly thinking of the many a tincture of tea, as well as extensive use in companinteresting and unusual flowers that would be bet- ion planting in vegetables gardens. A seed source for Yummy Mummy is www.territorialseed.com.

Gertrude Jekell, a garden writer from the early

Calendar of Events Visit www.TheLandOnline.com to view our complete calendar & enter your own events, or send an e-mail with your event’s details to editor@thelandonline.com

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20th century, wrote, “… before you tip your aristocratic noses in the air, stop and think about the beautiful marigold … a valuable annual should not be neglected because it is common and easy to grow and often planted monotonously in endless lines. It should be remembered that if the plant was misused, it was not the fault of the plant, but that of the general acceptance of a poor sort of gardening.”

Sharon Quale is a master gardener from central Minnesota. She may be reached at (218) 738-6060 or squale101@yahoo.com. ❖

Jan. 10 – 2017 January Research Updates for Ag Professionals – Willmar, Minn. – Program highlights University of Minnesota research-based strategies on pests, diseases, varieties and nutrient and environmental recommendations – Contact U of M Extension at (320) 235-6060 or visit www.extension.umn.edu Jan. 11 – 2017 January Research Updates for Ag Professionals – Morris, Minn. – Program highlights University of Minnesota research-based strategies on pests, diseases, varieties and nutrient and environmental recommendations – Contact U of M Extension at (320) 589-1711 or visit www.extension.umn.edu Jan. 12 – 2017 January Research Updates for Ag Professionals – Crookston, Minn. – Program highlights University of Minnesota research-based strategies on pests, diseases, varieties and nutrient and environmental recommendations – Contact U of M Extension at (218) 281-8602 or visit www.extension.umn.edu Jan. 12-13 – 2017 Minnesota Organic Conference – Saint Cloud, Minn. – Farmer-oriented education and trade show sponsored by the Minnesota Department of Agriculture – Contact Cassie Dahl at (651) 201-6012 or visit www.mda.state.mn.us Jan. 16 – Small Grains Update Meeting – Morris, Minn. – Update on wheat, soybean and corn – Contact (800) 242-6118, ext. 3 or visit www.smallgrains.org Jan. 17 – Small Grains Update Meeting – Morris and Moorhead,

Minn. (two locations) – Update on wheat, soybean and corn – Contact (800) 242-6118, ext. 3 or visit www.smallgrains.org Jan. 17-18 – Minnesota Pork Congress – Minneapolis – Swine specific trade show and education – Visit www.mnporkcongress.com or contact (507) 345-8814 or mnpork@mnpork.com Jan. 18 – Small Grains Update Meeting – Crookston and Gary, Minn. (two locations) – Update on wheat, soybean and corn – Contact (800) 242-6118, ext. 3 or visit www.smallgrains.org Jan. 19 – Small Grains Update Meeting – Hallock, Argyle and Roseau Minn. (three locations) – Update on wheat, soybean and corn – Contact (800) 242-6118, ext. 3 or visit www.smallgrains.org Jan. 19-20 – Upper Midwest Regional Fruit and Vegetable Growers Conference and Trade Show – St. Cloud, Minn. – Growers can explore new ideas, network with other growers, talk with exhibitors and attend seminars – Visit Minnesota Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association at www.mfvga.org or call (763) 434-0400 or contact mfvga@msn.com Jan. 20 – Small Grains Update Meeting – Red Lake Falls, Minn. – Update on wheat, soybean and corn – Contact (800) 242-6118, ext.

3 or visit www.smallgrains.org Jan 25-26 – MN Ag EXPO – Mankato, Minn. – Minnesota Corn and Soybean growers host trade show, seminars, events and annual meetings – Visit www.mnagexpo.com Feb. 3-4 – Minnesota Farm Bureau Leadership Conference – Bemidji, Minn. – Conference to raise awareness of ag issues, provide advocacy tools and enhance networks and leadership skills – Contact Ruth Meirick at (651) 768-2115 or ruth.meirick@fbmn.org or visit www.fbmn.org/leadership-conference

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Any producer, age 18 or older who is a resident of the state and has paid all assessments due may be considered as a delegate candidate and/or participate in the election. All eligible producers are encouraged to bring with them a sales receipt proving that hogs were sold in their name and the checkoff deducted.

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“Where Farm and Family Meet”

Join Minnesota Gov. Mark Dayton and Lt. Gov. Tina Smith for a Town Hall Water Summit at the University of Minnesota, Morris, to be held Jan. 27.

Registration opens Jan. 6 and the full program is to be announced at that date.

Despite the state’s abundance of lakes, rivers, groundwater and streams, more than 40 percent of Minnesota’s waters are currently listed as impaired or polluted.

This article was submitted by the office of Gov. Mark Dayton. v

Public Notice by Minnesota Pork Board and the National Pork Board

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Town Hall Water Summit

livestock for BETTER prices. Well ...

This man was pretty amazing, as he said computers and other devices would permit farmers to do all their farming while they sat in the armchair smoking a pipe, monitoring a TV console. Well, the pipe has become taboo, but the technology is there (isn’t it?) for the rest to happen.

We weren’t going to have to worry about the weather destruction, as climate would be controlled via satellites. Spraying and dusting at the time of planting would eliminate insects and diseases.

(There he doesn’t have it quite right. The weather isn’t ours to control, and it seems as though insects and diseases have increased.) But climate control is still a hot topic.

Nuclear energy must have been the popular idea of the day, as he refers to it often. Rather than having the large cities continue to grow, America was going to be a land of smaller communities which were self-contained and self-sufficient, with the energy coming from small nuclear power plants. It’s true that in the 1960s, factories began relocating to

rural areas from the cities. Farm wives and youth made up the employee list.

He expected our farm produce would all just be used up in the vicinity, and if we wanted to go to the city, we would just hop on the monorail, then board a Carveyor system. Little cars would take us to the heart of the city where moving sidewalks would carry us to wherever we wanted to go. It’s a good thing the moving sidewalks didn’t happen, as most of us don’t get enough exercise already!

His prediction on the house luxuries is pretty accurate when he listed standard equipment, except I don’t know what a germicidal lamp is. My dishes are not cleaned in a super-sound wave chamber that makes them spic and span without any soap or water.

I guess we all love our shower and bath time too much to exchange it for fine sprays that evaporate into the air.

He did predict that robots would be doing more of the work. Well, I do think that robots could be keeping our fields clean, applying nitrogen just at the right time, just as they are milking our cows and picking some of our fruits or vegetables.

Mr. John L. Russell, Jr. did such a good job of predicting, it would be interesting to see his predictions for the next 50 years. What are yours?

Renae B. Vander Schaaf lives on a corn and soybean farm near Orange City, Iowa, where she writes, gardens, bakes and farms. v

THE LAND, JANUARY 6, 2017

By RENAE B. VANDER SCHAAF The Land Corespondent Now my title isn’t original at all. It comes from an article that originally appeared in The New England Homestead Co and was condensed and republished in Standard Oil’s Digest of Farm News. The magazine I have appears to have been published around 1960.

The article’s author, John L. Russell Jr., looks to the future and wonders (as we all have) what farming will look like in 50 years.

It’s interesting to look at his past predictions to see if they were fulfilled.

Russell begins by assuring us that there will be plenty of food in the year 2,000 A.D. (as he wrote it). There must have been some thought that our vitamins and energy for living would come from electrical current, nuclear power or from a tiny capsule, but Russell assures us that we will still sit down to eat a good old turkey or steak. Whew — I am glad that prediction hasn’t come true. Eating is mighty enjoyable!

Population was going to increase, so that by “2,000 the face of the earth will be swamped with 6,250,000,000 humans.” Well, the United Nations says the population was 6.1 billion. If I am right in my translation, that looks like 6,100,000,000. He estimated that really well.

There is a paragraph that says the old red barn, silo and farmhouses will have a sleek, modern, air-conditioned look. Well, I have to admit that the tall silos look pretty abandoned now, and barns are becoming a rarity, and how many farmhouses are without air conditioning these days?

Our food growing looks like it’s fast-forwarding through a movie tape, as he indicated growth regulators would let us produce 3-pound broilers in eight weeks and 2,000 pounds of beef in the time it takes to have a 500-pound beef. Plus, frozen sperm that had been irradiated in nuclear reactors would mutate offspring into bigger, stronger and better

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Minnesota Pork Congress coming Jan. 17-18 Minnesota Pork Congress is a swine specific tradeshow and education event that features a wide variety of tradeshow exhibitors, timely seminars and social activities designed exclusively for pig farmers and pork industry stakeholders.

Monday, Jan. 16 Minnesota Pork Producers Annual Meeting, 12-2 p.m. (Members only), Minneapolis Hilton Hotel, Room Symphony III Tuesday, Jan. 17 Pork Congress Registration Opens, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Minneapolis Convention Center, Mezzanine Level Pork Congress Trade Show, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Minneapolis Convention Center, Hall A Swine Health Information Center: Review 2016 and Talk About 2017: We Need Your Ideas! 7:30-8:30 a.m., Minneapolis Convention Center, L100 I Speaker is Paul Sundberg. 2016 was the first full year for the Swine Health Information Center. This ses-

Minneapolis Convention Center Trade show hours: Tuesday, Jan. 17, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

Wednesday, Jan. 18, 9 a.m.-1:30 p.m.

Admission: $15 at the door www.mnporkcongress.com www.minneapolisconventioncenter.com sion will start with a review of 2016 accomplishments. Planning for 2017 and beyond is happening now. The Center needs your input and ideas!

Come ready to talk about things that the pork industry needs to do to be better prepared and better able to respond to emerging diseases. A complimentary breakfast will be served.

Please RSVP by calling 507-345-8814 or by e-mailing mnpork@mnpork.com.

Recent Legislative and Regulatory Impacts on Minnesota Agriculture, 9-10 a.m., Minneapolis Convention Center, L100 H While weather, bugs and weeds can all impact crops, so can decisions made in St. Paul. Come hear how recent legislative and regulatory actions may impact your farm operation. Joe Smentek an environmental attorney

with Minnesota Soybean Research and Promotion Council will be discussing “Bees, Buffers and Impacts on Beans.”

Best Time Ever To Be in Agriculture, 10-11 a.m., Minneapolis Convention Center, L100 F, G Speaker Lowell Catlett is dean of the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences at New Mexico State University. Never in human history have so many people been fed so well with such an array of food products that it defies the imagination.

Agriculture now provides enough food to feed almost 9 billion people and over 20,000 new food products are introduced each year. But get ready because breakthroughs in material science, artificial intelligence and molecular genetics are pushing the frontiers of agriculture in profound ways. Five major trends are emerging out of these major forces that are forging a new agriculture that not only feeds the world but improves the environment, health care and people’s lives. Discover why this truly is the best time to be in agriculture!

Antibiotics in the Future Tense: How the Last 5 Years Have Set the Course, 12-1 p.m., Minneapolis Convention Center, L100 F, G Speaker Mike Apley, DVM, Ph.D., DACVCP, will discuss how regulation, legislation and retaliation have together determined what we are able to do with antibiotics today. Perhaps without knowing it, they have also set in motion the forces which will determine the future of antibiotics in animal agriculture. The history of antibiotics is very short, how long will the future be?

Manure Applicators Workshop, 12-3:30 p.m., Minneapolis Convention Center, M100 D, E, F, G; Multiple speakers will cover various topics.

Modeling the Survival of Foreign Animal Diseases in Feed Ingredients from China to the U.S., 1:302:30 p.m., Minneapolis Convention Center, L100 F, G Scott Dee, director of research, Pipestone Veterinary Services, is the preSee SCHEDULE, pg. 10

Minnesota Pork Congress Exhibitors Hormel Foods Corporation – 208 Hubbard Feeds, Inc – 306 Hurley & Associates – 207 Hydro Engineering, Inc – 244 I.M.V. Technologies USA – 131 Innovative Heating Technologies – 259 ISG – 224 J-K-L J & D Manufacturing – 533 JBS United Animal Nutrition & Health – 217 JRG Livestock & Pet Supply – 419 Lange Ag Systems – 135 LB White – 319 Lloyd’s Construction Services Inc – 434

Lynch Livestock Inc – 106 M-N-O Manitoba Pork Council – 507 Maximum Ag Technologies – 518 Merck Animal Health – 304 Merritt Livestock Trailers – 627 MetaFarms, Inc – 607 Midwest Livestock Systems, Inc – 345 Minitube USA, Inc – 633 Minnesota Corn Growers Association – 204 Minnesota Farm Bureau – 407 Minnesota Pollution Control Agency – 328 Minnesota Pork Board – 618 Minnesota Pork Board Media – 149 Minnesota Pork Producers Association – 214 MN Ag Water Resource Center – 346

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Minnesota Pork Congress sponsors • AgStar Financial Services • Anchor Bank • Balzer Inc. • Community Bank • Elanco • Frandsen Bank • Frost, PLLC • Hormel • Hubbard Feeds • Huvepharma • Import Supply • Kemin Inc. • Lime Valley Advertising, Inc. • Manitoba Pork • Merck Animal Health • Minnesota Corn Growers • Minnesota Farm Bureau • Minnesota Soybean Research and Promotion Council • National Pork Board • National Pork Producers Council • Novus International • Provimi • Purina Animal Nutrition • Rabo AgriFinance • SwineWeb.com • United FCS • Zoetis

Bioverse Ag – 118 Blue Horizon Energy – 634 Boar Max Inc – 622 Boehringer Ingelheim – 540 Boss Supply/Nuhn – 535 BridgRid, Inc – 248 Brookside Agra – 438 Canarm – 145 Central Confinement Service – 337 Central Life Sciences – 157 Choice Genetics – 539 Chore-Time/Fancom – 234 Chr Hansen, Inc – 605 CIH-Commodity & Ingredient Hedging – 140 CLARCOR Air Filtration Products – 536 Comfort-Zone Cellulose – 519 Compart’s Boar Store, Inc – 332 Courtland Waste Handling Inc – 424 Crystal Spring Hog Equipment/Gro Master – 225 D-E-F D & D Distributing – 205 Devenish Nutrition – 553 DNA Genetics – 318 Doda USA Inc – 156 Double L Group – 105 DPI Global – 417 Easy Automation Inc – 615 EIP Manufacturing – 440 Energy Panel Structures, Inc – 410 Engineered Products Company – 134 Envirotech Ag Systems – 465 Farmweld, Inc – 325 Fast Genetics – 228 Form-A-Feed, Inc – 409 Furst-McNess Company – 511 G-H-I GenePro Inc – 246 Genesus Genetics – 508 Gestal – 446 GlobalVetLINK – 549 Green Energy Products – 609 Hawk Alarm Systems Inc – 218 Hawkins Inc – 150 Hen-Way Mfg., Inc – 235 HerdStar – 230 Hog Slat – 320

THE LAND, JANUARY 6, 2017

Company – Booth Number A-B-C J. O’Mara Group – 429 Action TrackPorter – 431 ADA Enterprises, Inc. – 344 ADM Animal Nutrition – 348 Ag Property Solutions – 636 Ag Tech Security – 640 Agriculture Utilization Research Institute – 516 Agri-Tech Enterprises, Inc – 538 Alkota Cleaning Systems, Inc – 314 All America Pressure Washers – 432 All Energy Solar – 427 Altenburg Construction Salt Replacement – 114 American Resources/ROTECNA – 315 Anez Consulting, Inc – 111 Animal Health International – 428 Automated Production Systems – 148 Babcock Genetics, Inc – 120 Balzer, Inc – 649 Barn Vista – 251 Better Air MFG – 109 Big Dutchman Pig Equipment – 551 Bimeda – 541 Biomin – 531

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Minnesota Pork Congress exhibitors Motomco – 113 MPS Agri, Inc – 528 MTU- Onsite Energy – 220 Multifan – 447 Munters Corporation-Aghort – 350 MWI Animal Health – 226 National Pork Board – 557 National Pork Producers Council – 214 Nedap Livestock Management – 330 Neogen Corporation – 510 New Standard US, Inc – 250 Norbrook – 631 Northern Lakes Slat Repair and Replacement – 152 Novel Energy Solutions – 635 NutriQuest – 414 Olmix – 532 ONCE Innovations – 119 Osborne Industries, Inc – 547 P-Q-R PALS, Inc – 420 Perkins Lumber, Inc – 418 Pharmgate Animal Health – 534 Phibro Animal Health – 415 PIC – 524 PIC GTC – 526 Piedmont Animal Health – 449

Pig Express – 539 PigCHAMP – 117 PigEasy – 641 PitCharger – 138 Pork Storks – 448 Prairie Livestock Supply – 527 Prairie Pride/PW Aire – 338 PrairiE Systems – 324 Pro Ag Fabrication – 453 Puck Custom Enterprises – 103 Purina Animal Nutrition – 504 QC Supply – 116 Ralco Nutrition, Inc – 238 RMS Roller-Grinder, Inc – 426 Rush River Steel – 525 S-T-U Schick Enterprises – 139 SD Industries – 604 Sharp Industries – 616 Skarpohl Pressure Washer – 406 Smithfield – 221 Soppe Systems, Inc – 333 Southwest Agri-Plastics, Inc – 444 Sudenga Industries, Inc – 652 Superior Concrete – 530 Swine Robotics, Inc – 123

Tech Mix, Inc – 514 The Parks Companies – 411 Thorp Equipment Inc – 334 Tonisity – 450 Topigs Norsvin USA – 108 University of Minnesota – 104 U of M 4-State Ventilation Trailer – 356 U of M Extension BEET Trailer – 257 V-W-X-Y-Z VAL-CO – 241 Veterinary Sales and Service – 347 Vita Plus Corporation – 206 Wilson Electronics – 425 Win-Win LLC – 349 Ymker Insulation – 436 Zoetis – 305

Pork Congress Schedule SCHEDULE, from pg. 8 senter. The U.S. swine industry is under constant threat of foreign animal disease entry. Should foot & mouth disease virus (FMDv) or classical swine fever virus (CSFv) ever infect our livestock populations, it would cripple our export markets as well as produce significant animal suffering and major domestic economic crisis. In 2013, the introduction of porcine epidemic diarrhea virus to the United States exposed limitations in our knowledge of the global epidemiology and prevention of infectious agents. While the actual source of PEDv has not been determined, phylogenetic analysis of the original PEDv strain that was introduced to the United States suggests that the virus may have originated from China and feed or feed ingredients may have served possible vehicles for virus entry.

The risk of feed as vehicles for pathogen entry has risen in significance. To evaluate this risk, a model has been devloped to study whether imported ingredients could remain viable under the time and environmental conditions encountered during a transPacific shipment from Asia to the United States. This presentation will review information summarizing the survival of PEDv in feed ingredients as well as provide new information on a study evaluating the transboundary movement of foreign animal disease pathogens in feed using surrogate viruses.

Trade Show Closes, 5 p.m.

Hormel/Zoetis Social Hour, 5:15 p.m., Minneapolis Hilton, Ballrooms Wednesday, Jan. 18 Pork Congress Registration, 9 a.m.-1 p.m., Minneapolis Convention Center, Mezzanine Level Pork Congress Trade Show, 9 a.m.-1:30 p.m., Minneapolis Convention Center, Hall A See SCHEDULE, pg. 11

Grazing pigs in orchards is good for trees, pigs

Submitted photos

In England, the Gloucestershire Old Spot pig is called the orchard pig. Gloucestershires graze orchards after the fruit has fallen to clean the orchard and control pests.

meat is prized.

“People really like the meat from the Mangalitza,” Jackie said. “It has more marbling of the fat.”

See ORCHARD PIGS, pg. 12 << www.TheLandOnline.com >>

that has been done for ages. One of the breeds that we have is the Gloucestershire Old Spot. In England, they are called the orchard pig. They are able to be rotated through the orchard after the fruit has fallen. They clean it up and that helps break some of the pest cycles as well as provide some fertility.”

The Hochs have two other breeds of heritage pigs. The Mulefoot is a very old American breed that does not have cloven feet like other swine. It is especially suited to their needs because it does well on pasture and forages for itself. The Mangalitza, or Hungarian hairy pig, also does well on pasture and is fairly self-sufficient. It has Eastern European and Wild Boar origins and is the only known swine breed that develops long hair. Mangalitza

Harry is working to develop a cross from the three breeds that will do even better on pasture.

“What he’s trying to do is take some of these older breeds and cross them to see if we come up with some hybrid vigor,” Jackie said. “These are smaller breeds so he’s trying to cross them to come up with a decent-sized pig that does well on pasture and is easy to manage.”

Harry and an intern who is responsible for the farm’s livestock are monitoring litters from different crosses.

“Some crosses didn’t do well on pasture,” Jackie said. “They have struggled and we’ve had to supplement their feed. Our goal is to not have to feed them anything from off the farm.

Right now we trade apple cider vinegar for grain from a local farmer but otherwise they are completely fed from the farm.”

THE LAND, JANUARY 6, 2017

By TIM KING The Land Correspondent LA CRESCENT, Minn. – Pigs raised grazing orchards make for healthy orchards and pigs, according to Jackie and Harry Hoch, of Hoch Orchards near La Crescent. Pigs, along with chickens, are used to control insects and weeds in their certified organic orchard and berry plantings.

Harry and Jackie are the second generation of Hochs to raise fruit on the farm and orchard in southeastern Minnesota. Although the original apple trees were grafted onto root stock that produced large standard size trees, the Hochs have recently been planting mostly trees grafted onto dwarfing root stock.

“We have all the different sizes of trees but most are dwarf trees,” Jackie said. “Dwarf trees do better in an organic system because you can manage the structure of the trees by keeping them more open. If you think of that big picturesque apple tree, there are a lot of places for moisture and for insects to hang out. Dwarf trees don’t have that and they also yield sooner.”

Hoch Orchards now has about 10,000 apple trees planted on 30 acres.

They also have apricots, plums, cherries, raspberries, strawberries, and blueberries. Pigs play an important role in the management of all of those crops.

“Animals are an integral part of any system,” Jackie said. “I don’t know how we could farm without them. Putting pigs to graze in orchards is something

11

Pork Congress Schedule has been sponsored by the Minnesota Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund.

Market Outlook, 11 a.m.-12 p.m., Minneapolis Convention Center, L100 F, G Presenter is Steve Meyer, vice president, pork analysis, EMI Analytics.

What is in store for pig farmers in 2017? Meyer will address factors that directly impact your bottom line including grain supplies and prices, protein demand, hog prices and supply projections, consumer trends, packing capacity and pork exports.

Trade Show Closes, 1:30 p.m.

This information was submitted by the Minnesota Pork Producers Association. Visit www.mnporkcongress.com. ❖

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SCHEDULE, from pg. 10 Electric and Thermal Energy Strategies for Minnesota Swine Farms, 10-11 a.m., Minneapolis Convention Center, L100 H Presenters are Lee Johnston, professor and University of Minnesota Extension swine specialist, and Michael Reese, renewable energy director, West Central Research and Outreach Center. Consumption of electricity and heating fuel on swine farms varies dramatically from farm to farm. Learn how much electricity and heating fuel is used and for what functions in various phases of production from data collected on commercial farms. Renewable energy, conservations practices and possible financing options for renewable energy on swine farms will be discussed. This research

“Where Farm and Family Meet”

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THE LAND, JANUARY 6, 2017

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Animals are moved often to protect trees, soil ORCHARD PIGS, from pg. 11 The farmer that barters for vinegar feeds it to his livestock. The pigs at Hoch Orchard also get a regular dose of the vinegar that the Hochs produce.

“There is a belief that the probiotics in the vinegar

add health to the animals,” Jackie said.

The Hoch Orchard pigs also eat lots of apple pomace that is left over from cider making. During cidermaking season, the Hoch cidery presses 1,000 gallons of cider per week. Most of the cider is sold as

The Mangalitza, or Hungarian hairy pig, also does well on pasture and is fairly self-sufficient. It has Eastern European and Wild Board origins and is the only known swine breed that develops long hair.

fresh juice but some is made into hard cider, according to Jackie.

Grazing rotation Most of the feed the pigs eat is obtained by foraging and grazing in the orchard, however. To graze, the pigs are rotated through small paddocks, or grazing blocks, under the direction of the livestock intern.

“We train the young pigs to electric ribbon wire,” Jackie said.

Pigs that have learned to respect electric ribbon wire are put to work in the orchard from spring to fall except during harvest. In the spring, the pigs are rotated through the orchard to do some tillage and eat insects and rodents. In early summer, they’ll pass through the orchard again as they clean up the small green apples dropped by the trees. Then, after harvest, they rotate through again.

“They’ll be in the orchard at least until it snows,” Jackie said. “If it doesn’t snow too deep we’ll keep them there longer. They eat apple drops and some of the grasses.”

Jackie says that the pigs graze in a range between 6 inches above and below the soil surface.

“If we put the pigs in an orchard block they will go to the cultivated area first because it’s softer,” she said. “They will be flipping the soil a little to get at the insects that were in the ground. That interrupts the pest cycle and it also eliminates the need for fall cultivation.”

“Sometimes it can be too much tillage, especially if it’s been raining a lot,” Jackie said. “We usually check on them once a day. How often we rotate them depends upon how many apples were there, how much other forage was there, and how wet it’s been.

Our intern checks on the animals to make sure that they have water and anything else they need. She’s also assessing what’s left in that plot and whether or not to move them.”

Once there is too much snow, or the ground freezes, the Hochs have straw bedded winter housing for their pigs. Sows farrow in the winter housing or in the orchard, depending on the season.

To learn more, visit www.hochorchard.com. ❖

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THE LAND, JANUARY 6, 2017

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Cidery is taking root, crafting heirloom ciders

By TIM KING The Land Correspondent COLD SPRING, Minn. — “Would you like to sample some apples?” Peter Gillitzer, of Milk and Honey Ciders, asks two visitors to the cidery near Cold Spring. Gillitzer then begins slicing small wedges from apples with names like Black Oxford, Wickson and Chestnut. The flavors are nothing like the sweet but uncomplicated fruit currently in favor on grocery store shelves. These apples, like the hundreds of other varieties that Milk and Honey Ciders uses, are loaded with aromas and fascinating flavors that linger in your mouth.

“Just like you would never expect to make great wine from grapes that you buy in the grocery store,” Gillitzer said, “the familiar eating apples at the grocery make rather uninspiring cider.”

In fact, some excellent cider apple varieties are barely edible. Peter says

apples like the Dabinett and Amere de Bellevue are called bittersweets. Eaten fresh, they are astringent and bitter. In a cider, they provide depth, body and flavor, he said.

Ciders with the potential to be inspiring include not only apples that are bittersweets. The sharps apples are more acidic and balance the tannins from the bittersweets. They lend brightness to a cider and include varieties such as the little Wickson apple and Harrison — an apple variety dating back to the founding of the country.

Finally, a group of apples which cider makers refer to as sweets or aromatics provide flavor and aroma. For example, Newtown Pippin apples add a grapefruit-like flavor and Chestnut Crabs provide tropical fruit aromas, according to Gillitzer.

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has an orchard of approximately 2,000 trees in long rows surrounded by 8-foottall fencing to keep deer out.

“We have about 30 different varieties planted in the orchard,” Gillitzer says. “Let me find you a Golden Russett to sample. They are just coming into production.”

Most of the trees, which are trellissed similar to grapevines, are young and just beginning to produce.

The trellises allow the trees to be pruned so that they will be narrow at maturity. The Photo by Jan King idea is that when the trees are mature, most of the fruit The wooden keg next to Peter Gillitzer is more for will be on the outside of the show than production. Each of the stainless steel tree and easily harvested. tanks seen in the background holds 1,000 gal“The idea is to create a lons of fermenting cider. The wooden keg? Not as wall of fruit that we can har- much. vest as we drive by with a describe it as a highly interesting, off wagon,” Gillitzer said. dry, tannic cider with notes of anise But, for the time being, the young and wormwood. The Grand Cuvee, orchard is yielding only a few apples. made with Yarlington Mill, Dabinett, “We’re buying most of our fruit,” Gil- and Wickson has deep herbal notes. litzer said. “Some of these varieties are To make complex ciders that are off very rare and difficult to locate.” dry with notes of herbs and wormwood Crafting cider require a dedication to simplicity and Gillitzer and his partners, Adam a faith in your apples, said Gillitzer.

Theis and Aaron Klocker, look for ap“We make cider by keeping it reples to buy as far away as New Eng- ally simple,” he said. “We use the best land. A Michigan orchard provided the apples that we can, grown in the best apples for Milk and Honey Ciders 2015 way possible. We choose apple varietHeirloom Cider. That orchard has a ies that will create a high quality cider collection of around 450 rare and heir- and then we try not to screw it up. loom apple varieties. Some of the va“There are all sorts of styles that you rieties which make up the 2015 Heir- can focus on such as the fermentation, loom Cider are Golden Russet, Esopus the cellaring and aging, the process itSpitzenberg, Knobbed Russet, Arkan- self, or different yeast strains. But our sas Black, and Winesap. focus is on using high quality fruit and The partners describe Heirloom Ci- then doing everything we can to let der as a semi-dry cider with varieties the apples shine. We don’t do anything that balance sharpness with soft tan- crazy with the process. We use a very nins and a subtle sweetness. Like all of neutral champagne yeast and we age Milk and Honey ciders, it is lightly car- six to nine months at a minimum.” bonated. Heirloom Cider was bottled You can find Milk and Honey’s 2015 for Milk and Honey by Third Street Grand Cru and Kingston Black on tap Brewing in Cold Spring. at numerous bars in the Twin Cities “It’s a good cider for people who as well as at the White Horse and Anaren’t familiar with ciders to start ton’s in St. Cloud and sometimes at La with,” Peter said.

Ferme in Alexandria. Heirloom Cider The other two 2015 ciders available in bottles is more widely available. You are the 2015 Kingston Cuvee and the can also buy cider at the cidery and the 2015 Grand Cru. The Kingston Cu- public is invited to the apple pressings vee is named after a bittersweet apple which take place throughout the fall called Kingston Black blended with and early winter.

Dabinett and Wickson. The partners Visit www.milkandhoneyciders.com. v

15

Doug Peterson retires from Minnesota Farmers Union

Q: With Trump as your partner Q: How did that argument sell so to speak does the Farmers with your city cousins?

Peterson: We sold them on the Union win?

Q: During this historical election process just wrapped up, both candidates supported the Renewable Fuel Standard. Now what will happen?

Peterson: It would seem so. And we hear from Canada that President Trump may renegotiate NAFTA (North American Free Trade Agreement) also. NAFTA did some things not so good for U.S. agriculture. Farm gate prices are what counts. Trade all you want, but if you don’t have a better price at the farm gate who wins?

Just those doing the actual trades and that would be the big companies set up to handle these deals. I don’t sell to China. I sell to a local elevator.

Q: So how do you build fair trade?

Peterson: Basically, it’s pretty simple; it has to be good for both sides.

Typically we are mother of all markets so everyone wants into our marPeterson: We’ll just have to wait kets. We, however, need to make sure our producers are protected. Even the and see.

Republican Congress brought forward proposed bills that addressed the cur-

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clean air issue. It had become a health care concern in the Cities. So we had good messages: clean air, economic development, more jobs and stronger tax base. About $450 million dollars of state money invested in this program generated into about $9 billion of additional value. Even if you are a banker, that’s a damn good deal!

Today about 29 ethanol plants in Minnesota processing about 30 percent of all our corn and providing good paying jobs to employees. Farmer shareholders have done OK too.

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Trade all you want, but if you don’t have a better price For the past 14 years, Doug Peterat the farm gate, who wins? Just those doing the actual son has served as the president of the Minnesota Farmers Union. Peterson trades and that would be the big companies set up to first ran for public office in 1976 and handle those deals. I don’t sell to China. I sell to a local since 1986, he has been in an election elevator. cycle every other year. He spent 12 Doug Peterson years in the Minnesota Legislature.

He became MFU president in 2002.

Q: So what do you expect from rency manipulation with China. But even be rambling around the halls of “So I’ve had my run and it’s time to President Trump in regards to it always seemed China was able to the state Legislature when they start price us right out of the market with up in January. Lots of new faces this farm policy? share,” said Peterson.

Peterson: At this stage I don’t currency manipulation. That issue year so their take on agriculture may Q: The usual question: Any parknow much about what he believes needs to be addressed in any trade need some coaching! My wife and I ticular highlight? agreement. have been dating for 48 years now.

Peterson: Too many to count. I other than what he has said about Q: What’s your likely role to be I’ve got a farm to run. And I’m pretty found Farmers Union in a good place trade agreements. He’s lining with certain my bride will enjoy my comwhen I started and believe we’re in a Farmers Union on that issue it when you are no longer sitting in pany full time for a change! appears. We were not for TPP (Trans- the chair? better position now.

The Land interviewed Doug PeterPacific Partnership) because there Peterson: Well I’ll still be around.

Q: Has the message changed? was no transparency in the agree- I’ve been doing public policy for son at the AgriGrowth Council Annual v Peterson: The message is that ment. We felt the intellectual proper- 40-plus years. Chances are I’ll still be Meeting on Nov. 10, in St. Paul. farmers count, rural communities ties that were being guaranteed in offering advice now and then. I might count, renewable energy counts. When perpetuity mostly benefited large I was in the Legislature virtually agri-businesses and were way out of every bill dealing with ethanol or bio- line. We also have issue with those diesel I had a hand in. We worked ‘kangaroo world court’ situations of across the aisle in those days. That’s being able to sue someone in this why Minnesota became the first state country based on what they felt were in the nation to mandate 10 percent damages being incurred against their ethanol fuels. I convinced fellow legis- country, or countries. There was no lators that ethanol could be a key way to overturn the decisions of this driver in economic development for so called ‘world court.’ Who would want that? agriculture.

THE LAND, JANUARY 6, 2017

By DICK HAGEN The Land Staff Writer

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THE LAND, JANUARY 6, 2017

THE LAND, JANUARY 6, 2017

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Minn. company breeds multi-trait seed for global market

By DICK HAGEN The Land Staff Writer OLIVIA, Minn. — “Mother Nature doesn’t work in a vacuum.” That comment came from Ed Baumgartner, 56-year-old president of 3MG (Third Millennium Genetics) North.

Baumgartner’s seed research and development firm is based in Olivia, Minn. His comment sets the stage for the diversity of this 12-year-old company.

Baumgartner speaks candidly, “The majors in the seed industry are still focusing on just one trait at a time. We see it differently. Our research constantly includes multiple environments. For example, if we concentrate on drought tolerance, you more than likely will first observe heat stress.

That in turn shows us a few things about water efficiency. Then, quite rapidly, you are also seeing nutrientuse efficiency indicators.”

These multiple trait expressions within a single cropping season get multiplied by up to three generations within a 365-day period for 3MG. This is because 3MG conducts this research in Puerto Rico weather with its gener-

ous heat and sunshine. Plus, 3MG utilizes seasonal research and yield plots at Olivia and locations in North Dakota and South Dakota help confirm Ed Baumgartner actual Corn Belt yield data.

Noted Baumgartner, “We’re seeing that when we select for more heat tolerance, we’re also getting better cold tolerance. So everything is related.

We’re not after just one specific item in our testing programs. Yes, we could make faster gains if we concentrated on just one item. But Mother Nature throws a different curve ball every year. So our breeding system is checking out a variety of environmental challenges each generation.

“Sure, it gets more complicated when you track multiple traits through individual inbred lines. But when you let Mother Nature be the judge, so to speak, of when you have a new inbred tough enough to handle these various challenges, the rewards are great. We’re seeing much higher

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yields of our second generation products under a variety of conditions.”

Testing is intense with 3MG. They operate a 600-acre research farm at Santa Isabel, Puerto Rico which permits up to three cycles of testing observations per year. Its startup in 2004 puts them at 32 crop cycles and well into their third generation of breeding work on selected material.

Explained Baumgartner, “Over the years we have developed a proprietary breeding methodology in corn that utilizes the fast environment of Puerto Rico and harnesses all of its various growing season challenges to develop very tough products. The products from this methodology we label as Durayield — our trademark for products with high levels of biotic and abiotic stress tolerance.

“Durayield utilizes many genes that already exist in corn. The good Lord has provided everything we need in our crops to be successful. We see no need to insert something extra from another species. Durayield genes have been selected to express themselves when challenged by the environment in which they are grown. This means they turn on when needed and off when not needed, keeping as much energy as possible focused on grain production.”

Baumgartner challenges current thinking. “Many in agriculture believe we will not be able to keep up with world climate change and the predicted disasters it will contain. To the contrary, it is our belief we can actually head off these disasters by the extreme stress-breeding segment of our proprietary breeding methodology.

“Our opinion is, we need to be breeding new seed products today to accommodate all the stresses of the future.

We ensure adaptability by properly testing new products where they are to be grown. We also believe our proprietary breeding methodology is transferable to other crops. If we selectively breed the right kind of toughness into this seed it will also dramatically reduce pesticide and other chemical inputs. A total seed that is farmer friendly is my ambition,” he said.

He questions if transgenetic hybrids have soon run their course. The company has done lots of contract research work on genetically modified organism crops. But he wonders if the industry has plateaued. “Today, many seedsmen and farmers are seeing real value is

back in the genetics. That has been our focus since day one. Transgenic traits of today are more like accessories … they protect, but they do not enhance.

Instead, we’re incorporating these tropical genes expressing toughness to differing environmental challenges into our 100-day and earlier inbreds.

It’s a slow, tedious process, but developing new seeds that can produce food in a variety of different environments around the world is exciting.

“The reality today is that corn breeding is becoming consumer driven. If a farmer growing and feeding non-GMO corn to his livestock better connects with the consumer on both value and taste, then it’s a win-win situation for growers and consumers. This farm-tofork movement is very real out there.

“As we get deeper into working with the genetic toughness of selected inbred lines to the extreme variations of Mother Nature, we think hybrids of the future will be more able to withstand challenges of pests, insects, weather stresses, even variations in the soils of a given production area.”

As for the political climate in Puerto Rico, Baumgartner said it’s like working with every government. “It changes every four years giving us a new landscape to work with. The Puerto Rico economy is hurting these days. Some natives are leaving Puerto Rico to find work in the states. We lost four employees this year that went to the states to unite with their families who would provide good jobs for them too.”

3MG employs about 30 people yeararound at their Puerto Rico facility, plus upwards of 200 for seasonal work.

At Olivia, the staff numbers six, but ramps up to about 20 each season during plot planting and harvesting.

Because of merger mania continuing in the seed industry, 3MG research contracts vary from year to year. World politics is always a factor. He noted China’s anti-GMO policy quickly generated ripple effects through the entire corn industry.

New venture startup seed firms are frequent customers of 3MG. “The clientele has changed dramatically over the past 12 years we’ve been at this work,” Baumgartner said.

Research and testing contracts keep expanding around the globe. This year, 12 countries are part of 3MG’s total business portfolio. v

Specialist talks common sense on dairy nutrition

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than most realize. It’s basic … if cows are overcrowded they don’t have space to eat, or space to lie down. Sacrifice these two items and you won’t have healthy, high-producing cows. So getting your heard into higher stocking densities definitely gets to be a challenge for your cows. You are definitely getting into a density issue when you get up to 120 percent density. Some make it work even at that rate. But it takes careful day-by-day management. Stage of lactation makes a difference too. Don’t crowd during early lactation (like the first six months). And don’t overstock dry cows either. Nor those close-up cows just a few days from calving.

Q: So can waterbeds minimize the density issue?

Nennich: Again, it depends on your management. Waterbeds in tie stalls work fine, but waterbeds in a free stall barn don’t eliminate density problems unless you are in that 110 percent category.

Q: Does pushing for peak production shorten the longevity of dairy cows?

Nennich: Tough to answer because it boils down to economics of your operation. If, for example, you are ramping up with lots of new heifers, maybe it would benefit to push production even if longevity is challenged.

Tamilee Nennich can be reached via email at tnennich@famofeeds.com or visit the website at www.famofeeds.com. ❖

THE LAND, JANUARY 6, 2017

Q: How do you go about customizing a

By DICK HAGEN nutrition program?

The Land Staff Writer ST. CLOUD, Minn. — Though relatively Nennich: We match their feed mixes to young, Tamilee Nennich is long on common their forage program. Simple to say, but that sense when talking dairy nutrition. Nennich means doing nutrient analysis of each forage is a Bagley, Minn., native with a University and then adjust as needed through the year of Minnesota academic background. She as they get into different forages. earned her Ph.D. at Washington State University, Pullman. Her first work was at Tamilee Nennich Q: 2016 was a tremendous forage year.

Does that influence the nutritive value Texas A&M University; followed by seven years as an extension dairy specialist at Purdue Uni- of these forages? versity in Lafayette, Ind. Nennich: Definitely but most important is the cutting cycle of each crop. Maturity of those forages Now she is back home in Minnesota working as a dairy nutrition specialist for Famo Feeds in at stage of cutting is key; but so too is fertility of the Freeport. In business for over a century, Famo Feeds soils growing the forage. Plus, of course, proper handling and storage of the forage are vital to nutritive handles all types of livestock feed products. value.

Nennich said, “I’m just passionate about working Q: I’m a 200-cow dairy farmer with a 28,000in the dairy industry. I love working with dairy cows, dairy farmers. Any opportunity I can have to pound herd. What’s the quickest and most costimprove the life of dairy farmers and hopefully help effective strategy for getting my herd up to 30,000 pounds? their cows is important to me.”

Nennich: Maintaining the health of those cows is Nennich spoke with The Land at the Minnesota number-one as you push for higher production. We Milk Dairy Conference, Nov. 29-Dec. 1, in St. Cloud. talk stronger nutrition as being the route to go but Q: What is the most common default in dairy on-farm management is just as critical. I like to sit farming today? down with producers and talk their entire dairy proNennich: All dairy farmers are working for maxi- gram. We can start with nutrition, but I need to help mizing milk production. They focus on milk, but producers figure out if there are other management keeping cows healthy is equally important. Plus, the roadblocks. That means an on-farm visit to see your need to consider milk components also. They’re paid cows, observe their environment which includes how on milk fat and milk protein levels, not just total vol- they are fed, their handling into the milking parlor ume of milk. So sharp producers need to focus on and feeding processes, be that free stall, tie stall and even parlor feeding. both herd health and milk components.

Q: How soon will I start seeing more milk?

Q: What do Famo Feeds provide to enhance herd health?

Nennich: I can’t be specific since that depends on Nennich: Diversity of our products best answers each operation. If there are big nutritional chalthat question. We are a company with the capability lenges which we can correct, then change is fairly of putting any nutrients you wish into your feeds. We quick. But most of the time, especially if there are make our own vitamin and trace mineral mixes. We health challenges, production improvements take can provide a basic feed mix that any dairy farmer some time. would need, even a specialized vitamin/trace minQ: I spent lots of bucks for this barn and now eral pack to counteract nutritional deficiencies. A I want lots of cows in there. When are there too customized nutrition program is pretty much the many? normal with our dairy customers.

Nennich: I think stocking density is more a factor

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Local Corn and Soybean Price Index

THE LAND, JANUARY 6, 2017

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Cash Grain Markets corn/change* soybeans/change* Sauk Rapids Madison Redwood Falls Fergus Falls Morris Tracy Average: Year Ago Average:

$2.96 $3.08 $3.05 $2.92 $2.97 $3.05

+.06 +.08 +.06 +.12 +.09 +.10

$8.62 $9.09 $9.17 $8.92 $8.99 $9.13

-.18 -.11 -.13 -.13 -.20 -.12

$3.00

$8.99

$3.24

$8.24

JAN ‘16

FEB

MAR

APR

MAY

JUNE

JULY

AUG

SEP

OCT

NOV

DEC

JAN

Grain prices are effective cash close on Jan. 3. The price index chart compares an average of most recently reported local cash prices with the same average for a year ago. *Cash grain price change represents a two-week period.

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Grain Outlook Corn rallies to close 2016 The following marketing analysis is for the week ending Dec. 30.

CORN — Santa came a little late to the commodity markets, but better late than never. Traders returned from Christmas with their buying shoes on! Leading into the Christmas holiday, corn had closed unchanged or lower seven consecutive sessions and was probably due for a corrective rally. In one day, March corn regained nearly all of the previous week’s 10.5 cent loss.

Looking for reasons for the sharp rally to begin the week, fund short covering in end-of- PHYLLIS NYSTROM CHS Hedging Inc. year positioning and weather St. Paul concerns in South America topped the list. Rains did occur in Argentina over the Christmas weekend, but southeastern Buenos Aires stayed dry.

It was estimated that Argentina’s corn was 71 percent planted as of Dec. 28 compared to 75 percent last year. With 29 percent yet to be planted, the weather in Argentina bears monitoring. But it feels as if the areas benefiting from the current weather offset the areas of concern. The market reversed itself lower on Dec. 28 and spent the balance of the week in consolidation mode and traded within the Dec. 27 range. For the week, March corn rallied 6.25 cents to $3.52, July was up 4.25 cents at $3.64.25 and December corn was 3.75 cents higher at $3.80 per bushel.

Weekly export sales were lackluster, coming in within expectations at 37.7 million bushels. Total export commitments are 75 percent ahead of last See NYSTROM, pg. 22

Livestock Angles Price volatility to continue As the year 2016 comes to a close, the livestock markets have overall seen a volatile year in price movement. Moving into the new year, the expectation will likely be that little will change as far as price volatility is concerned, at least in the first quarter of the new year. The battle between supply and demand will more than likely continue to be the dominant feature in the price discovery in all livestock markets.

The cattle market has continued the price slide which began in late October of 2014 throughout 2016. The recent rally in prices has relieved some pressure. However, it is yet to be JOE TEALE determined whether the long Broker slide in prices is over. When Great Plains Commodity examining the supply side in the Afton, Minn. cattle market, the recent U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Cattle on Feed report suggested cattle placed in feedlots during November were a bit larger than analysts expected. The marketed number and the number of cattle on feed were just slightly higher than anticipated. Overall, the report was interpreted as slightly negative to the deferred months because of the larger-than-expected placement number.

On the demand side, the USDA also released a Monthly Cold Storage report that indicated a continued growth of beef stocks in storage. This suggests a continued slow demand for beef products at current prices. Therefore, unless demand grows for beef or supplies of beef are reduced, it would appear that any further rally in live prices will meet resistance at higher levels. Technically, the futures market See TEALE, pg. 21

Grain Angles Maximize capital investment value Think back to a time when you made a recent capital purchase. Maybe a piece of equipment, maybe some land or maybe a recent expansion. So many thoughts, ideas and concerns surround that type of purchase.

In order to maximize the true value of a capital investment on your farm, due diligence and analysis are key. Start with these three questions.

1. Is this purchase helping replace poor performing equipment?

2. Does this purchase help as part of a larger expansion?

MATT LANGE AgStar business 3. Will this purchase improve consultant the efficiency of production on our Baldwin, Wis. farm?

If we’re able to answer, “Yes,” to one of those three questions, then we’ve probably solidified the basis for making that capital investment. The next step is to prioritize our needs. A great place to start is with this quadrant chart that we’ve come up with. The chart is on the following page.

A. First (Quadrant A), is this capital purchase urgent and important? That means, I need it within the next 12 months to accomplish the goals that I’ve listed in the question portion. This could be maybe a skid loader that has 6,000, 7,000 hours on it, you’ve had significant repairs, and it’s not with repairing any more. Maybe that’s a specific asset that fits into this category.

B. The next section (Quadrant B) is for things that we need within the next two years. Maybe this is a See LANGE, pg. 21

Information in the above columns is the writer’s opinion. It is no way guaranteed and should not be interpreted as buy/sell advice. Futures trading always involves a certain degree of risk.

Choosing not to make purchase may be best decision Any time we make any capital investment, we always have to ask the question, ‘If I do this, what may it prevent me from doing later down the road?’

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Hog supply more than expected TEALE, from pg. 20 appears to be moving into key resistance areas which could produce an end to the current recovery rallies. Producers at this juncture should remain cognizant of current conditions and protect inventories as needed.

The hog market has rallied from the recent lows made in late October on relatively good demand for pork. However, the recent USDA Quarterly Hogs and Pigs report may have changed the outlook for hog prices in the weeks ahead. The report indicated far more hogs than the trade was anticipating which could end the recent rallies in prices. This would indicate from the supply side that pork supplies will be more than adequate to meet current demand.

The current demand has seen a retreat in overall

movement of product as pork cutouts have moved higher in recent weeks. This would indicate that it is likely that packers will be more selective and cautious in their bidding for live inventory in the days ahead. Technically speaking, the hog prices have recently moved into an area where there is very good resistance and have already backed away from this area in recent trading in both cash and futures.

The recent USDA Cold Storage report did indicate a good draw down on pork in storage. However, it seems unlikely that it will completely offset the increase in hog numbers in the weeks ahead. Producers should take note of the fact that the futures are now carrying a premium to the cash market and consider protecting inventories if given the opportunity. ❖

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tion starter and provides an opportunity to share and get feedback from all partners in the business. Ideally each individual completes the worksheet documenting their specific prioritizes and aiding in the team discussion.

The last key aspect of capital budgeting is really managing the asset. Once we have made that significant investment, how are we financing it? Are we going to be utilizing some cash, and if we do, does that compromise our cash position going down the road?

Maximizing its full value A lot of times with any capital investment, we want to make sure that we’ve attributed the right resources and the right amount of time dedicated to

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new planter with upgraded technology. We can get by, we’ve made some repairs, but we don’t need to buy it right here today. Maybe that’s on our two year horizon. It’s important to our business, but it’s not urgent.

C. In the third quadrant (Quadrant C), we’re really looking at capital investments that need to be made on the five year horizon.

This may be a new combine for example. We have several years of life left in this piece of equipment.

We haven’t realized its full depreciable value yet and our operating costs aren’t significantly high at this point in time. That may be something we push off on that five year horizon.

D. Finally (Quadrant D) is for capital investment that requires more research. This may be something like a machine shed or shop. There are lots of options and variables with those types of investments, and may be something that’s beyond that five year horizon, requiring a little bit more due diligence. In this particular case, it is not necessarily about the time frame, but rather investigating what options make this investment truly worthwhile. The goal we’re trying to accomplish is a five year capital budget for your business. This document is a terrific conversa-

each asset so we’re getting the maximized return on it. Having under-utilized assets is not only costly from a financial standpoint, but ties up dollars and limits our return on that investment. If you are in need of new/upgraded pieces of equipment and have a limited land base to spread out the cost, perhaps look to leasing or forming a partnership with another producer to share assets. Some of the best capital investment decisions are the ones we didn’t end up purchasing.

Undoubtedly, any time we make any capital investment, we always have to ask the question, “If I do this, what may it prevent me from doing later down the road?” This is critical with any capital investment, but especially with land. Land always seems to be a priority for producers. If it is your priority, then you need to consider how you will be in the best position to acquire land if and when it becomes available. Remaining flexible and targeting capital investments can enable you to be in the financial position to do so. Asking some of those questions, discussing it as a team and managing the asset can all become a practical and helpful process for your operation.

This quadrant is available as a downloadable document on our website.

For more insights from AgStar experts, check out AgStarEdge.com, where you’ll find grain and livestock industry news, legislative happenings, and financial preparedness guidance.

AgStar Financial Services is a cooperative owned by client stockholders. As part of the Farm Credit System, AgStar has served 69 counties in Minnesota and northwest Wisconsin with a wide range of financial products and services for more than 95 years. ❖

THE LAND, JANUARY 6, 2017

LANGE, from pg. 20

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THE LAND, JANUARY 6, 2017

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March soybeans recover over half of prior week’s loss NYSTROM, from pg. 20 year when the U.S. Department of Agriculture is forecasting a 17.2 percent increase in exports year-on-year.

Total commitments at nearly 1.4 billion bushels represent over 62 percent of the USDA projection. There were 2 million bushels of new sales for new crop.

Weekly ethanol production was down 8,000 barrels per day to 1.028 million bpd. This was the ninth week in a row that production was in excess of 1 million barrels per day and the third-highest level of the year.

Ethanol stocks were down just 400,000 million barrels to 18.7 million barrels. The ethanol crush margin fell

15 cents to 28 cents per gallon.

China is supposed to announce by Jan. 12 what their final ruling is on importing U.S. dried distiller grains. If their anti-dumping and anti-subsidy tariffs are increased, it could force more DDGs into the U.S. domestic feed pipeline.

A little New Year’s price action history for March corn in the last five years: the day before New Year’s, it closed higher two times and lower three times. This year it closed higher.

The first trading session of the new year, it closed higher just once and lower four times.

Outlook: Technically, the $3.41.75

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level remains as support, but shorter term support may be found at $3.45.5 per bushel. The next resistance level is $3.56, then $3.64.75 per bushel. Weather will continue to be the fundamental driver of prices over the coming weeks. It will be a balancing act of who is getting drier and who is benefiting from rain. Supportive to corn early in January is index rebalancing. It’s estimated funds will need to buy between 60,000 to 100,000 corn contracts between Jan. 9 and 13 to rebalance their positions for 2017. The next significant USDA report will be released on Jan. 12 containing the final crop report as well as Grain Stocks as of Dec. 1.

SOYBEANS — Despite decent rainfall in South America over the Christmas weekend, prices saw a huge rally as traders returned from the Christmas holiday. They instead focused on the areas that missed rain or may be developing dryness. March soybeans recovered over half of the previous week’s losses in just one session. The remainder of the week was spent edging lower.

Portions of southeastern Buenos Aires in Argentina and northeastern Brazil are viewed as needing rain.

There were reports of localized flooding in parts of Argentina. The area of concern in Brazil includes Bahia (4 percent of the Brazil’s bean crop) and Goias (12 percent). The highest producing area in Goias is forecasted to receive rain in the next two weeks.

However, early reports from Mato Grosso in Brazil cite early soybean yields running 55 percent to 75 percent ahead of normal. Sound familiar?

Mato Grosso’s terrific crop could counter any losses in the northeastern part of the country.

The area of concern in Argentina is the southeastern region of the Buenos Aires province. According to the Buenos Aires Grain Exchange, the southeastern portion of Buenos Aires accounts for 8.5 percent of Argentina’s soybean acreage. They also pegged Argentina’s soybean planting at 84 percent complete vs. 87 percent last year and have suggested there could be less bean acres planted than origi-

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Weekly export sales for soybeans were a disappointment, while product sales were better than expected. Soybean sales were 35.8 million bushels, keeping the pace 28 percent ahead of last year. The USDA is looking for a 6 percent increase in year-on-year exports to 2.050 billion bushels. Total export commitments at 1.76 billion bushels account for almost 86 percent of the USDA forecast. Meal and soyoil export sales surpassed expectations.

Sales will be slim next week since we haven’t seen any new sales announcements since Dec. 23.

Price movement history for the last five years in March soybeans: the day before New Year’s, it closed up just once and down four times. This year it followed the pattern and closed lower.

The first trading day of the new year, it has closed higher just once and lower four times in the last five years.

Outlook: Another short holiday trading week is before us. January weather in South America will command attention for price direction.

March soybeans once again respected and held the 100-day moving average support line early in the week, which now sits at $9.99 per bushel. The next area of support is $9.75 per bushel.

Resistance in the March contract is $10.28.25 per bushel. For the week, March soybeans gained 6.5 cents at $10.04, July was 5.75 cents higher at $10.19 and November soybeans rallied 8 cents to $9.89.25 per bushel. March soymeal was $5 per ton higher for the week and soyoil fell 0.22 points. Based on trade reports, funds will need to buy just 6,600 soybean contracts to rebalance their index funds from Jan. 9 through Jan. 13. Wishing everyone a healthy, prosperous and very happy New Year!

Nystrom’s Notes: Contract changes for the week ending Dec. 30: March Minneapolis wheat was up 7.25 cents, Chicago jumped 14.5 cents higher and Kansas City closed 12.25 cents higher.

February crude oil managed a 70 cent gain, ULSD was 2.25 cents higher, RBOB rallied 2.5 cents and natural gas rose 4.5 cents. As of midday on Dec. 30, the U.S. dollar index was down 0.57 points for the week. ❖

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Cheese producers report demand slowing down

MARKETING

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than typical volumes. A modest decline in December would put butter stocks lower than prior-year levels for the first time since March 2015.”

Sharp explained that, “The accelerated drawdown in butter inventories this fall coincided with a marked increase in demand for cream and butter from our neighbor to the north. Canada’s appetite for butterfat is likely to remain strong, but their need for foreign product might ebb. Canada will increase its milk production quotas in 2017, allowing output to grow for the third consecutive year. U.S. Department of Agriculture staff expect Canadian butter production to expand by 5.3 percent in 2017 to more than 220 million pounds,” according to Sharp.

■ A higher all-milk price pushed the latest milk feed price ratio higher. The November ratio, at 2.56, is up from 2.37 in October and 2.45 in November 2015, according to the USDA’s latest Ag Prices report.

The index is based on the current milk price in relationship to feed prices for a dairy ration of 51 percent corn, 8 percent soybeans and 41 percent alfalfa hay. That means one pound of milk today purchases 2.56 pounds of dairy feed containing that blend.

The November U.S. average all-milk price was $17.60 per hundredweight, up a dollar from October, but 60 cents below November 2015. California’s all-milk average of $16.86 was up $1.52 from October, 74 cents above a year ago, but is $1.84 below Wisconsin’s. The Wisconsin average, at $18.70, was up $1.70 from October and 50 cents above a year ago.

November corn averaged $3.23 per bushel, which is down 6 cents from October and 36 cents per

THE LAND, JANUARY 6, 2017

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typically a low point for butter sales for This column was written for the marketmany, which means that butter churned ing week ending Dec. 30. now may stay in storage for months on a Cash dairy prices ended 2016 mixed. first in/first out inventory management The cheddar blocks fell to $1.6550 per program. But, if bulk butter is in short pound on Dec. 29, the lowest price since supply, demand could remain active, says Oct. 27, then inched back up a half-cent Dairy Market News. on Dec. 30, after 21 cars traded hands.

Western butter output continues to shift They closed the week, the month, and the from print to bulk as the holidays pass year at $1.66, down 3 cents on the ChristMIELKE MARKET and manufacturers set their 2017 plans mas holiday shortened week, after plungWEEKLY into motion. Cream is readily available. ing 11 cents the previous week; but are Some butter makers report actively 15.25 cents above a year ago when they

By Lee Mielke churning in order to stay ahead of the jumped 10.25 cents. The barrels closed excess supply of cream. December at $1.60, up 4.5 cents on the week, 7 domestic butter demand was strong cents above a year ago, and at a and near or slightly above what was closer-to-normal 6 cents below the expected. The pull from consumers may have helped blocks. On the week, 28 cars of block traded hands draw down stocks to levels the market have not seen and 17 of barrel. for some time. Butter marketers report strong buyer Midwestern cheese producers report that cheese demand is beginning to slow, according to Dairy Mar- interest continuing, but higher prices in some market News. Some types of specialty cheeses are main- kets are prompting customers to push back against taining strength, but orders of retail and food service the rallies, Dairy Market News says.

Grade A nonfat dry milk closed Dec. 30 at $1.02 per cheeses are slowing seasonally. Buyers pushing to pound, unchanged on the week, but 26.5 cents above keep end-of-year inventories low is a factor, says Dairy Market News. However, cheese makers expect a year ago, with six cars sold on the week. an uptick prior to the Super Bowl season beginning ■ in late January. Barrel inventories remain long while FC Stone’s Dec. 27 Early Morning Update states, blocks are still a bit tighter. Reports on fluid milk “An improving crude oil market should aid in powder availability vary. Some contacts report a balanced exports to the Middle East, which have already been inventory while others report surplus milk at disreported as improving. Middle East buyers are counted rates. thought to be sufficiently covered for the first few Western cheese output is strong with ample supmonths of 2017 but not much beyond that time. Supplies of milk available. Some contacts note larger vol- porting the market now until then could be Chinese umes moving into the major Western cheese produc- buying, but beyond that time we may see the world tion areas at discounted prices. But, domestic bidding for powder in a much more aggressive way. demand for cheese remains good and some cheese The early Chinese New Year seems to be incentivizmakers feel December sales were better than they ing buyers to seek coverage earlier this year.” have been for a few years. Manufacturers hope that The markets didn’t have much to feed on during 2017 will bring more export opportunities. Barrels the week after Christmas other than the weather are abundant and commonly trading at discounts to current market prices while inventories of blocks are and the Dec. 29 Ag Prices report. On Dec. 23, the somewhat bullish Cold Storage report provided some comfortable and generally available. fodder. It reported November American type cheese FC Stone’s Brendan Curran wrote in his Dec. 29 stocks at 712.7 million pounds, according to prelimiInsider Opening Bell: “While fresh cheese continues nary data, down 23.3 million pounds or 3 percent to make its way to the exchange, demand is suffifrom October but up 12.9 million or 2 percent from cient enough to keep prices from a trip down to the November 2015. The total cheese inventory, at 1.18 basement.” He added, “Based on how futures have billion pounds, was down 42.6 million pounds or 3 performed over the past week or so, the trade is bet- percent from October but was up 31.9 million pounds ting that barrels will do the heavy lifting of converg- or 3 percent above a year ago. ing the spread by moving higher,” and they were Revisions raised the original October American right. cheese count by 6 million pounds and the total ■ cheese inventory was raised 7 million pounds.

Butter rocketed 10 cents on Dec. 27 to $2.3475 per Butter in inventory was at 160.9 million pounds, pound, the highest spot since July 1, only to relapse down 67.3 million pounds or 29 percent from Octoand finish the week and the year at $2.2675 per ber, but 28.1 million pounds or 21 percent above a pound, up 2 cents on the week and 18.75 cents above year ago. a year ago. This week, 10 cars sold.

The Daily Dairy Report’s Sarina Sharp wrote in the Dairy Market News says the central butter market Dec. 23 Milk Producers Council newsletter that butis volatile. Some participants equate that with limter demand is “formidable.” She pointed out that ited bulk butter availability as some manufacturers November butter stocks dropped more than 67 milindicated they are focusing on print production. Cen- lion pounds, “the largest October-to-November drawtral butter production is ongoing. Although tempting down on record.” from the price side of the equation, some managers She adds that, “Since September, butter stocks indicate they are concerned about building inventories ahead of the end of the year. This time of year is have been falling month-to-month in much greater

23

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THE LAND, JANUARY 6, 2017

24

Low European milk prices translating to smaller herds MIELKE from pg. 23 bushel below November 2015. Soybeans averaged $9.46 per bushel. This is up 16 cents from October, and 78 cents per bushel above November 2015. Alfalfa hay averaged $130 per ton, down $5 from October, and $17 per ton below a year ago.

Looking at the cow side of the ledger, the report shows the November cull price for beef and dairy combined averaged $61.90/cwt. This is down $3.50 from October, after dropping $9.10 in October from September, and is $20.10/cwt. below November 2015 and $9.70 below the 2011 base average of $71.60.

■ Last week, I wrote of legislation that threatens California dairy producers.

But wait, there’s more. Hoards Dairymen’s Dennis Halladay warns, “The white wave of milk that swamped California dairy cooperatives for decades is gone.”

Halladay points out that “Rapid expansion that began in the Golden

State in the 1970s came with a 24/7 problem for co-ops: finding a home for everything that dairies produced. It was a task that was sometimes impossible, even when loads were shipped several states away.”

“But now, according to a top executive at California’s largest co-op, processors are in a new era that is entirely different — one in which there is not enough milk to keep all plants full, and maybe not enough to keep all plants open,” he warned.

Part of the reason is the continued environmental attack by the state.

Western United Dairymen CEO Anja Raudabaugh wrote about it in her Dec. 23 member newsletter. She reported, “A marathon 48-hour session of hearings held in Merced and Modesto this week exposed the State Water Resources Control Board, their staff, and the master-mind Governor Jerry Brown to be average everyday thieves. The plan under consideration is a proposal to take alleged unimpaired flows from behind the dams of the Tuolumne,

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Stanislaus, and Merced Rivers and send 350,000 acre foot of water out to sea. That’s enough water to irrigate 100,000 acres of farmland or meet the domestic needs of 2 million people per year.”

“Even though the Board scheduled the only regional hearings to be held during Christmas week, thousands of people showed up to protest the plan. It was by far, the largest turnout of a unified agriculture industry ever witnessed.”

Raudabaugh adds, “The Board’s rule will have a devastating impact on drinking water, sanitation needs, food production, the economy and jobs for people stretching from the upper Central Valley throughout the Bay Area.

That’s why this regulation is opposed by schools, health departments, farmers, cities, economic development officials and so many more.”

She says, “The pain is not limited to the Central Valley. The San Francisco Public Utilities Commission predicts ‘significant’ job and other economic losses as well as ‘more severe and more frequent water rationing’ for its 2.6 million Bay Area customers. The flows being proposed will also come directly from Hetch Hetchy (reservoir). How about them apples? And what will this regulation accomplish? Nothing. Science clearly shows that decades of releasing water to the ocean has failed to halt the decline of dwindling fish populations,” Raudabaugh states.

■ Looking at dairy news globally, the USDA reports that European Union milk production in the first 10 months of 2016 was up 1.1 percent from the same period of 2015 according to Eucolait. “However, each month June-October has been below volumes for each of those months of 2015. For this October, among the larger EU milk producing nations, only the Netherlands and Italy have positive milk production compared with October last year.”

The Netherlands was up 2.0 percent and Italy was up 1.1 percent. Denmark was down 5.1 percent; Germany, down 3.7 percent; France, down 7.7 percent; Ireland was off 4.3 percent; and the United Kingdom, was down 6.0 percent.”

Some observers warn however, “with rising milk prices in many EU countries, the negative trend may well turn around in coming months. A significant factor in those countries with lower production has been lower cow numbers.

This has occurred either by producers reducing herd size, or in some cases,

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ceasing dairy production. When higher prices are perceived to have staying power, herd expansions are expected.”

Looking eastward, Eucolait says October milk production was down 0.4 percent in Poland, 1.1 percent lower in Romania, and 0.4 percent lower in Hungary.

Russia’s October dairy product imports were lower than October 2015.

Skim milk powder was down 18.9 percent and whey powder was down 39.2 percent. However, butter imports were up 8.4 percent and whole milk powder imports were up 34.3 percent.”

Switching to Down Under, Australian dairy producers are not purchasing significant amounts of feed at this time, according to Dairy Market News. Good pasture conditions throughout much of the country reduces the need and “This may not change until late summer when pastures begin to decline.”

New Zealand November milk production and milk solids lagged levels of a year ago. November 2016 milk production was 2.85 million metric tons, down from 3.04 million metric tons in October. November 2015, milk production was 2.98 million metric tons.

“The lower milk production was not surprising to many New Zealand dairy observers,” Dairy Market News stated.

“Rainy weather during November, especially on the south island, was expected to impact milk production.”

■ Cooperatives Working Together closed out 2016 accepting 10 requests for export assistance from cooperative member to sell 436,515 pounds of cheese and 1.05 million pounds of butter to customers in Asia, Central America, the Middle East and North Africa.

The product raised CWT’s 2016 exports to 50.3 million pounds of Americantype cheeses, 12.1 million pounds of butter (82 percent milkfat) and 21.3 million pounds of whole milk powder to 23 countries on five continents.

■ Lastly, I wish you a great 2017 as we embark on another new year together.

There is always a degree of anxiety battling a hope of better things to come. I am grateful to know that we are in His hands, the hands that made us, no matter what comes our way.

Lee Mielke is a syndicated columnist who resides in Everson, Wash. His weekly column is featured in newspapers across the country and he may be reached at lkmielke@juno.com. ❖

Dairy farmers see negative incomes in operation But we need to think about how we can make things work rather than why they can’t.”

Lunemann is not challenged with the Minnesota buffer law because he has only about 100 feet of county ditch on his property.

“I think more science needs to be applied to make sure we do have clean water. That is the goal for all.

But let’s do it a smart way. Let’s not be taking land out of production that has very minimal impact on water. In other words, let’s keep the emphasis on buffers where they need to be. Plus, we need to look at new practices, new strategies that can enrich water quality while also rebuilding soil health and enriching our total environment.”

Markets With the positive attitude of most dairy farmers, Lunemann said agriculture is a cyclical enterprise.

The problem today being, downward cycles are continuing with no predictable timing of when the turnaround will happen.

“2014 was a great year,” Lunemann stated. “The past two haven’t been good. But if the market gets back in balance, things will come back our way.

We’re seeing the market come back in balance in other countries ... in New Zealand, Australia, and even in the European Union which recently stopped their quota system. That did just what you would expect — a rapid increase in production and a real skid in dairy profits. But they’re leveling off now and that could put the United States in a better position into world markets.” ❖

<< www.TheLandOnline.com >> “Where Farm and Family Meet”

fact that about 30 percent of all major American commodities — both grain and livestock — depend on export markets today.”

He also questions whether the next secretary of agriculture will have much impact on future pricing of agricultural products. “He may have more impact on Congress. Regardless the administration, there are few experts on ag policy,” he said. “So we need a good ag secretary who can drive home what is important for our rural economy and U.S. farmers.”

Dairy farming Lunemann farms in Todd County, which got soaked excessively a few times this season, even a foot of snow and sloppy rains in November.

“Our soils are very saturated going into winter,” he said. “For most of us dairy farmers, alfalfa is our major crop and how it weathers the winter is always a concern.”

He’s encouraged with the new generation of alfalfas soon to be getting into the market. “These are low-lignin alfalfas that will be wonderful for our cows and good for our fields because we may be able to do one less cutting and still get a good yield and better TDN (total digestible nutrients) values. One less trip over our fields cuts costs per acre and perhaps enhances soil structure also.”

So was this a five-cutting year for alfalfa? “For many, yes” said Lunemann, who explained, “We’re in a three-cut region, but this year we had four. That was incredible. I’ve never seen any year quite like this one. Even more surprising … my fourth cutting yielded better than my second or third.”

Lunemann predicts steady growth in robotic milking.

“Those of us with larger herds already have our parlors in place,” he said. “So at this point, the robot systems are primarily for the small to medium-sized herds. They’re expensive, but productivity and overall impact on herd health is significant. And there’s a reduction in labor intensities. Robots make dairying more sustainable … we can do more with less.”

Lunemann’s operation would need about 12 robotic systems to handle his 800-cow herd. “Costing about $220,000 per system, our operation couldn’t justify such an investment,” he reasoned. “But robotic milking with 100-cow carousels is intriguing. Some of that technology is just about ready to come online.

This is further along in Europe. I think it will happen. I’m not certain the cash-flow requirement to justify the investment.”

In view of compressed margins, are cow populations changing in the United States?

“Minnesota is staying static. Because of more milk per cow, we’re increasing milk production. But we’ve stayed around 465,000 cows for some time now. All surrounding states have been increasing their cow numbers dramatically in the last few years.

“So what we are seeing is a move back to the Midwest but not specifically Minnesota. No, it’s not complacency on the part of Minnesota dairy farmers. But we’re regarded as a rules and regulations state. We strive for a positive relationship with Minnesota Pollution Control Agency. Are there issues? Absolutely.

THE LAND, JANUARY 6, 2017

By DICK HAGEN The Land Staff Writer ST. CLOUD, Minn. — Asking the president of the Minnesota Milk Producers Association the top three issues for the dairy industry, one would expect better milk prices would top the list.

But not so, said MMPA President Pat Lunemann Pat Lunemann. The Clarissa, Minn., 800-cow dairy farmer said this: “Health insurance today tops the list. Then we talk prices, particularly milk prices today. And third would be the Margin Protection Program. Is it even working?”

The MPP, widely touted by the U.S. Department of Agriculture as the replacement program for Milk Income Loss Compensation in the 2014 Farm Bill, was intended to compensate dairy farmers for financial losses based on a set formula with current milk prices and feed costs as weighted factors.

But Lunemann, who has served as MMPA President for the past nine years, challenges “When feed prices are low because our commodities are so poorly priced, that’s just a double whammy for dairy farmers who produce their own crops.”

Lunemann thinks changes will happen. He recently discussed the issue with Congressman Collin Peterson, a long-time stalwart of sensible economics in the nation’s Farm Bill.

“Peterson is ranking member of the House Agriculture committee and highly respected by his colleagues on both sides of the aisle. Collin helped write the Margin Protection Program; but this was when commodity prices were much higher. Today, it is not working as we thought it would, so some repackaging is needed,” explained Lunemann.

Interviewed at the Minnesota MIlk Dairy Conference, Nov. 29-Dec. 1, in St. Cloud, Lunemann indicated 2017 break-even prices for his dairy operation would have to be in the $16-$17 per hundredweight bracket. “This year we’ve had a lot of $15 prices, so dairying has mostly been a money-losing proposition for many. It’s gotten slightly better recently, but it takes some really good months to make up for this series of poor months. Dairy farmers throughout the upper Midwest range from probably $14 to $20-plus in terms of cost of production. So unfortunately, negative incomes have been on the books for many producers,” he said.

Extra bushels or tons per acre always help, noted Lunemann. “Like most farmers, we always push to make more,” he said. “One standard rule in the dairy industry: When prices are low, we produce as much as we can. When prices are high, we produce as much as we can so we don’t really help ourselves.”

The dairy industry is concerned that President-elect Donald Trump will not enter the TPP agreement.

“Data we’ve looked at so far suggest the impact of TPP wouldn’t have been great, but it would have been in the right direction,” he said. “About 15 percent of U.S. dairy production is exported, and China continues to be one of our major importers. They typically look to New Zealand and Australia first, but we’re in the pack. We need to be cognizant of the

25

THE LAND, JANUARY 6, 2017

26

January 6, 2017 The Land office will be closed on Monday, January 16, 2017 in honor of Martin Luther King Day. Early Deadlines for January 20 issue are: Wednesday, Jan 11 for display ads Thursday, Jan 12 for classified line ads ++++++++++++ +NEW WINTER HOURS - STARTING+ + Wednesday, November 9, 2016 + + + + + + Antiques/HH/Farm Misc. ....3PM + + Hay & Straw......................4 PM + + Livestock...........................5 PM + + “Please cut this ad & save! We will be + + on this selling schedule until Spring of 2017!” + + Brad Thelen doing business @ the + + + + HOTOVEC AUCTION CTR., INC. + + N. HWY 15, HUTCHINSON, MN + + 320-266-0724 or 320-587-3347 + ++++++++++++

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Announcements

010 Real Estate

ADVERTISING NOTICE: Please check your ad the first week it runs. We make every effort to avoid errors by checking all copy, but sometimes errors are missed. Therefore, we ask that you review your ad for correctness. If you find a mistake, please call (507) 345-4523 immediately so that the error can be corrected. We regret that we cannot be responsible for more than one week's insertion if the error is not called to our attention. We cannot be liable for an amount greater than the cost of the ad. THE LAND has the right to edit, reject or properly classify any ad.

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‘12 CIH 400HD, 366 hrs., 1000 PTO, 6 hyd., big

PRE-OWNED EQUIPMENT

‘14 JD S660 2-WD Combine, 435 Hrs., 800 Singles or 520/85R42’s W/Duals, HD Hi-Torque Rev., Chopper, 26’ Auger, Warranty...... $199,500 ‘14 JD S690 4-WD Combine, 460 Hrs., Hid-Lights, Pro-Drives W/Multi-Spd.Dr., 580/85R42’s W/Duals, PowerCast Tailboard, 26’ Auger, Warranty ............................ $269,500 ‘10 JD 9770STS 2-WD Combine, 1174 Hrs., Pro-Drives, 5-Spd.Feeder House Rev., 20.8X42’s W/Duals, 28LX26 Rears, Chopper ....... $139,500 ‘11 JD 9530 4-WD PS, 1662 Hrs., Michelin 800/70R38’s W/Duals, Deluxe Cab W/Active Seat, Hid-Lights, Wt.Pkg., AutoTrac Ready ... $169,500

M.S. Diversified monte@ms-diversified.com

Fairfax, MN

800-432-3565 • 320-894-6560 www.ms-diversified.com

............................................................... $179,000 pump, 480x50” tires & duals ................ $185,000 ‘12 CIH 7130, 1839 eng./1355 sep. hrs., tracker, ‘12 CIH 400HD, 320 hrs., 4 hyd., big pump, chopper, 520x42” duals ........................ $110,000 520x46” tires & duals ............................ $169,000 ‘11 CIH 7120, 871 eng./732 sep. hrs., ‘02 CIH 425, 3465 hrs., 24-spd. manual,

rock trap, chopper, 520x42” duals........ $150,000 4 hyd., 710x38” tires & duals .................. $89,000 ‘12 CIH 5130, 4WD, 776 eng./578 sep. hrs., rock

ROW CROP TRACTORS ‘11 Versatile 305, MFWD, 690 hrs., 4 hyd., 3 pt., 1000 PTO, HID lights, front wts, fender .. $99,000

trap, chopper, lateral tilt, 620x42” tires .............................................................. $139,000 ‘09 NH CR9060, 2400 eng./1800 sep. hrs., tracker, chopper, 520x42” duals .......................... $72,500

‘10 JD 8270R, 3888 hrs., 3 pt., 1000 PTO, 3 hyd., ‘04 NH CR970, 3138 eng./2186 sep. hrs., tracker, 18.4x46” tires & duals ............................. $99,000 chopper, chaff spreader, air compressor, ‘08 JD 7830, MFWD, 4117 hrs., 540/1000 PTO, 3

520x42” tires & duals .............................. $55,000 pt., 380x50” tires & duals ........................ $81,000 ‘96 CIH 2188, 4WD, tracker, chopper, bin ext., ‘14 CIH 260, 605 hrs, MFWD luxury cab, 4 hyd, 3 3520 eng/2546 sep.hrs., 520X 42” tires & duals pt hitch, 1000 pto., 480x50 tires & duals

................................................................. $36,000

............................................................... $118,000

LARSON IMPLEMENTS 5 miles east of Cambridge, MN on Hwy. 95 763-689-1179

Look at our Web site for pictures & more listings www.larsonimplements.com

“Where Farm and Family Meet”

‘15 JD Gator, TS 4x2, bed lift, 478 hours .............................................................. $5,500

3 pt hitch, 540/1000 pto., 480x50 tires & duals ............................................................... $109,000

<< www.TheLandOnline.com >>

‘12 JD 1760, 12X30 wing fold planter, vacuum, insecticide, nice ................................... $32,500

PTO, 480x50” duals .............................. $110,000 ‘13 NH T8.300, 801 hrs, MFWD, 4 hyd,

powershift, 120” spacing, 16” trucks, suspended cab, HID lights, Hitorque VSD, chopper, conturmaster, 520x42”duals ................. $167,000 front axle, 5 hyd valves, hi-flow, complete

‘12 CIH Steiger 350HD, 710/70R42 duals, 1000 PTO, 3 point hitch, complete guidance, 1480 hours......................................... $129,000

‘09 JD 9870STS combine, 520/85R42 duals, 2WD, chopper, tank extension, 1592 sep. hours ............................................................ $99,000

susp. front axle, 3 pt., 4 hyd., Hi-Flow, 1000

suspended frt axle, 18” tracks, 76” spacing, 6

EQUIPMENT FOR SALE

‘15 Case 580N tractor loader backhoe, 4WD, cab with heat and air, extendahoe, 2 stick JD style controls, 640 hrs. ......................... $54,000

27

duals ...................................................... $139,000 ‘12 CIH 260, 1784 hrs., Deluxe cab, 19-spd. PS,

tires .......................................................... $55,000 ‘13 CIH 260, 577 hrs., PS, 3 pt., 540/1000 Massey Ferguson 35 Deluxe, Wide front, power

‘13 JD 9460R, 1377 hrs., 1000 PTO, 3 pt. hitch, 5

Farm King 960, 96” double auger snow blower, 540 PTO, new ........................................ $3,400

PTO, 5 hyd., big pump, front duals, 480x50” rear

‘04 Cat. 765, 4602 hrs., 18” tracks, 120” spacing, ‘03 CIH MX210, 5550 hrs., 3 pt., 1000 PTO,

'99 JD 8300 MFWD Tractor, 20.8R42 rears w/ duals, 2-630's Unverferth Wagons 16.9R30 fronts, rubber 90%, w/ Tarps (2010) Like New. John Deere #2700 5 Shank big hyd pump, 4 hyd reRipper w/ Hyd Leveler (No motes, front wgts, 1000 Welds) Low Acres Very PTO, quick hitch, 7K hrs.

Good. 319-347-2349 Very nice, late model 8300 tractor, $49,000. Call (507) FOR SALE: 9600 JD com789-6049 bine, stored inside, through shop every year, duals, FOR SALE: '06 2210 BuhlerYield Monitor that makes Versatile 210HP, FWA, 3558 map, $28,000. 507-532-2094 hrs, 18spd PS, 4 remotes, nice, field ready, 358/85R-34 Brent 1194 grain cart, on tires, duals, 480R/80R-46, tracks. (608)548-2040 Super Steer, HD rock box, $58,900. 507-327-6430

‘11 John Deere 8260R, powershift, 1300 front axle, 540/1000 PTO, HID lights, 380/90R54 duals, 2350 hrs. ................................. $116,000

‘12 CIH 290, 434 hrs., PT, 3 pt., 540/1000

THE LAND, JANUARY 6, 2017

Hydrostatic & Hydraulic Re- FOR SALE: 1981 JD 4040, MC 820 corn dryer, 260 hrs, 33 Ft Great Plains (2006) pair Repair-Troubleshootcab, powershift, 18.4-38 heat & cool or full heat. Series 7 Discovator/Finisher tires, 6,750 hrs., good, clean ing Sales-Design Custom Stainless steel screens, sinOriginal Blades (19 3/4”) tractor. Call 507-456-4909 hydraulic hose-making up gle phase LP, excellent.

Exc Cond. H&S 20 Ft Big (608)548-2040 to 2” Service calls made.

Bale Feeder On Wheels.

STOEN'S Hydrostatic Ser- FOR SALE: JD 8400, 319-347-2349 MFWD, front & rear wts, vice 16084 State Hwy 29 N Planting Equip 038 FOR SALE: JD 2700, 5 shank 11,000 hrs., 20.8 x 42 tires, Glenwood, MN 56334 320ripper, 2004 model, nice $38,000. 320-510-0468 634-4360 condition, $16,500. 507-22711R24” Monosen NGT 2602 planter, PT, PTO vac, sinWe buy FOR SALE: John Deere gle Yetter row cleaners, Salvage Equipment 5520, MFWD w/ loader, squeeze pump for liq John Deere #726 (30 Ft – 9”) Parts Available $29,000; Caterpillar D4 bullMulch Finisher, Good starter, corn & bean seed Hammell Equip., Inc. dozer, $6,000; JD 7000 6RN Blades(19 3/4”) w/ 5 Bar disc; 6R24” IH 800 CH, (507)867-4910 planter, no fert., $3,000; JD Drag Real Good.

LAN$5,500/both. 320-269-1451 wide front, fenders & dual DOLL #1230 – 9 Shank New HYD for 3020. 507-330-3945 Tractors 036 Style Disk Chisel w/ Leveler Like New. 319-347-6138 '11 JD 8235R, 1996 hrs, FWA, NEW AND USED TRACTOR www.thelandonline.com

THE LAND, JANUARY 6, 2017

28

irst Your F or f Choice ds! ie Classif

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Livestock, Machinery, Farmland... you name it! People will buy it when they see it in The Land!

To submit your classified ad use one of the following options: Phone: 1-800-657-4665 or 507-345-4523 Mail to: The Land Classifieds, P.O. Box 3169, Mankato, MN 56002 Fax to s Email: theland@TheLandOnline.com Online at: www.thelandonline.com DEADLINE: Friday at 5:00 p.m. for the following Friday edition.

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The ad prices listed are based on a basic classified line ad of 25 words or less. Ads running longer than 25 words will incur an added charge.

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“Where Farm and Family Meet”

FARM NEWS (FN) - Serving farmers in Northwest Iowa, 14,219 circ.

THE COUNTRY TODAY (CT) - Serving farmers in Wisconsin, 25,000 circ.

THE FREE PRESS (FP) - Serving south central Minnesota, 22,500 circ.

PAPER(S) ADDED (circle all options you want): FN CT FP ($7.70 for each paper, and each time) issues x $7.70 STANDOUT OPTIONS (THE LAND only) $2.00 per run: F Bold F Italic F Underline F Web/E-mail links J Photo (THE LAND only) $10.00 per run:

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ADVERTISING NOTICE: Please check your ad the first week it runs. We make every effort to avoid errors by checking all copy, but sometimes errors are missed. Therefore, we ask that you review your ad for correctness. If you find a mistake, please call (507) 345-4523 immediately so that the error can be corrected. We regret that we cannot be responsible for more than one week’s insertion if the error is not called to our attention. We cannot be liable for an amount greater than the cost of the ad. THE LAND has the right to edit, reject or properly classify any ad. Each classified line ad is separately copyrighted to THE LAND. Reproduction without permission is strictly prohibited.

Machinery Wanted

040

Cattle

056 Miscellaneous

090

Northern MN January 20, 2017 February 3, 2017 February 17, 2017 March 3, 2017 March 17, 2017

Deadlines are 1 week prior to publication with Holiday deadlines 1 day earlier ** Indicates Early Deadline

(N) Northwood, IA

(OS) Osage, IA

641-324-1154

641-732-3719

(B) Belle Plaine, MN

(H) Hollandale, MN

952-873-2224

507-889-4221

(OW) Owatonna, MN

507-451-4054 See Our Complete Inventory @ www.agpowerjd.com

'13 JD 4730, 1501 Hrs, 90' Boom .................$139,900

â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;12 JD 4830, 880 Hrs, 90â&#x20AC;&#x2122; Boom.................$203,500

Your Sprayer Headquarters N) â&#x20AC;&#x2122;16 JD R4045, 175 Hrs, 120â&#x20AC;&#x2122; Boom ....................... $365,000 (N) â&#x20AC;&#x2122;16 JD R4045, 841 Hrs, Dry Box ........................... $329,000 (OW) â&#x20AC;&#x2122;15 JD R4045, 444 Hrs, 120â&#x20AC;&#x2122; Boom................... $319,500 (OW) â&#x20AC;&#x2122;16 JD R4038, 350 Hrs, 120â&#x20AC;&#x2122; Boom................... $309,900 (OW) â&#x20AC;&#x2122;15 JD R4038, 759 Hrs, 120â&#x20AC;&#x2122; Boom................... $289,900 (OW) â&#x20AC;&#x2122;15 JD R4045, 739 Hrs, Dry Box........................ $287,500 (OS) â&#x20AC;&#x2122;15 JD R4030, 159 Hrs, 90â&#x20AC;&#x2122; Boom ...................... $265,900 (OS) â&#x20AC;&#x2122;15 JD R4030, 149 Hrs, 90â&#x20AC;&#x2122; Boom ...................... $253,000 (N) â&#x20AC;&#x2122;13 JD 4830, 384 Hrs, 90â&#x20AC;&#x2122; Boom .......................... $234,900 (OW) â&#x20AC;&#x2122;13 JD 4940, 2127 Hrs, Dry Box ........................ $212,500 (OW) â&#x20AC;&#x2122;13 JD 4830, 1011 Hrs, 100â&#x20AC;&#x2122; Boom ................... $209,900 (OW) â&#x20AC;&#x2122;12 JD 4940, 120â&#x20AC;&#x2122; Boom ................................... $209,900 (OW) â&#x20AC;&#x2122;12 JD 4830, 880 Hrs, 90â&#x20AC;&#x2122; Boom ....................... $203,500 (OW) â&#x20AC;&#x2122;13 JD 4940, 1211 Hrs, Dry Box ........................ $202,500 (OW) â&#x20AC;&#x2122;13 JD 4830, 688 Hrs, 90â&#x20AC;&#x2122; Boom ....................... $189,900 (OS) â&#x20AC;&#x2122;15 JD 4630, 271 Hrs, 90â&#x20AC;&#x2122; Boom ........................ $187,900 (OW) â&#x20AC;&#x2122;13 JD 4830, 904 Hrs, 90â&#x20AC;&#x2122; Boom ....................... $184,500 (OW) â&#x20AC;&#x2122;13 JD 4830, 1752 Hrs, 90â&#x20AC;&#x2122; Boom ..................... $179,900 (OW) â&#x20AC;&#x2122;13 JD 4830, 2059 Hrs, 90â&#x20AC;&#x2122; Boom ..................... $179,900 (OW) â&#x20AC;&#x2122;12 JD 4830, 1688 Hrs, 90â&#x20AC;&#x2122; Boom ..................... $168,500 (OW) â&#x20AC;&#x2122;12 JD 4730, 676 Hrs, 100â&#x20AC;&#x2122; Boom ..................... $166,900 (OW) â&#x20AC;&#x2122;13 JD 4730, 1714 Hrs, 90â&#x20AC;&#x2122; Boom ..................... $165,900 (OW) â&#x20AC;&#x2122;12 Ag-Chem RG1100, 1680 Hrs ....................... $165,000 (OW) â&#x20AC;&#x2122;12 Case Patriot 3330, 1650 Hrs ....................... $165,000 (OW) â&#x20AC;&#x2122;13 JD 4730, 1888 Hrs, 90â&#x20AC;&#x2122; Boom ..................... $164,500 (OW) â&#x20AC;&#x2122;12 JD 4730, 1855 Hrs, 90â&#x20AC;&#x2122; Boom ..................... $154,900 (OW) â&#x20AC;&#x2122;12 Ag-Chem RG1100, Dry Box ......................... $150,000 (OW) â&#x20AC;&#x2122;13 JD 4630, 736 Hrs, 80â&#x20AC;&#x2122; Boom ....................... $146,900 (OW) â&#x20AC;&#x2122;14 JD 4630, 1578 Hrs, 90â&#x20AC;&#x2122; Boom ..................... $145,900 (OW) â&#x20AC;&#x2122;13 JD 4630, 1082 Hrs, 90â&#x20AC;&#x2122; Boom ..................... $142,900 (OW) â&#x20AC;&#x2122;13 JD 4730, 1501 Hrs, 90â&#x20AC;&#x2122; Boom ..................... $139,900 (OW) â&#x20AC;&#x2122;12 Miller N2XP, 1700 Hrs ................................. $135,000 (OW) â&#x20AC;&#x2122;11 Ag-Chem 994, 1768 JHrs, 100â&#x20AC;&#x2122; Boom ......... $134,900 (OW) â&#x20AC;&#x2122;09 JD 4730, 1400 Hrs, 90â&#x20AC;&#x2122; Boom ..................... $131,900 (OW) â&#x20AC;&#x2122;09 CIH Patriot 4420, 3600 Hrs ......................... $125,900 (OW) â&#x20AC;&#x2122;08 JD 4730, 3562 Hrs, 90â&#x20AC;&#x2122; Boom ..................... $112,900 (N) â&#x20AC;&#x2122;05 JD 4720, 2079 Hrs, 80â&#x20AC;&#x2122; Boom ........................ $109,500 (OW) â&#x20AC;&#x2122;08 Ag-Chem 1074SS, 2226 Hrs ......................... $94,900 (OW) â&#x20AC;&#x2122;08 JD 4830, 4160 Hrs, 90â&#x20AC;&#x2122; Boom ....................... $89,900 (OW) â&#x20AC;&#x2122;06 JD 4720, 4100 Hrs, 90â&#x20AC;&#x2122; Boom ....................... $84,900 (H) â&#x20AC;&#x2122;98 JD 4700, 1454 Hrs, 80â&#x20AC;&#x2122; Boom .......................... $73,500 (OW) â&#x20AC;&#x2122;06 JD 4920, 6500 Hrs, Dry Box .......................... $65,000 (OW) â&#x20AC;&#x2122;06 Ag-Chem 1074, 4600 Hrs ............................. $59,900

â&#x20AC;&#x153;Where Farm and Family Meetâ&#x20AC;?

â&#x2DC;ş

29

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GREENWALD FARM CENTER 14 miles So. of Sauk Centre

Southern MNNorthern IA January 13, 2017 January 27, 2017 February 10, 2017 February 24, 2017

7EBSITE WWW 4HE,AND/NLINE COM s E MAIL THELAND 4HE,AND/NLINE COM

FOR THE BEST DEAL ORDER NOW!

Greenwald, MN â&#x20AC;˘ 320-987-3177

If youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re having a Farm Auction, let other Farmers know it!

Upcoming Issues of THE LAND

0/ "OX s -ANKATO -.

0HONE OR &AX

â&#x20AC;˘ 5/8â&#x20AC;? drum roller wall thickness â&#x20AC;˘ 42â&#x20AC;? drum diameter â&#x20AC;˘ 4â&#x20AC;?x8â&#x20AC;? frame tubing 3/8â&#x20AC;? thick â&#x20AC;˘ Auto fold

12â&#x20AC;&#x2122;-60â&#x20AC;&#x2122; LONG ROLLERS

to mail in your 2017 subscriber card for The Land.

They were inserted into The Land on Dec. 2 & 9, 2016.

If you donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have it please find it online at www.thelandonline.com and print it out or call us at 507-345-4523 and weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll send you another one.

Please fill it in, sign & date it and mail it with your payment today.

Ask Your Auctioneer to Place Your Auction in The Land!

090 WANTED TO BUY: Dairy Miscellaneous heifers and cows. 320-235Cash paid for antique Harley 2664 Davidson, Indian or other motorcycles & related Cattle 056 parts from 1900 thru 1970.

Any condition. Midwest colFOR SALE OR LEASE lector will pick up anyREGISTERED BLACK where. Phone 309-645-4623 ANGUS Bulls, 2 year old & yearlings; bred heifers, One call does it all! calving ease, club calves & With one phone call, you can balance performance. Al place your classified ad in sired. In herd improvement The Land, Farm News, program. J.W. Riverview AND The Country Today.

Angus Farm Glencoe, MN Call The Land for more 55336 Conklin Dealer 320info @ 507-345-4523 â&#x20AC;˘ 800-657864-4625 4665.

MANDAKO

PLEASE DONâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;T FORGET...

THE LAND, JANUARY 6, 2017

SALE: registered PARMA DRAINAGE All kinds of New & Used FOR shorthorn beef cows, bred PUMPS New pumps & farm equipment â&#x20AC;&#x201C; disc chisheifers & open heifers. 218parts on hand. Call Minels, field cults, planters, 924-2337 nesota's largest distributor soil finishers, cornheads, HJ Olson & Company 320feed mills, discs, balers, Registered Texas Longhorn 974-8990 Cell â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 320-212-5336 haybines, etc. 507-438-9782 breeding stock, cows, heifers or roping stock, top Wanted 042 REINKE IRRIGATION blood lines. 507-235-3467 Sales & Service WANTED: JD 1755 vacuum WANT TO BUY: Butcher New & Used 6 row dry fertilizer planter, For your irrigation needs cows, bulls, fats & walkable NewerJD chopper, 6 row; 888-830-7757 or 507-276-2073 cripples; also horses, (2) 3 ft yellow Angle Iron sheep & goats. 320-235-2664 extension drag wings. 507WANT MORE READERS 720-1186 TO SEE YOUR AD??

Swine 065 Expand your coverage area!

Feed Seed Hay 050 The Land has teamed up Compart's total program with Farm News, and The features superior boars & 1st Crop Clean Grass Hay, Country Today so you can open gilts documented by 4x5 Round Bales, Net do just that! Place a classiBLUP technology. Duroc, Wrap, $25/ea. 2nd Crop fied ad in The Land and York, Landrace & F1 lines.

Grass Hay, Rained On, have the option of placing it Terminal boars offer lean$25/ea. Delivery Available in these papers as well. ness, muscle, growth. MaWithin 135 Miles of Rice More readers = better reternal gilts & boars are Lake. 715-296-2162 sults! Call The Land for productive, lean, durable. more information. 507-345All are stress free & PRRS ALFALFA, MIXED hay, 4523 â&#x20AC;˘ 800-657-4665 free. Semen also available grass hay, & feed grade through Elite Genes A.I. wheat straw.

Medium Make 'em Grow! Comparts Winpower Sales & Service squares or round bales. DeBoar Store, INC. Toll Free: Reliable Power Solutions livery available. LeRoy 877-441-2627 Since 1925 PTO & automatOse, call or text: 218-689ic Emergency Electric 6675 Generators. New & Used Trucks & Trailers 084 Rich Opsata-Distributor SEED CORN SAVINGS! 800-343-9376 Great pricing on leading '12 Int'l ProStar+ National conventional & MaxxForce 13 Engine, technology hybrids. Com354,105 Miles, Super Sinbine with â&#x20AC;&#x153;KLEENACRESâ&#x20AC;? gles, includes Roof Deflecsolutions program, maintor, $28,500. 715-234-1993 tain yields & save $100 to $150 per acre input costs. FOR SALE: '98 Volvo VNwww.kleenacres.com L64T, Detroit 60 Series, or catalog 320-237-7667 14L, 430HP, Rockwell 10spd, A/R, dual fuel tanks, 75% drive, new air bags, Livestock 054 185â&#x20AC;? wheelbase. 320-583-5324 FOR SALE: Black Angus bulls also Hamp, York, & FOR SALE: Ford 7.3 dsl enHamp/Duroc boars & gilts. gines, transmissions & 320-598-3790 parts for all years. New or Used with service. 320-5830881 Dairy 055

THE LAND, JANUARY 6, 2017

30

We have Quad Trac & Combine Tracks in Stock Look up your Case IH parts online and send your request directly to us!

Ag Track Scraper Track 36” Ag Track

Part# 84140100 Part# 87734601 Part# 87734600

$5995.00 $7495.00 $8611.00

16 Steiger 580Q 36” tracks, 930 hr - Full

16 Steiger 580Q 1312 hrs, Lux Cab, Full

16 Steiger 580Q 910 hrs Big Hyd Pump-6 Remotes-36

‘16 Steiger 580Q,595 hrs Lux Cab Hi Cap

Pro 700 Auto Str .................... $289,900

Auto Str ................................. $269,900

inch Trks-Full Pro 700 Auto Str.....................$299,900

Hyd Pump 36 inch TRKS ............ $319,900

‘15 Steiger 470, 729 hrs., PTO, 6 remotes, 120”

‘14 Steiger 620Q, 920 hrs., Lux Cab, 36” tracks,

Steiger 350 row trac, 3 PT PTO, lux cab, 845

spacing, full auto steer, DLX Cab ........ $229,900

6 remotes, hi cap hyd ........................ $289,900

hrs, 120” spacing .............................. $219,900

‘16 CIH Magnum 310 Row Trac, 88” spacing,

‘16 Magnum 340 row trac, lux. cab, suspension,

‘16 CIH Magnum 380 Row Trac, CVT 551 hrs,

308 hrs DLX Cab ............................... $199,900

front axel, 120” spacing, 536 hrs. ...... $219,900

lux. cab, sus, ft axel. .......................... $239,900

16 MAG 380 ROW TRAC 551 HRS FRT DUALS 24

1990 Steiger 9150

2012 JD 9560RT 2110 HRS LEATHER CAB 5

IN TRK 120 SPACED WITH BLADE .........$275,000

POWER SHIFT-PTO-7467 hrs............... $39,900

REMOTES 36 INCH TRKS ...................$199,900

15 STEIGER 470 358 HRS 800 TIRES PTO LUX

‘13 C-IH 9230 combine, 1049 hrs, Tracks, RWA.

2014 MAGNUM 220 lux cab, 19 speed, power

CAB FULL GUIDANCE ........................ $229,900

820 sep hrs ....................................... $279,900

shift, 2584 hrs ..................................... $96,500

Prices good while supplies last.

Ask our Service Dept. about installation and alignment.

USED 2WD TRACTORS

<< www.TheLandOnline.com >>

24 Month Interest Free • Call For Details ‘16 C-IH MAG 380 TRACK CVT, LUX CAB, SUS FRT AXLE, 120 INCH SPACED, 5 REMOTES, HI CAP HYD PUMP, SUS FRT AXLE with FRONT DUALS, 551 HRS ........................................................................................................ $239,900.00 ‘16 C-IH MAG 340 TRACK POWERSHIFT, LUX CAB, SUS FRT AXLE, 120 INCH SPACED, 6 REMOTES, HI FLO HYD, 18 INCH TRKS, 536 hrs............. $219,900.00 ‘16 C-IH MAG 310 TRACK POWERSHIFT, DLX CAB, 88 INCH SPACED, 4 REMOTES, HYD, 18 INCH TRKS, 308 hrs ........................................... $199,900.00 ‘14 C-IH MAGNUM 220 2584 HRS, 480/80R46 REAR TIRES W/DUALS, AUTO STR RDY, HD DBAR ......................................................................................... $96,500.00 ‘16 C-HI Maxxum 125 545 hrs, CAB, MFD, 16x16 Trans, 540/1000 PTO .......JUST IN

‘16 C-IH FARMALL 120C CAB, MFD, POWERSHUTTLE TRANS, with CASE-IH LOADER.................................................................................................... $59,900.00 ‘16 C-IH FARMALL 105C CAB, MFD, POWERSHUTTLE TRANS, 349 HRS ................................................................................................... $34,900.00 ‘15 C-IH FARMALL 50 C CAB, MFD, HYDRO TRANS, 25 HRS................. $28,900.00 ‘15 C-IH FARMALL 55 CVT CAB, MFD, CVT TRANS, Case-IH loader ..... $39,900.00 ‘16 C-IH FARMALL 45 CVT CAB, MFD, CVT TRANS ............................... $32,500.00 ‘15 C-IH FARMALL 50 C 700 HRS, ROPS, HYDRO, MFD, LOADER.............JUST IN ‘15 C-IH FARMALL 40 C 418 HRS, ROPS, HYDRO, MFD, LOADER.............JUST IN

USED 4WD TRACTORS 24 Month Interest Waiver Or Low Rates Available • Call For Details ‘14 C-IH STEIGER 620Q 920 HRS, LUX CAB, HI CAP HYD, 6 REMOTES, 36” TRACKS, FULL PRO 700 AUTO STEER ................................................ $289,900.00 ‘12 J0HN DEERE 9560RT 36 INCH TRACKS, LEATHER CAB, BIG HYD PUMP, XENON LITES, 5 REMOTES, JD AUTO GUIDE RECEIVER, 2110 HRS ................ $199,900.00 ‘16 C-IH STEIGER 580Q LUX CAB, HI CAP HYD, 360 LIGHT PKG, 595 hours, FULL AUTO STEER, Certified PreOwned, 36” Tracks .................................... $319,900.00 ‘16 C-IH STEIGER 580Q LUX CAB, HI CAP HYD, 360 LIGHT PKG, 910 hours, FULL AUTO STEER, Certified PreOwned, Excellent Tracks ........................... $299,900.00 ‘16 C-IH STEIGER 580Q LUX CAB, TWIN HYD PUMPS, 360 LIGHT PKG, 931 hours, FULL AUTO STEER, Excellent Tracks ................................................... $289,900.00 2016 C-IH STEIGER 580Q LUX CAB, HI CAP HYD, 360 LIGHT PKG, 1312 hours, FULL AUTO STEER, Certified PreOwned, Excellent Tracks ................. $269,900.00 2014 C-IH STEIGER 500 RCQ 1120 HOURS, 6 REMOTES, PTO,LUX CAB, BIG HYD PUMP, 120 INCH SPACING, 24 INCH TRACKS, ................................... $249,900.00

C-IH STEIGER 470 RCQ 729 HOURS, 6 REMOTES, PTO, DLX CAB, BIG HYD PUMP, 120 INCH SPACING.................................................................... $229,900.00 C-IH STEIGER 350 RCQ 825 HRS, 3 PT, PTO, LUXURY CAB, 120 INCH SPACED, HD HYD PUMP, 18” TRACKS ................................................................. $219,900.00 C-IH STEIGER 470 358 HRS, LUX CAB, PTO, 800 TIRES, FULL PRO 700 GUIDANCE, HID LIGHTS ....................................................................... $229,900.00 ‘02 STX 375 4333 hrs, deluxe cab, 710/70 R42 duals ................................ $85,000.00 C-IH STEIGER 370 572 HRS, LUX CAB, PTO, 480R50 TIRES,................ $189,900.00 C-IH STX375 4333 HRS, DLX CAB, FOUR REMOTES, 710/70R42 DUALS ....$85,000.00 C-IH STEIGER 485Q TRACKS, PTO, 3 PT, 3645 HRS, ........................... $159,900.00 C-IH 9150 7100 HOURS, POWERSHIFT, PTO ............................................ $39,900.00

USED COMBINES 24 Month Interest Waiver Thru Case Credit • Call For Details ‘13 C-IH 9230 1049 ENG HRS, 820 SEP HRS, TRACKS, RWA ..........................................................................................$279,900.00 ‘10 C-IH JD 9670 1100 ENG HRS 950 SEP HOURS.............................................................................................................. $115,000.00

USED COMBINES PLATFORMS & HEADS ‘10 ‘08 ‘04 ‘11 ‘10 ‘06

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I-35 & Highway 60 West • Faribault, MN • 507-334-2233 CNH Capital’s Commercial Revolving Account provides financial assistance for parts and service when you need it, keeping your equipment running as its best with the quality parts and service you’ve come to expect from Case IH. Contact your local dealer or visit www.cnhcapital.com today for details.

©2014 CNH Capital America LLC. All rights reserved. CNH Capital and Case IH are registered trademarks of CNH America LLC. Printed in the USA.

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www.matejcek.com

Herb

31 THE LAND, JANUARY 6, 2017

ADVERTISER LISTING USED TRACTORS

TILLAGE

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Rhea & Kaiser ............................3

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David Gass..................................26

Rush River Steel & Trim ..............6

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Schweiss Inc ..............................27

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Smiths Mill ................................31

Greenwald Farm Center..............29

Sorensen’s Sales & Rentals ........26

Hen-Way MFG ............................9

Spanier Welding..........................18

Hotovec Auction Center ............26

St Peter Toy Show ......................19

All Equipment available with Low Rate Financing

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“Where Farm and Family Meet”

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NEW Massey 1726, w/loader ............. Specials New NH T4.75 w/loader...................... Specials New NH TS 6.140................................ Specials NEW NH T9.645, w/Smart Trac .......... Specials NEW Versatile 310, FWA..................... Specials NH T8.275, 495 hrs ............................. Specials NH 8870, FWA..................................... Specials NH TV6070, bi-directional .................. Specials ‘12 NH T9.390, approx. 850 hrs. ......... Specials ‘12 NH T9.560, 4WD ........................... Specials 10’CIH 435 1735 hrs ........................... Specials ‘05 CIH MX210 1700 hrs ..................... Specials Allis 180 D ........................................... Specials ‘12 Challenger MT 665D ..................... Specials ‘10 Versatile 435, 1050 hrs ................. Specials

Ag Power ....................................29

“Where Farm and Family Meet”

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THE LAND, JANUARY 6, 2017

32

This week’s Back Roads is the work of The Land Correspondent Richard Siemers

Farmer cultivates theater Many folks in the area are involved in the art of farming, weaving together their knowledge of livestock, plants, soil, and technology, while factoring in the weather. There are others in the area that cultivate the fine arts and theater, dance, music, painting, and the like. There is at least one person for whom both farming and the arts, specifically theater, have defined his adult life.

Madison farmer Carmen Fernholz is well-known in the circles of organic and sustainable agriculture. He has led workshops for the University of Minnesota and given lectures to a variety of forums. He speaks from the experience of the 400-acre certified organic cash crop farm that he and his wife, Sally, have operated since 1971.

They raise corn, soybeans, alfalfa, and small grains, which vary from season to season between barley, oats, wheat and flax.

For most of those years, Fernholz has also been involved in theater.

Three years ago he retired after 25 years of directing high school productions at Lac qui Parle High School, having started before consolidation when it was Madison High School. He continues to be the stage director of productions for the Lac qui Parle Players, who perform at the Prairie Arts Center in Madison.

Neither farming nor the theater was part of his game plan when he left high school. Fernholz grew up on a farm a couple miles east of Madison, the farm on which his sisters, Annette and Kay, still live.

“When I grew up on the farm we would work morning to night, so (as a teenager) you just had to get away from it,” he said.

He enrolled in college and majored in English. He had acted in high school plays, but when a friend invited him to try out for a play during his junior year in college, that was it.

“I really got hooked on theater,” Fernholz said. “My college advisor said ‘If you want to go into theater, sell everything you’ve got and plan to be poor for a long time.’”

Instead he did the practical thing.

He taught high school English and coached wrestling and track in Sleepy Eye from 1965 to 1970. That’s also where he started directing school plays.

“When I started teaching, I thought that’s going to be it for me in farming,” he said. “But the more time I spent in the classroom, the more I realized I can’t be inside on these nice days.”

He found the time of separation from the farm to be beneficial. He said he grew more objective and less self-centered in his thinking as he matured.

The farm began to look attractive, but he didn’t think it would be possible to farm again. All he knew was that he didn’t want to spend his life in the classroom.

Farming With Sally, whom he married while living in Sleepy Eye, he moved back to Madison where his father was still farming. There were no farm sites to rent, though there were 80 acres for sale. After drifting through a couple jobs for a year, he enrolled to go for a master’s degree in counseling. At least he would not spend his day in a classroom, he thought.

The day he was to leave for his first classes in the master’s program, he told his wife, “Sally, I’m not going to college. I’m going to town and buy that 80 acres.” Sally was supportive. “We didn’t know where we were going, but we did it. And I’ve never regretted it.”

Through the years they added acres to reach their current 400. The farm where he grew up is just across the section.

“I’m doing field work all summer long,” he said. “First thing in spring it’s planting small grain, then there’s a little break before I plant the corn and beans, then there’s the cultivation.

About that time the first cutting of hay is ready, next is the second cutting of hay, then shortly after that it’s harvest of the small grain. Then we’ve got a third cutting of hay, and this year we had a fourth cutting of hay. Then we get into the fall harvest of corn and beans.”

“I like it,” he said, speaking of the work and the variety of chores. “But what was fortunate for me, I never lost track of being able to be involved in the fine arts.”

Theater The first opportunity came when the community theater needed a director for a play. After a few productions with the Lac qui Parle Players, the high school principal asked if he would want to direct their plays. That led to

Madison, Minn.

25 years of doing fall and spring plays at the high school, plus some musicals.

“I really love working with kids,” he said. “One of the most rewarding things as a director was to see the transformation of a shy little ninth grader come on the stage and hardly say ‘boo’ and at the end of the final performance come up and say, ‘When is the next play?’”

He also finds his work at the Prairie Arts Center very rewarding, especially since the community of Madison is so supportive of the arts, he said. The city owns the building and keeps it up.

Fernholz is on the board of the Lac qui Parle Players, which oversees most of the activity there.

Performing a Christmas show has been a tradition for the Players for over 20 years. This year they entertained with a concert featuring an orchestra, chorus, and readings. Fernholz was again the stage director.

Fernholz thinks that his involvement in theater has benefited him in his role chairing boards of ag organizations and leading workshops on organic agriculture, marketing and the like. “I directly connect that to having been involved in theater, that ability to feel comfortable in front of groups, and consequently be more in a leadership role,” he said.

And it wouldn’t be surprising if his farming efforts of plotting his fields and coordinating the varied tasks through the growing season have a subtle influence on envisioning how the action should move on the theater stage. Both his farming and the theater are organic enterprises, after all.

Carmen Fernholz was able to return to the farm, which he realized that he missed. He never made it to the Broadway stage.

“I always said, the next best thing for me was to direct community theater. I totally enjoy it,” he said. “And I loved directing high school plays. For me as a full-time farmer, it is such a nice break from the routine.”

Check out the Lac qui Parle Players at www.prairieartscenter.com. ❖

Do you have a Back Roads story suggestion? E-mail editor@TheLandOnline.com or write to Editor, The Land, P.O. Box 3169, Mankato, MN 56002.