FALL FARMING NEWS & FEATURES

Happenings in the local ag community

INSIDE : Cargill plant is 40 Still all about feed Page 2 They came in a Model-T Big Families in front of the Big Barn

Nelson / Foster Century Farm Page 6 Star Eagle photo by Kathy Paulsen

NRHEG STAR EAGLE THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2018 2 Thursday, September 27, 2018 A DAY IN THE COUNTRY STAR EAGLE Ready for 40 more years Cargill Animal Nutrition of New Richland is still go-to place for feed

By MELANIE PILTINGSRUD different branches, this Cargill Contributing Writer plant specializes in making animal feed for livestock. Originally, the The Cargill Feed and Nutrition plant manufactured feed for a large plant was built on Hwy. 13 near variety of species, including dairy New Richland 40 years ago in cattle and pigs, but also some more 1978, and dedicated on Sept. 23. unusual animals like mink. Randy Anderson and Kent Robran, “Today, we’re specializing mostly who have been there since the in equine and poultry,” says beginning, still work there today. Severson “Those two are about The plant was built by Cargill, Inc. 70% of everything we make.” The “Across the U.S. and across the plant also manufactures feed for world, you’ll find different Cargill what Severson calls “a whole plants,” says Adam Severson, the gamut of species”: rabbit, dairy current manager, who joined the and beef cattle, lama, alpaca, team four years ago. “Some of sheep, goat, and even wildlife like them are not originally Cargill deer and elk. plants. They’re acquisitions or At one time, if someone decided bought out. This plant was origi - to buy feed, they would come to nally built by Cargill.” the plant itself. “This office was Although Cargill, Inc. has many full of people. That’s why it’s as big as it was with cubicles all lin - ing down it,” says Severson. People at the office took orders for those who wanted feed delivered. They also ordered specific ingredi - ents for the plant. “We’ve moved very central now, and most of that work is done in a Kansas City cen - GRAIN PROCESSING – Plant operator Randy Anderson tralized office for the United States measures the moisture content of incoming corn. business.” Cargill now sells feed to Star Eagle Photo by Melanie Piltingsrud big box stores like Mills Fleet Farm, Runnings and Bomgaars, the Twin Cities. They specialize in through a grain cleaner to clean off where people purchase feed. dairy feed and, unlike the New stocks and cobs that come from the Cargill’s distribution network cov - Richland plant, still send it directly farmer, and put it in a bag, so you ers five or six states. Runnings, for to dairy farmers. can go to Bomgaars or Mills Fleet example, is found in Minnesota, “We do a lot of packaging,” says Farm and buy a 50 pound bag of South Dakota and North Dakota. Severson, who explains that they corn if you want. People do that to “The fact that we have to ship stuff put feed in 50, 40, and 25 pound feed to the wildlife, especially in 500 miles almost to Rapid city, bags before shipping it box stores. the fall.” “A WHOLE GAMUT” – Cargill South Dakota doesn’t really mat - The raw material to make the According to Randy Anderson, manager Adam Severson ter. We’re still shipping it to them, feed at Cargill comes from all over, the plant operator, all the corn says they provide feed for because that’s one of our cus - but a big portion of what they use comes from within a ten-mile many species. tomers.” is corn. “A lot of corn goes into the radius. Some of the farmers who Star Eagle Photo The next nearest Cargill feed diets,” says Severson, “but also we contract to provide whole corn to will package and sell whole corn by Melanie Piltingsrud plant is in Big Lake, just north of Cargill continued on 3 [and] cracked corn. We’ll run it

Star Eagle “A Day In the Country” Special Thursday, September 27, 2018 Reed Waller , Editor • Tracie Rosacker , Advertising Manager STAR EAGLE A DAY IN THE COUNTRY Thursday, September 27, 2018 3

The New Richland plant works I Cargill closely with four different divi - from Page 2 sions of Cargill corporate. Severson says, “But then you look Cargill are Rick Schultz, Doug at other Cargill plants within our Christopherson, David Routh, own business unit. We’re making 2Mark Hanson and Mike Supalla. products and selling products and Once the plant receives the corn, moving product between different Anderson’s job is to measure its Cargill plants on a very regular moisture content before it is pack - basis.” Severson provides exam - aged or added as an ingredient in ples of why Cargill Feed & animal feed. Nutrition needs to ship products Cargill Feed & Nutrition doesn’t between its various plants. contract directly with farmers. Whereas the New Richland plant “There’s another division of specializes in feed for chickens Cargill called Cargill Aghorizons, and horses, “Other Cargill plants Cargill Corn Milling, and that’s are specializing in different feeds what they do,” says Severson. and have different manufacturing “They buy big contracts from all capabilities. So we have another sorts of suppliers. And the farmer sister plant in Milton, Wisconsin, might store it on their farm instead which is about 330 miles away, of bringing it to a grain elevator. and we’re getting a truckload of That’s more and more common feed from them every week. We’re nowadays,” says Severson. “So sending some feed to a Cargill then our division, Cargill Feed & plant in Kansas City to help them Nutrition, will buy part of the out because they’re customer Cargill Animal Nutrition contract. growth has been huge, and we We work very closely with them to have some additional capacity, understand the suppliers, which is where we can send them some ume. Some of our bigger cus - 160,000 people. going to be your farmer. Then, feed.” tomers from a corporate standpoint The New Richland Cargill plant we’re calling the farmer directly. Cargill Inc. manufactures many are fast-food restaurants like is in the process of hiring four new They know, because they’re work - other things besides animal feed, McDonald’s, so a lot of the ground people for a total of 20 who work ing with Aghorizons, and then such as pet food, water softener beef [and] eggs, salts, frying oil is at the plant. In the last four years, they’re working with us on the salt under the “Diamond Crystal” provided by Cargill. So they’re the plant has gone from running deliveries.” label and food products for human providing food ingredients that two shifts to round-the-clock pro - There are Aghorizons elevators consumption, such as hot dogs. then are used to manufacture fin - duction. all over the U.S. The New “Cargill is a big company,” says ished food products.” Severson summarizes: “Our Richland Cargill plant works with Severson, “and being a big compa - There are now 55 Cargill Feed & business has continued to grow an Aghorizons elevator just south ny, they like to work with larger Nutrition plants across the U.S., pretty well. It’s been Cargill since of the border in Iowa. Severson companies just because of the size; and, according to Severson, that it was built, and it’s been here 40 clarifies, “They’re not the one pro - it’s easier to handle a large volume division of Cargill employs a total years, and we plan to be here viding the corn; they just manage of orders that come in from some of about 2,300 people, whereas another 40.” the contract.” customers versus a smaller vol - Cargill, Inc. employs close to 4 Thursday, September 27, 2018 A DAY IN THE COUNTRY STAR EAGLE A likely banner harvest with nowhere to sell By DAN GUNDERSON (MPR) As the U.S. trade war with China rages, farmers in Minnesota and North Dakota are anticipating a strong soybean harvest, leaving them scrambling for ways to deal with excess, unsold beans. Most years, farm - ers sell soybeans soon — and sometimes immediately — after harvest. In 2016, Minnesota exported $2.1 billion of soybeans. China was the biggest buyer. But a trade war means that, at least for now, China isn't buying U.S. soy - beans. And many farmers are scrambling to find ways to store the soybean crop they can't sell. Soybeans ripen in a field near Fergus Falls, Minn., on Wednesday, Sept. 12, 2018. "It's a confusing... complex mar - photo by Dan Gunderson ket. Anybody who can predict ready to buy more storage bins. ket to harvest. Hellevang said he That means farmers will have what it's going to absolutely do "That's a huge capital invest - has already heard from farmers to regulate the temperature maybe should buy lottery tick - ment. And then you build this who have questions about stor - where the beans are being stored ets," said David Kee, director of great big bin that you might use ing soybeans, which are more with fans that blow air through research for the Minnesota one out of every two or three challenging to store than other the grain, lowering the tempera - Soybean Research & Promotion years ... You've got to make it pay crops, like corn. ture. Council. for itself, too," he said. Instead of • Grain prices tumble: Crop Few good options Kee was staffing a booth this buying new bins for the soybeans report predicts another big har - As the harvest looms, farmers week at the Big Iron Farm Show he'll harvest soon but doesn't vest are left to decide: Spend the in West Fargo, N.D., where about expect to sell, Kluvers is planning Soybeans are a temperamental money on bins to store soybeans, 70,000 people check out the lat - to move around the wheat he's crop: To store them well, farmers or hope the trade war ends and est ag trends and equipment now storing to make room for need to harvest when the beans markets turn around? every year. some of his soybean crop. are at a low moisture level. But if Kluvers says he doesn't have His advice to farmers: Do the He's still hopeful he can sell the the beans are too dry, they'll many options. best you can to preserve the beans soon after harvest and crack in the harvesting process, "We are going to have to har - quality of this year's crop until avoid the hassle and cost of stor - and their quality will go down. If vest and do what we can with the tariff issue is resolved. age. there's to much moisture, the them and hopefully, marketing Soybean markets are in turmoil, But most farmers will need to beans are more likely to mold in works out in the end," he said, in part because the Trump plan on storing this year's soy - storage without a good ventila - "otherwise it's take it in the administration imposed tariffs bean crop much longer than tion system. shorts and we're not gonna like on China and China responded usual, according to Ken And soybeans are a higher- that, but it's what happens." with tariffs on important agricul - Hellevang, an agricultural engi - maintenance crop than corn, And while this year's harvest is ture exports like soybeans. That's neer from the North Dakota State which farmers and grain eleva - a concern, Kee said, the bigger a big hit: China has been buying a University Extension program. tors often pile on the ground or issue is the long-term effect this third of all U.S. soybeans. "The markets for China have store in huge white plastic bags trade turmoil will have on the "There's a big supply and little essentially stopped, and so we're after harvest. But piling soybeans market for U.S. soybeans. demand and it's a thing that's looking at needing to store soy - would degrade the oil in their "We've built a real positive kind of up in the air and you don't beans maybe for nine months or seeds, which is a crucial part of market in [our] relationship with know what's going to happen," even longer," he said. "And that's their value. China," he said. "We've shown said Mark Kluvers, who raises going to be a learning experience "That oil quality is very them we've developed the prod - soybeans, corn and wheat in for a lot of people." dependent on the temperature of uct that they want and we can southeastern North Dakota about Temperamental soybeans the storage. So we need to be deliver to them on a timely basis. 80 miles from Fargo. Farmers aren't typically cooling the soybeans in storage," This just makes things harder." He was at the farm show equipped to store soybeans long- Hellevant said. "Every ten browsing the displays and the term — in part because they are degrees we reduce the tempera - latest equipment — but he's not often so quick to move from mar - ture, we double the storage life." STAR EAGLE A DAY IN THE COUNTRY Thursday, September 27, 2018 5

132 Years of Service to the Agri Community 6 Thursday, September 27, 2018 A DAY IN THE COUNTRY STAR EAGLE They came in a Model-T From a boxcar full of livestock to a big family reunion, history of two families

MAKING HISTORY – Mark Foster dis - BIRD’S EYE VIEW – An aerial view of the Nelson-Foster farm from a few years ago. plays the plaque made for the Nelson- Star Eagle photo by Kathy Paulsen Foster farm. Star Eagle photos by Kathy Paulsen By KATHY PAULSEN Staff Writer On August 11, 2018 approximately 60 fami - ly members gathered at the home of Mark and Karol Foster for a Nelson & Foster family reunion and celebration for achieving a centu - ry farm. Mark and Karol had been presented with a special "Century Certificate" during the Freeborn County Fair this year. Mark and Karol were happy that family members from The Nelson family Colorado and North Dakota were able to join on the farm with his mother, Nettie, and farm with the Minnesotans to celebrate this special the land until he and Nettie moved to event. box car. The livestock was unloaded in Ellendale in December 1970 when Mark and A special cake had been created for the Ellendale and moved on foot to the farm 3 Karol Foster moved into the home on the day, which the family enjoyed following their miles south of Ellendale. He planted his first farm. dinner. crop the spring of 1918. Mark and Karol were asked by Ray to rent Mark’s grandfather, C.A. Nelson and his On September 9, 1918, a fourth child, the farmland for four years, and if they still wife Annette (Nettie) were renting a farm in Lester, was born in the farm home. In June wanted to farm there after that amount of Rowan, Iowa, when C.A. learned of this farm 1941 Helen married Orvis Foster – thus the time, arrangements would be made for them in Freeborn County Minnesota. After deciding Nelson/Foster connection was established. to purchase the farm. In 1974 Mark and Karol to purchase it, he moved his wife and three C.A. farmed and lived on the farm until his children, Ray, Thelma and Helen, via Model T. death in August 1957. Ray continued to live His horses, cattle, and hogs came via train Century Farm continued on 7 STAR EAGLE A DAY IN THE COUNTRY Thursday, September 27, 2018 7

NELSON-FOSTER FAMILY REUNION

100 YEARS LATER – 60 members of the Nelson and Foster familes gathered in front of the barn on August 11, 2018 to cele - brate the achievement of 100 years of farming. Star Eagle photo by Kathy Paulsen

I Century Farm from Page 6 purchased the farm and have lived there for 48 years. The barn on the farm was built in 1908 and remains in usable condition to this day. Mark’s goal was to maintain cattle in that barn for 100 years, and he met that goal this year. Mark and Karol have enjoyed raising their family of five children on the farm and now their seven grandchildren enjoy time spent at the farm also. Mark and Karol’s five children, Mike, Kurt, Diana, Tony and Amy all live within 10 miles of the farm, and Mark hopes one of the family members will live on the farm when Mark and Karol have moved to their Heavenly home. Currently Mark and his son, Tony, who lives about a mile away from the Foster farm, are farming together. Along with the Foster farm, two other farms in Freeborn County were recognized as “Century Farms” during the Freeborn County Fair, held the week of July 31 - August 5. CURRENT PERSONNEL – The Mark Foster family, Mark and Karol with children Mike, Kurt, Diana, Tony and Amy and their families. Star Eagle photo by Kathy Paulsen 8 Thursday, September 27, 2018 A DAY IN THE COUNTRY STAR EAGLE Minnesota apple harvest in full swing Fall is in full swing and so is Minnesota’s Apple Season

Daugaard, a visit to the apple ward to an exceptional crop of orchard is about much more than Haralred and Haralson. just picking apples. Weather conditions can vary “A trip to the orchard is a great throughout Minnesota and orchard way to get the family outside owners recommend calling or Early season apple varieties like reporting good apple crops. Brad together and help the kids under - checking websites in advance to Zestar!®, SweeTango®, Sweet Moulton of Moulton’s Orchard & stand how their food grows,” verify hours and to check availabil - Sixteen, and McIntosh are now Vineyard in Rush City reported that Daugaard said. “Apple orchards are ity of particular apple varieties. available for picking, while tradi - weather has played a key role. a family-fun destination with The Minnesota Grown Directory tional Minnesota favorites like “The rains were perfect with no pumpkins, squash, corn mazes, is available in print and online, and Honeycrisp, Haralson, Regent, and wind or hail storms. I’d say the wagon rides, and petting zoos.” are great resources for finding local Honeygold will ripen throughout weather was near perfect. It was Rick Julian of Lake Ida Apple apple orchards or farmers markets. the month. Apple orchards are now consistently warm all summer and Farm in Lake Park shares that fam - The 2018 Directory includes 111 open, with limited hours continuing not extreme,” said Moulton. “The ilies visit his farm several times apple farms. Free, printed copies of into the end of November. Many apples all look good! The throughout the season to pick the Directory may be ordered local grocery stores and farmers Honeycrisp are looking super and apples as varieties ripen. Four vari - online or by calling 1-888- markets will also carry Minnesota will be ready in two weeks.” eties of apples are already available TOURISM (1-888-868-7476). grown varieties throughout the fall. According to Minnesota Grown’s at his orchard and he is looking for - Growers across the state are Marketing Coordinator Danielle MDA grants add value to MN ag products

successful business is cooperation, burse up to 25 percent of the total and the MDA is proud to partner project cost. A maximum grant with businesses which are looking amount of $200,000 and a mini - to add value to their operations,” mum of $1,000 will be awarded in said Assistant Commissioner this current funding cycle. The Minnesota Department of market access, and ensuring value- Andrea Vaubel. “I encourage Equipment purchases and facility Agriculture (MDA) anticipates added food products are safe to eat. everyone who is considering improvements are eligible. awarding up to $1 million in Value- Funding for the grants was estab - expanding their business to apply Applications must be received no Added Grants to advance lished through the Agricultural for a Value-Added Grant.” later than 4:00 p.m. on Friday, Minnesota’s agricultural marketing Growth, Research, and Innovation New or established for-profit October 5, 2018. Applications are and renewable energy resources. Program. businesses may apply for funding available at the AGRI Value-Added The goal of the Value-Added “These grants open up opportuni - to stimulate development of value- Grant website and may be submit - Grant Program is to boost sales of ties in the agricultural sector and added agricultural products through ted online (preferred method), by Minnesota agricultural products by help bring people, products, and added processing, marketing, or mail, or in-person. diversifying markets, increasing markets together. The keystone of a manufacturing. Grant funds reim - STAR EAGLE A DAY IN THE COUNTRY Thursday, September 27, 2018 9 Cover crops following sweet corn and processing peas

By: CARl ROSENIN (UMN) In 2017, Minnesota ranked #1 in the US for both processing sweet corn and pea production with over 120,000 acres of sweet corn and 49,000 acres of peas planted. Both of these crops have a relatively short growing season as they are harvested at an imma - ture stage of growth and then processed for canned or frozen vegetables. For peas planted early, a second crop of soybean is often planted for a double crop during that season. For sweet corn and later planted peas, there is not enough growing season left to plant and harvest a second cash crop; however, there is ample opportunity to plant and Sweet corn following mechanical harvest, August 15, 2017. No other field operations were establish a cover crop that can performed between harvest and planting rye. stabilize the soil and take up residual nutrients from pea or following spring. A properly for stand establishment of suc - disked on May 10, 2018, sprayed sweet corn residue. planted cover crop can help to ceeding crops. with glyphosate on May 15 Because peas and sweet corn minimize these losses as well as We are currently in the middle disked again on May 18 (Figure are harvested as immature crops, provide additional benefits such of a study funded by AFREC at the 8). Note that the timing of rye significant nutrients and in par - as reduced erosion and in some Southern Research and Outreach killing in this study is later than ticular nitrogen, remain in the cases disease suppression. center in Waseca. The objective normal due to a cold and wet residue. In general, sweet corn Potential cover crops that can be of this study is to evaluate the April. The complete results stover can contain as much as 60- planted following peas or sweet effects of winter rye following showing field corn N response 80 lbs of N/A with a C to N ratio corn include winter rye, tillage sweet corn on nitrogen response with and without a rye cover of 30 or less. Pea vines can con - radish, rape (mustard) seed, and by field corn the following year. crop will be available following tain even more nitrogen than oats. A feature of winter rye is In that study, sweet corn was corn harvest this fall. The study sweet corn stover and the C:N that a living cover remains the harvested with a mechanical har - so far has shown that it is possi - ratio is less than 25. With these following spring. The other three vester on August 15, 2017 ble to establish a healthy rye crop relatively low C:N ratios and a crops will die after the first (Figure 1). Winter rye was plant - following August harvested harvest time many weeks to freeze. Tillage radish planted in ed with a grain drill (Figure 2) on sweet corn, which in turn pro - months before freeze up, there is August will develop a thick tap - August 30, 2017. Rye grew well tects the soil and may help to a high potential for nitrogen min - root to provide a significant that fall with adequate rainfall reduce losses of nitrogen during eralization and subsequent amount of biomass and will leave (figures 3 and 4) and reemerged the fall and following spring. leaching losses during the fall or a large hole in the soil when the in the spring with significant root dies. This can be beneficial growth (figures 5-7). Rye was 10 Thursday, September 27, 2018 A DAY IN THE COUNTRY STAR EAGLE Fall Color in Minnesota Forests (Minnesota Ag Connection) - A or head east to County Road 10 drive through Minnesota's state (Great River Road). Head south forests is an easy way to soak up on 10 to state Highway 169. Head fall color. north on 169 to County Road 68 "Driving through our state (540th St). Head west on 68 to forests in fall is like driving County Road 29. Head north on through a kaleidoscope--the 29 to 200. Head east on 200 to range of color really is amazing," return to Hill City. said Val Cervenka, the - Fond du lac State Forest: This Department of Natural Resources loop begins and ends in forest health program consultant Cromwell. Take State Highway and fall color predictor. "This is a 73 north to County Road 122. great outing for families, and also Head east on 122 to County Road a great time to take pictures for 120/Ditchlake Road. Head north holiday cards." on 120 to County Road 223. Here For a list of fall color forest you have two options: you can drives, log onto the Scenic Fall drive east on 223 to the dead end, Color Routes webpage. Or, for then park on the east side of the weekly email or text updates on road and hike through the forest; where to find peak fall color, visit or, you can turn right on 223 to If you're looking to get the most of the beautiful fall colors either mndnr.gov/fallcolor, 888- County Road 421, then head east in the Leech Laka area, and want to do it at your own speed 646-6367 or explore-minneso - on 421 to County Road 1023. Go this is the route to go. ta.com/fallcolor (888-VISITMN). south on 1023 to state Highway by heading west on West White miles. At Frontenac take a right Here are a few suggested 210, then west on 210 to return Pine Forest Road. onto County 2 Boulevard and go drives: to Cromwell. - Wealthwood State Forest: east for 9 miles. Take a right onto Late September - Solona State Forest: This loop This loop begins and ends in County 3 Boulevard to head east - Finland State Forest: Head begins and ends in McGarth. Go Malmo. Head west on state for 4 miles. Take a right onto northwest along state Highway 1 north on state Highway 65 to Highway 18, driving along the state Highway 58 to head north from Finland. County Road 2/220th Street north shore of Mille lacs lake, to for 1.5 miles. Take a left onto Hay Early October Head east on County Road 2 to state Highway 169. Head north Creek Trail to head north for - Hill River State Forest: This County Road 34/Kestrel Avenue on 169 toward Aitkin to state about 4.5 miles. Hay Creek Trail loop begins and ends in Hill City. Head north on 34, which turns Highway 47. Drive east on state turns into Twin Bluff Road at Head east on state Highway 200. into County Road 75. Continue on Highway 47 to return to Malmo. Pioneer Road. Continue on Twin Take a side trip to hike around County Road 75 to state Highway Mid-October Bluff Road until it turns into West Taylor lake by turning south on 27, then go west on state - Richard J. Dorer Memorial Avenue. Follow West Avenue to Taylor lake Road. Return to 200 Highway 27 to State Highway 65. Hardwood State Forest: This loop West 7th Street and turn right. Go and take another side trip to Head south on state Highway 65 begins and ends in Red Wing. one block and turn left onto East Washburn lake by turning south to return to McGarth. Before From downtown Red Wing, head Avenue to return to downtown on Washburn lake Road. Return returning to McGrarth, perhaps south on Highway 61 for 10.5 Red Wing. to 200 and head back to Hill City take a detour to Porcupine lake STAR EAGLE A DAY IN THE COUNTRY Thursday, September 27, 2018 11 12 Thursday, September 27, 2018 A DAY IN THE COUNTRY STAR EAGLE

Cindy Holland, Colton Schlaak, Ann Hagen