NORTH CENTRAL
NEWS
The Land Specialists In Your Area
Volume 8, No. 2
2nd Quarter 2012
USDA Celebrates 150 Years
By: Dennis Schmidt, AFM
I
n a recent visit to the USDA website, it
came to my attention that we are
celebrating a very special birthday this
year. The USDA is celebrating 150 years
and there will be numerous events
thoughout the year in commemoration of
this momentous event. In February,
secretary of Agriculture, Tom Vilsack launched the
celebration with a keynote address at an Agriculture
Outlook Forum in Arlington, Virginia.
This issue of North Central News includes articles from
Wayne D. Rasmussen and remarks from President Barack
Obama on the history of the Department of Agriculture.
We have a bit of history to share as well! Minnesota has
had 2 of the 30 Secretaries of Agriculture over those 150
years. Who can recall who they were?
Our first Secretary of Agriculture was Orville Freeman, also
a former Governor for the state of Minnesota. He served as
the Secretary of Agriculture from January 21, 1961- January
20, 1969. Our second Secretary
was Robert Bergland serving
January 23, 1977- January 20,
1981.
This 150th anniversary also marks
the date when the Morrill Land
Grant act was passed. This law established our Land Grant
Universities by donating public land to the states for
colleges that would study agriculture and the mechanical
arts. We are very fortunate to have one land grant in
Minnesota, the St. Paul Campus of the University of
Minnesota.
Take a moment to step back in history and learn of the
founding of our USDA. We are pleased that agriculture
remains on the forefront of government issues.
Lincoln's Agricultural Legacy
By: Wayne D. Rasmussen Chief, Agricultural History Branch (ret.1986) USDA
n May 15, 1862, Abraham Lincoln signed into law an
act of Congress establishing "at the seat of Government
of the United States a Department of Agriculture." Two
and one-half years later, in what was to be his last annual
message to the Congress, Lincoln said: "The Agricultural
Department, under the supervision of its present energetic and
faithful head, is rapidly commending itself to the great and
vital interest it was created to advance. It is precisely the
people's Department, in which they feel more directly
concerned than in any other. I commend it to the continued
attention and fostering care of Congress."
O
Lincoln's own background was the pioneer farming and rural
life typical of the outer edge of America's westward-moving
frontier.
His early years were spent on farms characterized by pioneer
exploitation rather than by settled cultivation. The 300-acre
tract in central Kentucky on which his log-hut birthplace stood
was too poor to be called a farm. As a boy, he lived on a 30acre farm. Because of hills and gullies only 14 acres could be
cultivated.
In 1816, the Lincoln family moved to southern Indiana to 160
acres of marshy land. After 7 years, Lincoln's father had 10
acres of corn, 5 of wheat, and 2 of oats in cultivation. The
young boy was hired out to do general farm work, to split
rails, and to work on a ferry boat. In 1830, the family moved
to land along the Sangamon River in Illinois. Soon afterward,
Lincoln left the family and began life for himself.
Lincoln, continued on page 2
North Central News 1
Lincoln, continued from page 1
This farm background, on what was then the western frontier,
and his years as a country lawyer made Lincoln, during the
1850's, a representative of the frontier, the farmer, and small
town democracy.
On September 30, 1859, Lincoln addressed the Wisconsin
State Agricultural Society at its annual fair in Milwaukee. This
was the only extended discussion of agriculture he ever made.
He began by praising agricultural fairs as a means of bringing
people together. However, the main purpose of the fair was to
aid in improving agriculture.
Lincoln spoke of the desirability of substituting horse-drawn
machines for hand power, and the potential usefulness of
steam plows. He urged more intensive cultivation in order to
increase production to the full capacity of the soil. This would
require the better use of available labor. Lincoln contrasted
"mud sill" and free labor, identifying "mud sill" laborers as
slaves or hired laborers who were fixed in that situation. Free
laborers, who had the opportunity to become landowners,
were more productive than the "mud sill" workers.
Free labor could achieve its highest potential if workers were
educated. As Lincoln put it: "...no other human occupation
opens so wide a field for the profitable and agreeable
combination of labor with cultivated thought, as agriculture."
His endorsement of education and his belief that farmers'
interests were of primary importance indicated Lincoln's
interest in agricultural reform. After saying that farmers were
neither better nor worse than other people, Lincoln continued:
"But farmers, being the most numerous class, it follows that
their interest is the largest interest. It also follows that that
interest is most worthy of all to be cherished and cultivated -that if there be inevitable conflict between that interest and
any other, that other should yield."
department nor a bureau, but a clerkship only, assigned to it in
the Government. While it is fortunate that this great interest is
so independent in its nature as to not have demanded and
extorted more from the Government, I respectfully ask
Congress to consider whether something more can not be
given voluntarily with general advantage.... While I make no
suggestions as to details, I venture the opinion that an
agricultural and statistical bureau might profitably be
organized." Instead of a bureau, Congress established a
Department to be headed by a Commissioner. The act was so
broadly conceived that it has remained the basic authority for
the Department to the present time.
The Homestead Act, approved by the President on May 20,
1862, provided for giving 160 acres of the public domain to
any American or prospective citizen who was the head of a
family or over 21 years of age. Title to the land was issued
after the settler had resided on it for five years and made
improvements on it. The settler could also gain title by
residing on the claim for six months, improving the land, and
paying $1.25 per acre. The Homestead Act did not achieve all
that its proponents had hoped, but it stood as a symbol of
American democracy and opportunity to native-born and
immigrant alike.
The act granting western land and making payments for the
construction of the Union Pacific-Central Pacific railroad was
signed by Lincoln on July 1, 1862. The two sections of the
railroad joined at Promontory Summit, thirty-two miles west
of Brigham City, Utah, on May 10, 1869. This completed a
rail connection between the Atlantic and the Pacific and
opened new areas of the West to settlement.
The Morrill Land Grant College Act, donating public land to
the States for colleges of agriculture and the mechanical arts,
became law on July 2, 1862. Every State accepted the terms
of the act and established one or more such institutions.
When the Republican Party nominated Lincoln in 1860, two
of the planks in the party platform were in accordance with
ideas that had been advocated by westerners for many years.
The first was the demand for a homestead measure. The
second was advocacy of Federal aid for construction of a
railroad to the Pacific Ocean. Two other proposals which had
been advocated for many years -- grants of Federal land for
founding of colleges to teach agriculture and engineering and
the establishment of a federal Department of Agriculture -were not mentioned in the platform. However, all four of the
proposals were enacted into law in 1862.
After President Lincoln signed the bill establishing the
Department of Agriculture on May 15, 1862, he received
much unsolicited advice, particularly in the columns of the
farm press, on the appointment of the first Commissioner of
Agriculture. Some urged the appointment of a distinguished
scientist, others an outstanding "practical" man. A few
periodical editors were certain that one of their number would
be the best choice. However, Lincoln turned to Isaac Newton,
a farmer who had served as chief of the agricultural section of
the Patent Office since August 1861.
The first of the measures to become law established the
Department of Agriculture. In his first annual message to
Congress on December 3, 1861, Lincoln said: "Agriculture,
confessedly the largest interest of the nation, has not a
Newton was born in Burlington County, New Jersey. He grew
up on a farm, and after completing his common-school
education, became a farmer in Delaware County,
Pennsylvania, near Philadelphia. Newton was a successful,
2 North Central News
Lincoln, continued on page 3
Lincoln, continued from page 2
progressive manager, whose farms were regarded as models.
He also developed a pioneer dairy lunch in Philadelphia and a
select butter trade as outlets for his farm products. Newton
sent butter each week to the White House; and he and his
family maintained a close friendship with the Lincolns.
Subsequently, Lincoln gave him full support in managing the
Department.
In his first annual report, Newton outlined objectives for the
Department. These were: (1) Collecting, arranging, and
publishing statistical and other useful agricultural information;
(2) Introducing valuable plants and animals; (3) Answering
inquiries of farmers regarding agriculture; (4) Testing
agricultural implements; (5) Conducting chemical analyses of
soils, grains, fruits, plants, vegetables, and manures; (6)
Establishing a professorship of botany and entomology; and (7)
Establishing an agricultural library and museum. These
objectives were similar to the charges given the Department
by the Congress in its legislation establishing the new agency.
Newton, during the nearly five years he served as
Commissioner, made progress in achieving these objectives.
The basis for a library existed in the book and journal
collection of the Agricultural Division of the Patent Office.
This collection, comprising about 1,000 volumes, was
transferred to the new Department. Appropriations for library
material began in 1864. The first librarian of record was Aaron
Burt Grosh, a clergyman. Little is known of his library work.
He is best remembered as one of the founders of the National
Grange.
Although Lincoln's primary problem during his Presidency was
preserving the Union, the agricultural legislation that he
signed was to transform American farming.
150th ANNIVERSARY ~ President Barack Obama Marks 150th
Anniversary of the Department of Agriculture
Taken from the American Farm Bureau Federation-Focus on Agriculture.
ne hundred fifty years ago this week, as the Civil
War raged and the fate of our union was in doubt,
President Lincoln established what he called the
“People’s Department.”
O
Lincoln was raised on rural land in my home state of
Illinois. He understood the importance of farming to the
American way of life. And he knew the agency he had
founded – the Department of Agriculture – would play a
role unlike any other in shaping the lives of everyday
Americans.
When the USDA opened its doors for the first time, almost
half of Americans identified themselves as farmers. A
century and a half later, less than one percent do. But
even as revolutions in technology have reshaped the
American landscape, agriculture remains a cornerstone of
our economy and our way of life. It continues to be one of
the most important tools we have to make sure that all of
our children, no matter what they look like or where they
come from, can go as far as their dreams and hard work
will take them.
Today, Americans enjoy the most abundant and safest food
supply anywhere in the world. As a portion of our takehome pay, we spend less than 10 percent of our earnings
on groceries – compared to more than 20 percent in most
developed nations, and up to half in developing nations.
As a result, families are able to put more of their income
towards everything from starting a business and buying a
house to saving for college and planning for retirement.
Rural America plays a critical role in guaranteeing security
for Americans all across the country. And today, that role
is more important than ever. As we recover from the
worst economic crisis since the Great Depression, we
can’t go back to an economy built on outsourcing, bad
debt, and phony financial profits. We need an economy
built to last; an economy built on the things we make and
produce – on American manufacturing, American energy,
skills for American workers, and, yes, American
agriculture.
Last year, agriculture was responsible for more than $137
billion in export sales – an all-time record. Farm products
represented a trade surplus of more than $43 billion. And
the agricultural industry supported more than 1 million
American jobs.
That’s good news. But we still have a long way to go to
make sure that America’s agricultural industry is healthy
for years to come. At the end of World War II, the average
age of an American farmer was 39 years old. Today, it’s
almost 60. For years, our rural communities have been
under severe economic strain – both from the effects of
the recession, and from the difficulties of dealing with a
shrinking and aging population.
That’s why my Administration launched the White House
Rural Council to provide rural Americans with the
resources and support they need to grow. And that’s why
I’ve also kept the pressure on Congress to pass a Farm Bill
150th Anniversary, continued on page 4
North Central News 3
2012 Southern Minnesota/
Northern Iowa
Spring Planting Progress
By: Scott Nelson, Farm Manager
W
hat a difference a year can make! Last
year at this time, some farmers were
just finishing, and in some areas, just
starting to plant their corn. The months of April
and May turned out to be very wet, and then in
mid-July, it quit raining. Our winter was one of
the warmest on record with very little snow.
This continued through all of March and much of the first half of
April.
Most farmers now take out some type of revenue insurance to
cover weather perils on their crops. This insurance had a starting
date April 11th, which was the first day that you could plant corn
and have the crop covered by insurance. Most farmers in the area
abided by that date to start planting, however there were
exceptions with some corn planted in late March.
Starting on “lucky Friday, the 13th”, we entered a rainy period of
over ten days in which very little moved because of rain. Planting
was able to resume again on the 24th for four days when once
again some very heavy rains hit and slowed planting progress. This
type of weather continued until about the 8th of May when we
finally had a nice two week stretch of good weather. This allowed
corn planting to be completed and for most of the soybeans to be
planted. Sweet corn is still being planted in southern Minnesota.
Many farmers worried about how the soil would work up this
spring. Last fall’s dryness resulted in the fall tillage bringing up
some large chunks of very dry dirt. However, we had enough
moisture to soften it up over the winter and it worked up
beautifully this spring.
There were some areas that experienced very heavy rains (three
inches in two hours) the last weekend in April. This caused some
crusting of the soil over the seed and thinned the population in
many of the corn fields that were planted the three days prior.
Since the first of May, the New Ulm area has had, depending on
where you are, from 11.5 inches up to 13 inches of rain. I have
heard amounts up to over 14 inches. We had water standing and
will have to replant those areas.
The areas of Iowa we manage actually are on the dry side. Both,
Dennis Schmidt, Accredited Farm Manager, and I, were in Iowa
recently where we found crops to look better than those in
Minnesota. My understanding is that the rains have been catching
the northwest corner of the state and entering into Minnesota,
bypassing Iowa. Dennis and I heard from our Iowa tenants that
they would welcome a good rain.
What the summer weather holds for our crops, only time and
Mother Nature will tell.
4 North Central News
150th Anniversary, continued from, page 3
this year that includes a safety net for farmers when
weather disasters strike, or when prices fluctuate
beyond their control. This bill should also include
provisions to help young Americans who are
interested in farming get established. And we need
to keep supporting innovation and research, so that
American farming can continue to lead the world.
The Department of Agriculture will change over the
next century, just like it has over the last one. But
the USDA will continue to improve the lives of
every American – from the child who sits down to
a healthy school lunch, to the customer who can
buy produce that is safe and healthy; to the farmers
who feed this country, just like they have for
generations.
Agriculture is who we are. It’s how our nation
became what it is today. And as long as I’m
President, I will do everything I can to help
America keep growing.
UMMC Staff Presents
at the MAAO
Summer Seminar
T
he MAAO (Minnesota Association of
Assessing Officers) held their summer
seminar, “Preparing for the Future” recently
in St. Cloud, MN. Over 280 assessors attended the
day and a half long event. This annual event
offered County Assessors from around the state the
opportunity to attend educational seminars on
various topics. This year Greg Thomas and Dennis
Schmidt from the New Ulm office were invited to
present “The Ag Market: What You Need to
Know”. A variety of topics were covered giving the
assessors an insight as to what market forces are
causing the land values to increase as they have the
past couple years. They also shared information on
professional farm management and the various
services Upper Midwest Management has to offer.
It was with great pleasure Upper Midwest
Management accepted the invitation to present and
found the time spent with this group to be very
rewarding for both the presenters and the
attendees. Upper Midwest Management extends
sincere thanks to MAAO for the opportunity to be
a part of their annual seminar.
Social Media…..
Something to Tweet about
By: Vickie Schumacher, Co-Editor North Central News
S
ocial Media. Two words that are growing in
popularity. Two words I thought had nothing to do
with me. Sure, I have a Facebook account I check
occasionally to see what friends from the past are up to.
But blogging, tweeting and uploading videos to
YouTube? What for? I’m happy and content in my nonsocial media world. Or so I thought.
Then one day I was asked to attend a social media
seminar. I agreed. I attended the seminar and walked
away overwhelmed at the vastness of social media. Did
you know Facebook has over 800 million users? That is
comparable to the population of Asia. That is great, but
I wasn’t so sure UMMC would
benefit in this type of
communication.
Shortly after attending the seminar
I found myself on the UMMC
Social Media team. I attended the
meetings still wondering why we needed to be part of
this massive communication network. At the third
meeting our Team Leader asked us to do some
exploring, visit some blogs, shoot some video for You
Tube, etc. I still wasn’t hooked on the idea but thought
I would give it a try.
I hopped on my computer and searched for
“agricultural blogs”. I discovered men and women
exchanging information just as our parents and
grandparents did when they “went to town for coffee”.
The only difference is our grandparents talked with
four, five or six people. These blogs and tweets were
being communicated between thousands! I was
beginning to see what a valuable tool this could be to
our company.
Our land owners and people hundreds of miles away
could now see the local field conditions. I was hooked.
I now had the understanding of how social media was
going to benefit UMMC.
So no more restricting our conversations to one-on-one
when Twitter, YouTube and other sites will help us
reach millions! These tools are not just for teenagers or
techies; social media has become mainstream and I
invite you to grab a cup of coffee and come along.
UMMC will be launching a blog on July 1 via our
website (www.ummc.co). We will also be asking you to
Tweet with us on Twitter, and you can bet we will be
shooting more video to share on YouTube. No worries
on how to find us, simply visit our website, which by
the way can now be found at its new address
www.ummc.co.
If you have already
embraced social media, I
would love to hear from
you. Send me an email at
[email protected]
and let me know what your favorite social media sites
are. Do you use Twitter, Facebook, You Tube? Do you
follow agricultural blogs? Let me know which are your
favorites.
Social Media? Count us in!
A few days later I was driving down a local county road
and looking at the wet spots in the fields from a recent
three inch rain. Light bulb moment! I pulled over,
grabbed my iPhone and shot video of the field. The
excitement was starting to pump through my veins.
This was great stuff to upload to our YouTube account.
North Central News 5
Real Estate
Offerings
HUNTING LAND
NICOLLET COUNTY, MN
OUR SERVICES
• Rural Appraisals
• Farm Management
• Farm Consulting
• Ag Real Estate Land Sales
• Commercial Property Management
• Commercial Leasing
REDWOOD COUNTY, MN
Property:
Courtland Twp.
40 acres more or less,
Benefits/Features:
Great for deer, turkey & mushroom
hunting. Sale to take place in July
2012, closing before September 15
(first day of bow hunting)
Property:
Johnsonville Twp.
160 acres more or less,
Benefits/Features:
CREP land - great for deer, turkey,
waterfowl & pheasants. Owners have
established ponds for waterfowl.
Property is supported by State of MN
land in area. Drive out and hunt all
day.
Check our website for more details on these new listings! www.ummc.co
COMMERCIAL PROPERTY FOR SALE
CHASKA, MN
MINNEAPOLIS, MN
HAMPTON, MN
Chaska Mill
500 North Pine Street
Historic Chaska Building conveniently
located Downtown Chaska - $600,000
Benefits/Features:
• Dynamic office/retail mix with
long term tenants in place and full
floor lease opportunity
Plymouth Avenue I
911 Plymouth Avenue North
$1,900,000
Benefits/Features:
• Easy Access to I-94
• Easy Access to Hwy 55
• Minutes from Downtown Minneapolis
Property:
23256-60 Main Street
$750,000
Benefits/Features:
• Mixed use office/residential
7 residential apartments + 7 office
suites
• Stable rent toll multi-building
development
MINNEAPOLIS, MN
ROGERS, MN
Property:
21830 Industrial Blvd.
21830 Industrial Blvd., Rogers, MN
$799,000
Benefits/Features:
Conveniently located off I94 and Hwy.
101. Two 14 ft. drive in doors. Masonry
Construction.
Plymouth Avenue II
1001 Plymouth Avenue North
$2,100,000
Benefits/Features:
• Easy Access to I-94
• Easy Access to Hwy 55
• Minutes from Downtown Minneapolis
• Excellent Stand Alone Office/Flex
Building
• +/- 65 Parking Stalls
For More Information call:
Phone: 763-535-4914
Toll Free: 877-535-4914
DEVELOPMENT PROPERTY
LAND SALES
RENVILLE COUNTY, MN
Hawk Creek/Wang Twps.,
155.29 acres more or less
Approx. 132.7 tillable acres
Sealed Bids Sale - March 27, 2012
Productive farmland available for
spring planting!
6 North Central News
BROWN COUNTY, MN
McCLEOD COUNTY, MN
Property:
10.96 acres more or less
Benefits/Features:
Outside city limits of New Ulm
Presently zoned: light industrial
Property:
Just listed! 3 lots NW of Glencoe.
Located on MN Hwy. 22.
1.4 ac., 2.3 ac. & 5.6 ac.
Benefits/Features:
Possible commercial zoning.
More information coming soon.
$75,000 for all three!
2012 Farm and Land Sales
Sold by: Upper Midwest Management Corporation
January 1, 2012 – May 31, 2012
Total Acres
Price
Price Per
Acre
Buyer & Comments
Renville
81.93
$553,027
$6,750
Farmer
Jan, 2012
Brown
214.27
$936,359
$4,370
Farmer
Feb, 2012
McLeod
74.78
$370,161
$4,950
Investor
Feb, 2012
Brown
80
$684,000
$8,550
Investor-Farmer
Feb, 2012
Yellow Medicine
440
$1,500,000
$3,409
Farmer-Tenant
Feb, 2012
Brown
51.74
$432,029
$8,350
Investor-Farmer
Mar, 2012
Renville
152.43
$640,206
$4,200
Farmer
P.A.
Sale Date
County
Jan, 2012
FARM LAND FOR SALE
McLEOD COUNTY, MN
Property:
Hutchinson Twp. Approx. 209 acres
tillable
Sale/Leaseback - 4.5% return after real
estate taxes
MEEKER COUNTY, MN
Property:
Dassel Twp., 99.08 acres more or less
Approx. 86.31 acres tillable
Benefits/Features:
Future development potential
CHIPPEWA COUNTY, MN
Property:
Woods Twp., 46.6 acres more or less.
Approx. 40.54 acres tillable
Benefits/Features:
Includes 5 acres more or less building
site with newer rambler &
outbuildings. Seller would consider
splitting off building site.
WANTED
A SELLER!
We have a buyer
looking for 200+
acres
south of Mankato
, MN,
Blue Earth Coun
ty
Buyer looking to
lease
the property to
an operator.
Call us if you have
land to sell
507-359-2004
We have detailed information and brochures on all offerings. To receive information by mail, please contact us at one of the following
offices: Olivia 800-545-6227 or New Ulm 507-359-2004. Visit our website: www.landspecialists.com.
The information you will receive is from sources deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed by agent. Package is subject to prior sale, price
change, correction or withdrawal.
This newsletter is intended as general information to our clients and friends on agricultural subjects. It is not intended to render
advice; such advice can only be given when related to actual situations. If you have any questions, please contact Jim Thomas,
Owner, President of UMMC at 507-359-2004.
North Central News 7
Do You Remember When?
An update on our precipitation and soil moisture levels
By: Dennis Schmidt, AFM
H
ave you ever taken a cross
section of a log and counted the
rings to look back on the years
and recall what happened that year?
Tree rings and their growth can actually
tell quite a bit about the weather over
the years. If the weather helped to produce a good
growing season the tree grew well and the rings are
further apart.
The Southwest Research and Outreach Center,
Lamberton, MN, has an interesting graph I came across
as I was looking for precipitation information. This graph
shows the annual precipitation for each year since 1961.
Historic Yearly Precipitation
1961-2011 Yearly Precipitation Totals vs. Historic Average
Southwest Research & Outreach Center Lamberton, MN
The precipitation graph reminded me of the mid to late
60’s and those high water marks along the old Highway
169 (now 101, I believe) near Shakopee. I remember
the fall harvest in 1969 when dad made a push pole that
attached to the flare wagon. This was done to push the
mounted corn picker and wagon so that we didn’t get
stuck all the time. 1976 we received the minimum
annual rainfall for this entire period. That was my
brother’s first year of renting farmland that later became
his own. I remember coming home and riding with my
dad in the combine and all you could see was black dust
from all the smut on the corn. It took a long time to fill
the grain tank that season.
On Memorial Day we were visiting with family
members about the dry summer of 1989 when it just
couldn’t rain at all. We talked about 1993 when we
were near the record for annual precipitation. Our yields
were down quite a bit that year also.
You can see quite a variation in the annual precipitation
compared to the historical average. I also know these
levels can vary quite a bit by area but found this graph
to be interesting as it made me reminisce about the past.
This brings me to the present and I again am relying on
more charts from Lamberton. As you recall, rainfall
stopped by mid to late July last summer. Note the black
line on the Growing Season Precipitation Chart.
Growing Season Precipitation
2005-2012 Growing Season Precipitation Totals
vs. Historic Average
May 1 - September 30
Southwest Research & Outreach Center Lamberton, MN
You can see how the historical average tends to build
throughout the summer. We didn’t end up varying much
from the annual average, but had no late summer or fall
rainfall. This chart shows the start of the 2012 season
through May 29 and reflects a wet May, which much of
southern Minnesota has experienced. Historically we
received 3.04 inches of rain, but this year it has been
9.87 inches.
Remember When, continued on page 9
8 North Central News
Remember When, continued from page 8
The dry conditions of July - October 2011 took us into
the winter of 2012 with no soil recharge and very little
soil moisture. Refer to 2008-2012 Soil Water vs. Historic
Average Chart.
2008-2012 Soil Water vs. Historic Average
Historic Average (1966 - 2011)
Southwest Research & Outreach Center Lamberton, MN
2012 Crop Growing
Conditions for
West Central and
Northwestern
Minnesota Area
By: Leon Carlson, AFM
fter the fourth warmest winter on
record and early spring planting
conditions presenting themselves,
crop production is off to a good start in
west central and northwestern
Minnesota. In late March, planting
started with sugarbeets in the west
central area and wheat in the
northwestern area.
A
We had only 2.81inches of soil water on October 1,
2011. With a very open winter we didn’t get any spring
recharge either, so we started April with about three
inches of soil moisture.
The final chart is the Available Soil Water-2012.
2012 Available Soil Water vs. Historic Average
Historic Average (1966-2011)
Recorded at the SWROC, Lamberton, MN
The recent rains are beginning to recharge our soil
moisture, especially in those layers of soil from 6 through
24 inches. We are not yet back to the historical averages
but maybe our drought is over. The rains have been a
welcome sight and it is obvious they are very much
needed.
For many, corn planting also began the last week of March
into the first week of April. While field conditions were
more than adequate, some operators hesitated to plant due
to dry soil conditions in early April. However, after a couple
of rains, corn and sugarbeet planting
progress continued in earnest and was
finished by late April.
Soybean planting started in late April
but was interrupted due to periodic
rainfalls in May. Nearly all
farm operators were
completed with soybeans by
May 25th. Sweet corn
planting continues, as the
planting season is varied
from April through June.
This is done so harvesting of
the crops is not all done at once and
the canning factories can process the
product effectively to maintain
freshness.
While late March and early April
were dry, May has seen significant
rainfalls in the west central area.
However; the northwest remains
with only adequate moisture
conditions at present. All acres
will continue to need timely rains
through the summer months to insure good yields.
At present, the condition of all crops is very good, with the
exception of drowned out spots that will hopefully be able to
be replanted soon. With all considered, it has been another
successful year of planting.
North Central News 9
The Farm Show Circuit
M
inneapolis and St. Paul, Minnesota, better
known as the “Twin Cities” has a multitude of
shows at their convention centers during the
year. Just to name several – the Home and Garden
Show, the Car Show and the
Boat Show.
Not to be “out done”, we
have our own shows in outstate Minnesota! The Farm
City Hub Club Farm Show in
New Ulm; Willmar Ag Show,
Willmar; Springfield Ag and
Energy Expo, Springfield and
the largest farm show in the
area, Farmfest, which is held
in Redwood Falls, MN, the
first week of August each
year. Upper Midwest Management participated or will
participate in all these shows this year once again.
What better way to be a part of our local communities
than to participate in these shows where we meet new
people and tell the story of who we are and what we do.
The New Ulm show hosted an estimated 5,000 visitors,
the Willmar show was
estimated at 2,500 visitors and
Farmfest attracts 35,000+
people each year.
If you have the opportunity to
attend any of these events,
please take a minute to stop by
our booth and introduce
yourself. We’d love to visit
with you and learn of your
farming operation.
2012 Farm Bill Update
By: Scott Nelson, Farm Manager, with exerts from Ag/Web
I
n late April, the Senate Agriculture
Committee took the first step and put
together a 2012 Farm Bill which
passed 16-4. The bill was 900 pages long
and several portions of it were not sitting
well with some lawmakers.
According to Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich), chairwoman
of the committee, the bill is credited with reducing the
deficit by $23 billion. The bill includes the elimination of
direct payments to farmers and the inclusion of risk
management options intended to help farmers in times of
crisis. “We’ve listened to farmers, strengthened crop
insurance and made it the centerpiece of risk
management,” Stabenow said. “We have a risk
management tool that supplements crop insurance that will
work for farmers and save money.”
On May 24th, Senator Stabenow officially introduced the
Farm Bill in the US Senate. There it will be debated and
other amendments will be offered while it is in the hands of
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid. The bill has strong
10 North Central News
bipartisan support from Senators across the country and
they are hoping to get it passed by the August 5th recess.
Most Washington insiders feel the Senate has to pass its
version of the bill before the House of Representatives will
consider it.
The House Ag Committee has been working on its version
of the bill and should complete it by the end of June. Then
GOP Leadership has to take the bill to the House floor in
time to have a conference with the Senate and get it done
before the November 6th elections. Meeting the November
6th deadline appears to be doubtful. If the bill is not passed
by election time, Congress will have one more chance of
passing it during the lame-duck session.
Chairwoman Stabenow realizes the importance of passing a
farm bill prior to year-end, stating “Agriculture supports 16
million jobs in our country, and it is critical to provide
farmers the certainty they need by passing a Farm Bill this
year”.
Who did I just talk to?... “Who’s Who” at UMMC
Every well-run company needs support staff to accomplish its goals and Upper Midwest Management is extremely pleased to have
employees that are highly qualified, experienced, and dedicated to the company. Upper Midwest Management‘s employees are a
valuable part of the company and we want everyone to know that!
Mindy Leisure
Mindy (Malinda) Leisure will be the first one to greet
you as you enter or call our Ohio office, Ag Services.
Mindy has been with Upper Midwest Management
since April 2011. Prior to working for Ag Services she
worked in banking for 20+ years. She said she liked
banking but was ready for a change. Mindy enjoys her
new position and working with farm managers John
Trimmer and Travis Kelley.
Mindy has three children – Amanda, 20, Lindsey 18
and Justin 16. She likes to read, walk, hike at Hocking
Hills, ride motorcycles (as passenger!), go to water parks
and spend time with family and friends. A new
adventure for her was flying for the first
time ever this year! Mindy went to
Florida this past February. She and her
entire family will be going to Pigeon
Forge, Tennessee in August for a
week. This trip will be a family
vacation celebrating her dad’s
retirement, which took place
June 1. Gatlinburg and Pigeon
Forge are favorite places to go.
Mindy has lived in Fayette County Ohio her entire life,
except for one year (1983-1984) when she lived in
Talbott, Tennessee. She continues to enjoy visiting
Tennessee as time permits.
Mindy has several “favorite” foods, including chocolate
ice cream, prime rib and french fries from those famous
“golden arches” – McDonalds! She also has “favorite”
pets….Abby, a fourteen year old cat and Bullet, an
eleven month old German Shepherd.
When asked to share some of her personal life and
favorites for this issue, she shared the above information
and concluded with a smile, saying, “ I lead a pretty
boring life”.
However, those of us that know Mindy know she is far
from boring! She is a delight to work with and a
pleasure to be around. She is a dedicated coworker and
enjoys fun times. She is looking forward to many years
working at Ag Services and we are looking forward to
having her!
US Department of Agriculture
T
he US Department of Agriculture is closing
hundreds of Farm Service
Agency offices across the
country, including Waseca and
Nicollet counties, as part of a
nationwide cost-saving measure.
The closures in Minnesota also
include FSA offices in Chisago,
Pine and Scott counties. About
260 offices nationwide are
scheduled to be closed. The
closures are intended to streamline Farm Service
Agency operations and cut costs. The criteria on what
offices would be closed were based on office staff
numbers and proximity to other FSA
offices. Offices with two or fewer
employees and/or within 20 miles of
another FSA office were candidates
for closures. Nicollet County FSA
office operations will be consolidated
with the FSA office in Mankato, and
Waseca County operations will be
absorbed by the FSA office in
Owatonna. The closures will take
effect in early August.
North Central News 11
Upper Midwest Management Corp.
P.O. Box 834
New Ulm, MN 56073-0834
PRSRT STD
U.S. Postage
PAID
Mankato, MN
Permit No. 47
Address Service Requested
cialists
“The Land Spe
In Your Area”
“The Land Specialists In Your Area”
P.O. Box 834
1314 Westridge Road
New Ulm, MN 56073-0834
507-359-2004
www.ummc.co
Upper Midwest Management Corp.
2510 Lincoln Ave. W., Suite 4
Olivia, MN 56277
320-523-1951 or
1-800-545-6227
www.landspecialists.com