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FIELD TALK PODCAST
With prices for new equipment soaring and the availability of new implements questionable at times, the value of used equipment remains strong. Ashley Huhn of the Steffes Group discusses the auction process and just how active equipment auctions can be.
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LFN VIDEO
Planting conditions throughout the Midwest and and across Minnesota vary widely. Some areas of the state have been done planting for weeks while others are still in process. For some farmers in the region, it's getting close to decision time. Lynn Ketelsen has more in this week's Linder Farm Network video.
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HOLIDAY WEEKEND STORM DAMAGE
Memorial Day storms caused damage to homes, farms, sheds and crops in portions of southern, western and central Minnesota. Many of those areas had experienced damage from May 12 storms. Several waves of severe weather swept through the state on Monday delivering locally heavy rains, hail and several reported tornadoes.
WIND INSURANCE
Jim Nesseth with Extended Ag Service in Lakefield says many farmers in his region sustained damage from the storms. Nesseth says it is fortunate that high winds came when crops are small as damage would have been more extensive if plants were bigger. Nesseth says there is a lot of talk about wind insurance given recent storms. Listen
CROP PROGRESS
Favorable conditions for much of the state in late May helped farmers make rapid planting progress. However, progress for corn, soybeans, sugarbeets and wheat remain behind the five year average. Minnesota's corn is estimated by the USDA in their weekly report released May 31 to be 82% planted, while soybeans are 55% planted. Sugarbeets are estimated to be 65% planted with spring wheat planting estimated at 53% planted.
Soybean planting is up from 2% last week to 11%, still far behind the 5-year average of 47%. Sugarbeets are at 8% planted, which is the same as last week and short of the 5-year average of 83%.
COOL, THEN UNSETTLED
After some very active weather over the Memorial Day Weekend, conditions are expected to be cool and dry through the rest of this week. DTN Meteorologist John Baranick says showers and thunderstorms could spin off this weekend from a large area of low pressure off to the west. Listen
POULTRY EVENT BAN EXTENDED
The Minnesota Board of Animal Health extends the statewide ban on poultry events until July 1. Animal health officials first enacted the ban in April and extended it to reduce the potential risks of spreading HPAI. The ban includes all poultry swaps, fairs, exhibitions and other events where live poultry and susceptible birds are brought together and then disperse.
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PROPONENTS PUSH E15
High gas prices are causing pain at the pump for all motorists and truckers, which ethanol proponents say would be worse if not for ethanol inclusion. Ethanol advocates are promoting the wider use of E15, which should help keep gasoline costs down. Ron Lamberty, Senior Vice President of the American Coalition for Ethanol says high fuel prices are causing motorists and fuel station owners alike to look closer at the benefits of E15, which is typically cheaper than gasoline containing lower blends. Listen
PREISLER RETIRES
Dave Preisler has retired as CEO of Minnesota Pork. Preisler served nearly 28 years in that role and was a strong advocate for the state's pig farmers and for the swine industry as a whole. Preisler has been a frequent guest on the Linder Farm Network. Congratulations to Dave and best wishes in this new chapter!
HOG WILD IN MARTIN COUNTY
Painted pigs are adorning sidewalks and storefronts in Fairmont and other parts of the county as part of the community's Going Hog Wild campaign. The effort was started by business owners and other local residents to promote tourism and highlight the importance of the hog industry to the area. Artists painted cement pigs which pay homage to Martin County's position as one of the nation's top pork producing counties. Fairmont business owner Jeff Rouse says there are 36 hog statues around the county with the goal of reaching 100 uniquely painted cement hogs weighing 400 pounds. The painted pigs are a fun way to generate tourism and draw attention to the importance of the swine industry in the region. Listen
NEW FACE OF BEEF PROMOTION
Who better to talk about beef than a Cowboy? Former Dallas Cowboy's quarterback Tony Romo is the new spokesperson for the 'Beef. It's What's For Dinner' Campaign. Romo's playbook includes recipes for everything from main course dishes to quick recipes and even ways to use leftovers. Check it out at www.beefitswhatsfordinner.com.
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Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack will be in Ohio tomorrow laying out the framework to transform the food system in the United States. The plan includes impacting worker’s pay, advancing equity and climate resilience and mitigation among a laundry list of things.
As I read this several thoughts came to mind. First, these are the same people who have transformed the energy sector and look what we have. Skyrocketing fuel cost, fuel shortages and shortages of all related energy products. Second, these same people have been in charge of the supply chain, and look at the mess we have there. There is no excuse for the shortages we are seeing. And again the same people who were warned of a looming shortage of baby formula chose to ignore it and now we do have a crisis.
People who have never worked in jobs other than government telling us they have plans to transform private industry just makes no sense to me. In fact it’s scary, especially to our agriculture system in this country. We have the most efficient, most productive and best functioning food system in the world, and I shudder to think what will happen with a bunch of government bureaucrats want to transform it. I think we all know what will happen. Look no further than gas prices, food prices, shortages and all the rest to know.
What’s the answer? Let farmers farm, let food companies process and open up supplies and pipelines for the energy sector to function and get this country moving again. Transforming the food sector is the last thing we need. Let’s embrace it and help make it stronger.
Lynn
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Upcoming Events
June 8-10: World Pork Expo, Des Moines, Iowa
July 26-28: North Star Ag Expo, Owatonna
Aug. 2-4: Farmfest, Redwood Falls
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June is Dairy Month, celebrating all things dairy. What better way to enjoy a warm June day than with ice cream. According to frozendessertsupplies.com, vanilla is the top ice cream flavor in the U.S. Vanilla is followed by chocolate, cookies & cream, mint chocolate chip, chocolate chip cookie dough, buttered pecan, birthday cake and strawberry.
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