Glen Groth hosted some special visitors at his Houston area farm recently. Guests from Indonesia, Vietnam and Thailand visited Groth’s farm as they took part in the NSM (Northern Soy Marketing) Crop Tour on September 29 through October 3. NSM is a collaboration of Minnesota and South Dakota soybean checkoff organizations. Minnesota and South Dakota produce 16% of the soybeans … [Read more...]
Three Generations of Exceptional Service and Dedication in Caledonia
For 50 years, Wiebke Tire has kept Caledonia and the surrounding communities moving, on the road and in the fields. Now entering its third generation of ownership, the business continues to thrive under Chad Wiebke, who works alongside Jon Kruse and a dedicated crew of five: Greysen Prouix, Hunter Augestine, Jim Hauser, Garrett Waldenberger and Gerald Schroeder. Although … [Read more...]
Bonnie Haugen: A Woman of Many Hats
Fillmore County resident Bonnie Haugen wears many hats – wife, mother, grandmother, regenerative grazing dairy farmer, steward of the land, speaker, volunteer, advocate, educator, and more. This story begins with a recent highlight in Haugen’s life before looking back on her many accomplishments as a grazing dairy farmer. Among her life’s memorable moments, being invited to … [Read more...]
Soybean Storage Options
By Katie Drewitz University of Minnesota Extension PRESTON and CALEDONIA, MN — Moisture is key but not the whole story for successful farm storage of soybeans. Soybean yield is typically normalized to 13% moisture and soybean buyers will pay full price for soybeans up to a moisture content of 13%. Also, grain bins will typically store 13% moisture soybeans for up to … [Read more...]
Driftless Dreamers, A Unique 4-H Club
The 4-H Club Driftless Dreamers is unique in that it was created for homeschool families. While other clubs form based on interests, activities or location to a certain school district, this club was established to tie 4-H into the existing homeschool peer groups. Driftless Dreamers held its first meeting in June 2023. The families of the homeschool groups already cooperated … [Read more...]
Wholestone Farms Providing Pork Raised by Your Neighbors
Wholestone Farms was founded in 2018 when CEO Luke Minion met with farmers who shared a vision to produce pork and be competitive with the commercial large pork producers. Wholestone is privately owned by 235 farm families across the Midwest. In Fillmore County, there are four farm families/owners: Smith Farms owned by Greg, Deb and Randy Smith of Rushford, Johnson’s Rolling … [Read more...]
How To Put Together a Manure Management Plan
By Melissa Wilson, Extension specialist; Nancy Bohl Bormann, Researcher; and Chryseis Modderman, Extension educator It’s that time of year when the crops are coming off the field and folks are starting to think about next year’s crop. If you have livestock on your farm, you are also thinking about manure application, which may happen this fall and/or next spring. How … [Read more...]
Houston County Fair Open Class Results
Collectables Grand Champion Jenny Waege; Reserve Champion Elaine Semin Crafts Grand Champion Joyce Knutson; Reserve Champion Jennifer Gavin Crafts 14 and Under Grand Champion Stanley Eilers age 6-11; Grand Champion Cassidy Torgerson age 11-4 Dairy Cattle Brown Swiss Summer JR, Yearling, Jr Champ Hobby Stock Brown Swiss; Ayrshire Winter Heifer Calf up to 9 … [Read more...]
Houston County Fair General 4-H Results
4-H Club Legend BHSS - Black Hammer Swift Scooters; BW - Brownsville Wildcats; CR - Caledonia Rockets; HNH - Hearts and Hooves; HC - Hokah Chiefs; HCSS - Houston County Sharpshooters; IND - Independent; LCTL - La Crescent Tiger Lilies; LCAB - La Crescent Apple Blossoms; LL - Lazy Lopers; MBRS - Mayville Blue Ribbon Strivers; MCL - Money Creek Livewires; NN - Newhouse … [Read more...]
Houston County Fair 4-H Livestock Results
4-H Club Legend BHSS - Black Hammer Swift Scooters; BW - Brownsville Wildcats; CR - Caledonia Rockets; HNH - Hearts and Hooves; HC - Hokah Chiefs; HCSS - Houston County Sharpshooters; IND - Independent; LCTL - La Crescent Tiger Lilies; LCAB - La Crescent Apple Blossoms; LL - Lazy Lopers; MBRS - Mayville Blue Ribbon Strivers; MCL - Money Creek Livewires; NN - Newhouse … [Read more...]