Eastern Iowa Farmer Fall 2021

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Locker Slots Open! we’ve got rooM for you this fAll — CAll now! Marshall Driscoll, new owner of Preston Locker, stands ready to process your next order. Call or stop by to meet Marshall and let us know how we can help you this fall. CuS toM BeeF A n D Pork ProC e SSIng 121 W Farley St., Preston IA 7AM – 4PM | 563.689.5611 who built the bin, and explained that the bin had come down. They called the bin builders who were already heading back south because they were finished with work in the area, but they had a crew turn around and come back and they worked into December,” he said. More than a year later the damage is still not fully repaired and will not be until at least the end of this harvest season when the structures are once again full, and a roof can be properly attached. The other bin had some roof damage, so they temporarily patched the roof until the bin is full again, and they can put on a new roof. The company offers a variety of ag solutions, everything from grain storage to seed, chemical, fertilizer, feed sales and more. With such a diverse business profile, it is easy to imagine the setbacks this past year has brought. Property damage was not the only issue the family faced. Another challenge was a shortage of labor. “Covid hit our area hard in the fall,” Schmidt said. “And we rely on a lot of part time and retired help to get things done. A lot of those guys understandably took time off, which limited our workforce.” Thinking outside of the box, Schmidt employed the assistance of his 10-year-old son, Kale, to operate the grain cart. “At that point, the kids were going to school online, so we set up an iPad in the cab of the tractor and Kale did Zoom classes while he was hauling grain for me. He loved it!” Schmidt said. Embracing technology became the new motto around the office as Schmidt and his family learned to navigate everything from video conferencing to Google Classroom. What was a struggle at first actually wound up being a time a big year “The kids were going to school online, so we set up an iPad in the cab of the tractor and Kale did Zoom classes while he was hauling grain for me. He loved it!” — Mike Schmidt saver in some ways. “It really does save time to do business meetings and conferences online,” Schmidt said. “You do not have to travel, which frees up a lot more hours to do other things. Do I miss the face-to-face interaction, of course, but I can also see some of the video meetings becoming a part of the normal routine. It can be a balance.” That balance has been tricky over the past 12 months, but Schmidt continues to look at the positives. His new bin is built heavier than before and has upgraded pieces that will hopefully allow it to withstand the Iowa weather. He learned the latest methods to expand communication within his business and most importantly he had the opportunity to work with his son and the rest of his family in an industry he loves. “This past year has definitely been a challenge,” Schmidt said. “But we learned a lot and will apply that knowledge to keep moving forward.” A goal that ensures their family business will be around for the next generation and will carry on with the tradition of forward progress no matter what challenges life throws at them. n 50 Eastern Iowa Farmer | Fall 2021 eifarmer.com EasternIowaFarmer_Fall2021.indd 50 9/15/21 10:23 am
a big year The derecho downed grain bins, but not farmers’ hopes BY sara millhouse eastern iowa farmer When the derecho tore through Iowa Aug. 10, 2020, it downed more than half a million acres of corn, as well as a significant amount of the state’s grain storage capacity: about 120 million bushels’ worth. About half of that storage capacity was on farms, according to the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship. In the aftermath, farmers and those who service bins scrambled to prepare for harvest. This year, many of the farmers Lane Seamer and his father, Rick, farm outside Goose Lake. They expect their grain bins to be full this fall from a robust harvest. Eastern Iowa Farmer photo / Brooke Taylor Our team has you covered! Luke Bowman Brian Franzen Daron Oberbroeckling At Ohnward Insurance Group, we understand insurance. Anything from farming and business risks to home coverages and everything in between. Contact our experienced team to explore the wide range of insurance options. Anamosa Silo Repair, LLC 8827 Esgate Rd., Maquoketa, IA 563-652-5125 ‣ New Silos & Rebuilt Silos w/new staves door frames & doors ‣ Replasters are hand plastered ‣ Complete Silo Repair & Service ‣ Sales & service on all brands of feeding equipment including ValMetal, Jamesway, Van Dale, Hanson & Laidig Bottom unloaders ‣ Jamesway (Waste Handlers) manure equipment 4 & 6 wheel tanks, lagoon pumps, transfer pumps, alley scrapers, stationary, mobile & vertical mixers ‣ Electric Motor Repair drop off station ‣ Metal Culvert Sales Visit our website for a complete list of available equipment www.jameswayfarmeq.com www.valmetal.com Susanne Owen Cathy Ryder Jody Schmidt Leora Claeys AutO | HOME | FARM | CROp BuSInESS | LIFE | HEALtH www.ohnward.com 1017 6th Avenue, DeWitt, IA 563.659.2699 107 E. Quarry St., Maquoketa, IA 563.652.6937 500 E. LeClaire Rd., Eldridge, IA 52748 563.285.2033 Cement Gravel Sand Bellevue Sand & Gravel Quarry Locations: Bellevue - LaMotte - St. Donatus - Springbrook - Otter Creek 29427 Hwy. 52, Bellevue, IA • Open 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. 563-872-3886 • Home: 563-542-1124 For quality concrete prices & service, call us when building your next: Hog confinement, cattle shed, pole building, barn, new house and everything in between! FREE ESTIMATES / RAdIo dISpATchEd / quAlITy concRETE And lIMESTonE eifarmer.com Fall 2021 | Eastern Iowa Farmer 51 EasternIowaFarmer_Fall2021.indd 51 9/15/21 10:24 am
Page 1 and 2: The Eastern Iowa Fall 2021 Farmer
Page 3 and 4: D TODD HUSMANN Channel Seedsman Cen
Page 5 and 6: s... ter! › CommerCial Warehousin
Page 7 and 8: The Gift of Grain Supporting Future
Page 9 and 10: Editorial Index 12 30 40 85 Living
Page 11 and 12: 75 Years AND STILL GOING STRONG! Pi
Page 13 and 14: Living at the county fair For a wee
Page 15 and 16: living at the fair Logan Gruhn enjo
Page 17 and 18: Every farm has a story, EasternIowa
Page 19 and 20: living at the fair Here for your wa
Page 21 and 22: Amy Schroeder Service Associate Meg
Page 23 and 24: creative learning Creative learning
Page 25 and 26: creative learning Stevens emphasize
Page 27 and 28: creative learning me to have a foun
Page 29 and 30: Work for YOU! QUALITY SOLUTIONS. LO
Page 31 and 32: Matt Tracy, Allysen Bonifas, Craig
Page 33 and 34: We take a hands-on approach when it
Page 35 and 36: logging exports wife had their firs
Page 37 and 38: logging exports agents or customer
Page 39 and 40: At Rockdale Locker, we saw producer
Page 41 and 42: (Left) Daran Becker watches for bid
Page 43 and 44: a big year and a natural disaster,
Page 45 and 46: count on us for All your DrAin tile
Page 47 and 48: a big year beans around $8 per bush
Page 49: a big year Moving forward by ‘thi
Page 53 and 54: a big year g ive ts Eastern Iowa Fa
Page 55 and 56: the edge of the bin. “That storm
Page 57 and 58: a big year and Shelly Ahrendsen had
Page 59 and 60: Kara Durward Stephen Clements Evan
Page 61 and 62: a big year The Supply Chain Shuffle
Page 63 and 64: a big year Eastern Iowa Farmer phot
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Page 67 and 68: a big year rt Tightness in the supp
Page 69 and 70: Whether your tractor is stranded in
Page 71 and 72: now serving eastern iowa farmers at
Page 73 and 74: a big year enough rain. Our factory
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Page 77 and 78: a big year Eastern Iowa Farmer phot
Page 79 and 80: Apple Pie Bars IngredIents: Crust:
Page 81 and 82: Your Partners in Financial Success!
Page 83 and 84: Franzen FaMily TraCTorS anD ParTS S
Page 85 and 86: growing local Eastern Iowa Farmer p
Page 87 and 88: growing local financial experts to
Page 89 and 90: growing local Eastern Iowa Farmer p
Page 91 and 92: It started with one truck... That w
Page 93 and 94: YOUR FAVORITE MASSEY FERGUSON AND F
Page 95 and 96: growing local with novices to creat
Page 97 and 98: Earning your cape through mentorshi
Page 99 and 100: Farrell’s, Inc. Pictured: JR Farr
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Eastern Iowa Farmer photo / Brooke
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From Garden to Table Gardens can gr
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From Garden to Table Garden Fresh R
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You’ve got plenty of work to do t
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903 DeWitt St.,Grand Mound www.lega
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y her young farm family for the Eas
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February 2021 Calving is in full sw
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Dear diary make the most of the unf
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Dear diary ends meet. As the life w
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Tax changes they must report the am
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PROUD. PASSIONATE. PROTECTED. At Fa
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Ag Bytes Holdgrafer takes reins as
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Ag Bytes tions were the William N.
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1. Aaron Ambrosy and Addison Ambros
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2 3 6 5 7 8 12 7. Kyler Kilburg goe
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setting records! We’ve handled a
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Eastern Iowa Farmer Fall 2021

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