Online at www.dairystar.com What has the higher income from the current milk prices allowed you to do on your farm?
Make up for when prices were low 25%
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Just maintaining Plan for 25% the future 8%
DAIRY ST R
Volume 16, No. 13
The crop insurance for milk production Margin Protection Program set to start Sept. 1 BY KRISTA KUZMA Staff writer
Implementation of part of the 2014 Farm Bill will start Sept. 1 with the Margin Protection Program for Dairy Producers (MPP-Dairy). Although not all rules for the new program have been released, dairy producers can start to prepare themselves for how they will use the program in the future. The MPP-Dairy replaces the Milk Income Loss Contract program and the Dairy Product Price Support Program and focuses on protecting the margins between milk income and feed costs in an insurance-style format. Marin Bozic, assistant professor of applied economics at the University of Minnesota, explained that the federal dairy safety net programs that have protected dairy revenue for the past nearly 50 years needed to be changed. “In the last ve years, we have discovered [the federal dairy safety net] is insufcient – feed costs matter a lot. The program that will be offered to dairy producers will be a simple-to-use insurance-type product that will allow producers to protect against catastrophic events like 2009 at very affordable premiums … ,” Bozic said. Bozic called the MPP the crop insurance for milk production. “Going forward, producers should strongly consider protection that can help them in a bad year. Once the bad year happens, it’s too late. You need to think about the insurance before adversity occurs,” he said. One of the biggest changes is that there will be no more MILC program or any other price oors, Bozic said. “If dairy producers decide not to participate in this proTurn to MPP | Page 5
42%
“All dairy, all the time”™
Haler crowned 61st Princess Kay
August 23, 2014
Carver County is home of new dairy ambassador BY KRISTA KUZMA Staff writer
ST. PAUL, Minn. – Jeni Haler’s younger years were foreshadowing her future as Princess Kay of the Milky Way. “Jeni has always loved animals since she was really little. She’d put on a dress and go out and play with the animals and in the dirt. She sometimes put a crown on, too,” said Haler’s mom, Connie Helget Haasken. Now Haler will be able to wear a crown for the next year, representing Minnesota’s dairy farmers after being crowned the 61st Princess Kay of the Milky Way on Aug. 20 at the bandshell at the Minnesota State Fairgrounds in St. Paul, Minn. The 19-year-old will
MIDWEST DAIRY ASSOCIATION
Jeni Haler of Norwood Young America, Minn., is crowned the 61st Princess Kay of the Milky Way Aug. 20 at the Minnesota State Fair Band Shell in St. Paul, Minn. Sabrina Ley of Belgrade (far left), and Audrey Lane of Prior Lake (center) rounded out the top three.
Turn to PRINCESS KAY | Page 10
Land taken away
A portion of Sorgs’ Century Farm taken by Dakota County through eminent domain BY KRISTA KUZMA Staff writer
KRISTA KUZMA/ DAIRY STAR
William “Bill” Sorg, who milks 300 cows with his family on their dairy, stands on the shoreline of Spring Lake, which opens into the Mississippi near Hastings, Minn. Dakota County recently took 72 acres, including nearly one-half mile of shoreline, by eminent domain from the Sorgs’ farm, which has been in their family since 1896.
HASTINGS, Minn. – Whether it was swimming on the sandy shore of Spring Lake with his wife and their children or roaming through the woodland pasture to nd fresh cows to bring to the barn as a kid, William “Bill” Sorg has many memories using 72 acres of his family’s farm. “Growing up along the river is different than most childhoods, especially when you live on a farm. When we would go out to nd cows in the pasture woodland, they had their favorite hiding spots. We would be gone for hours,” Sorg said, reminiscing about a few of his favorite memories on the land. However, those 72 acres were taken away from the Sorg family by Dakota County on April 1 through eminent domain, which is the right of the government to take away private property for public use, with payment for compensation. Turn to SORGS | Page 8
Page 10 • Dairy Star • Saturday, August 23, 2014 40th ANNUAL
ALL EXHIBITORS WELCOME!
Albany
High Crop & Orchard Tractors Chairperson: Craig Richter 320-493-8866
Celebrating 40 Years of Pioneer Days History!
RS PARADE OF TRACTON. SU & T. SA 1:30 PM
THRESHING SHOW
SEPTEMBER 12, 13, 14 2014 ALBANY, MINN.
HIGH CROP & ORCHARD TRACTORS
ALL MAKES AND MODELS
FUN FOR THE WHOLE FAM ILY!!
Gas Engine Feature: Sandwich Chairpersons:
Fezzy & Patty Hanauer 320-248-9369 or 320-249-9315 • MORE THAN 400 tractors on Display • Collector Car & Truck Displays • Over 500 Gas Engines on Display • Threshing Demonstrations • 2 Huge Stationary Steam Engines Running • Lumber Mill, Shingle Mill, & Flour Mill in Operation • Miniature Land Machines in Operation • Farm Museum • Working Models • Print Shop in Operation • Souvenir Shop • Country School in Session
• General Store Lots of items for Sale • Blacksmith Shop • Lots of Food and Snacks • Kids Activities and Play Area at the Just for Kids Building • Train Rides • Model Railroad Museum by Central MN Railroad Club • Arts & Crafts • Rug Weaving • Pioneer Displays in Ladies Building • Quilting-Tied & Stitched • Ice Cream Making
Music All Three Days!
- Old Tyme & Country in the Saloon - Bluegrass in the NEW Feature Bldg. - Country in the Flea Market Bldg. - Karaoke in Saloon Fri. & Sat. nights 9:00 p.m. - Gospel singing in the Saloon on Sun. morning - Musicians Welcome CHURCH SERVICES
Celebrating 60 year Anniversary for Polaris Snowmobiles!! Contact Al Mortenson 320-393-2542
Raffle - Sunday - 3 p.m. Located in Feature Building - LOTS OF PRIZES!!
Silent Auction - Sunday - 3 p.m. Located by Feature Building EVENTS ON THE GROUNDS • Pioneer Queen and Pioneer Princess Coronations Friday Evening 7 PM in the Saloon • Log Sawing Contest Saturday Evening 7 PM • “ALL AMERICAN WILD WEST SHOW” Sunday 11:30 AM by Wild Creek Entertainers
Friday Evening 6 p.m.
GARDEN TRACTOR PULL
CONTACT: Jeff Mortenson 320-393-3009 for more info.
FLEA MARKET Lots of dealers!
John Achmann 320-573-1996
SEWING CIRCLE IN THE PARLOR
Catholic & Ecumenical Sat. p.m., Sun. a.m.
Knitting, Crocheting, Tatting & More!
GATES OPEN: Friday, Saturday & Sunday • 7 a.m. ADMISSION: $10 per day • $18 per season pass • $20 camping donations Kids 12 and under FREE (when accompanied by an adult) Pets must be on a leash EVENT SPONSORED BY: THE STEARNS COUNTY PIONEER CLUB (a nonprofit organization)
NO GOLF CARTS OR ATV’S WILL BE ALLOWED WITHOUT PROOF OF NEED OR HANDICAP - CERTIFICATE OF INSURANCE REQUIRED FOR GENERAL INFORMATION CALL 320-845-7410
•
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Continued from PRINCESS KAY | Page 1 be a sophomore at the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities and is the daughter of Haasken and Rick Haler of Norwood Young America, Minn. “I was shocked, I was excited and I’m so ready to take on the fair and the year of my reign,” Haler said about her thoughts on the moment outgoing Princess Kay, MarJenna McWilliam, put the crown on her head. Audrey Lane of Prior Lake, representing Scott County, and Sabrina Ley of Belgrade, representing Stearns County, were MISSY MUSSMAN/ DAIRY STAR selected as runners-up. The Halers gather together aft er Jeni was crowned the 61st Princess Kay of the Gabriella Sorg of HastMilky Way on Aug. 20 at the the Minnesota State Fair Bandshell. The Halers are ings, representing Dakota pictured, from left , Rick, Victoria, Jeni, Chaneen, and Connie Helget Haasken. County, was named Miss Congeniality. Scholarships were awarded to Annie Culbertson of Pine Island, representing Olmsted County; Sarah Post of Chandler, representing Murray County; and Lane. One of Haler’s rst duties as Princess Kay of the Milky Way was to sit in the rotating cooler to have her likeness sculpted out of a 90-pound block of butter on Aug. 21, the rst day of the Minnesota State Fair. “It was so cool, both guratively and literally,” Haler said. “It was suppose to be the hottest day of the fair. All of the nalists had been watching the weather.” The butter booth experience is not uncommon for the Haler family. Haler’s mom had been a nalist in 1987, along with Jeni’s older sisters, Chaneen in 2011, and Victoria in 2012; however, Haler has made the experience her own. “It’s a very personal experience and I’ve really taken the weight on my shoulders because it’s something I wanted to pursue and I aspired to be since I was little,” Haler said. “But the support and love (from my family) has been absolutely endless.” With the Haler family’s rich history in butter and dairy, Rick is excited to have his daughter represent him and the rest of the dairy farmers of Minnesota. “It’s a “More than anything dream of mine. You couldn’t ask ant to be e true tr to I want for a nicer thing to happen. I know yself and represent repr myself she’ll do well,” MISSY MUSSMAN/ DAIRY STAR the dairy industry with said Rick, who milks 70 cows. Jeni Haler takes her rst walk as the 61st Princess “We brought her Kay of the Milky Way on Aug. 20. passion and heart.” up to do what she JENI HALER does best – hang“I think a genuine conversation is the best coning around with versation and I strive to do that with each one,” Haler people and enjoying everything she puts her heart said. into.” The message she wants to send others is simple. Connie said her daughter has qualities that will “We (dairy farmers) are passionate people who make her an excellent Princess Kay. absolutely love what we’re doing and working hard “She’s always been really charismatic and good not only to sustain a lifestyle, but help our communiwith people,” Connie said. “When she really believes ties,” Haler said. in something … she just goes for it. She puts her During the state fair, Haler is looking forward whole heart into it.” to toasting with a glass of milk during the 60th anDuring her reign, Haler hopes to talk to as many niversary celebration of the All-You-Can-Drink Milkpeople as possible about dairy. stand along with attending a few of the dairy shows throughout the 12 days of the Great Minnesota Get Together. “My heart is in the showring,” Haler said. Although the rst 12 days during her reign at the state fair will be a whirlwind, she is looking forward to the opportunity of representing Minnesota’s dairy farmers during the upcoming year. “More than anything I want to be true to myself and represent the dairy industry with passion and heart,” she said. “It’s such an honor to be in this position and I’m MISSY MUSSMAN/ DAIRY STAR truly so humbled to be a McCayla Thoe’s family and friends hold up their McCayla-on-a-stick during coro- part of this program.” nation on Aug. 20 at the Minnesota State Fair Bandshell.
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