BENTON AG
tars S
Plus
Serving rural Benton, Morrison, Mille Lacs and Kanabec counties
Sauk Rapids Herald | Saturday, June 17, 2023
Pets, pickups “Trixie! Trixeeeee!” Our border collie was missing, and panic was digging his nails into my chest. The evening had started out so nicely. It was one of those RUMINATIONS rare times where we WITH MARY were semi-caught up with the fieldwork, the MARY BARRON-TRAUT chores and milking were done, and we were enjoying a moment of relaxation. My step-granddaughter-to-be had brought her horse to the farm. While she brushed and curried him, my husband, son, friend and I lounged on the lawn in the shadow of our son’s pickup truck, watching and conversing with her. It was a rare instance of idleness, and Trixie rotated among us, soaking up as many rubs and scratches as she could. Soon, the horse was saddled, and it was time for a ride. We had several four-wheelers parked near us, so we decided to follow the horse and ride on the all-terrain vehicles. My husband and son hopped on one together, so they could discuss the crops; I took another, and our friend took his. We rode south of the farm into a freshly baled field of alfalfa and sat for a bit talking. Our friend decided to head home. I followed the others for a bit more and then realized Trixie was nowhere to be seen. She would typically run alongside our ATVs. I quickly rode back to the farmyard calling her name. I drove all over the yard, stopped and checked the house, and finally jumped into a pickup. I thought maybe she had followed our friend home because he didn’t live far away. After driving through his neighborhood, I went to his home. No luck; he hadn’t seen her. In the meantime, my son was using an ATV to search the pasture across the road from the farmyard. When we met up, he said he hadn’t seen her either. It was then I had an idea. I drove our truck back to the yard where we had been lounging an hour earlier. I parked behind my son’s pickup, walked to the passenger door and opened it.
Ruminations page 3B
ONLY 1 LEFT!
in the ring
Smieja raises cows for show BY TIFFANY KLAPHAKE STAFF WRITER
Karla Smieja showed her first calf in 4-H when she was 9 years old. Now, 39 years later, she is still showing cows. “4-H was really important to me because I didn’t know anything about showing when I started and started with nothing,” Smieja said. “I started showing, got bit by the bug and have loved it ever since.” Smieja starts her day at 6 a.m. when she gets up and heads to the barn. “It’s fun to come out here in the morning and milk two pretty cows,” Smieja said. “I know I need to have a real job to make ends meet, so I will always have that.” Currently, Smieja owns eight animals – two milking cows and six heifers – at her Little Falls farm, Starlight Acres. All of her animals are registered, and all the heifers and cows are for show. On average, Smieja and her animals attend four shows each year:
PHOTO SUBMITTED
Karla Smieja (from left), Jacob Schaefer and Quentin Scott stand next to their cows after a show. The mother and son trio attend, on average, four shows a year to exhibit the dairy animals of Starlight Acres in Little Falls. Minnesota Holstein Association State Show, District 8 Holstein Show, Minnesota State Fair and World Dairy Expo. Her two sons, Jacob Schaefer and Quentin Scott, assist with preparing and showing the animals of Starlight Acres. Quentin, an engineer in the Twin Cities metro area, comes home as often as needed, and Jacob, a senior at South Dakota State University, is home every summer. “I love having my boys involved,” Smieja said. “I’m so glad the boys
enjoy it as much as I do.” Smieja’s love of animals started at an early age. She grew up on a dairy farm near Cushing, milking registered Ayrshires. When she asked if she could show cows at the county fair, she said her parents did not know anything about the industry but said they would support her. Smieja maintains a herd of Red and White Holsteins and Ayrshires. “We will always have at least one Ayrshire around here because that is what I grew up with,”
Smieja said. “I lost my dad when I was young, so I do it as a tribute to him. Smieja’s affinity for the farm continued after college. She bought a dairy farm with her then husband and maintained a full-time job in town while her husband worked on the dairy. When the couple divorced, she kept the farm, downsized and turned it into a haven for her beloved bovine.
Smieja page 3B
ON THE LOT Stop in and see Rod!
NEW
Tar River No-Till Drill SAYA-507 Call for Pricing
NEW Kuhn Mower Conditioners
2 other sizes on the lot as well! 1960-2023 Celebrating 63 years!
MANY SIZES OF TEDDERS AND WHEEL RAKES TO CHOOSE FROM
FLUEGGE’S AG Farm Material Handling Specialist
ROD FLUEGGE “the boss”
2040 Mahogany St., Mora, MN 320-679-2981 BA-24-1B-BL