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Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds

Mini trees Cupcakes

To make this recipe, I used a box mix (haven’t found a homemade recipe that tastes any better than the box, so why make it so hard) :). Then I just put the batter into mini cupcake liners placed in a regular cupcake tin, so they probably expanded wider than a normal mini cupcake tin. That wasn’t intentional, I just didn’t have the right tin.

To decorate mini trees, load frosting in a piping bag and use a star tip. (Confession- I also didn’t have any piping bags on hand. So I used a quart Ziploc back and poked a small hole in the corner for the tip to go through. Worked just fine : ) ) Start on the outside “ring” of the cupcake and work your way in, layering higher until you’ve reached a tree shape. The secret is in the consistency of your frosting. Frosting from a can is not stiff enough to layer, so if you’ve attempted shaping with that type of icing before and it eventually “melted” into a pile, that’s why. Then add sprinkles of your choice and be proud of your mini tree creation!

Gary Geske

December 18, 2013

Desserts, General, Recipes
Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds

Sukups Celebrate 50 Years of Family Traditions

Charles Sukup has served since 1995 as president of the company his father, Eugene, founded. Charles’ younger brother, Steve, also is an engineer and serves as vice president of Sukup Manufacturing, Inc.

Sukup Manufacturing started in 1963. Charles Sukup was just nine years old at the time, but he was already involved in the family business.

“I grew up learning how to weld, cut metal and do lathe work,” recalls Charles. “I worked in the electrical department, poured cement, assembled parts and did drafting work. The drafting I learned through Industrial Arts in high school was really helpful.”

4-H also played a key role in helping Charles pursue interests that helped lead to career success. He said, “The 4-H program definitely helped develop my leadership skills. Serving as an officer taught me how to plan meetings and then conduct them according to Roberts Rules of Orders. Through 4-H, I also learned how to work with people of all personalities and ages.”

Charles said 4-H projects gave him the opportunity to try new things. “You always say you should do this or you want to try that, but there’s nothing like a 4-H County Fair deadline to make you get it done! It may be the night before, but it gets done!” says Charles with a smile.

Projects areas in which Charles enrolled included Hogs, Sheep, Photography, Citizenship, Forestry and Welding. Woodworking was one of his favorite 4-H project areas. Charles fondly remembers spending time in his grandpa’s shop where he made a number of wooden candlestick holders. Some of those candlesticks were 3 or 4 feet tall made from walnut logs and formed with a lathe.

“4-H really reinforced those values we grew up with,” said Charles. “I always enjoyed going to the club picnic potluck and touring farms to see everyone’s livestock projects.”

4-H also played a key role in helping the Sukups pursue interests that helped lead to career success. Pictured from left to right are Charles and Mary Beth with their three children, Jonathan, Andrew and Elizabeth

The Sukup family raised hogs and sheep when Charles and his brother, Steve, were 4-H members. Their father, Eugene, had a goal of improving his breeding stock to produce a larger pork loin. At that time, the average pork loin was 2 inches. Seven inches is the average-sized loin now, but today’s hogs are also a third bigger. Farmers in those days were penalized for hogs weighing over 220 pounds; today’s market hogs average just under 300 pounds.

While many things like production practices have changed over the years, one constant has been the 4-H awards program. Charles was honored to be selected to attend National 4-H Congress for Citizenship. He had been a page for the Iowa Legislature and participated in the 4-H Citizenship Washington, D.C. Focus (CWF) conference. Years later he was honored to be asked to chaperone the CWF trip when his youngest son, Jonathan, attended.

Like their father, two of Charles’ children were members of the West Fork Winners 4-H Club. Their grandfather, Eugene, was also a member of the West Fork Winners which, during both Eugene and Charles’ years, was only a boys’ club. The club disbanded for a few years but was reinstated as a co-ed club in time for the third generation to become members.

Sukup’s 50th Anniversary Cookbook offers a collection of recipes from the Sukup family, employees and dealers for $12 each. To order, call 641-892-4222 or email info@sukup.com.

“Our kids are so different, but 4-H allowed them to pursue their interests,” says Charles. “It also provided us with quality family time as Mary and I both helped them in different ways.”

Charles’ wife, Mary, belonged to 4-H when she was growing up in Cerro Gordo County. Before they were married, she taught Home Economics and Art. Her interest in these areas sparked her children to take related 4-H projects. One of their shared interests was participating in the “Promote Your Commodities” competition, which is now called “Dish This!” to promote Iowa-grown products.

In celebration of the commodities they’ve grown – and in appreciation for the farmers whom they still serve – today the Sukup family is sharing one of their favorite recipes with us. Calico Beans are a “fix it and forget it” dish, perfect for holiday potlucks and family gatherings.

Team Latham

December 13, 2013

Beef, General, Recipes, Sides
Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds

Lanehaven Farms Strives to Sustain Resources for Generations to Come

December brings back fond childhood memories of sleigh rides across the snow-covered farm fields in Northwest Iowa for Sally Hollis of Lanehaven Farms. Her grandfather was a corn and soybean grower, who enjoyed raising Belgian and Percheron horses as a hobby.

“While I grew up with some farming background, I definitely would not have guessed I would be a farmer when I graduated from high school,” said Sally, who earned a degree in Mechanical Engineering from Iowa State University and an MBA from the University of Northern Iowa. She worked the past 15 years for Deere & Company in a variety of roles in Operations, Supply Management, Quality and Systems/Processes. Her most recent role was Business Unit Manager for the Cab Operations at Waterloo’s Tractor, Cab & Assembly Operations.

Sally took an official leave of absence last year from Deere & Company. Today she puts her engineering background and John Deere experience to work on their family farm, sharing her knowledge of operations, systems and management. She’s standardizing processes and leading a large project to switch accounting systems effective January 1. She also works on landlord relations, human resources and website maintenance.

Meanwhile, Blake and his father have day-to-day responsibilities for the crop and hog operations. They take care of the marketing, equipment purchases, insurance, customer relations and community relations.

“I am learning so many new things about agriculture that I find extremely interesting and exciting. I cherish the wonderful opportunity I have to work with my family on a daily basis,” says Sally, whose husband, Blake, is the third generation to operate Lanehaven Farms.

Blake’s grandfather, Gordon Hollis, started the farm in 1947 as a dairy and crop operation. Because the home farm has a long lane and he thought of it as a place of refuge, Gorden name it Lanehaven.

One reason Lavehaven Farms has been successful for more than 65 years and through three generations is because the Hollis family embraces leading edge practices while standardizing processes and focusing on continuous improvement. One example of their stewardship and progressiveness is the first denitrifying bioreactor that was installed last month.

“We work to passionately protect and sustain resources for future generations,” says Sally.

“That’s how my husband’s grandparents and then his parents operated it. Now we are focused on what we must do for our business to remain strong for the next generation. We will strive for business excellence today and quickly adopt future technologies, processes and businesses to continue to improve the business for years to come.”

Sally and Blake are the proud parents of two sons, 12-year-old Thatcher and 10-year-old Chase. Both boys enjoy sports, music, farming and spending time with their friends. They also compete on a FIRST Lego League/robotics team, which their mom has coached for the past three years. In fact, their Lego League team is competing this weekend in the regional qualifier.

“None of us get to where we are without having been recipients of others generosity such as our parents, teachers, mentors, friends, and others,” says Sally. “Because of the generosity I have received from others, I feel part of my purpose in life is to be generous and help others.” In addition to Lego League, Sally is active in a number of community organizations. She serves on the Waterloo School Foundation Board and as an advisor on the McElroy Trust. She and her husband also active in their church as small group leaders and marriage mentors.

In her free time, Sally enjoys spending time with family and friends, exercising and cooking. Today she is sharing one of her favorite pork recipes, which comes from a cookbook developed by a committee on which she served for the area Junior League. Lanehaven Farms has produced pork for more than 40 years, so today’s recipe is a fitting way to promote the product they raise. Spice up the holiday season with Pesto Pork Chops!

Team Latham

December 6, 2013

General, Pork, Recipes
Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds

Celebrating Pork Month with Sausage & Squash Soup

Landon Aldinger is joining his father, Mike, in the family business. Precision Farming Inc. sells Latham® seed and offers Seed-2-Soil® services.

It’s pigskin season and October pork month, which is a fitting time for the Aldinger family of Iowa Falls in North Central Iowa to celebrate the homecoming of their son, Landon.

Landon’s interest in farming began as a young boy and continued as he attended Iowa State University and earned a bachelor’s degree in Ag Engineering. He then moved to Minneapolis and has served as a Senior Design Engineer at Toro Compan for the past seven years.

Landon has continued to come home and assist his father, Mike, during the planting and harvest seasons. Now he will play a more active role in the farming business, as well as partner with his father to sell Latham® seed and to place seed products.

“We’ve been planting Latham seed products on our farm for nearly 40 years,” says Mike Aldinger, who began selling Latham® brand products in 1977 while his father operated a fertilizer and chemical retail business. “Landon is very familiar with the broad offerings available to our farmer customers. Plus, he has first-hand experience with the products as he has farmed his own ground for the past three years.”

The father-son team has become increasing involved with Latham Hi‑Tech’s hallmark Seed-2-Soil® program over the past three years. They say it’s a great tool to help compile yield history, as well as to implement variable rate planting and foliar feeding.

“With Landon’s passion for engineering and new technology, he is excited to begin working in this area and is eager to introduce others to the tools available through the Seed-2-Soil program,” says Mike. “Together we hope to help our Precision Farm Inc. customers make even more informed management decisions that will increase their profit per acre!”

To learn more about the Aldingers, click here. Their family motto is “Work hard, play hard and eat well.” Mike’s wife, Donna, is known for making delicious and wholesome meals. Today this pork-producing family is sharing a recipe that’s sure to help you warm up during these cool fall temperatures. I, for one, am eager to try this recipe for Squash and Sausage Soup. In fact, it’s on the menu for lunch tomorrow!

Team Latham

October 25, 2013

General, Pork, Recipes, Sides
Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds

4-H Teaches Youth Lessons Beyond the Show Ring

October is National 4-H Month. Thanks to Jenny Dewey Rohrich, one of America’s leading #agvocates, for sharing her story with us here on TheFieldPosition.com.

It’s National 4-H Month. That’s why I, Jenny Dewey Rohrich, am celebrating!

As a loyal 4-H member, I pledge my head to clearer thinking, my heart to greater loyalty, my hands to larger service, my health to better living for my club, my community, my country, and my world.

Although I was a 4-H member many years ago now, I still remember the pledge by heart. I guess saying it for 9 years once a month does that to you. I became a 4-H member at nine years old and remained in 4-H until I graduated high school. I know animal projects tend to take the spotlight when you talk about 4-H and people outside of the program just think it’s a program to raise animals, show them, and sell them at your local fair. Let me tell you 4-H is so much more than that…

Team Latham

October 18, 2013

Beef, General, Recipes
Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds

Franklin County Family Raises Winning Pork
Pictured, from left to right, are Corey and Kim Jacobson with their sons: Caleb, Matthew and Ben Jacobsen. Also pictured are representatives from the Iowa Machine Shed: Roger Johnson, Executive Chef; Steve Britton, general manager; and Cat Wood, executive team member.

Iowa leads the nation in pork production, so today we’re paying tribute to National Pork Month by honoring a Latham® seed bean grower whose family has a proud tradition of raising quality pork.

Corey Jacobsen was raised on a Century Farm in Franklin County where his parents, Doug and Carolyn, still reside. Today Corey and his wife, Kim, farm between Dows and Alexander where they raise corn, soybeans and custom finish hogs. Their three kids help on the family farm and also raise show pigs.

“Raising livestock teaches them day-to-day responsibility that many other activities can’t provide. They learn that it takes teamwork to be successful and to accomplish what needs to be done. Pork is truly is a family project that we all enjoy.”

The Jacobsen family attends several livestock shows annually including: the Iowa State Fair, Ak-Sar-Ben, World Pork Expo, National Barrow Show, Sioux Empire in South Dakota, Iowa State University’s Block & Bridle, as well as numerous county and state 4-H and FFA shows. It’s no wonder this family enjoy fairs and exhibitions so much as Corey and Kim met 28 years ago at the Franklin County Fair.

“We asked our oldest son, Ben, if he wanted to continue participating in so many shows,” says Kim, who grew up on a farm south of Coulter. “Ben was quick to reply, ‘Yes! It’s like tailgating with your family and friends for days.’”

What could be better than a days-long tailgate? Try celebrating a major victory with family and friends! Ben had the honor of showing the Reserve Champion FFA Market Hog at the 2013 Iowa State Fair. His prize-winning pork sold for $27,500 during the Sale of Champions. The Machine Shed, ADM Alliance Nutrition/ShowTec, APC, Inc., and Newsham Choice Genetics with support from Morgan Genetics, Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds, Woolstock Equipment, Mike Fischer and $14,300 in local support from the Citizens of Clarion, Iowa.

Ben, a high school senior, has been active in the Clarion-Goldfield FFA and serves as sentinel. He is also a member of the school’s basketball and golf teams. His youngest brother, Caleb, loves playing video games, swimming and tubing. Matt loves anything music. He plays guitar, violin, ukulele, piano and saxophone. He also enjoys wrestling and showing pigs.

Ben and Matt have been very active showing pigs at county, state and national shows. Caleb will join them once he’s older. “Through 4-H, our boys have learned skills they use on the farm also such as welding, woodworking, small engines, along with the communication and record keeping,” says Kim. They belong to a club called Wright County P.I.G (pork interest group) that has led them on many educational tours to learn more about the livestock and agricultural industry.”

A love of farming has been passed down through the generations. Corey is the fourth generation to farm in Franklin County and his family has been raising seed beans for Latham ever since he can remember. Corey started growing seed beans in 1986 when he rented his first farm.

“I appreciate the opportunity to raise Latham seed beans because most years we get access to newer genetics a year earlier than if we raised soybeans just commercially,” says Corey. “I like seeing what’s new in the lineup. It’s fun visiting with everybody in the fall when we deliver beans to the plant. Plus, it’s nice to know we can pick up the phone or stop by the office whenever we have questions about production or want to get their input.”

When they can take a break, the Jacobsen family enjoys boating, tubing, golfing and cheering on the Clones! Speaking of Iowa State football, today the Jacobsens are sharing a family favorite tailgating recipe. Celebrate National Pork Month while preparing to cheer on your favorite team this weekend with Sausage and Cheese Wraps, or slow down on Sunday with Pork Chops and Mushroom Gravy.

Chops with Mushroom Gravy

COOK’S NOTE: This recipe is also delicious when serving chicken in place of pork chops. The gravy is wonderful over mashed potatoes or you can serve it with rice. Enjoy!

Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup flour
- 1 to 2 tsp paprika
- 1½ tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp pepper
- 6-8 boneless pork loin chops (1 inch thick)
- 1/4 cup butter
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 1/2 cup chopped green pepper
- 1 can (4 oz) mushroom stems and pieces, drained
- 2 cups milk
- 2 T lemon juice
Directions:
- In a large, resealable plastic bag, combine the first four ingredients.
- Add pork chops, one at a time, and toss to coat.
- Set remaining flour mixture aside.
- In a large skillet, sauté chops in butter until golden brown; transfer to a greased 9 x 13 inch baking dish.
- In the same skillet, sauté the onion, green pepper and mushrooms till tender. Stir in reserved flour mixture; gradually add mild until blended.
- Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened.
- Remove from heat; stir in lemon juice. Pour over chops.
- Cover and bake at 350° for 50-60 minutes or until pork chops no longer pink.
Team Latham

October 4, 2013

General, Pork, Recipes
Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds

Weekend Entertainment is “Easy as Pie”
Why settle for ordinary when you can enjoy an extraordinary weekend?

Join us, September 27-29, for the grand opening of Enchanted Acres in Sheffield, Iowa! Have a blast firing our new pumpkin cannon. Treat yourself at our new Snack Shack. Spice up your Saturday with an “Easy as Pie” baking class.

“Octoberfest” begins this weekend in Sheffield, Iowa, with fun and games for kids of all ages including:

Saturday, Sept. 28
- 10 am and 1 pm classes on Pumpkin Pie Baking by Cathy Carlson of Cathy’s Country Cook’n, Hampton
- 10 am to 1 pm – Train Rides on the GBO Railroad
- 11 am to 1 pm – Face painting by Pamela Warwick
- 1 pm to 3 pm – Pedal Tractor Pull
- BBQ Sandwiches served from 11 am to 6 pm by Wholly Smoke of Dows
Sunday, Sept. 28, from 2 to 4 pm
- Pumpkin Painting Class by Pamela Warwick
- Wine Tasting by Ridge Stone
- Texas-Style Music Jam by Don Wrolson and friends
Pick your own pumpkins from the 20-plus varieties grown on site. Take a walk through the woods and take time to smell the wildflowers. Play on the tire swings… Let your inner child out! Relax and unwind as you experience some carefree country moments with your family.

At Enchanted Acres, we’re looking forward to hosting regular Friday Family Fun Nights including Pizza in the Patch on Oct. 4 and Pet Costume Night on Oct. 18. Throughout the fall we are planning craft workshops including glitter pumpkins, mod podge pumpkins, and of course, pumpkin carving. Visit our website for a schedule of events.

There are literally 31+ reasons to celebrate the month of October. October is National (insert something wonderful here) month including:
- National Chili Month
- National Cookie Month
- National Pizza Festival Month
- National Pasta Month
- National Pork Month
October is also National Apple Month and National Pumpkin Month, so today I’m linking to some of my favorite tried and true seasonal recipes:
Buy your baking apples and pie pumpkins this weekend at Enchanted Acres, located just two miles east of I-35 in rural Sheffield. Just look for the enormous enchanted pumpkin and magical red barn on the south side of the road. Visit EnchantedAcresIowa.com for directions and more details, and remember to “like” us on Facebook!
Team Latham

September 27, 2013

Desserts, General, Recipes
Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds

Winding Road Leads to Home
Aaron Wenger is proud to be the fifth generation to live on this century farm just southeast of Elgin, nestled in between the beautiful rolling hills of northeast Iowa. But, he took the most unusual road to get home.

As a child of a career military officer, Aaron spent his childhood moving from place to place. His two brothers and he moved all over the nation, living in a total of eight different states. One constant was spending summers in Fayette County, Iowa, where he stayed in his grandmother’s large farmhouse and helped his uncles farm. Helping with farm work gave him a sense of accomplishment at the end of the day and connected him to the land and the people here.

That’s why, after graduating from Tipton Rosemark Academy in Memphis, Tennesee, Aaron knew he was going to make his way to the Midwest. He accepted a partial football scholarship at Southeast Missouri State in Cape Girardeau, where he played linebacker.

“I really enjoyed playing football,” says Aaron. “As an athlete, I liked competing. I liked challenging myself physically and mentally.”

Aaron loved belonging to the team and the experience of college football, but he felt the urge to look toward the future and decided to transfer to Iowa State University (ISU) in Ames. Friends and cousins were attending ISU already, so adjusting to a new college was pretty easy for Aaron.

After graduating in December 2008 with a bachelor’s degree in Ag Studies, Aaron worked for a farmer in Central Iowa for two years. He used this time to build connections in Fayette County and plan a transition to his grandparents’ farm.

Aaron’s uncle was willing to help him begin farming. Aaron provided labor on his uncle’s farm in exchange for the use of his uncle’s equipment. An agreement was also reached with his Grandma Wenger to move into her farmhouse, which allowed Aaron and his wife, Kali (Kay-lee) to start making that house their home put putting their own touches inside.

There have been a few changes since Aaron and Kali were married in December 2010. Aaron’s grandmother now enjoys living in town. Aaron and Kali are adjusting to parenthood as their son, Broc, will soon be 8 months old. Also this spring, they decided to build a hog building to diversify their operation and spread out the risk of farming.

It had been 30 years since pork had been produced on the Wenger farm, so it took a great deal of work to get ready for the first group of pigs. Aaron built a new wean-to-finish barn. When many Iowa farmers were concentrating on getting spring field work and their crops planted, Aaron was juggling a workload that also included disinfecting buildings before his second group of hogs arrived.

Fortunately, Aaron has the support of his wife. Kali, a native of Parkersburg, Iowa, grew up on a dairy farm. Her grandpa started milking and her dad operated the dairy until 1997 when he entered the hog business.

“Raising hogs was a family effort,” says Kali. “We worked together. My parents made working fun, and it certainly helped all of us kids develop a strong work ethic.”

After graduating from high school, Kali earned an associate’s degree in child development from Hawkeye Community College in Waterloo. She then transferred to Upper Iowa University in Des Moines where she completed a bachelor’s degree in early childhood education. Now she puts her background and experience to work as the preschool director and teacher of the 4- and 5-year olds at Valley of Elgin.

Aaron and Kali are looking forward to raising their children on the farm where they can gain an appreciation of caring for the land, nurturing crops and growing food to help feed the world. They’re proud to make their home in Elgin, the little Switzerland of Iowa, where the hills are alive with the sounds of bawling calves, snorting pigs and powerful tractors. It’s where roots run deep and friendships are formed.

It was Aaron’s friendship with corn product specialist / regional sales manager Nick Benson that drew him to Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds. “Nick spoke very highly of Latham’s diverse product offerings and explained how the family-owned, independent company can draw best genetics and traits from the industry. After seeing my yield results after the first year, and then watching how well Latham® products performed during the drought, I didn’t have any reason to look anywhere else. I like the idea of supporting a family-owned business. Plus, Nick takes the time to place products on a field-by-field basis for me. I couldn’t ask for better service.”

Today the Wengers are sharing a couple of their family favorite recipes. These ham balls are perfect for fall tailgates, whether they’re enjoyed outside the football stadium or inside a farm field during the harvest season. These meatballs can be made ahead of time and freeze well. Mix up a batch for supper, followed by Cherry Crunch for dessert!

Cherry Crunch

Ingredients:
- 2 cups Bisquick®
- 2/3 cups sugar
- ¾ tsp. cinnamon
- 1 egg
- 1/3 cup softened butter (not melted)
- 1 can cherry pie filling
Directions:
1. Mix all ingredients, except the pie filling, with a fork.
2. Pat 2/3 of the dough in the bottom of a greased pie pan.
3. Spread pie pilling.
4. Crumble remaining dough over filling.
5. Bake at 400° for approximately 25 minutes.
Team Latham

September 20, 2013

Desserts, General, Pork, Recipes
Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds

Tips for Throwing a Spirited Tailgate
‘Tis the night before the Iowa-Iowa State football game
and all through the state…
Folks are prepping beef roasts, pork loins, dips and desserts
for their parking lot tailgates.

Saturday is the annual Cy-Hawk football game, a time when Iowans gather together for a day of fun and games. It’s time to round up the ladder golf and bean bag toss; mix up some dip and grab an extra bag of chips. Kickoff is 5 p.m. in Ames, so there will be plenty of time for tailgating.

Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds wanted to extend the fun, so today we’re hosting a companywide tailgate in Alexander. We’re grilling brats and burgers for lunch. But the main attraction, in my humble opinion (IMHO), is the buffet line. Each Latham Team member will bring an appetizer, side dish or dessert.

While trying to decide what to make and share at today’s tailgate lunch, I searched The Field Position. Talk about choices! From appetizers to entrees and dessert, we cover it all on The Field Position. Here’s my list of Top 10 Tailgating Recipes:
I ended up “punting” and ordered decorated sugar cookies for today’s event. My neighbor makes the best homemade buttercream frosting, plus she’s a master decorator. I will admit that my conscience got the best of me, so I ordered a few cookies decorated in Hawkeye colors. “Few” is the operative word. Of course, there are far more cookies decorated in Cardinal and Gold. (Insert devilish grin here.)

Let the smack talk begin! Before anyone wants to take a crack at my Clones, just keep these stats in mind:
- Iowa State Football has won 9 of the last 15 meetings with Iowa.
- Iowa State is 9-6 against Iowa since ending its 15-year losing streak in 1998
- Iowa State is 8-6 against current U of I Coach Kirk Ferentz
Whether you’ll be watching the game from your living room, a parking lot or inside the stadium, have fun! Then remember to tune into the Cyclone Radio Network following the game for the Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds Locker Room Show and commentary by analysts, players and coaches.
Team Latham

September 13, 2013

General, Recipes, Sides
Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds

Baling Business Allows Brothers to All Farm

The Wittrock Family

There’s no need to sound a dinner bell. Somehow, when Ruth Wittrock of Paullina pulls a fresh batch of Oatmeal Bars from the oven, her family members and neighbors know to call. Her husband and sons say her cooking is their secret to keeping their customers happy.

This Northwest Iowa family operates a baling business within a 40-mile radius around their business. Gordon and his three sons, Tracy, Tim and Terry, began Wittrock Baling in 2003 by purchasing equipment from a neighbor. That neighbor had operated a custom baling business for 16 years, so there was an existing book of business. The Wittrocks began with a customer base of 40 and, over the past decade, have grown their business to 120 customers.

Photos courtesy of Terry Wittrock

“Buying the baling business was a really good opportunity for us,” says Gordon. “All three of our sons were interested in farming. It’s a bit unique that all of our boys wanted to farm, so we wanted to find a way to make it work. We weren’t farming enough acres for everyone to make a living, so we needed to look for additional income. Baling has allowed each of our boys to pursue their passion for farming.”

Terry Wittrock appreciates the beauty of Iowa’s countryside as he custom harvests hays

From April through November, the Wittrocks are busy cutting alfalfa, baling grass, chopping silage and baling cornstalks. There’s no down time during the baling season, so the winter months are spent buying/selling equipment and making repairs. They also raise their own corn and soybean crops, so it’s important that every piece of equipment is ready to go once the fields are fit to enter in the spring.

The Wittrocks go directly from spring planting to first crop alfalfa. Depending on the growing conditions, they may put up four hay crops for their customers before corn and soybean harvest begins. Once those crops are harvested, it’s time to bale the corn stalks.

Operating with such efficiency takes a great deal of teamwork. Tim and Terry line up the jobs. Terry does most of the cutting, however, everyone does whatever is needed to get the jobs done in a timely fashion. The days and hours can be long and demanding, especially when the weather is against them.

Over the years, they’ve upgraded equipment and added additional lines of machinery to handle the demand. They started cutting and baling with a John Deere 4240 and used a John Deere 4010, without a cab, for raking. Now they all use newer equipment. They have a John Deere R450 windrower. They use their John Deere 7930 and 7530 tractors to pull their two, new 569 balers. They use a John Deere 7810 to pull a new 27-wheel Rouse rake that will rake 47 feet.

“We like the bigger rake for greater speed and efficiency,” says Tim. “We also like the rubber mounted teeth for low maintenance.”

Not only has equipment technology changed, but alfalfa seed has advanced. This spring the Wittrocks planted Genuity® Roundup Ready® Alfalfa from Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds. This particular alfalfa stands up to heavy traffic. It produces a large, deep set crown with high root and crown carbohydrate reserves to allow for aggressive regrowth and winter hardiness. These features, combined with an outstanding disease package and resistance to Roundup Ready herbicide, make this an ideal choice for those in search of high quality, weed control, and high yield under an aggressive schedule.

“You wouldn’t have believed what a weedy mess this field was in early spring! Then we made one pass with Roundup and it made a night and day difference,” says Gordon. “Not only was the field weed-free but the first crop on new seeding was extremely high yielding. LH 455TQ RR produced 20 large square bales off 13 acres. It’s leafy and fine-stemmed, just the way cows like it. We couldn’t be happier.”

On second thought, Gordon might be happier if he was eating an oatmeal bar while admiring his alfalfa crop. Try a batch at home and see if you can bake your family happy!

Team Latham

September 6, 2013

General, Recipes, Sides