January 2003
In
this issue:
It's
Good Horse Sense to Ride into Peterson's in February
A Look Back: Farming's Important Role in the History of North Branch
Understanding Your Horse's Nutritional Needs
It's Good Horse Sense to Ride into Peterson's in February
From
foaling to fertile pastures, Peterson's has the items, information and
equipment you need for a gainful year.
The spotlight is on equine during February at Peterson’s Country Mill. We are packing the month full of events, education and savings to help you prepare for rewarding and fun-filled adventures with your horses as the year unfolds.
Save
on Select Purina Brand Feeds
It’s time to stock up on your favorite brand of select Purina Mills
horse feeds. Throughout the month of February, save 10% on Equine Junior,
Equine Senior and Strategy. Also, check out the everyday values we have
in store on our Big Branch and Big Branch Ultra private-label horse feeds.
Trade
in Your Tack
Equine Month kicks off with Peterson’s semiannual Tack Swap on February
1. This is your chance to make room in the tack shed for saddles, bridles,
harnesses and hardware that you’ll want to have this spring. You’ll
also meet fellow horse owners, trainers and breeders who will be trading
their wares and hosting exhibits throughout the day.
Learn
More About Mares in Foal
If you have a mare in foal, or are considering having any of your mares
bred this spring, then you won’t want to miss the informative lecture
presented by Sunrise Veterinary Services on Thursday, February 6, from
6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Take advantage of free advice that can save you
costly fees and heartbreak by learning essential health maintenance and
loss-prevention techniques.
Attend
Equine Education Day
Equine Month at Peterson’s Country Mill culminates with a full day
of educational activities that are both informative and entertaining.
Equine experts from area veterinary clinics will be on hand to answer
questions on disease prevention, feeding, foaling and vaccinations. A
Peterson’s Country Mill staff member will share ideas on weed control
in pastures. Christine Johnson from Purina Mills will discuss a complete
nutritional program for high-performing horses as well as for horses in
their senior years. In addition, we’ll have our superior line of
Behlen stalls and Sioux brand equipment on display for your perusal. Check
out these and other Equine Education Day events printed on the opposite
side of this newsletter.
A Look Back: Farming's Important Role in the History of North Branch
Following
is part of a series of vignettes
illustrating the history of Peterson's
Country Mill. The National Park Service
helped to provide this information.
To many of the early residents of North Branch, farming was more than
the means of earning a living; it was a way of life and raising a family.
Their diligent effort produced an abundance of wheat, which kept the North
Branch Milling Company operating 24 hours a day to keep up with the demand
for its “Model Home Flour.” Along with the steady volume of
wheat production came the problem of soil exhaustion. A local saying cautioned
“Rye after rye, and you’ll have bread ‘til you die;
but wheat after wheat and you’ll have nothing to eat.” Rye
and potatoes eventually replaced wheat as cash crops. Farmers harvested
from 150 to 300 bushels of potatoes per acre, which required six warehouses
for storage. North Branch was touted to be the “Hub of the Potato
Belt.” Between August 1 and January 11, 1912, as many as 527 train
carloads of potatoes, with an estimated value of $300,000, were shipped
from North Branch via the Northern Pacific railroad.
Before the availability of commercial fertilizers, farmers ran into the same problems of soil exhaustion with potatoes as they had with wheat. Forward-looking farmers invested some of their potato profits in building up dairy herds. Creameries had begun to emerge in the 1890s. The Rush City Co-op, established in 1907, became the area’s first successful dairy enterprise. By 1920, several cooperative creameries were in operation. Meanwhile, many farmers were taking an interest in diversifying and rotating their crops and, thus, began growing oats, corn and barley as well as potatoes.
Stop
in and see the great everyday values that we have in store for you at
Peterson's Country Mill including these featured items.
Announcing: Expanded Line of Royal Canin Pet Foods
Excel and Natural Blend deliver complete nutrition, excellent digestibility and outstanding taste in a perfectly balanced diet for your cat or dog.
Save 10% on Select Purina Brand Horse Feeds
Throughout February, save 10% on famous Purina horse feeds including Equine Junior, Equine Senior and Strategy.
Post-Holiday Clearance
Stock up for next year with discounts of up to 40% off a wide assortment of seasonal gifts, ornaments, decorative items and more!
Understanding Your Horse's Nutritional Needs
The
right mixture of grain and good quality forage are essential to a healthy
horse’s diet. Age, activity, environment and physical condition
are all factors that affect the amount of grain and the percentage of
protein, fiber and fat that your horses should receive.
Peterson’s has been providing quality nutrition to horses and livestock for more than 40 years. All of our feeds, whether distributed or specially mixed, must meet our high standards before we will sell them to our customers.
Joe Messer, a long-time Peterson’s associate, is experienced in assisting customers with finding the right combination of ingredients to help their horses remain healthy and strong. Says Joe, “Good nutrition is a gradual process. Any change to a horse’s diet should be introduced over the course of a week or more and generally should not increase by more than a pound per day.” Peterson’s Big Branch, with 11% protein, and Big Branch Ultra, with 14% protein, are examples of horse feeds that distinguish between maintenance and higher-performance animals. Nutritionally balanced, Big Branch is affordably priced at less than $6 per 50 lb. bag, and Big Branch Ultra is only slightly higher.
Peterson’s will also custom grind mixtures specifically formulated to your horse’s individual needs. Peterson’s will custom grind in quantities ranging from 500 lbs and higher, making it convenient for the owners of one or many horses to specify their own formulas.
Peterson’s invests a great deal of care in providing well-balanced nutrition in all of our feeds. Our customers demand high quality and they know that Peterson’s delivers.
Peterson's
Event Preview:
Equine Education Day, February 22
9
a.m.
Pasture Management
presented by Joe Messer, Peterson’s Country Mill
10
a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
Equine Nutrition and How it Affects Diseases
presented by Ed Bennette, Hubbard Feeds
11:30
a.m.
Understanding West Nile Virus
presented by Sunrise Veterinary Services
1 p.m.
Performance Horse Nutrition
presented by Christine Johnson, Purina Mills
2 p.m.
Shaping a Hoof
presented by Pat SchroederAll Day
Behlen Stalls and Sioux Brand Equipment
on display in our back yardAll Day
Networking
with trainers, breeders and fellow horse ownersAll Day
Extra Savings
on select horse feeds and supplements
Peterson’s Country Mill is looking for a few neighborly friends to help us plan and promote upcoming exhibits, displays and events. The primary objective of this group is to gain insight into the wants, needs and interests of our community and clientele. We ask that our focus-group volunteers come prepared to share ideas, memories and opinions while having a good time at our monthly meetings. We’re looking for a variety of people to join us; people who are new to the community as well as long-time residents. This is a great way to get in touch with your creative side while you collaborate with colleagues and friends. We promise to keep topics light, cups filled and meetings brief. If you would like to know more about joining Peterson’s focus group, please complete the information and check the appropriate box on the subscription form below. Bring the form with you on your next visit to the Mill, or e-mail us at info@pnbmill.com
Peterson’s
Tack Swap
8 am - 6 pm, Saturday,
February 1
Lecture:
Mares in Foal—
Their Special Needs
by Sunrise Vet Services,
6:30 - 7:30 pm
Thursday, February 6
Winter
Fest
Weekend of February 8 - 9
Equine
Education Day
8 am - 6 pm,
Saturday February 22
Lecture:
Vaccines—Cheap Insurance
by Sunrise Vet Services,
6:30 - 7:30 pm
Thursday, March 13
Crop
Protection Show
Saturday, March 29
Peterson’s
Open House
Thursday, April 3 -
Sunday April 6