5 Months

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Partners & Friends,

We completed soybean replanting this past week. We have now planted soybeans in five different months this year—a new planting window for us. About half of our March-planted beans are thriving; the other half had to be replanted. Modern soybean production wisdom says one of the easiest ways to increase yields is to plant early. Some years that strategy doesn't work out so well, but in the years it does, the payoff in bushels can be significant. We'll continue pushing the envelope in search of higher production and will be happy to share what we learn along the way.

We sprayed our first-planted corn field with fungicide, and now that all the corn is tasseling, we'll follow suit on the remaining acres. With the high humidity and greenhouse-like growing conditions, there is already discussion of making two fungicide applications this year to help keep plant diseases at bay. A late first cutting of grass hay has been completed, and the second cutting from our new alfalfa seeding is in the barn. There is plenty of mowing to do along roadsides and waterways, as all the rain has really encouraged the waterhemp. We have also cleaned out the last bean bin and shipped the final load of the 2025 crop to Havana. With summer already half over, we've started trimming our special project list because there simply isn't enough time—or labor—to get everything done.

Some of the 45Z rules have finally been announced. The omission of book-and-claim is a huge disappointment for farms like ours. Because we farm using regenerative, lower-input practices, we will not be able to qualify for low-CI credits. A recent study by the National Corn Growers Association also found that Brazil pays substantially lower prices for some of the same chemicals and crop protection products that we use. Add in the on-again, off-again trade negotiations and ongoing conflicts around the world, and it's creating plenty of volatility in both energy and input markets.

The State Fair is only a month away, and school isn't far behind. We're trying to squeeze in a few days away before harvest is upon us.

Fall Prices:
Corn — $4.36
Soybeans — $11.63

Reach out with any questions or comments. Stay cool and enjoy the rest of your summer!

Steve

Wet

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Partners & Friends,

We are having quite a wet spell—over 3 inches of rain in the last four days. And more rain is forecast for five straight days starting Wednesday this week. Some bottom ground will not have a crop this year. Otherwise, the crop is looking great and growing rapidly with all the moisture and warmth. We have been able to spray in brief spurts between showers. We barely achieved coverage across all the corn acres and are about 50% complete with the second pass on soybeans.

We are making slow progress resettling our main shop after the remodel over the past few months. There is one more load of beans to haul to Havana. We are getting the mowers out and trying to spray fencerows, although the crop is growing so rapidly that we won’t be able to reach all the places we had hoped. We are servicing the planting equipment before putting it away and are already beginning preparations for harvest.

Fuel and fertilizer markets have settled somewhat, but the real question now is availability. Sulfur will probably be in short supply since a significant portion comes through the Strait of Hormuz. Fuel prices are lower but have not returned to pre-war levels. We are still waiting for 45Z guidance to determine what the rules will be. We are really hoping for book-and-claim treatment on low-CI crop credits. Our bill to eliminate Eminent Domain authority for CO₂ pipelines in Illinois did not get called for a vote. It also appears we are in for electric rate increases. 🫤 So far, no data centers have been proposed for McDonough County. 🙂

Goat show season is in full bloom. Summer camps are happening every week. The FFA Convention was a great event—my first time back in 25 years.

Fall Prices:
Corn — $4.13
Soybeans — $11.11

Celebrate and appreciate our country's 250th anniversary!

Steve

Interns

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Pennycress Harvest

Partners & Friends,

Once again this summer, we have an intern spending a few weeks here at Hess Family Farm. Cadence Monson, a senior from Washington State, has been experiencing the many tasks involved in operating a Midwestern corn and soybean farm. Her family raises wheat on the rolling Palouse hills. We appreciate her vigor and get-it-done attitude. We are always looking for intern team members who want to experience farm life and explore whether it might be a future career path.

The crops are growing fast. We are wrapping up post-emergence corn herbicide applications. First-crop hay is in the barn. NH₃ side-dressing is complete. Planting equipment cleanup is mostly finished, and we are beginning to tackle some summer projects. We also checked in on a neighbor's pennycress harvest. We are down to shipping the last few loads of soybeans. A good rain would sure be welcome.

Phyllis's knee is healing nicely—there's almost no limp in her stride. We celebrated a first birthday in Milwaukee last weekend. Our oldest granddaughter visited and worked for a week (kind of like an intern 🙂). We also took in a couple of Little League games and decorated graves for Memorial Day.

Fall Prices:
Corn — $4.19
Soybeans — $11.04

Steve

Seed Beans

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Partners & Friends,

We received a quarter inch of rain just a few hours after finishing corn and soybean planting. Temperatures are finally rising, along with Growing Degree Days, so crop emergence prospects are looking good! There is a chance of rain in the forecast for each of the next 12 days…not great news for haying prospects. 🙁

Spraying behind the planters is complete. We have replanted about 300 acres of soybeans due to poor emergence and frost damage. The team has put in some big days to get everything ready before this rain delay.

This year, more than two-thirds of our soybean production is dedicated to raising seed beans for Beck's Hybrids. Seed production requires extra management and close attention to detail. The planter must be thoroughly cleaned between varieties. Each seed field must be specifically identified and recorded. The seed receives special treatments to protect against disease. Spray applications are documented, and only approved chemicals may be used.

Before harvest, bins must be cleaned. Harvest can begin only after receiving field-by-field clearance from the seed company representative. The combine, trucks, grain carts, and wagons are cleaned between varieties. We try to match bin capacities with expected yields, but sometimes we overestimate or underestimate. That can leave unused bin space or excess production that must be delivered through regular market channels with no premium. There is a lot of management and attention to detail involved, and if harvest moisture isn’t just right, the payoff can be small. With last year’s crop, only about 30% of our production was actually called. High risk—just like farming overall. 🙂

The China visit was a real letdown in terms of trade agreements. E15 legislation in Congress is not progressing as it should. Politics seem to seep into many parts of our lives.

The school year is coming to a close. Our two oldest granddaughters are home from college for the summer. Little League season has begun. Goat show season is in full swing. And I hear the Chicago Cubs are leading their division!

Fall Prices:
Corn: $4.60
Soybeans: $11.38

Soak up summer!

Steve

Blue and Gold

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Partners & Friends,

This past Saturday was our Bushnell–Prairie City FFA chapter banquet. Blue blood runs deep in our family. Grandpa Harvey Doll and Grandpa Charles were both FFA members back in their high school days. I participated in FFA all four years of high school and married the chapter sweetheart.❤️ Phyllis tried to join her junior year, but the high school principal wouldn’t allow girls in FFA back then.🙁 This year, and last, all the chapter officers are female. 😀

Marcus served as Greenhand President, Chapter President, and Illinois State Star Farmer. Marcus, Stephani, and Steve all earned American Farmer Degrees. Now the next generation is carrying it forward, using their leadership abilities and taking full advantage of the opportunities FFA provides. Finley is serving as Greenhand President. Harper was installed as Chapter Vice President last week…52 years after I held the same office. And our local ag teacher, Steve Seargant, has retired after a teaching career that helped launch several vocational agriculture teachers. FFA has developed many leaders, statesmen, stateswomen, engaged citizens, teachers, and agricultural business and production professionals.

We have not planted any crops over the last two weeks due to wet conditions. Instead, we’ve been finishing repair and maintenance projects, shipping more corn, seeding waterways and completing yard projects, spraying all ground intended for beans, and taking delivery of the last of our seed. The soil profile is full of moisture, and at the next dry weather window we are ready to roll at full speed with corn and soybean planting.

Fuel and fertilizer prices remain very elevated. Commodity markets aren’t paying much attention to the Iranian war. The drought in Florida still hasn’t broken. Here in Illinois, we’re still holding out hope for new estate tax legislation and an end to eminent domain authority for CO₂ pipelines during this legislative session.

As we look ahead to planting, here are a couple of short videos worth watching on soybeans, frost concerns, and tillage vs. minimal tillage:

Soybean & Frost Considerations
https://youtube.com/shorts/JeHw2M730Z4

Tillage vs. Minimal Tillage
https://youtube.com/shorts/STMw8r73gko

FFA chapter banquet is now behind us. Track season is in full swing. Lindsay and family made a trip to Florida to celebrate Prisca. Goat show season is heating up.

Fall Prices:
Corn: $4.39
Soybeans: $11.19

Steve