Meeting Season

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Friends and Partners,

We just finished a week of several meetings: Beck's PFR, Precision Planting, TEPAP, Conservis, seed dealers, chemical dealers, Compeer Financial. However, only twp were face to face meetings! We have definitely learned to adapt and stay distanced and apart (but we do not require masks in our office). We also encourage handshakes. When we designed our office, who would've ever thought we would be using our conference room watching a TV screen for business? We are also constantly listening to podcasts and trying to stay abreast of the ever changing political landscape and up to date on programs for small business relief. All this while also marketing in a seasonally unprecedented commodity market. We are also working on updating equipment to stay on top of the latest technology to be better able to plant and harvest a higher quality crop. This is not whining (which old men are prone to do) but just a reflection on how there is no slow season on the farm in this environment.

Few quick points we heard past few weeks

--China will pass the US economy in 2-5 years

--Grain Marketing plans have been setback 5 years

--Minimum wage rise will push consolidation at every level

--US has the most efficient ag production in the world

--De-urbanization happening rapidly

--Technology has accelerated by 5 years

--21st Century will be defined by Biology

--Soil and water health are gonna be emphasized in this decade

--There is no such thing as back to normal

--TINA-there is no alternative

New leader in the White House along with a new Secretary of Agriculture. The leaning of the people in power is definitely toward green energy and less fossil fuel usage. On the farm we are looking toward carbon credits and how we can keep our operation more sustainable with cover crops. Illinois has a new House majority leader for the first time in about 30 years.

The family is all back in school and doing well. We are enjoying the mild winter and the lack of snow and extreme cold we are accustomed to here in Illinois. Not too many opportunities for sledding and ice skating. Our Christmas get together was one of trading Covid stories and reflecting on past pandemics.

New crop prices--

Corn--4.10

SB--11.16


Stay safe and keep in touch. We appreciate any and all questions and feedback.

Best,

Steve

Tis the Season

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Partners and Friends,

We are supposed to be winding down with outside work this time of year but the weather is making it hard to work inside! Last week had some record high temperatures and the rain over the weekend only amounted to about 3/4 inch which is allowing us to keep moving forward with outside projects. We tiled last week until we ran out of tile (now restocked) and the big push now is putting a new water line in to Marcus house. The subsoil is very dry and the topsoil is not too muddy. There is talk of LaNina for next year (reduced rain anomaly) but spring is a long way off. We have completed all fall NH3 applications and have worked some compacted and rough spots in fields. The forecast is for no rain in the next 2 weeks so we may still be going at Christmas. The Bushnell light parade was a week ago and Renee and Josh dressed up the white semi to participate. There were around 25 entrants in this fun event and both sides of downtown Bushnell’s Main Street were parked full. No Santa and hot chocolate this year but it was good to get out and see neighbors and friends. The office is busy this month with lots of year end activities and preparation and planning for 2021.

Markets are still strong as we digest the China buying and reduced yields in the crop reports and the weather reports from Brazil. Agriculture is yawning at President Elect Biden's pick of Tom Villshack for Ag Secretary. The longer term shipping capacity worldwide and the weather at the ports are causing some logistical problems and China seems to be jerking neck collars world wide.

What a fun ride these next 4 years will be seeing how the new president stands against unfair trade practices and how we try to police the world. We will see how much is accomplished in the first 100 days. The Georgia senate race is such a huge factor in how much change we will see during this next administration.

Family all well now. Phyllis and I tested positive for COVID-19 about 4 weeks ago. She fared much better than I did. School is coming to an end for fall semester and we are welcoming Christmas break. I hope to have family together for a joyous Christmas celebration.

Merry Christmas to you all. Keep in touch and celebrate the real reason for the season: The birth of our Lord and Savior. Be sure to appreciate all the blessings you have been granted.


Current prices

Corn--4.33

SB--11.87

Best,

Steve

Winding Down

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Friends and Partners,


We finished harvest the Monday night before the election. We completed the last 80 acres with the core harvest team: Phyllis, Renee, Marcus, Hayden and me. It was a good day. Weather has been dry and clear since then. Started NH3 application the next day. Got the VT disc in operation to incorporate the cover crop seed on the last harvested corn acres. Put the ripper to use on a few tiled spots to smooth out from last spring and while the ground is dry and firm take out some areas of compaction. Shipping November contracted corn and beans. Cleaning up and going over harvest equipment for storage.


It has been very interesting to observe the market reaction to the election. Many think we will return to the old ways of giving whatever it takes to get trade deals . Some think the government will subsidize agriculture even more. Looks like we will get back into the WHO and Climate Accord and pony up money for them. In Illinois we did defeat the progressive tax proposal (thank goodness). And we took one chink out of Madigan's armor by not retaining Kilbride as a Supreme court judge. There will be many fronts to keep an eye on for proposed changes in the law that will affect agriculture-I will try to let you know how they will affect our farm.


Phyllis was election judge with full body armor-mask and face shield. I was a poll watcher for a few hours election morning. What a group of dedicated citizens that work at the polling places! Our region of Illinois is back to phase 3 level covid response. We are losing local businesses that cannot survive under the rules forced onto them. Staying flexible and nimble is the only way to survive all of this. And we have to remember to be anxious in nothing and not live in fear!


Crop prices

Corn--3.89

SB--10.77

An Apple a Day

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Friends and Partners,

Last week on Sunday we had the opportunity to squeeze some fresh apple cider. We had lots of good help picking apples from 2 trees our generous neighbors offered to us. In the end this was our second cider day. In total this year we have enjoyed about 20 gallons of fresh juice. We are hoping the tradition lives on into the next generation as we learned it from the one before us.

Harvest has been held up with wet weather. Beans were complete as of a week ago and down to about 500 acres of corn (mostly non-gmo). Harvest is seeing very variable yields in corn and soybeans. Good quality, well-drained soils seeded early are the best yielders! Some of the lesser class soils really took a hit with the hot dry weather in late August and early September. We are thankful for every member of the harvest crew!!!

Election 10 days away--who knows the outcome?? Never thought prices could rally into harvest this year--what a curve ball for the marketing plan!!

Family all healthy for now--this school year is one for the books!

Fall Prices

Corn--4.17

SB--10.91 

First Fruits!

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Partners and Friends,

Harvest has begun! We picked around 600 acres of corn in the past week. Yields are variable and tile paid off big time this year! We are finding that the fields in which we have installed tile are producing significantly larger yields than those without tile. The moisture is still high-between 22% to 26% . The stalk strength is a bit concerning and the ears detach very easily when the stalk is jarred. We are working to keep the dryer running this week and began bean harvest today. From what we have heard so far, the bean yields are looking good! Considering the fact that there is no rain in the forecast for the next 2 weeks we believe harvest will progress very rapidly. The harvest crew attended the fall safety meeting (socially distanced, of course!) and we look forward to some enjoyable time in the field. We are still finishing up some summer projects but overall the beginning days of harvest are going as smooth as can be expected. We always welcome visits, please contact us if you would like to get involved!

The agriculture economy is in a state of flux with China at the moment. There is a lot of importation of agricultural products at the moment. The derecho in Iowa a few weeks ago has affected may farmers, did not end up reducing the corn crop. The stimulus wrangling in DC is causing concerns for overall recovery of the economy and as farmers we are trying to adjust to new paradigms in the food system. Many of these changes are here to stay. These tremendous adjustments in the economy are going to become the new normal.

The family is doing well! School is in full swing, as much as it can be due to the constantly changing protocols regarding the virus. Thankfully, Phyllis’ shoulder is healing remarkably well after her surgery. 

Fall prices

Corn--3.67

SB--10.34

Stay safe and keep in touch! Let us know how you are adopting to all this change!

Prayers and thoughts,

Steve