Farm Forward

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Partners & Friends,

Yesterday I attended a farm meeting at an operation similar to ours, Strom Family Farm in Knox County. I really appreciate the transparency they shared regarding the results of this past season’s on-farm trials.

What Worked:

  • Low population soybeans

  • High population corn

  • Generic fungicide

  • Applying ½ rate P in a band

  • Applying Holganix 800 as close to planting as possible

What Didn’t Work:

  • Green Lightning

  • Skipping fungicide

There was also a good ag economic report from Jim Wiesemeyer and former trader Tommy Grisafi:

  • Lots of disruption in DC (not that we didn’t need it 😬)

  • Crop insurance subsidies are the new Farm Bill

  • This downturn is likely to last a few more years

  • We’ve entered a new era where government support will be part of the farm income puzzle, like it or not

There was a lot of good, open sharing of thoughts and ideas for the future.

Back on Hess Family Farm, we are shipping grain, maintaining equipment, finishing the last NH₃ application, and finalizing crop input details, along with wrapping up the last few farm meetings. 😏 Most of the utility work for the shop update is complete.

We need to make crop insurance decisions by the end of next week. We’re taking delivery of seed and chemicals and finalizing written plans for spring operations. We’ve also received some very nice rain over the past few days, helping replenish soil moisture.

It is now nearly impossible to get pricing for side-dress NH₃. Fuel prices are up about 20% (fortunately we did secure some laid-in and booked inventory), and as energy prices rise, corn and soybean prices are following, although not at the same pace.

We are still waiting for 45Z guidance—hoping for book-and-claim. 🙏 Meanwhile, since FSA is reorganizing its software programs, we cannot proceed with farm reconstitutions or some farm program details. So much uncertainty!

Family life is busy. Volleyball and basketball seasons are complete, one more gymnastics competition remains, and FFA judging season is in full swing. Ali has moved into a new place in Asheville, and we squeezed in a brief visit to Hidden River before Phyllis’s knee surgery next week. Wisconsin is eagerly anticipating the end of snow season and the beginning of baseball and soccer season.

Fall Prices:
Corn — $4.50
Soybeans — $11.12

Comments and likes are welcome! 🤩

Steve