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