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Partners,

While watching the monitor Wednesday afternoon, Marcus announced we were half done with harvest, acre-wise, corn and beans. Things have been rolling along relatively smoothly, bringing in the good crop. We had a 1.5 inch rain event Thursday night which has given us a much needed chance to catch up on repairs and maintenance. Yields are still staying strong--this will not be a record crop but is above trend-line. I am always thankful to have the bushels--it is much more fun to manage the bushels to sell with the challenge of pricing for a profit, as opposed to a small crop and high prices.

The ag sector is eyeing the election opportunities with apprehension. It is no secret that Hillary is no fan of ethanol and the other candidate is a real wild card in the area of policy stands. Here in Illinois we will, for the first time, have a state legislature without a active farmer. The retirement of Senator John Sullivan and Representative Don Moffit leave agriculture with no direct link to the lawmaking process. To this end Marcus is very involved locally with the representative race to afford us a relationship link to state agricultural representation. Only a month left to go to see what all outcomes are. The state of Illinois politics has become the muse of the nation.

Our families kept busy during the rain delay. Saturday was an opportunity to help with the restoration of the Bushnell train depot. The community is coming together to restore the building to a community event center. Marcus and family are walking in a parade today in support of Norrine Hammond, our local state representative. We would encourage everyone to vote for the candidate of your choice and support whoever gets elected.

Fall prices:

Corn 3.11

Soybeans 9.44

 

Steve

 

 

Harvest has begun!

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Partners,

It really began a little over 2 weeks ago with the acre of pumpkins we are raising for the Boy Scouts in Macomb. It is a lot of work to hand pick several hundred and load them onto trailers to get to sales spots! We had lots of good help along the way and there should be plenty of jack-o-lanterns this Halloween. We started on corn two weeks ago today with our non-gmo field as to not risk contamination by regular trained hybrids. And just this past Thursday started beans by harvesting our seed beans we raise for Becks. So far harvest is progressing smoothly with just few minor startup hiccups. Yields of all crops are above average.

The big news in agriculture is the sale of Monsanto to Bayer. This follows the Chem-China acquisition of Syngenta this past summer. As this global economy continues to consolidate we seem to have fewer choices of suppliers as we march forward. Most of our fertilizer options are limited to 3-4 global players. Seed supply has 3-4 trait suppliers. Herbicide options are the same way. Equipment manufacturers are down to 3 major players worldwide. And the choices of markets for us to market to are dwindling all the time. This is the world as we know it!

Family is busy with school back in full swing. Alison is studying hard and playing lots of volleyball. Phyllis is helping out with childcare, office responsibilities, and field work as needed. All things are easier as weather continues to be relatively clear allowing for bit more relaxed harvest situation.

Prices today at Havana(river terminal)

Corn--3.11

SB--9.44

Keep in touch--remember there is an extra seat in the combine!

Steve

All Done

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Partners,

Finished corn last Wednesday - done with harvest on October 14th! We think this is the earliest to ever finish, which is so fitting to follow the earliest ever planting finish date of May 2nd. We started harvest on the 14th of September and completed on the 14th of October; take out 4 Sundays (we did work one half Sunday doing beans) and the one and a half rain days on September 18th and 19th, and that means we averaged 120 acres a day with the combine. We did not handle as many bushels as last year, but overall yields were average - especially considering the wet weather of June. We feel blessed to have such bounty.

We appreciate all the great harvest help: Wayne, Charlie, Derek, Ryan, Mitch, Jordyn, Chuck, John, Dave, Grandpa, Aaron. 

We also appreciate all the combine riders to help keep the operators alert and on task: Oma, Opa, Finley, Abbott, Judah, Justin, Anne, Dustin, Lindsay, Tina, Zack, Truett.

Thanks again for your trust in us, your help in the work we do, and the part you play in production agriculture.

Steve, Phyllis, Marcus

The Last Acre II

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Partners,

Weather has permitted harvest to roll along very quickly these lasts three weeks.

We finished soybeans Wednesday night and took a picture of the combine in the same area the planter was when we talked about planting the last acre in the spring--how fitting!

Soybean yields were good considering the weather, although the excess rains in June really did damage, especially on the flat fields without drainage (tile).

Corn harvest is half done and the corn is dry enough now that we can turn the dryer off and direct bin the rest of the crop - this will go fast. Yields are respectable, but again the excess rain really held back the low areas of the fields with poor drainage.

Overall, it's an average year. We are thankful for the great harvest weather, the great harvest crew, and the opportunity to work with this awesome creation - God has provided us with an opportunity to feed the world!

New crop prices:

Corn 3.67

Soybeans 8.54

Please don't hesitate to call or comment or like our post!

Steve

(Photo Credit: Most of the photos on this post were provided by harvest crew members Ryan & Baylee Derham. Thanks!)