Good Start

/

Partners & Friends,

Just got rained out today after a couple of days planting. We have over 400 acres of beans in the ground and about 200 acres of corn. Soil conditions were perfect with the long, warm, dry period we just experienced. Research the last several years has shown early bean planting can really boost yields, and that the soybean seed can withstand more adverse conditions than corn. Ideally we would like to plant all the beans the second week of April and corn the third week.

Elsewhere we are doing tile repairs (never-ending), plumbing a fire department tanker repurposed to sprayer tender, surface drainage projects, building repair, bin site remodeling, show pig procurement and housing, and some job realignment. We also have our first calf of the season--a nice heifer! We are also wrapping up some grain shipments of corn and beans and cleaning out the barns from the winter accumulation. There seems to be some extra fertilizer going in some fields around here (not ours) which indicates some more corn acres. Lots of new iron coming out of the neighbors’ sheds this spring too.

Farmers are trying to do everything possible to capitalize on the higher commodity prices this year--extra fertilizer, early planting, higher yield potential seed. The latest stimulus bill really did little for the farm community unless you are a disadvantaged farmer. The last scheduled CFAP payments are due any day now but are minuscule compared to last year's relief package. China seems really hungry for corn and soy for their food needs—but are being very tight lipped about the actual Asian Swine Flu that is sweeping through the hog population there again.

Family is heading for the home stretch for this spring schooling. Ali is in her last quarter of her junior year. Trinity school kids are headed for summer vacation starting around Memorial Day. Homeschool bunch is aiming for the same summer vacation. We have another grand child due on the 4th of July. :)


Fall Prices--

Corn--4.68

Soybeans--12.63


Keep in touch and enjoy this beautiful spring green-up!

Steve

Vibrant Teammate

/

Friends and Partners,

We are deeply saddened to pass along that one of our valued team members has passed away. On Friday, March 5, Renee McGrew was transporting a load of grain for a neighbor in his semi truck and trailer. The truck left the road and flipped onto its side. The crash was fatal.

Renee had proven herself to be a very capable teammate here at Hess Family Farm. She was leading our data analysis collection, payroll services, equipment maintenance oversight, technology data collection, grain contract management and trucking organization. There was not a piece of our equipment she could not capably handle--including planting, spraying and combining.

After working here for a time she would make mention that maybe there are a few redeeming features of red tractors and Ford trucks. She loved any kind of livestock work and was quite an accomplished horse woman. She oversaw bottle calf chores here on a few occasions. While here she helped train numerous rookies for tractor operations. She was a friend to all and earned respect from all for her work ethic. There were no tasks she wouldn't undertake although some were not on her most favored list.

She studied and practiced hard to earn her CDL last August. Thanks in part to Ryan's assistance she overcame apprehension and successfully drove the course! She also had become an accomplished hunter and if ever under attack you would want her on your side. She had a generous nature but wasn't afraid to call out misdeeds and mistakes and character flaws. We joked many times how fortunate she was to be on a family farm with “Walnut Grove Dirt" as opposed to some of the Fulton County fields we cover. She loved her family deeply and knew the meaning of the McGrew family reputation.

Renee leaves us with a big gap operation-wise. In a review this past week we had just gone over all the tasks she was responsible for—and then heaped a few more on her plate as she was undertaking more management roles. Our entire family is going to feel deep loss for some time. She was like a granddaughter to me and a daughter to Marcus. We look forward to the day we can meet again to share some good farm stories and see that twinkle in her bright brown eyes and that beautiful smile.

Renee’s Obituary

Steve

Meeting Season

/

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

/

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

/

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