Black Pipe

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Partners & Friends,

Over the years you have heard us talk about the value of underground drainage tiling on the acres we farm. Ever since Charles purchased our first tiling machine—the Buckeye 301—in 1974, this farm has owned a machine to install tile. I put myself through college with that first trencher. After the first machine there was a Speicher 600, and now we have our current Soil Max Tile Plow. Over the years we have installed many miles of black plastic perforated pipe. Last spring was another example of the advantages of pattern tiled fields. Those fields that have complete systems installed were ready to plant sooner, soil conditions were excellent, there was no replant, and our highest yields were obtained there.

Included in the pictures in this post are a couple from Nauvoo, Illinois, that drive for Timewell Drainage, our tile supplier. This couple delivered tile to us from Kentucky! We accumulated tile all summer long because of supply problems last year after harvest. Last year we usually waited about 10 days after ordering to get tile delivered—this year we get it the next day. I point this out because a lot of these supply issues that we are now experiencing will be resolved. The companies and vendors that are going to survive will figure out how to fill the gaps and reap big long-term benefits from it. This company increased their capacity 40% in a year's time and are proving to be reliable suppliers. Others are following suit. And with prices much higher than a year ago, I would assume they are keeping margins in fine shape.

We are putting tile in the ground as fast as possible with the labor force we have. If the weather holds out we hope to install tile on over 300 acres this fall and that much again next year. We are also delivering non-GMO corn in our allotted window and coring the centers of the bins for grain quality purposes. Lots of tasks being put aside for now.

In the world, the EPA announced some resolution to the Renewable Fuel Standards yesterday—looks like it will help stabilize corn demand for now. Brazil’s bean crop is off to a great start with timely planting and sufficient rainfall. This time of year is uneventful in grain marketing. Input prices are looking to stay very strong into 2022. Some supply problems are looming with chemicals.

This is a great time of year to soak up the celebration of our Savior's birth. Attended the Chosen Christmas special last week (download the app if you haven't already). Time for Christmas programs and get-togethers with family and friends to help us appreciate all we are blessed with. Phyllis’ eye is slowly healing from this third surgery, the most painful yet. Prayers appreciated. The farm team Christmas party was a fun time—we appreciate our crew!

Current Prices:

Corn 5.84

Soybeans 12.49

Enjoy this blessed season and keep in touch!

Steve

Finish Line

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Partners & Friends,

We finished up the last corn field Wednesday, November 3rd, about 9:30pm. On the last day, Oma (Wilma) came to the field to ride with her grandson, and got to help complete harvest on land she and Charles had purchased 58 years ago. It is a good feeling to be done with the combine for the time being. Now on to all the peripheral stuff that involves a lot of details to complete. NH3 application, field mowing, equipment washing, truck maintenance, fall burndown spraying, and tiling projects, to name a few. We are still plenty busy but the late nites have dissipated. We welcome the time change as it gives us more early light to get chores done and projects underway. We are giving thanks for the good yields that held thru the entire harvest season--probably our second or third best corn and bean yields ever. We will need some office time now to get analyses and summaries completed. We are facing parts availability issues on a couple of pieces of equipment, and it does appear there might be some supply problems for fertilizer next spring. We are so glad we did the bin site upgrade this year--the storage and time savings really paid off. We are monitoring the corn/soybean price ratio for this next year's crop to determine profitability for next year’s crop mix. As of now we plan on keeping our 50/50 corn/soybean rotation.

Farmer sentiment is waning as prices are sliding and there is so much uncertainty where the federal government is taking us for taxes and infrastructure. Planning is becoming difficult . Brazil is planting record bean acres at a very good pace. Livestock issues worldwide are causing concern for soybean usage and meal supplies. Ethanol production is at record levels and oil is surging higher. Seems like a perfect storm for something?

Family great! Phyllis is healing after her second retina surgery. Looks like she will have restricted activities for 2-4 more weeks. UChicago Family Weekend was interesting and well attended. Harper gave a great devotional at chapel this week. Getting thanksgiving plans organized--lots to give thanks for!

Prices currently:

Corn 5.48

Soybeans 11.92

Stay safe & keep in touch - appreciate any and all comments!

Steve

Heat of the Battle

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Partners & Friends,

Sometimes harvest feels like we are in a war with the standing crops and each day we go see what we can conquer. In the middle of harvest sometimes it seems we are making little progress and then suddenly we realize we are much further along than we thought. As I have referred to before this fall, the stalk quality of the corn is very poor. We are dealing with downed corn stalk problems that we haven't seen in over ten years. The warm and dry weather has caused the corn to dry down very rapidly (which is good for saving on drying costs) but harvesting is getting to be a struggle; Monday we spent the better part of the day working through 40 acres. We did deal with a combine tire problem that day too, but usually we can easily harvest 100 acres a day.

But enough whining! Our new cornhead is a real lifesaver and really glides through the downed corn and picks up a vast majority of it. Also the crop is a good one--both corn and beans! Marcus keeps reminding us that despite all the challenges the crop is good! And the crew we have in place is really doing a great job of filling in gaps. We really appreciate all of them!

Commodity prices are sideways to steady for harvest--looking like we will see some strength in the future. It does appear that Brazil is planting beans at a record pace and more acres than ever. We are trying to lock in some inputs for next year and the nitrogen for corn seems to be the most challenging. Some chemicals are going to be hard to source, mainly because the suppliers cannot get plastic containers to put the chemicals in.

Family updates: We made a trip to the apple butter festival in Missouri last weekend. Harper took a position as a 4-H officer. Phyllis is recovering from retina surgery. A beloved Uhman uncle - the oldest surviving sibling - passed away this week.

Fall Prices:

Corn 5.26

Soybeans 11.92


Keep in touch!

Steve

Moving Along

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Partners & Friends,


Harvest is progressing rapidly with the dry weather. We are 75% complete with beans and 30% finished with corn harvest. The remaining beans are losing moisture and leaves rapidly--it is a struggle to keep up. The early planted corn is mostly down around 15%, so we can put it directly into the bins without drying. Things will move quickly now if the weather cooperates. We received over an inch of rain this past weekend and there are some light showers predicted at different times this week. The weather probably is not the best for bean harvest but we hope to keep attacking the corn. The poor stalk strength is causing more downed corn each day. A windstorm would really wreak havoc. We have an excellent crew this fall--a total of 8 part-time college and high school students. Phyllis and Shanna are on parts runs and Shanna is heading up meal detail--no one is losing weight this fall! Our red combine is performing well but we are having a few struggles with the new corn head. Still dealing with the replacement generator at the corn handling site but not delaying harvest.


Prices are in the harvest doldrums. Corn yields seem to be a bit below expectations and that is supporting the corn market somewhat. It seems the late August rains did help the beans, and yields there are doing well--at or above expectations. I think the majority of farmers are not in favor of the $3.5 trillion Build Back Better bill being debated in Congress. We are facing supply issues with parts and crop inputs. The world is different!


New goats on the ground! Time to make cider. Harvest celebration will be October 30th, 2-10pm at Marcus and Shanna’s shop: bounce house, kids’ activities, the local favorite band The Rockin’ Papas play 5-8pm. Plenty of food and fun for all!


Prices:

Corn 5.27

Soybeans 12.09


Keep in Touch,

Steve


We Have Begun

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Partners & Friends,

Harvest has started in earnest. We have completed 230 acres of corn and 25 acres of soybeans. Early yields are good; above average. Moisture for the corn ranged from 19-23%. Beans were around 11% on Monday night when we got started at dusk. The ground is very dry right now; the 1/2 inch we received last night was very welcome. We intend to seed rye for a cover crop on about half of our corn acres going to beans next year. The new-to-us combine is operating great and it’s so fun to watch a machine adjust on the go to different crop conditions. We have commented about how amazed those who have farmed before us would be to sit in the cab of one of these machines and see the harvest capacity and all the data we are collecting! We added another CDL driver this week with Ryan passing his driving portion of his exam. Congratulations, Ryan! Our driver capacity is definitely improving this fall. Another WIU student is scheduled to take his test next week. The new wet bin has given us increased capacity and we are able to do a lot of drying when we are rained out (like we are today) and when we switch over to beans. The plan has come together! Riders are welcome!

The global economy is putting pressure on commodity markets. Beans look to threats from good Brazilian seeding weather, good yields, reduced port shipping capacity due to the hurricane, and the fact they are a least-cost planting option next year. Input prices for this next year are climbing fast. The extra margin from higher corn and bean prices has evaporated. Some chemical inputs will be unavailable next year and parts and equipment are getting hard to source.

Family is great. We took a quick trip to St Louis last week for baby-holding and volleyball. Ali went back to Chicago for her senior year. Schoolwork is keeping most grandkids occupied.

Fall Prices:

Corn 5.07

Soybeans 12.27


Keep in touch! Questions and comments welcomed.

Steve