Livestock

Livestock has been a lifeblood of Midwest agriculture since settlement began. Here in McDonough County the Doll and Hess families have always had some sort of "mortgage lifter/cash flow supplier" to diversify the farming operation and utilize some of the less productive cropping ground involved in the farming operation.

The Doll family has had livestock on the homestead that Phyllis and I live on since it was begun in 1869. Mainly a cattle operation known for their fat cattle, the farm has also been home to swine, sheep and chickens. Tales of "pigville" and chicken butchering and spring calving run deep in the history of this family farm.  We are reminded that a farming operation diversified can develop many synergies to make it even stronger and more sustainable.

My side of the family have been dairy farmers since before coming to this country four generations ago.  Once in the United States, the Hesses had ventures in Wisconsin, then Peoria County, then in the McDonough County area. Life in our family has been centered around chores for many generations. When we sold our milking herd three years ago we were the last commercial dairy in the county. Just this past week after attending the Fulton County Fair, Alison expressed that she does miss showing dairy cattle.

After the sale of the milking herd, we began custom feeding heifers until this past January. Then we started up again last week when we got in 48 new heifers with more expected to arrive soon, so our barns are filling up again. There's something in our blood that compels us to continue raising animals and watching God's creation grow. We are also feeding 25 chickens that will start supplying eggs soon. Along with the cats and dogs there is always something new and lovable here at Hess Family Farm.

We're getting weary of all the weather talk. Here on our farm we have recorded somewhere in the neighbor hood of 25 inches of rain since May 1. Keep in mind, normal for the entire year is around 36. These last couple of weeks provided a welcome respite from precipitation. We were able to get our beans sprayed with fungicide (lots of disease arising with all the moisture and humidity) and we are able to mow roadsides and waterways to combat the ever growing grass and weeds. We finished emptying our bins a couple of weeks ago and are working on maintenance projects and vacations and readying equipment for the upcoming harvest.

We flew over our fields this past week to survey what the growing crop looks like. It appears our multiple nitrogen application strategy is helping with all the nitrogen loss due to the excess water (see previous blog post by Marcus). Our sweet corn crop is looking good which is usually a indication of what the field corn will be like. The bean fields are really showing the effects of too much water in the low places. The weather in August will determine the bean potential. Both crops are damaged by the water excess. We also have about 45-50 acres that are drowned out and totally lost due to flooding.

The ag economy is concerned by lots of government entanglement. The Renewable Fuel Standards released this past week were not supportive for corn usage. The EPA's Water Of The United States (WOTUS) proposed rules could be interpreted as government control of private property. Here in Illinois the new governor's attempt to improve the business climate seems to be going nowhere. Business as usual will not sustain us in the future. We must be nimble and quick to adapt to the challenges coming our way constantly.

Family is doing well. I just celebrated a birthday divisible by 10. Phyllis and Alison made it a special day! Lindsay and Keith have announced they are due next February and Alison is spending a week in Virginia on a work mission trip. Hard to believe less than month to the end of summer and school starting!

Fall bids:

Corn 3.73

Beans 9.70

Enjoy whats left of the summer!

Steve