Partners & Friends,

Harvest has begun. We have used two windows, just like last spring, to harvest about 450 acres of corn. We tried beans one day but moisture was over 16%. The yields so far have been good. Right at trendline, even though the crop was stressed by poor planting conditions and then nine weeks of very little rainfall, and solar minimum thrown in the mix too. We should be right around trendline yields for corn which will be fine, given all we have been thru. Early bean yields from other farmers have been surprisingly above and below expectations.The jury is still out on the late June planted corn and beans—they are not finishing well and we will soon get a frost. Thank goodness the cold weather waited as long as it did!

Equipment is running well as can be expected for its age. It has been several years since we ran a combine into its sixth season so a few breakdowns are expected. Our crew is getting used to the pace and routine of Hess Family Farm. We have six high school and college helpers this fall. We first harvested our non-GMO corn and are shipping it now for fall delivery. There are some challenges harvesting the fields with replant spots where the moisture is still over 35%. Over half our beans are now ready so it looks like next week will be a good harvest window for them.

Politics are getting more heated. I wish we would concentrate on the business of running this country and taking care of the constituents and less time on personal attacks. Our local FSA office is dealing with computer issues, poor and late communication concerning government program implementation, and constantly changing rules. The WASDE reports have come under great suspicion with the acres and yields reported when it seems so obvious that all that info is so readily available it should be cut and dried. In Illinois we are feeling the effects of an increased tax burden, especially motor fuels and liscence registrations.

All kids and grandkids are back in school. We took Ali to Chicago and she started class this past Tuesday. Good to be back into routines again and see everyone studying hard and learning so excitedly.

Fall Prices:

Corn 3.71

Soybeans 8.75

Keep in touch!

Steve