Planting Progress
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Partners,
The last planting we did was Sunday, April 28th in the evening—we got rained out around 11:30. We are 40% done with corn and 35% complete with soybeans. Considering that statewide, Illinois is only 11% done with corn planting and 3% done with bean planting, we feel fortunate about our situation. According to the NWS in Peoria we are at 149% of normal rainfall for the year. A year like this reinforces the value of drainage in the fields. The timeliness of being able to get field work completed is huge, and the crop that is emerging can't stand water for too many hours. We are keeping busy nonetheless. With no full-time employees, Marcus and I are filling in as truck drivers & mechanics, catching up on office work, finishing up construction projects, attending end of school year activities, and preparing for the next surge of field work. Balance of work and life!
On the national front, the Chinese trade negotiations are heating up. Studies of past trade talks have indicated we gave up too much too easily. That certainly does not seem to be the case this time! This tariff war is almost a year old now and the tweets this past week were not warm and fuzzy. Here in Illinois the current proposals in Springfield are for doubling the motor fuel tax (we have to do something with the roads; we are shaking our trucks apart hauling grain). The minimum wage will be $15 in a few short years (so much for entry-level part-time work). And the progressive income tax proposal looks like it will be on the ballot Fall 2020 (how many higher income taxpayers that have the ability to relocate will stick around to see how that plays out?).
Getting some extra family time with the delays. Phyllis and I got to see Chicago in concert. Caught the final lecture at Monmouth College of a dear family friend. Violin recital one Sunday. Track meets and hip-hop performances in St. Louis. Life is good. We are truly a blessed people! Relish yours!
Fall bids:
Corn-3.50
Soybeans-8.05
Steve
