Two Weeks
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Partners,
Marcus and I conferred this morning and decided we would try to start this year’s harvest in two weeks, around the 23rd of September. This is about 2 weeks later than normal, which seems strange since we did plant corn in April this spring. The early planted bean fields are starting to turn but it seems doubtful that we will combine any of those before October. We will certainly be harvesting into November, and likely beyond if the wet weather forecasts hold true. We have been busy getting equipment ready, preparing bins, shipping out the last of the corn, repairing tile blowouts, mowing roadsides and waterways, barn repair, and other assorted jobs. I cant wait for harvest to begin so we can concentrate on one task! We received enough rain two weeks ago to provide some very welcome relief from the nine weeks of less than .75” total precipitation. The crop looks like it will be an average one--if the frost is later than normal. Cash prices seem to be anticipating plenty of bushels to go around. I will try to communicate as soon as we start with yields and moisture.
News that we are going to enter into trade talks with China sparked the market some this week. The world of trade will be different in the future but in the end there are only so many bushels of each commodity to go around. The swine flu in China seems to coming under control. Speculation is that Asian Swine Flu will attack this country at some point--there are no known vaccines and it is creeping across southeast Asia now.
The family is doing great. School has started for everyone except Ali--she starts October 1. After everyone enjoyed some vacation time this summer it was good to get back to the routine of classes. Enjoying lots of fresh garden produce . Growing conditions have been good for that!
Fall Prices:
Corn--3.40
Soybeans--8.17
Keep in touch,
Steve
