Friends and Partners,

We finished harvest the Monday night before the election. We completed the last 80 acres with the core harvest team: Phyllis, Renee, Marcus, Hayden and me. It was a good day. Weather has been dry and clear since then. Started NH3 application the next day. Got the VT disc in operation to incorporate the cover crop seed on the last harvested corn acres. Put the ripper to use on a few tiled spots to smooth out from last spring and while the ground is dry and firm take out some areas of compaction. Shipping November contracted corn and beans. Cleaning up and going over harvest equipment for storage.

It has been very interesting to observe the market reaction to the election. Many think we will return to the old ways of giving whatever it takes to get trade deals . Some think the government will subsidize agriculture even more. Looks like we will get back into the WHO and Climate Accord and pony up money for them. In Illinois we did defeat the progressive tax proposal (thank goodness). And we took one chink out of Madigan's armor by not retaining Kilbride as a Supreme court judge. There will be many fronts to keep an eye on for proposed changes in the law that will affect agriculture-I will try to let you know how they will affect our farm.

Phyllis was election judge with full body armor-mask and face shield. I was a poll watcher for a few hours election morning. What a group of dedicated citizens that work at the polling places! Our region of Illinois is back to phase 3 level covid response. We are losing local businesses that cannot survive under the rules forced onto them. Staying flexible and nimble is the only way to survive all of this. And we have to remember to be anxious in nothing and not live in fear!

Crop prices

Corn--3.89

SB--10.77