Good Start

/

Partners & Friends,

Just got rained out today after a couple of days planting. We have over 400 acres of beans in the ground and about 200 acres of corn. Soil conditions were perfect with the long, warm, dry period we just experienced. Research the last several years has shown early bean planting can really boost yields, and that the soybean seed can withstand more adverse conditions than corn. Ideally we would like to plant all the beans the second week of April and corn the third week.

Elsewhere we are doing tile repairs (never-ending), plumbing a fire department tanker repurposed to sprayer tender, surface drainage projects, building repair, bin site remodeling, show pig procurement and housing, and some job realignment. We also have our first calf of the season--a nice heifer! We are also wrapping up some grain shipments of corn and beans and cleaning out the barns from the winter accumulation. There seems to be some extra fertilizer going in some fields around here (not ours) which indicates some more corn acres. Lots of new iron coming out of the neighbors’ sheds this spring too.

Farmers are trying to do everything possible to capitalize on the higher commodity prices this year--extra fertilizer, early planting, higher yield potential seed. The latest stimulus bill really did little for the farm community unless you are a disadvantaged farmer. The last scheduled CFAP payments are due any day now but are minuscule compared to last year's relief package. China seems really hungry for corn and soy for their food needs—but are being very tight lipped about the actual Asian Swine Flu that is sweeping through the hog population there again.

Family is heading for the home stretch for this spring schooling. Ali is in her last quarter of her junior year. Trinity school kids are headed for summer vacation starting around Memorial Day. Homeschool bunch is aiming for the same summer vacation. We have another grand child due on the 4th of July. :)


Fall Prices--

Corn--4.68

Soybeans--12.63


Keep in touch and enjoy this beautiful spring green-up!

Steve