Planting Green

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Partners & Friends,

Over the past several years, we have been experimenting with cover crops for multiple different reasons. The main reason is soil conservation; a cover on the soil for the non-cropping months helps hold soil in place and reduce erosion. The plant growth can also help collect snow, retain rainfall, and improve moisture recharge in the soil (which is a great balance on tiled ground). Covers also often help soil nutrients to be more readily available for the following corn or bean crop. We are trying to build organic matter on our lighter soils, which improves productivity and value of the fields. This is a very slow process. We have undertaken the cover project entirely on our own, and have tried conveying to the landowners the value we are adding to the property. The expense of seed and seeding cereal rye—the main cover crop used—is around $30/acre. This is a long-term investment, as the benefits are not perceived for several years. A similar example to this is our strip-till and minimum tillage protocols, which are for long-term soil conservation and land sustainability. We are committed to make each acre, whether owned or leased, as productive as economically possible.

The planting season has gone well. As of Tuesday night, corn and bean planting is completed, and all fields are sprayed first pass. Although the rainfall event last Friday was highly variable, every field received some rain, including over 2" at Marcus' homestead along with 20 minutes of hail. We are hoping the weather cooperates and no replanting is necessary, but we have not cleaned up the planters yet either.🙃 We are beginning to sidedress NH3 on the corn and will try to get hay put up during the weather windows over the coming weeks. We are also delivering grain as fast as allowed to keep cash flowing. A long list of summer projects will be getting our attention soon as well.

Commodity prices have surged higher yet again; there is so much uncertainty of worldwide production and availability. India has stopped wheat exports. And in the situation that Ukraine does produce a crop, their ability to export looks questionable. Energy prices are at all time highs. Yet the president is throwing money at the agriculture sector to "boost" production…next year. 🤔

The grandkids get out of school for the summer this week. However, there remain countless scheduling conflicts and challenges between the entire family that make it difficult to plan get-togethers or vacations sooner than multiple months out.😔 Phyllis continues to nurse her left eye (prayers are always appreciated). One of our high school team members, JD Runyan, placed in the Top 18 in a National Pitch Competition (more details in picture above). Congratulations to him!

Fall Prices:

Corn—7.40

Soybeans—15.20

Thanks for reading,

Steve