The latest estimate is to harvest 14.79 billion bushels of corn this fall. The key pieces are already in place as planting is 89% complete in Illinois, we had rain to get great emergence, excellent number of plants per acre, and the seed companies did a great job in delivering supplies. I was concerned about shortages of quality seed if any replanting would be required on corn acres but minimal replanting was needed and there was enough seed in reserves.
To harvest that record crop we need to grow it first. There will be a lot of steps to take; the right amount of rain, the right amount of heat to grow but not too much to stress the plant, not too much wind or hail, and no pest or plant disease problems. Already the assumption is that none of those will happen and a record yield per acre will be achieved.
We may be able to dodge all those problems and if so the forecast is for corn to average $4.20 - $5.00 a bushel. If China is trying to build reserves now at these prices there will be a lot of opportunity for them and other nations to increase exports from us. Also if we have that much grain in the bins it would benefit everyone to have the ethanol blend rate increased in the gasoline.
The biggest surprise may be in the soybean crop this fall. Wheat is 89% headed vs. an average of 6% at this time. An early harvest will allow for more double crop to soybean acres and more time for those beans to mature. When driving around this weekend I think the amount of acres of beans to be planted was underestimated. The planters are busy putting that seed in the ground right now and should be done next week, the weather forecast is great for fieldwork this week.
On my farm the corn is up and in the three to four leaf stage and all soybeans are planted with some just emerged. I have less forward priced than normal and that is what I hear is common this year.
I hope everyone had a great Mothers Day weekend and happy mothers day to my readers.
Serving together, Dean
Sunday, May 13, 2012
Sunday, April 15, 2012
It's God's Plan
It's God's plan and we are going with it.
Warm weather, dry soils, and big equipment is a recipe for getting corn planted and that is what we have this month. Progress is several weeks ahead of normal and with the increase of corn acreage over cotton in the southern states our harvest will be earlier than even 2011 was. 850 million bushels could be harvested prior to September 1st (considered the beginning of a normal crop year). This will substantially reduce the risk of extremely low grain stocks.
It's in farmers nature to want to feed the world and look forward to the challenge. We plan, prepare, plant and harvest striving to make each year better. We also know that everything is in God's hands. After little rain this spring some is beginning to fall this weekend with more to follow. Planters will put more seed in the ground as conditions improve. Because so many days were suitable for fieldwork already, most fertilizers have been applied leaving little options to change from corn to soybeans. I think that there is little doubt that we will plant a record amount of corn acres this year. It does seem that God had this plan to help us fed the world and we are going with it.
Serving together, Dean
Warm weather, dry soils, and big equipment is a recipe for getting corn planted and that is what we have this month. Progress is several weeks ahead of normal and with the increase of corn acreage over cotton in the southern states our harvest will be earlier than even 2011 was. 850 million bushels could be harvested prior to September 1st (considered the beginning of a normal crop year). This will substantially reduce the risk of extremely low grain stocks.
It's in farmers nature to want to feed the world and look forward to the challenge. We plan, prepare, plant and harvest striving to make each year better. We also know that everything is in God's hands. After little rain this spring some is beginning to fall this weekend with more to follow. Planters will put more seed in the ground as conditions improve. Because so many days were suitable for fieldwork already, most fertilizers have been applied leaving little options to change from corn to soybeans. I think that there is little doubt that we will plant a record amount of corn acres this year. It does seem that God had this plan to help us fed the world and we are going with it.
Serving together, Dean
Friday, March 30, 2012
USDA released planting estimate for 2012 production at 95.7 million acres of corn. The corn belt continues to grow as many of the increased acres are outside of the heart of the corn belt. Total acres of corn up 4% and Illinois, Iowa, and Indiana only up 1.5%. North Dakota showed a large increase on a combination of new acres and return of corn acres that had been out of production from flooding problems.
Surprising is the number of corn acres already planted in northern Illinois that I have noticed. While the ground is in perfect condition to plant I have decided to wait 2 weeks. With the warm soil conditions the freshly planted corn will emerge in 5 days or less, the warm weather next week, and some rain would put the growth stage of the corn plant exposed to a frost before our average frost free date which is April 25th. Some corn will have a full 30 days by then. Frost damage can reduce populations in the field and some replanting would be possible.
Many farmers plan to start planting just after Easter and have prepared fields for planting. The early spring has definitely helped meet the challenge to plant 95.7 million acres and world demand gives the expectation that the harvest will be needed. While I don't expect record prices this fall the moderation in corn prices should allow hog production to expand and consume more grain and ethanol plants to keep running. It will be some time before the Beef herd can return to normal even though rains are beginning to come to Texas.
Enjoy your Easter week activities. Dean
Surprising is the number of corn acres already planted in northern Illinois that I have noticed. While the ground is in perfect condition to plant I have decided to wait 2 weeks. With the warm soil conditions the freshly planted corn will emerge in 5 days or less, the warm weather next week, and some rain would put the growth stage of the corn plant exposed to a frost before our average frost free date which is April 25th. Some corn will have a full 30 days by then. Frost damage can reduce populations in the field and some replanting would be possible.
Many farmers plan to start planting just after Easter and have prepared fields for planting. The early spring has definitely helped meet the challenge to plant 95.7 million acres and world demand gives the expectation that the harvest will be needed. While I don't expect record prices this fall the moderation in corn prices should allow hog production to expand and consume more grain and ethanol plants to keep running. It will be some time before the Beef herd can return to normal even though rains are beginning to come to Texas.
Enjoy your Easter week activities. Dean
Monday, March 12, 2012
The 95 million acre question
The latest estimate of 2012 corn crop acres is from Informa Economics suggesting we will plant 95.5 million acres of corn this spring. To put that into perspective last years planted acreage was 91.9 and harvested acres (flooding and drought reduction) was 83.9 million.
To do this the following needs to occur. Farmers will need to overcome any obstacles from adverse weather reducing days suitable for field operations, delayed planting shifts some acres into soybeans. Seed supply needs to be available and of quality, (last year yields were lower effecting seed hybrid supplies and some hybrids do not have all the genetic traits needed for today's challenges), shortages could shift acres into soybeans. Markets need to favor corn over other crops, when the markets believe 95.5 million acres or more of corn will be produced the prices forecast for harvest will diminish some acres could be lost ot other crops.
Ok we got all that corn planted now what? Continued favorable weather, although some relief has come for dry areas there is still concerns of moisture shortages in the southern growing area. No frost damage, cold temps. in the spring after corn is 3 inches high or again when corn is not yet mature in the fall reduces quality and yield. Both dryness and frost have caused problems in the past several years.
Today economics favor corn. Many farmers have updated equipment to allow them to plant and harvest more acres in a day than before. Storage capabilities and grain handling have also increased. Risk management insurance also provides security for planting crops by covering both yields and minimum income per acre. GMO crops have increased yields and expanded the area suitable for corn production. All of this could make 2012 the largest harvest of corn ever.
Serving together, Dean
To do this the following needs to occur. Farmers will need to overcome any obstacles from adverse weather reducing days suitable for field operations, delayed planting shifts some acres into soybeans. Seed supply needs to be available and of quality, (last year yields were lower effecting seed hybrid supplies and some hybrids do not have all the genetic traits needed for today's challenges), shortages could shift acres into soybeans. Markets need to favor corn over other crops, when the markets believe 95.5 million acres or more of corn will be produced the prices forecast for harvest will diminish some acres could be lost ot other crops.
Ok we got all that corn planted now what? Continued favorable weather, although some relief has come for dry areas there is still concerns of moisture shortages in the southern growing area. No frost damage, cold temps. in the spring after corn is 3 inches high or again when corn is not yet mature in the fall reduces quality and yield. Both dryness and frost have caused problems in the past several years.
Today economics favor corn. Many farmers have updated equipment to allow them to plant and harvest more acres in a day than before. Storage capabilities and grain handling have also increased. Risk management insurance also provides security for planting crops by covering both yields and minimum income per acre. GMO crops have increased yields and expanded the area suitable for corn production. All of this could make 2012 the largest harvest of corn ever.
Serving together, Dean
Thursday, March 1, 2012
2012 crop forcasts
The United States are projected to produce 14.3 billion bushels of corn on 94 million acres, and 3.25 billion bushels of soybeans on 75 million acres. Today those crops can be priced for harvest delivery at about $5.40 for corn and $12.60 for soybeans. Assuming good growing conditions that will provide a very good year for farmers.
Exports of grains have been influenced by demand from growing countries and reduced production by other grain producing countries. China has become a consistent buyer as their growth has outpaced the ability to produce enough grains. Historically they have been an exporter of grain to other Asian countries and now their Asian neighbors are looking to buy our grains.
Marketing meetings are plentiful in the corn belt as farmers are planning their year ahead. A predominate talking point in all of these has been the challenge to feed a growing world. We are embracing improvements in technology, equipment, and genetics to obtain the goal of feeding the world. We also realise that many other farmers do not have the same access to these improvements. That is an integral part of what Foods Resource Bank can provide. By mentoring others and understanding what pieces for our agriculture can benefit others we can make the worlds hungry people less dependant on others and provide opportunities to make their live and their village better. Many of our cooperating churches will be looking for help from the congregation, please consider how you can help.
Serving together, Dean
Exports of grains have been influenced by demand from growing countries and reduced production by other grain producing countries. China has become a consistent buyer as their growth has outpaced the ability to produce enough grains. Historically they have been an exporter of grain to other Asian countries and now their Asian neighbors are looking to buy our grains.
Marketing meetings are plentiful in the corn belt as farmers are planning their year ahead. A predominate talking point in all of these has been the challenge to feed a growing world. We are embracing improvements in technology, equipment, and genetics to obtain the goal of feeding the world. We also realise that many other farmers do not have the same access to these improvements. That is an integral part of what Foods Resource Bank can provide. By mentoring others and understanding what pieces for our agriculture can benefit others we can make the worlds hungry people less dependant on others and provide opportunities to make their live and their village better. Many of our cooperating churches will be looking for help from the congregation, please consider how you can help.
Serving together, Dean
Thursday, February 23, 2012
Spring is around the corner
My crop mix will be 1/3 Soybeans and 2/3 Corn, although I expect the area to be closer to 20 % beans and 80% corn. Either way planting should be under way in 8 weeks or less. Deliveries of seeds and other supplies have began and equipment is getting tuned up for the field work.
Yield projections in South America are lower because of continued dry weather. Brazil and Argintina produce 50% of the world soybean supplies while the United States produces 33%, making any drop of South American production important to world supplies. If soybean planting is reduced in favor of more corn acres, then profitability of my soybean acres could exceed the corn acres. As of today's prices for fall harvest my projections show corn after beans the most profitable followed by beans after corn and finally corn after corn, using updated numbers on the planner from last month.
Serving together, Dean
Yield projections in South America are lower because of continued dry weather. Brazil and Argintina produce 50% of the world soybean supplies while the United States produces 33%, making any drop of South American production important to world supplies. If soybean planting is reduced in favor of more corn acres, then profitability of my soybean acres could exceed the corn acres. As of today's prices for fall harvest my projections show corn after beans the most profitable followed by beans after corn and finally corn after corn, using updated numbers on the planner from last month.
Serving together, Dean
Sunday, February 5, 2012
THE YEAR OF NO WINTER
1816 was called the year of no summer because volcanic activity reduced sunlight activity and frost or snow was reported in each month of spring and summer. Although not as extreme maybe I will call this the year of no winter as warm temps. have kept the fields free of snow and little freezing of the soils. Normally in northern Illinois we have soils freeze several feet deep. This cycle has been a benefit to growing crops as the insects and plant pathogens die. It also loosens the soil as ice particles form around soil particles and separate them, as the ice thaws it is replaced with air. I have been wondering what tillage may be needed this spring?
The benefit of these warm temps. have been that the moisture has been able to enter the soil and become available for this crop year. There was extensive flood damage along the Mississippi River last year and hopefully without snow melting and spring rains now being able to soak into soils they will be spared this spring. Many of the farms devastated by failed levies last year have not recovered yet.
Large areas in South America are being effected by drought as are wheat growing regions in the Ukraine. South western U.S. has received some rain recently but need to improve. This has kept grain markets reacting to weather reports predicting where and when rains could benefit crops. Corn prices increased 58 cents in the last two weeks of January mostly on declining weather. What prices do from this point forward depend on chances for the corn belt states to plant record acres and obtain above average yields.
This week I will finalize planing on how many acres of corn or soybeans, and finish pricing all inputs to grow them. I have not yet set sales of 2012 production but continue to monitor prices. Next week I will take the tests to renew my pesticide applicators license and certified livestock manager, each require testing every 3 years to show the farmer is aware of all new regulations. This afternoon I will grill a slab of pork ribs and watch the Superbowl, how redneck American is that, I hope everyone enjoys the game.
Serving together, Dean
The benefit of these warm temps. have been that the moisture has been able to enter the soil and become available for this crop year. There was extensive flood damage along the Mississippi River last year and hopefully without snow melting and spring rains now being able to soak into soils they will be spared this spring. Many of the farms devastated by failed levies last year have not recovered yet.
Large areas in South America are being effected by drought as are wheat growing regions in the Ukraine. South western U.S. has received some rain recently but need to improve. This has kept grain markets reacting to weather reports predicting where and when rains could benefit crops. Corn prices increased 58 cents in the last two weeks of January mostly on declining weather. What prices do from this point forward depend on chances for the corn belt states to plant record acres and obtain above average yields.
This week I will finalize planing on how many acres of corn or soybeans, and finish pricing all inputs to grow them. I have not yet set sales of 2012 production but continue to monitor prices. Next week I will take the tests to renew my pesticide applicators license and certified livestock manager, each require testing every 3 years to show the farmer is aware of all new regulations. This afternoon I will grill a slab of pork ribs and watch the Superbowl, how redneck American is that, I hope everyone enjoys the game.
Serving together, Dean
Thursday, January 19, 2012
crop budgets and projections
CROP BUDGETS:
The university of Illinois has a spread sheet I use for planning the next years budget. Farmers run a business that costs to produce a crop can change daily as do the prices we may receive when crops are sold. As a result the numbers entered are not final until the inputs are bought or the crops are sold. This is just one of my planning budgets. This fall I received inquiries on how much we were making on our crops. No two farmers will have the exact costs, yields, or sale prices. I also use a correction factor of $35 plus to the bean profit and a $35 minus to the corn after bean profit to credit the nitrogen carryover to the bean crop that produced that nitrogen. Below is an example:
The web site is found at: http://www.farmdoc.illinois.edu/manage/crop_budgets_v2.asp?Region=Northern_Illinois
The first step is complete with the initial budget. The next steps are to refine expected yields and grain prices as the year progresses and take opportunities to purchase inputs at a lower price than projected.
I hope this gives the urban readers the insight to some of the planning and risk management that farmers deal with on a daily basis.
Serving Together, Dean Lundeen
The university of Illinois has a spread sheet I use for planning the next years budget. Farmers run a business that costs to produce a crop can change daily as do the prices we may receive when crops are sold. As a result the numbers entered are not final until the inputs are bought or the crops are sold. This is just one of my planning budgets. This fall I received inquiries on how much we were making on our crops. No two farmers will have the exact costs, yields, or sale prices. I also use a correction factor of $35 plus to the bean profit and a $35 minus to the corn after bean profit to credit the nitrogen carryover to the bean crop that produced that nitrogen. Below is an example:
| . | ||||||
| Corn after beans | Corn after corn | Soybeans | Wheat | |||
| Yield per acre | ||||||
| Price per bu | ||||||
| LDP per bu1 | ||||||
| Revenue | -------------------------------------- $ per acre ----------------------------------- | |||||
| Crop revenue2 | $955 | $898 | $715 | $495 | ||
| LDP revenue3 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | ||
| DP and CC payments4 | ||||||
| Crop insurance proceeds | ||||||
| Gross revenue | $978 | $921 | $738 | $518 | ||
| Costs | -------------------------------------- $ per acre ----------------------------------- | |||||
| Fertilizer | ||||||
| Pesticides | ||||||
| Seed | ||||||
| Drying | ||||||
| Storage | ||||||
| Crop insurance | ||||||
| Total direct costs | $464 | $499 | $184 | $149 | ||
| Machine hire/lease | ||||||
| Utilities | ||||||
| Machine repair | ||||||
| Fuel and oil | ||||||
| Light vehicle | ||||||
| Mach. depreciation | ||||||
| Total power costs | $89 | $89 | $74 | $60 | ||
| Hired labor | ||||||
| Building repair and rent | ||||||
| Building depreciation | ||||||
| Insurance | ||||||
| Misc | ||||||
| Interest | ||||||
| Total overhead | $57 | $57 | $43 | $32 | ||
| Total non-land costs | $610 | $645 | $301 | $241 | ||
| Operator and land return5 | $368 | $276 | $437 | $277 | ||
| Land cost6 | ||||||
| Operator return7 | ||||||
| Net return8 | $19 | $-73 | $88 | $-72 | ||
The web site is found at: http://www.farmdoc.illinois.edu/manage/crop_budgets_v2.asp?Region=Northern_Illinois
The first step is complete with the initial budget. The next steps are to refine expected yields and grain prices as the year progresses and take opportunities to purchase inputs at a lower price than projected.
I hope this gives the urban readers the insight to some of the planning and risk management that farmers deal with on a daily basis.
Serving Together, Dean Lundeen
Saturday, December 24, 2011
Merry Christmas
Merry Christmas to everyone. I have enjoyed meeting with and working along with our fellow Christians involved in Foods Resource Bank. This Christmas we can feel proud of the work we do helping others achieve their goals to make their life and those of their villages better. The FRB site http://foodsresourcebank.org/current-overseas-programs gives details of many of these projects. As our own growing project ends their year and prepares for another we often chose a special project to help fund. What all these have in common is the real need for basic things like water, agronomic information, market access, and whatever it takes to provide a better life. They are also sponsored by one of our christian groups and overseen by FRB. With so many people in need it is hard to limit which one to support. It has been our practice to have an overseas project or two for the Somonauk Growing Project and the Earlville
Project supports their choices. The projects work with a group of farmers supporting the effort with an acre or several. My acres were part of the corn field that was lost to flooding and replanted to soybeans. I was pleased by the yield for such a late planting and will deliver them to the local elevator who sends the payment to our local project. Both Projects also work with churches whose congregation members donate money for their "acres" and go into that local project. The third way money is raised is jointly at the Harvest Celebration. Again Thank You for however you were a part of our group and have a Merry Christmas. Serving Together, Dean Lundeen
Project supports their choices. The projects work with a group of farmers supporting the effort with an acre or several. My acres were part of the corn field that was lost to flooding and replanted to soybeans. I was pleased by the yield for such a late planting and will deliver them to the local elevator who sends the payment to our local project. Both Projects also work with churches whose congregation members donate money for their "acres" and go into that local project. The third way money is raised is jointly at the Harvest Celebration. Again Thank You for however you were a part of our group and have a Merry Christmas. Serving Together, Dean Lundeen
Sunday, December 11, 2011
USDA December crop reports
USDA Reports
The United States Department of Agriculture compiles statical information in November on crop production and in December on supply and demand for those crops. Here is a short summary on both. Corn in the u.s. totaled 12.3 billion bushels and is projected to average $5.90-$6.90 per bushel on the farm. Soybeans in the u.s. totaled 3.05 billion bushels and is projected to average $10.70 to $12.70 per bushel. My current farm prices would be $5.70 corn and $10.95 Soybeans. Changes made by these reports show projections of less exports and feed usage. World production was up being the factor of less exports while chicken and beef production looks to use less feed with pork stable. Another report will be issued in January that may revise those numbers and in March there will be a planting intention report that estimates acres planted to each crop. It seems that most farmers are optimistic on grains going higher than today's prices with interest in what the march planted acres will show. 2011 had unusually high number of acres not planted or not harvested as a result of wet soils in the spring. Planted acreage for 2012 should be larger with those going into production along with some acres that had been set aside for conservation now returning to crops. Although we have enough grains produced for this year the markets will begin to focus on possible supplies for next year in the coming months and farmers will be deciding what acres to plant to which crops.
The United States Department of Agriculture compiles statical information in November on crop production and in December on supply and demand for those crops. Here is a short summary on both. Corn in the u.s. totaled 12.3 billion bushels and is projected to average $5.90-$6.90 per bushel on the farm. Soybeans in the u.s. totaled 3.05 billion bushels and is projected to average $10.70 to $12.70 per bushel. My current farm prices would be $5.70 corn and $10.95 Soybeans. Changes made by these reports show projections of less exports and feed usage. World production was up being the factor of less exports while chicken and beef production looks to use less feed with pork stable. Another report will be issued in January that may revise those numbers and in March there will be a planting intention report that estimates acres planted to each crop. It seems that most farmers are optimistic on grains going higher than today's prices with interest in what the march planted acres will show. 2011 had unusually high number of acres not planted or not harvested as a result of wet soils in the spring. Planted acreage for 2012 should be larger with those going into production along with some acres that had been set aside for conservation now returning to crops. Although we have enough grains produced for this year the markets will begin to focus on possible supplies for next year in the coming months and farmers will be deciding what acres to plant to which crops.
Sunday, November 20, 2011
Cost of Thanksgiving Dinner
COST OF THANKSGIVING
Each year the Farm Bureau does a survey of food cost for our traditional Thanksgiving meal. http://www.fb.org/index.php?action=newsroom.news&year=2011&file=nr1110.html . This year their estimate is less than $5.00 per person. When I read this I couldn't help but think of our brothers and sisters we are helping with the many FRB overseas projects. We spend $5.00 for that meal that according to the list would be 3.5 pounds of food per person. Even at minimum wages that would be 40 minutes of work for 3.5 lbs of food. This summer we had an update from some of our Kenya projects and those like many others worldwide showed us that many people are spending nearly all their hours in pursuit of food and water and that whole days work would be a fraction of that 3.5 lbs. Let us give thanks for our bounty and use what we have been given to help others. I know we cannot eat the whole amount on that dinner list and will be using it much the next week as leftovers many ways and enjoy them filling our stomach. You can also use our blessings in many ways and enoy them filling our soul by sharing deeper than our leftovers. Happy Thanksgiving.
FARM UPDATE
Harvest is done on my farm and in the final stages in the community. Almost every farmer I talk to had some poor fields of corn and some that did better than expected. We also had a long period of warm and dry weather to allow for a timely harvest. Tillage is progressing fast also and I have just finished mine this week. The tillage getting done this fall will aid in better ground conditions for planting next spring. As mentioned earlier I had some concerns about plant health in the corn and by mixing the remaining stalks with soil will allow for healthier corn conditions next year.
Grain prices have been reacting to world economic conditions, the value of the dollar, and supply and demand forecasts. They are lower now and some are looking at this as a buying signal. Even at today's lower prices agriculture is still one of the better sectors of the economy. Livestock production has recovered from the losses of 2009 and 2010 and looks promising for 2012. With high oil prices the ethanol plants are profitable also. This should keep support for the grain producers. December corn is trading at $6.06 today and was as low as $3.24 on June 28th 2010 and as high as $7.99 June 6th 2011. I get questions frequently about how much farmers make per acre, those are hard to answer when pricing is that unstable.
Serving together, Dean Lundeen
Each year the Farm Bureau does a survey of food cost for our traditional Thanksgiving meal. http://www.fb.org/index.php?action=newsroom.news&year=2011&file=nr1110.html . This year their estimate is less than $5.00 per person. When I read this I couldn't help but think of our brothers and sisters we are helping with the many FRB overseas projects. We spend $5.00 for that meal that according to the list would be 3.5 pounds of food per person. Even at minimum wages that would be 40 minutes of work for 3.5 lbs of food. This summer we had an update from some of our Kenya projects and those like many others worldwide showed us that many people are spending nearly all their hours in pursuit of food and water and that whole days work would be a fraction of that 3.5 lbs. Let us give thanks for our bounty and use what we have been given to help others. I know we cannot eat the whole amount on that dinner list and will be using it much the next week as leftovers many ways and enjoy them filling our stomach. You can also use our blessings in many ways and enoy them filling our soul by sharing deeper than our leftovers. Happy Thanksgiving.
FARM UPDATE
Harvest is done on my farm and in the final stages in the community. Almost every farmer I talk to had some poor fields of corn and some that did better than expected. We also had a long period of warm and dry weather to allow for a timely harvest. Tillage is progressing fast also and I have just finished mine this week. The tillage getting done this fall will aid in better ground conditions for planting next spring. As mentioned earlier I had some concerns about plant health in the corn and by mixing the remaining stalks with soil will allow for healthier corn conditions next year.
Grain prices have been reacting to world economic conditions, the value of the dollar, and supply and demand forecasts. They are lower now and some are looking at this as a buying signal. Even at today's lower prices agriculture is still one of the better sectors of the economy. Livestock production has recovered from the losses of 2009 and 2010 and looks promising for 2012. With high oil prices the ethanol plants are profitable also. This should keep support for the grain producers. December corn is trading at $6.06 today and was as low as $3.24 on June 28th 2010 and as high as $7.99 June 6th 2011. I get questions frequently about how much farmers make per acre, those are hard to answer when pricing is that unstable.
Serving together, Dean Lundeen
Sunday, October 16, 2011
Thank You
Thank You to all the people attending and working at our harvest celebration. About 500 people gathered together yesterday to raise funds for world hunger and raise awareness of our cause. As a farm partner I am always grateful for the work everyone else does to make this so great. 24 churches representing many denominations joined together with the pastors sharing in the joint service. Wheat was milled and distributed to all of these churches for use in their congregations this thanksgiving. Volunteers planed a days worth of activities and staffed them, set up and tore down for the day. Farmers stoped field work and brought their combines at the site giving rides to their urban friends. Randy and Judy were gracious hosts again letting all on to their farm. These are just examples of what we can do by working together. As we work together to celebrate our abundance yesterday we also raise funds to send to projects overseas. These are projects that Foods Resource Bank and other Christian organizations are working together to provide education and support with the goal of improving life. Those projects then work together to help the local village. As we heard in this years service from the book "14 Cows For America" the Maasai tribe also worked together to send their cows to support America after 911. Again, Thank You and let us rejoice in what we can accomplish by working together.
Most of the Soybeans in the area have been harvested and the last several days of unseasonable warm weather has reduced the moisture of the field corn more than expected, allowing some corn to be stored without the expense of drying. My corn is testing 18% to 24% moisture and is being dried to 15% and place into on farm storage. Grain prices are lower and meat futures are higher making 2012 look profitable for the livestock producers. Farmers are preparing for next year and evaluating what was successful or not from this years crop. I will keep you posted as harvest progresses.
Serving Together, Dean Lundeen
Most of the Soybeans in the area have been harvested and the last several days of unseasonable warm weather has reduced the moisture of the field corn more than expected, allowing some corn to be stored without the expense of drying. My corn is testing 18% to 24% moisture and is being dried to 15% and place into on farm storage. Grain prices are lower and meat futures are higher making 2012 look profitable for the livestock producers. Farmers are preparing for next year and evaluating what was successful or not from this years crop. I will keep you posted as harvest progresses.
Serving Together, Dean Lundeen
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