March 29, 2024

From the Fields: Demand for grain

Markets have shocked me and, I think, the majority of us. I know it was a welcoming sign for us as we start to haul off and clean up the last of the old crop corn we still had in the bins. We have a few more loads to clean up and we should be all ready to fill everything with new crop soon. We felt very fortunate and comfortable selling some more new crop beans for over $9 cash price fall delivery. We have some targets set for new crop corn, as well, but they haven’t quite hit yet.

We’ve been busy with seed side of our operation getting geared up for selling season and wrapping up 2020 growing season. We have been out walking some customers fields looking at what our growers can expect to see in the combine. Corn is looking great with nice, big kernels and ears are counting around and longer than normal. The beans are always hard to guess on yield, but one thing’s for sure, they are loaded with pods and look great.

We’ve been trying to call on customers and get the ball rolling on some early orders for the E3 bean platform we are offering this year. We know demand will be high, but are uncertain on supply so we want to order early to lock those in before someone else can. We always encourage early as possible orders for corn, as well, to assure guys get the hybrids they want for next season. At the least, order some to lock in that best discount on a majority of the order, and if plans change later, we can adjust and move forward easier and cleaner. We’ve also been getting wheat seed in to treat and are expecting to do around 2,000 units of barley. We hope to have this all wrapped up by week’s end as harvest is quickly approaching.

Not much harvest action going on yet, but my guess is end of next week we will see a bunch of soybeans being harvested. They have changed dramatically with this heat wave we’ve experienced the past week. Corn is a ways off yet for our area. I know some early corn will get harvested, but majority will be around that 30% range still. I love this time of year and can’t wait to see the numbers start rolling in from all the hard work and time we’ve put into this 2020 growing season.

I hope everyone stays safe getting things ready for harvest season. I know we all can get excited and in a hurry and that’s when accidents happen. Just remember to check your surroundings and keep in communication with everyone as big equipment starts rolling. Hope this harvest is blessed with good yields and good weather.

Hope, Ind.