Farmers ‘banking on a bumper crop’

BREMEN, Ind. — Clay Geyer is preparing for the next chapter on the farm — harvest and the Indiana State Corn Husking Contest.

After a humid summer on the farm, and spending time with family, temperatures have cooled off and change is in the air.

He shared an update with AgriNews.

Q: What memories have you made on the farm this summer?

A: The extreme temperatures and high humidity through most of July and part of August were memorable. I like it warm, just not in the 90s and 100-plus heat indexes.

I know fall and winter will follow, but for now I will continue enjoying what is left of the summer, so I can spend quality time with my nephew, Grant, after school and on the weekends.

The days seem to pass by so quickly when kids are young. I wish I could freeze these precious moments in time as Grant experiences so many new things both on and off the farm.

Grant has learned to swim this summer all on his own, and with the supervision of an adult with him on the seat, he’s pretty good operating the John Deere gator, zero-turn lawnmower and the skid steer, too.

Q: What kind of weather do you hope for in the next few weeks?

A: We were spoiled this spring as we planted in ideal seedbed each day, which allowed us to finish before May 1. As we round the bend toward harvest, minimal rain will be needed to finish out this crop.

Ideally, I’d take a harvest window just like we had last year. But we don’t want the water to shut off entirely to the point of drought-like conditions with extremely windy days to create fire hazards either.

A few days before Labor Day created a fresh breath of air, as daytime highs were in the 70s and lows in the 50s at night with partly cloudy skies and low humidity throughout the day — this weather pattern can continue!

Q: What’s your favorite part of a typical day on the farm?

A: There are no two days alike on a farm, so when you ask for a typical day, I can only hope for no major setbacks at the end of the day. My favorite part of the day is when I lay my head on the pillow at night and reflect on the accomplishments of the day.

It doesn’t happen every day, but I do enjoy when neighbors stop by to chat and reminisce about the past, too.

Q: Do you have a crop or animal that’s your favorite to work with?

A: Growing up on the dairy farm as a kid, we didn’t experience much else besides the milk cows, but we did have some chickens and a few 4-H pigs. At the very least, we still have some heifers grazing in the pastures today, so it’s nice to see some dairy still on the farm.

But, as far as crops, I have always enjoyed the smell of corn at harvest time as the frost slowly burns off each morning, or the smell of freshly-chopped corn silage. And harvesting each cutting of alfalfa or grass hay also brings my heart joy with a sense of accomplishment to provide bright-colored, high-quality hay to local customers and hay auctions, too.

Q: What advice would you give someone who wants to start farming?

A: It helps to have some supplemental cash flow from an off-the-farm job opportunity to get a jumpstart, but it is also difficult to carry a lunch pail and punch the clock for the 9-to-5 job when the demands of the farm need to be tended to throughout the day.

The more paychecks flowing in the better, but as a single farmer myself, I was lucky to have the opportunity to work alongside my parents, grandparents and neighboring farmers to gain the knowledge and the cost savings of sharing some equipment.

But, regardless of my situation, it is still difficult for a person to get started from scratch with the increasing cost of equipment, seed, fertilizer and chemicals.

If someone has a strong desire and a willingness to reach their goals to be a farmer, my advice would be to find a farmer and gain the additional insight from them or a partner with another farmer to work alongside to gain the experience of the day-to-day operations firsthand.

In some instances, a farmer may not have children interested in farming, or heirs to pass their farm onto down the road.

It’s best to keep an open line of communication with others involved in agriculture or visit your local Farm Service Agency to help make connections to see what kind of aid is available to get a good start.

Q: Anything new going on with family? Corn husking?

A: The month of September is just about full on the calendar, as we have numerous promotional events planned just about every weekend. We are, for the most part, ready for the annual state and national corn-husking event.

But, nevertheless, it is definitely a family affair to get this competition off the ground with dozens and dozens of volunteers, too.

Q: Anything else you’d like to share this month?

A: Prayers are requested for the farmers who are struggling with their own mental health. Many farmers are banking on a bumper crop as they have just about reached the end of their financial rope.

The daily struggles of mounting stress and anxiety from growing debt, production costs, equipment management, commodity prices and the challenges of extreme weather events plagues us all.

You may not know how to help, but if you can identify someone going through troubled times, spare a few minutes and lend an ear. Be the change, when every minute counts.