Pauls Ramble
Aug 12, 2022
Friday, August 12, 2022
Happy Friday from the Co-op!
I know it’s been a while since your inbox has been “blessed” with a Ramble, but as Andy Warhol explained it, “The idea of waiting for something makes it more exciting” But in this case it’s just me putting it off!
When we look back at 2022 in future years we will see “on paper” an average year. But for us living thru it in ag, there’s more to the story. We had an extremely wet and cool spring which led to a very late spring planting season (5 weeks). Then the rain slowed down to the point where we are on the dry side. My best guess is that 8%-10% didn’t get planted.
Locally our crops are looking good, especially given the lateness of the planting and conditions at planting time. Next week we will begin spring wheat harvest. Yields are going to be…………… average? Better than average? We’ll find out.
Crop conditions continue lag a little coming into late summer. Corn is 58% good/excellent which dropped 3% from last week. Last year corn was 63% g/e. Soybeans were 59% g/e which is a drop of 2% for the week and below last year (62%) Spring wheat in North Dakota is at 74% g/e a drop from 80% last week but well ahead of last year’s 12% g/e (drought). Monday’s report showed 9% of the spring wheat crop has been harvested but 0% in North Dakota.
We are coming into a “fun” time of the year. Kids are going off to school, we will be watching football on all levels, and our fall harvest is set to get underway. Cool nights and bright 75* days are as good as it gets. As a Minnesota Vikings fan, I have optimism for their “Super Bowl” season, and the NDSU Bison will win another National Championship!
The Senate on Sunday passed the Inflation Reduction Act, the long-awaited reconciliation package that includes $485 billion in new spending and tax breaks and will reduce the federal deficit by $305 billion. The measure now heads to the House, where leaders say they plan to call members back to Washington to have a vote today.
USDA released their August crop report this morning. In terms of acreage adjustments: Corn planted acres at 89.8 million acres, down just slightly from 89.9 million on June 30th due to the resurvey in 3 states. Will be interesting to look at the state by state. Soybean planted acres 88.0, down from 88.3 million acres. North Dakota acres were unchanged in corn, down 100K in soybean acres and down 200K wheat acres. ND farmers likely surprised traders again on their willingness to plant their corn late.
This past month, Valley United Co-op donated $2000 to the Reynolds Fire Department with matching funds from Land O’Lakes for a total of $4000. The funds will be used towards the purchase of new turnout gear. Turnout gear represents the personal protective clothing, equipment, and gear used by firefighters. This gear will protect the fire members as they look after the residents of Reynolds and surrounding communities. Valley United Co-op takes pride in community involvement. We feel a deep sense of responsibility to be good corporate citizens and neighbors in the towns where we operate because it’s the right thing to do and we live in these communities too. Land O'Lakes, Inc. believes in supporting local communities and ensuring support is provided where it’s needed most. Land O’ Lakes is excited and grateful to be part of a team that is committed to helping protect the Reynolds, North Dakota community, and all of those who commit their time and service to it.
Valley United Co-op is nearing the roll out of our new app which has some exciting enhancements including e-sign of grain contracts, on-line payments, and historical field data. Stay tuned….
Locally, prices while they have retreated from their highs are still very good. Wheat is $8.65 compared to $9.00 last year and $4.50 in 2020. Corn is at $6.35 vs. $5.50 in ’21 and $2.75 in ’20. Soybeans are at $13.80, in 2021 they were at $13.10 and in 2020 they were $8.15.
Kids are going to close out this week’s “Ramble” Enjoy!
Four life lessons you can learn from children
- Feel your feelings. Children leave their emotions on their sleeves. ...
- Be curious and excited. Being inquisitive is how children learn. ...
- Be fearless. Children jump, climb, fall and get right back up. ... (fyi, if I fall, I won’t be getting right back up!)
- Grow a little every day (even when it's hard)
"When a person gets kissed for the first time, they fall down, and they don't get up for at least an hour." -- Wendy, age 8
"You should never kiss a girl unless you have enough bucks to buy her a big ring and her own VCR, 'cause she'll want to have videos of the wedding." -- Jim, age 10
"Never kiss in front of other people. It's a big embarrassing thing if anybody sees you. But if nobody sees you, I might be willing to try it with a handsome boy, but just for a few hours." -- Kally, age 9
"You learn [how to kiss] right on the spot when the gooshy feelings get the best of you." -- Doug, age 7
"If it's your mother, you can kiss her anytime. But if it's a new person, you have to ask permission." -- Roger, age 6
"It's never okay to kiss a boy. They always slobber all over you. That's why I stopped doing it." -- Tammy, age 10
"I know one reason kissing was created. It makes you feel warm all over, and they didn't always have electric heat or fireplaces or even stoves in their houses." -- Gina, age 8
"The law says you have to be eighteen, so I wouldn't want to mess with that." -- Curt, age 7
"The rules goes like this: if you kiss someone, then you should marry her and have kids with her. It's the right thing to do." -- Howard, age 8
(on seeing a couple kissing) "He is trying to steal her chewing gum!" -- Boy, age 6
Have a great weekend, everyone!
Paul
And remember
If God brings you to it he'll bring you through it....................
