Pauls Ramble

Sep 08, 2022


Good afternoon from the Co-op!
 
Since my last Ramble, we have started & (almost) completed this year’s wheat harvest. I am happy to report that our 2022 wheat crop is a very good one regarding both yield & quality. In our area, I would estimate our bushels-per-acre at 75+. That is a pleasant surprise. Prior to harvest, I was guessing 60 BPA. Our quality is excellent @ 13.70 protein and 63# and no issues with scab, vomotoxin, or falling numbers.
 
I want to commend my grain team. They are the critical cog in making our business successful. During harvest, they are here 7 days a week, up to 15 hours a day making sure our producers get their grain delivered. They have families, commitments, and lives outside of work yet are so dedicated to their job that they sacrifice a lot during harvest to get the crops off the field. Please remember they are not only here until your crop is off the field, they are there until ALL your neighbors have their crop harvested, also.
 
This weekend I am going to the Viking/Packer game in Minneapolis. It’s been a few years since I’ve been to a Vikings game, and it will be my 1st ever Viking/Packer game. This rivalry is certainly center stage in the Midwest. Prior to the Vikings coming to Minnesota in 1961, the Packers were the “team” of the upper Midwest. A lot of loyal fans stayed with the Packers rather than start cheering for the newbies (Vikings). Even though Sunday’s game is in Minneapolis, the fans in attendance will be closer to 50-50. It divides families, friends, and communities, mostly in a friendly way.  It should be a fun time at US Bank Stadium! Skol Vikings!
 
Argentina’s government is introducing a preferential exchange rate for soybean farmers to encourage more exports. Argentina is facing soaring inflation and the government is trying to boost US Dollar reserves to meet the terms of a debt deal with the International Monetary Fund. With soybean exports being the country’s main source of foreign currency, the move is expected to quickly meet their goal. While the move is already boosting crop sales, it is only a temporary fix as the incentives will expire at the end of September. The key will be grain movement over the next few weeks in Argentina.
 
Yesterday, private analysts IHS Markit (Informa) pegged 2022 U.S. corn yields at 171.6 bushels per acre, down from 176.9 BPA last month, with corn production at 14.04 billion bushels, 319 million below the USDA August figure. Soybean yields fell by half a bushel this month to 51.3 BPA, with output there at 4.471 billion bushels, 60 million bushels below the government's guess.
 
South America will begin planting their soybean crop in the coming weeks (Brazil) and months (Argentina). As many may be aware, there is talk of a third La Nina happening this year. While every La Nina pattern will be different, it will likely impact production to some extent. This will be worth watching as planting picks up.  
American Crystal started their 2022 campaign a couple of weeks ago with the pre-pile. This limited harvest allows the farmers to open fields to prepare for the main harvest which starts on October 1st. It also allows the factories to start processing sugar earlier, shortening up the processing needed next spring which minimizes loss due to warm spring weather.
 
I love this time of year. Warm days, cool nights, football at all levels. Harvest, corn-on-the cob, pumpkins, sleeping with the windows open, colors……….. simply a wonderful time of year.
 
This week’s crop progress/condition report show North Dakota’s wheat harvest is 62% complete which compares to 93% last year and the 5-year average of 80%. Nationally, corn condition is 54% good/excellent which is the same as last year and behind the 5-year average of 61%. Soybeans are 57% g/e, the same as last year and behind the 5-year average of 60%.
 
Cash prices: Wheat is at $8.33, in 2020 it was $5.05. Corn is $6.15 and in 2020 it was $3.22. Beans are $13.30 and in 2020 they were $9.15. Quite a difference in 2 years!
 
I’m closing this week’s Ramble with some unconventional wisdom.
 
𝐎𝐥𝐝 𝐇𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐲 𝐖𝐢𝐬𝐝𝐨𝐦:
 
  • Your fences need to be horse-high, pig-tight, and bull-strong.
  • Keep skunks, bankers, and politicians at a distance.
  • Life is simpler when you plow around the stump.
  • A bumble bee is considerably faster than a John Deere tractor.
  • Words that soak into your ears are whispered, not yelled.
  • The best sermons are lived, not preached.
  • If you don't take the time to do it right, you'll find the time to do it twice.
  • Don't corner something that is meaner than you.
  • Don’t pick a fight with an old man. If he is too old to fight, he’ll just kill you.
  • It don’t take a very big person to carry a grudge.
  • You cannot unsay a cruel word.
  • Every path has a few puddles.
  • When you wallow with pigs, expect to get dirty.
  • Don't be banging your shin on a stool that's not in the way.
  • Borrowing trouble from the future doesn't deplete the supply.
  • Most of the stuff people worry about ain’t never gonna happen anyway.
  • Don’t judge folks by their relatives.
  • Silence is sometimes the best answer.
  • Don‘t interfere with somethin’ that ain’t botherin' you none.
  • Timing has a lot to do with the outcome of a rain dance.
  • If you find yourself in a hole, the first thing to do is stop diggin’.
  • Sometimes you get, and sometimes you get got.
  • The biggest troublemaker you’ll ever have to deal with watches you from the mirror every mornin’.
  • Always drink upstream from the herd.
  • Good judgment comes from experience, and most of that comes from bad judgment.
  • Lettin’ the cat outta the bag is a whole lot easier than puttin’ it back in.
  • If you get to thinkin’ you’re a person of some influence, try orderin’ somebody else’s dog around.
  • Live a good, honorable life. Then when you get older and think back, you’ll enjoy it a second time.
  • Live simply. Love generously. Care deeply. Speak kindly. Leave the rest to God.
  • Most times, it just gets down to common sense.
 
Have a fantastic weekend and go Vikings!
 
Paul
 
If God brings you to it he'll bring you through it.............

 

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