Greetings from the upper Midwest. Many September days the weather was picture-perfect, allowing good corn silage and soybean harvests. The corn fields dried down rapidly, and that job is largely in the rearview mirror.
For the most part, the crop looked good considering the late, wet spring that we had. This area has been blessed with a bountiful hay crop with most farmers getting four or five cuttings.
I only wish that farmers could not only get a good crop but also receive a fair price for all their hard work, investment, and risk that goes with producing it. Unfortunately, we are dealing with unsustainable price levels for both conventional and organic grain.
I wish I had some good news on this front, but with another crop being harvested with relatively excellent yields, some exports in question, and a new Farm Bill that is stalled out, it’s tough to find any.
Passage of a new Farm Bill is still up in the air, as Congress attempts to figure out how to pay for it and whether to place limits on nutrition and climate programs. We believe the lame-duck Congress may address the issue starting Nov.12 and come up with some agreement before benefits run out at the end of the year. Hurricane disaster focus may get in the way of Farm Bill progress.
Once a new crop year comes into place in January, if a new bill isn’t passed, farm programs would revert to “permanent law,” sending crop supports back to policy from the 1938 and 1949 Farm Bills. The Congressional Research Service reports billions of dollars would be lost because of violations of trade agreements and drastically lower support levels.
On a brighter note, our fiscal year at NFO ended September 30. With the help of our great staff, we were able to reach some new milestones in the organization.
For the first time in the history of National Farmers, we will well exceed the one billion dollar mark in gross sales. Our dairy department presently handles more milk than at any time since the early 1970’s when that program began.
Gross sales in our livestock department are also at an all time high. Our grain department is working hard through some difficult times as they continue to deal with extremely low prices.
Each new day seems to come with challenges and also opportunities. Collectively, I believe all of us at NFO are doing a good job at seizing whatever opportunities we can to help our members’ bottom line.
Until next time—Stay safe and May God Bless.
