I’m learning that in farming there is always give and take. Take the GMO and non-GMO debate. There is a very large consumer increase in non-GMO consumption and demand and I would like to capture some of that market demand. Plus, who knows what really happens to us when we ingest food that has been genetically modified. But, the downside of planting conventional seeds is the increase in use of pesticides and herbicides which have the potential for drift and to just be in the air around us, especially since many farmers spray around the same time frame.
Maybe a mix of cover crops and non-GMO is the way to go. Cover crops have the potential to prevent weed growth between crop rows and help with insect control.
Nevertheless, it’s time for a change in our production methods and products we use. Bugs and weeds are changing and becoming resistant. And consumers are wanting to know what they are eating, which is very smart and wise. Health is finally becoming a top priority in the human condition.

It’s a new year and much has changed since the farmagain last created a post! Our apologies, but with the arrival of our first and newest addition to our family, a baby girl last November, we have been adjusting to life as parents!

Much has happened since my last post. Let’s see, here’s a short synopsis:
– Jesko, our student farmer, helped us through the harvest in my absence from the field work. He returned to Germany shortly after our daughter was born.
– The 2012 year was dry, dry, dry, but our yields were better than we expected them to be. We had a great year nonetheless and are hoping for some moisture between now and this spring.
– Our rams hopefully did their due diligence this past November and December and impregnated our flock of ewes. They all look fat and wooly, but our guess is that they did a great job.
– Market prices have gone up and down, which is the norm now. Should we be pricing our 2014 crop? Do we wait it out to see what South America brings? A lot of uncertainty is out there in the market place.
– We are hauling soybeans in January! Unusual for our operation to do so, but the dry winter has made it possible.

I am probably missing a bunch of things, but the lack of sleep and post-pregnancy brain has caused some short circuitry.

Here is to a great 2013!