Spring is here! In theory… In reality, it feels like it is just around the corner but not quite here! We have been finishing up getting the last of the machinery ready to go for the season.  The sprayer and forklift are shown in the picture getting tuned-up and checked over in the shop and bringing up the tail-end of our shop to-do list for the winter. (Notice the fantastic new lighting in the shop, another worthwhile end-of-winter project!) Morgan, the kiddos, and I managed to sneak down to Destin, FL with her family to catch sun and fresh, warm(er) air.  We came back to things drying out and warming up back home to at least a bearable temperature.  We have been able to get some GPS mapping, waterway touching-up, and road ditch litter clean-up done, despite receiving about 2″ of rain last week.

We will start applying pre-plant herbicide and fertilizer as soon as it dries off.  However, soil temps definitely need a boost into the 50’s before we will consider beginning planting corn.

While we wait for the full force of spring and as we wonder if grain markets will continue edging back up to more profitable levels, I thought I would post an article below that I believe effectively relates how I see the pending challenges that face our operation as grain markets have dropped and margins tightened over the last year.  As we have come through a profitable time in agriculture, I believe we are better prepared than ever to face the challenges and leverage the opportunities presented by a leaner time.

http://www.agweb.com/farmjournal/article/perspective_the_party_that_never_happened/