Notes From Owen

Looking at the calendar, then looking at our crop progress, it’s hard to believe it is early June already. What an unbelievably cold and wet growing season so far. The really good news though, is this same weather pattern has provided a much-needed high energy boost to our grain markets. It’s hard to believe we have a weather market already starting in late May. No doubt this will be an interesting year ahead of us.

Tackle Every Task…..A Better Way! Agricultural producers have always been optimistic and innovative thinkers that are always looking for a better way to do things. You are always trying for better bottom-line results every year, while maintaining a healthy business for the long-term, by seeking better efficiency and better productivity as you tackle every task in your operation.

By now, I hope you have your fall crops in the bin and that harvest yields were good to you. As the holidays approach, I want to wish you and your families all the best as we move into the new year.

Trade tensions and tariff wars….New worries for American agriculture.

Well, we made it through the winter! Undoubtedly, there will be more snow and cold, but I think the worst is behind us, which means planting season is not far away. Much of this Flyer is dedicated to that planting operation…arguably, the most important piece of the annual crop production cycle. When it comes to planting, there are no “Do Overs”!

Wow! Wheat harvest is almost here. It seems like just yesterday we were talking about getting started with corn planting. As we get closer to harvest, remember we will be extending hours in our local Parts and Service Departments as harvest progresses northward. And, again this year, we will be utilizing our Harvest Support Van. This 53 foot trailer is stocked with over $150,000 worth of the next level of harvest parts that would not normally be carried at the store level. It is already staged at our Cheyenne Wells, CO location and it too will leapfrog north as harvest progresses.

Spring is here and another crop cycle is about to begin. As we move into this next cycle, we see a variety of challenges across our region. Clearly, commodity prices continue to be a challenge. Much of the area is abnormally dry, with less than ideal conditions for spring planting. Interest rates are starting to creep upward, after a long period of being historically low. After the challenges of 2016, it kind of feels like starting out the 2017 growing season is like the morning after an all-night bachelor party!!!