December

I hope everyone had a good Christmas! Ours was fragmented but good. Kids beginning to scatter all over the map at this point in our lives. We did quite a bit of baking. My wife bought me a bread machine. I think she created a monster.

We did some holiday baking and hunkered down from the cold north wind for the most part. Crops are growing. Not as consistent a stand as I wanted, as the drill needs some more adjustment. The job is done and things are growing, however. We should have more than enough grain to cover our market in the coming summer.

Keeping an eye on grain prices. I expect the market to be softer this spring because of a better harvest last fall. Much of the corn in south Texas was far and away improved over last year. This will be good news for livestock producers who need a break in grain prices. The market will still be decent, I think.

Many people are of the mistaken belief that farmers do not estimate demand for their crops based on markets, but nothing could be further from the truth. If prices are not good for corn, we will plant another crop. Marginal land coming out of CRP has to be producing something, so, yes we will plant that. Hopefully, the farmer will keep the special problems with marginal land in mind  and adapts his practices to suit. Most of us do.

With that in mind, this is our first year to go 100% no till. That has been our goal for some time now. I do wish I had flattened some of the cultivated ridges before actually doing that, however. I suspect I will need to do so after the crops are done this summer.

The new year is coming. Nothing can stop it. I am going to do something I haven't since the last millennia. I am going to make a resolution. I am going to resolve to have more fun this year and spend more time with my wife.

I really hope to have a good 2014. We want to sell a lot of flour and corn meal this year! Maybe a few vegetables. The same for you and yours. Have a happy and prosperous new year!