Good Yields + Good Markets = Merry Christmas!!
Trent and his family wish you a Merry Christmas and Happy and Prosperous New Year
Trent Brandenburg expects a Merry Christmas this year. His farming operations have brought in good crop yields. Recent strength in the corn and soybean markets have improved his return. The continuing increase in central Illinois farmland values have enhanced his investment. Trent looks for an increased cost of crop inputs for 2022. He expects the market to remain strong enough that he will be able to absorb the increased cost of inputs this next year. He foresees a possible “rough year” in 2023.
Trent does not plan any major changes in his corn-soybean balance nor in his fertility and crop protection programs. He has them well-tuned to his established operations and sees no reason for major changes. The remarkable improvements in corn and soybean genetics in recent years have provided here-to-fore unknown consistency and reliability to Midwest cash grain farming. Weather remains the big variable, and now the biggest risk factor, and beyond the farmer’s control.
More from The Field Report
From Drought To Ponding And Replanting
In barely months, Trent's challenges have gone from extreme drought to repeated ponding and replanting. Trent has replanted some corn and soybeans twice, only to have the ponding return yet again. "I don't think I will try to replant corn [...]
Corn And Soybean Planting Done, Some Germinated, More To Come
Trent Brandenburg is happy to have completed his corn and soybean planting by the 15th of May. "It's slow," he said, commenting on the germination delay by the recent cool temperatures. Moderately heavy rains the last few days have caused [...]
Worked Some Fields, With A Sunny Day Could Begin Planting
Trent Brandenburg has "worked a couple of fields, they're barely ready" after several days of rain last week. "If we get a sunny day tomorrow I could plant some," Trent continued. The long-standing extreme drought in central Illinois has been [...]