Muddy Grain Bags To Farming Teaching Us About Faith and Resilience

We catch up after a break and share what early spring looks like on our farm, from hauling beans and wrestling grain bags in wet conditions to getting equipment lined up for planting. We also talk about smarter grain marketing, the lessons we’re learning about planning ahead, and why faith and community matter when inputs are high and the weather stays in charge. 
• coming home from vacation to bean contracts and long elevator lines 
• learning curves with stored grain bags, mud, and making the grain cart work 
• getting the planter and strip-till bar ready while rain delays fieldwork 
• putting targets into grain marketing and planning around cash flow needs 
• using an app to make offers and manage contracts with less stress 
• balancing optimism on commodity prices with reality of high input costs 
• restarting garden seeds after an overwatering mistake 
• building a farm stand for eggs, produce, and baked goods 
• planning summer events for women on the farm and in nature 
• reflecting on Easter, resilience, faith, and supporting someone who needs to talk 
Reach out to us at farmersgreatest asset at gmail if you have any questions or would like to hear us discuss anything. 
We love hearing from all of you. 
You can follow us on the socials at farmers greatest asset. 
We would love to have you follow and share any of our posts. 

Transcript

Back From Vacation And Catching Up

SPEAKER_01 0:14

The Farmer's Greatest Asset Podcast. We believe the Farm's Greatest Asset is the Farmer. Their knowledge, experience, mind, and health. Well, welcome back to the podcast. I'm Jesse.

SPEAKER_00 0:40

And I'm Dr. Leah.

SPEAKER_01 0:42

Sorry, it's been a hot minute since we have released an episode.

SPEAKER_00 0:47

Very much more than a hot minute.

SPEAKER_01 0:50

But we're back.

SPEAKER_00 0:52

We are, we are. We are here. Have no fear.

SPEAKER_01 0:56

Good morning, good afternoon, good evening from whenever and wherever you're listening. So we were gone for a little vacation. Vacay. And you know how it goes on the farm? You get home and you play ketchup and you get busy. And we have not taken the opportunity to sit down and do this until now.

SPEAKER_00 1:24

So here we are.

SPEAKER_01 1:25

Here we are. So what's been going on the farm, you say? Well, when we got home, it was early March.

SPEAKER_00 1:36

Yes.

SPEAKER_01 1:37

Had bean contracts to fill, so we started hauling beans. And that was a slow process because I think when we sold beans, everybody else and their dog sold beans too. So we were all sitting in Quincy together. In line. Forever.

SPEAKER_00 1:58

Endeavor. Amen.

SPEAKER_01 2:02

So uh been hauling grain trying to get bags picked up, which when you get it, get it going, it's a piece cake.

SPEAKER_00 2:11

Unless it's muddy. And then it's not so easy. So it's definitely been a learning process with the bags.

SPEAKER_01 2:20

Well, yeah, you just learn to deal with it and move on, I guess. Um so when we were gone, I was gonna have the guys start on the bag, but then uh neighbor rented the bagger, so he he was gonna start on his bag, and I said, Well, you just take the unloader while we're gone, and the guys can pull all the bins. Well, when we got back, it was wet. So we had to figure it out. Get the grain cart out and pivot, make it work. And it's kind of been a month of pivoting.

SPEAKER_00 2:57

To say the least. But I feel like that's just farming.

SPEAKER_01 3:01

It is.

SPEAKER_00 3:03

You know, you can get frustrated and upset, or you can just realize as do I. I mean, that's just being human. Um, or you can try and just realize like this is what it what it will be and move forward. Right.

SPEAKER_01 3:21

So still trying to get some corn picked up out of bags.

SPEAKER_00 3:25

We still have quite a bit of bags left. But that's I it's what is left is in an area that we could wait until we're done planting to start hauling.

SPEAKER_01 3:38

All right, so as we record this, it is early April and literally raining outside. Uh so the grain cart we've been using to pick bags up, and it's hooked to the tractor that we put on the planter, so haven't even got the planter hooked up and pulled out yet, but we will knock on wood because it's gonna be minimal work to get ready, the planter. But you've also been working on strip till bar, getting a strip till bar built and all that stuff. So that should be other than some software stuff updates. I think we're pretty good to go there. So just waiting to put on some fertilizer and nitrogen. So there has been some anhydras going on in our neck of the woods here late March, early April. So the ground, people that were working said the ground is working great. And I don't know how much rain exactly we've gotten, but there are a lot of puddles out there. So I think the water tank is being refilled and going into the growing season with a good full tank. So that's good.

SPEAKER_00 4:56

And I believe we're fortunate because out west they are very dry.

unknown 5:03

Yeah.

SPEAKER_00 5:04

And you hear things about them potentially not being able to water their, you know, if they have pivots, they aren't going to be able to get enough water to even water their crop. And so those are things I remind myself of when it's a little bit wetter here than we would like it to be, so we can get work done efficiently.

SPEAKER_01 5:23

Yeah, right. We're not dealing with fires and right.

SPEAKER_00 5:26

Look at what's been going on in Nebraska. It's unfortunate.

SPEAKER_01 5:31

Yeah. So God bless you guys. It's it's I don't we've never had to deal with that. Um so but farmers and ranchers were resilient and we figured out.

SPEAKER_00 5:44

We pivot and move through it, support each other along the way as best we can. Build a community.

unknown 5:54

Yeah.

Grain Marketing Targets And Tech

SPEAKER_01 5:56

So the uh we have taken some opportunities in marketing. We've had a few good little rallies, so we've put some targets out and have done a better job at marketing. That's one thing we have said we need to do better uh running our business, and we've uh been better at you and I haven't discussions about it and putting targets in.

SPEAKER_00 6:20

Um it feels l like far less reactionary and more progressive in nature. Like we're planning, you know, around cash flow and really focusing on the business and when we, you know, need to be utilizing the cash flow. And that has not been something we have done, and it feels so much better.

SPEAKER_01 6:49

Well, we know where our numbers are, and we have put targets out there and we're our targets are starting to hit. We also know that we need to plan ahead because we have all these bags. And my idea or my plan is to get it picked up before first of March, all the bags. So we have contracts and targets out for that.

SPEAKER_00 7:12

Um that way, so just the the reasoning behind that is that way we are picking up the bags when the ground is still frozen and not when it's muddy out.

SPEAKER_01 7:24

Is that or at least get it done before we're trying to get ready for spring planting?

SPEAKER_00 7:29

Right. But this next year we are going to have a lot of corn in bags, even more corn in bags. So that will be another blessing. But so something to plan for.

SPEAKER_01 7:43

We have in the past used targets and stuff, and if you have the capability with your elevator or whatever, um one of the ethanol plants that we use has an app, and it has been pretty awesome. Get on their app and you can put targets in and uh create contracts and put offers, and so we were on vacation sitting in Grand Cayman and making offers and stuff like that. It's pretty awesome. So if you have the capability or whatever, use your technology, um, take advantage of these little market rallies.

SPEAKER_00 8:23

So that has been something that we've been working on together. And in the past, you have been you have done all of that yourself. Um, so I think talk us talking it through has been very beneficial for both of us.

SPEAKER_01 8:38

Well, the problem is is I was doing it, but then I was just getting busy in the busy work. I think you and I talking about it, it makes it happen. One. So getting better there and running the farm.

SPEAKER_00 8:56

Yeah. So it's been a shift. It's been really good though. Not that it hasn't been without disagreements or heated discussion.

SPEAKER_01 9:14

But heated? Or just yeah, I don't I don't know.

SPEAKER_00 9:17

Occasionally. I mean, it happens.

SPEAKER_01 9:21

Well, we try too hard to out guess the market, and you know that'll never work. So we are not in control of that. Just like we are not in control of the weather. And if we would be able to control it, it might be bad.

Planting Prep And New Farm Plans

SPEAKER_00 9:38

So someone else is new on the farm. Um getting ready to go into planting season.

SPEAKER_01 9:46

It is April 2nd today. I don't know, I've heard a few guys have stuck some beans in the ground in southeast Iowa.

SPEAKER_00 9:54

Wow.

SPEAKER_01 9:55

Um there's always somebody that's gotta try it. Ultra early beans. Um the ground conditions were awesome last week.

SPEAKER_00 10:05

Yeah. It looks like a lot of cold rain coming.

SPEAKER_01 10:09

Right. But somehow beans anymore can withstand some of that stress. So I guess we'll see how that goes for those guys. Good for them. Um, but yeah, we're getting ready for planting. All the seeds in the shop, fertilizers here, should be ready to rock and roll soon.

SPEAKER_00 10:30

And I planted a lot of seeds myself for the garden in January, and they were rocking and rolling. And over our vacation, they got a little too much water.

SPEAKER_01 10:48

Bad weather come in the form of Lizzie.

SPEAKER_00 10:50

Bad weather came in the form in inside. And they all died. So I have to restart seed as something.

SPEAKER_01 11:01

Lizzie was in charge of watering, and I I just can see it. She's like, I'm just gonna water them every day. That way I don't miss it. I don't forget, that way I won't mess it up.

SPEAKER_00 11:11

And yes, that's exactly what I'm sure she was thinking, but did not hear what I wanted her to do. So they got overwatered. They got overwatered, and it was a good experience for me to learn that and for her to learn that. Next year, I will not start seeds before I go on vacation.

SPEAKER_01 11:33

Luckily, those seeds are not the same price as corn and soybean cost.

SPEAKER_00 11:41

Right.

SPEAKER_01 11:42

So about ten dollars worth of seed got overwatered.

SPEAKER_00 11:45

It may it maybe. It may have been a little bit more than ten dollars.

SPEAKER_01 11:50

Ten dollars and fifty cents.

SPEAKER_00 11:52

Right. Yeah, so it's it's very, very different than the corn and soybean world. Like the numbers are very different, but um, I'm excited to announce we're going to be putting up a farm stand this year and where people could come and buy eggs and produce um and baked goods.

SPEAKER_01 12:17

So many eggs.

SPEAKER_00 12:19

So that is going to be an exciting development here. Um and we're also going to be planning some events for the summer. So that will be something else fun to do, to get some ladies together on the farm and do some more learning opportunities and just get out in nature and enjoy being outside and being in community with other with other women. So that is something that I'm looking forward to this summer. Dr. Leah Farm Camp.

SPEAKER_01 12:52

It's happening.

SPEAKER_00 12:53

Yeah, it's exciting. I'm really excited.

SPEAKER_01 12:56

Yeah, among that and grain marketing and hauling and stuff, we've hit a few cattle shows.

SPEAKER_00 13:03

Yes.

SPEAKER_01 13:04

Henry is wanting to hit the cattle shows pretty hard or harder than we have in the past.

SPEAKER_00 13:12

Maybe like three three shows. It's not it's not super hard. It's not like travel ball, thank God.

SPEAKER_01 13:19

I mean, we could make it that way, but we don't.

SPEAKER_00 13:22

We wouldn't get a crop in the ground if we went to all the cattle shows.

SPEAKER_01 13:27

And he wants to keep the cattle in the cooler too, so he needs to grow some hair.

SPEAKER_00 13:34

He's having fun with that, for sure. He's been taking care of that cow herd. Which is good. Yeah. Getting his feet wet.

SPEAKER_01 13:46

So here we are. It

Easter Reflection On Resilience

SPEAKER_01 13:48

is Easter week. Happy Easter, everybody.

SPEAKER_00 13:52

Tomorrow is Good Friday.

SPEAKER_01 13:56

Yes, it is already.

SPEAKER_00 13:59

Yeah. Definitely. I mean, it's Holy Thursday today, so definitely a time for reflection and really focusing on the sacrifices that are made to ensure us to have this lovely, wonderful world and wonderful life that we have. Um, and to never forget where you come from and who you want to be, and where you want to go and how you want to grow.

SPEAKER_01 14:31

And just remember to have faith. I mean, as farmers, we have to have faith. I don't know how you could do this, what we do with out having some faith, and that everything will work out. The crops will grow, the cattle will have babies.

SPEAKER_00 14:48

You know, so well, there's one thing that farmers definitely have, and it's resilience of spirit. Like every year, like there has to be an inner resilience, just putting that crop in the ground or purchasing those cattle or the hogs or you know any commodity, wheat, beets, sugar beets, you know, whatever it is, cotton, cotton. You have to have that resilience of of spirit because you don't know what's going to happen that year. And you have to have the faith in God and the faith in yourself that you are going to move past through any perils that could happen with it.

SPEAKER_01 15:32

We could do everything in our power, whether it be choosing the seed and what fertilizer and how much, and we do everything that we possibly can in our power. And the one thing that affects our crops anyway, the most is Mother Nature. And we can do nothing about that. So we just have a lot of faith. And in this Easter season, just you know, be thankful for what we got and that we can do this, and know that we can all get through this. Commodity prices are getting better, um, even though we are in super high input cost times.

SPEAKER_00 16:17

That's the hard part of all of it, I think.

SPEAKER_01 16:19

Right.

SPEAKER_00 16:21

You know, that the commodity prices, it feels like we're getting a little bit better, but all of the inputs are atrocious.

SPEAKER_01 16:32

So we just got to be better about what we're choosing to do and how we're doing it. And so we got to do it right. We can't just we've said it a thousand times. You can't just do what we've done in the past.

SPEAKER_00 16:45

And moving into this Easter weekend, just reinforcing the importance of family and taking that time to spend it with those who love and support you and who you are able to love and support, because the community aspect of being a human is so important. So, whoever your family is, if it's biological family, meaning like people that are in your immediate family or the family that you have made through friends and friendships or your church, um, be with that community and love and love them this weekend and love and grow together and in faith and and resilience.

SPEAKER_01 17:35

Look around the room and love those that uh are around you and surround yourself with the ones you do love. And tell them you love them and enjoy their presence.

SPEAKER_00 17:47

And you never really realize the struggles that the person in that room are going through until you are able to sit down and have that close time together. We kind of experienced that this week. We had somebody just kind of drop by and and they had a lot going on in their life, and it was good to just either support, lend an ear for them to talk.

SPEAKER_01 18:17

They needed to talk.

SPEAKER_00 18:18

And good to give support and just encouragement and make them feel like they are not alone and that there is community there. And look for those opportunities as well this weekend. It's a very, very pivotal time in the year when we, especially as Christians, like this is the rebirth. How can we rebirth ourselves and grow closer together with others, whether that be family, friends, or your extended community? So happy Easter, everyone.

SPEAKER_01 18:58

Happy Easter, y'all.

SPEAKER_00 19:00

I have a hard time saying that on Holy Thursday, as tomorrow is Good Friday, and what that all of that means, but you know, really let's reflect. Um, celebrate today. You know, it was a celebration, the Last Supper. They celebrated together, not knowing what was coming forth, you know, Jesus knowing what was coming forth, but um stepping into that time of reflection, what it means for you, and how you want to come out on the other side of it. So really look into this weekend like a process, a growth, a rebirth, a reinvention.

SPEAKER_01 19:45

Big things are coming. Big things for all of you, for all of us. Happy Easter.

SPEAKER_00 19:52

Happy Easter.

How To Reach And Follow Us

SPEAKER_01 19:54

As always, thanks for listening.

SPEAKER_00 19:56

Reach out to us at farmersgreatest asset at gmail if you have any questions or would like to hear us discuss anything. Um, we love hearing from all of you. You can follow us on the socials at farmers greatest asset. We would love to have you follow and share any of our posts.

SPEAKER_01 20:19

And remember, it's a good day.

SPEAKER_00 20:22

To have a great day. Bye.