Tuesday, August 22, 2023

The current string of hot days began here on Sunday.  It is set to continue through Friday.  The hottest day predicted is 101ºF (38C) on Thursday.  That may set a new record high temperature, breaking the string of many days of records from 1936.   After Friday, the days are predicted to return to the 80s for daytime temps.  There seems to be a lot of concern about the hot days.  For example, the granddaughters’ cross country meet for this afternoon was cancelled.  I have to admit, I’m seeking jobs that I can do in the office or in a tractor with A/C.   Should we be surprised that it is hot and humid in August in southern Indiana?  We

Brady Harp and the Channel 10 weather report from today at noon. Can you see the Vincennes numbers for heat index? 111ºF!

Mowing the median along US 50. Not too hot for this task!

I have begun to work on the crop budgets for 2024.  It was necessary in order to begin the plan for our 2024 wheat crop.  We sat down with Greg from Nutrien on Monday morning, and made a plan for where to plant our next wheat crop.  We chose again the variety that has been good to us for the past 3 years, DynaGro 9862.  We had considered using some of our wheat in storage for seed, but the complications of getting it cleaned, treated and stored separately until needed in late September proved to be too much to justify the cost savings.  The good news is that the cost per bushel to produce next summer’s wheat crop has dropped, (due to lower fertilizer prices) and that is necessary because the price of wheat has dropped significantly.  It is now hovering near our cost/bu of the ’24 crop.  I will begin the budget work for 2024 corn and soybeans next week, and this document will get refined step by step as we gain understanding of the cost of the different inputs.

We will limit our outdoor work this week, because of the temperatures.  Next week will be more conducive to pulling out the combines and getting them adjusted over for corn/soybeans.  Fall harvest is less than 4 weeks away now, and we simply must be getting the machines and trucks ready.  I think Brandon has completed the cleaning and servicing of the Volvo and its Wilson trailer.   Three more to go!

Take care.  Keep cool.