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This has been a summer like no other down on the farm. We have just suffered through the worst drought in memory, along with record high temperatures. The combination of those two weather phenomenons has resulted in the ruining of our corn crop.
Ear of white corn and yellow corn from 2011. Looks pretty good!
In our area, our corn yields generally range anywhere from 150 bushels per acre to 200 bushels, depending on the type of soil in a particular field and weather conditions.
Not this year.
Many fields have already been mowed down because there is no corn at all to harvest. Brad is going to shell corn today so that we can get whatever is out there for our landlords. For their benefit, we hope there is at least a little.
But from the samples Brad has pulled, we don't have very high hopes.
This gives you an idea of what we are facing for this year.
Thankfully, most farm families have at least some crop insurance to help cover expenses, but rural communities are going to feel the brunt of this failed crop. We already know people who are making huge changes in their farming operations as a result of the lack of corn.
It is really unbelievable.
And sad.
And very hard on the farm pocketbook.
Thankfully, farmers (and their wives!) are very resilient people, and we are moving on. Of course, the beautiful cooler mornings and evenings, and the fresh air have helped a lot with improving moods in our farmhouse.
We also have received some lovely rains in the last couple of weeks, and we are so thankful for every drop. The grass is greening up, and we have even mowed our lawn twice this month.
Most importantly, we received enough rain to produce at least a partial soybean crop! The soybean is a remarkable little plant and has been able to hang on long enough to benefit from the rain.
WooHoo!
Soybeans
I know some of you have been praying for farm families, and it means so much to me.
Thank you.
All of us really are dependent upon God for the basics of life, whether or not it is politically correct to believe it. Man with all his knowledge and technology cannot make it rain.
Or stop raining.
When you sit down to dinner with your family tonight, will you remember the people who work very hard so that you can have food on your table? We will remember the people who are eating it.
Let's vow not to take each other for granted, or our Heavenly Father who provides all good things.
