Halfwayish

If you are a glass half fuller, you might say we are over half done with Harvest 2019. Five weeks into the battle, on pace to finish in four more, equipment fleet debugged and performing reliably, beans binned, 60% of total acres combined and corn harvest rate increasing with declining grain moisture levels. 

A less optimistic observer might say we have not reached the mid-point. In terms of volume and value, majority of grain is still in the field, most of the fall tillage remains, and more dollars will be spent getting to the finish than have gone out the door since we started. Combination of LP gas, diesel fuel, man and machine hours, and wear parts makes corn harvest triple the cost of harvesting beans.

If either case can be made, we are close enough for a mid-season update.

Final average bean yield was within a couple bushels of Bert's preseason forecast, well off last year’s record.

With 39% acres harvested, average corn yield is similar to 2018. The high ticks are lower, indicative of less desirable growing conditions, however the low ticks are higher, indicative of better execution. 

We believe a higher floor will put our 2019 average above last year.

The effects of excess rainfall this year became apparent after crop removal. Gullies, washouts, damaged waterways and tile blowouts are common. We currently have three dirt contractors working on our farms installing diversions, repairing waterways, cleaning drainage ditches and installing tile. Our strategy for land improvement assumes continuation of recent precip levels. We hope to be wrong but ready for more of the same. 

On the "This could happen to you" list of contemporary threats, the Pinicon server experienced a ransomware attack this week, essentially a cyber shakedown. During a ransomware attack, your files and programs are infected with an encryption virus that renders data unavailable. Hackers who initiate these attacks attempt to extort payment via bitcoin to restore access. You may have heard about the city of Baltimore being ransomed for $250,000 this summer.

The extent to which the efficient daily operation of a business depends on the capabilities of computer hardware and software has become a cliché, but it cannot be overstated.

For two days our staff was incapacitated, unable to enter data, pay bills, access files, or perform most of the essential administrative tasks requiring a computer program or access to memory.

Luckily, we had recently hired a new IT firm to provide support and assist in the development of a technology upgrade effort. After two long days of phone calls, program installation, and server re-configuring, Max had us operational again.

The good news is with proper backup procedures and user protocols, the frequency and impacts of ransomware can be minimized.

Lesson learned.

Completion of harvest by Thanksgiving seems unlikely. IMO, if we achieve that goal 100% of the time, we have too much machinery. 

Having said, the girls and boys at Pinicon will give 110% to reach that goal safely.

Wish them luck.

Jim