The more time that passes from when Mark and I started farming, the more I feel like the farmer who started his career with horse drawn equipment then witnessed the transition to diesel engine tractors with climate-controlled cabs. Several of our deceased landowners fit that description.  

Bean harvest is winding down. Thanks to early planting, short season varieties and maturity accelerating weather, we should finish in a day or two. Two decades ago, cutting beans in November was not uncommon. Management practices, genetic improvements and shifting weather have contributed equally to moving the completion date forward.  

Thursday, we opened the first corn field. Grain moisture was running around 22%. After exorcising the X9 of the usual start up gremlins, Ben was effortlessly covering 30 acres/hour keeping two grain carts and four trucks fully occupied. Counterintuitively, despite the 700 HP engines' voracious need for fuel, Ben reminded me fuel use/bushel was significantly less than the previous generation of harvesters. 

I stopped by the Oakdale bin site. Bert was monitoring the dryer. He pointed out the 21 temperature probes, output rate, incoming, outgoing and average cumulative moisture readings. After five years of operation, he was satisfied we had made the correct modifications and added the right components for this system to operate at its potential. 

In theory, these advancements enhance efficiency, save energy, and increase margins. At the same time, our industry is quick to adapt. As individuals, we continually invest in these innovations, increasing our output along with everyone else. This works well for the owners of technology and consumers of our products while leaving our ranking static.  

But not to sound like I'm complaining. This is the way of the commodity business which we enthusiastically doubled down on with our hog enterprise. Some thrive on the challenge and adventure that is an integral piece of this competitive and uncertain industry. Change is inevitable. And despite technical advances, global politics, fickle consumer preferences and disruptive business models, there is an aspect of our business that remains the same.

In spite of all our progress, Nature still has final say. More than any other insight, this truth keeps us grounded and grateful.

Jim