Recently, I wrote about how the American soybean export program has been in the gutter due to the exodus of China from the market. As the United States steps in to provide a $20 billion currency swap, which is like a loan, to a tune of $20 billion, China bought Argentinian soybeans. Soon after, ...
There is one part of my finance education which has stuck with me from my time at the University of Northern Iowa: Diversity matters when it comes to one’s investment portfolio. In farm terms, you never put too many eggs in one basket. Investing in only one stock or only a few stocks is an ...
I know I have said this before, but I want to say it again. My goal has always been to do an “On the Record” each month, but important work continues to take priority. The days are full, and that is a great thing because it means progress is being made. Between projects, cases, and the ...
Harvest is in full swing for my family and parents. I’m proud to be a 4th Generation Farmer. My main role is trucking grain to town and the grain bins in a semi, combining, and picking up repair parts. I’m thankful to have a small family farm and the opportunity to be a part of it. The ...
As it stands today, delivering a bushel of soybeans to Tama-Benton Cooperative would be $9.35. For farmers, this is probably below their cost of production. These soybean prices have been in the tank, and they appear to be staying there for the near future. The main reason prices are so low is ...
Recently, in less than a week, Texas, North Carolina, New Mexico, and Chicago, Ill. all experienced 1-in-1000-year rainfall events. Really weird. Moreover, this was not the only weird thing happening. Ocean currents are being altered, animal migration patterns of many birds and the monarch ...
It may seem strange to plant trees in the fall, but fall is an ideal time to plant many varieties. It gives the roots time enough to get established before cold weather. They avoid soggy spring months and summer’s intense heat as they adjust to their new location. Most tree species can be ...
A couple weekends ago, after an evening celebrating my aunt’s birthday followed up by staying at the Isle Casino Hotel, my wife and I lost a mere $12. Gambling has never stuck. Too scared to play the card games and too bored while playing the slots. After staying in the lovely Isle Casino ...
Happy Labor Day and start of the school year! I cannot believe August is over already. The summer months seem to go by so fast, but the cooler air is refreshing and finally a slow down on lawn mowing. One of the main topics discussed by the Board of Supervisors in August was the Salt Creek ...
Senator Grassley recently released a public statement in which he acknowledged that climate change is a serious issue (i.e. not a myth), but he also called for a vigorous debate to determine if climate change is an “existential threat to the planet” as the Biden administration had ...