To be a farmer

To be a farmer..
You have to love what you do


Many things in farming are beyond control
•weather conditions
•growing population
•weeds
•pests
•money
•commodity prices
•input costs


These are just a few of the battles farmers deal with daily. Yes some things like weeds and pests can be dealt with by herbicides, pesticides etc. But those all factor in another cost to the farmer and their farm!


A big things farmers have been dealing with is the struggle with commodity prices!


In 2012, soybean prices reflected the following
Average Closing Price: $14.62
Year Low: $11.58
Year High: $17.68


I have been watching the market closely and I get updates on my phone daily for commodities,yes I take after my papa! Every morning he gets a text!


You guys this years prices reflect the following so far..
Average Closing Price: $8.98
Year Low: $8.22
Year High: $9.56




It doesn’t take a genius to figure out that that is a pretty significant difference!


At this time you may not know but these are the prices farmers are dealing with right now, when selling there crop wether it be at the time they drop it at the port (which means whatever current price is) OR after they have contracted so many bushels and locked in a price! But no matter the case on how grain gets sold or delivered! These prices are pretty low right now!


Things people don’t think about.. is what the farmer puts in to the crop like:
•fertilizer
•chemical
•labor
•seed
•fuel
•machinery costs (parts, machines oil..etc)
And more!


Even goes for livestock, like right now market is down too.. inputs for them:
•seed for pasture
•fertilizer for pasture
•medicine/vaccination/tags
•mineral/feed
•shelter/handling facilities
•stocking fees
And more!


Do you think after all those input cost and xxx amount of acres with low prices they are getting what they need?


I hear people complain about debt, not working...
Guess what?
Do you know how many farmers are in debt, but yet still working there heart out in hopes for better return?


WHY..
IS THIS IMPORTANT FOR YOU TO KNOW?


BECAUSE..


FARMERS AND LABOR WORK THEIR ASSES OFF (pardon my language) to feed the world!


Whether it be a livestock farmer/rancher, vegetable farmer/grower, row crop farmer!


Even when times are hard financial or the weather has caused a hard burden on their farm they KEEP PUSHING!


Those farmers and labor, I guarantee him or her have wanted to give up when things get tuff prices get low, and just ready to thrown in the towel but those that are still standing LOVE WHAT THEY DO and CARE ABOUT YOU!


Farming is not cheap, it’s not easy


BUT I’M telling YOU, yes YOU reading this!


That every farm needs you help and support, in buying their products, promoting agriculture, slowing down or pulling over to the side of the road when they are moving equipment!


THIS... RIGHT HERE
WE NEED FARMS AND FARMERS
TO FEED THE WORLD


Moral to my post tonight!
FARMERS DO NOT GET ENOUGH CREDIT ON WHAT THEY DO, and they sure aren’t getting the return they hope for either whether that be financially or emotionally!


And it’s time for a change!


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support your farmer and growers and most of all be so thankful and grateful for they do!


Pray for your farmers, their family, and farm!
Pray for the market!


Xoxo
A Growers Granddaughter