WHEAT HIGHER IN OVERNIGHT TRADING ON EXTREME COLD.

1. Wheat Futures Rise in Overnight Trading on Winterkill Worries
Wheat futures rose in overnight trading after extremely cold weather in the eastern Midwest and the Southern Plains hurt plants that lacked snow cover.

“Winterkill was noted in west-central Illinois, southern Iowa, and northern Missouri over the weekend,” said Donald Keeney, a senior agricultural meteorologist at MDA Information Services. “Very cold conditions yesterday resulted in some widespread winterkill damage in southern Nebraska, much of Kansas, eastern Colorado, northwest Oklahoma, and northwest Texas as snow cover there remains thin.”

Temperatures are expected to moderate as the week goes on, he said.
Wheat futures for March delivery rose 1¼¢ to $4.10½ a bushel on the Chicago Board of Trade. Kansas City futures added 3¼¢ to $4.18 a bushel.

Corn and soybeans were lower overnight as investors focus on supply rather than demand. U.S. growers likely harvested record crops this fall, boosting supplies of both commodities. While demand has been strong due to low prices and easily available supplies, it may not be enough to underpin prices, analysts have said.

Corn futures for March delivery fell 1½¢ to $3.54¾ a bushel in Chicago.
Soybean futures for January delivery declined 5¢ to $10.31¾ a bushel overnight. Soy meal dropped $1.50 to $315.60 a short ton, and soy oil fell 0.07¢ to 36.67¢ a pound.2. Speculators Lower Bets on Higher Soybeans, Lower Corn Second Straight Week

Speculative investors lowered their net-long positions, or bets on higher prices, in soybeans and were more bearish on corn for a second straight week, the Commodity Futures Trading Commission said in a report.

Investors were net-long 121,859 soybean futures contracts, down from 124,758 the prior week, the second consecutive decline, the CFTC said in a report on Friday. Speculators raised their net-short positions, or bets on lower prices, in corn futures by 5.5% to 69,050 contracts, according to the agency.

Bearish factors – including ample supplies after record corn and bean harvests along with improved weather in parts of South America, which could add to the glut – have investors concerned that prices will decline as the new year approaches.

U.S. growers likely produced 15.2 billion bushels of corn on yields of 175.3 bushels an acre and 4.36 billion bushels of soybeans on yields of 52.5 bushels an acre, all record highs, according to the Department of Agriculture.

The bearishness, however, comes amid strong demand for U.S. supplies. Exporters in the week that ended on December 8 sold more than 1.5 million metric tons of corn and 2 million tons of soybeans to overseas buyers.3. Extremely Low Temperatures Have Wheat Farmers on Winterkill Watch
Extremely low temperatures in parts of the Southern Plains have winter wheat growers watching their plants for winterkill.

Temperatures in Guymon, Oklahoma, in the state’s panhandle hovered at about 3˚F., while Amarillo, Texas, was at 6˚F., according to the National Weather Service.

Winterkill occurs when plants that lack a protective layer of snow are expose to temperatures that stay below freezing for more than a few hours. The so-called polar vortex has left the weather much colder than normal, though temperatures are expected to moderate as the week progresses, the NWS
BY TONY DREIBUS.

said.
Wind chills this weekend from -20˚F. to -30˚F. in much of the Upper Midwest.

SIGNIFICANT COST SAVINGS WITH USED PRECISION AG EQUIPMENT.

The solution to Kory Schafer and Adam Babl’s problem of finding an affordable guidance system for their sprayer presented itself at their local dealership.

“The sprayer [a John Deere 4710] wasn’t equipped with either guidance control or rate and section control,” says Schafer. He and Babl co-own GKS Farms of Albion, Nebraska. “We farm in 20-inch rows and spray across the rows, and we wanted to run in previous tracks on a second spraying. So guidance was a must.”

Schafer (pictured above, left) and Babl turned to a used monitor and receiver that were being sold by Green Line Equipment in their Albion, Nebraska, outlet. “We priced a new unit. With the price of corn and soybeans, we needed something more affordable,” Babl says.

The used Deere GreenStar 1800 display, loaded with guidance and sprayer control, and a StarFire iTC receiver were purchased for 35% to 40% less than a new display and receiver by the farming team. “We also had the activation fee for RTK,” Schafer adds.

GKS Farms joins a growing list of farmers who are capitalizing on the savings gained by purchasing used precision equipment. “Our business started taking off around six years ago,” says Jon Bickel of Used Precision Ag. “I notice there are now quite a few websites such as ours that are listing equipment.”

Bickel began buying, selling, and consigning used precision 12 years ago. The equipment he sells is reconditioned (which includes removing old data and upgrading firmware) and includes a three- to five-year warranty. “The big change since then is, besides a growth in business, now farmers realize that the used monitors or receivers in their equipment have value.”

The latest and fastest-growing category of used equipment at John Deere’s dealer site, machinefinder.com, is precision ag. At press time, that site had nearly 1,000 listings of displays, controllers, receivers, cabling, and activations.

Dealerships like Green Line Equipment have begun removing precision gear from trade-ins and listing the items on their websites.

“We noticed that lots of monitors and displays were being stored on shelves never to be used again, both on farms and at our dealerships,” notes Ashley Babl of Green Line (wife of Adam Babl). “We saw the potential in repurposing that equipment, especially now that commodity prices are lower. Farmers are looking for values.”

The advantage for a dealership, Ashley feels, is the opportunity to give farmers – who couldn’t afford that new precision equipment – a way to “maximize the bottom line and to cut input costs,” she says. “If we can help by selling a used sprayer section control, for example, and that saves money, then we’re providing a much-needed service in today’s economy.” BY DAVE MOWITZ.
GKS Farms’ first purchase has already whetted Schafer and Babl’s appetite for similar equipment. They’re now looking for used guidance gear for their primary tillage tractor.

SIDEWAYS CORN TRADE FOR REST OF 2016, SAYS ANALYST.

Slightly defensive trade was seen today, which might have simply been attributed to some pullback going into the end of the week closer to a more middle of the road price level.

It was another strong week of demand, which could raise the level we should expect support to come into this market. Last week the low price in March was 350 1/4 and today's low was 353 1/2, which might already be showing the added support from strong demand.

It's tough to suggest much movement for either direction over the next two weeks.


 News will remain slow and volume will also continue to slow, which continues to suggest sideways trade to the end of the year. Corn traders should pay attention to outside markets for short-term direction and watch news in beans and wheat just as much as corn. Let's still expect resistance in the 360's with initial support found in the low 350's with strong support anywhere in the 340's.

Bulls

• As long as demand continues strong there is reason to expect better support and even possibly reach closer to 370
• Bulls can look for better support but want to avoid looking at breaking 369 resistance simply due to low volume trade the next two weeks. BY RICH NELSON.

Bears

• Wheat could be the market which would most likely weigh on corn short term, bears will want to watch wheat closely
• Most important over anything else right now bears will want to see demand slow and take away much of the support currently being seennotice. There is no guarantee that the advice we give will result in profitable trades.

WITHOUT REGISTRATION, THE MARKET COMMENTARY IN THIS COMMUNICATION SHOULD NOT BE CONSIDERED A SOLICITATION.

AMERICAN AGRICULTURE BRINGS PEOPLE TOGETHER OVER THE HOLIDAYS.

Christmas and other December holidays are steeped in a variety of traditions, but perhaps there is no other time of the year when celebrations revolve so strongly around U.S. agricultural products and thoughts of farm life.
Christmas and holiday cards, trees, meals—all focal points of the holiday season—have strong ties to American agriculture. Although relatively few Americans have personal connections with farms, rustic farm scenes remain popular images on Christmas and holiday cards symbolizing a warm, nostalgic view of the life people long for during the holiday season.

Most holiday traditions begin on the farm, as each year, some 25 million to 36 million fresh-cut Christmas trees find their way into American homes.

    

The trees are supplied by some 15,000–20,000 tree farms, found in almost every state.
Food from America’s farms and ranches provide the social centerpiece for holiday gatherings, whether it’s the hors d’oeuvres for the holiday party, crackers and cheese for visiting friends, or the main holiday meals that bring families together.

American holiday meal traditions trace their origins to the meals served in the home countries of immigrants who have come to America, but the evolution of agriculture has continuously improved the assortment on the holiday table.

Most holiday meals are built around meat. Turkey, beef, goose, lamb, venison, rabbit, duck and pheasant, and pork, were popular in England, and appeared on American Christmas dinner menus as early as the 1600s. Turkey, ham and roast beef remain the most popular meats served at American holiday meals. Hams have been featured in December celebrations in many countries for centuries. At one time in the U.S., turkeys were kept on farms because they required little care and could be used to feed a crowd without economic sacrifice. Chickens had more economic value for egg production, as cows did for milk, and the commercial beef industry didn’t evolve until the 19th century. Now, modern farming practices make them all readily available.

By the late 1700s, holiday menus included ice cream, acorn squash, lima beans, sweet potatoes, raisins and nuts, cranberries, plums, peaches, and apples and cherries for pies.

In the pioneer days, American Christmas menus depended on location, economics, home situations, and heritage. People in larger cities—as well as those living on or near farms—tended to have more access to a broad range of food items than those living in outposts, camps or wilderness areas. By the early 1900s, agricultural expansion made it possible to incorporate lettuce, oranges, celery, grapefruit and other fresh fruits and vegetables into holiday meals.

Although Americans spend more on food in December than any other month, a traditional holiday meal with all of the trimmings remains a bargain. A holiday meal with turkey as the centerpiece costs about $5-$6 per person—less than the price of a burger, fries and soft drink at a fast-food restaurant. Dinner with ham, roast beef or prime rib is slightly higher, but still as little as $10-$12 a person, and less than the cost of lunch at a fast-casual restaurant.

While still a bargain, the real value of a holiday meal is priceless: the true worth comes from the fellowship and joy of gathering family and friends around the table to celebrate. From the scent of a Christmas tree to the smells and tastes of a holiday meal, America’s farmers and ranchers are happy to play their role in making it all possible.

On behalf of America’s farmers and ranchers, and all involved in American agriculture, have a joyous and safe holiday season, and best wishes for the New Year. BY ROBERT GIBLIN.

6 THINGS YOU DIDNT KNOW ABOUT HERBICIDE.

Think you’ve heard it all about herbicide-resistant weeds? Here are six often-overlooked facts about them to consider as you ready your weed-management plan for the coming growing season in 2017.

1. They’re not new. “The first resistant weeds to atrazine were reported in 1970,” says Ian Heap, director of the International Survey of Herbicide-Resistant Weeds (weedscience.org). At latest count, arazine (Group 5) has had 235 reported cases worldwide of weed resistance.

“The interesting thing is, we’ve known how to combat weed resistance for most of that time, too,” Heap says. Herbicide labels from the 1980s – before Roundup Ready was in anyone’s vocabulary – encouraged chemical rotation, full-use rates, and herbicide use only when necessary.

2. More are en route every year. Heap says, on average, 11 new cases of herbicide-resistant weeds are reported annually by weed scientists somewhere in the world. That’s been a steady pace for about 30 years. Up through 2015, 461 unique cases were documented, involving 247 weed species.

The reason there are two different numbers – 461 unique cases of 247 weed species – is that many weed species now show resistance to multiple chemicals. For instance, Heap says, wild oat shows resistance to five different herbicide classes, putting it on the list of unique cases five times.

Meanwhile, rigid ryegrass is resistant to 11 classes. About 90 weed species are resistant to more than one herbicide.

Corn used to be the crop most impacted, but now it’s wheat, Heap says. About 130 weeds that are significant to wheat growers are resistant to at least one herbicide. Corn has about 100 resistant weeds, and soybeans and rice have about 80.

3. They’re bigger than glyphosate. Weeds that resist glyphosate in herbicide-tolerant systems may get the most attention. That’s especially true in North America, where Roundup Ready soybeans burst onto the scene and dominated the weed-control market in just a few years, says Heap. The class of herbicides known as ALS inhibitors (such as Pursuit and Accent) actually has had the fastest worldwide growth in resistance in recent years, followed by PSII inhibitors (such as Buctril).

Worldwide, there are 56 registered ALS inhibitors on the market and 26 PSII inhibitors, compared with just one glyphosate. Hence, the former two classes lead the resistance race.

Part of the problem associated with the Roundup Ready era is that it’s been 30 years since we’ve discovered a new class of herbicides, Heap says.

“Glyphosate came along, and people thought it was game over. They (agricultural chemical companies) shut down their discovery programs,” he says.

“What is concerning are the herbicide groups 14 and 27,” says Mike Owen, Iowa State University Extension weed specialist. Group 14 herbicides are the PPO inhibitors (like Cobra and Flexstar). Group 27 herbicides are the HPPD inhibitors (like Balance Flexx and Callisto).

These have been popular alternatives where glyphosate resistance has surfaced. Yet, even in 2011, the estimated percentage of waterhemp in sampled fields estimated Group 14 resistance at 10% to 12%. With group 27, the resistance was estimated at 24% to 27%. Continued use will only raise these numbers.

4. They’re everywhere. North America does have the most resistant weed cases (over 160 and counting). However, western Europe has over 100 cases now. China is growing fast with over 40 resistant weeds, compared with just 15 in 2010.

“Countries with cheap labor sources have the fewest cases of resistant weeds,” says Heap.
5. There are 7 top offenders. Of the 32 weed species resistant to glyphosate, only seven actually account for about 99% of the economic losses, says Heap. Here is the biggest offenders list.

• Giant dogweed
• Johnsongrass
• Marestail (horseweed)
• Palmer amaranth 
• Rigid ryegrass
• Sourgrass
• Tall waterhemp 

For good measure, Heap adds kochia. It dries out and becomes a tumbleweed, spreading seeds as it rolls. It may soon crack his worst-offenders list.

6. You can keep track of herbicide-resistant weeds.

 A website (weedscience.org) is devoted exclusively to this topic and is managed by Heap. Public and private industry weed scientists in over 80 countries use the site to track new cases with updates and maps by state, region, crops, sites of action, and much more. BY GIL GULLICKSON.

WAYS TO IMPROOVE CATTLE GAINS.

Supplemental feed for pasture cattle can pump up gains, but there’s a downside. You have the daily chore of hand-feeding, maybe in a remote location.

There’s a solution for that. A feed program from Kent called Exact Beef CIT (controlled intake technology) lets you control the daily feed intake, even from a self-feeder. Kent beef nutritionist Steve Sachtleben, who developed the program, lists several advantages.

• You control the amount. Exact Beef CIT controls intake through a proprietary blend of ingredients, he explains. The level of Exact Beef CIT can be varied from 10% to 90% of the total mix. It will self-limit daily intake to about 0.5% to 2% of the animal’s body weight, or 3 to 12 pounds of feed consumed per day.
• It is more economical. Previous feed-limiting programs were usually based on fish oil. Exact Beef CIT is not, Sachtleben says, so it’s not subject to availability and wide price swings.
• It fits many operations. The program can work where limiting the supplemental feed intake is desired, such as cow-calf, stocker, creep feeds, and breeding stock. 
• A pasture can be stocked at a higher rate. “The dry feed consumed from the self-feeder will generally reduce the amount of forage consumed by the same amount,” says Sachtleben. “If less grass is consumed, more cattle can graze.”
• You save on labor. Exact Beef CIT may require only one trip to the field per week to refill the self-feeder, compared with daily hand-feeding in a bunk, says Sachtleben. “It provides an economic return if you have limited time for daily feeding.”

Angus seedstock producer Brian Marshall has used the program for developing heifers and sometimes for cows, too.

The Malta Bend, Missourian varies the ratio of Exact Beef to corn to control consumption. For grazing heifers, a ratio of 60% Exact Beef and 40% corn will give 5 to 7 pounds of daily intake.
“I get an additional 1.5 to 2 pounds of gain per head per day compared with no supplement,” says Marshall. BY GENE JOHNSTON.

3 BIG THINGS TODAY.

1. Soybeans, Corn Slightly Lower on Last Trading Day Before Christmas
Soybeans and corn were slightly lower in overnight trading on the last trading day before the Christmas break as more rain is forecast in South American growing areas.

About 2 inches of rain are expected in parts of the Argentina growing states of Cordoba and Buenos Aires, aiding soybeans and corn in the same areas where rain fell last week, Commodity Weather Group said in a report.

Showers are expected to shift tonight, improving conditions for the 30% of soybeans and corn that are still dry in the country, CWG said.
Brazil crops also will get rain as showers continue in the center-west and center-south growing regions, the forecaster said. There is still a chance that dryness will build in Bahia, which includes about 10% to 15% of Brazil’s corn and soybeans.

Soybean futures for January delivery fell ½ cent to $9.94 a bushel on the Chicago Board of Trade. Soymeal declined 70 cents to $312.60 a short ton, and soy oil rose 0.20 cent to 35.29 cents a pound.
Corn futures for March delivery fell a penny to $3.46 ¼ a bushel in Chicago.

Wheat futures for March delivery was unchanged at $3.97 a bushel overnight. Kansas City wheat was down ½ cent to $4.07 ½ a bushel

.2. Corn, Bean Sales Down Week-to-Week, Still Relatively Strong as Wheat Falls
Corn and soybean sales were down from the prior week but were still relatively strong in the seven days through Dec. 15, according to data from the Department of Agriculture.

Corn sales totaled 1.25 million metric tons last week, down 18% from the prior week and 8% from the previous four-week average, the USDA said, but anything above a million tons is still pretty strong.
Japan was the biggest buyer, purchasing 535,800 metric tons, followed by Mexico, which took 372,200 tons. South Korea bought 125,000 tons, Chile took 89,000 tons and Saudi Arabia purchased 74,800 tons, the government said. Unknown buyers canceled a purchase of 176,400 tons and Egypt canceled a buy of 33,100 tons.

Soybean sales totaled 1.81 million tons, down 10% from the prior week but up 9% from the four-week average, according to the USDA.

China, as is normal, was the big buyer at 1.25 million tons, followed by Thailand’s 85,300 tons. Japan was next on the list at 66,600 tons, Taiwan bought 66,400 tons and France took 66,000 tons, according to the USDA.

Wheat sales came in at 297,800 tons, down 44% from the prior week and 47% from the four-week average. Nigeria was the big buyer at 101,700 tons, Mozambique and Indonesia both bought 42,000 tons, Japan purchased 41,700 tons and Mexico took 31,300 tons

.3. Central, Northern Plains in For White Christmas, NWS Says
People in parts of the central Midwest and northern Plains who’ve been dreaming of a white Christmas may get their wish.

A winter weather advisory has been issued for much of the Midwest this morning as snow and wind are expected in parts of Nebraska, Iowa and Wisconsin, according to the National Weather Service. As much as 6 inches of snow are expected in the region along with 25-mile-an-hour winds that will reduce visibility and make travel dangerous, the NWS said.


Meanwhile, the northern Plains continues to get blasted by a winter storm.
Pretty much all of North Dakota is in a blizzard for the weekend as another foot of snow may fall in the state, according to the forecaster. “Very strong winds” will make travel extremely dangerous on Sunday and Monday, the report said.
Get involved in the discussion in Marketing Talk. BY TONY DREIBUS.

FARMERS WILL SOON GET WORLD CLASS GRANULATED UREA, NPK INDORAMA.

Indorama, one of the largest producers of urea fertilizer in Nigeria has said farmers in the country will soon have access to its new product, the granulated urea and NPK fertilizer, for their crop production nationwide.

 

 

Anand Kumara, an official of the Indorama Eleme Petrochemicals Limited (IEPL), a subsidiary of Indorama Corporation based in Port Harcourt, producing urea fertiliser stated this during the just concluded Daily Trust Agric confab in Abuja.

 

 

“In the nearest future, we hope to sell the granulated urea to more farmers and in every corner of Nigeria. We are trying to see if we can also launch the NPK into the Nigerian market. The fertilizer is going to be affordable and cheap to farmers, although the prices will vary in places due to transportation,” he explained.

 

 

According to him, the company currently has a production capacity of 1.4 million metric tonnes a year.

Speaking on the distribution channel, he said, “There are certain ways in the distribution channels; first of all, we give to our dealers, from the dealers, it goes straight to the retailers and from them, it goes to the farmers.

 

 

“What we are doing is we are starting from the primary distribution channels, which are the dealers and then the secondary distribution channels which are the retailers. Sometimes, we supply directly to the retailers” Mr. Kumara stated.

 

 

He noted that although the current recession in the country is affecting the cost of fertilizer, “in some areas, we sell at N6,100 per bag, while in some places we sell for N6,800 per bag.” NEWS from around the world.

THE IMPORTANCE OF AGRICULTURE TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE COUNTRY.

Nigeria economy is blessed with series of natural resources, yet they suffer in the midst of plenty. Nigeria has a high poverty rate in comparison with other African countries despite its higher GDP.

 

Currently, Nigeria has over 80% of it’s land arable but unfortunately less than 40% of the land is cultivated despite the country's teaming population and level of unemployment.

 

Hence, the need to reform the agriculture sector cannot be over emphasize as stated in a recommendation by Fatokun, I.A (2009) in his thesis titled Globalization and Sustainable Development (A Case Study of Nigeria).

In an attempt not to waste too much words, agriculture is important to Nigeria economy development in the following areas:

 

• A shift in monoculture economy i.e. diversifying from over reliance on crude oil especially at a time when the price plummet which is becoming to tell on the economy.
•  
• Provision of food and raw materials through development of agriculture to the Nigeria teaming population and the development of the manufacturing sector respectively. Which in turn will also discourage heavy dependence on importation.
•  
• Agriculture sector is also capable of reducing the country's level of unemployment on the account that the sector is labour intensive.
•  
• Agriculture will also curb the effect of rural-urban migration which will help to decongest the urban areas and make life easier for people both in the rural or urban area.
•  
• Agriculture will also help the government to make more effort in developing the degrading infrastructural facilities throughout the nation in attempt to ease movement of goods from one location to the other, likewise for preservation of Agricultural output.
•  
• Development of the Agriculture sector will also help in improving other sectors and thereby curbing the level of the existing corruption in the country.

               

The list of the importance of Agriculture to Nigeria economy is endless. Therefore, the bulk of the work lies in the hands of the government and would be entrepreneurs to take advantage of the enormous benefit that is in the Agriculture Sector. 

 

The reason is simple, it will attract Foreign Direct Investment, it will reduce poverty, it will also reduce the country level of unemployment, it will reduce government reliance on crude oil, it will also help to strengthen the Naira against Dollar through Favorable Balance of Payment, the railway lines could also be revamped to ease movement of Agriculture produce and people alike. 

 

In general, development of Nigeria Agriculture sector may also help to reduce the level of corruption in the country.

DIRECT MARKETING TIPS FOR SELLING LOCAL.

At the farmers market in DeSoto, Missouri, Amber Henry works the crowd. “The sirloin tip tends to dry out in the slow cooker. How about a chuck roast? Have you ever tried lamb steak? Can I get your name on the list for a quarter beef?” she asks.


Her product knowledge and friendly demeanor garner Henry Meat Company new fans each week, but the farmers market is only one of the tools in her toolbox. With a doctorate in educational technology and a day job as professor of education for Missouri Baptist University, Amber uses a website, social media, and good old word of mouth to educate the public and to sell to a hungry local market.

“We keep it local, both selling and buying inputs,” says Amber. The message resonates with her customers.

Are your animals grass-fed? Where do you get your feed? Do you feed GMO grain? The questions come from nearly every market customer, and they are always met with Amber’s patient explanations and Southern hospitality.

“Come out E (the Southern way of saying they live on State Highway E), and you’ll see the calves in the pasture from the road. Stop in and we’ll show you around. While you’re there, you can pick up some steak, pork loin, or lamb chops from the on-farm store. We’d love to have ya,” she says.

Henry Family Farms is 200 acres near DeSoto, an hour south of St. Louis. Amber, her husband, Jamie, and their sons, Logan and Dylan, raise cattle, hogs, and sheep. They sell at local farmers markets, at their on-farm store, and off-the-hoof by the quarter, half, or whole animal.

Around 70 medium-frame Angus calves each year are bred and raised on native pasture and finished on local barley and corn supplemented by brewers grain, a by-product from nearby Anheuser-Busch.
“We’ve found the 1,100-pound carcass is more economical to produce than the 1,300-pound carcass,” explains Jamie. “It costs less per pound and still marbles great.” The warm southern climate allows for year-round breeding, so calves can be harvested monthly.

Meat is processed by a local butcher, who offers advice about which calves produced the best meat. Those pedigrees are used in future breeding decisions.

Pasture Pork

Hog breeds vary but are selected for muscled carcasses and rapid growth. The pigs and Katahdin sheep, also a meat breed, are raised outdoors with shelters.

The Henrys are looking into raising chickens for meat and eggs, but the lack of available inspected chicken processing facilities is a problem, says Amber.

The operation is a family affair, with each family member working his and her strengths. Jamie was raised on the farm and left a job as a heavy equipment mechanic to take on the animal husbandry full time. The duties not only feed his love of the animals and the fresh-air outdoors, but also allow him to use his mechanical skills.

He has designed an all-season, constant-temperature circulating watering system for the hogs, and a retractable roof over a storage shed to accommodate the brewers by-product high-moisture content, yet protect it from the Midwestern weather.
 
The boys feed hogs, round up calves, and are quickly becoming Jack-of-all-trade farmhands.
“I don’t think they realize they’re working,” says their grandfather, Doug Henry. “They’re just having fun.”

Regulations

In addition to her marketing expertise, Amber uses her position as the chair of the county Extension council to navigate the regulatory environment. In the past year, she was able to work collaboratively with the local Extension, health department, and county officials to draft new regulations.

“We understand the need for regulation,” she says. “As direct marketers, we don’t want to do something or see another farmer inadvertently do something wrong that may make community members ill.”

Through an effort that brought all parties to the table, Henry Meat Company is now able to sell directly from the on-farm store. All meat products, whether sold via the store or at farmers markets, must be packaged and frozen at the processor under inspector supervision and must remain frozen through sale. State inspectors also inspect the live animal and carcass prior to cutting and packaging.

Telling The Story

A good product and open doors only go so far. Getting Henry Family Farms meat onto customers’ plates takes marketing. Amber knows her cuts of meat, and she readily offers recommendations to customers. She also makes a point of referring them to Pinterest, where she has recipe boards for everything from the best way to cook brats (Henry Meat Company offers five different flavors) to slow-cooker lamb.

“Pinterest, as well as the farmers markets (a venue she admits is not a huge money-maker), is about getting people to try something new,” says Amber. “I can suggest a different cut, or get them to try a new recipe. Then next time, they’ll buy another product and try something new again. Eventually, they may come to buying the animal by the side or quarter.”

It’s a simple sales hook. Give them a taste, and they’ll come back for more. Off-the-hoof prices are based on current market rates, as Amber is quick to explain to farmers market customers. A quarter beef runs around $650 to $775; half a hog costs between $275 to $310.

“We’re always taking names,” Amber says. “Then, when we harvest, we call to see if they’re ready. Some will want to wait till the next time. That’s OK. We’re ready when they are.”

Amber uses her website to further outline buying options and anticipated harvest dates, as well as give production details and tasty recommendations. The website address is printed on all marketing materials, including raffle tickets for various local charities.

She enthusiastically encourages market customers to come to the on-farm store, an invitation that serves dual purpose. A trip to the farm comes with a tour, a chance to see the animals in their environment, and a place to ask questions.

Social Media

Amber also invites customers to the farm via her Facebook page where 2,500+ followers join her morning cup of coffee, follow the boys working calves, or connect to the local Weight Watcher’s group’s use of Henry Meat Company meats and recipes.


The Facebook venue also allows her to alert customers to nearing harvests or the next Farmer’s Market stop, or to highlight seasonal specialties like mouth-watering Christmas ham.

“It’s all about education,” says Amber, who appreciates the opportunity to tell agriculture’s story as much as her own.
This story was written by Terri Queck-Matzie for the Living the Country Life section of Successful Farming.