Weather and low commodity prices are just a couple, of the many, factors impacting farmers’ decisions right now. While some have started planting the 2020 crop, others have yet to turn a wheel. Based at Stephen, Minnesota, Northland Community and Technical College Farm Business Management instructor Betsy Jensen says the market isn’t helping growers make planting decisions. “This year the marketing is really discouraging farmers from planting corn, so you really need to look at cash flow purposes. Most of the farmers I work with have made pretty substantial cropping plans from when we met this past winter.” Jensen says many farmers are still going ahead with seeding wheat. “Seed for shorter season crops like sunflowers and dry beans is hard to find right now.” Generally, crop marketing isn’t top of mind for farmers this time of year. However, Jensen’s biggest piece of advice for farmers is don’t give up. Even though it’s May, there is still plenty of time to make sales. Hear the full RRFN story.
