Talk like a farmer day??

Today, September 19,  is "International Talk Like a Pirate Day'.    Seriously!  Today you can share your 'AArrrr' and 'Ahoy Matey' with your friends and family without feeling awkward..  

As Illinois Harvest 2011 gears up, I thought maybe we should have 'Talk Like a Farmer Day".  My father-in-law and brother-in-law farm.   I work for the Farm Bureau, and I live in a small town and attend church with several farmers.  Trust me there is a different language when it comes to farming. 

Remember, these are the people working to grow healthy food for you and your family.  The corn and beans they raise, along with the animals they care for become our food, fiber fuel and so much more.  What does it mean to talk like a farmer?  Well maybe you should take a look at what farmers are talking about.

With harvest approaching--trust me there is discussion of yield.  Yield is how many bushels per acre they have harvested from certain fields.  Farmers work to have high yields, but with the weather complications earlier this year, they are finding yields uncertain.   Moisture content is something else they are mentioning.  Farmers harvest crops when they have 'dried' down.  They look to harvest corn and market it when it is below 18% (or lower) moisture.  The lower the moisture, the lower the spoilage rate.  If crops are harvested with too much moisture they must 'dry' the crop, typically with grain dryers that involved forced air and heat.  As you can imagine, this step adds cost to the crop, that is taken from the income the farmer earns from that field or crop. 

There is plenty of talk about weather too.   Back in July when some of the state couldn't buy a rain shower, it is raining now. And  some parts of the state  had too much rain.   Then of course you look at Texas that hasn't had rain in months.  There is something about farmers and the weather. Farmers were working to 'put up hay' before the rain over the weekend.  You can be sure farmers talk about the weather a lot!

There is also plenty to talk about with Trade.  What would a Free Trade Agreement with Panama, South Korea and Columbia look like and how will it impact markets? Then there are the markets if they are up or down.   There may also be talk of new trucking regulations, labor regulations, and even new plants used in biomass fuel production.   Plus, don't forget the weather, and the markets!

In the farmer talks I hear, there is usually a discussion of football at the high school, college or professional level.  And family--who is doing what, when.  If there has been an issue in a family or a farm family that needs help harvesting, you can be assured you will find neighbors and farmers willing to help.

Visit farmweeknow.com to read the latest on what farmers are talking about!

So-maybe some day next week--instead of talking like a Pirate, you can learn to talk like a farmer.  Remember,  a farmer somewhere is helping put food on your table!