DANVILLE — Farmers this season face a variety of concerns as they continue their operations against an uncertain economic backdrop.
“I think the biggest concern is whether these grain prices will remain at these levels because our inputs are increasing,” said Old National Bank Farm Manager Brian Neville.
Round-Up herbicide has increased 40 percent this year, and some fertilizer prices have gone up 100 percent or more, he added.
On top of inputs, it’s unknown what kind of a crop is going to turn out this year, he said.
“I think we’ve got the potential for a decent corn crop, although we have a lot of areas that have holes in them,” he said.
Late-planted soybeans and re-planted corn would be very vulnerable to an early frost, he said.
“We’re kind of concerned about selling any more grain ahead,” he said, because this year’s harvest is already a concern.
“We don’t know what these yields are going to be. We’ll be 50 to 70 percent sold on a five-year average. This year, we’re concerned about doing it. I don’t know what it will be like with late plantings and early frosts. We want to take advantage of prices, but we know our inputs won’t go back down,” he said.
“If we have decent yields, we may see gross dollars we’ve never seen before, but not lower because of increased input costs.”
Paul Janosik, a retired farmer in the Westville area, says he’s not a bit concerned about his income from cash rent.
Although the tenuous nature of the economy would make some cut back on their operations, many farmers will continue in the industry because of the high prices of commodities.
Cash rents are likely to stay strong, he added.
As for other factors in the industry, Janosik only remembers one other time when uncertainty reached today‘s heights.
“The only time that I ever was in a predicament like this was when I was farming and interest rates went to 20 and 21 percent in the early ‘80s,” he said.
He thinks prices could be very strong, despite the recent dips corn and oil have taken lately.
Some have predicted that corn could go to $10 a bushel if there’s a short crop because the rain and drowned-out spots in fields across the Midwest, he said.
He said he’s also heard some experts predict a possibility of $20 soybeans.
University of Illinois agriculture experts say production costs for 2009 are going sky-high.
In a report by the U of I Extension, experts have predicted production for corn will be $243 per acre higher than the 2003-07 average, an increase of 85 percent.
For soybeans, overall production costs could rise 78 percent, according to the study.
Local News
Area farmers face variety of concerns
Worries include production costs, crop results
- Local News
-
-
Spirit of the West
Museum workers run out of adjectives when describing the “Spirit of the West” quilt exhibit, which opens Friday. “It’s mind boggling,” Sue Richer, director of the Vermilion County Museum, said as she admired the quilts. “It amazes me. They’re works of art, the way they’re put together.”
-
County looks at power deal
Vermilion County Board committee members will discuss a contract letting Integrys extend electric savings to residents now.
-
Six to retire from Danville High
Six longtime District 118 employees said goodbye to Danville High School at the end of the school year.
-
Teacher’s aide retires after 33 years
Jan Kovacic meets the students at Covington Elementary School when they arrive in the morning, and she is the last one they see in the afternoon when getting on a bus or in a car.
-
Fountain OKs nurse position
Fountain County Council members approved restructuring changes Tuesday in the Fountain-Warren Health Department.
-
United Way close to goal
The United Way of Danville Area is in the home stretch of its annual campaign and wants residents’ help in reaching that goal.
- City rummage sale nears
- Home tour helps museum
- Police, Fire Reports
-
Teacher weaves life skills in with lessons
KaSandra Mitchell’s fifth-graders probably think all the cooking and sewing they do in class is a lot of fun.
- More Local News Headlines
-
Sister Says She Reported Brother in Patz Killing
Patz Suspect's Sister: I Went to Police in 1980s
Diplomatic Expulsions Follow Fresh Syria Report
15 Dead in Northern Italy's 5.8-magnitude Quake
Angry Birds Spreading Their Wings
Witness Describes Fla. Face-chewing Attack
Man Falls Off Crane, Dies After Police Standoff
Russia Condemns Ally Syria Over Massacre of 108
Dairy Farm Uses Chiropractor to Help Cows
Unexpected Smog in Pristine National Parks
Air Canada Plane Makes Emergency Landing
New Ticks Spread Across Southeast, Diseases Rise
Bring Your Own Tech Programs Charge Up Students
Pope's Butler Vows to Help Vatican Investigation
Mother of Allegedly Abused Girl Denies Claims
Raw Video: 19 Dead in Qatar Shopping Mall Fire
Service Dogs Help Wash. Soldiers Battling PTSD
Raw Video: Heckler Bursts in on Blair Testimony
Japan Farmers Plant, Seek Radiation-free Rice
Couple doesn’t let tropical storm ruin their big day
Tori Bares Baby Bump in Monokini
Even Fla. Police Shocked by Face-Mauling Attack
Letterman on Family Life Post-Scandal
Evans: Serena in shock
Pregnant Reese Wears LBD
Volcano covers Colombian cities in ash
Meet the Crew and Good Ship 'Prometheus'
Los Angeles Bar Bans Bachelorettes
Hamster Plays Dead
Beyonce Shows Off 60 Pound Weight Loss at Concert
Drunk Women Breaking Into Houses: A New Trend?
LeAnn Rimes Rocks Short Shorts
Raw Video: Cop Shoots Man Eating Another's Face
Gordon Ramsay Carried Off Field
Man Dies Getting Lap Dance
Kim Kardashian Claims Items Stolen from Her Luggage
Bear cools off in Calif. family's pool
Ep. 3: Chopped Desserts
Air Force dad surprises family at baseball game
