The Body Achieves What the Mind Believes

BodyAchieve-MindBelieves“The Body Achieves What the Mind Believes.” This inspirational quote has been said by many and repeated by even more.  As we enter the first week of May with most of the corn-belt in a state where conditions are not favorable to start planting. I wonder what emotions are running through growers minds? Are they positive and proactive or negative and detractive?

Now is when we must keep a positive attitude and do everything we can to maximize revenue and yield!  Here are a few proactive questions to ask yourself:

  • Is my crop plan supporting maximum yields, regardless of the calendar date?
    As we are at the middle of May the pressure that many of you are feeling to get your corn crop in the ground continues to grow.  But remember that you are on your own schedule, not your neighbors.  Do not let the “coffee shop” talk play a factor in your crop production plan.  The later we get in the year the more important your decisions are.  That means that your mistakes are magnified, not reduced.  Planting conditions must trump all decisions before you head into that field.  Not the date on the calendar or what neighbor Joe is doing.
  • Am I prepared to execute this plan quicker than normal, given a later Spring?
    This time of year is “prediction time” where everyone is predicting when these cool temperatures will finally be gone.  We’re trying to predict when we will begin to see equipment moving throughout the fields along with predicting moisture need for this upcoming growing season.
  • What are the obstacles I need to overcome to follow the crop plan?
    Obstacles are simply what a person sees when they take their eyes off the goal.  How do you avoid obstacles in farming each year?  Do you stump them by setting goals and having a plan in place to meet them?
    One of the best ways to set goals and to be prepared for those obstacles is to set up a
    Risk Management Plan that will keep the focus on maximizing your production and farm profitability.
  • Is my circle of influence positive and enthusiastic about helping me accomplish my goals, or are they detractors that are limiting me from a successful plan?

Remember in order to do something; you have to first believe you can do it.  The mind is a powerful influencer in how we react to adversity, and can make the biggest difference in achieving our goals.

We would like to be in your circle of influencers.  Call us today at (320) 523-2252 to see how we can help.

Have a safe and successful planting season.

“I Spy CCI Gear” Contest Winners

Every now and then you gotta have a little fun… and that’s just what we did with our own little version of the game “I Spy”! We thoroughly enjoyed each photo entry. They brightened our day and gave all of us at CCI a few good laughs.

We appreciate you all playing along and voting for your favorites.  Let us share the winners with you…

First Place
First Place Winners

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Congrats to the 1st Place Winners – Anji, Jenni, & Madonna of AgVenture, Inc.. They each received a Corn Capital Innovations Sweatshirt!

Second Place
Second Place Winner

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Congrats to the 2nd Place Winner – Bryanne.  She received 50 yummy bags of Corn Capital Innovations popcorn!

Plus a BIG thank you to each of our contest participants, you will all be receiving a Corn Capital Innovations T-Shirt!!

I Spy CCI Gear Entries 400

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Corn Capital Innovations:  A great hand in farming  (and a lot of fun too!)

What Does Matching the Right Germplasms Mean To You?

Seed Quality Corn Captial InnovationsIt is that time of year again, seed orders are being processed and delivered to customers.  Yet, do you as a farmer; fully understand what you are purchasing in that bag of seed?  Yes, it is corn seed but we view this seed as much more than just corn seed.  This seed is a genetic cross between a female and a male inbred to produce a hybrid.  At Corn Capital Innovations, understanding the genetic makeup of the hybrid is key to placing it on the right piece of ground.  The right hybrids on the right piece of ground are two factors that can help you take your yield to the next level.  Here at CCI, we pride ourselves in helping production experts as yourself take high quality seed and place it on the right acre in your field.

Labeling: Do you know the germination and quality of the seed you will be planting?  The seed tag contains relevant quality information such as germination, purity, weight, origin, seed size, and maturity to name a few.  This information is very important to identify proper planter settings to maintain optimum spacing while planting.

Testing: All your seed that you will plant this year will have a warm germ test done to its particular lot/batch.  This warm germ test is an indicator of the expected number of seeds that will grow as “normal” plants under optimum growing conditions.  This test is done in an environment that both temperature and humidity are controlled to provide a consistent result.  One other important test that can be done is a vigor test.  Also known as a cold test, these results provide an indication of the vigor of the seed.  Vigor is simply the ability of the seed to emerge from soils under stress conditions and/or to maintain its viability during storage.

Storage: Make sure you keep the seed in an environment free of moisture, pests, and temperature fluctuations until you are ready to plant.  Heat and humidity are enemies of seed viability and vigor.

Planting: Soil conditions at planting are the most important factor in growing a high yielding crop.  These conditions include:

  • soil moisture
  • soil temperature
  • seed-to-soil contact
  • seed depth
  • seed spacing

Once the conditions are right, we suggest planting at 3.5 miles per hour at a depth of 2 – 2 ¼”.

This year, it is important to note that we have a significant amount of frost in the ground which will most likely take a longer period of time to warm up the subsoil.  This is where knowing and understanding your seeds vigor/cold results can help determine the stress tolerance of the seed.  Often times this vigor/stress factor is determined by the genetic makeup of the hybrid.  Corn seed typically begins to germ around the 50 degree mark.

Your goal as a farmer or seed production expert is uniform emergence with the seed placed at the proper depth.  These two factors will help you in your high yield building strategies.  For further yield building strategies, contact Corn Capital Innovations.

The seed quality is a key factor in growing a top notch crop.  Work with your Corn Capital Innovations High Yield Specialist to develop a cropping plan placing the right hybrid on the right piece of ground.  Remember, everything that happens above ground starts below ground.

Do you have a cropping plan and do you know the impact of your seeds quality to your operation?  Jim and the CCI team are here to help!  Ask your questions in the comments below or contact us to talk about your field’s need.

I Spy CCI Gear Photo Contest on Facebook

I Spy CCI Gear Photo Contest

Have you spotted someone in or using CCI Gear? Sweatshirts, t-shirts, hats, caps, pens and more?! Snap a photo and share it on our Facebook contest page, you could win a Corn Capital Innovations Sweatshirt or even a case of the famous CCI Popcorn. That’s 50 bags of delicious popcorn if you have the best photo!

Voting

We’ll pick the best CCI Gear photo and announce the winner on April 15th, 2014. Votes for the best photo will influence our choice as winner of the contest, so get your friends to vote for you! You can submit one photo a day and vote on as many photos as you would like!

Prizes

1st Place: Winner gets a CCI Sweatshirt!

2nd Place: Winner gets a case of the famous CCI popcorn – 50 yummy bags!

 Entries

Don’t hesitate, submit your photo here!

See what photos others have posted and vote for your favorites, view all entries here!

Winner will be announced April 15th, 2014 so don’t delay!

 

Preparing for the Future: A Recap of Water Street Edge 2014

AdEdge with Corn Capital Innovations and Water Street SolutionsWhat is your farm’s strategy for the future?  Water Street Edge 2014 attendees at the Willmar, MN event on Februrary 17 & 18, 2014, were engaged in education and conversations around thinking to the future in your ag business.

Because farming is a business, we know how vital education is to running a successful farm operation. Having the opportunity to co-sponsor an Water Street Edge event with Water Street Solutions, right here in our area, made for an exciting two days of learning and networking with other farming businesses and families.

It was thrilling to see so many farmers at the event and we really enjoyed reconnecting with familiar faces and meeting new ones. For those of you who were unable to attend, we wanted to share a bit of information about what attendees learned during a few of the sessions.

Making Sense of the Markets by Arlan Suderman of Water Street Solutions

 

Arlan started off his segment with a good question for the audience; “What keeps me from being a better commodity marketer?.  Arlan presented on important topics and gave excellent advice, which also included the suggestion that wives make better marketers because they have not “attached” themselves to the crop.

Arlan Suderman’s presentation included:

  • World Economy – keep an eye on the Middle East.
  • Trends – take time weekly to learn about non-ag issues.
  • Global Protein Shortage
  • Global Weather Patterns

Arlan gave some final thoughts on 2014 weather as well.  “It is cold and below average on precipitation, but May looks good here in Minnesota.”

Top Ten Stupid Things Families Do to Break Up Their Business by Jolene Brown, CSP

 

Jolene is author of the book “Sometimes You Need More Than a 2×4!  How-to-tips to successfully grow a family business”.  Jolene talked about how precious and enduring a family farm is and how to successfully grow and profit from your family business.  Jolene provided valuable information and had the entire audience engaged.

Jolene discussed these Top Ten topics around Successfully Grow a Family Farm Business:

  1. Assuming all genetic relationships equal good working relationships
  2. Believing the business can financially support any and all family members who want to work together.
  3. Assuming others will/ should/ must change and not me.
  4. Presuming a conversation is a contract.
  5. Believing mind reading is an acceptable form of communication.
  6. Failing to build communication skills and meeting tools when the times are good so they’ll be in place to use when the times get tough.
  7. Ignoring the in-laws and off site family.
  8. Forgetting to use common courtesy.
  9. Having no legal and discussed estate, management transfer plan, or buy/sell agreement.
  10. Neglecting vital facts of fair and equal, paying cash for emotional debts, and failing to celebrate.

Memorable Quotes From Jolene

  • “Do you want a family-first business or a business-first family?”
  • “Acceptance in a family is unconditional.  Acceptance in a business is conditional.  It is not a birth right.”
  • “Parents don’t owe their kids a business.  We do owe our children:  morals, values, opportunity for an education, legal and discussed plans & listing of details.”/

Managing in the Great Super Cycle of Agriculture by Dr. David Kohl of Virginia Tech

 

Dr. David Kohl is Professor Emeritus, Agriculture and Applied Economics at Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, VA.  Dr. Kohl is known for his over 1,200 articles written about ag business and finance.  His presentation was based on Managing in the Great Ag Super Cycle.

Dr. Kohl covered topics that included:

  • Global Economy
  • Federal Reserve’s Interest Rate Barometer
  • US Farm Real Estate Values
  • Goal Setting
  • Working Capital
  • Family Living Budget
  • Business Equation for Success

Top Two Quotes from Dr. David Kohl:

  1. “I’m a firm believer in good old fashion goals setting! Setting goals help you focus.”
  2. “Your success is directly correlated with the people you do business with! Surround yourself with talented people.”

Landlords and Lenders:  Leveraging your Business Relationships

 

A panel of experts were brought together to discuss landlord & lender relationships. Attendees had the opportunity to interact and learn during the discussion.

Staggering Statistics:

  • 57 is the average age of a farmer.
  • 65 is the average age of a lander.
  • 40% of land is owned by women.
  • 42% of US farm land is rented or leased.
  • 60% of land rented or leased (110 million acres) will change hands over the next 20 years.

Take Home Thoughts from the Panelists

  • Communication is key!
  • Involve the next generation early and often.
  • Develop and share your farm story via newsletter, farm website or social media.
  • Gather a team of trusted advisors.

Farm Metrics You Can Count On by Darren Frye, Water Street Solutions President & CEO

 

Darren began by sharing a photo of the farm he grew up on and how his father measured success by how hard he worked, how many hours he put in and how many different crops he could grow.

Topics Darren Covered:

  1. Production
  2. Crop Insurance
  3. Marketing
  4. Finance

Take Home Quotes from Darren:

  • “All growth happens outside comfort zones! We get a lot of chances in other things in life but not farming.”
  • “Be a master of your assets not a slave to them!”
  • “If we are not changing our behavior based on what we’ve learned, we are wasting our time!”
  • “Measure what matters most! But remember that not everything can be measured & not everything that can be measured matters. “

Closing out Darren’s presentation, he talked about Don Mann of Seal Team Six.  “Reaching Beyond Boundaries” is a story about Don Mann who believes anything is possible if you “turn macro goals into micro goals.”  You can read this moving story in The Progressive Farmer, which includes the steps used by Seal Team Six to help achieve your goals.

Thank you from Corn Capital Innovations

 

Finally, we want to thank all of the speakers, panelists, attendees and coordinators of this event. It’s great to know that the valuable information presented will be utilized throughout the year by successful farm businesses in south-central Minnesota.

What educational information or quote did you find most useful? How have you incorporated the lessons shared into your farm business?

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