Sorry Palouser, I didn't help your wheat tour report. They never come this far away from K state and central Kansas/okla is the wheat belt. Unfortunately lack of wheat does not always mean higher prices. And our inconsistancy of production really hijacks local marketing strategies. And make it hard to go for top production.
As I do the corn belt, I admire the production consistency of your area. The few who stay and make a future in this area are not so much good farmers, but they have to be great problem solvers. Adapting to a new issue that makes this year (or 4 years) different.
Getting mad and upset, is a foolish and self destructive choice similar to spitting into the "wind".
It is a special character that succeeds in this area. A combination of toughness and humility, that understands how insigmificant he is. The guys who yearn for consistancy and formula farming are in the wrong place here. And if they can't live in humility, this is not the place. Few ideas that works anywhere else will work here three years in a row.
And few spouses are willing to endure a week like this. We test and measure a partner in a little different way. There is dust involved.
elcheapo,
I have been reading the discouragement in your words for some time. Take care of the things you can handle or fix. And be strong enough to let go of the weight of issues you can't. Get something (or someone) on the priority list above farming. And know that the old saying "Next year will be better" is right half the time.
I am gonna spend an hour or two hunting arrow heads like I did as a kid in the 50's, get some seed in the drill, and tractor pack some deep plowing so we can get some spots back under control. And hope next year is better ------- It is half the time.
