Chuck's Chat-Welcome to June!
But first, a little May recap. According to the National Weather Service, Independence received 16.67 inches of rain. I’m sure there are some isolated areas that received more. That represents one-fourth to one-third of our average annual rainfall. May is typically the month we receive the most rain, with an average of 6.5 inches. We sure blew that average out of the water. (too soon?)
And speaking of averages, the latest USDA Ag Census report shows the average age of farmers is 57.5 years old. That indicates that I am finally above average for something. Go me!
We’ve all been affected by the recent rains in one or more ways. Direct flooding of homes, businesses, crops and pastures, impassible roads, and cancellations or postponements have affected us all. As I write this, Weatherbug predicts six of the next ten days with rain for this area. Lakes and reservoirs upstream continue to release water, and the ones downstream are as well. It’s a delicate balance that the Corps of Engineers must maintain in order to minimize damage, yet maximize the performance of dams and levees.
However, we are not alone. The Dakotas have endured heavy snowfall and flooding. Nebraska and Iowa have encountered flood damage. Tornadoes and severe weather recently ravaged the country from Colorado to New Jersey. The Canadian province of Alberta is currently experiencing wildfires. And to top it off, June 1 marks the beginning of hurricane season.
Farming and ranching is not an exact science. There are no guarantees of bumper crops, record yields, or topping the market at the local auction barn. But agricultural producers are resilient. Some may say tough. Some may say stubborn. Some may not make it. Some will be fine. All could be correct statements. Nevertheless, we are not experiencing anything that past generations have not already been through. We have to make smart decisions, pull on the boot straps, and eventually - get back to work.
Has anyone else noticed the fascination the TV weather gurus have with the Enhanced Fujita scale? You know, the scale used to measure the wind speed and severity of damage from tornadoes. I actually saw two of the dudes on The Weather Channel arguing over whether a particular twister would be classified as an EF2 or an EF3. I asked a local insurance agent if it really mattered when assessing damage. He replied, “Wind damage is wind damage.” Take that, Dr. Forbes.
June is National Dairy Month. Talk about a struggling industry. Low milk prices, high input costs, over production relative to existing markets, access to processing, and changes in consumer preferences are just some of the factors challenging milk producers today. Not to mention the daily grind. I was raised on a diversified crop and livestock farm, and that included a dairy. I learned at an early age that those milk cows were a high priority, and all daily activities revolved around milking time. The dedication and tenacity of today’s dairy farmers should not be taken lightly, particularly those maintaining family farms.
The first day of summer is on Friday, June 21st. In the Northern Hemisphere, this marks the day when the sun is the furthest north, also known as the Summer Solstice. It is also when the length of daylight begins to get shorter. Wow, where has this year gone?
National Yo-Yo Day is June 6. Go ahead, look it up, it’s a thing. The yo-yo is believed to have been invented in Ancient Greece. It was popularized in the U.S. in the early 1900’s by Donald F. Duncan, Sr., who was born on June 6 in 1892. The term “Yo-Yo” was trademarked in 1932. The National Yo-Yo Museum is located in Chico, California.
I can’t think of a better way to celebrate the beginning of summer than with a large, cold milkshake and my old Duncan yo-yo. However, I’ve long since lost the yo-yo. But I know where to find refreshing dairy products, and I get 10% off with my Montgomery County Farm Bureau membership!
Until next month,
Chuck Voelker