Albin new Sep 6, 2010

Albin News Readers,

I've been humbled by the number of people who have reached out to encourage Megan and I during this time, none more than our closest friends and family. Megan and I would like to say thank you to everyone who has asked how we are, visited us, written a letter, emailed, posted a comment on the blog, given a gift, or even just sent kind thoughts our way. We are very happy. We are happy in spite of the fact that Milo came out squalling and kept us up for the first 72 hours of his new little life.

In recent months, there have also been those good-hearted souls who have taken it upon themselves to temper my sunny outlook on life. I've gotten numerous renditions of the following statement: “having a baby is really going to rock your world, I hope you can handle the sleepless nights with a screaming baby!” This isn't the first time this has happened. When facing marriage, I was bombarded with great little insights like “you're never complete until you're married – and then you're finished!”

I can only assume these people harbor nothing but good will and in their own special way are trying to lend a helping hand. Their underlying belief may be that one should go into an uncertain situation expecting the worst. That way when life dishes out its worst, a guy will at least be spared the sting of bitter disappointment. I would like to say thank you to those people as well for their tireless efforts. I commend the spirit of thoughtfulness and brotherly kindness that has motivated you to do this!

In community news, Pat Palm hosted a “673” party for neighbors with phone numbers having that prefix. They played a game where they told a story about a neighbor (good, bad, or otherwise).

A group of would-be cow pokes traveled to the Iron Mountain area (Tom Horn country) to help Ron Lerwick gather his cows off summer pasture. They traveled up the mountain Friday night, grilled burgers for supper, camped under the stars, then gathered the pasture at daylight. They drove the cows six miles off the mountain to a set of corrals on the Iron Mountain road. The Sorenson's Cattle Cruisers hauled the cattle back to the Ron's house in three pot loads. The weather was perfect and the scenery was beautiful beyond words. A good time was had by the cows and the cowboys. The crew consisted of Ron Lerwick, Betty Lu Lerwick, Monte Lerwick, Cord Willert, Koir Hunt, Jared Oedekoven, Steven Schmidt, Paul Schwieger, Beverly Schwieger, Danette Eastman, Brian Eastman, Colby Eastman, Amanda Hensley (DVM). Amanda is a recent hire of the Bluffs Vet Clinic.

Here is the latest update on Tim Malm from Dixie:

“Isaiah 12:2  "Behold, God is my salvation, I will trust and not be afraid: For the Lord God is my strength and song, And He has become my salvation."  I want to share the words of one of the songs I sang at the church service at the Tim Malm Benefit Roping and want to thank the group (or person) Kutless who sings this popular song--What Faith Can Do

Everybody fall sometimes   Gotta find the strength to rise
From the ashes and make a new beginning
Anyone can feel the ache You think it's more than you can take
But you're stronger, stronger than you know
Don't give up now, the sun will soon be shining
You gotta face the clouds to find the silver lining

It doesn't matter what you've heard Impossible is not a word
It's just a reason for someone not to try
Everybody's scared to death When they decide to take that step
Out of the water, but it'll be alright
Life is so much more than what your eyes are seeing
You will find your way if you keep believing

Overcome the odds  When you don't have a chance
When the world says you can't
It'll tell you that you can

I've seen dreams that move the mountains
Hope that doesn't ever end
Even when the sky is falling
I've seen miracles just happen
Silent prayers get answered
Broken hearts become brand new
That's what faith can do
That's what faith can do

Enough said!  Tim had a good day with us and we are looking forward to a full week of progress!! 

“

In ag news, this is an extremely critical week in Albin area agriculture. Several things are happening all at once. Like the forces of a gathering storm, the amount of variables in play can sometimes act in harmony to create abnormal conditions. What I'm talking about is the collision of an early bean harvest, high wheat prices putting pressure on wheat planting, corn harvest nearing, a sudden spike in the corn price, two very critical NASS reports (crop progress on Tuesday and Crop Production on Friday), third cutting of hay, pre-conditioning of cattle, as well as critical decisions about when to turn irrigation wells off. How this will all play out over the next three weeks will be very interesting.

One of the challenges about this time of year is finding people to fill all the tractor seats. All of the part time summer help has gone back to school. If you or anyone you know is out or work and can be trusted to drive a tractor, give me a call! There's no sense in heading into the winter hungry.

Pinto bean harvest is underway and yields are nothing to write about in the Albin news. We've had good heat and moisture for growing beans but the great white combine took the goody out of most of the acres.

Corn harvest is underway in the southern corn belt and yields have been lower than forecasted. It seems the corn South of I-80 is below average and the corn North of I-80 is above average. The corn market is streaking towards $5.00/bu because of this. However, it may correct in late September as the harvest moves into Iowa and Minnesota and yields improve.

Heat units for 2009 and 2010, May 15 – Sep 6 (baseline 50 deg F) are 1789.0 and 2020.0. We are two to three weeks ahead of last year. This means the beans are getting harvested earlier and the irrigated wheat farmers are getting their wheat planted in a timely manner. With strong wheat prices, wheat farmers are feeling optimistic!