Keep the Focus Where it Should Be

Keep the focus where it should be

This week, one of our long-time associates remarked, “Farmers spend too much time and money to avoid pain and not enough time on pleasure.”

His reference to “pain” was avoiding all risk and “pleasure” included being happy in their work.

There is a lot of wisdom in his remark.  Most will agree.  When we tally all of the out flow for crop insurance, irrigation, and premium seed that is supposed to control every bug and weed, this can add up to be $100,000 or more for most operations, all to avoid the “pain” of the what if, that seldom comes. It’s been over five years since a black swan has landed in the corn and bean fields.

“Not enough time is spent on pleasure” is not referring to a new pickup; it is in reference to profit and being happy.  Profit comes from better marketing, better communication with landlords and your banker, and, most importantly, your family.  Get off the kick of working every Sunday.  Do you have time to think of “pleasure”?  When I hear a producer respond that his corn yield this year is “not bad” when asked about his crop, I wonder what “not bad” means.  Corn yields are fantastic! 

It’s pleasure time.  Enjoy.

-John C. Keller, November 2, 2017