Thanksgiving Trip

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Just don't what to say about this trip. So many empty school buildings with some districts struggling. Have to say there was just not much bitching. That could be a first. I did see a few pigs but only in one spot. An acre of land continues to sell for 5-6k an acre. If you want to buy a new combine from John Deere you can order it but you won't get it until '09 and it will probably be the same for tractors. Already the record harvest corn crop is mostly spoken for and and what has traditionally been the case of export for food (hunger) will not be happening.












In these two buildings there are plenty of pigs probably about 4-5000 of them.








It was so cold and windy this was hard to do



11/20
This is the bridge over the Missouri River that one enters the hinterland.








Most all the crops are in but a few are still out.










There are rolls of corn stalks every where you look. Some places are using them as wind breaks. These are used for cattle feed but in the future this will also be used for bio-fuel.
I poke fun at the state and the people that live here but I can say the visit today from the county hospital in respect to in-home services for my Father was very professional and just as helpful.
I have kept close to home and have heard rumors of the main topics of the bitching. Will find out what exactly they are soon. I guess there is one I've heard which is the old stand-by of "we aren't making any money". I do know these operators can cash rent at $230 an acre get an average crop and still do well. Beans are at $10 and corn a bit over $4 a bushel. Still have not seen a pig. TB

11/18

Today I am leaving and driving to a place that has massive amounts of corn,pigs,cattle,religion,ethanol plants and at this time presidential politics. The issue of politics will center around bitching about the number of various solicitations people receive from all the candidates. There will be other bitching going on too that’s a given. Farmers bitch that just the way it is. Whether they’re bitching about the same thing or something new or bitching about a couple of things fact of the matter is there will be plenty of bitching like always. That’s life on the farm in Iowa. There are tens of thousands of pigs everywhere but you hardly ever see one. What you do see is a lot of semi’s, combines and tractors.

Because it will not be convenient to administer to this site changes through the week will be a bit limited. I would like to thank all those who have visited this site and particularly those of you who come back regularly. This site is what it is and has changed several times along the way and will probably continue to do so. I encourage all to explore this medium of blogging on the internets irregardless of the topic of interest or political position.

Have a fun Thanksgiving. TB