Harvest Update – Early December

A view from the cab at the start of corn harvest near Grabill, Indiana.

It’s a snowy Saturday afternoon here in Northeast Indiana, and we’re keeping an eye on the weather as we work to finish the last bit of corn still standing. With colder temperatures in the forecast, the frozen ground should give us the window we need to wrap up harvest in the next couple of days.

This fall took an unexpected turn when Jim was invited to serve as an Expert Swine Nutrition Consultant to hog farms in China. It was an incredible professional honor—and a chance to represent our farm on a global stage—but it also meant pressing pause on harvest longer than we planned.

Even so, we’re grateful for the progress we’ve made. The equipment has held up with only a couple of minor breakdowns, the ground conditions have stayed surprisingly good, and we’re inching closer to the finish line. As we harvest and study the yield maps, it’s clear just how much the wet spring shaped this year’s crop. Some areas simply never recovered, and the yields reflect that.

But every season tells its own story. This year reminded us that farming isn’t a race with the neighbors—it’s about managing what the land gives you, adapting to the unexpected, and keeping a long-term perspective. There’s still plenty to be thankful for as we bring in these final acres.

We’ll share one more update once the last load is in the bin. Until then, stay warm and enjoy the snowfall from wherever you are.