CALF_News_August_September_2020

43 CALF News • August | September 2020 • www.calfnews.net from fencing and decking to drywall. I surmised this to be abnormal, but checking with several of my vendors, and paint and decorating dealers, they have experienced the best last three months of their existence. Upon completing the gutter installation and checking it off my list, I tested it with a 1.2- inch rain. For a thirsty corn crop, I should have done this much sooner. Back on our farm, things are as “normal” as any year, practic- ing “tongue-in-cheek” social-distancing by keeping the tractors and combines at least 6 feet apart. We harvested a circle of seed production wheat and sold it for a small premium. The yield was disappointing compared to last year, but with a 100-year history of raising wheat, we accept this as just part of what we do or just normal farming. We planted three circles of corn that is now reaching sky- ward with the hot summer sun and nourishing water from our center-pivot sprinklers. As much as this is just another normal growing season, what are abnormal market reactions to new events? In the last week, nationwide acres of planted corn was reduced by 5 million bushels from previous projections, equating to nearly 1 billion  HEROES AMONG US: CLUCK Continued from page 35 stimulus legislation. They should be deemed essential and should be at work.” Cattle feeders need more leverage With the continuous increase in production costs, competi- tion from other proteins and price volatility, cattle production and feeding has become more margin driven. “We have too few choices to market our cattle. Cattle feeders and producers need more leverage,” Cluck says.“There needs to be more investment into the processing side of beef. But I do not believe the major packers should be broken up. “Those of us left in the industry have developed relation- ships with packers and even wholesalers and retailers. I don’t want to do anything that is mandated by the government that will destroy the work we have done to enhance our product the consumer. “The most important thing is that we produce a product American consumers want and the export markets want. We just have to keep working, be honest and do business with honest people.” With that attitude and determination, Cluck and his team have been able to maintain and expand the success of Dean Cluck Feedyard, Inc. He has risen to and remained as an industry leader, and deserving of the Golden Spur Award. “Again, I am humbled by this honor,” he says.“But this award was made possible by the support of my family and our tremendous staff and employees who make up the Dean Cluck Feedyard team. “We all love the beef industry and what it means to us and our nation.”  fewer bushels to be harvested. This came during news that China made the second-largest, single-day corn purchase on record. With these two cards in the hole, you would think your poker hand was looking up; ironically, the markets went down and it looks like the “house” wins again. Back at architecture office, business has been near normal, except behind locked doors, we have many more Zoom meetings, scads more emails and text messages, all the while maintaining social distances between employees and clients. Most projects have moved forward with only a few construc- tion delays during what I called the “cowering in place” phase. With Kansas opening up, most clients were back on track with their projects until today. I received a call from a school district for whom we are planning a major renovation of their football stadium. The timetable was to start demolition after the final gun of their last game of this fall and be completed for kick-off in the next fall season. But they share their facili- ties with their local community college, which is considering moving their football season to next spring. Our construction window has suddenly closed and may become stuck like the proverbial attic window in grandma’s house after several bouts of house painting. With the abnormalcy of today’s times, I am perplexed that any industry, whether it be my architecture practice or farm, or that of the red meat and food industries can endure. I do have faith this too shall pass as I reach for another tome from my reading stack and plan further home improvements. 