AUDIO: Brandon Cummins – Illinois farmer
A pair of young Midwestern farmers say the current ag economy is making it even more difficult for beginning producers.
Brandon Cummins, who grows corn, soybean, and wheat in far southern Illinois, says he was able to build his operation during the good years since starting out in 2016, but these days things are tight.
“I don’t have an off-farm income.” He says, “So, a lot of days I’m like a nine to five would really sound good right now because our cost of inputs this year is insane.”
Eric Wuthrich, who grows corn and soybeans in southern Wisconsin, says he’s been relying on off-farm income.
“I also have a full-time job as a district sales manager for Mustang Seeds.” He says, “We’re just cash cropping for now. We have a few chickens as well that we have a few eggs that we just sell to friends and neighbors.”
He tells Brownfield, “I would love to have cattle on our farm.” He says, “Just looking to diversify a little bit, it’s nice to have supplemental income from multiple different avenues so that way you can hedge some risk.”
Both growers say the current financial climate has required them to focus on maximizing production efficiencies, as well as keeping a close eye on budgets.
AUDIO: Eric Wuthrich – Wisconsin farmer
