RENT LETTER 2021

This year we have been blessed with a good price and good yields. This is rare a situation and most experts agree that inflation is the main reason for the price currently verses a true supply and demand. The inputs for the 2022 crop year continue to rise very quickly. Currently, nitrogen cost is more than double of last year. Most of the herbicides and fungicides are 50% more. Until the industry sources everything from a US source, we are very vulnerable to supply issues with our inputs.

To help with this, I have purchased earlier much of what I need for next year. I would like to have everything bought but some of it simply has not been made yet. It’s going to be interesting in 2022. As an industry, country, and world we are moving into uncharted territory. We have no past lessons to draw upon. I have to pray God has his hand on our business and to give me the wisdom to make the correct decisions.

We have made it our mission statement to “make the most of every acre.” We have invested in a new Hagie Sprayer. As we continue to strive to make the most of every acre, the sprayer is getting more time in a year than any other piece of equipment. We are continuing to split nitrogen application to reduce nitrogen loss per acre. We are continuing to experiment with biologicals that convert more nutrients for the plants when they need it. We are making multiple applications of chemicals to control weeds verses a single pass of concentrated chemicals. All of these are good for the environment, saves money, and increases yield. This is all done with the Hagie Sprayer. We also invested in additional tanks to allow us to purchase key inputs earlier to save money. We have invested in more drainage equipment. I changed our nitrogen program to put on 30 gallon UAN with planter instead of preplant NH3. We are investing in technology to keep improving our system.

Dallas Family Note:

· Dad and Karen: Dad still comes out every day and works with me. Karen is still working and keeps saying she is going to retire, but that has not happened yet.

· Cassie, my beautiful wife, is still the most amazing mother and wife. She homeschools, cares for our kids, has a large garden and cans, has 30 head of cattle, brings meals out during the busy seasons, takes care of me and much more. She is truly the glue that holds this family together.

· Alaina is our first child to graduate college. She is an LPRN. Just a couple days ago she returned from Haiti where she did missionary medical work. Now she is going to get a job and start a career.

· Austin is Senior at Purdue. He has taken a job with Corporate Deere and Co. He will be in Iowa starting out. Once he gains some experience, he wants to return home to full time farm. I can’t wait to get him back to work side by side.

· Ashton is Freshmen at Johnson University, just south of Knoxville Tennessee. He is going to be a minister and also get a business degree. He is doing very well.

· Amelia is a Sophomore in High School this year. She plays volleyball and is still homeschooled. She is excited about getting her driver’s license Jan. 4th, 2022. She is a bit of a gearhead and is very excited that her first car will be a R/T charger with the Hemi. I told her tickets means no car…

· Abram is 5 years old now. He is a kindergartener at Frankton. He is becoming a great little man and I enjoy him so much. He is very loving and has a very strong will. If we can keep him on the straight and narrow who knows what he can do in the future.

· Alilah is 3 years old. She is turned into quite the spit-fire. Her goal in life is to harass her older brother. She is such a happy spirit and a joy to be around. Any chance she gets she comes out to work with me, she does.

· Dallas – About a month ago I was in the hospital for 9 days with Covid, about died. I am glad to say I am still here and about 90% recovered. Still really short of breath. Still love my faith, family, and farm life. I am truly living my dream.

With Austin coming back into the farm soon, it is becoming even more important to pick up some more ground to farm. If you know anyone in the area that might want to talk with me about farming their ground, please let me know or give him or her cell my number.

Thank you for choosing us to farm your ground. Please feel free to give me a call anytime with questions or concerns.

PS: If any of your information has changed from last year on Tax ID, address, phone numbers, Etc. please send me updated information. Thanks Again!