FRIDAY, August 13, 2010 MEETING NOTES Volume 44, Issue 45
We had 23 Optimists & guests today. Jim Kirkpatrick, Keyron Eagan (Beth’s fiancé) and Joy Schewe from Fennimore’s club were our guests – other than our speaker. The Mystery Greeter was Milt Rewey who greeted Gary Engelke. John Urness, Beth Frieders, Maxine Lane, Hap Daus, Charlie Clark, Gary & Eileen Engelke, Milt Rewey, Ernie Thalmann, Tom Nall and Ken Kamps wore their Optimist shirts today.
Today’s Speaker – Bob Middendorf – State of Agriculture
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Bob Middendorf has the Farm Show on WPVL/WGLR. He grew up on a farm near Galena, went to the Brown Institute of Broadcasting in MN for sports, but later turned to farm news. He got his first job from the late Bob Bodden. He worked at many stations in the mid 80’s and got to go on a 2 week trip to the old Soviet Union to see their Collectives. He has been full-time since January 2000. Bob explained that 2009 was a very difficult year for farmers. In the dairy industry, farmers lost about $100 per month per cow! He said that this year has been break even at best. The Coop rain gage report showed that rain amounts in July ranged from 8 – 16”! Many farmers could not harvest hay due to flooding. |
He said the dairy industry has seen good & bad. 2008 was a good year, 2009 was bad, 2010 is break even and some are predicting another bad year like 2009. If that happens, many will no longer have equity in the farms to get them through and will fold. It translates to the associated businesses also. He said one farming supply business said that in June 2008 he did $1.6 million in sales and June 2009 he did only $13,000 and accounts receivable are way up! Bob talked a little about the Pork industry. It took a big hit with the erroneous stories about “Swine Flu”. The flu is officially H1N1 and people cannot get it from eating pork, but the connection was there and there was a glut of pork, thus a drop in prices. He said the farmers have had 28 months in the red. |
He said Beef has been a bright spot. Lamb is good, but not many in Grant County – even though we are the largest producers. One “rule of thumb” is that a farmer needs 5 good years to break even from one bad year. Bob said that cash crops are up, livestock is suffering. There are record corn & soybean yields. He said the droughts in the Ukraine may work to our benefit. He said many older farmers fight the technology in Ag, but it is getting bigger every day. We always want the latest technology for medicine - why not Ag?
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This Friday - Dave Berner – State of the City
UPCOMING EVENTSAug 18 - 22 – Grant Co Fair Sep 10 - 12 – Dairy Days Oct 2 – Installation Banquet |
UPCOMING SPEAKERSAugust 27 – Dean Isaacson - Platteville School District Update September 3 – Diana Trendt – UW-P Career Center |
 JOKER DRAWHoward Crofoot was selected. He drew the Joker! His half of the pot was $162. The other half was donated to Childhood Cancer at the SWIS District Meeting. The pot starts all over next week with a minimum $100 pot. Good Luck to next week’s winner. |
BOARD MEETINGThe next Board Meeting will be on Thursday, September 9th at 7 AM at Badger Brothers. Current and next year’s Board Members are encouraged to attend. CHEESE CURDSIt is that time again! Sign up for Grant Co Fair August 18 – 22 and Dairy Days September 10 – 12. Sign up on the web.
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 WINNINGSHere is Howard receiving his check for $162 from President Tom Nall. The Installation Banquet for the 2010 – 2011 officers will be held on October 2, 2010 at Take 2 Restaurant starting at 6:00 p.m. Sign up on line! |
Optimist International | SWIS District | Platteville, Wisconsin--Information
Please send comments, questions and suggestions about the web page to Howard Crofoot at crofooth@platteville.org
Last Modified: August 29, 2010