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Agriculture

How the Christmans Harmonize Farming and Ranching with Family Life

2024-12-02

He’s a fifth-generation farmer, and she’s a fourth-generation rancher. These are the roles that Jordan and Jacki Christman hold dear. When they got married in 2010, they decided to keep their respective domains intact while working together when needed. Now, along with raising their children - Citti, 10, Cahan, 11, and Conway, 8 - they manage their areas of expertise at JC Farms in Adams County.

Uniting Farming and Ranching in a Family Legacy

Growing Crops

Jordan's family traditionally focused on 90% spring wheat and 10% sunflowers. However, with the establishment of the Red Trail Energy ethanol plant in 2007, their farming practices began to change. In 2008, they started growing corn to meet the demand. Now, Jordan grows spring wheat, corn, canola, and soybeans. He is a multiple-time top wheat producer in Adams County. With two full-time employees and additional help during harvest, Jordan's farming operation is a well-oiled machine. He takes pride in his work and enjoys operating the equipment. "I like to be hands-on," he says. "I don't want to just manage people; I want to be out there doing it myself."Even though other farmers have offered to rent him land, Jordan has no desire to expand too much. He values the personal connection with his equipment and the satisfaction of seeing the crops grow. "I'm happy with what I have," he says. "I don't need to be a big corporation; I just want to do what I love."

Raising Cattle

Jacki started her cattle herd with 10 bred heifers as a graduation gift from her parents. When she started dating Jordan, he encouraged her to bring the heifers to their farm and get into the cattle business. Since then, the herd has grown to 325 black Angus. "We've found a good balance," Jacki says. "Our corrals and barns have their limits, so 325 head is manageable for us."Calving takes place in March and April, allowing Jacki and Jordan to help each other during the busy seasons. Jacki also puts up hay for her family and helps on their ranch when needed. Despite the geographical differences between Harding and Adams counties, the couple has found their own way to make ranching work. "We have our own style here," Jacki says. "It's a lot more hands-on, but we love it."

Sharing Their Lives

In 2019, Jacki started sharing posts and videos from the farm on social media. What started as a way to keep friends and family updated has now grown into a large following. More than 110,000 people follow JC Farms on Facebook, and their most viral video has had over 12 million views. "We want people to understand where their food comes from," Jacki says. "We're not just a big corporation; we're a family working hard to provide for our community."The Christmans are proud to share their story and show the world what farming and ranching are all about. They hope to inspire others to appreciate the hard work and dedication that goes into producing our food.

Moving Forward

Jordan hopes to continue buying more land and keeping his machinery and technology up-to-date. He also dreams of one day bringing his children into the business. "I want them to know where their food comes from and the value of hard work," he says.For now, the Christmans are enjoying their busy lives, balancing farming and ranching with school and 4-H activities. "We're grateful for everything we have," Jacki says. "We're living our dream, and we're happy to share it with others."

As Iowa and the United States increasingly turn to renewable energy sources, the significance of greenhouse gas emissions from agricultural industries like farming is on the rise. Michael Castellano, an agronomy professor at Iowa State University, along with a team of researchers, is dedicated to lowering emissions from an unexplored aspect of agriculture through in-depth research on soybean planting and production.

Uncovering Sustainable Solutions for Iowa's Agricultural Emissions

General Steps to Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions from the Corn Belt

Castellano and his team have identified several key steps in reducing greenhouse gas emissions from the Corn Belt. Rotating corn and soybeans and ensuring the right levels of nitrogen fertilizer for corn are crucial. When fertilizer rates are optimal, around 60% of emissions in a two-year crop rotation come from corn, with the rest from soybeans. Lowering fertilizer rates below the ideal for maximum yield doesn't lead to a reduction in emissions or a change in their source proportions. This highlights the need to explore further solutions.

By carefully managing these aspects, they are making significant progress in curbing emissions and optimizing agricultural practices. This approach not only benefits the environment but also contributes to the overall sustainability of the agricultural sector.

Early Soybean Planting: A Key to Reducing Emissions

The team has discovered that one of the most important ways to reduce emissions in soybean production is by planting soybeans earlier in the season. When the soil is left unsown for too long, the nitrogen it produces can escape into the atmosphere and waterways. However, by planting longer varieties earlier in the growing season, the nitrogen is effectively incorporated into the crop, increasing yield and preventing environmental losses.

This early planting strategy has shown promising results. It not only helps in reducing emissions but also leads to a significant increase in soybean yields. By around 10% or six bushels per acre, farmers can benefit from both environmental and production perspectives. It's a win-win situation that holds great potential for the future of Iowa's agriculture.

Fall Cover Crops: Another Effective Solution

Another solution identified by Castellano and his team is to plant cover crops in the fall. These cover crops play a vital role in improving soil health and reducing emissions. By providing a protective layer over the soil during the off-season, they help prevent nitrogen from leaching into the environment.

With real-time crop production data and interventions in hand, the team has been able to observe the impact of these measures. Initial results from Iowa crop production, where a cover crop was implemented and soybeans were planted earlier, have shown a reduction in nitrous oxide emissions by around 15%. This is a significant achievement and gives them confidence that similar results can be achieved in other states.

The combination of early soybean planting and fall cover crops offers a comprehensive approach to reducing agricultural emissions. It addresses multiple aspects of the agricultural system and paves the way for a more sustainable future.

What Castellano hopes to see as a result of this research is a greater emphasis on early planting. With the support of the USDA, farmers can make informed decisions to reduce environmental nitrogen losses and increase yield. As the climate continues to warm and springs become warmer in the northern Corn Belt, the importance of planting earlier becomes even more pronounced.

Farmers have been gradually adopting earlier planting practices over the past decade. However, by considering the environmental and production rewards, they can take it a step further. The Iowa Farm Bureau has set the earliest planting dates for soybeans, and with the right guidance and support, farmers can make the most of these opportunities.

In conclusion, Iowa is at the forefront of reducing agricultural greenhouse gas emissions through innovative research and practical solutions. By implementing these strategies, the state is setting an example for the rest of the country and working towards a more sustainable agricultural future.

Weather plays a crucial role in the agricultural market, influencing the prices and sales of various commodities. In this article, we'll explore how recent weather patterns have affected corn, wheat, and soybean futures, as well as soybean sales and snow forecasts in specific regions.

Unraveling the Weather-Agriculture Nexus

Corn and Wheat Futures in Overnight Trading

Corn and wheat futures witnessed a downward trend in overnight trading due to signs of favorable weather in parts of South America. Last week, rainfall in southern Brazil improved the prospects for recently planted crops. As much as 50 millimeters (2 inches) of rain fell from Nov. 27 through Dec. 1, and some areas received up to 30 millimeters of precipitation. Brazil's standard precipitation index for November showed that northern and southern states suffered from dryness, while central states received ample rainfall. Rain has also fallen in parts of Argentina, boosting crop prospects. For example, corn futures for March delivery fell 2 1/4¢ to $4.30 3/4 a bushel on the Chicago Board of Trade. Wheat futures lost 3 3/4¢ to $5.44 1/4 a bushel, and Kansas City futures declined 2 3/4¢ to $5.38 a bushel.

Soybean Sales Surge to a Marketing Year High

Soybean sales for export experienced a significant jump, reaching a marketing year high. In the seven days ending on Nov. 21, sales to overseas buyers totaled 2.49 million metric tons, up 34% from the previous week and 31% from the prior four-week average. China was the largest buyer, purchasing 1.09 million tons, followed by Mexico (339,000 tons) and Germany (202,000 tons). USDA also reported that exports for the week totaled 2.08 million tons, down 15% from the previous week. Corn sales, on the other hand, fell 29% weekly to 1.06 million metric tons, down 46% from the average for this time of year. Mexico bought 405,200 tons, an unnamed destination took 115,900 tons, Guatemala was in for 93,700 tons, and Colombia purchased 74,000 tons. Wheat sales last week were reported at 366,800 metric tons, down 33% from the week prior and 15% from the average. An unnamed country took 95,000 tons, Taiwan purchased 59,100 tons, Vietnam bought 36,500 tons, Mexico was in for 35,700 tons, and Guatemala bought 30,300 tons. Wheat exports for the week jumped to 433,800 tons.

Snow Forecast for Parts of Iowa

Snow is expected to continue to roll through much of Iowa this morning, with accumulation expected to be less than an inch. However, roads might be slick or covered with snow. Strong winds are forecast to start from Wednesday morning, with gusts expected at around 45 mph. In southern Illinois, light snow is in the forecast for today, with a dusting likely. "Snow is expected to begin in Illinois and parts of southeast Missouri this morning and move into southwest Indiana and western Kentucky by this afternoon," NWS said.