Farmers like to represent themselves as a band of brothers (and sisters), a fellowship, a fraternity.
At their best, they are. I’ve seen it many times, especially when a group of neighbors comes together to plant or harvest the crops of a farmer with health problems.
The full reality, however, is that some farmers benefit when the crops of other farmers suffer from bad weather. Bad weather means fewer total bushels - and higher prices, which really benefits producers with a good crop.
It’s been happening lately in a big way. The soybean crop in Argentina, a major bean producer, has been hit hard by heavy rains, and formerly weak soybean prices have rallied. U.S. farmers are smiling.
Hey, I don’t blame farmers who hope for bad weather elsewhere. If I were in their shoes, I would,too.
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But, please, don’t get carried with talk of the fraternity of farming.
