2021 Fall Farm

2021 Logan County Fall Farm Outlook Lincoln Daily News Oct. - Nov. 2021 Page 15 shut down. In addition, those that were still working cut back on production because of the fear that they would not be purchased. But, that psychology backfired when the American government issued stay at home rules and many employees began working at home. Children were also at home, and both parents and kids needed access to technology to continue on working and receiving their education. Jones said in the article, “The biggest issue is that demand has skyrocketed.” Jones also noted that with the issuance of multiple stimulus checks per household throughout 2020, cash was available to purchase electronics for home entertainment. These factors increased the demand and compounded the severity of the shortage. The end result, chips that were available were going to consumer items and not items such as combines and tractors. Companies like John Deere that is serviced by LHP Telematics had to halt production of many of their machines mid-way because they needed those chips for guidance systems and other technology within the tractors and combines. As farmers looked to replace equipment, they found there was no equipment to buy or at least a very limited supply. Additionally, other raw materials were being delayed and companies had to make the choice to keep building partially complete implements or use the resources they had on hand to manufacture replacement parts for what was already out there. So, how are grain producers coping with this mess? In an article written by Reuters correspondents P.J. Huffstutter and Mark Weinraub and published on October 12, 2021 in Lincoln Daily News, workarounds are currently the name of the game for farmers. In the article “‘Desperate for tires.’ Components shortage roils U.S. harvest,” the authors talked to mid-west farmers who said they were doing all they could to keep their machinery safe, but they had several concerns. They were seeking out local welders to fix broken parts instead of replacing them Some were concerned that parts would be stolen Continue 4