Walking in the Furrow
As farmers we see the challenges of supply and demand, whether we are watching the grain commodities or other inputs such as seed, fertilizer, fuel, etc. The weather can make us or break us, I'm so glad we finally received an inch and a half of rain on July 15, as we hadn't seen measurable rainfall in weeks. The corn has begun to tassel and the soybeans have canopied. While I watched the alfalfa wait patiently for a shower, I couldn't help but think we might have seen another a shortage this fall. I wonder how the lack of rain in some areas will deplete hay supplies and if it will continue and impact the availability into the spring of 2021.
Shortages of all kinds show up when the demand for a product or service exceeds available supply. Usually shortages are temporary and products are replenished so the market can regain its equilibrium. What drives a market? Who would have ever thought we'd find ourselves scrambling to find a four-pack of toilet paper or that we would see signs limiting the number of rolls available to customers?
In recent months consumers quickly gobbled up all the masks, so consumers attempted to overcome the shortages by making their own. The N-95 masks are necessary on some construction jobs. Whether we are loading out grain or remodeling a house we have to improvise to protect ourselves. Because N-95 masks are used by healthcare workers, they are understandably missing on the store shelves and will continue to be scarce.
In the last few weeks, we have also been experiencing construction supply shortages. It seems there are never enough materials to begin or even finish the job. I'm not sure if the current shortages are due to the fact that the materials aren't being produced or that there are still shipping problems. It could be that more homeowners are busy completing their own home repairs or improvement projects until they can return to work. Lumber and building materials shortages have increasingly interfered with our construction schedule. I never would have imagined we'd be running to multiple lumberyards to find treated lumber, plywood trim mouldings, fasteners and gutter materials.
There was a six-week delay in receiving a small chest freezer that we bought for boilers. They were tucked away in several other freezers until it arrived. I was told refrigerators, dishwashers, freezers and other appliances of that sort are all back ordered and impossible to find. It is also nearly impossible to get a date to get your own meat processed. Many places are booked a year in advance for butchering. Many consumers are concerned about the food supply shortages and have decided to grow their own vegetables or go to local farmers market for fresh produce. I wonder if the next shortage will be canning jars and lids!
Have you heard there is a shortage of lawn chairs? People are not being invited into homes so chairs are needed to "social distance" outside. But I think the most surprising shortage to surface recently was the coin shortage. If you do not have the exact amount of cash and change in your wallet, some businesses will only accept credit or debit cards. Some have even asked customers to donate their change. What happened to the coins? Are people burying their change because it is all they have left?