Jim and Connie Umble have been haying for about 20 years on the Wyoming-Nebraska border. During hay season, they systematically set their alarm clocks alternately throughout the night, taking turns waking up to check the humidity gauges to see if the dew has come and the hay is ready to bale.

Farmland has been susceptible to boom-bust cycles where a large run-up in land prices is followed by a rapid decrease in prices. Two such cycles occurred in the last century, one beginning in the 1920s and ending in the 1930s, and the other from 1973 to 1986. The end of these cycles is marked by farm financial distress due to accumulated debt and the inability of earned cash flow to make the interest and principal payments.

Angie Metcalf District Sales Manager Quality Liquid FeedsMenomonie, Wisconsin

Life was not made for questions that can be answered “yes” or “no.” My almost-13-year-old grandson, who generally eats with his boots under my table, has discovered cooking. I think it started with fried eggs and then progressed to pancakes.