TODAY ON U.S. FARM REPORT
DECEMBER 23-24, 2017
MERRY CHRISTMAS AND WELCOME TO U.S. FARM REPORT. THANKS FOR JOINING US THIS HOLIDAY WEEKEND. I’M TYNE MORGAN, AND HERE’S WHAT’S AHEAD. CHRISTMAS CAME EARLY FOR HTE GOP AS A SWEEPING TAX OVERHAUL FINALLY PUSHED THROUGH WASHINGTON. WE’LL BREAK IT DOWN AND SHOW YOU WHAT IT MEANS TO FARMERS. LOW VOLATILITY WAS THE STORY FOR CORN IN 2017. NO. 2017 WAS IT WAS A BAD YEAR. I MEAN FOR AGRICULTURE I THINK IN GENERAL I MEAN YIELDS WERE GREAT BUT PRICES WERE POOR> WHAT DID WE LEARN AND HOW CAN WE APPLY IT TO 2018? AND WE’LL GET YOU IN THE HOLIDAY SPIRIT... “CHRISMTAS IS A MAGOICAL TIME HERE AT COLONIAL WILLIAMSBURG. YOUR TRANSPORTED BACK IN TIME TO A SIMPLER ERA IF YOU WIL> IT’S OUR ANNUAL CHRISTMAS IN THE COUNTRY SPECIAL WITH SOME LIGHT HEARTED FUN WHILE RELECTING ON THE BLESSINGS OF ANOTHER YEAR.
TAX REFORM, RELIEF BILL
MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE. NOW FOR THE NEWS, JUST HOURS BEFORE CONGRESS TOOK A BREAK FOR THE HOLIDAY SEASON, LEGISLATORS PASSED A SWEEPING TAX REFORM PACKAGE. BUT HOW WILL THE MASSIVE TAX CUTS IMPACT RURAL AMERICA? THE HOUSE AND SENATE FINALLY REACHING MIDDLE GROUND ON TAX REFORM.BUT THE PRESIDENT NOT EXPECTED TO SIGN THE MEASURE UNTIL ASFTER HTE NEW YEAR ` “WE ARE GOING TO BRING AT LEAST FOUR TRILLION DOLLARS BACK INTO THIS COUNTRY. MONEY THAT WAS FROZEN OVERSEAS AND IN PARTS OF THE WORLD AND SOME OF THEM DON’T EVEN LIKE US AND THEY HAD THE MONEY, WELL THEY’RE NOT GOING TO HAVE THE MONEY LONG.> BUT HOW WILL THOSE TAX CUTS IMPACT AGRICULTURE? WE ASKED FARM CPA PAUL NEIFFER. HE SAYS THE CORPORATE TAX RATE WILL DROP TO 21 PERCENT FROM 35 PERCENT, BUT MOST FARMERS WILLONLY PAY 15 PERCENT. BONUS DEPRECIATION WILL NOW HAVE A FULL DEDUCTION FOR FARM ASSETS PURCHASED BETWEEN SEPTEMBER 28, 2017 AND THE END OF 2022. HE SAYS FARMERS WILL SEE AN ALMOST AUTOMOATIC 20 PERCENT DEDUCTION FOR NET FARM INCOME. AND THE ESTATE TAX EXEMPTION WILL DOUBLE TO 11 PINT 2 MILLION DOLLARS IN 2018. A MASSIVE 81 BILLION DISASTER AID IN THE HOUSE THIS WEEK. IN IT IS 2 POINT 6 BILLION FOR AGRICULTURAL ASSISTANCE. THAT INCLUDES SOME ASSISTANCE FOR FLORIDA’S CITRUS INDUSTRY, RAVAGED BY HURRICANE IRMA THIS YEAR. BUT IT’S NOT JUST HURRICANES, THE MEASURE ALSO ADDRESSING THE HEARTBREAKING DAMAGE FROM WILDFIRES AND OTHER WEATHER EVENTS THAT SLAMMED THE U-S THIS YEAR. THOSE EVENTS HITTING AGRICULTURE ESPECIALLY HARD. WITH THE ALMOST 52 BILLION DOLLARS IN EMERGENCY DISASTER AID PREVIOUSLY PROVIDED, THE TOTAL DISASTER DUNING THIS YEAR WOULD HIT NEARLY 133 BILLION DOLLARS.
CHINA’S QUALITY CONTROLS ON SOYBEANS
BAD NEWS FOR BEANS THIS WEEK. THAT’S AFTER U-S OFFICIALS RESPONDED TO A REQUEST FROM CHINA TO IMPOSE STRICTER QUALITY CONTROLS ON SHIPMENTS OF SOYBEANS DESTINED FOR CHINA. IT’S A NEW STANDARD THAT WILL GO INTO EFFECT JANUARY 1 AND NOW GIVES PRIORITY TO SOYBEAN SHIPMENTS WITH IMPURITY LEVELS BELOW THE NEW STANDARD OF 1 PERCENT, WHICH IS HALF THE CURRENT LEVEL. ANY SOYBEANS ABOVE THAT WILL NEED TO BE DELAYED FOR ADDTIONAL CLEANING. THIS COULD CURB SOYBEAN SHIPMENTS TO CHINA AND ULTIMATLEY CAUSE THE U-S TO LOSE BUSINESS.
WEATHER
THOSE ARE THE HEADLINES...METEOROLOGIST MIKE HOFFMAN JOINS US NOW WITH WEATHER. MIKE, CHRISTMAS WEEKEND IS HERE... AND SOME OF OUR VIEWERS ARE REALLY WANTING A WHITE CHRISTMAS. THANKS TYNE. AND I KNOW A LOT OF FOLKS WANT A WHITE CHRISTMAS IF YOU HAVE SNOW ON THE GROUND RIGHT NOW. YOU’RE GOING TO HAVE A WHITE CHRISTMAS AND THEN THIS STORM SYSTEM ACROSS THE GREAT LAKES INTO THE NORTHEAST DOWN INTO THE CENTRAL APPALACHIANS GIVE YOU A PRETTY GOOD CHANCE FOR SOME LIGHT SNOW AND EVEN BACK TO THE WEST WHERE THIS SYSTEM HAS JUST COME FROM. YOU HAVE A DECENT CHANCE. HERE’S THE WAY WE START CHRISTMAS DAY ITSELF. ANOTHER SHOT OF FRIGID AIR COMING IN. IT’S ALREADY COLD ALL THE WAY DOWN INTO TEXAS IN THE SOUTHEAST. BY WEDNESDAY WE HAVE ANOTHER SYSTEM KIND OF RIDING EASTWARD WHICH WILL BRING A CHANCE FOR SOME MORE SNOW THROUGH THE MIDDLE OF THE COUNTRY. LITTLE BIT OF RAIN AND MOUNTAIN SNOW OUT WEST THAT’S GOING TO BE THE CASE PRETTY MUCH ALL WEEK OFF AND ON AND A FEW SHOWERS. SOUTHERN MISSISSIPPI VALLEY EASTERN TEXAS DOWN INTO SOUTH FLORIDA BY FRIDAY THEN OF PRETTY DECENT SYSTEMS SHOWING UP ON THE COMPUTER MODELS ALONG THE GULF COAST THAT WILL SPREAD SOME DECENT AREAS OF RAIN THROUGHOUT THE SOUTHEAST BUT ON THE NORTHERN FRINGE OF THAT CENTRAL MISSISSIPPI VALLEY BACK INTO TEXAS NORTHERN TEXAS A LITTLE BIT OF SNOW THERE AS WELL SHOWER THUNDERSTORMS A POSSIBILITY IN SOUTH FLORIDA. HERE IS THE JET STREAM AS WE GO THROUGH THE END OF THIS WEEKEND DIRECT SHOT OF ARCTIC AIR COMING RIGHT INTO THE MIDDLE OF THE COUNTRY. NOW YOU’LL NOTICE THAT IT KIND TO RELAXES A LITTLE BIT AS WE HEAD TOWARD TUESDAY AND WEDNESDAY. BUT COLD AIR IS HEAVY AND IT’S JUST GOING TO SIT THERE AND IT’S STILL GOING TO BE DOMINATING THIS WHOLE AREA. AND THEN AFTER THAT STORM GOES BY AND WEDNESDAY WE’LL SEE ANOTHER SHOT OF EVEN COLDER AIR COMING INTO THE NORTH CENTRAL PLAINS AND THAT WILL SPREAD SOUTHEASTWARD ALL THE WAY INTO FLORIDA AND THE GULF COAST AS WELL. AS WE HEAD INTO NEXT WEEKEND HERE’S THE WAY MY 30 DAY OUTLOOK LOOKS BELOW NORMAL FOR MOST OF THE EASTERN PARTS OF THE COUNTRY ABOVE NORMAL FOR THE SOUTHWEST PRECIPITATION OVER THE NEXT 30 DAYS FROM NORTHEAST TEXAS TO THE NORTHEAST AND THE GREAT LAKES ABOVE NORMAL BELOW NORMAL SOUTH AND WEST TEXAS AND THE SOUTHWEST TYNE
TEASE
WHEN WE COME BACK, WE’LL TAKE A GLIMPSE BACK AT 2017. WHAT DID WE LEARN AS FAR AS MARKETNG GOES, AND HOW CAN THAT KNOWLEDGE BE APPLIED TO 2018? TOMMY GRISAFI AND JOE VACLAVIK JOIN ME NEXT.
ROUNDTABLE 1
WELCOME BACK TO US FARM REPORT THIS CHRISTMAS WEEKEND I HAVE TOMMY GRISSAFII OF IN ADVANCE TRADING IN JOE VACLAVIK OF STANDARD GRAIN ARE MY GUEST THIS WEEKEND FIRST OF ALL MERRY CHRISTMAS. MERRY CHRISTMAS. MERRY CHRISTMAS. JOE YOU HAVE A LITTLE ONE. SO ARE THEY STARTING TO UNDERSTAND CHRISTMAS AND MY TWO YEAR OLD AS HE IS VERY EXCITED. THE FOUR MONTH YEAR OLD IS 4 MONTH OLD IS NOT EXCITED. OH YEAH. HE DOESN’T KNOW WHAT’S GOING ON. AND TOMMY YOUR GIRLS I MEAN THEY’RE A LITTLE BIT OLDER. HIGH SCHOOL AGE REALLY ASKING FOR NEW IPHONE 10 11 12 EIGHT YEAR THAT SAY WE HAVE ONE WHO HAS A DRIVER’S PERMIT. YEAH. YOU KNOW I NEED A CAR DAD. OURS IS LIKE THIS YEAR THEY’RE STARTING TO UNDERSTAND CHRISTMAS CAROLS AND WE SING AND YOU KNOW IT’S IT’S A LOT OF FUN. A LOT OF FUN. ALL RIGHT WELL LETS GET TO THE MARKETS AND SAID I’M TALKING ABOUT REALLY WHAT HAPPENED THIS WEEK AND WHAT COULD HAPPEN NEXT WEEK. WE’RE GOING TO LOOK MORE BROADLY AT 2017. WHAT WE LEARN IN 2017 AND HOW WE CAN APPLY THAT TO 2018. SO TOM LET’S START WITH YOU. I MEAN 2017 WAS THE YEAR OF NO OR LOW VOLATILITY TIGHT RANGE IN CORN TIGHT RANGE AND BEANS WHEN YOU LOOK BACK AT IT WE HAD A COUPLE WEEKS OF A BUSY WHEAT MARKET. WE HAD A DROUGHT THAT WAS STARTING TO HAPPEN. AND AS ALL DROUGHTS THEY THEY END WHEN IT RAINS AND NO ONE EVER DOES. WE KNOW JOE’S OPINION ON THE WEATHER GUY. NO ONE E-MAILS YOU A DAY BEFORE THE IS OVER. SO DROP MARKETS ARE FUN. IT’S AN OPPORTUNITY. PRICE GRAIN BUT A VERY TIGHT CONDENSED VOLATILITY. PEOPLE ARE JUST LOOKING FOR ANYTHING TO SELL TO TRY TO GET SOME MONEY OUT OF IT AT THESE LEVELS SELLING VOLATILITY SEEMS LIKE FOOL’S GOLD TO ME. AND JOE I MEAN YOU’RE THE ONE ON THE SHOW YOU’VE SAID TIME AND TIME AGAIN THAT VOLATILITY CREATES OPPORTUNITY. BUT WE DIDN’T REALLY HAVE A LOT OF THAT OPPORTUNITY THIS YEAR. NO. 2017 WAS IT WAS A BAD YEAR. I MEAN FOR AGRICULTURE I THINK IN GENERAL I MEAN YIELDS WERE GREAT BUT PRICES WERE POOR MARKETING OPPORTUNITIES IN THE CORN MARKET ESPECIALLY WERE FEW AND FAR BETWEEN YOU SAW SOME BETTER OPPORTUNITIES OR MORE OPPORTUNITIES IN THE SOYBEAN AND WHEAT MARKETS. BUT YEAH I MEAN THERE JUST WAS NOT A WHOLE LOT OF OPPORTUNITY WE DIDN’T GET THAT THAT DEASE CORN THE 450 THIS YEAR LIKE WE DID LAST YEAR. SO IT WAS FRUSTRATING DEFINITELY IN AN INSTANCE LIKE THIS WHEN YOU DON’T HAVE A LOT OF THAT VOLATILITY AND PRICES ARE REALLY LOW WHEN YOU LOOK CORN BELOW BREAKEVEN FOR A LOT OF PRODUCERS. WHAT CAN YOU DO TOMMY. WELL YOU STILL HAVE YOU CAN DEFINE YOUR RISK. SO AS WE SPOKE EARLIER SOME THINGS ARE CONTROLLABLE SOME AREN’T. YOU. FROM WHATEVER PRICE WE ARE TODAY WHICH YOU MAY CONSIDER A BAD PRICE BUT YOUR RISK IS FROM THAT BAD PRICE TO THE NEXT LOWER BID PRICE. WHEN YOU THINK THINGS ARE CHEAP JOE AND I TALKED OFF AIR ABOUT A COMPANY WE’RE INVOLVED WITH TWO DOLLARS SEEMED CHEAP FOR THE STOCK TO THE NEXT DAY IT WAS AT ZERO RIGHT. AND I DON’T THINK FOODS LIKE THAT CORN BEANS AND WHEAT THERE THEY’RE NOT GOING TO ZERO BUT YOUR RISK IS STILL THAT MARKETS GO LOWER. YOU KNOW IF WE LOOK BACK AND IF YOU WOULD HAVE VISITED YOURSELF THIS TIME LAST YEAR JOE WHAT WOULD YOU HAVE TOLD YOURSELF TO DO. PROBABLY THE SAME THING I’M GOING TO DO IN 2018 AND MY GOAL IS TO SELL GRAIN AT PROFITABLE LEVELS AND 2017 DIDN’T GIVE ME THE OPPORTUNITIES IN THE CORN MARKET IN PARTICULAR. IT DID GIVE ME OPPORTUNITIES IN THE SOYBEAN MARKET. IT DID GIVE ME A BRIEF WINDOW OF OPPORTUNITY IN THE WHEAT MARKET. THE CORN MARKET WE JUST DIDN’T HAVE IT SO DOES DOES MY OPINION OR STRATEGY OR WAY I APPROACH ANY OF THIS STUFF CHANGE AFTER 2017. NO NOT REALLY. I’M STILL INTERESTED IN MAKING SALES THAT MAKE MONEY IF THAT MEANS I’VE GOT TO HOLD MY CORN A LITTLE BIT LONGER OR OWN SOME PUTS TO CARRY ME THROUGH SOME BAD TIMES. THAT’S WHAT I’M GOING TO DO BUT I’M STILL INTERESTED ESPECIALLY SITTING HERE AT THE START OF ANOTHER CALENDAR YEAR. MY EYES ON THE PRIZE AND I’M GOING TO TRY TO MAKE MONIES AS HARD AS I CAN AND I’M GOING TO YOU KNOW TRY TO OFFSET SOME RISK. BUT YOU KNOW WE’RE STILL IN THIS TO MAKE MONEY THIS BUSINESS. EXACTLY IT IS A BUSINESS. WHAT DO YOU THINK WAS THE BIGGEST LEARNING LESSON FOR US IN 2017. TELL ME. WELL A COUPLE OF THINGS. THE FARMER’S BEEN TAUGHT OR THEY BOUGHT INTO THE IDEA THAT IF YOU SCALE UP SELL OR THE MARKET WILL GO TO THAT LEVEL. NUMBER TWO THEY WERE ALSO TAUGHT OR EDUCATED THROUGH UNIVERSITIES OR PRIVATE SERVICES THAT IT’S IMPORTANT TO KNOW YOUR COST PRODUCTION WHICH WE AGREE. BUT YOUR COST OF PRODUCTION CHANGED DRAMATICALLY WHEN YOU WENT IN THAT COMBINE IN THAT FIELD YOU KNEW WASN’T 200 BUSHEL WAS 240. SO KNOWING YOUR COST PRODUCTION WHAT THE FINAL BUSHELS ARE WAS DEFINITELY A SHOCK. THE SCALE UP SELLING IT DIDN’T WORK. I MEAN THERE’S MAYBE YOU HIT ONE LEVEL OR MAYBE YOU LOST SOME BUSHELS FROM LAST YEAR. BUT I’VE NEVER SEEN. WE WORK WITH A LOT OF ELEVATORS. THEY HAD A WHOLE EXPIRING DECK OF A BUNCH OF SAIL UP SCALE UPSELLING THAT EVER HIT. WHAT WAS THE BIGGEST LESSON THAT YOU LEARNED IN 2017. JOE THE FARMERS ALWAYS SCARED OF MISSING OUT ON BETTER OPPORTUNITIES. AND THIS IS SOMETHING THAT I’VE TALKED ABOUT BEFORE IT’S NOT ANYTHING NEW. BUT IN GENERAL I THINK THAT THAT’S WHY THAT’S WHY THERE’S HESITATION TO MAKE SALES AND A LOT OF INSTANCES IS THAT WE SAW 2012 AND 13 WE SAW 6 7 8 DOLLAR CORN FARMERS ARE AFRAID OF MISSING OUT ON THAT. AND I THINK THAT’S ONE THING THAT IN THIS KIND OF ENVIRONMENT YOU’VE GOT TO TAKE THAT OUT OF THE EQUATION. THE MOST SUCCESSFUL MARKETERS ARE NOT AFRAID TO MAKE SALES THEY’RE NOT AFRAID TO SELL FUTURES THEY’RE NOT AFRAID TO BUY PUTS WHEN THE MARKET RALLIES. ALL RIGHT. SO WHAT CAN YOU DO LOOKING INTO 2018. THEY HINTED TOWARDS IT GAVE IT GAVE US SOME ADVICE. BUT WE’LL GET INTO THAT A LITTLE BIT MORE WHEN WE COME BACK ON US FARM REPORT THIS CHRISTMAS WEEKEND.
ROUNDTABLE 2
WELCOME BACK TO US FARM REPORT. THIS WEEKEND OUR FOCUS NOW SHIFTS TO 2018. TOMMY WHAT IS THE ONE THING YOU WANT PRODUCERS TO KEEP IN MIND AS WE HEAD INTO THE NEW YEAR IN 2018. Y OU HAVE TO REMIND PEOPLE THERE ARE IN THE BUSHEL BUSINESS SO A LOT OF TIMES IN SHOWS LIKE THIS WE TALK ABOUT TEN DOLLAR BEANS FOUR DOLLAR CORN. YOU WERE IN THE BUSH BUSINESS. I WOULD ASSUME YOU’RE GOING TO GROW YOUR PH NEXT YEAR IF YOU DON’T YOU’RE GOING TO HAVE FEDERAL CROP INSURANCE FOR THAT. YOU HAVE TO START MANAGING THE RISK. THIS IS ONE OF THE ONLY BUSINESSES IN THE WORLD THAT’S GROWING AND PRODUCING A PRODUCT THAT’S NOT QUITE SURE WHEN THEY’RE GOING TO SELL IT AND THERE’S NOT MANY BUSINESSES THAT OPERATE THAT WAY. I DON’T HAVE THE MAGIC WAND TO SAY THIS IS HOW YOU DO IT BUT YOU ARE GOING TO PRODUCE BUSHELS EVEN IN THE GREAT DROUGHT OF 12 WE PRODUCED A LOT OF BUSHELS IN AMERICA AND THAT JUST MEANS WE LIKED AND THE MARKETS REFLECTED THAT. BUT BUSHELS WILL BE PRODUCED IN 2018 AND THAT RISK NEEDS TO BE MANAGED TO TELL WEATHER RALLIES OR MARKETING OPPORTUNITIES. WE JUST SAW IT AT THE TAIL END OF THE YEAR WITH THIS ARGENTINA WEATHER SITUATION. WE PUT THEM OUT WE PUT THE HIGH IN IN THE MARKET ON A WEATHER SCARE IN 2017 AND THE CORN MARKET THE SOYBEAN MARKET IS VERY SIMILAR. SO NOT EVERY WEATHER SCARE IS GOING TO TURN INTO A FULL BLOWN DROUGHT. THE VAST MAJORITY OF THE TIME THEY’RE GOING TO BE SOME OF YOUR BEST CHANCES TO DO YOUR MARKETING BY YOUR PUTS YOUR CALLS MAKE YOUR CASH CONTRACTS WHATEVER YOU NEED TO DO. THAT IS WHAT I WOULD KEEP IN MIND BECAUSE THAT IS SOMETHING THAT DOESN’T CHANGE. NINE OUT OF 10 TIMES IT’S GOING TO BE ONE OF YOUR BEST CHANCES TO SELL. JONES HOW ARE YOU WHEN YOU LOOK AT YOUR CUSTOMERS AND I KNOW YOU HAVE ALL DIFFERENT TYPES OF MARKETERS RIGHT ONES THAT ARE REALLY AGGRESSIVE ONES THAT MAYBE AREN’T SO MUCH. WE TALKED ABOUT THIS FEAR OF MISSING OUT. WHAT WOULD YOU SAY IS THE RECIPE FOR SUCCESS IS THERE ONE COMMON THEME ON KNOWS WHO THOSE CUSTOMERS THAT ARE REALLY THE BEST AT MARKETING. JOE WE’LL START WITH YOU. DON’T BE SCARED DON’T BE SCARED OF. SELLING A FUTURES CONTRACT OR BUYING INPUT OR MAKING A CASH SALE YOU’RE ALWAYS GOING TO HAVE MORE BUSHELS THIS YEAR NEXT YEAR THE YEAR AFTER AND THE YEAR AFTER THAT. AND ON AND ON. SO THAT AND DON’T START TO GET BULLISH WHEN THE MARKET RALLIES BE SKEPTICAL THE RALLIES WHEN WE GET A WEATHER ISSUE BE SKEPTICAL AND SAY THIS MIGHT JUST BE A SCARE THIS MIGHT JUST BE SOME SPECULATIVE MONEY COMING IN. YOU KNOW I WANT TO I WANT TO USE THIS AS AS MY CHANCE TO LOCK MYSELF INTO A BETTER SITUATION. TELL ME. WELL THERE’S STILL TOOLS THE FARMER HAS ACCESS TO THEY’RE NOT USING THEY COULD USE A FUTURES AND OPTIONS BROKER THEY COULD JUST BE A STRAIGHT CASH SELLER. BUT IF YOU END UP WITH A RECORD CROP YOU DON’T HAVE ENOUGH SPACE THAT’S GOING TO BE A PROBLEM IT’S REALLY HARD TO BUILD UP IN A DAY AFTER YOU REALIZE YOU HAVE TOO MANY BUSHELS AND SO GIVING AWAY FROM FUTURES AND OPTIONS JUST HAVING ENOUGH SPACE TO MANAGE YOUR PRODUCT. THERE ARE CERTAIN TIMES OF YEAR WE’D LIKE TO SELL BUSHELS WHEN HE CASH MARKET’S HOT. THAT’S WHAT WE TEACH PEOPLE. IF YOU COME INTO A HARVEST AND YOU’VE GOT A RECORD CROP AND YOU DON’T HAVE THE SPACE YOU GET WHAT YOU GET. YOU KNOW TELL ME TO WATCH THIS THIS STOCK MARKET. YOU MENTIONED IT. I MEAN IT’S BEEN PHENOMENAL THIS YEAR. AND WE DON’T KNOW WHEN IT’S GOING TO STOP. BUT YOU KNOW I’VE HEARD A LOT OF CHATTER ABOUT WELL WILL THAT MONEY WILL SOME OF THAT MONEY FLOW INTO TO ADD COMMODITIES. AND DO YOU THINK THAT’S A POSSIBILITY IN 2018. I’VE ALWAYS THOUGHT THERE WOULD BE A ROTATION OUT OF STOCKS IN COMMODITIES. IT’S NOT HAPPENING WITH ROTATION IS IN THE STOCKS AND INTO MORE STOCKS NOW INTO BITCOIN. SO COMMODITIES ARE KIND OF THIS LAST ASSET CLASS. THE MOST OPTIMISTIC THING I CAN SAY ABOUT COMMODITIES IS EVERYONE IT’S MADE THE FRONT PAGE OF THE HEADLINES OF FARMER SUICIDES BANKRUPTCIES BANK LOAN PROBLEMS. WELL YOU WANT TO BUY THINGS WHEN THEY’RE CHEAP. COMMODITIES HAVE BEEN CHEAP AND ONLY FROM A GRAIN STANDPOINT BUT FROM A METAL STANDPOINT WILL THERE BE A ROTATION. THINGS ALWAYS CHANGE. GO BACK TO HISTORY. HISTORY IS A GREAT TEACHER. THERE’S A LOT WE COULD LEARN FROM IT. BUT OVERALL OVER COURSE OF LAST HUNDRED YEARS FARMING HAS BEEN HARD. WE HAD THIS BRIEF GENERATION WHERE IT SEEMED LIKE IT WAS EASY. THOSE DAYS ARE GONE. JOE WHAT WILL IT TAKE DO YOU THINK TO SOME OF THAT MONEY FLOW INTO INTO INTO OUR AG COMMODITIES. THERE’S MONEY IN AG COMMODITIES IT’S JUST SHORT THEIR FUNDS ARE WHAT CLOSE TO RECORD SHORT, VERY HEAVILY SHORT THE CORN MARKET SO IT’S NOT LIKE THEY’RE NOT PARTICIPATING THERE THEY’RE THEY’VE GOT THE POSITION OPPOSITE TO WHAT THE FARMERS GOT FARMERS GOT A WHOLE BUNCH CASH CORN THEIR LONG FUNDS ARE SHORT ON PAPER. SAME THING IN THE WHEAT. SO IT’S NOT AS IF THEY’RE NOT PARTICIPATING. IT’S JUST THAT THEY’VE GOT THE OPPOSITE POSITION AS TO YOU KNOW WHAT THE FARMER HAS. DO WE SEE SOME SORT OF ROTATION. WE’RE GOING TO CYCLE OUT OF THIS THING EVENTUALLY. IS IT IN 2018 OR 2028 OR SOMEWHERE IN BETWEEN. I DON’T KNOW. TIMING MARKETS I CAN TELL YOU THAT CORN IS GOING TO BE ABOVE 350 AT SOME POINT BUT WHEN AND HOW. I DON’T KNOW. ALL RIGHT. BASED ON THOSE UNKNOWNS WHAT SHOULD YOU KEEP IN MIND AS WE FINISH OUT 2017 AND HEAD INTO 2018. WE’LL ASK THEM WHEN WE COME BACK ON THE U.S. FARM RECORD.
MARKETS NOW
ALL RIGHT WELCOME BACK TO US FARM REPORT THIS WEEKEND. TIME NOW FOR CLOSING THOUGHTS. TOMMY IT’S BEEN AN INTERESTING YEAR BUT NOT TOO EXCITING. YOU KNOW WITH OUR FARMER CLIENTS I KIND OF LOOK AT THE. EVERYONE TALKS ABOUT HAVING A MARKETING PLAY AND MARKETING PLANS ARE LIKE USED EXERCISE EQUIPMENT. WE HAVE THEM YOU WORKED OUT USED TO IT FOR A DAY. IT’S IT YOU IT’S SOMETHING YOU NEED TO APPLY. EVERY SINGLE DAY TO YOUR FARM YOUR RISK DOESN’T GO AWAY. THERE’S WONDERFUL OPPORTUNITIES AND 2018 COULD BE A VERY DYNAMIC YEAR YOU NEED TO STICK TO YOUR PLAN. ALL RIGHT. THANK YOU TOMMY JOE. I’M OPTIMISTIC. I THINK PRICES ARE VERY LOW. I THINK THAT THERE’S POTENTIAL THAT THEY GET BETTER TO MANAGE RISK. KEEP IN MIND THAT VOLATILITY IS AT MULTI DECADE LOWS IN THE CORN MARKET. IF YOU NEED TO OWN SOME PUT’S BECAUSE YOU’RE SCARED TO DEATH OR YOU’RE IN DIRE FINANCIAL SITUATION THEN YOU CAN DO THAT AND YOU CAN DO IT AFFORDABLY. BUT I’D MAINTAIN SOME SORT OF OPTIMISM HERE. THERE WILL BE MARKETING OPPORTUNITIES. IT’S JUST IDENTIFYING THEM AS IS THE TRICK. ALL RIGHT THANK YOU BOTH FOR JOINING US. WE APPRECIATE IT. MERRY CHRISTMAS. MERRY CHRISTMAS TO YOUR FAMILIES. AND I’M PERSONALLY VERY EXCITED FOR CHRISTMAS BUT SOMEONE ELSE WHO IS VERY EXCITED FOR CHRISTMAS IS JOHN PHIPPS AND WE’LL HEAR FROM HIM NEXT.
JOHN’S WORLD
WELCOME BACK THIS CHRISTMAS WEEKEND. TO GET US INTO THE CHRISTMAS SPIRIT THIS WEEKEND, LET’S HEAD TO NOT ONLY JOHN PHIPPS’ FARM, BUT HIS LIVING ROOM. I HAVEN’T BEEN THIS EXCITED IN DECEMBER SINCE I WAS 9 YEARS OLD. WHAT KIND OF PRISONER WHO WILL I GET OR WILL I GET UNDERWEAR. FIRST OF ALL NOTHING. THE ANTICIPATION IS PEAKING AND I’M LOOKING FOR CLUES EVERYWHERE I CAN THINK. I’M NOT TALKING ABOUT CHRISTMAS OF COURSE. SANTA PUT ME AT THE BOTTOM OF THAT LIST A LONG TIME AGO. NEW I’M PUMPED UP ABOUT THE TAX CUT MAKING IT SECRETIVE WAY THROUGH CONGRESS. THERE COULD BE A BIG SURPRISE FOR FARMERS LIKE ME SOLE PROPRIETORS THE EQUIVALENT OF A NEW XBOX OR EVEN A FOUR WHEELER. MY MIND IS FIXATED ON THE PROPOSED PASS THROUGH INCOME DEDUCTION THE ECONOMIC EQUIVALENT OF A DAISY AIR RIFLE WITH A COMPASS IN THE STOCK NO MATTER HOW HARD I SEARCHED THROUGH THE LEGISLATIVE WRAPPING. THOUGH I CAN’T BE CERTAIN SCHEDULE LEFT FILERS GET TO DEDUCT 20 PERCENT OF THEIR INCOME RIGHT OFF THE TOP. THE SUSPENSE IS KILLING ME. OH SURE THERE ARE SOME OTHER PRESENTS FOR FARMERS LIKE IMMEDIATE WRITE OFFS FOR CAPITAL PURCHASES LIKE MACHINERY BUT THAT’S ALMOST LIKE GETTING A PUPPY A SHORT TERM THRILL AND ONE THAT TOO OFTEN BECOMES A LONG TERM HASSLE. DOUBLING THE ESTATE TAX EXEMPTION IS KIND OF LIKE GETTING TOO UGLY SWEATERS THAT I’LL NEVER WEAR THE BIGGER STANDARD DEDUCTION IS KIND OF A NEW POCKET KNIFE USEFUL SINCE I DON’T HAVE TO ITEMIZE. BUT NOT ALL THAT EXCITING. I’M SURE YOU’RE DREAMING OF OTHER FINANCIAL SUGARPLUMS WHATEVER THE HECK THOSE ARE MANY CO-OP MEMBERS HOWEVER COULD GET A HUNDRED AND NINETY NINE LUMPS OF COAL. BUT REGARDLESS OF WHAT SHOWS UP UNDER YOUR CHRISTMAS TREE REMEMBER FOR A CHANGE THIS TIME THOSE JANUARY BILLS WILL GO TO THE KID. NOT US SQUEEZERS.
TEASE
THANKS, JOHN. WE’LL CONTINUE WITH OUR HOLIDAY CHEER THIS WEEKEND. STAY TUNED BECASUE AFTER THE BREAK, IT’S OUR ANNUAL CHRISTMAS IN THE COUNTRY SPECIAL. FROM A BLAST FROM THE PAST WITH SNOW MOBILES, TO GIVING YOU A TASTE OF A COLONIAL CHRISTMAS, IT’S CHRISTMAIN THE COUNTRY NEXT.
WHITE HOUSE CHRISTMAS
HELLO, AND WELCOME TO CHRISTMAS IN THE COUNTRY. I’M CLINTON GRIFFITHS.
AND I’M TYNE MORGAN. YOU’RE IN FOR A REAL TREAT OVER THE NEXT 30 MINUTES, HOPEFULLY HELPING YOU LUNGE INTO THE CHRISTMAS SPIRIT... IF YOU HAVEN’T ALREADY DONE SO. THE WHITE HOUSE KICKED OFF THE HOLIDAY SEASON AT THE END OF NOVEMBER, UNVELING THE FIRST FAMILY’S TWIST ON TRADITIONAL WHITE HOUSE DECOR. AND THE FINAL PRODUCT IS A SIGHT TO SEE-- FEATURING 53 CHRISTMAS TREES THAT ARE SPORTING MORE THAN 12 THOUSAND ORNAMENTS, 3 THOSUAND PLUS YARDS OF RIBBON AND 1 THOUSAND FEET OF GARLAND... NOT TO MENTION 71 WREATHS THAT ARE ON DISPLAY. IN 2004, POPE JOHN PAUL CALLED THE CHRISTMAS TREE A SYMBOL OF CHRIST. THAT’S AS MILLIONS OF AMERICANS SCOUT FOR THE PERFECT CHRISTMAS TREE TO PLACE IN THEIR HOMES EVERY HOLIDAY SEASON. OUR HOUSE WAS DECKED OUT IN CHRISTMAS THIS YEAR-- WITH SEVERAL TREES, BUT NOWHERE NEAR THE 51 AT THE WHITE HOUSE. IT’S A NATIONAL SEARCH TO FIND THE TREES FIT ENOUGH TO BE PLACED AT 1600 PENNSYLVANIA AVENUE.
SILENT NIGHT CHRISTMAS TREE FARM
I’LL TAKE YOU TO ENDEAVOR, WISCONSIN TO MEET THE GROWERS BEHIND SOME OF THE CHRISTMAS TREES PLACED IN THE WHITE HOUSE THIS SEASON - AND THESE OWNERS ARE NO STRANGERS TO MEETING THE PRESIDENTS AND THEIR FAMILIES. TAKE A TOUR OF SILENT NIGHT CHRISTMAS TREE FARM-- AND YOU’LL SEE ACRE AFTER ACRE OF PERFECTLY PERT PINES--AND BOUGHS BEAUTIFULLY SHORN... MY FAVORITE WORD OUT HERE IS MAKE EVERYTHING SYMMETRICAL. THE SAME ALL THE WAY AROUND..BUT...IT DOESN’T WORK."JIM AND DIANE CHAPMAN AND THEIR SON DAVID RUN THIS OPERATION...AND TO SAY TO THEY CARE ABOUT QUALITY... “WHEN YOU’RE LOOKING AT A TREE YOU CONSTANTLY WANT CLIPPERS” WOULD BE PUTTING IT LIGHTLY... “LIKE ANY FARMER..YOU SEE FLAWS. YOU’RE TRYING FOR PERFECTION AND IT’S JUST NOT THERE.” OBVIOUSLY HIS OWN WORST CRITIC--THE FAMILY HAS BEEN CAPABLY CRAFTING CHRISTMAS TREES FOR FOUR DECADES NOW. “WE ACTUALLY PLANTED OUR FIRST TREES IN 1977 I THINK THE FIRST YEAR THAT WE SOLD ANY TREES WHOLESALE WE SOLD 400 TREES.” DIANE’S FATHER WAS ALREADY IN THE TREE BUSINESS, WHEN JIM CAME ON BOARD. " WOULD ALWAYS SEE PEOPLE OUT WORKING ON THE TREES AND I WAS KIND OF NAIVE AND I THOUGHT IT HAD TO BE ONE OF THE EASIEST WAYS TO MAKE A LIVING IN THE WORLD.// 56:53 I DIDN’T REALIZE ALL OF THE WORK THAT WAS INVOLVED IN IT. WORK THAT’S PAYING OFF--THIS YEAR THEIR FARM WAS SELECTED TO SUPPLY TREES TO THE WHITE HOUSE BY THE NATIONAL CHRISTMAS TREE ASSOCIATION. “WE’RE VERY PROUD OF THOSE ACCOMPLISHMENT BECAUSE ITS LIKE THE HIGHEST HONOR IN THE CHRISTMAS TREE INDUSTRY. WE DON’T TAKE THAT FOR GRANTED THAT WE WERE CHOSEN BY OUR PEERS TO HAVE THAT HONOR."THEY WANTED A 19.5 FOOT TREE BUT THERE ARE ONLY 18.5 CEILINGS I WONDER IF THEY DO LIKE ALL HOMEOWNERS TIP IT UP AND PUT A MARK ON THE CEILING BUT THERE WASN’T ONE...I LOOKED. FROM THEIR FARM... THE TREE FOR THE OVAL OFFICE AND THE PERSONAL RESIDENCE. BUT THIS ISN’T THE FAMILY’S FIRST TRIP TO MEET THE FIRST FAMILY. THEY’VE WON THE HONOR FOUR TIMES--STARTING WITH PRESIDENT REGAN. “WHEN HER DAD HAD WON THIS HONOR AND NANCY REGAN HOLDING YOUR LITTLE BABY TELLING YOU HOW LUCKY YOU WERE...AND IT WAS TRUELY THAT WAY."TO PRESIDENT CLINTON, PRESIDENT GEORGE W BUSH. “SO WE DID INTERACT WITH THEM AND WE WERE GIVEN A TOUR OF A WHITE HOUSE BY LAURA BUSH THE FIRST LADY AND WHEN PRESIDENT BUSH CAME TO MEET US WE SPENT TIME IN THE DIPLOMATIC RECEPTION ROOM WITH JUST THE PRESIDENT AND OUR FAMILY.WHILE THEIR TREE SAT IN THE OVAL OFFICE. “I WAS SO PROUD OF THAT ONE. IT WAS A TREE THAT WE GOT TO REALLY REALLY PICK OUT JUST WHAT WE WANTED AND IT HAD PERFECT TEXTURE TO IT. AND IT LOOKED REALLY REALLY GREAT."ONE NEARLY PERFECT TREE IN 40 YEARS OF PRACTICE-- DECKING THE HALLS OF AMERICA’S HOUSE -- THIS FAMILY IS DEDICATED TO GROWING CHRISTMAS CHEER ONE BRANCH AT A TIME. “I LOVE CHRISTMAS. I THINK THAT’S ONE OF THE REASONS THAT WE’VE ENJOYED THE CHRISTMAS TREE BUSINESS SO MUCH. //WE JUST LOVE GROWING CHRISTMAS TREES AND BEING A PART OF PEOPLE’S CELEBRATION.""MY FAVORITE TREE RIGHT NOW IS THE ONE I HAVE IN MY HOUSE. I MAY BE COLOR BLIND BUT I CAN STILL SMELL A BALSOM.”
COLONIAL WILLIAMSBURG
JUST “DOWN THE ROAD’ FROM THE U-S CAPITOL IS COLONIAL WILLIAMSBURG, VIRGINIA. IT CELEBRATES THE RICH HISTORY OF AMERICA YEAR-ROUND, BUT AND AT CHRISTMAS TIME, THE TOWN COMES TO LIFE. JUST TAKE A STEP.. WALK THESE STREETS… AND YOU’LL FIND THE HISTORY HARKEN. " IT’S REALLY LIKE STEPPING BACK IN TIME.” 8:30-8:39 BACK TO COLLONIAL DAYS… WHEE HISTORY IS REVERED YEAR ROUND HERE AT COLONOIAL WILLISMBURG. SNUGGLED IN THE CENTER OF WILLIAMSBURG, VIRIGIINIA, AT CHRISTMAS, IT BECOMES EVEN MORE ENCHANTING. CHRISMTAS IS A MAGOICAL TIME HERE AT COLONIAL WILLIAMSBURG. YOUR TRANSPORTED BACK IN TIME TO A SIMPLER ERA IF YOU WILL. IT’S TRADITIONS, IT’S CHIMNEY SMOKE, YOU EAT GINGER CAKES, YOU SEE BEAUTIFUL WEATHES ON DOORS.” 12:35 NEW JERSEY RESIDENT MARRY LARMONT RETURNED TO SEE THE MAGIC IN PERSON, AFTER VISITING AS A LITTLE GIRL. “IT’S MORE THAN I REMEMBERED.” THAT AWE FACTOR IS ON FULL DISPLAY DURING THE ANNUAL CHRISTMAS EVENT “WHEN WE HAD GRAND ILLUMIATION HERE AND 40,000 PEOPLE HERE, TO CELEBRATE ALL AS ONE FOR THE HOLIDAY AND TO SORT OF FEEL LIKE A KID AGAIN” 12:57 GRAND ILLUIATION IS A TRADITION COLONIAL WILLIAMSBRUG STARETED IN THE 1930S, WHEN THEY LIT ONLY FOUR BUILDINGS. “AND THEN THAT TURNED INTO LET’S PUT CANDLES INT EH WINDORW OF EVERY BUIDING ON THE STREET. THEN THE WREATHES STARTED HAPPENING WHERE PEOPLE CREATE THESE WONDERFUL WREATHS OUT OF ALL NATURAL ELEMENTS. SO YOU HAVE OYSTER SHELLS ON THE ROLLEY TAVERN DOOR.THE EVERGREENS, THE APPLES, THE ORANGES, AND THEY MAKE SOME BEAUTIFUL DECORATES” 13:58 IT’S THE DÉCOR THAT’S THE CENTERPIECE OF THE ANNUAL CELEBRATION.. I THINK IT’S THE BEAUTY OF CHRISMTAS AND THE 18TH CENTURY FEELING WE CAPTURE SO WELL HERE."AND THE DÉCOR DRAWS IN PEOPLE FROM AROUDN THE GLOBE EACH YEAR. “SO WHEN PEOPLE COME HERE, WE WANT THEM TO GO BACK IN TIME AND GO BACK TO THE 18TH CENTURY WHEN AMERICA’S ENDEARING STORY REALLY GOT STARTED WITH DEMOCRACY AND CONVERSATIONS AND A LOT OF THE TOPICS WE STILL HAVE TODAY” WHILE MUCH SIMPLER THAN TODAY’S DECORTIONS, THE ISSUES ARE THE SAME. “IT SEEMS SIMPLER TO US, BECAUSE YES THERE WAS NO ELECTIRICITY, THERE WERE NO SIRENS, THEY HAD HORSES AND CARRIAGE, BUT THEY HAD AS MANY COMPLEX ISSUES AS WE DID. THEY WERE TALKING ABOUT FAMILY AND FAMILIES FIGHTING, AND WHETHER TO SEPARATE FROM THE KING, RELIGION, SO THE CONVERSATION WAS THE SAME WE’RE HAVING TODAY” HE SAYS FROM THE SMELLS TO THE TOUCH TO THE SIGHT, CHRISTMAS COMES TO LIFE ALL AROUND YOU AT COLLONAIAL WILLIAMSBURG AS THE CANDLE IS KING. “I LOVE WHEN IT GETS DARK HERE BECAUSE THER’ES SOOTHING MAGIAL ABOUT NOT HAVING ALL NEON LIGHT. YOU SEE THE FLAMES AND AND YOU SMELL THE SMOKE, WEHTER IT’S HOLIDAY AND ADDS S SPOOKIENESS, OR CHRISTMAS AND ADDS A MAGICAL GLOW, IT DOESN MATTER.” WHERE THE HOLIDAYS MEET HISTORY DOWN EVERY STREETH, TRANSPORTING HEARTS BACK TO SOME OF AMERICA’S MOST ICONIC MOMENTS THAT ALSO CELEBRATE THE RED, WHITE AND BLUE. “I WANT THEM TO WALK AWAY WITH AN APPRECIATEION FOR MAERICA’S ENDEARING STORY. AND I WANT THEM TO FEEL THEY ARE APART OF THAT STORY NO MATTER WHO THEY ARE IN THIS COUNTRY OR THEY’RE JUST VISITING FROM ANOTHER COUNTRY. IT TOUCHES THEM IN SOME WAY AND MAKES THE CELERBATEBEING AN AMERICA."A TASTE OF HISTORY WHILE EMBRACING A MAGICAL TIME OF YEAR, JOINING TOGETHER PEOPLE FROM ALL WALKS OF LIFE… IN A SESON OF LOVE FROM ONE GENERATION TO THE NEXT. THANKS, TYNE.
TEASE
WHEN WE COME BACK - WE HEAD TO DRAYTON, NORTH DAKOTA TO MEET ‘RULDOLPH’S COUSINS’ AND THE OWNERS WHO HELP RAISE THEM EACH YEAR. MORE OF OUR CHRISTMAS IN THE COUNTRY SPEICAL NEXT.
REINDEER RANCH
THE MOST FAMOUS REINDEER OF ALL IS RUDOLPH AND HIS ICONIC RED NOSE. BUT RULDOPH ISN’T THE ONLY ONE. THE REINDEER OWNERS AND BREEDERS ASSOCIATION HAS OVER 90 MEMBERS IN THE UK, CANADA AND THE UNITED TATES - WHO HELP RAISE REINDEER TOO. BETSY JIBBEN TAKES US TO REINDEER RANCH IN DRAYTON, NORTH DAKOTA - ONE OF TWO REINDEER FARMS IN THE STATE- FOR A CHANCE TO MEET ‘RUDOLPH’S COUSINS’ AND THE OWNERS WHO RAISE THEM. THIS PEACEFUL PRAIRIE ISN’T QUITE THE ARCTIC BUT SANTA CAN USE THE HELP THIS TIME OF YEAR PICKING ANOTHER COLD PLACE FOR HIS REINDEER AND THEIR CARETAKERS - IN DRAYTON, NORTH DAKOTA. “THAT’S OLAF, JOSAPHINE, ROBIN IS OVER THERE...""THESE ARE RUDOLPH’S COUSINS AND WE ARE JUST HERE TO TAKE CARE OF THEM,” SOME MAY SAY VERN HAUS-EL-TON HOSELTON, HIS SON KYLE AND THEIR FAMILIES ARE MAKE-SHIFT ELVES... AFTER TEN YEARS IN THE BUFFALO BUSINESS... “I DON’T HAVE THE LAND I NEED TO RAISE BUFFALO DECENTLY. THEY WERE TOO CONFINED IN HERE SO I SOLD OUT,"THEY TURNED IT INTO A FULL-TIME REINDEER RANCH OVER THE LAST 20 YEARS. “ME: WHY REINDEER? PAUSES AND LAUGHS - WHY NOT?"AND THEY THIS JOB VERY SERIOUSLY FOR JOLLY OLD SAINT NICK FEEDING THE REINDEER A PELLET WITH SUGAR BEET PULP - THE CLOSEST THING THEY CAN GET TO LIKE-EN LICHEN WHICH IS WHAT CARIBOU EAT IN THE ARCTIC. THEY ALSO REALIZE REINDEER ARE INDEED MYSTICAL BOTH FOR MALE AND FEMALE REINDEER LOSE THEIR ANTLERS AND GROW THEM BACK. AND... “A DROP OF MILK WOULD TURN BLACK COFFEE WHITE. IT IS A VERY RICH MILK THAT THEY DO PRODUCE,"AS SANTA PULLS HIS SLEIGH FULL OF TOYS THROUGH THE SKIES THIS CHRISTMAS - “I GUESS I’VE BASCICALLY SAID THEY’RE ALL IN PASTURE WHEN I GO TO BED ADN THEY’RE ALL IN HTE PASTURE WHEN I GET UP IN THE MORNING. I DON’T EVER KNOW IF SOMEONE IS GONE,"MAYBE, JUST MAYBE HE’LL HAVE TO MAKE A LONGER STOP HERE. " WE’RE JUST HERE TO TAKE CARE OF THEM. IF SANTA NEEDS A REPLACEMENT THROUGH THE DEAL, HE’LL STOP AND PICK ONE UP AND DROP ONE OFF WHEN HE’S DONE,”
YOU NEVER KNOW WHICH ONE OF THESE REINDEER FROM THE TRANQUIL PRAIRIES OF NORTH DAKOTA MAY GET THE CALL THIS YEAR. I’M BETSY JIBBEN. THANKS, BETSY. THE FAMILY TRAVELS AROUND THE COUNTRY WITH THE REINDEER THROUGHOUT THE HOLIDAYS.
TEASE
IF YOU’RE FORTUNATE ENOUGH TO HAVE A WHITE CHRISTMAS, AND SANTA’S SLEIGH JUST SO HAPPENS TO BREAKDOWN THAT DAY, PERHAPS A SNOWMOBILE WILL BE HIS GO-TO FOR TRANSPORTATION BUT SNOW MOBILES HAVEN’T ALWAYS LOOKED AS MODERN AS THEY DO TODAY. MACHINERY PETE HAS A BLAST FROM THE PAST NEXT.
MACHINERY PETE
“MACHINERY PETE IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY JOHN DEERE…WHERE CAN YOU FIND THE MOST COMPREHENSIVE INVENTORY OF JOHN DEERE CERTIFIED PRE-OWNED TRACTORS, COMBINES AND SPRAYERS? MACHINE FINDER-DOT-COM … SOMETIMES THE BEST NEW ADDITION TO YOUR FLEET ISN’T NEW!” WHAT IF SANTA’S SLEIGH HAS A BROKEN CHASSIS OR THE REINDEER ARE UNDER THE WEATHER? WELL, HE BETTER HAVE A BACKUP PLAN. MACHINERY PETE MAY HAVE FOUND JUST THE RIDE. I GOT A NOTE RECENTLY ON OUR MACHINERY PETE FACEBOOK PAGE FROM MY OLD FRIEND KRIS KRINGLE UP AT THE NORTH POLE AND CHRIS SAID HEY PETE THE PETA FOLKS ARE COMING DOWN ON ME PRETTY HARD ABOUT OUR REINDEER AND THIS HEAVY SLEIGH WE’VE GOT A POLE AND I’M THINKING I MIGHT NEED A NEW MODE OF TRANSPORTATION. SO WONDERING IF YOU CAN HELP AND MAYBE GIVE ME SOME POINTERS ON PRICE. WELL I DID HAVE A FEW IDEAS FOR CHRIS. NOW THE FIRST THING I THOUGHT OF WAS THIS 1946 HARLEY U SNOW CYCLE AND YOU CAN SEE FROM THE TRACKS ON THIS THING YOU ARE GOING TO GET ANYWHERE YOU WANT TO GO. AND AS A BONUS I THINK MRS. CLAUS IS GOING TO THINK THIS THING’S PRETTY HOT. NOW THE DOWNSIDE IS IT COST TWENTY ONE THOUSAND FIVE HUNDRED BUCKS AND IT’S ALL LAST MONTH ON HER AUCTION IN IOWA. NOW ANOTHER COOL OPTION COULD BE THIS POLAR 450 VINTAGE SNOWMOBILE. NOW HOW PERFECT IS THAT ANIMAL POLAR FOR YOU CHRIS. WELL YOU LIKE THAT. NOW THIS THING SOLD FOR SEVENTY FIVE HUNDRED BUCKS. PRETTY RARE. AND ON THE SAME AUCTION ANOTHER VINTAGE SNOWMOBILE THIS ARCTIC CAT KITTEN WHICH THEY ONLY MADE A FEW OF SOLD FOR 38 HUNDRED BUCKS OFF MRS. CLAUS WANTS COME ALONG HELPED DELIVER THE TOYS. THOSE TWO SLEDS WILL SET YOU BACK OVER 11K NOW I KNOW BUDGET CAN BE AN ISSUE AROUND THE HOLIDAYS. SO I GOT ONE MORE OPTIONS KIND OF A NUCLEAR OPTION. THIS THING NEEDS A LITTLE TLC. IT’S A BOMBARDIER SW48 SNOWMACHINE WILL ROUGH AROUND THE EDGES. A BUDDY OF MINE IN IOWA BOUGHT IT LAST YEAR FOR 500 BUCKS. I THINK HE’D SELL IT TO YOU. BUT NO NO HEATED SEATS IN THE CAB. BUT YOU KNOW YOU’RE FROM THE SOUTH OR THE NORTH POLE. KRIS SO I THINK YOU’LL BE OK. SO I HOPE THAT HELPS OUT. I KNOW YOU’LL MAKE THE RIGHT DECISION. SEND ME A PICTURE. HIT ME UP ON FACEBOOK AND TELL THOSE KIDS WHEN YOU’RE DELIVERING THE TOYS THAT MACHINERY PETE SAYS HI AND MERRY CHRISTMAS.
TEASE
THEY SAY A DOG IS A MAN’S BEST FRIEND... AND IT’S THOSE FRIENDS FOLKS IN TENNESSEE AREN’T FORGETTING THIS CHRISTMAS SEASON. WE’LL TAKE A TRIP TO THE VOLUNTEER STATE NEXT.
ANIMAL HOLIDAY CHEER
WE CAN KEEP HOLIDAY MEMORIES ALIVE FOR YEARS WITH PHOTOS. THAT’S GOES FOR PEOPLE AND THEIR PETS. UNIVERSITY OF TENNESSEE’S CHARLES DENNEY SNAPS A SHOT OF CARING HOLIDAY CHEER. HOLIDAY HAPPINESS. THE SEASON IS GOING TO THE DOGS. SOMEONE IS EITHER REALLY EXCITED ABOUT SANTA’S PENDING VISIT – OR HAVING THEIR PICTURE MADE. THE UT COLLEGE OF VETERINARY MEDICINE DOUBLES AS A PHOTOGRAPH’S STUDIO THIS DAY – FOLKS HAVING THEIR PHOTOS TAKEN WITH THEIR ANIMALS DECKED OUT IN CHRISTMAS CHEER. THE SHOOTS WERE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC AND STAFF AND STUDENTS. BRETTE RATLIFF IS A SECOND-YEAR VET STUDENT WHO BROUGHT ALONG HER HUMAN FRIEND, AS WELL AS DOG STRIDER AND HIS PAL HARPER. (BRETTE RATLIFF) “ONE OF OUR PROFESSORS FROM FIRST YEAR BROUGHT HIS DOG AND THEY HAD SANTA HATS, AND IT JUST LOOKED LIKE A LOT OF FUN. SO I ROPED MY FRIEND INTO DOING IT, SO WE’RE HERE TO SUPPORT A GOOD CAUSE BUT ALSO TAKE SOME FUN PICTURES.” “EACH PET OWNER PAYS $30 FOR A SESSION, AND GETS A GOOGLE FILE OF PHOTOS THEY CAN PRINT, SAVE AND SPREAD ON SOCIAL MEDIA. THE MONEY RAISED GOES TO CAIT – COMPANION ANIMAL INITIATIVE OF TENNESSEE.” “THE HOLIDAY CARDS ARE ALWAYS FUN BECAUSE THE BLOOPERS ARE JUST AS FUN AS THE FANCY PHOTOS.” JAIME NORRIS IS THE COORDINATOR OF THE CAIT PROGRAM, AND HELPS TO ORGANIZE THE PHOTO SHOOTS. THEY’VE ALSO DONE PETS AND THEIR HUMANS IN HALLOWEEN COSTUMES. BUT IT’S THE CHRISTMAS STUFF THAT’S REALLY POPULAR. (JAIME NORRIS) “IT’S A LOT OF FUN BECAUSE I LOVE FUR BABIES AND IT IS FUN TO PUT THEIR PARENTS IN TACKY SWEATERS AND TACKY SWEATERS ON THE PETS TOO.” ON A MORE SERIOUS NOTE, SOME MONEY RAISED ON THESE PHOTO SHOOTS GOES TO HELP PETS OF THE HOMELESS. JUST BECAUSE YOU DON’T HAVE A HOME, THAT DOESN’T MEAN YOU CAN’T CARE FOR AN ANIMAL. “VETERINARIANS COME AND HELP OUR HOMELESS POPULATION AND OUR WORKING POOR. SO ONCE A MONTH WE GO AND HELP THE PETS GET VACCINES, FOOD, LEASHES, COLLARS, THINGS THAT THEY NEED TO KEEP THE PETS FROM GOING INTO THE SHELTER. SO WE PROVIDE THAT, AND OUR VET STUDENTS GET HANDS ON EXPERIENCE.” SO PICTURE THIS – MANY OF US ADORE OUR PETS AND THEY LOVE US RIGHT BACK. AND WHEN YOU CAN CAPTURE THAT WITH A CAMERA, IT’S A GREAT WAY TO CELEBRATE THE SEASON AND HELP OTHERS. THIS IS CHARLES DENNEY REPORTING. THANKS, CHARLES.
TEASE
STILL TO COME, WE’LL PUT A BOW ON THIS CHRISTIMAS IN THE COUNTRY SPECIAL, WITH A HOLIDAY MESSAGE FROM JOHN PHIPPS.
JOHN PHIPPS
FOR MORE THAN A DECADE, JOHN PHIPPS HAS JOINED US FOR OUR ANNUAL CHRISTMAS IN THE COUNTRY SPECIAL. HE WRAPS UP OUR PROGRAM, BUT THAT TASK IS GETTING MORE DIFFICULT EACH YEAR. IT’S BEEN TEN YEARS SINCE MY TIME AS A CHOIR DIRECTOR ENDED. THOSE PREVIOUS THREE DECADES PROVIDED ME WITH SOME OF MY MOST CHERISHED MEMORIES. I STILL HAVE A FEW PRECIOUS PERFORMANCE RECORDINGS THAT TRIGGER MUSICAL AND PERSONAL MEMORIES. ESPECIALLY AT CHRISTMAS. AND I’VE KEPT AN EMBARRASSINGLY LARGE STACK OF OLD MUSIC SO I CAN SING ALONG TO THOSE RECORDINGS. FOR CHOIRS, CHRISTMAS WAS THE BIG EVENT, WITH EASTER A CLOSE SECOND. BEGINNING WITH ADVENT, CONGREGATIONS EXPECTED SOMETHING FROM THE CHOIR TO MATCH THE CHURCH DECORATIONS. FOR ME, PLANNING THE SEASON WAS A TASK I TRIED TO GRUMBLE ABOUT, BUT FRANKLY I ENJOYED IT TOO MUCH. I ALWAYS FELT SORRY FOR THE PASTOR, SITTING DOWN AT HIS OR HER DESK IN NOVEMBER OR MAYBE DECEMBER 23RD FRANTICALLY TRYING TO FIND A NEW INSIGHT OR LESSON FOR THE SERMON ON CHRISTMAS EVE. MY JOB WAS MUCH EASIER. BEGINNING IN AUGUST, MUSIC PUBLISHERS FLOODED MY MAILBOX WITH NEW, UNIQUE COMPOSITIONS AND ARRANGEMENTS. ALL I HAD TO DO WAS FIND SOME THAT MATCHED OUR TALENTS. JAN AND I ALSO HOSTED AN ANNUAL CHRISTMAS CHOIR PARTY. BY HOSTING, I MEAN JAN PLANNED AND COOKED AND WORKED OVERTIME AND I ENJOYED MYSELF WITH OUR GUESTS. THESE DAYS I’M GETTING SOME SENSE WHAT OUR PASTORS WENT THROUGH. WHEN MY PRODUCER ASKED ABOUT MY CHRISTMAS COMMENTARY, I LOOKED AT A BLANK DOCUMENT ON-SCREEN FOR A FEW HOURS, CHECKED BACK TO SEE WHAT I SAID IN PREVIOUS YEARS, AND HOPED FOR INSPIRATION. BUT JUST AS I HAVE GOTTEN IN THE ENJOYABLE HABIT OF PLAYING CHOIR HITS FROM DAYS OF YORE, MAYBE A LITTE OF THE SAME OL’, SAME OL, WOULDN’T BE A BAD THING FOR THIS YEAR’S COMMENTARY. WE GET PLENTY OF SURPRISES AND EXCITEMENT THESE DAYS, AND THIS CHRISTMAS MIGHT BE A GREAT TIME TO GIVE AN OLD, UNIMPROVED YULE SEASON ANOTHER CHANCE. SO FROM ALL OF US, MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR. AND PEACE TO ALL ON EARTH.
CLOSE
THANK YOU, JOHN. THIS CHRISTMAS, WE HOPE EACH OF YOU PAUSE, TAKING IN THE HOLIDAY SPIRIT, AND REMEMBER THE REASON FOR THE SEASON. WE HOPE YOUR HOLIDAY IS FILLED WITH JOY, REFLECTING ON THE COUNTLESS BLESSINGS OF ANOTHER YEAR. THANK YOU FOR WELCOMING US INTO YOUR HOME EVERY MORNING AND EACH WEEKEND.. IT’S BEEN AN HONOR. AND AS WE HEAD INTO 2018, WE WISH YOU A PROSPEROUS AND A HEALTHY NEW YEAR.
