In the end, the old saying that it is not a crop until it is in the bin and it is not money until it is in the bank holds true.
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Lots of talk about yield and prices are the norm for this time of year, and it fact we could probably agree that statement might be true at any time of year.
But usually there is consensus on whether prices are good, bad or indifferent.
I was gathering information on farm issues recently at a general meeting and bumped into some farmers who couldn't think of issues. The weather was good, prices were good, not a thing to worry about.
Well on the basis of basis, I guess prices are pretty good.
I'm not an expert on prices but it seems there has been a lot of downward trends.
Sub-four dollar corn in 2015 is probably not something that leaves farmers with a warm and fuzzy feeling. Although I guess it at least isn't sub-three dollar corn.
But the markets give and the markets take away. What makes sub-$4 corn OK is the weak Canadian dollar, providing a large basis that is holding up prices in Ontario. At least it is for now.
No one knows what the market will do, but if or maybe when the dollars climbs back to par that basis disappears and Ontario farmers are back with sub-four dollar corn.
Grains are not the only sector we are told the price of cattle has fallen significantly as well.
I take it however that not all farmers believe there is nothing to worry about. When I was asking for their concerns and questions some did come to the point that commodity prices are not what they used to be, and although they have have a good run for a number of years, there are some head winds possible.
One went so far as to wonder about the possibility of federal involvement in business risk management plans.
Are we going back to that question?
I don't know that any more than I know what the price of corn will be in 2017, but while some are feeling quite comfortable about marketing their grain others are clearly getting a little edgy.
A nervous farmer often translates into a farmer who tries to put a tight limit on expenditures. Where that leaves the economy of rural Ontario is anyone's guess.
The carrousel continues to spin and the roller coaster is going up and down.
