The Good Old Summertime

The calendar has passed June 21, and summer 2010 has officially arrived! It’s time for everyone to kick back, put on some swim trunks and/or sun block, and enjoy the longer days.

In my neck of the country, summertime’s arrival coincides with the first locally-grown produce of the season, namely strawberries and sweet corn. This also gives me an opportunity to chat with our local growers about the season that is. I remember in 2009, wet weather and market uncertainty had everyone depressed. Luckily, 2010 has been an excellent weather year and growers in our area are feeling confident that their harvests will provide ample revenue.

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“There’s no comparing the two years,” said one Northwestern Ohio grower. “In 2009, everyone was cautious and didn’t’ really buy much. This year, however, people are spending like they used to back in 2006 and 2007.”

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Thankfully, this positive outlook has rippled throughout the ag community. Many ag retailers I’ve spoken with have also said that 2010 sales are on par with their mid-2000s levels. Equipment manufacturers are equally busy, filling orders for new products and hiring a few new employees in the process. Based upon information our magazine has gathered during the past few months, this year’s summer show new product launches promise to be vibrant and exciting – a vast difference from the reserved marketplace that was apparent in 2009.

So here’s an ode to summertime 2010! Let’s all hope the good feelings and market performances at the start of the season help carry the industry through for the rest of the year, and beyond!

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