Farm Blog

100 Years Young

1/1/2015

The memories and events that took place this year are stories we will tell our grandchildren. This year Shooks Farms celebrated a Centennial year, 100 years of the same family farming the same land. We always knew we wanted to host a big open house so that the public could celebrate with us. In August after months of planning and partnering with Michigan Farm Bureau we threw one heck of a party. The weather was perfect (probably the most comfortable weekend of the summer) people were entering the farm from all directions so it was hard to get an accurate head count but we managed to count over 800 people that attended the event. Everywhere I looked I saw smiling faces, kids running and jumping, farm tours, a petting zoo, face painting, bouncy houses, corn box (a.k.a sandbox filled with corn), tractor displays, farm history tent, snow cones and people eating our home grown hamburgers.

What a historic year for the farm.

This was the highlight of the year for the farm but we were also blessed with bumper crops. 2014 started out cold…I mean really cold and snowy, all over town (and the farm) I heard from everyone was “This was the way winters used to be”. Well after witnessing a winter from the good ole days I’m sure glad that I haven’t experienced too many of those seasons.

Once spring sprung we were in the fields planting corn, soybeans and cherry trees. A major part of this year was waiting for warm weather to dry the fields enough so we could plant. As many of you know the spring took its sweet time getting here so were not able to get in the fields until mid-May. We normally like to be in the fields in late April.

Summer came and brought excellent conditions for growing cherries the slow transition from spring to summer put us past the frost scares of April and May. We began cherry harvest the second week in July with comfortable temperatures and cooler nights. This cold weather is good because the cherries will be firmer when shaken off the tree and into the tanks for transport. A firmer cherry will travel better without juice loss than a softer hotter cherry.

Summer gave way to fall and the row crop harvest season was upon us. Much like 2013 this fall was difficult to harvest corn and soybeans. This year we bought a second combine so we could get the crops off faster. I swear it rained for 40 days and 40 nights making it very difficult for us to harvest the grains and for the crops to dry out so that they can be stored properly. We put up high moisture corn this means that we store the corn at a moisture percentage above 15% this is fine because we’ll feed the corn to the cows from upright silos or AgBags where no air is present so the corn won’t decay. We recently finished our harvest at the end of December, I can remember many years being done with harvest before deer season (Nov. 15th). We also custom harvest for neighboring farmers which we just wrapped up harvest yesterday December 30th.

So that in a nutshell was our year we also welcomed two new twin boys to the Shooks Family as Rob and Mishelle were blessed with Drew Paul and Jordan Carter in July. Since 2007 just about every year someone in the family has welcomed a new baby….to the best of our knowledge we are unaware if this trend with continue in 2015. Thanks for making our year so special and historic we look forward to growing our food next year. There is an old saying in Agriculture that goes “there are only two good years in farming, the year everything is paid for and next year”. We hope next year (2015) is a good year for farming. May God Bless you all in 2015.

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Fresh Cherries....and fresh new babies!

7/2/2014

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Meet the newest members of the Shooks Family, twins Drew and Jordan. Congratulations Rob and Mishelle!

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"This Old Barn" Memories of my childhood

2/26/2014

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By: Daryl Shooks

If you are old enough to recall our nations bi centennial, then chances are you also recall the short 1 minute blip on television each night that gave some insight into how our country was founded. Using that same formula, I thought it might be fun, as Shooks Farms will be celebrating our 100th year in operation this year, and to every month write a brief note of interest pertaining to the farm. I have titled this month’s topic: “The Old Barn”. In the movie Forrest Gump, there is a line in which Forrest states “it’s funny what you recall”. I find that very true. I have very vivid memories of the old barn which set within viewing distance from the house, and was the center of many activities. I remember my dad telling me that while the barn was being built his brother Versal received papers stating he was to serve his country in World War II. I also recall the day in which Drenth Bros. excavating were hired to demolish that old barn to make way for a new and more efficient barn. My dad (Marvin) was quoted as saying that day “I know its progress, but I feel like crying.”

Inside that old barn lived a lot of memories for me as a child, but none more prominent than the hay loft. I know there have been a lot of bad jokes concerning haylofts, but mine have only to do with the basketball court that Bryan, Dale and I built as kids. We were 3 young boys who all loved sports, so it only made sense for us to turn this large covered area into the home of the Shooks Sharp Shooters (yes that is what we called ourselves). I can’t tell you the hours it took to move square bales of hay out of the way, just to give us a few extra feet of playing room. It was all worth it by the time we had the hay removed and could finally go full court! Our court was complete with a basket at each end, painted boundaries with a large S painted at half court, a sign welcoming you to Shooks Stadium, and a bench to set on. However the court did have some quirks that made it challenging, like the uneven floor, the light bulb that hung quite low and was easily taken out with a long lofted shot, the base of the post which held the basket, was raised slightly off the floor and if the ball landed just right it would bounce back at you seemingly at head level. I think Bryan had several pair of glasses that broke due to that. Lastly, but perhaps most importantly, was the ever present reality that should you miss a shot, and the ball careened down the steps, it was an almost certainty that it was going to land in the manure. It was an unwritten rule, however, barnyard basketball etiquette demanded that whoever was the last to touch the ball was responsible for retrieving it and wiping it off before play resumed, you can imagine the arguments that resulted!

Because there were only 3 of us, and that was not enough to have real games played, we recruited the neighbor kids, namely the Gaddis brothers and Bob Rideout. Once we even had a group of friends from school, which happened to live in Eastport come out and play. The Kruse All Stars went down in history that day falling prey to the Sharp Shooters. There was no rematch!

As I look back now, I have only one regret, we do not have any photographs of our basketball court. However in my minds eye, I can recall every detail. I cannot tell you how much fun we had during our time growing up on this farm. There is certainly enough material to fill a novel. Perhaps in another centennial moment I will revisit the corners of my mind where these fond memories reside and share another. I have often joked to my sons that some day if I end up in Meadowbrook Care Facility and am unable to remember their names, chances are pretty good that I will still be able to draw them a map of this old barn.

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The taste of Organic....is there such a thing?

2/11/2014

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By: Greg Shooks

I’ve had a very hard time comparing an organic cherry to a
non-organic cherry—which my family and I grow. There is no taste difference or
size difference, and one isn’t healthier than the other.
There is a lot of misleading information out there about the benefits of
organic food vs. non-organic food, when the real difference is simply the
growing practice.

My family and I farm 1,200 acres of cherries, corn, soybeans and
wheat and raise 400 head of beef cattle in Central Lake, Michigan, on the same
ground my great grandfather began farming in
1914.

Our farm is non-organic.
This means that we apply pesticides and herbicides when needed. We hire two crop consultants to help us
determine when crop protection is needed. Our consultants monitor the orchards
to determine the fungi and insect threshold before chemicals are ever
applied. When chemicals are needed, we use them in the right amount at the right time. These chemicals must
be approved by the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) and are highly
regulated with Pre Harvest Interval (PHI) standards. This means that we can only
use certain product at different growing stages, using weaker chemical as we
move closer to harvest. The chemicals are also very expensive, sometimes $1,000
an ounce, so we are diligent in using them at the right amount and only when
needed.

Every year our farm undergoes what is called a GAP (Good
Agriculture Practice) audit done by the USDA (United States Department of
Agriculture). This is an intense process that is performed before any cherry
from our farm is sold. There are many steps to complete the audit (the manual
is 3 inches thick!), so I’ll mention a few. Food safety is obviously the number
one priority, so we take plenty of measures to preserve that--from washing our
hands before entering the orchard, to keeping very detailed records of spray
applications, to tracking wildlife activities and guests entering the orchards.
The FDA also regulates chemical residue by enforcing a parts per million
standard, which the cherry must meet before the product is
sold.

My experiences with Organic growing practices are minimal outside
of my own backyard garden and from conversations I’ve had with Organic
growers. I would like consumers
to know that organically grown food is not healthier than non-organically grown
food. The difference is in the growing method, and subsequently, the cost. There
is significantly more labor and input costs involved in growing an organic
product as opposed to a non-organic product. Organic growers may still spray
their crops using chemicals, the difference is that these chemicals must be all
natural. These organic chemicals are typically twice as expensive as chemicals
approved for non-organic use, and in many cases a grower may need to spray more
of them to keep fungi and insects
controlled.

To sum it up in few words, I hope that consumers feel confident
eating organic or non-organic food, because both are safe to eat. I trust that
conventionally raised foods, like my family’s cherries, are safe to eat, because
I understand the science and practices in place to ensure their safety. I am
completely confident feeding these foods to my
children.

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Deer Management

4/10/2013

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By Greg Shooks

When talking about deer hunting in Northern Michigan you’re talking about a serious state holiday. The lure of the mystical "tirty" point buck draws people from all corners of Michigan into the woods to re-connect with nature, find complete zen, and hopefully spot the big one. For most, all they will bring home is renewed energy, and a well rested soul.....but typically not a shot will be fired because most people spend their time waiting for a wall mount.

Recently I sat on a grower panel at the Northwestern Michigan orchard and vineyard show. The topic we spoke on was the proposed QDM (quality deer management) rule affecting 12 new counties by making it a law to only shoot bucks with 3 points or more. Michigan has ignored its deer population growth for a number of years now. There are over 56,000 reported deer-vehicle accidents every year in Michigan totaling 130 million dollars worth of repairs every year. The deer herd is estimated at 2.4 million which is 6 times higher than in 1970. As a farmer I’m furious with the deer population because they cause major damage to my crops. The deer eat the buds and leaves off our cherry trees and the buck rubs the trunks of the trees, in turn killing the tree. We also grow corn and soybeans, the deer LOVE both of these crops when they eat these crops they put a lot of fat on making them hardier for the winter.

So back to the proposed QDM rule, successful QDM states like Georgia, Texas and Wyoming all have one thing in common... they managed their doe population before tackling buck numbers. According to wildlife biologist bucks with larger horns are older and have more testosterone in them. By keeping the doe numbers down, the larger more predominate bucks will reproduce allowing the younger weaker bucks to grow another year. With the proposed QDM rule the DNR believes it will produce larger more desirable bucks thus making Michigan once again a destination for hunting whitetail deer. But remember the DNR is a form of state government giving them a pardon to make wrong decisions. I’m not totally against QDM as long as the doe numbers are properly managed.

Our state will have to go through a major attitude adjustment to reach the goal of growing larger trophy bucks and this has proved to be a tough challenge. In 2010 Michigan made it a law that you cannot bait deer, which would prevent the spreading of TB (tuberculosis). It seemed like everyone who grew food for bait that year had a record breaking sales due to hunters who needed “turkey feed” or a very large quantity of apples for "applesauce".

Everyone will need to have a common goal to reach common ground. I believe the solution to this is issue lies in controlling the doe population. This would eliminate major problems for farmers and the number of deer related vehicle accidents in Michigan would greatly decrease.  Once the doe population is controlled taking in effect the QDM would lead to a greater chance of getting that trophy buck and making Michigan once again a hunters destination.

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Young Leaders

3/3/2013

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By Greg Shooks

Farm Bureau's Annual Young Farmers Leaders Conference provides an amazing opportunity to farmers from across the state ranging from age 18 to 35. Members of the Agriculture community gather together for the chance to gain leadership skills and network with one another. For the past 5 years members of Shooks Farms have been well represented at this conference. This year RJ and his wife Keegan as well as my wife Jenny and I attended the conference and we all left with feeling inspired and energized with new ideas and information to bring back to the farm.

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So God Made a Farmer...

2/14/2013

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By Daryl Shooks

Finally someone got it right.
The 2013 super bowl is now in the record books.
It was an exciting game, and I believe I will remember it for a long time, not
because of the fine play exhibited by both teams, or the game delaying blackout,
or even the halftime entertainment, but rather for a 2 minute and 36 second
commercial displaying the virtues of the new Dodge ram trucks. This time slot
cost several millions of dollars, but was by far and away the best of all Super
bowl commercials. In case you may have missed it, the ad featured the late Paul
Harvey reciting his tribute to the American farmer. The ad correctly captured
the heart of a farmer. The ad is in stark contrast to a commercial currently
being aired by capitol one, in which the farmer is portrayed as a hayseed,
sitting on a 70 year old tractor, in bib overalls, using improper English.

When my son asked me if I would write this month's blog, I knew exactly what I
wanted to do. I am hopeful that you will take the time to watch the attached
video featuring Paul Harvey's voiceover, only this time customized to the Shooks
Farm. While putting this video together and pouring over countless faded
photographs, I will admit to finding a tear starting in the corner of my eye
while seeing my departed Grandfather, Uncle, Dad, and Brother doing what they
loved best. Thank you Dodge for finally getting it right.
P.S. A big thanks to my wonderful daughter in law Mishelle for helping me put this together.

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Voice of Agriculture Conference

2/8/2013

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Keegan and Mishelle Shooks are pictured with Farm Bureau President Wayne Wood at the Voice of Agriculture Conference in Lansing. Keegan is currently serving as the Farm Bureau Promotion and Education chairman for Antrim County. The Shooks ladies picked up great ideas for promoting Agriculture in our area, and we can't wait to see what they bring to our community and schools!

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What do Farmers do in the winter?

1/24/2013

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When old man winter knocks at the door, many farmers get the question “What do you do in the winter time?”

Unfortunately the winter season is not a time of year where farmers park the tractor and put up their feet to enjoy some much needed R & R. In fact winter can be just as busy as the growing season. The orchards and livestock still need to be cared for, equipment needs worked on, and many farmers use any extra time to focus on educational opportunities.

So what happens on Shooks Farms during the winter?

Maintaining and caring for the 200 acres of sweet and tart cherries on the farm takes up a large amount of time in the winter. The key to producing quality cherries rests in the pruning of the tree. This never ending process involves shaping the tree for maximum sunlight exposure and cutting out the dead wood. There is not enough time to prune every orchard in the winter so we pick the orchards that need it the most. Grandpa Shooks always said when it comes to pruning “do a little to a lot, instead of a lot to a little.” One tool used to prune the orchards is the saw blade, which is probably the least expensive tool on the farm but one of the most effective. This 8 foot wooden pole is used to manually cut limbs from each tree in the orchard, it is a slow but essential process. Another tool used, which happens to be my dads preferred method of pruning is the use of the Mechanical pruning tower also known as the “brownie”. This tool allows the operator to drive the machine and cut limbs from the tree while being raised up to 14 feet. It helps to speed up the process but still makes for a monotonous job.

Daily feeding of the cattle or “chores” as we call it, takes place all throughout the year and is even more important in the winter. As the temperatures drop the cattle will eat more to stay warmer. It is also essential to keep the barnyards clean throughout the year in order to keep the cattle clean and healthy. In the winter it is especially important to remove any snow in the barns. Twice a week we clean the snow and manure from the yards and spread it into a pile in a field to be dispersed out when the snow is melted. If we did not remove the snow from the barn and the area outside of the barn, the cattle would pack the snow down creating an ice skating rink which would lead to many injured cows.

Fixing and fabricating equipment also takes place during the coldest months of the year. It is difficult to find shop time for every project that needs to be done before the spring. Because our farm equipment is used so frequently during harvest time it is very important to inspect each machine and conduct any maintenance to keep our equipment running like a Deere. Shop time is also used for manufacturing needed equipment and useful tools. About 7 years ago, neighboring farmer Pat McGuire of Royal Farms, taught me how to build a forklift out of an old Chevy pick up. Since then we’ve used our winter shop time to construct a total of 4 forklifts. This machinery has been extremely helpful during cherry harvest and is used to quickly transport tanks of cherries from the orchard to the truck or receiving station.

Winter also happens to be the time of year when I travel to trade shows, educational meetings, and other agricultural events. It is fitting for me to be writing this blog on an airplane heading to the American Farm Bureau Annual Conference and Trade Show in Nashville. Farm bureau events take up the majority of my time in the winter as I am currently serving on the State Young Farmer Executive Committee. Farm Bureau is a National Organization that offers educational opportunities for farmers. The educational classses cover a wide range of topics including growing techniques, farming transition, legislative issues and other areas that affect our industry. The educational meetings I attend also give me the chance to educate others. As a farmer, I am a voice for agriculture. Just recently I was asked to speak on a growers panel at the Northwestern Michigan Orchard and Vineyard show about Deer Control. This is a major issue in Michigan right now affecting farmers. These trainings take place all over the state and sometimes I even have the opportunity to attend conferences outside of the state like I am now traveling to Nashville and in a couple of weeks will go to Phoenix for the American Young Farmer and Ranchers Leaders Conference.

Although Farm Bureau events have taken me many places, I will probably never top last years travels as I had the opportunity to go to New Zealand! I was a member of the MSU New Farm group from 2009-2012 which was a regional leadership training program. For the conclusion of the program the group wrote a grant to the USDA & Rural development to tour the growing region of New Zealand and we were granted the money. It's had to believe that almost a year ago, all 36 of us boarded a plane and headed to the other side of the world. It was the trip of a lifetime and I’m so glad I got to spend it with my wife Jenny and good friends in my regional farming community.

Although winter time is a slower paced season for us, we farmers do stay busy. The lack of pressure and stress that is present during the production months gives us time to take a breath, recuperate, and enjoy valuable time with Family. By spring I am ready for a change of pace I suppose that is why to everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under the sun.

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One Last Look Back at 2012: 2013 Full of Hope and Family Growth

1/1/2013

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This year will be remembered for a long time on the farm for its challenges, rewards and heartbreaks. The March blizzard brought heavy snow to the area splitting some cherry trees in half from the weight of the snow, we were fortunate not to lose many trees to the blizzard. About 10 days after the storm hit we experienced a week of 80 degree weather which tricked the cherry orchards into thinking it was spring when we still had about 6 weeks of cold weather to survive. This of course was a recipe disaster as we our trees were prone to frost damage. That magic number for damage is 28 degrees for only about 2 hours, and this happened in middle April killing most of the tart cherry buds. At that point we still had a sweet cherry crop so we proceeded to set bees in the orchards so they could start pollinating the blossoms. Finally what came to be known as the "2012 effect" came into play and frost damage once again killed all our sweet cherry buds, essentially wiping out the entire cherry crop for the year.

Not all was lost. Corn planting comes every year in May which we plant to feed the cattle all year. The weather played to our favor in the spring and summer, giving us rain that seemed to miss everyone in the state. Our wheat crop turned out to be one of the best yields we have ever had. Our corn crop looked to be some of the best in the state until the "2012 effect" took over and in August we only received 1” of rain the entire month. The key to growing more corn & soybeans in our area is moisture and with no rain in August it decreased our highly anticipated yields. The drought of 2012 will be felt in the next coming months with slightly higher food prices, plastics and fuel due to the low yields and high prices of corn and soybeans.

Harvest season is the time to bring the crops in, pay the loans, fill our diesel tanks up and make another round. Fall is a favorite time of the year on the farm to harvest our crops and to see all the hard work of the summer payoff in crop yields. Our yields were good considering the years challenges and thankfully we were able to fill our silo’s and any obligated contracts.

Unfortunately the "2012 effect" revisited once more. In late October we received news that our beekeeper was killed in a semi truck accident. We were all deeply sadden of this news, he was only 26 and leaves behind a wife, two boys ages 5 & 2 and 6 week old baby girl. Jeremy Jelinek you will be missed.

As we walk away from the disappointment and heartbreak of 2012 our hope is restored for 2013. There's an old farm saying "There's only 2 good years in farming, they year you pay for everything and next year." Well we already have a lot to look forward to "next year", especially with the anticipated arrival of new members in the Shooks Family. RJ & Keegan are expecting in their fourth child in May and Jenny and I are expecting our third child in March. We are also looking forward the continued partnership with local restaurants that serve our beef including The Blue Pelican in Central Lake, Firefly in Traverse City, Friske Orchards of Ellsworth. We are also especially proud to serve our beef in our local school Central Lake Public Schools. Happy 2013 and May God Bless you this year!