FCS Financial ’ s Beth Luebbering ( l ) helped Matthew Heidlage secure a Young , Beginning , Small Farmer loan for real estate and equipment purchases .
“ A couple of years ago was the first time I had to wait any longer than 45 minutes ( to unload at the seed house ),” Theresa recalls . “ The price got up and then fell .”
Paul adds , “ Fescue is the hardest thing to guess production . Corn or beans you can kind of estimate .”
In the summer during fescue harvest , the Heidlages operate two combines to get the job done . Paul and son
Matthew run the combines while Theresa hauls the seed to nearby Pierce City , about seven miles away .
Sold by the pound , a good seed crop is based on cleanness and test weight , Paul says . “ It all comes down to the test weight , the heaviness of the seed .”
Theresa chimes in , “ You know , a 72 versus a 90 ( test weight ).”
The 2014 crop started out at 52 to 54 cents per pound before falling to 18 . This year the Heidlages are hoping their seed will be worth about 50 cents again .
“ Considering the price for commodities like corn and wheat , beans are still up there , we ’ re going to go after fescue this year ,” Paul says .
“ And , they pay a premium ,” Theresa adds . “ You can get 2 to 4 cents on premiums .”
Premiums are paid on clean , good-quality fescue seed , Paul says .
“ I think our secret weapon is Theresa hauls it in and they test the load . If she doesn ’ t like the test she ’ ll say , ‘ no , test it again ,’” Paul says .
“ No , not really ,” Theresa interjects . “ But , I have had them retest it .”
“ I can feel it and I ’ ll tell her this load ought to test pretty good ,” Paul notes .
The Heidlages own several hundred acres , renting an additional 500 that is used mostly for pasture , hay and fescue . All of the land is within a 3-mile radius of the farm .
Paul says they sell some hay in small square bales as well as prairie hay , which is sold to folks in the horse industry .
“ It ’ s important to me to diversify ,” Paul says . “ One thing will work and one thing won ’ t work . This is cattle country . The cattle and fescue seed have been good to us .”
Relationships Build Success Whether it ’ s working with a landowner or managing extra workers to help during hay season , cultivating relationships grows success on the Heidlage farm .
“ Used to , it was so competitive to rent ground or to find someone that you could cut fescue seed on shares with ,” Paul explains . “ So , you ’ ve got to watch how you treat your landlord because there are other options for them .” “ You have to take care of their land ,” Theresa adds . “ Yes , take care of their place ,” Paul continues . “ That goes back to what my dad said . You get to have a hand in it , so you make sure ( the land ) is better than when you got it . Probably my biggest secret to success is just being lucky enough to have good landlords .”
During the summer , the Heidlages work with several different helpers in order to stay on top of their business activities .
“ We ’ ve had really , really good help over the years ,” Theresa says .
Good help also transitions to the relationship Paul and Theresa nurture with FCS Financial . They ’ ve been FCS Financial customers since 2001 when they needed assistance with a real estate purchase .
“ They bring a joy to my job ,” says Beth Luebbering , FCS Financial Assistant Vice President in Joplin .
10 HEARTBEAT | SUMMER 2016