Husband and Wife Farm Team | #FromtheField Spotlight Series

May 09, 2014

Farm families play a significant role in our agricultural economies. Often they make tremendous sacrifices to run a farm and raise a family. But like most, they wouldn’t want to have it any other way. Farms.com is pleased to profile the first husband and wife farm team in our #fromthefield spotlight series.

Mark and Sandi Brock farm with their two children in Perth County (the same farming community as myself). The Brock’s are not only good farmers, but they also take time to give back to their community.

Get to know the super-star husband and wife farm team below (and while you’re at it give them a follow on Twitter).

Farm Name: Shepherd Creek Farms Ltd.

Twitter Handles: @sandibrock and @Cropper01

Location: Staffa, Ontario (Perth County)

Types of Crops grown: Corn, soybeans, wheat and white beans

How has using Twitter enhanced your farming business?

Twitter has proven to be a great forum for our operation. Whether it be market reports, upcoming events and conferences, or just investigating different methods of farming. I also like the fact we can connect with others nationally, and globally. It virtually eliminates borders and distance. I like to post pictures and statuses to keep some of my followers connected with what we do on-farm. I think this is an effective tool for such an important mission. We really aren't using it to directly sell our product, but to educate those who are indirectly affected by what we grow. Keeping the message positive and open is our goal.

What is an interesting fact about your farming operation?

Although cash cropping has been the main focus of our farm, we have recently expanded into sheep. We started with 150 ewes two years ago, and expanded this past fall to 500. We feel this is an industry with loads of potential in Ontario as our population continues to diversify.

What makes you proud to farm?

Farming is something you need to believe in. You need to eat, sleep and love what you do. I guess my pride is knowing that we get to do something that only 2% of the population get to do. The pride of a crop making it to harvest with its full potential, happy animals quietly chewing their cud and being there to see it. Pride in knowing we are showing our kids the value of hard work and long hours in loving what we do.

Additional Information:

Both Mark and I believe that learning never stops. To be successful, we need to keep updating ourselves and our knowledge base. We are both active in our community. Mark is currently Vice-Chair for Grain Farmers of Ontario (District 9). I am a leader of our local dairy 4-H club, and sit as a director for West Perth on our Perth County Federation of Agriculture. We also have two kids, Jack and Jessica.

Video: Will the 2025 USDA December Crop Report Be a Market Mover/Surprise?

Historically, the USDA December crop report is a non-event or another dud report as the USDA reserves any final supply changes to the final report in January of the following year in this case 2026. But after the longest U.S. government shutdown in history at 43 days and no October crop report will they provide more data/surprise and make an exception?
Our China U.S. soybean purchase tracker is now at 26.6% or a total of 3.2 mmt but for traders it’s taking too long to unfold.
The final Stats Canada production report was bearish canola and wheat projection a record crop in both (it adds to the global glut of supplies) and bullish local corn and soybean prices in Ontario/Quebec thanks to a drought. It will not help the fund flow short-term, the USDA may need to offset it?
A U.S. Fed interest rate cut of another 25-basis point next Wednesday (probability 87.1%) could help fund flow and sentiment in stock and ag commodities into year end.
More inflows into Bitcoin this past week saw prices rebound back above 90,000 with support at 82,000 and resistance at 96,000.
A V-shaped bottom in cattle suggest the lows are in after Mexico reported another new world screwworm case. Lower weights, seasonal demand and higher U.S. beef select/choice values with a continued closure of the Mexican border to cattle will result in a resumption of higher cattle futures into yearend.
Australia is expected to produce its 3rd largest wheat crop ever at 36 mmt adding to the global glut of supplies.
Reports of ASF in hogs in Spain the largest pork exporter in Europe could see the U.S. win more pork export business long-term.
If the rains verify into next week of 3-5 inches for Brazil it would go a long way to fixing the dry regions from the last 2-months, but the European weather model has been wrong for the past 2-months!
Natural gas futures are surging to the 3rd price count as frigid hold temps set in.
CDN $ is also surging to end the week on a very resilient economy and better employment numbers suggesting no interest rate cuts next week.
Finally, the CFTC report showed funds were net buyers of soybeans but sellers of corn, canola and wheat. In real time the funds have gone back to selling as they take some profits.