The PMC Update for October 28, 2021
Sales
We have never seen a sales season like this one. As of October 25, 2021, the sales volume at the PMC was $1,114,874. That compares to $786,920 on October 30, 2020, and $822,741 on October 14, 2019. An additional $95,000 in sales will push sales over $1,209,000 which is the total revenue amount on this year’s budget. At this point that seems likely.
All sales are based on field inventory numbers. Some items have sold out, but there are still a lot of plants available. The current plant availability is posted on the PMC website at www.wacdpmc.org. Check it out and contact the PMC with any questions or interest.
Operations
The equipment and facilities at the PMC are mostly in good working order. Bill Mulder, the Operations Supervisor, does an amazing job keeping things running. The only thing not currently in service is the loader tractor due to a blown hydraulic cylinder on the loader. A replacement cylinder arrived but was the wrong size so it was returned and we are waiting for the (hopefully) correct one to arrive.
The cooler was turned on to store the live stakes we have been harvesting and it looks like it is running properly. All other tractors, vehicles, implements, and equipment are working fine.
Fall Seed Planting Temporarily Suspended
The PMC had a good start on its fall seed planting but then had to wait for more seed to arrive. In the meantime, the rains came…and continue. The weather forecast calls for over an inch of rain this Thursday. Fortunately, our soils at the PMC are well-drained and there is a prediction of dry weather this weekend and into next week. There could be an opportunity to almost finish fall seed planting. We will likely still be waiting for a few late-arriving seed lots to come.
Live Stake Harvest Suspended
After harvesting and processing over 70,000 live stakes, the PMC is caught up on early orders. The crew is off until another order comes in or the start of bare root harvest around the first of December
Bare Root Harvest Run-Up
Getting ready to start bare-root harvest is a matter of lining up supplies, getting the equipment set to go, and reviewing what plants are going to be lifted first. Most of that is routine. The main variable is lining up the seasonal crew to do it. Fortunately, we have heard back from more of last year’s crew and at this time it looks like 17 out of 20 from last year will return. That number could increase but if it does not there have been a number of people that have stopped by looking for work. It looks like we will have a harvest crew and most of them will be able to jump right into where they left off last year.
I hope this helps. Please let me know if you have any questions.
Jim Brown, WACD PMC Nursery Manager
https://wacdpmc.org/about-us