Thursday afternoon, May 29, 2014

The GS3 read-out in the 4730 sprayer on Wednesday morning. It was a near-perfect day for spraying. From this pic, you can see that I am traveling 16.3 mph, all sections of the boom are operating, the spray pressure is 75 lb, I am applying 10 gal/ac spray material, the BoomTrac is keeping the boom 34-37 inches off the ground, and AutoTrac is guiding the machine through the field. It is rare that we travel this fast through the field, but it was okay for this location this morning. The acres disappear pretty fast behind you!

This was John’s view as he guided the 9360R and the 2510H applicator through some standing corn at Freddie. He is ‘sidedressing’ nitrogen…feeding the corn.

This is John’s view to the rear during the sidedress operation. The N-Ject control system on the 2510H regulates the amount of N that is applied to each of the 23 row units. This system has been applying the NH3 to within 1% accuracy this spring.

John applies NH3 at Lett today. He is working in the last field that needs this plant food. He is working on the lower, flatter part of the field, as the Shepard crew works to build conservation structures on the upper, hilly part of the field. I think the Shepards are feeling a bit rushed by us! But we are also feeling some urgency to get this corn planted! There is rain in the area as this is occurring.

Shepards are at work on the other end of the field where John is applying NH3. From the center of the picture to the right, you can see the beginnings of a new WASCoB taking shape. In this field, there are two new major WASCoBs to be built, and 6 others to be enlarged. Hurry, hurry!

In parts of this field at Watjen, the soil was reshaped by the conservation construction of new WASCoBs. The no till method of planting is particularly good for this farm with its fragile soils.

Back on Monday evening, we had a short thunderstorm roll through. It brought us <.2″ of rain, but in its wake, we were treated to this beautiful rainbow. By using the ‘panorama’ feature on the iPhone, we captured the full rainbow. Think we could find the pot o’ gold at both ends? Nah. Just to see this beauty was the blessing.