Tuesday, October 27, 2015

It’s a gray day today.  Light rain is falling… it may come a little heavier in the afternoon, but still only about 1/4″  (6 mm) of rain is predicted.  The sun is supposed to return on Thursday.  This light rain will help the conservation wheat (see the post for Oct 1) that was planted early this month… those little strips of green in every valley in each field.  If that grows as hoped, it will significantly reduce water erosion this winter.

See the little green strip of wheat growing in this valley of the cornfield? We’re hopeful this will reduce the water erosion.

The downside of this cool and wet spell is that it will slow down the ripening of those July 18th-planted soybeans.  Even though there is only 8-10 acres of them, we will count on cutting them ASAP.

CPS informs me that almost all the fall P & K fertilization for 2016 corn and soybean is completed, but only about 20% of the lime has gone on.  Next week, temperatures in the 70s are predicted, and that will help finish up any field work.

Ben has been home for a few days.  It has been good to visit with him.  He’s really happy with his job as a pilot at Republic Airlines.   His routes take him all over the  eastern US and Canada.  He’s even been to the Bahamas a few times!

Leaves are beginning their cascade.  Even though some leaves are green, we are now a bit past ‘peak’ color.  The colors have been very nice, especially the oranges and reds.  The next sunny day will highlight the bright colors, at least for those that remain on the trees.

Leaves are beginning to pile up on the ground. The tulip trees are nearly bare, but green leaves still cling to the oak trees.

So, during this period of time on the farm, we work to plan for 2016.  The cash flow report for ’15 is being verified for its accuracy, and the ’16 report is under development.   Even on a rainy day, there is something productive that can be done!