Saturday, May 14, 2016

Well, the sun is back today, and the sky is a bright blue.  There are a few clouds, here and there.  But the wind is whipping around now and the temperature started the day in the 40s!  So, a sweatshirt or heavier jacket is required to be outside today.  Even though we received another tenth of an inch of rain during the night, I hope to mow the yard this afternoon.   I believe it is supposed to stay dry, at least until Monday.

Across the neighborhood to the west, you can see the bright blue skies this morning. The fields are just beginning to show a hint of green from the newly-planted crops.

The chilly temperatures are slowing not only the crop development, but also the dry-out of the soils.  We are eager to return to planting.  We have over 60% of the soybeans remaining to be planted, and it feels like the month of May is slipping away.  Here we are at mid-month, and we are still waiting for drier and warmer days to get that bean planter going again!  We could get over the rest of the acres in 8-9 good, productive days.  There will be some replanting of soybeans, too… for those planted on April 25 & 26 have some spots in them that have had water stand on them for too long.

These soybeans are faring pretty well, growing in a location where the water won’t stand on them.  Even through the wet and cold, they continue to slowly progress.  These were planted on April 19.  These are 10-inch rows, no-tilled into last year’s corn residue.

Soybeans planted in April and early May often make me a bit nervous as their emergence and development seem slow.  You must remember that the soil and air temperatures are cooler, and the soil is often wet.   Still, the motivation is to get soybeans planted as early as practical, for it has been our experience that the earliest-planted fields are typically the highest yielding.  And that comes with the added benefit of an earlier harvest date.

The flag whips in the stiff breeze this morning. It stands out against that brilliant blue sky.

The breeze makes the lower temperature feel even colder.  Another chilly night is predicted for tonight, but still in the low 40s, not a threat of frost.   Whew!

Let’s hope drier days are on the way.   Even so, we’ll want timely rains in June, July and August!  Typically, we can count on that to happen, but there are never two years that are alike.