Wednesday, April 13, 2022
Yes, it’s raining again here in SWIN, but so far today it has been lighter than the downpours they predicted. No complaint there! So far, we received .11″ (2.8 mm). It is more rain than we wanted or needed, but we must accept the conditions we have. The 10-day forecast is more favorable after today’s storms. Even though the temperatures are gonna be lower than we’d like, at least there is no rain predicted for the next 10 days! Such a contrast here in the eastern corn belt (ECB) compared to the plains states. There, the farmers are praying for rain! We would share if that were possible!
The skies are dark with rain off-and-on today.
Rain makes the horizon dark… it’s coming
The new-to-us (NTU) Volvo truck is off to the local VoMac (Volvo and Mack) dealer to have its engine ‘turned up’, meaning the engine’s horsepower will be increased by updating the software that controls it. It will also have the transmission serviced with new oil and filter. When it returns home, John will swap out a defective antenna cable that supports the CB and AM/FM radio. Just a few more minor touches and the NTU Volvo will be ready to be placed into service. I think they plan on using it to pull the hopper trailer with soybean seed. We haven’t picked up any soybean seed yet, but we will as soon as this truck-trailer combo gets hooked up.
Brandon is delivering some corn to the local elevator, Robinson Grain, just across US 50 from the farm. Their bid was pretty competitive today, so there we go!
Brandon heads out in the KW to deliver corn to Robinson Grain.
John is servicing the Peterbilt semi (Pete, as we call it). Engine oil and filter change, as well as fuel filters, and afterward, a lubrication the driveshaft components.
After the old oil is drained and filters changed, the new oil is pumped into the engine.
Over the weekend, the guys at Nutrien finished off the 2nd and final application of nitrogen for the wheat crop. The conditions were not ideal, with a few soft spots in some of the fields. In those spots, the sprayer left some ruts in its tracks. Weighing that against the delay of application, we decided to proceed– anyway. We will still see those ruts this fall! But the wheat is ‘fed’ and it looks very green and healthy!
Nutrien applied the N very accurately.
As the calendar pages flip over, it reinforces the idea that we’d like to get going again in the fields. The term ‘early’ is always relative, but it’s beginning to feel as if the ‘early’ window is closing. Still, there is plenty of time to capture full yield potential. We cannot throw out our hope and optimism!
We are hoping that the grain bin builders will be starting the construction soon. First will be the concrete foundation. All the steel components are already here.
Keep dry and safe out there today.
