Monday, June 24, 2024

Yesterday morning about 5 am, we were awakened by the sound of rain striking the glass on the windows.  It was a beautiful sound, made even better in light of how dry and hot the recent weeks have been.  We received about a half-inch; maybe not all that we would have desired, but so welcome to give our thirsty corn and soybeans a drink.  I noticed yesterday afternoon, when the heat returned, the corn did not ‘roll up’ as it had for a few days before this rain.  Every farmer I came across yesterday was expressing their gratitude for the precipitation!

The emailed rainfall report from Climate.com. It arrives every morning after a rain event the previous day. This one was especially welcome! Every field received some rain.

Today, Brandon is working on cleaning up the corn planter.  He has the JD RD40F and the MacDon combine headers already cleaned up and stored away.  The combines will take a turn on the wash pad soon.  But today, his attention is on the corn planter.

Brandon starts his washing job to make this corn planter look ‘like new’.

The combines wait their turn back in the new building. They will come out one of these days pretty soon to get their wash job!  They did not get very grimy this wheat harvest, and it should be a little easier to make them shine. 

John is touring the soybean fields with consultant Greg Anthis this morning to make a plan for herbicide/fungicide applications for the week.  We will also be keeping a close eye on the corn fields, for tar spot and southern rust.  Both those diseases are pretty devastating to corn, and we will monitor our fields to determine if/when fungicide applications are warranted.

I’ll be checking the two earliest-planted DCB fields today.  Those have been in the ground for 11 days, and should be fully emerged and growing by now.  I’ll wait until next Monday to evaluate the other DCB fields.  My sincere hope is that none of those acres will require re-planting.  There is a small possibility that the seeds were placed in moisture, but then the soil dried out.  That would allow the beans to ‘sprout and die’.  I’ve seen that happen, and it’s not pretty.  But I am hopeful yesterday’s rain will be enough to keep those beans growing and thriving.

Have a great week.