Wednesday, July 3, 2024
This morning, I drove down to the Freddie farm. It was the final candidate for possible areas of replant. I was pleased to find that no replant is necessary at that location! The soybeans there are small, but there is a good ‘stand’. That felt good, like a heavy weight lifted.
On Monday morning, I took the Gator and drove across the double-crop soybean (DCB) fields. I was hoping to find a satisfactory stand of beans in those fields, but sadly I didn’t. So, I called our crop insurance provider and requested a replant. I got a ‘go ahead’ from them to get started. Then, I called our seed dealer (Nutrien at Wheatland) and they had some 300-or-so units of seed ready. I stopped by Nutrien to load the seed into the cart, and proceeded to begin the replanting of DCB. I found two fields that needed every acre replanted, and later two bigger fields that only required the end-rows be planted. So, out of 514 acres of DCB, I replanted 270. Got done with that yesterday (Tuesday) evening.
Replanting some DCB near Wheatland on Monday evening.
After the no-replant needed assessment this morning, John and I turned our attention to cleaning up the air cart and drill, and then disconnecting them from the tractor and each other. We don’t have a shed big enough to store the complete rig, so we unhook the drill from the air cart and store them separately. It’s a bit inconvenient, and the process of cleaning and storing took all morning! But we like to have our machines under roof, out of the rain and sun. The JD 9R540 tractor needs a good wash too, but that will likely take place next week. Still it feels good to have in under roof, out of the baking sun.
John working on separating the drill from the air cart.
After the disconnect is completed, the components are parked away. Of course, we had to rearrange other implements.
Finally, the soybean planter tractor, the 9R540, is parked in its shed. Yes, it needs to be washed, but at least it is under roof. It sits out most of the time it’s hooked to the soybean air drill.
Nutrien is arranging the aerial spraying of a fungicide on our corn. The disease ‘tar spot’ has arrived here in Knox County, a bit earlier than expected. The applicators’ air tractors are quite busy. No, we don’t call them crop dusters anymore…no dust is a part of the treatment!
Our agenda can now lighten up a bit. There are fields of soybeans that still need the fungicide application, and we can do that with our equipment. The DCB will also need a herbicide treatment in a couple weeks.
Probably be a quiet day tomorrow here for the 4th. I’m hoping for some grilled burgers and Pat’s superb potato salad. I think she’s also making a zucchini cake.
Here’s wishing for you a happy 4th holiday!
