Wednesday, May 6, 2026

Another 1.42″ (36mm) rain fell overnight.

And it has been rather cold for several days.

This pushes back the time of replanting until at least next week.  And the forecast has another .3″ predicted for both Friday and Sunday!  After a very dry March and April, May is bringing us rain!   I’ve identified about 150 more acres of soybeans that need replanted.  That will take care of it unless we have more downpours and/or the river crests are higher than we expect now.   That number of acres won’t take long to get done, but it is scattered across 7 farms in 3 different townships!   Lots of driving.  Good news is… the 500-or-so acres of soybeans I’ve already replanted are now finally popping through the soil and should be okay.  The chilly days we’ve had are slowing that emergence.

We don’t despair over the additional replant, at least not yet.   Before this rainy spell set in, we were getting concerned about a repeat of the drought of 2012.   For now, at least, a drought is not on our radar.  Perhaps the weather will allow us to get to our replant next week.   That would be great to get it done before May 15.  But we can only do what the conditions allow.  And worrying about it does not make it better.  So, we choose to trust our Maker that we will once again be able to complete our planting needs.

During the wet spell, the two Brandons have one of the S780 combines in the shop, preparing it for wheat harvest, maybe 6 weeks away.  They found a big belt that drives the chopper that had a big chunk missing.  So, they decided to replace it.   They had to dismantle many things on the left rear of the machine, but they did so, and now it is all back together again, good as new!  I’m so proud of them and their mechanic skills.

Here is the view with the belt removed and all the associated parts and assemblies removed or re-positioned in order to get that old belt off

Here is the ‘after’ picture, all back in place with a new belt.

Oil change, lubrication, adjusting elevator chains (including taking out a link to shorten the clean grain elevator), inspecting, installing wheat-related internal threshing parts and correcting tire pressures…the combines require good attention to preventive maintenance.

Seems like there is almost nothing those guys can’t do!