Monday, May 11, 2026
First thing today, I took the packet of bills to the courthouse in Vincennes to drop off payment for the Spring Installment of the 2026 property taxes, which are due today. There is a special box outside the building to drop them off. Years ago, I used to go into the Treasurer’s Office and wait in line and watch them go through each item and stamp them ‘paid’. Then, for several years, I would mail them in. Nowadays, I use the new drop-off box to pay the property taxes. Included in the packet is self-addressed, stamped envelope for them to return the ‘paid’ slips. It is important that these are paid “on time” — there is a minimum 10% penalty for any late payment.
We had a nice weather weekend, even if the temps were a tiny bit cool in the evenings and mornings. At least it was sunny with warm days in the 70s. More of that is predicted for this week. John will likely get the post spraying in the corn crop started today, unless the winds kick up too high again. I still need a few days drying in order to get back to the soybean fields that have drowned-out spots from recent heavy rains. Brandon will be checking the corn fields to determine where and how much corn requires replanting. The flat fields at the Huey farm will certainly need some replant, for there was standing water there for many days.
White River is still above flood stage. The flooding is minor at our near-US 50 locations. But farther down river, near Petersburg, the river is a little higher and the flood damage is a little greater. Those river levels are predicted to crest today and begin their slow retreat. Hope we are done with that until at least next winter!
Little by little, we will get back to where we need to be. You know, after the prolonged dry spell in March and April, we were concerned with drought… but the rainfall has been plentiful (too plentiful in spots) and even with some flood damage, it is better to have too much rain than too little. Dad always said, “You can raise more crop in a wet year than a dry one.” And he’s right.
I plan to go to the Dunn and Steen Hill farms today to burn corn stalks that floated up in piles during the recent rains. When those pile up during flooding, they make a type of mulch that does not dry out underneath. Plus, it smothers the little soybeans. There will be replant in each of these areas…it’s just not dry enough yet.
The older S780 combine is in the shop getting prepared for wheat harvest. We discovered some worn parts on the belt tensioner that runs the feed accelerator. John ordered the parts, I picked them up on Saturday, and those are getting installed today.
The tensioner parts were worn out and no longer kept proper tension on the feed accelerator belt. John assembles the new parts and it will work as it should!
I picked up on Friday some soybean seed for replanting. I hope to get that moved into the air cart today or tomorrow, and I may be able to begin doing some of that replant by Wednesday. Time will tell.
Some good news…the soybeans I replanted 2+weeks ago, are finally beginning to pop through the soil. The cold weather caused them to be extra-slow in emerging, but they are finally coming up and that is a relief to see!
Have a great week everyone!
