Friday, July 17, 2026
Yesterday afternoon, I went back to the Shake farm to replant some acres of double-crop soybeans (DCB). The ‘stand’ had been reduced by wet soils in areas when I was planting the original time. I had some seed left in the cart, so I thought, “Why not use them up in those spots at Shake?”
That problem has been a bit pervasive across most of the DCB acres this summer. The extended rainy periods in June and now July delayed our wheat harvesting, and subsequently the planting of DCB. Because of the pressure put on us by virtue of the calendar, I planted many of the DCB acres in less-than-ideal conditions. The stand is not as uniform as we normally see and certainly not what we prefer. However, at this date on the calendar, I am not inclined to do any more replanting… just take what we have. It’ll be hard to look at the spotty fields the rest of the summer, but it is what it is!
Replanting DCB at Shake on July 16…. what?
Both Brandons have been taking turns running the sprayer for a couple weeks. They have applied fungicide to the soybean crop, and placed a herbicide on most of the DCB acres. The DCB fields that remain to be sprayed are too muddy… we had pop-up storms yesterday… some places got zero rain, others .1″ and 1/8 of a mile away .7″! So spotty. But even with the challenges, they have had a good couple weeks running the sprayer. It’ll soon be ‘caught up’ next week.
Brandon D has also been doing some mowing of roadsides and riparian strips along ditches and levees. It really looks good when he gets finished. He’s out this morning mowing at the Burke farm, making that levee and roadsides look “cared for”.
Next week, we will have to turn more attention to delivering wheat to market. Larry has been occupied with going to ADM at Newburgh, Indiana. He typically makes 2 trips a day, while we have been occupied with other work. Some loads will have to be delivered to ADM First Avenue in Evansville. It’s harder to get in and out of there, but it pays a little better.
The other task that needs next week’s attention is the clean-up of the machines. The grain cart has already been washed and put away, but the combines and headers have yet to be blown and washed. The big challenge will be the soybean drill. The N550 drill has 60 row units, and they are caked with dried-out mud. It will take some extra time to get those clean! I worked on it yesterday for about an hour and I got 5 of the 20 wheels washed and 3 of the 60 row units! I think the pressure washer will be helpful on that job!
Brandon D makes the Demco 1322 cart shine like new! I would even say it is #Andyclean!
Brandon K has been out this morning checking the corn fields. We have heard reports of pollination issues in the area. So far, what he has checked has been okay. There is a little tip-back but not cobs with few kernels like we have seen. Another reason to be grateful.
A sample ear from the Waldo farm today, 7-17-27. Not too shabby!
Have a wonderful weekend.
