Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas to all and best wishes in the coming year
from our family to yours

A new face on the farm ??????

Proud Great Grandpa Charles William holding newborn Case William 12-17-10

Its Not Goodbye, Its See you Later

The master of multi tasking this one snapped of Gary as fuels the Case for a day of bean planting. Simultaniously he was wheeling and dealing coins on the phone and smoking one of those stinkin cigars.

As we close out the year we leave behind our great friend who passedaway this summer. As we chugged through the ideal harvest this year we definatly missed the wit and wisdom that could only come from Mr. Gary Lawyer.

Final Crop Watcher 10/29/10

Todd Easton Coles County October 29, 2010: Finally our long lost friend rainfall came back into the area for a brief visit Tuesday morning calming the dust and putting a half inch in the rain gage. It was great to get something but we could sure take at least another inch if it comes along. Area producers are in the very good place of being caught up and looking for things to do. Who would have imagined that this time last year? Everyone is extremely anxious to begin fall ammonia application and a few as always have jumped the gun and went over a few fields already. I hope the cooler weather promised by forecasters comes in to help them keep most of their investment in the root zone where it belongs. One thing that can not be stressed enough is to use extreme caution when you are around Anhydrous Ammonia and give it the fear and respect it deserves. Well it has been a pleasure to report a much less stressful Crop Watcher season this year and best wishes for everyone in the coming year. See you again next May.

10/22/10

Todd Easton Coles County October 22, 2010: It is very unusual to see only a small amount of activity in fields this time of year but I think one could safely say we are about caught up something that hasn’t been said in a long time. The extra dry fall has allowed a lot work badly needed work to be done to damaged waterways, washes, and terraces along with several miles worth of drain tile installed. One draw back to the extra dry spell has become apparent this week in the wheat fields as emergence so far has been very poor and could do severe damage to stands if substantial rainfall doesn’t come soon. Weather forecasters are predicting rainfall beginning over the weekend and it would be great to see an inch not only for the wheat crop but to tame the dust and mellow the clods that the rippers left behind.

ALL DONE 10/15

Todd Easton Coles County October 15, 2010: With harvest in the rearview mirror for virtually everyone the combines have retired for the year and tractors have taken over across the countryside. Fall tillage is beginning to wind down as lime and fertilizer spreaders take their turn across the field. I have been waiting in long lines at the quarry waiting for lime as it is being hauled out as fast as they can make it. With the limited opportunity to apply lime last year everyone is taking advantage of this early fall to catch up. Now that everyone is getting caught up producers are anxious for conditions to allow anhydrous ammonia application but we will need a good stretch of cool weather before we can get the toolbars out.

10-8

Todd Easton Coles County October 8, 2010: I looked back at the Crop Watcher report I wrote exactly a year ago and it began by commenting on how harvest was having a far from ideal start. It seems almost amusing now as we are concluding an all but perfect harvest season just a year later. While corn harvest was convenient for the year it was not as bountiful as we would have liked as the crop was dealt an unfair one two punch with very wet and somewhat cool conditions right after emergence and then a super hot and dry August. The soybean crop on the other hand went in a bit late and looked to be in trouble with the difficult August also but late rains in the area must have been just in time to finish what may be the best bean crop many have seen in the area. One or two drills came out this week and sowed what little seed could be found to start the next wheat crop out in almost perfect conditions.

Crop Watcher 10/01/10 Catchup

Todd Easton Coles County October 1, 2010: The fall work season has hit its stride in the last week as producers are taking full advantage of the ideal conditions to get a lot of work done. Corn harvest is all but done and on average the yields were mediocre compared to the last couple years. Soybean harvesting seems to be nearing the halfway mark and bean yields turned out to be the pleasant surprise of the year. Many fields are yielding in the mid to upper 60’s and a few are making it over the 70 bushel mark. Along side the combines farmers and service companies are running tillage tools and spreaders hard and catching up on a lot of work that couldn’t get completed after the difficult season last year and getting everything in great shape for the 2011 crops.

Sept 17

As you can see with the late nights the C W got shorter this week. All is going great corn harvest is 80% done and we took out 100 acres of beans that did pretty good.

Todd Easton Coles County September 17, 2010: Harvest continues at a rapid pace with almost no slowdown from the two weather events this last week. Standing corn fields are getting harder to find and in another week they may be very scarce. Soybean fields are also disappearing at a steady pace with most yields running the 50 – 60 bushel range so far. I am keeping my fingers crossed that the later beans will be able to hold these levels

Sept 10

Todd Easton Coles County September 10, 2010: Corn harvest is moving rapidly across the county this week with many producers nearing or over the halfway mark. The crop is dropping moisture rapidly and most fields are going straight into the bin. Yields are all over the place but it seems like the majority of the fields will end up in the 155 to 185 range. It is very apparent that close management of this corn crop was the key to better than average yields this year especially on the nitrogen side. A small handful of combines have been out in some bean fields this week but no yield reports have been circulated yet. The vast majority of the beans are still at least two weeks away from harvesting. Weather forecasters are giving a strong indication of rain over the weekend but hopefully it will not develop too much of a damper for this fall which so far has been an absolute blessing.

Crop Watcher 09/03/10 Pattern Change

Todd Easton Coles County September 3, 2010: More and more combines came out through the week only to be stopped by believe it or not precipitation that began on Wednesday afternoon. Corn moisture is running a wide range but most producers are finding fields to harvest in the 17 to 20 percent range with grain quality that is pretty decent. Yield reports are highly varied and for the most part not very exciting. It sounds like this is a wide spread phenomenon and recent market action supports that theory. Soybeans are a week or more away from any possible harvest at least. Yield guesses for the crop are all over the place and are probably just guesses until the combines get into the fields. As I write this thunderstorms are occurring outside and may hold any further harvesting until at least mid weekend. Just goes to show that when you think you have the weather figured out it along comes a change in the pattern.

Todd Easton Coles County August 27, 2010: A very few combines including my own have been working on corn fields since the mid to late part of last week. From what I have seen so far not too many records will be set in our area. Another less than desirable finding is the stalk quality in several fields is not very good and should be watched closely. Some of the earliest planted soybean fields have began to turn colors and could see a combine in two weeks or so. I have been pleasantly surprised with how well most of the beans have filled out in spite of the hot and dry conditions they have had to endure. Hopefully next week I will be more optimistic about what is out in the fields as we get into different fields and later varieties. Until Next week good luck and best wishes for your harvest season.

Crop Watcher 08-20-10 Anticipation

Todd Easton Coles County August 20 2010: The heat wave finally broke at the beginning of the week after some much needed rains came thru over the weekend. Unfortunately the rain was varied across the county with the north half getting an inch and a half or more and southern parts of the county barely got a sprinkle. Hopefully this weekend will bring more measurable precipitation because the soybean crop could still really use it to fill out the pods. The corn crop is now in the dry down phase as producers are in a rush to get equipment ready for the early harvest. Over in the far west side of the county there are reports of a few combines going after wind damaged corn fields and moisture tests are in the low twenties on some fields. Hopefully next week we will have some reliable yield reports to share and see how this crop dealt with this seasons challenges.

Crop Watcher 08/13/10 SAFETY FIRST!

Todd Easton Coles County August 13 2010: Well it is still very hot across the area and I’m sure much of the rest of the state. Weather forecasters promise a cool down this next week preceded by some rain and producers are sure hoping they are right. The extreme heat is pushing corn crop development forward very quickly and potentially causing a small reduction in final yield. Sample ears pulled from fields are testing from 30 percent to 40 percent moisture on my latest planted field with late maturity corn. Late season diseases have shown up in fields more than normal this year such as Grey Leaf Spot and Diplodia ear rot that has several producers worried about their final sample at harvest. Soybean plants being pulled out of fields are still looking good and still have good pod counts but those pods have just began to fill and without some moisture soon the yields may take a big hit this fall. The area unfortunately had a vivid reminder that the greatest profession in the world is also one of the most dangerous. A well known and liked local producer was tragically pinned by a piece of machinery he was working on and will be missed by many. It just can not be said often enough or loud enough SAFETY FIRST EVERYDAY!

Crop Watcher August 6 - HOT

Todd Easton Coles County August 6 2010: Hot is the word in our area and many others it sounds it sounds like, Crops seem to be tolerating the relentless heat for now but much more of it and the top end of potential yields may be sacrificed. GDU’s for April 15th corn is at 2300 this week putting us at 300 units above average quite the opposite of last year’s situation. Many large and good looking ears are being pulled out of fields fully dented and showing developing starch lines. Soybeans are entering the R6 stage finishing up pod fill and may show some yield reduction caused by this heat but time will tell. As much of an effect as the heat may have on the crops don’t forget the profound effect it can have on you. Keep cool, take it easy, and watch out for others.

Crop Watcher July 30 - Movin Along

Todd Easton Coles County July 30 2010: The calendar page has been turned over once again and has put us into the month of August already. Our corn crop is developing rapidly and I am confident that next time the calendar changes there will be several combines out in the fields getting started. Corn fields across the county are well into the dough stage with some beginning to dent. Growing degree units are just over 2100 for April 15th planted corn and should reach the standard 2700 GDU’s that is theoretically needed to mature a corn crop this month pretty easily. Soybeans have had no lack of water as they approach the full seed stage (R6) and should have a lot of potential and they work toward maturity which will be after several fields of corn have been harvested.

Crop Watcher July 23 - Monsoon Season

Corn College 2010

Todd Easton Coles County July 23 2010: Rain on top of more rain once again this week in Coles County as 7 plus inches hit the ground along with some furious winds. Crops withstood the harsh weather for the most part with some damage on the west side of the county and a lot more in neighboring Moultrie County. Corn development looks to be well ahead of average and will bring an early fall to go with our late spring. The calculations found on the U of I’s WARM database supports what we are seeing out in the fields showing GDU’s for April 15 planted corn at just over 1900 which is 250 above average. Soybeans are also busy putting on pods and working to fill them and should be benefiting from all of the rainfall. By the time this hits the mailbox the Coles County Fair will just be getting started with its many shows and activities. It’s always been a great excuse to take an afternoon or two off from the farm and have fun with the family see you there.

Crop Watcher July 16 - Dog Days

Todd Easton Coles County July 16 2010: The exceptionally rainy growing season continues here in Coles County as periodic rain showers this week have brought well 2 to 3 inches of precipitation. These rain events have been separated by very hot and muggy conditions that seem to be speeding development right along. With remaining field work narrowed down to mainly just scouting many producers are finally finding time to catch up on other tasks such as mowing and grain hauling. Earlier corn fields are just entering the blister stage and looking like pollination went pretty well. Not many firm guesses ventured on this corn crops potential yet the main obstacle to record yields will be the excessive moisture not only causing numerous drowned out spots but also limited root growth that may cause nutrient uptake issues. Soybean fields are or will be beginning pod development in the next week and seem to be enjoying the moisture with the exception of the drowned out ponds which at this point will not do very well once again this year. Also judging from the size difference between the two planting windows the earlier May planted beans may have a noticeable yield advantage over the ones that couldn’t be planted until later in the month due to wet weather. Don’t forget to take it slow, keep cool, and watch out for pets and young ones outdoors during these hottest days of summer.

Crop Watcher July 9 - shaping up

Todd Easton Coles County July 9 2010: It has been a good week for crops in the Coles County area as field work is almost wrapped up and crops have been developing at a steady pace. A large majority of the corn crop completed pollination with the help of near perfect temperatures and is on the path to develop some pretty good ears. Soybeans are still in the blooming process and growing steadily. Fields all over are looking much better now that the sprayers have had their chance to take care of the weeds. Farming methods of yesteryear will be revisited next weekend as the local antique tractor club fills the Fairgrounds with equipment and displays of years past. It is a great way to remember how things were and appreciate the advances modern farming has made if you are in the area we hope to see you there.

Crop Watcher July 2 - made it

Todd Easton Coles County July 2 2010: We made it through June without getting washed away but with over 8 inches of precipitation for the month some were getting worried. Several holes have appeared in corn fields that were chest high two weeks ago where the water killed even the tall healthy plants in low areas. Corn on the higher ground is looking very good for the most part with virtually all tasseled and some in the pollination stage. The familiar buzz of the yellow spray planes is a common sound as they fly to fields all over and make fungicide applications. This year many producers are worried about disease potential after the very wet spring and seem to be treating more acres than last year. Several soybean fields are beginning to bloom and looking good with exception to the low areas and weed infestations that nobody has been able to spray until this week. The sprayers have made fast progress as most herbicide applications should be done by the Fourth. What little wheat was out has been harvested in the last week with yields reported as being ok but no records set this year. By the time this hits mailboxes Independence Day will be over but I hope everyone had a good holiday and took time to appreciate this great Nation we live in and those who made it possible.

Crop Watcher Week Eight - Beyond Saturation

Todd Easton Coles County June 18 2010: Field operations across Coles County have been curbed since last Friday (June11) afternoon and subsequent rain showers have kept fields fully saturated and flooded in spots. Sprayers have been on hold while soybean fields are coming close to canopy in narrow row plantings and getting pretty ragged looking with volunteer corn and other weeds. I have already walked into a few corn fields that are over my head and showing 9 or 10 visible collars. The rest of the corn fields are not too far behind and the whole crop is looking good with a big exception to the flooded and low spots that are actually losing color falling backward in development. The very small amount of wheat that can be found in the countryside is coming to maturity and may see a combine in the next week or two if they can stay on top of the ground. Apologies in advance for no Coles County report next week as I will be off on vacation with the girls but I am hoping to see some tassels popping out when we return.

Crop Watcher Week Seven - SSDW (same showers different week)

Todd Easton Coles County June 11 2010: Same weather different week in Coles County as spotty precipitation seems to come around at regular intervals. In spite of the weather progress is being made in spraying and side dressing with most all the work for the corn crop completed and attention being focused on soybean spraying. Corn and soybean crops have both had a good development week once again with corn maturities ranging in the V8 to V11 stages and beans in a wide range from VE to V5. Hay balers have finally had a good enough stretch in spite of the precipitation to get a lot of cutting and some bailing done this week hauling out many loads of bales brought on by the wet spring.

Crop Watcher Week Six - Good News/Bad News

Todd Easton Coles County June 4 2010: Well it’s been one of those more rain every time you turn around weeks across Coles County. The good news is that many of the area farmers were able to wrap up soybean planting some time during the holiday weekend before the rains came. The bad news is sprayers and side dress applicators still have a several acres to cover and are losing some of their prime running time to this wet weather. In keeping with the rainfall theme of the year showers have been very spotty and varied across the county with Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday rains accumulating just over 2” on our farm and almost double that just north of us. Many have commented that they actually watched the corn growing the last several days as it has almost doubled in height over that time. Maturity for the crop is on average in the V6-V7 range making knee high by the fourth of June which I maintain is the new way to gauge a good start for the corn crop. All but the latest planted soybeans are currently above ground with most in the V2 stage of development and will have good stands if the recently filled ponds go away quickly. Until next week don’t forget the umbrella.

Crop Watcher week five - Chaotic Week

Todd Easton Coles County May 28 2010: I think I can speak for all the farmers in Coles County in saying that things are almost getting chaotic. After last weekends rains turned out to be minimal planters, sprayers, and toolbars started back out one by one when conditions became fit and were out in full force until the most spotty rains I can ever recall stopped some, moved others, and had no effect on the rest of us throughout the mid to later part of the week. The good news is that progress is being made with bean planting coming close to wrapping up and spraying and anhydrous application being around half done or better. That heat we were wanting finally came around this week also and you can about watch the crops grow. Corn plants are in the V5-V6 range and looking pretty good for the most part with the exception of a few spots showing nitrogen and or compaction problems. Early soybean plantings are enjoying the warmth also becoming easy to see from the road while the rest of the beans are just emerging or just getting planted. It is very apparent that this year’s soybean crop will be multi generational which will mean changing combines back and forth several times next fall.

Crop Watcher week four - Think Dry (for now)

picture from top of leg to the west shows the young corn crop and the new county road being constructed in the far west as it prepares to discect the farm in a couple years.


Todd Easton Coles County May 21 2010: Planting progress was very minimal across the county in the last week. A few planters and toolbars got started back up last Friday joined by several more on Saturday until light mid afternoon rain halted progress once again. Sunday and Monday brought more precipitation accumulating to around 1.5” followed by more light rain that came on Thursday just as fields had just started graying off on top. The corn crop is looking pretty good approaching the V4 stage in some of the earlier plantings but would still be better off if some steady warmth would show up. Soybeans that were planted in the beginning of the first big push a couple of weeks ago are just emerging this week and look to have good stands. Until next week keep thinking dry weather thoughts (short term) and maybe we can still wrap up this planting season before June.

Crop Watcher week three - Steady Progress

Todd Easton Coles County May 14 2010: Farming activities were at a steady pace across Coles County at the beginning of the week until Monday evening rains stopped operations the northern part of the county and then Tuesday night rains halted the rest of the county. Cumulative rainfall for the area as of Friday morning was just short of an inch. Soybean planting has progressed rapidly ranging from around half done for many producers to nearly done for a few early birds. The very earliest planted soybeans are up and in the V1 stage and look to have good stands but the vast majority have not emerged yet. The majority of the corn crop is at or around the V3 stage this week and has been a bit pale thanks to the cooler weather but should green up and grow up pretty fast whenever the heat decides to show up. This past year has really made a bad case for global warming to say the least. Side dress and spraying activities for the corn have been going well and should start back up this weekend and get completed in a timely manner barring any significant rain events next week.

Crop watching week two - weatherman woes

Todd Easton Coles County May 7 2010: A line from a popular song goes “the waiting is the hardest part” and in the spring for farmers that is especially true. A highly varied amount of rainfall hit the area over the weekend (1st & 2nd) but because of good drying weather and anxiety to get some work done sprayers once again hit the field on Tuesday followed by planters and toolbars on Wednesday. Some of the motivation seems to come from the weatherman who keeps saying more rain is around the corner whenever you check in with him. With corn planting a fond memory for virtually everyone soybean planting has hit its stride with my best guess being 10 to 20 percent completed. The handful of bean fields planted ahead of the rains two weeks ago have emerged and are looking good. In the corn fields rows of green are easy to see but with the cooler weather the crop has not shown much change from last week. That has not stopped several side dress applicators including myself from going over several fields and surprisingly the job can be done in two inch corn with no problem. Well we will see if the Weatherman’s promises hold true this weekend but with farmers finding themselves in the middle of the ideal bean planting window it’s going to be hard for them to stop in anticipation of a rain that may or may not come.

Its Crop Watcher time again !

Todd Easton Coles County April 30 2010: What a difference a year makes and after 2009 that can only be a positive note. Things are looking real good across Coles County so far. Corn planting for the most part started during or right after the weekend after Easter and progressed rapidly to around 95 percent completed ahead of the gentle 1.5 inches of rain we received over the last weekend. About half of the planted corn has just entered into the early V1 stage and stands are looking exceptionally good. With the way most fields went from muddy to ideal planting soils in just a few days many acres skipped the usual pre plant anhydrous applications and will be depending on side dress applications this year. Most producers held off on soybean planting but a few early birds put some out ahead of the rain but with the rain fall being scattered and slow it looks like they should be ok and probably be up before long. As of Thursday fields were still to wet for much work to progress with the exception of some spraying where the winds were not too gusty and if the weekend forecast pans out we may get an extended break. Well no two years are the same and after reviewing Grandpa’s journal from last year we agreed that will be a good thing. Best wishes to all in this new season and please always remember Safety First!

Corn Planted in April ?

Well it was Monday the 12th we were planning on putting anhydrous on but when I got to the farm that morning and saw the other three over in the field scratching their heads I thought crap they're thinking again. Conditions looked perfect for planting so the paln changed so we decided to take a small chance and let ALL of the anhydrous go on post planting and get the corn in the ground. So far the plan looks like it worked the corn is in the ground just ahead of the perfect bunch rain showers and we have a small start on the side dressing. What corn is up already is looking great and weather permitting beans should be in the ground in the next few weeks. One observation made by area farmers is that after the last two years farmers have learned how to get over acres faster than ever before putting in around 90 percent of the corn crop in the ground in ten days or less. Looks like we will have to pick corn in August if we want to use the dryers this year.

The Unbelieveable Year

Wow I remember back when there was an off season to farming not anymore. I can't believe I didnt conclude our harvest on here yet so here goes. Corn was finished the day after Thanksgiving on our farm after the long hard battle that was harvest 09. The crop had a great year yield wise considering but with an average moisture of 21 percent all had to be dried. THANK GOODNESS FOR OUR SUKUP T-28 THE DRYER THAT SAVED 2009! It also very surprisingly paid for itself in this first year! Flash foward and we are getting a pretty good start to the new decade and gladly moving past the difficult year before. Preparations are being made as allowed (dry fertilizer spreading on frozen ground) and the grain hualing is getting along very fast. This week we also made a small but in a way significant equipment change with what is probably the hardest worked tractor on the farm. Reluctantly our faithful Ford 6600 that we have used as our everyday utility tractor for the past 31 years has gotten to the point that it no longer fit what we needed and will be finding a new home. Even though they often have to leave the farm when their time is done good tractors are never forgotten. The orange Kubota M7040 has big shoes to fill but so far seems like it is up to the job.