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.