Crop Watcher Week Five

Todd Easton Coles County May 27 2011: We almost got the third week of planting window that I asked for in last weeks report. On and off rain showers set in throughout Wednesday followed by more severe storms that evening. The rain gauges that could still be found on their posts showed just short of three inches the next morning. Many producers did complete their planting while many others got close to being done. Along side the planters sprayers got a good start on spring applications and side dress applicators got a slight start on the acres that everyone has indicated will receive late season N this year. Out in the fields crops are looking good on the high ground with the early corn well into the V3 stage and the rest in V1. There has been some damage in select corn fields from black cutworms and local agronomists are advising that fields be scouted for the problem. Soybean fields are in various stages ranging from barely emerging to approaching V2. The handful of area wheat fields are heading out and for the most part standing pretty good so far. Finally I hope everyone had a good holiday weekend and took time to thank all those who have sacrificed for our freedoms.

Crop Watcher week four - Getting There

Todd Easton Coles County May 19 2011: It has been another week of hard work for producers as planters cultivators and sprayers continue to move at a fast pace. Even though we did have a small break over the weekend due to a half inch of precipitation everyone is getting close wrapping up corn planting with about 85 to 90 percent of the crop in the ground. Bean planters have started in and moved pretty fast getting over a third of that crop in the ground the past few days. As far as crop growth goes the warmth and sunshine earlier in the week helped perk up the early April planted corn and bring some of the May planted corn acres out of the ground. I also saw one field of beans that I didn’t even know was planted emerged and already at the V1 stage. Once again the forecast is promising rain this weekend but if it doesn’t add up to much like last weekend than planting should be getting close to done by next report keep your fingers crossed.

Crop Watcher week three - Finally Progress

Todd Easton Coles County May 13 2011: What a difference a week can make when conditions are finally right and everyone has been waiting too long. Monday morning the ground was dry enough to start working and in the four days since it looks like producers took from 5 percent in the ground to well over 50 percent. Coming into this weekend the forecast is indicating a strong chance of rain which may slow progress but hopefully with the warmer weather not for long. There have also been a handful of soybean fields planted in the last couple days but not a significant amount as everyone has been putting most efforts into corn planting. The corn that planted in early April is still just at the V2 stage and unfortunately by appearance shows that it has had a very tough first month. It will be interesting to see how that corn will compare in yield to what we have planted this week. I can’t ever remember in my short farming career everyone putting in such long and hard hours as we are this spring. Along with that comes a much higher chance for accidents so we must always remember SAFETY FIRST.

Crop Watcher May 6 - Not Quite There

Todd Easton Coles County May 6 2011: It has been another idle week across the area as a little rain here and there has been keeping fields too wet to work in. Producers are crossing their fingers that the forecasted rain over the weekend doesn’t materialize into much and gives us an opportunity to start some work next week. The corn in the fields has had another tough week with the cool and wet weather making for slow growth and slightly pale color as the majority of the corn enters the V2 stage. The plant life that has been growing rapidly in many fields is winter annuals and early season weeds and the muddy conditions have prevented sprayers from doing anything about it. I will keep my fingers crossed that I will have actual progress to report next week.