Cropwatcher 08-21-09

Todd Easton Coles County August 21 2009: Well we got the rain I said we needed last week in most areas with accumulation ranging from just over a tenth to just under an inch and from what I have seen it will do the corn some good and the beans a lot of good. Our Coles County Extension Office hosted a county wide corn yield check and asked me to participate in one of the groups. I’m very grateful that they did as I enjoyed getting to see what was going on through out the area. First of all the final county wide estimate came out to be 154.5 bushel per acre which was disappointing to most all who participated. We all saw quite a bit of tip back that seems to have occurred in the last week and a few pollination issues. Another observation I would make personally is that the producers who pushed their populations to the high side will be rewarded for doing so when the combines roll. As for the soybeans they really appreciated the rain and are doing well for now but have a very long way to go and really need things to go right.

Cropwatcher 08-14-09

Todd Easton Coles County August 14 2009: Another hot week here in Coles County as with the rest of the state. There was also no sign of moisture through the week as well which has caused field surfaces to get hard and cracked. Corn seems to be enjoying the heat and sunlight it is receiving and drawing on moisture reserves as it continues with ear production. The Soybeans are blooming and setting pods but have a long way to go for big yields. Rain as usual will be the crucial factor for both crops and will hopefully come before too long other wise we will see a lot of ears with unfinished tips and beans with less pods than we would like. Until next week cross your fingers for some rain or better yet say a quick prayer.

Cropwatcher 08-07-09 ACRE - Good Luck

Some Impressive ears found on the Martin Farm

Todd Easton Coles County August 7 2009: Summer heat and humidity seems to have finally shown up here in Coles County. I have spent most of the week in and out of several fields in spite of the heat to see how the crop is getting along and have been surprised at how much potential we actually have so far. The majority of the corn is in the R-2 to R-3 stage I have not seen any pollination problems and population and kernel counts are very good. Soybeans so far look good also and range from beginning bloom (R-1) to beginning pod (R-2) stages and are almost canopied in even the 30” rows. So right now we have potential we will need rain and warm temperatures through much of September to hold on to it. Grandpa wanted me to mention our rainfall total here so far has been a whopping 34.2”and we have received 5” of rain since July 1 and hopefully will get close to that in August. With one week to go I am still trying to figure out this ACRE program and I wish luck to anyone else who is trying to do the same.

Cropwatcher 7-31-09 Salesman Season

Todd Easton Coles County July 31 2009: Hard to believe it is the end of July already the really late planting season seems to have thrown me off on where the calendar should be. Salesman season seems to have started I have already had a few come by fortunately their pricing this year seems to be more realistic of course no seed prices yet but I hope those numbers won’t be too shocking. We received light showers the last weekend that brought .5 to a full inch in places. Currently we are getting well timed rains and hopefully that continues through August. Our latest corn fields are getting a good start on pollination while the rest of them are done pollinating in all but the low spots that I’m afraid will be disappointing when the combines roll through. Soybean fields have had some good growth in just this last week most in the R2 stage and hopefully will continue this and come closer to where they should be this time of year. Until next week watch out for the salesmen.

Almost Fair Time ! - Cropwatcher 7-24

Things are really starting to come out and grow on the farm. Fieldwork is almost done just a little more spraying to do. Here is a Pic from Corn College an awesome event once again I learned alot. See you at the Fair !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Todd Easton Coles County July 24 2009: Crops are working hard to catch up with where they would like to be at this time of the year. And, despite the abnormally cool weather, they seem to be making progress. The majority of the corn that was planted in late May is at, or rapidly approaching, the pollination stage. The yellow planes have been flying over us on their way to apply preventative fungicide. Many of us still are not sure how much of that we will do. It will be interesting to see if what does get applied ends up helping the corn yields. Soybeans are in all ranges of maturity with the most mature I have seen approaching the beginning bloom stage. Keeping the weeds out of the beans is a real chore this year. The sprayers will be working hard for awhile longer. This week brings our county fair, which almost always brings rain, and that would be good for both crops. Drought stress is the last thing this crop needs after all it has been through.

Cropwatcher 7-10-09 Scout and Wait

Bill and longtime friend Chester Higganbotham discussing the worlds biggest tractor at penfield

WOW what a machine

Todd Easton Coles County July 10 2009: We are finally in the scout and wait stage here in Coles County with possibly one more sprayer trip over the Beans being the last thing on the list of fieldwork to do. Even most of the latest planted corn made the old knee high by Fourth of July benchmark which I have always said needs to be changed to head high by the fourth if you’re talking high yielding corn nowadays. It also not surprising for this year that it did rain on our parades on the fourth with reports averaging 2” for the week that this shallow rooted crop actually did need with exception to the low spots many of which may just have to be bare dirt for the remainder of the season. Corn is ranging from V8 to pollination for the late April plantings. A very few fungicide applications have already been made and many growers are scratching their heads over weather to apply expensive fungicide in light of the recent negative market action. Soybeans are starting to look better all the time ranging from V2 to R1 stages with spray applicators running hard to shut down the very aggressive weed outbreaks out in those fields. Until next week keep cool and be sure to take time out with the family for the exciting Fairs and Farm Shows going on all around.

CropWatcher 7/3/2009

by this weekend we should have everything except scouting done about time (may need to spray beans again in July)


Todd Easton Coles County July 3 2009: I think I can safely say planting for 2009 is almost wrapped up. After a long wait for the wettest fields to dry out work resumed over the past week as planters, sprayers, and side dress applicators started catching up. The corn crop is looking good in the high ground and poor in the low spots. Maturity is extremely varied with fields ranging form V5 to V 15 and it is an odd sight when these fields are next to each other. Soybeans are ranging from V2 to just been planted in the wet fields and ponds the bean planters finished just in time to start planting double crop beans that will probably be in ahead of the forecasted weekend rain. Wheat harvest is also about wrapped up yields reported so far are in the 60 to 70 bushel range a bit better than I expected. Hope everyone enjoys the holiday weekend and also finally being able to breathe a sigh of relief after this exceptionally stressful planting season.