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.