Cropwatcher 6-19-09 the deluge continues

I think this crop is being waterboarded.

Todd Easton Coles County June 19 2009: It just keeps coming rain rain and more rain. We have accumulated 2” between Tuesday and Thursday Rains here in central Coles County . Herbicide and Fertilizer Applicators have been sitting on the side lines as their window of opportunity gets narrower each day. This last front was pretty fierce and did a good job of laying down a lot of our shallow rooted corn crop. Similar to last year the low spots are looking sick yellow and stressed the main difference is these spots are much bigger this year. Soybeans are still not all planted but what has been is coming out of the ground everywhere but in the drowned out spots and is looking to have a good initial stand. Rain makes grain seems to be stuck in the mindset of the CBOT but nobody is accounting for the fact that like you and I a good drink of water for the corn in the summer is beneficial but drowning is not.

Cropwatcher 6-12-09

Todd Easton Coles County June 12 2009: Water logged is still the theme in our area. Virtually all Corn planting was wrapped up a week ago and since then many producers have nearly finished their soybean planting with the exception of wetter areas in the east and south parts of the county. Unfortunately this deluge from above is causing a lot of damage to this poor crop and so far preventing side dress application where it is needed. Corn that is fortunate enough to be at a higher elevation looks to be green and growing thus far and ranges from V1 to V7. The area soybean crop is around 25% emerged and will likely need spot in replanting that usually leads to obstacle course bean cutting that we all enjoy in the fall of a wet year. Wheat in the area is looking good considering the spring it has faced and is starting to turn color. Until next week keep dry.

Cropwatcher 6-5-09

Things are going pretty good for the farm we completed corn planting Monday and got a start on Soybean planting on Tuesday. The new Spra Coupe is working out well so far and hopefully we can get beans in next week. My new phone has allowed me to make better videos check them out on the You Tube link.

Todd Easton Coles County June 5 2009: Progress continues all over Coles County in between rain outs. Spotty and variable showers have shortly stopped planters and then had them traveling back and forth across townships to find the dry fields. Even the most experienced farmer in the area can’t remember a year as adventurous as this one is shaping up to be. Corn planting has progressed to near complete for most areas and Soybean planting is getting a good start. Planted Corn is emerging rapidly in this warmer time of year and some of the earliest is approaching the V5 stage while some of the early Beans have come up also and are showing good stands outside of the ponds.

Cropwatcher 5-29-09

Heres a picture of the new Spra coupe in its first field. we are 80% done with corn and we drilled a small field of beans I wish the weather would let us finish someday.


Todd Easton Coles County May 28 2009: The farmers in Coles County really gave it a big push last weekend until Monday’s short inch of rain gave us a break on Memorial Day. The hard effort by everybody left the Corn at 50 to 70 percent planted and the beans at around ten percent completed. We were just starting to get back in when another two tenths came Wednesday evening. If the forecast holds true we will probably get some more work done this weekend before the chance of rain at the beginning of the week. The recent warmth has encouraged much of the corn that is in the ground to have some decent growth. Earlier planted corn is looking good and getting to the V3 stage with the exception of difficult spots in the fields and corn planted barely a week ago is already emerged and looking good. I really appreciate the positive comments I have already been receiving from several readers Thank You.

Cropwatcher 5-22-09

Todd Easton Coles County May 22 2009: Back in the fields again this week after almost a week break that we didn’t want to take. So far I would say we are working toward 20% of the Corn in the ground and maybe 2-3% of the Soybeans. Work started back up on Tuesday when a large amount of Rotary Hoe’s that haven’t seen daylight in years came out in full force to try and save what got planted last week. With the heat on our side I think most will succeed in getting that corn up. Wednesday many of the Field Cultivators got started back up and Corn Planters started following them on Thursday. Although many are going ahead almost everybody is admitting that we are pushing the workability of the ground as much as we possibly can but with the time of the year and the weekend forecast not on our side what do you do. As a friend of mine once said sometimes you have to compromise your standards to better your average. Once again stay safe and even though you will probably get this after Monday take time to think of those who sacrificed so much for our freedom

Cropwatcher 5-15-09

Todd Easton Coles County May 15 2009: Finally a small amount of progress to report. Several lucky guys with well drained land in the northern part of the county and on up got a day or two break where mud briefly became tillable soil before Wednesdays 3” rain. Planted Corn acreage in that area is still well below 10 percent and that’s the best of our situation. Anyone who knows our county knows that because of the ancient glacier it is two different worlds of farming between the northern half and the southern half. I was reminded of this when an emergency parts run took me south on route 130 I began to feel like us north siders didn’t have it so bad. Starting from just south of town and for the next 80 miles was nothing but absolutely no progress just growing weeds that haven’t been able to be tilled, sprayed, and no anhydrous applied anywhere defiantly reminded me that sometimes when you get out of your neighborhood you learn that you don’t have it so bad. All I can say especially to our southern readers is keep up the hope and well get this crop in yet.

Cropwatcher 5-8-09

Todd Easton Coles County May 8 2009: Hello everyone wish I had better news than what I do. Because of the .7” we received on the 1st here has been absolutely no planting progress in the area since the beginning of last week. We were looking to start at the first of next week but after receiving .25” Thursday night it will be the middle of next week at best. The small amount of corn that has already been planted is starting to come up mainly in the high spots but a few fields are almost totally emerged and looking decent so far. Until next week keep dry.