Planting progress

Planting progress

2015 Planting

corn plantng is going to be mostly wrapped up this week. Soybeans are well underway.  Corn that is up is looking good.  I have seen a little cutworm activity, but the genetics seem to be doing their job.  I sampled a fild of soybeans plnted early.  They are in the bifoliate stage.

Trip to Columbia

Trip to Columbia

2015 Planting

I took a trip to Columbia, IL today.  There is lots of newly planted corn along i-55, but not is out of the ground.  Fields look to be in good shape. Some customers have started to plant soybeans.  It will be a very busy 3  or 4 weeks.

The News from West Alton

The News from West Alton

2015 Planting Crop progress

We have been working Daily in the West Alton Area.  Land is located on the finger that has the Mississippi River on one side and the Missouri River on the other side.  The bottomland soils are highly variable.  Most of the corn to be planted will be done by the end of the week. There is still land untilled that will be planted to soybeans.  Some of the earliest corn planted April 2 was replanted yesterday.  Other corn is just emerging.  What we have samp;ed is looking good.

Planter Ready?

Planter Ready?

2015 Planting

I have not seen any planters out of the shed yet, but that time is coming.  We would like to be planting in two weeks, but that depends a lot on rainfall in that time period. With high population corn it is more important than ever to have an even stand.  Getting that planter ready may be the most important job of the cropping season.  Prairie Farmer says "Make Preseason Planter Prep Job One."  Another article suggests "Planter Prep is Easier with a Small Electric Motor."