Though the season progressed through all the normal phases of planting, growth and development on into harvest, there were unusual conditions at various times. Snow in mid-April was not the way planting season was expected to start. May was unexpectedly warm with dry conditions continuing in the east, and rainfall continuing in the western areas. In corn, tar spot showed up at levels we hadn't experienced before. Corn standability was compromised and that combined with extreme winds made…
Harvest is near finished, but it's not finished yet. Some folks are struggling with mud, downed corn and wet beans. Others are fighting to finish tillage, lime or fertilizer applications. For most, the end is near, but it's tough to see reports of the corn and bean acres at 96 percent and 94 percent, respectively, while grappling to finish your own. We all have much to be thankful for. A safe and bountiful harvest, a warm home, and especially neighbors to share a wave with.
In the first full week of November, I took a different route to work on Friday to get some photos in the “winter wonderland.” I saw one bean field (thoughts and prayers with you there), a number of corn fields (same, but not with the same feeling of dread) and a number of snow-covered tillage tools and tractors. Harvest is not finished in all areas yet. Some folks may struggle to finish by Thanksgiving after a fall full of delays. Be thankful, stay safe, and give your neighbor a wave. Bo…
Scary. No, not the trick-or-treaters, it's scary how fast crops can be harvested and fall tillage completed once the weather cooperates. More and more fields are put to bed for the winter. Dicamba's label was renewed, so we can debate the pros and cons of that decision all winter long. Stay safe, be thankful, and give the neighbor a wave.
Harvest 2018 is winding down. The weather has finally cooperated with a string of dry days to allow the gathering of the crops. As I travel across my region each morning, there are fields that hadn't been touched when I went home the night before that are completely finished and the machines have moved on. Fall preparations for Plant 2019 have begun in earnest. Soil temperatures have reached levels that allow for fall anhydrous ammonia applications. Spring is just around the corner. Plea…
This week saw harvest pick up steam again as the bright sunshine returned from its lengthy absence. Soybeans that had been waiting, slightly less than patiently, were gathered in whenever and wherever possible. The autumn golden hour at sunset was highlighted by clouds of dust from combines threshing the crop. We ended the week in dramatic fashion with gale force winds and snow squalls ... just in case we didn't remember that winter is coming. Stay safe and warm, and always give a neighb…
The climate control system in my house (newly installed this summer) has gotten a full workout this week. From needing air conditioning to needing heat, we've run the gamut. Even snow flurries. As early as harvest looked to start out, weather has put reality back in front of us. There's still plenty of time to get the work done, but it sure feels late now. The crop will get harvested, fall work will get done, and a new growing season is just around the corner. We finished the week off wi…
Harvest has come to a standstill in this region over the past week. Rainfall has been a steady part of our days and nights, and hours available to combine have been few and far between. The soybean dust I spoke of two weeks ago won't be a problem for a while, and corn will be a challenge, too. The crops will be gathered, just a question of how soon now. Stay safe, and I’m sure your neighbor would appreciate a wave!
Kevin Nelson and his wife live in Ottawa in LaSalle County. Nelson grew up on a grain and livestock farm in Carroll County where his family still grows corn and soybeans and raises cattle.