Walking in the Furrow
The weather really threw a wrench into the plans for many farmers across the Midwest. Last fall left a tiny window for tillage, so this put farmers in a tight spot to prep the seedbeds and get the planters rolling in a timely fashion this spring.
The big question is what will the markets bring us come harvest time? Did we make the right decision to keep the marginal stands of soft red winter wheat? The current prices for corn, soybeans and wheat really look great on paper, but the investment in the other inputs like seed, chemicals, fertilizer, machinery and fuel really makes a grower rock back in their office chair.
Thankfully, a majority of my seed was purchased in 2021, so I did not deviate much from my original plan. On the other hand, the chemical and the fertilizer costs were an eye-opening experience. But without fertilizer, pest and weed control, it is practically impossible to give an already expensive crop a sure start to success.
This year, I turned over 30 acres of hay sod with the moldboard plow. I might rip up more or no-till some more alfalfa-grass acres into row crops once the first cutting of hay has been taken off. If we could glance into a crystal ball then perhaps many of us could outsmart the USDA's predictions of what farmers will be planting this spring and know ahead of time which crop will deliver the best return on our investment. Well, I guess that is enough gloom and doom for now, my crops are planted and look great so far, so hopefully no replanting will be needed.
Memorial Day weekend is usually the goal I shoot for to have my first cutting of hay cut, baled and fertilized as I anxiously await the next growth of second cutting 28 days later. But we are just getting a good start with only 11 acres baled so far. For those of you who haven't been in your hay fields, I suggest you take a stroll through them to see what kind of pests are eating up your tonnage. Hopefully the armyworms are behind us, but we still need to keep monitoring not only hay fields but other fields of tender host plants like wheat, alfalfa and oats. The wheat fields around the area continue to show promising life, as wheat is inching toward the flowering and heading out stage; fungicide treatments will be following soon.
As you cope with the life of a farmer and the curveballs of this growing season, make sure to find some form of relief from the stress and enjoy the summer months ahead. There are so many things going on and places to enjoy, so whether you enjoy fishing, golfing, hiking, swimming, etc., make time to enjoy the little things in life. June 3-4 is the Mentone tractor, engine, garden tractor show and swap at the Mentone Airport that is held in conjunction with the Egg Festival in Mentone. Make sure to mark your calendar for the Fulton County Historical Power Show, too, in Rochester on June 10-12.