According to my Purdue Extension Corn & Soybean Field Guide 2010 Edition the optimum time to plant corn in my area is the last week of April. The last week of April begins in three days, and seeing as the ground is soaked right now and there’s more rain on the way what can a farmer do while waiting to get in the field?
Although frustrated with weather, I have to keep my head and know that there’s still a long growing season ahead with many variables that will determine our final yield numbers. Here’s my list of things we are doing to keep busy.
1. Perform a thorough detailing on both semis. This one will be done early tomorrow and will have eaten up about 4 days of work.
2. Do some grain marketing. Dad sold 25% of the popcorn we are going to grow this year.
3. Get some corn ready to be loaded at a later date. We cleaned out a slow unloading grain bin into another bin that will unload much faster. This will save some time later.
4. Price some new equipment. We spent an afternoon at our John Deere dealer putting together some figures on a new planter and pull behind sprayer.
5. Make room for new equipment already purchased. We ordered a new grain head that just showed up at our dealer. We have to move quite a few things to get the old one out, so that should keep us busy.
6. It’s Thursday and that means the new Autotrader comes out today. Gotta flip through those and look at all the cool stuff I won’t buy.
7. Repair a sweep auger. Drove over to our “satellite” grain storage location and brought home an auger that needs new bearings and some other minor repairs.
8. Replace the steering arm on a truck. Our hired hand’s son brought his truck over to the shop today and they replaced some worn parts.
9. Fertlize lawns. Dad’s, Grandpa’s, and my yards have all been fertilized and mowed at least once.
10. I suppose I could read my Corn & Soybean Field Guide!
What’s going on in you area with the weather this spring? Leave a comment below!
My dad buys small equipment like a snowcat for making ditches then wires it for his xm and puts nice speakers in it. Only to find out that it doesn’t work for ditches and trades it for three snow mobiles and a trailer. Even though he’s never snow moiled. Or he reads a lot of environmentalist articles/blogs on the internet, gets mad and then comments.
My mom really enjoys it all. 🙂
*mobiled not moiled. 🙂
We are like you, lots of rain, ground is soaked. How do I spend my time? Well, when I’m not working (at JD, none the less), I read blogs, post comments, and get to know other farmers / ranchers.
Hope you get to enjoy your Easter Weekend with your family!
And a good weekend to you! At least we are getting some other things done ahead of schedule.
Here in Chicago, we are having the same luck with weather but colder! Still waiting to get my herbs in the garden. There is nothing better than fresh basil, oregano, and chives. When is cookout season going to be here?
I cooked out when it was warm a month ago. You know I listen to Chicago radio and was glad to hear first thing this morning we had already surpassed your expected high for the day!
25 miles south of you the sitation is the same