Tile Trencher

Wheel Trencher

This wheel trencher is used for installing large field tile usually used as mains.  Laterals can be installed with a tile plow much faster than with a wheel trencher.

Frost on your corn?

I am guessing some of my readers to the north had frost and or frozen corn.  Everyone knows that at three leaf stage or younger the growing point is below grown, so some black leaves are not really a problem.  Some of the really early corn was bigger than that.  Temperatures in Bloomington and Decatur got as low as 29 last night.  Probably lower in some places.  A few people have corn in the 5 and 6 leaf stage.  If it froze, I suspect it looks terrible by now.  So now what?  I say if the stems are still ok, wait a few days.  The growing point even above ground is somewhat insulated.  If it is not coming out of it in 3 or 4 days, then destroy it completely before replanting.  You don't want those stray larger stalks messing things up.

Rainy Day

I went to Shipman today to load up some computer software.  The software shall remain nameless, however it took much longer than it should have. 

I passed some corn just coming out of the ground.  Last night's rain made it look very good.  We had a gentle rain that dropped from 1/4 inch to may 3/4 inch.  Perfect for the corn that is planted and not so much to slow down anyone in a hurry. 

I was noticing yesterday that the people who were done planting corn appeared to be very relaxed.  Those still working seemed to be in a hurry, but some patient farmers are still going slow.  The problem with having all your corn planted in a week to 10 days is that your whole crop is subject to the same weather stresses. 

Alfalfa Weevil

As I was sampling an alfalfa field today I noticed a lot of Alfalfa Weevil damage.  It is early  by the calender, but maybe about the right time for the growth stage of the alfalfa.  The alfalfa is in [re-bloom.  The weevil can strip most of the leaf and reduce quality of the hay.  I know it is early, but the alfalfa is mature enough to harvest.  I would cut it as soon possible to arrest damage.  After the hay is put up, Watch for regrowth and damage, then spray.  It is better to not spray during bloom to minimize damage to beneficial insects.  More Information 

Soil Sampled in West Alton Today

I worked in the West Alton area today.  Wet soils are still pretty wet.  About 25% corn was planted in the area where I worked.  Even some fo the traditionally slow guys were working fields. 

One of the fun things to see in the field is the Killdeers trying to lead you away from their nests.  One of them today was making a great show of it.  She was doing the usual broken wing limp, then she started to pretend she was dying.  It was really amusing to see and quite creative on her part. 

Corn Planting Progress

The big news in agriculture is the progress in corn planting.  The Illinois Weather and Crop report this week says that 5% of the corn is planted.  There were no regional statistics this week, but in my area, mostly West Southwest, it is all over the board.  The customer I sampled today has all his corn planted.  Some people are kind of in the middle of it and some have not started.  I am still seeing a lot of nitrogen being applied. In Macoupin County, North of highway 108 maybe 20% of corn is planted over all.  In Montgomery County the line of demarcation is  roughly highway 16 and the percentage is about the same.   Looking at the long range weather forecast, it would be difficult to make  a case for not planting at this point.  I would not be surprised to 50% of corn planted in Illinois next week unless there are weather related delays.  There is rain in the forecast Tuesday and Thursday.   I might be interesting seeing dry corn harvested the first week of August.  A few say they are going straight to soybeans. 

Sediment Control

Scenic Farm Pond.  Note Flowers and Purple Martin House

Dry Dam

Ponds and Dry Dams can both be used to clean up surface water.  The trick is to slow the water down and release it slowly.  Dry dams can be designed to remove water in 24 hours in order to minimize crop damage.