Barns

We have all seen the great coffee table books of beautiful barns.  My coffee table book will have fallen down barns in it.  I do like corn cribs in any condition.

Wet weather

We are getting a lot of rain this weekend. 1 to 3 inches. Corn is already showing effects of cold and wet.  There are still fields of soybeans to plant.  Corn prices remain in the dumper.

Corn and Soybean Progress

Corn Planting is done in our area.  Almost all corn is emerged.  Some stands are not great.  We are concentrating on finishing sampling in cornfields right now.

Soybean planting is still underway.  we sampled 3 unplanted fields today.  Conditions were a little damp, but there were some planters in the field.  Lots sprayers were out.  Wind gusts were not good for spraying at times.  Soybeans that are emerged are looking good.

Memorial Day

This weekend we pause to consider the soldiers who fought and died for our country.  The veterans memorial in Hillsboro will be the site of a ceremony tomorrow, weather permitting.  General Logan first directed the decoration of graves in 1868.  The agriculture connection?  Many who fought and died for our country were farmers or farm boys who went off to war and then came home to grow our food.  Think of these guys as you enjoy your beer and BBQ.

Hillsboro, Illinois Veterans Memorial

Farmersville to Wagonner Green Diamond Trail

By Angela Karban:

On Sunday, May 17, Don and I scouted our first trail of the 2015 Trailblazers Challenge.  We rode our bikes on the tree-lined asphalt path from Farmersville to Waggoner, the Green Diamond Trail.  We saw and listened to the melodic songs of many birds, including cardinals, robins, wrens, blackbirds, Baltimore orioles, and the beautiful indigo bunting. There was an abundance of milkweed plants along the edges which will feed the Monarch butterflies later in the summer.  And the sweet smell of the honeysuckle flowers was still in the air.  It was a delightful ride on a windy Sunday.

Come join us for the group walk at 9:00 a.m. on May 30th to start the season.  A light breakfast of orange juice and granola bars will be served  at the Farmersville entrance.  Bring your binoculars to view the birds more closely.

Nitrogen Sampling Time

We have been sampling for pre-sidedress nitrogen testing the last few days. This is not one of my favorite jobs, but it is the best way to find out what is going on with your nitrogen. Corn in Western Jersey County is 6 inches tall.

Weed Control Time

I am surprised when I work in fields where no soil applied residual herbicide  has been used.  Whether you are following up with a post application or trying to kill weeds for the first time this season, now is the time to keep track of what needs sprayed and when.  I know you may want to try to kill everything at once, but that idea may not be appropriate.  Keep in mind that the best time to kill the weeds is when they are 4 inches tall or less.