John Deere Factory Tour

About a month ago, I was flattered by an invitation to attend John Deere's Media tour prior to the Farm Progress show.  I decided to accept the invitation thinking I might learn something valuable to my customers and readers.  I am not going to tell you to only buy John Deere.  I do understand that they were putting their best foot forward to impress the ag media in attendance.

We started off the day with a lurch followed by a factory tour.  We spent a good deal of time watching the sprayer assembly line.  The "factory" was clean and orderly.  The whole area was under roof and climate controlled.  Tour guides told us that all sprayers on the line were sold.  They said that John Deere keeps no inventory of any farm equipment.  No photography was allowed in the assembly line area.

Subject matter experts discussed "new" products available for maybe 3 hours.  We learned about a high capacity nutrient applicator, row guidance for sprayers, Starfire GPS receivers, and Maxemerge row units.

Of interest to me was the number of partnerships and cooperative agreements and joint ventures they discussed.

After a break, we went outdoors for some parking lot demonstrations and too look at some historic equipment.  I will share more about the equipment tomorrow.  We were able to mingle with the subject matter experts and ask individual quests during a reception and dinner. It was certainly an interesting adventure.

Soybean Problem Area

Great looking field of soybeans except for this one little problem.  

Monroe County Harvest

Several people are harvesting corn in Monroe County.  Some varieties are lodging badly.  Corn is mature.  No yield report.

Degree Day Calculator

Living plants and plant pests develop according to degree days.  A calendar does not provide an accurate forecast for scouting for various pests.  University  of Illinois has developed a degree day calculator to help farmers determine when to look for various insects and diseases.  It is kind of late for this year, but the calculator might be a good tool for next year.  Keep in mind that degree days will vary field to field, so it is best to have temperature readings close by.

Montgomery County Yield Survey Results

The Montgomery County Yield Survey is complete for 2016.  The survey is usually pretty close on countywide yields.  Two points are surveyed per township.  Township results my show a trend, but they are not all that accurate.  Check it out.  I think that many will be surprised at how low some of them are, but a dry June reduced yields in some fields and on some varieties.  190 bushel corn is not bad.  I think some were expecting more.

Corn maturing fast

I went to St. Charles County Missouri today to deliver recommendations.  The Illinois leg of the trip showed very little mature corn. In Missouri however, I estimate 25 to 30 % of the corn is mature.  Clients are planning to start harvest next week.  Yields are expected to be variable.

Corn Harvest Started

I have reports out of Monroe County that corn harvest is underway.  I am sure it is not dry corn.  Also saw a facebook post that silage is being chopped.  I know that is not the same as corn for grain, but the time is upon us.  I have not seen much corn that is even black layered, but I know the corn being harvested to the south was planted in March, so it is probably mature.  Montgomery County Extension is hosting their annual yield tour on Wednesday.  I am eagerly awaiting their reports.