Muddy Fields Cause Slow Planting Completion Again This Year
Rains Were Prolific in April and May in Central Illinois
As June arrives, Trent Brandenburg still has about 20 percent of his acreage to plant, mostly soybeans, due to the continuing wet weather. Trent, additionally, has over five percent of his already-panted acreage to re-plant due to ponding. Of course, the problem acres are the most poorly-drained already, as they are still wet, so the dry-out will be slow. Trent plans to increase his plant population in an attempt to offset the yield loss with late planting. The ultimate yield “depends more on the weather the rest of the season, than anything else from now on,” Trent concluded.
Trent is happy with most of his planting so far. Germination has been good and most of his acres are off to a good start. Trent “feels good about everything so far,” he said, referring to his farming operations.
More from The Field Report
Machinery and Tile Repairs While Awaiting Warmer Weather
Trent Brandenburg is enjoying the first day of Spring finishing up some machinery repairs. His fieldwork right now involves fixing broken field tiles and clearing waterways to ensure good drainage during the crop year. Trent has not started serious field [...]
Need More Cold Weather, Warmer Markets
Trent Brandenburg wants more cold weather to freeze the soil deeper and kill more overwintering insects. "We are having too many 40-degree days," he observed. Trent noted, "Not much grain is moving," due to lower market pricing. "Eventually, the owner [...]
December Details, Then Christmas
Trent Brandenburg has a lot of details to work with in December before the presents can be wrapped and the tree trimmed. Trent farms plots of land for many different owners. In December the harvest is done. No two plots [...]