The Field Report

October 6, 2023|

Harvest Is Looking Good

Rain at the end of September called a pause in Trent Brandenburg’s harvest, giving him time to chat. Trent is about 25% done with his corn and soybean harvest. At first, his corn harvest moisture content was in the mid-20s, but “our last load was 15.9% so it’s ready to go.” Trent’s soybeans are also ready. Dry weather is predicted for several days, so the harvest will proceed.

More than an inch of rain in the past ten days has replenished the soil moisture. Most of Central Illinois except the western quarter is now “Abnormally Dry” on the drought map. The western quarter is still in “Moderate Drought.” The subsoil is still dry. That replenishment will have to come from fall rains (after harvest!) and winter snowfall heavier than last winter’s sparse amount.

More from The Field Report

Corn OK, Beans Slow

June 29, 2017|

Trent Brandenburg finished up his soybean replants just last week (third week in June) because "that last pond just wouldn't dry out." He estimates his total corn and soybean replanting at 5 to 10 per cent of his acreage, "higher than I thought."

5.5 Inches Of Rain Overnight

May 23, 2017|

Asked what a farmer does when 5.5 inches of rain falls on his place overnight, Trent Brandenburg replied,"Stay in the house!" During the overnight between Thursday and Friday, May 18 and 19, a 5.5-inch rainfall was reported at Cerro Gordo. Trent knew of measurements up to 7 inches.

Corn Planted and Growing, Beans Going In

April 24, 2017|

Trent Brandenburg completed his corn planting April 21. His earliest corn planting is up and growing well. Much of his later corn planting is sprouting, but it has been slower to due to the cooler weather in the past week.

Rows Of Bright Green Corn Seedlings In Weeks

March 28, 2017|

Trent Brandenburg has been getting ready to plant for a couple of months, going over machinery maintenance, seed and chemical orders, and watching the weather. Trent wants to do some spring pre-plant tillage, but needs a little rain first. He does not want to work his soil as dry as it is, because if there is then no rain, the newly-tilled soil will get dry too deep for quick, dependable germination.

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