While heading into a weekend with lots of rain in the forecast, not to mention coming out of significant rain on Tuesday (April 23rd), Vermilion County farmers are trying to go full tilt on planting season. The Farm Bureau’s Tom Fricke says despite all the interruptions of late, there has actually been time to get things done, both field work and early planting.
AUDIO: Looks like we’re getting into a phase of warmer temperatures; so that will help dry out. If we get some drying time between the little shower events, we’ll be able to keep moving forward. A lot of stuff got done this last week, and guys will take opportunities when they’re there to continue the planting process.
Fricke says lots of area farmers have simplified things over the years, such as with less soil prep time.
AUDIO: Vermilion County farmers are notorious for no-tilling, the soybeans especially. And so you don’t need that first pass through the field. You can just take out the planter right out and put the beans in the ground. A lot of that was able to get done before this rain came through.
Fricke says, yes, rain is important; but especially this time of year, it’s about WHEN it comes.
AUDIO: The rain is always a time factor; it’s not just a moisture factor, it’s a time factor. We need the rain at the right time. Some of the dryer areas of the state were glad to see the rain that came through on Tuesday. Here in Vermilion County, we probably could have gone another week or so without that shower.
Fricke says at the start of this week, statewide, eleven percent of both corn and soybeans were reported planted; continuing the trend of corn and soybean planting often happening together; rather than the old days of corn first. AND AS ALWAYS, PLEASE BE ON THE LOOKOUT FOR FARM VEHICLES, AND GIVE THEM ROOM TO MANEUVER.
News story here.
