The little bite of spring weather this week has been pleasant for all; but as Tom Fricke of the Vermilion County Farm Bureau reminds us, it’s still way too early for farmers to consider getting into full time field work.
Audio PlayerAUDIO: It’s always welcome to not be bundled up when you’re doing chores around the farm. But as far as thinking about getting in the field, it’s too early to be thinking about that. It’s probably still a little soft to even do fertilizer applications, or anything like that. Once we get into mid-March is really when guys starting thinking it’s time to look at the fields, and make some decisions at that time.
This week’s issue of FARM WEEK talked about crowded situations right now when it comes to transporting grain. You have the combining factors of excitement due to higher grain prices, low river levels slowing down barges, and the recent extreme cold that slowed down some railroad equipment. Fricke says for Vermilion County farmers, just like all others; it all depends on where your grain is going. If you’re delivering straight to an end user like Bunge in Danville or a nearby ethanol plant, you’re most likely okay right now. But grain bound for long trips, perhaps overseas; that might make you have to wait for a bit.
Audio PlayerAUDIO: A good percentage of our Illinois crops do go to export, so we are impacted by those transportation issues. If corn that’s grown closer to the river can’t move; then that backs up in the whole system, and it can affect us here inland as well.
This coming Monday, March 3rd will be the Vermilion County Farm Bureau’s annual Legislative Roundtable with area state lawmakers. The program begins at 9:30 AM, and Farm Bureau members are welcome to attend at 1905 Route 150 West in Danville.
