A Note from Carl: Pass the Prozac
It is wet, it is cold, and it is getting late!
I know, I am stating the obvious. Today (Wednesday May 25, 2011) is sunny for a change, but there is rain in the forecast. So far today, I have checked my fields twice — they were too wet to work this morning, and this afternoon? Well, they are still too wet. Oh, and the forecast is for 70% chance of rain the day after tomorrow.
Some parts of the region are finishing up planting; some parts are just getting started. It is another year for the record books — another crazy spring. Don’t you wish we could just get back to “normal”?
A few observations from my 30 years of farming in this region:
- This is normal. One of the defining characteristics of production agriculture in the north central part of the United States is the incredible capriciousness of the weather. When you compare our temperature and rainfall variability to most of the country, we deal with wetter wets and drier dries and wilder swings in temperatures. That is one of the unique challenges we deal with every year.
- Another defining characteristic of this region is the flexibility growers have in crop rotations. If it gets too late for wheat or corn, we will plant soybeans or drybeans or flax or one of a great variety of other crops. This is a real challenge for both growers and for suppliers, but somehow it always seems to work out.
- It never fails to amaze me how fast the crop grows in. Once the soil gets fit to work (or at least close to fit), growers are incredibly prepared — it truly is a marvel to watch.
Hopefully by the time you read this the crop is all planted and growing. In the meantime, be careful out there!
