A Fast, Smooth Season
This spring, luck was on our side. With David, Tom, Brian, Lisa, Mary, and even Jeff and Kia pitching in for a day, we managed to get all the corn and soybeans planted in just nine days. Dad would have called it a first — planting finished up without the usual delays or setbacks.
It felt good to gather for a “board meeting” at the barn with Mike, Mary, and John A, who was home this year.
Getting Started Early
Our unwritten rule is to wait until after April 15 to start planting, but the warm, dry weather on April 13 made it tough to hold back. We started tillage at the REK home farm, and by the next day, corn was going in right in front of the house. Everything ran so smoothly, we finished the whole field — a rare start without any electronic or hydraulic hiccups.
Since it was still a bit early for corn, we switched over to soybeans. On April 15, we planted Aunt Cecilia’s beans and put in the cover crop at Matt’s. The rye was thick, which made depth control a challenge, so we’ll be keeping a close eye on how things come up.
Watching the Forecast
As always, the weather set the pace. The forecast called for heavy rain more than once, but the totals ended up lighter than expected, so we kept moving. By April 17, all the soybeans were in the ground.
Our routine was to spray the corn ground, let it rest, till it, and then plant if rain wasn’t on the horizon. It doesn’t always work out that way, but this year the timing just clicked.
Wrapping It Up
By April 21, with Brian and David running hard, the last sacks were thrown, the final corn planted, and we stopped the windmill. The rains that followed — two-tenths on Wednesday and just under an inch on Friday — came at just the right time to settle the seed.
Some mornings started with frost, and by afternoon we were in T-shirts. That’s spring in Illinois. Planting this early always carries the risk of replant, but with the forecast looking good, we’re hopeful this crop gets the strong start it needs.
Family Life Along the Way
While planting kept us busy, family life was just as full as ever:
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Carolyn is recovering, and John is heading back to Utah.
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Laura cheered John on in Nashville as he finished his first marathon.
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Ann moved Noah.
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Tom juggled signing for Mom, fixing tractors, and heading to the drive-in.
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Lauren’s new pool is underway, Kia is finishing up her first-year finals, and Mary is waiting for their blessed arrival while keeping us all corralled.
Looking Ahead
With the crop in the ground, we’ll be watching closely for emergence, population, and stand counts. Here’s hoping for warm weather, timely rains, and a safe season for us and our neighbors.
—Joe
