A Different Year Than 2022
This year’s crop season has taken a different path than last year. In 2022, we enjoyed nearly perfect conditions from start to finish. This time around, we wrestled with six weeks of dry weather before the rains finally arrived and helped the crop catch up.
By September 1, our heat units — how we track corn maturity — matched last year almost exactly. Still, the corn is taking its time to dry down, and unlike 2022, we’re not quite ready to dive into harvest by mid-September.
Checking Fields and Moisture
On Monday, I walked the fields and pulled a few ears to check moisture. Most were still running between 28 and 32 percent. We’re planning to ease into harvest, maybe open up a few fields tomorrow or Friday. If the corn holds in the high twenties, we’ll likely run for a day or two and then pause until it dries down a bit more.
A few photos from Woodford tell the story: two fields side by side, one already golden and the other still hanging on to its green. It’s always surprising how much things can vary, even just a stone’s throw apart. The soybeans are still a couple of weeks out yet.
Harvest Crew and Plans
David, Jeff, and Brian are pitching in this week as we work out the kinks in the equipment. Those first days of harvest always seem to remind us that there’s something new to learn every year.
Jeff is starting a new job in Gibson City soon, so we’ll miss having him around for most of harvest. Sam will be joining us after four and on weekends, and Lisa, now officially retired from Java, is taking over canteen and gopher duties.
Tom has a big weekend lined up with Joshua in Nebraska, but he’ll be back to help next week. With the elevator closing early these days, we’re not pushing too late into the evenings. If the weather cooperates, we should be rolling full speed by the middle of next week.
Yesterday, I checked in with Dad to see if it was time to start shucking corn, and he gave us the go-ahead.
Looking Ahead
We’d appreciate your prayers as we ease into this year’s harvest. With good help, a little patience, and some decent weather, I’m hopeful we’ll find our rhythm before long.
—Joe
