From Winter to Summer… and Back Again
The weather this year has kept us guessing, swinging from winter to summer and now, according to the forecast, back to winter again next week. While most folks are adjusting to life at home, farm work carries on. Out here, not much has changed. We’re still keeping busy with the usual spring routines.
A Stretch of Dry, Warm Weather
After several weeks of soggy fields, we finally caught a break with some dry, warm days. It was just the window we needed to get back to work in the fields and tackle a few projects around the farm.
Family History in the Field
A highlight this week was dusting off an old family machine and putting it to work again. On Monday, Brian, David, and I used a 100-year-old seeder, built by one of our relatives, to sow grass and oats in the new soil waterways.
That old seeder has its own story. Dad picked it up years ago, he can’t even remember where, and it’s one of those tools we always wondered why we kept around. But when we needed it, it worked just as well as ever. Some farm equipment truly stands the test of time.
Building New Waterways
With all the extra rain these past couple of years, and more field tile going in around us, we’ve had to add more grass waterways. Most of the work has been on Dad’s farm, with a bit on Aunt Cecilia’s and Angie’s fields across from Paul Vogel’s.
In the last few weeks, we’ve also been replacing tile lines that were put in anywhere from 20 to 60 years ago. Keeping these systems in good shape is important for managing water and making sure the fields stay productive.
First Soybeans of the Season
Yesterday, Angie’s field finally dried out enough to plant. This year, we decided to try something different and put soybeans in before corn. The agronomists say early beans can pay off, so we gave it a shot on a small patch. We finished up just as the rain started to fall.
When I told Dad about it, he reminded me of Uncle Bill’s words: “It won’t grow in the bag.” Wise advice and a good reminder that getting seed in the ground is always the first step.
Equipment Repairs and Updates
It wouldn’t be the start of a season without a few equipment hiccups. We found some problems with the cultivator, so we’ll be working on repairs this weekend and keeping an eye out for a slightly bigger one.
In the meantime, progress has been made in other areas:
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Tom fixed the carport windows.
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Jeff and a friend have been tackling repairs around the farm.
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Mary and Laura cleaned out the pantry (no more rotten food!)
Looking Ahead
We’ve gotten started, but the weather is still anyone’s guess. We’ll keep moving forward when we can and share updates as we go. Here’s hoping this year is a little steadier than the last.
—Joe
