The scurs and the Weather Eye seem to be able to discern possible rain farther out than some of the normal sources. Will they build on this streak or will it come down like a house of cards? Starting Wednesday, mostly sunny with highs in the upper 70’s with lows in the upper 50’s. Thursday, sunny with a slight chance of late evening rain. Highs in the low 80’s with lows in the mid-60’s. Partly sunny Friday with a modest chance of rain. Highs in the mid-80’s with lows in the low 70’s. Saturday, mostly sunny with a fair chance of evening showers. Highs in the low 90’s with lows in the low 70’s. Mostly sunny on Sunday with a good chance of rain by evening. Highs in the upper 80’s with lows in the mid-60’s. Monday, partly sunny with a fair chance of morning showers and thunderstorms. Highs in the low 80’s with lows in the mid-60’s. Partly sunny for Tuesday with a slight chance of rain. Highs in the low 80’s with lows in the mid-60’s. On the 19th we’re down to 15 hours a daylight having lost 28 minutes since the summer solstice. The normal high for July 19th is 82 and the normal low is 62. With no Farm and City Day parade, the scurs may be forced to buy their own candy.
Crop progress continues to impress although the Saturday storm was less than favorable. A lot of tassels started to show this past week although the number of fields completely tasseled remained relatively small. A timely start to the growing season meant many planted more full season hybrids. The July 11th storm caused major panic. After experiencing the debacle on July 20th a year ago, it appeared we had witnessed a repeat performance. Fortunately much of the corn hadn’t started to pollinate so 48 hours later, it managed to right itself. Not that it’s going to be fun to harvest as it’s a royal pain to walk in due to the goosenecking. The good news is not much snapped as it did last year, at least not yet. The bad news is it’s still extremely brittle. Tripping over lodged stalks when attempting to walk in the fields, they snap at the nodes very easily. Soybeans are starting their initial pod set and some are heading into R3. The iron deficiency chlorosis was short-lived as we said due to the rains. Given a few more days of warm temps and favorable moisture, soybeans planted in 30” rows should close the canopy soon. White mold hasn’t been an issue yet but if canopy closure occurs and cooler temperatures prevail, watch out.
With the time drawing closer to mid-August some have been under the impression that the Pro Farmer Midwest Crop Tour isn’t going to take place this year. They would be mistaken. At this point it is a “go” albeit with numerous adjustments for COVID-19. The format will be different with no evening farmer meetings as in the past. Instead it will follow a more virtual format. There will still be evening gatherings for the scouts as I understand it and it may resemble the days before I started participating in 2004. It will be the same as it will still require copy be written nightly and posted online. Hopefully it allows us a little more sack time. After a week on the road of late nights it takes its toll on a person. With no State Fair to run to afterwards it may help soften the blow somewhat.
The wrens finally left their nest in the gas grill. There was no need to use it as we generally use the charcoal grill anyway. It was amazing all seven of them made it. One had to feel for those parents feeding those hungry mouths from sunup to sundown and beyond. The youngsters are scattered all over the yard and one finds out fast when you stumble across them due to all the scolding. The orioles are busy bringing their young to the jelly feeders now too. Seems like they just got here the way the summer is flying by.
The present small garden spot took a beating similar to that experience by the corn fields. The string beans were pummeled and the zucchini flattened. The next day though much of it reacted like the munchkins after Dorothy’s run in with the Wicked Witch of the West. It was almost as though Glinda showed up and told them it was alright to come out again. The string beans are flowering so expect to see some pods worth eating in 7 -10 days. They might be a little beat up and lower to the ground but I’m betting they’ll still taste pretty darn good.
This past weekend presented an opportunity to make some positive change at the ranch. We’d lost much of the larger garden area as the windbreak matured and it became too shaded. What was likely once part of a cattle lot worked great for many years and produced a lot of fruits and vegetables but the time had come. One of my buddies volunteered their services to till up a new spot for us should we decide where to move it. He’d even offered to drop everything earlier and do it during spraying season, something I would not allow. Killing weeds comes first. While I was in town running errands Saturday then heading to Krause’s for feed, I got a call wondering if it would work to till the spot that afternoon. Well, sure but I should move the fence and mow the area off so it doesn’t wrap up in the tiller. Give me a couple hours and I’ll be ready.
Two hours later and I was ready. Within 15 minutes they were there. The air was getting sultry and looking at the radar, there was a storm a brewing. Shades of my Dad who got the tiller out every time it looked like it might storm. Didn’t faze my buddy and his brother. Within about a half hour the job was done to perfection. The sky was getting darker and it was thundering loudly after they loaded up and pulled out of the driveway. They refused any payment. Some parents raised their children right I guess. I hope they realize there are likely to be many opportunities for fruits and vegetables of their choice in the future. No charge.
See you next week…real good then.