Rain Has Been Spotty this Spring

I did not think I would say this, but rain would be nice. After the struggles the past two years, getting the crop planted this spring was nearly ideal. We didn't have to work around wet spots and the depth wheels on the planter row units did not plug up with mud. That happens when soil conditions are less than ideal. When you looked at the calendar the previous two years, it was getting late so you had to plant. Even if some of the field was wet, you had to plant and hope for the best. This year it is getting a little dry.

We are more fortunate at my farm down by Wells because we have picked up about 3 inches of rain this spring. When I was planting I checked the tile lines and they were running just a bit. That means we are at maximum water holding capacity. That probably will be needed when we get to the dry part of the summer. We are fortunate, too, that our heavy black loam soils can hold 11 inches of moisture in the 5-foot soil profile. There are parts of our area that have received very little rain this spring. It is in the forecast so let's hope it comes.