2006-5-27
Most of the soybeans are up, and things are looking great so far. We aren't hurting for moisture, but we could use some more rain. This weekend the temperatures are into the 90s, which should accelerate growth on the crops.
2006-5-22
Today marks the end of the planting season for us. The soybeans are done. The planter will be going right into the shed, since nothing should need to be replanted this season. Temperatures are expected to be into the 90s by the end of this week, which should really get the crops growing. The highlight of the past few days was a flat tire on the planter tractor. We noticed it two days ago, it won't hold air for more than a hour, and the sidewall is already shot. The tread was pretty worn down too, so we just ignored it and kept on planting. Today it finally came off the bead, but it's still on the rim. It does look a little awkward though. If we had more mud, it would have been a problem.
| YouTube Video The last of the soybean planting |
2006-5-20
2006-5-18
As of yesterday afternoon, the planter is moving again. Hopefully we'll get to run for a few days before we get any more rain.
2006-5-12
It started raining early morning on the 9th. Nobody around here has been in the fields since. Temps are down in the 40s, but frost hasn't been a concern. Most of the corn is up and you can see rows in a lot of fields. More rain on the way for tonight and tomorrow.
2006-5-8
More soybeans...
| YouTube Video More soybean planting |
2006-5-7
We about 1/3 of way done planting the soybeans. Most of what we have left is no-till, so we are almost done with the great plains field finisher. We replaced 15 of the shovels on it this morning. It is no surprise that they wear out when they are 2 inches deep and hitting countless rocks at 8.5 MPH for hours on end. As for the planter, well, no news is good news. It just keeps moving and knocking off acres. Rain is in the forecast, so we'll probably be shut down for part of this week.
| YouTube Video Unfolding the planter |
YouTube Video Starting a field of soybeans |
2006-5-6
We started planting soybeans a few days ago, and certainly have a way to go yet. In these pictures and video, we're tilling ground that we have incorporated Treflan into earlier this season. We will plant soybeans into this within a couple days.
| YouTube Video Seed bed finishing |
2006-5-2
Big Red and the Blue 'Ru. One has a 300 HP 4-cyl, the other has a 375 HP 6-cyl. Technically, they both have all-wheel-drive, but big red has 4 more wheels, 10x the weight, and a zero-to-60 time of, um, never. They both have some issues with traction in loose surfaces, and red sometimes struggles with massive wheel hop.
