From The Fields

from The Land - Sept. 2, 2022

Deep Roots

Matt Erickson Fertile, Minn. Aug. 25

Overnight temperatures on Matt Erickson’s farm recently have been in the 50s. “With cooler nights, the plants are doing better.” The Land spoke with Erickson on Aug. 25 as he reported that those

“The word of the week is denting; the corn is denting.” The Land spoke with Leah Johnson on Aug. 25 as she reported that things are rolling right along at the farm. “There’s lots of optimism.”

Leah Johnson Evansville, Minn. Aug. 25

temperatures — along with four-tenths of an inch of rain that fell that day — are helping the crops. Aug. 18-19, Johnson’s farm received between half an inch to about one “Better ground is hanging in there. We need the month of inch of rain. “We have a little chance of rain tomorrow.” September for beans and corn.” “Even some of the ultra-late corn, I can’t believe how far it is.” With good

Corn is close to denting. “We’re cutting silage on 40 percent of our acres.” news on the corn, Johnson continues to scout fields, checking for disease. Erickson is hoping that the silage corn will hang in there. “Soybeans look good. Finding early, early symptoms of white mold. Humidity “On the better ground, they’re (soybeans) doing really good. It’s hard to tell until we get the combine out there.” The focus right now is haying. Erickson will be haying until bean 2022  harvest, then haying again until corn harvest. “We’re going to be busy. Most of it is baleage, high moisture. Cut it one day, bail it two days later.” It will soon be time to bring the fall cows home with calving in September. Erickson is still impressed with how well the pastures held up this summer with the lack of rain. “I’m relieved that we got some moisture.” With harvest getting closer FROM THE FIELDS Compiled by KRISTIN KVENO, The Land Staff Writer   Erickson knows it will soon be evident what the lack of rain this summer did to the crops. He’s hoping the yields won’t be too down because of it. v  Bob Roelofs Garden City, Minn. “We’ve gotten some pretty good rains.” The Land spoke Aug. 26 with Bob Roelofs on Aug. 26 as he reported his farm received four inches of rain in the last two and a half weeks. The corn is starting to dent. “Soybeans are looking good; still a long way to go.” In the area, there’s some issue with sudden death syndrome and white mold. He hasn’t seen either in his fields.

The weather in the next 10 days calls for temperatures in the 70s and 80s. No hot days in the forecast means that Roelofs will likely have to dry his corn after it’s harvested.

He expects to harvest beans in the next three to four weeks. Until then, it’s preparation and pig time on the farm. He’s loading pigs now, getting equipment ready for harvest and hoping for a great fall. “I think it’s going to be a good year (for crops) in this area.” v is definitely leaving more moisture in the beans.” The insects remain around. “Still aphids hanging out in the bean fields.” The wheat harvest is wrapped up. “We finished a week ago Sunday.” The yields were good this year. “I don’t know anybody that is disappointed in the wheat crop.” Fall is almost here, and Johnson is ready to see how corn and beans do in the coming month or so. “Just keep the rain coming; we want to finish strong.” v  Scott Winslow Fountain, Minn. Aug. 25 “We had a little more rain yesterday and last night.” The Land spoke with Scott Winslow on Aug. 25 as he reported that his farm had received 2.9 inches in the last two weeks. “I think there’s plenty of moisture in the soil.” The May planted corn is coming along; Winslow observed that it is not yet at the denting stage, though he expects that will change in the next week. “Corn is looking really good.” The June planted corn pollinated well. Winslow is hoping that the frost will stay away for quite a while though Oct. 9 is a full moon. “Watch for frost on a full moon.” “The beans are doing well. They’re still growing on the top, still putting pods on.” Winslow has not seen any insect pressure in the crop. He did report that in a few low areas there is some sudden death syndrome. “Just a couple of very small pockets.” On the livestock side of the farming operation, Winslow will start selling pigs next week. He’s got to get them sorted, on the scale and off to market. After the pigs go to market, Winslow will be going to the Minnesota State Fair. “I think there will be a good crowd up there.” Once the state fair begins, the start of harvest is not too far behind. Winslow expects to start bean harvest the last week of September. He is checking on the machinery now in preparation. The waning days of summer are here, and Winslow is soaking it all in while eagerly awaiting harvest time.v