2023 From The Fields

David Tauer Hanska, Minn.

June 15

Overall, the crops are doing pretty well on David Tauer’s dairy farm. Tauer reported receiving .6 inches of rain on June 8 and another 1.8 inches on June 10. He stated the water holes that were previously black are now green with corn.

Though Tauer doesn’t think this corn is as consisHanson reported the farm hasn’t caught a shower in a bit. Though short on moisture, the crops are doing pretty well. He has noticed the wheat which was planted at the beginning of May around the area doesn’t seem to be faring as well compared to what was planted 10 days later. Hanson’s corn is currently between boot top and knee high. He reports the beans are doing alright, but small — about the height of “a good coffee cup.”

Farmers throughout the state are experiencing smoke from the Canadian wildfires. On the haziest of days, Hanson reported not being able to make out trees on his property.

With warmer temps than usual for this time of year, Hanson has noticed he’s dealing with conditions now that he typically doesn’t see until a bit later in the summer. He reported the pastures are currently yellow-brown, on their way to turning brown. The cattle are luckily able to access grass in more woody areas.

In Hanson’s region, it’s county fair season. Norman County’s fair is June 21-24, immediately followed by neighboring Mahnomen, and next, Polk County. Hanson is looking forward to bringing his granddaughter, visiting the exhibits, seeing former classmates, and having the obligatory corn dog and cotton candy. v tent as in years past, he believes it will still be a good crop. The earlier planted corn is currently waist-high as of June 15. The replanted corn has good color, and is at v4 or v5 growth stage. On June 13, Tauer completed the last of his planting with a final 50 acres of corn planted over a field of alfalfa.

Tauer recently finished his first cutting of hay. He baled 90 acres, averaging a good four bales per acre. He made haylage on the remaining 40 acres. He had to spray for worms, which he stated is standard after the first alfalfa crop. He will determine if it will be needed after the second crop.

The state of the oats is a little disappointing to Tauer. They are knee-high, about half the size of what they should be and starting to head out. “The oats like it cooler and wetter,” he said, and reported the recent rainfall in their field location has been spotty and only totaled half an inch.

By print, Tauer and his family will be wrapping up a vacation up north. “Our herdsperson will keep things in check,” Tauer stated of his time away from the farm, and remarked it’s reassuring to have a good labor force. v

Jim Hagen

Lake Mills, Iowa

June 15

Nick Pooch Farwell, Minn.

June 16

While it’s continued to be windy in Farwell, Minn., the weather cooperated enough for Nick Pooch to finish spraying corn. As of June 16, he is about halfway done with spraying beans.

Pooch stated for as dry as it’s been, the crops look good. His area received rainfall on June 6, 7 and 9 totaling 1.6 inches; but stated they’re “not out of drought by any means.”

Baling alfalfa was completed on June 12, and Pooch reported yields are

See POOCH, pg. 14

Hagen has been pretty busy working on a few different projects. He finished sidedressing nitrogen on June 14. His beans are now all sprayed, and he hauled in the last of his previous corn crop.

The May 27 soybean replant was successful. “They look good. They’re all up,” Hagen stated. He noted he could have planted more, as he’s noticed some areas are a little thin, but said he’ll take what they have. The rest of his beans are looking okay, though not making a whole lot of progress due to lack of moisture. He is hoping for rain soon.

Smoke from the Canadian wildfires has reached Lake Mills, Iowa. On June 15, Jim Hagen reported having a few days of hazy conditions. The farm hasn’t received any rainfall since May 10. about 20 percent less than normal. He recently sprayed for a bad case of alfalfa weevil. He is about