The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.
Greetings to everyone in Western Illinois.
Well, I've plum wore a hole in my rain coat, because those storms has been come'n for so long and hard.
The neighbors north of us, in Henderson County, has been keep'n a tally on the total rain fall since April 25.
Count'n the two inches they received from Saturday thru Sunday morn'n, and then more Monday and Tuesday, their tally sheet shows why the flat landers has such large areas of "drowned outs" in their fields.
The total rain since April 25, 2010, has reached in excess of 28 inches, with more predicted yet this week. That is a whole lot of moisture in a very short time period.
Most of the tile systems weren't designed for that kind of moisture removal. One feller, up there in the North Country, tells of his 12 inch tile outlet pipe running plum full of water, with blowouts to boot. A gush'n out like nobody would have it! I'm a guess'n the fraternity with drainage tile machines will have a long list of prospects want'n to keep them busy in the future.
Some of that $8,200 per acre land, west of Monmouth on route 164, don't look like it's got a crop on it to commensurate with the value of the land-if'n there is such a thing as a good return or investment on land priced that high.
It would be worth your while to take a trip up there and sneak a peek at how "Mother Nature can turn on ya". It might especially be worth your while, if'n ya are a "young whipper snapper" with the ill gotten notion that a premium yielding crop is a "sure thing" these modern days, especially if'n ya pay a high cash rent or buy high priced land.
Buster Jigs sez, it might have somewhat of a dampen'n feel'n on the next time ya negotiates your cash rent for next year. That is, if'n ya ain't broke from pay'n a high cash rent this season with a poor yield'n crop credited to all this rain.
The Chicago board of trade folks sez, "Rain Makes Grain". Maybe somebody should send a few of those fancy internet pictures of the "Rain Makes Grain" drowned out fields where they received over 28 inches rain already.
What damage can be seen with the naked eye is only a small portion of the whole story. It is hard to notice now, the affects of lost nitrogen and shallow roots, especially if'n the summer weather turns off hot and dry later on. Plenty of nitrogen and deep roots is widely held as the best defense against drouth, this side of a center pivot irrigation system. So, look out Bertha-we might be in store for a few more surprises.
Best we not borrow trouble. However, I can recall shallow corn roots from a wet spring a chasen moisture downward during a "hot, dry summer and losing the race. But then, Mr. Short Britches with his cap on backwards and high cash rent in his lease portfolio, has that experience to look forward to, moreover for his resume. If'n not this spring, it'll be some spring in the future, fer it is inevitable or so sez Cornelius Farkward. He expresses, "Good Luck" fellers and best of wishes to all of you'ns!
Some farmers, who haven't had so much excessive rain, likes to brag on their crop look'n like a "bin buster" already. Myself, I usually sell kernels of corn measured in 56 lb. bushels, not dark green leaves on plants with shallow roots.
Sandy Bob sez he don't know why them braggards don't just call the board of trade rascals and ask them to lower the price of corn, right off the bat, fer those folks monitor, thru the elevator managers etc., what the crop looks like as we go along. Say'n it's a big one come'n on, this early in the season, given them an excuse to dampen prices, as if they needs an excuse in the first place, this time of year.
Sandy Bob sez the one good affect of beat'n prices down this period of year is the fact it gives Grain farmers, later on during the slack season, something to complain about at the coffee shop. Sandy Bob also sez to qualify as an authentic farmer, you has got to be good and regular at complain'n.
Bill Jones argues with him on that fact, however. He claims he knows a few who aren't so good at it at all, as they gets their facts mixed up on a regular basis. He does concede, nevertheless, that being regular at it seems a right common characteristic of some folk.
Me self, not want'n to agree with either one for fear of offend'n anyone-I'm fer change'n the subject and doin' it right here and now.
Fred and Jane Bride, up over in Point Pleasant township, Warren County (flat land country if'n there ever was such a thing) had themselves a right nice 50th wedding anniversary celebration on June 13th. They arranged to have Daniel O'Donnell come over from Ireland and sing at a special Mass for them in the Quad Cities and then put on a huge concert at the I Wireless Center in Moline. Congratulations Fred and Jane! Me and the Mrs. thinks we can remember when we was married only 50 years, ourselves.
Keep on Smile'n
Catch ya Later
Barnyard Bruke