The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.
Greetings ta ever one in western Illinois and all readers of "The Quill."
Recent rains were somewhat spotty last week with reports vary'n from 1 inch ta slightly over 2 inches. A few areas reported heavier rains. It sure puts a security blanket on the crops fer now.
Sturgis
With the Sturgis Harley Davidson event go'n on up in the Dakotas it is interest'n see'n all kinds of Harley's and all kinds of riders on the roads head'n that direction. Looks like a fun time fer folk who like them kind of activities.
State Fairs
The state fairs fer Iowa and Illinois is a go'n on and many folk will be head'n them directions.
Early School
I hear a few schools have started around here and there, which makes state fair attendance difficult fer those young'ns ta attend. Seems awfully early fer school ta start.
A principal at an Iowa school district commented they will never start school until their state fair is over. He said the parents wouldn't stand fer it.
Sunlight Harvestors
How many folk realize we have sunlight harvestors in our midst here in Western Illinois? Well we do, they are called farmers.
Farmers harvest sunlight by grown corn, soybeans, and other crops. The more efficient they become in harvest'n sunlight, by proper plant breeding and plant space'n, the higher the yields. The higher the yields oft times results in lower prices at the market place. Go figure it!
Additionally, farmers know plants that have more rapid ground shading result in cooler soil temperatures which allow their plants ta get by on less moisture. In less than optimum rainfall seasons, this also can lead ta better yields.
Fact of the matter is there are many factors that can lead ta better yields include'n ta begin with, have'n the good fortune of have'n better soils that are well drained and of adequate fertility.
The best kept secret fer a long time around here is the benefit of sulfur ta yields. We used ta get sulfer free fer our soils, when factories and homes burned coal. Now-a-days it has ta be added as part of a good fertilizer program. Some fellers apply it at a rate of 10% of their nitrogen program ta fully utilize the nitrogen. That can add up ta around 30 pounds per acre.
Fer a lot of farmers, whilst use'n nitrogen, they utilize split nitrogen applications, which includes "summer application." Split applications combined with proper sulfer utilization increase the probability ta fully utilize the full capabilities of your soil and weather, as the Good Lord sees fit ta bless ya.
A third part of a good formula ta maximize yields in corn is the proper utilization of fungicides. Some fellers use it only fer disease deterrent such as "Grey Leaf Disease" and such as that. But really, fungicides act as a "Male Hormone" ta the corn plant.
Europe has known this fer a long time and make frequent applications. Fer the U.S. two applications might be adequate with some thought given 3 applications. Generic fungicides hold down on the expense considerably.
The first application of fungicide is generally held ta be applied at the 5 ta 7 leave stage and can be applied with herbicides. The second application can be applied post flowering, right after the plant flowers.
Fungicides last 2 ta 3 weeks at maximum, so in various parts of the world up ta 5 applications are made.
Join proper nitrogen and sulfer application with a good fungicide program and what is left fer good yields is proper technology. This includes good genetics, a good planting pattern, optimum row width, and a good planter.
Ten (10) inches is a good row width fer soybeans and corn at a width a horses behind won't fit in. That is usually 30 inches and less.
As farmers throughout the Midwest figure these things out we will find the need fer more storage space.
Back in the 40's average yields were around 51 bushel per acre fer corn. Now a feller figures fer much better than that. I expect ta see more planes in the air dure'n the grow'n season ta make some of these fungicide applications along with applications of cover crops as their benefits become better known.
Well, last week ya learned about pigs and this week crops. There will be some that will argue against these ideas but I heard the same negativity years ago as we discovered fertilizer, minimum tillage, and plant'n corn before the hedge tree leaves grew ta the size of a squirrels ear. In reality it's hard ta stand tall and straight against the strong winds of progress. Eventually ya will either break or conform. Economics dictates it!
Have a good rest of the week.
Hope'n ta see you'ns in church this week.
Rememer, wherever ya are, whatever ya be a do'n "BE A GOOD ONE!"
Keep on Smile'n
Catch ya later
BARNYARD BRUKE