I feel like every year for the last few years I’ve started spring planting by shaking my head and saying, “This is another interesting year.” Last year we had a lot of rain in January, where everything thawed but then re-froze. Because of that rain, our alfalfa fields took a pretty big hit, and some had to be replanted. It was a wet winter, followed by a wet spring, which meant spring planting was delayed.
This year, our spring planting has been delayed again. But, we’re finally in the fields cutting hay now, and we’ve planted some of the corn and soybeans. It seems like every time the ground is ready to be worked, and it will only be “one more day” until it’s dry enough, we get more rain… Just enough rain to delay us again.
The year started out really dry and everyone was talking about a drought. Now all of a sudden, it is super wet, so we decided to start cutting our hay now. We know it’s early to be cutting hay — it actually isn’t quite ready — but we have to be ready to plant the corn if we get nice, dry weather. This spring, I’m really wishing I had a degree in meteorology!
We’re at the point where if things are ready and look good, we’re hopping in the tractor and going. Last Sunday, I was checking the fields and noticed one looked ready to be worked. So, I just hopped in the tractor and got to work. I kept an eye on the weather forecast for Monday the whole time, and it kept changing. Rain one minute, clear skies the next. By 11:00 p.m., I decided it wasn’t worth it. If I’ve learned anything over the years, it’s that I can’t control Mother Nature!
Good luck to all the farmers out there trying to get their crops in! And remember to watch for farm equipment on the roads. We’re doing the best we can and want to get home to our families safely, so please slow down and be safe!