Thursday, April 28, 2011

. . . And Still With the Waiting

Tomorrow will make it 2 weeks.  2 weeks since we last turned a wheel in the fields.  My anhydrous ammonia applicator sits parked.  Idled tractor.  Idled hands.  Making busy work and counting the raindrops.  We are meeting today to discuss "plan B" in anticipation of an eventual clearing of the weather.

For those wondering what "plan B" is for us, it's the adaptation of a compacted planting schedule.  Basically think double shifts.  In our area,  the general rule is corn planting should be complete before the 10th of May.  After that date, final yields decrease in an accelerating linear pattern, beginning with about a 1 bushel/day decrease.  (1 bu. x $6.00 x 3,000 acres = $18,000/EACH DAY).  You can easily see why farmers hate delays and why timely planting is so important.  The more we get planted prior to May 10th the better.  Normally we can plant around 300 acres/ day or a little more in a 12-14 hour work day.  This year we will shoot to lengthen the day to 18-20 hrs when possible.  Hopefully this will help but is obviously taxing on people and equipment.

And then again, maybe the rain will keep falling.