Tom is a co-owner of Leeper Family Farms LLC which in Decatur in Macon County. They raise corn, soybeans, wheat and hay. Tom farms with his son Evan Leeper and son-in-law Nate Doty. He has a bachelor’s degree in agricultural science from Illinois State University. He is a CCA and sells seed for Wyffels and Brevant. He also raises cattle for his freezer beef business.

Spring has sprung and the bell has rung for planting to begin for 2026. We started planting beans April 11 and managed five days of work until we received 0.7 of an inch of rain on Wednesday night. More beans are going in the ground than corn at this point. We switched a planter over to corn and got one field planted on Wednesday. We might have found a dry field by Friday afternoon, but with rain in the forecast and cool temps coming we caught our mowing up instead. We received 1.4 inches of rain Friday evening. It’s a waiting game now, but when dry weather returns planting will be in full swing. Strong winds have hampered spraying of herbicides. Enjoy the spring and be safe out there everyone!

This past week has had planters going full speed ahead with corn and beans. It’s been difficult getting many days when winds died down to make herbicide applications. In our area, more bean acres are in than corn. However, corn will get the focus now as we near May 1. Soil conditions have been excellent, and initial emergence shows great stands. Currently we are facing strong storm potential, which has kept planters in the shed until we see the outcome. Be safe, everyone!