Drew DeSutter farms with his dad Jim, uncle Randy and cousin Matthew in Knox, Mercer and Henry counties. He returned to the farm after graduating from the University of Illinois in 2009 with a degree in ag business and farm management. The family follows a 50-50 corn-soybean rotation and has been using no-till for 30 years. DeSutter also has a few cows and puts up hay in the summer. He and his wife, Adrienne, have four children and live in New Windsor. He is active in the Knox County Farm Bureau.

In my immediate area, there hasn’t been much fieldwork accomplished so far in April. Some of our farms have already seen around 6 inches of rain this month. A little burndown has been applied but not much. If the forecast holds, this week could finally allow a lot of equipment to get rolling. We’ve been spoiled the last few springs with plenty of time and ideal conditions, but this year feels more like a typical spring. I’ve already mowed my yard three times — and it needs it again. At least the moisture is good for cattle pastures.

This week lived up to expectations — fast, busy and full of progress. Sprayers were running hard, and both corn and soybeans went in across the area. Ground conditions weren’t quite as ideal as the past couple of years, but those seasons spoiled us. Even so, soils shaped up reasonably well, especially as the week wrapped up. Looking ahead, there’s a good chance of rain in the coming days. Ideally it stays on the lighter side and temperatures hold steady so the crop can keep moving in the right direction.

It’s been a slow start to the week after the weekend’s rain and cooler temperatures. Corn planted before April 21 emerged quickly thanks to the warm soil conditions, but it could really use some sunshine and heat to keep moving. Most of the area’s soybeans are in the ground, and corn planting is a mixed bag. Some farmers are pushing ahead while others are waiting out these lingering cold snaps.

Spotty showers slowed things down mid‑week, but field activity picked up again and the area finished strong toward the end of the week. Emerged corn is moving slowly, though the warmer temperatures heading into the weekend gave it a much‑needed push. Soybeans are starting to show as well, even if they’re tough to pick out early with residue still covering the rows. The forecast looks excellent for the coming week, with warm, stable weather that should help both crops advance.