Chad Dillenberger is a Monroe County native. His experience spans roles in finance as well as hands-on management as the fourth generation on a 1,600-acre grain farm in Valmeyer. He has two boys, Henry, 18, and Liam, 15, and has been married to Katie, his high school sweetheart, for 21 years.
It’s officially “corn sweat” season ... Just kidding! We’ve certainly found a high-pressure dome that is keeping heat indices well over 100 (topping 125) as we finish out the week. Sticking with the pattern, there is relief in sight again at the end of week with another well-timed rain and h…
We had another hot cycle this past week. Last week's rain carried the soybeans through as they set and fill pods, while the corn marched through most of its reproductive stages. As I peel back scattered ears, most seem to be well pollinated and are filling out nicely with no signs of tip bac…
Don’t say it too loud, but our area continues to see some timely rain to keep the crops progressing well. We saw some scattered rain showers move in towards the end of the week, with more widespread, soaking rain Friday/Saturday. While other areas to our south and west received catastrophic …
It was a long, hot week in our area just ahead of our great nation’s birthday. While daytime temps were in the upper 90s, humidity levels were high and winds were fairly calm, so the plants didn’t stress too much. The weekend brought in some timely showers across most of the county to help p…
Rain! The county finally received some widespread rain at the end of the week, just in the nick of time for the pollinating corn. Soybeans were showing signs of stress too, so this should give them a good boost going into the forecasted heat next week. Aerial fungicide is being applied in ea…
Our area is nearly wrapped up with wheat harvest and most double-crop beans that have been planted have emerged rather quickly thanks to some timely showers and warmth to get them going. This past week had a little precipitation to slow the harvest down for a day, but it wasn't quite enough …
Wheat harvest in our area has started with the help of a threatening week of rain in the extended forecast. Some early varieties are still testing in the mid-teens and reporting average to above-average yields so far. By the end of the week, farmers in the area will be full swing into wheat …
We had some “dry out” time this past week and capped it off with some well-timed, light to moderate rains. Corn is growing fast — gaining a new leaf every 2.5 days. Beans similarly are gaining height and steadily flowering. There was a small amount of replanting going in just ahead of the we…
This past week was soggy and cold, so there wasn't much activity in the southwestern part of the state. A slow-moving system tracked through that took a couple days to clear out. Some spots reported as much as 3 inches of rain. The good thing was that any early-stage bean plants that were un…
Last week allowed for another flurry of spraying and planting across the county. It dried out enough for some replants in low-lying areas and creek bottoms. With the warmer weather, we are seeing a flush of weed pressure that has pushed through the preemerge. The early corn is now nearly wai…
The Monroe County area had another quick burst of planting in scattered pockets just ahead of another weather front that moved through Friday night and Saturday morning. Luckily, weather events seem to be spaced just right, allowing some planting and application progress to be made each week…
We had a rough start to the week with a fairly broad-sweeping storm moving through. While this put the brakes on any remaining planting efforts for the week, it provided some moisture to get the corn and beans up out of the ground and give them a boost to gain some height and find some early…
Our area found another productive planting window mid-week to get quite a few more acres planted. In all, we are approximately 90% done, with much of those acres emerged and looking uniform. While planting has been going fairly smooth, the regularity of the wind has made spray applications t…
We received nearly perfect rains on Wednesday/Thursday and a little more Saturday morning that will get the prior week’s planting surge started off on the right foot. The western side of the county (bottoms) is nearly done planting, while the farms in the hills on the eastern side of the cou…
Chad Dillenberger is a Monroe County native. His experience spans roles in finance as well as hands-on management as the fourth generation on a 1,600-acre grain farm in Valmeyer. He graduated from Saint Louis University in 2004, majoring in finance, and then spent 15 years with Scottrade (a …
Chad Dillenberger is a Monroe County native. His experience spans roles in finance as well as hands-on management as the fourth generation on a 1,600-acre grain farm in Valmeyer. He graduated from Saint Louis University in 2004, majoring in finance, and then spent 15 years with Scottrade (a …
Looking back, our area was fortunate to have a good planting season for most. The stands were impressive for both crops, with rainfall being on the moderate side. Many were anticipating a hot, dry May and June, but it was far less intense compared to last year. Rains in July were timely and …
Much of the harvest is wrapping up, and fieldwork is in full swing in our area. Many would not turn down a rain, so hopefully precipitation is in our future. Jack Frost showed up late this week and took care of any volunteer corn. A sigh of relief came over the land with markets moving highe…
Another productive week, with anhydrous being put on in some of our area. Still pretty dry in our area, but harvest is moving on. Look forward to another rain because it is dry in most of Illinois. People are moving on with fall work and we also appreciate the cool temperatures. Most crops i…
Pleasant weather. Many are wrapping up harvest in the area, and we wrapped up harvest on Wednesday afternoon last week. We received around six-tenths of rain last Saturday.
We had another productive week of harvest, and there’s been a lot accomplished. Many are finished or close to the finish line. Weather has been pleasant and we’re looking forward to another cool down. Ground conditions continue to remain dry. Field activities are starting for tillage and fer…
One brief shower with very scattered rains, but when it rained it rained really hard. The temperatures are still on the warm side. Harvest conditions are really good and yields quite varied in some places. We had a good clear week to get work done. A few are done, but those who have some lef…
Our area’s temps were again on the high side, but rain did arrive on Saturday and Sunday evening. Pastures are getting short, and many are getting into their hay reserves early. Harvest is in full swing, and most are setting a good pace in their harvest efforts. We enjoy harvest, and somethi…
Harvest had a soft start in our area with some early beans and corn crossing the scales, along with some bins being filled. Summertime has returned with temps in the 90s. Moisture levels in corn are just getting to acceptable levels — some have found some down to 15%. Pastures are getting ve…
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