Derek Fuemmeler has been farming with family all his life. He farms in Howard, Chariton and Randolph counties, with a diversified farm operation. He also works as a certified crop advisor and provides crop consulting services.

Forty acres at a time. That seems to be the planting motto this year. Constant rain showers have been putting a damper on a consistent run. However, some corn and beans have both been put in. Some corn has emerged. Storms last week produced minimal to substantial rainfall. We did see some planters start up Sunday afternoon (April 19) while others, just a mile or two away, were waiting for the puddles to dry up. Wheat and rye are very lush and healthy but soon will look for drier conditions themselves. Pastures and hayfields look bountiful.

The week started off with a few planters able to get in the fields. More and more joined throughout the week until Thursday night (April 23). Then the rains hit. It wasn’t a gusher, so some were able to run Saturday and Sunday. But Sunday evening rain will definitely keep us out of the seat for at least the start-to-middle of this week. Seeing more corn emerging and some soybeans starting to emerge. Early wheat varieties are heading out.

Another wet week, but definitely not a lazy one. Many of us found ourselves in the basements Monday morning (April 27). Tornados and heavy winds caused damage across much of the area. Trees, limbs, buildings, etc. were scattered in fields and on fences. Cleanup will carry on into this week and the weeks to come. Fieldwork was only done by the flyers this past week. Many headed-out wheat fields were receiving fungicide applications. A few curious planters crept into the fields late Saturday and Sunday, but the future forecast looks to be a grim one for their continuance. Hefty rain chances throughout the week look to stall progress once again. Pastures are flourishing though!

Persistent showers kept field activity at bay throughout most of the week. On Thursday (May 7) some were, once again, able to make it back in. Aerial fungicide applications on wheat were in full swing hoping to protect what appears to be a promising crop. Many acres of corn are showing their rows, as well as a few scattered soybean fields. Talk of replant is in the farmer discussion throughout many gathering places. Fieldwork looks to be promising for the first of the week. Rains forecasted to move in midweek.

This past week was a busy one. Planters of all sorts transformed the landscape. Many either finished up or put a huge advance in their planting season. The sun and heat really progressed and greened up emerged corn. Some are now reaching V6. Many soybean fields are getting green as well. Replant of both crops is a reality in many places. Wheat is fully headed, flowered and filling grain. Most in the area looks pretty good so far. The coming week looks to start off wet once again.

Another wet week on the record. Showers moved in Sunday night and hung around until Tuesday evening. Thursday afternoon added some light showers to keep the saturation present. Cooler weather has slowed crop growth slightly, but the countryside is getting greener and greener with new crop emergence. Sun and warmer temps are on the minds of most to get this crop moving upward at a faster pace.

This week started out a busy one, with lots of sprayer activity posting corn. Spreader trucks were sidedressing as well. Planters were at it, too, in what seems to be an endless endeavor to beat a rain. Friday put many at a standstill once again. Rains hit and carried through the weekend. Corn growth is anywhere from emerging to V7. Soybeans are either in the bag or up to two trifoliates showing. Wheat is starting to show its greenish-amber wave and would benefit best with a drier forecast.

Field activity was fairly stagnant this past week. Some activity crept in late in the week but was quickly halted by wet weather. There are a few fields scattered throughout the area that are open or need a replant, but most have been planted. Corn and soybeans are in multiple group stages, but the countryside is greening up. Wheat’s turning quickly and is desperately needing to dry its feet. The forecast looks to make the start of wheat harvest a challenging one. Pastures are good, but the early cool weather has stunted much of the undergrowth. Grass is very stemmy with full seed heads.

Another wet week for the record books! Sprayers ventured out cautiously midweek in the southern part of the region. But rain sent them back to the barn by the end of the week. Heavy rains in the northern part kept work at a standstill and added to a rising river and its tributaries. Wheat harvest is going to be upon us this coming week. Other than a chance of rain midweek, we’re hoping to capitalize on it. Early-planted corn is starting to tassel, and later corn is trying to find its rhythm. Soybeans are all across the board as well but starting to see many fields grab that green, lush look.

Wheat harvest finally got its slow start this week. Midweek rains shut most down, but by the end of the week, combines rolled again. A rainy Sunday parked them once again, though. Yields are moderate and test weights are a bit lower this year. Many planters and application equipment took advantage of the brief dry period. Much of the early corn is starting to tassel with others in variable growth stages. Some of the early planted soybeans are showing some blooms. We could use a dry week ahead.

A lot of wheat harvesting and double-crop soybean planting occurred this past week. Of course, small rain showers hindered activity slightly throughout the week. Then Thursday evening brought activity to a standstill once again. Many acres of corn are tasseling across the area. Next week will be an aerial fungicide show once again for many of these acres. Beans continue to add foliage, and fields are looking fuller. Some double crop soybeans are starting to emerge. We are looking forward to a hot, dry week that is forecasted ahead!

Hot, dry weather allowed for a plethora of work to be done this week and changed the landscape. Wheat harvest was wrapped up for most, with soybeans going in right behind the combines. Sprayers and aerial equipment ran rampant with herbicides and fungicides. Hay went down all across the countryside. Corn fields are all catching up to earlier-planted corn, and tassels are prevalent across the horizon. Soybean fields are getting dark green with hardening plants, and blooms are everywhere. This week looks to be a bustling one across the area as well.

The aerial application rush has begun. Planes, drones and helicopters have been flying over cornfields and a few bean fields. Countless hay bales formed across the countryside, once again, this week. Clouds moved in Thursday and hung around till Saturday. We received some helpful rain, though some of our brethren to the south had a bit more than needed along with some destructive winds. This coming week looks to be an orange dot special with a hot emphasis! I’m sure the sky will stay bustling with machinery again.

Fungicide applications were in full force this past week. A lot of cornfields and a few soybean fields were covered. It was another big haying week, as well. Some corn is starting to dent, while other fields are just starting to tassel. Soybeans are in multiple growth stages, too. Many fields are setting and filling pods, while many are just starting to bloom. After-wheat beans look very promising throughout the area. Many are pushing out the fifth trifoliate and are very consistent throughout the fields. Some areas caught a welcome rain shower this past week. It didn’t amount to much, but we could all stand a little rain this time of year. We’re hoping for the midweek chance to see some moisture this coming week.

A few scattered showers and a break in the heat made a lot of difference in corn and soybean fields. But a scorcher returned by the weekend. Early-planted corn fields look to be setting up for a very nice harvest potential with the later working hard to get to it. Some areas of late-planted corn are going to struggle as we enter the dog days. Soybeans are in the same boat, especially the after-wheat beans. They look great now, but are going to need some more moisture soon. We have a hot stretch ahead this week. Hoping it breaks with moisture!