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West Central

July 6: Finally we got the break we were looking for

    Finally we got the break we were looking for. We finished up planting beans and got some spraying done. I can’t begin to tell you how many bales of hay were born this week. Four balers were on fire in my neighborhood, including my own. Three of them were saved. So be sure to check those bear…

    R.T. Slack, West Central Missouri CropWatch

    R.T. Slack, West Central Missouri CropWatch

      R.T. Slack farms with family in Henry and Johnson counties in west-central Missouri. He says conditions are muddy heading into spring planting time. He grows corn and soybeans and also puts up some alfalfa hay.

      June 26: It’s plenty warm and plenty wet

        It’s plenty warm and plenty wet, but we were able to sneak in and wrap up bean planting. Some will definitely have to be redone. Seems silly to have to rush to cash a crop insurance date, but rules are rules, and we all play by the rules. Wheat was way ahead of normal. We wrapped that up tod…

        June 22: Looks like mud once again

          Looks like mud once again. We did manage to mud some in last week and did find a couple dry spots, but that’s over after the last rain. Still waiting on mud. The hay guys are still waiting, too. The beans I planted in March look like I should have planted a lot more. They look like a million bucks.

          June 15: Looks like mud. Thats about all.

            Rained again, and more rain coming. Looks like mud. Thats about all. I sound like a broken record.

            June 8: It rains every day

              It rains every day. The question is, how much? We did manage to plant about 500 acres in two days’ time. Just barely got it dry enough and ran with it. I’m so tired of rain; we are soaked again from rain today. Calling for rain all week. Wheat is getting really close. Starting to see a few w…

              June 1: Beans are still chilling in the seed box

                Some corn looks good; some corn needs another shot of nitrogen. Beans are still chilling in the seed box. Wheat is starting to turn. It refuses to stop raining long enough to get anything accomplished. We replanted some corn last Thursday in mud, then started on beans. It started raining abo…

                May 22: Another wet week on the record

                  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 em…

                  May 18: Nice to finally get something done

                    There was a lot of corn and beans planted last week. More rain is coming, they say. Hopefully we’ll get another dry stretch soon to hammer these beans on out. Wheat is coming along. Some alfalfa got baled, too. Nice to finally get something done.

                    May 11: We finally have some sunshine

                      We finally have some sunshine. With a little luck, maybe we can plant something this week.

                      May 4: Finally it’s going to be dry enough to do something

                        Finally it’s going to be dry enough to do something on Monday (May 4). Rain again on Tuesday. Missouri farming is living up to its name — misery! Wheat is pretty much headed out. Looks decent. Send warm temps — we need it.

                        April 27: After 24 days of mud, we managed to find a drier spot

                          After 24 days of mud, we managed to find a drier spot in the county. It was none too dry, but we got 250 acres planted in one day. Woke up the next morning to more rain. Now it’s raining again. Another 2.25 inches and counting. We really need to save some for August. All those in favor say “aye.”

                          April 20: We have not turned off the tap since April 1

                            Lots of corn was planted in March, but we have not turned off the tap since April 1. It’s all mud. Nothing but mud. And wind. It’s been pretty windy. We missed the storm here, but we always get the rain. I’ve lost track of the inches.

                            R.T. Slack, West Central Missouri CropWatch Journal

                            R.T. Slack, West Central Missouri CropWatch Journal

                              R.T. Slack farms with family in Henry and Johnson counties in west-central Missouri. He says conditions are muddy heading into spring planting time. He grows corn and soybeans and also puts up some alfalfa hay.

                              Introducing R.T. Slack

                                R.T. Slack farms with family in Henry and Johnson counties in west-central Missouri. He says conditions are muddy heading into spring planting time. He grows corn and soybeans and also puts up some alfalfa hay.

                                Wrap-up: Beans made something for themselves

                                  This year started out pretty good. We were able to get our NH3 on without too much delay. We were able to get a lot planted before a three-week shutdown for rain prior to finishing. Then every time we started a hay mower it would rain. Rained just a little every few days till wheat season. T…

                                  Nov. 3: Mother Nature needs a chill pill

                                    Beans are coming along pretty well. Mother Nature needs a chill pill. We lost eight days because it drizzled four and a half days to get 1 inch. Finally back at it today. This week looks very promising. Getting some wheat planted as well.

                                    Oct. 27: Soybeans came to a screeching halt

                                      Soybeans came to a screeching halt — won’t stop raining. They seem to be doing OK. Between rains and annoying breakdowns, we're gaining. May switch back to corn this week if it doesn't dry up quick.

                                      Oct. 20: Bean harvest is slow but sure

                                        Bean harvest is slow but sure. Beans are too dry, too tough and too cheap. We just keep pushing on between the rains. Soybeans attract rain when they are ready, much like a raccoon to the sweet corn patch.

                                        Oct. 13: We paused on corn and jumped on beans

                                          We paused on corn and jumped on beans when they got ready. Now it seems to rain just a little bit every other day. Proves the struggle is real. Typical Missouri weather. You get what you need when you don’t want it.

                                          Oct. 6: I like to pace myself

                                            Some guys are done with corn. We switched over to cut beans full bore. I like to pace myself — we can pick corn on a gloomy day. It’s too dry. I’m not sure what changed, but we haven't picked wet corn in several years. Beans are the same way. They're 10% with some green out in the field.

                                            Sept. 29: Going to try to get back on beans this week

                                              Going to try to get back on beans this week. They are really getting close. Corn has been pretty steady, it’s all been dry or too dry. I’d much rather run it at 17-18%. Guess we’ll see what shakes loose. I’ve got some wheat up and growing — looks really good.

                                              Sept. 22: It’s a pretty nice harvest so far

                                                Lot of beans are getting close. Several acres of corn have been taken out in the area. There was a storm that squeaked through late last week. Rain didn’t amount to much. It’s a pretty nice harvest so far.

                                                Sept. 15: We cut 90 acres of beans

                                                  There is a lot of corn coming out. We cut 90 acres of beans, and we planted wheat. Starting on corn today (Monday, Sept. 15).

                                                  Sept. 8: Some have poked their beaks into some corn

                                                    We had a short rain a few days ago. It only lasted 10 minutes, so really didn’t do much good, but it helps. Some have poked their beaks into some corn. I’ve got some early beans that should go this week. Corn is still above 20%. Another week on it and we’ll be full bore.

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