As we head into Labor Day weekend, work on the farm this week has been a mixed bag. For the most part, rain fizzled out on Tuesday leaving us with only 0.15 to 0.4 inches compared to meaningful rains just to the west of us.

Some areas we farm have received less than 2 inches in the last 30 days. Crops can use around 2 inches a week during grain fill. I don’t care what USDA or any crop tours say, those crops are getting smaller every day!

Matt and I have continued working to refresh the new-to-us planter. We replaced all the steel wear parts.

We also made decisions on technology upgrades. The upgrades have been cut way back. We will invest in the minimum of what needs to be done for the planter to do what we need it to do. It shouldn’t take long to finish it up and drive it back to the shed. Again, the reason for working on a planter in August is to plant wheat with it this fall. We originally planned to plant cover crops in 15-inch to explore planting between cover crop rows rather than into the mass of the cover crop, However, all cover crops planned for fall are now on hold.

Dad has been working on items that we decided to do as part of the grain bin project from early this spring. That list includes the load-out spout from the new hopper bin and replacing wet grain feed augers.

We also worked on one of the tractors and grain carts through the shop. We’re waiting for a couple of parts to finish working on one combine before we can move it out.

It’s not going to be a super early harvest for us. We will likely have a few acres of corn and soybeans ready in the next 10 days to two weeks.

With no premium in the market, we don’t need to rush out there and pick wet corn only to dry it. So, we will wait until moisture is in the low 20s.

Soybean processors still have a little push for the first half of the month, so we hope to harvest and ship immediately.

Everyone have a great weekend!