Monday was the only day we were able to work in the fields. We were able to get one of the storage buildings empty of chicken litter. We only have a small pile of litter in the corner of the other, we will get that done the next time fields dry. With everyone sheltering in place, I’m sure our neighbors weren't happy with us. We chiseled in what we could and then had rain Monday night. Rain usually knocks down the aroma. That’s about all we can do.

Since my sprayer is still undergoing maintenance at the dealership, we had to hire out our cover crop termination. They were able to get that done Monday as well. With three or four nice days in a row, I sure hope we get a good kill. I can’t say I’m happy the dealer has had my machine five weeks.

If we weren’t short-handed, we would have gotten the strip-till machine going. We’re still adjusting to the labor issue, but aren’t sure it’s the right time to bring someone on. Like I said earlier, when our help left, he took his acres with him. Since then I’ve also dropped another hundred acres of less profitable land. In all, that puts us down about 350 acres. As long as we remember that, it should take the edge off.

After it rained, I spent half of Tuesday sorting the inventory in the seed and fertilizer shed. Until this week, I had been trying to keep some space available for the kids to play in the ‘gym’. I discovered a few shortages, and am in the process of getting everything squared away and ready. This week, more corn seed failed to meet our germination standard and I had to order more. The cold saturated germ was poor enough, I’d rather plant something I don’t have time to test than plant something is know is bad.

The opinions of the author are not necessarily those of Farm Futures or Farm Progress.