Slowly, we seem to be approaching spring planting. I’ve heard of a few more neighbors putting seed in the ground, but I have only seen two small fields planted. We may do the same this week. I hope to get both planters tested in the field and ready to run when conditions are fit.

Last Saturday, I sprayed all day long. Rain was in the weekend forecast and we needed to get cover crop terminated. I think we were successful. The fields have changed colors this week from a bright glossy green to a dull greenish-yellow. Rain was lighter than projected and I was able to spray some more fields on Tuesday. It may have been more of a gamble as the weatherman missed his forecast of mid 50s and temperatures only made the high 40s.

Before I started Tuesday, I changed the mix to make it a little ‘hotter,’ adding another product. We did get some sun at the end of the day, and hopefully that made the products work. Last year it wasn’t such a big deal if a $5 an acre spray application didn’t work, but this year you want to make sure a $15-20 application doesn’t have to be re-applied.

We’ve also been installing water pipe for the new irrigation sites. Conditions have been marginal but manageable. In a couple days last week, we burned through the first 2,200 feet we ordered. Monday we were able to pick up another 1,400 feet, which was ordered in early February, and about 2-3 weeks late being delivered.

We tried to get a few more feet so we could install an auxiliary line, to run a big gun beside a house lot where the center pivot misses, but the dealer was still about 10,000 feet short. That project will have to wait until for another day. We will work on getting as much of the 1,400 feet installed as possible, but won’t get the line completed until it dries out.

The road cut we did on the first line was pretty hard. We were five feet deep and had to hand dig below 2 fiber lines and a phone line. It was the worst part of the job. It also took a semi load of gravel to fill the hole. The next road cut won’t be any easier as it is in a wet area. We will do that part later and bring pipe together from both ends.

Everyone be safe out there!