Jon Freeman


Harvest is getting wrapped in the area. To our south, the corn is drying down really well for as late as it was planted. Most are pleased with the results. Double-crop beans are being cut with very good yields reported from 30 to 40 bushels per acre. I’m starting to see some tillage being done. We will need some weather to break up the huge boulders that are being brought up. On our farm, we are all done with harvest and all nitrogen applications. We did have a good amount of lime applied this year, as our tests indicated the need. Now, we are waiting for the tile man to show up as we have some drainage problems that need work. On the fertilizer side, many producers have indicated they will apply little, if any, P and K. Many have studied soil tests and figured they could slide a year. Maybe the fertilizer prices will adjust with the demand. We have not seen the fertilizer truck traffic as in the past. It’s hard to believe, but meeting season will start really soon. The Illinois Farm Bureau annual meeting will start Dec. 6 with Peoria Farm Show the week before. Time flies. Something to think about is who the new president will pick for secretary of agriculture.