Post by Reese on May 3, 2015 0:46:30 GMT -5
Spring. One of the busiest and most important times of year on the farm. After the snow is gone and the fields are dry, the real work begins. Manure can be hauled, fields can be tilled and seed can be planted. Luckily, this year, the weather has been very cooperative. Although it has been awfully dry so far. Hopefully rain will be in the forecast before the crop comes up. In Minnesota, oats are planted in early spring and corn follows a few weeks later.
We start out by hauling out the last of the manure that had been piled over winter. Tillage follows and varies depending on the field conditions. This year, we started using a Great Plains Turbo Till. We will be using it on soybean stubble, oat stubble and some of the fields we chopped silage on last year. The fields which were combined were plowed under after last fall’s harvest. We usually run the chisel plow over any of those acres that will be put in corn again. The chisel plow also comes in handy for working up dead furrows and headland areas. We also still use a normal disc to aid it producing a smooth seed bed for any small grain and hay field.
A lot of other things go on this time of year also. Wood shavings start to be delivered again. New fuel is delivered for the year. The spreaders are parked out side again till winter. Tillage and planting equipment are rotated to the front sections of the sheds for easier access. Keeping all the equipment under a roof helps protect it from the weather and cuts down on maintenance. The sun, rain, wind and snow can take its toll on equipment if left unprotected.
This is also the time of year when neighbors stop over more often. Most stop by to see how planting is coming along. Some stop to check out any new equipment for the year. A few will stop by to show off their new equipment on their way home (They may even offer to lend it out if the need arises). Come to think of it though, the only time no one stops over, is when we are picking rocks. Go figure. We also found time to set out one of the new deer stands. Three were made last winter, with a few more in the works when time allows.
With oats out of the way and the forecast good, we will start on corn shortly. More on that later.
Getting some equipment ready for planting corn.
Phil stopping to chat. On his way home with his seed.
Questions and comments always welcome.
We start out by hauling out the last of the manure that had been piled over winter. Tillage follows and varies depending on the field conditions. This year, we started using a Great Plains Turbo Till. We will be using it on soybean stubble, oat stubble and some of the fields we chopped silage on last year. The fields which were combined were plowed under after last fall’s harvest. We usually run the chisel plow over any of those acres that will be put in corn again. The chisel plow also comes in handy for working up dead furrows and headland areas. We also still use a normal disc to aid it producing a smooth seed bed for any small grain and hay field.
A lot of other things go on this time of year also. Wood shavings start to be delivered again. New fuel is delivered for the year. The spreaders are parked out side again till winter. Tillage and planting equipment are rotated to the front sections of the sheds for easier access. Keeping all the equipment under a roof helps protect it from the weather and cuts down on maintenance. The sun, rain, wind and snow can take its toll on equipment if left unprotected.
This is also the time of year when neighbors stop over more often. Most stop by to see how planting is coming along. Some stop to check out any new equipment for the year. A few will stop by to show off their new equipment on their way home (They may even offer to lend it out if the need arises). Come to think of it though, the only time no one stops over, is when we are picking rocks. Go figure. We also found time to set out one of the new deer stands. Three were made last winter, with a few more in the works when time allows.
With oats out of the way and the forecast good, we will start on corn shortly. More on that later.
Getting some equipment ready for planting corn.
Phil stopping to chat. On his way home with his seed.
Questions and comments always welcome.