Hay

I imagine some of you have started harvest by now. Not me, though, but that’s normal. Our double-crop beans are getting really thirsty since we’ve only had a third of an inch of rain in over six weeks.

What began as an independent research project as a senior at Illinois State University has transformed into a career centered on on-farm trials that use an “outside-the-box” approach to crop production.

Scott Halpin, state executive director of the Farm Service Agency in Illinois, announced that four additional counties are authorized for emergency haying and grazing of Conservation Reserve Program acres.

Scott Halpin, state executive director of the Farm Service Agency in Illinois, announced that 89 counties are authorized for emergency haying and grazing of Conservation Reserve Program acres for fiscal year 2023.

Well, I think we may have a crop after all. I hope everyone got their much-needed rain by now. Since I plant later than most, none of my crop had seen any rain except a couple half-tenth events until the end of June.

After working eight- to 10-hour shifts at their full-time jobs, the Smolkovich brothers converged to do chores at their cattle operation Monday evening.

I wrote last month that if we didn’t receive rain soon, then before long we would be in a drought. Well, sure enough, that’s where we are now. Since my last writing, we have only had a couple of small showers.

The Southwest continues to endure a “megadrought,” a term used to describe drought conditions lasting at least two decades.

Four outstanding FFA students were selected as State Stars at the 94th annual Indiana FFA State Convention.

An impending drought could result in inadequate forage yield for cattle in parts of Indiana. “Many have experienced drier than normal weather,” said Ron Lemenager, Purdue Extension beef specialist.

Years of working on FFA projects resulted in four FFA members selected as Star winners during 95th annual Illinois Association FFA State Convention.

The history of Smolkovich farms has a direct connection with the coal boom about 16 miles north that continued into the early 20th century.

Luckily, the hay at our farm grew well this spring and was baled the first week of June. The yield was three more big square bales than last year. I am thrilled because now it has been really dry.

The most recent U.S. Drought Monitor shows nearly all of the Midwest is experiencing shows nearly all of the Midwest is experiencing some level of drought.

Nobody is complaining about fighting mud and rain showers to get their first crop of hay put up. Getting the last of the corn up and what kind of corn crop we will have is a whole other kettle of fish.