StillwatersIowa

We have had two planting window opportunities so far this spring. The first was six days the second week of April. The second was four days this past week. In that ten day period, according to our seed shed, and observing fields, I would estimate our community has about 80% of the corn, and 60% of the soybeans planted. An unlikely outcome for such a short planting window so far. Temperatures have been warm enough for both corn and beans to emerge in about two weeks. We are keeping up with spraying, however it's been a battle with all the windy days. This past week the soil was warm enough to no-till. BJ is no-till planting on some burned down rye cover crop. Burned down means it's been sprayed and has died. The forecast was promising a four day planting window Monday-Thursday this past week. More farmers than I can remember in our area worked day and night to make good use of this window. It started raining 5:30 Friday morning. Friday afternoon storms came through just north of...

What will life be like for Brynn and the rest of our children and grandchildren in 20 years? It's a question that's been asked with concern for generations. Change is inevitable. Much of it good. God asks us to move forward in faith. He doesn't always answer our whys. Pastor Greg from Covenant Church in Pella told about his Grandfather's A John Deere and changes since at a chapel message during Grandparents Day Thursday at PCHS. He mentioned a phrase that stuck with me. Understanding the times. I was blessed to sit with five grandchildren during that chapel. Jan, Cassia, and Stacy all help Bonnie, Kathy, and others in the kitchen prepare and serve meals at school. We planted as ground conditions allowed between showers this week. Even though it's cooler, it looks like we will be able to roll tomorrow. Beck Seed leads the industry in seed treatment using 14 different active ingredients on their corn and 10 on soybean seed. Protecting the young plant against diseases ...

Over the past 15 years there have been a number of our visits that come to the top of my memory. They all involve relationships. This past Friday afternoon we parked the farm equipment and enjoyed each others company as family and friends. Our son BJ and Cassia's daughter Rachel and Carson were married at 5pm on the farm. Thanks for the picture. Around 300 guests attended the ceremony. During all the years of sharing our yard, pond, and facilities with the community, we've had a policy of no weddings. However we were honored to make an exception for family. Our son-in-law Brian, who pastors Faith Church in Pella, knocked it out of the park with his message to the couple about a love that is over, under, around, and through. Our nephew's wife Tennessee photographed the celebration. After the ceremony next to the pond, guest moved to our shop across the road for supper and fellowship. Remember Cassia's brother, Micah and Rupa? Last July Jan and I attended and shared about...

Last week we worked on tuning up our technology. The globes on top of the equipment are called satellite receivers. They communicate with satellites in the sky.  Planter technology auto steers the tractor without the need for planter markers. It changes seed population on the go, planting less seed on the tougher hills. And bumping the population up on good black dirt based off of prescriptions that Karl writes for our fields. It also shuts off the seed within 2 inches of coming up on end rows. Sprayers also use technology to auto steer eliminating using foam for markers. It also doesn't allow already sprayed areas from doubling up on chemicals. Technology controls the product pump by monitoring speed. New technology controls individual sprayer nozzles allowing the satellites to automatically shut of for waterways, terraces, and field borders.  Dirtwork equipment also communicates with satellites. When Mike builds a terrace he writes a file and enters that into the dozer's tec...