Production Blog

DECATUR, Ill. (DTN) -- I detest drought. I suppose that's why I am hesitant to declare that the two-plus years of drought here is over, despite the fact that recent rain showers and thunderstorms have gone a long way toward quenching our thirst.

Today, our fledging farm -- a bunch of strawberries, rhubarb and a handful of fruit trees -- are submerged beneath water. While this newly-formed lake makes me sad, I can't quite get mad. The memory of carrying water to each of those trees and nursing each gasping plant is still too raw.

My father also taught me never to complain about rain. Only once do I remember worrying about having an overabundance. As a high school senior, we had yet to get into the field when I graduated in late May. I selfishly worried that college might have to wait. Still, everything got planted that year and we had a decent crop, despite the delay. Praying for rain was much more common even though our deep Illinois soils held moisture better than most.

A quick drive into the countryside today revealed overwhelmed culverts and streams in areas where tiles have barely run in the last two years. I saw egrets in cornfields that last fall held cracks big enough to swallow a yardstick. Flash flood warnings are posted for tonight in many areas. Oddly, our ponds are still really low.

It's hard not to get antsy for things to dry up as April moves toward May. Still, I prefer to look for silver linings in these rain clouds:

-- Our soil moistures are recharged.

-- Corn rootworms aren't good swimmers. We went into the season well positioned for a rootworm problem. The rain should help dilute it.

-- Seed companies have had time to get their winter seed production processed.

-- You've had plenty of time to make sure you have the planter adequately equipped to handle big seed.

-- Some of us now have lakeside property.

Pam Smith can be reached at pam.smith@telventdtn.com

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