Editors' Notebook

"Into each life, some rain must fall." -- Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Surely I am not the only person who has taken comfort in this familiar quote. When besieged by the slings and arrows of outrageous misfortune or just the struggles of everyday life, it reminds us we are not alone. It makes us feel better.

Unless you're a farmer wanting to plant.

There has been quite a bit of rain falling in Corn Belt areas this week, with more forecast through Friday, leaving waiting fields and farmers' attitudes more than a little soggy.

When asked about conditions in his area, Scott Wallis of southern Indiana replied simply, "WET WET WET. 4-6 inches of rain in the last week."

In New York state, Crawford McFetridge had quite a bit more to say, including some observations on his and fellow farmers' mental state.

"Here in the Finger Bowl area there is nothing going on. Mud is still number 1. Standing water is everywhere. But the best thing is it's CRANKY PANTS SEASON. It happens every year. Farmers start getting anxious and want to start doing things but can't. So like little kids they start picking on each other until they get to go to work. With the weather, the prices of grain and inputs should add to it. It's not too far away. Just got some big snow drifts to melt."

McFetridge wonders if farmers should skip the hard work this year. "There is no big rush to get going this year. Looks better right now to coast through this year and hope for better next year. Next week is supposed to be warm and dry. Well we will see."

In south-central Minnesota, Mark Nowak reported there is moisture, but if the forecast turns drier and warmer, he hopes to start planting April 20.

"We received 0.33 inch of rain on April 1 and a very nice 0.59 inch yesterday (Tuesday) evening. That keeps the topsoil moist. Tile outlets are running lightly and that means we are moist down to 4 feet or so, but have ample room for any heavier April rains. A lot of nitrogen went on starting around here on Saturday and then Monday and up until it rained late Tuesday afternoon. I got the anhydrous on my 60 acres of corn-on-corn and then leveled with field cultivator. Ground worked up in great shape. Timing was good as last evening; rain recharged the topsoil. I won't touch any more ground now until ready to plant. Rain forecast again for tomorrow (Thursday) and then again early next week. Then the forecast goes drier and warmer into April 20. So if the last 10 days of April forecast are for warmth enough to germinate seeds, will plan to start planting on Monday, April 20. In 2013 the start date was May 15 and last year May 17. So pretty excited if, in fact, we can get an early start."

It is also wet in the Stanberry, Missouri, area where Bob Birdsell farms. "There isn't much going on around here," he reported. "There has been some [fieldwork] but lots of mud tracked onto the road when they left, so it will be a while. It's a cloudy, drizzly day here calling for rain and thundershowers most of the week. I heard on the radio this morning Missouri has 1% of its corn planted; average is 6%. Good luck everyone and be safe."

In northern Illinois, Keith Landis said tractors are moving and things are not too wet like they might be in other areas. "Yesterday (the 6th) tractors began to roll. Anhydrous is going in. As for us, manure hauling, prepared and seeded new pasture ground for the dairy, seeded oats and cover crop to work down later for corn planting. Not as much rain last night as predicted; we could use the moisture."

In west-central Minnesota ground is drying, reports Dave Tollefson of Starbuck. "Started working some ground for wheat today (Monday), but the low spots are a little soft and greasy yet. It will be a few days before the ground will be fit to plant. Was up around St. Cloud last week -- it is drier over there so some small grains are going in and manure being spread. Heard of some anhydrous going on corn ground in my county of Pope, also."

And in the northern tier of the Corn Belt, Phil Carter from Michigan told DTN, "Things in west-central Michigan are pretty slow, still cool but today was 57 degrees and sunny. Snow is finally mostly gone but some still in woods and sheltered areas. Maple syrup season is real good this year, although late. Have been trimming apples and chopping apple brush. Neighbors are hauling manure. I have been building oak apple bins; they hold 18 bushels and weigh 200 pounds plus when green wood is used. 36 to build yet. Have also hauled somewhere around 1,000 empty bins (mine) home from handlers, sorted, repaired and stored them. Really just waiting for spring to happen."

Aren't we all, Phil? Aren't we all.

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