By Jeff Burbrink
Ag & Natural Resources Extension Educator, Purdue Extension LaGrange County

Jeff Burbrink

LAGRANGE — One of the most frustrating parts of a wet spring is the waiting. Rain can be a farmer’s friend and a farmer’s enemy. When rain keeps you from planting, it’s the latter.

We’ve all been taught for the last 50 or 60 years that the earlier the crops are planted, the more the expected yields are, and with that, more income. So, when the rain keeps you out of the field, it can be very frustrating.

I believe spring rains are sent to teach us patience. I think we all know when we go into a field a little too early, under poor conditions, the results are usually not good. Mudding in the seed leads to uneven stands, and variable crop moisture levels in the fall that make the harvest difficult also.

I will close with a story about my Dad’s planting philosophy. There was a fella in our neighborhood who was always the first to plant. Many of those fields were a little too wet, and they often looked terrible from the road all summer long. Dad’s advice to me was always wait a day or two after that neighbor planted, and you’ll be okay.