By J. Larry Miller
The warmer temperatures on Tuesday and Wednesday were certainly welcome and I was beginning to lose my confidence in Al Gore and global warming. There is still some concern as cooler temperatures are forecast this weekend. Corn that was planted almost 2 weeks ago has sprouted and is possibly going to make it.
Larry Miller, executive director Franklin County Farm Bureau
April is the cruelest month,” the poet T.S. Eliott wrote in 1922, and it’s a judgment many nervous Illinois farmers might share in 2013.
The five-year average for corn planting is 40 percent. This year, with rain-saturated fields and cool soils, just 1 percent of the corn is in the ground, according to the weekly Illinois Weather and Crops report from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
As of April 24, the month already had been the fourth-wettest in Illinois history, according to Jim Angel, state climatologist with the Illinois State Water Survey. The state average rain was 6.58 inches and within striking distance of the record 7.40 in April 2011, Angel said. April’s average is 3.77.
Farmers are not looking forward to the forecast for the rest of this week with lost of rain possible. Looks like it will be at least next week before much else can be done in the fields. But as a farmer there are always many things that need attention around the farm so inside work will get caught up during this time.
The 2nd Annual Franklin County Farm Bureau Antique Tractor Drive Josh Odom Memorial will be held on May 11th in conjunction with the Rend Lake Water Festival. The Young Leaders have been working diligently in getting local implement dealers to come and set up equipment on the parking lot across from McDonald’s in West City at the Rend Lake Plaza.
The tractor drive will begin with registration at 10:00 a.m. and leave Rend Lake Plaza at 10:30 to drive around the lake and enjoy the day. Right now the weather says we will have a high of 79 degrees which will be perfect weather for the event.
We still have plenty of room for entries for the antique tractors to participate – with a $10 entry fee that will get you a t-shirt and a fish dinner this is quite reasonable. The television show “Small Town, Big Deal” will be here filming for this event so Franklin County will be on national television and get some major recognition for all that we do. Let’s get as many tractors to participate as possible for a good showing.
For more information call the Franklin County Farm Bureau at (618) 435-3616 to reserve your space today.
Remember we are farmers working together. If we can help let us know.
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