May 14, 2012
Season of Preparation and Hope
During the past three weeks, I’ve had the opportunity to travel from Sioux Falls to Minneapolis, Minn., Des Moines, Iowa and Madison, Wis., right at the height of the planting season for corn and soybeans. I always marvel at how quickly so many acres are prepared and planted.
As I drive down the highway and see the tractors working the soil, or huge planters seeding 12 or even 16 rows at a time, I wonder what thoughts that farmer has as he or she completes the work from sunup to past sundown. There must be a great sense of anticipation and accomplishment as the crop goes into the ground.
Countless questions must cross their minds throughout the day: Am I going with the right hybrid and traits this year? Do I have the right fertilization program down? Is that planter calibrated correctly? I trust that GPS system is working right. How much rain are we going to get this summer? I sure hope we can avoid hail like we had last year. Wonder if corn will break $7? Fifteen dollar-beans sure seem possible. Sounds like stormy weather tomorrow—hope I can get these last acres in before it hits.
And after months of preseason preparation and several weeks of long days in the fields, the crops are in and the hope and anticipation for a successful new season begin.
It was so amazing to drive across I-90 on Monday and see the fields so perfectly prepped, and then return to see corn peeking through those same fields on Wednesday. Or to see several more baby calves in a lot west of Worthington than two days previous.
For anyone passionate about agriculture, spring is the season of all seasons. The season of new beginnings. The season of new life. The season of preparation and hope.
