From the Fields: ‘We are dry, dry, dry’

POSEYVILLE, Ind. — Harvest is in full swing for Mark Seib, a grain farmer from Posey County in the southwestern corner of Indiana.

Corn and soybeans are dry and ready to go straight to the bin, Seib said.

He shared an update with AgriNews.

Q: When did harvest begin on your farm and how is it going?

A: Our first day of harvest was Tuesday, Sept. 3, and we were ready with all-hands-on-deck. All vehicles from pickups to semis and everything in between were ready to hit the first 10 acres full bore.

The moisture for corn was 23%, which was drier than expected, and we were thrilled. A couple weeks ago, we switched to beans to see where we were with them — 12% moisture, and they’re able to go straight to the bin.

Q: What do crop conditions look like so far?

A: I’d say they are as good as they can be with not enough rain. We scored 0.37 inches of rain on Aug. 31, but it is too little and too late. We are dry, dry, dry. There is even a burn ban for our area. We can park our loaded semis in the field with no difficulties of rutting or getting stuck.

Q: What’s your favorite part about harvest season?

A: The satisfaction of a completed growing season. My wife, Sheryl, loves being able to see the hidden homesteads again after the corn is gone and secretly loves fall decorations, as well as the changing colors. It is long hours day after day, but a rain break would be appreciated.

Q: What are some of the challenges that farmers face during harvest?

A: Dry weather, rain coming and a late crop. Not enough rest leads to accidents because of the risks we take. Parts can be locally hard to access. It took an hour and a half drive one way to get a part the other day. Others have had to make a trip to Kansas City and Leesburg, Indiana, to get parts. It is frustrating, to say the least, because that is a loss of valuable field time.

Q: What kind of weather would help you wrap up harvest?

A: Rain to settle the dust would be nice and give winter wheat crop a head start. Yards look sad and flowerbeds are disappearing into weed beds. Timely rains are needed so we can rest, but not so much that we can’t farm.

My wish is for a successful harvest with rested bodies and minds. When we get tired, we tend to take shortcuts and that leads to taking risks because we don’t pay attention.

My goal for everyone is to have everyone who says goodbye as they leave the house each morning to be able to say good morning the next day.

Be careful and think about what your decisions mean to that beautiful family and spouse waiting for you at the end of the day.

Q: With what you know so far, how does this year’s growing season and harvest compare to recent years?

A: There is never a harvest or planting season that is like another. There are hundreds of variables in hundreds of combinations that affect each season.

Factors include weather, temperatures, precipitation, droughts, insects, diseases and effectiveness of herbicides. This is why farming is so exciting — not any day or season like the next.

Q: What else is going on with your family this time of year?

A: Trap season, dove hunting, sandwich making, college life for some and fall sports with grandkids. Sheryl is doing lots of reading — Kristin Hannah and David Baldacci books — and staying quiet at home for some really long days.

Q: Any events going on at Indiana Farm Bureau this time of year?

A: I attended my first fall annual meeting for the year in Winslow. The District 9 core group is busy planning a farm to table event on Nov. 16 in Chrisney.

It’s a good time for Ag in the Classroom volunteers to make visits to schools to share accurate farm facts with children. There are certainly many opportunities to get involved in INFB.

The directors met in Vincennes for their monthly meeting. There we met with Vincennes University leadership, Susan Brocksmith, dean of the Public Service Division Office at Vincennes, and Dr. Bret Marsh, Indiana state veterinarian, to discuss current livestock issues. We also visited with Don Villwock, former INFB president, while in the area.