Ground Work

Ground Work 2021: Illinois Harvest Just Underway

Daryl Cates|Sep 20, 2021

We had hot, dry weather the last two weeks of August, in my area along the Mississippi River in the heart of the U.S. Midwest.…

Ground Work

Ground Work 2021: Protecting Soybean Yield and Quality in Illinois

Daryl Cates|Aug 20, 2021

This season continues to change constantly. In my area along the Mississippi River in the heart of the U.S. Midwest, we’ve had very dry conditions,…

Ground Work

Ground Work 2021: Harvest and Fieldwork Finished in Illinois

Daryl Cates|Nov 18, 2021

I am finished with fieldwork for 2021. Yield-wise, this has been the best overall year in my 40-plus-year farming career. However, it has held plenty…

Ground Work

Ground Work 2021: Harvesting Soybeans in Illinois

Daryl Cates|Oct 25, 2021

Wet weather has slowed down harvest and other fall fieldwork in my area along the Mississippi River in the heart of the U.S. Midwest. As…

Ground Work

Ground Work 2021: Mississippi River Levels, Rain Impact Illinois Soybeans

Daryl Cates|Jul 21, 2021

What a difference a week makes. During the week of June 21, the Mississippi River dropped as low as 3 m, or 10 feet, and…

Ground Work

Ground Work 2021: Controlling Weeds in Illinois

Daryl Cates|Jun 24, 2021

After rain delays through much of May, I finished planting soybeans on June 5. I am still amazed at how quickly we can get caught…

Ground Work

Ground Work 2021: Planting Delays in Illinois

Daryl Cates|May 26, 2021

After a good start to planting, rains at the end of April and the beginning of May interrupted us and kept us out of the…

Ground Work

Ground Work 2021: Illinois Planting Underway

Daryl Cates|Apr 26, 2021

Mid-April brought spring rains and below average temperatures to my area along the Mississippi River, in the heart of the United States midwest. The Mississippi…

Ground Work

Ground Work 2021: Monitoring Mississippi River Levels in Illinois

Daryl Cates|Mar 26, 2021

Illinois farmer Daryl Cates monitors Mississippi River levels and crop prices as he prepares for the 2021 planting season. His Ground Work 2021 update describes…