The field equipment is starting to move again today in areas of Wisconsin, with some forecasters smiling as they give the initial indications that this planting season may not be as challenging as last season’s wet weather brought.
The season has its own, challenges, of course, but there’s some optimism that the crops could be planted this year on a more timely basis than they were last year.
As the equipment rolls, it’s fun as an aging aging ag journalist to sit back and watch the technological wonders in the fields. Modern planting equipment can sow seeds with pinpoint accuracy and at good speed.
There still are conventional farmers around who remember when horse-drawn equipment was the only option for getting field-work done. Even more can clearly remember the day when moving from a two-row to a four-row corn planter could make neighborhood news.
Farmers in the autumn of their lives might say the changes to equipment moved with lightning speed, though deeper reflection might make them remember that 40 or 50 years can be considered a long time.
However great the technologies, though, weather conditions always will have the last say about whether the crops are getting planted. And, maybe this is one of those years when the weather treats our farmers right.
Let’s roll!
— Scott Schultz
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