FIELD UPDATE: Good start for crops

GIBSON CITY – Crops are off to a good start here in Central Illinois and growers welcomed last week’s rainfall with open arms.

Alex Bennett farms near Gibson City in Ford County and says his crops look good. Recent field activities in his area include spraying and side-dressing nitrogen in cornfields.

“We’ve had some rains where a mile or two down the road, they didn’t have anything. I’d say we are pretty lucky even though we could still use more.”

Mark Slagel, who farms near Forrest in Livingston County, experienced one of his best planting seasons ever thanks to near ideal conditions.

“Soil conditions were great,” Slagel said. “We got everything planted without 'mudding' anything in.”

Slagel admits the recent rainfall from the remnants of Subtropical Storm Alberto was needed in his part of Livingston County. Slagel farms with his three brothers and also runs Slagel Manufacturing. He says he enjoys getting out of the office to farm and “play in the dirt” every now and then.

“It’s in my blood pretty thick,” Slagel noted.