View from the Cab: Planting time is here

By Kent Casson

As the old saying goes – you have to make hay while the sun shines.

That’s what we did the other day as our planting season got off to a rather quick start. Once we got the bean planter set and a few minor adjustments out of the way, we were off and rolling before some rainy weather set in. As of this writing, we have not put corn in the ground yet, but I’m hoping that will change in the coming days as both planters will be going full force.

It always feels good to hop in that tractor cab for the first time each spring after a long winter without being in the field. Just me, the tractor and the radio. I can spend hours in that cab and don’t really get tired of it, especially on a clear, sunny day in the countryside.

While it is good we are getting some much-needed rainfall to replenish soil moisture, we do need a window to get these crops in the ground. Just when we got the planter set to go, rain moved in the other day, but at least we got almost 20 acres of the first field done.

Spring weather is extremely spotty as some farmers could be planting a few miles away while we are sitting because too much rain fell the night before. We shouldn’t have a problem finding moisture as we initially feared and luckily the drought monitor is improving across Illinois from recent wet weather.

It sure doesn’t take us long to plant anymore. If Central Illinois farmers get a two-week stretch of decent weather, many of the corn and beans will be in the ground. The same goes for harvest time – if you blink, it’s pretty much over.

My how things have changed in a year as farmers in southern Illinois weren’t able to get into the field at all last April and May and now some in that area are wrapping-up planting for another year. They have had ideal weather conditions for early fieldwork while we are turning a bit wet in the central part of the state.

Once this weather breaks, there will be long days and short nights but we are ready. Let’s get this 2026 growing season going!

Don’t forget to stay with your local radio station WPOK 93.7 FM “Route 24 Radio” for the latest updates from the field this spring along with farmer interviews and midday market reports.