Today, I am pleased to roll-out the first of a number of scheduled guest commentaries by local agronomy professionals representing seed providers who are participating in our First Harvest Farm Management, LLC Competitive Seed Comparison Plot.  This week, Dusty Morrow, C.C.A. and Seed D.S.M. for Prairieland F.S. in Pittsfield provides our first weekly walk-thru inspection Read more about An Exciting Feature To The First Harvest Farm Management Plot Blog!![…]

The FHFM Plot received a very beneficial rain fall on Sunday, July 1 when a front came across from the SW, and dumped a nice 1.5″ at the plot.  Other areas received totals ranging from less than .5 inch to around .75 inch.  The hybrids were getting very dry and thirsty, and this rainfall really Read more about The Rain Man Cometh!![…]

The First Harvest Plot is needing a good soaker rain.  The majority of the plot hybrids have reached tassel stage and several seed representatives have their signs up now.  The hybrids look very good and there is little if any evidence of foliar disease.  We have seen other fields with some issues with Gray Leaf Read more about Mom, send rain!!![…]

The First Harvest plot recorded .8″ inch rain during the last 24 hours.  While the rainfall was very welcome, it was not enough to really help recharge the soil levels, which are getting very dry, fast.  The corn looks very good overall, however, the dry weather is likely taking a bit off the top yield Read more about Not Like What We Would Like to Have!!!![…]

A strong, quick-moving storm front developed north and west of Quincy this afternoon and pushed to the Southeast.  Quincy received over a 1/2″ of rain in the storm which hit around 2:00 p.m.  The front then pushed towards Pittsfield and Pike County.  The plot received .25″ of rain from the short-lived rain event.  A little Read more about A LIttle Bit is Better Than None……[…]

Accredited Farm Manager (AFM) and Certified Crop Advisor (CCA) Joe Dierker inspected the First Harvest Farm Management, LLC “Competitive Seed Comparison Plot” on Sunday evening.  According to the Illinois State Water Survey (ISWS)-Illinois Climate Network (Water and Atmospheric Resources Monitoring Program. Illinois Climate Network. (2015). Illinois State Water Survey, 2204 Griffith Drive, Champaign, IL 61820-7495) Read more about Plot Pushes towards V-6 Growth Stage[…]

The 2018 First Harvest Farm Management Plot “As Planted” map is now available and shown below.  Thanks to Craig Ator, Precision Seed Manager, and Dusty Morrow, Seed DSM at Prairieland F.S. for their assistance in planting the plot and also providing the printout from the Ag Leader ™ Technology mapping software. First Harvest Farm Management Read more about Plot Planting Map Published[…]

The First Harvest Plot benefited from a nice .50″ of rain today, May 26th.  It was much needed and the plot responded well to the moisture.  Corn is growing fast now and really taking advantage of the Nitrogen, and beginning to develop additional leaf collars.

The First Harvest Farm Management, LLC plot on 235th Avenue southeast of Pittsfield received another great rain over the weekend of May 20th and 21st.  Our gauge at the plot recorded .70 ” (7/10ths) of nice gentle rain over the weekend.  The corn has really undertaken a growth spurt, and seems like it has doubled Read more about Plot Benefits from another nice rain event![…]