2021 Spring Farm

Page 6 2021 Logan County Farm Outlook LINCOLN DAILY NEWS March 18, 2021 Some enterprises are being recycled again, including expanded efforts in honey production, vegetable production, meats, and most anything produced locally. Some of the trends in agriculture and conservation are making these enterprises viable. The pollinator habitat initiatives have been a boon to beekeepers. Opportunities may also exist as alternative energy production from wind and solar farms provide areas which are taken out of row crop production, but may be suitable for pollinator patches or fields. These specialty enterprises continue to be the mainstays of farmers markets and roadside stands. Weed control continues to be a challenge in crop production and non-crop areas. There are more invasive weeds challenging us all the time, with good examples being teasel and phragmites along roadsides and railroads moving to pastures, CRP, and other areas not regularly treated with herbicides. Continued evolution of weeds in production fields also presents more management challenges, as the tools available for control of weeds such as waterhemp and marestail are very limited. Continued development of management systems using rotation of herbicides, residual herbicides, and effective cultural practices will be the key to maintaining reasonable control of invasive plants and the difficult-to-control weeds we are encountering. As we begin the spring season, weather is always the biggest factor. We are blessed with great producers with the capacity to complete their farming tasks in a timely manner, great support from Ag industry personnel for fertilizer and chemical application, a seed supply with increasing yield potential and weather tolerance, and highly productive soils which help buffer moderate adverse weather trends such as wet or dry weather. Soil conditions remain on the dry side for the time being, as of March 12, but this could change in short order – at least for the upper layer of soil. The spring planting season is always looked upon with optimism as the production cycle begins anew. We also have faith the weather will provide those opportunities to complete field operations in a timely manner, and continue to nourish the crops through the growing season. Best wishes for a safe and productive spring season! [John Fulton, Ag Consultant]