There are lots of factors that go into planting and harvesting, the weather being the most evident, and also if it is an irrigated or non-irrigated crop just to name a couple.
Wheat
Sowed/Planted - Early October
If we plan to graze cattle on the wheat, we usually sow it Mid-September.
Harvested - June
If we plan to graze cattle on the wheat, we usually sow it Mid-September.
Harvested - June
When Milton is sowing wheat, he applies fertilizer on it at the same time. In addition to this application of fertilizer another one will be applied mid winter by a local company.
Corn
Planted - Late March - Early April
Harvested - August - September
When Milton plants corn, he does apply fertilizer. Depending on how the crop is doing when it is growing, a later application may be needed.
Grain Sorghum (Milo)
Planted - Early May - Mid June
Harvested- August - October Most of the time, it is harvested in October at our farm.
When milo is planted, fertilizer is applied at same time. Normally, that is the only time it is done.
Soybeans
Planted - Mid May
Harvested - September
When Milton plants soybeans he does not apply fertilizer at the same time. From past experience and knowledge soybeans do not require as much fertilizer to produce a good crop.
We also wanted to explain what "double crop" means. Double crop is more than one crop harvested in a calendar year. So for example, Milton harvested wheat in June 2012 and then planted soybeans in the same field in June 2012. The soybeans were harvested October 2012, so the soybeans are classified as double crop.
I will list some of the benefits of double cropping. It changes rotation of your crop on that particular field. Meaning instead of having wheat followed by wheat, it is wheat followed by soybeans or milo. It aides in reducing weed pressure. Hopefully the double crop will produce well and the farmer can have some added income. Unfortunately, this year due to dry conditions and the early freeze we have had, the soybeans did not produce a crop. So much so that we will not even harvest them. It's a chance we take but most of farming is about risk taking! Farming is a way of life and although there are ups and downs, like everything in life, it's one that our family cherishes.
Thanks for stopping by!
Julie ( and Milton)
When Milton plants soybeans he does not apply fertilizer at the same time. From past experience and knowledge soybeans do not require as much fertilizer to produce a good crop.
We also wanted to explain what "double crop" means. Double crop is more than one crop harvested in a calendar year. So for example, Milton harvested wheat in June 2012 and then planted soybeans in the same field in June 2012. The soybeans were harvested October 2012, so the soybeans are classified as double crop.
I will list some of the benefits of double cropping. It changes rotation of your crop on that particular field. Meaning instead of having wheat followed by wheat, it is wheat followed by soybeans or milo. It aides in reducing weed pressure. Hopefully the double crop will produce well and the farmer can have some added income. Unfortunately, this year due to dry conditions and the early freeze we have had, the soybeans did not produce a crop. So much so that we will not even harvest them. It's a chance we take but most of farming is about risk taking! Farming is a way of life and although there are ups and downs, like everything in life, it's one that our family cherishes.
Thanks for stopping by!
Julie ( and Milton)
Great post Julie and Milton! Love when the lovely wife and the farmer work together! Thanks for adding this link to the County Fair Blog Party.
ReplyDeleteLaurie