As progress report time in the schools will be coming up soon, I thought I’d provide a “progress report” on the 2011 growing season.  I'll start back with the planting season, "assign" grades to each phase, and end with the anticipated outcomes for the current harvest season.

I typically like to plant corn in late April when soil temperatures and moisture levels are adequate for planting.  And while a handful of area farmers were able to get a few fields planted in early April, the rains kept my fields unplanted until May.  I was not alone as the National Agricultural Statistics Service estimated that only 3% of the corn crop was planted at the end of April. 

This delay for corn planting consequently forced me to plant soybeans later as well.  I was able to finish before the end of May but other farmers in the county weren't as fortunate, and were still planting beans in June.

Delayed planting means that I can’t give this portion of the season an A on this progress report.  However, when the weather did cooperate, most farmers in the area could get out and get the planting done without additional delays.  Therefore, I would give this planting season a B-.

The next item on the progress report is the growing season itself.  Immediately after planting, we experienced higher than average temperatures in May.  This warmer weather helped us make up for lost time that we experienced with the later planting.  The heat and humidity got my corn out of the ground and growing a bit quicker than normal.  Soybeans were also flourishing in those conditions. 

Farmers and agronomists in East Central Illinois cautiously described the progress the crops had made at this time as “scary good” based on the way the planting season began. Therefore, on this portion of the progress report, I’d give the first half of the growing season an A.

Next, let’s look at the state of the corn and soybeans based on maturation and pest management. 

When I scouted my fields in early to mid July, I wanted to see how close corn and soybeans might be to tasseling or flowering (respectively).  Based on when they were planted, they achieved their reproductive stages right on time. 

The weather allowed me to spray my corn and beans with carefully calculated amounts of herbicide in a timely manner and that killed weeds that can hinder the growth of young corn and soybean plants.  No additional applications were necessary as the mature corn and soybean plants grew and blocked out the sunshine that is critical for weeds to grow. 

In my fields, I use hybrids that resist insects that chew on roots, leaves or kernels.  Because of this, the grain will be able to be harvested in optimal health and sanitation.

So after scouting for maturation and weed and pest control, I gave the crops in my fields at that point an A-.

Unfortunately, even good students can experience issues that cause them to falter, and our growing season  battled a major issue that is having on impact on the yields this harvest season. 

Drought like conditions hit hard in Champaign County in July and August.  On my farm, we’ve received very few substantial rains during the critical time when corn puts on kernels.  Corn plants across the county had to abort kernel production to stay alive.

It was discouraging to look to the skies or my favorite weather website on my smart phone and see scattered showers seemingly dodge my fields.  Due to the lack of moisture and high heat, I’d have to give this portion of the growing season the lower grade of a D.

On progress reports, the teacher will often share goals or expectations they have for a student throughout the remainder of the term.  As we look ahead to the remainder of the season and the remainder of our “grading period,” the last area of concern where I’ll share goals or expectations is the harvest season. 

I am just now getting into the field to harvest (and this is about the average time most farmers like to be starting).  The crops have dried down naturally in the fields but not so much that we won’t be incurring some additional drying costs at the elevator.  Prior to this week, we prepared for harvest the best we could by ensuring that our machinery is working properly. But we do recognize that there is always potential for unexpected machinery problems.

Due to the drought, I (along with most farmers) am anticipating reduced yields in corn and soybeans.

My number one goal this year and every year is to take all proper precautions to stay safe during the harvest season.  On my farm, we  work long but manageable hours with breaks when necessary.  We’re cautious on the roads as we are hauling grain to the elevator or moving equipment to another location.  And we pray that those who share the road with us will use the same caution that we do. 

Ideally, when it comes to safety, we anticipate an A+!

By walking you through the 2011 growing season with a grading scale that is familiar to everyone, I hope I’ve given you an idea of how our nation’s most sustainable crops and the farmers who grow them are wrapping up this growing season.

Aaron Esry lives in rural St. Joseph and is part of his family’s farming operation.  He currently represents District 4 on the Champaign County Board.