The day the music died

After a nice week of late summer weather, the scurs continue to keep the Weather Eye dialed in. Does Mother Nature change her tune or does our good fortune continue? Starting Thursday, mostly sunny with a fair chance of afternoon rain. Highs in the upper 70's with lows in the low 60's. Mostly sunny Friday with a slight chance of rain.

 

Highs in the upper 70's with lows in the upper 50's. Sunny on Saturday with highs in the upper 70's and lows in the upper 50's. Sunday, mostly sunny with highs in the mid-70's and lows in the mid-50's. Mostly sunny on Monday with highs in the upper 70's and lows in the upper 50's. Tuesday, partly sunny with highs in the low 80's and lows in the upper 50's. Partly sunny on Wednesday with a slight chance of rain. Highs in the low 80's with lows in the upper 50's. On August 26 our sunrise occurs at 6:30 a.m. CDT and our sunset will happen just before 8 p.m. The normal high for August 26th is 78 and the normal low is 58. With cooler evening temps, the scurs are feeling a weenie roast coming on.

 

Very seasonal conditions this past week kept corn and soybeans moving towards maturity, although not at the earlier pace. That's probably a good thing. We're at the point where pushing either crop too hard at this point may actually be detrimental. In light of recent events in OH, IN, IL as well as parts of IA, more bushels here with a higher price should make area farmers smile. We were on the receiving end of some pretty awful summer weather the past two growing seasons, so it's nice to see the worm turn. Some are giddy about the prospect for an early harvest. While it's possible, our cooler temps will likely push that back to a more normal harvest date. That means soybean harvest around Sept. 20th and corn harvest in early Oct. We're still running about 10 days ahead of normal even given that scenario.

 

The warmer temps earlier also pushed insect pests and some disease along quickly. The cooldown and high humidity in the canopy has had some impact, some of it positive. Some have inquired about painted lady caterpillars in the soybeans. In the 45+ years I've been looking at crops, I've never seen them develop into a problem. Since it takes 20% defoliation to trigger the treatment threshold, the deck is stacked against it. This year Mother Nature is also helping make sure that doesn't happen. There is plenty of evidence microbial pathogens are infecting these caterpillars, thanks in large part to the high humidity. In the meantime, enjoy these checkered small butterflies while we have them. All too soon the resulting butterflies from this summer's caterpillars will head south for the winter.

 

We're certainly moving towards fall at a breakneck pace regardless of our more seasonal temperatures. One can see it in some vegetation and hear it as well. Acorns are hitting those metal rooftops right on schedule around area farmsteads. Sadly, as I was lamenting the other day, much of our birdsong is done for the season. No longer am I entertained by the sound of house wrens and common yellowthroats as I harvest garden produce. It strikes one suddenly that we are truly on the doorstep of fall once again. The hummingbirds are active at the feeders and flowers, chasing each other round and round. The cardinal still adds his song while the orioles pass through. They're still consuming jelly, but not at the pace they did in May.

 

This year's garden at the ranch has been hallmarked by the cucurbits. Back in June, I had hope but no great expectations that they would ever make it. Unlike the early garden planting, almost every hill came up. The weed control was the biggest challenge. Once that battle was won, it was game on. Heat and abundant moisture made everything click, the canopy spreading across the garden area like a huge emerald green carpet. Each morning it's dotted with yellow blossoms and bees everywhere. Sunday I pulled some pigweeds that had poked through. There were an incredible number of squash and pumpkins on the vines. Likewise with the melons. I'd just picked cukes, so I already knew there were too many. The gourds were later to the party but they're a force to be reckoned with too.

 

Fingers crossed everything makes it to the finish line.

 

Poppy's lawn was finally mowed on Sunday in its entirety, having moved all the logs and debris from the June tree project to one side of the yard. She doesn't like the long grass rubbing on her low undercarriage, prompting her to use the sidewalk, patio and driveway as places to relieve herself. That changed, but now we'll have to stay on top of it, which hasn't been the easiest thing to do with frequent rainfall and heavy dews. Oddly enough, long grass doesn't seem to affect Poppy's squirrel and now chipmunk chasing, especially if there's a two-fer. Crickets have been plentiful, particularly in the garage, so that gives her one more thing to chase around. She also eats them, which I'm told likely isn't bad for her as long as they are enjoyed in moderation. True with most guilty pleasures in life, if you don't barf it up on the carpet.

 

See you next week...real good then.