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Central Illinois planting picks up

A central Illinois farmer says his area has seen a rush of planting activity this week.

“Monday was go day. All you had to do was look across the landscape and you could count as many tractors as you wanted.”

Derek Martin raises corn and soybeans in Logan County.

“There were some guys that got out and planted some at the end of March, but this is our third full day.”  He says, “By the end of the day, you know, we’ll be close to half done with beans.”

Despite three inches of rain last week and another three inches projected over Easter weekend, he tells Brownfield, “We’re happy with what we’ve got done so far.”  He says, “As you look at the long-range forecast and there’s some rain, but the temperatures keep getting warmer and warmer and that’s definitely what we need for corn planting. You know, when you plant that corn, you want it to pop out of the ground.  These beans can handle these cool nights a little bit better.”

Martin, who’s also the Logan County Farm Bureau president, says the spring rains have been welcome as the area continues to recover from the dry fall and winter.

AUDIO: Derek Martin – Illinois farmer