Corn conditions at harvest time.

Here are some photos that I shot just a week ago. These are a follow up on the same crops that I shot back in July. You can click on any photo for a full screen view.

The first photo is of some corn that was just harvested near Gormania, WVA. The farmer told me that he had a very good year in spite of the early wet cool spring. He claimed that since his land is on high ground and that he had no water pooling problems that his crop was excellent. It also helped to have a late fall with no killing frosts.

Photo #2 is a stand of corn that is mature and awaiting harvest at the town park near Moorefield, WV. I had shot photos of this field earlier. Due to pooling water from heavy rains a portion of this field had to be replanted. You would never know it now. Also note that there are some very fat cats in this photo. Don't know if you can blame it on the mice, or the corn. lol.

This next photo is of a Pioneer test plot near Moorefield, WVA. I chose not to shoot a photo during the July 4th weekend as these plants were only about 6" tall. My thinking was that in no way will they make it. Now here we are 3 months later and this corn is in the dry down phase and will soon be harvested. I will be very interested to see what the yield is for this plot.

The final photo shows a stand of nice green corn shot from the parking lot at Walmart in Moorefield, WV. This corn was late planted during the last week of June and here it is in October, still maturing and looking very good. These plants are 10-12 feet tall and ears are well developed.

Corn and Beans in Washington, Iowa in very good condition

In spite of the gloom and doom that others were claiming concerning this years bean and corn crops, conditions have improved and the local crops in Washington County Iowa are progressing nicely.

A friend was traveling from his home in Illinois to the family farm near Washington, Iowa and shot these photos. The top photo shows a flooded field in western Illinois, and the four remaining photos shows shots of beans and corn from his farm.

Crops in Illinois and Iowa have rebounded nicely. I look for a very good harvest from both come this fall.

You can click on the pics for a larger image.

Corn Fields From the Heart of Corn Country

Here are some photos of stands of corn shot in Central Iowa. The first photo is shot near Washington, IA. The second photo was shot on July 13th, and third photo were shot from the same location at the I-80 truckstop on June 18th. These photos show a stand of corn that is healthy and progressing rapidly. This corn is now in the silk stage.

Updates for Hardy County, WVA corn.

Here is a recent update from photos that I just shot today. The first photo will show corn in the silk stage. You will also notice that this corn is about a foot taller than it was just a week ago. Six weeks ago, I wasn't sure that this stand of corn would make it.

The second photo is of a Pioneer Seed Test Plot. This plot was planted the last week of June. On the 17th of July I passed up a photo opportunity as I felt that the corn was stunted as it was only about 12" tall. It is amazing what a 3 weeks of good growing weather can do. This hybrid must be super and/or they must have the best fertilizer in the world. By the way, these fence posts are 4 foot tall.

The third photo is of a stand that I shot three weeks ago. This is the best stand that I have seen in the area. It is now in the dough stage. This farmer used Southern States Brand seed corn.

By the way, you can click on any picture and get a larger view.

CORN MATURATION CONTINUES

Corn continues to mature. It is pretty amazing to drive by these crops on a daily basis. Here are a few more photos to show growth and maturation of this years corn crop.

The first photo shows a large stand of corn that stretchs to the south as far as the eye can see. This would be to the right of the picture. I estimate that this field is better than 200 acres. The dark green color is soybeans. This corn has been in the silk stage for more than three weeks.

The second photo will show a corn crop just across the road from the park. It was shot on the 25th. The second photo is of same view on the 17th. If you will note this stand of corn is about a foot taller.

Photo number 4 shows a stand of corn shot from the park parking lot. It was shot on the 25th and the second photo on the 17th. The corn has grown another foot in that time. You may not notice it but this stand is already starting to tassel. I expect that when I pass this stand tonight that it will be in full tassel.

It just goes to show, that even though many crops were planted late this year, that with ideal growing conditions rapid growth and maturation can and will occur.

Corn Progress in Hardy Co. W.VA.

Waste water from the oil and gas industry

The oil and gas industry has done all they can for focus attention on how bad biofuels are suppose to be.

Could it be that they are really trying to cover for the havoc they have been wrecking on the environment for over 100 years.

Toxic waste water of the oil and gas industry.

oil price cartoon

Big Oil's Big Stall On Ethanol

Even as it pockets billions in subsidies, it's trying to keep E85 out of drivers' tanks

For some industries, the prospect of $3.5 billion in federal subsidies now, and double that in three years, might be a powerful incentive. But not, apparently, for the oil industry, which is seeing crude oil prices soar to record highs. Despite collecting billions for blending small amounts of ethanol with gas, oil companies seem determined to fight the spread of E85, a fuel that is 85% ethanol and 15% gas. Congress has set a target of displacing 15% of projected annual gasoline use with alternative fuels by 2017. Right now, wider availability of E85 is the likeliest way to get there.

Big Oils stall on ethanol