Reding Update: A Fungus Among Us

Well, last week I mentioned Pa Ingalls’ wheat crop being destroyed by grasshoppers. It is amazing how much crop protection has changed since then. Last week we had a helicopter spraying several of our fields with fungicide. These fields were showing signs of a damaging fungus, and the corn was too tall to use our sprayer. So, we had a helicopter come in and do the job. Here is a photo of them refilling. It took just over a minute to fill. Then the pilot could apply product to 30 more acres. It was amazing to watch as he maneuvered around the field and over electrical wires and trees.

I am also including three pictures from the wheat harvest. While this was several weeks ago, I just now received the pictures from our cousin and official farm photographer, Josh Ohde. Josh has worked part time for us for several years, but recently joined us full-time as our Crop Protection Specialist. He has such an eye for capturing great shots like these three and the ones posted last time. He can somehow even make dirty planter parts look cool from the right angle!

We are again thirsting for rain. The crops are beginning to look a bit stressed again, and the temperatures remain in the 90’s. We have been fortunate to get the rain we have gotten. Many of our friends across the state and country are much more desperate than we are…but we’re getting there! We remain thankful for what we receive and hopeful that more is on the way.

Ashley Reding