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CHAMPAIGN COUNTY, Ill. (WCIA) — Farmers across Champaign County are taking advantage of the recent warm weather — but it’s not quite ready for planting season.
Tom Swigart is one farmer in Champaign County who is breaking ground and getting ready for planting season.
“Well, it is a little early right now with the weather, but we’re getting some spraying done,” he said.
Swigart said what most farmers are doing now is re-learning the process.
“[We’re] getting familiar again with things, because even though we’ve done it for years and years, it still takes time to get used to what you’re doing.”
Champaign County Farm Bureau Assistant Manager Lucas Stark said on days like this, farmers are usually on the move.
“I probably called 20 of them this morning. They’re getting out there. A lot of it’s prep work today.”
He said as long as mother nature cooperates, everything will go smoothly.
“Determinants for it: you want a little bit of moisture in the ground. You want the weather to be right. So, a day like today, perfect weather for planting.”
But it’s not just the weather making farmers happy.
“We have monitors now that tell us everything we need to know about planting,” Swigart said.
He said the new technology farmers have is a blessing.
“We have equipment now that we can plant hundreds and hundreds of acres a day.”
The Farm Bureau urges motorists to be safe on the roads while driving behind farming equipment. It’s important that you remain patient and slow down.
