Spring arrived this past week and with it unseasonably warm weather patterns. Although many fields are still saturated, farming activities have begun. Some of the jobs include plowing, manure and lime spreading, herbicide application, fence repair and planting. Crops such as oats, spring barley and alfalfa are being planted in fields where soil conditions permit.

Although it is rare to have such a nice string of weather in March, it is not a surprise to see so much activity in fields that are dry. Producers remember just last year when corn planting started off normal for just a few days then it rained for more than three weeks, delaying planting until fields dried out.

That does not mean frost sensitive crops will be planted any sooner than normal. Oats, for example, are not sensitive to cold or freezing temperatures. In fact, if we receive snow on top of planted fields when it melts the oats will grow and produce at normal yields.

Enjoy the nice weather while you can because who knows what to expect in April.

n The unpredictable weather of spring makes it a perfect time to contact the Farm Service Agency to update records and enroll in the Direct and Counter-cyclical Payment (DCP) program. Producers are urged to contact the FSA to enroll now rather than having to take time off from a day of good weather.

Farms are eligible to participate in DCP if the farm has an acreage base of corn, soybean, wheat, oats or barley crops. Acreage bases were established in the 2000 Farm Bill and may not reflect the actual planted acres on a farm.

Enrollment is open through June 1; again producers are urged to contact the office now rather than waiting and taking the chance of missing the deadline. There are no late-file provisions. Producers may contact the FSA office at 724-482-4800, Est. 2, to request an appointment to come in to enroll and update records or to request the paperwork be mailed to them.

Don’t delay as June 1 will be here before we know it; make a note to stop in or call the office on the next rainy day.