Spring planting season nearing an end

It’s been a busy spring for farmers and the ag vendors that serve them. Both have had to dodge               around some much-needed rains, forcing them out of the field for a day or two. Spraying has been inhibited as well with high winds forcing spray units to shut down. Here, a CPS crew of Dave Teply, left, and spray operator Rod Baird, who’s getting in the sprayer, get ready to spray a field southwest of Champion Monday morning. If the weather cooperates, most of the irrigated corn and soybeans should be in the ground by week’s end. Then the focus will shift to dry beans. The wheat crop is maturing quickly and putting on good-sized heads. Some of the earlier planted corn is breaking its way through the soil as the young pea crop is off to a good start. (Johnson Publications photos)