From the Fields: ‘We are in good shape’

POSEYVILLE, Ind. — As summer pushes onward, Mark Seib continues raising his crops in southern Indiana, where growth progress is good and the weather has been a wild card.

Although farming is his passion, family comes first. Seib is busy making memories with his wife and family as farm work continues its cycle.

Seib shared an update about both with AgriNews.

Q: How are the fields shaping up this summer?

A: We are in good shape, and the crops look great with corn pollinating to waist high. That comes from over two months of planting season this year.

The corn has a deep dark green color, and the soybeans look the same. We are putting fungicide on some and other beans are just blooming.

Q: What would perfect weather look like to round out the summer?

A: Weather has been a roller-coaster for us. We had great weather the last of March when we started planting. Then the “timely” rains came. What I mean by timely rains is just when the ground had dried out from the previous rain, it rained again.

Mother Nature gave us a taste of planting for a day or part of a day, then the rains came again. What would the perfect weather be for Seib Farms LLC? No bad storms, timely rains, 80 to 90 degrees and no take-your-breath away humidity.

Q: What does a typical day look like for you this time of year?

A: We are all caught up with spraying. Remember the long planting? Now comes the long spraying. My brother and I work in the office. My nephews, Matthew and Carl, and A.J., our hired help on the farm, are working and checking machinery for harvest. I’m also attending meetings for Farm Bureau and other groups.

Q: Any pests or disease issues?

A: Not yet, I am hearing tar spot is around, but after talking with experts I have found that so far it is beetle juice that has stained the leaf and not tar spot. Following a mild winter, we are on the lookout for pests.

Q: Any ag market concerns this summer?

A: Yes, as always. I heard marketing experts say lower prices are fixed by lower prices. I hope demand picks up and that we are at the low and the market will start up.

Q: What’s going on with INFB this time of year?

A: Indiana Farm Bureau is very busy gearing up for an estate planning workshop taking place July 19, county fairs beginning and ending and the Indiana State Fair just around the corner. INFB committees are working hard.

The resolutions committee just wrapped up the grassroots process by sorting through all the policy recommendations submitted by counties before the delegates meet in mid-August to set our policy for the next legislative session.

Also, the INFB Water Task Force has met to study and gather information about water source planning, utility companies’ needs and perspective and discussing potential policy to present to the delegate body.

Q: How do you balance the demands of farming with family and personal time?

A: First and foremost, family — my family — means everything to me. For the readers who haven’t experienced grandchildren, just you wait.

Family also carries over to the farm with my nephews being the sixth generation to work the farm that my great-great grandmother bought.

My grandpa Mahrenholz taught me to drive a tractor, my dad gave me the understanding of how to farm, my brother taught me to negotiate and now I am passing that onto Matthew, Carl and A.J.

Sheryl is my everything — wife, friend and partner for the last 45 years. That says a lot. Sheryl and I spend more time together now than in our younger years because we were too busy doing mom and dad things and being so involved in the community.

Although Sheryl calls me a “volunteer-aholic.” There is never enough time together.

Q: Any plans for county fairs, state fair, or other summer activities?

A: Yes, some county fairs. Sheryl and I are planning to volunteer with Taste From Indiana Farms at the State Fair, which takes place Aug. 8-11. The State Fair is where she and I met in 1976 and got engaged in 1977.

We attended the Master Farmer ceremony and the Purdue Farm Management Tour. And I have a two-day INFB board meeting in Indianapolis next week. Sheryl and I also will have fun with the grandkids and family and celebrate my birthday.

Q: Any other thoughts?

A: Remember to be safe when working and checking on your harvest equipment. We all have heard the reports of the hydraulics failure and someone pinned under the head.

It only takes a minute to place the cylinder lock-up bar into place before getting under the head. Please be safe for your family.