Rain Gauges, Row Units, and a Dad’s Cameo

Ready to hit the fields? This episode of Between the Rows is all about that high-stakes first pass and the unpredictable Michigan spring.Episode DescriptionThe frost is lifting, the equipment is hummin’, and Ashleigh and Amanda are back to talk about the most critical time of year: The Planting Pass. From the back of a seed tender in the Upper Peninsula to the active discing fields of West Michigan, the girls check in from the thick of pre-season prep.They dive deep into the "non-negotiables" of planting—discussing why technologies like down force and variable rate seeding are game-changers for uniform emergence and harvest consistency. But it wouldn’t be farming without a few curveballs; the duo discusses navigating record-breaking rainfall, the "Billy Eilish" method of documenting farm history, and an unexpected cameo from Ashleigh’s dad that nearly stole the show.Whether you're making the call on early-season soybeans or just trying to keep the rye cover crop from taking over, grab your coffee (or Diet Coke) and join us between the rows.Show NotesField UpdatesAshleigh's Road Trip: Delivering seed and fuel tenders across the Upper Peninsula to get growers ready for the ground to break.Amanda’s Home Front: The discs are running, lime is being spread, and the team is putting in 11-hour shop days to get the planters communicating.The "Planting Pass" Deep DiveNon-Negotiables: Why Down Force and Variable Rate Seeding are essential for achieving that "one-day emergence" window.Uniformity is King: How consistent emergence in the spring leads to easier drying and better yields at harvest.Tech Talk: A look back at precision planting kits and how equipment upgrades have evolved since the COVID-19 pandemic.Weather & Agronomy ChallengesRain, Rain, Go Away: Analyzing the Davis weather station data—some areas have seen over 7 inches of rain, moving the conversation from "pre-season" to managing wet fields.Soybean Strategy: Is April too early for beans in Central Michigan? The girls discuss the "10-year pattern" vs. recent early planting trends.The Wheat Worry: Potential nitrogen leaching concerns following the heavy spring deluges.Between the Rows: Life & LegacyNew Beginnings: Celebrating Ashleigh’s parents finally moving into their new home.Documenting the Farm: The importance of recording "Farmer Stories." Amanda and Ashleigh discuss using video to preserve the legacy of grandparents.Dad’s Cameo: A hilarious mid-episode interruption involving a loader tractor and a "scraped approach" by Ashleigh's father.Connect with us! Have a farmer story we should feature? Want to tell us your planting non-negotiables? Reach out to us on social media—we’re experts at "volun-telling" people to come on the show! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.