This is not Mike Patschke's first rodeo. Farming over the years has become like second nature to the Roosevelt producer but that doesn't stop him from learning something new each and every year.
"There are many aspects that I have been through and know already," Patschke said. "But there are still little pieces that I am picking up on. The things that you just blow off in the first analysis sometimes."
Water regulations are on everyones mind whether you are a farmer or not and Patschke is no exception. The recent regulations are requiring an install of flow meters and cutting down the water allowed for irrigation.
"There are a lot of good things that I am picking up on with the water regulations," Patschke said. "I know we need to help conserve our water and we are going to do that and cooperate. We have to have water for our kids and grandkids so I am really in support of it."
One of his biggest concerns, however, are those worrisome weeds. The recent drought creating an influx of intolerable varieties that producers were forced to deal with.
"I am very concerned about the weed resistance," Patschke said. "I am going to try to put out some yellows and some behind the planter and pre-emergence during planting and all of the above. I need to try to keep those weeds out. I have zero tolerance."
And what about his game plan for 2012?
"It is going to be a lot less irrigated cotton acres because we over extended our water last year," Patschke said. "To be conservative, we will have more dry land acres of cotton and a few acres of millet production which we skipped last year."
Patschke along with other farmers are looking to come out of the drought this spring, and the recent three plus inches of snow was a good start to hopeful wetter weather.
