DECATUR, Ill. (DTN) -- Chris Weaver has little control over climbing diesel prices, and the Finksburg, Maryland, farmer anticipates the pinch as he heads toward harvest.

"We're having a farm meeting this week to discuss being more efficient and more intentional as we travel from location to location. In other words, let's make one trip if we can and not 40," said Weaver. "The farm is spread out, so when possible that also means being more deliberate in how we schedule fields for harvest. Rather than one home base, we're keeping equipment and the materials to service it at satellite locations, so we aren't moving as much."

He estimated current diesel prices in his area to be around $5.10 per gallon for on-road and $4.72 per gallon for off-road (tractors and other implements) after discounts. There's no way to eliminate the pain of that price point, but his strategy to offset the cost increase includes keeping equipment maintained to be as efficient as possible.

Last week, Tyler Rath filled his farm tanks with diesel at $4.99 per gallon. A year ago, the Belgrade, Minnesota, farmer was paying around $2.38 per gallon. This week, U.S. diesel prices raced past $6 per gallon on average and set a historical record.

"I am afraid it is going to hit the bottom line harder than I had hoped," said Rath. "It's small in the scale of our overall operating expenses, but it still will be noticeable. We have considered doing different or less tillage. Maybe we will do some in the spring instead of fall tillage this year, but that decision can quickly take a turn for the worse, too."

Rath and Weaver are participating this year in DTN's View From the Cab feature, a diary-like approach to learn what's happening on the farm. The farmers have reported on crop conditions and the daily aspects of living and working in rural America since May.

Drought has continually knocked at the door through most of the 2026 crop season in both farming regions. Rath has already seen the dryness ding yields of specialty crops such as edible beans and peas. Both farmers estimate corn harvest to be several weeks away, although heat and dryness are speeding maturity in some cases.

There's a lot on the chore list this time of year. Read on to learn more about what's happening on their farms this week, and for fun, they talk about their favorite aspects of autumn.

TYLER RATH: BELGRADE, MINNESOTA

Growing a dozen different commodities means a summer-long dance of planting, harvesting and irrigating for Rath. Many farmers see fall as crunch time as they gear up to harvest corn, but for Rath, those kernels hitting the hopper signals the end of a season-long harvest marathon.

"Peas are done. Hay is done. Millet is done. Silage is done. Light red kidney beans are done. We have one field of dark red kidney beans left to harvest -- the headlands are done, but the rest of the field is being stubborn to die down. Organic white kidneys headlands are done, and the rest of the field will be ready soon.

"The first field of navy beans saw a combine this week. Green bean harvesting and organic sweet corn harvest also started this week. Calves have been vaccinated and are preparing to be sold to the feedlots to be finished out," Rath said.

Whew...

Rath's phone is his constant companion -- helping keep track of what needs attention and in what order. Now that the irrigation rigs are turned off for the season, he's been able to turn to double-checking to make sure grain bins, dryer setup, trucks, trailers, tractors, grain cart and the combine are ready for corn harvest.

He expects corn shelling to start near mid-to-late September. He likes to open fields around 25% to 23% moisture. The farm doesn't have enough grain storage for the entire crop, so drying and storage requires some strategic planning.

"Maybe the most important thing in all of this harvest planning is more personal," Rath said. "I need to make sure I know the daycare schedule and where do I have to be on what days to get the kids," he added.

This is the second year Rath has grown green snap beans. They follow English peas in the rotation; they were planted in early July and require approximately 60 days to mature. A Syngenta variety plot on the farm this year features dozens of different varieties.

"I like these kinds of opportunities to see what's coming and learn from the company," Rath said.

Rath's fields received from 1 to 3 inches of rain this past week, depending on the location. It came as welcome relief during a year that has been filled with weather extremes.

"It's hard to know how to make changes or adjust when you're trying to figure out what the new normal is," Rath said. "We've had enough years of drought and nonstop irrigating that it seems important to invest in pivots and drill wells. Then, we'll have years where we hardly irrigate at all or wet years where tile seems the answer.

"This year, we had beautiful planting and were able to mostly control the water with irrigation. I do think we are going to need to explore different ways to be more proactive rather than reactive when it comes to controlling crop stress," he said.

While every crop he grows is interesting, Rath said combining corn is his favorite thing about the fall season. "It is very satisfying to see all the pieces coming together and knocking out fields. We harvest so many different crops that by the time we are in corn harvest, it's sort of like being on cruise control," he said.

CHRIS WEAVER: FINKSBURG, MARYLAND

The extreme weather that has pummeled parts of the East has skipped central Maryland. Weaver hoped for a little more rain throughout most of the growing season, but knows enough to be careful what he wishes for.

"The knolls are starting to show the effects of the drought," he said. "Leaves are starting to die on some trees. We've gotten rain when we need it, but have never been overly wet this year," he said.

Weaver's concerns go beyond this year, though. Drought can leave a legacy of persistent changes in soil microbial composition and activity. This fall he's doing more intensive soil testing to take a closer look at fungal-to-bacterial ratios.

The big dry has hurt hay crops this year. Some grass hay fields have provided a third cutting, but others have yielded only two. While quality has been good, yields are down. The fifth cutting of alfalfa was being baled this week.

Alfalfa fields were getting an overall pampering following this last cutting of the season. "We're spreading lime and proactively addressing disease, insect and weed issues -- basically making sure those fields are clean and in good shape to go through the winter," Weaver said.

"Our focus right now is what I call the calm before the storm," he said, noting that harvest in this region is still several weeks away. In fact, he attracted some attention in the neighborhood recently when he applied another shot of potassium and phosphorus to some soybeans.

"The sprayer in the field generated some questions about whether I was desiccating soybeans," Weaver said. "No... my beans are still green and still filling.

"I want to give that bean everything it needs to stay strong to the finish. Soybean leaves are like solar panels and they help add weight to the crop," Weaver said. Scouting did turn up a late-season Mexican bean beetle population that warranted treatment this past week.

Weaver lives and works by a list of what he wants to accomplish each day. "I've always been told that if you don't have your list done by 11 o'clock in the morning, you're not going to get anything done all day," he said.

However, part of the magic -- and the frustration -- of farming is that stuff happens. For example, this week while loading lime, a pin on the skid steer bucket assembly sheared. Fortunately, a part was found within 20 minutes, and a technician showed up to make the repair in a speedy fashion.

Things that go right are often overshadowed by those that don't. Weaver likes to mentally bookmark small victories. They are important to maintain balance in a life that can easily be overshadowed by the stress if you let it, he figured.

Knowing what stresses you is half the battle. For Weaver, it's reaching for grease or a part that is routinely needed and finding no inventory. He put the opportunity to maintain the farm's service site boxes out for bid this year.

"The dealership I chose was based on their service record," he said. "I have my owner's manuals on my cellphone. I can order parts. I want someone who comes every month and makes sure we have what we need when I reach for it."

Preventative maintenance is already underway for 2027. Planter inspections are complete so that harvesting equipment can come directly into the shop this winter.

"Cover crops are up and well established," Weaver reported. Barley will be planted after the region's Hessian fly-free date of Sept. 28. He plants rye for grain around mid-to-late October.

Weaver has grain drying capabilities and targets 25% moisture levels to start shelling corn.

"I like to be done before Thanksgiving," he said. "Our 106-day corn looks as though it might be ready around the last week of September. Soybeans are nowhere near ready."

Tar spot has been reported in his county and surrounding counties this year, although Weaver has yet to find it in his fields.

"I have seen a difference this year in corn health between fields sprayed with a high-clearance sprayer and drone," he said. "I think it comes down to coverage is king. The drone is great because it allows us to get in at times when we can't otherwise and do minimal damage when we do. However, I just don't think 5 gallons is enough to get that fungicide worked down to where it needs to be."

As for fall, Weaver doesn't have to think hard to pin down his favorite things. This year, it's been watching his children gather and sell sunflowers by the stem -- an enterprise that's been successful enough to generate serious pocket money.

The farm hosts a "Trunk or Treat" Halloween event where children collect candy from decorated open trunks of vehicles parked in a shared lot instead of going door to door. Weaver keeps the grill going, and the family and farm employees all get in on the action of handing out candy.

"It's a fun and safe way for rural kids to trick-or-treat. We have a blast every year," he said.

Pamela Smith can be reached at pameladsmith12@gmail.com

Follow her on social platform X @PamSmithDTN

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