The ends of a log dry out much faster than the center. What to do about it partly depends on the size (length) of the log and your intentions.

The picture makes the log look pretty short, 2-3 ft? For short logs I tend to split them in half. It seems to increase the surface area for releasing moisture from the center where it generally releases slowest.

I've spent years splitting firewood with a mall so I tend to use that tool for such work, when I'm in practice I can 'draw' a line across the log. If as in your case I have a big split happening, I use that as the mark to do the first main split, since it generally makes it easier.

I leave a lot of them that way to dry and it reduces how deep the checking gets.

As Graphus pointed out sealing the ends will reduce checking significantly and while there are many products available to do so, I've found just regular paint can slow it down enough to make it more manageable. Some depends on how much you need to save from the log for your boards. In general you should expect to lose 1 - 2 inches from each end to different damage from drying, unless you seal it immediately, (and even there don't think you'll ever get to 100% saved.

Sealing slows down the drying process for the moisture to more evenly leave the log at the same rate, reducing the stresses and splitting/checking that happens.

Ultimately what you want is the log to dry as evenly as possible across as much of the wood as possible. This is why splitting the log can help. The smaller the pieces are the more surface area to volume you get as well, allowing for faster more even drying. It takes much longer for a cup of water to evaporate, than if you still it across the kitchen floor.

The ends of a log dry out much faster than the center. What to do about it partly depends on the size (length) of the log and your intentions.

The picture makes the log look pretty short, 2-3 ft? For short logs I tend to split them in half. It seems to increase the surface area for releasing moisture from the center where it generally releases slowest.

I've spent years splitting firewood with a maul so I tend to use that tool for such work, when I'm in practice I can 'draw' a line across the log. If as in your case I have a big split happening, I use that as the mark to do the first main split, since it generally makes it easier.

I leave a lot of them that way to dry and it reduces how deep the checking gets.

As Graphus pointed out sealing the ends will reduce checking significantly and while there are many products available to do so, I've found just regular paint can slow it down enough to make it more manageable. Some depends on how much you need to save from the log for your boards. In general you should expect to lose 1 - 2 inches from each end to different damage from drying, unless you seal it immediately (and even there don't think you'll ever get to 100% saved).

Sealing slows down the drying process for the moisture to more evenly leave the log at the same rate, reducing the stresses and splitting/checking that happens.

Ultimately what you want is the log to dry as evenly as possible across as much of the wood as possible. This is why splitting the log can help. The smaller the pieces are the more surface area to volume you get as well, allowing for faster more even drying. It takes much longer for a cup of water to evaporate, than if you spill it across the kitchen floor.