Thursday, November 13, 2014

Yes, it’s cold… the thermometer was at 25ºF to start the day.  But because the wind is calm, it’s not bad at all out there.  It will be okay until the wind picks up.

Some corn is going to market at GPC on contract today.  The ‘Vanna’ truck and trailer are at the tarp shop in Wheatland getting a tarp repair. The Vision is in the repair shop at the Mack store in Vincennes, getting the fuel tank repaired.

Mr. Worland is working now at the new Dunlap farm to correct and improve the drainage along the county road, and install a new entrance.

This new channel being carved along the gravel road will re-direct the water coming from above…water will no longer flow out into this field, but remain along the road. See the laser generator on the tripod? The laser beam guides the operator of the track-hoe.  Beneath the tripod is the opening to a newly-installed 30″ x 100′ culvert, which creates an entrance to the field.  The long culvert empties into an existing large ditch.

Mr. Worland and his team will also place some surface drains along the two ditches that border the bigger field.  There will be a couple risers that will be the intake pipes, and then the surface water will drain into the Roberson Ditch… not remain ponded on the field.  He has already cleared the brush from the ditch banks.  We prefer our ditches to be free of woody sprouts and trees.  We will sow some fescue on the banks to protect them.  This work should enhance the productivity of the fields and protect the ditch banks from erosion.

…and there are snow flurries in the air today…big white flakes drifting down…no, not enough to cover the ground, but enough to say it’s snowing!