Thursday, September 23, 2021

The sun is out again after a few days of gray and rainy skies.   The day started relatively chilly, 46ºF (8C).  So, it is ‘get on a sweatshirt’ day.  I miss wearing my shorts to work, but maybe those days will return by the weekend.  The forecast is for about 10 days of sunshine, with temps in the low 80s!   That will be great.  We may get to return to harvesting tomorrow– the fields are pretty soft after the recent 1″+ (27mm) of rain.   We will start again with corn, but switch to soybeans as soon as the fields will support the combines and the soybeans are dry enough to thresh.   We are looking forward to the next push of #harvest21.

Today started with a pretty sunrise.

We almost have our September corn contracts filled.  The ‘delivery by appointment’ system at nearby GPC is a great benefit to us.  It eliminates the hours of waiting in line at the elevator.  I wish other businesses would adopt a version of this incoming grain system.

During this rainy period, we’ve made arrangements for the installation of some drainage tile and the building of some new terraces and WASCoBs.    Brandon has brought in most of the components, and the work will commence as soon as soil conditions allow.   Shepard Construction is also rebuilding a grass waterway here at the main farm.   It has been there about 20 years, and after that length of time, any waterway needs re-shaped.  They dig out the sedimentation, and re-contour the incoming drainage paths.  They will seed it to fescue and apply netting and straw to protect it until the grass is re-established.  It will be beautiful and functional again when they finish.

Shepards do great work…

Here are some components for the building of new WASCoBs

Normally, we try to begin the planting of  wheat on September 25.   It’s just too wet to do that now, but hopefully next week’s weather will allow us to begin.   ASAP is the word.

Have a great weekend, everyone!