Tuesday, February 8, 2022
“It’s been a quiet week in Lake Wobegon…”
That’s the way Garrison Keillor used to begin his entertaining stories on his radio show, A Prairie Home Companion. I really enjoyed that show, and listened to it faithfully on Saturday evenings when I would be in the tractor or combine. Well, it has been a “quiet week at Carnahan & Sons” so far here too. The snow that came at the end of last week, has curtailed activity in several ways. We had some really cold nights (single digits). The local roads are just now beginning to be clear…local schools did open back up yesterday, but with 2-hour delays both yesterday and today. It has been difficult to get unload appointments for a couple weeks at GPC. The snow has even paused the land-clearing work at the new Leser farm location. Before that can re-commence, the snow will likely have to melt and the soil to dry a bit. Things will get ramped up again soon, for Brandon has plans to get the trucks rolling again to ADM in Newburgh. We have some corn to deliver!
The bright sun peeks through the trees this morning.
The highways and county roads are now clear and clean. But our lane and farm lot, as you can see in the above pictures, are still awaiting the snow to leave. The skies over Carnahan & Sons are a clear and brilliant bright blue.
The highways and county roads are now clear and clean. But our lane and farm lot, as you can see in the above pictures, are still awaiting the snow to leave. One good thing about temperatures in the 20s is that the ground remains frozen and it is cleaner to drive around the farm lot and the lane. Yet, warmer days are predicted for the rest of the week, with daytime highs in the 40s. That will eventually melt away the snow cover… and the result of that is not fun for me. The lane and farm lot around the bins and buildings are messy until the thawing ground dries and firms back up. After the thaw and melted snow, we would use the phrase “settle up” to describe the soft ground getting firmer.
Our JD 9360R tractor has gone into the dealer for a thorough inspection and some repairs. Preventive maintenance is important. That tractor is now 10 years old, and has earned the attention it is now getting. After the 9360 is done, we will likely send in the S780 combine for a similar inspection. It has gone through 3 full harvest seasons here, and probably needs some work. If/when they discover some worn out parts, the repairs will be made.
The National Farm Machinery Show (NFMS) is coming up next week in Louisville, KY. It has been only virtual for a couple years, but once again is going to be held in-person. It is billed as the largest show of its kind in the USA, and it has been around for decades. We have gone down there several times in the past. We use that experience to connect directly with specialists of the manufacturers of the products in which we have interest. It has often been helpful in discovering new technologies, or solving a puzzling problem. The downside is that the show is always tremendously crowded, and it is difficult to move about the main exhibits. Still, it is quite interesting visit. It would be impossible to ‘see it all’ in a day. In recent years, when we attend, we have a more ‘targeted’ approach… and merely visit a short list of specific exhibits in which we have particular questions or interest.
We expect to see the components of our new grain bin delivered this month. We will have to find a suitable spot to store those metal parts indoors until the construction crew is ready for it. We may have to put a machine or two temporarily outside to make room. There will be site preparation first, then the concrete foundation. Then the bin will be raised. Finally, all the accompanying fill and unload pipes and augers will be connected to the existing system to fully integrate it. It is a big addition for us… it has been a long time since we’ve added grain storage here. It should benefit the business far into the future.
We are always searching for ways to make short and long term improvements. Some don’t work out as we hope, but most are helpful. You never know until you try!
