Saturday, June 25, 2022
The wheat is harvested and the double-crop soybeans (DCB) are planted. Both tasks went well, and it took some effort. “Wheat Week” is always a very busy one. We did have some trouble with one of the trucks, but we were able to work around that. Also, toward the end of DCB planting, Nutrien delivered seed to the planter in the field! We had Larry and Bill here to help with wheat harvest, and that made things go better, too.
The wheat crop yield was our best-ever, surpassing even 2021’s good crop! We are grateful for such a good wheat crop. My anticipation was for less-than-2021, because of the very wet and chilly April and May. But God provided a very good result! Another benefit to this year’s wheat crop was that the grain was dry at harvest– 13.5% moisture or less. Thus, we did not need to run it through the dryer! Also, the ‘test weight’, or density, was 61.0 pounds, exceeding the standard 60 pounds per bushel. All in all, a happy harvest.
Cutting wheat at the Crook farm
Loading a truck in the field
Sunset at the wheat harvest was drawing to a close on Tuesday evening…
After the wheat harvest wrapped up Thursday afternoon, Brandon began cleaning the combines and placing them in storage. John returned to his sprayer. I went immediately to begin planting the DCB. The soil is dry and hard, the beans are lying in dry soil. Until a rain comes those little soybeans will not sprout. In a typical June, we have a ‘rainy spell’ towards the end of June, and that is always helpful for the DCB. For 2022, we are praying for another ‘rainy spell’. Perhaps I should re-read my devotion from this morning: Isaiah 41:10 So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. God will provide.
Planting DCB
Planting DCB
One thing that is not ‘done’ is the spraying. It feels as if that job is never ‘done’. John is out again today spraying soybeans at the Burke farm, stopping some pesky waterhemp and johnsongrass. While we were busy in the wheat fields, John had to hire some spraying done that just could not wait until after harvest. I’m glad we have that option, but I’m also glad that we don’t have to do that very often.
July will soon be upon us, and I will be mowing the riparian strips along some of our ditches. Because those areas are entered into the Conservation Reserve Program, we must wait until July 1 to mow them. I’m gonna try to reduce my mowing this summer because of skyrocketing price of diesel fuel. Maybe our fields along US 50 will only see the mower once this year… but who knows? Maybe it’ll get looking so ragged I cannot stand it, and I’ll mow a couple times! I enjoy that mowing task, and I really appreciate the ‘cared for’ look afterwards.
In other news of the week, the crews from Kiesel Enterprises in Princeton, Indiana have arrived (ahead of schedule by 2 weeks) to begin assembling the new grain bin on its concrete foundation. I am amazed at how complex is the design of the roof, stiffeners, and staircase systems. It has been decades since we added storage here at the main farm. This bin will be our biggest – 48 feet in diameter. Even though it looks the same as the others at first glance, it will have better safety features and will be easier to unload.
Assembling the first (top) ring
Next the roof panels get added
So, as summer harvest season has come and gone, and the planter sits over the weekend to be stored away, we are reflecting on counting our blessings.
Have a good weekend.
