Thursday, August 10, 2023
We have been able this week to do some mowing on riparian strips and roadsides. It hasn’t been constant, for we must work that in among the other responsibilities taking place. Bill and Brandon have been delivering wheat to fill our August contracts, and John has been putting “tweaks” on the new 9R 540 tractor.
Brandon mows a riparian strip at the Burke farm
A look back at the cleaned-up appearance of a riparian strip at the Burke farm.
Here is the waterway at the home farm. It was built about 20 years ago, and then refurbished about a year ago. It has been mowed twice this summer, and it looks really nice after the 2nd mow.
John installed a special video cable in the cab of the new 9R 540 tractor that will enable me to display the feed from a camera in the screen of the radio. With that addition, I’ll be able to easily view the feed from all 5 cameras on the soybean air drill next spring. He had to remove most of the interior trim panels from the cab to put that cable in place. He reinstalled them carefully…you’d never know those panels have been moved!
I’ve spent some time in both the Gator, hand-gun spraying field borders. My other work has been in the 6145R tractor and bush hog, mowing riparian strips and roadsides. I am planning (and hoping) that after this pass with each of these tasks, that it will be completed for the summer.
Today, we finalized one of the important priorities for this month. We signed a final order for a new JD S780 combine, a 2024 model, which will likely be built early in the new year. That machine will be put into service next summer for the wheat crop. Looking forward to having both combines be of the same green color next year.
We continue our search for a new farm tech to assist with the work around here. We have expanded our search from word-of-mouth to Facebook and Indeed. We have about 5 candidates (so far) upon which to do our due diligence… and from there we hope to interview 3 for the position.
We need to inspect the JD RD4oF header to make certain the cutting parts are ready for fall. If any of those things need replaced, we will have the time soon to do that, rather than experience some kind of failure during the pressure of harvest.
The home remodel that Pat and I have been living through is nearly complete. Just a few more lights to install, and we can call it done! The kitchen update has Pat very pleased, and the extensive bathroom remodel has been ready to use for about a week now. Oh, how I enjoy the new shower, especially the ‘rainfall’ that comes down from the ceiling. After 43 years with the original fixtures, it was time for the upgrade!
As we head into the weekend, we are praying for another good rain.
Have a nice weekend.
