Friday, December 1, 2023

The new month began this morning with gray skies and some rain.  So far, we’ve received .37″ (9mm).  We were hoping for a bit more rain, but of course, we’ll take what we get.  Just last night on the local weather channel, (WTHI, Channel 10 in Terre Haute), it was reported that we are now 10 inches below average rainfall for 2023… that means we’ve only received about 75% of a typical year’s precipitation.  That makes our fall harvest even more extraordinary.  To have our crops produce as well as they did on much-reduced rainfall is an unexpected and special blessing.

Today, the guys are working in the shop on the Tony truck.  The main driveshaft needed rebuilt, with new universal joints.  They are working very feverishly to get this truck fixed.  Brandon has it all decorated for tomorrow night’s Christmas Parade of Lights at Monroe City.  I’m sure they’ll have it ready to go.

The fiscal year closed yesterday, and it is a relief to have that mountain of paperwork and calculations behind us.  We are pleased and grateful for the results.  Now, we move ahead with planning for #plant24.  There are some changes coming to our planting systems and the GPS systems that drive those operations.  We have almost all the components on-site now, and we are eager to see these new things implemented.

The vegetation in the new waterway at the Waldo farm is taking hold.  The rye is showing through very well now, and the underlying fescue seed is just now beginning to show up.  This will be a great improvement, and protect the field from water erosion.  It is interesting and satisfying to see it take shape.

This new waterway is about 3000 feet long.

I’m headed off to our family doctor. I’m coming down with the dreaded man-cold.  Gotta head that off before the weekend.

Have a great weekend.  We are looking forward to Saturday night’s parade and to church on Sunday.