Thursday, August 15, 2024

The final load of 2023-crop corn went out the the market today.  That makes us officially MT (empty) of corn here at the farm.  We do have some loads of wheat yet to deliver to ADM at First Avenue in Evansville, and those will be going out ASAP.  It is a good feeling to have the corn bins cleaned out, but you kinda wish you had a little more to sell.  With the grain markets so very depressed these days, it just feels better to have more bushels to sell!  But this puts the final touch on our best-yielding corn crop ever, and we are grateful for it.

This is the last load of 2023 corn, waiting in line to unload at GPC at Washington, Indiana. It still looks pretty in the truck!

I’m stopped from mowing roadsides right now.  Tuesday, the drive shaft broke on the JD R15 rotary cutter (more commonly known as a bush hog).  I first thought I’d repair the existing one, but the one broken end of the shaft plus a u-joint bearing was more expensive than to replace the entire shaft!  So, when the new one arrives, it’ll be a quick fix.  I’d like to get sort of ‘caught up’ with the mowing.  Next week, Pat gets her knee replacement, and I’ll need to be home to assist her.

New employee Brandon Dreiman is doing great.  I notice his careful operation of the trucks as he delivers corn and wheat to market.   It has impressed me.  He is on his 4th day here, and so far, it’s a good thing.  Who says prayers don’t get answered?

Brandon Dreiman, driving the Pete.  He’s headed to ADM at First Avenue in Evansville with a load of wheat.

Brandon is clearing wheat from the last two storage bins.  Next week, we will be completely MT!

Brandon is inside Bin #7, running the sweep, cleaning out the wheat.

After the grain is all gone next week, the combines and trucks will begin to come into the shop to prepare for fall harvest.  Boy, oh boy… the summer has flown by!   The past few days have given us a hint of fall.  We’ve had cooler nights, even some down in the 50s!  And some days have been cooler, too.  But even when the temps have gotten up near 90ºF (32C) recently, when you get in the shade, or a cloud drifts over, the air feels cool.  That, to me, indicates fall.

It occurs to me today, that with 2 ‘Brandons’ working here, I’ll have to figure a way to identify which Brandon is the one to whom I am referring!

Have a wonderful weekend.