Tuesday, August 27, 2024
Today, it’s the hottest day of this year so far, it is 98ºF (37C) at 1 pm. The ‘feels like’ “humiture” reading takes it up to 110ºF (43C). So, it doesn’t take long to warm a guy up when you go outside.
From the cool 73º office, we get the read-out of what’s going on outside today!
For the past several days, Brandon and Brandon have been working on trucks, tractors, and combines to prepare them for the fall harvest. Even the mower received service. The guys have been busy. The heat of this afternoon is a bit stifling, but this is the first day near 100º. And the temps are supposed to return back to the 80s by the weekend.
The two Brandons consult the owners’ manual about the service on this JD 9520R tractor.
We are really praying for some rain. It has been quite dry for about 4 weeks now, and you can really see the effects on the corn and soybeans. This heat and dry weather is probably taking off some of the top-end yield from the late-planted soybeans and DCB. But the early-planted crops are really ‘turning’ for the past 4-5 days, and it is beginning to look like fall. I’ve heard reports of a tiny bit of harvesting of corn that has started in Gibson County, but I know of no farmer harvesting yet here in Knox County. But I betcha next week a few combines will begin in the south part of the county, on some of the sandier soils.
It’s easy to tell the soybeans are ‘turning’ these hot days.
John will be out with the JD R4044 sprayer a few days this week and next, as he finds suitable weather conditions to allow him to spray over many of the double-crop soybeans (DCB). Some patches need some Liberty for the waterhemp, and other spots need only roundup to stop the johnsongrass. The DCB are looking pretty good today, and once John applies this herbicide treatment, they will be ‘laid by’ for the growing season. He says the sprayer may be needing some service work to the hydrostatic drive pump, but time will tell.
Pat is making good progress on her rehabilitation of the knee replacement. She is weaning back on the pain meds, and doing her exercise routines 3x/day. She is really working hard at it. I’m there to support and encourage, and do the house stuff that she cannot do just yet. We are encouraged about her advancement… the therapist at the local hospital where she goes 3x/week is expressing amazement at how well she is doing. So, we are counting our blessings about that and giving thanks for the many prayers that are being offered on her behalf. Our church family has been terrific with their support, bringing meals and helping in many other ways. We are grateful to the Lord and our church family.
Some recent mornings have been foggy, and some have had ‘patchy’ fog. There is an old saying that “the number of fogs in August equals the number of snows in January”. If that’s really true we will be getting about 10 snow events during the first month of 2025!
A recent morning with patchy fog.
Brandon D is out this afternoon with the JD 6145R tractor and rotary cutter to mow the big waterway here at the main farm. He’s doing a great job, and it’s a cooler place to be on this hot day!
Looking from the farm office, you can see Brandon mowing the waterway.
The ‘after’ look of the waterway is much nicer. Brandon D is doing well.
If you’re experiencing this heat wave where you are, I hope you can find ways to keep cool and comfortable. I gotta get back home and check on Pat.
