Tuesday, October 27, 2026

We finished our fall harvest yesterday evening.   We cut DCB at Shake and then replanted soybeans at Grubb and Nellie.  They were not great, but they were dry enough to cut.   The quality of the beans at Grubb and Nellie was hurt by the late-summer flooding of White River.  The maturing soybeans were not completely submerged in the muddy waters, but the river crest came up to as much as 2/3 of the soybean plants’ height.  That adds a muddy coat to the pods, slows dry-down, and adds damage.  There were shriveled beans and dark colored beans in the mix.

This was the last little bit of soybeans to cut at the Nellie farm Monday evening.

Here, we are traveling on the WB US 50 towards home.

It was sort-of yucky finish to the harvest season that had so-so yields.  It does feel good to have this one behind us; the results were not stellar… perhaps we have been spoiled with excellent yields in recent years.  But we are grateful!   With the all the excessive rain and flooding of 2026, it’s a wonder we have much crop at all!  The October weather has been spectacular and helpful for harvesting.  We must acknowledge our dependence on our Maker, and how He provides.

Taking a tour to see the Lett and Watjen farms this morning and the wheat growing there, we noted the robust growth and healthy green color of the wheat.  The neighboring trees have reached a peak of brilliant color just recently, and the morning sun and slight fog enhanced the beauty.   It was a delight to see.

Morning sunrise in SWIN today.

Wheat looking healthy at the two fields of the Watjen farm.

Looks good up close too, even with the morning dew

A beautiful morning here; the wheat at the Lett Main field

Brandon is already occupied this morning, starting the clean-up of the combines.  It will be a bit more difficult this year, for the combines did get rained on a couple times, which seems to ‘pack’ the debris, making it kind of crusty and harder to blow it off.  He will use compressed air to begin the process, then the machines will be scrubbed with soapy water (AndyClean soap, of course!).

It’s good to see Brandon wearing the respirator as he cleans. 

I’m working this morning on the final numbers from the corn, soybean, and DCB harvest season.  All 3 of these will show decreased yields, with the DCB hurt the most.  It was just too wet when I was planting those, and the stand in many fields were thin and scraggly. Final result, corn 207, soybeans 65, and DCB 35.  Down, of course, but not disastrous. Only one farm unit will have a yield claim for crop insurance.

Still, we have many reasons to be thankful:   there were zero accidents, no grain spills, and no injuries during those 9+ weeks of busy harvest.  We had Larry again to truck and operate the VT, and best of all to plant wheat here for the 5oth+ time.  We had temporary truck drivers Joe and Brian.  They were terrific and certainly made this harvest a memorable one.  Brian even gave our Volvo truck a new name… Betty (like Betty White).   Having people that are generally cheerful makes for a much better busy season, and we thank God for all the team that made #harvest26 one of the best.

The office work will increase now as we prepare for the FYE November 30.

We offer our thanks to the Lord for the blessings of this harvest.