Things are pretty low-keyed in the Zeorian camp right now.
Yesterday was a day of being on the road. Callie and I left camp yesterday morning and headed for Woodward, OK. Jim and Taylor had left about an hour earlier to get Frank to his appointment with the mechanic. Frank had a leaky wheel seal and a broken spring. I swear I’ve been treating him nicely…sometimes, though, things start falling apart because of age (believe me, I know).
This morning while I was lying In bed listening to the rain and thunder it made me think about how rain is either a good thing or a bad thing – depending on one’s circumstances.
For me, at that very moment, it was a good thing. It was a pull-the-covers-to-my-chin sort of feeling. I could lay there and not feel bad that we were getting more rain which would extend our stay in Shattuck because the wheat wasn’t getting cut. I knew that before we left the field last night – only ½ hour before the storm hit – the final acre had been cut, the trucks had been dumped, and the combine had most of the field dirt blown off. When I realized there was no reason to feel bad for the rain, I enjoyed it.
Yesterday seems like a week ago and I’m even struggling to remember what we did other than cut wheat.
We finished the smaller of the two fields near Arnett yesterday and moved to the larger one. This field appeared to be a piece of cake. However, it’s yielding 60+ bushels per acre and the straw causes a little bit of an issue at times. So, it feels like I’m creeping when travelling at 3.2 mph. I remember when that speed was tops! The field is relatively flat – no terraces like the rest of them have had. And, the best part, it’s across the road from the elevator.
Today began with a trip to Fargo for fuel and then back to the farm where the combine and header spent the night. A quick fuel up, wiping of the windows and we were off on our 12 mile tour. The final acres we have to cut are on the outskirts of Arnett, OK. Once we arrived at the field, Jim thought the best thing to do was to put the header on the combine and test the wheat’s moisture.
Pretty much a normal day with nothing much to report. We started and finished the field that we had to leave. It was PLENTY dry today! Test weights averaged 62/63 lbs, the protein was really low…7-8% and the average was 40/45 bushels per acre. The field was ROUGH with a lot of terraces. It took us the whole day to cut 135 acres. I like the variation the terraces bring to your day but if it’s time you’re trying to make, the flat fields are by far the best! We’ve got approximately 2 ½ days left of the acres we came to Shattuck for. Then what?? Will we move on or find something more to do around here?
We put in a pretty full day today. It was hot – no wind – and the wheat is plenty dry now. No more worries about green. We can just GO! The test weights remain in the 62 lb range. The field we’ve been working on for the past two days will probably average 50-55 bushels. Not too bad considering this area was suffering from drought this time last year!
This morning as I was helping Jim service the combine (which doesn’t include much). A thought came to mind about sharing with you one of our trade secrets. Go to Walmart and spend $10 on a large California duster. This is a miracle work for windows and cleaning out the cab. The best time to clean the windows with this secret tool, though, is at night. If you wait till morning the dirt has stuck to the windows (due to the dew) and it’s harder to wipe off. It’s the best $10 you’ll ever spend…guaranteed!
Today looks like a good day with the possibility of storms this afternoon. We’re in the process of moving to another field.
I’ve heard reports that western Kansas may be cutting next week. Harvest 2012 is certainly going faster than expected!
Let me begin by telling you it’s a little stressful when you get used to something or doing something one way and then have to figure out how to do it a different way! Not having the internet available to you when you turn on the computer is frustrating…and not real great cell coverage, either. And, for Jim – no TV.
Knowing what I’m up against, the daily updates will probably be a day later not the same day as I’ve been doing.
… where the wind comes sweeping down the plain!
Oh my! The wind was certainly sweeping down the plain yesterday as we pulled into Shattuck with load #2. It was sweeping alright – with a vengeance! It was probably a good thing we had wind (as the temperature was near 100°) but 50 mph is a little much. At least Frank didn’t lose mudflaps again and I was able to keep my load on the road.
Harvest was getting back into full swing as we headed north again. The chatter on the two-way indicated the harvesters were working after the rain break that area had. As I was listening, I couldn’t help but feel sorry for an employee getting chewed out by the boss. Apparently, he had dumped grain on the wrong truck. The next thing I heard was something about a shovel and putting it back on the grain cart. Yikes! Just something about an active two-way and the stories you hear.