Our 4th of July was a little unlike any we’ve had in the past. We shared nearly two hours of the day with Teresa Scanlan (2011 Miss America) in our wheat field. Conrad Weaver (Conjo Studios) brought her to the field to “hang out” with us for a little while and to experience being in the combine while learning about our industry. Teresa is a true agvocate (advocate for agriculture) and is helping Conrad promote his documentary, The Great American Wheat Harvest. We had met her for the first time while we were in DC last March for Ag Day. Taylor and Callie found her very easy to talk to and enjoyed the company of someone closer to their own age. You can read here about the field-time-fun.
Jim said they laughed a lot and she was down to earth. Of course she’s down to earth – she’s from Nebraska!
July 4th wasn’t right without Jenna. It was the first time we hadn’t got to include her in our festivities. It was probably for the best. We ended up working til nearly 10:00 pm. Taylor and Callie had supper ready for us – we just had to grill the burgers and brats when we got back to the cottage on wheels. I know it bothers the girls when we work that late. And to be honest, I was hopeful we’d be able to shut things down earlier than we did. I had called Taylor while I was driving to the elevator and told her she and Callie should crawl up on the trailer roof and watch the fireworks that were beginning to be lit. The horizon is so flat with nothing to block the view for miles and miles. When I turned into the yard, I saw they had taken me up on the idea. After we ate our supper (shared it with Mat and John aka “The boys”), we shot off the girls’ few fireworks. I secretly thought maybe when I got back to the cottage, Jenna would be there waiting to surprise us. She was not. She, however, got to experience her first “real” 4th of July at home with Curt, Jamie and Eli.
We’ve hit a wall (a giant, cement one) here in the Garden City area. Seriously down to the final 80 acres of irrigated wheat and the moisture tested 18% – 19%. This was early evening Friday. So, we have sat for the past two days. It was ok with me as I had things to get caught up on and was sort of wishing for a rain day anyways. Callie told me I should be careful for what I “wish” for. 🙂 I say this because the schedule we thought we were on for getting finished up, cleaned up and moved to Limon just flew right out the window. Normally, I really wouldn’t care about the “schedule” but this time I really do. Curt, Jamie and Eli have plane tickets bought and will be arriving in Denver on Thursday morning. I had hoped we would be comfortably moved and sat up in our new hometown before that day arrived. I have to believe it will all work out for the best. We’re hopeful that we’ll be able to get back in the field tomorrow. The past two days have brought 100+ temps and strong south winds so surely it will be good to go! I got caught up on my book work AND we saw a movie – The Lone Ranger. Johnny Depp’s character, Tonto, is the best!
On Friday night, after we hit the cement wall, we went to the shed where “The boys” are sometimes found. They were there. And there was a stripper head there too. I haven’t been up close to one of these before. So, I said, “Ok, guys, explain to me how this works”. And, they did. Now, I’d like to be in the cab of a combine when this thing is in action. Very interesting! There are more and more of these heads being used because farming practices change. No-till farmers like these because they leave the straw – which collects snow and prevents erosion.
Jim and “the boys” looking things over.
These rows of teeth spin exceptionally fast. As they’re spinning, they rip the heads of wheat from the stems and shoot them into the auger which moves the wheat to the feeder house and into the belly of the combine.
Looking at the bottom of the head.
Last week, Taylor had to take me to the field. We came upon a crop duster spraying a field of corn. These guys simply amaze me! They are either really brilliant or really NUTS! When the one we were watching only narrowly missed snagging the electrical wires, I had to wonder if we were going to watch a plane crash. Nope – he just kept right on dipping to the ground, releasing his spray and then narrowly missing the lines again as he gained altitude to turn around and do it all over again.
Let’s hope we can break through that cement wall tomorrow and be back in the field going round and round that last 80 acres!
We finished cutting last Saturday…or so we thought…then we got a call asking us to cut more. My brother and I were headed off to FFA alumin camp though so I missed out which left dad to cut it. We have run shelbourne headers the past couple of years now. They are certainlay different. Its odd not being able to see the header do anything, just wheat go in and straw be left behind. We left for church camp at Estes Parks, CO today. We made a stop in Limon for supper and are now in Denver for the night. I was supprised, some wheat is already cut in the area while there is still quite a bit standing. Have a great week!
Hi Ethan!
Are you still at church camp? We just got to Limon and we’re set up again in our new home. We got here just in time for a nice little rain shower. The wind blew more than it rained. A bit of trouble with the computer on the combine so we left it in Garden City until they can get it fixed. Probably have to go back after it Friday. Jamie, Curt & Eli will be here late tomorrow morning. CAN’T WAIT! Hope you enjoyed your time at camp!!
No, we made it back home about 9 pm. We were so close but yet so far away, I could see the service pickup and “nasty” sittin at the campground from the interstate but that’s as close as we got. Take care and I know you’ll have tons of fun with your vistors!
Oh…that’s just weird! You were literally that close and couldn’t stop and say hello. And you recognized the two vehicles – awesome. Hope your time at camp was fun. That’s one thing I wish my kids could have been a part of. Sacrifices, I guess.
Ya, I hated that I couldn’t stop. My hopes of meeting you went up when I read you were in Limon but there was no stopping our bus driver or youth pastor-they were set on getting home. I’ll just trust that God gas a better plan. Camp was great, I really enjoyed it and learned a lot. I’m blessed to be able to usually take part in and finish harvest before camp and get the best of both worlds.
Hi Heard you on WIBW radio this morning and decided to find your blog. My husband is a row crop farmer in Eastern Ks. We have a few cows too. (I have a home day care so, don’t help farm very much.) I’ve enjoyed reading some of your past blogs and look forward to following your journey. Thanks for writting it. Dian
Hi Dian!
I’m so glad you took the time to look for my blog and that you enjoyed it! I try to update it as often as I feel I can give it a little time. I love to write and it seems there’s quite a few people who enjoy what I write about so it’s a win, win situation. I tried babysitting other kids about 20 years ago. I hope you’re appreciated by the parents – it’s not easy! Take care and check in once in awhile (if you want to).
Tracy
I know your busy, If you have a chance to answer this one I’m a little curious if you need to set your combine different when using draper headers? I know the combine is designed to handle some straw with the grain for proper threshing.
Chad
Per Jim, you might change your header configurations in your computer for weight and the way things work. But threshing settings wouldn’t be any different. (we’re not that busy that we can’t answer a question – thanks for asking!)
[…] our farmer also has a Shelbourne Stripper Head (to see what I’m talking about, click here to view a Shelbourne Head) and uses it to cover his dry land wheat. The stripper head removes only […]
[…] In 2013, Miss America 2011 spent the afternoon with us in the field. How many people can say Miss America has ridden in your combine? I think Jimbo was a bit giddy…we hit a wall (a big, cement one). […]