28 Jul Emma: Gregory Underway!

We are cutting wheat in Gregory S.D. after the long wait. It’s been up and down as far as the consistency because it is still very close to being too wet. So far, everything we’ve tested is around 12 to 16 percent moisture, 60 pound test weights, and 50 to 60 bushels per acre. I’d say it’s looking pretty darn good.

We did have some difficulties.

This pully went out as you can see, and ripped the belt off with it. About an hour fix and we were at it again.

Joel, Dan, and Thad repairing the broken pully and belt.

Joel and Dan

The wheat is still a little green and it makes it a little tough going through the combine. When the sun sets and the wind stops blowing we have to shut down because of the dw point here. It has been really humid and relatively cool for this time of year. We hit 88 degrees and the humidity was around 50 percent. We didn’t get much combining done because we ran into higher moisture wheat, and to be real honest it’s not great cutting weather. We did see some combines running on dry wheat, and hope they got some done.

Here’s a picture of some wheat we have done near Gregory.

We have a tractor and baler in the field with us. The farmer we’re cutting for wanted us to drop the straw so he could bale it up. It takes a twist of a wrench and a belt before we were ready to drop it and go.

It’s a little bit different dropping straw. You have to be careful not to leave piles for the baler coming behind. I’m told it’s not very fun unplugging a baler full of twisted straw.

Being in Gregory and having down time isn’t without fun. Little Elizabeth and Leslie like to have cold treats, and so do the rest of us.

Not being in the field is also has perks for Mom. A helping hand around the camper fixing meals, and doing laundry is a BIG help.

(L to R) Verena, David, Joel, Mom, and Thad

Doggie Pile!!  (L to R) Lauren, Martha, Clara, Leslie, Elizabeth, and Dan on the bottom. We love having the little kids around, and it’s so fun to watch Dan roll around with them. Lazy days in the sun when we’re not cutting wheat.

Some of you farmers who are reading this are probably thinking, what the heck- a thistle?! Why on earth do you have a picture of a noxious weed? Let me start off by saying this was not in any field we cut. Even though this is a nasty little weed, I do have to stop and admire it’s beauty. Yet again, God amazes me. 🙂

The other day, I took this at sunset. It literally looked like the ground was on fire. It was gorgeous.

Hopefully we’ll be cutting some more wheat by the time you read this. Until then, be safe and God bless!

Emma can be reached at emma@allaboardharvest.com. All Aboard 2011 is sponsored by High Plains Journal and DuPont Crop Protection.