Laura: Moving Up the Road

South Central KS – We moved through Texas in record time because it was our first year without any sort of rain delay, and, as we have said before, wheat acres were down due to weather conditions.  Our next stop was Custer County, Oklahoma.  Around the Clinton area, things are very dry.  Our farmer told us that they are struggling to get their cotton out of the ground due to the drought. It has been a tough few years in that area.  The last several have had too much rain and now they’re fighting drought.  They also had an April freeze.  I was told the field looked nice, but when a person went out to check, there wasn’t grain in the head.

As a result, we only had about two days of cutting there, but are thankful because every cutting day counts!  The average yield across the acres we harvested were about 30 bushels an acre.  Test weights were 58-60 pounds.  In addition to cutting, our family also enjoyed a cook out with the families of the farmers.  It was great to get to spend time with them.  The kids and I also enjoyed the local park which is just beautiful!

Meanwhile, Mark and the crew were in south central Kansas getting ready to run but experienced our first rain delay of the season.  In their off time, they got to tour the rope factory in Kiowa called Custom Rope.  This is where we purchase our large tow ropes from.  Thankfully they have not been used yet this season.  They said they had a great time on the tour and enjoyed learning about the process.

Mark reported that they had seen yields anywhere from 15 to near 30 bushels an acre.  This location is also doughty and would normally yield closer to 50 bushels an acre.  James kindly submitted photos for this stop.

High Plains Harvesting 2018 (Laura)
The wheat was so beautiful in Oklahoma. It is too bad that beauty didn’t translate into higher yield for our farmers. (Photo credit: Laura)

High Plains Harvesting 2018 (Laura)
Unloading on the go in Oklahoma. (Photo credit: Laura)

High Plains Harvesting 2018 (Laura)
Waiting for the next load of seed wheat. (Photo credit: Laura)

High Pains Harvesting 2018 (Laura
We were trying to beat a storm that never materialized. (Photo credit: Laura)

High Pains Harvesting 2018 (Laura
The farmer’s dog taking in the action. (Photo credit: Laura)

High Pains Harvesting 2018 (Laura
A butterfly, just because it was pretty! (Photo credit: Laura)

High Pains Harvesting 2018 (Laura
Making the best of time at the field by having scooter races. (Photo credit: Laura)

High Pains Harvesting 2018 (Laura
Clinton has the most amazing park complete with a train. I was told a generous donor always wanted children to ride free. Adults only pay a dollar to ride. Isn’t that neat? (Photo credit: Laura)

High Pains Harvesting 2018 (Laura)
Another angle. (Photo credit: Laura)

High Plains Harvesting 2018 (James)
Cutting in south central Kansas. (Photo credit: James)

High Plains Harvesting 2018 (James)
View from the cab. The drapers are out of hibernation! (Photo credit: James)

High Plains Harvesting 2018 (James)
James sent this in and said, “If you have time to lean you have time to clean!” He really does have a gift for making the trucks shine. (Photo credit: Laura)

High Plains Harvesting 2018 (James)
Look what they found! (Photo credit: James)

All Aboard Wheat Harvest is sponsored by High Plains Journal and John Deere. Laura can be reached at laura@allaboardharvest.com.

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