Janel: Lots of Windy Days and the Race Against the Rain

Kinsley, Kansas – The wind had blown for days and there was rain in the forecast.  We harvested wheat up until it started raining.  Luckily, we got the field done and got the combines parked for the night and then the wind hit.  Soon after, it started raining.

I had been cutting wheat all day and the sky kept getting darker as the thunderstorms kept approaching.  I had been checking the radar on my phone often and the storms blew up all around us.  I was expecting to get rained out much sooner.  We were lucky enough to get the field done and then shut down for the night around 10 p.m.  However, the wind got wicked just before we were ready to leave the field and we almost lost a tarp.  We got that under control and went to town for supper and then drove home (back to the RV park) in the rain and wicked wind.

We got just over an inch of rain.  However, we have one combine in the Scott City, Kansas area and the rain gauge there was full.  Over six inches of rain is what they got.  It flooded the town and I’m sure the fields will be full of mud and the grain test weights won’t be as good.  Tough conditions make harvesting miserable.  It’s all part of the harvesting business.

I also heard a report of hail at St. Francis, Kansas.  Wheat was hailed out and windows busted out of tractors.  Combines have been rolling along the plains and the race against the rain has been well under way across Kansas.

Schemper Harvesting 2018Schemper Harvesting cutting wheat east of Dodge City, Kansas.  Photo by Janel Schemper.

Schemper Harvesting 2018Filling up the grain tank with winter wheat.  Photo by Janel Schemper.

Schemper Harvesting 2018The wind blew for days leading up to the thunderstorm.  Photo by Janel Schemper.

Schemper Harvesting 2018Schemper Harvesting cutting wheat near Dodge City, Kansas.  Photo by Janel Schemper.

Schemper Harvesting 2018Schemper Harvesting cutting wheat near Dodge City, Kansas.  Photo by Janel Schemper.

Schemper Harvesting 2018The wind was singing Dixie for days.  Photo by Janel Schemper.

Schemper Harvesting 2018A thunderstorm approaching.  Photo by Janel Schemper.

Schemper Harvesting 2018Combining is music to Moo’s ears.  She gets the best naps of a lifetime in the combine.  Photo by Janel Schemper.

Schemper Harvesting 2018Schemper Harvesting cutting wheat near Dodge City, Kansas.  Photo by Janel Schemper.

Schemper Harvesting 2018The sky kept getting darker as the storm was building.  Photo by Janel Schemper.

Schemper Harvesting 2018Cutting wheat and watching the sky change.  Photo by Janel Schemper.

Schemper Harvesting 2018Schemper Harvesting cutting wheat north of Dodge City, Kansas.  Photo by Janel Schemper.

Schemper Harvesting 2018We had nice wheat to cut.  Photo by Janel Schemper.

Schemper Harvesting 2018Schemper Harvesting cutting wheat north of Dodge City, Kansas.  Photo by Janel Schemper.

Schemper Harvesting 2018This was about 10 p.m. and we finished the field right before the storm arrived.  Photo by Janel Schemper.

Schemper Harvesting 2018

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

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