Wheat Harvest Rookie: Day One

Today was my first day with the Hoffman Harvesting crew as a wheat tour rookie. I got to the field in Roscoe, S.D., and had the chance to see harvest from the combine cab with Leon. Although it was a clear and sunny day, the field was still pretty wet. In fact, the grower they were harvesting for had lost nearly one-third of his acres to flooding. There has been so much rain this year, nearly 22 inches so far, that many of the wheat acres have a considerable amount of weeds and disease, including scab. Roads in the area were flooded, causing road closures and headaches for harvesters.

After harvesting with Leon during the afternoon, I rode with Jada to the field they were harvesting in Bowdle, S.D. There I combined with James from England, who in his first year on harvest and has already picked up the harvest lifestyle as a combine operator. He is really enjoying his time in America and loves the GPS capabilities in the new combines. He says it makes harvesting easier, especially in large fields.

Callum from Scotland was operating the grain cart for the first time today and liked the change of pace compared to his normal combine operator job. Callum says he has noticed a huge increase in his self-confidence in his second year on the custom-harvesting circuit. He feels more knowledgeable and is able to help the new crew members.

It was definitely an action-packed day. I have already learned so much and the crew is more than happy to answer my questions and, believe me, I have a lot of them! I can’t wait to see what’s in store Tuesday.

For more information contact crew@allaboardharvest.com. All Aboard 2011 is sponsored by High Plains Journal and DuPont Crop Protection.

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