12 Jun An Update from Clinton
Clinton, Oklahoma– Mark is very positive about the progress the crew is making in Clinton. The fields are fairly close together and the haul to the elevator isn’t too long, so we’re fortunate that this is a very efficient job, especially after being delayed in the previous week’s rains. If everything goes well, they should wrap up in the next few days and will head to Kansas.
Mark has been running a two combine crew, but will be receiving reinforcement today with the arrival of a third machine. The machines with tracks were working the best in Texas, so it did not make sense to keep a third wheeled combine down there hunting and pecking for dry ground. Mark is running the machines just a little slower than he would like in effort to pick up wheat that’s laying down from the weather. A third machine will really help them out in that department.
Mark reports that the wheat crop is looking nice there. It’s an average crop, yield wise, and they’re seeing yields between 50-60 bushels/acre. He feels that it may have been more in the 70s if the weather wouldn’t have laid it over as it was finishing maturing.
When I’m not on location, I’m leaning on my crew again this year for their information and photographs. It is there story too! Below are some shots they sent me from Clinton.
These fields look nice and clean in terms of weed control! (Photo Credit: Henry G.)
Team work! (Photo Credit: Henry G.)
This photo shows how the wheat is laying down in the particular field. (Photo Credit: Shaun)
Unloading. (Photo Credit: Albert)
Night backdrop with the setting sun and contrails! (Photo credit: Charel)
All Aboard Wheat Harvest™ is sponsored by High Plains Journal and New Holland Agriculture. You can contact Laura at laura@allaboardharvest.com.
hpj_admin
Posted at 09:56h, 13 JuneGreat stuff.
Laura Haffner
Posted at 14:35h, 15 JuneThanks! 🙂
Tom Stegmeier
Posted at 18:43h, 13 JuneNice to see that you’re in some good yields.It would slower going if you had to put a lot of that straw through the combines.How are those stripper headers in leaning & lodged crops. Work Safe !!
Patricia Sills
Posted at 09:35h, 17 JulyThis is more of a question rather than a comment. This morning I was told by a neighbor that is quite health conscience that the reason there are tire marks in wheat fields that are close to harvesting, is because they are spraying the wheat with Roundup to desiccate the wheat. After doing a search on the internet, I found many conflicting opinions on this. That is why I decided to contact someone familiar with wheat harvesting. Can you tell me if Roundup is used near harvest time on wheat crops in the U.S.? Is Roundup used at all on most traditionally raised wheat crops in the U.S.? Thank you for any information you can provide.
Laura Haffner
Posted at 10:34h, 19 JulyPatricia, Thanks for both your comment and email. I appreciate that you’re trying to find scientific, direct answers from someone in the field. However, I noticed that we are not from the same geographical locations, so I would be remiss to claim to be an expert in practices in your area. May I suggest visiting with an agriculture extension agent or another industry professional for the scientific reasoning behind the agronomic practices in your area?
I can say, however, desiccation of wheat with Roundup is not a common practice in our area and I have no experience with it. We do, sometimes, spray a fungicide on the wheat to protect it from rust, which can have harmful effects on the crop. This may be applied aerially or through a ground rig, the latter leaving tracks in the field. There are strict rules about applying products close harvest called a “pre-harvest interval”, which prohibit spraying of product after a certain growth stage or so many days prior to harvesting. This ensures a crop is safe for harvest.
I hope this gives you a start, and you will be able to find specific answers regarding the practices in your area!