So long, Kansas!

Sharon Springs, Kansas — My only regret about Sharon Springs is that the kids and I didn’t arrive sooner. I read that Wallace County is the second least populous county in Kansas. However, what they may lack in population, they sure make up for in friendliness and community pride! What a nice little town from their beautiful parks, pool, businesses and churches! The people we visited with were more than kind and we were even invited to church and a potluck. This was our first season cutting in the area, and I look forward to going there again!

In regard to the harvest, the crew had more cooperative weather at this stop. One night they had a belt go out, but they were only down a few hours of cutting time for that machine, but that was about it for major issues. It was a great crop for the area and the ripe wheat was beautiful against the open country and big skies of western Kansas. We cut irrigated wheat and it made anywhere from 80 to 100+ bushels per acre and 60 plus pounds per acre for test weights. Some of the wheat was down, but most was still standing decently. In the words of Ryan, “It was pretty much amazing stuff.”

While we were working in the Wallace and Greeley county areas, Mark and the rest of the crew were busy in the Hoxie, Kansas, area. They had a slight rain delay but got going in time to celebrate the Fourth of July in the field. They were cutting both dryland and irrigated wheat and yields ranged anywhere from 60 to 90 bushels per acre for dryland and 104.5 bushels per acre in the irrigated. It was another strong yielding region.   When I asked him if he had anything new or exciting to report, he said, “Not really, it’s pretty much business as usual.” That may a boring answer for you readers, but that’s music to my ears during this mid season stretch. When the crews are running so hard this time of year, “excitement” usually presents itself in the form of a breakdown, blown tires, or something of that sort.

The entire crew is now harvesting in northeastern Colorado but in different locations.

2016 - HPH - Hoxie (Jill)

Jill sent this photo from the Hoxie area.

2016 - HPH - Hoxie (Jill)

Jill sent this photo from the Hoxie area.

2016 - HPH - Hoxie (Mark)

No, nothing is on fire. It was just dirty cutting! The yields were great, though! (Photo by Mark.)

HPH - 2016 - Sharon Springs

I took the kids to their first movie last weekend. We all got in and had popcorn and a drink for under $10. What a deal! We were told the town came together to keep their theater by purchasing it and is now run by volunteers. How great is that?

HPH-2016-Sharon Springs Sunday (Laura)-2

Ryan’s mom came to visit us on Sunday and after church and noon meal delivery, I dragged her to Mt. Sunflower, which was on my Kansas attraction bucket list. She is always a good sport and up for an “adventure!” Mt. Sunflower is located northwest of Weskan and is the highest natural geographical point in Kansas.

HPH-2016-Sharon Springs (Laura)-6

The flowers were just too pretty not to capture.

HPH-2016-Sharon Springs 1st Supper (Laura)-7

You can see here how thick and beautiful the wheat was here.

HPH-2016-Sharon Springs 1st Supper (Laura)-8

You can see here how thick and beautiful the wheat was here.

HPH-2016-Sharon Springs 1st Supper (Laura)-9

The first pass through the field was nice for the leading machine, but for subsequent passes, it got a little hard to see (notice the cloud).

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Willem had a very short wait for the next load. The loads were coming fast in this good wheat.

HPH-2016-Sharon Springs 1st Supper (Laura)-12

All good things must come to an end in the name of bed time. It is a little bittersweet to think it won’t be too long before he’ll be able to stay out with the big boys.

HPH-2016-Sharon Springs 1st Supper (Laura)-10

Western Kansas sunsets are some of the best around! I may be biased, though.

HPH-2016-Sharon Springs Sunday (Laura)

Snagged a shot of Ryan taking care of the little things. I’m sure he was thrilled by my ambush!

HPH -2016 - Goodbye Sharon Springs

The grain cart heading to Colorado.

HPH -2016 - Goodbye Sharon Springs

So long, Sharon Springs!

All Aboard Wheat Harvest™ is sponsored by High Plains Journal and New Holland Agriculture. You can contact Laura at laura@allaboardharvest.com.

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