Our Weekend Began on Wednesday

Center, Colorado – 
Our “weekend” began on Wednesday (8/24).

As you may recall from my last post, we were able to get started on Thursday (8/18) and kept working every day until we bumped up against high moisture on Wednesday morning (so we got six good days in). We all had high expectations of keeping the wheels rolling but we were also beginning to really show signs of needing a break. Which we got.

We sat in the field all day Wednesday hoping each moisture test would be better than the previous one. The last test we took was low enough on the combine monitor and the hand tester to justify taking a sample to town. Because this particular field will have several trucks making the trek to the Coors facility in Monte Vista, we knew it would have to be tested by them before the wheels were going to continue rolling. Casey and I made the 15 mile trip to Monte Vista. Their result was 14.2%. Too high. So, we just quit early for the day.

Thursday morning, we began the day as usual. Jim went to the gas station to get fuel for the combine and to the grocery store, while I made lunches and got things gathered for being away for the day. It was cloudy and chilly – not good for drying grain. We did take a sample, though, early afternoon – 14.1%. So it dried…some. We just all left the field for a while. Some hauled grain, some went home and took a nap and a few of us just took a short road trip. We got back to the field late afternoon and tried it one more time. This time the sample tested 12.5% but the clouds were thickening up and getting pretty dark. After a phone call to the farmer, it was decided that since it was so late in the day and we hated to chance getting a truckload of grain that was too wet to get rid of, we’d just wait another day. And then it rained…not much. But around here, it doesn’t take much. The nights are beginning to get pretty chilly and it takes longer in the morning to warm up. 

Therefore…

Nothing was even attempted Friday. 

While we’ve been away from the field, we were finally able to get our laundry done and bills paid. We had visitors from home and we took a drive through the mountains. I will save this info for another post. In the meantime, enjoy a few of the photos I took over the past week. Hoping tomorrow we’ll be back in the field. 

And, speaking of being back in the field…don’t forget to check out the Combine Cam. It’s been running pretty consistently while we’ve been here. It’s good to have cell service again! Have you ever watched a windrow of grain being picked up? It’s just so weird after watching a reel turn all summer long and now it’s not there.

Z Crew: Because it's what harvesters do!

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Z Crew: Because it's what harvesters do!

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Z Crew: Because it's what harvesters do!

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Z Crew: Because it's what harvesters do!

This is barley – not wheat (although they do look very similar). The heads of the barley is longer than wheat.

Z Crew: Because it's what harvesters do!

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Z Crew: Because it's what harvesters do!

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Z Crew: Because it's what harvesters do!

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Z Crew: Because it's what harvesters do!

The “14ers” got a dusting of snow during one of the many storms that rolled through. These mountains are referred to as the “14ers” because of the elevation being at least 14,000 ft or more.

Z Crew: Because it's what harvesters do!

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Z Crew: Because it's what harvesters do!

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Z Crew: Because it's what harvesters do!

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Z Crew: Because it's what harvesters do!

While we’re helping Ryan and Casey Graham, the amount of equipment in my pictures has increased by quite a bit. Every time we pull up to the field, it puts me in mind of a farm show. We can certainly get a whole lot more done with five combines!

Z Crew: Because it's what harvesters do!

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Z Crew: Because it's what harvesters do!

Looking at the next circle of barley from on top of the Beast.

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Z Crew: Because it's what harvesters do!

Lots of equipment means lots of people to run it. The night we were leaving the field, we only had one pickup because we had just moved everything to the current circle. A few of them had to ride in the back which made for a pretty chilly ride!!

Z Crew: Because it's what harvesters do!

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Z Crew: Because it's what harvesters do!

And, yes, I’m still a sucker for a good sunset!

 

All Aboard Wheat Harvest™ is sponsored by High Plains Journal and New Holland Agriculture. The Z Crew can be reached at zcrew@allaboardharvest.com.

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