19 Jul Steph: Roars in the rotor
Bayard, Nebraska – Well, courtesy of AAWH, Anderson Harvesting will be heading back south a bit to Pine Bluffs, Wyoming to continue the wheat run. Farmer Lance awaits us our arrival and Farmer Don can sit back and relax, knowing his wheat is safe and sound in the bins of the elevator. He averaged about 35 bushels per acre with test weights between 62-65 pounds. Our next fields are right in the corner of Wyoming, Colorado and Nebraska. I’ve always wanted to be in three places at once, and I just might get my shot.
A fun fact — Farmer Don’s son brought his family out to spend some time in the field and experience harvest. The following day, his wife and kids went off to a family reunion and he stayed. Little did I know, it was his birthday! This became known to me after the fact. And I didn’t even get to wish him a “happy birthday,” but all he wanted to do was spend his birthday in a wheat field. That’s music to a harvester’s ears.
ProHarvest paid us a field visit the other day to sort out Papa T and John’s monitors in their combines, getting the moisture/yield readings to work. However, upon riding in John’s combine, the ProHarvest rep and John noticed a roaring in the rotor that does not belong. The coupler that connects the gear-case to the rotor went out, and it’s the kind of thing that requires the combine to be tore apart and the use of special tools. So, Loretta will be at the combine doctor for a couple days while Papa T and Patsy (his combine’s name, just to refresh the memory) get started on Farmer Lance.
Another one to check off the list — I’ve never combined in Wyoming before!
Quote of the Day – “Did you see the size of his owner’s manual?”
Stuff Harvesters Do – Need your mail? A welder? Maybe some prescription sunglasses? Send it General Delivery to the post office.
A photographer’s “fidget spinner.”
Heading to the next field.
Beautiful blue sky.
Field full of wildflowers right next to the wheat field.
Not a kernel more, not a kernel less.
Filling up Big Nancy.
Teaming up.
Harvest time is also family time! Farmer Don’s son brought his family out to see the action.
Pickup bed riding through the field… 100% acceptable.
Always check your traps when you leave the elevator!
Dreamy sunset.
Combine and cart silhouette.
Nothing better.
Western Nebraska knows how to sunset.
A windmill with a little character — my favorite kind.
Farmer Don, checking wheat heads.
Thunderheads in the distance.
Farmer Don guiding Papa T into the next field.
Trying to beat the elevator closing time.
Farmer Don, overseeing progress.
One of my favorites.
All Aboard Wheat Harvest™ is sponsored by High Plains Journal and John Deere. You can contact Steph at stephanie@allaboardharvest.com.
Kyle Stavig
Posted at 12:33h, 19 JulySteph I am chuckling as I follow you each year. I cut for farmer lance in Pine Bluff years ago. We ran red combines and I was working for Bernie Kretchmar from Oklahoma. Lance rode with me many hours. I was the red head kid from Portland, Oregon. I recall harvesting in the three states and the highest point in Nebraska. say hi to lance for me.
Steph Osowski
Posted at 22:16h, 21 JulyThank you, Kyle! I brought you up to Farmer Lance and he remembered you! What a small world it is haha and even more so in the harvest world.
Anthony Barrett
Posted at 18:19h, 19 JulyYou are within an hour of my parent’s farm when you get to Pine Bluffs. And yes, Western Nebraska knows how to sunset, no doubt.
Steph Osowski
Posted at 22:15h, 21 JulyI’ve had many people reach out to me saying they know someone who currently lives or grew up in the area. Crazy! And the sunsets have been some of the best I’ve seen this summer. Just gorgeous!
Karen
Posted at 07:58h, 20 JulyI am going to miss your posts when the run is over Steph. Especially the quote of the day! Until then, keep up the great reporting!
Steph Osowski
Posted at 22:14h, 21 JulyThank you so much, Karen! I miss posting in the off season as well. I find myself experiencing different things and in my head, forming how I would write about it.