Janel: Smooth fields

North Dakota—I’m feeling happy because we’ve made it to our last stop on wheat harvest! That’s a great feeling because we’ve made it this far and when we’re finished here we’ll head back south and begin fall harvest at home. We are way up north near the Canadian border in northeastern North Dakota. This is my very favorite place to cut wheat and canola. However, we started on field peas. We have had decent luck. The first day of cutting field peas there was too much humidity so the conditions were tougher. However, the sun has shined and we have had better conditions to continue and it’s been working a lot better to get the peas cut.  The conditions are a big deal when it comes to harvesting.

The field peas we have cut have been hauled to the farm yard bins. I am figuring they are making nearly 80 bushels per acre. Cutting field peas turns the equipment black because of the thick dust and there’s a lot of it too. I got out a few times to dust off my combine cab windows and clear the header and feeder house off and when I got back in the cab I was covered in thick black dust. We also use the air compressors to blow the machinery off each day and it’s a very dusty job.

Once we get the field peas done we’ll be cutting spring wheat next and then canola afterwards. The wheat looks good and so does the canola.  Our 10-day forecast is mostly sunny with highs in the 70s. I love harvesting here for many reasons. The fields are smooth. The farmers take care of their land very well as far as I can tell.  They don’t just plant, spray and harvest. They actually pick up rocks and work the fields (disking/rototill). I’ve always been impressed with this area of North Dakota!

All Aboard Wheat Harvest is sponsored by Oklahoma Baptist Homes for Children, Unverferth Manufacturing Co., Inc, BASF, AgriPro, Gleaner and High Plains Journal. Janel Schemper can be reached at janel@allaboardharvest.com.

Schemper Harvesting

My wheels all loaded up again. We moved north Aug. 21 from South Dakota to North Dakota.

Schemper Harvesting

We made it to our destination aka Combine City, USA.

Schemper Harvesting

Field peas look ready to me.

Schemper Harvesting

Miss Moo is in Combine City, USA! That’s field peas in the distance.

Schemper Harvesting

We made it to last stop on wheat harvest! When we’re done here, then it’s back home and out of the campers!

Schemper Harvesting

I saw this sign at the welding shop. Welfare just doesn’t make sense to me! There’s so much opportunity here in the USA! Working for a living feels good and gives a person peace of mind!

Schemper Harvesting

That’s the truth though! I haven’t harvested barley in years but part of our crew did recently out in Montana.

Schemper Harvesting

I love it here in North Dakota where there’s wheat and canola grown on both sides of the road!

Schemper Harvesting

Unloading field peas on the tractor grain cart.

Schemper Harvesting

Harvesting field peas and it was humid on this day.

Schemper Harvesting

Harvesting field peas in North Dakota. A nice smooth field to cut!

Schemper Harvesting

Unloading on the go.

Schemper Harvesting

The field peas were dirty to cut.

Schemper Harvesting

Harvesting field peas in North Dakota.

Schemper Harvesting

Field peas look like soybeans. The color is pale though. 

Schemper Harvesting

We quit early on this day because of high humidity and took time to blow the combines and headers off.

Schemper Harvesting

A nice field to cut.

Schemper Harvesting

Here’s spring wheat that we will cut.

Schemper Harvesting

It’s not ready yet though. It’s still green.

Schemper Harvesting

Here’s a field of spring wheat we’ll cut hopefully pretty soon.

Schemper Harvesting

It’s been sprayed.

Schemper Harvesting

When I’m ready to leave here in September the tree leaves will probably be yellow by then and changing to fall colors.

Schemper Harvesting

Field peas make a lot of dust!

Schemper Harvesting

So much dirt!

Schemper Harvesting

Check out the soybeans on the right. They look great.

Schemper Harvesting

Working on another load of field peas.

Schemper Harvesting

The tractor grain cart operator hardly catches a break. 

Schemper Harvesting

Harvesting field peas in North Dakota.

Schemper Harvesting

My windows are getting dirty.

Schemper Harvesting

A nice day to cut field peas and a smooth field to cut!

Schemper Harvesting

I cleaned my windows so I could see better out of them but then ended up wearing so much dirt!

Schemper Harvesting

Harvesting field peas and making lots of dust!

Schemper Harvesting

Unloading on the grain cart.

Schemper Harvesting

A nice field to cut. 

Schemper Harvesting

The soybeans to the east look great.

Schemper Harvesting

So dusty!

Schemper Harvesting

Cutting field peas in North Dakota.

Schemper Harvesting

I laughed out loud too! I cleaned my windows and feeder house and then looked like this. LOL!

Schemper Harvesting

Harvesting field peas in North Dakota on Aug. 24.

Schemper Harvesting

This field is nearly finished!

Schemper Harvesting

My favorite time of day is here! I can see my combine shadow!

Schemper Harvesting

The combine and header needs blown off. Cutting field peas got it so dirty.

All Aboard Wheat Harvest is sponsored by Unverferth Manufacturing Co. Inc., Oklahoma Baptist Homes for Children, Agri-Pro, Gleaner, BASF and High Plains Journal. Janel can be reached at janel@allaboardharvest.com.

3 Comments

Sorry, the comment form is closed at this time.