23 Jul Laura: Wheat and spiders

Western Kansas—The crew just finished up in southeast Colorado where a combination of hail and drought stressed the crop and yields reflected that accordingly. The crew fought several days of wet ground and high moisture in the grain, but once they were able to move they ran hard with their stripper headers.  

Meanwhile, in Wallace County, Kansas, a different story was unfolding. Some late season rains boosted the yields of dryland and irrigated wheat alike. Here, we have seen drylands yields on some fields in the 50s for an average but saw higher spikes on the yield monitor in pockets across the fields. Irrigated has seen yields of 75 to 100 bushels per acre. It is just unbelievable what a few timely rains will do considering how terribly dry it was out here last fall.  

Unbelievable natural phenomena weren’t just happening in the field but in our family’s camper as well. Recently, upon entering the kids’ bedroom and bathroom I discovered not one but two black widow spiders. Yes, inside the camper. The outdoor steps fold up and ride inside the trailer while it is in transit, so my current hypothesis is they came in on those steps from Oklahoma.

I realize black widows aren’t aggressive spiders and prefer to be left alone, but I can’t have venomous spiders cohabitating in the children’s space. Mama bear came out and the situation is handled as they are now enjoying spidey heaven. Coincidentally, I was on the phone with another harvester mom friend as the events unfolded. I think the play-by-play, in real time, could be something she doesn’t let me live down for awhile.  

Things are always exciting, in one way or another, out here on the run. 

Laura Haffner can be reached at laura@allaboardharvest.com.

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