15 Aug Christy: Sparking lentils

Fort Benton, Montana — Combines have been constantly busy this year, as always, in Montana. We’ve completed winter wheat and have moved a few machines to peas and lentils. Wheat still kept a strong average between 90 and 115 bushels per acre, with peas averaging 45 to 55 bushels per acre. Lentils located about 50 miles north of Fort Benton are probably about normal, between 10 and 30 bushels per acre. That area didn’t see as much rain. We’ll be moving to some lentils back toward Highwood in the next couple of days, and hopefully we’ll see a little higher yield there.

Lentils are not an easy crop to harvest. We had a little trouble in the field. One combine started smoldering. It’s hard to say what exactly caused the sparks, but it sounded like rocks that missed the rock trap once it was full ended up going through the rotor and sparking the dust. Thankfully, the operator noticed a smell right away and smoke escaping the feeder house while he was turning. The farmer had a water truck on sight, and we also have water tanks on our tractors for exactly this situation. The combine came out with only a couple of melted wires and a sensor that needed replacing.

Out in Ray, North Dakota, we have fields that are ready. It seems a little early, since harvest has been moving so fast, but we’ve already had to send three combines out that way to get started. As soon as Cameron’s crew arrived, they were able to go right away. Hopefully, we’ll hear soon how crops are doing out there.

Outside of the combining, I have been able to make some time for Zoey, and we snuck away to the Montana State Fair last week. Zoey loves seeing all the animals, and much to my opposition, visiting and holding snakes. I’m not sure how she has come to love those creatures because Paul and I are completely against the slithery things. She also enjoyed rides and a couple of games. We try to make it to the fair each year.

We also have a new addition to our crew for the next couple of weeks until I leave for home so Zoey can start school. Many years ago, we had a kid named Chase come join the crew. He stuck around for about five years and became good friends with Paul. Paul even stood up with him for his wedding. Now Chase’s son, who shares the same passion for harvest as his Dad, has come out to run a grain cart. Cael is only 13, but he runs the cart like he’s been doing it for years. He is an awesome character, and I’m glad he’s getting the opportunity to learn and gain experience with us.

Montana harvest is moving right along, and working pretty well so far. There’s still a good bit to accomplish, but we’ll be moving out to North Dakota before we know it.

Thank you to our 2024 All Aboard Wheat Harvest sponsors: High Plains Journal, Lumivia by Corteva Agriscience, Unverferth Manufacturing Co., Inc., Merit Auctions, Kramer Seed Farms,Shelbourne Reynolds, and U.S. Custom Harvesters, Inc.