We left home on Saturday evening and only made it 150 miles, but we were in the road! On Sunday we drove 700 miles in our personal vehicles. We stopped in Plankington, South Dakota for lunch in the camper. We were welcomed by a friendly local dog. I’m sure he would’ve loved to join us! It was a long day but, everything went well!
We arrived in Ness City, Kansas on Sunday night, got settled in our campground and started cutting wheat right away on Monday.
The yields have been around 50 bpa. Most of the week the temps hovered around 100°F.
Our girls were happy to get into an air conditioned vehicle.
We were able to cut all week with no issues or rain!
We finished up by Ness City, KS on Saturday just before the rain hit!
May has come to an end and flown by as usually the case for us. We have been blessed with timely rains and good conditions. Some of the areas not so far from us have not been so fortunate. They have been hit by heavy rains and strong winds. The crops that are planted are coming up nice. The combines are being prepped for travel during any time we are not in the field. Our first job in Oklahoma was hailed out recently, resulting in a total loss. We will be starting in Ness City, Kansas in June.
Heading to the shop for a bath.Tractor with a rock roller.
Our beans were rolled with the rock roller this week. Rolling the ground pushes the rocks down which is necessary for harvest. When the beans are harvested, the combine header is on the ground. Rolling helps prevent any rocks from entering the combine through the feeder house on the front. Rock ingestion can cause serious damages internally to the equipment.
Our local wildlife production area provides a beautiful backdrop for sunsets throughout the year. Our youngest and I drove to it during a brief slow time.
Farmer Brown was able to get some spraying done. We had to bring him fuel one evening while the sun was setting. It was a gorgeous night!
Spring wheat sunrise
Our spring wheat during a sunrise. Our yard is full of various blooms and fresh greenery this week! Here are some of them below.
ColumbineFern Leaf PeonyWhite Bleeding HeartsPine TreesWe call these the John Deere bushes. They are a Caragana bush. A few years ago Mick came home from harvest while I stayed in Oklahoma running combine. When he called from home, he said the whole yard was John Deere due to the Caraganas. A little tidbit of information – the colors for the John Deere company were chosen by John Deere’s wife who liked the green in the spring and the yellow in the fall.Pink flowering trees. We’re not sure what these are, but they’re pretty every year.LilacsBrett launching his boat in a puddle. Our boys love playing in the puddles. Brett would wear his rain boots every day if he could.Our boys discussing important business on the farm after a rain.
We’ll be done planting soon and heading out. In the meantime, we are busy getting ready and finishing up our to do list. Our crew is excited to get started harvesting!
Our third week went pretty smooth. We started out the week with a beautiful sunrise shower followed by a rainbow. We didn’t get much rain; less than a 1/2″ in most places.
Planting trees
Our local soil conservation district planted 4 rows of trees along some of our property for a new shelter belt. They planted lilacs, box elders, quaking aspen, and juniper trees. We’re hoping they got off to a good start!
Planting soybeans
Farmer Brown was able to plant soybeans in a field near our yard.
Planting Soybeans
What a beautiful night! The sky was so colorful.
Planting SoybeansBrett scooping his cookies.
Brett decided one day that we had to make chocolate chip cookies for everyone! First he had to let everyone know he was making cookies today. He loves to bake and be a chef!
Flowering Crab
Our favorite tree, a beautiful flowering crab was in full bloom this week! The smell was overwhelming!
Spring wheat emerging
Our wheat has emerged from the soil this week. It is so great to see the black dirt turn green!
Filling the drill with soybeans.
Farmer Brown and Brett filling the drill with soybeans. Brett loves helping on the farm and being where the action is. He was helping dad keep the beans leveled out in the compartment. Our crazy dog, Chevy did something we had not seen before. Mick was trying to figure out what was laying in our yard. He figured the dogs had buried a dead animal, but discovered it was a dog toy when he got close.
Our week was filled with planting and fragrant trees! We are over half done planting and busy preparing to head south for custom harvesting wheat.
