Friday, October 24, 2008

Corn and Rain

The corn crop looks very good this year.  There are high yields, and many acres to harvest.  To make the most of our time and fuel, there is a definite procedure to keep the combine, grain cart and trucks moving efficiently and in harmony. 

The combine, full of corn and with auger extended, awaits the grain cart
The picture above is from when we were “striking out” a field.  This means that we were making our first pass to investigate if the crop was ready to harvest, and cutting paths so we would have room to bring in related machinery.

Unloading the combine, loading the grain cart
The main purpose of the cart  is to weigh the grain and load it onto trucks.  The scale built into the cart allows us to record the yield of the crop, and to load trucks with a legal load.   The large tires easily navigate muddy spots without getting stuck.  The grain cart is pulled by a tractor that has dual wheels, so pulling 30,000 pounds of corn through a muddy spot is achievable.  Once the harvest is under way, the combine does not have to stop to unload.  The grain cart comes along side, and matches the speed of the combine.  The unload auger swings out, and the combine unloads while continuing to harvest.  This is known as unloading “on the go.”  Once the operators of both the combine and the grain cart establish a routine, this is an effortless task which makes efficient use of both time and machinery.

The Corn Palace in Mitchell, South Dakota
What better time to visit the Corn Palace, than on a rainy day during the harvest?  We’ve had a soggy week, so the harvest has been put on hold.  The rain days have provided the opportunity to roam a bit, and to take afternoon naps.

Fall is here
Looking down the street, it’s obvious that October has brought bright colors, even on a rainy day. 

Posted by Alan at 05:00:00 | Permalink | Comments (1) »

Friday, October 17, 2008

Corn Harvest

Today I drove the combine into a corn field and gave it a whirl.  It’s a significantly different experience than harvesting wheat or soybeans.  The combine can move at a much faster speed, and the disappearing rows of corn stalks provide a visual effect that’s fun to watch.

Watching the corn stalks disappear into the combine

Unloading the corn
There is a feeling of accomplishment that is more immediate than with beans or wheat.  We drive faster, unload more frequently, and fill up trucks and bins quickly.  Some of this corn will become ethanol, and some will wander off to other places.  Whether it ends up in the gas tank of my Chevy, or in my gas tank as Oreos, I like to think that our efforts are giving America energy in one form or another.
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Friday, October 3, 2008

Moving Day

We were working on fences earlier this week, and I was surprised to turn around and see a crowd of cattle staring at me.  Charlotte said, “They think we’re moving them today.”  I looked at the gathered and said, “Ladies and gentlemen, your flight has been delayed, and we are anticipating a gate change as well.”  They stood - stunned.  The awkward silence was broken by a cow who moo’ed loudly and raised her head in an angry gesture.  “Ma’am, you will get a voucher for a free meal, and I assure you we are making every effort…”  At this point, she turned and ran away making quite the disturbance.  The other cattle looked at me like they refused to give up.  For the first time in my life, I understood what it’s like to be a gate agent at an airport. 

Moooving day
Today we returned to the pasture and gathered the herd for the big move.  They needed very little encouragement to find the gate at the north end of the field.  After about twenty minutes, we had all of them at the gate.  They stood and waited patiently.  There was order, there was silence.  None of them were talking loudly on cell phones, no one was running in at the the last minute with a bag of fast food.  Attentively, they waited for the gate to open. 

Stranded at the bus stop
I hadn’t seen Moogie, and I wondered where he was.  After the two mile trek to the new pasture, we re-traced our steps to look for stragglers.  We found Moogie and his sidekick waiting at the gate, expecting special treatment.  Charlotte shook her head.  “They’re not blending in.”  I agreed, “They’re geeks, they’ll wind up in A/V club and there’s nothing we can do about it.”  I had no patience for their desire to be special.  I spoke to them harshly and got them running toward our destination. 
“Let them walk,” said Charlotte. 
“No, they’ll run like the rest of the herd.” 
She shouted, “Alan is making you run - it’s not me!” 
Shocked by her statement, I blurted out, “You are such the enabler of their bad behavior.” 
I’m reading a book on personal boundaries.  I think it’s spilling into my attitude with the herd.
Posted by Alan at 05:00:00 | Permalink | Comments (1) »