Harvest17 Is In The Books

There were days when I didn't think we would ever be able to say it, but Harvest17 is finished!

As farmers we quickly realize that not everything is in our control. 

Take the weather for instance. This Fall brought many rainy, wet days which screamed, "We can't combine corn today!" 

Then there was the tractor that needed to be fixed which meant taking off a few days of combining since we needed the tractor to bring the wagons in from the corn field. Thanks to our local implement dealer, it was fixed quickly though! 

And then there was the day that fuel was delivered to the farm and the gasoline was accidentally pumped into the diesel fuel tank. In case you don't know- gas and diesel don't like each other! So the next step was to drain the fuel from everything we had filled...tractors, combine, two skid steer loaders... and more trips to our local implement dealer for new filters and repairs because of the delivery boo-boo.

When our two corn storage bins on our farm were filled, it was off to the grain elevator in a neighboring town.  At this point of harvest, we opted to take a few days off to avoid the long lines at the elevator since many farmers were now delivering their bounty to the elevator to be either stored or sold. The whole time we prayed the good weather would hold out.

But hey, we got it done. No one got hurt, we have two bins filled to the brim with corn, and we had a large enough yield that we were able to sell a bunch too. I do know that in our area, and across the state of Minnesota there is a lot of corn (and soybeans) still standing in the field. I pray that all farmers can soon say, "We got 'er done." 

See you next year combine. Until then, my work here is done!

Thankful For Harvest

With this being Thanksgiving week, it seems like a perfect time to review harvest. We completed corn combining a few weeks back. Farmer John said it was the best year we ever had- cooperative weather and a big yield!

Last year I did all the corn combining. I really enjoyed it. I thought it was gratifying and even relaxing. This Fall, I only drove the combine one day. Grandpa Roy's health improved since last year, and as I have said many times, "You can't keep a good man down." With help from Farmer John or Michael, and occasionally even the loader tractor bucket, Grandpa was helped into the cab of the combine, and down the field road he went with one mission in mind- combing corn. "Git 'er done!" Beside the fact that everyone feels better when busy and productive, I think Grandpa Roy was jealous that I got to drive the new combine that we purchased last Fall, and he hadn't.

 Each time the combine fills with corn, the corn is then transferred to one of three wagons that are used to transport the corn back to the storage bins. Grandma, Sara, and I kept a watchful eye on the wagons as they unloaded. No, it was not a three-person job, only one of us at a time, but this duty was taken on by whoever was not at their off-the-farm-job, or not busy doing other farm chores.

The corn leaves the wagon and goes through a screener which sifts out debris before the corn heads up the auger to the bin which dries and stores the corn. The corn is dried (using propane heat) so that it does not mold. Since we had a fairly warm, dry Fall, we did not have to run the drier as long as usual. This is good news as it saves money! We have two bins which hold 22,000 bushels of corn. Each one is filled to the brim.

We now have enough corn stored to last us until next Fall, to be used as feed for our cattle. You can learn about that here. 

After the combing is finished, John baled the corn stalks which the combine leaves behind in the field. The corn stalk bales are used for bedding.

And lastly, Farmer John and Grandpa Roy prepare the soil, by working up the ground, so it is one step closer to being ready for Spring planting, when we start all over again!

My Dad Is Smiling

My dad was a dairy farmer all of his life. He loved everything about his chosen profession. He especially enjoyed harvest and the great feeling of accomplishment he got when the corn was safely tucked in the corn bins, ready to feed our cows.

This past week I did the combining for the first time in my life, and I know my dad was smiling down on me!

On our farm, like many farms, each of us in our family has certain responsibilities, and driving the combine has always been Grandpa Roy's job, but with his current health issues 

he is unable to drive, so it was my turn to give it a try.

The combine has three jobs. First it cuts off the corn stalk from the ground. Next it separates the stalk from the corn. Finally, the combine removes any remaining debris from the corn. The combine "combines" three jobs, hence the name! After some instruction from Farmer John on how to work the controls and what all the buttons did, I was off and running.

For eight days this was my view. As the combine followed down the rows of corn, I thought of my dad, and how much he enjoyed the harvest season.

And I too got the feeling of accomplishment, as I watched through the window behind me, as the combine filled with kernels of corn.
"I wish your Dad could see you now," Farmer John said.

As each load of corn was transferred from the combine to the wagon to be moved to the storage bins, I thought about how fortunate I am to be doing something I enjoy, and that also benefits so many people.

What a blessing to be outdoors appreciating the beauty God has placed around us, the feeling of a job well done, and the smile on Grandpa Roy's (my father-in-law)  face when I finished harvesting our 130 acres of corn.

And to you Dad, I now know why you loved harvest-

I can tell you're smiling!

Sum-It-Up Saturday

"That about sums it up." 

Have you heard this phrase, or is it a Minnesota thing? 

"Crazy busy!" That sums up our week.

We finished combining corn this week. You can  learn about the process here. It is a huge job to cross off our to-do list. Now Farmer John is baling corn stalks to use for bedding.  Learn about stalk bales here.

Daughter Sara's community TV show premiered this week too. Aprons Optional is all about preparing 3 recipes; one easy, one medium difficulty, and one more time consuming. By the look on Sara's face, this is not the easy one!

Speaking of TV, my other local television star, son Michael (aka. Take A Hike, Mike!) and I handed out candy to over 550 kiddos at a local Halloween Community Event. So fun, and lots of Frozen costumes! You can see Michael's show Take A Hike, Mike visits Bremer Farms  here.

Our week began with my mom having colon cancer surgery. Through God's guiding hand, mom's surgery went well. Thank you Lord for giving me a mom who is stubborn, and always willing to fight whatever battle is set before her. Love you, Mom!

Our week ended with an addition to our family. A big welcome to the family to Porter, my mom's first Great-Grandchild, and my first Great-Nephew, and Mommy and Daddy (Dena and Aaren's) first child. I'm hoping to hold him, and spoil him real soon!

Lastly, congratulations to Cindy Q. You are the winner of my latest giveaway, and this addition to your herd, cow bank, will be in the mail next week.

So that about sums it up. See you soon!

Corn's In! What Now?

 Grandpa Roy drives the combine to finish the corn harvest.

Where does the corn go now?

The corn is transfered to a wagon, called a gravity box, and then transported from the field. Each gravity box carries about 500 bushel of corn.

Unloading time- A door near the bottom of the gravity box is opened to release the corn which now travels up an auger into the screener.

While rotating, the screener removes broken kernels and "bees wings" (the reddish paper-like chaff from the cob).

From the screener, up the auger, to the bin. The pile on the ground is the unwanted bees wings and broken kernels.

Why is it important to remove the bees wings? Each bin is equipped with a fan and heater to dry the corn. Stored corn must be dried to insure it will not mold during storage, therefore making it unusable. Bees wings, if not removed, will form a sort-of blanket in the bin which inhibits the air flow to dry the corn.

One of our two corn bins. Each stores 10,000 bushel of corn and measures 30x19 feet.

Combining is finished for this year, and our corn is safely stored to feed our animals. Here's to another safe and successful harvest season! I think it's time for a milk break. Won't you join me?

Learn more about dairy and farm life at Dairy Makes Sense.