C is for Crops

This is the craziest spring for planting crops. I bet you have seen pictures and heard stories from friends, or in the media, about how difficult it is for farmers to get their crops planted this year. Too much rain equals muddy fields which means waiting until they are dry enough to plant. If planted too early the seeds don't sprout properly and planting in wet ground can cause the seeds to rot. We finished planting our final crops on June 1st, about 2 weeks later than usual. We now have to hope that Fall doesn't come early so the corn has enough time to mature.

Our farm consists of nearly 300 acres.  Each year, before Spring planting begins, we determine how much of each crop to plant. The decision is based on what we need for our herd, the weather conditions, and how much, if any feed we have left from the previous season. Because we have so few acres, we feed everything we grow to our animals. 

Fall corn harvest

The bulk of our acreage, about 200 acres, is planted into corn. Some is planted and later picked to feed as corn mixed with other grains. The stalks are then baled to use as bedding. The remaining corn is chopped in the fall for silage to feed to the cows.

Silage

Nearly 30 acres of our cropland is planted into grains, primarily oats. 

Oats

The oat kernel is fed, while the plant stalk is baled for bedding, called straw.

Straw bales ready for bedding 

 Finally, about 50 acres of our cropland is alfalfa hay. We feed a lot of hay, since every animal on our farm is treated to hay each day. Hay must be cut and dried before it can be made into bales. If we baled wet hay, it would mold, and we only serve our animals top quality feed. Just like your lawn, alfalfa can be cut several times each season. Typically we can cut and bale hay from each field four times each summer. Hay can also be blown into a feed wagon, to be fed immediately to the cows.

Alfalfa hay cut, ready to bale

Two thirds of our cropland is irrigated land, allowing us to be assured of a good crop even if we do not receive adequate rainfall. Since we have to pay for the electricity to power our irrigation, we pray that Mother Nature will provide the rain we need!

One of 3 irrigators on Bremer Farms

A BIG Bin With BIG Problems

This is one of the storage bins on Bremer Farms. It hold 10,000 bushels of corn, is 30 feet wide and 30 feet tall, and is filled to the top each fall. It has served us well for 39 years.

Have you ever played the game, One of these things is not like the other? If you compare these first two photos, you will see there is a BIG difference. The bin has moved. Yes, for the past year or so, we noticed the concrete that the bin sits on was cracking and deteriorating.

The only way to remedy the issue was to remove the bin and replace the cement pad, but first all the corn had to be removed, and we had to remove a couple pine trees. Then all the apparatus was removed that is used to empty the corn, dry the corn, and keep the corn in top condition. Remember, the corn is used throughout the year to help feed our cows so we need to keep it well preserved.

Then it was time to bring in the big guys. The bin was lifted and set away from the current resting place- all 9,500 pounds of empty bin.

The old concrete was broken up and hauled away...to be recycled!

The ground was leveled...

and new rock was brought in to make a strong base. FYI- that was partly the problem with the old concrete base, as we discovered, the ground was not properly prepared and the concrete was also not reinforced properly. Sheesh! Not this time!

After the concrete forms were installed, more rock was brought in,

leveled and packed down,

and we were ready for the cement truck to arrive. If you notice, you can see the criss-cross pattern of metal rods put in place to reinforce the concrete.

And tah-dah, we have a strong, sturdy, well reinforced base for our bin. After the concrete cured (dried) the crane replaced the bin, the dryer and unloading equipment was put back in place so the electricians could reconnect the electricity.

So our project, that began in June, was completed last week. Thanks to all the crews that made this happen.

Yes, it was a spendy repair, but a necessary one. We really didn't want to head to the barn some morning and see the bin caved in laying on its side. TIMBER!

So the bin is now full to the tippy-top with the start of this years corn harvest. We are now working to fill the bin that you see in the background. Between the bin repair and the weather, we are only about 1/2 done with our corn harvest, which we typically have done by Halloween, but not this year. Some things we just can't control!

Praying for a safe and bountiful harvest for all you farmers out there.

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!

P Is For Planting

Today I am taking a little step back in time to June 2nd. That was the final day of corn planting 2016. Earlier in Spring I shared that I planted for the first time in our nearly 33 years of marriage. I planted alfalfa, oats, peas and barley (isn't there a song title in there somewhere?) 

In typical Farmer John fashion, he spoiled me again. No, he didn't wash the tractor windows this time, but he did fill the planter.

  We finished our planting season by planting silage corn. We plant this corn last because it is not necessary for it to be fully mature before harvest.

 We want the corn kernels to be mature, but not hard. This corn is cut at ground level because we feed the entire plant.

This was my view as I planted. The dark "stripes" are used to follow as I plant. This helps to plant straight rows too, as long as my first row is straight!

 This is the marker. It makes the dark "stripes" I just mentioned. There is one attached to each side of the planter. Newer, larger planters use GPS to dictate where to plant. Since our equipment is smaller, and older, we use the marker system.

 This is what I see behind me. The yellow tank is applying liquid fertilizer as I plant. I am planting six rows at a time.

 

The weather has been perfect for growing corn. It seemed like as I was finishing the field, the first row of plants were already popping their heads through the soil. Well, maybe not quite that quick.  :)

See you tomorrow! Until then, celebrate June Dairy Month
by taking the #Dairy3ForMe Pledge.

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!

Q Is For Quiz

I'm taking you on a journey from A to Z throughout June Dairy Month.

So come on in...the barn doors are open!

  Q Is For Quiz

Remember when you were in school and your teacher announced today we're having a pop quiz? Well good news, today's quiz is not going to be graded. Shown below are close-ups of photos from some of my previous blog posts. Let's see if you can identify what they are. 

1. From  Farming 101-1

2. From Corn's In Now What?
 

3. From Corn's In Now What?
 

4. From This And That Thursday - 3

5. From Earth Day Every Day

6. From Hey Hay Looky Here!

7. From Road Trip And A Date

8. From A Is For Antibiotic

You may also want to read my previous years posts for June Dairy Month...

Q Is or Question 

and

Q Is For Quarter 

 Answers

1. Milking machine

2. Grain Bin

3. Corn 

4. Bunker cover

5. Plate Cooler

6. Round Hay Bale

7. Hoses from Anhydrous applicator

8. Milk Truck

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!