Well in just two short weeks since my last blog update, our landscape has drastically changed! The crops are changing and we are inching closer to harvest around these parts. Some nearby dairies are chopping, so we are likely going to have soybeans ready to cut this month. (Despite a bet with my husband that I’m likely losing since I bet on the over we wouldn’t be starting in September.) We did sneak in a needed rain at the very tail end of August that hopefully finished out the bean yields. Time will tell.
Our farm-family operation focuses on hogs, corn and soybeans. Having a mix of crop and livestock makes for something always going on! All of our barns have been turned. Meaning the market hogs have been loaded up in semis to be harvested. We contract through Tyson Foods out of Waterloo, so it’s a quick ride to “town.” Which was great during the days of extreme heat, our hogs were either luckily enough to not have scheduled loads those days or didn’t have to be on the trucks as long.
The guys have been busy with those pre-harvest shop projects like checking tensions on drag conveyers, greasing bearings, checking oil levels in gearboxes so they can start on the right foot. The grain dryer goes through a pre-harvest inspection to make sure everything will light and work properly when time to dry corn. Bins have been swept and sprayed for bugs to protect the stored grain.
Personally, I make a honey-do project list for Ryan before harvest hits. Otherwise those tasks won’t get a look until December if I’m being honest. As soon as the crops are fit – it will be go time! The days will start extra early to get pigs chores done, feed hauled, machinery maintenance, hogs to be hauled and the nights tend to be late. Leaving minimal time for other projects to get completed during the harvest season.
To follow along behind the scenes, you can find me on Instagram @dawnmarie.co