From the Fields: Wheat in the world

We started in on the wheat Thursday afternoon and were shocked how dry it tested compared to a few days earlier. We had a few neighbors fire up a day or so earlier than we did, and they were running in the high teens to low 20s. We ran a hopper full on the combine and ran a test over to the elevator to cross check the combine. We were running 13% wheat, averaging around that 80-bushel mark. Now that’s not what we had hoped for by any means, but with that unusually late frost that got us, we are happy to yield that well.

We believe the high management program really helped us be able to preserve what yield and quality we could with the circumstances. The test weight has been really good for drying down in the field. It has been around 58 to 59 pounds for the loads we have hauled in, which surprised us. Have no damage or quality issues, and the vomitoxin hasn’t been an issue this year either. All in all, things are running smoothly, and the weather looks promising for us to cut until we are done with no rain delay.

The straw we have windrowed is really nice quality this year. We haven’t had good straw weather like this in years, and the crews are taking full advantage of it. Most of the large round or square balers are just following the combines, which is rare. Usually, we’ll have to let it lay a day or two to cure out and let it dry underneath the windrow. This heat and dry weather has taken most of the green out of the wheat and dried the straw so fast there’s virtually no wait time to bale.

We always put up some small square bales for our cattle, and it never fails that’s one of the hottest days of the year. Guess a little time on a wagon and in the barn will make a young guy appreciate how easy we have it compared to generations before us. Still it’s a hot itchy job, but a job that has to be done.

We will be able to plant the double-crop beans right away and get them off to a good start. We received a nice 2-inch rain the beginning of week, so there’s good moisture in the ground to get those beans up and going faster than normal. We hope to be done with everything next weekend if everything goes as planned.

We’ve hauled away some loads already to Siemer Milling in West Harrison, where we had contracted bushels sold. The lines have been long, but steady, and it seems everyone is cutting about the same time this year. I’m actually typing this article out while waiting in line to get to the dump. Nothing like multitasking. Hope everyone stays safe and gets to enjoy harvest if you have wheat out or if not just relax with family.

Hope, Ind.