Current Farm Life - May 2015

This year life on the farm is a little different than it was a year ago as I showed in Interactions-Photos-Soybean Planting.  Although we had moisture then, we have had much more this year! The soybeans have not been planted at all. We have had about 8 inches of rain since the beginning of May.

The time will come when it's dry enough to plant and we won't see much of Milton at that time. We have about 90 acres of soybeans to plant right now. Then more after wheat harvest, which is fast approaching.  Then there is Grain sorghum or milo will be in June.

The moisture we have received has brought our wheat crop to a good place, yet some is getting water logged and laying down. One doesn't like to complain too much, but I'm thankful for the sunshine that has made it's appearance on a few days this past week. Too many cloudy days makes for a grumpy farm wife.

I wanted to put some photos from the farm on this post.  I hope you enjoy them and know that recording these times of year is important.  Some people list how much rainfall was received on their calendars.  We are signed up with Farmlogs and get an email each time it rains on a piece of land we farm.  We find this to be a good resource for more than watching moisture. Our acres of crops are pretty close in proximity but are still get different amount of moisture at times.

I hope you enjoyed our post today!  Have a great rest of the week and thanks for stopping by!

Julie

Wheat field - June 1st Irrigated

Things just got real on the blog! I'm sharing a photo of me
in a tank top and working!

Our farm dog Charlie was right along with us when
we picked up irrigation!

A family that farms together stays together!

Our little farmer in the wheat field!

Fall Farm Happenings

This time of year is a busy one for our farmers!  We have fall harvest occuring while 2015 wheat is being planted.  Along with that we received 103 head of calves in to feed for the winter and there will be more to come in the near future!

Update on the soybean harvest, the end is in sight, but what is left is too green to harvest.  So they finished what could be cut yesterday.  Then we wait on the other couple fields and the milo.

My husband inspected fields of recently planted wheat.  There were a few skips in the fields, so he went back over those the other day.

On Saturday they worked the 103 head of calves, it was a long process for the two of them. Sometimes things don't go exactly as planned and the calves are missing their mommas for sure!  I wasn't able to help work cattle this time but I will the next batch! I was preparing our home and the food for our annual landlord dinner. 

Watching my husband in his elements makes my heart go pitter patter and I love watching him do what he loves.  Although it is difficult at times since our schedule runs around him, it makes it easier when I know how important it is to him.

One of the benefits of having the calves for the winter is that our daughter can learn how to be responsible.  I happen to be in the farm yard on Sunday evening when it was time to feed.  She was helping Dad and Grandpa, and I am glad I at least had my smart phone.

And the final shot of the day ......

I absolutely love it when I can catch all three of them together!  It's just precious to me!

Thanks for stopping by! 

Julie

Sow, Harvest, Emerge

The farm has been buzzing with activity this past week or so.  Last night it rained, and there is rain in the forecast today too, but I'm not sure how much will arrive at our area.  Until its heavily downpouring I know a couple farmers that will continue to plug along!

My hubby had to get up in the middle of the night and it wasn't for a crying baby! He didn't put the old grain truck  in the shed last night when returning in the late hours from sowing wheat.  That meant when the lightning and thunder began he got to get out of bed and go put  it away. The reason he needed to complete this task is because the "seed wheat" that he uses to sow the current wheat crop is in the grain truck.  We take a certain amount of wheat from our best producing fields and wheat varieties from our previous crop year and "save" it for the next crop year. Before the "seed" wheat is sown the next year, we take it to a facility to have it "cleaned". 

This time of year brings Fall harvest which I have mentioned before.  The corn is harvested, and they have moved onto soybeans.  The next  crop to be harvested will be grain sorghum or milo which I like to call it.  It's the orange/rust colored headed beauties you see in the fields!  So pretty this time of year!  

When Milton and I were engaged, we had pictures taken by my sister for our announcement.  It was in September/October and this is one of the silly ones we did.  It hangs in our home and it's a reminder of days gone by for us.  A time when things were new in our relationship and we were (somewhat) young!  Haha!  Those of you that know my husband personally will enjoy this photo I am sure!

As I drive in the countryside I see some wheat already emerging it's little green self.  It's amazing how quickly the crops begin to come up.  We will have the same thing happening in our fields in a week or two.  Each year it's a new process, each year there are joys and hardships, but with farming comes a renewal of sorts.  With each crop that is planted. 

Here are some photos from this past weekend I have been wanting to share. 

Two generations filling the grain drill/air seeder

The 2nd generation teaching the 3rd generation.

3 Generations side by side. Priceless.

Harvesting Corn

This one. It makes my heart go pitter patter and get all gushy! :)

I hope whatever season of life you are in, that you are able to harvest out the old, sow the revitalized seed, and emerge into whatever your dreams may be.

Thanks for stopping by!
Julie

Memorial Day Farm Work

We spent our Memorial Day checking fields as a family. 

 PV has now decided it is ok for her to literally steer the UTV/Mule while Dad runs the gas pedal!  

The intensity in this photo was not setup, it's truly how she is when she drives! 

She's one serious gal!  

Although I will say,  she really likes to go through the mudholes fast!  

So I don't think we are in the clear when she actually starts driving!

 

We have several different types of crops currently growing.  We will begin planting milo in the near future, but not just yet.  Here are a few pictures I got while visiting the fields today!

Milton is checking the Alfalfa field.  

We normally have it swathed and put into bales.

Then we sell the bales.

This field is where we will plant Milo (grain sorghum).

We no-till so that is why the stocks from last season's milo crop are still in the field.

We have to call the company we use to spray our fields tomorrow to schedule spraying.

The weeds are making an appearance.

It's never too young to learn about farming.

There is always opportunity to teach and learn.

 For good measure I am throwing a couple photos of the chicken coop and chirps!

Milton finished the roof today too!

They are so cute aren't they! They are filling out nicely!

Milton and PV has noticed they are starting to hop upon the boards inside the

coop to roost.  So they are starting to learn!

We hope your Memorial day holiday was a safe and good one!

We are thankful for all the men and women that have served for us to obtain

this thing we call freedom!

Thanks for stopping by!

Julie