September 2, 2013

View of the day-Al starting out the season by trying to avoid the wet spots.

Today was moving day for the last of the equipment...that being the camper. As usual, it started raining as we were trying to get loaded, pretty sure we haven't hauled the camper down our road when it wasn't raining.

We had to do a couple of errands before we left town...parking was a task with the long load...so we did a bit of walking, but at least the rain had let up.

We got to the farm east of Kipling and found a cozy spot to park the camper, within distance of water and power. Before we got completely set up, we took a tour with the farmer to see the fields we would be working on. There was rain forcast for Wednesday, so he wanted to get started...even if it was a bit too wet.

The winter wheat had been dessicated for a couple weeks already, so it should have been ready to cut, had there not been 7 inches of rain in the last three weeks. We checked the fields over, then went back to finish setting up the camper.

We moved the combine and the Dodge out to the field, then Al had the honors of making the first round. Even though he gets everything set before we leave, the difference in crop means a lot of tweaking to get it just right. Marilyn didn't mind giving up the reins since she was somewhat apprehensive about the field conditions.

Once everything was set on the combine and we got the truck full of wheat, Al went to dump it in the bins that were about 4 miles from the field. The wheat was testing 16.1% moisture when we started but it got down as low as 14.8% before heading back up after the sun set and the wind died off.

This wheat is running around 50 bu/ac, so Al is kept busy, not only hauling, but trying to make sure he stays on dry ground...so far so good. On both counts. We are finding mud, but fortunately the farmer said Marilyn could do some "cherry picking" and just do the high spots to start. She's good with that.

We went until dark, then called it quits...we don't know the lay of the land and the surprises it holds...no sense in getting stuck on the first day. The farmer had his own combine and has a neighbour working in the field with him and apparently, they have been stuck a couple of times. He has a big quadtrac tractor, so he has lots of "tug" power to move the combine in short time.

A good first day, making the move and getting started. Only 40 acres, but with the late start, heavy crop and tricky fields, that is pretty good.

Now if only the rain can stay away...