From the Barns: The easiest harvest

By the time this article gets to print the election will be over and we all will be reacting somehow to what is in store for us from the new administration in our nation’s capital. Not much will change in what we do around here, but we may have to adapt to some new rules or economic factors we can’t see coming. I will be glad to not hear any political ads for a while and just wish for a ceasefire from both political parties so they could actually do something productive for the folks that elected them to their political office. I know, too much to expect.

Meanwhile down on the farm, we have been busy wrapping up feed-making for the year by chopping our last field of corn that was planted after wheat harvest. It finally frosted and brought the growing season to an end. We waited a few days for the plants to wilt and then rolled in with the chopper and trucks and made short work of those acres. I did hit a spring on a side hill and actually had to be pulled through the mud with the chopper, maybe the only truck we pulled all fall. What a great harvest we had, huge crop and great weather to harvest in. Aside from the dusty road conditions, I do not recall an easier harvest ever.

We’ve turned cows out on the crop fields to glean whatever they can find and have seeded wheat on nearly every acre. The rains we are getting this week will get the wheat up and going where it’s been too dry for germination. By mid-March there will be lots for the cows to graze. Supplemental feed for the cows has been started where the pastures have played out and the cornstalks are done for. There’s a little green-up since the recent rains, but for the most part that’s just something for the cows to use to occupy their afternoons.

We have some revaccinations that need doing, but the rut has started so deer season is a priority for a good portion of our help. It appears the cow work will have to wait. Manure pumping is top of mind with the excellent soil conditions and an impending freeze-up somewhere on the horizon.

The fat market has been creeping higher, but can’t seem to get past $2. I think that’s a mental barrier the packers are reluctant to cross for fear once that gap is breeched there will be nothing to stop the train. Still, “a buck ninety” and $4 corn makes the math work pretty good. Crazy high feeder calves have become the norm with only the memory of former market crashes tempering cattle feeders’ enthusiasm. With Thanksgiving coming up we will have a long list of good things to highlight around that holiday table.