Are we there yet?

This time of year, I start to ask my husband questions similar to what kids ask on long (or short) trips.  Although I’m not technically asking “are we there yet?!”, I’m usually asking a similar question to gauge a different destination: harvest.

You see, this time of year is typically (although nothing is typical when it comes to a farming year) a small window of time for switching gears from summer to fall farm activities.   I learned of this small window while planning our wedding several years ago – late August usually has about 1 week when time might be open.   So I chose that window for our wedding date, instead of winter, the other window of time.   It’s a good thing we didn’t have a crop year then like we have had this year or I would’ve had a very preoccupied groom.

So why the window of time?  We farm irrigated land, and usually by this time of year, the irrigation is complete, and there’s a week or 2 before corn is cut for silage and the push to prepare for harvest begins.    This year, the crop was late getting planted, and due to unusually cool weather in August (until now) the corn is a little behind.   And so I ask… “so when do you think you’ll be done irrigating?” and  “when do you think harvest will start… just a ballpark timeframe?”

So what difference does it make?  Probably not a big difference, but I like to know for several reasons… 1. So I can semi-intelligently answer someone who asks me, so that I sound like I know what’s going on.   2.  So I can mentally prepare for harvest time (it’s an intense time of year for my husband and when I do my best to allow him to focus solely on the task at hand).   3.  So I can know when a good time is to show him the “honey-do” list I’ve been compiling all summer while he’s been irrigating, with hopes that he’ll be able to complete all 85+ items before he goes into harvest mode.  🙂  I do try to narrow that list down to my top 5.

The answers to my questions… in case you’re also wondering… are no – we’re not there yet.  Yes, we’re still irrigating for another week or so.  (Have you picked up on the lack of precise timeframes and time commitments in farming?!)  Yes, harvest will be later than last year (which was an early harvest compared to “normal”) but not real late.  We’ll be chopping corn for silage sometime within the next couple of weeks.   I translate all of that to this – don’t give him the honey-do list now, and in fact there might not be a good time for it this year.  🙂   Well played smart husband, well played.    That’s ok – I don’t think I’d survive a week, let alone a summer doing what he’s doing in 90+ degree humid heat.    The list can wait.    And just like my parents used to tell us in the car, and that we now tell our kids… “we’ll be there when we get there.”

And you think kids grow fast…

A few weeks ago, I took pictures of the kids running up and down the rows of growing corn near our home, with the intention of writing a post about the growing corn.

The kids loved running up and down the corn rows!  May 21

Then when I sat down to write the post, my pictures were outdated as it seemed the corn had doubled in size.  So out we went to take a more recent picture.

Corn’s too tall for running down the rows now!  June 5

And as it goes, time slipped again, and the next moment I had to write a post, my picture was again too “old” to give an accurate picture of the corn growth.  So here I am, writing a post about the corn and how it’s progressing!  If I don’t get too distracted, the picture from yesterday may be current.  In days gone by, the common phrase used to gauge the growth of corn was “knee high by 4th of July”.  Well times must have changed, or we’re using the knees of a giant!

Cora & cousin Zach irrigating with Chad – much taller than knee high! July 3

The corn is looking great!  Much of it has tasseled and tiny kernels are beginning to form.  We’re so thankful for the availability of water for irrigation.  We have had very hot temperatures, which the corn likes, but only if it also has water. Chad has kept very busy keeping up with the irrigation needs – which might sound like a good job to do in the heat (play in the water) but it’s quite taxing work in this heat.

Yes, kids do seem to grow fast.  Thankfully not nearly as fast as corn!

Happy 4th of July.  God Bless America!

It’s a people business

When you think about agriculture, farming, cattle feeding, etc., what are the first things to come to mind?  Tractors, equipment, corn, soybeans, cattle, land, animals, food… all important aspects of agriculture.  Farmers need to know how to drive, operate, and repair their equipment.  Farms include many types of crops and livestock. And of course food – that’s the whole point.  Feeding the world.

Farmers tend to be known as independent people.  Oh yes, there’s the “coffee shop”, but many farmers are independent business owners, and like it that way.  That doesn’t mean that they stick to themselves.  To be successful in farming, you MUST work well with people.  Like who?

The first important relationship in a farming operation is your family – and usually one of the most difficult relationships!  This includes the spouse, kids, and any family involved in the farm operation.  Then the list goes on, of important relationships to build and nurture.  It’s a rare occasion when I’m with my husband that he’s not calling, or receiving calls from one of these people:  landlords, banker, farm manager, seed salesman, chemical applicator, crop scout, co-op, fuel man, cattle buyer, feed company, veterinarian, and other local farmers.  And we’re thankful for them all.  Ok – sometimes I’m annoyed that his phone rings – especially because there’s no “working hours” for farmers, or actually they’re all “working hours”!   Like the call from the trucker that they’re almost here with a load of cattle, at 3 a.m.   I did remind him (just in case he didn’t know) that during the birth of our children and the few hours following, work-related calls were off limits!

That’s how it works in agriculture – you need everyone, and you’re never closed.  And people are committed.

Thankfully, agriculture seems to have some of the best people in the world to work with.

Another important relationship to build is with consumers.  Sometimes we aren’t very good about telling our story and taking time to connect.  Consumers are getting less and less connected to the farm with each generation.  This relationship is becoming more and more important to us in agriculture, and one we can no longer take for granted.

We work hard, we care about the people we do business with, we care about animals, we care about the land, we care about our food, and we care about you.

Steaks for the grill - enjoying our product! I had a picture of Chad that fits this topic a little better - he was talking on the phone for business, in his recliner, rocking the baby - but he had his shirt off so I figured he wouldn't like that posted in my blog! 🙂

 

 

Welcome to my Blog!

Mother's Day 2011

Cattle & Kids Rock!  Welcome to my blog!  My plan is to share some thoughts, stories, and pictures about family life and farming.  As a forever farm kid – who can come pretty close to saying “yes” to the question “were you born in a barn” (I’m assuming I’m not from the only family who said that to their kids when they leave the door open when going back and forth outside) – I have a passion to share the great aspects of agriculture.  My husband and I are part of a family farming and cattle feeding operation near Waco, Nebraska.  We have been blessed with 3 children, and an important part of our parenting plan is to include them in the farming.  There’s just something about farm kids and their work ethic – among many other things.  I grew up on a dairy farm, was active in FFA & 4-H, graduated from the University of Nebraska – Lincoln (Go Huskers!) in agribusiness, and have had a variety of career experiences – ag finance, animal pharmaceutical sales, and banking.  I always wanted to marry a farmer – and although I had to wait what seemed like forever – I found him!  🙂   I was picky!   My husband, Chad, is a 4th generation (or more) farmer.  He and his dad, uncle, and cousin are in a farming partnership.  We grow corn, soybeans, and cattle. And kids.  I love it.   And I look forward to sharing about it with you!