2012-9-30
Plans changed, we cut today. There are still some green pods that we are losing, but there are pods that are so dry they're popping open. We decided there were more dry beans being lost than there are green ones, so we got moving.
2012-9-29
This is one of those extremely rare situations where we are taking the weekend off in the middle of harvest, and it isn't even raining. The next soybeans we'll cut needed a few days to mature a bit more, so we'll get started on them on Monday. Meanwhile, we worked on corn in this area. The corn here is now done, so our options are to road one combine 45 minutes to another field only to come back here on Monday, or just let everything set. It is only September. As fast as harvest is progressing this year, we decided to save the engine hours and take the weekend off. What we could really use is a half-inch of rain to bring the moisture back up on the dry soybeans and wash the green out of the wet ones. Based on the 7 day forecast, that's not going to happen. Daytime temperatures will remain in the 70s for the next week.
2012-9-27
After moving the combines to a field 10 miles from where we had been, we found the soybeans to be a bit too green yet. We switched one machine back to corn and the other is going to sit.
2012-9-26
Both combines are now in soybeans. The weather has been excellent this fall.
2012-9-25
2012-9-22
2012-9-20
First day on soybeans. Some pods are so dry that they're opening up, other pods are still wet. Overall moisture is testing at 9.5%. Still some green stems, which is expected this early in the season.
2012-9-17
First time starting the new grain dryer today. Even with the VFD soft-start on the fan in the dryer, it still takes a massive amount of energy to get it spooled up.
2012-9-15
Started on corn today. As you can see, the 7120 is pushing a 12 row Drago this year. So far, the yields are every bit as craptastic as we had expected.
2012-9-8
The soybeans are coming along nicely, but I bet they're at least 2 weeks away from cutting yet. It seems when the soybeans finally look ready from the road, then you have to wait another week for the pods to dry.
2012-9-7
The President was in town again today. Officially, this was for a campaign event in Iowa City, but I swear he stops by every spring and fall to check on the crop progress. I can almost guarantee he'll be back through here again during harvest.
2012-9-6
Harvest has started in the area. We probably won't get started until late next week.
2012-9-4
Clouds at dusk can be quite vivid.
2012-9-1
Note: I am running for a seat in the Iowa House of Representatives. As you may have guessed, campaigning is a serious time commitment, especially as the election approaches. Election Day is November 6th, the same day as the US Presidential election. Since I will be allocating a lot of time to the campaign, that means I will be spending less time in the combine this fall. What that means for you, dear Internet readers, is that I won't be able to provide the volume of pictures or daily updates that I usually do. For those of you who also have crops to harvest, stay safe out there.