Laura: Western Kansas is a Wrap
Western Kansas: There is a misconception that the state of Kansas is flat. While it is true that parts of the state are, many places are anything but! Some regions are rolling, while others have experienced bouts of erosion which have carved unique landforms. Over time, wind and water have exposed the secrets of a prehistoric ocean that once covered parts of the state. One of the perks of the job is traveling through such diverse geographical areas.
Castle Rock, in Gove County, is one of those unique places. The kids and I, along with one of their harvest friends enjoyed exploring the badlands on detour to meet up with the harvest crew. It’s hard to believe western Kansas was once covered by a vast sea, but the fossil evidence found in the towering spires prove otherwise.
Our first stop Kansas avoided the harvest rains which plagued us through much of our time in Oklahoma. The crops here started very strong, but got quite dry later in the growing season. The wheat held on, but the conditions caused a great diversity in yields. They ranged anywhere from near failure to upwards of 70 bushels per acre.
As we pushed further west towards the Kansas/Colorado border, drought and late season freezes didn’t do the crops any favors. Some of the acres that had been drilled behind corn were terminated and planted back to fall crop. While some of the fields were respectable considering how challenging the growing season was, others were extremely tough. It is hard to see a beautiful field of wheat waving in the wind only to find there isn’t much grain in the heads. When times are tough for farmers, those troubles don’t just stay within the farm gate. It trickles to the local communities too. Everyone feels the stress in some way, shape, or form.
Extreme western Kansas saw harvest delays with a series of storms. One thunderstorm produced some of the most tremendous cloud to ground lighting I have seen in some time. The large bolts were wicked as they continuously danced around us. I am the adventurous type, and typically love watching storms, but the electricity was intense and I felt much better knowing my crew had made it safely from the field.
It didn’t take long before lights and sirens flew through town on the way to a fire caused by the lightening. My heart sank as I watched them. Those brave volunteers would essentially become human lightning rods on the treeless prairie. If they didn’t go, a fire could get out of control quickly in these parts. Either option led for potentially dangerous outcomes. Luckily, for the safety of all involved and in path, the rain came at just the right time and put the fire out naturally.
As America celebrated its 250th anniversary this past weekend, it is amazing to think of how far this country has come. While many things have changed, some things remain. Agriculture has always been the backbone of the United States and I’m proud that our family and team have been part of this rich heritage.
History tells us there have always been cycles of good times and bad. It also proves to us there have continued to be people of faith, those who are willing to fight for what’s right, and show tremendous grit. This season has been a tough one for many. However, I hope we can continue to learn from history, find common ground and support each other for a brighter future for generations to come.
