Christy: Uncertain Times

Kiowa, Kansas: Today is Memorial Day, and it is also our first day cutting this harvest season. Even though we are starting earlier this year than last, by over two weeks, we couldn’t combine any acres in Texas. Our farmers are battling the same conditions as last year, only I think this year it might be worse, and more widespread. Drought, frost damage, hail damage, and the list goes on. Even so, we are here in Kansas, and ready to see what we can do.

This season we are running two new Case IH 8260’s, and two new Case IH AF9’s. Our AF9’s will run 50-foot Mac Don flex drapers, and the 8260’s will run 45-foot flex drapers in wheat this summer. Catching the machines will be a Magnum 385 pulling a Brent cart, to start. Paul’s trucks haven’t changed, though we did add one ’01 Pete to the fleet.

Our crew this season consists of mostly Americans from all over the states, and two J1 Visa trainees from Ireland. With J1 trainees being unable to get their Commercial Drivers Licenses at this time, we had to opt for more American help with CDL’s. We are hoping J1’s will get the ability to get their CDL’s sometime in the future.

It took a couple trips to get all the equipment to Kansas, and thankfully both trips were uneventful. Zoey and I were able to follow down later that week, so the guys weren’t on their own too long. Paul manned the grill for a few meals and had no complaints. I’ve yet to have one of Paul’s meals, and I must admit I’m quite curious to see what they’re like. Maybe on a rain-day this summer I can twist his arm into taking over the cooking duties.

As I said, the guys did get combining today, and the wheat here by Kiowa is averaging around 25 to 30 bushels per acre. With it being our first day combining, everyone is learning how to run their machines and figuring out how everything works. I’m glad we have a couple of guys who were with us last year so they can help guide new crew in the right direction.

We are seeing rain in the forecast coming up soon. It would be very welcome in this area right now. I talked with the campground owner this morning and he said the rain Kiowa received a few days ago was the first bit in a very long time. Hopefully at some point the weather will turn around.

It’s hard not to be discouraged by the outlook of wheat harvest across the Midwest. It’s also hard to talk with our farmers and harvester friends who are facing the same disparaging news as well. Wheat farmers and harvesters alike need a lot of prayers.

Going forward, we’re going to do the best we can to look at the bright side and stay positive. I know things can change quickly in this industry, and I’m hopeful we can see a brighter future soon. Until then, we are going to keep doing what we do best and harvest that great golden wheat wherever we can find it.

Christy Paplow can be reached at [email protected].