Growing closer

Hello everyone. We're getting ready for wheat harvest. It seems like two weeks ago I was saying that harvest is about 2-3 weeks away. It still is. And that's a good thing, because the wheat has more time to fill with grain. During this beautiful time of the year, we've been busy with harvest preparations, bermuda grass planting and rye picking. Here's a pic of Mike installing a new chain on the combine header:

Below is a pic of Matt in a tight spot. He was setting up the grain bin extensions for the combine.

Below is the rye picking crew. We've been working about 3 hours a day picking out the rye that tries to grow up over the tops of the wheat. Maybe we'll be finished in about 2 -3 more days. Front Row, r-l: Kendrick Wingard, Konner Kippenberger. Back Row: Philip Barnett, Mitch Cruse, David Barnett, Joel Barnett. In the middle: Megan Barnett.

Below: Case 7110 loader tractor hooked to the Bermuda King sprig digger and trailed by Daddy's own invention - the Sprig Katchall. We use this equipment to dig up bermuda grass sprigs and transplant them to other areas.

farm update

Above: Here's a pic of the wheat just outside our front door. It looks pretty good considering.

Hi Farmers and those who are interested in ag. We are coming down the home stretch for our wheat crop. It has been a tough year.....flood, drought, greenbugs, hail, freeze and now rust! But we are doing our best and God is doing the rest (which is actually way more than we even imagine). Notice how uneven and thin the wheat is? It has had a lot to face, but its still going to make a crop.

On a lighter note, Parker is playing dressup with a few extras around the house. He's our entertainment around the farm.

farming passion

For those of you out there who have ever lost faith in anything, let me introduce you to the Oklahoma Farmer. He's made up of a tenacious blend of a rock solid confidence in his fellow man and a tender heart that loves to see things blossom and grow. Now is the time if ever before that we need to band together. We need to embrace tradition while at the same time cultivate change. This will enable us to grow out of the current "down in the dumps" steady drum beat that we are inundated with on the TV. Let's just get back to basic home grown values and look for ways to apply these values to our current situation and maybe even do a little less complaining along the way. What do you think? Are you with me?

As the saying goes....

It seems like we live and die here on the farm by adages. One old adage goes that "it will rain in sight of 3 days if the sun goes down behind a cloud bank on Sunday evening." We're waiting to see what the sunset brings. Another old adage goes "all weather signs fail in dry weather." Well we've certainly seen our share of that lately. All my life I have been warned to watch out for greenbugs in the wheat when it gets dry. We'll that's come true too. These bugs are starting to devestate the already drought sticken wheat plants. Here's a stock picture of a greenbug (aphid) that has made its home on our wheat.

When rain won't come here on the prairie the wheat reaches a critical point that will result in one of two things. Either the wheat will find moisture stored in the soil below its roots and sink them down further to sustain itself. Or the wheat will simply wither and die. Time has yet to tell what will happen. We have waited in hopes for life giving moisture, but it hasn't come yet. We've gone from having the wettest August in history (the month before wheat was planted) to having the driest stretch that can be remembered by my dad and he's 73.

In fact our area has been charred with one of the largest wildfires in modern history. This occured on the hills and canyons just north of here in Dewey county. This county is known for is spectacular grass where cattle graze on its abundance. Late last week, at least two towns in Dewey County (Taloga & Putnam) were evacuated as a result of the fires. Reports have come in that many cattle have been lost as a result of these raging fires and at least 4 homes. I heard by reliable people that 3 supertanker airplanes were brought in to dump chemicals and water on the fire to help put it out and an Oklahoma Army National Guard Blackhawk helicopter equipped with a big bucket has been helping the over 90 different fire departments across our area. Much appreciation is owed to these courageous people who put their lives on the line. We are grateful. Only one firefighter has been injured so far. He was released after being treated for smoke inhalation. Reports have also surfaced that over 100,000 acres have burned during this fire.

In a somewhat related incident, I was checking for greenbugs on a farm west of our house. I had noticed that our neighbors were intending to take off in their 2 seater airplane. I saw the plane up in the air and then turn and head back another direction sharply. Then I heard the noise of it landing or so I thought. After checking for bugs and much to my worry finding them chewing away, I headed on to check another field. I drove not too far from the site where my friends and neighbors had to make an emergency landing. When their wheels touched down, the front one caught and flipped the plane over on its top. One neighbor was unhurt and his passenger had a big knot on his head and had to have a few stitches. These fellow farmers were on their way up to Dewey county to check on the fires.

So much for a quite weeek on the farm.

Update time.....

Found the camera from the posting I mentioned in the past update. Actually daddy found it hanging on a fence post. It must have stayed there 2 or 3 days. Well here's one of the calves we had. We have to check on them so much that I can walk among them at night and walk right beside them and they don't even get up. If you ever get the experience of calving heifers, it is well worth your patience to see this picture below:





Now don't think we don't have our share of problems, but usually things turn out just right like this newborn calf here:




























A lot of the credit goes to this fellow here:





Under Papa's watchful eye, nothing gets missed. He might turn into being a full time calving expert. Too bad we can't afford to pay him what he's worth.

Suspended rest

.....Who, through long days of labor, And nights devoid of ease, Still heard in his soul the music Of wonderful melodies.....(Longfellow)

Well thot I would check in and update you on farm progress. We've been having calves from our heifers on the CrankySteer property just outside of town. Had to pull one last night. Today we had another one. I took a picture, but I can't find the camera right now.

Just got back from checking them here again at 10:00 pm. We have another one in labor. I'll have to check her every two hours tonight.

Our usual schedule is every 6 hours. Usually at 12:00 am, 6:00 am, 12:00 pm 6:00 pm. That is unless one is in labor. Then its every 2-3 hours. If active labor then every 1/2 hour to 15 minutes and wait in the pickup. If they are crowning, we stay on scene until we have a baby.

I think this schedule is pretty standard, however it gets a little overwhelming when these cattle are 5 miles away.

Next time, all the girls will be here at the house in a pen out back.

lonely

Hello farmers. You know those days when you have to get rid of stuff you've had for a long time? Well, this morning we sold 24 mama cows. Several of the cows we've had for 8 years. They grew old here on the farm. The maximum life expectancy for a cow is about 10 years. We had one old cow named Roaney. She must have been 15 years or older. She's been a good cow but she was old when we got her. Special thanks to Jerry Gwartney for hauling them for us. He's a good friend and a fellow Gideon.

At least Jerry didn't have to haul them like this. I'll get a picture next time he's up to help.