tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-75027336000149109152024-03-13T06:32:49.093-07:00Weckerly FarmsWeckerly Farmshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10859268643611596674noreply@blogger.comBlogger82125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7502733600014910915.post-4088285101511539802015-05-25T12:15:00.002-07:002015-05-25T12:15:57.813-07:00Planting Update<img src="http://images2.snapfish.com/232323232%7Ffp83232%3Euqcshlukaxroqdfv38%3A42%3Enu%3D3262%3E452%3E246%3EWSNRCG%3D3%3A%3A%3A95665932%3Bnu0mrj" width=600><P>
After some rain and even snow, the guys are back in the field getting the soybeans in, spraying wheat, etc. The above photo was Chad checking on corn seeds. Weckerly Farmshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10859268643611596674noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7502733600014910915.post-34807087920373643572015-04-11T19:17:00.000-07:002015-04-11T19:17:31.775-07:00Spring's Here!<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/o7jNsszhddA" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
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A quick video of some seeding going on by our house yesterday. We are going to be in the field about 3 weeks earlier than we have the past few years, so that is a good feeling. Here's to a safe and successful spring planting!Weckerly Farmshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10859268643611596674noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7502733600014910915.post-57705830916397722962015-03-10T19:43:00.001-07:002015-03-10T19:44:43.451-07:00Dakota Farmer FeatureWeckerly Farms was featured in the Dakota Farmer publication just recently. <a href="http://farmprogress.com/story-shifting-higher-gear-precision-agriculture-9-124978">Here </a>is a link to the online article highlighting our use of precision agriculture practices on our farm.<P>
In other news, we have been enjoying some beautiful weather here (50s & 60s with the potential to see 70 degrees this weekend), which is making us think spring!Weckerly Farmshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10859268643611596674noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7502733600014910915.post-63832204467196494352014-09-09T21:24:00.000-07:002014-09-09T21:24:28.267-07:00Wrapping Up Wheat HarvestWe are nearing the end of wheat harvest with probably just another day or two to go. Last week we received damaging hail on some parts of the farm - mostly to the northwest. We combined one of the fields that was hit by the storm at the end of last week and it yielded much less than we were hoping for. Some soybeans and quite a bit of corn was also affected.<P>
<img src="http://images2.snapfish.com/232323232%7Ffp83232%3Euqcshlukaxroqdfv5%3C77%3Dot%3E2353%3D543%3D337%3DXROQDF%3E2%3B346%3C73%3A%3C23%3Aot1lsi" width=600><P>
<img src="http://images2.snapfish.com/232323232%7Ffp83232%3Euqcshlukaxroqdfv9348%3Dot%3E2353%3D543%3D337%3DXROQDF%3E2%3B346%3B8%3B8523%3Aot1lsi" width=600><P>
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We had some more rain today, and it looks like cooler temperatures to finish out the week and a possibility of frost, but hopefully that's not the case. It sounds like the temperatures might warm back up a little bit next week.
Weckerly Farmshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10859268643611596674noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7502733600014910915.post-12257178537489682502014-08-16T13:51:00.000-07:002014-08-16T13:51:18.515-07:00Harvest 2014 Has BegunThis week we started harvesting some wheat. Now today it is raining, which we sure haven't had in a while. <P>
<img src="http://images2.snapfish.com/232323232%7Ffp83232%3Euqcshlukaxroqdfv373%3B%3Dot%3E2353%3D543%3D337%3DXROQDF%3E2%3B2%3A8%3B%3B49423%3Aot1lsi" width=600><P>
<img src="http://images2.snapfish.com/232323232%7Ffp83232%3Euqcshlukaxroqdfv7%3A5%3A%3Dot%3E2353%3D543%3D337%3DXROQDF%3E2%3B2%3A94862%3A23%3Aot1lsi" width=600><P>
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From the cab...Weckerly Farmshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10859268643611596674noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7502733600014910915.post-57562639406884042062014-06-30T21:33:00.000-07:002014-06-30T21:33:06.068-07:00Wheat Check<img src="http://images2.snapfish.com/232323232%7Ffp83232%3Euqcshlukaxroqdfv8925%3Dot%3E2353%3D543%3D337%3DXROQDF%3E2%3A%3B6%3A4%3A6%3A923%3Aot1lsi" width=450><BR>
Chad out checking some wheat. Looks like it's almost time to spray!Weckerly Farmshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10859268643611596674noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7502733600014910915.post-67612885725322137752014-06-01T21:22:00.001-07:002014-06-01T21:22:24.543-07:00Spring Planting 2014, Wrapped Up!The guys finished planting today. They closed out the season with soybeans. <P>
<img src="http://images2.snapfish.com/232323232%7Ffp83232%3Euqcshlukaxroqdfv3%3A45%3Dot%3E2353%3D543%3D337%3DXROQDF%3E2%3A%3A964%3A73723%3Aot1lsi" width=600><P>
We're supposed to get some rain tonight and into tomorrow, so it was great to finish out before that came.<P>
<img src="http://images2.snapfish.com/232323232%7Ffp83232%3Euqcshlukaxroqdfv9%3C%3A9%3Dot%3E2353%3D543%3D337%3DXROQDF%3E2%3A%3A964%3A72523%3Aot1lsi" width=600><BR>
Here's little B and Chad planting beans this morning.<P>
Spring is one of the most stressful times of the year, but as always we're thankful to work with such great people who helped get everything in the ground. Here's hoping for a great growing season ahead!Weckerly Farmshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10859268643611596674noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7502733600014910915.post-60952538880044490912014-05-24T21:43:00.000-07:002014-05-24T21:43:49.234-07:00Spring Planting UpdateSpring planting is well underway. We are over halfway done, but are facing some challenges ahead as the ground we have yet to plant to corn is pretty saturated and there is rain in the forecast, so we are hoping at best that we miss those showers and can finish up with corn and beans.<P>
<img src="http://images2.snapfish.com/232323232%7Ffp83232%3Euqcshlukaxroqdfv55%3B4%3Dot%3E2353%3D543%3D337%3DXROQDF%3E2%3A%3A59%3B735923%3Aot1lsi" width=600><P>
<img src="http://images2.snapfish.com/232323232%7Ffp83232%3Euqcshlukaxroqdfv486%3C%3Dot%3E2353%3D543%3D337%3DXROQDF%3E2%3A%3A59%3B735%3A23%3Aot1lsi" width=600><P>
<img src="http://images2.snapfish.com/232323232%7Ffp83232%3Euqcshlukaxroqdfv4457%3Dot%3E2353%3D543%3D337%3DXROQDF%3E2%3A%3A59%3B736323%3Aot1lsi" width=600><P>
Re-seeding winter wheat last Sunday<P>
<img src="http://images2.snapfish.com/232323232%7Ffp83232%3Euqcshlukaxroqdfv%3A78%3C%3Dot%3E2353%3D543%3D337%3DXROQDF%3E2%3A%3A59%3A%3B86%3B23%3Aot1lsi" width=600><P>
<img src="http://images2.snapfish.com/232323232%7Ffp83232%3Euqcshlukaxroqdfv%3A8%3A%3C%3Dot%3E2353%3D543%3D337%3DXROQDF%3E2%3A%3A59%3B736623%3Aot1lsi" width=600><P>
<img src="http://images2.snapfish.com/232323232%7Ffp83232%3Euqcshlukaxroqdfv4%3B65%3Dot%3E2353%3D543%3D337%3DXROQDF%3E2%3A%3A59%3A%3B87623%3Aot1lsi" width=600><P>
<img src="http://images2.snapfish.com/232323232%7Ffp83232%3Euqcshlukaxroqdfv6355%3Dot%3E2353%3D543%3D337%3DXROQDF%3E2%3A%3A72796%3B923%3Aot1lsi" width=450><BR>
Little B heading out with Poppa to try to dry out some ground to the east of us.<P>
<img src="http://images2.snapfish.com/232323232%7Ffp83232%3Euqcshlukaxroqdfv9%3C84%3Dot%3E2353%3D543%3D337%3DXROQDF%3E2%3A%3A72796%3B%3A23%3Aot1lsi" width=450><P>
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Getting more seed to the Horsch Anderson yesterday out at the field<P>
<img src="http://images2.snapfish.com/232323232%7Ffp83232%3Euqcshlukaxroqdfv9753%3Dot%3E2353%3D543%3D337%3DXROQDF%3E2%3A%3A736946923%3Aot1lsi" width=600><P>
<img src="http://images2.snapfish.com/232323232%7Ffp83232%3Euqcshlukaxroqdfv9%3A3%3Enu%3D3262%3E452%3E246%3EWSNRCG%3D39%3B645%3C7%3A%3B32%3Bnu0mrj" width=600><P>
<img src="http://images2.snapfish.com/232323232%7Ffp83232%3Euqcshlukaxroqdfv9545%3Dot%3E2353%3D543%3D337%3DXROQDF%3E2%3A%3A736%3B8%3A623%3Aot1lsi" width=600><P>
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Cole's using variable rate technology to apply phosphate in this bean field. More to come on that in a later post.<P>
<img src="http://images2.snapfish.com/232323232%7Ffp83232%3Euqcshlukaxroqdfv4389%3Dot%3E2353%3D543%3D337%3DXROQDF%3E2%3A%3A737%3B43423%3Aot1lsi" width=450><BR>
Some crazy clouds last night at the yard<P>
<img src="http://images2.snapfish.com/232323232%7Ffp83232%3Euqcshlukaxroqdfv8%3B44%3Dot%3E2353%3D543%3D337%3DXROQDF%3E2%3A%3A737%3B43723%3Aot1lsi" width=600><P>
<img src="http://images2.snapfish.com/232323232%7Ffp83232%3Euqcshlukaxroqdfv%3A62%3C%3Dot%3E2353%3D543%3D337%3DXROQDF%3E2%3A%3A737%3B44%3C23%3Aot1lsi" width=600><P>
<img src="http://images2.snapfish.com/232323232%7Ffp83232%3Euqcshlukaxroqdfv%3A53%3A%3Dot%3E2353%3D543%3D337%3DXROQDF%3E2%3A%3A737%3B45623%3Aot1lsi" width=600><P>
<img src="http://images2.snapfish.com/232323232%7Ffp83232%3Euqcshlukaxroqdfv6%3C5%3B%3Dot%3E2353%3D543%3D337%3DXROQDF%3E2%3A%3A737%3B49%3B23%3Aot1lsi" width=450><BR>
Somebody else has been busy farming...<P>
<img src="http://images2.snapfish.com/232323232%7Ffp83232%3Euqcshlukaxroqdfv%3B33%3A%3Dot%3E2353%3D543%3D337%3DXROQDF%3E2%3A%3A739%3B52723%3Aot1lsi" width=600>Weckerly Farmshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10859268643611596674noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7502733600014910915.post-31303864897883129982014-04-30T06:37:00.000-07:002014-04-30T06:37:31.072-07:00Spring Progress...or Lack Thereof :)We received quite a bit of snow and rain over the last week. It looks like we'll have maybe a couple/few days without moisture and then more rain next week. Fortunately, we have gotten in about 1800 acres of spring wheat, so we are thankful for that progress. <P>
<img src="http://images2.snapfish.com/232323232%7Ffp83232%3Euqcshlukaxroqdfv95%3B6%3Dot%3E2353%3D543%3D337%3DXROQDF%3E2%3A9%3B5%3B5%3A%3B323%3Aot1lsi" width=600>Weckerly Farmshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10859268643611596674noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7502733600014910915.post-81644746075975007862014-03-18T06:59:00.002-07:002014-03-18T06:59:59.149-07:00Limagrain Cereal Seeds ArticleHere is a link to an article that just came out in this Limagrain publication featuring Weckerly Farms:
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<a href="http://www.limagraincerealseeds.com/img/site_specific/uploads/Sowers_Journal_8.pdf">Sowers Journal article</a>Weckerly Farmshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10859268643611596674noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7502733600014910915.post-73862895036627419512014-03-12T06:38:00.000-07:002014-03-12T06:38:15.064-07:00Drain Tiling: An In Depth LookWay back in September, <a href="http://weckerlyfarms.blogspot.com/2013/09/drain-tiling.html">I put up two photos</a> of some drain tile going in and promised myself to come back and post more later. Well, with Chad and Cole's help, I've finally put together a more in-depth look at drain tiling on our farm. This post is pretty text-heavy, but I do have some pictures and video footage to share with you as well.<P>
This past fall we installed our very first drain tile, which was a culmination of a few years’ worth of planning, research, work and waiting on wetland determination (which is still an ongoing process). We were able to see a bit of what this tile can do even within just months of having installed it. This year we plan to put in more tile and look forward to seeing the benefits of this project on our farm.
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<b>What is Drain Tile?</b><P>
The drain tile we are laying in our fields is a perforated pipe just like many people use around the foundations of their homes to keep a basement from flooding, for example. <P>
<img src="http://images2.snapfish.com/232323232%7Ffp83232%3Euqcshlukaxroqdfv8%3B43%3Dot%3E2353%3D543%3D337%3DXROQDF%3E2%3A8%3A73%3A66523%3Aot1lsi" width=600><P>
It is corrugated plastic with little perforations in it. When the water table raises above the tile pipe, the water seeps into the pipe through the perforations, then runs through the tile and out an exit point, like this:<P>
<img src="http://images2.snapfish.com/232323232%7Ffp83232%3Euqcshlukaxroqdfv%3A%3B97%3Dot%3E2353%3D543%3D337%3DXROQDF%3E2%3A8%3A6%3C5%3C6%3A23%3Aot1lsi" width=600><P>
The drain tile can only take in water as a result of the water table rising; it does not drain water that is existing on the surface of the field. Tile is complimentary to surface drainage and not a replacement.
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<b>How is it Installed?</b><P>
This is a picture of a topography map on display inside the cab of the tractor that is used for tile installation:<P>
<img src="http://images2.snapfish.com/232323232%7Ffp83232%3Euqcshlukaxroqdfv%3B958%3Dot%3E2353%3D543%3D337%3DXROQDF%3E2%3A8%3A73%3A65%3C23%3Aot1lsi" width=600><P>
Maps such as this one are prepared in advance and help determine how and where to lay the tile.
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<img src="http://images2.snapfish.com/232323232%7Ffp83232%3Euqcshlukaxroqdfv5367%3Dot%3E2353%3D543%3D337%3DXROQDF%3E2%3A8%3A73%3A64%3B23%3Aot1lsi" width=450><P>
Essentially, a trench is dug and the tile is laid using the equipment shown in the photo above. Here are a couple of videos that show the process in action.<P>
<iframe width="420" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/L1w8NkO_IAo?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>)<p>
<iframe width="420" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/1K4rY1PbZEs?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>)<p>
A closer look at some of the tile:<P>
<img src="http://images2.snapfish.com/232323232%7Ffp83232%3Euqcshlukaxroqdfv%3A469%3Dot%3E2353%3D543%3D337%3DXROQDF%3E2%3A8%3A742%3B4823%3Aot1lsi" width=600><P>
<img src="http://images2.snapfish.com/232323232%7Ffp83232%3Euqcshlukaxroqdfv666%3A%3Dot%3E2353%3D543%3D337%3DXROQDF%3E2%3A8%3A742%3B3323%3Aot1lsi" width=600><p>
Many farmers use contractors to plan, prepare and install tile. Through much work and preparation, we have been able to lay about 50,000 feet of tile on our own, but we are looking toward also outsourcing some work as well. There are many more acres we would like to mitigate using drain tile and anticipate using a combination of in-house and contract labor.<P>
<b>Why Use Drain Tile?</b><P>
Drain tiling is essentially a water management tool. The idea is not that we will necessarily drain new land, but rather that we can lower the water table in wet areas of a field so that when a substantial rainfall occurs or a large spring melt of snow, the overrun of water has a place to go.<P>
In the Red River Valley, water outlets can be controlled so that tile would not run if the river is at a high level. Agriculture will likely become part of a solution to keep cities from flooding, as we have seen with the Missouri and the Red Rivers in North Dakota.<P>
The intention is that in the fall, the tile would allow water to run out of the field so that the soil in the field can hold water during the wet springtime and avoid flooding. In our area, a lot of the water does not leave the immediate region. We would like to use the technology available to move from having three or four areas in a field that drown out crops and bring them together to create one sustainable wetland. <P>
Another major benefit of tile drainage is that it cures soil erosion. When water has to move on top of the soil, it is always taking soil and minerals along with it. This is not something we want to happen. Preventing such erosion from happening helps retain soil minerals and overall soil quality.
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<b>Our Progress Thus Far</b><P>
<img src="http://images2.snapfish.com/232323232%7Ffp83232%3Euqcshlukaxroqdfv57%3B%3Enu%3D3262%3E452%3E246%3EWSNRCG%3D399982%3B54932%3Bnu0mrj" width=600><P>
Our first project was done behind our main shop area in Hurdsfield. The land around Hurdsfield has many hills, so there could certainly be cases where only 80 acres out of a quarter would be worth tiling and many might be less since the water will flow on its own when it is wet enough. Of course there is that negative impact of eroding soil and nutrients. On the ground behind our shop we installed 18,000 feet of tile pipe on approximately 30 acres. The field was dry, but the ground we tiled was surface drained and where the water would drain to was still wet so the tile ran within 12 hours. A couple weeks after the tile was installed, we received two inches of rain. The soil had room to hold it now, and we took that in without the surface run off and ponding. A week later we received another two inches of rain. This time we did have some ponding, but the ponds were gone a day and a half after the rain stopped. At this point, Chad had taken a 5 gallon pail out to measure our out flows of the tile lines. <P>
We took water quality samples from the outlet and sent them to Agvise. We had already applied the nitrogen for next year's crop before the seven inches of rainfall came. The results of the sample came back as drinking water quality. The report stated that the drinking water quality standard is 10 parts per million (ppm) of nitrates. An adult human can tolerate 100 ppm, but the standard is less for infants and some other sects of the population.<P>
If certain levels of salts, nitrates, etc. are present in the water that is drained using the tile, it is because those are leachable problems within the soil. Tile is purposefully installed in the areas of the field that are plagued with these issues which is why we see crop production loss on some of that land. Given some time, the water running out of the tile will improve over even what it is today. There may be cause for concern if every acre could be tiled in one year, but that is not possible, and the length of time before results will improve is not long.
Given what we have researched and seen thus far on our own farm, we believe the truth about tile is that it is safe, responsible, and sustainable for agriculture and our environment. In our case, the water in these fields are all drained by surface drains and still will do so in a large rainfall event; however, now we can combat erosion and manage the water table to a certain degree. <P>
<b> Some Challenges and a Look Ahead</b><P>
We have found the wetland determination process to be a long and daunting one. Waiting on the NRCS to address our determinations has been very frustrating. We are still in the process of waiting on more determinations, but we will be able and ready to proceed with more tiling projects this spring. We are looking forward to working with some new features such as Variable Frequency Drive (VFD) pumps, which operate depending upon the amount of water coming in so as to allow some control over the release of the water. Ultimately, our goal is to improve the health of our soil and improve production. We cannot produce crops on unhealthy soil, so we make every effort to ensure the health and quality of the very ground our livelihood is built upon. <P>
<img src="http://images2.snapfish.com/232323232%7Ffp83232%3Euqcshlukaxroqdfv9346%3Dot%3E2353%3D543%3D337%3DXROQDF%3E2%3A8%3A742%3B5923%3Aot1lsi" width=600>
Weckerly Farmshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10859268643611596674noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7502733600014910915.post-48653847309250326522014-01-27T20:31:00.002-08:002014-01-27T20:32:58.248-08:00Retreat & BlizzardWe just pulled through a little blizzard here in Hurdsfield. This was our view to the north on Sunday afternoon:<P>
<iframe width="420" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/gLiMz52-51A?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe><P>
Things were clear today, though, and I finally got a picture of the sundogs:<P>
<img src="http://images2.snapfish.com/232323232%7Ffp83232%3Euqcshlukaxroqdfv%3B336%3Dot%3E2353%3D543%3D337%3DXROQDF%3E2%3A7%3C637%3A9823%3Aot1lsi" width=600><P>
This past weekend was a first for us - we held a company retreat in Bismarck. Several employees from Weckerly Farms, Freight Solutions, Hurdsfield Grain, and Agronomy Solutions joined us at the Comfort Suites Friday and Saturday for some presentations from Chad, Cole, Mark, and Jamie, and then a representative from Dale Carnegie Training worked with our group. If you have ever heard of DISC assessments, maybe this graphic looks familiar:<P>
<img src="http://images2.snapfish.com/232323232%7Ffp83232%3Euqcshlukaxroqdfv5453%3Dot%3E2353%3D543%3D337%3DXROQDF%3E2%3A7%3C24787423%3Aot1lsi" width=500><P>
Individual assessments helped us learn how to work and communicate better with those in our organization. It was eye-opening, a little bit fun and a little bit challenging!Weckerly Farmshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10859268643611596674noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7502733600014910915.post-69703692119076059682014-01-01T12:49:00.000-08:002014-01-01T12:49:30.553-08:00Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you and yours in 2014!<P>
<img src="http://images2.snapfish.com/232323232%7Ffp83232%3Euqcshlukaxroqdfv7%3B75%3Dot%3E2%3A75%3D62%3C%3D%3C24%3D398462%3C%3B3332%3Bnu0mrj" width=450>Weckerly Farmshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10859268643611596674noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7502733600014910915.post-84129369246092557842013-11-21T18:55:00.000-08:002013-11-21T18:55:28.311-08:00Harvest is Over and a Video Clip for YouHarvest 2013 wrapped up a couple weeks ago as the guys finished combining the last of the corn. We have white on the ground today, and I think it's going to stick this time. The guys had been trying to get as much fall fertilizing done as they could. It's always a good feeling to finish up for the year, and a good opportunity to thank everyone who puts in the long hours to get the crop off. We've got a great team of people.
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I came across the trailer for this documentary, Farmland, several weeks ago and kind of forgot about it until I saw someone mention it on Facebook today. I thought I'd post it here. Can't wait to see it:<P>
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/Uu3BOK5yN5o?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>Weckerly Farmshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10859268643611596674noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7502733600014910915.post-66805622222526943192013-10-28T19:17:00.000-07:002013-10-28T19:18:54.276-07:00Harvest UpdateI finally got Blogger and Snapfish (where I store our photos) to work simultaneously so I could put up a new post! <P>
The guys finished up soybean harvest (hallelujah!) and have moved on to corn. It is wet but running pretty well considering the wet year we've had. <P>
<img src="http://images2.snapfish.com/232323232%7Ffp54354%3Enu%3D3262%3E452%3E246%3EWSNRCG%3D3959%3A%3B7%3B3232%3Bnu0mrj" width=450><P>
<img src="http://images2.snapfish.com/232323232%7Ffp543%3B8%3Enu%3D3262%3E452%3E246%3EWSNRCG%3D3959%3A%3B7%3A%3C%3B32%3Bnu0mrj" width=600><P>
<img src="http://images3a.snapfish.com/232323232%7Ffp734%3A8%3Enu%3D3262%3E452%3E246%3EWSNRCG%3D3959%3A%3B495532%3Bnu0mrj" width=600><P>
These were just some pictures I snapped with my phone when the crew was combining just southwest of town last week.<P>
<img src="http://images2.snapfish.com/232323232%7Ffp83232%3Euqcshlukaxroqdfv%3B8%3B5%3Dot%3E2353%3D543%3D337%3DXROQDF%3E2%3A4%3A9%3C3%3A6523%3Aot1lsi" width=450><BR>
I caught a beautiful sunset on my way back from the field the other night.<P>
<img src="http://images2.snapfish.com/232323232%7Ffp83232%3Euqcshlukaxroqdfv5%3C78%3Dot%3E2353%3D543%3D337%3DXROQDF%3E2%3A4%3A9%3C3%3A7%3A23%3Aot1lsi" width=600><BR>
Someone thought the guys' supper containers needed an extra special touch last night.<P>
<img src="http://images2.snapfish.com/232323232%7Ffp83232%3Euqcshlukaxroqdfv3%3A2%3B%3Dot%3E2353%3D543%3D337%3DXROQDF%3E2%3A4%3A9%3C6%3C4723%3Aot1lsi" width=600><BR>
Here they are all ready to go.<P>
<img src="http://images2.snapfish.com/232323232%7Ffp5437%3B%3Enu%3D3262%3E452%3E246%3EWSNRCG%3D3959%3A%3B498%3A32%3Bnu0mrj" with=600><BR>
Don't most farmers like peace signs and hearts? :) My favorite is the one that says "I love tractors." Ha.<P>
<img src="http://images3a.snapfish.com/232323232%7Ffp734%3A6%3Enu%3D3262%3E452%3E246%3EWSNRCG%3D3959%3A%3B%3C57632%3Bnu0mrj" width=450><BR>
It was cold and windy yesterday, but the guys work through it all. Even our little farmers braved the icky weather so they could go ride with Daddy.Weckerly Farmshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10859268643611596674noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7502733600014910915.post-72179001225433432272013-10-11T19:50:00.000-07:002013-10-11T19:51:31.469-07:00Soybean Harvest<img src="http://images3a.snapfish.com/232323232%7Ffp73479%3Enu%3D3262%3E452%3E246%3EWSNRCG%3D3953%3C94%3B4932%3Bnu0mrj" width=600><P>
This photo was taken last night before the rain hit. The guys were hoping to finish up soybeans this week but it started raining last night and has been raining on and off all day (and is still coming down now). I haven't checked the rain gauge yet, but I am guessing we are maybe around 2" so far. <P>
I also have lots more pictures and some video footage of the drain tiling I posted about <a href="http://weckerlyfarms.blogspot.com/2013/09/drain-tiling.html">last month</a>. I didn't give any info or details in that last post, but I sure learned a lot out there and will write up a post soon.Weckerly Farmshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10859268643611596674noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7502733600014910915.post-89077449699821749932013-09-12T21:01:00.000-07:002013-09-12T21:01:01.604-07:00Drain TilingThe guys are doing some drain tiling just east of our house. Chad snapped a few pictures with his phone:<P>
<img src="http://images2.snapfish.com/232323232%7Ffp54434%3Enu%3D3262%3E452%3E246%3EWSNRCG%3D3945666%3A5232%3Bnu0mrj" width=600><P>
<img src="http://images2.snapfish.com/232323232%7Ffp54386%3Enu%3D3262%3E452%3E246%3EWSNRCG%3D3945666%3A4%3B32%3Bnu0mrj" width=600>Weckerly Farmshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10859268643611596674noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7502733600014910915.post-76100790348809722182013-08-25T20:59:00.001-07:002013-08-25T21:00:11.625-07:00Wheat VideoHere is a short video for you guys, courtesy of Cole:<P>
<iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/video/embed?video_id=10151600193990920" width="620" height="700" frameborder="0"></iframe>
This was taken just the other day.Weckerly Farmshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10859268643611596674noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7502733600014910915.post-83892961899755865632013-08-14T19:42:00.001-07:002013-08-14T19:42:13.384-07:00Combines RollingThe combines tested out a wheat field right by the shop and our house yesterday.<P>
<img src="http://images3a.snapfish.com/232323232%7Ffp734%3A2%3Enu%3D3262%3E452%3E246%3EWSNRCG%3D3935784%3A6732%3Bnu0mrj" width=600><P>
Unfortunately, it was too wet, but they will likely try it again in a few days. We have been having some warmer temps this week, and next week looks to be warm as well, so that will be good.<P>
<img src="http://images2.snapfish.com/232323232%7Ffp5436%3B%3Enu%3D3262%3E452%3E246%3EWSNRCG%3D39357698%3A332%3Bnu0mrj" width=600><P>
<img src="http://images2.snapfish.com/232323232%7Ffp83232%3Euqcshlukaxroqdfv3335%3Dot%3E2353%3D543%3D337%3DXROQDF%3E2%3A26693%3B6623%3Aot1lsi" width=450>Weckerly Farmshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10859268643611596674noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7502733600014910915.post-87749415861969495152013-08-09T12:32:00.000-07:002013-08-09T12:32:02.788-07:00Touring MonsantoEarlier this week, we took a short trip to St. Louis, MO where we toured Monsanto headquarters as well as their Chesterfield Village Research Center.<P>
We started off in a visitor center of sorts where we viewed some interactive displays about agriculture. Factoids like only 3% of the Earth's land is amenable to agriculture were interesting to discover. There were also maps of how planting zones have changed; basically crops that were traditionally grown in southern regions are now being grown further north. We then went on a walking tour of the facility, which opened in 1984 and at the time was the only facility doing biotechnology. <P>
The research process beings with gene discovery. Researchers take genes found in nature (no genes are created) and transfer that gene to the plant. That, in turn, tells the plant to produce a protein which may effect a certain characteristic such as drought-tolerance, for example. Plants are grown with the added gene and studied extensively. We viewed several growth chambers and green houses. Research is conducted on several generations of the plants. From gene discovery and insertion, to observation and researching the plant, to government approval, the entire process ending in commercialization of a new biotech crop takes anywhere from 8-12 years. <P>
The tour moved pretty quickly, and we had just a couple of hours between the research facility and the breeding and agronomics tour at the headquarters. I would have liked to take more notes to share with you, but what I got down was pretty limited.<P>
We did see this machine in action:<P>
<img src="http://images2.snapfish.com/232323232%7Ffp83232%3Euqcshlukaxroqdfv6555%3Dot%3E2353%3D543%3D337%3DXROQDF%3E2%3A24%3B6732323%3Aot1lsi" width=450><P>
This chipper actually takes a 3-D photo of each corn seed, tells the machine how to rotate it so a 5mm slice can be taken out of the seed without damaging the embryo. The chips are then analyzed and select seeds are sent back to breeders.<P>
<img src="http://images2.snapfish.com/232323232%7Ffp54396%3Enu%3D3262%3E452%3E246%3EWSNRCG%3D3933%3C549%3B%3A32%3Bnu0mrj" width=450><P>
We talked a bit about <a href="http://www.monsanto.com/newsviews/Pages/food-safety.aspx">GMO food safety</a>, the history of biotech, and the future of some of the research they're doing. It really was an interesting tour!Weckerly Farmshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10859268643611596674noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7502733600014910915.post-67723283693760312162013-07-30T14:10:00.000-07:002013-07-30T14:10:50.775-07:00Checking in with the CornThis past Sunday, we swung by one of our corn fields near town so I could snap a few pictures.<P>
The severely wet spring we had really thinned the corn out. That, coupled with the cool temperatures we have been having lately is leading to concern about seeing some poor yields this fall.<P>
<img src="http://images2.snapfish.com/232323232%7Ffp83232%3Euqcshlukaxroqdfv672%3C%3Dot%3E2353%3D543%3D337%3DXROQDF%3E29%3B%3A%3B7493623%3Aot1lsi" width=450><BR>
It still looks big when you're only four feet tall.<P>
<img src="http://images2.snapfish.com/232323232%7Ffp543%3A6%3Enu%3D3262%3E452%3E246%3EWSNRCG%3D38%3C9%3C6584632%3Bnu0mrj" width=600><BR>
A scant area of the field<P>
<img src="http://images2.snapfish.com/232323232%7Ffp83232%3Euqcshlukaxroqdfv8556%3Dot%3E2353%3D543%3D337%3DXROQDF%3E29%3B%3A%3B7493923%3Aot1lsi" width=450><P>
<img src="http://images3a.snapfish.com/232323232%7Ffp73476%3Enu%3D3262%3E452%3E246%3EWSNRCG%3D38%3C9%3C5%3C56632%3Bnu0mrj" width=450><P>
Here's hoping for some warmer temperatures.Weckerly Farmshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10859268643611596674noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7502733600014910915.post-89003306064377094812013-06-14T08:17:00.002-07:002013-06-14T08:17:36.949-07:00On the NewsCheck out <a href="http://www.kxnet.com/story/22522852/wet-fields-put-planting-on-hold">this link </a>for a news story featuring Chad and the Hurdsfield area!Weckerly Farmshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10859268643611596674noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7502733600014910915.post-59321666847790277432013-06-12T07:40:00.000-07:002013-06-12T07:40:06.641-07:00Spraying in the MudThe guys are getting ready to go out spraying...in the mud:<P>
<img src="http://images3a.snapfish.com/232323232%7Ffp73484%3Enu%3D3262%3E452%3E246%3EWSNRCG%3D38%3B482%3C4%3B232%3Bnu0mrj" width=550>Weckerly Farmshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10859268643611596674noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7502733600014910915.post-86588441245084134522013-06-11T21:36:00.001-07:002013-06-11T21:37:21.515-07:00Wheat Coming UpJust sharing a few photos of some wheat that was seeded May 6 (photo was taken last week):<P>
<img src="http://images2.snapfish.com/232323232%7Ffp83232%3Euqcshlukaxroqdfv4663%3Dot%3E2353%3D543%3D337%3DXROQDF%3E29%3A3%3B5%3B65623%3Aot1lsi" width=450><P>
<img src="http://images3a.snapfish.com/232323232%7Ffp73494%3Enu%3D3262%3E452%3E246%3EWSNRCG%3D38%3B2%3C4%3C56232%3Bnu0mrj" width=600><P>
<Img src="http://images3a.snapfish.com/232323232%7Ffp73483%3Enu%3D3262%3E452%3E246%3EWSNRCG%3D38%3B2%3C5755%3A32%3Bnu0mrj" width=600>Weckerly Farmshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10859268643611596674noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7502733600014910915.post-88715951830167023102013-06-03T19:38:00.001-07:002013-06-03T19:38:49.489-07:00Rain, Rain, RainThere has been a lot of rain coming down this spring and not a lot of acres getting planted. Heavy and frequent rains have soaked many fields. We have managed to get about 2/3 of the crop in, but we will preventive plant some acres as well. If we can get in the field at all this week, we will be trying to seed soybeans, but it has been slow-going. Today, the planter got stuck 4 times just trying to seed 40 acres. Here is Chad about a week ago trying to get into a field:<P>
<img src="http://images2.snapfish.com/232323232%7Ffp54436%3Enu%3D3262%3E452%3E246%3EWSNRCG%3D38%3A%3B33777332%3Bnu0mrj" width=550><P>
The tracks have been helpful, but it is so very wet out there. We will not be able to plant a good portion of the corn we were hoping to get in because it has gotten so late in the season now. The corn that has been planted is just starting to come out of the ground now after being planted weeks ago. The cool temperatures have not been favorable. We are, however, thankful for what we have gotten in and will look ahead to what will hopefully be a good growing season!Weckerly Farmshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10859268643611596674noreply@blogger.com0