We were back in the field today before 10:00 a.m. I know we could have been there earlier but we had to get the equipment serviced and moved to the first field which takes time. The  fields we cut here are in mile long strips. I like cutting these because there’s very little turning and it feels like you get a lot accomplished in a short period of time. Each field is approximately 100 acres  – we were able to get two of them cut today. Unfortunately, the yields aren’t as good as we’ve been cutting this summer. Jim thought we’d be lucky if we cut 20 bushel wheat here.

The first strip looks like it may average 30 bushels per acre and the second one is less – probably more like 20 bpa. The wheat is really dry with moisture testing at 7%. I don’t know how it could be anything but dry.  The straw crumbles; therefore, we’re able to move through the field fairly fast.  It’s so hot here right now – over 100 degrees again today. The humidity was at 3%. My sinuses, eyes, lips, and skin are feeling the effects of the desert  conditions!

Across the road from the field, the homeowner is trying to keep the grass in the yard green by watering it. As you can see, the grass that’s beyond the trees and close to the road is suffering.

Jim and I switched off again most of the day. When the Pete gets full, he takes it to the elevator and I jump in the combine. So, while I was in the combine today, I couldn’t help but feel sad about this stop. We found out earlier in the summer that this would be our last time on this farm. The farmers are brothers and they’ve decided to give up farming. When I look at the home place, I think about how important it must have been to their folks. The old Massey’s will have one final harvest and then probably be added to a sale bill. The end of what had been an annual event – wheat harvest. The brothers may not even feel it yet, but they will (I’m sure). Next summer when they see the wheat turning from green to gold, they’ll be feeling the pain of not being able to start up the old combines and trucks. Maybe it won’t affect them but I would be willing to place a bet on they will. I’m certainly going to miss being here and being a part of their lives, even if it was for only two weeks. Funny how you just always assume it will be the same next year. Not this time.

From the cab of the combine, I saw a couple large fires on the horizon. The one North of Pikes Peak would be near Colorado Springs and Garden of the Gods which started just a couple of days ago. The other one that I kept an eye on was North of Limon and was a wheat field fire. With the humidity being so low and the temperature so hot, those of us in the fields really need to pay particular attention to fires starting.

Pikes Peak is to the left of the fire.

Tomorrow is expected to be another 100+ degree day.

Twins. Ours is on the left. The other one was just here overnight.