Tree Is Gone

Did you ever have a tree in the middle of the field you had to drive around every year?  I had one and it is now gone, the tree is history.  Why kill a perfectly good tree?  It was in the way of tractor traffice and it had little value, even for firewood or shade.  It had seed pods on it and some big thorns and reddish wood inside but I am not sure what it was.

The picture shows the missed stalks as I had to drive the combine around it.  I hand husked the corn and gave it to the guy helping me to feed his critters.  I call livestock critters but a neighbor actually named his son Critter!  Is Jeff Foxworthy reading because we might have a redneck!

I am tickled how the spot looks now.  I sowed double passes of rye through the spot to help it get covered to stabilize the soil.  I don't know why I didn't do that the first year when we took out 1000 feet of fencerow only a 100 feet west of it.  I guess we just got tired and forgot about it and quit.  It's amazing how such a small project can give me so much satisfaction.

We also found the mysterious old clay tile under it and it started running again after we pieced in a section of solid tubing between the clay tile.  Water running through a tile is always a good thing!

We finished sowing rye on that farm yesterday so I once again have all my acres seeded to a cover crop!  That is quite an accomplishment for me.  The week's rain report from Bill Northcott showed why, too, we had zero rain at my locations in southwest Ohio last week.

A lot of farmers got finished with soybeans but there are still a few out there!  There are more acres of corn left to harvest but the number gets smaller every week.  I saw three farmers cutting their last soybeans within a few miles of where this picture was taken.

My crop adjustor showed up this morning very promptly.  I was 150 bushels short of a good APH on one farm so I get a small check.  I told him I would much rather have the APH as my yield for that field!  He laughed as he agreed.

He is from a small farm family east of here and I went to college with his Uncle Paul.  His dad suddenly passed away from an unknown heart ailment last year and it was very sad for everyone involved.  I am so blessed to have had my dad for 85.5 years.  LuAnn feels the same way about her's.

We are all praying for our friend Dutch who lost his son recently from a similar event.  He was doing what he loved, driving a John Deere pulling peanuts in West Texas.  I know Dutch and Katie are taking it very hard.  Some people never recover from an event like that but I pray they do.

We are getting rain on our new planted rye as another system blows through and fall adjusts to winter.  I hope it isn't a hard one but it is what it is.  I am so thankful we had last week to get so much done.

Ed

Veteran's Day Speech

Redleg from Illinois posted this speech which encapsulates Veteran's Day for me.  This is LuAnn and I's 14th Veteran's Day together.

"Veteran's Day Speech 2012

I was honored to have been asked to give the Veteran's Day Speech. The following is what I presented.

Good afternoon and thank-you for inviting me to share in today’s celebration. Recognize special guests – Mayor Cooper, Commander Orion American Legion and Sherman J Sagadin VFW Post and a special thanks to the Orion Community Band. I must say Orion schools prepared me for the army life having spent the first years of my education at Andover; then Lynn Center; back to Andover; then onto Osco; and oh yea back to Andover; then to Orion Cr Hannah; then to Orion Middle School and then we moved from the farm West of Lynn Center, to the home place now south of Andover and I graduated from AlWood High School 1977….So thank-you for teaching me all about adjusting to change!

When the cannons of World War One were silenced, we thought we had fought the “war to end all wars,” but as history proved, we still needed our Soldiers. We are here to celebrate the strength, courage and dedication of our veterans who not only wield the hammer of conflict but also shape the world for lasting peace. The brave actions of our veterans endure in the pages of history. Today I want us to not only remember their gallantry on the battlefield; we must look at the lasting legacy of strength and service they brought with them when they returned home.

It takes a profound strength to wear this nation’s uniform. Though one day those who serve our nation will eventually remove this uniform, no amount of time, nor strife can sever the golden thread uniting these veterans in a unique and everlasting bond. Once a Soldier, a Soldier for Life. This uniform has changed many times in the last 237 years. What hasn’t changed has been the determination and spiritual strength of the men and women willing to serve this nation. The image of a veteran, as well as the uniform, has changed over the years. Almost half of those serving in the military today are between 22 and 30 years old.

Now, America has the largest population of young veterans since the Vietnam War. During Vietnam, the strength of our Soldiers and our veterans was no different than it is today – what changed was the public’s attitude toward them. That generation remembers returning from war to a country so divided and distracted by internal politics the public had little interest in what our veterans had been doing for the nation. These attitudes and misunderstandings about veterans during the Vietnam era were misguided and unfortunate towards many members of one of our greatest generations of heroes.

Just a little over a month ago, I attended a memorial service in Western Township cemetery at the gravesite honoring SGT Michael W. Lief. A Vietnam War Hero recognized by his community by naming his home front road in his honor. A true American hero who gave his life serving his country and what a great and noble undertaking by his grateful community recognizing one of their own. And today it is about celebrating our heroes: coming together to honor all those who served.

Serving in the Armed Forces of the United States has always been a noble calling. Since the shots at Lexington and Concord were fired and our Revolutionary War began, the American Soldier has been the defender of liberty and democracy. Since their humble beginnings in 1776, the American Soldier has fought and died on battlefields here and abroad to defend our rights and freedoms. We have gathered today to do honor to those who served to protect our nation and our homes. For some, the supreme sacrifice was made on the battlefield; others have since passed. This is the one day of the year that is set apart for our soldiers, sailors, airmen and marines who have sacrificed so much and expected nothing more than a thanks. They offered their lives and made sacrifices for the sake of humanity.

I cannot recount all their deeds or valor or bravery. These are recorded in the pages of our country’s history, and forever engraved upon the monuments throughout our land. Let us also remember our future veterans who are serving today -- writing a new history. Because today where ever Old Glory flies at a post, fort, base, ship or installation at some near or far country, you can rest assured there is a soldier, airman, marine or sailor willing to pay the ultimate sacrifice for you and I. And just like every Service member before them, when they do lay down their life, the flag is draped across the coffin symbolic of your country’s appreciation, for now it is our responsibility to carry on after the loved ones who grieve their loss. We should remember that Veteran’s Day is more than just another day off from work. It is more than an insert in the paper announcing a special sale. It is a day to remember those, who’ve served in America’s Armed Forces for their country and our freedoms.

They served at places like Shiloh, Antietam, Andersonville and Gettysburg. They fought died in the mud and blood in the trenches of World War I. They served at Pearl Harbor, Bataan, North Africa, Anzio, Salerno, Normandy, Iwo Jima, and Okinawa. They fought in the cold and misery of Pork Chop Hill and at Chosin Reservoir. They fought in the jungle heat on the ambush trails of Vietnam; the sands of Saudi Arabia and Kuwait in Desert Storm; in the cities, villages and country sides of Iraq and yet still in Afghanistan. They fought on land, from ships and submarines at sea…fighters and bombers from the air; using the tools they were provided in this new profession of war or preserving peace.

In those distant places, in harrowing times, these ordinary people from the cities, towns and villages of America, and here in Orion, have performed extraordinary deeds. Some of those heroes I spoke about are here with us today and some are gone now. And in a few minutes I will ask each of them to stand or wave, so we can all recognize them and again tell them thanks. Memories of their acts of heroism must never "fade away", as has been said of old soldiers. It is our task to remember what they said and what they did. We MUST never forget! We gain strength from what our heroes have done. All too often when we leave a Memorial Day or Veteran’s Day commemoration -- we take for granted or even forget for a time all of those who have lost their lives or sacrificed so much to ensure we have the homes we live in -- the freedoms we enjoy -- the privileges we have -- or take for granted those men and women who are still deployed today, away from their families and friends -- who remain in harm’s way.

We are blessed with many privileges -- do not forget! President Kennedy once said “A nation reveals itself not only by the men it produces but also by the men it honors, the men it remembers.” Of course today we equally honor service men and women, but the sentiment remains crystal clear. A key component of our nation’s greatness lies in our ability to honor, appreciate, and cherish, through our actions and our memories, all those who died or served to ensure our freedom.

We often hear that freedom has a price and that each generation pays its due. Today is our day to say thank you to those who for generations have foot the bill; to those who have paid so dearly. And to their families and friends whose lives are forever changed, and to whom we owe an enormous debt. Today, military support groups, veterans associations, and everyday Americans make sure that we pay tribute to those who have served and sacrificed.

By honoring our men and women in uniform, groups like you keep alive the memory of those who paid the ultimate price. So I want to thank those of you responsible for putting this ceremony together reminding us to pause and honor our veterans. God Bless America and thank-you for allowing me to share with you on this Veteran’s Day! Can I ask all the veterans to stand or wave so we can all tell you thank-you and I SALUTE You!

LTC Daniel M. Swanson

"Redleg"

A Wonderful Day

Yesterday was one of those days where everything came together. It was almost too much for one day, but I will take it. The weather was perfect, the help was fantastic and there were no major breakdowns. Everything worked pretty much like clockwork.

We started early tearing out a tree I wanted removed 3 years ago. Low and behold, we found an old drain tile underneath it! Jack tore that tree out in less than an hour, ran to get some solid wall tile to patch the line and we were off to the next project.

My load of number 4's showed up and I had the driver spot the pile near the fence row in a low but dry spot. Any left over gravel will help fill the spot.The driver was a really rough looking character but a really nice guy.  "He doesn't look like he's from around here."  We talked about retirement and grandkids then he was off on his way.

One tile blowout turned out not to be one. It was an old flat stone laid up hand dug well! It is dry now so we dumped some number 4's in it and filled it back up.  Maybe it will show up again but it was not a tile line blowout.

I took our Mule to scout tile hole repairs and marked them as I went. There is one big blowout near the creek and I am not sure what we will get into on that one today. There are a few more lesser blow outs in the same line towards the hill to the west.

Soon a friend came to help cut up logs we cut out of a fencerow(above) 2 years ago. I didn't have enough time to spend with him. Then I got I picked up some rye seed and the neighbor boys to help me fill the notill drill. Another friend ran the tractor while the boys and I loaded up a load of cut up firewood and headed back to the house.

The Emerald Ash Borer dried out some of those logs too quickly and they should have been burned last year.  We got sawdust in our eyes loading the wood.  The borer holes aerated some of the ash a little too quickly but it will still make a good fire.

The boys and I unloaded the wood and we loaded another load of seed. Soon we will have several pick up loads of big cut up logs to split.  We have 4 big loads in a pile now and Graham said that was the biggest pile he had ever seen.  Me too except for piles where guys sell firewood as a business.

It was just a wonderful day but I was so busy I didn't get to appreciate it like I would have liked to. I could have just sat there and watched everything going on but there was too much to do.

I am very thankful for days like this and very thankful for my friends.

It was a wonderful day in a pretty wonderful life.

Ed

How Do I Make My NoTill Planter Work Better?

I got another good email question yesterday and thought I would share how I answered it.  He stated where he farmed and described his planter and I took it from there."

"I used to report to the Extension office in Trotwood. I have a friend Tom Hertlein there I haven't seen in a long while but I do see the Stebbins brothers on County Line Rd and buy some chems from our good NAT friend Philip Huffman nearby.


"I have read many of your posts on new agtalk forums, and others too, mainly referring to your white 5100 planter. A little over a year ago I bought my first planter, a white 5100, from a former customer of mine. I have gleaned a lot of information about this planter from your posts. I am writing to you just to get, first hand, any recommendations that you might have for me. I am interested in your thoughts about what is needed to make this as near as perfect as possible no till planter."

For me, the Martin setup works best on that planter. The full Martin setup costs $1000 per row or so unless you can buy some parts used cheaper like the row cleaners.

"For a little background my planter is an 8 row 30" vertical fold. No starter of any kind right now, when I plant my corn in 2014 I will probably do some type of in-furrow set up. It has yetter frame mounted no-till coulters."

My partner Les had one but he traded it off before I could Martinize it.

"It has keaton(that is Eugene Keeton, Howard Martin's friend, Keeton works in the trench, rebounder works above the trench)s on 6 rows and schaffert rebounders on row 7 and 8 for a comparison. I had to switch them out any way due to damage. It was already converted to 2 - 12 inch closing wheels so I changed them out for two 13 inch Martin spade wheels."

That's a good move, that is superior to any closing system I have seen.
"I didn't run a drag chain last year but I can see how it would help in certain situations."

I like that extra 20 inches of crumbling and leveling in all conditions offered from the 40 inch long, 3/8 inch square chained looped and dangling behind the spading, tilling wheels.

"I have been very impressed by the dawn curve tine, but new ones are expensive and used Martins are cheap, just more contankerous depending on soil conditions."

The Martin row cleaner is the best I have found and the small row cleaner reversed as a spading, tilling, closing wheel makes the best closing wheel I have ever seen.

"I would like to have row cleaners but this year's crop didn't do well (12 Bu beans) so that is for another year."

Get Martins someway somehow when you decide to put row cleaners on your planter.

"I've been thinking about the RID gauge wheels,"

Case IH invented those gauge wheel tires and made the Early Riser planter famous.  Those will allow you to plant in near tacky condtions, the whole system is designed to plant when others are working ground so you gain planting days and yield.

The best thing I ever did was take the coulters off and use a single disk opener 2 plus inches off the side to put N and S off the row in corn or calcium nitrate and water beside corn or beans.

"especially since a 20/20 and Air Force aren't in my budget right now. Any advice and suggestions would be very much appreciated."

Look at Jeff Littrel's principles, they use the Martin planter with fertilizer openers on both sides in the U trough system, best corn and beans I saw in the US.

http://fhrfarms1.com/

You can see my old planter at Jim Smith's near Ft Wayne, I can arrange a visit.

New Carlise has good prices on parts but Dave Moeller in Iowa is the most knowledgeable sales source/mechanic/trouble shooter I have met.

http://moelleragservice.com/

You are welcome here anytime.

937-728-1478

That planter is the very best, high yielding notill planter I have ever operated.  I have witnesses, too.

Ed

Three Good Days

We are probably having the last three good outdoor work days left in 2012 here in southwest Ohio.  I have so much to get done.  We both slept like a rock last night.  I left our bedroom window open yesterday so we went to bed to crisp, cool air and slept so good under those blankets.

Right or wrong I am goin to drill the rye I bought on my last acres.  Just maybe I will have everything sown the way I want it be when these days are gone.  I may not see that rye until next spring but I know it will be there.  That farm looks ragged anyhow with weeds grown around the edges and there is nothing like the look of a farm to me that is all drilled down with tons of residue.

I keep trying to melt that residue back into the earth it came from.  I am trying to increase biological activity on the good side.  Jack is coming out to take out the last tree in the middle of one field which will be a big job.  I hope he can dig on one side and we can push it over and cut it up.  I will mark some tile holes to dig up while he is there so we can see what the tile and subsoil looks like on that farm.  If you read my blog you know how I love doing that.

I've taken a tremendous amount of crop off that farm in three years.  It has to produce a good crop to make the payments.  Still, it has a lot of interest as I have several people interested in buying that farm.  We need something a little closer to home so I don't know how that is going to work out.  I have been looking at 1031 exchanges and other properties we could invest in.  I will have to turn that over to the Lord and look to His guidance.

He sure has taken good care of us both and all our kids and grandkids.  We give Him great thanks.  Now we have to be open to do His part, not ours.  I have a talk scheduled tonight with my fellowship group and that will surely come up.

The neighbor boys helped me get the first load of cut up logs off that farm last night.  We have several more to haul out of there.  This morning though, the Chevy will be tied up hauling rye seed.  I have a busy weekend scheduled for that truck this weekend.

All the friends we meet aren't talking about the election.  They quickly grumble and we change the subject.  The leaders we wanted for this country didn't quite get elected after billions of dollars wasted trying to elect them.  I heard something like 3 billion was spent on these campaigns?  I don't know if that is true or not but we know it was a ton of money that should have been put to better use.

Only the media got rich off this deal.  Maybe we need a law to limit campaign funding even more than what we have.

Say a little prayer for us and we will for you.  Have a great day,

Ed

Markets

Markets are reacting to the election.  We saw the Dow go right down a record 313 points for the year.  The grains have reacted favorably but haven't started their move up yet, which I think they will do.

"There is talk on the newswires and on the trading floor that the US ARmy Corp of Engineers could close the Missouri River into the Mississippi on December 10th, in order to help northern areas. The floor is looking at the impact as a spread rather than flat price issue if fallout is felt."  That can't be favorable for corn and soybeans as so much of it takes that path.

One of my former students was in line at Croton Egg Farm this morning and we got to chatting on Facebook.  My question was how high do eggs need to sell for to make a profit at $7.50 corn?  If anyone has an opinion on that, post it here!

Our local dairman friend is milking gungho so prices for raw milk must be better than $7.50 corn.  He feeds a lot of sileage, though.  He had the best double crop corn after wheat this year I believe I have ever seen.

My last field of wheat hasn't come up yet and I can't figure out why except the cold nights.  It's been in the ground since October 23 and I thought sure it would be up by now.  I did see a few sprigs today but not the nice even stand we have behind the house.

Darren Hefty was talking about how to control Creeping Charlie(ground ivy or Creeping Jenny) around the house and farmstead on Ag Ph. D. this week.  It is difficult to identify from round leaved Mallow.  LuAnn looked up at the TV from her Xyboard and exlaimed that's the weed that is taking over our yard!  I said yep, that is what I spread that high priced bag of TriMec weed and feed for!  It didn't do a thing to the Creeping Charlie so I am going to have to spray a high rate of 2,4-D with a sniff of dicamba in it to knock it back.  It looks like it's been here since 1880 when the house was built!

The big news here is Deirdre Jane Peters.  That is as hard to spell as Caoilin so we are having a good itme with that, all in fun.  I tried to explain it to Uncle Roy on the telephone last night was was having trouble explaining the name on the phone!  Just try to write if if you think that's bad!

She is beautiful and her big sister Caoilin is estatic with her new baby sister.  Poor little Finn though doesn't look too impressed with the deal!  Deirdre is very feminine with dark hair and the tiniest head and body of the 4 but she is a healthy 7 lbs and 6 ounces.  I always said kids were your best crop and it's been a great crop year, 2 grand daughters in 3 months!  Hard to top the 3 three year olds though!

Thank you Lord for all our Blessings,

Amen.

Ed

This Isn't Your Grandpa's USA

When I realized which direction the election was going last night, I caught a line from a farmer on NewAgTalk.  He said, "this isn't your grandpa's USA."  That summed it all up for me right there.  Sorry grandpa, we tried.  Greed has made the white men leaders of this country look less than honorable so average Joe is sticking with welfare.  We are a welfare state.

One portion of our new society has made our country illegitimate, another portion won't learn the language so we have to press one for English and another portion does not believe in traditional marriage.  The young people are confused so we just have to keep leading by example.  Somehow, I have to find a way to function in this new society.  I don't believe in it, I don't agree with it but I have to learn to live within it.

Both my major candidates got defeated so I have the same president and the same senator.  Both are too liberal for me and don't believe in what I do.  All my blogs did was clearly state my position and now I am the minority and must learn to live with that.

I have always considered myself a minority, though.  I am male, white, and an agriculturist so my destiny was determined at birth.  I must live within that.  The rest of the world needs my skills and talents so I must keep refining them and honing them so I can help feed them.  That is my part in this world.

So, I hope you see a lot more agriculture from this blog in the coming days and a lot less politics.  I put myself out there to speak out my beliefs but I am a minority.

No one told me it was flat tire day, either.  I went to the shop and noticed the left rear on the sprayer is flat.  I went to old red the Dakota and noticed the right rear is low.  But I did find good news, or it found me!

Becky let us know that grandchild number 11 may be born today!

So as we seek that silver lining in these gray clouds this morning, see you later!

Ed