FARM LIFE FROM A FARM WIFE: In spring, farmers bring fields alive

The cow, what a magnificent animal. Not only do they calve to continue the herd but also produce milk and provide a natural fertilizer. This fertilizer is spread on the fields to promote harvest growth in order to feed the animal, and in turn feed people.

Cool temps and above average moisture this spring have delayed fieldwork. Now that the ground temperature has warmed and the fields have dried out, it’s time for full steam ahead, with many farmers working around the clock. The roads are full of equipment that may take over half their share of the road. Be patient. Remember, these guys feed the country.

Countless semis full of natural fertilizer (pungent liquid gold) gets pumped onto fields, the country perfume saturating everything. On a still day the aroma hangs in the air and can downright make a person’s eyes water. Some farmers use high-powered units which fork the manure directly into the ground while others spread it and then afterward, plow the field, pushing the naturally rich nutrients deep in the soil.

Since selling off our herd of Black Angus and remodeling our existing barn, we’ve been raising bred cows and heifers for my brother and his two boys. Gutting the barn, free stalls were put in and filled with a fine sand bedding. The outer yard holds a covered feed bunk, readily accommodating 60 cows at any one time. They rent our fields and utilize everything possible. This past year they had planted a field of sorghum, a first for us.

After taking the sorghum off last year, it regrew in the fall, so before plowing it up, a guy came and using a stalk shredder, cut up the regrowth. Afterward, a round baler spit out wrapped bales, which are then used for bedding. After fastening a fork bucket on our skidster, my husband hauled them off the field, storing them in our barn mow.

After they harvested the sorghum on the field next to the barn, they headed for the corn fields down the road. These corn fields have six-inch stubble left from last year’s grain harvest. The guy working the stalk shredder goes first with the baler right behind. They move. My husband gathered the covered rounds with the skidster, stacking them on a waiting semi.

In order to snap a picture or two, I was standing on the outer edge of the field watching these fellas work. With wind gusts up to 50 miles per hour that day they must have thought, “That lady needs to get a life.” It was dusty, dirty work but they were both operating in an enclosed cab with a tractor that had back dual wheels taller than me.

I am in awe every spring, how a farmer can make fields come alive, waking them up after a barren winter. The rich, fertile soil gets overturned first with a plow, then disk, then drag. Some farmers direct-seed to cut fuel and equipment costs. Usually, though, the ground is worked up to a supple texture to better receive the seed.

After working up the soil we pick stones. Picking stones is the least favorite job on a farm. I never heard any farm kid exclaim, “Oh, goody! We get to pick stones today!” Our kids didn’t get out of that job, and it taught them how to work.

Way back in the day, there were such things called stone boats. These were boat-shaped vessels pulled by a tractor and made of planks with a steel plate bolted to the planks. They were laid flat on the ground with no wheels, used mostly for large stones. When full, it was pulled over to the stone fence and the guys rolled them off.

Thankfully, we didn’t use that but instead purchased our first skidster. The bucket could be placed flush to the ground and the bigger stones rolled on. Usually, the oldest kid would drive the skidster over to the stone fence, dumping it. When our kids left home, we bought ourselves a stone bucket attachment. Nowadays we just drive around with the skidster and dig under the stone, lifting the bucket up and shaking it so the dirt sifts through. The kids howled, “Oh, we’re gone and now you get that?” Our manpower had left.

Finally, getting all of last year’s harvest off the fields, spreading manure, disking, dragging, and picking stones; the rich nutrient-soaked field is finally ready to be planted. After all of that time and effort plus fuel, and wear and tear on the equipment, the bone-weary farmer in faith watches the seed yield a wavy field of soybeans, oats or sorghum. Corn with its little green soldiers standing at attention in military-like rows causes me to sigh with satisfaction, acknowledging all the work it took.

Seeing the crops grow in anticipation of a good harvest makes it all worthwhile. Before you know it, it’s time to cut hay.

“And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.” — Galatians 6:9

Kay Reminger was born and raised on a dairy farm, and she married her high school sweetheart, who happened to farm for a living in Leopolis. Writing for quite a few years, she remains focused on the blessings of living the ups and downs of rural life from a farm wife’s perspective.