Late Season Field Work Moves Along the Road

Just ten days ago these scenes were typical of area rural roads around 42N country. I was going to use the intro, "You know you are in Iowa when you see..." but I'm guessing this happens all around the northern US and Canada while the weather is still good. What I observed on this day was a combination of corn harvest and distribution plus some field preparation for next season.

Obviously when tooling around in your latest version of the Model A, be on the lookout for these giant field machines. Sometimes a caravan of vehicles accompany these slow movers from one field to another. Usually the slow moving tractors don't travel long distances and will try to help you navigate around them. Field preparation and harvest season may be finished for the season with many fields cleared and snowy weather predicted soon. Know that. 

Harvest Done For Some

The fall harvest of soy beans (left field) and corn (right field) is complete for some farmers along the 42N region - in this case near Mount Auburn, Iowa. Many grain farmers are working into the night to complete their harvest while conditions favor the movement of heavy machinery to and from fields without rain and mud delays. Other considerations for late night harvests are the availabilities of equipment (combines, grain trucks and crews.) With near perfect weather conditions in the region for several weeks now, storage bins are filling to capacity. Know that.

Changing Roles of Corn Cribs

Use to be that a full corn crib was all you needed to feed livestock. Now shiney stainless steel bins dot the Iowa landscape in addition to conventional silos. During this harvest season much of the corn is either sold directly to market, stored on property for a later sale or stored for livestock feed. Corn cribs now are more likely to be used as equipment storage sheds rather than feed bunkers. Times have changed. Know that.