May 16 - June 4 (The CRAZIEST 3 weeks EVER!)

The spring of 2011 will go down in Soaring Eagle history as one of the most challenging ever.  Extremely wet conditions kept us out of the fields way too long and once things did dry out, it was crunch time.  To put things in perspective in 2010 we had all our alfalfa planted and the rocks picked in those fields by May 1st.  This year, we did not turn any soil until May 16th, at which time it was critical that we get seed in the ground and as each field dried out, we were in it, often times tilling, picking rocks and planting within hours of each other.

In 20 days time, we accomplished the following:

- 825 acres of corn fields tilled, sprayed, planted and rocks picked

- 125 acres of new seeding alfalfa fields tilled twice, rocks picked and seeded down

- 150 acres of soybean fields tilled twice, sprayed, rocks picked and planted

To add to the challenge, both our corn planter and our grain drill provided problems once we did get out in the fields.  Our corn planter had some precision planting options added to it over the winter months.  One of those components it was determined needed a $30 cable which we ordered and was to be shipped overnight, to allow us to begin planting on the next day.  An error was made, and the shipment did not go out, causing us to wait one more day - very frustrating when we were already 3 weeks behind!!  The grain drill we used this year was purchased over the winter months.  That unit gave us trouble the entire season and we are still working with the dealer on a resolution.

Finally, due to the late nature of our spring work, our existing alfalfa fields were ready for harvest before we were done with spring work.  This becomes especially challenging.  Last week our guys worked 85 hours each trying to get it all done.  Also, machinery becomes awfully short when trying to get so much done all at once.  In fact, we had to borrow my great uncles 1973 Farmall tractor in order to allow us to get our calf barn cleaned out in the middle of all the planting and hay harvesting!  Now that's a oldie but goodie!!

What goes on during winter at Soaring Eagle?

My Dad suggested I post some information about what keeps up busy during the non-cropping months.  I figured before I get into what's been going on the past few weeks, I should report what has been going on all winter long. 

As for us girls, things don't change much with regard to our winter vs. summer chores.  Cows need attention, numbers need crunching and employees need managing - regardless of season.  The three of us girls do help during the summer months with field work, but in winter, we do a much better job of working more regular hours and usually keep our work week to 40 hours.

Season does have a huge impact for the shop guys however.  In the winter months, they also work about 40 hours per week, compared to the 55+ hours that the typical summer month requires.  In fact, last week they had 85+ hours each!!  This was due to the challenging spring and the need to finish planting and take first cutting all during the same week...more on that in my next post.

Any way, without field work, you may wonder what keeps those guys buys in the winter months.  Here are a few pictures showing some of their projects:

These first pictures show a project that our mechanic, Tyler Herzog is in the middle of.  We have 2 of this same tractor, which is used for scraping each pen of cows when they are up to the parlor for milking.  This tractor (or the matching spare) runs for about 15 minutes of each hour, 24 hours per day.  We have two so that if one is down for maintenance or repairs, we can still get our work done, keeping our cows clean and comfortable.  You will notice in the picture that the front half of the tractor and the back half are about 5 feet apart!  It always surprises me when the guys get this back together and it actually works!!

This next picture is our cattle trailer.  We have had this trailer for about 10 years and it definitely has some serious wear.  During the winter, our guys reinforced all the steel, allowing us to hopefully get another 5 years out of this trailer.  Kind of a easy decision when a new trailer would set us back about $15,000!!

Finally, this tractor is our Case IH STX-325.  This is the largest tractor we have and it's primarily used for pushing feed into our feed bunks and packing it tightly by driving back and forth over the pile.  This tractor is also used in fall to pull our heavy tillage tool and work the ground after crops are taken off.  In this picture they are changing fluids, filters and getting it ready for another busy season of use. 

  

 All of these pictures were taken on the same day back in March.  Our shop is a pretty busy place all year long!!!