A Week of Birthdays
October always means more than just harvest around here — it’s also birthday season for the Kapraun, Louis, and Alaksiewicz families. We wished a happy birthday to Dad (Grandpa, Robert), Carolyn, and John. Most years, we end up celebrating out in the cornfield, but this time, Mary, Ann, and Laura put together a lunch party at Luther Oaks instead.
Dad was in good spirits for his birthday, Mom managed to rest up until it was time for cake and ice cream, and Laura played a few songs on the piano. Sam and Zach made it for lunch, and we all sang together. Keeping with tradition, I gave Dad three wrenches: a half-inch, a nine-sixteenths, and a 10-WR Vice Grip.
Soybeans Back in Action
Once we wrapped up corn harvest a couple weeks back, we took a much-needed six-day breather before turning our attention to soybeans. Jeff and I got started before sunrise on Thursday, checking moisture and cutting just enough for one truckload. By Friday, David and Tom were hauling, I was running the newer combine, and before long, both machines were humming along.
The old R62 Gleaner tried to keep things interesting with an oil leak, but we caught it in time. Jeff and Kia pitched in with ripping ground and driving trucks. By Sunday, after church in Benson, we were back to cutting beans.
This year’s soybeans came in seven percent above our average, making it our third-best crop at 72.5 bushels per acre. With prices holding strong, we have plenty to be grateful for.
Memorable Moments in the Field
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Late Sunday, Tom and I opened up Matt’s 80-acre field after dark and managed to cross paths with a skunk. I have a feeling the combine cab won’t be the same for a while.
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The next day, cutting at Matt’s was a challenge with green stems and feeder houses plugging up. The new draper head helped, though, and gave us a couple extra hours of cutting each day.
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By dusk, the dust was so thick I had to trust the auto guidance to keep me on track. Jeff and David lit up the trucks and tractors to help us steer clear of each other.
We had a few equipment hiccups and made some quick parts runs, but nothing kept us down for more than twenty minutes. Tom ran the blue cart all day before heading off to his city council meeting, and Jeff wrapped up Matt’s field around 8:30 that night. David, Jeff, and I got all the machinery put away just ahead of the rain. The folks at Roanoke Elevator were kind enough to stay open until nine so we could get the last load in.
A Rain and a Break
As of today, Aunt Cecilia’s field is the only one left. A lot of us had been quietly hoping for a rain — not just to help the beans ripen, but to give us a much-needed breather. Funny enough, a good rain actually helps the soybeans dry down. Showers started around ten this morning and look to keep up through tomorrow. With a little luck, we’ll wrap things up in one long day, or maybe two shorter ones.
Family Visits and Community
Jerry Pfister moved into Luther Oaks last month. In between corn and bean harvest, Lauren and I brought Luna along to visit Mom and Dad there, and we made sure to stop in and see Jerry too.
Wishing safe travels to all our family on the road this week. Hope you get your fill of cake and ice cream at the birthday parties!
A Note from Tom
Tom shared a broader perspective in his note:
“Corn is making 45 and beans 25 up here — drought conditions with red flag warnings. Farmers are keeping a tractor hitched to a disk to make fire lines if needed. Nationwide, rain is so scarce the Mississippi River is at historic lows. Barges can’t be filled to capacity, which drives shipping costs higher.
So yes, we have been blessed by the Lord this year.”
Looking Ahead
With just one field left, strong yields behind us, and a little rain to slow us down, we’re feeling grateful for safe days, good prices, and time with family.
—Joe (with notes from Tom)
Imagine the lingering skunk odor as the cab window is shut.
