As the sun rises each fall day, farmers across Wisconsin head out to the fields. Harvest is a time of expectation and fulfillment as farmers reap the fruits of their summer’s labor. On this blog you can join us in discovering a day in the life of a farmer during harvest.
Morning
As the lightweight of dawn appears in the sky, farmers are busy checking machinery, equipment and tools for the day ahead. Tractors and other machinery are lubricated, checked and maintained to prepare them for the day ahead.
Before the harvest begins, farmers must check their field to assess the readiness of the crop. They check the maturity, moisture, quality and overall condition of the crop to ensure it is of the highest quality and ready to go off the field.
When the sun is in the sky and the dew falls from the field, the harvest begins in high gear. Carefully designed combinestractors and other specialized equipment designed to harvest crops from the fields shot out and hit the main stage.
The harvesting process
In the case of grains such as corn and soybeans, the crop is harvested using a combine – a huge, versatile machine used to harvest a variety of grains. The combine cuts, separates and throws the remaining stalks into the field, while collecting grain into the hopper
After the combine is full, the grain is unloaded with an auger onto a grain cart pulled by a tractor or semi-trailer. The grain is transported to a warehouse where, if necessary, it is dried before being placed in storage boxes, where it remains until sold to market. Once sold, the grain is unloaded from the tanks into semi-trucks and trucked to the appropriate location.
Afternoon
The harvesting process continues throughout the day. Depending on the size of the field, the harvesting crew may need to go to another field. Farmers take many precautions to ensure secure travel on roads, including adequate lighting, reflective signs, slow-moving vehicle signs, and proper storage of loose tools and additional equipment.
The tractor is the farmer’s office room; just like their co-workers driving to work, they understand that you have a tight schedule and places you want to be. That’s why this is critical so that we remember each other on the roads in the fall to ensure that both you and the farmers along the road get where you’re going in the safest way possible.
Evening
Depending on the crop, farmers may continue harvesting into the evening. However, for crops such as soybeans, which are sensitive to moisture, low temperatures and evening dew can impact the duration of the evening harvest.
As the harvest crew leaves the field and heads home for dinner with the family, they can reflect on their day’s work with the satisfaction of having fed and served their community.
A day in the life of a farmer during harvest is a combination of demanding work, dedication and attachment to the land. As you gather around the table with your family this month, take some time to remember and appreciate the efforts of unsung heroes in the field this fall.
