Walking the Deer Trails

It’s Monday and I can’t complain about how the day is going. Still, I wish I was here instead, walking the deer trails along Sand Creek with Cesar. Most times, I’m with V. or the kids. This time, a solo trek + dog.

Cesar scares most of the wildlife away, but I love watching him jump, meander, sniff, run and swim.

There is less time for woods-walking once summer begins, so hoping to get lots of exploring in before then.

Prairie Snow

 

Pretty. Cold. Soft. Quiet.

Good Morning

Winter Morning

Rusty Fall Prairie

My part of Kansas doesn’t have native trees with fire-red leaves, but we do have native grass that turns wispy and rusty as it waits for snow.

2013 Winter Wheat Crop: Month 8

There have been a lot of changes since we took a first look inside the wheat plant stem on May 3.

The plant now reaches about 34 inches from the ground to its tip. The seed head is fully developed, but the kernels are still soft. The kernels are now “filling” or reaching maturity. Rain is still important because it influences the weight of each kernel.

We get paid on the number of bushels. Bushels are figured by weight and the average bushel of wheat weighs 60 pounds. The cash price for wheat this morning is $7.30 per bushel. Our yield will be the true indicator of the effect of the late freezes.

You can see how the plants are losing their green color as they complete the life cycle. The kernels will harden and the plant will turn golden as it dries down, or essentially, dies.

We begin harvest when we’re sure that the seed kernel is dry enough. Kernels that are too wet would eventually spoil. So, the grain companies that receive the wheat have set limits on moisture content.

Take a look at month 8. Next month: Harvest!

Winter Wheat, May 2013

Winter Wheat Field, May 2013

 

Moved Away: The Old Kohler Place

Moved Away is an accidental series about forgotten farmsteads and rural homes.

“The Old Kohler Place,” South of Cheney, Kan.

2013 Winter Wheat Crop: Month 7 Update

Good news, we think. The temperatures didn’t go below 29 degrees last night. That’s a little buffer above the 24-degree mark, where K-State Extension says the real damage occurs at this stage. Plus, the freezing rain was more moisture.

The frozen wheat of yesterday looks a more cheery version of crystallized this morning. Here’s a view from across the road.

Winter Wheat Field, April 2013

Winter Wheat, April 2013

 

2013 Winter Wheat Crop: Month 7

A spring threat has become a reality. Our wheat crop is coated with ice. This is not good news for a plant that is out of dormancy and growing. The crop at this stage of growth is referred to as jointing. This chart from the University of Illinois Extension shows the different stages.

The smart folks at our own state Extension Service  (Kansas State University) describe the effect of freezing temperatures at the jointing stage:

• Approximate injurious temperature for two hours: -24 F.
• Primary Symptoms: Death of growing point; leaf yellowing or burning; lesions, splitting, or bending of lower stem; odor
• Yield effect: Moderate to severe

We do expect some reduction in yield, but it’s hard to predict much beyond that. Modern seed varieties are nothing short of amazing in their ability to survive extremes. The same could be said for the farmer and his crops.

For now, we’ll keep one eye on the fields and another on the temperature gauge.

Winter Wheat, April 2013

Winter Wheat Field, April 2013

2013 Winter Wheat Crop: Month 6

Gloomy skies may not be good for the soul, but they are good for our wheat fields right now. The wheat plants have broken their winter dormancy. We want the growth now to be steady, not speeded up by unseasonably warm temperatures.

We’re still worried about the drought, so we were glad for yesterday’s mist and snow flurries. Today, a surprise snow storm blew in. It’s hard to tell how much snow we received because of the drifting. Maybe about three inches or so. This latest moisture will definitely help, especially since the wheat is now growing.

We’re still way behind in terms of moisture, however. The National Drought Mitigation Center says Kansas needs 12 to 16 inches of water to fully recover from the drought. This state has crazy weather, so hope that doesn’t come all at once!

Take a look at month 6:

Winter Wheat Field, March 2013

Winter Wheat, March 2013

Wordless Wednesday: Winter Barn