Jenny Bashutski – Bashutski Harvesting Ltd
Summer is flying by, once again! It’s been so long since I updated on our harvest I’ll give you a quick run down on what has happened since my last update in what, May?!
We finished the spring harvest at home and had a couple of weeks in between finishing and leaving for Kansas. We opted out of Texas this year because there wasn’t a whole lot there and there were more acres at home so, it was a no brainer to stay home. We left home June 19 and arrived in Southern Kansas on June 21. We hit the ground running and had 3 1/2 good, long days of cutting and we were done. Crazy how fast that went! The crops there averaged 35-45 bu/ac. I spent my time trying to settle into the harvest routine and accepting the time change! We also enjoyed our time in Bucklin with the Zimmerman Farms crew!! They have 4 kids also, they all get along so well and are close in age so it is so much fun having them as neighbors. Apparently, the camp lady told the other neighbors to make sure they leave us lots of room because we have a lot of kids, ha!
We then loaded up and headed to Colby, Kansas where it rained the night we got there. It continued to shower on and off for the next two days and we finally started cutting on July 1. The crop was pretty good, averaging 60 bu/ac. In Colby, because it was a heavier crop and a longer haul to the elevator, I spent every morning preparing supper and doing laundry. Then by afternoon, I was in the combine so Mike could be the second trucker to keep everything running smoothly. That meant supper was sometimes eaten later than preferred but everyone was good and understanding about it. The kids are such good sports about spending time in the field and enjoy being out there. Our oldest daughter, Mikaela, was learning more about driving the tractor and cart. Hard to believe Kolton learned when he was 5, she is 10 and just learning, but they are very different! I’m sure Kolton was born knowing how to operate equipment! Mikaela is catching on and really enjoyed it. I love being in Colby because my sister lives only an hour away so we get our annual visit in while there. When we finished in Colby, Mike surprised us by taking a day off and joining us at the Colby Aquatic Park with my sister and her boys! If you are close to Colby and haven’t visited the water park, I highly recommend trying to get to it. The kids have so much fun and it really wears them out.
The guys managed to catch the races both Friday nights that we were there and they enjoyed that. After 12 days in Colby, the guys started moving equipment north to Martin, South Dakota. I didn’t have to go until the final trip so that meant I got to go to my sister’s for another visit! We have now been settled in Martin for three days and have been cutting since we arrived. The farmer here is organic and, so far, it appears to be averaging around 30 bu/ac, not bad considering all the elements it’s been dealt this year! This also means that I’m not needed in the field so I’m back to my “normal” harvest routine, for now anyway!
With hot, dry weather in the forecast, it shouldn’t take long to finish up here! Then we will be west-bound to my home state of Montana!
Happy Harvesting!!
1. Be ready to go at the drop of a hat...sometimes without a lunchbox.
2. Has removed the word impossible from her vocabulary!
3. Can hold a baby, take care of a toddler and drive a tractor or combine all at the same time.
4. Must be able to cook for a crew - large or small.
5. Must be able to read minds.
6. Must be able to banter with a parts man until he realizes you DO know what you're talking about.
7. Must be the entertainment director for those rainy days.
8. Be a wife, mom, friend, helper, cook, problem solver, taxi driver or extra crew hand at all times.
9. Can handle the call that makes you react, "You need what? When?" Dropping everything you're doing to make it happen.
10. At the end of the day say, "I really do love this life".