Ehmke Diaries

June 15, 2000

Harvest is here. Our custom cutters from Oklahoma arrive today. So far in test cutting test weights of wheat have been light. A bushel of wheat normally weighs 60 lbs. But if you have very dry weather the wheat berries can dry early even shriveling. We have had a very dry spring. In May we normally receive 3" of rain. We only got an inch. And in June so far we have received trace amounts. This harvest looks like it will be average yields or less.

Right now, second son Tanner is on a tractor doing fieldwork, which means plowing the ground to kill weeds. Third son Layton is taking a nap as he was out late and on the tractor most of today. Daughter, Marit who will be in 5th grade, is reading or else checking the kittens. One kitten fell in the horse tank last night and nearly drowned. Fortunately my husband heard it crying and rescued it. Marit warmed it as it was shivering cold plus gave it some milk. It seems to be fine now.

Big news in our house is that Vance, the farmer has decided to run for state representative from our district which includes several counties. We were even in a parade last Saturday! It was neat.

On Tuesday, the Kansas Crop Improvement Association inspector examined our seed wheat and triticale. It passed with flying colors but yields will be down from previous years. Regular wheat that goes to grain elevator storage does not need inspection. But we sell wheat that is also for seed for farmers to plant this fall so it must be the best--no noxious weeds or offtypes. Last week Tanner and Layton spent most of the week on mules roguing our wheat or pulling the offtypes.

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