FFA Visit

 We had a group of FFA students from N Caroline.  Their event in the county was canceled because of weather.  They stopped by and also visited the Candy Kitchen  We were happy to have them

Farm report: we are like all farmers in our area too wet to work the last few days.  They were able to work the weaned calves they get shots for deceases like Black leg etc.
We need some drying days so we can finish beans.  We will move on to corn and knock out some of those acres.  Take care until next time

Paying Back

 This story is about Steve Cooper, he is 7773 Foundation was passing through Martinsville, In. on Wed of this week.  He was here to promote his Foundation and work with everyone.   He is dribbling a basketball across the US  from California to New York and wants to be there by 9-11.  While here he did meet up with folks at Butler and was headed to the Speedway the next day.  I wanted to get this out before now but I am glad some of you will meet up with the great human being he is.   He is doing awesome  work to help all people.  If you see him say Hi,   I wish him Gods speed and take care Steve. 

I took these pictures at night this is his transportation and he also has a car  

Steve Cooper  Look him 7773 Foundation  I hope some of you will get to connect with him

Fall Changing Seasons

 Fall is my favorite season  wish  the temperature was fall all the time.  I know since I am part of a farming family those hot summer degree days are critical to our crop production.
Since it was cooler yesterday I needed to cut off and remove lots of my plants that had over grown their space. 

Farm Report:   Have been in the field several days, had a few hiccups as always, moving right along  Planted some grass in the hay fields,   worked cattle and weaned some calves.  Just staying with the program.  Take care until we talk again 

Old John Deere planter box

New area I planted this spring.

Question  Have any of you saved Hydrangea blooms  my are just blooming  a little late, I think????

Sunflowers

 I always like to plant sunflowers.    They make you smile but the birds like them even more.  At this stage I guess the seeds are softer than when they dry out.   The birds hang upside down to eat from the sunflowers
The rain we had a week or so ago  was so great for the crops we got 4 or so inches in 4 days   As I write this it is thundering out side
Stay safe  until next time

Lost a couple in the storm last week

In the back ground is 3 bittersweet shrubs   Hoping to have some to sell in the shop.

The reason for planting sunflowers

My new bubble fountain   It has drawn lots of attention.

Summer Flowers

 I always plant sunflowers all kinds I have some big ones that haven't even bloomed  hope they finish before frost.   This week the State Fair will start getting animals in for showing. Our county fair is also starting  this weekend   The State Fair dates are Aug 5 through the 21 The theme is  celebrating Indiana Bi-Centennial

The hummers are still having fun

I also have lots of phlox and it does draw in the butterflies 

This is Joe-Pye weed I bought at Eco-Logic  all of the plants have grown and are blooming

Swamp Milkweed  I haven't seen a monarch yet this year I believe it was the end of August last year when they arrived here

This is a surprise Lily sometimes called naked lady  I saw her foliage earlier in the year now she makes a appearance all the foliage is gone

Hummers

 Every year I feed the hummingbirds and enjoy watching them.   Sometimes they get mean to each other as was today but then they settle down and have a drink and all is good.    

He was guarding the feeder not sure why there is plenty for all of them.

Farm report  Crops are coming right along  Some of the hay has had a second cutting. 
Cows and calves are doing good.  Took a trailer load of fats to Rockville, In. got a few left in the feed lot.  The rain is something we needed before the heat returned.  Hope everyone is enjoying their summer.  Until next time stay safe

Hay and Straw

 I posted in my last blog a few days ago about the straw we put in the barn?  There are no stupid questions in farming.  Not everyone knows how we put up hay and straw.  I have taken these pictures today to explain what we do when I said putting up straw.  Today was a hay day.

The tractor above has a square baler behind you run it down a wind row it is picked up by the baler run through it and out comes a bale of hay even tied with 2 strings. A square bale weighs around 50 to 60 pounds

 Moving on this is a round baler also pulled by a tractor that makes the big round bales they weigh around 1400 to 1500 pounds.  It was teeth in front that picks up the hay runs it through and out comes the bale tied with surface wrap

These are wind rows the farmer used a rake that is pulled by the tractor, that rakes it into these rows so the balers can pick it up.  The hay in the beginning is cut by a hay bind that cuts it and lays it flat  this has to cure a few days need lots of sun and good weather, then it is raked the rest is explained above.