North Dakota Wheat Harvest Begins!

Summary

In this video, the crew starts their day by heading out to the fields for harvest, despite concerns about rain. The process is filled with unexpected challenges, such as varying moisture levels and a slow-moving storm. The team navigates through difficult terrain, with moments of humor, teamwork, and scenic views of the fields. Along the way, they deal with obstacles like objects in the field and shifting weather. The video also highlights the beauty of the landscape and the perks of farm life, including a special honey delivery from a beekeeper. The video ends with a lighthearted note, showcasing the chaos and camaraderie of the harvest.

Takeaways

• 😀 The team initially planned to cut in the fields early, but rain made them hesitate until later in the day.
• 😀 Despite concerns about the weather, the team decided to head out to the fields once the storm moved away.
• 😀 The farm has four combines, with the farmers splitting up to cut in different directions, including a northern route.
• 😀 The moisture levels in the field vary significantly, with some areas ranging from 10% to 17% moisture, affecting harvesting.
• 😀 A yield map shows a diagonal line through the field, indicating wetter grain on the northwest side and drier grain on the southeast side.
• 😀 After testing one truckload, the team plans to discuss the yield with the farmer to decide next steps.
• 😀 The weather has been unpredictable, with rain still lingering in the north, adding uncertainty to the workday.
• 😀 The team experiences a minor setback when the combine's sensors misread the grain fullness, leading to an unexpected adjustment in plans.
• 😀 The field has some obstacles, like tin or debris, which the team efficiently handles, with help from the girlfriend, who stays in the vehicle.
• 😀 The landscape is described as stunning, with rolling hills, hay bales, and windmills, making it a beautiful backdrop to the work.
• 😀 The beekeeper's son, who has been riding along in the combine, brings a gallon of honey as a gesture of appreciation, adding a personal touch to the experience.

Q & A

Why was the decision made to delay heading out to the fields?

The decision was based on high rain chances throughout the day, causing skepticism about whether it was worth going out if the rain was going to disrupt the work.

How did the moisture levels in the grain vary across the field?

Moisture levels were inconsistent, with the average being 13.8%, but ranging from 10% to 17%, suggesting uneven conditions across the field.

What did the yield map reveal about the field?

The yield map showed a diagonal line across the field, with the northwest half being wetter (greener) and the southeast half being drier (yellow or red), indicating a difference in grain moisture levels.

What was the plan when the narrator realized the combine was nearly full?

The narrator initially planned to make it to the corner of the field to unload but, due to the hill's slope, decided to dump on a truck nearby, with some humor around the situation.

Why did the narrator feel it was a good idea to bring their girlfriend along during harvest?

The narrator appreciated having their girlfriend help with tasks like moving tin or other objects out of the field, allowing them to stay in the driver's seat and avoid unnecessary stops.

What unexpected challenge did the crew encounter during harvesting?

The crew found scattered tin or debris in the field, likely from a recent windstorm, which required clearing before continuing with the harvest.

How did the narrator describe the landscape of the field and surrounding area?

The narrator described the landscape as beautiful, with rolling hills, hay bales, and windmills, though they noted that the camera didn't fully capture the scenery's beauty.

What was the significance of the beekeeper’s son bringing honey?

The beekeeper’s son dropped off a gallon of honey as a perk for allowing him to ride along in the combine, adding a personal and generous touch to the farming experience.

What lighthearted competition occurred at the end of the day?

There was a playful competition between the narrator, Cody, and their mom over who could turn on their lights first, adding some fun to the otherwise busy day.

What does the narrator imply about the duration of this harvest work?

The narrator suggests uncertainty about whether the harvest will continue for just one more field or for several days, indicating an unpredictable work schedule during harvest time.