Today was a very special day for me.
I spend a lot of time in cabs of different combines, tractors, trucks and 4-wheelers over the course of a year. I love being outside, on the farm and learning from the people who know this industry best. But, I rarely take the time to ride in the cab with my dad. Which seems odd to me… knowing how much I love and respect him and how much I enjoy spending time with him. Add into that mix – if it wasn’t for him, I am not sure I would have fallen in love with the agriculture industry as much as I have.
I am nowhere near the perfect daughter. In fact, I was quite a heathen growing up. But as I saw my dad’s hair transition from dark brown to pepper with a little salt into what is now mostly salt sprinkled with a little pepper I started to realize that maybe he
knew a thing or two and maybe I should listen more. Our fall back when I was younger for conversation used to be sports. Now, it is farming (and sports, too). We talk yield, the ins and outs of his daily life and even a history lesson wrapped into a generally friendly conversation.
When I travel around the state talking to producers about their operations – often times I think about how their operation works and functions in comparison to our family’s. I can find similarities and differences. No matter where I am, I always can find something to talk to my dad about. I have often times wondered why he chose his this lifestyle. He is a very intelligent man and could have done anything – but chose to remain on the farm. I heard my grandfather say today “he could have done anything – but this is what he loves.” I couldn’t be more thankful.
Today was awesome and one I won’t forget for a long time. I took the opportunity to catch up on some quality daddy/daughter time as I jumped in the cab with him this afternoon.
It wasn’t an easy day by any means. It’s damp, cool and the sun wasn’t shining. But for me – it was the perfect opportunity.
My maternal grandparents come down from the Quad Cities every year to help my dad’s family with harvest. Grandpa’s job: semi driver. Dad took off to get some end rows picked while I took some photos and watched my grandpa attempt to get out of the field and head to the elevator. I mentioned there are always challenges (this week has presented a few) and I also mentioned it was damp, right? 
When he went to take the semi out of the field , it was stuck. I helped my grandpa hook up the chain to the tractor and we waited for my dad to circle back around to pull him out. He did so successfully and grandpa was on his way to Varna… 
Dad and I were off in the other direction. I was in the cab and my mouth was moving. Constantly. I asked questions. He answered. They were carefully thought out and well formulated responses. We talked about the industry. He talked about corn hybrids and I learned more about refuge.
I also learned a lot about his personal style. For example – when he is emptying the hopper into the grain cart he prefers the cart to stay at a steady pace and he control where the grain is going by his speed. I was unaware that he preferred combining corn over beans. Another fact I learned today.
When we talk yields with producers around our area it is variable. No two fields and hybrids yielded the same this year. When dad and I talk yields he is incredibly happy with all the hybrids he planted. The field we were in today will probably be his lowest yielding corn this year. Not because there is something wrong with the what he planted – but because he says on a good year that field makes 150/bu. It is incredible to know that makeup of the ground can result in higher or lower yields.
I finished up my day taking a load of corn to the elevator with my grandpa.His story is one for another day.
Afterall – he is a master story-teller.
I am always thankful to those that let me ride along and bug them with photos.. Questions… and their take on the industry.
Today I was thankful it was my dad that put up with me for a few hours. One of my favorite quotes he used to say is from President Dwight D. Eisenhower: “Farming looks mighty easy when your plow is a pencil and you’re a thousand miles from the corn field.”
Today – I wasn’t a thousand miles from the field.. I was in it. I got to spend some time in the cab with someone – who no matter what he thinks – is one of the most influential people in my life. Even when he thought I wasn’t listening – I was. It enabled me to learn a lot from him. For that, I am thankful.
….Until our next view from the cab
