Post by Reese on Oct 10, 2014 21:00:19 GMT -5
Fall is in full swing here in Minnesota, as well as corn silage chopping. Like most farmers who chop corn, we start the actual planning for it in spring. We pick the best hybrid suited for silage but also one that could be left standing for dry corn. You never know months down the line what Mother Nature will have in store for the corn crop. Our hybrid we plant at least gives a decent chance either way. We also space out planting dates. It gives us extra time to get all the corn chopped when its condition for the silo is ideal. But again, Mother Nature does always have the last say.
For instance, this year while chopping corn, our soybeans were also ready to harvest. We called Phil and he was able to combine during that time for us. So, we set out the wagons and away he went (more on the soybean harvest later). With all the big baling done for this year, we switched the 7140 from the baler to the chopper. The 7140 gives us a little more pulling power for chopping corn. This year, we set up the blower with the Farmall 95 on it. The 7110, 5088, and 986 are used for pulling loads from the fields to the silo.
Will, Frank and I are always out in the field for chopping. We have extra help to get the morning and evening milking done and we have always found enough help to haul loads. The extra help has always seemed to pay off, since it allows more hours in the field and a few less days spent filling the three silos. There have been a few years when the yield was extra high and the Ag Bagger was set up for a 100ft. bag. This year looks like only the silos will be used, so far. We plant enough corn each year for silage, high moisture and dry corn. Chopping is also planned out to allow a little time for re-topping the silos after settling occurs.
With the silos filled, the chopper and wagons are given a good cleaning before being stored for the season. We built a bigger, second machine shed quite a few years ago. Yes, it was a good size investment, but all the equipment inside adds up to a lot more. So yes, for us in the long run, it was worth it. Only the grain augers and a trailer or two set out year round. Everything else has a home for the year. In a week or two we will start combining high moisture corn, than later on combine the rest for dry corn.
Farmall 95 hooked up to blower by first silo.
Pulling the chopper out of the shop.
Getting the wagons out.
Hooking up.
Lined up and ready to head out.
Headed out to the first field out back.
First load headed back to the yard.
Another at the silo.
Meeting out back.
Filling the second silo.
Refueling before heading to the next field.
Meeting again.
At the silo.
Finally, set up at the last silo.
Last load.
Putting the wagons away for the year.
Like I mentioned above, we had our soybeans harvested at the same time. I plan on sharing that harvest story in a few days. It will cover the harvest and a little back story about our neighbor Phil, who does custom work in the area. Thanks for reading. Questions and comments welcome.
For instance, this year while chopping corn, our soybeans were also ready to harvest. We called Phil and he was able to combine during that time for us. So, we set out the wagons and away he went (more on the soybean harvest later). With all the big baling done for this year, we switched the 7140 from the baler to the chopper. The 7140 gives us a little more pulling power for chopping corn. This year, we set up the blower with the Farmall 95 on it. The 7110, 5088, and 986 are used for pulling loads from the fields to the silo.
Will, Frank and I are always out in the field for chopping. We have extra help to get the morning and evening milking done and we have always found enough help to haul loads. The extra help has always seemed to pay off, since it allows more hours in the field and a few less days spent filling the three silos. There have been a few years when the yield was extra high and the Ag Bagger was set up for a 100ft. bag. This year looks like only the silos will be used, so far. We plant enough corn each year for silage, high moisture and dry corn. Chopping is also planned out to allow a little time for re-topping the silos after settling occurs.
With the silos filled, the chopper and wagons are given a good cleaning before being stored for the season. We built a bigger, second machine shed quite a few years ago. Yes, it was a good size investment, but all the equipment inside adds up to a lot more. So yes, for us in the long run, it was worth it. Only the grain augers and a trailer or two set out year round. Everything else has a home for the year. In a week or two we will start combining high moisture corn, than later on combine the rest for dry corn.
Farmall 95 hooked up to blower by first silo.
Pulling the chopper out of the shop.
Getting the wagons out.
Hooking up.
Lined up and ready to head out.
Headed out to the first field out back.
First load headed back to the yard.
Another at the silo.
Meeting out back.
Filling the second silo.
Refueling before heading to the next field.
Meeting again.
At the silo.
Finally, set up at the last silo.
Last load.
Putting the wagons away for the year.
Like I mentioned above, we had our soybeans harvested at the same time. I plan on sharing that harvest story in a few days. It will cover the harvest and a little back story about our neighbor Phil, who does custom work in the area. Thanks for reading. Questions and comments welcome.