First Bush Hog adventure of the year

[nctobfarmer]

We use this little 4600 to keep up the paths at the tree farm. So, since my father in law is recovering from some health issues, I got to play today. Cut a few paths and then cut under the power lines. I'll spray round-up next week then till under these lines to put in some corn and soybean plots for the deer. Did a few little plots last year and caught the bug, so we're going Round-up ready this year and doing it right!

My ride for today



Cutting under the power lines




As for the adventure part, I got into too tight a spot trying to cut close to the gate, and in the process of getting out, I was looking at where the bush hog was going, trying not to knock over the fence. Unfortunately, the loader was swinging around and I knocked over one of my mother in laws small magnolia trees. Oh well!

[TwoTone]

its still as brown and dry here as it has been since 2011

[nctobfarmer]

Sorry to hear y'all are still dry. 2011 was a drought year here. Lots of corn was bush hogged instead of being picked and all yields on other crops were down 30-60%. Water in 2012 & this year is good so far, but nothing's in the ground yet so who knows what the coming months will bring. Drought times are nerve wracking for us on this section of the farm. Dry pine needles burn fast. One cigarette from a passing car or one kid with a pyro fetish and a twenty year investment goes up in uninsured smoke!

Our issue with corn is that at pollination time it can be too hot and dry for good ears to form. That's why cotton and soybeans are more popular than corn in my area, particularly on non irrigated land

[TwoTone]

Any feedlots to at least sell silage when the ears don't pollinate?

[nctobfarmer]

No real feed lots in the east. Some of the dairies in the central and western part of the state chop for sileage, but there are very few cattle operations of any size in eastern NC that I'm aware of. The livestock grown here are mostly poultry and hogs.

[gmauch]

Wow green grass! Looks good.