Wheat Harvest

While we were in Kansas, Steve had the privilege of helping with the wheat harvest.  He ran the combine for a few hours to help finish up his wheat crop that Sam farms.  I helped Jan prepare a dinner to take out to the field for workers as they were harvesting until after dark.

Here Steve was driving with Sam and Will riding along.  They were getting ready to stop for a dinner break.

The combines are huge and Sam is one of the few who has a Shelborne header.  This header harvests just the wheat heads and leaves a longer stubble which in turn holds in the rain and snow moisture better. 

We had a tailgate picnic.  The food was delicious and I am sure the workers really appreciate the dinner delivery.

A grain wagon follows the combines in the field and when the combine hopper is filled they unload the grain into the grain wagon and just keep harvesting.

The grain wagon then unloads its grain into a semi truck which in turn heads for the elevator to unload.  Quite a process.

I rode the combine with Steve one round.  These photos were taken through the cab of the combine.  This last one is just as the wheat is being harvested by the header of the combine.

The sunset was beautiful and they just kept on harvesting.....well past dark.

The sun just over the wheat.

And the sun is finally down.  I really enjoyed learning about wheat harvest and experiencing the beautiful evening.  Even though my young years were spent on a farm, we grew corn and soybeans.  Harvesting wheat was a new experience.