RicelandMeadows

Hoss & Knight killing weeds July 2011

July 20, 2011

 

     I did something that I have only done once in 19 years since coming to this farm. I spray my corn with a herbicide to kill weeds. The late planted corn needs every advantage that I can give it. The late spring is making summer work last later into the season too. We just finished first cutting hay and usually by now the corn has been cultivated at least once. Not so this year, I simply can’t get to it.

 

     I have also had to work a few extra shifts at my off farm job. That cuts into my farming as well. The corn needs a big drink, but the rains have mostly missed us. I wanted to keep ahead of the weeds to give this corn every chance that I can. I used the least amount of poison as possible and one of the weakest ones available. It still goes against my grain, but in this instance, it’s a necessary evil. I guess the experts call it “integrated weed management”, even with that fancy name , I don’t like it.

 

     I don’t own a sprayer and have no intention of buying one. I borrowed one from my Amish buddy. The sprayer came with my buddy’s son to operate it. We used my horses on their sprayer. The horses are used to working around motors and such, so they walked on beautifully, just as expected. The young man worked very well too 😮

 

     It was very hot and humid today. The mid-day temperature was 95 degrees F.  The humidity was almost high enough to wring water out of the air. We worked during the mid-morning when it was a little cooler, but the horse flies were tough on the horses. I rub the horses down with homemade fly spray that works very well, but today, even that was partly ignored by the biting pests.

 

     We will bale straw tomorrow if all goes well. It is supposed to be the hottest day in 16 years. Getting the straw baled before the rainy weather predicted for the weekend is another ….  necessary evil. My boys are so looking forward to it …. NOT!

 

     Working in the heat on such a day as this, makes us appreciate the taste of cold watermelon, sitting in the shade and the refreshing effects of a cold glass of water. Simple pleasures made sweet by hard work , hot sun and a family working together…. Is it a necessary evil?  I say no… It is a gift from God.