View from the Cab: Harvest blessings

By: Kent Casson

Time to put another farming season to bed and reflect on all we are thankful for in 2023.

As Thanksgiving week is upon us, we reflect on those blessings from the past year. We are fortunate crops came out of the field in a fairly timely manner, despite a few rain delays along the way this harvest season. Yields were much better than expected and everyone stayed safe.

Looking back on the spring season, no one was sure what to expect come fall since we had drought conditions which persisted into early summer. April and May were extremely cool but soil moisture was lacking. Plus, we had those hazy smoke mornings to top it all off. Things changed for the better in July and August as timely rains arrived to finish off the crops.

We were pleasantly surprised with soybeans as yields were pretty consistent. They are a hard crop to predict anyway, so it was a relief to raise such a great crop. Not many can complain about the corn, either. The combine bin seemed to fill up quickly with each pass down the field and for that, we are grateful.

While harvest isn’t always 100 percent smooth and we all don’t always see eye to eye, we got through another year. It is a true team effort to work in those fields day in and day out sunrise to sunset.

I was lucky enough to spend time in the field with family as Rebecca and the kids were out almost every day after school to ride along and keep me company. What a blessing it is to be able to have family with you at work each day! The older kids even learned how to use a clutch in the tractor and drive on their own.

Another fall birthday season has come and gone for our family as well. A season full of birthday cake, presents, pumpkin bars and special family time. It may come during an extremely busy time of the year, but we wouldn’t have it any other way. Now, on to the Thanksgiving and Christmas seasons.

Mother Nature has been more than kind to us the past few weeks with mostly sunny skies for several days in a row and temperatures much above normal in the 60s when we really should be in the upper 40s this time of year. Many farmers have been catching up on those outdoor chores like mowing roadsides one final time, cleaning up equipment and performing tillage and other field activities.

I hope each of you have a wonderful Thanksgiving and also take the time to reflect on all you are thankful for this year.