Before and After

Clayton County Iowa's First Snow

2011

This picture was taken on November 4th, 2011 on a farm on Kale Avenue. The pumpkins as well as the leaves are a reminder that Fall is in Season.

This picture was taken just four days later, November 8th. A total of 2 1/2 inches of snow fell. A sure sign that Winter has started.

Tilling Soil for 2012

Once the harvest is complete everyone is focused on the 2012 planting season. Here you see several pictures of chisel plowing. You will note that a fair amount of corn stalks remain on the surface. This helps control water and also wind erosion.

When I was an Iowa Tractor Boy the preparation of the soil for planting involved turning the soil completely over so that there was no stalks visible. This was the thinking of that era. The seed been needed to be free of rough material so that the crops could germinate and grow with no material preventing growth.

The new concept of minimum tillage reduces erosion and the crops also flourish with out the soil being eroded away.

This close up view allows you to see the amount of material left on the soil surface. Of course you are viewing John Deere equipment. The operator of this Tractor is a full time employee of John Deere Dubuque Tractor works.







For readers of this Blog who are not Farmers, please be aware that the focus of farming in this time is to be excellent stewards of the land. For those who may not already know, the State of Iowa has 25 percent of the Grade "A" farm land in the United States of America. Thus the name for Iowa is also "The Bread Basket of the United States." While several states may grow more of a specific crop, Iowa leads the nation in total production of food stuffs to feed the people, not only in the U. S. A. but in Countries around the World.



The tugs pushing barges loaded with grain are a common site on the Mississippi River. For those not involved in agriculture, I wish to inform you that Iowa Tractor Boys, as well as other Farmers in the Midwest are keenly aware of what is happening in the global market place regarding crop production and the impact that the weather on a worldwide basis has on their respective operations.



Yes, agriculture and farmers have to think on a global basis.

Fourth Generation Iowa Tractor Boys

This picture was taken on October 30 as the Sons of My Nephew were displaying their Jack-O-Lanterns for Halloween 2011.

Corn Harvest 2011

The following pictures were taken on October 20, 2011 as my Nephews were completing the Corn Harvest on the Farm where I was an Iowa Tractor Boy from 1944 until 1961 when I joined the U. S. Navy.

The farm is now owned by my youngest Sibling; however he rents out the farm land to our Nephews.

You can also observe the almost smooth soil on the right end of this picture. This is where the 2011 crop of Soybeans grew.