The first thing (after moving the cows off ) is to start disking
The corn stalks and leaves must be shredded
Terry disks both ways
After that comes plowing
Terry only plows the corn fields. The bean field is ripped and the alfalfa is marked out
The soil is just perfect right now. It has just the right amount of moisture so we actually have loam. Our soil (in this area) has some clay mixed into it, so getting the ground worked up when it is in the loam stage is really nice.
It doesn’t always happen that way.
Misty is helping farm this year. Although, I didn’t get her in the tractor she has been there. She spells Terry giving him a break. She wants to take over the farm when we decide the work load is just too much.
But back to the loam — Once the soil is plowed it is good to have freezing temperatures at night to help finish drying out the dirt. Then (which is happening as I write this) Terry (and/or Misty) will go back in with the roller flatting out the plowed clods.
What we do NOT want to happen right now is for it to either rain or snow. Plowed ground is like a sponge. If it collects too much water then the farmer has to wait for it to dry out and because of the clay we then get clods. Not good. Those nasty lumps of soil stay that way for the rest of the season.
So far the weather is holding, the equipment is staying together, and having more people doing the physical work makes the work load a lot lighter.
Linda
Life on a Colorado Farm 
It is good that you have someone that is interested in the farm after you. We have a very small place and I am sorta glad because I don’t think either of our children will be interested in it after us. Nice to see the pictures though!
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When plowing does your soil have much of an aroma?
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Will hope the moisture they are saying we ‘might’ get doesn’t get your direction till the seeds are sowed.
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I hope the weather continues to hold for you. You’ve obviously entered a busy time, but I’m glad you’ve got the help of another pair of hands. Your love of farming has obviously been passed on to Misty.
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Terry is passing on the heritage and Misty is picky up the mantel. That is wonderful. Family involvement in the family business is so traditional and sentimental. Good on, Misty and Terry.
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Hope it stays dry for awhile so you won’t have ‘clay clumps’.
That is nice that Misty is helping…and wants to take over.
That was sad about losing a calf to a coyote. Not much you can do I guess…sit out with a shot gun maybe?
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Hi Linda, Great start to SPRING…. Aren’t you happy????? It was a long, hard winter, wasn’t it????? Hope the rain and snow holds off for awhile…. We had rain today–but the next several days are supposed to be fabulous… Yeah!!!!
Hugs,
Betsy
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It’s all go down on the farm. Hope the good soil stays and you have a bumper year.
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A busy time for sure and I hope the moisture stays away enough for you to get done. It is always wonderful to have extra hands to help! blessings,Kathleen
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There is a lot of plowing going on here. As well as crops, this is a major potato growing area.
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You’re a bit ahead of us there. We still have a fot of snow on the ground, but not for long! Man! I can’t wait for spring! I want to till and dig in the garden after seeing those pictures. I can just smell the Earth!
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Spring is so exciting…with lots of hours working. The fields look beautiful. Here’s to a good growing year!
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