Greetings from Ohio! We are a fourth generation family farm located in central Ohio.
We farm 2,000 acres and grow corn, soybeans and wheat. Flat Aggie was here during soybean harvest and we had such a fun time showing him around the farm!
Our geography is mostly flat with our soils composed of silt, loam and clay. The county average for soybeans is 46-52 bushels per acre. This year, our farm averaged 55 bushels per acre.
Standing in front the combine header would make anyone feel small.
Wow! That’s a big combine.
Riding in the cab of the combine, Flat Aggie watched as the header gobbled up the soybeans. The bean plants are cut and gathered by the grain platform (header) then enters the combine through the feeder house, which is a shoot lined with bars and chains to pull in the material. The soybeans then enter the rotor, which spins it really fast like the spin cycle on a washing machine. During the spin, the grain escapes through the small holes on the rotor and collects near an auger which takes it to the top of the combine and dumps it into the grain bin. The plant material is carried to the back of the combine, shredded and spread evenly over the ground.
Flat Aggie even got to drive. The combine speed is controlled by this orange handle. The computer center of the combine shows the farmer the current bushels per acre that are harvested, how wet the grain is and how well the combine is working.
Some fields have really long rows.
Flat Aggie sat in the tractor a bit and watched the combine work. In the picture above you can see the plant materials coming out of the back of the combine. This stays on the ground and works as a blanket to cover the soil and keep the ground warm as waits for the next season of planting.
Time to sleep in a bed of soybeans.
Agriculture is Ohio’s largest industry, contributing nearly $100 billion to the state’s annual economy and one in seven Ohio jobs. We are blessed to be able to care for our land and produce food to feed people and animals. Soybeans are used in producing feed for animals, biodiesel fuels, oils for baking and cooking, carpets, building materials, candles and has many other uses.
We were so happy to host Flat Aggie and had a great time giving him a tour of our farm and at the field! Thanks for stopped by by!
Warm regards,
Alicia Rife, Farm Wife
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