Harvest worries

ashmore · Aug 3, 2022

Please tell me I'm not the only one who dreads harvest. This year we didn't have any break crops to cut, so it was painful to hear everyone else cutting rape and barley around us. It sounds stupid to recall.
Our system is simple enough, with modern well maintained machinery. Yet every year I'm nearly physically sick in the build up to the first day. In fact, I've just set the old chap off in a lovely field of wheat which he's sailing through. And I was close to diving for the hedge bottom. I do think it's a throw back to the old days of shovelling bins, constant repairs, carting straw, no air con, and stopping to milk cows.
I know the biggest worry is when my dad is no longer around. He lives for it. I just wish I did

Nearly · Aug 3, 2022

Harvest 2022 is less physical stress that harvest 10 20 or 30 years ago.
Just leave the financial stress until it gets into the shed. (Sorry)

thorpe · Aug 3, 2022

driving the combine , best job in the world i look forward to it but im glad when its all in !

redsloe · Aug 3, 2022

ashmore said:
Please tell me I'm not the only one who dreads harvest. This year we didn't have any break crops to cut, so it was painful to hear everyone else cutting rape and barley around us. It sounds stupid to recall.
Our system is simple enough, with modern well maintained machinery. Yet every year I'm nearly physically sick in the build up to the first day. In fact, I've just set the old chap off in a lovely field of wheat which he's sailing through. And I was close to diving for the hedge bottom. I do think it's a throw back to the old days of shovelling bins, constant repairs, carting straw, no air con, and stopping to milk cows.
I know the biggest worry is when my dad is no longer around. He lives for it. I just wish I did

Not just you, I worry about whether it's fit, what to crimp or not and then on the combine seat I worry whether I'm getting it all, even with loss monitors.
I'm on my own too so that means tipping trailers, heaping up, etc.
Love growing it but just want to click fingers and be done.

Clive · Aug 3, 2022

ashmore said:
Please tell me I'm not the only one who dreads harvest. This year we didn't have any break crops to cut, so it was painful to hear everyone else cutting rape and barley around us. It sounds stupid to recall.
Our system is simple enough, with modern well maintained machinery. Yet every year I'm nearly physically sick in the build up to the first day. In fact, I've just set the old chap off in a lovely field of wheat which he's sailing through. And I was close to diving for the hedge bottom. I do think it's a throw back to the old days of shovelling bins, constant repairs, carting straw, no air con, and stopping to milk cows.
I know the biggest worry is when my dad is no longer around. He lives for it. I just wish I did

i don’t dread harvest but do find myself quite complacent and even slightly un interested these days

the fun / enjoyment in a job increasingly hyjacked by hangers on and constant fight to be efficient and profitable wears you down i think

as we push limits of people/ machines capacity the margins for error get ever smaller and therefore more stressful

its one reason we bought a 12m drill - we used to get job done with a 6m but now we get it done with much more ease = less stress

Lowland1 · Aug 3, 2022

Bought a combine this year but to pay for it i’m having to do some contracting. It’s not as enjoyable as doing your own and i think it might get old soon. However we harvest veg 6 days a week 52 weeks of the year it’s still more fun combining.

teslacoils · Aug 4, 2022

Yes. Actually moreso now I have only a small area to cut. Much more riding on the success. And waiting for contractors. If the weather was catchy, id be pacing and biting the nails.

bobk · Aug 4, 2022

Worrying will get you nowhere
It's just another job

Fellstoflats · Aug 4, 2022

I hate it.

We've upgraded the combine this year, but nothing else. So more rushing about, tipping trailers, pushing up, to keep up with 'progress'. All in possibly the most straightforward harvest season we've had in a long time. Should be a piece of pee, we're in a drought ffs!!

Zippy768 · Aug 4, 2022

ashmore said:
Please tell me I'm not the only one who dreads harvest. This year we didn't have any break crops to cut, so it was painful to hear everyone else cutting rape and barley around us. It sounds stupid to recall.
Our system is simple enough, with modern well maintained machinery. Yet every year I'm nearly physically sick in the build up to the first day. In fact, I've just set the old chap off in a lovely field of wheat which he's sailing through. And I was close to diving for the hedge bottom. I do think it's a throw back to the old days of shovelling bins, constant repairs, carting straw, no air con, and stopping to milk cows.
I know the biggest worry is when my dad is no longer around. He lives for it. I just wish I did

I am not a fan of harvest at all, and really do not enjoy driving the combine.
Enjoy drilling it and growing it......but harvesting I don't like.
I sit on the combine on the edge of the seat all day and take no enjoyment out of it. 6pm til 9pm I begin to ease a little as I know the end of the day is near.
I know it all stems down to when our Dom 98 went up in flames 7 years ago.
I just have the fear.
Not just of potential flames or breakdowns of the f-ing thing. In many way I'm almost relieved when it does breakdown

bobk · Aug 4, 2022

Zippy768 said:
I am not a fan of harvest at all, and really do not enjoy driving the combine.
Enjoy drilling it and growing it......but harvesting I don't like.
I sit on the combine on the edge of the seat all day and take no enjoyment out of it. 6pm til 9pm I begin to ease a little as I know the end of the day is near.
I know it all stems down to when our Dom 98 went up in flames 7 years ago.
I just have the fear.
Not just of potential flames or breakdowns of the f-ing thing. In many way I'm almost relieved when it does breakdown

My combine went up 2005 , rang fire but finished the swath .

DRC · Aug 4, 2022

Strange one for me this year as it’s my last harvest and someone else is combining and carting.
my sole responsibility is pushing up and loading lorries. I don’t own any machinery now and have a loaned JCB telescopic to get used to after years of my beloved Manitou .
if weather forecast is correct, it should be all done next week, which will be a big bonus as got to get everything sold by end September .

redsloe · Aug 4, 2022

redsloe said:
Not just you, I worry about whether it's fit, what to crimp or not and then on the combine seat I worry whether I'm getting it all, even with loss monitors.
I'm on my own too so that means tipping trailers, heaping up, etc.
Love growing it but just want to click fingers and be done.

It's going OK tbf.

Secret Agronomist · Aug 4, 2022

Now bear in mind that I'm employed. So the only thing I have to lose from poor performance and a disastrous harvest are; my job and my house!
Get a grip man, HERE we've not started yet, between now and next April, or possibly May we have all of our harvest to get in, the potatoes may get bruised, the carrots could get flooded or rot, who knows.
Think positive!

ashmore · Aug 4, 2022

Secret Agronomist said:
Now bear in mind that I'm employed. So the only thing I have to lose from poor performance and a disastrous harvest are; my job and my house!
Get a grip man, HERE we've not started yet, between now and next April, or possibly May we have all of our harvest to get in, the potatoes may get bruised, the carrots could get flooded or rot, who knows.
Think positive!

Ahhh there's the good old British stiff upper lip. Grin and bear it. Keep it all to yourself and don't bother anybody. Is it any wonder farming has the highest suicide rate.
I'm absolutely aware that in other parts of the country people haven't started. And may not for many weeks. It's got nothing to do with the issue, I'll wager farmers in the North would be shocked if they were to suddenly start at the same time as the South.
I simply started the thread to suggest that if....like me....you don't enjoy harvest, then your not alone. I'd hate to come to you with a serious problem if you're going to tell me to "get a grip". I find your comments extremely insensitive.

teslacoils · Aug 5, 2022

"God grant us the serenity to accept the things we cannot change, the courage to change the things we can, and the wisdom to know the difference."

We always get a harvest.
We always get the crops planted.
The seeds nearly always grow (not osr).

Although it's never exactly right, trying to find perfection in farming.....well it's just not going to happen.

Secret Agronomist · Aug 5, 2022

ashmore said:
Ahhh there's the good old British stiff upper lip. Grin and bear it. Keep it all to yourself and don't bother anybody. Is it any wonder farming has the highest suicide rate.
I'm absolutely aware that in other parts of the country people haven't started. And may not for many weeks. It's got nothing to do with the issue, I'll wager farmers in the North would be shocked if they were to suddenly start at the same time as the South.
I simply started the thread to suggest that if....like me....you don't enjoy harvest, then your not alone. I'd hate to come to you with a serious problem if you're going to tell me to "get a grip". I find your comments extremely insensitive.

Well I'm sorry if you took it to like that. Yes harvest is stressful, but you have to realise that EVERY SINGLE THING you've done to the crop has influence on the end product. So why are you so stressed out about harvest, you have to find a way to be happy about reaping all you have done, after all its your pay day now.
Yes its good to talk but you also have to talk about the good bits of the job as well, I'm very lucky to do what I do, yes you have bad weather alongside good but thats nature. This constant focus on the negatives of life and work saps the fun out of everything.
Again, note that I'm only an employee so don't have skin in the game, just my house and salary are on the line.

som farmer · Aug 5, 2022

we can't get the combine here, fudgeing road works, hopefully tomorrow
l don't grow much at all now, but still edgy with the bit we have
storage, moisture etc
at least its all stood up
bought a hot spot blower yesterday, just in case !

teslacoils · Aug 5, 2022

Secret Agronomist said:
Well I'm sorry if you took it to like that. Yes harvest is stressful, but you have to realise that EVERY SINGLE THING you've done to the crop has influence on the end product. So why are you so stressed out about harvest, you have to find a way to be happy about reaping all you have done, after all its your pay day now.
Yes its good to talk but you also have to talk about the good bits of the job as well, I'm very lucky to do what I do, yes you have bad weather alongside good but thats nature. This constant focus on the negatives of life and work saps the fun out of everything.
Again, note that I'm only an employee so don't have skin in the game, just my house and salary are on the line.

We live in a country where, even if it all goes to crap, the state will house you; supply money for basic needs; educate your children; care for you in old age; and fix you if you break. I think a lot, including me, forget that.

While we need to broadly get most of our farming decisions "right", it's the weather and currently external factors that will decide our success.

It's right then that in years of plenty we should give to support those who have had a year of poorer fortune.

Lowland1 · Aug 5, 2022

There’s a brilliant Thelwell cartoon ( i wish i could find it ) . Two farmers leaning on a gate looking at a rickyard overflowing with stacks and more being brought in. One is talking to the other and says’ This will be the worst harvest ever if this lot catches fire’
I think that sums up a lot of farmers. I used to be a bit like that too.

Harvest worries

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