13 Jun Jenna: Zeorian crew finishing in Oklahoma

Arnett, Okla. – The Zeorian Harvesting crew arrived in Oklahoma two weeks ago today. After a couple of days of waiting for the wheat to ripen, we were able to get to work and haven’t looked back since.

We started the 2011 harvest season in Arnett, which is on the far west side of the state – only about 10-12 miles from the Texas/Oklahoma border.  We worked there for about a week and, once finished, were able to pick up some more acres in Canadian, Texas, which is 40 miles slightly southwest of Arnett.

A few people have asked what the area is like and there is really only one word needed to describe it: dry. Two words if you ask my mom: horribly dry.

But that’s not new news, I’m just reiterating. The wheat in the Arnett/Canadian area was short and thin. If you look at the photos below, you’ll see that in most spots it wasn’t even knee-high. But the test weight ranged from 60 to 63 pounds and the protein level around 14 percent.

As far as the yields go, they were sort of all over the place. In one field, it could literally go from 3 to 30 bushels per acre. On average though, the crop made about 15 bushels per acre, which seemed to be the magic number for most of the area.

We finished cutting in Canadian just this evening, so it won’t be long before the crew is packed up and headed north. Our next stop is Deerfield, Kan., and rumor has it that the wheat there should be ready to cut around the 20th.

Dad walking the wheat in Arnett, Okla.

Putting that new yellow machine to work!

Harvesting in Oklahoma.

Whatcha lookin’ at, Daddio?

Mom waiting in line at the grain elevator.

The elevator in Shattuck, Okla.

Younger sisters, Taylor and Callie, in front of storm clouds near Arnett. Unfortunately, no rain fell in the area.

Taylor and Dad get the equipment ready to move from Arnett to Canadian, Texas – about a 40-mile drive.

Taylor in Texas.

What to do when it’s 107 degrees and the air conditioner stops working? Turn the sprinkler on. Right, Callie?

And on a side note – if you’re wondering why you’ve recently heard less about the Z crew than usual, it’s because I’m actually in Nebraska. Deciding to stay home was one of the toughest decisions I’ve ever made (hence the sad face in the photo above) but, at the same time, exciting things are happening! If all goes well, I’ll share my newest adventure with you in a couple of weeks.

But, I just wanted to let you all know – I’m a messenger. A harvest news messenger. Thanks to my parents for answering my annoying phone calls/texts/Facebook messages, asking how things are going – and to Taylor for providing all the pictures in this post!

Jenna can be reached at jenna@allaboardharvest.com. All Aboard 2011 is sponsored by High Plains Journal and DuPont Crop Protection.