[QUOTE=Mosey_2003;8735253]
We only do fall harvest though. My friend does peas and lima beans for Del Monte, I’ll have to ask her the procedure on harvesting green plants.[/QUOTE]
YES!!! I can’t wait to hear what she has to say 
Awesome!
Bluey, I don’t know these people at all. Haven’t ever even seen them. Would be a little weird if I went down their 1/2 mile long drive to ask what was going on with their field?
That would be weird. Wait until you see them out and about somewhere.
[QUOTE=horsepoor;8734651]
I have nothing to contribute to answering your question, but saw the thread title and opened it thinking you were talking about cleaning sheaths. Thought it would be tips on how to get at the bean!
So carry on…[/QUOTE]
LOL Same here!!! :lol:
I opened this thread thinking it was about gelding beans! haha! I thought “harvesting” was quite the colorful term to use
[QUOTE=Mosey_2003;8735289]
That would be weird. Wait until you see them out and about somewhere.[/QUOTE]
Aw, heck, just tell them you’re a new neighbor and a city slicker. You’ve never seen such amazing harvest equipment and were curious what it was and did/what crops it was harvesting.
Most farmers are more than happy to educate the (often ignorant or curious) public. They won’t bite unless you come barreling in waving a NO GMO sign and obviously have no idea what you are talking about.
In all likelihood, they were harvesting green peas, green beans, or early soys/edamame. they are all ready in various parts of farm country.
As far as the night-time harvest, along with the economic reasons already mentioned by others, you mentioned that rain was forecast. It can mold a good crop almost overnight, especially in the heat we’ve had this week. When rain is forecast, do you just causally get to your already cut hay if it’s ready to bale or do you bust butt to get it in? Same logic.
Did the equipment you saw look anything like this or any of these? That second link will give you a little conversation about harvest practices and how the pea plants are taken for animal feed if the timing is just right.
Do let us know what you learn;)
Make an excuse to stop at the coop and ask. Genuine curiosity and willingness to listen will get you a (very, very!) thorough explanation most of the time!
When I first moved to WI from MA I sat beside the road and watched the big, huge machines picking beans exactly as you describe, and then later that day rode over the newly bald fields. I don’t remember what time of year it was but it might have been early summer and I think you’ll probably find they’re green beans for canning.
[QUOTE=fjordmom;8735341]
Aw, heck, just tell them you’re a new neighbor and a city slicker. You’ve never seen such amazing harvest equipment and were curious what it was and did/what crops it was harvesting.
Most farmers are more than happy to educate the (often ignorant or curious) public. They won’t bite unless you come barreling in waving a NO GMO sign and obviously have no idea what you are talking about.
In all likelihood, they were harvesting green peas, green beans, or early soys/edamame. they are all ready in various parts of farm country.
As far as the night-time harvest, along with the economic reasons already mentioned by others, you mentioned that rain was forecast. It can mold a good crop almost overnight, especially in the heat we’ve had this week. When rain is forecast, do you just causally get to your already cut hay if it’s ready to bale or do you bust butt to get it in? Same logic.
Do let us know what you learn;)[/QUOTE]
Yeah–we used to have neighbors stop by our farm all the time. Most times to see the calves.
Farmers do like to talk about what they do–unless you catch them at a time when machinery/equipment is broken. Then, slowly back away without making eye contact… :lol:
Well, if you can see they’re outside from the end of the long driveway, it wouldn’t be as weird. I was picturing knocking on the door out of the blue. You’d be especially well-received if you took some cookies or something
No, I really can’t see the house from the road at all. Really not going to be possible to catch them just puttering around the yard. Will have to keep it to internet sleuthing and pondering 
I’m nosy enough I might just call them if they have a landline :lol:
Oh go ahead and drive down there. You are moving out anyway I think. Just tell them you were really curious about what they are harvesting. I am pretty sure they won’t shoot you and you may learn some really interesting things, including that it is not weird to just randomly drive down driveways unless you have really crabby neighbors. It is not like you are stalking them or anything, you are just stalking their equipment… How else can you find anything out these days if you stay in your comfort zone?
[QUOTE=Mosey_2003;8735253]
I know how a combine works, we farm :lol:
We only do fall harvest though. My friend does peas and lima beans for Del Monte, I’ll have to ask her the procedure on harvesting green plants.[/QUOTE]
Yeah, I didn’t want to assume you knew what was what lol
What I want to know is why no-one in my area has figured out a way to make use of the stalks and leaves. Or maybe some do, and some don’t depending on weather, what they have in the way of animals to feed, etc. and I just see the harvested fields that have the clumps and don’t notice the ones that are cleaned up.
[QUOTE=sascha;8735732]
Yeah, I didn’t want to assume you knew what was what lol
What I want to know is why no-one in my area has figured out a way to make use of the stalks and leaves. Or maybe some do, and some don’t depending on weather, what they have in the way of animals to feed, etc. and I just see the harvested fields that have the clumps and don’t notice the ones that are cleaned up.[/QUOTE]
Back in the olden days when farms were diversified, farmers had livestock and fields were fenced, livestock was turned out on harvested fields to eat the plants and stalks and spilled grain. Now days this has gone out of fashion. Here corn and soybean stalks are sometimes rolled into hay especially if its a short hay year.
I took a look at the GIS and the house is actually a separate parcel with a different name. So they probably don’t know anything, either 
[QUOTE=wireweiners;8735828]
Back in the olden days when farms were diversified, farmers had livestock and fields were fenced, livestock was turned out on harvested fields to eat the plants and stalks and spilled grain. Now days this has gone out of fashion. Here corn and soybean stalks are sometimes rolled into hay especially if its a short hay year.[/QUOTE]
Yup. At work we have an emergency supply of bean hay upstairs. We tried cornstalk bedding in the loose housing one year. It was a disaster. A lot more foot problems than normal. Some folks do use it though as I still see plenty of stalks from picked corn getting round baled late fall and sometimes in early spring. Might make better bedding after it’s had a winter’s wear on it. I might shoot my boss if he decided to repeat that experiment though since I’m the one that has to take care of wrecked feet.
We still turn cattle out after harvest around here 
My friend says it could be peas or limas, but she’d bet on pickles.
It’s not soy beans in MN right now. Those are put in after corn and are no where near ready. So it is a mystery.
[QUOTE=TrotTrotPumpkn;8736495]
It’s not soy beans in MN right now. Those are put in after corn and are no where near ready. So it is a mystery. :)[/QUOTE]
I agree…too far north for any pulse or cereal crop to be ready, it would have to be something for canned or frozen veg.
[QUOTE=Mosey_2003;8736451]
My friend says it could be peas or limas, but she’d bet on pickles.[/QUOTE]
PICKLES?! I love it! I’m not seeing any self propelled cucumber harvesters on google that are the right shape, though. Those bean harvesters linked earlier are the closest so far.
But pickles is the best answer ever! :lol:
By submitting your email, you agree to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. You may also receive promotional emails from The Chronicle of the Horse. You can opt out at any time.
For Customers
Company
Terms of Use
