Day 1, harvest 2008: Went through a combine, into a truck, through an auger and into a bin. What a day!
Day 99: In the -30s outside for third consecutive week, but I’m snug against a few million bran-coloured brothers. Hey, buddy, keep your endosperm to yourself!
Day 107: Grain beetles are nearby. They have no manners. And they stink.
Day 120: Ran through an auger and into the cold for awhile. Refreshing. Then back to the bin. Beetles dead.
Day 183: Took a trip and got a bath. Now I am a lovely shade of pink.
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Kochia has become a significant problem for Prairie farmers
As you travel through southern Saskatchewan and Alberta, particularly in areas challenged by dry growing conditions, the magnitude of the kochia problem is easy to see.
Day 218: Been riding around in a truck for days, to and from field. Scenic but repetitive. Weather lousy, soil cold. Eager to hit the ground.
Day 225: Reached warp speed through air seeder. Blew my mind.
Day 225: Yikes, that’s cold dirt. I’m thinking damp dark thoughts.
Day 230: There are worms down here.
Day 231: And bacteria. But I’ve got germ.
Day 235: Still cold but decided to put out a feeler. Seeking moisture and nutrients.
Day 240: Poked a sprout above ground. Basked in sun. Sweet.
Day 243: Smacked on head by hailstone. Got headache. Feeling discouraged.
Day 245: Sprout revived. Sunshine feels good on my leaf.
Day 250: Raindrops keep falling on my head. Drank it in, gained strength to push out another leaf.
Day 254: Sunshine, moisture perfect for making more leaves. Just can’t stop myself!
Day 275: Seems to be plenty of room out here. Time to tiller!
Day 280: Pesky weeds are drinking too much. Cretins.
Day 290: Weeds drink too much broadleaf herbicide. Good riddance.
Day 292: I am nothing if not adventitious. Will put down more roots.
Day 301: Raising the flag (leaf.) Is Canada Day over?
Day 313: Thinking about developing a head on my shoulders. Could be useful.
Day 315: Finally some couture. It’s a boot. Why is it at my head and not my foot?
Day 317: Is that a peduncle? Or just a pedant?
Day 320: Hot days, cool nights. The urge to flower is upon me.
Day 323: Where is my anther? What is the quethstion? Why do I have a lithp?
Day 325: Kernels are forming. Must make starch, must make starch.
Day 331: Sunshine gives me a tan. Lost my green in favour of gold.
Day 335: Feeling fecund. I’ve made more of myself.
Day 340: Here comes the combine.
