Life on the Farm: October Rain
October Rain
The smell and feel of fall is in the air. The harvest festivals and pumpkin patches are full of fun, laughter, and plenty of fall treats. Pumpkin patches, hay rides, corn mazes and candy apples are just a few of the great things October brings. However, this year especially, October has brought a different phenomenon with it- rain. It started with Hurricane Florence at the end of September and then Hurricane Michael just this past week. The Roanoke River, New River, James River and surrounding water ways have continuously been bursting at their seams. Sand bags have been hard to find with the constant worry of water invading houses. The constant worry of flash flooding and flooded homes have seemed to be a constant thought on everyone’s mind. The grocery stores have had a hard time keeping water, milk and bread in stock. The ever-rising water is a constant worry to all.
Rain is never unwelcomed on the farm. We are in constant need of it to make the crops grow. However, to0 much can make our jobs harder and dangerous at times. We are constantly aware of where the cattle are and how high the water has risen at all times. We are more cautious and careful with machinery because of the constant possibility of getting stuck in the mud and tearing up expensive pieces of equipment and land.
On the farm, our number one priority is to make sure all the animals are safe, dry and out of harms way. We spend hours bedding new stalls and homes for the cattle to hunker down in during the storms. Barns that we typically fill with hay, have been sectioned off using old gates and panels to make makeshift pens in a hurry for little ones. The cows are kept inside of the barns and kept off pasture for fear of the animals being trapped by rushing water.
Once we are confident that the cattle are safe, we start to worry about crop land. We will ride to the different fields and determine the amount of damage to the different crops. Currently, we are harvesting our corn crop. Our main concern is how long it will take us to get back into the corn fields. If the corn is in the field too long, the grain in the plant will dry out and lose a lot of its nutritional value. If the wind decides to howl, we will also have to deal with corn being laid over. When corn is laid over, it is much harder to harvest due to the angle it is laid over. Since it is harder to harvest, a lot of corn may be lost.
October is a constantly busy time of year. We are harvesting crops, starting to prepare for the winter, and our calving season is in full swing. The October rain tends to make life a little more challenging, but that is Life on the Farm.
–Courtney Henderson, Life on the Farm. “Wet cornfield” photo by Courtney Henderson
