Early July Agriculture

     A lot of July Farming in Owyhee County is much of the same work as before. Cultivating continues, but the plants are getting big enough that soon it will have to end. The machinery won't be able to get by the plants without damaging them. In occasions where the weeds in a field must be dealt with, but a tractor and implement can't do the job, a farmer may hire a field crew.

     Many years ago before manpower was completely eclipsed by machinery, labor camps were common all over the country. Nowadays it seems that they survive only in the farmlands. Field crews are hired to get their hands into places that machines can't really reach. As with all manual labor, it's rapidly being replaced by newer, fancier machines. Pulling weeds and detasseling corn (more on that another day) are the most common jobs here in Owyhee County. Pretty simple jobs as far as complexity goes, all it takes is relatively sharp eyes and a good back. It also helps to be able to handle heat, tedium, and some thorns and sharp leaves.

     Some ambitious folks have started to do their second cutting of hay. This fancy new mower really zips around the field. And as always, irrigation and pest control continues.

     Plants grow the most in high-summer, this means it's a very busy time for farmers. So long as enough water is kept on the plants, they can produce like crazy. So can weeds and pests...
     Harvest time will be upon us soon enough. Now is the time to make sure that there is as much to harvest as possible. Farmers will be spending a lot of long hot days out in the fields making sure of this. If you see one, give a little wave.