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CLAYTON RYE

By Staff | Apr 30, 2010

I believe there are many readers of this column who are reading this at noon to take a quick look before getting back outside to resume planting.

Or this is being read at the end of a long day before relaxing or heading off to sleep.

Whatever the reason, it is planting season and there are readers who will look to see if this column is going to be interesting and if it is not, turn the page.

The worst thing that can happen to me is to be not interesting enough to keep a reader to the end of a story or column.

I do not mind if a reader disagrees with me if they read everything I wrote. The biggest disappointment is to hear, “I didn’t finish. It just was not that interesting.”

With that in mind, let us get down to the subject quickly before anyone turns the page without reading the final word.

Planting season is in full swing. Hours of preparation have made it possible for that planter to start its journey of going back and forth across all those acres.

This is a time of year that always amazes me. Right now, the person in the cab who is operating the planter has all the attention and everyone is focused on what he is doing. Seeing a planter in a field operated by a person in a tractor cab seems like a solitary job.

However, that job being done by a single farmer, tractor, and planter is only possible because of the concentrated efforts of many people over many months and even years. That farmer, who may appear to be alone in his field, has many, many people who made his job possible.

There were the people who designed and built the tractor and planter. Then there is the dealer who sold it and is now servicing it with a supply of parts and a mechanic’s help if needed.

The seed was developed over many years of research with decisions made on how to get the most of each seed.

Someone delivered the diesel fuel to keep everything moving and he filled his delivery truck at a place where someone decided how much to store and how to safely handle it.

Then there is the credit system that is just as important as the diesel fuel to keep a farm going. If you want to stop a farmer in his tracks, shut off his fuel or his credit.

I can not forget the people who have a use for our grain. They put the value on it so we can pay for everything it takes to plant, harvest, store and deliver our crops.

Do not forget the news people we rely on for weather forecasts, markets and marketing information. It might come from the radio, the television, the computer, a satellite, or the telephone in your pocket or the magazine or newspaper in your hand, but that information is important when making plans, whether for tomorrow, next fall, or next year.

There are more such as the fertilizer and herbicide dealers and applicators, FSA personnel, Extension service, and the crop insurance agents and the people behind them. Then there is the railroad that moves large quantities of farm products long distances.

I am afraid of leaving someone out.

By now, regular readers will remember that I have a favorite saying and here it comes, “Nobody farms alone.”

That solitary farmer crossing the field in his tractor cab while watching the machine behind him do its job is only possible because of the efforts of many people; from parts men to tire busters to people who work behind desks and in labs.

It is an amazing time of year due to a huge team effort because every one does his job; millions of acres are planted in a matter of weeks and in relative ease.

Okay, now if you have read this far, it is time to get back to work or ready for bed because tomorrow is on its way. Let’s get this crop in the ground.

Rye is a Farm News staff writer and farmer from Hanlontown. Reach him by e-mail at crye@wctatel.net.