From Field to Bag, in the Summer Sun

On a farm in South Georgia, summer is our least favorite time of the year when it comes to staying cool and comfortable. Shirts are stained dark by sweat and stick to the back. Hats are pulled up every 30 min to wipe sweat from brows. Trucks and tractor cabs feel like toaster ovens, and sunglasses don’t seem to have enough tint. It’s hot. 

While the South Georgia heat leaves us searching for a shady tree and cold water, in the field, corn, soybeans, and peanuts are soaking up the sun. These are our summer crops at H&W Farms. Most of the row crop fields are planted from March to May, and the crops grow throughout the summer. Full sun exposure helps these crops to reach their full growth. 

Depending on the farmer and his purpose in growing, crops may be harvested at different times. For example, sweet corn farmers must harvest their corn early to ensure that kernels are full of the moisture expected in creamed corn or corn on the cob. Or other corn farmers who have cows may cut it early as well for silage to use as a feed for their herd. 

Here at H&W Farms, we grow field corn for our deer feed. Field corn spends more time in the field than other varieties because of the purpose for which we use it. Although our corn is fully irrigated to ensure the kernels are packed with nutrients, there is a point within the growing season where the corn must “dry out.” That’s not to say it is withering away or dying, but remaining in the field for a longer time in order to remove excess moisture. 

If excess moisture is not removed, it can cause mold or rotting when corn or other crops are placed in a sealed bag. This is especially important for our ear corn, which is immediately taken out of the field and put into a bag. For this same reason, we usually avoid harvesting until lunch so that crops have enough time to dry from the morning dew.  

We use the same process when harvesting soybeans or peanuts. While some farmers may harvest their crops earlier, we need the end product to come out of the field ready to be bagged.

A moisture-free crop coming out of the field ensures that our bagged product lasts longer in our warehouse, dealers’ stores, your storage shed, and your feeders.   

So while the hot summer sun can seem to take up the entire sky some days, it's a necessary part of our farming operation. When it comes to hunting season, and the weather cools down, the corn in the field will trade hot days in the sun for a cool spot in the woods. 

We Grow It, You Throw It!