- 8 months ago
Category
🛠️
LifestyleTranscript
00:00Good morning, everybody. The farm no longer has a full-time employee, meaning we need to hop in
00:05the tractor cab and get to work. Let's fertilize and talk, shall we? We've got a lot to catch up
00:10on. While we're outside of the cab, just do a quick visual inspection. Make sure our tires,
00:17all of our discs are still on. We've got about 1,200 gallons in. Corn is looking beautiful,
00:24especially considering these are end rows. As you can see, we've gotten some moisture.
00:30The ground is beautiful, but it is dry enough that we can be in the tractor. The pivots in our
00:37fields have already put three circles on, which is a lot for June, I feel like, but there is rain on
00:45the way, as you can see from the clouds, meaning that it's very important we are efficient and get
00:49this job done as fast as possible. Get this fertilizer all rained in so that the corn's
00:56roots can access it. Just verify everything is correct on my monitor.
01:107.4 miles an hour. Must admit, feels pretty fast. Just ripping through the field.
01:20We are applying 42.5 gallons of fertilizer per acre.
01:28That flashing light on top of the pivot tells me that the pivot is chasing me. It means that it's
01:34moving. That is the visual confirmation that I need because I can see that pivot and its movements
01:41on my phone. I can turn it off, turn it on, and set its speed in which direction it's going.
01:47It seems to have some milkweed patches out here. Great for bees and butterflies, not great for growing corn.
01:56If you've been watching the channel for a while, you probably are familiar with this kid right here.
02:01His name is Gage. He started working for the farm somewhere around the fall of 2022,
02:07and he was helping after school because he was still in high school. So on weekends and after school,
02:13he would come out and help us run grain cart, maintain pivots, work on shop projects, mow the lawn,
02:18that sort of thing. He was in high school all of 2022, all of 2023, and then he finally graduated
02:26spring of 2024. And that is when he went full-time with the farm, summer of 2024. He worked here all
02:35summer long, all fall. And then this winter, he expressed his desire to work somewhere else.
02:42Nothing happened. He just decided that farming wasn't the career he wanted to follow. And having
02:49not even been true full-time for a year, figured this was a good time to move on. I have noticed that
02:55so many of you guys have been commenting on where in the world Gage is. We miss him, but he's at a
03:03new job. He is working with some land developers. So he has been sending me pictures and videos. He's
03:08running bulldozers and excavators and dump trucks and skid steers, all of his favorite things.
03:15That's what Gage really loved about farming. Well, besides working with me, obviously, was running
03:21equipment. He loved being in a tractor cab, which I won't disagree is definitely one of the best parts
03:28about farming. So he's very happy at his new job. But he did say if we need some help on the weekend
03:33this harvest, he'd be more than willing to come and help out. Things have definitely been a little bit
03:39quieter around here without Gage around. And it has meant that Grant and I have had to pick up all of the
03:46jobs that he was previously doing. That's why we haven't been putting out as many videos
03:51I am afraid I got a little used to having so much help around the farm. And so I was able to spend more
03:57time filming and editing things. But now without Gage, remember, we're farmers first, then filmers. And so
04:07stuff like this, the actual farm jobs have started to take priority. But don't worry, we haven't forgotten
04:12about you guys. I will say I am a bit worried that without all of the mischief that Gage caused, our battery
04:20bandit is going to be up to more tricks. And so speaking of Gage's mischief, I thought this would
04:27be a good time to reminisce, do a little bit of a highlight reel, because Gage did a lot for us. He
04:33is so helpful. So many jobs. It's so nice just to have an extra pair of hands, another set of eyes,
04:38another brain thinking about things. And he made me laugh so hard. We truly became really good friends.
04:45Honestly, you spend so much time working with somebody, you just can't help it. But we definitely
04:51rescued him a few times to say the least. I believe he got almost every single piece of equipment on the
04:59farm stack at one point or another. There was definitely always something going on. So without
05:08further ado, Gage, I hope you're watching this. Here is our little tribute to you.
05:14It's been a while since he's been on camera. But today, and also probably every single day for the
05:22foreseeable future, we have Gage here. Gage has very recently graduated high school. How does it feel?
05:29It kind of feels like a long weekend, but I have to pay taxes now.
05:32Well, I know it's been a while since I've actually been on camera. It's just we've been so busy with
05:38other things. I haven't had time to personally film. I got to meet some of you guys at Husker
05:44Harvest Days at Farm Progress, which is kind of cool. That's a first for me that I've been to a meet
05:49and greet. I really appreciate it. I love you guys. You kind of talked me up. But I really appreciate
05:56all of that. All right, let's see if this thing starts.
06:10Excellent.
06:14You going good?
06:15We are good.
06:17Silly Gage, cats don't like the water.
06:37Just a little hole.
06:39Just a little baby hole.
06:41Right there.
06:43Get our little, and it's definitely not straight, but that goes right there. And that is what
06:50we will weld on right there. I have faith in you, Gage.
06:54What?
06:55I have faith in you.
06:56If you don't know what a case drain is, it's where when the hydraulic pressure goes through
07:01these hoses into the hydraulic motors that run the blades, the rest of it that isn't getting
07:07used goes back into the hydraulic tank on the skid steer. So it's a full circle system.
07:13It's been a pleasure.
07:14It's been a pleasure. It's been a pleasure. We are so excited to see you. What happens
07:20to me?
07:21I'll be around.
07:22Hey, don't worry. Gage is moving on to another job, but he said he'll come and help us if we
07:28really need to. So don't worry, ladies. I know you're going to miss Gage. The man candy
07:35here. Oh, I don't know about that. Seriously. Seriously. But Gage has been so great. We're
07:40sad to see him go, but it's going to be really cool. We're super excited for him. So nothing
07:45but well wishes.
07:46I have to be super careful that I don't swing out and hit this barbed wire fence here. That
07:55is not how I want to spend my afternoon. I want to spend it fertilizing and tractor cab,
08:02fixing fence. Oh, you're actually kidding me right now.
08:12Why would I have even said that? I just, I just broke that fence post off right there.
08:19So now I will be fixing fence. Man, I totally misjudged that. Yeah, I'm going to have to
08:42fix that. That's not good enough. Let me tell you something about what we're doing.
08:49working outside all day in the Nebraska summer heat. It's hot and you sweat a lot. And when
08:55you're doing that, you're losing more than just water. You're sweating out sodium, magnesium
08:59and potassium. Without those, you just feel that. And that is why I drink Element. It is
09:06an electrolyte drink mix made with zero sugar, no sketchy ingredients, just the stuff your
09:11body actually needs to feel good. Element is trusted by athletes, ranchers and farmers like
09:15me. And trust me, it is delicious. If you are tired of watered down sports drinks and cramping
09:21up after a long day of work, Element is for you. Right now, Element is offering all of you
09:27guys a free sample pack with any purchase. All you have to do is go to drink element.com slash
09:33Laura Farms. That's drink lmnt.com slash Laura Farms. Right now, I am loving the lemonade
09:41flavor. It's tart, tangy and so refreshing. Perfect for summer. But hurry up because the
09:47lemonade flavor is only around for a limited time. Thank you so much to Element. Now back
09:52to work. Now a couple days later, the fields dried up a little bit. And I wasn't able to
09:57call my neighbor and tell him about the broken fence post because he doesn't own a phone.
10:03But I found him on the road and apologized and he said it was fine. But we're out here
10:09and we're going to get the fence post all fixed up nice for him. We're turning to the scene
10:13of the crime. Still as broken as ever. Still brought my earplugs.
10:33You better pat that thing in a little more. Here, let's just move the top so you can shake
10:39it. Ah, there we go.
10:41Get it. Get it a little straighter.
10:45There you go.
10:53A little more.
10:56You want to hit it again?
10:57What?
10:58You want to hit it again?
10:59No, I don't.
11:00You better put that thing down so we can swing it over the top of it.
11:07On the other hand, the corn is looking fabulous.
11:11These are even end rows, so planted in a lower population.
11:16Here's where we fertilize, that strip right there.
11:20Corn, my goodness, it's probably putting on about a leaf a day.
11:23With this heat, gorgeous.
11:26I'm going to choose from here.
11:28Yes.
11:30I can see you in time.
11:31You can see you on the tree.
11:41Okay.
11:42I can't see you on the tree.
11:42I can't see you on the tree.
11:43You can find it.
11:44So anyway, this is making sure,
11:44I'm going to come out andetto.
11:45See you on the tree.
11:47It's the fucked you upery.
11:48Okay?
11:49So it's turning right away.
11:50It's taking your parents.
11:51I don't know.
11:52Okay, this is looking for you on the tree.
11:54That obviously a little bit, but...
11:54there we go that's a true farmer fix right there bailing wire in fact
12:03i think this post is stronger than it was before
12:07maybe we need to fix all those fence that might be a nice thing to do well for now this will do
12:19all right back to the video i guess if it makes anybody feel any better about a mistake they
12:26made today i made a mistake too so i guess we're in this together at least the tractor looks nice
12:35this is maybe this sounds bad but this is just what i'm thinking this is where i'm like man
12:43i wish i had an employee to be frustrated at instead of myself because i just like
12:50i'm so upset at myself why did i do that it's so silly waste of my time and resources and i wish
12:58i had somebody else to blame this on but it's just me it is moments like those where i think to myself
13:07what am i doing why am i filming a video instead of just working but i try to remind myself that i
13:15want to show you guys everything that happens to a farmer and fortunately moments like those
13:24happen to farmers most of them just don't tell the world about it i know my neighbor can forgive me
13:33but can you guys everybody else just sees a crazy person talking to her phone but i know that you're
13:41here with me listening to what i have to say and maybe even responding who knows a little wheel just
13:49slices a little divot and fertilizer is just shot right down right in between the rows the corn's roots
13:57as they grow out will be able to access that nitrogen fertilizer and sprout right up the master switch
14:05for the fertilizer pump is connected to this foot switch right here so i just put the bar down click
14:11it down and get up to speed we're back and rolling we are running an auto steer line as you can see here
14:19so that our bar stays straight right down the middle right on course
14:24product of some rain earlier and all that dust just builds up right there
14:31because of the auto steer keeping track of all of this i'm able to keep my attention focused on the
14:38monitor but also just looking back to make sure everything is working smoothly and of course we have
14:44no plugs we're not dragging anything i'm also keeping a watch on my pump right here that little gauge
14:51and then also just my fertilizer levels the computer tells me a lot but you always want to be visually
14:57checking and confirming you know that i have to have something to eat or drink with me in the cab
15:03so today i have just a plain iced coffee with a splash of milk
15:07and then for my snack i have yogurt with peanut butter and then some apples and chocolate chips on top
15:16so delicious i am almost out just about time to fill up
15:22fold up and fill up we are officially
15:32out of fertilizer in our yellow tanks so we need to refill from our big bulk tanks we call these tip
15:42tanks because they very easily tip over um they're on a trailer so they're mobile but then when you get
15:49to the field you just set them down so the wheels are kind of setting touching on the ground but like
15:54it's more of a semi-permanent temporary setup if you know what i mean they're hauled out empty
16:00then a big bulk truck comes and fills them up and then this is what we use to fill
16:05our fertilizer machine but enough of that fertilizer is very sticky and so the goal is to do this while
16:17getting the least amount possible on my shoes so i don't drag it into the cap
16:35make sure all of my hoses are open
16:50now it can flow freely and we'll turn our pump on
16:59turn the switch on
17:12there we go
17:18it's filling
17:29these tanks are emptied i can make the phone call to have them refilled and we can head back
17:34out in the field keep fertilizing
17:36tank is refilled i am really glad for our time with gage not only for all the jobs that he did for us
17:48but i do think it taught me a lot about being a manager and a boss how to be in charge and
17:58i don't think i was the best boss so sorry gage you were kind of my guinea pig
18:03i didn't realize how much it took to explain and instruct someone when you have a job the way that
18:12you want it done in your head you have to be really good about telling someone how you want
18:18it done in order for them to do it the way that you want them to or you just have to really release
18:23the reins and let them do it how they think is best i think the whole experience taught me a lot of
18:28patience and helped me understand what a lot of my former employees were experiencing just a really
18:35unique position and i look forward to the next person that we hire if we ever bring someone else on
18:42i hope to bring a lot more managerial skills to the table so to all the people who have ever hired
18:49someone been a boss had employees under them whole new level of respect that takes a lot
18:56this corn was planted just over a month ago
19:01it's looking so good
19:07i guess i'm gonna be all alone out here it's a good thing i've got you riding in the buddy seat
19:14with me to keep me company and time to fill up again
19:19it's not quite raining it's misting just heavily enough and the windshield wiper
19:47kind of does something but not really that impressive while we're just in the cab chatting
19:55i thought i should mention that it's been brought to my attention that there's a lot of scams going
20:00around not only on youtube but where people are posting fake videos of me but on all platforms
20:07on twitter on facebook on tiktok on instagram people are pretending to be me they're spreading false
20:14information they're posting pictures claiming to be me they're contacting people they're asking for
20:21money none of that is true i have been in contact with the police with facebook with instagram with
20:29tiktok i am blocking i'm reporting i'm trying to get these people and their fake accounts taken down
20:36but so far no one has been able to really help me so i'm saying this to apologize i'm so sorry if a fake
20:46account has followed you or tried to message you grant and i are happily married and not getting a
20:52divorce and i will never ask you guys to send me things like apple gift cards or things like that
20:58those are all people trying to take advantage of your generosity and it makes me sick i'm really
21:05trying to work on it but what i ask of you is that if you see an account that's not this one that
21:12doesn't have a blue check mark that's not a verified laura farms account spelled l-a-u-r-a-f-a-r-m-s
21:21block it report it maybe if all of us report these accounts facebook will do something but
21:28as of right now they're being really difficult to work with so i just wanted to let you all know that
21:32i am aware of it i'm doing my best to get them taken down but i think it's going to take all of us
21:38it's really really frustrating in theory the rain should not affect us that much besides visibility
21:46don't have amazing visibility but that's what we have auto steer for my main concern is that the
21:51trash the little bits of corn stock from the corn we planted here last year would not be crunchy and
21:57dry anymore they would be kind of mushy and soft and moist and they wouldn't go to the side or cut
22:04through so easily they'd start bunching up and hang on to each other and that would create a plug or
22:10start taking out our sweet little baby corn plants which is what we don't want to happen so now more
22:15than ever it is important that i am keeping my eyeballs trained on the bar behind us
22:20so that we don't have any plugs time to fail again this time in the rain which i'm not exactly
22:28thrilled about because i'm not wearing rain gear but there's times like these that i remember i could
22:33be sitting in an office um and i get to experience the outdoors and the things that i'm doing are going
22:42to help my crop grow big and strong so i guess that's worth getting a little wet and you know what
22:47humans are waterproof so the worst that could happen is my clothes get a little wet oh well
22:53we'll survive halfway through filling it stopped raining my hair um got a little frizzy and i got a
23:01little muddy but i'm not really going anywhere and i don't really have anyone to impress so i guess it
23:06doesn't really matter unless grant takes me out for dinner tonight which i hope he does we have emptied
23:14these big tip tanks almost all the way full and hopefully that is enough to finish this field so
23:20we can call it a day what a sloppy mess my goodness everything's gonna be due for a good wash after this
23:30i did really like the opportunity to train gage and work alongside him i think it was super beneficial
23:38for the both of us i can definitely imagine the farm hiring another employee at some point in time
23:46but for right now it is manageable with grant and myself but it was really cool to be able to give
23:53a high schooler the chance to work on a farming operation you just don't see a lot of kids who have
23:58a ton of drive and work ethic and working alongside gage was really fun that kid was always ready to work
24:05so who knows what the future will hold we shall see we are officially rained out but just in time
24:14because we finished the field sometimes i get to do things that you only really see in movies
24:19and i'm going to share that with you right now are you ready
24:23it's not so satisfying pivot is off field is fertilized
24:40and we can head home happily because it is raining now the next thing is to hope
24:48that grant takes me out for a nice dinner oh man just so you know we are so so so grateful for you
24:58being here for sharing our farming journey with us gauge working for the farm was certainly an era
25:06and it is one we all appreciate but that era is over i hope that answered all of your questions
25:13i hope you enjoyed riding in the buddy seat as we fertilized a field today
25:17and we will see you in the next one bye
25:23you
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