Monday, November 5, 2012

Cutting Field Corn/Our World

Field corn still in the fields

Every spring, significant acreage in Central Ontario is planted in field corn.

Harvester cutting field corn

Although much of this year's field corn has already been cut, some is just now being harvested.

Side view

When autumn weather is dry, many Ontario farmers harvest field corn before the first snow falls.  But during wet years, farmers may wait until spring.

Back view

Here in Ontario, field corn is often called cow corn because it is said to be excellent for raising cattle if it's harvested when it's NOT too wet or too dry, and if it's properly fermented.

More photos from Our World can be seen by clicking HERE.

21 comments:

Andy said...

I was out and about in rural Clarington on Saturday. It was the first break in the many continuous rain days that we have been having. The farmers were taking advantage of it to kick start the harvest again.

Buttons Thoughts said...

Oh I love these shots we still have a lot of corn fields not harvested yet but I seem to pass a combine a day now so I am sure it will be all done soon here in Eastern Ontario. Heavy morning this morning burrrrr B

Kerri Farley said...

Great pics of the harvest!

Darla said...

There something so fascinating about big red farm machinery. Enjoyed the views.

MadSnapper said...

that is one fine and dandy corn picking machine... love that first photo

DawnTreader said...

Nice farming pictures and informative post. I did not know the harvest could be postponed over winter.

Penelope Notes said...

Corn is such a versatile plant that can serve so many purposes. I also didn’t know that harvesting could be postponed. Another bonus!

Michelle said...

I just love that first shot!

TexWisGirl said...

reminds me of wisconsin. loved the combines and silage.

Suburban Girl said...

That top shot is lovely! It makes one forget all that work associated with the farm. :)

Grandma Barb's This and That said...

Love the first photo! Beautiful sky. The field work is pretty much done here.

LONDONLULU said...

Oh, how fun to see this - beautiful shots of wide fields. Our corn season is basically over but when it was peaking, the corn was soo delicious!:)

Kathy said...

I hope the farmers are getting a decent price for their corn this year. With the rise in the cost of groceries due to the recent (and even current) drought the little man deserves to share in the profit.

RedPat said...

If we ever see the sun again it should dry out the fields a bit for them!

kayerj said...

that first photo is stunning and my grandson would love to see that machine harvesting the corn. He's really into stuff like that. have a nice day.

Pamela Gordon said...

Great pictures depicting the corn harvest. I've been 'watching' a field near here on the way to the city that hasn't been harvested yet. We had so much rain and it's on an interval where the river rises so I'm guessing it's very wet. I need to carry my camera with me so I can catch the farmer in the act of harvesting it. Have a great week!

Judy said...

I was wondering if they were ever going to cut the corn around here, but it was done sometime when I was not looking. Easier walking now!!

Taken For Granted said...

Much of the corn grown is fed to cattle. It adds weight quickly and results in fat tissue in the meat which makes it tender and taste good, but corn itself is too rich for cattle and needs to be mixed with hay or other less rich food. A pure corn diet will sicken and can kill cattle. These are great photos of a corn harvest. It is our state's most valuable crop with nearly three billion dollars worth produced each year. Nearly 60% of human diets are also corn based, if we count the corn fed meat we eat. No wonder we have a weight problem in North America.

Lowell said...

Properly fermented?

That reminds me: Did you hear the story of the drunk cow that stumbled into the barn at milking time and the farmer got so mad.

He screamed, "Where have you been, bossy, and what the hell have you eaten?"

The poor cow sat down on her haunches, and said, "I'm sorry, Mr. Farmer, sir, but in a moment of weakness I done ate some unproperly fermented corn!"

"Well," said the farmer, "you're jest gonna have to milk yerself!"

True story. I think. Or maybe I just made it up.

George said...

It looks as if this farmer has a good corn crop. We had a drought this year which ruined a good part of our corn crop. You got wonderful pictures of the harvest.

Stephanie said...

Looks like a good crop and love the shots!

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East Gwillimbury is a rural town less than an hour north of Toronto, Canada's largest city. My family calls me CameraGirl because I take my camera with me wherever I go.