Harrowing

Our daily routine changes with the passing seasons. Seldom allowing us a chance to become bored. There are some seasons that we grow tired from the intensity of the tasks at hand. For the most part though, these changes help us view Nature’s beauty from different angles. Representing the life cycles of God’s creatures. Field work is one of these annual tasks that often changes our perspective.

Harrowing a field is a lot like raking your entire yard. It helps stimulate new grass growth, breaks up the old dead grasses and removes any undesirables that have accumulated over the winter months. An added bonus to cattle ranches, a harrow redistributes the deposited cow manure over a broader area. Sharing the natural fertilizer love with more plants.

Our current harrow is approximately 16 feet wide, pulled by a large tractor. Slightly larger that a standard yard rake. Yet it pales in comparison with the hundreds of acres involved in the task. You begin in one corner of the field, outlining the irrigation ditch boundaries with four harrow widths. This allows for easier turnarounds and less missed area. Then the repetitive task of back and forth begins. The harrow creates alternating stripes in the grasses, marking what areas have been harrowed. Once completed, an aerial field view resembles four bold outlines with dark and light strips lining the interior. A kind of satisfying masterpiece for the harrow tractor operator.

Some days the thought of hours alone, riding on an open cab tractor in the brisk, wind blown spring air, seems less than ideal. Add in the fact that you are essentially driving in circles. No radio or outside social influence. Just you and Mr. John Deere Model 2940. Nate & I take turns to break up the mundane task. Once you get in rhythm with the field and equipment, your mind is allowed to wander. There are no gauges of time, only the freshly harrowed grass to remind you of your progress. The smell of grass and spring weeds pungent in the air as you ruffle their habitat. The occasionally meadowlark cruises by, briefly breaking your trance.

It is truly amazing the things your mind can process when left to itself. I mentally have my future vegetable garden planned out, new paint colors for my kitchen, and added items to my ongoing to do list. I also calculated the amount of possible lambs & kid goats to be born, an ear tag identification system and more. Needless to say, Nate has his own share of mental notes during his harrow tractor time. Future irrigation projects, mechanical needs for ranch equipment with the occasional elk hunting plan plotted. Though different than mine, harrowing gives us both time to physically slow down. Only our minds continue to work at a hurried pace. Yet somehow it feels rewarding, as if we’ve accomplished something more. The sense that it has been all worked out, a plan ready for action.

If you happen to drive by, you’ll find one of us, driving in circles in a nearby field. It is an essential part of our ranching operation. Though during harrowing, it seems to drag on for weeks, when in reality it is a very short window in the spring. So for now, I’m going to enjoy a little alone time in nature. Just me, my thoughts and a noisy tractor pulling a rattling harrow. And the occasional opportunity to sing, when there is absolutely no chance of anyone hearing you. 😊