Harvest USA Report with Howard Hale

Thacker has developed a proprietary design for distillation vessels that are more efficient than older technologies. These new systems use insulated tubs and lower pressure steam to reduce thermal degradation and energy use. The modern method cuts cook times significantly compared to the older "yellow tubs" and allows for more effective steam utilization. The distillation process involves filling 40-foot trailers with the crop, running steam through it, and eventually using the leftover material as organic matter to enrich the soil.

Dale Thacker, a distillation expert, has been cultivating exotic crops such as peppermint, spearmint, and dill in Alberta for over 40 years. The mint industry in the area began in the late 1980s, followed by dill cultivation for essential oils used in the pickle industry. Thacker has also experimented with other crops like basils and tarragon but has focused primarily on mint and dill. The harvesting process involves drying the crops, chopping them, and using distillation techniques to extract oils, which are sold to companies like Colgate.

Dave Hermesch, a farmer in southeast Tulsa, discusses current challenges on his farm. His soybeans, which were planted later than usual, are suffering due to insufficient rainfall and require both rain and heat to develop properly. Hermesch notes variability in crop quality, with some soybean fields looking promising while others have poor germination despite replanting efforts. He also operates farmland 85 miles away but manages the distance with equipment that allows efficient transportation of machinery. - Farming around the area involves both irrigated and dryland practices, with about a third of the farmland irrigated. For soybeans, no special irrigation techniques are employed before harvest, unlike crops such as potatoes. Hermesch uses MacDon Flex Drapers to cut soybeans close to the ground and highlights the absence of rocks in the soil due to long-term no-till farming. - Hermesch expresses contentment with his current equipment, which mainly includes a large planter without the notorious three-point hitch. Despite challenges, recent rains provided some relief, though he notes a desire for more consistent rainfall patterns to support crop growth. The conversation reflects common agricultural issues with moisture availability, resonating with other regions experiencing dry conditions.

David Woodruff with custom harvester from Colby Kansas, Shorty Kulhanek

David Woodruff with Travis Hostetler, Custom Forage Harvester from Indiana