More waiting

Written; 11/28/08

Well the last time I wrote we ran out of seed. We got going again for about 12 more hours, but ran out of seed again. Word is that the supply chain of Pioneer or Syngenta do not have enough seed on hand currently to cover demand. So there is really nothing we can do about it. I thought it was probably a problem with the donkey delivering it, or some weird story. The most creative person couldn't even make a story unrealistic to Brazil. So this week we have been running the land roller ahead of the other planters planting soybeans. One day I had the opportunity to run one of the smaller soybean planters. Wow was it a change from the 72' bauer. I had to get more fertilizer every 2 rounds and seed every 4 rounds. Wow was it not as efficient as the bauer. Anyways, those planters are very critical to advancing the ground to being more productive. The first 2-3 years of new ground, soybeans and lots of fertilizer are used to bring up the nutrient levels to a level where you don't have to put on as much fertilizer the following years.

So funny story the other day, so make sure you listen up. I was planting corn with the bauer the other day and I needed seed at the end of the field. So a bunch of Brazilians drive past me in the pick-up full of seed. All of a sudden they are sliding sideways in the truck across the field. I was wondering what the heck, and then it gets better. The truck slides to a stop, 6 Brazilians jump out and start chasing something. I saw some kicking, diving, and others just looking ridiculous. After the dust settled, I saw one of them carrying a tatoo (armadillo). They didn't kill it, but they must like the excitement of the chase. They let it go for all of you animal lovers.

Seed is at the farm, but it has started to rain again. The forecast for the next 15 days is rain, so its going to be interesting. We leave for the coast on the 11th, so the rest of the interns would actually like to get some things done. We feel a little guilty, however we can't control the seed donkeys or the weather. Were in town now for a couple of days getting recharged with food other than rice and beans, and will probably be going back out to the farms tomorrow.

3 weeks left, and I'm sure it will go fast. It always seems like this, but we will be leaving now that I am comfortable around the locals and can speak enough Portuguese to get around by myself.

Hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving!!!



Signing off................



-Hrubes