Jeff Askew, Casselton, N.D., got done planting corn last week. He's ready to plant soybeans May 1, which is the earliest covered planting date for the area for soybeans.
Last week, Askew and his crew were so caught up on fieldwork that he, his son Josh; and two of their employees were getting the 60-foot planter ready for storage.
At the same time, a crew from Foltz Buildings, Detroit Lakes, Minn., was on their farm erecting a 105- x 60-foot addition to their machine shed to house the planter and other equipment
"We really need a bigger machinery building for our semis and trailers," says Josh Askew, 18, who is the fifth generation of Askews on the farm. "We wanted enough storage we could put everything inside and get at it easily.
Pat Hocking lubricates the planter clutch as part of pre-storage routine.
The Askews took advantage of the dry weather last fall and cleared trees from the building site and hauled in 70 loads of clay fill to build up the base.
"I'm glad Dad is building it now," says Josh, who aims to make farming his career. "We hope to build a new shop one day, too."
Josh Askew, the fifth generation on the farm, says he is optimistic about the growing season.
A building crew erects rafters on an addition to the machine shed.