View from the Cab: MIA...that's me

By Kent Casson

I’ve been missing in action for the past five weeks.

You may have wondered where the articles are or if I even still exist. I was burning the candle at both ends trying to bring in this year’s harvest and what a relief that it is all over for another year.

Though there weren’t too many weather breaks, we were fortunate to have a safe and overall successful harvest season with maybe one rain day along the way. Aside from a few small breakdowns, nothing major happened and we rolled right through those corn and soybean fields.

We were pleased with yields – especially in the corn. I think a few fields just about set records. Soybeans hung in there with nothing spectacular or disappointing. I’d say they were about average to slightly above.

It sure was dirty out there this fall! I don’t recall a year when we needed to clean out the combine air filters so much and blow off the combine. Even the corn had dark dust associated with it. That’s something we don’t always experience in Central Illinois this time of year. It was also extremely dry as the drought kept getting worse in our area. Many feared combine or field fires and there were a few of those not far from us, unfortunately.

We are blessed that we have great harvest help lined up so I can still spend time with the family and attend the kids’ various sporting events and activities. With two girls in youth cheer and a son in cross country and marching band, we had our priorities this fall, not to mention the local football games I cover on the Casson Media High School Sports Network.

Family is what it is all about. It was great having Rebecca and the kids out to the field a few times to ride and drive. Yes, I said drive. The two older kids enjoy taking over the steering wheel and controls of the combine and tractor even if it’s only for a few minutes at a time.

Kasen will be an excellent combine driver someday and Kenadee was meant to operate an auger wagon. How soon will it be before I put my feet up at the edge of the field and take it easy while they take over? That leaves Dad and me without a job and I’m alright with that.

For those who haven’t yet finished, I wish you a safe and successful end to your 2025 harvest and field work season.