Tim Klasna and his son, Dylan, closed out another successful harvest this fall on their dryland farm 25 miles northwest of Lambert.
They raise wheat, oats, and triticale (a wheat/rye hybrid forage or grain crop) to feed the cattle portion of their operation. Oats can be purchased from Klasnas by the bag or truckload. They bale the straw from their winter wheat and oat fields to bed their cattle, and save some of the triticale seed to plant the following year. Their combination of crop rotations work well to keep soil nutrients and quality optimal as well as a way to control pests and disease. This year saw no major crop transitions or changes for Klasnas.
Each year presents its own growing challenges, and this year saw a lack of moisture and the extreme June heat negatively affect their harvest. Their spring wheat saw a lower yield, and over all the crop was short of expectations though adequate for their needs.
The Klasnas run a Hereford based herd of about 120 head with black and Red Angus influences. They have added a small group of Scottish Highland cattle as well. Dylan credits his wife, Whitney, for the Highland additions, and says they do surprisingly well in our heat despite their shaggy hides.
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