By Abby White

Four miles east of Pawnee Rock, Kan., a John Deere Combine 36 years older than its operator makes its way around a Wheat field. The 1955 No. 55 John Deere was used to harvest the test plot of Barton County K-State Research and Extension Wheat and Adam Unruh's 4-H project wheat.

"It was my grandpa's combine," said Adam, age 14. "It was just sitting around." Unruh's grandfather, the late Olin Unruh, died in 1999.

As a tribute to his grandfather, Adam decided to harvest the test plot with the No. 55 combine because it was a small area.

"It's easy to keep track of things," Adam said. "You can be right there and see what's going on."

Adam has learned a lot about the vintage combine, which was purchased by his grandfather in the 1970s. The combine is in its original condition.

"You can still buy parts for it," said Dale Unruh, Adam's father. "You might have to wait a few days before they get shipped, but John Deere still makes the parts."

Adam, a Pawnee County 4-H member, combined his 4-H test plot with the Barton County test plot. His mom, Berny Unruh, is the 4-H Agent in Barton County.

"We thought that if we're planting his test plot, we might as well plant some more," Dale said. "It's really been educational."

The field has been part of the test plot tour through K-State Research and Extension where extension agents, farmers and anyone interested in Wheat compare the varieties.

Focusing attention on a test plot field is nothing new for Adam, who was the first place winner at the Kansas State Fair for the Wheat Variety Plot Contest in 2004. The prize Adam received was a three-day trip learning about wheat, which was sponsored by the Kansas Wheat Commission. Adam said he will visit the Kansas Wheat Commission, the U.S. Department of Agriculture Grain Marketing facility in Manhattan, the Grain Science and Industry programs at Kansas State University, the American Baking Institute, the Kansas City Board of Trade and a commercial bakery in Kansas City. He will take the trip in August.

Adam expects this year's crop to be a little better, despite heavy rains the beginning of June.

"It knocked a few out," Adam said. "But, we had more rain earlier, which helped."

The 4-H project has allowed Adam learn all about wheat.

"I learned what it takes to grow a crop and how much work it really is," Adam said.

With plans to plant Wheat again next year, Adam hopes for an even better crop.

"We used no-till last year and compared to the tilled, the tilled came out ahead," Adam said. "After that, we went back to a rotation."

Since education is the key, Adam hopes to improve every year. But why is this crop better than last year's?

"They've been working closer with their county agent," said Barton County Agriculture Agent, Rick Snell, with a laugh. "It's good to see an improvement."

The Unruh's also work closely with Marvin Whipple, Pioneer sales representative from Pawnee Rock, Kan. Whipple provides the weigh cart to measure test weights and bushels per acre.

"This field is okay," Whipple said. "It's 48 bushels per acre."

Dale was happy with the information about the yield.

"That's pretty good for us," he said.

Adam's five Wheat varieties for his 4-H project were provided by K-State Research and Extension and all 18 varieties were harvested with the No. 55 John Deere Combine.

Using the vintage combine is no big deal for Adam.

"I like it," he said.

Abby White is the American Agricultural Editors Association summer intern for the High Plains Journal. She can be reached by phone at 620-227-1805, or by e-mail at awhite@hpj.com.

Date: 6/23/05

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