Pitching out

We're so grateful to have received some moisture over the past few days. First the snow and then some actual rain. When the land receives moisture, farmers in West Texas gear up to pitch out.

Pitching out is the term used to describe the act of restoring the pretty listed field to as much of its original state as possible. The taller the furrow the better the wind resistance. Moisture will often press the dirt rows down, decreasing their efficiency at combating the wind. If you don't pitch out, the rows will fill up with sand to the point that no row exists any longer.

This is the tool that creates those beautiful furrows.

Nathan spent several hours preparing the tractor and tool bar for the job. He's technically re-listing the field again rather than pitching out. Reason being, he'll get far greater height to each furrow.

It's not a terribly high-tech job to switch out tools on the tool bar, but it does take a few minutes. The metal V's below are what we typically use to pitch out. As you can see, they wouldn't give us near the same height as the listers do.

We hope to be pitching out frequently this year.