Autumn in the Heartland

Gold is the predominant color of autumn in the Midwest. Among the layers in this naturally-occurring, rural, farmland abstract are fields of golden... more

by Nikolyn McDonald

Title

Autumn in the Heartland

Artist

Nikolyn McDonald

Medium

Photograph - Digital Photopainting

Description

Gold is the predominant color of autumn in the Midwest. Among the layers in this naturally-occurring, rural, farmland abstract are fields of golden soybeans (across the bottom) and field corn (with the zigzag running through it and between the rows of trees).

Although sweet corn is harvested very early in the season when the kernels are full of liquid, most corn grown on farms in the Midwest is yellow dent corn (also called field corn or cow corn). It is intended for use as livestock feed, in automobile fuel, in starches, and in a large array of other products from plastics to adhesives. Soy beans are high in fat and protein and are used in human food products and vegetable oil. However, most soybeans are used for animal feed. The plant also has non-food uses such as lubricants, solvents, candles, and biodiesel fuel.

Both soy beans and corn kernels contain a lot of moisture and must dry down before being stored. Generally speaking, it makes sense economically to let the plants dry in the field before harvesting them. Mature beans contain about 50% moisture and must dry down to about 13% before harvest. Corn has to dry to 15% moisture to be safely stored and is generally not harvested until it reaches about 20%. So when you drive across the Heartland in late September, don't assume that the plants in the field are dying; they may well just be drying.

The lines zig-zagging through the field are wide grassy areas, grassed waterways that allow water to tun off the field without taking topsoil along with it. They help control erosion. In the summer, they need to be mowed occasionally to keep them effective. And after a number of years, they need to be torn up and reseeded because the topsoil they keep in the field builds up and the water begins to run alongside them causing ditches to form in the field.

To emphasize the design elements of this photo, I have given it a lightly painted look, best appreciated by using the high resolution preview tool.

Featured: Square Art World; Glimpses of Autumn; The Artistic Aperture

Uploaded

September 28th, 2022