Pump Failure

Our water supply depends upon a 60 horsepower turbine deep well pump. When our tenant started it to begin irrigating his wheat in early March, its water output was practically nil. So our tenant immediately put in a call to Rod Gosling and the rest of the pros at West Side Pump Company in San Joaquin. Within two weeks the well casing was repaired and the pump was back in the ground, complete with new bowls, a new column and drive shaft. It now pumps more water than ever. Unfortunately, the cost will be approximately $15,000. After last year's dismal economic performance, this is a crushing extra burden.

Disassembled Pump

Here is a picture of the pump after it was pulled. The motor is on the left. The wellhead is on its side in the center background. The column is on the right with holes clearly visible in some joints. It's really no surprise that this pump would no longer pump much water.

Pump Running Again

And here the pump is back in place and running. Besides the high cost, our tenant is now nearly two weeks late. The improved water supply will allow him to make up some of that time.

Wheat Crop, Price Both Improved Over Last Year

Our tenant has planted Blanca Grande, a new hard white winter wheat that has much greater resistance to rust than the Yecoro Rojo he has been planting for many years. The wheat price is higher than it has been for many years. Our tenant has contracted 100 tons at $145 per ton. For comparison, last year he received $120 per ton.

Robert Sturgeon
Publisher, Editor, Reporter, Ace Photographer, Newsroom Flunky, Webmaster
rsturge@inreach.com
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