Episode 19 - Have You Made The Grade?

The grain trucks are filled to bursting with the best of our golden seed. We've worked hard all year to germinate, grow, flower and fill seed, and now those of us who've made the grade get that overseas trip we've been promised.

After harvest, our farmers take us to the grain receival authority where we're tested for quality. Those of us that made "export grade" get a cruise on an ocean liner to some exotic place overseas. It's what we all dream of!

Wally Wheat, Chelsea Chickpea, Larry Lupin and the Lentil Twins are busy organising passports for the pulses that made the grade - and don't they look proud! It's great to see the kids doing so well. That's what makes the struggles of the growing season worthwhile.

We're all going to see Wally's high grade kids being loaded onto their ship this afternoon - Wally asked us to come. After all, it's the legume rotation that turned things around for his family. The wheat that grew on Larry Lupin's old paddock came up "premium grade", the price was great and Wally's back to his confident old self again as the star of the farm.

"Ouch" winced Larry Lupin as Wally grabbed his hand to shake it firmly. Chelsea smiled, "We've fixed lots of nitrogen for you this year, and you'll do well in our paddock next year too," she said. "But when you thank me, just make it a peck on the cheek. I don't want my hand mangled!"

There was hand shaking, back slapping and kissing all round as we congratulated each other on a job well done. There were even some tears as we prepared to see some of the kids off in their new life away from home.

Petra Pea looked a bit sad. When I asked why she replied, "I'll celebrate too when I get the better of that Evil Pea Weevil. You know how the pea weevils ate out the peas? Well none of my relatives made the grade. The worst thing is that once the pea weevils finished their feast they turned into flying beetles! I know they'll be back again next year," she sighed.

"I guess our farmer's just going to have to spray the crop at the right time until we find a better way to defeat our enemy." As Petra spoke, I noticed Albert Annelid taking notes. "Disaster Strikes Peas" was the headline. I guess he's got that other story.