A Day in the Life of a Detasseler

An excerpt from Iowa 2010

[@dawsonh9382]

as a second year, waking up at 5 would be a godsend, i wake up at 3:40 am for it leave at 4:30 from my house and arrive at the bus at 4:45 and the bus leaves at 5 am.

[@noaheoutdoors]

Ego Nuntiu same

[@dj-jazzy-jimbob]

I detasseled from 1986-1991 and wrote a song about "Detasslin Corn". Just search for "You Looked Pretty (Detasslin' Corn). I remember when I was 14 this girl was on my crew and she was covered in corn rash and mud and I thought to myself "dang, she looks pretty good!"🤣

[@justis3397]

5th year for me in Nebraska

[@brockgleason2924]

Justis _ just start this year

[@robertahines4559]

Just started this year

[@zach8255]

same i start this year from Fort Calhoun

[@Elijah9201]

xd same

[@madisonmillsanddusty7081]

Same here I'm in Nebraska

[@xr4ticlone]

I did it for 3 years at the old Northrup King...was 'lucky' enough that my dad got us on for both pre & post detasseling work at the plant. Painted buildings, mowed laws & drives, cleaned up fields. My first year was running a crew because I was 16 already. The last two years I was part of a special 5 man A-Team...a Navy Seals type strike force that did seed stock (the seed that they plant into fields like this one the next year). We had a lot of fun but got a lot of acres covered since we weren't dragging city kids through the fields all day. : ) The guy who ran the plant (now deceased) was a total hard ass who everyone lived in fear of...(back before menials it was ok for employers to threaten to kill you and scream profanities!) Great times, great stories. Laugh about it now...not so much at 5 am back then. IF you can make it detasseling for a year or more it'll prep you for any job in the future. Everything is better after that. : )

[@juanpower327]

I'm from CedarRapids IA I came here to prep myself. 800$ for this I heard there's many bugs😷

[@rylanhurley9887]

Bruh I get payed like over a thousand I think

[@kilerpillowpet]

I hate it more, Illinois has wetter taller and hotter corn fields

[@calebmcnary6569]

So true it's my first year

[@prod.eenigma]

@@calebmcnary6569 second year for me. It gets a bit better as time goes on

[@Governm3nt]

I live in Nebraska. Those "whips" we call rat tails. This video brings back memories of my detasseling experience. Though I never used the bags to prevent myself from getting wet. I just get soaked anyway. Great video, by the way.

[@adruery]

That was amaizeing!

[@corbyn216]

They start out as male and female we don't detassel the male it's just so the female doesn't pollinate other females

[@Mininaco1998]

I had to wake up at 4

[@steveo288]

Wow, this brought back memories for me. I did this in the mid 1960's. My first check was $75. Very tough, grueling job.

[@merebear87]

Omg $75 in 1965 would be equivalent to $750 today

[@sgtrock2821]

I did it from age 12 to 17. Tough work walkin in the morning with dew and leaf cuts. I remember seeing cornfields when I shut my eyes to go to sleep at night. I grew up in W'loo. I don't see any forman yelling at you. There's one! There's one! There's one! Or slamming on the brakes of the machine. Agian, There's one! There's one! There's one!!!

[@ChristopherBix2]

This was such a great video! You really have talent.

[@budsodalsky]

I made 500$ one summer in the year 1979. That was tremendous $$ in the day. I loved how thin and tan I got also. I had a six pack

[@ThrillzSpectic]

So basically like $2000?

[@scottydu81]

“We have male rows and non-male rows”. I’m not a corn expert, but I feel like there used to be a word for that

[@jgmario]

I'm Doing It This Year For The First Time . I Start July 6th . How Much Did You Guys Make Overall ? & Any Advice ?

[@R3con93]

Detasseling is probably the easiest job in history, I've been doig it for 9years now and every year I can never wait to do it. The worst thing is rouging though.

[@pianofluteflute]

Oh, I hate rouging.

[@eduardogomez458]

+Nicole Louise what is rouging

[@cranscape]

Love the video. Great to have on hand when you go off to college and your new city friends have no idea what the bonds of shared trauma can be between detasselers. Or what chafing is.

[@Mininaco1998]

also just finished my season here in nebraska

[@zach8255]

doing it this year in Nebraska

[@gunsnroses6156]

ZackAttack it sucks this year in Nebraska don’t do it, too many storms so we mostly green snap (which sucks) we started June 20th and we are still going strong (North Bend)

[@dinamendez6256]

How much do you get paid?

[@Mininaco1998]

@@dinamendez6256 Bruv that was like 5 years ago but at that time it was 7.50/h I believe? They might have changed it with the minimum wage being higher now. They did have a great bonus if you came everyday.

[@dinamendez6256]

MiniKuroNeko Oh, and how many hours do you work? Or does it depend? Sorry for all the questions it’s just that planning on joining :)

[@Dba5675]

One word of warning on this, MONSANTO!!!!

[@pepwestler2439]

I literally watch detassleing vids because I always end up missing it off-season and then just full on regretting the heat when I do it

[@pianofluteflute]

Dude, relatable. You guys didn't have to wear the net hats though! Lucky. We had hats with nets that hang from the brim. Sometimes mosquitoes would get stuck inside. And it's sooo muddy. You constantly get your feet stuck. Once I had to dig myself out. Another girl gave up and started walking around in her socks. We had our ports potties on a trailer along with our jugs of water and watered down Gatorade. The detasseling struggle is real.

[@KeybladeMaster33]

Our bus leaves at 5... have to get up at 4. The male and female rows are actually different though... different height and bushier at the beginning and then the male sparklers open up earlier. And the point is to prevent the female rows from pollinating.

[@noahlewin5817]

this video was very helpful i start detasseling very soon thank you for helping me

[@jdjdjdjxhdjdjdj546]

Y'all got this fancy ass glasses and gloves shit, up in MN it's barefoot, shorts, tshirts, and poncho

[@kennyfett970]

What crew u work for?

[@squishy1199]

yall are weak i have to be at the bus at 5 just waking so that mean i wake up at 4:30

[@laurentuveson4328]

That's kinda like what I'm gonna have to do... I have to be at the bus at 4:30 so I wake up at 4

[@envvyfn6671]

I wake up tommorow at 4 am

[@slapnuts662]

I did this last year and I am doing it again this year. I started yesterday and it is hard work.

[@ArmpitStudios]

Really great editing. Good job.

[@sandiegobarbie]

Great video you are beautiful ❤️

[@sandiegobarbie]

😁

[@theunchartedmen]

I started today. I hate the job but love the money

[@tatekizzier1983]

it's August 11th..I detasseled today.

[@midweststud72]

My kid needs a summer job. Any positions in the iowa city area?

[@dylansandmann1093]

Lol look online.

[@TurboPancake]

My routine is gloves glasses hat, waking up at 5:10 to get there at 5:50 to start working at 6:30 and end at 1 pm to 11 am. Got around 1200 dollars my first year

[@vanessaholland6993]

I'm starting to do it for the first time and I'm not a good friend maker. If you didn't have friends with you while you were detaselling corn. Would it be terrible?

[@shortsofthenorth]

Vanessa Holland it's a lot better with friends, but just because you haven't been good at making friends in the past doesn't mean you won't be able to make friends well now! Just get to know people and ask them questions about themselves. That usually helps :)

[@elenabroce3653]

Don't worry, I'm detasseling tomorrow and my friends aren't doing it. :)

[@16burn]

I worked at Burrus Seed Farms in Illinois and we got to the fields at 6 and didn't quit till about 3 6 days a week but they have machines we get to ride so it made the day a little better but walking pays better than riding

[@aydensalberg8789]

Chase Pease rip I know this comment is six years old, but we just got done with that field, and they changed the name to Hughes' Hybrids

[@layalyhamayel1662]

Great Film!!!!

[@cobraman101]

I start tomorrow... 5th year, I live in near Algona, IA... And It is Quiet in Iowa...

[@ShineBig08]

how long is the season? like 2 months? or how ever long you want to do it for?

[@sarahhansen2038]

Shinebright08 What I've learned is its usually 2 weeks for the season

[@ShineBig08]

thank u!

[@cheekyscrub8178]

Usually 3-4 weeks

[@LORENZOCH100]

What's the name of the song at the beginning ?

[@terminus9321]

Dancing with the devil

[@UnKnown-vf4fq]

lol i have to wake up at 4

[@edenpurdy8964]

I start in like a few days and I’m nervous

[@mish6900]

I have to squat in the field. And wake up at 4. Take an hour bus drive. Start at 6:10 end at about 3-5p.m. second year😁

[@mish6900]

You have a lot of girls too. We have maybe 6 out of 40.

[@Unluckey123]

Are you sure your not from Elkorn because you missed a hell of a lot of tassels.

[@jobow233]

Omg I am form Iowa and I live in waterloo!!! I am detasseling this year many I will see you guys (if you doing it this year)

[@ylimE0100]

Just a warning for anyone over the age of 20, this stuff hurts. I am 21 and just wanted to pick up a few more hours this summer and fill up some time, but after even the first day, it was killer. I went again another day, thinking I was just out of shape and it would get better, but it was just miserable. Older bodies don't adapt as well to the heat and the awkward foot positioning it takes to walk through the rows that are dipped.

[@FuZeClanQS]

You guys must suck if your running through there to run up to your friend....

[@abh3designs364]

Plus, it's a 2nd pull. If they miss too much they could go back for a 3rd pull

[@livelovedaydream]

i been thinking about doing this as i am out of work but am i too old everyone looks young, i am 22

[@Atrielex]

You can do rouging or be a super visor!

[@calvindoerr9135]

Should I do it this summer? Would it be better if I had a friend?

[@ramarinsa]

Yeah it's worth trying for a summer at least! I think everything is better if you have a good friend with you

[@calvindoerr9135]

Ok! Thanks for the advice!

[@MattIsaacs]

Yes u should do it. Its crappy work but its also easy. A friend makes it better but its fine if u dont have one thats doing it

[@eduardogomez458]

+Enigma 313 yeah i agree but the money is great

[@jewelschannel6554]

Etienne Doerr My friend quit the 3rd day. I would not recommend bringing a friend.. My friend also kept on going to fast and I had to catch up while picking out tassels

[@Ashleighbiggs]

I do detassling and I have to get up at 3 and be in the fields at 5

[@laurentuveson4328]

I'm doing detasseling for the first time this summer so... any advice? :)

[@pianofluteflute]

Bring trash bags with you. Like GIANT trash bags. It will be wet. If you decide not to wear it, you risk walking in wet pants which I got scars from. Not even raincoats will protect you. Get good boots. Like good rubber working boots. And pack a sizable lunch.

[@laurentuveson4328]

Nicole Louise Ok thanks!

[@TheMizIsHott]

That's sleeping in at five! We have to be on the bus at 5!

[@skswig1]

I did this work in the 70's. It is the most brutal work on the planet, it will break you like a twig. Even having cattle beat on you is easier.

[@kylerjanovec3906]

This is a joke I had to pull every single one this has been mowed

[@ricaz3008]

i have too wake up at 4:00 for a hour long ride to waterloo 😐 i didnt get a break on mu first day

[@corbyn216]

They start as male and female we just don't pick the male and it is so the males don't pollen ate

[@annahusnsd]

I'm detasseling in hungary right now :D We don't have a toilet, don't wear gloves, raincoats and glasses. It's almost 40C°. :D we can't pull out a lot of leafes, and if we do, we have to go home. But it's definietly a lot of fun, and a great opportunity to earn some money :D

[@shortsofthenorth]

Unconditional by The Bravery

[@rowanell6840]

Im goin detaseling this summer!

[@lukebeadle7837]

I always got up at 4:00 every morning

[@TheMizIsHott]

I know right... I'm from McLean NE

[@cOr3t3ecks]

Can you say "wake and bake?"

[@tammydear8057]

I was made to detassle corn by my stepdad. I hated it only because he made me do it! No pay either! 😠 Glad y'all enjoyed it. God Bless 🙏🏻🕊️

[@shortsofthenorth]

Ah, that sounds awful!

[@blackhawkairsoft222]

u guys are lucky. we arent allowed to have any electronics on the field

[@jamayagreen9712]

Me to me and my friend

[@shortsofthenorth]

a lot of both :D

[@wtfisit25]

I've done this for 3 years, But now i gotta better job working cashier at Jay-C

[@spookysags]

I LIVE IN WAVERLY IOWA RIGHT NEXT TO WATERLOO

[@motordar]

Bisexual corns rights being violated.

[@myrraella7053]

Anyone in Iowa doing it this year (2016)😁😁😁??? I am

[@bryancruz5292]

yes i am what company do you go for

[@knudsenautumn]

I did this today for four hours and fidtyfour acers

[@blackhawkairsoft222]

i start tomorrow haha

[@emmajones1532]

Triple H3lix same!!! bus leaves at 4:45

[@dubb9020]

mmm nothing like walking thru pesticides on a hot summer day

[@000fffeh6]

du Bb 😃👍🏽

[@blackhawkairsoft222]

i have to be awake at 4:30 and be on the bus at 5:30. it sux

[@grxpeswisher-_-9067]

I gotta wake up at 440

[@unknown-jd2tr]

What if your really short

[@kylerjanovec3906]

My advice is protect the neck, start at daylight and good luck

[@sashacoppess3548]

I had to wake up at 4 D:

[@braceletsandnails]

1:50 like if it makes you blink with every drop

[@turn3423]

Wow you have to get up at 5 must be hard i wold no recmend

[@000fffeh6]

Turn nice grammar and spelling

[@cesarnavarrosolis5675]

donde esta la seguridad personal de pioneer.

[@shortsofthenorth]

Matthew Bro...

[@kaylabeetem5323]

This is quite possibly the greatest video in KZbin. My life is complete 🌽

[@tobywallgrenoutdoors1616]

its called a d2 andshe missed like 5

[@lexilovesyouu2]

how much do you make?

[@BlackBeanCMS]

I made around 2,300 it varies with the companies and how they pay you.

[@cobraman101]

awsomedude111097 My crew Pays $8 off the bat, but ever year you gain a $1 up to $10, It used to be $12 but they cut it this year. I get $12 this year due to detasseling 4 years before.

[@BlackBeanCMS]

Jaime Pascual II My crew paid min. wage for transportation. Then paid us about 8 to 9 dollars an hour. They also graded us everyday and at the end of the season (one month) you get the bonus check.

[@cobraman101]

I get $12 per hour. I also get $5 per acre. I have been detasseling for 5 years, now. Right now in the season we have over 300 acres. In my crew we start at $8 and get a dollar every year. Plus another bonus for working every day without missing.

[@ebkquanno7731]

We was doing that shit in Rochelle it’s slave work

[@zachanderson6442]

Try doing it in illinois its horrible but ten bucks an hour for a 14 year old ;) you can't beat that

[@aquaplustt]

Lucky I only get 9.50 cent an hour and I'm 14 rn back when I was 12 they gave me 11 an hour but they must of lowered the wage bc there are a lot more new people and kids

[@andrewjohnson5764]

lol I detassle on a dirtbike

[@Ky_Ky_Ky]

Seems legit

[@noahsimmons6414]

Flyky code zero reference on a corn video there it is

[@dubb9020]

whats the cancer rate for people who have detasseled at some point in their life?

[@XxXyourXaddictionXxX]

Horrible job if the corn is super tall and you're like super short. :/

[@beanos1894]

The hills are a big lie

[@pumbaazall]

you missed alot ha

[@kylerjanovec3906]

You don’t know squat a whip what’s that

[@JHAV86]

Iowa blows

[@ImJustBit_.]

its not thaaaaaaaaaaaat hard

[@geass1928]

I hate this job

[@masonreynolds181]

Cringe

[@braceletsandnails]

1:50 like if it makes you blink with every drop