Even though we don’t have an update from USDA on harvest progress because of the ongoing government shutdown, Marty Park, an agronomist with Gutwein Seed Services and a Channel Seed dealer based in Jasper County, shares his thoughts on harvest completion.
“On the soybean crop, we’re essentially done,” he says. “There are just a few fields here and there left, but a lot of people have finished up in the last three-to-four days.
“On the corn crop, we’re probably approaching 40-to-45 percent completed. We have some growers who are finished on corn, and we others who are just getting started. It depends on your strategy and your drying capabilities or if you’re taking everything to the elevator. Some guys are still waiting for things to dry down more,” according to Park.
How are soybean yields so far around the Rensselaer area?
“All-in-all, soybean yields have been better than expected for most growers, whether you’re in one of those dry areas or one of those really good areas that had lots of rain, we’re hearing about soybean yields in the 80 and 90 bushel-per-acre acre.”
And how are the corn yields looking throughout Jasper County and surrounding areas?
“Corn yields are all over the board depending upon water-holding capacity, how you managed disease, and the timeliness of your rainfall,” says Park. “From State Road 114 south, I’ve talked with a lot of growers and they’re flirting with record yields on corn. As you come north where we missed more of the rains and we don’t hold water as well in our sandy soils, the yields are not quite as good. But still, for what we went through with five-to-six weeks with virtually no rain and 90-plus degree temperatures, we’re fortunate to have what we have.”
CLICK BELOW to hear the complete Channel Seed Harvest Update with Marty Park with Gutwein Seed Services.
