It is a slow start to harvest in east central Indiana, and it has been slowed further by the recent rains. In a Channel Seed harvest update, sales agronomist Eric Steigerwalt tells HAT growers will find some issues in the fields when they do get started.
“We’ve seen the excessive amount of rain obviously and flooding that we’ve never seen in years here, so we’re dealing with a lot of fields that have ear molds as a watch out and an issue. I think that if growers get out and start checking their fields, they are going to see that they’re probably going to have multiple situations where they find some ear molds. I would just prioritize those fields for harvest to make sure you have a plan, then expect to see some of those as you get into harvest this season.”
In soybean fields, there is an upside and a downside to the rainy conditions.
“I think there’s a great potential out here because we have had the late rains for these soybeans to fill and produce some top notch yields, but along with that we’ve had plenty of moisture for real rapid growth and a lot of beans are potted pretty heavily, so we’re seeing quite a few fields where the soybeans are lodged, so just to watch out for that once you start getting into your fields.”
Steigerwalt says the variances in conditions throughout the season are leading to a wide range of yields in early reports, very low to upwards of 230 bushels in some corn fields, and crop moisture levels too.
“I’m hearing a variety of moistures all across the board,” he said. “There’s moisture that I’m hearing anywhere from as low as 17, 18%, but also stuff that’s over 30%, so just make sure you’re prioritizing your harvest properly and not get into the fields before you really should be there.”
For more with Eric Steigerwalt, hear the full Channel Seed harvest interview here:
