A year of numerous variables from planting to harvest time, has predictably concluded with varying yields for northwest Indiana farmers. Pat McMullan, Channel Seed sales agronomist in that corner of the state, says yields may be down in some cases, but it was still a very productive year.
“I think compared to the last couple years, we were off maybe 10% as an average, but I also think we’ve had some really good years for the last 3 years, so we’ve kind of expected to hit records,” he said. “If you take the last few years out, I think we would have very good yields, so I think that we take that into consideration and the fact that we’re expecting a lot out of our hybrids in this day and age.”
For corn growers, the season for variability started immediately in the spring.
“I think as you look forward in the next coming years, if you’re looking for variable rate maps, this is a good year to use. A number of different things. We had some dry spells and very wet spells and even extremely wet spells, but as we look at how the year took off there were some good windows there in early April. But then we got cold and wet into April, early May so crown rots were a concern from the get-go and we did end up seeing some of that stuff late in the season.”
Stalk degradation was a concern during the season and came to fruition in some fields at harvest time.
And the range in yields for soybeans was also varied.
“Yes, very much variability and in soybeans, I think there’s areas that had record yields, so it’s all about water management and what Mother Nature threw at you this year.”
For more with Pat McMullan, including his major takeaway from 2026, listen to the full Channel Seed harvest update here:
