As expected, area corn and soybean yields are much less than in past years but, according to local agriculture officials, bean yields are doing “a little better than expected.”
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Both Phil Hoffman of Hoffman and Reed and Tyler Mason of Trenton MFA agree that yield totals are down considerably that the numbers usually reported, thanks to a summer that saw some of the worst drought conditions in several years. Corn caught the brunt of the rain-less summer, with Hoffman noting corn yields being about 30 to 35 percent less than a normal year.
“The lack of rain was not kind to the corn,” Hoffman said, adding that this year’s corn yields are some of the worst seen since the drought in 1983.
“When we finally did get rain, it was just too late for the corn,” Mason said.
Most of the area corn has been harvested, with a few patches still yet to be done. The soybean harvest, however, is about one-half to two-thirds completed.
Both Hoffman and Mason said area farmers are finding the bean yields to be a little better than had previously been thought, in part because of late rains received in the area in late August and early September.
“It shows just how tough the beans really are,” Mason said.
Hoffman said that “hill” beans have the least yield amounts while bottom beans are yielding at a much higher rate. Mason estimated bean yields at around 15 to 20 bushels per acre on the “hill” while some bottom beans are yielding as high as 40 bushels per acre.
“In general, bean yields are much better than expected,” Hoffman said.
Statewide, corn harvest is around 95 percent complete while soybean harvest numbers near the 50 to 60 percent mark.
Meanwhile, farmers are turning their attention to winter wheat planting, much of which has occurred within the last two weeks. Both Mason and Hoffman said that rain received over the past weekend as well as warm weather should result in good stands for what has been planted and, hopefully, produce a strong yields when harvested.