Harvest is happening across the U.S., but at a slow, slow pace, according to reports to AgWeb’s Crop Comments. Yet, many farmers are reporting strong yields and still have hopes of harvesting record amounts of corn, soybeans and wheat.
Slow Progress
“Harvest is starting at a snails pace so far,” says a farmer from St. Clair and Madison counties, in southwest Illinois. “Most years we have a good dent in corn and quite a few beans cut. But, so far we’ve had two good days of corn shelling under our belt.”
The number of field work days is similar in the neighboring state of Missouri. A farmer from Farmington, Mo. says he’s also only had two days to harvest. Then, a monsoon came.
“We were able to cut around 65 acres of beans and then sow those acres to wheat. I have about 3.5" in my gauge but have heard of upwards of 5" to 6" 50-60 miles northwest of here,” the farmer says. “It looks like the 4x4 on the combine will get a workout this year!”
A farmer from south central Indiana reports four days of combine work, but some of those days were only half days due to rain. “There is some corn harvested and some say it is starting to mold in the field with this rain and cool temperatures.”
Yield Reports
Even with harvest crawling along, the farmers who have got in the field are seeing some pretty good yields.
“Soybean yields are good at 45-60,” says a farmer from Dakota County, Minn. “For some guys that is double last year’s drought beans. Corn will be late, wet, and near record yields if we can get it harvested.”
In Walnut Grove, Minn., a farmer says he’s completed soybean harvest. “One of the best harvests ever – 53.4 bu. average.”
A farmer from Ramsey County, N.D. reports harvest completion for wheat. “We’ve had record yields, about 30% above normal.
“Looks like an average corn crop but very, very wet. We may harvest most in the spring, did that last year and we were surprised how well the corn stood and the quality was better than drying very wet corn.”
Gloomy Forecasts
No doubt farmers are still watching the sky and weather radar to determine when they can put this year’s harvest to bed.
In Blue Earth County, Minn., rain and snow are causing problems. “Snow was flying last night,” the farmer says. “They are talking 3-5”, I hope we don't get that much. We’ve had about 8" of rain in the last two weeks (not including the snow).”
Further south, in Lauderdale County, Tenn., a farmer says the clouds and rain and drizzle will not let up. “The rain that was a blessing a couple of months ago is now a curse.”
A farmer from Hamilton County, Neb. says they received 1” of snow Saturday night, which will stop harvest until the end of the week. “This will be a very slow corn harvest,” the farmer says. “Count your blessings this fall and be careful. We will all get through!”
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