Corn
USDA’s weekly crop progress report shows harvest progress slightly behind average for corn and soybeans.
Specialists from Bane-Welker Equipment and Co-Alliance share adjustments to make during harvest to set up for a successful planting season.
Yields can take a 5-bu.-per-acre hit as a result of the sickle running so high on stems it cuts off branches and allows them to fall below the deck. Losses can be reduced to 1 bu. per acre with header adjustments.
Now’s the time to start making notes of tar spot pressure, field by field and hybrid by hybrid, says Missy Bauer, Farm Journal field agronomist.
Ken Ferrie expects yields to climb as Illinois farmers start harvesting more of their May-planted corn. Looking ahead, he says farmers will see some challenges from herbicide carryover in 2024.
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Bitter blossoms sweet at Miles Farms. From father to son to brother to grandson, an annual sweet corn field has produced 1 million ears for the public.
Remember: Weeds that never emerge have no impact on yield.
The only way to increase bushels per ear is to document results in the fall and make changes next season, which involves scouting before and during harvest, analyzing results and drafting your plan.
Energy costs are high, so a simple solution would be to cash in on Mother Nature’s free drying services this fall. Unfortunately harvest decisions are rarely simple.