Harvest

Illinois farmers have faced their share of challenges this growing season. Much of the state received a deluge of rain in the heat of planting.

Harvest is in full swing, but the impact of a difficult planting season is still apparent from the combine perch. While phosphorus (P) might have been plentiful in the soil, a cold, wet spring tricked the nutrient from working its magic.

Monday’s Crop Progress shows 30 point delays in both corn and soybean harvest in Minnesota.

Iowa soybeans were close to maturation two weeks ago, thanks to cooler temperatures the state had this season compared to 2016. In some states, soybeans are just beginning to mature. Here’s a look at how soybeans reach physiological maturity and what farmers need to look for in their fields now.

See all of the report data, coverage and analysis of USDA’s Oct. 10 World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates (WASDE) and Crop Production reports.

At the end of the season every precious kernel you’ve slaved to produce that is entrusted in grain storage holds your farm’s future and your management of the grain helps dictate just how good of a future that will be.

Nebraska farmers have received plenty of moisture over the last week. Farmers like Kenny Reinke from Neligh, Neb., tells AgDay’s national reporter Betsy Jibben he has barely harvested soybeans and there may be a long harvest season ahead of him.

A mycotoxin with the propensity to hurt livestock and even humans that consume it, fumonisin is making its way through parts of Okalahoma and Texas well-above normal levels. Farmers with the mold are likely to face discounts and possibly be unable to feed grain to livestock.

A corn maze tribute to Star Wars’ leading lady.

In light of low prices, producers might be best served by using existing bins or building new ones for corn, capturing local basis and turning storage into a cash cow in 2018, says Jerry Gulke of the Gulke Group.