Some early harvests have farmers ‘pleasantly surprised’ – Iowa Capital Dispatch

It could be weeks earlier than agriculture specialists can say with confidence how the state’s corn and soybean yields fared this yr, however a few of the early harvesters are relieved their yields are higher than anticipated.

“The primary fields that get harvested are hardly a barometer for what issues are going to appear to be for the remainder of harvest, however folks have been to date considerably pleasantly stunned,” mentioned Meaghan Anderson, an Iowa State College Extension area agronomist who screens central Iowa. “However I feel the bar for expectations was not tremendous excessive.”

Planting in a lot of the state was delayed this yr by April rains. Then the rains stopped, and drought situations unfold throughout the northwest and southern half of the state. Could, June, July and August have been all hotter and drier than regular, in response to state climatologist climate summaries.

Anderson mentioned her current survey of early corn harvests in Polk County confirmed a median of about 191 bushels per acre. That’s about 13% decrease than final yr, when Iowa farmers set a brand new yield report.

“It’s considerably decrease than final yr however could be thought-about on par with common,” Anderson mentioned.

About 5% of the state’s corn crop has been harvested, in response to a U.S. Division of Agriculture report on Monday. The harvest to date is 5 days behind final yr however simply sooner or later slower than the five-year common.

“Individuals are actually simply getting began this week — now we have a number of inexperienced corn up right here,” mentioned Angie Rieck-Hinz, an ISU Extension area agronomist for north-central Iowa. “Individuals are involved about maturity. We’re not going to be very heat this week. … If we will get just a little bit of warmth subsequent week we will end off a few of the corn.”

About 44% of that space’s corn is mature, the USDA report mentioned. That compares with a excessive of 85% in east-central Iowa.

Rieck-Hinz mentioned the crop’s maturation isn’t too removed from regular however that farmers want favorable climate to keep away from the added prices of drying too-moist kernels.

About 7% of the state’s soybean crop has been harvested, which is three days behind the five-year common. Corn and soybean situations have remained regular with 64% of corn rated good or wonderful and 62% of soybeans rated the identical.

Final week was unseasonably scorching and averaged 6 levels above regular, in response to the USDA report. Rainfall averaged a few quarter of an inch. That’s a few third of what’s usually anticipated for that week.