Category Archives: MN- South Central & Iowa North Central: Ryan Ohrtman

South Central Minnesota & North Central Iowa Crop Report: October 17, 2012

Posted on October 17, 2012 by Shannon Latham, Vice President

As a whole, corn yields in in North Central Iowa and South Central Minnesota were very good considering the growing conditions we were faced with this year. Although the yield variations were very dramatic, averages were above most people’s expectations. Corn harvest is 98% complete with tillage close to being done. Yields in the area seemed to show better in general with longer season maturities.

Dry harvest moisture was a very common theme this year. The entire harvest was like nothing most farmers have ever seen, but with that being said, soybean yields offered many pleasant surprises. Yields showed up very well in this area. For many areas, it was an “opposite year” as areas in a field that typically drowned out raised the averages this year and the higher areas of the farms didn’t yield quite as high. It will be interesting to see the acreage mix for next year with soybeans holding their own under very tough growing conditions. Soybean harvest is complete and tillage of the bean stuble is varied this year with dryness causing a concern for the future.

South Central Minnesota & North Central Iowa Crop Report: September 12, 2012

Posted on September 12, 2012 by Shannon Latham, Vice President

Corn harvest has started, and yields vary greatly like everyone predicted going into fall. From what I’m seeing and hearing, moisture is still a little high in this area. In fields with down corn, however, farmers are harvesting as quickly as possible any way. Everyone with whom I’ve talked is managing the threat of weaker stalks and roots very well; scout and plan according to conditions of the plants in a given field. Over all, I would say yields have ranged from 80 to 200 plus bushel per acre and moistures in the upper teens to upper 20′s. Corn harvest is about 10 percent throughout my whole territory.

Soybean colors have changed dramatically here in the last couple of days. I’ve only seen a few fields getting harvested, and even those fields had green stems and leaves. Farmers who have harvested some beans say they’re getting very dry in moisture content, especially for this time of year. Many farmers are very unsure of what to expect from their bean crops this year. Overall, just about 2 percent of the soybean crop harvested in my territory.

South Central Minnesota & North Central Iowa Crop Report: August 29, 2012

Posted on August 29, 2012 by Shannon Latham, Vice President

Corn
Early maturing corn in North Central Iowa, 96- and 97-day, which was planted around April 11 is starting to reach full maturity. It looks like a majority of corn in this area will reach black layer stage around Labor Day. A few growers are talking about starting harvest in the week of or the week following Labor Day. Many farmers say they plan to take out their early corn before starting in soy beans. Crop conditions and yield estimates vary incredibly. I’m getting a very wide range of projections, depending on the area as the amount of and the timing of rain showers also varied greatly.

Soybeans
Just this week, some soybeans started to turn. It’s a sure sign that soybeans are getting closer to harvest. Although soybeans vary greatly in projected yields and conditions, it appears there might still be some chance for further yield potential.