Harvest a mixed bag for area farmers

This year’s corn and soybean harvests have been a mixed bag for farmers in Southeast Iowa.

Heavy spring rains in some parts of the region forced some farmers to replant their crops, resulting in a later harvest.

“It’s been a very interesting year to say the least,” Farm Bureau Regional Manager Lane Eads, whose territory includes Henry and Jefferson counties, said. “Some are wrapping up and will be done shortly. Some haven’t even started yet because of the wet spring.”

Eads said that part of Henry County is faring well, while other parts are having issues due to the spring rains.

Iowa State University Extension Agronomist Virgil Schmitt agreed.

“Some areas had excessive rain in the spring and a lot of replanting was done,” Schmitt said. “A lot (of the replanted crops) did not establish well. There are some challenges in those replanted fields.”

Eads said that parts of Jefferson County had some weather issues, too.

“Southern Jefferson County is getting along really good,” Eads said. “Northern Jefferson County had a lot of wind this summer. That’s really slowing them down.”

He added that there is a lot of corn down because of the summer winds, as well as some issues with immature beans.

As for yields, Eads said, “Disappointment in corn yields. Indifferent on beans.”

Schmitt said that yields in the replanted fields are less than half of those in the fields that did not need to be replanted.

Farm Bureau Regional Manager Jerry Anderson, whose territory includes Washington County, said that southern Washington County also had some replanting issues due to the spring rains.

“The northern part of Washington County had some hail, and that created issues,” Anderson said, adding that farmers are making good progress harvesting their crops.

Both Anderson and Eads said that, throughout the region, progress and yields are all over the board.

“Either they had too much rain early and dry late, or they got rain right when they needed it,” Anderson said.

Eads added, “Not everyone is on an even playing field.”

Comments: james.jennings@southeastiowaunion.com