April 18, 2024

Area farmers note strong soybean harvest; corn, too early to tell

By CALEB NELSON
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Area farmers say good weather has allowed them ample time to move quickly on the soybean harvest across the area. Around the state, about 55% of the soybeans had been harvested and 25% of the corn for gain as of Tuesday's Crop and Conditions Report. (CNA photo)

Optimism has abounded for area farmers as they’ve hit the ground running in their combines to harvest this year’s soybean and corn crop over the past few weeks.

Due to extremely low amounts of moisture across most of the area, this growing season was one marked with plenty of uncertainly. However Doug Wallace, who farms west of Creston in Adams County, stated this week that he’s thankful to have the harvest to bring in.

The Crop and Conditions Report given by the U.S. Department of Agriculture Tuesday showed 55% of the soybeans in Iowa had been harvested along with 25% of the corn for grain.

“Overall, I’ve been surprised by the soybean yields. We’re very thankful for the crops we’ve had,” Wallace said. “It’s the lack thereof [on moisture] in some spots. And in some spots, it’s close to adequate. ... 2020 has been a challenging year. I think we all just need to be thankful for the harvest we have in this local area.”

Wallace also noted good weather for a prolonged stretch has given farmers ample time to make good progress — progress that is well ahead of schedule in some spots, said Mitch Montag, Location Manager at Gavilon Grain in Creston.

“This is my first year down in Creston, so I’m probably speaking more broad terms for the state, but things have been going smooth. This is probably the longest stretch of weather we’ve had during a fall season in several years which is why we’re ahead of schedule right now,” Montag said. “Yields are running average to above average depending on what weather you caught this year.”

Tony Hoskins, Grain Origination Manager at United Farmers Cooperative in Creston, said that he’s also seen harvest progressing at a brisk pace early on.

“We’re finally picking up pace,” Hoskins said. “We’re in a good spot of it now on the soybeans and are getting a pretty good start on the corn. Guys are pleasantly surprised at what they’re finding.”

Montag pointed out a sharp rally in the markets over the last few weeks, especially on soybeans, which he predicts will lead a lot of farmers to sell out of the field.

“A lot of that goes back to the demand side where we’ve seen a lot more export demand. That’s definitely put the futures going higher,” Montag said. “More guys are probably selling soybeans out of the field than we’ve seen in the last couple of years. A lot of guys will probably be eager to sell the soybeans. It’s still too early in the corn harvest to say what guys are doing with that crop.”