Harvest Updates from Iowa Corn Leaders - Tues., Oct. 11, 2011

Harvest Updates from Iowa Corn Leaders - Tuesday, October 11, 2011

In northwest Iowa, Roger Knoblock, of Lester estimates that 85 percent of soybean harvest is complete. Around Lyon County, the later soybean varieties that had frost are yielding less than the earlier varieties. The late varieties yielded in the low to mid-50s (bushels per acre) while the earlier varieties yielded in the 60s (bushels per acre). The frost in September definitely hurt the later soybeans, Knoblock said. They’ve started harvesting corn and yields are ranging from 170 to 205 bushels per acre. They had a little rain, about .3 to .5-inch, in recent days which has helped with the extremely dry conditions. Knoblock said the rain helped stop the field and combine fires that occurred around his area last week.

In western Iowa, Kevin Ross of Minden expects soybean harvest to finish by this weekend. Many farmers around Pottawattamie County have been disappointed in the yields of the later soybean varieties. Corn yields have been pretty good so far but he expects to hear more results as farmers finish soybean harvest and combine more corn this week.

Jerry Main of Fairfield estimates that soybean harvest is about 80 percent complete in southeast Iowa. Yields in that area have been all over the board. Soybeans grown in clay soils have been extremely low (around 20 bushels per acre) while soybeans planted on better soils yielded in the 50s (bushels per acre). He estimates about half of the corn in his area has been harvested.