Planting Updates from Iowa Corn Leaders - Tuesday, April 9, 2013

Bruce Rohwer, a farmer from Paullina, is president of the Iowa Corn Growers Association. Rohwer and his wife raise corn, soybeans, and hogs. Rohwer is the third generation on his family’s Century Farm and his son, who farms with him, will be the fourth generation.

"We received about an inch and a tenth of rain on Monday night. That is the most substantial rain we’ve had for some time,” Rohwer says. “I think enough frost is gone from the ground, so hopefully the rain soaked in.”

Rohwer is hoping Northwest Iowa receives more rain and not much snow that could fall tonight or tomorrow.

“As short of moisture that we are, it’s good that we have not had hot temperatures that would consume the moisture that is in the soil,” he adds.  “We don’t have any extra to give up.” 

Don Hunerdosse of Milo produces corn, soybeans and alfalfa and raises about 230 cow-calf pairs. Don also serves as a director on the Iowa Corn Promotion Board.  He and his wife have two young sons. Hunderdosse has two brothers that work with him on the farm.

“Some alfalfa seeding was done this past week and a little fertilizer was spread in our area, but other than that, not much work has been done,” he says.

With the cow-calf operation and calving, Hunderdosse is glad to get some warm weather.

“March was one of the wettest and muddiest calving seasons I can remember,” he says.  “This year our forage needs are greater because last year we turned the cows out to grass on April 17 and this year it will be well after May 1.”

Hunerdosse said, “The good news is we are 75 percent done with calving.”