News
A variable corn harvest in SEMO
A farmer in southeast Missouri says the corn crop that’s being harvested is variable.
“In this area of the state, our yields are usually well above average, but I think the average will be lower.”
Aaron Porter tells Brownfield he started harvest a week ago. The corn that was submerged in moisture earlier in the growing season and lacked good fertility has yields up to 230 bushels/acre. He says there are corn fields that are better.
“I cut one field that was around 282 bushels/acre. I was pleasantly surprised about that, given the season. As we move into some of these later varieties, I’m expecting yields to go up.”
In the latest crop progress report, USDA says 15 percent of Missouri’s corn is mature, ahead of average. The crop is rated 79 percent good to excellent.
Porter says he’s storing the corn being harvested.
“It’s kind of unusual. We typically haul a lot out in the fall, but with prices the way they are we’re going to store it. There’s a good carry this year. We’ll probably save it until January.”
Porter raises corn, soybeans and cotton in Stoddard County, Missouri.