How’s the harvest?

This season’s harvest began sooner than normal, which was a welcome delight to Ohio farmers who experienced a late, difficult season in 2009 because of soggy conditions.

In fact, it’s halfway finished, according to the Times Bulletin. One year ago, some farmers hadn’t even entered their fields.

"I've talked to several guys who have told me this is the earliest they've been able to harvest in 20 to 25 years,” said a Van Wert farmer who was quoted in the newspaper.

The story cited some weed problems with ragweed in the state’s corn crop and marestail in its soybean crop, as well as a few field fires because of dry weather. But overall, it seems as if farmers will have a relaxing Thanksgiving this year.

“Weeks of warm weather during the planting season, regular rains during the first part of summer and a warm and dry August have amounted to ‘perfect conditions’ for area grain farmers, said Tony Nye, an Ohio State University agriculture extension educator,” a Wilmington News Reporter stated.

To watch a video about the fall harvest in Clinton County, visit: http://www.wnewsj.com/main.asp?SectionID=49&SubSectionID=156&ArticleID=186422.

Because of the season’s dry conditions, farmers won’t have to pay nearly as much, if anything, for drying time onsite and at storage facilities to reduce high moisture content before being able to sell. Moisture content of this year’s harvested corn is averaging 17 percent.

Harvest Highlights (USDA as of 9/27)

• Total corn production is forecast to increase 7 percent (585 million bushels)
• Total soybean production is expected to increase1 percent (225 million bushels)
• Corn is trading 19 to 23 cents more than in 2009
• Soybeans are trading 31 to 33 cents more than in 2009
• Wheat is trading 17 to 23 cents more than in 2009
• The national corn harvest is about 27 percent complete
• The national soybean harvest is about 17 percent complete

Corn is selling at more than $5/bushel, wheat at $7/bushel and soybeans are selling for more than $10/bushel, according to a recent Coshocton Tribune story.

For a complete report about trading data, visit: http://www.ams.usda.gov/mnreports/sj_gr116.txt.

Farmers throughout the state are grateful for the average to above average yields as they enter the home stretch.

Photo obtained from: extension.iastate.edu