2013 Crop Harvest Update

 

November is just around the corner and that means Ohio’s grain farmers are close to finishing their 2013 crop harvests. So, what are farmers saying about this year’s corn and soybean harvests?
 
According to a Columbus CEO article, Kirk Roetgerman, grain-marketing services manager at Trupointe Cooperative’s South Charleston elevator and Steve Bricher, Urbana branch manager for Heritage Cooperative, both said that soybean yields are running stronger than expected.
 
“Farmers seem pleasantly surprised with yields averaging near 57 bushels an acre,” said Roetgerman, who estimated the South Charleston elevator has handled about 800,000 of the 1.5 million bushels it expects to receive.
 
“If we would have had another rain in August, yields would have been better,” added Bricher. “But given the dry spell, farmers seem very happy with above average results of 50 to 60 bushels an acre.”
 
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) estimates a total U.S. soybean production of 3.15 billion bushels with a national yield average of 41.2 bushels per acre.

As for corn production, government analysts believe that U.S. producers will harvest a record 13.8 billion bushels this fall. The USDA estimates the national average corn yield at 155.3 bushels per acre, an increase of more than 25 percent from last year’s drought-reduced crop.

John Hoffman, a grain farmer in Pickaway County, states in Ohio’s Country Journal that his corn yield will fall between 160 and 180 bushels per acre. “People may forget that when we were planting corn, we had some heavy rains and emergence issues. There were some surprises in the cornfields as the soils vary and there was corn hurt by the moisture early in the season, but overall I am happy with the corn yields.”

According to an article in the Toledo Blade, the best crops in the U.S. are in areas that received adequate rain combined with cooler temperatures at the time corn pollinated, a welcome sight after last year's dismal harvest due to the drought withering corn and soybean fields and burning up pastures. Record harvests are likely in many states this year, including Ohio, Alabama, Georgia and Indiana.

To learn more about what Ohio farmers are saying about the 2013 crop harvest, visit Ohio’s Country Journal’s Between the Rows.

If you are a farmer, how does your 2013 corn and/or soybean harvest compare to 2012?

Photo obtained from: www.wksu.org

Where Farmers Go to Dream

Agricultural shows have been happening for years. These public events showcase everything from equipment and animals, to sports and recreation associated with agriculture and animal husbandry.

The Farm Progress Show, held a few weeks ago in Decatur, Illinois, is the nations leading outdoor agricultural show and features the most extensive state-of-the art information and technology available for today’s agricultural producers.

Additional agricultural shows throughout the country include:

• National Farm Machinery Show in Louisville, Kentucky
• American Royal in Kansas City, Missouri
• Pennsylvania Farm Show in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
• National Western Stock Show in Denver, Colorado

In Ohio, we have the Farm Science Review (FSR), which is sure to exceed attendees’ expectations this year.

Taking place September 20-22, this year's review theme, "Where Farmers Go to Dream," will emphasize agricultural innovation to spark new ideas and long-term visions for the agricultural industry.

Farmers can expect to view 4,000 product lines from 600 commercial exhibitors and learn the latest in agricultural research, conservation and technology. Field demonstrations will also take place despite the heaviest rains in the state in more than a century.

“We were able to have all of the corn and soybeans planted by June 8, so it’s possible that, depending on the weather, the crops may be ready for harvest during the Review,” said Chuck Gamble, Farm Science Review manager. “Regardless of whether we’re harvesting at that time, attendees will see field demonstrations like tillage and GPS.”

Additional highlights include:

• The latest in agricultural technology
• Livestock-handling equipment
• Grain and machine storage and other outbuilding structures
• Natural-resource practices and programs
• Demonstrations of drainage systems (if the harvest takes place)
  

Experiencing its 49th year, FSR is sponsored by the College of Food, Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, Ohio State University Extension and the Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center. It attracts nearly 140,000 visitors from the U.S. and Canada who come to learn about the latest in agricultural research, products and services, and experience educational exhibits, presentations and demonstrations relating to natural-resource management and the crop and livestock industries.

For more information and a show schedule, visit http://fsr.osu.edu.

Have you attended or exhibited at Farm Science Review in the past? If you plan to attend this year, what are you most interested to see and/or learn about?

Photo obtained from: http://fsr.osu.edu/