IP Crop Network: October 13 report

Although most areas in the Upper Midwest have not yet received a frost, harvest is progressing well, with producers continuing to make good progress where field conditions allow. Yields have generally been meeting expectations, and overall crop quality remains favorable. Seed size and protein appear to be good so far. Most producers are focused on wrapping up soybean harvest over the next couple of weeks.  

In Wisconsin, soybean harvest is well underway with yields and quality very solid considering such a dry summer. Harvest moistures are running drier than preferred with the excellent harvest window over the last several days and continuing. Edible beans are nearly wrapped up with harvest, and yields are quite variable. Soil moisture levels are ideal for seeding cover crops following harvest. Winter wheat seeding is progressing nicely. 

Illinois has similar notes on their harvest. Corn is showing an average yield and is testing at 18% moisture out of the field. Corn harvest is about halfway done for one farmer and sits at 36% throughout the state. Soybeans are showing an above average yield and got too dry at 9%, so our farmer reporter is waiting on rain tomorrow and Thursday to try and build that moisture before he continues. His soybeans are a third of the way harvested, and statewide sits at 31%. 

In Minnesota, several farms have wrapped up soybean harvest or expect to in the next day or two. Good results are coming from central Minnesota and some areas even seeing record yields. However, yields have varied across the state. In northern Minnesota, severe drought has led to below-average soybean yields, and similar issues are showing up in southwestern Minnesota. After a wet September, some soybean quality concerns have emerged, including purple seed stain caused by the fungus Cercospora and reports of Soybeans of Other Colors (SBOC). Research shows these problems usually do not lower soybean protein or oil quality, though purple seed stain can affect seed growth if used for planting. So far, these issues have not led to grain discounts, and field visits and farmer feedback suggest their overall impact is limited right now. Corn harvest is in full swing, and it looks like a dry 7-10 days ahead, so quite a bit will get done. Corn moisture is ranging from 14.7-18% out of the field. Corn yields are showing a similar pattern, with strong results in some regions and below-average yields in others.  

Michigan is nearing completion with soybean harvest. So far, the yields have been below average but decent for the weather they have been through this growing season. The quality has been good with a bigger seed size than last year. Farmers have had a good stretch of weather that has allowed them to move quickly through the fields. Winter wheat planting is done and will move right to corn once done with soybeans. Most of southeast Michigan has been delayed somewhat with the start of harvest, but farmers are covering lots of acres in the last two weeks. Corn is drying down with the heat and sunshine and should be in good shape to harvest soon. 

This twice monthly report highlights growing conditions for identity preserved crops from different regions around the country. The reports include both firsthand accounts and data from the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) weekly Crop Progress reports.