Area agronomist discusses soybean and corn harvests in southeastern Minnesota

Minnesota had 6.3 days suitable for fieldwork for the week ending October 9th, according to the latest Minnesota Crop Progress and Condition report from the USDA.  Much of that fieldwork has included the soybean harvest, and KAUS News spoke with Josh Schofner, Field Agronomist with Pioneer in southeastern Minnesota who stated that the soybean harvest in this part of the state is wrapping up, and he added that yield-wise, the crop could be better than anticipated based on the growing season…

Schofner went on to state that area farmers are starting to head full-on into the corn harvest, and he added that some fields in southeastern Minnesota are seeing tar spot, a fungal disease that appears as a series of black spots containing spores on corn leaves.  The spores may spread on the plant’s leaves and cause reduced photosynthesis, which can lead to stalk cannibalization and poor standability…

Topsoil moisture supplies in Minnesota were rated 8 percent very short, 29 percent short, 61 percent adequate, and 2 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture supplies were rated 8 percent very short, 26 percent short, 64 percent adequate, and 2 percent surplus. 

Corn dented or beyond reached 98 percent. Corn maturity was at 75 percent, two days ahead of the 5-year average. Corn harvested for grain was at 5 percent. Corn condition was 3 percent very poor, 7 percent poor, 29 percent fair, 48 percent good, and 13 percent excellent. Corn for silage was 85 percent harvested. 

Soybean coloring, according to the report reached 99 percent and soybeans dropping leaves was at 86 percent. Soybeans harvested was at 29 percent, one day behind the 5-year average. Soybean condition was at 2 percent very poor, 6 percent poor, 28 percent fair, 52 percent good, and 12 percent excellent.