Corn harvesting in Indiana continues to run behind the average pace, while the soybean harvest is nearing the halfway mark. Late planting dates and a long growing season with fewer than average growing degree units have made harvest a long and late affair. Rod King, with Brodbeck Seeds, says an early frost should not pose a threat, “We are on track and, with a normal frost date at the end of October, we should be able to finish this crop.” He noted that there are still some fields that are not mature, but the warm weather of the past few weeks has pushed most of the crop to maturity. The USDA reported on Tuesday that 82% of Indiana corn was mature and 90% of soybeans were dropping leaves.
The warm and dry weather has been good for harvest, but has caused some disease issues in soybeans. King stated, “I have seen some charcoal rot in soybeans, and that is a dry weather disease.” He added that it has appeared late enough that it is not doing much damage.
King says a lesson to be learned from 2017 is perhaps not to replant as much as we did, “I think we pulled the trigger on replanting too early in some areas. Even in areas with thin stands, the ear size has been good.” He said that hybrids can flex in lower populations and that not replanting may be a better option in some situations. “Something to consider for next year,” he added.