Bean harvest blitz

Dry conditions have area farmers wrapping up the soybean harvest and heading towards taller commodities.

"It depends on what we get for rain in the next few days, but I think you'll see a decent amount of corn being taken out over the next week," New Century FS agronomist Alic Mohni said on Monday. "Everyone is pretty much wrapping up their bean fields and looking to move on."

Harvest season hit its stride in September and moved along mostly unfettered as precipitation stayed at bay. Mohni said yields have been decent, with top-end numbers reaching 80 bushels per acre in some of the best fields around the Royal area. Around Hartley and Sanborn, top yields have been in the mid-to-upper 60s and low 70s.

"As we expected, everything depended on who got the rain and who didn't," Mohni said. "White mold took the top end off some fields, but overall I think most people are pretty happy."

Areas south of O'Brien and Clay counties aren't seeing as high of yields for soybeans.

"When you get closer towards Highway 20, I've heard they're ranging between 50-60 [bushels per acre]," he said. "I still think we're pretty fortunate here."

Parched conditions ruled the growing season, which has led to dry crops coming out of the field. Mohni reported that moisture content in soybeans has been around 9-10 percent while the small amount of harvested corn has been around 15-16 percent.

Though farmers are looking to wrap up their bean fields and shift to corn, Mohni said most producers would welcome a partially-wet forecast over the next week.

According to the latest report from the U.S. Drought Monitor, both O'Brien and Clay counties are experiencing "Moderate Drought." A majority of the state is experiencing drier conditions.

"I think we'd take any rain we could get right now," said Mohni.

• Statewide harvest report

The USDA's weekly crops and conditions report for Iowa on Monday noted steady progress in statewide harvest progress.

Soybeans harvested reached 52 percent, one day ahead of last year and one week ahead of the average as Iowa farmers were able to harvest 28 percent of the state's soybeans during the week ending Oct. 8. Soybean condition rated 48 percent good-to-excellent.

Corn harvested for grain reached 30 percent statewide, five days ahead of last year and six days ahead of the average. Moisture content of field corn being harvested for grain was at 19 percent. Corn condition declined slightly to 48 percent good-to-excellent.

Topsoil moisture condition rated 32 percent very short, 44 percent short, 23 percent adequate and 1 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture condition rated 37 percent very short, 43 percent short, 19 percent adequate and 1 percent surplus.