The Rain Came Just In Time For The Corn
Trent Brandenburg’s corn crop was badly hurting from the drought in May and June. The tassels were emerging on the shortest corn stalks in recent memory. The rain came with the huge derecho on July 8, 2023, and more reasonable showers since. Trent says, “The cornstalks grew two feet after it rained.” He says his corn pollination is complete; he thinks the rain came in time.
Trent estimates that his soybean crop was hurt during the drought, but they seem to have a normal pod count, “but the plants are short.” Trent would like to see the soybean plants taller for his visual comfort, but he knows that the soybeans will continue making pods for a couple of months yet.
More from The Field Report
Dry Weather Hastens Harvest
September in central Illinois was one-to-three-inches short of average rainfall. Trent Brandenburg took full advantage of the natural drydown and good field conditions to get his crops from the field to the bin. Trent has completed his soybean harvest. He [...]
Not Quite Harvest Time Just Yet
Trent Brandenburg's earliest-planted corn is "about a week away" from drying below 25% moisture. At that level, he could lower his drying expense at the grain elevator. "Now, if there's an incentive..., " Trent indicated that an elevator offering a [...]
Replanting Done, Corn and Beans Look Good
Trent Brandenburg has replanted his few ponded field "wet spots" as many as three times. The replanted areas are "thin," Trent observed, because "It has been too wet. But at least [replanting] will keep the weeds down." Trent is now [...]