“Real Good!” Harvest Progress Reported
Trent Brandenburg is three-quarters done with his corn harvest and one-third done with his soybeans. “I wish it would dry out some more so I could cut beans,” Trent said, alluding to recent heavy rains in he area. Overall, Trent sees the crops as well above average, but not record-setting like 2014. Trent began his corn harvest on September 10, with harvested corn moisture “in the mid 20s (%)”. Due to a drying discount at the elevator, Trent began his harvest. The moisture is running 15 to 17% now.
The dilemma with the harvested corn and soybeans is whether to store or sell. With market prices the lowest in years, will they go up enough to recoup the storage charges accumulated waiting for a market rise,or should the farmer just sell “over the scale.” “It’s a gamble. You need a good market advisor,” Trent observed.
More from The Field Report
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 [...]
First Round Of Planting Done, Ponds Need Replanting
Trent Brandenburg is done with his "first round" of planting, as he puts it. The corn and soybeans he planted in April are up and growing in excellent condition. Trent's later-planted crops are germinating but not as far along as [...]