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Central IL farmer expects drawn out harvest

A central Illinois farmer expects a long harvest season.

Austin Rincker, who farms in Shelby County, says it’s been an eventful growing season.

“I think we had more rain in July than what I can ever remember in a farming career.”  He says, “Maybe 11-12 inches.  Crop looks pretty good, all things considered, but it will be, I think, kind of a drawn-out harvest. So, we had all those different planning dates. So, I think we’ll maybe have a little bit of an early start, but I think we’ll kind of drag it out.”

He tells Brownfield recent scouting trips have him prioritizing which fields to harvest first.

“Found a lot of tar spot here when I got back out in the field, and then some ear molds, and a few sprouts in the top of some shucks.”  He says, “Talking to some other guys that are seeing the same thing. So, I think we’re going to have to be pretty cognizant of what we put in the bin.”

Despite that, he’s optimistic.

“Maybe try to bushel our way out of this situation, you know, with some higher yields,” he says.

Rincker expects his harvest season to begin within the next two weeks.

Brownfield spoke with Rincker at an Illinois Soybean Association Field Day at the Farm Progress Show site in Decatur. 

AUDIO: Austin Rincker – Illinois farmer