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Drought conditions cause early Ohio harvest

An agronomist based in northeast Ohio says the drought has matured crops faster and harvest is already underway.  

Brad Miller is with Dekalb/Asgrow. 

“In some areas south of Columbus, corn yields were in the 150 bushel range, very dry and some of the soybeans have come off at about 30 to 40 bushel per acre,” he says “They’re getting hit pretty hard.”

He tells Brownfield precipitation has been inconsistent throughout the state.

“Just look at the rest of the state,” he says. “Northeast Ohio had a little bit more rain. But, as you move into Northwest Ohio, they started out with a very, very wet spring and got some late planting in. Really the rains continued on and then here the last part of the growing season, things have dried up a little bit. It’s a different environment.”

Miller says the pace is picking up, but some of the later planted fields are still waiting to be harvested.

Brownfield interviewed Miller during the 2024 Farm Science Review.

AUDIO: Brad Miller, Dekalb/Asgrow