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Drought devastates soybean yields in central Kansas

Central Kansas farmer Paul Penner says this year’s soybean crop is in dismal shape from the ongoing drought.

“There are just literally brown spots on the regular beans. There are pods there, but there is nothing in them.”

He tells Brownfield the region didn’t receive measurable moisture for nearly 3 months. “Some guys have already hayed their soybeans several weeks ago already. Some have harvested them already. My opinion is that yields are well below expectations or average.”

However, he says, double crop soybean conditions have improved after timely rains last month. “It looks like there’s a good chance that we’re going to have a good crop.”

Penner says they are close to maturity and could begin harvest in a couple of weeks if they dry down.