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Farmer reports variability in crop conditions while walking fields

Southern Indiana farmer Ben Kron says he’s seeing variability in crop conditions following recent warm and dry conditions.  

“I think the beans are going to turn out well. The corn crop, I believe, is going to be hit or miss depending on the hybrid you have out in your field,” he says. “We have some spots that look good and some spots that I’m disappointed in. I give it an average or slightly above average rating. What’s good is going to be good and what’s not, just isn’t. I’m happy with beans overall, and getting these late rains will really help the crop out. They need a lot more later (in the season) than they do early on and so I’m still hopeful on those yet.”

While walking fields recently, Kron said he could tell which hybrids had better heat and drought tolerance.

“We have a few hybrids out there with some tip back and some blank kernels in them, but a few of them took it really well too,” he says. “…I think overall I’m pretty happy with things. I’m cautious of it, but am feeling good overall for the weather we’ve had.”

He tells Brownfield timely rains would help the crop reach the finish line.

“If we could get about an inch of rain once a week here for the next three or four weeks it would definitely help. We’re still doing a little bit of fungicide application and we still have to finish the crop out yet. Just because it’s starting to turn doesn’t mean it’s done,” he says. “We’re not even to black layer or anything like that yet on corn and beans are still growing hard so we still have a few weeks left. It looks like there’s some rain in the forecast, and we won’t turn that away.”

Kron raises corn and soybeans in Evansville, Indiana.