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Harvest weather could determine final outcome for 2026 Ohio crops

A north central Ohio farmer says she doesn’t expect to start harvest until the end of the month.

Patty Mann tells Brownfield, “Our beans are still pretty green for the most part, but we’re starting to see a little yellow on our earliest planted varieties. The green fields are still putting on new growth, we’re seeing a lot of new pods developing up at the top, and they’re tall.”

According to the latest USDA crop progress and conditions report, Ohio corn is 81 percent dented, 22 percent mature, and rated 68 percent good to excellent. Soybeans are 24 percent dropping leaves and rated 64 percent good to excellent.

She says weather continues to be the wildcard.

“I do think our yields are going to be pretty good,” she says. “If we get a few dry days, we’re going to need it. With all of this talk about El Nino, we could have shorter harvest windows. We’re hopeful that when the crop is ready, we’ll be able to go out there and get it.”

Mann raises corn and soybeans in Shelby County.

AUDIO: Patty Mann