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Heat speeds up corn dry down, creates challenges for soybean harvest in Illinois

An agronomy manager with Wyffels Hybrids says the warm finish to September is aiding in the dry down of corn.

Robby Meeker, who covers central Illinois, tells Brownfield, “I had a grower share with me yesterday that corn moisture had dropped 10 points in about 12 days of time, so we’re definitely getting those moistures coming down.”  He says, “For the better, I’d say, with the economic prices in terms of the drying cost standpoint.”

He says soybeans are a different story.

“There’s guys that are cutting beans above 13% still.”  He says, “I’ve also heard some reports of 8 to 9% soybeans with this heat. The moisture is fluctuating a lot during the day.”

Meeker says many farmers are focused on finishing soybeans before moistures drop further, which could result in potential yield losses.

AUDIO: Robby Meeker – Wyffels