News

Missouri crops get timely rain as corn nears harvest

A farmer from Audrain County, Missouri says a state fair rain that happened over the weekend is welcome news.

Beth Schnitker tells Brownfield “We’ve been out scouting and we’re seeing plants with a lot of pods. We’re hopeful all of those pods fill with some soybeans.”

Schnitker says the corn is maturing.

“It’s starting to turn brown and we’re seeing husks brown and the ears drop, but no combines rolling yet in our neck of the woods. But I think harvest is closer than we think.”

While corn harvest is in the early phases in parts of the state, she says harvest is expected in early September at her farm. That’s several weeks ahead of average.

In its latest crop progress report, USDA says Missouri corn is rated 66 percent good to excellent, with 89 percent of the crop in the dough stage, and 53 percent is dented. Missouri’s soybean crop is rated 59 percent good to excellent, with 75 percent of the crop setting pods.

Schnitker is also the chair of the FCS Financial Board of Directors.