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Northwestern Illinois farmer says harvest beat drought expectations

A northwestern Illinois farmer says his harvest turned out better than expected.

Rock Katschnig, who grows corn and soybeans in Henry County, says the late-season drought tempered his expectations.

“The end of July, we had the potential for the biggest crop in history, and then when we didn’t get hardly any rain, three-tenths and six-tenths in August and September.”  He says, “We actually, I guess, fared out better than what we anticipated. But overall, it was good.”

He tells Brownfield that preparations are well underway for next season.

“We got the majority of our strip tilling done, and what we have to do for the remainder is on lighter soil.”  He says, “We can do it in the spring, so as of a couple of days ago, that tillage is over for this year.”

Katschnig says while the recent snow may have ended the fieldwork season, he’s optimistic it’s a step in the right direction toward recharging subsoil moisture before next season.

AUDIO: Rock Katschnig – Illinois farmer