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Rain delays harvest, raises concerns for soybean losses

Persistent wet weather is expected to keep a north Iowa farmer out of the field through at least the first few days of October.

Mike Yegge grows corn and soybeans in Winnebago County and says harvest is on hold.

“As of (Friday), we’ve got rain in the forecast for the next week. I think we’ll have a very reasonable delay here, but if things open up we’re very eager and ready to go.”

He tells Brownfield the yield potential is still there.

“But at some point, any hard rain is going to be knocking beans off the pods and there’s definitely risk out there right now. And we’re still the garden spot we feel like, but there is a chance to go downhill if this delay continues much longer.”

Yegge says corn moisture is still between 25 and 30 percent, but he expects the crop to dry down quickly once the rain stops.