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Wet August continues to impact crop conditions this fall

A west central Indiana farmer says excess rainfall in August is having an impact on harvest timing.

Kevin Cox says he was able to get an early look at soybean yields last week, but, “If the beans hadn’t already started turning, because of all of the rains in August, they just kept on growing. Now, it looks like we’re probably two or three weeks out from when the next variety is ready to go.”

According to the latest USDA crop progress and conditions report, Indiana corn is 84 percent dented, 23 percent mature, 2 percent harvested, and rated 61 percent good to excellent. Soybeans are 43 percent dropping leaves, 3 percent harvested, and also rated 61 percent good to excellent.

Cox says corn hasn’t progressed at the same pace.

“About a week ago, we were just then at the black layer,” he says. “The rain has really slowed down the progression and the drying down. We had some really high heat the last few weeks. That’s starting to have an impact on the corn and it’s starting to dry down.”

Cox raises corn and soybeans in Brazil, Indiana.

AUDIO: Kevin Cox