Field agronomist discusses corn and soybean crops in southeastern Minnesota with KAUS News

Minnesota had 6.3 days suitable for fieldwork for the week ending August 27th, according to the latest Minnesota Crop Progress and Condition Report from the USDA.  KAUS News spoke with Josh Schofner, a Field Agronomist with Pioneer in Zumbrota who stated that with nearly all of southeastern Minnesota currently listed as being in either an extreme or severe drought, some farmers will be seeing extremely reduced yields in this year’s soybean crop…

Schofner went on to state that concerning the area corn crop, the drought conditions have led to deterioration of stalk quality in some fields, which could mean some farmers will start harvesting corn before soybeans…

Schofner stated that in his career as an agronomist, he has never seen a crop come down the stretch with so little moisture, coupled with extreme heat…

Topsoil moisture supplies were rated 21 percent very short, 39 percent short, 40 percent adequate, and 0 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture supplies were rated 18 percent very short, 44 percent short, 38 percent adequate, and 0 percent surplus. 

According to the report, corn in the dough stage reached 94 percent, 11 days ahead of last year and 1 week ahead of the 5-year average. The dent stage reached 51 percent and the crop began to mature at 2 percent. Corn condition rated 44 percent good to excellent. Corn for silage harvest reached 12 percent. Soybeans were 97 percent setting pods, 5 days ahead of last year but equal to the 5-year average. Soybeans reached 25 percent turning color and started dropping leaves at 3 percent. Soybean condition was 49 percent good to excellent.