From the Midwest to the East Coast, corn and soybean harvest is inching along. Delayed planting this spring and late-season moisture brought some challenges to many growers across the United States, but we’re seeing great performance with Stine® genetics and new trait options that are standing up to the stressors Mother Nature brought this year. Here are a few updates from our regions.
Region 16 — Northern and Central Indiana, NW Ohio — RSA Bill Kessinger
Late spring planting is always followed by a delayed harvest. Soybeans are mostly finished. Yields were all over the board. The western part into the central part of Indiana had drought-like conditions the month of August, putting soybean yields below average. The eastern part of Indiana and into Ohio received some rains in August, and soybean yields were very good considering the late planting. Corn has come a long way this past week. Growers hit it hard and covered a lot of ground. I would estimate 80 percent of the corn crop is harvested. Corn was the same for the growers in western Indiana. Too much heat and very little rain in August hurt the corn, and yields were poor. The eastern part of Indiana, and what got planted in Ohio, yielded above expectations with moistures averaging around 20–24 percent. Sticking with fuller season corn rather than switching to earlier maturity corn paid off this year. It was a little wetter, but the yield advantage was worth the extra drying. Overall, even with the horrible conditions this spring delaying planting, harvest has been as expected or slightly better for some.
Region 21 — Central and NE North Dakota — RSA Katie Lorenz
Like other areas in the Midwest, North Dakota remains behind pace for harvest because of unfavorable weather conditions. October blizzards and heavy rain have saturated soils, making a soggy mess for growers across the region. Soybean harvest is 80 percent under wraps with yields better than expected. Enlist E3™ soybeans are proving that their elite genetics hold up with stronger plants under stressful conditions and can fight tough battles against white mold in a wet season. Corn harvest is making progress at 15 percent complete. This is well behind the 75 percent average for this time of year. High moisture and low test weight are common themes with the low temps and high precipitation this fall. Stine’s 9202-G and 9212-10 are paving the way as all-stars in early plot results. We are excited to see more impressive Stine yields as corn harvest picks up with no moisture anticipated in the extended forecast.
Region 2 — Northern North Dakota, NC Minnesota — RSA Amanda Oberg
This has been quite the year for the Red River Valley, with no exception of an easy harvest. Harvest has been delayed all across the upper Midwest because of late planting and wet conditions in August and September. October started out with a blizzard, dumping some areas with 30 inches of snow and leaving a very bleak outlook for the 2019 harvest. As we turned the calendar to November, we have seen substantial harvest progress, which has brightened the outlook in the area. As of the first week in November, we have seen 25 percent or more progress in both corn and soybean harvest. We are just getting into the full swing of corn harvest, and we are seeing exceptional yields with Stine’s 9212-10, as well as 9202-G and 9140-G. Soybean harvest is wrapping up, and Stine’s Enlist E3 soybeans are living up to their name. As 2019 comes to a close, we’re excited to offer the best new genetics in 2020!
Region 15 — Michigan, NE Ohio, East Coast — RSA Ben Grinnell
Corn harvest is creeping along at a slow pace. I would say it’s about 30 percent complete in our region. Unfortunately, with the recent snowfall, I don’t see harvest speeding up any time soon. However, what is being harvested is doing pretty well considering the spring and planting delays. Stine hybrids 9202-G, 9436-11 and 9714-20 continue to impress with their consistent performance.
Soybean harvest, like corn, is inching along. I would say it’s about 65 percent complete in our region. Current weather patterns are likely going to hamper wrapping up this year’s soybean harvest. Stine Enlist E3 and LibertyLink® GT27™ soybeans are showing their high-yield potential, coupled with great weed control, and that’s getting farmers’ attention.
Region 13 — Central Illinois — RSA Kevin Krabel
Harvest is well underway in Region 13 with many growers already finished and many more just a few acres away. We have seen some good, steady corn yields in the region. Stine 9808E-20 continues to be a reliable performer for growers in this area. We have also seen some good plot data on 9744-20, 9808E-G and two Stine Agrisure Duracade® hybrids: R9734-32 Blend and R9739E-32 Blend.
While what we are seeing from our corn has been exciting, probably the most exciting is the yield information coming in on Stine Enlist E3 soybeans. From east central Illinois down to southwestern Illinois, we are seeing these soybeans perform extremely well and are hearing great feedback on yield and ease of use from the growers when it comes to managing weed pressure with this trait platform.
Region 24 — Wisconsin — RSA Derek Dreier
Harvesting is moving right along in Wisconsin. It has been a slower process than normal with delayed planting and snow. Corn yields have been very good, but moisture levels are higher than normal. On the early side, Stine 9202-G and 9212-10 are performing exceptionally well. It doesn’t seem to matter what part of the state you’re in, these two hybrids are bringing their A game. Stine 9434-11, 9436-11 and 9714-G are also standing out. Consistent high yields would describe them very well. These hybrids will be staple products around the state in 2020 and will offer growers the ability to see an excellent return on investment.
Soybean harvest is ongoing, with certain areas still having 30 percent of the crop in the field. The new traits, LibertyLink GT27 and Enlist E3, have been impressive. These traits offer growers a ton of flexibility coupled with the yields we have come to expect from Stine. It’s been very encouraging to see these new platforms performing just as good, if not better, than other traits on the market. Some of the varieties standing out this year are Stine 19GA02, 19EA32, 19EA33, 20EB23 and 23EA32. Another variety, 19BA23, in the LibertyLink GT27 lineup is having another big year. The 2020 growing season is shaping up to be a year full of new and exciting options for soybean growers. Make sure to consult with your local Stine representative to find the best fit for your farm.
Region 6 — Eastern Iowa, NE Missouri — Brett Johnson
We are on the back half of harvest in Region 6, with 75 percent of soybeans and 60 percent of corn taken out. Even with a disaster of a spring, corn and soybean yields have been surprisingly good. The Enlist E3 trait platform has had a very strong showing, with yields as high as 78 bu/ac, even cracking over 80 bu/ac in Marion County, Iowa. These include high yields from a maturity range of 2.3–3.9.
Corn yields have been very good as well, but as expected, we are taking a lot of this corn out at higher moisture levels. Still, Stine 9714-20 and 9708-20 are having strong showings in Tama County, Iowa, with yields over 250 bu/ac. Stine 9709-G is once again performing at a dominant level, and two other hybrids that are shining for us are Stine 9744-20 and 9746-20, which have won a majority of our plots. As always, 9808E-20 is having a respectable year and always seems to shine. In a nutshell, we are having better than expected yields and great performance from our products. We’re also in a great position with the newest soybean genetics and will be at the forefront of the seed industry moving forward.
Region 20 — SW Iowa, NW Missouri, NE/NC Kansas — RSA Darrin Petty
Soybean harvest is either done or very close to being completed in Region 20. As far as soybean yields go, we’re seeing some great yields from the Enlist E3s and the LibertyLink GT27s. There is a lot of interest in these new trait platforms that Stine has been working with for several years now. Growers are wanting a better, easier and more user-friendly option when it comes to controlling weeds.
Corn harvest is about wrapped up. Corn yields have been average to above average, with Stine 9709 and 9808 leading the way. We’re seeing some kernel damage due to excessive moisture at the end of summer and early fall, but I don’t see it being a problem for storage or at the elevator.