Harvest is wrapping up across the country. The Nov. 6, 2023, Crop Progress Report notes 81% of corn and 91% of soybean acres are harvested. In last week’s Harvest Roundup article, Stine® regional sales agronomists (RSAs) covering Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Arkansas and North Dakota provided updates on harvest progress and product performance. This week, hear from RSAs and some of our field and technical agronomists.
Ian Matzenbacher, Field Agronomist (Illinois)
Harvest wrapped up in my area, with 99% of all corn and soybeans harvested. Feedback on yield from most farmers is good, considering the drought conditions we had in the summer. Many say they thought their corn would make 30 to 50 bushels less than they did going into harvest — a testament that Stine’s genetics can withstand even the toughest conditions.
Mark Johnson, Technical Agronomist (south-central U.S.)
Corn harvest has wrapped up, with soybeans close behind. For most of this area, growing conditions were dry, and we experienced a few rounds of extreme heat. Stine 9817-30, 9818-32 and 9808E-20 had a strong year in different areas. Stine 9817-30 performed very well in our product development plots in Arkansas and Missouri. Stine 9818-32 also had outstanding results. Stine 9808E-20 keeps doing its thing and is a strong agronomic plant throughout the south-central U.S., even down into Louisiana.
Bill Kessinger, Technical Agronomist (Indiana, Michigan, Ohio and northeast U.S.)
The southern division is pretty much wrapped up. We still have a few double crop soybeans to finish up, but growers are mostly finished. Corn yields were tremendous in most places, and soybeans were very good as well.
In the eastern division, as you move across the eastern Corn Belt, we were behind but have made a big comeback over the past 10 days thanks to good weather. Soybeans are 90%+ finished, and yields are very good, even with the dry June and smoke. Corn is wet but has come down 4–5 points in the past three weeks. Elevators have been full, but farmers are pushing hard. Yields have been solidly above average. I would say corn harvest is around 65% complete.
Michigan, northern Ohio and the northeast U.S. have been exceptionally wet. Soybeans are good but only about 75% harvested. Corn moisture is high with lots of reports of 22%+. Growers are finishing sugar beets and concentrating on getting soybeans out. Corn in this region is probably only 40% harvested.
Jake Anderson, Region 12 RSA (western and central Illinois)
With abundant favorable weather this fall, things are wrapping up quickly in western Illinois. Soybeans are all but done, and 85% of the corn is out. Coming out of a drier than usual, we have been very pleased overall with crop performance. Some areas lost some off the top-end, but most experienced normal to exceptional yields. In the late two maturity range, Stine 28EC32 soybeans stood out for the third year in a row. Stine 29EF02 had an excellent year as well. In the early three maturity range, Stine 31EF02 and 31EF23 were consistently among the highest-yielding varieties in the field and in plots. Stine 34EA12 continues to be one of the most consistent, versatile soybeans in our lineup.
NH3 application started this past week, and a lot of tillage is getting done. All the creeks and ponds are low, and we could use a few good drinks of rain before things freeze up for the winter.
Daniel Greblunas, Field Agronomist (Nebraska and Kansas)
Right now, I am sitting with two plots that are waiting to be finished up but should be done by the end of the week. Both plots are in Nebraska. I would say that 95% of farmers in my area have wrapped up their harvest and are now moving on to field work before the ground freezes.
Kevin Krabel, Region 13 RSA (central Illinois)
Harvest is almost completed in Region 13. With the exception of some stubborn corn that won’t seem to dry down and double crop soybean acres, everyone is pretty much done and in the process of wrapping up field work and putting down gas. Yields in Region 13 seem to be better than everyone expected on corn and soybean acres this year. There were a few areas that missed more rain than others, and when you combine that with some of the rougher ground they had in those areas, it seems to have caused about a 15–20-bushel difference on soybean yields from one farm to another. Overall, I think everyone was pleasantly surprised with how the crops managed the stress this year. Stine’s Enlist E3® soybeans continue to lead the way. Stine 28EC32, 29EF02, 31EF23, 34EA12, 35EG29, 36EE12, 36EB32 and 39EC22 all did very well. Stine 9808E-20 and MX709-20 corn have also performed well overall throughout the region.
Tony Lenz, Technical Agronomist (northern Corn Belt)
Harvest is mostly wrapped up except for growers mainly with larger acres. It’s been a challenge to dry corn on farm site, and there are a few soybean acres that haven't dried down enough. They need a windy, sunny day.
Dealers and growers are now mostly in full swing with applying fertilizer, hauling manure and baling stalks for livestock.
The 10-day outlook is above normal and dry, and soil temps are low enough to get everything hopefully wrapped up before freezing.
Faith Hedrick, Field Agronomist (Illinois)
Harvest within the northern region is coming to a close, and this season was one for the books. The drastically dry conditions throughout the season and the wet conditions come harvest time made for a difficult year, but overall yields held up. Within our product development plots this year, we saw some of the new experimental hybrids shine. It’s exciting to see these Stine genetics continue to grow, evolve and compete. There’s also been exciting buzz about the new G-series soybeans that have really packed a punch this year. Having only stepped into this position June 1, this was quite the season to lead off with, but it brought plenty of learning opportunities. It will be exciting to see what next year brings.
Adam Sills, Technical Agronomist (Minnesota, Wisconsin, eastern Iowa)
Harvest is wrapping up throughout the region. Minnesota and Wisconsin both experienced a drought this year, missing timely rains. Southern Minnesota was hit hard by the drought, so they started harvesting in early October. A few new experimental corn lines stuck out for growers and performed well this year, including Stine 9214-20 and 9215-20. For soybeans, Stine 17EE32 was prevalent and performed well in Minnesota and Wisconsin. Growers need to start thinking about how the drought played a factor this year to prepare for the potential of another drought in 2024. It will be crucial to replace some of those water tables that didn’t get rain this year. Growers also need to start planning for corn diseases next season.
Todd Oliver, Region 27 RSA (Texas and Oklahoma)
The second crop corn is off to a good start in the Rio Grande Valley of Texas. In one plot, we worked with Mid Valley Ag to plant Stine 9814-20 and 9818-32 in twin 40” rows. The crop is furrow irrigated and should be ready for harvest in mid-January. Growers will then plant their spring crop around the second week of February. There’s no downtime for these Southern farmers! They also grow cotton, grain sorghum, onions, butternut squash and various leafy greens.
For more harvest updates and to learn how Stine’s corn and soybean products performed in your region this year, reach out to your local Stine sales rep or regional sales agronomist.