(Atlantic) Lance Porter, a field agronomist for Channel Seed in Southwest Iowa, was touring through Lee Saathoff and Lyman Ag’s territory Monday. Porter says there will be significant variability in yields this fall due to fluctuating moisture conditions, including a flash drought followed by increased moisture in August.
Porter is optimistic about soybean yields, but says corn yields will vary in some areas depending on the lay of the land and how much moisture those fields received.
Porter admitted the hot temperatures in July caused some pollination issues, along with ear tip-backs. He says that, so far, based on what he has seen, pollination with the Channel Seed products has been good. He says there appears to be a sweet spot from around the Oakland to the Atlantic area, and along Interstate 35.
Porter says the crop is about 150 to 200 growing degree units above normal, roughly 10 days ahead of normal. He says the heat setting in for the next week or so will ramp the GDUs back up.
Porter admits corn planted on April 23, give or take a couple of days, experienced the toughest conditions due to cool and wet conditions causing some crusting of the soil, slowing down emergence,
Porter noted that although yields vary, he feels the corn crop will be average to slightly above average, and the combine will tell the story.
