Let’s go for a ride, figuratively speaking of course, in the combine with Iowa Soybean Association Conservation Agronomist Evan Bream. As we start to wind down harvest the latest Iowa Crop Progress report shows that 87% of Iowa soybeans are in the bin.
“I’d say that’s very similar to around here (in Linn and Benton counties). I know some guys got started a little bit earlier with dry conditions. There’s still a fair amount of corn out there, but I’d say we’re probably above state average there as well just in our immediate area. A lot of it is a result of the dry conditions that we’ve had. You know some good field work opportunity though as a result. I’ve talked to several of my farmer customers and rode around the combines and they’re moving right along. So yeah, progress has been very good.”
He says they’re one of the driest areas in the state, particularly that Linn-Benton County line and even over into Tama County, and the value of modern farming practices reduced tillage and cover crops he says is on full display.
“We’ve had some great cost share programs here in the Middle Cedar Watershed and specifically in Benton and Linn County, and growers are really capitalizing on that. I know they’re cost share programs, but farmers understand the economic benefits and environmental benefits of those updated practice. Everything from specifically cover crops, but other conservation practices as well. In talking with some livestock farmers who are applying the manure and discussing the importance of always having a living plant in the soil and more residue to be able to better capture the nutrient value and better keep that those manure applications in the field.”
Now, that’s certainly been one bright spot to an otherwise dry and lower yield season. The window to plant cover crops has been wide open, and for the most part stand establishment and growth has been pretty substantial.
