by Ken Root & Whitney Flach
Fall Weather has a huge impact on corn and soybean harvest in the Midwest. The latest forecast is for a very wet period beginning this weekend and a wet October overall. That leads to a slower harvest and more cost for drying grain.
Ken Root spoke with Bryce Anderson, Chief Meterologist for DTN. He shared that the next couple days, all across the state, there could be some notable rain that could cause flash flooding. “This is unfavorable. It’s going to keep things very soggy,” Anderson said.
He went on to explain that it will be so wet, that the fields will need time to firm up. He guesses farmers will be alright in terms of avoiding frost this year, but it is going to be difficult for grain to get to 15-16% moisture level on corn per storage. Anderson says, “I think we are going to have to put it through the dryer to get the last percentage points out to reach proper storage moisture content. Dryers are going to be in more demand and used more often this year.”
Anderson thinks October will be wetter than what we have already experienced. The farther we get into the fall season he hopes it will get dryer. However, there is no doubt that the rain has affected the harvest.
