Southwest Iowa farmer wastes no time planting

by | Apr 13, 2017 | 5 Ag Stories, News

Money Matters 4-13-17

A few southwest Iowa farmers began planting earlier this week. Jay Longinaker and his son Will grow corn and soybeans near Randolph.

He says he had to take advantage of the nice weather Wednesday.

?Well spring was really early this year so we thought we should get started. Last year, we had a warm early spell and we didn?t start, then it started raining and we got started late. We thought we better plant corn while the sun shines.?

Longinaker feels the biggest challenge in their area is southwest is too much rain.

?If we get rain at the wrong times, our soil takes quite a while to dry out. That can make our planting late or difficult to get our haying and other farm operations done.?

He says hopes for next year is obviously seeing higher prices.

?If we could have corn in the 4.50 range and beans in the 10 to 11-dollar range, I think we would see a lot more smiles. I think profits will be elusive this year. The prices right now are lower than the cost of production and there isn?t much a person can do on the board to lock in a profit so it could be a tough year for people.?

Longinaker says another concern, of course, will be watching the weather.

Jay Longinaker – SW Iowa Farmer – Planting 2017