A southeast Iowa farmer anticipates variable yields because of up and down growing conditions this summer.
Mark Jackson grows corn and soybeans near Oskaloosa and says this year has had its challenges.
“Definitely an adverse year when it comes to rain, highs and lows. Averages show that we’re on average when it comes to moisture, but I think the month of July I had virtually no rain and first week in August I had more rain then, I think we had 4 1/2 inches. So it’s been kind of a rollercoaster.”
He tells Brownfield corn should be about average.
“I think (with) soybeans there will be a lot more variability. I do see a tremendous swing in pod counts when it comes to soybeans, the pod count might be there but not necessarily the two and three-bean pods. You struggle to find four in certain varieties.”
Crop condition ratings in USDA’s latest weekly crop update show 78 percent of corn in Iowa in good to excellent condition, with about half the crop dented. Soybeans called good to excellent remained at 77 percent, and 88 percent are setting pods.
