2015 southwest Minnesota harvest featuring record-breaking soybean, corn yields
Yields are high; crops are dry.
That succinctly sums up this fall’s soybean and corn harvest in southwest Minnesota.
Farmers have noted their highest soybean yields ever, and are looking at the best corn crop they have ever had.
Soybeans are yielding in the 60- to 65-bushel per acre range; with some at 70 bushes an acre. The previous statewide record average for soybeans was 47.5 bushels per acre, and the USDA (United States Department of Agriculture) puts the state at a new record this year, raising it to a 48 bushels per acre average.
Soybean moisture content was good, with oil content content and normal protein levels.
In fact, this year’s average’s are record-breaking. According to the United States Department of Agriculture’s October report, issued on Friday, October 9, Minnesota’s corn crop is projected to average 184 bushels per acre statewide – surpassing the previous record of 177 bushels per acre. Actually, many farmers are seeing a 200-bushel average, with some even going over that mark.
Moisture for corn has been low, not necessitating a dry-down. Reports of moisture content have ranged from 15.5% to 18.5%.
The bin-buster results are thanks in large part to this past growing season’s near perfect weather conditions.
Farmers got into their fields early in the spring and had dry weather for planting. The summer featured good temperatures and moisture, with rain coming at opportune times. A dry, extended growing season, without an early killing frost, meant crops had the chance to reach higher yield potential.
However, those record-breaker yields are just one part of the equation. Soybean prices are about half of what producers sold their crop for just a few years ago, when soybeans reached $15 to $17 per bushel. The same is true for corn, which sold for more than $7 per bushel.
