Melissa Bartels

Extension Educator in Butler and Polk Counties

Harvest is in full swing in Butler and Polk County with soybean fields coming out quickly, most bean fields have reached maturity. A wide range of yields have been reported for both dryland and irrigated fields. For dryland beans, I am hearing yields from 35 to 72 bu/ac, even with the lack of precipitation and heat seen in August and early September. For irrigated bean, I am hearing yields from 65 to 80 bu/ac with a few fields reporting over 90 bu/ac. A handful of corn fields are being harvested, while some fields of corn especially those irrigated still have a couple weeks. Cover crops are going in on soybean fields, cereal rye has been flown on, while others are having cover crop mixes drilled in. In the past week winter wheat has been planted in the area. The last cutting of alfalfa has been put up in the last few weeks.

Karen DeBoer

Extension Educator Cheyenne County

We’ve had good harvest weather and producers are busy with Corn harvest and they recently completed the proso millet harvest. Wheat planting is nearly complete and the new crop is emerging. Sunflowers will be ready to harvest soon.