The good news for Vermilion County farmers is that damage from the recent major storms was very spotty. But the bad news is that despite some recent rains, overall severe drought conditions remain. As Tom Fricke of the Vermilion County Farm Bureau reminds us, the corn and soybeans are still way behind on how much moisture they should have had by now.
AUDIO: The top soil moisture is still rated as 41% short or very short. The crops have responded well to the rain we have gotten, they’ve really jumped in their maturity over the last couple of weeks. And most of the corn seems to be tasseling, or very close to it now, so that pollination can take place. The beans are starting to look a lot better too.
As far as what this does to the harvest, Fricke says there is still way too much time to know. But one thing’s for sure: what happens in August, as always, will be very important.
AUDIO: That’s when you make the grain. The pollination is a key factor in the corn. But the rain, especially for soybeans in August, is critical so that it fills out the soybean pods and the beans are of a good size. So, rain is just as critical in August as it is in July.
Fricke says; a hot, dry August may mean it’s necessary to start running the combines prior to Labor Day. But some good solid rains in August could give the grain time to develop even further, and keep the combines from running until about September 10th or 15th.
