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Farmer estimates yields will be 5-10% lower this year

A central Illinois farmer says the 2019 growing season has been a learning opportunity.

Brad Wade says he had a brief window in March to plant soybeans and then wrapped up soybean planting in April and May and corn planting in May and June.

“We have a little bit of everything and we’re going to be evaluating those right before harvest to really see the differences agronomically of what happened on those planting dates,” he says. “So, even though it was a challenge and I don’t really wish to repeat it anytime soon, it’s an awesome learning opportunity.”

Wade estimates that his crop yields will be about 5-10 percent lower than last year.

“Of course we have a way to go yet to see how this crop finishes,” he says. “We probably have enough water right here to finish the crop, but it just depends on sunlight and heat now.”

Wade spoke to Brownfield at the Farm Progress Show.

Audio: Brad Wade, Illinois farmer