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Farmer says dry conditions are a challenge

Southern Indiana Farmer Ben Kron says dangerously dry conditions in his area are concerning as harvest continues.

“It’s really dry here. We got a quarter inch of rain yesterday and we’re getting ready to run already again this morning. It’s so dry that it didn’t even stop us hardly but gave us a little bit of a break yesterday,” he says. “It’s to the point that it’s kind of concerning for us for the fact that if there’s a little spark from the exhaust or a bearing or anything like that, things are going to go up in flames pretty quick. I heard the other day there’s been almost a record number of combine fires across the state. It keeps you on your toes.”

Kron tells Brownfield, “it’s pretty bad right now especially cutting beans. You can’t hardly tell where you’re driving or going. If it weren’t for AutoSteer, you probably wouldn’t be able to run. It’s definitely interesting to say the least.”  

He says dry conditions could create some unexpected challenges this fall.

“There’s potential that it can make soil sampling this fall a little more difficult because really dry weather can throw off some readings,” he says. “For farmers doing fall tillage, the ground can get a little bit hard during this time and make that more difficult. So far, we’re working through it and things are working out for now.”

Kron grows corn and soybeans in Evansville, Indiana.

Audio: Ben Kron