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Farmers catch up on other important tasks during harvest rain delays

Scattered rain across Illinois over the last two weeks has pressed the pause button on harvest, but two farmers are using the “break” to complete other tasks.

Northeastern Illinois farmer Rob Elliot of Monmouth tells Brownfield he’s re-thinking his fungicide plan for 2022 after corn in their area was hit hard this year by diseases like crown rot, southern rust and tar spot, which hurt stability and yields.

“What is the right protocol or the right approach to take next year? We sprayed fungicide on all of our acres, and I think they paid dividends. I think next year the question may become do you spray fungicide a couple times, or even a third time. Those are the decisions that have to be made.”

Northwestern Illinois farmer Steve Pitstick of Deer Park has spent some time preparing equipment and catching up on his duties as Illinois Soybean Association Chairman.

“The first four or five days off we prepped and re-prepped and made sure everything was ready to go for the next run at it. The last few days I have made the association a priority, making sure I do not get too far out of touch during this busy season. So, there is always something to do!”

Elliot says corn harvest is about 70% complete and beans about 20% in his area. Pitstick says temperature differences close to Lake Michigan traditionally put their corn behind the rest of the state, so corn harvest is only about 15-20% complete in his area with bean harvest about 75% done.

The farmers agree brief breaks during harvest are good for physical safety and mental health allowing them to regroup during the busy season, but they are both ready to get the combines rolling again.