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Iowa farmer prioritizing vulnerable corn as harvest approaches

A farmer in north-central Iowa knows where he’d like to begin when harvest starts in the coming days.

Austin Charlson of Belmond says he has some corn that was planted early on sandier soil.

“We’re hoping to get that (field) out first (because) we see some tops breaking down and there’s a few concerns with stalk quality (so) we’d like to get after that.”

He tells Brownfield there’s also some soybeans that went in right after that corn.

“We looked at it last week and were very surprised at how quick the beans came on, so we won’t be in the corn long before we hit some beans.”

Charlson anticipates jumping back and forth between corn and soybeans this fall.

He says yields should be good, but summer dryness and heat probably took the top end off.