News

Soybean harvest runs late for Minnesota organic farmer

An organic farmer in west-central Minnesota says this is the latest they’ve finished harvesting soybeans.

Carolyn Olson of Cottonwood tells Brownfield the growing season started late because of cool, wet conditions.

“And in the summer we didn’t have as many Growing Degree Units as what we normally would have. And then this fall we had quite a bit of rain, quite a few wet spots out there.”

A week ago Monday two and-a-half inches of rain slowed harvest again.

But Olson says overall, her soybeans turned out okay.

“In general I think we’re pleased (given) the type of growing season we had. So we can’t complain.”

She estimates they have about a week and a half of corn to harvest once their drier is up and running again.

The family also finishes hogs, and Olson says they are working manure into soybean ground that will be corn or small grains next year.