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A ‘trying’ harvest in southwest Iowa

It’s been a topsy-turvy harvest season for Duane Aistrope, who farms near Randolph in southwest Iowa.

“Normally this time of year, I have all my soybeans out and I’m more concentrating on corn,” Aistrope says. “But the way it turned out, I have only got about 70 acres of corn left to harvest and a little over 200 acres of beans left.”

Aistrope says stubbornly high moisture levels in soybeans have slowed the harvest. But he’s been pleased with his bean yields, which have been in the 60’s.  And he describes his corn yields as “phenomenal”.

“I thought last year was probably the best year I ever had. Well, I think this year is going to top last year,” he says. “Everything’s been running in the 200 range—maybe over 200.  I’ve had a couple farms go 220 to 230, which was a definite surprise.”

Aistrope says the extra bushels are very welcome, given current commodity prices.

AUDIO: Duane Aistrope