News

Variability within the fields

When farmers planted the 2012 corn crop, like any other year, they had no idea what to expect. 

Trent Alexander, a Central Illinois District Sales Manager for Wyffels Hybrids said many farmers were able to plant into what he would call ideal soil conditions and says there was a lot to be excited about.  But now, that’s changed.  “It just turned into a deal where it just really didn’t rain the whole growing season,” he says.  “We watched the potential for a bumper crop slowly, but steadily, go away.”

Alexander says there is a ton of variability in the fields.  “The heavier soils still look somewhat respectable, maybe a 140-150, or even a 120 bushel average,” he says.  “If you look at the same field, in the lighter soil types there are some 0’s out there, too.”

AUDIO: Trent Alexander, Wyffels (3:02mp3)

Steve Gartner farms near Litchfield, Ill.  His farm was the site of Wyffels Hybrids’ Illinois Corn Strategy Meeting earlier this week.  He says it’s been a year of extremes.  “We planted corn in March and early April, which we never do, and the corn got up and we were off to a good start,” he says.  “Then we had way too much rain (9 inches) in April where it about flooded – but survived that – and then it turned to a drought.  We had 0.5” in May;  0.6” in June; and none so far in July.  It’s been quite a year.”

Gartner says while things don’t look too bad when scouting from the road – when you get a few rows in – “it’s simply a disaster”.

AUDIO: Steve Gartner, Litchfield Farmer (3:42mp3)