DARKE COUNTY — It’s an autumn tradition — a multitude of farm vehicles on county roadways.
Darke County’s farmers are harvesting their crops, and if cooperative weather persists, being mostly sunny and dry over the past few weeks, bringing in this year’s crops should proceed at a quick pace.
Sam Custer, educator with the Ohio State University Extension, Darke County Office, said area producers are about a third of the way through their harvest.
“I believe we are about 30 percent harvested in the county and will move to 60 percent with another good week of dry weather without fog,” he said.
In comparison to other counties in the region, Custer says Darke County crop yields are “average.” In regards to the state as a whole, the yields are “above average.”
“I am seeing tear variability in corn yields ranging from 90 bushels per acre to near 225 bushels per acre,” he said. “Soybeans are ranging from upper 40s to 70 bushels per acre.”
“Overall I think beans will be average or above [average] and corn will be off about 15 to 20 percent of last year’s average of about 175 bushels per acre,” he added.
Custer said the quality of the crops is also concern, especially with corn.
“We have a great amount of ear rot, specifically with Diplodia,” he explained. “There is also extensive crown root and stalk rot. Farmers need to get the corn harvested before our next extreme weather event.”
“Soybeans seem to have more than normal green stem while the grain is dry. This can make harvesting the beans more cumbersome and uses 20 percent more fuel in the combine,” Custer added.
