The Michigan Ag Today Yield Check Report is made possible by Specialty Hybrids. Specialty Hybrids, it’s your field, our Specialty. Find your local field sales representative and yield results online at www.specialtyhybrids.com.
USDA’s latest Crop Progress Report shows that Michigan’s silage season is nearing the finish line and corn harvest is right on pace with the five-year average at 4 percent complete.
Stuart Welden of Specialty Hybrids, says he’s seeing more growers harvest corn at a higher moisture level than they have in the past. The goal? To capture what they call “phantom bushels.”
“There’s been more research to demonstrate you can actually harvest more good, usable or saleable weight—at Specialty Hybrids we refer to that as phantom bushels,” he said. “[That’s] where you’re not losing quite as much header loss and/or out the back of the machine because the crop is dried down closer to that desirable 15 percent moisture. The drier it is, the faster the operator tends to go because it’s shelling really easily and doesn’t slow the machine down.”
Coming off a wet couple of harvest seasons, Welden said so far Mother Nature has been a decent friend this fall.
“I’ve talked to several customers—the loads that have been delivered thus far are coming in between 11 and 14 percent,” said Welden. “To look at the crop, there’s still some green leaves around the edges. Typically, we’d be seeing 18 percent, even upwards of 20 percent moisture on the beans. That’s a pleasant surprise.”
Even though harvest is still in the early stages, Welden said he’s optimistic soybean yields will be average to above average.
“As long as guys can get the crop through the machine safely and efficiently, it looks like we’re going to have so pretty good Specialty soybeans to deliver this year.”
Welden is encouraging growers to start thinking about the 2021 crop and getting in contact with your local Specialty Hybrids dealer.
At Specialty Hybrids, it’s your field, our Specialty. Find your local field sales representative and yield results online at www.specialtyhybrids.com.
