Report: Despite flooding, farmers might have high yield

The U.S. Department of Agriculture said the increase should come despite June flooding.

By Katrina Mehl
Aug. 29, 2008

Rows of corn grow in Sanborn Field on College Avenue on Saturday. In an Aug. 12 report, the U.S. Department of Agriculture predicted this year's corn harvest would have a higher than average yield despite widespread flooding earlier this summer.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture indicated that despite the flooding that took place in June, U.S. farmers should produce a high corn yield this harvest, in a report released on Aug. 12.

The same was said of Missouri, which the Missouri Corn Growers Association said is expecting its fourth-highest yield with 380 million bushels.

But nothing is certain until harvest; it's a waiting game until then.

Northeast Missouri suffered the worst of the flooding. On the other side of the state, southeast Missouri has two counties that experienced some drought. Western Missouri experienced an excess of rain, but right now there are many farmers that should do well, according to the USDA.

The rain did cause alarm. Brian Miles of Marshall reported planting 20 to 30 days late. Late planting means late harvest and more chance of frost on the other end.

"There is not much farmers can do except sit back and wait," said Mike Geske, president of Missouri Corn Growers Association. "They fine tune their equipment. And when the rain stopped, some planted day and night to catch up."

Not only does rain cause late planting, but it also can ruin the soil.

MU plant science professor Bill Wiebold explained that excess rain causes nitrogen to leak out of the ground. This also causes difficulty because crops need nitrogen, and buying it is expensive, especially if the turnaround is not good.

It is also difficult for farmers to confirm whether their own yield will be good until they see the remainder of the growing season. Geske, who also farms in southeast Missouri, said he considers the current condition of the corn between the Bootheel and St. Louis to be excellent. He said he remains optimistic.

"We're very happy that we'll have plenty of corn to supply all our markets," Geske said. "At the same time, we have sympathy for the farmers that have had a really tough year because of the weather."

Tom Tieman of Alma expects about the same as last year: 150 bushels an acre. The corn has responded well there, but it is hard to predict, he said. If the hurricanes send storms up to the area, the yield could be lower than expected.

Miles said he expects to harvest in 10 to 14 days. He is considering it to be an average harvest with 130 to 180 bushels an acre. His corn was less uniform, with some patches looking less healthy. It is hard for any farmer to know until they enter the field what the possible yield will be.

And if the yield is less than expected, it could be harmful for the farmers themselves.

"It affects your income and your marketing plans," Tieman said. "The markets are very volatile, so as you try to market portions of your crop, if you don't guess well, you may not be able to sell."

- Reporter Alan Carr contributed to this report

Share on Facebook

Report: Despite flooding, farmers might have high yield

More Aug. 29, 2008 Outlook Stories

Most recent Outlook Stories