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Sunny, dry, breezy weather caressing northeast Indiana has given farmers what they need during the past two weeks, following the record rains of September and October. If the good weather continues, some farmers may complete their harvest by Thanksgiving — later than they would like but better than expected a few weeks ago.
Majestic combines and powerful grain-moving augers begin the arduous process which culminates with drying the corn. At night sometimes the lights of the gas dryers create a dramatic sight for passersby.
According to the Indiana National Agricultural Statistics Service Office, Indiana’s 2009 corn production is forecast at 903 million bushels, up 3 percent from the 873.6 million bushels produced in 2008. The expected yield of 166 bushels per acre increased six bushels from last year’s 160 bushels per acre. The 5.44 million acres for harvest is down slightly below the acreage harvested last year.
Hoosier soybean production is forecast at 249.8 million bushels, up 2 percent from the 244.4 million bushels produced in 2008. The expected yield of 46 bushels per acre is one bushel above last year’s yield of 45 bushels per acre. The acreage expected to be harvested for beans, at 5.43 million acres, is unchanged from last year.
Nationally, corn production is forecast at 12.9 billion bushels, 7 percent higher than 2008. Total production will be second highest on record, only behind 2007. Within the Corn Belt, forecasted yields in Minnesota and Wisconsin increased, while Illinois, Iowa, and Michigan yields decreased.
U.S. soybean production is forecast at a record high 3.32 billion bushels, up 12 percent from last year.
Crucial to maintaining our nation’s balance of trade, the harvest brings a large amount of dollars into our area economy.
Harvest is an awesome sight. Even more awesome is the impact of the farmers’ work on the quality of life of each and every resident of northeast Indiana.
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