Soybean harvest is just beginning, and will be more general by early next week. Many variety plots are all ripening together, strictly from drought stress, masking maturity differences. There are also many stories to be told from past management in soybean fields, with wheel tracks, compaction and drainage all evident in some fields. Amazingly, many no-till soybeans are holding on better than conventional beans, perhaps because of better water retention in the soil. Quality due to overdry beans continues to be an issue.
Yields are poor.
Hay harvest continued up to the critical harvest date, but is mostly complete now. Third cut, while not a bumper harvest, was much better than 2nd cut. Heat units to date approximately 2800 at Centralia and 2700 at Blyth. Some fields destined for the bunker are now being bypassed. Nitrate levels in fresh silage are higher than normal, but well below critical levels.