Despite a delayed planting season, Greene County overall saw a steady harvest season.

West Central Cooperative Insurance Agent Tyler Heil explains the breakdown of how the area fared during the harvest season.

“General area around the Raccoon Valley listening area, yields were actually surprisingly lower, year on year.  Most of that is due to a wet spring and a fairly dry summer.  However, as you move to the western edges of our territory, they received some timely rains that allowed for yields to come in well above our estimates.”

Along with that, he says crop producers need to start thinking about crop insurance for the upcoming season.  Heil encourages everyone to talk with their crop insurance agent and apply for insurance before mid-March’s deadline.

He also explains a possible change in the grain markets for the new year.

“Well, I think the biggest thing is we’re going to see grain margins are going to remain tighter in 2014 due to lower commodity prices (and) elevated inputs.  This is going to place, in our opinion, a bigger emphasis on risk management for producers.”

If anyone has questions about looking at the grain markets or crop insurance for 2014, Heil encourages you to talk with your crop insurance agent.