After a slow start to the planting season in Iowa, farmers are nearing the end.

Landus Cooperative Field Agronomist Zach Minnihan says in Greene County, about 90-95-percent of corn and soybeans have been planted. Compared to statewide, the Iowa Department of Agriculture in its latest Crop and Condition Report had about 94-percent of corn planted last week, which is 13 days behind last year and about 85-percent of soybeans were planted, which is 11 days behind last year. Minnihan says because of the delay, harvest could be pushed back.

“We could have a nice warm September, early October and this crop could really finish out. A safe bet is put your average harvest date, maybe 8-10 days behind a five year average. It’s not going to be, you’re not going to be able to start til November by any means. It’s all weather permitting with this stuff.”       

Minnihan points out that most farmers chose not to alter their plans of what seed to use despite the delay in planting season.

“And that conversation evolves around one, if you switch what are you going to get? Also, are you going to give up yield for a two to three points of moisture, right? You can give up 20-30 bushel of corn yield for two points of moisture. If you look at the economics on that, it’s still stay with the fuller maturity, stay with the proven yield hybrid, rather than just to have dried corn sometimes.”          

The Crop and Condition Report stated that about 73-percent of planted corn have emerged, while 45-percent of soybeans that were planted have also emerged.