As harvest season continues, there is more variability when it comes to yields.

Landus Cooperative Field Agronomist Dan Bjorklund says in Greene County, he is hearing soybeans are between 55 and 60 bushels per acre and corn is anywhere from 160 to 200 bushels per acre. He tells Raccoon Valley Radio the plumes of dust that have been happening during harvest season are caused not only by dry conditions, but also from a pest that feeds on the decomposing matter from crops, which came earlier than in a typical year. 

Bjorklund points out he has also seen a kind of black mold on combines as they roll through fields. 

“The only concern that you could potentially have there is that people with allergies, like I have, this just adds to that load of allergens that are out there. And just a person might want to wear a mask if you have allergies just to help with it.”

Bjorklund says the rainfall the last couple of days will help tamper down the dust, as well as bring up the moisture levels for corn and soybeans. He adds a concern is with the high probability of 20-30 miles per hour wind gusts may blow down some of the corn stalks, which are not as easily picked up by combines.