Knee-high by the 4th of July

While this old adage might not be the goal farmers shoot for anymore, this year’s corn has certainly hit the mark. As farmers watch the progress of their corn the first week of July, they are patiently waiting for wheat harvest to begin in the region. In a “normal” year, producers would already be starting harvest, said Steve Young of CHS Grainland. Not this year. As of Monday, July 1, he anticipated it would be at least a week before the cooperative begins to see any wheat coming in. The delay in harvest is due to cool, wet weather in May and the first part of June. The good news is that a later harvest usually allows the plant to grow and mature a little more, most likely resulting in better yields. This year’s corn crop is also a little behind schedule. Corn farmers would welcome some heat and sunshine in the coming weeks. — The Holyoke Enterprise | Johnson Publications