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Iowa farmers hit the fields to harvest
Posted: 09.26.2011 at 5:55 PM
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OTTUMWA -- Farmers continue to hit the fields during the peak of harvest season.
Rain couldn’t stop Clark Yeager who was harvesting corn on his farm outside of Ottumwa on Monday. Yeager says he’s already harvested 35% of his corn crop. The harvest season can last for quite some time.
“We try to harvest the driest corn first,” said Yeager. “It’ll be spread out probably 45 to 60 days harvesting it. We hope to be done by the first of November.”
Having a dry fall helps in this situation. If it’s a wet autumn, harvesting can still be ongoing through snowy weather. Compared to last year’s rainy weather, the harvest this year should be 30-40% better according to Yeager.
Transporting the corn is also a concern. Governor Terry Branstad made a proclamation allowing for trucks to carry more corn on different roadways. This helps the cause for farmers like Yeager who says the truckers can carry another 200 bushel of corn.
“It takes them a lot less trips to get the crop hauled.”