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By Crystal Reith If the weather continues to cooperate, Bryan Biegler expects most of this year’s harvest will be wrapped up by the end of the week or early next week.
“We’re a bit ahead of normal on the harvest pace,” said Biegler, who grows corn, soybeans and rye about five miles north of Lake Wilson. “Harvest has been going well. Bean harvest went quick with the dry weather, and corn has been going quick too.”
Aside from a couple of rain days, Biegler said his crew has been able to harvest every day. Overall, he said the weather has been just about perfect for the crops. “We had almost ideal growing conditions this year,” he said. “The crops are standing good.”
While the season wasn’t without a few disease issues that trimmed some of the top-end yields, Biegler said the biggest difference this year compared to last is the higher production.
“We’ve had almost ideal growing conditions this year. The crops are standing good.”
Biegler
“It’s a good problem to have, considering the poor yields the last couple of years,” he said. “A lot of corn piles and elevators are getting full.”
Even with the bountiful harvest, Biegler said farmers are still facing plenty of challenges, including lower grain prices, higher input costs and uncertainty in global markets. “Every year is different,” he said. “Our industry has become so global that you can’t just look out your backyard and predict what’s going to happen anymore. As we’ve seen lately, things can change quickly.”
Despite the challenges, Biegler said he enjoys farming, especially alongside his family, Lauren, Alaina, Aubrey and Wesley. “My favorite part is just being out in the field,” he said. “It’s been fun this year because the kids have been out running more of the equipment. I’ve really enjoyed that.”
