T-R PHOTO BY ROBERT MAHARRY The 2024 harvest is well underway for farmers across the T-R coverage area and the state. Pictured above, a farmer combines a soybean field on land north of Marshalltown just off of Highway 14 across from the Beck’s Hybrids facility.

The harvesting of corn and soybeans in Iowa dominate the rites of fall, and central Iowa farmers and others around the state are working long hours to get the crops in to feed hungry mouths not only in America but worldwide.

Overall, warm temperatures and dry conditions are making for a relatively smooth harvest according to two local producers. Corn and soybean farmer Craig Pfantz of State Center told the Times-Republican Thursday that he began harvesting soybeans Sept. 16 and finished Monday.

“The beans were good,” he said. “The corn is very good so far.”

However, the prices farmers receive for crops is being monitored closely, as the cost of equipment, fertilizer, labor and seed has increased since 2019.

“I think it would be fair to say that while soybean yields are positive, farmers are not happy with current market prices,” said Jeff Hutton, a senior writer with the Iowa Soybean Association in Ankeny and former editor of the T-R. “As of today (Thursday), soybeans were listed at roughly $10.53 per bushel. Compare that to this past November 2023 when beans reached a high of $13.99 per bushel.”

Hutton said “a lot of factors” go into market prices, including the purchase of soybeans internationally and competition from growers in other countries.

Hutton said harvest is well underway, and yields were coming in at mid-60 to lower-70 bushels per acre on average statewide.

“(Corn) Harvest has definitely started here in Iowa, and I’m guessing the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship report on Monday will have an even higher number of acres harvested,” said Shannon Textor, vice president of communication for the Iowa Corn Growers Association in Johnston in an email to the Times-Republican on Thursday. “As of Sept. 30, the report stated that 11 percent of corn acres in Iowa had been harvested.”

Textor also reported on corn prices.

“Prices as of the Oct. 2 report, statewide corn price was $4.02 x bushel,” she said. “Over the past four years, the average cost of production is up 19 percent since 2021 for American corn farmers.”

Steve Salasek and his adult son grow corn and soybeans southeast of Marshalltown near Wolfe Ranch on Underwood Avenue. He said Thursday the lack of rainfall and warm temperatures allowed plenty of time for fieldwork to successfully harvest soybeans.

He said they would begin harvesting corn Saturday. However, Salasek said some moisture would be ideal to reduce the threat of field fires.

“There was a bad (harvesting-related) fire near Gladbrook recently,” he said.

Accordingly, in a news release, Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig urged producers to be mindful of fire hazards, given state wide dry conditions, reported the Southeast Iowa Union recently.

“Although suitable for harvest, these warm and dry conditions, paired with low humidity and gusty winds, also produce an environment that can lead to field fires,” he said. “I encourage everyone to be prepared, have a plan, and keep safety top of mind as you are in the field, on the road and around the farm.”

In addition to farming, Salasek, a Republican, is serving his second four-year term as a member of the Marshall County Board of Supervisors. He announced earlier this year he would not seek re-election, and another farmer, Kevin Goodman of Haverhill, is the GOP nominee to replace him.

Prior to running for elective office in 2016, Salasek had recently retired from a position specializing in agronomy services and grain origination with Key Cooperative in Le Grand.

That position, as well as farming, has given him a unique perspective about ever-changing agri-business dynamics and the cost of farming.

He cited his son’s purchase of older, and used farming equipment to keep operating expenses lower versus incurring debt on new equipment purchases. For more information, visit www.iowacorn.org or www.Iasoybeans.com.