Early Harvest Brings Hope to Louisiana Corn Farmers Amidst Sweltering Summer
By Karl Wiggers
Louisiana Farm Bureau
St. Landry Parish, Louisiana - As the scorching sun continues to blaze across the state, Louisiana farmers are facing the challenges of a hot and mostly dry summer. However, amidst the heat and parched fields, there's a glimmer of hope for some as the corn harvest arrives earlier than expected. One such farmer, Kirk Stelly from St. Landry Parish, can't hide his excitement as he gears up to reap the rewards of his labor.
"It is probably ten, twelve days earlier than we normally start harvesting," says Stelly with a smile.
The early maturity of the corn crop can be attributed to the minimal rainfall in June, which helped accelerate its growth. Stelly acknowledges the silver lining but also remains cautious, knowing well the unpredictability of the weather, especially for those farmers residing in South Louisiana, where storms in the Gulf are a constant threat.
"And we're glad to get it out faster, because you never know with the weather what's going to happen," he adds, emphasizing the need to act swiftly and efficiently.
The looming fear of a Gulf storm prompted Stelly to take proactive measures. To mitigate potential losses due to adverse weather conditions, he decided to invest in additional grain bins to expedite the drying and harvesting process. Borrowing more money might seem like a risk, but for farmers like Stelly, it's a calculated move to safeguard their hard work.
"Well, that's our biggest fear, you know," Stelly remarks, acknowledging the delicate balance between nature's unpredictability and a farmer's determination.
However, despite the challenges, Stelly is optimistic. Early reports suggest promising yields, and the quality of the corn appears to be excellent. "We're going to have some good spots and some bad spots, you know, but the beginning harvest right now, the test weight is running 58 and 59. And that's awesome," he states with evident satisfaction.
His joy stems from witnessing the corn crop overcoming adversities. Just a few months ago, a late freeze had stunted some of the early corn. "We did have to replant a few acres of the early corn, but it wasn't a whole lot of it," Stelly recalls, a testament to the resilience of both the crops and the farmers who tend to them.
The experience has taught him valuable lessons. "In the coming years, we would do it again because if we can get our corn planted earlier and get it off earlier and hopefully avoid hurricanes and all the other unknowns, we would do it again," he emphasizes, hoping to optimize his operations and safeguard against future challenges.
As Stelly looks forward to a successful harvest, other farmers in northeast Louisiana have also started harvesting their corn. This year, Louisiana boasts approximately 580,000 acres of corn, a significant increase of 130,000 acres from the previous year.
As the early harvest progresses, farmers across the state are keeping a watchful eye on the skies, praying for favorable weather and hoping that the current positive trend will continue. For now, amidst the relentless heat, the Louisiana corn farmers are hard at work, counting their blessings, and looking forward to a bountiful harvest that will be a testament to their dedication and resilience.