Good Signs for Area Farmers

By Travis Volz

Combines are in the fields and grain trucks are on the roads as area farmers are working on the fall harvest.

Crop conditions are good statewide according to the USDA. The latest report shows corn conditions listed as good (50 percent) or excellent (20 percent). Soybeans have similar ratings, with 50 percent categorized as good and 22 percent as excellent.

In addition, commodity prices are up over previous years. According to Top Ag, the cash price for soybeans is $12.01 per bushel, up more than $1.50 over the three year average. The cash price for corn is $5.01, which is more than 85 cents higher than the three year average.

That could mean a good year for agribusiness, according to one local farmer. Brent Schorfheide, who farms near Hoyleton, said things are looking good so far.

Read the full story in this week’s issue