Field Notes Checks in with Farmers in Iowa, Kansas

This week, the National Corn Growers Association continued its eighth season of Field Notes, a series that takes readers behind the farm gate to follow the year in the life of American farm families. While these growers come from diverse geographic areas and run unique operations, they share a common love for U.S. agriculture and the basic values that underpin life in farming communities.

This week, Field Notes spoke with Iowa farmer April Hemmes, who resides in the north-central region of the state. Discussing the crop condition, she explains that this is the most variable year that she has ever seen in her area.

“There are problem spots showing up. I have one field that has yellow streaks in it. I have had four professionals, including one Ph.D., come out to look at it, and they all scratched their heads. They gave me four different reasons,” Hemmes said. “A lot of the problem has to do with the wet spring. When we were able, we tried to rush into the field too early in terms of conditions. So, compaction might be a problem.”

To listen to the full interview, click here.

Field Notes also caught up with Lowell Neitzel, who farms just outside of Lawrence, Kansas. While the corn looked like it was in a rough condition until about a week ago, it has since improved.

“The corn was showing signs of stress due to the hot, dry conditions. Then, we picked up about a half inch of rain on Monday evening through Tuesday morning. It gave the crop a shot in the arm. Things greened up and perked up,” Neitzel explained. “This afternoon, we are in triple digits with some south winds that are drying things out again. We are very hopeful that it will cool off, and we’ll get a shot of rain first thing next week.”

To listen to the full interview, click here.

Stay tuned over the coming weeks as Field Notes follows the growers who have opened their farms, families and communities up this year and meet the true faces of modern American agriculture.