Uncertain fall ahead

FAIRBURY – We know fall is coming but uncertainty remains over what to expect in the field.

Corn is finally starting to dry down and a few soybean fields are turning, says Brad Schmidgall, plant manager for the Brandt Consolidated location in Fairbury.

“Boy, it’s going to be kind of variable and hit or miss just like getting it into the ground during the spring was,” Schmidgall explained.

Growers are advised to make fall fertilizer plans now if they haven’t done so already. Retailers such as Brandt will try to get as much work done as possible this fall as long as the weather cooperates.

“Make sure we can get your fertilizer out there in a timely manner,” said Schmidgall. “The late harvest will push us a little closer into that winter season we don’t want to think about already.”

Fall herbicide applications are recommended to control winter annuals. Typically, Halloween to Thanksgiving is the best time for this.

“Generally we don’t see a weather pattern that alters that too much but this year with the way it has been, it’s hard to tell.”