OTTAWA — It won’t be long before Franklin County farmers begin harvesting the county’s most important fall cash crop — soybeans. It’s a harvest that farmers want to hit a home run with. Because of the prices they command and the number of acres planted, soybeans are the most important fall cash crop for Franklin County. But Frontier District Extension agriculture and natural resources agent Darren Hibdon said there are several factors that will make it a lackluster harvest. Many of the early soybeans faced unusual weather and insect infestations that will likely cut yields, he said. He’s hoping that the later-planted beans show better results but he expects yields to be highly variable with some fields showing very poor yields to somewhat better than average. However, he said he expects the whole harvest to be below average. The harvest could begin in as little as a week but with harvesting continuing for several weeks.
Wednesday, Sept. 29, 3 p.m.
