Louisiana Corn Growers Are Very Happy Right Now

By Don Molino, The Voice of Louisiana Agriculture Radio Network

Ray Schexnayder of Pointe Coupee parish started his corn harvest last week, saying it was the earliest he has ever put his combine in the field.  His yield monitor here shows a nice 200 bushel yield.

According to LSU Extension Service Corn Specialist Dr. Dan Fromme at the Dean Lee Research Station just south of Alexandria, this year’s corn crop “looks spectacular.”

“The corn crop is looking really good at this time and I started to see a few combines out in the field this past week,” says Fromme.  “I think this year we’ve got a chance to possibly bring in some record yields for Louisiana.”

A couple of times in the past, Louisiana corn farmers have harvested yields in the neighborhood of 180 bushels per acre “and I think we stand a good shot to do it (again) at this time,” Fromme said.

There really haven’t been any issues this season with corn, Fromme went on to point out. “We got planted in a timely manner with warm weather and really not much flooding after the corn came up.  We did get heavy rain earlier in the season but most of the crop was up to a growth stage where it could handle all that water.”

“We’re really, really excited at this time to see what we’re going to have once harvest gets into full swing,” said Fromme.