Autumn harvest nearing completion in Northwest Missouri

In Northwest Missouri, the fall harvest is drawing to a close, with about 90% of crops already gathered, according to local farmers. Jerry Dishman, owner of Dishman Fertilizer in Helena, Missouri, highlighted weather complications and early-season grain elevator issues as the primary challenges this season.

Dishman reported that some farmers with limited storage capacities are still struggling to complete their harvest. “At the end of the season, we are now almost two weeks into the rain, but I believe with another big push, everyone will be ready,” he said.

Corn and soybeans dominate the agricultural landscape in the region. Most of the soybean harvest has already been completed, even on larger farms. However, a portion of the corn crop remains in the fields.

The significance of these crops cannot be understated. The University of Missouri notes that soybeans are the state’s top crop in terms of value and acreage. Together, corn and soybeans contributed the majority of Missouri’s nearly $15 billion in agricultural output last year.

Despite the common belief that agricultural activities wind down post-harvest, Dishman emphasized that the off-season remains busy with soil sampling, equipment repairs, and purchases. “Everyone thinks that once the harvest is over, it’s over,” he remarked. “But nowadays, we just start the next season.”

He added that many of his customers, including those still finishing up this season’s harvest, have already begun fertilizing and taking soil samples.