Local farmers’ expectations are varying on this year’s crops.
McHenry County farmer Harry Alten anticipates a later harvest than normal with corn that isn’t as high in quality as the past.
“I think the harvest is going to be late," he said. "There’s a lot of corn that will be high in moisture content, unless they planted some earlier varieties. And the quality usually when you get wet corn like that – high in moisture content I should say – the quality is not there. And it’s going to be a problem.”
On the other hand, Casey Watkins, an agronomist from DeKalb County, is optimistic for this year’s crops.
“We should be looking at a solid pollination so we’re hopeful for it," he said. "We’re not super excited, but it’s turning out better than what we originally expected starting this year off."
Both Watkins and Alten are expecting a long-term harvest, barring an unlikely weather change.