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Iowa farmer ‘amazed’ by his soybean yields

A central Iowa farmer says he is “amazed” by his soybean yields this fall.

“When I reflect back on the dryness that we had through the growing season, I am just totally amazed at what our soybeans—and our corn, what little bit I’ve done—are producing,” says Rolland Schnell, who farms near Newton, Iowa. “I’ve been in soybean fields that are producing averages between 70 and 80 bushel. Two months ago, I would have given my crop away for 45 bushel.”

Schnell says his corn yields have also been very good.

“We’ve seen numbers in the mid-200’s for yields,” he says. “It’s phenomenal. I don’t understand it, to be honest with you. But it’s doing great.”

Schnell credits improvements in seed genetics and timely late summer rains.

“It’s a true testament to agriculture today and how our genetics and hybrids and the rains coming at the appropriate times can pull us through and give us good yields—and this helps offset some of the commodity prices a lot.”

Schnell is half done with his soybeans, but has harvested only a small portion of his corn crop.

AUDIO: Rolland Schnell