Unusually high yields coupled with grain moisture are leading to a protracted corn harvest season in parts of Clinton County.

According to a Southwest Landmark news release the national estimate for corn is 162 bushels per acre. Last year’s statewide average for corn was 135 bushels per acre. Because the grain infrastructure is built to handle average yields, this years harvest is slowing the entire system.

“The national basis as of Nov. 10 was 162.9 bushels per acre, according to the USDA,” said Tony Nye, OSU extension educator for agriculture & natural resources. “USDA’s Ohio projection is 166 bushels per acre on average. Clinton County’s projection is running 165 to 170 bushels on average. There’s really no way of capturing it until the harvest is completed.”

“Harvest is running slow or behind due to more rain the the September/October time frame. Good yields have caused bottlenecks in the system,” said Steve Haines vice president of energy at Southwest Landmark.

“There have been several reports of 200 plus bushels per acre,” said Nye. “Moisture has been running 3 to 5 percent higher.”

Higher moisture content in the crop delays the harvest as some farmers wait for the weather to dry the grains. Those who do not wait are faced with delays in getting crops to market by having to dry the grain using propane heat.

“Harvest will end, in some cases, after Thanksgiving. A lot of times in Clinton County we’re done after Halloween,” Haines said.

John Murphy, a Clinton County farmer, was harvesting his last 250 acres on Thursday. Murphy has been farming the Williams Farm, located in Chester Township, for 25 years.

“Everything went in wonderfully, it just matured real late,” Murphy said. “This is the latest we’ve ever harvested.”

The cool and wet weather in August and September caused the corn to ripen late, he said. According to Murphy, his harvest is longer by three weeks this year.

Haines reported the average harvest is bringing in 200-plus bushels per acre of corn. These “record corn yields” have extended the harvest, as farmers bins and commercial grain bins are filling up to capacity.

“Quality of grain’s been good, we’re lucky in this county. Trying to find a place for it all is a good problem to have,” Murphy said. His yield is 60 bushels per acre better than what he harvested the previous year.

According to Nye, quality has been an issue with some of the corn harvested. The cool, damp year has made ideal conditions for mycotoxins to develop. This can affect the quality of feed for the livestock that the corn will eventually nourish.

Longer harvest also means that farm equipment will be on the roads longer. Large equipment such as combines, tractors and wagons as well as grain delivery semis often move on the roads at low speeds. Drivers are being reminded to exercise caution, slow down, and be patient.