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We started the year with almost a perfect spring. For the first time in a number of years our farm did not receive a hard beating rain or ponding in the fields in the first half of the growing season. The soil was in perfect condition at planting both in tilth and temperature.

Our first corn was planted April 26 and finished the last field on May 2. Soybean planting started on May 3 and finished on May 19. All the rain delays we experienced during planting did not last long and were back in the fields usually within 2-3 days at the most. Rain amount was generally less than an inch.

The crop continued to grow through June with just enough rain to everything green and growing well. Expectations were very high in that populations were high and the crop looked excellent

We encountered a dry July which reduced our expectations, even after receiving 2-3 inches of rain in early August. To our surprise yields turned out to be excellent. 1999 was probably the best overall year we have ever had for soybeans and the third best overall for corn.

As we are now planning for 2000 it appears in this area at least Bt corn will be planted on fewer acres than in 1999. Roundup soybeans are also looking at decline but not as great as the Bt corn.

Since we are mostly food corn there will not be any Bt corn grown on our farm in 2000. Roundup Ready soybeans will also be eliminated this year as well. Currently, local elevators seem to be committed to accepting Roundup soybeans but we wonder at what price.

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