Kicking Off the Season
We kicked off corn harvest on September 8 at the R&E Kapraun Home Place, just like we do every year. This field went in early, back on April 12, and when we checked it, the corn was still at 32% moisture. We only took off one load that first day and then waited. Over the next ten days, it dried down just three points.
Drying Weather and a Big Push
By the middle of September, the corn finally started drying down 1 to 2 points a day. Three hot days in the 80s and 90s, followed by some strong winds, did the trick. That was our signal to get moving. With David, Tom, Sam, Brian, and Brian’s brother Ben all pitching in, we kept the combines and carts rolling.
On September 22, we finished up at the Home Place and headed over to Margaret’s in Woodford. I didn’t have high hopes for that field after the rough start it had. We planted it wet, then it crusted over in the May winds and heat, and we had to rotary-hoe just to get the plants up. I thought about replanting, but in the end, I just prayed and hoped for the best. It ended up averaging over 245 bushels per acre, with half the field hitting 260. The flex hybrids really pulled through, making bigger ears to make up for the thin stands.
David and Tom kept things moving, hauling every load from Margaret’s on those long 40-minute round trips to the elevator. At one point, we were filling the big blue cart every 18 minutes. The rain started just as the last two loads left the field — good timing for once.
Record Yields Across the Farm
We finished the rest of the fields from Friday through Tuesday, and I don’t think we’ve ever moved that fast. The weather held, the equipment ran smooth, and the crew was top-notch. We even lucked out with no lines at the elevator. One night, Tom made it to the elevator just three minutes before closing, after getting loaded in under a minute. The corn was coming so fast it made the tractor mirrors shake.
Matt’s home place really surprised us this year. The stalks were tall and healthy, and the ears were huge. Yields topped 250 across the field, and one hybrid even hit 261 on half the acres. I brought three ears home to show Dad and Mom — just to share how good the crop turned out.
Every field ended up setting a new record by a few bushels per acre. We’re truly grateful for the Lord’s blessing this year — good weather, safe days, and a smooth harvest. Years like this don’t come around often, and this one will stick with us.
Fine-Tuning for Success
Over the past four years, we’ve adjusted our practices to boost yields:
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Applying heavy lime to improve soil pH.
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Splitting nitrogen applications into three passes.
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Using variable-rate phosphate applications.
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Adding micronutrients (boron, zinc, etc.) with foliar fungicides.
These changes weren’t cheap, but they paid off with stronger yields and healthier fields.
A Few Bumps Along the Way
We worked late into the night three times this season, and the combine held up just fine—right up until the last five acres. That’s when a rear axle broke at the spindle and dropped the back end of the combine to the ground. Thankfully, the dealership had the part we needed, and repairs were done by the next morning. Tom and Brian finished the last two rounds after lunch, and with that, corn harvest was officially done.
Lisa kept us fueled with meals almost every day, and when she was busy helping her parents get to appointments, Mary and Carolyn stepped in to help.
Looking Ahead
Soybean harvest is still five to ten days out. With slow, thin stands and a few replant claims earlier this year, it’s hard to say what we’ll find when we get in the field. For now, we’re just thankful for a record corn harvest, a great crew, and safe days together.
Pictures of the season below!
—Joe
I think the Kaprauns were 1/3rd of the crowd at St. Johns in Benson’s this week!
