Iowa has seen unusual spring weather and with more winter-like conditions predicted for later this week, area farmers have had to overcome several challenges already this season.

Third-generation Greene County farmer Mike Bravard says the weather has made it difficult for him to make decisions on what kind of corn seed to use on his corn and soybean farmland.  He states there are typically two types of corn seed, a 110-112 day maturity and a 105-106 day maturity hybrids of seeds.  Bravard comments that if he loses another week of cold temperatures, then he will switch from 112 day, which is ideal to the 106 day variety.

Right now, Bravard says that he’s been planting in lighter, hillier soils because those are tougher to treat and plant than flatter farmland.  However, Bravard has been through some unique weather before.  He points out one year, he was planting soybeans on his 60% corn and 40% soybean farmland during snow flurries and it didn’t affect his harvest then.

The third-generation crop producer isn’t worried about the weather affecting his crops this year but it is a change from last year.  He says last year with extreme heat and dry conditions, harvest season was pushed up a month to September.  He has dealt with situations like this before and knows that no matter what else might be in store this planting season, Bravard and other veteran farmers like him will be ready for it.