Plant it. Profit. It’s not just a slogan – it’s our mission. At Cornelius Seed, we provide industry-leading corn and soybean genetics, traits and service, so you may maximize your profits on every acre. Since 1935, we’ve been an independent, family-owned company. That’s eight decades and five generations of performance excellence and agronomic know-how we will share with you via our podcast.
How are corn and soybean yields holding up after a growing season of weather extremes?
In this episode of the Cornelius Seed Podcast, host Juan checks in with Regional Sales Manager Cliff Lane straight from the combine in Stark County, Illinois, for a firsthand look at the 2026 harvest.
From saturated soils and nitrogen loss to hot summer nights that impacted grain fill, Cliff shares how challenging growing conditions translated into harvest results across west-central Illinois.
Despite the challenges, soybean yields have been above average, while corn yields are holding near average with generally good stalk quality. Cliff also discusses changing grain moisture, test weights, wildlife damage, and the importance of monitoring field conditions during harvest.
Plus, hear Cliff's recommendations for identifying weed pressure, managing compaction, and taking notes now to make better management decisions for the 2027 growing season.
⏱️ Chapters:
00:00 – Introduction: Harvest Update from Illinois
00:55 – Harvest Progress & Field Conditions
02:00 – Weather Challenges & Impact on Grain Fill
03:35 – Corn Test Weights & Weather Resources
04:15 – Soybean Yield Performance
05:10 – Corn Yields, Stalk Quality & Crown Rot
06:15 – Corn Moisture & Phantom Yield Loss
07:35 – Deer & Raccoon Damage in Cornfields
08:35 – Weed Pressure & Lessons for 2027
09:15 – Managing Field Compaction
09:50 – Harvest Safety & Final Takeaways
