Unseasonal snowstorm strikes the area

Farmers wishing for an end to the rain didn’t quite get what they wanted on Sunday. Instead of rain showers keeping the combines out of the fields it was snow flurries.

While snow in October isn’t completely unheard of, this is the first time the area has seen an inch accumulate before November in at least a decade.

The snow added an unwelcome layer of frustration to farmers that are already well behind schedule in bringing in this year’s harvest. In a typical year, soybeans are generally out of the field by now, however according to Chuck Schafer, general manager at North Iowa Coop in Thornton, this year’s harvest has barely begun with maybe five percent of the crop in. Corn is a little further ahead, but not by much.

“You hope to at least have beans harvested by October 15 and corn you want to be done by November 15,” said Schafer.

For the full story, see this week's Sheffield Press or Pioneer Enterprise. Subscribe by calling 1-800-558-1244 ext 122 or email Deb at circulation@midamericapub.com or by clicking here.