The derecho that leveled thousands of acres of corn as it swept through Iowa last August is likely to have an impact on this year’s crop as well.

Iowa Corn Promotion Board Chair Wayne Humphreys says it’s still too soon to tell if corn producers can rebound from the massive windstorm, “People who did harvest corn  (because they) had to harvest corn in order to salvage it, instead of 200 or 220 bushels per acre, were getting 130 to 160 (bushels) and I think the jury is still out as we get acreage reports for planting intentions for this spring. Those farmers who had to ‘zero harvest,’ they’re probably going to plant soybeans instead of the volunteer corn that’s still there, so the jury’s still out, but it (derecho) will affect the acreage of corn and soybeans in Iowa this year.”

Humphreys, whose farming operation is near Columbus Junction, says the pandemic has also presented its challenges to farmers as well groups like the Iowa Corn Promotion Board. He says there hasn’t been an in-person meeting for any major ag association in over a year.

You can hear more from Humphreys during today’s special Ag Magazine at 1 and 6 p.m on KCII.