Kennedy's Favorite Story of 2023

Editor's Note:

December naturally had us thinking back over the year that was, including the stories we've created. So, we again asked DTN/Progressive Farmer writers to think back on 2023 and choose a favorite story from the archive. They range from hard-hitting investigative journalism and national scoops to farm family features and fun discoveries made while traveling U.S. farm country. We hope you enjoy our writers' favorites, with today's story by DTN Cash Grains Analyst Mary Kennedy.

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After seeing a late blizzard in much of the Dakotas and northwest Minnesota in April 2023, on top of record snowfalls during the winter, I thought the 2023 spring planting season would be seriously delayed.

The challenges continued.

Nearly all of the corn-growing states experienced some poor weather in the spring and then some had mixed rainfall totals during the growing season, topped by drought conditions during the summer.

In fact, we saw corn harvested well into December, thanks to the various weather issues.

I kept in touch with and wrote in my column about farmers throughout the season. Farmers in 2023 went through all kinds of weather-related problems but, true to their spirit, they pushed through -- many were actually surprised and pleased with their harvest results. However, there were some farmers who reported poorer yields due to the crazy planting and growing weather. They hung on through the harvest end.

A farmer from eastern North Dakota told me, "Yields were mixed depending on rain and location. North, we had great above-APH (actual production history) yields. As you moved south, we were at APH or well below. Kind of depended on rain. Quality was average."

An Indiana farmer I spoke to said, "2023 was filled with one of the more unique growing seasons we've had. Due to low humidity and low rainfall, we had corn 2 inches shorter than normal in a lot of places with the assumptions going into harvest as being down considerably. When the combines started to roll, harvest was a pleasant surprise for most."

Another farmer, from north-central Iowa, said, "In northwest Iowa, we usually have better yields when we're on the drier side over excessive moisture. All year, I felt we had good potential. I just needed those timely rains. We were blessed with the timely rains in my area, and thus, we produced a very good corn crop. Can't speak for all, because rains were very spotty hit-or-miss situations."

Some of the farmers I spoke to were former customers of mine and the elevator managers I interviewed were customers when I was a grain buyer in Minneapolis for 15 years -- many are still friends. The others are friends I have made on social media, and they are always willing to share their stories every year -- good or bad.

All of them will be back at it again and are already looking forward to a good season in 2024.

It is a tribute to every farmer in our country that no matter how bad things get, they keep moving forward and looking ahead to the following season, hoping for better results. That's why I have never left this business, because of the strength and determination farmers have and I am honored to know so many of them.

You can see my favorite article, a wrap-up story of the 2023 season, here:

"After Poor Planting and Growing Weather, 2023 Corn Crop Mostly Favorable," https://www.dtnpf.com/…

Mary Kennedy can be reached at mary.kennedy@dtn.com

Follow her on X, formerly known as Twitter, @MaryCKenn

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