The Iola Register Locally owned since 1867
Weekender Saturday, July 27, 2013
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Ag parade relishes rain
Co-ops are hopeful for corn, beans By STEVEN SCHWARTZ steven@iolaregister.com
After a high-yield wheat season for area farmers, followed by dry weather conditions, corn and soybean crops are “up in the air” according to local co-ops. Lyle Fischer, general manager at the Le Roy Co-op, said the wheat crop had the strongest yields since 1997, with many farmers generating 70 and 80 bushels per acre. “Normally you don’t see wheat up in the 60s and 70s,” Fischer said. Kenny Smail, with the Piqua Co-op, said his farmers brought in similar amounts of wheat — a strong yield for them as well. But, both managers agreed that the future of soybeans and corn will depend on weather and if/ when it decides to produce. “We really have no idea,” Smail said. “It’s going to depend so much on how much rain we get.”
ON THE BRINK
Crops reliant on weather for success, failure By BOB JOHNSON bob@iolaregister.com
While Thursday night’s rainfall didn’t come in deluge proportions, it was a godsend for area farmers. “Just right,” said Nate Clark. “My corn is starting to fill and some of my soybeans are blooming.” Those are critical stages for whether either crop will produce a good yield at harvest. Clark’s farm ground, scattered about an area bounded by 1000 and 2200 streets and Oregon and West Virginia roads, has been the recipient of some rains others in the county missed. That’s the way it has been this year — rainfall seldom as come in a broad area.
Thursday night’s was widespread. “I got .60 of an inch and Carl Bryson’s place (a couple of miles from Clark’s headquarters on Rhode Island Road) got an inch and a quarter,” Clark said. Elsewhere, rain totals generally were close to or better than an inch. Dale Daniels, who farms a broad swath south of Humboldt, reported 1.5 inches. See CROPS | Page A7
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It has yet to be seen. Before last night’s rain, things were looking pretty negative, but I think they (the crops) have some good potential. — Lyle Fischer, Le Roy Co-op
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Photos by Bob Johnson and Steven Schwartz
He said due to the late planting of corn, farmers in the Piqua area are expecting a less-than-stellar yield. However, he did say some farmers are having luck with the crops that were planted early. The rain that fell across the area on Thursday night — which Fischer said ranged from .70 to an inch and a quarter — came at the right time for both crops — especially soybeans. They are in the vegetation stage, which is a crucial time for their growth, and Fischer said any sort of precipitation would directly affect the size of the crops. “It has yet to be seen,” Fischer said. “Before last night’s rain, things were looking pretty negative, but I think they have some good potential.” Smail said it is a crucial time for both See CO-OPS | Page A7
At top, Nate Clark and every other farmer in Allen County were delighted with Thursday night’s rainfall. Bottom left, corn ears, in holding mode of late, will start to fill with Thursday night’s rain. Lyle Fischer, bottom right, general manager at Le Roy Co-op, has seen mixed results from farm crops in his area.
Bank robbed, suspect at large
Inside:
By BOB JOHNSON bob@iolaregister.com
— Rotarians hear missionaries’ work see A2 — Coach speaks at See, Hear Iola see A3 — Allen County Museum displays history of quilting see A5 — Scenes from the Allen Co. Fair see A7 — Indians secure state zone title see B1
Many tips have flowed into Iola police headquarters since a man walked out of Great Southern Bank, 119 E. Madison Ave., shortly after noon Thursday with an undisclosed amount of cash. The man, described by Chief of Police Jared Warner as 5-foot-5 to 5-foot-8, medium build, wearing a gray longsleeved T-shirt with buttons on the front, blue jeans, a dark-colored baseball cap and sunglasses, handed a teller a note demanding cash. He was given an undisclosed sum. Warner said the ongoing investigation prevented him from revealing whether the man was armed. “We don’t think he was local,” Warner added. “If he were, someone would have recognized him by now.” Several images of the robber were recorded by bank See ROBBERY | Page A7
Vol. 115, No. 192
Photo courtesy of Great Southern Bank surveillance
Pictured above is the bank robbery suspect in Great Southern Bank during the noon hour Thursday. He is described as a white male in his 20s. The bank is offering a $3,000 reward for information that leads to his arrest. The suspect is considered armed and dangerous. 75 Cents
Iola, KS