By Amanda Brodhagen, Farms.com
For the first time, Quebec is kicking off a crop tour to scout corn and soybean fields to predict 2014 crop yields. The three-day tour is being done primarily by bicycle, and a small convoy of cars. About 12 people are experiencing the tour by bicycle and are expected to cover about 70 kilometers over the course of the next three-days. There are also teams of people scouting the corn and soybean fields estimating yields. The crop tour is a rain or shine event.
The tour began Tuesday, September 2 and will conclude on Thursday, Sept. 4. On Friday Sept. 5, there will be a producer-focused event that will feature an overview of the tour, and final yield estimates will be presented. About 400 to 500 farmers are expected to attend. In addition to the presentations, there will also be helicopter rides and UAV demonstrations onsite.
One of the honoured guests present at the inaugural crop tour, is Moe Agostino, Chief Commodity Strategist for Farms.com Risk Managment. This summer, Agostino hosted his third annual U.S. Corn Belt crop tour, where he covered 12-states in the span of two weeks.