Interesting.
The sun flowers we saw were certainly far from ready (still green) and most growers used to wait for several hard frosts or a freeze before combining flowers. Sun flowers were usually the 2nd to last crop harvested (corn being last).
We were in the same general area 8 days ago. Soy beans were about 20% in. Small grains done and with all the rain ... many were green grass fields again.
My renter, which is usually around the average in the area, to slightly ahead. In terms of when he harvests. Only has Sunflowers and corn Left. the sunflowers he was unable to begin yesterday because they were at 14 moisture. he is hoping today or tomorrow they will be at 12 and he will start.
3 weeks ago he was hoping to start flowers around sept 15th and corn around oct 1st. but with all the rain we have had, he has had to push things back about 10 days or so.
I know last year he didn't start corn until oct 25th. cause when we were hunting over Halloween and he was still harvesting.
So this year with the great growing conditions we have had, I think the harvest is 2 to 3 weeks ahead of last year. even with all this rain we have a had.
I know my parents, who have lived on the farm since 1950 can never remember a summer/fall when the have had to mow there lawn after sept 15th and they think they might have to mow it in October.
I will check with some other guys and let you know when the are planning to harvest Corn/Flowers.
Jim