St. Andrews farmer Leo Hoppe was in for a surprise this year when he went to check on his corn field.
Hoppe’s corn stalks sky-rocketed to a shocking ten-and-a-half feet tall.
“I have been growing corn for over 50 years, and I have never seen it grow that tall,” said Hoppe.
The silage corn thrives thanks to the excessive rain, heat and humidity.
Hoppe explained that this is livestock corn, different from the typical corn on the cob that humans eat.
“I treat all my silage to my cattle; they love it.”
The 83-year-old farmer has always been involved with cattle. He grew up on a dairy farm with his parents and now owns a farm with 40 black Angus cattle.
Hoppe has been working in the farming industry for 52 years and has always been passionate about it.
His motivation comes from wanting to keep his parents love of farming alive.
“I took over the farm from my dad when my Mom sold me the farm,” Hoppe said.
Hoppe may be slowly stepping back from his agricultural gig, but he still owns over 800 acres of land home to cattle, corn, wheat, beans and canola fields.
Hoppe planted his corn at the beginning of May, hoping for a good growing season.
“You got to try and get the corn in as early as possible because of the risk of frost in September,” Hoppe explained.
While the corn is still maturing, the two crops produce more corn than ever.
Hoppe’s silage is estimated to be ready for picking in a few weeks.
