Combines roll as 2026 harvest begins in Hamilton County

Burn ban issued locally due to hot winds, dry fields 

Mike and Mitch Oswald started the corn harvest Friday morning in a field next to Mitch’s home place west of Aurora. They reported the quality of the crop appears to be good despite heavy rains in September that stalled the beginning of the harvest season and left many farmers having to decide whether to start on corn or soybeans. (Photo courtesy of Laura Oswald)
Mike and Mitch Oswald started the corn harvest Friday morning in a field next to Mitch’s home place west of Aurora. They reported the quality of the crop appears to be good despite heavy rains in September that stalled the beginning of the harvest season and left many farmers having to decide whether to start on corn or soybeans. (Photo courtesy of Laura Oswald)

The brilliant yellow/orange sunsets of the last few evenings are a sure sign that harvest is underway in Hamilton County. Another indication is reports of field fires around the area due to the dry and dusty crops and strong hot winds that have blown on recent afternoons.  The glowing sunrises and sunsets are a result of the large volume of dust (and some smoke) being thrown into the atmosphe…