Pro Farmer Midwest Crop Tour - Day 3

Crop Conditions Across North Central Illinois - Corn and Soybeans

- Update from Field Agronomist Emily Huber

Variable planting and emergence conditions this year. Early opportunity to start planting the first week of April. Some producers took advantage starting with some soybeans or corn. Unfortunately, we had a freeze event Mother’s Day weekend (May 9) that lead to replant of many first planted soybean fields.

April & May were cooler than normal and we saw variable emergence. Pioneer products looked excellent in these conditions compared to competitors in the challenging environment. The variability at emergence time has stuck with us as we have seen tassels emerge over a longer period of time at pollination and varying ear sizes in fields.

Severe storms came through the west and northern part of the area right near pollination causing some storm damage to fields including green snap, root lodging, and hail damage. Fields with root lodging have pollinated well in most cases, fields with green snap have suffered some pollination issues. Overall pollination has been very good for fields unaffected by the storms. (Review photos below - pollination issue, from green snap above ear). (Review photos below - excellent/good pollination).

Disease has been spreading through corn fields with gray leaf spot and northern being the largest concern. Southern rust and Tar Spot have also begun showing up in fields this year. (See photos below - Tar Spot and Gray Leaf Spot.)

Soybeans have been developing well most have closed 30” rows. Beans planted end of April and early May are beginning to fill pods and have 15-18 main stem nodes. Spring conditions were cool and wet ideal for SDS infection and we are beginning to see that show in soybean fields. This will effect the soybeans ability to finish, it may abort pods and flowers and seed size will be smaller on effected plants. (See photo below - SDS).

Overall fields have grown up to look nice from the field edge but, as summarized, conditions that could hold us back from an excellent crop are variability that has haunted us from this spring, potential disease pressure, and storm damage. Soybean yields still have much to be determined with seed size largely dependent on rains during pod fill.

Photos from North Central Illinois

Tar Spot symptoms on corn leaf.

Corn leaf showing symptoms of Gray Leaf Spot.

Corn ear showing damage from green snap.

Soybean field showing symptoms of Sudden Death Syndrome.

Crop Conditions - Southeast Iowa

- Update from Field Agronomist Jim Lafrenz

Corn

• Early/timely planting into “just fit” soils.
• Cool soils stretched corn emergence over 21 days with observed unevenness.
• Overall acceptable final stands.
• Warm June and July fueled fast vegetative growth through tassel.
• Overall successful pollination found with some late pollinators on the butt and ear tip noted.
• 4 storms events in early July caused variable damage in several SE Iowa counties.
• Highly variable rainfall during early grain fill.
• Low/moderate foliar leaf disease pressure – mainly Gray Leaf Spot, Corn Tar Spot just starting.
• Currently R3 to R4 growth stage.

Soybeans

• Early/timely planting into “just fit” soils across SE Iowa.
• Slow emergence and early growth.
• Good to excellent final soybean stands.
• Favorable growing conditions in June and July.
• Minimal insect and disease pressure to date.
• Overall very good weed control.
• Good soybean color and uniformity.
• Highly variable rainfall the last 30 days has many fields needing rainfall soon to finish seed fill.
• Most soybeans currently R4 to R5 growth stage.

Photos from Southeast Iowa

Current stages for most corn in SE Iowa.

Current stages of soybean development in SE Iowa.

Crop Conditions - Southwest Iowa

- Update from Field Agronomist Kurt Eischeid

In Southwest Iowa we are maturing towards an earlier harvest this year. The majority of the fungicide being applied has finished up and we look to mother nature to see how this crop will finish out. For much of the area we are sitting in dry conditions. Towards the western edge we are experiencing a moderate drought that progressively gets more severe as you move east into the extreme drought conditions. The rains have been sporadic from farm to farm this year and will make it difficult to compare products just miles apart.

In general, we pollinated fairly well. The exceptions are in low fertility situations, high insect pressure areas, and corn on corn acres. We are now seeing kernels abort from the tip of the ear reducing the yield potential in certain areas. With the stability and optimization of our Qrome^® products along with our AQUAmax^® lineup, products like these are separating themselves from similar hybrids in the stressful conditions.

While disease pressure is relatively low, insect pressure has been high from our moderate winter and dry spring. If you are planning on continuing a corn on corn rotation it is best to scout these fields to determine corn rootworm levels. If adult beetle levels are high it is best to manage them this fall and develop a plan for the spring with your Pioneer Sales Representative.

We continue to monitor and evaluate soybeans. Thus far, I am impressed with the amount of pods despite the trying conditions. August rains will help us determine the final size and yield of our soybean crop. It is an exciting opportunity for us to evaluate the three unique herbicide options in the field. We are evaluating Enlist E3^®, LibertyLink^®, and Roundup Ready 2 Xtend^® soybeans throughout the countryside to determine the best fit for our growers next year.

For a more localized crop summary and management recommendations please reach out to your nearest Pioneer Sales Representative!