Crop Conditions - Central Indiana

Corn

• Growth Stage: Corn ranges from V10 to R3 as of July 26.
• High nitrogen loss and limited root growth is causing lower leaves to fire in some fields.
• Disease: Gray leaf spot pressure continues to increase as heat and moisture persist.

Soybeans

• Planting environment: April and early May planted soybeans look good, in spite of thin stands and slow growth early.
• Much of the soybean crop was planted in late June and early July.
• Disease: Frogeye leaf spot pressure is increasing with consistent heat in moisture throughout July.

Root growth in both crops has been limited by excessive moisture. Timely rains will be key to the crop finishing well.
Continued moisture will also increase disease pressure in both crops.

Crop Conditions - Northern Illinois

Corn

• Growing Stage: Crop stage as of August 1: R1-R3.
• The week of May 5th was a good week for planting progress, increased soil temperatures and speed of emergence.
• GDU’s have tracked above the 10 year average.
• Soil Moisture: Soil moisture levels were extremely dry and at the point of moderate drought up to July. Most areas received good volumes of rain during July.
• Disease: Disease protection from GLS, tar spot, and NCLB are top of mind.
• Southern rust has made its way farther north than in recent years.
• Crop Protection: Fungicides were applied during the last half of July into August.
• Insecticide was added in many cases where CRW adult beetle counts remain moderate to high in continuous corn rotations.
• Agronomic and environmental issues affected a few fields. Challenges included crop damage, late season disease, insects and overall weather patterns.

Soybeans

• Quite a few acres planted again in April during the same planting dates as corn.
• Early planted soybeans continue as a trend.
• As of August 1, many soybean fields are in the R3 stage.
• Soybeans need sun and moderate weather for pod fill this month. Weather conditions will drive yields.
• Growers are watching out for white mold and other foliar diseases. We will see how far red crown rot moves north.

Crop Conditions - South Central Iowa

Corn

• Growth Stage: Tasseling began around the last week of June and first week of July for early planted fields.
• Disease: Southern rust, gray leaf spot and tar spot pressure have ramped up in the last few weeks. Seeing more pressure from these than we have in recent years.
• The northern part of territory has seen more corn rootworm feeding pressure in rotated acres than normal.

Soybeans

• Planting Environment: Planting was off to a quick start just like the corn with many growers taking advantage of the early open windows in April.
• Planting depth challenges through fields with heavy residue levels.
• Stand Counts: Final stand levels were reduced to lower populations than normal. Many fields are ranging from 100,000 to 120,000 plants/acre.
• Weather: High amounts of rain accumulated throughout the territory in July. Fields in areas of higher precipitation are starting to yellow with moisture stress.

Crop Conditions - Southeast Minnesota

Corn

• Planting Environment: The corn crop was planted timely in excellent conditions across the area. Despite a few crusting challenges, stands and ear counts are solid across the region.
• Weather & GDUs: GDU accumulation and early growth were slow and inconsistent through the 3rd week of June. Rapid accumulations followed, and the crop was back on track maturity-wise by the second week of July.
• Growing Environment: To date, there has been minimal stress on the crop. Rains have been very consistent, and moisture stress has not been observed to date. A few isolated areas have experienced excess rain, leading to stress. This, paired with the GDU accumulation, had crop conditions looking excellent at the end of July.
• Good stands paired with favorable growing conditions lead to a robust crop canopy and plant height. This, combined with the favorable growing environment, leads to an enhanced level of disease risk.

Soybeans

• Planting Environment: Planting conditions were also good for soybeans. The early plant soybean trend continues to be more common each year. Mid-April-planted soybeans encountered some chilling injury and crusting challenges, necessitating supplemental replanting in certain instances.
• Growing Environment: As we rolled into May, planting dates, solid stands, and early growth were observed. Cooler conditions in early June slowed down soybean growth, just as they did with the corn. Excellent growing conditions from the 2nd week of June also led to a robust canopy and taller plants.
• Weather: A significant wind event in May led to a few residue and slug challenges due to the misplacement of corn stalk residue. Some patchy replant was needed in a few situations.
• Insects & Diseases: Soybean aphids were observed by late July in low levels, with a few fields needing treatment due to increasing populations.
• Conditions for white mold have been favorable, but not observed as of the end of July.