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Western Route
August 18 - 21
Start: Sioux Falls, SD◆
Day 1: Grand Island, NE
Day 2: Nebraska City, NE
Day 3: Spencer, IA
Day 4: Rochester, MN
- Western Route
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Crop Conditions
Corn
Early-planted corn had more uniform stands due to better soil moisture and temperature. (South-Central Nebraska)
Soybeans
Overall crop condition is good, but due to excessive moisture, they’re starting to go backward in areas with more rainfall or poor drainage. (Northwest Iowa)
Western Route Highlights
(Reports from area Pioneer agronomists)
Western Route Updates
- West Day 1
- West Day 2
- West Day 3
- West Day 4
Day 1 Stops
From Sioux Falls, SD to Grand Island, NE
August 18
Pioneer Leader - Kevin Keller
Field Agronomist
South Central NE
“Higher pressures of corn rootworm in some geographies. Seeing a rise in beetle counts among many fields. Something to consider moving into next year.”
Crop Conditions - South-Central Nebraska
Corn
- Growth Stage: Most fields are at R3 (milk); early-planted corn (April 15–May 5) is reaching R4 (soft dough).
- GDU accumulation is 65–100 ahead of the 30-year average (Buffalo County), but growth stages don’t appear ahead.
- Stand Establishment: Early-planted corn had more uniform stands due to better soil moisture and temperature. Pre-watering showed benefits again where possible leading into a dry spring.
- Early Stress Factors: Dry soils, fertilizer burn, sandblasting, and slow GDU accumulation slowed early growth.
- Plant Height & Tasseling: Shorter plants, reduced internode elongation and rapid growth before VT led to less tassel exertion and in some cases a percentage of plants in some fields with tassel wrap.
Soybeans
- Weed Control: Excellent control this year. The Enlist® weed control system + glufosinate provided more consistent weed control results vs. glufosinate alone. Longevity of pre’s was dependent on moisture or consistent re-activation.
- Emergence: Residue and rapid soil drying reduced stand establishment in some fields.
- Dectes stem borer: Present but at lower pressures than in past years.
Clean Z-Series soybeans - Kearney, NE.
- Wind damage: June and early July winds caused varying degrees of root lodging; most plants recovered, but a degree of stress remains.
Root lodging with strong winds - Minden, NE.
- Bacterial leaf streak: Widespread again, some cases showing early; new release products show very good tolerance.
Bacterial leaf streak - Holdrege, NE.
- Tar spot: Confirmed in South-Central NE for the first time; Pioneer hybrids and fungicide timing offer solid management tools.
Tar spot - Gibbon, NE.
Pioneer corn plot - Kearney, NE.
Delayed pollination skips; excellent kernel count - Axtell, NE.
Southern rust - Minden, NE.
More Crop Tour Days
Day 2 Stops
From Grand Island, NE to Nebraska City, NE
August 19
Pioneer Leader - Mike Sheets
Field Agronomist
South Central NE
“Rainfall this year has put the crop in excellent condition through the first two weeks of August with minimal stress.” - Mike Sheets
Crop Conditions - Southeast Nebraska
Corn
- Growth Stage: Corn crop ranges from R3.5-R5.
- Growing conditions around tassel time caused a tassel wrap phenomenon across a very wide scale.
- Disease: Prolonged leaf wetness from rains has increased disease pressure. NCLB and physoderma flared more than years past.
- Tar spot showed up the end of June in the lower canopy.
- Southern rust arrived a week later than last year, about the 3rd week of July.
Soybeans
- Soybeans have looked great all year. The biggest challenge was timely herbicide application.
- Weeds: Weed control looks good on acres with premium pre-emerge products and good residuals post-emerge.
- Disease: SDS is starting to show up.
- Growing Environment: Lack of sunlight is causing some pod abortion in soybeans as well, not just the corn affected.
- Looking at one of our biggest dryland soybean crops if we can get an end of August or early September rain.
Corn emergence was exceptional across a large footprint but setback in areas with heavy anhydrous burn from lack of rain at the start.
Anhydrous burn - July 7.
Corn tipback caused by lack of solar radiation on higher flex products hit hard around the first week of August as we got into milk stage.
Tip back - solar radiation loss
Spider mites were far more aggressive than expected.
Spider mites - July 7
The biggest concern right now is how much white mold will pressure soybeans. Conditions have been ideal for sporulation to occur toward the end of June through the first of July, paired with excessive moisture through July and the first of August.
White mold
Gall midge is moving much further south and west than in the past.
Gall midge – Elmwood, NE.
Optimum® AcreMax® Leptra® products continue to shine with a very aggressive increase in WBCW pressure moving east into areas previously not seen.
WBCW - Late in ear tips.
Industry Spotlight: Corn Innovation
More Crop Tour Days
Day 3 Stops
From Nebraska City, NE to Spencer, IA
August 20
Pioneer Leader - Ben Hinners
Sales Agronomist
Northwest IA
“Iron chlorosis showed up early this year but Pioneer® brand Z-Series Enlist E3® soybeans were top of class in handling the higher pH.”
Crop Conditions - Northwest Iowa
Corn
- Growth Stage: Corn ranges from R2-R3 as of August 1st.
- Weather: The corn rating across northwest Iowa varies due to weather impact from hail, wind, and excess moisture. There is still a lot of potential left in this corn crop in areas that weren’t impacted.
- Growing Environment: Planting started with ideal soil conditions in early April. Shortly after we experienced a roller coaster of soil temperatures.
- The last week in April to early May we had cool weather and rain. Some areas pushed too early to get back in the field and caused soil compaction from the tillage tool or planter.
- Disease Pressure: Diseases are widespread this year due to the favorable environment and extended periods of leaf wetness.
- There is a lot of potential left in this crop. We will need to manage it well to get across the finish line considering current disease pressures.
Soybeans
- Growth Stage: As of August 1st most soybeans are R3-R4 and are progressing rapidly.
- Overall crop condition is good, but due to excessive moisture they’re starting to go backwards in areas with more rainfall or poor drainage,
- Soil Temperature: Soybeans started off slower this year due to the cooler soil temperatures. No-till soybeans were especially slow due to a crust and excessive residue from last year.
- Still a lot of potential in this soybean crop. We need the rain to stop for a couple of weeks to give us a chance to dry out.
The corn rating across northwest Iowa varies due to weather impact from hail, wind, and excess moisture. There is still a lot of potential left in this corn crop in areas that weren’t impacted.
Diseases that are present include southern rust, gray leaf spot, northern corn leaf blight, and Goss's Wilt in corn fields.
Pest pressure in corn is corn rootworm and some WBC towards Sioux City, Iowa. Pioneer® brand Vorceed® Enlist® corn products have done an exceptional job in decreasing CRW pressure compared to other traits on the market.
Disease pressure has been relatively low so far except for root rots that set in due to saturated soils. Iron chlorosis showed up early this year but Z Series Enlist E3 soybeans were top of class in handling the higher pH.
Pest pressure has been minimal with aphids starting to show up later in the season.
Industry Spotlight: Agronomy Innovation
More Crop Tour Days
Day 4 Final Stops
From Spencer, IA to Rochester, MN
August 21
Pioneer Leader - Josh Shofner Field Agronomist
Southeast MN
X: @JoshShofner
“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 by the second week of July.”
Crop Conditions - Southeast Minnesota
Corn
- Planting Conditions: 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. 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 led to a robust crop canopy and plant height. This, combined with the favorable growing environment, led 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.
- 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.
Northern corn leaf blight was observed before or at the plant tassel.
Northern corn leaf blight observed in July in Fillmore County, MN.
Tar spot, gray leaf spot, and common rust were observed soon after NCLB. Disease will be the most significant issue down the stretch with the corn crop.
Tar spot observed in July in Olmstead County, MN.
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.
Residue accumulation following strong winds paired with slug damage in Fillmore County, MN.
Soybean aphids were observed by late July in low levels, with a few fields needing treatment due to increasing populations.
Soybean aphids observed in Mower County, MN.
More Crop Tour Days
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Our unmatched team of local professionals live and work in your community. They’re ready to help you select high-yielding products and provide year-round service and expertise. Have questions? Ask your local Pioneer sales representative today.