Crops are generally looking good. The exceptions are fields that suffered earlier issues of waterlogged soils or storm damage. Amaranth weed control has been a problem for non-GMO soybean producers relying on Group 14 herbicides, with insufficient early-season herbicide control of these plants. Dr. Aaron Hager’s research shows improved amaranth control in non-GMO soybeans when metribuzin is applied at appropriate rates either PPI or at planting. Soybean fields vary from the R1 to R4 growth stages.
No-till double-crop soybeans are growing very well, reaching the V3 stage.
Corn fields vary from almost VT to R3 stage. Nitrogen deficiency is apparent in fields where there were waterlogged soils. Corn leaf diseases are beginning to appear – Gray Leaf Spot. Physoderma Brown Spot can be seen in a few isolated fields in the low areas where water stood earlier in the season.

Crops are growing well with soybeans in the R2 to R3 stages, and corn is in VT to R1 stages. So far, not seeing any leaf diseases in corn or soybeans. Japanese beetles are being seen feeding on tender vegetation, but are not yet evident in fields. I have not found any root feeding in corn, and root systems in fields planted under good conditions are looking healthy and strong.
The wheat harvest is quickly wrapping up in the wetter areas of the region, with double-crop planting following soon after.
Post-emergent soybean herbicide applications delayed by wet field conditions are wrapping up, with the target weed species larger than desired.

Crops are generally doing quite well, although severe storms on June 17 did bring high winds and hail to portions of the 3-county area. The majority of the corn is in the V8 to V12 stage, and soybean fields are in the R1 stage. Presently, seeing only minor Gray Leaf Spot lesions in a few fields, and no Tar Spot so far. Japanese beetles are emerging. Low areas in fields are showing ponding and water-damaged plants. There will be cornfields tasseling by July 4.

Crops are growing well. Soybeans vary from growth stages V3 to R1. Corn fields vary from V4 to V12. Earlier in the week, farmers and custom applicators were trying to finish up post-emergent herbicide applications ahead of the forecasted rains and storms. Unfortunately, still seeing a few farmers attempting to control tall waterhemp that exceeds the 4-inch recommended height limit for effective control.

Soybeans vary from V2 to V5 in general, with some fields showing the effects of early crusted soils and reduced emergence in those areas. Tall waterhemp has reached the 4-inch stage by the middle of the week. Corn varies from V2 to V7. All the crops have good color in spite of it being dry for the past 14 days. NOAA shows that the 3-county area has 2 to 3 inches below average rainfall over the past 2 weeks. Grass is browning in the lawns.
First cutting hay is being made. Sidedressing of corn is wrapping up, and post-emergent herbicide applications are in full swing.

Planting is over 90% completed in my three-county area. The rains of the past week brought anywhere from nearly 3 inches of rain in the southern portions to just over 1/2 inch in the NE portion. Generally, the emerged crops look good, but areas of some fields are showing uneven emergence due to soil crusting. In an effort to get fields planted ahead of the May 15 rains, some fields were tilled when the soil was too wet, and they are now experiencing weed control problems due to incomplete control of emerged weeds.

In my three-county area, we are more than two-thirds planted, but that varies from area to area depending on rainfall amounts and field drainage. All plants are showing leaf damage from one or a combination of high winds, blowing soil and severe storms. This leaf damage can be seen in the photos.

With the high winds, we have experienced dust storms in select locations across the three counties.

All of my three-county area is in some form of drought, with part of it in “D2, Severe Drought.” Crops are maturing rapidly. Due to environmental stress and drought, corn is showing top die-back and firing leaves up to or near the ear. Soybean fields are quickly maturing, with the upper node or nodes of pods having two seeds instead of three.

The past two weeks have seen late-season leaf diseases appear in area fields: tar spot, common rust, southern rust, gray leaf spot, and others. A few farmers have taken out end rows in corn fields. In moderate drought areas, corn fields have fired up to the ear in the drier parts of the fields. Corn fields are in the dent stage (R5), and a few fields are in the mature stage (R6).

Soybean fields are turning yellow, reaching the R7 (beginning maturity) stage, with early-maturity soybean fields at or nearly at the R8 (full maturity) stage.

Soybeans in many fields are reaching the R6, or full seed, stage, and late-season insect and disease pests are beginning to appear. A few fields are nearing R7, or beginning maturity.