This week started with drought and wildfire smoke and ended with ponds in the field. Southern Woodford County had 2.5 inches of rain over two separate storms a few hours apart. The first storm was in the overnight hours and had small hail. The second storm was an intense downpour. We were lucky to not have damage to the crop in this area. Next week will be focused on which weeds are germinating and what we can do about it. The herbicide options are limited and may or may not control the weeds emerging. Cultivation is an option in organic or later planted beans that are not close to the rows closing. Read the herbicide label for crop growth height and stage restrictions.

Central Iowa corn looks good. Timely rains have been beneficial. Some unevenness on side hills but still a good color. Eastern Iowa has had insignificant rains. Areas of fields have given up. Soybeans are stalled out. Strip till potassium is holding better than broadcast.

Conditions change field to field depending on root establishment and moisture. Traveled through eastern Iowa this week and hills look really rough. Armyworm is taking out corn, soybeans and wheat in that area also. Iowa was also dry last year.

Fingers crossed for Sunday’s predicted forecast.

The corn is not rolled, but still a bit spiked and sad looking. Soybeans look better except on the lighter soils and side hills. Not as dry as other places, but many fields around this area were planted later due to excess moisture early on in the southern part of Woodford County. Noticed a soybean field being planted on I-74 in McLean County this week also. The torrential downpours this week were scattered. Here we had 0.04 inches. Could use a rain, but the cooler nights are helping this crop to hang on.

Top inch of soil is dry but still moisture just below. Cool nights are helpful in conserving moisture but not great for plant growth. This next week will be challenging in many places with dry soil and incoming heat wave.

Dropped the kids off at school and ventured into the adjacent soybean fields. Progress looks much better on the field on the north side of the road from last week. Coming out of their funk.
Many fields in southern Woodford County have crops up. Corn is VE and soybeans are V1-2. Some organic fields are yet to be planted as are the pumpkin fields. Crops just to the west in Tazwell County are farther along.
It’s raining again today.

Fields near school pickup. 2 tenths of rain this morning. Need sunshine.

Several big storms over the weekend. Some ponding prior to the last one, expect more now. Tree damage, power outages, possible other damage.

Damp and cold