Over the past few weeks, weather conditions have been fairly dry—so much so that many were hopeful for a shower or two to help finish grain fill. Thankfully, our territory caught a few nice rains, ranging from ¼ inch to 1 inch. Temperatures went from unbearably hot to super comfortable and fall-like, which has been a blessing after a long, abnormally warm spell.

In my opinion, as I’ve revisited corn fields after pollination, the ears have filled very nicely, leaving me anxious for harvest to begin. Last week, most of our cattle producers who chop silage put theirs up. A few growers have also started harvesting their early-maturing varieties, like 106–108-day corn, with moistures as low as 24–25%. Many of the hand-shelled moisture tests I’ve taken have been in the 28–36% range, so we may be a week or so away from broader harvest. I anticipate many more starting next week for sure.

As for soybeans, they are starting to change—and seem to change by the day. Early last week, we flew on the majority of our cover crop mixes that will be used for grazing this fall and into the spring. More planes will be rolling tomorrow, spreading rye and radish mixes over corn going to soybeans.

Weather has went from abnormally hot to comfortably cold (fall like).

We have received 2-3 nice rains in our territory, but variable in amounts. Anywhere from 1/2 in. – 2 inches.

Soil is dry on the surface but has good moisture within top 2 inches from recent rains.

Crop is changing quickly and I anticipate with forecast of hot temperatures this week that it could speed up the progress.

Soybeans are turning by the day as they continue to mature. Some areas are completely done due to SDS and other diseases coming in over the past month.

Corn has been tested and riddled with what seems like every common leaf disease possible—gray leaf spot, northern corn leaf blight, tar spot, southern rust—you name it, it’s out there. Some varieties have handled it better than others genetically, but in my opinion, those who sprayed fungicides will be glad they did. The difference is clear in treated vs. untreated fields, as well as between one-pass and two-pass programs. We’ll learn a lot from the yield monitors about which approach was the right call. Stay tuned.

No activity.

Seeing a few insects, but nothing concerning. Aphids did run their course but late enough to not make too big of a splash.

Edges of soybean field are showing signs of late emerging weeds like cocklebur, bur cucumber and our nemesis, waterhemp!

Corn- Grayleaf spot, NCLB, Tarspot and Southern Rust are the worst in our territory.