Craig Grafton
Soy Envoy
craig.grafton@bayer.com

Craig Grafton
Soy Envoy
craig.grafton@bayer.com

CRAIG GRAFTON UPDATES

Region 3 | June 20, 2024 | Champaign/Macon

Craig Grafton
Craig.grafton@bayer.com

Caption: Compaction streaking from tillage passes
Caption: Floppy corn from lack of root development
SYNOPSIS

Corn fields are showing signs of stress and leaf rolling during this high heat environment. Compacted soils during planting can further exacerbate the stress due to lack of root development. Flash drought conditions have also shown to impact smaller corn where root development is not as advanced. Dry soils in the top layers have slowed or stopped nodal roots to grow and be productive.

WHICH OF THE FOLLOWING BEST DESCRIBES CURRENT CONDITIONS IN THIS COUNTY?
Mildly Dry (soil is drier than normal, plant growth may have slowed)
WEATHER

Hot and dry. Most of central Illinois has seen hot temperatures for mulitple days.

PRECIPITATION

Rainfall was spotty earlier this week with some pop up showers. Rainfall is and will continue to be needed to keep crops thriving.

FIELD/SOIL CONDITIONS

Soils are dry on top , but appear to still have OK moisture below the surface.

FIELD ACTIVITIES

Spraying and wheat harvest are the main activities currently happening.

SOYBEAN GROWTH STAGE

V1-R1

CORN GROWTH STAGE

V2-V9

WHEAT GROWTH STAGE

Harvest is happening around the area.

INSECTS

No damage was noted related to insects. Japanese beetles continue to increase in numbers.

WEEDS

Weeds are still a problem. High winds in previous weeks delayed applications. Now herbicide applications are happening but may be not as effective in the high heat environment. Plants will slow growth and thus minimize taking in herbicide chemistry during high heat situations.

DISEASES

None observed

ABIOTIC ISSUES

Ponding from previous rains will continue to make for uneven fields.

OTHER

The norther IL areas seemed to be much more uniform in field. Still variations across the region, but within the field they seemed much more uniform and in good shape. Much less ponding and compaction concerns from what I observed.

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