Crop conditions are good. Soybeans are looking better than the corn on average. Lots of tip back in the corn but there are bigger kernels than usual so the yield drop may not be as bad.

Weekend rains delivered much needed relief from severe drought stress. Locally totals ranged from 1.5” to 5.5”. These rains will allow soybeans to hold pods and begin filling the lower pods. It was especially important for corn to allow grain fill without cannibalism of the plant.

Traveled through eastern North Dakota, east central Minnesota and north central Iowa this week. Definitely started where it was the worst and drove to where it was better. North Dakota has the gray shade of death to the corn. Soybeans are ankle to shin high, not a lot of nodes to pull normal yields. Normal yields are 40-50 bushels per acre. More sunflowers around Prosper than I’ve seen in several years. East central Minnesota was greener but very uneven corn fields. Beans were about knee high and with the rain last weekend have some hope. This area went from heading towards preventative plant to planted very quickly this spring. Expecting 30-40 bushels below APH on corn. North central Iowa has had the best looking crop I’ve seen this week. Could use some rain to finish well. Expecting a good crop for corn and beans but not great.

Hit or miss on rainfall for areas in NE Illinois this past week. Enough precipitation to keep the crops going, but few if any tile lines are running. Overall disease pressure continues to be low in both corn and soy fields I have visited, including those that did not receive a fungicide treatment. To date, very low insect pressure has been found in either crop. Not surprising, I’m noting Common Smut on corn field edges damaged by deer feeding. Most of the area corn crop is currently at R4 or the dough stage. The starch in the kernel, initially a liquid, is converting to a more solid or pasty consistency. Cool sunny days are favorable for an extended R4 stage. Much of the Sb crop is at R4 or full pod.

Here in my 3 county area (DeWitt, Macon & Piatt), soybeans for the most part are in mid R5 or “Beginning Seed” stage. Corn planted in the first half of April is late R4 (Dough) or early R5 (Dent) stage. Corn planted at the end of May is R3 (Milk) stage. The past two weeks has brought above normal rainfall to this region and no longer in “Moderate Drought”. Leaf diseases are at a minimum in both corn and soybean fields.

Corn and soybeans are approaching the R5 growth stage. As I type this, we are finally getting a significant amount of rain. Dryer weather, hybrid resistance, and fungicide have kept diseases like gray leaf spot and tar spot at bay in corn. But Goss’ wilt and Northern Corn Leaf blight have just started to show up. Soybeans are loving the rain and could have potential to yield if diseases stay away. One plant was found that had stem canker.