Russ Higgins
IL Extension
rahiggin@illinois.edu

Russ Higgins
IL Extension
rahiggin@illinois.edu

RUSS HIGGINS UPDATES

Region 1 | August 2, 2023 | United States

Russ Higgins
rahiggin@illinois.edu

Caption: Leaf Disease – Grundy County Aug 2
Caption: Ear size – heavy vs, sandy soils
SYNOPSIS

Scouting corn this week I’m starting to find some leaf disease, mostly lower in the canopy. To date I have yet to find Tar spot in fields I have visited but am aware it has been confirmed in Indiana Counties east of NE Illinois. Predicting what if any yield drag may arise from our dry June should be easier to determine as we progress through the reproductive stages. An interesting comparison of ear size collected from two different fields. The larger ear was collected from a heavier soil with greater water holding capacity. The second smaller ear was collected nearby growing in a lighter sandier soil on a knoll in the field.

WHICH OF THE FOLLOWING BEST DESCRIBES CURRENT CONDITIONS IN THIS COUNTY?
Mildly Dry (soil is drier than normal, plant growth may have slowed)
IF CONDITIONS ARE ON THE DRY END, WHICH OF THE FOLLOWING US DROUGHT MONITOR CATEGORIES BEST FIT CURRENT CONDITIONS
Abnormally Dry (D0)