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Crop Report

Stephanie Porter
Outreach Agronomist
309-660-5302
stephanie.porter@ilsoy.org

Stephanie Porter
Outreach Agronomist
309-660-5302
stephanie.porter@ilsoy.org

STEPHANIE PORTER UPDATES

Region 4
09/05/2023, Montgomery
Stephanie Porter

After the recent heat, it appears that most crops have turned quickly over night. Early April planted corn is almost to black layer and early April plants soybeans are turning. Harvest will be here soon. Be sure to check corn stalk quality to know which fields to harvest first.

 
Region 4
08/25/2023, Montgomery
Stephanie Porter

It was a hot one and the early planted/earlier maturity corn and soybeans are starting to turn quickly. Corn is 1/2 to 3/4 milk line depending on maturity. Thus, far grainfill seems to be just fine, but would really like some rain to finish out the season. Many have started to watch out for stalk rot to know which corn fields to harvest first. Cercospora leaf blight started to show up in soybeans.

 
Region 4
08/09/2023, Montgomery
Stephanie Porter

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.

 
Region 4
07/27/2023, Montgomery
Stephanie Porter

It was a good sign to see that the corn canopy was collecting as much sunlight as possible with little sunlight hitting the ground. We can’t complain, but would love more rain for corn grainfill. The insecticide application eliminated Japanese beetles and most disease. If you visit field edges where fungicide coverage was a scarce, you will find tar spot on lower leaf and gray leaf spot moving up the plant. Soybeans are hanging in there with no more insect pressure thanks to a recent insecticide application. Septoria brown spot is in the lower canopy.

 
Region 5
07/20/2023, Shelby
Stephanie Porter

Abigail Peterson unfortunately found red crown rot when scouting one of here cover crop side by side trials. I went there to investigate further and it is coming to light that this disease may have spread across Shelby County. We also found it in one field in Macon County.

 
Region 4
07/20/2023, Montgomery
Stephanie Porter

Corn pollination is complete. The cracks in the ground have me hoping for rain soon for grainfill. I unfortunately found that spot for the first time on our farm on a few lower leaves. We will continue to scout to see if the disease progresses and if the fungicide application holds. No report on our soybeans this week, but instead I headed to scout soybeans in Shelby Co.

 
Region 4
07/13/2023, Montgomery
Stephanie Porter

Corn is almost fully pollinated and recently had a fungicide/insecticide application. Soybeans have just reached R3 and Septoria brown spot is showing up in lower leaves. It’s almost getting dry again and we will need moisture for corn grainfill. High smoke in the air.

 
Region 4
07/05/2023, Montgomery
Stephanie Porter

Corn pollination is taking place. Soybeans will be approaching R3 (pod set) soon. Both corn and soybeans will be at the correct growth stage for fungicide and insecticide in about a week. There appears to be a lot of waterhemp escapes. Also saw minor corn snap and lodging.

 
Region 3
06/14/2023, Iroquois
Stephanie Porter

This field has now shown yellowing or K deficiency in large areas for this year and two years ago in corn. Very, dry which only enhances the K deficiency symptoms. No other fields in the area showing symptoms. No spring N was applied at or near planting. We plan to investigate further.

 
Region 4
06/10/2023, Montgomery
Stephanie Porter

Corn will reach tassel in 1 to 2 weeks. Soybeans will reach R3 in 1 to 2 weeks. Japanese beetles are moving in on field edges. Post herbicide applications have taken place in soybeans.

 
Region 4
06/02/2023, Christian/Montgomery
Stephanie Porter

Corn is starting to appear stressed, with K deficiency symptoms due to lack of rain. Early planted soybeans are starting to bloom. Growth of both corn and soybeans is stunted. Some bacterial blight on lower leaves is of R1.

 
Region 4
05/25/2023, Mason
Stephanie Porter

Conditions appear very, dry with some moisture still in the ground for recent replanted areas. Irrigation was running on corn. Crops have not quite show signs of drought stress yet but are close.

 
Region 5
05/22/2023, DeWitt
Stephanie Porter

Some soybeans are showing signs of herbicide injury. Weeds are just starting to emerge. There was some minor bean leaf beetle feeding with a few plants showing signs of Phytopthora root rot.

 
Region 4
05/21/2023, Christian
Stephanie Porter

This field was replanted into the original stand because most of the field was only 50,000 plants per acre after planting early, saturated soils, and then hail. Several weeds such as waterhemp and ivyleaf morning glory are coming on strong. Post herbicide will be needed soon.

 
Region 4
05/21/2023, Montgomery
Stephanie Porter

Early planted corn is now at V5/V6, while later planted corn is at V3. Fields are clean for the most part. No signs of insects or disease.

 
Region 5
05/10/2023, DeWitt
Stephanie Porter

The stands of soybeans appeared adequate for 30 inch rows. No signs of pests or other stress.

 
Region 5
05/10/2023, Vermillion
Stephanie Porter

Stand counts were taken and were really good on both corn and soybeans. There were a few patches of cereal rye that did not completely die at termination. After further inspection, we found that the seeding depth of the corn was 1 1/2 inches, which is a much shallower depth than planned.

 
Region 4
05/09/2023, Christian
Stephanie Porter

We received 3 to 3.5 inches total over the previous weekend. The hail events took place on Sunday, May 7th. Stand counts of soybeans were on the lower end before the hail. You are able to see regrowth already on soybeans thanks to warm days. We will need to reevaluate the stand at the end of the week if it does not rain again. The West side of the field is the worst. No hail injury across the county line into Montgomery County.

 
Region 4
05/09/2023, Montgomery
Stephanie Porter

We received 2 to 3 inches of rain in total over the previous weekend. This and the heat amazingly allowed the corn to break through the soil crust. Stands look so much better, but way too wet to take stand counts.

 
Region 4
05/04/2023, Montgomery
Stephanie Porter

Planted on April 12th. Population of around 70,000 plants per acre, with many still trying to push through. We need a rain!

 
Region 4
05/04/2023, Montgomery
Stephanie Porter

Planted April 18th and 19th. A few spikes can be seen coming through soil cracks. Soil is crusted, but corn remains ok beneath the sealed in soil. Dad is starting worry. We need rain!