Regional Crop Update 5/13
May 13, 2024
Cedar/Scott County, Iowa
Eastern Iowa has been able to get the majority of the crop in the ground in between rain showers. Planting progress is sitting roughly 90% on corn and 60%-70% on soybeans. Early planted corn emerged in 7-10 days thanks to warm temps and ample moisture. One thing to watch this spring is insects and disease pressure being higher than usual due to the mild winter. We have seen that firsthand in our alfalfa crop locally with the alfalfa weevil causing early season damage before the first cutting. Make sure to scout your hay crop if you haven’t and contact your local rep if a insecticide application is needed.
Jackson/Clinton County, Iowa
Some major rainfalls hit the area this week totaling up to 1.7” in some spots which halted planters for a bit. The planters had been running hard for a few days up until the rain and I am estimating farmers being close to 60% done with corn and 75% with beans, and even a few operations wrapping up planting completely. The majority of early planted corn and beans have gotten a good start and thanks to the ample moisture provided, have come out of the ground. Saturday’s wind and warmer temps allowed us to get back at spraying fields for most of the day on Sunday. With rain moving back into the forecast for Monday/Tuesday, planters will be scrambling in areas to get as much planted on Mother’s Day, before they are kept at bay again for at least a little while.
Sperry, Iowa
Southeast Iowa continues to be very wet with rainfall total in excess of 12 inches since March 1st. All of the early planted corn and soybeans are up with relatively even emergence and good stand counts, but there have been some concerns with sidewall compactions in heavier ground. Winter annuals and early weeds continue to cause issues as they grow unchecked where there is no residual down. Residuals seem to be holding fine for now but there is some concern that we could have to come early with a post-emerge pass to maintain control. As of lately SE Iowa has roughly 40 percent of the soybeans in and 30-40 percent of the corn planted. Farmers have been taking advantage of small windows and continue to get crop in the ground when they can. Overall, we are moving forward with the crop but at a slower pace than anticipated.
Kasbeer & Annawan, Illinois
Planted acres across both commodities continues to increase during the windows between recent rainfall events. Recently planted crops are coming out of the ground in about 7-9 days after planting thanks to high temperatures mostly in the lower 70s to low 80s. As the 2024 crop begins to emerge our focus will soon shift to post emergent weed control.
Galva/Camp Grove, Illinois
Planting progress was brought almost entirely to a halt in the last two weeks as sporadic rains made it difficult to continue fieldwork. This region has accumulated 1.5-2.5” of rain since April 29th. Corn emergence has been somewhat uneven in water-logged soils, but plants appear to be growing well otherwise. Keep an eye out for lingering soil moisture when planting: furrow smearing and sidewall compaction has been identified in fields planted more recently. In other news, alfalfa weevils have flourished in the past few weeks with the warm weather. Gowers with alfalfa fields should scout for infestations and consider spraying before 1st cutting.
Eastern Iowa has been able to get the majority of the crop in the ground in between rain showers. Planting progress is sitting roughly 90% on corn and 60%-70% on soybeans. Early planted corn emerged in 7-10 days thanks to warm temps and ample moisture. One thing to watch this spring is insects and disease pressure being higher than usual due to the mild winter. We have seen that firsthand in our alfalfa crop locally with the alfalfa weevil causing early season damage before the first cutting. Make sure to scout your hay crop if you haven’t and contact your local rep if a insecticide application is needed.
Jackson/Clinton County, Iowa
Some major rainfalls hit the area this week totaling up to 1.7” in some spots which halted planters for a bit. The planters had been running hard for a few days up until the rain and I am estimating farmers being close to 60% done with corn and 75% with beans, and even a few operations wrapping up planting completely. The majority of early planted corn and beans have gotten a good start and thanks to the ample moisture provided, have come out of the ground. Saturday’s wind and warmer temps allowed us to get back at spraying fields for most of the day on Sunday. With rain moving back into the forecast for Monday/Tuesday, planters will be scrambling in areas to get as much planted on Mother’s Day, before they are kept at bay again for at least a little while.
Sperry, Iowa
Southeast Iowa continues to be very wet with rainfall total in excess of 12 inches since March 1st. All of the early planted corn and soybeans are up with relatively even emergence and good stand counts, but there have been some concerns with sidewall compactions in heavier ground. Winter annuals and early weeds continue to cause issues as they grow unchecked where there is no residual down. Residuals seem to be holding fine for now but there is some concern that we could have to come early with a post-emerge pass to maintain control. As of lately SE Iowa has roughly 40 percent of the soybeans in and 30-40 percent of the corn planted. Farmers have been taking advantage of small windows and continue to get crop in the ground when they can. Overall, we are moving forward with the crop but at a slower pace than anticipated.
Kasbeer & Annawan, Illinois
Planted acres across both commodities continues to increase during the windows between recent rainfall events. Recently planted crops are coming out of the ground in about 7-9 days after planting thanks to high temperatures mostly in the lower 70s to low 80s. As the 2024 crop begins to emerge our focus will soon shift to post emergent weed control.
Galva/Camp Grove, Illinois
Planting progress was brought almost entirely to a halt in the last two weeks as sporadic rains made it difficult to continue fieldwork. This region has accumulated 1.5-2.5” of rain since April 29th. Corn emergence has been somewhat uneven in water-logged soils, but plants appear to be growing well otherwise. Keep an eye out for lingering soil moisture when planting: furrow smearing and sidewall compaction has been identified in fields planted more recently. In other news, alfalfa weevils have flourished in the past few weeks with the warm weather. Gowers with alfalfa fields should scout for infestations and consider spraying before 1st cutting.