Crop Watch 2025: Corn Yield Threats
Several threats are impacting corn yields this season, including overly tight tassel wrap, Southern Rust and tar spot.
Unscripted: ‘Overly Tight Tassel Wrap’ Affecting Pollination?
Ken Ferrie, Farm Journal field agronomist, joins Tyne Morgan and Clinton Griffiths to shed light on crop conditions, particularly pollination issues.
Crop Condition News
The latest WASDE report from the USDA forecasts record-breaking yields in five of the states Pro Farmer Crop Tour will tour —Indiana, Illinois, Iowa, Nebraska and South Dakota. Illinois could see an amazing average corn yield of 225 bu. per acre.
Now on-demand: Re-watch each night of the Pro Farmer Crop Tour nightly meeting broadcast.
Crop Tour is a fact-finding mission with a goal of getting a strong, objective view of corn yield potential from one big field across seven states.
When average daily humidity levels reach and stay at 75% or above, that’s a signal your crop could be at high risk from the disease.
Some growers are struggling with waterlogged fields that are producing stunted, yellowing corn. Field Agronomist Ken Ferrie offers farmers hope and help with his practical, no-nonsense recommendations.
Ken Ferrie outlines various treatment scenarios, depending on what farmers find in their fields. He cautions that severe infections can easily cause 60-bu.-per-acre yield losses.
Hot, dry weather is forecasted for Russia and Ukraine while flooding in the U.S. Midwest shuts down rail lines and submerges fields and towns. China’s corn and soybean crops are getting some relief after a heatwave.
Crop conditions continue to fall as extreme weather plagues this year’s growing season.
Block out time for crop scouting so you don’t neglect it. Any management and time you lavish on your corn crop as it goes through the pollination period is time well spent, says Ken Ferrie, Farm Journal Field Agronomist.
USDA’s corn and soybean ratings are down again this week amidst extreme weather events across the country.