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
Drought is deepening in Nebraska, but corn and soybean crops are hanging tough so far.
From corn fields flattened to grain bins ripped to shreds, the scene was stark after the derecho ravaged the heartland on August 10, 2020. One year later, crop potential is promising, but rebuilding is still underway.
According to the weekly USDA Crop Progress report, the national corn condition ratings are still trailing last year at this time, but it was USDA’s double digit increase to Illinois ratings that sparked questions.
During August, markets watchers will debate the possibilities of national yields. USDA’s gauge of crop conditions are posted every week, Pro Farmer says the condition ratings aren’t the best indication of yield.
July proved to be a scorcher in the West, but the weather story flipped to start August, with much of the eastern half of the country enjoying cooler and dryer air during the first few days of the month.
Brad and Lisa Dircks’ farm in Lowden, Iowa was flattened by the derecho last week. This week, scouts on the Pro Farmer Crop Tour will gauge the scope of damage, wading through fields across eastern Iowa.
USDA shows only 9% of the spring wheat crop is rated good to excellent. 66% is rated poor to very poor. USDA Meteorologist Brad Rippey says you have to go back to 1988 to find a spring wheat crop rated this poor.
July rains calmed some concern about the corn crop this year, but between crop conditions, weather issues and other factors stirring in the markets, analysts say soybeans may still have a bullish story this summer.
As smoke covers much of the Midwest, it’s providing a layer of protection from high heat in areas like eastern North Dakota. One agronomist says some of the crops in the central and western parts are already fried.
In soybeans, look for white mold issues this week. Initial symptoms generally develop in the R3 to R6 production stages.