Corn Belt producers are cautiously optimistic heading into harvest, with crops showing solid yield potential despite recent heat stress that trimmed top-end expectations in some areas. Welcome rains and cooler temperatures in late July provided timely relief for both corn and soybeans, though the heat has returned and more moisture is still needed to finish the season strong. Meanwhile, fungicide applications are winding down as the first reports of southern rust and tar spot begin to surface across the region.
Six Pro Farmer members share updates on crop conditions across the Midwest.
Fort Dodge, Iowa — Recent heat has set the crop back slightly and may have reduced top-end corn yield potential, but overall both corn and soybeans show above-average potential, according to Roger Williams. Disease pressure remains minimal, though additional rainfall would benefit crops as they finish the growing season.
“Everything looks pretty good in this area – everything is a nice, dark green,” Williams says. “But 50 miles south, things change pretty drastically – that area needs additional moisture.”
The soybean crop has mostly finished flowering and needs favorable weather this month. Silage chopping will likely begin after Labor Day, with harvest starting around the second or third week of September.
Altamont, Ill. — April-planted soybeans are performing exceptionally well with heavy node-stacking, Faith Kemme says. Corn also looks good following fairly mild weather, with no tipback or pollination issues.
Yield potential remains around average, as early rains hindered root growth for earlier-planted corn. However, rains throughout the growing season have been adequate, with no heavy downpours or flooding. The earliest-planted corn is beginning to turn and should be ready for harvest by mid-September. Double-crop soybeans also show strong potential, benefiting from recent timely rains.
Patoka, Ind. — Listen to Caleb Smith discuss crop conditions in southwestern Indiana in the video below.
Frost, Minn. — The planting and growing season has been near ideal, with a dry planting period followed by timely rains, Lucas Johnson says. Nearly the entire crop was planted between mid-April and early May. Pollination was dry with light rains during tassel.
Ears are filling evenly, and the corn crop could exceed last year’s yield in the immediate area. However, some fields show signs of excessive rain. A few reports of tar spot have emerged in the area.
Soybeans are waist-high with strong potential, and the top cluster is starting to flower. Aphid pressure could begin increasing, making scouting crucial. Recent rains have been helpful, and daytime and nighttime temperatures have moderated, with daytime highs in the mid-70s to 80s and nighttime lows mostly in the 60s.
Gibbon, Neb. — Recent rains and cooler temperatures were welcome, Kirk Summers says. About 1.5 inches fell in the area, which the ground absorbed quickly, providing relief for irrigation pivots.
Temperatures have warmed again, and most producers are spraying heavily due to concerns about tar spot and southern rust, particularly with numerous corn-on-corn acres and high humidity. Soybeans look adequate, but heavy western bean cutworm presence is causing concern. Harvest should begin around late September.
Lakeview, Ohio — The crop has received good rains recently, though some pockets show bean yellowing from excess moisture, Charles Schulze says. Fungicide applications have been at full force but should be mostly complete.
Soybean maturity is variable, with some finished flowering and others at R2. The crop continues to show solid potential with little disease pressure so far.
The countdown to the Pro Farmer Crop Tour and Yield Academy is on. Register to attend a nightly Crop Tour meeting on:
- Aug. 17 in Noblesville, Ind., or Grand Island, Neb.
- Aug. 18 in Bloomington, Ill. or Nebraska City, Neb.
- Aug. 19 in Riverside, Iowa or Spencer, Iowa
- Aug. 20 in Rochester, Minn.
Register for Yield Academy on Aug. 20 in Rochester, Minn., featuring Farm Journal Agronomists Ken Ferrie and Missy Bauer and Dan Basse with AgResource Company. Your registration includes participation in the Pro Farmer Crop Tour finale.
