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Pro Farmer National Forecast: Corn Falls Short of Last Year’s Record, But Soybeans Eye New Milestone
Scouts say early-season weather stress reduced corn ear counts and grain length and cut stands across the Corn Belt, but above-average soybean pod numbers mean farmers could harvest a record bean crop this fall.
Day 1 of the Pro Farmer Crop Tour highlights a deeply divided Corn Belt. Scouts find drought-damaged corn but surprisingly resilient soybeans in the West, while the East battles mud and highly uneven maturity.
Each agriculture revolution arrived faster than the last one; now here comes AI, and no technology in ag’s history has promised to rewire the economics of farming this fast.
Illinois Soybean Association on-farm research found that sulfur can boost yields under certain soil and management conditions—but it’s far from a blanket recommendation.
With varying degrees of severity being reported, agronomists and growers are evaluating whether to spray this late in the season. Check out the Crop Protection Network interactive map to see if the disease is in or near your county.
Some simple field checks this summer can reveal whether you’re planting a specific hybrid too thick, too thin, or just right — good insight to have before you order seed for next season.
Agronomists detail how your variety selections and planting strategy might need to adapt to better manage risk during the growing season and protect yield at harvest.
USDA ratings show that the nation’s crops lag behind Iowa’s current strong performance, while drowned-out areas and weather stress in Illinois could deliver harvest disappointments.