Dear Clint,
Lots of topics this week... Fungicides, rootworm, drought, aphids and regional reports.
Remember to check the agronomy article archives, as we are posting about 40 new agronomic articles every week on the website. |
Lots of talk about fungicides
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Fungicides are the talk of about every major ag publication this week. Here are links to some of those articles:
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Drought Issues Continue
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 Many areas of the corn belt still dry
Here's a few university links on the status of crops in droughty conditions.
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Other Insect Issues
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Here are some of the issues that are being seen this week, in both corn and soybeans:
Soybean Aphids:  Western Bean Cutworm
 Japanese BeetleFrogeye Leaf Spot
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| Regional Agronomic Reports |
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| Illinois / Wisconsin: Pollination is well under way or
nearly complete in most of Illinois. Fortunately the temperatures and
soil moisture in most areas have been favorable and most of the crop will be
pollinated before the heat returns. For those in Wisconsin, pollination is
just getting started in some areas and may be well under way in the
southern areas. As of today, I have not received any reports of significant
insect pressure including Western Corn Rootworms or Japanese Beetles. If you
have fields that are late planted or were replanted, be on the lookout for silk
clipping from rootworms as they will begin to migrate to these fields in search
of fresh silks and pollen. As for leaf diseases, there is not much to report at
this time. That being said, the cooler nights and heavy dews can increase the
chances of both Common Rust and Northern Corn Leaf Blight so keep watch for
these diseases if the cooler conditions continue.
The soybean crop is in good shape in
most areas and as of now have had little insect pressure. In the coming weeks,
be on the lookout for soybean aphids. There have been some reports of aphids in
northwestern Illinois and western Wisconsin, but they are not close to the
economic threshold of 250 aphids per plant. Even though, the levels are low
aphid populations can increase rapidly, so it would be good to monitor your bean
fields for aphid development especially if your soybeans were not treated with
FastBreak CP. For those in central Illinois, it may also be necessary to keep an
eye out for Japanese beetles in your soybeans, as the corn crop finishes
pollination beetles may move from corn to soybeans. Currently, there are no
reports of economic levels of defoliation but this pest can also increase
rapidly and reach an economic level quickly. - Tim Jordal, CCA Iowa / South Dakota:
The planes are flying
on fungicide pretty wide spread over the area. It reminds me of the old days
when we used to scout for corn borer. Boy, I miss walking those fields in the
hot July sun. Western Iowa needs some rain as
areas are showing signs of severe drought stress. Pastures are getting used up
fast and hay will be at a premium this fall, if current supply is used this
summer. - David Hoy, CCA
Michigan / Indiana / Ohio:
Corn and soybeans both
look good in Michigan despite the dry conditions. Corn is
entering the pollination stage with many tassels appearing however, not much
insect pressure. Indiana and Ohio corn has experienced
lots of dry weather and has pollinated or is in pollination with lots of
reporting of Corn Rootworm beetle and Japanese beetle pressure. Rootworm
pressure has even been reported as feeding on corn leaves when silks haven't
appeared yet. The past week had reports of rain in some areas but nothing
widespread. - Tex Young, CCA |
