Insects

We have no reports of corn rootworm larva hatch. We are hoping that they have not hatched and are being drowned out. There are no lightning bugs at this point which is often an indicator of rootworm hatch. We have a wireworm trial sight in northern Indiana that has had some excellent feeding injury on the high ground that has not been holding water. The checks in those areas have up to 50% of their plants damaged. White grub feeding is light, with the larva going deeper in the soil with the increasing temperatures.

Weeds

Weed growth has really picked up with warmer temperatures. The month of May was colder than normal, which resulted in slow weed development. Common lambsquaters and annual grass were the prominent species. Giant ragweed and velvetleaf is quickly catching up and becoming more common.

Disease

Conditions are excellent for disease development. Fusarium, phyhium and leaf rusts all will become more common as the wet conditions linger.

Water Damage

Crops that are covered with water are under extreme stress. Small corn (less than V-5) can tolerate 24-48 hrs of water coverage before death. If temperatures climb the amount of water coverage time decreases. Soybeans can stand slightly longer times of water coverage. Along with the crop stress, nitrogen loss increases due to denitrification and leaching. Overall extreme wet conditions are difficult not only from a plant development stage, but things like crop herbicide applications are delayed which results in loss due to weed competition.

It is hard to believe that last year we only received 0.81 inches of rain in May. How things change!!!.

Fritz Koppatschek
ABG AG Services